
The January 13, 2026, edition of WWE NXT emanated from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL. The 2026 version of NXT is one in the making. Oba Femi vacated the NXT Championship, listening to the call of the main roster. Jordynne Grace and Trick Williams are now on SmackDown, while Je’Von Evans is now on Raw.
Four matches were advertised for this NXT episode. Joe Hendry faces Dion Lennox in a no-DQ match, with DarkState and OTM at ringside. Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan will try to end their war. The TNA International title will be defended, with two NXT talents squaring off: Stacks and Shiloh Hill. The WWE Speed title is also on the line.
Also, NXT General Manager Ava will address the future of the NXT Championship. The new NXT Women’s North American Champion, Izzi Dame, will also be there. Main roster calls, new talents, new Champions: a new chapter of NXT’s history is about to be written. Because TNA is involved, let’s Nygma dive into what happened last night.
Let @blakehowardwwe and @MrStoneWWE get us ready for another wild night on #WWENXT!
8e/7c on @TheCW pic.twitter.com/he6kvGFmVH
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 14, 2026
Ava said that she was kicking off the episode. With the NXT roster around the ring, Ricky Saints came as he also had things to say. Oba Femi, Trick Williams, and Je’Von Evans were too afraid of him to stay. He is the present, they are the past. “Ricky Saints is the then, the now, the forever, and the together.” He looked at the people around the ring as the future.
Saints thought Ava would hand him the NXT title. He deserves an opportunity, like all the guys around the ring. On February 3, there will be a 6-Man Ladder match for the NXT Championship. The qualifying matches will debut next week. The “future” jumped in the ring, and a brawl erupted. Keanu Carver stood tall in the end (it was revealed earlier on social media that Vanity Project, Eli Knight, and Keanu Carver are now taking over Tuesday nights).
Lola Vice continues to rack up wins as she knocked Kelani Jordan out. Jordan’s new edge served her well, but Vice executed an expert counter of her Split Legged Moonsault by locking in a triangle submission. Jordan persevered and managed to roll up her opponent. The referee caught her using the ropes for leverage. Vice capitalized on the ensuing argument by connecting with her Spinning Backfist. She then told Izzi Dame she is coming for the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Jasper Troy retained the Men’s Speed Championship in thrilling fashion against Tavion Heights. With just under a minute remaining, Troy hit a massive Black Hole Slam to retain his title. After the match, Lexis King appeared and attacked Heights.
Backstage, Kendal Grey was about to ask for a Women’s Championship opportunity. ZaRuca arrived and said that they would deserve it more than them. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne shut them up as she was having a meeting with Ava. The General Manager announced that she was not talking about the Women’s Championship, but the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team title. She spoke to TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella, and one NXT team will have a chance at the title. WrenQCC, Fatal Influence, and ZaRuca will face off next week to determine who’s going to TNA Wrestling and try to dethrone the Champions.
ZaRuca vs. WrenQCC vs. Fatal Influence.
The winner will earn a shot at the @ThisIsTNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship! pic.twitter.com/ZBODDTbasJ
— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2026
Backstage, Ethan Page came to say to Ava that he is ready for the NXT Championship qualifying matches. Ava told him he’s not a part of them. Page thought that he earned a spot without qualifying. In fact, he’s not in the match. Ava quieted him, saying the North American title deserves all the spotlight. Page will defend it next week against the French Luchador, Elio LeFleur, in his debut match.
Blake Monroe is the Glamour, the Standard, and the most complete woman in NXT. No one can compare to her. She is the Move and the Spotlight. Monroe justified her actions last week, saying she didn’t lose control; she lost patience with a system that doesn’t seem to understand her. “There are stars, and there are women who spend their careers…” The returning Jaida Parker wanted to cut Monroe off, but Miss Blake & Black attacked her. Parker replied violently.
No need to talk it out. @Jaida_Parkerwwe is back!!! pic.twitter.com/6Dzl3rgIWP
— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2026
The TNA International Championship remains with Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo thanks to an assist from Arianna Grace. Shiloh Hill looked to have the hard-hitting match won with an inside cradle, but Grace shoved the two Superstars, which shifted the weight and allowed Stacks to score the win. Stacks will now have to defend the title at TNA Genesis this Saturday night.
“This was calculation, timing, and simply outsmarting everyone else.” Izzi Dame made the most of an opportunity to become Women’s North American Champion. Even if she lost her match against Tatum Paxley last week, Dame learnt that emotions can be strengths, instead of weaknesses. An unhinged Tatum Paxley attacked Dame. Unhinged to the point of dropping an official.
Tatum has lost it!
Trying to get to @izzi_wwe, @TatumPaxley dropped an official!! pic.twitter.com/2QqR2FOLsr
— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2026
Backstage, Ricky Saints announced that he talked to Ava and already has a spot in the February 3 Ladder match. He will be watching next week’s qualifying matches. Eli Knight will face Sean Legacy, while Shiloh Hill will square off with Josh Briggs.
Before the match, backstage, The Vanity Project and Keanu Carver said that they were ready to take NXT over. Joe Hendry defeated Dion Lennox and DarkState, but he didn’t do it on his own terms. OTM had Joe Hendry’s back. DarkState came to support Lennox. The no-DQ stipulation allowed any interference in the match, and there was some. OTM and DarkState even brawled.
Hendry went through a table, back first. When Lennox was prepared to attack Hendry with a steel chair, Tony D’Angelo appeared and laid him out, only to attack Hendry as well. D’Angelo then dragged Hendry over the lifeless Lennox before destroying a lot of NXT security officials. D’Angelo didn’t say a word; he just stared at Ava.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?
TONY D'ANGELO HAS TAKEN OUT DION LENNOX AND JOE HENDRY!! @TonyDangeloWWE pic.twitter.com/son1Vl5C8z
— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2026
This episode was one big mess. Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, Blake Monroe, and Izzi Dame talked for the sake of talking. The in-ring action was good. For the first time since André the Giant, a French wrestler will have a chance at a WWE title. That’s all I will say about it; I don’t want to look too “French.” The 2026 version of NXT is in the making, definitely. Let’s say the start is slow. And what about NXT Vengeance Day? No 2026 edition? I’ll see you next week as I keep on exploring the NXT world through the NXTNA “cold war.” Till then, may the Nygma be with you.
Simply no words.
Tony D'Angelo is on a warpath, and wiping out anyone in his way…@TonyDangeloWWE pic.twitter.com/xOWhaH3HWW
— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2026
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