Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (9/12/22)
DING DONG! Damage Control!
The Bougie & Badass VS DMG CTRL, round two!
Raw holds a rematch from the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals to clear the controversy! Will Kai & Sky take control this time?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Matt Riddle VS Finn Balor w/ Damian Priest; Finn wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez VS Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley; Kai & Sky win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Johnny Gargano VS Chad Gable w/ Otis Dozovic; Gargano wins.
- Raw Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Bianca Belair VS Sonya Deville; Bianca wins and retains the title.
- 2v1 Handicap Match: Omos w/ MVP VS Cash Marazi & Ryan Tombs; Omos wins.
- Edge VS Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgement Day; Edge wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
The Visionary is on Portland, Oregon and the fans sing his song, “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” as he heads to the ring. Rollins conducts the fans as he gets the mic and says, “PORTLAAAAND! HAHAHAHA! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins, baybay! And let me introduce your host for this evening. e is none other than the Face of Monday Night Raw. He is a Visionary. He is a revolutionary. He is…” “SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!” Rollins enjoys that, and even enjoys the fans singing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” Rip City is too kind! But he has a question. “Do you believe in karma?” Good things to good people, bad things to bad people!
Rollins was skeptical, but nine days ago, at Clash at he Castle, the Universe was in perfect harmony because he beat Matt Riddle! Rollins stomped Riddle’s head not once but twice, and he had 60 THOUSAND PLUS singing his song. “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” Now, it has come to Rollins’ attention that he is living rent free in that little pea brain of Riddle’s, because Riddle wants a rematch against Rollins. Fans like the sound of that, but Rollins says the problem is, Rollins is not interested. Aww… But you may be asking, “What’s next for Seth Freakin’ Rollins?” And while Rollins pondered that exact question the past week…
Fans are chanting “REMATCH! REMATCH!” But Rollins says he’s NOT interested in a rematch with Riddle, so zip it! Fans boo now but Rollins says what he is interested in is the fact that it has been far too long since Rollins has held championship gold. “Bro…” Riddle shows up anyway! Rollins is already saying now, but Riddle just says, “Bro.” Then rushes the ring! They brawl, Riddle fires off KICK after KICK bug Rollins RAMS him into a corner. Riddle carries Rollins out to TOSS him over the ropes! They brawl outside, Rollins SMACKS Riddle off the desk and runs away! But Riddle pursues! They brawl in the crowd!
Rollins rakes Riddle’s eyes then runs away again! Rollins hurries up the ramp but Riddle pursues! Only for The Judgement Day to make their entrance! Damian Priest & Finn Balor specifically are here with mics. Riddle gets back in the ring, ready to fight, but Finn says to chill, bro! They’re not here to fight! They’re Riddle’s friends. They all go way back, man! That’s why they’re here: to offer Riddle a spot. If Riddle recalls, not too long ago, they were all in the same situation: superstars on the rise that somehow, someway, got held back. But no more. Priest & Finn are going to change that for Riddle.
Finn says we’ve seen how much Dom’s grown these last few weeks. And Dom finally stepped out of his dad’s shadow. The Judgement Day has taken care of Dom, and Dom is gonna take care of Edge! Riddle has problem, these guys can be his problem solvers. “Matthew, it’s me. Listen, the Judgement Day is simple.” Fans chant for “BRO! BRO!” and Finn says this is what the fans want! Rise with the Judgement Day, or fall against them. Riddle says, “Bro… We do go back, dude. But right now, my focus is on Seth. So the answer is no, bro.”
Fans cheer that but Finn says he knows things are more relaxed here in Portland, so maybe Riddle’s a bit cloudy. Finn will make this very clear. Riddle either stands with them, or he stands in their way. Riddle BOOTS Finn! Riddle clotheslines Priest out! The Bro sends Judgement Day reeling, will they make him regret rejecting them?
Matt Riddle VS Finn Balor w/ Damian Priest!
Raw returns as Finn CHOPS Riddle in the corner, this match already underway! Finn whips corner to corner then CHOPS Riddle again. Finn tells Riddle this is what he gets, then whips Riddle back the other way. Riddle goes up and over to KICK Finn down! Riddle then deadlift gut wrench suplexes Finn, and then drags him up for another! BROTON! Cover, TWO! Riddle stalks Finn to a corner but Finn kicks a leg out! And then sweeps the leg! And again! Finn puts the leg on ropes to HIP DROP on it! Riddle writhes and clutches the leg, but he gets to a corner. Finn puts the leg in the ropes to pull on it!
The ref counts, Finn lets off, and Riddle ROCKS Finn with a forearm. Riddle goes up but Finn YANKS him down! Finn stands on Riddle’s neck but lets off as the ref counts. Finn sits Riddle up to throw down an elbow and wrap on a chinlock. Riddle endures, fans rally up, and Riddle fights to his feet. Riddle throws body shots then shifts to SAYANAGI! Riddle runs, BROTON FLOPS as Finn moves! Finn CLUBS away on Riddle’s head, then covers, TWO! Finn drags Riddle up, ELBOWS him on the neck, and Riddle gest to ropes. Finn brings Riddle up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Finn clamps onto Riddle with a chinlock and pulls back, #JUSTFACELOCK!
Riddle endures, fights up and fans fire up! Riddle fireman’s carries but Finn slips off to a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Priest nods as Finn still has control. Finn KICKS Riddle in the side, then springboard stomps Riddle. Finn stands on Riddle’s neck, the ref counts and Finn lets off to stomp away on Riddle! The ref counts more, Finn lets off, and the Judgement Day soaks up the heat. Finn goes back for Riddle, throws haymakers, but Riddle catches him and throws him out with a body scissors! Riddle then aims from the apron, but Priest stands in the way! The ref reprimands, Priest moves, and Finn trips Riddle up!
Finns pins Riddle around, throws down fists, then climbs up to stand on Riddle. The ref counts, Finn lets off to stomp, but Riddle moves! Riddle KICKS away on Finn, then fireman’s carries! Finn fights free and claws Riddle into a dragon sleeper! APRON ELBOW DROP DDT! Riddle cries in pain about his neck as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Riddle throws body shots to fight off the facelock. Riddle ROCKS Finn with haymakers but Finn kicks Riddle’s leg out! Finn brings Riddle up, but Riddle FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Finn drags himself up the ropes and snarls. He runs at Riddle but into a flurry of palm strikes! Riddle BOOTS Finn then spins him on the rebound for the PELE! Finn goes to a corner, Riddle kips up and runs in, forearm smash! Riddle goes side to side to forearm smash again! BROSPLODER! Finn bails out but Riddle goes up and out to PENALTY KICK! Finn goes down, Priest hurries over, but Riddle SPRINGBROAD FLOATING BROS!
Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up again! Riddle puts Finn in, Finn wants mercy! But then Finn trips Riddle to throw hands! Riddle monkey flips Finn away, turns Slingblade into wristlock ripcord, FINAL FLASH! Both men are down and fans fire up! Riddle drags Finn to a drop zone, goes up top, but Priest distracts from the apron! Riddle swipes at Priest, but Finn rolls Riddle up! TWO, Finn ducks the roundhouse! ELBOW DROP DDT! Both men are down again, but then REY MYSTERIO Jumps in Priest! They bump off the post, then Rey clotheslines Priest into the crowd! Fans fire up as Rey runs Priest off to the back!
Finn freaks out but he hurries to get Riddle! Riddle gets Finn up, BRO TO SLEEP, to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Riddle drags Finn to a drop zone and goes up top! FLOATING BRO, onto knees!!Finn turns things around, and he SHOTGUNS Riddle into the corner! Finn grins as he climbs up top! COUP DE- NO, Riddle dodges! Riddle puts Finn through the ropes, for the DRAPING DDT! That one’s for Randy! And speaking of The Viper, Portland fires up as Riddle hears the voices! Finn staggers up but Rollins returns! Riddle DECKS Rollins, brings him through the ropes, but Finn gets Riddle for 1916!!
Finn goes up top again, for the COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
Between Priest and Rollins, Riddle couldn’t stay focused on Finn and- OH NO! CURB STOMP!! Rollins gets Riddle again and he shouts, “It’s over between you and me! You hearing me? It’s OVER, Riddle. Move on!” Will The Stallion have no choice but to leave this grudge behind?
Backstage interview with Damage Control.
Sarah asks Bayley, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky what this WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship rematch mean to them. Uh, there shouldn’t even need to be a rematch because Kai & Sky should’ve won in the first place. The only reason they didn’t is because Aliyah acts like she’s never been in a tag match before and she pinned the wrong competitor! If you don’t believe Bayley, go back and watch the footage. Everyone’s talking about it! Dakota says that’s the past. Tonight, they make it right. Tonight, they’re in control. Iyo adds in Japanese and English, “This is OUR division.”
Then can Bayley elaborate on how it feels to be the first woman to pin Bianca Belair in almost a year? Bayley has Sarah stop there, because DMG CTRL is done talking. They head out, will #CobraKai and the Evil Genius be able to take those titles from Aliyah & Raquel this time around?
Dominik Mysterio speaks.
“I’ve only ever been known as ‘The Son of the Legendary Rey Mysterio.’ But that all changed at Clash at the Castle. Because for the first time in my life, I felt alive. I became my own person. I was done taking the disrespect and just bottling it up inside. And Edge… Edge got exactly what he deserved. And tonight, I’m going to finish what I started. Jefe. Dad. I know you’re disappointed. But that’s too bad. Because this is MY life, not yours. Instead of being upset with me, you should look in the mirror and ask yourself, ‘Why?’ Why you never bothered just to get to know me. Why, instead of trying to teach me, you didn’t just ask me what I wanted for me career.
“But you know, for such a tiny, tiny man, you cast a large shadow. And I’m done living under it.” Rhea puts a hand on Dom’s shoulder, then whispers something to him. Dom says he’s not Rey’s baby boy anymore. He is a man! Dom heads out, and Rhea smiles. What has the Eradicator taught Dominik in order to destroy the legends in his life?
Austin Theory speaks.
“There’s a lot of surprises going around here lately. A lot of hits rolling in, a lot of exciting news, and if only I had the connect. Oh wait, I do! I know things! And I know who Johnny Gargano’s first opponent’s going to be in his long-awaited return to the ring is going to be. It’s not me, cuz I got my hands full. I’m a busy man. But you know who his opponent is? I’d call him a close friend. A man who created The Gable Method of Success. Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, let me introduce you to Chad Gable!
The Alpha Academy walk in and Gable says, “Johnny Wrestling? After tonight, the only thing anyone’s gonna know you as is Johnny SHOOOOSH~! A THANK YEW~!” But will Master Gable be the one learning something in the ring tonight?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez VS Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley!
The Bougie & The Badass may have gotten a bit lucky that the ref wasn’t paying attention to who was legal, but it was only because the Role Model kept distracting everyone! Her team paid the price that night, but will Damage Control take control with this second chance? Or will Aliyah & Raquel make sure they get it right when they win again?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we’ll see which team is really the better tonight!
The teams sort out and Raquel starts with Dakota. They rush in, but Dakota gets around to CLUB Raquel on the back. But Raquel laughs that off, then KNEES Dakota low. Raquel suplexes Dakota, holds her up, walks over to the corner and Aliyah tags in. Raquel TOSSES Dakota, then Aliyah CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Aliyah whips Dakota to the corner then SPLASHES! Raquel tags in, she runs and SPLASHES, too! Dakota flops over, Raquel covers, TWO! Raquel drags Dakota away from her corner to wrench the arm and knuckle lock. Straight Arm Lever! Dakota screams, Raquel lets her down to run her over! Cover, TWO!
Bayley is frustrated already but Raquel drags Dakota back up. Raquel wrenches and knuckle locks again, for another Straight Arm Lever! Dakota squirrels around to a sunset flip, but Raquel stays up! Raquel throws down a punch but Dakota avoids it with a bridge! Raquel steps through to elbow drop! Dakota scrambles away to avoid the cover, and Iyo runs in! Raquel puts Iyo out and she falls over onto Dakota! Raquel then picks Aliyah up to TOSS her onto Kai & Sky! The champions are in control over Damage Control as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Iyo wrenches, but Raquel reverses the whip to run Iyo over! Raquel drags Iyo over, tags Aliyah, and Aliyah goes up to AX HANDLE! Aliyah wrenches Iyo to a wristlock but Iyo throws her by her hair! Aliyah handsprings back up to ROCK Iyo! Aliyah whips, Iyo reverses but Aliyah goes up and over and comes back with a THESZ PRESS! And fast hands! Fans fire up with Aliyah and she runs in, into a kick! Iyo brings Aliyah around, suplexes, but Aliyah fights free! Aliyah goes Matrix to dodge, then SIT-OUT HIP TOSS! Aliyah blows Bayley a kiss but Iyo ROCKS her! Tag to Dakota, Aliya dodges Iyo but Dakota trips Aliyah up!
