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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/29/21)

Who’s on their way to the Bash?

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NXT Coverage 2021

Three teams battle for an opportunity at the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions!

The Great American Bash is coming, and NXT is paving the way with gold! Who will challenge Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell for their women’s tag titles?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Triple Threat: Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai VS Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS Io Shirai & Zoey Stark; Shirai & Stark win and will challenge Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell at The Great American Bash.
  • Roderick Strong w/ The Diamond Mine VS Asher Hale; Strong wins.
  • Cameron Grimes VS Ari Sterling; Grimes wins.
  • Mixed Tag: Mercedes Martinez & Jake Atlas VS Tian Sha; Tian Sha wins.
  • NXT North American Championship: Bronson Reed VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott w/ Hit Row; Swerve wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Triple Threat: Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai VS Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS Io Shirai & Zoey Stark!

What a way to open tonight! The NXT Women’s Champion and #CobraKai want those tag titles back, but so do the wild ones in the Shenom and the Pizza Cat! As for the Evil Genius and the Rising Star(k), they just want payback on Candice & Indi, with the titles as cherries on top! But who comes out of this with the golden tickets to the Great American Bash?

The teams sort out and in this kind of Triple Threat, it’s one person apiece! Ember and Shirai rush Raquel but she knocks them both down! Raquel RAMS Ember to a corner, but Shirai runs in and jumps on Raquel’s back! Raquel throws Shirai off, hauls her up, but Ember runs in to sunset flip them both! Shirai rolls through, dropkick and splash! Cover, TWO! Basement Complete Shot for Raquel! Shirai counter punches Ember, the two stand off, but then they decide to double dropkick Raquel! Raquel rebounds to DOUBLE LARIAT! Fans fire up as Raquel hauls Shirai up and LAWN DARTS her into the one open corner!

Ember tilt-o-whirls Raquel to the corner! Ember sweeps Shirai’s legs, avoids Dakota, and uses Shirai to handspring and LARIAT Raquel! Ember stomps Shirai down, Raquel dodges but Shotzi tags in! FLYING CODE BREAKER! Springboard sunset flip! Dakota gets in to kick the cover apart! Dakota shoves Shirai out, Stark ROCKS Dakota! Stark DECKS Ember but Dakota tackles her! Stark and Dakota brawl on the outside, Raquel runs over to go after Stark, but Shirai aims to MOONSAULT! Direct hit on Raquel and Dakota! Fans fire up, but here comes Shotzi! Ember holds the ropes open for Shotzi to DIVE and take them all out! Ember is up top now, and she SUPER CANNONBALLS!

The CWC fires up but Stark  has her target now! SUPER CROSSBODY!! All six women are down on the outside, Shirai and Stark stand up and fire up as NXT goes picture in picture!

Stark and Shirai sort out the pile and put Raquel in the ring. Shirai stomps Raquel, covers, TWO! Shirai tags Stark and Stark stomps Raquel. Stark clubs Raquel, Shotzi gets in to fire forearms on Stark! Shotzi goes after Raquel, too, but Stark hits Shotzi. Raquel hits Stark, fires off hands on Shotzi, and Dakota tags in. Dakota throws Stark out hard, then stomps away on Shotzi. Cover, TOW! Stark kicks Dakota, snapmares her and KICKS her again! Cover, TWO! Stark gets Dakota up but Dakota throws forearms. They brawl, Stark ROCKS Dakota and suplexes! Cover, Shotzi breaks it! Shotzi gets Stark up, snap suplexes, but Raquel tags in to snipe the cover!

Shotzi breaks it but Raquel scoops and SLAMS! Cover, Stark breaks it! Stark clubs Raquel, kicks her, and tags in Shirai. Shirai rolls Raquel up, ONE! Shirai stomps Raquel down, clamps on a chinlock and digs a knee into Raquel’s back. Shirai adds a body scissor squeeze but Raquel endures. Raquel pushes back to a cover, TWO! Shirai still has the body scissors, but Raquel pries at the hold. Raquel turns, Shotzi gets back in and gets Shirai in a half nelson sleeper! Shirai reaches for ropes but Shotzi keeps her from them. Shirai gets a foot on the ropes, but it isn’t a ropebreak, so Shirai has to push around to a cover. TWO, and Shotzi keeps hold!

NXT returns to single picture as Raquel stomps the sleeper apart! Raquel whips Shotzi to a corner, runs in and RAMS a shoulder! Raquel digs that shoulder in, lets off to run in and SPLASH !Fans rally up as Raquel RAMS into Shotzi again! Raquel fireman’s carries Shotzi, BOOTS Shirai down, then SLAMS Shotzi! Raquel dead lifts Shirai in a waistlock but Shirai flails! Shirai victory rolls to STOMP 182! Fans fire up as all three women are down! They head for their corners, hot tag to Stark, Dakota and Ember! Stark DECKS Dakota first, then CLOBBERS Ember! Dakota runs into a LARIAT! HEEL KICK for Ember! Stark handsprings to dodge Dakota and she KICKS Raquel!

Dakota kicks into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, but Ember breaks it! Stark just fires up, two for one on the SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Ember was also there, but Dakota survives on her own. Stark gets up, drags Dakota up and whips her to the corner hard! Back elbow, then a tag to Shirai, Stark whips Dakota the other way to SPLASH! Shirai adds a back body block, Stark adds a SHINING WIZARD! They put Dakota on the ropes, for Shirai’s 619! Shirai springboards to missile dropkick! Shotzi tags back in and breaks the cover with a senton! Shotzi gets Shirai up but Shirai shoves her away, Shotzi ENZIGURIS! KICK and ROLLING ELBOW! SWITCHBLADE KICK!

Shotzi runs, SLING-DOG! Shotzi keeps going, tagging in Ember. They get Shirai for a double whip, trip and elbow drop! Basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Shirai survives, Dakota comes in but Ember fires off kicks and knees! Ember roars as she ROLLING ELBOWS Dakota down! Ember puts Dakota in position alongside Shirai, tag to Shotzi! WELCOME TO THE FIREPIT COMBO! Shotzi has Dakota for a TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Dakota survives but Shotzi keeps the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION! Raquel breaks the submission! Shotzi and Shirai go after Raquel together but she fights them off. Ember and Stark add on, they kick Raquel out!

But Dakota gets Shirai! Stark DECKS Ember, DECKS Shotzi, and helps Shirai get Dakota up top! Ember and Shotzi come back to shove Shirai and Stark aside. They take over and go after Dakota, but Stark adds back on! Shirai helps out, but Raquel breaks it all up by throwing Stark, throwing Shirai, and popping Ember into a POWERSLAM! Dakota knocks Shotzi down, Raquel BOOTS Stark! Raquel gets Shotzi up for a POWERBOMB! Shirai dropkicks Raquel’s leg out, Stark hits a SLIDING KNEE! Dakota adjusts to aim at Shotzi, DOUBLE STOMPS!! But Shirai METEORAS Dakota! Shirai gets Dakota up, and catches her to a CROSSFACE!!

Dakota endures, moves around, rolls free to SUPERKICK Shirai down! Dakota is furious as she gets Shirai back up. Shirai gets Dakota for underhooks! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Shirai hurries to a corner and fans are thunderous as she climbs! OVER THE MOONSAULT onto Raquel!? Raquel takes the shot for Dakota! Shirai is furious with Raquel but Ember cuts in! Ember throws Shirai out but Shirai drags Ember out with her! Ember DECKS Shirai, Shotzi is up top! SUPER SENTON! But Stark breaks the cover! Stark gets Shotzi up, ZK360! But she turns into an ECLISPE! Dakota gets Ember for a GO TO KICK! Shirai rushes in, Dakota switches to roll up, TWO!?!?

Dakota is furious but she turns into a SHOTEI from Shirai! Shirai is back up, fans are going nuts as she hits OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Direct hit this time! Cover, Shirai & Stark win!!

Winners: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships)

Raquel is practically pulling her hair out! Will she have to sit back and watch

 

Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux arrive at the CWC.

But just as they get in the door, Johnny Gargano tackles Kross into the wall! Gargano fires off on Kross, security rushes in, and Kross shouts, “That’s how it’s gonna be?!” Gargano pissed Kross off, and now Kross vows Gargano’s a dead man! Will Johnny Wrestling get his way and take the fight to Mr. Apocalypse?

 

The Breakout Tournament is back!

“In 2019, the NXT Breakout Tournament introduced the world to a new generation of superstars.” Cameron Grimes, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Dexter Lumis, Joaquin Wilde, Angel Garza and Bronson Reed are just some of the names that got their first opportunity, and have made names for themselves ever since. This tournament returns in two weeks! Who will we see become future stars before our very eyes?

 

Backstage interview with Bronson Reed.

The NXT North American Champion is very excited to see these fresh faces in the Breakout Tournament. Without that tournament, Reed might not be champion. Oh, deja vu! Hit Row is here, and Swerve remembers someone else in that tournament. Oh yeah, himself. Now, how did Reed come out as the one to become champion? Reed says it’s obvious how: hard work and dedication. Hit Row laughs that off and Top Dolla wants Reed to “kill all that jibber jabber.” Reed should put that title on the line and we’ll hear his heart pitter patter. Reed tells “Dolla King” that he’s all talk. Swerve says if Reed is the champion he says he is, he’d put the title on the line tonight, against Swerve.

If Swerve wants his shot, he’s got it! Swerve tells Reed to say less. Will Reeds’ actions speak for him should William Regal make it official?

 

Kross and Scarlett go to the ring!

Kross gets a mic and says, “Mr. Gargano! Touché, touché. Last week, I got you. This week, you got me.” It’s all cute, but unfortunately for Gargano,  Kross is willing to die by the sword he lives by. Is Gargano willing to do the same? Kross dares Gargano to walk out here and see how well he fares when Kross sees the shot coming! “Don’t make me wait, little man?” Kross dares Gargano? Because Gargano’s right here! Kross thinks Gargano is afraid of him? Do you know who the hell he is?! Last week, the big bad NXT Champion had to jump Gargano from behind like a coward! This time, Gargano beats Kross at his own game.

And now Kross wants Gargano to get in the ring? “Buddy, that’s MY world you’re standing in!” Gargano doesn’t have a sword, but he does have actual talent. Kross is bigger, but Gargano is smarter. And Austin Theory attacks! The Way mugs Kross! They have Kross in a corner, stomp mudholes, but Kross hits them away! BOOT for Theory, EXPLODER for Gargano! Gargano gets out of the ring, Kross pursues but Gargano hits him back! Kross choke grips and DRIBBLES Gargano off barriers! Kross pulls the steel steps apart, but security stops him before he attacks! Samoa Joe shows up to enforce order, but Gargano SUPERKICKS Kross down!

Gargano and Theory make their way out of ringside, and Kross tells Joe he’s doing “a hell of a job.” Joe just stares Kross down, and then Kross storms off. Scarlett promises they’ll pay, but will it be up to Mr. Regal how?

 

The battery continues to charge.

It is now at 60%. How soon will it hit 100?

 

Gargano and Theory are fired up.

They’re heading out, Theory says Gargano did the best superkick ever! They get out of here, but will they have reason to make their way back to the CWC?

 

BREAKING NEWS!

After Swerve called Reed out and Reed extended the challenge, IT IS HAPPENING! Reed VS Swerve, for the NXT North American Championship! Will Hit Row get their first gold this close to the Great American Bash?

 

Roderick Strong w/ The Diamond Mine VS Asher Hale!

The Savior of the Backbreaker and his new crew jumped Kushida after his stellar match with Kyle O’Reilly, and it seems Strong wasn’t as resigned from NXT as he led us to believe! With Hideki Suzuki, Tyler Rust & Malcolm Bivens in his corner, will Strong grind 205 Live’s Saint into dust?

The bell rings and Strong circles with Hale. They feel things out, Strong blocks a kick to shove Hale down. Hale gets up and Strong pie faces him! Hale rushes in but into a headlock takeover! Hale gets up and headlocks but Strong throws him off! Strong goes for a headlock and grinds Hale, but Hale fights to a cover. ONE, Strong holds the headlock, but they end up on ropes. Things turn around, Strong gets up and under for a fireman’s carry but Hale slips off. Hale ducks an elbow, kicks Strong, but then Strong blocks. Hale rolls to get an ankle but Strong rolls around. Hale goes for a sleeper, but Strong fights up and RAMS Hale into buckles!

Hale hobbles, Strong gets him for an urenage BACKBREAKER! Bivens likes that, as does the CWC. Strong puts Hale in a corner to CHOP,CLUB and ROCK Hale! And CHOP again! Strong brings Hale around but Hale throws body shots. Strong CLUBS Hale more, Hale forearms back, but Strong DECKS him! Strong digs boots into Hale’s face, then lets off as the ref counts. Strong gets Hale up to CHOP again! Bivens smiles as Strong brings Hale around to a butterfly suplex! Cover, TWO! Strong wraps Hale up in a bearhug but Hale fights up. Fans rally as Hale fights free but Strong ELBOWS him down hard! Hale gets up, he and Strong start brawling, Strong KNEES Hale!

Strong gets a BUTTERFLY GUILLOTINE! Hale taps, Strong wins!

Winner: Roderick Strong, by submission

Strong keeps the hold on until he’s satisfied! Strong lets go, celebrates with the Diamond Mine, and certainly has the fans impressed. Bivens says, “Diamond Mine is open for business, and this is just the beginning, baby!” Will Strong help another faction grab up all the gold in NXT?

 

Cameron Grimes VS Ari Sterling!

The Carolina Cash Money Caveman didn’t take kindly to The Sauce getting snippy about Ted DeBiase. Will Grimes cause a Cave-In in his return to action? Or will Sterling be too spicy for him to handle?

The bell rings, Grimes corners Sterling but he slips away. Fans chant “To The Moon!” as Grimes gets Sterling’s foot. Sterling has the ropes, turns things around to a headlock, but Grimes powers out. Sterling leaps over Grimes, hurdles over then runs to rana, but Grimes handsprings and says, “Kiss mah grits!” Then Grimes ROCKS Sterling, CHOPS him, and whips him to ropes. Sterling holds ropes, kicks Grimes back, but Grimes RANAS in return! Sterling bails out, Grimes goes to the apron and kicks, but Sterling blocks to trip Grimes up! Grimes bounces off the apron, then gets the MOON-SAUCE! Sterling puts Grimes in, gets in, but Grimes gets him for a whip.

Sterling sees Grimes’ dropdown coming and he springboards to knee drop! Sterling STANDING CORKSCREW SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Sterling kicks and clubs Grimes around, has him in a corner for a mudhole stomp, but lets off as the ref counts. Sterling pushes Grimes around, throws forearms, then CHOPS him against ropes! Sterling whips Grimes, Grimes reverses and kitchen sink knees! Fans fire up as Grimes rallies with big forearms! Sterling staggers up, Grimes scoops, but Sterling slips off and dodges to ENZIGURI! Grimes wobbles to a corner, Sterling runs in and back body blocks! Sterling goes to the apron to ENZIGURI!

Sterling climbs, aims, and SHOOTING STARS but has to bail out a Grimes moves! CAVE-IN!! Cover, Grimes wins!

Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall

Grimes is back on track! But to ruin the celebration, LA Knight makes his way out! “YAY~ Cameron Grimes wins~! And nobody gave a damn!” Knight looks at Grimes and sees a natural born loser. Grimes proved it at Knight’s coronation! Grimes says he’s gonna follow the fans, “You Suck!” If Knight wants to talk about DeBiase, get in the ring and talk with Grimes, dummy! Grimes wanted that Million Dollar Championship to carry the legacy. Knight just wanted some bling! Grimes dares Knight to put the title up, and he’ll take that bling from him! Fans are fired up for that idea!

Knight says, “Yeah? Yeah? Yeah! You want this title? You wanna fight me for it?” YEAH! Then next week, why not? Great American Bash, this title, NUH-UH! Grimes doesn’t deserve it! Fans boo, but Knight says there is something for Grimes. This title wields a lot of power, but there is a piece missing to this puzzle. So in the transformation into the NEW Million Dollar Man, and further beyond as the Million Dollar Mega Star, LA Knight says if Grimes is hot to get him, well Knight couldn’t find his stuff. Knight’s cars didn’t get detailed on time, either. So Great American Bash, Knight VS Grimes, the Million Dollar Championship IS on the line, but when Grimes loses, he becomes Knight’s butler!

Grimes has his offer, so what does he say? Grimes has no problem being a butler, because he knows at the Great American Bash, he’ll get the title and go TO~ THE~ MOON~! Will this Million Dollar Bet blow up in Knight’s face? Or will Grimes have to get down and dirty as Knight’s manservant?

 

Backstage interview with Shirai & Stark.

But before they can speak on their big win tonight, The Way make their way over! Indi congratulates Shirai & Stark, “but hate to rain on your parade,” next week will be against them, the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. They’re a real team! A family! These two aren’t even friends. Stark is pretty sure that they don’t need to be any of that, they just need mutual respect for each other. And all that other stuff won’t stop them from winning the titles around The Way’s waists. Oh, is that so? That’s cute. But Candice gives Stark some advice. After The Way wins at The Bash, watch your back. Shirai tends to be a sore loser.

Shirai tells Candice that Candice has never beaten Shirai. Next week, Shirai & Stark become champions. The Way storms off, Stark is confident she and Shirai have this. But will the Evil Genius still have the Poison Pixie’s number when it’s a tag match and not 1v1?

 

Kyle O’Reilly heads to the ring!

