How a New NXT Champion at Stand & Deliver 2026 Could Set up the Latest WWE Main Roster Call-ups
During the March 24th episode of NXT, it was announced at the end of the show by interim general manager Robert Stone that NXT Champion Joe Hendry will be defending his championship in a Fatal Four-Way Match at NXT Stand & Deliver 2026 against former NXT Champions Ethan Page and Ricky Saints, as well as former North American Champion Tony D’Angelo. This match comes along because Page and Saints have been arguing about the championship for the past few weeks, with even Page pinning Hendry in a Tag Team Match, in addition to D’Angelo making it his mission to take out Hendry and become the new NXT Champion after completing his task of taking out DarkState. While it’s very possible the ‘We Believe’ movement could continue in NXT, some could say the current champion is ready for a main roster call-up, just like some of his opponents in the NXT Championship match at Stand & Deliver. That’s why this NXT Championship match at Stand & Deliver is setting up the latest and the next wave of WWE main roster call-ups.
When Oba Femi, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Lash Legend were called up to the main roster at the end of 2025, it was questionable why Page or Saints weren’t in that conversation, but the WWE Universe knew they would certainly be in the next wave of call-ups. When both men arrived in NXT, they were seasoned vets in the ring, but now two years later, they have developed enough and become known commodities to WWE to become main roster-ready. It’s time to continue to grow the young talent that’s evolving in NXT and let the veterans establish themselves on either Monday Night Raw or Friday Night SmackDown. Both the red and blue brands could use the talent that Page or Saints have. It would be interesting to see Saints alongside his real-life, close friend, Cody Rhodes or Page, interacting with another Canadian like Sami Zayn on SmackDown. Also, seeing either one feud with the likes of Seth Rollins, Gunther, or Finn Bálor on Raw sounds intriguing.
At Stand & Deliver 2026, both men will feud for the championship they both desperately desire once again, and yet their “friendship” could be the downfall of either one not winning. Both Page and Saints could cost each other the title at numerous points in the match. This could send one in a rage, which starts a fight between the two, allowing Hendry to capitalize on D’Angelo or for D’Angelo to wreck Hendry. Having the “friendship” tear apart between the former NXT Champions could allow the two to jump to the main roster on the following Raw or SmackDown after WrestleMania XLII.
If Page and Saints are certainly within the next wave of NXT call-ups, what does that mean for Hendry? Does NXT believe enough in Hendry that they know he can succeed on Raw or SmackDown, or is there something within the current NXT Champion’s arsenal that needs a little fine-tuning? If Hendry’s championship reign comes to an end at Stand & Deliver 2026, it would be a 57-day reign. This is something completely different from someone like Femi, who held it for 263 days in his first reign. Yet, Hendry is so over with the fans that perhaps he doesn’t need that long of a run with the title before moving up to the main roster. This allows D’Angelo to be the face of the brand. After over four years in NXT, this allows the former North American Champion to show how much he has transitioned since debuting to becoming a main event player in the NXT Championship scene.
Since winning the Ladder Match for the vacant NXT Championship, we wondered what’s next for Hendry and the ‘ We Believe’ Movement. D’Angelo was on that short list of opponents we could see the current NXT Champion face. A fight between Page and Saints during this championship match at Stand & Deliver 2026 could see D’Angelo spear Hendry into oblivion and become the new champ. A newly re-focused D’Angelo could rule NXT with an iron fist and become the fierce heel one of these new NXT superstars will have to overcome. While I’ve enjoyed Hendry’s time in NXT, it’s time he starts his venture on the main roster.
