The John Report: WWE NXT 06/30/26 Review

This week’s WWE NXT features Vanity Project defending the NXT Tag Team Titles, Jaida Parker facing Karmen Petrovic, and more.

The WWE NXT PLE Great American Bash took place on Sunday night, and it was a pretty good show. The big news coming out of it was that Kendal Grey became the NXT Women’s Champion for the first time after beating Lola Vice in a great match in the main event.

This is the sixth show review I’ve written over the last five days. I have enjoyed pro wrestling for nearly 40 years and spent half of that writing about it, but it’s certainly been a lot over the last week. I’ll get through it as best I can. 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.

The opening video package showed Great American Bash highlights.

It was Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary. Mike Rome was the ring announcer. Booker was off for the last two weeks to attend to a family matter, as he mentioned on his podcast recently.

Let’s Hear from Kendal Grey

The new NXT Women’s Champion, Kendal Grey, made her entrance wearing the championship around her waist. Grey was walking with her best friend, Wren Sinclair, backstage, and Wren stayed backstage. The fans cheered for Grey as usual. The fans chanted, “You deserve it,” for Grey.

Kendal Grey said she is more nervous talking to you guys than she was wrestling in the main event this past Sunday. Grey said talking isn’t something she’s used to and it’s not something she is really good at. Grey said when she was a little girl, she would hide so her teacher wouldn’t pick her in class. Grey said that when John Cena picked her for Iron Survivor, it led to all these opportunities, and she didn’t know if she was ready for them. Grey said it put pressure on her, but she puts pressure on herself. Grey said before NXT, she wasn’t used to losing in high school and college. Grey said she dominated in Evolve. Grey admitted she dropped the ball when she had NXT Women’s Title opportunities in the past. Grey said she had voices in her head wondering if she could hang with the women’s division. Grey said this title proves she belongs.

Grey said she knows she doesn’t look like a normal champion. Grey mentioned last week Lola Vice has her designer dresses, her heels, and looks like a superstar. Grey said that’s not her, and she admitted she doesn’t like it when they put makeup on her and even takes some of the makeup off. Grey said she’s not going to dress like Barbie and she’ll be nervous when she talks to the fans. Grey said that she may not always talk like a champion, but she’s going to wrestle like a champion. Grey said she’s going to take this division to a level that nobody has seen before. Grey said she thrives under pressure and when you step into the ring with her, it’s her match, her tempo and her pace. Grey said all the other girls will find out they can’t keep up with Kendal.

Analysis: I thought Kendal Grey did a good job there. She was honest in speaking about how promos aren’t her strength, but she spoke from the heart and you could tell that she had the attention of the audience. As she gets more experience, she’ll get better at promos like that. In-ring, Grey is outstanding at a very early stage in her career, and she’s a joy to watch.

Wren Sinclair made her entrance as the WWE Women’s Speed Champion and she brought out a cake for Grey. Wren wanted Grey to have her moment out here because she deserves it. Wren said that they both walked out of Great American Bash as champions. Wren said Grey had the best idea for a celebration with a two-layer cake.

Kelani Jordan interrupted the promo to complain about a lack of opportunities as usual. Jordan wanted Grey to give her a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship. Jordan complained about not even getting a match at the Bash, and instead got attacked by a lunatic for speaking the truth. That lunatic Tatum Paxley showed up and jumped onto Jordan. They went fighting to the back. Grey and Wren had some cake and said: “Welcome to NXT!” Fun.

Analysis: That should set up Jordan for a match with Paxley. Jordan and Grey have had several great matches, so I assume it’s going to happen again soon.

As the announcers were talking about matches coming up, Keanu Carver was seen standing over Vikingo while holding a weapon and Vikingo was grabbing his leg. NXT GM Robert Stone showed up, so Carver said Vikingo can’t have a title match against EK Prosper now. Stone called for medical.

Analysis: NXT is the home of the random attacks backstage and in the parking lot, so here we go with a backstage attack before the first match.

