Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (8/3/21)
NXT’s first ever… Love Her or Lose Her match?
And you thought NXT was innovative before!
In another historic… adjacent move from NXT, we will see Johnny Gargano VS Dexter Lumis, to determine the fate of Indi Hartwell…’s dating life!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- El Legado del Fantasma VS Hit Row; Hit Row wins, by disqualification.
- Ridge Holland w/ Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan VS Ikemen Jiro; Holland wins.
- Bobby Fish VS Roderick Strong w/ The Diamond Mine; Strong wins.
- LA Knight & Cameron Grimes VS Grizzled Young Veterans; Grizzled Young Veterans win.
- NXT Breakout Tournament Opening Round, Final Match: Trey Baxter VS Joe Gacy; Baxter wins and advances to the second round.
- Love Her or Lose Her: Johnny Gargano VS Dexter Lumis; Gargano wins and #InDex must be no more.
PLAY BY PLAY
El Legado del Fantasma VS Hit Row!
Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde made sure to mess up Ashante THEE Adonis and Top Dolla by going after Swerve, but now they might be the ones getting messed up! Will Legado be checked off the Hit Row hit list?
The teams don’t sort out before firing off hands! Dolla throws Mendoza around then clotheslines him out! Adonis fires off hands on Wilde and tosses him out! The CWC fires up for both teams as Hit Row holds the ring. Santos Escobar cools off his hermanos, Mendoza gets in, but Adonis is all over him! Adonis fires off forearms, whips and RAMS Mendoza, then whips him the other way to RAM him again! Adonis whips Mendoza again and hard, Mendoza bounces off the buckles! Adonis gets Mendoza up but Mendoza hits back! And CHOPS! Mendoza whips Adonis but Adonis reverses to kick and DDT! Adonis climbs a corner, leaps an FLOPS as Mendoza moves!
Mendoza stomps Adonis, drags him away and tags in Wilde. Wilde stomps Adonis, drags him up and throws EuroUppers! Escobar revels in the fans dueling as Wilde kicks and whips Adonis. Adonis stops to get Wilde with a NECKBREAKER! Adonis gets Wilde up, rams him into the Hit Row corner, and tags in Top Dolla! Dolla gets Wilde up, knuckle locks and wrenches the writ. Dolla talks trash, Wilde CHOPS, but Dolla just lifts him with one arm! Dolla dares Wilde to do something, and Wilde throws hands. Dolla lets him down, to run him over! Dolla taunts Escobar, “This your man?!” Knuckle lock and a lift to the corner! And then a wrench to a SUPER HIP TOSS!
“What you got, huh?!” Dolla puts Wilde in a corner to CHOP him down. Dolla shoves Wilde, tags Adonis, and Dolla whips Adonis in, only for Wilde to elbow back! Wilde dodges Dolla, goes up top and leaps, but Adonis dropkicks Wilde’s rana down! Cover, TWO! Adonis gets Wilde up, Wilde throws body shots and runs, but into a lariat! Adonis rallies, blocks a kick and DECKS Wilde to then whip and FLAPJACK! Adonis kips up but Escobar gets on the apron! B-Fab gets there, too, as does Swerve! Adonis runs but Mendoza dumps him out! The ref didn’t see that with the others arguing, and Wilde RAMS Adonis into boards! Legado’s fans fire up as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Legado double whip Adonis for a DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! Then they split the wishbone! And a double basement dropkick sandwich! Wilde covers, TWO! B-Fab talks smack to Escobar while Adonis hits back on Wilde, but Wilde drives in forearms! Fans rally up as Wilde wraps on a chinlock. Adonis fights up, fights back, but Wilde RAMS him into the Legado corner. Wilde taunts Dolla then runs in to clothesline and tag! Mendoza repeats the clothesline and tag! Wilde repeats the clothesline and tag! Mendoza repeats the clothesline and tag, and then Wilde again! Legado then double snap suplex Adonis down! Mendoza LIONSAULTS, covers, TWO!!
Mendoza wraps on a chinlock to grind Adonis, then adds a chinbar. Adonis endures as the fans duel, “HIT~ ROW~!” “LE-GA-DO!” Adonis fights up, throws body shots, Mendoza throws knees and shoves, but Adonis sunset flips! Mendoza rolls through, but Adonis ducks the shining wizard! Adonis hurries but Mendoza keeps him from the corner! Adonis breaks free to AIRDROP! Hot tag to Dolla! Wilde tags in but Dolla clobbers, him, splashes Mendoza, fires off on Wilde, then kicks to KNEE LIFT! Wilde flounders about, Dolla fire sup and runs in to SPLASH! Then scoop to a one-hand SIDEWALK SLAM! And a roll back to stand tall! “Who hotta than Top Dolla?” #NotNada!
Dolla runs, but Escobar BLATANTLY SMACKS HIM WITH A CHAIR!!
Winners: Hit Row, by disqualification
Escobar doesn’t care about winning but hurting Hit Row, and he drags Dolla out to SMACK again, and then RAM into steps! But then Swerve goes after Wilde, only to get mugged by Mendoza! B-Fab panics as Escobar kicks away on Swerve! Escobar gets the chair while Wilde and Mendoza hold him, and Escobar says he’s going to silence Swerve. He JAMS the chair into the ribs! And then he pulls out the GRILL! The CWC is rabid as they put Swerve’s head through the chair and Escobar goes up top! But Dolla drags Swerve to safety and scowls at Escobar. Escobar grins and laughs but doesn’t see B-Fab sneaking up! She SMACKS Wilde down with the chair!!
Escobar is furious but then Dolla gets in to DOUBLE SHOTGUN Escobar and Mendoza! And then Adonis gives Wilde a SPINEBUSTER! Adonis fires off furious fists, Swerve gets back in. Adonis gives Wilde the LONG KISS GOODNIGHT! Wilde flies out of the ring from the superkick, and Dolla feeds Mendoza to Swerve’s JML DRIVER!! “What else you got?!” Escobar struck a chord and is still cocky because he has Swerve’s grill. But will Swerve grill Escobar, chop him up, and eat him for dinner?
Samoa Joe paces backstage.
William Regal finds him, and brings in security. Now that Joe is a competitor, Regal has to do his job. These men will stick with Joe so that nothing happens between him and Karrion Kross until TakeOver: 36. Regal leaves it to the security guards, but can they really keep Joe and Kross contained?
Dexter Lumis is in his… “private studio.”
He looks back at all the artwork he’s done, and works on a new one to commemorate #InDex. He also looks at the art that’s chronicled his battles with The Way. It’s all or nothing tonight, will Lumis give the newest sketch as a gift? Or simply as a memento of what could’ve been?
Ridge Holland w/ Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan VS Ikemen Jiro!
Northern Grit made a shock return last week, and used that moment to devastate Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa! Will he only do worse to the Handsome Face of 205 Live?
The bell rings and fans fire up with Jiro as he and Ridge tie up. Ridge puts Jiro on ropes, headlocks him, then grinds him down with those big arms. Jiro throws body shots but Ridge DECKS him with a EuroUpper! Ridge snapmares and drops a Regal style knee! Ridge puts Jiro in a chinlock but fans rally up, and Jiro JAWBREAKERS! JACKET PUNCH! JACKET PUNCH! JACKET DISCUS! Jiro runs, but into a lift! Ridge puts Jiro on ropes, to DECK him! Jiro lands hard to the floor, and Ridge goes out to stalk him around the way! Ridge POUNCES Jiro into the boards! Then Ridge gets Jiro up to ROCK him, and shove him into the ring!
Ridge drags Jiro up, reels him in, for a head ‘n’ arm BELLY2BELLY! And he tears off the jacket!! Fans boo as Ridge clobbers away on Jiro with crossface forearms! Ridge revels in the jeers as he scrapes his knee off Jiro’s face! Ridge tosses the jacket to the crowd but they boo harder! Ridge dares Jiro to get up and Jiro throws hands! But Ridge catches his arms for another OVERHEAD Suplex! Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Ridge gets Jiro for another trapped arm OVERHEAD Suplex! Ridge shouts, “TEN MONTHS! TEN MONTHS!” The time he was gone with the damaged legs, and he is taking it out on Jiro! HEADBUTT!!
Jiro wobbles, Ridge scoops him, NORTHERN GRIT!! Cover, Ridge wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
Oney and Dunne join Ridge in the ring to stand over Jiro as he flounders and sputters. Ridge throws Jiro out hard and Dunne calls for a mic. “Everyone thinks they’re bad, until a REAL bad man steps in the room! Tommaso Ciampa thought he was bad, until Ridge Holland, Oney Lorcan and The Bruiserweight stepped in the room.” As for Thatcher, Ridge is back and he will smash the rest of Thatcher’s teeth out! And how do you plan to pick them up when Dunne breaks your fingers? This is what happens when you step to them! They’re the three most dangerous men in NXT! Try and prove Dunne wrong, he dares you! Will this trio of bruisers break the roster to take over the brand?
Backstage interview with the Robert Stone Brand and Franky Monet.
Franky is clearly not the happiest after the “collaboration” didn’t work out last week. And she cuts off Stone before he can justify what happened. What happened last week, that “loss,” a word Franky really hates, was all because of Stone’s interference. Yes, she gets it, he and Jessi Kamea are used to losing because they’re losers. Franky doesn’t know what being a loser means, because she is NOT a loser! Stone gets it, but then if this group is gonna work, it has to be rebuilt in Franky’s image, Franky’s way, and under Franky’s rule! Stone agrees! Then take it or leave it. Stone can take it. Is Jessi taking it? Stone says this is crystal clear, but he sounds a bit desperate…
NXT hears from Trey Baxter.
The 23-year-old superstar is “born to do this,” and the Breakout Tournament is just another chance for him to show what #AllHeart is all about. All Heart is his lifestyle to always keep fighting and pushing forward. He’ll show it through in this tournament. No matter what, he’ll emerge as a star.
Bobby Fish VS Roderick Strong w/ The Diamond Mine!
While Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole are far from done, the Infamous One looks to reel in the Savior of the Backbreaker. But with Strong having moved on from the Undisputed Era to lead his own stable, will he prove Malcolm Bivens right? Is Roddy the new number one around here?
The bell rings and the two tie up right away. They go around, end up in a corner, Strong gets an arm and wrenches to a wristlock. Fish endures, slips through, and wrenches Strong back. Strong slips into the clinch and they end up on ropes. The ref calls for the break, Strong lets off clean, but they tie up again! Fish puts Strong in a corner, knees him, snapmares, but Strong avoids the kick! Strong knows Fish’s moves well, and he gets Fish’s leg. Fish headlocks back to grind Strong, but Strong endures. Fish knees, grinds the headlock, but Strong powers up to power out. Fish runs Strong over with a shoulder but things speed up! Strong KNEES Fish right back!
Strong headlocks to the takeover but Fish rolls through. Fans rally behind Fish as he powers his way out to RAM Strong into a corner. Fish throws big body shots and kicks, and Strong falls down! Fish gets Strong up to snap suplex! And right to a chinlock! Fish shifts to a facelock, Strong rolls and gets free to CLUB Fish. Strong facelocks, hooks arms, but Fish throws elbows. They end up on ropes again, the ref calls for the break, but Fish snapmares Strong to KICK him after all! Strong gets away but Fish is after him in the corner with forearms. Strong kicks back, knees and CHOPS, but Fish ROCKS Strong! They’re brawling with big forearms but Fish kicks a leg out!
Fish digs his knee into Strong in a corner but lets off as the ref counts. Strong staggers about, Bivens is worried as Fish throws body shots. Fish whips corner to corner, Strong goes up and over but runs into a KICK! Fish stalks Strong to the apron and grabs at him as NXT goes picture in picture.
The ref has Fish stay back a moment, and Bivens check son Strong. Fish gets Strong up but Strong hotshots him! Fish ends up on the apron, Strong kicks at him, then throws knees. Strong CHOPS, Fish forearms, and they brawl on the edge. Strong mule kicks, Fish shoulders, but Strong CHOPS! Fish resists the back breaker left, throws knees, but Strong elbows Fish to the floor! Fish SWEEPS the legs! Strong hits apron then floor, and clutches his knee! Fish backs Tyler Rust off to put Strong in the ring, and then cover. TWO, but Fish keeps on Strong with knees into the side. Fish drags Strong up, throws knees and haymakers and has Strong in a corner.
Fish brings Strong around to back suplex high and hard! Strong blocks a kick and gets around to cradle BACKBREAKER! Both men are down but Strong crawls to a cover, TWO! Strong throws elbows into Fish over and over, digs his knee into Fish’s back, and has a partial Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch. Fish endures as Strong shifts to a chinlock but he fights up to throw body shots. Strong CLUBS Fish but Fish mule kicks! Fish has Strong in a corner, again, fires off big forearms and elbows, then drives in knees! The ref backs Fish off and Strong BOOTS him in the chest! Strong fires off forearms and CHOPS but Fish DECKS him! And KICKS him down!
Fish gets Strong in a corner again and throws back elbows. Fish fires off more body shots, but Strong gets past him as NXT returns to single picture. Strong and Fish throw shots back and forth, Fish KICKS a leg and Strong scrambles away. The ref has Fish stay back as he checks Strong, but Strong SUCKER PUNCHES Fish! Diamond Mine loves it as Strong stomps Fish. The ref reprimands and has Strong let off. Strong KICKS Fish in the back, covers, ONE!! Strong gets Fish up but Fish throws body shots. Strong snap suplexes Fish then covers, ONE!! Strong keeps Fish down with a head ‘n’ arm, then shifts to a sleeper.
