The John Report: WWE NXT 04/28/26 Review
This week’s WWE NXT features Tony D’Angelo, Ricky Saints facing Shiloh Hill, Myles Borne against Saquon Shugars, and more.
Last week’s episode of NXT saw Blake Monroe lose to Tatum Paxley, Joe Hendry lose to Keanu Carver, and Sol Roca lose to Zaria. That’s because Monroe is now on SmackDown, while Hendry and Ruca are on Raw. Ruca lost a Last Woman Standing match to Zaria, where Ruca took a back-first bump about 12 feet down through two tables, and the back of her head hit one of the tables. It was a nasty bump, but thankfully, Ruca was okay. There were also losses by Ethan Page and Jacy Jayne two weeks ago. They’re off to the main roster too. NXT has lost a lot of good talent to the main roster since the start of the year, and they just have to keep pushing forward.
It was announced earlier today that The CW Network will not only be the TV home of NXT in the US, but it’s also where NXT PLEs will air. Here’s part of the press release.
The CW Network and WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, today announced all NXT Premium Live Events (PLEs) will now air exclusively on The CW. Beginning with The Great American Bash later this summer, The CW will broadcast 20 PLEs in their entirety live on both coasts over the next several years, including Stand and Deliver, Deadline, and Vengeance Day. With the addition of NXT PLEs to The CW’s lineup, the network is now the exclusive home for all NXT programming – which showcases WWE’s hottest up-and-coming Superstars – also airing weekly live NXT installments every Tuesday night. WWE will continue to produce all PLEs.
For international WWE fans, NXT’s TV show and PLEs are on Netflix, which is what I use to watch NXT here in Canada.
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 a video package about the NXT Revenge episodes from the last two weeks.
The NXT GM Robert Stone was talking to NXT boss Shawn Michaels and WWE PC Head Coach Matt Bloom. Stone talked about NXT losing a lot of talent recently, so they mentioned bringing in talent from Evolve and other places. Michaels talked about how they have done their jobs well by getting superstars ready for the main roster. Michaels said you can throw a stick of dynamite into that locker room and see who emerges, which was a way of saying it is anyone’s game.
Analysis: The idea is that even though NXT lost a lot of talent recently, it is something they are used to, and there are opportunities for others to emerge.
It was Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.
NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne vs. Saquon Shugars (w/Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Cutler James)
Borne hit a suplex into a slam, followed by a gutwrench suplex across the ring. Borne hit a powerslam. After Shugars left the ring, Borne jumped over the top onto Griffin and Shugars on the floor. Shugars held onto the ropes, and Borne missed a dropkick. Borne hit a clothesline, and Shugars flipped Borne over the top onto the ring apron. Shugars pulled Borne so that he went throat-first into the steel bar connected to the turnbuckle. Shugars sent Borne into the commentary table. They went on a break for some fans as Shugars was in full control.
It was Shugars dominating for a few minutes during the break. Shugars hit a knee to the back and a splash to the back. Shugars hit a leg drop to the throat. Shugars set up Borne on the top turnbuckle and kicked Borne in the back. They were both standing on the top and Borne countered Shugars on a belly-to-back suplex off the top, so Borne landed on top of Shugars. There were five pin attempts in a row by both guys. Shugars was on the turnbuckle and Borne hit a dropkick to knock him down. Borne hit a Fisherman’s Suplex for two. Dion distracted Borne, so Shugars hit a Northern Lights Suplex and a dropkick while Borne was on the ground. Lennox wanted to use a chair, so Shugars took it away from him, and Borne shoved Shugars into Lennox. Borne hit a back body drop on Shugars on the floor. Borne sent Lennox into the steel steps. Borne hit a Borne Again neckbreaker (Zig Zag) on Shugars for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Myles Borne
Analysis: ***1/4 A good championship match with Borne getting the win due to Shugars and Lennox having a disagreement on the floor regarding the steel chair usage. It continues the story of Shugars and Lennox having issues, so one of them is likely going to be out of Darkstate soon. I think Shugars could do well as a babyface. Borne is having solid matches as the NXT NA Champion, although I wouldn’t say his matches stand out that much.
A wrestler named “Mr. England”, Tristan Angels, arrived in the crowd and did a promo saying we will see more of Angels in NXT. Kam Hendrix attacked Borne from behind, and he gave Borne a uranage slam.
Analysis: I don’t know anything about Angels, but I liked the promo. Hendrix was on LFG, and he’s married to Maxxine Dupri. He’s been in WWE for a few years, so we’ll see what he can do.
Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair were chatting about the changes in NXT. Kelani Jordan complained about how unfair things are since she’s never gotten a shot at the NXT Women’s Title. Jordan trashed both of them while claiming that Grey is going to turn on Sinclair at some point. They kept bickering, so Jordan challenged Sinclair to a match.
The NXT Champion, Tony D’Angelo, is up next.
A commercial aired for the Shawn Michaels documentary that’s on Peacock.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Tony D’Angelo
The NXT Champion, Tony D’Angelo, made his entrance looking stoic and confident as usual. There were “Tony” chants before the champion spoke. Tony said that the more this place changes, the more it stays the same. Tony spoke about how competitors come and go. Tony said there’s not a man tough enough on this roster to knock him off the top of the mountain. Tony talked about somebody sending him a box last week. Tony said there are competitors from Evolve, LFG, Europeans stepping up and Keanu Carver side-eyeing him, but he’s more interested in the box. Tony said he knew that was a warning. The lights went out. Some music played.
A wrestler emerged from the back and walked out wearing a robe as he slowly got into the ring. The fans were chanting “Evil” for the Japanese wrestler who recently signed with WWE. Tony was presented with a shirt. It was Evil. Vic said that he is the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion without saying his name. Vice said that shirt may be a gift of pure evil. Tony was attacked by Tavion Heights, who hit Tony with a belly-to-belly slam. Heights had his hair styled differently than in the past and shouted about how it’s his time now. A dude went into the ring and he jumped off the top with a moonsault onto Tony. Vic: “Who the hell is this?” They didn’t say a name.
Analysis: There are introductions of more characters, with Evil joining WWE as a former IWGP World Champion, who is clearly going after NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo. Tavion Heights has been a babyface for a few years after being a heel in the NQCC, so we’ll see how he does as a singles babyface. I don’t know who the guy was who hit the moonsault on Tony. Update: The moonsault guy is Will Kroos.
Tatum Paxley and Shiloh Hill were outside in a place that looked like a graveyard. Paxley talked about how she ended Blake Monroe (who is now on SmackDown). Paxley said something comes over her when it comes to this title because she goes into survival mode. Hill said that Paxley forms strong attachments to things and people. Paxley mentioned Hill had a big match with Ricky Saints. Paxley said Hill is going to kill it. Paxley lay down beside an empty grave.
(Commercial)
The Birth Right was in the ring as Lexis King claimed he was the fastest man alive as the WWE Speed Champion. King claimed that EK Prosper will have to be on his own today since his Belgian bud suffered a little accident. They showed Birth Right beating up Prosper’s tag team partner, Dorian Von Dux, earlier in the night.
EK Prosper went into the ring to try to fight the four Birth Right guys, but he couldn’t do it alone. Sean Legacy made the save for Prosper, and they cleared the ring. That led to a tag team match.
Birth Right – Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Uriah Connors (w/Arianna Grace, Lexis King & Charlie Dempsey) vs. EK Prosper & Sean Legacy
Legacy tripped up Stacks, followed by a dropkick. Legacy hit a superkick on Stacks and a German Suplex on Connors. Legacy kicked Connors in the back. Prosper jumped off the top with a double foot stomp to the back. Prosper did an incredible backflip off the ropes, followed by a dropkick. Stacks tripped up Prosper on the apron. Connors and Stacks each hit dives onto their opponents to take control into a break for some fans. The Birth Right guys controlled the next three plus minutes.
The match continued with Legacy kicking Connors while he was on the turnbuckle. Legacy jumped off the turnbuckle and hit a sitout reverse suplex. Prosper jumped into the ring with a flatliner, a jumping kick, and an impressive Tornado DDT. Prosper hit a moonsault off the ropes to knock both guys down. Prosper hit Stacks with a Michinoku Driver for a two count because Connors broke up the pin. Stacks hit a sitout slam, and Connors hit a Swanton Bomb for a two count because Legacy made the save. The fans chanted, “This is Awesome” for them. Legacy hit a Spanish Fly backflip slam, and Prosper hit a running kick. Prosper hit a moonsault off the top on Stacks. Legacy hit a twisting neckbreaker off the shoulders on Stacks for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: EK Prosper & Sean Legacy
Analysis: ***1/4 The Prosper/Legacy team is a lot of fun to watch. I know they’re not a regular tag team, but they are both so talented in the ring and hit high-flying moves with ease. I really liked the pacing of the match. Stacks and Connors are very good too, so it was a fun match to watch.
