NXT
Date: September 22, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s tournament time again and in this case that is in the form of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The tournament is back after a few years away and we get started tonight. Other than that, Mason Rook is the new #1 contender to the NXT Title and that could be something. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a video from Cody Rhodes talking about the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. There will be teams from all parts of WWE and Rhodes will be here to present the cup to the winners.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Los Americanos vs. Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno

Rayo flips away from Dar’s wristlock to start and it’s off to Bravo to slug away at Moreno. Dar comes back in for a quick running kick to Rayo’s chest so Rayo grabs a front facelock. That’s reversed into a guillotine so Bravo slams Moreno onto them for the break. Los Americanos clear the ring and get in some dancing as we take a break.

We come back with Moreno still in trouble as Bravo comes in again. That doesn’t go well for the two of them though as Moreno dives over for the tag back to Dar. Everything breaks down and Bravo gets to airplane spin both of them at once. Some kicks have Dar in trouble but Moreno superkicks Bravo out of the air. The Bitter End gets two on Moreno, with Dar having to make the save.

Moreno gets kicked out to the floor where Rayo gives him a moonsault but Dar kneebars Bravo. That’s escaped as well though and it’s a German suplex to leave both of them down. Moreno is back up but dives into a forearm, leaving Rayo to hit a top rope splash for two more. A Russian legsweep is broken up and Moreno runs the ropes to pull Bravo down in a crash. That means a high/low finishes Bravo at 13:27.

Rating: B. These guys were working hard and I wasn’t sure who was going to win until the end, which is a nice feeling. I’m not sure about having Los Americanos going out in the first round but at least they went out in a hard hitting match. Dar and Moreno are a team who might not be the most interesting but at least they’re doing well in the ring.

We look at Mason Rook becoming #1 contender last week.

Kendal Grey goes to a sports psychologist (who we don’t see) and talks about how bad things have been. She’s not happy with sitting on the sideline and just existing and has no idea when she’ll be back in the ring. She was injured in college but had another season. That’s not the case here and the psychologist asks her what it means if she can’t compete. Grey has no idea.

Kali Armstrong vs. Skylar Raye

Grey’s gear has pinstripes and Armstrong knocks her into the corner for the heavy right hands to start. Back up and Raye dropkicks her to the floor, with Armstrong running back in for a clothesline. Raye gets in a rollup and they trade some near falls until Armstrong snaps off a powerslam. We take a break and come back with Raye hitting a Backstabber.

A tornado DDT and frog splash give Raye two, with Armstrong coming back with the spinebuster. The Kali Connection hits the referee…and here is Reina Vulcan to lay both of them out. Raye lands on Armstrong after a torture rack slam and the referee is back to count the fluke pin at 9:33.

Rating: C+. Raye was working hard and you can see why NXT would want to push her as a prospect. She won on a fluke but it’s better than losing outright, while Armstrong gets to have a hoss fight against Vulcan. Raye still has a long way to go, but she has the charisma and look to be good to a nice start.

Shiloh Hill and Saquon Shuggars are in Robert Stone’s office and talk about wanting to blind Tristan Angels and Naraku. Stone reminds them where they are and they’ll deal with this later.

Earlier today, Wren Sinclair was meeting some fans and got ejected because she’s still suspended.

La Catalina/Thea Hail vs. Kelani Jordan/Zaria

Hail rolls Jordan up to start and it’s off to Catalina for a running hip attack against the ropes. Catalina hits a dive onto both of them with Hail adding a springboard trust fall. We take a break and come back with Hail escaping Zaria’s suplex. That’s not enough for a tag as it’s back to Jordan for a Lionsault.

The abdominal stretch has Hail in more trouble so she slips out and beats up both villains without much trouble. Jordan is back up to cut off the tag though and Zaria’s spear gets two. A kick to the head is enough to get Hail out of trouble and Catalina comes in to clean house. The running hip attacks connect in the corner and it’s back to Hail, who reverses the F5 into a rollup for the pin on Zaria at 9:39.

Rating: C+. I get that NXT wants to keep trying with Hail, but this was more a case of “it’s that time again”. She’s lost so many times over the years and it’s hard to buy that this run is going to be any different. Other than that, Catalina is fine enough as a guest star, though hopefully another title isn’t floating around here full time.

Dorian Van Dux is injured but insists he can go in the six man tag tonight. EK Prosper seems to be ready to take his place, though Van Dux isn’t thrilled.

Here is Cruz Montana for a chat. He has made his intentions clear because he wants the NXT Title, but he hasn’t been stacking those wins. Then again, he hasn’t been stacking losses either, so he wants the next NXT Title shot. Cue Darkstate, with Dion Lennox mocking Montana’s lack of success. Montana is ready to fight right now so Lennox gets in the ring on his own.

Lennox talks about Montana being a star in TNA but this is a bigger stage. Last week, Montana talked about EK Prosper being the future around here. Is it because he and Montana both used to eat dirt? Montana laughs off the idea of that being the big issue, because Lennox may have athleticism but Montana runs circles around him in the ring and on this microphone. The reality is Montana earned his way here and didn’t have to go to any tryout. Montana isn’t worried about Lennox….who asks if Montana’s mother was a drug dealer.

NOW it’s more serious and Lennox talks about his athletic past but doesn’t get why the fans boo him. Is it because Montana was a drug addict? Montana had to become someone, but Lennox has been someone his whole life. The brawl is on, which it could have been after the line about his mother, but this was the kind of segment where I wanted to see Montana beat the daylights out of him so well done.

Mason Rook is in Robert Stone’s office when Hank & Tank come in. They give Rook a pep talk before he leaves, with Hank & Tank then thanking Stone for putting them in the Dusty Classic.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Creed Brothers vs. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins

Presley has been out of action for a good while with an injury. The Creeds jump them from behind to start fast with Presley slipping out of a double spinebuster. A running clothesline takes Brutus down and Presley gives him another clothesline, landing on the floor before Brutus goes over. Back in and Brutus takes over with a hard whip into the corner but Presley is quickly over for the tag off to Riggins to clean house. The Brutus Ball hits Julius by mistake but he’s right back up with a German suplex. The double spinebuster finishes Presley at 3:36.

Rating: B-. Presley and Riggins might not be the best and most polished wrestlers in the world but they’re good as big guys who can brawl. That’s all they need to be and it plays to their strengths well. At the same time, the Creeds are here to wreck people with their suplexes and try to rebuild their statuses, which is going to be quite the process.

We look back at Myles Borne officially turning on Tavion Heights (again) last week.

Sean Legacy/EK Prosper/Zilla Fatu vs. Birthright

Legacy and Stacks run the ropes to start with Legacy getting in a springboard armdrag. It’s off to Connors and Prosper to trade flips and dives until Fatu comes in to slam King, who manages a quick dropkick. Fatu shrugs that off and takes out both King and Connors as everything breaks down. The big triple dives connect on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Prosper and Stacks striking it out until Prosper grabs a super hurricanrana. A running knee gives Prosper two as King makes the save and everything breaks down. Fatu hits a suicide dive to the floor but Prosper gets caught in an assisted sitout powerbomb.

Connors comes back in with a springboard Stunner to keep Prosper in trouble for all of three seconds before it’s back to Fatu. King’s superkick just ticks Fatu off even more and he sends Connors into the corner for the running Umaga Attack. Prosper tags himself in but the referee doesn’t see it. Instead he sees Legacy tag himself in for a springboard 450, which hits raised knees to give Connors the pin at 11:03.

Rating: B-. This has been the latest instance of Legacy being thrown out there to lose, which has been the case for a good while now. At the same time, that makes sense as I’m not really seeing his upside at this point. Fatu got to look dominant while he was in there before his partners messed up, which is a good way to keep him looking strong.

Post match King gets in Fatu’s face and has to be saved by Birthright.

Zaria is ticked off and ready to defend her title against Thea Hail next week. Izzi Dame comes in to throw up a clip of Zaria seemingly acting in a high school version of Wicked. Shockingly enough, this has Zaria upset and she leaves. Ok then.

Here are Grayson Waller and Mason Rook for a chat to wrap up the show. Waller talks about how he’s here to make this title important by defending it against the best. At the moment, that is Rook, who is also the hungriest around here. Waller admits that they’ve both come around the world to follow their dreams but while he can run a marathon, Rook runs to get his DoorDash.

Waller: “He’s big, he’s bad, and Mason when I look at you, it makes me sad.” Yes Rook is a great athlete for his size but he’s soft. Rook won’t be able to keep up with him, but for now, Waller wants to have some fun and hands Rook the microphone. Waller: “Don’t eat it, it’s not a drumstick.”

Rook isn’t an idiot and isn’t going to go insult for insult with Waller. We hear about how Waller didn’t make it on the main roster but the reality is that Rook isn’t here because he failed elsewhere. He’s here because he’s the best big man in the business and Waller’s mic skills won’t save him when Rook’s hands are around his throat next week. Rook did well here, though dang his look is holding him back.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was trying but they were in a rough place. There are only so many stars around here that I would want to see and they were only able to do so much to make the show interesting. It’s certainly not a bad show, but it’s not overly interesting with a lot of people they have. That could change with time, though they have a lot of work to do.

Results
Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno b. Los Americanos – High/low to Bravo
Skylar Raye b. Kali Armstrong – Powerslam
Thea Hail/La Catalina b. Kelani Jordan/Zaria – Rollup to Zaria
Creed Brothers b. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins – Double spinebuster to Presley
Birthright b. Sean Legacy/Zilla Fatu/EK Prosper – Knees to Legacy’s ribs

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

NXT
Date: September 15, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re still about a month and a half away from Halloween Havoc but the big story this week is crowning a new #1 contender. Last week, Mason Rook, Tony D’Angelo and Saquon Shuggars won a six man tag so this week they’re facing each other for the next title shot. That’s in addition to everything else going on around here so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Lizzy Rain vs. Kali Armstrong

Armstrong slams her a few times to start but Rain is right back with a release fisherman’s suplex for two. Rain takes her down by the arm and gets two off a basement spinwheel kick. Back up and Armstrong misses a charge into the post and Rain dropkicks her through the ropes as we take a break.

We come back with Armstrong getting two off a spinebuster to leave both of them down. Back up and Armstrong dances a bit, only to get kicked in the face. A Stunner is blocked but Armstrong gets caught with a cutter for two instead. Thunderstruck is cut off with a slam but the Kali Connection is cut off by Rain’s flying headbutt. Another Thunderstruck misses and now the Kali Connection finishes Rain at 9:52.

Rating: C+. Armstrong getting a win is good to see as she knows how to do the powerhouse style. It worked well here and that Kali Connection is a heck of a move, just because of how forceful of an impact it has. Rain continues to be there and not doing much, though she has more than enough charisma to keep giving her a chance.

Post match LFG winner Skyler Raye runs in to jump Armstrong and they’re separated.

Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux are getting ready for the Tag Team Titles but Birthright comes in to say the titles are theirs.

Cruz Montana is in Robert Stone’s office to talk about last week’s six man tag. EK Prosper came in to say that loss was his fault, which Montana respects. The Vanity Project comes in and the argument is on, with Stone making the match for later tonight.

