Great American Bash 2026
Date: June 28, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett

It’s the first live special on the CW and that means we should be in for a heck of a show. There are actually seven matches on the card, which is rather high for WWE these days. The main event will see Tony D’Angelo defending the NXT Title against Naraku, which should be a big deal. Let’s get to it.

The opening video talks about the greatness of America and the matches on the card.

NXT Title: Tony D’Angelo vs. Naraku

D’Angelo is defending and is coming in with a badly burned eye. The bell rings and they go outside, where Naraku grabs a chair but gets speared through the wooden wall less than ten seconds into the match. Back in and Naraku starts going after the eye, with the referee asking D’Angelo if he wants to continue.

Of course he does so Naraku goes after the eye again before grabbing a half crab. A suplex puts D’Angelo down again and we take a break. We come back with Naraku hitting a powerbomb before going up, where D’Angelo grabs a powerbomb of his own. D’Angelo fights up and grabs some German suplexes but Dead To Rites is blocked. Naraku hits a German suplex but D’Angelo pops up with Dead To Rites to retain at 10:10.

Rating: B-. That’s it? That’s the NXT Title match to open the show? It wasn’t a bad match but I was expecting a bit more than a ten minute match with a break in the middle. The eye thing only meant so much here and D’Angelo just won without much trouble. I’m still not sold on D’Angelo as the guy but at least he had a nice title defense here.

We recap Zaria defending the Women’s North American Title against Tatum Paxley. Zaria beat her up to get the title but Paxley isn’t done with her and interfered in one of Zaria’s matches. Now it’s about the title and revenge.

Women’s North American Title: Tatum Paxley vs. Zaria

Zaria is defending. They get in a tug of war over the belt to start and the fight is on, with Zaria using the power to drive her into the corner. The shoulders to the ribs have Paxley in trouble but she manages a double stomp onto the back. Paxley ties her in the ring skirt and fires off a superkick into an enziguri. That’s enough to set up a sleeper on the floor but Zaria drops her back first onto the floor for a big crash.

We take a break and come back with both of them going up, with Zaria being dropped onto the post. A high crossbody connects for Paxley and she drops Zaria with a superplex. Zaria pops back up with a spear and they’re both down. They go up again and Paxley ties her in the Tree Of Woe, with Zaria sitting up before a Coast To Coast. They slug it out on the apron until Paxley drops her with a sunset bomb.

Paxley goes over to grab the title for some reason before hitting a Cemetery Drive on the floor. Another one back inside gets two and everyone is surprises. The F5 is countered into a rollup but Zaria is back up with a spear. Now the F5 connects….for two in a heck of a near fall. Zaria hammers away and hits a curb stomp, followed by another F5 to retain at 14:04.

Rating: B+. This was a heck of a fight and I bought on a few of those near falls. These guys beat the living daylights out of each other and it was fun to see them having this kind of a brawl. The best thing is that Zaria gets another win in a big match, which is what she needs to reset her reputation. I’m not sure what is next for Paxley, but putting her into the Women’s Title picture isn’t crazy.

Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair fire each other up.

The Vanity Project brags to Robert Stone, who get their matches for this week: Jackson Drake vs. Mason Rook and the Tag Team Titles being defended against Galeno/El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. The Project isn’t happy.

We go outside to the watch party, with Kevin Owens (in a Waylon Mercy shirt) being rather interested in what we’ll be seeing tonight, with the next two matches in particular. Owens’ t-shirt closet must be amazing.

Shiloh Hill vs. Tristan Angels

Hill starts fast and even steals Angels’ sash before grabbing quite the airplane spin. Angels is back up with a shot to the face in the corner though and we take a break. We come back with Hill pulling Angels underneath the ring and the lights go out. We go to the under the ring cam (because that’s a thing) and Angels finds a ringing phone. A voice on the other end says THE FOG IS COMING and Hill (in a mask) grabs a choke from behind.

They get out and Hill pops up for another choke but Angels slips away. The steps are loaded up and Angels knocks Hill into the corner as we take another break. We come back with Hill using the steps to run from the floor for a spear through the ropes. Hill goes up but dives into a Codebreaker, only for Angels to miss a driving knee. The Whisper Of The Beast gives Hill the pin at 13:01.

Rating: C+. This match got some time and Hill winning continues his rather odd push. There’s something so strange about him and yet it’s kind of working. I could have gone without the weird underneath the ring deal but this could have been a lot worse. Angels will be fine as he is one of the easiest stars to dislike around here.

Post match Hill grabs the Mr. NXT sash and says this was proof of why no one should sleep on him.

Nikkita Lyons praises Nattie on her latest Guinness World Record. Nattie brags about the Sharpshooter and praises Karmen Petrovic and Layla Diggs. Nattie doesn’t like Jaida Parker but Diggs doesn’t think much of Parker.

EK Prosper is in Robert Stone’s office and complains about Keanu Carver putting him through a table. Stone calms him down by giving him a AAA Latin American Title shot against El Hijo del Vikingo. Works for Prosper.

Women’s Speed Title: Arianna Grace vs. Wren Sinclair

Grace, with Birthright, is challenging. Grace starts fast with a neckbreaker and goes after Sinclair’s bad knee. A Robinsdale Crunch gives Grace two as Sinclair can’t get anything going early on. Sinclair breaks up a superplex attempt but has to go after Charlie Dempsey, allowing Grace to get two off a small package. A spinning sitout powerbomb (like Dalton Castle’s Bang A Rang) sets up the Final Wrench to retain at 4:47.

Rating: C+. This was a short and to the point match and that’s not a bad thing. It’s nice to see Sinclair get a win in a higher stakes match, if nothing else because she’s healthy for a change. I’m still not sure why we need the Speed Titles but at least it’s getting Sinclair television time, which is rather appreciated.

We recap Saquon Shuggars vs. Dion Lennox. Shuggars got kicked out of Darkstate and wants revenge, which has included picking off the team one member at a time with Lennox being the only one left.

Dion Lennox vs. Saquon Shuggars

Lennox punches him down to start but Shuggars, still in his jacket, comes up with a shot of his own. The running clothesline has Lennox down again but he goes after the knee. That doesn’t seem to work as Shuggars grabs a neckbreaker for two. Another neckbreaker puts Lennox on the apron but here is the rest of Darkstate for a distraction, allowing Lennox to come back with a release Rock Bottom. A splash to the back gives Lennox two and we take a break.

We come back with Lennox snapping off a spinebuster for two. Shuggars fights up with a toss suplex into a basement dropkick and they’re both down. A slingshot legdrop gives Shuggars two but Lennox drops him back first across the turnbuckle (GEEZ that looked bad). Back in and a powerslam gives Lennox two and some big clotheslines connect for the same. Shuggars pulls him out of the corner and…kind of drops him. A top rope Vader Bomb finishes for Shuggars at 14:10.

Rating: D+. I feel bad about getting on this match but dang this did not work. The action wasn’t smooth, the ending looked awful and the story was only so interesting in the first place. This really did not work and hopefully it wraps up the feud for good, as I don’t need to see any more from these two.

