The John Report: WWE NXT Great American Bash 2026 Review
This is WWE NXT Great American Bash, featuring Lola Vice facing Kendal Grey, Tony D’Angelo against Naraku, and more.
The WWE NXT PLE The Great American Bash is the third WWE NXT PLE of the year, following Vengeance Day, and Stand & Deliver. Three in the first six months makes me think there will be a total of six for the entire year, but that hasn’t been confirmed. This is the first one that will air on The CW, which is the TV channel that shows NXT in the US, and it will have a three-hour runtime. I’m surprised they wouldn’t go on the road for GAB, and instead are just running it from NXT’s home in Orlando at the WWE PC.
I never got around to doing a preview of the show, but I like the card. My main issue is that every match is a singles match, which is disappointing because I think it’s important to have different kinds of matches on a PLE-style show. Change it up a bit, ya know? It just feels repetitive when it’s only singles matches. I would have liked to see a tag team match on there, or even a 3-way or 4-way match.
This show went head-to-head with AEW’s Forbidden Door PPV, although this one started the main show at 7 p.m. ET while Forbidden Door’s main PPV started at 8 p.m. ET. I chose to watch and write about Forbidden Door live, so I’m doing this on Monday morning. I’m watching on Netflix in Canada. Let’s get to it.
WWE NXT The Great American Bash
From WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
Sunday, June 28, 2026
They showed some NXT superstars walking around before the show. The Lola Vice-Kendal Grey match is the main event.
A video package aired about the matches coming up on NXT Great American Bash.
Tony D’Angelo was up first as the NXT Champion, and he had bandages around his right eye since Naraku lit a fireball in his eye this past Tuesday.
The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett. Booker T has been off the last two weeks of NXT TV. Vic and Wade have worked together a lot in the past, so they have good chemistry. Mike Rome was the ring announcer. Naraku made his entrance as well. There was a big Slim Jim logo in the middle of the ring, which is not usual for NXT.
NXT Championship: Tony D’Angelo vs. Naraku
Tony punched Naraku a few times, so Naraku bailed to the floor. Naraku grabbed chair, Tony was out of the ring too and Tony gave Naraku a Spear through the wooden platform that they have in the back part of the arena. The match continued in the ring with Naraku kicking Tony in the face, so Tony was grabbing his bandaged face. Tony fought back with shoulder tackles, but Naraku gouged the eye under the bandage, so Tony rolled out of the ring. The referee checked on Tony and made Naraku back off. Tony told the referee Derek Sanders not to stop the match. Tony got back into it with a clothesline and a suplex. Naraku blocked a kick and slammed Tony back-first into the ring apron. Naraku applied a Half Crab submission, Tony got out of it and Naraku suplexed Tony into the turnbuckle. They went on a break on the TV broadcast in split screen as the action continued here on Netflix. Naraku chopped Tony and hit a senton splash for two. Tony sent Naraku into the ropes and then applied an STF submission until Naraku bit Tony’s hand to break free. Naraku hit a Fisherman’s Suplex and a spinning discus punch for a two count. Tony came back with his own Fisherman’s Suplex.
The match continued with Naraku punching Tony out of the ring. Naraku sent Tony into the barricade and then back into the ring. Naraku lifted up Tony, leading to a sitout spinebuster for two. They battled by the turnbuckle where Tony got a hold of Naraku and hit a running Powerbomb out of the corner. Tony continued the attack with two clotheslines and a bulldog. Tony followed up with two German Suplexes in a row. Tony sent Naraku into the air leading to a popup powerslam for two. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Naraku slipped behind Tony and hit a German Suplex of his own, but Tony was able to get up by the ropes and hit the Dead to Rights spinebuster for the pinfall win. It went 10:11.
Winner by pinfall: Tony D’Angelo
Analysis: ***1/4 I liked the match. It was competitive the whole way with a lot of power moves from both guys. Naraku was evil (wink, wink) throughout the match, but Tony was able to fire up as the babyface champion and was on a flurry of offense for a few minutes to get the win. I didn’t expect a title change here, although I think Naraku could win the title in the future. I’ve enjoyed Tony’s current run as champion, and I’m happy to see it continue.
