Deleted WWE NXT 2.0 Character Returns Despite Controversy
Joe Gacy wants you to know he hasn't been "cancelled" despite last week's deletions.
Joe Gacy has not been "cancelled" by WWE.
The former CZW Champion said as much during a promo on last night's episode of NXT 2.0, which leaned heavily on such terms as "safe space" and "triggered" despite WWE removing multiple references to a similar segment on last week's show.
Gacy's new character debuted on 21 September. It sparked mainstream media coverage from outlets that wouldn't normally touch professional wrestling, including the New York Post, which penned an article titled "WWE pokes fun at the woke left with new wrestler." While there was no confirmation that the two things were linked, WWE deleted all signs of the promo from its website and social media channels soon after these reports started emerging.
Having lost to Cameron Grimes on last week's show (shaking his hand afterwards), there was no match for Gacy last night. Joe instead left the ring prior to Xion Quinn vs. Oney Lorcan commencing - and wasn't seen for the rest of the broadcast.
Gacy, 34, has been a pro wrestler since 2006. A respected veteran of the independent scene, he was signed by WWE in August 2020 and debuted opposite Desmond Troy on the 2 July 2021 episode of 205 Live.