The John Report: WWE NXT 01/27/26 Review
This week’s WWE NXT features more qualifying matches for the Ladder Match for the NXT Title, plus Darkstate facing OTM, and more.
The NXT brand is building to the 6-man Ladder Match for the vacant NXT Championship on next week’s February 3rd episode. More qualifying matches are taking place this week. There’s been a lot of roster turnover on NXT this month since some big names have gone to the main roster, and they are filling in with new faces on the NXT brand.
They were at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando for this week’s show. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport, and check out my NXT TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
Say his name, and he appears because Joe Hendry is in action in the opening match. However, Jackson Drake and Vanity Project were standing over a fallen Hendry. Drake had a chair as he stood over Joe. Ava, the NXT GM, said that Joe was attacked, so they had to move some stuff around.
Tony D’Angelo was shown walking outside with security by his side.
The commentary team of Vic Joseph and Booker T welcomed us to the show. Ricky Saints was on commentary to start and left when he found out a tag team match is opening the show. Ricky said he’ll address other Ladder Match participants later in the show.
NXT Tag Team Championships: Darkstate – Saquon Shugars & Osiris Griffin (w/Cutler James) vs. OTM – Lucien Price & Bronco Nima
Price hit a headbutt on Shugars early on. Griffin tagged in with a boot on Price. Nima tagged in with a hiptoss and OTM hit a double team slam on both opponents. The champs rolled out to the ring. Griffin hit a suplex on Nima, but Nima was back up with Price for a double team kick to knock Griffin down for a two count. Price hit body slams on both opponents. Nima was back in with a shoulder tackle and two suplexes on Shugars. Griffin made a blind tag and tackled Nima into the turnbuckle. Price went into the ring and tossed Shugars over the top onto James. They went on a break for some fans and I’ll take a break too.
The Darkstate guys were in control with a double team neckbreaker on Nima for a two count. Shugars hit a dragon screw leg whip on Nima to take the big man down. Nima and Griffin did a double cross body collision spot. Price tagged in with clotheslines on both opponents. Price chopped Shugars hard in the chest and hit more clotheslines. Price kicked Griffin down. Price slammed Shugars onto Griffin’s back for two. The Vanity Project went down to the ring, so Price punched Brad Baylor off the apron, and then Shugars rolled up Price with feet on the ropes for the pinfall win. The referee didn’t see the feet on the ropes. It went about 9 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Darkstate – Saquon Shugars & Osiris Griffin
Analysis: **3/4 The match was going okay, and then it ended abruptly due to the Vanity Project and the cheap ending. I don’t even think Shugars got his feet on the ropes for that long to cheat a lot. OTM should win the titles at some point this year, but it didn’t happen here, and that’s okay. Build up OTM as faces, and they’ll be more over in a few months.
After the match, other NXT tag teams showed up to fight, so it was Hank & Thank, Chase U, and other teams fighting all the way to the back. Shawn Spears and Niko Vance went into the ring to attack Darkstate. Vance and Spears hit a double team slam on Griffin and stood tall.
Analysis: That felt like such a rushed segment with a bunch of NXT tag teams involved. It was a way to show that Spears and Vance are coming after the titles.
A clip was shown from last week when Blake Monroe and Nikkita Lyons were talking in the locker room. Lyons showed support to Monroe, saying she’s known she has been through so much. Lyons said she’ll face Jaida Parker so Monroe doesn’t have to. Blake was surprised by it, and Lyons left.
(Commercial)
Jaida Parker vs. Nikkita Lyons
The fans were solidly behind Parker. Lyons hasn’t wrestled on NXT in 11 months. I believe she’s been on Evolve in recent months. Parker grounded Lyons with a side headlock. Parker hit a big clothesline for a two count. Lyons hit a spin kick to get some offense going. Lyons hit a split-legged leg drop on Parker. Lyons hit a big punch and suplex to remain in control. Lyons hit a sitout Powerbomb for a two count. Parker got some offense going with a clothesline, shoulder tackle and a spinebuster. Parker hit a hip drop attack by the turnbuckle, followed by the high-stepping. Parker hit her Hipnotic running hip attack and then a sitout slam similar to a Riptide for the pinfall win after about 5 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jaida Parker
Analysis: **1/4 A solid, physical match to put over Jaida Parker after she missed a few months with an injury. Lyons did hit some impressive moves. I’d like to see her more often on NXT TV in the future.
