Who will grab their golden tickets to Tampa?

While TWENTY-FIVE men fight in a Battle Royal to face Oba Femi, Jordynne Grace and Giulia go 1v1 to face NXT Women’s Champion, Stephanie Vaquer!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Joe Hendry, Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Dark State; Dark State wins.
• Kelani Jordan VS ZARIA w/ Sol Ruca; Zaria wins.
• NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal: Myles Borne wins and will challenge Oba Femi for the title at NXT Battleground: Tampa.
• Karmen Petrovic VS Jaida Parker; Jaida wins.
• NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Giulia VS Jordynne Grace; Grace wins and will challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the title at NXT Battleground: Tampa.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: Joe Hendry, Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Dark State!

Say his name and he appears, HONK HONK! Hank ‘n’ Tank believe in Joe Hendry! And they also didn’t like that the Prestigious One got attacked by the pack of wild dogs known as Dark State. But will we all be believers after the TNA World Champion and the NXT Tag Team Champions stand tall together? Or will we see that truly #NoOneIsSafe?

The teams sort out, but then it is just a brawl! The fans fire up, Dark State knocks Hank and Hendry out of the ring to isolate Tank. Dion Lennox starts and he throws hands. Dion whips, then hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Tank stays in this but Dion is already bringing out his Mr. Hyde side. Tank fires body shots but Dion headlocks. Tank powers him to ropes but Osiris Griffin tags in. They mug Tank, then Osiris dribbles Tank off buckles. Tag to Cutler, Osiris feeds Tank to him, but Tank swings around and hits a crucifix takedown! TWO, Cutler headlocks, but Hank tags in as Tank powers out! They misdirect and CLOBBER Cutler! Then SENTON! Cover, TWO!

Hank keeps Cutler down with a facelock, then wrench to a wristlock. Tag to Hendry, the fans fire up, and Hendry KNEES low! Hendry suplexes Cutler, holds him up, and the fans cheer him on as he marches around with Cutler! Then the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Hendry wrenches Cutler, tags Hank, and Hank goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! The fans rally as Hank whisp, but Cutler grabs ropes to block! Cutler BOOTS Hank, then brings him around to whip. Cutler ELBOWS Hank down, then CHOKES him on the ropes! Saquon Shugars talks trash on the big boy, then Dion tags in. Dion scoops but Hank fights it!

The fans fire up as Hank fires hands, but Dion fires back! Dion whips and ELBOWS Hank down! Dion stalks Hank to the ropes, wrenches his arm, then RAMS his shoulder! Cover, TWO! Hank is tougher than that, but Dion scoops. Hank slips free, shoves Dion then BOOTS him! Tag to Tank and they bump Dion off buckles! Tank SPLASHES, Hank SPLASHES, then BULLDOGS! The fans fire up and Dark State is mad! But HONK! HONK! BIG BELLY SANDWICH! Feed to Hendry for a scoop! FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up as Hendry kips up! Cutler is in, but Hendry scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! And another kip up!

Hank hugs Hendry but Hendry scoops out of instinct! Tank tells him that’s Hank, and Hendry realizes it. Hendry sets Hank down, and then trio TURNS! The fans cheer the big smiles and NXT goes picture in picture.

Hendry waits on Dark State while they huddle up. They talk it out, Dion rushes in, but Hendry SLAMS him down! Hendry wrenches an arm, tags in Hank, then Hank goes up again. Hank winds it up, then AX HANDLES Dion! Hank taunts Dark State before he wrenches Dion and YANKS the arm! Hank wrenches again, tags Hendry back in, and Hendry goes up. Hendry winds it up, and then AX HANDLES Dion’s arm! Hendry wrenches the arm again, tags Tank, and they double wrench to DOUBLE CLUB Dion! Tank snapmares Dion, covers, TWO! Dion stays in this but Tank stays on him with a chinlock.

Dion endures the grind and fights up to his feet. Dion fires body shots, Tank grinds the hold, repeat. Dion powers Tank to ropes, Osiris tags in, btu Tank fights them both off! Osiris HOTSHOTS Tank, then storms in and CHOKES Tank on the ropes! The ref counts, Osiris stops at 4, then he CLUBS Tank down! Osiris scoops Tank to SLAM him, then covers, TWO! Osiris keeps Tank down with a COBRA CLUTCH! Tank endures as Osiris thrashes him around. Osiris ripcords, Tank dodges! Hot tags to Cutler and Hank! Hank fires haymaker after haymaker, then whips for an ELBOW! And another ELBOW! Hank bumps Cutler off buckles, then runs him corner to corner to do it again!

NXT returns to single picture as fans fire up with Hank! Hank goes up the corner, Cutler storms over, but Hank fires hands! Cutler falls back, Dion distracts the ref, and Saquon SHOVES Hank down! Cutler tags Dion, Dion stomps away on Hank, then SPLASHES DOWN! Dion pulls Hank back by pulling hair, then he tags Osiris. Osiris waits on Hank, scoop shim, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Osiris then CHOKES Hank on the ropes, drags him up, and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Dion, then tag to Cutler, and Dion sends Osiris to SPLASH Hank! Cutler sends Dion in and he SPLASHES Hank! Then feed to Cutler for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Hank toughs it out, but Cutler drags him up and RAMS him into an open corner! Cutler talks trash on Hank, hits a short arm LARIAT, then he covers, TWO! Cutler is annoyed but he clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally as Hank endures. Hank reaches out, fights up, and he fires body shots! Cutler CLUBS Hank, Hank ROCKS Cutler! The fans rally as Hank ROCKS Cutler again! Cutler clamps on an IRON CLAW! Cutler powers Hank to the corner, tags in Osiris, and Cutler feeds Hank to Osiris’ POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Hank survives but Osiris grins. Then he sucker punches Hendry!

The fans boo but Osiris ROCKS Hank and RAMS him into the corner! Tag to Cutler, then tag to Dion! Cutler sends Osiris in, but Hank dodges! Osiris POSTS himself! Hank then DUMPS Cutler, dodges Dion, and hot tags Tank! The fans fire up as Tank rallies on Dion with big shoulders and haymakers! Dion staggers, Tank dodges, and Tank OVERHEAD SUPELXES! Cutler is up but Tank wrenches and DECKS him! Tank then goes up, out, and CANNONBALLS Cutler and Osiris down! The fans are thunderous for Tank as he hurries back in! Tank catches Dino to a BUBBA BOMB! Cover, Osiris & Cutler break it!

Hendry and Hank return, the brawl is back on! Osiris runs up, Hank DUMPS him out! Hendry and Cutler throw hands while Osiris drags Hank out! Saquon distracts Hank, Osiris RAMS Yank into a POST! Hendry hits a FALL AWAY SLAM on Cutler! Hendry kips up, and the fans join in on “We Will Rock You!” But wait! TRICK WILLIAMS drags Hendry out of the ring!! Hendry fires hands on Trick in return! Tank goes for Cutler, but Dion CHOP BLOCKS a leg out! Tag after tag, and now Dark State gets Tank up! DARK STATE BOMB!! Cover, Dark State wins!

Winners: Dark State, by pinfall

Trick Williams’ grudge with Hendry cost Hendry’s team, and Dark State steal another win! Will nothing stop this fearsome foursome from taking over NXT?

Thea Hail talks with Karmen Petrovic.

Karmen thanks Thea for being on her side with the Karmen x Ashante breakup. Karmen is so done worrying about Ashante when this Women’s Division is only getting deeper. Thea says it feels safe relying on others, but sometimes, you gotta worry about yourself. That’s how you get stronger. Jaida Parker walks in and asks what Thea knows about being strong. Thea came back acting grown when nothing has changed. Thea is still the yappy little girl she was. And Karmen ain’t safe, either. Didn’t Jaida tell her four MONTHS ago to dump Ashante? Now look at you. But go ahead, open your ears to hear more wisdom.

Ashante wasn’t the only thing holding Karmen back. Karmen is just too damn soft. Thea gets heated but Karmen says she’s got this. Maybe the problem is Jaida had such an amazing opportunity at Stand & Deliver and, cough cough, choked? So what happened? We thought Miss Parker don’t play. Karmen’s right. That’s why Jaida will see Karmen in the ring. Since she’s acting so froggy, Karmen might as well jump. Jaida heads out, will she make sure the #ShingShing doesn’t get out the mud?

No Quarter Catch Crew talks backstage.

Myles Borne & Tavion Heights hype each other up for the battle royal, and Charlie Dempsey says, “Fellas… Before we compete in this battle royal, there’s something I gotta say.” Myles says if it is what he thinks it is, it can wait. Dempsey says no, it can’t. Tonight, it is a major opportunity for all of them. Tavion says damn right! Dempsey says it isn’t about grudges or individual glory. They are three individuals with the same goal in mind: That is to make sure that the NQCC takes one step closer to Oba Femi and taking that NXT Championship from him at Battleground! Yeah! Now, are they all on the same page?

Tavion says Dempsey knows they are! Time to get a title back in the NQCC! NQCC all the way to the top! Wren Sinclair checks if Myles heard that. Yeah, he heard. Let’s do this. Wren says NQCC on three. Hands in! NQCC! They’re united in wanting to win that battle royal, but will any of them make it through to the end of the 25 Man Battle Royal?

Kelani Jordan VS ZARIA w/ Sol Ruca!

Speaking of acting tough and wanting opportunities, The Standout’s new attitude is making her act a little entitled to a title shot. Kelani wants to face Sol for the NXT Women’s North American Championship, but Zaria wants Kelani to earn it. Will that be easy enough when No One Does It Like Lani? Or will the Agent of Change be the gatekeeper for Sol’s gold?

NXT returns as Zaria makes her entrance, Sol by her side. The bell rings and Kelani DROPKICKS Zaria! The fans are torn as Kelani runs and slingshots, but Zaria stops the arm-drag! Zaria whips Kelani away, Kelani ducks around to waistlock, but then ducks an elbow. Zaria pie faces Kelani! Then shoves her! Kelani frowns, then fires forearms and CHOPS! Kelani backs Zaria up but Zaria shoves her away! Zaria runs up, Kelani dodges, and Zaria hits buckles. Kelani runs up, Zaria puts her on the apron, but Kelani ROUNDHOUSES! Kelani goes up, leaps, FLYING- NO! Zaira stops the rana and brings Kelani up! Kelani fights with fists, sunset flips, but Zaria stays up!

Zaria YANKS Kelani up and scoops, but Kelani slips free again! Kelani shoves Zaria at the corner, Zaria stops herself short, and then she runs up to lift Kelani! Kelani sunset flips it, TWO! Zaria escapes, and now she RAMS Kelani into the corner! Zaria RAMS Kelani again and again, the fans are torn, but Zaria stalks Kelani to another corner. Zaria stands Kelani up, tells her she isn’t just gonna get a title opportunity, but Kelani breaks free! Zaria CHOPS Kelani on the back! Kelani goes to a corner, Zaria puts some stank on it, but Kelani dodges the chop to CHOP in return! Kelani puts stank on the CHOP to Zaria’s back!

