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NXT TV REPORT
SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
ORLANDO, FL AT THE WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON THE CW
REPORT BY DAVID MILLER, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Correspondent: Emily Agard
[HOUR ONE]
-Tony D’Angelo, Mason Rook, and Saquon Shugars were shown entering the Performance Center at the beginning of the show.
(1) LIZZY RAIN vs. KALI ARMSTRONG
Armstrong scooped up Rain for a couple of big, powerful bodyslams at the bell. Rain slipped out of a third slam and countered with a springboard elbow to take her opponent down. She went to work on the left arm with a series of twists and elbows, but Armstrong gamely fought back. Rain connected with a spin kick to the jaw for a two-count. Armstrong connected with a shoulder block in the corner, but missed a second attempt and only connected with the ring post. She slumped to the floor before they cut to a split-screen commercial break. [c]
Progressive, SafeLite, blah, blah, blah…same old stuff was plugged on the large screen on the right while the action silently continued on the thumbnail-sized screen on the left. When they returned to full-screen, Rain got dropped by the powerful Armstrong for a near fall. Rain caught Armstrong with a backslide for a two-count, then fired up and connected with a series of chops in the corner, then hit a stunner in the middle of the ring for another two-count.
Rain climbed to the top with Armstrong and delivered a Frankensteiner. Armstrong returned fired and picked up speed off the ropes for a Kali Konnection, but was met with an elbow from Rain. A second attempt at a Kali Konnection, however, was successful, and earned her the victory.
WINNER: Kali Armstrong at 9:53.
(Miller’s Take: Good opening bout with what I feel was an appropriate outcome. Not to take anything away from Rain, but Armstrong has a very high upside and will be a valuable addition to the main roster one day. She’s athletic, powerful, and filled with attitude. Nobody in NXT is guaranteed a spot on the main roster, but it’s easy to see that Armstrong has a ton of potential.)
-After the match, they showed a replay of the highlights, but cut away from it abruptly to reveal an unhinged Skylar Raye beating the bejesus out of Kali Armstrong. Three referees and Lizzy Rain attempted to restrain Raye while another ushered Armstrong out of the ring and tried to keep her back. I have no clue what that was all about.
-In the back, NXT Champion Grayson Waller was running on a treadmill. Elsewhere in the PC, Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux were talking about the tag team titles. BirthRight burst in and said they had the tag belts in their sights. Legacy and DVD bickered with them a bit before walking off to go to the ring.
-DarkState made their ring entrance before the next commercial break. [c]
-Cruz Montana was talking to GM Robert Stone in his office. E.K. Prosper came in and apologized to Cruz for losing the match last week. Montana told Stone that Prosper was going to be the face of this company because it wasn’t even his fault, yet he’s still taking accountability. NXT Tag Team Champions and North American Champion The Vanity Project strode in to brag awhile. Montana started verbally putting them in their place. Cruz suggested that he and Prosper fight Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes. Stone liked the idea and made the match for tonight.
(2) DORIAN VAN DUX & SEAN LEGACY vs. DARKSTATE (Osiris Griffin & Cutler James)
James started the match by tossing Legacy around like he weighed 90 pounds. A stunned Legacy slowly rose to his feet, then fired back with a beautiful dropkick, then countered a powerslam with an armdrag before tagging in DVD. Legacy executed a sliced bread and landed on his face, which looked painful. DVD came in the ring began dismantling Griffin. They lifted the huge Griffin for a double suplex, then went for a second one that Griffin reversed and muscled them both over.
DarkState missed the mark as they charged their foes and flew through the ropes and onto the floor. DVD attempted a suicide dive, but was caught by James, who used DVD’s momentum to deliver a vertical suplex in mid-air. I’ve never seen anything like that. Griffin caught Legacy as he also attempted a suicide dive and simply drove him to the floor before they cut to a split-screen commercial break. [c]
As usual, the young Panda Express girl turned into her auntie and liked it, Bounty soaked up some stuff, and a Texas Whopper made me hungry. Dudes shaved their bodies with Gillette (um…okay), and some bad actors plugged Tide. As all of this incredibly uninteresting stuff was blaring on the large right screen, DarkState decimated Legacy on the teeny, tiny screen on the left. When they returned to full-screen, Legacy was struggling to tag his partner. The fight went to the floor, where Legacy cleaned house. In the ring, DVD hit a springboard double cutter that looked amazing.
