Stacks has officially stepped out of Tony D’Angelo’s shadow—and he’s making it personal.
During his appearance on the Hall of Fame podcast with Booker T and Brad Gilmore, the NXT star explained why he turned on Tony at Stand & Deliver and how that betrayal wasn’t spur of the moment—it was years in the making.
Reflecting on the moment his loyalty started to fade, Stacks said things shifted when Tony rejected a strategy he had put together for a championship match.
“I think the big moment though for me was last year Stand & Deliver. I had a plan. I brought something to the table for him when he was fighting Ilja for the NXT Championship—and he turned it down. He wanted to do things his way. That was the moment I saw weakness.”
Stacks went on to explain how much he gave to help Tony succeed, putting his own ambitions aside in the process.
“I think over that year or more… it required a lot of us—and me—I had to make sure every match he was getting, I was making sure Tony was ready. I was putting plans together… and I didn’t get any opportunities because the amount of work I had to put into making sure Tony stayed the Don consumed me.”
He admitted that after a while, it became clear Tony didn’t mind seeing him fall behind—as long as he stayed on top.
“I was eating scraps. And you know what? I think he was fine watching me eat scraps. That’s why, a year ago at Stand & Deliver, my mind changed. I’m tired of eating scraps… I see so much more for myself.”
For Stacks, this was more than a professional move—it was about reclaiming who he’s always been.
“I’ve never been anybody’s second my whole life. I’ve always been my own man. I don’t want anybody speaking for me. I don’t want anybody telling me what to do anymore. Especially not some guy who isn’t as crazy and as much of a killer as me.”
Looking ahead to NXT Battleground, Stacks didn’t shy away from warning fans about what’s coming when he finally steps in the ring with Tony.
“I’m going to take it out on him at Battleground. Put the kids away during that one—it’s not going to be pretty. I’m not in a good place. I’m a little crazy.”
And with his appearance at ROW Glory 3 on the horizon, Stacks made one thing clear—he’s done being the underboss.
“I’m ready to show people what the real Don of NXT looks like… and yeah, the Don of Reality of Wrestling.”
Stacks isn’t just out to settle a score—he’s out to rewrite his entire legacy. After years of loyalty and silence, he’s finally speaking up, swinging hard, and stepping into a spotlight he says should’ve been his all along. With NXT Battleground around the corner and a fresh edge to his voice, one thing’s clear: the days of eating scraps are over, and the real Don is coming for everything.
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Do you think Stacks has what it takes to claim the title of real Don in NXT? Was Tony D’Angelo holding him back all along? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.