Mercedes Martinez returns to WWE NXT, attacks Io Shirai

For the first time since departing RETRIBUTION, Mercedes Martinez returned to WWE television tonight.

Martinez made her return to NXT by attacking NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai tonight. After being challenged by Toni Storm on tonight’s NXT, Shirai went to the ring and called Storm out. Shirai sat in a steel chair waiting for Storm to come down to the ring. But Martinez then attacked Shirai from behind.

Martinez threw Shirai around ringside. Shirai tried to fight back, but Martinez tackled Shirai into the apron and threw her against the announce table.

Along with T-Bar (Dominik Dijakovic), Mace (Dio Maddin), Reckoning (Mia YIm), and Slapjack (Shane Thorne), Martinez was originally one of the core members of RETRIBUTION on the main roster. Her RETRIBUTION name was Retaliation. It was confirmed this October that Martinez was no longer part of the group and would be returning to NXT.

Martinez had been written off NXT TV in September. After losing a steel cage match to Rhea Ripley, WWE uploaded video of a post-show angle where Martinez was presented with a restraining order from Robert Stone. Martinez had been part of the Robert Stone Brand with Stone and Aliyah.