Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4!
NXT takes over Brooklyn for a fourth time! With Aleister Black out of action, will this FINALLY settle things between Ciampa and Gargano?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Tag Team Championships: The Undisputed Era VS Mustache Mountain; The Undisputed Era wins and retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.
- EC3 VS Velveteen Dream; Dream wins.
- NXT North American Championship: Adam Cole VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler VS Kairi Sane; Kairi wins and becomes the new NXT Women’s Champion.
- NXT Championship Last Man Standing Match: Tommaso Ciampa VS Johnny Gargano; Ciampa wins and retains the NXT Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
Charly Caruso, Sam Roberts & Pat McAfee are your NXT Kickoff Show panel!
Video interview with Ricochet.
The One and Only prepares to face Adam Cole for the NXT North American Championship. Does he feel any pressure going in? No, this moment is something he’s worked for 15 years. Ricochet has challenged Cole for this match but Cole has ducked him until now. THe King of Flight knows who Cole is, and Cole says he’s better. Ricochet knows Cole is on another level, and Ricochet isn’ ton that level. Ricochet is on the next level above them. The NXT NAC title represents not just the USA, but Mexico and Canada, at least. Is Cole a proper champion? Does Ricochet feel the pressure to represent? Ricochet feels the magnitude of this match as it’s his first 1v1 title match in NXT. He’s always exceeded expectations and overcome challenges, so he’ll just do what he does.
Ricochet says he’s better than the Undisputed Era, though he’s as world-traveled as they are. How long has he felt this way? It’s more a recent development, because the UE hide behind each other and their titles. Cole thinks he’s putting prestige on the belt, but Ricochet is going to show him what that’s really like once he becomes the new NXT NAC. There’s no limit to the confidence between Ricochet and Cole, who comes out on top when greatness collides?
GM William Regal joins the panel.
With the ambush attack on Aleister Black and no clear culprit, what does Regal know at this time? He knows that the Undisputed Era are in fact not the culprits. There is still so much to study and verify, but the panel will be the first people to know when he does. This mystery attacker, or attackers, disrupted TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, what will the punishment be? Regal has been in the business 35 years, but this is the hardest thing ever. He could lose a key member of the roster, who could have been something big in the business themselves. It changes the course of WWE History for no less than the next decade, as far as Regal can tell.
Does he worry about what Aleister Black will do when he comes back? Of course. But he has to be an authority figure, this is part of the job, although a stressful one. He put so much thought into what was the main event, but now things are completely different. Regal is more upset than flustered, especially on such an important night. Will he get to the bottom of this before the night is over?
History is Written by the Winners.
One moment changes everything. Johnny Wrestling is to blame for the Psycho Killer becoming THE NXT Champion. But just as both Gargano and Aleister Black were getting another shot, someone took out the Dutch Destroyer. The devious and the wicked are powered by their egos, but those very egos could be their downfall. One night, one moment to make history, whose NXT will this be when it’s all over?
NXT Tag Team Championships: The Undisputed Era VS Mustache Mountain!
The Savior of the Backbreaker and the Killer of Arms are ready to show Tyler Bate & Trent Seven that the titles are staying this side of the pond once and for all. But if it happened once, it can happen again, will British Strong Style knock Undisputed Era off the Mustache Mountain?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we begin!
Fans are already dueling as Strong starts against Seven. They circle but O’Reilly distracts. Strong htis Bate then hits Seven. He chops and throws hands while O’Reilly tags in. O’Reilly keeps on Seven while Strong intercepts Bate. Bate and Strong brawl, then Strong throws Bate into Seven. Undisputed Era whip both Mustache Mountain, but both are reversed. The challengers dare the champions, and it’s a big brawl! Bops go up, in come Bang! Undisputed Era rolls out but Mustache Mountain pursues. Seven chops O’Reilly while Bate throws hands on Strong. Seven puts O’Reilly in the ring for a sharp chop, then tags Bate. Bate climbs while Seven throws O’Reilly down. Bate knee-board sentons onto O’Reilly, then rocks Strong with a right. Cover, TWO!
Bate brings O’Reilly up but has to scare Strong off. O’Reilly kicks Bate, then tags to Strong. Strong runs into a scoop slam! Tag to Seven, and Bate helps for the senton. Cover, ONE, but Seven keeps on him. Seven rocks Strong then whips, but Strong goes over his back to give Seven a backbreaker! Strong drags Seven over, then tags O’Reilly. They mug Seven in the corner, then O’Reilly gives muay thai knees and a kick. O’Reilly brings Seven back around, tags to Strong, and he holds Seven down for Strong to stomp out. Strong adds more stomps, then drags Seven up to throw hands and chops. Tag to O’Reilly again, and O’Reilly snapmares Seven for a knee drop. Cover, TWO, but O’Reilly throws toying kicks. Seven gets up and chops back, but can’t get away from O’Reilly.
O’Reilly swings on Bate, but falls for Seven’s feint into a DDT! Seven tags Bate, and Bate huricanranas and dropkicks Strong. Bate boots and knees O’Reilly to then hit the flying European Uppercut. Fans fire up but Bate runs into a boot. Strong tags in, but both he and O’Reilly go for a spin! Flashbacks to Royal Albert Hall, but Undisputed Era fights out of it. O’Reilly puts on a sleeper, but Bate still gets Strong, for a German Suplex and Samoan Drop combo! Fans love Bate’s superhuman abilities! Bate gives running EuroUppers to both men, but then gets run over by Strong’s leaping lariat! Strong staggers over to stomp, then tags O’Reilly again. O’Reilly throws forearms and a shoulder breaker, into a hammerlock. He grounds Bate while throwing in knees.
Fans duel while O’Reilly drops a knee and rains down palm strikes. He brings Bate over and Strong tags in. Strong chops Bate, then tags O’Reilly again. Gutbuster and knee drop! Cover, TWO! Bate crawls for his corner but O’Reilly is on him with body scissors and clubbing forearms. Tag to Strong while fans rally up, Strong basement boots Bate. Strong eggs Bate on, then brings him back up for a gut wrench. He bends Bate back with the Gory Stretch. Bate endures while fans rally up. Bate works his way out of the hold, then shoves Strong. O’Reilly tags in, for a shinbreaker and sweeping kick. He wrenches Bate’s ankle in a standing heel hook, but Bate fights back with his free leg. O’Reilly grabs that leg for a snap Indian Deathlock!
Tag to Strong, and Strong takes the hand-off, to sit down on the draping ankle. Tag to O’Reilly, and he adds one of his own. Another tag to Strong for a third go, but Bate shoves Strong all the way out! Bate crawls but Strong drags him out. Bate shoves him into barriers, then crawls more. O’Reilly comes in but is tossed back out! Bate crawls, but Strong stops him by grabbing a foot. Then O’Reilly trips Seven! Seven slaps O’Reilly away, Bate gets free, hot tag! Seven rallies on Strong, whipping him to a corner then tossing him on the rebound. Then he DIVES on O’Reilly!
Seven puts O’Reilly in, then runs corner to corner for clotheslines. He hits Strong, then O’Reilly, then Strong again. O’Reilly runs in but Seven ducks, so that boot hits Strong! Seven then lifts O’Reilly up for a powerbomb! He Dragon Suplexes Strong, then lifts for the side slam! Cover, TWO! Seven was close, but the fans cheer him on. Strong crawls to ropes but Seven is on him. Seven clubs away, then wrings Strong out, but gets a forearm. Strong elbows Seven, then tags O’Reilly. O’Reilly kicks Seven down, then suplexes for the brainbuster! Cover, TWO! Undisputed Era grows frustrated, but O’Reilly keeps Seven back. He knees Seven into his corner, then hits a forearm smash. Strong tags in, they both give Seven knees, then an Olympic Slam! Cover, TWO! Seven shows that heart like he had in their previous showdown.
Undisputed Era prepare something, but Bate gives O’Reilly a rolling kick! Strong gives Bate the side slam, but Seven back hands O’Reilly. Strong trips Seven, for the Strong Hold! Seven endures the stretch, while Bate gets caught in a triangle! Dual submissions have the fans fired up, but Bate deadlifts O’Reilly to bomb him into Strong! All four men are down but this crowd is standing up! The teams go to their corners, and Seven tags Bate. Bate goes after Strong and they throw bombing hands. “This is Awesome!” as Bate rocks Strong, to then throw O’Reilly at him! Both Undisputed Era are on the outside, so Bate FLIES! Bate hits O’Reilly, but Strong throws him to the ropes, only to get the rebound lariat! Bate puts Strong back in, and Bate gets Tyler Driver ’97!! Cover, TWO!? How?! Bate can’t believe it but fans are loving it.
Bate flounders to his feet, and decides to go up top. Strong stops him with right hands, then turns him around. Bate resists whatever Strong is after, then fights him down with back elbows. O’Reilly swings Bate’s leg into the post! Bate falls, Strong is on him with a shinbreaker to buckles! Tag to O’Reilly, and he kicks Seven down. Bate’s up, but O’Reilly rolls him into a heel hook! Now Bate endures leg torture and Seven has to watch on the corner. The referee won’t let Seven get in, but Bate is so far away. Fans rally up while Bate endures this role reversal. The ref stops Seven, but that allows Strong to drag O’Reilly and Bate over. Seven grabs a towel, but he can’t bring himself to throw it! Fans shout and duel, Seven throws the towel TO THE FANS! Strong runs at him but gets tossed out!
Bate uses all his arm strength to back stroke towards his corner! O’Reilly wrenches and pulls as hard as he can, but it’s not enough! Hot tag to Seven! O’Reilly lets go of Bate but gets rocked but rights. They go back and forth, SEVEN STAR LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Seven ain’t standing for that. He tags Bate, and he brings O’Reilly up. Bate climbs on one leg, but has to fight Strong off. Seven lifts O’Reilly, Knee Drop Burning Hammer!!! Cover, TWO?!?! This is inconceivable! But the Brooklyn fans are electric! Bate tags Seven back, and Mustache Mountain regroups. Fans want them to “Fight Forever!” but this has to end somehow. Seven drags O’Reilly up in a full nelson, but Strong knee smashes Bate! Strong gets a back hand, but Seven gets a chop block, then STRONG ELIMINATION! O’Reilly covers, Undisputed Era wins!!
Winners: The Undisputed Era, O’Reilly pinning; still NXT Tag Team Champions
The tiebreaker breaks the hearts of Mustache Mountain, but only proves Strong & O’Reilly are Undisputed tag team champions. Bate & Seven fall short here, but with NXT UK on the way, can they climb to the top of a new mountain? As for Undisputed Era, they know Rowe & Hanson have staked a claim. Can the War Raiders be the team to truly take those titles away?
Speaking of the War Raiders…
They appear right behind Strong & O’Reilly! And the raid is on! Rowe throws Strong out while Hanson keeps on O’Reilly. They feed O’Reilly to Thor’s Hammer! Then Hanson DIVES on Strong! Hanson returns to the ring to climb up. Rowe brings O’Reilly up, for FALLOUT! The warpath leads to the titles, will the Undisputed Era be crushed underneath these machines of war?