A video aired about Zaria defending the Women’s NXT North American Title against Tatum Paxley. Zaria won the title from Paxley on the June 9th episode of NXT, so this is the rematch.
There was a commercial for SummerSlam on August 1 & August 2.
We got the “We’ll Be The Right Back” videos for some commercials.
Women’s NXT North American Championship: Zaria vs. Tatum Paxley
Zaria used her power advantage to suplex Paxley across the ring. Zaria worked over Paxley with shoulder tackles to the ribs. Paxley avoided a charging Zaria and hit a double stomp to the back. Zaria came back with a popup headbutt to knock Paxley out of the ring. Paxley tripped up Zaria and trapped her against the apron. Paxley hit an enziguri kick to the head. Paxley broke the referee’s count, then backed out, and Zaria tossed Paxley over the barricade. Paxley jumped on Zaria’s back, and Zaria hit a backpack slam onto the floor. Zaria shouted at Paxley that she’ll never hold the title again. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Zaria worked over Paxley with forearms and covered Paxley for a two count. Zaria splashed Paxley against the ropes. Zaria avoided a kick and hit an elbow drop. Zaria applied a Camel Clutch-style submission, but Paxley got out of it.
Zaria tried a lifting move, but Paxley got out of it and hit some strikes. Paxley hit an enziguri kick to the head. Zaria tossed Paxley onto the top turnbuckle and Zaria put her boot to the throat. Paxley fought back with knees to the head and Paxley sent Zaria into the turnbuckle. Paxley hit a cross body block off the top. Paxley hit two forearms, a kick to the head and a German Suplex. Paxley hit a superkick as they battled by the turnbuckle. Paxley hit a superplex from the middle turnbuckle, but Zaria was back up with a big Spear to put Paxley down. Both women were down selling after those big moves. They exchanged strikes and then Zaria hit a knee to the face. Zaria picked up Paxley by the turnbuckle, but Paxley fought back. Paxley hit Zaria so that Zaria was upside down against the turnbuckle. Zaria pulled herself back up. Zaria and Paxley exchanged strikes on the apron. Paxley countered Zaria on the apron and hit a Powerbomb on the floor. Ouch. Great counter. Paxley kicked Zaria and hit Cemetery Drive on the floor. Back in the ring, Paxley hit Cemetery Drive for a two count. Great nearfall there. Some fans chanted “Zaria” since they cheer for everybody, even some of the heels. Zaria countered Paxley and wanted an F5, but Paxley countered it into a pin attempt for two. Zaria hit another Spear. Zaria hit an F5 for 1…2…no! I thought that was it. Paxley was laughing about it while Zaria was furious. Zari hit Paxley with forearms to the back and a stomp to the head into the mat. Zaria hit another F5 for the pinfall win at 14:09.
Winner by pinfall: Zaria
Analysis: ***3/4 That was an awesome match and even better than the match where they did a title change. I liked that match a lot too. This one went to that next level with some major kickouts of some huge moves and that led to some big crowd reactions because the fans were really into it. That spot with Paxley kicking out of the first F5 was a big surprise to me, but I really liked the follow-up with Zaria doing some big moves to weaken Paxley some more and another F5 followed for the win. Zaria retaining the title was the expected result since she’s held the title for less than a month, and I didn’t think Paxley would win it back.
Zaria celebrated the win, while Tatum Paxley looked sad on the floor.
Analysis: There are reports that Tatum Paxley may get called up to the WWE main roster soon, and I think that makes sense since she’s been in NXT for over four years. Hopefully there’s a story in place for her instead of just doing it because she’s been in NXT for a long time.
The best friends Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey hyped eachother up for their match. Wren said that Grey is not the future, she’s the now. Grey said they will both walk out as champions. They did their Wren-QCC handshake to end it.
It was Shiloh Hill facing Tristan Angels up next. There were commercials at that point.
