Ex-WWE Star Makes Surprise Return With New Name
After a slew of recent releases, one former WWE star who left the company in 2023 has returned to the company under their new name.
On the May 6 edition of NXT, a battle royal took place to find Oba Femi’s next NXT Championship challenger at Battleground. Most of the 25-man field was in the ring when TNA star Elijah – formerly known as Elias – made his entrance using his new moniker.
Despite the fans chanting “Elias,” the star asked, “Who wants to walk with Elijah?” before he made his way to the ring.
WHO WANTS TO WALK WITH ELIJAH?!@_Iam_Elijah_ IS HERE FOR THE BATTLE ROYAL!! 🤯#WWENXTpic.twitter.com/RPjfiZmRod
— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2025
Elijah Fails To Win On WWE Return
Elijah went deep in the match and managed to eliminate Trick Williams following a distraction from TNA World Champion Joe Hendry. Ultimately, Shawn Spears threw Elijah over the top rope, putting an end to his return.
Ironically, Elijah’s final match in WWE before his NXT return was a battle royal in May 2023 to find a number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship. Such is the changing face of WWE over the past two years, out of the 25 men who were part of that match, 13 are no longer with the company.
Elijah made his TNA debut in February 2025 and during his time in the company, he has formed an alliance with another guitar-wielding star in Joe Hendry.