Fish fights up as fans rally and Fish throw elbows and body shots. But Strong gets him for an URENAGE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fish is hanging tough and that annoys Tyler Rust but Bivens taunts Fish. Strong gets Fish up for another BACKBREAKER! Strong keeps on Fish with a chinlock, trapped arm, and even a toehold! It’s a very unique cobra twist but Fish fights back by pulling on Strong’s ear! And then he fish hooks Strong’s face! Strong lets Fish out and they brawl with body shots and forearms! Strong swings but into a body shot and a back elbow! And a KICK! Strong staggers, Fish runs in to KNEE Strong at the corner!
Fish whips, Strong reverses but Fish fires off more kicks! Strong dodges one kick but not that mule kick! Fish runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bivens, Rust and Hideki coach Strong on but Fish gets Strong up for a knee and a sweep of the legs. Fish ROCKS Strong, wraps on a sleeper, but Strong resists and RAMS Fish into a corner. Strong elbows Fish in the ribs, then hits a back suplex slam! Strong and Fish slowly rise, Strong CHOPS Fish then fires off fast hands! Strong runs side to side to forearm smash over and over! Fish staggers but Strong running SLAMS him down! Cover, TWO! Bivens is starting to get annoyed but Strong drags Fish up.
Strong clinches, but Fish WHEEL KICKS! Cover, TWO! Fish stomps Strong, goes to a corner, but Diamond Mine distracts him. Strong shoves Fish off the top and to the floor! Strong gets Fish back in, drags him up, but Fish rolls Strong! TWO!! JUMPING KNEE!! To END OF HEARTACHE!! Cover, Strong wins!
Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall
Diamond Mine celebrates that slug fest going their way! Strong vowed this would be the last time he and Fish faced off, is Strong going after Kushida’s Crusierweight gold next?
LA Knight and Cameron Grimes meet backstage.
Butler Grimes has Mr. Knight’s elastic bands, and asks that if Knight is done preparing, that he has his turn to get ready for tonight’s tag match. Grimes looks ready to Knight in the suit. But instead of worrying about his looks, Grimes needs to worry about GYV. Those guys have been a team for years, these two have only been spending time together, what? A few weeks? GYV has each other’s backs, so Knight needs to know he can trust Grimes. Grimes is a man of his word, or else he wouldn’t still be waring this outfit. So if Knight’s worried if Grimes has his back, just know Grimes is there for him.
But the real concern tonight, Mr. Knight, is will Knight have Grimes’ back? Knight says he’s a man of his word, too. He wouldn’t make the Million Dollar Championship look bad, so if Grimes has Knight’s back, Knight has Grimes’ back. That is a guarantee. But since Grimes is a man of his word, he needs to shine this spot on Knight’s boot for him. Yes, sir, Mr. Knight. Grimes brings out his shoeshine rag and polishes the boot right up. Will both men be men of their word against Liverpool’s Number One and Mr. Mayhem?
LA Knight & Cameron Grimes VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
The Million Dollar Megastar and the Cash Money Carolina Caveman currently working as a butler had a bit of a run-in with Zack Gibson & James Drake on a golf course last week. Despite Grimes hitting Knight’s two balls with one club, GYV are the ones Knight is after! But as GYV make their entrance, Drake has a mic to say, “Can you believe these morons cheer this? Cameron, you are living proof that you simply can’t polish a turd.”
Gibson says that he doesn’t know what role playing game this is, but here’s some friendly advice: In or out of the ring, stay out of their way! They are Grizzled Young Veterans, SSSSOOON to be recognized as NXT Tag Team Champions! Will GYV prove themselves worthy of that golden opportunity with MSK at the expense of Knight & Grimes?
Grimes starts against Gibson, stuck in his butler suit. Fans still chant, “TO THE MOON!” as Grimes and Gibson circle. Grimes gets a leg, then an arm, and wrenches to a wristlock. Knight wants in and Grimes heads over. Tag and Knight fires off hands. Knight whips Gibson to CLOBBER him! Knight wants fans to chant for him as he bumps Gibson off buckles, but the fans don’t care. Knight whips Gibson, Drake is the buffer and Gibson KNEES Knight back! Gibson rakes Knight’s eyes, then gets him up as he tags Drake. Drake jumps in to take the hand-off and short arm clothesline Knight down! Cover, TWO! Fans want Grimes in but Drake ROCKS Knight!
Drake gets Knight for a suplex, but Knight lands on his feet to hit a NECKBREAKER! Knight crawls, fans fire up, and hot tag to Grimes! Grimes climbs, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Grimes struts and laughs then gets Drake up. Drake headlocks, Gibson tags in as Grimes powers out. Gibson KNEES Grimes into the ropes! Knight gets mad but Gibson DECKS him! Gibson gets Grimes up to throw hands. Drake tags back in, GYV double whip Grimes to CLOBBER him! Drake drags Grimes to a cover, ONE! Drake gets Grimes up, wrenches, tags Gibson, and GYV double whip again. Grimes holds ropes, throws Drake out but Gibson uses a sleeper to keep Grimes from Knight!
Grimes endures and fans rally up. Grimes snapmares free to BACK DROP Gibson away! Grimes reaches, but Knight ditches him at the corner! Knight’s not a man of his word at all! Grimes scowls and fans chant, “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Grimes throws the suit off and dares Gibson to bring it! Drake tags in, but Grimes rallies on GYV! Drake and Gibson whip him again but Grimes gets around to shove Drake into Gibson! DOUBLE RANA! Fans fire up as Grimes PENALTY KICKS Gibson from the apron, and HOTSHOTS Drake! Grimes goes up, leaps, Drake gets under but comes back into the COLLISION COURSE!! Cover, TWO!!
Grimes rips the suit shirt, shouts “TOOOO THEEEE MOOOOON!” but Gibson distracts! Grimes swipes at Gibson, Drake waistlocks but Grimes headlocks. Gibson tags in as Drake powers out, leap frog and tilt-o-whirl, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, GYV win!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall
Knight turned this into a Handicap Match by stooping to another low, and GYV’s teamwork was too much for one man! Will Grimes make the Million Dollar Megastar pay for leaving him behind?
Wait, Ted DeBiase is here! THE Million Dollar Man checks on Grimes, and says he tried to tell Grimes. He knows Grimes is a man of his word, but Grimes has to figure something out about this situation. Grimes agrees and DeBiase helps Grimes to the back. Can they figure out a way to make Knight put his money where his massive mouth is?
NXT hears from Dakota Kai.
#CapKota says, “18 months ago, I needed someone I could trust. And then I saw her. This beast, Raquel Gonzalez, crushing combine records. But she was stuck in the shadows.” Raquel had gone as far as she could go, and Dakota says without her, Raquel would still be nothing. It was simple: stand behind Dakota, watch, learn, and be there when she needed her. Raquel ran through everyone in Dakota’s way for her, from Tegan Nox to Shotzi Blackheart to Mia Yim to Rhea Ripley. And then Raquel became a star in her own right, crushing Io Shirai in the Women’s WarGames. Dakota “let” Raquel get that success. Because to be real here, everyone knew who the leader was.
Stand & Deliver, the biggest TakeOver of all time, and Shirai goes to Raquel. Raquel didn’t think to give Dakota that opportunity! She didn’t think Dakota wanted that spot just as much! After giving Raquel everything, plucking her from obscurity and putting her in the spotlight, Raquel stole Dakota’s opportunity! With Dakota’s help, Raquel beat Io and became the NEW NXT Women’s Champion. That should’ve been Dakota! Dakota should’ve had her hand raised, in the ring with Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley in that triple brand title moment! Dakota wanted Raquel to return the favor, help Dakota regain the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships.
But Raquel didn’t care. She didn’t put her heart or soul into anything other than what she had. From that point out, Dakota was known as Raquel’s sidekick! “I am no one’s sidekick!” And hence, why Dakota kicked Raquel in the face! The only person’s back Dakota will have now, is her own. And the funniest thing about all this is that Raquel didn’t see it coming! Raquel’s so oblivious to the person right next to her was going to kick her head off. BANG! There’s no one left? How about Dakota?! Dakota brought Raquel into the spotlight, and will take her out of it by becoming NXT Women’s Champion! Stinging words from #CobraKai, but how will Big Mami Cool respond?
Backstage interview with The Way.
McKenzie asks Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano about the huge night tonight as Johnny faces Lumis in the Love Her or Lose Her match. What’s going through their minds right now? Johnny says he and Candice have both been champions, been in TakeOver main events, and the biggest matches in this company’s history. Tonight ranks right up there. Candice asks McKenzie something: Who knows what’s best for Indi? The Way does. They know what’s best for her! And tonight, the fate of the family rests in Gargano’s hands! He must do whatever it takes to protect Indi at all costs! And though it won’t be popular, Gargano ENDS #InDex for good!
NXT hears from Joe Gacy.
From Batsto, New Jersey, the hard-hitting bruiser knows “people don’t like what they can’t control.” Him having this opportunity in the Breakout Tournament, he won’t be controlled until his hand is raised as THE winner of the whole thing. Baxter VS Gacy happens after the break!
Medical update on Adam Cole.
Given last week, Kyle O’Reilly got him with both a chair, and a brain buster to steel steps, Cole has a spinal compression, neck compression and secondary neck injury. Cole is not medically cleared to compete at the moment, much the flipside of when Cole did this to Kyle. But next week, Regal will preside over a face-to-face between these two as NXT returns to the USA Network.
NXT Breakout Tournament Opening Round, Final Match: Trey Baxter VS Joe Gacy!
#AllHeart will collide with all frenzy as the opening round is almost over! Baxter impressed against Cruiserweight Champion, Kushida, and Gacy fought his way into the bracket at the expense of Desmond Troy. But who advances to take on Odyssey Jones in the second round?
The bell rings and the two tie right up. Gacy puts Baxter on ropes, Baxter gets around to waistlock but Gacy headlocks and throws Baxter to a corner. Gacy eggs Baxter on, Baxter comes back and get around for another waistlock. He spins into the sunset flip but Gacy drags him right up to TOSS to a corner! Baxter gets up and Gacy runs in, but Baxter boots him! Baxter runs and forearms but Gacy stays up. Baxter keeps moving, only for Gacy to CHOP him off his feet! Cover, ONE! Gacy drags Baxter up but Baxter throws hands. Gacy runs Baxter over but Baxter anchors a foot. Baxter avoids Gacy’s stomp and kips up to ENZIGURI! Gacy staggers and fans fire up!
Gacy comes back, scoops Baxter, Baxter slips out and dropkicks Gacy out of the ring! Baxter builds speed to DIVE, into Gacy’s arms! Gacy pops Baxter up, tosses him to the ropes, then DECKS him on the rebound! Fans fire up as Gacy paces around, and Gacy gets Baxter into the ring at 6 of 10. Gacy clamps onto Baxter with a chinbar but fans rally as Baxter endures. Baxter fights up, Gacy CLUBS him down! Cover but Baxter resists, so Gacy grinds him down to get both shoulders. ONE, and Gacy drags Baxter back up. Gacy scoops but Baxter slips around to a SLEEPER! Baxter is a backpack but Gacy throws him off and stomps him down! But Baxter kicks from below!
Gacy stomps, Baxter kicks, and Baxter headlocks. But Gacy breaks free to HEADBUTT, then ROCKS Baxter with a forearm! And point-blank clotheslines against the ropes! Gacy hits one last one to top it off! Baxter flops to the apron but Gacy gets him up. Gacy suplexes Baxter into the ring high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and duel as Gacy clamps on with the chinbar again. Baxter fights and hits a JAWBREAKER! But Gacy choke grips, tosses Baxter to another corner, only for Baxter to slip out! Gacy hits buckles, Baxter springboards in, missile dropkick! Baxter builds speed to DIVE! The Low-pe knocks Gacy down but Baxter goes again for another DIVE!
The tope suicida hits but Baxter keeps going again, to FLY! The Fosbury Flop takes Gacy down! Gacy gets to the ring as fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Baxter grabs at Gacy but Gacy kicks him away. Baxter steps in for a TORNILLO SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Baxter gets Gacy up to throw body shots, then slips around to sleeper hold. Gacy RAMS Baxter into buckles, then runs corner to corner to CANNONBALL into buckles! Gacy gets Baxter up top, climbs up to join him, fireman’s carries but Baxter fights! He bumps Gacy off buckles! Gacy is down, Baxter is up, 450 DOUBLE STOMPS?!? Cover, Baxter wins!!
Winner: Trey Baxter, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
And the semifinals are set! Baxter will bring #AllHeart on a journey, but can he conquer the Odyssey?
Zoey Stark and Io Shirai try “hanging out” together.
They went to Izziban Sushi & BBQ, and this is what Stark feels they needed to be doing. This is so exciting and fun. They needed to get together and form a bond. Like how Shirai and Kairi Sane were friends! They had each other’s backs, they knew everything about each other. That’s what these two need. The waitress comes by and Shirai orders in Japanese and Stark is lost. She just goes with what Shirai is having. The menus are taken and it turns out Shirai ordered a lot. It all looks great! Well, Stark isn’t sure about the squid, though. Isn’t she going to eat? Y-Yeah, of course! Just… she’s not good with chopsticks so she goes with fork and spoon.
Stark braves the squid, and nope nope, not for her. She waits until Shirai is checking her phone to spit it out into a napkin and then throw that napkin under the table. She likes it, right? Y-Yeah, she loves sushi! What’s that green stuff? It’s good, try it. Wait, is it like guacamole or…? No, it’s WASABI! She puts a little too much and it really hits her hard! Again, she has to hide what she spits out under the table. And as Shirai talks the check with the waitress, Stark CHUCKS the rest of the squid. She would like a to-go box, by the way. But see, look? They’re bonding. Shirai hugs it out with the waitress and takes the check.
Stark says she had a great time and wants to hug it out. No, Stark, thank you. She’s the one paying the check. Shirai leaves and Stark asks the waitress if she and Shirai know each other. No, but they just speak the same language. Oh, so the waitress was also born and raised in Japan? Nope, Kansas. Oh. Huh. Stark reconsiders the to-go box. Will she and Shirai be able to find common ground outside of food?
