Update on Shayna Baszler after WWE NXT Homecoming appearance
As of now, Shayna Baszler’s appearance at NXT Homecoming was a one-off and not a full-time return to WWE.
Baszler — who was released from her WWE contract in May — made an on-screen appearance during Tuesday’s Homecoming special, giving advice to Sol Ruca and Zaria in a backstage segment. Dave Meltzer reports in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that, while there is hope within WWE that Baszler will take a coaching or producing position with the company, that is not in place at this point.
“Regarding Baszler those in the company said that they expect and hope she take a coaching or producing position,” Meltzer wrote. “At this point nothing is in place and it was just a one-off thing this week.”
Between the time she was released and her 90-day clause expiring, Baszler did contribute to NXT in a producer-type role. She is set to have her first post-WWE indie match on October 5 for Prestige Wrestling in Portland, Oregon. Baszler vs. Masha Slamovich is set for that show.
The 45-year-old Baszler indicated during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show in August that she could be interested in signing with AEW if that opportunity presented itself.
“I said almost exactly this statement when people were talking about my UFC to WWE transition: I don’t care as much of the letters behind it, I just want to practice my craft,” she said. “And if I can do that alongside my friends, that’s always a great place to be. So, I’m not going to say a hard no to any of that.”
The NXT Homecoming special took place at Full Sail University and celebrated the brand’s past and present. Baszler was a two-time NXT Women’s Champion during her time on the brand.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.