Posted on 9/02/126 by Bob Magee
I could say a lot about NXT (and have) but one thing I can’t
say stuff didn’t happen at Heatwave 2026. When the dust
settled, we had new NXT Men’s and Women’s Champions, new-old
Tag Champions, a new North American Champion and new Speed
Champion (kinda). It seems like a full out reset of NXT
titles (except Lexis King who gets to keep his Speed Title,
simply because he wasn’t on the card).
So tonight we begin the Post-Heatwave era of NXT with:
Zilla Fatu, one of the people who did not win a title at
Heatwave. Fatu came down to the ring to take on his blood
rival— nope, he came to talk. Fatu grabbed a mic and said
that he expected to win the NXT Title at Heatwave, but he
didn’t get the job done. Because no one can let anyone
finish a thought in NXT, Tristan Angels (in some ridiculous
pants) came out and said that the NXT fans are bored of him
already.
Angels said that Fatu was the lowest end of his bloodline
(get it?). Fatu said that he didn’t like Angels’ attitude,
so maybe he should beat his ass. Angels said sure and they
brawled. Fatu went for the Samoan Spike and Angels bailed
from the ring.
-Scene switch, interior, Robert Stone’s Office Playset.
Saquon Shugars and EK Prosper were complaining about not
getting opportunities. Stone said they should both get to
the next level, but now that Waller is Champion he has to
figure stuff out. Then Keanu Carver came in to make his case
for being the #1 Contender. He asked Stone what he was going
to do and then the scene was over.
-Back from break, Myles Borne phoned in an interview via X
post, saying he took a big swing and struck out at Heatwave.
He then addressed Tavion Heights (who he attacked after
losing the North American title at Heatwave). He said that
he saw Heights looking to turn on him, so he got Heights
before Heights could get him.
Shiloh Hill vs Naraku
Oh jeez, all right. So Hill was hurt for a couple of weeks
and fell down a rabbit hole on tiktok about poison mist and
the different colors and properties of each. After a
miraculous recovery, Hill was about to become No. 1
Contender to now NXT North American Champion Jackson Dake’s
belt when Naraku appeared and misted him. Why did he do
that, you ask? Beats me, but here we are.
The bell rang and Hill caught Naraku with a takedown. He
smacked him onto the mat from a waistlock position and then
Naraku chopped him and hit him with a shoulder block. Hill
came back with one of his own and Naraku countered with a
throat punch.
It was here that we learned that Zilla Fatu vs Tristan
Angels is official for later tonight.
Back in the match, Naraku left the ring and uncovered the
announce table, but Hill followed him out and banged his
head against the apron. He threw Naraku back into the ring
for a flying clothesline. Naraku took control and hit Hill
with some strikes and clotheslines.
Naraku wrapped Hill up in a crossface while Booker T tried
to imitate what he thinks Naraku’s evil laugh sounds like.
Naraku suplexed Hill for a two count and then hit another
clothesline. Naraku grabbed a chinlock and Hill punched his
way out of the hold. Naraku hit him with a backfist for two.
Naraku maintained control until Hill dodged a corner charge
and turned things around with a big boot. Hill hit a
gutwrench slam and then a standing moonsault for two. Naraku
went back to the throat punch well and then hit a sit out
powerbomb. Naraku charged and Hill hit him with a pop up
uppercut. Then they both collided in a double clothesline.
Naraku then spit green mist into his hand and rubbed it on
Hill’s face behind the ref’s back. He hit a sweeping enter
the abyss slam, made a quick pin and that was it.
Match Result: Naraku defeated Shiloh Hill
-Scene Change, Interior, NXT Locker Room Playset. Sean
Legacy, Dorian Van Dux, Noam Dar and Romero Moreno all
discussed the new Tag Champs and how they should be first in
line for tag title shots. To sum up, they will have a match
later to determine who is “super” and who is “super duper.”
