WWE NXT Heatwave 2026 Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights

Welcome to the WWE NXT Heatwave recap, looking at the winners, highlights and live grades for all the action.

From the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas, NXT promised major title action and important moments that could reshape the brand into the fall.

From Tony D'Angelo vs. Grayson Waller vs. Cruz Montana vs. Zilla Fatu to Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan and The Vanity Project in-between, this was to be a show to remember.

Check out all the highlights and overall reaction below.

Women's NA and Speed Championship Unification: Zaria (c) vs. Wren Sinclair (c) vs. Kali Armstrong

Last Time in Action: Kali Armstrong defeated Kali Armstrong to qualify for this match (NXT, August 25); Wren Sinclair alongside Kendal Grey lost to Kali and Kelani Jordan (NXT, August 18).

All three women immediately went for pin attempts to quickly take the gold before the pace picked up. Wren ran over both women, only for Zaria to lay out her and Kali together with a Suplex.

Kali fired back with a Kali Connection outside on Zaria then went for another to Wren, but Wren ducked it, sending Kali shoulder-first into the steel steps leading the match into a Picture-in-Picture break.

Out of the break, all three women continued to deliver impactful offense, keeping it a three-woman race with no one resting long on the outside.

Kali caught Zaria with a Powerbomb, but Wren caught Kali with a Cruficix for a near-fall. Zaria caught both with Spears then Kali knocked Wren out of the ring with a Kali Connection.

Zaria reversed the Kali Connection into an F5, but much like their match in NXT, Kali reversed it into a Sunset Flip for a near-fall.

Wren broke it up and locked in the Final Wrench on Zaria. Kali pulled Wren out of the ring, only for Zaria to catch her with a Spear and F5 to win.

This was a hard-hitting, fast-paced opener that lived up to the moment as a unification battle.

While Kali probably did not need to be added last minute to this match, she played her role well throughout.

Wren was fired up for the big spotlight, and Zaria was electric as she has been consistently in NXT since her heel turn.

The only real surprise with Zaria's win is that she will now be a midcard champion longer in NXT as she could easily be the biggest threat to the NXT Women's Championship.

Wren and Kali are both ready to carry the midcard scene, and this loss puts them in an awkward position in this current messy women's division.

If the Women's Speed Championship is completely gone from NXT, the Men's Speed Championship should follow. The Speed concept has never truly worked in WWE.

Result

Zaria def. Kali and Wren by pinfall to unify the Women's North American Championship and Women's Speed Championship.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Unlike most triple threat matches in WWE, this was non-stop, focused on how all three women worked off one another.
• Kali absolutely looked like she belonged against two of the best veterans in the women's division.
• Booker T was clearly heavily behind Kali throughout.
• Despite being the home-state woman, Wren did not get the overwhelming cheers of a crowd that seemed a bit tired after AAA Ola de Calor.

NXT Tag Team Championships: Myles Borne and Tavion Heights (c) vs. Vanity Project

Connor Kvatek/WWE via Getty Images

Tavion Heights and Myles Borne

Last Time in Action: Myles Borne and Tavion Heights defeated Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes to become the new NXT tag team champions (NXT, August 4).

Heights started the match to protect Borne, but Borne tagged in and got cheap shot by Smokes.

This allowed Vanity Project to begin isolating Borne, slamming him outside followed by a Springboard Knee Drop to the back into the PIP break.

Just before returning from break, Heights got the hot tag and almost made Baylor tap out to an Ankle Lock upon the return to live action.

Smokes saved Baylor multiple times before turning the tide, allowing Borne time to recover and arrive in time for a hot tag by his partner.

While the North American champion fired back, he was clearly hurt, needing the help of Heights to keep the momentum.

Heights and Borne hit a combination Powerbomb/Dropkick on Baylor, but Smokes Speared Borne into the pin to break it up.

Heights managed to Superplex Baylor on Smokes, knocking down all four men. Heights Clotheslined Smokes out of the ring, but Borne planted Baylor with an X-Plex for a near-fall.

Baylor then sent Borne into Heights to set up Hit It and Quit It for the victory.

This started slow and got better after the break, but it was clear that Heights was doing the heavy lifting in this match, only to constantly put Borne in compromised positions.

The final stretch was solid, allowing all four men to sell the damage of the match, but it never felt like Vanity Project did enough to believably pin the North American champion.