Just a week away from his grudge rematch with Adam Cole, #CoolKyle is here and says, “This whole journey for me has been about testing myself against the best competition this industry has.” He wants to fight dudes that make him a better fighter. That is what last week was about, and what next week is about. Next week, Cole VS O’Reilly II. Last time they fought, it was gritty, violent and unsanctioned. After Kyle got his hand raised, he proved to the world that not only does he belong in the main event, but that he could one day be NXT Champion. But Cole refuses to see it. It is one excuse after the next.

So why not come out here and enlighten us, Cole? Give us the excuse he has prepared after Kyle whoops your ass at the Bash! Cole does walk out to the stage, then the ramp. But Samoa Joe shows up, too! Joe tells these two gentlemen, “Please excuse my poorly timed interruption. But with respect to both of your personal safety,” Joe felt he should come out and make sure none of the nastiness from last week happens tonight. So please, don’t let Joe delay anything, “have at it.” Cole says that before he was interrupted, he was going to tell Kyle that Kyle made it crystal clear he wants to be in Cole’s shoes. Honestly, Kyle probably hopes and prays he’ll have half the career Cole’s had.

But guess what? Ain’t gonna happen. Cole was thinking, and he figured Kyle out. Kyle is obsessed with Cole! It creeps Cole out. Uh, what? Obsessed? Let’s unpack that. Kyle beat Cole, put him in the hospital, Cole disappears for six weeks, and when he returns, he picks a fight with Kyle at every turn! Then Cole “forgets” to say Kyle’s name at a press conference. Yeah, Kyle’s the one obsessed. Cole says Kyle is so delusional! What Kyle needs is a dose of reality, the truth, and some cold, hard facts! The fact is, Kyle is NOTHING without Cole! This goes so much deeper than just NXT! No one would even be talking about Kyle without Cole!

Just look at the Undisputed Era, all those moments, all those championships, and all the WarGames matches. Who do you see with Kyle? Adam Cole! “The guy solely responsible for every ounce of respect you have ever had in this industry.” Cole was the STAR of the UE, who carried Kyle on his back for almost four YEARS! And Cole is STILL the star! The entire world knows it, the NXT locker room knows it, and whether he wants to admit it or not, Samoa Joe knows it. “Hell, even your wife knows it!” Kyle paces but Joe keeps between them. Kyle tells Cole to never mention his wife! Yeah, they were in the UE together, but Kyle looks back and is ashamed to have ever associated with Cole!

Kyle is ashamed to have taken this long to realize Cole is such a pathetic human piece of- Cole slaps the mic down but Joe keeps these two apart! Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” but the two stand down. But then Cole swings on Kyle! Kyle trips Cole and gets a HEEL HOOK! Joe just watches as Cole suffers the pain! Kyle wrenches Cole’s leg and Joe walks out of the ring to then tell security to pull them apart. Kyle lets off, having done the damage. “What now, Cole?!” Cole might’ve just tasted his comeuppance, but will there be plenty more of it at the Great American Bash?

 

Tian Sha speaks.

Xia Li says, “You cannot violate Tian Sha’s order. Anyone who offends Tian Sha will eventually be punished. No matter who they are!” Boa warns Jake Atlas that he made a BIG mistake. “There is no way out. You will pay for this.” Xia tells Mercedes Martinez, “there’s no road of return.” It is time to destroy them both! Will Mean Ms. Mercedes and the Muscle of El Monte be mangled by the menacing minions of Mei Ying?

 

The battery continues to charge.

We are now at 71%.

 

Hit Row hypes up Swerve.

It’s money time! Swerve deserves this more than anyone. This is what they’ve been talking about! Time to show Swerve is a different breed! He looks good, feels good, and Swerve warns Reed that tonight, you’ll see why Swerve is #JustDifferent. If that’s true, will nothing ever be the same again after tonight’s main event?

 

Mixed Tag: Mercedes Martinez & Jake Atlas VS Tian Sha!

NXT returns and Atlas is already in the ring as Mercedes makes her entrance. Then Tian Sha makes their entrance, and Xia uses a Bo staff in her newest demonstration. The teams sort out but it’s just a brawl! Boa and Atlas, Xia and Mercedes! The ref sorts things out and the men stay in! Atlas ROCKS Boa with a EuroUpper then BOOTS him! Atlas whips but Boa blocks! Boa kicks back, puts Atlas in the corner but Atlas elbows him away! Atlas KICKS, Boa shoves but Atlas BOOTS! Atlas runs, springboards and flying-mares! Then calf kicks! Cover, TWO! Boa gets away and Xia tags in! Mercedes gets in, Xia dodges to THRUST KICK Mercedes down!

Xia gets Mercedes up, whips her to a corner, and then fires up to run and forearm Mercedes down! Xia stomps a mudhole, then springboard stomp! Mercedes crawls, Xia looms over her, but Mercedes hits back. Xia CLUBS Mercedes down, then brings her up for a suplex. Mercedes blocks, and blocks again, to then throw body shots. Mercedes rolls Xia up, TWO! Xia is in a corner, she runs back, but into a back drop! Mercedes and fans fire up as Xia bails out. Mercedes dares Xia to do something, and then shouts to Mei Ying, “You see that?!” Mei Ying stays put on her throne while Xia writhes, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Boa has Atlas down in a chinlock. Atlas endures, reaches around, and fights up. Atlas pries at the hold, throws body shots and is free to whip. Boa reverses but Atlas holds ropes. Atlas throws Boa up and out! Hot tag to Mercedes, and she rallies on Xia! Mercedes KNEES Xia down and fans fire up! Xia flounders to a corner, Mercedes runs in but Xia dodges! Xia runs back in but Mercedes puts her up top to ROCK her! And again! Mercedes positions Xia, climbs up to join her, and clubs away on her back before the SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Mercedes covers but Boa breaks it!

The ref reprimands but Mercedes gets up and eggs him on. Boa swings, Mercedes dodges, Atlas FAST BALLS! Atlas gets Boa up, Mercedes leaps from the top rope, FLYING BULLDOG BACK SUPLEX COMBO! Xia returns but Mercedes DECKS her! Mercedes looms over Xia, but Mei Ying rises?! Mercedes notices that and grins. Mercedes goes out to the ramp and dares Mei Ying to do what she did at TakeOver. But Xia CLOBBERS Mercedes from behind! Xia hurries to get Mercedes in the ring, throws haymakers, then scoops for a PUMP HANDLE EXPLODER! SPINNING HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO!?!? Mercedes barely gets a hand up, but she’s in bad shape!

The ref checks on Mercedes, Xia nods as she senses it, the ref stops the match!!

Winners: Tian Sha, by referee stoppage

Xia’s dangerous heel kick strikes again, in more ways than one! Will Mercedes try and fight the wrath of Tian Sha again? Or has this proven their power to everyone on the roster?

 

Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa head to the ring!

Toothless Timmy & Old Man Ciampa are here to have their face-to-face with the NXT Tag Team Champions before having it out for the titles at the Great American Bash! Ciampa & Thatcher each have a chair and pace around in the ring as MSK make their entrance. Turns out, MSK have their own chairs! The four stand together in the ring, and then sit together. Ciampa speaks first, “You wanna know what the difference between y’all and us is? We make this look good.” But that’s okay, you boys can sit in the chairs with your NXT tag titles. Because next week at the Bash, does MSK understand? “The champs are indeed the underdogs.”

Ol’ Double T has yet to hold gold, while the old man is hungry! Ciampa knows Thatcher is not a man of many words, but just look at him. Like, really look at him. “This man is motivated. And me? Hell, the entire world already knows that there ain’t a man alive who elevates a title the way Tommaso Ciampa elevates a title!” Nash Carter wants to say something but Thatcher shouts him down! “Show the man respect! Let him finish!” Wes Lee says NO! They need to listen! The four men stand up, and Lee says MSK respect both men. They applaud them, even! And MSK hears everyone talking, and they get it. Fans sing, “Ciampa’s gonna kill~ you~!”

Carter says it is time for everyone to put respect on MSK’s names! They get it as the young guns, the underdogs, but they’re here to remind everyone that Ciampa & Thatcher are the challengers! And next week, the challengers will find out why MSK are the NXT Tag Team Champions! Carter tells Lee that it doesn’t seem like they’re hearing them. So Carter SLAPS Ciampa! Thatcher DECKS Lee then goes after Carter! Ciampa pulls Thatcher back and keeps this from getting any worse. Ciampa tells MSK that next week, he wants these boys to bring their pride, the titles, because Ciampa & thatcher are taking them both. Tonight was a free one. Next week, they won’t be so lucky. MSK hold up the belts, but will this be for the last time?

 

Backstage interview with William Regal.

McKenzie notes to the NXT General Manager that tensions are rising between MSK & Ciampa-Thatcher, but that’s just one of the title matches next week. Yes, and there’s also the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Grimes just signed his contract for the match with LA Knight, and so the Million Dollar Championship is on the line. And then there’s Cole VS O’Reilly II, something everyone is looking forward. But what does he have to say about the 2021 Breakout Tournament? Regal is very excited for that as eight hungry competitors will compete, and the winner gets a match at a title of their choosing.

Sarray walks in and says she wants a match for The Bash. Maybe against someone like Toni Storm? Regal thanks her for the initiative and will take it into consideration. Will the Warrior of the Sun get her opportunity to shine? Or will the Lightning From Down Under rain on Sarray’s parade?

 

The battery is charging.

It is now at 81%. Will it be fully charged come the Great American Bash?

 

Kross and Scarlett are heading out.

Any comments on what happened tonight? Kross’ sneer is answer enough. But then Theory tries to ambush him at the car! Kross uses the door to hit Theory low, then DECKs him! But Gargano hits Kross from behind! Gargano SLAMS the door on Kross! And again! And again! Gargano shouts, “Any time, any place, anywhere, Kross is not on my level!” But then Kross gets up!? Kross wraps Gargano in the KROSSJACKET! “You wanna be a smartass, huh, Johnny!?” Kross thrashes Gargano around as he says he promised to get him! Say something funny now, Johnny! Johnny is fading out instead! Kross lets Gargano go and says, “That’s what I thought.”

Theory gets up, Kross aims and DOOMSDAY FOREARMS him into the garage door! Scarlett and Kross get to their car and back up. They drive forward, but Joe has already gotten Gargano out of harm’s way! Joe tells Gargano, “Perhaps tonight you pushed him a little bit too far. Now get up.” Joe gets Gargano into the CWC, what is going to happen next between Johnny and the apocalypse?

 

NXT North American Championship: Bronson Reed VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott w/ Hit Row!

Two prospects from the 2019 Breakout Tournament have come a long way from those early days. The Colossal holds the gold but Hit Row looks to bring that title back to Swerve’s House. Will Swerve hit the top of the charts as he knocks Reed off the mountaintop? Or will a Tsunami wash him away?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we have a colossal ending to tonight!

Reed and Swerve circle as the CWC fires up. They tie up, Reed shoves Swerve down then roars. Swerve gets up and walks that off as he circles with Reed again. They tie up, Reed puts Swerve in a corner but Swerve turns it around to slap Reed on the back of his head! Reed shrugs that off, circles with Swerve, but Swerve gets an arm and wrenches to a cording hold. Reed CHOPS Swerve, Swerve CHOPS back, and even gives a short headbutt. Reed scoops, Swerve slips out and waistlocks, but Reed pries free! Reed scowls, headlocks, but Swerve fights it. Swerve throws body shots, fans rally behind “BRON~SON~!”

Swerve drops, Reed drags him back up and holds on tight. Swerve powers out but Reed runs him over! Reed looms over Swerve, but Swerve tries a drop toehold. Reed stays up to stomp Swerve, but as Reed reaches down, Swerve goes for a Triangle! Reed dead lifts, Swerve lets him free and things speed up! Swerve jumps but Reed SWATS him! Swerve is shocked but Reed dares Swerve to come back. Swerve runs into a gorilla press! Reed carries Swerve around to then DROP him! Swerve flounders to ropes, Reed stalks him and drags him back up, then Reed bumps Swerve off buckles! Reed CHOPS Swerve and Swerve goes rolling! Swerve CHOPS back but Reed headbutts him down!

Hit Row coaches Swerve up but Reed headbutts him again. Reed whips corner to corner hard, and Swerve bounces off the buckles! Hit Row coaches Swerve more but Reed stalks him. Fans rally as Reed gets the legs. Swerve kicks Reed away, Reed tries again and yanks Swerve up for a FALLING SPLASH! Reed smiles as Swerve goes to the apron. Reed goes out to join Swerve, but Swerve CHOPS! Reed CHOPS back! Even Ashante Adonis felt that! Swerve BOOTS Reed, but Reed headbutts back! Swerve staggers, Reed eggs him on, Swerve CHOPS a leg! Reed staggers, but he still tosses Swerve into the ring! Swerve lands on his feet and kicks away on the leg!

Sunset, but no bomb as Reed holds on! Reed SITS on Swerve on the apron! The ref counts as Reed smothers Swerve, and Reed gets up at 4, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Swerve gasps and sputters while Reed watches from the ring. Reed goes out, shoves Swerve into the announce desk, then whips him into barriers! Hit Row tells the ref this shouldn’t be allowed, but Reed puts Swerve in to then stare Top Dolla down. Swerve BOOTS back from the apron! And then BOOTS again! Reed stays up, Swerve runs to LEAP and missile dropkick Reed into barriers! Reed is down and Swerve finally catches his breath. Hit Row fires up as Swerve gets Reed up, but Reed shoves Swerve away. Reed gets in the ring, Swerve goes up top., elbow drop to the back of the shoulders! Cover, TWO! Swerve SLAPS Reed and stomps him down, but Reed gets up.

Swerve brings Reed to a corner, fires off haymakers and sweeps the leg! Swerve throws knees in, pulls on Reed’s hair and talks some trash before letting up. Reed stands but Swerve CHOPS him on the back! Swerve brings Reed around, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Reed still has power, but Swerve wraps on a chinlock as NXT goes single picture. Fans rally as Swerve traps an arm and chinbars Reed. Reed endures, fights up, but Swerve rakes his eyes! Reed powers up to fireman’s carry but Swerve gets to the apron. Swerve SLAPS Reed, but Reed CHOPS Swerve! Reed CHOPS again and Swerve wobbles.

Swerve ducks the next chop to get in and waistlock, but Reed is too big! Swerve KICKS a leg, uses the ropes for help and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!! Reed survives and Swerve snarls. Fans rally and duel as Swerve goes after Reed’s arms. Swerve has a half nelson and gets Reed up, but Reed pries free with the free arm! Fireman’s carry, but Swerve elbows free to a SLEEPER! Swerve CHOPS away on Reed’s neck and shoulders, but Reed blocks one to THROW Swerve off! Swerve gets up and runs in but Reed shoves him away! Swerve comes back, somersault COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!! Hit Row is beside themselves but the fans are loving this!

Fans continue to duel as Swerve eggs Reed on. Reed sits up, and blocks the House Call! Reed puts the foot down but Swerve SLAPS Reed again! Swerve ducks Reed, back hands, but Reed spins to LARIAT! Swerve basement dropkicks right back! Reed flounders, Reed somersaults but into the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Both men are down and the CWC is loving “NXT! NXT!” Reed and Swerve slowly rise, stare down, and Reed JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Swerve staggers about, Reed keeps on him, and Reed winds up to BIONIC ELBOW, if you will! Swerve gets to a corner, Reed runs in and SPLASHES! Reed whips and BODY CHECKS Swerve! And BACK SENTONS!

Reed climbs but B-Fab and Top Dolla distract! Adonis drags Reed off the top!! The ref suspects something but Adonis plays innocent. While the ref is distracted with this, Dolla runs at Reed, but Reed TOSSES him through barriers!! Adonis checks on TD but then Reed TOSSES him out onto Top Dolla! Fans fire up with Reed but he gets in for a HOUSE CALL! Swerve goes up top, 450 SPLASH!! Cover, Swerve wins!!!

Winner: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)

It took literally everyone to do it, but Hit Row just got gold! Swerve isn’t #JustDifferent, he’s now on top of the world! And if you didn’t know, now you know!


My Thoughts:

What an awesome episode, and especially as the semi-go-home to next week’s Great American Bash. Opening with the Women’s Triple Threat Tag was quite a surprise, and it was an awesome match. I figured Dakota & Raquel weren’t winning since Raquel is still NXT Women’s Champion, but I should’ve figured that Ember & Shotzi weren’t winning as they already had their chances. Candice & Indi VS Shirai & Stark is going to be great, but I don’t see The Way losing just yet. Especially if the other half of The Way is going to keep getting pummeled by Kross. It was great that Gargano took the fight to Kross, but it seemed to all happen too fast to where Kross stands tall at the end. Great American Bash is already stuffed, so I’m pretty sure Kross VS Gargano is some other special July episode.

Roderick Strong of course gets a win on his return, but Asher Hale looked a lot better than I thought he would. I’m a little surprised Kushida had no response to last week’s attack, but I’m sure that’s coming soon. A shame that cuts to the NXT roster got rid of two planned members for the Diamond Mine faction in Artoru Ruas and Marina Shafir, but I suppose what we won’t know in kayfabe won’t hurt us. Strong is going to be great, Tyler Rust is going to be great, maybe they change plans and add someone else they hadn’t considered, we’ll have to wait and see. Maybe even Asher Hale, since he’s so good as a technical, MMA style wrestler.