Post match the rest of Darkstate is suddenly healthy and comes in to lay Shuggars out.

Tatum Paxley, with very red eyes, is upset about her loss and feels like she let everyone down. Kelani Jordan comes in to say no one cares because she’s always being overlooked for people like Paxley. That earns her a forearm to end “Bad Line Reading In NXT”.

North American Title: Myles Borne vs. Tavion Heights

Borne is defending and they show some respect to start. They go with the grappling to start, which is a stretch for Borne when he’s against an Olympian. A ram of heads leaves both of them down so Borne is back up with a dropkick to the floor. They go face to face on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Heights snapping off some suplexes, including a capture version for two. Borne gets the same off a northern lights suplex and slugs away, only for Heights to get in a shot to the throat. Heights dumps him outside and the muscles him up for a suplex back inside as we take a break.

We come back with Borne striking away and grabbing a Nightmare On Helm Street for two. A dropkick only hits ropes though and Borne is down again. Heights is back up and grabs a fireman’s carry, which is reversed into a not so great looking Borne Again to retain the title at 17:05.

Rating: B. This was a good bit better, with the two of them working well together and beating the fire out of each other. That’s what it needed to be, with Heights having a good shot at the title but not being able to pull it off in the end. Borne has become a rather nice star around here and I could go for him holding the title for a good while.

Post match Borne talks about how Heights is going to be a champion one day but it’s not happening now, because he’s holding this title for a long time.

The watch party panel recaps the show, with Kevin Owens making it clear that he has never turned on anyone in his life. Hank & Tank come up to talk about next week’s show, including mentioning Keanu Carver’s loss. This brings out Carver to wreck Tank and put him through a table. They kind of asked for it.

We recap Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey. Vice is the defending champion and the former top prospect, while Grey is the current big up and comer. It’s her time to move up to the next level.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice

Vice is defending and they go to the mat to start. Back up and Grey gets taken down with a judo throw for two. Grey gets back up and they have a standing switch, only for Vice to knock her down. Vice strikes away, only to get taken into a chinlock. Grey is sent outside so here is Kelani Jordan to go after her but Wren Sinclair cuts her off. Vice hits a dive off the apron to drop Grey and we take a break.

We come back with Vice hitting some running hip attacks in the corner but Grey drops her with a suplex. The straps come down and Grey snaps off some more suplexes until Vice gets in a German suplex of her own. Grey gets in a superkick but springboards into another kick. They go outside with Vice getting rolled into an ankle lock, which is let go so Shades Of Grey can connect off the barricade.

Back in and they trade ankle locks until Grey switches into a cross armbreaker. That’s escaped as well so Vice grabs a sleeper. Grey escapes but misses a moonsault, allowing Vice to kick her in the head for two. The guillotine choke has Grey in trouble but she reverses into a cradle. They hit a back elbow each and it’s a double cover for a double two. They slug it out until Grey ducks a shot and gets up for a middle rope Shades Of Grey for the pin and the title at 15:09.

Rating: B. These two worked rather well together and it was clear that they knew each other. The idea here seemed to be that Grey kept learning what Vice was going to do and eventually caught her, which even played into the end as Vice went for one big shot too many and got caught. Grey gets her win to become the new star of the division while Vice can move on to the main roster. Not bad at all.

Grey celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. There were good parts to this but it felt like an extended version of the weekly show, especially with the backstage segments. The ending was the only part that really felt important, with the NXT Title match just kind of being there. It liked it well enough and you can only get so annoyed at a show that airs on free television, but not my favorite overall. This was a show that could have benefited from being trimmed down, perhaps by dropping the Shuggars/Lennox and Hill/Angels matches. Either way, good enough but it could have been a lot stronger with another draft of the format.

Results
Tony D’Angelo b. Naraku – Dead To Rites
Zaria b. Tatum Paxley – F5
Shiloh Hill b. Tristan Angels – Whisper Of The Beast
Wren Sinclair b. Arianna Grace – Final Wrench
Saquon Shuggars b. Dion Lennox – Top rope splash
Myles Borne b. Tavion Heights – Borne Again
Kendal Grey b. Lola Vice – Middle rope 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:

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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

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: June 16, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves

We’re rapidly approaching the Great American Bash and that means one of the great NXT traditions: the big sitdown before a title match. In this case that’s between NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo and #1 contender Naraku, who are set to face off in twelve days. We’ll also find out the #1 contender for the North American Title so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Here is Zaria for a chat. She talks about how hard she worked to get here and all of the effort people saw, but they only talked about Sol Ruca. This title is a course correction and she doesn’t owe anyone any gratitude. Cue Kelani Jordan for an interruption but since Zaria doesn’t have the title Jordan wants, Zaria can’t do anything for her.

She does have some special advice though: Zaria is never going to be good enough for the fans but all Jordan needs is one shot at Lola Vice. This brings out Kendal Grey, who says the result is going to be the same anytime she faces Jordan. Cue Vice, who says that she’s still the Women’s Champion and can take out all three of the. Robert Stone, tag match, everyone is happy.

Tavion Heights vs. Jackson Drake

For a title shot against Myles Borne and the Vanity Project is here with Drake. They fight over some rollups to start but Heights is back up with some gutwrench suplexes. Heights works on the armbar before sending Drake crashing into the corner. Some clotheslines don’t do much to Drake though and a jumping knee sends Heights outside as we take a break.

We come back with the two of them hitting crossbodies at the same time, allowing Heights to snap off a backdrop. Drake grabs a handspring cutter though and snaps off a standing shooting star press for two more. Drake takes too much time going up though and gets tossed down, setting up Heights’ good looking top rope splash for two. A backdrop sends Drake crashing onto the Party and here is Borne to clothesline the Party down. The belly to belly finishes for Heights at 11:06.

Rating: B-. Drake was a good choice for a challenger here as he’s just dangerous enough to be a threat to Heights. At the same time, Heights vs. Borne has been built up for a few months now and is the logical way to go. Heights feels like a threat with that suplex and I want to see the title match so call this a nice success.

Post match Borne and Heights have a staredown, with Borne raising Heights’ hand and Heights not really approving.

Last week, Robert Stone talked to Evolve Champion Aaron Rourke, Hank & Tank and the comedian from last week’s Mr. NXT contest, with the comedian being surprised at how violent it is around here. Birthright comes in and doesn’t like the comedian mocking him so a tag match seems likely.

Women’s Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Thea Hail vs. Izzi Dame

Hail gets two near falls in the first ten seconds and Dame’s faceplant gets two more. Back up and Hail goes after the arm, with Dame bailing out to the floor. Some stomps to the arm have Dame in more trouble but she avoids the springboard backsplash. The running knee finishes for Dame at 2:10. Yeah Hail is never going to happen is she?

Kendal Grey wants Wren Sinclair by her side but Sinclair isn’t sure about her bad knee. Lola Vice comes in to suggest she’ll retain the title anyway.