Backstage interview with Indi Hartwell.
Her emotional state must be all over the place. Her love-life is on the line, but who is she pulling for tonight? Well, it’s complicated. On one hand, there’s family. The other, true love. Indi isn’t pulling for him, but if Lumis did win, and The Way gave him a chance, they’d finally see Lumis isn’t bad, just misunderstood. But we’ll find out of it’s meant to be. That will be the main event tonight, which way will the heart break?
Karrion Kross hijacks commentary!
“HEY JOE! You quit your job because you think you can make a change around here?! You can’t control this place! You couldn’t then, and you can’t now!” So then, who provoked who?! Samoa Joe storms his way to the ring! Security does its best to hold him back but he swats them all down! Joe gets in the ring but Kross has disappeared! So Joe throws around one security guard, CLOBBERS another, and then gives the third an URENAGE! Joe drags that same guard around as he shouts for Kross, and he puts on the COQUINA CLUTCH!! The guard flails, taps, but Joe is almost foaming at the mouth! “KROSS! I’m coming for you…!” Will TakeOver 36 see Joe 86 Mr. Apocalypse once and for all?
NXT presents Prime Target: Walter VS Dragunov II.
Triple H starts us off by saying, “Walter, the longest reigning champion in modern WWE. For over 800 days, has dominated this brand. Ilja Dragunov, one of the most dedicated and intense individuals to ever enter the squared circle.” Sheamus says he saw the first, and it was fantastic. Nigel McGuiness says that it was one of the most brutal matches he’s ever witnessed. Drew McIntyre says it was probably the best match. Riddle says it has heart and determination, while Regal says it was sheer violence. The fierceness is unmatched. It shows how far British and European wrestling has come. Fit Finlay says it was brutal! And that’s what this is all about.
Dragunov speaks on how the whole world was talking about the level of brutality they put on at this stage. People couldn’t believe what they saw. Dragunov appreciates that the fans recognize his performance, but fans cheer for those who win, and forget those who lose. Dragunov felt broken after. He was so focused on how he could be like Walter, the champion, a cold-blooded person. Dragunov went on that path of violence for a chance to fight Walter again. This fierce rivalry and this epic rematch has been added to TakeOver 36! Walter says that is a big stage, and it is where he belongs. For Ilja, this is the match of his life.
Dragunov promises that we will see why it is a mistake to underestimate him. Walter says that when he’s on his best day, he is unbeatable. Dragunov says Walter doesn’t have the soul to win. Dragunov has more strength and more stamina, but Walter says he doesn’t have the mental ability. The only reason Dragunov will be at TakeOver is because Walter forged him. Walter says we will know what Dragunov really is: all show, full of doubt and fear. Dragunov says Walter is wrong! This isn’t just a battle for the belt, or a war for the top spot on NXT UK. This is going to be a fight to see who is fighting for the right reasons!
Kushida speaks.
“Roderick Strong. I respect your win over Bobby Fish. You fought hard and came out victorious. You keep saying my name, and I hear you! You want a title shot at the NXT Cruiserweight Championship? You got it!” The Time Splitter is ready to take on the Savior of the Backbreaker, but will the face of the Diamond Mine crack under the pressure?
Love Her or Lose Her: Johnny Gargano VS Dexter Lumis!
Johnny Wrestling, Papa John, leader of The Way, has been against the Tortured Artist and #IndiWrestling being together since day one. But now he can end it here if he defeats Lumis in a 1v1 match! Will this be the last night #InDex has on NXT?
The bell rings and Gargano shows Lumis his The Way shirt. Gargano points out that “This is my family! And you don’t mess with my family.” Fans rally and duel as Gargano says if Lumis wants Indi, he has to get through Gargano. Gargano eggs Lumis on, but Lumis is a statue. They tie up, Gargano headlocks but Lumis powers up, only for Gargano to hold on. Gargano also holds on as Lumis tires to power out. Gargano grinds Lumis down, fans rally up, and Lumis fights to his feet. Lumis powers out this time but Gargano goes up and over in the corner then arm-drags Lumis around! Gargano has the armlock but Lumis fights up.
Gargano wrenches, wristlocks, but Lumis rolls and kips up to wrench and club Gargano’s arm. Lumis arm-drags Gargano around now and dropkicks him down! Then he slithers up to Gargano to get in his face! Gargano is creeped out and slithers out but Lumis slithers after, and Gargano fires off haymakers! Gargano has Lumis on the apron and drags him to the ramp, for a snap suplex! Lumis clutches his back and fans fire up, but here comes Indi herself! Gargano puts Lumis in at 7 of 10, fans cheer on “IN DEX! *clap clap* IN DEX!” Gargano tells Indi that she shouldn’t listen to the fans. She has The Way. Gargano gets in and Lumis hits a THESZ PRESS and fast hands!
Lumis has Gargano in a corner, stomps him, throws hands over and over, but Gargano staggers away. Lumis keeps on him with a whip to ropes then clobbers him with an elbow! Fans chant, “WE WANT INDEX!” as Lumis whips Gargano corner to corner. Gargano boots back, throws forearms, then ROCKS him! Gargano whips, Lumis dodges, slides under and then plays peekaboo with Gargano at the apron. Wait, where’d Lumis go? Gargano can’t see where he is, but Indi hurries after Lumis? And now Candice hurries out. She and Johnny drag Indi out from under the ring, but she’s holding hands with Lumis! But Gargano KICKS Lumis in the side! And RAMS him into steps! And then boards!
NXT is picture in picture as Candice has Indi stay back. Gargano gets Lumis up, throws haymakers, stalks him around the way, and then puts him back in the ring. Gargano gets on the apron but Lumis ROCKS Gargano with a right! But Gargano SLINGSHOT SPEARS Lumis down! Gargano goes outside to get his headband back, goes back into the ring and puts the headband back on. Indi reaches out to Lumis but Candice tries to drag her away. Gargano sits Lumis up just to knock him down! Gargano knocks Lumis down again, but Lumis gets up to throw haymakers! Lumis has Gargano in a corner but Gargano kicks back.
Gargano snapmares Lumis down, for a basement dropkick! Gargano covers, TWO! Lumis is still in this but Gargano taunts the #InDex fans. Gargano gets Lumis up, wrenches and hooks him up for a headlock and stretch. NXT returns to single picture as Lumis endures and fans rally up. Lumis fights with elbows and body shots but Gargano CLUBS him on the back. Gargano throws hands, spins but into an uppercut! Gargano spins again but into a SPINEBUSTER! Gargano and Lumis get up, and Lumis rallies with big haymakers! And CHOPS! Lumis tightens the glove as he runs in to clothesline and BULLDOG! Then a BIG back suplex! And a LEAPING leg drop! Cover, TWO!
Fans argue the count while Candice is stressing out. Lumis stalks Gargano as he gets up, and Gargano turns around into the clinch. Gargano elbows free, throws Lumis out, and then runs to DIVE! Direct hit and Lumis is sent into the desk! Gargano puts Lumis back in the ring and then starts yelling at Beth Phoenix for getting this InDex stuff started! Beth says the heart wants what the heart wants, Johnny! Gargano goes back to the apron, slingshot but into an uppercut! Lumis slingshot suplex FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Gargano’s heart is still superhuman but Lumis climbs up top. Lumis leaps but Gargano moves! Lumis rolls through but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!!
Fans rally up behind Lumis as he gets up. Gargano is after him with forearms but Lumis gives them back! They go back and forth, shot for shot, over and over! Gargano fires off a flurry, runs, but into a pop-up UPPERCUT! But he SUPERKICKS right back! But then Lumis SUPERKICKS! Gargano is down, fans are thunderous, and Lumis looks to Indi. Lumis goes out, he and Indi both signal the elbow. Lumis springboards, SAVAGE ELBOW FLOPS!! Gargano avoids it, and jumps onto the GargaNO Escape!! Indi shouts for Lumis to hold on, and he fights to the ropes! Indi is there and touches Indi’s face gently for the ropebreak! Indi swoons but Gargano is furious!
The ref counts the break, Gargano lets go at 4 because a disqualification is still a valid loss. Gargano tells Indi to stop it already, and Candice does, too. But Lumis rolls Gargano up!! TWO!! And Lumis is sent into Indi! Lumis DECKS Gargano and then hurries to go check on Indi. Candice says Lumis is a monster, and Gargano TOPE DDT’S!! Gargano gets Lumis up and in the ring, and says this is for Indi’s own good. ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Indi is devastated! Lumis lost the match, and has lost his chance to be with her and The Way! Indi looks back at Lumis with a forlorn look, but then she runs to him anyway! She tackles him and gives him a huge kiss!! She’s defying the stipulation of the match!! No one can stand in the way of love! #InDex now, then and forever!!
My Thoughts:
What a great episode! We got a really good opening tag from Legado and Hit Row, and Escobar “ruining” it with the chair attack really just helped raise things up a level. The chaotic brawl was fun, Hit Row stands tall, but Escobar taking Swerve’s grill is also a unique way to escalate things. Obviously that North American Championship match is coming, but I’m hoping for that Six Man Tag as the go-home. Then, we all knew Regal giving Samoa Joe security was just so he could beat up those guys when he can’t get his hands on Kross. While Kross VS Keith Lee last night on Raw was great, obviously Kross’ segment here was prerecorded. They still get the point across perfectly, and the title match for TakeOver 36 is going to be epic.
Of course Ridge Holland makes quick work of Ikemen Jiro but it was still a good first match back for him. Dunne also has a good promo to plug the feud with them and Thatcher-Ciampa. Ridge VS Thatcher, Ridge VS Ciampa, Ridge & Dunne VS Thatcher & Ciampa, all those matches are going to be badass. Speaking of badass, that’s exactly what Fish VS Strong was. Just like with Kyle VS Cole and Kyle VS Strong, the familiarity from working together for years really lent itself to Fish and Strong taking this to a higher level. Strong winning makes sense, he was going for Kushida and Kushida had a good response to essentially confirm that title match.
LA Knight and Cameron Grimes getting into a tag match made sense given last week, and of course Knight ditches Grimes. Grimes loses because GYV needs to stay strong in the tag division, and this sets up Knight VS Grimes III, the Million Dollar Championship back on the line. Prime Target: Walter VS Dragunov II was another epic Prime Target video, we got a lot of great soundbites from wrestlers from the UK as well have gone through NXT. The NXT UK Championship could easily steal the show, and hopefully it gets more people who watch NXT prime to consider NXT UK.
Franky had a good promo to officially establish that she’s taking over the Robert Stone Brand, just as we all knew she would. I wonder if we get a new member that Franky “recruits.” Shirai and Stark had a pretty good little skit for their teammate dinner date. I feel like Shirai was trolling Stark on some level with the food order after Stark brought up Kairi. I’m thinking with the line about “speaking the same language,” Stark tries to learn Japanese, and then there are hilarious misunderstandings from Stark getting things wrong. And we got a very good promo from Dakota that perfectly summarizes everything that has happened to this point.
Baxter VS Gacy was a great Breakout Tournament match, and another upset in a sense with Baxter going over. Carmelo Hayes VS Duke Hudson, Trey Baxter VS Odyssey Jones, we’ve got two battles of Cruiserweight VS Heavyweight, we could end up with any kind of combination for the tournament finals, and if a Cruiserweight wins the tournament, then the options for a title story are very open. And lastly, Gargano VS Lumis was a great match, especially with the “overbooking” of Indi and Candice being ringside and getting involved in the character work. I was surprised Gargano won, but then that made it even better when Indi didn’t care about the result and ran to Lumis. I totally want this to be a Mixed Tag, The Way VS InDex, possibly at TakeOver.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/27/25)
A Block, FINAL ROUND!
So close to the end, we can almost taste it!
Round nine has come, and it all comes down to this! Who takes A Block and goes to the Best of the Super Juniors’ finals?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Titan & Yota Tsuji VS Nick Wayne & Daiki Nagai; Titan & Tsuji win.
- MAO & Shoma Kato VS SHO & Yujiro Takahashi; Sho & Yujiro win.
- El Desperado & Toru Yano VS Robbie Eagles & Hartley Jackson; Desperado & Yano win.
- YOH & Tiger Mask VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Yoh & Tiger Mask win.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Dragon Dia; Mack wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Francesco Akira; Akira wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Clark Connors; Fujita wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Robbie X; Robbie wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-3, 10 points
Master Wato: 5-3, 10 points
Clark Connors: 5-3, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-4, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-4, 8 points
KUSHIDA: 4-4, 8 points
Dragon Dia: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ninja Mack: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Dragon Dia!
The American Ninja has no way forward to the finals, but he won’t stop fighting! Will he ruin Dia’s run at the top? Or will the Infinite Carat Diamond not crack under pressure?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “NINJA! NINJA!” Mack offers a handshake, Dia takes it, and the fans applaud the sportsmanship. They tie up, Dia headlocks, but Mack powers up and out. Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slides under to tilt-o-whirl and arm-drag, only for Mack to handspring through! The fans fire up and Dia sees what he’s dealing with. Dia and Mack reset while the fans rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” Dia and Mack tie up, Mack headlocks, but Dia powers up and out. Mack drops down on the dropdown to gator roll and backslide, TWO! Cradle, TWO! Dia jumps the sweep, Oklahoma Rolls, TWO!
Mack stands, Dia has him for a cradle, TWO! Dia sweeps to cover, ONE! Mack steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO and Dia has a press, TWO! Dia stands but Mack drags him down with a headlock takeover! Dia headscissors, Mack kips free and Dia hits the takeover! Mack headscissors, Dia kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Dia and Mack reset, circle and feel things out. They knuckle lock, go forehead to forehead, then Mack wrenches an arm to whip. Dia reverses and hurdles, but Mack turns it into an atomic drop! Mack runs and BOOTS Dia down! Dia bails out and the fans rally as Mack handsprings! NINJA SPECIAL! Direct hit, but Mack does clutch his foot.
