Joe Hendry’s reign as WWE NXT Champion began with high expectations after his triumph in the seven-man Ladder Match on February 3. However, his early success was quickly met with hostility when Ricky Saints returned to confront him, signaling a fierce rivalry ahead. Hendry secured the vacant NXT title by overcoming formidable opponents including Saints, Dion Lennox, Sean Legacy, Jackson Drake, Shiloh Hill, and Keanu Carver in a grueling contest that kept fans on edge.
The match climaxed dramatically as Saints appeared poised to claim victory, standing atop the ladder with the championship within reach. Hendry, though, mounted a final surge, knocking Saints away with the belt and capturing the championship himself.
Early Showdown Highlights Hendry’s Vulnerable Position
The latest NXT episode opened by revisiting Hendry’s landmark win amid enthusiastic crowd support. His moment of triumph was swiftly interrupted by The Vanity Project, who launched a 3-on-1 assault against him, with Jackson Drake and his allies overwhelming the champion before his scheduled title defense.
Hendry Retains Title Against Jackson Drake Despite Outside Interference
Later in the night, Hendry defended his championship in a swift and competitive match against Drake. Drake came close to upsetting Hendry after delivering a Busaiku Knee strike and a bridging German suplex. Attempts at interference by Baylor and Smokes were thwarted when the referee removed them from ringside, preserving the match’s integrity. Ultimately, Hendry regained control and secured victory with his signature Standing Ovation finisher.
Ricky Saints Launches Surprise Attack to Reassert Himself
Just as Hendry began to celebrate his successful defense, an unexpected figure wearing a black hoodie charged the ring and delivered a sudden attack. The assailant soon revealed himself as Ricky Saints, the very competitor Hendry had denied the championship earlier. Saints unleashed his frustration by laying Hendry out in the ring and then held up the NXT Championship belt, sending a clear message to the reigning champion and the audience.
OUT OF NOWHERE ?@starkmanjones with the sneak attack on Joe Hendry! pic.twitter.com/0yqmXaopUv— WWE (@WWE) February 11, 2026
Ongoing Rivalry Sets the Stage for Future NXT Confrontations
Though Joe Hendry stands as the current NXT Champion, Ricky Saints’ aggressive assault shows he remains determined to regain the title. This tension between the two promises to escalate the stakes in upcoming WWE NXT events, with the championship landscape far from settled. Fans can expect more intense encounters as Saints pursues his objective and Hendry strives to defend his hard-earned accolade.
OUT OF NOWHERE 😩@starkmanjones with the sneak attack on Joe Hendry! pic.twitter.com/0yqmXaopUv
— WWE (@WWE) February 11, 2026
