wrestling / TV Reports
Cook’s WWE NXT Review 7.14.26
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...Hey kids! Steve Cook here with you for the latest edition of WWE NXT on the CW! We’ve got a Tag Team Championship match & a Women’s North American Championship match, and the #1 contender for Kendal Grey’s Women’s Championship will be determined! Gonna be a busy night in Orlando, as it usually is on Tuesday.
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Cook’s WWE NXT Review 7.14.26
Then. Now. Forever. Together!
We’re in Orlando! Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan & Kali Armstrong are WALKING! (Best WALKING shot I’ve seen in quite awhile.) Zaria is WALKING! Vic Joseph & Booker T are our hosts.
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes w/Jackson Drake & Myka Lockwood) (c) vs. Sean Legacy & Dorian Van Dux: Lilian Garcia is our ring announcer tonight! That’s fun! Booker’s already in good form talking these boys up. Legacy ties Smokes up early on with multiple attempted pinfalls. Dropkick and Smokes tags Baylor in. Legacy maintains the advantage before tagging in DVD. DVD hits a big dropkick of his own that gets two. Legacy tags in and works the arm before getting hit on the back of the neck. Chop in the corner, Smokes tags in and they stomp Legacy in the corner. Shoulderblock by Legacy, Baylor tags in but Legacy slams them both anyway. DVD tags in and hits a vaulting legdrop. Smokes gets back suplexed, kicked and moonsaulted for the two by Legacy. Legacy with a chop to Smokes in the corner. Another one at the request of the fans. Baylor tags in, he & Smokes get dumped to the floor so Legacy can hit a springboard Asai moonsault! Legacy & DVD look at the belts as we go to Nonstop NXT!
Legacy with a splash in the corner, tag to DVD. DVD & Legacy working them over until Myka gets on the apron and distracts Legacy for the trip. Legacy gets beat in the corner while DVD talks to the referee. Baylor & Smokes keep stomping & chopping Legacy. Double back suplex gets two on Legacy. Baylor punches away on Legacy. Big boot from Smokes gets two. Smokes stomps away on Legacy.
We go back full screen and Smokes works on Legacy while Vic makes a Heart Throbs reference in the Year of Our Lord 2026. Dropkick Spinbuster gets two on Legacy. We see Zaria staring backstage as Legacy comes back and dropkicks Legacy. Baylor cuts Legacy off, but Legacy slips out of the double suplex and makes the tag! DVD with a dive, a couple of backdrops, a rana on Baylor for two, a punch to Smokes and a Lionsault gets two on Baylor. DVD up top, Baylor evades and hits an elbow. DVD gets double teamed and speared by Smokes for two. Legacy knocked outside, DVD sends Baylor into Smokes in the corner, then hits the superplex on Smokes. Splash by DVD, a springboard 450 by Legacy gets two! Baylor had to break it up. Smokes gets a nearfall on Legacy and gets his head kicked off. DVD tags in, he hits some slams to send them outside, then the double tope suicida! Legacy with another dive! DVD knocks Drake off the top turnbuckle, but Myka pulls down the rope and he flies outside. Legacy is sent into the ringpost, and DVD gets hit with a double knees/reverse DDT for the three count!
Winners: The Vanity Project (13:10 via pinfall)
Match Rating: ***
Pretty fun opener with a lot of cool moves & shenanigans, a good way to start the show tonight. Legacy & DVD both stand out as excellent athletes already, the sky’s the limit for those guys whether they stay a team or go single.
Myles Borne talks about how Tavion Heights is going to beat Jackson Drake tonight. Tavion is all about it, then Kam Hendrix comes in to rain on their parade by talking about his recent accomplishments. Kam says he’s 82% healthy, which Tavion disputes after he leaves.
Tristian Angels will talk to us next!
Saquon Spears wants OTM to be his tag partners next week against DarkState. They aren’t interested, and they walk up to BirthRight and talk about next week. BirthRight stirs the pot between Bronco & Lucien talking about how Lucien wasn’t taken to AAA for the Perros del Mal business. Lucien does seem a bit more miffed than he’ll tell us right now.
