Opinion
Greg DeMarco’s WWE NXT Stand & Deliver 2026 Preview & Predictions
NXT Stand & Deliver comes early this year, as the brightest stars of the future are on display from St. Louis! Here is your preview, with predictions!
NXT Stand & Deliver comes early this year, as the brightest stars of the future are on display from St. Louis! Here is your preview, with predictions!
This Saturday the NXT train rolls into St. Louis for WWE NXT Stand & Deliver! Normally part of WrestleMania weekend, a 2:30 PM local start time in Las Vegas for WrestleMania Saturday makes it almost impossible for this event to live on the same day. Short of moving the event to Thursday night (definitely an option), WWE has moved the event to April 4.
That may have impacted the build ever so slightly, but the card is stacked from beginning to end. Continue on for your preview and predictions for WWE NXT Stand & Deliver 2026!
Kickoff Match – Hank & Tank, Shiloh Hill, EK Prosper & Wren Sinclair vs. Birthright
This is the kind of match that exists to get as many people on the card as possible, but that doesn’t mean it’s meaningless. Birthright, led by Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey, brings a level of cohesion and identity that most thrown-together teams don’t have, while the opposing side leans into energy, variety, and unpredictability. Matches like this usually come down to moments rather than structure, and with this many personalities involved, there will be plenty of them. The question isn’t who gets the spotlight—it’s who takes advantage of it.
This is a tough match to call, as it can be used to set-up a future Speed Women’s Championship Match, or even a Knockouts World Championship Match. But on paper, the unit that runs together should be victorious in a match like this. If not, then I am not sure why we even have The Birthright.
Prediction: The Birthright
WWE NXT Tag Team Championship — The Vanity Project (c) vs. Los Americanos
The The Vanity Project has leaned heavily into presentation and control during their title run, while Los Americanos brings a faster, more traditional tag approach that can overwhelm teams that rely on pacing. With outside involvement on both sides, this isn’t just about tag team execution. It’s about timing and awareness. If the match stays structured, the champions have the advantage. If it breaks down, the challengers become dangerous quickly.
Another tough match to call. The Vanity Project is still getting established, and it seems too soon to cut their legs out from under them. Conversely, Los Americanos are insanely over as “babyfaces who cheat,” and will have a decided advantage in terms of crowd support. I really want to pick the Americanos here, but I can’t.
Prediction: The Vanity Project (#ANDSTILL)
Grudge Match — Sol Ruca vs. Zaria
Grudge matches are usually where NXT strips things down and lets the personalities carry the story, and that’s exactly what this feels like. Sol Ruca brings explosiveness and unpredictability, while Zaria is built around control and physicality. This isn’t about championships or positioning—it’s about settling something. Matches like this tend to be shorter, more intense, and more physical, and whichever competitor dictates the pace early is likely walking out with the win.
This should catapult Sol Ruca to the NXT Women’s Championship, but it’s WrestleMania season…meaning call-ups could be coming. Remember, the purpose of NXT is still to populate the main roster, and I can see Sol gone sooner rather than later. Thus, a win for Zaria sets her up to challenge a babyface champion in NXT.
Prediction: Zaria
NXT North American Championship — Myles Borne (c) vs. Johnny Gargano
The North American Championship has consistently been positioned as a workrate title of NXT, and this match fits that identity perfectly. Myles Borne has embraced the role of champion, but Johnny Gargano brings experience and a level of comfort on this stage that very few can match. This is the kind of match where execution matters more than anything else: no gimmicks, no shortcuts, just who can deliver when it counts. If it turns into a back-and-forth contest, that plays directly into Gargano’s strengths.
Whoever booked this match needs to give Myles Borne a two-word salute: You’re Welcome. Bell-to-bell, there are few better inside a wrestling ring than Johnny Gargano. And for Myles Borne, this is a match where the highlights can live forever And unless we plan to swap it right back, I don’t see Boerne dropping the title either. This just might steal the show.
Prediction: Myles Borne (#ANDSTILL)
NXT Women’s North American Championship — Tatum Paxley (c) vs. Blake Monroe
This is a matchup built around contrast. Tatum Paxley has carved out a unique presence as champion, while Blake Monroe brings a more straightforward, focused approach into the match. Championships like this often come down to composure, especially on a stage like Stand & Deliver, and the ability to stay locked in when momentum shifts can be the deciding factor. This feels like a match where one mistake could be enough to change everything.
I was a Tatum Paxley fan upon her debut, and she has truly grown unto the amazing talent she is today. While this feud for the NXT Women’s North American Championship appeared to come about just for Stand & Deliver, I think this one’s got legs throughout the summer, with some bumps along the way. For that reason, it makes more sense for Blake Monroe to leave as champion.
