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

The NXT landscape experienced a seismic shift at Heatwave 2026 in Edinburg, TX with almost every major championship changing hands.

Grayson Waller is now the new NXT champion after outlasting Tony D'Angelo, Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu in an electric Fatal 4-Way match. The first edition of NXT after Heatwave was bound to see several stars step up for the next shot at the prize.

The women's division also received a considerable shakeup with Kelani Jordan knocking off Kendal Grey in an excellent outing at Heatwave to clinch the NXT Women's Championship. Tuesday's scheduled bout between Thea Hail and Nikkita Lyons could determine the No. 1 contender.

Elsewhere, Mason Rook collided with Kam Hendrix, Naraku battled Shiloh Hill and the duo of Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno took on Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux in tag team action.

Here are the complete results, grades and reaction for the post-Heatwave edition of WWE NXT on Sept. 1.

Zilla Fatu Addresses His Heatwave Loss

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

Zilla Fatu kicked off the show to discuss coming close to capturing the NXT Championship and how his sights are still set on the gold, only to be interrupted by Tristan Angels to a chorus of boos.

Angels said there is less talent to be found the further down The Bloodline you go. He criticized Fatu for not being worthy of being a champion, which is why he fell short at Heatwave.

Fatu demanded a fight with Angels, dodged an attack from him and sent him fleeing from the ring, much to the delight of the crowd.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

• This segment was very basic and the mic work wasn't anything special, but it did serve its purpose of setting up a match between the two for later in the night. It was a perfectly acceptable way to kick off the show, albeit not the most exciting opening segment.
• Fatu has already shown signs of potential and is clearly comfortable on the mic. There's definitely room for improvement, but the building blocks are there.
• Angels has exclusively been utilized as a stepping stone since debuting in NXT a few months ago, so while he's hardly a threat to Fatu or anyone toward the top of the card for that matter, he's a fine choice as an opponent for Fatu to give Fatu a bit of a momentum boost.

Shiloh Hill vs. Naraku

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

Last Time in Action: Shiloh Hill lost to Jackson Drake (NXT, Aug. 18); Naraku lost to Tony D'Angelo (NXT, July 21).

Naraku made an enemy out of Shiloh Hill by misting him in the face a few weeks back and costing him a win against Jackson Drake. The action was back-and-forth early on here, but Naraku scored the advantage going into the commercial break after laying out Hill at ringside and ripping off the top of the commentary table.

Post-commercial, Naraku continued to chop Hill, leading to an exchange of blows as the bout progressed. In the closing moments, Naraku feigned misting Hill in the face again, but tricked him by rubbing it in his eyes while the referee was distracted.

Result

Naraku defeated Shiloh Hill.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments and Observations

• This is a good feud to keep Naraku busy now that he's failed twice to take the NXT Championship. His role in NXT primarily should be to help elevate the lesser-experienced talent and Hill is as perfect of a candidate as anyone.
• Naraku's matches have a tendency to be rather tedious unless there's some sort of a stipulation. This was one of his better outings since joining NXT as Hill never ceases to bring the energy.
• Hill will be completely fine despite the defeat here. The rivalry is just getting underway, and after Hill beat Tristan Angels in back-to-back bouts over the summer, Naraku needed this victory more than Hill did.

Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar vs. Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

Last Time in Action: Romeo Moreno, Noam Dar and Saquon Shugars lost to DarkState (NXT, July 21); Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux lost to DarkState (NXT, July 14).

A backstage segment that aired earlier in the episode established that this match was set up so these teams could get closer to NXT Tag Team Championship contention.

Right out of the gate, they worked a fun and frantic pace as you'd expect. Soon after Dorian Van Dux tagged in, he turned Noam Dar inside out with a vicious clothesline.

Although Dar and Moreno briefly regained the upper hand by locking in simultaneous ankle locks, Legacy and Van Dux retaliated by blasting them into the ring apron prior to the commercial break.

A little later on, Dar locked in an armbar on Legacy while Moreno took out Van Dux with a top-rope suplex. Legacy then broke out of the armbar by slamming Dar into Moreno with a powerbomb.

Moreno and Van Dux both showed off their aerial offense on the outside. An impressive double-team cutter maneuver was not enough to put Legacy away. Despite minor miscommunication between Dar and Moreno, Dar got his knees up as Legacy attempted a high-risk move and eked out the win.

Result

Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno defeated Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux.

