By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)
NXT TV
Orlando, Florida, at the WWE Performance Center
Aired live August 18, 2026, on The CW Network
[Hour One] Highlights from last week’s NXT main event aired, featuring the NXT debut of Zilla Fatu…
Vic Joseph and Booker T were on commentary. Mike Rome was the ring announcer…
Vic announced that Zilla Fatu will sign his NXT later in the show…
Cruz Montana made his entrance through the crowd to the ring. The crowd chanted Cruz’s name to the beat of his theme music. Cruz immediately called out Zilla. Cruz said he made his intentions clear, he’s not here to fill a spot, but take one. Cruz said he made it clear he was going after the NXT title. Cruz said Zilla added himself to that list for costing him a shot at the title. Cruz said he doesn’t give a damn what the world is talking about Zilla, because he’s not letting Zilla take what’s his.
Cruz said he’s a proud Broiqua from the streets of New York. A random stagehand told Cruz that Zilla wasn’t here. Before Cruz can continue his promo, AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix made his entrance. Fenix said it was great to see Cruz again (going back to the Lucha Bros vs. LAX days). Fenix said he’s only here to see who’s challenging him for his title. He said he also doesn’t want anyone taking away his match.
Fenix said he has Cruz’s back. Cruz said he and Fenix have gone through hell and back in the indies, AAA, and TNA (no mention of AEW? I kid). Cruz said he respects how proud Fenix represents the Latino culture. Cruz wished Fenix luck later. Cruz said he’s then going to wait for Zilla to show up in the most dangerous place in WWE, the NXT Parking Lot. Fenix and Cruz dapped it up to end the segment…
John’s Thoughts: A fun crossing of paths between two longtime rivals over the years. As much as I disliked the Lucha Bros. as a tag team (I always thought Penta and Fenix as a tag team wasted both men’s abilities), LAX vs. Lucha Bros was absolute sauce over the years! Cruz Montana is a much bigger and stronger wrestlers these days. Rey Fenix is back to being his best self, a singles wrestler self. I wouldn’t mind this leveled up run-back.
EK Prosper made his entrance, dapping it up with Fenix on his way to the ring. Mr. England Tristan Angels was out next. Angels made sure to tell the cameraperson that he’s 231 lbs. making him a cruiserweight. Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar were out next. The current AAA La Parka was out last. Booker joked “I wrestled that guy”, and wondered how he’s still young…
1. EK Prosper vs. “Mr. England” Tristan Angels vs. Romeo Moreno (w/Noam Dar) vs. La Parka to earn a title shot at the AAA Cruiserweight Championship. Moreno and Propser started the match at a stalemate. Prosper caught Mr. England with a dive. Moreno caught Prosper with a PK. Moreno dropkicked Prosper to cause him to DDT Parka. Angels dumped Prosper and Moreno to ringside. Parka hit Angels with Muay Thai knees and a dropkick. Parka gave Moreno a flapjack.
Prosper hit Parka with a thrust kick. Prosper hit Moreno with an Atomic Drop. Prosper kicked off Moreno’s chest to hit Parka with a Moonasult. Moreno dumped all three opponents to ringside. Moreno hit Angels and Prosper with a High Fly Flow to ringside. Parka hit the three opponents with a Top Rope Triangle Moonsault.[c]
Parka took out Angels with a flip. Moreno took out Parka and Prosper with a Missile Dropkick. Prosper caught Moreno with a Tornado DDT. Angels dragged Prosper in the ring with a Suplex. Moreno broke up Tristan’s pin. Moreno suplexed Angels to set him up. Parka ran up the ropes and gave Moreno a Super Spanish Fly. Prosper broke up Parka’s pin with a Frog Splash.
Angels staggered Moreno with a kick. Prosper kicked Angels to the mat. Moreno fell on Angels. Parka broke up Moreno’s accidental pin. Parka gave Moreno an Exploder. Moreno kicked out when Angels tried to steal the pin. Prosper jumped off Moreno’s back to hit Angels with Ruff Ryder. Prosper hit Moreno with a Knee Plus and Moonsault for the victory.
EK Prosper defeated Romeo Moreno, La Parka, and Tristan Angels via pinfall in 10:28 to earn a title shot at the AAA Cruiserweight Championship.
Thea Hail vs. Nattie was hyped for after the break…[c]
John’s Thoughts: A fun spotfest opener. While they did say it was for the Cruiserweight title, Moreno, Angels, and Prosper were larger than your usual cruiserweight. That didn’t hurt though because it was fast paced and smooth action. Good mix of styles too with Moreno and Angels providing more of a grounded style to counter the high flyers. Moreno was the right person to take the pin, as he’s characterized as a “rookie”. One thing I hope WWE doesn’t do overall though is sacrifice their AAA talent to WWE roster members because that’s sorta been the trend on Raw the last few weeks to set up their big AAA show in a few weeks.
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