Darkstate vs. Dorian Van Dux/Sean Legacy

James suplexes Legacy to start but gets dropkicked away. A basement dropkick has James down again and Legacy gives him an armdrag. Back up and James grabs a scary reverse suplex with Legacy landing on his face. Dux comes in to strike Griffin down and a double belly to back suplex does it again. Griffin is fine enough to suplex both of them at the same time but Darkstate is sent outside. The double dives are broken up with Legacy and Dux are planted down as we take a break.

We come back with everything breaking down and Legacy cleaning house on the floor. Dux’s springboard spinning crossbody gets two on James, who is right back up with an iconoclasm. Legacy is back up with a couple of dives and Dux hits a moonsault to the floor. Cue Dion Lennox to jump Dux though, allowing James and Griffin to hit an assisted toss powerbomb for the pin at 11:36.

Rating: C+. I still do not get the appeal of Legacy and Dux as a team. Dux is a nice powerhouse but Legacy doesn’t do much for me at all. Darkstate continues to be an ok enough team but the division as a whole still doesn’t feel like it has any really good teams throughout. This match didn’t do much to change that feeling.

Post match here is Birthright to say they are tired of disrespect and start by beating on Legacy and Dux. Cue Zilla Fatu for the save, with Legacy and Dux getting back up to help clear the ring.

Mason Rook is ready to have another biggest win of his career to get the #1 contendership.

Earlier tonight, Grayson Waller started running on a treadmill and he’s still going.

Robert Stone asks Skylar Raye what that was about but here is Myles Borne, who wants to apologize to Tavion Heights.

Zaria’s arm is bruised but she’s medically cleared. Izzy Dame comes in to mock her for getting injured by Thea Hail.

Here is Myles Borne to call out Tavion Heights for a face to face apology. Heights joins him in the ring and says Borne crossed the line. Borne says he jumped the gun and acted out of fear just after he lost his two titles. He does clearly apologize but Heights says his back is still sore after he got stabbed.

Heights says he’s not sure if they can fix this but Borne brings up Heights doing something similar to him before. Then they got back together and won the Tag Team Titles. Borne wants to start over fresh and Heights finally agrees to forgive him. They hug and yes Borne does lay him out, including Pillmanizing Heights’ ankle. Nice job here, as they dragged it out before the attack.

Kendal Grey, with Wren Sinclair, goes to a medical clinic to get an update on her ear issue. She doesn’t have a concussion but she needs to rest and see a sports psychologist. This doesn’t sit well with her.

Cruz Montana/EK Prosper vs. Vanity Project

Non-title. Baylor grabs a front facelock on Prosper to start but Prosper trips him down and gets two off a dropkick. Montana comes in and shrugs off Smokes’ shoulder as everything breaks down, with the Project quickly being sent to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Montana in trouble and getting caught with a dropkick Hart Attack for two. Smokes grabs the chinlock but Montana is back up with a Death Valley Driver.

Prosper comes back in with a missile dropkick and it’s time to clean house. A top rope Blockbuster gets two on Baylor and a running knee drops Smokes. Montana pops Prosper up to the top for a hurricanrana….almost into a powerbomb from Montana, who only made a bit of contact. A pair of dives hit the Project but here is Jackson Drake to kick Montana in the face. That’s good for an ejection but Smokes uses the distraction to backslide Prosper, with Baylor assisting, for the pin at 11:52.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure what they’re doing with Montana at the moment but at least he’s getting to do something while being treated like a big star. At the same time, Prosper is already feeling like someone with all kinds of potential and that’s great to see. The Project is getting better as well, though they still feel like they are overachieving for the most part, which is kind of the point.

Saquon Shuggars is ready to win tonight but Tristan Angels comes in to mock a bunch of people, including Zilla Fatu and Shuggars himself. Shuggars doesn’t seem to care.

Here is Kelani Jordan for a chat. She doesn’t want to be a champion who just posts certain pictures of herself on Instagram or hides from title defenses. That’s why she defended her title last week and then debuted on Raw in Mexico City while Wren Sinclair got suspended. This brings out AAA Reina de Reinas Champion La Catalina, who brags about her win and is ready to bring NXT to a new level.

This brings out Zaria, who wants her name in a discussion of dominant champions. Thea Hail joins them to say she can hang with anyone in the ring and has made Zaria tap out. The brawl is on with the villains quickly being dispatched. Hail just feels like she’s begging us to believe her and that’s not good.

Tony D’Angelo is ready for the triple threat tonight and knows Saquon Shuggars from the Darkstate days and Mason Rook, who debuted by attacking him.

Grayson Waller is still running.

Shiloh Hill is studying the colors of the mists and even tests some on himself. Then raccoons start talking to him.

Robert Stone announces the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The Creed Brothers come in to say they’re winning it again.

We look at Stephanie Vaquer winning the Raw Women’s Title in Chile.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Saquon Shuggars vs. Tony D’Angelo vs. Mason Rook

For a future NXT Title shot. Shuggars tries to go after the two of them but gets clotheslined out to the floor. Rook is sent outside as well, leaving Shuggars to beat up D’Angelo. Back in and Rook snaps off some slams, setting up a double backsplash. D’Angelo gets up again and rolls some German suplexes on Shuggars.

A German suplex to both of them lets D’Angelo get two on Rook, who pops up to the top. That means a Tower Of Doom and everyone is down as Grayson Waller gets off the treadmill as we take a break. We come back with Rook getting two off a splash and Shuggars being the only one standing. A slingshot legdrop gets two on Rook, with D’Angelo Jackhammering Rook for two more.

Shuggars kicks D’Angelo down, earning himself a suplex into the corner. Shuggars goes up top and gets superplexed into Rook’s sitout powerbomb for two, with D’Angelo making the save. Rook and D’Angelo slug it out but Shuggars is back up with a top rope splash to D’Angelo, with Tristan Angels running in to pull the referee out. Shuggars dives onto Angels as D’Angelo’s back gives out while trying to pick Rook up. That means a Blue Thunder Bomb and top rope splash to give Rook the pin at 14:06.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure on the result but then again I’ve yet to get the appeal of Rook. At the end of the day, he’s a fresh name getting the chance to go after the title in what should be a big time TV main event. That’s all this needed to be, though the match was pretty much just a standard triple threat.

Post match Grayson Waller runs out to stare at Rook. So was there really any point in having him on the treadmill for hours?

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show about setting things up for the future, with the tag division and NXT Title picture getting a lot of attention. There was nothing here that you really needed to see though, which is the kind of show that has to happen every so often. Then again there is a long time before Halloween Havoc so they have time to get things ready. Perfectly fine show, but the bigger stuff is coming in the next few weeks.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Lizzy Rain – Kali Connection
Darkstate b. Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux – Assisted toss powerbomb to Van Dux
Varsity Project b. Cruz Montana/EK Prosper – Backslide with assist from Baylor
Mason Rook b. Tony D’Angelo and Saquon Shuggars – Top rope splash to D’Angelo

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: September 8, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We have a long way to go before Halloween Havoc and in this case there is a big match taking place tonight, with a title on the line. Kelani Jordan is defending the Women’s Title against Jaida Parker in what should be quite the athletic match. In addition, a bunch of people are coming for Grayson Waller and we have a six man tag to determine next week’s triple threat to crown a new #1 contender. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Wren Sinclair and Jaida Parker say they’ll be handling things tonight.

Women’s Title: Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan

Parker is challenging and we get the MISS PARKER chants, which she certainly seems to appreciate. A running shoulder puts Jordan down to start and Parker dances a bit. Back up and Jordan knocks her down as well, meaning Jordan gets in a dance of her own. That earns her a heck of a slap from Parker so Jordan sends her into the corner for the stomping. A running hurricanrana is countered into a sitout powerbomb to give Parker two and we take a break.

We come back with Parker breaking up a super Spanish Fly and hitting a middle rope Rough Ryder. Parker fires off some clotheslines and gets two off a Blockbuster and Falcon Arrow. The Rings Of Saturn are broken up and Jordan avoids a charge, allowing her to hit a springboard legdrop. Parker gets sent outside for an Asai moonsault but manages to avoid a 450. A Samoan drop (ahuh) gives Parker two but she misses a charge, with Jordan rolling her into the corner. One Of A Kind retains the title at 9:50.

Rating: B. You could tell they have both come a long way here and that’s a great sign for their futures. Jordan is learning to use her incredible athleticism like a wrestler and Parker is getting more comfortable in the ring, with the crowd reactions making her feel like a star. I liked this a lot and Parker isn’t overly hurt by losing to a more established name.

Post match Wren Sinclair runs in to shove the referee down and beat on Jordan with the kendo stick.

Yesterday, Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar came in to see Robert Stone, wanting revenge on the Creed Brothers. Stone is in, even as Moreno reminded me of Tito Santana with the eyeglasses for some reason.

Myles Borne isn’t sure if he did the right thing with Tavion Heights because he believes Heights saying he wasn’t going to turn on Borne.

Heights isn’t sure what to do but he’s dealing with his North American Title shot tonight first.

Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno vs. Creed Brothers

Moreno and Julius start things off and for some reason Moreno tries to wrestle with him, which is rather ineffective. Brutus comes in, with Julius suplexing Moreno into a backbreaker but it’s off to Dar for stereo submission attempts. Julius powers out without much effort but the Creeds are sent outside. A moonsault to the floor takes them out again and a running dropkick sends Julius into the steps as we take a break.

We come back with Brutus hammering on Dar and Julius sends him flying off a fall away slam. Dar finally avoids a knee though and Moreno comes back in to start the fired up comeback. Moreno’s big dive takes out the Creeds but Julius powerbombs Moreno out of the air back inside. The Brutus Ball is broken up and Dar elbows Julius down, only for Brutus to dive off the top for the save. Dar is sent outside and it’s a double spinebuster to give Brutus the pin on Moreno at 12:15.

Rating: B-. This got going and it’s good to see the Creeds back doing something. They might just be a team who fit better around here and some more seasoning might help them out a lot. Moreno and Dar are starting to gel together a bit better, but this should be a good start towards getting some life into the tag division. That’s a good thing too and the Creeds are a nice addition.

Birthright isn’t happy with Zilla Fatu when William Regal and Fit Finlay come in. Regal says he has a history with Fatu’s father “Youmanga” (there it is) and demands that they either get Fatu on the team or take him out tonight.

Wren Sinclair rants to Robert Stone about Kelani Jordan but Stone suspends her for the earlier attack.

Here is Charlie Dempsey, who has kept his head down and mouth shut for six years around here. He’s always been more substance over style and he’s never sold out to “play the game” around here. Birthright was formed to show what he can do but Birthright has been treated like a fool for far too long. He’s tired of being treated like a joke because NXT is a place more interested in turning failed football players into wrestlers.

That brings him to Zilla Fatu, who has something the team wants. The offer is on the table and here is Fatu to interfere and yes he has a chip on his table because of his father. He appreciates the invitation but he’s not just one of them. It’s a big NO from him so here is the rest of Birthright to lay Fatu out, including putting him through the announcers’ table. And now Birthright is going to be destroyed in abundance.

Naraku warns Shiloh Hill to stop worrying about the mist or feel all of the colors and their pain.

Saquon Shuggars talks strategy with Tony D’Angelo and Mason Rook, but they might not be on the same page. Tristan Angels comes in to say he would be a better teammate and doesn’t think much of Shuggars.

