Fallout from Dynasty!

Swerve Strickland is NOT AEW World Champion, both because of The Death Riders AND The Young Bucks! Will Swerve take out Pac before hunting Bucks?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jon Moxley w/ Marina Shafir VS Katsuyori Shibata; Moxley wins.
• Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS PAC; Swerve wins.
• $400K 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Kevin Knight, Mark Briscoe & “Speedball” Mike Bailey VS Ricochet, The Beast Mortos & Cru; win.
• 2025 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Kris Statlander VS Thunder Rosa; wins and advances.
• Samoa Joe & Hook w/ Katsuyori Shibata VS Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Death Riders speak.

Jon Moxley says, “The single greatest roster of pure talent ever assembled under one roof every week on AEW Dynamite. So, why can’t any of these guys get their act together when it counts? They come with their talents and they come with their gifts and they come with their fanfare and their bodies hit the dirt and they roll back down the hill. They will excuse themselves of they will seek comfort without addressing the real problem: You don’t want it. You don’t. We will scorch the earth with anybody who wants to call themselves a contender before we give a single inch. Not an inch.

“This is my life’s work. It will not be bought or sold. Matt & Nick Jackson have returned. Interesting. Power players in pro-wrestling’s new gilded age. Let’s do a little who’s who. I’m surrounded by warriors, I am the world champion, a king on the frontlines. You two? I don’t recognize you two anymore. I haven’t for a long time. You stumbled onto a board and you don’t know what the game is. You better figure it out, and you better be real, real careful. Better be real careful before you make any moves.” The Maniac keeps everyone on edge as he puts them all on notice, but will someone finally beat him at his own game?

Jon Moxley w/ Marina Shafir VS Katsuyori Shibata!

While The Maniac thinks he and his Death Riders are feared and untouchable, The Opps showed they are #NeverLacking! The Opps did what they could to keep things even between Death Riders and Swerve Strickland, but will The Wrestler make sure Moxley realizes what he’s lacking?

The bell rings, the two circle, and Baltimore rallies up. The two clinch, fight for control, and Shibata slips through to waistlock. Moxley wrenches free, but Shibata hooks a leg. Moxley rolls to get a wristlock but Shibata headscissors. The fans cheer, but Moxley fights around and pops free. The two stare down and go again. Shibata stays low as he looks for a leg, but then stands as Moxley tries for knuckle locks. They clinch, Moxley facelocks, but Shibata fights around. The fans duel, Shibata slips out to waistlock, then he grabs a leg. Moxley fights up, Shibata goes back to the waistlock and wrangles Moxley again.

The two move around, Moxley goes to the ROPEBREAK, and Shibata lets off. The fans rally as the two reset. They circle, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Moxley powers Shibata back to the ropes. Shibata turns things around, only for Moxley to turn them back around, and they’re in the corner. Moxley lets off slowly, then he pie faces Shibata! Shibata CHOPS Moxley! The fans fire up as Shibata gives as good as he gets! Moxley is already red, so he CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS, Moxley CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” and the CHOPS keep going! As soon as Mox CHOPS, Shibata CHOPS! Moxley snarls, kicks low, then runs, to then BOOT Shibata!

Moxley gets in Shibata’s face, but Shibata just eggs him on! The fans fire up, so Moxley BOOTS Shibata again! Shibata just turns himself around and eggs Moxley on! Moxley BOOTS, but Shibata gets in Moxley’s face! Moxley runs, but into a clinch, S T O! The fans fire up, and Shibata clamps on a chinlock. Moxley fights up, but Shibata catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Moxley endures, reaches out, but Shibata shifts position to have an IRON OCTOPUS! Moxley still endures, fights his way forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go to CLUB Moxley, then whips him to a corner and BOOTS!

The fans fire up as Shibata fires a flurry of forearms on Moxley! The ref counts, Shibata sits Moxley down, then he runs corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Then he gets going again, but Moxley LARIATS first! Moxley hurries to get Shibata up, LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Shibata is tougher than that, but Moxley reels him in, PILEDRIVER! Moxley grins while Shibata staggers up, but Shibata PENALTY KICKS! The fans fire up as Shibata quite literally kicks that smug look off Moxley’s face! Marina is worried, but Shibata clamps on with a chinlock. Moxley fights up, slips out, and he has a SLEEPER!

Shibata pries at the hold, slips around, spin and snapmare, then the SLEEPER! Moxley fights up, reaches out, and he reaches back to THUMB Shibata in the eye! Shibata lets go, Moxley has the SLEEPER, and drops for the REAR NAKED CHOKE! The fans boo but Shibata is caught! The ref calls it, Moxley wins!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission

Dirty deeds done dirt cheap, but it still gave Moxley the win. Will Moxley continue to act in opposition to his words? Wait! The Young Bucks are here! Matthew & Nicholas Jackson make their way out on stage, Baltimore booing all the way. The prodigal EVPs go to the ring, and step inside to join Moxley & Marina. Moxley eyes The Bucks, The Problem standing in their way. Moxley has Marina stand down and the Death Riders fall back. Nick gets a mic to say, “Please give it up for your World Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley!” The fans boo instead. Nick says, “And show some damn respect for the Founding Fathers of AEW, YOUR EVPs!”

The fans boo more, but Nick tells them to “Shut the F up!” And yes, he used the letter F, so he self-censored. Nick knows everyone is wondering why The Bucks did what they did. Why did they cost Swerve the world title? Well, they have a couple good reasons why. First of all, they did it for their good friend. Hangman Adam Page, you’re welcome! This is what Hangman wanted all along! He never wanted Swerve to be world champion ever again, so they did that for him. The Bucks do NOT forget who their friends are. They still love Hangman and they know Hangman loves them. The fans chant “Whose House?“ “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”

Matt says Moxley, if only you stuck around to hear this, but Matt isn’t afraid to say this in front of the world. The fans continue to chant for “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” but Matt tells The Death Riders that what they did for them is a peace offering. The Bucks have no problems with The Death Riders, and they hope The Death Riders have no problems with them. While Matt & Nick sat at home for months and months, they realized while watching The Death Riders, that they’ve all got more in common than you’d think. The Death Riders wanna see that locker room rise to the occasion, just like The Bucks.

The Death Riders want AEW to be the best company in the world, just like The Bucks! They want to change the world, just like The Bucks! And Jon, Matt is impressed. Watching Jon, Matt saw him do what The Bucks could not. Jon Moxley succeeded in taking over AEW, and even got the world title. The Bucks could never do that. So last Sunday was their elevator pitch to The Death Riders. Imagine the synergy if The Death Riders & The Elite worked together as one! Moxley, the world champion, and The Founding Fathers of AEW, The EVPs, all together…! So please, Moxley, come on back out here with your boys, and let’s discuss a little bit of business.

The fans boo, but instead of Moxley, it’s KENNY OMEGA! The other Founding Father is here, and the fans fire up! The AEW International Champion has a mic to tell The Bucks, “So you did this all for your friends, huh? Mox, Hanger. You forgot to do me. But actually, I remember the last time we met. And if memory serves me correctly, it’s when at the height of my diverticulitis, you pushed me off a stretcher that was taking me to the hospital.” The fans boo, and Omega says this might sound crazy, but he never forgot. And he even forgave them! When he returned, he said that what he was doing was for his own legacy and for the safety of this company, not for revenge.

