The John Report: WWE NXT 06/16/26 Review
This week’s WWE NXT features Nattie battling Jaida Parker, a Tony D’Angelo-Naraku discussion, Tavion Heights facing Jackson Drake, and more.
Last week’s NXT episode saw Zaria beat Tatum Paxley to become the new NXT Women’s North American Champion. The next WWE NXT PLE is the Great American Bash, scheduled for Sunday, June 28th.
For this review, I’ll go play-by-play for some matches and a summary-style review for others.
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 recapping last week’s show. I thought it was one of the better episodes of the year.
The commentary team this week is Vic Joseph and Corey Graves, who is filling in for Booker T this week. Graves is very good.
Let’s Hear from Zaria
The new NXT Women’s North American Champion, Zaria, made her entrance for a promo celebration. Zaria did a promo saying she spent so much time in Sol Ruca’s shadow and she forgot what the sun looked like, but after setting the women’s division ablaze, you’re looking at the new NXT Women’s North American Champion. Zaria bragged about how she did it on her own. Zaria spoke about how people talked about other women when it came to the future of the women’s division, but now she’s holding this championship. Zaria told the fans she doesn’t owe them any gratitude.
Kelani Jordan interrupted to congratulate Zaria since Jordan was the first NXT Women’s North American Champion. Jordan claimed she made that title relevant. Jordan said she was there to give her advice. Jordan said that the fans chanting “You deserve it” will flip on you by the end of the week. Jordan said no matter what you do, it will never be good enough and they will still find ways to overlook you. Jordan told Zaria to hold onto that title closely because you never know when you will get another tile shot. Jordan complained about Kendal Grey beating her last week and getting an NXT Women’s Title shot even though they are 1-1 in recent matches.
Kendal Grey interrupted the promo and said she beat Jordan, so now, in two weeks, she gets a shot at the NXT Women’s Title at the Great American Bash. Grey said Jordan will watch her become the new NXT Women’s Champion. Grey said if she faces Grey, then it will be the same result. Zaria complained about how she was out here for five minutes, and others want to make it about themselves.
Lola Vice interrupted as the NXT Women’s Champion. Vice said that Zaria has only been champion for a week and told her to get over Sol. Vice spoke in Spanish to Jordan. Vice said she beat Grey before, and she’ll beat her again. Zaria shouted about how if anybody else wants to steal her shine.
Robert Stone, the NXT GM, walked out to interrupt. Vice said yeah we get it and said it’s her and Grey against Jordan and Zaria. Stone said that’s why we have the best women’s division, so it’s on.
Analysis: The classic show opening promo with interruptions to set up a tag team match later. We have seen this hundreds of times on WWE television over the decades, so it’s nothing new. Zaria made some good points about being overlooked in the past, and now the spotlight is on her more since she’s a champion. Jordan complaining about not getting a shot at the NXT Women’s Title is getting old, but she’s a heel, and heels are repetitive complainers. Grey and Vice made valid points as well. It should be a good tag team match.
The Tavion Heights/Jackson Drake match is next.
A commercial aired for WWE Night of Champions on Saturday, June 27th.
(Commercial)
Tavion Heights vs. Jackson Drake (w/Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & Myka Lockwood)
This is a #1 Contender’s Match for a shot at the NXT North American Title held by Myles Borne.
Heights hit a body slam and then he tossed Drake across the ring with an overhead suplex. Drake tried a kick, Heights caught him and suplexed Drake across the ring. After Baylor and Smokes distracted Heights, Drake hit a knee that sent Heights out of the ring. Drake sent Heights into the steel steps. That led to a break for some fans as the action continued and I’ll take a break with Drake in control.
