Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/24/21)
We will learn #WhyColeWhy!
Will Santos Escobar be stripped of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship?
NXT Cruiserweight, Santos Escobar, must face his doom! Karrion Kross and Escobar battle in a NO DISQUALIFICATION match! That is, if Escobar shows up!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dexter Lumis VS Johnny Gargano w/ The Way; Lumis wins.
- Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Leon Ruff; No Contest.
- Io Shirai VS Zoey Stark; Shirai wins.
- Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Kacy Catanzaro w/ Kayden Carter; Xia wins, by referee stoppage.
- Grizzled Young Veterans VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick; Grizzled Young Veterans win.
- No Disqualification: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Kross wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Dexter Lumis VS Johnny Gargano w/ The Way!
The Tortured Artist snatched Austin Theory away just as Johnny Freakin’ TakeOver was about to take on Kushida on Vengeance Day! But then surprisingly, Lumis gave Theory back without much of a fight. Will Johnny Gargano make sure Lumis doesn’t get away with that unpunished?
Speaking of, The Way pumps up back stage with “That’s The Way we uh-huh, uh-huh, we like it!” Theory says that should be a song! Um… Is Theory okay? Yes, of course! Well alright, but he doesn’t have to push himself if he doesn’t want to. Theory says he’s fine, Indi keeps her eyes on Theory as they all make their way out to the ring. And they make sure Theory stays away from Lumis. The no-look high-five doesn’t really work out this time, but that’s something minor. Will the North American Champion come away with a win over Lumis tonight?
The fans taunt Gargano with “Johnny Sucks!” as the bell rings. Lumis stares Gargano down but Gargano is unsettled by the fans cheering Lumis on. Gargano tries the “what’s that?!” trick but Lumis doesn’t even look away as Gargano rushes in! Lumis shows fist, Gargano falls over and scrambles away! Lumis slithers after him and that creeps Gargano out more! Gargano bails of the ring, Lumis slides to the apron but Gargano hammers away on him! Gargano gets back in, slingshots but into an UPPERCUT! Lumis stares at Theory, Theory gets antsy, Lumis builds speed but Gargano slingshots in! Lumis slides under and Gargano’s spear FLOPS! Lumis then goes under the ring?!
Gargano looks for Lumis and The Way look for him, too. Theory says he’s found Lumis! He’s behind Gargano! What?! Gargano turns around into Lumis’ UPPERCUT! And another! Lumis ROCKS Gargano with haymakers, then throws body shots in the corner! Lumis whips Gargano corner to corner, runs in but Gargano boots him away! Gargano runs, but into the THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down fists, runs and drops an ax handle! Cover, ONE! Fans rally and duel, Lumis reels Gargano in but he stares at Theory. Lumis suplexes and holds Gargano up for a count of 10, even as Gargano kicks and flails! Gargano can’t escape, Lumis SLAMS him down!
Gargano rolls away and regroups with The Way, but Lumis keeps his eyes locked on Gargano. Lumis goes out after Gargano but Gargano RAMS him into the apron! Gargano throws Lumis down on the ramp, then rains down left hands! The ref starts the ring count, Gargano refreshes it, and Gargano “apologizes” to the ref. Gargano lines up a shot, but Lumis ducks the Penalty Kick to kip up and TOSS Gargano into the apron! Fans fire up, Lumis drags Gargano up and ROCKS him with another uppercut! Lumis whips Gargano into the ring, but The Way lurks close! Theory says he was just trying to call Indi over, and Indi rushes up on Lumis, only for Lumis to stare her down!
Indi has a nervous smile as she backs away into a post, and nervously says, “Call me.” LeRae steps up, leaps, but the rana is blocked! Lumis pops Candice to the apron, but Gargano baseball slides under her to hit Lumis! Gargano builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Lumis goes down as NXT goes picture in picture!
Gargano takes his time checking his chin while Lumis is down. The ref wants this to get back in the ring, Gargano checks with Theory but Theory says it worked out, didn’t it? Gargano bumps Lumis off the apron, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Gargano puts Lumis back in, aims but Lumis ROCKS him with a haymaker! Gargano still SLINGSHOT SPEARS in! Gargano fires off fists, storms around the ring, then brings Lumis up for haymakers. Candice snaps at Indi to get her to pay attention. Does the Way have to worry about both kids now? Gargano climbs up in the corner to rain down more fists on Lumis’ head!
Lumis keeps fighting Gargano so Gargano snapmares him and basement dropkicks him in the back! Cover, TWO! Lumis gets to ropes, Gargano chokes him! The ref counts, Gargano lets off at 4, and Lumis drags himself up. Gargano is on Lumis but Lumis throws forearms back! Lumis backs Gargano down to a corner, stomps away (I swear I’ll stop), but Gargano turns it around to fire off forearms in return! The ref counts, Gargano stops at 4, and pushes Lumis around. Gargano clubs Lumis on the back, brings him up and hits a Russian Leg Sweep! Cover, TWO! Gargano grows annoyed and he drags Lumis up to put back on ropes for choking!
