WWE NXT Great American Bash June 28th, 2026 Results & Recap: Kendal Grey Wins NXT Women’s Title As Zaria vs. Tatum Paxley Steals The Show

Last night’s WWE NXT Great American Bash was a show that took its time getting where it needed to go, but when it finally landed, it landed with the right image: Kendal Grey standing tall as the new NXT Women’s Champion. The event had five title matches, multiple developmental storylines trying to justify premium live event placement, an AAA/NXT announcement that keeps the cross-promotional pipeline alive, and a main event that completely shifted the top of the women’s division. Not everything worked. Some matches felt stretched by commercial breaks, a few stories needed more urgency, and certain segments existed more to fill time than push the night forward. But the strongest parts of last night — Kendal Grey’s title win, Zaria and Tatum Paxley’s war, and Myles Borne vs. Tavion Heights’ technical fight — showed exactly why NXT’s women’s division remains the heartbeat of the brand and why the men’s mid-card still has pieces worth building around.

Here are the full results

• Tony D’Angelo (c) def. Naraku (NXT Championship)
• Zaria (c) def. Tatum Paxley (NXT Women’s North American Championship)
• Shiloh Hill def. Tristan Angels
• Wren Sinclair (c) def. Arianna Grace (WWE Women’s Speed Championship)
• Saquon Shugars def. Dion Lennox
• Myles Borne (c) def. Tavion Heights (NXT North American Championship)
• Kendal Grey def. Lola Vice (c) (NXT Women’s Championship)

Breakdowns & Reactions

Tony D’Angelo (c) vs. Naraku — NXT Championship

Tony D’Angelo opened last night with his eye still bandaged after Naraku’s fireball attack, and the match wasted no time getting physical. Tony jumped Naraku early with haymakers, Naraku went for a steel chair, and D’Angelo answered by spearing him through the LFG podium. That was easily the best visual of the opener because it made Tony look angry, not helpless.

Naraku’s strategy was exactly what it needed to be: attack the damaged eye, rake Tony’s face across the ropes, stomp him down, work the crossface, bite his way out of Tony’s STF and keep dragging the champion back into survival mode. Tony kept fighting through it with suplexes, a powerbomb out of the corner, German suplexes, a pop-up powerslam and finally Dead to Rights to retain.

The match did its job for Tony, but it hurt Naraku more than it helped him. After weeks of mystery, mind games and the fireball angle, Naraku needed to feel more dangerous than this. Tony winning was fine. Tony winning this cleanly after Naraku had every advantage made the challenger feel smaller than the build.

Grade: B-

What worked:

• Tony’s injured-eye selling gave the match a clear story.
• The spear through the LFG podium was a strong opening visual.
• Tony came off like a tough champion who refused to be stopped.

What didn’t work:

• Naraku lost too cleanly for someone built around danger and mystery.
• The match never became as violent or dramatic as the fireball angle promised.
• Starting the show with this made the finish feel even more abrupt.

Zaria (c) vs. Tatum Paxley — NXT Women’s North American Championship

This was the first match last night that truly felt like a PLE match.

Zaria and Tatum Paxley started with a tug-of-war over the championship, which perfectly captured the story. Tatum was not just trying to win a match; she was trying to reclaim the title she looked emotionally attached to. She headbutted Zaria, threw kicks, used the ring skirt, jumped on Zaria’s back from the crowd and kept throwing herself into danger.

Zaria responded like a monster champion. She cut Tatum off with headbutts, lariats, suplexes, corner attacks, a camel clutch and power offense that made the match feel meaner as it went on. The finishing stretch was excellent. Tatum hit the sunset flip powerbomb off the apron, cried while grabbing the title, avoided a belt shot, hit Cemetery Drive on the floor, then hit another Cemetery Drive in the ring. Zaria kicking out was huge.

From there, Zaria survived Tatum’s last push, blasted her with a spear, hit the F5, punished her with forearms and finished her with another F5. This did what a title defense is supposed to do: Zaria looked stronger leaving than she did entering, while Tatum lost without feeling less important.

Online reaction during and after the match leaned heavily into the idea that these two were stealing the show, and honestly, that reaction was earned.

Grade: A

What worked:

• Tatum’s desperation made the title feel important.
• Zaria looked like a violent, credible champion.
• The near-falls were dramatic without feeling cheap.
• The match had the best emotional escalation of the night.

What didn’t work:

• The finisher escalation got close to being too much.
• Tatum now needs a fresh direction so she does not become the “almost” challenger.

Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair backstage pep talk

Before Wren’s title defense and Kendal’s main event, NXT gave them a quiet emotional backstage moment. Wren and Kendal encouraged each other, with Wren telling Kendal not to focus on past title failures and to show the world she is not the future, she is the now.

