The black and gold brand just blew the roof off the Performance Center, but honestly, nobody expected that ending. If you’ve been keeping up with the WWE NXT results, you know things usually get wild, but New Year’s Evil and this week’s follow-up show on The CW just redefined "chaotic."
We’re sitting in 2026, and the landscape of developmental wrestling feels more like a third global brand than a basement training ground. The biggest shocker? Oba Femi is gone. Well, he’s gone from NXT. After he dismantled TNA’s Leon Slater at New Year’s Evil, he didn't celebrate. He didn't gloat. He just dropped the NXT Championship in the middle of the ring and walked out.
Basically, "The Ruler" decided he’d conquered the mountain and there was nothing left to break.
The Fallout: Ava Responds to the Vacant Title
NXT General Manager Ava didn't waste much time. This week, she confirmed what we all feared/hoped: the NXT Championship is officially vacant. But we aren't getting a tournament that drags on for three months. Nope.
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Ava announced a massive Ladder Match for February 3rd to crown the new king of NXT. The qualifying matches are already heating up. Ricky Saints—who has been chirping about getting his gold back since he lost it to Femi—is obviously the frontrunner, but the field is wide open.
What Happened on the January 13, 2026 Show
The most recent episode was a bit of a fever dream. Here’s the quick rundown of the actual match results:
- Lola Vice def. Kelani Jordan (Lola looks meaner than ever, immediately calling out Izzi Dame afterward).
- Jasper Troy def. Tavion Heights to retain the NXT Men’s Speed Championship.
- Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo def. Shiloh Hill to keep the TNA International Championship (with an assist from Arianna Grace).
- Joe Hendry def. Dion Lennox in a brutal No Disqualification match.
The Hendry vs. Lennox fight was particularly nasty. Tony D’Angelo showed up and basically wrecked Hendry’s world, which is a weird twist considering Hendry had OTM in his corner to "neutralize" DarkState. It seems the "Don of NXT" has his own agenda for the new year.
The Izzi Dame Era and the North American Chaos
If you think the men's title scene is messy, look at the Women’s North American Championship. Izzi Dame is the new champion, but the way she got it was sort of a fluke—or genius, depending on who you ask.
Originally, Thea Hail was supposed to defend against Blake Monroe. But Monroe, being Monroe, jumped Hail before the bell even rang. Ava was furious and banned Monroe from the building (rumor has it she’s headed to the main roster anyway).
Hail, being the "too-tough-for-her-own-good" hero, issued an open challenge. Izzi Dame answered. Dame, who had actually lost to Tatum Paxley earlier that same night, capitalized on a battered Hail to snag her first piece of WWE gold.
- Pro tip: Watch Tatum Paxley. She’s gone full psychological horror lately. She attacked Dame during a promo this week, and that feud is nowhere near finished.
Why Everyone Is Talking About Elio LeFleur
One of the most intriguing parts of the recent WWE NXT results wasn't even a match. It was a vignette for Elio LeFleur (formerly Aigle Blanc). The hype is real. Mentored by CMLL’s Nitro, LeFleur is bringing a high-flying, technical style that should mesh perfectly with the current roster.
Ava already booked his debut for next week. He’s stepping right into the deep end against Ethan Page for the NXT North American Title. Talk about a "sink or swim" moment for the newcomer.
What Most Fans Missed
There’s a lot of noise about the TNA crossover, but the real story is the depth of the mid-card. Jasper Troy is quietly becoming the MVP of the "Speed" division. Retaining against Tavion Heights was no small feat; Heights is an Olympic-level athlete who usually outworks everyone.
Also, keep an eye on Jaida Parker. She returned this week and absolutely leveled Blake Monroe. If Monroe is indeed leaving for Raw or SmackDown, Jaida just made sure she left with a headache.
Actionable Insights for the Road to Vengeance Day
If you’re trying to keep track of where this is all going, here’s what you need to do:
- Mark February 3rd on your calendar. That Ladder Match for the vacant NXT Title is going to be the pivot point for the entire year.
- Watch the qualifiers next week. Shiloh Hill vs. Josh Briggs and Eli Knight vs. Sean Legacy are the first big steps toward crowning a new champion.
- Follow the TNA/WWE partnership closely. With Stacks holding a TNA belt and Leon Slater still hanging around, the crossover isn't a one-off gimmick; it's the new status quo.
- Keep an eye on the "DarkState" storyline. Joe Hendry might have won the No DQ match, but Dion Lennox and Tony D’Angelo aren't done with him.
NXT is currently the most unpredictable show under the WWE banner. Between Oba Femi’s shock departure and the sudden rise of Izzi Dame, the "developmental" label feels like a relic of the past. It’s a full-blown war zone now.
Next Tuesday is going to be pivotal. We’ll see if Ethan Page can hold off the hype of Elio LeFleur and who officially secures those first spots in the February ladder match. If you haven't been watching, now is the time to jump back in.