This week on WWE NXT, the vacant NXT Title remains the hot topic after Oba Femi relinquished the championship just last week. The ongoing shakeup comes as numerous top talents have been promoted to the main roster recently, leaving NXT’s men’s division wide open. WWE NXT is poised for change as new contenders prepare to seize the opportunity to become the next NXT Champion in a scheduled ladder match set for February 3rd, while Joe Hendry faces Dion Lennox and Lola Vice takes on Kelani Jordan during this week’s broadcast from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
Ava Domiantes the Ring, Announces Six-Man Ladder Match
NXT General Manager Ava took center stage with a powerful promo, surrounded by male competitors eyeing the vacant title. She emphasized the opportunity now before the men’s division, calling the moment perfect for new challengers to step into the spotlight. Former champion Ricky Saints joined her, boldly declaring himself the inevitable two-time NXT Champion, citing victories over key opponents like Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams as evidence of his dominance. Although hawked by Saints’ confidence, Ava stressed fairness by stating qualification matches would decide all participants equally.
On February 3rd, a six-man ladder match will determine the new NXT champion. The title itself was dramatically suspended above the ring, symbolizing the high stakes ahead.
Keanu Carver Makes Impactful Introduction
The men around the ring erupted into a chaotic brawl, but it was newcomer Keanu Carver who stood out by dominating much of the fray. Carver executed breathtaking moves including a powerbomb through a table on Brooks Jensen and a launch of Jackson Drake over the top rope to the floor. His performance demonstrated why he is viewed as a rising star with strong momentum heading into NXT. This fresh addition should bring new energy to the evolving roster.
Women’s Division Spotlight: Lola Vice Overcomes Kelani Jordan
Backstage, Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan watched as they prepared to compete. The two women battled fiercely in a well-paced 13-minute match that showcased a blend of strikes, high-flying maneuvers, and submission attempts. Both wrestlers exchanged control throughout, from Jordan’s aggressive kicks and frog splash to Vice’s German suplex and sleeper hold.
The key moment came when Jordan attempted to cheat by grabbing the tights for a rollup pin, but referee Chip Danning caught the infraction and halted the count. Lola Vice capitalized immediately with a spinning back fist, securing the pinfall victory. This win likely marks the end of their rivalry, as Vice now aims her sights on NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne.
Winner: Lola Vice
Jasper Troy Retains WWE Speed Championship Against Tavion Heights
The Speed Title clash between Jasper Troy and Tavion Heights carried a 5-minute time limit, with Troy successfully defending after a Black Hole Slam at 4:08. Heights showed flashes of offense including a splash and overhead belly-to-belly suplex, but Troy’s power and longer experience proved decisive.
Post-match, Lexis King attacked Heights using his signature move, The Coronation, adding fuel to an emerging storyline in the Speed division.
Winner: Jasper Troy
Ongoing Women’s Tag Team Contention and Backstage Tensions
In backstage segments, tensions brewed between women’s tag teams with Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey clashing verbally with Sol Ruca & Zaria over an upcoming shot at the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne gathered all the involved parties to address the situation, setting the stage for intensified tag team rivalries as these teams vie for championship glory.
The Vanity Project Joins NXT Ranks, Eyes Title Opportunities
The youthful faction known as The Vanity Project announced their arrival in NXT, with Jackson Drake expressing ambition for a title opportunity, especially given his status as the Evolve Champion. Interaction with established NXT wrestlers showed the group’s mix of confidence and inexperience, hinting at their future role among NXT’s rising talent pool.
Elio Lefleur Set for Debut Against Ethan Page for NXT North American Title
A hype video introduced Elio Lefleur, a high-flying French wrestler about to make his NXT debut. NXT North American Champion Ethan Page acknowledged Lefleur’s arrival but also questioned having to defend his title so soon, revealing some reluctance despite his confidence as a longtime champion. Their match next week promises a contest between established star and promising newcomer.
