Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/27/19)
The final SmackDown of 2019!
Yowie Wowie! Who’s heading to the Royal Rumble?
With 2019 ending, the final SmackDown of the decade goes big with a big WWE Universal Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat! Will it be King Corbin, The Miz or Daniel Bryan facing Bray Wyatt in the New Year?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Universal Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Baron Corbin VS The Miz VS Daniel Bryan; postponed and changed.
- Six Man Tag: Braun Strowman & The New Day VS Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura & Sami Zayn; Strowman & The New Day win.
- Mandy Rose VS Carmella; Carmella wins.
- WWE Universal Championship #1 Contender’s Match: The Miz VS Daniel Bryan; No Contest.
- Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke VS Sasha Banks & Bayley; Banks & Bayley win.
- WWE Universal Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Baron Corbin VS The Miz VS Daniel Bryan; Bryan wins and will challenge The Fiend, Bray Wyatt for the title at the Royal Rumble.
PLAY BY PLAY
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is already in the ring and playing under the spotlight. When he says, “We Need Elias,” say “Yes We Do.” Detroit plays along as Elias says 2019, regrets we’ve had a few. Bayley’s haircut and Shane McMahon, too. There’s nothing Elias is dreading, because this show won’t have the Lana Lashley Wedding. There’s a Moment of Bliss, Corbin VS Bryan VS Miz! Who is going to face The Fiend? At Royal Rumble, everyone will be watching Elias. Gather around the TV, they’re in Mo Town, and Friday Night SmackDown starts right now.
WWE Universal Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Baron Corbin VS The Miz VS Daniel Bryan!
Why wait to make this a main event? This is happening NOW! And as Elias said, only one man can face the nightmare that is Bray Wyatt’s Fiend! Who heads into the New Year with a golden opportunity?
As the Wolf King makes his entrance, he has his sedan carriers let him down so he can speak. “Daniel Bryan, I see you out here, and I see you chomping at the bit!” But this is Corbin’s kingdom, and they do things Corbin’s way. All the fans like Bryan, because the “bottom feeders” are just jealous of Corbin. Corbin makes this very simple for everyone: Yes, Bryan and The Miz have families, Bryan and Miz are terrible fathers, and Bryan and Miz want after Bray Wyatt, and Bryan and Miz are former champions who have main evented WrestleMania. But if either thinks they can beat Corbin, then maybe The Fiend ripped out some of Bryan’s brain.
What Bryan should do is step aside. It is a disgrace that King Corbin has to compete for this opportunity. He earned this opportunity by beating Roman Reigns twice! No one else has done that since Roman’s return. The WWE Universe should BEG Corbin to vanquish The Fiend! Only the strongest and most fearsome superstar should be champion, and that’s Corbin. Detroit boos because they disagree. Corbin continues his ride to the ring as he continues to talk down to Bryan. Bryan’s a nice guy, but he’s just not championship material anymore. Just like The Miz, who plays action hero in movies but isn’t that tough in real-life. Corbin is the only one who can beat Bray, and the one who can-
Wait, Roman Reigns’s music plays?! Roman is not supposed to be here! The sedan tips and Corbin falls off! Corbin shouts at his men, but they run away! Roman is there! UPPERCUT! Roman stalks Corbin around the way and gives him m ore uppercuts! Detroit is fired up but Corbin rams Roman into barriers! Then whips him, only for Roman to reverse and send Corbin into barriers! Roman locks ‘n’ loads, LEAPING SUPERMAN PUNCH! The Big Dog takes aim and lets out the battle cry! But Corbin runs away into the crowd! Security and referees stop Roman from chasing Corbin because the match still needs to happen. Win or lose, will Corbin survive into the New Year with Roman “chomping at the bit,” too?
SmackDown returns and Corbin is FURIOUS!
Did you see what Roman did? Postpone the contender’s match! Do what the King says! Who is running this show?! Is Corbin going to get his way?
Six Man Tag: Braun Strowman & The New Day VS Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura & Sami Zayn!
Awwww~ MO TOWN~! Clap for your world famous 7-time champs, and feel~ the power~! The Power of Positivity teams up with the Monster Among Men to get some payback on the salty Secret Santa that is “The Great Liberator.” Sami still hasn’t made good on that WWE Intercontinental Championship match, but will he and the King of Strong Style have no choice after this last match of the year?
The teams sort out and the Swiss Cyborg starts against Big E. Detroit rallies for the New Day as Big E and Cesaro tie up. They go around, Cesaro headlocks but Big E powers out to his own. Cesaro powers out but Big E runs him over! Tag to Kofi, and Kofi runs to leap frog over Cesaro for a leg drop! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps on Cesaro but Cesaro kicks back. Cesaro tags to Nakamura and Nakamura fires off a strike fest! Nakamura runs, things speed up and Kofi hurdles to back elbow! Kofi clotheslines Nakamura out then builds speed, but Sami trips him up! Nakamura gets in to hit a BACK STABBER! Tag to Sami and Sami officially returns to in-ring action as he stops Kofi down! And rains down rights! Sami lets up to taunt Big E but the ref keeps Big E out.
Sami whips Kofi out of the ring and taunts Strowman, allowing Cesaro to BLAST Kofi over the desk with a European Uppercut! Strowman and Big E come over and Sami keeps his team back. Team Sami eggs Kofi on as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Cesaro has Kofi in a chinlock. Kofi fights his way up and reaches for his corner, but throws haymakers to get free. Cesaro shoves, Kofi goes up and dropkicks Cesaro down! Both men crawl, Cesaro tags to Nakamura and Nakamura slide kicks Kofi down! Nakamura sits Kofi up for swift kicks and then a facelock. Tag to Cesaro, Cesaro climbs up to drop ax handles on Kofi. Cesaro gut wrench suplexes Kofi down, covers, TWO! Cesaro clamps right on with a chinlock! Fans rally up, Kofi fights his way back up and throws body shots. Kofi jawbreakers free, but he’s still on the other side of the ring. Kofi leaps for his corner but Cesaro catches him! Kofi sunset flips, TWO, and Cesaro BLASTS Kofi again! Cover, TWO!
Tag to Nakamura and Nakamura drags Kofi up for a facelock. Nakamura suplexes for a gourd buster then rams in knees to the head and shoulders. Sami taunts Kofi as Nakamura wraps on a chinlock. Nakamura grinds Kofi down but fans rally up. Kofi fights to his feet again, throws elbows and reaches for his corner. Nakamura steps in to get the cobra twist! And Nakamura taunts Big E, right down to copying the SPANKS! Big E gets in but the ref tells him to go back on. Nakamura lets Kofi go to hit Big E from behind! Kofi gets up, catches Nakamura, SOS! Fans fire up, Kofi and Nakamura crawl, tag to Cesaro! Cesaro goes after Strowman but gets caught! Sami goes around to swipe at Strowman, and distract him from the tag! Cesaro WRECKS Strowman with the dropkick! Sami’s team has isolated Kofi, but Kofi back drops Cesaro!
Cesaro tags Nakamura as Kofi crawls, and Nakamura runs in to club Kofi on the back. Nakamura whips Kofi corner to corner, Cesaro EuroUppers! Cesaro sets Kofi up for Nakamura’s SLIDING GERMAN! Sami loves it as Nakamura covers, but Big E barrels in to break it up! Big E throws Cesaro out, ducks Nakamura’s kick but not the heel! Nakamura aims from the corner, but Kofi STOMPS him down! Both men are down and fans fire up! Strowman returns to the corner! Kofi and Nakamura crawl, hot tag to BRAUN! The Monster Among Men rallies on Sami’s team, but Sami gets clear! Strowman whips Nakamura corner to corner then runs in for a corner splash! Fans are thunderous, and Strowman goes to take a lap! Strowman runs around the way to BLAST Nakamura, BLAST Cesaro, and chase Sami!
Sami runs around commentary and to the ramp, Nakamura DYNAMIC DROPKICKS Strowman down! Nakamura puts Strowman in, takes aim from the corner, but runs into a LARIAT! Strowman staggers to his feet and vows to end it here! Strowman scoops but Cesaro saves Nakamura. Cesaro springboards and uppercuts Strowman down! The ref shouts at Cesaro but Big E drags him out, to RAM him into barriers! Sami sneaks the pancake platter to Nakamura! Sami distracts the ref but Kofi takes the platter back to SMACK Nakamura! Strowman scoops, MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, Strowman and the New Day win!!
Winners: Braun Strowman & The New Day, Strowman pinning
The Monster pins the Rockstar, and now he has a shortcut right to the Intercontinental Championship! Sami claims there was cheating, but he’s one to talk. Will Sami have no choice but to serve Nakamura up on a silver platter?
Kofi asks for the “scary music” to stop so that he can speak to the Monster Among Men. Fans don’t realize that the Monster has “a great set of hips on him!” The world needs to see what the Monster Hips can do! Big E adds that someone will #GetTheseHands, but tonight, Detroit will #GetThisDance! The New Day’s music plays and they encourage Strowman to unlock the hips. Strowman pushes the two aside, fans chant “Get! These Hips!” Not one to disappoint his fans, Strowman BREAKS IT DOWN! Will Strowman be feeling even funkier once he has the Intercontinental Championship?
BREAKING NEWS: Baron Corbin REFUSES to compete!
The King is spoiled, but the WWE management is not going to let him get his way. Corbin is OUT of the Contender’s match! It will just be The Miz VS Daniel Bryan, winner takes on the Fiend! One of the greatest rivalries this decade has a new chapter, who wins in the end?
Mandy Rose finds Sonya Deville backstage.
Fire & Desire should be together ringside, but Sonya says it isn’t really fair after Mandy wasn’t ringside last week. Mandy explains again that Otis’ sweat got all over her. Sonya says it’s fine, she just has some posters to finish signing. Speaking of Otis, Mama Dozovic saw Mandy give him a ham and a kiss. In return, she made holiday fruitcake. That’s so sweet. A gift in return for last week, and Otis apologizes for being all sweaty for that hug. It’s fine, sweat happens. But she has a match, so see him around? Otis wanted to say more but couldn’t get it out. Will Otis still have a shot before the year ends?
