WHOOP DAT  TRICK!

As it stands, Oba Femi defends the NXT Championship in a Triple Threat on Vengeance Day. But can Trick Williams prove A-Town Down Under isn’t worthy?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Stephanie Vaquer VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence; Vaquer wins.
• Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; Ridge wins.
• Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Sol Ruca & ZARIA; Sol & Zaria win.
• Kelani Jordan VS Karmen Petrovic; Karmen wins, by disqualification.
• Oba Femi & Trick Williams VS A-Town Down Under; ATDU wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Stephanie Vaquer VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence!

La Primera had to wait a little longer, but she’ll get her title match at Vengeance Day! But will the Dark Angel be rolling into DC? Or can the Toxic Rockstar slow her down for Fallon’s sake?

The bell rings and the fans all cheer on “STEPHANIE! STEPHANIE!” Jacy is annoyed, but she and Vaquer tie up. Jacy pulls hair to bring Vaquer to a corner, but Vaquer turns things around on her! The ref counts, Vaquer lets off, and Jacy gets attitude. They tie up, Vaquer waistlocks and SLAMS Jacy down, then rolls her to a cover, TWO! Vaquer clamps on a chinlock, traps Jacy’s arm, but Jacy fights up. Jayc pulls hair, then she CLUBS Vaquer on the neck. The fans boo but Jacy bumps Vaquer off buckles. Jacy bumps Vaquer off buckles again, then stomps a mudhole in! The fans boo but Jacy digs her boot in.

The ref counts, then backs Jacy off Vaquer. Jacy runs in, but Vaquer catches her! Half nelson and a snapmare into buckles! Vaquer then DROPKICKS Jacy down! The fans fire up and Vaquer whips Jacy, but Jacy sunset flips! Vaquer stays up, scrapes her soles off Jacy’s face, then drops a leg, brother! Cover, ONE!! Jacy snarls but Vaquer bumps her off buckles. Vaquer hits all three levels, then she digs her boots in. Vaquer scrubs Jacy’s face, the fans rally, but Fallon & Jazmyn complain. The ref counts, Vaquer steps off, but Vaquer drags Jacy up. Vaquer scoops,  but Jacy slips free and throws Vaquer down by her hair!

The fans boo but Jacy KICKS and basement SUPERKICKS! Jacy says Vaquer will respect her, then runs up, but Vaquer avoids the senton! The fans cheer and Vaquer grins. Vaquer wraps Jacy up in the headscissors for the DRILLER! Vaquer gives Jacy five, then kicks her out of the ring! The fans fire up and Vaquer goes out to fetch Jacy. Vaquer HEADBUTTS Jacy, bumps her off buckles, then puts her in the ring. But then Jazmyn distracts the ref so Fallon can get in Vaquer’s face! Vaquer backs Fallon off, but Jacy lurks on the apron! PENALTY KICK! Jacy and the Influence talk trash while NXT goes picture in picture.

Fallon mocks the “STEPHANIE!” chant by clapping along, then Jacy fetches Vaquer into the ring. Jacy storms up on Vaquer, whips her corner to corner, then runs up to back body block! Jacy whips the other way, and Vaquer hits buckles hard! Jacy runs in, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Jacy is frustrated, but she soaks up the heat as she stands over Vaquer. Jacy drags Vaquer up, CHOPS her, then scoops her, only for Vaquer to slip free! Vaquer fires forearms, thenw hips Jacy, only for Jacy to reverse. Vaquer ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Jacy CLOBBERS her! Jacy snarls, then she rains down fists! Jacy lets off to talk trash, then goes back to Vaquer.

Jacy sits Vaquer up to KNEE her in the back again and again! Jacy then clamps on a chinlock and grinds Vaquer down. Vaquer endures, fights up, but Jacy wrangles her into body scissors! Vaquer fights back up, pries at the hold, and NXT returns to single picture. The fans continue to rally for Stephanie, but Jacy knees her low! Jacy swings, but Vaquer blocks to CHOP! And CHOP! And then Vaquer knuckle locks, CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Vaqeur goes up, up, jumps around, but Jacy shoves her! Jacy SLAPS Vaquer, then GAMANGIRIS! Jacy goes up, but Vaquer fires body shots! Vaquer slips under, tucks Jacy in, CHEEKY NANDOS!