The Vanity Project spoke to NXT GM Robert Stone backstage about how they are huge stars. Stone was annoyed by them. Stone said that Jackson Drake is facing Mason Rook on NXT this Tuesday. Mr. Stone informed Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes they are defending their NXT Tag Team Titles against Dr. Wagner Jr. and his brother Delano. Baylor and Smokes weren’t happy about it.
They showed Blake Howard outside with WWE legend Kevin Owens and Busted Open’s Dave LaGreca talking about the matches. Owens was wearing a Waylon Mercy shirt (nice choice). Anyway, they talked about some things on the show so far.
Shiloh Hill vs. Tristan Angels
The story is that Shiloh Hill won the Mr. NXT pageant against Tristan Angels, so Angels beat him up afterward. That led to this match.
Hill hit a running shoulder tackle to knock Angels down. Hill gave Angels an airplane spin into a slam. Hill tackled Angels into the turnbuckle, but Angels got some offense with a slap to the back. Angels stomped on Hill by the ropes. They went on a break for some fans as the match continued with Hill hitting a back body drop. Hill hit Angels with a running knee lift by the apron to knock Angels down to the floor. Angels sent Hill into the barricade, but Hill came back with a clothesline. Angels hit a double knee attack on Hill’s left arm. Angels pulled on Hill’s left arm by the ropes. Angels sent Hill into the turnbuckle and continued working over the left arm. Hill charged, Angels avoided it and Hill hit the turnbuckle with his shoulder. Angels pulled Hill down by the hair, and went back to an armbar.
Hill avoided a kick by Angels and Hill went under the ring. Hill pulled Angels under the ring and the lights went out in the arena. There was a camera under the ring that showed Angels and he answered the phone. Hill appeared behind Angels and had a mask on his head. Hill applied a Sleeper, so Angels managed to break free. Hill hit a running leg drop on the ring apron. Hill jumped off the steps at Angels, who moved and Hill hit the floor. Angels sent Hill throat-first into the top rope. They went on another break for some fans as the match continued. It was Angels in control for a few more minutes until he missed an elbow drop off the top rope. Hill got his tooth and put it in Angels’ mouth. Hill hit a boot to the face and a tilt-a-whirl powerslam. Hill hit a sitout Powerbomb for a two count. They left the ring where Hill hit a spinning splash.
The match returned from the break for some fans with Angels sending Hill out of the ring. Hill jumped off the steel steps that were against the ring and hit a Spear. Hill jumped off the top and Angels hit a Codebreaker double knee attack for two. Angels missed a knee drop to the head. Hill put Angels on the middle turnbuckle and hit a neckbreaker called Whisper of the Beast (thanks Vic) for the pinfall win at 13:05.
Winner by pinfall: Shiloh Hill
Analysis: *** It was a solid match that was payback for Hill beating the guy who stole his Mr. NXT stash. It’s not the most riveting story in wrestling history or anything like that, but it was a way for two young guys to have a PLE match. I didn’t like the spot under the ring with Angels and the phone and Hill putting him in a Sleeper. It’s a way to make Hill different from the others. I just don’t think it was needed.
After the match, “Mr. NXT” Shiloh Hill was interviewed by Emily Agard. Hill said he may not be pretty, perfect or polished, but it’s not a factor when it comes to winning. Hill said tonight was a perfect example of why nobody sleeps on Shiloh Hill. Shiloh celebrated with the fans.
The legendary Nattie was backstage with Evolve Women’s Champion Nikkita Lyons, Karmen Petrovic and Layla Diggs talking about how Nattie beat Jaida Parker recently. Nattie bragged about having the Guiness World Record for most submission wins in WWE history. Nattie credited Lyons for winning her title, Karmen kicking ass in AAA, and Layla earning her invite to The Dungeon, and she called her a rock star. Nattie said she didn’t want soft women in her business. Diggs said that locker room is hard to survive, so maybe they should give Jaida a little break. Karmen said that she’ll handle Parker on Tuesday, and Nattie said they’ll be in her corner.
Analysis: I like that as a group as long as Nattie sticks around as a mentor. Karmen deserves more TV time, so this will help her, while Lyons is a good heel and Diggs is relatively new. Putting together a women’s heel group in NXT is smart.
