The WWE developmental brand just crowned a new champion in spectacular fashion.
When Oba Femi departed NXT for the main roster, leaving the championship vacant, the brand needed to determine his successor quickly.
Seven competitors battled in a ladder match with the title suspended above the ring—and the outcome has fans buzzing.
Former TNA star Joe Hendry emerged victorious in a chaotic showdown that delivered exactly what ladder matches promise: high-stakes drama and jaw-dropping stunts.
Seven Wrestlers, One Championship Opportunity
Following Femi’s departure to the main roster, NXT officials organized qualifying matches to narrow the field. The final seven competitors represented an intriguing mix of talent levels and potential breakout stars.
The ladder match field included:
- Joe Hendry
- Ricky Saints
- Shiloh Hill
- Sean Legacy
- Dion Lennox
- Keanu Carver
- Evolve Champion Jackson Drake
While Hendry entered as a favorite given his name recognition, the match structure meant any competitor could seize the moment with the right sequence.
A Signature Ladder Match Spectacle
The bout delivered on expectations for controlled chaos. Every participant absorbed brutal impacts throughout the contest, with creative spots punctuating the violence.
One memorable sequence featured Shiloh Hill using two ladders as makeshift stilts—a visual that perfectly captured the inventive absurdity these matches often produce. Such moments of creativity distinguish memorable ladder matches from mere stunt compilations.
Bodies crashed through, onto, and around ladder structures as each wrestler fought to climb toward championship gold. The weapons themselves became characters in the story, positioned strategically and repurposed constantly throughout the action.
The Finish: Saints’ Costly Showboating
Ricky Saints appeared moments away from capturing his first NXT Championship. Standing alone atop the ladder, he had clear access to the suspended title.
Instead of immediately grabbing the championship, Saints took time to perform his signature pose—a decision that would prove catastrophic.
When Saints finally turned back toward the title, Hendry had climbed the opposite side of the ladder. What followed was a tug-of-war battle for the championship, both wrestlers gripping the belt while perched precariously.
Saints ultimately lost his balance, falling onto a bridged ladder below in a painful conclusion to his championship pursuit. Hendry seized the opening, claiming the title to thunderous applause from the Performance Center audience.
Why Hendry’s Victory Matters
The crowd reaction to Hendry’s win stood out even by Performance Center standards—typically a more subdued environment compared to full arena crowds. The sustained, loud pop reflected genuine excitement about his championship coronation.
Hendry brings instant credibility to NXT’s championship picture. His experience outside WWE, particularly his TNA tenure, positions him as a wrestler who can immediately anchor the developmental brand’s main event scene.
The booking also creates immediate storyline opportunities. Saints’ near-victory provides a built-in challenger narrative, while the other five participants can orbit the title picture in coming weeks.
NXT’s Championship Picture Moving Forward
Crowning a new champion via ladder match accomplishes several goals simultaneously. It establishes Hendry’s reign with a memorable visual moment while protecting all seven competitors through the match’s chaotic nature.
Nobody suffered a clean pinfall or submission loss. Each wrestler can claim they came close to winning, maintaining their standing while Hendry ascends.
The developmental brand now has a established champion who can work with both rising prospects and fellow experienced hands. Hendry’s versatility allows NXT creative freedom in building feuds across different opponent styles.
Saints’ blown opportunity specifically creates an obvious first feud. His showboating cost him championship gold—a classic wrestling narrative that writes itself. Expect these two to continue their rivalry with singles matches that explore their contrasting styles.
The Ladder Match Formula Still Delivers
Wrestling promotions continue using ladder matches for championship changes because the formula consistently works. The match type inherently creates drama through visual storytelling—every climb becoming a potential title change.
Multiple competitors scrambling for the same prize generates natural chaos that keeps audiences engaged. Unlike battle royals or other multi-person matches, ladder matches maintain focus through the singular objective hanging overhead.
The physical risk involved adds gravitas. Wrestlers absorb legitimate impacts, lending authenticity to the struggle. When executed properly, these matches create career-defining moments—something Hendry now possesses.
NXT’s decision to crown their new champion this way immediately elevated the title change into a special moment rather than a routine tournament final or authority figure announcement.
What Comes Next for NXT’s New Champion
Hendry begins his reign with momentum and crowd support—two critical ingredients for successful championship runs. His immediate challenge will be maintaining that energy through his first title defense.
The ladder match’s finish guarantees Saints receives the first championship opportunity. Beyond that initial program, NXT features several potential contenders who could challenge Hendry, including previous champions looking to reclaim glory and rising stars seeking breakthrough moments.
How long WWE keeps Hendry in developmental versus promoting him to Raw or SmackDown remains uncertain. His name recognition and polish suggest he could transition quickly, though NXT benefits from having an established champion who can elevate younger talent through competitive matches.
The Performance Center crowd’s enthusiastic response suggests fans are ready to follow wherever Hendry’s championship journey leads. NXT just created its newest main event star—now comes the crucial work of sustaining that momentum through compelling storylines and strong in-ring performances.