Prediction: Blake Monroe (#ANDNEW)
NXT Women’s Championship — Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice
Triple threat matches introduce chaos by design, and this one has the added layer of three very different styles. Jacy Jayne enters as champion with the advantage of not needing to be pinned to lose, while Kendal Grey and Lola Vice both bring distinct approaches that can disrupt any sense of rhythm. These matches are less about control and more about timing, and whoever finds the right moment, rather than dominating the match, is likely leaving with the title.
There are few stars more bankable than Lola Vice and Kendal Grey. But one more who is? Jacy Jayne. Given the work done by her and Fallon Henley, you have to figure to or all three members of Fatal Influence are main roster bound after WrestleMania. There’s even a chance Lola goes up as well. But even if you subtract those possibilities, I feel like Kendal Grey is an unstoppable force right now.
Prediction: Kendal Grey (#ANDNEW)
NXT Championship — Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ricky Saints vs. Ethan Page vs. Tony D’Angelo
The main event brings together four very different competitors, each with a legitimate claim to the NXT Championship. Joe Hendry has leaned into his role as champion, but multi-man main events shift the dynamic completely. Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, and Tony D’Angelo all present different challenges, and in a match like this, the champion doesn’t even need to be involved in the finish to lose the title. That creates urgency, unpredictability, and a finish that could go in multiple directions.
Tony D’Angelo has been in the WWE development system for 5 years now, and the man will turn 31 this summer. Translation? It’s his time. Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints, and Ethan Page are main roster ready–Saints and Page showed up in NXT already ready for the main roster. Much like last year’s Stand & Deliver main event, it’s entirely possible that three members of this match are main roster bound, leaving Tony D with another year in NXT before he makes the same jump himself. For that reason, I think the man formerly referred to as “The Don of NXT” leaves with the gold.
Prediction: Tony D’Angelo (#ANDNEW)
Thoughts? Leave your comments below!
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Opinion
Chris King: Is Brock Lesnar Truly Retired?
Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…
Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…
At WrestleMania 42, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar took off his boots and gloves following his loss to Oba Femi. Lesnar has done it all inside of his twenty-four-year career in professional wrestling. He’s a ten-time WWE Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and he’s one who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania.
While Lesnar was in the ring, he was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and crying while he thanked the fans in his own way. The Beast even threw up an x to signal to Paul Heyman, his longtime friend and advocate, that this was not scripted and was real. There had been rumors that Lesnar and Oba were supposed to have a series of matches before everything went down at Mania.
‘The Career Killer’ Gunther was doing Heyman’s bidding as he faced Seth Rollins for a favor. For a while now since Gunther retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, the rumor has been Gunther was set to retire Lesnar in his hometown at this year’s SummerSlam event. There’s been no confirmation if Lesnar is truly retired, but on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, we saw Heyman talking with General Manager Nick Aldis. Later that night following Rhodes’ match against the debuting Ricky Saints, Gunther choked out the WWE Champion. Could this be the favor from Heyman?
I know in the world of professional wrestling we live by the mantra of “never say never,” but what if Lesnar is actually retired and this was WWE’s way of shutting down those rumors about Gunther and Lesnar? What if Gunther’s next program is chasing after the WWE title, and where is Randy Orton at in all of these plans? There are so many questions that need to be answered, hopefully soon!
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Opinion
Chris King: Defend The Intercontinental Championship At Backlash!
With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!
With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!
This year’s annual Backlash showcase is only a few days away, and while there are many big matches announced, one that definitely should be isn’t on the card. In my opinion, outside of Roman Reigns/Jacob Fatu and Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker, the Intercontinental Championship scene has been stellar over the last month.
Penta has been an excellent champion, especially after his triumphant title defense in a ladder match against JeVon Evans, Rusev, Dragon Lee, and the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 42. Their ladder match at Mania was one of the best that WWE has produced in a while.
The momentum never stopped, as on the post-Mania episode of Monday Night Raw, ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page made his debut and was quickly inserted into the Intercontinental title scene. Page had a fantastic showing against his longtime NXT rival Evans and picked up a big win in his debut match thanks to an assist from Rusev.
All Ego immediately joined forces with ‘The Bulgarian Brute’ Rusev, who was also vying for the Intercontinental Title in his own right. On this week’s episode of Raw, Page and Rusev defeated Evans and Penta. All Ego pinned the champion, making a huge statement and putting him one step closer to getting a title shot. For the past few weeks I’ve been anxiously waiting to see if WWE was going to add this incredible fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship, but it hasn’t happened yet.
As much as the WWE Universe enjoys witnessing great matches on free television, I truly believe all four superstars deserve the chance to showcase their talents on the PLE. While Penta has done a terrific job as the intercontinental champion, it’s time for a fresh face to hold the prestigious title. Page would make a great braggadocious heel that would help elevate the Intercontinental Championship to new heights!
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THURSDAY - Nefarious Means
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
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