SmackDown is getting another new addition from NXT following the WWE Draft.
After Tuesday night's NXT ended, Shawn Michaels posted a video confirming that ring announcer Alicia Taylor is being called up to SmackDown. Michaels made the announcement in front of the NXT locker room and presented Taylor with an NXT championship belt.
An irreplaceable part of the soundtrack for countless unforgettable #WWENXT moments, and now she's bringing her unending passion to #SmackDown. @AliciaTaylorNXT, thank you for everything you've brought to the #NXTUniverse... and congratulations on your next step! #WeAreNXT pic.twitter.com/3d4IIgaruD
— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) May 8, 2024
Michaels called Taylor unbelievably talented and said she's an "incredible, incredible, wonderful, genuine" human being.
"Sometimes great things happen to great people," Michaels said. "And Alicia here is now, much deserving, going to the main roster."
Taylor (real name Alicia Warrington) was hired by WWE as a member of the NXT broadcast team in 2018. Outside of pro wrestling, she's an accomplished drummer.
Mike Rome, who had been on SmackDown, will be the new ring announcer for NXT. Samantha Irvin will remain the ring announcer for Raw.
Taylor made an Instagram post saying NXT is in good hands with Rome taking over for her:
Thank you to the @wwenxt faithful that show support in #Orlando EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. Thank you to my NXT family, HBK, Triple H, [Matt] Bloom, @vicjosephwwe , the coaches, PC staff and everyone that has made NXT so incredibly special….since I walked through the doors in December 2018.
NXT is left in good hands! BIG welcome to [Mike Rome]
Carmelo Hayes, Blair Davenport, and Baron Corbin joined the SmackDown roster from NXT in the WWE Draft. Ilja Dragunov, Lyra Valkyria, Kiana James, and Dijak were called up to Raw.
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