The March 24 episode of WWE NXT on The CW delivered a major surprise as Johnny Gargano made his return and secured a championship opportunity in dramatic fashion.

The night featured a #1 Contender Gauntlet Eliminator Match to determine who would challenge Myles Borne for the NXT North American Championship at Stand & Deliver on April 4.

The match began with Shiloh Hill and Jackson Drake starting things off. Charlie Dempsey entered at number three, followed by Dion Lennox at number four. A mystery participant had been teased ahead of time, and the reveal brought a big reaction as Candice LeRae appeared on stage to introduce her husband, Johnny Gargano.

LeRae’s presence played a key role in the story. She was shown trying to help Gargano regain confidence after his recent struggles on WWE television following Tommaso Ciampa’s departure. However, Gargano’s return did not start well. Jackson Drake immediately attacked him, leaving him laid out in the ring, mirroring the position fans had recently seen him in during his slump.

The chaos continued as O.T.M., consisting of Bronco Nima and Lucien Price, interfered and took out Dion Lennox. That allowed Shiloh Hill to capitalize and eliminate Lennox from the match. Hill then built momentum by eliminating both Jackson Drake and Charlie Dempsey.

After Dempsey’s elimination, the group Birthright, including Uriah Connors, Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo, and Dempsey, stormed the ring and attacked Hill. They threw him back inside, leaving him vulnerable. At that point, Candice LeRae urged Gargano to get back into the fight. While he still appeared out of it, LeRae took matters into her own hands and pushed Gargano on top of Hill.

The referee counted the pin, giving Gargano the win in unexpected fashion.

With the victory, Gargano is now officially set to challenge Myles Borne for the NXT North American Championship at Stand & Deliver. The result adds a major title match to the card and marks a significant moment in Gargano’s return story.

Johnny Gargano Returns to NXT, Earns North American Title Shot

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Several key matches were made official o the March 24 episode of WWE NXT on The CW, as the brand continues its push toward Stand & Deliver on April 4.

An in-ring segment involving Sol Ruca and ZARIA added another layer to their ongoing story. Ruca addressed ZARIA’s recent betrayal and made it clear she felt blindsided after giving her former partner multiple opportunities. She then called ZARIA out and challenged her to a match at Stand & Deliver.

ZARIA came out and explained her actions, stating, “I was always seen as just Sol’s friend, but when I turned on you, I became ZARIA again.”

Ruca pushed back, questioning how she had become the villain in ZARIA’s perspective. ZARIA responded with a sharp remark, saying, “You’re the mistake in my story.”

The exchange confirmed their match for April 4, adding a personal and emotional clash to the event.

Later in the night, the main event saw Ricky Saints face Tony D’Angelo in singles competition. Saints was accompanied by Ethan Page, and the match quickly turned chaotic when Page interfered and attacked D’Angelo.

That brought out NXT Champion Joe Hendry, who ran to the ring and fought off both Page and Saints. After clearing the ring, Hendry turned his attention to D’Angelo, who had previously targeted him in recent weeks.

The closing moment of the show saw Page and Saints both holding the NXT Championship belt, while Hendry and D’Angelo looked on from the background. The visual highlighted the growing tension around the title picture.

Backstage, NXT Interim General Manager Robert Stone later confirmed a major announcement. At Stand & Deliver on April 4, Joe Hendry will defend the NXT Championship in a Fatal 4-Way match against Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, and Tony D’Angelo.

In addition, a contract signing for the title match is scheduled for the March 31 episode of WWE NXT, which will take place at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

With multiple rivalries reaching a boiling point, WWE NXT is set for a stacked Stand & Deliver card, and the March 31 episode is expected to play a key role in the final build.

Here is the updated Stand & Deliver matches card:

• NXT Tag Team Championship: Vanity Project (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes) (c) vs. TBD
• Sol Ruca vs. ZARIA
• NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Johnny Gargano (w/ Candice LeRae)
• Sexyy Red appearance
• NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. TBD
• NXT Championship — Fatal 4-Way Match: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ricky Saints vs. Tony D’Angelo vs. Ethan Page

Big Matches Announced for NXT Stand & Deliver

AdvertisementAdvertisement

WWE NXT continues its build toward Stand & Deliver, with a loaded episode scheduled for March 31 at the Infosys Theater inside MSG in New York City. The show will feature key matches and segments that will shape the card for the upcoming Premium Live Event.

One of the major highlights is the return of TNA World Champion Mike Santana. He appeared on the March 24 episode and made his intentions clear. Santana announced that he will team up with O.T.M., made up of Bronco Nima and Lucien Price, to face DarkState, which includes Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, and Saquon Shugars. During his message, Santana issued a direct warning.

“They’ve felt these hands before, but never like this. This is Madison Square Garden. When you get off that plane, wipe your feet and pay your respects.”

That match adds a strong crossover element and raises the stakes for the New York City crowd.

Another important bout will see Kendal Grey face Lola Vice. The winner will earn a title opportunity against Jacy Jayne at Stand & Deliver. This match carries clear implications for the NXT women’s division and could determine a future champion.

Kelani Jordan is also set to face Jaida Parker in what is expected to be a physical contest. Both competitors are looking to gain momentum at a key point on the road to Stand & Deliver.

The tag team division will also be in focus. Birth Rite will take on Los Americanos in a number one contender’s match. The winning team will challenge The Vanity Project for the NXT Tag Team Titles at Stand & Deliver, making this a crucial matchup.

In another featured bout, Keanu Carver will go one-on-one with Jasper Troy. This match stems from Carver disrupting Booker T Appreciation Night, and Troy is looking for revenge. Due to the intensity of the rivalry, Josh Briggs has been assigned as the special referee, as no other official agreed to take the role.

Additionally, Tatum Paxley and Blake Monroe will meet face-to-face. This comes after Monroe took possession of Paxley’s NXT Women’s North American Title without officially winning it. The segment is expected to lead to a match announcement.

With several matches tied directly to Stand & Deliver, this episode of NXT at Madison Square Garden is set to play a major role in shaping upcoming storylines.

Here is the lineup for the NXT show in New York City:

• Winner challenges for NXT Women’s Title at Stand & Deliver: Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey
• Jasper Troy vs. Keanu Carver (Special Guest Referee: Josh Briggs)
• Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan
• Mike Santana, Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) vs. DarkState (Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars & Osiris Griffin)
• Winners challenge for NXT Tag Team Titles at Stand & Deliver: Los Americanos (Rayo Americano & Bravo Americano) vs. Birthright
• Tatum Paxley and Blake Monroe to meet face-to-face
• Contract signing for NXT Title match at Stand & Deliver (Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ricky Saints vs. Tony D’Angelo vs. Ethan Page)

NXT at MSG Set for Major Matches and Mike Santana Return

AdvertisementAdvertisement