There can only be one!

Tonight, SEVEN superstars fight it out in a ladder match to become the NEW NXT Champion! But will the Absolute Era begin again? Or will we truly have a new face at the top of NXT?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Women’s North American Championship Triple Threat: Izzi Dame VS Thea Hail VS Lola Vice; Izzi wins and retains the title.
• WWE Speed Tournament Opening Round: Elio LeFleur VS Charlie Dempsey; Elio wins and advances.
• TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships: The Elegance Brand VS #ZaRuca; Elegance Brand wins and retains the titles.
• Chase U VS Lexis King & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Arianna Grace; Stacks & Lexis win.
• Vacated NXT Championship Ladder Match: Ricky Saints VS Dion Lennox VS Shiloh Hill VS Jackson Drake VS Keanu Carver VS Sean Legacy VS Joe Hendry; Hendry wins and is the new NXT Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Shawn Michaels meets with Robert Stone.

The Heartbreak Kid talks with Suit Man Stone and says that over the past seven years, Stone has always done everything they’ve ever asked of him in NXT. Stone says it has been his absolute pleasure, he loves NXT. HBK knows, which is why he’s taking this opportunity to make Stone the new interim General Manager. Wait, really? Yes. Now, this place can be crazy, but between the two of them, that’s how HBK likes it. They shake on it and Stone says he will not let HBK down. And so, NXT is truly the Robert Stone Brand, at least for the moment. Will Stone prove himself the right choice to lead NXT into the future?

NXT Women’s North American Championship Triple Threat: Izzi Dame VS Thea Hail VS Lola Vice!

The It Girl snatched this title from the Grown-Ass Woman when she was at her most vulnerable, and things only got complicated from there. Thea wants her title back, but Vice City is cashing in that win she has from beating Izzi in the past. All three women have a 33 and one-thirds chance of winning, but who will the numbers spell disaster for in Orlando tonight?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly championship material!

The bell rings and Lola mule kicks Thea, but Izzi ROCKS Lola! Izzi puts Lola in a corner, Lola BOOTS her away, but Thea sunset flips Lola! TWO as Izzi ghost pins Thea! TWO, Lola rolls Izzi! TWO as Thea drags Lola up to backslide! TWO, and then Izzi DOUBLE LARIATS her opponents! The fans boo but The Culling applauds from ringside. Izzi reels Thea in, THROWS her at Lola, then waits on them both. Lola and Thea go to the same corner, Izzi runs in, but Lola dodges! Thea takes the SPLASH, and Lola jumps on Izzi for a SLEEPER! The fans rally but Izzi RAMS Lola into a corner! Izzi runs up on Thea but Thea dodges, Thea and Lola DOUBLE SUPERKICK!

The fans cheer while Thea and Lola square up. Thea kicks low, whips Lola to ropes, but Lola blocks the hip toss to- NO, Thea blocks the hip toss, but Lola drops down on the arm-drag for an ARMBAR! Thea flails, clasps hands, and the fans rally up! Thea stacks Lola, TWO! Lola shifts to have a TRIANGLE HOLD! Thea CLUBS at Lola’s legs, fights around, and Spears coaches Izzi up. Thea stacks, TWO, but she goes for the double wristlock !Lola fights up, pushes Thea down, and rains down forearms! Lola drags Thea up, but Izzi hits a DOUBLE FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover on Thea, TWO! Cover on Lola, TWO!

Izzi grows frustrated, and she sees her opponents in corners. Izzi RAMS Lola in one, then runs to RAM Thea in the other! Izzi RAMS Lola again, then brings her around. Izzi scoops Lola, SLAMS her, then covers, but Thea breaks it! Izzi pops Thea up, but Thea RANAS! Cover, Lola mule kicks it apart! The fans rally, Lola BODY BLOWS Izzi! Then BODY BLOWS Thea! Izzi ROCKS Lola, but Lola CHOOPS and CHOPS! Lola uses the ropes to slingshot arm-drag! Izzi tumbles away, Thea DROPKICKS her out! Lola TOSSES Thea out, but Thea RAMS her low! Thea makes sure to RANA Spears! Thea warns Niko, dodges Izzi, and Lola SEATED SENTONS Izzi!

Thea DIVES onto Lola! The fans fire up as Thea takes a nibble of the belt, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Thea looks at Izzi and Lola on the ground and chooses to put Lola in the ring. Thea slides in, but Izzi grabs at her legs! Thea kicks and kicks but Izzi HOTSHOTS Thea! Izzi storms in and runs up on Lola, but Lola avoids the boot! Lola ROCKS Izzi, whips her, then KNEES her low! Lola whips Izzi but Izzi blocks a knee to scoop and SLAM her! Izzi snarls, Thea runs in, and Thea dodges to then KICK, KICK, and KICK! Izzi hobbles around, Thea KICKS her more, but Izzi ROCKS Thea. Izzi whips Thea then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Thea survives but The Culling coaches Izzi up. Izzi bumps Thea off buckles, but Lola runs up!

Izzi ELBOWS Lola away, then brings her around for a suplex! Cover, TWO! Thea runs up and CLOBBERS Lola! Izzi grabs Thea to clamp on a chinlock. Thea endures as Izzi squeezes tight. But then Lola puts Izzi in a chinlock! Spears coaches Izzi as she fights up, but Thea DOUBLE JAWBREAKERS! All three ladies are down and the fans rally up. Izzi goes to a corner, she climbs up the ropes, and leaps, into Thea’s CODE BREAKER! Thea then hurries up the corner, but Lola is after her! They fight, Thea HEADBUTTS Lola away, and Izzi ROCKS Lola! NXT returns to single picture as Izzi fireman’s carries Lola. But Thea takes aim! BLOCKBUSTER SAMOAN DROP COMBO!

