The John Report: WWE NXT 04/21/26 Review (NXT Revenge Week 2)
This week’s WWE NXT is called “Revenge” again, with Sol Ruca facing Zaria, Joe Hendry battling Keanu Carver, Tatum Paxley-Blake Monroe in a Casket Match, and more.
The NXT “Revenge” name is back this week after last week’s Revenge show, which featured several title matches, including Tony D’Angelo and Lola Vice retaining their NXT Titles. Since last week’s show, WrestleMania 42 took place on Raw after WrestleMania, and we learned that Ethan Page, Sol Ruca, and Joe Hendry received their much-deserved call-ups to the main roster.
Tonight’s NXT Revenge episode features three title matches, plus the Last Woman Standing match between Zaria and former best friend Sol Ruca, who, as mentioned above, is heading to Raw full-time. Regular NXT viewers know that when someone goes to the main roster, they usually lose a match in NXT before they go. It didn’t happen with Oba Femi back in January, but it does happen for most people.
As for me, it’s my 5th night in a row writing a live WWE review after a 3-hour SmackDown on Friday, 4-hour WrestleMania Saturday, 3.5-hour WrestleMania Sunday, 2.5-hour Monday Night Raw, and now NXT for two hours. It’s a lot of clotheslines and dropkicks in those hours, my friends. Thanks for the support.
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 hyping up the matches coming up on this week’s NXT Revenge show.
They got right to the action this week as Myles Borne made his entrance for an NXT North American Title defense. Dion Lennox was joined by his three Darkstate buddies.
It’s Vic Joseph on commentary with Booker T. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.
NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne vs. Dion Lennox (w/Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin & Cutler James)
Dion hit a Spinebuster early on for a two count. Borne came back with a clothesline and dropkick. Dion hit a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Borne hit a suplex for a two count. Borne hit a powerslam. Dion went to the floor, so Borne ran the ropes and jumped over the top on Griffin and Dion on the floor. After Borne was distracted by Darkstate on the floor, Dion hit a clothesline on the apron. Dion sent Borne back first into the steel bars on the outside of the ring. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too.
It was Dion in control for three minutes during the break. Dion clotheslined Borne over the top to the floor. Dion tried a kick, Borne moved and Dion kicked the steel steps. Borne tried a strike, but Dion hit a belly-to-back suplex onto the bottom half of the steel steps. That got Dion a two count in the ring. Dion did a unique slingshot sitout Powerbomb for a two count. Borne was selling the back injury as he fought back and hit a leaping DDT. Borne hit a backbreaker. Borne hit a slam off the shoulders onto the knee, which is like the Ushigoroshi that AJ Styles used. Borne went up top, Shugars went after him and Borne kicked Shugars down. Dion tripped up Borne on the top turnbuckle. Dion hit a superplex from the middle turnbuckle. Borne and Dion exchanged punches. They did a double clothesline that knocked each guy down. Shugars called a play from the floor, so James held onto Dion while Borne tried a move. Borne punched Griffin down. Borne sent Dion into Shugars on the apron, and Borne hit the Borne Again (Zig Zag) for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Myles Borne
Analysis: ***1/4 A good match with Dion Lennox getting most of the offense, but Myles Borne did a nice job of making a comeback and figuring out a way to win at the end. The fact that Lennox hit Shugars before the pin continues the story of Shugars and Lennox having issues over the last few weeks. Darkstate continues its struggle while Borne is still the champion. Hopefully, Borne gets a meaningful feud.
Blake Monroe looked at her version of the NXT Women’s North American Title. The Vanity Project trio found some hot chick to meet up with, so they left, and Blake said it was okay. Jackson Drake said they’ll be across the street.
The Joe Hendry-Keanu Carver match was next as both guys were shown walking backstage.
A commercial aired for WWE Backlash on May 9th. The graphic said it had a 6 p.m. ET start time. Is that the regular start time now? I guess it is.
(Commercial)
The NXT GM, Robert Stone, was talking to Saquon Shugars backstage, and Shugars said Stone had to give Darkstate another chance. Stone kept on walking.
