Cruz Montana Debuts on WWE Raw as Newest Member of The 946
The Bronx native made a surprise appearance in Brooklyn to align with the group ahead of major wrestling events.
World Wrestling Entertainment delivered a major surprise at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, during the closing moments of Monday's episode of WWE Raw. Cruz Montana made his dramatic debut on the brand, aligning himself with The 946 to attack members of The Bloodline, including Roman Reigns.
Montana's addition expands The 946 to a five-man faction that already includes Royce Keys, Carmelo Hayes, Bronco Nima, and Lucien Price. The numerical advantage comes at a strategic time with Survivor Series approaching, putting pressure on Roman Reigns, The Usos, and Solo Sikoa as rivalries escalate across the roster.
For fans who primarily follow Raw rather than NXT, the arrival of Montana brought immediate attention to his background. Officially billed by WWE from New York City and known as the pride of the Bronx, Montana spent years wrestling on the independent circuit, including a stint with TNA, before officially signing with the company over the summer.
During his time on NXT, Montana has spoken candidly about overcoming adversity while growing up in tough neighborhoods throughout New York City. His authenticity has quickly resonated with viewers, building a gritty character grounded in his real-life experiences and past struggles before achieving his dream of reaching WWE.
His path to the main roster has also been marked by intense physical conflicts. A deeply personal feud with Dion Lennox involved family members and culminated in a chaotic match on October 20 that ended in a double count-out, followed by a violent backstage and ringside assault involving steel steps.
The momentum for Montana continued past Monday night into the taped episodes for Friday's edition of SmackDown from Brooklyn. During the tapings, members of The 946 carried their aggressive tactics forward by targeting Jimmy Uso, further intensifying the ongoing drama surrounding family allegiances and faction warfare within the company.