The fans cheer, the ref checks Mack, and Mack manages to stand. Mack hobbles over, brings Dia up, and he puts Dia in the ring. Mack stomps Dia, then clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Dia endures, fights around, and the fans rally. Dia kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Mack lets go, and then Mack brings Dia up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! And back to the CROSSFACE! Dia endures again and the fans rally! Dia fights as Mack pulls back on the hold! Dia kicks his way over again, but Mack rolls Dia away! CROSSFACE! Dia endures, the fans rally more, and Dia reaches back to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Mack lets go.
Mack stands Dia up to CHOP! Mack puts Dia in a corner, and he CHOPS again! Mack whips corner to corner, Dia reverses, and Dia runs up, only for Mack to BOOT him! Mack fires body shots, and palm strikes! Mack has Dia in the corner again, runs up, but Dia BOOTS and RANAS! Mack bails out, Dai PLANCHAS, and down goes Mack! The fans fire up while both men are down on the outside. Mack crawls away, a fan helps him up, but Dia is after him. Dia puts Mack in the ring, then baits Mack into the leg scissors trip! Dia slingshots in but Mack slides out, so Dia lands on his feet. Dia jumps right back out to ASAI MOONSAULT!
The fans fire up as Dia takes Mack down again! Dia rises, fires himself up, and he goes back for Mack. Dia drags Mack up, puts him in the corner, and then stands him up to CHOP! Mack is stinging, but Dia hoists him up top. Dia CHOPS again, climbs up top, and hits the ASTRO SCISSORS! Mack writhes, Dia covers, TWO! Mack survives and Dia is frustrated, but he fires back up! The fans rally as Dia goes up. D D D D- NO, Mack catches Dia and RAMS him into the corner! And RAMS him again! Mack puts Dia up, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again! Dia still BOOTS in return! D D- NO, Mack is up top to second rope SPANISH FLY!
The fans fire up while both men are down! The ref starts a double count while Mack and Dia stir. We pass 5 of 10, then 7, but Mack and Dia stand. They back up into each other, and Mack rolls Dia up! TWO, and Dia rolls Mack up! TWO! Dia sunset flips, TWO, and Mack sits on the prawn hold! TWO and Mack rolls through the sunset to stack! TWO and Dia sunsets, TWO! Mack has the cradle, TWO and Dia has the ghost pin! TWO!! Mack escapes, Dia ENZIGIRIS, but Mack rebounds to SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Mack crawls his way over. Mack goes for the corner and vows to end it! The fans rally as Mack climbs, but Dia stirs.
Mack fires up and NINJA BOMB FLOPS as Dia moves! Mack writhes, Dia runs and goes right up top! D D D- SHURIKEN KICK!!! Cover, MACK WINS!!!
Winner: Ninja Mack, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Dia earns 0)
An incredible antiair attack brings Dia down, and now neither man is going to the finals! Both men still show great promise, will it be better luck next time next year?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Francesco Akira!
Time is running out, and maybe it’s too late, but the Time Splitter and the Crown of Fire are going to fight until the last possible second! But win, lose, or draw, who will be watching and waiting for the final results?
The bell rings and the two tie right up. They break, tie up again, and then break. They tie up again, Kushida headlocks, and he grinds Akira down. Akira powers up and out, but Kushida RUNS him over! Things keep moving, Akira stays low then hurdles over. Akira runs but Kushida HIP TOSSES! Akira rolls while Kushida cartwheels, and Akira is up to duck ‘n’ dodge then RANA! Kushida tumbles out while the fans fire up! Akira builds speed, but Kushida ducks the sliding dropkick! Kushida kicks low, whips, but Akira Tiger Feint Kicks on the apron! The fans fire up with Akira and he drags Kushida up to CHOP!
The fans rally, Akira brings Kushida around the way, and he CHOPS again! Kushida kicks low, puts Akira through the corner to then YANK him into the POST! The fans rally while Akira falls, but Kushida stands on the bad arm! Kushida twists the other arm, then brings Akira up. Kushida puts Akira through the corner again to YANK him back into the POST! Akira falls and clutches his arm, but Kushida leaves him behind to go into the ring. The ring count starts but Akira is back up and in very quickly. Akira CHOPS but Kushida kicks low, then scoops to SLAM! The fans rally, Kushida looms over Akira, then he stomps the bad arm!
Kushida drags Akira up, snap suplexes, then looms over Akira again. Kushida stands Akira up to CHOP! Akira CHOPS back! Akira fires a forearm, but Kushida snapmares and steps over to drop a KNEE on the arm! Kushida clamps onto Akira’s arm for a mounted chicken wing but Akira endures. The fans rally, Akira fights up, but Kushida wrangles him back down. Akira fights up, fires forearms, and runs, only for Kushida to SHOTEI! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Akira stays in this, but Kushida brings him up to ELBOW him in the head. Kushida wrangles Akira again, and has the short arm scissors! Akira endures as Kushida puts on the pressure!
Akira fights around, but Kushida powers him down to keep on the arm scissors! Akira fights around, manages to stack Kushida, TWO! Kushida lets Akira go and the fans rally up. Kushida stalks Akira to the ropes, then wrenches the arm. Kushida grinds Akira’s hand against the ropes! The ref reprimands but Akira clutches his arm. Kushida runs to SHOTGUN the elbow! Akira flounders, Kushida goes up the corner, but Akira ROCKS Kushida! Kushida goes to the apron, Akira steps out to join him, but Kushida KICKS the bad arm! Akira fires forearms but Kushida has the wristlock. Akira wrenches Kushida to WRING Kushida into the apron!
The fans rally while Akira shakes out his arm. Akira runs and builds speed to FLY! Down goes Kushida and the fans fire up! Akira roars, the fans cheer, and Akira drags Kushida up and into the ring. Akira tells Fukuoka, “IKU ZO!” The fans rally with Akira and he climbs up the corner. Kushida hurries to HANDSPRING KICK Akira! Akira wobbles up top and Kushida climbs up after him! Akira fires forearms but Kushida has the HOVERBOARD! The ref reprimands, but Akira fires body shots! Akira HEADBUTTS Kushida and Kushida drops back. Akira CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Akira whips, Kushida reverses, but Akira wheelbarrows!
Akira victory rolls to STOMP 182! The fans cheer and Akira covers, TWO! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Kushida toughs it out and Akira grows frustrated but the fans rally up. They cheer on “A! KI-RA!” and he brings Kushida up. Akira wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER, then goes again! ELBOW BREAKER! Akira wants another, but Kushida wrenches, so Akira rolls him up! TWO, Akira swings but Kushida ducks it! Kushida spins Akira to ROLLING ELBOW! Akira SUPERKICKS! Kushida winds up, but Akira LARIATS first! The fans fire up with Akira, but then Kushida cradles, deadlifts, and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! But Kushida can’t make the cover!
The fans rally while both men stir. Kushida rises and he goes for Akira. Akira grabs at Kushida, as well, and Kushida throws a forearm. Akira fires back! Kushida fires another, so Akira fires back! The fans rally while both men huff ‘n’ puff. Akira blocks the forearm to CLUB the arm! Akira fires a flurry, then eggs Kushida on! Kushida ROCKS Akira, then PENALTY KICKS the arm! Kushida runs, tilt-o-whirl, but Akira fights off the Hoverboard! Clinch and SPEEDFIRE!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans rally for Akira. Akira crawls to the corner, crowns up and NOVA- NO, Kushida ducks the fireball to SLIDE KICK!
Kushida SLIDE KICKS again, and again! Kushida whips, Akira reverses, but Kushida handsprings, into the reverse clinch! GROUND TARANTULA, but Kushida turns things over to a backslide! TWO!!! Akira escapes, but Kushida wrenches him and spins him for another backslide! Akira rolls through to SUPERKICK! Akira roars, the fans fire up with him, and NOVA- BODY SCISSOR TAKEDOWN! HOVERBOARD!! Akira is caught and Kushida cranks on that bad arm! Akira powers up to slip free of the body scissors! Akira shifts and finds the angle, GROUND TARANTULA!! Kushida endures, Akira PULLS on the arm, KUSHIDA TAPS! AKIRA WINS!!
Winner: Francesco Akira, by submission (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)
The Time Splitter could not put out the fire, and Akira still has life! But will this be enough for Akira to be a finalist? Or will he be extinguished by another’s victory?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Way of the Grandmaster fell in the main event of last round, but he still has a chance to be in the finals! Will he stay alive just a little longer? Or will the Heel Master pour some whiskey on Wato’s dreams?
Well, to start, Kanemaru attacks during Wato’s entrance! The fans boo as Kanemaru kicks and CLUBS Wato! Kanemaru POSTS Wato, Wato falls over, and Kanemaru stomps him down! The ref reprimands but Kanemaru tells him to shut up. Kanemaru leaves Wato behind and wants the ring count. The ref has the bell ring first, and now a ring count can start. Wato rises at 3 of 20, is on the apron, but Kanemaru runs up. Wato RAMS Kanemaru, takes aim, but Kanemaru shoves the ref into Wato! Wato falls, as does the ref, and the fans boo as Kanemaru goes out after Wato! Kanemaru POSTS Wato again!
Kanemaru brings out chairs, puts on one Wato’s leg, then SLAMS the other chair on top of it! Not quite a Con-Chair-To but it gets the job done. Kanemaru SMASHES Wato’s knee on the floor, then goes back to the ring. The ref reprimands but Kanemaru lets Wato writhe. Wato clutches his knee while the ring count starts again. Wato crawls but he’s still down at 10 of 20. Wato reaches for the apron at 15, stands at 17, but manages to jump in at 19! Kanemaru YANKS the bad leg, stomps away on Wato, then stands him up. Kanemaru whips, but Wato can’t even run! The ref checks Wato but Kanemaru is right on those legs!
Kanemaru chuckles as he holds Wato open, but then he gives the ref one leg so Kanemaru can split the wishbone! Wato flounders, stands, and Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs out! Kanemaru then grabs a leg to YANK it! Kanemaru stomps Wato more, taunts him, then drags him back up. Kanemaru has the leg for the SHIN BREAKER! And then he turns Wato over, HALF CRAB! Wato endures and the fans rally while Kanemaru sits deep! Kanemaru pulls on the leg, but Wato scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Kanemaru won’t let go! The ref counts, Kanemaru finally lets go at 4, and he drags Wato right back up.
Kanemaru whips, but Wato still can’t run that well! Wato tumbles to the apron, then slips to the floor. Kanemaru goes right after Wato to SMASH the knee on the floor! The fans rally for Wato while he writhes but Kanemaru leaves him behind. The ref checks with Wato but Wato won’t let this stop him. The ring counts as Kanemaru waits on Wato. Wato is still down at 10 of 20, just like last time. Wato slowly rises and stands at 16. Wato rolls in at 17 and the fans cheer, but Kanemaru grabs the legs for a FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures, the fans rally, but Kanemaru puts on the pressure! Wato flails, reaches out, and he drags Kanemaru along! ROPEBREAK!!
The fans cheer and Kanemaru makes the ref help him undo the hold. Wato grits his teeth and clutches his leg but the fans still rally behind him. Kanemaru stomps Wato, stomps the leg, then kicks him around. Wato stands to CHOP! And CHOP! Kanemaru KICKS the leg! Kanemaru whips Wato but Wato again falls! The leg is in bad shape but Wato refuses to give up. Wato stands, Kanemaru runs up, but Wato ELBOWS him! And BULLDOGS! The fans fire up as Wato powers through the pain! Wato crawls over to Kanemaru and fires up! The fans rally again and Wato wrenches Kanemaru. Kanemaru fights the Recientemente and goes after that leg!
Kanemaru runs, but Wato blocks the boot to spin and ZIGZAG! The fans fire up, Wato brings Kanemaru up, and Wato wrenches to RECIENTEMENTE! Cover, TWO!! Kanemaru survives but Wato just fires up again! The fans are with him as he waistlocks and TSUTEN- NO, Kanemaru grabs the ref! Kanemaru mule kicks the leg! Then he KICKS the other leg! Then he trips Wato to step through, FIGURE FOUR!! Wato endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, but Kanemaru puts on the pressure! Wato reaches out but he’s so far away! Wato pushes against the main leg, he grabs at the ref, but that won’t save him!
Wait, what is SHO doing here?! The Murder Machine is in B Block, but the House of Torture boys will always help each other cheat! The ref keeps Sho back, but Yujiro Takahashi is also here! Tokyo Pimp slides the whiskey bottle to Kanemaru! Kanemaru CLUBS away on Wato’s leg with that bottle!! The fans boo as Wato can only suffer! Kanemaru puts even more pressure on the hold, and WATO TAPS!! Kanemaru wins!!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by submission (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
Kanemaru’s game plan to go after the legs was working well enough, he didn’t need the House’s help! But perhaps Kanemaru wanted to stoop to these lows in order to win! And now Sho & Yujiro help stomp away on Wato! But here comes Yoh! Direct Drive saves his tag partner and runs off The House! He even gets a chair! Yoh wants them to man up, but that’s not happening. But now, with Hiromu Takahashi having beat Wato and issuing the tag title challenge, and now Kanemaru winning tonight… Could we really be seeing such an odd couple as Timebomb & Heel Master going for the tag titles?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Clark Connors!
One down, two to go. Wato is out of the running after Kanemaru cut him off at the knees, so to speak. Will the Japanese Young Punk fight his way into the finals? Or will 100 Proof bring down even the mighty?
