The John Report: WWE NXT 07/21/26 Review

This week’s WWE NXT features Tony D’Angelo defending the NXT Title against Naraku, Nattie trying to beat Jaida Parker again, and more.

It feels like a bigger-than-usual episode of NXT this week with the D’Angelo-Naraku rematch from Great American Bash, and Nattie beat Jaida Parker on the June 16th NXT episode, so now they will have a rematch with Parker trying to avenge that loss. The next NXT PLE is Heatwave on August 30th, so there is a lot of time to build up to it.

On last week’s NXT episode, Lola Vice beat Kelani Jordan and Kali Armstrong to earn a shot at the NXT Women’s Title held by Kendal Grey. Since Grey beat Vice for the title, it’ll be a rematch of their awesome match at Great American Bash.

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 show started with NXT GM Robert Stone talking to referee Adrian Butler saying Tony D and Naraku can’t touch before the main event. Stone talked to somebody on the phone, saying he’ll see them tonight. Thea Hail tried to talk to Stone, but he brushed her off. Nattie walked in to say she’s ending Jaida Parker tonight. Stone left while Hail was frustrated.

It was Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary. Mike Rome was back as ring announcer after being off last week.

Saquon Shugars, Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno vs. Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Cutler James

The six guys fought on the floor before the match and then they got back into the ring to start the match. Dar worked over Dion with kicks for a two count. The powerhouse Griffin hit a body slam on Shugars. Darkstate made some quick tags, but Shugars broke free with a shot to Griffin’s knee. Moreno and Dar made some quick tags for a double kick combo. Dar and Moreno delivered kicks to knock down the Darkstate guys on the floor. Shugars wanted to put Dion through a table, but James and Griffin saved their partner by sending Shugars into the ring apron. They went on a break for some fans there and I’ll take a break there too.

Darkstate was in control of the action during the break, and then Dar broke free to bring in Shugars. Shugars hit a dropkick on Dion on the floor and Shugars hit a cross body block off the top on Griffin and James. Shugars hit a Falcon Arrow, followed by a cartwheel dropkick on James for two because Dion made the save. James hit a spinning backbreaker on Shugars. Shugars countered a Powerbomb by Dion into a hurricanrana pin for two. Shugars hit an enziguri kick on Griffin. Moreno tagged in with a missile dropkick. Moreno jumped off the top with a cross body block on to James and Griffin on the floor. Shugars hit a running slam off the shoulders on Dion through the podium in the back part of the building. Griffin hit a powerslam on Dar on the floor. James hit a pump kick on Moreno. Griffin and James hit a double team Powerbomb on Moreno and Griffin covered for the pinfall win. It went about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Darkstate – Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Cutler James

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a match full of action. Shugars was on fire as the babyface seeking revenge against his former allies, but then he took out Dion and his partners had no shot against Darkstate. I like Moreno and Dar as a team, but they aren’t being pushed on NXT. That double team finish by Griffin and James looked good.

After the match, Shugars and Dion wanted to keep fighting, so officials separated them. That’s a tease of another match.

The babyface women’s locker room was shown with Lizzy Rain talking about how frustrated she was with other women. Skyler Raye was there too. Jaida Parker was complaining about Nattie and Kendal Grey (with Wren Sinclair) said that Jaida is the reason why Nattie is here. Jaida said she was going to end it, or something along those lines. Thea Hail encouraged Parker to kick Nattie’s ass. Grey and Wren Sinclair were up next.

(Commercial)

A clip aired from WWE Unreal Season 3 on Netflix. It’s out now.

Face to Face: Kendal Grey and Lola Vice

The NXT Women’s Champion Kendal Grey and the Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair made their entrance for Grey’s promo segment. Lola Vice made her entrance as one half of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions, and the former NXT Women’s Champion.

Grey said that it would have been nice to run it back with Kelani or Kali, but she is glad it was Vice. Vice said she worked hard for too long to step to the side. Vice told Grey should run this division, but Vice is not done in NXT yet. Vice said she kept moving forward and finally it was her time. Grey said that Vice became what everybody said she could be, but then she ran into Grey. Vice said that Grey was cute when she said she saw Vice as a champion, and Vice said she saw Grey as somebody who needs validation. Grey said this title is validation. Grey said she didn’t need years to prove she belonged here. Vice said that she got here fast, but let’s see how fast it all comes down.

Vice said with, or without a title, she looks like a champion. Vice said she knows herself and knows her worth. Vice said that Grey is shy, insecure and vulnerable. Grey said you can call her what you want. Grey said she’s not weak, and she’s honest with herself and with all of the fans. Grey said there’s not anybody who can beat her at her best. Vice said that Grey beat her in a match, but she can’t beat her in a fight. Grey said she knows where Vice is going, and Grey said she’ll prove herself. Vice said she’ll give Grey a week to prepare and meet her in NXT Underground Match on August 4th. Vice was confident that she would win her title back. Grey said after she gets done whooping Vice’s ass, Grey told Vice she can go back to shaking it. Grey’s music hit as the women had a staredown and Vic pointed out that Vice never lost an Underground Match.

Analysis: I liked that. They didn’t waste their time out there or get into a fight. It was about two women talking about why they think they are the best in NXT and Kendal Grey showed no fear when Lola Vice suggested the NXT Underground Match. It should be an awesome match. I expect Grey to retain.

A video package aired about the Tony D’Angelo-Naraku rivalry to set up their Street Fight later in the show.

Keanu Carver made his entrance for singles action.

(Commercial)

Hank Walker (w/Tank Ledger) vs. Keanu Carver

This was set up because Carver knocked Walker off a platform and through a table at the Great American Bash. Hank was aggressive early on with a running boot to knock Carver down. Carver kicked Hank out of the ring with a boot of his own. Hank hit a Bossman Slam for two. Carver sent Hank into the turnbuckle, followed by Carver hitting a backbreaker. Carver knocked down Hank with a forearm to the back. Carver hit a fallaway slam for two. Carver left the ring and sent Tank into the steel steps, so Hank hit a suicide dive on Carver on the floor. Hank sent Carver into the ring post. Back in the ring, Hank hit a running forearm. Hank jumped off the top, Carver avoided it and hit a Pounce-like toss. Carver hit an Alabama Slam type of move to get the pinfall win after about 6 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Keanu Carver

Analysis: **1/2 It was a solid match to give Keanu Carver a victory as expected. I didn’t mind Hank getting some offense because it was needed, and the match time was just about right. Carver winning decisively was the right finish.

After the match, Carver attacked Hank, so Tank made the save. They went to the floor, where Carver slammed Tank onto the commentary table. EK Prosper showed up to dropkick Carver in the back on the floor. Hank & Tank hit their running double team belly attack. Prosper jumped off the top with his incredible moonsault. The trio of Prosper, Hank & Tank celebrated.

Analysis: This was a way of showing that Keanu Carver can’t bully everybody because Prosper, Hank & Tank are united against him.

Nattie was walking backstage with Karmen Petrovic & Nikkita Lyons when they approached Thea Hail. Nattie bragged about being a legend, while trashing Hail and the soft bitch, Jaida Parker. Hail said she didn’t mind Parker and she didn’t like Nattie. Karmen told her to rethink that, and Lyons took Hail’s towel. Hail said to herself that she wanted Parker to win.

(Commercial)