Tony D’Angelo comes to see Naraku and accuses him of having nefarious motivations. Naraku doesn’t know what is going on but D’Angelo brings up Naraku’s history in Japan. D’Angelo accuses Naraku of having a bunch of people coming to help him. D’Angelo signs and leaves, with Naraku saying evil is coming but not signing.

Video on Nattie vs. Jaida Parker.

Keanu Carver and EK Prosper come in to see Robert Stone, who puts them in a match.

Nattie vs. Jaida Parker

Nattie runs from the power to start and the chase lets Parker take her down back inside. Parker grabs a waistlock but Nattie reverses into a headlock takeover. The grappling on the mat doesn’t get Nattie anywhere and Parker pulls her into the Rings Of Saturn. That’s broken up as well and they go outside for a double clothesline and we take a break.

We come back with Nattie running her over on the floor again and stopping to pose. That’s enough of a delay for Parker to slap on an STF back inside, sending Nattie crawling over to the rope. Back up and Parker wins a slugout to send Nattie into the corner for the Teardrop. The Rings go on again but Nattie escapes and they go outside, with Parker being sent into the barricade. Back in and the Sharpshooter (eventually) makes Parker tap at 15:13.

Rating: B-. As usual, Nattie gets to be in something that might make logical sense but isn’t the most thrilling match. Nattie is not interesting and hasn’t been for a long time, which is what causes whatever stories she has to be less than thrilling. Parker losing again doesn’t help either, but this isn’t likely to be wrapping up anytime soon. At least it shouldn’t be.

Mason Rook talks to Lizzie Rain but Tristan Angels interrupts them. Shiloh Hill is injured so Angels will have to be. Mr. NXT in his absence. Evolve Champion Aaron Rourke comes in to mock Angels (including his efforts in last week’s swimsuit round) and a match is set for next week.

Women’s Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Arianna Grace vs. Layla Diggs

They trade fast near falls to start until Grace gets two off a suplex. Back up and Diggs fires off some kicks, including a rolling kick to put her down. Diggs dives onto Birthright but the delay lets Grace small package her for the pin at 2:45.

Noam Dar talks to some of the new stars around here and names Romeo Moreno as his new partner. Dorian Van Dux and Sean Legacy are off to find opponents.

Tate Wilder talks about injuring his finger a few years back but it just made him go after his success that much more.

Saquon Shuggars talks about growing up in a rough neighborhood and how he had to get into wrestling to escape. Then he joined Darkstate, who kept chipping away at the good things he was doing. Now he’s out and he’s ready to face Dion Lennox. Good stuff here, as Shuggars has a nice story.

Zaria/Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice/Kendal Grey

Vice and Jordan go to the grappling to start before missing kicks to the head. It’s off to Grey, who dropkicks Jordan out to the floor and it’s off to Vice vs. Zaria for the showdown. Zaria counters a springboard bulldog into a suplex and it’s already back to Grey. That’s fine with Zaria, who knocks her outside for a cheap shot from Jordan and we take a break.

We come back with Vice hitting the running hip attack on Jordan, who goes back to Vice’s hand to take over. One Of A Kind is broken up but it’s back to Zaria to spear the now legal Grey in half. Grey gets in a Fujiwara armbar, which is broken up rather quickly and all four are knocked down. It’s back to Vice, who slips out of a powerbomb and slaps on a guillotine. That’s broken up and they head outside for the string of dives. Zaria loads up an F5 but Tatum Paxley pops up for a distraction. Back in and Vice’s spinning backfist finishes Zaria at 12:45.

Rating: C+ Good grief stop having Zaria get pinned so often. She has a reputation as someone who chokes in big matches and she loses in her first match as champion? That doesn’t exactly make things better for her and I’m not sure how it’s the best idea here. The match was rather energized, but the result leaves something to be desired.

Grey and Vice show some tentative respect as Paxley dives onto Zaria. Jordan comes back in for a distraction and Grey accidentally takes Vice down to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show advanced a good bit towards the Great American Bash, but it didn’t help the fact that the Bash isn’t feeling all that important. NXT is still trying to get their new stars established and that makes for quite the stretch on a bigger stage. Hopefully things pick up both at and after the Bash, because while this stuff is perfectly fine, it doesn’t have much of a spark and that’s not going to work long term.

Results
Tavion Heights b. Jackson Drake – Belly to belly
Izzi Dame b. Thea Hail – Running knee
Nattie b. Jaida Parker – Sharpshooter
Arianna Grace b. Layla Diggs – Small package
Lola Vice/Kendal Grey b. Zaria/Kelani Jordan – Spinning backfist to Zaria

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: June 9, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re less than three weeks away from the Great American Bash and you can see some of the card starting to come together. The big story here would seem to be Naraku coming for Tony D’Angelo’s NXT Title, which has gotten some time to build. As for this week, we’ll be finding out who is next in line for Lola Vice’s NXT Title. Oh and it’s the Mr. NXT pageant, which is going to be…something. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Fraxiom vs. Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno

Dar and Axiom go technical to start with Axiom rolling out of an ankle lock. Back up and they both block kicks before Axiom hits a quick dropkick. It’s off to Frazer to flip over Moreno, who backs him into the ropes. Axiom is back in to help double team Dar down, with a basement DDT sending him outside. Moreno makes a save and hits a nice springboard dive to the floor. Dar hits a dive of his own and we take a break.

We come back with Moreno getting the tag and fighting back to clean house. It’s right back to Dar, who gets missile dropkicked down for two. Dar and Moreno both get ankle locks, both of which are broken up. Frazer superplexes Moreno, who rolls him right into a small package for two more. A double slam gets two on Frazer but a double superkick puts Dar down. Frazer takes Moreno down and it’s the Golden Ratio into the Phoenix splash to pin Moreno at 13:17.

Rating: B. This was the cruiserweight/all over the place high flying match that is often a great way to start a show. Fraxiom are much bigger deals around here and it’s always fun to have some NXT legends come back for a cameo. At the same time, Moreno’s losing continues, though at least his latest loss came in a good match.

Post match, respect is shown.

Wren Sinclair wants to defend her Women’s Speed Title, injury or not. Kendal Grey wishes her well as she leaves and Lola Vice comes in to wish Grey good luck. Grey doesn’t seem interested and will go after Vice after she beats Kelani Jordan tonight.

And now (oh dear) the Mr. NXT pageant between Tristan Angels and Shiloh Hill. There will be three rounds: talent, attire and public speaking, with a trio of judges. The judges are Evolve Champion Aaron Rourke, Kit Wilson, and comedian Matt Matthews. First up is attire, with formal wear, casual wear and swimwear.

Angels goes first and we get a montage of his gear, with Rourke’s jaw having to be closed at the Union Jack speedo. Hill gets his own montage and wears swimming trunks and flippers with a snorkel mask. Matthews goes with Hill (who gave him a beach ball) but the other two go with Angels. Rounds two and three coming up later.