The match continued with both guys running the ropes and they hit a double cross body block. Heights got some offense going with a neckbreaker, overhead suplex and a clothesline for two. Drake rolled up Heights for two. Drake hit an impressive bounce off the ropes and hit a Cutter. Drake sent Heights out of the ring and hit a suicide dive to tackle Heights on the floor. Drake went up top, so Heights met him there and hit an overhead belly to belly to the mat. Heights went up top with a Superfly Splash for a two count. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Heights hit an overhead suplex on Drake over the top onto Baylor and Smokes. Myles Borne showed up at ringside to stop Baylor and Smokes from interfering. Darke went for a punch, Heights avoided it and Heights hit an overhead belly to belly slam called Height of Glory for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tavion Heights
Analysis: ***1/4 A good match to give Tavion Heights a big win and earn a title shot. I like Heights a lot. Heights should remain a babyface, but it seems like he could go heel on his buddy Myles Borne soon. Jackson Drake is very talented for a guy in his early 20s. As good as he is already, he will get better as he gets more experience.
The win by Heights means he’ll challenge Myles Borne for the NXT North American Title at the Great American Bash.
After the match, Myles Borne raised Tavion Heights’ hand. Heights said he didn’t need Borne here, but Heights said Borne knew that.
There was a clip from last week after NXT in Robert Stone’s office when Birthright argued with Hank & Tank, Evolve Champion Aaron Rourke and comedian Matt Mathews. It sounded like it was done to set up a match.
(Commercial)
Women’s Speed Tournament: Thea Hail vs. Izzi Dame (w/Shawn Spears & Niko Vance)
This match has a 3-minute time limit. Dame hit a clothesline and a sitout slam into the mat for two. Hail went for an armbar submission, so Dame got to the ropes to break free. They left the ring, and Dame tackled Hail into the ring apron. Dame hit a running kick. Back in the ring, Hail avoided a move and hit a dropkick. Hail hit a neckbreaker for two. Hail went for a springboard attack, Dame avoided it, and Dame hit a running knee for the pinfall win at 2:20.
Winner by pinfall: Izzi Dame
Analysis: *3/4 A lot of fast-paced action as usual for a Speed match. Izzi usually doesn’t win with a running knee, but it was enough to win here. I’d like to see Hail get more opportunities in the future. It just seems like the creative team in NXT never gets behind Hail.
Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair talked about their situations. Grey wants Sinclair to be ringside for Grey’s title match at Great American Bash, but Wren isn’t sure because she has the Speed Title to think about. Grey spoke about becoming NXT Women’s Champion, so NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice walked in and bickered with Grey a bit since Vice wants Grey to focus on their tag team match. Wren left, while Vice said she was going to get ready.
Tony D’Angelo was shown walking outside somewhere, and his talk with Naraku is next.
(Commercial)
Tony D’Angelo Meets With Naraku
The NXT Champion, Tony D’Angelo, spoke to Naraku at a restaurant. Tony said he knows Naraku held the biggest title in Japan and had 14 championships, but he didn’t do it all alone. Naraku said Tony shouldn’t judge him based on the past. Tony called him an “Evil” man and said he had others doing his bidding for him. Tony said here you are as a man on his own, so he’s a man like his family. Naraku said you understand. Tony said that his title is staying right here with him. They had the contract for their match at NXT Great American Bash. Tony noticed that Naraku hadn’t signed. Naraku said he will give it to him, signed, by next week. Tony D signed the contract and told Naraku to get ready for war because Tony is getting ready for it. Naraku looked at the contract: “Evil is coming…hahaha.”
Analysis: It’s nice to see them using the word “Evil” in the discussion since that’s what Naraku was known as in Japan. Tony did most of the talking, but Naraku speaks English fine and certainly can back it up in the ring. I think it’s possible Naraku wins the NXT Title at the Bash, even though I have enjoyed Tony as the champion.
A video package aired about Nattie and Jaida Parker having issues over the last couple of months, which led to their match on this week’s show.
Nattie was shown walking backstage, where she touched fists with Karmen Petrovic and Nikkita Lyons. Jaida Parker made her entrance.
(Commercial)
The NXT GM, Robert Stone, was talking to somebody on the phone about the Great American Bash tailgate party. Keanu Carver spoke to Stone about an opportunity. EK Prosper walked in, so Stone said that they will have a match next week. Prosper and Carver exchanged words, with Carver saying Prosper has a death wish.