The fans cheer, and Omega says what we’re all trying to do here is #BringBacktheFeeling. Now, Omega hates to divert from the story, but allow him to tell The Bucks a story. Omega had a friend in high school who had two Shi Tzu dogs. It doesn’t really matter the type of dog, but they were both yappy as all heck. Ugly little mutts, but hey, Omega is an animal lover, so he loved these dogs. Every time he visited his friend’s place, they’d play games, but the dogs would take a dookie on the floor. The friend didn’t care, and those two little Shi Tzus were ever so pleased with themselves.

But as time went on, and more dookie kept collecting, and the stains left behind were getting more pungent, Omega had to say, “Hey, pal. Maybe we move this over to my place?” That is what The Bucks, without Omega, were like here in AEW. The fans chant “DOOKIE! DOOKIE!” Omega says the last time we saw The Bucks on AEW TV, they were shredding documents like there was some big incriminating thing they were covering up. Guys, Omega is gonna spoil the surprise right now. We all know how The Bucks live. We all know exactly how they operate! They brag about their earnings and their money, so yes, they were tearing up receipts!

Receipts of private jets! Of that big chair one of them has facing the bed in their master bedroom. The OnlyFans accounts! But it doesn’t matter! The part that matters most, the part that pisses Omega off the most, is that not because of The Death Riders, but because of The Young Bucks that AEW almost died! The company Omega loves and gave his very life, heart and soul for. The fans cheer that, and Omega says he cannot lie. The time off did The Bucks wonderfully. Nick looks every bit of that 90 pounds he was before he left. And Matt… Well, sure, he looks fine in that low cut V neck, but lay off the hot stuff! He’s as red as Nick’s lapels!

And quite frankly, now that we’ve gotten to this point, Omega could go on and on and on. But he doesn’t know, maybe they cut out the middle man and just fight. The fans fire up as Omega storms his way forward! Nick & Matt are ready, but then here comes Kazuchika Okada! The Elite’s Rainmaker is here and Omega realizes this is now 3v1. But wait! SWERVE shows up! The fans fire up as now things look to be 3v2! Swerve slips in from the crowd side, with a chair! The Elite runs off, avoiding retribution for the Dynasty screw job. The fans cheer as Baltimore is now “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”

Omega offers a fist bump, Swerve gives him the fist bump! Will The Cleaner and The Realest be unlikely allies in this war for AEW’s heart and soul? Swerve grabs a mic to shout, “I now pronounce it is Buck Hunting Season! And I’m here with a loaded shotgun ready to blast on some freakin’ EVPs! You couldn’t leave well enough alone, could you? I dealt with you last year. And now-” PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard has a match with Swerve, so he decides to take it now! The fans boo but Pac digs his boot into Swerve in the neck! The ref rushes in, he has Pac back off, and things cool off while Dynamite goes to break!

Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS PAC!

Dynamite returns as Swerve tells the ref this match is still happening. The bell rings, Pac runs up, and Swerve BOOTS him down! The fans fire up and Swerve brings Pac up for fast hands! Swerve has Pac in a corner, fires off more shots, then fireman’s carries to hit SNAKE EYES! Swerve runs and he BOOTS Pac down again! Pac flounders, the fans fire up, and Swerve sees Pac bail out. Swerve BOOTS Pac from the apron! Swerve snarls, then drags Pac up to whip hard into railing! And then whips him the other way, into more railing! Pac writhes, but Swerve brings him up to send into steel steps! Pac slumps down while the fans fire up!

Nana says this is the REAL world champion here! Swerve refreshes the ring count, then revels in the fans chanting “One More Time!” Pac hurries into the ring to deny Swerve that, but Swerve goes around the outside. Swerve storms into the ring, but Pac goes back to the apron. Swerve storms up but Pac RAMS into him! Pac slingshots up and over, keeps moving, but Swerve stops the rana! Swerve hauls Pac up to BUCKLE BOMB! Pac writhes, drags himself up, and Swerve snapmares him to go up and FALLING UPPERCUT! The fans fire up while Swerve hits the Griddy! Swerve stalks Pac, stands on him at the ropes, but steps off as the ref counts.

Pac sputters, Swerve eggs Pac on, but Doc Sampson is called over to check on Pac. Pac’s foot seems to be the body part in question, and Swerve is annoyed that this is denying him his payback. The fans rally and Swerve paces. Doc double checks Pac, he is okay to continue, so he slides into the ring. SUPERKICK from Swerve! Swerve goes up the corner and the fans fire up! KILL STOMPS! Cover, Swerve wins!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall

The Bastard takes a shot intended for The Bucks, but Swerve surely has ammo to spare. Will Swerve get at Matt & Nick soon enough?

Ricochet, Beast Mortos & Cru speak.

The One & Only says, “There is a lot that Daddy can do with $400,000. And tonight, I will lead Team Ricochet to victory.” The others take offense to that. But yeah, he’s the captain now. AHA~! The others roll their eyes, but will they all be rolling in money after tonight?

Will Ospreay, Mark Briscoe, Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey speak.

The Sussex County Chicken says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the word of the day is entrepreneurial! Because tonight, fellas, we have a opportunity to split 400 hundred thousand dollars! Will, whatcha gonna do with a hundred grand?” The Aerial Assassin shouts, “DISNEY WORLD~!” Mike, how ’bout you? He’ll buy some new shoes! And Jet, what about you? Kevin Knight is gonna go to Atlantic City, baby! What about Mark? Well, he plans to diversify his financial portfolio. But that’s besides the point! They’re coming for ya, baby! RAH RAH RAH! Which team will #ManUp and bring up the jackpot?

Dark State takes on the Stand & Deliver main event!

Before they battle for THE NXT Championship, Oba Femi, Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans must work together against Dark State in a Six Man Tag! Will they survive?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jordynne Grace VS Jaida Parker; No Contest.
• Fraxiom VS Swipe Right; Fraxiom wins.
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Sol Ruca w/ Zaria VS Jazmyn Nyx w/ The Fatal Influence; Sol wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
• Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen; Vance & Jensen win.
• Wes Lee w/ Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont VS Yoshiki Inamura w/ Josh Briggs; Wes wins.
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Izzi Dame w/ The Culling VS Wren Sinclair w/ No Quarter Catch Crew; Izzi wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
• Six Man Tag: Oba Femi, Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans VS Dark State; Dark State wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Stephanie Vaquer is here!

Kelly Kincaid knows the NXT Women’s Champion gets to choose her opponent for Stand & Deliver, but when can we expect that decision? Vaquer is sure she’ll have that decision after this match. La Primera goes to ringside, who will impress her with a victory?

Jordynne Grace VS Jaida Parker!

The Juggernaut and Miss Parker have had a bit of back ‘n’ forth, both in words and in brawling backstage. But this here could very well be seen as a #1 contender’s match! Will Grace make an impact on WrestleMania Weekend? Or will Jaida get #OutTheMud with this one?

The bell rings and and the two run up! Grace TACKLES Jaida, rains down fists, and the fans fire up! Jaida turns things around, Grace turns it back, and they scrap out to the floor! The fans fire up more as the shots keep going! Grace stomps Jaida, then SMACKS her off the apron. Grace jumps on for a SLEEPER, but Jaida RAMS her into the apron! And into the apron again! Jaida goes into the ring, but Grace drags her back out. Grace slides in, but Jaida drags her back out! Grace ELBOWS Jaida, SMACKS her off the apron, then TOSSES her into the ring. Grace slides in, but Jaida stomps her down!