North American Title: Tavion Heights vs. Jackson Drake

Drake, with the Vanity Project, is defending. Heights muscles him up for a backdrop to start and gets in a slam as Joseph brings up Midnight and Big T. As my mind tries to get around those two being mentioned on WWE TV, Heights takes the Project out on the floor but gets sent outside again by Drake. We take a break and come back with Drake dealing with a bad ankle and taking his boot off. Naturally Heights goes to the ankle lock but Drake crawls out to the floor. Drake gets in a posting to take over but can’t even stand.

Instead he elbows away, only for Heights to grab the ankle again. That’s broken up as well and a backdrop puts Drake down. Granted it doesn’t last long though, as Drake is back up with a bridging German suplex for two. They head to the apron where Heights gets in a nasty German suplex and they go back inside. This time the ankle lock is broken up and Drake knees him in the head. The 450 retains the title at 11:42.

Rating: C. I liked the idea here, but Drake having a bad ankle and seemingly being fine for the most part didn’t work. I can live with a jumping knee, but someone with a bad ankle shouldn’t be firing off a 450. Heights losing clean when he seems to be setting up for a feud with Myles Borne isn’t the best sign and I don’t quite get this one.

Post match Heights gets up and here is Myles Borne to stare at him. And that’s it.

Cruz Montana, EK Prosper and Keanu Carver have their own issues before the six man but Robert Stone comes in to calm them down a bit.

Here is Zaria for a chat. There has always been something or someone holding her back from winning gold. Now she has gotten rid of those things and look at where she is now. She left Heatwave with two titles above her head and now she’ll show how dominant she can be.

This brings out Izzi Dame, who doesn’t buy what Zaria is saying. Thea Hail comes out to say the same but Dame isn’t listening to what Hail says. Zaria says Hail is only here because of what Jaida Parker told her to do. Hail says she has a real friend and asks when Zaria will get over Sol Ruca. The fight is on and Hail makes her tap to the Kimura.

Myles Borne is annoyed about Tavion Heights so Hank & Tank tell him to give Heights a better apology, with Borne saying he’ll do it next week.

Birthright brings Zilla Fatu’s shirt to William Regal and Fit Finlay, who approve of their actions. The Vanity Project comes in but Regal says Birthright is coming for their titles. This brings in more teams, all of whom want the titles. They were doing the revolving door of challengers here but backstage.

Kali Armstrong isn’t happy that Thea Hail is coming for the Women’s North American Title. Lizzie rain comes in to tell her to do something about Hail herself and they have to be held apart.

Mason Rook/Saquon Shuggars/Tony D’Angelo vs. Cruz Montana/EK Prosper/Keanu Carver

The winning team moves on to a triple threat next week for an NXT Title shot at Grayson Waller, on commentary. It’s a brawl to start with Prosper and Shuggars being left alone to get us going. Carver is quickly in and gets crucifixed for two but gets to sent Rook flying for two of his own. Santana comes in to chop away at Rook, who kicks him in the head in the corner.

A double rolling Buck Fifty drops Rook and D’Angelo for two on the latter and it’s off to Prosper. D’Angelo spinebusters Prosper and Shuggars hits a running shot to the back as everything breaks down. Prosper’s super hurricanrana is cut off but his partners throw him back up top so Shuggars can get hurricanranaed down for two.

We take a break and come back with Shuggars kicking his way out of trouble but Montana isn’t about to allow the tag. Naturally Rook gets the tag almost immediately, with Montana rolling him up for two. A double superplex brings Rook crashing down so Prosper’s frog splash can connect for two more.

Rook fights out of trouble rather quickly and brings D’Angelo back in to clean house. Santana clotheslines Carver to the floor by mistake and D’Angelo spears Prosper, followed by the spinebuster. Rook tags himself in and picks up D’Angelo for a double Cannonball into Prosper in the corner. Waller approves as Rook pins Prosper at 12:20.

Rating: B. It was a fast moving tag match with the less likely team winning in an interesting move. The good thing is the result sets up both next week’s #1 contender match and the other team can do some things on their own. They didn’t stop with the action here and it made sense as they were fighting for a prize, which tends to do a lot better most of the time.

Post match Carver and Montana brawl as the winning team argues, leaving Waller to pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a good mixture of action and building up things for the future. We’re still over a month and a half away from Halloween Havoc, which likely makes this a build towards something other than the big event. That should work well, especially if the younger stars continue to move up the ladder as well as they have in recent weeks. Better than usual show here, save for Drake’s lack of ankle problems.

Results
Kelani Jordan b. Jaida Parker – One Of A Kind
Creed Brothers b. Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno – Double spinebuster to Moreno
Jackson Drake b. Tavion Heights – 450
Mason Rook/Saquon Shuggars/Tony D’Angelo b. Cruz Montana/EK Prosper/Keanu Carver – Double Cannonball to Prosper

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: September 1, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with Heatwave and a lot of things have changed. There are a bunch of new champions, including Grayson Waller winning the NXT Title. That’s in addition to new Tag Team, Women’s and North American Champions. We’ve got a lot of things to cover on the way to next month’s Halloween Havoc so let’s get to it.

Here is Heatwave if you need a recap.

Long Heatwave recap.

Here is Zilla Fatu for a chat. Fatu: “HELLO!” Things did not go well for him at Heatwave but he’s not ready to give up. This brings out Tristan Angels, who doesn’t want to hear Fatu go on about Heatwave. These people have the attention of fruit flies and there is no need to put them through this over and over. Fatu isn’t even the main one in his own family but he says he’s ready to beat Angels up in front of his family here in Orlando. So Fatu is a good guy. Huh.

EK Prosper and Saquon Shuggars get in an argument in Robert Stone’s office and both want to be in line for an NXT Title shot. Keanu Carver comes in to want to same thing and asks Stone what he’s going to do.

Naraku says Shiloh Hill has done research on the mist but he doesn’t understand it.

Myles Borne doesn’t regret striking out at Heatwave. Yes he turned at Tavion Heights because he knew Heights was going to turn on him. So he turned on Heights first. Well yeah. It’s certainly a smart idea and makes sense here.

Shiloh Hill vs. Naraku

Hill wrestles him down to start but gets chopped up against the ropes. A cravate doesn’t work for Naraku as Hill is back up with a flying shoulder. Back up and Naraku shoves him off the top and loads up the announcers’ table as we take a break. We come back with Naraku missing a charge into the corner and getting planted down for the inverted Swanton. Naraku is back with a sitout fireman’s carry slam before they clothesline each other. With nothing else working, Naraku sprays the mist into his hand and, after teasing spitting it in Hill’s eyes, rubs it in his face. Into The Abyss finishes Hill at 9:44.

Rating: B-. There is a very good chance that this isn’t going to be finishing here and it could be interesting to see Hill trying to get his revenge. Hill’s random ranting about the mist a few weeks ago turning into a feud is certainly unique and I’ll take that over doing the same thing you see from everyone else. The match wasn’t bad either, but it’s the story that has me more intrigued here.

Romeo Moreno, Noam Dar, Dorian Van Dux and Sean Legacy argue over the future of the tag team division.

Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno vs. Dorian Van Dux/Sean Legacy

Well that’s good timing. Legacy and Moreno take turns flipping over each other to start until Legacy armdrags him into a dropkick. Moreno comes in to strike away at Dux, who gives him such a hard clothesline that Legacy’s jaw drops. Dux charges into a boot in the corner though and everything breaks down with Dar and Moreno grabbing stereo ankle locks. Those are broken up and they go outside with Legacy and Dux getting in powerbomb backbreakers as we take a break.

We come back with Moreno missing a moonsault, allowing Dux to come back in. Dux’s moonsault doesn’t miss and Dar has to dive in for the save. Dar comes in to kick away at Legacy and European clutches him for two. Everything breaks down again and Moreno gives Dux a super Death Valley Driver but Legacy powerbombs Dar onto Moreno to leave everyone down.

Dux Asai moonsaults onto Moreno and Legacy, with Legacy getting caught in a hanging cutter with a top rope double stomp to his back. Dar accidentally elbows Moreno though and walks into an AA from Legacy and Dux adds a top rope splash. Legacy’s springboard 450 hits raised knees though and Dar gets the pin at 11:37.

Rating: B. This got going in the middle and that’s enough to make the whole thing a good match. It’s a match designed around having a bunch of action and maybe Dar and Moreno can get into the title hunt. They’re doing well enough as a team and the Vanity Project need some challengers to start their title reign. Fun match here.

Post match the Creed Brothers run in and wreck both teams. Well it’s not like they have anything else going on on the main roster.

Zaria retires the Women’s Speed Title, which has Robert Stone officially retiring the men’s version as well. Birthright isn’t happy and are ready to take the power back into their hands. With the team gone, Cruz Montana comes in to ask for an NXT Title shot. Keanu Carver comes in to say it’s bad to be Stone right now.

Here is new Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan for a chat. She brags about winning the Women’s Title but she doesn’t need the YOU DESERVE IT chants, because she earned it. Jordan praises Kendal Grey, but if Grey was so great, what does it make Jordan when she beat Grey? The reality is that Grey was in over her head at Heatwave and she got sent into the turnbuckle.

When the ear heals up, she can come get a title rematch but for now, let’s talk about how great Jordan really is. No one does it like her but here is Jaida Parker to interrupt. She won at Heatwave too and that makes her championship material. Parker has beaten her before so let’s run it back tonight. Jordan says Parker is always talking and the match can happen…but we’ll do it next week.

Thea Hail vs. Nikkita Lyons

Lyons’ Evolve Women’s Title isn’t on the line. Hail takes her straight down and goes after the arm but gets catapulted throat first into the middle rope. The reverse chinlock has Hail in trouble but she pops up for a running flipping neckbreaker. Lyons punches her back down for two and she breaks up a quick Kimura attempt. The Vader Bomb misses though and the Hail Mary gives Hail the pin at 3:17.

Rating: C. Well I wasn’t expecting that. Hail winning a match clean is hard to fathom these days but it should at least move her into the Evolve Women’s Title picture. Granted she was already there in the first place but it’s better than nothing. The ending was clean here and that’s been missing for Hail for a long time now.

Kendal Grey is suffering from vertigo. I hope that’s not a legitimate issue as that stuff can wreck you.

Mason Rook vs. Kam Hendrix

Rook jumps him in the aisle to start fast and they head inside, with Rook missing a charge in the corner. Hendrix stomps away and gets two off a backsplash before they both miss clotheslines. Crossbodies connect at the same time though and they’re both down. Rook is back up with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two so Hendrix is back up with a Showtime Kick. The turnbuckle pad is taken off but Rook crushes him into the steel. A sitout fireman’s carry bomb finishes Hendrix at 4:36.

Rating: C+. Rook gets a win and moves up the ladder a bit, though it’s probably only going to mean so much as Hendrix doesn’t mean the most right now. The two of them both need something to do and it could be interesting to see what they do in the next few weeks. Hendrix continues to feel like he could be something, but that’s not going to matter if he keeps losing.

Tavion Heights is annoyed at the loss at Heatwave but above that, he feels betrayed. The Vanity Project comes in to mock him but Heights wants to face Jackson Drake for the North American Title. Drake doesn’t seem thrilled.