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They feel things out, but then Connors KNEES low! Connors CLUBS Fujita, headlocks, but Fujita powers up and out. Connors RUNS Fujita over, the fans are torn, but Connors barks. The fans bark with the War Dog and he runs. Fujita stays low, then bypasses Connors to DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Connors bails out, and Fujita runs. Connors moves aside but Fujita goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK! Fujita sets up, Connors avoids the Asai Moonsault, and Fujita staggers to his feet for the JEEP FLIPPER! Connors tells fans to move so they move! Connors BOWLS Fujita into the chairs! STRIKE!
Connors tells more fans to move, then he drags Fujita up from the chairs. Connors BOWLS Fujita again, not quite a strike but close. Connors picks up the spare by stomping Fujita down. Red Shoes reprimands and wants this in the ring. Connors drags Fujita up and over, but Fujita fires body shots. Connors CLUBS Fujita, then POSTS him! Fujita falls in a heap and the fans rally up. Connors says it is time. He brings out WHEEL-SAN! The fans are torn, Red Shoes reprimands, but Connors shoves him aside! Connors SLAMS Wheel-san onto Fujita’s back! Red Shoes reprimands but Connors brings Wheel-san to the apron.
Connors aims, and he SUPER SLAMS Wheel-san onto Fujita! Fujita writhes and the fans are torn, but Connors throws up the Too Sweet. Robbie Eagles is here via commentary so he checks on his teammate and friend. Fujita is still in this so Connors lets the ring count start. The fans rally and Fujita is still down at 10 of 20. Fujita crawls at 12, rises at 14, but he flounders at 16! The fans rally harder, and Fujita springs in at 19.5! Connors hauls Fujita up to whip him hard into a corner! Fujita falls and Connors covers, TWO! Connors drags Fujita up, whips him hard into another corner, and he lets Fujita fall again.
Fujita writhes, Connors paces, and he stomps Fujita’s back! Connors drags Fujita up, reels him in, and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays in this but Connors stays on him with a knee to the back and a chinlock clamped on! Fujita endures, reaches out, but Connors drags him from the ropes! Connors digs his knee into Fujita’s back, and puts a lot of extra pressure on that chinlock. Fujita still fights his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Connors lets go in frustration. Connors drags Fujita back up to snap suplex again! The fans rally and Connors aims from a corner. BANG and Connors runs in, but Fujita drop toeholds!
Fujita ties the legs up fast and has the Deathlock! Fujita has the chinlock now, but Connors endures! Connors bends Fujita’s fingers, Red Shoes reprimands, and Connors lets go to scramble forward, ROPEBREAK! Fujita undoes the leglock and protests about the fingers, but Connors huffs ‘n’ puffs. Connors brings Fujita up, whips, but Fujita LEG LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Fujita and Connors go to ropes, the fans rally up, and Fujita runs in at the corner. Fujita CHOPS Connors, snapmares, then goes up and out! The fans rally and Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as Connors stays in this, but Fujita shakes his head. Fujita has the legs, he turns Connors over, and he has the BOSTON CRAB! Fujita sits down deep on Connors’ bad back! Connors powers up, reaches out, but Fujita drags him back to have the HALF CRAB! Fujita puts all he has into pulling that leg back, but Connors still crawls forward! Connors fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Fujita lets go, and Connors clutches his back. Fujita drags Connors up and reels him in, but Connors fights the suplex! Fujita powers through, Connors wrenches, but Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs, but Connors SNAP POWERSLAMS!
The fans cheer and rally up while both men are down! Connors rises, brings Fujita around, but Fujita fights off No Chaser! Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Connors fights the lift., Connors switches, lifts, but Fujita throws elbows! Fujita waistlocks, Connors fights the lift, and Connors reaches out! ROPEBREAK! Fujita KICKS the arms, O’Conner Roll and CHAOS- NO, Connors fights free, runs, but Fujita pops him up into the waistlock! Connors fights free again, and LARIATS! But Fujita is right up!? Connors runs in, Fujita dodges, pop up and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Connors stays in this but Fujita roars!
The fans fire up and Fujita vows to end this. Fujita drags Connors up, fisherman and torture rack! But Connors fights free, and he ROCKS Fujita in the back! TROPHY KILLER!! Cover, TWO!! Fujita survives Connors’ old finisher, but Connors drops back and runs in, BLINDSIDE SPEAR!! Connors is targeting Fujita’s back as much as Fujita is Connors’! Connors reloads, runs in again, SPEAR to the front!! Cover, TWO?!?! Fujita survives and the fans fire up! Connors is shocked, but he roars and drags Fujita back up. NO CHASE- NO, Fujita fights free! But Connors blocks the kick, spins him, and TROPHY KILLER BACKBREAKER!!
Fujita writhes, the fans rally, and Connors aims again. Fujita rises, Connors runs up, but Fujita BOOTS him first! Connors comes back, SPEAR meets DOUBLE STOMPS!! Fujita then clamps on the Deathlock! He has the arms, NEMOS SPECIAL!!! Connors endures but Fujita bends him back!! Connors flails, but he TAPS! Fujita wins!!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by submission (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, they don’t give up, and perhaps, they are still in this race! Will the Japanese Young Punk fight until the very end? Or will was this the last win he’ll get in BOSJ 32?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Robbie X!
It is apropos that the most decorated man, the FOUR-TIME BOSJ winner, is in the main event of the ninth and final round. If he wins, he moves on to potentially grabbing number five! But if he loses, it will be Kosei Fujita’s time to shine. Will Robbie take Hiromu to the X-treme? Or will the Ticking Timebomb still have time on the clock?
The bell rings and the fans rally for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Robbie shrugs that off as he and Hiromu circle. They run up and DOUBLE LARIAT! They stay up, and Robbie ducks Hiromu’s elbow. Hiromu dodges in return and headlocks, only for Robbie to power up and out. Hiromu RUNS Robbie over, Robbie kips up, but Hiromu CHOPS him down! Robbie kips up again, kicks low, then runs, but Hiromu DROPKICKS the legs! Hiromu whips, Robbie reverses, but Hiromu still dropkicks the legs out! Robbie bails out, Hiromu fires the fans up, but then Hiromu waits as Robbie hobbles around. Hiromu goes out, Robbie slides in, then Robbie HANDSPRING KICKS!
The fans rally as Hiromu is on the floor, and Robbie PLANCHAS! Down goes Hiromu and the fans cheer. Robbie takes a fan’s Hiromu pillow, rubs it in Hiromu’s face, then SMACKS him with it! Robbie then tells fans to move as he fetches Hiromu. Fans rally for Hiromu but Robbie BOWLS Hiromu into chairs! The fans are torn as Robbie hits the strike, but Robbie also flips off the Hiromu fans. Robbie stomps Hiromu, then grabs a fan’s Hiromu towel to CHOKE Hiromu with it! Robbie throws it back at the fan, and in a way that towel is more valuable because it touched Hiromu. Robbie then drags Hiromu up to bring him to another section!
The fans hurry away, Robbie whips, but Hiromu reverses to BOWL Robbie into chairs! The fans fire up as Hiromu gets even with Robbie! Hiromu storms over to bring Robbie up, and CHOP! The fans cheer and Hiromu CHPOS Robbie again! They go through the crowd, and Robbie CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes! Robbie CHOPS Hiromu, laughs at him and the fans, then brings Hiromu back to ringside. Robbie ROCKS Hiromu, and then he takes chairs from the crowd! Robbie refreshes the count before he makes Hiromu take a swat. Robbie CHOPS Hiromu, sets the other chair up nearby, and he tells the fans he’s gonna end Hiromu!
Robbie runs, uses the chair to launch himself, CANNONBALL! Direct hit and Robbie says, “I’m a replacement, huh?” Robbie knows he filled Bushi’s spot when Bushi exited from NJPW, but he isn’t going to let that label him! Robbie puts Hiromu in the ring, then he stomps Hiromu. Robbie drops an elbow on Hiromu’s arm, then wrings it to stomp it! The fans rally while Hiromu writhes, but Robbie clamps on a chinlock. Hiromu endures the grind, fights up, but Robbie wrangles him to the mat. Hiromu kicks around and finds the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Robbie lets go, but then Robbie KICKS Hiromu in the back.
Robbie eggs Hiromu on but Hiromu rises up. Robbie ROCKS Hiromu then eggs him on. Robbie CLAWS Hiromu’s back, but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Robbie ROCKS Hiromu, runs, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! Robbie stands, hobbles, but makes it to Hiromu to fire forearms. Robbie whips, Hiromu reverses, then he blows past to RANA Robbie! Robbie staggers to a corner, Hiromu goes to the opposite end, then Hiromu runs in! LARIAT, snapmare, and basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Robbie bails out. Hiromu goes to the apron, lines up a shot, and SHOTGUN DROPKICKS!
The fans fire up as Hiromu rises, and he goes for Robbie. Hiromu puts Robbie in, covers, TWO! Robbie shakes his head, he’s tougher than that, but Hiromu stays close. Hiromu brings Robbie up, fireman’s carries, but Robbie fights it. Hiromu throws Robbie into the dragon sleeper, Robbie spins around, but Hiromu still suplexes. Robbie knees Hiromu, then Robbie suplexes to hang Hiromu out to dry! Robbie then goes to the corner, climbs up, and GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS! Robbie hobbles his way back to the cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Hiromu stays in this! Robbie hobbles around, shakes out the legs, and goes back for Hiromu.
Robbie drags Hiromu up, reels him in, but Hiromu fights the lift! Hiromu wrenches out but Robbie CHOPS first! Robbie runs in, LARIATS, then puts a leg in ropes! Robbie KICKS the rope, then he SPIN KICKS! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives and the fans rally up again. Robbie vows to end this, but Hiromu anchors a leg! Robbie stomps Hiromu, stomps him some more, then goes up the corner. The fans rally for Hiromu, and Hiromu rises to CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS Robbie again, then climbs up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, SUPER TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO!!! Robbie survives and the fans fire up!
Hiromu is frustrated but he rises up using the ropes. The fans rally and Hiromu has Robbie again! Fireman’s carry, and CORNER DEATH VALLEY! The fans fire up with Hiromu and he fireman’s carries again! TIMEBOMB- NO, Robbie sunset flips and stacks! TWO!! Robbie runs up, Hiromu BOOTS him, and Hiromu goes up! Robbie PELES and Hiromu falls! Robbie roars, rises, and climbs, X EX- NO, Hiromu dodges! Robbie comes back, but into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX into the corner! The fans fire up while both men are down! Red Shoes checks both men, they’re both able to continue, and the fans rally back up.
Hiromu crawls away and the fans chant for him. Robbie stirs, Hiromu heads back for him, and Hiromu stands Robbie up. Hiromu fires a forearm, Robbie staggers away to ropes, but Robbie comes back. Robbie fires a forearm, but Hiromu fires another. Robbie fires a forearm, Hiromu fires a forearm, and Robbie fires another! Both men wobble, but they rise up, and Hiromu fires a flurry! Robbie drops to his knees, but he flips Hiromu off! Hiromu grins, and he bends that finger! Hiromu CHOPS Robbie, then reels him in for VICTORY- NO, Robbie slips free of the suplex, waistlocks, but Hiromu fights the suplex!
Hiromu switches but Robbie runs and handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! But Robbie’s right back up!? Robbie roars, runs up, and he slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hiromu is right back up! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, both men drop to their knees, but they go forehead to forehead! They stand, Robbie ducks a kick to SUPERKICK! Hiromu SUPERKICKS anyway! Robbie says F U and hits a PELE! Robbie runs, handsprings, but into a BACKSTABBER! Robbie writhes, Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Robbie survives and the fans fire up again! Hiromu feeds off the energy and he storms over to Robbie.
Hiromu drags Robbie up, fireman’s carries, and TIMEBOMB 1.5!! But that’s not all! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Robbie bends Hiromu’s fingers! And then he BITES them! Red Shoes reprimands, Hiromu takes a swing, but Robbie dodges! Handspring, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Robbie says F Hiromu! Another LETHAL INJECTION X!!! And now he goes up the corner! X EXPRESS!!! Cover, ROBBIE WINS!?!
Winner: Robbie X, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
So what if he was the underdog? So what if he’s last place? So what if he replaced Bushi in the block? Robbie X just beat the most decorated Super Junior alive today! And that means the winner of A Block is KOSEI FUJITA! Hiromu is furious, but Fujita walks back out here to have the spotlight! Fujita and Hiromu cross paths, and Hiromu pats Fujita on the shoulder as he exits. Fujita goes to the ring, and Robbie invites him in given Robbie won the main event. Robbie tells Fujita to get this in his little brain: Robbie beat Fujita, he beat Hiromu, so… If Fujita wins this whole thing and beats El Desperado, do what is right!
Robbie wants the first championship match with Fujita! The fans like that, and Fujita nods in agreement. Robbie leaves, will Mr. X have his chance at gold? As for Fujita, he grabs the mic to say, “Sorry to those of you who may have wanted to hear more from Robbie X. But if I’m in the position of naming challengers, then I will give him the first title shot.” The fans applaud, and Fujita continues on. “I won this A Block.” The fans applaud that, too, and Fujita says he’ll take “all the hope, hate and then I’ll win. That’s all!” The Japanese Young Punk keeps it short and sweet, but will the Ichiban Sweet Boy become the Best of the Super Juniors?
Here are the FINAL A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 5-4, 10 points [FINALIST]
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Master Wato: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Francesco Akira: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Clark Connors: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Ninja Mack: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Dragon Dia: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Robbie X: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
An awesome start to the ninth round, and it is always fun to have these final playoff scenarios sort out. Mack VS Dia was great, even for not affecting anything, and I really do hope these two guys become the next big thing. I figured Kanemaru would screw Wato over with help from Sho & Yujiro, and this definitely feeds into the tag title story that involves Hiromu. Fujita overcoming Connors and Robbie X getting the upset on Hiromu was all awesome stuff, and I like the gentlemen’s agreement that Robbie will be the lineal contender should Fujita win the title. B Block is going to be awesome, I’m sure, and there are all sorts of great choices for Fujita’s opponent.
