I’ve said it for years across social media, podcasts, and to friends alike — NXT was made for people like me. As a theatre kid who also played three sports, I appreciate that anything and everything is attempted, set to the tune of athletic competition.
With Shawn Michaels at the helm, you’ve seen people play cold-blooded killers and flailing, fighting fools in the same earthly rotation. But regardless of the week to week shows, Stand & Deliver, NXT’s WrestleMania, has always had moments that define a person’s struggle and stamp their moves going forward. I’d like to take a little time to go through each match on the card and pull out a few points that help explain where these folks have been, and where they might be headed.
Fatal Four-Way Match for the NXT Championship: Tony D’Angelo vs. Ethan Page vs. Ricky Saints vs. Joe Hendry (c)
I never asked, but I assume it was a bit of a culture shock for Page and Saints, going from a locker room with these world renowned, battle tested veterans to all of a sudden being the guys relied on to make sure everything runs smoothly as new challengers arise. To their credit, both guys have answered the call. Page’s North American Championship run helped a locker room figure out the do’s and don’ts of prize fighting, both through their matches and segments. Saints played a pivotal role in developing the big match acumen of NXT’s Urban Outliers (just made that up), Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Oba Femi. Tony D’Angelo, after an extended absence, has gone from mob boss to self-contained slaughterer, akin to Tony Montana in the “what if he survived all them damn bullets?” Scarface video game.
It feels like it’s his time, because it’s been his time since that Oba Femi upset. But well, one of my favorite NXT gimmicks, a goddamn MOB FAMILY, only has so much room to grow and places to go, so this is way more practical. One thing NXT did not do was wait too long to put the title on Joe Hendry (TNA, you know what you did!) and he’s been fun so far, but I don’t know if he’s the guy to face challenger after challenger the next few months. You’ve got a match with two tried and true vets, a super popular and otherworldly strong champion, and one of the most physical guys to ever grace the PC. I think D’Angelo gets it done here, ushering in whatever HBK’s vision of 2026 is.
Triple Threat Match for the NXT Women’s Championship: Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice vs. Jacy Jane (c)
From Mandy Rose’s strange exit to Gigi Dolin’s unexpected release, Jacy Jayne’s on her third real run in NXT. It looked like she and Dolin would be a main roster tag team for a while, but Dolin’s injury during the 2022 Women’s Tag Title tournament put that on hold. She’s made the most of her chances, and has been a solid champion in the wake of the Roxanne Perez, Guilia, and Stephanie Vaquer mass exodus. Lola Vice has really found her groove combining her MMA background with what she’s picked up at the PC, and to my surprise, has made a compelling babyface when she seemed to have the confident heel persona down pat. Kendal Grey might be the one, not the “new” one or “latest” one, but THE ONE. She’s taken to pro wrestling quickly and confidently, and she’s got a real chance to be one of WWE’s very best going forward. I’d expect Vice to get her run as top dog here, but wouldn’t be shocked if Jayne retains to continue to bring the next crop of talent along.
NXT Women’s North American Championship Match: Blake Monroe vs. Tatum Paxley (c)
Paxley’s the feel-good story of the year, winning the NXT Women’s Championship seemingly out of nowhere, getting ‘04 Orton’ed out of The Culling, but rebounding to become North American Champion.
The NXT crowd absolutely adores her in a way that’s personal and she’s succeeded at keeping them on her side. Blake Monroe came off of the feud of the year with the wrestler of the year and is still looking to cement herself at the top of the brand. It’ll be interesting seeing where she goes from here, specifically if they keep trying to ride that wave Jaida Parker exposed, or if like many NXT talents, they try to pivot her over to something new. I don’t really have a winner or loser here, but Monroe’s next steps are her most important.
NXT North American Championship Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Miles Borne (c)
At times, the weekly show can absolutely miss the mark tonally, but NXT’s done a good job at acknowledging Borne’s disability without making it the focal point of his character. The most important thing about young ‘09 Orton (sensing a pattern here?) is that he can GO. And without a true challenger to his title, there’s few better fits for a big NXT PLE than Johnny Wrestling. Storyline or not, it’s a chance to see Borne in there with one of the best big match performers the brand’s ever seen. I expect him to retain in a match that may just steal the show.
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Los Americanos vs. The Vanity Project (c)
“I love those kids” applies to everyone in this match, but let’s start with the champions. When you do tag matches on 2K, it’s fun as hell, but also just a practice in hit move, tag move in corner, hit move, tag move in corner, hit move, tag finisher, hit guy on apron, win. There’s not really a way to create what you’d see from The New Day, FTR, The Rock N’ Roll Express, etc. These Vanity Project kids are fluid as hell, they are picking teams apart and they tag at the right time.
It’s just a joy to see them work. On this show, they’re getting the chance to go up against two of the smartest, most enjoyable guys to ever set foot in NXT. This is that Revival vs. American Alpha type feeling for a guy like who just loves high stakes, high IQ tag wrestling. I expect baby Legacy (I should stop) to retain, and man this’ll be fun.
Singles Match: Sol Ruca vs. Zaria
The “will they, won’t they?” ZaRuca explosion finally happened, and well, I don’t really think anyone (Zaria, Sol, or HBK) was wrong. It was time to move on, and time for the two dynamic talents to go their separate ways. It’s not as defined as the TrickMelo Gang split (Melo was the man, and Trick was on his way to becoming the man) but it’s a chance for the big, strong Zaria and the athletic savant, Ruca, to show what they’ve likely been plotting out for months. I think Sol gets the nod and gets the hell outta dodge to add some fire to the main roster and Zaria starts her ascent as the woman to beat in NXT.
10-Person Mixed Tag Team Match: Hank and Tank, EK Prosper, Shiloh Hill and Wren Sinclair vs. Birth Right
There’s a lot to like here. It’s been fun watching Hank and Tank figure it out over the last year and change The Public Enemy without the … Public Enemy stuff. I’m still trying to lock in on exactly who Shiloh Hill’s supposed to be, but he’s been solid in his TV time thus far.
EK Prosper, the former Eli Knight’s been making his bones down here in Texas for awhile, so it’s a joy seeing someone you’ve watched shine up close get to showcase and show out to a wider audience. Wren Sinclair absolutely chews up the scenery every time she’s on camera and it’s been fun watching the wrestling catch up with the charisma. I’m not super high on the “faction because of my pops” deal, especially one this deep, but put Dempsey and Connors on my screen and I’m there. Should be fun and fast. I’d expect Birth Right to get the dub here.
What will be the match of the night on this year’s NXT Stand & Deliver? Let us know in the comments!
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