The fans fire up as Kelani then RAMS Zaria into the corner again and again! Kelani digs her shoulder in, lets off as the ref counts, and Kelani whips. Zaria reverses to scoop and SWINGING GUT BUSTER! Kelani writhes, Zaria brushes herself off, and the ref checks on Kelani. Kelani says she’s okay to continue, but then Zaria clamps onto her face! Kelani SLAPS Zaria! Kelani BOOTS Zaria outta the ring! Zaria is furious, btu Kelani gets her in the ropes! HOTSHOT KNEE, and then the POMMEL LEG DROP! Kelani goes up, up, but Zaria bails out! Kelani adjusts, leaps, but into Zaria’s hands! Zaria knees low, whips Kelani, but Kelani stops short of the steps!

Kelani ELBOWS Zaria away, then goes up, up, and FLYING RANAS to the floor! The fans fire up and Sol is stunned while NXT goes picture in picture.

Sol coaches Zaria up but then Kelani gets in her face. Sol backs off, not wanting trouble, and Kelani drags Zaria up. Kelani whips Zaria into the apron! And then whips her into the apron again! And then she puts Zaria in the ring, runs, and SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Zaria toughs it out but Kelani KNEES her in the back! And again! And again! Kelani then basement DROPKICKS Zaria in the back of the head! Kelani bumps Zaria off buckles, snapmares her and runs, to then SPLASH into BOOTS! Zaria turns the tide and Kelani goes to the apron. Zaria storms up, Kelani RAMS into her, then Kelani slingshots, but Zaria trips her up!

Kelani tumbles to the floor and flounders around. Zaria storms up on Kelani, drags her around, and digs a knee into her back while she pulls her back! Kelani endures, fights up, but Zaria CLUBS her down! Zaria KICKS Kelani in the side, stalks her to the ropes, then puts her in a corner. Zaria RAMS Kelani, brings her around, and KNEES her low! Zaria KNEES Kelani again and again, then reels her in for another SWINGING GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Kelani survives but is in rough shape. Zaria reels her in, hoists her into a Canadian Rack, and bends Kelani with the Argentine Backbreaker Rack! And BACKBREAKER!

Zaria holds onto Kelani, stands back up, and FLIPS Kelani! Kelani just manages to land out, and she fires body shots! Zaria storms up and they both throw hands! It gets scrappy as Zaria whips. Kelani dodges as NXT returns to single picture and Zaria hits buckles. Zaria BOOTS in return, then storms up to bring Kelani into the corner. Zaria goes up, and drags Kelani up using a full nelson! Kelani flails but the ref counts so Zaria drops Kelani. Zaria then stands Kelani back up, but Kelani ROCKS Zaria and TOSSES her from the top! The fans fire up as Zaria staggers to her feet. Kelani runs up, and she CLOBBERS Zaria! And CLOBBERS her again!

Zaria catches Kelani’s cartwheel to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Kelani is right up to handspring BACK ELBOW! Both women are down, Kelani kips up, and Sol is worried for Zaria. Kelani brings Zaria up, whips her to ropes, but Zaria reveres. Zaria scoops Kelani but Kelani tilt-o-whirl DDTS! Cover, TWO! Kelani is frustrated and she goes up, up, and 450- NO, Zaria moves! Kelani rolls through, but comes back into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!?! Kelani survives and Zaria is stunned! Zaria drags Kelani up, fireman’s carries, but Kelani fights around to a dragon sleeper! And THE SLICE! Cover, TWO! Zaria stays in this and Kelani is frustrated, but “This is Awesome!”

Kelani kicks at Zaria while holding a wristlock. Then Kelani changes sides to KICK from there! But Zaria blocks a kick, and she clamps onto Kelani’s neck! CHOKE- NO, Kelani slips free to waistlock. Zaria switches, Kelani switches, O’Conner Roll! TWO and Kelani staggers to ropes. Zaria runs up but Kelani DUMPS her out! Kelani aims, slingshots and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Zaria! Kelani hurries to her feet, stands Zaria up, but Zaria shoves Kelani at Sol! Sol helps Kelani from falling! Kelani is confused, but then Zaria SPEARS Kelani through the barriers! The fans go nuts and even Sol is shocked!

Zaria rises up, she drags Kelani into the ring, and then fireman’s carries! DELTA FORCE 5!! Cover, Zaria wins!

Winner: Zaria, by pinfall

The Standout was perhaps moments away from winning, but those moments slipped through her fingers so that Zaria could come out on top! Sol celebrates with her friend, but who else will want their shot at what Sol’s got?

Tony D’Angelo is on the phone.

The Don is assuring them he’s got this. But then Wes Lee walks in, Tyriek & Tyson with him, talking up how big Wes winning the battle royal will be. They spot Tony, and Wes says look it! The Don of NXT! How’s the family, dog? Oh, haha, real funny, Wes. But if anyone knows about stabbing a brother in arms in the back, it’s Wes. What Stacks did to Tony, Wes did to Zachary Wentz. Wes says if he’d had to, he’d do it all over again. And he’s pretty sure Stacks feels the same. But hey, there’s something different about Tony. Oh…! Less confidence. That’s why Tony ain’t in the battle royal. He doesn’t think he can win without The Family.

Tony says Wes doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Wes has all this talent, yet still no instincts. But if he wants to be a tough guy, take a shot. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wes would, but he has the battle royal to win. So see ya~! Wes heads out, his guys stare Tony down a second, and then they head out. Will the path to Battleground go through the Wes Side?

Lola Vice talks with Stephanie Vaquer.

The Mayor of Vice City tells La Primera that no matter who wins tonight between Giulia and Jordynne Grace, it will be tough at Battleground. And Lola knows Stephanie knows this, but Lola has no doubt that if anyone can walk through Hell and come out the other side NXT Women’s Champion, that’s Stephanie. Stephanie says, “Gracias, hermana.” And competing all over the world, in different promotions, could not have prepared her for what being at the top of this division would mean. Stephanie wants to say more but Lola stops her there. Lola says no matter what happens at Battleground, Lola will be waiting on the other side for her title shot.

But then in steps Giulia. Giulia says she hasn’t forgotten anything between the two of them, so she’ll see her at Battleground. Giulia heads out, but will the Beautiful Madness make it through the Juggernaut to have one last shot at the NXT Women’s Championship?

NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal!

Everyone wants to win and face Oba Femi at Battleground, but Trick Williams says he NEEDS to win. Is this finally when #CrashOutTrick gets his way? Or will one of the other 24 hungry contenders be heading to Tampa?

NXT returns as most everyone has gotten in the ring, and Je’Von Evans makes his entrance. “All Ego” Ethan Page joins the field, but then the lights go down. A guitar strums, and the fans go nuts! That’s because E- Uh… ELIJAH is here! The fans sing, “Oh~ Walk With Elias~!” but no, no, the Drifter corrects them, and also sings. “I saw a friend in need~. And I don’t like Trick Willy~! So I decided to come back to NXT~. TNA, we walk this way. I got one more thing to say! It’s NXT, walk with me.” The fans cheer, and even chant, “Welcome Home! Welcome Home!” Elijah has a question for everyone here tonight: Who wants to walk with ELIJAH?

But then Ethan slides out to get in Elijah’s face! The bell rings and the brawl is on! Lexis King ROCKS and TOSSES Chris Island to ELIMINATE him! Lexis says he should go back to LFG! But then Island’s fellow LFG prospect, Shiloh Hill, TOSSES and ELIMINATES Lexis! The fans fire up for that, and wit, Elijah and Ethan brawl on the outside! Trick stomps away on Ricky Smokes while Sean Legacy brawls with Brad Baylor, Swipe Right is in trouble! Ty & Ty keep Wes safe, but then Briggs & Inamura get in there. Elijah and Ethan finally in the ring, but Ashante slides out under the ropes for a breather.

The Culling and NQCC are all over the place, Ridge Holland HEADBUTTS Niko Vance, but then Niko brawls with Myles. Dempsey KNEES Elijah, Myles KNEES Niko, and NQCC work together for a second. But Myles gets caught up with Thatcher, Elijah LARIATS and ELIMINATES Dempsey! Tavion goes after Elijah and Inamura is after Myles! Shawn Spears finds a pocket to stay safe before going after Elijah. Swipe Right brags a bit, and Inamura POUNCES Brad up and out to ELIMINATE him! The fans fire up with The Great Rush as he CLOBBERS Ricky Smokes! But then Trick hits a JUMPING NECKBREAKER!

The fans boo, but Adonis returns to TOSS Trick! Trick holds onto ropes while Ashante SUPERKICKS Tyson! And SUPERKICKS Smokes! And SUPERKICKS Tyriek! And SUPERKICKS Thatcher! Ashante is letting loose after being dumped by Karmen! He also SUPERKICKS Shiloh! Ashante TOSSES Shiloh, but Shiloh holds onto ropes! Shiloh dangles off the apron, Trick CLOBBERS Ashante up and out of the ring! Trick ELIMINATES Ashante and Ashante is furious, but Trick dares him to do something about it! The fans are torn over Trick while he stomps away on Shiloh, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Refs have to usher Ashante away, he’s that upset. The brawling continues chaotically, but Thatcher and Inamura trade UPPERCUTS! Elijah bumps Tavion off buckles and stomps him down, Wes and Zach find each other, but they have to fight off everyone else! They end up working together on Smokes?! Kick after kick, and then they TOSS Swipe Right out to ELIMINATE them! Then Wes and Zach stare down again. Only for Tyriek to CLOBBER Zach! Wes lets Tyriek & Tyson mug Zach, but then Briggs busts things up. Je’Von is clinging to ropes for dear life while Briggs & Inamura mug Tyson. Thatcher tries to throw Spears but Spears holds onto ropes.

Tyson fights back against Inamura, but Briggs BOOTS him and DUMPS him out of the ring to ELIMINATE him! Inamura CLOBBERS Tyriek! They stomp away on Tyriek now, then NXT returns to single picture. Ethan brawls with Thatcher, Culling works together, and Ridge is after #SuperSean. Thatcher throws uppercuts on Ethan, Jensen throws hands with Wes, and Thatcher whips Ethan. Ethan BOOTS back, then ROUNDHOUSES! Ethan TOSSES and ELIMINATE Thatcher! The fans boo but Ethan catches his breath. Briggs runs up on Je’Von but Je’Von dodges! Je’Von ROCKS Briggs, Shiloh throws hands on Niko, but Niko turns things around on him!

Tavion stomps away on Trick, Spears helps Niko against Shiloh but Shiloh throws hands! Shiloh ROCKS Spears, runs up, but Niko takes the LARIAT! Shiloh ELIMINATES Niko instead! Shiloh is still fired up, and he dodges Ridge, only for Ridge to come back and CLOBBER him! Ridge TOSSES Shiloh but Shiloh holds on! Trick ROCKS Ridge, but then Shiloh ROCKS Trick! Trick fires hands on Shiloh, but that just fires Shiloh up! Shiloh HEADBUTTS Trick, but a BOOT ELIMINATES Shiloh! The fans are torn but Trick has fire in his eyes. Elijah fights off Legacy, Inamura DECKS Trick! Jensen fires off on Inamura!