The fans fire up while all three women are down again! All three rise up, and they all meet at center. Thea HEADBUTTS Izzi, then ROCKS Lola! Lola ROCKS Thea and CHOPS Izzi! Izzi ROCKS lola and CHOPS Thea! Thea hits Izzi, Lola CLUBS Thea, and Izzi ROCKS Lola! Lola KICKS Izzi, KICKS Thea, then she KICKS Izzi down! And KICKS Thea down! And repeat! And repeat! Lola fires LIGHTNING KICKS on Thea! Izzi storms up, but now she gets LIGHTNING KICKS! Lola has targets in the corners, and she reminds us, “I’M A LATINA~!” HIP ATTAACK for Izzi! HIP ASTTACK for Thea! And repeat! But then Thea dodges one!

Thea clinches to EXPLODER! But Izzi SHOTGUN SENTON COMBOS! Cover on Lola, TWO! Izzi is furious, but Thea uses Lola to get up! But into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, Lola KICKS it apart! Lola CLUBS Izzi, Thea DOUBLE CROSSBODIES them! The fans fire up with Thea and she hurries to CLOBBER Lola! And CLOBBER Izzi! And repeat! Thea roars, the fans fire up, and Thea runs to BACK BODY BLOCK Lola! Then BACK BODY BLOCK on Izzi! EXPLODER on Izzi! WORLD’S SMALLEST SLAM on Lola! Then the TRUST FALL SENTON! but into the body scissors! Lola has the SLEEPER, but Izzi SENTONS it apart!

The fans boo but Izzi fireman’s carries Lola. Lola slips free, Izzi avoids a roundhouse, but not the HEEL KICK! Cover, but Thea drags Lola up! KIMURA!! Lola endures, CLUBS Thea’s back, and they switch. Thea O’Conner Rolls, TWO! And into the REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Thea pries at the arms, gets up and around to cover, TWO! Izzi runs in as Lola ROUNDHOUSES Thea, and Izzi BOOTS Lola down! Izzi hurries to get Thea up, reel her in, and- NO, Thea slips free to DDT! But Izzi flounders away to the apron! Thea drags Izzi in, Izzi has the apron skirt, and Izzi kicks Thea away! Lola rises up, but KELANI JORDAN ATTACKS!

The fans boo as the Standout gets payback on the woman she’s been beefing with for months! Lani drags a ladder out, and she SMASHES Lola’s hand with it!! The fans boo as Lani says Lola will never knock her out again. But Thea rolls Izzi up! TWO! Izzi kicks, misses, and Thea has the KIMURA!! The fans are thunderous while Izzi panics! Izzi reaches out, finds the ropes, and HOTSHOTS Thea! Then the SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, Izzi wins!

Winner: Izzi Dame, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s North American Champion)

The Culling says they purge weakness, but they survived this fight! Lani make sure Lola was removed from the equation, and Izzi found a way to bend the rules. Will everyone just have to accept that It Iz What It Iz?

The #WrenQCC talks with Sol Ruca.

Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey commend the Soul Surfer on a great showing in the Women’s Royal Rumble. The way she eliminated Jacy Jayne, then hit a DOUBLE Soul Snatcher! Sol even got to be in the final three! Sol agrees, it was- Zaria interrupts by saying, “So much fun, wasn’t it?” Sol apologizes to Zaria, it’s a shame Zaria wasn’t there, they would’ve had so much fun. Zaria says Sol keeps on saying stuff like that, and yet Sol is always the one getting these opportunities. Well, Sol isn’t in charge of that. She just takes what’s given to her and makes the most of them. And she wants Zaria to be part of every single one.

But Sol got the call, was told not to tell anyone, so… What would Zaria have done? Zaria admits, she would’ve done the same. ZaRuca is just fine. But Zaria just really needs this win tonight for her, it is her turn now. Zaria storms off and Sol seems worried. Is ZaRuca just fine? Or are they about to fall apart at the seams?

Chase U is backstage.

While Mr. Chase is checked out by medical, Kale Dixon has Uriah Connors walk off to the side so they can talk. Kale asks if Uriah has had time to come to his senses. Uriah says yeah, his head is more clear than ever. He is sick and ever of just sitting around for opportunities to pass them by. Them teaming up and having Mr. Chase mentor them, all of that was supposed to elevate them. So yeah, Uriah got himself involved in something, and he will not apologize for that. But then in step Lexis King, Channing Lorenzo & Arianna Grace. Stacks asks if Arianna is hearing this, and she says she is. It sounds like a tag team arguing. Brings back so many memories.

Lexis mocks Kale that he has a panties in a bunch over Uriah wanting to make a name for himself. Did Kale ever think Uriah just wants to claim his birthright? Kale says Lexis doesn’t know a thing about them, and this does not concern him. This is about Chase U. And are we really standing here like Lexis King cares about anyone other than himself? Uriah, if you want your chance, it is standing right in front of them. Arianna asks if they want a match against her boys. Kale says yes, they do. Well, good, Lexis & Stacks could use a win. Stacks is sure Stone will approve this. Lexis says there’s a lot of potential in front of him. The only question is, which one of them is it?

The Drama King leads the way out, will they put Chase U to the test? Or will this be a #TeachableMoment about what is earned versus what is inherent?

Tony D’Angelo is here!

No longer The Don, this dark and brooding version of Tony D walks to the ring, finally ready to tell his story. Tony grabs a mic to say, “So it’s been about seven months since I’ve had an opportunity to talk to you guys. Now, I could keep it simple and tell ya I came back for two reasons, drop the mic, call it a day. But I got some things I gotta get off my chest.” The fans cheer that! Tony says turn the lights on so he can see everybody. The lights do turn on and the fans cheer. Tony is sure everyone knows his past here in NXT: Former Heritage Cup Champion; former two-time NXT Tag Team Champion; and former North American Champion.