Tristian Angels runs down Shiloh Hill, talking about his poor heredity and lack of teeth. He has one of Shiloh’s teeth so we won’t think he’s normal or respectable. We’ll see Shiloh as nothing more than a creepy hillbilly weirdo who was never fit to stand in the ring with Angels. Well, at least part of that is true. Tristian takes the tooth and stomps on it on the steel steps. Shiloh says that losing the truth helped fix his mind. He can fix his smile, but Tristian can’t fix the fact that the Fog is coming. The lights go out and we see some fog to end the segment.
Natalya on behalf of Nikkita, Izzi & Lizzy all state their cases to get the title match with Zaria. Robert Stone decides to make it a Fatal 4-Way.
Naraku vs. Tate Wilder: Tate explains in an inset promo that going against Naraku is risky, but a win over him would be a risk he’s willing to take. Naraku hits Tate a couple of times, chops him, Wilder hits an armdrag before getting sent neck-first into the rope. Tate with a spinning elbow, bodyslam & dropkick to send Naraku outside. Tate tries a dive, but Naraku forearms him instead. Tate doublestomps Naraku on the apron as we go Nonstop NXT.
Tate rolls Naraku into the ring. He briefly has the advantage before Naraku knocks him to the floor. Back in the ring, Naraku gets a near-fall. Neckbreaker, then some punches for Wilder in lieu of a cover. Naraku chokes Wilder on the ropes, then hits a fisherman buster. Naraku with some stomps to Tate, then a big chop. Vertical suplex by Naraku, and another as we go back full-screen.
Naraku applies an STF like his hero and ours, Masahiro Chono. Tate gets out of it, but gets elbowed down. Naraku with a chinlock and then a cobra clutch. Tate gets out and gets hit again. A sling blade by Tate and both men are down. Tate fires back with some strikes and a suplex. Sling blade backbreaker by Tate, then a suplex gets two. Tate misses the moonsault but not the spinning crossbody for two. He goes up top and Naraku knocks him to the barricade and the floor. Naraku hits the Into the Abyss STO for the three count.
Winner: Naraku (8:57 via pinfall)
Match Rating: **1/2
This was all right, but I felt that Naraku should have gotten more of the offense since he’s the one being pushed in the NXT Championship scene. Tate’s got some potential and vibes about him, but I don’t think most people see him on that level yet. Nothing wrong with Tate getting some offense, but this felt like a bit much. Sometimes the kids are more concerned with having a “good match” than the bigger picture.
Tony D’Angelo attacks! Tony & Naraku brawl and the referees try to break it up. That doesn’t work too well, as one of them gets misted! The brawl keeps going as we go to commercial.
Hank & Tank talk to EK Prosper about Keanu Carver. EK says that Keanu can’t be stopped, but Hank says he’ll take care of him. Saquon tries to get them to join his team, but they don’t buy into his changed ways.
NXT Women’s North American Championship Match: Zaria (c) vs. Nikkita Lyons vs. Izzi Dame vs. Lizzy Rain: I like Lizzy a lot, but that Pop Meter going off the charts is nowhere near accurate. Gotta be more realistic. I’m a little peeved that we didn’t get to see Nikkita’s entrance, but Zaria’s makes me ok with it. They trade strikes to start. Lizzy go after Zaria in the corner, Izzi rolls her up for two. Nikkita with a kick to Lizzy. Orton backbreaker by Izzi gets two on Nikkita. Nikkita gets out of the slam and hits a Michinoku Driver for two. That was risky. Zaria headbutts Lizzy down, elbows Izzi, kicks Nikkita, but Lizzy hits a springboard kick. Izzi takes her out, Nikkita with the suplex, Zaria with the spinning clothesline. They start punching each other as we go Nonstop NXT.
Nikkita drags Lizzy outside, Zaria & Izzi fight on the other side. Now the screen goes blurry, Zaria shoulderblocks Lizzy in the corner. Zaria hits a backbreaker on Lizzy. Dragon sleeper by Zaria. Nikkita applies a camel clutch on Izzi. Zaria choke lifts Nikkita in the corner, then does the same to Izzi. Lizzy ranas Zaria off the top turnbuckle for two. The women pair off again as we go back full screen.
