WWE confirmed during the April 24 episode of SmackDown that Ricky Saints will make his main roster debut on the upcoming May 1 episode of the show, which will be broadcast live from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The announcement came as part of a video package highlighting Saints’ accomplishments in WWE NXT, including his reigns with the NXT North American Championship and the NXT Championship. Saints, who performs under the moniker “Absolute” Ricky Saints, expressed his readiness for the main roster during the promo, stating, “I am the man, because I am ‘Absolute’ Ricky freakin’ Saints!” His finisher, an inverted powerbomb/front powerslam combination nicknamed “Roshambo,” was featured prominently in the highlight reel shown before the main event.
Saints is not the only NXT talent slated for a main roster call-up on May 1. Former NXT Women’s North American Champion Blake Monroe is also scheduled to debut on SmackDown that night. Both athletes previously competed in AEW before joining WWE, where Saints wrestled under the name Ricky Starks and Monroe performed as Mariah May. Saints made his first WWE appearance in February 2025, while Monroe joined the company in June 2025.
The May 1 SmackDown episode has been noted as an AEW reunion on WWE soil due to the shared history of Saints and Monroe in All Elite Wrestling prior to their WWE arrivals. No further NXT call-ups have been announced for either WWE Raw or SmackDown as of the latest updates.
Ricky Saints’ WWE NXT Career Highlights
During his time in WWE NXT, Ricky Saints established himself as a top-tier competitor, capturing both the NXT North American Championship and the NXT Championship. His tenure in the developmental brand was marked by consistent performances and a growing fan connection, culminating in the main roster promotion announced on April 24. Saints’ ability to blend charismatic promos with in-ring prowess contributed to his rise through the NXT ranks, setting the stage for his anticipated SmackDown debut.
The “Roshambo” finisher, which combines elements of an inverted powerbomb and an inverted front powerslam, has become a signature move for Saints and was showcased in his debut promo package. This maneuver, along with his confident microphone presence, has been central to his character portrayal as “Absolute” Ricky Saints.
Blake Monroe’s Path to SmackDown
Blake Monroe, the former NXT Women’s North American Champion, is set to join Ricky Saints on the main roster for her SmackDown debut on May 1. Like Saints, Monroe has a background in AEW, where she competed under the ring name Mariah May before signing with WWE. Her WWE journey began in June 2025, and she quickly ascended through the NXT women’s division to capture the North American title.
Monroe’s upcoming main roster appearance represents a significant step in her career, following a successful stint in NXT that highlighted her athleticism and in-ring storytelling. Her debut alongside Saints on May 1 marks a shared milestone for two athletes who previously crossed paths in AEW before their WWE signings.
Context of the May 1 SmackDown Episode
The May 1 episode of WWE SmackDown will originate from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is expected to feature multiple NXT call-ups as part of WWE’s ongoing effort to integrate developmental talent into its main roster programming. The event has garnered attention not only for the debuts of Saints and Monroe but also for its significance as an AEW reunion on WWE soil, given the prior affiliations of both wrestlers with All Elite Wrestling.
No additional NXT call-ups have been confirmed for the May 1 SmackDown episode beyond Saints and Monroe, and no details have been released regarding specific match assignments or promo segments for either debuting performer. WWE typically uses such episodes to evaluate new main roster talent in initial appearances, often pairing them with established stars to gauge audience reaction and in-ring compatibility.
The integration of NXT talent into SmackDown’s roster continues to be a strategic focus for WWE, particularly as the company seeks to refresh its programming with emerging performers who have already proven themselves in the developmental system. Saints and Monroe’s call-ups reflect this ongoing pipeline, bringing established NXT champions to the main roster with built-in credibility from their developmental accomplishments.
As the May 1 SmackDown approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe adapt to the main roster environment, particularly in terms of character execution, mic work, and in-ring performance against established WWE stars. Their debuts will serve as early indicators of their potential long-term roles on the blue brand.
For ongoing updates on WWE SmackDown developments and NXT call-ups, readers are encouraged to follow official WWE announcements and reputable wrestling news outlets that provide verified coverage of roster changes and event outcomes.