Jeremy’s NXT Heatwave 2026 Review

Hello everyone, and welcome to our NXT Heatwave coverage on 411! Jeremy Thomas, and I’m here for my first live coverage in Vengeance Day all the way back in March. NXT presents its latest PLE tonight as Tony D’Angelo will defend the NXT Championship against Cruz Montana, Zilla Fatu, and Grayson Waller. Plus, Kendal Grey will put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Kelani Jordan. Myles Borne is on double duty as he defends the NXT North American Championship against Jackson Drake, and teams with Tavion Heights to defend the NXT Tag Team Championships against Vanity Project.

We also have a title unification match as Zaria, Wren Sinclair, and Kali Armstrong fight for both the NXT Women’s North American Championship and the WWE Women’s Speed Championship. And finally, Nattie will face Jaida Parker in a submission match. Should be a fun show all in all!

I’ve watched… a lot of stuff in the past five months, so I’m just going to talk about how Teenage Sex & Death At Camp Miasma is one of the best films of the year and y’all can see my thoughts on it here. I’ve also queued up my list for the Hooptober viewing challenge on Letterboxd that starts on September 15th; you can see what I will be watching here.

And finally, I’m going to plug my podcast! The Final Ghouls Of Horror have been back in force since May and we’ve covered a number of films since including The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Plan 9 From Outer Space, Sinners, and more. Our latest episode covers Mike Flanagan’s home invasion film Hush from 2016, and you can check it out below. You can also follow us here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

As a reminder, the GoFundMe for Larry’s kids is still active and if you can make a donation, that would be awesome. Thank you so much to everyone who’s done so thus far.

* We’re LIVE from the Edinburgh, Texas and ready for Heatwave! We go into a cold open about how the long, unforgiving summer is near an end but not over yet, and we’re longing for relief from the heat. But there will be no relief in the Lone Star State — yadda, yadda, yadda. We get hype for the NXT Championship match, the title unification match, Nattie vs. Jaida, Myles Borne’s double duty, and Kendal vs. Kelani.

* It’s apparently over 100 in Edinburgh. My condolences to them. Vic is with Booker. Meanwhile, Kelani arrives and Wren and Kendal are commiserating backstage. Zilla is in the building, Cruz has arrived backstage, Waller walks through security, and Tony D stares at the Heatwave posted backstage before WALKING.

NXT Women’s North American &
WWE Women’s Speed Championship Match
Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair vs. Kali Armstrong

Kali and Zaria jaw at each other and shove a bit, they push Wren out of the way and start swinging. Wren nails them both and they go into the ropes, a series of quick roll-up attempts from all three for two counts. Kali sent to the outside and Wren slaps away at Zaria’s chest, but Kali back in to go after Wren. Zaria comes in after Kali and Wren hits a bulldog for two.

Kali and Wren go for a double suplex on Zaria, but Zaria counters and hits charging boots to both. She runs over Wren off the ropes and hits another boot to Kali. Zaria gets Wren on her shoulders, Wren slides off into a big shot from Kali. Kali jabs and punches Zaria down, she nails Wren and sends Zaria to the outside. Off the ropes but Wren trips her so she goes out and throws Wren back-first into a punch, then charges around the ring for a spear to Zaria. She runs around the ring toward Wren but Wren escapes into the ring and Kali hits the steps as we go to break!

We’re back as Wren is up top with Zaria — double underhook suplex! Kali lays out Wren with a spinebuster and gets two-counts on both women. She lies in wait — shoulder tackle to the gut of first one, then the other. She repeats, Wren leapfrogs and backslides Zaria for two. Wren takes over and slaps away at Kali, she gets pinfall attempts on both. Wren up top for a crossbody, covers Zaria for two. She grabs Zaria for a Final Wrench but Zaria escapes and takes her out, then hits a German on Kali. She grabs Wren, who leaps on her back for a sleeper — Zaria cannonballs onto Kali to break it up!

All three woman fighting on their knees, they get to their feet and trade strikes. Double headbutt to Wren knocks her down, she rolls out as Zaria and Kali trade shots. Into the ropes by Kali, Zaria follows — powerbomb by Kali! But Wren is there and gets a two-fall on Kali! Zaria takes them out with a double spear, goes for the F5 on Wren — she counters into a roll-up that Kali pounces away! Wren sent to the outside, Zaria catches Kali for an F5 but Kali counters into a roll-up for two!

