Triple Threat Title Unification Match: NXT Women's North American Champion Zaria vs. WWE Women's Speed Champion Wren Sinclair vs. Kali Armstrong

NXT Heatwave 2026 opened with championship stakes as Zaria, Wren Sinclair and Kali Armstrong battled to unify the NXT Women's North American and WWE Women's Speed Championships. There was no feeling-out process, with all three women immediately trading fast attacks and counters. Zaria was the first to establish some control, using her power to drop both opponents with running big boots. Armstrong soon fought back, sending Sinclair outside before unloading on Zaria with a combination of punches. The action quickly spilled to ringside, where Sinclair avoided a charging Armstrong and sent her crashing into the steel steps.

The pace remained high when the action returned to the ring. Armstrong repeatedly drove shoulder thrusts into her opponents in the corners before Sinclair rallied and tried to pin both women. One of the biggest collisions came when Armstrong was seated against the turnbuckles and Zaria drove Sinclair directly into her, crushing both competitors together. Zaria and Armstrong then stood in the middle of the ring exchanging heavy right hands until Armstrong suddenly connected with a sit-out powerbomb for a close two-count. Sinclair broke up the cover and tried to take advantage with a submission attempt, but Armstrong escaped and planted her with a powerslam.

Zaria stormed back into the match by hitting a double Spear on Armstrong and Sinclair. Sinclair nearly stole the championship with a roll-up on Zaria, only for Armstrong to break the pin with a diving clothesline. Armstrong then caught Sinclair with a powerslam on the floor after Sinclair launched herself from the steel steps. Back inside, Armstrong found herself in position for Zaria's F-5, but she escaped and nearly caught the champion with a roll-up. Sinclair returned and connected with an X-Factor on Zaria, although Armstrong prevented her from following up by dragging her outside.

With Sinclair temporarily removed from the equation, Armstrong returned to the ring and was caught by Zaria, who finally connected with the F-5. Zaria immediately made the cover and scored the three-count, ending the opening contest with both championships in her possession.

Winner and NEW Unified Champion: Zaria (11 minutes)

NXT Tag Team Championship: Myles Borne & Tavion Heights (c) vs. The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes)

Myles Borne and Tavion Heights put the NXT Tag Team Championship on the line against Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes of The Vanity Project, with Borne facing the additional challenge of knowing he still had to defend his NXT North American Championship later in the show. The champions started strongly and used frequent tags to overwhelm their challengers. Borne and Heights eventually forced Baylor and Smokes outside, where they attempted to regroup alongside Myka Lockwood.

Borne remained aggressive when the match resumed and sent Smokes hard into the turnbuckles, but Baylor eventually caught the champion off guard outside the ring. That allowed The Vanity Project to take control, and the challengers immediately began targeting Borne's back. Baylor and Smokes used quick tags and wear-down holds to isolate him in their corner, repeatedly preventing Borne from reaching Heights. Borne finally created enough separation with a roll-up attempt and made the much-needed tag.

Heights entered with a burst of offence and immediately went after Smokes, eventually trapping him in an Ankle Lock. Baylor made the save before Smokes could submit. The challengers soon regained control after Lockwood distracted Heights and Baylor delivered a chop block to the champion's knee. This time it was Heights who found himself isolated as The Vanity Project continued making frequent tags and attacking his weakened leg.

Heights eventually escaped and reached Borne, who entered with arm drags and a neckbreaker on Baylor that sent him crashing down onto Smokes in a clever two-for-one attack. The Vanity Project recovered and began double-teaming Borne, while questions were raised about how much punishment Borne could withstand ahead of his second championship match of the night. Heights returned to help his partner, leading to all four men fighting inside the ring.

The champions appeared close to retaining when Heights planted Baylor with a rolling slam and Borne unloaded on Smokes with a series of suplexes. However, Baylor shoved Borne from behind as he attempted to reach Heights, sending Borne crashing into his own partner and knocking Heights from the apron. With the already battered Borne left alone, Baylor and Smokes took advantage and connected with a double-team attack to secure the three-count.

Winners and NEW NXT Tag Team Champions: The Vanity Project (16 minutes)

Submission Match: Jaida Parker vs. Nattie

Jaida Parker and Nattie attempted to settle their rivalry in a Submission Match where pinfalls and disqualifications were removed from the equation. Nattie immediately charged Parker at the opening bell, taking her down and unloading with punches before the fight quickly spilled outside. The veteran maintained her aggression around ringside, but Parker refused to be overwhelmed and responded by planting Nattie with a big suplex on the floor.

