The March 3rd episode of WWE NXT featured a show closing Absolute Experience with Ricky Saints concert segment involving Ricky Saints and NXT Champion Joe Hendry. This segment drew a very negative reaction from fans over criticisms of the segment running far too long in time as the go-home segment for NXT Vengeance Day and Saints’ poor work quality in it despite it mocking The Rock and Hendry’s concerts. WWE later removed all clips of this segment that they had posted on social media. Additional details about the segment have since surfaced.
Fightful Select is reporting that the reason why WWE removed the clip of Saint’s concert segment was due to the major negative reaction it received online. Those spoken to reportedly stated that the segment was not Saints’ pitch nor idea but he did write the material used for it. Saints reportedly has been trying to move away from things that could draw his current character’s on-screen comparisons to The Rock.
Fightful Select further notes in their report that the segment received a lukewarm reaction backstage, and there’s no concern about Hendry or Saints being able to move forward. It also added that it was also believed Hendry and Saints recovered well after their match at Vengeance Day, which saw Hendry successfully defend the NXT Title against Saints.
In regards to Saints’ long-term status on the NXT roster, many within NXT never expected him to remain on the brand for a full year after he was called up last year.
