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WWE SmackDown tag team Fraxiom, consisting of Nathan Frazer and Axiom, has been competing on the main roster since their call-up in April 2025. While the two-time former NXT Tag Team Champions are still finding their footing on Friday nights, their journey as a team almost ended before it truly began. Had WWE followed its initial creative plans, the exciting duo would not have been drafted to SmackDown as a unit. Nathan Frazer recently revealed that he personally intervened to keep the team together. Speaking on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, Frazer discussed his original desire to portray a heel character in NXT. He also opened up about the initial plans for his partnership with Axiom and how they successfully convinced WWE Hall of Famer and NXT creative head Shawn Michaels to change course. Frazer explained that the bickering often seen between him and Axiom on NXT television was intended to lead to a breakup. “I’m sure you remember us just bickering back and forth for what seemed like months on TV. Of course, the plan was originally to split us,” Frazer stated. He detailed his own creative pitch, “Actually, I wanted to take my character in more of a heel role… I originally wanted that to be a heel guy. I would go to the promo class and brainstorm this character”. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match However, WWE’s plans shifted slightly upon his return from injury. “But obviously, when I got back from my injury, they wanted me to still be a babyface. The long-term plan was for me to always be a heel. We want to build to that”. This led to the formation of the tag team with the eventual split still in mind. “And that’s what caused [WWE] to be like, I think there’s a good dynamic between Axiom and Nathan on TV. We’ll put them together and eventually lead to a split”. “WWE SmackDown” airs live every Friday night on USA Network and on Netflix internationally. (via WWE) As the team gained momentum and chemistry towards the end of 2024, both Frazer and Axiom felt strongly that they should remain together. They decided to make their case directly to Shawn Michaels. “I think it was around like, November and December time, when everything was just like, clicking and firing on all cylinders, we were like – we both went to Shawn [Michaels] and said, ‘Shawn, don’t do it. Please don’t do it.’ It’s working way too well. We have a better chance at being called up to the main roster as a tag team. We really enjoy what we’re doing as well,” Nathan Frazer said. Their plea was successful, leading to their continued run as NXT Tag Team Champions and eventual main roster call-up. More WWE News: Released WWE Superstar Retires From Pro Wrestling Released WWE Star Breaks Silence On Departure Released WWE Star Wants To Join AEW For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