And about a year ago, Tony was a happy man. Tony was surrounded by family, friends, and people he could look in the face and say no matter what, he has their back. But that was all taken from him. No disrespect to his past, but that was the wake up call he needed. Growing up in Chicago, you need to stand on your own two feet to survive. And when you’re involved in the things he’s involved in, when you’re good at the things he’s good at, your life changes. You gain a crew, you gain a family, and that was a responsibility that was all new to him. So when DarkState decided to ruin Tony’s life, Tony needed to regroup.

Tony sat alone in a dark room, and he needed to remember who Tony D’Angelo was by himself. He needed to remember that he was a national wrestling champion, he needed to remember he was a Division I All-American, and he needed to remember what he does best: bouncing people’s heads off the mat. And the reason he came back to NXT the way he did, calculated, dropping bodies, no one knowing where he was or what he’d do, suddenly in a business where everyone knows everything, no one knew anything. And Tony likes that. Now, this is also a selfish business, and this is an incredibly selfish time in NXT. That aligns exactly with his plans.

Tony D’Angelo came back for two reasons. The first he’ll let us know so everyone will know he’s coming. Tony is back for DarkState. This isn’t about vengeance but punishment. They took everything from him, so he’ll take everything from them. The fans cheer that! Tony says reason number two… You’ll find out once he’s done with DarkState. The mission is clear, but how can Tony take down the four wild dogs when he’s just a lone wolf?

Jasper Troy speaks.

“Four new superstars are gonna try and take my WWE Speed Championship? Elio LeFleur and Eli Knight can fly, but I enjoy swatting bugs out the sky. Charlie Dempsey is a grinder, let’s see him try that George Hackenshmitt stuff with me. And Josh Briggs, I already told you, I’m the best big man in NXT. Good luck to you or whoever wins this tournament, because destruction awaits in Atlanta.” The MonStar has spoken, but who will meet him for the gold down in Georgia?

WWE Speed Tournament Opening Round: Elio LeFleur VS Charlie Dempsey!

The French luchador was moments away from taking the North American Championship from Ethan Page, but now he has a chance to go full Speed! Will the Sky Slicer carve a path to the title? Or will the former Heritage Cup Champion prove he can still win in three minutes or less?

NXT returns, Dempsey makes his entrance, and the bell rings. Both men run up, and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up as both men get back up. Dempsey UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS again! Elio falls, Dempsey covers, ONE! Dempsey tries another uppercut but Elio catches him to a backslide! TWO, Dempsey slips around and spins Elio to backslide, and bridge! TWO! The fans rally as Elio scrambles up. Dempsey avoids the leg sweep but not the EDDY GORDO KICK! The fans rally as Elio reels Dempsey in, ANARCHY SUPLEX! Dempsey flounders out and the fans boo, but Elio goes up! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!

The fans fire up as Elio gets Dempsey in the ring. Elio springboards, Dempsey dodges, and we hit the orange phase of two minutes left. Elio ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard and CROSSBODY! But Dempsey catches him for a FALL AWAY PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Dempsey throws a bit of a tantrum but he hurries to drag Elio around. Dempsey stomps away on Elio, drags him up, but Elio fires forearms! Dempsey catches Elio to a COBRA CLUTCH! Then Dempsey uses that to ripcord and ROCK Elio! Dempsey whips Elio to the corner, WRINGS the arm out, then stalks Elio to the apron. Dempsey drags Elio up while the fans rally.

Elio ROCKS Dempsey, BOOTS Dempsey, and we hit the final minute! Elio springboards but Dempsey trips him up! Dempsey drags Elio to enter, but Elio victory rolls! TWO, and Elio BOOTS Dempsey to the corner! Elio goes out, up, and FLYING KNEES Dempsey! THIRTY SECONDS! Elio runs up, victory- NO, Dempsey turns that to a SWHEELBARROW GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! TWENTY SECONDS! Dempsey EXPLODERs, but Elio lands out! Elio ducks ‘n’ dodge sot HEADSCISSOR GUILLTOINE! Cover, ELIO WINS!

Winner: Elio LeFleur, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

With just NINE SECONDS to spare, Elio seals the deal! Will it be Eli Knight or Josh Briggs that meets him in the second round? We’ll have to wait and see for next week.

Backstage interview with Joe Hendry.

Kelly Kincaid is with The Prestigious One and brings up that while he’s in the ladder match for the NXT Championship tonight, after that attack last week, surely he’s at less than 100%. And ladder matches are notoriously brutal, so does Hendry feel he’s up to it? Hendry admits, he is banged up. Vanity Project tried to take him out, but they couldn’t get the job done. Keanu Carver didn’t help sneaking up on Hendry last week, either. But he won’t let a couple bruised ribs stop him from achieving what he’s already been so close to. 2025 was the biggest year of Hendry’s life, from having his WrestleMania moment to being TNA World Champion.

Hendry was releasing song after song, having so much fun, and yet behind his smile, he’s been hiding frustration and disappointment. Because for the last seven months, Hendry has been without a championship. He didn’t just come to NXT to entertain, he came to reign. So no matter how many times he gets knocked down, he’ll get back up, and he’ll continue to climb the ladder. Because Hendry will give the WWE Universe an even bigger reason to believe in Joe Hendry! Say his name and he appears as the NEW NXT Champion! Hendry certainly believes, but will he make all six of his opponents believers, too?

TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships: The Elegance Brand VS #ZaRuca!

Speaking of titles and believing, it is clear that neither Ash, Heather nor M By Elegance believe Sol Ruca & Zaria will even hold it together as a team, let alone win. And from the tension we’ve seen build between them, can the Best Tag Team of 2025 keep it going in 2026? Or is it all over but the crying?

NXT returns and The Personal Concierge has the mic to say, “The time has come for all you degenerates to shut your filthy mouths!” The fans boo but he demands they show respect for THE TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions, The Elegance Brand! With that, The Elegance Brand makes their entrance, Ash leading the way for Heather & M. The belts are raised, and we see who really makes an impact here in NXT!

