Dabba-Kato returned to NXT at Vengeance Day, abandoning his Commander Azeez persona and turning on Apollo Crews.
Kato appeared at ringside at the close of the Apollo Crews vs. Carmelo Hayes 2-out-of-3 falls match.
Trick Williams was on the apron intending to use a chair when Kato snatched it from him. Crews seemed appreciative but the distraction led to Hayes getting his second consecutive pin on Crews.
After the match, Kato entered the ring and embraced Crews, before headbutting him and then choke-slamming him onto the chair, which had been left in the ring.
Wow.
Once friends, but not anymore 😳#WWENXT #VengeanceDay pic.twitter.com/NIJ4lgDZrP
— WWE (@WWE) February 5, 2023
The change of persona marks a return to the Dabba-Kato name, which the performer used during his first main roster run on the ‘Raw Underground’ segments in 2020.