WWE: Ricky Saints on His NXT In-Ring Debut Being Like a “Fever Dream”, Jade Cargill WWE Return Plans Update, More News

Ricky Saints Comments on His NXT In-Ring Debut Being Like a “Fever Dream”

Tuesday’s WWE NXT show at the Andrew J. Bradley Center in Cincinnati, Ohio featured Ricky Saints, former Ricky Starks in AEW and indies, making his official in-ring debut for WWE’s NXT brand. Saints had teamed up with Je’Von Evans in a tag team match against Wes Lee & Ethan Page, which was won by Saints & Evans.

Following the show, WWE held a digital exclusive backstage interview with Saints. One of the topics discussed included Saints thoughts about his NXT in-ring debut in WWE.

“Wild, absolutely wild. My story isn’t that not-told, as they say. It’s pretty well known at this point, and I think I overcame a lot of things just to make it in this moment. My first time that I came here, I didn’t know what I was gonna expect. The second time I showed up at NXT, didn’t know what to expect. But this time was different. I knew what was gonna happen. Old Ricky never died. While I thought I put him to bed, guess what? He woke up on his own two feet, and he was ready to go, energized, charged up, like 100% iPhone. You know what I’m saying? If there was ever any doubt about me, tonight proved otherwise. If you have been sleeping on me for the past 14 years, we might as well call you a Tempur-Pedic. One thing’s for certain, I always show up and show out. I deliver every time. I thought tonight was probably more appropriate for where I’m at in my life. I am an emotional man, I’m not afraid to admit that. But tonight felt like a fever dream that I don’t wish to ever wake up from

Saints also gave his thoughts about his goals for his NXT career in WWE and how tonight felt like a “fever dream” for him.

“There’s some other things that I actually wanted to tell you, one being the goals that I set the day that I signed my name on that dotted line, and I said that I was gonna be the man of NXT, that I was gonna headline every NXT PLE. If this wasn’t a start, I don’t know what was. I am very honored to be here standing with you, I’m very honored to be standing in front of this camera, in front of NXT. I don’t think that I ever envisioned my life ending up this way, but damn, at least I can freaking say that I made it through. I made it through. I stood there with my head held high and my chest puffed out because I knew what I wanted, and I knew who I was, and that will never change. There will be no man or woman that makes me forget that. Tonight was a love letter to all the people that rode for me, and most importantly, tonight was a reminder to the old Ricky and more of a letter of what’s to come to the new Ricky and the future Ricky. I think you’ll like that guy too.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

---

Jade Cargill Injury Situation & WWE Return Plans Status Update

As noted before, Jade Cargill has been out of action for WWE following an injury angle on the November 22nd WWE SmackDown show in Salt Lake City, Utah. The situation with Cargill’s injury status has led to conflicting reports over it being genuine or just a storyline injury. During the February 14th episode of WWE SmackDown, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis had provided an update showing footage to Naomi & Bianca Belair that potentially implicated Judgement Day’s Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez as Cargill’s attackers.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Cargill’s return to WWE is “imminent” and could happen as early as this Friday’s WWE SmackDown show or this Saturday’s Elimination Chamber 2025 event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

---

WWE News & Notes

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that A&E recently renewed WWE’s WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats) series for a second season on their network. Johnson reported that filming for this second season is currently in production in Orlando, Florida.

WWE recently announced that they recently signed a sponsorship deal with Nissan Foods for their Hot & Spicy Fire Wok to be the official presenting sponsor for this Saturday’s Elimination Chamber 2025 event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

WWE also recently announced that next year’s NXT Stand & Deliver event and Hall of Fame ceremony will be taking place during WrestleMania 42 weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Deadline reported that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Seven Bucks Promotion studio recently signed a first-look television deal with 20th Television. It was reported that that Seven Bucks and 20th Television will develop and executive produce comedy, drama, adult animation, limited and unscripted series for linear television networks and streamers. It was also announced that this new deal will mostly focus on producing series for Disney Entertainment Television platforms.

WWE recently released five new videos to their WWE Vault channel on YouTube. The first new video was a singles match of Randy Orton vs. Luke Harper from WWE Elimination Chamber 2017. The second new video was a WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship match of Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss (c) from WWE Elimination Chamber 2017. The third new video was a “Victoria presents WWE Women’s Title win against Lita, Molly Holly and Jazz.” The fourth new video was a “The Best of Gunther in EVOLVE – vs. Hero, Sabre Jr., Thatcher and more.” The fifth new video was the full WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 event.

WWE also recently released three new videos to their NXT Vault channel on YouTube. The first new video was the full April 20, 2010 episode of WWE NXT. The second new video was the full October 2, 2013 episode of WWE NXT. The third new video was the full September 25, 2013 episode of WWE NXT.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced on Instagram that his beloved dog Hobbs recently passed away. Johnson stated “RIP 💔 Hobbs. I’ve been numb over this loss, but we’re so grateful for every ounce of pure love he gave our entire family and we’re so grateful he didn’t suffer long as he quietly and bravely left in the night. Lately, there’s been a lot that’s too big to talk about. Lonesome, lonely, heard it’s all the same. One of my favorite songs felt appropriate here, as I wonder what’s going on his new world, because I know what it’s like in mine. Not sure how spirits work but come back and visit every once in a while so we can get in trouble and laugh again.“

Bianca Belair recently issued a statement on Twitter informing fans to be aware of scams involving being contacted by social media accounts claiming to be from her parents. Belair stated “My parents do NOT have ANY social media accounts on ANY platform! If accounts are commenting, dming, or reaching out to you it is a FAKE account. Be safe out there!“

In a recent interview with Pro Wrestling Shoot, WWE 2K25 developer Bryan Williams revealed that he tried to add in a special Easter Egg for the Bloodline members in this year’s game. Williams stated “One of the things that I really wanted to get in that I didn’t, speaking of, Easter egg-type things is, when you headbutt the Samoan, I wanted there to be that reaction where it hurts the attacker versus them. You know what I mean? We weren’t able to get it in, but it’s just one of those cool spots that you would see even Jey did it not that long ago. I forget who tried to headbutt Jey Uso, and he kind of just no sold it.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

Tuesday’s WWE NXT show in Cincinnati, Ohio featured TNA talent Moose making his official in-ring debut in WWE’s NXT brand. Moose defeated Lexis King to retain his TNA X-Division Championship on the show. Following his match, WWE held a digital exclusive backstage interview with Moose discussing his thoughts about his NXT in-ring debut. Moose stated “It’s an awesome experience. Every weight I’ve ever lifted, every flight I’ve ever boarded on, every country I’ve ever went to, every championship I’ve ever won prepared me for this moment. But like the great Bill Belichick says, it’s just another day at the office.” Moose also gave his thoughts about his upcoming match against Oba Femi for the NXT Championship at NXT Roadblock 2025. Moose stated “It’s a matchup I’ve been looking for for a very long time. I’ll be honest, I have a ton of respect for Oba. He’s done a lot of great things in the last two years. But let’s be honest, without me, there wouldn’t be no Oba. At Roadblock, I’m gonna prove that to him. I’m also gonna make him trust the system.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)