They trade strikes, Kali knocked to the outside — Wren with the Final Wrench! She almost has Zaria taping, but Kali pulls her out of the ring! Wren goes for a dive off the steps — into a powerslam to the outside! Kali in the ring – spear by Zaria! F5, and we have a winner.

Winner: Zaria (11:45)
Rating: *** 1/4
Thoughts: Nice, hot little match to kick off the show. Everyone worked fairly well against each other and there were moments that it felt like each woman could win.

* Cruz Montana is asked by Sarah how he feels, and he feels like he belongs. He talks about having his dream and being counted out, looked down, and laughed on. He’s walking into his toughest battle — Tony has experience, Waller picks his spots, and Zilla is cominng like an animal but this is where he thrives and he’s willing to go to hell and back. Because it’ll be worth it when he wins the title and silences everyone who said he can’t.

NXT Tag Team Championship Match
Myles Borne & Tavion Hights vs. Vanity Project

Borne & Baylor start off and trade reversals to start, rollup by Baylor for two. Borne with a dropkick and Smokes tags in, so does Heights. Heights runs over Smokes with a shoulderblock, gets sent into the ropes but rolls up into fallaway slam position. Borne tags in for a slam and Smokes rolls out to the ring. Baylor slides in as Smokes distracts Borne for a sneak attack, but Borne quickly whips him into the opposite corner for two.

Baylor trips up Borne and Smokes tags in, Borne tossed to the outside where he gets slammed back into the apron. Borne rolled into the ring, Smokes with a springboard knee drop to the back as we go to break.

Lots of action during the break, we’re back as Heights has Baylor in an ankle lock but Smokes to the rescue. So Hieghts powerbombs Smokes and reapplies the ankle lock on Baylor! Brad crawls and Smokes blatantly pulls Baylor toward the ropes. Myke Lockwood distracts Heights and Smokes tags in to take him down and lay in some punches.

Heights in the hostile corner, Baylor tags in and beats Heights down. Some showboating and a punch, Smokes tags in and hits a suplex. Leaping kneedrop, cover gets two. Baylor tags in, but Heights is able to fight back and dives to make the hot tag to Borne! He cleans house, powerslam, neckbreaker/DDT combo to both men, cover for two.

Heights in but Smokes clotheslines him over the top. Baylor nails Borne for two, cover but Borne just manages to kick out. Borne with a leaping knee, Heights and Smokes tag in and the champions take control with a double belly to belly release. Double team offense by the champs for two, but Smokes breaks it up.

Smokes tags in but is grabbed for an inside cradle for two. Smokes with a kick on the way up, Heights fires back. Meteora by Smokes, Baylor tags in — Heights counters their finisher and hits a double back suplex!

Borne tags in now but is caught with a powerslam. Smokes up top, but Heights leaps up and hits a belly to belly that sends Smokes into Baylor. All four men slow to get up, they start brawling. It ends with Baylor and Borne, Borne hits a slam for a nearfall. Baylor shoves Borne into Heights, Hit It and Quit It and we have new champions!

Winner: Vanity Project (14:05)
Rating: ***
Thoughts: Solid match. Nothing stellar, they were saving energy for Borne and more focused on the story, but there’s nothing wrong with that..

* We get a recap of the Natte and Paida Parker feud where Nattie beat Jaida and called her soft, and Jaida says last week that she would wax Nattie’s ass. Are we not doing phrasing anymore?

Submission match
Nattie vs. Jaida Parker

Nattie with a Thesz press and punches to start, they roll to the outside. Nattie nails Jaida and batters her in the entrance walkway, Jaida fights back but gets thrown in to the apron. Knife-edge chop from Nattie and anorther, she manhandles Jaida against the guardrail and Jaida decks her. Karmen and Nikkita distract Jaida so Nattie can attack, but Jaida with a suplex to the ringside mats as we go to break.

We’re back and Nattie has Jaida in a modified abdominal strech, which Jaida reverses. Nattie throws her off and Jaida runs her over. A little stomp and then a Million Dollar Dream. Karmen on the ropes to distract the ref and Nikkita grabs Jaida’s hair, which allows Nattie to get free and knock Jaida down.