The ref counts, Gargano backs off (see? no way pun!), and The Way taunts Lumis up close. Gargano brings Lumis up, scoops him and slams him! Cover, TWO! Gargano gets the arm, drags Lumis around and reels him into a Camel Clutch! Lumis endures, NXT returns to single picture, and again Candice has to snap Indi out of whatever trance she’s in. Lumis still endures as fans rally, and Lumis fights up. Gargano tries to hold on with a sleeper hold, but Lumis RAMS Gargano into buckles! Lumis is free but Gargano hops right back on! Gargano elbows Lumis, hooks him up, but Lumis powers out to a BACKBREAKER!
Fans fire up, Lumis and Gargano stagger up, and Gargano walks into a BIG right hand! Lumis rallies with haymakers and uppercuts! Gargano is in a corner, Lumis runs in and clotheslines, to a BULLDOG! Lumis suplexes Gargano to rebound him off the ropes! Gargano staggers up into a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up and drops a LEG! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives and Candice is frustrated. Indi and Theory are the only ones not upset about this as Lumis hauls Gargano up. Gargano slips out of the scoop, ends up in a corner, and goes up and over Lumis to school boy! Lumis ducks the kick and stares down Gargano! Gargano gets the arm!
Johnny almost has GargaNO Escape, only for Lumis to roll over into the SILENCE!! Gargano scrambles around, ghost pins, TWO! Lumis sits up into a BUZZSAW! Gargano runs, into an UPPERCUT! Gargano rebounds, spins, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Lumis covers, TWO!! Gargano’s Wolverine-esque superhuman heart helps him survive! Lumis goes to a corner and climbs up and The Way moves away. Gargano runs in, Lumis punches him back, and Gargano falls to a drop zone! Lumis leaps, but he has to roll out of his double stomps as Gargano moves! Gargano kicks but Lumis gets under to get the clinch!
Gargano elbows out of that, runs, but into a pop-up UPPERCUT! Gargano SUPERKICKS on the rebound! Cover, TWO!! Lumis shocks Gargano with that and fans rally up! Candice distracts, Gargano tells the kids to get something for him. Theory goes to get a chair and he brings it over. Theory slides it in but Lumis stomps the chair down! The ref sees this and reprimands Gargano. Lumis uppercuts Gargano, Gargano ENZIGURIS! Gargano fakes his knee jamming, and he signals to Theory! Candice coaches Theory through getting on the apron and aiming at Lumis! Theory hesitates, Lumis stares Theory down, and Theory says, “My bad!”
Theory tries to explain, Gargano runs in, Lumis dodges and Gargano DECKS Theory!! Lumis drags Gargano into the URENAGE, and THE SILENCE!!! Gargano flails, reaches, fades, he is OUT! Lumis wins!!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission
Lumis pats Gargano’s head, and Candice reprimands Theory! The Way couldn’t stay out of their own way, and now Lumis has a win over the North American Champion! Between Theory thinking of Lumis as a buddy, and Indi oddly infatuated, is Lumis going to cause The Way to go by the wayside?
William Regal waits for Santos Escobar.
If El Legado doesn’t arrive, Escobar will be STRIPPED of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship! Will Regal have to pull the trigger on his ultimatum?
NXT shares exclusive footage and interviews with MSK.
Wes Lee and Nash Carter look back on the night they won the 2021 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Lee had a strange calm come over him, but Carter was so nervous. “It was one of those moments where everything you’ve every done flashes in your head.” From opponents to tag partners and best friends, these two have put in the grind for years. They’re the same two kids from Dayton, Ohio as they always have been. And to get the win, they were so emotional, crying happy tears. Everything they’ve worked for paid off. Finally, being here, establishing themselves as a force in the Tag Division, and all the praise and congratulations from family and friends, it made that worth it, too.
The reason Carter got into wrestling was his dad. They’d watch Raw every week on Monday. But when Carter was a freshman in high school, his dad passed. It only ignited Carter’s passion for the business even more. He said he’d be in the WWE one day, and this is the first time in a long time that he felt his dad’s pride and admiration. “The Legacy Lives On” is tattooed on Carter’s chest, and this feeling will be unforgettable for them both. Their names are etched forever on the plaque, but this is only the beginning. They’ve been hungry, they’re ready to eat! That’s why these two are the #MustSeeKids!
Backstage interview with MSK!
Next week, Lee & Carter get to cash in their NXT Tag Team Championship opportunity, as they earned from winning the Dusty Cup. But then GRIZZLED YOUNG VETERANS jump them!! James Drake punches away on Carter’s head while Zack Gibson puts Lee’s arm in a chair like a vice!! Referees rush in to get GYV to stop, and Lee clutches his hand! Did GYV just sideline MSK and delay their title shot?
Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Leon Ruff!
Bivens Enterprise’s #DiamondintheRust took Kushida to the limit, but was about to be broken if not for Bivens throwing in the towel, so to speak. However, Bivens made sure to personally arrange this match for Rust, asking Ruff right after he was medically cleared for the damage done by Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. Bivens has a mic now to say, “Success is taking advantage of every key opportunity that is put forth in front of you!” And when it comes to success, you think about Ruff!
But when Bivens thinks of Ruff, he just thinks of “the son that I didn’t have, and never wanted.” Ruff, you hold a very special place in Biven’s heart, and has a special opportunity tonight! He will go 1v1 with Rust! And Rust will prove to us why he IS the diamond in the Rust! Will the former North American Champion simply be used to sharpen Rust’s edge?
