WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida, USA, Live on the CW Network, May 5th, 2026 — The Episode Recap:
- robbyplaha
- May 6
- 5 min read
Location: WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, USA.
Where to Watch: Live on the CW Network.
What to Watch This Week: WWE Backlash Streaming Live on ESPN Unlimited on Saturday at 7 P.M. ET, 6 P.M. CT, 4 P.M PT.
The May 5th Episode of WWE NXT — The Official Match Results:
The Opening Match: Kali Armstrong defeated Jaida Parker in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (09:54)
The 2nd Match: Jackson Drake (with Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes) defeated Jasper Troy in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (07:18)
The 3rd Match: The Culling (Izzi Dame & Niko Vance) (with Shawn Spears) defeated Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana in a Mixed Tag Team Match | via Pin-Fall — (11:30)
The 4th Match: DarkState (Cutler James & Osiris Griffin) (with Dion Lennox & Saquon Shugars) defeated Hank And Tank (Hank Walker & Tank Ledger) in a Tag Team Match | via Pin-Fall — (11:59)
The Main Event Match: Tony D’Angelo defeated Tavion Heights in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (10:21)
My Official Thoughts on the May 5th Episode of WWE NXT:
My Official Thoughts: This episode was very mediocre. The majority of the matches on the show weren't to my standards, but I did like the segment revolving around the WWE NXT Women's North American Title. The new members of NXT continue to make an impact, to claim their stake within the brand. But NXT has something special with Mason Rook, because that man and his usage in the first two weeks of his time in NXT have been excellent. But this episode could've been a lot better, but next week’s show is looking to be more enjoyable.
The May 5th Episode of WWE NXT — My Official Match Ratings:
The Opening Match: Kali Armstrong vs. Jaida Parker in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: **.25 — Kali Armstrong is someone I'm really high on. She has the size and the ability to wrestle, but she needs a better finisher. This match wasn't good. I thought this match on paper could be a solid match, but it just felt dragging, and the chemistry between these two just wasn't there whatsoever. Jaida Parker is in a slump in the ring because her wrestling is very stale and boring, but in the end, Kali Armstrong got the win. She's gaining some steam, as we know, she'll be holding onto the WWE NXT Women's Title sooner than later.
The 2nd Match: Jackson Drake (with Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes) vs. Jasper Troy in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: **.50 — Jasper Troy is not a good wrestler. I get that he won LFG Season One, needs this push as they have to sell off the fact he's some next big-thing in NXT, but he isn't anything special in the ring. For Jackson Drake, a very cocky and annoying heel, he has been thriving since being on NXT. He has been very entertaining. We saw Mya Lockwood make her official NXT Debut as she body-slammed Jasper Troy to help Jackson Drake get the win. Now, Mya Lockwood is someone I'm high on as well. She can be a good talent for NXT, and her being allied with Vanity Project is very smart in my eyes. But very below-average match, but happy Jackson Drake won.
The 3rd Match: The Culling (Izzi Dame & Niko Vance) (with Shawn Spears) vs. Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana in a Mixed Tag Team Match | The Match Rating: ** — Now we know who Lola Vice is going to defend her title against next. The Culling is a group that I feel as though hasn't benefited anyone who has been in that group. I know HBK is trying to make it work with Izzi Dame being the star of the group, but it won't work. Lola Vice & Mr Iguana's loss caught me by surprise. I didn't expect them to lose. But this match as a whole was mediocre. I just want this feud between Lola Vice & Izzi Dame to end so we can see Lola Vice go up against some better competition.
The 4th Match: DarkState (Cutler James & Osiris Griffin) (with Dion Lennox & Saquon Shugars) defeated Hank And Tank (Hank Walker & Tank Ledger) in a Tag Team Match | The Match Rating: **.50 — Hank And Tank, I'm a fan of I do think it's time for them to move up with how WWE gutted their Tag Division. They need some new faces; they would be a great addition to Monday Night RAW. But this match was cool, DarkState is ongoing with drama between Saquon Shugars and the rest of the team, especially Dion Lennox. But DarkState winning, I guess, was the right choice. Saquon Shugars is a star that hasn't been unleashed. I want them to speed this storyline up so he can be the solo star that everyone wants him to be.
The Main Event Match: Tony D’Angelo vs. Tavion Heights in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: ***.50 — This was a very fun Main Event. Tavion Heights new attitude and confidence were noticeable. Tony D'Angelo’s run as the WWE NXT Champion has been fun to watch, as he has been a fun champion. Will Kroos, who is now going by Mason Rook, made his presence known, attacking both Tony D'Angelo & Tavion Heights. He already got his cosign by John Cena and others. This is going to be the next superstar in WWE. I thought the post-match stuff was well-executed and well-written, establishing a new major heel within NXT.
The May 5th Episode of WWE NXT — My Match of the Night: Tony D’Angelo vs. Tavion Heights in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: ***.50 — This was a fun Main Event. Tavion Heights’ new attitude and confidence were noticeable. Tony D’Angelo’s run as WWE NXT Champion has been enjoyable, as he’s been a fun champion. Will Kroos, now Mason Rook, made his presence known by attacking Tony D’Angelo & Tavion Heights and has been endorsed by John Cena and others. He’s poised to be the next WWE superstar. The post-match segment was well-executed, establishing a new major heel in NXT.
The May 5th Episode of WWE NXT — My Official Episode Grade: 5/10 (C-) — This episode was very mediocre; on paper, it could’ve been a lot better, but the episode felt flat for me. But my biggest takeaway is that Will Kross is going to be a superstar in WWE.
Next Week WWE NXT May 12th Episode in Orlando, Florida, USA, Live on the CW Network — The Announced Appearances, Matches & Segments:
Naraku NXT In-Ring Debut.
Kelani Jordan vs. Kendal Grey (with Wren Sinclair) in a Singles Match.
Jackson Drake (with Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes) vs. Noam Dar in a Singles Match.
Nikkita Lyons & Zaria vs. Lizzy Rain & Tatum Paxley in a Tag Team Match.
EK Prosper, Sean Legacy & Tate Wilder vs. The Birth Right (Channing Lorenzo, Lexis King & Uriah Connors) (with Arianna Grace) in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.
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