Backstage Report on WWE Keeping Cruz Montana’s Main Roster Call-Up a Secret

WWE reportedly kept the main-roster call-up of Cruz Montana so tightly under wraps that several people in NXT didn’t know about it. The decision reportedly came together shortly before his November 2 appearance on Raw.

Montana made his main roster debut during the November 2 episode of Raw at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. He appeared in a mask during the confrontation between the 946 and The Bloodline. He then took down Roman Reigns before revealing who he was. Cruz Montana officially joined Royce Keys’ faction, which includes Carmelo Hayes, Jaida Parker, Bronco Nima, and Lucien Price.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said NXT creative still had plans for Montana until he joined the 946. While he didn’t believe most people in NXT knew about the move, Meltzer was less certain whether Shawn Michaels had been informed beforehand. Meltzer stated (via Wrestling Inc):

“I’m not saying I buy that Shawn didn’t know about the Cruz Montana thing. I know he’s telling everyone he didn’t know, it’s very possible he’s telling the truth… I don’t necessarily trust it. But what I do know is that nobody else knew, and everybody else that they were blindsided and they absolutely had all kinds of stuff planned for Cruz Montana in ‘NXT,’ literally up until the day he showed up on Monday.”

After appearing on Raw, Cruz Montana returned to NXT for an Unsanctioned Match against Dion Lennox. UFC fighter Michael Chandler served as the special guest referee. Montana won after members of the 946 intervened to neutralize DarkState.