By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)
NXT TV
Orlando, Florida, at the WWE Performance Center
Aired live September 8, 2026, on The CW Network
[Hour One] Arrival shots were shown of Saquon Shugars, Mason Rook, Tony D’Angelo, Keanu Carver, Cruz Montana, and EK Prosper…
Vic Joseph and Booker T were on commentary. Mike Rome was the ring announcer…
Jaida Parker and Thea Hail were chatting backstage, with Hail wishing Jaida good luck. Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan made their separate entrances. Mike Rome handled the formal in-ring championship match introductions…
1. Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker for the NXT Women’s Championship. Jaida dominated the early collar and elbow. Jaida got a one count after leaping over Kelani. Both women traded rapid rollups. Jaida reversed a huracanrana into a power bomb for a nearfall.[c]
Back from break, Kelani was dominating with methodical offense. Jaida shoved Kelani off the top rope and hit her with a Super Ruff Ryder. Both women traded fatigued strikes, with Jaida eventually dominating with consecutive clotheslines. Jaida yanked Kelani off the top rope and hit her with a Blockbuster and Falcon Arrow for a good nearfall. Kelani rolled up Jaida for a two count. Jaida reversed a crossbody into a two count.
Jaida locked Kelani in a Rings of Saturn. Kelani broke the hold with a pin attempt. Jaida set up Kelani in the corner and went for her signature draping Banzai Drop, but Kelani reversed that into a draping leg drop. Lani hit Jaida at ringside with an Asai Moonsault. Jaida dodged a 450 and hit Lani with a Samoan Drop. Jaida hit Lani with her signature High Step Banzai Drop. Kelani used a rollup to send the back of Jaida’s neck into the middle buckle. Kelani hit Jaida with One of a Kind for a victory.
Kelani Jordan defeated Jaida Parker via pinfall in 9:55 to retain the NXT Women’s Championship.
Wren Sinclair ran out in casual clothing to beat up Kelani Jordan. Kelani shoved the female referee to the mat for a post-match REF BUMP!!! Wren beat up Kelani with a Kendo Stick. More referees ran out to separate the women…
John’s Thoughts: A good showing by both women. I liked the storytelling Jaida showed here, and she has been putting on a good string of matches recently (it does help that she gets to work with strong workers in Nattie and Kelani). I really like Kelani getting a clean win as a heel. Her heel-ness can come from her bad attitude, but it helps to be a threat in the ring and a challenge for upcoming babyfaces. Interesting to see Kendal Grey’s little buddy Wren Sinclair rush out to set herself as Lani’s next challenger. Will she just be an intermediary program before Kendal Grey goes against Lani, or will they try to make Wren come off more than just Grey’s wholesome little buddy?
NXT GM Robert Stone was recording NXT ads in his office. After he was finished, he met up with Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar, who were arguing about The Creed Brothers getting in their business last week. Stone said he brought the Creeds back to NXT to boost the tag team division for the Dusty Classic, not to beat up people from behind. Noam Dar emotionally asked for a match against the Creeds, which Stone granted…
Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno made their entrance…[c]
Another Myles Borne car selfie promo aired. Borne reiterated that he only hurt Tavion because he didn’t want Tavion to backstab him first. He said he then heard Tavion’s next promo, where Tavion said he’d never betray Myles. Borne said maybe he deserves to give Tavion an apology. He then said he wishes he were there for Tavion’s match later today to give him his support. The camera then panned back to show Tavion Heights watching the selfie promo. Hank and Tank were with Tavion and wondered if Borne was being genuine. Tavion looked conflicted and said he needs to focus on his upcoming match. Hank and Tank hyped up Tavion…
John’s Thoughts: I really like that Borne was justified in his attack and has plausible deniability given how Tavion backstabbed him once out of frustration when they were feuding over the North American Title a few months ago.
The Creed Brothers made their entrance…
2. “The Creed Brothers” Julius Creed and Brutus Creed vs. Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar. Brutus was like a gorilla in tossing around Moreno. Dar got a blind tag, allowing him and Romeo to double-team Brutus. Romeo and Dar put The Creeds in Stereo Submissions. Julius broke up both submissions by body slamming Dar on Romeo. Dar and Romeo hit The Creeds with Stereo PKs at ringside. Romeo hit The Creeds with a Flip Dive. Dar hit The Creeds with a Triangle Moonsault. Romeo slammed Julius into the steel steps. Dar dropkicked Julius into the steps heading into break.[c]
The Creeds used their power and amateur background to cut the ring in half on Dar. The Creeds hit Dar with an impressive Backstabber Fallaway Slam combo. Dar hit Julius with a dropkick for a window of opportunity. Julius cut Dar off with a Bear Hug. Dar sent Julius’s throat into the 2nd rope. Dar outran both Creeds to bring in Romeo for a hot tag. Romeo cleaned house with strikes and suplexes. Romeo hit Brutus with a Missile Dropkick.
