The WWE NXT Championship has been vacated by Oba Femi, setting the stage for a six-man ladder match on February 3rd at the WWE Performance Center in Winter Park, Florida. AVA, the NXT General Manager, declared this an open opportunity for all contenders, remarking that the men’s division is wide open and ripe for ambitious competitors to claim the top prize. Qualifying matches for the ladder match began the following week, ensuring a brutal path to the NXT Championship.
Ricky Saints, a dominant force in the division, expressed confidence in his position, highlighting his previous victories over notable stars such as Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, and Oba Femi. Saints declared himself “the then, now and forever,” confident that he will become a two-time NXT Champion, though AVA made it clear that no single wrestler will be handed the title without earning it in the qualifying rounds.
The men’s locker room erupted into chaos when AVA suspended the NXT Championship above the ring. Keanu Carver ignited a massive brawl, demonstrating his power by slamming Brooks Jensen through the announce table and overpowering Jackson Drake. The segment ended with a tense standoff between Carver and Ricky Saints, fueling the anticipation for the battles ahead.
Women’s Division Dynamics Intensify Behind the Scenes
Backstage tensions also ran high as Kendal Grey approached Wren Sinclair, seeking support for another title opportunity after her recent defeat alongside Fatal Influence. Wren admitted Kendal’s improvement but reminded her of prior losses to NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne. The rivalry heated as Sol Ruca and Zaria joined, leading to a bickering confrontation that set the stage for a triple threat match next week, with the winner earning a shot at the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship.
Meanwhile, Blake Monroe voiced frustration over her treatment since losing the NXT Women’s North American Championship, arguing she is the undisputed standard of NXT and demanding respect. Her confrontation with Jaida Parker ended with an intense brawl, closing with Parker delivering a brutal finisher move, signaling no ease in their feud.
Notable Matches Highlight Diverse Talent Across NXT
The evening featured multiple high-energy contests showcasing NXT’s rising stars. In the opening bout, Lola Vice defeated Kelani Jordan after a fierce battle full of counters and submission attempts. Vice asserted herself boldly post-match, declaring her intention to chase Izzi Dame‘s NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Jasper Troy successfully defended the WWE Men’s Speed Championship against Tavion Heights, delivering a Black Hole Slam to secure victory. The match concluded with an unexpected attack when Lexis King assaulted Heights utilizing her Coronation finisher, injecting further volatility into the title scene.
At the same time, Stacks, with Arianna Grace, retained his TNA International Championship in a hard-fought match against Shiloh Hill. The contest combined technical maneuvers with high-risk strikes, culminating in Stacks narrowly securing the pinfall despite multiple near-falls from Hill.
Joe Hendry, accompanied by OTM, triumphed over Dion Lennox, backed by DarkState, in a violent no disqualification match. Both competitors traded brutal attacks with various weapons, leading to a chaotic finale where Tony D’Angelo intervened with decisive chair shots. Hendry’s victory was overshadowed by a fierce confrontation with AVA and security, concluding in a tense standoff.
Backstage Alliances and Promo Highlights Build Storylines
Backstage segments deepened ongoing rivalries and ambitions. Elio LeFleur delivered a passionate promo on his masked lucha libre heritage, honoring his mentor Nitro and promising to honor the tradition while making his mark in NXT. This set up his upcoming debut challenge against WWE NXT North American Champion Ethan Page.
AVA confronted Ethan Page about his status, denying him a spot in the NXT Championship ladder match unless he relinquished his North American title. Their heated exchange underscored AVA’s focus on the future, setting up Page’s defense next week against LeFleur.
Elsewhere, Lexis King declared dominance backstage, asserting his birthright to the championship amid discussions with members of Chase University, who recognized Lexis’s influence despite reservations. Myles Borne demanded inclusion in a qualifying match, intensifying the competitive environment in NXT.
Women’s Championship Landscape Shifts As Izzi Dame Holds Firm
NXT Women’s North American Champion Izzi Dame delivered a fierce and calculated promo, declaring her control over the division and dismissing critics who doubted her position after a recent loss to Tatum Paxley. She emphasized her strategic mindset, positioning herself three steps ahead of challengers like Lola Vice, Thea Hail, and Tatum.
The tension culminated when Tatum Paxley broke free from officials and launched a surprise ground attack on Dame, delivering a physical assault that resulted in Paxley’s ejection from the Performance Center. This incident escalates the brewing conflict in the women’s division.
Upcoming Matches Promise Increased Turmoil and Stakes
Qualifying matches for the NXT Championship ladder match are scheduled to air next week, featuring Sean Legacy versus Eli Knight and Josh Briggs clashing with Shiloh Hill. Ricky Saints, although not competing in qualifiers, will join commentary, keeping a watchful eye on potential threats.
Ethan Page will defend the North American Championship against the debuting Elio LeFleur, a match symbolizing the transition towards fresh contenders in NXT’s hierarchy. Simultaneously, a Triple Threat match involving ZaRuca, Fatal Influence, and WrenQCC will decide the next team to challenge for the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship.
Significance and Future Outlook for NXT’s Competitive Landscape
The vacancy of the NXT Championship has triggered an intense and chaotic scramble among wrestlers eager to seize opportunity and reshape the division’s hierarchy. The six-man ladder match at the February 3rd event symbolizes a turning point, promising brutal competition and unexpected outcomes. The interconnected rivalries within both the men’s and women’s rosters highlight NXT’s volatile and evolving nature heading into 2026.
The introduction of rising stars like Elio LeFleur and the emergence of conflicted veterans like Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe foreshadow a relentless contest for supremacy. The build-up to the ladder match and the surrounding storylines signify not only a battle for gold but a fight for respect, legacy, and the future of WWE NXT.
