page_title: Kalisto (wrestler)
section_title: Early years in NXT (2013–2014)
hierarchical_section_title: Kalisto (wrestler) / Professional wrestling career / WWE / Early years in NXT (2013–2014)
caption_attribution_description: 2015-03-27_23-01-11_ILCE-6000_3486_DxO
context_page_description: Emanuel Alejandro Rodriguez is a Mexican American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Kalisto.
  In 2006, Rodriguez made his professional wrestling debut on the Midwestern United States independent circuit, working under a mask and the ring name Samuray del Sol. After establishing himself as one of the top high-flyers in the area, he began working for larger promotions in 2011 and was signed by Dragon Gate USA in 2012. The same year, he made his debut for Mexican promotion AAA, where, in November, he was repackaged as Octagón Jr., the storyline protégé of well-known luchador Octagón. He has also worked for Combat Zone Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, National Wrestling Alliance, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.
  In May 2013, he signed with WWE and was assigned to their developmental territory NXT, where he was renamed Kalisto. In September 2014, Kalisto won the NXT Tag Team Championship alongside Sin Cara, as a part of The Lucha Dragons. In February 2015, Kalisto was promoted to WWE's main roster.
context_section_description: In May 2013, it was reported that Rodriguez was undergoing pre-contract signing medical tests for WWE. On May 26, it was reported that he had signed a developmental contract with WWE. On August 29, Rodriguez's new ring name was revealed as "Kalisto". Kalisto made his NXT debut at a live event on September 20, defeating Baron Corbin. In April 2014, Kalisto formed a tag team with El Local, which led to him making his television debut on the May 8 NXT, where the two defeated the Legionnaires (Marcus Louis and Sylvester Lefort) in a tag team match. On May 29 at NXT TakeOver, Kalisto and El Local unsuccessfully challenged The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
caption: Kalisto in March 2015
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