Karmen and Nikkita are talking trash when Perros Del Mal are there! Karmen reluctantly leaves with them. Back in the ring, Nattie tosses Jaida to the mat and lays in punches before showboating. Stomp to Jaida’s knee, sharpshooter blocked and Nattie put in the corner. She nails Jaida, but Jaida comes back and clotheslines Nattie down! She charges in, catches Nattie’s feet, puts her on the second rope — teardrop! Some high stepping, she goes for Hypnotic but Nattie counters. Jaida with the Rings of Saturn in the center of the ring! She manages to roll through to her feet and stomps on Jaida’s back before locking in the rear naked choke with a bodyscissors.

Jaida escapes, but Nattie right into an armbar. Jaida rolls through and picks Nattie up to slam her down. Bodyslam attempt countered into an anklelock followed by a stomp to the ankle. Sharpshooter! Nattie has it locked in. Jaida struggles to the apron and rolls them both out — and Jaida up into a roundhouse by Nikkita! Jaida rolled in, and Thea Hail is here to attack Nikkita!

Thea and Nikkita brawl to the back and Jaida chop blocks Nattie. Nattie puts Jaida on the mat and goes for the sharpshooter, but Jaida shoves her off to the floor. She gets Nattie and rolls her in, chop block — and a sharpshooter from Jaida! Nattie crawls to the ropes but there’s no break and Jaida pulls her back to the center of the ring! Nattie screams in pain — Nattie taps!

Winner: Jaida Parker (12:54)
Rating: *** 1/4
Thoughts: Nice little match here that did Parker a lot of good, especially with the sharpshooter and overcoming the interference. It was a bit slow at times as a submission match tends to be, but overall good stuff.
* Wren is upset backstage with Kendal and asks if she took on too much. Kendal says she will get Zaria back. Kendal says she’ll be fine against Jordan, that match is next.

NXT Women’s Championship Match
Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan

Lockup to start, they go into the ropes and then back to break. Kendal with a waistlock, turned into a headlock by Kelani, Kendal throws her off. They trade a few quick shots, dropkick by Kelani that sends Kendal to the floor. Asai moonsault by Kelani! She goes to toss Kendal in but Kendal spins back out for a dropkick and then a shot off the stairs. Springboard from the apron, Kelani dodges and puts Kendal on the mat, they trade more reverses and then hit a double clothesline off the ropes, then they both kip up as we go to break.

Back from break and Kelani has Kendal in a sleeper, but Kendal strikes her way out of it. Kelani knees Kendal down and hits a kneedrop to Kendal, followed by a flipping legdrop for two. Kelani tosses Kendal into the corner and slides out to grind Kendal’s ear against the ringspot. She’s back in and picks Kendal up for a shoulderbreaker, then Eat Defeat.

Kelani showboats briefly and charges but Kendal throws Kelani to the outside. Kelani back in but Kendal manages to hit a springboard top rope moonsault for a nearfall. Kendal with a strike, Kelani answers with a kick. They trade big strikes, Kendal takes over and hits a release belly to belly suplex off as Kelani comes the ropes! The straps are down! Kendal with a couple suplexes, Kelani blocks a suplex.

Kendal goes for a Tornado DDT but Kelani counters with a fisherman’s suplex! Hammerfist to thbe ear, Kelani rips the bandage off Kendal’s ear! Kelano off the ropes — POWERSLAM by Kendal! She goes for Shades of Grey but Kelani counters and slams Kendal down — 450 but Kendal moves and Kelani sells an ankle twist. Kendal goes for an ankle lock but Kelani counters. Kendal goes up top — Kelani SHOVES HER face first into the commentary table! Kelani gets Kendal back in, split legged moonsault, cover for THR-NO! Kendal kicks out and rolls to the floor as we go to a second break.

We’re back and Kendal and Kelani are both on the top. REVERSE SPANISH FLY from Grey! Both women slow to get up, Kelani is up on the apron and Kendal charges but gets kicked going through the ropes. Kendal gets back control though and goes for a German on the apron, which Kelani blocks. She hits a cutter over the ropes on grey for a nearfall.