Jaida drags Grace up, whips, but Grace reverses to atomic drop! Then she fireman’s carries Jaida for a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then a SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Jaida stays in this but Grace stays on her. Grace TOSSES Jaida to the apron, then goes out after her. Grace CLUBS Jaida, Alabama Lifts her, and even Vaquer is worried about this one. Jaida fights that slam off to lift Grace! Grace kicks free, but then Jaida fireman’s carries! HOTSHOT off the ropes! The fans fire up while Grace flounders, but Jaida storms in and runs, BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Grace survives and the fans fire up more!

Jaida drags Grace up, but Grace fights the suplex! Grace RAMS Jaida into a corner, then RAMS her in again! Grace backs up, runs in, but Jaida puts her on the apron! Grace blocks a shot to ROCK Jaida! Grace then climbs, but Jaida trips her up! Grace is in the ropes, Jaida ROCKS her, then puts her in the corner! Jaida CHOPS, then runs, TEARDROP! Jaida high steps and the fans fire up! Jaida says Parker don’t play, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jaida talks trash on Grace, then drags her up to CLUB her in the corner. Jaida runs to LARIAT Grace in the back! Jaida reels Grace in, REVERSE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Grace survives that rough landing, and she seems to be okay to continue. Jaida clamps onto Grace with a GROUND COBRA TWIST! Grace endures, fights around, but Jaida CLUBS her! Grace fires HEADBUTTS into Jaida, but Jaida CLUBS her again and again! Jaida pushes Grace onto her stomach, then clamps on with a chinlock stretch! Grace endures, fights up, and has Jaida as a backpack! BACKPACK SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jaida stays in this but Grace stays focused.

Grace drags Jaida up, whips her to a corner hard, and then scoops Jaida for a POWERSLAM! Grace goes up, up, VADER BOMB FLOPS as Jaida moves !HIP- NO! Grace rolls Jaida up, TWO! Jaida trips Grace, and she rains down furious fists! Grace turns things around but Jaida pulls hair! But then Grace pulls Jaida’s hair! The ref counts, both women let go at 4, and then Grace rains down fists! Cover, TWO! Grace tumbles to ropes, Jaida storms up to cravat. Jaida grinds Grace’s face off the ropes, puts her in the corner, then runs, but into an ELBOW! Grace reels Jaida in, but Jaida hoists Grace up top!

Jaida fires forearms and a CHOP, then climbs up after Grace. NXT returns to single picture as Grace fires forearms! Jaida fires a body shot in return! Jaida reaches the top, brings Grace up to join her, but Grace fights back! SUPER SUNSET FLIP, but Jaida holds onto the ropes! Jaida ROCKS Grace, then kicks her away! The fans rally as Jaida adjusts, but Grace runs up! Jaida leaps over, fireman’s carries, but Grace fires elbows! Jaida still RAMS Grace into buckles, and pops Grace around! But Grace fights through to have Jaida up! The fans are thunderous as Grace then ALLEY-OOPS Jaida away!

The fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener, and even Vaquer is impressed. Grace and Jaida rise up, go forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The fans fire up, Grace gets the edge, and she RAMS Jaida into the corner! Grace swings, Jaida dodges, but then Grace catches Jaida to a backslide! Jaida rolls through, Grace blocks the kick, but the POINT-BLANK HIP hits! Jaida then whips corner to corner, but Grace goes up and over! GRIZZLY MAGNUM! The fans fire up for that double chop, and then Grace blocks a boot! Grace lifts Jaida into the Electric Chair, and SLAMS her into buckles!

Grace torture racks Jaida now, for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Jaida survives and “This is Awesome!” Grace and Jaida rise up again, and Grace pump handles! Jaida fights free, dragon sleepers, REVSRE- NO, Grace turns suplex into dragon sleeper! Jaida fires knees, powers through, and she standard suplexes to GOURD BUSTER! And now, the HIP- NO!! Grace ducks and Jaida crashes! Grace runs to DIVE! The ropes get her first, she crashes at Jaida’s feet! Jaida hurries to get Grace up, but Grace shoves her away. Jaida bumps into Vaquer, and Vaquer takes exception to that. Jaida SLAPS Vaquer!

The fans fire up but Grace fires off on Jaida! Vaquer swings on Jaida, Jaida dodges, Grace takes the shot! Jaida then SLAPS Vaquer! The ref stops the match but the brawl continues!

No Contest

Grace ROCKS Jaida, then goes to the ring to off on Vaquer! Jaida storms in and goes after Grace! The fans fire up, and now GIULIA is back?!? The former NXT Women’s Champion returns, and she dodges Grace to BOOT Jaida! And she ROCKS Grace! ELBOW for Jaida, SHOTGUN for Grace! Vaquer SHOTGUNS Jaida! The fans fire up as now Giulia and Vaquer bump into each other! They turn and see who it is, and while Vaquer smiles, Giulia HEADBUTTS Vaquer! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! And she holds up the NXT Women’s Championship! The Beautiful Madness is back, will it be madness this close to Mania?

Hank ‘n’ Tank talk backstage.

They again go over what went wrong last week, and bring up how Nathan Frazer was a bit harsh with his words. But maybe they should just watch and learn from Fraxiom tonight. After all, those guys are the NXT Tag Team Champions, so they gotta know something. But then speaking of that match, Swipe Right walks in. Brad Baylor says, “What’s up, big boys?” Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes introduce themselves as “The hottest tag team on WWE Evolve,” and they already know Tank ‘n’ Hank. Well, it’s Hank ‘n’ Tank but same thing. Swipe Right heard about the rough patch and know they’re looking for advice from successful tag teams.

Well, don’t sweat it, Swipe Right loves to pay it forward. Tonight, after they beat Fraxiom, #Hundos, they will get back to you boys for a tight five. For now, get pens, paper, and take notes. Brad & Ricky head out, and Tank asks, “Who even…?” Hank says they’re not THAT desperate. Are they? Tank says no, they are not. But to the point, will studying from the most functional dysfunctional and dynamic duo in WWE really help Hank ‘n’ Tank narrow down what they’re missing?

The Culling has a group discussion.

They are all upset over last week. Brooks Jensen tells Shawn Spears that the group let him down. Niko Vance says Ricky Saints has no idea what’s coming his way. Izzi Dame swears they will do everything they can to get the North American Championship back, and Niko adds that it doesn’t matter if Ethan Page thinks it’s his turn. The Chair Man has them stop. He admires the passion, he really does. And is he grateful that he finally won gold in the WWE for the first time? That he’ll be a champion for the rest of his life? Yes. But that title is no longer his focus. It was a vessel that brought The Culling together. Their bond was never about his success, but theirs.

The focus now shifts to Izzi. She will qualify for the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match and go on to Stand & Deliver. Do not focus on Spears’ loss but what she can achieve. And as for Brooks & Niko, Hank ‘n’ Tank are looking to find their way. Ensure that they don’t. It was always about them shining. And it all starts tonight. Spears smiles, will the “family” he brought together soon reign together?

Fraxiom VS Swipe Right!