(Commercial)

The NXT Women’s North American Champion Zaria and Izzi Dame were chatting backstage. Dame was complaining and Zaria said she sounded desperate. Lizzy Rain was backstage listening to rock music and making a lot of noise, so Dame asked what she was doing. Rain said she was making it rain. Dame said she would fix everything herself and left.

Kelani Jordan complained to NXT GM Robert Stone about what Tatum Paxley did. Stone said he didn’t see it because now Vikingo is out of action. Stone put Jordan in the main event against Paxley. Stone found Carver and put him in a match with EK Prosper.

NXT Tag Team Championships: Vanity Project – Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes (w/Jackson Drake & Myka Lockwood) vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. & Galeno

Wagner and Galeno are from AAA, and they are brothers. Galeno is dressed in black with a mask and he hit a shoulder tackle on Smokes. Wagner sent Smokes into Baylor and knocked both guys out of the ring. Wagner hit a somersault dive over the top onto both champions on the floor. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued and I’ll take a break there.

It was Smokes in control of Wagner as the match continued. Wagner kicked Smokes to break free. Galeno tagged in against Baylor with repeated clotheslines against the turnbuckle and a body slam. Galeno ran the ropes and hit a splash for two because Smokes made the save. Galeno tossed Smokes into the ring after Smokes became legal. Wagner tagged in with a dropkick on Smokes for two because Baylor put Smokes’ foot on the bottom rope. Smokes rolled up Wagner for two. Baylor hit Wagner with a forearm to the jaw. Smokes hit a dropkick into a spinebuster by Baylor for two. Wagner kicked Baylor in the back of the neck. Galeno hit a reverse suplex into the mat for a two count. Wagner stood on Galeno’s shoulders and hit a splash on Baylor. Galeno hit a back body drop on Smokes onto the pin, so it broke up the pin by accident. Drake went on the apron, Wagner punched him, Smokes kicked Wagner and Baylor Smokes hit a double team top rope double foot stomp, reverse DDT for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Vanity Project – Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes

Analysis: *** It was an entertaining match with the young champions, The Vanity Project, picking up the big win. I didn’t expect a title change there, so the result was to be expected. Wagner and Galeno worked well together as a brother tag team, and I liked a lot of their power moves. Baylor and Smokes do a nice job of being annoying heels.

There was a backstage segment with BirthRight’s Stacks & Connors and OTM talking to NXT GM Robert Stone. Connors complained about Vanity Project only defending the titles three times in four months, and only once against an NXT team. Sean Legacy walked in claiming he and his partner wanted a title shot, but there was nobody with her. Darkstate’s Osiris Griffin & Cutler James also showed up to ask for a title shot. Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno also made their case. Stone admitted that Vanity Project needs to defend their titles more. Stone said there can be a Fatal 4-Way match next week for a shot at the NXT Tag Team Titles, saying OTM, Darkstate, BirthRight and Legacy-DVD can be in the match. When Romeo asked about his team, Stone told them to build their resume more. Dar said Stone was right.

Analysis: There were a lot of people in one scene, and it’s hard to recap it all. As I said, it’s going to lead to a 4-way tag team match next week.

Jackson Drake was in the ring with Vanity Project for his match up next.

(Commercial)

Mason Rook vs. Jackson Drake (w/Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & Myka Lockwood)

Rook caught a leaping Drake and hit a powerslam. Rook applied went for a splash, but Drake avoided it. Drake hit a senton splash on Rook. Booker received a call from Cam Hendrix, who said he was coming soon. Rook avoided a springboard moonsault. Rook hit a clothesline, followed by a senton splash. They went on a break there and I’ll take a break too.