The teams sort out and Sol starts against M, only for Zaria to tag herself in! The Elegance Brand laugh at the dysfunction while M and Zaria tie up. They go around, M headlocks, but Zaria powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, and Zaria snarls. M takes a swing, Zaria blocks and kicks low! Zaria runs, but Sol tags in before the BOOT! Sol then PENALTY KICKS and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Sol clamps onto M but M fights up. They fight for suplex control while the fans rally. M wrenches out and SUPERKICKS! Sol wobbles, M whips her to ropes, but Sol reverses. M stops herself to mule kick!

M tags Heather in and they put Sol in the corner to stomp an elegant mudhole. The fans boo but Heather tags M. M RAMS into Sol, digs her shoulder in, then stops as the ref counts. Tag back to Heather, the fans boo more but The Elegance Brand double whip to trip and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Sol is tougher that that but Heather kicks her. Sol gets up to lift her for a SPIN-OUT SLAM! Then SUPERKICK! Sol runs and BACK BODY BLOCKS Heather! Tag to Zaria and Zaria frowns as she and Sol double whip. They DOUBLE ELBOW, then Zaria skips the handshake to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!

Zaria whips Heather to the corner, runs up, and SPLASHES! Then she reels Heather in for a BIG suplex! And a roll through to deadlift and suplex! Zaria holds Heather up before the SLAM! Heather goes to a corner, Zaria runs up, but Heather dodges! Zaria BOOTS her down on the return! Zaria goes up, brings Heather around, and has the HANGING SLEEPER! Ash gets right in Zaria’s face but Zaria scares her off! Zaria lets Heather go, but Heather kicks Zaria’s legs out! Then she hits Sol with a CODE BREAKER in the ropes! Hot tag to M and she BOOTS Zaria to the floor! ZaRuca is not okay but the Elegance Brand is loving it as NXT goes picture in picture.

Sol & Zaria slowly get up, but M goes out to put Zaria back in. M then brings Zaria up, but Zaria fires body shots. M CLUBS Zaria, THROWS her down by her hair, then covers, TWO! M drags Zaria up, whips her to the Elegance corner, then tags Heather. M sends Heather in and she UPPERCUTS! Then M LARIATS! Heather covers, TWO! Zaria toughs it out but Heather stomps her around. Heather drags Zaria up to CLUB her, then tags in M. The Elegance Brand double whips to then trip Zaria, and SENTON FLOP as Zaria moves! Ghost pin, TWO! Zaria hurries to BODY BLOW! And BODY BLOW! But M KNEES low!

M runs and she CLOBBERS Zaria! Cover, TWO! Sol coaches Zaria but M drags Zaria up to SMACK her off the mat. M then brings Zaria up, but Zaria fires body shots! M KNEES low again, then whips her to ropes. M BOOTS Zaria down! Tag to Heather and she runs to wheelbarrow with M, GUT WRENCH SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Zaria stays in this but Heather drags her back over. Tag back to M, they mug Zaria, and then double whip her to the corner. Heather runs in, Zaria ELBOWS her down! Zaria then dodges M, rolls, but says no to the tag!? Zaria LARIATS M, ELBOWS Heather, then scoops M to SLAM her down!

Zaria then scoops Heather, but Heather flails to CROSSBODY! Zaria is down again and M crawls her way over. M drags Zaria up while NXT returns to single picture. M whips and BOOTS Zaria back down! The fans boo but The Elegance Brand soaks up the heat. Tag to Heather and they stomp Zaria. They go again, GUT WRENCH SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Zaria survives that one again but Heather drags her up. Heather CLUBS Zaria, tags M back in, and they mug Zaria more. They whip Zaria to the corner, Heather runs in, but she gets another ELBOW! Zaria dodges M yet again, and yet again Zaria refuses to tag Sol!

Zaria rallies on Elegance Brand again, but M CHOP BLOCKS Zaria this time! M then runs to CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for ZaRuca but M HAMMERS away on Zaria. Zaria fights the lift, ROCKS M, then ducks ‘n’ dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS bring both women down! The fans rally as both women crawl, hot tag to Heather, then Sol tags herself in! Sol ELBOWS M, ELBOWS Heather, and a whip for M! M bounces off buckles for Sol to SNAP GERMAN! Sol BOOTS Heather, then goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Sol keeps moving and she PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Heather survives and Sol can’t believe it!

Sol hurries up while the fans do the wave. Sol calls to Zaria but Zaria is still on the outside. Heather rolls Sol, TWO! Sol dodges Heather, O’Conner, but M tags in! Heather bucks Sol, drop toehold and M SUPERKICKS! Heather goes up, up, and LIONSAULTS! M goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS! But she FLOPS as Sol moves! The fans fire up and Sol rises. Sol runs up, dodges, and Zaria tags in before the CROSSBODY! Sol is upset with Zaria, they start shoving, but The Elegance Brand runs up! Sol & Zaria both dodge, then DOUBLE SPEAR!! The fans fire up as ZaRuca is finally on the same page! But The Personal Concierge starts arguing with the ref!

Zaria fireman’s carries M, but Ash gets Heather outta there! M slips free to shove Zaria into the SOUL SNATCHER!! The fans freak out and so does Sol! Then Ash drags Sol out to THROW her into the steel steps! M tags Heather and Heather climbs up! M ties Zaria up in the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! ELEGANT ARROW!! Cover, Elegance Brand wins!

Winners: The Elegance Brand, by pinfall (still TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions)

Ash celebrates as she had a huge part to play in this victory, you might as well have called this 4v2! But will that be how The Elegance Brand keeps these titles then, now, and forever? As for ZaRuca, are they just hanging onto their friendship by a thread here?

Ethan Page talks with The Vanity Project.