Grade

B

Notable Moments and Observations

• Immediately following Dar and Moreno's victory, they were attacked by the returning Creed Brothers, who left NXT for the main roster almost three years ago. They were dressed a little differently than what we're used to seeing them in, so they might be in line for a slight repackaging now that they're back on their own and away from Chad Gable.
• These are two of the more entertaining teams in NXT right now, so it was cool that they got the chance to showcase their skills against each other. This was a quality sprint and a nice win for Dar and Moreno, who especially gel well as partners.
• NXT's tag team division has been depleted for quite a while, so hopefully this match as well as The Creeds being back is a sign that the brand is going to start taking tag team wrestling more seriously going forward.

Kelani Jordan Celebrates Her NXT Women's Championship Victory

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

Kelani Jordan was out in the ring to once again brag about being underrated, which isn't exactly accurate now that she's NXT women's champion.

Nonetheless, she boasted about having one of Sunday's best women's matches in what felt like a subtle shot at the equally exceptional AEW Women's World Championship bout at All Elite Wrestling's All In.

Jordan brought up how she heard that the former champ Kendal Grey was supposed to revolutionize the division, yet she lost the NXT Women's title in just two months. She said that Grey's sidekick Wren Sinclair can help her heal.

Jordan acknowledged how she's won gold in her first opportunity at every championship she's competed for. Jaida Parker then emerged and said that she's ready for a shot after settling her score with Nattie, also mentioning she's already beaten Jordan one-on-one.

Parker wanted the title match right then and there, but Jordan told her she'd have to wait next week.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments and Observations

• Jordan has improved immensely on the mic since turning heel late last year and that was evident in this promo. She exuded confidence and delivered her lines remarkably well.
• It's logical that Parker would be next up for a title shot since she's coming off one of her biggest wins yet over Nattie at Heatwave. However, it's unfortunate that she's probably losing, and after that, there isn't an obvious direction for her outside of being called up to the main roster.
• It's surprising that Jordan vs. Parker for the NXT Women's Championship has been booked for next week's episode. You'd think they'd save that for a bigger stage, but perhaps it'll be the beginning of a series of matches over the next month or two.

Thea Hail vs. Nikkita Lyons

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

Last Time in Action: Thea Hail lost to Nattie (NXT, Aug. 18); Nikkita Lyons and Karmen Petrovic lost to Hail and Jaida Parker (NXT, Aug. 4).

Thea Hail has been feuding with Nattie's crew, which includes Nikkita Lyons, over the last month. She lost to Natalya two weeks ago and was embarrassed afterward by being put in a second Sharpshooter, so this allowed her to regain some momentum.

They took the fight to each other as soon as the bell rang. Both women showed good fire throughout and made the most of the time they had.

A big right hand nearly earned Lyons the win, as did a clever counter from Hail shortly thereafter. Lyons missing a Vader Bomb allowed Hail to capitalize and nail Lyons with a Hail Mary off the second rope for the win.

Result

Thea Hail defeated Nikkita Lyons.

Grade

C

Notable Moments and Observations

• Nothing against this match, as they paced themselves well and packed quite a bit into the few minutes they were allotted, but it felt like filler. The best thing it had going for it was the result, as Hail should benefit from the win if she can keep rolling.
• You'd never know Lyons is the Evolve Women's Champion other than the fact she brings a belt with her to the ring. She's definitely not booked like a champion on this show despite how frequently she's featured.
• NXT has never consistently featured Hail in any sort of meaningful role on her own, so fingers crossed this is the start of something bigger for her, and that her alliance with Jaida Parker isn't leading to her being betrayed anytime soon.

Mason Rook vs. Kam Hendrix

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

Last Time in Action: Kam Hendrix def. Mason Rook (NXT, Aug. 11).

Kam Hendrix cheated to beat Mason Rook in their last one-on-one encounter three weeks ago.

Rook got revenge by costing Hendrix a recent match with Keanu Carver, and he came into this contest without a televised singles win on his record.

Not happy with Hendrix being a thorn in his side as of late, Rook rushed Hendrix during his entrance. Hendrix gained control within the first minute or two, before Rook planted him with a great-looking Blue Thunder Bomb.

Hendrix attempted to expose the turnbuckle for the second straight time against Rook but was thwarted, culminating in Rook scoring the decisive victory.

Result

Mason Rook defeated Kam Hendrix.