Mandy Rose VS Carmella!
The FABULOUS Princess vows to remind us all why #MellaIsMoney! But will she hit the jackpot or bust in trying to sweep Fire & Desire?
SmackDown returns, and it seems Sonya is still working on those posters. Mandy goes it alone against Carmella.
The bell rings and Mandy circles with Mella. They tie up, Mandy knees low and powers Mella to a corner. Mandy rams her shoulder in over and over, but backs up at the ref’s count. Mella dodges and moonwalks, to the delight of Detroit. Mella waistlocks but Mandy elbows out and tackles Mella down! Mandy rains down rights then drags Mella up to whip. Mella bounces off buckles and into a dropkick! Mandy hits a Knee from a Rose! Cover, TWO! Mandy wraps Mella up in a straitjacket and thrashes her about. Mella endures and fans rally up. Mella fights her way up but Mandy throws her down! Mandy taunts Mella and pushes her around. “You will never look like me!” Mella SLAPS Mandy! “I don’t wanna lok like you!” Mandy SLAPS back! Now it’s a scrap as Mella throws hands!
Mandy pushes Mella away but runs into an elbow and a BOOT! Mella hops up, huricanranas and clotheslines! Cover, TWO! Mandy gets to a corner but Mella is on her, only to get yanked into buckles! Mandy drags Mella up, whips, but Mella slips around to a crucifix cover, TWO! Mandy gets one of her own, TWO! Mandy Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Mella blocks the takedown to get a backslide, TWO! Mandy waistlocks but Mella bucks her off, FABULOUS KICK! Cover, Mella wins!!
Winner: Carmella, by pinfall
And the FABULOUS Sweep is complete! Mella is money, but will she have gold in the New Year?
Sheamus speaks.
A champion doesn’t wait to knock, he kicks down the door. Sheamus closed the door, and those who filled the void were “men just waiting to take advantage of the opportunities.” “Men who were less than, men who were inferior, men who will never be worthy of the name ‘champion.'” Men who are not worthy of facing him. Nine months ago, he left, but now he’s back. And the Celtic Warrior vows to bust down the door on a whole new SmackDown!
WWE Universal Championship #1 Contender’s Match: The Miz VS Daniel Bryan!
The Wolf King is running scared from The Big Dog, so he won’t get to have his chance. Will the A-Lister or the Yes Movement take advantage of this opportunity?
The bell rings and Bryan circles with Miz. They tie up, Bryan headlocks and spins around to hammerlock. Miz slips out to headlock but Bryan powers out. Miz runs Bryan over but Bryan sits up quick. Bryan and Miz circle again and tie up with knuckle locks. They go shoulder to shoulder, Bryan drops and breaks one grip to wrench Miz down. Miz rolls back but Bryan wrenches him again. Bryan has the hammerlock but Miz elbows free. Miz runs but things speed up, Bryan hurdles and KICKS Miz down! Bryan drags Miz up and wrenches to a shoulder breaker. Bryan bumps Miz off buckles to give corner Yes Kicks! Bryan runs corner to corner but Miz puts him on the apron. Miz slips out to trip Bryan up! Fans are mixed as Miz drags Bryan back up, to snake eyes on the barriers! Miz puts Bryan in and lines up a shot, but Bryan dodges to dropkick a leg out. Bryan lines up a shot but Miz dodges, things speed up again, double crossbodies collide! Both men writhe and roll to ropes, but Corbin’s “royal guards” attack!
No Contest
Corbin refuses to let these two fight without him, but Bryan and Miz dump the guards out! One gets a FINALE, another gets a KNEE PLUS! Bryan and Miz both know who to blame, but what do they do?
Baron Corbin explains backstage that what he did is “justice.” Everyone knows it! And save questions for Roman Reigns, who attacked. The Rabid Dog is making SmackDown unsafe. Roman was asked to leave the building, and that puts Corbin at ease. Corbin feels up for competing after all. But here come Bryan and Miz! A brawl breaks out at gorilla and Corbin goes running away! Will order be restored after the break?
BREAKING NEWS: The Triple Threat returns!
Baron Corbin’s bravery came back when Roman left, and Bryan and Miz aren’t going to let him off the hook. We’re back where we’re started, but who is left standing as THE #1 Contender when it’s all over?
SmackDown Presents: A Moment of Bliss!
Alexa and her best friend, Nikki Cross, return to co-host the Goddess’ talk show and get Detroit fired up. In case you didn’t notice, their show is back! And yes, they have their coffee. Cheers. Nikki introduces their guest, the Sassy Southern Belle, Lacey Evans! Lacey joins Bliss-Cross on stage, and she thanks them for having her. Alexa notes Lacey has stood up to Sasha Banks and Bayley, but things got out of control last week. The Boss was taunting Lacey’s six year old daughter to her face. But Lacey made Sasha pay for some of that, and it was only because Dana Brooke kept her back that she didn’t beat the Boss & Smug connection down harder. Lacey is proud of her daughter for being a fighter. Sasha crossed a line you should never cross.
Lacey’s daughter means everything to her. When she saw Sasha get in her daughter’s face, she snapped. Lacey speaks for every parent in the world, “the last thing you do is you mess with a child.” Especially when Mama Bear Mode comes out. “If that ain’t the truth, than I don’t know what the hell is.” Detroit agrees! Lacey says there is nothing she would not do to someone who gets between her and her child. If Dana wasn’t there, Sasha would not have walked out of that arena. Lacey appreciates being on this show, but she is aware of what can happen. She will not let “two nasty things” attack her when they lack what it takes to be real role models. Lacey politely excuses herself and prepares for her match right now! She and Dana will go against Banks & Bayley, will things pick up where they left off last week?
Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke VS Sasha Banks & Bayley!
But as Dana makes her entrance, Sasha and Bayley attack! Lacey may be a good mother, but she’s a terrible tag partner. Lacey goes to help Dana and the fight is on, on the stage! Dana clubs Bayley down while Lacey is after Sasha! The referees hurry out to break this up, but Lacey is not backing down easy! SmackDown goes to break as things sort out, just how much fiercer will this get?
SmackDown returns and Lacey starts with Bayley. But Lacey rushes at Sasha! Bayley gets Lacey first and stomps her at the ropes. The ref backs Bayley off but she clubs Lacey down again. Bayley whips but Lacey lariats back! Lacey brings Bayley to the corner and tags in Dana. Dana handsprings for the back elbow, then snapmares Bayley down to handspring splash ! Cover, TWO! Dana rains down angry rights but Bayley powers Dana to the corner. Tag to Sasha and the best friends stomp Dana down. Sasha lets up at the ref’s count, but she drags Dana by her hair. Sasha stands Dana up and bumps her off buckles, to then ram her shoulder in over and over! The ref reprimands but Sasha puts Dana on the top rope. Sasha soaks up the cheers and jeers but Dana boots back! Dana hops down to snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Dana drags Sasha up, Sasha shoves her back and throws her down by her hair! Sasha taunts Lacey then sucker SLAPS her! The ref has to keep Lacey back, allowing Bayley and Sasha to stomp Dana down together! Sasha covers, TWO! Sasha keeps on Dana and puts her back in the corner. Tag to Bayley, Boss & Smug double whip Dana into buckles! Cover, TWO! Bayley keeps on Dana with a chinlock, even trapping an arm. Fans rally up and Dana fights to her feet. Dana fights out with elbows, but Bayley keeps her from Lacey, reeling her in for a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley drags Dana up to tag Sasha back in. Sasha basement meteoras! Cover, TWO, but Sasha stays between Dana and Lacey. Sasha cravats and cranks Dana’s neck but fans rally up. Dana fights her way up, fights with elbows, but Sasha whips her away. Dana hits Bayley with a forearm, then blocks Sasha’s kick for an enziguri!
Fans rally as Dana crawls to Lacey. Sasha crawls to Bayley, hot tags to Bayley and Lacey! The Sassy Southern Belle rallies on the SmackDown Women’s Champ! Turn and neckbreaker! Lacey whips but Bayley reverses, so Lacey uses that to wreck Sasha! Lacey sweeps Bayley’s legs, slingshot elbow drop hits hard! Fans fire up with Mama Bear as she runs into the corner, swinging bronco buster! Lacey puts Bayley in the drop zone and hops up, salutes, for the SASSIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Cover, but Sasha breaks it! Lacey glares at Sasha, and the chase is on! They go around the way, back into the ring, and Bayley catches Lacey for a BAYLEY2BELLY! Cover, Dana breaks it!
Sasha throws Dana to the apron and hurries back to her corner. Tag to Sasha and the best friends double suplex. Lacey slips out, tag to Dana! Lacey boots Bayley and kicks Sasha. Sasha ducks the WOMAN’S RIGHT and it goes into Bayley! Sasha throws Lacey into the post but Dana rolls Sasha up, TWO! Into the BANK STATEMENT! Dana taps, Boss & Smug win!
Winners: Sasha Banks & Bayley, Banks by submission
So close and yet so far, Dana and Lacey lose to the bad-in-blue dynamic duo. Will Lacey have to get revenge in the New Year?
Mandy has some of Mama Dozovic’s fruit cake.
Yum. But Dolph Ziggler comes by to talk. New Year’s Eve, Ziggler has a match but Mandy must have plans, right? Not really. Oh, really? Unless, is this cake for him? She shouldn’t have. So sudden! Mandy tries to explain it’s from Otis. Oh well Mandy is special, but c’mon. Otis must’ve given a slice of this to everyone. Plus, after tasting it, this must have a roach in it or something. What would Otis know about a woman like Mandy? The Show-Off STOMPS on the fruit cake and scrapes it off! But anyway, what plans does Mandy have again? Corbin runs in, needing Ziggler’s help. Ziggler may be… cake blocking Otis, but he just got blocked, too. Who will Mandy choose for her New Year’s Eve plus-one?
Mustafa Ali speaks.
“2019, things didn’t exaclty go according to plans, for me.” The Beacon of Light got injured by The Viper, missing out on Elimination Chamber. Then the Beast screwed everyone over at Money in the Bank. Ali also came up short for the WWE Intercontinental Championship in September. There were many dark moments, but Ali refuses to stay in the shadows. Ali has been the light around the world, changing the way people think about other people. Ali will continue to bring the fight, be a beacon of change, and continue to pursue becoming a champion.