Tatum Paxley and Shiloh Hill were talking about her Casket Match tonight. Hill said he got Vanity Project set up for a date, she asked with whom, and Hill didn’t say much in response. Hill said he’s facing Ricky Saints next week. Hill wished Paxley good luck.
Joe Hendry vs. Keanu Carver
This may be Joe Hendry’s NXT farewell match since he may be on Raw, but I don’t know if that’s been confirmed. Booker sang Joe’s song. Joe hit a boot to the face, a chop block, and a knee to the face. Carver worked over Joe with punches and kicks. Carver sent Joe hard into the turnbuckle. Vic said Joe would like to be in the NXT Title conversation, so maybe Joe isn’t going to Raw yet. I don’t know. Anyway, Joe clotheslined Carver out of the ring, and the show went on a break for some fans, so I’ll take a break.
Carver was dominating as usual for the heel during the break. Carver hit a German Suplex across the ring. Carver showed off his power with a backbreaker for two. Joe hit a knee to the face to try to break free. Carver missed a corner charge when Joe moved, and Joe worked over Carver with a clothesline. Joe hit a discus clothesline and a fallaway slam. Joe did his stare into the camera, but Carver was back up with a clothesline. Carver hit a Spinebuster that had a rough landing. Carver hit six elbows to the side of the head. The referee checked on Joe, and Joe sold it like he was knocked out, so the referee stopped the match. It went about 9 minutes. Vic put over Carver while wondering when the last time we’ve seen somebody do that.
Winner by referee’s stoppage: Keanu Carver
Analysis: *** It was a dominant win by Keanu Carver, and if Joe Hendry is going to the main roster officially next Monday on Raw, then it makes sense that he would put over Carver like that. You don’t see a lot of referee stoppage finishes like that, so it separates Carver from others. The elbow smashes by Carver looked safe, and it’s a good way to make him stand out from the pack. I think Carver still has a ways to go in the ring to improve as an in-ring performer, but character-wise, he’s very believable as an overpowering badass heel.
A video package aired about Lizzy Rain making her NXT debut next week, and she’s a big fan of heavy metal music. Lizzy said heavy metal and Lizzy Rain will never die.
Lexis King made his entrance with his Birth Right allies for his WWE Speed match.
There was a clip of the Hulk Hogan documentary on Netflix.
(Commercial)
For the Vacant WWE Speed Championship: EK Prosper vs. Lexis King (w/Charlie Dempsey, Uriah Connors, Stacks & Arianna Grace)
It’s for the vacant WWE Speed Championship with a 5-minute time limit. Prosper went for a pin attempt right away and got a two count. Prosper did a backflip, followed by a dropkick. Prosper hit a jumping kick and a leg drop to the back of the head. King bailed to the floor, Connors distracted and King kicked Prosper in the knee. King hit a double foot stomp and a running dropkick for a two count. Prosper ran the ropes and hit a running knee for two. King hit a clothesline and an atomic drop. King hit a double knee attack to the back for two. Prosper countered King and hit a jumping kick to the head. Prosper hit an overhead suplex by the turnbuckle. Prosper went up top, King pushed him and Prosper was on the apron. Prosper gave King a back body drop on the apron. Prosper went up to and hit a moonsault onto the four Birth Right guys on the floor. Grace slapped Prosper, and then Prosper dropped two more of the guys. Back in the ring, King hit a superkick. King hit the Coronation for the pinfall win at 4:33.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW WWE Speed Champion: Lexis King
Analysis: **1/2 A fast-paced match with some chaos outside the ring because EK Prosper tried to take out the guys on the floor, and King capitalized to get the pinfall win. I think Prosper is a lot of fun to watch, and he’ll probably win the Speed Title at some point, but I’m fine with King winning because it’s good for him and the Birth Right stable.
Lexis King and his Birth Right allies celebrated the win.
The Vanity Project was shown in a bar, so Brad Baylor showed a live shot of Jackson Drake. It led to Drake saying he got stood up, so then a tall woman appeared and she said she heard Drake say he got stood up.
