Three NXT wrestlers work dark matches prior to WWE SmackDown

Three members of the NXT roster appeared in dark matches at tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings. 

Former NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defeated Toni Storm in a dark match. 

Gonzalez dropped the NXT Women’s title to Mandy Rose in a Trick or Street Fight at NXT Halloween Havoc this past Wednesday. Gonzalez had held the Championship since April’s NXT TakeOver Stand and Deliver. 

Gonzalez, 30, has been with the company since signing in October 2016. She made her WWE in-ring debut at an NXT house show in January 2017. 

The Creed Brothers of NXT’s Diamond Mine also appeared in a dark match, losing to The Viking Raiders. 

Brutus Creed and Julius Creed made their in-ring debuts on the September 7 episode of NXT television, a show taped in August. Julius signed with WWE in October 2020, while Brutus signed in February 2021. 

Both Creed Brothers have high-level amateur wrestling backgrounds, with Brutus wrestling at Otterbein University and Julius capturing the 2018 ACC heavyweight championship while wrestling at Duke University.