Romeo hit the Creeds with a Springboard Dive to ringside. Dar and Moreno hit Julius with a double Roundhouse into a Double Body Slam to give Dar a nearfall on Julius. Brutus dragged Dar to ringside. Julius hit Romeo with a Last Ride Power Bomb for a good nearfall. Dar kicked Brutus off the top rope. Dar gave Julius a Judas Effect. Romeo fell on Julius. Brutus broke up the pin with a Brutus Ball. Brutus tossed Dar into the barricade. The Creeds staggered Romeo and hit him with a double-team Power Bomb Sideslam to give Brutus the win.
The Creed Brothers defeated Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar via pinfall in 12:18.
John’s Thoughts: An awesome tag match. The match went longer than expected given that this was The Creed’s return to NXT, but I’m not complaining about the quality. Romeo Moreno is something special, and he has that JD McDonagh type of ability where him being in the match simply makes the match better.
The BirthRight were bickering backstage about Zilla Fatu. Charlie Dempsey cut in and said they should stop looking like an afterthought. William Regal and Fit Finlay showed up. Regal said they need to step up and steal the attention of the WWE. Fit said they need to follow up after they took the Speed Title from King. Regal said that he has history with Zilla Fatu’s father, “You Manga” (Umaga), and Charlie Dempsey is the man for the job. Regal demanded that his son either bring BirthRight Zilla Fatu, or bring BirthRight Zilla in pieces…[c]
John’s Thoughts: I loved Regal dropping in the “U Man Ga” line from his old WWE Raw days with Umaga. Making it like he’s about to read some Japanese comic books or something. Anyways, the BirthRight wrestlers still come off as jokes, and I would like it if they added William Regal and Fit Finlay as a regular part of their act, especially with Regal’s most recent on-air run on AEW (from a few years ago), including him doing some strong mic work.
Robert Stone berated Wren Sinclair for her attack earlier on Kelani Jordan. Wren yelled about not wanting to be thought of as a sidekick or doormat. She said she didn’t like Jordan taking out Grey as well. Stone said he has no choice but to suspend
Charlie Dempsey was in the ring for a promo. Dempsey said he’s been keeping his head down and mouth shut for years. He said he’s been underappreciated despite everything he can do in the ring. He said people don’t think he’s the most entertaining or flashy. He said he’s been more substance over style instead of doing all the flips people like. He said at least he can look at himself in the mirror and know that he hasn’t sold out. He said he doesn’t play the game like people in the back do.
Dempsey said when BirthRight approached him, the offer was too good to pass up. He said they want to mold this business into what it should be. He said he was supposed to show people who he was in the group, to show people he’s the best damn grappler in the company. He said instead of that, he and the rest of BirthRight are made to look like jokes and fools. He said the Speed Title was their last shred of credibility and was taken. Dempsey said he’s sick and tired of being treated like a joke.
Dempsey said he’s not going to sit here and wait until NXT takes him seriously. He said the back is turning their back on the real wrestlers and trying to mold a bunch of failed NFL players. Dempsey said no one can step up to BirthRight in the ring, especially Zilla. Dempsey said to be honest, Zilla has something BirthRight needs, and BirthRight can turn him into a superstar. He said they got off on the wrong foot last week, and need a fresh start.
He said BirthRight all understand what it’s like to be in their father’s shadow. Dempsey asked Zilla to come to the ring and do the right thing. Zilla Fatu made his entrance and said, “Hello”. Zilla said Charlie is mostly right. He said he is in his Dad’s shadow and can’t grapple like Dempsey. Zilla said he can rock this ish up. Zilla told Dempsey that he isn’t just one of the ones; he’s the one. He said he’s repeating his “Hello, Hell No” response from last week.
The rest of BirthRight came out. BirthRight had the numbers game and put the boots to Zilla. Zilla managed to smack down the male members of BirthRight. Arianna Grace slapped Zilla, which allowed Lexis King to hit Zilla with a steel chair. BirthRight all lifted Zilla and powerbombed him through the announce table…
John’s Thoughts: OK BirthRight! I see you! A lampshading promo where Charlie Dempsey is acknowledging that NXT has been presenting BirthRight as jokes and afterthoughts. Seeing is believing as to whether or not they’ll find a way to take BirthRight seriously, but this was a good encapsulated segment as to what BirthRight should look like. They looked vicious and serious here, but they can always go back to Lexis King looking like a corny ass next week. Let’s see if the Dempsey character can put his money where his mouth is. Dempsey has done some good cinematic promo work in the past when he was in the stable “Die Famille” in NXT UK.