Jaida Parker vs. Nattie
It’s good to see “The Low-Key Legend” Nattie in action. I don’t know why they stopped using her on Raw after beating Maxxine Dupri three months ago. Nattie is a badass. They need to use her more.
Nattie and Parker exchanged punches early on. Parker hit a running shoulder tackle to send Nattie out of the ring. When Nattie got into the ring, she slapped Parker and Parker slapped back. Nattie got a side headlock takeover. Nattie applied an armbar, so Parker turned it into a pin attempt. Nattie flipped Parker over while going for an Ankle Lock, but Parker got out of it. Parker tripped up Nattie and applied a Rings of Saturn, pulling back on the right arm, but Nattie got her foot on the ropes to break the hold. Nattie did a slingshot slam into the mat. Nattie slapped Parker and Parker slapped back. Parker hit Nattie with a knee to the jaw. Nattie tripped up Parker on the apron. Nattie and Parker hit a double clothesline on the floor. They went to break for some fans, and I’ll stick with the action here. When they got back into the ring, Parker sent Nattie into the turnbuckle, along with shoulder tackles to the ribs. Nattie applied a kneebar on the left knee. Parker kicked her way out of a submission attempt, but Nattie applied an Ankle Lock. Parker flipped out of it and got a rollup for two. Nattie hit a clothesline. Parker hit another slap, so Nattie hit a forearm and applied an abdominal stretch. Parker countered it into a stretch of her own.
The match continued with Parker doing an armdrag that led to Nattie bailing to the floor. Parker kicked Nattie while on the floor. Nattie came back with a running forearm. Nattie put Parker back in the ring and taunted the crowd. Nattie grabbed a chinlock. Parker got out of it and applied the STF, but Nattie crawled to the ropes to force a break. Nattie applied the surfboard submission in the middle of the ring. Nattie sent Parker into the ropes so that Parker’s legs hit the ropes. Parker came back with a suplex. Parker hit an elbow to the head, along with two clotheslines and a boot to the face. Parker slapped Nattie and questioned Nattie calling her soft. Parker hit a hip drop by the turnbuckle, followed by some high-stepping. Parker hit Hipnotic for a two count. That is a move Parker has used as a finisher in the past. Natie and Parker fought over pin attempts for two counts. Parker avoided a Sharpshooter with a punch. Nattie tried for an armbreaker, but Parker countered it into a pin attempt for two. Parker hit Hipnotic to knock Nattie out of the ring. Nattie tripped up Parker on the steel steps. Nattie sent Parker into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Nattie kicked the knee. Parker got an inside cradle for two. Nattie hit a discus lariat, Graves said “Yeah Yeah Yeah” (Luke Harper reference since he used the discus lariat) and Nattie applied the Sharpshooter. Parker got to the ropes, so Nattie pulled Parker to the middle of the ring and Parker tapped out. Nattie wins by submission. It went about 14 minutes.
Winner by submission: Nattie
Analysis: ***1/2 I enjoyed that. It felt like a fight. They were both very intense throughout the match, and I liked how they kept slapping eachother while talking shit. Nattie really is awesome as this veteran heel character. It was nice to see Parker applying submission moves that I haven’t seen her use in the past. I have no issue with Parker losing because it’s likely going to be a feud that has them compete in a few matches, and I assume Parker wins the feud to earn the respect of Nattie by the end of the rivalry. It was probably one of Parker’s best matches, which shows how much she has improved and also shows how good Nattie is as a veteran leading her younger opponent in the match. I look forward to a rematch between them.
After the match, Karmen Petrovic and Nikkita Lyons celebrated with Nattie while Parker was frustrated in the ring.
They showed Mason Rook and Lizzy Rain chatting about their issues in NXT lately. Tristan Angels walked in, saying one of them represented England properly, so Angels said he was Mr. NXT. Evolve Champion Aaron Rourke said there’s a reason fans voted for Shiloh Hill as Mr. NXT. Angels said that Hill is injured, so Angels has the Mr. NXT sash. Rourke and Angels exchanged words to set up a match with Angels challenging Rourke for the Evolve Title.
Arianna Grace made her entrance with Birthright for singles action.