Spears CHOPS Tyriek! Je’Von whips, Tavion reverses, and Je’Von clings to ropes again! Je’Von RAMS into Tavion, hurries back in, and Trick stomps away on Inamura. Tyriek fights off Spears, Wes fights off Briggs, Inamura CHOPS Trick! Tavion stomps Sean, Ridge is down on the mat, but Briggs & Inamura work to shove Trick up and out! Trick clings to the ropes as best he can, and he stays on the apron! Briggs & Inamura kick at him, but Trick keeps one foot up! Tavion YANKS Wes down and tosses him aside. Jensen has Tyriek on the apron, and goes for broke with the FLYING LARIAT! Jensen ELIMINATES himself and Tyriek!

Tavion fires hands on Ethan, then on Ridge! Wes and Zach brawl, Tavion fires hands on Ridge! Ridge fights the German Suplex, Zach handsprings and JUMP KNEES Wes ! Ridge ROCKS Tavion! Briggs & Inamura DOUBLE LARIAT Tavion up and out, but Tavion stays safe on the apron!! Tavion grabs each of them, but Ridge runs up to BLAST Tavion! The fans boo as Ridge ELIMINATES Tavion, but then Briggs & Inamura go after Ridge! Elijah stomps Myles and goes after Spears while Briggs & Inamura give Ridge an ASSISTED BACKBREAKER! Je’Von stomps Sean, Briggs & Inamura TOSS Ridge!

Ridge holds onto ropes, but Briggs runs back up! Ridge drags Briggs out to join him! Inamura sets up while Briggs choke grips Ridge! Inamura runs up, Ridge pulls Briggs into the path, Inamura POUNCES Briggs!! Inamura accidentally ELIMINATES Briggs!! Inamura is stunned, Ridge steps back inside, and then Ridge CLOBBERS Inamura! Zach CLUBS Ridge down, stomps him, and then Je’Von DUMPS Myles out! Elijah kicks Je’Von and fires hands. Zach DECKS Spears, then goes for Wes. Je’Von leaps at Elijah, but the JUMP KNEE finds him! Wes and Zach have another stare down, but Je’Von and Sean storm up!

Wes and Zach shrug them off to SUPERKICK them both! Then they TOSS Je’Von and Sean out! They go back to a stare down while Sean and Je’Von hold on! And then Ethan and Spears TOSS the former Rascalz up and out! But then Wes and Zach both hold on! Ethan and Spears now stare down, as we get QUADRUPLE SKIN THE CAT! Ethan and Spears hurry, they LARIAT Zach back up and out to ELIMINATE him! Ethan grins and taunts Zach but Wes is safe, and NXT goes back to picture in picture.

Myles ROCKS Wes, then CHPOS him! Ethan and Trick meet again and Trick works to dump Ethan out! Ethan BOOTS Trick away, Sean and Je’Von work together on Elijah. Inamura CHOPS Wes in a corner! Spears ROCKS and CHOPS Ridge, TOSSES him, but Ridge holds on! Spears keeps after him, but Ridge punches from below! Wes throat chops Inamura, then goes after Je’Von. Wes kicks everyone he sees, and he KNEES Myles in a corner! Wes drags Myles up, but Myles puts Wes on the apron! Wes DECKS Myles, but TRICK BOOTS Wes off the apron and onto the desk! Trick ELIMINATES Wes, and is still seething.

Inamura knocks Spears down, Trick stomps Ridge, Elijah stomps Spears. Ethan and Je’Von brawl, Sean fires hands on Inamura, and Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan! Ethan BOOTS Je’Von! Sean puts Inamura up top, Trick has Myles, and Je’Von fights off Ethan’s powerbomb! STUNNER! Je’Von runs up but Ethan BOOTS him down! Inamura goes after Ridge with a CHOP! Ridge CHOPS in return! Elijah and Spears brawl, and Elijah JUMP KNEES him down! Ridge and Inamura fire up and go forearm for forearm! Inamura ROCKS Ridge again and again but Ridge just eggs him on! NXT returns to single picture as the big meaty men roar!

The forearms keep going, and the fans fire up more! They both roar, run, and DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Inamura roars, runs, but Ridge LARIATS him at the ropes! Ridge roars, runs, but Inamura LARIATS him at the ropes! Trick runs up to DUOBLE LARIAT and he ELIMINATES them both!! Trick has the most eliminations of this match and the fans fire up behind him! But wait! JOE HENDRY makes his way back out here! Trick screwed Hendry, Hendry is going to return the favor! Elijah TOSSES Trick and ELIMINATES him! And now Hendry brawls with Trick!!

The fans are torn but security rushes out here as Trick and Hendry fight around ringside! But then Spears TOSSES and ELIMINATES Elijah!! The fans boo as The Chair Man marks The Drifter! But Sean Legacy springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK Spears! Then Sean and Je’Von meet again. The fans fire up as these young guns take aim, and draw! Sean’s BOOT hits first! Sean TOSSES, but Je’Von rebounds, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Sean is back up! Je’Von runs up, Sean DUMPS him out, but Je’Von grabs the ropes! Je’Von’s feet are so close to the floor!! Je’Von rises up, he ROCKS Sean, and then he springboards in, into a SUPERKICK!!

Je’Von goes to a corner, Sean fires up and he GAMANGIRIS in the corner! The fans are torn between Young OG and Legacy, but Ethan is back! Sean turns that around to TOSS Ethan! Ethan holds onto the ropes, Sean turns around into an OG CUTTER! Je’Von gets moving, BOUNCY GAMANGIRI, and Ethan holds the ropes down! Sean falls out, Je’Von & Ethan ELIMINATE Sean together! And now we’re down to our final four! Ethan Page, Je’Von Evans, Shawn Spears, and Myles Borne! “This is Awesome!” as the brawl is back on! Je’Von has Spears, Myles has Ethan, and the fans fire up! Je’Von whips but Spears reverses to fireman’s carry!

Je’Von grabs ropes to stay safe, and he RAMS Spears! Myles stomps Ethan down in a corner, but he sees Je’Von slingshot up and over Spears. SNAP POWERSLAM from #BabyRandy! But Spears runs up, into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Ethan is up, and he BOOTS Myles from outta nowhere! Ethan whips, Myles reverses, clinches, and OVERHEAD SUPLEXES! Myles fires up, he puts Ethan on the ropes, but Ethan holds on! Je’Von fires hands on Spears, whips, but Spears reverses to send Je’Von into Myles and Ethan! Spears then pushes past Je’Von to DECK Myles! Je’Von runs up, Spears ducks but Je’Von leaps to the corner!

Spears turns around, Je’Von mule kicks! Ethan is up, Je’Von BOOTS him away! Myles DROPKICKS Je’Von! Je’Von dangles from the ropes! Spears SUPERKICKS Myles! Spears sees Je’Von on the apron, runs up, but Je’Von holds ropes down! Spears ends upon the apron and Je’Von BOOTS him! Je’Von goes up the corner, but Ethan BOOTS him! Je’Von slumps down and fans freak out, but Je’Von grabs the ropes at the last possible second! Je’Von stays safe, but Ethan stomps away! Ethan calls to Spears, but Je’Von RAMS them both! Je’Von DECKS Ethan, ROCKS Spears, then he goes to the corner! Springboard, DOUBLE FLYING LARIATS!

The fans are thunderous as the Young OG reloads, springboards again, but Spears and Ethan both move! OG CUTTER for Myles!! Je’Von kicks at Spears, Spears blocks it, and sends it into Ethan! Je’Von still SUPERKICKS Spears! Springboard and DOUBLE- NO!! Ethan & Spears hold Je’Von up and TOSS him!! The Canadians ELIMINATE Je’Von! The fans boo but now Spears and Ethan agree, Myles is next. But then Spears whips Ethan! Only for Ethan to reverse and send Spears out! Spears holds onto ropes, Myles runs up, Ethan dodges! Myles dodges back, and he DROPKICKS Ethan into Spears’ headscissors!

Spears drags Ethan out with that, but the BOTH fall! MYLES WINS!!!

Winner: Myles Borne (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)

NQCC returns to celebrate with their guy! Though, Tavion & Wren are more excited than Dempsey is about it. Will #BabyRandy start to live up to that parallel? Is Myles the next NXT Champion? Or will Oba Femi still be the Ruler?

Backstage interview with Jordynne Grace.

Sarah Schreiber is with the Juggernaut and brings up tonight’s #1 contender’s match. Grace and Giulia are going 1v1 for the first time ever, with only one of them going on to face Stephanie at Battleground. Grace says last week, the two of them fought all the way out of the arena. Tonight, it has to stay in the ring. Grace vows to beat Giulia and win her long overdue 1v1 opportunity at the title. Grace has the power advantage over not just Giulia, but the entire NXT Women’s Division. But in steps Izzi Dame. “What a great attempt at being interesting. You might be one of the strongest here, but you’re not one of the biggest.

“And regardless of what happens tonight, or at Battleground, I plan on-” Lash Legend walks in and says, “SKRRRR~! The birthday girl has finally arrived. Now, I know y’all ain’t talking strong, powerful women without mentioning the Bougie Bully at the top of that list.” Grace sees where this is going. After she becomes #1 contender tonight, and then wins the title at Battleground, she’ll gladly see both of them on the other side. Grace heads out, will the Juggernaut prove it isn’t about size but about backing it up?

Karmen Petrovic VS Jaida Parker!

The locker room confrontation is now a battle in the ring! Will Karmen prove that she is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need a man? Or will Miss Parker remind us that she don’t play, period?

NXT returns and Karmen is in the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, go around, and Jaida puts Karmen on the ropes. Karmen turns things around but Jaida turns it back around. Jaida has Karmen in a corner, the fans chant, “Hey, Miss Parker~!” and the ref counts. Jaida pushes Karmen while she lets off, and Karmen frowns. The two tie up again, go around, and Jaida scoops to SLAM! Jaida says Karmen is in HER ring now! Karmen dodges the lariat, then sweeps the legs! Karmen runs and though Jaida leans back, Karmen changes from Penalty Kick to LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Karmen drags Jaida up, whips her, but Jaida reverses.

Karmen goes up and SOBATS, then runs up again to wrench and PELE! Jaida bails out in frustration but Karmen builds speed! Karmen DIVES and down goes Jaida! The fans are torn but Karmen puts Jaida back in. Karmen storms up, but Jaida ELBOWS her down! Jaida doesn’t play, and she runs to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Karmen stays in this but Jaida stays on her with buckle bumps. Jaida RAMS into Karmen again and again, then puts Karmen in the ropes. Jaida CHOPS Karmen, then runs to TEARDROP! Jaida high steps it out, then she drags Karmen up for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO!

Jaida is frustrated, but she clamps onto Karmen. Jaida pulls Karmen’s arms into the motorcycle stretch, then she steps over to sit on Karmen! Karmen endures being folded up and the fans rally. Jaida talks trash, but Karmen powers up to pull her arms back in. Jaida HIP DROPS Karmen first! Jaida then stands Karmen up, throat chops her, and fireman’s carries. Karmen kicks and fights free, then runs up! Karmen ducks ‘n’ dodges to rally with FLYING FOREARM after FLYING FOREARM! Then she DISCUS LARIATS Jaida down! Karmen fires up, fans are torn, but Karmen runs in at the corner to ELBOW!