Post match, Birth Right attacked Prosper and Legacy in the ring. Tate Wilder from Evolve went out to the ring and hit a missile dropkick on two guys. Wilder hit a flipping clothesline on the floor, and it didn’t connect, but they sold it anyway. The trio of Prosper, Legacy, and Wilder were celebrating in the ring.
Analysis: The NXT roster continues to grow with Tate Wilder out there. I don’t watch Evolve, so he’s new to me. That spot he did on the floor didn’t work, so he’ll need to work on that in the future.
The women’s locker room was shown with Jaida Parker talking to Thea Hail about the changes to the roster. Kali Armstrong argued with Jaida Parker, so other women got up to break it up before there was a fight.
(Commercial)
A video aired featuring Shawn Michaels announcing that NXT PLEs will be on The CW starting this summer. The announcers talked about how big it is.
Analysis: I don’t think it’s a big move for NXT to have their PLEs on the TV station that the show is on, since that means there will be commercials throughout those broadcasts. It’s probably a bad sign that they couldn’t find a better home for NXT PLEs.
They showed NXT GM Robert Stone backstage, welcoming Tate Wilder to NXT.
Let’s Hear from Lola Vice
The NXT Women’s Champion, Lola Vice, told Stone she’s about to call out Izzi Dame, so Vice went into the ring for a promo. Vice trashed Dame for not being able to do anything on her own. Vice called out Izzi to show Vice what she’s got.
Shawn Spears appeared on the video screen. Spears said if you want to hang onto the NXT Women’s Championship, then you need to be one step ahead, just like The Culling is one step ahead.
Izzi Dame and Niko Vance appeared behind Vice, so Mr. Iguana emerged from under the ring to help Vice. Iguana and Vice cleared the ring and celebrated as the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions.
Analysis: A quick segment to show that Lola Vice had backup in Mr. Iguana, so that should set up a mixed tag team match before they get to Vice against Dame.
Darkstate was shown arguing backstage. Dion Lennox said that Saquon Shugars must be foolish to think that Lennox would cost him the title match. Cutler James and Osiris Griffin spoke up, saying they need to be more focused. James said that they are going to get back the NXT Tag Team Titles, and they left.
(Commercial)
The heavy metal superfan Lizzy Rain from England made her entrance for her NXT debut match. Rain claims that heavy metal will never die. The fans loved her.
Nikkita Lyons vs. Lizzy Rain
Rain hit an elbow smash off the middle turnbuckle. Lyons caught Rain and hit a spinning slam. Lyons punched Rain repeatedly, followed by a split-legged leg drop. Lyons sent Rain face first into the turnbuckle a few times. Lyons worked over Rain with a kick to the chest. Rain hit a roundhouse kick to the head. Rain hit two clotheslines and a Cutter. Rain worked over Lyons with chops as the fans chanted, “Make it Rain” for Rain. Lyons hit a spin kick and a sitout slam for two. Lyons went for a Vader Bomb, but Rain avoided it and Lyons hit the mat. Rain hit a running uppercut to knock Lyons down. Rain charged, stepped up and hit a roundhouse kick to the head called Thunderstruck for the pinfall win after 5 minutes. Vic said it was a knee to the head, but it looked like more of a kick.
Winner by pinfall: Lizzy Rain
Analysis: **1/4 An impressive debut for Rain, who has the support of the fans already just by being a woman who is passionate about heavy metal music. Lyons looked good here, too, and I hope he gets more TV time moving forward.
Myles Borne was in the locker room where he talked to his buddy Tavion Heights. Borne wondered why Heights did what he did. Borne said it’s not like Heights. Borne said that NXT is wide open, and they’ve got people coming from all over the place. Borne mentioned the new people, and Height said you can add him.
Keanu Carver walked up to Borne to say that this place is full of sharks circling, and Carver is the great white.
Kelani Jordan made her entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
The Vanity Project trio was talking backstage about the happenings in NXT with Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes as the NXT Tag Team Champions. Jackson Drake talked about his date last week, so then Jasper Troy interrupted and challenged Drake to a match next week.
Kelani Jordan vs. Wren Sinclair (w/Kendal Grey)
Jordan and Wren exchanged pin attempts. Wren grounded Jordan with a submission on the legs. Wren and Jordan got pin attempts after countering moves. Jordan hit a dropkick on Wren for a two count. Wren hit a running shoulder tackle and a facebuster into the mat for two. Wren charged, Jordan moved, and Wren avoided a twisting attack. Wren kicked Jordan out of the ring and Wren hit a dropkick. They went on a break for some fans as the match continued.
