WWE NXT preview: CM Punk challenges Grayson Waller, Cena to appear — November 4, 2026

WWE NXT will stage a special Wednesday episode at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida on November 4, 2026 featuring CM Punk challenging Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship and an appearance by John Cena. The show will also conclude the 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, include a Kelani Jordan NXT Women’s Championship defence against a mystery opponent, and an unsanctioned match with Michael Chandler as special guest referee.

NXT moves to Wednesday night this week and will go head-to-head with AEW Dynamite’s Blood & Guts. Punk’s title challenge was announced after Waller’s successful defence against Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc, where Waller used a crowbar while the referee was down before finishing D’Angelo with his Rolling Stunner; Danhausen then introduced a video from Punk who challenged Waller for November 4. The episode represents Punk’s first return to an NXT ring in more than 16 years.

John Cena is set to appear on the special Wednesday edition following his appearance on Monday Night Raw, although WWE has not announced the details of his segment. The company has been promoting his involvement alongside the new John Cena Classic, and WWE posted: ".@JohnCena appears LIVE this WEDNEDAY at #WWENXT! 📺 8 ET/7 CT on @TheCW pic.twitter.com/ZF69AM93mP"

The 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will conclude with Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno facing Hank Walker and Tank Ledger in the final. Dar and Moreno advanced through the tournament by defeating teams including Fraxiom and The Vanity Project, while Hank and Tank reached the final after victories over opponents including The Creed Brothers and the Wagner Brothers; Cody Rhodes is scheduled to present the trophy to the winners.

A six-man tag team match is also announced, pitting Chad Gable, Rey Fenix and Dragon Lee against The Vanity Project. Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes will represent the NXT faction, with the Vanity Project entering the contest with championship status—Drake holds the North American Championship and Baylor and Smokes are the NXT Tag Team Champions.

Kelani Jordan will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against a mystery opponent after she successfully retained against Wren Sinclair at Halloween Havoc. NXT General Manager Robert Stone informed Jordan she would have to defend her title on the November 4 episode, but the identity of her challenger has not been disclosed.

Cruz Montana and Dion Lennox will meet in an unsanctioned match announced at Halloween Havoc, with UFC star Michael Chandler serving as the special guest referee; the promotion noted there are no official championship implications for the contest. WWE promoted the bout on social media: ".@Montana_NYPR and @DionLennoxWWE throw down WEDNESDAY on #WWENXT! 📺 8 ET/7 CT on @TheCW pic.twitter.com/n3WG80jbNp"

The November 4 episode will be held at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and will air in the United States at 8 ET/7 CT on The CW. Fans in India can watch WWE NXT on Netflix, with the episode available live at 6:30 AM IST on Thursday, November 5; for further updates Khel Now advises following its Wrestling pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or using the Khel Now Android App, iOS App, Telegram and Whatsapp communities.