It was simple, but it mattered more after the main event. This was not just a random babyface pep talk. It framed Wren as Kendal’s emotional anchor and made the final celebration feel earned instead of random.

Grade: B

What worked:

• It gave Kendal’s main-event story a little heart.
• It made Wren’s later celebration with Kendal feel connected.
• It helped establish WrenQCC as more than just a cute pairing.

What didn’t work:

• It could have used one sharper line to make the moment stick more.

Robert Stone announces Tuesday matches for Vanity Project

Robert Stone told Vanity Project that Jackson Drake will face Mason Rook on Tuesday and that Swipe Right will defend the NXT Tag Team Championship against El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno del Mal from AAA.

This was a strong utility segment because it actually mattered. It moved the AAA/NXT partnership forward, kept Vanity Project active and gave Tuesday’s NXT a reason to feel important instead of like a post-PLE cooldown.

Grade: B

What worked:

• Tuesday’s NXT immediately felt more loaded.
• The AAA involvement gives the tag title scene a fresh look.
• Vanity Project had direction coming out of last night.

What didn’t work:

• The segment was more announcement than drama.

Shiloh Hill vs. Tristan Angels

Shiloh Hill vs. Tristan Angels was the weirdest match on the show. The story came out of the Mr. NXT pageant, the stolen sash and Shiloh tormenting Angels, so this already felt more like an NXT television feud than a PLE feud.

The match had some decent physicality. Hill used his power early, Angels targeted the arm and shoulder, and they worked around Hill’s size advantage. But the match will be remembered for the under-the-ring sequence. Angels followed Hill underneath, a phone rang, a voice kept saying “the fog is coming,” and a masked figure attacked him before Hill somehow appeared outside.

That was pure NXT weirdness. It gave Hill something different, but the match was too long and the pacing hurt it badly. A 13-minute match with multiple commercial breaks for a sash feud is asking a lot. Hill winning with Whisper of the Beast was the right call, but this needed to be shorter and sharper.

Grade: C

What worked:

• Shiloh Hill has presence and a unique character hook.
• The under-ring horror bit was memorable.
• Hill winning was the right direction.

What didn’t work:

• The match went too long for the story.
• The commercials killed the flow.
• The spooky stuff was memorable, but not fully explained in a satisfying way.

Shiloh Hill post-match promo

After the match, Hill said he might not be pretty or perfect, but nobody sleeps on Shiloh Hill. That was a solid character line and fit the Mr. NXT story.

Grade: B-

What worked:

• It gave Hill a direct identity statement.
• It tied back into the pageant story without overdoing it.

What didn’t work:

• The promo was fine, but not strong enough to elevate the whole feud.

Nattie with Nikkita Lyons, Karmen Petrovic and Layla Diggs

Nattie spoke with Nikkita Lyons, Karmen Petrovic and Layla Diggs, praised them for listening and called Jaida Parker soft. Layla showed some hesitation, but Nattie shut it down.

This was a quiet continuation segment. It did not light up the show, but it kept Nattie in the manipulator role and kept Jaida Parker connected to a broader issue.

Grade: C+

What worked:

• Nattie feels comfortable as the veteran stirring the pot.
• Layla showing hesitation gave the group a little texture.

What didn’t work:

• The segment needed more urgency.
• Jaida’s side of the story still feels like it needs a stronger on-screen answer.

Wren Sinclair (c) vs. Arianna Grace — WWE Women’s Speed Championship

Wren Sinclair and Arianna Grace were fighting against the clock as much as each other, and that is still the biggest issue with the Speed Championship on a bigger stage. The match had a five-minute limit, so everything had to happen fast.

Grace tried to steal control with cheap offense, rollups and BirthRight energy. Wren fought back with a crossbody, palm strikes and a double-underhook suplex. Charlie Dempsey tried to get involved, Wren knocked him off the apron, Grace nearly stole it with an inside cradle, and Wren turned the match around with a cutter into the Final Wrench to retain by submission.

This was clean and functional, but it felt small compared to the rest of the card. Wren is good enough to be doing more than racing a clock.

Grade: C+

What worked:

• Wren retained decisively.
• Grace played the sneaky challenger well.
• The Final Wrench finish was clean and decisive.

What didn’t work:

• The Speed format limits the drama.
• Arianna’s character needs more time than this match allowed.
• It felt more like a TV segment than a PLE title match.

Robert Stone announces EK Prosper vs. El Hijo del Vikingo

Robert Stone also told EK Prosper that he earned an AAA Latin American Championship match against El Hijo del Vikingo on Tuesday. Prosper was excited, and the announcement added another strong AAA hook to the next episode of NXT.

