WWE NXT: Diamond Mine debuts with Hideki Suzuki, Roderick Strong and more

WWE NXT ended on a bombshell this week as the Diamond Mine finally made its presence felt.

The group, comprised of Hideki Suzuki, Roderick Strong, Tyler Rust and Malcolm Bivens, debuted on the black and gold brand in the closing moments of Tuesday night’s show.

Strong, Suzuki and Rust came out after KUSHIDA’s incredible main event against Kyle O’Reilly after the latter brawled with Adam Cole ahead of their bitter grudge match at the Great American Bash on July 6.

This left the NXT Cruiserweight Champion standing alone, and the trio (with their identities disguised at first) delivering a brutal beatdown before revealing themselves.

They were joined by Bivens, who confirmed that the Diamond Mine have arrived in NXT.

Here’s what you need to know…

Who are the Diamond Mine members?

Former NXT North American and Tag Team Champion Roderick Strong is arguably the biggest star of the group, making his return after ‘quitting’ the brand a couple of months ago.

The ex-Undisputed Era man is joined by Japanese veteran Hideki Suzuki (more on him below), and rising star Tyler Rust, who signed late 2020 and has made a handful of appearances.

That’s also where Malcolm Bivens comes in, as he’s been linked to Rust on screen in the past.

Who is Hideki Suzuki?

Hideki Suzuki is a 12-year veteran of the wrestling world and signed to WWE in April as a coach at the US-based Performance Center.

The company said at the time: ‘The Hokkaido, Japan, native trained in catch-as-catch can wrestling at Japan’s Snake Pit under the legendary Billy Robinson before stepping into the ring for Big Japan Pro Wrestling, Wrestle-1 and Zero1, among others.

‘In 2017, Suzuki was named the MVP of Japanese independent wrestling by Samurai TV.’

Who is Tyler Rust?

Tyler Rust – a former standout in Ring of Honor (ROH), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) – signed with WWE in December last year, debuting as one of Timothy Thatcher’s students.

He was quickly aligned with Malcolm Bivens, who approached him backstage and offered his services as a manager.

HIs most recent singles match came in February against KUSHIDA, while he also competed in the Gauntlet Eliminator Qualifying Battle Royale the following month.

Who is Roderick Strong?

Roderick Strong is a bedrock of the NXT brand ever since he debuted in 2016 – but things took an even bigger turn when he betrayed Pete Dunne in 2018 and joined the Undisputed Era.

As part of that group, he was a major focus for the company for years, and captured both the North American and Tag Team Titles before they disbanded in February.

The fallout was too much, with Strong ‘walking away’ from NXT in April, and he hadn’t been seen since until Tuesday night.

Who is Malcolm Bivens?

Despite being popular with fans on social media, Malcolm Bivens is yet to make a real splash on NXT TV – until now.

The former EVOLVE, ROH and MLW star could be one of the best managers in the game today if he’s truly allowed to show it, which may be the case with the Diamond Mine.

He first appeared on NXT with Indus Sher, but their shortlived alliance didn’t last long at all and he was quietly taken off TV last summer.

He then returned last December as he tried to coax Tyler Rust into accepting his managerial services, which eventually happened although again this didn’t last long.

However, he and Rust have both been unveiled as part of the Diamond Mine, and the group has the mouthpiece it needs to complete the puzzle.

The collective looks to be a formidable one already, and fans will be intrigued to see how the stars put their stamp on the brand.

*WWE NXT airs Tuesdays at 1am on BT Sport.

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