It was Jordan in control as she attacked Wren’s left knee. Wren hit some chops and clotheslines. Wren hit a running clothesline. Wren hit a double underhook suplex out of the corner for a two count. Wren rolled up Jordan for two. Jordan kicked Wren’s left knee and Jordan jumped into the ring with a Cutter. Jordan went up top and hit a Frog Splash, but Wren got the knees up for a two count. Wren applied the Final Wrench submission, but then Wren was selling the left injury. Jordan hit an Angle-Slam like move. Jordan hit a One of a Kind split-legged moonsault for the win. It went about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Kelani Jordan
Analysis: ***1/4 A competitive match that saw Wren doing a great job of selling the knee injury, and Jordan was the relentless heel who found a way to wear down Wrenn to win the match. It probably sets up Jordan for a match against Grey soon.
Zaria was featured in a video package talking about her history with Sol Ruca and beating Ruca in their final. Zaria said she doesn’t make compromises. Zaria said now that Ruca is going, Zaria will scorch everyone and everything in her way.
Analysis: The video looks like it was AI-generated, so it’s led to a lot of complaints from WWE fans. I get why there’s complaining, but it didn’t really bother me. I think it was just done to give it a futuristic look and to try something different.
The Ricky Saints/Shiloh Hill main event match is next.
(Commercial)
Next Tuesday on NXT:
* Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana vs. Izzi Dame & Niko Vance
* Kali Armstrong vs. Kelani Jordan
* Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake
Ricky Saints vs. Shiloh Hill
The former NXT Champion, Ricky, was in control with a back elbow. Hill set Ricky up on the top rope, and Hill hit a running knee lift to the head. They left the ring, so Ricky spun around on the apron to kick Hill. When Hill went under the ring, Ricky pulled out a dummy from under the ring and Hill dove onto Ricky on the floor. Hill put the dummy onto the barricade. They went on a break for a few minutes.
Ricky was dominating the action with a running dropkick against the turnbuckle for a two count. Ricky ran the ropes, Hill caught him and Ricky countered a move with a DDT for two. Ricky went for a DDT off the ropes, but Hill avoided it and Hill hit a spinning powerslam. Ricky tried to get some more offense going and Hill hit another spinning slam for two. Ricky hit a jawbreaker. Hill went for the spinning splash, but Ricky avoided it and countered with a neckbreaker. Hill went for a clothesline and Ricky hit a veteran OPP QB. Ricky and Hill exchanged punches. Hill did a popup forearm to the face. Hill hit a spinning splash for a two count. Hill went up top, he took way too long and Ricky bumped the referee, Adrian Butler, into the ropes, so Hill was crotched on the top. Ricky gave Hill a superplex into a cover for a two count. Ricky smacked the tooth out of Hill’s mouth, so Hill was fired up and crotched Ricky on the top rope. Ricky went to the floor and sent Hill into the steel steps. Ricky hit the Rochambeau on Hill on the floor. Ricky brought a chair into the ring, the referee took it away and Hill gave Ricky a drop toe hold onto the chair. Hill hit a popup neckbreaker called Whisper to the Beast on Ricky for the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Shiloh Hill
Analysis: *** The match was a solid TV main event. I think Hill has a long way to go, but the fans like the guy and he puts on strong showings in these matches. It was already announced that Ricky Saints was heading to SmackDown, so the result of this was never in doubt.
Shiloh Hill celebrated in the crowd.
Tony D’Angelo walked into the boss’s meeting to say there’s a lot of chaos and he loves it. Shawn Michaels says JD will get him to find a new opponent.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Ricky Saints since it was his NXT goodbye
- EK Prosper & Sean Legacy
- Kelani Jordan,
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The Scoreboard
This week: 6.75 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2026 Average: 7.17
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
This episode felt like a reminder that this is a developmental brand featuring new faces all the time, and many of them are very early in their careers. These aren’t polished talents. With that said, I think the show is still fun to watch and exciting. However, I think it’s hurt by the lack of bigger names on the show.
The match quality was strong, and I enjoyed that aspect of the show. It’s just that some of the stories and promos aren’t as interesting as they were in NXT’s better days. It’s a growth period for the brand. In the coming months, we’ll learn more about a lot of these people, but for now, it just seems like people randomly are showing up to do surprise attacks, and it’s hard to digest it all at once.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email [email protected]
Twitter/X @johnreport