Blake Monroe was shown seated at home, saying it was an impressive win, but not glamorous. Blake told Parker she’ll see her very soon. Parker spoke into the camera saying you know exactly where to find her.
They showed Tavion Heights talking to Elio Lefleur and Eli Knight about their good matches last week. Lexis King walked in with Stacks and Arianna Grace. King insulted Heights, saying that Heights has squandered every opportunity. King said people like him and Arianna Grace have a birthright to be here. Urijah Connors (who is Fit Finlay’s son) was in the background watching too, so it looks like there will be a stable of wrestlers who are the kids of wrestlers. Anyway, other wrestlers stepped in to separate King and Heights.
(Commercial)
The TNA Knockouts Tag team Champions, The Elegance Brand, had a video message about how Sol Ruca & Zaria earned a title match against them. They trash-talked Ruca and Zaria by claiming they are fake friends. The Personal Concierge said they’re going to keep them forever, and the whole group said “forever” to end it.
Zaria was shown talking to Sol Ruca on the phone and asked where she was. Thea Hail walked to Zaria, and they both complained about various things. Hail said she earned her championship, Zaria wasn’t sure about that, Hail mentioned Sol, Zaria said don’t talk about Sol and Hail said that she has a problem with anybody who says she didn’t earn her championship. Zaria said she’ll call her later. It sounds like a match has been made.
Analysis: Sol not being there is likely because she’s in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, and on her way to Saudi Arabia for it. The WWE crew left on early Tuesday morning for it.
Myles Borne was shown walking backstage when NXT North American Ethan Page told Borne to do what he needed to do – win by any means necessary. Borne told Page nobody can tell him how to handle his business. Ricky Saints approached Borne, and Borne threatened to drop his ass if Ricky went out there to do commentary. Borne left for his match.
Analysis: I have mentioned before that I think Borne will likely be the one to take the NXT North American Title from Page. They have certainly planted the seeds for that for several weeks.
Dion Lennox made his entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
Ava was on the phone, saying she knows the Royal Rumble is Saturday, so whatever decision regarding the NXT women’s division is fine with her. The Vanity Project approached Ava, who said that Hendry is not cleared. Jackson Drake said they were just trying to make something happen. Ava said she can’t technically prove that they attacked Joe. Ava said that Drake can be in the Ladder Match, and if Hendry does get cleared, then he can be in the Ladder Match too.
Analysis: I think we could question the booking logic going on here, but in NXT, sometimes they do weird things. I’m not sure why they are doing an angle like this with Jackson Drake getting a spot like that and Hendry can be in the match too. We’ll see how it plays out, but it looks like both of them will be in the Ladder Match, so it’s a 7-man match.
NXT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Myles Borne vs. Dion Lennox
They did a spot where Dion hit a knee on Borne, and it looked like it hit him in the head, but Borne was okay. Dion got an inside cradle and more rollups for nearfalls. Dion got a backslide pin for two. Borne hit a dropkick. Dion splashed Borne against the turnbuckle for a two count. Borne jumped over Dion and got a cradle for two. Dion splashed Borne again. Borne came back with a running uppercut two times in a row. Dion was sent into the turnbuckle and came back with a clothesline. Dion clotheslined Borne out of the ring to the floor. Borne sent Dion into the steel steps. Ethan Page watched the match from ringside and told Borne he was doing great. They went on a break for some fans, so I’ll take a break.