Was there a point to Borne and Heights winning the tag titles only to lose them weeks later? The same match could have played out with Borne and Heights as the challengers.

Vanity Project is clearly a priority team for NXT. However, NXT has not set up enough believable teams to beat this crew, especially since Borne and Heights are not likely to go back after that gold.

Result

Smokes and Baylor def. Borne and Heights by pinfall to become the new NXT tag team champions.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Before the match, backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviewed a confident Cruz Montana, promising the win.
• Booker T justifiably called out Heights and Borne coming out separately as tag team champions.
• Tavion got the hot tag during the break, which felt mistimed.
• In an amusing spot, Baylor started a hip thrust taunt, only to realize his injured ankle made it too hard to do.
• After the loss, Heights clearly lingered behind Borne, teasing a heel turn again but not delivering yet.

Submission: Nattie vs. Jaida Parker

Harry Aaron/WWE via Getty Images

Jaida Parker and Nattie

Last Time in Action: Nattie defeated Thea Hail (NXT, August 18); Jaida Parker alongside Hail defeated Karmen Petrovic and Nikita Lyons (NXT, August 4).

Jaida quickly laid out Nattie on the outside, even with Petrovic and Nikita trying to distract her, standing tall into the PIP break.

Back from break, Nattie and Ms. Parker traded submissions to wear one another down until The Low-Key Legend fully took over.

Los Perros del Mal arrived to call Petrovic back, and she walked away from Nikita.

Jaida managed to turn the tide with a Teardrop. Nattie avoided the Hipnotic, but Ms. Parker rolled into a Rings of Saturn. The Low-Key Legend rolled free, stomped on Jaida then locked in a Rear-Naked Choke.

Ms. Parker fought free, only to get caught again into a Sharpshooter.

Jaida managed to crawl all the way to the floor where Nikita blasted Ms. Parker with a vicious kick. Hail ran off Nikita in response.

Ms. Parker fought off more Sharpshooter attempts, chopping at the knee of Nattie to set up her own Sharpshooter to force the submission.

While Nattie put over Jaida big in this match, the actual contest felt flat. The over-reliance on interference until the home stretch distracted from the core technical struggle in the ring.

Jaida never looked comfortable with her submission offense, especially the Sharpshooter.

Nattie tapping out clean to a Sharpshooter when Jaida has her own established submission in the Rings of Saturn was also an unnecessary move.

From an NXT perspective, this is a huge win for Ms. Parker, who should go for gold sooner than later. She could even be Zaria's next challenger.

However, from a performance perspective, this showed Jaida has a ways to go in the ring to work at a top level despite her lengthy NXT experience.

Result

Jaida def. Nattie by submission.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments and Observations

• NXT highlighted this feud with the first video package of the night, selling why this is the only non-title match on the card.
• It was announced that there were no rope breaks in this contest, which played into the home stretch of the contest.
• It seems like NXT and AAA are finally starting to align their booking on wrestlers, particularly showing Petrovic is more loyal to her AAA crew than Nattie.

NXT Women's Championship: Kendal Grey (c) vs. Kelani Jordan

Last Time in Action: Kelani Jordan alongside Kali Armstrong defeated Kendal Grey alongside Wren Sinclair (NXT, August 18).

Lani and Grey answered each other move for move and blow for blow into the PIP break, clearly showcasing their familiarity.

Jordan went after the ear and head of Grey to take over out of the break. This left the champion struggling, even in her comeback, almost stumbling on a Moonsault.

Grey dropped the straps but was quickly countered by Lani, who continued to target the ear by ripping off the bandages.

Grey caught Jordan with a Scoop Slam for a near-fall then went for Shades of Grey, but Lani caught the ropes and laid out Grey.

Lani went for a 450 Splash, but Grey ducked it and locked in an Ankle Lock. Lani fought free and sent the champion ear-first off the top onto the announce table.

Jordan followed up with a One of a Kind, but Grey managed to still kick out, pushing the match into a commercial break.

Right back from break, Grey caught Jordan on the top rope with a Reverse Spanish Fly. Lani responded with an impressive Somersault Springboard Cutter.

Lani fought off a Gutwrench Suplex, only for Grey to turn the Gutwrench into a vicious Knee Lift that Booker T compare to a GTS.

Grey ducked a Roundhouse Kick into an Ankle Lock. Lani countered with leg strength, planting the champion on the ear.