I knew last week when Sterling mouthed off to Grimes that they’d have this match tonight. Sterling looked good but of course Grimes wins. And I like that we are getting the Million Dollar rematch next week at the Great American Bash. I can’t be sure Knight loses the belt so soon, but I can’t see Grimes ending up Knight’s butler. Maybe Grimes does lose and we get comedy of him purposefully messing up stuff until Knight gives Grimes another rematch. I like that the Breakout Tournament is back, I’m sure they would’ve done one last year if things didn’t go to crap in 2020. Not sure who’ll be in this year’s, but I would love if some newer 205 Live guys like Hale, Sterling or Ikemen Jiro were in it so we get eight competitors.

The Mixed Tag was pretty good tonight, but I am pretty sure it wasn’t meant to end like that. Xia Li being this legit with martial arts, I feel like these knockout wins she’s had on her record are legit, too. I feel like Tian Sha was going to win either way, but that’s a bit rough for Mercedes herself to go down like that. We got a pretty good promo out of MSK, Ciampa & Thatcher, but I don’t know if I’ve ever heard Ciampa say “y’all” that much before. It almost feels like he was forcing it. But MSK made a good point that it’s time for them to be respected as champions, they have great in-ring skills. At the same time, it’d be quite the surprise if Ciampa & Thatcher win to solidify that they’re not turning on each other, that they’re in it for the long haul.

Cole, Kyle and Joe had a great segment together. Kyle started to recycle some promo material from the build to Stand & Deliver’s Unsanctioned Match, but there’s not much else he has to say about Cole. Joe letting Kyle get Cole in the Heel Hook was great, though. It was the comeuppance Cole deserved, but the math would say Cole wins at Great American Bash. I feel like there’s been backwards booking on this story as Kyle won the Unsanctioned match. You can’t really build higher than that other than Last Man Standing or I Quit, coupled with Loser Leaves NXT. I could see this happening, though, and Kyle wins to send Cole off to RawDown in time for the WWE Draft.

Sarray politely asking for a match was really cute, really shows how she can be both fierce and sweet. Sarray VS Storm is going to be awesome stuff, but I think Sarray finds a way to win so she can get back on track towards the women’s title. The battery vignettes continue so I’m thinking it hits 100% sometime during the Great American Bash. Then we will see who this has been for, and they will surely do something to someone and make a big impact. The question is: debut or return? Then we got an awesome main event with that North American title match. It was perfect Heel work for Hit Row to help Swerve win, and it makes sense given recent developments.

Bronson Reed, along with Karrion Kross, were on a recently filmed episode of WWE Main Event (y’know, the thing that’s on Hulu first then everywhere else months later) so that’s a sign of call-ups. Kross could conceivably lose to Gargano, but I still bet it is Kyle later in July or August. Reed losing here starts to push things in the direction of his call-up, but it was still a great twist in the story. I really thought we were getting Reed VS Escobar 1v1, but Escobar going after Swerve still has great story behind it, and we could get a Six Man Tag of Hit Row VS Legado del Fantasma, too.

My Score: 9.2/10


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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (3/27/24)

BRUV! BRUV! BRUV!

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The #BillyGoat and The Wrestler finally meet again!

As AEW prepares for Dynasty, Will Ospreay prepares for Bryan Danielson by taking on the man he just beat, THE Katsuyori Shibata!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Will Ospreay VS Katsuyori Shibata; Ospreay wins.
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: The Young Bucks VS Private Party; The Bucks win and advance to the semifinals.
  • AEW TBS Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Kris Statlander VS Willow Nightingale VS Skye Blue VS Anna Jay; Willow wins and will challenge Julia Hart for the title.
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta VS The Undisputed Kingdom; Cassidy & Trent win and advance to the semifinals.
  • AEW World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Swerve Strickland VS Konosuke Takeshita; Swerve wins and will challenge Samoa Joe for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Will Ospreay VS Katsuyori Shibata!

The Aerial Assassin wants to slay the American Dragon and prove himself the best wrestler alive today! But that means keeping pace with Bryan Danielson while doing things he’s never done before. Ospreay admitted he got “the piss” beat out of him seven years ago, but will he have redemption here tonight? Or is Ospreay still not better than The Wrestler?

The bell rings and the fans fire up already as these two circle. The fans sing “Ospreay~, Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~! Ospreay~, Ospreay~!” while Ospreay and Shibata feel things out. Shibata avoids Ospreay’s takedown to then waistlock and bring Ospreay around. Ospreay moves, blocks the chinlock, but Shibata just slips around to another waistlock. Shibata gets a top mount and he eggs Ospreay on. They grapple, Shibata finds his way through to go for an arm, ARMBAR! Ospreay gets a ROPEBREAK and Shibata lets off quickly. The fans applaud this opening exchange and start to duel as the two reset.

The two feel things out to a knuckle lock, but then Ospreay kicks low and CLUBS Shibata. Ospreay then snapmares, puts on a chinlock, and he grinds Shibata down. Shibata endures, uses his own leg as a lever and pries the chinlock open. Shibata wrenches to wristlock, but Ospreay spins and breaks to trip Shibata with an ankle pick. Osprey has the toehold but Shibata turns over, uses his leg to reel Ospreay in for a headlock, and then hits the takeover! The fans cheer but Ospreay headscissors. Shibata moves around, pops free, and then stands to kick! Ospreay narrowly avoids it and the fans fire up again!

Ospreay takes a breath and the two reset again. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, but Shibata powers Ospreay back to ropes. The ref counts, Ospreay turns things around, but then Ospreay lets off slowly. But then Ospreay CHOPS! Shibata just gets in Ospreay’s face! Shibata knees low, bumps Ospreay off buckles, and he fires off forearms! The fans fire up, Shibata runs corner to corner, but Ospreay SHOTGUNS! The fans fire up and Shibata scrambles to a corner, Ospreay fires forearms on Shibata now, sits Shibata down with them, then fires up to go corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Ospreay uses Shibata’s won move!

The fans fire up while Shibata bails out, and Ospreay PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Shibata! The fans fire up again, the ring count starts, and Ospreay says, “Yes, bruv!” Ospreay brings Shibata up, CLUBS him and puts him in the ring. But Shibata gets moving, and he BOOTS Ospreay right down! Shibata goes out to fetch Ospreay but Ospreay fires forearms! Shibata just eggs Ospreay on! Ospreay fires more forearms but Shibata backs him down by just stepping forward! Shibata then UPPERCUTS Ospreay, and suplexes Ospreay to the floor! Then he KICKS Ospreay in the back! Ospreay writhes but Shibata leaves him behind.

The fans are torn as Shibata sits cross-legged in the ring while the count climbs. Shibata decides to go back out after Ospreay and put him in the ring. The fans rally and duel, Shibata stomps Ospreay around, then gets the legs to stomp. Shibata steps right through to the FIGURE FOUR! Ospreay blocks the main leg but Shibata powers through! Ospreay sits Shibata up and they start throwing forearms! The leglock is let go so Shibata can CLUB Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Shibata fires a forearm, shoots around, SAIDO! Ospreay writhes again and the fans rally up as Dynamite goes picture in picture!

Shibata dusts himself off, drags Ospreay to center, and again steps through, only for Ospreay to again block the main leg! Shibata powers through to have the FIGURE FOUR! Ospreay endures, reaches out, but Shibata puts the pressure on! Ospreay falls back, but that makes this a cover, TWO and Ospreay sits back up! Ospreay works to turn things over but Shibata works to stop him! Ospreay tires again, and again, and he turns the hold over! Now Shibata endures! Shibata turns things right back over, but Ospreay has the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets the hold go so he can shake out his own legs.

Shibata drops a knee on Ospreay’s knee! Ospreay goes to a corner, Shibata CHOPS! And CHOPS! Ospreay falls to his knees, so Shibata CLUBS him! Ospreay glares at Shibata so Shibata CHOPS and ROCKS him! Ospreay hobbles away, comes back, and he fires a forearm! Shibata eggs him on so Ospreay fires more forearms. Shibata ROCKS Ospreay with one! Ospreay goes to a corner and falls over. Shibata brings Ospreay up, whips him to KNEE him low, then CLUB him down, and KICK him in the back! Shibata KICKS Ospreay again, gives him some scuffing kicks, but now Ospreay sits cross-legged to egg Shibata on!

Shibata kicks, and KICKS, and Ospreay falls over! But then Ospreay gets up in a rage! Ospreay fires forearms, Shibata gives them back, and Ospreay fires a streak of ’em! Shibata ROCKS Ospreay, whips, and Dynamite returns to single picture as Ospreay handsprings and NEURALIZERS! The fans fire up while Ospreay gets up to TOSS Shibata out! Then Ospreay PLANCHAS but Shibata moves! Shibata kicks low, whips Ospreay into the LED barrier, then runs up to BOOT him! The fans fire up as the action comes to them, then Shibata brings Ospreay around. Shibata whips Ospreay back at the LED, but Ospreay leaps up and over!

Shibata runs up but Ospreay ROCKS him back! Ospreay uses the barrier to FLYING FOREARM Shibata down! Ospreay puts Shibata in, aims from the apron, and springboard for PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Shibata stays in this but he’s dazed. Ospreay brings Shibata up, the fans sing again, but Shibata fights the underhooks. Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks, but Shibata stands. Ospreay CHOPS, but Shibata just gets in Ospreay’s face! Ospreay fires forearms but Shibata again backs Ospreay down by just stepping forward! Ospreay fires forearms again and again, but Shibata DECKS him! Ospreay sits up in a daze, so Shibata whips him and BOOTS him in a corner!

Shibata fires a flurry of forearms, then runs, but Ospreay follows to CHOP! But Shibata fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Shibata runs, Ospreay follows again, BOOT! But Shibata just comes back with more forearms! Ospreay eggs Shibata on so Shibata CHOPS, JABS and repeat! Then CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! Shibata runs corner to corner to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! The Wrestler shows Ospreay how that move’s done, and then he hauls Ospreay up. HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Ospreay shakes his head, he’s tougher than that! Shibata keeps his cool, he brings Ospreay up, and the fans rally again.

Shibata clamps on but Ospreay fights the cobra twist! Ospreay switches the twist onto Shibata! Shibata endures, switches it right back, but Ospreay fights his way around! Shibata shifts into an IRON OCTOPUS! Ospreay endures, fights his way around, ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets off to KNEE, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out to SNAP GERMAN! But Shibata’s up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay avoids the boot to SUPERKICK! Ospreay whips, Shibata reverses but Ospreay handsprings, Shibata blocks the Neuralizer to the STF!! The fans fire up as Ospreay endures and Shibata has a higher angle on the hold! But Ospreay still gets the ROPEBREAK!

Shibata lets go, has Ospreay in a corner, and he brings Ospreay up to ROCK him with a haymaker! And another! The ref counts, Shibata lets off, and Ospreay sneaks up to SLAP! Shibata wobbles, but he CROSS COUNTER! Shibata KICKS Ospreay down, shakes out the stars, then sits Ospreay up so he can PENALTY- NO, Ospreay ducks! But the KICK from behind hits! Shibata runs again, PENALTY- NO, Ospreay blocks it this time! Ospreay stands to fire forearm after forearm, but Shibata ROCKS him! Ospreay shakes his head and fires up, and the fans are with him as he fires forearms! But Shibata ROCKS Ospreay with one!

Ospreay shakes his head, comes back to fire more forearms, but then Shibata ROCKS him again! Ospreay leans on Shibata, so Shibata fires a flurry of forearms! Shibata KICKS Ospreay down, but Ospreay springs up to ENZIGIRI! The fans are thunderous as both men are down! A standing count starts, Ospreay rises and he prepares the elbow! Shibata sits up, but he ducks the Hidden Blade! Shibata also ducks the roundhouse, to have the SLEEPER! Ospreay grits his teeth, reaches out, but Shibata gets that arm, SLEEPER SUPLEX! Ospreay staggers up but into the SLEEPER HOLD! Ospreay is fading already!

The ref checks Ospreay, and the hand drops once! The fans rally, and Ospreay gets a second wind! Ospreay fights up, runs to ropes and he TOSSES Shibata tot he apron! Shibata gets up but Ospreay avoids the shoulder ram to STOMP him! Ospreay then hurries to the corner, springboard, MISSILE DROPKICK! Shibata flops down, Ospreay calls his shot! Springboard, OSCUTTER!! Cover, ONE?!?! Shibata roars and LARIATS!! Cover, ONE?!?! Shibata and Ospreay DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! SUPERKICK from Ospreay and he calls it again, but Shibata SLEEPERS! Ospreay shifts around to SAIDO!

Shibata gets up, Ospreay runs in, HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Shibata survives but Ospreay brings him in! Underhooks and STORM DRIVER 93!! But Shibata sits up with a roar! Ospreay HIDDEN BLADES!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall

An instant classic to say the least, these two showed how elite Strong Style can be! But in the end, the Aerial Assassin avenges his defeat seven years ago! Ospreay shows Shibata respect with the deep bow, and Shibata returns it. Ospreay certainly looks ready for Bryan Danielson, but will he be able to slay The American Dragon and establish his Dynasty?

 

AEW takes a closer look at Bryan Danielson.

Excalibur narrates that you can ask any professional wrestler who is the greatest technician of this or any generation, and one name is on the list: Bryan Danielson. This unassuming kid from Aberdeen, Washington who traveled the world to become an all-time wrestling icon began his journey under the tutelage of Shawn Michaels, and The American Dragon was born. He made his name in the independent circuit before landing in ROH, where for nearly a decade, Bryan laid the promotion’s groundwork as a Founding Father of Honor. Bryan would main event from the very first event to winning multiple world championships.

Bryan would also go global with NJPW, and eventually WWE. But at the height of his career, having become one of the most decorated champions in pro-wrestling history, Bryan had what he loved above all else ripped away. Years of sacrifice for the sport that is his life left Bryan medically unable to compete. Yet, through unflinching determination to regain his ultimate passion, Bryan would fight the steepest of odds and make his in-ring return after three years away. And then in 2021, he shocked the world when he made his AEW debut, showing again why he is an all-time great, and testing the limits of his body against the best pro-wrestlers in the world today.

Bryan himself said he “will not go gently into that good night.” If this is his last year, he is calling his shots! This will be the most epic year of his career. And that means checking off the dream match of American Dragon VS Aerial Assassin! Who will prove they are THE best in the world today?

 

Backstage interview with The Young Bucks.

Renee Paquette is with the AEW EVPs, Matthew & Nicholas Jackson. Tonight, they are in action in the AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament against a team that defeated them in the inaugural- Nick gets mad already and claims this is some kind of ambush! Such negativity! Unprofessional, Renee! Is this how she conducts all her other interviews? Where is Alex Marvez? Nick would rather Marvez conduct this interview, he’s also better looking. Matt calms Nick down and says they’ll circle back to that question. What they do want to talk about is that they returned to AEW a couple months ago, with some goals and objectives.

The first one being, well, retiring “Sting’s old ass.” Did that! Second goal: Restructuring The Elite. And how’d they do that? Well, they made some room and brought in The Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada! By the way, did you see Okada’s big Continental Championship win last week? Holy crap that was awesome! And all on his own. Big surprise to everyone backstage, but of course Okada did that fair and square! Just like The Bucks will win tonight! They asked Rainmaker, come, chill out in the back, they’ve got this. But to the question, the biggest goal, the most important one out of everything, is to get their AEW World Tag Team Championships back.

And Renee mentioned the upset last time that ruined Matt’s entire life for an entire year. What do you do to right that wrong? You beat them back! You beat Private Party! See, lightning never strikes twice! And The Bucks will be one step closer to getting their titles back. Let’s have a great show, Renee’s doing awesome, fist bump. But one note: Maybe try smiling more. That’s all. Matt heads out and Nick still prefers Marvez. But will The Bucks really make up for the past? Or will history simply repeat itself?

 

Kazuchika Okada arrives in style!

Still driving the red Ferrari, the NEW Continental Champion is here to watch his pals in action.

 

AEW Double or Nothing is returning to Las Vegas!

Five years running, the AEW Memorial Day weekend tradition returns to Sin City and the MGM Grand! Tickets on sale this Saturday, 10 AM Pacific!

 

AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: The Young Bucks VS Private Party!

We just heard from The Bucks about their goals for 2024, but they may have misinterpreted how things went down with Sting at Revolution. Will they make no mistake and come through on this match? Or will Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen be the one getting their shot (shot shot) at the semifinals?

The teams sort out and Matt starts against Kassidy. The fans rally up while Matt offers a fist bump. Kassidy slaps that away and gets in Matt’s face! Matt pie faces Kassidy, so Kassidy pie faces back! They pie face more, then Matt kicks low! Matt whips, Kassidy rolls Matt up, TWO! Matt runs up, into another roll up, with bridge! TWO, and Matt CLOBBERS Kassidy! The fans boo but Matt brings Kassidy around. Tag to Nick and they mug Kassidy. The Bucks then double whip, but Quen tags in! Kassidy gets Matt, Quen sunset flips Nick, stereo covers! TWO!! The Bucks escape, then block kicks from Private Party.

Matt and Nick trade who has who, then they FLIP them both! Quen & Kassidy both land out, to SUPERKICK the Bucks! The fans fire up while the Bucks bail out, and Private Party builds speed! They DOUBLE DIVE and take The Bucks down! The fans fire up as Kassidy rains down fists on Matt! Quen & Kassidy bring Nick around to put him in the ring. Quen whips but Matt reverses, Quen gets sent over the barriers! Matt kicks Kassidy, whips him, but Quen helps Kassidy SILLY STRING to the floor! The fans fire up but Nick PENALTY KICKS Kassidy from the apron! Nick hurries but Quen meets him on the barrier!