Wait, as Ruff makes his entrance, SWERVE BOOTS Ruff off the apron!! Swerve goes after Ruff with clubbing forearms, still upset about Ruff getting opportunities handed to him! Swerve slams Ruff into the announce desk and vents to commentary. “Swerve is gonna start getting opportunities, and less hand-outs for this guy right here!” Swerve fireman’s carries Ruff to DEATH VALLEY DRIVE him into the apron!! The ref tells Swerve to leave but Swerve says he told Ruff this wouldn’t be that easy! Swerve does leave, and he might have just done Bivens another favor! Bivens claims Rust wins by forfeit, but will NXT management really count it that way?
No Contest
NXT shares footage from the WWE Performance Center.
It was yesterday that William Regal was talking with one of the newest signees, Zoey Stark, about an “opportunity” that was presented. He offered Stark a non-title match with NXT Women’s Champion, Io Shirai. Stark isn’t sure she heard that right, but Regal says after her great debut, there’s no one better he’d like to see face Shirai than Stark. Stark accepts that, how could she not?
Backstage interview with Zoey Stark!
We’re just moments away from only her second singles match in NXT and it is with THE NXT Women’s Champion. How is she feeling? Stark has so many emotions, her heart is pounding, but she is ready to get out there. But then she gets cut-off by technical difficulties! Will that be a bad omen on her opportunity with The Evil Genius?
NXT shares footage from earlier today.
Someone was reliving a classic Ted DeBiase moment. The Million Dollar Man challenges a little boy to dribble a basketball 10 times in a row for big money, only for DeBiase to mess the kid up! Oh, the one watching is Cameron Grimes! He’s seen enough, because time is money, after all! But that DeBiase, he was one smart guy! “With enough money, you can humiliate anyone!” Grimes has a lot of money, too, so he does a recreation of that basketball challenge! He has $1000 for 10 dribbles! The guy is up for that, and at 10… Grimes is confused! He didn’t watch the whole moment!! Grimes is the one suckered by his own scam! Grimes thinks DeBiase is to blame! Just proves money can’t fix stupid…
Io Shirai VS Zoey Stark!
Alright, the technical difficulties have been sorted out, and now it’s time for the Evil Genius to shine! But will Stark make this match a stark contrast from all Shirai’s other matches?
The bell rings and Stark circles with Shirai. They tie up, Stark powers Shirai to ropes, Shirai kicks free and the two go again. Shirai avoids Stark’s pick of the leg, they tie up, and Shirai throws Stark down, but the collar ‘n’ elbow stays on! Stark gets up, throws Shirai in return, but the grapple stays on again. Shirai gets up, Stark gets around to a waistlock, but Shirai wrenches an arm. Shirai has the wristlock, Stark rolls and handsprings and wrenches back! Stark hammerlocks, Shirai reaches back and throws elbows, then gets the headlock. Stark powers out, Shirai counters hip toss with arm-drag, and Stark staggers up. Stark avoids Shirai and manages a small back drop!
Shirai gets up, she spins Stark around, wrenches and kicks to whip. Stark reverses, Shirai reverses and hooks Stark up in an IRON OCTOPUS! Shirai digs her elbow in, Stark powers up but Shirai sunset flips! TWO, Shirai runs and basement dropkicks Stark down! Shirai stomps Stark to a corner, kicks at her, but Stark kicks back. Shirai CHOPS and CHOPS then sweeps the legs, to dig her boots in! SWINGING METEORA! Stark crawls along the ropes, Shirai runs in and 619’s, but Stark blocks to BOOT Shirai down! Stark builds speed but runs into BOOTS! Shirai swings to dropkick Stark back, then goes to a corner.
Shirai is slow to climb up, Stark intercepts with a GAMANGIRI! Shirai tumbles down as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Stark has Shirai in a facelock. Shirai throws body shots to get free, then throws forearms to back Stark down. Stark dodges to mule kick, front kick, kick a leg out, and then runs, but into a takedown! Shirai wants the arm but Stark holds on! Stark rolls, Shirai kicks low, but Stark ducks the buzzsaw to trip Shirai up! Stark runs again, to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Stark thought she had Shirai but she keeps her focus. Stark goes to a corner, hops up fast, and leaps for a 450! She has to roll through as Shirai moves, both women run to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Both women are down and fans fire up!
The ref checks, both women are okay to continue, and Shirai sits up first. Stark follows and ghost pins! TWO, Stark hits a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cover, TWO!! Shirai survives but Stark can’t believe how close she was! Starks wraps Shirai up in a chinlock and makes it a sleeper! Shirai endures so Stark KNEES her in the back! Stark kicks but Shirai blocks to elbow the leg, and SHOTEI! Shirai starts to rally with shoulder tackles, then a FLAPJACK! Stark goes to ropes, Shirai 619’s! Shirai climbs up top, takes aim and leaps to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Stark survives and Shirai gets annoyed. Shirai drags Stark up, reels her in and underhooks, but Stark back drops out!
Stark gets back to a corner, hops up again, but Shirai SHOTEIS again! Shirai climbs up to join Stark and club away on her back! Shirai stands up on the very top, to SUPER STEINER! Stark staggers up into Shirai’s double underhooks, for the TIGER BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Stark survives and Shirai is frustrated! Shirai stomps away on Stark, drags her up, but Stark gets around to a waistlock, for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Stark is shocked but she’s seeing why Shirai is a champion! Stark drags Shirai up again, Shirai resists the German to victory roll Stark into buckles! SHINKANSEN!! Shirai goes up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Shirai wins!
