The final participants for the seven-man ladder match to crown the vacant NXT Championship were decided on Tuesday’s WWE NXT episode. EVOLVE champion Jackson Drake, Joe Hendry, Dion Lennox, and Keanu Carver secured their spots to join Ricky Saints, Shiloh Hill, and Sean Legacy in next week’s high-stakes contest.
The show opened with Vanity Project found alongside a downed Hendry backstage. NXT General Manager Eva informed Drake that he might be included in the ladder match since it couldn’t be confirmed who attacked Hendry. However, she reassured that if Hendry is cleared, he would compete, and she made it clear that any swiping to the right at ringside would not be tolerated.
The first qualifier was Miles Bourne versus Lennox, with North American Champion Ethan Page distracting Bourne by sliding his title into the ring, hoping Bourne would use it as a weapon. Bourne refused, allowing Lennox to capitalize and secure the pinfall. The second qualifier saw Keanu Carver dominate Andre Chase, focusing on Chase’s previously injured face while the latter wore a hazmat suit covering his nose. Chase fought back but was ultimately slammed onto the announce table by Carver before Carver pinned him in the ring.
The show culminated with all competitors delivering promos in the ring, while Saints made a statement from the ramp wielding a ladder. The tension erupted into a brawl, and as Saints climbed the ladder to seize the title, Hendry struck him with a hit-and-run move, earning a standing ovation before Carver took Hendry down.
Fan Take: This development is a huge moment for WWE fans, showcasing fresh rivalries and a dynamic lineup in a classic ladder match setting. The outcome could redefine the future of NXT and elevate new stars, keeping the sport thrilling and unpredictable.