Mason Rook vs. Naraku

For the NXT Title shot at the Great American Bash. Rook powers him into the corner to start before winning an exchange of shoulders. A backsplash gives Rook two but he misses a charge into the corner and gets slammed as we take a break. We come back with Rook hitting a super powerslam for two, followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb for the same. Naraku comes back with a fisherman’s suplex and jawbreaks his way out of a quick sleeper attempt. Rook flips him into the corner for a kind of cannonball but here is Kam Hendrix for a distraction. Naraku grabs Enter The Abyss for the pin at 9:45.

Rating: B-. This was a good showing from both and Rook is cleared away so we can move on to Naraku vs. Tony D’Angelo, which has been pretty clearly ready to go for a long time. That being said, it was nice to have Rook get in a strong performance. He needed to be able to hang in there with a bigger name and it worked well here.

Tavion Heights suggests he should get a North American Title shot at the Great American Bash and Myles Borne seems interested. The Vanity Project comes in, with Jackson Drake suggesting he get a title shot. Heights makes a #1 contenders match against Drake for the Bash title shot, which works for Borne. Quick and to the point here.

Tate Wilder talks about loving to take risks, especially around here. That’s quite the departure from his modern day cowboy deal in Evolve.

Kelani Jordan vs. Kendal Grey

For the Women’s Title shot at the Great American Bash and Grey has some mini mirrors on her arms, ala Shawn Michaels back in 1997. Jordan tries to jump her to start and gets armdragged into an armbar. They go to the mat with Grey working on the arm, only for the two of them to trade flips away. Jordan knocks her down for a running basement cross body but Grey is right back with a waistlock.

Grey is sent into the corner for a stomp to the ribs but pops up with a kick to the head. A headscissors sends Jordan out of the corner, only to come back with a running neck snap over the top. Jordan’s swinging neckbreaker on the floor keeps Grey in trouble and we take a break.

We come back with Grey breaking up a dive and a double clothesline leaving both of them down outside. Grey knocks her down again back inside and drops the straps for a bonus. A superkick looks to set up a wheelbarrow rollup but Jordan rolls to the side (that was nice) into a crossface.

That’s broken up so Grey goes up but gets superkicked out of the air. Jordan’s frog splash gets two before she has to block the cross armbreaker. The Haas Of Pain is reversed into an ankle lock, which Jordan reverses into a cradle for two instead. Back up and Shades Of Grey connects out of nowhere to give Grey the pin and the title shot at 13:05.

Rating: B. This was a nice, back and forth match with Grey getting a clean win. That’s a good thing to see as she feels like she could be a real threat to win the title. What matters the most is that NXT is at least giving her a chance to show what she can do. Jordan very well will likely get back into the title picture soon enough, but Grey is getting the chance she deserves.

It’s back to the pageant, with the talent competition. First up, Shiloh Hill solves a Rubic’s Cube rather quickly and then does some kind of a juggling deal with sticks (it’s rather flashy). Angels storms in to say he can do the Cube faster but can’t get anywhere (there’s a special way of turning the blocks or it just gets more complicated). Rourke says Angels has taken too long so Angels breaks the Cube. He starts juggling but Hill rides by on a unicycle and steals the balls, which is enough to win the round. I’ll give points to anyone who can ride a unicycle.

Tony D’Angelo respects Naraku but doesn’t get him. All that matters is that he’ll be facing Naraku at the Great American Bash. Naraku comes in, gives D’Angelo an envelope, and bows. D’Angelo opens the envelope, which has a card with the symbol for EVIL on the back (no word on what, if anything, is on the other side).

Jasper Troy vs. Dion Lennox

Darkstate comes through the regular entrance instead of through the crowd. Lennox gets shoved over the top and out to the floor, followed by a hard running shoulder from Troy back inside. Troy’s chokeslam is broken up though and Lennox goes after the leg to take over. Hold on though as Saquon Shuggars pops up on the screen though to say watch your back.

Troy uses the distraction to get in a backdrop out to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Troy getting choked on the ropes but fighting out of a chinlock. Troy drives him into the corner but Osiris Griffin offers a distraction to break up a Vader Bomb. A powerslam gives Lennox the pin at 8:10.

Rating: C+. This was fine, with Lennox getting a win to keep some of his momentum before his big showdown with Shuggars. Troy is someone big enough to look like a threat to Lennox before going down in defeat. It wasn’t exactly a shocking result, but sometimes that’s exactly the kind of match you need.

Post match Shuggars pops up on screen…and then jumps Griffin from behind with a pipe.

Earlier this week, Jaida Parker attacked Nattie during a training session.

It’s time for the final round of the pageant, with Angels and Hill having to speak about why they should be Mr. NXT. Angels brags about how great he is and mentions that it’s his birthday, as he should win over someone with “a smile like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle”. Hill talks about how he’s always different and trying to find out who he is. That’s what NXT is all about and that’s why he should be Mr. NXT.

It’s off to the judges, with Matthews voting for Hill, Wilson saying they’re both toxic and picking Angles, and Rourke saying it’s close…so the fans can pick his vote! We go to a fan poll and believe it or not, Hill wins! Angels erupts and beats up Hill with both his cane and a chair. Eh fair as that was kind of a judge going a bit screwy. This whole thing was about as expected and that’s fine, as I’ll take something unique and entertaining rather than the same stuff over and over as a means to set up a match.

Robert Stone congratulates Naraku on his win but asks what was in the envelope he gave Tony D’Angelo. Apparently it was an invitation but here is Keanu Carver for a quick staredown. Naraku leaves and Carver says he wants a fight, which Stone says he can have next week. Carver says he better get one, or he’ll decide his own opponent.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

The Culling wants Izzy Dame to win the Women’s Speed Title, starting with a win in the tournament over Thea Hail.

Women’s North American Title: Zaria vs. Tatum Paxley

Paxley is defending and grabs a small package for two at the bell. Zaria is back up with a spear for two of her own and Paxley needs a breather. Zaria’s suplex toss sets up a German suplex into the corner but she misses a charge into the post. Paxley sends her into the steps and hits a moonsault to the floor but Zaria pops back up as we take a break.

We come back with Paxley hitting some running forearms and a running flipping Fameasser in the apron. Paxley blocks a spear and grabs a kind of rolling pumphandle slam. Zaria is back up with a spear for a double down before they forearm it out. Paxley gets caught going up top but kicks Zaria into the Tree Of Woe. A coast to coast connects for two but Cemetery Drive is broken up. Another spear misses though and Zaria crashes to the floor, only to come back in with another spear. The F5 gives Zaria the pin and the title at 10:47.

Rating: B-. Thank goodness. Not that Paxley lost, but that Zaria won. She had a terrible reputation for choking in the big matches and she couldn’t have handled another loss like this. Winning the title here makes Zaria feel like a much bigger deal and that’s what she has been needing. Good enough match too, but Zaria winning clean is what matters the most.

