SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
NXT GREAT AMERICAN BASH RESULTS
JUNE 28, 2026
ORLANDO, FLA. AT CAPITAL WRESTLING CENTER
STREAMED LIVE ON CW (U.S.) & NETFLIX (International)
REPORT BY KELLY WELLS, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett
Pre-Show: Megan Morant & Sam Robertson
Backstage: Emily Agard & Sarah Schreiber
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Nate Lindberg and I will be recording a VIP podcast immediately following the show that will be posted shortly after its conclusion.
-For whatever reason, I watched the pre-show. I was intrigued by the idea of the live tailgate party, but was disappointed to see that at least 30 minutes in, it’s just been Morant & Robertson in the studio as always. For an excruciating five minute stretch, we got the quiet audio from the studio and pre-show interviews with Tatum Paxley and the like, but simultaneously, we also got loud audio from the hosts and revelers outside having hot dogs and beers. We never saw the tailgate party during this stretch, and only heard it.
At EIGHT minutes to the hour, they finally threw to Rob Stone & Emily Agard out with some tailgaters, as well as Kevin Owens and Dave LaGreca in a puff piece. Owens was wearing a Waylon Mercy shirt. I love that man (I mean Owens, but Spivey as well). LaGreca predicted title changes. Owens said there would be no title changes and admitted he was only saying so to go against LaGreca. In a wild twist, Tony D’Angelo and Naraku were announced as the opening match tonight. I’m not sure Vice-Grey is main event caliber at this point, but I can’t imagine what else would be tapped for the spot.
[HOUR ONE]
-Several talents were shown arriving earlier. I may or may not have spotted the “creek” nearby where the Wyatt Family videos were shot.
-A narrated video briefly covered tonight’s matches.
(1) TONY D’ANGELO (c) vs. NARAKU – NXT Championship match
I’m exactly 1001 days into learning Japanese and Rome’s pronunciation of Naraku was…you know what? Let’s be positive tonight. The bell rang and immediately D’Angelo speared Naraku through the space underneath the perch for an early mute by the censor for a “holy shit” chant. D’Angelo was wearing a heavy bandage after the old-timey fireball angle on NXT likely to create an out for D’Angelo losing, though I think he’s got some chance here. The audience chanted his name as he sold on the outside and, apparently like a babyface, threatened the referee who was checking to see if he could actually continue.
On the apron, Naraku fought off a boot and hit Everything is Evil into the apron. There was a significant “Naraku” chant from a crowd who has apparently moved on from D’Angelo despite the fact that he’s worked his ass off to become a babyface worth cheering. Back inside, Naraku scored a two count. Naraku suplexed D right into the corner and the match went to split-screen. [c]
Vic and Wade casually talked about Sami Zayn and other NXT alumna upon return, promoting main roster storylines, as D’Angelo tried to fight from underneath. Vic said D’Angelo wanted to be Mr. Great American Bash, challenging Booker T, which is one of the very rare times they’ve mentioned his name during his hiatus. D’Angelo hit a powerslam for two. Naraku hit a German suplex but D’Angelo immediately no-sold it and hit Dead to Rights to retain.
WINNER: Tony D’Angelo at 10:10.
(Wells’s Analysis: I figured the loser was going north so this was hard to predict, but opening the show and going just over ten minutes was a bit surprising. I could see Naraku having one more quick feud on NXT if they feel it’s necessary, but I think he’s essentially done at the top on NXT and he’ll be on the main roster soon)
-There was a brief recap of Zaria & Tatum Paxley’s feud.
-There was a brief video hyping people who have won championships at this event, meant to make this seem like a major stop and not developmental, which was done well enough.
(2) TATUM PAXLEY vs. ZARIA (c) – NXT Women’s North American Championship match
It took a long time to get here between entrances and commercials. There are seven matches tonight, so I’m a little concerned about how long they feel the need to make this show.
Vic said only one holder of this championship failed to defend it even once, but he didn’t say who. Was that Thea Hail, or did she manage one? Zaria took the early advantage and she charged Paxley to a corner for some blocks. Pax managed a double stomp and a charge in the corner. After a reset, Zaria hit a hard headbutt and Paxley bumped to the floor. Zaria did her hanging headlock spot, but Paxley yanked Zaria in between the apron and ring and threw rights. Still outside, Zaria tossed Paxley into the crowd. Pax tried a sleeper again but Zaria flattened her by falling backward. The match went to split-screen. [c]
A dueling chant was pretty even. In the corner, Zaria pressed Paxley up and then leaned on her with a boot. Paxley managed some knee strikes that bumped Zaria into the ring. High cross-body by Paxley. Paxley tried to string some things together and she hit a German suplex and fired up. She hit a thrust kick in the corner and the two went high. Paxley hit a superplex and fired up in a way meant to show a huge hair flip, but Zaria hit her with a spear. Both women sold on the mat.