Blake Monroe made her entrance dressed in black for the Casket Match.
(Commercial)
Saquon Shugars approached the Darkstate guys in the backstage area. Shugars said he got them a rematch. Dion Lennox said he owes Shugars, and he’ll beat Myles Borne in the rematch. Shugars revealed that NXT GM Robert Stone said that Shugars is the one getting the title shot. Lennox said he meant that anybody in the group can bring the gold to the family. They were united.
They showed Zaria attacking Sol Ruca on Monday’s Raw to cost Sol in her match against Liv Morgan.
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Tatum Paxley vs. Blake Monroe
The only way to win is by putting your opponent in the casket and closing the lid. Anything goes in terms of the rules. It’s the first Casket Match with a championship on the line since the 1998 Royal Rumble. That was a famous match between champion Shawn Michaels beating The Undertaker, thanks to Kane. Michaels also suffered a serious back injury, bumping on the casket in that match. It’s a famous match.
Paxley hit a knee to the face and wanted to throw Blake in the casket, but Blake got out of there. Blake set up Paxley on the top rope and tried a headscissors into the casket, but Paxley avoided that. Paxley hit Blake with some flowers to the back and Blake had to sell it like some deadly weapon. Paxley hit Blake with a forearm to close the lid. Paxley pulled out her dollhouse from under the ring and set it up against the barricade. Blake gouged the eyes and dropkicked Paxley into the dollhouse. They went on a break, as I’ll stick with the action for this one. Blake slammed the dollhouse onto Paxley’s back. Blake tried sending Paxley into the casket, but Paxley stopped it. Blake sent Paxley into the casket lid. Blake put Paxley in the casket, but Paxley stopped the lid from closing and went back into the ring. Blake charged with a belt shot, but Paxley tripped her. Blake hit a neckbreaker. Blake sent Paxley’s head into the casket lid a few times. Blake hit a suplex.
Paxley fired up with punches, a kick to the head and a German Suplex. Paxley hit a flipping leg lariat to the head. The casket was opened, and Blake hit Paxley with a pillow, I guess. Paxley with a superkick and Blake hit a knee. Both women fell into the casket at the same time and the lid shut with both women in it, but that won’t end the match. They were exchanging strikes on the casket, and then Paxley countered Blake with a Spanish Fly from the casket to the floor. Ouch. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for the ladies. Blake sprayed Paxley with a fire extinguisher. Blake hit her Glamour Shot DDT on the floor. Blake put Paxley in the casket, but Paxley’s head was free with Blake’s title to prevent the casket from being closed. Blake hit Paxley in the back with the title a few times. Blake opened up a pillow and poured out a bag full of diamonds in the ring. Blake countered a Blake move and hit the Cemetery Drive onto the diamonds that were in the ring. Paxley hit a spinning kick to the head to knock Blake into the casket. Paxley shut the casket to win the match. It went about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tatum Paxley
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a lot of fun with plenty of creative moves throughout the match. I liked the spot where Paxley was able to avoid the lid being shut and also the Spanish Fly off the casket onto the floor. It was very innovative. The diamonds that Blake wanted to use ended up costing her the match since Paxley slammed Blake onto the diamonds, which smartly led right into the finish. I figured Paxley would retain. I wonder if Blake will go to the main roster soon or if they keep her in NXT for a few more months and she’ll go after the NXT Women’s Title, and might win it.
Tatum Paxley celebrated with the NXT Women’s North American Title on the casket.
They showed the bar where Jackson Drake was talking to the woman he met, and the woman he was talking to said he got set up with an AI bot. Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes realized that Shiloh Hill set them up. The powerful woman is named Myka Lockwood, and she was on WWE LFG previously. Anyway, she left with Drake to get dinner.
