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Rumors were circulating that Nexus would make an appearance during WrestleMania 36 to surprise fans. While the same did not happen, it seemed like quite a number of fans were in favor of the idea of seeing Nexus return.
Nexus existed in WWE for a short time but managed to make a big impact that helped several Superstars get a push. While most of the Superstars who were part of Nexus have been released by WWE over the years, there are still a few who have been making it big in the company.
During a recent conversation with Danial Ali from The DropKick Podcast, Fred Rosser was asked about his former faction mate, Wade Barrett. Rosser was known as Darren Young during his time in WWE and was one of the initial members of Nexus.
Rosser teased a possible return of the faction for WrestleMania and even joked about how the entire segment would go.
"Yeah well most likely, Wrestlemania in Tampa again with the crowd. We’re gonna come back. The Nexus, him being on commentary and he’s gonna rise up from the table and we’re gonna show up and defeat Retribution. I shouldn't have dropped the news but, oops but it will be fun."
While Rosser may have just been joking, WWE may be planning the entire thing out for real. Since WrestleMania will likely be held with limited fans over two days, WWE will be looking for some big spots to make headlines this year around.
With that in mind, let’s look at five WWE Superstars who could be part of Nexus if the company decides to bring them back for WrestleMania 37.
#5 Darren Young (Fred Rosser) was part of the original Nexus faction
The first man who makes the list is none other than the one who’s started the rumor. Darren Young was one of the men who walked into WWE RAW along with Wade Barrett on June 7, 2010. Nexus attacked John Cena during his main event match against CM Punk and wrecked everything in their sight.
Young could be one of the frontmen if WWE decides to bring back Nexus at WrestleMania 37 and have him make an impact. Since Young is still competing for other promotions, WWE could use the same story as they did before and have him come back in search of a contract.
Young stated during his interview that Nexus will come in and drop RETRIBUTION, which is something the company could have the faction do on their first night back in WWE.
#4 Curtis Axel was part of Nexus
Curtis Axel joined WWE in 2007. He’s another Superstar who was part of the Nexus faction that took over WWE in 2010-2011. Axel first appeared on SmackDown, after which he was sent to the developmental territories. Axel became a part of NXT, after which he joined the Nexus faction on October 3, 2010, at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view.
A disguised Axel appeared with Husky Harris to help Wade Barrett defeat John Cena at Hell in a Cell. The stipulation of the match forced Cena to join Nexus following his loss.
Just like the other members of Nexus, Axel too wanted to earn a WWE contract and stay with the company. After Nexus ended in 2011, Axel continued to team up with David Otunga from the faction, until he was sent back to NXT.
Axel then had several title reigns following his return to the main roster and also competed in a few tag teams. He won the Intercontinental Championship once, and the RAW Tag Team Championships twice.
The Superstar was released from his WWE contract in 2020 at a time when the company was making cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fans could see Axel return as a part of Nexus once again at WrestleMania 37, and demand the company rehire him. Such a storyline could work wonders.
#3 Wade Barrett was the leader of the original Nexus
Darren Young hasn’t been the only former WWE Superstar who’s spoken about a Nexus reunion in recent years. Wade Barrett, the original leader of Nexus, has spoken about WWE’s plans to have Nexus back in the company for their tenth anniversary in the past.
"I was called in January or February by the Talent Relations team in WWE about something they wanted to do during WrestleMania to coincide with the 10th Anniversary of Nexus. I actually turned it down as I didn't like the offer or the plan. I saw Darren just after that and he said he was gonna go and do something with them. But I wasn't going to be involved in whatever it was."
Barrett is now a commentator in WWE and is providing his services for the NXT brand of the company. If WWE is planning to bring Nexus back for WrestleMania 37, then having the Superstar lead from the front once again would work perfectly well for the company.
Young’s idea of having Barrett get up from the commentary table would be ideal at WrestleMania. Instead of RETRIBUTION, WWE could have Barrett and his men attack the WWE Champion or Universal Champion instead, to make an even bigger impact.
#2 Heath Slater was part of the original Nexus
Heath Slater was another WWE Superstar who was an original member of The Nexus. Slater signed with WWE back in 2006 and appeared in all three brands of the company throughout his career, after moving out of its developmental territories. Slater is another Superstar who has spoken about the Nexus faction and how things worked for the men involved.
"We all thought we were getting fired"
"We went down there and beat the hell out of everyone, including the announcers and refs and whoever we saw, and we had fun doing it"
Just like Curtis Axel, Slater too was released from his contract on April 15, 2020, due to budget cuts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, ending his 14-year tenure with the company.
Slater could make a big return to the company at WrestleMania 37 and have the fans behind him. Many fans want to see him return, just like Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre, and win the WWE Championship one day.
A return with Nexus in search of a WWE contract could work really well for the Superstar.
#1 CM Punk was the leader of The New Nexus
One of the biggest names who joined the Nexus faction in WWE was CM Punk. Punk joined Nexus as the leader of the faction after Wade Barrett was exiled from the group. Punk named the faction 'The New Nexus' and tried to take it to new heights.
Punk’s inclusion in the faction helped it grow, and WWE could look to the former Superstar once again if they are looking to bring Nexus back for WrestleMania 37.
While Punk has been away from the WWE ring for a long time, and he may not return to the company for an in-ring run, it’s never-say-never in WWE. Paul Heyman recently revealed that even though he has no idea whether Punk will return to WWE or not, he believes that anything is possible.
"There is nothing irreparable when it comes to wrestling and when it comes to Vince, especially now. The more things go down, the more something like that becomes enticing. But then it's also up to Punk and does he want to wrestle?"
Keeping that in mind, having Punk return even for one-night-only at WrestleMania 37 as part of Nexus could be a great idea. The angle will help WrestleMania make headlines and also gain more viewership.
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