Javier Bernal is talking out about his WWE launch — and in accordance with him, it occurred proper after he re-signed with the corporate.
On the January 18, 2026 episode of the Two Man Energy Journey podcast, Bernal revealed that WWE let him go regardless of locking him into a brand new NXT contract simply six months earlier. The previous “Large Physique Javi” admitted the information utterly blindsided him — particularly since he was simply getting back from damage and had each purpose to consider he was safe.
“Sure and no. It caught me off guard as a result of I had simply gotten again from an damage. Six months earlier than that, I had re-signed a brand new contract with NXT.”
Bernal thought he’d be capable of get again on monitor, particularly after listening to optimistic suggestions from these inside WWE’s developmental system. However even with help from Shawn Michaels and Matt Bloom, Bernal suspects the ultimate name got here from somebody increased up within the chain of command.
“I had a brand new deal and every thing, so I assumed, okay, I can get my footing once more. Folks had been telling me, ‘Shawn and Bloom such as you, they like who you might be as an individual and as a wrestler.’ I don’t suppose they had been the decision-makers within the course of, however I used to be nonetheless shocked.”
Bernal’s launch was a part of a quiet wave of NXT cuts that befell on Might 2, 2025. Although WWE by no means issued a public assertion, PWInsider first broke the story. Bernal initially signed with WWE in 2021, growing a cult following by means of his loudmouth “Large Physique” gimmick on NXT Degree Up and afterward NXT correct. His over-the-top character work made him a memorable act, even when it didn’t include title gold.
Now, together with his WWE chapter closed, Bernal’s story is one other instance of how rapidly issues can change — even with a contemporary contract in hand.
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