(Commercial)
Women’s Speed Tournament: Arianna Grace (w/Stacks, Lexis King, Charlie Dempsey & Uriah Connors) vs. Layla Diggs
This match has a 3-minute time limit. Grace and Diggs were going for pin attempts right off the bat. Grace sent Diggs into the middle turnbuckle. Diggs sent Grace into the ring apron. Diggs hit a sitout front suplex and a Shining Wizard knee for two. Grace hit a jumping back elbow on Diggs for two. Grace hit a running clothesline, a suplex and a running forearm for two. Diggs hit a jumping side kick and an enziguri kick to the head. Diggs did a backflip and a jumping back kick. Diggs went up top, she kicked Stacks off the apron and Diggs hit a moonsault off the top onto Birthright on the floor. Grace acted like she was getting up, but then went back down to play possum. Grace grabbed an inside cradle on Diggs for the pinfall win at 2:44.
Winner by pinfall: Arianna Grace
Analysis: *1/2 It was a decent match for a shorter Speed bout. Diggs got plenty of offense, but Grace outsmarted her in the end to get the crafty win. Diggs is an incredible athlete and should pick up wins in the future, but she’s not there yet.
That means Izzi Dame will face Arianna Grace in the Women’s Speed Tournament Finals. The winner gets a title shot against Speed Champion Wren Sinclair at NXT Great American Bash.
Analysis: Grace against Dame is heel vs. heel. I think Dame should win.
There was a backstage discussion between Sean Legay, Dorian Van Dux, Noam Dar, and Romeo Moreno. Legacy spoke with Dar about returning to NXT. Romeo said that their team felt so special. Dar said that Nathan Frazer was right, that he found a partner. Legacy spoke about teaming up with DVD, who noticed The Culling backstage, so DVD suggested they face them, and they left to go talk to GM Stone.
Tate Wilder was featured in a video package discussing how you cannot grow without taking risks. Wilder said he’s winless, but he’s been close a couple of times. Wilder said he’s going to strap it up and see where this ride takes us.
A commercial aired promoting SummerSlam on August 1 and August 2.
(Commercial)
The announcers went over the NXT Great American Bash card on Sunday, June 28th. It’s on The CW in the US and Netflix internationally.
* WWE NXT Championship: Tony D’Angelo (c) vs. Naraku
* WWE NXT Women’s Championship: Lola Vice (c) vs. Kendal Grey
* WWE NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Tavion Heights
* Saquon Shugars vs. Dion Lennox
NXT Chronicle: Saquon Shugars
A video aired about Saquon Shugars talking about how he had a rough upbringing in Washington, DC. Shugars said he hustled his way out of the city and hustled his way in pro wrestling. Shugars talked about taking out Cutler James and Osiris Griffin in recent weeks. Shugars talked about how the other guys in Darkstate asked for him and they needed them. Shugars talked about being on top with Darkstate, but then being with them was the biggest mistake of his life. Shugars said nobody wrestles like him. Shugars said at Great American Bash, he’ll show Dion Lennox he’s up next and you’re up never. Shugars said it doesn’t get any sweeter than that.
Analysis: I like Shugars, and I think he has a lot of potential as a babyface. They need to let him show his personality more.
Dion Lennox was shown watching on a TV backstage. Lennox said we’ll see who made a mistake and he’ll see him next week.
Kelani Jordan made her entrance for the main event tag team match. Zaria was up next as the NXT Women’s North American Champion.
(Commercial)
Next week on NXT:
* Evolve Championship: Aaron Rourke vs. Tristan Angels
* Hank & Tank vs. Birthright
* Great American Bash Contract Signing: NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice & Kendal Grey
* Great American Bash Contract Signing: NXT Championship Tony D’Angelo vs. Naraku
* Face to Face: Saquon Shugars & Dion Lennox
* The Culling vs. Dorian Van Dux & Sean Legacy
* Women’s Speed Tournament: Izzi Dame vs. Arianna Grace
Kendal Grey and NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice made their entrance for tag team action.
