The John Report: WWE NXT 03/31/26 Review
This week’s WWE NXT features Kendal Grey facing Lola Vice, Mike Santana teaming with OTM against Darkstate, Tatum Paxley-Blake Monroe facing off, and more.
The NXT brand is heading towards Stand & Deliver on April 4th in St. Louis. Last week on NXT saw several big matches set for Stand & Deliver, including Joe Hendry defending the NXT Title against Tony D’Angelo, Ethan Page, and Ricky Saints. This show is at the MSG Theater in New York City, so it feels bigger, too.
They were at the MSG Theater in New York City 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 pre-show walking shown of Lola Vice, Kendal Grey with Wren Sinclair, and Joe Hendry.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.
Darkstate made their entrance first for the 6-man tag team match. The entrance to the ring was short, and there wasn’t that much room around the ring, but it’s a good-sized crowd with over 2,800 people, according to Wrestletix. NXT has been in this venue before. OTM was up next, joined by TNA World Champion Mike Santana, who is a native New Yorker. The fans loved Santana.
Mike Santana and OTM – Lucien Price & Bronco Nima vs. Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars
It was Darkstate in control of Nima early on until Nima tackled Dion into the turnbuckle. Nima splashed Dion, and Santana tagged in to a big pop. Santana hit a belly-to-back suplex on Dion. Shugars tagged in for his team and Price hit him with a hard chop. Griffin made a blind tag, leading to a double team attack on Price against the turnbuckle. Price broke free to kick Dion, and Nima tagged in with a boot to knock Dion down. Nima hit a backbreaker on Shugars. Nima splashed two opponents against the ropes. Nima hit a reverse body slam on Shugars. Dion chop blocked Price from behind and hit a DDT. Griffin was standing on Nima’s leg as the show went to a break for some fans while Darkstate worked over Nima for a few minutes.
Darkstate was still in control of Nima as the face in peril until Price got the tag. Price hit a splash against the turnbuckle and tossed Shugars onto Dion. Price hit a uranage slam on the big man Griffin for a two count because Shugars broke up the pin. Price got both feet up to knock two heels down. Santana tagged in and hit a roll through Cutter on Dion. Santana hit a suicide dive on Shugars and Griffin on the floor. Santana went up top and hit a Frog Splash on Dion for two. Griffin saved Dion from a splash. Shugars tagged in and Darkstate hit a triple Powerbomb style move for a two count because OTM broke up the pin. Santana rolled up Shugars for a two count. Santana caught a leaping Shugars and hit a Death Valley Driver. Price got the tag as Santana hit the Spin the Block lariat. Santana dove onto both heels on the floor. Nima got the tag and OTM hit their double team slam off the shoulders on Shugars for the pinfall win. It went about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Mike Santana and OTM
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a very entertaining tag team match. They built it up well with Darkstate controlling most of the match, then they did the hot tags perfectly, Santana was beloved by this crowd and OTM finished off Shugars for the win. Great job by all six guys.
Myles Borne Interview
Myles Borne, the NXT North American Champion, did a sitdown interview with Vic Joseph. Borne thanked the NQCC for helping him early in his career. Borne thanked Ethan Page for giving him an edge, and that made him a champion and will keep him a champion. Borne said he plans on leaving Stand & Deliver the same way he walked in as the champion. When Vic mentioned Johnny Gargano as his opponent, Vic wondered what version of Gargano he would face. Borne said he doesn’t know what side of him will show up, but he hopes it’s Johnny Wrestling. That led to Johnny Gargano walking in, and Vic left.
Gargano said that you need to be careful what you wish for. Gargano said that they used to call him Johnny Takeover, and if he finds that version of himself, then he will eat Borne alive. Gargano said that the title is very personal to him. Gargano said that if he wins, then he’ll get his life back, go back to SmackDown, and be the man he’s supposed to be. Gargano said he’ll show him what it means to be a champion on this brand. Gargano said for the first time in two months, he won’t lie down and die. Gargano said he will stand and deliver because he has to…more than you know.
Analysis: Good interview with Myles Borne as a confident champion. I liked seeing Johnny Gargano finally showing signs of his normal self, and he sounds motivated to win the NXT North American Title. Myles Borne may not hold the title for long since Gargano winning it wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Los Americanos made their entrance for tag team action.
A WrestleMania 42 commercial aired promoting the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton match.
