NXT UK stalwart WALTER could be set for a spot on the main roster of WWE according to a new report.
The Austrian star joined WWE as part of its NXT UK brand back in January 2019. Setting his stall out from the get-go The Ring General set his sights on Pete Dunne and his NXT UK Championship. At NXT TakeOver: New York WALTER defeated the Englishman to become the new champion.
For the next 870 days, nobody could touch the Austrian star as he batted away all challengers including the current NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa. That was until NXT TakeOver: 36 in August 2021 when WALTER’s time as champion came to an end at the hands of Ilja Dragunov.
That was the last time WALTER was seen on WWE television although he did compete on several live shows as part of WWE’s tour of Europe taking on Cesaro as well as teaming with Sheamus in all-European bouts.
Now Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has noted that a change in WALTER’s personal life, as well as a noticeable weight loss, could signal the arrival of the star onto the WWE main roster:
“Regarding rumors of Walter’s status changing, he did split up with his wife. Family was the reason he used to be not interested in moving from Europe. But he has dropped weight because having a good looking body is far more important on the main roster and there is interest in having him base in the U.S.”
WALTER has done battle with some members of the WWE main roster before. He appeared on Raw in the run-up to Survivor Series 2019. At a Raw show in Manchester, England, WALTER battled Seth Rollins and teamed with Imperium to battle Rollins, Kevin Owens, and The Street Profits.
At Survivor Series 2019 the Austrian was a part of Team NXT that was a part of a tri-branded battle for supremacy at that year’s event. He was the first man eliminated in the men’s 5 vs. 5 vs. 5 match by former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.