Dion was in control with a back elbow to knock Borne down. The heel is usually in control during a break. Borne came back with a German Suplex for two. Borne hit a powerslam. Borne hit some punches and a dropkick. Borne hit a jumping knee to the jaw and a belly-to-back suplex. Dion tripped up Borne and put his feet on the ropes, but the referee caught it and stopped it. Dion did an eye gouge on Borne when the referee wasn’t looking, and Borne hit a clothesline. Page slid a title to Borne, Page distracted the referee, and the referee turned around to take the title from Borne. Dion hit a Michinoku Driver-style slam for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Dion Lennox
Analysis: **3/4 This was an even matchup the whole way. It felt like an average match. Each guy had a lot of nearfalls throughout the match. It was the second match with a Darkstate guy that ended in a cheap way, so it felt repetitive in that sense. In this case, at least it furthered Borne’s story with Page, and Lennox is the one who benefited from it.
Post match, Ethan Page told Myles Borne he should have pulled the trigger. Borne took the North American Title from Page and hit Page in the head with it. Borne stood tall.
Analysis: I was thinking that Borne could take the NXT North American Title from Page at Stand & Deliver in April, but it could be before that. They haven’t announced the Vengeance Day PLE in February, so I’m not sure if that one is even happening.
Tony D’Angelo walked into NXT GM Ava’s office while Ricky Saints spoke to Ava. Ricky said he’s going to address his ladder match opponents tonight. Tony asked Ava why did she bail him out? Ava said that NXT needs you. Ava said that guys like Ricky Saints and Ethan Page are only in it for themselves, but Tony knows NXT better than anyone, so is he in or out? Tony said that he’ll let her and everybody else know his intentions next week. Tony said it’s not the same Tony D’Angelo. Ava told Tony not to interfere in the Ladder Match next week, and Tony left.
Analysis: It’s been a quiet Tony D’Angelo since he returned in this vigilante role, so at least they have said he’s going to reveal more next week. I think Tony will probably be in a babyface role, and if Ricky Saints is the NXT Champion again, then that’s a potential feud they can build.
Tavion Heights made his entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
Chase U was backstage talking and they were arguing. Urijah Connors said that they have done it their way and look at where they are. Andre Chase said he’s gotta get ready for his ladder match. After Chase and Kale Dixon left, Lexis King showed up to tell Connors that he’s glad that Connors has been listening because his father (that would be Fit Finlay) would be proud. King said his father (Brian Pillman) would be.
Analysis: There’s another tease for Urijah Connors possibly working with Lexis King in the future.
Lexis King vs. Tavion Heights
Heights hit a belly-to-belly slam for a two count. King came back with a clothesline off the top. Heights hit King with a powerslam. Heights worked over King with punches and an elbow smash. King was near the ropes, so he tossed Heights to the floor. King sent Heights into the barricade. King superkicked Heights into the steel steps. King’s allies, Stacks and Arianna Grace, showed up to support their pal King. Heights hit a Slingblade. Heights picked up King onto his shoulders and slammed King into the mat. Heights hit a gutwrench suplex on King. Heights clotheslined King against the turnbuckle. King sent Heights over the top to the floor near where Stacks was. Heights tried a slingshot shoulder tackle, but Knight avoided it. King hit the Coronation for the pinfall win after about 4 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Lexis King
Analysis: **1/4 It was fine for a shorter match. I’m surprised there wasn’t a cheap shot from Stacks while he was out there. King hasn’t won a lot of clean matches of late, but if he’s going to get a push with a stable, then it makes sense for him to win.
Lexis King posed with Stacks and Arianna. King said that this is just the beginning.
Zaria was shown backstage getting ready for her match up next.
(Commercial)
There was an “NXT Origins” video with Finn Balor talking about how his time in NXT turned him from a wrestler to a superstar. Balor said that learning in NXT has made him more successful on the main roster. Balor called those some of the most important years of his career.
Analysis: Finn Balor is arguably the best wrestler in NXT history. I enjoyed his run. I liked that video.