(Commercial)
Kendal Grey was backstage getting ready for her match. Wren Sinclair told her friend that she’s got this, and Wren will be there for her every step of the way. Wren left to go do something.
BirthRight – Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Uriah Connors (w/Lexis King, Charlie Dempsey & Arianna Grace) vs. Los Americanos – Rayo & Bravo
The winners get an NXT Tag Team Title match at Stand & Deliver. Rayo is Pete Dunne, and Bravo is Tyler Bate.
Rayo and Bravo were in control in the early going. Rayo held Stacks and Bravo hit a senton splash. Stacks beat up Bravo a bit on the floor, then Stacks danced with Grace on the floor. Bravo ended up taking Stacks’ place in the dance for a comedy spot. Stacks came back with a forearm on Bravo. Rayo hit a seated senton and a double knee attack. Connors avoided a move and hit a Stunner-like counter on Rayo for a two count. That led to a break with Birth Right in control.
The match returned with Rayo hitting an Explex that Pete Dunne loves to use. Bravo got the tag with a cross body block off the top. Bravo hit jumping kicks on both opponents. Bravo hit a Tyler Bate-like airplane spin into a slam. Grace went on the apron, so King hit Bravo with a cane to the ribs. The referee was looking at Grace, so he never saw it. Stacks hit a running knee on Bravo for a two count. Shiloh Hill showed up with a chair, so the BirthRight allies at ringside went to the back. Rayo hit a jumping kick on Stacks and a top rope hurricanrana. Bravo was legal with a Superfly Splash off the top on Stacks for two. Connors made a blind tag and a kick. Stacks hit a spinning slam on Bravo and a suicide dive on Rayo on the floor. Connors hit a Swanton Bomb off the top for two. El Grande Americano was on the apron, and he got a huge pop. Bravo was gifted the metal object under the mask and hit a running headbutt on Connors for the pinfall win after 11 minutes. Booker: “They cheated.” Sure did.
Winners by pinfall: Los Americanos – Rayo & Bravo
Analysis: ***1/4 An entertaining match with a creative finish as usual, with the Americanos using the trusty metal object under the mask as usual. Even though Los Americanos have been heels during several matches on Raw, they are being used as babyfaces in NXT, and that’s fine because Rayo & Bravo are experienced wrestlers who know what they are doing out there. Connors and Stacks did a fine job in this match, too.
The win means that Los Americanos will challenge Vanity Project for the NX Tag Team Titles at Stand & Deliver. The two teams had a staredown.
Darkstate was backstage, and Dion Lennox was furious about losing. Dion said they are supposed to be at the top. Dion said they are so close to everything they’ve ever wanted. Dion said they are the dangers in NXT, not the other way around. Shugars said when Darkstate strikes, nobody is safe. Dion said at Stand & Deliver, he’ll make sure of it.
Analysis: There’s a tease for Dion Lennox and Darkstate attacking somebody at Stand & Deliver, even though they’re not in a match.
Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan
The fans love Miss Parker as usual, as she opened up with strikes on Jordan. The heel Jordan was able to slow Parker down with a kick to the back of the leg and a knee drop. They left the ring, so Parker sent Jordan into the apron. Jordan used the apron to trap Parker. Jordan shoved Parker into the steel steps. The show went on a break there, and I’ll take a break with the heel Jordan in control.
It was Jordan on offense, and it followed the typical match format with the heel in control after the break. That’s a consistent thing in WWE. Jordan was on Parker’s back, so Parker dropped back to slam Jordan into the mat. Parker sent Jordan out of the ring. Parker flipped Jordan into the ring and Parker hit two shoulder tackles. Parker trapped Jordan against the turnbuckle, and Parker hit her hip drop, followed by high-stepping. Jordan was back up with a kick to the shoulder, and Parker hit a kick of her own. Jordan worked over Parker a bit with a kick to the left arm. Jordan went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two. Jordan went up top, but Parker stopped that with a forearm to the back. Parker gave Jordan a German Suplex off the turnbuckle, and Jordan did a moonsault bump. Parker hit Hipnotic, and a sitout spinebuster called Déjà Vu for the pinfall win. I didn’t time it, but it was around 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jaida Parker
Analysis: *** This was a solid TV match with each woman coming close to winning multiple times. That’s a good thing because it made Jordan look competitive, even though Parker got the win. Jordan has lost matches to Parker and Vice recently. I wonder if it means Jordan will be going to the main roster post-WrestleMania, and she’s losing matches on her way out. I’m not sure.
