As the first full month of 2026 gets underway, WWE NXT returns tonight with a pivotal show that could redefine the brand’s landscape for the next several months. Last week at NXT: New Year’s Evil, fans were treated to shocking twists and emotional turns — Izzi Dame captured the NXT Women’s North American Championship in stunning fashion, while Oba Femi left the NXT Championship in the ring after defending it, prompting WWE to officially vacate the title and task General Manager Ava with charting its future.

Tonight’s card continues the momentum with championship defenses, a heated No Disqualification grudge match, and multiple storylines that have been brewing since late 2025. Every segment and match could be the spark that ignites the next major feud or solidifies a breakthrough star — making tonight essential viewing for fans tracking NXT’s evolution heading into Vengeance Day, Stand & Deliver, and beyond.

Here is everything advertised for tonight’s show

• Izzi Dame addresses the NXT Universe – her first promo as NXT Women’s North American Champion.
• Ava addresses the future of the vacated NXT Championship – laying groundwork for how the title will be contested moving forward.
• Jasper Troy (c) vs. Tavion Heights – WWE Speed Championship defense.
• Stacks (c) vs. Shiloh Hill – TNA International Championship match.
• Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox – No Disqualification grudge match.
• Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice – women’s singles contest.

Preview & Analysis: Storylines in Motion

Izzi Dame’s Championship Identity — First Words Matter

Izzi Dame’s journey to gold at New Year’s Evil is one of the more unpredictable arcs on NXT TV. After losing earlier in the night to Tatum Paxley, Dame was a surprising blue‑chip candidate to answer Thea Hail’s open challenge — but she did, and walked out with the NXT Women’s North American Championship.

Historical Context / Buildup:

• Over the past few months, Dame had been steadily climbing the ranks of the women’s division, picking up key victories and building credibility through her resilience and opportunistic style.
• Prior to tonight, she had engaged in storylines against Tatum Paxley and Thea Hail, which positioned her for a breakout moment.
• Her promo tonight is more than celebratory; it will signal whether she will be a fighting champion, an opportunistic wildcard, or a combination, setting the tone for early 2026 storylines in the women’s division.

Tonight’s promo is her official declaration of intent. How Dame defines her reign could set up rivalries with veterans and emerging challengers alike, and it could be the launching point for a full‑fledged push. Watch her tone, promo pacing, and who she singles out — that will reveal where WWE sees her standing in the women’s hierarchy.

Vacant NXT Championship — Resetting the Main Event Scene

The biggest narrative shift from New Year’s Evil came when Oba Femi, after defending the NXT title against Leon Slater, left the championship in the ring, signaling its vacancy and his exit. Tonight, Ava will outline what comes next.

Quick history of Oba’s NXT Championship reigns:

• First Reign (Vengeance Day – No Mercy 2025): Oba Femi captured the NXT Championship at Vengeance Day, defended it against Je’ Von Evans, Josh Briggs, and Ricky Saints, before losing the title to Ricky Saints at No Mercy.
• Second Reign (Deadline 2025 – New Year’s Evil 2026): Oba returned and regained the championship from Ricky Saints at Deadline. During this reign, he defended successfully against Leon Slater (TNA X-Division Champion), further establishing his dominance. Ricky Saints did not receive a rematch after Deadline.
• Tonight’s segment with Ava sets the path forward for crowning a new champion, marking a major narrative reset and creating opportunities for multiple rising stars to enter the top-tier championship picture.

This is a rare reset at the top of NXT — a creative opportunity to build new stories from scratch. Several talents have shown momentum late in 2025 and early 2026, and the structure Ava announces (tournament, multi‑man match, open challenge gauntlet, etc.) will ripple through the roster. Expect threats, qualifiers, and surprise inserts later in the show or in future weeks.

Match & Segment Breakdown

Speed Championship — Jasper Troy vs. Tavion Heights

In a division defined by agility, precision, and urgency, the Speed Championship serves as a showcase of pace and intensity. Jasper Troy has embodied the ruthless, hard‑hitting champion — blending heavy offense with nimble execution — while Tavion Heights brings explosive athleticism and a high‑octane offense that thrives in fast exchanges.