Karmen sits Jaida down, goes corner to corner, SLIDING KICK! Jaida sputters, Karmen goes up, and Karmen SHING-BLADES! Cover, TWO!! Jaida survives and Karmen is beside herself! Karmen thinks on what to do, and she tries the LION’S- NO, Jaida dodges the kick to HIP-NOTIC!! Cover, Jaida wins!

Winner: Jaida Parker, by pinfall

A big comeback win, but Jaida isn’t done! She HAMMERS away on Karmen, fires KNEE after KNEE, then suplexes for a GOURD BUSTER! Jaida high steps it, then runs up again, but THEA HAIL takes the hit! Jaida tells Thea to mind her own business. But then Karmen almost gets Jaida with a roundhouse! Jaida goes running, and Karmen checks on Thea. Will Jaida show Karmen and Thea what it really means to be a grown ass woman?

Ava Raine talks with Joe Hendry.

The “Mayor of NXT” has security on hand as she says this situation with Hendry and Trick has gotten out of hand. It has to end! Rebellion, the attacks on TNA Impact, and even this tonight, it is all too much, she is not having it anymore! Hendry says as TNA World Champion, he is NOT backing down from Trick. Ava says that’s fine, she knows Trick, and Trick surely won’t back down. So she spoke with Santino Morella earlier tonight, and they came to an agreement. At Battleground, it will be Hendry VS Trick 1v1. And for the first time on a WWE PLE, the TNA World Championship will be on the line.

Hendry is a bit surprised by that, but Ava says the contract signing is next week. Hendry says he’ll be there. Perfect. Hendry heads out, but is he risking a lot just to settle things with Trick? Or is TNA about to stand for Trick’s Newest Achievement?

Out The Mud is on their way back.

Lucien Price says, “Sometimes you gotta let the noise die down. That’s when you strike. We got sloppy. No patience, no control.” Bronco Nima says now they know better. They been crawling out that damn mud. Now that they’re back up, they see the NXT Tag Division for what it really is. There are teams begging to prove what they can do, but OTM ain’t begging. OTM will just take whatever they want. That means they’re taking everyone else’s shine, everyone else’s opportunities, and most importantly, everyone else’s gold! When and where will Price & Nima strike down the competition?

The Wes Side regroups backstage.

Wes himself is on the phone, and he says, “He took the bait, right? The match is set.” And he tells Tyriek & Tyson it’s as the saying goes: Everyone’s got a price! They laugh and head out, but what exactly does Wes mean by that? Meanwhile, we spot Inamura & Briggs. Briggs wants Inamura to hold on, and he wants to talk about the last couple of weeks. Inamura tells Briggs that he knows what he’ll say. Inamura disappointed Briggs again. Unable to win tonight, unable to win last week, and it was all on Inamura. Inamura is sorry. No, Briggs wasn’t going to say that. Inamura says he has already talked to Ava. Tonight, he heads home to Japan.

Briggs says he doesn’t want Inamura to go, but Inamura says he wishes he could’ve been a better tag partner. Inamura even returns his leather vest! “Goodbye, my friend.” Inamura leaves, and Jensen walks in, The Culling by his side. Jensen says he knows that feeling. He’s lived that feeling! And it sucked! But hey, Briggs is better off now, right? Briggs always thinks it’s his partner, but maybe, just maybe, the problem has always been Briggs. Izzi says, “The truth hurts, huh?” The Culling leaves, and Briggs is all alone. What is the Bullhead Brawler to do with himself now?

The NQCC returns backstage.

Wren & Tavion continue to be fired up for Myles, but Dempsey still seems torn. Dempsey does pat Myles on the shoulder and tells him that was a fantastic job out there. But now is the time to get serious. Dempsey needs each and every one of them to help HIM get ready for the match with Oba at Battleground. Myles says he knows he’s hard of hearing, but did Dempsey just say he is facing Oba? Yeah. Uh, no, Myles won the battle royal. Dempsey says hey, Myles won for the good of the group, but it needs to be Dempsey going to Battleground, going after that big piece of meat and stretching it out to have Oba crying for mercy. Uh… What?

Before anyone can question what Dempsey’s talking about, Oba walks in and applauds Myles’ victory. Myles was not Oba’s pick to win, but he is still impressed. He will be seeing Myles at Battleground. Dempsey says no, it’ll be him. Oba says he’s pretty sure he saw Myles win the match. Yeah, but- Myles says yeah, HE won, so HE will be facing Oba at Battleground. But hey, Dempsey can still show Myles how it’s done by facing Oba next week. Because before Oba showed up, Charlie was saying something about… Uh, Tavion, can you help Myles remember? Something about stretching out that big meat? Dempsey says he wasn’t saying that!

Myles says no, he’s pretty sure he heard that. And Wren, didn’t Dempsey say he was gonna make Oba cry for mercy? Hey, Charlie, look. If you beat Oba like you believe you can, then maybe Battleground can be a Triple Threat. No, no, no, Oba is done with Triple Threats. But he will see Dempsey next week. Oba heads out, Myles says Oba’s pissed. Dempsey “thanks” Myles for that. What wonderful selective hearing he has… Sorry, what was that, Charlie? Dempsey frowns then storms off and Myles chuckles. Wren says Dempsey said Myles has wonderful selective hearing, and Myles chuckles again.

Tavion says Myles shouldn’t worry about that. But will Dempsey manage to take down Oba all by himself? Or will Dempsey just be an appetizer for The Ruler?

Uriah Hall & Kale Dixon talk with Mr. Chase.

It is so exciting to have Chase U back! Mr. Chase agrees, it’s been awesome. Kale says he and Uriah have been thinking. First, they love the sweater. So does Mr. Chase! And they love the polo shirts. So does Mr. Chase! But they were thinking to spruce it up a bit by getting rid of the polo. W-What? Uriah says no one really wears polo shirts anymore, and they already have some clothes for Mr. Chase to try on. Chase isn’t so sure, he was just getting used to wearing the sweater again. Uriah says just try these on. And trust them, it’ll be worth it. Chase sighs and gives in. He takes the stack of shirts, goes into the dressing room, but then a few minutes later, he shouts at them!

Uriah & Kale stand at attention as he walks out in a quarter-zip. They love it! It’ll look sharp in the classroom! Chase isn’t so sure, and he goes to try on the second shirt. That’s fine, it’s good to have options. A few minutes later, Chase comes out in a full tracksuit! There it is! That’ll look great ringside! Ringside?! J-Just a suggestion. Chase says y’know what? He does like it. Kale & Uriah fist-bump! New Chase U, new Chase Fit, this is going to be great!

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Giulia VS Jordynne Grace!

La Primera may have overcome The Beautiful Madness, The Juggernaut and Miss Parker all at once, but now she’ll have no choice but to face someone 1v1 at Battleground. Will the former NXT Women’s Champion have her rematch of revenge? Or will Grace go Beast Mode and earn her spot at Battleground?

NXT returns as Grace makes her entrance. The bell rings and both rush in! They fire forearms back and forth and the fans fire up! Grace gets the edge, but then Giulia dodges to ROCK Grace! Giulia has Grace in a corner, CHOPS and ROCKS her over and over, but stops as the ref counts. Giulia winds up, runs up, and hits a FASTBALL! The fans fire up, but then Grace puts Giulia in the ring! Grace fires forearms and CHOPS of her own! The fans fire up, the ref counts, Grace GRIZZLY MAGNUMS! Grace brushes herself off, then whips Giulia corner to corner. Giulia reverses, Grace reverses back and atomic drops!

Grace whips, scoops, and GUT WRENCH SLAMS Giulia! Giulia hits her head hard, but Grace hurries to deadlift suplex! Grace holds Giulia up, even as Giulia kicks and flails! Grace then shifts to hit a GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Giulia stays in this, slaps herself to make sure she’s still in this, and we see Stephanie Vaquer watching this backstage. Grace drags Giulia back up, whips her to a corner, and Giulia bounces off buckles! Grace whips her back the other way! Giulia drops to her knees, but Grace looms over her. The fans rally, Grace bumps Giulia off buckles, then LARIATS to the back again and again!

The ref counts, Grace stops, and then Grace brings Giulia around. Grace waistlocks, Giulia switches, but Grace switches back. Grace goes for a full nelson, but Giulia uses her own leg as leverage to fight the hold. Grace still powers up to nelson, and then she spins Giulia to KNEE and LARIAT! Giulia stays up so Grace LARIATS her in the back! Giulia grits her teeth as Grace LARIATS her again! Giulia then clinches to STO! Cover, TWO! Giulia snarls and headlocks, then she brings Grace to a corner. Giulia ROCKS Grace, runs up, but Grace gets around to RAM her into the buckles! Grace has the arms hooked but Giulia pushes off the buckles!

Grace backslides, Giulia rolls through, then Giulia SHOTGUNS Grace down! The fans fire up, Giulia brings Grace up, but Grace wrenches out and whips Giulia to the apron. Giulia dodges Grace, but Grace blocks a kick! Grace pulls the leg into the ropes, Giulia pulls Grace’s hair, and the ref reprimands them both. They both let go at 4, but then Grace blocks the sucker punch! Grace trips Giulia, then goes up, up, and STOMPS! Giulia avoids disaster, then she YANKS Grace down! Grace hits apron, then Giulia pushes her back in! Giulia stands, goes Matrix to avoid the haymaker, but then Grace BOPS her! Grace goes up and brings Giulia up!

Giulia CHOPS at Grace’s legs, then drops down to trip Grace up! Grace has a hard landing now, and Giulia drags her to the apron. Giulia has Grace dangling, DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! The fans fire up again and NXT goes picture to picture.

Giulia fires up, and she brings Grace back up. Giulia puts Grace in the ring, stomps her around, then brings her back up. Giulia wrenches Grace’s hair, wrenches again, then THROWS Grace by her hair! Giulia throws down hands, then throws down HEADBUTTS! The ref reprimands the hair pulling but Giulia runs to DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Grace is tougher than that, but Giulia looms over her. Giulia drags Grace up by her arms with a motorcycle stretch. Grace powers up to turn that around! But then Giulia turns it back around! Giulia brings Grace to a knee, then STOMPS her down! Giulia kicks Grace around, then clamps on for a NECK TWIST!

Grace writhes but Giulia drags her up. Giulia bumps Grace off buckles, reels her in, and puts her up top. Giulia puts Grace in a Tree of Woe, taunts her, then builds speed side to side, basement DROPKICK! Grace falls out of the Tree, but Giulia clamps on a cravat! Grace endures the neck wrench, fights up to her feet, and fires body shots! Giulia just clamps on tighter! Grace fires more body shots as NXT returns to single picture. Giulia ROCKS Grace, whips her, but Grace goes up and over! Grace then hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Giulia then has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Grace endures, even as Giulia has the body scissors on!

The fans rally, Grace fights up and powers through, but Giulia HEADBUTTS again and again! But Grace still hits an EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both women are down! “This is Awesome!” as both women slowly rise. They go forehead to forehead, then Giulia fires a forearm! Grace fires a haymaker! Giulia fires a forearm, Grace fires back, and they go back and forth! The fans rally as Giulia gets the edge and ROCKS Grace! Giulia whips but Grace holds ropes! Giulia SLAPS Grace, then whips! Grace reverses to SLAP back! The fans fire up, Grace runs, but Giulia blows past! Only for Grace to scoop and SLAM!