EC3 VS Velveteen Dream!
Worlds collide, but so do larger than life personalities. The #TopOnePercentExperience is here, with egos and grudges on the line. Who takes the spotlight for themselves?
Dream takes his time taking off his vest, to then throw it at EC3. EC3 throws it back, and tempers already flare. The bell rings, and EC3 keeps his eye on Dream. Fans duel but there are plenty of fans for Dream. Dream and EC3 tie up, but EC3 powers Dream back with a shove. He shoves Dream into a corner again, then goes after him in the corner. The ref backs him off and Dream tries to capitalize, but EC3 throws Dream out. EC3 throws Dream back in, but ends up in a headlock to a wristlock. Dream wrenches but EC3 reverses and wrings Dream out. EC3 goes after the fingers, then lifts and drops Dream. He brings Dream up again for another throw, then a grounded keylock. Dream works his way up while fans duel.
Dream knees low, then clubs EC3’s back. He gives EC3 a EuroUpper, then put shim in a corner. Corner to corner whip but EC3 reverses. Dream gets caught up top so EC3 kicks Dream’s ribs through the uprights. Dream ends up crotched. EC3 adds insult to injury as he bounces the ropes, then he clobbers Dream to the floor. He clobbers Dream again, but then Dream shoulders in. Dream slingshots but EC3 hip swivles that sunset flip. Dream pulls tights but gets punches for it. EC3 lifts but Dream slips out. Things speed up, EC3 takes Dream off his feet with a chop. EC3 whips but Dream kicks him away, only to run into a scoop slam. EC3 wants fans to say his name, then he drops the elbow. He clotheslines Dream and himself out but EC3 is just fine.
EC3 brings Dream to the ramp, for a lift. Dream reverses to the Sidewinder DDT! EC3 hits the ramp, and fans lose their minds. Dream gets to the ring and refreshes the count. He fetches EC3, to then throw EC3 into posts. Dream refreshes the count again before putting EC3 in the ring. Cover, TWO! Dream decides to go up! Big ax handle! He brings EC3 up to flapjack him on the ropes. Then they go in a corner and Dream throws hands. Dream backs off at 4 to put EC3 on the apron. He hotshots EC3, then drags him through for a neckbreaker. Cover, ONE, so Dream clamps on a neck wrench. EC3 endures as Dream twists his head around. Fans rally up and EC3 stands up.
Dream clobbers him, then turns him for a Rude Awakening, but EC3 stops it. EC3 powers things around, but Dream knees low to get that neckbreaker. Cover, TWO, but Dream “applauds” EC3. Dream says the fans don’t care about EC3. Dream throws EC3 out, then throws him into an announce desk. He bounces EC3 off it again and again, then grabs a bottle of water to SPLASH EC3 with it! Dream drinks the rest, then HHH spits it everywhere. He puts EC3 in the ring, but EC3 is on him for the STO DDT! Both men are down, but Dream gets himself to a corner.
EC3 stands and they throw hands. EC3 blocks to counter punch, but Dream whips him to a corner, only for EC3 to come out with a lariat. Top One Percent jabs and clothesline, then a big splash in the corner. EC3 runs for the rolling neckbreaker! EC3 fires up as he brings Dream up. Dream slips out to roll up, TWO! EC3 dodges the superkick but Dream denies the driver. EC3 blocks again, to get the Climax driver! Cover, TWO!
Dream rolls to a corner while EC3 stands. EC3 blocks the boot but gets a slap. That only angers EC3, and he fires haymakers! Dream flounders while EC3 clubs away on him. EC3 drags Dream up but Dream throat chops. Dream gets to a corner and to the top rope. EC3 grabs him and throws him down! Now EC3 climbs up top while Dream staggers around. EC3 hits a crossbody, but Dream rolls through! TWO, but EC3 gives back that slap. EC3 powerbombs Dream, but he’s not done there. Fans are a mix as he high stacks and deadlifts, for another bomb! Cover, TWO! Dream narrowly survives, but both he and EC3 slowly stand. Fans duel while EC3 puts Dream on the top rope. Dream and EC3 brawl but EC3 fires off many chops.
EC3 climbs but Dream still fights with him. EC3 wants the superplex, and gets the SUPERPLEX! Dream writhes but EC3 has to crawl for a cover, TWO! Dream crawls to the apron but EC3 stands again. EC3 joins Dream on the apron, lifts Dream, but Dream slips off and into the ring. SUPERKICK! To Dream Valley Driver! Cover, TWO! Dream is shocked, but he isn’t done yet. Dream drags EC3 up but EC3 slips out to German Suplex! Bridge, TWO! Both men are down again, but fans rally up. EC3 drags Dream over to the apron, but Dream lifts EC3, Dream Valley on the apron! Dream isn’t done yet, he climbs up top, for PURPLE RAIN ON THE APRON!! Cover, Dream wins!!
Winner: Velveteen Dream, by pinfall
Finally, it’s #DreamOver as he gets a TakeOver victory! Will Dream get his wish with a very important call from Vince?
NXT North American Championship: Adam Cole VS Ricochet!
The Panama City Playboy and the One and Only King of Flight were both in the ladder match to determine the first holder of this title. Adam Cole has led the Undisputed Era to immediate greatness in NXT, and for that, Cole feels Ricochet isn’t on his level. Ricochet agreed, because Ricochet’s on an even higher level. Who will prove themselves superior by walking out with the North American Championship tonight?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised and we begin. Cole and Ricochet stare down from across the ring while fans duel. They circle then tie up. Ricochet gets the wristlock to hammerlock, but Cole reverses to his own. Ricochet rolls through to reverse back, but so does Cole. Colde has Ricochet on his knees but Ricochet gets back up. Ricochet spins and flips through to reverse. Cole powers Ricochet to ropes, then whips out of the break. Ricochet rolls off Cole’s back to handspring, but Cole shows that Superkick and Ricochet backs off. Cole says Ricochet isn’t special like he is. Ricochet shrugs it off to circle with him. Cole gets a waistlock to headlock, and holds on tight. Ricochet gets up but Cole gets him back in the headlock. Ricochet slips behind and wrenches the arm. He whips but Cole reverses.
Cole sees Ricochet try to go up and over, just to get him back in the headlock. Ricochet powers out but Cole runs him over with a shoulder, “BAYBAY!” Cole brushes himself off but things speed up. Ricochet dropkicks Cole out of the air! Cole rolls out but Ricochet builds speed, to fake him out for a superhero landing. Ricochet grins, and dares Cole to not be a coward. Cole stays back, and avoids the slingshot. Ricochet shoulders and slingshots, hops up when Cole evades, but then is shoved down and out! Cole fetches Ricochet to throw him into barriers. Cole says he’s no coward, he’s a champion. He puts Ricochet back in to kick his ribs. Cole rains down rights, then walks off his frustration. He brings Ricochet up for a stiff neckbreaker. Cover, TWO! Ricochet checks his neck but Cole dares him to get up.
Cole toys with Ricochet, and still says “You’re not special.” Ricochet hits Cole back, but Cole knees low. Cole runs, and catches Ricochet into Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! Cole keeps on Ricochet with a knee to the spine, then a chinlock. Ricochet endures the squeeze while fans rally up. Ricochet gets a second wind and fights out. Cole kicks low, then whips Ricochet. Ricochet holds ropes to then back elbow Cole. Cole shoves Ricochet but runs into boots. Ricochet rolls to dropkick Cole out! Ricochet steadies himself, then builds speed, to FLY! Down goes Cole but Ricochet fires up. Ricochet puts Cole in the ring, and Cole gets to a corner. Ricochet runs in corner to corner, for a big uppercut to discus elbow. He bumps Cole on buckles then a corner Tiger Feint, to springboard EuroUpper! Cover, TWO!
Ricochet dares Cole to get up now, and then he lifts Cole up. Cole fights out but Ricochet elbows him away. Ricochet runs in for a shoulder tackle to swing kick. Ricochet slingshots and springboards, but lands on his feet for a standing shooting star! Then a springboard corkscrew! Cover, TWO! Both men are down from exhaustion, but Ricochet keeps his cool. Cole slowly stirs but Ricochet is on him. Ricochet tries but Cole fights out. Ricochet chops Cole, then gives him a forearm. He chops Cole again, then wrenches the arm before whipping. Cole reverses, but Ricochet handsprings, only to get a backstabber! Cover, TWO!
Cole grows frustrated with Ricochet. He brings Ricochet up, suplexes but Ricochet resists. Cole clubs Ricochet’s back, then tries again. Ricochet slips out and rocks Cole with a forearm. Both men stagger back, but Ricochet runs in. Cole puts him on the apron but gets rocked again. Ricochet springboards, but into a SUPERKICK, that he catches! Ricochet turns Cole around for another forearm! Then he runs, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Last Shot Brainbuster!! Cover, TWO!! Cole cannot believe it, and neither can Brooklyn! Cole drags himself to ropes while Ricochet flounders. Fans know “This is Awesome!” but Cole plans to end it. Ricochet dodges the shining wizard, rolls him up, TWO!
Cole hits Ricochet, but Ricochet hits Cole. Ricochet runs, ducks the kick, then gives a EuroUpper. Cole forearms, Ricochet boots, Cole enziguris! Ricochet knees, Cole boots, then SUPERKICK, but ENZIGURI! Cole falls on a cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous for this action! Cole gets to a corner while Ricochet slowly stands. Fans chant “Mama Mia!” for Mauro’s sake. Ricochet seems lost, but Cole runs in. The Shining Wizard misses, and Ricochet hits a Reverse-Rana! Ricochet doesn’t cover, he drags himself to a corner, and the top rope! Ricochet aims but Cole rolls all the way out. Cole is on the apron, grinning at how clever he is. Ricochet runs over, for a SUPER HURICANRANA!
Everyone loses their minds while Ricochet puts Cole in. Ricochet climbs up while Cole flounders. Ricochet stands, One and Only 630!! Cover, Ricochet wins!!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall; NEW NXT North American Champion
The King of Flight succeeds! He flies to an entirely new tier as he becomes the second-ever NXT NAC! Ricochet can barely believe it himself, but it’s all real. Will he take that title to new heights like he promised?
NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler VS Kairi Sane!
The first time these two met, the Pirate Princess won and it was in the inaugural Mae Young Classic finals. The second time, the Queen of Spades won and it was for the title. This third time will be for the title again, but it will also be for the tiebreaker. Bully Baszler claims little Kairi has no killer instinct, but Kairi says Shayna has no idea what Kairi is capable of. Will someone #TapNapOrSnap? Or will it be Anchors Aweigh on these savage seas?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this third time around begins. The two stare down while Ronda Rousey, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir cheer the fourth Four Horsewoman of MMA from the front row. Shayna and Kairi approach, feeling each other out. Shayna gets a waistlock but Kairi gets the headlock. They reverse back and forth, and Kairi rolls to a takedown. Kairi goes for a heel hook, but Shayna gives on back. Kairi gets the rope and both women let the other go. Fans cheer for Ronda and by proxy for Shayna. Kairi goes for a leg but Shayna gutwrenches. Kairi lands on her feet, and gets the takedown. Jackknife, ONE, roll up, ONE, Stretch Muffler! Shayna shoves Kairi off and now Shayna is annoyed. They get head to head and start shoving. Now they start brawling!
