Former Indie Wrestling Standout Debuts On WWE NXT

Say goodbye to Blake Christian... and hello to Trey Baxter.

by Andy H Murray
Trey Baxter Kushida
WWE.com

Former independent wrestling standout Blake Christian debuted on last night's episode of WWE NXT, arriving on television four months after being announced as part of the biggest Performance Center intake in the training facility's history.

Now going by Trey Baxter, the high-flyer was introduced by a video package and promo before answering North American Champion Kushida's open challenge. Kushida won with his kimura, though Baxter was still able to show flashes of the exciting style that brought him to the dance in the first place.

Kushida was accosted by Kyle O'Reilly after the bell, following William Regal's decision to charge KOR and Adam Cole with picking their own singles opponents for next week.

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Triple H has tweeted the following on Baxter's debut:-

As Blake Christian, Baxter, 23, was one of the independent scene's emerging up-and-coming stars prior to WWE signing him, having broken out through his work in notable groups like GCW, IWA-MS, and BLP in 2019 and 2020. He worked several dates for IMPACT Wrestling earlier this year while also wrestling on NJPW STRONG, with the last of those pretaped appearances airing on 26 March, after WWE had announced his signing.

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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.