Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/10/21)
The Dusty Cups are in the semifinals!
NXT is almost ready for TakeOver: Vengeance Day! Are you?
This Sunday will see history! The Men’s and Women’s Dusty Cup Finals happen at TakeOver, but who get their golden tickets to the show?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: El Legado del Fantasma VS MSK; MSK wins and advances to the finals at TakeOver.
- Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Cora Jade; Xia wins.
- Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell; Moon & Blackheart win and advance to the finals at TakeOver.
- KUSHIDA VS Austin Theory w/ Johnny Gargano; Kushida wins, by disqualification.
- Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: Grizzled Young Veterans VS Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa; Grizzled Young Veterans win and advance to the finals at TakeOver.
PLAY BY PLAY
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: El Legado del Fantasma VS MSK!
Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza took down Lucha House Party to establish their claim to the lucha libre throne, but they’re still not at the top yet! Will Nash Carter & Wes Lee stand in their way of taking over at TakeOver?
The teams sort out and Lee starts against Wilde. Wilde talks trash that the cup is theirs, then he dodges Lee’s approach. Wilde and Lee feel out the grapple, tie up with knuckle locks but Wilde spins Lee around to throw him down. Wilde clamps onto the keylock, Lee fights his way up, and he rolls back. Wilde has the double wristlock, wrenches to another and then arm-drags Lee. Fans fire up as Wilde handsprings and taunts Lee. Lee gets up, he circles with Wilde, and Wilde gets around to waistlock and throw Lee down to tie up the legs in a deathlock! Lee endures, pries free and has Wilde’s arm now.
Lee cranks on a cording hold, Wilde moves around and whips but Lee reverses to throw Wilde down again. Wilde rolls back, Lee whips him to the corner and runs in. Wilde puts Lee out but Carter tags in! Lee enziguris, then swings in to dropkick, then he rolls back as Carter runs in to Bronco Buster! Carter adds some extra bounces before he drags Wilde to a corner, ONE! Carter keeps on Wilde with a facelock as fans rally and duel. Wilde fights up, wrenches out and wristlocks, but Carter rolls and handsprings to flip and arm-drag! Wilde goes to the Legado corner and Mendoza tags in. Mendoza and Carter circle as fans rally up.
Carter and Mendoza tie up, Mendoza waistlocks but Carter switches. Mendoza shifts around as he headlocks, Carter pries at the hold but Mendoza wrenches to wristlock. Both men go to arm-drag but those cancel out. Mendoza wrangles Carter, Carter gets around to waistlock but Mendoza switches and spins. Carter stays up, whips but Mendoza goes up and over. Lee tags in, he blasts past Mendoza, MSK unleashes kick combos, enziguri to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Lee keeps his cool as he grabs at Mendoza but Mendoza pushes him away. Lee storms back over but Mendoza throws him into buckles!
Mendoza stomps Wilde, drags him up and whips him into the corner. Tag to Wilde, Legado CHOPS and clotheslines then tags again. Mendoza runs in to clothesline, Wilde tags and runs in to clothesline again! The cycle continues as Mendoza tags back in and hits another clothesline! Wilde tags back in, and hits another clothesline! Tag to Mendoza, he hits another clothesline! Wilde tags in, Legado double suplexes and then combine to handspring hip toss SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Wilde tags Mendoza and Mendoza whips Wilde in but Lee goes up and over and then under to tag Carter! Carter rallies on Mendoza with big clotheslines, knees and a BOOT!
Carter waistlocks, Mendoza switches and shoves Carter to a corner, but Carter dodges to KNEE back! Carter cravat rolls Mendoza to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Carter whips, Mendoza holds ropes and he boots back! Tag to Wilde, Mendoza dumps Carter out and then gives Wilde a boost to dropkick Carter to barriers! Wilde DECKS Lee for good measure, and Legado has the fans dueling as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Mendoza GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Carter lands on his feet! Carter ducks the enziguri, but Mendoza anchors a foot! Mendoza drags Carter, Carter enziguris Mendoza! Hot tag to Lee and Lee rallies on Mendoza! Lee glares at Wilde, throws hands on Mendoza and CALF KICKS hard! Wilde gets in as Mendoza bails out but Lee throws him out, too! Lee and Carter coordinate, APRON SHOVE MOONSAULT!! Legado goes down, but Lee builds speed and FLIES! Lee bowls Legado down all over again and fires up! Fans fire up as Lee puts Mendoza in. Cover, but Wilde drags Mendoza to safety! Carter runs into a BOOT and then Wilde sends him into barriers!
Mendoza KICKS Lee at the ropes, springboards and missile dropkicks Lee into the corner! Tag to Wilde, and Wilde hops on to POISON-RANA! Tag back to Mendoza, he drags Lee up, dead lift ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cover, but Carter breaks it! Mendoza is furious and he mule kicks hard! Fireman’s carry, tag to Wilde, and Wilde climbs up, Wilde uses Carter as a boost for the 450, but onto Lee’s knees! Lee saves himself at the last second, and then he drags Wilde to a cover! But Mendoza SLAMS Carter onto it! Fans are thunderous, Mendoza throws Carter out and helps Wilde up. Legado coordinates, but Wilde has to steady himself. Mendoza runs but Carter trips and drags him out!
Wilde swings on Carter but misses, SUPERKICK from Lee! Tag to Carter, MSK looms over Wilde as they coordinate. Body shot and a toss, BLOCKBUSTER HART ATTACK! Cover, MSK wins!!
Winners: MSK, by pinfall (advance to the Men’s Dusty Cup Finals)
Carter & Lee shock many of the Capitol Wrestling Center fans, but they’ve been shocking us all since coming to NXT! Will they give us the biggest shocker yet when they take the Men’s Dusty Cup as the new kids on the block?
Mercedes Martinez speaks.
“It’s taken 20 years. 20 years to get to this point. This Sunday, it’s everything that I’ve worked for, everything that I’ve done, the trials, the tribulations. This is me! The real me!” Mercedes says the title is her destiny. Her goal. Why she’s still here. Toni Storm is a little girl. She’s not ready for this. Io Shirai has tried to take her out but it’ll take a lot more than that. The Evil Genius’ days as champ have an expiration date and that date is this Sunday. Come TakeOver, Mercedes walks out THE NXT Women’s Champion, “bet on that.”
Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Cora Jade!
We were told the legend of Tian Sha last week, and it seems that is who turned the Spicy Xia into a sharpened steel blade. Speaking of, that is what Xia uses to demonstrate her skills this week. Will Xia only sharpen her edge further against her
Wait, Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter appear. They’re not Xia’s opponent, but they are her friends, and are worried about what has happened to her. Boa tells them to leave, the bell rings, and Jade attacks from behind! But that only angers Xia and she DECKS Jade! Xia strikes her fighting pose before she KICKS Jade right in the back! Jade hobbles up but Xia throws her right into ropes! Jade coughs and sputters, Xia aims and SPIN KICKS! Cover, Xia wins!!
Winner: Xia Li, by pinfall
Xia now glares at KC Squared, before she stomps away on Jade! Jade gets out of the ring, Kacy and Kayden try to talk to Xia, but Xia tells them to just leave. Kayden hops down to confront Tian Sha!! Who even is Tian? What has she done to Xia? What is she doing in NXT? But Xia sneaks up on Kayden and throws her off the stage! Xia apologizes to Tian Sha for that disturbance and promises it will not happen again. Tian raises her hand, and Boa tries to reason with her, too. Tian just grabs Boa by the face! Tian tells Xia to attack, so Xia attacks Kacy! HEEL KICK! Xia dispatches of her past, and Tian shows mercy to Boa. Will there be no mercy for the rest of the NXT Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with William Regal!
Does the NXT GM have any thoughts on the Dusty Cups Semifinals? Well a congratulations on MSK for winning, and he looks forward to the other two matches. Regal then opens his door and finds Scarlett Bordeaux waiting. Can he help her? Actually, she’s here to help him. If “he” were to be here in person, it wouldn’t be pretty. Santos Escobar’s time is up. Next week, Kross VS Escobar. Regal agrees and makes it happen. He politely asks her to leave, and she gives him a last warning that the end is near. Will Escobar #FallAndPray as the apocalypse is upon him?
The Way arrives, but Johnny Gargano is in a wheelchair?
Austin Theory wheels Gargano in but his arm is the only thing wrapped up. Is this legitimate? Or just the way Gargano is going to get out of defending his title?
NXT returns and The Way has made it to the ring.
But wait, now Indi Hartwell and Austin Theory have to lift Gargano up and into the ring? This is sad, but perhaps not in the way it should be. Theory sits Gargano on the top rope, then gets the wheelchair into the ring. Candice makes sure Johnny is okay before Theory carries him to the chair again. Theory carefully sets Johnny in his chair and then fetches a mic. Fans taunt him with “Johnny Wheelchair!” Johnny says before The Way’s Candice and Indi punch their tickets to TakeOver, he has some “unfortunate news.” What we are seeing is the result of a “vicious and cowardly attack by Kushida last week.” Johnny was minding his own business, but fans say “You Deserve It!”
Johnny says he does not deserve this! He was minding his own business when Kushida attacked him “for no good reason” and then broke Johnny’s arm! Watch the tape! Turn Johnny so he can see, too. The footage is of the brawl the two men had last week after Johnny threw the first sucker punch! And then in slow motion, we see Kushida Penalty Kick Johnny’s arm! Candice covers Johnny’s eyes so he doesn’t have to see it, and then they turn Johnny away. Johnny claims to have four fractures in his upper arm. Johnny is not only a leftie, he is a well-known power walker, who swings his arms hard when he walks. Now he can’t because it hurts and he’s in a wheelchair and Johnny hates wheels, so it’s all bad.
Fans still chant “Johnny Wheelchair” but Johnny says the worst part of this is that now, he can’t defend his NXT North American Championship against Kushida at TakeOver. That sucks! He really wanted to have that match. But Kushida should be suspended INDEFINITELY for injuring “the most beloved member of the NXT locker room!” Regal speaks up as he enters on stage. Regal says we’re supposed to be moving on to the Women’s Dusty Cup Semifinals, and we all know the NXT medical team cleared Gargano yesterday. So stop with this ridiculous charade. Charade?! Does Johnny look like he’s Dennis Charademan? He’s not!
And Johnny won’t trust the quacks in medical! The Way’s doctors found this! Look at those X-rays! Four fractures, just like he said. And Kushida broke the longest and strongest bone in Gargano’s arm! Regal asks him the name of said bone. Gargano doesn’t know, it starts with a D or something! He’s not Johnny Doctor! Regal says that’s not a real X-Ray. That R is for right arm, and Johnny is talking about his left! Second, that isn’t Gargano’s X-Ray because he’d be in excruciating pain! No, remember? Gargano can kick out of anything because he has a very high pain threshold! Proof is in the pudding and X-Ray. That R is probably for REAL, and it says “John Gargano” so that is totally legit! Yeah sure it is.
But Regal says there are two options here. First: Theory can be a surrogate, and his match with Kushida later tonight will be for the North American Championship. Theory likes that but Gargano says no way! And that’s not a pun! Then option two is Gargano forfeits the title right now. No no no no! Gargano needs a couple weeks, maybe months, and he will rehab his arm. It’ll be turned into a montage and music video, the return will be great. Wait, Kushida has snuck in behind The Way! Regal says whatever the decision, it needs to be conferred with Kushida first. Why? He shouldn’t even be here! He should be arrested!
Regal says Johnny needs to wait a second as he asks Kushida-san what he thinks. Johnny asks who Regal is talking to. And then Theory realizes Kushida’s right beside him! FAST BALL! Kushida grabs at the belt and pulls Gargano out of the chair! Kushida and Gargano tug-o-war over the belt, and Gargano yanks the belt away! He’s holding it up with his “broken” left arm! Therefore, it is NOT broken! FAST BALL! Gargano falls into the wheelchair and then falls over! Indi keeps Candice from going after Kushida, but clearly the charade has been exposed! So then, will the North American title match still be on for TakeOver? But first, the final Women’s Dusty Cup Semifinal begins!
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell!
NXT returns and the match is already underway as Ember has Candice down with a headlock. Candice headscissors, Ember kips out and headlocks again. Ember wrenches, tags in Shotzi, then whips Candice. Shotzi slides and trips Candice, Ember basement dropkicks, then Shotzi back sentons! Cover, TWO! Shotzi drags Candice up to cravat, but Candice endures. Shotzi throws knees, and Candice staggers to the corner. Tag to Ember, Ember brings Candice up to ram in shoulders! Candice shoves Ember away but Ember tosses her back in! Tag to Shotzi, but Candice gets away! Tag to Indi but Shotzi is right on her with clubbing forearms! Indi still fireman’s carries and SNAKE EYES!
Indi scoops Shotzi for a sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Indi grows annoyed and she drags Shotzi up to bump her off buckles. Indi stomps a mudhole, the ref counts and Indi lets off to drag Shotzi out. Cover, TWO! Indi keeps on Shotzi at the ropes, wrenches an arm and tags in Candice. The Way mugs Shotzi, Candice pulls Shotzi’s hair and uses that to wrench and throw Shotzi down! Cover, TWO! Candice gets the arm and keylocks it but Shotzi endures. Fans rally up, Shotzi fights to her feet, and Shotzi throws forearms. Candice knees low and hard, snapmares Shotzi and then hits a NECK SNAPPER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice keeps on Shotzi’s arm and drags her away to tag in Indi.
Indi stomps Shotzi, drags her up and whips her to ropes to elbow her down! Indi taunts Ember, covers Shotzi, TWO! Ember talks smack back but Indi drags Shotzi up. Candice tags in, Candice wrenches Shotzi’s arm and uses a foot to JAM the shoulder! Cover, TWO! Candice is back on the arm with another keylock and she thrashes Shotzi around. Shotzi fights up, fans rally, and Shotzi throws forearms! Shotzi reaches but Candice keeps her from Ember to then throw her down! Cover, TWO! Candice drags Shotzi up, but Shotzi jawbreakers! Hot tag to Ember! Ember rallies on The Way, mule kicks and kicks and enziguris!
Fans fire up with Ember as she runs, and she shotgun dropkicks Candice down! Tag to Indi, she runs in but Ember spins her around for a ROLLING ELBOW! Tag to Shotzi, they coordinate, neckbreaker to CODE BREAKER, to QUESTION MARK! Cover, TWO! Tag back to Ember, they coordinate again, wrench and whip to a HANGING HEADSCISSOR, and FLYING FOREARM! Cradle cover, TWO!! Candice gets in but Shotzi is there to drag her out! But Candice shoves Shotzi into the table! Indi trips up Ember! Tag to Candice and The Way work together for a tightrope walk and FLYING RANA! Ember is sent into Shotzi and fans are furious as NXT goes picture in picture!
Candice looms over her opponents before putting Ember in and covers, TWO! Tag to Indi, she stomps Ember down, then stomps and stomps. Cover, ONE! Indi is annoyed but she drags Ember up to clamp on a chinlock. Indi thrashes Ember around but she endures. Ember fights up, reaches out but Indi throws her back down! Cover, TWO! Indi keeps on Ember with another chinlock, and she leans on the hold. Ember endures, fights up again, and throws body shots, but Indi throws Ember down by her hair! Tag to Candice, Candice stomps Ember down, then taunts Shotzi. Candice hits the step-up senton! Cover, TWO!
Candice keeps Ember from Shotzi and drags her all the way to The Way’s corner. Tag to Indi, and Indi stomps Ember again. Indi pushes Ember around but Ember CHOPS back! Indi CLOBBERS Ember, covers, TWO! Indi keeps Ember from Shotzi, drags her to the corner, and Candice tags back in. Candice drops a leg, grabs an arm, then brings Ember up to whip her into the corner hard! Candice runs corner to corner to back body block! Indi tags in, she runs in and forearm smashes Ember! Cover, TWO! Indi stays on Ember with a snapmare and chinlock. Ember endures all over again, fights her way back up, but Indi whips her away from Shotzi!
