Darren Young is officially back in WWE — just in a very different role from the one fans remember him for. Nine years after being released from the company, Young revealed that he’s now working with WWE NXT as a coach and helping develop the next generation at the Performance Center.
Young announced the news on Twitter, and the date made his return even more emotional. It was exactly nine years earlier that WWE released him, and now he’s driving into the Performance Center trying to hold back tears because he’s been given an opportunity to come back and teach.
“Nine years ago today, I was released from @WWE. Today, I’m back at @wwenxt, fighting back tears of joy every time I pull up to the Performance Center and grateful for the opportunity to give back to the next generation.”
Young also shared photos from his return, including one alongside Shawn Michaels at the Performance Center. Instead of simply hearing about what WWE currently wants from its developmental talent, Young said he now gets to experience the system firsthand and learn from the environment himself.
“I’m always hearing what WWE is looking for NOW I’m able to see it for myself and be a sponge in this environment.”
There’s a pretty cool full-circle element to the whole thing for Young. He was once the guy training inside WWE’s developmental system and trying to prove he belonged on the main roster. Now he’s returned to that environment with years of experience that he can pass down to wrestlers trying to make that exact same jump.
“I once stood in this environment, beating on my craft alongside incredible coaches, and quickly made my way to the main roster. Now, I’m back sharing those experiences and helping shape the future.”
And Young definitely wasn’t going to announce an NXT return without reminding everybody that he was there long before the current version existed. He competed on the original NXT in 2010 before becoming part of The Nexus, so naturally he had to get that little flex in there.
“And when you talk about NXT, don’t forget the ORIGINAL NXT! MR. NO DAYS OFF baby!
Nine years later, still standing, still inspiring, and STILL NO DAYS OFF!”
Young also ended up thanking WWE for bringing him back before making it pretty damn clear that he isn’t treating this as some ceremonial appearance. It’s a pretty incredible way for Young to spend the exact anniversary of his WWE release. Nine years ago, he was walking out the door wondering what came next; now he’s walking back into the Performance Center alongside Shawn Michaels with wrestlers looking to him for guidance. Mr. No Days Off apparently wasn’t kidding about that nickname after all.
What do you think of Darren Young returning to WWE as an NXT coach nine years after his release? Let us know what you think in the comments.
