Leading up to Stand & Deliver, there’s been one thing that’s been extremely popular among many wrestlers. The NXT Championship, currently held by Joe Hendry, has been in the sights of multiple people. Hendry has already beaten Ethan Page and Ricky Saints for it. However, they aren’t satisfied with just one reign. They both want the title back. It’s also been eyed by Tony D’Angelo.
After his return, he started attacking random wrestlers. Since then, he outlined two reasons why he came back to NXT.
He wanted to get revenge on DarkState, which he did. Then, he wanted the NXT Championship, which he hadn’t won before. After a giant brawl on the March 23, 2026, episode of NXT, a fatal four-way match between them was made for Stand & Deliver. There are many reasons why D’Angelo should win the match and become the new NXT Champion.
D’Angelo’s Current Journey Would Be Wasted
D’Angelo had his first match on the October 5, 2021, episode of NXT. The next five years have led him on a crazy journey. He started a family, then the family broke down. Two months into his career, he was a part of the last NXT WarGames. He was NXT Tag Team Champion twice, NXT Heritage Cup Champion, and NXT North American Champion. That’s a lot of positive accomplishments that have been listed. But there’s one glaring omission that’s the reason for his return.
He hasn’t become NXT Champion yet. It’s bothered him for years, so much so that he’s been willing to do anything to get that opportunity. On Saturday, that opportunity will finally be here to become NXT Champion. If he doesn’t win, all the chaos and disruption he’s caused over the past couple of months would’ve all been for nothing.
Hendry, Page, and Saints Should All Be Main Roster Bound
D’Angelo had a few matches on the independent circuit before signing, but was largely trained by WWE. That’s not the case with Hendry, Page, and Saints. All three of them wrestled in major companies for years before setting foot in NXT. Hendry was in the Ring of Honor and TNA, Page was in AEW and TNA, and Saints was in AEW and NWA.
All three of them immediately got pushed, winning titles within months of their debuts. With WrestleMania season in full swing, more call-ups will be happening soon.
The three of them have basically done everything there is to do in NXT. Young wrestlers have certainly benefited from their experience and knowledge. Now those wrestlers are becoming champions, like Myles Borne and Tatum Paxley. Calling them up allows for the next generation of NXT wrestlers to take over while reigniting feuds on the main roster.
Why This Decision Makes Sense for Everyone
Stand & Deliver has been a yearly PLE for NXT since 2021. It has largely been known as the main roster’s WrestleMania. The event has been the final NXT appearance for several wrestlers, with title changes signalling the start of a new era the following Tuesday.
With that being said, having D’Angelo win the NXT Championship would be the perfect sendoff to Hendry, Page, and Saints. He is the only one out of the four competing on Saturday to not have been NXT Champion yet, giving him a huge advantage.
The other three have also done all they can do for the brand. They’ve had countless memorable moments, multiple title reigns, and have been ready for the main roster for months now. Giving D’Angelo the payoff he deserves will allow Hendry, Page, and Saints the opportunity to leave NXT on a high note.