NXT returns and Swipe Right makes their entrance. The fans are a bit torn on the self-professed hottest team in Evolve, but will Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes make man change their minds? Or is this going to be more of a swipe left moment?

The teams sort out and Smokes steps up, but Frazer and Axiom argue a bit. Axiom concedes and lets Frazer start, only for Smokes to DROPKICK him off the apron! The fans boo but Frazer goes after Smokes! Smokes BACKHANDS Frazer, RAMS him into the corner, then tags Brad. Feed to a lift and then DROPKICK SPINEBUSTER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Brad drags Frazer up, RAMS into him, then tags Smokes. They snapmare, and Brad NECK SNAPPERS! Smokes adds a basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Axiom is back up but Smokes CLOBBERS him! Smokes grabs Frazer’s legs, YANKS him up, but Frazer PELES!

Brad tags in, Frazer dodges, but Brad blocks a kick! The DRAGON WHIP hits! Tag to Axiom and the tag champs unleash the speed blitz! Basement DDT for Brad! Smokes runs up but into a mule kick! Frazer kicks, then gives Axiom a boost for the DROPKICK! Swipe Right bails out, and Axiom DIVES onto Brad! Frazer DIVES onto Smokes! The fans fire up as they keep going! DIVE for Brad! DIVE for Smokes! The fans are thunderous because the champs #NeverSlowDown! Axiom CHOPS Brad in the corner, then CHOPS again! Axiom fires hands on Brad, adds stomps, then lets off. Smokes sneaks a tag, and then slingshot SPEARS Axiom! Cover, TWO!

Smokes puts Axiom int he ropes, bends him back, then Brad KNEES Axiom! Tag to Brad, feed to a springboard X FACTOR! Cover, TWO! Axiom stays in this but Brad clamps on with a full nelson. Axiom endures, fights up, and he breaks the grip. Axiom then slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Smokes tags in, he anchors a foot, and avoids the enzigiri! Smokes runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! The fans fire up and Axiom rolls, hot tag to Frazer! Frazer rallies with FOREARM after FOREARM on Smokes! Brad is in, but he gets a BUCKLE SHOT! Frazer dodges Smokes, QUEBRADA, and then he adds Brad to the mix, COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO!

The fans are thunderous again as Frazer sets up, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR on Smokes! Cover, TWO! Smokes survives and Frazer is a bit surprised, but he hurries to a corner. Frazer goes right up, takes aim, and FROG- NO, Smokes dodges! Tags to Brad and Axiom! Smokes runs up, Frazer waistlocks, but Smokes switches. Smokes sends Frazer at Axiom, Axiom goes up and over, but Smokes BOOTS him! Frazer runs up, Brad ROCKS him! Smokes JUMP KNEES, Brad underhooks! Swipe Right combines, butterfly underhooks and MATCH KILLER! Brad tags Smokes, they set Axiom up as Smokes climbs!

Axiom sends Brad into Smokes! SUPERKICK for Brad! Hot tag to Frazer before a GAMANGIRI to Smokes! Axiom goes up to give Smokes the SUPER SPANISH FLY! Frazer is up top, PHOENIX SPLASH!! GOLDEN RATIO for Brad! Cover on Smokes, Fraxiom wins!

Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall

For what it’s worth, Swipe Right did impress. But in the end, they saw why Frazer & Axiom are the NXT Tag Team Champions. Did Hank ‘n’ Tank learn plenty from this match?

Fatal Influence talks backstage.

Jacy Jayne deserves the opportunity, and Jazmyn Nyx agrees. Fallon Henley walks in and asks if they heard the news. Yes, one member of Fatal Influence gets the chance to qualify for Stand & Deliver. Fallon being the former champion, she is ready to get that title back. Um, no. Fallon had the title, failed to keep it, so it is Jacy’s turn to step up. Fallon says last time she checked, Jacy was too busy eating a superkick. Jazmyn tells them to stop, because it’ll be neither of them. It’s her turn to get an opportunity. And they’ll be their for her, right? Jazmyn heads out, and Jacy asks what just happened. Fallon has no idea. But will the Toxic Rookie prove she’s ready for more?

NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Sol Ruca w/ Zaria VS Jazmyn Nyx w/ The Fatal Influence!

NXT returns as the “goddesses of mayhem” stand in the ring together, and then #ZaRuca makes their entrance. The Agent of Change is already in the ladder match after winning big last week, will the Soul Surfer soon join her?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Sol. The two tie up, go around, and Nyx headlocks. Sol powers up and out, but Nyx holds on tight! Sol fights while Nyx grinds the hold. Sol headstands and pops out the back! Then she handsprings to avoid the leg sweep! Sol gest around, headlocks, and wrenches to then wristlock. Nyx wrenches back, but Sol whips. Nyx reverses, Sol goes up and over, to then X FACTOR! The fans fire up as Sol kips up and Nyx bails out. Sol storms up, counter punches Nyx at the apron, then hoists Nyx up! Sol has a stalling suplex, but Nyx fights it! Nyx tries but Sol spins that around to snap suplex!

Sol backflips to have the top mount cover, TWO! Sol is annoyed but Zaria coaches her to keep going. Nyx blocks a superkick, spins Sol and sweeps the leg! Jacy & Fallon applaud, and Nyx stalks Sol as she goes to the apron. Sol ROUNDHOUSES Nyx, then springboards for a SPLASH into boots! Nyx runs, springboard and FLYING CHUCK! Sol goes to a corner, Nyx stomps a mudhole in, then digs her boot in. The ref counts, Nyx lets off, and Sol fires a forearm. Nyx ROCKS Sol in return! Nyx whips Sol to ropes then CALF KICKS! Nyx kips up smooth, and hooks a leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Nyx isn’t quite perfect, but she clamps on a LAST CHANCERY! Sol endures, powers up, and the fans rally as Sol pries the hold open! Sol rises, Nyx runs, PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Nyx is frustrated but she has Sol on the ropes. Nyx KICKS away on Sol’s stomach, but Sol blocks the roundhouse! Nyx ROCKS Sol, but Sol slips around to lift and BLUE THUNDER FACEBUSTER! Both women are down and the fans rally up. Sol and Nyx rise up, and Sol mule kicks! So CLUBS Nyx, CHOPS her, CHOPS her again, then whips. SHOULDER TACKLE! Springboard FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Sol springboard FLYING FOREARMS again!

Sol fires up while Nyx goes to a corner. Sol runs in and ELBOWS Nyx! Sol cravats Nyx and picks her up, for a BACKPACK STUNNER! Sol keeps running to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Nyx survives and Sol grows frustrated. But now Jacy picks a fight with Zaria. This lets Fallon distract Sol! Sol takes a swing, Fallon gets away, and the NYX KICK hits!! Cover, TWO!! Sol survives the Fatal screw job and Nyx can’t believe it! Nyx hurries to get Sol up, but Sol cradles her, TWO! Both women hurry up, ROUNDHOUSE from Nyx! Sol goes to a corner, but she jumps to ENZIGIRI! Sol goes up to SOL SNATCHER!! Cover, SOL WINS!

Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)

Fatal Influence could not get this done 3v2, and now both members of #ZaRuca are going for the gold. Will at least one of them rise up and take the title home?

Backstage interview with Je’Von Evans.

