News

WWE Officially Announces 4 Massive Signings

By Sridhar Krishnan • Published May 21, 2026 12:29 EDT
wwe performance center
WWE Performance Center - Source: WWE.com

WWE is taking big strides towards expanding its roster across all brands.

Following the post-WrestleMania release, the company’s higher-ups have made several changes to the main roster as well as the developmental roster.

In February, the promotion also held tryouts, where multiple names fell on their radar, resulting in them earning developmental contracts.

On May 21, WWE shared a tweet on X, unveiling the names of its first Performance Center recruits. The four-person class includes Mason Rook, Marie Malenko, Nicole Martinez, and Marcus Brown.

Prior to his signing with the Stamford promotion, Mason Rook competed in the British independent circuit under the name Will Kroos. He is currently assigned to the NXT brand, where he has already left an impact by attacking its singles champion, Tony D’Angelo.

Marie Malenko is the daughter of veteran wrestler Dean Malenko, who is known for being one of the Four Horsemen in WCW after the faction was revived in the late 90s. Marie will compete under the name “Lacey Simon.”

Nicole Martinez, on the other hand, is none other than Nikki Blackheart. Before joining the company, she served as the CCW Women’s Champion. Blackheart also competed in NXT on the May 19 episode in a dark match, where she defeated Skylar Raye.

Finally, Marcus Brown is an English fitness influencer and has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram.

WWE Main Roster Talent Recently Competed At NXT House Shows

WWE has been keen about bringing back house shows, which have diminished in numbers since TKO Group took charge in 2023.

Recently, main roster talents like Intercontinental Champion Penta, Grayson Waller, and former Women’s Champion Bayley all competed on NXT Live Shows across different cities in the United States.

In a show at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Bayley faced Zaria and secured a victory by DQ. On the same show, Waller teamed up with Naraku and Tristan Angels in a losing cause against Myles Borne, Shiloh Hill, and Tony D’Angelo.

Penta, on the other hand, competed in a mixed tag match, teaming up with OTM and Jaida Parker in a victory over The Vanity Project.

Penta is scheduled to defend his Intercontinental Championship against Ethan Page at Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 23 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.