The NXT Women’s Champion, Lola Vice, was walking backstage for a promo up next.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Lola Vice
Lola Vice made her entrance as the NXT Women’s Champion and the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion. Vice said that in beating Jacy Jayne, she showed the type of champion she’s going to be. Vice credited Jayne for elevating this NXT Women’s Title. Vice said that the hardest part of being a champion is keeping it. Vice knows all eyes are on her in the locker room and NXT is full of girls waiting for their moment. Vice said that several women made it clear they want what she has. Vice said they are threats and they want Lola’s NXT Women’s Championship. Vice said holding this championship could mean you are a WrestleMania main eventer one day. Vice said that this title is for women to step up and take their shot. Vice said she was that girl and she is still that girl. Vice said she respects it, and she understands. Vice said if you step into Vice City, you are stepping into a fight. Vice said you’ll get knocked out and stepped on.
Izzi Dame walked out with The Culling’s Shawn Spears and Niko Vance. Dame said that Vice called Dame a threat and said thank you because it’s true. Dame said that every time Vice steps into the ring, she has to prove something. Dame said she’s watching, learning and waiting for when Vice makes a mistake. Dame claimed Vice is a champion who will lose in small moments. Dame said she’s going to rip Vice apart. Dame wants Vice to thank her when she takes the title from Vice.
Vice said that she hopes Dame takes her shot and waits for the right moment. Dame said The Culling are always two steps ahead, which is why she’ll be the NXT Women’s Champion. Vance reached for one of Vice’s titles and Dame kicked Vice to knock her down. Dame posed with the title.
Analysis: This was okay. Vice’s promos have improved, and I like the confidence that Vice showed as the champion. Dame was a confident heel as usual, and it’s a role she’s good at. Dame is a good talker. I’m not sure how good the match will be when it happens, but I expect Vice to retain.
Lex King, the new WWE Speed Champion, was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. King claimed he was the fastest man alive. King said that they have a real champion now, and not some college recruit. EK Prosper walked in, saying that wasn’t fair. Dorian Van Dux walked in to challenge Birth Right to a tag team match next week. It was accepted.
A commercial aired about WWE LFG’s new season starting on Sunday on A&E with a 10 p.m. ET start time.
(Commercial)
There were replays of Keanu Carver and Tatum Paxley winning their matches earlier in the show.
NXT Chronicle: Kendal Grey
They showed Kendal Grey talking about her career and she spoke about how growing up in Vegas was cool. Grey said she competed against guys in wrestling, and it was natural for her to compete with guys like her older brother. Grey said she was a tomboy, while her mom didn’t wear makeup and her dad bonded with her through sports. Grey said she got hit by a ball at a baseball game. Grey talked about bad luck injuries and scars from earlier in her life. Grey said she has always been obsessed with having her hand raised, and she’s still obsessed with it. Grey said she won’t stop until she gets her hand on the NXT Women’s Championship.
Analysis: I think Kendal Grey winning the NXT Women’s Title this year makes a lot of sense. Grey has a very bright future. She’s already very good as a wrestler, and if she improves as a character, then there will be no stopping her.
Lola Vice was talking to NXT GM Robert Stone, saying she had the perfect person in mind to handle The Culling.
Ricky Saints was shown beating up Shiloh Hill in Robert’s Stone office. Stone called for help.
Next week on NXT:
* Ricky Saints vs. Shiloh Hill
* NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne vs. Saquon Shugars
Sol Ruca made her entrance for the main event.
(Commercial)
Robert Stone was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber, saying he’ll give her an update on Shiloh Hill when he gets one. NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo was delivered a box with Japanese lettering. Keanu Carver walked up to Tony, who asked if it was from Carver and Carver said no because if he wanted some, he’ll take it. Carver told Tony it’s the symbol of war, and said that this place is circling with sharks, so Tony should be ready. Stone said he’s not wrong, and his phone has been blowing up.
Zaria’s music played and she was already in the ring to attack, but Sol was ready. The bell rang.
Last Woman Standing Match: Sol Ruca vs. Zaria
The way to win this match is by keeping your opponent down for a ten count. Anything goes other than that.