Sarah Schreiber finds the Young OG preparing for tonight. She says that at Stand & Deliver, it will be the Triple Threat of Je’Von, Trick Williams and Oba Femi for THE NXT Championship. Tonight, they all team up against Dark State and- Je’Von apologizes for interrupting, but he called this! He knew this Dark State would be a problem, and if Trick and Oba had just listened in the first place, they wouldn’t be in this situation. Those two are gonna try and “lil bro” Je’Von less than two weeks away from the match? He’s coming for that title. Je’Von doesn’t have an era, he isn’t The Ruler, and he doesn’t wanna be like them anyway!

Je’Von dropped Oba not once but twice, and Trick is trying to snuff out the potential before it even sparks. That’s cool. Je’Von takes this step by step. Tonight, it is Dark State. At Stand & Deliver, it is the NXT Championship. Je’Von lets Sarah know he appreciates her, and then heads out. Will the Young OG be ready for all the success in the world? Or will something stop him before he gets the chance?

NXT Media catches up with Giulia.

The reporter asks her why she dropped Stephanie Vaquer, someone who was supposed to be a close friend. Giulia says Stand & Deliver is why. No friends, just a rematch! The Beautiful Madness put it plainly, but what will NXT GM Ava have to say about it?

Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen!

The big belly boys have been trying to break through to the next level, and trying to be like the Hardys, Motor City Machine Guns, and even Pretty Deadly did not work out. Will they figure out what’s wrong? Or will they simply be victims of The Culling?

The teams sort out, Tank starts against Jensen, and Jensen hits a leg takedown right at the bell. Tank avoids the headlock to then RAM Jensen to ropes. Hank tags in, Tank misdirects Jensen and Hank CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up and the boys go to the corners! HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH! Niko runs up, Hank ‘n’ Tank dodge him, and then ASSISTED SEATED SENTON! The fans fire up as now they go to the corners, HONK HONK! BIG BELLY SANDWICH for Niko! The fans fire up and Hank goes for Jensen. Hank wrenches Jensen’s arm, tags Tank in, and they whip Jensen for a drop toehold and CAMEL CLUTCH!

Tank holds Jensen in place for Hank to run, but Niko trips him up! Tank protests but the ref keeps him back as Niko drags Hank out! Niko RAMS Hank into the apron, Jensen WHEEL KICKS Tank! Jensen rains down forearms on Tank while the fans boo. Jensen drags Tank up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tank toughs it out but Jensen drags him over. Tag to Niko and we see Spears watching from backstage. Niko drops a HEADBUTT on Tank, then clamps on a chinlock! Tank endures but the fans rally up. Tank fights up, fights around, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Tank dodges Niko, hot tag to Hank!

The fans fire up as Hank CLOBBERS Niko! Hank DECKS Jensen, ELBOWS Jensen, then whips him to a corner. Hank LARIATS, then whips corner to corner. Hank LARIATS again, then BULLDOGS! The fans fire up as Hank goes out, runs around the way, and he BOOTS Niko down! Hank gets back in, he dodges Jensen and CLOBBERS him! Cover, Niko breaks it! Tank runs up to ROCK Niko, then LARIAT him up and out! Tank goes after Niko but Niko RAMS him down low! Then he THROWS Tank into barriers! Jensen has Hank in a cradle, TWO! Hank scoops for a BOSS MAN SLAM! Hank goes up top, for a SWANTON FLOP!

Hank flounders, Niko tags in! Gut wrench and Jensen climbs, KNEE DROP DOMINATOR COMBO!! Cover, Culling wins!!

Winners: Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance, by pinfall

Hank ‘n’ Tank did their best to #NeverSlowDown, and it almost worked. Tank is frustrated, he shouts, “What’re we doing wrong?!” Will they ever figure it out?

Ricky Saints is here!

The fans fire up as The Absolute NEW NXT North American Champion makes his way to the ring. Saints grabs the mic on his way into the ring, and the fans chant, “Ricky! Strokes!” Saints appreciates the sentiment, he really does. But he will say this: The first night he stepped into NXT, he told everyone that he was gonna turn this place upside-down. He told us that the revolution would be televised again, and you’d get an Absolute Superstar. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, Saints is a man of his word, cuz baby, he is the NEW NXT North American Champion! The fans cheer that, and then chant, “You Earned It! Stroke!”

Saints says while he’d love to keep the celebration going, he has a bitter taste from last week, all due to “All Ego” Ethan Page. Yeah, he gets it, he fully understands. If a guy like Saints, the caliber of a star that he is, and did what Ethan did but better, his little ego would be shattered, too! And since we all know Ethan has never been known to be the bigger man, he had to go and ruin Saints’ moment. As the champ, Saints ain’t no punk, it is time to discuss this man to man. But instead of All Ego, it’s the Drama King! Lexis King brings his NXT Heritage Cup out, but sets it on his throne before going to the ring.

Lexis has a mic to tell Saints, “Hold your horses, Slick Rick. I think you’re worried about the wrong guy. Now I know The King has the prestigious Heritage Cup Championship.” The fans boo as Lexis joins Saints in the ring, and Lexis says, “If there’s one thing about me, brother, I love gold~!” But before Lexis can continue, Eddy Thorpe makes his way out here! The Alpha Wolf “congratulates” Saints, and says, “It must be nice, huh? To waltz in here and be handed opportunities while other people are starving to get what they deserve. All this time, I’ve been on a quest to win a title here in NXT, but now I realized, I had my sights set on the wrong place.

“Because that title, Ricky, that title represents the land of my people. The same land that was stolen from them. So as far as I’m concerned, that title is a shot at retribution. Hell, that title is my birthright! So you don’t need to worry about King, you don’t need to worry about Ethan, you need to worry about me.” But wait! Wes Lee makes his way out here! He has Tyriek & Tyson with him as he has everyone hold up. He has Inamura tonight, but he will take care of that later. They cannot have a conversation about the NXT North American Championship and NOT include Wes Lee! That title right there was at its peak when it was on Wes’ shoulders!

Wes says he is long, LONG overdue for having gold around his waist again. Lexis has Wes hold on, because he gets it. If Lexis was in Wes’s shoes, he would be devastated! He would be desperate to relive his glory days. Eddy tells Lexis to shut up! Another greedy White man who is not content with what he already has! Even Wes is surprised Eddy went there. But that title belongs to Eddy. Ricky tells these three that it is not the time to figure this out. If they want a shot at what Ricky’s got right here, then ETHAN PAGE SLIPS IN! TWISTED GRIN!! Just like last week! But then All Ego, The Drama King, the Alpha Wolf, and the Cardiac Kid all grab the belt.

They all look at each other, it is a four man tug-o-war, until the fists start flying! Ethan has Lexis, Eddy has Wes, and the fans fire up! Lexis RAMS Ethan into the corner, Eddy UPPERCUTS Wes again and again, but then Wes SUPERKICKS Eddy out of the ring! Ethan pushes Lexis aside, BOOTS Wes, but Lexis whips Ethan. Ethan reverses to TOSS Lexis, but Eddy drags Ethan out! Those three brawl, but Wes FLIES in! Down goes everybody! Ty & Ty help Wes stand tall, was this a proper warm-up for the Great Rush headed this way?

Ava watches backstage with Robert Stone and Stevie Turner.