Winner: Io Shirai, by pinfall
Stark may not have won but she showed she’s one to watch! Will Shirai be keeping her eye on Stark from now on? But speaking of someone to watch out for, here comes Toni Storm! “Oh, Io, Io, Io.” Look at her! “Willing to fight literally anyone in this division, besides me.” But Storm is no Stark or whatever he name is. She IS Toni Storm, and she kicked Shirai’s head off, and Shirai couldn’t do a thing about it! There’s a reason Shirai pinned Mercedes Martinez and not Storm: Shirai can’t beat her. Shirai gets a mic to respond! “I will fight you, any time, any place, anywhere!”
But will she? Because if Shirai thought she could beat Storm, surely by now she would’ve asked Regal for it! But Shirai hasn’t done that, because she’s scared. Storm knows it, but she dares Shirai to prove her wrong. “Go find Regal, make the match happen.” Shirai says Storm’s on! Will Regal only need to see this to make it happen?
Backstage interview with The Way.
Even though they’re on their way out, McKenzie asks for a moment of their time. Gargano says not now! They need to get out of here before “that psycho” Lumis comes back for them. Gargano says all Theory had to do was hit Lumis with a chair! How was that so hard?! Theory says the chair was unnecessary, and Lumis doesn’t deserve that. Lumis is just misunderstood. What?! He kidnapped Theory! Chloroform, white van! And Theory isn’t even the first person Lumis did that to! Lumis isn’t misunderstood, he’s PSYCHO! Is Gargano taking crazy pills? Candice, back Johnny up! Candice agrees, Lumis should be in jail. THANK YOU! Indi, you, too! Indi says she finds Lumis “kinda hot…”
WHAT THE… Gargano keeps Candice from cursing so he can see “HELL?!” What is going on here?! What is happening!? No, no, whatever this is with Indi, and Theory’s Stockholm Syndrome, get them down. They will fix this! Theory is going to therapy! Seriously? Yes! And not another word! It is happening! Will therapy be enough to undo whatever Lumis may or may not have done to Theory?
Grimes is back with the basketball scam!
He made sure to watch the entire DeBiase moment, and he’ll get the better of someone this time. Grimes is sure these people know him for his money. He has a handful of green and explains his basketball challenge. Maybe not this guy, but how about the little lady over here? If she can bounce the basketball 10 times, she’ll get $1000 of his money! Like the Million Dollar Man back in the day? Uh, n-no… Just dribble the ball! It ain’t rocket science! Maybe her friend over here would like to try instead? No, the lady he asked first takes the challenge on. And when she stands up, Grimes realizes she’s not so little… Well still, she has to dribble! “Let’s see what you got, honey!”
The young lady dribbles, Grimes counts, but she gets tricky with it and he misses! That’s more than 10! “Gimme my money, honey.” Grimes is out $2000 total now. Don’t hate the player, hate the game. CURSE YOU, DEBIASE! This ain’t over!!
Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Kacy Catanzaro w/ Kayden Carter!
The friendship of Spicy and KC Squared may be all but gone after the harsh training Xia was put through by “her.” Can Kacy save whatever is left of the old Xia? Or will she be “purged” to only make Xia stronger?
The bell rings and Xia rushes Kacy! Kacy dodges, fires off on Xia, but Xia shoves her away! Xia rushes in again but Kacy waistlocks. Xia reaches under but Kacy leap frogs over and around. Kacy handsprings, headscissors and fires up! Kacy is after Xia with a facelock, whips her, but Xia reverses. Kacy goes up and over but gets caught! Xia hotshots Kacy, then takes her fighting stance! Xia powers up, storms over again, and bumps Kacy off buckles! Kacy shoves Xia but Xia stomps Kacy down in the corner! The ref counts, Xia adds on a springboard stomp to top it off! Xia drags Kacy back up, snap suplexes, covers, TWO!
Xia keeps on Kacy with a chinlock then makes it a cobra clutch. Kayden and the fans rally as Kacy fights up, and Kacy slips out the back! Xia BOOTS Kacy down, drags her up and reels her in, but Kacy slips out of the Gory Especial to sunset flip! TWO, and Xia back kicks Kacy hard! Cover, TWO! Xia wraps Kacy up in the cobra clutch again, but Kacy fights up. Kacy throws Xia off, gets to a corner, and elbows her away! Xia runs back in but into a boot! Xia returns, but Kacy trips her into the corner! Kacy fires off stomps, furious fists, but Xia shoves her away! Kacy comes back with more fire, the ref counts but Xia shoves her, only for Kacy to SHOTGUN Xia back!
Kacy runs, hits an A-List Lariat, then hits a FLIPPING AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Xia bails out, Kacy grits her teeth and goes to the apron to leap! Xia catches her, moves her around, but Kacy slips out to a waistlock. Xia standing switches to RAM Kacy into the barriers! Tian Sha tells Xia to finish this, and Xia looms over Kacy. The ring count is climbing, Kacy’s leg is on steel steps and Xia STOMPS IT!! Xia may have just broken Kacy’s leg! The ref checks on Kacy as she writhes and cries in pain, but Xia doesn’t even show emotion on her face! Xia goes up the steps, and drags Kacy up by her hair! Xia brings Kacy to the apron and makes sure Tian Sha sees this!
