Just a week after capturing the NXT Championship, Joe Hendry successfully defended his title against Jackson Drake on WWE NXT. However, Hendry’s victory celebration was short-lived.
The show opened with Hendry vowing to elevate NXT throughout his championship reign. He also looked back on last week’s intense ladder match where Ricky Saints nearly won the vacant title but ultimately fell just short, thanks to fan support. Members of The Vanity Project—Ricky Smokes, Brad Baylor, and Jackson Drake—made appearances, mocking Hendry’s quirky style and questioning his credibility as champion.
Jackson Drake claimed that The Vanity Project had attacked Hendry recently because they felt insulted by him. In response, Hendry accepted Drake’s challenge for the NXT Championship, defeating him decisively by using a powerbomb and chokeslam to retain the title.
But Hendry’s celebration was cut short when a hooded attacker stormed the ring, landing multiple punches and revealing himself to be Ricky Saints. Saints then delivered a tornado DDT to Hendry and proudly displayed their respective championships.
Ricky Saints is a former NXT Champion, having beaten Oba Femi at NXT No Mercy before the title changed hands again in December. It remains uncertain if Saints will get another shot at Hendry’s championship in the near future.
Fan Take: This intense rivalry injects fresh excitement into NXT, spotlighting Joe Hendry as a dynamic champion while reigniting past feuds with former titleholders like Ricky Saints. WWE fans should watch closely, as this storyline could reshape the NXT landscape and bring thrilling matches to the forefront of the brand’s future.