Suit Man Stone hopes “Mayor” Ava saw that. It is truly Stand & Deliver Season! They agree, and then Ava greets Vaquer as she steps into the office. Has Vaquer made her decision? Is it Jaida, Jordynne or Giulia? Vaquer says yes, she has made her decision. And at Stand & Deliver, she wants… ALL THREE OF THEM! Ava says okay. Las Vegas is all about raising the stakes and taking a risk, but will Vaquer regret taking this gamble just to prove a point?

Backstage interview with Trick Williams.

As the shirt says, Sarah Schreiber is with “Crash Out Trick,” and brings up that in just under two weeks is Stand & Deliver. What are his thoughts about being in a Triple Threat match with Oba Femi and Je’Von Evans in order to win back the NXT Championship? Trick says he ain’t here to give no sob story, but every time it comes to him getting his, there’s always someone in the way. First, Eddy Thorpe. Now, Je’Von Evans. But pull up the resume, see what you find. Iron Survivor, North American Champion, TWO-TIME NXT Champion, back-to-back main event of Stand & Deliver, let’s talk about it! Except this time, Trick is going to leave with the title around his waist.

But then are there any concerns about teaming with his opponents tonight to take on the destructive Dark State? Hell yeah, he’s concerned! We all saw what Dark State did! They don’t care about nobody. Trick wants Oba and Je’Von to be on their A Game, cuz they’ll need it. And then at Stand & Deliver, he whoops both their asses.

Wes Lee w/ Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont VS Yoshiki Inamura w/ Josh Briggs!

NXT returns to ringside as Inamura makes his entrance, The Bullhead Brawler by his side. Will Inamura prove to Wes that he has lost his honor?

Wait, Ty & Ty get into it with Briggs & Inamura, and then Wes builds speed! Wes DIVES, but Inamura catches him! Inamura SLAMS Wes on the apron! The fans rally up as Inamura puts Wes in the ring. The bell rings, Wes BOOTS Inamura, then fires hands! Wes has Inamura on the ropes, fires shots from all sides, then runs. But Inamura runs him over! Inamura stomps Wes, drags him up, then scoops, only for Wes to slips free! Wes HOOK KICKS, then CHOPS! Then he fires a forearm! Inamura just gets mad, so Wes fires hands. Inamura blocks one to CHOP, SLAP, CHOP, and ROCK Wes! The fans fire up while Wes wobbles!

Inamura whips, Wes slides under, then UP KICKS back! Inamura goes to a corner, Wes runs in, but Inamura puts him on the apron. Wes avoids the chop, RAMS into Inamura, then CHOKES Inamura on the ropes! The ref counts, Wes lets go at 4, and he slingshot SEATED SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Wes is annoyed with Inamura and kicks him down. Briggs coaches Inamura but Wes goes up. 450, but Wes has to roll through! Inamura BACKDROPS Wes high and hard! The fans fire up as Inamura hits his sumo stance! Wes rises, Inamura runs up for SUMO PALM STRIKES! Inamura has Wes in a corner to JAB and CHOP on repeat!

The fans fire up but the ref counts. Inamura winds up, to CHOP! Wes sputters, Inamura brings him out, and Inamura reels Wes in to CLUB him, suplex him, and hold him up! Wes fires knees, Inamura kneels, but Inamura just hooks that leg! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wes stays in this but Briggs coaches Inamura. Wes crawls to a corner, Inamura hits the sumo stance again, then runs up. But Wes dropkicks the legs out! Inamura hits buckles, Wes BLINDSIDE SUPERKICKS! Briggs coaches Inamura but Wes DIVES onto Briggs! Briggs is sent into barriers, Wes says to stay out of his business!

Wes GAMANGIRIS Inamura at the ropes, then climbs up to CROSBODY! But Inamura catches him!? SPINNING POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Inamura climbs! But Ty & Ty rush the apron! Briggs CLOBBERS them, but that shakes the ropes and Inamura falls! Wes handsprings, CARDIAC KICK!! Cover, Wes wins!

Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall

Ty & Ty had Wes’s back, that’s a big win to get Wes back up. Will there be no denying Wes is deserving of something for Stand & Deliver Season?

Oba Femi speaks.

“Dark State. Your presence here in NXT seems to have put the entire locker room on edge. Everybody is wondering when you’ll strike and where you’ll strike from. The Ruler knows all too well about that. Because in addition to you guys attacking me last week, I haven’t forgotten what you did at Vengeance Day. Because you hit me with your last shot, with your best shot, and you failed to put me down. So tonight, I’m going to return the favor. And when I’m done with you four fools, I will turn my attention to Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans.

Because in two weeks, they will get their opportunity to hit me with their best shot, and they will find out the hard way that The Ruler can’t be stopped! And they will suffer the same fate that Dark State is going to suffer tonight. And that is defeat at the hands of Oba Femi.” The NXT Champion has spoken, but will it be that easy when we don’t even know which three men are stepping up?

NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Izzi Dame w/ The Culling VS Wren Sinclair w/ No Quarter Catch Crew!

Jensen & Vance did their part tonight by taking down Hank ‘n’ Tank. Now it is up to The It Girl to earn her spot at Stand & Deliver. Will she make Shawn Spears proud? Or will the #WrenQCC soon be headed to Las Vegas?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Wren. Izzi RAMS Wren into a corner, RAMS her again and again, but stops as the ref counts. Izzi short arm LARIATS, then covers, TWO! Izzi is annoyed, but the fans rally for “WREN X T!” Izzi scoops, Wren slips free, and Wren waistlocks. Izzi bucks the O’Conner Roll, runs up on Wren, but Wren dodges and redirects to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Izzi storms up but Wren wrenches her to a wristlock. Izzi whips Wren away, Wren goes up, only to get caught to an Electric Chair Lift! But Wren spins and arm-drags Izzi away! The fans fire up and Wren Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Ghost pin by Wren, TWO!

Wren rolls to have another ghost pin, TWO! Izzi kicks low, then whips. Wren reverses to wrench and hook Izzi up, IRON OCTOPUS! The fans fire up while Izzi endures, so Wren sunset flips! Izzi stays up, drags Wren right up, and BOOTS Wren right down! Izzi then hauls Wren up, scoops and SLAMS her, and adds a basement DROPKICK! The fans boo Izzi but she talks trash on Wren. Izzi drags Wren up, bumps her off buckles, then puts her on the ropes. Izzi taunts the NQCC while she CHOKES Wren! The ref counts, Izzi stops, but Wren fires body shots. Izzi wrenches to short arm LARIAT again! Izzi rains down fists, then covers, TWO!

Izzi is frustrated but the fans rally up. Izzi clamps onto Wren with a chinbar and armlock. The fans rally as Wren endures, but Izzi cranks the hold! NQCC coaches Wren, Spears is again watching backstage, and Wren fights to her feet. Wren pries the hold open, then elbows Izzi! Wren ROCKS Izzi with a forearm, but Izzi KNEES low! Izzi runs in at the corner, but Wren KNEES her away! Izzi comes back, Wren dodges! Wren ROCKS Izzi, CHOPS her, then DOUBLE CHOPS! The fans fire up as Wren runs, and LARIATS! Wren CLOBBERS Izzi, keeps moving, BASEMENT BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Izzi toughs it out, but Wren rusn back up!

