NXT Championship
Strong then began a rivalry with the faction SAnitY after coming to the aid of Tye Dillinger and No Way Jose, who were also battling the group. At , Strong teamed with Dillinger, Ruby Riot and Kassius Ohno (replacing No Way Jose who had been attacked earlier in the night) to take on SAnitY in an 8-person mixed tag team match in a losing effort. On May 20, at , Strong defeated Eric Young, giving Young his first pinfall loss in NXT. On the July 5 episode of "NXT", Strong challenged Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship, but lost the match. After Drew McIntyre won the NXT Championship from Roode at , Strong defeated Roode on the August 30 episode of "NXT". Strong unsuccessfully challenged McIntyre for the NXT Championship on the October 5 episode of "NXT". Strong was defeated by Almas on the October 25 episode of "NXT" following interference from Zelina Vega.