WWE NXT returned to the Performance Center in Orlando on May 19, 2026. Kelani Jordan made it very clear she believes she belongs in the NXT Women’s Championship picture, Tatum Paxley defended the NXT Women’s North American Title, and Zaria continued to look like the problem everyone is going to have to deal with sooner rather than later.
Kelani Jordan Wants Her NXT Women’s Title Shot
After a video recap highlighted Kelani Jordan’s win over Kendal Grey last week, Jordan came to the ring with a point to make.
Jordan said that she became one of NXT’s main players and called herself the fastest rising star in WWE. She brought up beating Kendal Grey, said she is better than several women who were called up to Raw and SmackDown, and reminded everyone that she once made Lola Vice tap out. Her main argument was simple: she has not received an NXT Women’s Championship opportunity, and she is tired of being overlooked.
Izzi Dame interrupted and reminded Jordan that she has pinned current NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice. Dame told Jordan to get to the back of the line, which naturally brought out Lola herself.
Vice said she won when it mattered, which is why she is champion. She also addressed Dame attacking her last week and announced that she will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Izzi Dame next week. As for Jordan, Vice said she would be next.
Kendal Grey then joined the segment, only for Wren Sinclair to attack Jordan with a crutch and send her to the floor. Vice closed the segment by holding up the title.
Backstage, Layla Diggs and others watched a video of Natalya criticizing Jaida Parker. Parker walked in, argued with Diggs, and challenged her to a match next week.
Tatum Paxley and Lola Vice Talk Titles Backstage
Tatum Paxley and Lola Vice were shown backstage with their championships before Tony D’Angelo and Myles Borne walked in with their titles too. Tony said the targets on their backs keep getting better, while Lola made it clear nobody is taking her title. Tatum then headed out for her defense with everyone wishing her luck.
Elsewhere, Shawn Spears told Niko Vance they have a tag team match against OTM next week. Vance was not thrilled since Izzi Dame also has her title match next week. Izzi complained as well, but Spears framed it as a potentially massive night for The Culling.
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Tatum Paxley vs. Lizzy Rain
Tatum Paxley and Lizzy Rain went from tag partners last week to opponents here, and they put together a strong, competitive title match.
They started with hold exchanges and nearfalls before Paxley sent Rain outside with a dropkick. Rain answered with a running kick and later kept pushing the pace after the break. The two traded strikes, clotheslines, kicks, and pin attempts, with Rain getting some very solid offense in, including an Exploder Suplex, a running slam off the shoulders, a German Suplex, and a flying headbutt.
Paxley kept fighting back, survived Rain’s counters, and eventually hit Cemetery Drive to retain.
Winner by pinfall: Tatum Paxley
This was really good. Rain looked very capable, and Paxley continues to quietly stack up strong title performances this year.
After the match, Zaria hit the ring and destroyed both women. She dropped Paxley and Rain with a double Spear, hit F5s on both of them, and posed with the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Zaria winning that title feels less like a question and more like a countdown.
Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair Address The Crutch Attack
Backstage, Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair talked about what happened earlier. Wren felt bad about costing Grey last week, but Grey told her it was not her fault.
NXT GM Robert Stone told Wren he could not have her attacking people with crutches. Wren said she wanted Kelani Jordan in a match, and Stone said if she can be cleared next week, she can have it.
Announced For Next Week’s NXT
- NXT Women’s Championship: Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame
- Wren Sinclair vs. Kelani Jordan
- Jaida Parker vs. Layla Diggs
NXT kept the women’s division moving this week without wasting much time. Lola Vice has Izzi Dame next, Kelani Jordan is still circling the title picture, and Zaria is bulldozing her way towards the North American Championship. Leave your comments below!