Former NXT wrestler survives reported natural disaster

When Bobby Steveson left NXT, his character came to an untimely demise. In real life, it appears he has narrowly avoided a similar fate. 

Steveson shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed on social media on Friday afternoon. His only explanation: “Survived my first and hopefully last lightning strike.”

Steveson was a three-time Minnesota state wrestling champion in high school, and he also wrestled for the University of Minnesota, qualifying for the NCAA championships in 2017. 

He signed with WWE in 2021, competing under the name Damon Kemp, first in the Diamond Mine alongside the Creed Brothers, and later in the No Quarter Catch Crew with Charlie Dempsey, Tavion Heights, and Myles Borne. His contract expired in July of 2025; a week later, on NXT television, Dempsey, Heights, and Borne put Kemp’s unseen but presumably lifeless body into the trunk of a car. 

Since leaving WWE, Steveson has wrestled on a handful of independent shows. He has also started releasing country music. 

Steveson is the younger brother of Gable Steveson, the former Olympic gold medal wrestler who has also tried his hand in the NFL, the WWE, and mixed martial arts. 

Kemp would not be the only pro athlete to suffer a recent lightning strike. Sadly, 24-year-old Safwan Awae passed away after being hit by lightning during a football match in Thailand on Tuesday, August 4.