The John Report: WWE NXT 02/10/26 Review
This week’s WWE NXT features new NXT Champion Joe Hendry, Blake Monroe facing Jaida Parker, and more.
Last week’s episode of WWE NXT featured a 7-man Ladder Match main event that ended with Joe Hendry becoming the NXT Champion for the first time in his career. Joe knocked down Ricky Saints while they were on a ladder to get the big win. We’ll see how they follow up on it, and progress some other stories.
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.
There was an opening video package showing highlights of last week’s show.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T, as usual. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.
Let’s Hear from Joe Hendry
Say his name and he appears – it’s the new NXT Champion Joe Hendry. The fans cheered and sang along with Joe’s catchy theme song. Booker T didn’t sing the whole song, but he sang some of it after saying he would let Joe have his moment. The fans chanted, “We believe” for Joe. They had signs with Joe’s face on them too.
Joe Hendry said he’s the NXT Champion and he thanked the fans for believing in him. The fans chanted, “You deserve it” for Joe. Hendry said he had a moment of doubt in that Ladder Match, and he was on the outside in pain, looking up at Ricky Saints. Joe said he heard the words “We Believe” and the fans gave him the energy to get back up and climb the ladder. Joe said he sent Ricky crashing through that ladder and became the new NXT Champion. Joe talked about his journey in wrestling while mentioning things like being TNA World Champion and facing Randy Orton at WrestleMania. Joe said that we are just getting started. Joe said we are NXT and we are going to take NXT to new heights. Joe said that “We Believe” is not just a catchphrase.
The Vanity Project trio of Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes interrupted. Drake is the Evolve Champion, and he was booed heavily. Drake said Joe should be a motivational speaker or a podcast host, but he’s mid at best. Drake bragged about how good he looks, so the fans chanted at Drake to shut up. Drake said they were the ones who took Joe out because Joe disrespected them. Drake said that they tried to take Joe out because he didn’t belong. Joe trashed their outfits and not having a good plan to take him out. Drake said that they won’t take fashion tips from a guy who looks like he’s from a boy band that his mother likes. Drake wanted Joe to put his title on the line tonight. Joe said he had no problem kicking his ass and defending the NXT Title. Joe beat up the three guys with a fallaway slam, but then Drake hit a chop block. Smokes and Baylor stomped on Joe while Drake ran the ropes and hit a running knee smash. Drake held up the title.
Analysis: It sets up an NXT Title match with Joe Hendry facing Jackson Drake, which is fine because it shows Joe is a fighting champion. Joe’s promo was good as a babyface champion wanting to lead and elevate the brand. I thought Ricky Saints might be the one to interrupt, but maybe they’re saving him for after Joe’s match later. Drake’s promo was fine as a guy in his early 20s who uses words like “mid” that most of us normal adults don’t use. The Vanity Project are supposed to be obnoxious heels and they do a good job in that role.
Sol Ruca and Zaria were chatting in the women’s locker room about their match tonight. Sol said they have to figure this out. Zaria said that Sol has had plenty of opportunities and Zaria was frustrated when Sol said “if” Zaria wins. Zaria said let’s stay out of eachother’s way and win tonight.
Jaida Parker was shown walking backstage saying that tonight’s ass whooping is all about Blake Monroe, so if you want this ass whopping, you got one. Parker made her entrance with the fans singing “Miss Parker” for her.
A WrestleMania 42 commercial aired.
(Commercial)
Keanu Carver spoke to NXT Interim GM Robert Stone in the backstage area. Carver complained about Jackson Drake getting a title shot at Joe Hendry. Stone said that Drake confronted Hendry and Shawn Michaels wants chaos, so Stone will give him chaos. Carver walked away claiming he could create chaos. After Carver left, Stone wanted to say more, but then he was intimidated and Stone backed away.
Jaida Parker vs. Blake Monroe
Parker was aggressive early on and hit a German Suplex. Parker applied a leg scissors around the waist of Monroe until Blake got to the ropes. Blake sent Parker throat first across the top rope and a Thesz Press followed. Parker hit a forearm. Blake sent Parker into the turnbuckle and some forearms to the back. Parker wrenched on Blake’s arm by the ropes. Blake did a drop toe hold to Parker into the commentary table. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued and I’ll take a break too as the heel Blake took control.