Overall Rating: B+. There was some good action here and they set up more than a few things for the Great American Bash. That’s what this show needed to be about and I liked what they put together here. It’s still not the best looking card in the world, but at least there is a card now rather and that is a lot better than things had been going. Plus it had a unicycle and that’s always a bonus.

Results
Fraxiom b. Romeo Moreno/Noam Dar – Phoenix splash to Dar
Naraku b. Mason Rook – Enter The Abyss
Kendal Grey b. Kelani Jordan – Shades Of Grey
Dion Lennox b. Jasper Troy – Powerslam
Zaria b. Tatum Paxley – F5

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: June 2, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re getting closer to…whatever the next big show is going to be but first we have the NXT Title being defended as Kam Hendrix challenges Tony D’Angelo. That should at least be a good match, but we also have the issue of Saquon Shuggars trying to get revenge on Darkstate for turning on him. Let’s get to it.

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

Zaria vs. Lizzy Rain

Zaria goes after her to start but gets dropkicked into the corner. Rain knees her from the apron and snaps off a hurricanrana into the corner. A kick seems to annoy Zaria, who hammers Rain down and pulls her away from the ropes for the crash. Cue Tatum Paxley to taunt Zaria but she’s able to knock Rain outside as we take a break.

We come back with Rain firing off headbutts in the corner but walking into a spear to leave them both down. Back up and Rain wins a slugout, setting up a springboard tornado DDT. Zaria’s F5 is countered so she nails a discus lariat for two. Rain shrugs off some yelling and hits a cutter, only to springboard into a suplex. The F5 gives Zaria the pin at 10:34.

Rating: C+. They kept this moving and Zaria is finally starting to get somewhere with these wins. Odds are she gets a title shot against Paxley at the Great American Bash and it’s nice to see her string together some wins to make that more realistic. Other than that you have Rain, who is still trying to find something to do.

Post match Zaria loads up another F5 but Paxley comes in to offer her a title shot next week.

Tavion Heights and Myles Borne suggest Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux team up. They seem somewhat interested.

Izzy Dame, in a referee top, tells the Culling to focus, as she is going to put the Women’s Title on the backburner for now.

Darkstate comes out for a match but Saquon Shuggars sneaks through the crowd and drops Cutler James with a pipe. Apparently we have a schedule change.

OTM vs. The Culling

Izzy Dame is here with the Culling, who get jumped to start fast with Spears getting elbowed in the face inside. Vance comes in to take over on Price, who avoids a charge in the corner and runs Vance over. Price gets sent outside though and we take a break. We come back with Nima suplexing Spears and getting over for the tag to Price. House is quickly cleaned, with a knee to the face getting two on Vance. The powerslam/neckbreaker combination gets two on Price, who is back up with a superkick to put Vance on the floor. The double swing into the double Angle Slam pins Spears at 9:29.

Rating: C+. It’s another perfectly nice match with the two teams getting to have some ring time. If nothing else, it was nice to see OTM actually win a match for a change. They’ve felt like they have potential to do something for a long time now but it isn’t going to matter unless they get to do this a lot more often.

EK Prosper gives Tate Wilder a pep talk but asks him to maybe let someone else have a chance. Wilder doesn’t seem interested but Kam Hendrix comes in to brag about his own success.

Jackson Drake vs. Tate Wilder

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Drake. Wilder wrestles him down to start and works on the arm for a bit. Back up and Drake swivels his hips a bit, earning himself a Sling Blade. That’s enough to send Drake outside, with Wilder hitting a quick flip dive. We take a break and come back with Drake winning a brawl on the apron but missing a 450. The TKO connects for Wilder and he powerbombs Drake out of the corner. A UFO Splash gives Wilder two but the Project gets up for a distraction. Myra catches Wilder in a pair of powerbombs and now Drake’s 450 can connect for the pin at 8:38.

Rating: B-. I still like Wilder a bit but he’s firmly in the “getting used to this place” phase. That will pass in time and Wilder hasn’t looked bad this far. On the other hand you have Drake, who is easily the best star of the Vanity Project. The whole group is working well enough thus far and I’m curious to see where they go from here.

Robert Stone is fired up about the Great American Bash but Osiris Griffin comes in to complain about Cutler James being attacked. Jasper Troy comes in to mock Griffin but Darkstate jumps Troy and leaves him laying (with the camera being taken out as well).

We look at Lola Vice retaining the Women’s Title last week.

Here is Vice for a chat. Last week, she knocked out Izzi Dame just as she promised and now she wants to know who is next. This brings out Kelani Jordan, who brags about how she’s gone to TNA to become Knockouts Champion and became a bigger star. Some people criticized her for that, but those same people praised Vice’s success. Now all she needs is one chance but here are Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair to interrupt.

Grey brags about her own success and suggests that she’ll be coming after Jordan for her attacking Sinclair. Vice is sick of this and makes a #1 contenders match between Grey and Jordan for next week (which apparently she can just do). Grey approves and Jordan goes for the belt Vice is wearing, so Vice swings the spinning elbow…which knocks Grey silly by mistake. This all made sense and they didn’t do anything illogical, even with the champ getting to pick her potential challengers.

We preview the Mr. NXT Pageant, which should be either hilarious or stupid. Or both.

Tatum Paxley knows Shiloh Hill will win the pageant. Hill leaves and Zaria runs in to lay Paxley out.

Mason Rook comes up to Tony D’Angelo and says he should be having a title shot tonight. Robert Stone comes in to say Rook can face Naraku (who is in the background) next week.

Men’s Speed Title: Lexis King vs. Romeo Moreno

King, with Birthright, is defending and Moreno has Noam Dar. It’s also a five minute time limit for the title match. Moreno snaps off the sunset flip for an early two and la majistral gets the same. King breaks up something off the top though and gets a frustrated two. They chop it out with Moreno hitting a suplex and grabbing a Rings Of Saturn. With that broken up, Moreno hits a dive onto Birthright at ringside and gets caught in a half crab back inside. With that broken up, King knocks him out again and a Coronation retains the title at 4:34.

Rating: C+. I’m still not sure I get the appeal of Moreno, who is technically fine but there’s just nothing overly interesting about him. It’s WAY too early to write him off of course as he’s been in NXT for about 18 seconds, but I’m not seeing it so far. King is pretty much all he’s going to be right now, though being in a stable is a smart move for him.

Nattie and Jaida Parker argue in the back, with Nattie calling her soft. Parker responds by…looking sad. So yeah, kind of soft.

Keanu Carver comes up to the banged up Tate Wilder but EK Prosper stands up for Wilder.

Kendal Grey is worried about Wren Sinclair’s knee but Sinclair tells her to worry about Kelani Jordan.

Tavion Heights/Myles Borne vs. Darkstate

Borne slugs it out with Lennox to start and it’s off to Heights, who shoulders Griffin in the corner. Darkstate gets cleared out but comes back in to get knocked outside again. Lennox gets launched with a suplex on the floor and we take an early break. We come back with Borne in trouble as Lennox works on his leg.

