WWE NXT coach Steve Corino makes surprise wrestling return
WWE NXT coach Steve Corino won indie gold on Sunday night while making his surprise return to the ring.
In his first singles match in nearly five years, Corino defeated Kaitlyn Marie to win the Premier Wrestling Federation Championship. The indie promotion is based in North Carolina, with Corino being a part owner of the company and its Carolina Wrestling Academy. This is the seventh time he’s held the PWF Championship.
‼️NEW CHAMPION‼️
— Premier Wrestling Federation (@PWFLive) February 23, 2026
Tonight at #PWF25thAnniversary, “The King of Old School” Steve Corino made a surprise return to professional wrestling after more than five years to challenge Kaitlyn Marie for the PWF Championship!
After a hard fought battle, Corino proved he is a king once… pic.twitter.com/gi9DsJCd6O
Sunday’s event was PWF’s 25th anniversary show. Kaitlyn Marie was originally schedule for a title defense against Krule (Mads Kruler Krugger) before Corino subbed in as her opponent.
It was noted that, when he competes in the ring going forward, Corino will be doing so exclusively for PWF. He also holds a full-time position with WWE as a staff member at the Performance Center.
The last singles match Corino had prior to this was in 2021, when he faced off against his son Colby for PWF. Steve Corino did compete in PWF’s Premier Tag League tournament in December 2025, though he did so under a mask and was billed as Mr. Wrestling 3.
Corino is a former ECW World Champion who wrestled all over the world during his career, including in Japan for Zero1. He also worked as a commentator for ROH and NJPW before joining WWE in his behind-the-scenes role. Corino was inducted into GCW and Orange Crush’s Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2024.
It was announced last month that Corino’s son Colby, who is working toward his own in-ring return after undergoing emergency neck and back surgery in 2025, has re-signed with the NWA.
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.