NXT returns to single picture as Ember holds ropes. Indi runs in but her boot gets caught up! Ember throws Indi out and then hurries for her corner! Hot tags to Candice and Shotzi! Shotzi tackles Candice and fires off furious fists! ROLLING ELBOW! Shotzi fireman’s carries, swings and T K O BUSTER! Shotzi runs and hits the BALL PIT! Cover, TWO! Shotzi grows frustrated but she and Ember coordinate. Ember tags in, Shotzi whips Candice into Ember’s gut wrench, AK-47 style Code Breaker! Shotzi SLING-DOGS Candice onto Ember’s knees! Cover, but Indi barrels in to break it! Shotzi whips Indi but Indi throws Shotzi out! Indi turns around into Ember’s BOOT!
Candice CLOBBERS Ember from behind! Candice shouts to Indi and tags her in. Indi hurries after Ember and coordinates with Candice. Ember is stuck in the ropes, Candice DRAPING LIONSAULTS!! Then Candice DIVES onto Shotzi! Indi covers Ember, TWO!! Ember survives and The Way is shocked! Fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” as The Way regroups. Indi drags Ember up, puts her in the corner and tags in Candice. Indi whips Candice in but Ember flops out of the way! Candice hits buckles, Ember flounders for her corner but Indi drags her away. Ember kicks Indi into Candice! Hot tag to Shotzi!
Shotzi enziguris Indi out, then fires off on Candice! Shotzi runs, Candice kicks the legs out and mule kicks! Tag back to Indi, The Way coordinates as Candice has Shotzi, WICKED STEP SISTER! SPRINGBOARD MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, but Ember breaks it! Candice is furious as Indi’s #ImpressiveElbow wasn’t the finish! Ember and Candice brawl on the outside, Indi drags Shotzi up. Shotzi trips Indi up to roll her up, ONE! Indi is in the corner, Shotzi runs in to SHINING WIZARD to DRAPING DDT!! Indi flounders, Shotzi is on the apron and Shotzi KICKS Candice into the ECLIPSE!! Indi saves Candice from Shotzi’s SUPER BACK SENTON!! Cover, Shotzi & Ember win!!
Winners: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon, by pinfall (advance to the Women’s Dusty Cup Finals)
The wild child and the Evolved Shenom are fired up! And now they are on their way to history! Will they be howling to the moon and Take Care o’ Business as they take on Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in the historic finals?
But as they go on stage to look at the Dusty Cup, Shotzi & Ember are confronted by Raquel & Dakota. Regal hurries out to keep the peace and make it official. On Sunday, one team makes history by not only winning the inaugural Women’s Dusty Cup, but they will also receive a future WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match! He wishes both teams best of luck, and now the stakes are raised! Which team takes history along with a golden opportunity all for themselves?
Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa speak.
The Professor of Pain starts by saying, “Last week, we went to war with the Undisputed Era. It was rough, it was brutal, just the way we like it.” Tonight, they battle last year’s finalists. The Psycho Killer says that GYV are former NXT UK Tag Team Champions, and a couple of tough dudes. “But that. The Grizzled Young Veterans. The irony.” Gibson and Drake can say they’re whatever they want, but the fact is “Toothless Timmy and Old Man Ciampa” are gonna whoop their asses. Then on Sunday, Vengeance Day, these two win the tournament and take the Dusty Cup. Class dismissed.
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
What are his thoughts on the news that next week, he will face Karrion Kross 1v1? Escobar says Kross gave him “the gift of time.” But the funny thing about time is that it’s all relative. Kross doesn’t get to just make threats. Escobar is now giving Kross the gift of time. Mendoza and Wilde walk in and apologize for losing but Escobar says they don’t need to. Apologizing admits weakness, so Escobar never apologizes. But there’s something they can do to make it up to Escobar. These two should pay a certain someone a visit. Make sure Kross doesn’t make it to next week. And with that, Escobar thanks McKenzie for the interview and heads out. Will El Legado find a way to cancel the apocalypse?
NXT takes a closer look at The Prince VS The Bruiserweight.
Finn Balor has a red X on his back because he knows he is THE target in the NXT. Whoever comes at Finn next, “they stopped manufacturing the cloth that I’m cut from!” But Pete Dunne says that there was a line to face the champion. Dunne doesn’t care about a line. There’s no respect for The Prince here. “Everyone in Europe wanted to follow in Finn Balor’s footsteps. Not me.” Where everyone else sees the “poster boy” for European pro-wrestling, Dunne sees “a geezer with a glass jaw.” Dunne says Balor better hold that belt tight, because the first chance Dunne gets, it’s his.
Balor knows what Dunne has said. Dunne doesn’t respect Balor, but that’s fine. Balor doesn’t respect Dunne. But Balor would be a fool not to acknowledge Dunne’s abilities, achievements, and how he is championship material. Just not against Balor. Edge said it best: Balor is on “an entirely different level.” Dunne says it is inevitable. Vengeance Day, Balor VS Dunne for the NXT Championship, is intriguing even to the Rated R Superstar. “This isn’t a passing of the torch. This is gonna be a burning of the bridges.”
Dunne vows to smash Balor’s jaw and break his fingers. But Balor says Dunne will be in deep water. Dunne is a threat to Balor’s legacy, but Balor will make Dunne learn the hard way that he can’t swim these waters. Will the Bruiserweight be drowning in despair? Or will he dethrone the Prince and take over his kingdom?
KUSHIDA VS Austin Theory w/ Johnny Gargano!
The Time Splitter got the drop on The Way earlier tonight, but he still has to wait until Sunday to face Johnny Wrestling for the title! Will he be more than happy to tune-up #AllDay before getting at the gold?
The bell rings, Kushida and Theory rush each other, and they fire off fast hands! Kushida KICKS away on Theory’s arm, then runs in to go up and rain down fists! Gargano gets on the apron and distracts Kushida, Theory slips away to CLUB Kushida down! Theory brings Kushida around to throw forearms then whip and dropkick Kushida down! Theory seethes as he paces and drags Kushida up. Theory bumps Kushida off buckles, RAMS into him, then rams again! The ref counts, Theory lets off and drags Kushida up for forearms. Theory goes to suplex but Kushida blocks. Theory throws forearms and whips Kushida again, but then Kushida BOOTS back!
Kushida fires off forearms on Theory but Theory knees low. Theory whips, Kushida reverses but Theory blocks the hip toss. Kushida hits a judo throw instead, and then handspring dropkicks! FAST BALL! Kushida waistlocks but Theory switches. Kushida wrenches out, ARMBAR BULLDOG! Gargano feels that pain. Fans fire up for Kushida as he drags Theory around, stands on the arm then gets the other, for INVERTED DANIELSON STOMPS! Kushida lets off to bring Theory up and KICK him down! Theory flounders to a corner, Kushida is after the arm again but Theory pulls hair and knees low! Theory throws hands but Kushida hits the arm!
Theory throws more forearms, whips Kushida but Kushida wrenches and kicks low! Kushida steps through to hammerlock the arm, then he gets the other arm and steps over that! Kushida has Theory trapped for a SNAP LOCK! Theory scrambles to ropes, Kushida storms over and gets the left arm. Kushida YANKS the arm, but Theory fireman’s carries! Kushida fights free, goes after arms but Theory gets around to waistlock. They end up on ropes, the ref calls for a break and Theory knees low! Kushida KICKS away on the arm, then Theory flounders to a corner. Kushida is after the arm, ELBOW BREAKER!
Theory writhes in pain, Gargano is upset, but Kushida wrenches. Theory breaks free, swings, but into a KICK! Kushida has Theory in another corner but Theory put shim on the apron. Kushida counter punches, springboards but Theory trips him up! Theory DECKS Kushida! Fans fire up as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Theory grinds Kushida’s arm, Kushida fights up as fans rally, but Theory knees low. Theory scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Theory covers, TWO! Gargano is frustrated but Theory drags Kushida up. Kushida throws body shots, Theory CLUBS him, then Theory whips Kushida to ropes. Kushida leaps but into Theory’s arms for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Theory and Gargano high five with the “good” arm before Theory has a cocky cover on Kushida. TWO and Johnny argues with the ref. Theory rains down fists on Kushida as he shouts, “I! AM! THE WAY!” Fans boo as Theory loom over Kushida and drags him up. Theory CHOPS Kushida right to ropes!
Theory talks trash, throws forearms but Kushida just glares at him. Theory throws more forearms over and over, CLUBS Kushida down, then drags him up to snapmare. Theory stomps but Kushida dodges and rolls him up, TWO! Kushida hits an atomic drop and whip, but Theory reverses, only for Kushida to handspring back elbow! Theory staggers to a corner, but he runs at Kushida, only for Kushida to catch him to a BUCKLE SHOT! Theory flounders, Kushida reels him in, GERMAN SUPLEX! Kushida stomps Theory’s hand, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Kushida throws off the tank top and fires up with the CWC fans!
Kushida stands on Theory, keeps him from Gargano, and drags him away by an arm. Kushida wrenches, elbow breaker after elbow breaker, then a WRINGER! Theory bails out, Gargano is there to help him, but Kushida is on the apron. Kushida leaps but Theory dodges and BODY CHECKS Kushida! Theory drags Kushida up, lifts him up, but Kushida fights back! Kushida is on the apron, he rains down rights, and then hits an ARMBAR! But Gargano SUPERKICKS Kushida!!
Winner: Kushida, by disqualification
Gargano is furious and he shoves Kushida down while shouting, “Who do you think you are?!” The ref reprimands Gargano but he tells Theory to get Kushida up. Theory has Kushida in a camel clutch and only now does Gargano pretend his arm is “miraculously” healed. We all know he could use it this entire time, but now he uses it to throw down furious fists on Kushida’s face! Theory keeps Kushida from falling over as Gargano rubs the title in Kushida’s face. Then The Way stomps away on Kushida! Theory says to mess Kushida’s arm up with a chair! Gargano agrees and he goes to fetch some steel. Theory puts Kushida in the ring, but someone drags Theory under the ring!!
Gargano hurries to drag Theory out from under the ring, but he instead brings out DEXTER LUMIS! Gargano is afraid for his life and he scurries up the ramp! Theory drags himself out and thinks he’s hugging Gargano, but then he freaks out when he realizes it’s Dexter Lumis! Theory scrambles into the ring, into Kushida’s HOVERBOARD KIMURA!! Gargano hurries back in to go after Kushida, but he gets dragged down into the HOVERBOARD! The “broken” arm might break this time, and then Lumis gets Theory for SILENCE!! The Way hold hands as Theory fades out! Is this the way Gargano’s reign will end at TakeOver?
Toni Storm speaks.
“Five months ago, I sat on the beach and I looked out at the ocean, and I told everyone exactly what was gonna happen. I predicted it. And now, here we are.” Finally, Toni has a chance at the NXT Women’s Championship. Mercedes Martinez, it is very rude to involve yourself in other people’s business. Io Shirai, Performer of the Year and NXT Women’s Champion, Mae Young Classic Winn- Oh no, that last one wasn’t Shirai. That was Toni! And she knows that because Toni beat Shirai to win the tournament!
So what is the one thing that Shirai has said so far? She doesn’t like Toni? Well Toni wouldn’t like her either if she was Shirai, because every time they’re in the ring together, Toni beats Shirai. But no one talks about that, do they? This Sunday, everyone will be talking about it because Toni will walk away with the title. Shirai, Martinez, after TakeOver, get back in line because it’ll be #ToniTime.
Imperium speaks.
Marcel Barthel starts by saying, “Imperium is all about unity.” Alexander Wolfe returning to NXT USA was just the next piece in the puzzle. Fabian Aichner says Barthel is Imperium’s “agitator.” Wolfe says Barthel is “efficient, disciplined.” Barthel and Wolfe say Aichner is the “equalizer,” a man who can improvise, adapt and overcome. Barthel and Aichner say Wolfe is Imperium’s “Hatchet Man,” who is cold-blooded and has no remorse. And of course, Walter is the Ring General, “the most dominant United Kingdom Champion in history.” Together, they are Imperium! “To us, the mat is sacred!”
NXT returns to find El Legado has been devastated!
Wilde is under ladders and Mendoza is stuck on a trunk! Scarlett simply walks through the wreckage as Karrion Kross gets the camera’s attention! “Mr. Santos! Have you ever heard the old saying, ‘When you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself?'” Well, he should’ve because Kross just did. Next week, Kross will do to him what he did to Legado. Tick-tock. Is Escobar going to face doomsday in the aftermath of Vengeance Day?
A car pulls up rather noisily.
But it is a very fancy car! A white Lamborghini pulls up, the door flies open, and out walks… CAMERON GRIMES!? Grimes pays security to park his car for him while he goes to the ring. When did Grimes get all that green? He’s just giving it away to the CWC audience! They’re $100 bills?!? Did the Carolina Caveman strike gold or oil or something while he was away?! Grimes gets a mic, checks the time on his Rolex, and says there’s a nice reward for everyone who gets up on their feet! “Cameron Grimes is back, babay~!” Two months ago, Grimes was outside this very ring, because that no-good Timothy Thatcher, “that MCL snatcher,” took Grimes out, left him laying, screamin’ and flailin’.
Grimes went home and did what any man would do: He thought about how he’d make a comeback and Cave-In Thatcher! He won’t claim he trained the whole time. He did have some downtime, and in that downtime, just like any man would, he found out there’s these things called “video games.” Turns out, video games are freakin’ cool! Grimes started playing them, and thought to himself, “Why even wrestle if I can just play video games?”
But then Grimes ran out of games, so he want to this place called GameStop. Grimes walked in, when he opened those doors, the lights just hit a little different. Grimes thought to himself, “If there was anything that Cameron Grimes would put his money in, it would be a fine establishment like GameStop!” Turns out, Grimes is at the right place at the right time, because it went PARABOLIC! In laymen’s terms, “TO~ THE~ MOOOON~!” Now he has SO MUCH MONEY~! So much, he didn’t know what to do with it! But there’s things like, for dogs. It’s Doge Coin or something. And Grimes never did trust cats. Nine lives means they’re up to no good! So Grimes invested in them dog coins and now he’s RICH~! WOO~! So rich, richer than Alibaba!!
Grimes is fired up, throwing off his jacket, and says Elon Musk, “the guy that makes the rocket ships,” well Grimes just pulled up in one! HAHA~! Give it up for Cameron Grimes, the richest man in NXT! And there ain’t nobody that can tell Grimes anything now! Regal can’t tell Grimes something! Grimes tells Regal to kiss his grits! Grimes ain’t gonna wrestle Lumis, #KissMyGrits! Wrestle zombies? #KissMyGrits~! Money is power, and now Grimes has so much of it, it ain’t even funny. It’s HILARIOUS~! Grimes makes it rain then rolls around to make a money angel! But even with all that money, will Grimes’ massive ego still write a check his body can’t cash?
Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.
A rough night for The Way, given how Kushida- STOP RIGHT THERE, ACTUAL MCKENZIE! She’s gone a week and still says stupid things! Gargano was doing Kushida a favor canceling their match. But this Sunday, Gargano VS Kushida IS happening! That is a dream match for many, but not for Gargano! This is an opportunity for Gargano to remind the world who the hell he is! Gargano isn’t just a North American Champion, he isn’t just Johnny Wrestling, he’s Johnny FREAKIN’ TakeOver! So Kushida better bring his best and be ready to wrestle the match of his FREAKIN’ life! Because when Gargano’s boots are tied, the lights are bright and it’s a TakeOver, no one can hang with Gargano! Sunday, Kushida enters Gargano’s world!