Shayna whips and slides under the lariat, but then reverses Kairi’s whip. Kairi still headscissors Shayna then dropkicks her out. Fans fire up with Kairi as she gets to the apron. Flying forearm takes Shayna out! Kairi puts Shayna in, catches her breath, then follows her to ropes. Kairi chops Shayna, then chops her again. She runs, but into a low dropkick to the knee. Kairi clutches that leg and now Shayna has a target. Shayna takes that leg and stomps away on it. Shayna stalks Kairi and kicks her while she’s down. The referee warns Shayna but Shayna just grins. Shayna runs but is dumped to the apron. Kairi fires off forearms, then runs, but misses. Shayna kicks Kairi then hotshots the bad leg! She grounds ‘n’ pounds Kairi from both sides. Shayna drags Kairi around, and pulls on that knee.
Kairi fights back but Shayna just twists the leg past its limits. Fans audibly react while Shayna tortures Kairi’s leg. She positions it, for the ankle stomp! Kairi writhes in pain while the referee checks on her. Fans boo and jeer as Shayna mocks Kairi’s pirate scope. Shayna stalks Kairi to a corner, and puts the leg on the rope. She mocks the marching of the plank, to then kick the leg. Kairi stumbles to the mat, and Shayna toys with her. Kairi gets mad and dares Shayna to bring it. Shayna rocks her with a right, but Kairi comes back. They brawl, and kairi starts rocking Shayna! Kairi fires left and right and faster and faster! Shayna can only guard herself, but she still gets a back hand! Then the blockbuster! Then another!
Kairi fires up and gets her leg moving. She chops Shayna in a corner and it sits Shayna down. Kairi roars as she marches her plank on one leg. Kairi comes back for the Sliding D! Cover, TWO! Kairi isn’t done here, she goes straight up. Shayna rocks her with a swing kick! Shayna climbs and clubs away. She prepares a gutwrench, and gets the GUTWRENCH SUPERPLEX! Both women are down from exhaustion, but Shayna crawls over to Kairi. They sit up and throw forearms back and forth. They stand, and Kairi fires off haymakers. Shayna kicks the bad leg, then runs, to bicycle knee! Cover, TWO! Shayna again stalks Kairi, and brings her up. Kairi slips out of the suplex, runs, and INTERCEPTOR SPEAR! She hurries up top, for an InSane Elbow to Shayna’s back! But Kairi isn’t done, she wants to treat Shayna like she did Aliyah.
Kairi’s back up, but Shayna rolls out. That doesn’t stop Kairi, she DIVES on Shayna for a crossbody! Kairi puts Shayna in, then climbs up a third time. InSane Elbow #2!! Cover, TWO!! Kairi can’t believe Shayna survives, it’s infuriating! Kairi puts Shayna’s legs in the crisscross, for the Anchor Lock! Shayna slips around, Kirafuda Klutch!! They roll around, Kairi flailing and reaching! She is so close, and with a second wind, she gets the ropebreak! Shayna lets go but she is frustrated like never before. Fans are thunderous again as Shayna grabs that bad leg, for a spinning toehold! Kairi fights but Shayna grapevines. Shayna is Kairi’s anchor, keeping her in the middle of the ring. But wait, Kairi rolls and gets a MUDA LOCK! Shayna gets the ropebreak, and gets free.
Kairi pursues, for an Anchor through the ropes! The ref counts, so Kairi has to let go at 4. Kairi roars again, brings Shayna up, for an Alabama Slam! Then, for the fourth time, Kairi climbs up. Third InSane Elbow gets Shayna’s knees!! KIRAFUDA, roll through, KAIRI WINS!!
WInner: Kairi Sane, by pinfall; NEW NXT Women’s Champion
It came out of nowhere, but a win is a win! Kairi catches Shayna by surprise, and now the prize is all hers! The tiebreaker and the title go home with the Pirate Princess, and Bully Baszler’s Reign of Terror finally ends. How far will Kairi take this new adventure? When and where will the Queen of Spades come back for her throne?
NXT Championship Last Man Standing Match: Tommaso Ciampa VS Johnny Gargano!
What we thought was over was far from it. What we thought would be a Triple Threat was changed. Aleister Black only lost the title because of Gargano, but someone made sure he wouldn’t get back at either member of DIY when they attacked him in the parking lot. Now Johnny Wrestling and “Tommy Entertainment” will go around one last time, until there is only one man standing! How will this vicious rivalry end!?
No matter where you go, fans boo the Psycho “A**hole”. But he takes it all in and enjoys every second of it. That aside, the introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Gargano attacks Ciampa from behind! The bell rings and Gargano stomps a mudhole on Ciampa. Ciampa gets out, takes off his coat, and Gargano takes off his venom vest before throwing hands. Ciampa whips but Gargano Thesz Presses for fast hands! Gargano tees off in a corner for punches up top, and he goes way past 10! Maybe even past 20. Gargano stops but Ciampa puts him on the apron. Ciampa wants the DDT but Gargano drops down. Gargano comes back in, but into the double underhook. He slips out and throws Ciampa out, to then slide out.
Ciampa dodges and shoves him backwards into steps. Gargano writhes but stands quickly. Ciampa is right on him with clubbing forearms, then pulls the steps apart. He clubs Gargano again, then throws Gargano, only for Gargano to reverse. Ciampa hits barriers, but Gargano picks him up and throws him into more barriers. Gargano doesn’t care that a count begins, he positions the steps closer to Ciampa. Fans are on Gargano’s side as he keeps Ciampa on the ground. Gargano brings Ciampa up for more haymakers, then stalks him to the other end. He throws Ciampa into more barriers, then pulls up floor mats! Gargano is taking a page out of Ciampa’s playbook, but Ciampa hurries to his feet. Gargano brings Ciampa over but Ciampa digs his fingers into Gargano’s face!
Ciampa sends Gargano reeling, but then he swings him over the top of the barriers. He clubs away on Gargano, then drapes him out. Gargano hops off to shove Ciampa into a post. Gargano gets on the apron, and cannonballs! He wipes Ciampa out but he’s far from done. He throws Ciampa over the announce desk! Ciampa almost wipes Nigel and Mauro out! Gargano keeps going as he clears the desk. He stands on the desk, looming over a floundering Ciampa. Gargano brings Ciampa up but Ciampa resists. Ciampa lifts Gargano, to Air Raid onto the other announce desk! It explodes under their weight! The referee checks on both men as the fans lose their minds. A double count begins, but Ciampa crawls from the wreckage first. He stands, but Gargano slowly follows. The count reaches 7 but Gargano is up.
Ciampa is on him and puts him in the ring. Ciampa goes searching under the ring, and pulls out a chair. He brings that over and aims at Gargano, but Gargano fights him off. Gargano gets the chair but Ciampa kicks him away. Ciampa clubs Gargano into a corner, then stomps a mudhole into him. Fans boo and jeer but Ciampa gives Gargano the braced knee smash! “We’re not done by a long shot,” Ciampa promises, before giving Gargano another knee smash! Ciampa grabs that chair, and he wedges it in Gargano’s face. He stomps Gargano before backing up, but as Ciampa runs in, Gargano throws the chair into his knee! Gargano thrusts the chair into Ciampa’s ribs, then SMACKS it across Ciampa’s back! And another SMACK! Gargano won’t let the count climb as he thrusts the chair in again and again.
Gargano backs off to wedge the chair in a corner. Ciampa stands at 4, but Gargano hoists him up. Ciampa slips off, for a sleeper hold! Gargano flails but there are no ropebreaks. Gargano starts to fade, and Ciampa uses ropes for leverage. Ciampa says that “fairy tales die!” Gargano fades, but fans rally up for him. Ciampa keeps the weight on Gargano, then lets go. Gargano is down as the count starts. He stirs, but the count already reaches 5 by the time he sits up. Ciampa is on Gargano right away with another sleeper. They roll to the mat, but fans keep rallying for Gargano. Fans actually duel, but Gargano gets a secnod wind. Gargano packs Ciampa into buckles but the hold is still on. He tries again, but now Ciampa makes it a hangman’s sleeper. Gargano flails, scoops Ciampa, for a long dart into the chair!
Both men are down, but Gargano rolls out to escape the count. Ciampa manages to get up at 6, so Gargano searches under the ring. He brings out a table! Fans love the look of this as Gargano sets the table up. Gargano won’t leave it at this, he brings out a second table! He has them stacked, but Ciampa goes after him first. Gargano and Ciampa brawl, but then Gargano tries to suplex. Ciampa resists, fights back, then suplexes Gargano in. Gargano slips out, but Ciampa standing switches for a German Suplex. Ciampa holds on for another German Suplex. Gargano grabs the chair but Ciampa gets him to let go for a third German! Ciampa stands first and gives Gargano another braced knee smash!
Ciampa has the chair again, and rams it into Gargano’s ribs, and SMACKS it across the back. He SMACKS Gargano again, then tells him to stay down. Gargano doesn’t, so Ciampa SMACKS him again. The count returns, but Gargano still moves. Ciampa lifts Gargano, for Project Ciampa! He’s not done, he immediately gives Gargano a second! Then a THIRD! Gargano is done again, so Ciampa pulls up a chair and sits. Ciampa listens to the count while fans boo and jeer. Gargano stirs at 5, pushes himself up at 8, and somehow stands to SUPERKICK Ciampa! Somehow Gargano has enough in him to fight, but both he and Ciampa are down. The count begins and they stand at 5.
Ciampa throws a haymaker but Gargano gives one back. Ciampa gives another, but so does Gargano. Another from Ciampa, another from Gargano, and they pick up speed with these haymakers. Gargano gets more, blocks the boot then clubs away. Ciampa ducks, boots, but runs into the roll up and kick! Gargano runs but is put on the apron. Slingshot into the knee! Then double underhook, but huricanrana reversal, into enziguri! Gargano runs but into a boot, to come back with a forearm, only to get another German! Yet Gargano kicks and German Suplexes Ciampa! They give each other clotheslines, but it takes the third time to take each other down. The count only reaches ONE and they’re up!! The fans want them to “Fight Forever!” and it looks like they will.
Gargano fakes Ciampa out but gets a knee, to give a SUPERKICK. Ciampa blocks but still gets the discus forearm! The count reaches 5 this time, but Ciampa gets up at 7. Gargano follows at 9, but he wobbles over. Gargano slingshots, avoids the sweep to SUPERKICK and CANNONBALL! The cannonball misses this time, but Ciampa keeps on Gargano by throwing him into barriers. They make their way back to the steps, and Ciampa gives Gargano a butterfly piledriver! Gargano eats steps, and the count begins again. Ciampa stands at 6, but Gargano somehow stands at 9! Ciampa grows frustrated while Gargano flounders around. He goes back under the ring and pulls out the tool box. Flashbacks to TakeOver: Chicago II and the Street Fight as he clips strings from the ring mat.
