The John Report: WWE NXT 02/17/26 Review
This week’s WWE NXT features a 4-team tag team match, Ethan Page defending his title against Shiloh Hill, Kelani Jordan facing Lola Vice, and more
The NXT brand still hasn’t announced when the next PLE is, but there have been previous reports that NXT Vengeance Day will be on March 7th. However, that hasn’t been made official yet. They were also pushing big matches at NXT in Atlanta on February 24th. That event was canceled due to the venue they were going to use in Atlanta, so now the show will be at the WWE PC. This year in NXT has had every show at the WWE PC, and as I mentioned, there have been no PLEs in 2026 yet. Strange.
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.
Lola Vice made her entrance for the first match, so they are getting right to the action this week. Kelani Jordan was up next as her opponent.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.
Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice
Vice is one-half of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions. They got into a fight on the floor before the match officially began. Vince had a brace on her right hand to sell Jordan attacking the hand in the past. Jordan hit a body slam and rammed Vice’s right hand into the mat a few times. Vice grounded Jordan with an armbar on the left arm. Jordan hit an overhead suplex while Vice’s right hand hit the mat. Vice hit a pump kick to knock Jordan down. Vice punched Jordan in the ribs and sold the right hand injury. Jordan tripped up Vice on the apron, followed by a pump kick into the steel steps. Jordan hit a running knee on Vice against the steel steps. Jordan took the brace off Vice’s right hand and rammed the hand into the steel steps. They went on a break for some fans there as the action continued.
It was the heel Jordan still in control as she slammed Vice’s right hand into the mat. Vice tripped up Jordan into the ropes. Vice worked over Jordan with multiple kicks to the body, followed by a German Suplex. Vice hit her running hip attack and booty shaking in Jordan’s face. Vice hit a belly-to-back suplex. Vice kicked Jordan while they were out of the ring. Vice went for a back fist by the podium in the back part of the building, but Jordan avoided it. Vice’s hand went into the podium that was like a wooden board. Jordan jumped off the top with a 450 Splash, but Vice caught her with a Triangle submission. Jordan got out of it and stomped on the right hand. Jordan applied an armbar on Vice and pulled back on the wrist, so Vice tapped out. It went 12 minutes.
Winner by submission: Kelani Jordan
Analysis: ***1/4 This was a pretty good match that got plenty of time. Vice did a nice job of selling the right hand injury throughout the match, yet still had some logical offense. Even though Jordan isn’t known as a submission wrestler, it made sense for her to win this match with a submission due to Vice selling the right hand injury a lot. They wrestled a physical, intense style and I liked the match.
Tony D’Angelo was featured in a video outside when he talked about Darkstate knowing that he was coming after them. Tony told Cutler James he knew he’d step up as a former amateur wrestler. Tony said he wanted Dion Lennox to be watching to see what Tony was going to do. Tony said he’ll take care of Darkstate starting tonight.
Darkstate was shown backstage, where Dion Lennox and Cutler James spoke with Osiris Griffin and Saquon Shugars. James left with Lennox to prepare for Cutler’s match.
Ricky Saints was shown walking in the parking lot when Joe Hendry attacked Ricky. Security showed up to break it up.
The WrestleMania 42 commercial aired.
(Commercial)
Shiloh Hill was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber in the locker room. Hill talked about how his mind was racing about facing Ethan Page tonight. Hill said he has a counter move for what Ethan Page can do. Hank & Tank walked in to say Hill was ready. Hill spoke intelligently while Hank & Tank were confused. Hill shouted that he was ready to be champion.
Let’s Hear from Joe Hendry and Ricky Saints
The NXT Champion Joe Hendry made his entrance quickly without posing and hand-waving for the fans. Joe called out Ricky Saints because Saints jumped him last week, so Joe is here, and he’s not in a singing or dancing mood, so they can settle this right now.
Ricky Saints appeared on the platform in the back part of the arena. Ricky said that everybody seems to have it real twisted. Ricky said that Joe stole the championship from him, yet nobody talks about that. Ricky said it’s not about how good you are as long as you have a song that you can sing along to because it camouflages everything. Ricky claimed that Joe brings this place down. Ricky called Joe a meme and a social media star to insult him. Ricky told Joe that being an everyman doesn’t make him worthy of being a champion.
