Tony D’Angelo debuted in NXT over five years ago, but here we are in 2026 with no WWE main roster call-up in sight. That begs the question, what the heck is going on here?
In an interview this week on WWE Radio’s Busted Open After Dark, D’Angelo admitted that it does bother him to see other NXT wrestlers chosen over him for those spots.
“I mean, yeah. I feel like that’s a natural human reaction, to see somebody kind of bypass you. But I also think that it’s out of my control, to an extent. Look, I’m
always gonna go out there and give 150%. I’m never gonna half-ass anything. So, that’s all I can do. And I can continue to learn, and progress in an upward motion.”
The former NXT champion has been assured by head honcho Shawn Michaels that these call-up decisions are about “timing” rather than being an indictment of his performance in the ring.
“But this business [is] unlike any other business, you know? Some people have what they’re looking for right now, and it’s just like a circumstance thing. And, you know, Johnny Russo, Shawn Michaels, Matt Bloom, they’re all assuring me that it’s not because you’re doing bad work, or it’s not because you’re not ready, or any of that. It’s just a timing thing. They’re looking for something that, you know, I didn’t fit that mold of right now. And this person might have came in, maybe doesn’t have as much experience as I do, but it’s exactly what they were looking for. So, I can’t really be upset at that.”
My non-existent Spidey-sense immediately went off when I heard the people in charge blamed it on “timing,” because Booker T just used that same shitty excuse for why Travis Scott’s WWE training failed. It sounds like they’re lying to you, Tony.
Despite how long it’s taking to reach the WWE main roster, D’Angelo doesn’t plan to give up chasing that goal.
“Yes, I’ve been here for a long time, but I am not a quitter. I have never quit anything in my life. And if I did, I would be doing a disservice to my family, my coaches, my parents, my son. That’s just a bad look. I don’t want that reputation. It doesn’t matter how long it’s gonna take. I’m going to keep going. And I’m still here, so I gotta keep moving. That’s all it is.”
Do you think Tony D’Angelo is ever getting called up to Raw or SmackDown, or will it always happen to not be the right time for him? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
