Joe Gacy discusses WWE NXT creative decisions and Vince McMahon

Joe Gacy has shared behind-the-scenes details regarding his tenure in WWE NXT, including a near-removal from television and scrapped creative directions for group members.

Gacy revealed that in September 2021, Vince McMahon initially considered removing him from NXT following a controversial promo. The segment, which utilized social activism terminology such as “safe spaces” and “microaggressions,” drew negative media attention from outlets like Fox News. McMahon reportedly reacted to media headlines before viewing the full segment, but changed his mind after watching the complete footage and approving the concept.

Additionally, Gacy discussed early creative ideas for the Schism faction. He noted that Ava Raine had proposed a character inspired by the film “Pearl” and envisioned her role as a devout enforcer for the group. While these specific character iterations were not utilized, Gacy highlighted the collaborative efforts used to develop the faction's identity.