Naraku and Mason Rook both made their intentions clear when they first arrived at NXT. Naraku eventually earned a shot at the NXT Championship, which D'Angelo will put on the line at The Great American Bash. While D'Angelo is still trying to wrap his head around Naraku's mind games, he had some consternation toward Rook.

Rook's First NXT Appearance

Mason Rook competed against Tony D'Angelo during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, on May 19, 2026. Rook took advantage of Kam Hendrix's attack on D'Angelo during his first appearance at NXT. He hit D'Angelo with a moonsault. He then attacked D'Angelo and Hendrix after the two met in a match.

D'Angelo was asked what fans who may not know Rook could expect from him. D'Angelo admitted he did not have many nice things to say about the newcomer.

I think he has a lot of potential. I think he's very athletic for a guy of his size. I owe him a receipt, for sure, for moonsaulting on me and then also attacking me at the end of the match.

I don't know. Me, personally, I don't have a lot of good things to say about the guy because, I get it, he wants the title. He wants to make a statement when he first gets to NXT but not at my expense.

But, I'm sure you'll see a lot more of him. I'm sure him and Kam Hendrix got some beef to settle. I'm sure we'll see how that goes.

Title Picture and What's Next

For now, Rook has been preoccupied with Hendrix while D'Angelo is set for a title defense against Naraku at The Great American Bash on Sunday.

D'Angelo performed in the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, on Feb. 10, 2026, as the reigning NXT champion navigating pressure from both Naraku and Rook on opposite sides of the roster.