Joe Hendry’s Celebration Cut Short By Ricky Saints After WWE NXT Title Defense

Joe Hendry’s Celebration Cut Short by Ricky Saints After WWE NXT Title Defense

February 10, 2026

Joe Hendry has only just started his run as NXT Champion, but he already has a big target on his back.

After winning the vacant NXT Championship in the seven-man Ladder Match on February 3, Hendry made his first title defense tonight against Jackson Drake. He managed to keep his title, but the night ended on a grim note as Ricky Saints returned and attacked him.

Hendry’s title win was a massive moment in his WWE career. He battled Ricky Saints, Dion Lennox, Sean Legacy, Jackson Drake, Shiloh Hill, and Keanu Carver in a brutal ladder match. At the end, Saints looked ready to win as he stood at the top of the ladder with the title in reach. But Hendry climbed up, knocked him into another ladder using the belt, and grabbed the title.

Tonight’s NXT opened with a recap of his big win. Hendry came out to a loud reaction, with fans proudly saying they still believe in him. That celebration didn’t last long.

The Vanity Project came out and interrupted him. A 3-on-1 fight broke out, and Drake and his team beat Hendry down.

Ricky Saints Sends Immediate Message To The WWE NXT Champion

Later in the show, Hendry defended the championship against Drake. The match was fast-moving and going well. Drake almost won after hitting a Busaiku Knee and a bridging German suplex. Baylor and Smokes tried to interfere, but the referee threw them out. In the end, Hendry fought back and hit his Standing Ovation finisher to retain the title.

But just as the NXT Champion celebrated, someone in a black hoodie rushed the ring and attacked him from behind. The attacker then revealed himself as Ricky Saints, the same man Hendry stopped from winning the title last week. Saints took out his frustration and laid the champion out and stood tall holding the NXT Championship.