This week’s WWE NXT features a 7-man Ladder Match to crown a new NXT Champion.
It’s a big episode because they will crown a new NXT Champion after Oba Femi vacated the title a month ago. There was also some behind-the-scenes news that Ava is now the former NXT GM because she let her contract expire and turned down a new deal. I wasn’t a huge fan of Ava as a performer, but she did improve over time and did fine in the role. I’m sure they have lots of people who could replace her.
They were at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport, and check out my NXT TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
The NXT boss, Shawn Michaels, spoke to Robert Stone in the GM’s office about how Stone has been with NXT for seven years. Stone said he loves NXT. Michaels said that he wants to name Stone the Interim GM of NXT, and Stone agreed to it. Stone said thank you, and he won’t let him down.
Analysis: That was the logical pick for the next NXT GM. Stone has been part of the brand for a long time, he’s a former wrestler and manager who can talk well, so I think he’ll do fine in the role of running the show.
A video package aired about the NXT Title history, going back about 14 years. We’ll find out the next champion tonight.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T, as usual. Mike Rome was the ring announcer. A title match started the show.
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Izzi Dame (w/Shawn Spears & Niko Vance) vs. Thea Hail vs. Lola Vice
The first fall wins. No countouts and no disqualifications in a triple threat match.
The champ Dame tossed Hail onto Vice, and Dame hit a splash against the turnbuckle. Hail and Vice each superkicked Dame out of the ring. Vice went for an armbar on Hail, but Hail got out of it. Dame jumped off the top with a double knee attack on both women for a two count. Dame hit shoulder tackles on both opponents and a body slam on Vice for two because Hail broke up the pin. Hail hit an armdrag on Dame, and Hail dropkicked Dame out of the ring. Hail hit a hurricanrana on Spears on the floor. Vice jumped onto Dame on the floor. Hail jumped onto Vice on the floor. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too.
They did a spot where Hail jumped off the top with a neckbreaker while Dame gave Vice a Samoan Drop, so all three women were down selling after that. Vice had a flurry of offense with kicks on both opponents. Vice did her running hip attack routine on both opponents. Hail avoided Vice and hit an overhead suplex. Dame hit a dropkick/senton combo on Vice for two. Dame hit a sitout slam on Hail for two because Vice made the save. Hail hit a cross body block on both women. Hail hit running back splashes on both opponents and a suplex. Hail slammed Vice and went for a springboard attack, but Vice caught Hail with a Sleeper attempt, but Dame broke that up. Vice hit a spin kick on Dame. Hail and Vice exchanged moves and Hail sat on top for a two count. Vice went for a submission on the head/arm and Hail countered for two. Dame kicked Vice out of the ring. Hail hit a DDT on Dame. Kelani Jordan attacked Vice from behind and kicked Vice in the lower back. Jordan slammed a ladder onto Vice’s right hand. No DQ’s in a match like this. Hail rolled up Dame for two. Dame went for a kick, but Hail applied the Kimura Lock submission. Dame managed to send Hail face first into the rope. Dame hit a sitout Powerbomb for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Izzi Dame
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a pretty good match that was very fast-paced. All three women got some offense in the match and looked like they might win at any time. Jordan taking out Vice cost Vice the match, while I expected Dame to win to keep her title, so of course she beat Hail to win it. Hail loses far too often for my liking, but I didn’t expect a title change here.
Sol Ruca was backstage talking to Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair about how Sol was in the final three of the Royal Rumble. Zaria walked up to talk to Sol, so the other girls left. Zaria was frustrated that Sol keeps getting opportunities. Sol said she’s not in charge of who gets opportunities and was told not to tell anybody about the Rumble match. Zaria said fine, she would have done the same thing. Zaria said she needed to win this match tonight and left.
Tony D’Angelo was shown walking backstage to explain his actions.
A WrestleMania 42 commercial aired.
(Commercial)
A clip was shown of earlier today when Urijah Connors spoke to Kale Dixon of Chase U while Andre Chase was on a trainer’s table. Connors talked about how frustrated they are. Lexis King and Stacks arrived with Arianna Grace. King mentioned Connors having family in the business (Fit Finlay is his dad). Anyway, they argued and agreed to a tag team match.
Let’s Hear from Tony D’Angelo
Tony D’Angelo made his entrance with a thick beard and looking stoic on his way to the ring. Tony D had a generic, more ominous theme song while the arena was in the dark and then there were spotlights on Tony as he went into the ring.