Romeo Moreno & Noam Dar vs Sean Legacy & Dorian Van Dux
At Heatwave The Vanity Project won the NXT Tag Team
Championship back from Myles Borne and Tavion Heights (then
there was some stuff with Borne, but we’ve dealt with that
via X). Hank and Tank had called next if Vanity project
lost, but the didn’t so, Dar and Moreno will take on Legacy
and Van Dux to show Robert Stone they deserve to be No. 1
Contenders.
Moreno and Legacy started the match with some rope running
and arm dragging. Neither one seemed to be able to catch
each other, so DVD and Dar tagged in to give it a go. Dar’s
speed seemed to counter DVD’s strength at first, but once
the big man god his timing down, he levelled him with a huge
clothesline.
Legacy tagged back in and scoop slammed Dar for DVD to drop
a cross body on. Moreno caught DVD with a kick through the
ropes and grabbed a blind tag. Dar came with him and DVD
tried to use Legacy as a weapon, but it ended up in a double
ankle lock.
Dar and Legacy fought on the outside and DVD and Moreno
joined them. DVD powerbombed Moreno onto the floor and he
and Legacy posed for a moment to reflect, while Commentary
discussed the Miles Borne/Tavion Heights situation.
Back in the ring, DVD got Dar up for a staaaaalllllling
uplex that he held so long, he actually handed Dar off to
Legacy to continue the staaaaalllllling. Legacy eventually
dropped Dar and got a two count. Moreno grabbed a blind tag
and Superkicked Legacy. He hit Legacy with a dropkick and
hit him with some amateur-style takedowns.
Dar tagged in and started working Legacy’s arm to try and
take away some of his power. Moreno and Dar prevented a hot
tag to DVD and Dar tried for a cover. Moreno went up top and
tried a moonsault, but Legacy moved and got the tag to DVD
who took out Dar and Moreno.
Dar and Legacy tagged in and traded kicks and strikes as the
pace picked up. Dar tried a few strikes and slams and
managed to get an armbar on Legacy. Moreno ran over and
suplexed DVD as Legacy broke the hold, leaving all four
laying on the mat. Everyone moved to the outside and Moreno
kicked DVD down the steps.
Moreno held Legacy so Dar could hit a double stomp from the
top rope for two. Dar worked himself up, but Legacy moved
and Dar ended up hitting Moreno with a backfist. Legacy went
to finish it off, but his knee gave out and Dar scooped him
up for a pin to win the match.
Match Result: Romeo Moreno & Noam Dar defeated Sean Legacy &
Dorian Van Dux
After the match, the Creed Brothers attacked Dar and Moreno,
laying them out and declaring their return to NXT.
-Scene Change, Interior, Robert Stone’s Office Playset.
Zaria was in there and decided that she wanted to retire the
Speed Championship. For some reason, all of Birthright was
there too and Stone told Lexis King that Zaria’s decision
means King’s Speed Title is now defunct. King seemed mildly
irritated and gave Stone the belt and then the left.
But that wasn’t all because Cruz Santana wandered in asking
if he could get a shot a Grayson Waller. Stone said that he
had to wait to hear what Waller has to say later in the
show, because he’s not the person in charge or anything.
Then Keanu Carver came back in and was like “yeah!” and then
it was over.
Aside: The Netflix commercial/time-kill music and video for
NXT is pretty much a sleep paralysis demon. If you’ve seen
it, you know what I mean.
-Back from break, new NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan
made her way to the ring in one of Trish Stratus’ old coats.
Jordan grabbed a mic and said everything you expect her to
say, she earned it, she’s the greatest, she’s under
appreciated, etc. Jordan said that she didn’t want to hear
the fans telling her she deserves it because they never got
behind her in the first place.
Jordan went on to recap her match with Kendal Grey at
Heatwave including turnbuckle demonstration. Jordan said
that she’s the only person to win the NXT North American
title, the TNA Knockouts title and now the NXT Women’s Title
on her first try at each. Then Jaida Parker came out.
