Naraku arrived after a decade in New Japan Pro Wrestling to confront the current NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo on the April 28, 2026 episode of NXT. The following weeks led to him protecting his title reign, which was a cover to get himself an NXT Championship match.
After beating Mason Rook in a number one contender’s match, he faced D’Angelo at the Great American Bash in a losing effort. The following Tuesday, he attacked D’Angelo, leading to a huge brawl between them.
On the July 14 NXT, he was victorious against Tate Wilder. Afterward, D’Angelo attacked him, inciting a brawl for the second week in a row, leading to NXT General Manager Robert Stone booking a rematch the following week. The ending of the show saw the two fighting in the parking lot. Stone, who was clearly frustrated, declared next week’s match to be a street fight. This is a great idea, as this feud has clearly been taken to the next level.
Naraku Has Hurt Tony D’Angelo Too Many Times
Naraku showed up to NXT looking like a friend to D’Angelo. He gave him a shirt as a gift, bowed to him and addressed him respectfully, and protected him several times from others. However, once they had their meeting where D’Angelo figured out his games, a totally different side of him came out.
He burned him when he tried to sign their contract, leading to a hospital visit and an enormous bandage on his right eye. Then he attacked him on the following Tuesday to continue their feud.
On Tuesday, D’Angelo got him back, but he used the mist on him. Unfortunately, it hit a security guard instead, but the target was obvious. He tried to play nice in order for D’Angelo to let his guard down. But D’Angelo researched him and prepared for their battle. Ever since then, he’s done everything he can to get the title. A street fight is exactly what he needs to take the NXT Championship for himself.
D’Angelo is Done Feeling Disrespected
Whenever a feud gets this heated, there’s a big reason behind it. But Naraku has only been in NXT for a couple of months. A fireball couldn’t make D’Angelo rage that much, which could seem like an overreaction to many people. But he’s being disrespected, something that happened last summer as well. Stacks betrayed him at last year’s Stand & Deliver, leading to a whole summer of infighting that concluded with the D’Angelo Family Battle last July.
He ended up winning the triple threat with Luca Crusifino and Stacks, but the memories are still there. That was the last time he was disrespected prior to Naraku showing up. He took care of them, then DarkState, and now Naraku is next on his list.
Keeping the NXT Championship is the only thing that he cares about at this moment, and he’ll do anything in order to keep it. D’Angelo’s desperation to not relive past trauma could be the key to him retaining his title.
What Will Happen in Next Week’s Street Fight?
The street fight next week will be between two men who definitely can’t stand each other. Naraku has transformed from a mild-mannered guy with respect for D’Angelo, but now wants to do anything he can in order to get the NXT Championship. The past few weeks have shown that he isn’t the same man that walked into NXT two and a half months ago. With the constant attacks on him, D’Angelo has had to step up his game in order to retain his title.
He did that at the Great American Bash, but now he’ll have to throw everything at him to get the retention in the street fight. The last time that match type was held was at this year’s Vengeance Day with Blake Monroe beating Jaida Parker. It’s definitely a rarity in NXT, only reserved for the most heated of feuds. No matter what happens next Tuesday, Naraku and D’Angelo will give everything they have in their battle for the NXT Championship.