Thea Hail vs. Zaria
The NXT Women’s North American Champion, Izzi Dame, was on commentary. The powerhouse Zaria knocked down Hail with a back elbow to the head. Hail came back with a dropkick to knock Zaria out of the ring. Hail hit a suicide dive onto Zaria on the floor. Back in the ring, Zaria slammed Hail into the top rope, and a pump kick followed. They went on a break there as the match continued.
It was Zaria in control with shoulder tackles against the turnbuckle. Zaria hit a knee smash to knock Hail down. Zaria jumped off the turnbuckle, but Hail hit a knee attack to the left arm. Hail hit a headbutt, along with two forearms. Zaria elbowed Hail to block a move. Hail hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Hail teased her splash off the turnbuckle, but Zaria caught her, and Zaria hit a belly-to-back suplex. Hail applied the Kimura Lock on Zaria, but Zaria got back to her feet and hit a back body drop. Zaria hit a Spear. Hail countered Zaria with a DDT. Zaria headbutted Hail. Tatum Paxley jumped on Dame on commentary and then they went into the ring. They went out of the ring on the other side. Zaria was distracted by that. Hail got a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! with her body on top for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Thea Hail
Analysis: *** Good match. It’s another match on this show with a chaotic finish due to the women going into the ring, Zaria was distracted by it, and Hail capitalized to get the rollup win.
Zaria complained to the referee about what happened. Vic suggested that if Sol Ruca were there, then maybe she would have helped Zaria in that situation. Hail wanted a handshake. Zaria slapped the hand.
Fatal Influence made their entrance as Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid went on the apron. Hail put her hand on Zaria’s shoulder, so Zaria hit an F5 on Hail. Henley and Reid left.
Analysis: That was heelish by Zaria, but it’s not like it was an official heel turn. It does feel like she is heading that way, though.
Keanu Carver was shown backstage because he is in action next.
(Commercial)
Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey spoke with Charlie Dempsey, who said they were impressive in their tag team match last week, but they lost. Wren didn’t like how Charlie was negative. Grey said that she thinks she can beat Jacy Jayne for the NXT Championship. Lexis King, Stacks, and Arianna Grace spoke to Dempsey as Wren and Grey left. Grace said that “you’re one of us.” Dempsey wasn’t sure what she meant. That was it.
Analysis: They were referring to Dempsey being a son of a wrestler – William Regal – so he could be part of that group too. Stacks isn’t the son of a wrestler, but Grace is, so I guess he fits.
NXT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Keanu Carver vs. Andre Chase
Carver looks like a badass and has a cool entrance that is intimidating. It is Carver’s first NXT match since signing after his Evolve run. Chase had a face guard on. Chase kicked Carver, but Carver came back with a clothesline. Carver tossed Chase over the top to the floor. Carver took Chase’s face guard off and rammed his face into the ring post. Carver hit Chase with a back elbow to the head. Carver hit a suplex for two. Chase wrenched the leg against the shoulder. Carver blocked a move and punched Chase. Chase came back with a Tornado DDT. Chase went up top and hit a cross body block for two. Carver bailed to the floor, Chase went after him and Chase tackled Carver over the commentary table. Chase was on the table, Carver got back up quickly and Carver slammed Chase hard onto the table. It wasn’t enough to break the table. Chase hit a running powerslam for the pinfall win after 4 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Keanu Carver
Analysis: *1/2 It was essentially a squash match. Chase got a few moves, but Carver dominated the match. I think Carver needs a better finisher. Other than that, I was very impressed and I think he’s going to be a big star.
After the match, Carver sent Chase’s head into the turnbuckle a few times. Carver exposed the steel turnbuckle, and Carver sent Chase into the steel. Carver stomped on Chase’s head on the steel steps. A bunch of officials and medical personnel checked on Chase to stop Carver from doing more.
Analysis: A cheap attack to put over Carver’s brutality, and how he’s a difficult man to control.