The ref reprimands, Xia shows no mercy as she drags Kacy in. More referees come out to check on Kacy, the refs call this!
Winner: Xia Li, by referee stoppage
Kayden wants after Xia but the refs keep her back. Kayden shields Kacy, but then glares at Tian Sha. Kayden storms over and asks what their problem is! Boa blocks Kayden’s path, Xia goes after Kacy with a HEEL KICK!! Kayden rushes back to Kacy and Xia slips away to leave with Boa and Tian Sha. Xia warns Kayden that she is next. Will what Xia did to Kacy pale in comparison to what she’ll do to Kayden?
Regal is still waiting for Escobar.
Still no sign of El Legado, but the clock is ticking. Will Escobar have the courage to face Karrion Kross? Or will he have to sacrifice his Cruiserweight title reign?
NXT profiles next week’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match.
After making history by winning the inaugural Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez are poised to take on the Irresistible Force & Shayna Baszler! The Queen of Spades says, “The Women’s Division now is all the scraps left over from when I left.” And when it comes to Raquel telling them, “You don’t run this place anymore… we do!” Well, that’s a joke to Nia. Nia says Raquel can talk about dominating all she wants, but when she runs into Nia, it’ll be a different story.
Raquel says Nia is the one kidding herself. Nia needs to wake up. Dakota says she and Raquel will be bringing those WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships to NXT. Shayna says Dakota is only confident because she has Raquel. That’s perfect, because now there’s someone who can carry her to the hospital. Dakota said it before, she is NOT the scared little girl from Shayna’s reign of terror. Dakota will kick Shayna’s head off once and for all! Will the alumni come back to humiliate this generation? Or will Raquel and Dakota turn the whole Women’s Division upside-down?
Cameron Grimes wants one more try!
No one gets over on Cameron Grimes! He challenges a random guy in the parking lot! Dribble the ball 10 times, win $1000! Like that DeBiase- YES LIKE THAT!! Just do it!! Why is it so difficult?! He gonna do it or what? Yeah, sure, The guy starts dribbling, and Grimes DECKS him!! Grimes tells DeBiase to #KissMahGrits! Money CAN by happiness! Wait, he still throws like, $1500 into the air. Will that guy wake up and still get Grimes’ money?
Grizzled Young Veterans VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick!
Zack Gibson & James Drake ambushed MSK because, well, they’re sore losers. But will the Belfast Beast and Rockstar Spud SSSOOON avenge Lee & Carter?
Maverick comes out wearing a shirt with Dain’s face on it, and Dain does not approve! Dain pulls that shirt off Maverick and smacks him on the back with it before throwing it away. GYV make their entrance, Gibson has a mic, and he says, “I’m sorry to interrupt this little dance party, but we have some breaking news! Wes Lee of MSK fame has unfortunately broken his hand.” James Drake mockingly “sheds a tear,” but says that the main headline now is that Regal has given GYV a hefty fine! They were just saving the NXT Universe! Imagine a few weeks without MSK “joking around like little children!”
Gibson says in the finals of the Dusty Cup, “the better team lost! Let’s make no mistakes: there’s only one team destined for tag title glory, and it’s NOT MSK. And it’s certainly not Shrek ‘n’ Donkey! It’s the Grizzled Young Veterans, SSSSSSOON to be recognized as NXT Tag Team Champions!” Gibson and Drake get in with Shrek- er, Dain & Maverick, and teams sort out. Of course Dain wants to start, and he runs right at James Drake to SHOTGUN DROPKICK him down! Dain drags Drake up to throw BIG EuroUppers! Tag to Maverick, Dain & Maverick double whip, Dain uses Maverick to trip Drake up, and then Dain drops a back senton! Maverick is the human weapon again, scoop slam senton! Cover, TWO!
Maverick keeps on Drake with an armlock, then wrenches to a wristlock. Maverick hammerlocks, Drake endures and fights up to elbow free. Drake headlocks, tags Gibson, Maverick powers out but GYV leap frog to CLOBBER Maverick! Gibson sucker punches Dain, but he doesn’t fall! The ref is busy keeping Dain back, and Gibson scoops Maverick to an Electric Chair! Mr. Mayhem goes up top but Dain gets Maverick away from Liverpool’s Number One, to then choke grip Gibson! Drake leaps into a choke grip, and Dain SHOVES GYV out of the ring! Fans fire up as Maverick shakes Dain’s hand. Then Dain TOSSES Maverick out onto GYV! GYV goes down as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Gibson keeps Maverick from Dain! Maverick throws forearms, Gibson whips Maverick to the corner and tags in Drake. Drake rolls and run sin but Maverick knees him down! Gibson keeps Maverick cornered, until Maverick slips under! Hot tag to Dain! Dain rallies on GYV, then clinches Drake for an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Dain RAMS Gibson into Drake then CLOBBERS Gibson! Gibson begs for mercy but Drake jumps on with a sleeper! Dain just shifts Drake to a fireman’s carry, scoops Gibson, SAMOAN DROP FALL AWAY SLAM COMBO! Big Damo pops Drake back up for the WASTELAND, and SENTON! Cover, Gibson breaks it!