Zilla Fatu vs. Tristan Angels

Angels backs into the corner to start so Fatu knocks him into a different corner for the running splash. Back up and Angels is sent outside, with the suicide dive knocking him over the announcers’ table. The fans rather approve but Fatu gets crotched on top to cut off the cheers. We take a break and come back with Fatu getting ticked off and sending Angels into various turnbuckles. A release Rock Bottom into a backsplash gets two but Fatu misses a charge. Angels’ Backstabber gets two but he misses an enziguri in the corner. The Triple Z (running Samoan Spike) finishes Angels at 9:30.

Rating: C+. Well Fatu is already easy to like and feels more natural as a good guy than he did in his earlier weeks. It’s a different way to go and he has the charisma to back it up so let’s see what he can do. Beating Angels is good enough and the Triple Z is a cool looking finisher. Not bad for a singles debut.

Post match Birthright comes out to interrupt and offers Fatu a spot on the team. He’s got a long line of family members to deal with so how long until he’s the Main One? Fatu says no and superkicks Lexis King before leaving to avoid the beating.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Robert Stone introduces new NXT Champion Grayson Waller for a chat. Waller mocks the fans for thinking that someone else was going to win on Sunday. He makes fun of Vic Joseph for freaking out over Waller’s win, but why was he surprised? Waller is a star who has main evented Raw and Smackdown and won a title at Wrestlemania. Now he’s thanking everyone who got him here, which is just himself. He’ll get back to Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis when he has time but for now, who is coming to knock him off his pedestal?

The fans want Cruz Montana and Waller agrees that he’s good. Waller: “But just TNA good.” He wants someone to step up to him so here is Saquon Shuggars of all people. Waller doesn’t seem impressed but here is Cruz Montana to interrupt as well. Montana says that Waller may not be ready but he sure is, only for EK Prosper to interrupt. Before that can go anywhere, Mason Rook says let’s see how tough Waller is.

Tony D’Angelo joins in but Robert Stone says we’re not doing this (despite us already doing this). Keanu Carver comes out and says make a six man tag next week, with the winners in a triple threat #1 contenders match the week after. Stone points out that there are only five people so Carver goes less than subtle with his recommendation for a sixth entrant.

Stone gets the idea and makes the match, with Carver sliding in to go after Waller. The champ leaves so the other six fight to end the show. I like the idea, though having so many people coming after the champion, including some new faces, was an amusing way to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show did a good job of following up on the pay per view, with a bunch of champions receiving challengers right out of the gate. I like what we’re getting around here at the moment, with Fatu already feeling like he could be something in the near future. They still need to make these ideas work, but it’s a good sign coming off the big summer show.

Results
Naraku b. Shiloh Hill – Into The Abyss
Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno b. Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux – Rollup to Legacy
Thea Hail b. Nikkita Lyons – Hail Mary
Mason Rook b. Kam Hendrix – Sitout fireman’s carry bomb
Zilla Fatu b. Tristan Angels – Triple Z

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: August 11, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph Booker T.

As can often be the case in wrestling, we need a new #1 contender for the title and we’ll be finding a one tonight. Cruz Montana will be facing the resurgent Grayson Waller for the right to challenge Tony D’Angelo for the NXT Title. That’s in addition to Kendal Grey needing a new challenger so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Lizzy Rain is nervous in the back when the Culling comes up. They mock her for not having help so she’s going it alone.

Lizzy Rain vs. Culling

So there’s no Shawn Spears to team with Rain as originally planned. Rain charges at Dame to start and we get the opening bell, with Dame being dropkicked into the corner. Dame pulls her out of the other corner though and they trade forearms until Rain hits a quick elbow. Vance comes in so here is EK Prosper and we do indeed have a tag match. Vance can’t get a suplex back inside and everything breaks down with the Culling getting chopped in various corners. Dame trips Rain down onto the apron though and then drops her onto the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Rain grabbing a super hurricanrana for two on Dame as Vance makes the save. Everything breaks down again and Vance’s top rope headbutt gets two on Prosper. Rain tries Thunderstruck on Vance but gets launched into a sitout powerbomb to give Dame two more. The second Thunderstruck hits Vance and a Shining Wizard takes him down again. Prosper drops a moonsault for the pin at 10:48.

Rating: B. For a thrown together match with a replacement partner, this wound up being rather good stuff. Rain has grown on me a bit and while I’m still not big on hearing her talk, she’s getting better in the ring. Dame continues to feel like she should be ready to break through but it hasn’t happened just yet.

Last week, Tavion Heights and Myles Borne celebrated winning the Tag Team Titles and told the tag division that they were ready to defend the titles. This was rather well received.

EK Prosper and Lizzy Rain are asked about their win but Kali Armstrong takes the microphone and goes into the arena, where she says she wants her Women’s Title shot. Kelani Jordan comes in to say the same thing she always says, with Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair interrupting as well. Grey is tired of hearing from Jordan so she gives her a contract for a title shot. Jordan would use it next week but that would be a waste on these fans so we’ll do it at Heatwave. Armstrong doesn’t want to wait so the brawl is on with Grey and Sinclair being left laying.

Keanu Carver interrupts Cruz Montana over getting thrown into a #1 contenders match. They stare each other down and Carver tells Robert Stone that he hasn’t seen anything yet.

Dion Lennox vs. Saquon Shuggars

Darkstate is here with Lennox. Shuggars starts fast and gets knocked into the corner but comes back with a backbreaker for an early two. A Darkstate distraction lets Lennox send him throat first into the ropes though and the chinlock goes on. Lennox’s northern lights suplex gets two and we’re right back to the chinlock. That’s broken up as well and Shuggars gets in an elbow to the back of the head but has to threaten Darkstate with the baseball bat. They send him into the announcers’ table though and that’s enough for the sitout slam to give Lennox the pin at 4:56.

Rating: C. That’s it? They’ve been feuding for months and the big finale is Darkstate interferes and Lennox gets an easy win in less than five minutes? I wasn’t expecting some Wrestlemania level match but I was expecting something a bit better than this. Shuggars’ revenge didn’t even mean anything in the end and Darkstate just wins. What a weird piece of business.

AAA GM calls Robert Stone, who announces a four way next week for a Cruiserweight Title shot in two weeks. EK Prosper and La Parka will be involved with more names to come. Interestingly Mysterio suddenly had to go, which is similar to how he had to leave last week on AAA, with no explanation.

Grayson Waller yells at at Saquon Shuggars (something about messages on a phone) and tells him to do something. Shuggars grabs his bat and limps away.

Women’s North American Title: Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair

Zaria is defending and Sinclair’s Women’s Speed Title isn’t on the line. Sinclair starts fast with some rollups for two each but gets kicked in the head in the corner. Zaria starts in on the arm but Sinclair elbows out of a choke in the corner. We take a break and come back with Sinclair getting a sunset flip out of the corner, only to walk into a spear. Cue Saquon Shuggars beating on Dion Lennox with the bat and their brawl coming into the ring. The distraction lets Zaria grab the F5 to retain at 9:38.

Rating: C+. This was a weird one as Zaria pretty much had the match won before the interference and then she won anyway. It’s not like that really changed much but it did indeed take place. Zaria retaining is fine as it evens their series and hopefully lets them move on. Either that or it’s a winner take all match, which isn’t a bad idea if they unify the belts.

Shiloh Hill sends in another update, revealing that he is healing far faster than expected and could wrestle on live events wearing a mask, and of course he has about five on at once. He also promises to find out more about the poison mist and might do some experiments.

Mason Rook vs. Kam Hendrix

Rook backdrops him to start but gets hit in the face, allowing Hendrix to stomp away. A nice spinebuster plants Rook for two but Rook is back up with some shots to the face. Rook’s release German suplex and Blue Thunder Bomb get two as a turnbuckle pad has been ripped off. Hendrix sends him into the buckle, setting up a Showtime Kick for the pin at 3:33.

Rating: C+. It was fun while it lasted but it didn’t last very long. I’ve been a fan of Hendrix since he started in Evolve (all that time ago) and it would be good to see him getting a chance to showcase what he can do. If nothing else, him getting more time on the microphone would be a great thing, assuming it actually happens.

The Vanity Project want their Tag Team Titles back but Tavion Heights and Myles Borne come in. Robert Stone makes Jackson Drake the same deal: if he can win next week, he gets a North American Title shot and the Project gets a Tag Team Title shots. The Project wants both matches at Heatwave but Stone says the dates will be determined. Borne is fine with wrestling twice in one night and Drake’s opponent next week is…Shiloh Hill.

Lexis King vs. Lucien Price

Non-title and Birthright is here too. King’s right hand just annoys Price, who knocks him into the corner for a rather hard chop. Birthright’s distraction lets King (whose chest is bleeding from that chop) get in a cheap shot and go after the arm. A spinning high crossbody gives King two and he hits a running forearm to the back of the head. Price gets back up and takes out Birthright, followed by a one armed powerbomb for the pin out of nowhere at 3:27.

Rating: C. I can certainly go with OTM getting some wins of their own as they have felt like a team ready to break out for a long time now. That has to start somewhere and the show can always use some fresh blood in the bigger spots. At the same time….dang I like King but he feels like a doormat here, Speed Title or not.

Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey come in to see Robert Stone with Sinclair wanting to face Zaria again. She offers the Speed Title in a unification match, which is enough to get Stone to sign off. Next week, the two of them are facing Kelani Jordan and Kali Armstrong.

Jaida Parker and Thea Hail are happy with their win last week. They’re happy to be friends.

Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno are happy with Moreno getting a spot in the four way for the #1 contenders match next week. Tristan Angels comes in to say he’ll win the match anyway, despite never being a cruiserweight before.

Cruz Montana vs. Grayson Waller

For a title shot against Tony D’Angelo, who is on commentary. Montana tells him to bring it to start before grabbing a suplex. Waller is right back with some shots to the face and a suplex of his own as things slow down a bit. Cruz comes back with some running chops in the corner into a backsplash to send Waller outside. The suicide dive sends Waller crashing over the announcers’ table and we take a break.

We come back with Montana hitting a clothesline into a sitout F5 to drop Waller again. Waller ducks an enziguri and gets caught with a rolling Buck Fifty (backflip into a cutter) for two. Montana charges into an elbow to the face and a running stomp to the back gives Waller two of his own. Waller tries his rolling cutter but walks into Spin The Block (discus lariat). Hold on though as Zilla Fatu (named as such) runs in and lays out Montana for the DQ at 12:49.

Rating: B. They were getting going by the end here and the ending is a way to get them out of having one of them get a pin. That’s a good thing, as you don’t want Waller, who has been labeled as a joke, losing so soon and you definitely don’t want Montana losing here. Good stuff here, with the ending being the smart way out.

Post match Fatu lays out both of them and hits a top rope splash on Montana. Fatu stares down at D’Angelo and says he needs that to end the show. That’s a big deal, though I would hope that they acknowledge that Montana won by DQ and don’t go with the “no contest” thing. If someone runs in and attacks one wrestler, it’s a DQ by definition. Acknowledge it.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked most of the show, though there was a stretch in the middle that felt like they were just jumping through things really quickly. There were good parts and the main event angle was a nice surprise, plus a solid opener. Heatwave is starting to come together and a four way for the NXT Title is far from the worst idea. Nice job here and it would have been even better if the middle of the show had been a big better developed.

