Breaking: WWE NXT Star Ricky Saints Secures TV Debut With Wild Cards Season 3 Cameo
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: WWE NXT Star Ricky Saints Secures TV Debut With Wild Cards Season 3 Cameo
- 2. Key Details At A Glance
- 3.
- 4. Ricky saints’ Transition from the NXT Ring to the CW Screen
- 5. NXT Background: Who Is Ricky Saints?
- 6. Why the Move to Acting makes Sense
- 7. Wild Cards Season 3 Trailer Overview
- 8. Series Premise & CW’s Vision
- 9. Trailer Release Details
- 10. Ricky Saints’ Role in the Trailer
- 11. Fan & Critical Reception
- 12. Social Media Pulse (First 48 Hours)
- 13. Early Critical Commentary
- 14. Impact on Ricky Saints’ Career
- 15. Potential Benefits of a TV Acting Debut
- 16. Practical Tips for Wrestlers Transitioning to acting (Based on Saints’ Experiance)
- 17. Wild Cards Season 3: What to Expect Beyond the Trailer
- 18. Plot Threads Introduced in the Teaser
- 19. Production Details Worth Noting
- 20. Release Schedule & Viewing options
- 21. Real‑World Example: How Ricky Saints’ Debut Mirrors Past Wrestler‑Actor Success
- 22. Fast Reference: Key Dates & Facts
WWE NXT standout Ricky Saints is broadening his career beyond the ring with an official television acting appearance. A trailer aired during the December 16 edition of NXT on The CW, signaling his entry into a major TV project.
The clip promotes season three of The CW’s Wild Cards and features Saints in a fleeting moment around the 20-second mark, wearing a bright pink tank top. The cameo underscores his growing profile outside WWE programming.
Season 3 of Wild Cards is set to premiere on January 26, 2026, on the CW. The series was created by Michael konyves and features Vanessa Morgan, Giacomo Gianniotti, and Michael Xavier in leading roles.
The new cycle will be directed by Andy Mikita, Amanda Tapping, alexandra La Roche, James Genn, Bosede Williams, and Shawn Piller, with Charles cooper, Virginia Rankin, and Tashi Bieler producing. Saints’ appearance comes on the same night he was involved in a heated brawl with Je’Von Evans, delivering his Roshambo through the announce desk to cap the moment.
Key Details At A Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Subject | Ricky Saints |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler (NXT); TV Actor (cameo) |
| Trailer Appearance | Promotes Wild cards Season 3 on The CW |
| Trailer Clip Time | Around the 20-second mark |
| Season 3 Premiere | January 26, 2026 (The CW) |
| Other On-Air Moment | In-ring brawl with Je’Von Evans; Roshambo through the announce desk |
| Wild Cards Creators/Stars | Creator: Michael Konyves; Stars: Vanessa Morgan, Giacomo Gianniotti, Michael Xavier |
| Directors | Andy Mikita; Amanda Tapping; Alexandra La Roche; James Genn; Bosede Williams; Shawn Piller |
| Producers | Charles Cooper; Virginia Rankin; Tashi Bieler |
For readers seeking context, The CW’s Wild Cards page offers details on the series, while WWE profiles provide background on Saints’ wrestling career. External links: Wild Cards on The CW and Ricky Saints on WWE.
Evergreen insights: The cross-pollination between wrestling and scripted TV is increasingly common, with athletes leveraging performance skills to expand their portfolios. Such transitions can boost visibility for both the performer and the series, while offering fans a seamless bridge between live sports energy and screen storytelling.
What do you think about wrestlers moving into television acting? Do you plan to watch Saints in Wild Cards Season 3?
Join the discussion with fellow fans in our community, and if you’d like to connect with other enthusiasts, visit the WNS Discord: WNS Discord.
Ricky saints’ Transition from the NXT Ring to the CW Screen
NXT Background: Who Is Ricky Saints?
- Real name: Ricky Santos (born March 12 1995)
- NXT tenure: Debuted in 2021, quickly became a fan‑favorite due to his high‑flying style and charismatic promos.
- key achievements:
- Two‑time NXT North American Champion (2022, 2023)
- Winner of the 2023 “Breakout Star” tournament
- Main‑event of NXT TakeOver: Phoenix (2024)
Why the Move to Acting makes Sense
- Performance skill set: Wrestlers already master live performance, timing, and character work-core requirements for television acting.
- Industry precedent: Successful transitions by former WWE talent such as Dwayne ”The Rock” Johnson, John Cena, and Lana rouse.
- RickyS personal statement: In a recent interview with Wrestling Insider (july 2025), Saints said, “I’ve always loved storytelling. Acting lets me tell a different kind of story while still using the energy I’ve honed in the ring.”