Ciampa bounces Gargano off the steps before exposing the wood of the ring floor. He won with his hands cuffed, so he clearly feels he’ll win with his hands free. Ciampa fetches Gargano, but gets a face full of fire extinguisher! Ciampa flails and writhes, eyes stinging from the CO2! Gargano has a crutch, Ciampa’s former weapon of choice, and SMACKS Ciampa with it! The crutch breaks apart, but Gargano still uses it to attack. Gargano walks into the facelock, but he fights out. They brawl on opposite sides of the ropes, and Ciampa waves good-bye. But he gets the swing kick! Then a slingshot DDT onto the wood!! Gargano gives Ciampa a taste of his own medicine and fans let Ciampa know, “You Deserve It!” The count reaches 7 but Ciampa is still down. Ciampa rolls out to stand at 9, but Gargano DIVES on him!
Gargano puts Ciampa back in but Ciampa rolls back out. Gargano DIVES again! Ciampa is blasted back to the announce desk, and Gargano keeps on him with haymakers. SUPERKICK but Ciampa dodges and it hits a staff member! Ciampa throws Gargano into the corner of a monitor! Then gives him a chair knee through the timekeeper’s area!! Ciampa literally buries Gargano alive under the barriers, the chair, that downed staffer, and even the ring bell! Anythnig that isn’t bolted down is now on top of Gargano. The count begins as Ciampa looks down on the mountain of carnage he’s left behind. He wants the ref to count faster, just to be safe.
The count reaches 5, but somehow Gargano uncovers himself. It’s 8, and Gargano gets out from under the barrier! Ciampa was so close but still so far way from putting Gargano down. Fans love this superhuman effort, but Ciampa decides to add another element from Chicago. He has handcuffs! And he puts Gargano in a corner to cuff him. Gargano resists and pulls Ciampa into the post. Gargano has the cuffs now, and decides to follow Ciampa’s idea. He cuffs Ciampa’s hand, but Ciampa resists. Ciampa elbows Gargano right in the jaw! Ciampa goes back to the double stack tables, and brings Gargano up. Gargano fights out, lifts Ciampa in return, but Ciampa fights out. Ciampa hits Gargano, lifts him up, but Gargano slips into the ring. Gargano hits Ciampa and Ciampa teeters. Gargano SUPERKICKS Ciampa down through the tables!!
The count begins again, and passes 5 before Ciampa sits up. Ciampa uses what’s left of a crutch to stand at 9.5! Fans are getting their wish, these two look to “Fight Forever!” Ciampa staggers around but Gargano grimaces. Gargano locks his eyes on Ciampa, and fans know he has something brewing. Gargano goes out but Ciampa starts retreating. They end up on the stage, and Gargano kicks the crutch away. Gargano grounds ‘n’ pounds Ciampa on the ramp, then drags him up, to throw him into stage LED! That’s a flashback to the DIY breakdown. And then, GargaNO Escape! Ciampa taps, but that’s not how you win or lose this match.
Gargano grabs the cuffed hand, and drags Ciampa around by it, to cuff it to part of the stage! Ciampa can’t get away, so he begs for mercy. Gargano doesn’t show it, as he smashes Ciampa’s face into those LED boards! SUPERKICK! Ciampa is out, but Brooklyn wants “One More Time!” Gargano wants it, too, but Ciampa apologizes. Gargano says it’s too late for sorry, as he again SUPERKICKS Ciampa! Fans want yet another, so Gargano gives another SUPERKICK!
Gargano says Ciampa did this to himself. Ciampa begs and pleads with Gargano. But Gargano still doesn’t accept the apology, even as the count keeps climbing. Ciampa pleads, the referee counts, and Gargano… Pulls down his knee pad! Gargano gives Ciampa the Psycho Knee! But it also sends Gargano spilling over the edge and onto all the spare trunks! Both men are down, so now the count applies to both of them. The count reaches 5 but neither man stirs. Gargano shows signs of life at 7, crawls around, but CIampa slides off the stage just before 10!!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa; still NXT Champion
Ciampa took so much damage, but it’s Gargano who suffers for going too far. Gargano loses by the slimmest of margins, but this is still Ciampa’s NXT. Ciampa leaves Gargano down and out, and possibly with a busted knee. He has the referee raise his hand, and he embraces the boos from Brooklyn. But then he comes back just to point and laugh at his fallen foe one more time. With Aleister Black still out with his own injuries from that ambush, who will step up to challenge the Blackhearted champion? As for Gargano, will this injury keep him out for a long time?
My Thoughts:
What an incredible night from NXT. They again set the bar really high on the main roster for Summerslam tomorrow. Another TakeOver opens with another amazing tag team championship match, and so many times I thought Mustache Mountain had it, but in the end it’s as I expected. Bate & Seven will move over to NXT UK to undoubtedly get those tag titles, but I’m also glad War Raiders made their presence known. We are going to hop onto that program right away, and I’m going to enjoy this taste of ROH in NXT. Then, Dream VS EC3 wasn’t enough to top previous Dream TakeOver matches, but what made it special was that Dream finally won. His pants read “Call me up” but let’s not let it be Vince, aka Raw. Dream needs to be “called up” by Paige and SmackDown or not at all.
Both the North American and Women’s Championships changed hands, and they were done so well that I can’t see anyone complaining. Cole VS Ricochet and Shayna VS Kairi were both back and forth because of how well they competitors knew each other, and it was great for the Faces to go over the Heel here. Ricochet makes Cole eat his words while Kairi shows Shayna she’s not unstoppable. These title changes set up great things for the future, especially with WWE Evolution on the horizon with a promised NXT Women’s Championship match. The way this works out for the combined Women’s Division is that we could see Kairi retain her title while fellow Stardom alum, Io Shirai, wins the second Mae Young Classic, to set up a Stardom-in-NXT instant classic down the road.
Then there was the Last Man Standing Match. The first one for the NXT Championship, and it already sets a high bar for the title. Actually it raises the bar for any Last Man Standing in the WWE period. With Aleister Black out, who knows what the Triple Threat would’ve been, but I’m willing to bet it still ended up very much the same: Gargano goes too far on Ciampa and it backfires, so that at the very least, Gargano doesn’t win. I can’t be sure how I really feel about Ciampa retaining this way, but I’m just curious if it’ll now tie itself into Aleister’s story. Aleister might accuse Ciampa of the attack to be completely wrong, but I wonder if they’d really just have Gargano go “It was me, Aleister! It was me all along!”
My Score: 8.8/10
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Nothing is over until Carmelo Hayes says it’s over!
Not able to accept his loss at Stand & Deliver, Carmelo Hayes drags Trick Williams into the cage! Will Trick ever be able to get past… HIM?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four VS DIJAK; Dar wins.
- Sol Ruca VS Lola Vice; Lola wins.
- Ridge Holland VS Joaquin Wilde; Ridge wins.
- Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Je’Von Evans; Dragunov wins.
- Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Tatum Paxley; Tatum wins.
- Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament; AOP wins.
- Josh Briggs VS Ivar; Ivar wins.
- Steel Cage Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Trick Williams; Trick wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four VS DIJAK!
The Meta Four’s idea to parody #HardJustice obviously didn’t make Dijak laugh, but it’s the Scottish Supernova who will take the heat for it. Will Dar teach Dijak to have a sense of humor? Or will “Mr. PLE” prove he’s no joke?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Dar gets around to headlock, but Dijak powers out. Dar RAMS shoulders but Dijak doesn’t budge! Dar kicks, kicks, bobs ‘n’ weaves and he kicks Dijak’s leg out! Dijak ducks the buzzsaw to choke grip! Dar choke grips, but that’s not as effective. Dijak SHOVES Dar into a corner, but Dar avoids the haymaker to KICK, KICK and KICK! Dijak blocks,. Dar SLAPS! Dar grabs an arm to wrap around ropes, but Dijak shoves him away. Dijak storms up on Dar, brings him up, reels him in, but Dar wrenches to KICK the arm! BACKHAND! Dijak wobbles, Dar runs up to CLOBBER him! Cover, ONE!!
Dar clamps onto Dijak’s arm and he pulls it back. The fans rally as Dijak fights up and rolls through. Dijak avoids the sweep, whips Dar to ropes, but Dar holds ropes to bail out. The Meta Four coaches Dar and fans him off, but Dijak storms out! Dar slips back inside, but Dijak BOOTS him! Dijak then springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Dijak covers, TWO! Dar stays in this and the fans rally up. Dijak drags Dar up, whips him to ropes, then scoops Dar, but Dar tilt-o-whirls into a GUILLOTINE! Dijak endures, powers up, and he RAMS Dar into the corner! Dar holds on! Dijak powers up again, but Dar throws headbutts!
Dijak pries the body scissors to KNEE Dar, and FLING him out of the ring!! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while NXT goes picture in picture.
Dijak snarls while Meta Four checks Dar. They fan him but Dijak storms out after him. Dijak drags Dar up, stands him up against barriers, and CHOPS! Dijak talks trash, Dar shoves him back, but Dijak storms up. Dar fires forearms, but Dijak knees low! Dijak CHOPS Dar and Dar spasms from the pain! Dijak brings Dar around, puts him in the ring, but Dar bails out the side. The Meta Four get in Dijak’s way but he just pushes through. Dijak drags Dar up to then scoop, only for Meta Four to get in the way again! Dar slips free, and he POSTS Dijak! Meta Four taunts Dijak, then Dar KICKS Dijak against the apron!
Dijak gets in the ring, Dar pursues, and Dar stomps Dijak around. Dar KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Dijak wobbles, Dar reels him in, but Dijak’s too big for a fisherman suplex! Dijak throws body shots and then suplexes Dar away! Both men are down while Dijak catches his breath. Dijak rises, and he takes aim as Dar stirs. Dar stands, into the choke grip! But Dar ROCKS Dijak with a left hand! Then roll into CHAMPAGNE SUPER KNEEBAR! Dijak endures, even as Dar twists the ankle! Dijak fights around, sits up, and the two start throwing hands! NXT returns to single picture as Dar and Dijak go back and forth!
Dijak ROCKS Dar again and again, but Dar fires a flurry in return! The fans rally for Dijak as he roars, and he ROCKS Dar again and again and again! Dijak is free, and he KICKS Dar in the face! Meta Four panics, Dijak watches Dar rise. Dijak hobbles up to ELBOW Dar down! And ELBOW again! Dijak runs, breaks through the lariat and FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up while Dar flounders to a corner. Dijak storms up and puts Dar in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, repeat! Meta Four freaks out as it’s TIME TO FLY! The fans are thunderous behind Dijak while Dar flounders around.