Grace scoops and SLAMS again! Then she scoops and- NO, Giulia fights it! But even so, Grace powers through to scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO?!!? Giulia survives and no one understands how! Grace grows frustrated but Giulia gets herself to a corner. Grace drags Giulia up, ROCKS her, then winds up, only for Giulia to dodge! Giulia runs up but Grace puts her on the apron! Giulia goes up, but Grace UPPERCUTS! Grace climbs up and brings Giulia to the top! Stalling SUPERPLEX! And then roll through to a JACKHAMMER!! Cover, TWO!!!! Giulia survives again and Grace is beside herself!

The fans rally up for Giulia but Grace pump handles and half nelsons! Giulia fights free, but Grace reels her in! NORTHERN- DDT!! Giulia hurries to wrench and hammerlock Grace, then scoop, GLORIOUS DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Now Grace shocks us, but Giulia isn’t done! But then Grace scoops! The fans are thunderous for “Women’s Wrestling!” as Giulia fights the scoop to have an IRON OCTOPUS! Grace endures, powers through, but Giulia has her up again! Grace slips free, inverted suplexes, and tucks Giulia in for a REVERSE POWERBOMB!! But Giulia rises?!? Both women roar, Giulia runs up, but Grace ROCKS her! And URAKENS!

Grace reels Giulia in for the pump handle, BEAST MODE DRIVER!!! Cover, Grace wins!!!

Winner: Jordynne Grace, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship)

These two pushed past their limits and put on a banger, but Giulia could not outlast the Juggernaut! Grace is headed to Tampa, but here comes Stephanie Vaquer! La Primera walks to the ring to be face to face with Jordynne, and she holds up the title. Will Vaquer still be the best of the best in the best women’s division in the world? Or will the Dark Angel learn to lose with Grace?

My Thoughts:

An awesome NXT here, jampacked with both action and build towards Battleground. For one, an awesome main event from Giulia VS Grace, though that rough landing for Giulia out of the gut wrench was scary. Grace winning was a moderate surprise, but Vaquer VS Grace will still be awesome. I feel like this is Giulia’s way to move on to Raw, but I guess we’ll see as soon as next week. Good promo from Jaida with Thea and Karmen, and then a very good match between Jaida and Karmen. Jaida gets a good win, and with OTM on the way back, maybe the trio can finally get going on the other side of Battleground.

Lola wanting next after Battleground is also fitting. Lola VS Vaquer was teased months ago, so they might go through with it on the way to the big weekend in LA. Worlds Collide is essentially a spotlight on Latino talent, so an all Latina title match would make the perfect main event. Kelani VS Zaria was a great match, and who doesn’t like a barrier breaking spot? I figured Zaria would get the win, and I still think the route to go with is Zaria facing others who want at Sol, so that Zaria builds herself a win streak that then leads to Sol VS Zaria. Good little promo from Chase with Uriah & Kale to give an origin story behind some new ring gear. I can’t be sure if Uriah & Kale will help Mr. Chase do better or end up messing Mr. Chase up, but it’ll be good story material.

Great opening Six Man, and I didn’t think Trick would cost Hendry the match, but it still works given Trick going after Hendry every chance he can. And of course Hendry costs Trick in return during the battle royal. Trick VS Hendry for the TNA World Championship is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see the contract signing or the title match. And we might get Trick joining the exclusive club of men who’ve been both NXT and TNA Champion in their careers. The others in that club are Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, Drew McIntyre, & Dolph Ziggler/Nic Nemeth.

That battle royal also made for a great throughline for a lot of the other stories tonight. Wes talking smack on Tony D is going to give us Wes VS Tony D, and I feel like Wes’s phone call after the battle royal has something to do with Stacks. Inamura and Briggs having their last match together for it to go south was a good move since Inamura really is going home to Pro-Wrestling Noah. And of course Jensen & The Culling had to pour salt on the wound. I stick by what I said last week where Briggs ends up siding with Culling so he and Jensen can be a team again.

I really liked the interactions of Wes and Zach in the battle royal, because they never got the chance to fight each other, and then ended up working together instead. I can’t wait to see if we get more of Wes VS Zach, maybe for some bigger TNA VS NXT show. I am really surprised Myles Borne won, but this is great for him. It also feels like NQCC could fall apart, as Dempsey was clearly trying to Freebird Rule that title opportunity even though that’s not how it works. Oba had a good promo with NQCC, and Oba will definitely beat Dempsey next week. Now, I don’t know the odds of Myles beating Oba, but Myles will certainly have an awesome showing, and this obviously will lend towards an eventual Myles VS Dempsey story, which will be great stuff.

My Score: 9/10

Say his name and he appears…?

Joe Hendry showed up Trick Williams last week, so Trick Williams showed up in TNA! Will Joe Hendry return to NXT and Whoop Dat Trick?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT North American Championship: Ricky Saints VS Lexis King; Saints wins and retains the title.
• Sol Ruca w/ Zaria VS Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis; Sol wins.
• NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura; Hank ‘n’ Tank win and retain the titles.
• Iyo Sky & Jordynne Grace VS Giulia & Roxanne Perez; Iyo & Jordynne win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Joe Hendry is here!

Vic Joseph said his name, so he appears! The TNA World Champion makes his way to the ring, the fans wave their hands from side to side, and Hendry raises his title. The fans cheer, Hendry has the mic, and… TURNS! The fans cheer again, and they chant, “We Believe! We Believe!” Hendry says he is back in front of the NXT Universe! And what a journey it has been. I just wrested Randy Orton at WrestleMania! And less than 48 hours ago, I successfully defended my TNA World Championship at Rebellion.” The fans cheer that, but Hendry says we unfortunately know what happened next. Trick Williams attacked Hendry while his back was turned!

The fans chant F That Trick, and Hendry says he agrees! Hendry knows he embarrassed Trick, he expected retaliation, but what Trick did… He crossed the line! Hendry said Trick was entitled, but now it’s worse than that. Trick used to be someone the fans could get behind! That could lead the locker room! Trick was Mr. Let’s Talk About It, but now Trick can’t stand the fact that fans aren’t talking about him, they’re talking about Hendry! And what the fans are saying is, “We Believe!” The fans do chant that again, and Hendry says Trick is also arrogant. Because instead of looking within, he blamed everyone else that he couldn’t win back the NXT Championship!

We know Oba Femi won’t just give Trick another title match, so Trick thought he’d take a shot at the TNA World Champion! Trick, Hendry assures you he is an entertainer, but he’s also got an antagonistic side, and he recognizes what this is. Hendry will NOT fall for the deception, so he will make this nice and easy: Hendry will say Trick’s name and make him appear! Get out here right now! But wait! That’s DARK STATE! No one is safe, especially not aa wrestler from another company! Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars swarm Hendry! The fans boo, but they give Hendry the DARK STATE BOMB!!

Hendry writhes while this wild pack of dogs bark and talk trash. Will Trick even need to bother to do something after what just happened?

Ava Raine meets with…?

The NXT General Manager knows it has been a couple hectic weeks, but she gives congratulations on the WrestleMania win, and welcomes them back to NXT. Iyo Sky thanks Ava for that. Ava says she knew Iyo would be coming given the attacks from Roxanne Perez & Giulia, so she is prepared. There is a tag match set, but has Iyo found a partner? Well, no, not yet. But Iyo is sure she will. And tonight- Oh, in steps Jordynne Grace! The Juggernaut offers her help, because she knows it’ll help her get one step closer to the NXT Women’s Championship. Iyo says okay, she accepts. The Juggernaut & The Genius of the Sky shake on it, but Jordynne’s grip is so strong!

Jordynne apologizes, and they high-five instead. Will this super duo take down the new villainous combination of Prodigy & Beautiful Madness?

Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley are backstage.

Karmen Petrovic is with them in the dining area and says they were SO close to becoming WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Not to mention, they almost won the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships at Rebellion! Gigi points out they weren’t even one of the teams pinned in that Fatal 4 Way match. Tatum says right! And she just feels that if they could get one more shot- Ashante THEE Adonis interrupts. He says he was looking all over for Karmen. Hey, don’t worry about these losers, Karmen. They gotta go cuz he just got her a match with Sol Ruca! Karmen says first, don’t do that. They’re not losers.

Adonis apologizes, but says she needs to hurry to get ready. Karmen says yes, she knows, okay. But when? Tonight! What?! But she isn’t ready! Well, she better get ready! And after she wins tonight, “we” have a title match. Let’s go. Karmen sighs but she does head for the locker room. Gigi repeats that: “We have a title match?” Wow… Is Adonis being a bit controlling in this relationship? Or can Karmen make the most out of the opportunity he got for her?

NXT North American Championship: Ricky Saints VS Lexis King!

The Absolute overcame All Ego at Stand & Deliver, only for The Drama King to think he could just call his shot. Lexis lost his Heritage Cup because he was looking too far ahead, but will he be right on the money tonight? Or will the revolution still be televised?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really championship material!

The bell rings and Lexis CLOBBERS Ricky from behind! The fans boo but Lexis CLUBS away on Ricky, then stomps a mudhole in the corner! Lexis gets in Ricky’s face, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, only to get a BOOT! Ricky goes up, MISSILE DROPKICKS Lexis down, then drags Lexis up to CHOP! And CHOP! And UPPERCUT! Ricky fires haymakers from all sides, and he bumps Lexis off buckles. And bumps him off buckles again! Ricky winds up to CHOP and the fans cheer! Ricky gives the fans what they want with the “Stroke~!” and the fans fire up! Ricky whips Lexis, ELBOWS him down, then finally takes his vest off.

The fans fire up for “Stroke Daddy!” as Ricky frames his shot. Ricky storms up, but Lexis UP KICKS! Lexis headlocks, then punches away on Ricky’s head! The ref reprimands but Lexis digs his boots in. The fans boo, the ref counts, and Lexis stops at 4. Lexis CHOPS Ricky, whips him, but Ricky reverses. Lexis goes up but Ricky stays back! Lexis is confused as to where Ricky went, but Ricky spins him around to SLAP! And CHOP! Ricky fires haymakers, then whips. Ricky dodges Lexis to then OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Lexis bails out, but Ricky builds speed, and Ricky WRECKS Lexis with a dropkick! Ricky steps on Lexis to then go to the fans!

The fans fire up as Ricky is on the barrier and poses! Ricky blows a kiss and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Lexis runs up, but Ricky dodges, only for DOUBLE CROSSBODIES to collide! The fans fire up for “N X T! N X T!” while both men are down. Lexis drags Ricky up to hit a BIG back suplex! Lexis climbs, aims, and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Ricky survives and he brings Ricky up to fireman’s carry. GUT BUSTER DROP! High stack cover, TWO! Ricky is still in this and the fans fire back up, but Lexis goes to a corner. Lexis waits on Ricky, tunes up the band, and then SWEET- NO, Ricky dodges to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Lexis tries, Ricky dodges and scoops to SLAM! The fans fire up with Ricky as he brings Lexis back up!