Joe responded, saying he deals in fact. Joe said the fact is he’s the NXT Champion and Ricky is not, so Joe is the best in NXT. Ricky said Joe is the best at marketing because people think he’s so funny. Ricky talked about what Joe has accomplished. Ricky said he’s gifted, while Joe gives fluff answers to anything he gets asked. Ricky said that the real answer is Ricky Saints as NXT Champion. The fans booed. Ricky said he’s worked too hard to elevate NXT, and he’ll be damned if he lets somebody like Joe ruin it for him. Joe called Ricky a whiny little bitch.
Ricky suggested that on March 7th at Vengeance Day, let’s see Joe Hendry defend the NXT Title against Ricky Saints. Joe said he’s on. Joe said that Ricky will keep whining while the fans will keep chanting, “We Believe.” Joe said he had no problem kicking Ricky’s ass at Vengeance Day.
Analysis: They have finally mentioned the NXT PLE Vengeance Day on March 7th, which is a good thing. It makes sense as a logical title match since Hendry is the babyface NXT Champion, while Ricky is a former champion and a top heel. The insults by the two guys were okay, but I wouldn’t say it was that riveting or anything like that. I would expect Hendry to win the match at Vengeance Day to keep his title.
The Tony D’Angelo-Cutler James match was next.
(Commercial)
Izzi Dame, the NXT Women’s North American Champion, spoke with The Culling’s Shawn Spears and Niko Vance. Dame said no matter what version of Tatum Paxley shows up at Vengeance, Dame will end her. Spears and Vance talked about winning their match later to become the new tag team title contenders.
Tony D’Angelo vs. Cutler James (w/Dion Lennox)
There was some impressive power shown by Tony early on. Tony hit a Spear and a Spinebuster for the pinfall win after about two minutes. I missed some of the action before that, but it was a quick finish. It went under 2 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo
Analysis: * A squash match to put over Tony D. I didn’t pay attention early on, and then it ended quickly.
Post match, Dion Lennox attacked Tony, but Tony came back with a Spear on Dion. Tony tossed James out of the ring. Tony sent Dion into the steel steps. Tony gave Dion a powerslam on the steel steps so that his legs hit the steps. James saved Dion from Tony D, who wanted to do more damage. WWE Officials showed up to stop it.
Analysis: This put over Tony D as a tough babyface wrestler. I wasn’t surprised that James lost his match and got beaten up after.
Ethan Page, the NXT North American Champion, was with The Vanity Project in the locker room. Myles Borne walked in there to exchange words with Page, with Borne saying he’d show Page he’s worthy of a title shot. Ricky Saints walked in after Borne left. Saints bonded with Ethan and Vanity Project, saying that they will all be champions soon.
The teams of OTM and The Vanity Project entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
The Vanity Project – Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes (w/Jackson Drake) vs. OTM – Lucien Price & Bronco Nima vs. The Culling – Shawn Spears & Niko Vance vs. Hank & Tank
The winners get an NXT Team Title match. There were plenty of quick tags early on. Hank & Tank sent Smokes into the turnbuckle and a running splash. Vince tagged in to punch Hank in the mouth. Price faced off with Vance in a battle of two power guys. Price cleared the ring. OTM picked up Vanity Project and tossed them over the top onto the guys on the floor. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too.