All Ego says he’s proud to see they aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Fantastic job taking down Joe Hendry. Jackson Drake thanks Ethan, and says he was just trying to stay as fresh as possible for this ladder match. Ethan is well aware of why, but a word of advice: If you don’t want a problem afterward, finish the job. Break a bone or something! Brad Baylor asks what’s the deal with Myles Borne. Oh, Myles? That’s a man that doesn’t wanna take a word of advice, yet he’ll hit Ethan over the head with his own title. Ethan is done with Myles. Especially knowing there are three gentlemen with very bright futures right here!

Ricky Smokes says Myles must be crazy. Ethan has the longest-running title reign in WWE today! If Ethan throws you a pearl of advice and you don’t pick it up, that’s nuts! Ethan says Myles is clearly not hungry enough. NXT is not that hard to figure out. All you have to do is whatever it takes to win. Swipe Right has that opportunity next week, don’t they? Brad says yeah, against Hank ‘n’ Tank. Ah yes, the Belly Boys. They like to hit hard, which means all you have to do is use your brains. Oh, yeah! And as for Jackson Drake, do not rush into anything. Pick your moments very carefully. Drake says, “I’ve got you, EP.”

Ethan says good. This is from one double champion to a future double champion. All Ego lets Heartbreak Drake finish preparing for the main event, but can the Carolina Reaper survive the seven man free for all? Or will someone else be the alpha of NXT?

NXT shares footage from before the show.

Mostly via Twitter/X, the fans were cheering on “Miss Parker! Miss Parker!” as Jaida Parker arrived tonight. And then BLAKE MONROE ATTACKED! They brawled right in front of the food truck! The Glamour beat Jaida down until security rushed in, and even then Blake BOOTS Jaida! The fans boo Blake for that, but clearly things are only going to escalate until they’re settled in the ring. When and where will Blake and Jaida finally have it out?

Chase U VS Lexis King & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Arianna Grace!

Uriah Connors wants his opportunity, and so does Kale Dixon, but there’s a disagreement on how. Can they get back on track tonight with a win? Or will The Underboss & The Drama King show them that it has to be in your blood, not your heart?

The teams sort out, Uriah starts against Stacks, and both men run up at the bell! Uriah UPPERCUTS Stacks, then sidesteps, drops down, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up for Uriah and he brings Stacks up. Stacks fights the suplex, KNEES low, then he suplexes. Uriah lands out, then he ELBOWS Stacks. Kale tags in, he RAMS into Stacks, then slingshots up and over to sunset flip! TWO, and Kale arm-drags Stacks! Kale grinds the armlock but Stacks fights up. Lexis shouts at Uriah, Uriah shouts back, and their argument distracts the ref. Stacks whips free, and the ref is too busy with Uriah to see Lexis get a cheap shot in!

The fans boo but then Stacks storms up to hit a BIG back suplex! Stacks kips up, the fans boo more, but Stacks drags Kale. Kale BOOTS Stacks away but Lexis tags in. Lexis & Stacks haul Kale up to DOUBLE back suplex, but Kale lands out! Kale TOSSES Lexis, rolls off Stacks’ back, then hot tags Uriah! The fans fire up as Uriah dodges Stacks, BOOTS Lexis, then dodges Stacks again to ENZIGIRI! Stacks staggers around, runs back in, but Uriah goes out and around! Stacks blocks a boot but not the DRAGON WHIP! Uriah then steps in and TORNADO DDTS! But Lexis SUPERKICKS Uriah! Lexis talks trash on Uriah while the fans boo.

Lexis SLAPS Uriah, but Uriah SLAPS back! Lexis kicks Uriah low! Lexis CLUBS Uriah, drags him around, then whips him to the corner. Lexis LARIATS and CHOPS Uriah, then he tags Stacks. Lexis sends Stacks in, but Uriah BOOTS him away! Then Uriah TOSSES Lexis and fires off on Stacks! The fans fire up as Uriah reaches out, but Stacks keeps him from Kale! Uriah CHOPS Stacks, Kale tags in! Kale DECKS Stacks, CLOBBERS him, then swings. Stacks ducks one but not the LEFT! Lexis runs in, but into a SPIN KICK! FRONT KICK! CHOP to the back! The fans fire up as Kale dodges and BOOTS Stacks, then DECKS Lexis!

Kale goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS, but into BOOTS! Stacks turns things around, then he tags Lexis in. The fans rally for Chase U but Lexis hits the DRIVE-BY FOREARM! Then the CORONATION! Cover, Lexis & Stacks win!

Winners: Lexis King & Channing Lorenzo, by pinfall

Uriah is upset, but Mr. Chase asks where’s the assist. What is happening to NXT’s beloved red ‘n’ black? Wait, Uriah leaves Kale & Mr. Chase behind?! Is he about to embrace his birthright?

The Fatal Influence is here!

NXT returns as Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid are already in the ring, mics in hand. Jacy asks, “Do you people know what it’s like to wait your entire life for something, only for it to get taken out from under you at the very last second? See, this past Saturday, in a moment that was long, long overdue… I competed in my very first Royal Rumble.” The fans do cheer that, and Jacy says it was going exactly how she always pictured it. She was on fire! She was killing it! She even threw out that sad ass little Kelani Jordan! And the crowd was chanting for JACY! Because even halfway across the world, everybody knows Jacy is in fact the backbone of the deepest division in the world!

Everything was going absolutely perfect. Until Sol Ruca snuck up behind me, cheap-shotted me, and threw her over the top rope! The fans cheer that! Jacy says that was supposed to be HER moment! But of course, of all people, it’d be Sol Ruca! Why expect anything less? While Jacy’s ben carrying this brand on her back the past year, who’s the one person everyone always wants to talk about? The fans sing for Sol and Jacy says yeah, of course! Go ahead and get it out, ya bunch of idiots! Jump on the bandwagon like the fickle fans that you are. The fans keep singing, but Jacy says there goes Sol, going viral for another one of her Soul Snatchers.

