The John Report: WWE NXT 04/14/26 Review – (NXT Revenge Week 1)
This week’s WWE NXT is called “Revenge” with Tony D’Angelo facing Ethan Page, Lola Vice in action against Jacy Jayne, Joe Hendry in concert, and more.
It’s a big episode of NXT with two title matches set to take place on this week’s show, which they are calling NXT Revenge. I’m not sure why they felt the need to put two title matches on the same episode, but I certainly don’t mind having bigger matches. At this point, we don’t know when the next NXT PLE will be, but hopefully that will be announced soon.
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.
A video package aired to set up the big matches coming up on this week’s show.
It is Week 1 of NXT Revenge, as mentioned by Vic Joseph, who was on commentary with Booker T. Mike Rome was the ring announcer. It’s right to the action with Jaida Parker facing Kelani Jordan up first.
Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan
The fans were strongly behind Parker with some unique chants and shouting as usual. After some basic holds on the mat, Parker hit a shoulder tackle and a back body drop. Jordan tripped up Parker on the apron. Parker and Jordan did a double clothesline on the floor. They were both down selling as the show went on a break for some fans and I’ll take a break too.
Jordan was fully in control as she hit a knee drop onto Parker’s knee and wrenched on Parker’s knee. Parker got an inside cradle pin attempt, and then Jordan was back up to kick the left knee. The match returned from the break as Jordan sent Parker’s knee into the ropes. Jordan rammed the knee into the ring post. Jordan hit a chop block on the knee. Parker sent Jord into the turnbuckle. Parker suplexed Jordan, who pulled the middle turnbuckle pad off. Jordan kicked Parker in the knee. Jordan applied a chinlock and let go so that she could stomp on Parker’s left knee into the mat. Jordan hit a jumping side kick. Jordan missed a charge into the turnbuckle when Parker moved, so Parker hit a Samoan Drop. Parker gave Jordan a Backstabber with the double knees to the back. Parker hit a hip drop on Jordan against the turnbuckle. Jordan came back with a move where she jumped over the top with a Cutter for two. Jordan hit Parker with a forearm. Jordan jumped off the top, Parker caught her and Parker hit a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Parker charged, Jordan moved, and Parker’s hip hit the turnbuckle, which was steel because the pad was taken off. Jordan kicked Parker. Jordan went up top and hit the One Of A Kind split-legged moonsault off the top for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kelani Jordan
Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good match with the exposed turnbuckle coming into play as you would expect, because if you are going to do a spot like that during the match, then it’s going to factor into the finish. That’s just smart wrestling booking. We saw Parker beat Jordan a few weeks ago, so now Jordan got her win back, and that makes me think there will be a third match between them soon. I like their chemistry.
Shiloh Hill was in the locker room earlier today with a hammer and looking at a checklist to build something. Ricky Saints walked in to say that Hill is always fixing something. Hill said he was doing something for Tatum Paxley. Ethan Page walked in to talk with Ricky Saints about their previous issues. After they got over that, Ethan told Ricky he needed Ricky’s help tonight to become NXT Champion, and he would give Ricky the first crack at the title. Ricky agreed, and they hugged. Ricky said let’s get this party going.
Joe Hendry was backstage for his concert up next.
A commercial aired for WrestleMania 42 featuring CM Punk against Roman Reigns.
(Commercial)
Sol Ruca was featured in a video talking about her history with her former best friend, Zaria, over the last year. Sol gave her perspective on things falling apart while saying she was a good friend and she vouched for Zaria throughout their friendship. Sol said that Zaria gives excuses about why she can’t get it done. Sol said, next week, Last Woman Standing, what will Zaria’s excuse be? That was it.
Analysis: I think Zaria will beat Sol Ruca in Last Woman Standing, and Sol will be off to the main roster soon after that.
Joe Hendry Concert
The former NXT Champion Joe Hendry made his way to the ring for a concert. Booker T sang part of the song as Joe got into the ring.
Joe admitted that he lost the NXT Championship, so now he has to ask himself some serious questions. Joe said he’s not going to quit. Joe played on his guitar in the ring while singing a song about how he was the NXT Champion, but now it’s a guy leaving the mafia, it’s Tony D. Joe said everybody wants the title while mentioning Ethan and Ricky being on the same page again…pun intended. Joe said the title was his life, it’s a shame that he lost her and can he get back or…here’s Keanu Carver to interrupt.
Keanu Carver was on the apron and he shoved Joe. That led to Joe and Carver exchanging punches. Joe hit Carver in the back with a guitar, but Carver no sold it. Carver nailed Joe with a clothesline. Carver beat up Joe with punches and Carver beat up two security guys. Three security guys were with Hendry on the floor, so Carver hit a Spear on Hendry and the three security guys through the barricade. Hendry was bleeding by the head, but they didn’t shoot a close up of it as Carver stood tall.