Parker made Nattie tap at Heatwave so she feels like that
should put her next in line for the title. Parker said that
she’s already beaten Jordan, and she’s got her gear in the
back, so why not have a match tonight for the title? Jordan
said that she’s got her gear too so they should totally have
a match, but not tonight. They will fight NEXT WEEK.
Jordan went to leave but ran into Thea Hail who was coming
out for her match.
Non-Title Match: Thea Hail vs Evolve Women’s Champion
Nikkita Lyons
Hail danced her way into the Submission Match between Nattie
and Jaida Parker at Heatwave, making sure that Nattie
couldn’t rely on the damned numbers game to get a win.
During that commotion Hail took out Lyons, so now they
fight.
Lyons opened the match with a spin kick, but Hail dodged it
and landed a Thesz Press. Hail went to work on Lyons’ arm,
trying to take away some of the taller woman’s reach. Hail
went for a crossbody, but Lyons caught her and slammed her
to the mat. Lyons went to work on Hail, slamming and
throwing her around the ring.
She got Hail into a modified camel clutch and wrenched back,
bending her in half. Hail overpowered her and hit a back
body drop. She went back to stomping the arm and then hit a
blockbuster for two. Lyons caught her with a German suplex
though and then laid out Hail with a big right hand for two.
Hail tried to get Lyons in position for a kimura lock, but
Lyons countered it into a suplex. Hail came back with a Hail
Mary off the ropes and got the pin to win the match.
Match Result: Thea Hail defeated Nikkita Lyons
Mason Rook vs Kam Hendrix
Rook is mad at Hendrix for winning their last match, so they
are going to have a rematch for him to also be mad about.
Aside from that, I think that Rook just straight up doesn’t
Hendrix and I was more surprised that this match happened
right after the previous match without seven different
people interrupting each other before it got started.
Rook jumped Hendrix as he was entering and beat him from
pillar to post. He hit Hendrix with a senton, but missed him
on a cannonball in the corner. Rook rolled to the outside
where Hendrix sent him into the steel steps. Hendrix threw
Rook back into the ring for two.
Hendrix hit a splash and a senton while Rook struggled to
get to his feet. Hendrix went for a scoop slam, but Rook
countered it, but then Rook’s back gave out? Then Hendrix
resumed the clubbing and striking. Rook tried a suplex, but
Hendrix landed on his feet so Rook steamrolled him off the
ropes and began throwing lariats.
Rook hit a blue thunder bomb, but Hendrix kicked out at 2.5.
Hendrix kicked Rook over for a cover, but Rook kicked out.
Hendrix went over and exposed the turnbuckle. Rook then
knocked him into it and hit a back body drop. Rook landed a
Rookus slam and made the pin to get his first singles
victory in NXT.
Match Result: Mason Rook defeated Kam Hendrix
-Interior, NXT Interview Playset. Tavion Heights was
interviewed about the events of Heatwave. He said he was
disappointed in the loss of the tag titles, but hurt that
Miles Borne would think that he was going to backstab him.
The Vanity Project arrived to tell him that Heights only
touched gold because of Borne. Heights threatened to take
the North American title from Jackson Drake and Drake said
he’d talk to Robert Stone about it.
Zilla Fatu vs Tristan Angels
If you recall, this match is happening because Angels
decided he wanted to fight Fatu for absolutely no reason.
Angels got the first shots in, sending Fatu off the ropes.
Fatu came back with a headbutt and a splash in the corner.
He then hit a backdrop and ran for another Splash, but
Angels got his Legs up. Zilla put on the breaks and grabbed
his feet, throwing him to the mat.
Angels sent Fatu throat first into the second rope and then
dropkicked him into the corner for some stomps. Fatu sent
Angels to the outside and then dove through the ropes,
sending Angels onto the announce table. Fatu sent him back
into the ring and went up top. Angels grabbed the ref and
that distracted Fatu long enough for Angels to get a spin
kick in and send him to the outside.