Ruca sent Zaria out of the ring and Ruca hit a spinning splash onto Zaria on the floor. Zaria threw a garbage can at Ruca. Zaria picked up the garbage can and Ruca dropkicked it to knock Zaria down. Zaria hit Ruca with some cables from ringside. Ruca choked Ruca with the cable. Ruca avoided a kendo stick shot and hit an X-Factor. Ruca hit Zaria with kendo stick shots to the body. Ruca hit Zaria six or seven times with the kendo stick to the body. Ruca stomped on Zaria’s back to send her face first into the kendo stick. Zaria was back up at the 8 count. Ruca jumped over the top to grab Zaria on the apron, but Zaria fought to free herself. Zaria hit a pump kick on the floor. Zaria tried an F5 on the floor, but Zaria landed on her feet and Ruca hit a Spear through the wood under the platform in the back part of the building. Zaria was back up at 9 and then she collapsed, so Ruca collapsed as well. They went on a break as I’ll stick with the action on Netflix. Ruca cleared off the commentary table. Zaria was back up and tossed Ruca over the barricade and into the crowd. Ruca and Zaria went fighting into the crowd. They were both standing on the barricade near the commentary table. The referee was talking to them and likely giving time cues.
The match returned from the break for some fans as the two women were fighting on the barricade. Zaria picked Ruca and gave her an F5 through the commentary table. Ruca managed to get up before the ten count. Zaria set up a table on the floor near the platform in the back corner. Ruca hit a German Suplex and a running knee. Zaria was back up before the ten count. Ruca put the table on the floor. Ruca was eyeing the platform. Zaria knocked Ruca down. Zaria pulled out a second Slim Jim table and Zaria set it up beside the original table. Ruca got a piece of the commentary table and hit Ruca with it twice. Ruca put Zaria on the two commentary tables. Ruca climbed into the card and went up to the platform. When Ruca looked down, Zaria was off the table. Ruca turned around, Zaria charged, Ruca jumped over her and Sol hit a Sol Snatcher on the top of the platform. They exchanged strikes while on top of the platform that was about 15 feet high. Ruca held onto Zaria, who was about to fall and Zaria said she was sorry. Ruca smiled and gave Zaria a big hug. As the two women hugged, Zaria had an evil smirk on her face. The referee literally was talking to them. Zaria shoved Ruca, who went back first through the front table and didn’t hit the table, but the back of Ruca’s head hit the floor hard. Ouch. That was a rough landing. The referee checked on Sol on the floor and then started counting her down. The referee got to 7…8…9…and 10 to give Zaria the win as the Last Woman Standing. It went about 15 minutes.
Winner And Last Woman Standing: Zaria
Analysis: ***1/2 A heated rivalry ended with that decisive win by Zaria, getting the biggest victory of her career by beating her former best friend, Sol Ruca. That final bump by Ruca looked scary, so I hope she’s okay. I think she used her hands by her head to help with the landing, but it still looked nasty, taking a back bump from that height. Zaria getting the win was the right call since Ruca is going to Raw, so I’m sure Ruca had no problem putting over her buddy in a big way. Zaria should move into title contention for either of the women’s titles, and I think she’ll win one of them soon.
Zaria stood tall on the platform while Ruca was out on the floor. That was the end of the show.
NOT THIS WAY 😱😱😱
ZARIA IS THE LAST WOMAN STANDING@ZariaWWE_ pic.twitter.com/NiggNdLYH8
— WWE (@WWE) April 22, 2026
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Three Stars of the Show
- Zaria and Sol Ruca
- Tatum Paxley
- Keanu Carver/Myles Borne
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2026 Average: 7.17
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
A strong show this week that was carried by several good to great matches. I don’t think any one match stood out above the rest as easily the best or anything that exceptional, but a lot of the matches felt above average. No surprise to see Zaria beating Sol Ruca and Keanu Carver beating Joe Hendry, since Ruca is heading to Raw and Hendry likely is Raw-bound too.
I’m still not sure when the next NXT PLE is, so hopefully that gets announced soon, and the stories can build to whatever that show is.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email [email protected]
Twitter/X @johnreport