IYO SKY and WWE Intercontinental Champion Chad Gable are set to make appearances on the WWE NXT live event circuit later this month. Both Monday Night Raw stars have been announced for two NXT house shows scheduled outside of Florida during the final weekend of September.

The dates announced are September 26 in Columbia, South Carolina, and September 27 in Greensboro, North Carolina. The shows are part of NXT’s next non-Florida live event loop, giving fans in both markets the opportunity to see two established Raw names alongside the NXT roster.

SKY and Gable are currently assigned to the Raw brand, making their inclusion notable even though WWE has increasingly presented NXT as a brand that can feature talent from throughout the company. The announcement adds major star power to the two cards while also creating the possibility of fresh in-ring combinations for the NXT live audience.

Two Raw names join NXT’s road schedule

WWE NXT regularly holds live events at venues beyond its primary Florida base, and those cards can provide a different environment from the weekly television product. The addition of SKY and Gable gives the September 26 and September 27 events recognizable names with extensive experience on WWE’s biggest stages.

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For SKY, the appearances mark a return to an NXT setting that remains significant in her WWE career. Her work in WWE has included a prominent run in NXT before she became a key part of Raw’s women’s division. A house show appearance does not necessarily signal a change in brand status, but it does place her back in front of the NXT audience for this particular weekend.

Gable’s role carries an additional layer because he will be appearing as the reigning Intercontinental Champion. The championship is one of WWE’s most established titles, and the presence of its holder on an NXT live event lineup gives the weekend a clear connection to Raw. Whether the title will be defended at either NXT event has not been announced.

At this stage, WWE has confirmed the participation of both performers for the Columbia and Greensboro dates. Matchups, opponents, and the full cards for the two shows have not been detailed. That leaves open the question of how SKY and Gable will be used, whether against NXT regulars, in matches involving other visiting talent, or in another capacity on the cards.

Gable has a championship defense ahead in Mexico City

Before he reaches the NXT live event loop, Gable has a major Raw assignment in Mexico City. He is scheduled to defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Dragon Lee on the upcoming episode of Monday Night Raw from the Mexican capital.

The match places Gable’s championship reign in focus ahead of the NXT appearances. Dragon Lee is a high-profile challenger whose connection with Mexican wrestling audiences makes the Mexico City setting especially fitting for an Intercontinental title match. The result will determine whether Gable arrives in South Carolina and North Carolina still holding the title.

Gable’s planned NXT dates were announced while the September 8 episode of WWE NXT on The CW was underway. The timing allowed WWE to spotlight an upcoming live event loop while also emphasizing the crossover potential between the company’s brands. Gable’s title defense against Dragon Lee provides another immediate link between WWE programming and the schedule that follows later in the month.

There is no indication that Gable’s NXT house show involvement will affect his Raw status. He remains identified as a Raw performer and the reigning Intercontinental Champion going into the Mexico City defense. Still, champions appearing on NXT-branded events bring extra attention to the live cards, particularly when the participants have established television histories outside of the developmental brand.

IYO SKY’s return adds depth to the women’s side of the cards

SKY’s announcement is equally significant for the NXT live events. She is among the most accomplished active members of WWE’s women’s roster, and her style makes her a natural attraction in front of an NXT crowd. Her previous NXT tenure helped establish the foundation for her eventual rise on the main roster, where she has continued to be a featured competitor.

As with Gable, WWE has not announced SKY’s opponents for Columbia or Greensboro. That uncertainty is part of the appeal of a house show announcement involving a main-roster star. NXT has a deep women’s roster, and a live event appearance could create a matchup not currently available on Raw television. However, no particular opponent or match should be assumed until WWE confirms the card.

The dates also offer a chance for fans who may not attend weekly television tapings to see SKY in a more intimate live-event setting. WWE house shows traditionally allow for a distinct experience from televised programming, with the emphasis centered on matches and the energy of the local crowd. The presence of Raw performers can make those events feel particularly special without requiring a permanent move between brands.

What the announcement does — and does not — establish

The key takeaway is straightforward: IYO SKY and Chad Gable are scheduled for WWE NXT live events on September 26 in Columbia and September 27 in Greensboro. Both performers are coming from Raw, and Gable is currently the WWE Intercontinental Champion.

The announcement does not confirm that either wrestler is moving to NXT full time. It also does not establish future television storylines, title matches, or rivalries. WWE frequently uses live events to bring different segments of its roster in front of regional audiences, and appearances can be limited to a specific loop.

Likewise, it is not yet known whether Gable’s Intercontinental Championship will be on the line at the NXT events. His scheduled defense against Dragon Lee in Mexico City is confirmed, but no championship match has been announced for Columbia or Greensboro. Fans should look for additional card information from WWE as the September dates approach.

What is clear is that the NXT events will have a stronger Raw presence than a standard house show lineup. SKY brings star power to the women’s side, while Gable arrives with the visibility and responsibility that accompany the Intercontinental Championship. Together, they give the South Carolina and North Carolina shows two additions with very different strengths but similarly strong résumés.

September schedule at a glance

  • September 26: WWE NXT live event in Columbia, South Carolina, with IYO SKY and Chad Gable announced.
  • September 27: WWE NXT live event in Greensboro, North Carolina, with IYO SKY and Chad Gable announced.
  • Before the NXT loop: Chad Gable is scheduled to defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Dragon Lee on Raw in Mexico City.

The late-September NXT loop now has two major attractions attached to it. For SKY, the shows offer a return to an environment closely tied to an important chapter of her WWE journey. For Gable, the weekend comes immediately after a potentially pivotal Intercontinental Championship defense against Dragon Lee.

WWE has not yet revealed the full lineups for Columbia and Greensboro, so the exact role of each Raw star remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the confirmation of SKY and Gable alone gives both NXT live events added significance. Fans in South Carolina and North Carolina will be watching to see which NXT talent shares the ring with them and whether Gable reaches the weekend with the Intercontinental Championship still around his waist.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.