EK Prosper was backstage with GM Robert Stone, talking about how he beat Keanu Carver, but then Carver did a cheap attack after the match. Stone said EK has earned a title opportunity, so Stone said EK will face Vikingo for the AAA Latin American Championship on NXT this Tuesday.
The Women’s Speed Title match was next.
A commercial aired for Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 18th at Madison Square Garden in New York City. There were some commercials after that.
There was a video featuring NXT superstars talking about “My American Story” regarding America’s 250th birthday on July 4th.
WWE Women’s Speed Championship: Wren Sinclair vs. Arianna Grace (w/Stacks, Lexis King, Charlie Dempsey & Uriah Connors)
There’s a 5-minute time limit for this match. Grace got a rollup attempt for a two count. Wren ran the ropes, hit a shoulder tackle and a bulldog for two. Grace hit a twisting neckbreaker for a two count. Wren kicked Grace in the ribs to knock Grace down to the floor. Grace tackled Wren into the side of the ring apron. Grace hit a running back elbow to knock Wren down. Grace hit a suplex and a clothesline. Grace worked over the left knee with a knee drop onto the knee. Wren got an inside cradle for two and another rollup for two. Grace went after Wren by the turnbuckle and teased a superplex, but Wren countered it with a front suplex into the mat. Wren went up top and hit a cross body block. If it’s a draw after 5 minutes, Wren remains champion. Wren continued on offense and hit a double underhook suplex. Dempsey went on the apron to distract his former ally Wren, so Wren punched Dempsey off the apron. Grace got a cradle for two. Nice nearfall. Wren hit a forearm to the face. Wren spun around Grace and slammed her face first into the mat. Wren hooked the arms for the Final Wrench submission and Grace tapped out to give Wren the win at 4:46.
Winner by submission: Wren Sinclair
Analysis: **1/4 It was a solid match that was kept under 5 minutes per the WWE Speed rules. Grace was on offense for the first half, Wren did a great job with the comeback, and it was all over after that. I think Wren is somebody who deserves to be in the title picture for other NXT Titles, but I don’t mind her with the Speed Title to show she’s a fighting champion.
A video aired about Darkstate and how they attacked Saquon Shugars to kick him out of the group. That has set up this match with Shugars against Dion Lennox. There was a break and then the match was next.
Saquon Shugars vs. Dion Lennox
It started out with strikes being exchanged and Shugars hit a clothesline. Shugars followed up with a dropkick. Dion hit a boot to the face. Dion hit two backbreakers. Shugars hit a neckbreaker. Shugars trash talked Dion and hit a standing neckbreaker. Osiris Griffin and Cutler James (in a sling on his left arm) showed up at ringside, so Dion capitalized with a slam. Dion splashed Shugars’ back. They went on a break there as Dion was in control for a few more minutes.
It was still Dion in control while Shugars was selling a back injury. Shugars went multiple pin attempts that earned two counts, but then Dion hit a massive Spinebuster for a two count. Shugars kicked Dion out of the ring. Dion was back in the ring, so Shugars hit a body slam and a cartwheel into a dropkick. Shugars hit a knee to the ribs. Shugars hit a backbreaker, followed by a flatliner-style move for a two count. Dion hit a boot to the face, but then Shugars hit an enziguri kick to the head. Shugars jumped over the top from the apron and hit a leg drop for two. Shugars went up top, Dion stopped by hitting the ropes and Dion was crotched on the top. Dion slammed Shugars back first on the top turnbuckle. Dion hit a sitout powerslam type of move for a two count. Dion was shocked. They exchanged some moves, Dion hit a clothesline and a short clothesline after that for two. Shugars hit an enziguri kick to the head. Shugars put Dion down and Shugars jumped off the top with a splash while jumping in a unique way. Shugars covered for the pinfall win at 14:19.
