A former TNA World Champion has returned to WWE in a backstage role.
Since April, WWE has bid farewell to dozens of wrestlers. Among them, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods (the New Day) joined AEW after their stunning departures in May. Former WWE Champion Sheamus left the company after turning down a restructured contract offer.
Other notable names to leave WWE this year include Apollo Crews, the Motor City Machine Guns, Aleister Black, the Wyatt Sicks and Zelina Vega. Additionally, Brock Lesnar retired after losing his rubber match to Oba Femi at SummerSlam 2026.
Amid the giant wave of roster cuts, one veteran wrestler and former TNA World Champion recently returned to WWE.
According to Mike Johnson of PWinsider.com, Young has been working backstage for WWE as a producer on the NXT brand since July. However, it’s unclear if the 46-year-old will wrestle for the company.
Fightful Select also reports that Triple H and Young “have long maintained a great relationship. It was also noted that “Triple H made it clear that Young would have a job in WWE whenever he wanted to come back.”
WWE regularly brings in former superstars to help backstage. Shawn Michaels is employed as the WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Creative. The Undertaker recently revealed that he’s the head of creative at WWE’s sister promotion, Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.
Eric Young Is Well-Traveled
(Photo by Bradlee Rutledge/ WWE Via Getty Images)
Young’s first WWE stint spanned from 2016 to 2020. He was released during the COVID-19 pandemic and returned to TNA/Impact Wrestling that summer, winning his second World Championship on the Sept. 1, 2020 episode of Impact.
After two years there, Young had a short-lived WWE return before returning to TNA in 2023. His contract there expired in July, leading to a new chapter with WWE.
Related: Backstage Update on Former WWE Champion Possibly Signing With AEW