Analysis: It was a brief Joe Hendry Concert ruined by the badass, Keanu Carver, who certainly looks the part of a guy who could destroy anybody in his path. I’m very impressed by Carver, and I like how he has been booked as an indestructible force. I think Carver feuding with Hendry will be good for Carver since Hendry has a lot of credibility, and if Carver beats him, then that’s a big win for Carver. Since Hendry may be main roster bound soon, Carver should definitely win whenever they have a match. I liked the Spear through the barricade to end it. That looked brutal.
Tony D’Angelo talked about his NXT Title defense against Ethan Page. Tony talked about Page’s long reign as the NXT North American Title and Tony said he took that title from The Ruler, Oba Femi. Tony said he’s going to smash Page and his ego to keep the title.
The NXT debut of Kali Armstrong is next.
(Commercial)
The NXT Women’s Champion, Lola Vice, was in the locker room talking to the Women’s World Champion, Stephanie Vaquer. They wished eachother good luck in their matches with Vice’s match later in the show, while Vaquer’s match is at WrestleMania.
Kali Armstrong vs. Skylar Raye
It’s the official welcome for Kali to NXT after being a success in Evolve. Raye hit an impressive facebuster into the mat. Kali used her power to hit a Spinebuster. Kali jumped over Raye and hit a punch combo for a two count. Raye hit some strikes and a Thesz Press to knock Kali down. Raye splashed Kali against the turnbuckle and an impressive DDT for a two count. Raye went up top, jumped off, and Kali punched Raye to stop that. Kali hit a powerslam. Kali hit a running shoulder tackle called the Kali Connection for the pinfall win after 4 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kali Armstrong
Analysis: ** A solid match to showcase Kali Armstrong’s impressive skills. That running shoulder tackle called the Kali Connection looks impressive because she is a very fast runner, so there’s a lot of momentum before she hits the move. Raye got in a decent amount of offense and also has a lot of potential.
They showed Blake Monroe and The Vanity Project (Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes) in NXT GM Robert Stone’s office with Stone. Stone informed Blake that she’ll get a shot at the NXT North American Title held by Tatum Paxley next week. Stone said that Paxley wanted to select a stipulation. The Vanity Project guys tried to assure Blake it would be okay, and Stone never revealed the stipulation.
Ethan Page made his entrance for the NXT Title match up next.
(Commercial)
A video aired about former NXT Champion Trick Williams talking about Shawn Michaels and Michaels spoke about wanting to help the talent. It was done to promote the new Shawn Michaels documentary that is on Peacock in the US.
The NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo made his entrance for his first title defense since winning the gold 10 days ago.
NXT Championship: Tony D’Angelo vs. Ethan Page
It started with Tony getting control with some punches and a body slam. Tony hit a clothesline. Page connected with a knee to the face, followed by a suplex. Ricky Saints showed up to support Page at ringside, but somebody was under the ring and pulled Ricky under the ring. Tony and Page hit a double clothesline, which led to Shiloh Hill pulling Ricky out from under the ring because Hill had Ricky’s feet tied. The fans loved that. Tony hit a slam off the shoulders for a two count. Page kicked Tony, and they went to the floor, where Page hit a neckbreaker. The show went on a break for some fans while Page was in full control. Tony hit an atomic drop, clothesline, and senton splash for two. Page sent Tony face first into the turnbuckle. Page hit a neckbreaker and grabbed a chinlock.
Page connected with a powerslam for a two count. Tony fought back with a German Suplex, a belly-to-belly suplex, and another German Suplex. Tony ran the ropes and hit a Spear for a two count. Page went for a lift, Tony landed on his feet and they exchanged punches. Tony hit a jumping punch, along with a flipping neckbreaker. Tony hit a Fisherman’s suplex into a pin for two. Tony tried a lift, so Page did a thumb to the eye. Page jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a powerslam for a two count. Page went up top and hit a Superfly Splash for a two count. Page grabbed the NXT Title, the referee took it away from him, and Tony got a rollup for two. Page gave Tony an Ego’s Edge release Powerbomb on the NXT Title for a two count. Page cleared off the commentary table. Page put Tony on the table and teased a move, but Tony countered it by sending Page face first into the barricade. The referee, Adrian Butler, was on the floor with the wrestlers, so there was no count. Tony walked across the barricade and hit a Spear onto the commentary table. The table didn’t break. Tony hit his Dead To Rights (Spinebuster) for the pinfall win after about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo
Analysis: ***1/4 A good match for the NXT Title, and it was a result that was expected with Tony D retaining in a clean manner. They were outside the ring too long, and I don’t like that, although Vic said it was the referee’s discretion, meaning the referee was allowing it. I assume the table was supposed to break, but it didn’t. Perhaps the match needed some more nearfalls for Page, although I know his role here was to put over Tony and that’s what he did. I think Page is likely going to the main roster even though Tony has been in NXT for more than twice as long as Page. Since Page is such a polished performer in his late 30s, it’s certainly a good time for him to be on the main roster.
