WWE NXT tonight on The CW and Netflix (internationally).
- Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake
- Kali Armstrong vs. Jaida Parker
- Mr. Iguana & Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame & Niko Vance
- Zaria will make an appearance
Tag: NXT
Former NJPW Champion EVIL Set For Name Change Following WWE NXT Debut
Former NJPW star EVIL officially arrived in WWE NXT last week, and a new backstage report may have revealed the identity he’ll be using going forward.
During last Tuesday’s episode of “WWE NXT,” Tony D’Angelo finally came face-to-face with the person behind the mysterious box that had been teasing his arrival. A hooded figure emerged through the smoke and lighting effects before stepping into the ring and confronting the reigning NXT Champion. The man handed D’Angelo a shirt featuring the same Japanese symbol that had appeared on the package before dramatically removing his hood.
The reveal confirmed that the longtime NJPW standout known as EVIL had made his WWE debut.
Commentary quickly acknowledged the significance of the moment, with Vic Joseph referencing EVIL’s past as a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. However, WWE stopped short of identifying him by a new ring name during the segment, leading to speculation about what he would be called in NXT.
That speculation intensified after a trademark filing surfaced on April 28 for the name “Nox Raijin.” According to a new report from Fightful Select, WWE internally lists the former NJPW star under his real name, Takaaki Watanabe, but the company is expected to use Nox Raijin as his official on-screen name moving forward.
The reported name appears to fit the dark presentation EVIL became known for during his run in Japan. In Japanese mythology, Raijin is recognized as the god of thunder, lightning, and storms, while “Nox” is commonly associated with darkness or night. The combination lines up closely with the ominous character work EVIL used throughout his NJPW career.
Before departing NJPW earlier this year, EVIL spent roughly 14 years with the promotion and built an accomplished résumé. Along with capturing the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, he also held the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, NEVER Openweight Championship, and multiple IWGP Six-Man Tag Team Championships.
He was also the founder and leader of House of Torture, the controversial faction created after his shocking betrayal of Los Ingobernables de Japon several years ago.
With his WWE arrival now official, it appears only a matter of time before Nox Raijin begins making a major impact on the NXT roster.
Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL Debuts On WWE NXT, Confronts Tony D’Angelo
WWE NXT gained another notable addition this week as former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL officially made his debut appearance on Tuesday night’s episode of the brand.
With several NXT stars recently moving to WWE’s main roster, the developmental show is beginning to introduce a fresh wave of talent, and EVIL may be one of the most intriguing names yet.
During the show, NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo addressed the crowd and declared himself the centerpiece of the brand. D’Angelo confidently stated that nobody in NXT was capable of knocking him off the top spot.
That confidence was quickly interrupted.
A cloud of fog and dramatic lighting filled the arena before EVIL made his entrance wearing a dark black robe. The former NJPW star slowly approached the ring and came face-to-face with D’Angelo in a tense staredown.
Rather than speaking, EVIL handed the champion a shirt featuring Japanese text before turning and leaving the ring. The mysterious presentation left both fans and commentators speculating about his intentions.
Commentator Vic Joseph acknowledged EVIL’s accomplishments in Japan during the segment, referring to him as a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. However, WWE stopped short of officially identifying him by the EVIL ring name, leaving some uncertainty surrounding what name he will ultimately use going forward in NXT.
Reports surfaced earlier this year that EVIL had signed with WWE following the expiration of his New Japan Pro-Wrestling contract. His final NJPW appearance took place on January 20 during the Road To The New Beginning tour, where he competed in an eight-man tag team match.
The segment also teased additional challengers for D’Angelo. Shortly after EVIL’s appearance, former No Quarter Catch Crew member Tavion Heights attacked the NXT Champion from behind. English wrestler Will Kroos then added to the chaos by landing a moonsault onto D’Angelo.
With several new threats emerging at once, Tony D’Angelo’s reign could soon become far more difficult — and EVIL’s arrival may end up being the biggest game changer of them all.
WWE NXT Preview 4/28/2026
WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW.
- NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Saquon Shugars
- Shiloh Hill vs. Ricky Saints
- Birthright vs. E.K. Prosper & Dorian Van Dux
- Lizzie Rain debuts
- Tony D’Angelo challenges someone
WWE NXT Premium Live Events Find New Home on The CW in Historic Deal
After months of uncertainty surrounding the future of WWE NXT Premium Live Events, WWE has officially locked in a new broadcast partner—and it’s a move that could quietly reshape how fans access big shows moving forward.