Otis finds the remains of Mama’s fruit cake.
Dozer wonders what happens to his gift to Mandy, and what it means for his chances with the Golden Goddess.
WWE Universal Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Baron Corbin VS The Miz VS Daniel Bryan!
After a dog ‘n’ pony show, almost literally considering the Big Dog got involved, we finally get the match we were supposed to. Will the Wolf King, the A-Lister or the Yes Movement take on the living nightmare at the Royal Rumble?
The bell rings and both Miz and Bryan go right after Corbin! They punch and kick and CHOP him against the rope! And CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! They even give Yes/It Kicks! They double whip, but Corbin bails out. Miz rolls up Bryan, TWO! Bryan is a bit surprised but there are no teams in a Triple Threat. Bryan shoves Miz but Miz shoves back. So the brawl is on between the old foes! Miz haymakers Bryan to a corner then whips corner to corner. Bryan goes up and over and keeps moving, to DIVE onto Corbin! Miz runs to dropkick but Bryan dodges to send him into the post! Then Bryan is on the apron, and leaps to KNEE Miz back into barriers! But Corbin throws Bryan into the timekeeper’s area!
Corbin goes after Miz and throws him into barriers! Corbin stomps Miz down but lets up to put Miz in the ring. Corbin drags Miz up and throws big forearms but fans boo. Miz hits a jawbreaker and kicks Corbin to a corner. Corbin knees back and throws Miz into the post! Corbin slides out and LARIATS Bryan! Corbin mocks the Yes fingers but Miz comes out, only to get a CHOKE SLAM BACKBREAKER! Corbin looms over both opponents and drags Bryan into the ring. Fans call Corbin the “S T D!” as Corbin stalks Bryan and again mocks the Yes fingers.
Corbin drags Bryan up but Bryan throws EuroUppers and haymakers! Bryan runs but into a back elbow! Corbin covers, TWO! Corbin argues with the ref but he goes back to Bryan. Corbin drags Bryan up, Bryan slips out of the back suplex, and then boots Corbin from the corner. Miz gets Corbin for the A-List combination, backbreaker to neckbreaker! Corbin gets to a corner but Bryan hobbles over. Bryan gives more Yes Kicks, then runs corner to corner, for the running dropkick! Miz adds his knee! And then again! Bryan keeps moving, but Corbin puts him out, and gives Miz a DEEP SIX! Bryan is up top, missile dropkick to Corbin! All three men are down as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Bryan sunset flips on Miz, TWO! Miz high stacks, TWO, Bryan sunsets. TWO, Miz sits, TWO and Bryan gets up. The brawl is on with haymakers and counter punches! Miz backs Bryan down but has to BOOT Corbin away! Bryan swings a kick, Miz ducks to kick, basement DDT! But Corbin goes after Miz. Miz fires off strikes and It Kicks in the corner! Miz sticks Corbin’s leg on the rope to kick away at the inner thigh! Miz trips Corbin, gets a leg, FIGURE FOUR! Corbin endures as fans rally, but Bryan FLIES IN with the Diving Headbutt! Bryan covers, Corbin, TWO!! Bryan turns Corbin and Miz over, LeBelle Lock!! Miz has to let go of his Figure Four to then clobber Bryan! All three men are down, but Detroit is fired up!
Bryan sits up, followed by Miz. Corbin crawls to a corner but the familiar foes face off. Bryan CHOPS Miz, Miz CHOPS back! It’s a CHOP fight! CHOP for CHOP, Miz fires off fists! Miz kicks and BOOTS, but then he fires off on Corbin! Full nelson but no Finale, END OF DAYS!! Cover, but Bryan breaks it up! Fans are loving this as Bryan goes after Corbin. Corbin choke grips, shoves Bryan to a corner, and reels Bryan in. Bryan slips out, KNEE PLUS!! But Bryan can’t cover, here comes Ziggler to SUPERKICK Bryan! No Disqualifications and Ziggler puts Corbin on Bryan, but ROMAN drags Corbin out! Roman didn’t leave, he just hid! He throws Corbin to barriers and gives Ziggler a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Roman clotheslines Corbin out into the crowd! Detroit is thunderous as we go to one more break!
SmackDown returns once more, and Miz has Bryan in the corner for one of those thigh kicks. Miz runs corner to corner, A-List Lariat! Miz climbs up top but Bryan stops him with haymakers! Bryan climbs up to join Miz now, and Bryan brings Miz up, SUPERPLEX! Bryan keeps himself hooked in and sits back up! Fans fire up with Bryan as he adjusts on the top rope. But Miz trips Bryan up! Miz climbs up now, has the bad leg, SUPER SHIN BREAKER! Bryan writhes in pain but Miz grins as he looms over him. Miz gives Bryan It Kicks! Kick after kick after kick, but Bryan blocks the buzzsaw! And SLAPS Miz back! Bryan gives Miz the YES Kicks! Kick after kick after kick, even on a bad leg. Bryan aims, but his buzzsaw is caught for a code breaker to the knee!
Miz grits his teeth as he grabs the leg, and SMASHES the knee! Then a leg DDT to jam the ankle! Miz wants both legs in bad shape for what he has planned. Miz begins the Figure Four but Bryan shoves him off. Miz springboards, but into Bryan’s underhooks! Butterfly suplex, into an armbar! Miz flails, moves around but Bryan shifts to get the LEBELLE LOCK! Miz resists, and BITES Bryan’s hand! Miz cranks back for a cover, TWO! Bryan ROUNDHOUSES Miz down! Both men are in opposite corners, and Bryan works on his bad knee. Fans join in with the “YES! YES! YES!” Bryan aims from the corner as Miz rises. Bryan runs at Miz, but Miz dodges the knee! Full nelson, FINALE!! Cover, TWO, but into the FIGURE FOUR!
Bryan endures as Miz cranks on the leglock! Bryan grits his teeth as Miz pushes up for leverage. Bryan works against the hold, but Miz rakes Bryan’s eyes! Bryan and Miz throw haymakers while locked up. The Figure Four falls apart, the brawling gets fiercer, but Bryan wants his LeBelle again! Miz resists, reaches, but into RINGs OF SATURN! Miz is caught, enduring, kicking, but Miz makes it a crossface! Miz taps, Bryan wins!!
Winner: Daniel Bryan, by submission; NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Universal Championship
Bryan is heading for the Royal Rumble, and revenge on Bray Wyatt! But we interrupt the celebration for a new Firefly Fun House! Bray congratulates Bryan, “YOWIE WOWIE, you did it!” “Looking good, kid.” Bryan is going to have so much fun, but “he” is not done with Bryan just yet. The Fiend remembers everything. So Bray wants to know. Is Bryan willing to do what it takes? Is Bryan willing to #LetHimIn? Bryan and the fans say, “YES! YES! YES!” Will Bryan make Bray pay for everything? Or is the nightmare far from over?
My Thoughts:
A rather interesting episode to close the year, let alone the decade. I can understand why SmackDown teased the contender’s match on and off. It was to keep fans interested on a night full of a lot more sports, such as college football. Story wise it also worked out, with Roman wanting revenge on Corbin, and then Corbin being the entitled King of the Ring that he is causing the No Contest. We should’ve figured it’d turn out like this, right down to Roman keeping Corbin from winning, but the way it was done made for a really great story. The Triple Threat that we eventually got was really, really good, and thanks to Roman, it comes down to Miz and Bryan. Naturally Bryan wins, as we all felt he would. Bryan and Fiend in a rematch at the Royal Rumble is going to be great, no matter who wins.
The other matches and stories were good enough. Carmella’s match with Mandy was to add onto the story Mandy Rose has with Sonya and Otis. It’s good for Mella to win, and we can figure Mandy will wonder where Sonya was. Sonya being passive aggressive can be a way for her and Mandy to split up, and if Mandy’s story with Otis continues a certain way, Mandy might go Face. I also suspect, with Valentine’s Day 2020 being on a Friday, we could get a culmination of the Mandy and Otis story, probably with a match between Otis and Ziggler. Lacey’s Moment of Bliss was good. Playing up being a mother is about how I imagined NXT would’ve turned Lacey Face, and she had a pretty good match with Dana, Sasha and Bayley. Dana sure tapped quick, but I figured Bayley and Banks would win. I still feel Lacey VS Sasha is used to then set up Lacey VS Bayley for the title at Royal Rumble.
The Six Man Tag was a lot of fun. Sami’s return to the ring was limited, which is probably the reason for the Six Man Tag done this way. Sami did light work while still recovering, so this was more like a Handicap match. Strowman pinning Nakamura will surely bring about the Intercontinental Championship match, and I can’t be sure if it’ll be at the Rumble or the New Year’s SmackDown next week. As I’ve said in previous articles, it’d be hard to say who needs the win more. Strowman really needs a singles title to make up for the times he was kept from one, but Nakamura is Nakamura and deserves to have a title. Maybe if they do this match before the Rumble, it’ll be a wash as the loser can have a good performance in the Rumble itself. A lot of this could depend on the Universal Championship plan for Rumble and even WrestleMania, I just hope they figure out something that feels satisfactory.
My Score: 8.3/10
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Lucha Libre returns to WWE NXT when Dragon Lee debuts at Stand & Deliver! What to expect, and more on this edition of Lucha Central Weekly!
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Join Miranda Morales, Dusty Murphy, and Brendan Barr for another exciting edition of Lucha Central Weekly! This week your favorite lucha trio looks at Dragon Lee and his upcoming debut in WWE NXT at Stand…..AND DELIVER. Plus, where is Taya Valkyrie? And updates on the the AAA Lucha Libre World Cup! All that and more on this week’s Lucha Central Weekly!
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It’s the last chance to get those golden tickets!
With one last spot in the NXT Women’s Championship ladder match, and one last spot in the North American Championship Fatal 5, who gets to Stand & Deliver?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship Qualifier Battle Royal: Axiom wins and joins the Fatal 5 Way title match at Stand & Deliver.