Tony said it’s been about 7 months since he’s had an opportunity to talk to us. Tony can say he is here for two reasons, drop the microphone and call it a day, but he has some things he needs to get off his chest. Tony called for the lights to come on so he could see the fans. Tony said that you already know his past in NXT as a former NXT Heritage Cup Champion, former Tag Team Champion, and former NXT North American Champion, and about a year ago, he was a happy man surrounded by family and friends. Tony said that it was taken from him. Tony said it was what he needed. Tony said when you’re from Chicago and you’re good in that business, your life changes, you gain a crew and you gain a family, which was a responsibility that was new to him. Tony said when Darkstate ruined his life, he needed to regroup. Tony said he needed to remember who he was by himself. Tony said he needed to remember he was a national champion, a Division 1 All-American and remember what he does best – bouncing people’s heads off the mat. Tony said he came back to NXT the way he did for a reason. Tony said in a business where everybody knows everything, nobody knew nothing and he liked that. Tony said it’s a selfish business and a selfish time in NXT, which aligns with his plans.
Tony said his two reasons he came back are he’ll let you know because he wants them to know he’s coming: Darkstate. Tony said it’s about punishment, not vengeance. Tony said they took everything from him, so he’ll take everything from them. Tony said reason number two is you’ll find out when he’s done with Darkstate.
Analysis: It was an explanation from Tony D’Angelo after several months of cheap attacks without talking, so finally, we got to hear from him. I thought it was well done from Tony, who has always been a strong talker in his four-plus years in NXT. The guy is more than ready for the main roster, but he’s still in NXT, and it seems it’s a long-term thing for him. I assume that Tony D’s second reason is going after the NXT Title since he’s never won it in his career.
A video aired from Shiloh Hill talking about ladder matches in the past and how he’s getting ready for it. Hill talked about his opponents and said he’s ready to become NXT Champion.
Elio Lefleur entered for singles action.
(Commercial)
The WWE Speed Champion, Jasper Troy, talked about the four men in the tournament who are trying to take his Speed Title. Troy said that destruction awaits whoever wins.
WWE Speed Tournament: Charlie Dempsey vs. Elio LeFleur
It’s a match with a 3-minute time limit. They did a double cross body block to start. Dempsey got a backslide pin attempt for two. Elio hit a kick to the head and a twisting neckbreaker. Elio hit a moonsault onto Dempsey on the floor. Back in the ring, Dempsey hit a fallaway slam into a pin for two. Dempsey wrenched on the arm by the ropes. Elio went up top, Dempsey punched him and Elio was knocked down on the top. Elio got a rollup. Elio kicked Dempsey, and Elio hit a springboard knee. Dempsey hit a bridging German Suplex. Elio avoided a move, and Elio did a leg scissors around the head to drive Dempsey into the mat. It went 2:52.
Winner by pinfall: Elio LeFleur
Analysis: ** It gives Elio a win after losing to Ethan Page. The French luchador Elio is fun to watch, while Dempsey has good technical skills as usual. Dempsey will probably be in that group with Lexis King since he is William Regal’s son.
Joe Hendry was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid, who mentioned that Hendry was injured. Hendry said that he’s not going to let a couple of bruised ribs stop him. Hendry said that for the last seven months, he’s been without a championship. Hendry said he came here to be a champion, so he’s going to get back up and give the fans an even bigger reason to believe in Joe Hendry. Joe said he’s going to be the new NXT Champion.
Zaria and Sol Ruca entered for tag team action. Zaria was so frustrated that she shoved Ruca down at the start of the entrance, and Zaria wouldn’t even touch fists with Ruca.
(Commercial)
A video package aired showing some current and recently former NXT stars in the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches.
The Personal Concierge from TNA introduced the Elegance Brand, who are the TNA Knockouts Champions. Ash By Elegance (former Dana Brooke in WWE) is joined by Heather By Elegance and M by Elegance. Sol and Zaria earned a tile shot by winning a match two weeks ago. TNA’s Daria Rae (former Sonya Deville in WWE) was at ringside watching.
TNA Knockouts Championship: The Elegance Brand – Heather & M By Elegance (w/Ash By Elegance & The Personal Concierge) vs. Zaria & Sol Ruca
Zaria kicked M down, and Sol tagged in with a standing moonsault for two. M kicked Ruca, followed by a kick to the gut. Heather worked over Sol with kicks. Sol got some offense against Heather with a spinning slam and a kick. Sol hit a running back splash against the turnbuckle. Zaria didn’t like being tagged in, and Zaria hit an elbow drop. Zaria splashed Heather against the turnbuckle. Zaria hit a suplex and a delayed suplex. Zaria hit Heather with a knee to the jaw. Ash got on the apron to distract, so Heather kicked Zaria, and M tagged in to kick Zaria out of the ring to the floor. They went to a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too.
