Called up to the main roster in September 2020 as part of the ill-fated RETRIBUTION faction, Dominik Dijakovic was repackaged as T-BAR, complete with a Bane-esque mask. The stable quickly went their separate ways and as a result, the former ROH star has failed to find his feet on Monday Night Raw.
There may be hope for him after all, however, as it appears Dijakovic is returning to NXT. A brief vignette aired during NXT Halloween Havoc showed the aforementioned mask being burned in a fire. Although WWE is yet to officially confirm whether or not this is indeed Dominik Dijakovic, there’s not anyone else it could be.
The T Bar mask on fire!
Dominik Dijakovic coming? 👀#HalloweenHavocpic.twitter.com/Frwg6DM6BP— Ɔ Wrestling (@CWrestlingUK) October 23, 2022
Dijakovic was once perceived as a top star in the Triple H-led NXT, contesting an acclaimed series of matches vs. Keith Lee that included a celebrated NXT North American Championship contest at NXT TakeOver: Portland. Despite failing to win a single championship, Dominik was a beloved member of the roster, based purely on work ethic.
He hasn’t competed on Monday Night Raw since the red brand’s June 27th broadcast, competing in a Last Chance Money in the Bank Qualifying Battle Royal that saw Matt Riddle emerge victorious. He’s been restricted to WWE Main Event ever since, regularly facing Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin, and ex-RETRIBUTION partner Mustafa Ali.
Dominik Dijakovic Was A Top Star On The Independents
Prior to signing with WWE in the summer of 2017, Dominik Dijakovic – known on the independent circuit as Donovan Dijak – was a top star. Becoming a mainstay of EVOLVE, PWG, and Northeast Wrestling, it was his time in Ring of Honor that saw Dijakovic enjoy his biggest success.
Spending three years in the then-Sinclair-helmed promotion, the 6-foot-9 Massachusettsan won the 2015 Top Prospect tournament, and subsequently wrestled a slew of modern-day wrestling stars, including Jay White, Cody Rhodes, and ‘Hangman’ Adam Page.