Naraku arrived in NXT in May, declared his intention to win the championship, and earned the No. 1 contendership by defeating Mason Rook. D'Angelo has held the NXT Championship for a few months and called this defense his biggest test yet.
During a recent contract signing angle, Naraku presented the official match contract unsigned. D'Angelo signed his name, but Naraku had not signed and said he would do so next week, in due time.
I mean, kinda. But I also took it as he might be second-guessing himself. He might be a little afraid of Tony D. He doesn't know himself if he wants to step in the ring with me, yet. Yeah, that's a possibility.
D'Angelo said he expected Naraku to target the title given his New Japan Pro-Wrestling background, where he wrestled as Evil and held the IWGP heavyweight championship, IWGP intercontinental championship, and was a four-time Never openweight champion. He questioned Naraku's claim of trying to protect him and the title, calling it mind games after Naraku brought him to his place of business without signing the contract himself.
I'm not quite sold on that yet, especially this past Tuesday where he brought me to his place of business and went to sign a contract and he hadn't even signed it himself, which ... sketch. We'll see. He said next week, in due time. So, I got my head on a swivel, to say the least.
D'Angelo also expects possible shenanigans given Naraku's past affiliation with House of Torture. D'Angelo, who was once the don of NXT, said he is fully aware of Naraku's past associates and is expecting the unexpected.
Alongside the NXT Championship match, The Great American Bash card on June 28 includes:
- Lola Vice defends the NXT Women's Championship against Kendal Grey
- Myles Borne defends the NXT North American Championship against Tavion Heights
- Wren Sinclair faces a challenger for the WWE Women's Speed Championship
- Saquon Shugars takes on Dion Lennox