Winner by pinfall: Saquon Shugars
Analysis: **3/4 It felt like an average match. They got more than 10 minutes, but it didn’t feel like it got to that next gear where I could call it a very good match. Perhaps it’s too soon into Shugars being a babyface and they just don’t have the chemistry yet. Dion is fine in his role, but he’s not that interesting to watch. The splash that Shugars used to win was cool, yet it didn’t even get much of a response from the fans. Both guys worked hard. The match just didn’t click.
After the match, Osiris Griffin and Cutler James attacked Shugars. They gave him a double team Powerbomb. Dion Lennox had a baseball bat that he used to hit Shugars twice in the ribs. Shugars was down on the mat as Darkstate’s music played, even though Shugars won the match.
Analysis: Even though Shugars got the clean win, it sure looks like the rivalry will continue.
The NXT North American Championship match between Myles Borne and Tavion Height is next. They went on a break there.
Tatum Paxley was interviewed by Emily Agard. Paxley said that when she won that title, it was the first time she did something for herself and the entire NXT Universe. Paxley said she feels empty and sad without it. Kelani Jordan interrupted to say that Paxley has had so many opportunities, while Jordan has been constantly overlooked for the past three years. Jordan said that Paxley finds a way to make herself a victim and it’s pathetic. Paxley punched Jordan, so the fight was quickly broken up.
Analysis: That should set up a Paxley-Jordan match, which is fine. Jordan needs to be featured more.
NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne vs. Tavion Heights
The story here is that Borne and Heights are friends from their NQCC days, so they know eachother well. Heights has shown some heel tendencies in recent months, but he’s not fully a heel yet.
They smacked hands as a sign of respect to start the match. They spent the first minute fighting over a lockup to show how evenly matched they are. Heights tried a pin attempt, Borne tried a pin and then Heights bounced off the ropes and hit a headbutt to knock Borne down. Borne dropkicked Heights over the top to the floor. Borne went face to face with Heights on the floor as the show went on a break for some fans. Heights and Borne took turns going for pin attempts, but neither man was able to keep the other down for long. Heights held onto the ropes to avoid a move, but then Borne hit a unique powerslam from the apron. Borne hit a Fisherman’s Suplex for a two count. Heights tackled Borne into the turnbuckle. They did a spot where Heights pulled Borne over the top and they went crashing to the floor.
Heights punched Borne and realized it while Vic pointed out it was the first punch of the match. Heights put Borne across the top rope, followed by a clothesline for two. Heights picked up Borne and slammed him into the mat. Heights hit a gutwrench suplex for a two count. Heights applied a chinlock and elbows to the head. Heights captured the leg, leading to an overhead T-Bone suplex for a two count. Heights remained in control by applying an armbar on the left arm. Borne was able to hit a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Heights hit Borne with a forearm to the throat. Heights tossed Borne over the top to the floor, and back into the ring for a two count. Heights avoided a charging Borne and hit a belly-to-back suplex for a two count. They went on another break for some fans as the match continued. Borne hit a powerslam for a two count. Borne hit a vertical suplex for a two count. Heights caught a charging Borne and hit a shoulderbreaker onto the knee for two. Heights took down Borne leading to an armbar attempt, but Borne was able to turn out of it. Heights kept on holding onto that right arm until Borne picked him up and hit a Powerbomb. Both guys were down.
The match continued with Borne hitting two clotheslines and a dropkick. Borne hit an uppercut, followed by a reverse DDT with an elbow drop. Borne clotheslined Heights out of the ring. Borne left the ring, so Heights hit him with an overhead belly-to-belly toss on the floor. Back in the ring, Heights got a two count. Heights put Borne on his shoulders and hit an Electric Chair Drop. Heights went up top and hit a Superfly Splash for two. It wasn’t a pretty splash, but it got a two count. Borne sent Heights into the turnbuckle and hit a German Suplex. Heights avoided a dropkick. Heights went for a move off the shoulders, but Borne hit the Borne Again (Zig Zag) for the pinfall win at 17:08.
