In a significant change from years past, a major WWE signee may permanently split their time between the company and an indepedent promotion!
After months of rumour and speculation, news that Joshi sensation Giulia was headed to WWE was confirmed when the Japanese star appeared at NXT Stand & Deliver last month. Her appearance was incredibly reminscient of how major free agent signings were promoted during the early days of NXT with Giulia being shown watching the show from ringside.
While her official debut on the black and gold brand was reportedly pencilled in for NXT Heatwave this July, Giulia unfortunately suffered a fractured wrist while competing on Marigold’s inaugural event, the promotion recently founded by former Stardom head Rossy Ogawa. That, on top of uncertanties over visa paperwork, have left those reported plans up in the air.
Now, however, new details have come to light on plans for plans for her debut as well as her unique WWE status, which appears to indicate a major shift in the company’s openess to talent appearing on indepedent events.
Giulia May Permanently Split Her Time Between WWE and Marigold
Fightful Select reports that plans for Giulia to debut at NXT Heatwave, where she would have challenged NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez, has always been dependent on her bookings with Marigold. Now her injury will add further complications to the plan which is said to have been never set in stone for Heatwave specifically.
However, those backstage at NXT are said to be deadset on having Giulia debut in a title match against Perez, regardless of whether it occurs at Heatwave or elsewhere, in a storyline that would also involve NXT General Manager Ava. When she does make her debut, the promotion plan to give her a huge presence specifically with the aim of making her the brand’s female face.
In an interesting note about her WWE status, sources at both WWE and Marigold stated to the outlet that Giulia will not be exclusive to NXT overall for the foreseeable future or perhaps even permanently. This is because working with Marigold was a key part of Giulia’s negotiations in signing with WWE earlier this year.
Recently it was reported that Giulia is set to undergo surgery due to an injury she sustained.
In recent news, it was reported that Giulia’s WWE debut has been pushed back due to her injury.