WWE Rumors: Released superstar may return soon after trademark
By Sam Gladen
Could WWE sign a wrestler they released earlier this year?
Fightful reported earlier today that the WWE had filed a trademark for the name “The Way” which covered use on television, and merchandising including but not limited to merchandise, and video games. There was no information offered or indication made by the company as to who might be getting rebranded on WWE programming, but it seems we might now have the answer.
Fightful Select went on to report this afternoon that the WWE has been in talks with Levis Valenzuela Jr. who was known in the promotion as No Way Jose to return to the company. The trademark could indicate a shift in character for the 32-year-old from Durham, North Carolina.
Valenzuela Jr who debuted for the WWE as a member of the NXT roster in 2015, was one of many wrestlers released during the major layoffs on April 15th in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
No Way Jose was not featured frequently on WWE Raw in the past
Jose rose to prominence in NXT over the course of three years from 2015-2018 with his happy-go-lucky gimmick outside the ring and intensity inside of it. Unfortunately, like many performers before him, that popularity struggled to transition to the RAW roster. He was featured less and less after his debut before performing almost exclusively as part of the “Main Event” program.
His last match on WWE programming came when he lost to Erik Rowan in 1:45 on Monday Night RAW. Just two days before his release from the company. Though he was featured less and less it has been widely reported that he was well-liked in both the Monday Night RAW and NXT locker rooms.
Fightful spoke to several individuals, both in and outside of the company, who indicated that it was believed that Valenzuela Jr. would be returning to the promotion as a member of their NXT brand.
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There has not been any comment from the WWE or Valenzuela Jr. regarding the possibility of his resigning with the company. Though they did tell Fightful that there is interest in his renewal.