Aliyah ends up on the ropes and Iyo runs in, DOUBLE KNEES into the back! Dakota covers, TWO! Dakota drags Aliyah up while Bayley is annoyed. Dakota CLUBS Aliyah, whips her to a corner and Aliyah sits down. BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Aliyah survives but Dakota drags her up. Fans rally but the ref checks on Aliyah. Aliyah says she’s okay to continue, so Dakota drags her over and tags Iyo in. Iyo stomps Aliyah, sits her down, then taunts her. The ref checks again, but Aliyah insists she’s okay. So Iyo DOUBLE KNEES her again! Tag back to Dakota, but Bayley says this is how DMG CTRL does it!
Dakota clamps onto a chinlock and she grinds Aliyah down. Aliyah endures and Raquel coaches her up. Aliyah fights up slowly, Dakota CLUBS her, and she tags in Iyo. Iyo pulls on the arms with a motorcycle stretch and even digs a boot in. Aliyah endures, fans rally up but Bayley says Iyo should stick to the plan. Aliyah fights, knees Iyo back, and reaches for Raquel! Aliyah ROCKS Iyo but Iyo holds her back! Aliyah keeps fighting, but Iyo reels her into a waistlock! Iyo shoves Aliyah away, catches her again, and FLAPJACKS her down! Tag to Dakota and DMG CTRL drags Aliyah up. Aliyah lands out of the suplex to DOUBLE NECKBREAKER!
Aliyah crawls and Portland is thunderous! Hot tag to Big Mami Cool! Raquel rallies, sending Sky into Kai just like before! Raquel rallies on Dakota with lariats, then a FALL AWAY SLAM! Dakota is in a drop zone, Raquel runs in and goes up, TWISTING VADER! Then a scoop! Aliyah tags back in, but Dakota slips free! Raquel BOOTS Dakota down, she gives Aliyah that boost, ALLEY-OOP SPLASH! Cover, Iyo breaks it! Raquel runs in but into a SHOTEI! Iyo hops up, but Raquel spins it! She blocks the Rana to hit a POWERBOMB out of the ring! Iyo brings Raquel with her and Aliyah rolls Dakota up! TWO!!
Aliyah is shocked! That worked last time, and Dakota was even legal this time! Aliyah hurries, but Dakota clinches! Aliyah JAWBREAKERS Dakota away, runs in at the ropes, springboard, FACEBUSTER! Cover, Bayley helps with the ROPEBREAK!! Aliyah is furious! Bayley says this is what Aliyah gets for last time! But then Raquel storms up on Bayley! Bayley backs off, but Aliyah WRECKS her with a dropkick! But Iyo is up top and she ARIHARA MOONSAULTS Raquel! Dakota throws Aliyah down, hops on, KAI-ROPRACTOR!! Cover, DMG CTRL WINS!
Winners: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
With now Bianca, Asuka or Alexa, Bayley gets her way this time! Her girls have the gold, will Bayley grab a belt for herself now?
Rey finds Dominik backstage.
Rey heard what Dom what he said, and he had no idea Dom was holding all of that inside. Rey admits it is his fault. If he could change everything, he would. Dom doesn’t have to go through with this match tonight. They can fix all of this! Just give Rey a chance to make it right so they can be a family again. Wow, not even going to look at him> Rey is begging Dom to not fight Edge. Edge is a brother to Rey and an uncle to Dom! But Dom’s never seen this side of Edge before. When Edge is backed up into a corner, he doesn’t hold back. Fine. Dom, if you do fight Edge tonight, things will never go back to how they were. Edge is that dangerous!
Rhea laughs as she walks in. Edge isn’t the only dangerous one around here. And like she said before, Dom isn’t Rey’s little boy anymore. Papi knows best, and Papi knows Rhea is all man now. Dom leaves with Rhea, but did nothing Rey said get through to him? Or will Edge have to teach Dom the hard way?
Johnny Gargano VS Chad Gable w/ Otis Dozovic!
The one and only NXT Triple Crown Winner finally has his return to action now that he’s on Raw. Will he be the one who SHOOOOSHES Chad Gable tonight?
Raw returns and Gargano makes his entrance. Fans fire up for Rebel Heart already, and the bell rings. Gable circles with Gargano and the two tie up. Gable headlocks for a takeover but Gargano headscissors. Gable kips free, roles reverse as “JOHNNY WRESTLING!” gets the headlock takeover. Gable headscissors, Gargano kips free and fans keep chanting. Gable says he’s the better wrestler, but he and Gargano tie up. Gargano rolls to pick leg, Gable moves around but Gargano keeps up to shift and facelock. Gargano gator rolls but Gable kicks free. Fans rally up as Gargano and Gable circle again.
Gargano and Gable tie up, Gable headlocks, then shifts through to hammerlock and drop toehold! Gable says “A THANK YEW!” as he has the armlock. Gargano endures, fights up, and he clinches to bring Gable down to a knee. La Magistrol leads to a headlock but Gable fights up. Gable powers out, Gargano goes up and over and rolls, then slips around to shove and follow Gable, to RANA! Fans fire up as Gable gets up to get thrown around with arm-drags! And then a DROPKICK! Gable is dizzy, and Gargano runs at him to wheelbarrow. Gable fights that but Gargano drags him down, moves him around, lateral press to a ghost pin! TWO!!
Gargano has Gable with a facelock, and Gable is frustrated. Gargano rolls with Gable, fans rally behind “JOHNNY WRESTLING!” but Gable slips out to ROCK Gargano with a right! “A THANK YEW!” Fans boo but Gable puts Gargano in a corner. Gable CHOPS Gargano, and Gargano is stinging! Gable stands Gargano up and CHOPS again! “I am the master!” Gable waistlocks but Gargano endures the bearhug to switch. Gable switches, Gargano switches, repeat! They go around and around, Gargano school boy KICKS Gable down! Gable gets out and Gargano DROPKICKS him down! Gargano then hurries to the apron to CANNONBALL!
Fans fire up as Gargano gets back in the ring with Gable on the floor, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Gable has Gargano with a standing toehold. Gargano kicks with his free leg, but Gable YANKS the other. Gargano gets to ropes but Gable drags him to center for a SPINNING TOE HOLD! And another! And then another YANK! Gargano writhes while Gable soaks up the heat, “A THANK YEW~!” Gable drags Gargano up, has the leg, and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Then a BIG back suplex! Otis says that’s an athlete! Cover, ONE!! Gable is frustrated but he drags Gargano around for another SPINNING TOE HOLD! Gable keeps on the leg this time, but fans rally up. Gable drags Gargano while in the toehold, but fans taunt him with “SHORTY G!”
Gargano fights with his free leg again and fans cheer. Gable loses the toehold, steps through but Gargano BOOTS him up and out! Gable skins the cat, but into Gargano’s forearm! And another! And another! Gargano whips, Gable reverses but Gargano CROSSBODIES! Gargano rallies, ENZIGURIS, and then fires up! Fans cheer Gargano on as he runs through the pain, but Gable puts him on the apron! Gable runs, into the SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Cover, TWO! Gargano grimaces but he paces around Gable. Gargano drags Gable up, scoops him but Gable slips off. Gargano elbows Gable away, goes up and over, but Gable ducks the kick to get the ANKLE LOCK!
Gargano crawls up the ropes, kicks at Gable again, but Gable uses both legs to get Gargano into a Canadian Rack! CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO!! Gable is frustrated but this is the toughness of the NXT Triple Crown Winner! Gable goes up a corner, climbs to the very top, and MOONSAULTS, but has to land out as Gargano moves! Gable blocks the superkick to ROCK Gargano! Gargano ROCKS Gable, wheelbarrows, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gargano escapes after the “Ocean Cyclone,” but Gable is furious! Gable goes up the corner again, for the DIVING HEADBUTT into a crossface!! GargaNO Escape!!
Gable rolls it to an ANKLE LOCK! Gargano endures, moves around, rolls and sends Gable into buckles! Gargano runs, dodges, tilt-o-whirls, and he wrangles Gable. Gable turns that around to CHAOS- NO, Gargano turns that to a victory roll! TWO ad Gable has it, TWO!! BUZZSSAW from Gargano! Gargano runs, into the ROLLING ELBOW! DISCUS LARIAT on the return!! Fans declare “This is Awesome!” while both men are down! Gargano and Gable get to opposite ends and drag themselves up the ropes. Gable runs in but is TOSSED onto Otis! Then Gargano DIVES and sends the Academy into the desk!
Gargano puts Gable in, he avoids Otis’ sweep to SUPERKICK! Then GAMANGIRI for Gable, and the SLINGSHOT DDT!! Cover, Gargano wins!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
The #OneFinalBeat finishes it off! But Otis runs in! Gargano dodges to SUPERKICK! And SUPERKICK! Otis stays up so Gargano dodges again to say “SUCK IT!” Gargano leaves it at this, but Theory CLOBBERS Gargano with his briefcase! Theory gets a selfie with Gargano while fans boo and chant “YOU SUCK!” Will Gargano make sure to wipe the smile off the Youngest Mr. Money in the Bank’s face?
Raw returns with Austin Theory still in the ring.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did Johnny Gargano disappoint all of you? Did Johnny Wrestling not walk off into the unrealistic, depressing Portland sunset? You know what happened? Somebody had to show him how it works around here. Because to me, all Johnny Wrestling is, is an overrated bottom-feeding fish at the bottom of the food chain!” Fans “What?” and Theory is already upset. Did Theory ruin Gargano’s big moment? “WHAT?” Say that again! “WHAT?” And here comes KEVIN OWENS! Theory is upset even more now but the fans are happy to see KO! And Kevin has a mic to say, “Y’know, Austin-”
“SHUT UP!” Theory is sick and tired of his moments being ruined by idiots like Kevin, Tyson Fury, Johnny Gargano and more! Theory is the future! He is the YOUNGEST Mr. MITB in all of history, and he will take over this entire damn industry! Kevin says we heard all of that last week. Or rather, Theory did his best to say all that last week, he was having issues with his jaw. Clearly, Theory fixed that so good for him. But we have heard all this for months now! Theory talks about being the future because of how young he is and his good looks. That’s good and all, but Kevin looked Theory in the eyes last week and said Theory was the handpicked future.
That might’ve been the truth, but it is no longer the case. That’s not how it works anymore! See, guys like Kevin and Gargano, they don’t look like Theory. Yeah, exactly! They will never look like Theory! The fans will never look like Theory! Fans boo but Theory says it’s funny. He knows why Kevin’s jealous. Let’s be real here. Theory has done more in the past five months than Kevin and Gargano have combined in the last five years! Kevin says statements like that really go to show just how big of a delusional jackass Theory is.
Because look at what Theory accomplished and how. He had all those opportunities handed to him! From the US Championship in a match he didn’t earn, to the MITB briefcase in a ladder match he wasn’t supposed to be in. It was all handed to Theory. Don’t get Kevin wrong, because he can’t blame Theory. When Kevin first became Universal Champion, that title was literally handed to him. But that is where the similarities end. Except for that moment, Kevin and Theory are complete opposites, and Kevin couldn’t be prouder of that fact.
Let Kevin ask Theory this: “How many guys in the last two decades have come by the WWE that are just like you? Young, chiseled out of stone, full of potential. And how many of those guys fizzled out and went nowhere? Hundreds of them! HUNDREDS!” But how many people like Kevin and Gargano have come around the WWE? How many of them have made it to this level? You can count those people on one hand! Because people like Theory are a dime a dozen, but Kevin and Gargano are one in a million! That is why this place, the fans, they NEED people like Kevin and Gargano! They are the heart and soul of this business!!
And people like Theory are the appendix of this business: completely disposable! And look. Kevin can see he’s upsetting Theory. That may not be the case for Theory. Kevin does hope Theory is everything he says he is. Kevin hopes Theory is the future of the WWE. But, Kevin’s been watching and listening and knows how Theory carries himself. And Kevin is telling Theory now, Theory doesn’t have what it takes to be that future. Theory wants to talk but Kevin tells him to shut up and listen! Theory needs to prove Kevin wrong! Prove the people wrong! Does Theory know how? You stop thinking about the moments that were handed to you and start making moments yourself!
