NXT FEUD TRACKER: A look at the latest challengers for Grayson Waller, Kelani Jordan, Zaria, Drake, plus Zilla Fatu among five matches

This edition (9/1) of NXT television is the first show after NXT Heatwave. On that show five titles changed hands. With these new champions, we are now on the road to Halloween Havoc on Saturday October 31, 2026.

NXT MEN’S HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Men’s Champion: Grayson Waller

Throughout the night, potential contenders for Grayson Waller’s title started showing up at General Manager’s Rob Stone’s stating that they should get a title shot. Towards the end of the show, Waller cut a promo stating that he is the reason that he holds the championship and doesn’t care who he will face because he will keep winning. At that point, all the contenders appeared in the ring. They included: Saquon Shugars, EK Prosper, Cruz Montana, Former Heavyweight champion, Tony D’Angelo, and Mason Rook. Minutes later Keanu Carver showed up and said to Stone, I have a solution to your problem, have a six-man tag team match next week. The winning team will have a Triple Threat Match to determine the number one contender for Waller’s title. Stone agreed to the idea. The six-man match is: Tony D’Angelo & Mason Rook & Saquon Shugars vs. EK Prosper & Cruz Montana & Keanu Carver.

Brandler’s Bit: Grayson Waller, who was neutered in his main roster appearances, has found his stride back in NXT. He is one of the few heels in wrestling who acts like a heel. Old school heels had that heat drawing quality that would get the crowd against him. Waller does that well. It’s interesting that Shugars, Prosper, and Rook have been elevated to “Main Event” status while Zilla Fatu, who was in the NXT Heatwave main event, is no longer a main eventer. It’s nice to see fresh faces in the mix.

NXT WOMEN’’S TITLE:
Women’s Champion: Kelani Jordan

Kelani Jordan came out to celebrate her title win at NXT Heatwave. She informed the audience that she was the better person. She stated that she used an unprotected turnbuckle pad which sent Grey to the hospital for vestibular treatment. Kelani stated she won her TNA, North American and now Women’s title when she got her one and only title match. She is “1 shot Lani.” Jaida Parker came out and stated she got rid of the thorn in her side (Nattie) and challenged Kelani for a title match tonight. Jordan said “No” but agreed to a match next week.

Brandler’s Bit: Kelani’s promo is not the worst by a new Women’s Champion, but certainly not the best. She continues to sound extremely whiny and not confident in her delivery. What’s missing is the Gravitas- she is the best wrestler in the Women’s division, and no one can beat her. As a perfect heel character, she did exaggerate the extent of Kendal’s injury (Vertigo is usually treated in an outpatient setting). I would not be surprised if Grey showed up next week and demands a rematch.

NXT WOMEN’S NORTH AMERICAN TITLE
Champion: Zaria

Zaria started the evening with both the Speed and North American Titles. Stone told her she needed to give up a title, so she relinquished the Speed title. The Speed Title is now defunct! Lexis King reluctantly gave up his title. RIP Speed Title.
Brandler’s Bit: Less belts are better and intensify the competition for the belts that exist. Should somebody tell this to AEW since they have 10 Champions? Zaria will have many new challengers in the next few weeks for the North American Title.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

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NXT MENS NORTH AMERICAN TITLE
Champion: Jackson Drake

There were two segments concerning the North American title. The former champion, Myles Borne, shot a video from his car discussing his attack on Tavion Heights at Heat Wave. He said that if he didn’t attack Tavion Heights, Heights would attack him. Later Heights interacted with the Vanity Project and challenged Jackson Drake to a North American title match next week. Drake thinks this will be an easy win.

Brandler’s Bit: The heel turn by Borne came from nowhere at Heat Wave. Nice rationalization for his actions and a different way to present Borne. I think the commentary team missed an opportunity to challenge his actions. Booker T rationalized Borne’s actions saying “there are no friends in this business”; Vic said nothing.

