Raquel Gonzalez Wrestles Dark Match On SmackDown

Raquel Gonzalez competed in a dark match before SmackDown this week, hinting that she might receive a call-up in the near future.

WWE's roster has undergone a lot of changes this year. It might even be fair to say it has changed more in the last ten months or so than it has done at any other point in recent history. More than 50 people have been shown the door, and NXT, the brand used to mold and develop new stars, has been completely overhauled.

More Dark Matches

That overhaul has resulted in some NXT stars being let go, but also led to some being called up to the main roster. For a number of weeks, WWE trialed NXT stars in dark matches on the main roster prior to turning the brand into NXT 2.0. Now the revamped show has had time to settle, it would appear the trial matches have started back up.

RELATED: Mandy Rose Ends Raquel Gonzalez's 203-Day Reign As NXT Women's Champion

Three more NXT Superstars competed in dark matches before SmackDown this week according to Cultaholic. One of those stars was Raquel Gonzalez. The former NXT Women's Champion competed against and defeated Toni Storm. Speaking of Storm, the Aussie was one of the NXT wrestlers to compete in a dark match and receive a call-up over the summer.

All Signs Point To A Call-Up

Gonzalez wrestling prior to SmackDown this week is a surefire sign WWE is considering her for a call-up. Not just because of the dark match, but also because of what happened to her on NXT this week. Gonzalez lost to Mandy Rose, bringing an end to her 200+ day reign as the brand's Women's Champion.

Nothing is guaranteed, though. Bronson Reed wrestled main roster dark matches and lost the North American Title ahead of a potential call-up only to be released shortly after. NXT stars Brutus and Julius Creed also competed in a dark match before SmackDown, losing to The Viking Raiders. They have appeared on NXT TV far less than Gonzalez but could still be called up in the near future.