New WWE NXT Champion Crowned After Dramatic Ladder Match
WWE NXT has officially entered a new era after a new champion was crowned in the main event of Tuesday night’s episode, bringing closure to a title vacancy that began at New Year’s Evil.
The NXT Championship had been left without a holder after Oba Femi made the unexpected decision to relinquish the title following his successful defense earlier this year, setting the stage for one of the brand’s most anticipated championship matches in recent memory.
Oba Femi Vacates the NXT Championship
At NXT New Year’s Evil, Femi successfully defended the NXT Championship against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater, further solidifying his dominant reign. However, in a shocking conclusion to the event, Femi left the championship belt in the ring after the match, officially vacating the title and bringing his run as champion to an abrupt end.
The move immediately raised questions about the future of the NXT Championship and prompted WWE officials to act quickly to crown a new titleholder.
Ladder Match Announced to Decide New Champion
In the aftermath of Femi’s decision, WWE announced that a ladder match would headline the February 3 episode of NXT, with the vacant championship hanging above the ring.
Ricky Saints was the first competitor confirmed for the match, while the remaining entrants were determined through a series of qualifying bouts in the weeks leading up to the event.
Those qualifiers produced a diverse and competitive field. Shiloh Hill earned his spot by defeating Josh Briggs, while Sean Legacy advanced with a victory over Eli Knight. Keanu Carver secured qualification by overcoming Andre Chase, and Dion Lennox rounded out the initial field by defeating Myles Borne.
Late Changes Add Chaos to the Match
The final qualifier between Joe Hendry and Jackson Drake took an unexpected turn when Hendry was attacked before the match could take place. As a result, the bout was called off, and Drake was initially granted a bye into the ladder match.
However, later developments added another twist. WWE announced that Hendry had been medically cleared to compete, officially adding him back into the contest and turning the championship match into a seven-man ladder match.
The announcement heightened anticipation for the main event, with momentum shifting firmly toward unpredictability.
Joe Hendry Climbs to the Top
The ladder match closed the show and delivered the kind of chaotic, high-risk spectacle NXT is known for. All seven competitors battled for position, using ladders as both weapons and stepping stones in a match defined by timing, endurance, and opportunity.
In the end, it was Joe Hendry who capitalized on the moment. After navigating the physical toll of the match and surviving multiple close calls, Hendry climbed the ladder and retrieved the NXT Championship, officially becoming the new titleholder.
The victory marked a career-defining moment for Hendry, who overcame adversity just to enter the match and emerged as the face of NXT’s men’s division.
A Night of Transition for NXT
The crowning of a new champion was not the only major development on the show. WWE also announced the appointment of a new interim NXT General Manager following Ava’s departure from the company, signaling further changes behind the scenes.
Together, the leadership shift and the championship change underscore a period of transition for NXT, as the brand looks to establish new pillars and storylines heading into the next phase of its evolution.
With the NXT Championship now firmly in Joe Hendry’s hands, attention will quickly turn to potential challengers — and how the new champion defines his reign in a division known for rapid momentum shifts and breakout stars.