Io Shirai speaks.
“Scared? Scared of a Three Way Match? There’s no way I’m scared of a Three Way Match, I defeated Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley to win this championship.” In fact, Shirai looks forward to this one. Toni Storm is still not suited for this title. And it was three years ago that Toni won the MYC. They’re both different people now. Shirai is a champion, Toni is a challenger. Mercedes Martinez says her 20 year journey has led here. Too bad the journey will never end. It’ll go one forever and ever and ever, because Shirai WILL retain her title. On Sunday, TakeOver: Vengeance Day, Io Shirai remains champion.
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: Grizzled Young Veterans VS Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa!
Liverpool’s Number One and Mr. Mayhem were the inaugural NXT UK Tag Team Champions, and have been a tag team for roughly a decade! But this newly formed duo they’re against was forged through respect born from pain and grit! Will the Grizzled Young Veterans SSSSSOON be recognized as back-to-back Dusty Cup Finalists? Or will they fall even shorter when no one will survive?
Gibson has a mic and says, “Look at these two goofs! They really are as dumb as they look. Ciampa, how did things end between you and your last tag team partner, hey? And Tim, same question to you, lad!” Honestly, these two can take their fake friendship and stick it up all the way up their asses! The trophy belongs to the Grizzled Young Veterans, SSSSOON to be recognized as Dusty Classic winners, and SSSSOON– Ciampa doesn’t wait for teams to sort out, he DECKS Drake off the apron and goes after Gibson! Thatcher helps out as he drags Gibson around for EuroUppers! Ciampa hits Drake, CHOPS him, and then CHOPS more!
Thatcher throws Gibson into barriers, and Ciampa does the same to Drake! The makeshift combination maul GYV against Plexiglas! Then they trade targets! Thatcher stomps Drake and Ciampa stomps Gibson! Ciampa drags Drake up, throws him over barriers, and Thatcher drags Gibson up to put in the ring. Thatcher gets in and Gibson backs away to a corner. The bell rings, Gibson hits Thatcher! Gibson facelocks, Thatcher slips out and wrenches to knee away! Thatcher knees Gibson down, gets a leg and drags him over to tag in Ciampa. Ciampa stomps Gibson, YANKS Gibson’s leg, then wrenches an arm to tag Thatcher back in.
Thatcher and Ciampa mug Gibson, Thatcher looms over Gibson and wrenches the arm around. Gibson powers up but Thatcher wants the double wristlock. Gibson ends up in a corner, Thatcher throws EuroUppers and whips him corner to corner. Drake takes the impact in the corner, Gibson clubs Thatcher, then tags Drake in. Drake kicks and punches Thatcher to a corner. Drake stomps away on Thatcher, then reels him in for a short arm clothesline! Drake keeps throwing haymakers but Thatcher throws EuroUppers! Drake kicks Thatcher, tags Gibson, but Thatcher fights GYV off with more uppercuts!
Thatcher has Gibson’s arm but Drake trips Ciampa up! Drake shoves Ciampa into steel steps, Gibson rolls Thatcher up, TWO! Gibson facelocks Thatcher but Thatcher waistlocks. Gibson backs Thatcher down, Drake tags in, and Drake rolls to run in, big back elbow! Gibson adds a clothesline then feeds Thatcher to Drake’s windmill kick! GYV go out and get Ciampa up! Assisted APRON POWERBOMB! Ciampa flails and writhes as NXT goes picture in picture.
The ref tells GYV to back off while he checks on Ciampa. Ciampa clutches his neck, the known weak spot, and GYV go back for Thatcher. Drake drags Thatcher up to cravat, grinds him down, but Thatcher fights up. Drake facelocks, Gibson tags in, and they mug Thatcher! Gibson throws EuroUppers and down goes Thatcher! Gibson drags Thatcher back up, Thatcher grabs at Gibson’s leg so Gibson drops knees! Ciampa is still down on the outside as Gibson wraps Thatcher up in a chinlock. Thatcher endures, Gibson grinds him down, medics check on Ciampa’s neck. Thatcher reaches out with a leg, Gibson keeps him just out of reach of the ropebreak, and shifts around with the hold.
Thatcher fights up, Drake tags in, ripcord FOREARM! Drake covers, TWO! Thatcher kicks from below but Drake stomps away! Drake drops elbows, pushes Thatcher down and digs a knee into his face. Cover, TWO! Thatcher again kicks from below but Drake throws forearms! Drake drags Thatcher up, throws haymakers, and NXT returns to single picture as Thatcher fires EuroUppers in return! Thatcher rocks Drake but Drake hits back! Thatcher clinches to BELLY2BELLY Drake away! Drake crawls, Ciampa is still down, Gibson tags in! Gibson runs in to clotheslines Thatcher in the corner, then SLAMS him down! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO!
Gibson keeps on Thatcher with a wristlock, some forearms to his face, then a seated chinlock. Gibson leans hard on the hold but Thatcher reaches. Gibson pushes off ropes to keep Thatcher away but the ref reprimands. Thatcher endures, fans rally up, and Thatcher scowls as he fights his way up. Gibson shifts around to ROCK Thatcher with a EuroUpper! And another! Thatcher throws forearms on the GYV, but Gibson ROCKS him again! Gibson hammers away on Thatcher, tags to Drake, and GYV coordinates. Drake climbs, Gibson Electric Chair lifts, but Thatcher fights out! Thatcher shoves Gibson, Drake leaps over, but Thatcher EuroUppers him out of the air!
Drake and Thatcher are down, but Ciampa isn’t on the corner! Gibson gets in and goes after Ciampa, only for Ciampa to DECK him! Ciampa is back and gets the hot tag! Ciampa rallies on Drake with big clotheslines! Gibson gets in to get some clotheslines, too! Ciampa keeps going, clothesline to Drake in a corner, then to Gibson, then BOTH GYV! Ciampa fires up and so does the CWC! Ciampa GERMAN SUPLEXES Drake! And GERMAN SUPLEXES Gibson! And then a fireman’s carry, AIR RAID CRASH onto Gibson! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa snarls, drags Drake back up, and CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! And CHOPS again!
Thatcher likes what he sees as Ciampa underhooks. Drake drops, Ciampa CLUBS him, then brings him back up. Drake powers Ciampa back, Gibson tags in and the GYV mugs Ciampa! Gibson brings Ciampa up to hoist into HELTER- No! Ciampa slips out to CHOP Gibson! Gibson forearms, Ciampa gives them back and it’s a brawl! They go fast and furious then Ciampa SLAPS and KNEE TRIGGERS Gibson! Gibson throat chops! And hoists Ciampa up, for HELTER SKELTER! Both men are down and crawling for their corners, hot tag to Drake, and Ciampa is still down! Drake runs to launch off Ciampa, MAYHEM In Motion to Thatcher!
Drake and Gibson coordinate, they drag Ciampa up to the Electric Chair! GRIZZLED DOOMSDAY!! Cover, but Thatcher breaks it! Fans fire up as Gibson goes after Thatcher and throws him out hard! Gibson throws forearms but Thatcher choke grips to SLAP Gibson down! Drake DIVES and sends Thatcher into barriers! Drake hurries back to the ring, but Ciampa catches him in the ropes! But Gibson anchors Drake’s feet and saves him from the DDT! Tag to Gibson, Drake scoops Ciampa, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, Drake intercepts Thatcher, GYV WIN!!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall (advance to the Men’s Dusty Cup Finals)
The Ticket to Mayhem is their ticket to TakeOver! The team that’s teamed together longer finds a way to win, and now they’re going back to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic finals! But will just be going back to back? Or will they end MSK’s streak right at the finish line?
Commentary gets on the mics to run down the TakeOver card!
MSK talks trash with GYV as they both prepare for the Men’s Dusty Cup Finals! Gargano and Kushida return for one last stare down before fighting for the North American Championship! The historic Women’s Dusty Cup will have Kai & Gonzalez VS Shotzi & Ember, and those teams return to finish where they left off in the trash talk. And there’s the Triple Threat for the NXT Women’s Championship! Shirai is between both Mercedes and Toni as they all argue with each other.
But of course, last but certainly not least, the main event, THE NXT Championship, Balor VS Dunne for the first time ever anywhere!! And these two stare down in the ring under the spotlight as a dream match a long time coming finally happens! Balor takes aim at Dunne, Dunne puts his dukes up, but who puts the other down on Vengeance Day?
My Thoughts:
A very strong go-home, but um, that ending segment was random. NXT has never done a last minute rundown of a TakeOver card accompanied by forced continuations of stare downs and trash talk. NXT better not be listening to USA Network or NBC executives on how to do their show because that’s a bunch of bull and makes NXT feel more like Raw or even, dare I say, ROH. But that aside, everything else was as it should’ve been. We got great video packages for the NXT Women’s and top NXT titles, which should’ve been all we got, not those trash talk/stare down moments at the end. That is what makes NXT great, so we don’t need to add on. I’m honestly surprised there wasn’t more of a Prime Target feel to one of them, but maybe that’s being saved for closer to Mania.
Xia Li decimates another opponent, but the real development from her segment was that KC Squared still wants to be her friends. Tian Sha/Mei Lin has a stronger hold over Xia, so I would love to see a tag match where Tian Sha (Karen Q) gets in action. That will be a really fun match because of the combinations of martial arts and acrobatic styles that all four women use, and it could even be a series. The Way had a really good string through the night, from Gargano faking a broken arm and somehow that keeps him from walking, and then him being exposed outright. Kushida VS Theory was very good, even with Gargano getting involved. Lumis showing up was great, too, but I guess we won’t get a tag match of Gargano & Theory VS Lumis & Kushida, as good as that would’ve been.
Candice & Indi VS Shotzi & Ember was a really good match, but naturally with Heels already in the Women’s Dusty Cup Finals through Kai & Gonzalez, the Faces won out. Shotzi & Ember are coming up with some really good combo moves, like the bulldog to knees. The Women’s Dusty Cup finals can go either way with it being the first-ever, so it really comes down to Raquel or Shotzi, who has the bigger push? They’ve both gotten to do a lot this past year or so on NXT, maybe Dakota or Ember takes the fall. And with the prize (logically and rightfully) being for a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Titles, I think the Dusty Cup determines who wins between Nia & Shayna VS Naomi & Lana. WWE insists on Heels VS Faces so whoever wins the cup, the opposite will have the titles.
Imperium had a really good promo video, too, but I still don’t see Walter showing up. Walter still has the NXT UK Championship, so he has to be on NXT UK and hold down the fort. As for Wolfe, Aichner and Barthel, they can of course go for North American and Tag Team Championships, once Faces have them again. There’s a very good chance Kushida wins the North American Championship, so Kushida VS Wolfe would make for a very good match-up. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch being Heels, would MSK end up winning the Men’s Dusty Cup? MSK VS Legado and GYV VS Thatcher & Ciampa were both great matches, but naturally we get Faces VS Heels there, too.
I am going to be very surprised if GYV doesn’t win at TakeOver, I’m not sure MSK is all the way there just yet. We still don’t even know what the letters mean! As for Thatcher and Ciampa losing, I wouldn’t be surprised if this starts to make them question the tag team. They are of course 1-1 in their series against each other, so maybe the next loss breaks them up and we get the tiebreaker at the next big NXT event. Kross VS Escobar is happening way sooner than I would’ve expected, but whatever. I’m not really feeling either, and I again say the Cruiserweight title should’ve been given to Curt Stallion just to get it out of this story.
Cameron “GameStonks Doge Coin Kiss My Grits” Grimes is already off to a hilarious start. The social commentary is strong, and the fact Grimes kept calling it “dog coin” was perfect for who he is. As was him not knowing about video games until he was home healing. I feel like this is his equivalent of Ric Flair’s “Fire me, you can’t fire me!” and I hope he gets to run with it for a good amount of time. He could be like a Million Dollar Man who pays off people to help him fight someone he doesn’t want to fight, like a Dexter Lumis or Timothy Thatcher. If this is somehow NBC getting involved, I am oddly enough okay with it. NBC having good ideas is rare, might as well embrace the ones they have.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Time to defy the odds!
A tag team gauntlet and a Fatal 4 Way determine contenders that will challenge for NXT gold this Saturday at Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins and will challenge Ricky Saints for the title at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice; Lola wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet: Hank ‘n’ Tank win and will challenge Fraxiom for the titles at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS Thea Hail; Thea wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page!
The Absolute holds what many want, but only one gets their shot. Will the Alpha Wolf be one step closer to his “birthright?” Will the Drama King look to go for another crown? Will the Wes Side return to former glory? Or will it be All Ego that meets Saints in Sin City?
But speaking of Saints, Ricky makes his entrance after everyone else is already in the ring! The fans fire up as the champion decides to join commentary. The bell rings and Eddy kicks at Ethan but Ethan blocks, only for Lexis to DECK Ethan! Wes then rolls Eddy up, but Lexis shoves Wes away! Lexis basement SUPERKICKS Eddy! Wes and Lexis stare down, things speed up, and Lexis hurdles, but Wes leaps over. Wes dodges Lexis, but Lexis steps on Wes’s dropdown! The fans are torn, but Eddy is up. Lexis wants Eddy to calm down, but then Ethan is also up. Lexis tells them both to calm down, but now Wes is up.
Lexis finds himself surrounded, and Wes feeds Lexis to Eddy’s KICK, and Ethan’s HAYMAKER! Wes adds a HAYMAKER, then Eddy KIKS again! Ethan HAYMAKERS, Wes ENZIGIRIS, and Lexis wobbles. Eddy TOSSES Lexis, the fans fire up, but then Ethan DECKS Wes! Eddy ROCKS and KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS on Ethan! Wes runs up, Eddy gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Wes tumbles to a corner, Eddy BOOTS Ethan! Eddy runs and BOOTS Wes! Lexis is back, but Eddy dodges to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, Ethan breaks it! Ethan ROCKS Eddy, but Wes ROCKS Ethan! Eddy spins Wes, but Wes BODY BLOWS!
Wes KICKS, KICKS, and ENZIGIRIS Eddy, to then DOUBLE STOMP him down! Wes runs to ELBOW Ethan in a corner, mule kick, and AX KICKS! Wes then runs at Lexis, but Lexis dodges! Lexis dodges Eddy so Eddy runs into Wes! Lexis dodges Ethan, Ethan runs into Wes & Eddy! Lexis then SUPERKICKS Ethan into them both! Lexis runs corner to corner, but everyone clears out! Lexis POSTS himself! Wes BOOTS Ethan, Eddy kicks Wes, then Eddy reels Wes in. Wes wrenches out, slips around, but Eddy elbows free. Eddy runs, Wes dodges, and Ethan holds the ropes down! Eddy tumbles up and out and to the floor!
Wes runs up, Ethan puts him on the apron, but Wes RAMS into Ethan! Eddy grabs at Wes, Wes kicks him away, but Ethan ROCKS Wes! Wes is stuck in the ropes, so Ethan hits a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wes survives, Ethan drags Wes up, but then he sees Lexis climbing a corner. Ethan pushes Wes aside to ROCK Lexis! Ethan then climbs up to join Lexis, reels him in, but they both fire body shots! Lexis CLUBS Ethan, Eddy UPPERCUTS Lexis! Eddy climbs up to work with Ethan, but then Wes throws hands on the legs! Wes gets under all of this, and the fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!!
