By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
NXT TV
Orlando, Florida, at the WWE Performance Center
Aired live September 1, 2026, on The CW Network
[Hour One] Vic Joseph opened the show and was joined on commentary by Booker T… A video package recapped the NXT Heatwave event… NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan was shown walking in the parking lot. Shiloh Hill was shown walking backstage…
Zilla Fatu made his entrance while being introduced by ring announcer Mike Rome. “Hello,” Zilla said loudly to start. He told the fans he was hoping to be the NXT Champion, but he just didn’t get the job done at Heatwave. He said it was crazy that he was in this situation and that it felt amazing to challenge for the championship. He said it was only a matter of when, considering who holds the title.
Tristan Angels walked out and interrupted Fatu. Angels said Fatu lost and ran him down for not living a life worthy of being a champion. Fatu said he liked Angels’ accent, but he didn’t like his attitude. Zilla played to the crowd about the idea of beating Angels’ ass. Angels said he would be happy to hand Fatu his second loss. Angels took a swing, but Fatu ducked it and cleared him from the ring…
Powell’s POV: I’m surprised they didn’t open with new NXT Champion Grayson Waller or new NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan. Zilla seems relaxed and confident on the mic.
Robert Stone was in his office with EK Prosper and Saquon Shugars. Stone said he would definitely book the Fatu vs. Angels match. They both expressed interest in getting an NXT Championship match. Stone said they were both under consideration.
Keanu Carver showed up and said Prosper and Shugars both made good cases. Carver said it looked like Stone was in a pickle and then asked him what he would do…
A sponsored video aired with Naraku talking about his match with Shiloh Hill, which Joseph said would be held after the first commercial break… [C]
A video aired that Myles Borne filmed while seated in his car. He said he probably rewatched what he did to Tavion Heights at NXT Heatwave roughly a hundred times. He said he didn’t regret defending both titles on Sunday. He said he took a big swing and struck out. Borne said he could tell that Heights was going to suplex him into the fifth row. Borne said he got Heights before Heights got him. He said he was naive enough to think that he could make money and friends in the business. “It sucks, man,” Borne said…
Powell’s POV: I like that Borne acted remorseful rather than just flipping the switch and going from nice guy to obnoxious heel. It’s probably a swerve, and I suspect he’ll become an obnoxious heel soon enough either way, but this is still an interesting place to start.
1. Naraku vs. Shiloh Hill. Both entrances were televised. Naraku had Hill down on the floor a couple of minutes into the match. Naraku removed the top piece of the broadcast table. [C] Naraku sprayed mist into his hand while the referee was focused on Hill. Naraku teased punching Hill, who ducked, causing the referee behind him to duck. Naraku rubbed the mist into Hill’s eyes before hitting his finisher and pinning him.
Naraku beat Shiloh Hill in 9:40.
Powell’s POV: Last night on Raw, a referee didn’t count an Ethan Page pin because he noticed that one of the turnbuckle pads was missing. Tonight on NXT, a referee saw green mist in Naraku’s mouth and hands, yet still counted the pin. I actually prefer tonight’s finish because it’s consistent with the idea that referees can only call what they see. The referees saw the missing turnbuckle pad and the mist, but the Raw ref didn’t see which wrestler removed it, and tonight’s referee didn’t actually see Naraku use the mist, even if the evidence was all over Hill’s face. By the way, one of my favorite parts about wrestlers being put through the NXT broadcast table (or it being teased in this case) is that we get a good look at Vic’s candy dish.
In a locker room, Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno spoke with their opponents, Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux. It started friendly, but they talked themselves into things becoming tense… [C] The broadcast team hyped Zilla Fatu vs. Tristan Angels for later in the show…
2. Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno vs. Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux. Joseph wondered whether NXT Tag Team Champions Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes were watching this tag team match or at a social extravaganza. With all four men on the floor, Legacy tossed Dar face-first onto the apron, and then Van Dux performed a backbreaker on Moreno. [C]
Van Dux performed an Asai moonsault onto both opponents on the floor. Dar held Legacy up while Legacy’s feet were draped over the top rope, and then Moreno hit a top rope double stomp for a near fall. Legacy avoided the double-team move that his opponents were going for, and it resulted in Dar knocking down Moreno. Legacy slammed Dar, and then Van Dux performed a top rope splash. Legacy went for a springboard 450, but Dar put his knees up and then pinned Legacy.
Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno beat Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux in 11:35.
Afterward, Julius Creed and Brutus Creed attacked both teams and then left them lying…
Powell’s POV: The match had some flashy offense. The Creeds attacking both teams afterward was a nice surprise. They’ve been WWE Main Event fodder, so it’s good to see them back in NXT where they can get more reps and make a difference.
Inside Robert Stone’s office, Stone asked Zaria whether she wanted to keep the NXT Women’s North American Championship or the WWE Speed Women’s Championship. Zaria chose the North American Title.
Stone took the WWE Women’s Speed Championship belt. Stone turned and addressed Lexis King, who was accompanied by fellow BirthRight faction members Charlie Dempsey, Uriah Connors, Channing Lorenzo, and Arianna Grace.
Stone informed King that because Zaria chose to relinquish the WWE Women’s Speed Championship, King’s WWE Men’s Speed Championship was now defunct. The BirthRight members grumbled, and King eventually said that Stone could take his title, but he could never take away their birthright. Dempsey said it was time to stop giving to the business and take instead. King said he knew exactly what to do, and then they all left the room.
Cruz Santana entered the office and requested that Stone give him an NXT Championship match against Grayson Waller. Stone said Waller would address everyone later.
Keanu Carver entered the room and said he told Stone that “everyone wants one.” Carver assumed that Tony D’Angelo would want a championship rematch. Carver said it sucks to be Stone. Montana said Carver had a point…
NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan was shown walking backstage… [C]
Powell’s POV: Rejoice! The Speed titles are no more. I don’t even care that Stone’s reasoning for eliminating the men’s version made no sense. Good riddance.
Kelani Jordan made her entrance for an in-ring promo coming out of the break. She said she was the most under-appreciated and overlooked standout athlete in women’s wrestling, and now she’s the NXT Women’s Champion.
[Hour Two] Jordan said people stopped talking about how good Grey is, rather about how great Jordan has always been. Jordan said fans were putting Grey in the Hall of Fame when she won the championship and said she was the girl who would revolutionize women’s wrestling. Jordan wondered what that made her now that she beat Grey.
Jordan said she and Grey had an instant classic, but Grey was in over her head when she slammed her face into the exposed turnbuckle. Jordan said she became champion while Grey was in the hospital dealing with vertigo. Jordan said Wren Sinclair would take good care of Grey, like the good sidekick that she is.
Jordan boasted about winning the NXT Women’s North American Championship, the TNA Knockouts Championship, and the NXT Women’s Championship on their first attempt. She said no one would outperform or overlook her again.
Jaida Parker made her entrance and joined Jordan inside the ring. Parker gave Jordan credit for earning the NXT Women’s Championship. Parker said Jordan wasn’t the only one who called their shot at Heatwave. Parker said she overcame the biggest thorn in her side.
Parker said she upped her game over the last four months and is championship material. She said she moved her focus to the NXT Women’s Championship. Parker said she already beat Jordan and challenged her to a match during this show.
Jordan said all Parker does is talk. She said Parker won her match at Heatwave and has upped her game, but she’s still a few levels beneath her. Jordan teased the crowd with the match before saying it wouldn’t happen tonight. Jordan told Parker that she doesn’t get to tell her when to defend her title. Jordan said she would see Parker next week.
Thea Hail made her entrance as Jordan was leaving. Hail joined Parker inside the ring. Joseph said Hail would face Nikkita Lyons after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: For what it’s worth, Jordan said she would see Parker next week. She didn’t actually say that she would defend her championship against her next week. They’ll probably make it official soon enough, but I thought I’d mention that just in case they take that approach. By the way, Jordan vs. Grey was awesome and is totally worth going out of your way to see if you didn’t watch Heatwave.
