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Ex-WWE Champion Returns After 3-Year Absence On NXT Homecoming

By Sridhar Krishnan • Published Sep 16, 2025 14:08 EDT
nxt homecoming wwe

Wrestling fans at the Full Sail University are in for a treat.

On Tuesday, September 16, WWE NXT celebrates Homecoming, with several former champions and stars expected to turn up in various capacities.

The event is already a star-studded affair. In a series of tweets, WWE announced the names of other elite attendees, hyping up the evening some more.

Bobby Roode, who is a former one-time NXT Champion will be at the Full Sail University in Florida. At NXT TakeOver: San Antonio in January 2017, he defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to become to oldest NXT Champion.

Roode currently works as a producer with the Stamford promotion. The 49-year-old has not appeared on WWE TV for three years. His last televised match took place in April 2022, when he competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown.

Two-time NXT Champion Finn Balor was also announced as one of the attendees alongside Sami Zayn, who became the champion once.

While Balor is one-half of the World Tag Team Champions with JD McDonagh, Zayn serves as the United States Champion on SmackDown.

The EST of WWE, Bianca Belair, and former NXT General Manager William Regal are among the elites, too.

Belair has been out of action since WrestleMania 41 due to an injury. In an unfortunate update, she confirmed that she was not yet fully healed to return to in-ring competition.

WWE NXT Homecoming Has a Stacked Card

NXT Homecoming is expected to be a grand celebration, with current and former talent sharing the ring.

Former NXT tag team champions #DIY will face TNA Champion Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes in a tag team match.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss will defend their Women’s Tag Team Championship against The Culling duo of Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley.

Tyler Breeze, who returned to NXT last week, will challenge Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship.

Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer, and WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton will team up to face Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Jazmyn Nyx.