Earlier this year, Peacock’s rights to NXT PLEs expired, leaving fans wondering where the brand’s marquee events would land next. That uncertainty became even more noticeable when NXT Stand & Deliver broke tradition by moving off WrestleMania weekend and streaming for free on WWE’s YouTube channel. It was an unusual move that hinted WWE was still figuring out its next step.
Now we have the answer.
WWE announced Tuesday that The CW Network—already home to weekly WWE NXT programming—has secured the rights to NXT Premium Live Events as part of a new multi-year agreement. While financial details weren’t revealed, the deal will see The CW air 20 NXT specials over the next several years.
The first event under the new agreement will be The Great American Bash, set to air later this summer. An exact date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the show will mark the official start of this new era.
The CW’s Brad Schwartz framed the move as a natural extension of the network’s relationship with NXT, which began in 2024 under a five-year deal. According to Schwartz, NXT has already proven to be a reliable draw on Tuesday nights, bringing in a consistent and engaged audience. Adding the brand’s biggest events to the lineup simply keeps everything under one roof for viewers.
The bigger story here, though, is accessibility. This marks the first time in WWE history that Premium Live Events—whether from NXT or the main roster—will air on traditional free television. For years, WWE’s biggest shows have lived behind paywalls, from the WWE Network to Peacock and now ESPN’s platforms. This deal breaks that mold in a significant way.
For fans, it means easier access to major NXT moments without needing a subscription. For WWE, it’s another strategic shift as the company continues experimenting with how and where it distributes content in a rapidly changing media landscape.
After a brief period of limbo, NXT’s PLE future is no longer in question—and it’s heading somewhere no WWE event has gone before: straight to free TV.
Blake Monroe Being Called Up From WWE NXT, Coming To SmackDown
WWE appears to be adding even more depth to its SmackDown women’s division, as Blake Monroe is officially on her way to the main roster.
During Friday night’s episode of SmackDown, a vignette aired promoting the arrival of “The Glamour,” confirming that Monroe will be joining the blue brand soon. The video package leaned into the same presentation style used during her NXT debut, featuring a voiceover alongside highlights from her recent run in WWE’s developmental system.
Monroe’s exit from NXT seems to have been solidified earlier in the week at NXT: Revenge, where she came up short in a casket match against current Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley. The visual of Paxley slamming the casket shut felt symbolic, effectively closing the chapter on Monroe’s time in NXT amid months of speculation about a call-up.
Before signing with WWE last year, Monroe was known to many fans as Mariah May in AEW, where she reached the top of the division as AEW Women’s World Champion. She arrived in NXT in June shortly after departing AEW, and it didn’t take long for her to make an impact.
Her in-ring debut came at the Great American Bash, where she teamed with Jordynne Grace to score a win over Fatal Influence. However, Monroe quickly shifted gears the very next night, turning on Grace and launching her first major storyline in WWE. She later captured the Women’s North American Championship at Halloween Havoc, defeating Zaria—who was defending the title on behalf of Sol Ruca—in one of her biggest moments on the brand.
Now, with polished character work and championship experience already under her belt, Monroe heads to SmackDown with momentum and a clear edge. Between her star power and the growing list of recent call-ups, it’s becoming clear that WWE is stacking the blue brand—and Monroe may be positioned to make an immediate splash once she arrives.
NXT Trio Fatal Influence Called Up To SmackDown, Made A Huge Statement To The Roster
Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown turned into a statement show for one of NXT’s most talked-about factions, as Fatal Influence officially arrived—and they didn’t come quietly.
While much of the buzz heading into the night centered around Paige’s long-awaited return to the blue brand after more than eight years, the spotlight quickly shifted once the chaos began during a high-profile women’s tag team match. Paige teamed up with WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Brie Bella to take on Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, but the match never reached a proper conclusion.
Jacy Jayne—making her own presence felt in a big way—stormed the scene and yanked Paige off the apron just as a tag was about to be made. From there, things unraveled fast. Jayne sent Paige crashing into the steel steps, while the rest of Fatal Influence—Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid—hit the ring and dismantled both Flair and Bliss. The trio stood tall over all four women before heading up the ramp, making it clear with both their actions and words that SmackDown was now their territory.