Oh, there’s the double champion! Well, guess what? So was Jacy, and a better one at that! Oh, we don’t wanna talk about that, do we? Just ignore the facts! But y’know what, Sol? It’s fine! You can steal Jacy’s moment, that’s perfectly freakin’ fine! Because all Jacy has to do is be the one to finally shut everyone up and kill the hype. That’s why her next challenger for this title will be- ZARIA interrupts! And she says no no no, nuh-uh! Does Jacy think she could sic her little lap dogs after her and that’d be the end of it? Sol’s gotten plenty of opportunities handed to her here, it is time that Zaria makes her own! The fans cheer that!

Zaria steps into the ring and says Sol is not the one to worry about. You should worry about Zaria ripping that title out of Jacy’s grubby little hands. Jacy says aw, Zaria. She hates to be the one to break it to Zaria, but there’s a reason Zaria doesn’t get the opportunities. Everyone loves Sol, and they just tolerate Zaria. Sol’s proven time and again why she deserves opportunities while Zaria hasn’t done a damn thing. But as Zaria steps closer, Fallon & Lainey have Jacy step back, and then Kendal Grey makes her way out here! And Wren, too, actually.

Kendal tells everyone to hold on. Jacy, Jacy, Jacy, you can act like you’re onto the next best thing, but don’t forget: It took ALL THREE Fatal Influencers to bring Kendal down at New Year’s Evil! Kendal was this close to beating Jacy, so of course we should run it back. Kendal & Wren join everyone in the ring, and fans chant, “Give Her a Chance!” Kendal says she used to ask herself if she was ready. But now, the only question is isn’t if she can beat Jacy and become NXT Women’s Champion, but it’s whether she’ll pin Jacy or tap her out! Zaria has Kendal slow down. If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll stay out of Zaria’s way.

Wren asks why. Kendal deserves a shot way more than Zaria does. Zaria says unlike Wren, Zaria is not just some sidekick! Kendal says WrenQCC aren’t the ones keeping secrets from each other. And if THEY had gotten the match for the TNA Knockouts Tag titles, they wouldn’t have dropped the ball, either. But then Sol hurries on out here! Sol asks if everyone can just chill out. They all want a shot at THE NXT Women’s Championship. She knows Kendal does, and Sol sure does. Hell, even Wren must, too! But they’re still friends, aren’t they, Zaria? Zaria says at least Kendal doesn’t sneak off to the Royal Rumble, Sol!

Sol says she didn’t sneak off! Jacy says enough of this. They can all figure this out in their weird couples therapy. The only person Jacy even called out here was Sol. But then Stone hurries on out here, and he wants everyone to hold on. Stone has a solution that we’ll all love. For his first act as Interim GM, he will do something unique. Next week, it will be WrenQCC VS ZaRuca, and whoever gets the pinfall moves on to three weeks from now, NXT live from Atlanta, and they go 1v1 with Jacy Jayne for THE NXT Women’s Championship!

The fans cheer that, but this is just asking for dysfunction. Can both teams put the greater good ahead of their own interests? Or will NXT still be under the Influence?

Backstage interview with Kelani Jordan.

Kelly Kincaid catches up to The Standout on her way out. We saw her go out there during the Triple Threat, why target Lola at that time? Lani asks Kelly back, “How is Lola Vice gonna knock out anyone anymore when I just broke her hand?” Lani smiles and laughs as she leaves, but will she be moving on from Lola towards a title? Or is she forgetting Lola still has her other hand and both her feet to fight with?

The WrenQCC regroups backstage.

Wren isn’t sure if Charles saw, but this is exactly what they wanted for Kendal: Another shot at the NXT Women’s Championship! Kendal says yes, but this is a great chance for both of them. With Sol & Zaria being… Sol & Zaria, one of the WrenQCC will definitely have a match with Jacy Jayne. Wren says she can see the marquee now! Charlie says yes, that is good for them. He just wishes he could say the same for the Speed title. But then Lexis King walks in with Stacks, Arianna and Uriah. Lexis asks Charlie if he gave any time, any thought, to what they talked about. Charlie looks between them and the WrenQCC. Which side will Charlie choose?

Vacated NXT Championship Ladder Match: Ricky Saints VS Dion Lennox VS Shiloh Hill VS Jackson Drake VS Keanu Carver VS Sean Legacy VS Joe Hendry!

The Ruler retained his title, but then decided to vacate his title so he could move on to the main roster! The Absolute thought he should’ve just been handed the title, but will he prove he’s the best by earning it? Or will someone else rise to the occasion and stand at the top of NXT?

The introductions are made, the belt is already high above, and it is time to make history once again!

The bell rings and the brawl is on! Hendry is after Drake, Keanu goes after Hendry, and then Dion is after Shiloh while Legacy goes after Dion! Saints lets them all do that while he watches from the outside. Shiloh TOSSES Dion, brawls with Legacy, and then Drake goes after Keanu. Hendry goes after Drake, then he goes after Keanu, but Drake TOSSES Hendry out. Keanu RAMS Drake into a corner! And RAMS him again! Legacy puts a ladder in the ring but Keanu goes after him now! Keanu CLUBS Legacy, then scoop SLAMS him on the ladder! Drake runs up, but into a BACK SUPLEX on the ladder!

Shiloh is back, but Keanu kicks him low. Dion CLUBS Keanu, and Shiloh BACKDROPS Keanu onto the ladder! Dion and Shiloh tug-o-war over the ladder, but then they work together to CLOBBER Keanu! Saints DROPKICKS the ladder to knock Shiloh and Dion down! Hendry is back, Saints dodges to SPEAR Hendry! Saints stands the ladder up in a corner, but Drake CLOBBERS Saints, only to crash into the ladder himself! Saints shrugs that off but Shiloh runs up on Saints! Saints wrenches and uses the ropes, and even gets Dion in the mix! DOUBLE TORNADO DDT! But Legacy is back! Saints blocks a superkick, wrenches, and then goes up the ropes.