Griffin hits a backbreaker and Lennox catapults Borne into a World’s Strongest Slam for two. Borne is back up without much trouble and brings in Heights to clean house. Everything breaks down and Lennox breaks up Heights’ spinning belly to belly. That means Heights is sent into the post, setting up a Doomsday Device to finish him off at 11:01.

Rating: B-. That’s a better finisher than anything I remember Darkstate doing otherwise and again, they were someone who needed a win. Heights losing is the best way to go as the champ shouldn’t be taking another fall. Darkstate has issues going on already though and that’s going to involve Saquon Shuggars, as it already has.

Post match Shuggars shows up for a staredown.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

NXT Title: Kam Hendrix vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo is defending and gets kicked in the face for two at the bell. A neckbreaker gets two more and Hendrix hammers away. D’Angelo is back with a chokeslam attempt to send Hendrix bailing out to the floor. Back in and D’Angelo snaps off some suplexes, with Hendrix heading outside again, only to run into an imposing Naraku.

We take a break and come back with D’Angelo fighting out of a chinlock but getting suplex slammed for two. D’Angelo Hulks Up and fights back, with a fisherman’s suplex getting two. A suplex toss gives D’Angelo two more but Hendrix kicks him in the face. Hendrix’s sitout powerbomb gets two, as does D’Angelo’s powerbomb. Hendrix goes for a chair but here is Mason Rook to cut him off. D’Angelo sends Hendrix onto the table and the spinebuster retains the title at 10:48.

Rating: B-. This got going a lot more at the end and it did pick up, with Rook not being a big factor. It felt like just a quick title defense before D’Angelo gets on to his bigger title opponents. At the same time, D’Angelo doesn’t really come off as the strongest champ and I’m not sure how long I can picture him holding the title. He feels more like a transitional champion, which very well may be the case.

Post match Naraku presents D’Angelo with the title. Naraku vs. Rook is officially a #1 contenders match.

Overall Rating: C. I wasn’t feeling this one as much as very little, including the main event for the NXT Title, felt overly important. The good thing is we now have the Great American Bash to build towards and there will be three weeks to get ready for the show. This didn’t do much to get us there and felt like they were just getting done with some stuff before we get to the important material going forward. Not a great show here, but they have time to kick it into the higher gear.

Results
Zaria b. Lizzy Rain – F5
OTM b. The Culling – Double Angle Slam to Spears
Jackson Drake b. Tate Wilder – 450
Lexis King b. Romeo Moreno – Coronation
Darkstate b. Tavion Heights/Myles Borne – Doomsday Device to Heights
Tony D’Angelo b. Kam Hendrix – Spinebuster

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: May 26, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s title night again as we have the Women’s Title on the line. Lola Vice is set to defend the title against Izzi Dame in what could be a rather engaging showdown. Other than that, NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo has a bunch of people coming after him and that isn’t likely to end well. Let’s get to it.

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

Kelani Jordan vs. Wren Sinclair

Non-title and Kendal Grey is here with Sinclair, who gets jumped before the bell. Sinclair wants to go and the bell rings as the fans give her a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY chant. A dropkick puts Jordan down and a snap suplex puts her into the corner. Jordan boots her in the face to limited avail so Sinclair slaps on a Fujiwara armbar. Jordan fights up and sends her into the corner, where Sinclair gets in a posting. Back in and Sinclair sends her into the ropes but the bad knee gives out, though she’s able to send Jordan outside as we take a break.

We come back with Jordan staying on the leg, including a weird standing Figure Four variation. A half crab in the ropes has Sinclair in more trouble but she fights up with strikes and a suplex. Jordan goes right back to the knee but misses the One Of A Kind. The knee gives out again though and we hit the STF, followed by a Haas Of Pain to make Sinclair tap at 11:21.

Rating: C+. This was a simple story as Sinclair is trying to get back to the ring too soon and Jordan is evil enough to cut her off. It’s a good way to make Jordan feel that much meaner and Sinclair’s comebacks were timed well enough. It also could set up Grey to go after Jordan, which would be a nice fight for both of them.

Tatum Paxley and Lizzy Rain are in the back talking about last week when Shiloh Hill comes in. Tristan Angels interrupts as well and complains about Hill’s petition to become the new Mr. NXT. Angels: “PAPA SHANGO?” He hopes Charlie Dempsey stretches some sense into him tonight.

Here is Darkstate (now with a red X through one of the faces in their logo) for a chat. They brag about their success in other sports, but Saquon Shuggars was just an independent wrestler. They all complain about Shuggars, while the fans sound like they’re having a dueling chant about Shuggars of their own. Lennox says there is no Darkstate without them and now they’re coming after everyone again with their sights on the titles.

Wren Sinclair gets her knee looked at and Lola Vice comes in to check on her. Kali Armstrong comes in to mock them and says she’ll be watching the title match.

Speed Title Tournament First Round: Sean Legacy vs. Dorian Van Dux

Dux starts fast and knocks him outside for a big dive, followed by a posting. Legacy fights back but misses a springboard 450, allowing Dux to knock him down again. Dux goes up but gets hurricanranaed down, followed by a dropkick to knock him out of the air. A kick staggers Legacy but he’s up with a super Spanish Fly to leave them both down as time expires at 3:00.

Rating: C+. As usual, it was fun while it lasted but you can only get so far with a match that only lasts three minutes. Dux is an impressive looking guy who can fly and do the power stuff while Legacy continues to feel like he has potential but rarely actually wins anything. That’s only going to get him so far and he’s just kind of there at the moment.

Post match respect is shown.

Nattie is pleased with Layla Diggs for standing up to Jaida Parker and will be in her corner tonight.

Jaida Parker vs. Layla Diggs

Nattie is here with Diggs, who takes Parker down to start and does a quick dance. Back up and Parker knocks her down without much effort but the Tear Drop misses in the corner. Diggs is right back with an armbar and knocks Parker down again. The moonsault (and Diggs has a great looking one) misses though and Hipnotique connects for Parker. Deja Vu finishes for Parker at 4:03.

Rating: C. Diggs getting some more ring time is good, though she got beaten up pretty easily here which might not be the best sign for her future. What matters the most is that she’s getting in the ring though and hopefully that continues. Parker winning is a good thing too, as she’s certainly someone who could be a breakout star if she gets on a roll.

Birthright isn’t worried about the Speed Title tournament but Fraxiom comes in to mock them a bit.

Video on Tony D’Angelo, who is ready for all comers.

Here is D’Angelo for a chat. There are a lot of people around here going for the title and next week he gets to face Kam Hendrix. D’Angelo is ready for him but for now, he wants Naraku out here face to face. Cue Naraku, who says he’s here to keep D’Angelo’s title safe. D’Angelo isn’t buying that but Naraku says he wants D’Angelo to be champion so they can go to war. Cue Hendrix, who says D’Angelo is running into a buzzsaw next week. D’Angelo says that Hendrix sees the title as a stepping stone to fame and it doesn’t go that easily. Naraku clears Hendrix out.