That also means Kelani Jordan has lost recent feuds to Lola Vice and Jaida Parker, so I’m not sure what’s next for Jordan.
The Vanity Project was backstage, where they saw Blake Monroe and tried flirting with her. They said that they would help her find Tatum Paxley. Blake said tonight, she is ready for her close up, and left.
Ricky Saints and Ethan Page were shown walking down a hallway for an upcoming contract signing.
Tony D’Angelo made his entrance for the NXT Championship contract signing. They went on a break and showed the entrances of Ricky Saints. Ethan Page was up next for the contract signing. NXT Champion Joe Hendry was next for the contract signing, and the fans loved the guy.
NXT Championship Contract Signing
Joe Hendry, Ethna Page, Ricky Saints, and Tony D’Angelo were all seated at two tables in the ring. NXT GM Robert Stone hosted the contract signing. Stone said they are four amazing athletes and he can’t think of a bigger main event.
Joe took the contract from Page, and he signed the contract first. Joe said he can’t wait to see which one, Page or Saints, stabs eachother in the back first. Joe said he knows their friendship is going to fall apart because they can’t distinguish between passion and desperation. Joe said he’s passionate about being the NXT Champion, passionate about NXT and passionate about being in New York City, which drew a big pop. Joe said he’ll stand and deliver, and the entire world will be chanting, “We Believe.”
Ricky Saints was next to trash Joe for trying to analyze the friendship between Ricky and Ethan. Ricky said that he and Page can still support eachother. Ricky signed the contract and said he’ll become a 2-time NXT Champion.
Ethan Page said that his good friend Ricky reminded Ethan of value. Page said that he deserves global recognition and Page signed the contract. Page said he’ll be a 2-time NXT Champion and Ricky said he would be.
Tony D’Angelo said all three of them have held that title. Tony recapped Page and Ricky having short title reigns. Tony called Ricky an absolute failure. Tony told Joe this isn’t about going viral or fan interaction. Tony called Joe an outsider like them. Tony said he’s NXT born and bred, and NXT is in his blood. Tony said he’ll run the three of them over like a damn freight train. Tony suggested to Stone that he get out of the ring.
Tony and Ricky were brawling while Page and Joe were fighting on the other side of the ring. Tony gave Ricky a spinebuster through a table and Page hit Ego’s Edge on Joe through another table. Tony and Page exchanged punches as the security guys flooded the ring to stop it.
Analysis: A typical WWE contract signing where the wrestlers do the usual “I’m going to win because” speech, and it turned into the obvious brawl. I want Tony D to win at Stand & Deliver, but I’m not sure if it will happen there or later in the year.
Jasper Troy and Keanu Carver were shown walking backstage for their match up next.
(Commercial)
Keanu Carver vs. Jasper Troy
Carver attacked Troy on the floor before the match officially began. Troy hit a clothesline and sent Carver into the apron. They went into the ring and referee Josh Briggs called for the bell.
Troy hit a splash on Carver against the turnbuckle. Craver stomped on Troy repeatedly and Briggs tried to get Carver to stop. Carver was yelling at Booker at ringside. A planted fan at ringside trash talked Carver, so Carver grabbed him and Briggs stopped that. Troy got back up and gave Carver a Chokeslam through the commentary table. Back in the ring, Troy hit a Blackhole Slam on Carver. Troy shoved Briggs, so Briggs hit a big boot to knock Troy down. Carver hit a Pounce on Troy. Carver hit a running powerslam for the pinfall win after about four minutes. Booker didn’t like Briggs kicking Troy, but Vic said that Troy pushed Briggs.
Winner by pinfall: Keanu Carver
Analysis: *1/2 I didn’t expect a long match here since these guys are known for their power moves and not having longer matches. Briggs screwed Troy out of the win, but Tory did shove Briggs first, so you could say that Troy deserved it. I really like Carver, and I’m not surprised he picked up the win. I think Carver needs a better finishing move than a running powerslam, but maybe he just did that in this case since Troy is a bigger dude.
After the match, Carver wanted Briggs to raise his hand, so Briggs acted as if he would do it, and then he hit a lariat on Carver. Briggs left with a smile.
There was a backstage babyface meeting between Hank & Tank, Sean Legacy, who is injured, Eli Knight, and Elio Lefleur. Elio Lefleur said he has to have shoulder surgery and relinquish the WWE Speed Title. Elio said he’ll have surgery and be out for about 6 months. Wren Sinclair walked in to try to support Elio since she’s the Women’s Speed Champion. Shiloh Hill walked in, Tank mentioned they weren’t on the card for Stand & Deliver and Hill said he had an idea. Hill laughed and left.
