Zoey Stark Returns to WWE NXT, Wrestler Pulled from Battle Royal Main Event?, More

By
PWMania.com Staff
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Zoey Stark is the new #1 contender to WWE NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose.

Stark made a surprise return from injury in Tuesday night’s 20-Woman Battle Royal main event. She won in the Battle Royal, earning a shot at Rose’s championship.

Stark was not previously announced for the match. While Sarray was among the names revealed earlier this week, she did not compete in the bout. The other competitors were all announced prior to the start of the show. Sarray was not addressed on the episode and hasn’t competed in a match since joining forces with Andre Chase to defeat Grayson Waller and Tiffany Stratton on the NXT show on May 10.

Stark, Stratton, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion Cora Jade, Yulisa Leon, Sloane Jacobs, Lash Legend, Tatum Paxley, Elektra Lopez, Valentina Feroz, Kiana James, Wendy Choo, Amari Miller, Fallon Henley, Indi Hartwell, Alba Fyre, Nikkita Lyons, Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, and Ivy Nile competed in Tuesday night’s Battle Royal main event

Jade left the match because the other 19 competitors insulted her before it even started. At the ringside, Nile attacked Jade and chased her to the back. Stark, Stratton, James, and Lyons were left in the ring to decide the match. Stratton eliminated Lyons and then James. The two then fought until Stark knocked Stratton off the apron for the elimination. Stark began to celebrate her victory until Jade ran back into the ring, becoming riled up as she waited for Stark to turn around. Jade charged Stark, but Stark threw her over the top rope for the final elimination with a big backdrop. You can click here for our full NXT 2.0 results.

Before tonight, Stark hadn’t competed since she and Io Shirai lost the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles to former champions Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne at NXT Halloween Havoc on October 26, 2021, in a Triple Threat Ladder Match that also featured Hartwell and Persia Pirotta. The following week, a backstage assault was aired to remove her from the storylines.

Later, it was revealed that Stark tore her ACL and meniscus. Early in November, she had surgery, and she started working on her rehabilitation and recovery almost immediately. It was reported in late June that Stark was expected to return relatively soon, and now she is back.

There’s no details on when Stark vs. Rose will take place, but we will keep you updated.

Here are related shots from Tuesday night’s NXT main event:

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