DVD struggled against DarkState, but managed to connect with a double moonsault as Legacy went wild with several suicide dives. DVD landed a sky-high shooting star press on Griffin for a near fall. Legacy and DVD both hit simultaneous dives over the top rope to the floor. As DVD rolled Griffin back into the ring, Dion Lennox ran out and bulldozed DVD on the floor while James kicked Legacy off the apron and to the floor, where he crashed hard onto the announcers desk. Griffin and James lifted DVD into the air with a double pop-up powerbomb for the win.
WINNERS: DarkState at 11:43
(Miller’s Take: I think these four wrestlers must have watched TripleMania and told AAA to hold their beers. This was absolutely spectacular! Hard-hitting, high-flying, total nonstop action (sorry, TNA). I was wondering when Lennox would show up to stick his nose into the match. These two teams put on a clinic that could be considered, in my humble opinion, a Match of the Year candidate.)
-As DarkState celbrated on their way to the back, Lexis King was shown standing over the announce table, running his mouth at Vic Joseph and Booker T. The rest of BirthRight came out and slid into the ring. They all ran their mouths a bit, then decided to beat on DVD and Legacy until Zilla Fatu ran out for the save. BirthRight overwhelmed them at first, but they fought back and cleared the ring of the heel faction.
-A video package of Mason Rook was shown. Footage was shown of his early days wrestling in NOAH as he talked about his ascent to NXT.
-Grayson Waller was shown, still running on the treadmill like he was trying to prove something. Elsewhere in the back, Robert Stone confronted Skylar Raye. She told Stone that he’s seen what she’s done on Evolve, but hasn’t been given an opportunity in NXT yet, so she wanted to get his attention. Myles Borne interrupted, of course, and asked how much time he had to apologize to Tavion Heights. Stone told him he could take all the time he wanted. [c]
-Women’s North American Champion Zaria was shown being checked out by medical, who cleared her “as tolerated”. Izzi Dame strolled up and made fun of Zaria for getting injured by Thea Hail. She asked if people are born wicked, or if wickedness was thrust upon them, then walked away.
-Myles Borne stood mid-ring and called out Tavion Heights to apologize to him. Heights came out, but didn’t look happy. Borne thanked him for coming out. Heights said brothers fight, but Borne crossed the line. Borne said he was emotional and made excuses, saying he didn’t want to get caught and acted out of fear and paranoia. He begged Heights to see where he was coming from and got emotional as he reiterated that he was sorry.
-Heights said his back was still sore from what Borne did to him at Heat Wave. Heights expressed disbelief that Borne was sorry after kicking him while he was down. He said he thought their time might have passed. Borne continued to plead his case as Heights stood his ground. Borne talked about their history and said no one could stop them or take away those good memories. He said he forgave Heights and again pleaded with Heights to forgive him. Heights admitted that he planted seeds of doubt. Borne continued to beg Heights and told him he loved him like a brother, then tried to initiate a hug. Heights backed off, then told Borne he forgave him and wanted to get the team rolling again. Heights exclaimed that Borne was his dog for life, then stepped forward for a huge hug as the fans cheered.
As they separated, Borne took down Heights again. He beat him to the floor, then threw him through the LED board at ringside. Borne rolled Heights back into the ring, grabbed a chair, placed Tavion’s leg in it, and jumped up and stomped on it as Height screamed in agony. Several officials ran to the ring to shoo Borne away and tend to Heights.