- Tyler Bate w/ Chase U VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone; Bate wins.
- Valentina Feroz VS Elektra Lopez; Lopez wins.
- Eddy Thorpe VS Myles Borne; Thorpe wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship Last Chance Qualifier: Indi Hartwell VS Sol Ruca VS Ivy Nile; Indi wins and joins the NXT Women’s Championship Ladder Match at Stand & Deliver.
- Hank Walker VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey; Gulak wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo; Tony & Stacks win and deny Briggs & Jensen a spot at Stand & Deliver.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship Qualifier Battle Royal!
Everyone wants that fifth and final spot in Wes Lee’s star-studded title match, and Wes himself is watching from commentary. SCRYPTS attacks Axiom before the bell! Things are already off to a chaotic start! Dabba-Kato clotheslines Quincy Elliot up and out to ELIMINATE him! Quincy rushes back up but the refs stop him from getting after Kato! Damon Kemp brawls with Edris Enofe, Oro Mensah goes after Kato, Xyon Quinn has Dante Chen, Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey of course work together as they go after Nathan Frazer, and Dijak has Odyssey Jones in a corner. Big Body Javi throws hands on Malik Blade while Jinder storms up on Dempsey.
Kato shoves Oro away, CLUBS him, then CLUBS him again. Dempsey & Gulak lift Jinder but he fights free. Odyssey ROCKS Kato! Fans fire up as Jinder puts Dempsey on the apron but Dempsey slips back in. Dante fights off Kemp and a few others, but Kemp kicks him low. Kemp hangs Dante out to dry and Dante ends up on the apron. Dante fights off Kemp but Dijak BOOTS and ELIMINATES Dante! But then Kemp scoops Dijak! Dijak fights Kemp off, but Kemp hits him back. Quinn puts ? up top, Odyssey BLASTS Quinn but Quinn is knocked into ?! They ELIMINATE ? together!
Kemp suplexes Frazer, Frazer slips free and Apollo CLUBS Kemp! Apollo whips Kemp at the ropes and Frazer holds the ropes down! Kemp lands on the apron but a PELE hits! Kemp wobbles, Frazer SUPERKICKS! Kemp falls, Frazer ELIMINATES him! Dijak ELBOWS Enofe, ELBOWS Blade, and repeat! But Malik BOOTS back! Malik runs in, tilt-o-whirls, but into a fireman’s carry! Dijak pops Malik up but Malik wheelbarrows and throws Dijak into Enofe’s KNEE! And then Malik DROPKICKS! Malik & Enofe TOSS Dijak! Dijak holds on, but Odyssey RAMS Dijak and ELIMINATES him! Dijak is furious, and he goes back after Odyssey!
Dijak trips Odyssey, drags him out, then SUPERKICKS! And ROLLING ELBOWS! And RAMS him into steel steps! Fans boo and the refs reprimand, but Dijak puts Odyssey back into the ring for the sharks. Jinder drags Odyssey up to toss him back out, Jinder ELIMINATES Odyssey! Fans boo but then Enofe KNEES Jinder and Malik DROPKICKS him! Jinder flops over the top, but he HOTSHOTS Malik, and drags Enofe out to join him! Malik runs back in but Jinder ROCKS him! Jinder suplexes, Malik lands on the apron. Jinder fights 2v1, Malik & Enof pinball Jinder! But then Apollo and Scrypts DOUBLE DROPKICK! They ELIMINATE Malik & Enofe!
Axiom whips Scrypts at Jinder, Scrypts FLIES up and over Jinder, but then he lands out on the ramp! Axiom ELIMINATES Scrypts! Jinder grins that it wasn’t him. Apollo ROCKS Dempsey, lifts Javi, and TOSSES Javi out onto everyone else to ELIMINATE him! Fans fire up but Javi is furious as NXT goes picture in picture.
Kato goes after Apollo! Kato HEADBUTTS Apollo, pushes past Oro and Dempsey to fire off on Apollo in the corner. Dempsey whips, Oro reverses but then Dempsey dodges! Jinder CLUBS Quinn, Gulak helps Dempsey with Oro. Apollo and Kato fight, Hank fires off on Quinn. Hank scoops Quinn out to the apron but Quinn holds on. Hank throws haymakers, but Quinn pokes him in the eye! Oro springboards to MULE KICK Quinn down! Oro ELIMINATES Quinn! Jinder rushes up to kick and CLUB Oro! Axiom scoops Hank with ehlp from Apollo but Hank fights them off.
Dempsey and Gulak mug Frazer, Jinder ROCKS Oro. Jinder CLUBS Oro, whips him to a corner, but Oro goes up, only for Jinder to TOSS him out and ELIMINATE him! The Modern Day Maharaja grins then stomps Frazer. Apollo stomps Dempsey, Jinder stomps Axiom, Gulak stomps Frazer. Kato storms up but Gulak CHOPS him! Gulak digs his boot on Frazer’s head, but Kato goes after him! Jinder stomps Axiom at the ropes then digs his knee in. Dempsey OVERHEAD Suplexes Hank! Dempsey drags Hank up but Hank throws hands! Gulak & Dempsey stomp mudholes into Hank! Apollo stomps Kato in a corner then throws hands.
Jinder DECKS Axiom, then goes up the corner to STOMP him down! Gulak & Dempsey throw Hank at the ropes, but Hank holds on! Dempsey has an ANKLE LOCK on a leg to force him over! Hank still clings to ropes, even as boots are dug into his legs and stomach. Hank manages to kick Dempsey away, and NXT returns to single picture. Apollo CLUBS and ROCKS Jinder, Hank hoists Gulak up and over! Fans fire up as Hank has a SLEEPER on Gulak! Dempsey throat chops Kato, then gets Hank’s legs! ANKLE LOCK and a DUMP, Dempsey ELIMINATES Hank and Gulak! Gulak an d Hank don’t care, they brawl tot he back!
Fans fire up, and we’re down to six! Axiom and Jinder brawl, Apollo runs but Kato tilt-o-whirls him. Apollo sips free and BOOTS Kato to ropes! Kato comes back to scoop Apollo and TOSS him! Kato ELIMINATES Apollo! Jinder stomps Axiom down, Dempsey ROCKS Kato! Jinder swings on Frazer, Frazer dodges and springboards to CROSSBODY! Axiom GAMANGIRIS Jinder to ropes! Frazer SUPERKICKS Jinder up and over! Jinder holds on, Frazer gives Axiom a boost, RAILGUN DROPKICK sends Jinder down! Frazer & Axiom ELIMINATE Jinder!! The final four are Kato, Dempsey, Axiom & Frazer!
And speaking of, Kato CLUBS Dempsey down, but Axiom uses Dempsey as a step to GAMANGIRI Kato! Frazer uses Dempsey as a step to CALF KICK! They all dump Kato up and out to ELIMINATE him!! Kato is furious but fans sing, “NANA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY, GOOD-BYE~!” Frazer, Axiom and Dempsey circle. Axiom kicks Dempsey, then ducks the back hand, Dempsey hits Frazer! Axiom SOBATS Dempsey, whips him to ropes, but Dempsey reverses. Axiom wheelbarrows, but Dempsey stops the tuck to WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Frazer springboard SHOTGUN DROPKICKS!!
All three men are down, fans are thunderous, Axiom clotheslines Dempsey up and over! Dempsey lands on the apron, he ROCKS Axiom but Axiom ROCKS Dempsey! They go back and forth, Axiom fires off shots, but DOUBLE HAYMAKERS take both men down! Fans are thunderous , Axiom BOOTS Dempsey off the apron and ELIMINATES him! And that leaves the old friendly rivals, Axiom and Frazer! The fans are giving a standing ovation as we see these two stare down. Frazer and Axiom shake hands, then they start dodging kicks! Frazer runs, QUEBRADA, but Axiom snapmares free of the dragon sleeper!
Axiom rushes in but Frazer sends him to ropes! Frazer lifts but Axiom shoves him away. Axiom blocks a superkick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Frazer fires up, he whips Axiom, but Axiom springboards to arm-drag and kip up, ROUNDHOUSE!! Axiom whips, Frazer springboards to QUEBRADA REVERSE DDT!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Frazer stands Axiom up. Frazer throws a haymaker, Axiom gives it back! They go back and forth, faster and faster, but Frazer gets the edge. Axiom blocks the kick, spins and DECKS Frazer! PENALTY KICK! Axiom aims from the corner!
Frazer stands, GOLDEN- SUPERKICK!!! Frazer hit first but he’s also down! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this has to end somehow! Frazer CHOPS Axiom in a corner, hoists him up top, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Axiom wobbles, Frazer runs back in, but into a SLEEPER! Frazer pries free to ELBOW BREAKER! And then he springs up top, for a SUPERPPLEX! Roll through to the GOURD- NO, Axiom slips free! Axiom waistlocks but Frazer bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, into a SUPERKICK!! Frazer drags Axiom up, whips, but Axiom reverses to send Frazer up and out! Frazer holds on, skins the cat, but into a SUPERKICK!!
Both men are down again, but Axiom hurries to his feet! Axiom TOSSES Frazer and WINS!!!
Winner: Axiom (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Fans are electric for this instant classic of a battle royal! Wes Lee joins Axiom in the ring to congratulate him, and Dragon Lee appears so he can do the same. Even Ilja Dragunov walks out to the ring, and JD McDonagh comes in from the crowd side. All five men are ready to battle, will these five stars get five stars?
Pretty Deadly speak.
Kit Wilson & Elton Prince, in suits ‘n’ ties and wide brimmed hats, want us to sit back, relax, and get ourselves some delicious snacks, because this will be a one of a kind Stand & Deliver Pretty Deadly Preview Show. We just saw a wonderful performance from Axiom in that Battle Royale, earning the fifth and final spot in the North American Championship match. And what a gaggle of vicious competitors he’s joining. “The Mad Dragon,” Ilja Dragunov! “The Devilish Gentleman,” JD McDonagh! “The Audacious Champion,” Wes Lee! And finally, “The Masked Mystery from Mexico,” Dragon Lee.