The ref reprimands as Gibson hammers Dain and helps Drake up. GYV coordinate, but it’s Dain who DOUBLE SUPLEXES them! Hot tag to Maverick! Maverick climbs up, leaps and CROSSBODIES Drake! Maverick dropkicks Gibson down, fires up and throws strikes on Drake! Punch, kick, repeat, but Drake shoves him! Maverick gets under to dropkick the legs out then basement dropkicks Drake in the head! Maverick fires up, hits a forearm smash in the corner, but Gibson tags in before the bulldog attempt! GYV coordinate, MISSILE DROPKICK COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, Dain breaks it! Dain goes after Drake and CLOBBERS him! Gibson throws Dain out, but Dain drags him out with him!
Dain has Gibson’s ear, Drake DIVES to take Dain out! Gibson gets in but Maverick runs in to forearm smash and BULLDOG! Maverick hurries up a corner, but Drake goes after him! Maverick kicks him away but Gibson YANKS Maverick down! Tag to Drake, they coordinate again, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, GYV wins!
Winners: The Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall
The teamwork makes the dream work, and GYV are one step closer to their dastardly dream of being the first team to have held both NXT UK and NXT prime Tag Team Championships!
BREAKING NEWS!
William Regal DID see the confrontation earlier, and has made a match! In two weeks it will be Io Shirai VS Toni Storm, for the NXT Women’s Champion!
Finally El Legado arrives!
And just in time to make Regal’s deadline! Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza stand guard as Escobar stays in the SUV. Will Escobar go through with the match tonight? Or is he just here to turn over the title?
NXT returns as Dain is still carrying Maverick around.
He doesn’t want NXT Media to bother them, he sets Maverick down. But then Alexander Wolfe and Imperium walk by. What is this? Wolfe says Dain used to be a monster. That shake of his head shows Wolfe is disappointed, but Dain asks for medics to check on Maverick. Will Dain let the Hatchet Man get in his head about his… well not friendship, but partnership with Maverick?
No Disqualification: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
Mr. Doomsday and his femme fatale make their way to the ring, and we see that Escobar has yet to even exit the vehicle. Wait! Kross attacks Wilde & Mendoza!! He got the drop on Legado this time! Kross TOSSES Mendoza into a garage door, but Escobar attacks! He’s going through with the match his way, but will he be made to #FallAndPray all the same?
Kross picks Escobar up to RAM him into the side of a truck! Escobar kicks back, they brawl again, and Kross CLUBS and ROCKS Escobar! Escobar goes to the back of the moving truck, Kross is after him again with haymakers, and then he tosses him into the truck’s trailer. But Escobar SLAMS the door on Kross! Kross writhes and Escobar talks trash in Spanish now that he has the advantage. Escobar kicks and forearms but Kros TOSSES him back into the side of the truck! Escobar kicks again, Kross throws more forearms, but Escobar dodges and a forearm shot hits the truck! Kross shakes that arm while Escobar gets into the truck cab!
Escobar closes the door to protect himself, but Kross rips off the side mirror! Kross finds a PICKAXE under the truck!? What’s that doing there?! Kross uses it to TEAR into the door!! Escobar has to bail out the other side and he throws hands on Kross! Wilde returns to throw hands but Kross TOSSES Wilde onto the hood! Wilde tumbles, Mendoza runs in but he gets THROWN into the grill! Escobar SMASHES Kross with a trash can! Escobar talks more trash and then SMACKS Kross again! El Legado has the 3v1 advantage now and they mug Kross! They bump Kross off the truck, hammer him more, and then RAM him into the side of the trailer!
Escobar wants another one, and they set Kross up again. They tell “the dog” this is what he gets for messing with them! They RAM him into the side again, and then Escobar has Wilde and Mendoza drag Kross into the arena. They go to the special stage area and beat Kross up at the steps! Fans boo but Escobar says to bring Kross around. Kross DECKS Wilde, BOOTS Mendoza, and then takes them both to throw them into the PLEXIGLAS! They go crashing through and Escobar is shocked! Kross glares at Escobar and Scarlett laughs at Escobar’s false bravado! Kross ROCKS Escobar and Escobar goes into the ring!
Escobar runs but Kross BOOTS him down! Cover, ONE!! Kross keeps on Escobar and CLUBS him out of the ring! Kross stalks Escobar, but Mendoza returns! Kross just TOSSES him into other barriers! Escobar SMACKS Kross with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Escobar stomps Kross down, rips Kross’ shirt off, and tosses it aside like trash. Escobar drags Kross up, hammerlocks the bad arm and POSTS him! And then RAMS Kross into steel steps! Escobar grins and soaks up the heat as NXT goes picture in picture.
Escobar takes his time regrouping with El Legado, and they drag Kross back up. Kross rakes Escobar’s eyes! But Legado has the steel steps and RAMS Kross with them! Kross clutches the bad arm, Escobar KICKS it! Escobar stomps the bad arm, drags Kross up and clubs away on the shoulder! Escobar puts Kross in the ring, throws more forearms, then covers, ONE!! Escobar clamps onto the bad arm, stomps away on it, then wrenches the arm. Escobar puts Kross in a corner, wraps the arm around ropes and SCRAPES it along the rope! Kross pushes Escobar away but Wilde HOTSHOTS the arm for him!
