The unexpected arrival of Cruz Montana on the main roster to aid 946 in laying out Roman Reigns on WWE RAW caught fans off guard, but new reports reveal the move was kept so secret that developmental management was also left completely in the dark.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Montana alignment as the fifth member of 946 for Survivor Series: WarGames was a last-minute decision by main roster creative.
Development Creative Scrambled by Sudden Pivot
The secrecy surrounding the call-up forced NXT bookers to adjust their ongoing storylines on the fly. Meltzer noted that Montana was slated to remain a top babyface on Tuesday nights, with those plans already locked in before the primary brand stepped in:
“The biggest news was Cruz Montana joining 946 and becoming their fifth member of War Games against the Bloodline team which will likely being back Jacob Fatu shortly. It appears this was a late decision. Nobody in NXT was aware of it, but then again, WWE tries to keep these type of thing secret.”
Meltzer expanded on how the timing created an unusual overlap on television:
“Shawn Michaels didn’t reference not knowing about this in specific but right after it did talk about how he gets no warning about main roster call-ups and they have to adjust. NXT absolutely had plans going forward with Montana as a top babyface including a match two nights later where he was a babyface and 946 were babyfaces as well.”
Roster Fluidity and Sudden Main Event Push
While Shawn Michaels did not single out this specific move during his recent media comments, his general remarks about roster calls align directly with the situation. Michaels explained that his team rarely receives advance warning when flagship programs draft talent, leaving the brand to adapt instantly.
Montana made his presence unmissable when he unmasked following the assault on Reigns, inserting himself into a major storyline alongside 946 against The Bloodline. Whatever long-term programs were originally mapped out for him in NXT have now been shelved as he leaps straight into a premier fall feud.
RELATED: Shawn Michaels Reacts To Cruz Montana Call-Up Following Main Roster Debut On WWE RAW
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