By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)
NXT TV
Orlando, Florida, at the WWE Performance Center
Aired live January 20, 2026, on The CW Network
[Hour One] Highlights from last week’s NXT show aired…
Vic Joseph and Booker T were on commentary. Mike Rome was the ring announcer…
NXT GM Ava was advising security guards on making sure to keep Tony D’Angelo under control…
Entrances for the opening match took place…
1. “All Ego” Ethan Page vs. “The French Luchador” Elio LeFleur for the NXT North American Championship. Page started the match with a shoulder block. Elio did a kip up after a shoulder block. Elio eluded Page and pat Page on the head out of disrespect. Elio hit Page with a nice Capo kick and dumped him to ringside with a few huracanranas. A “oui” chant ensued. Page tripped up Elio on the top rope and then gave him a backbreaker on the top buckle.
Page took Elio off the apron with a Yakuza Kick. Page worked on Elio with methodical offense during the break.[c]
Elio reversed Page with a Backdrop. Elio weaved and rallied with strikes. Elio took out Page with a crossbody. Elio got a two count after a Final Cut. Page avoided a 450 and turned Elio inside out with a Pump Kick. Elio showed his fighting spirit and slapped Page in the face. Elio hit Page with a German Suplex. Page swatted Elio out of the air with dropkick. Elio reversed a Power Slam into a DDT. Elio hit Page with a Moonsault.
Elio hit Page with a Slingshot Dropkick for a two count. Elio hit Page with Coast to Coast for a good nearfall. Page blocked a 450 with knees for a nearfall. Elio reversed Ego’s Edge with a Rana. Page countered Elio with a power bomb and got a handfull of tights for the dirty win.
Ethan Page defeated Elio LeFleur via pinfall in 10:16 to retain the NXT North American Championship.
While Page was gloating at the top of the ramp, Ricky Saints made his entrance. Page brought up how they aren’t necessarily friends. Ricky congratulated Page and said that they are the glue holding NXT together. Ricky made his entrance heading into break…[c]
John’s Thoughts: A good first in-ring impression by the French Luchador. He starts out strong with a PPV worthy effort and the out with Page getting the tainted win (And Page doesn’t overuse tainted wins, so it means a bit more with him). Again, the key is always follow up. Give Elio some vignettes and we can maybe revisit this match at a PLE with Elio potentially taking the belt off Page.
A replay aired of Keanu Carver destroying the NXT roster at the opening of last week’s show. Ricky Saints joined the commentary table. Booker T got somber while recapping the segment. They then cut to an argument between Booker and Keanu. Vic couldn’t get any words out of Booker as a recap…
Entrances for the next match took place…
2, Shiloh Hill vs. Josh Briggs for a spot in the ladder match for the vacant NXT Championship. Josh Briggs still has his Spirit Halloween skull that he has attached to his jacket. Hill threw hands early on. Briggs came back with overhead clubbing blows. Hill hit Briggs with a twisting neckbreaker and diving forearm for a nearfall. Hill hit Briggs with a leg drop on the apron. Briggs came back with a sidewalk slam and standing splash for a nearfall. Hill came back with a Huracanrana.
Hill hit Briggs with a Flip Dive from the steel steps. Briggs came right back with a right hand heading into break.[c]
Briggs had control with methodical offense. Hill made a comeback with a double leg takedown. Briggs came back with a diving punch for a nearfall. Hill hulked up and returned fire with a right hook. Hill hit Briggs with a Pounce. Hill hit Briggs with a diving clothesline. Hill hit Briggs with a Standing 054 for a nearfall. Briggs hit Hill with a Big Boot and Chokeslam for a good nearfall. Hill hit Briggs with Underhook Suplex for a two count.
Briggs hit Hill with a big boot. Hill dodged a moonsault and hit Briggs with a Pop Up Neckbreaker for the victory.
Shiloh Hill defeated Josh Briggs via pinfall in 10:41 to earn a spot in the ladder match for the vacant NXT Championship.
After the match, Tony D’Angelo showed up and laid out Hill and Briggs with uranages. D’Angelo intimidated Ricky Saints before heading to the back…
Sol Ruca and Zaria were chatting backstage. Zaria was moping about Sol not being at ringside during her match at Genesis. Sol talked about how she was brawling with The Elegance Brand. Zaria argued about not being 100%…
Vanity Project made their entrance…[c]
John’s Thoughts: A good rep match for Hill who got to work a longer match. He’s still rough with a few moves, but that’s what developmental is for, getting reps and getting better. It still irks me that he has this goofy happy go lucky tooth gimmick after those eerie vignettes that teased a dark and more nuanced character. I’m surprised Briggs isn’t in the ladder match as they usually like him in those matches as he doubles as a high flyer and a big man “base”. NXT continues to be wishy washy with how the protect Briggs to the point where he’s going to need a Bradshaw to JBL esque repackage to undo the damage done to his current character.
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