Tony D’Angelo Addresses Main Roster Call-Up Hopes Ahead Of Halloween Havoc

Tony D’Angelo is still chasing a trip to the main roster, even as he prepares to challenge Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship at Halloween Havoc on October 31.

D’Angelo, WWE’s first NXT Grand Slam Champion, has long been the subject of call-up speculation despite remaining a fixture on the black-and-gold brand since signing with the company in 2021. Speaking recently, he made clear that the goal hasn’t gone anywhere, even if the timing is out of his hands.

“Look, I think waiting is, everybody has a different timeline,” D’Angelo said. “So I’m not gonna sit here, I was stressing for a little bit, but I’m not, it is what it is. Why stress out every day on something that you can’t really control.”

He added that his NXT run under Shawn Michaels, Johnny, and Bloom has been good to him and that he’s willing to keep contributing however he can — but that reaching Raw or SmackDown remains the target. “Of course I want to get to the main roster, like that’s always been a goal since I got here,” he said, noting he’s trying not to dwell on questions he can’t answer.

While D’Angelo waits his turn, current NXT North American Champion Jackson Drake looks like he could be next in line. The 23-year-old, who signed a WWE ID deal in November 2024 before converting to a traditional contract, is the youngest star to hold the North American title and is barely two months into his reign. Drake is part of the Vanity Project trio alongside Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes, all of whom have transitioned out of the developmental pipeline — one of the more notable success stories WWE ID has produced so far.

Drake’s in-ring polish, charisma, and confidence have made him look ready for a bigger stage, and a real-life friendship with Je’Von Evans gives WWE a built-in story to work with if the two ever cross paths on Raw, whether as allies or rivals.

It’s worth remembering that NXT call-ups don’t run on a fixed clock — talent in the system reportedly face a six-month evaluation window built around visible improvement rather than a set date for promotion. By that standard, both men appear to be checking the right boxes. D’Angelo has leaned into a refreshed persona since returning from his hiatus, while Drake has been consistently entertaining, though his title defenses — including a recent one where Robert Stone demanded no outside interference — suggest WWE may want to see him carry matches with less reliance on shenanigans before any jump.

Neither Drake nor D’Angelo has an announced call-up, and nothing is imminent beyond speculation. But both represent the kind of long-term investment NXT has made its calling card over the past several years, and the roster across Raw and SmackDown is always hungry for fresh blood. Whether it’s D’Angelo finally cashing in on his Grand Slam résumé or Drake fast-tracking his way up thanks to a hot title reign, WWE has options building in Orlando. Keep an eye on how both men’s stories develop beyond Halloween Havoc.