SouthernWorldwide.com – Tony D’Angelo, the reigning WWE NXT Champion, is gearing up for what he believes could be his most significant challenge to date at the upcoming Great American Bash event.
Naraku made a swift and impactful entrance into the NXT landscape in May, immediately signaling his ambition to claim the championship. He secured his position as the number one contender by defeating fellow NXT newcomer Mason Rook. The highly anticipated showdown between D’Angelo and Naraku for the title is scheduled for June 28.
When asked about Naraku’s intentions, D’Angelo expressed a belief that his challenger might be experiencing self-doubt. He suggested that Naraku might be apprehensive about facing him, questioning whether he truly wants to step into the ring against D’Angelo.
D’Angelo stated that he anticipated Naraku would target him without delay, given his established reputation. Naraku’s background includes a notable career in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he was known as Evil and held multiple championships, including the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, IWGP Intercontinental Championship, and the Never Openweight Championship four times.
However, D’Angelo remains somewhat unconvinced by Naraku’s recent actions, particularly an incident where Naraku brought him to his place of business to sign a contract, which Naraku himself had not yet signed. D’Angelo described this as “sketch” and is awaiting further developments, keeping a close watch.
Given Naraku’s past affiliation with the “House of Torture,” D’Angelo anticipates potential interference or underhanded tactics during their match. D’Angelo, who once held the position of “don” in NXT, has demonstrated his ability to succeed independently. He has challenged Naraku to prove his own capabilities without relying on external assistance.
D’Angelo acknowledged the possibility of “funny business” and stated he would not be surprised if such tactics were employed. He drew parallels to his own past experiences as a leader, suggesting that he is no stranger to such maneuvers. He is fully aware of Naraku’s past associates and is prepared for the unexpected.
The championship match between D’Angelo and Naraku is one of several key bouts scheduled for The Great American Bash. Lola Vice will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Kendal Grey, Myles Borne will put his NXT North American Championship on the line against Tavion Heights, Wren Sinclair will face an unnamed challenger for the WWE Women’s Speed Championship, and Saquon Shugars is set to compete against Dion Lennox.
The Great American Bash marks a significant milestone as the first NXT premium live event to be exclusively broadcast on the CW Network, with the show set to begin at 8 p.m. ET.
D’Angelo expressed his enthusiasm for the event’s new broadcast home, highlighting the opportunity to reach a wider audience. He emphasized the importance of such platforms for WWE and particularly for NXT, which he views as the “third brand” within WWE, though others may consider it developmental. He believes it is crucial to expose emerging talent to as many viewers as possible.