Escobar drags Kross up, has the arm, and gives it a CODE BREAKER! Kross scrambles to a corner but Escobar CHOPS him! Escobar puts the arm around ropes and pulls on it again! Kross can only clutch the elbow as Escobar runs in to forearm smash! Escobar cravats Kross, jams him with a shoulder, then headbutts Kross’ shoulder! Escobar fires off forearms, but Kross hits back with his good arm! They brawl, Escobar shoves Kross and runs in to shotgun dropkick! NXT returns to single picture as Legado trips Kross up for Escobar’s basement dropkick! Scarlett is furious and shouts for Kross to get up! Escobar shoves Kross out and goes back for the chair!
Escobar jams the bad arm, then slips the chair around it! Escobar aims and POSTS the arm!! Kross grabs at Escobar with the good arm but Escobar SLAPS him down! Escobar sits the chair up and stomps Kross down. Escobar drags Kross up and over, for a DDT to the chair! Escobar drags Kross up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Legado is frustrated but Escobar dropkicks Kross down! Escobar throws Kross out, pursues, but Kross hits back with is good arm! So Legado swarms him! Kross fights them off, but Escobar DIVES! The Arrow from Hell takes Kross down into barriers!! Scarlett is furious again but can only watch on as Escobar stands on Kross’ bad arm.
Escobar stomps Kross, and stomps and stomps! Escobar kicks the bad arm, wrenches it and clamps onto the shoulder! Escobar puts Kross in, covers, TWO! Escobar drops elbows on Kross’ bad arm, then clamps on with a short arm scissor. Kross endures, tries to use his good arm but Escobar shrugs that off. Kross sits up, Escobar puts him in a corner, and then runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! SNAP SUPLEX! Uno amigo, and Escobar drags Kross up, only for Kross to block! Kross gets around to use the good arm for an EXPLODER! Kross sees Wilde and DECKS him! Escobar leaps into a catch, for another EXPLODER!
Escobar bails out, Kross shakes the bad arm and pursues. Escobar POSTS Kross again! Escobar brings the bad arm around the post, but Kross YANKS Escobar into it instead! Kross bounces Escobar’s head off steel steps! Mendoza runs in with a chair but Kross BOOTS him down! Kross takes the chair for his own now and has a wild grin! Escobar is a fish in a barrel but Wilde saves him from a full metal Con-Chair-To! Kross glares at Wilde, aims with the chair, and he JAMS Escobar in the ribs! Kross puts Escobar in the ring, but Mendoza LEAPS, into an EXPLODER! Wilde leaps, but the rana is blocked! BARRIER BOMB!!
Kross gets in, Escobar is in a corner, Kross hits a corner clothesline! And BOOT! Escobar flops back out, Kross follows, and they’re by the other steps! Kross brings Escobar up and around, DOOMSDAY SAIDO through the announce desk!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” and Scarlett seems euphoric now! Kross puts Escobar in the ring, hauls him up, and hits a DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! Kross aims from a corner, and winds up the hour hand. “TICK TOCK! TIME’S UP!!” BLINDSIDE FOREARM!! Cover, Kross wins!!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by pinfall
Escobar tried every trick in the book, but nothing can stop the sands of time! He still has the title, but will Escobar be in any shape to defend his Cruiserweight Championship? And will the clock start ticking on another champion’s reign?
NXT hears from LA Knight.
“Let me talk to ya. The question burning in everyone’s mind since TakeOver is, ‘Man, when’s LA Knight gonna debut?'” He’ll put it this way: the one thing that he asked is, “Whose game is it?” It’s HIS game. That means when he debuts, it’s on his time, his terms and done his way. What that means is Knight could debut next week, the week after that, or three months from now, because it doesn’t make a difference! In the end, everyone’s favorites, the ones that hold the gold, are just holding golden tickets to getting stomped out by LA Knight! That’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life! But who will Knight go for first whenever it is he makes his in-ring debut?
Adam Cole is here!
After tweeting out that he will give us his explanation, Cole is finally here to do as he said! Cole goes to the ring, fans boo, and they don’t even feel like saying “BOOM” with him anymore. Cole takes a moment to watch a replay of last week, where Cole betrayed and booted Kyle O’Reilly to then give him a brainbuster to Kyle O’Reilly. Kyle has a herniated disc, not likely to return for several weeks, and fans chant, “You Suck!” for it. Cole gets a mic to say, “I… I had every intention of coming out here and explaining why I did what I did to Kyle, but… God, man, after watching that footage, I feel sick to my stomach.”
Everyone knows the NXT Championship is very important to Cole, especially the guys in the Undisputed Era. But Cole does not like the person he has become lately. At first, Cole was pissed off, because Kyle was getting opportunity after opportunity at the title, and he continued to fail. But that does not excuse Cole’s actions. After seeing it back, Cole is ashamed of himself. “Kyle, I know you’re sitting at home right now and you’re watching this. And I wish so, so badly that we could be having this conversation face to face, man to man, but we can’t.” They can’t, because of Cole.
Cole and Kyle know each other than anybody, and that means Kyle knows Cole hates admitting he’s wrong. Cole is telling us now that he was dead wrong. Kyle should be here in this ring, right here and now, but instead Cole made a stupid mistake and hates himself for it! Cole paces as he works on the words to say. “Kyle… Kyle, I am so, so sorry.” Cole will do whatever he can to fix this. Even if he can’t, he’ll try. “Wow, Adam. Really?” Roderick Strong confronts Cole! Now Cole feels bad?! Only now? For the past 10 days Cole didn’t feel bad for not letting Strong know what was going on? For what Cole did to Kyle, and to THE TEAM!?