“A match born from carnage comes full circle with an encounter that is likely to be as unpredictable as the events of its creation.” But Kit has a question. How does Wes possibly retain? Elton doesn’t think Wes will. His money is on the man as smart as them, JD McDonagh. So if Elton is going with intelligence, Kit is betting on Dragon Lee. We don’t know a thing about him, and that makes him dangerous. “Kitty” loves danger, doesn’t he? Yes! And they love YOU!, fans! They’ll be back with more hot takes throughout the evening as we’re on the Road to Stand…! And Deliver!
Chase U talks backstage.
Thea Hail says Tyler Bate’s fired up! Andre Chase asks if Tyler’s fired up and Tyler says he’s fired up! Can he feel it? He feels it! Chase says Bate did great in the Great Debate, and they’re just four days away from Stand & Deliver, where the of Chase University hangs in the balance! But tonight, the Big Strong Boi takes on big bad Von Wagner, who has talked trash on Chase U and Chase U has yet to beat. But Bate will beat Von, and they’re gonna ride that lightning bolt all the way to Stand & Deliver! Bate says with mass and speed on his side, momentum will be theirs! Bate will harness that momentum, he’ll bring home a win for the university!
Chase likes the way Bate’s brain works. Duke, you coming? He wouldn’t miss this for the world. Though he doesn’t look anywhere near as pumped as the rest. The team heads out, will the Big Strong Boi give Von a #TeachableMoment?
Briggs & Jensen talk backstage.
Brooks Jensen feels pretty good, because Kiana James responded to him after three voicemails instead of five this time. Kiana says they’re on their way, but what does Briggs thinks she wants to talk about? He isn’t sure, but whatever it is, they’ll get through it. The sun always comes up tomorrow. Um, okay. The ladies arrive and Jensen asks if everything is okay. Her message seemed a bit off. Kiana hesitates but Fallon tells her to tell Jensen. “These past few months, I’ve really gotten to know you guys. Especially you, Brooks. And what you guys have is special. I don’t know how to say this, I feel horrible.”
Jensen says it’s okay, she can get it out. Kiana feels horrible… That Briggs & Jensen aren’t part of Stand & Deliver! So she pulled some strings, and she has a match tonight. And if they win, that Triple Threat Tag Team title match becomes a FATAL 4! Fallon says, “What?” Briggs says, “WHAT?!” Jensen can’t believe it! Well hey, Kiana & Fallon are tag team champions, the boys should be tag champs with them! Fallon can’t stand- Surprises! Briggs knows that, but he loves ’em! Kiana just knocked this one out of the park! They could go to Stand & Deliver! Jensen cannot believe Kiana! Fallon can’t, either. Briggs says yes, because it’s unbelievable!
Jensen says first they’ll win tonight, then go to Stand & Deliver and become the NEW NXT Tag Team Champions! Group hug! Fallon is not happy that Kiana backed out of the truth. But will her keeping that buried only come back to haunt her?
Tyler Bate w/ Chase U VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone!
The Big Strong Boi stepped up when Chase U needed him and won big in that Great Debate. But will he win even bigger against vicious Von? Or will Bate fail to stand and deliver before Saturday?
The bell rings and Bate circles with Von. Fans rally behind the Big Strong Boi and Bate headlocks. Von powers up, Bate holds on, but Von powers out. They RAM shoulders, but Bate DROPKICKS! Von comes back to BOOT Bate down! Fans boo while Bate sits up in a daze. Von pushes Bate down to drop an elbow! Von then stalks Bate, drags him up, and choke grips to trophy lift! Von DROPS Bate, and then soaks up the heat. Von waits on Bate to sit up, and he KICKS him in the side! Fans boo, Thea & Chase coach up Bate, but Von clamps on a neck wrench. Fans rally, Bate endures, and Bate fights up to his feet.
Bate pries free, throws a HEADBUTT into the ribs, then fires off body shots! Von shoves, Bate rebounds to sunset flip! Von stays up, but Bate avoids the elbow drop! Bate runs, but into a LARIAT! Von covers, TWO! Von snarls but the fans rally for Bate. Von puts Bate in a corner, clotheslines, and then throws back elbows. Fans obo but Von whips Bate out to throw him back into the corner. And then a BIG clothesline in the corner! Von mocks Bate, fans taunt Von. Von whips Bate corner to corner, runs in, but only gets buckles! Bate goes to another corner. Von runs in but into a BOOT! Bate runs to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Bate fires off shots, keeping Von in a corner! Von choke grips back and TOSSES Bate! Bate boots, Von blocks but Bate KNEES back! Bate goes up to leap, FLYING UPPERCUT! Von rebounds but so does Bate, LARIAT! Von drops to a knee, Bop up, BANG!! Bate keeps moving, but Stone swipes at Bate! Fans boo but Bate goes out after Stone! Stone panics as Bate puts him in the ring! Theta THESZ PRESSES Stone!! Fans fire up and Bate cheers Thea on! Thea kicks Stone all the way out of the ring, but Von SUCKER PUNCHES Bate! Von whips Bate but Duke holds ropes down, and Bate FLIES out onto Stone!!
Fans fire up, Bate is fired up, he high-fives Duke but Duke doesn’t seem to care. Bate gets in the ring, dodges a boot and rebounds, LARIAT! Bate hurries up the corner, to SKY TWISTER! Cover, Bate wins!
Winner: Tyler Bate, by pinfall
Chase U is on a roll! Will all this help them hold onto the school? Wait, The Schism speaks! “Attention students of Chase University!” Joe Gacy stands at a podium with Jagger Reed, Ava Raine & Rip Fowler by his side. “As of this Saturday, The Schism will be in control.” Reed says, “The curriculum is changing. Time to open your minds to a different way of looking at the world through a different lens. Under the Schism’s tree.” The students wear yellow masks and Ava hands out a quiz. “Deprogramming starts now.” Rip says they don’t need to worry. There will be a place for delinquents in the Chase U Memorial Detention Hall.
Ava says at Stand & Deliver, “the world of Chase U will fall when The Schism takes over.” Gacy says, “When the bell rings, a new class begins.” Will The Schism graduate from a cult into a college?
Roxanne Perez is here!
She’s backstage and asks if Shawn Michaels is at gorilla. No, he moved to his office. Okay, she’ll go there. Thanks! The former(?) NXT Women’s Champion is here, but why? What business will she have with the boss?
NXT returns and Roxie knocks on HBK’s door. He welcomes her in and asks how she’s feeling. Does he have a minute to talk? Sure. What is it? Well, as of this afternoon, the doctors cleared her to return to action! Oh. That’s great to hear. Yeah! So they told her that basically, after all the tests, it was a mix of physical exhaustion and stress. It was all through the roof that night, but the only thing on her mind is her title and Stand & Deliver. Well, HBK wants to be the first to say that it is a relief to hear Roxie is better. And more importantly, that the doctors found out why she fainted like that.
But the problem is, Stand & Deliver… He isn’t sure. Her health is the priority right now. And he doesn’t think defending the title in a Ladder Match is the best thing for her right now. They can crown a new champion at Stand & Deliver, get a few matches under Roxie’s belt, and then right after Stand & Deliver, Roxie is the first to get a title match. Oh… Roxie won’t lie, being NXT Women’s Champion has been unlike anything she’s ever experienced. Saying you want to be champion and being champion day in and day out are completely different. But Roxie does struggle with anxiety.
This year has been incredible, but when you accomplish your dreams so fast, you wonder, ‘What do I do now? Is it all downhill from here? Did I peak at 21?” And then that anxiety goes insane! See, that right there! HBK knows Roxie’s all better physically, but mentally, emotionally, she’s just unsure. Roxie, you’re 21 years old! You’ve got a long, wonderful career in front of you. There will be other Stand & Deliver events. Will there? She can’t think like that! Did HBK think like that? WrestleMania was the most important night of the year for him, and she knows that he never had the mindset of, “Well, there’s always next year.”
HBK took it as “There’s here and now,” and he stole the show every time! That’s what Roxie wants to do! Roxie’s anxiety is crippling, but she can’t run away from it. She has to confront it, and that means facing it head-on. The only way she wins that battle is by climbing the ladder, winning back her title, the title she never lost. So please! Let her do this! Let her do this for her and for everyone who struggles with what she struggles with! To show them that they don’t have to be a prisoner of anxiety! Please, HBK! HBK says fine, but she has to get tests, meet with doctors, and follow-ups! Okay, yes! Thank you!
HBK says Roxie deserves the right to defend her title at Stand & Deliver. She’s in the match. Thank you so much, HBK! She’ll get all that for him! Okay, but now he’s gonna have a nervous breakdown. “Roxanne, you can beat this. Good luck.” Roxie thanks him again, then heads out. Will the Prodigy be able to overcome her biggest challenge mentally to then overcome the biggest challenge physically?
Valentina Feroz VS Elektra Lopez!
The Brazilian sparkplug has been doing things fair and square, even as La Madrina told her it was pointless. But Feroz made sure Lopez couldn’t cheat and that cost her against Sol Ruca. Will Feroz show Lopez she can win the right way? Or is it true that nice people finish last?
The bell rings and the two rush each other. Lopez knees low, fires off forearms and a HEADBUTT! Lopez whips Feroz to a corner and ELBOWS her! Lopez then shouts at Feroz for messing with her. Feroz blocks the buckle bump, and she fires back with forearms! Lopez staggers, blocks a kick and CLUBS the leg to then sweep the other leg! Lopez gets the leg to SMASH the knee into the mat! Fans rally for Feroz but Lopez puts on a standing toehold. Feroz endures, kicks with her free leg, but Lopez drops an elbow on the bad leg! Feroz hooks with the good leg but Lopez fights that off to pull on the bad leg.
Fans rally, Feroz fights, and she rolls with Lopez. Lopez shifts to drop another elbow, but Feroz dodges! Feroz dropkicks Lopez down, covers, ONE! Feroz goes to a corner, Lopez runs in but Feroz dodges. Feroz arm-drags Lopez, drags her up to arm-drag again, and then whips to run and SPEAR! Fans fire up, Feroz covers, TWO! Lopez is hanging tough but Feroz fires up. Fans rally, Feroz aims from a corner and goes up. Feroz leaps, into Lopez’s arms! Lopez swings Feroz around into the ELEKTRIC SHOCK!! Cover, Lopez wins!
