WWE Has BIG Plans For This NXT Star In 2021

New contract, new storyline, and now big plans? This NXT veteran is living the life...

by Andy H Murray
roderick strong silhouette
WWE

WWE reportedly has big plans for Roderick Strong after agreeing terms on a new contract with the NXT veteran.

This is according to Fightful Select, who confirmed that the former Undisputed Era man signed an extension prior to his new Diamond Mine stable debuting on 22 June - and his wife Marina Shafir's WWE release three days later.

Per the report, Strong will be part of WWE's plans to add focus to NXT's Cruiserweight division as the year progresses. This ties in with Diamond Mine's debut, as the group laid out Cruiserweight Champion Kushida following his match against Kyle O'Reilly, with Strong handling much of the beatdown.

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Diamond Mine's arrival came after a two-month hiatus for Strong, who "quit" NXT in a backstage segment with William Regal in April. Fightful note that other wrestlers who have taken similar hiatuses before re-emerging have also inked new contracts.

Strong has been an NXT regular since October 2016, when he debuted as Austin Aries' partner in that year's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic competition. He has one reign as NXT North American Champion to his name, as well as two with the Tag Team Championships.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.