The fans are torn as Saints struts and goes Old School with the ax handle! Then he THROWS Legacy into the ladder! But Hendry catches him posing! Kick and CLUB, and then Hendry gets the ladder to SMACK Saints with it! The fans cheer as Hendry then RAMS Legacy, RAMS Keanu, and TURNS with the ladder! The fans cheer and Hendry sets the ladder up. But Drake CLOBBERS Hendry! The fans boo as Drake takes ownership of the ladder, but Hendry yanks him from the rungs! Drake SMACKS Hendry off the ladder! Drake resets the ladder, climbs again, but Hendry lifts the ladder! Drake falls off and hotshots off the ropes!

Hendry hauls Drake up, takes aim, and he POWERBOMBS Drake out onto everyone else! The fans are thunderous as Hendry then lines up a shot, and HIGH JUMPS to wipe everyone out! The fans are thunderously losing their minds for Hendry as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and Keanu brawls with Shiloh on the outside. Keanu SLIDES Shiloh through the corner, then DECKS Hendry, but Shiloh is up! Shiloh has a ladder, and he slides it at Keanu! Keanu catches it, they tug-o-war, and Keanu takes the ladder for his own! And then, with his bear hands, he RIPS it apart! Shiloh leaps at Keanu, but into a guzel! But then Legacy DIVES onto them both! Legacy hurries to GAMANGIRI Saints, and he avoids Hendry’s sweep to SUPERKICK! Legacy then WRECKS Shiloh with a dropkick! Legacy dodges Drake, goes up and over, then GAMANIRIS! Dion runs up, and he RAMS Drake with the ladder!

Legacy cravats Dion and uses the ladder for the SLICED BREAD! The fans fire up and Legacy takes the ladder to set it up. The fans cheer him on as he climbs up, but Drake grabs a foot! Drake drags Legacy down, ROCKS him, but Legacy drags him down. Dion and Hendry tug-o-war over a ladder while Drake and Legacy both climb. They brawl at the top, haymaker for haymaker! The fans fire up as Shiloh uses that broken ladder as STILTS! We knew Shiloh’s an eccentric guy, but this is just nuts! Shiloh manages to punch at Legacy and Drake while balancing on his ladder stilts! The fans are losing their minds, and Dion is CHOKING Hendry with a ladder!

Shiloh DECKS Legacy, he DECKS Drake, but Keanu gets in to get under Shiloh! Electric Chair Lift, but Shiloh throws hands. Dion is up top, DOOMSDAY DEVICE on Shiloh! “This is Awesome!” and Dion LARIATS Keanu! Then he scoops Drake to SLAM him! Dion climbs, but Saints CLUBS him down! But Dion picks Saints up, SPINEBUSTER on a ladder! Saints writhes, Dion climbs, but Hendry YANKS him down! Guzel and STANDING OVATION on to the ladder!! The fans are thunderous as Hendry climbs again! Drake drags Hendry down to ROUNDHOUSE! The fans boo, but Legacy returns! Drake fireman’s carries him for a GUT BUSTER DROP!

Drake hurries up, out, and springboards back in, SWANTON onto a standing Legacy! Drake hurries up the ladder, but Saints tips the ladder! Drake panics, but KEANU is in! Keanu DECKS Saints! But then he YANKS Drake down for a POWER- NO, Drake RANAS Keanu out! Drake then goes up, up, and TORNILLOS onto everyone!! The fans are thunderous and Drake is feeling it while NXT goes picture in picture.

Drake goes back into the ring, climbs up the ladder, but Legacy anchors him. Drake kicks Legacy but Legacy still holds on. Drake CLUBS Legacy, but Legacy CLUBS Drake! Legacy drags Drake down, they throw hands, and Drake DECKS Legacy! But Legacy gets back up! Keanu gets back in, too! He DECKS Legacy, then he YANKS Drake back down! Keanu DECKS Drake now, but Shiloh ROCKS Keanu! They brawl, Dion steps in and catches strays! Keanu sends Dion into the ladder! Keanu suplexes Dion, but Shiloh stops that so that Shiloh and Dion can throw hands! They whip Keanu into the ladder!

The ladder falls over, Shiloh TOSSES Keanu, then he and Dion stand the ladder back up. Then Dion and Shiloh throw hands! Shiloh ROCKS Dion and he staggers into the ladder! Dion runs up, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Everyone is down around ringside and the fans are loving it! Shiloh drags the ladder back into place, then climbs. Hendry CLUBS Legacy, Dion CLUBS Shiloh, and Legacy sends Hendry into barriers! Dion tips the ladder over and Shiloh falls! Dion goes after Shiloh but Shiloh hits back. Shiloh drags Dion out of the ring, but that lets Legacy set up the ladder! NXT returns to single picture as Legacy climbs!

Shiloh hurries into the ring and he drags Legacy back down! Shiloh CLUBS Legacy down, the others are regrouping, and Legacy drags Shiloh out. Dion CLUBS Shiloh, but Keanu RAMS Hendry! And RAMS Legacy! And RAMS Dion! And RAMS Drake! Shiloh CANNONBALLS onto Keanu and the ladder!! The fans are thunderous, and it’s time for #ToothlessAggression! Shiloh fires up, he KNEES Keanu down, then he hurries to get the BIG ladder! Shiloh SLAMS it onto Keanu again and again! Shiloh says bury him! So everyone helps out, putting extra ladders on top of Keanu! The fans are speechless as the One Man Demolition Crew is under a mess!