Zaria & Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice & Kendal Grey
There was a rollup by Jordan early on and then a cross body block, but Vice turned it into a pin attempt for two. Grey got the tag and did a slingshot double foot stomp on Jordan. Grey dropkicked Jordan across the ring. Zaria tagged in, sent Grey into the corner and Vice tagged in against Zaria. Zaria hit a shoulder tackle, followed by a belly-to-back suplex on Vice. Grey tagged in, Vice didn’t like it and Grey grabbed a front headlock on Zaria. Grey slid under Zaria and dropkicked the left leg. Zaria stopped a charging Grey with a knee smash. Jordan clotheslined Grey on the floor. The heels were in control as the show went on a break for some fans. It was Zaria and Jordan isolating Grey for the next three minutes.
The main event continued with Jordan hitting a knee on Grey to knock her down. Grey broke free to tag in Vice, who was on fire against Jordan with kicks. Vice sent Zaria out of the ring. Vice hit some rapid kicks on Jordan. Vice hit a running hip attack on Jordan, while Zaria made a blind tag and hit a pump kick. Zaria clotheslined Vice. Jordan tagged in and hit a Frog Splash off the top for two. Jordan hit a superkick and Vice managed to tag out, so Grey hit a dropkick. Grey hit Jordan with two German Suplexes. Jordan picked up Grey and hit a Wasteland-style slam. Jordan went up top, tried a suplex, but Jordan landed on her feet. Zaria tagged in with a Spear on Grey. Zaria tried a slam off the shoulders on Grey, but Grey applied an armbar on Zaria’s right arm. Grey held onto the submission until Zaria countered it with a sitout Powerbomb. Vice went into the ring to save Grey, and then Jordan went into the ring and kicked Vice at the same time to knock both women down. Grey hit an elbow smash on Zaria. Vice tagged herself in, Zaria tried a lift, Vice landed on the mat and Vice applied a Guillotine submission. Grey went into the ring with an Ankle Lock on Jordan, who managed to send Grey out of the ring. Zaria tackled Vice into the turnbuckle. Zaria missed a charge and bumped to the floor. Jordan hit a moonsault onto the floor and then Vice hit a seated senton on Jordan. Zaria hit a Spear on Vice on the floor. Tatum Paxley appeared by the barricade and then Zaria went after her. Paxley managed to avoid getting hit by Zaria. Vice hit a spinning kick on Zaria. Back in the ring, Vice hit a spinning back fist on Zaria for the pinfall win. It went about 13 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Lola Vice & Kendal Grey
Analysis: ***1/2 An enjoyable tag team match that showed how talented the women’s division is. I’m a bit surprised that Zaria would take a pinfall one week after winning a title last week, but the loss did come at the hands of the NXT Champion, Vice. Grey and Jordan are awesome together. I liked this tag a lot.
After the match, they showed replays. Tatum Paxley jumped off the barricade and hit a cross body block on Zaria on the floor. Referees and security showed up to break it up.
Analysis: I assume that means there will be a Zaria-Paxley rematch at Great American Bash.
In the ring, Lola Vice held the NXT Women’s Title up in Kendal Grey’s face. Kelani Jordan grabbed the title, so Grey took it from her and Grey accidentally smacked Vice in the face with the Women’s Title. Grey apologized while Jordan was smiling and Vice was down on the mat selling. End of show.
Analysis: It’s a way to build tension between Vice and Grey since they are both babyfaces.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Nattie
- Lola Vice & Kendal Grey
- Tavion Heights
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The Scoreboard
This week: 7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.75
2026 Average: 7.10
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT
I liked the show quite a bit. Last week was better, but not by much. The women’s division had a really strong night and carried most of the show. I enjoyed the Nattie/Parker and main event tag matches the most.
The NXT Great American Bash takes place on Sunday, June 28th. Here’s the lineup so far.
* WWE NXT Championship: Tony D’Angelo (c) vs. Naraku
* WWE NXT Women’s Championship: Lola Vice (c) vs. Kendal Grey
* WWE NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Tavion Heights
* Saquon Shugars vs. Dion Lennox
There will be more matches added in the weeks ahead.
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
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Twitter/X @johnreport