Kelani kicks at Kendal’s head but Kendal ducks one, so Kelani off the second rope for a splash. Kendal fights back, countered moves until Kendal gets a gutwrench into a G2S. Grey tries for an armbar, Kelani blocks it and escapes into a wheelbarrow into a high impact German — and Kendal right back up into her own German suplex!

The two meet in the ring, dodged swings and kicks — Kendal with an ankle lock! Kelani struggles to escape before she manages to knock Grey down, kick her and hit a 450! One, two, NO! Jordan is frustrated now, she talks shit as she picks Kendal up — SHADES OF GREY! Cover for a nearfall.

Kendal goes for Kelani but gets rolled up, Kelani with another two-count but Kendal goes back to the anklelock. Kelani counters into a roll-up, Kendal with an armbar and Kelani escapes before stomping the ear. Big kick combo by Jordan, she goes for a moonsault off the ropes but Kendal dodges. Kendal knocked out of the ring and comes back in — Kelani pulls her into the exposed bottom turnbuckle! Split-legged moonsault, we have a new champion!

Winner: Kelani Jordan (23:03)
Rating: ****
Thoughts: Great match here that built up nicely to a standout final few moments. Nice to see Jordan get the title, she deserves a run and I’m excited to see how it goes for her.

* Sarah is with Robert Stone and Stone talks about the matches thus far. He talks up the main event and says he’s been “working on a few things” for the tag division, then announced Halloween Havoc on October 31st on The CW.

* We get a vignette from Naraku who says Shiloh Hill is a wise man, very smart, but even a wise man can lack judgment. Doing internet research doesn’t mean he understands the mystery of the mist. His curiosity has drawn him into an unknown world that he will regret wandering into and no amount of knowledge can prepare him for the mist. Shiloh has felt the power of the red mist but he left room for more pain, and Tuesday he’ll show the world why Hill lives in darkness.

* Myles and Tavion are backstage, Tavion is upset but tells Myles not to put it on himself. Myles says they’ll get them back again, and Heights says one match at a time. They’ll do everything they have to to keep that NA Title on Borne. He tells Borne they’re brothers for life and to even the score with VP.

NXT North American Championship Match
Myles Borne vs. Jackson Drake

Drake charges in for a kick but gets dodged and Borne takes some shots at him. Drake takes over quickly, but he gets sent into the ropes for a big back bodydrop. Borne batters Drake and sends him into the ropes, Drake holds on and then kicks Borne in the head. Clothesline over the ropes, both men on the floor and Drake kicks Borne’s head into the steps.

Borne gets back and rolls Drake in as Tavion is down at ringside now. Drake goes for a suplex, countered but Drake with an enzuigiri. Vertical suplex over the ropes sends both to the floor as we go to break.

We’re back and Drake counters a Borne Again, hits a handspring cutter for a nearfall. Springboard moonsault but Borne to the outside, Drake lands on his feet and dives through the ropes onto the champion. Borne rolled in, Drake goes up top, 450 dodged but Drake rolls through and hits a gutbuster for a nearfall.

Drake lies in wait and runs in, but Borne with a dropkick. Powerbomb and another from Borne, cover for two-plus. Borne up now and Drake kicks him in the sternum to get some distance, Drake sits on the top and gets dropkicked to the fllor. Borne dives through the ropes to send Borne to the commentary table.

Smokes goes after Borne, Borne nails him and throws him into the ring — Lockwood with a low blow and powerbomb! Drake gets him in the ring, 450 and we have a win.

Winner: Jackson Drake (9:59)
Rating: ** 3/4
Thoughts: This was fine, but it also felt like a WWE NXT TV match. The finish made sense, but all in all it was just kind of there.

After the match, Heights raises Borne’s hand — and Borne hits a Sling Blade on Heights! Borne walks past Vanity Project to the back.

* Kam Hendrix cuts a promo on Mason Rook, saying that the obsession is unhealthy. Rook is an everyman and that’s a good place for him, but Kam is not an everyman and he should be a champion. He’s tired of Rook keeping him from getting to the top and he’s beat him before, so he’ll do it again on NXT this week.

* We get an NXT Origins video about Gunther, who talks about his time in NXT UK and how it prepared him for the main roster. Carrying the show was a big challenge and NXT/NXT UK was the perfect step for him between the indies and the main roster. He talks about retiring Goldberg, AJ Styles, and John Cena.