Tavion Heights and Myles Borne argue a bit over last week, with Heights saying he’ll calm down. Darkstate jumps both of them and leaves them laying.

The Vanity Project runs into Tate Wilder, who is recovering from a motorcycle accident. Wilder is fine enough to challenge Jackson Drake for next week and it seems to be on.

Speed Title Tournament First Round: Nathan Frazer vs. Romeo Moreno

This is the de facto final after the previous match ended in a draw. The fans welcome Frazer back as he runs the ropes rather quickly to start. A running kick connects but Moreno is back with a headlock. That’s broken up so Moreno goes to the rope, where Frazer catches him with a springboard reverse Spanish Fly.

Frazer superkicks him out of the air but Moreno catches him on top with a German superplex. A double knockdown leaves them with a double breather and Moreno sends him outside. Back in and Frazer catches him in a superplex but Moreno rolls him into a small package for the win at 2:58. They certainly had the speed part right and Moreno is getting a chance to do something, which he has needed.

Izzi Dame and Nico Vance are warming up but Shawn Spears is nowhere to be found.

Clash In Italy rundown.

Robert Stone is happy Mason Rook attacked Kam Hendrix but the reality is Hendrix got the win and gets the title shot. Naraku comes in and says Rook needs to stay out of the title match.

OTM comes out for their match but Shawn Spears jumps them with a chair. So much for that.

The women’s locker room clears out to watch the main event. Kali Armstrong says she is going to be watching both titles. Thea Hail says that’s not so easy but Armstrong isn’t impressed.

Shiloh Hill is going over his voters data and thinks he needs more Aussies. Zaria isn’t interested but here is Izzy Rain to jump her from behind.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Shiloh Hill

The rest of Birthright is here with Dempsey, who gets slammed to start. Hill hits a running shoulder and goes after the arm, which doesn’t get him very far. A top rope clothesline and running clothesline put Dempsey on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Dempsey taking him down and working on the arm.

The cross armbreaker is countered into a powerbomb but Dempsey gets in a knockdown of his own for a double breather. Hill is up with an inverted standing moonsault and they knock each other down again. Dempsey tries a butterfly suplex but Hill suplexes him backwards for the pin out of nowhere at 8:44.

Rating: C+. This was a surprise as Hill beat the wrestler with some wrestling. That’s not something that a lot of people get to do and it worked well for him. The idea behind Hill is that he has quite a few surprises up his sleeves and it’s oddly succeeding. I could go for seeing where he can go, and Dempsey getting frustrated by him is a fine way to go as well.

Post match Tristan Angels is here to announce that in two weeks, it’s the Mr. NXT pageant. Oh boy.

Izzi Dame yells at Shawn Spears, who apologizes for the attack on the night of her title match.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Title: Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame

Vice is defending and gets powered into the corner to start, with Dame hitting a rather forceful clothesline. Vice fights back and grabs a rollup into a crossface, which is broken up rather quickly. A running seated senton off the apron hits Dame but Shawn Spears grabs Vice’s boot. The distraction lets Dame hit a Backstabber but here is OTM to go after the Culling.

We take a break and come back with Vice kicking away, setting up a running hip attack in the corner. Dame pops up with a boot to the face and they go to the apron, where Vice is sent into the post a few times. Vice tries to pull her into a cross armbreaker but gets reversed into a Liontamer.

That’s broken up and Vice superkicks her down but the referee gets bumped. They forearm it out with Vice getting the better of things and the spinning back fist gets a very delayed near fall. Dame grabs the title and throws it to Vice, with a big boot sending it into her face. A powerbomb is loaded up but Vice reverses into a guillotine. With that broken up, Vice hits another spinning back fist to retain at 10:56.

Rating: B. This was a good though not great main event, with Dame feeling like a good challenger for Vice to conquer. Dame is big and strong enough to look like a threat and someone who could hurt Vice, which is exactly how she should have been. Nice enough stuff here, as the challengers are lining up for Vice.

Darkstate leaves the arena and promises more chaos next week. As they go, Saquon Shuggars is shown standing on a wall, watching them leave to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show felt more about getting us ready for the next big show, whenever that takes place. You can see the bigger title matches and feuds coming together and we should be seeing some of them taking place in the coming weeks. It’s interesting to see where we go from here, with this being more of a preview than anything else. Good enough show, with bigger stuff on the horizon.

Results
Kelani Jordan b. Wren Sinclair – Haas Of Pain
Dorian Van Dux vs. Sean Legacy went to a time limit draw
Jaida Parker b. Layla Diggs – Deja Vu
Romeo Moreno b. Nathan Frazer – Small package
Shiloh Hill b. Charlie Dempsey – Bridging suplex
Lola Vice b. Izzi Dame – Spinning back fist

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: April 21, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re back here for something of a finale with Revenge Week 2, as Joe Hendry and Sol Ruca are both freshly on the main roster. They both have to wrap things up in NXT, which will likely happen this week. Ethan Page is also already on Raw, though we might also be saying goodbye to some people who are heading to Smackdown this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

North American Title: Myles Borne vs. Dion Lennox

Borne is defending and the rest of Darkstate is here with Lennox. They charge at each other to start with Lennox taking him down for an early two. Borne is back up with a suplex for two and knocks Lennox outside for the big dive. Back up and Lennox knocks him off the apron for a change and then drops him onto it again as we take a break.

We come back with Borne firing off some clotheslines but getting clotheslined outside. Lennox drops him onto the steps for two but Borne makes another comeback. An AA onto the knee gives Borne two so it’s Darkstate up with a distraction. Lennox gets in a superplex for two more and they slug it out until a double clothesline drops both of them. Darkstate gets up for a distraction but Borne shoves Lennox into Shuggars and grabs Borne Again for the pin at 11:21.

Rating: C+. This was more about furthering the issues between Shuggars and Lennox and that makes sense, as it also gave Borne a title defense. I’m not sure if the team is splitting, but they do seem to have already hit their high point. Borne is starting to become quite the star with the title, though I’m not sure who is going to be his next big challenger.

Blake Monroe is looking at her custom Women’s North American Title while the Vanity Project seems to ignore her. If she needs anything though, she can text them.

Saquon Shuggars tells Robert Stone that Darkstate needs one more chance but Stone says walk with him.

Shiloh Hill gives Tatum Paxley a pep talk before the casket match. He’s ready for Ricky Saints next week too.

Joe Hendry vs. Keanu Carver

Hendry has to slip out of an early slam and Carver charges into a boot in the corner. Carver shrugs that off and whips him hard into the corner over and over, followed by an over the shoulder backbreaker. Hendry manages to send him outside for a breather and we take a break. We come back with Carver snapping off a German suplex and hitting a big backbreaker. Carver’s charge hits the post but he cuts off the spinning pose. Carver unloads with right hands and Hendry is out, with the referee calling it at 9:14.

Rating: C. Hendry is on his way to Raw and he did more than go out on his back, as he got the fire beaten out of him here. That’s a great way to make Carver look like a smashing machine and I could go for seeing more of this version of him. Hendry is going to be fine on the main roster but dang he got rocked here. He could have a rematch, though maybe this is it, which would be a big way to go out.