All four men are down while the fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener! Lexis flops out of the ring, Ethan and Eddy flounder, but Wes runs, SHOOTING STAR on Ethan! Cover, Eddy breaks it! The fans fire up as Wes and Eddy stand to trade forearms! Wes fires a body shot then a forearm, but Eddy fires a forearm, an UPPERCUT, and a KICK! Eddy snarls, but Ethan waistlocks! Eddy fires elbows to get free, but Wes BOOTS Eddy! Ethan DUMPS Eddy out, Wes DECKS Ethan! Wes builds speed and he DIVES into Lexis! Ethan let Lexis take that shot while he grabs Eddy. Eddy blocks the apron bump to elbow Ethan!
Eddy runs up, Ethan dodges, and Eddy almost hits Ricky! Ricky says watch it, but then Ethan SHOVES Eddy into Ricky! The fans go nuts, Ricky is pissed, and he THROWS Eddy aside to get at Ethan! The ref tries to stop this, but Ricky is too heated, so the ref EJECTS Ricky from ringside! The fans boo but Ethan just mockingly waves bye-bye. Ricky warns Ethan, the fans chant, “Ref, You Suck!” but NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Lexis ROCKS Wes. Lexis reels Wes in, but Ethan BOOTS Lexis down! Ethan then scoops Wes to SLAM him onto Lexis! Ethan then THROWS Lexis into Eddy! Ethan drags Lexis up, but Lexis slips free of the Canadian Rack! Lexis grabs the arms, crosses them, then reels Ethan in, but Ethan trips Lexis up! Ethan turns Lexis over, BOSTON CRAB! The fans are torn as Lexis endures, and Lexis claws at the mat! Lexis crawls forward, but Ethan drags him back from the ropes! Wes runs up, Ethan ducks the lariat, but then Eddy YANKS Wes outta the ring! Eddy clamps onto Lexis with a CROSSFACE!!
Lexis endures double submissions, but then Wes STOPS Lexis from tapping!! The fans are thunderous, but Eddy is furious! Eddy lets go of Lexis to STOMP Wes down! Eddy then BOOTS Ethan down! Eddy goes up a corner as the fans duel, and Lexis UPPERCUTS Eddy! Lexis climbs, fires forearms on Eddy, and Eddy falls to the apron! Ethan CLUBS Lexis! Ethan has an Electric Chair, then he has Eddy in a facelock! But Wes goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS onto a DOOMSDAY DDT COMBO!! The fans are going nuts all over again while all four men are down! But then Ethan crawls to cover Eddy while Wes crawls to cover Lexis! Double covers, TWO!!
The fans fire up while Wes and Ethan grow frustrated. They stare down, then they throw hands! Wes fires a flurry, but Ethan ROCKS Wes with one! Wes PELES in return! Wes hurries to go up a corner! But Lexis SHOVES him down! Wes hits apron, Lexis climbs, SWANTON BOMB on Ethan! But Eddy is up top! He MACHO ELBOWS the cover apart! Eddy then drags Lexis up, but Wes rises! METEORA for Eddy!! Cover, Lexis YANKS Wes up! CORONATION!! But Ethan has Lexis! TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, ETHAN WINS!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)
Ethan smirks as he takes advantage of this golden opportunity. Ethan grabs a mic to say, “Well, I guess that makes me the man then, huh?” The fans are torn but Ethan says he is the #1 contender. Ethan knows he isn’t the guy Ricky wanted to win, and he has every right to believe that. Because everyone remembers their first. And the first championship in WWE for Ricky was ruined by Ethan Page! At Stand & Deliver, Ricky’s first title defense will also be ruined by- RICKY SPEARS ETHAN!! No more ringside ban, and the champ gets some payback! But will Las Vegas be absolute? Or will All Ego’s ego only expand exponentially this Saturday?
Jordynne Grace speaks.
“What you see today as The Juggernaut, multiple time TNA Knockouts Champion, this wasn’t how I started. I wasn’t scouted, I never had ‘star power,’ never really been a beauty queen. If it were possible to have negative aura, that is who I was. I was just a little girl wrestling in half-empty gyms, trying to find a place to fit in a world that didn’t seem built for me. I knew what people saw, or really rather what they didn’t see. But something I did have that not a lot of people in wrestling do, is self-awareness. So I finally stopped wishing that I had what I was supposed to have, and started building what I could become.
“I turned insecurity into intensity, doubt into discipline, and that was the day The Juggernaut was born. I fell in love with getting stronger. I became laser focused into building my body into an atomic bomb. Waking up at 3AM to train, jumping into a car to drive 8 hours to wrestle, hit another gym session after that, then sleep two hours and do it all over again the next day. And as hard as that was, I was obsessed with it. It was a way that I could stand out against all the other women. And to me, it was the only way. I wanted the WWE Universe to say, ‘Yeah, the WWE women are killing it, but have you seen Jordynne Grace over in TNA? That’s Jordynne Grace!?’
“I’ve put in the work so that no one could ignore me. I forced my way into the conversation and made people believe in The Juggernaut the way I believed in myself. Now, the biggest hurdle of my career is right in front of me this Saturday, when I have the opportunity to become NXT Women’s Champion. And just like I’ve been my entire career, I’m aware of exactly what I’m gonna have to do to leave Vegas with my first WWE championship.” Jordynne is ready, but will Grace survive in Sin City?
The NXT Women’s Division holds another watch party.
Sol Ruca asks Zaria who she thinks will take the last two spots in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match. Zaria isn’t sure, but it won’t matter when the outcome will be the same. Sol agrees there, because it’ll be one of them as the champ. Oh, really? Doesn’t Sol mean Zaria? Kelani Jordan hears this and takes offense. She thought #ZaRuca was fine. Uh, they are. New shirts and everything, thanks for asking. Well, it won’t be either of them, because Kelani’s going to be a TWO-TIME Women’s North American Champion. And she’ll show everyone why no one can do it like Lan- Izzi Dame interjects.
Izzi says good one, idiots. But y’know who Izzi misses these days? The old Kelani. She was way more likeable. Old Kelani, new Kelani, it won’t matter when Izzi’s the one on top of the ladder, holding the title, and bringing it home to The Culling. Keep dreaming, Izzi, it’ll never happen. Those two both head out, and Sol says it’s just like she said, either her or Zaria will walk out as champion. Zaria says sure, something like that. But to the point, who will get the remaining spots and fill out the six pack?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice!
The weird girls are hungry for some gold, but so is the MMA Mamacita! Will Tatum take over? Or will there be a Vice in Sin City?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Tatum rolls Lola, TWO, and Tatum narrowly avoids the roundhouse! The fans rally as the two reset and tie up. Tatum waistlocks, Lola switches, and Lola SLAMS Tatum down. Lola holds on as Tatum fights around, and Gigi coaches Tatum up. Tatum pries free, backflips up and over to then Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Lola has Tatum in a modified CROSSFACE! Tatum endures, fights to stack Lola, TWO! Lola runs up but Tatum kicks her away. Tatum wrenches, UPPERCUTS, then CLUBS the arm. Tatum grinds Lola down, the fans duel, and Lola endures. Tatum hits a BRIDGING FUJIWARA!
The fans rally, Lola fights around and reels Tatum into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tatum high stacks, TWO! Lola lets Tatum go, but then BODY BLOWS! Tatum drops to her knees, Lola clamps on with a headlock, and Lola hits a takeover. Tatum fights around, but Lola puts on the pressure. Tatum fights up, Lola thrashes, but Tatum powers up and out. Lola ducks ‘n’ dodges to then whip Tatum, and Lola catches Tatum to a SLEEPER! The fans rally, Tatum powers out fast, but then Lola hits a SPINEBUSTER! Tatum bails out, Lola rushes after her! Tatum crawls under the ring? Lola grabs at Tatum but Tatum kicks her away!
Tatum scurries under the ring, Gigi taunts Lola, but Lola tells Gigi she’s estupida. Lola goes looking for Tatum, but Tatum YANKS her into the ring frame! Tatum laughs, Gigi says that’s what Lola gets, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Tatum taunts Lola, brings her up and into the ring, then drags Lola up to KNEE the arm again and again! Tatum wrenches and WRINGS the arm, then JUMPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tatum grabs Lola’s arm, stomps it, then twists the wrist! Lola endures, but Tatum SLAMS the arm off the mat! Tatum bends the fingers, mockingly high-fives the hand, but Lola kicks her away! Tatum comes back and wrenches again, but Lola wrenches and WRINGS it in return! Lola SOBATS Tatum, whips and KNEES her low, and Tatum is in the ropes. Lola goes to the apron to AX KICK Tatum down! Tatum flounders into the ring but Lola pursues.
Lola whips and KICKS Tatum, then drags her up to reel her in. Lola snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga as Lola gets up, for Dos Amigas! Lola drags Tatum up again, gives some Latina Heat, and hits THREE AMIGAS! Cover, TWO! Tatum stays in this and Lola grows frustrated. Lola stalks Tatum to the ropes, stands her up, and whips her to KNEE- NO, Tatum rolls Lola up! TWO, and Lola KICKS Tatum back down! Lola drags Tatum around, then clamps on with a chinlock. Tatum endures, even as Lola thrashes her around. Tatum fights up, RAMS Lola into a corner, but Lola holds on! Tatum RAMS Lola into another corner, but Lola clamps on again!
Tatum pries at the hold, RAMS Lola into the corner again, and now she’s free. Only to run up into headscissors! Tatum brings Lola off the corner to POWERBOMB! NXT returns to single picture as both women rise. Tatum dodges a kick, and she CLOBBERS Lola! And CLOBBERS her again! And ENZIGIRIS! Tatum wrenches Lola for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Tatum runs corner to corner and CROSSBODIES Lola in the corner! Tatum whips corner to corner to CROSSBODY again! Tatum goes for a third, but Lola KNEES the crossbody down! The fans rally, Gigi coaches Tatum, but Lola AX KICKS again!
Lola fires LIGHTNING KICKS and she backs Tatum up into the corner! The fans fire up for Lola as she reminds us, “I’m a Latina~!” HIP ATTACK! Lola drags Tatum out of the corner, covers, TWO!! Tatum survives and the fans fire up! Lola drags Tatum up, lifts her up, but Tatum sunset flips! TWO, and Tatum hurries to a corner. Lola runs in, but Tatum dodges! Lola gets stuck in ropes, Tatum CROSSBODIES again! Tatum brings Lola around to hoist her up top, and the fans duel even harder! Tatum climbs, Lola fires body shots, and Lola shoves Tatum down! Tatum comes back to GAMANGIRI! Tatum then climbs up, brings Lola up, and SUPERPLEXES!
The fans fire up, Tatum crawls to the cover, TWO!! Lola survives, but Tatum doesn’t stop! She hooks Lola up, but Lola pops free! SLEEPER!! Lola drags Tatum down, but Tatum rolls back to a cover! TWO!! Lola lets go in time, but Tatum throat chops! Tatum goes up the ropes, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! And then the BUENAS NOCHES BACKHAND!! Cover, Lola wins!
Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Lola got the knockout, and now she’s punched her ticket to Las Vegas! Will everything come up LV this Saturday?
Giulia speaks.
“For the past few weeks, I watched Stephanie bask in the glory of being a double champion. I waited and waited for her to give me a rematch, but it never happened. Friendships only go so far when it comes to the NXT Women’s Championship. Last week, I reminded Stephanie of what Beautiful Madness is. Jaida Parker? I don’t know her, but I can tell she is very confident. She likes to dish out punishment, but she doesn’t like to take it. Jordynne Grace is strong, but on Saturday, I will introduce her to Strong Style. Jordynne and Jaida are obstacles in my way to Stephanie. My goal was to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Losing it only made me more dangerous.
“Last year at Stand & Deliver, I introduced myself. This year, I leave as the NXT Women’s Champion.” Giulia is ready, will all succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
A car pulls up real fast.
And out steps Trick Williams! #CrashOutTrick looks ready for a fight, will he find one this close to his NXT Championship Triple Threat?
Ava Raine is arguing with The Fatal Influence and Meta Four!
The NXT General Manager is trying to get Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to all listen to her, but then Gigi & Tatum stumble in. Gigi brings up this other opportunity Ava talked about last week, and Ava says yes, that’s what this is about. But Jacy says it won’t be an opportunity for Gigi & Tatum. Ava says hold on, hold on. Everyone will get their opportunity at Stand & Deliver. There will be a Triple Threat Tag Team match, and after talking it over with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis, the winners will get a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match for the NXT after WrestleMania.
Tatum & Gigi are fired up, as are the Meta Girls and Fatal Influence, but then Roxie storms in and says she just knew Ava would do this. Every single woman is going to be on Stand & Deliver except for Roxie, the woman who made this division the best Women’s Division in the WORLD! Ava says yes, hi, how are you, Roxie? Good job losing to Tiffany on SmackDown last Friday. But clearly she didn’t get enough because she’s back here bothering Ava. But hey, if Roxie can charm herself a tag partner, then Ava will happily make this a Fatal 4 Way. The others chuckle and Roxie says Ava has always had it out for her,
Roxie storms off and the others sarcastically wish her luck. Will Roxie be able to salvage one of the many bridges she’s burned around here? Or will the Prodigy be out of luck this close to Stand & Deliver?
NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet!
Speaking of luck, the luck of the draw is going to be tested, and the team that survives the odds will battle Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the titles! But who do we have first? It’s Hank ‘n’ Tank! The Street Profits told them to just be themselves and it’ll be alright, but will Hank ‘n’ Tank be able to run the table?
Starting with them are Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont! Will Ty & Ty represent for the Wes Side?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont!
The teams sort out and Tank starts against Tyson. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. They break, circle again, then tie back up. Tyson waistlocks, full nelsons, but Tank powers up. Tyson spins Tank to KNEE him in the face! Tyson runs and UPPERCUTS Tank down! Cover, TWO! Tyson storms up but Tank fires a body shot. Tyson ROCKS Tank, SPLASHES in the corner, then tags Tyriek. Tyson feeds Tank to Tyriek for a kitchen sink knee! Tyriek UPPERCUTS, then KICKS a leg out, to then BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tank is toughing it out, but Tyriek bumps him off buckles. Tyriek runs, but Tank BOOTS him back!
Tank storms up, Tyriek headlocks, but Hank tags in as Tank powers up and out! Tank blows past Tyriek, Tyriek gets distracted, and Hank CLOBBERS him! Tank dodges Tyson’s sucker punch to triangle jump LARIAT! Hank ‘n’ Tank take the corners, and as Tyriek stands up, “HONK! HONK!” BIG BELLY SANDWICH! Hank scoops, Tank runs up, GRIDIRON! Cover, Hank ‘n’ Tank ELIMINATE Ty & Ty! The fans fire up while Wes is freaking out! But no time to rest, here comes Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank be victims of The Culling?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen!
Jensen keeps Vance back, they have to do this the right way. Vance does start against Hank, and the two tie up. Niko RAMS Hank into the corner, then Jensen throws hands! Jensen tags in, and he ROCKS Hank! Jensen whips corner to corner but Hank reverses. Hank runs up and SPLASHES, then he runs side to side! Tank tags in, Hank LARIATS again! Tank adds a LARIAT! Niko runs up, Hank hits him with an atomic drop! Niko hobbles to a corner, Tank runs up to LARIAT! Hank LARIATS Jensen, then Hank ‘n’ Tank switch, more LARIATS for Jensen & Niko! And then more LARIATS! HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH for Niko!!
