On Tuesday’s edition of WWE NXT, the NXT Championship was contested in a ladder match for only the third time in WWE history. Joe Hendry joined a star-studded lineup including Ricky Saints, Dion Lennox, Shiloh Hill, Keanu Carver, Jackson Drake, and Sean Legacy in the relentless battle for the title, delivering a gripping and intense contest that kept the WWE Universe on edge.
Background of Competitors and Stakes
Before this event, only Ricky Saints and Joe Hendry had previously challenged for the NXT Championship, with Saints holding the title for 70 days in 2025. Hendry’s victory places him alongside Saints as one of the few to secure this prestigious championship, marking a significant milestone in his WWE career.
Turning Points and Key Moments in the Match
The match’s final moments were chaotic as Keanu Carver was buried beneath a pile of ladders, temporarily removing him from the action. Once freed, Carver unleashed fierce retribution, striking Hendry with a ladder and taking out Jackson Drake and Shiloh Hill with aggressive moves before ramming Sean Legacy through a wall. Eventually, Carver faced off against Ricky Saints atop parallel ladders but suffered a dramatic fall through another ladder in front of the announce desk.
After Carver’s fall, Saints celebrated with his signature pose, only to be met by Hendry on the opposite side of the ladder. The two engaged in a tense tug of war over the championship belt. Hendry gained the upper hand by striking Saints with the title, sending him crashing down. Left standing alone, Hendry climbed the ladder and unhooked the NXT Championship, securing a hard-fought and memorable victory.
Recent Championship Context and Future Outlook
This match followed last month’s championship vacancy after Oba Femi, who had successfully defended against Leon Slater from TNA Wrestling, relinquished the title at NXT New Year’s Evil. Femi has since advanced to WWE’s main roster, notably attacking The War Raiders on WWE Raw. Hendry’s surprising triumph reshapes the NXT landscape and sets the stage for fresh rivalries and championship defenses moving forward.