Analysis: Best wishes to Elio Lefleur, recovering from his shoulder injury. That’s a talented dude.
A commercial aired for the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
(Commercial)
Face to Face: Tatum Paxley and Blake Monre
The NXT Women’s North American Champion, Tatum Paxley, made her entrance without the title since Blake Monroe stole it from her. Paxley called Blake complex and she likes that. Paxley called for Blake to come out there.
Blake Monroe walked out to the ring with the NXT Women’s North American Title. Blake said that this title feels right since she never lost it in the first place. Blake claimed she can’t give it back. Paxley said that Blake has something that she wants and Paxley claimed she had something Blake wants. Paxley said that she has the opportunity that Blake has been waiting for. Paxley wondered what NXT’s biggest show of the year would be without Blake? Paxley said that Blake craves that sense of belonging. Paxley said that at Stand & Deliver, they can have some fun for that title.
Blake said that Paxley would be the perfect co-star for her at Stand & Deliver. Blake said she accepts the offer for a match. Blake said that they are polar opposites. Blake said she’s a polished woman and kept on bragging while trashing Paxley, saying she belongs with the New Yorkers, whom she insulted. Paxley said Blake is going to give her the title back. Paxley said that there’s a worse side to her when she’s really angry. Paxley said she can be the goth to your glamour and the fire to your hell, but tonight, Blake will give back what belongs to Paxley. Paxley hit multiple forearms and a spinning kick to the head. Balke still managed to take the title and left the ring. Paxley stayed in the ring instead of going after her because that’s what wrestlers do as if there’s a forcefield if you chase after somebody on the floor.
Analysis: It was a good promo exchange to set up the Paxley/Monroe Stand & Deliver match. I don’t really like the “steal the title” story because it’s so childish and played out, but I guess it fits a character like Blake as a cocky heel.
The NXT GM, Robert Stone, was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber backstage. Stone said on the Kickoff Show before Stand & Deliver, there will be a 10-person mixed tag with Hank & Tank, Eli Knight, Shiloh Hill & Wren Sinclair against the 5 members of BirthRight – Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King, Uriah Connors, Stacks & Arianna Grace. Keanu Carver walked in to complain about what happened. Stone told Carver that there will be a triple threat match next week with Briggs, Carver, and Troy. Down the hallway, Kelani Jordan was beating up Jaida Parker with a trash can and stomping. Referees broke it up.
(Commercial)
There was an NXT Focus video about the friendship of Sol Ruca & Zaria, and how it recently fell apart. I’m not going to recap the whole video, but they were together for over a year until Zaria turned on her partner, Sol. They are in a match at Stand & Deliver.
Jacy Jayne was backstage with the NXT Women’s Title and her Fatal Influence friends. Izzi Dame walked in and issued something of a warning to Jayne, and Dame left.
There was a rundown of the Stand & Deliver card:
* NXT Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ethan Page vs. Ricky Saints vs. Tony D’Angelo
* Sol Ruca vs. Zaria
* NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Kendal Grey or Lola Vice
* NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Johnny Gargano
* NXT Tag Team Championships: The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes) (c) vs. Los Americanos
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Tatum Paxley (c) vs. Blake Monroe
Lola Vice made her entrance for the main event.
(Commercial)
Kendal Grey made her entrance for the main event, with her buddy Wren Sinclair, the Women’s Speed Champion, by her side.
#1 Contender’s Match For NXT Women’s Title: Kendal Grey (w/Wren Sinclair) vs. Lola Vice
The winner will challenge Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Title at Stand & Deliver.
They did some mat wrestling early on and Grey hit an armdrag. Grey took down Vice by the arm and Vice turned it into a headlock. Grey applied her own headlock until Vice countered it and regained control. Vice hit a shoulder tackle. Vice went for an armbar, but Grey rolled through and applied an armbar on the left arm. Vice countered it into a pin attempt for two. Grey rolled up Vice for two. Grey ran the ropes, so Vice punched her in the ribs to knock her down. Vice hit an armdrag, followed by a flurry of kicks. Vice hit her running hip attack against the turnbuckle. Vice went for it again, but Grey avoided the second attempt. Vice did a spin kick to knock Grey off the apron to the floor. Vice jumped onto Grey on the floor. They went on a break as the action continued and I’ll stay with it for the main event. Vice hit two vertical suplexes, there were “Eddie” chants and Vice hit a third vertical suplex for the Three Amigos. Vice hit an elbow to knock Grey down. Grey fought back and got a rollup for two. Vice kicked Grey and grabbed another headlock. Vice trapped the arm for a submission attempt, but Grey was able to get out of it. They did a double clothesline spot to put them both down as the match returned from a break.
