Joe Hendry retained the NXT Championship in a dramatic main event against Ricky Saints at the Vengeance Day event held on March 7 at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The intense match ended with Hendry securing the victory after an unexpected distraction and a concealed low blow.
Back-and-Forth Action Highlights Intense Battle Between Hendry and Saints
The title bout showcased fierce competition from both champions. Early on, Ricky Saints gained control by trapping Hendry’s leg in the ropes and unleashing a flurry of strikes. Hendry countered with a delayed vertical suplex, halting Saints’ momentum. As Saints attempted an Old School move from the top rope, Hendry thwarted it by crotching him against the turnbuckle. The action soon spilled outside the ring, where Saints slammed Hendry shoulder-first into the steel steps, followed by a sequence of damaging moves including a neckbreaker, a basement front kick, and an axe handle from the apron.
Hendry mounted a comeback with powerful offense, connecting a spear and his signature fallaway slam, and executing a powerbomb by catching Saints mid-air. Saints fought back, landing an Air Raid Crash and locking Hendry in both a crossface and guillotine choke. Despite appearing weakened, Hendry escaped the submissions with a suplex.
Crucial Interference and Ringside Drama Shift Momentum
In the closing moments, Hendry delivered an Attitude Adjustment-style move and a super fallaway slam from the top rope, but Saints kicked out both times. The tide turned when Ethan Page appeared at ringside, grabbing the NXT Championship belt. After Saints hit a spear and requested the belt, Page slid it into the ring where Hendry recovered it, causing confusion for the referee. As the official disposed of the title, Saints struck Hendry with a low blow and a Revolution DDT, yet Hendry still managed to kick out.
During the match’s final sequence, Saints forced Hendry into the corner, nearly colliding with the referee. With the official’s back turned, Hendry responded with his own low blow followed by the Standing Ovation move, clinching the pinfall and retaining the championship.
Questions Raised About Page’s Role as Conflict Continues Behind the Scenes
After the match concluded, Ricky Saints confronted Ethan Page over his ambiguous actions during the bout, leaving unresolved tension as the broadcast ended. The aftermath sets the stage for further developments in the NXT Championship storyline, with Hendry maintaining his hold on the title under controversial circumstances.