Wren slips around, underhooks, but Izzi fights the suplex! Izzi powers up, wrenches out, and whips Wren, only for Wren to CROSBODY! But Izzi catches her! Izzi swings but Wren reels her in, crucifix takedown! TWO!! Izzi runs up, Wren ducks the boot, but the SKY HIGH hits! Cover, Izzi wins!

Winner: Izzi Dame, by pinfall

NQCC may not like it, but it iz what it iz. The Culling stands tall tonight, will they make The Chair Man even prouder when Izzi brings the Women’s North American Championship home?

Ava Raine is surrounded!

Roxanne Perez, The Meta Girls and Fatal Influence are all in there complaining to her about their losses! The Bougie Bully hopes The Mayor is planning a Last Chance Qualifier for Stand & Deliver, because the Meta Girls deserve to be there. Fallon says she will represent Fatal Influence in that match. Jacy and Jazmyn bicker about how they already talked about this earlier, but Ava hushes everyone. There is no Last Chance Qualifier this year. What?! Roxie says Ava better figure something out, because The Prodigy deserves to be on Stand & Deliver! She is the only former NXT Women’s Champion in here right now, obviously.

The others scoff but Ava calms them down. Now that she’s looking around, she has an idea. Oh? She’ll work things out, but Roxie tells her it better not be some form of tag match. Roxie does not have a tag partner. Oh, well, that’s kinda on her. Roxie pouts and knocks Ava’s rubbery ducky over! How dare she! Roxie storms out, but what is the idea Ava is cooking?

Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors watch back film.

They take notes on how they were doing last week, and it started off well. Andre Chase comes along and says they won’t win like that. What’s he mean? Kale was moving too fast. Then what should he do instead? Chase says trust him, they don’t want his help. But they do! Mr. Chase, please help. Chase sighs, but he agrees. They keep watching tape, but then Hank ‘n’ Tank storm in. They’re still upset for how they fell short again. Is it even worth it anymore? But then someone says, “Nah, don’t go doing all that.” It’s Angelo Dawkins! He and Montez Ford are here, and Ford tells Hank ‘n’ Tank that they’ve got better days ahead.

Dawkins tells Hank ‘n’ Tank they get it. There will be ups and downs. The downs will be rough, but the Profits have been watching these past few weeks. They watch the product! Hank ‘n’ Tank, the problem is, you’re trying to be tag teams that you are not. Take it from two guys who have been through their fair share of identity crises. Just lean on each other, and stick to being who you are! Be who you are! Be Hank ‘n’ Tank! Then you will be rewarded. Maybe even next week! Ava let the Profits know that there’s a tag team gauntlet next week, and the winners go on to face Fraxiom for the titles at Stand & Deliver!

Time to lock in! Lock in! They all fire up, and Ford says it is time to rise to the occasion! It is time to STAND & DELIVER~! The Profits just fired up Hank ‘n’ Tank, and it seems even Chase, Kale & Uriah take note of this. Will Hank ‘n’ Tank be ready to win the big won their way?

BREAKING NEWS for next week!

After the big confrontation involving Ricky Saints, there will be a #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way! Lexis King VS Eddy Thorpe VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page, the winner challenges Saints for the NXT North American Champion! Who defies the odds to then go for gold in Las Vegas?

Six Man Tag: Oba Femi, Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans VS Dark State!

Tensions have been rising between The Ruler, #CrashOutTrick and The Young OG, and it all exploded a couple weeks ago. The easy solution was to have them all fight for the title at once, but then things got complicated again when Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars made them targets of their campaign to sew discord and chaos. Will it even matter which three step up when Oba, Trick & Je’Von are so, so ready to throw hands with each other?

NXT returns and Dark State makes their entrance, and surprisingly it is from the ramp. They all rush the ramp to brawl 4v3 with Je’Von, Trick & Oba! They TOSS Je’Von & Trick out, then mug Oba in the corner! The ref reprimands, but the bell hasn’t rung so this isn’t a match! Meaning it’s all legal as Osiris THROWS Je’Von into barriers! Oba rises up, he still wants this fight, so the bell rings! Dion runs up to LARIAT! On his corner are Cutler & Saquon, answering who will be the three men. Dion fires body shots, then he bumps Oba off buckles. Dion fires body shots, but the fans chant “Oba’s gonna kill~ you!”

Dion fires hands, puts Oba into the corner, then tags Culter. Culter tags Shugars, and Cutler whips Dion in so he can RAM Oba! Dion traps Oba for Shugars to DROPKICK! Then they feed Oba to Cutler’s LARIAT! The fans rally for Oba but Shugars whips. Oba blocks, reverses, and scoops Shguars, but Shugars slips free! Shugars goes to a corner, BOOTS Oba away, but Trick tags in. Shugars dodges Trick, goes for a leg, but Trick steps over to roll Shugars up! TWO, Shugars has a cradle, TWO! Trick POP-UP UPPER- NO! Shugars blocks, wrenches, wristlocks, and he throws Trick down by his hair! The fans boo while Shugars keeps the wristlock.

Trick kips up, wrenches and WRINGS Shugars! Trick tells Shugars to get up, then he UPPERCUTS and JUMP NECKBREAKERS! The fans fire up with Trick, but Cutler runs in! Trick wrenches, ROCKS and UPPERCUTS! But Shugars anchors Trick’s leg! Cutler CLOBBERS Trick, covers, TWO! Cutler drags Trick up, clinches, but Trick ROCKS him again and again! Cutler slips around the third shot to have a SLEEPER! Then a BACKBREAKER! Cutler scoops and SLAMS Trick, then has a standing toehold! Trick kicks at Cutler again and again, then EDDY GORDO KICKS! Shugars tags in and he slides in front of Trick, only for Trick to BACKDROP him!

The fans fire up with Trick, he brings Shugars up, and he snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Trick stays on Shugars with a facelock and grinds him down. Shugars fights up, pries at the hold, and he wrenches out to ROCK Trick! And CHOP! And CHOPS again! Shugars CHOPS Trick again, taunts Trick, but then Trick dodges the chop to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Shugars falls, Trick fires up, and Trick scoops Shugars to SLAM him down! Trick glares at Osiris and Dion, but Je’Von wants Trick to think about teamwork. Trick scoops and SLAMS Shugars, then he tags Je’Von! Je’Von leaps over Shugars, SMACKS Dion, then dodges Shugars agian!

Je’Von RANAS Shugars, the fans fire up, and Je’Von hits a SPINEBUSTER! Je’Von rains down fists, Shugars gets loose, but Je’Von CHOPS! Shugars KNEES low, then runs up, but into a sweep! Je’Von runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cutler storms up to get at Je’Von, but Je’Von shoves free! Cravat, snapmare, and SUPERKICK! Cutler falls out of the ring, Je’Von runs at Shugars, BOUNCY~ RANA! Then a DROPKICK for Dion! DROPKICK for Shugars! Cutler is back, Je’Von dodges, Oba & Trick DOUBLE LARIAT Cutler! The fans are thunderous but Trick and Oba still argue with each other. Je’Von lets them be as he builds speed, but then Osiris is on the apron!

Osiris dares them to bring it, and the rest of Dark State gets up. The fans rally behind this 4v3 stare down, but NXT goes picture in picture.

