Nikki Blackheart is reportedly set to debut on NXT television this summer as part of the brand’s roster reshuffle, with Rope Break (the former BodySlam Patreon) reporting that the recently-signed former indie wrestler is positioned to step into the post-SummerSlam NXT picture.
Per Rope Break: “Nikki Blackheart (who recently had a dark match in NXT under the ring name ‘Martinez’) is set to debut and be a part of the reshuffle for NXT this summer.”
The Martinez ring name reference is the name that Blackheart used for her NXT Performance Center dark match earlier this month. Whether the Martinez name will continue to be used remains to be seen.
Blackheart’s path to WWE has been unusual. Per Bryan Alvarez’s reporting, she is a former NHL Florida Panthers cheerleader who trained under Gangrel before transitioning to wrestling. She landed heavily on WWE’s radar after WrestleMania 41 in 2025, was said to be top-five on WWE’s post-Mania scouting list, and was heavily endorsed by Bayley.
Bryan Alvarez noted about the signing: “Update on Nikki Blackheart and WWE: She is no longer an indie wrestler. She is a former cheerleader for the NHL Florida Panthers who trained under Gangrel. Right after Mania 2025, she ended up HEAVILY on WWE’s radar, said to be top five.”
She was heavily praised by Bayley, so her tryout was basically a guarantee. That was this past February. She very recently moved to Orlando and is one of the few that have still yet to be officially announced by WWE, but all are officially in Orlando and under the typical starting PC/NXT contracts which are usually about three years.”
