9 Wrestlers WWE Has BENCHED

Brinley Reece made her NXT debut in late 2023, stepping in as a surprise participant in the Women’s Breakout Tournament. Though she showed heart in her first match - a loss to Arianna Grace - it became the first of many losses dressed as half-baked opportunities. Throughout 2024, Reece competed in several televised matches, including bouts against Kiana James, Sol Ruca, and Wendy Choo, but unfortunately found herself on the losing end more often than not. Then, despite being included in the qualifying rounds for the NXT Women’s North American Championship ladder match at Battleground, Reece predictably failed to secure a spot.

Frequent absences from weekly programming suggested a clear lack of momentum with those behind the scenes, and it's hard to discern why. Infectiously entertaining on a show where everybody is encouraged to go to daft levels to get over, Reece was a blast, but failed to blast off, 

Later losses to the Zaria and  Izzi Dame expedited her disappearing act, and an attempted resurgence through NXT’s crossover with TNA (she faced Ash By Elegance) resulted in yet another defeat, doing little to raise her stock.

A brief stint in a romantic subplot involving Karmen Petrovic, Nikkita Lyons and Ashante “Thee” Adonis seemed like it could provide a fresh start but her part the story fizzled out before it had a chance to take hold. As of 2025, Brinley Reece’s future in NXT remains unclear, and select shots with Evolve haven't even resulted in a permanent role there. Her athleticism and charisma are evident, but she’s become a clear example of how talent can be benched before getting a fair chance to show why they shouldn't be near it.