Next week on NXT:
* NXT Championship Ladder Match – Ricky Saints vs. Shiloh Hill vs. Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake vs. Dion Lennox vs. Keanu Carver (vs. Joe Hendry if he is cleared)
* TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships: The Elegance Brand vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria
* Tony D’Angelo explains his actions
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Izzi Dame vs. Thea Hail vs. Lola Vice
They showed Andre Chase at ringside and he was bleeding from the mouth while grabbing the side of his face.
Keanu Carver did a promo saying if anybody thinks they can stop him in the ladder match, then come see him. The other wrestlers in the ladder match were watching in the locker room, and they are up next.
(Commercial)
There was an “NXT Spotlight” video about the history of the NXT Championship. They showed some of the wrestlers who held the title over the last 14 years. Who will be the next face of NXT?
Let’s Hear from NXT Title Ladder Match Competitors
The ring was full of NXT wrestlers in the Ladder Match next week. Shiloh Hill said he liked what he saw from Carver. Hill said that a Ladder Match might be perfect for him because of how physical he is and how smart he is. Dion Lennox said that if you think you’ll jump him in line, then you’ve lost your damn mind. Sean Legacy said he’s been busting his ass just hoping for an opportunity, and now here he is. Legacy said he had nothing to lose because it’s the biggest opportunity of his life. Legacy said he can be crazy and reckless. Jackson Drake said that Legacy’s dumbass will choke. Drake said he didn’t even have to break a sweat to get into this match. Drake said he’ll remember to pour one out for the guy who had an untimely injury. Drake said you can be part of history to see him become the youngest double champion in this company’s history.
Ricky Saints joined the promo party with a ladder in his hands. Ricky did a prom from the ladder in the aisle. Ricky said that the view from up there is absolutely beautiful. Ricky said he sees potential and future champions. Ricky said that he’s the rose that rose from this concrete jungle, and he’s absolutely built to be the two-time NXT Champion. Carver said that you are all doing way too much talking, and we don’t have to wait until next week.
A fight broke out between the wrestlers. Legacy hit a Spanish Fly on Drake and tackled Drake out of the ring. Carver cleared the ring of Hill and Lennox. Ricky climbed the ladder and reached for the NXT Title, but here comes Joe Hendry, who ran into the ring. Joe went into the ring and hit a Standing Ovation on Ricky while Joe was selling a rib injury. The fans chanted, “We Believe” for Hendry. Carver was back in the ring with his running powerslam on Hendry. Carver stood tall in the ring while everybody else was down in the ring or on the floor.
Analysis: That appearance from Joe Hendry means he’ll be in the NXT Championship Ladder Match, so it will have seven wrestlers in the match. I think Ricky Saints will win, but having Joe Hendry win would be fine with me too. The promos in this segment were okay, but a lot of these guys aren’t that established right now, and they’re already in NXT Title matches.
There was another rundown for next week’s card.
* NXT Championship Ladder Match – Ricky Saints vs. Shiloh Hill vs. Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake vs. Dion Lennox vs. Keanu Carver vs. Joe Hendry
* TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships: The Elegance Brand vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria
* Tony D’Angelo explains his actions
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Izzi Dame vs. Thea Hail vs. Lola Vice
Keanu Carver remained the only one standing in the ring while the other wrestlers were down selling for a ridiculously long time. Carver looked up at the NXT Title to end the show.
Analysis: There is a possibility that Carver could win the NXT Title, but I think it would be a case of too much too soon for him if it were him. They need to build him up more.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Keanu Carver
- Thea Hail
- Dion Lennox
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The Scoreboard
This week: 6.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2026 Average: 7
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It felt like an average show to me. Not a lot of great matches and just decent storylines, but nothing stood out. There were several non-clean finishes on this show. It felt like a lot. On the plus side, the 7-man Ladder Match for the NXT Title will likely be good, and it’s not that predictable, so I am looking forward to it.
Regarding the absences of Jacy Jayne, Sol Ruca, and Lola Vice on this show, the assumption is that they will be surprises in the Women’s Royal Rumble match because the WWE crew left for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, and none of those three were on this show. I think Kelani Jordan is another one who could be a surprise, too.
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John Canton
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