Nick and Quen brawl, Nick pokes Quen in the eye! Nick then brings Quen up to SUPER FALCON ARROW to the floor! The fans lose their minds, The Bucks hurry back into the ring, and they want a count out! Quen writhes, we watch Okada approving backstage, and we pass 5 of 10! Kassidy hurries to get Quen up, but we’re past 7! 8! Quen flops in at 9! Nick stomps Quen around, then tags in Matt. The Bucks drag Quen up to double whip to ropes. But Quen ducks the double elbows to shove Nick into Matt! But Nick kicks low, and he suplexes Quen onto Matt’s knees! Then Nick BLASTS Kassidy down!

The Bucks soak up the heat from Quebec City, and then regroup as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Matt paces around, stomps Quen, then CLUBS him down. Matt CLUBS Quen again, then pushes him to the ropes. Matt jumps to STOMP Quen down! The ref counts, Matt lets off and brings Quen up. Matt whips Quen to the corner hard and Quen bounces off buckles. Matt swaggers up, Nick soaks up heat from the fans, and Matt brings Quen around to scoop and SLAM! Tag to Nick and he slingshot SENTONS! Nick then runs to KNEE Quen in the back! Nick throws in KNEE after KNEE, then stares Kassidy down. The ref keeps Kassidy back, and Nick CHOKES Quen on the ropes! The ref misses all this because he’s arguing with Kassidy!

The ref finally looks over and Nick lets off, then they argue and that allows Matt to scuff Quen. Nick tags Matt in, they get Quen up and whip, but Quen reverses to send Nick to the corner! Nick goes up and over, Matt runs in but Quen ELBOWS him! Nick returns, he’s put on the apron. Quen runs up but Matt scoops! BACKBREAKER, and Nick slingshot LEG DROPS! The Bucks soak up more heat, Matt covers, Kassidy breaks it! Nick kicks Kassidy and TOSSES him out! Nick then goes out to reel Kassidy in! APRON POWERBOMB! Kassidy writhes while Nick soaks up more heat. But Quen throws body shots on Matt!

Matt CLUBS Quen, then brings him around for a chinlock. Quen endures, even as Matt leans on him, and Quen throws body shots. Dynamite returns to single picture as Matt trips Quen and CATAPULTS him into a GAMANGIRI! Nick goes up while Quen falls back, but Kassidy hurries over to SHOVE Nick down! The fans fire up, Matt rushes Kassidy but gets a HOTSHOT STUNNER for it! Quen runs up to SIDE EFFECT! The fans fire up and rally as Quen crawls, hot tag to Brother Zay! Kassidy dodges Matt, to HOTSHOT STUNNER Nick! Kassidy CLOBBERS Matt, CLOBBERS him again, then whips him to ropes.

Matt reverses, Kassidy slides out and avoids Nick, but is put back on the apron! Kassidy RAMS into Matt, mule kicks Nick, GAMANGIRIS Matt, then blows a kiss before he ASAI MOONSAULTS Nick down! The fans are thunderous as Kassidy gets back up to springboard and CROSSBODY onto Matt! Cover, TWO!! Matt survives and Kassidy is surprised! Quebec rallies for Private Party as Kassidy stalks Matt. Kassidy says “DELETE! DELETE!” and Matt stands, into the kick! TWIST OF- NO, Matt shoves Kassidy away, and Nick trips him up! Matt CLOBBERS Kassidy while fans boo. Matt drags Kassidy up and he tags in Nick.

The Bucks put Kassidy up top, CLUB him, and then climb up after him. Matt has the cravat, Nick is underneath, SLICED BREAD BOMB!! Cover, QUEN BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Matt runs back in, but Quen dodges to PELE! Matt falls, flounders his way over to Nick, and Quen drags Kassidy to the Private Party corner. The fans rally, Kassidy reaches up, tag to Quen! Nick runs up, Quen fires forearms on him, on Matt, and back again! The fans rally but Matt kicks low. Matt scoops, Quen slips free, but Nick CLUBS Quen in the back, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Quen flounders to an apron and Nick goes out after him.

Nick stomps Quen, drags him up, and APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Quen writhes, Nick puts him in, and tag to Matt. Matt says this is it! Nick goes up, Matt brings Quen up for the scoop, but Kassidy anchors Nick! Quen victory rolls, TWO!!! That was what got The Bucks last time but they managed to escape! Nick kicks Kassidy away, Matt ROCKS Quen, then CLUBS him again and again! Matt brings Quen around, Nick stands back up. Fireman’s carry, but Quen slips free to shove Matt into Nick! Kassidy gets in, Quen goes up to RANA, GIN ‘N’ JUICE!! Nick flounders out of the ring but Quen tags Kassidy.

Private Party gets Matt up, and they’re going to steal MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!! Cover, NICK BREAKS IT! The fans boo as Nick hammers away on Kassidy! Nick points to someone, goes out of the ring, and he grabs the ring bell!? The fans boo as Nick is abusing his EVP power! But the ref grabs the bell from Nick! Kassidy LARIATS Nick, but Matt LOW BLOWS Kassidy! There goes fair and square! But wait, Quen has one of the title belts!! BELT SHOT!!! The fans fire up as Matt tastes karma! Cover, Nick helps with the ROPEBREAK!! Nick grins as he gets away with that one but Private Party cannot believe this!

Kassidy drags Matt over, he tags Quen, and Quen goes up. 630 SENTON FLOPS as Matt moves!!! Matt hurries to tag Nick, they get Quen up, for E V P TRIGGER!!! It wasn’t the cleanest but it was effective! Cover, The Bucks win!

Winners: The Young Bucks, by pinfall (advance to the semifinals)

Okada again nods his approval. The Rainmaker has a title, is it only a matter of time before Matthew & Nicholas join him?

 

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

For starters, it’s back! Live this Saturday, 8 PM Eastern, and with the other AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinals! The Infantry overcame The House of Black with help from Mark Briscoe, but now they’re looking to say yeah to beating FTR! Will Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo be marching into the semifinals? Or will Dax & Cash prove they’re still Top Guys? And in their big return to action (no pun intended), Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey take on Top Flight’s Dante & Darius Martin! Will this tournament soon be Absolute? Or will Angel Dorado & Air Wolf book themselves a flight to the semifinals?

 

Don Callis speaks.

“Tonight, Swerve’s House comes tumbling down. A tornado known as The Alpha, Konosuke Takeshita, is coming. Swerve, our résumé is very clear: We beat Kenny Omega not once but twice; we destroyed Chris Jericho; we destroyed Darby Allin. You wanna bring Prince Nana and the little back-up dance, you go right ahead. You are standing between us and what we want. I am so sick of hearing about Swerve’s House, this little fantasy you’ve constructed for yourself, because you see, your house is on my street. Your house is in the Don Callis Family’s neighborhood. And all those houses are mine. I take what I want, and then I take a little more.

“And tonight, Takeshita is gonna take everything from you, including your opportunity to become the #1 contender. Tonight, the Alpha burns it all down.” Callis has promised big things, but will Takeshita live up to these great expectations?

 

Mercedes Mone arrives backstage!

The CEO arrives in style, struts her way to gorilla, and is going to join commentary for this star-studded #1 contender’s match in the women’s division!

 

AEW hears from Darby Allin.

He’s hanging out with THE Tony Hawk pro-skater, and notes that originally, he was hoping to climb Mount Everest right about now for Tony’s charity, The Skatepark Project, but uh… broke his foot. So does Tony wanna tell us about the project? Of course. This is a foundation to bring public skate parks to underserved areas, operating for over 20 years now. They’ve funded the creation of almost NINE HUNDRED skate parks in that time, and it is important to Tony because it was never lost on him how lucky he was to have a skatepark to go to as a kid. It was his place of belonging and community, where he cut his teeth, and he wants to give that same access to skater kids all over the world.

Darby adds that he wouldn’t be here without skateboarding, so this cause means the world to him. If you wanna donate, just go to Skatepark.org to help out. Darby can’t climb a mountain, but this is Plan B. Darby lets his foot be part of Tony’s handstand grab in the halfpipe! We wish Darby a speedy recovery, and we hope the Skatepark Project has even greater success.

 

Backstage interview with Hook and Chris Jericho.

Renee is with the FTW Champion and The Ocho, and first congratulates Hook on that big win over Jericho last week. Renee brings up Jericho having a proposition for Hook, so what is up? Jericho says what’s up is that a few weeks ago, he said he wanted to see what it was like to face Hook 1v1, to see if Hook is as good as the people say. And after having that match, Hook exceeded expectations. Right out of the gate, he suplexed Jericho right on his head and he didn’t let off. Hook got his first pinfall win, and off Jericho, and Jericho is okay with that. Jericho is proud of Hook, because he saw some things he never had before.

Jericho’s never had a wrestling school, never managed anyone, but he’s also never been in the ring with someone like Hook. Hook’s skills are so highly tuned yet still raw. So Jericho wants to say that after 33 years in the business, if Hook wants any advice from Jericho, Jericho will gladly help sharpen Hook’s skills so he can be the world champion Jericho knows Hook can be. So like he said, if Hook wants his advice, Jericho is here for him. Hook appreciates the praise, and of course he’ll take that advice. He’s Chris Jericho. But being Chris Jericho, Hook knows who Jericho is. Okay, that’s fair. And Jericho knows who Hook is, and more importantly, who Hook can be.

Jericho offers a fist bump, Hook accepts, and Hook says, “Let’s get it.” Jericho says yeah, let’s get it, and he also fist bumps Renee. With The Wizard now his mentor, is it only a matter of time before the Cold Hearted Handsome Devil goes for the top prize in AEW?

 

Mercedes Mone makes her entrance!

The fans chant for the “C E O! C E O!” as she struts down to join commentary. We’re about to see the Galaxy’s Greatest, the Babe with the Power, Chicago Skye and the Star of the Show battle it out, who wins their shot at the Princess of the Black Throne?

AEW TBS Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Kris Statlander VS Willow Nightingale VS Skye Blue VS Anna Jay!

The bell rings and Skye SUPERKICKS Kris! Willow LARIATS Skye! Anna rolls Willow up, TWO! Willow swings, but Anna wrenches to HOOK KICK! Anna whips, Willow reverses, but Anna uses that to LEG LARIAT Skye off the apron and onto Kris! Willow runs up but into a BOOT! Anna runs in to ELBOW Willow in the corner, ROCK her, then whip. Willow reverses, then fires up before she runs in, back body block! And clothesline! Snapmare, then BOOT! The fans rally, Willow runs, and she SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Skye runs in to CLUB away on Willow, then bumps her off buckles. Skye stomps away in the corner but fans boo.

Willow elbows Skye but Skye CLUBS Willow then digs her boot in! Willow powers out of that, but Skye storms after Willow. Skye tries to suplex but Willow’s too strong! Willow wrenches out, but Skye kicks low. Skye then DDTS Willow down! Willow flounders, Skye hurries to cover, but Kris breaks it! Kris hauls Skye up to scoop and SLAM! Kris runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Anna adds a BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER on Skye! Kris SLIDING LARIATS Anna! Cover, TWO! Kris scoops, Anna slips free and shoves, then follows, but Kris runs her over! The fans fire up as Kris flexes, and she gets Anna up. Kris runs, but Skye tirps her!

Skye spins Kris around to SUPERKICK! Willow POUNCES Skye, PERIOD! The fans fire up and Stokely Hathaway loves it! Willow tells Mone to remember that one, but the fans chant “C E O! C E O!” while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Willow goes back tot he ring, but Anna HOTSHOTS her down! Anna tells Mone to watch her, but Kris trips Anna up! Kris throws hands and CLOBBERS Anna, then CHOPS her against the apron! Anna crawls away, Kris kicks her in the butt! Kris goes for Skye but Skye ROCKS her first! Skye CLUBS Kris, stalks her, but Kris hits back with body shots. Willow CLUBS Anna around the way, stomps her down, but Skye looms over Kris. Skye drags Kris up while Willow keeps on Anna. Skye SMACKS Kris off steps, and Willow scoop SLAMS Anna! Kris hits Skye back, CHOPS her against barriers, then keeps after her.

Anna SMACKS Willow off steps, CLUBS her, and Kris DECKS Skye! The fans fire up for Kris while Willow kicks Anna in return. Stokely coaches on his ladies, but Skye SUPERKICKS Kris! Anna and Skye mug Willow, then bring her up to double whip hard into the LED barrier! Willow writhes, but Kris DOUBLE SPEARS Anna and Skye! Kris puts Skye in, covers, TWO! Skye survives but Kris drags her back up. Kris CLUBS Skye, kicks, but Skye blocks to KNEE! That looks like something Mone does! Skye reels Kris in to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Skye then runs, but Willow is up to SPINEBUSTER her down!

Willow sees Anna run up and takes a swing, but Anna catches her for a COMPLETE SHOT! Kris is back, and she DISCUS LARIATS Anna! All four women are down and even Mone is loving it. Dynamite returns to single picture as the four meet at center. Anna trades forearms with Kris while Skye trades shots with Willow. They go back and forth, stand back up, and the forearms fly harder! Willow and Anna ROCK Kris and Skye, then Anna BOOTS Willow! Skye runs to BOOT WASH Willow outta the ring! Kris runs in, Anna dodges but Skye blocks to send the arm into Anna anyway! But Kris still ROCKS Skye!

Kris CHOPS Anna, ROCKS Skye, repeat! Then ROUNDHOUSE for Anna! Skye is in a corner, Kris UPPERCUTS her! Kris reels Skye in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Skye survives and Mone can’t help but love it. Kris kicks Skye away, drags Anna to the drop zone, then climbs up. But Anna ROCKS Kris first! Anna goes up after Kris, CLUBS away on her, and she SUPERPLEXES! Cover, Willow SENTONS them both!! The fans fire up, Skye blocks Willow to again Mone Knee! Skye tries to fireman’s carry but Willow fires elbows! Willow gut wrenches, BABE WITH THE POWER- RANA!! Cover, TWO!!

Willow stands, into a SUPERKICK! Skye runs, hops on, CODE BLUE!! Cover, KRIS BREAKS IT!! Kris saves her friend but also the match! Kris gets Skye up, POWER BREAKER!! Skye flounders away, Kris drags her back, but Anna hooks Kris into the Gory Especial! GORY BOMB onto Skye! Anna double covers, TWO!! Anna snarls, she drags Kris up by her hair, and she clamps on the QUEENSLAYER! But Kris powers out, and feeds Anna to Willow’s SHOTGUN! But now, Kris and Willow are the two standing tall. Willow says let’s do this, pal! Kris says okay, but then Skye LARIATS them both! No effect!

Kris & Willow kick Skye, whip her, but Skye ducks to send Willow into Kris! Then she SUPERKICKS, whips, but Willow reverses! Willow runs in but Skye dodges! Skye ROCKS Willow, but Willow comes back! Skye BOOTS Willow in the ropes, brings her to the apron, and full nelsons! Willow fights free, fireman’s carries, and APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS!! Skye flops down, Mone’s jaw drops just like Quebec’s! Willow high fives the fans but Anna brawls with Kris! Anna clinches, Kris fights free and gut wrenches! The tuck and- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Anna hurries up, but Kris gets around! Anna tosses Kris out, to LEG LARIAT!

But Willow is back in, to gut wrench and BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!!! Cover, Willow wins!!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW TBS Championship)

Mone says alright, she accepts Willow’s that good. But wait! JULIA HART runs in to BELT SHOT Willow from behind!! The fans boo but the Princess grins as she holds up the title. Then she glares at Mone over at the desk. Mone stands and walks right up to the ring. Julia holds the title up at Mone, then runs away before Kris can get her! Willow is still getting her shot at Dynasty, will she add that TBS Championship to her list of accolades? Or will the House Always Win?

 

Backstage interview with Dustin Rhodes.

Renee is with The Natural, and says he is currently 3-1 in 2024. Every time he steps back inside the ring, he reminds us all just how much of a badass he is. What is next for Dustin? He does feel he’s started 2024 with a bang. “Everybody on this roster is very, very talented. Every single match I’ve had here in five years has been really, really good. Bangers, all of ’em. Nothing’s different. Surprisingly, right now, at 55 years old, I’m still as passionate as I have ever been.” But then in steps The Butcher, belittling what Dustin is saying. Well what does Butcher want? He heard Dustin wants a fight. Oof, Butcher, your breath…

Butcher says it’s his mustache, it has its own musk. But look him in the eyes. Dustin wants a match? Remember that Bunkhouse Match? Oh yeah he does. Then how about Friday on Rampage, Dustin and Butcher cash some receipts? Oh, Butcher wants receipts? He thinks Dustin’s just some stepping stone? Oh absolutely. Well, if you want it, then you got it. Friday Night Rampage it is! But just remember this: You’re gonna find out why Dustin is The Natural Born Legend. Everyone loves Dustin, even Canada. Butcher can’t wait. This is gonna be quite the shootout, but will it be a good Friday for the living legend?

 

“Timeless” Toni Storm visited Turner Classic Movies!

Ben Mankiewicz introduces himself and then congratulates Toni Storm for not only being AEW Women’s World Champion, but also for “helping redefine the artistry of professional wrestling.” Toni says that’s so sweet. And she congratulates Ben on… whatever it is he does around TCM. One small note, though: crispen your annunciation. No one says “crispen” in America really, but sure, he’ll work on it. Now repeat after her. Chin up. Chin up. Tits out. Uh, no, he won’t say that. And watch for the shoe~! What? She tosses her shoe over her shoulder as she leaves, and now he understands. But will AEW’s leading lady continue to be a modern classic even through Dynasty?

