The April 28 episode of WWE NXT aired live from the Capitol Wrestling Center at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, with commentary from Vic Joseph and Booker T. The episode emphasized a roster reset following the post-WrestleMania 42 wave of call-ups to Raw and SmackDown, including Ethan Page, Joe Hendry, Sol Ruca, Fatal Influence, Blake Monroe, and Ricky Saints.
Opening Backstage Segment: Robert Stone, Shawn Michaels, Matt Bloom
The show opened with Robert Stone in an office with Matt Bloom and Shawn Michaels. Stone confirmed the departures and suggested opening up opportunities in NXT. Michaels responded, “We’ve been through this before, many times. You can throw a stick of dynamite in that locker room and see who runs out.” It was also announced that NXT Premium Live Events will air exclusively on The CW starting this summer.
OPPORTUNITY TIME IN NXT! pic.twitter.com/L8rnMnaHj2
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Myles Borne (c) defeated Saquon Shugars to Retain the NXT North American Championship
DarkState members Cutler James, Dion Lennox, and Osiris Griffin accompanied Shugars to the ring. Borne started strong with uppercuts, a gut wrench T-Bone suplex, and a scoop powerslam. He dove over the top rope to take out DarkState at ringside. James pulled Borne off the apron, and Shugars sent Borne throat-first into the exposed steel turnbuckle connector after the padding came undone.
Shugars worked over Borne through the break with knees to the spine, a leg drop, and a submission hold. Borne countered a superplex into a crossbody, then hit a dropkick from the top rope. The two traded pin attempts. Lennox distracted the referee, allowing Shugars to hit a Northern Lights suplex and a dropkick that sent Borne off the ring apron. Griffin and James distracted the referee again as Lennox handed Shugars a steel chair, but Shugars confronted Lennox to prevent a disqualification, continuing their internal tension. The distraction allowed Borne to send Shugars crashing into Lennox, and both DarkState members hit the ring steps. Borne hit the Borne Again to retain.
After the match, Tristan Angels made his NXT TV debut from the stands, introducing himself as “Mr. England” following a prior appearance on WWE EVOLVE. Angels told Borne, “Do not let my looks have you fooled,” and said he would be seen more going forward. Kam Hendrix then blindsided Borne from behind and hit a uranage, standing tall over the champion.
Miscommunication for DarkState and Myles Borne RETAINS the NXT North American Title! 😤@mylesborne_wwe pic.twitter.com/14xo04n9HB
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
IN WITH THE NEW!
Tristan Angels and Kam Hendrix just made an IMPACT here on NXT! 👀 pic.twitter.com/N9flpWxzWA
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Backstage: Kelani Jordan Confronts Wren Sinclair
Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey were discussing the new arrivals in the locker room when Kelani Jordan interrupted, complaining about not getting the right opportunities. Jordan insinuated Kendal would eventually turn on Wren, just as Charlie Dempsey did. Jordan challenged Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair to a non-title match to “embarrass” her.
Kelani Jordan wants Wren Sinclair TONIGHT! 😳@kelani_wwe | @WrenSinclairWWE | @kendalgreywwe pic.twitter.com/H4idD9dUYJ
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Tony D’Angelo Segment: EVIL Debuts, Tavion Heights and Will Kroos Attack
NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo entered the ring and addressed the changing landscape. “The more this place changes, the more it stays the same. Competitors come and go, but I’ve been the constant since the day I stepped into NXT, and there’s not a man on this roster tough enough to kick me off this mountain, including whoever sent me that box last week,” D’Angelo said. He referenced Keanu Carver side-eyeing him and said the box was not a gift but a warning.
The lights went out and new music played. A hooded figure made his way to the ring and went face to face with D’Angelo, handing him a shirt wrapped in twine featuring the same kanji character for “war” that was on the box from last week. The man threw back his hood, and Vic Joseph said, “The rumors, they’re true. That is the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.” The crowd chanted “EVIL” as the former New Japan Pro-Wrestling star made his WWE NXT debut. EVIL exited without speaking.
After EVIL left, Tavion Heights attacked D’Angelo from behind with a belly-to-belly suplex and told the camera, “I deserve it all.” After Heights left, a hooded figure came through the crowd and hit a moonsault on D’Angelo. Vic Joseph asked, “Is that a fan?” The man was later identified as UK indie standout Will Kroos.
Tony D'Angelo is READY for all the SHARKS who want his NXT Title! 👊@TonyDangeloWWE | @ShawnMichaels pic.twitter.com/mfQyQ51jKR
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Vignette: Shiloh Hill and Tatum Paxley
A cinematic vignette aired with Shiloh Hill and Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley in a cemetery, standing over a grave labeled for Blake Monroe, who was recently called up to SmackDown. They blamed Monroe’s narcissism. Hill discussed his upcoming match with Ricky Saints. Paxley laid next to the gravesite.
EK Prosper and Sean Legacy defeated BirthRight (Stacks and Uriah Connors)
BirthRight, accompanied by Arianna Grace, Lexis King, and Charlie Dempsey, showed footage of themselves attacking Dorian Van Dux, who had been scheduled to team with Prosper. Speed Champion Lexis King said, “There’s no such thing as a slow news day when you are the fastest man alive.” EK Prosper ran out to fight, and a returning Sean Legacy, his original partner, evened the odds to replace the injured Van Dux. After the break, Prosper hit a springboard moonsault. Legacy hit a Spanish Fly, Prosper connected with a running knee on Stacks followed by a moonsault, and Legacy finished with a corkscrew driver for the pin.