They got to their feet and threw some weak strikes as they tried to get back into it, and Zaria did her hanging headlock briefly in a corner. They fought up that corner and Zaria got stuck in the Tree of Woe, and Pax went up in a neutral corner. There was a cool staredown, but I was expecting a spot that didn’t come. Paxley hit a powerbomb from the apron out onto the floor. She grabbed the belt from the podium and got all emotional about it. She hit Cemetery Drive outside, then inside, and still only got a long two. There was an immediate “Zaria” chant. They’re giving Zaria a lot in Paxley’s exit. Eventually Zaria managed a spear for a…two?! I literally stopped my stopwatch for that. The show went totally silent as there was another chant they decided to mute. Zaria finally hit an F-5 to retain.
WINNER: Zaria at 14:08.
(Wells’s Analysis: Paxley is heading up, I think, but boy did they create a lot of doubt here as they milked the match to give Zaria another valuable hard-fought win as her reign is still young)
-Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey fired up ahead of their respective matches. Sinclair had new houndstooth gear while Grey had Independence Day-inspired gear that was patriotic while not becoming garish. [c]
-Rob Stone talked to Vanity Project, who talked all tough until Stone told them that Drake would be facing Mason Rook while the tag champs would be challenged by Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno (of AAA) this Tuesday.
-Blake Howard talked to Dave LaGreca and Kevin Owens about the upcoming matches. Owens was weird and wonderful as always.
(3) SHILOH HILL vs. TRISTAN ANGELS
They got into it slowly, but Angels tried a quick rollup and got caught. They ran the ropes and Hill got the better of it, so Angels bailed. Hill posed with the Mr. NXT sash and Angels threw a fit. He again had to bail early and sell for a bit. Angels managed a stomp in the corner as the match went to split-screen. [c]
Hill went underneath and Angels, who should know better, followed. The arena went dark. We got a VERY rare look under the ring as Angels was there and a phone was ringing. He answered, and a weird voice said “the fog is coming” over and over. A masked figure choked him out. He escaped and went outside and Hill showed up, apparently not the masked figure, and he beat down Angels as the announcers wondered how Hill pulled it off (the implication was that he was the masked figure also, although he couldn’t possibly have been). Back inside, action went to the apron and they jockeyed for position. Angels took control with a spot against the ropes and the match went to another split-screen break. [c]
The match went no more than thirty seconds past the break when Hill hit his finisher.
WINNER: Shiloh Hill at 13:05.
Emily Agard asked Hill about the match afterward. He said he’s not pretty or polished, but tonight is why nobody sleeps on Shiloh Hill.
(Wells’s Analysis: Strange pacing issue to have the match come back and end within thirty seconds. Decent enough match but a PLE match with two breaks equalling five minutes in a 13-minute match is…something)
-In a side room, Nattie gassed up Layla Diggs, Karmen Petrovic and new EVOLVE Women’s Champion Nikkita Lyons. Was Nattie wearing a Joe Doering shirt? I can’t rewind without issues right now. [c]
-Several NXT babyface stars, in a pre-recorded statement, pontificated on America’s 250th anniversary.
(4) WREN SINCLAIR (c) vs. ARIANNA GRACE (w/Birthright) – Women’s Speed Championship match
Grace was rocking an old-timey beach aesthetic. The two hit lariats immediately. Rope run and a block by Sinclair, then a bulldog for two. Sinclair floated over a few times but Grace threw some rights. Action spilled outside and Sinclair took control there, but back inside, Grace asserted control. She got in a couple of covers and then put the knees to Sinclair for two. Sinclair managed an inside cradle for two. She rolled her up again for two. They went up in a corner and Sinclair tossed Grace off, then hit a high cross-body. Sinclair hit a couple of palm strikes and then a double-underhook suplex. Charlie Dempsey tried to distract her and it wen to a two-count for Grace, but Sinclair hit a big cutter into the Final Wrench to retain.
WINNER: Wren Sinclair at 4:45.
(Wells’s Analysis: Good use of Grace, who’s best when she’s being a dead fish trying to steal a win, and Sinclair reasserts herself as someone who should be a champion as she comes out of injury. Kevin Owens’ prediction of no title changes is surprisingly holding true after four matches)
-There was a hype segment for the Dion Lennox-Saquon Shugars match. [c]
(5) SAQUON SHUGARS vs. DION LENNOX
Shugars’ new music is a minor key, sleepy hip-hop piano piece. Both guys talked trash before the bell and for a bit after. They brawled for a bit before Shugars fell into a cover of convenience for two. They reset and threw rights. Shugars took a short advantage and soaked in a chant. Lennox hit a hard boot but ran the ropes into a big back body-drop. Lennox slowed down and hit an impressive backbreaker, and then a second for a two count. Shugars flipped through an attempt for a third and put a knee to Lennox’s back. Shugars put the boots to Lennox and hit a Rude Awakening. Cutler James and Osiris Griffin showed up to boos, and Lennox hit a high-release uranage from the apron for two. Lennox was in control as the match went to split-screen. [c]
Lennox was working a leg submission upon return. Shugars booted his way out and he evaded a stomp and booted Lennox to the floor. Back inside, Shugars hit a dropkick but had to drop to the mat as both men sold there. Shugars hit a right and pulled down his singlet to get serious. He booted Lennox in the corner and hit a back body-drop. He hit a backbreaker into a flatliner for two. Step-up enzuigiri by Shugars, who covered for two. Leg drop for two. Shugars went up in a corner but Lennox met him there. Lennox hit a belly-to-back suplex across the top, which is a pretty rare and nasty-looking spot. He took him to the floor for a long two.