 

Swerve Strickland speaks.

“Tonight comes down to Swerve and Takeshita, to be ranked number one. Now we all know, to be truly number one in the pro-wrestling industry, you gotta hold the AEW World Championship gold. And that is Samoa Joe. Takeshita, you’ve been probably one of the best competitors I’ve ever seen over the last couple months. You’ve been doing your thing. But our motivation’s been vastly different. Mine is for something bigger than me, and that’s history. I’m not taking this lightly. So Takeshita, after I get past you, it’s me and Samoa Joe, one on one, no distractions.”

Swerve then tells Joe, “I didn’t forget what you did to me. And when I finally get you one on one for that championship, you’ll never forget what I do to you.” Swerve’s House is ready, but will this soon be Swerve’s Dynasty?

 

AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta VS The Undisputed Kingdom!

While Roderick Strong took away the AEW International Championship, Freshly Squeezed and his Best Friends feel stopping Matt Taven & Mike Bennett from getting more tag titles is fitting revenge. Will Cassidy & #JustTrent do whatever it takes to be avenged? Or will there only be more gold in the Kingdom’s future?

The teams sort out and Trent starts against Bennett. The bell rings, the two circle, but then Cassidy steps in? Cassidy says it’s okay, just hold on. He walks over and DECKS Taven! The fans fire up as Cassidy goes out after Taven, and Trent fires off on Bennett in a corner! Trent stomps away, Cassidy ROCKS Taven, then ROCKS him again! Trent keeps after Bennett, whips him to ropes but Bennett reverses to CLOBBER him! Taven turns things around on Cassidy to whip him into steel steps! Bennett whips Trent, Trent ducks and DIVES onto Taven! The fans fire up and Trent stands Taven up, but Bennett FLIES out onto them both!

The fans fire up as Cassidy climbs! Cassidy waves hi, then SUPER TRUST FALLS onto The Kingdom! The fans are thunderous as Best Friends shake hands! Trent gets Bennett in, Chuckie T gives him a supportive butt pat, and Trent storms into the ring. Bennett kicks low, CHOPS, then bumps Trent off buckles. Tag to Taven, The Kingdom stomps and mugs Trent, but the fans rally for Best Friends. Taven whips, Trent reverses but Taven goes up and over. Taven then dodges Trent to DROPKICK him down! Bennett cheers as Taven BLASTS Cassidy off the apron! The fans boo but Trent gets Taven for a GERMAN SUPLEX!

Trent GERMAN SUPLEXES again, but Taven throws elbows to fight the hattrick. Taven powers Trent into the corner, tags Bennett, and they mug Trent. Trent fights back with forearms and elbows, but Tavne CLAWS Trent’s eyes! The Kingdom double whips, but Trent holds ropes! Trent BOOTS Taven, dodges Bennett then drops down to STANDING METEORA! Taven mule kicks Trent then SUPERKICKS him down! Cassidy protests, the ref has him stay back, but the ref misses Bennett bring Trent to the apron! APRON PILEDRIVER!! Bennett scurries away and Roddy applauds as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Roddy applauds, but Bennett talks smack on the fans in the front row. Bennett brings Trent up to then rebound and BOSTON BAYONET! Down goes Trent, but Bennett brings him back up and in. Cover, TWO! Trent stays in this but Bennett stays on him with a hard whip to the corner! Tag to Taven and then Bennett whips Trent back in for the BOOT! Trent goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Taven is annoyed with Trent’s toughness but he clamps on a chinlock. Trent endures as Taven leans on him, and then Bennett mocks Cassidy putting hands up. But instead of putting his hands into imaginary pockets, Bennett just flips everyone off.

The fans rally, Trent fights up and he throws body shots. Taven ENZIGIRIS Trent in return! Tag to Bennett and he runs up to basement BOOT! Cover, TWO! The Kingdom is frustrated but Cassidy coaches Trent up. Bennett brings Trent around to stomp him down, then eggs him on. Bennet SLAMS Trent’s arm off the mat, then stands Trent up for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Trent is tougher than that so Bennett tags Taven. Taven goes up and soaks up some heat, only for Trent to get up and bring him down into a SAIDO! Both men are down, Bennett is upset but Cassidy is fired up. Hot tag to Bennett, and he stops Trent from reaching Cassidy!

Dynamite returns to single picture as Bennett CATAPULTS Trent into a ROUNDHOUSE! Trent falls back, Taven goes up, ELBOW DROP! High stack, TWO! Trent is showing that grit but Bennett talks trash on Cassidy. Tag to Taven, The Kingdom whips to SPIENBUSTER and LIONSAULT, onto knees! Trent saves himself, hurries over, hot tags to Bennett and Cassidy! Cassidy bumps Bennett off buckles, goes up top, and CROSSBODIES! Then he runs at Taven, only to be put on the apron. Cassidy bumps Taven off buckles, goes up top again, and he CROSSBODIES Taven now! Cassidy keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges Bennett to tilt-o-whirl, but Bennett stops it!

Bennett suplexes Cassidy, only to get STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! But JUST THE TIP of the knee from Taven! Bennett gets Cassidy up, Taven is in the opposite corner, and they hit the PROTON PACK! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy survives and the fans fire up again! Chuck rallies Quebec but The Kingdom reset. Taven climbs, Bennett reels Cassidy in, but Trent SHOVES Taven down! Trent climbs, Cassidy turns things around on Bennett! STRONG ZERO BEACH BREAK!! Cover, TWO!!! Bennett survives #BeachZero but the fans rally up again. Cassidy drags Bennett up, tags Trent, and now Trent brings Bennett up.

But Taven SUPERKCIKS Trent! Cassidy leaps, Taven gets under, but Trent just uses that to TORNADO DDT! Cassidy tilt-o-whirl DDTS! Then BUSAIKU KNEE! The fans fire up as Trent and Cassidy… get distracted by Roddy holding up the International title! But then Chuck YANKS Roddy down! So Roddy DECKS the Kentucky Gentleman! Cassidy chases Roddy all around, Roddy drops the belt and Cassidy DIVES out onto him! Trent runs up on Bennett but runs into a kick! Bennett reels Trent in, but while the ref’s checking on Cassidy, Chuck TRIPS Taven! Trent trips Bennett, jackknife bridge, BEST FRIENDS WIN!!

Winners: Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta (advance to the semifinals)

Turns out, two can play at the numbers game! Or is it six? Whatever! Best Friends are facing Young Bucks, making the semifinals that much bigger for both teams! Oh wait, Best Friends HUG, only for the Bucks to interrupt! Matthew & Nicholas are making sure everyone remembers the EVPs still have the power. But apparently not the power to make the Codyvator- er, EVP Lift, go any faster. Will Cassidy & Trent make the inaugural Dynasty PPV Freshly Squeezed? Or will the Bucks prove blood is thicker than Orange Punch?

 

Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.

Renee is now with #CombatKyle and congratulates him on his big return win a couple weeks ago on Collision. How did it feel to finally be back in that ring? Kyle says you can prepare yourself mentally and physically, but there’s no way to get ready for what it’s actually like to get in that ring in front of a live crowd and pull it off. It felt good to rip the Band-aid off, it really did. But it is a deep, deep roster here in AEW, and there is no such thing as an easy match. True, so let’s talk Undisputed Kingdom. They came out there to celebrate with him, is he having any second thoughts on doing this alone?

Kyle says he loves those guys, but no, no regrets. He did it on his own in his return, he’ll do it on his own this week. Collision in London, Ontario, Kyle proves he belongs. Kyle is ready to chase the dragon, but will he be able to keep this going all on his own?

 

Adam “Edge” Copeland speaks.

The Rated R Superstar was backstage after Dynamite last week, and he said, “When you decide to dedicate your life to this, you dream of nights like this. Your hometown, against a man that you’ve known for 40 years, to hear that audience, to hear them sing my music to me. It’s one of those nights that I’ll take with me to the grave.” Edge is sore, bloody, but he got the TNT Championship. This feels like the first time he’s properly won a title since 2011. “Tonight, it felt like that chapter closed. That 40 year story is closed. It’s time to move on. It’s time for me to defend this TNT Championship. Collision, London, the Cope Open’s back.

“To anybody who wants to step up, feel free. There’s more at stake now, too, and I don’t plan on losing it any time soon.” Collision is about to get Rated R in its return, who looks to go toe to toe with the NEW Face of TNT?

 

MORE breaking news for Collision!

On top of the AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament, on top of The Cope Open, there will be a BIG Six Man Tag! Lance Archer & The Righteous tried to tear down the Swiss Superman, but now he’s got back-up! Bryan Danielson & Katsuyori Shibata are teaming with Claudio Castagnoli to take the fight to Vincent, Dutch & the Murderhawk Monster! Will this Collision prove #EverybodyDies? Or will The Wrestler make a great fit alongside the Blackpool Combat Club?

 

AEW World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Konosuke Takeshita w/ Don Callis!

We have heard from The Realest, and we heard from the head of the Don Callis Family. The time for talk is over, only actions can prove your worth! There can be only one, so who will be THE ONE that faces Samoa Joe in St. Louis?

The bell rings and of course Callis joins commentary, saying the French Canadians are outta control. Nana gets everyone chanting, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” as Swerve and Takeshita circle. They stare down, and Swerve surprisingly offers a handshake. Takeshita surprisingly takes it, but then neither man lets go. They use that as part of the grapple, and they move around to find openings. Swerve steps over, headlocks, but Takeshita wrenches out. Takeshita grinds the shoulder, Swerve trips Takeshita and has the leg, and then floats to headlock. Takeshita slips out the back to waistlock.

Takeshita shoots the half nelson for the cover, ONE as Swerve goes Matrix! The fans applaud the exchange as the two reset. Callis admits Swerve is a great athlete with sneaky strength, but Takeshita is still the best rope to rope wrestler in the company. The two tie up, Swerve headlocks, but Takeshita knuckle locks through to power up and put Swerve on the ropes. Takeshita lets off slowly, but then lands a cheap shot! The ref reprimands, Takeshita whips, but Swerve flips up and around and stares Takeshita down! Takeshita runs in, Swerve sunset flips, but Takeshita stays up. Swerve goes Matrix again to avoid the fist drop, and he rolls Takeshita up, TWO!

Swerve doesn’t let Takeshita go far, he floats around and rolls him for a short arm scissor! Takeshita hurries to the ROPEBREAK! Swerve lets go quickly and Callis admits Swerve has incredibly smooth transitions. The fans rally up, Takeshita rushes in but Swerve dodges to mule kick! Swerve whips Takeshita, Takeshita ducks ‘n’ dodges to TAKESHITA LINE! The fans are torn but Takeshita soaks up the heat. Swerve checks his jaw, and we see Samoa Joe watching backstage. Is Joe upset Swerve is struggling or angrily hoping Swerve loses? Takeshita storms up on Swerve, ROCKS him, then has him in a corner.

Takeshita digs boots in, the ref counts, and Swerve does his best to kick at Takeshita, but Takeshita lets off with a stomp. Takeshita whips, Swerve reverses and UPPERCUTS! Swerve then snapmares Takeshita to go up and FALLING UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Swerve hits the Griddy! Callis says Swerve needs to learn, you don’t pander to the fans! Swerve drops a knee on Takeshita’s face, then clamps on with a chinlock. Takeshita fights up quickly but Swerve throws body shots. Swerve puts Takeshita in ropes, fires more body shots, then turns him for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT!

Takeshita writhes and flops to the apron while the fans rally up. Swerve drags Takeshita in, kneels on the cover, TWO! Swerve keeps cool and drags Takeshita up. Takeshita fires a forearm! Swerve gives it back, Takeshita gives another, and Swerve throws another! Takeshita grabs Swerve by the hair to Muay Thai KNEE him! Takeshita kicks, Swerve blocks, and Swerve slips around to clinch and BACKBREAKER! Swerve rolls into the facelock, but Takeshita suplexes first! BRAINBUSTER! Takeshita snarls while fans boo, and Swerve goes to a corner. The ref checks Swerve, Swerve says he’s fine but hard to say, and Takeshita storms over.

Takeshita brushes the ref aside, puts Swerve in a corner and he rains down forearms! Callis likes what he sees as Takeshita grinds the forearm in Swerve’s face. The ref counts, Takeshita lets off at 4, and Swerve clutches a shoulder. Takeshita drags Swerve up, ROCKS him, and Swerve leans against ropes to stay up. Takeshita stands Swerve up to ROCK him again, but Swerve SLAPS back! Takeshita fires a flurry of forearms, then runs in, only for Swerve to sidestep! SNAP GERMAN! But Takeshita’s right up to DECK Swerve! Swerve flops out of the ring and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Takeshita shakes out his arms and scowls while the ring count climbs. Swerve is still down at 4 of 10 but Nana slaps the steps to rally the fans. Takeshita goes out to fetch Swerve, and he hammerlocks the bad arm to POST it! Swerve falls in a heap and Takeshita storms up on him, but the ref says to get this back in the ring. Takeshita drags Swerve up, puts him in the ring, then has Swerve under the ropes for the ROPE GUILLOTINE! Swerve sputters, goes to a corner, but he scowls as he works on the bad arm. Takeshita paces, Swerve turns around, into a HELLUVA KICK! Takeshita hauls Swerve up to scoop and SLAM!

Takeshita goes up the corner, soaks up the heat, and then SUPER SENTONS! Kneeling cover, TWO! Takeshita gives Swerve a taste of what he did earlier, but then drags him into a chinlock. Takeshita grinds Swerve down, even steps over to trap a leg, but Swerve still endures. Swerve reaches out, but then Takeshita pushes him down for a NECK TWIST! Takeshita then goes back for the chinlock, adding a rear mount for more leverage. Swerve still endures and Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans rally up, Swerve fights to his feet, but Takeshita pulls hair to wrangle Swerve back down! So Swerve twists Takeshita’s nose!

The fans rally, the ref reprimands both guys, so Swerve lets go to CHOP! Takeshita winds up to ROCK Swerve! Swerve ROCKS Takeshita, they go back and forth faster and faster! Takeshita winds up to ROCK Swerve again! Swerve leans on ropes again, Takeshita runs in, but Swerve TOSSES Takeshita up and out! Swerve then builds speed, and HANDSPRING RANAS! Swerve still managed that move even with the bad arm, and he puts Takeshita back in. Swerve goes up, Takeshita turns around, CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE!! Callis says that sends a message there, and Swerve definitely looks frustrated.

Swerve goes back to Takeshita to drag him up and fire fast hands! And even some kicks! Swerve winds up, but the bad shoulder holds him back! Takeshita DECKS Swerve again!! The ref checks Swerve as Swerve is in a daze, and Callis says to just call it now. But also, Callis wants Takeshita to show no mercy! Takeshita runs up, Swerve ducks the lariat! Swerve waistlocks, Takeshita switches and shoves Swerve to the apron, then Takeshita runs up. Swerve RAMS into Takeshita, but the shoulder hurts more! Swerve still goes up and over to get in, somersault, but into the fireman’s carry! LANDSLIDE! SHOTGUN BOOT!

Swerve tumbles out, the fans boo Takeshita as he builds speed, but Takeshita FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans can’t help but fire up! Takeshita hopes Joe saw that, and the fans rally for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Takeshita drags Swerve up and around to go up the steel steps and to the apron. Takeshita grins as he steps back in with Swerve, and then Takeshita goes up the corner. Takeshita drags Swerve up and he wants to repeat Revolution! But Swerve throws hands to fight that off, and he then SLAPS Takeshita! And SLAPS! And SLAPS! Takeshita HEADBUTTS Swerve down! But Swerve takes out the legs!

Takeshita is stuck in the ropes, for the BOOT and DRAPING DDT!! Swerve goes up the corner, Callis is concerned but Takeshita stirs. Swerve aims to SKY TWISTER! Cover, TWO!! Takeshita survives and Swerve is frustrated again! Nana says he was close, and the fans know “This is Awesome!” Swerve hauls Takeshita up, goes to half nelson, but Takeshita fights it! Swerve still tries but Takeshita elbows him away. Takeshita reaches for a corner, Swerve reels him back in! But Takeshita switches to hop up, POISON-RANA!! Swerve staggers up, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Swerve survives and shocks Takeshita!

Takeshita snarls as Swerve stirs. Swerve slowly rises, Takeshita brings him around for boxing elbows! Then he ROCKS Swerve again! Swerve leans on the ropes again, Takeshita grabs at him, but Swerve hooks free with his leg to ROCK Takeshita with a right of his own! Takeshita sits back, shakes out the stars, and Swerve nods. Swerve runs up, blocks a boot, and he yanks Takeshita, somersault into the JUMP KNEE! Swerve ends up in a corner, but he goes up and over as Takeshita runs in! O’Conner but then EDDY GORDO RANA! Takeshita stands, into the SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Cover, TWO!! Takeshita survives and Callis is worried now!

Swerve goes to the corner and fans fire up as he goes up! Swerve takes aim for the- Wait, Takeshita bails out to the apron. Swerve just adjusts to APRON KILL STOMP!!! Swerve pushes Takeshita back in while fans lose their minds! Swerve reloads as he climbs back up, for the KILL- POWERBOMB!! Flip through and suplex, BRAIN- NO, Swerve slips free to CHOP Takeshita on the neck! Then half nelson, BIG PRESS- NO, victory roll! Then the WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! Swerve flounders, sits up, into the POWER DRIVE KNEE!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Swerve survives and shocks everyone! Callis was even ready to celebrate!

