Drake Maverick has clarified that he remains employed by WWE, even as a recent pair of matches for Progress Wrestling prompted questions about whether his in-ring return could signal a larger change in his professional future.
Maverick, also widely known to wrestling audiences as Rockstar Spud, has not been a regular presence on WWE television for several years. That absence, combined with his September return to action in the United Kingdom, led at least some fans to wonder whether he was still connected to the company. The former 24/7 Champion directly addressed the matter on X, confirming that his current WWE work is behind the camera.
“Hello, still working at WWE as a writer/producer. At work today in fact. Appreciate your very kind words. I get to do exactly that, but do so from the other side of the camera currently,” Maverick wrote.
View the referenced post on X
The response provides a clear update on Maverick’s place within WWE. While fans have not regularly seen him perform on Raw, SmackDown, or other WWE programming in recent years, he remains part of the promotion’s creative and production-side operation as a writer and producer.
For more background on this topic, read Ja’Marr Chase Reveals The Rock Inspired His Touchdown Celebration.
Maverick’s WWE Return Took a Different Direction
Maverick was brought back by WWE in 2022, only a few months after he had been released by the company. His return did not ultimately lead to another prolonged televised run as an active wrestler. Instead, he moved into a backstage position, a role he has now publicly reaffirmed.
That distinction is important following his Progress appearances. A wrestler taking independent dates can naturally create speculation, particularly when that performer has been away from television and has a recognizable history with a major company. In Maverick’s case, though, his own statement makes clear that working matches outside WWE does not mean he has departed the organization.
His situation also reflects the wide range of jobs held by people with established in-ring backgrounds. A performer’s value to WWE is not limited to appearing in front of a live audience. Experience in character work, match presentation, television production, and the rhythm of a wrestling show can all translate into responsibilities behind the scenes. Maverick’s comments indicate that he is contributing in that capacity while remaining able to step back into the ring on selected occasions.
Two Wins in Progress Wrestling
The immediate reason for renewed attention around Maverick was his return to competition for Progress Wrestling, the British promotion now run by former WWE stars Nikki Cross and Killian Dain. Maverick wrestled on consecutive nights, September 12 and September 13, and won both of his matches.
On one night, he defeated Dave Mastiff. On the other, he emerged victorious against Sha Samuels. The two wins marked a notable return to the ring for Maverick after his lengthy stretch away from prominent in-ring activity.
Progress has long been a significant name within the United Kingdom wrestling scene, and the setting gave Maverick a fitting place to compete again. He has deep ties to British wrestling through the Rockstar Spud identity that helped establish him before his WWE years, making the appearances particularly notable for fans who followed his work before he joined the global company.
Neither the matches against Mastiff and Samuels nor Maverick’s social-media clarification establishes that he will be resuming a full-time wrestling schedule. What they do show is that he remains capable of returning to the ring while continuing in his WWE production role. Maverick’s wording was specifically focused on his current employment status, rather than offering a broader declaration about future WWE matches.
No Confirmation of a WWE In-Ring Return
There is an understandable reason that the Progress results fueled discussion. Maverick has a long history as an on-screen wrestler and personality, and any victory after time away invites fans to consider possible opponents and storylines. His latest statement, however, should not be read as confirmation of a WWE in-ring comeback.
At present, the concrete update is that Maverick is a WWE writer and producer. He said he is doing the work he loves “from the other side of the camera currently,” a phrase that neatly defines his present relationship with the company. It leaves room for occasional wrestling activity without suggesting that he has been assigned to a WWE roster or that a television return is planned.
Maverick’s career has frequently been defined by adaptability. Whether working under the Rockstar Spud name or as Drake Maverick, he has been able to shift between different styles of presentation and different responsibilities. His current role is another example of that flexibility: a performer with substantial on-screen experience contributing to WWE’s product from a backstage perspective.
For audiences who remember his WWE television work, the confirmation may also explain why his name has remained absent from regular on-screen discussions despite his continued employment. He has not simply vanished from the wrestling business. Rather, his work has moved into an area that is less visible to viewers but remains central to the creation and execution of weekly programming.
Leon Slater Has Named Maverick as a Dream Opponent
Maverick’s ring return also creates an interesting talking point involving TNA Wrestling’s Leon Slater. Slater, one of TNA’s rising talents, previously identified Maverick as one of his dream opponents while he was X-Division Champion.
The potential matchup carries a natural connection beyond geography. Both men are from the United Kingdom, while Maverick also played a role in helping Slater during the younger wrestler’s early time in the United States. That history makes Slater’s interest in facing him more than a simple fan’s hypothetical choice; it is a matchup tied to Maverick’s influence during a formative stage of Slater’s journey.
There is no announced match between Maverick and Slater, and no indication that one is currently being arranged. Still, Maverick’s recent victories demonstrate that an appearance in the ring is no longer merely a distant possibility. With WWE and TNA Wrestling operating as partner promotions, the notion of a match involving a WWE-employed backstage producer and a TNA standout is likely to attract further conversation, even if nothing has been confirmed.
For Slater, sharing a ring with Maverick would mean facing a fellow countryman who has worked across major stages and helped him during his development in America. For Maverick, it would offer a chance to compete against one of the younger generation’s increasingly prominent names. At this point, it remains an appealing idea rather than an official direction.
A Clear Answer to Fans’ Questions
Maverick’s message was concise, but it answered the most significant question surrounding his status. He is still with WWE. His responsibilities are as a writer and producer, and he remains actively at work for the company even though his contributions are currently taking place away from the cameras.
His Progress Wrestling return does not contradict that status. Instead, it shows that he can still lace up his boots and compete when the opportunity arises. The September 12 win over Dave Mastiff and September 13 victory against Sha Samuels gave fans two fresh examples of Maverick in action, while his subsequent comment established the professional context around those appearances.
For now, there is no official indication of a renewed WWE television run, a TNA Wrestling bout with Leon Slater, or a broader full-time return to in-ring competition. What is known is straightforward: Drake Maverick remains part of WWE, he is working in a behind-the-scenes writer/producer capacity, and he has recently reminded British wrestling fans that the performer known as Rockstar Spud can still win matches when he steps back between the ropes.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.