The two went to slaps and palm strikes. Short clothesline by Lennox. Vic called it “JBL-esque” so I guess there’s at least one person who intentionally paid attention to JBL matches. Better him than I. They jockeyed for position and Shugars hit a backsplash for three.
WINNER: Saquon Shugars at 14:19.
After the match, Griffin and James immediately attacked to boos.
(Wells’s Analysis: This was the expected but dreaded result, with Shugars getting the extremely expected win but DarkState given lip service as if they’re a relevant faction at this point. Shugars already beat the head of the snake, so I’m not sure why he would slum it with the other guys, but there are a ton of guys to get over in NXT right now so I can see why they’re handcuffing him to this feud for now)
[c]
-Tatum Paxley cut a promo via Emily Agard about losing the big one, and Kelani Jordan showed up to mock her and said she’s better, but she always gets looked over for people…”like you.” She said it’s honestly pathetic. Paxley threw hands and they brawled.
(6) MYLES BORNE (c) vs. TAVION HEIGHTS – NXT North American Championship match
They started with some technical stuff but brawled shortly after. Heights booted Borne away to get some early separation in an ugly spot. Borne dropkicked Heights to the floor and they had a meeting of the minds and jawed as the match went to split-screen. [c]
Heights had Borne grounded. He pressed Borne to the mat, then did an amateur toss for two. He snapped on a headlock, then rained down some elbows. Heights managed a nifty exploder suplex for two. He slowed it down and worked an armbar on the mat. Borne managed a Northern Lights suplex for two and then finally strung together some rights. Heights hit a belly-to-back suplex for two. The match went to split-screen. I’m surprised they made this a three-hour show, but unless the main event goes real short, that’s what they did. [c]
A bathroom break was enough for me to just barely get into the room to see Borne Again for the win, so I guess that’s that, yet again right after commercial break.
WINNER: Myles Borne in about 12 minutes.
(Wells’s Analysis: A good match, I think, but this format is trying my patience as they want to do long-form matches but a huge percentage of wrestling minutes are buried during split-screen where nobody is watching)
-After the match, Borne cut a basic live promo saying he’s going to hold the title for a long, long time.
-Vic teed up the main event match for the Women’s Championship. It’s 19 after the hour, so far too short to end on the hour, and probably too late to end at :30. [c]
-NXT: Heatwave was announced for August 30th from Edinburg, Texas.
-Dave LaGreca weighed in again by cheering for Kendal Grey, but Kevin Owens reasserted that Lola Vice will keep him correct about no titles changing hands. Owens put over Tatum Paxley, then made a joke how he’s “never turned against anyone in [his] life.”
-Hank & Tank were introduced and they hit the ramp with Howard, LaGreca and Owens. They got all psyched up and put over the matches so far and ate some time. I guess they’re going to try to stretch to three hours regardless of whether they have the content to get there or not. They put over EK Prosper by saying “E. K. Prosper. It’s in the ring,” just like “EA Sports. It’s in the game.” Keanu Carver showed up, none too pleased about the Prosper mention, and laid waste to them and yelled at the gaggle of officials who tried to control him. [c]
-There was a brief hype package for the main event, and as the challengers were going to enter to NXT’s driving “main event” bass beat, they cut to commercial. I think the show’s gone considerably short. [c]
-Vic promoted the already-loaded NXT for Tuesday, including El Vikingo del Hijo appearing.
-Mike Rome finally got around to introducing the main event after a ton of fluff to get the show to its three hour runtime.
(7) KENDAL GREY vs. LOLA VICE (c) – NXT Women’s Championship match
Both women had family in the crowd and they acknowledged them with some hugs as the match was introduced. They went amateur to start as both can put together some chain wrestling. They each got some brief rollups and then did some rope running into a quick crucifix-lite cover by Vice for two. Vice threw a European uppercut and then ran Grey to each rope to follow up with knees to the midsection. Upon each strike, Vice was mildly booed against the budding star Grey. Vice got mean and threw hard body shots in a corner, and then another. Vice hit a trio of arm drags, but Grey rolled through a fourth and held onto a headlock. Grey clearly called a spot on camera, which doesn’t happen so much anymore. The two continued to expertly roll through reversals and evasions until the match spilled to the outside. Kelani Jordan tried to get involved against Grey, but Wren Sinclair immediately showed up to run her off. Vice took control just at the break, standing darkly and ominously over Grey as the match went to split-screen. Is Vice turning heel again? She’s certainly been leaning that way, but she’s organically been gaining fans, so your guess is as good as mine. [c]
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