Kevin tells Theory to check the ego at the door, look in the mirror and realize you’re not as good as you think you are, but show your passion and get better. And you leave everything in this ring every time you step foot in front of the fans! THAT is how you prove Kevin wrong and become the future and the Face of the WWE! Kevin gives Theory a push and Theory scowls. The fans cheer for “KO! KO!” and Theory raises his hand… just to flex. “You’ll never be like me, Kevin!” Kevin sighs and says, “Well, talking sense into you didn’t work so maybe this will.” SLAP!! Theory is furious, and the brawl is on!
Kevin tackles Theory down and rains down fists! Theory gets up, Kevin gets at him in the corner, and refs rush out to stop this! Theory hits Kevin back now and he has Kevin in a corner! Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” but refs pull Theory back. Kevin BOOTS Theory, and the hands fly again! Producers drag Theory out of the ring to keep him from Kevin but Kevin comes in and CLOBBERS Theory! Fans are loving this as the brawling goes around ringside! Kevin ROCKS Theory towards the ramp then puts him back in the ring. Theory gets the briefcase! Kevin dodges, kicks, but no Stunner for this Austin!
Theory bails out of the ring and is furious! Theory has a bloody nose, and Kevin wants Theory to prove something to him! Kevin says that nose is just the beginning, but how will this end for the Prizefighter and the former golden boy?
Raw announces the NXT 2.0 Anniversary poll results!
The fans were allowed to choose the fate of two title matches in tomorrow night’s episode of NXT, and the results are in! For the NXT Tag Team Championships, Pretty Deadly will defend the titles against The Creed Brothers, in a STEEL CAGE MATCH! That kicks off the show, which team will escape the other with the gold?
Raw Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Bianca Belair VS ???
The RawEST Women’s Champion wants to prove she’s the readiEST by opening the door to anyone who wants this shot! Who will answer the call? Fans cheer her on as she gets the mic to say, “If there’s anything that these past few weeks has taught me is that I need to stay ready. Because as champion, I’m always gonna have a target on my back. So that’s exactly why I’ve decided to issue an Open Challenge tonight for the Raw Women’s Championship. And I’ve done that to remind everybody that I ain’t nothing to play with. I am the E S T of the WWE, and you can’t whoop me! So, if there’s anybody back there that wants a piece of the EST, who will it be?”
Fans cheer for any number of names, but the music that plays is… Sonya Deville? SmackDown’s Cruella is here and she asks, “What’s the matter, Bianca? Why do you look so confused? Oh, did you think I’d forgotten what you did to me? Oh, honey, if only things were that simple.” Bianca not only made a mockery of Sonya’s position in WWE Management, but she cost Sonya her job as an official. And if not for people getting involved, Sonya is convinced she’d be the champion now. Bianca says, “Girl, uh-uh. Sonya, girl, shut up. This is an Open Challenge, not an Open Mic. So ref, let’s get this thing started!”
The fans are fired up and the mics are put away. Will Bianca finally settle things with Sonya and send her scurrying back to SmackDown?
Raw returns as the introductions are made. The belt is raised and one way or another, this will put an end to things between Bianca and Sonya!
Bianca and Sonya circle, and Bianca avoids the sweep. Sonya shoots in, Bianca gets around to waistlock and SLAM Sonya, but Sonya shifts around to switch. Bianca switches back, Sonya throws elbows, but Bianca whips Sonya towards a corner. Sonya reverses but Bianca goes up and over to then scoop Sonya for a GUTBUSTER! Fans fire up and Bianca drags Sonya to a cover, TWO! Bianca drags Sonya up, scoops her but Sonya fights free to throw Bianca down! Sonya runs to BOOT Bianca down then covers, TWO! Sonya drags Bianca up and KICKS away in the corner! The ref counts, Sonya lets off, and she puts Bianca through ropes to CHOKE!
The ref counts, Sonya lets off again, and then Sonya brings Bianca around to wrap on a chinlock. Bianca endures, snapmares free, and gets to a corner. Sonya run sin, Bianca elbows her away, then BOOTS her down! Bianca goes out, ROCKS Sonya, then slingshots to LARIAT! Fans fire up as Bianca rallies with more clotheslines, and a DROPKICK! Sonya get sup but Bianca spins her and suplexes up and over! HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Sonya bails out but Bianca pursues, only for Sonya to grab at her. Bianca kicks Sonya away, then MOONSAULTS off the apron! Sonya dodges, Bianca lands on her feet, and Sonya CLOBBERS Bianca!
Fans boo while Bianca is down and Sonya grits her teeth. The Raw Women’s Champion is in trouble as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sonya has Bianca in a cobra twist. Bianca fights up and hip tosses free! Fans fire up and Bianca runs in, but Sonya WRINGS her into the buckles! Sonya KICKS away on Bianca’s back but lets off as the ref counts. Sonya drags Bianca onto ropes and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Sonya lets off again, and she drags Bianca up to bump off buckles. Sonya KICKS Bianca, taunts her, then snapmares her to a chinlock. Bianca endures and fans rally up. Bianca fights up to her feet, and she snapmares free again! But Sonya YANKS her out to the floor! Bianca staggers up, she gets Sonya’s arm, but Sonya YANKS Bianca into the POST!
Sonya soaks up the heat and brings Bianca up. Sonya SMACKS Bianca off the desk, then talks trash as she smothers Bianca. Sonya puts Bianca in the ring and covers, TWO! Sonya keeps on Bianca with another chinlock and she grinds Bianca down. Fans rally as Bianca fights up again! Bianca shoots around, rolls Sonya up, TWO! Sonya kicks but Bianca blocks to kick back! Bianca brings Sonya around, scoops her, and hits a FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up while Sonya flounders and Bianca stands up. Bianca runs, handsprings and FLOPS as Sonya moves! SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Sonya is beside herself as Bianca survives!
Sonya KICKS Bianca, and KICKS, and KICKS! Bianca ducks the next one, shoves her to ropes and hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Bianca is annoyed but shakes her head. Bianca stalks Sonya to ropes, grabs at her, but Sonya kicks her away. Sonya gets up, Bianca catches the haymaker into chicken wings, and brings Sonya up, but Sonya victory rolls! TWO and Sonya hits buckles! Bianca gets up, she hoists Sonya up to the top rope, and then climbs up after her. Sonya throws body shots, she shoves Bianca away and FLYING KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives again and Sonya can’t believe it!
Sonya hurries to get Bianca up, turns her, but Bianca pushes her away. Bianca spins Sonya, suplexes and then rolls right through! Another suplex but Sonya slips out! HEAD ‘N’ ARM! But Bianca RAMS Sonya into buckles! Bianca gets free, runs in, but into a spin from Sonya! Sonya has a dragon sleeper but Bianca throws knees! Bianca goes up the corner, uses that to get up and over, and she torture racks for the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still Raw Women’s Champion)
Bianca feels better now with that win! But wait, Bayley returns! “Ding dong~! Hey, champ. Great victory, good job, good job. Where you inspired by Dakota’s and Iyo’s championship victory earlier? Because I know I was!” Portland could learn a thing or two! Kai & Sky did what they said they were going to do? And Bayley said they’d take control of the entire division. Tonight was just the beginning! But since Bayley’s here, let’s talk Bianca’s victory. How does Bianca feel? Did her beating the #PrideFighter make her feel good? Because Bayley is pretty sure it did. That match fed just a bit of Bianca’s big fat ego! “What?” Big fat ego. “What?”
Bayley wants Bianca to be truthful to all the fans here. Bayley knows Bianca can’t sleep at night until she gets a match with Bayley. Is that what Bianca really wants? Because if Bayley was Bianca, she’d be embarrassed. Bayley hadn’t wrestled in over a year, and yet she pinned Bianca when no one else has for that same 365 days! Is that what Bianca wants? YES! Bianca dares Bayley to get in the ring but Bayley tells everyone to just relax. The match will happen, when the time is right! Bianca sets down the belt and dares Bayley, but Kai & Sky have slipped into the ringside area! Bianca sees she’s surrounded, and she sighs because she should’ve known better.
DMG CTRL creeps in, Bianca ROCKS Iyo then DECKS Bayley! But she gets mugged by the others! It becomes 3v1 but then here come Asuka and Alexa! Bliss KICKS Iyo, and hits a DDT! Asuka ducks Dakota’s kick to POP-UP KNEE! Bayley realizes that she’s the one outnumbered now! Bayley can’t get past Bliss or Asuka, and she puts up her dukes. But Bianca gets up behind her! Bayley swings, misses, and runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Bianca picks up the Raw Women’s Championship while she, Asuka and Alexa celebrate turning the tides. Will they make sure DMG CTRL doesn’t stay in control for long?
2v1 Handicap Match: Omos w/ MVP VS Cash Marazi & Ryan Tombs!
The Nigerian Giant is back in action, ready to destroy anyone and anything put in his path again. Will Portland’s own even walk out of the arena tonight?
The bell rings and Omos CLOBBERS both opponents! Omos drags Marazi up while Tombs tumbles out, and Omos TOSSES Marazi away! Omos sees Tombs on the apron, and he TOSSES Tombs into the ring! Omos runs to then CLOBBER both men again! MVP says “Just like that!” Omos drags Marazi up into a THRASHING Cobra Clutch!! Tombs CLUBS Omos but Omos grabs him by the neck! Omos scoops Tombs and gives him SNAKE EYES off the corner! BOOT!! Omos then scoops Marazi to SNAKE EYES him, for another BOOT!! Omos then grabs Tombs and MOUNTAINTOP SLAMS him down! And then a MOUNTAINTOP SLAM for Marazi!!
MVP says stack ’em and pin ’em! Omos does as told, double covers, and wins!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall
Marazi & Tombs never stood a chance! Will Omos find his way back up towards a title as we enter the Fall?
Rey talks with Edge backstage.
Rey pleads with him, really. Edge said it himself, he’s known Dom since he was in kindergarten, so please, from one father to another, don’t do this. Rey wants one more chance. Edge says he gets it, but we all heard Dom tonight. Dom is a man, he has to pay for what he did. Rey knows deep down, this needs to happen. And Edge also understands that Rey can’t bring himself to do it. So isn’t it better that it is Edge? Sometimes someone just needs sense knocked into them. This match is happening whether Rey likes it or not. Edge apologizes now for what’s coming. Will the Rated R Superstar go hard on Dom to bring him back to his senses?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Kevin Patrick surprises Rollins, and brings up that Rollins seems to have an “awful lot on his mind.” What was Rollins going to say before Riddle interrupted? No, no, NO! The moment has passed, Riddle ruined it! Rollins doesn’t wanna talk to anyone. How many times will he have to stomp Riddle’s head into the mat before he gets it? If you test the “face of this industry,” the Face of Raw, you cannot miss! Riddle misses every time! But then Bobby Lashley walks over to ask Rollins if he thinks he’s really the face of Raw. He is! Lashley has a problem with that? Yeah, because Rollins is NOT the face of Raw.
Rollins comes in, looking all bright and colorful, except he doesn’t have one color: gold. “He who has the gold is the face of Monday Night Raw.” Alright, alright. Rollins sees what this is. All these MMA guys seem to think the same way. They just fight, fight, fight, but do they ever stop to think? No, they don’t! Lashley must’ve gotten punched around so much, he’s got no more brain cells in that bald head of his! Lashley glares at Rollins but Rollins backs off. And while the US title wasn’t the one Rollins was talking about, he’ll gladly take it of Lashley’s shoulder. So Rollins VS Lashley, next week for the US Championship. And then we’ll find out who the face of Raw really is. HAHAHA!
Lashley says okay. They’ll fight about it. Rollins’ smile goes away quickly, and Lashley takes his leave. Will the All Mighty leave the Visionary staring up at the lights next week?
Raw shares an exclusive at-home interview with The Miz.
The Hollywood A-Lister finishes on his phone and asks if everyone else is ready. Like the harp? The piano? Was that Lumis in the window?! The reporter thanks Miz for this exclusive interview and Miz says that’s right they should be thanking him. This is the interview of a lifetime! After the weeks Miz has been having, he’s not going to Raw right now. This is his place where he feels the safest. Monroe and Madison scamper in to say goodnight, and Madison plays on the piano. Okay, okay, go on and head upstairs. Oh, Maryse looks great! Is he done? What? No, they haven’t even started yet. But they have to go. It’s fine, it’ll only take a few minutes.
