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NXT TV RESULTS
APRIL 28, 2026
WINTER PARK, FLA. AT THE CAPITOL WRESTLING CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON CW NETWORK
REPORT BY KELLY WELLS, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
NXT Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Backstage Correspondent(s): Blake Howard
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
-Recaps of revenge aired, including Ethan Page, Jacy Jayne and Joe Hendry losing on their way out of the territory, as well as Lexis King, Myles Borne and Tatum Paxley picking up wins. The segment closed with Sol Ruca and Zaria’s enjoyable Last Woman Standing match where Zaria established herself as near the top of NXT and Ruca got a few stitches in her final episode of NXT.
-Rob Stone sat with HBK & Matt Bloom and asked for new talent to stock the shelves in the aftermath of so many callups. Michaels said you can write names on index cards or a white board, or he can throw a stick of dynamite in the locker room and see who runs out. Maybe that’s a common term I just haven’t heard, but I liked it as a signal of a new moment in time in NXT.
(1) MYLES BORNE (c) vs. SAQUON SHUGARS (w/DarkState (Dion Lennox & Cutler James & Osiris Griffin)) – NXT North American Championship match
Mike Rome handled formal introductions. Borne got in some European uppercuts to take an early advantage, but Shugars hit a nice neckbreaker just afterward. Shugars missed a…Thesz press?…in the corner but bounced backward to land on his feet. Fun spot there. Borne hit a snap powerslam and Shugars took a powder. Borne hit Shugars and Griffin with a plancha. Back inside, Borne missed a dropkick and fell on his tailbone, which Booker called out (I broke mine a year ago next week, and it’s not healed, so this wasn’t so much fun to hear).
Shugars hung up Borne on a top rope and Vic said Shugars’ first match was eight years ago today, and he’d love to celebrate with a championship. Shugars took the advantage on the outside and DarkState posed on & near the announce table as the match went to split-screen. [c]
Borne floated over and tried a sunset flip, but couldn’t convert. Rope run and an arm drag by Borne. Shugars floated over the top from the apron and hit a leg drop for two. Vic wondered aloud if Shugars went to Stone to get a rematch for Lennox, or if he went for himself. Funny that normally as fans we see everything, but we just happened to not be let into the room for this one. Borne fought from underneath with rights. Shugars put Borne up and threw a big enzuigiri up at Borne, and his momentum took him over the top rope and he had to pull himself back in. Shugars went up for an avalanche belly-to-belly, but Borne redirected momentum to splash Shugars for two.
Borne set up Borne Again, but Shugars reversed and rolled up Shugars for two. Both guys went for quick rollups and Borne showed off his strength with a bridge-out. Shugars went up but Borne dropkicked him, and Shugars face-planted right on the top rope and fell into the ring. He’s really worked on some interesting ways to sell. Borne hit a fisherman’s suplex and Vic asked “is it Perfect?” in a nice touch. He got two. The other members of DarkState started getting involved. Lennox tried to take a chair to Borne, but Shugars shoved him away because he was afraid of getting disqualified. Borne broke up the party by shoving Lennox into the stairs. Shugars went back inside, and Borne floated over the top with Borne Again to retain.
WINNER: Myles Borne at 11:04.
“Mr. England” Tristan Angels, a snobbish pretty boy, warned Borne that everyone was about to get a lot of chances to see him week after week. From behind Borne, Kam Hendrix took down Borne with a slam and fired up and jawed into the camera. Both have been wrestling on Evolve and in particular, I think the company is high on Hendrix, who has something of a cool factor and some great raw power, but is still getting there as a character.
(Wells’s Analysis: Pretty strong opener as we got the continuation of the DarkState story, and Shugars is coming up with some really innovative ways to sell, which is what drew me to Mr. Perfect as a kid when I got into wrestling. It’s a nice enough win for Borne, but I think Shugars more than anything raised his stock, and now we have Angels & Hendrix in NXT in a week where we were promised some new blood. I’m mildly surprised to see these two, as they haven’t been figured in for particularly long, but they’re good enough in their specific areas to start getting a shot)
-In the women’s locker room, Kelani Jordan tangled verbally with Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair, bemoaning her recent lack of shots. A match was made between Jordan & Grey tonight. [c]
-Tony D’Angelo was introduced; WWE.com promoted the question of who would challenge him next as their top story of the show. He soaked up a “Tony” chant and said the more the place changes, the more it stays the same. He said competitors come and go, but he’s been the constant, and there’s no competitor tough enough to kick him off of the mountain, including whoever sent him the box last week. He talked about vague threats as well as Keanu Carver “side-eyeing” him. He said the gift he got was a warning. The lights went out.
