WWE is taking a new approach with NXT call-ups.
This week's episode of SmackDown featured a backstage segment which saw Trick Williams having a chat with General Manager Nick Aldis. The former NXT Champion claimed that he already had an offer from Monday Night Raw and asked Aldis if he was going to match it.
Cody Rhodes walked into the frame before Nick could answer, however. The WWE Champion asked Trick to give them a second, and the NXT star was congenial about it at first.
Though Trick Williams quickly decided that things would not work this way. He walked back into the frame to remind the American Nightmare of all his accolades in the development brand.
Declaring himself 'the hottest free agent' in the game, the 31-year-old then warned Cody to hold on to his title, in case Nick Aldis made the decision to bring him on board.
WWE had announced this past Monday on Raw that Je'Von Evans was also set to become a 'free agent' very soon. So this appears to be a new approach for all NXT call-ups from the WWE creative.
Reports suggest that these two are not the only NXT names expected to be called up, and we'll have to see which other free agents follow their footsteps.