Ricky whips Lexis to a corner, ELBOWS him, then reels him in, TORANDO- NO, Lexis slips free! Lexis dodges and sends Ricky into buckles! Roll up, and Lexis tries for the ropes! TWO!! Ricky survives again and Lexis is frustrated. Lexis runs, but Ricky blows past! SUPERKICK from Lexis! Lexis reels Ricky in, crosses the arms, but Ricky spins through! TORNADO DDT!! The fans fire up and Ricky hauls Lexis up! Canadian Rack, ROSHAMBEAUX!! Cover, Ricky wins!

Winner: Ricky Saints, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

And that is why Ricky is Absolute! The revolution moves on from The King, but who will step to Ricky next?

The Culling meets.

Shawn Spears sits with Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance & Izzi Dame. “Over the past few weeks, you all have… fallen short of expectations. Brooks & Niko in the gauntlet match, and Izzi… Mere fingertips away from becoming the new Women’s North American Champion at Stand & Deliver. It hurts to lose, I know. But you can’t let your failures define you. Let your failures teach you. If you fear failure, you’re simply putting limitations on your life. I’m going to be honest with you, Izzi. This NXT Women’s Roster is deep and rich with talent. So I need you to focus on how you’re gonna stand out from the pack.

“And I need you to take and I need you to rip that spotlight away from somebody and put it exactly where it belongs: On yourself.” Izzi nods and has a sinister smile. Is there already a name or two on her mind? Spears then tells Vance & Jensen that with Hank ‘n’ Tank as the new NXT Tag Team Champions, Jensen & Vance need to work on building a stronger bond, on becoming a more cohesive unit. They will work deeper than surface level. And if they do that, they will have the results they seek. As always, Spears is here for them all. So he wants them to rise up and seize control. The Chair Man has given his “family” their orders, what will the future hold?

Tony D’Angelo is here!

The fans cheer as The Don finally returns from Las Vegas, but he is without Adrianna Rizzo & Luca Crusifino. The cowardly betrayal by Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo has shaken up the entire family, so Tony is here, the cousins waiting for him in the ring. The fans cheer Tony on, but Tony says, “Betrayal is something everyone can relate to. And everybody’s been asking me, ‘Did you expect this to happen? Did you expect this to happen at Stand & Deliver?’ And honestly, no, I didn’t. Now, I expected me and Stacks to have a conversation man to man, but never this.

“Now Stacks, he’s always been so passionate. And when things started turning sideways, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. And it made me think about when we were kids, and Stacks would pop off on somebody bigger than him. What’d I do? I stepped in, and I handled it. And it didn’t matter if it was on the schoolyard, it didn’t matter if it was in the streets, I always had his back cuz that’s what loyalty is all about.” The fans cheer that, and Tony continues, “Now Stacks, he’s always had his eyes on the big seat. He always wanted to lead the family. But y’know what, there were plenty of times where I was down and Stacks had my back.

“When I got locked up, Stacks stepped in and he handled business. When I got hurt, he stepped in and handled business. And he showed the world why he was deserving to be The Underboss. So I rewarded him. But at the same time, Stacks’ impulsivity jeopardized this family, and I had to step in and show him why I am the Don of this family, why I make the big decisions!” The fans cheer that, too! Tony says Stacks waited. Stacks waited for the right moment. For the whole world to be watching. For Stand & Deliver. Stacks took that knife and he stuck it right in Tony’s back. Tony tells Stacks that he will pay for his sins.

The family is in disarray. No one’s heard from Luca! Rizzo is in hiding! Wait, security walks out here? Stacks is on the tron, and he’s standing on that bridge. Stacks tells Tony that he was gonna go out there and face Tony, “those mason lamps staring back at me. Then I thought, ‘That’s not what The Don would do.’ Security’s out there anyways, nothing’s gonna happen. But Tony, I’m gonna tell you exactly what you need to hear. I am sick of taking your orders. You were getting soft! You talk about this pledge, this code you live by, but you’re making decisions that allowed people like The Dark State to think they could push us around.

“You aren’t capable of leading us anymore. Let’s be honest, T. You were never gonna lead the family anyways, so you left it to me. I had to take the reins myself, and put you in your place. I know you, T, better than anyone. And you’re shaken. Your Underboss and best friend, gone. Luca, gone. And then you send Rizzo into hiding? You’re losing more power every day. Probably thinking to yourself, ‘What’s next? Can I even trust my own family?’ Let’s be real. You don’t even know who you can trust right now, do you?” Tony looks behind him at the cousins, and they all defend their innocence. Only for “security” to rush Tony!

Tony fights off these dirty security guards but that’s 4v1! Tony still DECKS each on, and he TOSSES The last guy out onto the rest! Tony is furious, and he shouts a Stacks, “You wanna piece of me, huh!? You wanna be The Don? Well, you’re gonna have to bring your ass down here and take it yourself!” Tony will not be punked out by the man who was always under his wing. But now, will Tony have to put Stacks under his boot?

The Meta Four reunites backstage.

Noam Dar and Oro Mensah hang out in the Meta Lounge, and they’re both happy to see Dar and the Heritage Cup back where they belong! Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson walk in and they give Dar a big hug. They congratulate Dar and Dar thanks them. But he is thinking… Reunion time~! Oro is up for it, but Lash & Jakara are a bit conflicted. Let’s all just sit down and talk. Lash tells Dar that a lot has changed since he’s been gone. Lash was in the Royal Rumble, she and Jakara went to Saudi Arabia for a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Championships, and Oro is killing it in Evolve.

But honestly… Oro has always been Dar’s main man, but it is time for Oro to be his own man. And it is time for Miss Jackson to be about her action, and for Lash to lash out and be her own legend. Dar agrees. What made the group special is that it always took care of their individual needs. If that also means separating to be the stars that they know they are, then that’s the move. So for one last time, the Meta Four fingernail click together. No matter what, they’ll always be friends. They hug it out, and the others let Dar have the lounge. Dar tells the Heritage Cup that it’s just the two of them again. Will the Scottish Supernova still turn it up to 11 even though he’s the only one?

Sol Ruca w/ Zaria VS Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis!

The Stand & Deliver ladder match was wild, but the Sol Surfer was able to ride that wave and come out on top. However, that just means she has a target on her back. As such, Adonis “gifted” his girlfriend this match. Will Karmen earn a title shot with a #ShingShing? Or will she just get her soul snatched?

The bell rings and the two circle. Karmen KICKS, and KICKS, and then KICKS! Sol hobbles, Karmen headlocks, but Sol powers up and out. Karmen goes up to KICK from the corner! Karmen runs up, wrenches, but Sol blocks that kick to FACEBUSTER! Karmen bails out, Sol goes to the apron, and Sol goes up the corner to MOONSAULT! Karmen dodges, and Zaria is there to break Sol’s fall! The fans cheer, Sol hurries back into the ring, but Karmen KICKS! Karmen whips, Sol ducks that kick, then she jumps the dropdown and handsprings over! Karmen avoids the leg sweep, and the fans cheer the standoff.

Karmen and Sol reset, then Sol slips around to waistlock. Karmen fights the lift, wrenches free, but Sol ducks a kick only for the SOBAT to hit! Karmen whips, Sol goes up and flips over, but the ROUNDHOUSE finds her! Karmen pushes Sol down to rain down fists! Sol gets away, but Karmen drags her for a cover, TWO! Karmen clamps on with a chinlock and she grinds Sol down. Sol fights up, Karmen CLUBS her, and Karmen reels Sol in. Sol powers Karmen back but Karmen throws into the corner! Karmen then runs in and SLIDING KICKS! Karmen snapmares Sol, then SHOTGUNS her down! Cover, TWO!

Karmen grows frustrated but Adonis coaches her up. Karmen stands Sol up but sol fires body shots, Karmen ROCKS Sol with forearms, but Sol ROCKS Karmen in return! The fans rally up, Sol mule kicks, CLUBS and CHOPS! Sol whips, then she SHOULDER TACKLES! And FLYING FOREARMS! And FLYING FOREARMS again! The fans fire up and Sol brings Karmen around to whip. Sol runs up to ELBOW Karmen, then hooks her up for a BACKPACK SENTON! Then Sol runs, runs and KNEES Karmen down! Karmen flounders, Sol goes up, SOUL- NO, Karmen shoves Sol out of the ring! Karmen stares Zaria down, then puts Sol back in.

Karmen hurries after Sol to cover, ONE! Karmen has the cover, TWO! Sol and Karmen rise up, Sol kicks low. Sol whips Karmen to a corner, Karmen goes up, but Sol blocks the kick to YANK her down! Then SOUL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol wins!

Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall

Zaria brings the belt to Sol and the friends celebrate together. But then Adonis tries to talk things out with Karmen, but she doesn’t want to hear it. Adonis turns Karmen around, but Karmen ROUNDHOUSES him down! Is the romcom turning into a tragic breakup?

Trick Williams is here!

The fans still chant, “Whoop Dat Trick!” and Booker T still adds his, “What? Yeah! Uh-huh! I like it!” as #CrashOutTrick goes to the ring. Trick grabs a mic and he says, “Joe Hendry…” He waits, but then says hold on, maybe the mic wasn’t working. “Joe Hendry.” Trick says he’s calling Joe’s name yet his ass done disappeared. And Hendry better be glad Dark State got to him before Trick did. But even those punks know that Joe Hendry doesn’t belong in NXT. The fans boo, but Trick says he won’t lie: Hendry got the best of him last week. Hendry has Trick’s number, Trick was out of character. Trick might even have… crashed out.

But this is what helped Trick Willy feel better. He looked up Hendry’s schedule, he saw there was TNA Rebellion in Los Angeles, so Trick got himself a first class ticket to go whoop that ass, let’s talk about it! That’s right, Hendry! He went on your show, and then made it the Trick Williams Show. Let’s talk about this: While Trick was in LA, he went to Hollywood with some of his old friends, and in case you haven’t heard, Trick Willy hitting the big screen! The fans do applaud, and Trick says coming to the CW, Trick’s second show, season seven of the all-hit show, All American, the season finale, Trick makes his debut, let’s talk about it!

What Trick is saying, he and Hendry aren’t on the same level! The fans chant “Hollywood Trick!” and Trick says yeah, he IS Hollywood! Hendry is just “local talent.” They ain’t on the same level! And while Hendry is trying to figure out his lane in this business, look at Trick’s. It’s the same as The Rock, John Cena. Hendry, you can’t see Trick. But while you’re figuring it out, Trick’s on to bigger and better things! You already know, and that’s the NXT Championship! Oba, Trick meant what he said! He wants his title back. And Oba knows he has what belongs to Trick. Wait, Ava makes her way out here!

Ava tells Trick he just doesn’t get it, does he? Ava had to kick Trick out of the arena because he wrecked the place! He destroyed a camera, and that still wasn’t enough. Because then Trick went to another company and attacked their champion. What is Trick doing!? Trick says he would hear her out, but she needs to hear him out. Trick is about Trick! Trick used to think he was NXT, but no. After Sunday, maybe Trick is bigger than NXT. Let’s talk about how Trick is the biggest superstar here, and after Sunday, he’s the biggest star in TNA, too. Hendry, you better believe that. Wow, biggest star here? That’s a bold claim.

