'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 The man formerly known as Eli Drake returns to WWE at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day
It might have happened on the NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day pre-show instead of the main card but a big addition to the roster was revealed nonetheless. The man known as Eli Drake in IMPACT and NWA is now going by a different name. During the broadcast, a brief clip was shown with Drake, now going by LA Knight, cutting a promo on the pre-show analysts and the NXT locker room.
Knight was previously in the WWE developmental system back in the 2000s before it became NXT. He departed to pursue opportunities elsewhere, including a run with IMPACT Wrestling, where he won the IMPACT World title. He also had a recent run in the revamped NWA promotion.
One thing that Knight brings to NXT in spades is the gift of gab. There are few performers who can spin a promo on the mic like the former Eli Drake. He's entertaining as a heel or a face, and whichever he portrays in NXT will only help energize the brand. NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day may have debuted him differently than other Takeovers would have, but it was an exciting and effective debut nonetheless.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