Maryse says they have to go to the premiere. Miz says he isn’t sure. Is Maryse comfortable in them leaving the house? Is he kidding? Well, after everything that’s happened… Is it about “the freak?” C’mon, Mike, that guy will never come here. They have guards, an alarm system, and dogs. There is no way Lumis gets here. Miz says she’s right, she’s always right, and he loves Maryse so much. They both look so good. Miz will finish this up, but then Maryse points out the cameraman wearing shoes. Miz knows, but it’s what it is. LUMIS IS IN THE WINDOW AGAIN. Maryse says five minutes. Okay, let’s begin.
Well, as we saw, Lumis- Don’t say his name, thank you. But- But nothing. Miz will conduct this interview now. Do you realize what happened to Miz last week? He had to have a police escort to the arena. WWE ordered double security, and yet that lunatic- Dexter Lumis? DON’T say his name! But yes, him. He was still able to get in and do what he did. What did he do? Miz isn’t sure how to explain this any clearer: he does NOT want to talk about that! This interview is done! Miz is busy, he has a premiere to go to. Everyone, get your stuff and get out.
Miz and Maryse head out, Miz gets the car door for Maryse, and the guards will let WWE production out. They better not be here when Miz returns. Morons. Miz grumbles, gets in the car with Maryse, and drives off. With Lumis IN THE HOUSE NOW!! And he’s done a wonderful ink drawing of the It Family. But what is Lumis’ obsession with The Miz?
Edge VS Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgement Day!
The Rated R Superstar just wanted to help the younger stars, but The Judgement Day mutinied and kicked him out. Then Edge tried to help The Mysterios against the monsters he created, and Dominik kicked him low! Will the gritty old Hall of Famer have to knock some sense into the younger generation at full speed? Or will Dominik prove that he is no longer in the shadows of legends and is finally a grown ass man?
The bell rings and Edge runs right at Dom! Edge BLASTS Dom into the corner, then says Dom wanted this! Edge HEADBUTTS Dom, ROCKS him with haymakers, and then he lets off as the ref counts. Dom staggers around but Edge ROCKS him again. Edge whips Dom corner to corner and CLOBBERS him in the corner! Dom flounders, Edge is after him with more haymakers! Edge HEADBUTTS Dom again, then whips him corner to corner. Dom goes up and over, rolls and turns around, into a BOOT! Dom sits up but Edge CLUBS him down! And CLUBS him again! Dom goes to a corner, Edge drags him up, to scoop and SLAM him!
Dom bails out and hurries over to Rhea. Rhea coaches Dom, and tells him to remember what Edge did to the relationship between Dom and Rey. Get angry and kick some ass! Dom slides in, runs at Edge, but Edge scoops him. Dom slips free, waistlocks, but Edge bucks him away. Dom handsprings back up but into a LARIAT! Fans fire up as Edge WRECKS Dom out of the ring! Edge glares at Rhea then stalks Dom. Edge brings Dom up, brings him around and RAMS him into barriers! Edge refreshes the ring count, drags Dom up again and bumps him off barriers! Fans fire up and Edge says if Dom’s a man, then take this! SMACK off the desk!
Dom flounders, Edge clears off the desk! Fans fire up more but Dom ROCKS Edge! And again! Dom whips but Edge reverses and Dom hits steel steps! Dom flops down, Rhea shouts to him but now Dom asks for mercy. Edge BOOTS Dom down instead! Edge drags Dom up and into the ring, fans rally behind Edge, but Dom distracts the ref so Rhea can CHOP BLOCK Edge! Rhea laughs as Edge hobbles, and Dom SHOVES Edge into the steel steps! Edge clutches his bad leg while Rhea applauds Dom and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more and Edge CLUBS Dom to fight the heel hook. Dom lets go to stomp away on the leg! Dom drags Edge up, ROCKS him with a forearm, then pushes him down to drop knees on the knee! And again! And again! Dom pulls on the leg with a toehold and Edge endures. Edge grabs at Dom but Dom slaps that hand away. Edge KICKS free with the free leg, but Dom drags Edge up first. Dom gives us some Latino Heat, and he suplex! Uno Amigo! Not the cleanest, but fans still boo as Dom hits the DOS AMIGOS! Dom gets Edge up again, really pours on the Latino Heat, and he hits THREE AMIGOS!
Dom goes to the corner, he climbs up top, and gives us even more Latino Heat, only for Edge to hit the ropes! Dom falls onto his amigo and fans fire up! Edge CHOPS Dom, ROCKS him, and manages to climb up with one good leg. Edge throws HEABUTTS but Dom throws body shots! HEADBUTT AFTER HEADBUTT! Edge drags Dom up and fans fire up again! But Rhea anchors Dom and Edge falls out of the superplex! Fans boo as the ref missed all that, and now Dom adjusts. FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Edge survives and Dom is frustrated. Rhea is also upset, she argues the count on Dom’s behalf.
But now Dom goes for something else Eddie used to do. Dom steps through, but Edge BOOTS him into the POST! Dom is dazed now and Rhea coaches him up. Fans fire up as Edge gets up, and Dom drags himself out of the corner. Dom runs in, but into a FLAPJACK! Dom staggers up, Edge rallies with clotheslines! EDGE-O-MATIC! Cover, TWO! Dom HAMMERS the bad leg! And then he drags Edge around, but Edge BOOTS him again! Edge hobbles up, reels Dom in, IMPALER!! But the leg won’t let Edge make the cover! So Edge decides to get to a corner instead! Fans fire up and Edge takes aim. Dom stands, Edge runs in, but Dom rolls under! BOSTON CRAB!!
Dom has the bad leg in the HALF CRAB, and Rhea taunts Edge! Edge endures, Dom drags him from the ropes! Dom has the leg twisting across Edge’s body but Edge grits his teeth! Dom sits deep, but Edge pushes up! Fans fire up, Edge rolls through to cradle Dom, TWO!!Dom runs in but gets a HOTSHOT! Edge ties Dom up in the ropes! Edge says Dom wanted this! Edge throws haymaker after haymaker and fans count along! The ref counts, too, but Edge stops at five punches and the count of 4. Fans boo but Edge comes back to SLAP Dom! And then continue! Fans count again, we get ten total!
Edge backs off again and fans fire up again. Edge aims, runs in, but REY gets in the ring?! Rey is pleading with Edge not to do this! But Edge shoves Rey aside! Rey keeps trying, only for Priest to drag Rey out! Finn gets in, he CHOP BLOCKS Edge while Priest TOSSES Rey over the desk!! The ref calls it and the bell rings!
Winner: Edge, by disqualification
Rhea frees Dom and Finn stomps Edge! Rey is down as Finn drags Edge up, but Edge fires off haymakers! Rhea SMACKS the bad leg with a chair! Rhea tells Dom to make Edge pay! Dom has the chair now, and Priest encourages him even more. Dom SMACKS the bad leg! And again! And again! He BENDS that chair on Edge’s knee!! Dom then sits the chair up to put Edge’s leg on it! Finn goes up top, for a COUP DE GRACE to the leg!!! Edge clutches what could be a shattered knee and torn up ligaments! The fans boo but the Judgement Day soak it all up.
Finn tells Edge he is dealing with THE Judgement Day! Finn, Priest, Rhea & Dom are in charge now! Will anyone ever stop their path of destruction?
My Thoughts:
This was a great episode for Raw, and it really turned up the heat for quite a few stories. One it didn’t is Omos, sadly. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: Vince booked Omos into a corner. How can Omos do anything meaningful after building his power level so high yet still losing in the US Championship scene? It might take a draft/trade to put Omos on SmackDown where he can more or less start clean in the Intercontinental Championship scene, except I see him hitting the same wall. Omos didn’t get past Lashley, so I don’t see him getting past Gunther. Also, just to note, I do like that they let us know some of the stuff for NXT tomorrow night to help hook interest in the 2.0 Anniversary.
We got great build for Rollins. He had a good promo, a good brawl with Riddle, and after a great match in Finn VS Riddle, Rollins got the last word with that sneaky Curb Stomp. And I do appreciate that while Rollins was implying he wants a rematch with Roman Reigns, he’s taking on Bobby Lashley for the title. I can sense it right now that should Rollins take that title off Lashley, he could totally hold onto it all the way to when Cody Rhodes returns from injury, and they can pick up where they left off over the US title. Cody having the US title in its current form just makes sense, it would complete his Homelander cosplay.
As for Riddle and Judgement Day, I did like that Judgement Day was branching out for more members, even after finally converting Dom. Not sure Riddle would be a good fit for the group, but obviously now he can have a part in the feud with Judgement Day alongside Rey and Edge. We got great stuff out of that story, such as Dom finally speaking for the first time since joining Judgement Day, with Rhea of course still coaching him in character. Rey also had good promos pleading with both Dom and Edge, but of course Dom didn’t listen while Edge spun it that as a friend, he’d be best for the job.
The match was good, though Dom still needs some polish to pull off Three Amigos cleaner. But of course Rey would try and stop Edge from going too far, and of course Judgement Day would attack them both. It wasn’t about winning for them, it was about taking out two legends. That Coup De Grace to the extended leg spot was unique and looked devastating, which was the point. Riddle joining the story means this can turn into a Six Man Tag while we wait on the possibility of Dom & Rhea VS Edge & Beth. Even if we never get the Mixed Tag, we can get a lot out of Riddle siding with Rey and Edge on this, and we’ll see where it goes from there.
There was a lot of good stuff from Gargano and Theory tonight. Gargano has a great match with Gable, that was definitely a great choice for Gargano’s first match back. And it also makes sense as The Alpha Academy have been Theory’s pals lately. Theory attacking Gargano after was a good touch, as was Kevin Owens’ fired up promo. Kevin VS Theory is clearly happening again, maybe Theory wins that clean to follow through on proving himself to Kevin and the fans. Then after that, Theory also goes by Kevin’s advice and “makes a moment” on his own going after Gargano and they both give us an awesome match.
The Miz and the Mizanin family had a fun promo segment, and of course Lumis was lurking around. Lumis “outside, in the window” were such corny edits, but the twist of him showing up in the house at the last moment was good stuff. This only furthers things so that we need Miz & Maryse VS #InDex more than we need Dom & Rhea VS Edge & Beth. If we don’t get #InDex on Raw, I’m not sure what they’re thinking. Then we got great stuff from the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match, and of course Bayley helps Kai & Sky win this time around. I thought Bayley was going to answer Bianca’s Open Challenge, but it does make sense that she as the Heel is doing things on her time, not Bianca’s.
Sonya Deville answering the challenge even though she’s on SmackDown felt a bit like a throwaway move, but it does round things out for Sonya and Bianca. Bayley is going to get her match at Extreme Rules, I can feel that. But we might even get Asuka & Alexa VS Kai & Sky in another rematch from the tag title tournament for the titles at Extreme Rules alongside it. Which, if they’re all given the time of a PPV, those matches can/will steal the show. Honestly, we just need to see Asuka VS Iyo go down, that’ll get fans excited.
My Score: 8.5/10
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Lucha Libre
Lucha Central Weekly: Is Dragon Lee Ready For His WWE NXT First Impression?
It’s the end of 2022, which means it’s time for the LCW Year End Awards! This week you get to meet your nominees!
Lucha Libre returns to WWE NXT when Dragon Lee debuts at Stand & Deliver! What to expect, and more on this edition of Lucha Central Weekly!
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Join Miranda Morales, Dusty Murphy, and Brendan Barr for another exciting edition of Lucha Central Weekly! This week your favorite lucha trio looks at Dragon Lee and his upcoming debut in WWE NXT at Stand…..AND DELIVER. Plus, where is Taya Valkyrie? And updates on the the AAA Lucha Libre World Cup! All that and more on this week’s Lucha Central Weekly!
About Lucha Central Weekly
Your one-podcast stop for all of the week’s top stories from around the world of lucha libre and lucha libre around the world. Join hosts Miranda Morales, Brendan Barr, and Dusty Murphy along with special guests as they cover Lucha Libre AAA, CMLL, top Mexico indies as well as lucha related matches in WWE, Impact Wrestling, All Elite Wrestling, Ring of Honor and beyond. Whether you are trying to dive deeper into the world of masked mayhem or you’ve been following for decades, you are going to find things here you won’t find on any other airwaves!
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It’s the last chance to get those golden tickets!
With one last spot in the NXT Women’s Championship ladder match, and one last spot in the North American Championship Fatal 5, who gets to Stand & Deliver?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship Qualifier Battle Royal: Axiom wins and joins the Fatal 5 Way title match at Stand & Deliver.
- Tyler Bate w/ Chase U VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone; Bate wins.
- Valentina Feroz VS Elektra Lopez; Lopez wins.
