Robert Stone has been elevated from interim to full-time General Manager of WWE NXT, making the announcement official on social media. Stone thanked William Regal, Shawn Michaels, and the NXT fanbase as part of his announcement, marking a significant step in his behind-the-scenes evolution within the company.
Stone had been serving as interim General Manager since February 3, when he was appointed to replace Ava — Simone Johnson — following her departure from WWE on January 30. Before taking on the interim role, Stone had been working as Ava’s assistant during her time as General Manager, giving him a ground-level understanding of how the brand operates on a day-to-day basis.
Robert Stone’s Promotion Comes as NXT Heads Into Stand & Deliver Season
The timing of Stone’s full promotion is significant. NXT is just days away from Stand & Deliver on April 4 in St. Louis — the brand’s biggest event of the year — and having a permanent authority figure in place provides stability heading into the show and beyond. Stone’s familiarity with the NXT roster and his track record since taking over the interim role clearly made a strong enough impression to warrant the permanent appointment. With Stand & Deliver and the road to WrestleMania weekend all converging, Stone steps into the full-time role at one of the most consequential moments in recent NXT history.