(Miller’s Take: Even though you could see this coming from a mile away, Borne was very believable when he was pleading for forgiveness. I’m glad Borne didn’t do the John Cena frown while he was hugging Heights. We don’t need that again. Borne’s attack on his former friend was vicious, and cemented him firmly as a heel. I’m anxious to see what he has to say for himself after his dastardly deed.) [c]
-Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair were shown inside Evolve Health & Wellness in St Cloud, Florida, where Grey asked Dr. Tori Smith if she was ready to get back in the ring. Dr. Smith asked how she felt. Grey admitted she was a bit anxious. Dr. Smith told her she was not cleared and needed time to rest. She said she was not cleared and she was going to recommend a sports psychologist for her mental health. I looked up Evolve Health & Wellness, and their website says they specialize in hormone optimization, medical weight loss, sexual health, and aesthetic treatments, so I have no idea what Kendal Grey is doing there, and I’m afraid to ask.
ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…
Check out the latest episode of “PWT Talks NXT” with Kelly Wells and Nate Lindberg, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “pwtorch” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)
[HOUR TWO]
(3) E.K. PROSPER & CRUZ MONTANA vs. THE VANITY PROJECT (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes) (w/Myka Lockwood)
Curiously, Jackson Drake was absent from ringside for this non-title match. Prosper began the contest with Baylor. Both hit some big moves and did a little showboating early on. Montana and Smokes tagged in. Smokes couldn’t put Montana down with attempted shoulder tackles, and ate a few chops afterwards. Prosper and Montana executed some impressive teamwork, looking like they’ve been tagging for years. They bounced The Vanity Project to the floor, which of course led to a split-screen commercial break. [c]
After SafeLite repair, Safelite replace, an elegant lady sniffing laundry beads, blue bears marveling at toilet paper, Panda Express, and the usual drivel, they returned to full-screen. Montana and Smokes laid each other out, then struggled to get to their respective corners. Both made hot tags, with Prosper catching fire. He hit the best looking blockbuster I’ve ever seen on Baylor. Smokes took the tag and hit a springboard spear on Prosper for a near fall. Montana launched Prosper in the air towards Smokes, who was perched on the top rope, and Prosper executed a Frankensteiner. That looked incredible! Montana and Prosper both leaped to the outside onto their opponents. Unsurprisingly, Jackson Drake made his presence known by attacking Montana on the floor. The referee saw it and sent Drake and Lockwood to the back. Drake maneuvered Prosper into a backslide for a pin while Baylor jumped up on the ring apron and held Prosper’s feet so he couldn’t kick out of the pin.
WINNERS: The Vanity Project at 11:54.
(Miller’s Take: That was another outstanding tag bout. The Vanity Project are certified future superstars. Their flawless teamwork and massive heat practically ensure that they will one day be welcomed to the main roster with open arms. Montana & Prosper looked great, but I wonder if Prosper losing yet another match involving Montana will cause friction. I’m glad they didn’t go with the SOP of the champs losing a non-title match.)
-In the back, Emily Agard was with Saquon Shugars. He was in the process of cutting a hilarious promo on D’Angelo and Rook when he was interrupted by Tristan Angels, who made fun of Shugars not being able to get dressed properly. Shugars said he was up next and Angels was up never, then walked off.
-Grayson Waller was shown still running on a treadmill, then NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan was shown walking in the back before they cut to the next commercial break. [c]
-Kelani Jordan made her ring entrance and bragged about winning the NXT Women’s Championship on her first try, like she did with all the titles she’s won. She said she’s not like other WWE champions, and she puts her money where her mouth is. She talked about Wren Sinclair getting suspended while she debuted on Raw in Mexico CIty. She claimed all the women in the back were too intimidated to face her.
-In a shocker, the new AAA Reina de Reinas Champion, La Catalina came out to confront Jordan. She said Jordan was not the only record breaker. She said she was going to take it to the next level. Women’s North American Champion Zaria interrupted and said she didn’t see either of them unifying titles.
-As they bickered amongst themselves, Thea Hail interrupted and said she was finding her footing and was championship material. She talked about tapping out Zaria, which led to a brawl breaking out. Hail and Catalina got the best of Zaria and Jordan, bounced them out of the ring, then danced together in the ring.