- Eddy Thorpe VS Myles Borne; Thorpe wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship Last Chance Qualifier: Indi Hartwell VS Sol Ruca VS Ivy Nile; Indi wins and joins the NXT Women’s Championship Ladder Match at Stand & Deliver.
- Hank Walker VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey; Gulak wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo; Tony & Stacks win and deny Briggs & Jensen a spot at Stand & Deliver.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship Qualifier Battle Royal!
Everyone wants that fifth and final spot in Wes Lee’s star-studded title match, and Wes himself is watching from commentary. SCRYPTS attacks Axiom before the bell! Things are already off to a chaotic start! Dabba-Kato clotheslines Quincy Elliot up and out to ELIMINATE him! Quincy rushes back up but the refs stop him from getting after Kato! Damon Kemp brawls with Edris Enofe, Oro Mensah goes after Kato, Xyon Quinn has Dante Chen, Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey of course work together as they go after Nathan Frazer, and Dijak has Odyssey Jones in a corner. Big Body Javi throws hands on Malik Blade while Jinder storms up on Dempsey.
Kato shoves Oro away, CLUBS him, then CLUBS him again. Dempsey & Gulak lift Jinder but he fights free. Odyssey ROCKS Kato! Fans fire up as Jinder puts Dempsey on the apron but Dempsey slips back in. Dante fights off Kemp and a few others, but Kemp kicks him low. Kemp hangs Dante out to dry and Dante ends up on the apron. Dante fights off Kemp but Dijak BOOTS and ELIMINATES Dante! But then Kemp scoops Dijak! Dijak fights Kemp off, but Kemp hits him back. Quinn puts ? up top, Odyssey BLASTS Quinn but Quinn is knocked into ?! They ELIMINATE ? together!
Kemp suplexes Frazer, Frazer slips free and Apollo CLUBS Kemp! Apollo whips Kemp at the ropes and Frazer holds the ropes down! Kemp lands on the apron but a PELE hits! Kemp wobbles, Frazer SUPERKICKS! Kemp falls, Frazer ELIMINATES him! Dijak ELBOWS Enofe, ELBOWS Blade, and repeat! But Malik BOOTS back! Malik runs in, tilt-o-whirls, but into a fireman’s carry! Dijak pops Malik up but Malik wheelbarrows and throws Dijak into Enofe’s KNEE! And then Malik DROPKICKS! Malik & Enofe TOSS Dijak! Dijak holds on, but Odyssey RAMS Dijak and ELIMINATES him! Dijak is furious, and he goes back after Odyssey!
Dijak trips Odyssey, drags him out, then SUPERKICKS! And ROLLING ELBOWS! And RAMS him into steel steps! Fans boo and the refs reprimand, but Dijak puts Odyssey back into the ring for the sharks. Jinder drags Odyssey up to toss him back out, Jinder ELIMINATES Odyssey! Fans boo but then Enofe KNEES Jinder and Malik DROPKICKS him! Jinder flops over the top, but he HOTSHOTS Malik, and drags Enofe out to join him! Malik runs back in but Jinder ROCKS him! Jinder suplexes, Malik lands on the apron. Jinder fights 2v1, Malik & Enof pinball Jinder! But then Apollo and Scrypts DOUBLE DROPKICK! They ELIMINATE Malik & Enofe!
Axiom whips Scrypts at Jinder, Scrypts FLIES up and over Jinder, but then he lands out on the ramp! Axiom ELIMINATES Scrypts! Jinder grins that it wasn’t him. Apollo ROCKS Dempsey, lifts Javi, and TOSSES Javi out onto everyone else to ELIMINATE him! Fans fire up but Javi is furious as NXT goes picture in picture.
Kato goes after Apollo! Kato HEADBUTTS Apollo, pushes past Oro and Dempsey to fire off on Apollo in the corner. Dempsey whips, Oro reverses but then Dempsey dodges! Jinder CLUBS Quinn, Gulak helps Dempsey with Oro. Apollo and Kato fight, Hank fires off on Quinn. Hank scoops Quinn out to the apron but Quinn holds on. Hank throws haymakers, but Quinn pokes him in the eye! Oro springboards to MULE KICK Quinn down! Oro ELIMINATES Quinn! Jinder rushes up to kick and CLUB Oro! Axiom scoops Hank with ehlp from Apollo but Hank fights them off.
Dempsey and Gulak mug Frazer, Jinder ROCKS Oro. Jinder CLUBS Oro, whips him to a corner, but Oro goes up, only for Jinder to TOSS him out and ELIMINATE him! The Modern Day Maharaja grins then stomps Frazer. Apollo stomps Dempsey, Jinder stomps Axiom, Gulak stomps Frazer. Kato storms up but Gulak CHOPS him! Gulak digs his boot on Frazer’s head, but Kato goes after him! Jinder stomps Axiom at the ropes then digs his knee in. Dempsey OVERHEAD Suplexes Hank! Dempsey drags Hank up but Hank throws hands! Gulak & Dempsey stomp mudholes into Hank! Apollo stomps Kato in a corner then throws hands.
Jinder DECKS Axiom, then goes up the corner to STOMP him down! Gulak & Dempsey throw Hank at the ropes, but Hank holds on! Dempsey has an ANKLE LOCK on a leg to force him over! Hank still clings to ropes, even as boots are dug into his legs and stomach. Hank manages to kick Dempsey away, and NXT returns to single picture. Apollo CLUBS and ROCKS Jinder, Hank hoists Gulak up and over! Fans fire up as Hank has a SLEEPER on Gulak! Dempsey throat chops Kato, then gets Hank’s legs! ANKLE LOCK and a DUMP, Dempsey ELIMINATES Hank and Gulak! Gulak an d Hank don’t care, they brawl tot he back!
Fans fire up, and we’re down to six! Axiom and Jinder brawl, Apollo runs but Kato tilt-o-whirls him. Apollo sips free and BOOTS Kato to ropes! Kato comes back to scoop Apollo and TOSS him! Kato ELIMINATES Apollo! Jinder stomps Axiom down, Dempsey ROCKS Kato! Jinder swings on Frazer, Frazer dodges and springboards to CROSSBODY! Axiom GAMANGIRIS Jinder to ropes! Frazer SUPERKICKS Jinder up and over! Jinder holds on, Frazer gives Axiom a boost, RAILGUN DROPKICK sends Jinder down! Frazer & Axiom ELIMINATE Jinder!! The final four are Kato, Dempsey, Axiom & Frazer!
And speaking of, Kato CLUBS Dempsey down, but Axiom uses Dempsey as a step to GAMANGIRI Kato! Frazer uses Dempsey as a step to CALF KICK! They all dump Kato up and out to ELIMINATE him!! Kato is furious but fans sing, “NANA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY, GOOD-BYE~!” Frazer, Axiom and Dempsey circle. Axiom kicks Dempsey, then ducks the back hand, Dempsey hits Frazer! Axiom SOBATS Dempsey, whips him to ropes, but Dempsey reverses. Axiom wheelbarrows, but Dempsey stops the tuck to WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Frazer springboard SHOTGUN DROPKICKS!!
All three men are down, fans are thunderous, Axiom clotheslines Dempsey up and over! Dempsey lands on the apron, he ROCKS Axiom but Axiom ROCKS Dempsey! They go back and forth, Axiom fires off shots, but DOUBLE HAYMAKERS take both men down! Fans are thunderous , Axiom BOOTS Dempsey off the apron and ELIMINATES him! And that leaves the old friendly rivals, Axiom and Frazer! The fans are giving a standing ovation as we see these two stare down. Frazer and Axiom shake hands, then they start dodging kicks! Frazer runs, QUEBRADA, but Axiom snapmares free of the dragon sleeper!
Axiom rushes in but Frazer sends him to ropes! Frazer lifts but Axiom shoves him away. Axiom blocks a superkick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Frazer fires up, he whips Axiom, but Axiom springboards to arm-drag and kip up, ROUNDHOUSE!! Axiom whips, Frazer springboards to QUEBRADA REVERSE DDT!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Frazer stands Axiom up. Frazer throws a haymaker, Axiom gives it back! They go back and forth, faster and faster, but Frazer gets the edge. Axiom blocks the kick, spins and DECKS Frazer! PENALTY KICK! Axiom aims from the corner!
Frazer stands, GOLDEN- SUPERKICK!!! Frazer hit first but he’s also down! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this has to end somehow! Frazer CHOPS Axiom in a corner, hoists him up top, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Axiom wobbles, Frazer runs back in, but into a SLEEPER! Frazer pries free to ELBOW BREAKER! And then he springs up top, for a SUPERPPLEX! Roll through to the GOURD- NO, Axiom slips free! Axiom waistlocks but Frazer bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, into a SUPERKICK!! Frazer drags Axiom up, whips, but Axiom reverses to send Frazer up and out! Frazer holds on, skins the cat, but into a SUPERKICK!!
Both men are down again, but Axiom hurries to his feet! Axiom TOSSES Frazer and WINS!!!
Winner: Axiom (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Fans are electric for this instant classic of a battle royal! Wes Lee joins Axiom in the ring to congratulate him, and Dragon Lee appears so he can do the same. Even Ilja Dragunov walks out to the ring, and JD McDonagh comes in from the crowd side. All five men are ready to battle, will these five stars get five stars?
Pretty Deadly speak.
Kit Wilson & Elton Prince, in suits ‘n’ ties and wide brimmed hats, want us to sit back, relax, and get ourselves some delicious snacks, because this will be a one of a kind Stand & Deliver Pretty Deadly Preview Show. We just saw a wonderful performance from Axiom in that Battle Royale, earning the fifth and final spot in the North American Championship match. And what a gaggle of vicious competitors he’s joining. “The Mad Dragon,” Ilja Dragunov! “The Devilish Gentleman,” JD McDonagh! “The Audacious Champion,” Wes Lee! And finally, “The Masked Mystery from Mexico,” Dragon Lee.
“A match born from carnage comes full circle with an encounter that is likely to be as unpredictable as the events of its creation.” But Kit has a question. How does Wes possibly retain? Elton doesn’t think Wes will. His money is on the man as smart as them, JD McDonagh. So if Elton is going with intelligence, Kit is betting on Dragon Lee. We don’t know a thing about him, and that makes him dangerous. “Kitty” loves danger, doesn’t he? Yes! And they love YOU!, fans! They’ll be back with more hot takes throughout the evening as we’re on the Road to Stand…! And Deliver!
Chase U talks backstage.
Thea Hail says Tyler Bate’s fired up! Andre Chase asks if Tyler’s fired up and Tyler says he’s fired up! Can he feel it? He feels it! Chase says Bate did great in the Great Debate, and they’re just four days away from Stand & Deliver, where the of Chase University hangs in the balance! But tonight, the Big Strong Boi takes on big bad Von Wagner, who has talked trash on Chase U and Chase U has yet to beat. But Bate will beat Von, and they’re gonna ride that lightning bolt all the way to Stand & Deliver! Bate says with mass and speed on his side, momentum will be theirs! Bate will harness that momentum, he’ll bring home a win for the university!
Chase likes the way Bate’s brain works. Duke, you coming? He wouldn’t miss this for the world. Though he doesn’t look anywhere near as pumped as the rest. The team heads out, will the Big Strong Boi give Von a #TeachableMoment?
Briggs & Jensen talk backstage.
Brooks Jensen feels pretty good, because Kiana James responded to him after three voicemails instead of five this time. Kiana says they’re on their way, but what does Briggs thinks she wants to talk about? He isn’t sure, but whatever it is, they’ll get through it. The sun always comes up tomorrow. Um, okay. The ladies arrive and Jensen asks if everything is okay. Her message seemed a bit off. Kiana hesitates but Fallon tells her to tell Jensen. “These past few months, I’ve really gotten to know you guys. Especially you, Brooks. And what you guys have is special. I don’t know how to say this, I feel horrible.”
Jensen says it’s okay, she can get it out. Kiana feels horrible… That Briggs & Jensen aren’t part of Stand & Deliver! So she pulled some strings, and she has a match tonight. And if they win, that Triple Threat Tag Team title match becomes a FATAL 4! Fallon says, “What?” Briggs says, “WHAT?!” Jensen can’t believe it! Well hey, Kiana & Fallon are tag team champions, the boys should be tag champs with them! Fallon can’t stand- Surprises! Briggs knows that, but he loves ’em! Kiana just knocked this one out of the park! They could go to Stand & Deliver! Jensen cannot believe Kiana! Fallon can’t, either. Briggs says yes, because it’s unbelievable!