Winner: Elektra Lopez, by pinfall
Lopez wins, but the irony? She won fair and square! Did Feroz win the moral battle? Or does only the physical battle matter?
Eddy Thorpe speaks.
“Music is celebration. When I make music, I can feel the spirit of my people behind me. It is my honor to lead the way. Like an alpha wolf, I will conquer this territory and everything in it.” Thorpe is ready to level up, his NXT debut is next!
Eddy Thorpe VS Myles Borne!
The heritage and history of the Native American people, the fire and energy of progress, the Alpha Wolf looks to be the hybrid that paths the way to the future! Will Thorpe be the future of NXT?
The bell rings and Thorpe ties up with Borne. They are in a deadlock, Borne wrenches an arm but the fans rally behind Thorpe. Thorpe rolls, wrenches and wristlocks. Borne rolls, slips through and arm-drags to an armlock. Thorpe fights up, Borne headlocks, but Thorpe powers out, only for Borne to run him over. Things speed up., Thorpe hurdles then CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up, but Borne DROPKICKS Thorpe! Borne brings Thorpe up, but Thorpe CHOPS back! Thorpe CLUBS Borne, but Borne trips Thorpe. Thorpe boots Borne away but Borne throws hands! Borne UPPERCUTS, whips, and ELBOWS Thorpe down!
Borne drags Thorpe back up, ROCKS him with a haymaker, then has him on ropes. Thorpe hits back, Borne ROCKS and whips, but Thorpe reverses. Borne blocks a hip toss, body shots, and clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Borne keeps cool and he clamps onto Thorpe with a chinlock. Fans rally and Thorpe fights up. Thorpe pries free, but Borne kicks low. Thorpe blocks to DRAGON SCREW! And then he CLOBBERS Borne with forearm after forearm! SOBAT! PELE! Borne staggers and fans fire up! Thorpe runs in to BOOT Borne! And then HIP TOSS! Borne flounders, Thorpe sets up, BIG elbow drop! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally, Thorpe brings Borne up but Borne wrenches out. Borne waistlocks, Thorpe elbows free but Borne kicks low. Borne swings, into a SAIDO! Fans fire up as Thorpe tries again, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, Thorpe wins!
Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by pinfall
Borne gave him a good, hard fight, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Alpha Wolf. Thorpe says he’s coming for everything, will he get everything he wants in NXT?
Pretty Deadly checks back in.
Kit says what a night of headlines! Elton agrees. An impressive debut win for Thorpe. But it isn’t all smiles, as they’re here on the Grayson Waller Effect set. Waller VS Gargano is far more than personal. They say never mess with a man’s family, and that front yard brawl sure gave a new meaning to the term “viral moment.” Gargano has now vowed to do everything in his power to get revenge on Waller, and he wants this as an unsanctioned match. Will Waller sign the agreement? Would either Kit or Elton do it? Would you sign the contract, knowing what is coming for you? This could be a match so brutal, it’ll take YEARS off your career!
Kit says he would! Only to defend Elton’s honor. Oh, Kit is so selfless and brave. That is his middle name: Kit Bravery Wilson! Elton’s here for it. And stay tuned for more Pretty Deadly Talk as we continue towards Stand… and Deliver!
Backstage interview with Gallus.
McKenzie is with Mark Coffey & Wolfgang, and says that while we saw the end result of everything that happened at the bar last week, what led to it? Mark says it was obvious they’re not interior decorators, and Wolfgang admits, they were pretty banged up after that fight. Then at this point, it is a Triple Threat for Stand & Deliver. But then, why’re they willing to defend against not just one, not just two, but up to three teams with this deal made on behalf of Briggs & Jensen? You’re asking them, “Why?” They thought, “Why not?” The Creeds made a good case. Tony D & Stacks made a good case. And Gallus is all about equal opportunity.
If Briggs & Jensen do win tonight, then the more the merrier! Four, six, eight guys, it doesn’t matter. Well, Wolfie does love a good fight. How confident is Gallus that they’ll walk out of Stand & Deliver still NXT Tag Team Champions? Wolfgang admits that Markus likes to wind Wolfgang up, likes to get under his skin. But they’re the champs, heading into the biggest show of the year, against a collection of guys all ready to fight. They don’t need that much riling up. The odds don’t matter, at Stand & Deliver, the Creeds, The Don & Stacks, and should Briggs & Jensen make it there, they’ll all find out the hard way that it is #GallusBoysOnTop!
NXT Women’s Championship Last Chance Qualifier: Indi Hartwell VS Sol Ruca VS Ivy Nile!
Tiffany Stratton, Zoey Stark and Lyra Valkyria won their way in, and now that Roxie is physically cleared to compete, so is she! Who will win the final spot to make the Ladder Match a Furious 6 Way for the gold?
NXT returns as Ivy makes her entrance, followed by Indi. The bell rings and Indi kicks Ivy! Sol spins Indi around but Indi kicks, CLUBS and backhands her! Ivy rolls Indi up, TWO and Ivy jumps at Sol! Sol catches Ivy, pops her up but Ivy slips free to shove Sol into Indi! Down goes Indi, Ivy rolls Sol! TWO, and Sol scoops and SLAMS Ivy! Sol grabs at Ivy but Ivy kangaroo kicks her away, and Indi rolls Sol up! TWO, and Indi rushes in, but Sol dumps her out! Ivy KICKS Sol, KICKS her again, but Sol dodges the superwoman punch to DROPKICK Ivy out! Fans fire up and Sol goes up a corner! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit on Ivy & Indi!
Fans fire up with the Sol Surfer, and she puts Indi back in. Sol hurries to cover, TWO! Fans sing for Sol while Indi flounders to ropes. Sol brings her up, whips her to ropes, but Indi reverses and hip tosses. Sol handsprings through to a FACEBUSTER! But Ivy leaps in to FLYING RANA! Ivy fires up, fans are with her and she ROCKS Indi! Ivy rolls and CALF KICKS Sol! Cover, TWO! ARMBAR!! Sol clasps hands, and Indi drops a BIG ELBOW on Ivy! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Ivy up, puts her through ropes and UPPERCUTS! And BOOTS! Ivy flops down, Indi covers, Sol breaks it! Fans duel, Sol drags Indi up to whip, but Indi reverses to put Sol through ropes!
Indi UPPERCUTS, but Sol dodges the boot to HOTSHOT! Indi is down, Sol springboards and SPLASHES! Cover, Ivy breaks it! All three women are down and fans rally back up. They all rise up slowly, Sol swings but Ivy tilt-o-whirls to sunset flip! ONE, but Ivy KNEES Sol down! Cover, TWO! Things speed up, Sol blocks a Rana, Ivy slips free of the bomb, but Sol SUPERKICKS! Sol handspring SPLASHES Ivy! Sol runs corner to corner to handspring, but Indi dodges! Sol bumps off buckles, into Indi’s IMPRESSIVE SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Sol survives, and Ivy BUZZSAWS Indi! Ivy whips but Indi reverses!
Ivy tilt-o-whirls, into the DIAMOND DRAGON!! Indi endures, fades, but Sol runs in, SOL SNATCHER!! But Indi BOOTS Sol away! BLINDSIDER LARAIT!! Cover, INDI WINS!!
Winner: Indi Hartwell, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
#IndiWrestling is going to Hollywood! Will Indi finally have the top title? But speaking of, here’s Zoey Stark! And Lyra Valkyria! And Gigi Dolin! And of course, Tiffany Stratton! But also, Roxanne Perez! Roxie holds up the belt now, but who will bring it down from the sky in Hollywood?
Pretty Deadly checks in again.
They climb up a step ladder for this segment, and says Indi makes good on the Last Chance match. The field is now set. Six women put their bodies on the line in a match to crown a “new” women’s champion. Well, Roxie the plucky prodigy is back. And since she never lost the title, this becomes a title defense now. Who does Elton see coming away with the gold? Oh, so glad Kit asked. Because Elton recently had an epiphany. Los Angeles, the city of stars, Hollywood, and there’s only one woman suited for the City of Angels! #BuffBarbie herself! The most glamorous superstar in NXT, Tiffany Stratton! Yes girl!
Kit says this could be a show-stealer! If the fans wanna find out, join us on Saturday for Stand… And Deliver!
Grayson Waller speaks.
Via a Twitter video, captioned “Will I or won’t I?” Waller calls out “Johnny Cosplay.” He’s so close to finally getting what he wanted: him and Waller in an Unsanctioned match. In fact, Waller’s on his way inside right now. Waller had security do one last sweep of the perimeter, and because he knows Gargano’s “a sneaky little hobbit,” they’ll also be all around ringside. But Waller hopes Gargano tunes in. “Because you never know what I’m gonna say.” The 21st Century Success Story is trolling until the very end. Will he sign on the dotted line so that he and Gargano can go to the extreme?
NXT presents Prime Target: Bron Breakker VS Carmelo Hayes.
The NXT Champion says, “This match is like destiny. The youngest main event in WrestleMania Weekend history. Carmelo and I, we came in in the same class, these two alpha males that are just undeniable.” The challenger asks Bron, “Do you know what it takes to be a king? I don’t think you do. Heavy lies the head that wears the crown.” Melo is the 2021 Breakout Star, a winner of NXT WarGames (alongside Bron), the combined longest reigning NXT North American Champion, the one who unified the North American and Cruiserweight titles, and “HIM.”
Melo says this has been a whole different training camp to get ready for this match. He isn’t just doing his high-flying, his mat wrestling, he is covering every aspect. He hits the ropes harder, he takes less steps, he makes less mistakes. He worked out for four hours, partied for three, but skipped the afterparty. Trick Williams couldn’t believe it, but Melo has to put in the work to take on Bron Breakker. Trick and the others understood, and Melo let them go on. Melo didn’t need to go, he’ll celebrate when this is finished, when he has won, and he is at the top of the mountain. The job is not done, it is far from it.
