WWE NXT champ Tony D’Angelo expects shenanigans from Naraku at Great American Bash

Tony D’Angelo has held the WWE NXT Championship for several months now, and his upcoming title defense at The Great American Bash could be his biggest test yet.

Naraku burst onto the NXT scene in May and immediately announced his intention to win the championship. He earned the right to become the #1 contender by defeating NXT newcomer Mason Rook. On June 28, D’Angelo and Naraku will face each other for the championship.

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D’Angelo told Fox News Digital in a recent interview that he kept his antenna up after his last interaction with Naraku. The opponent presented him with the official match contract unsigned. D’Angelo signed on the dotted line, but was told he would have to wait a little longer for Naraku to sign.

“Well, in a way. But I also agreed to it, thinking he might have doubts himself,” he said. “He might be a little scared of Tony D. He doesn’t know if he wants to get in the ring with me yet. Yes, that’s a possibility.”

D’Angelo said that he expected Naraku to go after him immediately, given his reputation.

Naraku came to NXT from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he wrestled under the name Evil and became the IWGP heavyweight champion, IWGP intercontinental champion, and four-time Never openweight champion. Naraku’s reputation precedes him.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, D’Angelo said, “I’ll say I’m not surprised. He’s from Japan. I don’t think he’ll travel that far just to hang out. Of course, he’ll come for the big dog.” “I understand. As expected, but honestly what surprised me was that he was totally, oh, trying to protect me and my title. I didn’t quite understand it, but after I got home and thought about it, OK, it was just mind games. He’s making fun of me, trying to make the honorable guy look like, ‘If I’m going to beat you, I want to beat you in the best way possible.’

Naraku applies an armbar to Mason Rook during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on June 9, 2026. (Matt Pendleton/WWE)

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“I’m not quite convinced of that yet, especially last Tuesday when he brought me to his workplace and went to sign a contract and he hadn’t even signed the contract, which meant… the draft. Let’s see. He said next week, when the time is right. So, at least I’ve got my head around it.”

D’Angelo said he expected some kind of shenanigans to happen in the match, considering Naraku is part of the Torture House. D’Angelo, who was once the coach of NXT, has now proven that he can do it alone. He also challenged Naraku to prove this.

“Absolutely,” he said when asked if there was any funny business that might come his way. “I wouldn’t be surprised if something like this were to happen. Like I said, it’s not new to me. I have a past life. I used to be the boss of a family, and maybe I was part of nonsense like this once or twice. It would be foolish not to expect it. I’m fully aware of his little minions in his past life. I expect the unexpected.”

D’Angelo and Naraku’s title match is one of several matches on the card.

Lola Vice will put the NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Kendall Gray, Myles Borne will defend the NXT North American Championship against Tavion Heights, Wren Sinclair will face a challenger for the WWE Women’s Speed ​​Championship, and Saquon Shugars will defeat Dion Lennox.

Tony D’Angelo will get his win on April 4, 2026 in St. Celebrating at NXT: Stand and Deliver at The Factory in St. Louis, Missouri. (Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)

The Great American Bash will be NXT’s first premium live event, exclusive to the CW Network at 8 p.m.

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“I think it’s great. Like you said, this is the first PLE on the CW Network,” D’Angelo said. “We’re going to reach a wider audience. I think this kind of thing is very important for WWE, but also for NXT; I think we’re the ‘third brand’, compared to the others it’s ‘developmental’. I think it’s good to get up-and-coming talent in front of as many faces as possible.”