And all of this just to get “his” title back? Ava says if he wants a shot that bad, then he can get it. But he won’t be cutting the line. Trick will have to take about… 25 steps back. Because next week, we are getting a 25 MAN BATTLE ROYALE for the #1 Contendership! If Trick can outlast all 24 other men, then the title shot is all his, because the winner faces Oba at Battleground! Good luck. Trick has his last chance, but will he defy the 1/25 odds to finally be the one around here again?

Roxanne Perez talks with Giulia backstage.

Roxie says she’ll be honest. She was not the biggest fan of Giulia when she came here, and took what she loved the most. But after being side by side with her, she thinks- Giulia stops Roxie there. Roxie is a great champion, Giulia understands that now. And Giulia sees that the Prodigy & The Beautiful Madness together will be unstoppable. These two on the same page could be a very dangerous thing. But will they be the ones writing the story that is the future of NXT?

Backstage interview with Oba Femi.

Kelly Kincaid is with the NXT Champion to ask his response to Trick Williams still wanting a title match, and that there will be a battle royal to determine Oba’s next challenger. Oba says, “Trick Williams’ complaints are starting to sound more and more like that of a crying child. However, if he can somehow manage to win the battle royale, I will face him at Battleground. But what he doesn’t quite understand yet is that it doesn’t matter if I face him one more time, or one million times, at Battleground, the title will stay on the shoulders of Oba Femi.”

Then in steps The Undertaker! He tells big Oba that he said it before, he’ll say it again: This is your yard now. Oba says that means a lot coming from Taker. Taker adds that it is Oba’s yard for now. Just so Oba knows, Taker’s got some guys coming up from LFG, and they’ll be coming for the NXT Championship. In fact, those guys step into frame! Shiloh Hill, Anthony Luke AND Jasper Troy all stare Oba down. Oba asks if this is the future Taker is talking about. It is. Then Oba looks forward to the challenge. Taker knew he would. They shake hands, and Oba heads out. When and where will “Team Taker” look to take over NXT?

NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura!

From running the table in the tag team gauntlet to then running Fraxiom over like a couple Mack trucks, the big belly boys finally put some gold around those waists. But will their first defense be their last defense? Or can Hank ‘n’ Tank deny The Bullhead Brawler & The Great Rush their last chance at the titles?

NXT returns as Briggs & Inamura make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who can handle the heat with all that meat!

The teams sort out and Tank starts with Inamura. They both set up in a three point stance, and at the bell, they both rush in! Inamura runs Tank over! Inamura stomps Tank again and again, then he brings Tank up. Inamura whips, Tank grabs ropes and he BOOTS back! Tag to Hank, and Tank bumps Inamura off buckles. Hank runs up to SPLASH, then he BULLDOGS! Tank SENTONS, Hank covers, TWO! The fans fire up and Hank brings Inamura up. Inamura throat chops Hank! Then ROCKS him! Tag to Briggs while Hank sputters, and the challengers double whip. Briggs BLASTS Tank while Inamura CLOBBERS Hank!

The fans are torn while Briggs talks trash. Briggs brings Hank up with a choke grip, but Hank slips free to fire hands! Hank runs, but Briggs ELBOWS him! Briggs whips, but Hank ducks ‘n’ dodges! Briggs also dodges, and he CLOBBERS Hank! The fans fire up with Briggs, he tags Inamura, and they double whip again. Hank sunset flips Inamura, TWO! Inamura headlocks but Tank sneaks a tag while Hank powers out! Hank then blows past Inamura and Tank CLOBBERS him! Hank ‘n’ Tank wait for Inamura to stand, and then ASSISTED SEATED SENTON! The fans fire up for that, and Tank covers, TWO!

Tank huffs ‘n’ puffs, brings Inamura around, and Tank grinds Inamura’s arm. Inamura endures, fights up,  but Tank steps over to HIP DROP! Inamura body shots, but Tank clamps on again. Tank whips, Inamura reverses, and they COLLIDE! Tank falls back, Briggs talks trash, and Inamura storms up to CLUB Tank. Inamura brings Tank up to fire forearms, then he whips. Tank cartwheels past Inamura, then slips around to crucifix, only for Inamura to swing free! Inamura CHOPS Tank down! Tank sputters, staggers up, but Inamura fires the SUMO PALM STRIKES! Inamura fires off in the corner, ROCKS Tank, then tags Briggs.

Inamura runs Tank side to side to bump him off buckles! Briggs runs in and BOOTS Tank while Inamura runs and BLASTS Hank! Briggs then sends Inamura at Tank to SPLASH! Inamura feeds Tank to a BOOT! The fans are torn while Briggs & Inamura are fired up, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and Hank runs to BOOT Inamura! The fans fire up with Hank while Inamura staggers. But Inamura roars and ROCKS Hank! Hank ROCKS Inamura! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Hank swings, but Inamura blocks to CHOP, CHOP and ROCK Hank! Hank BOOTS in return! Briggs tags in, Hank scoops Inamura to TOSS him! But Briggs BOOTS him down! Then Briggs BLASTS Tank! Briggs whips Hank, scoops, SIDEWALK SLAM and SPLASH! Briggs roars, the fans are torn, but Briggs tags Inamura. Briggs whips Hank into Inamura’s waistlock, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Hank survives and the fans fire up! Inamura roars, he hauls Hank up, and he atomic drops Hank onto the corner! Inamura climbs up, Hanks fires elbows, and Inamura falls! Hank DECKS Briggs, then adjusts position, and FLYING LARIATS! Hot tag to Tank! Tank gives Hank the boost, FLAPJACK SPLASH! The fans fire up as the big belly boys go to the corners, “HONK HONK!” But Briggs trips Hank! Then RAMS him into the steel steps! Tank is stunned, Inamura rolls him up! TWO!! Tank escapes, Briggs tags in! Briggs choke grips to CHOKE SLAM!! Tag back to Inamura, and Briggs CLOTHESLINES FROM HELL!

Inamura is up, he builds up that energy, GREAT RUSH SPLASH!! Cover, HANK BREAKS IT!! The fans are thunderous and Briggs is beside himself! The fans are thunderous for “N X T! N X T!” Briggs runs up, Hank DUMPS him out, only for Briggs to drag Hank out! Tag back in and Briggs choke grips! Inamura joins in, CHOP to the back, and a- Wait, Hank runs in! Inamura scoops him, but Hank’s boots BOP Briggs! Tank is free, and he DECKS Inamura! Tag back to Hank and Hank scoops Briggs! GRIDIRON!! Cover, HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!

Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)

That was a hoss fight if there ever was one! Hank ‘n’ Tank hold on by the seat of their pants, but will they just keep winning the Hank ‘n’ Tank way? Inamura apologizes to Briggs, and Briggs seems to accept. But with Inamura soon to return home to Japan, what will happen to Briggs now?

No Quarter Catch Crew talks backstage.

Myles Borne asks Tavion Heights if he heard the announcement. Yeah, the #1 contender’s battle royale. There’s gonna be not just NXT talent, but also Evolve superstars, TNA wrestlers, and maybe even some LFG talent. Whoa…! Yeah, who knows who’ll be in it. But next week, that’s gonna be huge. Wait, where’s Charlie? Not here right now. He’s still mad at Myles. For what? For teaming with Je’Von? Yeah. That’s outside the group. C’mon, man, what’s the big deal? Myles is sure Charles will get over it. But for now, they can break out! Myles and Tavion both! Yeah, but what will Charlie say?

Myles says who cares! They’ve done everything he’s ever asked of them, so it is time to think for themselves. And he doesn’t know about them, but Myles is ready to win that battle royal. Tavion says he wants in, too, but what’s Charlie gonna say? Wren knows Charles is a complex man. He has many thoughts about many things. What does that even mean? Wren isn’t sure… But one way or another, will the crew give that battle royal no quarter if it means getting a shot at the NXT Championship?

Dark State speaks.

Saquon Shugars mocks the song, “Say his name and, he appears~!” How about they make him disappear? Hendry, things have changed, fool. Dion Lennox says they don’t care about breaking the internet. They just wanna break your favorites! Osiris Griffin says champions, challengers, it doesn’t matter. When the lights go out, Dark State is around. Cutler James says we can believe in Joe Hendry all we want, but you best believe that they’re just getting started! If no one is safe, will no one be able to stop the chaos?

Chase U is back!

Andre Chase welcomes his students back and they’re all excited to be back. He knows it has been awhile, as five months ago, Ridge Holland ended Chase U as we knew it. Chase was forced to let go of the people who helped build this place from the ground up, and Chase wasn’t sure if he’d ever open these doors again. But never say never! Because today is a new semester, with a new agenda! A Chase U that- Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors arrive late… Someone brings up that Chase himself said class started sharply at 9 o’clock. Uriah tells “Chad” to pipe down, no one likes a snitch.

Chase says everyone settle down, because they’re both right. He will not let students talk to each other like that. They all wear the red ‘n’ black. Now, Chad, as for your question… F THAT! You stupid SOB, you gonna question Chase? F that! F ALL YOUR QUESTIONS! Okay, that just feels right. Chase U really IS back! The class, except for Chad, is fired up! But who will rise up as top of the class in this new semester?

#ZaRuca regroups backstage.

Sol did not see that coming with Karmen & Adonis. Zaria says she sure did. But hey, they don’t have issues, right? Kelani Jordan walks over to sarcastically congratulate Sol on the win. And she “doesn’t mean” to discredit Sol, but when Kelani was a champion, she defended that title every single match. Kelani thought Sol would do the same, but it seems she was wrong. And the audacity! Sol could’ve faced anyone tonight, and she goes and chooses Karmen? The girl with more distractions than you can count? Some champion Sol is. Sol tells Kelani that if she has an issue, then step up whenever you want.

Great! Next week, Sol and Kelani- Zaria has Kelani hold on there. Sol is not defending that title against Kelani next week. Sol asks, “I’m not?” Kelani says she wasn’t talking to Zaria, but Zaria says Sol busted her ass in that ladder match, put hours and hours into her training, and finally has a championship. Sol is not just throwing out title shots. If Kelani wants to step to Sol, step to Zaria first. Kelani says fine, then storms off. Will the Agent of Change make sure the Standout earns her way back?

Joe Hendry gets checked in NXT Medical.

The TNA doctors already found Hendry had a sprained shoulder joint, so the NXT doc is just making sure it didn’t get any worse. Hank ‘n’ Tank check in with “Joe Joe.” Tough week, huh? Hendry got jumped by Trick at Rebellion, and then tonight was Dark State. Is he okay? Hendry says yes, because in due time, Trick will get his. But first, Hendry wants to get his hands on Dark State. Tank says let it be known, he and Hank believe in Hendry. Just say “Honk Honk” and they’ll be there. Hendry joins in for a HONK HONK, and it looks like we’ve got a trio stepping up! Will they make Dark State into believers?

Iyo Sky & Jordynne Grace VS Giulia & Roxanne Perez!

The Genius of the Sky already got some payback on her opponents tonight last night on Raw when she and Rhea Ripley ran them off. But now, she is joined by The Juggernaut to see if she can do it again here on NXT! Will Grace help the Women’s World Champion and earn herself a shot at the NXT Women’s Champion? Or will the Beautiful Madness & The Prodigy use some vicious villainy to take those opportunities for their own?