Training montage as Melo pushes himself. But Bron chuckles. It’s funny because he’s been doing that and not going to parties since the first day. He works with weights two and a half hours a day. He runs the ropes another two and a half hours a day. Because that is what it takes to be champion, to be “The Guy.” Bron knows people think matches are won and loss in the ring or in the weight room. But Bron is of the opinion that they’re won and loss in the film room. There is nothing better than to watch film. Melo is fast, he will try to get in Bron’s head, gas him out, and get Bron playing Melo’s game.
You can take Bron to the deep water, but he’s been there so many times, it has become his home. Bron has carried NXT on his back for almost two years now. The NXT title is everything to him, this brand is everything to him. He respect everyone who has come before, but there is a difference. He is the most dominant of all time. This has been the path since Vengeance Day, and now, in LA, Melo vows to take that weight off Bron’s shoulders when he knocks Bron’s head off and takes the title. Melo is Him, and the kingdom of NXT is his, and he wants his effing crown!
Bron says that this one is a bit more special, it means a bit more to him. Fans are torn, but Melo says Bron doesn’t understands. Bron doesn’t want this like Melo wants this! Bron doesn’t wanna go as far as Melo is willing to go! But Bron says when he gets going with that 4.3 speed, hits those Steiner-lines, Melo won’t know where he is. Melo says at Stand & Deliver, he takes everything from Bron because everything is his! Melo is HIM! Bron has promised and continues to promise he will make it through as champion, but who will have the Hollywood ending to their story?
Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre speak.
The Firekeeper says, “When the sun goes down at Stand & Deliver, a darkness will rise over NXT.” The Wicked Witch says, “The eternal horror of gullible fools will not be contained.” The fate of Kiana James and Fallon Henley has already been sealed. Two spirits in turmoil do not deserve to be tag team champions. Fyre and Isla bond together to connect their past and forge their destiny. This Saturday, they burn their opposition tot he ground. And from the ashes, their message will spread far and wide. “It is always darkest before the Dawn, and where there’s smoke, there’s Fyre.” Will nothing stop this devious duo from ascending to the throne?
Hank Walker VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey!
The blue collar working man was already in the 20 Man Battle Royal, but so was the Philly Stretcher. Their fight that literally spilled out of the ring now returns to it, will the student avenge himself against his arrogant teacher? Or will Gulak show Hank he still doesn’t belong?
NXT returns as Gulak makes his entrance, the Son of the Gentleman Villain by his side. The bell rings and Hank rushes in! Gulak dodges, headlocks, but Hank slips out to hammerlock. Gulak throws back elbows then haymakers. Hank blocks to fire off haymakers in return! Hank whips, and he CLOBBERS Gulak! And CLOBBERS him again! Fans rally and Hank back drops Gulak! Gulak staggers up, but Hank hits a MONKEY FLIP, into an ARMBAR! Gulak flails, grapevines a leg and drags Hank into a camel clutch! But Hank slips out to put Gulak in the camel clutch! Gulak powers his way back and gets a leg, STRETCH MUFFLER!
But Hank trips Gulak to put on the STRETCH MUFFLER! And he lifts Gulak off the mat with it! Fans fire up, but Gulak kicks free. Gulak trips Hank, has the heel hook, and he turns Hank over for a HALF CRAB! Hank endures, powers Gulak down and gets the HALF CRAB for himself! Gulak endures, crawls forward, and he has the ROPEBREAK! Hank lets go quickly, Gulak goes to the apron but Hank drags him up. But Gulak HOTSHOTS Hank away! Gulak slides in for a NECKBREAKER! Then a knee drop! And another! And another! Gulak snarls but fans boo. Gulak drags Hank up and whips him to a corner.
Gulak runs in to clothesline! Gulak shoves Hank out to then BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Fans boo but Gulak tells Hank he doesn’t belong. Gulak goes up the corner, and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! But Gulak has the arm to drag Hank into a CROSSFACE! Hank endures, fans rally, and Hank moves around, only for Gulak to shift to a chinlock. Hank endures, fans rally more and Hank fights up! Hank pries free, but Gulak pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Hank pries Gulak’s hands away. Hank fires off big hands from all sides! Hank whips to THESZ PRESS! And fast hands! Hank fires up and fans are with him!
Hank has Gulak in a corner, whips him corner to corner then SPLASHES! And then whip and SPLASH the other way! Gulak flounders, Hank ripcords him for a FLAPJACK! And down come the straps! Hank roars, runs, and CLOBBERS Gulak! Cover, TWO!! Gulak survives that open field tackle, but Hank is right on him! Wheelbarrow and lift, but Gulak arm-drags to the press and CROSSFACE!! Hank endures, fans rally, and he pops out the back! Hank gets the legs again, wheelbarrows, into the ARMBAR!! Hank pulls on the arm but Gulak clasps hands. Hank powers it open!! Gulak flails, fans are thunderous, but Gulak scrambles over! ROPEBREAK!!
Hank lets go in frustration while fans boo. Hank hurries after Gulak, they’re in the ropes, the ref is busy with Gulak and Dempsey CLOBBERS Hank! Gulak cradles, Gulak wins!!
Winner: Drew Gulak, by pinfall
Fans boo as Gulak steals that one! Hank was about to beat Gulak at his own game, but Gulak needed the assist from his new friend! Will Hank get payback the next time they meet?
Pretty Deadly checks in again.
They’re having a couple mimosas at the bar and Kit says, “Ever since we joined the division, the tag team scene has been a bustling hive of competition.” Elton says that at Stand & Deliver, the NXT Tag Team Championships will be contested in a Triple Threat match. The Creed Brothers have got their mojo back, baby. #AustinPowers. Elton still can’t stand them, but he has to admit, Julius & Brutus have more personality then say this bar rag. The champions, Gallus, well, are the champions. Let’s move on, please. And the new team, Tony D’Angelo & “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo, show family loyalty.
Imagine if The Don & The Underboss win. Kit would love it! Or, speaking of love, Briggs & Jensen do have the opportunity to make this a Fatal 4 Way. Could you imagine if the foursome of Briggs, Jensen, Kiana & Fallon were all tag team champions together at Stand & Deliver? Aw, so magical. Such a perfect fairytale ending. But that’s just the thing about fairytales: there’s always a witch, or witches, right behind. Nice one. Isla & Alba are dangerous duo, and if they have their way, it’ll be a sinister Stand & Deliver. The fairytale could be of heartbreak and tragedy. So see you Saturday afternoon for Stand… And Deliver!
NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo!
Speaking of that Hollywood ready story, the next chapter is being written right here! Will the Country Strong good ol’ boys fight their way into the title match to join their leading ladies at Stand & Deliver? Or will these underdogs fail to live the dream?
The teams sort out and Stacks starts against Jensen. They circle, tie up, and Jensen shoots to a roll-up, TWO! Jensen waistlocks but Stacks fights up. Stacks arm-drags but Jensen holds on. Stacks makes that a cover, ONE as Jensen bridges into his own cover! TWO, Stacks is free, and the two stand off. Fans applaud while Jensen says it was that close. The two reset, tie up again, and Jensen waistlocks to O’Conner Roll. TWO, Jensen rebounds off ropes, things speed up, and Jensen hip tosses Stacks! Stacks kangaroo kicks, then he scoops and SLAMS Jensen! But Jensen kangaroo kicks back!
Stacks runs in, into a headlock takeover! Stacks tries to headscissor but Jensen fights that to a cover, TWO! Stacks headscissors after all but Jensen kips free. Jensen runs, hurdles, tags Briggs and FACEBUSTERS! Briggs runs in to CLOBBER Stacks! Fans fire up as Briggs scoops, but Tony drags Stacks down! Tony tags in and fans rally as he circles with Briggs. They tie up, Tony waistlocks and SLAMS Briggs. Tony talks trash, grinds his forearm into Briggs’ head, but Briggs fights up. Tony SLAMS Briggs back down, facelocks, but Briggs fights his way up again. Briggs pries the hold open, but Tony shoves him away, only for Briggs to run him over!
Things speed up, Tony drops but Briggs stops short of the back drop to CLUB Tony on the back! Stacks distracts Briggs, and Briggs turns around into a haymaker! Tony tags Stacks, they double whip, body shot and knee lift to an UPPERCUT! Stacks covers, ONE! The ladies are watching backstage, and Fallon still can’t believe Kiana lied to Jensen. Oh, yes, Kiana is so horrible to have gotten Jensen & Briggs a chance at the tag titles. When this is over, Fallon is telling Jensen! No, Fallon, wait! Let’s talk! Fallon hurries off, Kiana hurries after, and we watch the ring again as Stacks has Briggs down in a chinlock.
Briggs endures, fights up, and fans rally. Stacks thrashes Briggs around but Briggs still fights up. Briggs powers out, Tony tags in. Jensen tags in, Briggs CLOBBERS Tony and Jensen CLOBBERS Stacks! Tony & Stacks end up on the ropes, Briggs & Jensen fire up and they slide, to DOUBLE HAYMAKER! Fans fire up with the good ol’ boys as NXT goes picture in picture.
Jensen hurries in after Tony, wrenches an arm and RAMS shoulders. Jensen wrenches again, for an ELBOW BREAKER! Jensen wants after the shoulder but Tony stays on his feet. Briggs tags in, Jensen whips Tony so they can DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Briggs covers, TWO! Briggs clamps onto that arm and grinds it down. Briggs CLUBS Tony, but Tony fights up. Briggs wrenches the arm, tags in Jensen, and Jensen takes the handoff to wrench again. Jensen wrangles Tony to the mat, wrenches the arm again, but Tony DECKS Jensen! Tag to Stacks and he runs in, into an arm-drag!
Jensen has the armlock and grinds the shoulder. Stacks endures, fights up, but Jensen whips him to ropes. Stacks holds the ropes and ELBOWS in return! Jensen comes back, Stacks dodges and Tony CLOBBERS Jensen! The ref reprimands, but now Fallon and Kiana are ringside. Tony stomps Jensen, drags him up and ROCKS him. Tony brings Jensen around, whips Jensen to ropes, and hits a BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Tony is annoyed, but he drags Jensen up to whip him into the corner. Tag to Stacks, Stacks clamps on a chinlock, and NXT returns to single picture. Stacks claws at Jensen’s face!