3. Evolve Women’s Champion Nikkita Lyons vs. Thea Hail in a non-title match. Joseph said Hail challenged Lyons for her title on the Evolve television show two weeks ago and would have beaten her had it not been for Sloane Jacobs. Lyons dropped Hail with a kick and then went for a middle rope splash that Hail avoided. Hail performed her Hail Mary senton and got the three count.
Thea Hail beat Evolve Women’s Champion Nikkita Lyons in 4:20.
Mason Rook made his entrance… [C]
Footage aired from Heatwave of Kelani Jordan pulling Kendal Grey into the exposed turnbuckle. Joseph said the medical team said there was a destruction of her vestibular system that controls her balance and awareness, so she is out for the foreseeable future…
Kam Hendrix was making his entrance when Mason Rook attacked him. Rook got him inside the ring…
4. Mason Rook vs. Kam Hendrix. The referee rewarded Rook for the pre-match attack by calling for the opening bell. Hendrix removed the turnbuckle pad, but Rook splashed him from behind into the exposed turnbuckle. Rook ran Hendrix into the exposed turnbuckle again and then performed a back body drop. Rook hit Hendrix with a powerbomb-style move for the win. Joseph noted that it was Rook’s first singles win in NXT…
Mason Rook beat Kam Hendrix in 4:35.
Joseph hyped Zilla Fatu vs. Tristan Angels… [C]
Powell’s POV: Why is there so little talk about new NXT Champion Grayson Waller’s segment? For that matter, we haven’t heard from The Vanity Project, who walked away with the NXT North American and NXT Tag Team titles on Sunday.
Sarah Schrieber interviewed Tavion Heights on a backstage interview set. Heights said he was hurt and confused. He said he lost the first championship he won, but he thought his best friend stabbing him in the back hurt more.
“The Vanity Project” Jackson Drake, Ricky Smokes, Brad Baylor, and Myka Lockwood interrupted the interview. Heights put up with their insults before challenging Drake to a match. Drake said he’d love an easy first title defense and said he would talk with Robert Stone about making the match…
Powell’s POV: Ask and you shall receive? Even so, I wish Vanity Project had played a bigger role in this episode. I should have mentioned it sooner, but John Moore and I swapped shows this week because he needed tonight off. So John covered Raw, and I’m covering NXT. Jake Barnett and I are also swapping shows this week, meaning he’ll be back on AEW Dynamite coverage tomorrow night, and then I’ll take SmackDown on Friday. There could be a quiz on this, so I hope you’re paying close attention.
5. Zilla Fatu vs. Tristan Angels. Both entrances were televised. Fatu dominated the early offense and eventually hit Angels with a suicide dive. Fatu tossed him back in the ring and went up top. Angels grabbed the referee for a moment, which distracted Fatu long enough for Angels to crotch him on the top turnbuckle and then send him to the floor with a kick. [C]
Late in the match, Fatu shoved Angels off the ropes and then ducked a step-up enzuigiri. Fatu superkicked Angels and then hit a pop-up Samoan Drop. Zilla hit the Triple Z (Superman Punch) and scored the pin.
Zilla Fatu beat Tristan Angels in 9:30.
After the match, “BirthRight” Lexis King, Charlie Dempsey, Uriah Connors, Channing Lorenzo, and Arianna Grace walked to the ring and tried to recruit Zilla Fatu. Dempsey said that if Fatu joined them, they could run the place. Dempsey said that if Zilla joined The Bloodline, he’d be at the bottom of the barrel.
“Hello,” Fatu said. “More like hell no.” Fatu dropped the mic and bumped his shoulder into King, who spun him around, only to eat a superkick. Lorenzo went after Fatu, who slipped away to ringside…
NXT Champion Grayson Waller was shown outside the building, where a crew member handed him the title belt. Waller wore a T-shirt that had Cruz Montana looking disappointed moments after Waller stole the pin at NXT Heatwave… [C]
Powell’s POV: Fatu suffered a bloody nose during the match. I believe it occurred during the commercial break, but I may have missed it. Waller’s T-shirt is great.
