Tony D’Angelo & ZARIA Retain At WWE NXT: Great American Bash, Sami Zayn Headed To SmackDown

Wade Barrett is looking forward to hearing from the new Undisputed WWE Champion.

During the opening match of the 2026 NXT Great American Bash pay-per-view event on June 28, commentators Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett discussed Sami Zayn’s historic Undisputed WWE Championship victory at Night of Champions 2026.

Barrett, who also serves as a commentator on SmackDown alongside Joe Tessitore, hyped Zayn’s upcoming appearance on the July 3 edition of the blue brand, saying that he can’t wait to hear what the newly crowned champion has to say.

Although the episode will air on July 3, WWE is scheduled to tape the show on June 29 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as part of the company’s ongoing international travel schedule.

Tony D’Angelo successfully retained the NXT World Championship in the opening contest of the 2026 NXT Great American Bash pay-per-view event.

D’Angelo defended the title against former IWGP Heavyweight Champion NARAKU, formerly known as EVIL, in what marked NARAKU’s first WWE pay-per-view appearance. The match also served as D’Angelo’s fourth successful defense of the NXT World Championship.

The action got off to a wild start when D’Angelo drove NARAKU through a wall with a spear.

D’Angelo sealed the victory by connecting with his signature Dead to Rights finisher to score the pinfall and retain the NXT World Championship.

ZARIA successfully retained the NXT Women’s North American Championship in her first title defense at the 2026 WWE NXT: Great American Bash.

The second match of the night saw ZARIA put her championship on the line against former titleholder Tatum Paxley. Paxley entered looking to regain the gold after losing the championship to ZARIA in early June.

The closing moments of the match saw ZARIA plant Paxley with an F-5, but the challenger managed to kick out. Refusing to let up, the champion unleashed a barrage of strikes to the back of Paxley’s head before hauling her up for a second F-5. This time, the move was enough to keep Paxley down for the three-count, allowing ZARIA to retain the title.

Ahead of the WWE NXT: Great American Bash broadcast on The CW Network, it was reported that WWE officials have internally discussed the possibility of a main roster call-up for Tatum Paxley.

Shiloh Hill scored a statement victory at WWE NXT: Great American Bash 2026.

The first non-title match of the night featured Hill taking on Tristan Angels after weeks of escalating tension between the two, stemming from Hill being voted Mr. NXT over his rival.

The match took a bizarre turn when Angels was dragged underneath the ring as a phone began ringing. Curious, Angels answered the call, only for a masked Hill to sneak up behind him and lock in a choke. After Angels managed to escape, Hill appeared behind him once again, continuing the mind games before the action returned to the ring.

Hill ultimately put Angels away to earn the victory.

Following the match, Hill grabbed a microphone and declared that he had proven exactly why no one should be overlooking him.

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