Kavita Devi Makes Her WWE NXT Wrestling Debut (Photos)

Kavita Devi, the first female professional wrestler of Indian nationality to wrestle for WWE, had her first NXT match at tonight’s live event in Sanford, Florida.

Teaming with Aliyah as a heel, the duo took on Dakota Kai and Steffanie Newell. Aliyah worked the majority of the match, although Devi got some in-ring action and had a moment where she locked up with Kai and threw her down to the canvas.

Kai and Newell won the match, with Aliyah taking the pin.

As you can see below, Devi debuted new black wrestling attire.

When doors close, others open. #NXTSanford saw some new alliances and faces make an impression. @aliyahwwe @kavitadeviwwe @rushliorush @babatundewwe @kacycatanzaro

A post shared by WWE NXT (@wwenxt) on Apr 19, 2018 at 7:21pm PDT

I think I found my savage… RT if you are here for it 😏 #NXTSanford pic.twitter.com/TPS17QejRp

— Aliyah (@WWE_Aliyah) April 20, 2018

#NXTSanford @WWE_Aliyah & @KavitaDeviWWE pic.twitter.com/RgEmW6skj6

— JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) April 20, 2018

#NXTSanford @NixonNewell
& @DakotaKai_WWE
Vs. @KavitaDeviWWE & @WWE_Aliyah pic.twitter.com/hIv6wFbRmL

— JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) April 20, 2018

#NXTSanford the power of @KavitaDeviWWE pic.twitter.com/Pq8mgkqlzx

— JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) April 20, 2018

A former powerlifter who won gold while representing India at the 2016 South Asian Games, Devi began her wrestling career the very same year training under The Great Khali. She participated in the Mae Young Classic last summer, where Kai eliminated her in the first round. The match drew a lot of interest as it is WWE’s most watched YouTube video related to the Mae Young Classic with over 22 million views (and over five million views since early February).

WWE announced her signing in October and she began training at the WWE Performance Center in February.

“It was a privilege to be the first Indian woman to compete in WWE,” Devi said. “Participating in the Mae Young Classic with some of the best female performers in the world was a great learning experience. Now I am looking forward to pursuing my dream of becoming the first WWE Women’s Champion from India.”

Just last week, Devi competed in the first-ever WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal and had a moment where she and other NXT Superstars took control of the match.

Devi lasted in the match for a few minutes before being eliminated by Sarah Logan.

You’re probably wondering why Devi was included in the match without even having wrestled a single match in NXT. Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer noted in his review of WrestleMania 34 that WWE officials wanted someone from India in the match for ‘ethnic diversity,’ which is a buzzword management uses internally when it comes to decisions on talent and announcers.

The odds are against Devi having success in WWE as she turned 35 years old last month.