Grey got some offense going with two elbows and a German Suplex. Grey put the straps down and was fired up. Grey hit two Exploder Suplexes. Grey charged with a knee, but Vice blocked it. Vice went for a back fist, Grey avoided it and grabbed an armbar. Vice applied a Sleeper on the mat, but Grey was able to get out of it. When Grey got up, Vice hit a spinning back fist and Grey bumped to the floor. The NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne walked out there with Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid. Referee Adrian Butler was there as well to prevent interference. Vice kicked Grey on the floor and Vice charged, but Grey moved, so Vice hit the steel steps. Back in the ring, Grey went up top, jumped off with nothing and Vice kicked Grey in the ribs for a two count. There were “NXT” chants for these two women doing a great job. Vice tried a kick, but Grey avoided it and Grey hit a spinning back elbow to the head for a two count. Grey does that move very well. Grey and Vice exchanged strikes. Vice hit a few kicks to the body, but then Grey caught the foot and applied an Ankle Lock submission. Vice rolled through for a two count. Grey got a takedown into a pin for two. Vice applied a Guillotine submission, but Grey got out of it. Vice held onto the submission hold, Grey was fading a bit, but Grey was able to get back up and hit a Northern Lights Suplex. While making the pin, referee Adrian Butler on the floor said he saw Grey tapping out while she was pinning Vice. It went 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kendal Grey (Or is it winner by submission: Lola Vice?)
Analysis: ***3/4 Great main event. Both women are very talented, with Vice improving a lot over the last few years, while Grey has been so impressive as a “rookie” In NXT over the last year. It was really back and forth the whole way, with the idea being that it was an even matchup. I thought Grey was going to win, but I’m not surprised by the confusing finish to set up a triple threat match because Vice and Grey both deserve to be in an NXT Women’s Title match at Stand & Deliver, so I’m certainly fine if that’s the direction they go. If they had a few more minutes i may have gone up to four stars, but just a notch below. Still great.
The NXT boss man, Shawn Michaels, walked out to the ringside as replays showed that Grey tapped out while Vice was pinned for a three count. Michaels talked to the referees in the ring as the show came to an end right there.
Analysis: I think we all know where it’s headed as a triple threat match at Stand & Deliver. I’m not surprised by that.
A PIN AND A TAP?!?! 😱
Who is going to Stand & Deliver? @lolavicewwe | @kendalgreywwe pic.twitter.com/wCE331Qjwt
— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2026
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Three Stars of the Show
- Kendal Grey and Lola Vice
- Mike Santana and OTM
- Jaida Parker
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The Scoreboard
This week: 8 out of 10
Last week: 7
2026 Average: 7.08
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
It was one of the strongest episodes of NXT this year with a heavy focus on building the NXT Stand & Deliver card while also featuring some great matches. The main event with Kendal Grey and Lola Vice was awesome, while the controversial finish will likely lead to both women getting a shot at the NXT Women’s Title. Grey is so damn good for being so new in this business, and Vice has improved a lot. Impressive performance by both ladies.
There was a nice balance between promos and matches. Nothing felt like it dragged. I enjoyed this episode overall.
WWE NXT Stand & Deliver will take place on Saturday, April 4th in St. Louis. Here’s the lineup so far.
* NXT Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ethan Page vs. Ricky Saints vs. Tony D’Angelo
* Sol Ruca vs. Zaria
* NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice (???)
* NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Johnny Gargano
* NXT Tag Team Championships: The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes) (c) vs. Los Americanos
* NXT Women’s North American Championship: Tatum Paxley (c) vs. Blake Monroe
* COUNTDOWN SHOW: Hank & Tank, Shiloh Hill, Eli Knight & Wren Sinclair vs. BirthRight – Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King, Uriah Connors, Stacks & Arianna Grace
You can watch NXT Stand & Deliver on Saturday, April 4, streaming live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT exclusively on YouTube in the United States and on Netflix internationally
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
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Twitter/X @johnreport