Blake Monroe and Jaida Parker Ignite New Rivalry With Intense Confrontation
Blake Monroe issued a fiery promo asserting her dominance in the women’s division and decrying recent controversies. Her claims of being “the standard” were interrupted by a surprise return of Jaida Parker, who immediately attacked Monroe with a hip drop and high-energy offense. The crowd responded enthusiastically to Parker’s reemergence, suggesting she is poised for a significant push.
TNA International Championship Match: Title Defense with Controversial Finish
Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo defended his TNA International Championship against Shiloh Hill in a competitive bout marked by near falls and strategic maneuvering. Despite Hill’s spirited comeback, interference by his fiancée Arianna Grace ultimately tipped the scales in Stacks’ favor. The controversial finish highlighted the heel tactics that differentiate Stacks and Grace’s unique dynamic from other WWE pairings.
Winner: Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
Izzi Dame Establishes Dominance as New NXT Women’s North American Champion
Izzi Dame, fresh off capturing the NXT Women’s North American Title, delivered a measured yet commanding promo that highlighted her calculated climb to the championship. She positioned herself intellectually above contenders like Thea Hail and Lola Vice, warning that love and passion aren’t enough to dethrone her. The segment was charged further when Tatum Paxley rushed the ring and headbutted referee Chip Danning, leading to her ejection backstage and escalating their brewing rivalry.
Ricky Saints Confident About Ladder Match Inclusion Amid Qualifiers
In an interview, Ricky Saints confirmed that he earned a direct spot in the upcoming ladder match without having to qualify. Qualification matches announced included Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight and Josh Briggs vs. Shiloh Hill. Stacks and Grace interrupted the interview, with Stacks complaining about Hill being in the qualifier while he retained his championship. This exchange deepened ongoing rivalries within the NXT title scene.
Main Event: Joe Hendry Defeats Dion Lennox in No Disqualification Showdown
The intense main event pitted Joe Hendry against Dion Lennox in a no disqualification match. Early exchanges saw Hendry dominated by Lennox’s uppercuts and backbreaker, but the tide shifted after Hendry executed a superplex and later used brass knuckles, provided by Bronco Nima, to gain the upper hand.
The match featured multiple interference moments as their factions, OTM led by Hendry and Darkstate backing Lennox, battled both inside and outside the ring. Chairs, tables, and kendo sticks came into play, culminating in a dramatic climax where Tony D’Angelo unexpectedly intervened, assaulting both competitors and helping Hendry secure the pinfall victory after a 14-minute war.
Winner: Joe Hendry
Tony D’Angelo’s Unpredictable Role Develops
Following his interference, Tony D’Angelo asserted dominance in the ring by overpowering trainee security personnel brought in by Ava. Executing German suplexes and spinebusters, he signaled an intention to carve his niche in NXT. Though his allegiance remains unclear, speculation grows that D’Angelo will contend for the NXT Title, possibly challenging Ricky Saints or Joe Hendry in the near future.
Upcoming Qualifiers and Matches to Shape NXT’s Future
Next week’s NXT card includes crucial qualifying matches leading to the ladder match for the vacant NXT Title. Highlight bouts feature Josh Briggs vs. Shiloh Hill and Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight, while Ethan Page prepares to defend the NXT North American Championship against debuting Elio Lefleur. Additionally, a triple threat tag team match involving Zaruca, Wrengcc, and Fatal Influence promises to shake up the women’s tag division. Predictions favor Briggs and Legacy as successful qualifiers and Sol Ruca & Zaria as winners of the women’s tag contest.
Overall Reflection: Transitional Phase for NXT
This week’s WWE NXT episode presented solid action and compelling storylines but felt weighed down by extensive promos and storyline development. The recent departure of key talent to WWE’s main roster has challenged the brand’s depth, leading to an average show that relies on emerging stars to fill the void. Matches like Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan and Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox stood out for their intensity and storytelling, while the ladder match announcement sets an exciting course for the next few weeks.
The anticipated ladder match to crown the new NXT Champion feels like a natural continuation of NXT’s tradition of high-stakes championship battles and should invigorate the men’s division. As rising talents like Keanu Carver and Elio Lefleur enter the fray, the brand’s evolution will be critical to its long-term success.