Grade: B

What worked:

• It rewarded Prosper for his recent momentum.
• Vikingo on NXT gives Tuesday a major attraction.
• It makes the AAA crossover feel active and not cosmetic.

What didn’t work:

• The announcement was good, but it needed a stronger reaction from the rest of the roster.

Saquon Shugars vs. Dion Lennox

Saquon Shugars vs. Dion Lennox had one of the better storylines coming in because it came from DarkState turning on Shugars. The match started with trash talk and brawling, then Lennox targeted Shugars’ back with boots, backbreakers, leg work and power offense. Cutler James and Osiris Griffin appearing at ringside gave Lennox the advantage, and the story became Shugars fighting through the numbers and the damage.

Shugars rallied with a neckbreaker, kicks, a back body drop, a backbreaker into a flatliner, an enzuigiri and eventually the backsplash to win. The result was right. Shugars needed the victory. But the match itself did not hit the emotional level the breakup deserved.

Then DarkState attacked after the bell. Cutler and Osiris jumped Shugars, Lennox grabbed the bat and the group left him laying. That helped the faction get the last word, but it also created a weird issue: Shugars beat Dion, so the feud now needs a new wrinkle fast.

Grade: C+

What worked:

• Shugars winning was the right call.
• Lennox targeting the back gave the match structure.
• DarkState standing tall kept the feud alive.

What didn’t work:

• The match felt too long for the emotion it delivered.
• DarkState still does not feel as dangerous as NXT wants them to feel.
• Shugars needs progression, not just more beatdowns.

Tatum Paxley and Kelani Jordan brawl backstage

After losing to Zaria, Tatum said she felt empty without the Women’s North American Championship. Kelani Jordan interrupted, mocked her, said she keeps choking and called her pathetic. Tatum attacked her, and they brawled.

This was one of the better post-match direction segments last night. Tatum needed somewhere to go after failing to regain the title, and Kelani needed something sharper than simply being around the title picture. Their issue instantly makes sense: Tatum is spiraling, Kelani is bitter, and both believe they have been overlooked.

Grade: B+

What worked:

• It gave Tatum a direction immediately after the loss.
• Kelani came off more cutting and frustrated.
• The segment had real emotional logic.

What didn’t work:

• It should have been given a little more time to breathe.

Myles Borne (c) vs. Tavion Heights — NXT North American Championship

Myles Borne vs. Tavion Heights was the best men’s wrestling match last night. The former No Quarter Catch Crew connection gave the match a built-in story: two friends, two grapplers, one title, and Tavion’s frustration over still chasing his first championship.

They opened with technical wrestling, amateur exchanges, takedowns and counters before the match became more physical. Tavion worked the arm, hit suplexes, threw forearms, landed a shoulderbreaker and kept dragging Borne into the kind of fight he wanted. Borne answered with a fisherman suplex, Northern Lights suplex, powerslam, German suplex and eventually Borne Again out of nowhere to retain.

The wrestling was good. The finish was also fine. The issue is that the story kept teasing Tavion’s frustration without fully paying it off. A heel turn was sitting right there. NXT did not have to do it, but last night needed one major men’s division development and this felt like the spot.

Borne’s post-match promo was basic but effective. He said Tavion pushed him, praised him and promised to hold the North American Title for a long time. That is a strong champion line, but the division needs his next challenger to have more heat.

Grade: B

What worked:

• The technical wrestling stood out from the rest of the card.
• Tavion looked like a serious challenger.
• Borne retained in a clean champion’s finish.

What didn’t work:

• Tavion not snapping felt like a missed opportunity.
• The commercial-heavy structure hurt the match.
• The post-match respect was nice, but safe.

NXT Heatwave and AAA announcement

NXT announced that Heatwave and AAA will run back-to-back shows on August 30 in Edinburg, Texas. That is a significant announcement because it confirms the WWE/NXT/AAA relationship is not slowing down.

This was one of the most important non-match moments of the show. With Vikingo coming to NXT on Tuesday and AAA talent challenging for NXT gold, the crossover now feels like part of NXT’s weekly identity.

Grade: A-

What worked:

• It gives the NXT/AAA partnership a real destination.
• It makes Tuesday’s AAA-related matches feel more important.
• It creates a clear road beyond last night.

What didn’t work:

• The announcement could have used a stronger video package or bigger presentation.

Keanu Carver attacks Hank & Tank

The tailgate portion went from filler to useful when Keanu Carver showed up angry about EK Prosper getting a title opportunity. Carver destroyed the scene, laid waste to people around Hank & Tank and had to be pulled away by officials.