Post-match, BirthRight attacked the winners. WWE EVOLVE’s Tate Wilder debuted and made the save with a missile dropkick. He delivered a Slingblade to King and hit an apron Shooting Star Press on the faction as the crowd chanted “Tate.”
TATE WILDER HAS ARRIVED!! 😎
What a CRAZY night!! pic.twitter.com/hojc3q3WKK
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Backstage: Kali Armstrong Confronts Jaida Parker
In the women’s locker room, Kali Armstrong told Jaida Parker she was scared of competition. Armstrong called herself “the difference maker” and said she would start by putting Parker in her place. The two had to be separated.
It is going DOWN in the NXT Women's Locker Room! 🫢 @Kali_wwe | @Jaida_Parkerwwe pic.twitter.com/LqMRYcMz4n
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Backstage: Robert Stone and Tate Wilder
Robert Stone shook Tate Wilder’s hand backstage following his debut.
Lola Vice Called Out Izzi Dame, Mr. Iguana Makes the Save
NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice attempted to call out Izzi Dame, who attacked her the previous week. Shawn Spears appeared on the tron instead, saying The Culling is always one step ahead. Dame and Niko Vance appeared behind Vice and attacked her. AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion Mr. Iguana emerged and made the save with signature offense.
Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana were one step AHEAD of The Culling!! 🦎@lolavicewwe | @MrIguana pic.twitter.com/1MG7vWkMKM
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Backstage: DarkState Post-Match Tension
Saquon Shugars blamed Dion Lennox for the loss. Cutler James and Osiris Griffin stepped in. James said, “Our first goal was tag gold. We’re gonna go get that back.”
Lizzy Rain defeated Nikkita Lyons (Debut Match)
Lizzy Rain made her NXT in-ring debut. “Lizzy Rain and heavy metal will never, ever die,” she said during her entrance, receiving a standing ovation of heavy metal hands. Lyons, who premiered on WWE LFG Season 3, said in a pre-tape that she would stop newcomers like Rain from jumping the line. Lyons took control early with a spinning heel kick. Rain came back with chops as the crowd chanted “Make it rain.” She hit a running headbutt. Booker T said, “She’s a headbanger, Vic.” Lyons attempted a Vader Bomb, but Rain avoided it and hit Thunderstruck for the pinfall victory.
SCREAM FOR LIZZY RAIN 🎸@LizzyRain_wwe pic.twitter.com/DRcJsFKaiA
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Backstage: Tavion Heights and Keanu Carver Confront Myles Borne
Myles Borne confronted Tavion Heights about the attack on Tony D’Angelo, saying it was not like him. Heights responded that it was the same thing Borne did to Ethan Page, but now that Borne has a title, he is acting differently. Heights told Borne, “You can add me to that list.” Keanu Carver then approached Borne and said there are a lot of sharks swimming around, “but you’re looking at the great white.”
NXT really is WIDE OPEN for anyone to SHINE!! 🌟@mylesborne_wwe | @TavionHeights | @KeanuCarverWWE pic.twitter.com/FcHsMwTyPE
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Backstage: Vanity Project Segment
The Vanity Project celebrated Ricky Smokes’ birthday. Swipe Right said they have the tag titles locked down and it was Jackson Drake’s turn to step up for gold. Drake said since he has Myka Lockwood, he can conquer anything. Jasper Troy told Drake to focus on gold instead of dating and challenged him to a match next week. “Looks like somebody got ragebaited,” Troy said.
Kelani Jordan defeated Wren Sinclair
Kelani Jordan defeated Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair in a non-title match. Sinclair used her technical game early. After the break, Jordan targeted Sinclair’s left knee. Sinclair appeared to suffer a knee injury during the bout. Jordan hit an Angle Slam and a split-legged moonsault for the pin.
Kelani Jordan with the WIN over the Women's Speed Champion! 👏@kelani_wwe pic.twitter.com/Fo0ZIsx7zz
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Vignette: Zaria and Sol Ruca
A vignette aired depicting Zaria parting the ocean and disintegrating Sol Ruca, following their Last Woman Standing match at NXT Revenge Night Two.
Shiloh Hill defeated Ricky Saints (Main Event)
Ricky Saints competed in his final NXT match before heading to SmackDown. Saints attacked Hill at the bell. They brawled to the floor, and Hill crawled under the ring. Saints pulled out a lifesized decoy dressed as Hill. Saints regained control during the picture-in-picture, and Hill came back with powerslams. Hill escaped a sleeper hold. Saints hit a spear. Hill hit an inside-out senton, but Saints pushed the referee to crotch Hill on the top rope. Saints hit a top-rope Jackhammer, but Hill crotched him back. Saints hit a Roshambo on the floor and attempted to use a steel chair, but Hill faceplanted Saints on it and followed with a neckbreaker for the victory.
The biggest WIN of Shiloh Hill's CAREER!! 🤩 @shiloh_wwe pic.twitter.com/lV57WvE8lP
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Closing Backstage Segment: Tony D’Angelo and Shawn Michaels
Tony D’Angelo met with Shawn Michaels backstage. D’Angelo welcomed the chaos but reaffirmed he is still the NXT Champion. Michaels told him, “You wanted this. You’re the NXT Champion, now it’s time to prove it.”
Tony D'Angelo is READY for all the SHARKS who want his NXT Title! 👊@TonyDangeloWWE | @ShawnMichaels pic.twitter.com/mfQyQ51jKR
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2026
Announced for Next Week
Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana vs. Izzi Dame and Niko Vance, Kali Armstrong vs. Jaida Parker, and Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake.
WWE NXT airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.