Lani's 450 Splash was still not enough to seal the win, but after arguing with the referee, Jordan walked right into a Shades of Grey. Jordan still managed to kick out.

Lani fought off an Ankle Lock and Armbar then went for a Springboard Press, Grey ducked and caught Lani with a Back Elbow but fell out of the ring.

As Grey returned, Jordan whipped Grey ear first into the steel of the turnbuckle followed by a One of a Kind Moonsault to win.

Grey and Jordan have unreal chemistry, and it was on display at another level in this latest battle between these rivals.

The back-and-forth sequences were unreal, worked at a pace that could rival anything on the main roster while also playing well around the ear injury of Grey.

It became increasingly more real that Lani could beat Grey, and she did just that in what still felt like an upset.

Jordan is arguably the best veteran left in NXT, and she deserved to complete the Triple Crown by capturing the NXT Women's Championship before she gets the call-up.

Grey might end up reclaiming that gold, but Lani should keep the title until main roster is ready to call her up. Grey has plenty of fun challenges to overcome on her road back to the title.

The biggest problem with this match was the awkward timing of the second break that did not allow the women to build naturally off the finisher near-fall.

There is nothing Grey and Jordan could do to avoid that, but NXT could have picked a better spot for the break to still allow these two women the time they needed.

The women's division remains NXT's strongest division, and it may have been a mistake for NXT to not end with this match.

Result

Jordan def. Grey by pinfall to become the new NXT women's champion.

Grade

A

Notable Moments and Observations

• Backstage, Wren Sinclair asked Grey if she made a mistake putting her gold on the line, but the champion reminded her that she did not get pinned and would get gold back soon.
• The hype package for this match sold the history between these two and the threat of Lani to Grey's title reign.
• Booker was right again in calling out that there is no reason this should be Jordan's first-ever NXT Women's Championship opportunity.
• Vic Joseph called out this was because Lani lost nine No. 1 contender opportunities, but that just feels like an indictment on NXT booking.
• Lani and Grey have such electric chemistry that even the PIP break action was must-watch.
• Even for the best action of the night, this crowd was awkwardly flat in their responses beyond a nice "This is Awesome" chant late.

North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Jackson Drake (w/ Vanity Project)

Last Time in Action: Myles Borne alongside Tavion Heights lost to Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes (NXT Heatwave, August 30); Jackson Drake defeated Shiloh Hill to earn himself and his boys title opportunities at Heatwave (NXT, August 18).

Baylor, Smokes and Myka Lockwood arrived with Drake, causing early issues or a banged-up Borne, until Tavion Heights arrived to watch The Vanity Project.

Drake and Borne both tumbled to the floor off a Suplex into the PIP break. Borne tried to fight back out of the break, but Drake's speed continued to cause him problems.

The champion planted Drake with multiple Powerbombs then sent Drake running before a Tope Suicida.

As Drake rolled back inside, checked on by the referee, Myka laid out Borne with a Pumphandle Powerslam followed by a 450 Splash for the victory to complete The Vanity Project sweep.

Afterward, Heights helped up Borne, only to get laid out with a Borne Again by his friend.

Borne and Drake are too talented to not deliver in the ring, but this was far-too forgettable for their talent level.

Borne especially never felt like he was working at a PLE level for either of his matches. Meanwhile, Drake worked this like he has most of his recent TV matches, good enough but not elevating his game.

Drake winning though was the right decision. He is the fresh man with a big winning streak behind him.

Someone is going to need to figure out all of Vanity Project to bring them down because this stable has finally reached its most dangerous form.

After multiple teases with Heights, Borne turning heel is so much more interesting. Heights deserves a shot to show that he can be a top babyface in NXT in this rivalry.

Result

Drake def. Borne by pinfall to become the new North American champion.

Grade

C-

Notable Moments and Observations

• Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interview Robert Stone, who announced that NXT's next PLE would be Halloween Havoc on Halloween night.
• In the locker room, Borne and Heights agreed that things went wrong earlier, but Borne needed to even the score with Vanity Project.
• In a pre-taped, Naraku warned Shiloh Hill that he should stop looking into what he does not understand.
• During the PIP break, Schreiber made a surprise appearance in a Jacuzzi ad.
• After the match, in a pre-tape, Kam Hendrix called out Mason Rook ahead of their match on NXT.
• In the latest NXT Origins, Gunther walked up his evolution through NXT UK and NXT to become who he is today.