The segment with Tavion Heights in which he shared his hurt and betrayal (are these feelings legal on a wrestling program?) was well done. The match with Drake next week will be very exciting.

MID-CARD MATCHES
There were five mid card matches on this episode

(1) Sean Legacy & Dorian Van Dux vs & Noam Dar& Romeo Moreno

This was the longest and the best of the Mid Card matches. These teams are the future of the tag team division. Both combine power and high-flying moves. The Capital Wrestling Center (CWC) was mixed about who to cheer for since all four combatants have very diversified move sets. After several near falls on big moves, Sean Legacy attempted a 450 splash that Noam Dar turned into a roll up for the pinfall win. As Dar and Moreno were celebrating, the Creed Brothers hit the ring! They have not been seen in a WWE ring since May and not in an NXT ring since October of 2023! Brutus and Julius beat up the victorious tag team. The Creeds hit a “Brutus Bomb” on Dar.

Brandler’s Bit: Great tag match by these four wrestlers. They have so much more to do in NXT as both singles and tag competitors. Who would have predicted that the Creed Brothers would come back to NXT? NXT is doing a great job of using underutilized main roster players such as Waller, and the Creeds and putting them in positions where they can enhance the younger less experienced talent.

(2) Kam Hendrix vs. Mason Rook

This match was very formulaic. Hendrix won the last time with a turnbuckle spot, so this time Hendrix went “back to the well.” His strategy backfired and Hendrix hit the buckle. Rook won with an impressive “Blue Thunder Bomb.”

Brandler’s Bit: NXT moved Rook into the Main Event picture after this match. The presentation of Hendrix’ character is a little off. He has a great look but currently has a more “go away” persona than one that will move up the card. He reminds me of TNA original Sonny Siaki who was a cheap knock off of “The Rock.”

(3) Thea Hail vs. Nikkita Lyons

Nikkita Lyons, the current Evolve Women’s Champion and former stablemate of Nattie took on Thea Hail. It was a good contrast in styles between the very powerful Lyons and the high motor Hail. In the end, Hail won with her “Hail Mary” (trust fall) finisher.
Brandler’s Bit: NXT continues to give us Hail who is a likable enough character, but she never gets out of the mid card on the depth chart. Lyons has something different, power and flexibility and size. She needs some more seasoning to fight for an NXT title.

(4) Shiloh Hill vs. Nakaru

This match was set up after Nakaru blew red mist at Hill causing him to lose his match last week. Nakaru made Hill look good in this match. In the end, Nakaru used his green mist, but sprayed it into his hands. Nakaru then used his hands to blind Shiloh. Nakaru won with “Enter the Abyss.”

Brandler’s Bit: Shiloh has a great connection to the CWC. He needs “reps” to keep improving. With the reemergence of the mist spot, I am waiting for someone to use “the blinding angle” used by Sandman in ECW and by JYD in Mid-South wrestling. These potent angles generated real emotions in the fans of these two promotions.

(5) Tristan vs. Zilla Fatu

This match was thrown together as the obnoxious Angels insulted Fatu’s place on the bloodline “…the further you go down the bloodline the less talent there is.” Fatu won the match with his “Triple Z” finisher. After the match, Birthright interrupted and offered Fatu a spot in the faction. He refused and left the ring.

Brandler’s Bit: On Sunday, Zilla is in the Fatal Four-Way Main Event for the NXT Heavyweight title. On Tuesday, he is going against the midcard roster of second-generation wrestlers. I have no idea where they are going with Zilla.

THIS WEEK ON NXT:

• Jackson Drake vs. Tavion Heights for the NXT North American Title (A Myles Borne run in is probable here)
• Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker for the Women’s NXT Title (Will Kendal Grey recover from her vertigo to challenge Jordan to a rematch?)
• Tony D’Angelo & Mason Rook & Saquon Shugars Vs. EK Prosper& Cruz Montana & Keanu Carver. (Everyone is a fan favorite. This match could go either way.)