Japanese music played, bringing out D’Angelo’s threat, the man formerly known as EVIL in New Japan. As a New Japan completist for the last ten years, it is bizarre to see him literally anywhere else. He had his hood over his face, but the knowing fans chanted “Evil.” He threw off his hood and Vic said “holy hell…that is the former IWGP heavyweight champion.” He didn’t say Evil’s name, but he used the word evil in his next sentence. He handed D’Angelo a gift – a shirt with the same declaration of war – and walked out. His new music is cool, but his last theme in NJPW was SO good that I’ll miss it. After he left, Tavion Heights showed up and hit D’Angelo with a belly-to-belly and jawed into the camera. After HE left, a thick blonde man showed up and took down D’Angelo as well. I’m sure someone knows who he is, but I don’t yet. They are really making a new show here.
(Wells’s Analysis: The man formerly known as EVIL isn’t a young man, so here’s hoping his stay in NXT is short. He was IWGP heavyweight champion during COVID when Gedo (head booker) got more creative than usual with his ideas in the absence of fans. After a stint on top with very mixed feelings, as Evil was promoted as a guy who would cheat every second he could get away with it, he settled in as a semi-uppercard guy who could visit the main event if necessary. He was a surprise finalist in the G-1 Climax a couple of years ago, so he was still kind of a big deal up until his exit. It’s very strange to be covering him on NXT after I’ve covered him for years in New Japan)
-In a promoted segment, Tatum Paxley and Shiloh Hill sat in a makeshift cemetery over a headstone for Blake Monroe. They were friendly in their goofy way and Paxley decided she was going to stay there a little longer and lay down next to the empty plot. [c]
(2) EK PROSPER & DORIAN VAN DUX vs. BIRTHRIGHT (Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Uriah Connors) (w/Lexis King & Charlie Dempsey & Arianna Grace)
Birthright was introduced and King took the mic. He said there was terrible news because Dorian Van Dux got injured. He threw to a video of Arianna Grace doing a selfie video where she mocked DVD being injured by Birthright. EK Prosper showed up to fight alone, but Sean Legacy’s music played to return him from injury. After some chaos, the bell sounded.
The babyfaces took the early advantage as Legacy got his shine upon return. Prosper kept it up by dropkicking both heels. The heels took over by double-teaming and taking out the faces on the ramp heading into commercial. [c]
Connors had Legacy down as face in peril, as Vic threw to some shots of Legacy being dominated during the break. They went up in a corner, and Legacy suplexed Connors down and then took him out from the top. Both guys sold on the mat as their partners wanted the tag. The heels tagged, and then Prosper made the hot tag and was the house afire on both Stacks and Uriah. Sprinboard moonsault on both guys. Michinoku Driver on Stacks got two, broken up by Connors. It was bonzo gonzo for a minute but Connors hit a Swanton on Prosper for two, broken up by Legacy.
After another mess of blind tags and big spots, Legacy hit his finisher on Stacks. As Mike Rome tried to announce victory, all of Birthright hopped in the ring to attack. Evolve’s Tate Wilder made the save. He’s a soft-spoken, handsome hayseed with some good raw tools. Again, I’m surprised to see this callup this soon, but it’s sink or swim time.
WINNERS: Sean Legacy & EK Prosper at 9:13.
(Wells’s Analysis: A typical messy NXT tag match led to a messy aftermath with yet another introduction. This is a LOT of guys to get over at once, so hopefully there’s a real specific plan in place to make fans care about them is as little time as possible. Another Breakout tournament seems like the way to go, if they want to do another one)
-Kali Armstrong and Jaida Parker argued in the locker room. Thea Hail warned Armstrong against angering Parker. Evolve talents were there but I won’t throw their names at you until they’re figured in. Armstrong and Parker seemed to head toward a match tonight, which would be a loss neither should really take right now, unless there’s a good storyline excuse. [c]
-Earlier today, HBK said this summer, NXT PLEs will be coming exclusively to the CW. That actually seems like a positive for fans in general, which is a rarity with all the changes in the last few years.
[HOUR TWO]
-Vic and Book threw to Izzi Dame taking out Lola Vice to make herself the new #1 contender.
-Robert Stone talked to Tate Wilder, and he said he looked jacked and ready. Wilder thanked Stone for the introduction and shook his hand. It wasn’t much, but with precious TV time to spare, it was a good idea to just reinforce his name for a second.
-Lola Vice hit the ring with a mic. She said Izzi Dame thought she had her big moment, but she can’t do anything by herself, and when she tries, she gets knocked out. She said she’s waiting for Dame to come out so everyone can see what Vice does to her.
Instead, Shawn Spears showed up on the video screen. She said Vice needs to stay one step ahead, like the Culling. Niko Vance and Izzi Dame were behind Vice.
Vice said “Oh. It looks like you got me again…or did you?” Vice’s partner Mr. Iguana was behind Vance and Dame, and they cleared out the heels, likely signaling a defense of the AAA mixed tag team titles.
-Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars argued. Cutler James said we did it both of their ways and it failed. Osiris Griffin agreed with James. James said they were getting the tag titles back, but it would be Griffin and James.
