Two NXT Champions Compete In Dark Matches Prior To 6/18 WWE SmackDown

The top two singles NXT Champions are backstage at the WWE ThunderDome on June 18 and have competed in dark matches according to new reports.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider has reported that Karrion Kross, Scarlett Bordeaux, and Bronson Reed were on-hand before the June 18 episode of SmackDown and reportedly competed in dark matches prior to the television show going live on the air.

TNA Wrestling Programming Listed On Sportsnet 360 Schedule In 2025

Both men are currently the main singles champions on the NXT brand and successfully defended their titles on Sunday, June 13 at NXT TakeOver: In Your House. Both men are also newly-crowned champions having held their gold for a little over a month each.

During the global media press conference for In Your House, Kross, the current NXT Champion, noted that he does not intend on staying in NXT forever.

"I'm not a very big fan of undermining people's intelligence. I don't think that's really something anyone in this business should put on themselves. I think the WWE Universe [and] NXT fans should decide who the greatest will be, in due time. But I will tell you this, I don't plan on ever losing this title. That's number one. Number two; I don't plan on staying in NXT forever. Number three; find out on Sunday. These guys are showing up. I'm showing up. I'm planning to beat the shit out of all four of them. I'm leaving with this, that's my game plan. Why? Because it's personal,” he’d say.

Fightful will continue to monitor this story and report any and all updates.

In related news, Becky Lynch is reportedly preparing for a return as well. Learn more here.

Get exclusive pro wrestling content on Fightful Select, our premium news service! Click here to learn more.