A sponsored promo aired for Naraku. Naraku talked about how Shiloh Hill studying the origin of the mist is only leading him down a path of pain and darkness. Naraku talked about the different colors having different effects. He said Shiloh Hill felt the red and green mist. He said if Hill keeps going forward, he’ll feel every color and experience pain. Naraku said that darkness awaits Hill…
Jackson Drake vs. Tavion Heights was hyped for after the break…[c]
John’s Thoughts: I never expected we would get a wrestling feud over the chemical properties of pro wrestling mist spots.
Saquon Shugars was running through the game plan with his teammates Mason Rook and Tony D. Shugars called EK Prosper Simone Biles. Tony D pointed out how Saquon used to attack him with Dark State, and Mason Rook flattened Tony on Rook’s first night in NXT. Tristan Angels showed up to talk some trash…
[Hour Two] Entrances for the next match took place. Mike Rome handled the formal in-ring championship match introductions…
3. Jackson Drake (w/Myka Lockwood, Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes) vs. Tavion Heights for the NXT North American Championship. Heights dominated early on with tosses. Drake slowed things down with methodical strikes. Heights fired up after hitting Drake with a clothesline. Heights got a one count after a bodyslam. Smokes tripped up Tavion. Tavion gave Smokes a right hand. Drake dumped Tavion to ringside off the distraction.[c]
During the break, Booker and Vic were arguing over the location of the medulla oblongata. Vic fact-checked Booker and said it was in the brain stem, not the throat. Back from break, Tavion reversed Drake into an ankle lock. Drake escaped and rolled to ringside. Drake tripped up Tavion and worked on him with methodical offense. Heights tripped up Drake and Drake sold an ankle injury. Tavion rallied with right hands and a Superman Punch.
Drake hit Heights with a Bridged German for a nearfall. Drake gave Heights Muay Thai Roundhouse kicks on the Apron. Heights came back with a German Suplex on the hardest part of the ring. Drake got a two count after a crucifix rollup. Drake took out Tavion with a knee. Drake hit Heights with a 450 for the win.
Jackson Drake defeated Tavion Heights via pinfall in 11:38 to retain the NXT North American Championship.
Myles Borne appeared in the bleachers with Tavion Heights seeing him after recovering. Heights and Borne glared at each other as Heights went to the back…
John’s Thoughts: I like that we got another clean win from a heel to boost them and keep them from looking like an afterthought. A good step in making Vanity Project come off more than just pest frat boys. Jackson Drake has main eventer potential with his height and in-ring ability. He reminds me of a taller Adam Cole and HBK, which HBK seems to notice by giving him a modern-day Chyna. I’m also looking forward to the Borne and Heights breakup storyline as it looks to be heading in a melodramatic route. I appreciate the slow burn rather than the abrupt character shift.
The show cut to EK Prosper, Cruz Montana, and Keanu Carver going over their game plan for the six-person tag. Cruz kept the peace between rivals Carver and EK and told them to lock in. Robert Stone showed up. Keanu called Stone “my man” and talked about how he got Stone out of a jam last week. Stone was appreciative…
Zaria was shown walking backstage…[c]
NXT Women’s North American Champion Zaria made her entrance for a promo segment. Zaria talked about always having someone in her way. She talked about having a person hold two championships hostage in front of her. She said look at her now as she takes down everyone’s favorites. She talked about putting every bit of doubt to rest at Heatwave. She said there was a nightmare that became a redemption. She said she finally was the one holding two titles above her head.
She said the Speed Title was put in the past where it belongs, and she’ll be the most dominant woman this brand has ever seen. Izzi Dame appeared on the Crow’s Nest and mocked Zaria for calling herself dominant after one win. She said she’s not buying this facade Zaria is putting out. She said she sees right through the fake act. Izzi said that Zaria is becoming everything Zaria hated. Izzi said she knows there’s more to Zaria and she’ll expose her. Thea Hail made her entrance and said nobody gives a hell as to what Izzi Dame has to say.
Hail said she wants the championship no matter who has it. She said she wants to prove she’s not a one-hit wonder. Zaria said Hail will never be champion again because someone else is always thinking for her, like Jaida. Hail said Zaria is just jealous Hail has a real friend. Hail pointed out that Zaria hasn’t gotten over Sol. Zaria beat up Hail a bit. Hail tossed Zaria into the ring post and put Zaria in the Kimura. Hail ran around and was fired up to end the segment…
Myles Borne was looking disappointed backstage. Hank and Tank caught up with Borne and told him to apologize, face to face. Borne said he tried to but Tavion just walked away earlier. Hank and Tank said Borne was already gone from the building. Borne said he’ll see Heights next week to make things right…[c]
John’s Thoughts: Ugh. This was a fine enough segment with Zaria, but NXT has gotten very lazy in terms of setting up the next challenger to a championship. This was yet another one of those champion-in-the-ring segments where challengers interrupt each other. This has been a problem going back to the black and gold days, but NXT has found ways to be creative in setting up challengers at times. I think they would have been better off filming a vignette by Izzi Dame to rebuild her character.
