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Ricky Saints’ WWE Run Called an ‘Underwhelming Failure’ on NXT

Posted: Apr 3rd 2026 By: Bibonsinha

The road to NXT Stand & Deliver 2026 got a bit personal when Ricky Saints’ WWE run was called an “underwhelming failure” on the March 31 episode of WWE NXT. It has now set the tone for a Fatal 4-Way match for the NXT Championship.

The retort happened during the contract signing segment between Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, Tony D’Angelo, and the current champion, Joe Hendry. It started with the usual trash talk. However, things turned sour when D’Angelo took over the conversation.

Tony D’Angelo criticizes Ricky Saints’ WWE run during NXT segment

D’Angelo called himself the only true “homegrown” NXT star in the match and labeled the others as outsiders. He went the hardest at Saints. D’Angelo reminded everyone that Saints was expected to be the next big star when he arrived in 2025. He then said that Saints has been a disappointment.

“You came in, you were supposed to be the new face of the brand. And you’re absolute… an absolutely underwhelming failure,” D’Angelo told Saints.

This made their rivalry even more intense and added more depth to Saints’ current character.

Saints has changed a lot recently. After losing the NXT title in December 2025, he turned heel and started showing a more arrogant side.

However, Saints’ time in NXT hasn’t been all bad. Since debuting in February 2025, he quickly became a top name. He won the NXT North American Championship by beating Shawn Spears and later won the NXT Championship by defeating Oba Femi at No Mercy 2025. Even though he lost the title after 70 days, he has stayed in the main event scene.

His feud with Ethan Page has also been important. But lately, things have been messy for Saints, including a recent disqualification loss to D’Angelo after Page interfered.

The contract signing ended the way many expected. After all four men signed, a big fight broke out. In the end, D’Angelo stood tall after putting Saints through a table. At the same time, Page and Hendry kept fighting.