Dark State keeps barking, so the Stand & Deliver main event trio says bet. They TRIPLE BOOT Dark State off the apron! Shugars is the only one left on the apron, but then Je’Von TOSSES him into the ring! Je’Von wrenches and wrangles Shugars, Oba tags in, and Je’Von hands Shugars off to Oba. Oba wrenches and YANKS Shugars’ arm, then YANKS it again. Oba YANKS Shugars right down to the mat! Oba covers, ONE, but then Oba clamps onto Shugars with a facelock. Oba drags Shugars over, tags Trick, and they mug Shugars. Trick wrenches and grinds the arm, but Shugars arm-drags! Shugars steps on Trick’s face!

Shugars drags Trick up to bump off buckles, and tag to Dion. They mug Trick, then Dion wrenches and RAMS Trick down! Dion drags Trick up just to RAM him down again! Dion wrenches Trick’s arm, hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then tags Cutler. Cutler takes the other arm, they double wrench and DOUBLE YANK! cutler CLUBS and UPPERCUTS an arm, then HIP DROPS Trick down. Cutler grinds Trick down with a mounted armlock, but Trick endures and fights up. Trick fights up, fires haymakers, then whips. Cutler reverses but Trick hits a DDT! Both men crawl, the fans rally up, hot tags to Shugars and Je’Von!

Je’Von fires hands on Shugars, then dodges the counter punch to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! They both get up and Je’Von whips Shugars to a corner. Shugars reverses, Je’Von slides out to the apron, then Je’Von goes up and around to ROCK Shugars! NXT returns to single picture for Je’Von’s springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Je’Von glares at Dark State while he drags Shugars away. Shugars fights back, sneaks a tag to Cutler, and then Shugars puts Je’Von in an open corner. Je’Von BOOTS Shugars, Osiris storms up but Je’Von backs him off with a step! Je’Von then dodges Shugars, but Cutler LARIATS!

Cutler drags Je’Von into a chinlock, and he rains down fists. The fans boo but Cutler scoops to SLAM! Cutler covers, TWO! Cutler drags Je’Von up, puts him in the Dark State corner, then tags Dion. Cutler digs his forearms into Je’Von’s face, then he sends Je’Von into Dion’s SPINEBUSTER! Dion rains down fists, then clamps on with a chinlock. Je’Von endures, pries at the hold, then fights up. The fans rally, Je’Von fires body shots, but Dion shoves him away. Dion hits a HUGE SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Je’Von survives but Dion drags him over. Tag to Shugars, and Dion scoops Je’Von to SLAM!

Shugars says do him, and Dion scoops Shugars to SLAM him onto Je’Von! Cover, TWO! Shugars keeps Je’Von from his corner, clamps on with a neck wrench, but Je’Von fights up. The fans rally, Je’Von pries the hold and arm-drags free! Je’Von leaps, but Shugars catches him! Fireman’s carry and pop-up to a SLAM! Shugars aims, but Je’Von avoids the elbow drop! Hot tag to Cutler and he keeps Je’Von from his corner. Cutler runs in, but Je’Von dodges, and Cutler POSTS himself! Dion tags in, he hurries to stop Je’Von, and he hits a BIG- CROSSBODY! Je’Von turns things around on Dion and now both men are down!

Dion anchors Je’Von’s legs but Je’Von ENZIGIRIS free! Je’Von crawls, Oba pushes Trick aside to tag in! The fans fire up as Oba rallies on Dark State with big hand after big hand! Then a BOOT for Cutler! EXPLODER for Shugars! URENAGE for Dion! The fans fire up and Oba has Shugars for the SHOTPUT at Trick!? Was that on purpose? Or could Oba just not see where he was going with that? Dion runs up, but Oba gives him a FALL FROM GRACE! Trick storms in and argues with Oba over that shotput mishap! Je’Von wants them to stop and focus on the mission at hand, so Oba tags him in. And then Oba brawls with Trick!!

The fans go nuts as Trick and Oba trade shots! Oba LARIATS Trick and himself up and out! Je’Von says fine, whatever, and he goes up top! FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Dion survives, more refs rush out to stop Trick and Oba from demolishing each other, but Je’Von keeps his focus. Je’Von runs, but Shugars holds the ropes down to mess up the springboard! Tag to Cutler, he tags Shugars! Shugars climbs the corner, Dion & Cutler drag Je’Von up, FLYING TRIPLE BOMB!! Cover, Dark State wins!!

Winners: Dark State, by pinfall

Oba and Trick brawl their way to the back, Je’Von suffering for the dysfunction. But wait! The D’Angelo Family calls out Dark State via the tron! Stacks says, “On behalf of The D’Angelo Family, you wanna cause chaos? Fine. How ’bout next week, in the parking lot? You four are gonna learn that messing with The D’Angelo Family has severe consequences.” Dark State says bring it! But will they show that no one, not even The D’Angelos, are safe anymore?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT here with them sneaking in some more Stand & Deliver build. Great opening with Vaquer watching Jordynne VS Jaida, and I should’ve figured something would keep either Jaida or Jordynne from losing. Giulia showing up to really complicate things is great, and that Fatal 4 Way is going to be wild. Great promo from Saints with Lexis, Eddy, and Wes, as well as Ethan getting another sneak attack in. By the way, a bit surprised they waited this long to have Eddy Thorpe go for the NA title and pull the Native American card on it. The Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s Match will be great stuff, but I feel like Wes winning tonight over Inamura might indicate he isn’t winning. It just makes more sense for Ethan to win given the parallels in their NXT runs pointed out by Saints.

Awesome tag match from Fraxiom VS Swipe Right, and Swipe Right definitely proved they’re the frontrunners in the Evolve roster. They’ve already got solid personas, and their skills are this good already, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re the first Evolve “call-ups” to NXT, not even needing a full year in Evolve to get there. Good promo from The Culling to set up matches, and a very good match from Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Jensen & Vance. Hank ‘n’ Tank of course lose, but we got a great promo with them and The Profits. And finally, The Profits are the ones who say it, Hank ‘n’ Tank just need to be themselves and it’ll all work out. I have a feeling Hank ‘n’ Tank win that tag gauntlet to test both their friendship and tag skills against Fraxiom’s.

The Culling of course had a strong showing tonight because they had to at some point. Izzi VS Wren was a really good match, maybe a little janky at some parts but that might be from Wren having been off TV for a minute. Izzi won, she’ll be a great part of the ladder match because she’s so tall. Sol VS Nyx was really good, too, but of course Sol won that. Fatal Influence is about to fall apart, and we can see #ZaRuca have their own dysfunction in the ladder match. Good promo from Ava with the many losers of the qualifiers, and there are quite a few possibilities for all those great talents at Stand & Deliver. Roxie doesn’t want a tag match, hard to say it won’t be a tag match, but I could also see a battle royal to help set someone up as a contender for after WrestleMania season.

The NXT Championship story was a great throughline for tonight, with great promos from Je’Von, Trick and Oba. A good Six Man Tag main event, and naturally, this was Je’Von trying to keep the peace but Trick and Oba couldn’t help themselves. They lose, that keeps them all relatively even going towards the Triple Threat, and it gives Dark State a strong win for their first time actually in a match together. An interesting detail I hadn’t thought about: Cutler James is part of LFG. LFG is a reality show and probably already done filming by now, so I wonder if Cutler’s involvement in NXT is a spoiler for how that show turns out. Either way, he has the in-ring stuff to hang, we’ll just have to wait and see how the character stuff goes.

My Score: 8.9/10