Fred Rosser, the former WWE Tag Team Champion known to WWE fans as Darren Young, is back inside the company. Rosser revealed on X this week that he’s working with NXT at the WWE Performance Center, nine years after WWE released him.
“Nine years ago today, I was released from [WWE]. Today, I’m back at [NXT], 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,” Rosser wrote.
Rosser said he’s used to hearing secondhand what WWE wants from talent, and now gets to see it for himself. “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,” he added.
The post included a photo of Rosser with WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels and another of him posing in front of a Performance Center ring. Rosser didn’t specify his exact title, and no formal WWE announcement accompanied the post.
From The Original NXT To The Performance Center
Rosser signed a WWE developmental deal in May 2009 and competed on the first season of NXT in 2010, when the show was a competition series and he was mentored by CM Punk. He went on to join The Nexus and later teamed with Titus O’Neil as The Prime Time Players, winning the WWE Tag Team Championship.
WWE announced his release on October 29, 2017, alongside Emma and Summer Rae. Rosser later told Chris Van Vliet the call from Mark Carrano came the day after he did WWE media at an LA Clippers game with Enzo Amore and The Miz.
He rebuilt his career in NJPW, where he won the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship from Tom Lawlor in 2022, and has since coached at the NJPW Academy, including working with Sting’s son Steven Borden Jr.
A coaching return has been on his mind for years. On the Comedy Store Podcast in 2022, Rosser recalled Norman Smiley asking him during WrestleMania weekend in Dallas whether he’d ever come back as a trainer. “I’d come back as a trainer, but I’m not ready for it,” he said at the time.
His return comes weeks after his former tag partner went the other direction, with Titus O’Neil moved to WWE’s alumni section after 17 years.
Rosser closed his message with a nod to where it all started: “And when you talk about NXT, don’t forget the ORIGINAL NXT! MR. NO DAYS OFF baby!”