Back inside the ring, Parker enjoyed a period of control before Nattie's experience began to show. Nattie repeatedly countered Parker's offence, while Nikkita Lyons and Karmen Petrovic attempted to make their presence felt from ringside. Things changed when members of Los Perros del Mal appeared on the stage and Petrovic unexpectedly left with them, leaving Lyons looking confused.

Parker took advantage and began unloading with hip attacks and heavy strikes before attempting Hip-notic. Nattie avoided the move, but Parker quickly transitioned into the Rings of Saturn. Nattie eventually escaped and responded with a rear-naked choke, wrapping her legs around Parker to increase the pressure. Parker managed to break Nattie's grip, but the veteran immediately transitioned towards an armbar. Parker showed her strength by getting back to her feet, lifting Nattie with one arm and driving her into the canvas to escape.

Nattie then changed strategy and began attacking Parker's left knee before locking in the Sharpshooter. Parker managed to escape to ringside, but Lyons was waiting and blasted her with a huge side kick. The interference did not go unanswered, as Thea Hail appeared and fought Lyons up the ramp, finally leaving Parker and Nattie to settle the match without anyone else at ringside.

Nattie continued attacking Parker's injured knee, but Parker fought her off and eventually applied a Sharpshooter of her own. Nattie desperately crawled towards the ropes and managed to grab them, but there were no traditional rope breaks to save her in the Submission Match. Parker simply dragged Nattie back into the centre of the ring while keeping the hold locked in. With nowhere left to go and Parker increasing the pressure, Nattie finally tapped out.

Winner by Submission: Jaida Parker (12 minutes)

NXT Women's Championship: Kendal Grey (c) vs. Kelani Jordan

Kendal Grey defended the NXT Women's Championship against Kelani Jordan in one of the longest matches of NXT Heatwave. Both women started at a tremendous pace, trading strikes, counters and takedowns without either establishing clear control. The action eventually moved outside, where Jordan connected with an impressive Asai moonsault onto the champion. Grey responded by leaning on her amateur wrestling background, using a series of takedowns and slams to slow her challenger down.

Grey continued to control Jordan before connecting with a chop block and basement dropkick that sent the challenger outside. Jordan eventually found an opening and began taking a much more aggressive approach, repeatedly stomping Grey's head and back before using the ring post and Grey's hair to apply additional pressure. Jordan then drove Grey shoulder-first across her knee with a shoulder breaker and scored a two-count.

Grey fought back with a series of strikes and a moonsault before the two women began trading increasingly heavy blows. The champion removed her shoulder straps and delivered a suplex, but Jordan continued finding counters. Knowing Grey had entered the match with an injured right ear, Jordan deliberately attacked the injury and ripped away the protective bandage. Grey responded by catching Jordan with a powerslam.

Jordan later attempted a 450 Splash, but Grey moved out of the way. Jordan landed on her feet and immediately began favouring her ankle, giving Grey the opportunity to apply an Ankle Lock. Jordan escaped before sending Grey from the top rope to the outside, where the champion crashed face-first into the commentary table. Jordan quickly returned Grey to the ring and connected with her One-of-a-Kind Split-Legged Moonsault, but Grey somehow kicked out.

Grey responded with an impressive reverse Spanish Fly before Jordan landed a springboard spinning Cutter. The two continued trading major moves and counters, with Grey connecting with a Superkick and later catching Jordan in another Ankle Lock. Jordan again found a way out and continued targeting Grey's damaged ear.

The closing stages became increasingly frantic. Jordan kicked Grey directly in the injured ear before delivering a combination of kicks. Grey avoided a middle-rope moonsault and responded with a diving corkscrew elbow, but the champion's attempt to return to the ring proved costly. Jordan grabbed Grey's arm and sent her face-first into the exposed steel around the turnbuckle. Jordan dragged the champion back into the ring, made the cover and secured the three-count to become the new NXT Women's Champion.

Winner and NEW NXT Women's Champion: Kelani Jordan (24 minutes)

NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Jackson Drake w/ the Vanity Project

Myles Borne entered his second championship match of the night having already lost the NXT Tag Team Championship alongside Tavion Heights. Borne was visibly feeling the effects of that match as he attempted to defend the NXT North American Championship against Jackson Drake, who had The Vanity Project at ringside.

Despite his condition, Borne started aggressively. Drake attempted an immediate leaping kick, but Borne avoided it and responded with heavy punches before clotheslining his challenger over the top rope. The effects of Borne's earlier match soon became apparent, however, as Drake recovered quicker and caught the champion with a punch before delivering a suplex on the ringside floor. Tavion Heights came to ringside to keep an eye on The Vanity Project as Drake continued wearing Borne down.