Blake was on offense and even mocked the high-stepping that Parker does. Blake hit a hurricanrana out of the corner like Trish Stratus. Blake hit a dropkick. Parker hit a back elbow, a clothesline and a shoulder tackle. Parker hit a Samoan Drop. Parker set up Blake against the middle turnbuckle, and Parker did her hip drop attack, followed by some high-stepping. They left the ring as Parker sent Blake into the steel steps. The referee counted them out for the double countout after 10 minutes.
Match Result: Double Countout
Analysis: *** They were on their way to a pretty good match before it ended with the double countout. There was a double countout in the Nattie/Dupri match on Raw and now we got another one in a women’s TV match. Normally, when you book a finish like that, it’s done to keep the feud going and to set up another match, which might have a stipulation because it’s become a personal rivalry. They are two of my favorite women in NXT since they have well-defined characters with Blake as an arrogant heel and Parker as a likable babyface.
After the match, Parker and Blake kept on fighting. Parker set up Blake against the steel steps, and Parker hit a hip drop on Blake on the floor. Parker charged with a Hipnotic on a referee because Blake moved. Parker hit a low blow on a security guy, clotheslined another security guy, and kicked a security guy into the barricade. Blake got away by that point, so they had a staredown.
Analysis: It’s obviously going to lead to another Parker/Monroe match soon. I will guess that it’s Falls Count Anywhere or Last Woman Standing. Something like that.
There was an NXT Spotlight video about Tatum Paxley. I’m not sure how to describe the video, but it was like Paxley was in water, and she talked about her journey so far. It was about how Paxley was looking for something to complete her. Paxley said that this feud with Izzi is about clarity and finding the right mindset. Paxley said when this is over, she’ll be the Tatum Paxley that she was meant to be.
Analysis: That Paxley/Dame feud has been going on for a long time. I don’t know if Paxley will take the NXT Women’s North American Title from Dame, but it certainly might happen.
(Commercial)
Kale Dixon was backstage with Urijah Connors, saying that Connors left them last week when they helped Mr. Chase bring Chase U back. Lexis King, Arianna Grace and Stacks approached Urijah, so Dixon left. King and Connors talked about embracing their family history. King said there’s one more piece of the puzzle, and Connors said he’ll talk to him since their fathers have a history.
Analysis: Connors is the son of Fit Finlay, and they were talking about Charlie Dempsey, who is William Regal’s son, so there’s a well-known history between Finlay and Regal as allies and opponents. Both work for WWE, too.
There was a dude named the Wanted Man from the upcoming horror movie Psycho Killer in the crowd. There was a red light on him. Good luck with that movie, I guess.
WWE Speed Tournament Match: Josh Briggs vs. Eli Knight
There’s a 3-minute time limit here. Briggs hit a clothesline. Knight sent Briggs to the apron and hit a jumping kick to the head. Knight jumped off the top with a moonsault onto Briggs on the floor. Briggs brought Knight into the ring with a backbreaker and a clothesline to the back of the neck. Knight countered Briggs with a roll through and sat on top. Knight broke free with a superkick and a knee strike. Knight went up top and hit an incredible moonsault, where he got a lot of height, and his knees hit Briggs in the ribs. Ouch. Knight got the win at 2:05.
Winner by pinfall: Eli Knight
Analysis: ** It was fast-paced like most Speed matches. Briggs is more established, so I figured he would win. I don’t mind the upset because Knight is impressive. That moonsault looked rough with the knees hitting Briggs in the ribs, but I think Briggs was okay because the referee checked on him.
Eli Knight and Elio LeFleur shook hands in the ring since they have a match next week. The WWE Speed Champion Jasper Troy attacked both guys. Troy put down LeFleur, and then he gave Knight a Chokeslam onto LeFleur. Ouch.
Darkstate was shown walking backstage for a promo up next.
