Devlin made his NXT UK debut on 31 October, defeating Tucker.[15] On 28 November episode of NXT UK, Devlin challenged Pete Dunne for the NXT United Kingdom Championship in a losing effort.[16] He then entered a feud with Travis Banks, setting up a match at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool on 12 January 2019.[17] However, both competitors attacked each other before the match could begin, with Devlin taking out the injured knee of Banks. He then referred to himself as Ireland's best fighter, establishing himself as a heel. He was interrupted by the general manager of the brand, Johnny Saint, who scheduled a match against an unknown opponent revealed to be Finn Bálor, who defeated Devlin.[18][19] On 26 and 27 January, Devlin participated in the Worlds Collide tournament, winning a 15-man battle royal to earn a bye in the first round.[20] He defeated Drew Gulak in the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Velveteen Dream in the semifinals.[21] On 6 March episode of NXT UK, Devlin defeated Banks in a falls count anywhere match to end their feud.[22] At NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II on 12 January 2020, Devlin lost to Tyler Bate.[23]
At Worlds Collide on 25 January, Devlin defeated Banks, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott and Angel Garza in a fatal-four way match to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.[24][25] Devlin successfully defended the title across NXT and NXT UK against opponents such as Lio Rush, Banks and Trent Seven.[26][27][28] In April, it was revealed that Devlin was unable to defend the title due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. This led to the announcement of a tournament to crown an interim Cruiserweight Champion. Devlin responded by calling whoever won a "fraud" and stating that he would prove himself as the true Cruiserweight Champion upon his eventual return.[29] On 18 March 2021 episode of NXT, Devlin challenged interim champion Santos Escobar to a match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver to determine the undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion.[30] At Night 2 of Stand & Deliver on 8 April, Devlin lost to Escobar in a ladder match, ending his reign at 438 days.[31]
On 27 January 2022 episode of NXT UK, Devlin faced Ilja Dragunov for the NXT UK Championship in an empty arena, but was unsuccessful.[32] After trading verbal shots with Dragunov, Devlin would get another chance at the title, under the stipulation that the loser leaves NXT UK.[33][34] The match took place on the 200th episode of NXT UK, where Devlin failed to win the title, marking his final appearance for the brand.[35]
On 21 June episode of NXT, a vignette aired announcing Devlin's arrival on the NXT brand under the new ring name JD McDonagh.[36] He made his debut at NXT: The Great American Bash on 5 July, attacking NXT ChampionBron Breakker after his title defense against Cameron Grimes.[37] At NXT: Heatwave on 16 August, McDonagh unsuccessfully challenged Breakker for the NXT Championship.[38] On 20 September episode of NXT, McDonagh defeated Tyler Bate to earn another title match against Breakker. After the match, they were confronted by Dragunov.[39] This led to a triple threat match at Halloween Havoc on 22 October, where McDonagh once again failed to win the title.[40][41] He competed in the inaugural Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline on 10 December, which was won by Grayson Waller.[42] At NXT Stand & Deliver on 1 April 2023, he challenged for the NXT North American Championship in a fatal-five way match, which was won by Wes Lee.[43] On 2 May episode of NXT, McDonagh defeated Dragon Lee in what would be his final match for the brand.[44]
As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, McDonagh was drafted to the Rawbrand.[45] On 15 May episode of Raw, he competed in a battle royal to determine the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship at Night of Champions, but was eliminated by Dolph Ziggler, who McDonagh attacked after his elimination.[46] He wrestled Ziggler on 29 May episode of Raw, which ended in a double countout. After the match, he would once again attack Ziggler.[47]
On 13 May episode of Raw, McDonagh and Bálor won a fatal four-way match with help from Carlito to become the number one contenders for the World Tag Team Championship the following week,[55] but they failed to win the titles from Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) after Braun Strowman prevented Carlito from interfering.[56] On 24 June episode of Raw, with help from Liv Morgan, McDonagh and Bálor won the titles from Awesome Truth, marking his first title win on the main roster.[57] On 5 August episode of Raw, McDonagh was revealed to be part of the revamped Judgment Day with Carlito and Morgan, replacing Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley.[58] On 16 September episode of Raw, McDonagh and Bálor defeated The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) to retain the titles in their first defense.[59] McDonagh and Bálor successfully defended the titles against The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) on 25 November episode of Raw, before losing them in a rematch on 16 December episode of Raw after interference from Priest, ending their reign at 175 days.[60][61] On 27 January 2025 episode of Raw, McDonagh and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio failed to regain the titles from The War Raiders. During the match, McDonagh suffered an injury after he attempted a moonsault to the outside but his body bounced off the announce table. Despite finishing the match, McDonagh later revealed he had suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung, putting him out of action for a couple of months.[62][63]
In June 2020, during the rise of the Speaking Out movement, Devlin was accused of physical and domestic abuse by Hannah Francesca, a former partner. Francesca tweeted photos of what she commented on as bruises dealt by Devlin on her legs and that "this is just the physical damage". She was also "told to reach out to [Devlin]" by an unknown promoter in what was deemed by them a "misunderstanding". WWE stated that they were looking into the allegations and that they "take any allegation of this nature very seriously". At the time, Devlin had been at home due to COVID-19 lockdowns.[64] He would be suspended indefinitely by Progress Wrestling following the allegations.[8] Devlin denied the allegations, calling them "completely and utterly false" and that it was "a case of a malicious personal agenda being executed against [him] on the back of a very brave telling of true experiences by other women."[65] He made his television return to WWE in March 2021, seemingly confirming that WWE's investigation into the matter had resulted in no punishment for Devlin.
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