WWE has announced via WWE.com that Austin Aries has signed a contract with the company's NXT developmental system.

The signing took place during tonight's NXT television tapings at the CFE Arena on the campus of the University of Central Florida and will air on the March 2nd edition of NXT on the WWE Network.

NXT has posted the following to their official Twitter page showing Aries's entrance into the arena:

BREAKING NEWS: @AustinAries is the newest signee to #WWENXT! @WWE pic.twitter.com/YIwxSrzDNl

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 23, 2016

WWE COO Triple H, who teased a "big surprise" for tonight's NXT television tapings, has also posted the following on his official Twitter page regarding Aries's NXT signing:

2016 is just getting started...... #WeAreNXT  https://t.co/sg6Xrl7zUk

— Triple H (@TripleH) January 23, 2016

WWE has also issued the following statement:

"NXT continues to show why it is the fastest-growing brand in sports-entertainment, making waves with another huge signing during Friday’s tapings at the CFE Arena on the campus of the University of Central Florida.

Austin Aries, a 15-year veteran of the squared circle who’s competed against the likes of Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins and Samoa Joe, stepped into a WWE ring for the first time to put pen to paper on his NXT contract. The signing will air on Wednesday, March 2.

News of Aries’ arrival was first reported on the official NXT Twitter account. WWE COO Triple H also tweeted his thoughts on the huge signing."