Jensen staggers up, Tank gives Hank the boost into the SEATED SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jensen survives but Tank clamps on, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Jensen endures, fights up, and he bumps Tank off buckles. Jensen gives Tank more buckle bumps, but then Tank stops that! Tank keeps Jensen from running away to give him buckle bumps of his own! Shoutout to Matt Hardy with these “DELETE!” bumps, and then he SLAM DUNKS Jensen off the corner! Tag to Hank, and Tank puts Jensen up top. Hank ‘n’ Tank coordinate, and they DOUBLE HEADBUTT Jensen in the ribs! Hank pushes Jensen down, covers, TWO! Jensen stays in this but Hank stays on him. Hank whips Jensen to a corner, runs up, but Jensen BOOTS him! Jensen brings Hank over, tags Niko, but Hank gets loose!
Hank ROCKS Jensen, DECKS Niko, then dodges Jensen, only for Jensen to DUMP Hank to the apron! Jensen ROCKS Hank, and Niko Electric Chair Lifts Hank! Jensen lines up the shot, DOOMSDAY BULLDOG to the desk!! Hank goes down in a heap while The Culling stands tall! Niko then drags Hank up, bumps him off the apron, and Hank sputters around the way. Niko puts Hank in the ring, stomps him around, then drags him from his corner. Niko bumps Hank off buckles, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Niko lets off, and he stalks Hank to a corner. Niko whips Hank corner to corner hard!
Niko tags Jensen, Jensen throws hands on Hank, then JABS, JABS, JABS! Jensen DECKS Hank, covers, TWO! Hank stays in this, even with blood in his mouth, but Jensen ELBOWS him in the head. NXT returns to single picture as Jensen whips and CLOBBERS Hank! Cover, TWO! Tank coaches Hank, the fans rally up, but Jensen clamps onto Hank with a chinlock. The fans rally harder, Hank fights up to his feet, and Hank fires body shots! The fans cheer, but Jensen turns Hank! Hank turns that to a backslide! TWO, and we see Fraxiom watching backstage as Jensen grabs Hank’s leg! Jensen drags Hank back, tag to Niko.
Niko stomps Hank again and again, then talks trash. Hank fires body shots in return, but Niko CLUBS him down! Niko taunts Tank, Tank warns Niko, and Hank LARIATS Niko down! The fans fire up, but Niko grabs Hank’s leg! Hank still crawls, but Jensen distracts the ref! The ref misses Hank’s hot tag! The fans boo as Tank has to go back! Niko scoops Hank, Jensen goes up, ASSISTED POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Hank survives and the fans are thunderous! Jensen & Niko have no idea how this is possibly, but Niko facelocks Hank. Hank fights up, fights forward, but Niko CLUBS him down!
Niko tries to suplex but Hank blocks it! Hank suplexes Niko, but Jensen reaches out to push it down! The ref reprimands, but Niko suplexes! Hank slips free, shoves Niko away, Jensen tags in, but Hank hot tags Tank! The fans fire up as Tank rallies on The Culling! Tank LARIATS Niko up and out! Then he dodges Jensen to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Tank dodges Niko to ROCK him! Tank runs to BLAST Niko off the apron! Jensen runs up, Tank cartwheels and LARIATS! A shoutout to the War Raiders, perhaps? Tank covers, Niko breaks it! The fans boo, but Hank is back! Hank and Niko grapple, Niko TOSSES Hank, but Tank TOSSES Niko!
But Jensen rolls Tank up! TWO, and Jensen runs! Tank ducks under the leg lariat, goes up, up, but leaps into a WHEEL KICK! Niko tags in, then he tags Jensen back! They hoist Tank up to the Electric Chair, and Jensen goes up, DOOMSDAY BELLY2BELLY!? Tank turns things around on Jensen, and Hank trips Niko! Tank covers, HANK ‘N’ TANK ELIMINATE THE CULLING!! Blink and you might’ve missed it! But Hank ‘n’ Tank have to regroup quickly, because here comes the No Quarter Catch Crew! Will Myles Borne & Tavion Heights be the ones to go the distance?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Myles Borne & Tavion Heights!
Myles & Heights rush in, they dodge Hank ‘n’ Tank, and Myles DROPKICKS Hank! Tavion fireman’s carries Tank for the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Tank survives but Tavion knows he has Tank where he wants him! Tavion ROCKS Tank, whips Tank, and LARIATS Tank! Tag to Myles, the NQCC double whip to then DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Tank is still in this, but Myles drags him up. Myles ROCKS Tank, ROCKS him again, and then tags Tavion. Feed to the fireman’s carry throw! Cover, TWO! The fans duel while Tavion rains down forearms! Tavion clamps on a chinlock but Tank endures the squeeze.
Tank fights up, the fans rally harder, and Tank fights up to his feet. Tank fights around, and JAWBREAKERS free! Myles tags in, but Tank tags Hank! Hank DUMPS Tavion, then fires haymakers on Myles! The fans fire up as Hank swings away, then fires fast hands from all sides! Hank whips, ELBOWS and then DECKS Myles! Myles staggers to a corner, Hank runs corner to corner, SPLASH and BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Hank goes to the outside, and he gets on the tracks! He uses the steps to FLYING BODY ATTACK on Tavion! The fans are thunderous as Tank is up, too! HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH for Tavion!!
Wait, Myles FLIES?! Down goes Hank ‘n’ Tank and the fans are thunderous as NXT goes picture in picture!
Myles drags Hank up, puts him in the ring, and pushes him to a cover, TWO! Hank is still in this, but Myles KNEES him in the back. Myles drags Hank up, ROCKS him, then UPPERCUTS him! Hank flops against the ropes, Myles stomps away, but then stops as the ref counts. Tag to Tavion, and Tavion stomps away on Hank on the apron! Tavion steps in, kicks Hank to the floor, then takes a bow. Tavion goes out to fetch Hank for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Hank writhes, Tavion pushes him in and covers, TWO! Hank is showing true grit, but Tavion fires forearms! Tavion whisp Hank to ropes, then LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!
Tavion drags Hank up, whips him into a corner, then tags Myles. Tavion stands Hank up to feed him to the SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Myles is frustrated, but he sits Hank up to KNEE him int he back! Myles CLUBS Hank, ROCKS him, then fires body shots! Hank fires hands in return but Myles kicks low. Myles reels Hank in but Hank blocks the suplex! Hank cradles Myles, TWO! Myles stomps Hank down, then drags him up to ROCK him with a right! Hank flops over, Myles stomps him and taunts him, then ROCKS him again! Hank fires a body shot in return! Myles fires another haymaker! Myles stalks Hank, but Hank ROCKS Myles!
Myles comes back to ROCK Hank, but Hank ROCKS Myles! NXT returns to single picture as the hands keep going! Hank ROCKS Myles, both men flounder to their corners, hot tags to Tavion and Tank! Tank and Tavion fire fast ‘n’ furious fists and the fans fire up! Tavion RIPOS Tank’s shirt off! Tank ROCKS Tavion again and again! Tank whips, Tavion reverses to LARIAT! Tavion runs, but Tank ELBOWS him! Then Tank hits a BIG back suplex! Tavion is up!? Tavion hits a BIG back suplex! But Tank is up!? The fans are thunderous as these two run up, LARIAT from Tavion again! Cover, Hank just breaks it in time!
Myles storms in and TOSSES Hank! NQCC get Tank up, fireman’s carry, but then Hank drags Myles out! Tank shoves Tavion, rolls him up, HANK ‘N’ TANK ELIMINATE NQCC!! What a hot streak! But now, the final team is none other than Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank get past the Bullhead Brawler & Great Rush? Or will being themselves only get them this far?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura!
Tank steps outside, but Briggs just goes after him! Briggs THROWS Tank into the steel steps while Inamura runs up on Hank! Inamura wrenches Hank to fire those fast hands! Then Inamura hits a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO!! Hank still has something but Briggs tags in. Briggs CLUBS Hank, talks trash, but Hank fires a haymaker! Briggs likes the fighting spirit and eggs Hank on. Hank fires more hands, but there’s not a lot of mustard. Briggs BOOTS Hank, whips him, then scoops him, SIDEWALK SLAM and a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Hank still has something left, and Fraxiom likes where this is going. Briggs tags Inamura and Inamura CHOPS Hank!
Inamura CHOPS and JABS on hyper speed! Tag to Briggs, he runs side to side and BOOTS Hank! Briggs brings Hank around, tags Inamura, CHOP into the CHOKE SLAM BACKBREKER COMBO!! Cover, TANK BREAKS IT! The fans cheer and Tank coaches Hank. The fans rally as hard as they can, but then Inamura runs up! Tank takes the CHOP for Hank! Briggs BOOTS Tank down, then he and Inamura double whip Hank! Hank ducks Briggs, shoves him into Inamura, then cradle for Briggs!! Inamura leaps but Tank anchors him! HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!?!?
Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships)
Incredible! Hank ‘n’ Tank start and finish this gauntlet, and now they’re headed to Las Vegas! Fraxiom may #NeverSlowDown, but Hank ‘n’ Tank never give up. What happens when irresistible forces meet immovable objects at Stand & Deliver?
Stevie Turner talks with Kali Armstrong.
The Evolve General Manager, and Ava’s assistant NXT GM, is very impressed with Kali, which is why she’s in the Fatal 4 Way main event of tomorrow night’s Evolve! Kali will take on Brinley Reece, Kendal Grey, and Chantel Monroe. Kali likes that, and says thanks for the opportunity, Stevie. Kali heads out, and Ava is there to say Kali’s gonna be a big star one day. Robert Stone agrees. But how stoked are we that Hank ‘n’ Tank just won the tag team gauntlet? He is so happy for those guys. Stevie agrees, the tag title match is set. But alas, there’s one last spot in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match to fill.
Ava says yes, but she found a last minute entry for that match. Oh? Who? Ava says don’t worry, you’ll know when the music hits. Ava teases something big, who will make a surprise entry? And will that certain someone soon Stand & Deliver?
A truck pulls into the parking lot.
And it’s Oba Femi! The Ruler brings his NXT Championship with him, but wait! Is that Dark State sneaking up behind him!? Are they going to go after the champ and ruin Stand & Deliver?
Jaida Parker speaks.
“When you see Jaida Parker, you’ve already made your mind up. Because of my old life, people have already made assumptions about me. And to be honest, I don’t care, because I never fit in anywhere anyways. People think just because you look the part that it’s easy. But just because I carry something with ease don’t mean that it ain’t heavy. See, this path to Stand & Deliver started right here, in Port St. Lucie. I laughed in these streets, I cried in these streets, and I started making a damn name for myself in these streets. And Stephanie, Jordynne, and Giulia, they all come from somewhere. I’m the only homegrown talent in this match.
“And yeah, other women might be intimidated by that. Hell, the entire world IS intimidated by that. But I learned right here in Port St. Lucie that if I can hang with the boys, then I can hang with anybody. Because baby, I am pressure. And I ain’t talking about the pressure that burst pipes. I’m talking about the pressure that creates diamonds! Because growing up, if you didn’t apply it, it was damn sure applied to you. See, my dad’s a coach, and he would never let me play football like my brother did. So I decided to go for the next best thing: Soccer. And that physicality, what? Man, I loved it.
“But with my dad also being my coach, people already made the assumption about me. I’ve been in a women’s locker room my whole life, so I know exactly how vicious it can be. All women wanna do is try and cut you down. And out here in NXT, we have the best division in the world. But I know deep down, none of them want me to succeed before they do. And that’s not my problem. My best friend is actually my uncle. Man, you talk about a support system, You wanna talk about keeping a smile on my face. That’s exactly what he did to me. And when I lost him, I learned real early on that I couldn’t trust nobody. Because if I could lose my best friend, who else can I trust?
“See, people assume I have an attitude. Nah, I’m just the way that I am because that’s what happens when you don’t fit other people’s agendas. That’s what happens when you lose the purpose of this all. Life made me hard. So nah, I don’t need no damn friends in no damn locker room. All I need is that big game situation. The moments that make or break you. And ain’t nobody been able to break me. And come this Saturday in Las Vegas, I’m gonna show the entire world that Jaida Parker don’t play. And I’m taking that NXT championship with me.” Miss Parker got #OutTheMud, but will she get that gold?
The D’Angelo Family arrives!
Stacks, Rizzo, Luca, and a few other cousins are here, but where’s Tony? Where’s The Don? Stacks says T ain’t coming. This was Stacks’ call. Wait, Stacks didn’t run this by Tony? Stacks tells Luca that he doesn’t need to justify his decisions, he’s the Underboss, this is his call. Are they with him or not? Luca says they’ve never backed down from a fight before, they sure won’t do that tonight. Dark State is already waiting, so it’s go time! Stacks has Rizzo move aside, and the boys get the crowbars out! Rizzo hurries to call Tony, but the fight is on! The crowbars hit first and they hit hard! The random cousins get taken out, but Stacks & Luca stand their ground!
Luca’s got Dion, Stacks has Saquon, they drag those two inside, but then Dion & Saquon fight free! They brawl around backstage, knocking into ladders and walls. Luca CHUCKS a trash can at Dion! Saquon SMACKS Luca with the trash can’s lid, then throws it into Stacks! Saquon grabs a chair, but Stacks grabs it from him! Luca SMACKS Saquon with another chair! But now Cutler & Osiris have caught up! They’re throwing off the other cousins, as well as security, and Cutler CLOBBERS Luca! Security still tries, but Cutler ELBOWS one, and CHOKE SLAMS another through a table! But then Stacks & Luca get Cutler with a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX through a table!
Osiris shakes free of security to run up on Luca with a crowbar! Stacks gets Luca outta the way, and that crowbar goes into the wall! Then Luca & Stacks DOUBLE SPEAR Osiris through that wall!! Security drags Luca & Stacks up, Saquon and Dion are back, this brawl moves down some other hallway! They’re in the storage area, they crash into spare pipes, and Dion THROWS Stacks up against some spare lockers! And then Dion SLAMS the lockers down! Stacks avoids disaster, Luca SMACKS Dion off the lockers! Saquon comes back, armed with a fire extinguisher! Cutler & Osiris are back up, they brawl with the D’Angelos, but Saquon just BLASTS everybody!
Saquon is going wild, but then he JAMS Luca up with the extinguisher itself! Cutler THROWS Stacks against someone’s car! Security steps in, but one of them is sent into the car! Stacks CHUCKS a cinderblock! Cutler dodges, the block shatters on the ground, and Cutler scoops Stacks to LAWN DART him into the garage door! Saquon SMACKS Luca off the side of the car, then Dark State gets him up. DOUBLE URENAGE onto the hood! Another car pulls up, and it’s TON! CROWBAR SHOTS FOR EVERYBODY! Dark State is going into retreat as the cops get involved! Tony helps Stacks up, and he says HE called the police.
Tony now asks what the hell Stacks is doing! Going over his head?! Risking the family for something Tony didn’t sign off on?! Stacks says Dark State disrespected the family! Tony says yeah, but Tony had a plan. Stacks says he got caught up, and Tony says yeah, and Stacks should’ve listened instead. Because while Stacks got caught up in whatever the hell this was, Tony was handling business the way it’s supposed to be handled. They all want Dark State, okay? But not in some street, in some parking lot. They’ll do it in front of the entire world, on the biggest stage: Stand & Deliver! Because that’s what they do.
Tony knows what is best for the family. Stacks, do NOT question him again. Understood? Understood. Tony hugs it out with Stacks, but will the D’Angelos be able to end Dark State the right way?
Stephanie Vaquer speaks.
La Primera went home to Chile, and not only does she get to see family and friends again, but she’s also part of Chilean TV specials on this Road to WrestleMania. She is very happy to represent Chile at Stand & Deliver as well as all of WrestleMania Week, the most important week of the year. She reviews how she is not only the first woman to hold both the NXT Women’s & NXT Women’s North American Championships at the same time, but she’s the first Chilean women’s champion.
