What started as a grudge match quickly spiraled into chaos on April 30, 2025, when Joe Hendry—already locked in a tense confrontation with Trick Williams—was ambushed mid-match by the dark and destructive faction known as DarkState. What unfolded inside the NXT ring was more than an attack; it was a declaration of war, and the reverberations are shaking the very foundations of WWE’s black-and-gold brand.

The night was already charged. Tensions between Hendry and Trick Williams had been simmering for weeks, ever since Trick delivered a controversial and unprovoked assault on Hendry during the TNA Rebellion event—a cross-promotional shocker that blurred the lines between companies and ignited one of the most personal feuds of the year.

At Rebellion, Trick had blindsided Hendry backstage, leaving him bloodied and enraged. When asked about the attack, Hendry fumed, calling Williams “a man who crossed the line, professionally and personally.” The bitterness between them had only grown since, with both men trading verbal and physical shots across NXT tapings. The match on April 30 was supposed to settle the score—or at least bring it to a temporary pause.

Instead, it lit the fuse.

From the opening bell, Hendry fought like a man possessed—relentless, focused, and full of fury. Trick, ever the cocky and agile showman, matched him move for move, sneering through every strike. The crowd was locked in, chanting, gasping, and riding every reversal like a rollercoaster.

But just as Hendry began to gain the upper hand—hitting a vicious fallaway slam and setting up for his patented Standing Ovation—the lights cut out.

Gasps echoed across the arena. A heartbeat pulsed through the speakers. And when the lights flickered back on, DarkState was in the ring—hooded, masked, and merciless.

Led by the enigmatic and eerie Malakai Vale, the faction wasted no time. Hendry was blindsided by a steel chain to the back. Trick, stunned, backed off into a corner as Vale, alongside Kael Voss and the monstrous Nyx, laid waste to the match and left Hendry broken on the canvas.

The attack was deliberate, symbolic, and brutal. Vale whispered something into Hendry’s ear before delivering a blackout driver straight onto a chair. As Trick Williams exited the ring, refusing to involve himself any further, cameras caught a rare moment of hesitation on his face—was this what he wanted all along?

Security finally rushed to ringside, but the damage was already done.

Backstage chaos erupted. Shawn Michaels was reportedly furious at the unscheduled interference. Medical staff swarmed Hendry, who had to be helped to the back, semi-conscious but seething. WWE’s official X account quickly posted:

“BREAKING: Joe Hendry attacked by DarkState during NXT showdown with Trick Williams. #NXTChaos”

Social media detonated with reactions. Fans were shocked not only by the violence of the ambush, but by what it meant—a third force had entered the conflict. “What does DarkState want with Hendry?” one post read. Others speculated that Trick may have had prior ties to the faction, or worse, orchestrated the entire situation to gain the upper hand.

Joe Hendry’s response came later that night in a backstage segment that saw him gripping an ice pack, his face dark with fury.

“You want to turn this into a message?” Hendry growled into the camera. “You think you’re sending a warning? Let me make myself crystal clear—you just unleashed something you won’t be able to control. Vale, DarkState, Trick… all of you crossed the line. Now I’m burning it down.”

Meanwhile, Trick Williams offered only a cryptic tweet:
🕶️ “I told y’all I’m not here to play checkers.”
Fans are still debating whether it’s a confirmation of involvement or simple ego.

The arrival of DarkState has thrown NXT into disarray. Known for their chaotic tactics and nihilistic messages, the faction has long operated in shadows—but now they’ve stepped into the light, targeting one of NXT’s most vocal and defiant stars. Their presence raises serious questions about the future of the brand. Are they looking to take over? Are they backing Trick? Or is this part of a deeper agenda—one that stretches beyond Hendry?

WWE officials are reportedly considering a No Holds Barred match, or even a Factions Collide elimination war, for a future Premium Live Event. Hendry, refusing medical leave, has already demanded a match against any member of DarkState “any time, any place, anywhere.” His passion, however, may become his undoing.

Meanwhile, Trick Williams continues to evade full responsibility, stoking flames without taking direct accountability. It’s a dangerous line to walk—and one that may leave him without allies when the time comes.

As the dust settles and the smoke clears, one thing is undeniable: NXT has entered a darker chapter. Betrayals, ambushes, and unchecked aggression are no longer plot twists—they’re the new normal.

And in the eye of the storm, Joe Hendry stands wounded… but far from defeated.

If this war is just beginning, DarkState may soon learn what happens when you push a man too far—especially one who never backs down from a fight.