After a break, the match continued with Price tossing Baylor onto Smokes on the floor. Vance headbutted Tank. Nima went into the ring illegally as Hank & Tank did their double team splash on Vance. Price stomped on Tank. OTM hit their double team slam off the shoulders on Vance for a two count because a bunch of dudes broke up the pin. The ring was full of guys who were out on the mat. OTM and Hank & Tank went for moves off the turnbuckles, and that led to four superplexes in a row. The eight guys were down on the mat as the fans chanted “NXT” for them. OTM got into a fight with Hank & Tank as they exchanged strikes. Price bumped to the floor. Tank hit a shoulder tackle on Nima. Baylor was legal for his team as Hank hit a Bossman Slam on Baylor. There were several wrestlers tossed out of the ring. Baylor was legal with Spears, so there was an inside cradle. Spears hit a C4 on Baylor and Drake broke up the pin. OTM stomped on Spears’ back. Hank and Tank and OTM went crashing through the commentary table. Vance knocked down Drake on the floor. Baylor covered Spears, who took a Stomp on the apron, and Baylor fell on top to get the win. The Vanity Project got the win after 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Vanity Project – Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes
Analysis: *** That was a crazy match with a lot of chaos in the final few minutes. It was hard to know who was legal toward the end of the match. There were also times in the match when there were more than two guys in the ring for way too long, and the rules weren’t being enforced well, which upsets me. I get why it’s done to involve a lot of people at once, but it comes across as sloppy wrestling. Anyway, I was surprised by the result with The Vanity Project getting the win since they’re a heel team that will get a shot at the heel team Darkstate, but clearly, WWE NXT officials love the Vanity Project stable. I thought OTM winning would have made more sense, and that’s the team that I want to see with the titles. Perhaps they are saving that for Stand & Deliver in April. Anyway, this was a solid match with all four teams working well together.
Next week on NXT, Darkstate will defend the NXT Tag Team Titles against Vanity Project.
A video package aired about Keanu Carver showing the destruction he has caused in NXT. Carver said he thought football was cool because he got offered to play in college. Carver said he got kicked off the team because you can’t control him. Carver said that NXT can’t control him, and Sean Legacy will find out next week.
Analysis: I like how Keanu Carver has been presented on NXT so far as a loose cannon. It will make the audience want to see him to see what he might do next.
Joe Hendry was talking to NXT Interim GM Rob Stone. Joe wanted a piece of Ricky Saints now. However, Stone asked Joe to leave since he told Ricky Saints to leave.
Sol Ruca talked to Zaria backstage. Zaria said that this friendship has been one-sided the entire time. Zaria said that she’s done with this friendship. Zaria said Sol can talk to Fatal Influence by herself and when she’s done with that, Sol can go to hell. Ouch.
(Commercial)
Jacy Jayne-Sol Ruca Face To Face
The Fatal Influence trio of NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid entered for a promo. Jayne said she’s not going to complain about facing Sol Ruca next week. Jayne said she’s going to be vulnerable for once. Jayne said she’s jealous of Sol Ruca because no matter what she does, how many times she’s fallen and picked herself up or had amazing matches, the fans still look her dead in the face to say that Sol Ruca is a bigger star than Jayne. Jayne bragged about holding the NXT Women’s Championship and TNA Knockouts Championship at the same time and she took this title off Stephanie Vaquer. Fallon Henley said that Sol Ruca was the one who won NXT Female Superstar of the Year. Jayne said she had to watch Saturday Night’s Main Event for John Cena’s final match even though she idolized Cena, and then Sol Ruca got the call to be on that show. Jayne said that at the Royal Rumble, all people talked about was Sol Ruca in the final three. Reid mentioned people just wanted to talk about Ruca. Jayne said that the only reason Ruca got a shot at this championship is because she sacrificed her best friend. Jayne said that Sol won’t have her best friend or this championship. Jayne claimed she won this championship because she’s the best woman in NXT.
Sol Ruca interrupted, even though this was a designated face-to-face segment. Ruca said she agreed with Jayne, who is more envious of other people’s success. Ruca said that Jayne may still be the champion, but she’s still the same old Jacy Jayne. Ruca said that Jayne should stop comparing herself to other people. Ruca said she didn’t want Jayne to talk about her friendship with Zaria. Jayne said she’s been there and done that in terms of being a friend. Jayne said to get ahead, you have to dump your best friend because there’s only room for one at the top. Ruca said that Jayne has never had a real friend. Ruca said that Zaria stands on her own. Ruca said that Jayne has her group and her title, but that’s not enough. Ruca said next week she’ll snatch her soul and become the champion. Ruca said that Jayne came in her toxic and became fatal. Ruca said that Jayne will learn that Sol Ruca is better than Jacy Jayne.
