Once upon a time, the man was a Perfect 10, and now we have new details about Shawn Spears’ NXT return.
If you have yet to watch the February 27th edition of NXT, look away fast.
But, if you are still reading, you’ve been warned.
Way back several years ago, the black and gold brand was basically the best show on television. At least for a wrestling fan.
And at one point, there was a man popping crowds. He was known as a Perfect 10, Tye Dillinger.
As was often the case back then, a hot NXT Superstar would get called up and then get lost.
Though he made a couple nice Rumble entries (at number 10, of course), Dillinger was released and found his way to AEW.
In AEW, he was reborn as Shawn Spears (his real name), and enjoyed a bit more success…until that, too, fizzled.
His contract expired recently, and speculation about his next move was swirling.
After the most recent NXT…we don’t need to guess when or where he will show up anymore.
New Details About Shawn Spears’ NXT Return
According to Fightul, Spears’ return on the last show in February was a big surprise, with some talent said to be in complete shock.
His return was not listed on any internal run sheets.
During Tuesday rehearsals for the evening show, Shawn Michaels himself served as the stand-in for what became Spears.
The belief is that Spears was signed shortly before the mysterious vignettes began airing. At first, fans had been wishfully hoping the Japanese in some was an indication of a former NJPW talent.
Instead, we get Shawn Spears.
Considering how his prior run, as Dillinger, went? His current persona and going by his real name ought to be a good thing.
He’s been gone long enough that there will be fans who barely remember his Perfect 10 days, and either way, this return certainly looks to give him a fresh start.