Josh Briggs provoked the NXT Universe on Tuesday night, using the iconic gong of WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker to make his entrance. The move, which came at the expense of a crestfallen Je’Von Evans, was met with a wave of boos from the Orlando crowd.
The moment occurred while Evans was in the ring delivering a heartfelt apology to the fans for his loss to Oba Femi at NXT Heatwave. As he spoke, a video appeared on the titantron showing a motorcycle heading toward the Performance Center. When the bike seemingly arrived, The Undertaker’s signature gong echoed through the arena, igniting a massive reaction from the audience.
However, the frenzy quickly turned to frustration when Josh Briggs’ music hit and he emerged in biker gear instead of The Deadman.
The stunt was a particularly pointed one, as The Undertaker has become a notable presence backstage in NXT in recent months. Reports indicate the retired legend has been actively mentoring talent and providing advice to superstars on all of WWE’s brands, making Briggs’ appropriation of his entrance a direct taunt.
This move marks the latest step in Briggs’ recent heel turn, which began after he split from his tag team partner, Yoshiki Inamura. Last week, Briggs failed to secure a number one contender’s spot after losing a match to Ricky Saints, adding another layer of frustration to his new persona.