-Vic teed up Lizzy Rain’s debut, which will come against Nikkita Lyons next. [c]
(3) LIZZY RAIN vs. NIKKITA LYONS
Rain’s music is so close to being the opening guitar solo in “Hot for Teacher” that I can’t imagine they’ll avoid royalties for long. Lyons has continued being pretty meh on Evolve, but she avoided another set of cuts. She got a pre-recorded promo that set her up as some kind of threat to the point where this could be the red herring debut that’s actually about the other person.
Rain had huge ’80s rocker hair and exaggerated facials in that style. They exchanged some impact stuff early. Lyons hit a big roundhouse kick and did some ground & pound, then hit a flying forearm in the corner. She threw Rain’s head into the corner a few times. There was a “Lizzy Rain” chant. Rain fought from underneath and Lyons kicked her down and got a two count. Rain booted a charging Lyons. Both missed big kicks and then Rain hit one, then hit a cutter. Rain fired up and chopped the hell out of Lyons in a corner. There was a “make it rain” chant along with the chops. There must have been a dark match to get them used to this.
Lyons missed a Jack Swagger-style backsplash in the corner and Rain booted her and made an exaggerated rocker face. She hit her finisher, Thunderstruck (a knee to the temple), and got the duke.
WINNER: Lizzy Rain at 4:17.
(Wells’s Analysis: Far be it from me to be a Lyons apologist, but she really has become valuable as a heel gatekeeper. This match was a lot better than I expected it to be and both women came out better than they were going in)
-Myles Borne and Tavion Heights talked in the locker room. Borne took Heights to task, and Heights told Borne he could add Heights to the list of threats in NXT. After Heights left, Keanu Carver showed up and said the sharks are circling, and he’s a great white.
-Kelani Jordan entered ahead of the next match. [c]
-The Vanity Project hung out in a side room, mostly with Evolve guys in the background (although Jasper Troy was there also). Oh, Troy is part of this scene. As Jackson Drake was talking himself up, Jasper Troy showed up and said if Drake wants a date so bad, he should take a match with him next week.
(4) WREN SINCLAIR (w/Kendal Grey) vs. KELANI JORDAN
Wren’s Speed Championship isn’t on the line. Jordan took the early advantage with a waistlock takedown. They went to a series of counters and reversals before a reset. Sinclair took down Jordan and snapped on a leg submission, but Jordan headlocked her way out of it. There was a small “You can’t wrestle” chant and I have no idea who these idiots were chanting at, because…they can. Jordan started to take control and slowly work over Sinclair with basic offense. Rope run and a bulldog by Sinclair for two. Sinclair got tied up in the ropes and Jordan threw some rights. Action went outside and Sinclair hit a dropkick from the apron. Sinclair was selling (at least, I hope she’s just selling) a leg problem as they went to split-screen. There was another “You can’t wrestle” chant but this time there was some “Yes she can” pushback. I still don’t know who they mean, because…THEY BOTH CAN. The match went to split-screen. [c]
Jordan had Sinclair down with a leg lock. Inside cradly by Sinclair got two. Another rollup got two. Jordan chop-blocked Sinclair. Sinclair booted Jordan outside, then evaded a chop-block to her worked leg. Sinclair hit some big forearms and ax-handles as she expertly continued to sell the leg. Double-underhook suplex got two. Another rollup by Sinclair got two. Jordan floated over from the apron with a cutter. Jordan went up and ate knees on her frog splash for a long two. Sinclair went for the Final Wrench but her knee gave out as she steadied herself. Jordan hit a suplex and then the One of a Kind split-legged moonsault.
WINNER: Kelani Jordan at 10:55.
(Wells’s Analysis: I understand you can chant whatever you want, but can we eject anyone who said “you can’t wrestle” to either of these two? This was an old-school master class as a heel worked an ailing body part to take advantage and eventually win as a result, and Wren’s selling was lovely. Very strong match)
-A video that looked Marvel-inspired, likely with a lot of AI help, narrated by Zaria, promoted her as ready to scorch everyone and everything in her way.
-Vic promoted the main event between Ricky Saints and Shiloh Hill. [c]
-Next week, Dame & Vance will face Vice & Iguana in a mixed tag match. It wasn’t said to be a defense. Jasper Troy will face Jackson Drake.
(5) SHILOH HILL vs. RICKY SAINTS
Saints attacked as Hill was tossing his shirt away. Saints put the boots to Hill early and Hill fought from underneath with rights. Rope run and a back elbow by Saints. Saints hit another big back elbow. Saints missed a big kick and Hill draped him over a rope and hit a knee lift. Saints got bumped to the outside and Hill followed him out. Saints swung around on the apron and laid out Hill with a kick. Hill went under the ring and Saints tried to yank him out, but he pulled out a stuffed dummy that wore Hill’s gear, plus a Jason mask. Hill used the opening to take out Saints and he waltzed around with the dummy and set it on the barricade. The match went to split-screen at ten minutes to the hour. [c]
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