Vaquer then turns Jacy around, climbs up after her, and brings Jacy up for a SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up while both women writhe! Jacy crawls away, but then she and Vaquer stare down. Jacy fires a forearm, Vaquer returns fire! They go back and forth, Jacy mule kicks, and then Jacy soaks up more heat. But Vaquer JAWBREAKERS! Jacy blocks a superkick to SUPERKICK, then she shrieks! CANNONBALL only gets buckles! EAT DA FEET! Jacy falls into a corner, Vaquer hits as METEORA! Vaquer reels Jacy in for a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Vaquer smirks at Fallon. Vaquer brings Jacy up, tucks her in, but Jacy fights free!

Jacy swings, but into a backslide! TWO, and Jacy KNEES Vaquer down! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives and Jacy is shocked! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Jacy aims at Vaquer. Jacy runs up, but Vaquer ducks the lariat to wrench Jacy and DDT! Jacy staggers into a victory roll, TWO!! Jacy survives, but Vaquer drags her right up! Vaquer whips, Jacy reverses to ROCK Vaquer, then she whips, But Now Vaquer reverses, drop toeholds, and 619!! Jacy staggers around, the fans fire up, and Vaquer springboards, CROSSBODY! Cover, JAZMYN jumps in, but Vaquer dodges! Jazmyn CLOBBERS Jacy!!

Jazmyn panics, the ref reprimands, but Vaquer says hold on. Vaquer HEADBUTTS Jazmyn down! Vaquer then SUPERKICKS Jacy, reels her in, and S V B!! Cover, Vaquer wins!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall

Vaquer had the ref keep this going so that she could finish it off! Will the same happen to the Toxic Cowgirl when she finally faces the music? Or will she find a way to survive La Primera?

The Meta Girls arrive.

And as they walk into the locker room, Sol Ruca & Zaria both clap for them. That was one hell of a main event last week in Atlanta. But… Lash & Jakara came up short. Again! And then Lash came up short in the Women’s Royal Rumble! Honestly, they’re not surprised. Lash is trying to figure out who the hell Zaria even is, but Sol tries to keep the peace by saying Zaria didn’t mean it that way. Zaria says no, she absolutely meant it that way. Lash didn’t eliminate anyone, and yet it’s Lash & Jakara who had the opportunity to bring the Women’s Tag Team Championships to NXT. And then they dropped the ball.

Sol tries to signal for Zaria to stop but Lash says Zaria sure has a lot to say for someone who was just sitting at home watching TV. But then Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart step in. Tatum knows Zaria hasn’t been here very long, but it is easier said than done to defeat Bianca Belair & Naomi. Maybe for Tatum and her little friends, but not for Zaria & Sol. Gigi says at least Lash & Jakara stepped up. They’re still waiting for Zaria. Then keep on talking! Sol ushers Zaria away, and Jakara tells Gigi’s team that they can handle their beef, then Meta Girls get winners. Will Gigi & Tatum make Zaria understand what it is to be NXT? Or will NXT learn what it is to be the Agent of Change?

Backstage interview with Oba Femi.

Sarah Schreiber is with the NXT Champion, and brings up last week’s bombshell that he defend the title in a Triple Threat at Vengeance Day, against both Grayson Waller & Austin Theory of A-Town Down Under. But tonight, he faces both men in a tag team match. Oba says Ava may run things here in NXT, but what she doesn’t know is that Oba runs everything that happens in the ring. So tonight, Oba will show Waller & Theory that they don’t belong in the ring with him. Sarah adds that after last week’s powerbomb on Trick Williams, does he owe Trick by being a better partner to him tonight?

Oba doesn’t owe Trick anything. And as far as tonight, he’ll see Trick out there. The Ruler is ready to rumble, but will he and Trick hold it together? Or will they suffer from the Grayson Waller Effect?