Angels went to hit Fatu’s head against the steps, but Fatu
countered it and they moved back into the ring. Fatu,
bleeding from the mouth, took a suplex from Angels, but
kicked out of the cover. Angels went for a second, but Fatu
blocked it. Angels went around and Fatu hit a backfist then
some chops.
Angels tried a sunset flip, but Fatu countered it. Angels
tried a blockbuster and threw Fatu to the outside, trying to
win by countout. When it didn’t work, Angels pulled Fatu
back into the ring for a headlock. Fatu created some
separation and laid Angels out with strikes.
Angels hit Fatu’s head off the turnbuckle, but Fatu powered
up off of it and hit Angel’s head off of all four corners.
Fatu hit a slam and then a senton for a two count. Fatu
whiffed on a cannonball in the corner and Angels hit a
backstabber for two. Angels went for a superplex, but Fatu
fought him off and hit a superkick and then a samoan drop.
Fatu hit the Triple Z spike and that was it. 1-2-3 Fatu wins
his first NXT Singles match.
Match Result: Zilla Fatu defeated Tristan Angels
After the match, Birthright came out and collectively asked
Fatu to join them. Fatu considered this, and then said
“Hello! More like, Hell No!” Birthright tried to jump him,
but he got away.
Before we get into the “Main Event” of the night, there was
a shot of Grayson Waller being handed his NXT Title Belt by
a stagehand. Roman Reigns has been doing this in WWE too,
where he will arrive and someone will hand him his belt.
They really need to stop doing this. We all know the belt is
a “prop” but it should never be treated like one. If we are
to believe that people will shed blood for these titles,
they shouldn’t be something that gets held off stage until
they are ready. It devalues the titles and puts one more
nail in the idea that they mean something. Thanks for
listening, I’ll go back to yelling at clouds now.
-Interior, NXT Ring Playset. Robert Stone earned his check
by introducing new NXT Champion Grayson Waller. Waller came
to the ring to literally no ovation and earlier in the
evening was wearing an amazing t-shirt with a picture of a
sad Cruz Montana on it that was easily the best thing on the
show all night. Now, he was in a black hoodie. (sigh). We
just can’t have nice things.
Waller made fun of Robert Stone and Vic Joseph and said they
were welcome for being in his presence. Waller ran through
is accolades in WWE before saying that winning the NXT title
was the biggest thing he has ever done. He then thanked
himself for taking the “risk” of coming back to NXT to win
the gold.
Waller then asked who’s going to be the one to step up and
try and knock him off the pedestal. Zilla Fatu? Nah. Cruz
Montana? Nah (he then opened his hoodie to reveal the Sad
Montana shirt. yes!). Tony D’Angelo? Nah. Waller said he’s
in the ring, so who’s going to step up? You know who did?
Saquon Shugars.
Shugars said that he beat Dion Lennox last week in the cage
and he can do the same thing to Waller. Waller went to make
a comment about Saquon’s misunderstanding of how shirts
work, but Cruz Montana interrupted him.
Montana said Shugars might not be ready (rude) but Montana
is now. But then, EK Prosper needed to interject to say that
Montana had his shot and now it’s Prosper’s turn to swing
for the fences. Buy of course, Mason Rook needed to jump in
and say that he wanted in and then of course Tony D’Angelo
had to come out and tell everyone that he wants his rematch.
Stone said wee aren’t doing this now and then the Ghost of
Christmas Future, Keanu Carver came out and did Stone’s job
for him. He suggested that he make a six-man tag match with
all of the people in the ring next week. The winning team
will have a triple threat the week after that and the winner
of that match will be the #1 contender.
Stone was shocked that someone would have such a good idea
and said “ok!” Then they all brawled.
Grayson Waller was interrupted by Saquon Shugars, who was
interrupted by Cruz Montana, who was interrupted by EK
Prosper, who was interrupted by Mason Rook, who was
interrupted by Tony D’Angelo, who was interrupted by Robert
Stone, who was interrupted by Keanu Carver.
Hey, remember that Heatwave go-home segment last week that
was terrible and killed the last show before the PLE? It
wasn’t any better the second time around