Results
EK Prosper/Lizzy Rain b. Culling – Moonsault to Vance
Dion Lennox b. Saquon Shuggars – Sitout slam
Zaria b. Wren Sinclair – F5
Kam Hendrix b. Mason Rook – Showtime Kick
Lucien Price b. Lexis King – One armed powerbomb
Cruz Montana b. Grayson Waller via DQ when Zilla Fatu interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: August 4, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We have less than a month before Heatwave but this week’s show is big enough, as we have Lola Vice challenging Kendal Grey for the Women’s Title in the NXT Underground. Other than that, Tony D’Angelo is having issues with both Cruz Montana and Grayson Waller. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

In Memory Of Dory Funk Jr.

Opening recap, looking at the NXT Title picture.

Jaida Parker/Thea Hail vs. Nikkita Lyons/Karmen Petrovic

Nattie is here with the latter. Lyons mocks Parker’s high stepping as Parker works on Petrovic’s arm to start. Hail comes in and gets taken into the wrong corner, allowing Lyons to grab a top wristlock. Everything breaks down and Parker/Hail clear the ring, only for Nattie to get in a cheap shot on Hail. Back in and a Pearl River Plunge gives Lyons two on Hail and we take a break.

We come back with Hail trying to fight her way out of trouble but Lyons pulls her away again. As usual, the diving tag goes through a few seconds later and Parker comes in to chop Petrovic into the corner. Lyons has to offer a distraction and Petrovic gets in a Sling Blade, followed by a Hart Attack for two. Hail and Petrovic slug it out on the floor as Parker hits the Tear Drop on Lyons. Hail’s middle rope backsplash gets the pin at 9:20.

Rating: B. This got rolling near the end and they did something to set up the likely Hail vs. Lyons Evolve Women’s Title match (which was already teased). Parker gets to annoy Nattie again before we get closer to what should be their final blowoff. They did a good job of keeping the action going here and it wound up being a strong opener.

Post match Nattie comes in for the beatdown but Parker and Hail fight back to clear them out.

Tavion Heights is nervous about the Tag Team Title match but Myles Borne says they have this.

We look at Oba Femi beating Brock Lesnar in the Cell and the fallout, with Femi thanking Lesnar and Lesnar retiring.

Here is NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo for a chat. D’Angelo isn’t happy with Grayson Waller insulting the NXT Title and wanting to use NXT as a stepping stone. As for Cruz Montana…and here is Waller. He’s not wanting to see Montana come through the crowd so he and D’Angelo can talk about respect but D’Angelo wants Waller to come down here. D’Angelo brings up teaming up with Waller in WarGames, with Waller being the only member of the team to not become champion.

Waller says he didn’t know D’Angelo had lost his testicles along with his family. This brings out Montana, who says D’Angelo didn’t call Waller out here. Montana has been in Waller’s place before but he proved himself in the ring rather than on a microphone. Montana isn’t about to become another statistic on the blocks he still lives on.

Waller wants to know how many times Montana is going to tell the same exact story. Montana says Waller is only fighting for himself, but when you have people depending on you, it makes you a man. D’Angelo tells them to have a #1 contenders match and he’ll face them at Heatwave. Pretty simple and to the point here.

We look at Lola Vice and Kendal Grey going to a draw back in March.

Wren Sinclair is nervous about her match and Kendal Grey gives her a bit of a pep talk.

Women’s Speed Title: Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair

Only Sinclair is defending, with a five minute time limit, and she gets a Women’s North American Title shot if she wins. Zaria powers her into the corner to start but Sinclair is back with a quick rollup. A headscissors takes Zaria down but she’s fine enough to pull Sinclair off the ropes. Some shots to the neck set up some elbows to Sinclair and Zaria kicks her right in the head.

They knock each other down as we have two minutes left. Back up and Sinclair gets in a few shots of her own, only to get stomped out of the corner with a minute to go. Sinclair’s rollup gets two and she grabs a suplex but Zaria rolls through a high crossbody. They crash out to the floor though and time expires at 5:00.

Rating: C+. I’m still not wild on these titles but they were moving well out there with both of them selling the time limit. Sinclair gets to face Zaria again in a regular match and that should be a nice change of pace. Nice enough job here, with the tie serving as a better ending than one of them taking a fall.

Post match Zaria gives her a quick F5.

Bronco Nima apologizes to Lucien Price about getting distracted last week and everything seems ok. Price says Nima has his backup plan and Price will find his own. Birthright comes in for some insults and Price challenges Lexis King to a match. Price thinks he’s found his own backup plan.

Grayson Waller runs into Kelani Jordan, who likes what he’s been saying. Mason Rook comes in and doesn’t think much of Waller. A challenge is issued but Kam Hendrix runs into jump Rook, setting up a brawl.

Tag Team Titles: Vanity Project vs. Myles Borne/Tavion Heights

The Project, with their associates, is defending. Heights shoves Smokes away to start and it’s off to Borne for an Angle Slam. Baylor gets dropkicked down too and it’s back to Heights, who gets sent into Smokes in the corner. That means a rollup can get a quick two and we take a break.

We come back with Borne rolling Baylor up for two more but getting kicked down. Borne gets stomped in the corner for two but flips out of a double belly to back suplex. The diving tag brings in Heights to destroy both champions and a dropkick/sitout powerbomb combination (cool) gets two on Smokes. A dropkick version of a Hart Attack puts Borne down for two more as everything beaks down. Borne and Heights grab stereo powerslams so the other members of the Project offer a distraction, earning them a double ejection. Borne Again hits Smokes and Heights spinning belly to belly gives us new champions at 10:48.

Rating: B-. That’s a bit of a surprise as I was expecting the Project to retain, as it feels like a somewhat out of nowhere title change. At the same time, the Project were hardly some top level, unstoppable team so Borne and Heights being the ones to finally catch them isn’t a bad thing. I’m curious about where it’s going, though another double champion is less than thrilling as it’s just been done too often.

We look at Lola Vice winning the Women’s Title at Stand & Deliver in a triple threat with Kendal Grey involved (but not taking the fall).

The Vanity Project is walking through the back when Myra Lockwood seems to think something of Keanu Carver.

The Culling surrounds Lizzy Rain but Shawn Spears comes in with a chair to cut it off. They’re having a tag match next week. Rain doesn’t trust Spears and warns him that she’ll turn on him if given a reason. Spears: “Smart girl.”

Keanu Carver vs. EK Prosper

Carver throws him down to start so Prosper picks up the pace and kicks him in the face. A top rope moonsault, with Prosper jumping from the mat to the top rope, hits Carver for two before low bridging him out to the floor. Prosper dropkicks him over the announcers’ table and gets in a double stomp to the back.

We take a break and come back with Prosper fighting out of a chinlock and hitting a springboard moonsault. A Swanton Blockbuster (ok then) gives Prosper two but Carver powerbombs him for the same. Prosper gets in a Shining Wizard and tries a moonsault, only to have to bail out to avoid some raised boots. Carver pulls him into a small package out of nowhere for the pin at 10:40.

Rating: B-. Years ago, Big E. tweeted something to the effect of “when you look like me, people don’t expect you to be that smart”. That’s basically Carver in a nutshell, as his thing seems to be that he throws in a bunch of surprises every so often and it’s kind of working. I can go for having him do something other than just running through the same tropes you see every time with a monster and I’m curious about what he does next.

Dion Lennox isn’t happy with Darkstate’s win last week because Saquon Shuggars is still walking around. They’ll take care of that next week.

We look at Kendal Grey beating Lola Vice for the Women’s Title at the Great American Bash. Vice praised her but wasn’t done so it was a challenge for the rematch in the Underground.

Shiloh Hill has a facial fracture so he’ll be out of action for a bit. He can’t train either so he’s been researching wrestling trivia. Hill finds it interesting that there is no footage or witnesses or ANYTHING about Pat Patterson’s Intercontinental Title win in Rio de Janeiro. Oh and the poison mist that Asuka and Tajiri and such use? It originated in Texas. Hill is one of the most unique characters in NXT and I could go for him having a bunch of trivia going forward.

We get a tribute to Dory Funk Jr.

Cruz Montana comes up to Robert Stone, who confirms the #1 contenders match next week with Montana facing Grayson Waller. That works for Montana but Tristan Angels interrupts. Angels doesn’t like someone new being around here but Montana points out that he’s been here a bunch of times and Angels has only been here for three months. Point to Montana.

Women’s Title: Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey

Grey is defending in the Underground, meaning no ropes on the ring and knockout/submission/referee stoppage only to win. Vice tries an early choke but Grey picks the leg and ties it up, with the two of them rolling over to the edge of the ring. They head outside with Vice being rammed into the steps but a charging Grey is sent into them face first. Grey’s ear is busted open and we take a break.

We come back with Grey’s head taped up but grabbing a German suplex anyway. Vice knees her to the floor but a kick to the ribs is countered with an ankle lock. That’s broken up as well and Vice wins a strike out, only for Hank and Tank to shove Grey back inside for a spinning elbow. Vice gets in a rear naked choke but Grey gets up, leaving Vice to elbow the referee down by mistake. Grey is choked out but there’s no referee so Wren Sinclair wakes Grey up. The cross armbreaker retains the title at 10:31.

Rating: B-. This is a unique kind of match and the taped up head made it feel even more like Grey had to survive a bunch. It’s not a case where they hated each other but rather proving that Grey was the better woman, which makes for a great ending. I can’t imagine Vice being around NXT much longer, as there isn’t anything for her to do around here.

Post match the two of them hug and show respect to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This felt like the show to wrap up a few things, including the ending with Grey and Vice. With that out of the way, it’s time to get ready for the Heatwave build, which should be enough time. I liked the show well enough and it covered a fair few stories. Not a great show, but as usual with the good NXTs, it did what was needed.

Results
Jaida Parker/Thea Hail b. Nikkita Lyons/Karmen Petrovic – Middle rope backsplash to Lyons
Wren Sinclair vs. Zaria went to a time limit draw
Myles Borne/Tavion Heights b. Vanity Project – Spinning belly to belly to Smokes
Keanu Carver b. EK Prosper – Small package
Kendal Grey b. Lola Vice – Cross armbreaker

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: July 28, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re just over a month away from Heatwave and the big story coming out of last week was the debut of…that guy who used to be in TNA under the name of Mike Santana. That’s not going to go well with NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo and it might be time for a big title showdown. Other than that, we’re coming up on Lola Vice challenging Kendal Grey for the Women’s Title in the Underground. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of last week’s main event with Tony D’Angelo retaining over Naraku and….what’s his name debuting.

Commentary is cut off by an invading Grayson Waller, who talks about the things he has done in WWE but then things changed. What happened to him in the last two years? He’s been doing nothing, carried someone for months, and then spent forever pretending to be at a funeral. He could show up to catering once a week for some salt and pepper chicken but he’s here to be the biggest star around.

That means winning the NXT Title and make it mean something again. Who is going to stop him? Cruz Montana? That would be the former TNA World Champion, with Waller loving the new name. Is Tony D’Angelo going to stop him? Waller is going to send him home to his ugly baby. Shawn Michaels needs to send one of his guys out here to get rid of him.

The women are running laps around the men of this place and mocks people who wrestle for a bit and then spend time in the medical room. Or the independent stars who show up here and go nuts in the ring but have no idea how to use a microphone. He knows Michaels is freaking out on the headset but Michaels is also smiling because Waller is speaking the truth.

