Tony D’Angelo Makes Return With New Look At NXT Deadline

Tony D’Angelo made a surprise return at the end of WWE NXT Deadline 2025, ending months of speculation about his whereabouts with a powerful statement—and a stare that sent a clear message.

The show-closing moment came just as Je’Von Evans was celebrating his hard-fought victory in the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge. Suddenly, Oba Femi appeared to confront Evans. But before anything could happen between them, the lights went out and a video began playing on the screen, teasing the arrival of a mystery figure.

When the lights came back on, there he was—Tony D’Angelo, standing in the ring with a full beard and a new edge. Without hesitation, he took down Je’Von Evans, cutting off the celebration and reminding the entire NXT roster why he’s still a major threat. From the ring, Tony then locked eyes with Oba Femi at the top of the ramp. The two stared each other down, with Oba visibly rattled by D’Angelo’s unexpected reemergence.

This was D’Angelo’s first on-screen appearance since July 15, 2025. For months, his status had remained a mystery. Although he was still signed with WWE, he hadn’t been spotted at the Performance Center, wasn’t seen backstage at tapings, and even missed a live event appearance he was advertised for in October. Fightful Select previously reported that Tony requested time off, and WWE used his absence to build storyline intrigue—leaving fans wondering what had really happened to The Don of NXT.

Back in October 2024, Tony D’Angelo defeated Oba Femi to win the NXT North American Championship, and while their paths diverged afterward, their history clearly isn’t finished. WWE played into that connection at Deadline, hinting that their rivalry may be heating up once again heading into 2026.

With Deadline serving as the final NXT event of the year, Tony’s return couldn’t have been timed better. He stepped right back into the story WWE never truly closed—and now, the NXT landscape is wide open.

Are you ready for Tony D’Angelo to reclaim his place at the top of NXT? What do you think his next move will be? Drop your thoughts in the comments.