Historical Context / Buildup:

• Troy became the Speed Champion earlier in the fall of 2025 and has held it through multiple defenses, establishing credibility as a hard-hitting, fast-paced champion.
• Tavion Heights has built his own momentum with key victories, high-profile matches, and a growing reputation for agility and resilience, making him a legitimate threat.

This clash isn’t just about speed — it’s about control of tempo. If Heights can dictate the pace and avoid Troy’s power spots, he could walk out with the title and stronger positioning for a future NXT Championship push.

Key Moment to Watch:

• Heights’ counter to Troy’s finisher — could set the tone for his credibility as a top contender.

TNA International Championship — Stacks vs. Shiloh Hill

This match carries added intrigue because of the official WWE‑TNA partnership, which has brought cross-brand competition to NXT. NXT’s relationship with TNA permits appearances and title defenses like this to be featured on television.

Historical Context / Buildup:

• Stacks has carried the TNA International Title onto NXT, blending his NXT storylines with cross-brand narrative opportunities.
• Shiloh Hill has been positioned as a fierce, rising contender, building momentum through high-profile matches and promos over the last few months.
• Previous WWE/TNA crossovers have made this title a focal point for interpromotional storytelling, enhancing stakes for tonight.

Key Moment to Watch:

• How WWE frames the title’s prestige in-ring — whether Hill wins could shape future crossover bookings.

Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox — No Disqualification Grudge

This is personal, fiery, and boundaryless — No DQ ensures anything goes as Hendry seeks retribution and validation against Dion Lennox, who has been aligned with DarkState interference.

Historical Context / Buildup:

• The feud has escalated over the past months through promos, interference, and prior encounters.
• Lennox’s alignment with DarkState adds unpredictability, making the No DQ stipulation a natural escalation for the rivalry.

Expect weapons, chaos, and intensity. For Hendry, this is about momentum and legitimacy; for Lennox, it’s about proving his place at a higher tier.

Key Moment to Watch:

• Which allies get involved — interference could make this a multi-week saga.

Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice — Momentum on the Line

Both women have been gaining traction: Kelani Jordan with athletic precision, Lola Vice with aggressive tenacity.

Historical Context / Buildup:

• Jordan has been building momentum through singles victories and mid-card storylines over the past months.
• Vice has carved out a reputation as a rising powerhouse in the women’s division, positioning herself for title contention.
• This match serves as a proving ground for early 2026 rankings in the division, post-Izzi Dame’s North American Championship win.

Key Moment to Watch:

• Vice’s aggression early on — can she ground Jordan and impose her style?

Character Spotlight: On the Verge of Breakouts

Izzi Dame — Opportunist Turned Champion

• Character arc: From mid-card competitor to champion with a “never say die” edge.
• Tonight’s outlook: Her first promo will clarify whether she’s a fighting champion, underdog icon, or opportunistic wildcard.

Oba Femi — The Ruler’s Legacy at a Crossroads

• Character arc: Dominant former champion with an enigmatic exit.
• Tonight’s outlook: Ava’s segment will determine how long his shadow lingers and who steps into the vacant title picture.

Jasper Troy — Engine of the Speed Division

• Character arc: Power meets velocity — a disruptive force in fast match environments.
• Tonight’s outlook: Defense here sets up a future mid-card elevation or possible shift toward the top title picture.

Stacks & Cross-Brand Competitors

• Character arc: A veteran presence with legitimacy and crossover punch due to the NXT/TNA partnership.
• Tonight’s outlook: Defending the TNA International Title solidifies the WWE/TNA narrative thread and opens doors for future interpromotional highlights.

Looking Ahead: Long-Term Implications

Tonight isn’t just another Tuesday — it’s a narrative reset. With the NXT title vacant, multiple storylines will converge into new feuds, brackets, rivalries, and tournament arcs. Champions will be defined, challengers sharpened, and fragments of 2025’s momentum will either be reinforced or redirected.

Expect Vengeance Day and Stand & Deliver trajectories to take shape tonight, with qualifiers and breakout wins setting the calendar for NXT’s next big chapter.

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