My Score: 9.1/10
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Will the revolution still be televised?
After weeks of going back and forth, Ricky Saints and Ethan Page once again fight over the NXT North American Championship to settle the score!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship: Ricky Saints VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
- Mike Santana VS Tavion Heights w/ No Quarter Catch Crew; Santana wins.
- Tatum Paxley VS Jaida Parker; Jaida wins.
- Jasper Troy VS Dante Chen; Troy wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence; Jacy wins and becomes the new NXT Women’s Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship: Ricky Saints VS Ethan Page!
As if the last few weeks weren’t enough, The Absolute and All Ego had a confrontation in Tampa during Battleground! Now it is their time to shine and set the tone, but who will finally put this one to bed?
The introductions are made, but the hands start flying! Security rushes in already but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” The ref tells Mike Rome to say that no matter what, this match is starting right now! The bell rings, security clears out, and the hands fly again! Ethan headlocks, Ricky sends him into a corner, then Ricky hits a headlock takeover! Ethan kicks around, Ricky holds on, but Ethan pops free. Ricky hits another headlock takeover! Ethan fights up to hit a BIG back suplex! Ricky holds onto the headlock! The fans cheer on “Ricky! STROKES!” as Ethan keeps fighting.
Ethan headscissors, Ricky kips free, but now Ethan hits the takeover. Ricky endures as Ethan grinds the hold. The fans rally, Ricky powers Ethan to a corner, but Ethan turns it around. The ref counts, Ethan fires body shots, and the fans boo. Ethan stalks Ricky to another corner, then fires body shots. Ricky ELBOWS Ethan, BOOTS him, then blocks a kick to kick again. Ricky reels Ethan in but Ethan BACKDROPS free! Ricky staggers up, Ethan reels him in, Canadian Rack, but Ricky makes it to the apron! Ricky drags Ethan out of the ring, KICKS him from the apron, and then hops down to bring Ethan around.
Ethan blocks a whip to then whip Ricky into steel steps! The fans boo harder but Ethan scowls as he stands up. Ethan locks eyes on a chair and he picks it up. Security tells him no, and Ethan says alright. Other security keeps Ricky from rushing Ethan, and now Ava Raine is here! She gives special instructions, fans hope it is “NO D Q! NO D Q!” The ref tells security to “Let Them Fight!” The fans fire up as Ethan and Ricky are set loose! Ethan whips Ricky, Ricky slips through the corner, and he comes back to CLOBBER Ethan! Ricky stomps away on Ethan, the fans fire up, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Ricky snarls and looms over Ethan before dragging him up. Ricky SMACKS Ethan off the apron, off steel steps, then kicks him around. Ricky puts Ethan in the ring, stalks him, and runs to ELBOW DROP! Ethan sputters but Ricky is right on him. Ricky bumps Ethan off buckles, CHOPS him, and checks his ears for ringing after that one. Ethan flops down, Ricky poses, and then grins as he drags Ethan up. But Ethan YANKS Ricky into buckles! Ethan stands Ricky up to CHOP and ROCK, and then CLUB him on the back. Ethan CHOPS Ricky in a corner and Ricky staggers away. Ethan is on him in another corner, whips corner to corner
But Ricky comes back to CLOBBER Ethan! Cover, TWO! Ethan stays in this but Ricky stays on him. Ricky ROCKS Ethan and Ethan tumbles out of the ring. Ricky storms outside, stalks Ethan, and stands him up against barriers. Ricky fires body shots, then dumps him over barriers! The fans rally as Ricky goes up and brawls with Ethan! The ref has reinforcements and they tell these two to go back to the ring. Ethan and Ricky keep throwing hands, NXT returns to single picture, and fans boo as security drags these two back to ringside. Etahn and Ricky fight off security! Ricky SPEARS Ethan over the desk!!
The fans go nuts as Corey, Vic & Booker are almost collateral! Ricky and Ethan rise up, tangled in cords, and they still brawl! Security does what they can to usher these two back to the ring, and the ref says they gotta do this in the ring! Ricky and Ethan let off, but then Ethan CUTTERS Ricky onto a chair!! The chair explodes, and everyone is losing their minds! Ricky gasps and sputters, the fans boo, and Ethan leaves Ricky behind. Is Ricky even able to speak, let alone continue this match? The ref checks Ricky, Ricky shakes his head, but is that to say no, he’s not okay? Or that no, he won’t let Ethan win like this?
The fans rally as hard as they can for Ricky while he crawls and sputters. Ricky’s fighting spirit is strong, but Ethan has him for a Canadian Rack! EGO’S EDGE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ricky survives and Ethan is pissed! Ethan rains down fists while the fans boo. The ref counts as Ethan pulls hair, and Ethan stops at 4. This isn’t No DQ, Ethan still has to follow the ref’s orders. Ethan drags Ricky up, grins, but Ricky RAMS him into a corner! Ricky fires body shots and haymakers! The ref counts, Ricky steps back, but Ethan throat chops! The fans boo as Ricky again coughs and sputters. Ethan storms up on Ricky, throws hands, then eggs Ricky on.
The fans rally for Ricky as he rises up. Ricky throws a forearm, but there’s not much behind it. Ethan hits back, Ricky fires another shot, and they start picking up speed! The fans cheer, but Ethan fires a flurry! Ricky blocks the next shot to ROCK Ethan! But Ethan SUPERKICKS back! RIPCORD and POWER- DDT!! Ricky turns the tables and both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Ricky still has life! Ricky and Ethan slowly rise, Ethan runs up, but Ricky LARIATS! And LARIATS! Ricky dodges to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Then he wrenches Ethan, dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives but Ricky skips being frustrated to catch his breath.
The fans rally, Ricky runs, but Ethan dodges. Ricky dodges, but Ethan LARIATS Ricky inside-out!! Cover, TWO!! Ricky survives and Ethan seethes. Ethan lifts Ricky, Ricky fights free, and Ricky shoves to ROCK Ethan! Ricky reels Ethan in, he Canadian Racks, but Ethan slips free to the apron! Ethan and Ricky grab at each other, the ref counts, and Ethan HOTSHOTS Ricky! Ricky sputters, Ethan is on him, TWISTED GRIN!!! Cover, ETHAN WINS!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)
No one can believe it, but this Ego Maniac has gold again. Ethan joins the exclusive elite who have had both the NXT Championship & NXT North American Championship in their careers, but this win comes with strings attached. Ethan must defend this title at Worlds Collide on June 7th, who will it be that steps to Ethan in LA?
Backstage interview with The Fatal Influence.
Sarah Schreiber is with Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & the returning Jazmyn Nyx. The arguing at Battleground between Fallon and Jacy opened the way to opportunity as now Jacy is facing Stephanie Vaquer for the NXT Women’s Championship in tonight’s main event. Jacy says, “We said we would get it done, that we would get an NXT Women’s Championship match. We just didn’t say how we were gonna get it done. And clearly, all it took was me smacking the taste out of Stephanie’s mouth to get it.” Fallon says personally, it should’ve been her competing, because the last time Jacy stepped in the ring with Stephanie, she lost.
Jacy smiles and says that tonight, she brings gold back to the Fatal Influence since Fallon failed against who? Oh, right, Stephanie! But if Fallon wants to be in Jacy’s corner, fine. If not, also fine. Jacy heads out, Jazmyn is already back in the middle of the squabbling, but will NXT once again be under the Influence? Or will the Toxic Rockstar have a meltdown against La Primera?
Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura are backstage.
The Bullhead Brawler goes over how it was just chair shot after chair shot at Battleground. But didn’t Inamura go back to Japan? He did, but then he came back to NXT for Briggs. Well, that’s such a great surprise. And he has Inamura’s vest! Inamura thanks Briggs, and says he couldn’t leave Briggs like that. There are still things to accomplish. Yes, like becoming NXT Tag Team Champions. Inamura agrees there, and more. Oh, got it! They take out The Culling and set their sights on the tag titles! Yes, and… even bigger! Briggs is intrigued, and says, “Hell yeah.” Could we see Briggs & Inamura start on a Two Man Power Trip?
Mike Santana VS Tavion Heights w/ No Quarter Catch Crew!
The Standard of TNA has fought hard for 16 years just for a moment like this. Will the Boricua Badass bring that Total Non-Stop Action and make an impact on NXT? Or will Tavion use The Standard to reach new heights in his own career?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “BORICUA! BORICUA!” Santana and Tavion circle, tie up, and go around. Tavion waistlocks, SLAMS Santana, then holds on as Santana fights up. Tavion SLAMS Santana again, but Santana fights up. Santana switches, wrenches, but Tavion slips through to wrench and wristlock. Santana rolls, handsprings, and wrenches to headlock. Tavion powers up and powers Santana to ropes. Tavion then powers out, and the two RAM shoulders! The fans fire up as Tavion and Santana egg each other on. Santana runs, Tavion hurdles, but Santana shoves Tavion to hurdle. Tavion rolls over but Santana SHOTGUNS!
The fans fire up while Tavion goes to the corner. Santana runs up, is put on the apron, but Santana ROCKS Tavion! And RAMS him, and slingshots. Santana stumbles, but he still springboards to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up, Santana brings Tavion up, but Tavion SAYANAGIS! Santana stumbles up, Tavion runs in, but Santana DUMPS Tavion out! Santana builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Tavion! Santana stands and the fans are fired up while NXT goes picture in picture.
Santana revels in the cheers, and he brings Tavion up. Santana puts Tavion in the ring, goes to a corner, and he runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT! Tavion wrenches and hits an atomic FACEBUSTER! Then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Santana is annoyed but he stalks Tavion. Santana drags Tavion up, reels him in, but Tavion blocks the suplex. Tavion suplexes, and he holds Santana up, only for Santana to slip free! Santana waistlocks, Tavion switches, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Tavion keeps Santana down with a waistlock and makes it a rear bearhug! Tavion shifts to a cover, TWO! Tavion HAMMERS away on Santana, covers again, TWO!
Santana shows the grit that’s carried him through these 16 years, but Tavion is on him again. Santana snap suplexes first! That’s Uno Amigo and Santana hits another, Dos Amigos! Then THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Tavion is still in this but Santana stays cool. Santana stands Tavion up, they throw hands, but Santana RAMS low! Santana snapmares Tavion, basement DROPKICKS, then covers, TWO! Tavion stays in this, showing the toughness that made him an accomplished Olympian, but Santana brings him up. Tavion fires body shots, hoists Santana up, and RAMS him into the corner! And RAMS him again, and again!
Santana kicks back, then CHOPS! Tavion goes to a corner, Santana storms up to CHOP again! Santana stands Tavion back up, but Tavion dodges the chop! Tavion CHOPS Santana, then swings again. Santana dodges, he CHOPS, and then brings Tavion around. NXT returns to single picture as Santana whips, but Tavion stops himself! Tavion then changes direction to CLOBBER Santana! The fans rally up, Tavion fires forearms, then he whips and LARIATS at the ropes! Santana coughs, Tavion whips, and he LARIATS against ropes again! Wren & Charlie cheer Tavion on but Santana whips, drops down, and jumps, but Tavion grabs the legs!
Santana kicks free, Tavion comes back, roll into the fireman’s carry! The fans fire up for the- NO, Santana sunset flips it! TWO, Tavion is up, but Santana goes for a leg! Tavion GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Cover, TWO! Santana stays in this but Tavion stays on him with a chinlock. The fans rally up as Santana endures. Santana rises, throws body shots, but Tavion CLUBS Santana. Santana goes to a corner, BOOTS in return, but Tavion comes back. Santana ELBOWS Tavion, Tavion HEADBUTTS! Tavion whips, Santana reverses, and Santana CHOPS! The fans are loving that one! Santana whips, Tavion reverses, but Santana goes up and over!
Santana blocks a kick and ENZIGIRIS! Santana runs, slips around, and he shoves Tavion. Tavion goes up and over, but Santana reverse somersaults to CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Tavion survives that “Buck Fifty” and Santana is shocked, but “This is Awesome!” Santana brings Tavion up, fireman’s carries, but Tavion slips free and shoves again, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Then a SLINGBLADE! Tavion fires up, waits on Santana, and he fireman’s carries. DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Santana survives but Tavion nods. Tavion waits on Santana to rise up and the fans rally. Santana stands, Tavion runs, but Santana SUPERKICKS!
Santana whips, Tavion reverses, but Santana turns that back. Tavion bucks the O’Conner, Santana gets moving again, and Santana catches Tavion’s hurdle into a fireman’s carry! CHALK OUTLINE! Then Santana SPINS THE BLOCK!! Cover, Santana wins!
Winner: Mike Santana, by pinfall
Santana kept it 100 and he got the big win! The fans respect Santana, and Santana shows respect to Tavion. Dempsey isn’t so sure about this, but will he just have to get in the ring with Santana to learn what he’s all about?
The High Ryze speaks.
Wes Lee says, “Now y’all know I’ve been a part of something before. Brothers all connected, chasing the same dream, but… Is it possible for that connection to last if the dream’s changed? Not for long. See, the truth is, you can really only trust in yourself. That is, until something real comes along. Tyson Dupont, Tyriek Igwe, brute force and brilliant minds that mirror my conventions.” Tyson says they ain’t chasing greatness, they’re building it brick by brick. Tyriek says everyone wants to live the lifestyle, but the only way you get there is with loyalty. Not to a brand, but to a bond.
Wes says that is how you shatter the glass ceiling. Not by selling out but by buying in, and holding it down with the ones that stand with you. They didn’t fit the mold, so they made their own. And so long as they do that and stay true to the cause, there will only be one outcome: they rise. Will Wes and his new crew soon stand tall over NXT, Evolve, and ALL of the WWE?
