Former Nexus member addresses WWE return talks

The Nexus before facing John Cena in a six-on-one handicap match [Image Credit: wwe.com]
The Nexus before facing John Cena in a Six-On-One Handicap Match [Image Credit: wwe.com]

The Nexus was one of WWE's most prominent factions in 2010. An original member of the group, Justin Gabriel, recently disclosed details about why he has not returned to the company.

Gabriel, aka PJ Black, worked for WWE between 2008 and 2015. The 43-year-old is best remembered for his high-flying style and association with The Nexus and The Corre. He also performed as The Bunny, a comedy character who accompanied Adam Rose to the ring in 2014.

In an interview on Developmentally Speaking, Gabriel revealed that talks about returning as a Performance Center coach broke down in 2023:

"There's been quite a few and the talks never go anywhere. I'm getting a little bit older now. They recently wanted me to be a coach because I've been in this business over 30 years now, wrestling 27 [years]. That kinda like went nowhere. That was during the transition stage where the company that bought them and UFC [Endeavor] were kinda in the transition, so I didn't really bother them too much about that. Those talks kinda just fell away." [34:32 – 35:04]

A former WWE writer just went after JBL for his comments HERE

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Gabriel's last televised WWE match ended in defeat against Rusev on the January 13, 2015, episode of Main Event.


Justin Gabriel's life after WWE

After being granted his release due to creative frustrations, Justin Gabriel went on to wrestle for companies including Lucha Underground, Ring of Honor, and TNA.

Gabriel is also passionate about helping the next generation of wrestlers in his home country of South Africa:

"I got a bunch of bookings and went to go live in Europe for a while. I'm trying to revive the scene in South Africa too. I kept going there for two, three, four months at a time, just teaching seminars. There's so many little schools popping up everywhere and great talent. I feel like that's my next journey. I want to teach these kids what I've learned in the last 30 years." [35:06 – 35:27]

Although Gabriel never held a singles title during his WWE career, he won the tag titles three times with former Nexus stablemate Heath Slater.


What is your favorite Justin Gabriel moment? Hit the Discuss button and let us know.

Please credit Developmentally Speaking and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.

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Edited by Danny Hart
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