(Commercial)
Lola Vice, who is one-half of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions, was backstage speaking to NXT interim GM Robert Stone, who was icing her right hand. Stone said that Vice has a match with Kelani Jordan next week, and Vice said she wanted to have the match. A referee told the doctor and Stone to come with him. Jordan attacked Vice from behind and kicked Vice’s hand into a shelf backstage.
Analysis: The Vice/Jordan feud continues.
The camera cut to Keanu Carver in a different area backstage, and Carver was holding a weapon in his hand while a bunch of dudes were out on the floor.
Analysis: There’s the chaos that Carver teased earlier.
Let’s Hear from Darkstate
Dion Lennox said that they deserve to be in the main event. Dion said it’s only a matter of time until he’s the NXT Champion. Dion said no matter who is the champion, they are his target. Cutler James mentioned Tony D’Angelo saying threatening words in their direction. James bragged about how they destroyed Tony and his family six months ago and left him with nothing. James said that they are stronger than ever, while Tony is lonelier than ever. James said they took over NXT because they took out a pillar of NXT, and that’s Tony. Osiris Griffin and Saquon Shugars talked about The Culling coming after them, so they said some threatening words.
Shawn Spears and Niko Vance stood on the platform in the building. Spears said they are smart. Spears said they plan first and conquer later. Vance said that weakness is what they pray on. Spears said that Darkstate are the hunted and The Culling are the hunters.
OTM’s Lucien Price and Bronco Nima showed up in the crowd while Darkstate’s music played, so it was mind games from them. Price and Nima said they aren’t going to miss twice.
Hank & Tank arrived by the entrance. They said that they are going to take care of Vanity Project and the NXT Tag Team Titles are coming back to them. That led to a brawl between the three teams.
Tony D’Angelo was in the ring with a Spear on Dion and spinebusters for Dion and James. The fans liked that. Tony D stood tall in the ring as his ominous music played.
Analysis: There was a lot going on there, and it was hard to capture it all with words, but I did my best as always. The NXT tag team division hasn’t been very strong in a while, but at least they have four teams that were featured in that segment, and that’s a good thing for the division. Ending it with Tony D getting some revenge on Darkstate was a smart way to end it. Perhaps this whole thing was rushed a bit with so many people in one segment, but they got a lot done.
The NXT Champion Joe Hendry was shown walking backstage for his title match.
(Commercial)
Robert Stone, the NXT Interim GM, was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid backstage. Stone said that next week, it’s OTM vs. Hank & Tank vs. The Culling, and whoever wins gets an NXT Tag Team Title Match in Atlanta.
When Stone went into his office, Shiloh Hill was there. Hill wanted to talk about something, but NXT North American Champion Ethan Page walked in to talk to Stone. Shiloh Hill had a mask on as he left. Page and Stone talked about potential opponents because Page wanted one more win to set the record for successful title defenses of the NXT North American Title. Hill walked back in, grabbed his machete, Stone suggested Hill and Page said fine while Page was afraid of Hill with the machete in his hands.
NXT Championship: Joe Hendry vs. Jackson Drake (w/Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes)
Drake hit two dropkicks and went up top for a Swanton Bomb for a two count. Drake hit a standing Shooting Star Press, but Hendry caught him and Hendry hit a sidewalk slam. Hendry tossed Drake across the ring. Hendry hit a back body drop and a clothesline to clear the ring. Hendry sent Drake into the ring apron a few times. Back in the ring, Hendry grabbed a side headlock. Hendry hit a body slam for two. Hendry sent Drake into the turnbuckle a few times, followed by a delayed vertical suplex for two. Drake sent Joe into the ropes and then tossed him out of the ring. Baylor and Smokes sent Hendry into the steel steps, so the referee ejected Baylor and Smokes to the backstage area. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Drake remained on offense using his feet to twist the neck and Drake hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Drake sent Hendry hard into the turnbuckle for another two count. Drake sent Hendry into the turnbuckle again. Drake hit another neckbreaker for a two count.