Waller’s mic is cut off so he grabs the camera and says consider your cages rattled. Where in the world has this Waller been? This was one heck of a rant and if it means something from a serious Waller, I’m interested in seeing where it’s going because this was pretty awesome stuff. I’ll believe it when I see it, but this got my attention.

Tavion Heights and Myles Borne are ready to fight tonight when Mason Rook comes in. Rook doesn’t like what Waller said so he’s going to beat up Kam Hendrix.

Lizzy Rain vs. Izzy Dame

Dame backs her up against the ropes to start and pulls Rain off the top for a crash onto the turnbuckle. Back up and Rain hits a spinwheel kick but a dropkick through the ropes is cut off and we take a break. We come back with Dame hitting an Orton backbreaker but Rain gives her a missile dropkick.

Rain’s springboard elbow is countered into a Blue Thunder Bomb and it’s time to forearm it out. They crash out to the floor before going right back inside with a Death Valley Driver giving Rain two. Rain spears her down but Niko Vance offers a distraction. Cue Shawn Spears to scare Vance with a chair, allowing Rain to hit Thunderstruck for the pin at 12:35.

Rating: B-. This was more about the issues with Vance and Spears but it also saw Rain get a big win, which is the best thing that could have happened for her. She certainly seems to be someone NXT wants to push and it’s slowly starting to come together. Now just find something for her to do long term and she should be fine.

Cruz Montana meets Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar. Saquon Shuggars comes in and the team apologizes for the loss last week. Montana remembers meeting Shuggars and getting into it with him but Shuggars insists he’s a changed man. He hopes Montana will see that and Montana seems open to the idea. Kelani Jordan comes in to say this place is unfair and Montana just walks away as she rants.

The Vanity Project meets with Robert Stone and complain about possibly having to defend against Myles Borne and Tavion Heights. They aren’t scared, but here is Keanu Carver, who wants a match against EK Prosper next week. Stone agrees, saying that was way too easy. Grayson Waller calls and Stone wants him back here because this isn’t done.

Video on Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey in the Underground, with Vice talking about how hard she worked to get here.

Thea Hail and Jaida Parker are both happy with how things are going and Parker thanks Hail for helping her last week. They have a tag match next week against Nikkita Lyons and Karmen Petrovic.

North American Title: Kam Hendrix vs. Myles Borne

Borne is defending. They go to the mat to start and it’s an early standoff, allowing Hendrix to work on the arm. A clothesline and slam give Hendrix two but Borne is back up with a dropkick to the floor. There’s the dive to take him out again and we take a break with both of them outside.

We come back with Hendrix lifting him up for a one armed powerbomb and grabbing a chinlock. That’s broken up and Borne fires away, setting up a quick powerslam for two. Hendrix cuts off a dive though and hits a running boot for two as Tavion Heights is holding Mason Rook back from interfering. Borne pops back up with Borne Again to retain at 12:01.

Rating: B-. I liked the interference/distraction as it made sense for both of them to do what they were doing. Borne continues to hold onto the title and is turning into quite the star in his own right. On the other hand you have Hendrix, who feels like he has potential but isn’t getting the chance to succeed all that often, which can be rather frustrating.

Post match Rook goes after Hendrix so here is the Vanity Project to jump Borne and Heights. That’s broken up though and the Project is cleared out.

Lizzy Rain loves KFC popcorn chicken. Tristan Angels comes in to say she needs a better role model.

Zaria wants her next title challenger and Wren Sinclair comes in to say she wants her next challenger. Sinclair can have a shot next week and if Zaria wins, she gets a future Women’s Speed Title shot.

Birthright vs. OTM

Nima throws Connors around to start and shrugs off Stacks’ right to the face. Price comes in for a hard chop but some double teaming puts Nima in trouble for a change. That just earns Birthright a double suplex and it’s back to Price to clean house. Stacks is tossed over the top onto the rest of Birthright and we take a break. We come back with Connors getting two off a Swanton but Nima hits a top rope stomp to the chest to get out of trouble. Price comes back in to wreck people but here are Los Perros del Mal. The distraction lets Stacks get in a kick to the head to pin Price at 8:54.

Rating: C+. This made perfect sense and I’m curious to see where it goes with Nima. Having different loyalties with Los Perros and OTM is going to become a problem for Nima sooner than later and that’s not something you see often. If nothing else, it’s nice to see OTM getting to do something other than the random one off matches they’ve had for years.

Post match Price is not happy with Nima.

Kendal Grey is training hard for Lola Ice in the Underground. She’s been training extra hard in amateur wrestling to get ready.

Kali Armstrong wants a title shot but Izzy Dame and Kelani Jordan come in to say not so fast.

Shiloh Hill vs. Tristan Angels

Hill starts fast but runs into some raised boots in the corner. Hill misses a charge into the corner so Angels knocks him outside for a neckbreaker. We take a break and come back with Hill fighting out of trouble but getting crotched on top. Angels catches him on top with a superplex for two and they head outside, with Hill being sent into the steps. A powerbomb onto the announcers’ table gives Hill two back inside and he shoulders Angel in the corner. The super Thunderbreaker finishes Angels off at 10:25.

Rating: B-. There is something of a natural rivalry here but that feels like the end, with Hill getting the better of things to finish Angels off for the time being. That’s a good thing too, as Hill is becoming quite the cult favorite around here and could be moving on to bigger things. At the same time, Angels should be fine as he’s that annoying, which will always work.

Here is Cruz Montana for a chat. He has worked hard to get here and wants to be the kind of star his daughter deserves. Along the way though, he was told that he had reached his ceiling as a tag wrestler. He didn’t accept that and became the biggest star in TNA. Montana is grateful to TNA to everything he did there but now he wants to show he can do this with the biggest names in wrestling. He wants to be NXT Champion, and if he has to go through Grayson Waller, they can meet in any YMCA Waller wants.

This brings out Tony D’Angelo, who introduces himself as the NXT Champion. He’s ready to show Montana what he’ll do to keep his spot and they’re ready to go. Cue Waller, with Montana swinging for him but hitting D’Angelo by mistake. The three of them stare at each other to end the show. We didn’t get much new here, but Montana got his chance to show what he can do and promos like that will get him over around here too.

Overall Rating: B-. Montana already feels like a bigger star than almost anyone around here and that’s a great sign for him. It’s not the best sign for D’Angelo though, as his title reign feels like it is being measured in days. You also have the midcard firming up a bit and that could go a long way in keeping the division interesting. Next week will be more about the women though and that should be able to keep things going. Nice job here, with Montana looking like a big deal right out of the gate.

Results
Lizzy Rain b. Izzy Dame – Thunderstruck
Myles Borne b. Kam Hendrix – Borne Again
Birthright b. OTM – Kick to the head to Price
Shiloh Hill b. Tristan Angels – Super Thunderbreaker

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: July 7, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re in an interesting place as the big story coming out of last week was…uh…someone we ALL know debuting and attacking Tatum Paxley. That’s going to need some follow up and preferably a name as it feels like quite the big story. Kendal Grey is defending the Women’s Title too so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Kali Armstrong is in the ring to start and she isn’t happy. She saw everyone cheering for Kendal Grey and she had her target. As soon as she decided to go after Grey, everyone was paying attention to her. Now she wants the title and doesn’t care who she has to face. This brings out Lola Vice to say Armstrong is impatient but Kelani Jordan interrupts. She can’t believe what she’s hearing because everyone is worried about Tatum Paxley. Jordan is the one who should get a shot and the brawl is on, with Armstrong clearing the ring. As usual, Jordan is not great at talking. It’s just not her thing.

Darkstate vs. OTM vs. Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux vs. Birthright

For a future Tag Team Title shot and it’s Nima and Griffin cleaning house to give us the big power brawl to start. Legacy is back up to send them into each other but Price powers Birthright around without much trouble. James kicks Price away but Legacy and Dux give him a double suplex. Birthright is back up to clear the ring though and we take a break.

We come back with Darkstate firing away until Price forearms Stacks out of the air. Dux gets the tag and fires off the kicks into a moonsault until Nima gives him a spinning Big Ending for two. A bunch of people go outside and Stacks suplexes Dux into Connors’ sitout powerbomb. Legacy and Dux moonsault onto the floor and Griffin hits a dive of his own. Cue Saquon Shuggars in the crowd but Dion Lennox chases him off. A bunch of people brawl to the back and Legacy’s springboard 450 finishes Connors at 14:17.

Rating: B-. This was a bunch of people going all over the place and the problem comes down to there just being so many people out there. The match didn’t have much in the way of a flow or structure as everything was about getting stuff in against each other. Also, it showed how unimportant a lot of these teams really feel, with Legacy and Dux being even weaker.

Jaida Parker isn’t happy with Nattie making her give up, especially when Nattie is here to revitalize her dead career. Parker is coming for her.

Saquon Shuggars knows he needs help to fight Darkstate but no one likes him. It’s time to shake hands and kiss babies to show people he has changed.

Keanu Carver vs. Tank Ledger

Ledger jumps him to start and knocks Carver outside. Back in and Carver gets in a shot of his own to cut that off, followed by quite the clothesline. A powerbomb gives Carver two, with his taped up knee giving out at the end. Ledger strikes away and even gets in a Swanton for two but a full nelson is blocked. Somehow Carver is back up with a dropkick and an Alabama Slam for the pin at 4:46.

Rating: C+. They were smart to keep this short as Carver is all about power and devastation. He absorbed everything that Ledger threw at him and fought through the injury to win. That’s a good way to make Carver feel like a monster and I’m curious to see where he’s going next, as he’s an effective smashing machine.

Naraku talks about how he isn’t done with Tony D’Angelo and asks how far D’Angelo is willing to go, because Naraku will do anything to win the title.

Tate Wilder wants to fight Naraku and Kam Hendrix, whose knee is still banged up, doesn’t think much of Mason Rook. Cue Rook, who scares Hendrix off.

Nattie is ready for her match and offers to be there with Layla Diggs, but Diggs wants to do this on her own. Works for Nattie, who does want her friends out there for the title match.

Lizzie Rain vs. Thea Hail vs. Izzy Dame vs. Layla Diggs

For a Women’s North American Title shot. Dame takes over to start but gets dropped by Rain. Some rollups for two each are exchanged until Rain backdrops Hail out to the floor. Rain’s springboard elbow drops Dame but Diggs is back up to elbow both of them. Hail is up with a middle rope dive onto all three of them and we take a break.

We come back with Hail and Diggs hitting stereo frog splashes for two each. Hail superkicks Diggs into a standing moonsault for two and a springboard backsplash gets two more. Rain is back up with a double cutter, followed by a single cutter to a diving Diggs. Dame chokeslams Diggs for two and a middle rope Codebreaker hitting Rain. Hail’s Kimura is broken up and everyone is down again. Rain elbows Dame into the corner and gives Hail Thunderstruck, only for Diggs to hit her perfect moonsault for the pin at 14:28.

Rating: B-. This was similar to the opening match but it was rather nice to have half of the people involved overall. It helps so much, just for the sake of having less going on and fewer people flying around. Diggs winning is an interesting choice for the win, but it’s a good way to give her a quick move up the charts.

The woman who debuted last week talks about wanting to attack anyone and calls herself a force of nature. Her name: Reina Vulcan.