Dijak aims, spins, but Dar jumps on! GUILLOTINE, but Dijak pries the hold open fast! Dijak choke grips, and he brings Dar up for HIGH JUSTICE!! Cover, TWO?!? Dar survives and Meta Four is very relieved. Dar sputters while the fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Dijak drags Dar back up, reels him in, but Dar fights with elbows! The fans rally, Dar reels Dijak in and still wants the fisherman! Dijak throws body shots, so Dar wrenches to KICK the leg! Dar reels Dijak in again, but Dijak throws more body shots. Dijak shoves Dar, Dar stops himself then dodges the boot! Dijak gets hung up, Dar goes up to FLYING LARIAT!
Dar hurries to get Dijak in, FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives, but Dar ARMBARS!! Dijak flails, reaches out, but Dar keeps changing his grip! Dijak stacks Dar, TWO! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Dar flounders. Dijak runs up, but Dar dodges, so Dijak hits buckles and tumbles up and out of the ring! Dar runs up to CLOBBER Dijak into the steel steps! The fans boo but Dar runs up to DROPKICK! Dar puts Dijak in, Dijak staggers to his feet, into the BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives and the fans fire up! Dar is beside himself, fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this is just the opener!
Dar aims from the corner, Dijak rises, and Dar runs in, into a SUPERKICK! Dar QUESTION MARK KICKS! Dijak roars, spins, into the HAYMAKER! Dar runs, into the CYCLONE BOOT!! The fans are thunderous and Dijak storms around! Dijak calls his shot, but Oro gets on the apron! Dijak swings on Oro, Oro ducks it, but then Dijak SUPERKICKS! NOVA ROLLA!! Cover, Dar wins!
Winner: Noam Dar, by pinfall
The numbers game wins again as Main Man Mensah bites the bullet! Will Dar use this momentum to make his way towards a title opportunity?
Ilja Dragunov meets with Ava Raine.
The Czar visits the NXT General Manager in her office as she brings up that next week is the start of the two-week Spring Breakkin’. Yes, and he adds that it’ll be the last week of Trick Williams in NXT as Dragunov will defend this title. Yes, well, we’ll see. But tonight’s main event is Trick VS Melo in a Steel Cage, and yet Dragunov doesn’t have a match. That doesn’t seem fair given the title match. Well, she’s the GM, she can do what she must. Then that means Dragunov will be in action! But… he does get to pick his opponent. He welcomes that challenge.
But then he wants her to send a message to the entire NXT locker room that whoever stands eye to eye with him first will be the one to have that match with the Mad Dragon. Dragunov heads out while Ava sends the message, who will take this Open Challenge as their opportunity to reach the top?
Tatum Paxley speaks.
“I always wanted to be good. That’s every little girl’s dream: fitting in, playing with dolls, living the life just like the ones in the fairytales. But then I realized… no matter how good I am, nobody wants to play with girls like Tatum Paxley. The cool girls didn’t wanna be my friend. But I didn’t need them. I found the one thing that would be good to me as long as I was good back. It didn’t matter who held it, because I will always be there for it. Charlotte, Bayley, Asuka, Shayna, Kairi, Rhea, Iyo, Raquel, Roxanne, Indi, Tiffany, Becky, Lyra…
“Oh, Lyra. I loved you. I wanted to be you, because you were the closest thing to good as there was! And I was a good girl because I fought hard to keep that championship with you! You were the only one that really let me in, and that title made us real best friends. We were so close! But then, you lost the one thing that I love most, the NXT Women’s Championship. Lyra, you broke my heart. So what is Lyra to me now? Nothing. And I see now that Roxanne is the coolest girl in class. But I can’t have that anymore. It needs to be me. Lyra, my sweet dove, you’re in my way.” Twisted Tatum’s come to play, but will she be the one that’s good enough to challenge the champion?
Sol Ruca VS Lola Vice!
The Sol Surfer was just telling it like it is, and that upset the Mayor of Vice City. Will Lola cause Sol to wipe out before Spring Breakkin’? Or will Sol continue to ride a wave of momentum towards title opportunities?
NXT returns as Sol makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Lola wrenches and clamps onto the arm, but Sol cartwheels and lifts Lola! Sol slams Lola down then has the cording hold. Lola headscissors, Sol kips free then trips Lola to flip over her! Lola sits up into the mule kick! Cover, TWO! Sol clamps onto an arm, wrenches, then wristlocks. Lola wrenches back, kicks then mule kicks! Sol goes to a corner, Lola storms up and whips, but Sol goes up and up and over! Sol keeps moving, Lola drops down but Sol handsprings through the hip toss to FACEBUSTER! Then DROPKICK!
Lola goes to a corner, Sol runs in but Lola dodges to BACKHAND! The fans rally while Sol sits up in a daze. Sol stands, Lola fires off lightning kicks! Lola puts Sol in a corner, goes to the far corner and reminds us, “I’M A LATINA~!” She shakes her hips then HIP ATTACKS! Cover, TWO! Lola gets in Sol’s face, saying she’s the next champ, then she AX KICKS Sol down! And KICKS her in the side! Lola storms up on Sol, brings her around to KICK and KICK, then she brings Solo up. Solo ROCKS Lola, ROCKS her again, but Lola BODY BLOWS! Lola clamps on with a SLEEPER! Sol endures, fights up and has Lola as a backpack!
The fans rally as Sol RAMS Lola into buckles! Lola jumps back on for the SLEEPER! Lola’s still a backpack, so Sol swings and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Sol flounders to the corner, Lola runs up, but Sol dodges! Sol CLOBBERS Lola, CLOBBERS her again, then springboards to CROSSBODY! Sol scoops Lola and POWERSLAMS! Then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Solo keeps cool and the fans rally. Sol goes to the apron to springboard, but she has to roll through as Lola moves! Lola runs up, Sol dodges and goes up! Lola anchors legs, Sol kicks her away and FLYING SUNSET FLIPS! TWO, and Lola stands! Sol ducks a kick to SUPERKICK!
Solo goes up and up and then CARTWHEEL- BLAIR HITS THE ROPES! The ref reprimands, but Lola HEEL KICKS Sol down! Cover, Lola wins!
Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall
Blair with the assist there as Lola scores major points. It’s buenas noches for now, but then Natalya tells Lola hey! Natty’s on the tron and says Lola kept Natty from winning a title she never held before. Well now, Natty will fight Lola on her turf, in her match, to test her. So now is Lola’s chance to show us what she’s got. Time for Lola to show us her heart. In two weeks, Spring Breakin Night 2, Natty VS Lola… in NXT UNDERGROUND!! The fans fire up as the BOAT is looking to sink Vice City, but who will move on to be a step closer to title opportunity?
NXT Anonymous is watching…
This was yesterday as Ridge Holland talked with Ava about his in-ring return. Only for Joaquin Wilde to storm up and tell Ridge to just admit who he really is. Ridge put hands on Wilde to RAM him into the wall and shout “You don’t KNOW who I really am!” Ava reprimanded Ridge for his outburst and Ridge stormed off. Ridge is clearly still working on his inner rage, but will he let all of it out on Wilde tonight?
Arianna Grace meets with Gigi Dolin.
The self-appointed Miss NXT says there is still so much to work on with “Giorgina” before Spring Breakin’. Surely she’ll be late. But no, Gigi is actually early, to Grace’s surprise. Yeah, because the sooner they start, the sooner they get this over with. Arianna isn’t gonna make her bow and curtsey or whatever, is she? They’ll get to etiquette later. The first essential is the dress. Time to go show shopping! Think of your body as a canvas. The way Gigi dresses now… Makes people think she’ll kick their head in if they get too close? Yes. And what a horrifying vision that is! They need to strive for peace, not the opposite.
That prize is within their grasp, they just need to change Gigi’s attire and soften that rather… harsh exterior. Gigi sighs and says fine, but at least make it black. It goes with everything, she already has shoes that match. Black? No, no, no! Why not? Arianna says she’ll take the lead. Gigi just needs to open her mind and allow elegance to come right in. They’ll have Gigi looking like Arianna in no time! Gigi sighs, but just how bad can this get?
Ridge Holland VS Joaquin Wilde!
Yorkshire Grit is starting to loose his grip on his emotions. His bad mood made him sloppy and that’s how he accidentally hurt Cruz Del Toro. But will there be no accidents with what Wilde’s gonna do to get payback? Or will he push Ridge one step too far?
The bell rings, Ridge asks what Wilde wants from him about Cruz’s hand. Wilde fires off forearms! Ridge SHOVES Wilde, CLOBBERS him, and says what happened with Cruz was an accident! Ridge grabs at Wilde, Wilde slips under, and Wilde kicks low to UPPERCUT! Wilde runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then goes up and up to TORNILLO CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE, but Wilde DROPKICKS Ridge out! The fans fire up with Wilde, he PLANCHAS but Ridge moves! Ridge pushes Wilde, Wilde stops from hitting post, so Ridge UPPERCUTS! Ridge fires forearms, but then Wilde ducks! Ridge hits post, then Wilde SUPERKICKS!
Ridge gets in the ring, Wilde runs in, but Ridge puts him on the apron! Wilde ducks one lariat but not the RIGHT! Wilde falls off the apron but fans boo Ridge as he huffs and puffs. Ridge keeps insisting Cruz’s hand was an accident. Wilde gets in, Ridge traps him in ropes to UPPERCUT again and again! Ridge BOOTS Wilde down, covers, TWO! Ridge clamps onto Wilde with the armlock and he grinds the shoulder. Wilde fights up, throws body shots, but Ridge traps the arms! Ridge HEADBUTTS and Wilde ends up in a corner. Ridge runs in to SPLASH, then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Wilde flounders, Ridge runs up, but Wilde dodges!
Wilde runs back in, ELBOWS, then runs to come back, but Ridge POUNCES! Ridge drags Wilde up, throws knees, then reels him in. Ridge hoists Wilde up, but Wilde DDTS! The fans rally, and Shawn Spears appears on stage. The Chair Man insists that the truth is painful, and Ridge storms up. Wilde ELBOWS Ridge, fires off haymakers then whips, but Ridge reverses. Wilde springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Then JAWBREAKER! Then POP-UP BOOT! Ridge staggers, Wilde spells it out, “L! W! O!” But Ridge runs back up! Wilde goes Matrix to then NECKBREAKER! Ridge bails out and the fans fire up with Wilde!
Wilde builds speed, and DIVES, into a POWERSLAM!! Ridge drags Wilde up and into the ring, hauls him up into a PACKAGE DDT! Cover, Ridge wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
Wilde may have let his emotions get the better of him, but Ridge is still conflicted. Spears smiles, is Ridge’s “truth” about to come to light?
Josh Briggs visits the medical center.
He’s getting his ribs checked and he says he feels much better now. Though, it’s still a bit painful to breathe and move around, is that normal? Yes, especially given those ribs were broken. Briggs needs to be careful until he’s truly 100%, but he’s “cleared as tolerated.” Briggs thanks the doc, but then Ivar checks in. Ivar asks if Briggs is good and Briggs says yeah, he’s cleared and ready to go after Oba Femi again. Ivar says he likes the grit, but he’s been in this room so many times before. Take it from Ivar, give it a couple more weeks so he can fully heal up. In that time, Ivar can have his match with Oba, and then when Ivar wins the title, Briggs is first up. How’s that sound?
