Chairshot Wrestling News Report (7/29/2026): Waller Returns, Borne Retains and Maya World Defends

Grayson Waller returns to NXT, Myles Borne retains, Cruz Montana confronts Tony D’Angelo and AEW brings title matches to Detroit.

Grayson Waller returned to NXT with plenty to say, but newcomer Cruz Montana made sure the former NXT star did not completely control the spotlight.

Myles Borne successfully defended the NXT North American Championship, AEW has announced two championship matches for Dynamite and a former AEW wrestler will reportedly receive a WWE tryout during SummerSlam week.

It’s the Chairshot Wrestling News Report for July 29, 2026!

Grayson Waller Returns as Cruz Montana Targets NXT

Grayson Waller returned to NXT and opened Tuesday’s show with a verbal attack directed at the current locker room, especially the men.

The episode ended with Waller joining NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo in the ring before Cruz Montana interrupted. Montana made his intentions clear during his first official appearance as an NXT Superstar, putting both D’Angelo and Waller on notice.

Myles Borne also retained the NXT North American Championship against Kam Hendrix. Mason Rook appeared during the match looking for Hendrix, but Tavion Heights held him back long enough for Borne to connect with Borne Again.

BirthRight attempted to attack Borne and Heights afterward, but the future NXT Tag Team Championship challengers fought them off.

WWE NXT Results — July 28, 2026

• Lizzy Rain defeated Izzi Dame
• NXT North American Championship – Myles Borne (c) defeated Kam Hendrix
• BirthRight defeated OTM
• Shiloh Hill defeated Tristan Angels

Waller’s return adds another established personality to a championship scene that was already changing with Montana’s arrival. D’Angelo may remain the champion, but both men now have reasons to make him the center of their attention.

Borne escaped with his championship and now turns toward another opportunity. He and Heights are scheduled to challenge Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes for the NXT Tag Team Championship on August 4.

KJ Orso Reportedly Receiving WWE Tryout

Independent wrestler KJ Orso, formerly known as Fuego Del Sol, is reportedly scheduled to participate in a WWE tryout in Minnesota during SummerSlam week.

Orso became a regular presence on AEW programming before signing with the company in 2021. His full-time run ended in 2023, although he has remained active on the independent scene and has also appeared for promotions including GCW and TNA.

The report did not indicate whether WWE views Orso as a potential NXT wrestler, coach or performer who could fill multiple roles.

Orso already has national television experience and developed a following without receiving a sustained push in AEW. The tryout gives WWE an opportunity to evaluate whether that experience and connection with fans can translate into a useful role inside its system.

What to Watch on AEW Dynamite

• TBS Championship – Maya World (c) vs. Persephone
• AEW World Trios Championship – The Conglomeration (c) vs. The Demand
• Willow Nightingale’s AEW Women’s World Championship celebration
• The Young Bucks and Cage and Cope sit down with Renee Paquette

New TBS Champion Maya World will make her first championship defense when she faces CMLL Women’s World Champion Persephone on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Persephone’s championship will not be at stake.

The Conglomeration will also defend the AEW World Trios Championship against The Demand. Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly will represent The Conglomeration against Ricochet, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona.

AEW Women’s World Champion Willow Nightingale will hold a championship celebration following her victory over Thekla at Redemption.

The Young Bucks and Cage and Cope will also participate in a sit-down interview with Renee Paquette.

Maya is receiving an immediate opportunity to establish her championship reign against a recognized international champion. Persephone does not have to risk her own title, but defeating the new TBS Champion would give her a strong argument for another match.

The Trios Championship match also allows Ricochet and The Demand to rebound quickly from Redemption. A championship victory would immediately reposition the group after Ricochet failed to win the AEW World Championship.

WWE NXT Coming to the ESPN App

WWE NXT will begin streaming through the ESPN App on Tuesday, August 4, as part of ESPN’s agreement to carry live CW Sports programming.

More than 800 annual hours of CW Sports content will remain available through The CW while also streaming on the ESPN App for viewers with an ESPN Unlimited subscription.

The new arrangement launches with the August 4 episode of NXT at 8 PM ET. NXT Heatwave, scheduled for August 30, will also be included in the CW Sports package available through the app.

The additional distribution does not replace NXT’s presence on The CW, but it gives WWE another digital platform capable of reaching viewers who have moved away from traditional television.

It also creates more consistency between WWE’s weekly programming and its larger premium events, which are becoming increasingly connected to ESPN’s streaming ecosystem in the United States.

Rhino Reportedly Set for AEW Appearance in Detroit

Rhino is reportedly scheduled to appear during AEW’s two-night run at the Masonic Temple Theatre in his hometown of Detroit.

AEW will present Dynamite live Wednesday before taping Collision on Thursday. The report did not reveal which show Rhino will appear on or what role he will have.

The former ECW World Champion has participated in local promotional appearances for AEW ahead of the Detroit events. This would be his second run with the company after he challenged Nick Wayne for the ROH World Television Championship at the same venue in May 2025.

Rhino remains closely connected to Detroit and brings immediate credibility with that audience. AEW can use him for a surprise match, a confrontation or a hometown moment without needing to force him into a long-term storyline.

ROH TV Results — July 28, 2026

• Maya World defeated Janai Kai
• Nick Wayne defeated Alan Angels
• Action Andretti, Anthony Bowens and HOOK defeated Landon Hale, Robert Allen and Steve Allen
• Isla Dawn defeated Erica Leigh
• Adam Priest defeated Kiran Grey
• Griff Garrison defeated Aaron Solo
• Shane Taylor Promotions defeated Spanish Announce Project
• The Outrunners, Dalton Castle and Orange Cassidy defeated The Swirl and Premier Athletes

Isla Dawn also called out Red Velvet following her victory, with the former ROH Women’s World Champion accepting the challenge later in the show.

Maya’s victory gave her another successful appearance before her first TBS Championship defense. Her schedule is already positioning her as a fighting champion rather than allowing the Redemption victory to stand on its own.

The developing issue between Dawn and Velvet gives ROH another women’s rivalry outside the immediate championship picture. Both wrestlers have enough experience to give the program credibility without requiring a title to create stakes.

NXT used Waller’s return and Montana’s arrival to complicate the championship picture around D’Angelo. Montana is no longer simply the former Mike Santana appearing in a new company. He is being presented as an immediate threat, while Waller’s return provides another potential rival for both men.

Borne continues moving in two directions at once. He retained his singles championship but now has an opportunity to leave the August 4 episode with a second title alongside Heights.

AEW’s Detroit shows begin the company’s next stage after Redemption. Maya and Willow must now establish their championship reigns, while The Demand has an opportunity to recover by taking gold from The Conglomeration.