Drake slowed the match and focused much of his offence around Borne's waist and abdomen, forcing the exhausted champion to expend even more energy trying to escape. Borne eventually found an opening with a standing dropkick. Drake responded with a leaping kick and later connected with a Cutter before wiping Borne out with a suicide dive.

The champion somehow found another burst of energy. Borne caught a charging Drake with a dropkick and followed with two consecutive powerbombs, but Drake survived the cover. Borne later knocked Drake from the top rope and followed him outside with a suicide dive of his own before returning the challenger to the ring.

With The Vanity Project surrounding the action, interference eventually became decisive. Borne attacked Ricky Smokes at ringside and sent him into the ring, distracting the referee. Myka Lockwood took advantage by grabbing Borne and delivering a powerful double pumphandle front slam onto the floor. Tavion Heights was fighting Baylor on the other side of the ring and failed to see what had happened.

Drake immediately capitalised on the interference. With Borne exhausted from two matches and the attack on the floor, Drake struck quickly and eventually kept the champion down for the three-count, giving Borne his second championship loss of the night.

Winner and NEW NXT North American Champion: Jackson Drake (11 minutes)

The drama continued after the bell. Heights helped Borne back to his feet and raised his hand, attempting to show support for his partner after a devastating evening. Borne suddenly turned on Heights and dropped him with a Cutter. He then left the ring and headed up the ramp as the crowd loudly reacted to the betrayal.

NXT Championship Fatal 4-Way Main Event Match: Tony D'Angelo (c) vs. Grayson Waller vs. Zilla Fatu vs. Cruz Montana

The NXT Championship was on the line in a chaotic four-way match as Tony D'Angelo defended against Grayson Waller, Zilla Fatu and Cruz Montana.

Fatu received a huge welcome from the Texas crowd for his NXT in-ring debut, while commentary highlighted his family legacy as the son of the late Umaga. Waller received a much different reception, drawing loud boos before Montana and defending champion D'Angelo completed the entrances.

Waller wasted no time creating trouble, attacking D'Angelo before the match could properly settle down. Montana attempted to go after Waller but accidentally caught the champion instead, allowing Fatu to explode into action.

Fatu immediately showed why there has been so much excitement surrounding him. He took the fight to his opponents and showed impressive agility for his size, including a spectacular dive to the outside.

Waller eventually took control and worked over Montana while Fatu and D'Angelo recovered outside. He repeatedly used Montana as a weapon, sending him crashing into both Fatu and D'Angelo before Montana finally fought back.

Things became increasingly physical when Fatu and Montana stood in the middle of the ring trading thunderous chops. Fatu eventually sent Montana outside before turning his attention to D'Angelo.

The champion refused to back down. D'Angelo and Fatu charged into one another several times, with neither man giving an inch, before D'Angelo changed his approach and caught Fatu with a Cutter.

D'Angelo then went on a dominant run, launching his challengers with Belly-to-Belly Suplexes. Waller tried to enter from the apron, only for the champion to grab him and send him flying from the top turnbuckle with another huge Belly-to-Belly.

The four competitors continued producing increasingly bigger moments. Fatu and D'Angelo lifted Waller onto their shoulders, allowing Montana to come off the ropes with a huge Blockbuster that brought the crowd to its feet.

Fatu later dropped D'Angelo with a headbutt before soaring from the top rope with a splash. Elsewhere, Montana caught Waller with a devastating Canadian Destroyer as everyone scrambled to find a way to finish the match.

D'Angelo nearly retained after catching Montana with a powerful powerslam, but Montana survived. Fatu then rocked the champion with a kick and Samoan Drop before connecting with the Samoan Spike.

It appeared Fatu was about to become NXT Champion, but Waller dragged the referee out of the ring before the three-count could be completed. With no disqualifications in a four-way match, Waller's desperate intervention kept his championship hopes alive and earned him the fury of the crowd.

Fatu responded by taking the fight to Waller near the commentary desk and clearing the announce table. Waller managed to rake Fatu's eyes before D'Angelo came flying into the picture with a Spear that wiped out both men.

Montana attempted to take advantage and positioned Fatu on the announce table, but D'Angelo intercepted him. Their fight eventually spilled onto the commentary area, giving Waller an opportunity to produce one of the biggest moments of the match.

Waller climbed the turnbuckles and launched himself onto the group below, sending bodies crashing through the announce table.

Back in the ring, Montana appeared to have the championship within his grasp. He survived a German Suplex, continued fighting D'Angelo and eventually connected with Spin The Block to put the champion down.

Before Montana could capitalize, Waller suddenly raced back into the ring, attacked Montana and threw him outside.

Waller immediately covered the fallen D'Angelo and stole the three-count to complete a dramatic championship victory.

Winner and NEW NXT Champion: Grayson Waller (23 minutes)