She then goes to her hometown of San Fernando to have a media moment with the mayor, Pablo Silva Perez, who is very proud that one of their own is now a world class professional wrestler. Vaquer tells the story of when, years ago, she told her father she wanted to be a wrestler. He was of course worried, but she told him she would one day be a champion in the WWE. During her career, she was winning titles all over the world, but he never got to see that because she couldn’t come home. But now, she gets to give him a big surprise, because she brought home replicas of the titles she won in NXT.
Vaquer feels so blessed to be home to have all the love and support of her people in Chile. And at Stand & Deliver, she promises to continue representing them with pride, passion and courage, always keeping Chile’s name high. Vaquer is ready, but will La Primera still be THE champion here in NXT?
Backstage interview with Hank ‘n’ Tank.
Kelly Kincaid is with tonight’s big gauntlet winners, and says they’re going to Stand & Deliver! Yeah, baby! Here we come! These past few weeks, they’ve gotten tons of advice from teams on Raw, SmackDown, and beyond. Some was good, some not so good. But tonight, Hank ‘n’ Tank stayed true to who they are, and they pulled it off! They learned who they are! But they also learned who they’re not. They didn’t change who they are, and they left it all in the ring! They took the gauntlet and gave it a bodacious belly boy booming twice! And now… They’ve got a chance at the titles at Stand & Deliver!
But in steps Frazer & Axiom. Axiom loves it! Hank ‘n’ Tank found themselves and they did it! Now they’re ready to put themselves to the test on the biggest stage, against the best tag team in NXT. Axiom looks forward to it. Frazer says he knew they could do it! He knew the entire time. Uh, no, Frazer gave them the worst advice possible. Oh, did he? They ran the entire gauntlet, but it’s just a shame they did it for nothing. Axiom is annoyed by Frazer, but Tank says agree to disagree. See you at Stand & Deliver. Hank ‘n’ Tank offer handshakes, Frazer says, “We most certainly will,” and then heads out? Axiom shakes hands, so at least one champion is respectful.
But will Frazer also learn to respect the bodacious belly boys? Or will Fraxiom, dysfunctional once again, still pull off the win?
Roxie meets with Ava again.
Roxie is so upset! Even Hank ‘n’ Tank get to go to Stand & Deliver and she doesn’t? Stone says those two beat four other teams, they deserve it. Well so does Roxie! Ava asks if Roxie found a tag partner. Actually, yes. Roxie thought about it, and she realized she’s a Prodigy for a reason. She’ll just be her own tag partner. That’s not how that works… And one Roxie is plenty anyway. Ava asks how bad she wants this. Really badly! Oh, is that so? Cora Jade steps in! Does Roxie want it so bad that she’s willing to apologize? Roxie is speechless, but she’s only got 4 days left. Will Roxie swallow her pride to go for glory with an old friend?
BREAKING NEWS for Stand & Deliver!
It seems during commercial, Roxanne did apologize to Cora, and now the mean girls are back in action! The Fatal 4 Way Tag match is now an ELIMINATION MATCH, and set for the Stand & Deliver Countdown Show! Who will start off their WrestleMania Weekend with a big win and head right for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS ???
It’s the main event and there’s one spot left in that six pack challenge! Karmen is ready to represent for Team SHING SHING, but who’s she up against? We find out, after the break.
NXT returns and wait, Andre Chase is talking with Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon. The boys want Mr. Chase to reconsider reopening Chase U, but he tells them that while he’s thankful for everything they’ve done for him, he’s… He’s just scared. What if he ruins their lives like he has everyone else’s? “You didn’t ruin mine.” THEA HAIL!? She’s back! And Thea says Mr. Chase has her blessings. He can reopen Chase U. Does that mean she’s back in? No, but she’ll always be a proud alumni. For now, she’s qualifying for the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match! Then go get ’em, champ! Thea fist bumps Mr. Chase and fires up!
The music starts, “I’m a grown ass woman!” Thea runs out there, the fans go nuts already, Thea almost licks the title! Will everyone be shouting #HailYeah this Saturday in Las Vegas?
The bell rings, the fans chant “Welcome Back!” and even Karmen is happy to have Thea back. But then Karmen kicks, only for Thea to block! Thea spins Karmen, rolls her up, ONE! Karmen trips and covers, ONE! The two stand off and the fans cheer. Karmen and Thea reset, then things speed up. Thea rolls over the dropdown, then arm-drags! And arm-drags again! The fans fire up with Thea, she runs in and ELBOWS Karmen! Thea clinches for an EXPLODER! Karmen bails out, Adonis coaches her, but Thea builds speed! Thea DIVES, but into a GAMANGIRI! Karmen storms in, runs up, and she SLINGBLADES!
Karmen dares Thea to get up, then whips her, only for Thea to reverse. Karmen goes up to JUMP SOBAT! Thea flounders, Karmen DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Karmen is annoyed but she rains down fists! Thea kicks free, but Karmen brings her up for a KICK! And KICK! And KICK, but Thea blocks it! Thea HEADBUTTS Karmen, then dodges a lariat to ELBOW Karmen down! And ELBOW her again! And then wrench and kick to the leg! BASEMENT CLOTHESLINE! The fans fire up and Thea runs, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Thea hauls Karmen up, scoops and POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up with Thea as she shakes the ropes!
Thea SEANTONS, then TRUST FALLS! The fans fire up and Karmen flounders. Thea runs in, floats over, and underhooks for the BUTTERFLY TWIST! Then KIMURA!! Karmen TAPS, Thea wins!
Winner: Thea Hail, by submission (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Thea makes a return in a big way, and she’s on to perhaps the biggest match in her career! Thea looks around at ringside, we see #ZaRuca up in the perch, while Izzi Dame, Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice have appeared in different parts of the crowd. The six pack is complete, but who will be toasting their victory at Stand & Deliver?
Trick Williams heads to the ring!
The fans fire up and chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” as he makes his way out for what is to be one final faceoff between the NXT Championship Triple Threat competitors. Trick grabs a mic to keep that Booker T energy going, “Huh? I like it!” Trick says he’s been doing a whole lot of thinking lately about who he is. A couple weeks ago, Young OG came out here and said Trick… is the new Carmelo Hayes… But Trick gets it now. Because you either die the hero, or live long enough to become the villain. But Trick Willy still alive! And heavy is the head that wears the crown. Oba, your head may be heavy, but on Saturday, Trick’s coming for that crown, dawg!
And Je’Von, that means better luck next year for you! The fans cheer, but here comes Oba Femi! The Ruler changes the mood as he has belt around his waist and mic in his hand. Oba tells “Mr. Williams, it’s funny how you still talk like you’re the man around here. Well guess what? You’re not the man. What you are is a broken record playing the same hits over and over, and over and over again. And nobody is singing along, because you are the only one who is still whooping dat trick!” The fans disagree as they chant, “Whoop Dat Trick!” Oba says he’ll give Trick a word of advice: The spotlight is moving on, so Trick should do the same.
Trick gets one last chance to stand in the spotlight alongside Oba at Stand & Deliver on Saturday, and that will be Trick’s last time. Because when Oba is done with him, Oba is moving on, as well. Trick wants to ask, do Oba’s ears not work that good? Are those braids too tight? The fans are still chanting Whoop Dat Trick around the world, let’s talk about it! The fans cheer, and they again chant for Trick. But hey, what’s Oba got? He’s still The Ruler? It takes more than a few Black Panther chants to be the man around here, dawg! Trick says he’ll help Oba out, because it looks like Oba is struggling to hold that title up ever since Trick let him have it.
Trick will take that from Oba, that’ll help Oba out, and- Here comes Je’Von Evans! The Young OG has them cut his music, and he tells Trick, “Please, please, PLEASE shut yo’ ass up! Oh, I mean, I dunno, I could be trippin’, gang. But like, I guess the Young OG was right about Trick a few weeks ago. I mean, bruh, you come here week, after week, after week, after week, after week, after week… talking about a match that you deserve. And honestly, I’m gonna speak for some people here, at least for some. We tired of that! Like, if you gon’ talk, talk about something else. But you already know how I feel about you, so Trick Williams, you’re dismissed.
“Let’s talk about the Ruler now! HOO!” Je’Von steps in, fans chant “O~BA! O~BA!” Je’Von says, “I ain’t gonna lie, that’s cool. I ain’t gonna lie. Real recognizes real, OG. You’ve been glued to a championship ever since you got to NXT. Y’know what I mean? It’s like you’re on track to success. You walk into a room, and everybody knows who you are. And honestly, I’m not trying to be a smart ass fool, but those two times I dropped you, I was hype about it. Cuz I didn’t drop a regular wrestler, Oba. I dropped the NXT Champion! You feel me? That’s real talk.” The fans do cheer that. Je’Von asks how many times are we gonna hear, “Oba Femi will main event WrestleMania in a couple of years.”
And that’s not an “if,” it’s a “when” Oba gets drafted. And c’mon, Big O. C’mon, champ. Je’Von pats him on the shoulder and says yeah, he did that. But c’mon! Oba from the University of Alabama! Roll Tide! Roll Tide! The fans here being from Orlando, Florida, they’re not as into that. But Je’Von says bruh, Oba was supposed to get to Raw, SmackDown, and be great! But he walks around this arena, around the Performance Center, and around NXT like all this revolves around here. Deadass right now, bro bro… This kid from North Carolina wasn’t supposed to make it to WWE. But what’d he do? He did that!
And you think Oba is the favorite? But little do you know, that’s how Je’Von likes it. YERRR! Oba chuckles, and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, Je’Von Evans!” The fans cheer, and Oba says, “The Young OG! This is what 20 years looks like. Look at him. 20 years old. You’ve had a phenomenal rookie year. If anybody knows anything about having a phenomenal rookie year, it’s The Ruler, isn’t that right? And you’re the future of this place. But like I said, I’m the present. The future is not here yet. And you’re right about one thing: This place does revolve around me, because I have this!” Oba holds up the NXT Championship.
“Because I have this, that makes me the man! Because I have this, I’m the top dog! And you cannot handle this, because you are a CHILD!” The fans boo that, and Je’Von brushes that off. Trick says he’ll hope both of them out. After they’re done hugging and giving compliments, they’ll talk about what matters, and that’s Trick getting that title back. Belee dat! Je’Von says if they’re gonna talk about Saturday, it’ll be how neither Trick nor Oba can touch Je’Von in this ring. Because we all know Je’Von can wrestle circles around both of them, and that’s facts. The mics drop, but then Trick & Oba SHOVE Je’Von out of the ring!
And now Trick and Oba start throwing hands! The fans fire up, Je’Von returns, but he gets TOSSED out this time! Trick and Oba throw more hands, but Je’Von springboards in! DOUBLE O G CUTTER!! Je’Von stands tall over Trick and Oba, then holds up the title! Is this what we’ll see at the end of Stand & Deliver?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home NXT here, especially with the “last minute” builds to some big matches. I was a little surprised the Fatal 4 Way went first, but I suppose it was the match that needed time to breathe, while also one of the matches they couldn’t adjust on the fly if they needed to cut something for time. That technical stuff aside, it was an awesome opener with all four guys looking strong. Ethan did a great job sniping the finish there, but great stuff with Ricky being ejected just to come back and spear Ethan down. I hope Ricky doesn’t lose given he stood tall, but he and Ethan will have a great match for this title.
Very good stuff in the Women’s North American Championship build. Good promo from Sol, Zaria, Kelani and Izzi, and good stuff in connection. Thea Hail making her TV return was a great move, and a great win over Karmen here. Also, I do appreciate she gave Mr. Chase the encouragement to restart Chase U. Lola VS Tatum was also a very good match, and very good win for Lola. I can’t really be sure who wins the ladder match, but I feel like it’d be boring for Kelani to win again, she has to have a proper feud with someone before she becomes a two-time Women’s North American Champion. It’d be the most fun if Thea finally got a title reign with this match.
Branching off from that, good stuff with building a Fatal 4 Way tag. Roxie having to make amends with Cora is an interesting twist but I figured that would happen. I don’t know their chances when we’re talking an Elimination Fatal 4, but I suppose Roxie & Cora wouldn’t reunite if they weren’t going to have a strong showing. At the same time, it really depends on if Liv & Raquel are meant to win against Lyra & Bayley. Speaking of Lyra & Bayley, I’m surprised Hank ‘n’ Tank ran the table just like they did, but it was done in an awesome way. Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Fraxiom will be awesome, and this really will come down to how Hank ‘n’ Tank are of like minds while Frazer & Axiom keep disagreeing.
The backstage brawl of Stacks & Luca VS Dark State was both a bit cheesy but also really good. Tony making the save was great, and now we’re getting a big Six Man Tag out of it. It feels like this will be the make or break for the D’Angelo Family, as Stacks keeps pushing the boundaries of his authority within the family. Great cameo from Kali Armstrong to help plug Evolve, that’ll be a great Fatal 4 Way over there. Great promos from the women in the NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way. Jaida’s promo felt like the longest and most in-depth, but Vaquer’s was pretty close. I feel like it’ll be between the two of them for who wins the title. I’m leaning towards Vaquer retaining, but Jaida really does deserve some kind of title reign before her NXT run is over.
And a great promo segment from Trick, Oba & Je’Von to close the show. All three made strong points, but then Je’Von standing tall was quite the surprise but also a great image. The math would now say he doesn’t win, but it’s a Triple Threat so maybe there’s a way for him to still win out. It could even have to do with all these theories of someone leading Dark State, but that’s only if there is someone else leading Dark State. It’d be a great way to kick off a new chapter for NXT if Dark State had the NXT Champion leading them, and their feud with the D’Angelos continued as Tony tried to go after that title to complete his Grand Slam.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a truly star-studded Raw!
Ahead of their WrestleMania 41 Night 1 Main Event, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, CM Punk & Paul Heyman are all here on Monday Night Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Bayley wins.
- Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made; Rey wins.
- AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Styles wins.
- PENTA VS Finn Balor; Finn wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Gunther is here!
Sacramento boos Der Ring General as he storms to the ring. Michael Cole was going to interview the World Heavyweight Champion later tonight, but it seems Gunther wants to get to it. Gunther and Cole meet in the ring, Cole says two weeks ago, he left Jimmy Uso bloodied in this ring. That caused Jey Uso to march out here last week- Gunther cuts Cole off to says that last week, Jey walked out here, looked Gunther in the eyes, and claimed he’s not afraid anymore. The fans boo as Gunther says this week, he is here to look us all in the eyes to tell us that Jey Uso is full of crap! Cole understands the fans are upset, but speaking of that, it seems Gunther is also upset.
We saw last year at WrestleMania, when… The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Gunther says screw the questions! Screw Jey Uso! Screw everything Jey stands for! And screw everybody who stands with Jey! The fans boo more, and Gunther says ever since he stepped for in the WWE, he is the greatest gift this company has ever received! For 80% of his time in the WWE, he has been a champion! And now, he is the GREATEST World Heavyweight Champion of all time! The fans boo more, but Gunther says he refuses to let somebody like Jey Uso ruin that for him. The fans “YEET!” more and he says fine, do it as much as you want!
Gunther tells Jey to puff his chest out, walk into WrestleMania with the most confidence he’s ever had, because it won’t matter! In the end, the bell has to ring! And when that happens, Jey still can’t lace Gunther’s boots! Gunther will put Jey down for a FOURTRH time! These last two weeks, Gunther has been accused, told he went too far, that he lost control. Jey, trust one thing: In 37 years of LIFE, Gunther has never lost control! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Gunther says two weeks ago, when he took a bath in Jimmy’s blood, Gunther was in full control, and he LOVED it!
And Jey, go pray to the Lord, thank Him for how Gunther was in control, or else he would’ve drowned them both in Jimmy’s blood! Gunther looks forward to next week, calling his mother and telling her how much he enjoyed beating the living hell out of Jey, and is STILL World Heavyweight Champion! Gunther storms off, having done his part for tonight. Will nothing and no one stop Der Ring General from destroying Jey?