The following matches were announced for next week: Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker for the NXT Women’s Championship, Jackson Drake vs. Tavion Heights for the NXT North American Championship…
NXT General Manager Robert Stone stood in the ring and introduced the new NXT Champion Grayson Waller. “What’s wrong?” Waller asked the fans. “Were you guys expecting someone else to win on Sunday?” Waller said he saw Stone excited on Sunday because he now has a bona fide superstar as the face of his brand. Waller said Vic Joseph should be grateful that he gets to talk about him every week.
Waller said he’s main-evented Raw and SmackDown, traveled the world and wrestled Hall of Famers everywhere, and even won a title at WrestleMania. Waller said that winning the NXT Championship at Heatwave means more than all of that.
Waller teased thanking people who helped him, then said he’s the only one he could thank for his success. Waller said he made the choice to return to NXT and worked his ass off to get his body in shape. He said he put his body on the line to take out Zilla Fatu. “Goodbye,” Waller said.
Waller said his phone has been ringing off the hook. Waller looked into a camera and told Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis and Raw General Manager Adam Pearce that he’d get back to them when he’s ready.
Waller questioned who would step up and knock him off his pedestal. Waller wondered if it would be Zilla. Waller said Zilla’s DNA got him some early opportunities, but sometimes talent doesn’t pass through the genes.
Waller showed off the Cruz Montana T-shirt he was wearing. “Cruz, you’re really good, TNA good,” he said. Waller said if people want to find Tony D’Angelo, they’ll need two dimes and a shovel to find just how far he buried him.
Saquon Shugars walked out and recalled beating Dion Lennox in a weaponized cage match, and warned that the same thing could happen to Waller.
Cruz Montana entered through the crowd and spoke from the bleachers. Montana said Shugars might not be ready, but he is. He said Waller didn’t beat him three weeks ago or at Heatwave.
EK Prosper came out and said Cruz had his shot already. Prosper said he’s been turning heads week after week. He said he might as well keep swinging for the fences. Meanwhile, Montana entered the ring.
Mason Rook’s entrance theme interrupted Prosper. Rook said Waller has pissed off all the boys in the back, including him. Rook said they could get real like Waller talks about.
Tony D’Angelo came out and said Waller never had the balls to face him one-on-one. D’Angelo said he wanted his rematch.
Robert Stone stood at ringside and said they weren’t doing this tonight. Keanu Carver came out and suggested that Stone make a six-man tag for next week, and the winning team could then meet in a Triple Threat to determine the No. 1 contender. Stone said it was a good idea, but there were only five wrestlers in the ring. Carver said Stone better make the most important decision of his life. Carver entered the ring.
Stone agreed to a six-man tag match for next week’s main event. Carver took a swing at Waller, who ducked and then slid out of the ring. Waller watched from the floor as the six wrestlers in the ring fought to close the show…
Powell’s POV: Waller is a really good talker, and his first promo was solid. NXT loves having a new champion be confronted by a group of potential challengers. I like the idea of establishing who the top contenders are, but the segments feel heavily choreographed, and they take this approach too frequently. I still don’t know what to make of Carver’s character, but I’m happy to see him being featured more prominently.
Overall, a decent show, but I was hoping for a hotter follow-up to the great Heatwave show. I don’t feel like they did enough to emphasize how good Heatwave was, which isn’t always easy when companies act like every major event was a home run. I will be back shortly with our weekly same-night audio review of NXT for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Grayson’s tee I think borrowed an idea from Liv Morgan’s Rhea Ripley which I think she wore at Summerslam before taking on Io Sky. It works either way.
And speaking of paying attention, there is an Australian quiz show called “Have you been paying attention?” I’ll leave that there!
I knew you’d thrilled to death for no mas speed titles lol.
Also, am I the only one who finds the Aussie shoey thing to be repulsive? I was dreading that as soon as Waller won.
Great show hosted by Tom Gleisner. Sounded by dimwits sadly, Though Sam Pang is tolerable at times.