Myles Borne was shown walking backstage as the NXT North American Champion for a promo up next.
(Commercial)
Ricky Saints was backstage arguing with Shiloh Hill, who had some power tools. Ricky said this ain’t over. Hill was laughing at him.
Let’s Hear from Myles Borne
The NXT North American Champion, Myles Borne, was in the ring saying he sent Johnny Gargano back to SmackDown. Borne said he was bout to go celebrate with his favorite dessert and winked at the camera – a reference to girlfriend Stephanie Vaquer. Borne said that he felt the attack by Dion Lennox after the match. Borne said Dion stole his moment. Borne said that when Darkstate attacks the North American Champion, ain’t nobody safe.
The lights went out for a few seconds and Darkstate arrived in the crowd. Dion Lennox did a promo saying they dropped champions, they won titles and they put fear into NXT. Dion said over the last couple of months, he’s been fingerprints away from the NXT Title. Dion said that Darkstate’s slump is over and that North American Title is Darkstate’s future. Borne said if you want a title match, they can put that together next week, no problem. Borne said he’s going to keep the title. Borne said that Darkstate can try to take him out, then Dion may not get his title match. Borne said that Dion has a decision to make as the leader of Darkstate.
Saquon Shugars said that Borne is misinformed because there’s no leader. Shugars said nobody cares about a title match. Dion said not right now. Dion said that the best thing for their future is that title. Shugars went into the ring and Borne hit his Borne Again neckbreaker. Dion and the rest of Darkstate tried to get Shugars to calm down.
Analysis: This was okay. Nothing special about it. Borne’s promos aren’t his strength, but he got through it and Dion Lennox as a challenger is fine. Sugars and Lennox arguing is a continuation of their past problems.
A WWE Speed match is next.
(Commercial)
Zaria was featured in a video package about her history with Sol Ruca over the last year. Zaria said she tried to be the supportive best friend while Ruca had two titles and Zaria had nothing. Zaria mentioned they failed to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles on multiple occasions. There were other examples of their problems. Zaria claimed that Sol knows that Zaria is better than her. Zaria said that next week she’ll be the Last Woman Standing.
Analysis: I liked that video just like Sol Ruca’s video. It summed up their history very well.
WWE Speed Tournament: EK Prosper vs. Dorian Van Dux
EK Prosper is the new name of Eli Knight. I’ve never seen Dorian in a match. A video aired from Dorian, who is from Belgium, and he called himself DVD. I’ll call him DVD for the review. This is a 3-minute WWE Speed match.
Prosper and DVD each went for moves as DVD caught Prosper and sent Prosper out of the ring. DVD hit a suicide dive on Prosper. Back in the ring, DVD hit a splash onto Prosper’s back across the ring. Prosper countered a move with a sunset flip. Prosper hit a moonsault onto DVD on the floor. Prosper went for a move off the turnbuckle, but DVD avoided it and hit a dropkick. DVD hit a running lariat for two. Great sell by Prosper. DVD went to the turnbuckle, but Prosper was back up with a kick and a hurricanrana. Prosper hit a running knee. DVD hit a kick. DVD jumped off the top with a Cutter. DVD went for a Shooting Star Press off the top, EK avoided it and EK jumped off the top with a moonsault for the win at 2:55.
Winner by pinfall: EK Prosper
Analysis: **1/4 A very fast-paced match with a lot of moves. DVD reminds me a lot of Pac/Neville, who is also a shorter guy with an impressive physique and an ability to wrestle in a lot of different ways. Prosper is very impressive as well. It was an entertaining match, even though it was shorter.
The win by EK Prosper means he’ll challenge Lexis King for the WWE Speed Title next week on NXT. King and his Birth Right buddies were watching Prosper from a distance.
Robert Stone was talking to Keanu Carver backstage about what Carver did to Joe Hendry earlier. Stone said that Carver is forcing his hand about next week and Carver said it would be Joe Hendry’s funeral.
A video aired about the new Club WWE, with John Cena narrating the video about it.
(Commercial)
There was an NXT Chronicle video about Kendal Grey saying she lets her actions speak for her. Grey talked about how far she’s come over the last year. Grey said her friendship with Wren Sinclair is a big part of her growth as a WWE superstar. Grey talked about being the former Women’s Evolve Champion and winning the Iron Survivor Challenge match last December. Grey spoke about how John Cena picked her to be in that match, and it meant a lot to her. Grey said she fell in love with WWE when she had her tryout. Grey teased that there’s more to come, and there’s another part coming next week.
