6 Changes To WWE NXT

Published: 1 hour ago by SP3 | Last Updated: 1 hour ago by SP3

Born in Harlem, New York and now living in the Bronx, Sid Pullar III aka SP3 is a lifelong wrestling fan who has been covering the industry for over nine years as a podcaster and writer. His passion for the industry has been documented with over 3,000 videos on YouTube and 8,000 written pieces across multiple outlets, such as WrestleTalk, Sports Illustrated and more.

@TruHeelSP3

WWE NXT will be undergoing some notable changes coming off the heels of WrestleMania 42.

Considering several significant acts from NXT have made the jump to the WWE main roster, there is an opportunity for some alterations that will further shape the landscape of the brand moving forward.

From certain acts leaving NXT to new stars being introduced, these changes will have different levels of impact on how the fans view Tuesday nights moving forward.

Here are six potential changes to WWE NXT.

6. Fatal Influence No Longer Sit Atop Of The NXT Women’s Division

On the April 24 WWE SmackDown after WrestleMania 42, Fatal Influence made their main roster debut in a significant way.

First, Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid attacked Paige, Brie Bella, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, interrupting their tag team match on the show.

Then later in the show, Fatal Influence interrupted WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, leading to a match between Jayne and ‘Mami.’ This bout ended in a disqualification when Fatal Influence beat down Ripley to leave her laying.

Now that they are officially on the Friday Night SmackDown brand, Fatal Influence leave behind a massive void in the NXT roster where they will no longer sit at the top like they have for over the past year.

5. DarkState Implodes

Over the past few weeks, fans have noticed some cracks starting to form in the foundation of DarkState.

Since making their debut on NXT in 2025, DarkState have been quite the united front who always stood as equals to one another.

However, the ambition of Dion Lennox has led to some friction with his stablemate Saquon Shugars recently.

With Shugars set to challenge Myles Borne for the NXT North American Championship on the April 28 episode of WWE NXT, DarkState could be well on their way to a huge implosion before the fans’ eyes.

4. Kendal Grey & Kali Armstrong Step Up As Top Contenders For The NXT Women’s Championship

In 2025, two women stood above the rest as the breakout stars from WWE Evolve and that was the pair of Kendal Grey and Kali Armstrong.

Armstrong made history as the first ever WWE Evolve Women’s Champion, while Kendal Grey beat the inaugural champion to become the longest reigning titleholder in the brand’s history.

Now that they are both on the NXT brand, Grey and Armstrong look to be positioned as top talent in the women’s division.

Kendal and Kali emerging as top contenders for the NXT Women’s Championship would be interesting and mark the new era of the brand’s women’s scene moving forward.

3. Ricky Saints Has His Farewell

On the April 24 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, a video package aired hyping up Ricky Saints before it was announced that he will make his main roster debut on the May 1 episode.

After signing with WWE in February 2025, it did not take Saints long before he established himself as a top star for the brand.

Over the past year, Ricky has won the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship, while taking part in countless major matches against the likes of Oba Femi, Ethan Page and Joe Hendry.

With his final match against Shiloh Hill scheduled for the April 28 episode of WWE NXT, this will mark the farewell for Saints on the brand with the former AEW star on his way to SmackDown this week.

2. New Challengers Emerge For The NXT Championship

Now that Ricky Saints, Ethan Page and Joe Hendry are all now gone from the NXT brand, the entire main event picture will look different moving forward.

At WWE NXT Stand & Deliver 2026, Tony D’Angelo defeated Hendry, Page and Saints to win the NXT Championship.

Now that D’Angelo sits at the mountaintop, there should be new challengers emerging to come after the top spot on the brand.

Whether it be Keanu Carver, Shiloh Hill, Myles Borne or new stars arriving, the challengers will be aplenty on the NXT brand over the next few weeks and months.

1. EVIL Makes His Debut

On the April 21 NXT Revenge Week 2 special, Tony D’Angelo was given a box with Japanese writing on it.

Just a few days later, reports circulated that former NJPW star EVIL had signed with WWE after speculation of his arrival.

After leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling, it was revealed that EVIL was interested in signing with WWE and wanted to start his run on the NXT brand.

Being a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and a top heel in NJPW for years, it would make a ton of sense if WWE brought EVIL in to become a top challenger for the NXT Championship, immediately positioning him against Tony D’Angelo in the near future.