WWE throws NXT into chaos as new names storm the title scene
Tony D’Angelo barely survived the night. By the end of WWE NXT on Tuesday, another unknown attacker left the champion laid out in the ring.
The May 5 episode from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando felt messy, loud and unpredictable. New names appeared everywhere. Old rivalries exploded again. WWE clearly pushed NXT into a different direction this week.
Tony D’Angelo lost control before the main event even started
The show opened with D’Angelo attacking Tavion Heights backstage before officials dragged both men apart.
That tension carried into the NXT Championship match later in the night. Tavion wrestled aggressively early, forcing D’Angelo into takedowns and scrambles on the mat. The champion eventually escaped with the win, but the ending quickly stopped being about the match itself.
Seconds later, the former Will Kroos stormed into the scene again.
This time he introduced himself as Mason Rook before attacking both men and standing over the NXT champion to close the broadcast. WWE’s cameras stayed tight on D’Angelo’s face while the crowd inside the Performance Center started buzzing.
Read more: Latest WWE news and NXT results and highlights
Kali Armstrong and Jaida Parker beat each other up from the opening bell
Kali Armstrong defeated Jaida Parker in one of the rougher matches of the night.
The match never really settled down into a clean rhythm. Parker slapped Armstrong across the face midway through the fight and the crowd inside Orlando immediately got louder. Armstrong answered later with an eye poke before landing the Kali Connection for the win.
Booker T sounded impressed throughout the match, especially during Armstrong’s explosive offense and springboard attacks. WWE continues giving her more television time every week.
WWE quietly reshaped the NXT roster again
Another major moment came through a video package.
The wrestler formerly known as EVIL officially introduced his new WWE identity, Naraku. Speaking partly in Japanese, he warned Tony D’Angelo that he wanted the NXT Championship next.
The show also pushed Jackson Drake harder than before.
Drake defeated Jasper Troy after outside interference from Myka Lockwood, who slammed Troy at ringside while the referee missed it completely. WWE later confirmed Lockwood had aligned herself with The Vanity Project faction.