Bianca Belair speaks.
“I’ll be the first to admit that lately, I’ve been in my head. Everything that’s happened with Jade and Naomi, it really messed me up. And now, this whole situation with Iyo and Rhea has brought out a different version of me. But different isn’t wrong. My Road to WrestleMania has filled with nothing but blood, sweat and tears. Not no complaining, no whining, no excuses. No, just straight facts. I’ve been doing nothing but standing up for myself and speaking the truth, something that anybody would do. Something I would hope people are teaching their kids to do. And you don’t have to like the truth, but you can’t deny it.
“Just like I can’t deny now it’s a Triple Threat. Yeah, I’ve been through a lot. But I’m still the best. So I’ma use the bit of everything that I’ve been through to be the Bianca I know I can be. I’m the Bianca that won Elimination Chamber, I’m the Bianca that’s never been pinned at WrestleMania, and I’m the strongest, the fastest, the roughest, the toughest, the quickest, the greatest, the best Bianca that you have ever seen. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a Triple Threat, because there’s nothing that Rhea or Iyo can do to stop me from getting my flowers and walking out of WrestleMania as champion. Because you cannot spell WrestleMania without E S T.”
Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Role Model and the Morrigan ran the table on Friday Night SmackDown’s tag team gauntlet, and now they’re going to WrestleMania! Will they have even more momentum going into that WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match? Or will the leading ladies of Judgment Day refuse to give up the spotlight even now?
Raw returns and Bayley has made her entrance, Lyra by her side. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Bayley circles with Liv. They approach, and Liv SLAPS Bayley! Liv laughs, but Bayley smirks. Liv apologizes, then runs away! Bayley chases Liv around the outside, but then they slip into the ring. Liv stomps away on Bayley, the fans are torn but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, and Liv bumps Bayley off buckles. Liv stomps a mudhole, but again stops at 4. Liv then stomps another mudhole in, and shouts, “OKAAAY~!” as she lets off. The fans are torn, Liv stands Bayley up, but Bayley fires forearms! The fans fire up, Liv swings, but into a fireman’s carry!
Liv fights free, ducks ‘n’ dodges Bayley, but Bayley hits a THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up and Bayley hits a NECK SNAPPER, then a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley stomps Liv around, glares at Raquel, but Liv kicks from below. Bayley rains down fists on Liv, the fans rally behind her, and Bayley whips. Liv reverses, then avoids the up ‘n’ over to DROPKICK Bayley! Liv runs corner to corner, and BACK BODY BLOCKS! Liv rolls, but Bayley follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Bayley looms over Liv. Bayley glares at Raquel, then bumps Liv off buckles. Bayley ELBOWS Liv, then ELBOWS her again.
Bayley brings Liv around, the fans cheer her on as she bumps Liv off buckles. The fans duel, Bayley brings Liv in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Liv is tougher than that but Bayley stays on her. Bayley brings Liv over but Liv stops the buckle bump to give a buckle bump! Liv runs up, but Bayley ELBOWS her! Bayley goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then she gest around to SAIDO! Liv bails out, Raquel checks on her, but Bayley smiles. Bayley aims, builds speed, and DIVES, but into a forearm! Liv drags Bayley out to snap suplex to the floor! That’s just Una Amiga as Liv gets Bayley up again! Dos Amigas to the floor!
Liv drags Bayley up again, but Bayley stops that to wrench and KNEE low! Bayley RAMS Liv into steel steps! The fans fire up, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley hits steps, then Liv STMOPS Bayley’s hands! Liv drags Bayley up, THREE AMIGAS to the floor, from OFF the steps! Liv gives some Latina Heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Liv has Bayley in the ring. Liv grinds Bayley down with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Bayley fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Liv staggers, comes back, but Bayley blocks to fire forearms! Bayley fires forearm after forearm, but Liv KICKS in return! Liv kicks again, but Bayley KNEES her down! Liv flounders, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley is sent into the buckles! The ref checks Bayley and she’s still in this, so Liv basement ENZIGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Liv gives her cheap hammer fists. Bayley hits back but Liv stomps her down.
Liv goes up the corner, waits on Bayley to rise, and FLYING- NO, Bayley grabs Liv’s legs! Liv fights the turnover, pops Bayley into the sunset flip, TWO! Bayley runs up, Liv ducks the knee to roll her up, TWO! KNEE!! Liv flounders around again, Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! The fans fire up as Bayley drags Liv to a cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Lyra coaches Bayley. Raquel coaches Liv while Liv crawls away. The fans duel and Liv stands. Bayley grabs a leg but Liv kicks at her! Liv BOOTS Bayley away, but Bayley comes back and slides out! But Liv gets her for a CODE BREAKER! Bayley flops down, and Liv snarls as she rises up.
Liv aims and MISSILE DROPKICKS to the floor! A little double-edged given that landing, but Liv hurries to get Bayley up and into the ring. Liv crawls to the cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Lyra is relieved. Liv snarls again and waits on Bayley. Bayley goes to the ropes, Liv runs up, OBLIV- NO, Bayley puts her on the apron! Bayley ROCKS Liv, has her in the ropes, but Liv denies the hotshot! GAMANGIRI! Liv storms in, gets moving, she goes up, up, and FLYING- STUNNER! Bayley turns things around on Liv, and hits a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Bayley crawls to the cover, Raquel gives Liv the ROPEBREAK!
The fans boo, they all saw Raquel do it! Lyra goes after Raquel, Raquel fights her off and BOOTS her down! The fans boo, but Bayley DECKS Raquel, and hits the HOTSHOT in the ropes! The fans fire up but Liv hits Bayley with a BACKSTABBER!! And then OBLIV- NO, Lyra anchors Bayley’s feet! Bayley jackknife bridges, AND WINS!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall
A huge bit of teamwork leads to a huge win over one-half of the tag champions! Liv is livid, will she and Raquel get their revenge at WrestleMania?
Paul Heyman waits backstage.
And like usual, he’s waiting on The Tribal Chief. Will Roman Reigns even bother with The Wise Man knowing he’ll be in CM Punk’s corner at WrestleMania?
Rhea Ripley speaks.
“Bianca, I can see right through you. You said you were just out there to watch, and then you said you were just out there to call it down the middle. But I can see your true intentions now: You thrive on playing with my emotions, winding me up like I’m some sort of toy to you so you can get what you want and make it seem like I’m the bad guy. The thing that you failed to understand is that when I lose something that I love, I wills top at nothing to get it back. And Iyo, I never had to give you a championship match. But watching you pout and moan, it really pulled on the heartstrings that I had left. So I pulled a page out of your book, and I got what I wanted, too.
“So Iyo, I advise you to cherish every single moment you have with the Women’s World Championship. And Bianca, I can’t wait to make you feel what it’s like when I’m the bad guy. Because at WrestleMania 41, I get back what belongs to me.”
Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made!
Before going up against the supposed greatest luchador of a generation, El Grande Americano, the King of Lucha will take on one of the Creed Brothers. But is this going to be far more than just a tune-up? Or will Rey speed-dial the 619 here in Sacramento?
Raw returns and American Made has made their entrance. The bell rings, Rey and Julius circle, then Rey waistlocks. Julius backs Rey into a corner, the ref counts, and Rey lets go. Julius elbows Rey down! The fans boo but Julius pushes Rey around. Julius wrenches Rey, wristlocks, but Rey endures. Julius uses a straight arm lever to lift Rey! Then he drops Rey, grinds the arm down, but Rey fires forearms! Rey uses the ropes to flip through, then he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Julius wrenches, hammerlocks, but Rey reaches back! Rey jumps up, FLYING-MARE! Julius runs back up to CLOBBER Rey!
Julius talks trash, American Made soaks up the heat, and Julius whips Rey. Rey reverses, then blows past to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! The fans fire up as Julius tumbles to a corner! Rey fires up, but Julius comes back to CLOBBER him again! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey but Julius clamps on a chinlock. Rey endures, the fans rally up more, and Rey fights up. Rey throws body shots, runs, but Julius kitchen sink knees him down! Julius stands Rey up, whisp him to ropes, but Rey KICKS back! Rey dropkicks the legs and Julius ends up on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Julius dumps Rey out! Rey RAMS into Julius, ROCKS him, then climbs up!
The fans fire up, but Brutus distracts the ref! This lets Gable trip Rey up! The fans boo but Julius is right up top! So now Wilde distracts, and that lets Dragon Lee trip Julius! Turnabout is fair play, but now both teams are protesting! So the ref EJECTS everybody! Things will truly be 1v1, after the break!
Raw returns again and Julius has a neck wrench on Rey. Julius whips Rey hard to a corner, runs up, but Rey ELBOWS him! And BOOTS him! Rey goes up, up, but Julius Electric Chair Lifts! Rey fires hands, then spins to MYSTERIO RANA! Both men fall out of the ring pretty hard, but Rey gets back inside! Rey WRECKS Julius with a dropkick, the fans fire up, and Rey builds speed to SLIDING- NO, Julius stuffs Rey into a deadlift suplex! Julius marches with Rey, and then goes up the steel steps! Julius has Rey at the ropes, but Rey fights free! Julius BOOTS Rey back! Julius runs up, Rey moves, Julius POSTS himself!
The fans fire up while Julius flops into the ring. Rey hurries back up, climbs the corner, and FLYING RANAS! Julius ends up in a corner, Julius climbs up again, and he rains down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN! Rey fires up, the fans are with him, and Rey whips Julius corner to corner. Julius springs right up, goes over, but then Rey QUEBRADAS! But Julius catches him! Rey swings through to DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Rey rises, and he brings Julius around. Julius blocks the whip, shakes his head, and he whips Rey. Rey slides under, comes back, but Julius KNEES Rey down!
Julius brings down the straps, runs up, but Rey DUMPS Julius out tot he floor! Wait, El Grande Americano is here! Rey runs up, grabs him by his mask, but then Julius rolls Rey up! TWO!! Julius gets up, swings, but Rey shoves Julius into El Grande! Rey dropkicks Julius onto the ropes! Dial it up, 619!! Slingshot, DROP THE DIME! Cover, Rey wins!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But then El Grande CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, the LWO returns, but Julius holds them off! Grande CLOBBERS Cruz, but Dragon Lee fires off forearms! Dragon Lee whips, but Grande FLYING HEADBUTTS! The fans boo, but now Grande goes up top! DIVING HEADBUTT onto Rey! “UH GRACIAS~!” That mask is definitely loaded like last week, but will Rey be able to overcome that tactic and win for the honor of true lucha libre?
The War Raiders speak.
Ivar says, “Xavier, Kofi, you run your mouths about how the New Day is the greatest tag team of all time.” Erik says, “The fact of the matter is, the War Raiders have blazed a path of world domination for more than a decade. We’ve won gold on multiple continents.” “And last week, we had you beat, dead to rights.” The New Day took the cowardly way out because they knew they couldn’t beat the Raiders. The New Day says this is about the titles, but it has gotten much more personal. Kofi & Woods took this to a whole new level. They didn’t come for these titles, they came for Erik’s neck! They tried to put Erik on the shelf! They tried to end his career!
So at WrestleMania, this won’t be a match! It’ll barely be a fight! This is WAR!
The New Day is backstage.
They’re busy playing the Clash of Clans WWE crossover game, not that they’re in it. But Jackie Redmond walks over to talk with them. The New Day says that is rude, they’re busy playing a game. This lack of respect is audacious. Jackie does apologize, but she brings up the War Raiders saying that this match at Mania is now a war. War? New Day’s been in war from how they’ve been treated this whole time! The whole time! But the warpath stops when they take back what belongs to them, and that’s their WWE World Tag Team Championships! The entire world will see that ya bois, the NEW DAY~, are the best team on the face of Planet Earth!
Last week was just a taste of what they’re willing to do to get those titles back. And after Mania, Erik will wish they took his head off so that he and Ivar wouldn’t have to catch the beating they’re getting this weekend. At WrestleMania, every irrelevant and immature member of the WWE Universe will have no choice but to drop to their knees and THANK GOD for the New Day! Woods & Kofi head out, but will they survive this WrestleMania weekend?
AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
Before taking on The Maverick, Logan Paul, at WrestleMania, the Phenomenal One is going to prove to Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday that this AJ Styles IS the AJ Styles that can get the job done! Does that mean Raw is going to be Too Sweet? Or will Kross be disappointed?
Raw returns as Kross makes his entrance, his femme fatale by his side. Kross is really taking this mirroring stuff to another level, wearing tights very similar to what Styles would wear. Kross still wants Styles to understand, Styles has to be like the Styles of the past in order to finally humble Logan Paul and save professional wrestling. Styles gets mad, but Kross shoves him! Styles RAMS Kross into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Styles storms back up, whips corner to corner, but Kross reverses. Kross runs up, but Styles BOOTS him away. Kross comes back to BOOT Styles down!
The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles around. Kross talks trash, but Styles KICKS Kross! And CHOPS! Kross YANKS Styles into ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Kross says it doesn’t have to be this way, but he lets off as the ref pulls him back. Scarlett CLAWS at Styles’ face in the distraction! The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles. Kross drags Styles up, but Styles JAWBREAKERS back! Styles runs up, but into a SAIDO! The fans boo, Kross stalks Styles to a corner, then he stomps away. Kross whips corner to corner hard, and Styles clutches his ribs as he falls. Kross laughs at Styles’ pain, then stomps him more.
Kross drags Styles up, but Styles DRPOKICKS Kross down! The fans cheer, Kross bails out, and Styles slides to DROPKICK! Kross hits barriers, then Styles PLANCHAS! Kross moves, Styles lands safe on the apron, but Kross sweeps the legs! Kross then whips Styles hard into barriers! Styles almost falls onto that guy cosplaying the Prime bottle. Kross whips Styles hard into more barriers, and Styles falls into the timekeeper’s area! Scarlett kisses Kross’ hand while he soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns Kross has a chinlock. Styles fights up, fires body shots, but Kross KNEES low! Kross scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kross scoops again, but Styles slips free! Styles goes for a leg but Kross stifles that and shoves Styles to a cover, TWO! Kross drags Styles up, reels him in, but Styles fights the bomb! Kross stops the rana, fireman’s carries, FINAL PRAYER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives but Kross asks if Styles is sandbagging. Kross looms over Styles, the fans rally up, and Kross smirks as Styles rises. Kross swings, but Styles counter punches! And counter punches! And CHOPS, CHOPS, KICKS!
Styles KICKS Kross again, then whips. Kross hobbles then falls over, clutching his knee! The fans boo, thinking this is an act. Scarlett checks Kross as he clutches the ankle. Styles asks the ref about this, but then Kross sucker punches Styles! It WAS an act, and the fans boo that Kross got away with it! Kross shimmies and shuffles, then taunts Styles. Styles runs up to CLOBBER Kross! Styles fires off the PHENOMENAL BLITZ! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up, Styles runs in at the corner to LARIAT Kross! Fireman’s carry, but Kross slips free! Kick and DDT! Kross vows to end it, and the fans boo as Kross throws off his elbow pad.
Styles rises as Kross winds the hands of time. KROSS- NO, Styles ducks the hammer and fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Kross hobbles, Styles runs up, but Kross puts him on the apron! Styles HOTSHOTS Kross, then DECKS him! The fans fire up, Kross rises, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Kross put Styles to the test, and that was definitely Styles acing that test! But then Logan Paul appears! Sacramento boos Logan as he walks out with mic in hand. Logan asks what’s up with the hostility. Chill, he’s here to congratulate Styles. No, seriously, good win! He did it! In front of Sacramento, “a bunch of people who weren’t cool enough to live in Los Angeles, or work smart enough to live in San Francisco.” But Styles showed these “generic California losers” why Styles VS Logan is gonna cook! But hey, why not show them why it’ll make money? Here is what Styles is up against. Please enjoy this piece of cinema.
