Tavion Heights has the potential to be a star for the future

WWE shifted its development strategy from hiring well-known independent names to bringing in former collegiate and pro athletes. The results have been mixed, with some like Lola Vice and Oba Femi standing out, while others like Gable Steveson not meeting the mark. One individual that is catching the eyes of fans both in the US and overseas is Tavion Heights. He’s someone that everyone should keep a close eye on as he is showing the promise to be a star in the future.

27-year-old Heights has been a surprise in recent months. But surprising everyone is something that Hancock is known to do. In 2022 he suddenly retired from Greco-Roman Wrestling. This was at a time when he was considered the “face” of American wrestling in that discipline. He walked away from the sport after making the US World team and having a chance to compete in his second Summer Games.

Heights signed with WWE shortly after and by December he was performing on NXT LVL Up. Ever since then, he’s been a star in the making, and his run in Japan is continuing to prove that point. Since the start of August, he’s been on an excursion with NOAH and having some excellent matches. These highlights continue to make the rounds on social media, getting more attention with each one. These are valuable reps that will serve him long-term. Not only is WWE getting a potential future star more experience, but he’s building fans in another country that will hopefully follow the rest of his career.

It will be interesting to see how Heights will be used once he returns to WWE NXT full-time. A split from the No-Quarter Catch Crew seems imminent, setting him up for several matches. It would make sense for him to move into the mid-card scene after that. Regardless of the direction that is immediately picked, there’s so much potential for where Heights can go. Shawn Michaels is doing an excellent job cultivating young talent, especially people of color, on that brand. Heights is showing that he has the ability to be another name added to that list.

WWE NXT is truly becoming the place where young stars of the future are popping onto the scene. They may not come with the indie background of some performers, but what WWE is doing in Florida is working. Tavion Heights has the potential to be further proof of that stance as he builds himself into a star to watch in the immediate future.