The champs were in control as M hit a pump kick on Zaria to put her down. Heather tagged in, so M slammed Heather onto Zaria for two. Zaria broke free with an elbow and she didn’t want to tag out. Zaria hit a body slam on M, but then Heather landed on top of Zaria because of M doing a move. M hit a double knee attack on Zaria for two. Zaria and M did a double clotheslines, so Ruca tagged in against Heather. Ruca kicked Heather and Ruca hit a missile dropkick. Ruca hit a knee on Heather for two. Heather got an inside cradle on Ruca for two. M got the tag and hit a superkick while Ruca was against the ropes. Heather hit a moonsault off the top and M went for a moonsault off the top, but Ruca moved. Ruca hit a springboard clothesline, Zaria tagged herself in and Sol & Zaria argued. Zaria and Ruca hit a double Spear on both opponents. The Personal Concierge got on the apron, Zaria lifted up M, Ash pulled Heather out of the ring, M slipped out of Zaria’s hand and Sol hit a Soul Snatcher on Zaria by accident. Ash sent Ruca into the steel steps. Heather hit a double foot stomp on Zaria while Ash held Zaria and Heather covered for the win after 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Elegance Brand – Heather & M By Elegance
Analysis: *** There was a lot going on in that match and it turned out to be pretty good by the end. The story was about Zaria wanting to do things on her own, so she refused to tag in Ruca, who was frustrated by how Zaria was acting. The finish played right into the story with Ruca accidentally hitting Zaria with the Soul Snatcher to cost the team the match. Heather and M played their roles well as the heel champions who capitalized to get the win.
After the match, TNA’s Daria Rae handed The Elegance Brand their titles. Zaria and Sol Ruca were frustrated in the ring.
Analysis: I assume Zaria’s heel turn is happening soon. The story is calling for it, that’s for sure.
Ethan Page spoke to The Vanity Project in the locker room. Page talked about how The Vanity Project listens to his advice while Myles Borne doesn’t listen to him. Page said that all you have to do is whatever it takes to win. Page told Jackson Drake not to rush into anything and to pick your moments very carefully. Drake said he’s got him. Page left.
A commercial aired for the WWE 2K26 video game with CM Punk on the cover.
(Commercial)
A video was shown of Jaida Parker hanging out with fans outside the arena before the show. Blake Monroe attacked Parker with punches. Blake won the fight since it was a cheap attack. Security separated the two women.
Chase U – Kale Dixon & Urijah Connors (w/Andre Chase) vs. Lexis King & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (w/Arianna Grace)
The babyface team of Dixon and Connors made some quick tags as they worked over Stacks, with Dixon hitting an armbar. King did a cheapshot knee to Dixon’s back. Stacks hit a belly-to-back suplex. Dixon broke free to bring in Connors with kicks for Stacks, and Connors hit a spin kick on Stacks. Connors hit a DDT on Stacks. King nailed Connors with a superkick. King clotheslined Connors against the turnbuckle. Connors punched Stacks and hit him with a chop. Dixon tagged in with a clothesline on Stacks and a hard chop to King’s back. Dixon kicked Stacks and punched King on the apron. Dixon jumped off the top with a moonsault, but Stacks got his feet up to block. King clotheslined Dixon in the back. King hit The Coronation on Dixon for the pinfall win after about 4 minutes. Connors was watching on the apron while Chase was wondering why Connors didn’t make the save.
Winners by pinfall: Lexis King & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
Analysis: **1/2 They wrestled at a fast pace, and the story was that Connors could have saved Dixon at the end, but he chose not to. I’m fine with the result because the King/Stacks team should keep getting wins to establish their group.
After the match, Urijah Connors left the Chase U guys in the ring. Connors walked to the back right after Lexis King and friends.
Analysis: It looks like Urijah Connors (son of Fit Finlay) is going to join the group of wrestlers with parents in the business, along with Lexis King (son of Brian Pillman) and Arianna Grace (son of Santino), who is engaged to Stacks.
Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence were shown walking backstage for a promo up next.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Jacy Jayne with Fatal Influence
The Fatal Influence trio of NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid were in the ring for a promo. Jayne said that her appearance in the Women’s Royal Rumble was long overdue. Jayne said it was going exactly the way she pictured it would, and she even threw Kelani Jordan over the top. Jayne claimed the crowd was chanting her name. Jayne said that everything was going absolutely perfect, until Sol Ruca cheapshotted her and threw her over the top rope. Jayne said that while she’s been carrying this division, all everybody wants to talk about is Sol Ruca. That led to the fans singing for Sol Ruca. Jayne said she was a better double champion than Ruca was. Jayne said at the end of the day, all she has to do is kill the hype.
Zaria interrupted, saying that Jayne thinks she can stick her lap dogs on her and that would take care of Zaria. Zaria said that you should be worrying about her, not Ruca. Jayne said there’s a reason that Zaria doesn’t get any opportunities. Jayne said that people tolerate Zaria while they love Sol.
Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair interrupted the promo. Grey said that Jayne can act like she’s onto the next best thing, but it took all three of them to beat Grey, so of course, Grey wants to run it back. Grey said she used to ask herself if she was ready. Grey now she asks if she’ll pin her or tap her out. Zaria told Grey to get out of her way. Wren and Grey insulted Zaria.
Sol Ruca walked out, saying that they should chill out. Ruca said they all want a shot at that NXT Women’s Title. Ruca said that Grey and Wren are still friends. Zaria complained about Sol sneaking off to the Rumble. Jayne said that they can figure this out in their couples therapy.
The interim NXT GM, Robert Stone, walked to book a match. Stone said that Wren & Kendal will team up against Sol & Zaria next week. Whoever gets the win for their team will challenge Jayne for the NXT Women’s Title in Atlanta in 3 weeks’ time. Jayne held up her title.
Analysis: That was a long promo party to set up a tag team match for next week. I thought it was going to be a Ruca-Zaria-Grey three-way, but instead it’s a tag team match, which is fine. The whole thing took way too long to get through, in my opinion, but most of the promo work was fine. Zaria turning on Ruca in the tag team match makes sense, which could lead to Wren or Grey getting the win to earn a title shot. Grey winning is more likely, but Wren winning would be a fun upset.
Kelani Jordan was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid backstage. Kelly asked about Jordan attacking Loal Vice and Jordan asked how can Vice knock anybody out anymore when Jordan broke her hand? Jordan smiled and left.
Ricky Saints made his entrance for the main event ladder match. There were more entrances during the break for some fans, including Sean Legacy, Dion Lennox, the Evolve Champion Jackson Drake, Shiloh Hill, and Keanu Carver.
Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey spoke backstage with Charlie Dempsey listening to them. Charlie said that they are in a good post, but he wishes he could say the same thing about the Speed Title. Lexis King and friends (including Urijah Connors) asked Charlie if he had given some thought to what they talked about. The camera cut away.
Analysis: Charlie Dempsey is the son of William Regal, so he fits in the group.
Next week on NXT:
* Kelani Jordan vs. Blake Monroe
* Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey
The entrance of Joe Hendry was shown when the show returned from a break for some fans. Joe got a big pop with the fans singing his song as usual.
NXT Championship Ladder Match: Ricky Saints vs. Sean Legacy vs. Dion Lennox vs. Jackson Drake vs. Shilo Hill vs. Keanu Carver vs. Joe Hendry
There were about 24 minutes left in the show, so it’s going to be a long match. The NXT Title was hanging above the ring. To win the match, a wrestler has to climb a ladder and retrieve the NXT Title.
The ring was cleared quickly and Carver hit a couple of slams on the ladder on the mat. Carver also took a back body drop onto a title. Ricky hit a Spear on Joe. Ricky hit a Tornado DDT on Hill and Dion at the same time. Ricky sent Legacy into a ladder against the turnbuckle. Joe hit Ricky, Legacy and Carver with a ladder. Drake knocked down Joe in the ring. Drake sent Joe into the ladder. Drake reached up for the title, but Joe flipped the ladder over. Joe gave Drake a Powerbomb over the top onto a few guys on the floor. Joe did his high jump-style leap over the top onto a few guys on the floor. They went on a break as the action continued. Joe tried to climb, but Carver stopped him. Joe and Carver exchanged strikes until Carver sent Joe into the ladder. Joe picked up Carver for a slam, but Carver sent Joe into a ladder to knock Drake down. Carver did a slow climb, and Joe pulled him down. Joe avoided a charging Carver, so Carver hit a shoulder tackle into the turnbuckle. Drake shoved a ladder over to knock Dion and Joe down. Ricky was back in to pull Drake down and he punched Drake. Legacy went after Ricky, but Drake and Legay worked together to kick Ricky out of the ring. Legacy caught Drake and hit a Spanish Fly slam.