Jayne slapped Ruca, so then Reid and Henley attacked Ruca with punches. Zaria ran down to the ring. Zaria told Fatal Influence to get her up. Zaria hit a Spear on Henley and hit a headbutt on Reid. Zaria kicked Reid. Zaria press slammed Jayne over the top onto her teammates on the floor. The fans chanted “Zaria” as Zaria held out her hand and picked Ruca up. Zaria hugged her bestie Ruca.
Analysis: It was a good promo from Jacy Jayne talking about how, even though she’s so successful in NXT, she is still jealous of all the attention and love that Sol Ruca gets. Ruca spoke with confidence about how she’s better than Jayne and ready to become champion. They set up the Zaria appearance well by making it look like she might attack Sol, but instead Zaria did the right thing by helping her friend. I think Ruca could beat Jayne next week, but perhaps Zaria is going to cost Ruca the match and that will be Zaria’s heel turn. It’s either that or Zaria will attack Ruca after Ruca wins the title. Either scenario would work well.
They showed Elio LeFleur and Eli Knight in the backstage area as Sean Legacy encouraged them about their match. They praised Legacy for calling out Keanu Carver. Elio said they are going to sly these giants like Jasper Troy, who attacked them recently. Eli said may the best man win their match.
A commercial aired about WWE 2K26 featuring CM Punk.
(Commercial)
WWE Speed Tournament Finals: Eli Knight vs. Elio LeFleur
There is a 3-minute time limit. Elio hit a running kick. Knight hit a belly-to-belly suplex into the turnbuckle. They did a spot where Elio suplexed Knight over the top to the floor. Elio went for a dive, but Knight moved and Knight hit a springboard moonsault on the floor. Knight hit a springboard leg lariat on Elio. Knight and Elio exchanged pin attempts. Knight countered a cradle for two. Elio tried a suplex, Knight landed on his feet and hit a superkick. Elio caught Knight and hit a sitout Powerbomb for two. Elio and Knight exchanged slaps to the face. Elio hit a springboard shoulder tackle. Elio went up top and jumped off with a 450 Splash, but Knight moved and Knight hit a running knee. Elio got a hold of Knight and hit a German Suplex off the top, so Knight did a moonsault bump. The 3-minute time limit expired.
Match Result: Draw
Analysis: **1/2 They wrestled a blistering fast pace. I’m not a huge fan of the Speed matches because I think pro wrestling is better when people are selling moves better, but in a Speed match, it’s about winning quickly, so there’s less of that. LeFleur and Knight are both so fun to watch.
The interim NXT GM, Robert Stone, said that normally, that means Jasper Troy keeps his WWE Speed Title. Stone said next week, there will be a triple threat time limit for the WWE Speed Title held by Jasper Troy, and it will have a special 7-minute time limit.
Analysis: That’s something different for the Speed Title to have a triple threat match. I don’t mind it. The match will be longer than most Speed matches, so that will help too.
Myles Borne was shown walking backstage by Shiloh Hill, who said he’ll give Borne a title shot when he’s champion. Borne said he has to take that title from Ethan Page, so Borne can prove him wrong. They argued about it, and referees showed up to break it up before it got physical.
(Commercial)
There was a backstage scene with Urijah Connors and Charlie Dempsey talking about how they should be working together. Dempsey wasn’t sure about working with Lexis King. Connors told Dempsey they used to roll around together as kids. Lexis King, Stacks, and Arianna Grace – the TNA Knockouts Title – walked up to Connors, who said he was working on talking to Dempsey. King said he talked to Stone, and Connors will face his old partner, Kale Dixon, next week. Connors said he’s got this.
Analysis: In case you don’t know, Connors is Fit Finlay’s son and Dempster is William Regal’s son. Finlay and Regal are close friends, which meant the kids have known eachother their whole lives.
Robert Stone was speaking to Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley about her defending the title soon. Blake Monroe walked in as Stone said that Jaida Parker was suspended and also had a neck injury. Stone put Blake in the Women’s Speed Title tournament against Thea Hail, who Blake lost to in the past, so Blake wasn’t thrilled about it.
Next week on NXT:
* Men’s Speed Title: Jasper Troy vs. Elio LeFleur vs. Eli Knight
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Darkstate – Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars vs. Vanity Project – Ricky Smokes & Brad Baylor
* NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne vs. Sol Ruca
* Keanu Carver vs. Sean Legacy
The NXT North American Champion, Ethan Page, made his entrance for his title defense.