Lexis King is in the ring.

The fans are torn seeing the NXT Heritage Cup and his trophy, and Lexis has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, and Inte-Lex-uals… Your King has been crowned the NXT Heritage Cup Champion. Y’know, I wanted to come out here, I wanted to be humble. But how can I be humble when I’m on a path to being the biggest star in the history of professional wrestling? I couldn’t do it alone, though, we’ve got a lot of legends back there. They’ve got that LFG show going. But one in particular, William Regal, he reached out to me. He tried to show me the light, he tried to show me who I truly am.

“We’ve got other names, too. Poor Ryan Leaf. Ryan Leaf, probably one of the biggest busts in the history of the NFL, came here to NXT to give me advice? It doesn’t work like that, brother, because The King doesn’t take advice. And I’ve never done well with authority. No, no, the King has always played to the beat of is own drum, The King has always played by his own rules. Because WHY WOULDN’T I? LOOK AT ME! I’ve got the looks that kill and the pedigree that will! Yeah. That’s right. What’d you people think? You thought I was just gonna transform? That I was just gonna change it up on you and become some law-abiding, submissive beta?

“No. Because The King’s blood doesn’t run with that of a normie. No, no, no. See, I was born into this business a second generation talent, the son of a psycho! But I never asked for this. No. In fact, I tried everything I could to be anything but my father. I didn’t even know him. I didn’t know who he was. But I know one thing: It’s that he was a Loose Cannon and he would do anything to win! And it’s such a shame, because he had so much potential. But he just never quite reached that potential. And yet through all that, through all the smoke and mirrors and the advice of all the legends, I found myself truly at my best when I was just that: My father’s son.

“Because that’s what I am! And you guys wanted me to change, huh? You wanted me to be something that I’m not?! Well, I didn’t, and I never will, because I’m standing here your NXT Heritage Cup Champion! Because I stay true to who I am!” Fans are torn, one person has been booing this whole time without stopping, and King says the truth is, this championship, his “Sweet Queen,” has been mistreated for far too long. And he knows he’ll offend some of the purists out there, but for his first proclamation as NXT Heritage Cup Champion, he is going to change the way that this title is defended! Gone are the days of the meaningless rounds! Gone are the days of the ill-advised cornermen.

And the egregious time limits! No no no! From this day forward, the Heritage Cup will be one fall, winner take all. Because this is my- FANDANGO!? The fans are going nuts seeing the return of the WWE’s Lord of the Dance, and King has no idea who this is! But Fandango says, “Let me reintroduce myself. Y’see, I used to get real weird here in NXT. And that music right there, it means the world to me, thank you, guys.” The fans cheer and chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” King wants things to slow down. He knows who this is now! It’s coming to him! He used to run around playing dress up with Tyler Breeze!

They were firefighters, policemen, but man, this isn’t the YMCA, this is NXT! The fans chant for Lexis to shut up, and Dango says that’s very witty for a guy whose face was spraypainted on this morning. No, it was a brush, not a sprayer… Well, call him #JDC, and he is here representing The System of TNA. And The System is always looking for a bit of gold to add to the trophy case. And well, JDC wouldn’t mind wrapping his lips around this cup and having a drink. And JDC knows that King knows that NXT and TNA now have a working relationship. What King doesn’t know is that JDC just spoke with Ava, and next week, for this Heritage Cup, it will be King VS JDC!

The fans like the sound of that! Oh, so JDC wants a sip from the cup? A taste of greatness? Well, while King appreciates what JDC is doing for TNA and The System, there’s a system over here. And as far as King knows, this is just “FAWN-DON-GO~!” So yeah, fine, they’ll have a match for this cup, and they will dance! King is ready to put the cup on the line, but will he be singing the blues as JDC dances the night away with his Sweet Queen?

The D’Angelo Family watches a clip from CW’s Wild Cards.