Legacy hit a jumping kick on Drake against the turnbuckle and Legacy hit a Sliced Bread neckbreaker on Dion as well. Drake and Legacy kept fighting about who was going to climb. Hill used a broken ladder to walk across the ring as if they were stilts. Hill knocked Legacy and Drake down. Carver put Hill on his shoulders and Dion jumped off the top with a Doomsday Device. Dion clotheslined Carver out and hit a body slam on another guy. Dion gave Ricky a spinebuster onto a ladder. Joe was back in to pull Dion down and Joe gave Dion a Standing Ovation on a ladder. Drake was back in with a kick on Joe. Drake hit a double knee attack to the ribs. Drake hit a swanton to the back. Drake did a slow climb, touched the title and then Ricky stopped the climb. Carver caught Drake and Drake hit a hurricanrana to send Carver out of the ring. Drake hit a twisting moonsault onto a few guys on the floor and some of them bumped even though they were weren’t touched. The show went to a break as I needed a bathroom break. When I came back, Hill and Dion hit a double clothesline and everybody else was down on the floor. Dion shoved Hill down to knock him down in the ring.
There were about 10 minutes left in the show as Hill fought with Legacy during a ladder climb attempt. Carver used a ladder to knock four guys down on the floor. Hill hit a cannonball onto Carver on the floor. Hill threw his teeth on the ground and kicked Carver. Hill slammed a ladder onto Carver three times. The other wrestlers tossed ladders onto Carver on the floor. Hill went into the ring with a ladder that he used to hit the other guys while the ladder was on Hill’s shoulders. Drake hit Hill with a ladder to the back. Drake hit a knee smash on Hill. Legacy superkicked Drake onto a ladder bridge. Legacy hit a 450 Splash off the top onto Drake on the ladder. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Dion and Legacy exchanged punches at the top of a ladder. Legacy snapped Dion’s fingers. Dion bit Legacy’s hand. Drake and Hill climbed another ladder in the ring. Dion punched everybody from the ladders to knock them down. Joe was back in to stop Dion and Joe hit him with some chops. Joe sent Dion into the ladder two times. Joe pulled Dion out of the ring and threw Dion into the ring post. Carver emerged from under the ladder pile. Carver hit Joe with a ladder and pounced Drake into the crowd. Carver hit Hill into the barricade. Carver tackled Legacy into the wooden panel under the platform in the building. Carver and Ricky climbed up a ladder side by side. Ricky kicked Carver off the ladder and Carver bumped onto a ladder that was bridged from the apron to the commentary table. Ricky was posing on the ladder. Hendry was on the opposite side and Hendry grabbed the title, but Ricky also grabbed the title. Ricky and Joe took turns trying to grab the title. Joe hit Ricky with the title in the head and Ricky bumped off the ladder onto another ladder on the floor. Joe Hendry retrieved the NXT Title to become the new champion! It went about 23 minutes.
Winner AND NEW NXT Champion: Joe Hendry
Analysis: ***3/4 It was a really good match. I think it was maybe a notch below where I’d call it great, but I enjoyed it a lot. I liked the story throughout the match about how they were trying to slow down Carver, then he went on a rampage and almost won until Ricky outsmarted. The finish was good because there was drama behind who was going to knock the other guy down, so to see the babyface Joe get the win over Ricky should be seen as a big deal. I thought Legacy, Hill, Drake and Lennox all had moments to shine too. The fans were really into it too, so that makes it easier. As for Hendry winning, I like it. Saints was my pick to win, but I certainly don’t mind Hendry winning. I’m happy for Joe.
Joe Hendry celebrated with the NXT Title. Vic was talking about the match while Booker was singing Hendry’s song. They showed some replays of the key spots in the match. Joe Hendry remained on the ladder and posed with the NXT Title some more. That was the end of the show.
RAISE YOUR HANDS 🙌@joehendry is the NEW NXT CHAMPION! pic.twitter.com/ccGF7UaWch
— WWE (@WWE) February 4, 2026
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Three Stars of the Show
- Joe Hendry
- Ricky Saints, Keanu Carver
- Izzi Dame, Thea Hail and Lola Vice
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7 out of 10
Last week: 6.5
2026 Average: 7
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
A solid show overall. Obviously, the 7-man Ladder Match main event was a big boost to the show and Joe Hendry leaving with the NXT Title makes the fans happy. I liked the match quite a bit. Other matches and promos were fine, but that main event really carried the episode.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email [email protected]
Twitter/X @johnreport