Jensen says first they’ll win tonight, then go to Stand & Deliver and become the NEW NXT Tag Team Champions! Group hug! Fallon is not happy that Kiana backed out of the truth. But will her keeping that buried only come back to haunt her?
Tyler Bate w/ Chase U VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone!
The Big Strong Boi stepped up when Chase U needed him and won big in that Great Debate. But will he win even bigger against vicious Von? Or will Bate fail to stand and deliver before Saturday?
The bell rings and Bate circles with Von. Fans rally behind the Big Strong Boi and Bate headlocks. Von powers up, Bate holds on, but Von powers out. They RAM shoulders, but Bate DROPKICKS! Von comes back to BOOT Bate down! Fans boo while Bate sits up in a daze. Von pushes Bate down to drop an elbow! Von then stalks Bate, drags him up, and choke grips to trophy lift! Von DROPS Bate, and then soaks up the heat. Von waits on Bate to sit up, and he KICKS him in the side! Fans boo, Thea & Chase coach up Bate, but Von clamps on a neck wrench. Fans rally, Bate endures, and Bate fights up to his feet.
Bate pries free, throws a HEADBUTT into the ribs, then fires off body shots! Von shoves, Bate rebounds to sunset flip! Von stays up, but Bate avoids the elbow drop! Bate runs, but into a LARIAT! Von covers, TWO! Von snarls but the fans rally for Bate. Von puts Bate in a corner, clotheslines, and then throws back elbows. Fans obo but Von whips Bate out to throw him back into the corner. And then a BIG clothesline in the corner! Von mocks Bate, fans taunt Von. Von whips Bate corner to corner, runs in, but only gets buckles! Bate goes to another corner. Von runs in but into a BOOT! Bate runs to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Bate fires off shots, keeping Von in a corner! Von choke grips back and TOSSES Bate! Bate boots, Von blocks but Bate KNEES back! Bate goes up to leap, FLYING UPPERCUT! Von rebounds but so does Bate, LARIAT! Von drops to a knee, Bop up, BANG!! Bate keeps moving, but Stone swipes at Bate! Fans boo but Bate goes out after Stone! Stone panics as Bate puts him in the ring! Theta THESZ PRESSES Stone!! Fans fire up and Bate cheers Thea on! Thea kicks Stone all the way out of the ring, but Von SUCKER PUNCHES Bate! Von whips Bate but Duke holds ropes down, and Bate FLIES out onto Stone!!
Fans fire up, Bate is fired up, he high-fives Duke but Duke doesn’t seem to care. Bate gets in the ring, dodges a boot and rebounds, LARIAT! Bate hurries up the corner, to SKY TWISTER! Cover, Bate wins!
Winner: Tyler Bate, by pinfall
Chase U is on a roll! Will all this help them hold onto the school? Wait, The Schism speaks! “Attention students of Chase University!” Joe Gacy stands at a podium with Jagger Reed, Ava Raine & Rip Fowler by his side. “As of this Saturday, The Schism will be in control.” Reed says, “The curriculum is changing. Time to open your minds to a different way of looking at the world through a different lens. Under the Schism’s tree.” The students wear yellow masks and Ava hands out a quiz. “Deprogramming starts now.” Rip says they don’t need to worry. There will be a place for delinquents in the Chase U Memorial Detention Hall.
Ava says at Stand & Deliver, “the world of Chase U will fall when The Schism takes over.” Gacy says, “When the bell rings, a new class begins.” Will The Schism graduate from a cult into a college?
Roxanne Perez is here!
She’s backstage and asks if Shawn Michaels is at gorilla. No, he moved to his office. Okay, she’ll go there. Thanks! The former(?) NXT Women’s Champion is here, but why? What business will she have with the boss?
NXT returns and Roxie knocks on HBK’s door. He welcomes her in and asks how she’s feeling. Does he have a minute to talk? Sure. What is it? Well, as of this afternoon, the doctors cleared her to return to action! Oh. That’s great to hear. Yeah! So they told her that basically, after all the tests, it was a mix of physical exhaustion and stress. It was all through the roof that night, but the only thing on her mind is her title and Stand & Deliver. Well, HBK wants to be the first to say that it is a relief to hear Roxie is better. And more importantly, that the doctors found out why she fainted like that.
But the problem is, Stand & Deliver… He isn’t sure. Her health is the priority right now. And he doesn’t think defending the title in a Ladder Match is the best thing for her right now. They can crown a new champion at Stand & Deliver, get a few matches under Roxie’s belt, and then right after Stand & Deliver, Roxie is the first to get a title match. Oh… Roxie won’t lie, being NXT Women’s Champion has been unlike anything she’s ever experienced. Saying you want to be champion and being champion day in and day out are completely different. But Roxie does struggle with anxiety.
This year has been incredible, but when you accomplish your dreams so fast, you wonder, ‘What do I do now? Is it all downhill from here? Did I peak at 21?” And then that anxiety goes insane! See, that right there! HBK knows Roxie’s all better physically, but mentally, emotionally, she’s just unsure. Roxie, you’re 21 years old! You’ve got a long, wonderful career in front of you. There will be other Stand & Deliver events. Will there? She can’t think like that! Did HBK think like that? WrestleMania was the most important night of the year for him, and she knows that he never had the mindset of, “Well, there’s always next year.”
HBK took it as “There’s here and now,” and he stole the show every time! That’s what Roxie wants to do! Roxie’s anxiety is crippling, but she can’t run away from it. She has to confront it, and that means facing it head-on. The only way she wins that battle is by climbing the ladder, winning back her title, the title she never lost. So please! Let her do this! Let her do this for her and for everyone who struggles with what she struggles with! To show them that they don’t have to be a prisoner of anxiety! Please, HBK! HBK says fine, but she has to get tests, meet with doctors, and follow-ups! Okay, yes! Thank you!
HBK says Roxie deserves the right to defend her title at Stand & Deliver. She’s in the match. Thank you so much, HBK! She’ll get all that for him! Okay, but now he’s gonna have a nervous breakdown. “Roxanne, you can beat this. Good luck.” Roxie thanks him again, then heads out. Will the Prodigy be able to overcome her biggest challenge mentally to then overcome the biggest challenge physically?
Valentina Feroz VS Elektra Lopez!
The Brazilian sparkplug has been doing things fair and square, even as La Madrina told her it was pointless. But Feroz made sure Lopez couldn’t cheat and that cost her against Sol Ruca. Will Feroz show Lopez she can win the right way? Or is it true that nice people finish last?
The bell rings and the two rush each other. Lopez knees low, fires off forearms and a HEADBUTT! Lopez whips Feroz to a corner and ELBOWS her! Lopez then shouts at Feroz for messing with her. Feroz blocks the buckle bump, and she fires back with forearms! Lopez staggers, blocks a kick and CLUBS the leg to then sweep the other leg! Lopez gets the leg to SMASH the knee into the mat! Fans rally for Feroz but Lopez puts on a standing toehold. Feroz endures, kicks with her free leg, but Lopez drops an elbow on the bad leg! Feroz hooks with the good leg but Lopez fights that off to pull on the bad leg.
Fans rally, Feroz fights, and she rolls with Lopez. Lopez shifts to drop another elbow, but Feroz dodges! Feroz dropkicks Lopez down, covers, ONE! Feroz goes to a corner, Lopez runs in but Feroz dodges. Feroz arm-drags Lopez, drags her up to arm-drag again, and then whips to run and SPEAR! Fans fire up, Feroz covers, TWO! Lopez is hanging tough but Feroz fires up. Fans rally, Feroz aims from a corner and goes up. Feroz leaps, into Lopez’s arms! Lopez swings Feroz around into the ELEKTRIC SHOCK!! Cover, Lopez wins!
Winner: Elektra Lopez, by pinfall
Lopez wins, but the irony? She won fair and square! Did Feroz win the moral battle? Or does only the physical battle matter?
Eddy Thorpe speaks.
“Music is celebration. When I make music, I can feel the spirit of my people behind me. It is my honor to lead the way. Like an alpha wolf, I will conquer this territory and everything in it.” Thorpe is ready to level up, his NXT debut is next!
Eddy Thorpe VS Myles Borne!
The heritage and history of the Native American people, the fire and energy of progress, the Alpha Wolf looks to be the hybrid that paths the way to the future! Will Thorpe be the future of NXT?
The bell rings and Thorpe ties up with Borne. They are in a deadlock, Borne wrenches an arm but the fans rally behind Thorpe. Thorpe rolls, wrenches and wristlocks. Borne rolls, slips through and arm-drags to an armlock. Thorpe fights up, Borne headlocks, but Thorpe powers out, only for Borne to run him over. Things speed up., Thorpe hurdles then CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up, but Borne DROPKICKS Thorpe! Borne brings Thorpe up, but Thorpe CHOPS back! Thorpe CLUBS Borne, but Borne trips Thorpe. Thorpe boots Borne away but Borne throws hands! Borne UPPERCUTS, whips, and ELBOWS Thorpe down!
Borne drags Thorpe back up, ROCKS him with a haymaker, then has him on ropes. Thorpe hits back, Borne ROCKS and whips, but Thorpe reverses. Borne blocks a hip toss, body shots, and clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Borne keeps cool and he clamps onto Thorpe with a chinlock. Fans rally and Thorpe fights up. Thorpe pries free, but Borne kicks low. Thorpe blocks to DRAGON SCREW! And then he CLOBBERS Borne with forearm after forearm! SOBAT! PELE! Borne staggers and fans fire up! Thorpe runs in to BOOT Borne! And then HIP TOSS! Borne flounders, Thorpe sets up, BIG elbow drop! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally, Thorpe brings Borne up but Borne wrenches out. Borne waistlocks, Thorpe elbows free but Borne kicks low. Borne swings, into a SAIDO! Fans fire up as Thorpe tries again, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, Thorpe wins!
Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by pinfall
Borne gave him a good, hard fight, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Alpha Wolf. Thorpe says he’s coming for everything, will he get everything he wants in NXT?
Pretty Deadly checks back in.
Kit says what a night of headlines! Elton agrees. An impressive debut win for Thorpe. But it isn’t all smiles, as they’re here on the Grayson Waller Effect set. Waller VS Gargano is far more than personal. They say never mess with a man’s family, and that front yard brawl sure gave a new meaning to the term “viral moment.” Gargano has now vowed to do everything in his power to get revenge on Waller, and he wants this as an unsanctioned match. Will Waller sign the agreement? Would either Kit or Elton do it? Would you sign the contract, knowing what is coming for you? This could be a match so brutal, it’ll take YEARS off your career!
Kit says he would! Only to defend Elton’s honor. Oh, Kit is so selfless and brave. That is his middle name: Kit Bravery Wilson! Elton’s here for it. And stay tuned for more Pretty Deadly Talk as we continue towards Stand… and Deliver!
Backstage interview with Gallus.
McKenzie is with Mark Coffey & Wolfgang, and says that while we saw the end result of everything that happened at the bar last week, what led to it? Mark says it was obvious they’re not interior decorators, and Wolfgang admits, they were pretty banged up after that fight. Then at this point, it is a Triple Threat for Stand & Deliver. But then, why’re they willing to defend against not just one, not just two, but up to three teams with this deal made on behalf of Briggs & Jensen? You’re asking them, “Why?” They thought, “Why not?” The Creeds made a good case. Tony D & Stacks made a good case. And Gallus is all about equal opportunity.
If Briggs & Jensen do win tonight, then the more the merrier! Four, six, eight guys, it doesn’t matter. Well, Wolfie does love a good fight. How confident is Gallus that they’ll walk out of Stand & Deliver still NXT Tag Team Champions? Wolfgang admits that Markus likes to wind Wolfgang up, likes to get under his skin. But they’re the champs, heading into the biggest show of the year, against a collection of guys all ready to fight. They don’t need that much riling up. The odds don’t matter, at Stand & Deliver, the Creeds, The Don & Stacks, and should Briggs & Jensen make it there, they’ll all find out the hard way that it is #GallusBoysOnTop!
NXT Women’s Championship Last Chance Qualifier: Indi Hartwell VS Sol Ruca VS Ivy Nile!
Tiffany Stratton, Zoey Stark and Lyra Valkyria won their way in, and now that Roxie is physically cleared to compete, so is she! Who will win the final spot to make the Ladder Match a Furious 6 Way for the gold?
