WWE NXT's Tavion Heights Opens Up About Excursion To Pro Wrestling NOAH

In the summer of 2024, Tavion Heights stepped outside his comfort zone and country lines for an experience that proved to be unlike anything he had ever encountered before. During a recent interview with "No-Contest Wrestling," the "WWE NXT" star opened about that excursion, which took him to Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan.

"I always like to say Tavon Heights was minted in Japan because I just felt like it was sink or swim for me," Heights said. "I go from American wrestlers, people that speak English when you're doing the process of these matches, and you go out there with a guy who doesn't speak no English and it's like man, we're just in this. We're just in the moment, and if things go awry, what your heart says is what's going to fly, brother. I had to lean into me."

In his early "NXT" days in the United States, Heights typically leaned on his tag team partners within No Quarter Catch Crew as well as the veteran competitors standing across the ring to help him through matches. Japan, however, offered up a new challenge for him.

"In Japan, it's like hey man, the only people keeping this together is me and you," he said. "It was big for me. It was growth."

Heights' international adventure spanned one month, with NOAH regulars Yoshiki Inamura, Kenoh, Manabu Soya, and others doing battle with him in the squared circle. In between the broadcast action, the former Olympian also took the time to sharpen his skills alongside Hall of Famer The Great Muta (also known as Keiji Muto).

"The Great Muta, he gave me a compliment that was unmatched," Heights recalled. "He just said like 'your belly-to-belly [suplex] is so unique and it's your own. The intensity that which you hit it with and the arch cannot be replicated.' The pacing was a thing that I struggled with because coming here, and it's just like hearing that compliment from the Great Muta, 'No, that intensity and that pace you use for your signature finish is unique to you. Keep that.' It was every encouraging. It's like, hey, Tavion, you ain't got to change too much. Do your thing, man, because people gonna rock with it, so while you try to learn the game, don't lose yourself."

In August 2024, Tavion Heights and fellow "NXT" star Josh Briggs were spotted training with both The Great Muta and Naomichi Marufuji in Japan. Marufuji, a near 30-year wrestling veteran, is a decorated champion in NOAH, having held the GHC Tag Team, National, Hardcore Openweight, and Heavyweight Titles. Muta, a WWE Hall of Famer, officially retired from in-ring competition in early 2023 after a near four-decade career. Talents wrestling in NOAH and beyond continue to learn from him, however.

In Heights' case, his pro career is still in its infancy. Following a successful amateur wrestling run, he signed with WWE in 2022 and subsequently joined its "NXT" brand. Four years later, he's a regular fixture on "NXT," most recently colliding with Myles Borne in a Weapons Wild Match at "NXT" Halloween Havoc.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "No-Contest Wrestling" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.