The fans rally up as hard as they can, and Takeshita drags Swerve up again. Takeshita puts Swerve up top as fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” Dynamite’s already into the overrun, hopefully they don’t go forever! Takeshita climbs up after Swerve, waistlocks, but Swerve fights the lift! Swerve throws hands then ELBOWS Takeshita down! Swerve adjusts, reloads, KILL- NO, Takeshita dodges! Takeshita then runs up, BLUE THUNDER- RANA! Swerve sends Takeshita into buckles! Takeshita falls back, into the HOUSE CALL! One more try as Swerve goes up! KILL STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? HOW?!?!?

Callis is so excited, he loves the shock on the faces of Swerve and Nana! Swerve hurries to get Takeshita up, half nelsons, but Takeshita breaks free! Takeshita ducks the chop, then swings, but Swerve ducks the haymaker! RISING HEADBUTT!! Takeshita wobbles, but he JUMP KNEES in return!! Swerve stays up, runs up, POP-UP KILL STOMPS!!! Swerve hauls Takeshita up, half nelson, BIG PRESSURE DRIVER!!! Cover, Swerve wins!!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW World Championship)

Quebec is thunderous, Callis is upset, and from the looks of it, Samoa Joe is also unhappy he’ll have to face Swerve 1v1. Renee even walks over to ask him how he feels about having said 1v1 match with Swerve. Joe says, “How do I feel? What’s baffling to me is how he’s feeling right now. This is a man celebrating the biggest fate he’s ever gonna catch in his life. And next week, Swerve, when you walk down to that ring and you sign on the dotted line, I am gonna make sure that you UNDERSTAND what you are asking for. You think you’re ready? No. No. You’re not that man.” The King of Wrestling Television storms off, but will he lose his throne to Swerve’s Dynasty?


My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite here, so much great build towards Dynasty. Amazing opening match from Ospreay VS Shibata, great win from Ospreay so that he’ll be ready for Bryan, and then good move following it up with a career retrospective type hype video on Bryan. Awesome #1 contender’s Fatal 4 for the TBS Championship. We didn’t really get any fighting between Kris and Willow, which is actually quite clever, and great win for Willow. Julia of course goes after her, but I feel like that indicates Julia is losing the title and Willow will carry this belt in a feud with Mercedes Mone.

Really good promo from Dustin Rhodes and The Butcher to set up their match on Rampage, and I like that someone finally brought up the Bunkhouse match again. Really good little promo from Kyle O’Reilly to make it clear he’s having another match. And I like that AEW let Darby help plug Tony Hawk’s charity, I’m not even a skater but I appreciate them wanting to help all these kids out there who are or want to be. Good promo from Jericho and Hook to set up not a match but a manager-client relationship. You’d hope Jericho is going to be an honest manager but just as Hook implied, there is always a chance Jericho turns on Hook and we still get them fighting for the FTW title.

Great promo from Edge to give us his feelings after that big win in the I Quit match but to also pivot things towards the Cope Open’s return, just as I was hoping. A bit redundant, though, as they kinda snuck in the announcement during one of the tag matches. They should really just understand what the plan for the show is before having commentary bother with saying stuff like that. Anyway, the Cope Open is going to be awesome, can’t wait to see who becomes Edge’s first defense that he’ll of course win. And great though rather random bit with Toni Storm and Ben Mankiewicz, she didn’t even mention Deonna Purrazzo or Thunder Rosa. Maybe Tony Khan’s still writing that stuff.

A great promo from The Bucks with Renee to lead into their match with Private Party, and that was an awesome match. Of course The Bucks win, both because they’re definitely heading for the titles and they were going to get their win back after all these years. Best Friends VS The Kingdom was also great stuff, and I really liked Best Friends turning the cheat around on The Kingdom. Cassidy & Trent VS Bucks is going to be great, too, but as I’ve said before, this tournament has to be leading to Bucks VS FTR Round 4. FTR will beat Infantry, then beat winner of Top Flight VS Starks & Morrissey, Dynasty will add to AEW’s biggest tag team rivalry.

And of course, awesome stuff in the AEW World Championship story. Great promo from Callis and Swerve, amazing main event from Swerve VS Takeshita, like PPV level in itself. Swerve of course wins, and Samoa Joe had a great promo to respond to it. That contract signing segment will definitely be some good stuff, and their 1v1 match at Dynasty will be match of the year level for sure.

My Score: 9/10


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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/26/24)

A THANK YEW!

Published

on

NXT White 'n' Gold Era

Will the Alpha Academy SHOOOOSH the Wolf Dogs?

In hopes of joining the NXT Tag Team Championship match at Stand & Deliver, Akira Tozawa & Otis face Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin in non-title action!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Shawn Spears VS DIJAK; Dijak wins.
  • Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Jazmyn Nyx w/ Jacy Jayne; Thea wins.
  • Open Challenge: Lola Vice VS Natalya; Natalya wins.
  • Ilja Dragunov VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Adriana Rizzo; Dragunov wins.
  • Josh Briggs VS Duke Hudson; Briggs wins.
  • NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin VS Akira Tozawa & Otis w/ Maxxine Dupri; Bron & Corbin win and deny the Alpha Academy a spot at Stand & Deliver.

PLAY BY PLAY

Shawn Spears VS DIJAK!

The Chair Man exposed Ridge Holland’s truth, but now he runs into #HardJustice! Philosophies collide and there will be pain, but who will be proven right on the Road to WrestleMania Weekend?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Spears as he circles with Dijak. They tie up, Dijak puts Spears in a corner, but then lets off as the ref counts. Spears headlocks, Dijak powers up and out, but Spears runs Dijak over! Things speed up and Dijak ELBOWS Spears down! The fans duel now as Dijak hauls Spears up. Spears SLAPS Dijak! So Dijak clotheslines Spears up and out! The fans fire up as Dijak goes out, puts Spears in, but then Spears dropkicks the legs out! Spears PLANCHAS and down goes Dijak! The fans fire up again with chants of “TEN! TEN! TEN!” The ring count climbs, Spears puts Dijak in at 3, but Dijak FLIES back out!

The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” as Dijak roars. Dijak gets Spears up and in, stalks Spears to a corner, then lines up a stomp! Spears goes to another corer, Dijak fires forearms! Spears flounders, Dijak stalks him, but Spears kicks low! Spears CHOPS Dijak int he corner and the fans fire up! Spears CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Dijak ROCKS Spears with forearm after forearm in return! Dijak ELBOWS Spears in a corner, ELBOWS again, then CLUBS him! The ref counts, Dijak whips Spears and scoops for the BACKBREAKER! Dijak then goes up the ropes and the fans fire up for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Dijak is frustrated as Spears stays in this. Dijak drags Spears up, whips him to ropes, but Spears reels Dijak in for a NECKBREAKER! The fans rally up again as Spears stands up. Spears shakes his bad leg out, then scrapes his laces on Dijak’s face! Spears bumps Dijak off buckles, then CHOPS! The fans fire up and want another, but Spears whips corner to to corner. Dijak BOOTS Spears, then HEADBUTTS him down! Dijak then goes up and up and- NO, Spears gets him first, SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous as Dijak somehow rises! Spears runs in to KNEE Dijak outta the ring!

The fans rally up as Spears goes out to talk some trash on Dijak. But wait! Joe Gacy is crawling out from under the ring!! Gacy steals Spears’ favorite chair! Spears SLAMS Dijak against barriers, refreshes the ring count, then brings Dijak up. Dijak knees in return, SMACKS Spears off the apron, then shoves him in. Dijak climbs in but into a CODE BREAKER! Dijak is slumped in the ropes and the fans rally for “TEN! TEN! TEN!” as NXT goes picture in picture.

Spears smirks as he hobbles over and brings Dijak around. Spears steps through to stomp Dijak in the stomach! And again, and again! Spears digs his heel in but lets off to then stomp Dijak’s face! Dijak crawls to a corner, Spears stalks him, and Spears stands Dijak up. Spears CHOPS Dijak, Dijak sputters and staggers to another corner, but Spears is on him again. Dijak dodges the chop to CHOP in return! Dijak ROCKS Spears, then brings Spears around. Dijak ROCKS Spears, then whips him to ropes. Spears reverses and kitchen sink knees! Spears then CLUBS away with crossface forearms! Cover, ONE!!

Spears is frustrated but he paces around Dijak. Spears drags Dijak up, CHOPS him again, and Dijak staggers away to a corner. Spears stands Dijak up to CHOP again! Dijak sputters, but Spears puts him up top. Spears ROCKS Dijak with haymakers, then CHOPS again! Dijak clutches his stinging chest while Spears climbs up. Spears brings Dijak up but Dijak resists the superplex! Dijak throws body shots, Spears hops down, but Spears CHOPS again! And ROCKS Dijak with another haymaker! Spears climbs back up to HEADBUTT Dijak! Then they go to the very top, but Dijak still resists! NXT returns to single picture as fans rally up

Dijak fires forearm after forearm and Spears falls back! Dijak adjusts, Spears stands, and Dijak FLYING LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Spears and Dijak slowly rise. Spears stands first, but Dijak throws body shots! Spears throws hands, Dijak throws them back, and they stand. Dijak fires forearm after forearm, then whips. Spears reverses but Dijak ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! Dijak storms up on Spears, smothers him, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up as Dijak says TIME TO FLY!! The throw is good and Dijak snarls in the corner!

The fans fire up as Spears rises, Dijak choke grips, but spears breaks free! Dijak stops the superkick, choke grips again, but Spears wheelbarrows to victory roll! TWO! Dijak escapes but Spears SUPERKICKS! Dijak CYCLONE KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Spears survives and Dijak is beside himself! The fans are thunderous and hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” But this is just the first match, and it has to end somehow! Dijak hauls Spears up but Spears fights the torture rack! Spears CLUBS Dijak, then fireman’s carries in return! But Dijak slips free! Dijak fireman’s carries again, swings, but Spears DDT counters!!

Spears hurries after Dijak as Dijak goes to the apron. Spears stands Dijak up but Dijak HOTSHOTS Spears away! Dijak snarls, drags himself up, and he aims for a springboard MACHO ELBOW FLOP as Spears moves! The ref checks on Dijak and Spears goes for his chair, only to find it’s gone! Spears is confused, he knows he left it right by the stairs. Dijak hurries after Spears but Spears HOTSHOTS him! Spears goes up, AX- NO, Dijak catches him! HIGH JUSTICE!! Cover, TWO?!? Spears survives and Dijak is furious! The fans are thunderous again but Dijak takes aim again. Spears stands, but he blocks the superkick!

Spears throws the leg down but Dijak SUPERKICKS through anyway! Torture rack lift, FEAST YOUR EYES!! Cover, Dijak wins!

Winner: Dijak, by pinfall

Spears’ chair disappearing may have been the key, but a win is a win! Will NXT General Manger, Ava Raine, look to give Dijak that golden opportunity? Wait, Gacy shows off that HE has Spears’ chair! Will Gacy show Spears what painful truth he needs to embrace?

 

Roxanne Perez watches herself back.

The Prodigy holds scissors in her hand as she watches last year’s vignette about her dream board. “Look at this girl. Just happy to be here, stars in her eyes. God, I was so naive. Watching this honestly makes me sick. If you dream big enough~! Ugh, I wanted everyone to like me. Just pathetic. That gullible little girl that grew up taking pictures with her favorite WWE superstars and looking up to her heroes and trying to do everything right.” She uses those scissors to CUT UP those pictures! Roxanne says that little girl is dead. Wanna know what those heroes got her? Nothing! Which is why she is her own hero now.

From the day she stepped foot in NXT, Roxanne was seen as the next woman to carry the torch. The woman to take NXT 2.0 into the new era. She put this brand before her own life! Always on to the next Premium Live Event, the next TV special, the next live event! Where’d that get her? Discarded and without her title. Now Roxie looks out for herself, and it feel so good! Don’t like it? Too bad. Her proof is in the results. She is in the NXT Women’s Championship match at Stand & Deliver, and she got it by just being herself: breaking the rules and doing it her way.

Lyra, Roxie doesn’t like you, nor does she dislike you. She has no real feelings towards Lyra. Lyra’s just the woman carrying Roxie’s title. Well, barely carrying it now. But don’t worry, at Stand & Deliver, Roxie will be holding that title, and it’ll be back where it belongs. The Prodigy is excelling in being selfish and sadistic, but will those get her what she wants? Or only what she deserves?

 

Hank ‘n’ Tank are rocking out backstage.

Specifically, they’re all fired up because they’re auditioning to be the cohosts of Stand & Deliver! Hank practiced the song, right? Taylor Swift’s Antihero! No, man, Cool Summer! Aw man, that’s so good, too. But apparently, it isn’t just them interested in the job. Brinley Reece is with Malik Blade & Edris Enofe, she wants them to stay positive and give a MILLION percent! Edris says that is mathematically impossible. Malik says it IS possible, you just gotta believe! But Andre Chase also finishes up. How’d it go? He effin’ nailed it! Cool… Next! Next? Chase SLAPS the clipboard out of the staff assistant’s hand before storming off.

Meta Four walks over and Noam Dar says the real stars are finally here. They don’t even knock, they just say hello, hello, hello! Will Ava really accept Supernova 11 and crew as suitable hosts for Stand & Deliver?

 

Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Jazmyn Nyx w/ Jacy Jayne!

Speaking of things people want and deserve, Chase U’s most energetic prospect is back to her old self! She realized this is who she is and who she wants to be, not what the toxic haters wanted her to be! So then, will Jazmyn get the humbling she and Jacy deserve? Or will they still do what they want to who they want with no remorse?

NXT returns as Jazmyn & Jacy make their entrance. The bell rings and Thea runs up to CLOBBER Nyx! And CLOBBER her again! And again! Then Thea WRINGS Nyx’s arm, then drags her by a leg! The fans rally, Nyx kicks Thea away and hurries to a corner. Thea runs in to back body block! Then she clinches to EXPLODER! The fans fire up, Nyx staggers up, and Thea gest her again! But Jacy gets on the apron! That distracts Thea, Nyx cradles, TWO! Nyx trips Thea, runs, and PENALTY KICKS! There’s her West Virginia soccer ability! Thea gets away to ropes, Nyx distracts the ref, and Jacy storms up.

The ref tells Jacy to back off so she does. Nyx runs up to stomp Thea in the corner, but the fans boo. Nyx lets off as the ref counts, then she drags Thea up to short arm BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nyx stays on Thea by pulling hair and mocking “poor little baby.” But Thea throws body shots! Nyx throws Thea down by her hair, then sits her up for an armlock chinbar combo. The fans rally as Thea endures. Jacy tells Nyx to make Thea pay, but Thea fights up! Thea throws body shots, but Nyx whips her away. Nyx runs up, into an ELBOW! And a BOOT! Thea runs to ROLLING NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up and Thea storms after Nyx. Thea whips, Nyx reverses to PELE! Cover, TWO! Nyx clamps right onto Thea for a seated chicken wing, then LEG HOOK FULL NELSON! Thea endures, but Jacy snatches the towel! The fans boo as Jacy taunts Chase with it, #TowelGate flashbacks! Riley intercepts the throw!! The fans cheer, but then the ref sees Riley in the wrong?! The ref EJECTS Chase U!! The fans boo as Jacy’s toxicity still prevails! But Thea pushes Nyx to a cover! TWO!! Nyx runs up, into a JAWBREAKER! Jacy distracts Thea directly now, and Thea says she thought they were friends!

Jacy says Thea was never her friend! And then she SLAPS Thea!! The ref was too busy checking Nyx, and now Nyx rolls Thea up! TWO, KIMURA!!! NYX TAPS, THEA WINS!!

Winner: Thea Hail, by submission

Thea is so furious, she doesn’t let off, she SNAPS that elbow!! Nyx is writhing, Thea taunts her, but Jacy CLOBBERS Thea! Thea and Jacy brawl and the fans fire up! But wait, Kiana James & Izzi Dame jump in!! They mug Thea to help their new “friend,” Jacy! The fans boo as the mugging is 3v1, but here come Kelani & Fallon! They CLOBBER Jacy, throw hands with Izzi & Kiana, and now the brawl is 3v3! Kelani DROPKICKS Kiana outta the ring! Fallon ROCKS Izzi, then she and Kelani DOUBLE LARIAT Izzi outta the ring! Thea runs up to CLOBBER Jacy! Jacy reaches out, Izzi & Kiana grab her hands, it’s tug-o-war using Jacy!

Izzi & Kiana manage to get Kiana away from Thea, Fallon & Kelani, but it seems things are only heating up! Will these six women look to Stand & Deliver in order to settle this once and for all?

 

NXT presents Prime Target: Trick Melo Gang.

An old selfie video starts us off, and then Trick Williams himself says they clicked right from the beginning. Trick Melo Gang always gonna be here, that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gonna be. It was something special, something unique, even for the storied history of NXT. Trick says what he and Melo built was special. What they built together was special. Booker T says Melo’s rise was awesome, but he couldn’t have had that rise without Trick by his side. Trick was there for his boy, every single victory. But Trick’s name wasn’t on those awards. Trick asked THE John Cena how he knew it was his time.