NXT returns as Ivy makes her entrance, followed by Indi. The bell rings and Indi kicks Ivy! Sol spins Indi around but Indi kicks, CLUBS and backhands her! Ivy rolls Indi up, TWO and Ivy jumps at Sol! Sol catches Ivy, pops her up but Ivy slips free to shove Sol into Indi! Down goes Indi, Ivy rolls Sol! TWO, and Sol scoops and SLAMS Ivy! Sol grabs at Ivy but Ivy kangaroo kicks her away, and Indi rolls Sol up! TWO, and Indi rushes in, but Sol dumps her out! Ivy KICKS Sol, KICKS her again, but Sol dodges the superwoman punch to DROPKICK Ivy out! Fans fire up and Sol goes up a corner! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit on Ivy & Indi!
Fans fire up with the Sol Surfer, and she puts Indi back in. Sol hurries to cover, TWO! Fans sing for Sol while Indi flounders to ropes. Sol brings her up, whips her to ropes, but Indi reverses and hip tosses. Sol handsprings through to a FACEBUSTER! But Ivy leaps in to FLYING RANA! Ivy fires up, fans are with her and she ROCKS Indi! Ivy rolls and CALF KICKS Sol! Cover, TWO! ARMBAR!! Sol clasps hands, and Indi drops a BIG ELBOW on Ivy! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Ivy up, puts her through ropes and UPPERCUTS! And BOOTS! Ivy flops down, Indi covers, Sol breaks it! Fans duel, Sol drags Indi up to whip, but Indi reverses to put Sol through ropes!
Indi UPPERCUTS, but Sol dodges the boot to HOTSHOT! Indi is down, Sol springboards and SPLASHES! Cover, Ivy breaks it! All three women are down and fans rally back up. They all rise up slowly, Sol swings but Ivy tilt-o-whirls to sunset flip! ONE, but Ivy KNEES Sol down! Cover, TWO! Things speed up, Sol blocks a Rana, Ivy slips free of the bomb, but Sol SUPERKICKS! Sol handspring SPLASHES Ivy! Sol runs corner to corner to handspring, but Indi dodges! Sol bumps off buckles, into Indi’s IMPRESSIVE SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Sol survives, and Ivy BUZZSAWS Indi! Ivy whips but Indi reverses!
Ivy tilt-o-whirls, into the DIAMOND DRAGON!! Indi endures, fades, but Sol runs in, SOL SNATCHER!! But Indi BOOTS Sol away! BLINDSIDER LARAIT!! Cover, INDI WINS!!
Winner: Indi Hartwell, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
#IndiWrestling is going to Hollywood! Will Indi finally have the top title? But speaking of, here’s Zoey Stark! And Lyra Valkyria! And Gigi Dolin! And of course, Tiffany Stratton! But also, Roxanne Perez! Roxie holds up the belt now, but who will bring it down from the sky in Hollywood?
Pretty Deadly checks in again.
They climb up a step ladder for this segment, and says Indi makes good on the Last Chance match. The field is now set. Six women put their bodies on the line in a match to crown a “new” women’s champion. Well, Roxie the plucky prodigy is back. And since she never lost the title, this becomes a title defense now. Who does Elton see coming away with the gold? Oh, so glad Kit asked. Because Elton recently had an epiphany. Los Angeles, the city of stars, Hollywood, and there’s only one woman suited for the City of Angels! #BuffBarbie herself! The most glamorous superstar in NXT, Tiffany Stratton! Yes girl!
Kit says this could be a show-stealer! If the fans wanna find out, join us on Saturday for Stand… And Deliver!
Grayson Waller speaks.
Via a Twitter video, captioned “Will I or won’t I?” Waller calls out “Johnny Cosplay.” He’s so close to finally getting what he wanted: him and Waller in an Unsanctioned match. In fact, Waller’s on his way inside right now. Waller had security do one last sweep of the perimeter, and because he knows Gargano’s “a sneaky little hobbit,” they’ll also be all around ringside. But Waller hopes Gargano tunes in. “Because you never know what I’m gonna say.” The 21st Century Success Story is trolling until the very end. Will he sign on the dotted line so that he and Gargano can go to the extreme?
NXT presents Prime Target: Bron Breakker VS Carmelo Hayes.
The NXT Champion says, “This match is like destiny. The youngest main event in WrestleMania Weekend history. Carmelo and I, we came in in the same class, these two alpha males that are just undeniable.” The challenger asks Bron, “Do you know what it takes to be a king? I don’t think you do. Heavy lies the head that wears the crown.” Melo is the 2021 Breakout Star, a winner of NXT WarGames (alongside Bron), the combined longest reigning NXT North American Champion, the one who unified the North American and Cruiserweight titles, and “HIM.”
Melo says this has been a whole different training camp to get ready for this match. He isn’t just doing his high-flying, his mat wrestling, he is covering every aspect. He hits the ropes harder, he takes less steps, he makes less mistakes. He worked out for four hours, partied for three, but skipped the afterparty. Trick Williams couldn’t believe it, but Melo has to put in the work to take on Bron Breakker. Trick and the others understood, and Melo let them go on. Melo didn’t need to go, he’ll celebrate when this is finished, when he has won, and he is at the top of the mountain. The job is not done, it is far from it.
Training montage as Melo pushes himself. But Bron chuckles. It’s funny because he’s been doing that and not going to parties since the first day. He works with weights two and a half hours a day. He runs the ropes another two and a half hours a day. Because that is what it takes to be champion, to be “The Guy.” Bron knows people think matches are won and loss in the ring or in the weight room. But Bron is of the opinion that they’re won and loss in the film room. There is nothing better than to watch film. Melo is fast, he will try to get in Bron’s head, gas him out, and get Bron playing Melo’s game.
You can take Bron to the deep water, but he’s been there so many times, it has become his home. Bron has carried NXT on his back for almost two years now. The NXT title is everything to him, this brand is everything to him. He respect everyone who has come before, but there is a difference. He is the most dominant of all time. This has been the path since Vengeance Day, and now, in LA, Melo vows to take that weight off Bron’s shoulders when he knocks Bron’s head off and takes the title. Melo is Him, and the kingdom of NXT is his, and he wants his effing crown!
Bron says that this one is a bit more special, it means a bit more to him. Fans are torn, but Melo says Bron doesn’t understands. Bron doesn’t want this like Melo wants this! Bron doesn’t wanna go as far as Melo is willing to go! But Bron says when he gets going with that 4.3 speed, hits those Steiner-lines, Melo won’t know where he is. Melo says at Stand & Deliver, he takes everything from Bron because everything is his! Melo is HIM! Bron has promised and continues to promise he will make it through as champion, but who will have the Hollywood ending to their story?
Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre speak.
The Firekeeper says, “When the sun goes down at Stand & Deliver, a darkness will rise over NXT.” The Wicked Witch says, “The eternal horror of gullible fools will not be contained.” The fate of Kiana James and Fallon Henley has already been sealed. Two spirits in turmoil do not deserve to be tag team champions. Fyre and Isla bond together to connect their past and forge their destiny. This Saturday, they burn their opposition tot he ground. And from the ashes, their message will spread far and wide. “It is always darkest before the Dawn, and where there’s smoke, there’s Fyre.” Will nothing stop this devious duo from ascending to the throne?
Hank Walker VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey!
The blue collar working man was already in the 20 Man Battle Royal, but so was the Philly Stretcher. Their fight that literally spilled out of the ring now returns to it, will the student avenge himself against his arrogant teacher? Or will Gulak show Hank he still doesn’t belong?
NXT returns as Gulak makes his entrance, the Son of the Gentleman Villain by his side. The bell rings and Hank rushes in! Gulak dodges, headlocks, but Hank slips out to hammerlock. Gulak throws back elbows then haymakers. Hank blocks to fire off haymakers in return! Hank whips, and he CLOBBERS Gulak! And CLOBBERS him again! Fans rally and Hank back drops Gulak! Gulak staggers up, but Hank hits a MONKEY FLIP, into an ARMBAR! Gulak flails, grapevines a leg and drags Hank into a camel clutch! But Hank slips out to put Gulak in the camel clutch! Gulak powers his way back and gets a leg, STRETCH MUFFLER!
But Hank trips Gulak to put on the STRETCH MUFFLER! And he lifts Gulak off the mat with it! Fans fire up, but Gulak kicks free. Gulak trips Hank, has the heel hook, and he turns Hank over for a HALF CRAB! Hank endures, powers Gulak down and gets the HALF CRAB for himself! Gulak endures, crawls forward, and he has the ROPEBREAK! Hank lets go quickly, Gulak goes to the apron but Hank drags him up. But Gulak HOTSHOTS Hank away! Gulak slides in for a NECKBREAKER! Then a knee drop! And another! And another! Gulak snarls but fans boo. Gulak drags Hank up and whips him to a corner.
Gulak runs in to clothesline! Gulak shoves Hank out to then BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Fans boo but Gulak tells Hank he doesn’t belong. Gulak goes up the corner, and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! But Gulak has the arm to drag Hank into a CROSSFACE! Hank endures, fans rally, and Hank moves around, only for Gulak to shift to a chinlock. Hank endures, fans rally more and Hank fights up! Hank pries free, but Gulak pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Hank pries Gulak’s hands away. Hank fires off big hands from all sides! Hank whips to THESZ PRESS! And fast hands! Hank fires up and fans are with him!
Hank has Gulak in a corner, whips him corner to corner then SPLASHES! And then whip and SPLASH the other way! Gulak flounders, Hank ripcords him for a FLAPJACK! And down come the straps! Hank roars, runs, and CLOBBERS Gulak! Cover, TWO!! Gulak survives that open field tackle, but Hank is right on him! Wheelbarrow and lift, but Gulak arm-drags to the press and CROSSFACE!! Hank endures, fans rally, and he pops out the back! Hank gets the legs again, wheelbarrows, into the ARMBAR!! Hank pulls on the arm but Gulak clasps hands. Hank powers it open!! Gulak flails, fans are thunderous, but Gulak scrambles over! ROPEBREAK!!
Hank lets go in frustration while fans boo. Hank hurries after Gulak, they’re in the ropes, the ref is busy with Gulak and Dempsey CLOBBERS Hank! Gulak cradles, Gulak wins!!
Winner: Drew Gulak, by pinfall
Fans boo as Gulak steals that one! Hank was about to beat Gulak at his own game, but Gulak needed the assist from his new friend! Will Hank get payback the next time they meet?
Pretty Deadly checks in again.
They’re having a couple mimosas at the bar and Kit says, “Ever since we joined the division, the tag team scene has been a bustling hive of competition.” Elton says that at Stand & Deliver, the NXT Tag Team Championships will be contested in a Triple Threat match. The Creed Brothers have got their mojo back, baby. #AustinPowers. Elton still can’t stand them, but he has to admit, Julius & Brutus have more personality then say this bar rag. The champions, Gallus, well, are the champions. Let’s move on, please. And the new team, Tony D’Angelo & “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo, show family loyalty.
Imagine if The Don & The Underboss win. Kit would love it! Or, speaking of love, Briggs & Jensen do have the opportunity to make this a Fatal 4 Way. Could you imagine if the foursome of Briggs, Jensen, Kiana & Fallon were all tag team champions together at Stand & Deliver? Aw, so magical. Such a perfect fairytale ending. But that’s just the thing about fairytales: there’s always a witch, or witches, right behind. Nice one. Isla & Alba are dangerous duo, and if they have their way, it’ll be a sinister Stand & Deliver. The fairytale could be of heartbreak and tragedy. So see you Saturday afternoon for Stand… And Deliver!
NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo!
Speaking of that Hollywood ready story, the next chapter is being written right here! Will the Country Strong good ol’ boys fight their way into the title match to join their leading ladies at Stand & Deliver? Or will these underdogs fail to live the dream?
The teams sort out and Stacks starts against Jensen. They circle, tie up, and Jensen shoots to a roll-up, TWO! Jensen waistlocks but Stacks fights up. Stacks arm-drags but Jensen holds on. Stacks makes that a cover, ONE as Jensen bridges into his own cover! TWO, Stacks is free, and the two stand off. Fans applaud while Jensen says it was that close. The two reset, tie up again, and Jensen waistlocks to O’Conner Roll. TWO, Jensen rebounds off ropes, things speed up, and Jensen hip tosses Stacks! Stacks kangaroo kicks, then he scoops and SLAMS Jensen! But Jensen kangaroo kicks back!
