Nixon Newell, known to WWE fans as Tegan Nox, has clarified the circumstances surrounding her lengthy absence from WWE television in the latter half of 2024, revealing that while she was dealing with a health issue, she was medically cleared to compete the entire time. Speaking on the “Wrestling in the Middle” podcast, Newell explained that her disappearance from programming after a July 2024 dark match was a creative decision, not due to being sidelined by sickness.
Following her last WWE match, speculation arose among fans that an injury or significant illness was keeping her from the ring. Newell confirmed she was indeed sick but specified the nature of the issue and her clearance status. “This is the thing. I was sick during it, but it wasn’t a sickness where I couldn’t wrestle,” Newell stated. “I was cleared. I was completely cleared. Everyone knew I was cleared.”
She elaborated on her condition, explaining, “I was having some stomach issues where at certain times I couldn’t keep food down or liquid down. But it wasn’t like a she can’t wrestle, like I wrestled during the entire sickness, you know, and just in dark matches.” Newell’s comments correct the assumption that she was physically unable to perform, pointing instead to a lack of creative plans for her at the time. “It wasn’t like you can’t wrestle. It was just they didn’t book me. Unfortunately.”
This revelation adds another layer of disappointment to her final months with the company, which saw her momentum from a program with Natalya in early 2024 abruptly halt. After that storyline was dropped without explanation, Newell was relegated to dark matches before being taken off television completely, despite being available to work. Newell was ultimately released from her WWE contract on November 1, 2024.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Wrestling in the Middle with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