Booker says there was always going to come a time when Trick would have to leave the shadow of Carmelo Hayes. Both men wanted the exact same things: champagne wishes and caviar dreams. But on the flipside, Randy Orton says that Melo saw the signs. His best friend, former partner, everyone is jumping up and stomping their feet for Trick. Melo hears that reaction. CM Punk says this is a good case study of human nature. Neither man set out for it to be this way. Melo remembers like it was yesterday. He called up his boy, asked Trick if he was ’bout it, and Trick said, “I’m ’bout it ’bout it!” And that couldn’t have been more of a lie.

Melo tells Trick that he brought Trick to the water. Melo let Trick drink, he let Trick eat off the same plate as HIM. It was never a we thing, it was a Melo with Trick thing. Melo says that when you come for the One of One, Melo is second to nobody. The betrayal happened, and Melo claimed he wasn’t the one jealous of Trick’s success, because he was the one who allowed Trick to succeed. Melo was just reminding Trick of his place. When you bite the hand that feeds you, this is what you get. Trick was the sidekick, that is all it is, and that is all Trick was ever going to be. This is just part one of Prime Target, stay tuned for the rest!

 

The Alpha Academy warms up.

Maxxine Dupri says Tozawa and Otis are looking good. Eyes on the prize, they gotta focus. Otis says, “Oh yeah, my dove. Stand & Deliver is in our sights. But tonight, it’s not about loving Miss Laaash~!” Tozawa gets worked up but Otis says easy, tonight is about fighting. Tozawa says they will beat Bron & Corbin to then make it to Stand & Deliver, A THANK YEW~! Maxxine likes that fire, but will the Wolf Dogs avoid getting burned?

 

Open Challenge: Lola Vice VS ???

The challenge was put out on social media, because the Mayor of Vice City just knew NXT missed seeing her. Who steps up to prove her wrong?

Lola gets the mic to say, “It’s Stand & Deliver season, baby. And I put out an open challenge to any woman in the locker room who thinks she can handle this Latina Heat. Pero <But>, lemme tell you a little secret. No one, nada, can handle Lola Vice! I am the complete package. I’ve got knockout power in my hands and feet, and I look hot doing it. So I hope whoever’s about to come out is ready to be put to sleep.” IT’S NATALYA!? The fans fire up, and the Queen of Harts tells Lola that she saw the tweet. There is no doubt Lola is one of the fastest rising stars in NXT. But as WrestleMania Weekend has grown, so has Lola’s ego. Someone needs to put Lola in her place!

The fans fire up for that and Natty says she isn’t saying all this because she sees nothing in Lola. It’s because she sees everything in Lola. Natty goes to the ring, and she says that while she sees everything in Lola, she would just love to be the one that kicks her ass! But then Lola TACKLES Natty first! The fans fire up as these two brawl! The ref rushes in to separate them, but it’s only long enough for the bell to ring! They start throwing hands and the fans fire up! Natty CLUBS away on Lola, bumps her off buckles, then bumps her off more buckles! The fans rally for Natty as she trips Lola but Lola kicks her away!

Lola bails out, Natty pursues! Natty CLUBS Lola at the ramp, puts her back in the ring, but Lola hurries out the other side. Natty pursues again and SMACKS Lola off the apron! Natty puts Lola in, CLUBS her again, then gets the fans fired up. Natty DECKS Lola, drags her back up, and talks some trash. But Lola fires body shots and fast hands! Lola has Natty in a corner, Natty shoves her away, but then Lola ducks the lariat! Lola feints to then kick, KICK and ROUNDHOUSE Natty down! The fans fire up while Lola checks her jaw and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and the fans duel as Lola has Natty in a cobra twist! Natty endures, even as Lola digs in an elbow. Natty throws elbows, then hip tosses free! Lola gets up, runs up, but into a BOOT! Natty goes to a corner, Lola runs in again, but into another BOOT! Lola swings, Natty dodges and she ROCKS Lola again and again! The fans fire up, Natty fires off in the corner but the ref backs her off. Natty blocks Lola’s boot to throw her down! Natty then runs, steps on Lola, and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Natty pushes Lola down, has the legs, and the fans fire up as Natty steps through! Lola fights, kicks and has the ANKLE LOCK!

The fans boo as Natty endures and fights around! Lola grapevines but Natty rolls and rolls and has the ROPEBREAK! Lola lets go, has Natty in a corner and she throws body shots. Lola then fireman’s carries, but Natty fights free! Natty spins Lola, goes for a leg, but Lola steps over to La Magistrol! TWO and Natty has a cover, TWO! They both stand and Lola URAKENS! Cover, TWO!! Natty survives and Lola is furious! Lola clamps onto Natty with a TRIANGLE HOLD! Natty endures, fights around, and Karmen Petrovic hurries out here! Karmen cheers Natty on, Natty fights to stack, TWO!

Lola sees Karmen and says she better leave or Lola’s gonna hurt her! Natty goes to a corner, says “I’m a Latina~!” and shakes those hips before the HIP ATTACK! Lola drags Natty up to then URA- NO, Natty ducks to DISCUS LARIAT! The fans fire up as Natty has the legs again! Natty steps through, but Lola continues to fight! Lola BOOTS Natty, rolls her up, TWO!! Natty now has an ARMBAR!! Lola clasps hands to fight it off but the fans rally! Lola stacks Natty, TWO! SOBAT! But Natty ducks the roundhouse to O’Conner Roll! And it’s deep! NATTY WINS!

Winner: Natalya, by pinfall

The fans cheer the big win for Natty’s NXT return, and she celebrates with Karmen. Will Lola make Karmen pay for even showing up tonight?

 

NXT Media catches up with Shawn Spears.

The Chair Man is on his way out as they bring up his “disappointing result” against Dijak. Spears says, “Uh, ya think? Of course it’s disappointing. All because of… Joe Gacy? A guy who wasn’t even on my radar.” Spears says Gacy is now. Joe took something that is essential and vital to who Spears is so if he wants to play- Wait, someone shouts “INCOMING~!” The chair falls from the sky!? Gacy is up on the roof again! And he apologizes to Spears, Gacy meant to give that back to him sooner. Woops! Gacy laughs and then Oba Femi steps on Spears’ chair. Gacy says sorry, he didn’t see Oba there! Did that almost hit him? Sorry about that!

Gacy continues to laugh, but now he’s got The Chair Man and The Ruler upset with him. Are they both going to show Gacy that the time for games is over?

 

Sol Ruca speaks.

“Nothing beats the crest of a wave. Everything’s flowing and gathering momentum, it’s just beautiful. But then, it can all come crashing down with such an unbelievable force. Which perfectly describes what Blair Davenport did to me last April. She shredded my ACL and put me on the shelf for nine long, hard months. Every single day that I was in the gym, I thought about you, Blair, and how I’d repay you for putting a pause on my career. Rehab sucked, but Blair, I’m back now. And don’t be fooled by my carefree beach life personality, because I’m pissed off. Next week is more than a match. It is for every day I couldn’t walk or straighten my leg, and all the pain that I endured on that rehab table.

“Blair, you’ve stacked up your victims, but now it’s your turn to feel the pain of a tendon tearing. You may’ve torn my ACL, but next week, I snatch your soul.”

Backstage interview with Blair Davenport.

Kelly Kincaid brings up Sol’s message and Blair immediately says Sol is so likeable, right? She has the whole beach bum meets cool girl kind of vibe going for her, but she also reminds her of sand. Annoying, gross, and no matter how hoard you try, you just can’t get rid of her. So, Sol, you think you’re gonna have some big vindication against Blair or something? See, that’s your inexperience talking. You can waste all the time you like trying to ensign these TikTok dorks or whatever, but it’s not gonna help, is it? Blair is so excited to see how well the doctors repaired that ACL, because when Blair is done with Sol, she’ll be on another road to recovery, courtesy of Blair.

The Ichiban Gaijin has given her own warning, but who will still be standing after the smoke clears?

 

Ilja Dragunov VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Adriana Rizzo!

The Mad Dragon has tried showing The Don respect, but it’s hard to say if he’s gotten respect in return. The Underboss looks to soften the NXT Champion up, but will he succeed? Or is this a move Tony D’Angelo will regret making in this brutal game of chess?

The bell rings and Stacks eggs Dragunov on? Dragunov runs up but Stacks blocks the boot! Stacks DECKS Dragunov, DECKS him again, then brings him around for a facelock. Dragunov fights the suplex, wrenches through, and then ROCKS Stacks with boxing elbows! The fans rally, Stacks swings but misses, and Dragunov waistlocks! Stacks goes to ropes to buck Dragunov away, then he DROPKICKS Dragunov down! Stacks storms up to throw hands, then reels him in for a short arm LARIAT! The fans rally, Stacks pushes Dragunov around and then puts him in a corner. But Dragunov ROCKS Stacks, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Stacks comes back to ROCK Dragunov, then he ducks the spring-back enzigiri! Stacks runs to UPPERCUT Dragunov down! Fans are torn as Stacks stomps Dragunov. Stacks drags Dragunov up, bumps him off buckles, then fires hands. Stacks climbs up and he tells Dragunov he’s not ready for The Don. But Dragunov carries Stacks off the corner, for a POWERBOMB! The fans fire up as Dragunov snarls and rises up! Dragunov builds up the energy, runs up, but Stacks KICKS Dragunov before he can drop the hammer! Stacks scouted Dragunov almost perfectly! Then he STOMPS Dragunov’s fingers!!

Dragunov’s hand is all contorted and he can’t even pull the fingers straight! Stacks grabs that hand, but Dragunov HEADBUTTS! And CHOPS! But that’s the bad hand! Stacks runs up to TORNADO DDT! Dragunov flounders, Stacks covers, TWO! The fans rally as Dragunov stays in this, but Stacks stays on that bad hand! Stacks wrenches the hand and bends the beat-up fingers! The Don & Luca are watching backstage, and while the Legal Eagle is very impressed, Tony has a more wait-and-see attitude right now. Stacks JAMS Dragunov’s hand up, then stalks him. Stacks grabs the bad hand, twists the wrist, then throws down elbows on it!

Dragunov shouts in pain and clutches the wrist as Stacks talks smack. Stacks drags Dragunov up, to KNEE DROP on the hand! Then Stacks aims from the corner! Stacks wants Dragunov to get up, then he runs up, into an ELBOW! Stacks staggers, comes back, into the SPINNING CHOP! Dragunov fights through the pain and JUMP KICKS! Stacks goes to ropes, Dragunov runs up to ENZIGIRI! Stacks flops over and the fans rally with Dragunov. Dragunov hauls Stacks up, shoves him and SNAP GERMANS! Stacks flounders and the fans fire up! Dragunov hurries to haul Stacks up, reel him in, and even with the bad hand, he POWERBOMBS Stacks!

The fans rally as Dragunov goes to the corner. “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Dragunov wins!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall

The Czar takes the win, but perhaps Stacks still got the job done? We cut back to Luca and Tony, and Luca asks if he needs to go out there. No, no. Instead, invite Dragunov to dinner. At the restaurant? No, this is too big. Dragunov gets special treatment. They’ll have the meal at The Selica. Wait, that place is real? Oh, it is. That’s where he did the- Yeah, yeah. But it’s also for special occasions. So go get it done. Luca nods and heads out, but is Tony trying to lure Dragunov into his last supper?

 

NXT presents Prime Target: Trick Melo Gang, part 2.

Trick Willy returned home to South Philly and said hey to everyone from the neighborhood. His Uncle James, aka “Sweet Baby James,” took Trick in when he moved here, and that’s why Trick’s even wrestling now. Trick appreciates Uncle James and James says Trick’s the man! April 6th, they’re coming back to Philly, Sweet Baby James will get to see it as they tear the roof off the joint! Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love, but Trick ain’t gonna lie, he thought Melo was his brother. Booker says Trick knows it isn’t about getting beat down. It’s about getting beat down, and getting right back up into the fight.

Trick’s boxing coach and long time friend, Matthew Brooks, doesn’t know what’s up in Boston, aka Melo’s hometown, but a real brother never does what Melo did. CM Punk says, “When you’ve been stabbed in the back by somebody you considered a brother, the brother’s knife cuts the deepest.” Garry Cobb, former NFL player and a Philadelphia Eagle at that, says sometimes you get got. You may not get that guy back that same game, it might be something you have to wait for a long time, maybe even wait your whole career just to get that one game with them, that one shot. But there’s nothing sweeter than payback.

Trick’s never been this motivated. He will come back stronger, faster and better. Cobb says when you have that energy, it’s because you know you’re gonna make that play. Punk says, “When something monstrous gets done to you, you risk becoming a monster. And if I was Melo, I would be a little bit worried.” William Davis, family friend to Trick, says Trick’s gonna whoop dat ass, you know that. Trick runs the stairs like Rocky Balboa, and he is ready! “Melo… I’m coming for you.” Will Melo have a response? Stay tuned for part 3!

 

Baron Corbin talks with Bron Breakker backstage.

There he is! Looking good! And really tan, too… Uh, thanks, dude. Corbin asks how, and Bron says it’s because he goes outside. This is all natural, okay? Try it. Well, Bron does realize that tanning beds aren’t the actual sun, right? It must be frying his brain. Bron says he does know that! And he also knows that Corbin would be coming in all pale and ugly and crap. He brought something for Corbin. Boom! It’s a can of spray tan, with the words, “THE SUN” labeled on it! But then in step the Good Brothers. Luke Gallows asks if they’re interrupting something. N-No…! But what do they want anyways?

Karl Anderson says that is a good question. Because what they want as tag team legends is a traditional tag team match for Stand & Deliver! 2v2! But if Bron & Corbin lose, then it one: becomes a Triple Threat Tag; two: doubles the Wolf Dogs’ workload; and three: while you’re stuck on the aprons critiquing tans or lack thereof, Good Brothers will pin Alpha Academy to take the tag titles. If that’s not Too Sweet, we don’t know what is! Bron says woohoo, it won’t be a Triple Threat at Stand & Deliver because the Wolf Dogs will do their job. And the Good Brothers better do their jobs next week. See you in Philly. Maybe.

The Wolf Dogs leave because they’re going to Stand & Deliver no matter what. But will things be that traditional 2v2? Or will the odds drastic go down after tonight?

 

Ridge Holland is in the ring.

Fans are a bit torn on Yorkshire Grit being here live, but he has the mic to say, “It’s extremely hard for me to come out here tonight in front of everyone and say what I’m gonna say. I knew this day would come, but I never thought it’d be this soon. So first off, I’d like to thank Mighty Johns, the man that brought me in. I’d like to thank William Regal for seeing something in this washed-up, former professional rugby player, and giving me a chance. I’d like to thank Shawn Michaels, all the producers and talent back there for allowing me the time to come out here and say what I need to say.

“During my decade plus playing professional rugby, I always said that if I found myself hesitating or if I found myself a step off, that it would be time to have some difficult conversations. And lately, I have been hesitating. I have been a step off. And I can’t in good conscious run the risk of hurting myself or somebody else again.” Fans appreciate the honesty, and Ridge says he is very aware there is a perception around him. He’s heard the whispers, seen the comments, and the DMs, all the messages. Whether they’re true or not, what you haven’t seen is the affect it has had on the man behind “Ridge Holland.”

He is tired. He is tired of taking his work home with him. And he refuses to let this job take away from what he finds most valuable in life, and that is his ability to be the best dad and husband he possibly can be. The fans applaud the honesty again, and Ridge says that these past few days, he’s had a few of those difficult conversations. The first was with the ones that love him and care for him. The second was with himself, six inches from the mirror. Rugby and wrestling both require physical and mental resilience, and it is quite evidence he has been lacking in both. So he has made a decision. One that is best for his mental health and for the welfare and future of his family.

“With all that being said… I’m out here tonight to announce that I’m officially stepping away from in-ring competition indefinitely.” Fans applaud Ridge’s courage in saying that, and Ridge is clearly still emotional. As difficult and gut-wrenching as his decision has been, Ridge considers himself extremely blessed and lucky to even have had the opportunity to step foot in this company, let alone perform in front of millions of people all over the world. The fans applaud that, and Ridge extends the biggest thanks to all of NXT for allowing him to come back and take that last shot at redemption. He’s just sorry it didn’t work out.

Ridge appreciates the fans more than they’ll ever know. Cheers, lads. Thank you. The fans cheer, “Thank You, Ridge! Thank You, Ridge!” Ridge sets the mic down and steps out of the ring. If indefinite ends up being forever, will Yorkshire Grit’s mind finally be at peace?

 

Lyra Valkyria speaks.

“In every story every told, there are two paths you can walk: the wrong path, and the right one. Professor X and Magneto, Vaenera Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, Anakin and Obi-wan. The road to becoming NXT Women’s Champion makes or breaks those that walk it. And everything changes when you reach the top. When you’ve beat Becky Lynch to become champion… the little girl in you has no idea what’s on the other side. There’s a certain force that comes with the NXT Women’s Championship. It’s the same force that took me from Ireland to here, that drove me to beat my idol, that tests my moral compass and drives me to do right by this title every single day.

“When given the chose between right or wrong, that’s where Roxanne and I hit a crossroads. Because she took the easy way out. It’s way easier to walk around punching people in the locker room, being angry at the world. Cuz let’s face it, Roxanne, looking in the mirror, it’s just too hard for you. We both know the truth. Perez was beaten for this title, the minute she couldn’t climb the ladder to retain it last year at Stand & Deliver. Roxanne, I get all of your emotions. But this title deserves so much better than you.

“Honestly, I’d like to think in another life, we’d have been friends. Both dreamt of being here, idolized our favorites, trained day in and day out to prove we were worthy. But the only difference is, you let this title break you. You think you’re the chosen one, but your time has passed. And at NXT Stand & Deliver, it’s just you and me, and I will do anything to keep this title, and everything to keep you the hell away from it.” The Morrigan has spoken, will she come through on this promise in Philadelphia?