Fans rally, the ref reprimands, and Jensen fights his way around. Jensen stands, throws body shots, and is free. Stacks grabs at the pants, Jensen throws elbows! Stacks catches Jensen to a BACKBREAKER! And then a BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Tag to Tony, he drags Jensen up and facelocks for some hockey scrum shots! Fans rally but Jensen drops to his knees. Tony DECKS Jensen, then drags him back up. Tony whips Jensen hard into the corner, tags Stacks, and then Tony scoops. BACKBREAKER, and Stacks leaps in, ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!! Jensen survives but Stacks clamps on with a chinbar and armlock.
Fans rally, Jensen fights up, and Stacks shifts to a headlock. Jensen throws body shots, powers out, but heads collide! Both men fall over and fans rally up. Stacks and Jensen crawl, hot tag to Briggs! Britts rallies on Stacks & Tony! Briggs DECKS Stacks, runs and BOOTS Tony! Stacks runs in but into a SIDEWALK SLAM! SPLASH for Tony! Briggs is all fired up and the fans are with him. Tag to Jensen, and Jensen goes up. Briggs Electric Chair Lifts Stacks, WHEEL KICK DOOMSDAY DEVICE! Jensen covers, Tony barrels through Briggs to break it!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down!
Fallon & Kiana coach up their boys, Briggs and Tony stare down. They fire up and stand to throw hands! Fans fire up, Briggs gets the edge, but Tony dodges the boot to DECK Briggs out of the ring! Tony tags in off Stacks, then helps Stacks to go after Jensen. They double whip, to BADA BING, BADA BOOM!! Cover, Tony & Stacks win!
Winners: Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo, by pinfall (DENIES Briggs & Jensen a spot in the NXT Tag Team Championship match)
The Triple Threat stays a Triple Threat, and Stacks says it’s The D’Angelo Boys On Top! Will that be how it goes in Hollywood?
As for the others, Fallon grabs the mic. Fallon knows this isn’t a good time, but this has gone on long enough! There is something Kiana needs to tell Jensen! Kiana says that’s true. There is something she should tell him. But she’d rather just show him. Jensen is confused, but Kiana gives him a kiss! Jensen is over the moon, and Fallon still can’t believe it! Is there no end to the back-up plans Kiana has to cover her bases?
Grayson Waller heads to the ring.
Security is at the ready, just as he said. Fans boo as the 21st Century Success Story walks down the ramp, and then he goes to Vic Joseph at the announce desk. Waller takes the contract, looks it over, and then grabs a pen. Waller says, “Once I’m done, whatever happens in this match, I want to do it in front of you (Vic). Whatever happens to your boy is on your hands.” Waller takes the contract into the ring, and gets a mic. “Hey! You flops better watch my back, because Gargano’s known for his cheap shots. And he could come from anywhere, right?” Fans boo as Waller continues.
“I’m staring at this paper and… I still can’t believe it. Grayson Waller VS Johnny Gargano, at Stand & Deliver.” Fans taunt Waller, “You Can’t Read!” Waller says Melo VS Bron thinks it’s the main event. But it doesn’t matter when he’s on, Waller’s the REAL main event! Because this is a full circle moment. Two years ago, Waller was trying to stand out in front of the new wave. He was trying to build a relationship with the idiot fans! He was singing, dancing, all the things the fans pretend they don’t like but secretly love. “And then came WarGames. And at the time, I was considered the fourth best member of Team 2.0.”
Fans tell Waller to shut up, but Waller continues. He went out there, he stepped in that cage, and he jumped from the top! He put his body on the line because that was gonna be his “viral moment.” That was gonna be what launched him to superstardom. But he was wrong. “Because at the end of the night, after WarGames, all anyone could talk about was Johnny Wrestling. So two nights later, in a night I know you remember very vividly. You (Johnny Gargano) walked to this ring, and everyone couldn’t wait to hear what you had to say! And because you kissed his ass so much, Shawn Michaels gave you as much time as you wanted!
“But it only took me 30 seconds. I saw my mark and I hit it. And let’s be real, Johnny, you are the biggest mark in this business.” Waller stepped out there, hit Gargano with the chair, and sent Gargano home. Then Waller sent himself into the stratosphere. It’s funny, because Gargano told the world that you should bet on yourself. “And if you wanna talk about the last 15 months, no one has bet on themselves more than Grayson Waller! And if you want proof, my proof is right here! I have the greatest big match superstar in NXT history begging me to kick his ass at Stand & Deliver. Don’t forget that, Johnny: you’re begging me. I’m your golden ticket right now!”
Waller admits, Gargano is the greatest big match superstar in NXT history. Gargano’s done it all. The records, the titles, the matches, the moments. Johnny Gargano IS Mr. NXT. “But just like your idol, Mr. WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels, you are gonna lose at Stand & Deliver. You bleed black ‘n’ gold, lad? I bleed green. 15 months ago, I used you to put myself on the map. And at Stand & Deliver, I use you one more time-” GARGANO IS HERE?! But Waller told him not to show up or he wouldn’t sign the contract! Waller is ready for a fight, he dares Gargano to come for this fight, but where is Gargano?
HE’S THE CAMERAMAN!! Gargano sets the camera down, takes off the hat and mask, and he rushes Waller! Security finally realizes and they rush in! Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but security does its job in separating them. But then Waller and Gargano get loose to fire off hands again! Waller bails, Gargano pursues, and they COLLIDE! Waller tumbles over steel steps, Gargano goes after him, and the scrapping continues at the ramp! Fans rally behind Gargano but Waller TACKLES him on the stage! Security pulls them apart again, but Gargano gets free to LEAP onto the pile!
Fans fire up but the two are separated again. Johnny Wrestling and the viral villain are ready to stand and deliver, but who will be left standing at all in the end?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT and a great go-home, though still with the usual level of talking for NXT, which is a little too much talking. I do appreciate that Pretty Deadly was inserting themselves all over the show to give their thoughts and predictions. And they were entertaining each segment so it is still fine. Isla & Alba have a good promo to give their thoughts on Fallon & Kiana being at odds. And I’m glad we got Prime Target back since this isn’t NXT 2.0 but “white & gold” era. But none of these really change the math in those matches as I see it. Melo is still the proper choice to win so Bron can move on, and given Fallon & Kiana are so against each other right now, Isla & Alba are definitely taking those titles.
Speaking of that story, the romcom of Jensen and Kiana continues to take some really clever turns that also help tie into other stories. The tag team “main event” of Briggs & Jensen VS Tony & Stacks was a really good match, and it adds to story. Kiana uses the tag match and that public kiss to deflect from Sebastian. At this rate, Kiana is gonna marry Jensen before she tells him about Sebastian. Which honestly, would be a hilarious thing given American pro-wrestling can’t help but have weddings. And this win gives Tony & Stacks the momentum going into the Triple Threat. I’m thinking this all leads to Gallus finding a way to retain the titles.
Opening with the battle royal was the right move, as was making it chaotic like the rest of the North American Championship open challenge segments. Scrypts going after Axiom is good consistency, but I’m pleasantly surprised to see he didn’t stop Axiom from winning. I thought they were gonna put a giant over but nope, we got two Cruiserweights at the end. Also great detail was that the final three were NXT UK alumni (Axiom is A-Kid for anyone who still doesn’t know). And in the end, Axiom finally gets what he wants in getting this title opportunity. If Wes isn’t winning, this is anyone’s game, all of these guys are that great.
Though, I’m not sure we needed Gulak VS Hank here tonight after both men already competed in the battle royal. It was still a great match, with a strong showing from Hank and a classic Heel shenanigan for Gulak to win. But I would’ve waited to make this part of the aftermath episode next Tuesday to help bridge things into the Spring and Summer phases. Meanwhile, Eddy Thorpe has a good TV debut after a string of matches on Level Up. Formerly Karl Fredericks in NJPW as a Young Lion, Thorpe brings those basics and essential moves, but shows he can do the fancier stuff. The Twist ‘n’ Shout swinging neckbreaker is a great finisher, can’t wait to hear its finisher name.
Good match from Feroz and Lopez, and I figured Lopez would win, but I’m surprised Lopez didn’t cheat since that was kinda the whole point of their story. Maybe Feroz points that out to Lopez next week and Lopez starts to see things her way. Good stuff out of Chase U, especially the checked out attitude of Duke Hudson. I think Duke’s assist was meant to screw Bate but it ended up an assist because Bate jumped for the tope. And good promo from The Schism to bum everyone out after Bate’s win. Duke helping screw Chase U over seems a bit obvious but sometimes stories go in the obvious direction.
Roxanne being back before Stand & Deliver is quite the surprise to me. I really thought we were waiting for an Undisputed NXT Women’s Championship story, but I suppose putting that on just a TV special like Spring Breakkin’ isn’t enough. So instead, Roxie makes her return, she champions the fight of mental health and anxiety to still be champion going into Stand & Deliver. I’d somehow lost count, but yeah, a SIX WAY Ladder Match. That is wild, and much like with the North American Championship, I see it as Roxie retaining, or anyone’s guess of a new champion. Indi winning that great Last Chance Triple Threat was a bit of a surprise, but Stand & Deliver could be her good-bye match to NXT. Then she rejoins The Way on Raw in a big moment of some kind.
And speaking of big moment, great final segment with Waller and Gargano. Good promo from Waller showing us that indeed, this is full circle. Waller was honestly good at being a Face back in the days of 205 Live. But even then, there were hints of being arrogant and defying authority, Waller’s come into his own as a Heel, perhaps one the top Heel at this point. I thought Waller was gonna beat up Vic since he was to have Gargano banned from the building, but Waller said it himself, Gargano became “Johnny Cosplay” pulling off the covered up cameraman disguise. Great brawl, it was a wash so no one has the math behind them, but I would think that with Gargano on Raw now, Waller will use the fact this is Unsanctioned/No Disqualification to win and just have all the Heel heat.
My Score: 8.7/10
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