On February 24, 2026, at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, Myles Borne delivered a stunning upset by defeating Ethan Page to claim the North American Championship. This intense matchup, alongside multiple title changes during the live event aired on the CW network, showcased the evolving landscape of NXT and highlighted Borne’s rise in the highly competitive WWE environment.
Tag Team Turmoil Kicks Off the Night
The event commenced with Interim General Manager Robert Stone announcing the NXT Tag Team Championship contest, where DarkState (Osiris Griffin and Saquon Shugars) defended against The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes). Initially dominating, DarkState overpowered their opponents using raw strength and control. However, as the match progressed, The Vanity Project cleverly shifted momentum with calculated double-team maneuvers.
The turning point came amidst the chaos when Tony D’Angelo emerged at ringside, executing a sudden chokeslam on Shugars. This interference allowed The Vanity Project to secure the victory in just under twelve minutes, ending DarkState’s reign and propelling the newcomers into championship status. Tony D remained poised in the crowd as The Vanity Project celebrated their triumph as a trio of champions.
Prominent Singles Matches Highlight Wrestler Development
Following the tag title change, a match featuring Keanu Carver versus Sean Legacy further intensified the event. Carver, presented as a relentless force, dominated the contest and earned a decisive victory in little over four minutes. This win served to underline Carver’s rising status within NXT’s competitive ranks.
The Speed Championship Triple Threat match also produced notable excitement as Jasper Troy defended his title against Eli Knight and Elio LeFleur. The clash of speed and power culminated in LeFleur’s surprise victory, awarding him the Speed Championship. This marked the second title change of the night and underscored the unpredictability of NXT’s competitive scene.
Emerging Storylines in the Women’s Division
The night’s women’s match centered on Jacy Jayne defending her NXT Women’s Championship against Sol Ruca. However, a shocking pre-match attack by Zaria on Ruca altered the dynamics entirely. Jayne leveraged the chaos to secure a quick pinfall victory, retaining her title within the opening seconds. The attack deepened tensions and set the stage for a heated rivalry leading into upcoming shows.
Following this, a heated confrontation between Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame escalated with both women exchanging words in front of the audience. The buildup intensified anticipation for their future encounter over the North American title, with Vengeance Day looming as the next major showdown.
Supporting Matches and Backstage Developments
Additional contests included a Speed Championship tournament match where Thea Hail advanced after Jaida Parker’s well-received interference helped secure her win against Blake Monroe. A singles bout featuring Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon displayed fast-paced chain wrestling, with Connors prevailing to underline his heel persona.
Backstage scenes enriched the event’s narrative, with ongoing tensions between The Vanity Project and other wrestlers such as Ricky Saints and spoilers like Hank & Tank with Shiloh Hill holding a symbolic steering wheel that triggered a physical altercation. Meanwhile, Joe Hendry’s evolving career was spotlighted through a compelling biographical video segment, adding depth to the card’s presentation.
Climactic North American Title Match Captivates Fans
The main event pitted reigning champion Ethan Page, looking to become the longest-reigning North American Champion, against challenger Myles Borne. Page’s injured ankle added drama as Borne focused his offense on weakening the appendage. Despite Page’s resilience and moments of offensive bursts, Borne’s relentless attack and ring psychology prevailed, culminating in a dramatic and chaotic finish.
With interference attempts from The Vanity Project thwarted by allies such as Hank & Tank, Shiloh Hill, and NXT Champion Joe Hendry, Borne capitalized on a face-first turnbuckle strike before landing his signature “Borne Again” finisher to claim the championship at 13 minutes and 41 seconds.
“It was evident from the buildup to the match, the big deal that was made of Page breaking a record with a win tonight, and the complete chaos at the end that Page’s reign was going to end. Borne showed great intensity and good ring psychology. As a fan of him and his story, I’m glad to see him elevated in this way. Page’s character is so insufferable that he won’t be hurt a bit by this loss.” ?David Miller, PWTorch Contributor
After the victory, Borne celebrated by taking the championship belt into the stands to share the moment with his mother, adding an emotional layer to his accomplishment.
Implications and Future Directions for NXT
This event featured three significant title changes, illustrating the constant shifts within the NXT roster and highlighting WWE’s commitment to elevating emerging talent such as Myles Borne, The Vanity Project, and Elio LeFleur. The violent breakup of Zaruca, the unexpected victories, and the intense rivalries intensify anticipation for future programming, particularly the upcoming Vengeance Day event.
With Borne’s ascent and the apparent conclusion to Ethan Page’s record-setting reign, NXT enters a new chapter centered around fresh storylines and evolving characters poised to captivate a growing fanbase. The momentum generated by this show confirms the brand’s relevance in the competitive wrestling landscape.