The match continued with Drake using his knees to block a splash. Drake did a handspring off the ropes into a Cutter for two. Rook hit a back body drop and a spinning slam. Rook hit a cannonball splash against the turnbuckle for two. Drake avoided a splash, kicked Rook and Drake hit a springboard double foot stomp for a two count. That was impressive. Rook caught Drake and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Drake jumped up and spun around Rook leading to an impressive DDT for two. Rook hit a headbutt, Drake jumped onto Rook’s back and hit a Code Red. Drake hit a Poison Rana to spike Rook on his head, but Rook got back up and hit a clothesline. Rook hit a sitout Powerbomb for a two count. That was a great nearfall because most of the crowd thought that was it. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Lockwood distracted the referee, so Smokes went into the ring and Rook tossed Smokes onto Baylor on the floor. Drake hit a Backstabber double knee attack and covered while Myka held onto Rook’s foot (the referee never saw it) for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jackson Drake

Analysis: ***1/2 It turned into a very good match with Drake benefiting from his allies at ringside to get the win. That nearfall after Rook hit the Powerbomb was great, and that’s when the fans really came alive for the match. Drake is very impressive in terms of making difficult moves look easy, while Rook moves well for a 300-pounder. That was a fun match.

After the match, Rook got a hold of Baylor and hit a clothesline. Rook put Smokes on his back and hit a cannonball splash onto Baylor against the turnbuckle. Rook pointed at Drake on the floor.

Analysis: That post match attack makes it seem like there could be a Rook-Drake rematch soon.

EK Prosper was talking to Tate Wilder in the locker room. EK said he was preparing for Vikingo and now he has to face Carver. Wilder said nobody can do the things that Prosper does. Wilder fired up Prosper to get revenge on the man who put him through a table. Prosper said he was fired up and left.

(Commercial)

NXT GM Robert Stone was approached by Kali Armstrong, who wanted an opportunity. Stone said he can’t just hand out title shots. Kali claimed she can beat Kendal. Stone told her actions speak louder than words. Kali understood and left.

EK Prosper vs. Keanu Carver

Proper beat Carver last week, and then Carver gave him a Powerbomb through the commentary table. They replayed Carver putting Hank Walker through a table at Great American Bash. Prosper attacked with a kick, but Carver tackled Prosper into the turnbuckle. Prosper jumped over Carver and hit a dropkick. Prosper sent Carver out of the ring and hit another dropkick. Prosper hit a somersault dive over the top onto Carver. Prosper hit a Tornado DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, Prosper hit a Frog Splash off the top for two. They went on a break for some fans and I’m taking a break too.

The powerhouse Carver was in control, which is normal because the heel is usually in control coming back from a break. They replayed Carver hitting a massive German Suplex across the ring. Prosper delivered two kicks, but Carver hit a massive clothesline. Carver launched Prosper across the ring. Prosper countered a powerslam into a Stunner. Prosper ran the ropes and hit a clothesline. Prosper hit a springboard moonsault to knock Carver down. Prosper went up top and hit a leg drop across the chest. Carver got back up first as Prosper sent Carver out of the ring. When Prosper tried a dive, Carver punched him and slammed Prosper into the commentary table. Tank Ledger showed up and sent Carver hard into the barricade at ringside as payback for Carver attacking Hank Walker at the Great American Bash. The referee never saw it, but he saw Carver was down. Carver got back in before the 10 count. Prosper hit a running knee/kick to the face. Prosper went up top and hit a moonsault onto Carver for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes. Prosper beat Carver two weeks in a row.

Winner by pinfall: EK Prosper

Analysis: ***1/4 I thought it was a very good match by these two guys for the second week in a row. While I think Carver needs to win more matches, I think he has improved a lot in terms of selling, and also in terms of looking like a badass. You can just tell Carver is getting more comfortable out there. Prosper is a special athlete and so fun to watch. It’s rare to see Carver lose a match, much less two in a row in back-to-back weeks. In this case, at least Carver can blame the interference.

They showed NXT GM Robert Stone in his office when he spoke to NXT Women’s Champion Kendal Grey, who said she didn’t care about who she had to face. Nattie walked in with her buddies Karmen Petrovic, Evolve Women’s Champion Nikkita Lyons and Layla Diggs. Nattie talked about opportunities for her friends how she deserves a title shot. That led to Stone booking Grey against Nattie for next week on NXT. That’s good.

Jaida Parker made her entrance for singles action.

(Commercial)