At WWE NXT Heatwave 2026, Grayson Waller defeated Tony D’Angelo, Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu to win the NXT Women’s Championship.
This kickstarted a new era on the NXT brand with Waller standing on top, but there are several stars gunning for The Aussie.
After several stars have stepped up to the plate, Waller could have any number of stars to challenge him for the NXT Championship in the weeks and months to come.
Here are seven potential challengers for Grayson Waller’s WWE NXT Championship.
7. Tony D’Angelo
After WWE NXT Heatwave 2026, Tony D’Angelo is no longer the NXT Champion.
Now looking to get back on top, D’Angelo is filled with rage and wants his revenge on Grayson Waller.
Tony D is the most decorated star on the NXT roster as the only Grand Slam Champion in the brand’s history.
Wanting to become a rare two-time NXT Champion, D’Angelo may make for a tough test in Waller’s first defense of the gold.
6. EK Prosper
On the August 25 episode of WWE NXT, Rey Fenix defeated EK Prosper to retain the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship.
Following this loss, Prosper is not resting on his laurels and believes he is one more shot away from being a champion on NXT.
Throwing his name in the hat for the top prize on the brand, EK has entered the NXT Championship picture.
EK Prosper feels like he just needs the right opportunity and he could very well get that if he earns a shot at Grayson Waller’s NXT Championship.
5. Zilla Fatu
On the August 11 edition of WWE NXT, Zilla Fatu made his debut with the company.
On that night, Fatu made a statement by laying out both Cruz Montana and Grayson Waller.
Then in his first WWE match, Fatu felt like he was on the cusp of becoming NXT Champion at Heatwave 2026.
Zilla challenging Waller now that he has the gold should make for a very intriguing title bout down the line.
4. Mason Rook
Debuting for WWE NXT in April, Mason Rook has felt like a must watch star on the roster.
Using his size, look, power and underrated agility, Rook has stood out from the pack on NXT.
On the September 1 episode of NXT, Rook defeated Kam Hendrix and joined the array of talent gunning for Grayson Waller’s NXT Championship.
After taking offense to Waller’s comments since returning to NXT, Rook will be looking to shut up the new NXT Champion for good.
3. Saquon Shugars
On the August 25 WWE NXT, Saquon Shugars defeated Dion Lennox in a Weaponized Steel Cage Match.
Putting the feud with his former Dark State stablemates to bed, Shugars has changed his focus and has joined the NXT Championship picture.
Now on his own, there is nothing stopping Shugars from becoming a fixture in the main event scene.
Shugars challenging Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship would see him elevate himself to the biggest match of his young career.
2. Keanu Carver
Another young star on the WWE NXT roster who could get that huge opportunity is Keanu Carver.
Since his arrival on the brand, Carver has ran roughshod over anyone and everyone in front of him.
As of late, Carver has surprised many fans and peers alike with his smarts inside the squared circle and in the backstage area, realizing he needed a different approach on NXT.
Being the man who initiated the show closing brawl on the September 1 WWE NXT, it would not be surprising to see Carver earn his way to the next shot at Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship.
1. Cruz Montana
On the July 21 episode of WWE NXT, Cruz Montana arrived as the newest star on the roster and immediately set his sights on the NXT Championship.
This led to Montana vying for the gold, but subsequently falling short in the four-way main event at WWE NXT Heatwave 2026.
The former TNA World Champion came so close to victory until eventual winner Grayson Waller snuck in to get the win.
Now, it feels like WWE NXT is building to an inevitable showdown between Waller and Montana in the near future.
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