Here is an upset Tavion Heights for a chat. He doesn’t like the things that he said before the Great American Bash and he wants to apologize to Myles Borne. This brings out the Vanity Project, who say they deserve some apologies of their own. Jackson Drake doesn’t think much of Heights’ statements so the brawl is on, with Heights clearing the ring.

Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar run into Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux and seem interested in a match. Legacy and Dux are more interested in figuring out which of their names comes first.

Shiloh Hill vs. Niko Vance

Hill charges into a boot in the corner to start but avoids a middle rope headbutt. Hill’s top rope clothesline gets two and it’s time to stare at each other, followed by Hill hitting another clothesline. Vance is back with a gutwrench faceplant and a middle rope headbutt for two of his own. Back up and Hill snaps off a DDT before striking away and getting two off a backsplash. Cue Tristan Angels for a distraction, allowing Vance to hit a running elbow for the pin at 4:41.

Rating: C+. It was fairly intense while it lasted but this was more about Angels vs. Hill continuing than anything else. That’s a fine enough way to go as a culture clash is always going to work. Hill has certainly gotten some interest from the fans as well and that’s a good sign. It also shouldn’t be surprising as he’s rather oddly charismatic and it’s working well thus far.

Post match Vance poses and here is Shawn Spears to chair him in the back.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Nattie

Grey is defending and all of their respective friends are here too. They grapple on the mat to start with Grey getting the better of things. A shot to the face drops Grey so she wrestles Nattie down again. Nattie tries her belly to back drop but Grey picks the ankle into an ankle lock. That’s broken up and they fight outside with Grey getting distracted, allowing Nattie to get in a cheap shot. The seconds get in a big fight and we take a break.

We come back with Nattie holding an abdominal stretch but getting small packaged for two. Nattie pulls her into a rear naked choke so Grey grabs a failed cross armbreaker attempt. Back up and a middle rope dropkick is countered into the Sharpshooter. Grey makes the rope and they fight over a rollup, only for Grey to snap off Shades Of Grey for the pin to retain at 12:19.

Rating: B-. Well at least we should be done with Nattie as a challenger. That’s a good thing to see, as the idea of Grey feuding with her for the long term is almost depressing. The match was the perfectly fine technical display but Nattie wasn’t going to end the big new title reign and certainly not this soon. For a one off TV main event, it worked perfectly well.

Post match Jaida Parker comes out for a staredown with Nattie. Kali Armstrong, Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan surround Grey to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show about moving stories forward, but it made you realize how a lot of these people haven’t been developed all that well yet. The thing to remember is a good number of these people are freshly moved up to NXT from Evolve and haven’t had the chance to grow yet, despite being put in these spots. That is making for a tricky situation and NXT is handling it as well as they can, which is impressive enough. The show was busy but good enough and held my interest so we’ll call it acceptable this week.

Results
Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux b. OTM, Darkstate and Birthright – Springboard 450 to Connors
Keanu Carer b. Tank Ledger – Alabama Slam
Layla Diggs b. Thea Hail, Lizzie Rain and Izzy Dame – Moonsault to Hail
Niko Vance b. Shiloh Hill – Running elbow
Kendal Grey b. Nattie – Shades Of Grey

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

NXT
Date: June 30, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with the Great American Bash and the big story coming out of the show was Lola Vice losing the Women’s Title to Kendal Grey. We’ll get to see where things go for the new champion going forward, probably in the form of meeting a new challenger. Other than that, Tony D’Angelo turned back a challenge from Naraku and he’ll be needing a new challenger of his own. Let’s get to it.

Here is the Great American Bash if you need a recap.

We open with a long Great American Bash recap.

Here is Kendal Grey for a chat. She’s more nervous to be out here now than she was in the main event on Sunday. Ever since John Cena picked her to be in the Women’s Iron Survivor, her life has been crazy. No one puts pressure on her like she does and she kept dropping the ball. This Sunday, she proved she belonged here, even though she doesn’t look like a normal champion.

No she isn’t going to dress like a Barbie but when the bell rings, she’ll be wrestling like a champion. Sooner or later, everyone is going to find out they can’t keep up with Kendal. Cue Wren Sinclair with a cake but before they can celebrate, here is Kelani Jordan to say she wants the title shot she has earned. Tatum Paxley pops up out of the crowd to dive onto Jordan as Wren and Kendal have cake.

Keanu Carver has attacked El Hijo del Vikingo, saying the title match is off.

Izzi Dame is complaining about how she doesn’t have a title but Zaria isn’t pleased with her issues. Lizzie Rain comes in and annoys both of them with loud music.

Kelani Jordan complains about everything to Robert Stone, who has no time for this. Stone gives her Tatum Paxley in tonight’s main event before going to deal with Keanu Carver. Thankfully Carver is a few feet away and says that he doesn’t like being overlooked. His reward: a match with EK Prosper tonight. WWE is getting annoying with announcing things and then changing them lately.

Tag Team Titles: Vanity Project vs. Galeno/El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.

The Project is defending. Baylor shoves Galeno into the corner to start and gets punched by Wagner as a result, with Wagner hitting a big running flip dive to take the champs out. We take a break and come back with Wagner enziguring his way out of the corner and bringing Galeno in again. House is quickly cleaned, including a toss dropkick to send Wagner up for a dropkick to Smokes.

The Project is right back with a dropkick Hart Attack for two on Wagner but Galeno’s reverse suplex connects for the same. Wagner climbs onto Galeno’s shoulders for a splash on Baylor but Galeno accidentally backdrops Smokes onto the cover to break it up. Jackson Drake offers a distraction as well and a top rope double stomp/reverse DDT combination to Wagner retains the titles at 10:10.

Rating: B-. This worked well enough for a team of guest stars popping in for the sake of a one off title match. It’s not like there is any story to the match and the Project are seen as weak enough that they could lose the titles at any time. It wasn’t great but it was the Project getting to capitalize on a mistake, which does make sense for them. Or anyone really.

A bunch of tag teams want a title shot so Robert Stone makes a four team #1 contenders match next week. Romeo Moreno/Noam Dar are left out as Stone says they need to build up their resume first (fair and accurate).

Mason Rook vs. Jackson Drake

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Drake. Rook blocks an early headlock takeover attempt and gets two off an early powerslam. Hold on though as Kam Hendrix calls Booker T. to say he’s about 60% cleared to return to the ring and will be back soon. But did he get a new sling to cut down on the chaffing?

Anyway Rook misses a backsplash but does a Samoa Joe sidestep of a springboard moonsault. Rook’s second backsplash attempt connects and Drake rolls outside as we take a break. We come back with Drake getting two off a cutter but Rook drops him with a toss Blue Thunder Bomb. The cannonball crushes Drake in the corner but he avoids a sitdown splash.

Drake hits a Lionsault double stomp (OUCH) for two, only for Rook to slam him down again. Another powerbomb is countered into a heck of a Code Red to give Drake two. Back up and Rook’s sitout powerbomb gets two more and the fans are (rightfully) losing it over this stuff. The Project gets up for a distraction though and Drake gets a Backstabber, with Myra Lockwood holding Rook’s foot for the pin at 11:51.

Rating: B+. Well where in the world did that come from? These two just happened to have great chemistry together and I was wondering where this was going. This was a couple of guys trading one big move after another and while Rook has been treated like a big deal since he debuted, I didn’t know Drake had this in him. Shockingly awesome match here and I could go with a rematch.

Post match Rook wrecks the Project.

Tate Wilder gives EK Prosper a pep talk.

Kali Armstrong comes in to Robert Stone’s office and wants a chance. He tells her that actions speak louder than words.

EK Prosper vs. Keanu Carver

Carver powers him into the corner to start and grabs an early armbar. Prosper is up with a dropkick and a low bridge to the floor, naturally setting up the big running flip dive. Back in and a top rope splash gives Prosper two and we take a break. We come back with Prosper fighting out of a chinlock and seeing Carver hitting a great looking release German suplex during the break.

Carver’s powerslam is countered into a Stunner (that was different) but he cuts off a dive to drop Prosper onto the announcers’ table. Cue Hank to knock Carver through the barricade (in revenge for Carver attacking Tank at the Great American Bash) for nine, leaving Prosper to hit a moonsault for the pin at 10:12.

Rating: C+. There is something to be said about having Carver run through people but getting taken out as a result of his own actions. That’s a far cry from Carver slipping on a banana peel or getting cheated unfairly as it also keeps him strong. Prosper is looking good too and it is nice to see him getting a chance of his own, including being the kryptonite to Carver.

Kendal Grey is in Robert Stone’s office where he announces a four way Women’s North American #1 contenders match next week. Nattie and her new friends come in with Nattie praising them and then asking for a title match. Stone and Grey are in so the match is set for next week.

Jaida Parker vs. Karmen Petrovic

Nattie, Layla Diggs and Nikkita Lyons are here with Petrovic. Parker powers her into the corner to start and grabs a quickly broken headlock. Back up and Parker sends her into the corner for the Tear Drop but a Nattie distraction lets Petrovic drop Parker onto the apron. Petrovic stomps away inside and a suplex sends Parker flying for two. Parker reverses a kick to the chest into the Rings Of Saturn, sending Petrovic straight to the rope. A baseball slide drops Petrovic so Nattie and company get in some cheap shots. Back in and Parker shrugs it off, setting up the Hipnotique and Deja Vu for the pin at 4:48.

Rating: C. I would hope that we’re not going to see Parker run through Nattie’s group to get at Nattie because I don’t want to see Nattie around that long. I do like Petrovic getting a chance to do something but losing in about five minutes is hardly some big upgrade. At least Parker got a win, and her getting even more would be a nice thing to see.

Shiloh Hill and Tatum Paxley talk about enjoying fun and knowing how to turn into their dark versions when necessary. Paxley leaves and Niko Vance comes in, saying they need to get rid of weak stars one by one. Hill doesn’t like the implication that Paxley is weak and Vance says the toothless look makes for a nice smile.

Sean Legacy comes up to Dorian Van Dux (who wasn’t in the tag team meeting earlier) and says they need to be on the same page. Dux says they will be.

Myles Borne and Wren Sinclair are happy with their wins on Sunday but Tavion Heights comes in. Heights says that no matter what, friends stay together no matter what, in an effort to erase what he had said to Borne. It doesn’t quite work, as Borne says that’s what he’s been trying to tell Heights all along before leaving.

Here is Tony D’Angelo for a chat. When you do things every day, you start taking them for granted. Last week he got his eye burned and had to sign a document before he was able to fight at the Great American Bash. That made him stop for a second, because he wasn’t sure if he was going to risk his health to defend the NXT Title. Of course he was, and that’s why he gave it his all against Naraku.

There is no one in that locker room willing to swim deep enough to take the title from him. And that’s that, with Kendal Grey coming out for the main event but Naraku comes in to chair D’Angelo down. An STO onto the chair leaves D’Angelo down. I’m really not getting the reason for this feud continuing when D’Angelo beat him clean.

After a break, we see Naraku backstage before the attack, where he misted D’Angelo to leave him completely blinded before laying him out. That’s a nice touch that didn’t come across earlier.