NXT Championship: Tony D'Angelo (c) vs. Grayson Waller vs. Cruz Montana vs. Zilla Fatu

Andrea Kellaway/WWE via Getty Images

Tony D'Angelo and Zilla Fatu

Last Time in Action: Grayson Waller vs. Cruz Montana went to a no contest following the arrival of Zilla Fatu (NXT, August 11); Tony D'Angelo successfully defended the NXT Championship against Naraku in a Street Fight (NXT, July 21). This was Zilla's debut NXT match.

Announcer Mike Rome felt the energy in the arena and ducked outside instead of the usual championship introductions. Waller then cheap shot D'Angelo to start the match off.

This started a brawl that continued until Montana dived onto the field outside to send the match into commercial break.

The action kept rolling out of the break, boiling down by Montana and Zilla, who exchanged strikes in the center of the ring.

Zilla won the exchange with a knife-edge throat thrust, but he ran into a bigger D'Angelo, who knocked him down with a shoulder tackle.

The champion continued to dominate with his size and physicality, sending Waller flying with a Belly-to-Belly Superplex into the final PIP break.

Back from the break, D'Angelo and Zilla helped set up Waller to take a Tower of Doom courtesy of Montana.

Zilla caught D'Angelo with an Uso Splash. Montana jumped on the pin to break it up right into a Canadian Destroyer on Waller.

A running Samoan Spike to D'Angelo should have sealed the win for Zilla, but Waller ripped the referee out of the ring.

Waller raked the eyes of Zilla, allowing D'Angelo to Spear Zilla. Montana set up Zilla on an announce table, and Waller sent Zilla through it with an Elbow Drop.

The impact hurt Waller, leaving D'Angelo and Montana alone in the ring. The champion ducked Spin the Block and hit a Spear. He went for the Spinebuster but ran into a Spin the Block.

Waller caught Montana with a Stunner and stole the pin on D'Angelo to win the NXT Championship.

From an unpredictability perspective, this made sense to main event, and it was the second-best match of the night.

However, it was more of a sprint than a story, and the crowd was invested but not overly loud for much of the action.

D'Angelo and Montana were the snappiest performers in this match, delivering explosive offense throughout. Zilla played his typical beats for a fresh audience that was very into him winning.

This allowed Waller to ruin Zilla's moment to the biggest reaction of the night and follow up with a welcome yet still somewhat surprising win.

This was the right move as it gives Zilla a longer road to earn his top spot and gives NXT more chance to test if he is actually ready for it.

This also makes a clear top heel for all of the babyfaces to chase going forward, especially Montana given the finish.

D'Angelo lost clean and has little argument for a rematch, so this could be his swan song in NXT if main roster is ready to give him a shot.

At this point, he has accomplished everything as the only NXT Grand Slam champion and should be treated well in WWE where he will need to find more character to truly shine.

Result

Waller def. D'Angelo, Montana and Zilla by pinfall to become the new NXT champion.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• In the main event hype package, NXT heavily highlighted Fatu as the biggest threat to D'Angelo.
• D'Angelo's entrance presentation looks big time in an arena and should translate well to the main roster if WWE keeps treating him as a big deal.
• Zilla was clearly the most popular star in the match. D'Angelo got booed when he took him down in one-on-one exchange.
• The champion had to deliver some of the most explosive offense of the match to finally get some cheers from a crowd that was obviously tired.
• These four lasted about 10 minutes before the "We Want Tables" chant began.

Before the main event, Vic Joseph talked up the card for next week's NXT:

• Naraku vs. Shiloh Hill.
• Kam Hendrix vs. Mason Rook.
• Nikita Lyons vs. Thea Hail.
• Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno vs. Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux.

A graphic during the main event also confirmed Kelani Jordan would be there to speak on her title win.

Final Word

It was a night of highs and lows for NXT. The top title matches were great, especially the fantastic Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan match.

The championship changes give NXT a fresh look going forward and should make the show exciting again.

However, the undercard noticeably underdelivered, especially the double title match for Myles Borne.

Hopefully a fresh heel turn will give a Borne a chance to redeem a rough night, but this was supposed to be a major spotlight night for him.

Jaida Parker vs. Nattie was also a better story than match for Ms. Parker, and she did not pass her potential main-roster test, which could leave her back in NXT for a while longer.

This will go down as a memorable night for NXT in terms of moments but may be mostly forgotten for the in-ring action.

Final Grade: C+