WWE NXT Heatwave 2026 match card, preview and predictions

WWE NXT Heatwave will cap a wild day of professional wrestling on Sunday.

Four championship matches and a submission match will be featured on the card as Heatwave takes place at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas.

The event marks the first singles match for newcomer Zilla Fatu, who burst onto the NXT scene earlier this month. Fatu immediately went after NXT champion Tony D’Angelo and was thrust into a fatal four-way match with the title on the line.

It’s one of the marquee matches on the card. Read below for the full card, a preview and predictions.

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It’s a rising star versus a legend. Nattie challenged Jaida Parker to a submission match for Heatwave as their rivalry turned up a notch. Parker will have a chance to prove to Nattie and the rest of the WWE Universe that she is who she says she is. Nattie gets a chance to continue to show why she’s the "lowkey legend" who continuously changes the game in the sport.

Prediction: Parker pulls out all the stops.

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It’s going to be a long night for Myles Borne as he deals with the Vanity Project. First, he teams up with Tavion Heights to go up against Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes. Borne and Heights have only held the tag titles for three weeks after winning it against Baylor and Smokes earlier this month.

Prediction: Borne and Heights hang on to win the tag titles.

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It won’t be long before Borne is in another match with another Vanity Project member. Jackson Drake is looking for his shot at NXT gold in this North American Championship match. Drake beat Shiloh Hill with the help of Naraku to earn the chance at the title. Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes may be unable to take down Borne, but it could end up being Drake’s night.

Prediction: Jackson Drake captures the title

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NXT is unifying the Women’s North American Championship and the WWE Women’s Speed Championship. But there’s one wildcard – Kali Armstrong. The former Evolve women’s champion gets her first shot at gold. It will be an uphill battle as Zaria is a worthy champion and Sinclair has proven much in the ring over the last year. Will two reigns come to an end?

Prediction: Kali Armstrong has herself a night

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Kendal Grey and Kelani Jordan could both be on the main roster right now and be able to swim with the sharks. For now, the NXT Women’s Championship is on the line as Grey goes up against Jordan. Grey has a rocket strapped to her back since she came over from Evolve. Jordan has complained about not getting proper opportunities in NXT as of late. Jordan has a slight advantage since Grey is coming into the match with an ear injury. Jordan is smart enough to use that to her advantage in this one.

Prediction: Grey wins this one in a hard-fought battle.

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Old NXT, new NXT, a newcomer, an old face – it doesn’t matter. Tony D’Angelo has knocked everyone down since he returned to NXT programming. He now leads the men’s division as the champion but has a huge task in front of him. Grayson Waller is as hungry as ever. Cruz Montana has momentum on his side. Zilla Fatu is looking to make history. D’Angelo has held the NXT Championship for nearly 150 days. He’s the longest reigning champion since Oba Femi in 2025. Could WWE fans see an upset to end Heatwave?

Prediction: Zilla Fatu wins the title in his first singles match on NXT.

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WWE NXT Heatwave begins at 3 p.m. ET and can be seen on the CW Network in the United States.