Tatum Paxley vs. Kelani Jordan

They fight over a lockup to start and go to the mat, with Jordan taking over. Jordan’s headlock doesn’t last long as Paxley is up with a dropkick to the floor. Jordan is right back up but misses an Asai moonsault, allowing Paxley to hit a superkick to the chest. We take a break and come back with Paxley forearming away and seeing Kali Armstrong jumping Kendal Grey on commentary right before the break.

With Grey gone, Paxley strikes away at Jordan, including a step up kick from the floor to the head. Paxley misses a 450 though and tweaks her ankle (which was also banged up during the break). Jordan stomps her down and cranks on the leg, with Paxley rolling her out to the floor. The Cemetery Drive is countered and Jordan goes after the leg to set up something like an Angle Slam. One Of A Kind finishes Paxley at 12:20.

Rating: B-. I’m not happy to see Paxley losing here but at least Jordan’s push towards the big showdown for the title is being built up. It might not be interesting, but at least it’s coming together. Paxley is in a weird place as she doesn’t have much to do right now and she’s on a losing streak, which is hardly a great sign for her future.

Post match Jordan leaves but a woman (Vic: “We all know who that is!”) comes in to jump Paxley and lay her out to the end the show. Naturally commentary never said the newcomer’s name but it’s Nikki Blackheart.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked the show for the most part as it followed a logical path, save for Naraku vs. D’Angelo continuing. You can see where a lot of these feuds are going and I want to see how some of those stories play out. This was a bit of an upgrade over the last few weeks of NXT and I’m glad to see that, as the Great American Bash was only so interesting. Throw in the rather awesome Rook vs. Jackson match and it was a nice show this week.

Results
Vanity Project/Galeno/El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. – Top rope double stomp/reverse DDT combination to Wagner Jr.
Jackson Drake b. Mason Rook – Backstabber with assist from Lockwood
EK Prosper b. Keanu Carver – Moonsault
Jaida Parker b. Karmen Petrovic – Deja Vu
Kelani Jordan b. Tatum Paxley – One Of A Kind

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NXT
Date: June 23, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett

It’s the last show before the Great American Bash and that means we’re in for a big one this week. Actually two, as it’s a DOUBLE CONTRACT SIGNING, with both the NXT and Women’s Title matches officially being signed. That’s about all you could ask for in a single show, with the wrestling being a bonus to TWO, count em TWO contract signing. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Tony D’Angelo isn’t happy that Naraku hasn’t signed the contract for the Great American Bash but Robert Stone tells him to be on good behavior. Aaron Rourke comes up and D’Angelo wishes him good luck tonight. An appreciative Rourke wishes D’Angelo the same.

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Tristan Angels

Rourke (who is rather flamboyant) is defending. They trade headlocks to start with Angels switching over to a cravate (how English of him). Rourke flips over him out of the corner and hits a quick dropkick but Angels gets in a forearm to the back. The nerve hold doesn’t last long and Angels misses a charge to the floor. Angels trips him down onto the apron and we take an early break.

We come back with Angels working on the arm but Rourke fights up and strikes away. A fall away slam puts Angels down again as we see D’Angelo looking for Naraku. Rourke hits a middle rope Codebreaker for two but takes too long stealing the Mr. NXT sash, earning him an enziguri out to the floor. Angels seems to be pulled underneath the ring though and comes out looking terrified. The Molly Go Round retains the title at 8:53.

Rating: C+. This was fine as a way to do something of an Evolve showcase. Angels has been around for a bit before so this was more about Rourke, who did well enough. Rourke is someone who takes some time to grow on you but he definitely has the talent to get somewhere. Let the fans get to know him a bit more and it could work out rather well.

D’Angelo finds Naraku in the parking lot (uh oh) and Naraku presents him with the signed contract. D’Angelo opens it…and a fireball explodes in his face. Robert Stone panics while Naraku laughs.

Post break an ambulance arrives and D’Angelo is taken away as Stone is still worried.

Here is Saquon Shuggars for a face to face meeting with Dion Lennox. Shuggars cuts him off to talk about Darkstate throwing him through a table five weeks ago. Lennox was the one acting like the leader and calling Shuggars an independent wrestler. Shuggars is indeed a wrestler but Lennox says Shuggars wasn’t supposed to be on the team. Darkstate got what they needed out of him and then moved on, with the final beating coming on Sunday

Shuggars insists that there is no Darkstate without him. Shuggars says the other two are lost without him and if Lennox put on Shuggars’ jockstrap, it would be a bad fit. Lennox says Shuggars is a facade and he would disappear just before it was go time. Dropping Shuggars wasn’t a mistake because it was a correction. Lennox is ready to finish him off at the Bash. This was an intense showdown but it’s still members of a not so interesting team fighting.

Hank & Tank talk to comedian Matt Matthews, who might be ready to get in the ring. The Vanity Project is in the background.

Myles Borne talks about being someone who has always been uncomfortable but he has grown to live with it. He started to get comfortable in the No Quarter Catch Crew and got even better. Tavion Heights talks about their time together and now they’re fighting for the title on Sunday.

Wren Sinclair can’t calm Heights down because he doesn’t have a title. Kendal Grey comes in and gives the now healthy Sinclair a pep talk. Cake is teased.

Birthright vs. Hank & Tank

The rest of the team and Matt Matthews are here too. Hank works on Connors’ arm to start and Stacks gets armdragged down as well. A cheap shot puts Hank into the wrong corner though and the villains go to stomping. Hank clotheslines his way to freedom and a double slam sends Connors flying for two. Everything breaks down and Matthews has to be saved, meaning Hank & Tank can hit stereo dives as we take a break.

We come back with Hank getting powerbombed out of the corner for two but he ducks a clothesline. The diving tag brings in Tank to clean house and it’s back to Hank, who gets Stunnered over the top rope. Stacks adds a top rope elbow for two as everything breaks down again. Hank plants Stacks but Connors hits a big Swanton. Matthews manages to take out the rest of Birthright on the floor and the powerslam/running neckbreaker combination finishes Stacks at 12:02.

Rating: C+. I still don’t get the appeal of Hank & Tank, but I really hope they drop this comedian sooner than later. Matthews isn’t particularly funny or memorable and he’s been on the show for a few weeks now. Odds are it’s just some mandate from the CW because otherwise, what in the world are they thinking? If nothing else, what does the rest of Birthright do now that they got beaten up by a rather tiny non-wrestler?

Shiloh Hill says he’s healthy, both in body and mind, and wants to beat up Tristan Angels at the Great American Bash.

We look back at Tony D’Angelo being burned.

We go backstage for the Women’s Title contract signing. Kendal Grey says she hit Lola Vice by mistake but Vice doesn’t want to hear it. She has Grey’s style figured out but Grey talks about her own amateur wrestling style. Grey is going to raise the bar even higher on Sunday, though Vice doesn’t think Grey is doing anything Vice hasn’t done in the first place. Vice promises to retain and they both sign.

Keanu Carver vs. EK Prosper

Carver runs him over to start and gives Prosper a big throw out of the corner. Prosper is back up with a springboard missile dropkick, only to get gorilla pressed down. A springboard moonsault connects on Carver, who knocks Prosper hard to the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Carver pulling him out of the air for a hard slam. Quite the release German suplex puts Prosper down again but he gets in some kicks to the head. The Shining Wizard rocks Carver again and Prosper hits a heck of a springboard moonsault to the floor. Carver isn’t having that and blasts him with a clothesline, followed by the Pounce. A powerbomb is…reversed into a sunset flip to give Prosper the big upset pin at 9:53.

Rating: C+. I’m not wild on the idea of having Carver lose like this but points for giving another of the newcomers a big win. Prosper is a heck of an athlete and there’s always room for a high flier like him, though getting a better name would help him a lot. Carver losing is a bit of a risk, but they did at least try something with Prosper and I’ll take that.

Post match Carver lays him out with a running clothesline and a powerbomb puts Prosper through the announcers’ table.

Zaria is ready for Tatum Paxley, who couldn’t let Zaria enjoy her own success. Their title match is set for the Great American Bash.

Robert Stone tells Naraku that he might have just cost himself the title shot. Keanu Carver comes in and gets yelled at but he doesn’t seem to mind.

Izzi Dame vs. Arianna Grace

For the Women’s Speed Title shot and their respective friends are here too. Dame kicks her in the face at the bell and a Sky High gets two. Grace gets in a kick to knock Dame out of the air though and goes up, only to take too long. Another shot to the face gives Grace two as we have a minute left. Dame gets in a knockdown of her own but Shawn Spears insists on a hand slap, allowing Grace to get the small package pin at 2:19.

Wren Sinclair comes out for the showdown as Dame doesn’t want to hear it from the Culling.

Robert Stone says there are going to be some AAA stars at the Great American Bash and we’ll get an update on the NXT Title match before the end of the night. The Vanity Project comes in and want to be part of the Great American Bash. Stone doesn’t seem to have time for this.

NXT Origins video on Alexa Bliss. I believe this is the third time this has aired in a week.

Jaida Parker is upset but doesn’t seem to want to talk to OTM about it. Lucien Price seems to be fine with Bronco Nima joining Los Perros del Mal in AAA.

The Culling vs. Dorian Van Dux/Sean Legacy

Spears takes Legacy into the corner for the hard chop, only to get caught with a double stomp to the back. It’s off to Dux to stay on the arm, who gets forearmed in the jaw for his efforts. Vance comes in and gets sunset flipped for two, with Dux going off to his arm for a change. Legacy gets taken down but kicks Spears in the head without much trouble. Everything breaks down and the Culling takes over as we take a break.

We come back with Vance taking a shot to save Spears, allowing Dux to come back in and wreck the villains. Everything breaks down and an assisted swinging DDT gets two on Legacy. Dux moonsaults onto Vance on the floor and it’s Legacy’s 450 into Dux’s shooting star press to pin Spears at 11:33.

Rating: B-. Not too bad here, though I still don’t get the appeal of Legacy. He’s just kind of there for the most part, with Dux at least looking like a monster who could do a lot of damage. At the same time you have the Culling, who haven’t exactly done anything in a long time, which doesn’t seem likely to be changing.

Post match Vance turns on Spears and chokeslams him through the announcers’ table. Izzi Dame approves.

Great American Bash rundown.

Here is Robert Stone to explain the NXT Title situation. He brings out Naraku, who says if Tony D’Angelo is out, he’ll just take the title. Cue Mason Rook to say he’ll fight Naraku for the title. Now it’s the Vanity Project to interrupt, saying they want in on the title match. Rook takes the Project out so Naraku says give him the title. Stone says it was always going to be someone else for the title match…and here is D’Angelo to clear Naraku out.

One more Great American Bash rundown ends the show.

Overall Rating: B-. They definitely did a bunch of to set up the Bash here, even if it felt like a last ditch effort. They added in a few more matches to pad the show out a bit, though it still feels like it’s missing a big match to really carry things. Hopefully the show lives up to the hype, which did get stronger here, though it was starting fairly low in the first place. Good stuff here, with the D’Angelo vs. Naraku ending being a relief over what they were teasing just a few moments before.

Results
Aaron Rourke b. Tristan Angels – Molly Go Round
Hank & Tank b. Birthright – Powerslam/running neckbreaker combination to Stacks
EK Prosper b. Keanu Carver – Sunset flip
Arianna Grace b. Izzi Dame – Small package
Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux b. The Culling – Shooting star press to Spears

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