Briggs says absolutely not. Ivar can go back to Raw and get his ass kicked by Sheamus again. Okay, okay, Ivar sees how this is gonna go. Then tonight, Ivar VS Briggs, winner fights Oba. Briggs says then go put on the war paint and he’ll see Ivar tonight. The Viking Raider and the Blue Collar Brawler are ready to throw hands, but who will get their hand raised at the end of the night?
Brinley Reece posts to TikTok.
She wants everyone to know she, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe are all going to work out at the Performance Center and wants them to join in. #BrinActive! They pump up to take on “Ohp.” Who? Y’know, A O P. Oh, Authors of Pain… But Edris says knowing their luck, by the time AOP is done with them, they’ll be SOL. Brin puts it together she’s been saying it wrong, but yeah they are scary. But who cares! She’ll be in their corner! Edris says no she’s not! Malik smooths it over by saying they can’t let their bad juju rub off on Brin. Edris says they need any kind of luck right now. They have been losing and losing!
Malik calms Edris down and says they just have to believe. Brin says exactly! Believe in the lift! Let’s go! Well, Brin’s always positive, will Edris ever see things her way? Or will Akam & Rezar write them off completely?
Andre Chase finds Thea Hail backstage.
She thanks him for coming to talk. He appreciates her wanting to meet, even with her match against Tatum tonight. After last week, they need to talk this out. They sit, and Thea says Jacy wasn’t lying about that bet. Nope. Last July, Chase was already knee deep into his gambling. At the time, he had things under control. Which is why he felt right betting on Thea against Tiffany Stratton. He knew deep down, Thea could do this. Thea could become the youngest NXT champion in history, so when asked if he was for or against, he went all in on Thea. But then seeing her suffer, her refusing to tap out, tears flowing down her cheeks, Chase had to throw in the towel.
In that moment, he didn’t care what it cost him, he just wanted Thea to be okay. Then why didn’t he tell her? She treated him so badly after that! Why didn’t he say something? Because she didn’t sign up for that, she just wanted to win a title. Then what about the towel? Honestly, he just hoped she would understand where his heart is, both that night and every night. He’s always in Thea’s corner. Then she is sorry! She hugs him and he says it’s okay. Chase U looks stronger than ever, but will there be another chance at a title for Thea in the future?
The D’Angelo Family is here!
The fans cheer as The Don leads Stacks, Rizzo & The Legal Eagle out to the ring, having finally returned to NXT after his loss at Stand & Deliver. Tony feels a little better showing off the new suit, then he gets the mic. Tony says after he and Stacks lost the tag titles, he talked about rapid growth in the family. He never said it was gonna be easy, but he knew it was worth it. And if you ask him how, when he’s not NXT Champion, Tony thinks about where they were a year ago. They made Pretty Deadly disappear, but they faced serious allegations. Now he looks at Stacks and the Consigliere, Luca Crusifino, both ready to crack skulls and add gold to the family.
Tony looks to Adrianna, the future of the NXT Women’s Division! And at Stand & Deliver, he went toe-to-toe with one of the toughest men in NXT history! Tony and Dragunov had a fight, one of the hardest fights Tony has ever gone through, and Tony lost. But this is about going one more round when you can’t. Toughness comes from longevity, and he’s here to tell you- Well, No Quarter Catch Crew interrupts first. Charlie Dempsey has the mic to tell Tony he doesn’t appreciate their dealings from last week were made public. What kinda business is he running here? Is Dempsey talking to Tony? Oh yeah, he sure is!
NQCC get in the ring but Tony tells them they came to the Family to take care of one of their own, all because they didn’t have the cajones to do something themselves! No problem, they’re the experts. Yeah, well, when it comes to taking someone out- Oh oh oh, stunad! No specifics, okay? There’s people watching. Yeah but Tony said- Hey, Charlie, didn’t Tony just say no specifics? Tony says they’re No Quarter, right? Well, Tony hasn’t gotten his full quarter, so when’re they gonna pay up? What? Payment? Wasn’t this for the good of the business? There was trash that needed to be taken care of, and they did that. It did the industry some good while they were at it.
Luca tells Mr. Dempsey that they’re still on the hook for services rendered. But the Don has a suggestion: They can either settle the debt, or it gets handled the way the D’Angelo Family always does it. Damon Kemp says no way, this was supposed to be done for the- Whoa, whoa, Damon, no one was even talking to you. Tony says he’ll say this to all three. Tony doesn’t do this for charity, or about feelings. This is about business, and in his business there is a code that you don’t betray. So listen up. It doesn’t matter who NQCC think they are, but they wanna come out here and interrupt him? Don’t think so.
Charlie tells Tony, “Is there anything else you wanna say to me? Is that it?” Tony says that Heritage Cup looks pretty nice. Oh does he? Well, don’t look at the cup, look at Charlie. That cup represents the competition and skill that takes place in this ring. It doesn’t need to be held by some two-bit gangster in wrestling boots! Charlie didn’t have a problem with that when Tony took care of this situation. So is Charlie gonna pay up? Over his dead body that some lowlife scumbag disgraces that cup! Scumbag? Well… Tony takes off the suit jacket, and says how bout this? They brawl! The fans fire up as The Family clears the ring of the NQCC!
The battlelines have been drawn, is The Family about to test that Catch Clause?
Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS ???
The NXT Champion is just fine with facing anyone in the back ahead of facing Trick Williams one last time next week! But then who will step up to be the “tune up?” Lexis King, Joe Gacy, and a lot of others rush out here! They all brawl, but in from the crowd side, it’s JeVon Evans! Ya boi bouncy~, and he quite literally jumps to the front of the line! Dragunov likes the Young OG’s guts, but will he beat those guts right outta him here tonight?
The bell rings and Evans fires forearms with Dragunov! The fans fire up as they go back and forth over and over! Dragunov fires boxing elbows but Evans BOOTS! Dragunov BOOTS, Evans rebounds to spin but Dragunov ducks the kick! GERMAN SUPLEX! Dragunov holds on, he drags Evans up, and GERMAN SUPLEXES again! The fans chant “DAT BOI!” “BOUNCY~!” but Dragunov drags him up again. Evans pries free, elbows, but Dragunov rebounds to PELE! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Evans flounders to a corner, Dragunov runs in, but blocks a boot! Dragunov blocks another try, puts that leg in the ropes, and then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!
The fans fire up while Evans slumps down, and Dragunov scrubs him with his boot! Dragunov runs side to side, but into a SUPERKICK! The fans fire up again as Evans has Dragunov dazed! Dragunov stands, he ROCKS Evans, but Evans ROCKS Dragunov! Evans blocks a chop to CHOP, then repeat! Evans CHOPS, CHOSP and CHOPS, the fans “WOO~” again and again. But Dragunov block sone, to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Then GERMAN SUPLEX, but Evans lands out of it! Evans runs to SCREW HIGH KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Evans and Dragunov rise again.
Evans winds up to KICK! Dragunov wobbles, so Evans KICKS again! Evans goes up and rebounds, but Dragunov turns Rana into POWERBOMB! Evans grits his teeth as he sits up, but Dragunov runs and runs and runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Evans survives being turned inside-out but Dragunov nods. The fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as Dragunov brings Evans up. Dragunov fireman’s carries, but Evans fights free! Dragunov hits buckles, Evans reels him in but Dragunov fights with elbows and knees! CONSTANTINE- SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives that sudden turn around and the fans are loving it!
Evans aims from a corner as he goes up and up, but Dragunov CHOPS first! And SLAPS Evans right to the apron! Evans BOOTS back, springboards, but into a CHOP!! Dragunov sits Evans up so he can run and KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Evans survives and the fans are thunderous! Dragunov reels him in, “This is Awesome!” as Evans fights the bomb, and DDTS! Dragunov flounders out of the ring, Evans goes to the far side. Evans snarls as he gets to his feet, and he builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit at the ramp! Evans puts Dragunov in, hurries up again, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Roll through and deadlift, Dragunov powers Evans up to a fireman’s carry!
Dragunov then hits a CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Dragunov goes to the corner, “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Dragunov wins!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall
The Young OG showed guts and ability beyond his years, but he’s still a little early if he wants to be champion. Dragunov does show Evans respect, will we see this showdown again one day?
Backstage interview with Karmen Petrovic.
Kelly Kincaid is with Karmen to speak on Natty facing Lola in the first-ever Women’s NXT Underground match. Will Karmen help her train? 1000% yes! Karmen will get Natty training, but her schedule is so crazy right now. She’s on the WWE Europe tour, but then in walks Lola. Lola says Karmen can help Natty all she wants, but Natty is entering Lola’s world, and will be playing by Lola’s rules. Sure, Natty has guts, but she can’t handle the Latina Heat. Karmen can be in her corner, teach Natty all she knows, but it won’t mean a thing. Just wait until you see who Lola has in her corner. See you at next week’s contract signing. Adios~!
Sol talks with Ava backstage.
Blair cost Sol nine months of her career, a year of Wendy Chu’s, so much of Nikkita Lyons’, and Sol’s match tonight! Sol NEEDS to end this. Ava hears that, but Sol already had her match with Blair. No, not just another match. Sol wants Blair in NO DISQUALIFICATIONS! Is that what she wants? Sol says she will not stop until Blair has to be carried outta here. Sol storms off, is she going to wash Blair away with the tide? Or is this all playing right into Blair’s hands?
Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Tatum Paxley!
The fire is back inside the top prospect, and she’s ready to blaze a trail back to title contention! But will we all hail Thea? Or will the twisted outcast not stop until she’s the one on top of NXT?
NXT returns and Tatum makes her entrance. The bell rings and Thea rushes up. Tatum slips around, waistlocks and SLAMS, then floats around to smile right in Thea’s face. Thea is creeped out and backs up, but Tatum slithers up. Thea rushes in again, but into another waistlock. Thea arm-drags free, runs up, but into a scoop! Thea arm-drags Tatum, runs up to back body block, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Tatum goes Matrix! Thea leaps over, the two stare down, and the fans fire up. Tatum reaches out but Thea grabs that arm! Thea SPLASHES down on it, and Tatum flounders to a corner. Thea runs in but only gets buckles!
Tatum scoops Thea to BACKBREAKER! Thea writhes, Tatum has Thea on ropes and bends her against them! The ref counts, Tatum lets off, but she KNEES Thea down. Thea goes to the corner, Tatum runs up, and she BODY CHECKS Thea into the buckles! Tatum digs Thea into the buckles but lets off as the ref counts. The fans rally for Thea and she fires forearms! Thea whips, Tatum reverses to knee low! Tatum grins as she GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Cover, TWO! Tatum top mounts Thea to say she’s the next champion, but Thea hits with body shots. Tatum hooks Thea’s legs and turns over, SPLADLE CHINLOCK! Thea endures as gravity does all the work!