(Commercial)
Darkstate was backstage talking about their various issues with Tony D’Angelo. Dion Lennox was fired up about what happened. Osiris Griffin mocked The Vanity Project for looking like kids. Saquon Shugars said that you don’t threaten Darkstate because they are the threat. They said nobody is safe around Darkstate.
Sol Ruca and Zaria talked about their issues. Zaria showed support to her friend. Myles Borne walked backstage, Zaria asked if he was okay, and Borne said he knew exactly what he would do now.
NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page vs. Shiloh Hill
There wasn’t much going on in the first couple of minutes as Hill tried to show off his intelligence by countering Page. They battled over an armbar. Hill hit two atomic drops on Page, but Page stopped that momentum with an elbow smash. Hill was able to kick Page out of the ring. Page grabbed the NXT NA Title, but Hill got it back from him and put it on the table that was on the floor. Hill spun around on the ropes and clotheslined Page on the floor. Vanity Project showed up to support Page as the show went on a break for some fans and I’ll take that break too.
Page was in control with a boot to the face for two. The Vanity Project trio was at ringside to support Page. Hill charged into a knee by Page, then Page hit a kick and a neckbreaker. Hill sent Page into the turnbuckle, but Page came back with a punch and a headbutt. Page gave Hill a powerslam off the middle turnbuckle for a two count. Page told the Vanity Project to pull up the mat and the cement floor was exposed. Hill avoided a move onto the cement and tossed Page down. Back in the ring, Hill tackled Page and hit some punches. Page hit a Codebreaker knee to the face. Hill pulled out his teeth and fired up. Hill was back up with punches, along with a shoulder tackle. Hill hit a sidewalk slam. Hill hit a spinning flip splash onto Page. Hill knocked Drake down and clotheslined Smokes out of the ring. Hill hit a back body drop on Baylor. Hill sent Baylor into the barricade, and Hill slammed Drake on the commentary table. Page hit a Twisted Grin on Hill on the exposed concrete on the floor. Page hit a Twisted Grin for the pinfall win in the ring. It went about 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Ethan Page
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a good TV main event match to put Page over Hill, thanks to the assist from The Vanity Project. Hill is apparently so tough that it takes four guys to beat him. I find it to be a bit silly, but it also sets up Hill against Jackson Drake potentially, so that could be a fine feud. Page winning was never in doubt here. Hill is a nice story. I just don’t see him winning a title yet. Page was terrific as usual.
After the match, Page and The Vanity Project attacked Shiloh Hill. Borne made the save to very little reaction. Borne cleared the ring of the Vanity Project guys. Hill hit a somersault dive over the top onto three guys on the floor. Borne attacked Page and told Page to give him the title match. Hill tossed Borne a steel chair. Borne put the chair on Page’s left ankle and threatened to stomp on it. Page said that he’ll give him the title match next week. Page said he knew Borne wouldn’t do it. Borne stomped on the chair on Page’s ankle. The family cheered that. Borne posed over Page with the NXT North American Title to end it.
Analysis: The reaction to Borne when he first went out there was quiet, but the fans got behind him after the attack on Page to set up the Page/Borne match next week. It was a good way to show that Borne can be very aggressive when needed, while Page thought he had outsmarted him, but Borne had the right counter. I think Borne taking the title from Page is likely. I don’t know if it happens next week, but it’s possible.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Ethan Page
- Kelani Jordan
- Vanity Project
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The Scoreboard
This week: 6.75 out of 10
Last week: 7
2026 Average: 6.94
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
I found the show to be solid this week, but there really wasn’t anything special about it.
The Jordan-Vice match was a good showing from the ladies and the 4-team tag was chaotic. I don’t mind Shiloh Hill as a performer, but it feels like a reach to put him in a main event match even though Ethan Page is arguably the best performer in NXT.
They have three title matches on next week’s show and there could be title changes too. I’m glad that the Vengeance Day PLE has finally been mentioned, and they are starting to build a card. That’s good.
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John Canton
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