Brian Pillman Jr. Vignette On NXT Reveals New Gimmick
Second generation wrestler Brian Pillman Jr. is set to debut on WWE NXT, under the name of Lexis King after leaving All Elite Wrestling in July of 2023.
King was featured in a vignette on the October 10th episode of NXT sitting in a chair, watching various clips of other second and third generation wrestlers before switching to clips of his late father, Brian Pillman. King began to explain how he intends to “inflict pain” on the industry that caused him so much pain:
My father was one of the most infamous Superstars in this business. Everywhere I go, people stop to tell me ‘man, I loved your dad. Such a trailblazer he was.’ It seems like everybody has such fond memories of my father. Well you know who doesn’t? Me, his own damn son.
Lexis King on WWE NXT 10/10/23
He continues:
I lost him when I was just four years old. I don’t know him. And you’d think being a WWE Superstar would be the last thing that I’d want to be, and you’re right. And trust me, I’ve tried. I’ve tried everything. I’ve tried football, lacrosse, hell, I even have a college degree. But this industry has been in my blood since birth and I could never escape it. I’ve got no choice but to embrace it. I have no choice but to inflict pain on the very business that has brought me so much grief. But when they see this face, I don’t want them to think about my dead father, I want them to think about me.
Lexis King on WWE NXT 10/10/23
King concludes the vignette by announcing his intention to drop the Pillman name:
I’m nobody’s Junior. And from this day forward I am going to take on the last name of the real man who raised me, the real father figure in my life. And his name was King, and now so is mine
Lexis King on WWE NXT 10/10/23
WWE had trademarked the name Lexis King recently, leading to fan speculation that the name would be given to Brian Pillman Jr.
News Writer. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Lifelong fan, admirer of the old school, born in the new age. Storytelling is a big passion of mine and professional wrestling itself is just one giant book. Naturally, it drew me in and has kept me close since before I could walk, talk and drop an elbow on my teddy bear!