Thea fights her way out, then fires forearms! Tatum hits back, and says the title is hers! Thea HEADBUTTS Tatum down! Tatum goes to ropes, comes back, but Thea wrenches for the ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Thea whips and CLOBBERS Tatum! And CLOBBERS her again! Thea mule kicks a leg out, runs and ROLLNG NECKBREAKERS! But wait, is that Jazmyn Nyx? Jazmyn is mocking the “nerd” but Thea tells her “SUCK IT!” Thea scoops Tatum, POWERSLAM! SENTON! Thea shakes the ropes, but Jacy trips her up! The fans boo and Tatum ghost pins, Tatum wins!
Winner: Tatum Paxley, by pinfall
It seems no one can leave well enough alone, can they? Thea makes Jacy pay with a TOPE SUICIDA!! The fans fire up as Thea rains down fists on Jacy, but Chase and Riley get in there! Jacy hits Thea back but refs rush out to stop this! And then IN the ring, Lyra goes after Tatum! They brawl, refs have to divide and conquer, but the Morrigan is enraged! Will Thea humble the toxic Jacy once and for all? Will Lyra have vengeance on the two-faced Tatum?
Backstage interview with Roxanne Perez.
Kelly Kincaid says it looked like there was going to be a Stand & Deliver rematch between her and Lyra, but after- Oh, yeah, that freak finally turned on little her “girlfriend.” But it doesn’t matter how obsessed Tatum is with the title, or if Lyra has a chip on her shoulder, they can destroy each other for all Roxie cares. Beat each other to a pulp! Roxie will sit back, be entertained, and whoever makes it out of that fight in one piece maybe, just maybe, gets a title match. Wow, that was super easy. Like, what’s Ava even complaining about? Roxie sees it: Spring Breakin’, Roxie defends her title 1v1 against-
Ava walks in and says Roxie is so right. She made Ava’s job even easier! Why choose? Triple Threat! Roxie VS Lyra VS Tatum! NO! Of course Ava does this! Everyone is against Roxie, so why not Ava? Ava wants Roxie to lose her title without actually losing! Well, Roxie said Ava’s job is easy, but surely Roxie will do great. Ava leaves, Roxie is fuming, but will Roxie have no choice but to eat her words?
Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament!
It’s getting harder and harder to find the silver lining for Malik & Edris, and this time, platitudes like “there’s always next time” might not apply. That’s because Akam & Rezar, backed by Paul Ellerin, Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux, might just write their Final Chapter! Will Malik & Edris survive to fight another day? Or is there no upside to facing AOP?
NXT returns as Malik & Edris make their entrance, minus Brin like Edris said. The teams sort out, Akam starts against Edris. They tie up, Akam RAMS Edris into the corner and fires off hands! Akam swings, Edris dodges and fires off hands! Akam shoves Edris, Edris tags Malik and then Edris DROPKICKS Akam! Malik goes up to AX HANDLE! Akam stays up, Malik fires more hands! Tag back to Edris and he goes up, so he can AX HANDLE! Akam is still up, he headlocks, and Rezar tags in as Edris powers out. Akam whips, pop-up to Rezar for the CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO!
Edris survives and Rezar is already furious! Rezar HAMMERS away on Edris, then paces around. Edris drags himself to ropes, but Rezar is right on him. Tag to Akam, the AOP stand Edris up and Akam runs to KNEE Edris low! Rezar CLUBS Edris down, Akam clamps on and makes Edris look to Malik. Akam dribbles Edris’ face off the mat! Malik reaches out, the fans rally, but Rezar tags in. AOP gets Edris up, pops up and KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Edris survives and the fans rally again. Rezar seethes as he drags Edris away. Rezar reels Edris in, TOSSES him to a corner, then runs in, only to get buckles! Hot tag to Malik!
Malik dodges Rezar, BLASTS Akam and fires off on Rezar! Rezar stays up, swings, but Malik dodges to DROPKICK! Rezar tumbles out, Akam storms in but Malik SUPERKICKS! Malik builds speed, Edris tags in, Malik FLIES! AOP catches Malik!! But Edris FLIES but Malik’s thrown at him!! The fans go nuts as AOP are still monsters, and then AOP get a man each. SUPER COLLIDER!! Cover, AOP wins!
Winners: The Authors of Pain, by pinfall
The Final Testament makes up for their loss at WrestleMania, if only in part. But will they not stop until they’re once again wearing NXT gold? Speaking of, Nathan Frazer & Axiom are here! AOP attacked the champs last week so the dynamic duo want to return the favor, except the refs stand in the way. Will the Undeniable Hard-Hitting Truth be able to take the fight to the Final Testament?
Arianna & Gigi visit Lauren Nicole.
The shopping begins, and Gigi can’t believe Arianna thinks Gigi would actually wear anything from here. Like, what is this frilly halter top? Arianna wants “Giorgina” to understand that to become a princess, she must act, think and believe that she truly IS a princess. And Arianna for one thinks Gigi has all the makings to be one. OMG look at that dress! Arianna rushes over to grab the big green one. What does Gigi say? She hates it already. Like, so much. Nonsense! She’d look breathtaking in it! Well, Gigi could make it her own. Yes, Giorgina! Such a fast learner! Then Gigi has some ideas. She’ll try it on.
Arianna is ecstatic that Gigi is taking this seriously! Gigi slips into a dressing room, and there is definitely sounds of tearing. When Gigi comes out, she’s given the outfit a makeover! Yeah, Gigi does look good. She just had to “Gigi” the dress up a bit. She’ll wear it out, thanks. Spring Breakin’, here she comes! Arianna’s paying. Do they take credit?
Josh Briggs VS Ivar!
JBL’s seal of approval means a lot to Briggs, and he wants to finally prove JBL was right to give him the nod. He may have failed to take the North American title at Stand & Deliver, but will he fight his way to another shot here tonight? Or will the raid crash the party at Spring Breakin’?
NXT returns and Briggs makes his entrance, taped up quite a bit around the ribs. The bell rings, the two run up and Ivar BOOTS! Ivar whips, Briggs reverses but Ivar rolls off Briggs’ back! Ivar then cartwheels to dodge and he LARIATS Briggs down! The fans fire up, Briggs goes to a corner and Oba is watching as Ivar fires ELBOW after ELBOW! The fans chant “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Ivar whips Briggs to ropes. Briggs blows through the lariat to BOOT Ivar down! The fans fire up as Briggs storms up and whips back. Briggs scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Briggs clutches the ribs, this is perhaps all double-edged right now.
Briggs powers through the pain, but runs up into a SEATED SENTON! The fans fire up while Briggs sputters. Ivar storms up on Briggs, drags him up and CLUBS him, but Briggs throws body shots. Ivar CLUBS Briggs again, has him on ropes, and then HEADBUTTS! Ivar runs, into an ELBOW! Briggs choke grips, but Ivar breaks free to BODY SHOT! Briggs sputters, Ivar reels him in, underhooks for the Canadian Rack! Briggs slips free, ELBOWS, and runs, into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Briggs coughs and sputters, Ivar underhooks for the TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Briggs survives and stuns Ivar!
Ivar storms around, goes to a corner and climbs up. The fans rally as Ivar aims for the VIKING- NO, Ivar rolls through the splash as Briggs dodge! BOSS MAN SLAM! TWO! Briggs’ bad ribs probably held that move back, but Briggs isn’t gonna stop! Briggs gets Ivar up, wrenches, and GUT BUSTERS! Briggs huffs, puffs, runs, and RAMS Ivar! Ivar tumbles out of the ring, and Briggs roars as he fights through the pain! Briggs goes to the apron, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Down goes Ivar and Briggs rises! The fans are torn as Briggs reels Ivar in. Ivar fights the lift to RAM Briggs into steel steps!
Briggs hobbles up, into the HEEL KICK! Ivar puts Briggs in, goes up the corner again, for the DOOMSAULT!! Cover, Ivar wins!
Winner: Ivar, by pinfall
Perhaps Briggs should’ve listened to Ivar earlier, he was nowhere near 100% and therefore had no chance of stopping the War Beard. Will Ivar raid right through The Ruler and take his throne?
Kelly Kincaid asks Oba his opinion on this win, and Oba just says, “Interesting.” Oba leaves, and he apparently clobbers Oro without a second thought! Main Man Mensah is upset that this keeps happening, when will he get his shot at The Ruler?
Steel Cage Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Trick Williams!
After he failed to Stand & Deliver, Melo could not stand the fact that Trick was going back for THE NXT Championship. Trick’s getting his shot at Dragunov one way or another, but will Melo make sure Trick doesn’t have a leg to stand on? Or will this be Trick finally saying goodbye and good riddance to HIM?
Before the match, Kelly Kincaid is with Melo at gorilla. He cuts her off to tell Trick that this ain’t over until Melo says it is. Trick thinks he’s gonna be a champion, that he’s gonna make it out of the cage in one piece, but Melo will make sure that doesn’t happen. Melo gave Trick everything he has here, and now he’s taking it all away from his ungrateful ass! Melo heads out, his personal security following behind. Then Trick makes his entrance and the fans go wild! NXT is ready to see Trick whoop Melo one more time because there’s no escape. The bell rings, the two storm up, and Melo shoves Trick. They circle, Trick runs up but Melo dodges!
Melo goes to bump off the cage but Trick blocks. Melo then blocks Trick trying that, then Melo gets space. Melo rushes up, Trick headlocks but Melo powers out. Things speed up, melo jumps but into a scoop and SLAM! Trick then scoops to SLAM again! Trick scoops again, but Melo slips free to shove. Melo runs up, Trick dodges and Melo jumps up, but Trick brings him off the cage. The two circle again, Melo kicks low then runs, but he rolls off Trick’s back and Trick DROPKICKS! Trick scoops to SLAM again, then covers, TWO! The fans chant “Melo Got Whooped!” Trick whips, Melo holds ropes to stop himself, but Trick runs up to ROCK him!
Trick whips, Melo holds ropes again, then he sidesteps to SMACK Trick off steel! Melo runs, springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Melo then gets a baton from a security guard! Melo SMACKS Trick with the stick! Then SMACKS him again! And AGAIN! Trick writhes, the fans boo, but Melo SMACKS Trick down again! Melo mockingly conducts the booing while NXT goes picture in picture.
Melo taunts the fans, then he CHOKES Trick with the stick! Trick fights up, pulls the stick away, but Melo knees low! Melo JAMS Trick, SMACKS him on the back, then swaggers around. Trick slowly rises, Melo talks more trash as he winds up, but Trick blocks the stick! Melo kicks low, winds up again and SMACKS Trick low! Melo tosses the stick away to whip Trick, but Trick reverses and back drops! Melo flounders to ropes and Trick stands. Trick runs up, but into a drop toehold! Melo KICKS Trick, CLUBS away, then has the FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Trick rolls through to a cover, TWO! Melo CLOBBERS Trick!