Logan has his own hype video package, “I accomplish more in one weekend than you all will in your entire lives. I didn’t join the WWE to take part, I joined to take over.” Styles grabs a mic to say that’s a cute video, smartass. But let’s start Mania earlier! Get your ass to the ring right now! The fans fire up for that! Logan says okay, and he steps closer. But Kross runs up on Styles! Styles ROCKS Kross, ROCKS Logan, repeat! Styles DECKS Logan, ROCKS him again, btu Kross scoops! Styles slips free, REVERSE DDT! Styles snarls at Kross, but Logan is up! ONE LUCKY RIGHT!! Then the PAUL-VERIZER!! The Maverick is feeling so “humble,” but will he be humbled at Mania?
Paul Heyman is still waiting…
Will he be waiting all night at this rate?
Jey Uso is here!
The fans fire up as Main Event Jey pops right through the curtain to walk down the bleachers. Sacramento bounces for him and they “YEET!” along with the song, but Jey is once again very serious. Jey goes to the ground level, but then stands on the desk for everyone to see him. Jey grabs the mic while the bouncing continues, and the fans cheer as the song dies down. Jey takes a breath, fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and chant “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says okay, and the song starts up again! The bouncing starts up again, and then Jey paces as he waits for the music to die down.
“Aight, check it. I said what I had to say to Gunther last week.” “YEET!” “But I really wanted to come out here and holler at y’all.” “YEET!” Jey says what up, Sac Town! Mama out here somewhere in the crowd. But everyone keeps on asking Jey, “Jey, where your mind at?” Is he crashing out? HELL YEAH he’s crashing out! But he’s locked in! Locked in for him! For his family! And for y’all! Check it out, though. Listen to Gunther out here talking. Y’know what that made Jey feel like? He mad. Nah nah nah… Gunther’s afraid! Yeah, Gunther’s afraid! Afraid that Jey will whoop that ass in front of 60 THOUSAND and the world! See you Saturday, Uce!
Jey says one time for the one time… Hey, Uce, please, PLEASE hit his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up as the bouncing starts up yet again! Jey has all the confidence, all the fire, all the momentum. But will he have it all when it’s all said and done in Las Vegas?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Cathy Kelley is with the Badass WWE Intercontinental Champion and brings up this Sunday, the Fatal 4 Way that stacks the odds against him. How is he handling what could be the biggest defense of his career? Bron says obviously, this is the biggest match of his career. And- JUDGMENT DAY ATTACKS! Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & Carlito mug Bron! They stomp him around, then THROW him onto a road case! They still rain down fists, and Finn says the dog’s bark is worse than his bite! They CHUCK Bron into more road cases! Adam Pearce and producers storm in and stop The Judgment Day, but will Bron be alright in just 6 days?
As for Finn, he has a match to get to! Will The Prince be ready for #CeroMiedo?
PENTA VS Finn Balor!
Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, only for Penta to DROPKICK him off the apron! Penta then FLIES and takes Finn down! Penta strikes first since Finn did that to Bron, and the fans love it! Penta puts Finn in the ring, then storms in after him. The bell rings, the fans fire up as Penta runs up, but Finn puts him on the apron. Penta GAMANGIRIS, then goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Finn kicks Penta low, then brings Penta around. Penta WRINGS free, then traps that arm! But Finn trips Penta! Penta BOOTS Finn away, then pump handles! Finn pops free, dragon sleepers, but Penta drops to KICK from below!
Penta runs up to ENZIGIRI in the corner, then he headstands and SWINGING DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Finn stays in this, the fans cheer for “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta nods and storms up on Finn to KICK the leg out! Finn flounders, stands back up, but Penta KICKS the leg again! Penta stalks Finn, and KICKS Finn’s leg out again! The fans fire up while Finn flounders around more. Penta has Finn on the ropes, hushes the fans, and he CHOPS! Finn is stinging as he staggers away, and the fans fire up as they want even more of that! Penta whips, Finn reverses, but Penta sunset flips. Finn rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Finn keeps Penta down with an ELBOW, then a chinlock. Finn grinds Penta down, Penta endures, and the fans rally. Penta fights up, but Finn yanks the mask! Finn has Penta down, and he soaks up the heat. Finn drags Penta, then jumps stomps! Finn soaks up more heat, jump stomps again, then argues with the ref. Finn taunts Sacramento, stomps Penta again and again and again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but he soaks up more heat. Finn goes back to Penta and says “Just Too Sweet!” They go to the apron, and Penta scoops! Finn slips free, and APRON EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Both men are down on the outside while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn has Penta up top! And then the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Penta stays in this and the fans fire up! Finn grows frustrated, but he clamps onto an arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! The fans rally up, Penta fights to his feet, and Penta fires hands. Penta arm-drags free, then ducks ‘n ‘dodges, for a RANA! Finn flounders up, Penta LARIATS! And LARIATS! The fans fire up again as Penta then SUPERKICKS Finn! Finn wobbles, Penta whips, but Finn reverses, only for Penta to go up and over! BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Finn survives and Penta is frustrated, but the fans fire back up.
Penta stalks Finn, the fans sing, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~! MIEDO~!” Penta has Finn in the corner, he puts Finn up top, and then he CHOPS! Penta calls his shot and the fans cheer that. Penta climbs up and he goes to the very top! But Finn fires body shots! Penta hops down to the apron and CHOPS again! Then he jumps up to FLYING RANA! Finn staggers back up, Penta BOOTS him! Penta then runs to SLING-DOG! Penta keeps moving, but Finn SLINGBLADES! The fans rally, both men stand, and Finn aims from a corner! SHOT- NO, scoop and BACKBREAKER! Penta has the arm, traps it, and then pulls on the other! “CERO! MIEDO!” SACRIFICE!!
The fans fire up while Finn writhes! Penta stalks Finn, clamps onto him again, “This is Awesome!” as the PENTA- NO, Finn victory rolls the driver! TWO!! DOUBLE LARITS collide! Penta fires body shots, a SOBAT, a KICK, then a SUPERKICK! Finn flops down, but Penta goes to a corner. But then Carlito & Dom rush out here! Penta glares at them, they back off, but Finn rolls Penta up! TWO!! Penta escapes, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, SHOTGUN! Penta hits buckles, then ends up in the drop zone, but HERE COMES BRON! You can’t keep a good dog down! Carlito fears for his life after last week…!
Carlito runs away, so Bron runs in and CLOBBERS Finn!! But that lets Finn win!
Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification
Bron keeps beating up on Finn, so Dom runs in and TACKLES Bron! Carlito joins in now that they have the advantage! They mug Bron 2v1, but Bron fights back! Bron dodges, and he DOUBLE SPEARS!! Sacramento barks for Bron as he aims at Penta! Bron roars, runs up, but Penta KICKS first! And mule kicks! And SUPERKICKS! And then tilt-o-whirl RANA! Bron tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed to go up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODY! Penta wipes out Bron, Dom & Carlito, but where’d Finn go? Finn is already up the ramp! The Prince got handed the win tonight, but will Penta take it all with his #CeroMiedo?
Iyo Sky speaks.
“This message is for Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. You keep forgetting that I’M the Women’s World Champion. You push me out of the way of your petty squabbles like I mean nothing. But I’m the whole reason you’re fighting in the first place, aren’t I? Because I have the one thing you both want: The Women’s World Championship! So, I’m done being ignored. I’m done being forgotten. Because you have to go through ME to get this title, and I’m not afraid to take you both on to defend it. I’ve beaten both of you before, and I’ll beat you again! At WrestleMania, you will never forget the name Iyo Sky, Women’s World Champion.”
Paul Heyman is still waiting, but CM Punk joins him!
Punk sits down with a coffee and says he’s never seen The Wise Man so stressed. Look in his eyes, what do you see? The Cult of Personality? No, a real friend. A friend who would never do anything to put Heyman in harm’s way. But then a car is pulling up. It’s ROMAN! Roman sees Punk and Heyman being buddy-buddy, and he storms off! Heyman tries to catch up to his Tribal Chief, but Roman won’t even look at him. Will this favor cause the break-up of Roman and Heyman?
Roman goes to the ring!
The fans cheer and put the ones up as The OTC makes his entrance, Wise Man trailing behind. What will happen with Roman, Heyman, Punk, and Seth Rollins, all in the building this close to WrestleMania? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns rather quickly, and Roman is now in the ring. He raises his finger up for the pyro and the fans cheer. Heyman has the mic while the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Heyman tentatively holds it out for Roman, but Roman doesn’t take it! Roman gets a mic for himself, leaving Heyman a bit dismayed, but the cheering continues. Roman tells, “Sacramento…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and put up the ones as they cheer on “O T C! O T C!” Roman says, “The whole world can feel that. The whole world can hear that you love and acknowledge your Tribal Chief. And now the whole world understands that you would never betray your Tribal Chief.
“But not everybody’s like you. Some people would betray me. Sacramento, you got any guesses on who that might be?” Obviously it’s Heyman that Roman is referring to, but Roman asks The Wise Man, “How could you betray me?” The fans tell Heyman he messed up. Roman says Heyman can’t hear that well, say it louder. The fans get louder with it, and Heyman is a bit surly about that. Heyman goes to talk, but he reconsiders. Roman still asks him why, and Heyman is at a loss for words. The fans boo, but some do chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Roman smirks as Heyman finally says, “My Tribal Chief… It was not a betrayal. I paid back a favor that I owed.”
Roman doesn’t seem to like that answer, but he still smirks. Sacramento, maybe Roman’s a little confused here, but the way favors work is, you usually pay it back yourself, correct? The fans say yes. Roman says it feels the only one getting screwed here is him! And if there’s one thing about Roman Reigns, if there’s one thing about The Tribal Chief, it’s that he’d never ask for a favor. No, Roman takes what he wants! So Roman doesn’t owe a favor, because he never asked for any help, for anyone to join him at WarGames, so how is he supposed to cover the tab for Heyman’s dumbass favor? But now, “BURN IT DOWN!”
Seth Rollins makes his way out, and Roman is no longer in any good mood as the fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in a leather vest and black pants that both have a lot of pockets. Rollins steps into the ring, grabs himself a mic, and the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Sacramento, “Let’s give it up for Your Tribal Chief! Because after over a decade, you’re finally getting it, man! You’re finally putting the pieces together all by yourself! You’re almost there, you’re just missing one little piece, and it’s a real shame it’s too little, it’s too late, cuz I still gotta end you at WrestleMania.”
Rollins says it is for the same reason that it always has been: It’s the right thing to do! This Triple Threat at WrestleMania is the BIGGEST, most IMPORTANT one in the history of Mania, of the WWE, of professional wrestling! Because the winner of this match will define the future of this industry. And it can’t be Roman, it can’t be Punk. Because this business is filled with people like Roman, people who show up when it is convenient, expecting everyone else to do all the work. That’s how this business dies! Roman finally sees it can’t be Punk, either.
This business is filled with too many “little Punks” running around who wanna pick up their ball and go home when it gets tough, only to come back and leech off the profits of other people’s success, and that’s how this business dies! The fans chant for Punk but Rollins says okay, they want this business to die? Rollins doesn’t! If there are more people in this business like Rollins, who always sacrifices physical and mental well-being to do what is best for business, then the business not only lives, but it thrives! There can be only one, and it’s gotta be Rollins.
As for that one little piece that Roman hasn’t quite figured out… “Favors don’t happen by chance, Roman. Favors are a choice. I chose not to put Paul Heyman in the hospital last week, and now Paul Heyman can choose whether or not he pays that debt to me. But your Wise Man, he is dishonorable as they come, he is a scumbag, and I expect nothing from him.” The fans boo and Heyman frowns, but Rollins says Heyman is not in CM Punk’s corner by chance. Heyman has made a choice. It isn’t just a betrayal, Roman. What Roman needs to ask himself, what that final piece is, Heyman isn’t just returning a favor, he’s choosing. So why is Heyman choosing Punk over Roman?
Heyman tells Roman he’s not doing that, but Roman seems to be thinking Rollins has a point. Roman tells The Wise Man that Rollins is right, Heyman made his choice. But Roman has made his. LARIAT FOR ROLLINS! The fans fire up as Roman then POSTS Rollins! Rollins flops out of the ring, Heyman is very pleased, and he says he acknowledges his Tribal Chief! Roman nods, but then he PIE FACES Heyman!? Heyman is stunned, but here comes CM Punk! The fans fire up as Punk runs down to the ring, and he dodges Roman to fire hands! The fans fire up as they brawl, and then Punk LARIATS Roman up and out!
The fans are torn as Punk helps Heyman up. Heyman is distraught, but Roman is back! SPEAR for Punk!! Roman HAMMERS away on Punk! Roman shouts at Punk, HEADBUTTS him, but then Rollins returns! And with a chair! SMACK to the back of Roman Reigns, just like the night it all started! Sacramento is all fired up, and Rollins hits a CURB STOMP on Punk! And then CURB STOMP on Roman! Heyman is freaking out as both his guys are down! Rollins stares Heyman down, is Rollins’ favor going to come into play after all?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, especially for the go-home to WrestleMania. Great promo from Gunther with how he “doesn’t wait” for the proper interview with Michael Cole, and very good response promo from Jey. Gunther definitely sounds a bit on edge, and considering he might lose two WrestleManias in a row as the start of his WrestleMania career, I suppose I would be, too. And very good promos from Bianca, Rhea & Iyo to hype up their match, though I can’t say that changes anything for the go-home math. Iyo stood tall last time, so there’s a chance Rhea or Bianca take the other out to get the win. Rhea and Bianca talking about who’s the bad guy in this, could we see Bianca go Heel?
Good promo from War Raiders and New Day, but unless they add a stipulation, I don’t necessarily see this being “a war” of a match. Well, maybe they can break something like ringside barriers. But I feel like New Day is going to win so that this Heel turn has actual results. Very good match from Bayley VS Liv, but Bayley winning here surely indicates Liv & Raquel retain. Rey VS Julius was really good, but the LWO and American Made all being ejected, that of course meant El Grande Americano would show up. Rey wins here, but then El Grande stands tall, so I would think Rey wins at Mania to expose Grande as Gable.
Very good match from Styles VS Kross, and naturally Styles won. That along with Logan & Kross getting the better of Styles after, this has to mean Styles wins at Mania. I don’t think it’s possible to get anything Bullet Club related, but WWE works with TNA pretty closely now so maybe they can use one of Styles’ themes from TNA to really bring us back to “the Styles that can beat Logan Paul.” Very good stuff with the Men’s Intercontinental Championship build, with Bron being jumped by Judgment Day, then Judgment Day trying to cost Penta, only for Bron to actually cost Penta and give Finn the win. Penta standing tall now sadly might cross him off, but I personally do think Dom pinning Finn or Finn pinning Dom is the better route going forward.
And of course, great stuff with the Punk-Rollins-Reigns story. Heyman finding himself stuck between Roman and Punk, with Roman starting to distance himself from Heyman, that’s also very good stuff going forward. Rollins stands tall again, so not sure if that means he takes the loss or is just not in the decision. No matter who wins, Heyman no longer being Roman’s manager is the best move. Roman needs to do things on his own again, and Heyman can reunite with Punk and perhaps help Punk towards a title. Punk did say that he’d be coming for THE WWE Championship at some point, Heyman by his side for that like 10 years ago would be something.
My Score: 8.8/10
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