-A video package on Tony D’Angelo. He said he was the toughest son of a bitch in NXT. Afterwards, Grayson Waller was shown, still logging miles on a treadmill, before they cut to the next commercial break. [c]
-A social media post from Shiloh Hill was shown in which he was conducting experiments on the different kinds of mist. He described how the different colors of mist affected him, and broke down different chemical elements, concocted some mist of his own, tried it on himself, then hallucinated that his raccoons were talking to him. That was hilarious!
-Emily Agard was in Robert Stone’s office, where he announced he was bringing back the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. He said 14 teams from NXT, AAA, Evolve, Raw, and SmackDown would be participating. He revealed that two first round matches would begin next week. The Creed Brothers burst in to do some bragging.
-Saquon Shugars and Tony D’Angelo made their ring entrances before they cut to commercial. [c]
-Footage was shown of Stephanie Vaquer winning the Women’s World Championship from Liv Morgan at a house show in Santiago, Chile. Special referee Becky Lynch counted the pinfall after a spectacular top rope dive from Vaquer. The full match is available to watch IF you’re a member of Club WWE. I’d like to see it, but I’m already shelling out enough dough to Spectrum TV and ESPN Unlimited. I miss WWE Network.
-Vic Joseph ran down next week’s card, inclucing the first two matches in the Dusty Rhodes Classic, Hail & Catalina vs. Jordan & Zaria, and Legacy, Fatu, and DVD vs. BirthRight.
(4) SAQUON SHUGARS vs. TONY D’ANGELO vs. MASON ROOK – NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat Match
Shugars tried stirring the pot with D’Angelo and Rook, but they swiped him out of the ring. While Rook caught his breath on the outside, Shugars and Tony D. battled in the ring. Rook came back in and started bodyslamming dads. He then slammed Shugars on top of D’Angelo and delivered a senton on both of them. D’Angelo threw Shugars with a couple of German suplexes, but held on for the third one. Rook attempted a German suplex on Shugars, but D’Angelo incredibly delivered a German suplex to both men. Tony D. slipped under Shugars as he attempted a superplex on Rook and hit a tower of doom before they cut to a split-screen commercial break. [c]
Panda Express asked if we’ve eaten yet before some lady sang about bug killers to the tune of a classic song by the late, great Bonnie Tyler before they returned to full-screen. Rook and D’Angelo battled while Shugars was slumped in the corner. With the other men down, Shugars took advantage and thumped on both of them. Shugars took it to the floor with D’Angelo, then got a near fall on Rook back in the ring. Rook squished Shugars in the corner, then got rolled up by D’Angelo for a two-count. He then executed a massive jackhammer on Rook for a near fall.
Shugars tried to cover D’Angelo with his feet on the ropes, but the referee caught it. D’Angelo launched Shugars off the ropes toward Rook, who caught him with a powerbomb for a near fall. D’Angelo and Rook slugged it out mid-ring before they both went tumbling to the floor.
A floor spot looked like it went awry with Shugars. Back in the ring, he covered Tony D. for what looked like would have been a three-count, but Tristan Angels pulled the referee out of the ring. Shugars left the ring to brawl with Angels while Rook hit a blue thunder bomb, followed by a super splash off the top rope onto D’Angelo for the win.
WINNER: Mason Rook at 14:08 to become the new #1 contender to the NXT Championship.
(Miller’s Take: Pretty decent triple threat match. Rook really needed that win, as his run in NXT thus far has been rather unimpressive. They’ve not built him up enough to be a credible contender, so I can’t say I’m particularly looking forward to that title match.)
-After the match, Grayson Waller must have finally stepped off the treadmill, as he jogged out to ringside to make a spectacle of himself.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Once again, light on matches and heavy on drama and offbeat shenanigans. The two tag team bouts were outstanding, and worth watching the show if only for that. It was good to see the nearly invisible Skylar Raye show her fiery side with her attack on Kali Armstrong. The surprise appearance of La Catalina was a pleasure. I am looking forward to the revived Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and anxious to see what the brackets are. See you next week!
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