Winner by pinfall: Myles Borne
Analysis: ***1/4 A good technical wrestling match that turned into a fight after they showed respect to eachother in the first half of the match. They turned up the aggressiveness as it went on, and I think it would have been even better if they were more aggressive in the match. The finish kind of came out of nowhere. I think it would have been better with some more nearfalls for each guy. Borne winning was what I expected, unless Heights went fully heel, but that didn’t happen, so Borne winning makes sense.
After the match, Borne and Heights shook hands. Borne posed with the title while Heights left with a frustrated look on his face.
Analysis: I think Tavion Heights turning heel soon would be good for him as a character.
Myles Borne was interviewed by Emily Agard after the match. Borne said that he and Heights push eachother every day. Borne said he knows Heights is going to get himself a championship, but unfortunately for him, it’s not tonight. Borne said he’s had this title for four months. Borne said it doesn’t matter if you’re a friend or foe because Borne is going to hold it for a long time.
Lola Vice was shown taping up for the main event coming up. There were commercials after that.
A commercial aired for AAA and NXT Heatwave back-to-back on Sunday, August 30th in Edinburg, Texas.
Analysis: That’s going against AEW All In London. Obviously, WWE likes going against AEW shows, but I think NXT would have had more of a spotlight if it was on another day.
They went outside to Blake Howard, Kevin Owens and Dave LaGreca to talk about the show. Hank & Tank interrupted while wearing aprons talking about NXT on Tuesday. Keanu Carver showed up on stage to argue with them. Security guys tried to break it up, so Carver shoved a security guy and Hank Walker bumped through a table.
A video package aired about Lola Vice as the NXT Women’s Champion. Vice talked about how in 2022, she was the biggest signing of the year and she had to earn her place in this division. That led into Kendal Grey talking about her journey as an amateur wrestler and earning another title shot. Vice said they were both crossover athletes and Grey crumbles under pressure.
They showed Kendal Grey backstage walking with Wren Sinclair, and Wren stayed back there. Lola Vice was also shown walking backstage for the main event up next. There were commercials after that.
This Tuesday on WWE NXT:
* Mason Rook vs. Jackson Drake
* Jaida Parker vs. Karmen Petrovic
* NXT Tag Team Championships: Vanity Project vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. & Galeno
* AAA Latin American Championship: El Hijo Del Vikingo vs. EK Prosper
It was main event time with Kendal Grey making her entrance first. Grey greeted her parents, sitting in the front row. Grey was wearing some Kurt Angle-style red, white, and blue gear. The NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice made her entrance as well and she had family in the crowd also. Lola is also the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion. Vic Joseph did the championship introductions. Vice won the title at Stand & Deliver, so it was 85 days earlier.
NXT Women’s Championship: Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey
It’s a matchup between two babyfaces, so the fans were behind both women. Vice has the MMA background and Grey has the amateur wrestling background. Grey went for a takedown, but Vice went for an armbar. Vice got a hiptoss into a pin attempt for two. Vice worked over Grey with kicks to the ribs. Grey got a takedown into a pin attempt for two. Grey tried to flip up to her feet, so Vice kicked her in the mouth to knock Grey down. Vice worked over Grey with punches to the body. Grey came back with punches and chops of her own. Vice hit some hard chops to the chest. Vice hit two arm drags, but then Grey countered Vice into a headlock. Grey sent Vice out of the ring. Grey hit an uppercut while they were on the floor. Kelani Jordan tried to get involved, so Wren Sinclair stopped her and they fought to the back. Vice took advantage with a kick to the ribs. Vice jumped onto Grey with a Thesz Press on the floor. They went on a break for some fans there as the match continued with Vice working over Grey with kicks to the body. Vice hit a back elbow to knock Grey down for a two count. Vice hit the Three Amigos vertical suplexes. Vice charged with a kick, but Grey avoided it and got a rollup for two. Grey suplexed Vice. Grey hit an elbow drop for a two count. Grey sent Vice hard into the turnbuckle for two. Grey and Vice ran the ropes leading to a double clothesline to knock eachother down.
