Nixon Newell Says WWE Forced Her to Be ‘The Girl Next Door’ Instead of Her True Self

Nixon Newell, formerly known as Tegan Nox in WWE, is pulling back the curtain on why her character never truly felt like her. After being released from WWE for the second time in November 2024, Newell opened up about the struggles she faced trying to showcase her real personality in the company.

While speaking on Highspots’ Sign-it-Live, Newell made it clear that the Tegan Nox character was far from who she really is. WWE had a specific vision for her, one that didn’t align with her actual style. “I’m very emo, pop-punk. This is me,” she explained. “Tegan Nox was so far removed from me that I was trying to get this through but I just wasn’t allowed. They preferred me to be the girl next door, instead of tattooed up punk kid.”

Newell’s struggles with WWE’s creative direction weren’t new, as she had already been released once in November 2021 before being brought back in December 2022. Despite returning for another shot, she was never given the freedom to be herself, ultimately leading to frustration over how she was presented on screen.

Now officially a free agent, Newell isn’t wasting any time getting back in the ring. She’s set to compete under the ATTACK! Pro Wrestling banner against TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champion Dani Luna, and this time, she’s doing things on her own terms.