BirthRight approached Regal and Finlay. Dempsey handed Regal Zilla’s torn shirt as a trophy for their hunt. Vanity Project showed up with Drake bragging about beating a former Olympian. Regal congratulated Drake and called him Sunshine. Regal said Vanity Project better be careful because BirthRight was on the hunt. After Regal left, The Creed Brothers, Legacy and DVD, and Dark State showed up, leading to a bunch of tag teams bickering…
Sarah Schreiber interviewed Kali Armstrong, who ranted about her recent loss. Lizzy Rain pulled up and pointed out how Kali stole an opportunity from her a few weeks ago. Kali threatened to steal on Lizzy. Referees cut in to break both women apart…
Mason Rook, Tony D’Angelo, and Saquon Shugars made their separate entrances. NXT Champion Grayson Waller made his entrance to join Booker and Vic on commentary.[c]
Vic plugged the two-night TripleMania…
The following segments were advertised for next week: Kali Armstrong vs. Lizzy Rain, a Myles Borne public apology, DarkState vs. DVD and Legacy, and a triple threat number one contenders match between the winners of this week’s main event…
EK Prosper, Keanu Carver, and Cruz Montana made their separate entrances…
4. Mason Rook, Tony D’Angelo, and Saquon Shugars vs. EK Prosper, Keanu Carver, and Cruz Montana. EK caught Shugars with a leg lariat for a nearfall. Carver tagged in and clawed Shugars in the head. Shugars rolled up Keanu for a nearfall. Carver caught Shugars with the Monty Brown Pounce. Rook tagged in and traded hands with Carver. Waller joked that Rook looks gassed already. Carver hit the big man Rook with a Samoan Drop. Cruz tagged in and traded hands with Rook. Rook hit Cruz with an impressive Gamengiri and side slam for a nearfall.
Cruz hit Tony D and Rook with a double cutter. Cruz hit Tony D with a DVD for a nearfall. All six men took turns alternating strikes. Carver and Cruz tossed EK into Shugars for a Frankensteiner heading into the break.[c]
During the break, Waller talked about how he respects Shugars due to training with him under Ace Steel (CM Punk’s trainer and buddy). Saquon had the ring cut in half on him back from the break. Vic noted that it was a “New Day” for Grayson Waller and wondered how Grayson is going to take his game to a “New Level” (Vic with the double reference). Rook tagged in and hit Cruz with a running Senton for a nearfall. Cruz rolled up Rook for a nearfall. EK and Carver tagged in to keep Rook trapped in the corner.
Carver, EK, and Cruz dragged Rook to the top rope. Cruz and Carver hit Rook with a Double Superplex. EK hit Rook with a Frog Splash for a nearfall. Waller said that it was disrespectful for the crowd to chant Holy Shit on the CW. Tony D tagged in and cleaned house with German Suplexes. Saquon hit Cruz and Carver with a Crossbody at ringside. Tony avoided EK’s moonsault and hit him with a Spear. Tony hit EK with a Dead to Rights Uranage. Rook tagged in and hit Tony D with a Backpack Cannonball on top of EK to give his team the win.
Mason Rook, Tony D’Angelo, and Saquon Shugars defeated EK Prosper, Cruz Montana, and Keanu Carver via pinfall in 12:21 (Rook, D’Angelo, and Shugars advance to meet in a Triple Threat for a shot at the NXT Championship).
Keanu Carver and Cruz Montana brawled at ringside. Shugars, Rook, and Tony D stared down at Grayson Waller to close the show…
John’s Thoughts: A fun television main event that sets up next week’s presumed main event. Of the team that won, it would have been smart to have Rook or Shugars pick up the win to boost them a bit, and they did that with Rook getting the pin and getting one on Tony D. Tony D’s a made man, so he didn’t need the pinfall. Tony D feels like the most likely to come out of the three next week to set up a singles showdown with the man that took the title off him. Shugars and Rook need more character development, especially Shugars, who has all the tools to be a top-tier WWE star. Side note, it was fun to hear Vic Joseph give the double shout-out by name-dropping both “New Day” and “New Level”.
I feel like, coming off of Heat Wave and due to Vic’s emotional commentary, that Cruz Montana is being set up as Grayson Waller’s biggest rival. No need to rush to that, and this match in particular kept Cruz and Carver out of the finish and into a program to keep them occupied. Overall, this week’s NXT was a HUGE improvement over what felt like a filler episode last week. Seeing is believing in terms of whether NXT is actually going to try to take BirthRight seriously, but at least for this week they looked better than simply afterthoughts (I wouldn’t be surprised if they fade back into obscurity either). Three strong in-ring performances stood out: the NXT Women’s Championship, the tag team match, and the NXT North American Title match.
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