Ever since Tony D’Angelo returned to NXT at Deadline 2025, his actions have been anything but straightforward. After a months-long absence, the self-proclaimed “Don of NXT” didn’t just return to challenge for the title — he returned to create confusion, tension, and a whole lot of questions. And now, with every passing week, fans are wondering: what is Tony D’Angelo’s real plan?
From Surprise Return to Pure Chaos
It all started after Je’Von Evans won the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline. As Evans celebrated, then-NXT Champion Oba Femi stepped out and stared him down — until Tony D’Angelo returned out of nowhere, attacking Evans and shifting everyone’s focus.
At first, fans assumed D’Angelo was positioning himself as Femi’s next challenger. But that moment passed, and the attack led nowhere. Since then, D’Angelo has only deepened the mystery. He’s targeted:
- Ethan Page
- Joe Hendry
- Dion Lennox
- Security guards
- And stared down NXT GM Ava
But he’s never attacked the same person twice or struck two weeks in a row. It’s all part of the game.
He’s Creating Chaos On Purpose
To the casual fan, it may seem like Tony D’Angelo is just lashing out without any real direction. But there’s likely a calculated reason behind his unpredictability.
He’s conditioning the audience — and the locker room — to think he has no motive. But when he finally attacks someone twice, it’ll be clear that’s his real target. Until then, his strategy is to keep everyone guessing.
This unpredictability means that no one feels safe, whether you’re a champion, a contender, or a random name on the roster. That’s powerful. He’s building fear — and when he finally does strike for real, it’ll hit harder because no one saw it coming.
Is He Waiting for His Family to Return?
Before his hiatus, Tony D’Angelo was the head of his own faction — The D’Angelo Family — with Stacks, Luca Crusifino, and Adriana Rizzo by his side.
- Stacks has stayed active and is now paired with real-life fiancée Arianna Grace.
- Crusifino recently returned at live events.
- Rizzo is recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus, but is expected back soon.
Their breakup was messy, with Tony eventually winning the D’Angelo Final Battle, which seemed to end the faction for good. But what if these recent attacks aren’t about making new enemies? What if they’re just a smokescreen — a distraction to draw the old family back in?
By attacking random targets and causing chaos, he’s possibly forcing the spotlight back onto himself, making sure his former family can’t ignore him when they return.
Clues from the Ava Confrontation
One of the most chilling moments came when Tony D stared down NXT General Manager Ava. He didn’t attack her. He just made his presence known.
This could mean one of two things:
- He wants power, maybe even control over NXT itself.
- Or he’s laying the groundwork for a bigger, darker plan that goes beyond just winning a title.
It’s rare for a Superstar to target management unless they’re trying to send a larger message — that they’re not just after gold, they’re after control.
What Happens When He Attacks Again?
Right now, Tony D’Angelo has attacked everyone once and left confusion in his wake. But when he targets someone again, fans should pay close attention. That second attack will reveal who he’s really after.
Could it be:
- Stacks, the former protégé?
- Ethan Page, the rising star?
- Je’Von Evans, the current favorite?
- Or even whoever becomes the new NXT Champion?
Whatever the answer is, it’s coming soon — and it likely won’t be subtle.
