Say His Name and He Appears. Joe Hendry has finally become the NXT Champion and this is a fresh start for NXT. This is a new start for the NXT Men’s Division and he will look to ensure that the NXT Championship is once again the centre of excellence. There are many new male NXT Superstars that want a crack at the title.
Let’s look at the 5 Opponents for New NXT Champion Joe Hendry
Ricky Saints
The most obvious and most likely the first opponent for New NXT Champion Joe Hendry will be Ricky Saints. The former NXT Champion was just seconds away from himself being the NXT Champion. Ricky Saints is in his final months of NXT and he is primed and ready for the main roster. NXT Stand and Deliver 2026 is coming soon and this will be a big time match for the biggest belt in NXT. Ricky Saints will push Joe Hendry to the limit.
Tony D’Angelo
The new face of NXT Joe Hendry will be facing Tony D’Angelo in the not too distant future. Tony D is someone that has had his sights at the belt for some time. Ever since Oba Femi vacated the NXT title fans have assumed that he would be the new NXT Champion. Tony D is a great opponent as he has been with NXT forever and finally it looks like he has found his true form. He would like to win the NXT Championship before finally going to the main roster. Joe Hendry will be pushed to the limit.
Keanu Carter
This is one of the newest powerful NXT superstars. Ever since Oba Femi has left NXT there has been a power deficit as there is not a dominant NXT wrestler. However Keanu Carter has filled that spot with ease and he is impressive. Joe Hendry vs Keanu Carter will be a traditional David vs Goliath Match where the experience of Joe Hendry will go against the power and the brute strength of Keanu Carter. Keanu Carter will have to get some experience before he can get a shot at the NXT Championship.
Shiloh Hill
Shiloh Hill is a name that will sound familiar to all the people who have watched WWE LFG. He was in both the seasons and has consistently impressed the coaches with his promo skills and his wrestling abilities. He is someone that moves very well for his size. His biggest plus is that he can cut promos at anyone and as a face or a heel. Shiloh Hill is supposed to challenge Ethan Page for the NXT North American Champion on 17th February. Shawn Michaels trusts him to put him in with the best in NXT.
Jackson Drake
Jackson Drake is a man that impressed in the ladder match when seven men contested to become the new NXT Champion. This is a man that faced Joe Hendry for the NXT Championship and took the champion to his limit. Even though Joe Hendry beat him that doesn’t mean the end of the road for him. He is still very young and in a few month’s time if Joe Hendry is still the NXT Champion then the rematch could take place. The new crop of Men’s NXT Stars have a lot to live up to.