The group wasn’t finished for the night, either. Later in the show, Fatal Influence crossed paths with WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, setting up an impromptu showdown between Ripley and Jayne. The match ended in another disqualification after Henley and Reid once again got involved, but the numbers game allowed Jayne to get the last laugh by dropping Ripley with her Rolling Encore finisher.
Jayne’s move to the main roster had been heavily speculated in the days following WrestleMania 42, especially after what looked like a farewell moment at the WWE Performance Center on NXT programming. What wasn’t clear at the time was whether Henley and Reid would be making the jump alongside her—but after Friday night, that question has been answered.
With a dominant debut and immediate impact on SmackDown’s top stars, Fatal Influence has officially entered the mix—and if their first night is any indication, the women’s division just got a lot more unpredictable.
Sol Ruca Hints At NXT Exit Following Raw Debut
It looks like Sol Ruca may be closing the chapter on her NXT run after making waves on WWE’s main roster this week.
Ruca stepped onto Monday Night Raw for her first official match, squaring off against Liv Morgan in a competitive showing that quickly turned chaotic thanks to outside involvement from Zaria. While the match itself raised eyebrows, it was what followed that really got people talking about Ruca’s future.
Just days earlier, Ruca endured a brutal Last Woman Standing match at NXT Revenge, where she took a heavy fall off a raised platform and crashed through a table. The spot felt significant, and in hindsight, it may have served as a dramatic sendoff moment for her NXT tenure.
Fueling that speculation even more, Ruca took to Instagram shortly after her Raw appearance with a simple but telling message: “Thank you NXT, it’s been real.” The post included photos of her standing in front of her locker, a visual that many fans are interpreting as a farewell to the brand where she built her name.
Despite the strong hints, WWE has yet to make anything official. Ruca is still listed under the NXT roster on WWE.com, leaving just enough room for uncertainty. Still, between her Raw debut and her social media message, all signs are pointing toward a full-time move to the main roster.
If this really is the end of her NXT run, Ruca leaves behind a memorable stretch filled with standout athleticism and highlight-reel moments—and it looks like she’s ready to bring that same energy to a bigger stage.
WWE NXT Revenge Week 2 Preview 4/21/2026
WWE NXT Revenge Week 2 tonight on The CW and Netflix internationally.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Casket Match: Tatum Paxley (c) vs. Blake Monroe
- WWE Men’s Speed Championship: EK Prosper (c) vs. Lexis King
- NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Dion Lennox
- Last Woman Standing Match: Sol Ruca vs. ZARIA
- Keanu Carver vs. Joe Hendry
NXT Stars Ethan Page & Joe Hendry Officially Moved to Raw as WWE Bolsters Post-WrestleMania Roster; Sol Ruca Note
The annual post-WrestleMania shake-up is already in motion, and this year’s wave of call-ups has officially brought two standout NXT names to Monday nights. Ethan Page and Joe Hendry are now confirmed members of the WWE Raw roster, signaling a fresh injection of talent into the red brand.
Ethan Page wasted no time making an impression. Appearing in a backstage segment alongside Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, Intercontinental Champion Penta, and Je’Von Evans, Page was formally introduced as Raw’s newest addition. The announcement quickly turned physical, as Page squared off with Evans in a match later in the night.
Thanks to a timely assist from Rusev, Page picked up the win—though the chaos didn’t end there. Rusev continued the assault on Evans after the bell, prompting Penta to intervene. However, Page re-entered the fray to tip the scales back in Rusev’s favor, leaving both men standing tall. With that, Page has immediately positioned himself in the middle of a heated Intercontinental Title scene that now includes Penta, Evans, and Rusev.
Joe Hendry’s arrival was handled a bit differently, but no less officially. While he didn’t appear live on the show, WWE aired a graphic promoting a “celebration concert” for next week’s Raw. Commentary confirmed that Hendry is now part of the Raw roster, fresh off his recent appearance in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown. His full debut looks set to bring a unique flair to Monday nights.
Meanwhile, another NXT name teased a potential call-up. Sol Ruca made a surprise appearance to confront newly crowned Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan. The confrontation led to an impromptu match, where Morgan managed to escape with a win after interference from Zaria. While Ruca hasn’t officially been moved to the main roster, her involvement—and her ongoing rivalry with Zaria—suggests it may only be a matter of time.
With Page already mixing it up in a title picture and Hendry’s debut looming, WWE is clearly leaning into fresh talent to reshape Raw’s landscape in the post-WrestleMania season.
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