Nikkita tries to suplex Lizzy off the apron, Lizzy ends up bulldogging her. Zaria kicks Izzi, then a double clothesline takes both of them out. We see Kelani Jordan working out prior to her match later, she’s very flexible. Lizzy hits a missile dropkick on Izzi & Zaria. Chops for both of them, a suplex to Izzi and a spinebuster for Nikkita. DDT for Zaria, spear by Izzi on Lizzy. Lizzy slips out and drops Izzi for two. Nikkita with a splits legdrop, then some kicks. Pearl River Plunge gets two for Nikkita on Lizzy. Nikkita headscissors Zaria into Lizzy, tries to go up top but Zaria carries her into a spear by Izzi. Covers on all three people get two for Izzi. Izzi with a running knee to Nikkita. Izzi backstabs Lizzy and hits a chokeslam for two. Zaria & Izzi face off, Zaria knees her down, then goes after Nikkita & Lizzy. Clothesline to Nikkita, suplex to Lizzy. Izzi hits a spear, then Zaria hits on on her for two. Natalya & Karmen Petrovic appear! Nikkita with a big kick, Lizzy with a headbutt, she & Izzi fight outside. Nattie & Karmen go after Zaria, but Jaida Parker runs down and breaks that up! She takes out Nattie and Zaria handles Karmen. Izzi & Lizzy seem to have disappeared. Zaria spears Nikkita and hits the F-5 for three.
Winner: Zaria (12:45 via pinfall)
Match Rating: ***
This was a lot of fun and everyone looked pretty good. Zaria doesn’t need to be losing this championship anytime soon.
Saquon talks to Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair about his issues finding partners to face DarkState. Kendal points out that he hasn’t really done anything to make friends. Wren says she says anything that comes into her head sometimes and encourages Saquon. Lola Vice walks up and tells Kendal that she’s still coming for her, Kendal says she better win tonight.
Tony D barges into Robert Stone’s office, he wants Naraku. Stone says he’s trying to protect Tony, but will book him against Naraku next week. Tony says he’s not going to wait seven days to get Naraku, and Stone follows him out asking what he’s going to do.
Tavion Heights vs. Jackson Drake (w/The Vanity Project): Drake takes Heights down and rides him on the mat. Heights is not amused, but Drake still kicks him. Heights rides Drake and takes him down a couple of times. Drake begs off into the corner. Heights assumes the referee’s position and takes Drake down with a headlock. Drake gets the advantage. He takes Heights into the corner and punches away. Heights hits a back suplex for two. Drake breaks up a belly to belly and boots Heights down for two. Drake hits some moves in the corner before getting suplexed into it. We go to commercial!
We return and Heights hits a Northern Lights suplex for two. We see a replay of Drake hitting a Lethal Injection. Drake misses in the corner, so does Heights. Dragon screw out of the corner by Drake, then Drake applies the Indian Deathlock. Heights rolls out of it into a near-fall on Drake. Drake keeps attacking the knee as we see Lola Vice warming up. Figure four by Drake, Heights rolls over and reverses the pressure. Drake finally gets out of it. Twisting suplex by Heights, then an airplane spin! Heights overheads Drake onto Baylor & Smokes on the floor! Back in the ring it’s a backdrop. Baylor gets knocked off the apron, but the distraction allows Drake to sunset flip Heights for three!
Winner: Jackson Drake (7:02 shown via pinfall)
Match Rating: **1/2
Drake and his cohorts basically refuse to win matches on their own, which makes sense for them. I think Tavion can only blame himself, unless Baylor & Smokes got involved during the commercial I didn’t see them do anything wrong until Tavion attacked them. Tavion being his own worst enemy is a trend.
Drake & the Project celebrate.
We get a Reina Volcan video promo. History has a sound that sounds like barrier being broken. Nature doesn’t ask for permission or apologize. She wasn’t born to meet our expectations, she was born to destroy them. She’s the force of nature and NXT will suffer her. She’ll make her debut next week!
Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno talk to Saquon Shugars about his lack of partners. Romeo wants to join with Saquon, but Noam really isn’t interested. Romeo says if they win, they could be in line for a Tag Team Championship match. Saquon asks when the last time Noam backed down for a fight was, and that’s when Noam agrees to it.
Wren asks Kendal who she wants to fight. Kendal says it doesn’t matter, and Kali Armstrong appears to talk about the last time they were in the ring together. She’s gonna get that dub. Kali asks Jaida Parker what she’s looking at. Jaida tells Kali off before Nattie & Nikkita attack her.
