'%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,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQL/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMpWLf/EACAQAAIBBAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDAQAEBSExExQiNNL/2gAIAQEAAT8AyWEvru+NXQshWpEACu5ZI6OOfHfM0nAmCQGADQxHsF8V/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABH/2gAIAQIBAT8Aj//EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAyH/2gAIAQMBAT8Aq9P/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE is moving forward with its new era, and that means new talent acquisitions, among other significant changes and happenings. The 2023 Draft is also right around the corner. One popular young star has just announced his contract with the company.
The World Wrestling Entertainment: Next Gen all access docuseries is now airing for free on Roku. Boasting John Cena as an executive producer, the eight-episode show follows 8 NIL (Next In Line) athletes as they train to become WWE Superstars.
One of the fan favorites from Next Gen is Brayden Ray. The amateur wrestler racked up numerous achievements in high school and then continued his wrestling career for California State University at Bakersfield.
Standing at 6'0, Ray went to Duke University after one year and has continued his successful college run. He wrestled at 284 pounds in the 2019-2020 season, as well as 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, but dropped to 197 pounds for 2022-2023 in his redshirt senior year. The 24-year-old received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science & Government from Duke. He then began his pro wrestling journey with a tryout during WrestleMania 39 Weekend in Los Angeles.
Ray took to X today to announce that he has officially signed a World Wrestling Entertainment contract. He included two photos with a sneak peek at his look. This comes after another signing was revealed this week.
"It's official [pen emoji] [checkmark emoji] @WWE @WWENXT," Brayden Ray wrote with the photos below.
Ray's tweet is especially interesting as he first announced that he had signed with the company on April 7, which was WrestleMania XL Sunday. His Instagram post went under the radar but included photos of his family and friends wearing logo t-shirts. Brayden said he feels unstoppable with his faith, family, and friends behind him.
"Family and friends, it was a well kept secret, but it’s official. Following graduation of last year I signed with the @wwe . Excited to see what noise I can make over here! With my faith, family, and friends behind me… I feel unstoppable," Brayden Ray wrote with the photos below.
All eight episodes of Next Gen are now available for free on Roku. The show also features Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Big E, and others.
Shawn Michaels praises another college athlete turned WWE Superstar
Trick Williams has been on his way to the top of NXT since signing in February 2021. The former college football player just picked up a win over longtime partner Carmelo Hayes at Stand & Deliver 2024.
Trick's push is continuing as he is set to challenge NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov at Week One of Spring Breakin' on April 23. If Williams loses, he must leave NXT, which has fueled rumors of a potential call-up.
Shawn Michaels recently retweeted a clip of the 29-year-old discussing his career on ESPN SportsCenter. The Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative praised the former NXT North American Champion.
"@_trickwilliams is blazing a path so that others can follow. College Athlete turned Wrestler turned [World Wrestling Entertainment] Superstar! @WWERecruit #WWENXT," Shawn Michaels wrote.
Week One of Spring Breakin' 2024 will be the second NXT Championship match between Williams and Dragunov. The champion retained his title in the 18-minute main event of Vengeance Day on February 4.