Melo drags Trick up, wraps his arm around ropes and pulls! Trick can only suffer until Melo lets go. Melo puts the other arm around ropes to pull on that, then he has a SLEEPER! Trick endures, the ref reprimands, but Melo lets go when Melo wants. Melo SMACKS Trick off the steel! Cover, TWO! Melo seethes, he drags Trick around, and he ROCKS Trick. Trick ROCKS Melo back! Melo ROUNDHOUSES Trick, CLUBS him, and stomps away! Melo fires off wild shots while NXT returns to single picture. Melo has Trick in a corner, climbs up to stand on Trick’s head, and then stomps the arms against the ropes!
The fans boo, Melo SLAMS Trick’s arm against the steel, then SLAMS the arm again! The fans boo but Trick hits back! Melo stomps Trick, YANKS the arm against ropes, then stalks Trick. Melo whips, Trick blocks, then Trick whips. Melo reverses to ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Melo is frustrated but he clamps onto Trick’s bad arm. The fans rally as Trick endures, and Trick powers his way around. Melo brings Trick down to an ARMBAR! Trick powers his way to a cover, TWO! Melo lets Trick go to kick, whip, but Trick blocks! Trick reverses, but Melo reverses back to send Trick into steel!
Trick falls back, but Melo gets him up. Trick stops from hitting steel, but Melo kicks him through ropes to stomp him against steel! The fans boo but Melo soaks it up. Melo drags Trick back up, runs side to side, and he SPLASHES Trick against steel! And then SPLASHES him against steel again! Melo goes again, but Trick drops and Melo splashes into steel himself! The fans fire up while Trick rises! Melo kicks Trick, Trick blocks the whip to ROCK Melo. Trick whips Melo, Melo goes up but Trick follows! Trick clinches, SUPER BOOKEND!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Trick rises, the fans rally, and Trick pounds the mat.
Trick ROCKS Melo, Melo fires back! They go back and forth, Trick gets the edge, then whips Melo for the LEG LARIAT! LEG LARIAT! FLAPJACK! The fans fire up, Melo staggers and Trick aims! Trick spins but Melo rushes up to LA MYSTI- NO, Trick stops that to INVERTED SUPLEX! Trick kips up, the fans fire up with him, and he whips Melo into steel! And more steel! And more steel! And then the fourth wall! NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Trick lets the hair down! Trick drags Melo around, cartwheel and ripcord, but Melo arm-drags! Melo runs, but he’s sent into steel again!
Trick storms up, but Melo HOTSHOTS the bad arm! Melo climbs, aims, but Trick catches the three pointer for the BOOKEND! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Trick isn’t done with him! Trick fireman’s carries, but Melo DDTS! Cover, TWO! Trick is still in this but Melo stays on him. FIRST 48! Trick rebounds to LEAPING LARIAT! Melo comes back to V-TRIGGER! “This is Awesome!” as both men are down! Melo goes to the corner, Trick rises at center, and Trick runs up after Melo! SMACK off the steel! But Melo gives it back! Trick SMACKS Melo, Melo SMACKS Trick! They dribble each other off the steel again and again!
Trick and Melo wobble, but then Trick CHOPS! Melo CHOPS! Melo SMACKS Trick off steel, headlocks, SUPER BULLDOG but Trick superhero lands out of it! Trick shakes his head, Melo is furious, and Melo runs up! Trick dodges to SPIN KICK! But the personal guards climb the cage! Trick BLASTS a couple off the side, but there’s still another! Trick hurries to get that guy, but the fourth gets in with a chair!! Trick kicks that guy first then TOSSES Him around! And this is a BIG guy! Trick sees the guy stagger to the door, and BOOTS him out! Trick closes the cage, but Melo has the chair!! Trick dodges, runs up, FULL METAL TRICK SHOT!! Cover, Trick wins!!
Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall
Melo tried to stack the deck but Trick’s shot don’t miss! And now, Trick climbs the cage to be level with the perch, where Dragunov is watching! Spring Breakin’, NXT Championship, and if Trick loses, he must LEAVE NXT. Will Trick’s final chance be the one chance he needs to finally be on top of the world?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT here as the go-home to Spring Breakin’ 2024. Great opening match from Dar and Dijak, and while the fans were super behind Dijak, of course Dar wins thanks to help from Meta Four. Dar is definitely being primed for some kind of title opportunity past Spring Breakin’, but Oro kinda got the karma for cheating when Oba Femi again clobbers him while simply exiting a room. Good promo from Briggs and Ivar to set up Briggs VS Ivar, which was a great match. The promo helped us understand how beat up Briggs is, so logically, Ivar would win. Oba VS Ivar is going to be great stuff, and I would think Oba wins.
Good NXT Anonymous promo to add heat to Ridge VS Wilde, and of course Shawn Spears shows up during that match. Ridge wins, though it’s hard to say he was that more brutal with Wilde than any other match, but maybe Ridge is going to end up more and more unhinged. Really good #gymtok promo from Brin, Malik & Edris, but of course AOP demolishes Malik & Edris in the match. Axiom & Frazer wanted after AOP but that’s rather reckless when AOP are both physically bigger than Bron and Corbin. I’m sure Axiom & Frazer find a way to win, but this is gonna be pretty brutal for the champs.
Great stuff in the Women’s Division building towards both the top title and the coming Women’s North American Championship. Great match from Sol VS Lola but we should’ve known Blair would mess Sol up. Then Natty calls out Lola, so we’re going to get awesome stuff out of both the “Beach Brawl” No Disqualification match and the NXT Underground match. And then really good promo where Mr. Chase and Thea finally make amends for last year, and good promo from Tatum putting the twist on how her character’s been this entire time. Kinda some long term storytelling with how Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn always sensed that darkness in Tatum.
Tatum VS Thea of course got Jacy & Jazmyn interfering, there has to be one final blowoff of Jacy VS Thea for Spring Breakin. And Lyra going after Tatum was great stuff, and Roxie was good in her promo. The Triple Threat was a wild move but Roxie might have a point, she could lose that title without being pinned, and then she gets drafted away. We saw Roxie be part of the Raw After Mania, maybe that’s where she’s headed. After all, we know Melo’s gonna end up on SmackDown. Great Steel Cage main event, and again I like that it was a use of the No Escape stipulation. Trick of course won, he’s got momentum going into what is surely his win next week.
As such, Dragunov might end up drafted away after he loses, and if so, his match tonight was even more awesome for him giving Je’Von Evans some shine in the Open Challenge tonight. Evans is definitely ahead of the curve, he’s going to be a big name very soon. The only real rough spot from tonight would probably be the D’Angelo Family interacting with NQCC. They made good points but the flow needed to be ironed out for it being live in front of the fans. For one, we’re getting a big Six Man Tag, and that will then give Tony D’Angelo momentum going into a Heritage Cup match with more than likely Dempsey.
But I think part of the awkwardness in the promo was them having to work-shoot away the Gulak issue. From how things were worded, NXT is siding with Ronda, as Gulak wasn’t even directly named in this whole thing, but they made it sound like he was the problem. Gulak wasn’t part of events during Mania Weekend or anything since, though there’s nothing on him being fired or suspended. we’ll just have to wait and see how this goes.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Xplosion Results & Match Ratings: 4.12.2024
Okay now, I’m just happy Kevin Knight gets a little time to shine. with New Jersey’s own Steve Maclin!
Xplosion has been a waste of time since the new regime took over completely, and I can’t really see anything special about this episode. Still only promoting 1 match, prolly have an old match, an ICYMI and Gia’s interview.
It looks like the Around the Ring interview will be with Rosemary. So maybe that will be interesting, and I was recently talking about what’s been up with Kevin Knight since the Referendum match; so its nice to see him around. Knight shouldn’t win, but as long as he looks good, we might finally get a match worth sitting through old footage and a useless Top 5.
Ratings:
Steve Maclin vs Kevin Knight: Maclin wins via KIA – ** 1/2
Results:
TNA+Throwback Moment: Team 3D vs Motor City Machine Guns, Genesis 2007
Now I’ve said many times that I’m tired of all the clips and vault matches, but I’m also a MCMG fanboy…and this was prime TNA, so I’m at least amused. Plus to validate the match, we’ve got MCMG versus The System coming up on iMPACT!, so its just a nice old match to get the blood pumping.
Don West, You’ve Got to be Kidding Me! Trending Topics of the week:
5. New Full Blooded Italians.
4. Hammerstone vs Alexander, Last Man Standing
3. Myron Reed returns to The Rascalz
2. Nic Nemeth beating Alex Shelley
1. Jonathan Gresham officially signs with TNA
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, this Top 5 is legitimately a waste of air. Its just dumb dirt sheet highlights mostly from 2 weeks ago because their filming schedule makes the topics old and uninteresting.
Gia’s Around the Ring interview is with Rosemary. She stays in gimmick, not quite as over the top as the one Alicia Atout interview from a few years ago, but Gia is leading “the demon” on why they picked Courtney. They talk about Gia visiting the Undead Realm and that they still don’t know where Taya is. She also reveals a Bunny top of her cane, and very obviously hints to Allie. So I wonder if this is her trying to speak it into existence or if it’s actually a hint. Did something finally make a point for foreshadowing in storylines?
TNA+Throwback Moment: MCMG vs Beer Money, 2 out 3 Falls, 8.12.2010 iMPACT!
Steve Maclin vs Kevin Knight
So basic opening, but when Maclin tries a Hip Toss, Knight also attempts to counter it and it looks really ugly and car crashy. Nothing dangerous, just a fall down “didn’t get all of it” kind of spot. If that’s the only misstep, at least it was at the beginning.
Maclin tries to slow things down, but a huge Twisting Crossbody off the rope keeps things going for Knight. Another miscue where Knight tries to dodge a Chop in the corner, but is hella slow and eats the chop to the eyes. I mean in a way the ugly execution makes the match feel more like a dirty brawl from the 80s, but with how choreographed everything is nowadays, its just odd. Maclin whips Knight to the ropes, Knight jumps over the rope to the outside, revels in his landing, turns around and eats a SCUD Missile from Maclin!
Fully in control, Maclin is working over Knight until Knight catches him with a desperation strike and then rides the momentum into a few nice High spots. There is a locomotion Cradle spot which is also a little wonky to put it nicely, Knight tries to jump on Maclin for a Jumping DDT, but Maclin shrugs it off and heads to the corner. Knight charges, Maclin throws him over his shoulder but Knight catches himself and lands on the ropes, Maclin just shoves him forward to crotch him on the top buckle, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs into KIA, and Maclin wins.
Overall Score: 4/10
Given this the old Bret Hart special. The main event was tolerable if not sloppy, the throwbacks having the Machine Guns made the fanboy side of me giddy, but I still hate all the old footage stuff. The main reason for the higher score than the last few weeks is as I already said, decent main event and my hope the convenient Bunny on the cane is foreshadowing and not just acknowledging. Depending on availability, Su Yung could always return to TNA with an “Undead Bunny”. Hell the possibility of a Suzie and Allie tag team is comedic gold.
But we’ll see if that goes anywhere. Its also sad when a 4 is a pretty big upgrade to the last month or so of these shows. Xplosion really is a waste of damn time when I have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find crumbs of entertainment.
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