The match continued with Hendry countering Drake and hitting a neckbreaker. Hendry hit a discus clothesline, along with a fallaway slam. Hendry went for a Standing Ovation, but Drake was able to avoid it, so Hendry hit an Angle Slam for a two count. Drake countered Jeo with a hurricanrana for two. Drake kicked Joe and hit a German Suplex for two. Drake hit a running knee or maybe a kick for a two count. Hendry countered a Drake move and Hendry hit a Powerbomb. Hendry hit the Standing Ovation for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Joe Hendry
Analysis: ***1/4 A solid match to give the NXT Champion Joe Hendry a victory in his first title defense, which is what I expected. Drake does a nice job as a heel, but I’d like to see him cheat more in matches. Drake taunts the crowd and tries to piss them off, which is nice to see, but let’s see some more blatant cheating in a match like that. Hendry only needed two moves to put Drake away, and I like the Standing Ovation as a finisher.
After the match, Ricky Saints attacked Hendry in the ring with some punches. Ricky hit a Tornado DDT off the ropes. Ricky posed with the NXT Title.
Analysis: Earlier in my review, I mentioned Ricky Saints not showing up during Hendry’s title celebration, but then I said I might save it for later. That’s what we just saw there with Saints doing the cheap attack. I assume they are building to a Hendry/Saints NXT Title feud.
Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair talked about their tag team match. They talked about how they are a team and they are going to get the win.
Hank & Tank made their entrance for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Darkstate was shown backstage, looking angry about what happened. Saquon Shugars talked about taking care of the tag teams. Dion Lennox was mad about Tony D’Angelo attacking them. Cutler James told NXT Tag Team Champions Shugars and Osiris Griffin to handle the tag teams and Lennox to focus on the NXT Title because James is going to take out Tony D’Angelo next week.
Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Vanity Project – Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes
It was Brand and Tank starting the match as Tank took control with a hiptoss on Brad. Hank tagged in to send Brad into the turnbuckle, followed by a leg drop on the arm. Smokes tagged in, leading to Brad delivering a kick, and Smokes kicked Hank in the head. Tank tagged in with a shoulder tackle. Hank and Tank hit a batting ram of sorts on Smokes. Hank sent Smokes into the turnbuckle for two. Brad tagged in with a running dropkick. The show went on a break, and I’ll take a break too.
The match continued with Hank getting the tag and hitting body slams. Hank hit a running forearm on Smokes. Hank hit a Bossman Slam for a two count on Smokes for two. Hank hit a spinning slam and a sitout neckbreaker for two because Brad broke up the pin with a top rope elbow drop. Brad tagged in, held Hank and Smokes hit a dropkick into a slam for two because Tank made the save. Hank hit a spinning slam while Tank hit a dive on Smokes on the floor. Hank & Tank did their double team splash. Smokes saved Brad from a move, then Brad hit a knee on Tank, and Tank came back with a clothesline on Baylor. The other teams, like OTM and The Culling, showed up at ringside. Jackson Drake also appeared at ringside and hit a knee to Tank’s head. Brad did a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! on Tank for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Vanity Project – Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes
Analysis: *** A cheap win for the Vanity Project boys, thanks to Jackson Drake getting involved. I figured that was going to be the result since they are on the rise while Hank & Tank aren’t featured much these days.
It was main event time as Zaria made her entrance first, and she was joined by Sol Ruca. That main event tag team match was up next.
A commercial aired for WWE Elimination Chamber on February 28th in Chicago.
(Commercial)
Sean Legacy was interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Legacy admitted that Keanu Carver was a badass, but Legacy was challenging him to a match in two weeks in Atlanta, in his home state of George.
NXT Interim GM Robert Stone was approached by The Vanity Project backstage. Stone said that The Vanity Project are now in the tag team match so it’s Fatal 4-Way Match.
Myles Borne approached Stone about Ethan Page giving a title shot to Jonah Hill. Stone said maybe Borne should do something out of character to get Page’s attention. Borne said he understood.
Next week on NXT;
* WWE Speed Tournament Final: Elio LeFleur vs. Eli Knight. The winner gets a WWE Speed Title match.
* Tony D’Angelo vs. Cutler James
* Hank & Tank vs. Vanity Project vs. OTM vs. The Culling. The winners earn an NXT Tag Team Title match.
* NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page vs. Shiloh Hill
* Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice
Analysis: That looks like a full show of matches for next week. The lineup is okay.
Zaruca – Zaria & Sol Ruca vs. WrenQCC – Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair
The wrestler who gets the pinfall or submission win in this match earns a shot at the NXT Women’s Title.
The team of Wren and Grey worked well together early on as Grey hit a dropkick and Wren got a two count. Sol hit a running splash on Wren, and Zaria tagged in for a double team attack. Zaria shoved Sol, so the referee claimed that it was a tag. When Sol went for a cover, Zaria pulled her off. Sol hit an X-Factor on Wren for two. Zaria made a blind tag and Wren sent her into the ropes. Wren hit a running dropkick. Grey was back in with a double foot stomp. Wren and Grey tried to suplex Zaria, but Zaria came back with a double suplex on both opponents. Zaria willingly tagged in Sol, which led to a double team elbow and a double elbow drop. Zaria yelled at Sol for going for the cover. Wren and Grey knocked Zaria and Sol over the top to the floor. Wren sent up top and jumped onto Sol and Zaria. Grey hit a moonsault onto Sol and Zaria on the floor. They went on a break for some fans, so I’ll take a break too.
It was Zaria in control, but Grey came back with an impressive DDT to counter. Sol tagged herself in against Wren, who hit a couple of clotheslines, including a running clothesline. Wren hit an overhead suplex and an X-Factor for a two count. Wren charged at Sol, who came back with a German Suplex. Sol hit a missile dropkick. Sol went for a knee, Wren ducked it and got a rollup for two. Sol hit a knee on Wren for two. Sol rolled up Wren for two. Zaria tagged herself in and Wren pushed Sol out of the ring to the floor. Wren got a rollup on Zaria for two. Zaria hit a headbutt and German Suplex. Grey tagged in with an armbar on Zaria, but Zaria countered it into a pin for two. Zaria hit a knee on Grey. There was an inside cradle by Grey. Grey superkicked Zaria, so Zaria inadvertently knocked Sol down and the referee said it was a tag, so Sol was legal. Zaria hit a Spear on Grey. Wren went after Zaria and Zaria hit her version of the F5. While that was happening, Sol Ruca jumped off the ropes with her Soul Snatcher, but Grey bumped to the mat too soon and it didn’t look smooth. Grey sold it anyway. Sol covered Grey for the pinfall win.
Winners by pinfall: Sol Ruca & Zaria
Analysis: ***1/4 I liked the match, but the ending was a bit sloppy, and it’s hard not to think about it. As much as I like Grey, she should just wait for Sol to jump off the ropes and do the move. Instead, Grey bumped to the mat without Sol, and it looked very sloppy. I figured Ruca would win to further piss off Zaria, even though Ruca was just taking advantage of an opportunity while Zaria continues to be angry about it.
Sol Ruca celebrated the win as the new #1 contender for the NXT Women’s Title. Zaria had an angry look on her face. Zaria didn’t want to shake Sol’s hand.
Analysis: I think Sol Ruca may beat Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Title, but they could also have Zaria turn heel on Sol and cost her the title match. If Ruca wins the title, then she can probably have her feud with Zaria over the NXT Women’s Title.
The NXT Champion Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence walked out to have a staredown with Sol Ruca. Their NXT Women’s Title match is in 2 weeks on February 24th. Jayne and Ruca exchanged words. That was the end of the show.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- Joe Hendry
- Sol Ruca & Zaria
- Jaida Parker & Blake Monroe
====
The Scoreboard
This week: 7 out of 10
Last week: 7
2026 Average: 7
====
Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It felt like the usual episode of NXT, around that 7 out of 10, like it most weeks. They had some solid matches on this show, but nothing stood out that much. Joe Hendry had a good showing with his in-ring promo to start and his match. Sol Ruca and Zaria’s story remains an interesting one as Sol continues to have good fortune, while Zaria is frustrated.
I like how they promote matches so much a week ahead and even two weeks ahead.
===
Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email [email protected]
Twitter/X @johnreport