Stacks runs in, into a headlock takeover! Stacks tries to headscissor but Jensen fights that to a cover, TWO! Stacks headscissors after all but Jensen kips free. Jensen runs, hurdles, tags Briggs and FACEBUSTERS! Briggs runs in to CLOBBER Stacks! Fans fire up as Briggs scoops, but Tony drags Stacks down! Tony tags in and fans rally as he circles with Briggs. They tie up, Tony waistlocks and SLAMS Briggs. Tony talks trash, grinds his forearm into Briggs’ head, but Briggs fights up. Tony SLAMS Briggs back down, facelocks, but Briggs fights his way up again. Briggs pries the hold open, but Tony shoves him away, only for Briggs to run him over!
Things speed up, Tony drops but Briggs stops short of the back drop to CLUB Tony on the back! Stacks distracts Briggs, and Briggs turns around into a haymaker! Tony tags Stacks, they double whip, body shot and knee lift to an UPPERCUT! Stacks covers, ONE! The ladies are watching backstage, and Fallon still can’t believe Kiana lied to Jensen. Oh, yes, Kiana is so horrible to have gotten Jensen & Briggs a chance at the tag titles. When this is over, Fallon is telling Jensen! No, Fallon, wait! Let’s talk! Fallon hurries off, Kiana hurries after, and we watch the ring again as Stacks has Briggs down in a chinlock.
Briggs endures, fights up, and fans rally. Stacks thrashes Briggs around but Briggs still fights up. Briggs powers out, Tony tags in. Jensen tags in, Briggs CLOBBERS Tony and Jensen CLOBBERS Stacks! Tony & Stacks end up on the ropes, Briggs & Jensen fire up and they slide, to DOUBLE HAYMAKER! Fans fire up with the good ol’ boys as NXT goes picture in picture.
Jensen hurries in after Tony, wrenches an arm and RAMS shoulders. Jensen wrenches again, for an ELBOW BREAKER! Jensen wants after the shoulder but Tony stays on his feet. Briggs tags in, Jensen whips Tony so they can DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Briggs covers, TWO! Briggs clamps onto that arm and grinds it down. Briggs CLUBS Tony, but Tony fights up. Briggs wrenches the arm, tags in Jensen, and Jensen takes the handoff to wrench again. Jensen wrangles Tony to the mat, wrenches the arm again, but Tony DECKS Jensen! Tag to Stacks and he runs in, into an arm-drag!
Jensen has the armlock and grinds the shoulder. Stacks endures, fights up, but Jensen whips him to ropes. Stacks holds the ropes and ELBOWS in return! Jensen comes back, Stacks dodges and Tony CLOBBERS Jensen! The ref reprimands, but now Fallon and Kiana are ringside. Tony stomps Jensen, drags him up and ROCKS him. Tony brings Jensen around, whips Jensen to ropes, and hits a BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Tony is annoyed, but he drags Jensen up to whip him into the corner. Tag to Stacks, Stacks clamps on a chinlock, and NXT returns to single picture. Stacks claws at Jensen’s face!
Fans rally, the ref reprimands, and Jensen fights his way around. Jensen stands, throws body shots, and is free. Stacks grabs at the pants, Jensen throws elbows! Stacks catches Jensen to a BACKBREAKER! And then a BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Tag to Tony, he drags Jensen up and facelocks for some hockey scrum shots! Fans rally but Jensen drops to his knees. Tony DECKS Jensen, then drags him back up. Tony whips Jensen hard into the corner, tags Stacks, and then Tony scoops. BACKBREAKER, and Stacks leaps in, ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!! Jensen survives but Stacks clamps on with a chinbar and armlock.
Fans rally, Jensen fights up, and Stacks shifts to a headlock. Jensen throws body shots, powers out, but heads collide! Both men fall over and fans rally up. Stacks and Jensen crawl, hot tag to Briggs! Britts rallies on Stacks & Tony! Briggs DECKS Stacks, runs and BOOTS Tony! Stacks runs in but into a SIDEWALK SLAM! SPLASH for Tony! Briggs is all fired up and the fans are with him. Tag to Jensen, and Jensen goes up. Briggs Electric Chair Lifts Stacks, WHEEL KICK DOOMSDAY DEVICE! Jensen covers, Tony barrels through Briggs to break it!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down!
Fallon & Kiana coach up their boys, Briggs and Tony stare down. They fire up and stand to throw hands! Fans fire up, Briggs gets the edge, but Tony dodges the boot to DECK Briggs out of the ring! Tony tags in off Stacks, then helps Stacks to go after Jensen. They double whip, to BADA BING, BADA BOOM!! Cover, Tony & Stacks win!
Winners: Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo, by pinfall (DENIES Briggs & Jensen a spot in the NXT Tag Team Championship match)
The Triple Threat stays a Triple Threat, and Stacks says it’s The D’Angelo Boys On Top! Will that be how it goes in Hollywood?
As for the others, Fallon grabs the mic. Fallon knows this isn’t a good time, but this has gone on long enough! There is something Kiana needs to tell Jensen! Kiana says that’s true. There is something she should tell him. But she’d rather just show him. Jensen is confused, but Kiana gives him a kiss! Jensen is over the moon, and Fallon still can’t believe it! Is there no end to the back-up plans Kiana has to cover her bases?
Grayson Waller heads to the ring.
Security is at the ready, just as he said. Fans boo as the 21st Century Success Story walks down the ramp, and then he goes to Vic Joseph at the announce desk. Waller takes the contract, looks it over, and then grabs a pen. Waller says, “Once I’m done, whatever happens in this match, I want to do it in front of you (Vic). Whatever happens to your boy is on your hands.” Waller takes the contract into the ring, and gets a mic. “Hey! You flops better watch my back, because Gargano’s known for his cheap shots. And he could come from anywhere, right?” Fans boo as Waller continues.
“I’m staring at this paper and… I still can’t believe it. Grayson Waller VS Johnny Gargano, at Stand & Deliver.” Fans taunt Waller, “You Can’t Read!” Waller says Melo VS Bron thinks it’s the main event. But it doesn’t matter when he’s on, Waller’s the REAL main event! Because this is a full circle moment. Two years ago, Waller was trying to stand out in front of the new wave. He was trying to build a relationship with the idiot fans! He was singing, dancing, all the things the fans pretend they don’t like but secretly love. “And then came WarGames. And at the time, I was considered the fourth best member of Team 2.0.”
Fans tell Waller to shut up, but Waller continues. He went out there, he stepped in that cage, and he jumped from the top! He put his body on the line because that was gonna be his “viral moment.” That was gonna be what launched him to superstardom. But he was wrong. “Because at the end of the night, after WarGames, all anyone could talk about was Johnny Wrestling. So two nights later, in a night I know you remember very vividly. You (Johnny Gargano) walked to this ring, and everyone couldn’t wait to hear what you had to say! And because you kissed his ass so much, Shawn Michaels gave you as much time as you wanted!
“But it only took me 30 seconds. I saw my mark and I hit it. And let’s be real, Johnny, you are the biggest mark in this business.” Waller stepped out there, hit Gargano with the chair, and sent Gargano home. Then Waller sent himself into the stratosphere. It’s funny, because Gargano told the world that you should bet on yourself. “And if you wanna talk about the last 15 months, no one has bet on themselves more than Grayson Waller! And if you want proof, my proof is right here! I have the greatest big match superstar in NXT history begging me to kick his ass at Stand & Deliver. Don’t forget that, Johnny: you’re begging me. I’m your golden ticket right now!”
Waller admits, Gargano is the greatest big match superstar in NXT history. Gargano’s done it all. The records, the titles, the matches, the moments. Johnny Gargano IS Mr. NXT. “But just like your idol, Mr. WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels, you are gonna lose at Stand & Deliver. You bleed black ‘n’ gold, lad? I bleed green. 15 months ago, I used you to put myself on the map. And at Stand & Deliver, I use you one more time-” GARGANO IS HERE?! But Waller told him not to show up or he wouldn’t sign the contract! Waller is ready for a fight, he dares Gargano to come for this fight, but where is Gargano?
HE’S THE CAMERAMAN!! Gargano sets the camera down, takes off the hat and mask, and he rushes Waller! Security finally realizes and they rush in! Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but security does its job in separating them. But then Waller and Gargano get loose to fire off hands again! Waller bails, Gargano pursues, and they COLLIDE! Waller tumbles over steel steps, Gargano goes after him, and the scrapping continues at the ramp! Fans rally behind Gargano but Waller TACKLES him on the stage! Security pulls them apart again, but Gargano gets free to LEAP onto the pile!
Fans fire up but the two are separated again. Johnny Wrestling and the viral villain are ready to stand and deliver, but who will be left standing at all in the end?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT and a great go-home, though still with the usual level of talking for NXT, which is a little too much talking. I do appreciate that Pretty Deadly was inserting themselves all over the show to give their thoughts and predictions. And they were entertaining each segment so it is still fine. Isla & Alba have a good promo to give their thoughts on Fallon & Kiana being at odds. And I’m glad we got Prime Target back since this isn’t NXT 2.0 but “white & gold” era. But none of these really change the math in those matches as I see it. Melo is still the proper choice to win so Bron can move on, and given Fallon & Kiana are so against each other right now, Isla & Alba are definitely taking those titles.
Speaking of that story, the romcom of Jensen and Kiana continues to take some really clever turns that also help tie into other stories. The tag team “main event” of Briggs & Jensen VS Tony & Stacks was a really good match, and it adds to story. Kiana uses the tag match and that public kiss to deflect from Sebastian. At this rate, Kiana is gonna marry Jensen before she tells him about Sebastian. Which honestly, would be a hilarious thing given American pro-wrestling can’t help but have weddings. And this win gives Tony & Stacks the momentum going into the Triple Threat. I’m thinking this all leads to Gallus finding a way to retain the titles.
Opening with the battle royal was the right move, as was making it chaotic like the rest of the North American Championship open challenge segments. Scrypts going after Axiom is good consistency, but I’m pleasantly surprised to see he didn’t stop Axiom from winning. I thought they were gonna put a giant over but nope, we got two Cruiserweights at the end. Also great detail was that the final three were NXT UK alumni (Axiom is A-Kid for anyone who still doesn’t know). And in the end, Axiom finally gets what he wants in getting this title opportunity. If Wes isn’t winning, this is anyone’s game, all of these guys are that great.
Though, I’m not sure we needed Gulak VS Hank here tonight after both men already competed in the battle royal. It was still a great match, with a strong showing from Hank and a classic Heel shenanigan for Gulak to win. But I would’ve waited to make this part of the aftermath episode next Tuesday to help bridge things into the Spring and Summer phases. Meanwhile, Eddy Thorpe has a good TV debut after a string of matches on Level Up. Formerly Karl Fredericks in NJPW as a Young Lion, Thorpe brings those basics and essential moves, but shows he can do the fancier stuff. The Twist ‘n’ Shout swinging neckbreaker is a great finisher, can’t wait to hear its finisher name.
Good match from Feroz and Lopez, and I figured Lopez would win, but I’m surprised Lopez didn’t cheat since that was kinda the whole point of their story. Maybe Feroz points that out to Lopez next week and Lopez starts to see things her way. Good stuff out of Chase U, especially the checked out attitude of Duke Hudson. I think Duke’s assist was meant to screw Bate but it ended up an assist because Bate jumped for the tope. And good promo from The Schism to bum everyone out after Bate’s win. Duke helping screw Chase U over seems a bit obvious but sometimes stories go in the obvious direction.
Roxanne being back before Stand & Deliver is quite the surprise to me. I really thought we were waiting for an Undisputed NXT Women’s Championship story, but I suppose putting that on just a TV special like Spring Breakkin’ isn’t enough. So instead, Roxie makes her return, she champions the fight of mental health and anxiety to still be champion going into Stand & Deliver. I’d somehow lost count, but yeah, a SIX WAY Ladder Match. That is wild, and much like with the North American Championship, I see it as Roxie retaining, or anyone’s guess of a new champion. Indi winning that great Last Chance Triple Threat was a bit of a surprise, but Stand & Deliver could be her good-bye match to NXT. Then she rejoins The Way on Raw in a big moment of some kind.
And speaking of big moment, great final segment with Waller and Gargano. Good promo from Waller showing us that indeed, this is full circle. Waller was honestly good at being a Face back in the days of 205 Live. But even then, there were hints of being arrogant and defying authority, Waller’s come into his own as a Heel, perhaps one the top Heel at this point. I thought Waller was gonna beat up Vic since he was to have Gargano banned from the building, but Waller said it himself, Gargano became “Johnny Cosplay” pulling off the covered up cameraman disguise. Great brawl, it was a wash so no one has the math behind them, but I would think that with Gargano on Raw now, Waller will use the fact this is Unsanctioned/No Disqualification to win and just have all the Heel heat.
My Score: 8.7/10
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