Tony D guest stars as the character, “Jaws,” and they loved his performance, they can’t wait to watch the whole episode. Luca says “Gammy Crusifino” is excited. Tony says Gammy loves Tony, Tony loves Gammy. Stacks says just look at Tony, The Hollywood Don! Big TV star now. Guess this is what he and Izzi were talking about weeks ago, right? Tony is taken aback but Stacks sarcastically says no, it’s fine, they could’ve done the red carpet but it wasn’t in the budget. Tony asks what’s the matter with Stacks but Stacks says he’s just bustin’ balls. Then how about Stacks busts Ridge tonight? Stacks says yeah, he’s got this.

The Family heads to gorilla, will The Underboss handle Ridge The Fridge? Or will Stacks crumble when faced with Yorkshire Grit?

Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland!

NXT returns as Ridge makes his entrance to the ring, only for Stacks to SHOTGUN him down! The ref has the bell ring, Stacks fires off with body shots and haymakers, then whips. Ridge reverses but Stacks ELBOWS back! Stacks slips under to UPPERCUT Ridge, then he whips. Ridge reverses to clinch and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Stacks flounders, and we see Shawn Spears, Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance are enjoying this from up in the perch. Ridge hauls Stacks up to suplex, but Stacks knees free! Stacks fires body shots and haymakers, then ducks a lariat to ENZIGIRI! Ridge tumbles out, Stacks triangle jumps to DROPKICK him down!

The fans fire up as Stacks builds speed, but Ridge avoids the baseball slide to RAM Stacks into steel steps! Stacks slumps down, Ridge puts him back in the ring, and Ridge BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Ridge looms over Stacks, whips him to a corner, and Stacks hits buckles hard! Stacks falls, Ridge soaks up the heat, but Spears’ squad enjoys this more. Ridge storms up but Stacks drop toeholds him onto ropes! Ridge sputters, Stacks SUPERKICKS, and Ridge staggers! But then Ridge scowls and BOOTS in return! Ridge brings Stacks up and tells Tony to look at his guy! Ridge tells Stacks he’s nothing but a lackey!

Stacks SLAPS Ridge! And JAWBREAKERS! Stacks fires haymakers, then whips, but Ridge reverses. Stacks LARIATS Ridge down! Stacks hurries after Ridge but Ridge kicks low! Ridge puts Stack son the apron, Stacks BOOTS back, and then SLINGSHOT CODE BREAKERS! Both men are down, Tony coaches Stacks, and Stacks goes up a corner. Stacks aims to AX- NO, Ridge catches him, HEABUTTS him, and DEADBOLT SUPLEXES him! Ridge snarls, storms up, but Stacks BOOTS Ridge! Stacks goes up, but Ridge SHOVES Stacks down! Luca checks Stacks, Ridge SHOVES Luca now! Ridge storms into the ring, but Luca gets on the apron!

The ref stops Luca, Ridge hauls Stacks up, and Izzi slips into the ring?! Where’d she even come from? Ridge stares her down to stop her in her tracks! The ref tells Izzi she’s gotta leave, so Izzi does. Stacks rolls Ridge up! TWO!! Ridge escapes, Stacks dodges a lariat, but not the COMEBACKER! Ridge hauls Stacks up, reels him in, REDEEMER DDT!! Cover, Ridge wins!

Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall

Izzi feels awful as her help only hurts Stacks! But Tony doesn’t seem to like how she felt her help was needed. Just what is Izzi after?

Fraxiom talks in the locker room.

Nathan Frazer & Axiom are having fun, but Axiom does want Frazer to focus. Next week, TNA, it’s them against the Nemeth Brothers. Frazer knows, but then in step Briggs & Inamura. Briggs will hand it to them, they’ve been having great title matches wherever they go, from NXT to TNA and beyond. But they’re also smart. Smart enough to know that if they fought Briggs & Inamura, it’d just be a one-sided and brutal ass kicking. Case in point, OTM. Where are they? Haven’t been here since Briggs & Inamura beat their asses. You’re welcome, by the way, since you’ve been dodging Briggs & Inamura.

