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Tony D’Angelo entered his NXT Championship title defense against Naraku at The Great American Bash on Sunday with a bandage over his eye.
D’Angelo and Naraku’s contract signing led to a fireball in the champion’s face. D’Angelo was feeling the effects of the madness created by Naraku, but he wasn’t going to let it stop him from trying to achieve his goal – defending the NXT Championship.
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NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo looks on in the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida on April 14, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)
The champion started hot. He impaled Naraku through a retaining wall and got the edge early. Naraku wasn’t going to just sit back and take it.
He took control of the match and tried to take advantage of D’Angelo’s vision problem. When the referee was about to call for the bell, D’Angelo made it clear that he wasn’t about to throw in the towel on his eye.
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Naraku prepares for action during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on June 9, 2026. (Harry Aaron/WWE)
D’Angelo got back into the match and hit Naraku with a Dead to Rights. He made him prevail.
D’Angelo only won the NXT Championship for the first time at Stand & Deliver. His reign has lasted at least 85 days and will increase during the brand’s Tuesday episode later this week.
Who challenges him next is anyone’s guess.
Tony D’Angelo and Naraku face each other during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on May 27, 2026. (Andrea Kellaway/WWE)
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He might get Mason Rook next as the newcomer looks to step up and make a name for himself. So far, D’Angelo has dispatched every opponent who has made an effort to compete for the NXT Championship.
