WWE fans were surprised on the July 9 episode of WWE SmackDown when Tegan Nox & Shotzi Blackheart made their debut as a team. The duo found quick success, defeating WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Natalya & Tamina in a non-title match.
Speaking to Alistair McGeorge of Metro, Tegan explained when they found out about the debut and what she thought the plan was.
"We pretty much found out the day of SmackDown, after the match, that we were getting called up. We knew we were having a tag match on TV but we didn’t even think we were getting called up until after the match. John Laurinaitis was like, 'Congratulations, welcome to SmackDown!' Like, oh – I guess we go here now! I assumed it would be something like when we did the whole invasion angle with NXT attacking SmackDown and Raw. I just assumed it was something like that, maybe happening at SummerSlam. 'No, you’re on SmackDown now!' Oh, ok – thank you!" said Tegan.
Moving from NXT to SmackDown cost Shotzi her last name as Blackheart was dropped from her presentation.
Speaking on the name change, Shotzi said, "I’m just used to the chaos now. Things change all the time, everything happens so quickly so you really have to be ready for anything being a WWE superstar!"
One week after their debut, Shotzi & Nox found more success, once again defeating Natalya & Tamina in a Champions Contenders match.
It is unknown when they will get their shot at the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles as Natalya is reportedly sidelined with an ankle injury.
Fightful will have live coverage of WWE SmackDown beginning at 8 p.m. ET.