• nxt

  First Show:

  2010-02-23

  Start Time:

  8 PM EST, 1 AM UK

  Channel:

  USA Network (USA), BT Sport (UK)

Highlights

• Shawn Spears made a shocking return to WWE NXT, attacking Ridge Holland during an in-ring promo.
• His comeback was a surprise to both fans and talent, with his role kept secret until the last minute.
• This marks Spears' third run in WWE, with support from his wife and friend Cody Rhodes on social media.

In a stunning turn of events on Tuesday night's WWE NXT TV episode, the crowd erupted in disbelief as Shawn Spears, formerly known as Tye Dillinger in WWE NXT and currently wrestling under his real name which he used in AEW, made a surprise return. The unexpected comeback occurred during Ridge Holland's in-ring promo, answering the questions behind the "Three Faces" cryptic vignettes that had been airing on WWE NXT programming.

As Ridge Holland spoke in the ring, the arena lights dimmed, and a mysterious vignette reminiscent of the messages from Vengeance Day played on the video walls. Suddenly, a hooded figure stood in the ring, attacking Holland with a chair before revealing himself as none other than Shawn Spears. Fans chanted "10!" but it's not clear if he'll be using parts of his former "Perfect 10" gimmick from his last run with the brand.

Related

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The shocking return not only caught fans off guard but talent too. Few were let in on the return, according to reports. Spears' return was so under wraps that he wasn't listed on internal run sheets or documents leading up to the show, reports Fightful Select. The role he played in the cryptic vignettes was initially referred to as "quote man," and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels filled in for Spears during rehearsals earlier in the day. The report also notes that Spears had reportedly inked a new deal with WWE NXT before the first of the "Three Faces" vignettes aired.

This Is Spears' Third Run In WWE

The surprise return marks Spears' third stint with WWE. He initially signed a developmental deal in 2006, working in OVW, FCW, and briefly on the ECW brand before being released in 2009. Returning in 2013 on another developmental deal, Spears spent the majority of his time in NXT until his call-up to the SmackDown brand in 2017. His 2019 release from the company seemed to mark the end of his WWE tenure, making this return all the more unexpected.

Both his wife and former WWE star Cassie Lee and his close friend Cody Rhodes commented on his return via social media. Cassie Lee wrote, "Home sweet home." Cody simply said, "10".