“Adam, everything’s changed now. This whole thing, this Undisputed Era… This was built on trust! Love! A brotherhood!” The UE Boys would do whatever it took to have each other’s backs! And just like that, Cole “shattered that trust!” Strong wants Cole to look at him and understand this: Kyle IS going to heal up. They both know Kyle. But when Kyle does heal, Strong doesn’t know if he can save Cole from what Kyle’s gonna do to him! But wait, here comes Finn Balor! Strong tries to stop him but Balor pushes him aside and tackles Cole! Balor rains down fists, Strong gets in to pull him away from Cole, but Balor and Strong tumble out of the ring!
Balor kicks and stomps away on Strong but Cole RAMS Balor into barriers! And SUPERKICKS him down! Strong gets in the ring, Cole goes in to apologize, but Strong CLOBBERS Cole! And Strong is just as torn up as Cole was! Cole apologizes and he just wants things to go back to normal. Cole says this was his fault. Strong shouts, “What is happening?!” Cole starts to cry, but Strong sits with him. Strong says he’s sorry for hitting Cole. They’re brothers and they love each other! They hug it out and fans cheer! Cole keeps apologizing, he and Strong pat each other on the back, and then they shake hands. But Cole LOW BLOWS Strong?!?! That wasn’t a mistake!!
Cole tells Strong he is so STUPID! Cole says Strong is dead to him, and he takes the UE dog tag away from him! Then SUPERKICKS him down!! Was Cole just pretending to have regrets? Is there nothing undisputed anymore?!
My Thoughts:
Wow, this episode! And that’s meant in a good way, there was a lot of great, wild stuff. We had a really good match in Gargano VS Lumis, and some really crazy developments in that story. Theory thinking Lumis isn’t so bad is an alright choice, but I have no idea where this “Indi <3’s Lumis” is coming from. I get there’s a cliché of “daughter falls for bad boy” in sitcoms and family stories, but this still seems a bit out of nowhere. The pacing is what feels off, really. I still wish there were “Theory is hostage” antics but of course this is all leading to Gargano VS Lumis rematch for the North American Championship. I just don’t like the idea that it might come down to the loyalties of Theory and Indi, not that Lumis actually beats Gargano on his own merits.
The way (no pun intended this time, I swear) we learned about Rust VS Ruff getting on the card was arranged oddly. There was entrance, then a “earlier today” video, then Bivens has his promo to put Rust over and bury Ruff. We should’ve gotten the video first, then everything else. Swerve attacking Ruff was a good touch, though, and I guess any match being offered/given to Ruff is too much for Swerve. We got really good video packages for MSK and the coming Women’s Tag Title match, but what a twist for GYV to attack MSK and basically delay the NXT Tag Team Championship match. GYV VS Dain & Maverick was a good match, but of course GYV wins.
It seems Imperium and Wolfe are going to be the next feud for Dain & Maverick, and there could even be a chance of Dain being recruited/converted to Imperium! I don’t know if I want to see the dysfunctional duo break up, but Dain and Wolfe reuniting from their SAnitY days through Imperium would be an interesting story. Plus, one day we will be able to have NXT and NXT UK swap people around smoothly again, so with the North American Championship, NXT UK Heritage Cup, and another pair of tag titles out there, there could come a time when Imperium reigns from top to bottom.
Shirai VS Stark was very good, especially for Stark being new to NXT. But naturally, we’re getting Shirai VS Storm 1v1 now, but it does seem a little sudden for the long-awaited rematch from the second Mae Young Classic. The match itself will surely make up for that, though, and honestly could go either way, if Heel Toni decides to bend the rules or something. Then with Xia Li VS Kacy, it was obvious it would be brutal, but I didn’t think it’d be that brutal! Xia “breaking” Kacy’s leg, and threatening to do the same to Kayden, that is some serious Heel heat. I am still waiting for when Tian Sha/Mei Ling (Karen Q) gets back into action and tears up the Women’s Tag Division with Xia Li.
Grimes trying to recreate the Ted DeBiase basketball challenge, and messing up multiple times, was pretty hilarious. I have a feeling he’s not only going to waste his money on things but also on these silly bets until he’s basically back to where he was before #GameStonks. The story of Escobar waiting until the very last minute was pretty good, as was Kross going after him so he wouldn’t have a choice. Naturally Legado worked together for the entirety of the No DQ match, and I think the No DQ, brawling nature of the match made this work in Kross’ favor, as he felt much stronger than if this were a standard match. Kross wins so he can stay strong in his own path back to the NXT Championship, and I’m curious to see how this impacts Escobar’s title reign, if at all.
And speaking of, the NXT Championship scene is also attached to the #WhyColeWhy story. Cole taking the approach of, “It was impulsive and I regret it” was an interesting start, but from how he betrays Strong at the very last moment makes it seem it was an act. The anger Cole mentioned about Kyle getting his two opportunities might also be attached to jealousy, maybe some bitterness. Cole VS Kyle is definitely happening, but I think we’ll get a great Cole VS Strong first, maybe even Cole VS Balor, title optional. Heck, the title could be put up, but Kyle screws Cole over to set their own match up. The UE is basically all but over unless Fish returns and Cole is the one kicked out of the group. This could even be the long road to opening the door to Cole going to Raw/SmackDown, as much of a shame it’d be to see him finally move over.
My Score: 9.4/10
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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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