Lizzy Rain, a heavy metal rocker, is debuting next week.

Speed Title: Lexis King vs. EK Prosper

For the vacant title and Birthright is here with King. Prosper grabs a flipping backslide to start fast and bounces off the ropes to set up a dropkick. A slingshot Fameasser gives Prosper two as we’re a minute into the five minute time limit. Birthright offers a distraction though and King takes over inside.

Back in and Prosper fights back with some right hands and a leg lariat gets two. King hits a Backstabber for two and we have two minutes left. The Coronation is broken up and they head out to the apron to chop it out. Prosper sends him outside and moonsaults down onto the pile with a minute to go. Arianna Grace offers a distraction though and the Coronation finishes to make King champion at 4:32.

Rating: C. It’s good for King to win a title as it gives him something to do, but at the same time it’s just the Speed Title. The title hasn’t meant a thing since it was introduced and that’s likely going to be the case again here. At least he won the thing though and that’s a step in the right direction.

Jackson Drake is waiting for a date to show up when the rest of the Vanity Project comes in. Apparently Drake got stood up and they’re ready to leave. A woman comes in and says she heard Drake got stood up. Oh dead.

Saquon Shuggars tells Darkstate that they are getting another shot at the North American Title. Dion Lennox is happy….but it’s Shuggars getting the shot. Lennox is still happy. Right.

We look at Zaria costing Sol Ruca her Raw debut last night.

Women’s North American Title: Blake Monroe vs. Tatum Paxley

Paxley is defending in a casket match. They slug it out to start and Paxley sends her straight into the casket. Monroe panics (as you should) and the fight heads outside. Monroe takes over and teases a headscissors into the casket, with Paxley blocking it without much trouble. Paxley whips out the dollhouse but gets dropkicked into it (ouch) and we take a break.

We come back with Paxley hitting an enziguri and they fight back to the apron. They trade strikes to the face and crash into the casket, which closes. That doesn’t count so they get back onto the apron and slug it out on top of the casket. The Glamour Shot is countered into a Spanish Fly to plant Monroe on the floor and they’re both down again.

Monroe is back up with a fire extinguisher shot and hits the Glamour Shot, which knocks Paxley silly. That’s enough for Monroe to put her in the casket…but Paxley gets the belt up in time to avoid it being closed. Back in and Monroe beats on her with the belt and pours out the bag of diamonds. That earns her a Cemetery Drive, followed by a kick to the head to send Monroe into the casket to retain at 11:45.

Rating: B. I liked this more than I was expecting to and there is a good reason that this sends Monroe up to the main roster. I’m not sure how much sense that makes but at least she might get another fresh start. Paxley on the other hand has become one of the more solid stars in the division and that’s great to see. Let her see what she can do and maybe even move up higher.

We go back to Jackson Drake, who is sitting with the woman who interrupted him. Apparently she used to dissect horses with her bare hands. Oh and she points out that the woman he was supposed to meet seems to be an AI bot. Shiloh Hill is blamed but they leave together and she slaps a man away, which Drake thinks is a good thing. And the rest of the Vanity Project can come with them. Ok then.

Here is Lola Vice for a chat. She talks about all of the good things Jacy Jayne did for the women’s division but now it’s time for her moment. Last week she saw a bunch of women coming after her to make their own moments. Vice is ready for them because she’s a fighting champion ready for anyone. You don’t just walk up to Vice City and come up to her but all it’s going to get you is knocked out and danced on.

Cue Izzi Dame with the Culling, with Dame saying she is indeed a threat, but has Vice started to feel the change yet? The women are going to look at her differently and waiting on her, just like Dame is doing. Vice is ready to fight but the Culling offers a distraction, allowing Dame to boot her in the face. There’s your next challenger and they’re not being subtle with it.

Lexis King is happy with his title win but Dorian Van Dux and EK Prosper come in to say King couldn’t win on his own. A tag match seems likely but Arianna Grace says they have a party to plan.

We get a long form look at Kendal Grey. She was a successful wrestler, including against boys in high school. She kept getting scars over the years, including taking a foul ball at a Yankees game. While she wanted to tell us something about herself, she wants the Women’s Title. Good stuff here, just for the sake of getting to know her a bit.

Robert Stone checks on Lola Vice but Ricky Saints has attacked Shiloh Hill.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Tony D’Angelo comes up to Robert Stone and has been sent him a box with a character on it. Keanu Carver comes up and D’Angelo thinks it was him. No, because if he wanted the title then he would take it, but that character means “war”.

Zaria vs. Sol Ruca

Last Woman Standing with Zaria sneaking up on her but getting taken down with a Thesz press. Ruca sends her outside for a quick dive but Zaria is back with a trash can toss. They trade kicks, with Ruca’s hitting a trashcan, and they’re both down. Zaria chokes her with a camera cable but Ruca is back up with the kendo stick shots. A sunset bomb onto the announcers’ table is blocked and Zaria kicks her in the face. An F5 is escaped as well so Ruca spears her through that wooden wall which is broken every few months. They both need a second and we take a break.

We come back with the two of them slugging it out on the barricade until Zaria hits a release F5 to send her crashing through the table. Somehow that’s not enough so Zaria sets up a table, only to get German suplexed on the floor. A running knee puts Zaria down and the table is set up on the floor. Zaria is back up and sets up a second table next to it but Ruca hits her with the cover of the announcers’ table.

Ruca goes up onto the platform, only for Zaria to follow her, right into the Sol Snatcher. Zaria beats the count (again) and they slug it out on the platform with Zaria almost being knocked down. Ruca pulls her back though and Zaria thanks her as this doesn’t seem bright. They hug and apologize…and of course Zaria shoves her off the platform and through one table, with Ruca’s head slamming into the table which doesn’t budge. Thankfully isn’t dead but she is down for the ten count to give Zaria the win at 14:55.

Rating: A-. Well that was outstanding. These two beat the living daylights out of each other and it felt like a fight between two people who were desperate to defeat the other. Zaria gets her revenge and Ruca proves that she’s ready to be a top hero because she couldn’t have looked dumber. This is the biggest win of Zaria’s career and while I’m not sure where she’s going, she had got there in a great match.

Overall Rating: B+. This show was about writing off some of the departing stars and setting up some new things. That’s a hard thing to do but it’s one of the issues that comes with a show like NXT. For now though, they had a heck of a main event and the casket match was good as well, making for a pretty awesome show. It’s one of the better NXT’s in a pretty long time and that has me wondering what is next, which means they’re doing something rather right.

Results
Myles Borne b. Dion Lennox – Borne Again
Keanu Carver b. Joe Hendry via referee stoppage
Lexis King b. EK Prosper – Coronation
Tatum Paxley b. Blake Monroe when Paxley closed Monroe in the casket
Zaria b. Sol Ruca when Ruca couldn’t answer the ten count

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