7 Changes To WWE NXT After Heatwave 2026

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WWE NXT Heatwave 2026 is in the books and a lot has changed on the brand moving forward.

The latest WWE NXT premium live event has seemingly started a new era on the brand.

With new champions being crowned and other significant adjustments, there is a chance fans could see a completely different NXT starting on the September 1 episode.

Here are seven potential changes to WWE NXT after Heatwave 2026.

7. Tony D’Angelo gets called up to the WWE main roster & says farewell to NXT

In 2021, Tony D’Angelo made his WWE debut and became a stalwart of the NXT brand.

Coming in during the 2.0 era, D’Angelo has had to grow and adjust with the different changes to the brand over the past five years.

After winning the NXT Championship at Stand & Deliver 2026 and holding the title for four months, D’Angelo’s reign finally came to an end by the hands of Grayson Waller.

Considering how long he’s been on the brand, it might be the right time to give Tony D the opportunity to ply his trade on the WWE main roster and say farewell to the NXT faithful once and for all.

6. ZARIA truly starts to dominate the NXT women’s division after unifying the NXT Women’s North American & WWE Speed Women’s Championships

At WWE NXT Heatwave 2026, ZARIA defeated Wren Sinclair and Kali Armstrong to retain the NXT Women’s North American Championship and win the WWE Speed Women’s Championship.

Thanks to this victory, ZARIA now unifies both titles and should be considered the final WWE Speed Women’s Title.

This win was even more pivotal considering ZARIA’s history with Sol Ruca, who was the only other star who has been to hold both of those titles at once.

After seemingly getting an inconsistent push since arriving in WWE in 2024, it is “now or never” for ZARIA to be presented as the monster that she truly is and can be for the company.

5. The Vanity Project draped in gold

The Vanity Project have been riding high on a wave of momentum since arriving on NXT in 2025.

At WWE NXT Heatwave 2026, Vanity Project’s Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes defeated Tavion Heights and Myles Borne to win the NXT Tag Team Championships.

VP would add even more gold later in the show when Jackson Drake beat Borne to win the NXT North American Championship.

Following in the footsteps of Undisputed Era before them, The Vanity Project should start their new era draped in gold, making them an even more important group to NXT moving forward.

4. Myles Borne makes Tavion Heights’ a living hell

Myles Borne and Tavion Heights have been friends since starting in NXT with No Quarter Catch Crew.

After both men left the group, it was Borne who broke out and was able to win the NXT North American Title.

However, Borne and Heights maintained their friendship and went on to defeat The Vanity Project for the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Following their NXT Tag Team Titles loss and dropping the North American gold to Jackson Drake at Heatwave, Borne turned on Heights, hitting him with Borne Again, which should open the door for these two former friends to become bitter enemies.

3. Kelani Jordan’s ego grows as NXT Women’s Champion

At WWE NXT Heatwave 2026, Kelani Jordan defeated Kendal Grey to win the NXT Women’s Championship.

This marked the first time that Jordan has won the top prize for the NXT women’s division.

Over the past year, fans have seen Jordan undergo a character change, becoming increasingly and increasingly cocky in her ability.

Jordan’s ego growing now that she is NXT Women’s Champion feels inevitable and should lead to some interesting character developments.

2. Kendal Grey must decide whether to go back after the NXT Women’s Championship or main roster callup

Coming off the heels of NXT Heatwave 2026, Kendal Grey is no longer NXT Women’s Champion.

After only holding the title for two months, there has been some part of Grey who wants to right back after the gold.

However, Grey has clearly grown into a tremendous professional wrestler despite only competing in the ring for the past three years.

This should lead Grey with a choice of whether to get a rematch for the NXT Women’s gold or officially heading to the WWE main roster full-time.

1. Grayson Waller’s NXT Championship reign begins

When Grayson Waller returns to NXT in July, he made it clear that he had his eyes on the NXT Championship.

Wanting to complete unfinished business from his first run on the brand, Waller went right to the top of NXT.

At WWE NXT Heatwave 2026, Grayson Waller defeated Tony D’Angelo, Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu to win the NXT Championship.

After his pipebomb promo when he first returned, Waller will begin his reign and should have more than one competitor gunning to take his newly won gold.

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