 

Josh Briggs VS Duke Hudson!

As Ava Raine said, there are heavy North American Championship implications on tonight’s matches. Dijak knows that, too, that’s why he’s on commentary for this one. So just how heavy is this going to get when big bad Briggs collides with the Chase U MVP?

The bell rings, the fans rally as the two tie up, and they go around. Briggs puts Duke on the ropes, then CLUBS him! Then Briggs headlocks, but Duke powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, neither falls so they start shoving. Duke runs but Briggs ELBOWS him! Briggs ROCKS Duke, has him in a corner and RAMS into him! Briggs fires elbows, then brings Duke around to bump off more buckles! Briggs ELBOWS Duke, tells Dijak to watch this, and then he throws more elbows! Dijak tells Briggs if they were the ones fighting, he’d lay waste to Briggs. Briggs whips Duke corner to corner, then runs up, but into the U~ RENAGE!

The fans fire up with Duke as he storms up and whips. Briggs reverses, Duke ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up as Duke moves like a cruiserweight, then ROCKS Briggs! Briggs rebounds off ropes into the scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Briggs stays in this but bails out of the ring while Dijak brags that he’s been in some of the best North American title matches this company has ever seen. Duke pursues Briggs, but Briggs throws body shots! Duke SMACKS Briggs off the apron, pushes him into the ring, then storms up to the apron. Duke RAMS Briggs before Briggs can ram him, then he slingshots to GERMAN SUPLEX!

The fans fire up while Briggs tumbles away! Duke hurries but Briggs flops out of the ring first. Duke goes out after Briggs again, hauls him up, but Briggs RAMS him into steel steps! Duke falls, Briggs grits his teeth, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Duke fights out of a chinlock with body shots. Briggs staggers, Duke fires fast hands and UPPERCUTS! Duke whips, Briggs reverses and scoops, SIDEWALK SLAM to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Duke survives even though Briggs called and raised him on that one. Briggs scowls at Dijak, then storms after Duke. Dijak says he’s the superior big man and will prove it, but Briggs bumps Duke off buckles. Briggs puts Duke up top, the fans duel, and Briggs climbs up. Briggs wants Dijak to watch this but Duke fires forearms! Briggs staggers back, Duke stands, but Briggs kicks the ropes to trip Duke up!

The fans are torn as Duke lands on his MVP! Briggs goes up, then SUPERPLEXES! Both big men writhe and the fans fire up! Briggs drags Duke up for a chinlock, then whips him to a corner. Briggs runs up but into an ELBOW! Briggs tries again, Duke dodges and Briggs hits buckles! Duke fires forearm after forearm, then short arm LARIATS! Then LARIATS! Briggs takes a swing, Duke ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT! The fans fire up as Duke JABS, JABS, JABS, then flips, flops and “U~!” BIONIC ELBOW! The fans rally as Duke SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Briggs stays in this and Duke grows frustrated, but the fans rally up again.

Duke stands Briggs up, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Duke staggers, Briggs runs, but into the BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Briggs survives and Duke is stunned! Duke hurries to haul Briggs up, reels him in, but Briggs resists! The fans rally, Briggs shoves Duke then BOOTS! Then BIG back suplex! Briggs goes to a corner! Dijak chuckles and says yeah, go ahead, go up. Briggs climbs, but Duke gets him for a POWERBOMB!! Duke huffs and puffs and the fans fire up! Briggs goes to a corner, Duke runs in to clothesline! Then Duke whips corner to corner, only for Briggs to LARIAT!

Briggs roars, throws off the elbow pad and he runs, CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!! Cover, Briggs wins!

Winner: Josh Briggs, by pinfall

Dijak admits, that was good. But then Briggs glaring at him only upsets Dijak, so Dijak storms to the ring. But wait! Oba Femi is on the perch! And he tells Briggs and Dijak, “Two monumental victories for the both of you tonight. Now I can finally say that I have two very worthy opponents for this North American Championship. Two titans who get to climb the mountain at Stand & Deliver! But gents, lest we forget, I AM THE MOUNTAIN! And on April 6th, the both of you will find out that nobody can reach that summit. But me and the rest of these good people will pay good money to see you try… IN A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH!”

The fans love the sound of that, but apparently so do Briggs and Dijak! Will Stand & Deliver turn WrestleMania weekend into Meat Madness?

 

NXT presents Prime Target: Trick Melo Gang, part 3.

Roadblock, Melo VS Tony, an NXT Championship #1 Contender’s match. And Trick’s theme song was all that was needed to mess HIM up. And then Trick got in there to go after Melo himself! Trick tossed the bodyguards, threw hands on Melo, and Melo was sent running. Punk brings up the saying, “When you set out for revenge, dig two graves.” This is beyond the ring, this is personal. Who wants to hurt the other man more? Johnny Gargano adds that being betrayed by a man closer than a brother, you lose a part of yourself in the process. And you may never get that part back.

Orton understands where both men are coming from. The main point, the main takeaway, is that at Stand & Deliver, it is gonna be one hell of a way to start WrestleMania Weekend. Tommaso Ciampa says this match is quite possibly the biggest match in NXT history. Cody Rhodes says when it comes to predicting the winner, it is easy: Trick Williams. Trick knows he and Melo aren’t on the same level. They never were. Melo could put on boots, stand on a stepstool and have a Ludacris afro, he’ll still never measure up to Trick!

Melo says Trick really thinks he has what it takes to be on top. What does Trick know about carrying a brand for two YEARS? About being THE guy on the posters? About being THE reason tickets sell? About doing media? About being… HIM? Two years, Trick had Melo’s back, watched him win everything NXT had to offer, because that is what brothers do. Melo says he brought Trick into this world, he will be the one to take him out of it! Melo carried NXT, carried Trick, because he is the greatest performer in NXT history. Trick says Melo wanted a war, so they’re going to war! In the end, it’s Trick VS Melo, but who will Stand & Deliver?

 

Meta Four is messing around with the cameras?

But they can’t seem to figure out which one is what angle. They got the floor, they got the overhead view, but which one is for the truck? There it is! And Dar says hello, hello, hello! Hear him now as Meta Four proves they run this! Lash says you can’t have the biggest show of the year without the biggest stars of the galaxy, okay? And that is why they are officially the hosts of Stand & Deliver! Meta Four ever~! Wait, wait, back to Vic & Booker! And just in time as we’re about to have the main event! But wait, is Meta Four really going to take over the biggest Stand & Deliver ever?

 

Arianna Grace posts on Instagram.

She’s stressed out trying to pick out the perfect dress for “Giorgina,” aka Gigi Dolin. Gold would look so nice, but it kinda clashes with her orange hair. They could fix the hair. But then tassels! Who doesn’t love tassels? No, no, still not right. What about this one? Beige but covered in various precious stones. No, this is Arianna’s favorite so no. Wait! OMG, yes! This one! Gigi will look so good in… What? What kind of dress does Arianna really think will work for Gigi?

 

Backstage interview with Ilja Dragunov.

Kelly Kincaid congratulates him on his victory and he thanks her for that. But Dragunov admits, The Underboss definitely brought it. The D’Angelos did their homework. Yes, and with Stand & Deliver just two weeks away, is Dragunov surprised Tony didn’t show himself? Dragunov was expecting that, but then Luca steps in. Just when you think you know the answers, you don’t. But Luca is here to extend an invitation for a pre-Stand-and-Deliver dinner with The Don. Oh, is that so? Okay, Dragunov is familiar with the restaurant, so tell Tony- No, no, Ilja. This won’t be at the restaurant. Dragunov will need this,

Luca hands over an envelope with the initials “TD” on it. Dragunov does his best to open it, and it would seem there are directions written. Dragunov is rather surprised, but will there be any surprises waiting for him at the infamous Selica?

 

NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin VS Akira Tozawa & Otis w/ Maxxine Dupri!

The Wolf Dogs just told the Good Brothers that they’re gonna handle business tonight against the Alpha Academy, but the Stamina Monster & Tree Trunk promised to come through for Master Gable. Who lives up to their word after this high stakes tag match? We find out, after the break!

NXT returns and “SHOOOOSH~!” The Academy makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Tozawa starts against Corbin. Corbin rushes in, Tozawa dodges and fires off fast strikes! Corbin shoves Tozawa away but Tozawa comes back for more! Corbin throws Tozawa to a corner, then runs in, but into OBOTS! Tozawa goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Tozawa DROPKICKS Corbin, and Corbin staggers away! Bron tags in, and Tozawa falls back to tag in Otis! The fans fire up for the “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” The two step up and Bron pushes Otis, only for Otis to shove Bron! Bron runs up, Otis ducks and then headlocks hard.

Bron powers up and out, Otis reverses with a whip, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Otis to CLOBBER him! Bron bails out, Corbin runs in, but Otis sends him into a GAMANGIRI from Tozawa! Otis adds a SPLASH, then a LARIAT! The fans fire up as Tozawa tags in and runs up, pop-up RANA! Corbin ducks the Shining Wizard but not quite enough, he gets clipped on the back end. Tozawa then hurries up top to MISSILE DROPKICK! Corbin tumbles out to join Bron, and Otis scoops Tozawa! Gorilla Press TOSS and down goes the Wolf Dogs! “A THANK YEW~!” as NXT goes picture in picture.

Bron & Corbin sputter while they stir on the ramp, and Otis tags back in. Bron gets up and slides in but Otis is right on him. Otis BELLY BUMPS Bron right down! Otis then brings Bron up, for another BELLY BUMP! Bron leans on ropes, Otis storms up and has him in the corner. Otis whips corner to corner, runs in and RAMS into Bron! Otis digs his shoulder in, then brings Bron out to push him down. Tag to Tozawa, and Otis steps on Bron! Tozawa steps on Bron, to then rapid fire stomp! Bron sputters, Tozawa brings him up and tags Otis back in. The Academy mugs Bron and Otis stalks Bron. Bron throws body shots then UPPERCUTS!

Otis staggers, comes back, and Bron scoops! But he falls over under Otis’ weight! Cover, TWO! Otis tags Tozawa back in and Tozawa stomps Bron around. Tozawa brings Bron up but Bron JUMP KNEES! Hot tag to Corbin and he hurries after Tozawa! But Tozawa SOBATS, spins, slides under, then SPIN- NO, Corbin stops the kick to fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Corbin rains down fists, then lets off to drag Tozawa into a seated half nelson. Tozawa endures as NXT returns to single picture, fights up, and the fans rally, only for Corbin to HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOW! Tozawa drops, Corbin tags in Bron.

The Wolf Dogs mug Tozawa, the fans rally, but Bron headlocks. Tozawa powers up and out, Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed to LARIAT! The fans fire up with Bron and he brings Tozawa back up. Bron brings Tozawa over, tags Corbin, and they whip Tozawa to POP-UP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tozawa survives but Maxxine is still worried. Corbin drags Tozawa up, KNEES him low, and then stands on Tozawa’s face! The ref counts, Corbin steps away, and the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Corbin!” “TO-ZA-WA!’ Corbin hauls Tozawa up but Tozawa fires body shots! Tozawa runs, but into an ELBOW!

Corbin tags Bron, they get Tozawa up, SUPLEX CUTTER to the BACK SUPLEX CUTTER! Tozawa is dazed, Bron covers, but Otis breaks it! The fans rally, Bron is annoyed, but then Bron aims from the corner. Tozawa is in the other, and Bron runs in, but only gets POST! Tozawa hurries but Bron grabs a foot! Bron and Tozawa stand, Tozawa ENZIGIRIS! Bron staggers, Tozawa crawls, hot tags to Corbin and Otis! Otis LARIATS Corbin, LARIATS again, then whips to the corner for the BACK ELBOW! Bron returns but Otis sidesteps to WRECKER ELBOW! Otis SPLASHES Bron in a corner, then LARIATS again!

Otis storms up on Corbin but Corbin ROCKS him with a right! Otis ROCKS Corbin back! Corbin ROCKS Otis, Otis ROCKS Corbin! Bron is back, but Otis clinches him! Corbin runs up, but also into a clinch! DOUBLE BACK DROPS! The fans fire up as Otis rips off the shirt! Maxxine says that’s what they’re talking about! Here comes the hip swivels, and the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Corbin survives and Otis is shocked! The fans chant “You Can’t Handle the Meat!” as Otis drags Corbin up. Ortis scoops, Corbin slips free and he staggers to his corner. Tag to Bron, Bron runs up, but into the WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Cover, Corbin breaks it!

Tozawa SHINING WIZARDS Corbin, and it was a clean one this time! Tozawa hurries back to his corner, Otis tags him in before he Electric Chair Lifts Bron! Tozawa climbs, ALPHA DOOM- POWERSLAM COUNTER?! Bron turns things around quite literally! The fans are thunderous as Bron pulls down the straps! Otis runs up, but Bron dumps him out! Otis ends up on the apron but Bron ROCKS him! Tag to Corbin, but Otis fires hands on both Wolf Dogs! Bron kicks Otis, slides under, and with Corbin’s help, POWERBOMBS Otis through the desk!!! Maxxine freaks out and the fans lose their minds!

Tozawa is alone but he kicks Corbin on the return. Tozawa fires off, SUPERKICKS, but Bron tags in! Corbin catches Tozawa for a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Flip over, then SPEAR!! Cover, Wolf Dogs win!

Winners: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin, by pinfall (denies The Alpha Academy a title opportunity)

Tozawa & Otis did their best to Stand & Deliver, but they could not withstand the hard-hitting combination of Bron & Corbin. But wait, now the LWO is ringside! And then here come the Good Brothers! And of course, Axiom & Nathan Frazer zip out here! The brawl is on and the fans are thunderous! Refs rush in as “NXT! NXT!” closes out in chaos! Now that only one team faces the Wolf Dogs in Philadelphia, who will overcome the odds in next week’s Triple Threat to be THE #1 contenders?


My Thoughts:

An awesome NXT with a lot of the go-home stuff taken care of here, but in a good way. Great promos from Roxanne and Lyra, with Roxanne trashing her past while Lyra points out the reality of that past. The same goes for the three-part Prime Target on Trick and Melo. You know it’s a big deal when they get names like Orton and Punk to talk on this feud, and it’s very fitting to also have Gargano and Ciampa involved. I don’t know if Trick VS Melo really is the biggest thing in NXT history, but it is definitely the best thing in this generation and deserves to be in the conversation.

Ridge Holland’s promo announcing his indefinite sabbatical was not expected, and it certainly sounded like the fans weren’t sure where he was going until the end there. I would really hope this isn’t some sort of Mark Henry fake retirement speech, because mental health and the work-life balance are serious issues. If Ridge really does feel this is what he needs to do, then I commend him on realizing that for himself and making this move. He more than a lot of wrestlers in this generation has faced misfortune and fans not really knowing how to react to him because of all that. I really do hope that he can find some solace in stepping away from the ring.

Good promo from Arianna Grace to tease what she’s gonna dress Gigi in for the continued pageant queen makeover, and it is probably going to be really weird or shabby as a way to humiliate Gigi rather than make her look good. Really good promos from Sol Ruca and Blair Davenport to hype up their grudge match, that will be some really good stuff for the go-home next week. Great match from Natty and Lola, and of course Karmen shows up to more or less help Natty. Karmen VS Lola is definitely coming and it is definitely going to be good, but I would think Lola wins to make up for the loss here.

Great matches in the North American Championship scene and the stories connected to that. Gacy stealing Spears’ chair was a good way to get us going towards that feud, but that bit where Oba Femi stomps the chair made me think we were going big with another ladder match. But instead, it is as I figured from last week, we’re going big in the sense that this will be the biggest, meatiest match for this title perhaps ever and that is great stuff. Great stuff from the story with Thea, Jacy, et cetera, and I guess it’ll be a Six Woman Tag, not eight like I expected given how Thea “injured” Jazmyn with the kimura. But still, Thea, Fallon & Kelani VS Jacy, Kiana & Izzi is gonna be great stuff.

I do like that Stand & Deliver is getting hosts this year, but how could I not expect it to be Meta Four? Even though they’re Heels, they’re all very entertaining and will be able to make the most out of this role, this really will be a lot of fun. Great stuff with Dragunov VS Stacks and then Tony inviting Dragunov to what I hope I’m hearing/spelling correctly as The Selica. I think that’s supposed to be the boat the D’Angelos met with Legado Del Fantasma way back when, so I do like there’s some continuity coming back. Dragunov won tonight but who knows how the go-home math will sort out. I said a few weeks ago that it’d be wild if Trick won to send Melo off and Tony did the same for Dragunov, leaving us with Trick VS Tony for the Summer, and I will stand by that possibility.

And of course, great stuff in the tag division. Good promos tonight, especially Good Brothers confronting Wolf Dogs. Awesome main event tag, but of course the Academy was losing here. Wolf Dogs are defending the belts 2v2 since the Triple Threat box has been checked by Oba VS Dijak VS Briggs, and that brawl to close us out was great stuff. No one stood tall as we cut away, so technically any team could win next week. LWO is least likely, they’ve still got stuff building with Legado. Frazer & Axiom are second most, they’re great Faces and it’d be a great rematch from the Dusty Cup, but that’s just it: it’d be a rematch. Wolf Dogs VS Good Brothers is fresh, it’d be great stuff, and Good Brothers feel like they’re also the most likely to beat the Wolf Dogs, allowing Bron to go to SmackDown full-time.

My Score: 8.9/10


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