Grade

C+

Notable Moments and Observations

• It made sense for Thea Hail vs. Nikkita Lyons to be on the shorter side, but why was this so brief? That was a throwaway singles match, whereas this was the rematch as part of a long-running rivalry. Instead, it felt like an afterthought.
• Yes, Rook shockingly hadn't won a singles match on NXT TV until now. It's unbelievable that it took this long, but with any luck, this will mark the start of a winning record for him.
• Hendrix is rather average in his current role. He can hold his own in the ring, but there isn't anything interesting about his character. There's no need for this feud to continue, but a rubber match with a stipulation wouldn't be a massive shocker.

Zilla Fatu vs. Tristan Angels

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

Last Time in Action: Zilla Fatu lost to Grayson Waller in a four-way (NXT Heatwave, Aug. 30); Tristan Angels lost a four-way to EK Prosper (NXT, Aug. 18).

Tristan Angels' entrance wasn't televised, so that automatically gave away the outcome. That said, this wasn't a squash by any means as Angels scored plenty of offense before eating defeat.

Fatu dominated the early goings before Angels kicked him off the top rope. Down the stretch, Fatu hit his signature superkick, Samoan Drop and a running Samoan Spike for the three count.

This show must have been rushed because Birth Right came out almost as soon as Fatu's music hit upon winning. Lexis King, who was forced to relinquish the WWE Speed Championship backstage earlier in the show, offered Fatu a spot in the stable.

Fatu didn't waste any time in turning down the offer and kicking King in the mouth for good measure.

Result

Zilla Fatu defeated Tristan Angels.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments and Observations

• Similar to most of the other matches on this show, there wasn't a ton to this bout, but it was solid for what it was. The purpose was to get Fatu back in the win column, but Angels deserves credit for being a fun foil for him.
• They told the story that Fatu needed to prove himself as an NXT Championship challenger again. Needless to say, a win over Angels won't be enough, nor will a win over any member of Birth Right, but it's a step in the right direction.
• WWE making both the men's and women's Speed Championships defunct coming out of Heatwave is such a blessing. Those belts have been pointless since the moment they were introduced on the brand, so their erasure was overdue. Nothing of value was lost.

Grayson Waller Addresses His Opps

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

Grayson Waller was quick to point out how everyone was upset over him winning the NXT Championship at Heatwave, specifically picking on Robert Stone and Vic Joseph at ringside.

He thanked himself for everything he did to make his title win possible and addressed Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis by saying that he'll get back to Raw or SmackDown when he's ready. He also dismissed his Heatwave opponents Zilla Fatu, Cruz Montana and Tony D'Angelo and said Montana was only "TNA good."

That brought out a slew of frustrated faces to stake their claim at a championship opportunity: Saquon Shugars, Montana, EK Prosper, Mason Rook, D'Angelo and Keanu Carver. Carver came up with the idea that Stone should book a six-man tag team match for NXT next week with the winners advancing to a number one contender's Triple Threat on the subsequent show.

A brawl broke out as the show faded to black.

Grade

C-

Notable Moments and Observations

• What a mess. Waller getting some time to shine was necessary in the wake of his NXT Championship victory, but the rest of this segment was way too rushed and felt like a revolving door of promos with nothing standing out as memorable.
• On the bright side, we have a better idea of what the NXT Championship picture will look like for the foreseeable future, and the next two NXT TV main events have been set.
• From a storyline standpoint, why wouldn't Fatu have joined the other babyfaces in clamoring for a championship shot? It's not as if he accepted the offer from Birth Right and prioritized them instead. In reality, NXT is presumably holding off on him as a top title contender, but it doesn't make sense canonically.

Overall Show

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

NXT gradually gained steam as the summer progressed and it paid off wonderfully with that above-average Heatwave event on Sunday night. The main objective of this episode of NXT was to maintain that momentum, and although it was an admirable effort, it could have been stronger.

Heatwave was all about the in-ring action, and it felt like that same sense of urgency was missing from this show. Of the several matches we were treated to, only the tag team match is worth seeking out.

Other highlights included the progression in the NXT Championship and the NXT Women's Championship scenes. The segment with Kelani Jordan and Jaida Parker was well done, but the show-closing segment was disappointing outside of Grayson Waller's promo.

The positive news is that enough has changed in NXT in the last seven days that there should still be some optimism toward the product in the weeks ahead. This was a rather run-of-the-mill type of show, mostly due to its subpar execution, but all of the new champions that were crowned at Heatwave should give the brand a fresh coat of paint that results in better shows once it hits its stride again.

Final Grade

C+

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.