Analysis: I think Kendal Grey has all the tools to be a massive star. She can really go in the ring, so it’s just a matter of developing as a character.
Tatum Paxley spoke to Robert Stone, saying he’s going to lay Blake Monroe to rest. Shiloh Hill showed up with a casket, so Paxley said it will be a Casket Match. Stone was okay with it.
Next week on NXT:
* Last Woman Standing: Sol Ruca vs. Zaria
* NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne vs. Dion Lennox
* Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox
* Women’s NXT North American Championship: Tatum Paxley vs. Blake Monroe
Analysis: That’s a good lineup. Everything has been built up well.
Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence entered for Jayne’s main event match.
(Commercial)
Darkstate was backstage with Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars, who argued about what happened out here. Shugars complained about Dion being selfish. Dion said he’s not changing the damn plan. Cutler James said they had to stick together. Osiris Griffin was there in the background as well. Dion said they need gold to get to the top of NXT, and this is their only shot, so why risk it? and Saquon didn’t know what to say in response.
The new NXT Women’s Champion, Lola Vice, made her entrance for the main event.
NXT Women’s Championship: Lola Vice vs. Jacy Jayne (w/Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)
This is Vice’s first title defense, while Jayne is going for her third time holding the NXT Women’s Title. It looks like Jacy Jayne has more “support” on her outfit compared to Stand & Deliver when she had a wardrobe malfunction a few times during the match.
Jayne and Vice exchanged chops. Jayne tripped up Vice for a pin attempt, and Vice tried her own trip into a pin attempt. Jayne hit a shoulder tackle. Vice got an armbar, Jayne got out of it and Vice punched Jayne in the ribs. Vice hit a spin kick that knocked Jayne out of the ring. Vice jumped onto Reid on the floor because Jayne avoided it. Jayne hit Vice with a boot to the head. They went on a break for some fans as the match continued. Jayne hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Jayne sent Vice into the turnbuckle and worked over Vice with kicks. Jayne hit a kick to the head and a senton splash for two. Jayne hit a jumping elbow smash to knock Vice down. Jayne grabbed a chinlock.
There was a double clothesline to put both women down. I think we saw that in the men’s title match earlier in the show, too. Vice and Jayne exchanged strikes. Jayne went for a kick, Vice ducked it and Vice hit a German Suplex. Vice worked over Jayne with kicks to the ribs and some quick kicks to the body. Vice hit two running hip attacks against the turnbuckle. Vice hit a belly-to-back suplex and a running splash for two. Vice tried a submission, but Jayne countered it into a pin attempt. Jayne hit a kick and Vice came back with a spin kick that sent Jayne out of the ring. Reid got in Vice’s face, so when Vice went into the ring, Jayne hit Vice with a pump knee strike for two. Jayne attacked Vice against the turnbuckle. Vice got a hold of the left arm by the apron. Reid distracted the referee, so Henley hit a kick on the apron (I don’t think Henley actually touched Vice) and Jayne hit a Rolling Encore to Vice for a two count. That is Jayne’s finisher. Vice applied a Guillotine Choke submission hold, but Jayne tried to fight out of it. Jayne got a rollup for a two count. Vice got a pin attempt, Jayne kicked out by sending Vice to the ropes and Reid did a cheap shot punch. Vice ducked an elbow, and Vice hit a spinning back fist on Jayne for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Lola Vice
Analysis: ***1/2 An impressive win by the champion, Lola Vice, who found a way to get the victory even though Jayne’s friends were helping her during the match. I don’t think many people watching this thought that Vice would lose in her first title defense, which made Jayne winning the title back unlikely. Jayne is another NXTer who certainly could be moved to the main roster. Jayne and Henley have been in NXT for over four years, so at some point, they should go to the main roster.
After the match, Lola Vice celebrated the win in the ring. Kali Armstrong went to ringside and hit a shoulder tackle on two Fatal Influence members. Kendal Grey was on the apron opposite Kali. Izzi Dame and The Culling were on a platform, too. Zaria made her entrance, so Sol Ruca attacked her. Vice posed in the ring to end the show.
Analysis: It was a way to show that NXT has a deep women’s roster. Even when they lose talent to the main roster, they find ways to replenish the division and build up others.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Lola Vice
- Tony D’Angelo
- Kelani Jordan
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2026 Average: 7.14
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
A solid wrestling show with some good matches all night long, and they built to some future matches as well. I think maybe if the match quality was better, I’d rate it higher, but it was still fun to watch. Lola Vice and Tony D’Angelo were expected, while there are multiple people on this show who could be going to the WWE main roster very soon.
They did a nice job of building to next week, too.
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John Canton
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