NXT returns and Grace makes her entrance, followed by Iyo’s. The teams sort out and Iyo starts against Roxie. Iyo then runs up but Roxie bails out! Iyo pursues on the outside, and then Grace hops down so they can trap Roxie. But then Giulia turns Iyo around! Giulia and Grace take a swing but both Iyo and Roxie dodge, so Grace CLOBBERS Giulia! Roxie runs up, Grace dodges and Iyo ROCKS Roxie! Grace puts Roxie in the ring for Iyo and the fans cheer. Roxie avoids the buzzsaw, goes to a corner, but Iyo RAMS her! Iyo stomps away, stops at 4, then digs her boot in. The ref counts but the fans cheer, and Iyo slingshot DOUBLE KNEE DROPS!

Roxie sputters, Iyo brings her up, and the fans cheer. Iyo scoops, but Giulia makes the save! Giulia runs up but Iyo grabs her first. Roxie CLUBS Iyo, then she and Giulia double whip. Iyo ducks the double lariat to then handspring! Roxie & Giulia get clear, but Iyo comes back and DOUBLE DROPKICKS them down! The fans fire up as Iyo kips up, and she tags in Grace. Grace gives Iyo a boost, ELECTRIC CHAIR SENTON! The fans fire up and Grace covers, TWO! Grace drags Roxie up, reels her in, Canadian Rack, but Roxie arm-drags free! Roxie hurries to tag Giulia! Giulia runs up, dodges the lariat and headlocks for a takeover!

Grace headlocks, Giulia kips free, and Grace fireman’s carries! Giulia flails to sunset flip, but Grace breaks fere! Things speed up, Grace cartwheels over to scoop! Giulia slips free, shoves, but Grace runs her over! Grace scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM Giulia! Then a stalling suplex, and Grace shifts it into a SPIN and GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives but Grace drags her up. Grace fireman’s carries again, but Roxie runs up! The ref stops Roxie, but that lets Giulia CLAW Grace’s face! Giulia smothers Grace, bumps her off buckles, then tags Roxie. Roxie stomps away, the ref counts, and Roxie stops at 4.

Roxie tells the ref she knows the rules! Roxie then stomps Grace, drags her up, and whips her to a corner. Grace reverses, scoops, but Roxie tilt-o-whirls through to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Roxie is furious and she stomps Grace down. And SMACKS her off the mat! Roxie drags Grace up, tags Giulia, and they double whip. But Grace reverses to crisscross and SMACK them into each other! Then Grace reels them in for a DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS! Grace crawls, hot tag to Iyo! The fans fire up as Iyo springboards at Giulia for a MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Iyo, and then she rolls to a jackknife bridge, TWO!

Iyo drags Giulia up, underhooks, but Giulia RAMS her into the corner! Grace tags in, and she brings Giulia around to whip and UPPERCUT! Giulia flops down, tag back to Iyo! Grace goes out to spin Giulia around, and then she gives Iyo another boost! But Roxie saves Giulia, and they both YANK Grace & Iyo down! Grace hits apron, Iyo HOTSHOTS off ropes, and the fans boo the devious duo while NXT goes picture in picture.

Roxie & Giulia soak up the heat, then Giulia fetches Iyo into the ring. Giulia kicks Iyo around, puts her in the corner, and fires a CHOP! And a forearm! And repeat! The ref counts, Giulia stops at 4, then she goes corner to corner to SHOTEI! Iyo staggers, Giulia snapmares, and Giulia runs to SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Giulia drags Iyo up, tags Roxie, and they double whip Iyo into the corner. They both run in to DOUBLE ELBOW! Roxie & Giulia keep moving, and they DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKCIK! Cover, TWO! Iyo is tougher than that, but Roxie drags Iyo up to bump her off buckles. Roxie stomps a mudhole into Iyo, then digs her boot in!

Iyo CLUBS Roxie, the ref reprimands, and Roxie lets off. Roxie CHOKES Iyo on the ropes, stops at 4, and Iyo sputters. Roxie taunts Iyo, drags her up, but Iyo fires body shots! Roxie storms back up to headlock, but Iyo fires more body shots. Roxie ROCKS Iyo, whips her to ropes, but Iyo reverses. Roxie wheelbarrows, then arm-drags! And SLIDING UPPERCUTS! Cover, TWO! Roxie clamps onto Iyo to bring her around, wrench and then tag to Giulia. They mug Iyo, then Giulia trips Iyo to hook up the legs. NXT returns to single picture as Giulia has the surfboard and STOMP! Cover, TWO! Iyo survives but Giulia tags Roxie.

Roxie stomps Iyo, keeps her from Grace, and she hammerlocks Iyo. Iyo fires elbows, slips around, but Roxie switches. Iyo wheelbarrows, victory roll, STOMP 182! But Giulia runs in to stop Iyo! Iyo rolls free, KICKS Giulia down, then crawls! Roxie BLASTS Grace first! Roxie runs up on Iyo, tilt-o-whirl and LA MYSTICA! But Iyo escapes the crossface and reels Roxie in! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Roxie and Iyo crawl, hot tags to Giulia and Grace! The Juggernaut rallies, then scoops to GUT WRENCH PLEX! UPPERCUT and LARIAT for Roxie, then a fireman’s carry!

Giulia stands, Grace CLOBBERS her using Roxie! Then Grace ROLLING DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS Roxie! Then an ELBOW for Giulia! Grace sends Giulia into Roxie, NORTHERN GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO!! Cover on Giulia, TWO!! The fans fire up and Grace lets her hair down! Grace roars, drags Giulia up, and she hooks Giulia up. Giulia resists so Grace RAMS her into the corner! And again, and again! Iyo tags in, Grace completes the Gory Especial, and Iyo climbs up! DOUBLE STOMP followed by GORY BOMB!! Cover, Roxie CROSSBODIES Grace onto it! All four women are down and the fans fire up for “N X T! N X T!”

Giulia crawls away but Iyo fires up! The fans rally with Iyo, but Roxie sneaks a tag! Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Giulia to the drop zone, goes up and up, but Roxie ROCKS her! Roxie goes up to get Iyo, SUPER STEINER! Tag back to Giulia and Roxie SHOTGUNS Grace! Giulia HEADBUTTS Iyo, Roxie SUPERKICKS, and then Giulia hammerlocks for the scoop! Tag to Roxie again, Giulia spins for the GLORIOUS DRIVER! Roxie double jumps to LIONSAULT! Cover, GRACE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Giulia CLUBS Grace! “This is Awesome!” as Grace TOSSES Giulia! Giulia goes Matrix to avoid the haymaker!

Giulia HEADBUTTS Grace, drags her to the apron, but Grace blocks a boot! Giulia blocks the backhand and SLAMS Grace down! Giulia headlocks Grace but Grace RAMS her into the apron! They scrap on the outside and the fans fire up! Roxie isn’t sure what’s going on with that, but Iyo reels her in! Roxie switches, they go to ropes, O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Iyo rolls Roxie right up, TWO! Roxie has an arm, LA MAGISTROL into an O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo has the O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!! SHOTEI!! Roxie wobbles, Iyo reels her in and whips her to a corner. Roxie goes up and over, hops on, but Iyo pops free!

Iyo runs up, Roxie wrenches to KNEE and SUPERKICK! And SOBAT! Iyo doubles over, Roxie talks trash, and Roxie runs! POP- NO, Iyo backflips through! BUZZSAW!! Then up, up, and OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Iyo & Grace win!

Winners: Iyo Sky & Jordynne Grace, by pinfall

The Women’s World Champion has her vengeance on the disruptors! Roxie is frustrated, what will she do to get back to a title?

Ava talks with Stephanie Vaquer.

The NXT GM says the NXT Women’s Champion did an amazing job last night on Raw. Vaquer thanks Ava, and says she is ready to defend her title again. Who is her next challenger? Ava says given everything that’s happened, it should either be Giulia or Jordynne Grace. And she knows what Vaquer will say about that, so she already has an idea. They will have a #1 contender’s match with each other, and whoever wins that will challenge Vaquer at Battleground. Vaquer says that’s a great plan. La Primera heads out, who will she be meeting in Tampa?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for NXT here, with things going well towards Battleground. Great promo from Hendry to call out Trick, but Dark State going after him was certainly a surprise. Trick had a good promo in response to that, and the 25 Man Battle Royal will be great stuff. I feel like Trick is going to win that, but I feel like there needs to be shenanigans. Trick is a Heel, he should do more Heel things, like find a way to catch the others off guard. They should even have Dark State interfere. Yes, they’re facing Hendry, Hank ‘n’ Tank, but there’s four of them so they could wonk that match to win, then still help Trick. It doesn’t even have to be that Trick is some kind of mastermind, it’ll be that he and Dark State come to an understanding.

Speaking of Hank ‘n’ Tank, awesome tag match with Briggs & Inamura, and a great win for their first title defense. Plus, Inamura was on his way out so he wasn’t winning. Briggs is now adrift again, I wonder if he’ll end up joining The Culling over his bond with Jensen. Good promo from Spears to motivate The Culling, and we’ll get some good stuff from them on the road to Battleground. Good promo from Gigi, Tatum and Karmen with Adonis. A good match from Sol and Karmen for being a bit quick, and it seems Karmen x Adonis is over already. Kelani of course wants her match, and I like Zaria stepping up. I feel like Zaria being the gatekeeper, she’ll end up earning herself a shot at the title just because she gets on a win streak, and that will make for something fun with her and Sol.

Very good promo from the Meta Four, and I appreciate that their faction agrees to split up amicably. It sounds like Lash & Jakara are even agreeing to go for singles titles rather than strike out on the tag titles again. Good promo from NQCC, and it feels like Myles might break away from the group, too. I almost thought Charlie Dempsey was gonna surprise him by walking up on the group, but maybe he confronts Myles about this stuff next week. Very good promo from Tony and Stacks with the battlelines drawn, and I like that the “dirty security guards” were also just Evolve superstars. I still feel like Luca can’t actually be kayfabe dead, he is just waiting to attack whoever at the most opportune moment. And it’d be the more dramatic if Luca attacks Tony to reveal he joined Team Stacks.

Good promo from Oba with Taker, and I like that NXT is already getting familiar with the LFG talent as we’re going to see any number of them in the NXT ring soon enough. Good promo from the revived Chase U, and of course Andre Chase gets a classic Mr. Chase rant in there. But I feel like Kale & Uriah are gonna get cocky just because they’re the two that helped Chase get back on his feet. I hope that cues Riley Osborne to return from Evolve to defend Mr. Chase, and I can only hope that also compels WWE to bring back Duke Hudson.

And great stuff with Iyo Sky’s return to NXT. Good promo to establish the main event tag match with her and Grace VS Giulia & Roxie. A little surprised Cora Jade hasn’t tried harder to get back at Roxie for ditching her at Stand & Deliver, but maybe that happens next given it’s Giulia VS Grace to then face Vaquer. Either choice is great for Battleground, and if it’s Giulia, that’ll be a great farewell-to-NXT match before Giulia goes to Raw full-time. Then Vaquer and Grace can have something for Worlds Collide in June that can also let Vaquer lose the title and move on, given how she’s also been showing up on Raw lately. Or they might just say screw it and give us yet another Triple Threat to do all of that at once.

My Score: 8.9/10