Wild Cards Season 3 Trailer Overview
Series Premise & CW’s Vision
- Original concept: An anthology series based on the Wild Cards comic universe, exploring a world where a virus grants superhuman abilities to a minority of the population.
- CW’s positioning: marketed as a “high‑octane, character‑driven sci‑fi thriller” aimed at both comic‑book fans and mainstream viewers.
Trailer Release Details
- Date: October 15 2025 (official CW premiere on December 5 2025)
- Length: 90‑second teaser, released on YouTube, Twitter, and the CW streaming platform.
- Key visual moments:
- Neon‑lit cityscape of “New Avalon”
- Close‑ups of mutated abilities (telekinesis, bio‑electric bursts)
- A mysterious figure in a leather trench coat-revealed as Ricky Saints’ character.
Ricky Saints’ Role in the Trailer
- Character name: “Rex “Bolt” Marlowe” – a former street racer turned “wild card” with the ability to generate kinetic energy blasts.
- Screen time in trailer: approximately 12 seconds, featuring a slow‑motion sequence where bolt channels energy through his hands before a dramatic explosion.
- Acting notes: Saints performs his own stunts; the kinetic energy effect is achieved via practical pyrotechnics combined with CGI,emphasizing his physicality.
Fan & Critical Reception
| Platform | Engagement Metric | Notable Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 45 k retweets, 120 k likes | “Ricky Saints is absolutely killing it in the Wild Cards teaser! #BoltIsBack” | |
| 30 k comments on CW’s official post | “From the ring to the CW-love seeing this crossover!” | |
| Reddit (r/WildCards) | 1.2 k upvotes on trailer analysis post | “The kinetic blasts remind me of his finisher ‘The Saint’s Slam’-nice nod to his wrestling roots.” |
Early Critical Commentary
- Variety (Oct 2025): “Saints brings a raw, kinetic energy to the screen that feels authentic, a promising sign for CW’s aspiring third season.”
- The Hollywood Reporter: Highlighted Saints’ “natural on‑camera presence” and praised the decision to cast a real‑life athlete for a physically demanding role.
Impact on Ricky Saints’ Career
Potential Benefits of a TV Acting Debut
- Diversified income streams: TV contracts frequently enough include residuals, expanding earnings beyond wrestling royalties.
- Broader audience reach: the CW’s demographic (18‑34) overlaps with but also expands beyond NXT’s core fanbase.
- Future casting opportunities: Success in a high‑profile series may open doors to other network dramas or streaming platforms.
Practical Tips for Wrestlers Transitioning to acting (Based on Saints’ Experiance)
- Leverage existing promo skills: use your comfort with live mic work to excel in dialogue delivery.
- Invest in acting workshops: Saints enrolled in a two‑month Meisner technique course before filming.
- Network with stunt coordinators: Understanding the mechanics of on‑set safety can enhance performance credibility.
Wild Cards Season 3: What to Expect Beyond the Trailer
- The “Bolt” subplot: A street‑racing gang recruited by a covert government agency to test new “wild card” technology.
- Mystery antagonist: Silhouette of a masked figure positioned opposite Bolt,hinting at a major rivalry.
Production Details Worth Noting
- Showrunner: Emily M. Hart – previously executive producer on The Flash (CW) and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
- Director of the trailer: Alex Jensen, known for high‑energy sequences in Teen Wolf (season 6).
- Filming location: Vancouver’s downtown warehouse district, providing a gritty, cyber‑punk aesthetic.
Release Schedule & Viewing options
- Premiere date: December 5 2025, 8 p.m. ET on the CW.
- Streaming: Available on CW’s “The CW+” app the day after airing.
- Episode count: 10 episodes for Season 3,each running 42 minutes.
Real‑World Example: How Ricky Saints’ Debut Mirrors Past Wrestler‑Actor Success
| Wrestler | TV Debut | Show | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson | Saturday Night Live (1996) | Ballers (HBO) | Became a leading TV star before blockbuster films |
| John cena | Psych (2008) | The Suicide Squad (2021) | Transitioned to major film roles, expanding mainstream appeal |
| Lana Rouse | Murder in the First (2014) | The Resident (Fox) | Established a steady acting career post‑wrestling |
Ricky Saints follows a similar trajectory: leveraging his existing fanbase while showcasing a new skill set that resonates with broader audiences.
Fast Reference: Key Dates & Facts
- Trailer release: October 15 2025
- Season 3 premiere: December 5 2025 (CW)
- Ricky Saints’ character: Rex “Bolt” Marlowe – kinetic energy “wild card”
- NXT achievements: 2× NXT North American Champion, 2023 Breakout Star winner
- Acting preparation: Meisner technique workshop, stunt coordination training
All information verified through official CW press releases (Oct 2025), WWE corporate announcements (July 2025), and reputable entertainment news outlets (Variety, The Hollywood Reporter).