Joe Hendry Earns #1 Contender Spot for NXT Title on 8/20 Episode

WWE’s NXT brand continues to thrive, and the August 20 episode featured several key matches that will help shape the future of the brand. Ethan Page, the current NXT Champion, has quickly risen to the top of WWE’s developmental brand. With No Mercy approaching on September 1, the search for his next challenger took center stage during this week’s NXT.

In this episode, a high-stakes NXT Championship number one contender match was held, featuring Wes Lee, Pete Dunne, and Joe Hendry. The three competitors battled fiercely, each determined to earn the opportunity to challenge for the NXT Championship.

The match began with Wes Lee and Pete Dunne targeting Joe Hendry during his entrance, immediately intensifying the action. The crowd was firmly behind Joe Hendry, and Ethan Page, who was on commentary, watched closely as the match unfolded. Hendry impressed the fans with a double fallaway slam on Dunne and Lee, eliciting loud chants of “We Believe!” from the NXT Arena.

As the match progressed, there were several near falls. Just as Joe Hendry seemed on the verge of victory by pinning Dunne, Ethan Page intervened by pulling the referee out of the ring. Hendry retaliated by sending Lee into the announce table. He nearly pinned Dunne again, but Page stopped a second referee from reaching the ring. In a surprising turn, Pete Dunne hit Hendry with a Bitter End, but Trick Williams interfered, delivering a Trick Shot to Dunne, allowing Hendry to secure the win. Now, Joe Hendry will face Ethan Page for the NXT Championship at No Mercy.

The show ended with Zachary Wentz jumping Wes Lee as officials jumped in the ring to pull them apart. The NXT Arena chanted “Let Them Fight” to close out the show.

WWE also added more matches to the No Mercy premium live event during this episode. Kelani Jordan set up a match against Wendy Choo by taking out Lola Vice with a loaded pillowcase, revealing the NXT Women’s North American Title inside. Additionally, Jaida Parker won a gauntlet match to earn a shot at Roxanne Perez’s NXT Women’s Title, defeating Brinley Reece, Wren Sinclair, Kendal Grey, Sol Ruca, and Adriana Rizzo. The card was further bolstered with Oba Femi defending the NXT North American Title against Tony D’Angelo, and Chase U set to defend the NXT Tag Team Titles against Axiom and Nathan Frazer.

What’s your take on Ethan Page’s next challenger for the NXT Title? Do you think he’ll retain his championship this time? Share your thoughts in the comments section!