On February 18, 2022, WWE fans were introduced to a new show called NXT Level Up. Replacing 205 Live, the show focused on performance center trainees and NXT veterans facing off with one another, focusing on developing those wrestlers into NXT mainstays.
Some got released, while others went on to NXT or the main roster. However, one man consistently had matches in the program – Dante Chen. When the last episode aired on December 27, 2024, Chen had to face three men in a gauntlet match, which he won.
It was a classy move by WWE to do that, as the gatekeeper of NXT is certainly synonymous with Level Up. Many fans may wonder about why he was put in that spot. Luckily, there are many reasons why Dante Chen is absolutely Level Up’s MVP.
The Show Needed a Veteran like Chen to Help Debuting Talent
WWE holds multiple tryouts during the year at the WWE Performance Center. That means that dozens of wrestlers get signed to contracts every year.
Some Level Up matches featured wrestlers with the same level of experience but most of the matches feature a rookie and someone more experienced. If you’re a rookie, you’re looking for someone who will help you get to that next level. For many, Chen was that person.
A consistent veteran can guide you in the ring and make sure nothing goes wrong. He worked with wrestlers such as Javier Bernal, Myles Borne, and Luca Crusifino during their first months with the company.
WWE certainly trusted him to work with the young guys, as most of his matches on Level Up were against debuting and new talent. Level Up needed that one person to act as the veteran, and they certainly found one in Dante Chen.
The Fans Got Him Massively Over on the Show
According to Chen’s Cagematch profile, he wrestled on 44 Level Up shows. Given that 150 shows were produced, he wrestled in around 30 percent of them. That meant there was a good chance that you would see a Dante Chen match taped before NXT.
As he appeared more and more, fans started to root for him and cheer him on. When his music hit, there was always a roar from the crowd, knowing the resident Level Up wrestler was there. His signature pose was a hit as well, with fans doing it alongside him and commentary constantly putting it over.
They also alluded to his nickname several times, letting fans know about his constant presence on the show. Being in a business with constant change means that things don’t stay the same for long. However, for Level Up fans, Dante Chen was the presence that made the show worth watching.
Chen’s Future is Unclear at the Moment
With Level Up ending, it’s currently unclear what will happen with Chen. Given his reputation with younger talents, he might have a spot on WWE: LFG waiting for him. That will allow him to work with even more rookies as they begin their careers with WWE.
There’s also a good chance he might also finally move up to NXT regularly. He has had sporadic appearances on the brand, most recently storylines leading to a Singapore Cane Match against Lexis King and an NXT Championship title match against Ethan Page.
With the transfer window open, there’s a chance that Chen could step into an open spot on the roster. Wherever he ends up, NXT Level Up owes a lot of its success to Dante Chen. He helped launch so many WWE careers by working with young talent and preparing them for a prominent company spot.
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