A new WWE NXT Champion was crowned at last night’s WWE NXT Heatwave PLE.
Grayson Waller is the new NXT Champion after capturing the title at WWE NXT Heatwave 2026. Waller defeated Zilla Fatu, Cruz Montana and defending champion Tony D’Angelo in a Fatal Four-Way match at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas, on Sunday, August 30.
The closing moments saw Montana connect with Spin the Block on D’Angelo and appear to have the championship within his grasp. However, Waller threw Montana out of the ring before stealing the pin on D’Angelo to capture the title. The victory makes Waller the 29th wrestler to hold the NXT Championship and represents the 38th title change in the championship’s history.
WOW!! 🏆
Grayson Waller is the NEW NXT Champion!!! @GraysonWWEpic.twitter.com/sMgsYjGInj
— WWE (@WWE) August 30, 2026
Grayson Waller Wins WWE NXT Championship At Heatwave
Grayson Waller’s victory brought Tony D’Angelo’s NXT Championship reign to an end after 148 days. During his reign, D’Angelo successfully defended the title against Ethan Page and Kam Hendrix, while also recording two successful defences against Naraku.
The championship victory is only the second of Waller’s WWE career. His previous title came alongside Austin Theory when the pair captured the WWE Tag Team Championship in a ladder match at WrestleMania XL on April 6, 2024.
Waller and Theory held the championship until the July 5, 2024 episode of SmackDown, when they lost the titles to Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. More than two years later, Waller has now added his first singles championship in WWE by leaving NXT Heatwave as the new NXT Champion.