The match continued with Vice working over Grey with a barrage of kicks. Vice hit her running hip attack on Grey against the turnbuckle. Vice did it for a second time. Vice hit a belly-to-back suplex. Grey slipped behind Vice and hit a German Suplex. Grey did the straps down routine to fire up. Grey hit two overhead suplexes across the ring. Vice slipped behind Grey and hit a German Suplex of her own. Grey hit another German Suplex. Vice hit another German Suplex and Grey sold it well. Vice hit some strikes, Grey hit a superkick and then Vice hit a spin kick to knock Grey out of the ring. Vice hit a Thesz Press onto Grey on the floor. Grey got a hold of the ankle for an Ankle Lock. Grey jumped off the barricade and hit Shades of Grey on the floor. Back in the ring, Grey jumped off the top, Vice went for a superkick, but Grey got a hold of the right foot into an Ankle Lock. Vice countered into her own Ankle Lock, but Grey got out of it and went for an armbar. Vice punched her way out of it and went for an armbar. Vice applied a Sleeper/choke, but then Grey countered into her own Sleeper/choke until Vice sent Grey into the ropes to break the hold. Grey hit a knee and went for a moonsault, but Vice avoided it. Vice hit a roundhouse kick to the head for two. Vice applied a Guillotine Choke, but Grey got out of it and went for a Northern Lights Suplex for two. Vice applied a Triangle Choke and Grey countered it into a pin for two. Vice hit a backfist, and Grey hit a back elbow, leading to each woman covering the other…and that led to two counts. Each woman went for strikes, neither connected, Vice missed a back fist and Grey jumped off the middle turnbuckle with Shades of Grey for 1…2…3! Kendal Grey is the new NXT Women’s Champion! It went 15:11.
Winner AND NEW NXT Women’s Champion: Kendal Grey
Analysis: ****1/4 A great wrestling match in the main event with Kendal Grey capturing the NXT Women’s Title for the first time. The ladies crushed it. No surprise there, considering how talented Grey is and how much Vice has improved in the last year. The second half of the match was outstanding with all the submission moves that were attempted and countered in the match. I thought the title could change hands in this match, and I’m happy it did because Grey shouldn’t lose another title shot. It was the kind of title match that was very even the whole way. Grey was able to counter Vice’s back fist, which Vice has used to win many matches, and Grey hit Shades of Grey for the win. Awesome match.
Kendal Grey celebrated with the NXT Women’s Championship as Wade Barrett put over both women for showing incredible athleticism in the match, and I agree with that.
Kendal Grey continued to celebrate as the NXT Women’s Champion, and Wren Sinclair joined her best friend in the ring. Grey greeted her family at ringside. That’s how the show ended with Grey holding up her title.
Analysis: I think Kendal Grey is outstanding, and I’m genuinely happy for her as the NXT Women’s Champion. She needs to improve as a character and promos, but that will come in the weeks and months ahead. Putting the title on her is a great thing. I think her best opponent is Kelani Jordan, so that will probably be a future title feud.
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Five Stars of the Show
- Kendal Grey
- Zaria
- Tony D’Angelo
- Lola Vice
- Myles Borne
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Final Thoughts on WWE NXT Great American Bash
I’m going with a 7.5 out of 10.
The Kendal Grey-Lola Vice match stood out to me as the best match of the show. Those ladies absolutely crushed it in the main event and I’m glad they went on last. I’m happy to see Grey as the champion. I liked the Zaria-Paxley match the second most, so again the ladies of NXT carried the show.
Other matches were okay, but mostly average. I don’t think many of them stood out that much. The card could have used form variance because when you have 7 matches and all of them are singles matches, it feels repetitive, especially with no gimmick matches. They should have had a tag team match or something different to balance the show a bit.
I thought they timed the show well. The longest match was right around 17 minutes and with a 7-match card, six matches got at least 10 minutes, along with the Speed match kept under 5 minutes, per the rules. I’m sure some fans are going to complain about commercials, but it didn’t really bother me.
Here are my NXT reviews for 2026 so far:
Stand & Deliver (April 4) – 8 (out of 10)
Vengeance Day (March 7) – 7.75
Great American Bash (June 28) – 7.5
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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.
John Canton
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Twitter/X @johnreport