WWE NXT Homecoming featured several surprises throughout the show. Some popped up in backstage segments, others took part in matches. Fans are buzzing about many of those appearances days later. One that has generated speculation was that of former WWE NXT Women’s Champion, Shayna Baszler. Her cameo has fans wondering if this could open the door to a return in the future.
Shayna Baszler popped up backstage as Zaira and Sol Ruca were arguing about the outcome of their match. She simply reminded them of her success in the brand and they need to get their act together. It was quite a surprise moment, and fans erupted with the MMA pioneer stepped onto the screen.
Baszler was one of the more surprising names who was released in 2025. She was one of those performers whose fans wanted to see get more opportunities, and she had all the skills to deliver. Yet, the questionable release came and fan resentment grew. Then, in July, Baszler worked behind the scenes in a producer role on an episode of NXT. She would speak about that opportunity during an episode of her Twitch stream.
“I knew I could get on a headset, so I started sitting on a headset just to listen to the calls to learn, again, about being a performer,” Baszler said. “It helps you understand the TV part of wrestling, which is what WWE is, and so I was doing that.”
While she downplayed the moment, that news and her appearance on NXT Homecoming further pushes the narrative that she could return to the company. Do not be surprised if WWE is looking t bring her back, because Baszler is a valuable part of the women’s division.
Much like Natalya’s free agency period, Baszler is an interesting piece of a roster not only because of what she can do in the ring, but what she can do outside of it as well. Imagine Baszler as a producer and a trainer for young performers in the women’s division. This is the type of talent who’d make a budding division better, such as that in All Elite Wrestling. As WWE attempts to do all it can to keep AEW from improving, keeping a performer like Baszler away from them would fall into that category.
Shayna Baszler’s brief cameo on WWE NXT Homecoming has the fans talking. She may not be back full-time, but people are putting together theories that WWE may bring her back as a behind-the-scenes leader for NXT. That would be an interesting move and one that proves her value to women’s wrestling.