Shiloh then hurries to shove the ladder in the ring over! It almost takes Hendry out! Shiloh has a shorter ladder, and he equips it for the ladder copter! The fans fire up as Hendry gets hit! And Dion! And Drake! And Dion again! And even Saints! Hendry takes another shot! Legacy gets hit, too! The fans fire up with Shiloh as he clears the ring! Shiloh hurries to stand the ladder up again, then lines up the shot. But Drake JAMS Shiloh up from behind! UNALIVING KNEE!! Drake wedges his ladder into the rung, but Legacy SUPERKICKS him! Drake is on said ladder bridge, and Legacy springboards! 450 SPLASH on the bridge!

The fans lose their minds again as Legacy barely hits the mark! And then he staggers around as he rises back up! Legacy goes up, but Dion pursues! “This is Awesome!” as both men reach the top. Dion fires body shots, but Legacy fires back! They brawl, reach up, and then Legacy bends Dion’s arm against the ladder! Legacy SNAPS Dion’s fingers! Legacy now reaches up, but Dion grabs Legacy’s arm! Dion bends Legacy’s arm, BITES the fingers, but wait! Another ladder is being set up next to them! Shiloh and Drake climb it! They join the brawl, throwing jabs while reaching for the belt! The fans rally, Legacy CHOPS Drake but Dion ROCKS Legacy!

Dion SMACKS Shiloh off the rungs, Legacy does the same to Drake. Dion fires hands on Legacy, but Legacy holds onto the side! Dion HAMMERS away and Legacy lets go! Dion has a finger on the belt! Hendry YANKS Dion down, SMACKS him off buckles, then UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! Hendry whips Dion into the ladder! The fans chant, “WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!” Hendry SMACKS Dion off the ladder again! Hendry whips, Dion reverses, and Dion TOSSES Hendry out! But Hendry drags Dion out to join him! Hendry sends Dion into the POST! Hendry snarls and the fans cheer, but wait! KEANU RISES! The fans are going nuts again!

Keanu CLOBBERS Hendry! And he POUNCES Drake into the crowd!! Then he CLOBBERS Shiloh! Keanu truly is a monster as he SPEARS Legacy through a wall!! Even Saints is freaking out seeing that! Saints looks to the ladders and hurries up! Keanu pursues, and he’s on Saints already! Keanu throws hands and Saints sits back on the ladder bridge. Saints tries to get up, he and Keanu brawl while climbing, and Saints SMACKS Keanu off the ladder! And off it again! But Keanu just gets pissed! But Saints KICKS the ladder! It starts to tip, and Keanu falls off down through a ladder bridge!!! The fans are absolutely shocked!

Saints smiles, strikes a pose, and… HENDRY IS THERE! Hendry ROCKS Saints again and again! Saints hits back, but Hendry grabs the belt! Saints tries, too! They both hold onto the belt! Saints leans back, trying to use gravity to help him take this from Hendry! But Hendry does the same! They teetertotter up there, until Hendry SMACKS Saints with the belt!! Hendry takes the belt down, and WINS!!!

Winner: Joe Hendry, by pinfall (NEW NXT Champion)

All the hard work, all the long nights, all the self-belief and the support of the fans, and FINALLY, Joe Hendry is THE NXT Champion! Will no one have reason NOT to believe in him now?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT, but they kinda just brushed over Ava/Simone Johnson leaving. I knew Robert Stone would be the replacement, though, and I actually hope they stick with him as the authority. Well, William Regal returning to be GM would be great, too, and then Stone can be in charge of Evolve. Good promo from Tony D, though I feel like it was pretty standard stuff for a gimmick change. And of course Tony will be after DarkState, likely getting involved in their next tag title defense so that they lose the belts. And I would think Tony’s second objective is to finally be THE NXT Champion. He can certainly take his time with that since we just got a new champion tonight.

With that said, that was an awesome ladder match, one of NXT’s best in a long time. They really went outside the box with Keanu breaking a ladder with his own hands, and then Shiloh using said ladder for stilts. But in the end, I am pleasantly surprised that Hendry won. I thought we were defaulting to Saints so that Hendry and Tony could chase him on the road to Stand & Deliver, but no, they gave us what we truly wanted. We all believe in Joe Hendry, and now he is THE NXT Champion! He and Saints can still feud on the way to Stand & Deliver while Tony handles DarkState, and then we can figure out where things go after that.

I really like where this “Birthright” story is going. And I’m going to presume that is the name of the faction since Lexis makes sure to say that all the time. Very good promo to set up the tag match, and then a very good tag match for the Heels to win. Uriah ditching Chase U here is a bit surprising, but might as well pull the trigger on that. Then Charlie Dempsey is going to be an interesting development. He and Elio had a great Speed match, and a great win for Elio. Eli Knight VS Josh Briggs next week will also be great, can’t wait to see it and what match we get in the Speed tournament finals. As for Dempsey, maybe it is time he leaves the NQCC to let Wren & Kendal continue with it.

And of course, great stuff for the Women’s Division. I figured Izzi would retain the Women’s North American Championship, but I should’ve known Lani would cost Lola. I feel like Lola and Lani are gonna need to go to the NXT Underground with this to finally settle things between them. Tatum surely returns to go after Izzi, their title match will also be their blowoff, and it could probably be part of Roadblock in March. A little surprised Roadblock returns to The Theater in Madison Square Garden, but hey, that’ll be a great night for everybody.

The ZaRuca dysfunction grows stronger, and it has to break the team with that unique #1 contenders tag match Stone put together. Wren & Kendal are going to be about the bigger picture, Zaria and Sol are gonna keep breaking up their own covers, it’s gonna be a trainwreck we can’t look away from. Zaria VS Sol can be for Roadblock, sending one of them to the NXT Women’s title at Stand & Deliver. I think Wren will get the win next week, only to lose in Atlanta. I don’t see Jacy losing the title until Stand & Deliver so that she can them move on to main roster after WrestleMania.

My Score: 8.9/10