Grayson Waller Claims NXT Championship in Thrilling Heatwave Match

Tony D’Angelo faced a daunting task at Heatwave: defend the NXT Championship against Grayson Waller, Cruz Montana, and Zilla Fatu. This event marked one of the greatest challenges of his reign. The rules meant he did not have to be pinned to lose the title, and each opponent was eager to reach the top of the men’s division.

Fatu, in particular, was stepping into the spotlight with his singles debut, while Montana, previously part of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), aimed to make an impactful entry. Waller, on the other hand, was determined to reclaim his position atop the competition.

In the ring, none of the competitors stayed down easily. Fatu executed a brutal flying Samoan Spike on D’Angelo and nearly secured a pin, but Waller intervened by pulling the referee out of the ring just in time. Throughout the match, Waller absorbed considerable punishment from his opponents, indicating his resilience.

As the contest progressed, Fatu ended up on the announcer table after intense exchanges with D’Angelo and Montana. Seizing the opportunity, Waller ascended the top turnbuckle and delivered a decisive elbow drop on Fatu, sending both crashing through the table.

Meanwhile, in the ring, D’Angelo and Montana continued their battle. Montana managed to hit D’Angelo with a Spin the Block. Sensing his chance, Waller re-entered the ring, pushed Montana outside, and pinned D’Angelo to secure victory. This win crowned Waller as the new NXT champion.

This victory marks Waller’s first NXT title reign. Despite beginning his career with the brand and capturing the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge in 2022, he hadn’t reached these heights until now. The outcome showcased his ability to back up his confident return to NXT TV.