Set For This Week’s NXT:
– Naraku vs. Shiloh Hill
– Mason Rook vs. Kam Hendrix
– Nikkita Lyons vs. Thea Hail
– Noam Dar & Remo Morena vs. Sean Legacy & Dorian Van Dux

NXT Championship Match
Tony D’Angelo vs. Cruz Montana vs. Grayson Waller vs. Zilla Fatu

We start before the announcement with lots of brawling, and D’Angelo sent outside of the ring. Fatu takes early control, Waller and Montana kick him and then tee off on each other — until Fatu clotheslines them down. Tony D in the ring now and stares off with Fatu, they go at it and Tony hits a BIG spinebuster. Cruz is now in the ring and sends D’Angelo into the ropes, Tony dives onto Waller and Cruz decides to follow suit, taking out all three men! And we’re on break.

Back from break and Waller takes out Montana, then goes outside to knockdown Tony. Zilla charges at Waller, who dodges and Zilla hits the steps! We’re back in with Waller and Montana gets a shot, but Waller puts him down and stomps him in the corner. Waller has Cruz in the corner, irish whip reversed but Cruz runs into a back elbow. Neckbreaker by Waller gets two.

Tony onto the apron but gets punched to the floor again by Waller. Waller throws Cruz into Ziila on the apron, Crus hits a stunner and everyone is back in. Zilla knocks Tony down and we have a face off between Cruz and Zilla. They do a chop-off, Cruz switches to an elbow and then goes into the ropes — right into a throat thrust!

Montana out of the ring and Tony is back in. Zilla smacks Tony, who fires up and fires back. They go into the ropes and collide, no one goes down. They try it again, no one down, Zilla into the ropes and Tony follows for a shot. Waller pulls Tony to the floor but gets dropped spine-first on the apron. Tony charges in for an avalanche clothesline to Fatu and then a suplex, followed by one to Montana in the corner. Waller up top, Tony grabs him — super belly-to-belly as we go to a second break!

We’re back and Cruz is battling Waller on the top. Zilla and Tony come over, put Waller on their shoulders — SUPER BLOCKBUSTER by Montana! Tony is up first and kicks Zilla, then puts him on the top. He batters Zilla until Zilla answers with a headbutt — FROG SPLASH by Zilla, broken up by Montana — while also hitting a Canadian Destroyer!

Cruz throws Zilla into the corner and charges in for a cannoball. Cover but Tony breaks it up. Pop up powerslam to Montana off the ropes by Tony, who then gets superkicked by Fatu. Pop-up Samoan drop by Zilla! Big spike by Fatu, he covers but Waller pulls the ref out uof the ring!

Fatu is not pleased, and he grabs Waller on the outside. Punches to Waller, he gets knocked down and Zilla clears the commentary table. He grabs Waller — but Waller rakes the eyes! Fatu turns into a spear by Tony D! Waller is down in the ring and Montana is up! He grabs Zilla, sets him on the booth and points to the top. Cruz goes up — Tony cuts him off! Tony and Cruz battle and they both fall to go head-first into the top turnbuckle, then fall to the outside.

Waller is up! He sees Zilla and psyches himself up — he’s up top! ELBOW DROP OFF THROUGH THE TABLE! Zilla and Waller are both down, and Waller is holding his ankle in apparent pain. Meanwhile, Tony is in the ring with Cruz. They both crawl to go forehead to forehead and stand — tradeed strikes! A big kick by Montana, Spin the Block countered. Tony D off the ropes into a superkick, They counter each other — Tony with a big German but Cruz pops up! Spin the Block countered into a spear! Dead to Rights countered into a Spin the Block! Waller in with a Stunner to Cruz! He covers Tony D for the pin!

Winner: Grayson Waller (21:32)
Rating: ****
Thoughts: Another great match here that never let off the gas. The winner is… unexpected, to say the least, but the way it played out worked. This is very “Dolph Ziggler wins the NXT Championship” frmo Roadblock 2022 but I’m not mad at it.

And with that, we’re done for the night!

8.0

The final score: review Very Good

The 411

NXT Heatwave was all action with a number of very good matches, a couple great ones and only one minorly disappointing outing. The show was pretty much kept things moving along and delivered nicely, with big title changes and a few story developments. That's about what I want out of my NXT PLEs.