Andre Chase speaks with Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon.
Mr. Chase tells his students to stop being overzealous. They’re demanding matches, jumping into action without a plan, and that’s how they got beat up by OTM. Kale says that sucked. Chase agrees. They need to when to seize the moment, but also when to fall back. They need to know when to take risks, but when- Uriah says, “So what you’re saying is that we need to take more risks.” Kale says they can definitely do that. No, that’s not- But Kale & Uriah spot Ava. They want to talk, she says she has a minute so get to it. Mr. Chase wants the boys to take risks and seize the moment, so they wanna do just that!
Ava says okay, she was just looking over the card for next week, and there is still a spot open. They can be in action against… Dark State. Uh oh. D-Dark State? But that’s four of them and two of Chase U… Well, no, it’ll be a Six Man Tag. Take those risks and have fun! Mr. Chase can’t believe what he just got dragged into… Kale says at least they all get to team up. Chase says they’re not a team! What will it take for Mr. Chase to reach these kids?
Luca Crusifino finds Tony D’Angelo backstage.
The Consigliere starts to ask about Battleground, but The Don tells him to sit down. Luca sits at the table, and Tony says we all thought Stacks clipped Luca in the desert. Then Luca shows up in Tampa like he was on vacation, and he just stares Tony down. Luca says he had no idea what to do. Tony doesn’t wanna hear excuses, but Luca says on his mother’s eyes, Stacks drove Luca further out into that desert and just left him there. Luca was just as shocked. Oh, just left him, huh? Then why didn’t he reach out? Well, Rizzo was in hiding, Stacks attacks Tony at the safehouse, and if Luca reached out, he might’ve put them all at risk.
Tony sighs, thinks on it, and says this still doesn’t smell right. Luca says Rizzo’s number was disconnected. After seeing everything going on, Luca had to come back. Tony says okay, so Luca comes back at Battleground, but he costs Tony the match? That was not Luca’s intent! Then what was? No, save it. Tony doesn’t know who to trust right now. Luca says he can be trusted. Is that true? Or is there more than meets the eye to this?
Trick Williams is here!
The fans fire up for the NEW TNA World Champion, and they chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK! WHOOP DAT TRICK!” Trick struts to the ring and grabs the mic to cut his music. “Reporting to you live, the sexiest and most entertaining superstar alive, Hollywood Trick has finally arrived!” Trick says he is making history this time! The fans chant “TRICK N A!” Trick says for the first time ever, and NXT superstar is holding the TNA gold! But add to that: TWO-TIME NXT Champion, ONE-TIME North American Champion, Iron Survivor Winner, let’s talk about it! Nah, forget that! Don’t you start clapping now!
If memory serves, a lot of the ones clapping were also waving their hands from side to side and playing singalong with #AverageJoe! If you were in that, he has one thing to say to you: “Don’t you feel stupid?” The fans are torn, but Trick grins as the “Average Joe!” chant starts. And speaking of average and stupid, why is everyone trying to figure out where’s the line between NXT and TNA? TNA and NXT? DAMMIT, don’t you cross Trick Williams cuz he IS the line! The fans chant “He’s The Line!” Trick says since NXT didn’t appreciate him like they should, he gonna go to TNA, wear this gold nice and proud. It look good, don’t it?
Check who else held this gold before: Kurt Angle; Drew McIntyre; Bully Ray Dudley; AJ Styles! But none of them compare to Trick Williams! Especially not Joe Hendry. So here’s how it goes: He is turning his back on the people cuz they turned their back on him. Yes, you did! You sang along! He remembers! Trick is gonna go to TNA, talk to management, all them who work for Trick now, and they gonna make some changes. Starting with the name! IT is now… TRICK’N A! But wait! Santana makes his way out here! The Standard says, “Big Trick Willy, huh?! The main man on the block, right?” Trick says let’s talk about it.
Santana says hey, he personally wanted to come out here and give him props for Sunday. Trick says he’ll say this. Santana just made his first mistake by interrupting his champion. Oh, first and foremost, let’s get this straight: Trick is NOT Santana’s champion. Second, Trick made a terrible first impression by coming out here as TNA’s champion and trying to tear down TNA. But guess what? TNA been killin’ the game! TNA been gainin’ momentum day after day! And the last thing that Santana is gonna do is sit back and as the man that carries the flag and watch someone else tear it down after what Santana and that TNA locker room have done to build it up!
The fans cheer, and Santana tells Trick, that ain’t happening. Trick tells Santana that obviously, he doesn’t get how things work. But that’s because Santana has never been THE TNA World Champion. So he’ll help Santana out. When you ARE the top champion of your brand, once you have carried that weight, only then can you call the shots! Santana says Trick makes him laugh. But guess what? People like Trick also piss Santana off. Let’s remind Trick, as he obviously needs a refresher… Santana is a loud ‘n’ proud Boricua from the Bronx, baby! The fans cheer that! Santana has seen guys like Trick come and go.
But let Santana be the one to tell Trick, he’s a pretender! Trick is a pretend fighter, a pretend rapper, what with those heels and tight pants. And after last Sunday at Battleground, Trick is a pretend champion! But Santana will tell Trick that Santana is the illest and realest! Trick ain’t ever dealt with someone like him! But to spit facts, Santana will be the man to take that TNA World Championship off Trick! Trick says let’s be real. Santana can keep popping off, but Trick will take off his pepper steppers and beat Santana’s ass! But wait, is that Santino Morella on the tron? He wants everyone to just take it easy, he sees it is getting heated.
And Santana will say this, “Tricky Williams,” congratulations on the victory. But as TNA Director of Authority, he wants Trick to know that he will be a fighting champion. Santino already spoke with Ava, and next week, Trick defends that title against Mike Santana! The fans are fired up already! Trick’s first defense is coming up fast, and Santana offers a handshake. Trick leaves him hanging, but then takes a swing! Santana blocks to throw haymakers! Then he THROWS Trick! The fans fire up as The Standard locks eyes on the belt. Trick says don’t do it, but Santana holds the belt up high! Will Trick’s first defense also be his last?
Ava talks with Stephanie Vaquer.
The NXT General Manager knows La Primera asked for this match tonight, but Ava has to address the rest of what happened at Battleground. At Worlds Collide, Vaquer will have a tag match against Dalys & Chika Tormenta. Ava knows that’s a lot on her plate, but Vaquer needs to find a tag partner. Vaquer thanks Ava for the news, and promises to find a partner. But first, she’ll defend her title. Wait, Lola Vice already volunteers! She’ll totally team with Vaquer. Ava says that’s perfect! Good luck out there. Lola says Vaquer doesn’t need luck to handle Jacy. Will Vaquer rock the Toxic Rockstar to then join Lola in LA?
Tatum Paxley VS Jaida Parker!
Loneliness can be soul crushing, and no one’s soul has been crushed more lately than Tatum’s. But will she use the pain she feels as motivation? Or will Miss Parker give her some physical pain to go along with the emotional?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Jaida powers Tatum to the corner, gets up in her face, but the ref counts. Jaida pushes Tatum, talks trash, but Tatum puts Jaida int he corner! Tatum CHOKES Jaida, Jaida shoves her back and RUNS her over. Things keep moving, Tatum hurdles, then rolls back to victory roll Jaida, TWO! Tatum dodges Jaida, underhooks, and BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES! Jaida flounders, Tatum snarls, and Tatum bumps Jaida off buckles! Tatum goes all three levels, but then Jada reverses. Tatum stops herself, but Jaida hits a BACKSTABBER! Tatum flounders away, Jaida runs up and RAMS into her!
The ref counts as Jaida digs her shoulders in. Jaida puts Tatum in the ropes, CHOPS her, then goes side to side for the TEAR DROP! Jaida high steps it while Tatum flounders, and then Jaida storms back up on Tatum. Jaida KICKS Tatum, ELBOW DROPS, then clamps on with the motorcycle stretch. Tatum endures, the fans rally, but Jaida stands on Tatum. Tatum fights up, turns around, but Jaida sits her back down! Jaida steps over to sit on Tatum! Tatum sputters, Jaida brings her up with a dragon sleeper, but Tatum slips free and O’Conner Rolls! TWO, and Jaida runs up. Tatum dodge sin the corner, rolls Jaida up, TWO!
Tatum jumps up to KNEE SMASH! Jaida staggers, Tatum rallies with forearm after forearm! ENZIGIRI! Jaida sputters, Tatum runs up again, CROSSBODY in the corner! Tatum snapmares Jaida, the fans rally, and Tatum runs to ROLLING AX KICK! Jaida staggers around, and Tatum SHOTGUNS her down! Jaida tumbles out, Tatum wants after her, but the ref holds Tatum back. Jaida sees the doll collection and tags the Gigi! She throws that one in, the ref reprimands and Tatum hurries after Gigi. Tatum cries, but the HIP-NOTIC hits!! Cover, Jaida wins!
Winner: Jaida Parker, by pinfall
That was cold blooded! Jaida uses Tatum’s emotions against her, but wait! THEA HAL is on Jaida! The fans cheer, Jaida gets free, but Thea wants the arm! Jaida scrambles away! Thea wants payback for the unwarranted hip attack last week, will she have her vengeance?
Jasper Troy speaks.
“Who is Jasper Troy? There was never doubt that I was going to win LFG. I’m gonna make an impact in NXT, and it starts tonight.” The LFG Season 1 Champion is ready, but who will “welcome” him to NXT?
Jasper Troy VS Dante Chen!
It would seem the Singapore Superhero is stepping up to this iron wall of a man! Will Troy look to destroy all in his way to the top?
The bell rings, the two tie up, and Troy puts Chen right in a corner. The ref counts, Troy brings Chen around to put on the ropes, but the ref counts again. Troy lets off slowly, but Chen whips. Troy blocks, reels Chen in, but Chen slips under to headlock. Troy powers up, Chen holds tight, so Tory lifts him to put on the apron! The ref counts, Chen lets go, but Troy grabs Chen by the neck! Troy runs Chen side to side but Chen avoids hitting the post! Chen bumps Troy off buckles, climbs up, and he leaps, only for Troy to get under. Chen comes back, Troy scoops him, but Chen slips free. Chen shoves Tory, runs up, but into a BACKDROP!
Troy huffs ‘n’ puffs and he runs up to ALRAIT Chen up and out! The fans fire up, Troy goes outside after Chena, and Troy fireman’s carries. SNAKE EYES off the apron! The fans rally, Troy puts Chen in, and Chen scrambles up. Troy clamps on with a chinlock and thrashes him around! Troy then fireman’s carries to HOTSHOT Chen off the ropes! Chen staggers, Troy SPLASHES him in the corner! Troy scoops for a RUNNING BACKBREAKER! Troy bends Chen back against his knee! But Chen fires knees! Troy shoves Chen down, but Chen UP KICKS! And UP KICKS again! Troy shakes that off, comes back, and he whips.
Chen ducks ‘n’ dodges, then BOOTS Troy! Troy snarls, Chen LARIATS, but Troy stays up. Chen fires a forearm, but Troy stays up. Chen fires hands, and an ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up, Chen runs, but Troy picks him up! Chen kicks off ropes to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Chen BOOTS Troy down! Troy staggers, Chen aims, DOUBLE CHOP! Troy rebounds to BODY CHECK!! Troy roars, the fans fire up, BLACK HOLE SLAM!! Cover, Troy wins!
Winner: Jasper Troy, by pinfall
But wait! Here comes Oba Femi! The Ruler still owes the new guy from a few weeks ago! Oba is in the perch and he tells Troy that he was very impressed. But at least Oba has the decency to show Troy the respect he deserves, unlike Troy did with Oba. Oba says he could have easily come into that ring and jumped Troy from behind, then beat him down like a thief. But Oba would not do that. Troy better enjoy his five seconds of fame, because now that he has Oba’s attention, it is over! The NXT Champion puts Troy on notice, when and where will these titans battle it out?
No Quarter Catch Crew regroups backstage.
Myles says Tavion did great representing NXT against Santana. Tavion thanks Myles for that, then Dempsey and Wren walk in. Dempsey is glad that everyone is here. Tavion and Myles looked strong in their matches, the NQCC is proud. But… They also tried to prove themselves as singles wrestlers and failed. Therefore, the only course left is to refocus as a group. Myles asks, “What?” And no, that’s not cuz he’s hard of hearing. Myles isn’t just going to go backwards after a loss to Oba. Myles proved he belongs on the big stage. Wren says yeah, he did! Myles will not retreat to some shell.
Dempsey says Myles isn’t ready for the deep waters. Uh, Myles actually is, Charlie. No, that’s his youth and inexperience talking. Dempsey brought Myles into the NQCC, and if anyone decides- Myles brings up beating Dempsey. Would that prove he’s ready? Dempsey says that isn’t happening. Well then let’s do it! Just like the good ol’ days, right? Myles VS Dempsey, and if Myles wins, Dempsey lets Myles go. Dempsey says fine, but let’s make it a British Rounds match. Deal. The two shake on it, Myles leaves, and Wren asks Dempsey why he has to do this. But will Dempsey keep Myles under his thumb? Or will Myles use Dempsey’s favorite match against him?
Ethan Page is back in the ring…?
“Ladies and gentlemen, standing before you is arguably the greatest North American to hold the North American Championship, and I ain’t waiting to celebrate! We are celebrating TONIGHT!” The fans boo but wait! Je’Von Evans is here! “Dang, you turnin’ up and didn’t invite me, bro? We got history! I’m still waiting on you to pay for my jaw injury, but congratulations, bro. I can’t think of nobody more underserving to win the NXT North American Championship! Like, if we gonna be deadass, last week, when you poured off on me during the Triple Threat, that cost me. And I couldn’t live with that.
