Tony D’Angelo took a shot at Oba Femi on Tuesday’s NXT, just one day after Femi and Bron Breakker signed the contract for their Sunday Night’s Main Event match. Their rivalry centers on who represents the future of WWE.
Speaking with Blake Howard backstage, the reigning NXT Champion reminded everyone that he was the one who dethroned Femi before Femi ever reached the main roster.
“Former champs, Bron and Oba, battling it out on RAW to see who the future of WWE is. Now Oba might want you to forget it, but I put him down first.”
D’Angelo’s claim checks out. On August 10, 2024, he defeated Femi for the NXT North American Championship, ending a historic 272-day reign and becoming the first man to pin him in NXT. Weeks later at Halloween Havoc, D’Angelo beat Femi again to retain the title.
D’Angelo also made a point to note that he’s the only Grand Slam Champion in NXT history, having held the NXT Championship, North American Championship, NXT Tag Team Championship, and Heritage Cup Championship.
His current NXT Championship reign began at Stand & Deliver on April 4, when he won a Fatal 4-Way over Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints, and Ethan Page.
D’Angelo now faces a similar situation at NXT Heatwave on August 30, where he’ll defend the title in another Fatal 4-Way against Grayson Waller, Cruz Montana, and Zilla Fatu.