Next Week: Tony D vs. Naraku! Saquon, Noam & Romeo vs. DarkState! Reina Volcan vs. Skylar Raye! I don’t remember if we’ve seen Skylar or not, but she seems fun.
Shawn Spears talks about cultivating talent. That was his intention with the Culling. Truth will ultimately prevail, and Izzi has become everything he thought she could be and more. He’s proud of her & Niko Vance, but they made a mistake by taking him out. Next week he’ll drag Niko into deep waters and find out how much he’s learned.
Vic announces that Nattie will face Jaida next week. That pretty much fills next week’s card, I love when promotions build cards in advance like we’re getting here.
NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat Match: Kali Armstrong vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice: Kali gets double clotheslined over the top rope. Kelani rolls up Lola, Lola tries a submission but that doesn’t work out. Kali spears Kelani & Lola in the corners. She misses Kelani eventually and hits the ringpost, then Lola kicks Kelani into the corner. Kelani pulls the referee in the way of a charging Lola, then cheap shots her. Lola takes Kelani down and they exchange punches before Kali takes them both down. Kali slams both women a couple of times. Kelani slips out as we see Hank vs. Keanu Carver also announced for next week. Lola kicks Kali down, but Kelani trips her and clotheslines her on the floor. Kelani ranas Kali and dropkicks her for two. Kelani neckbreaks Lola while Kali gets DDTed, counts on both get two. Lola cradles Kelani for two. Lola kicks Kelani and locks Kali in a guillotine choke. Kelani kicks Lola to break the hold. Kali powerslams Kelani for two. Lola breaks the count and kicks Kali before getting placed on the apron. Lola kicks Kelani and dives onto her! Kali goes up top, slips on the first jump but recovers and hits a crossbody onto both women on the floor. We go Nonstop NXT!
Kali with a headlock on Lola in the ring, she kicks at her in the corner before Kelani tosses her away and kicks Lola herself. They shove each other. Lola comes back and gets a coiple of nearfalls before getting chop blocked, then Kelani & Kali stomp away on Lola. They do some dancing before Kelani decides to toss Kali out of the ring. Kelani stomps Lola between the legs and goes for a Liontamer. Kali breaks that up, then goes for a Liontamer of her own.
Lola takes both Kali & Kelani over as we return. Quick kicks to Kali & Kelani, then she backs it up on Kali & Kelani. Two more for Kelani, Kali takes Lola over with a spinebuster for two. Kelani grabs Lola & Kali and kicks away at both of them. Double Sole Food by Kelani. Lola gets smacked in the corner, Kelani hits a twisting legdrop on her then goes for the split legged moonsault. Lola catches her in a triangle choke! Kelani rolls through for a two count. Kali breaks it up and kicks Lola in the corner. Kelani gets a nearfall on Kali, Lola knees her to break it up. Kelani sent outside, Lola rolls up Kali for two then goes for a cross armbreaker. Kelani breaks it up with a frog splash that gets two. The three face off with each other. Kali gets double superkicked, Lola kicks Kelani down. Kali hits a powerslam on Lola. Running shoulderblock knocks Lola out of the ring. Kali & Kelani trade nearfalls. Kelani gets real close. Lola backfists Kali. Kelani takes Lola out with an elbow and hits a 450 on Kali, but Lola is back and hits a running spin kick for the three count!
Winner: Lola Vice (14:18 via pinfall)
Match Rating: ***1/4
There were a couple of spotty parts, but this was still a solid main event match. I continue to be tremendously impressed with Lola Vice’s in-ring ability. I’ve been talking about this for a while now, but she can fit in on any wrestling show out there and keep up with anybody. I love seeing her here & on AAA, but I get the feeling it won’t last much longer. Kelani is also great and Kali’s been real impressive early here, but I wanted to single Lola out for some praise.
Lola dances in celebration while Kelani is mad on the outside. Vic runs down the card for next week, but then we go to Tony & Naraku fighting in the parking lot! Stone tells them their title match next week will be a street fight as our live event comes to an end. So long for now!
If you’d like to chime in with your own thoughts on tonight’s show, feel free to join your fellow 411 Maniacs down in the comment section! As the legendary Larry Csonka always said: Have fun and don’t be a dick. When I’m not here you can catch me on social media from time to time. To be honest, e-mail is a better option and you can reach me at [email protected]. I’ll be more likely to respond there.
