Tony D retains, but a new contender arrives
The NXT Championship remains with Tony D’Angelo after an epic Street Fight with Naraku, but that was only the beginning of a stunning main event. The challenger started the match by battering the champion with several weapons, including steel chairs, kendo sticks, the ring steps, and even a trash can.
The Champion withstood the early onslaught, but an Enter The Abyss on the outside followed by a huge slam through the table spelled trouble for D’Angelo. Naraku went for the mist, but D’Angelo blocked it, then shoved his poison-covered hands in the challenger’s face before bashing him with a kendo stick.
D’Angelo proceeded to drag Naraku onto the steel steps and plant him with Dead To Rights through a table, retaining his title to a standing ovation. However, after the match, a new Superstar (the former 2-time TNA World Champion Mike Santana) appeared to upend the hierarchy of NXT.
NXT Review – Meanwhile, backstage
- The entire NXT Women’s Locker Room is hungry to shine.
- Shiloh Hill has a new tooth, thanks to Danhausen. But at what price?
- Myles Borne will defend the NXT North American Championship against Kam Hendrix next week.
- A “possessed” Shiloh Hill will face Tristan Angels next week. He also stole NXT GM Robert Stone’s dinner at the same time.
A tooth for @shiloh_wwe, but how much human monies will it cost?!? 🤑@DanhausenAD pic.twitter.com/VlxQMqonNW
— WWE (@WWE) July 22, 2026
NXT Review – Nygma Says
I told you last week the 2026 version of NXT is taking magnificent shape. The proof was in the pudding this week with a mind-blowing episode. I rarely write that I have nothing to say on a show, but that’s the case this week. Every match was good, if not excellent. Lola Vice’s challenge in the Underground was expected, but welcomed. Reina Volcan is gigantic.
And there’s the arrival of the man I used to call Mike Santana (the fact that NXT said “a new superstar” probably means his name will change). I’ve followed him since I started writing on wrestling, and I’m very proud I will be able to continue. Believe in the Nygma, Santana is a great human being, a talented wrestler, and a true Champion.
Well, this new era of NXT is as exciting as it can be surprising. Of course, I keep on exploring the NXT world through the NXTNA “cold war.” Wendy Choo will appear on TNA iMPACT this week in the TNA Knockouts Television title tournament, when Thea Hail won her first-round match last week. So, stay tuned… Until next week, may the Nygma be with you.
WOW!! 😱
A new face has stormed into NXT! pic.twitter.com/T0yp6lwHvO
— WWE (@WWE) July 22, 2026
WWE NXT Results (7/21/26)
- DarkState (Cutler James, Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin) defeated Noam Dar, Romeo Moreno & Saquon Shugars
- Keanu Carver defeated Hank Walker (w/Tank Ledger)
- Jaida Parker defeated Nattie (w/Karmen Petrovic & Nikkita Lyons)
- Shawn Spears defeated Niko Vance (w/Izzi Dame) by DQ
- Reina Volcan defeated Skylar Raye
- WWE NXT Title Street Fight: Tony D’Angelo (c) defeated Naraku
W's in the chat for DarkState 🔥 #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/3ZBe6Z3C1U
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 22, 2026