“So, earlier tonight, after you won, I was talking with Ava, and since we have this big showcase with WWE and AAA called Worlds Collide, you, champ, will be defending that precious NXT North American Championship at Worlds Collide against ME, the Young OG!” Ethan says no, no, no, hold on! Je’Von does not DESERVE a shot at Ethan! He deserves to put on a mask, even though he’s not a luchador! Right, right, Worlds Collide isn’t just WWE and NXT, Ethan’s got a lot of people gunning for him. But everybody in NXT knows dat boi BOUNCY~! But… Brother here has hops, too. Wait, LAREDO KID is here!
The fans cheer as AAA’s rising star comes in from the crowd, and he thanks Je’Von for the intro. Laredo Kid says, “Let me introduce myself. I am Laredo Kid, the most complete luchador you will ever see. I have won championships from TNA to AAA, and now… I come for the North American Championship match!” Ethan says hold on, hold on, is this a Triple Threat now? NO! Ethan says tonight is his celebration, and he won’t let these two ruin his night! Je’Von sarcastically says, “Oh~ no~! I forgot, I forgot, my bad. You still going against one more person” What?! REY FENIX?!?
The fans fire up as the Firebird says it is good to be here in NXT! The fans sure love the idea! And Fenix says this passion, this spirit, everyone has been telling Fenix about it! And Ethan may have just won that title, but unfortunately for him, on Saturday, June 7th, he’s gonna lose it! The fans cheer that! Fenix says at Worlds Collide, it will be a FATAL 4 WAY for that NXT North American Championship! And Fenix hopes Ethan will be ready, because on that night, Fenix brings the fire, and he will burn Ethan up! ANIMO!! This is going to be a hot match to kick off the Summer! Will All Ego even stand a chance?
Ava, Stevie Turner & Robert Stone talk backstage.
Suit Man Stone says this is wild! Ethan’s got his hands full for Worlds Collide! Can you believe it? Ava can, cuz she booked it. Stevie says hold on, hold on. Sean Legacy won that Triple Threat to be a contender. Why’s Ava throwing in these three other people? Okay, okay, hold on. Ava says the reason why it is a Fatal 4 Way at Worlds Collide is because Ava wanted talent from AAA, NXT and even main roster to get their opportunity. She did not forget Sean. Stone says Sean is still the first WWE ID talent to get a title match in NXT. Stevie accepts that. Ava says to her point, Sean Legacy will get his opportunity, 1v1, after Worlds Collide.
Stevie says that is absolutely perfect. And tomorrow night, let us not forget! WWE Evolve on Tubi makes history by crowning the FIRST-EVER WWE Evolve Women’s Champion! Kylie Rae VS Wendy Choo VS Kendal Grey VS Kali Armstrong! Ava will be watching, won’t she? Yes, Prime Minister. Stone will be on commentary, too. Who will be crowned as the first-ever WWE Evolve Women’s Champion? And who makes it out of LA just to run into #SuperSean?
Stephanie Vaquer heads for gorilla.
But waiting along the way are the many stars of the Women’s Division, including Karmen Petrovic, Kendal Grey, Carlee Bright, Nikkita Lyons, Kelani Jordan, and Lash Legend! They all want that title, but will the NXT Women’s Champion still be La Primera? Or will the Toxic Rockstar pull off the upset of the decade?
NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence!
Battleground was hard fought for the champion given she was against the Juggernaut. But the constant bickering of these toxic elements sparked a confrontation, and that then made this match. Will Vaquer humble Jacy once and for all? Or is she falling into a trap?
Well speaking of traps, Jacy just jumps Vaquer the moment Vaquer is in the ring! Jacy stomps away, the fans boo, but Jacy says she’s the next champ! Vaquer stops a punch to SLAP Jacy! And SOBAT! The fans rally for “LA PRIMERA!” as she whips, but Jacy reverses. Vaquer ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, roll-up, and cover, TWO! Jacy is up, she kicks, but Vaquer blocks to SOBAT again! Vaquer whips again, then blows past Jacy to spin and arm-drag! Jacy comes back, Vaquer sweeps to cover, ONE! Jacy sweeps to cover, ONE! Both women stand, Vaquer fires forearms, then she snapmares. Vaquer wants it and the afns cheer!
Vaquer smiles and wraps on the headscissors! But Jacy pops out the back! The fans boo but Jacy KICKS Vaquer in the side! Jacy runs to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jacy sits Vaquer up to KICK her! And KICK again! Cover, TWO! Vaquer stays in this, the fans rally but Jacy drags her up. The fans rally, Jacy whips Vaquer to a corner, then runs up and back body blocks! Jacy reels Vaquer in for a suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Vaquer but Jacy smirks. Jacy whips Vaquer, runs in, but Vaquer BOOTS her down! Vaquer then dribbles Jacy’s face off buckles! Vaquer scrubs Jacy’s face, then goes corner to corner.
But wait, Chika Tormenta y Dalys are here tonight?! They get on the apron, Vaquer BLASTS them both down, and Lola Vice helps out! The fans fire up as Lola brawls with Dalys, but then Chika is after her, too! Refs and security rush back out here, they get those three out of here, but Jacy rolls Vaquer! TWO, SUPERKICK from Vaquer! Jacy is on the ropes, Vaquer 619s! The fans fire up, Vaquer springboards, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jacy survives that shot but the fans still rally behind Vaquer as NXT goes picture in picture.
Vaquer stalks Jacy, drags her up, and whips. Jacy sunset flips but Vaquer stays up! She scrapes her heels off Jacy’s face to then drops a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Jacy survives but Vaquer is right on her. Jacy ROCKS Vaquer, but Vaquer ROCKS Jacy, and repeat! They go back and forth, Jacy whips, but Vaquer reverses. Vaque runs up, Jacy ELBOWS Vaquer, then NECKBREAKERS! Both women are down and Vaquer scrambles to the outside. Jacy pursues but aims from the apron. Jacy PENALTY KICKS Vaquer down! Jacy snarls as she brings Vaquer back up, and she puts Vaquer back in the ring.
Vaquer goes to a corner and Jacy stomps a mudhole into her! The ref counts, Jacy backs off to soak up heat, then Jacy runs back in, CANNONBALL! Jacy drags Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Vaquer shows the toughness that made her champion, but Jacy SMACKS her off the mat! Jacy clamps onto Vaquer to bend her back with a chinlock stretch. Vaquer endures, fights up, but Jacy THROWS her down! Jacy clamps back onto Vaquer with the chinlock, but Vaquer fights up again. Vaquer powers Jacy back, but Jacy sends her into buckles! NXT returns to single picture while the fans boo. Jacy runs in, but Vaquer catches her!
Vaquer wrenches and SMACKS Jacy off buckles, then sunset flips! Jayc rolls through, PENALTY KICK! The fans boo but Jacy rains down fists! The ref reprimands about pulling hair, but Jacy basement SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jacy grows frustrated, Fallon says she would’ve won by now, but the fans continue to rally for Vaquer. Jacy drags Vaquer up, but Vaquer throws hands. Jacy KNEES low, fireman’s carries, but Vaquer slips free to shove. Jacy BOOTS Vaquer, then SLINGBLADE BACKBREAKERS! The fans boo, but Jacy lines up a shot. Vaquer staggers to her feet, but she scoops Jacy first! BACKBREAKER!
Jacy staggers into another scoop and BACKBREAKER! Things speed up, both women grab hair for a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans cheer on “NXT!” as Jacy and Vaquer rise. Vaquer HEADBUTTS, but Jacy SLAPS! Vaquer fires off HEABDUTT after HEADBUTT, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Jacy goes to a corner, Vaquer LARIATS and sits her down! Vaquer scrubs Jacy with her boot, then runs corner to corner, METEORA! The fans fire up and Vaquer pushes Jacy to a cover, TWO! Vaquer snarls, reels Jacy in, but Jacy powers out! Vaquer slips around, backslides, ONE, and Jacy KNEES Vaquer! Cover, TWO!
Vaquer survives and Jacy grows frustrated. Jazmyn coaches Jacy, Fallon doesn’t seem to care either way, but Jacy runs in, CANNONBALL only gets buckles as Vaquer moves! Jacy staggers up, Vaquer runs in, and Vaquer blocks boots. DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Jacy writhes and falls out of the ring. Vaquer goes to the apron, Jacy clings to the apron skirt, but Vaquer still brings her up. Jacy TRIPS Vaquer! Vaquer is on the floor, Jacy goes up, but Vaquer blocks the kick! Electric Chair SNAKE EYES! The fans are thunderous and Vaquer smiles! Vaquer sends Jacy into the steel steps! The fans fire up more as Vaquer pushes Jacy into the ring.
Vaquer stalks Jacy, underhooks, TIGER CODE BREAKER!! Vaquer isn’t done with Jacy, she wants to make Jacy pay! Vaquer underhooks, but Fallon distracts her from the apron! Vaquer snarls, but Jacy waistlocks! Vaquer switches and SHOVES Jacy into Fallon! Jazmyn is stunned, Vaquer SUPERKICKS Jacy, and Jacy falls out to the floor! Fallon and Jacy argue, Jazmyn says this isn’t the time for that! They’re supposed to be a team! But Jacy & Fallon SHOVE Jazmyn!? Vaquer SKY TWISTERS onto Fatal Influence!! Jazmyn storms off, she is done with her so-called friends! Vaquer puts Jacy back in and the fans fire up again!
Fallon says go ahead, Jacy, do this your way! Jacy runs up, Vaquer ducks the elbow and hit a BIG back suplex! Vaquer sits Jacy up and she wraps on the headscissors! The fans join Booker T in saying, “AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! Yeeeeeeeah~!” The Devil’s Kisses stun Jacy and she goes to a corner. Vaquer runs in, DOUBLE- NO, Jacy puts her up top! Jacy swings, but into the HANGING ARMBAR!! But Jazmyn is back, and she gets on the apron to distract the ref! FALLON TIGER FEINTS VAQUER!!! The fans boo as Fallon shoves Vaquer in! Jacy hits the ENCORE!! Cover, JACY WINS?!?!
Winner: Jacy Jayne, by pinfall (NEW NXT Women’s Champion)
Literally everyone is stunned, but Jacy is finally THE NXT Women’s Champion! Granted, it took both of her friends to pull off this absolute sham of a win, but apparently that was the plan all along. NXT is now under the Influence, how toxic is the Women’s Division going to get?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for NXT, and what a wild way to follow up Battleground. Stephanie Vaquer VS Jacy Jayne for the title even being booked was a surprise in itself, and then what a bold move for them to take this title off Vaquer on TV and not at Battleground. I did appreciate that we saw a lot of the other women of NXT watching Vaquer walk to gorilla, it was a foreshadowing but in a way I did not expect. Granted, they also overbooked the main event with bringing out Dalys & Chika Tormenta and then Lola Vice, and they even gave us that Fatal Influence fallout fake-out to lower even Vaquer’s guard against Fallon attacking her. A very well protected loss for Vaquer, and I suppose this opens the door for Jordynne Grace to get one more try now that she’ll be able to bulldoze all of Fatal Influence at once.
Very good NXT debut match for Jasper Troy with Dante Chen. Poor Chen, he gets hurt, comes back, gets hurt, comes back, gets squashed. But Oba confronting Troy was great, too, can’t wait to see that match. Good match from Tatum VS Jaida but of course Jaida won to then cue Thea going after her. Jaida VS Thea will be great, and it’d be more fitting if they moved to a Triple Threat, not a tag match, because Tatum doesn’t even really like Thea, she’s jealous of Thea having friends out there. The winner of that can then move on towards a title match while the other two settle their own issues, a real win-win for NXT.
Good promo from Briggs & Inamura, and I like that Inamura was vague about the goals beyond tag titles and The Culling. They’re still gonna have that grudge match, but it’d be really fitting this story if Inamura wanted to try a singles title run first before worrying about tag titles. I still feel like Briggs is going to end up with The Culling because of Brooks Jensen. Very good promo from the new Chase U, and they of course step in it again. Dark State is going to eat up Kale & Uriah, and I wonder if that compels Mr. Chase to try harder with them. We could get a fun training montage that helps Kale & Uriah take things more seriously, but also bring up old memories of Duke & Riley.
Good promo from Tony and Luca to keep us wondering whose side Luca is on, and there has to be a rematch of Tony VS Stacks to help smoke out the truth. Very good promo from Wes & The High Ryze, I’m sure they’ll get going across NXT, TNA and even Evolve, maybe make moves towards titles on the other side of Worlds Collide as we head for Great American Bash, and hopefully win something to justify the trio.
The rest of tonight was all so greatly intertwined, a real textbook example that should be followed. Ricky VS Ethan opening turned out really well, especially using the concept of “There MUST be a winner!” That cutter to the chair was nuts, but that chair was clearly “gimmicked” to break like that. Ricky sold it perfectly, it really added drama, and because of that, Ethan of course won. Ethan talking later was a headscratcher until Je’Von showed up to start us on that Fatal 4 Way news. And NXT was even smart enough to give us Ava, Stevie & Stone talking out the logic of making Sean Legacy wait. That Fatal 4 Way is going to be insane, and then there’s also potential for Sean Legacy bringing the WWE Evolve Championship along for what would surely be another great match.
Great match from Santana VS Heights, and Santana naturally won. The NQCC had a good promo together, and I like Myles wanting his independence from Dictator Dempsey. It might be a bit easy for Myles to win the British Rounds match, but perhaps they can go to the time limit on round six and give us sudden death overtime to truly have Myles shows Dempsey he is ready. Great promo from Trick and Santana to give us Trick’s first title defense, but I wouldn’t expect Trick to be one ‘n’ done. Trick surely shows up on TNA this Thursday to help hype the match, shows up on more Impacts through the summer, then maybe loses this title on a TNA PPV or special episode as payback for how he won it on a WWE show.
My Score: 8.9/10
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