This worked because Keanu Carver does not need complicated booking. He needs destruction, resentment and bodies in his path. Prosper getting Vikingo while Carver is left angry gives Carver a simple motivation.

Grade: B

What worked:

• Carver looked dangerous.
• It connected directly to Prosper’s opportunity.
• It turned a filler segment into something meaningful.

What didn’t work:

• The tailgate setup around it still felt like time-filling.
• Hank & Tank were mostly used as props for Carver’s anger.

Lola Vice (c) vs. Kendal Grey — NXT Women’s Championship

This was the right main event and the right title change.

Lola Vice and Kendal Grey began with chain wrestling, rollups, takedowns and reversals before Lola started leaning into strikes and knees to the body. The crowd reaction was noticeable. Lola was not treated like the clear babyface champion. Kendal felt like the rising star the audience wanted to see crowned.

Kelani Jordan tried to get involved against Grey, but Wren Sinclair came out and chased her away. That protected the match and tied back into the Wren/Kendal story from earlier in the night.

Once the match settled, it became a strong clash of styles. Lola used body shots, German suplexes, strikes, an armbar, a rear naked choke, a guillotine and the backfist. Kendal answered with German suplexes, ankle lock attempts, smooth counters, Shades of Grey on the floor and slick transitions into submissions and pinning combinations.

The final stretch was excellent. Vice hit the spinning backfist, Grey immediately answered with a nasty back elbow, both women collapsed into a double pin, and the crowd bought into the moment with a “this is awesome” chant. Then Grey fought up, hit another Shades of Grey and pinned Lola to win the NXT Women’s Championship.

That finish mattered. Kendal had already been positioned as the future, but last night made her the present. Lola’s reign was short, but it does not feel like a burial. She had just made history defending the NXT Women’s Championship in AAA, and her presentation last night felt like someone who could easily move into a new chapter. Kendal, meanwhile, got the main event, the clean win, the emotional celebration and Wren Sinclair running out to share the moment.

This is how you crown someone.

Grade: A

What worked:

• Kendal’s win felt like a true coronation.
• Lola and Kendal blended grappling, striking and counters beautifully.
• The crowd reaction made the title change feel alive.
• Wren celebrating with Kendal paid off their earlier segment.
• The women’s division left last night with a fresh top champion.

What didn’t work:

• Lola’s reign ending this quickly may feel abrupt.
• Kendal still needs a stronger character hook beyond being extremely good in-ring.
• The commercial timing before the main event hurt the momentum.

Best Match or Segment of the Night

Best Match: Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice

Zaria vs. Tatum Paxley had the most violent match of the night and absolutely deserves praise, but the main event had the bigger stakes, the better payoff and the lasting image. Kendal Grey beating Lola Vice for the NXT Women’s Championship was the moment last night needed. It gave the show a real headline, validated Grey’s rise and made the women’s division feel like it had turned a page.

Grade: A

What worked:

• The right person won at the right time.
• The match delivered in the ring and in story.
• The ending felt important instead of random.

What didn’t work:

• The show took too long to get there.
• The pacing around the main event felt padded.

What Was Announced For This Tuesday On WWE NXT

• Jackson Drake vs. Mason Rook
• Swipe Right vs El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno del Mal (WWE NXT Tag Team Championship)
• EK Prosper vs El Hijo del Vikingo (AAA Latin American Championship)
• Jaida Parker vs. Karmen Petrovic

Final Thoughts

Last night’s NXT Great American Bash was carried by the women’s division. That is not a knock on the rest of the show; it is just the truth. Zaria and Tatum Paxley had the most physical match of the night, Wren Sinclair retained her title and stayed connected to Kendal Grey’s story, Kelani Jordan and Tatum instantly gave themselves a new issue, and Kendal Grey closed the show as the new NXT Women’s Champion.

The men’s side was more uneven. Tony D’Angelo retaining made sense, but Naraku lost too cleanly for the way he was built. Myles Borne and Tavion Heights wrestled well, but the story needed a stronger character beat. Saquon Shugars got the win, but DarkState still feels like a faction NXT is trying to convince people is hotter than it actually is. Shiloh Hill has something, but the Tristan Angels match felt more like an odd television experiment than a premium live event match.

The show was not perfect, and it dragged in spots. The commercial-heavy format hurt several matches, and the three-hour runtime made some segments feel padded. But the ending saved the night. Kendal Grey winning the NXT Women’s Championship gave last night a defining moment, and when a PLE ends with a new champion who feels like the right bet for the future, that matters.

Overall Show Grade: B+

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