Axiom says they’re not dodging anyone. They literally defend the titles next week. And for men of action, Frazer’s only ever heard them talk. So while Fraxiom faces the Nemeth Brothers, maybe Briggs & Inamura should find opponents of their own. Prove they deserve a title shot, and then and only then, will they talk. Fraxiom heads out, and Briggs assures Inamura, he’s got this. Who will the Bullhead Brawler find for him and Great Rush Inamura to fight?

Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Sol Ruca & ZARIA!

Well, speaking of a fight, these duos weren’t looking for one before the show started, but they ended up finding one anyway! Will the outcasts find themselves at the center of the tag title chase? Or can the Sol Surfer & Agent of Change actually look like a team?

NXT returns as Gigi & Tatum make their entrance, Shotzi by their side. The teams sort out and Tatum starts against Sol. They tie up, Sol waistlocks, but Tatum fights the slam. Tatum sits down, flips up and over Sol, then facelocks. Sol backdrops, Tatum sunset flips, but Sol rolls through and slides into a headlocks. Tatum fights up, powers out, then goes Matrix! But then Sol leaps over and the fans cheer the standoff. Sol and Tatum reset, Tatum goes for a leg but Sol facelocks again. Tatum wrenches but Sol blocks the whip. Sol lifts and spins Tatum, but Gigi tags in before the SLAM! Sol stands on Tatum to hang ten, but Gigi shoves her off.

Zaria tags in and she runs up. Gigi slips around but Zaria fights the crucifix takedown! Gigi shifts to sunset flip, but Zaria stays up! Zaria drags Gigi up with hands, but then Gigi SLAPS her! Gigi eggs Zaria on, and Zaria SLAPS Gigi down! The fans fire up and Zaria drags Gigi up to tag Sol. Zaria feeds Gigi to Sol’s lift, and Zaria goes up the corner. Sol tags Zaria back in, but Gigi RANAS Sol away! The ref says the tag didn’t count? Gigi runs to DROPKICK Sol against the ropes! Tag to Tatum, Gigi YANKS Sol back and Tatum JUMPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tatum mounts Sol, then turns her over into the “Spider Insider (Inside Her?)” stretch!

The ref makes sure that’s not a choke, but Sol fights her way out to ROCK Tatum! Tatum ROCKS Sol, Sol ROCKS Tatum! Tatum staggers up, Sol runs up, but Tatum wrenches her to BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Tag to Gigi, and Tatum BLASTS Zaria while Gigi goes up, up, and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Sol stays in this, Gigi sends Tatum in, but Sol goes up and over! Gigi ROUNDHOUSES Sol, grabs the legs, but Sol BOOTS Gigi away! Then Sol reaches up to RANA Gigi! Hot tag to Zaria! Zaria CLOBBERS Tatum, CLOBBERS Gigi, and then BOOTS Tatum! HEADBUTT for Gigi, then Zaria gets around Tatum to GERMAN SUPLEX!

The fans fire up with Zaria and she runs at Gigi! Zaria ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPEAR! Cover, Tatum breaks it! Sol drags Tatum to a fireman’s carry, Zaria does the same with Gigi. But Gigi & Tatum slip free to shove Zaria & Sol into each other! Then STEREO ENZIGIRI! Sol falls, Gigi & Tatum double whip Zaria. Zaria returns to LARIAT, but she only gets Gigi! Tag to Sol, Tatum LEAPS, but Saria catches her! F5 onto Gigi! Gigi sputters, Sol goes up, up, SOL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol & Zaria win!!

Winners: Sol Ruca & Zaria, by pinfall

The waves were choppy, but Sol & Zaria rode it out and came out on top! Will they be able to do this again when facing Lash & Jakara? Or will the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson slam on the brakes?

Bayley is headed to gorilla.

The Role Model is here in NXT, ready for tonight’s Vengeance Day Summit. But we also see Inamura talking with Myles Borne & Tavion Heights. Did Inamura just secure a team for him and Briggs to face for next week?

Backstage interview with Trick Williams.

Sarah is now with the former NXT Champion and brings up the team-up with Oba Femi against A-Town Down Under. Have Oba and Trick had a chance to talk since last week? Trick says no, he hasn’t seen Oba all day. But that’s fine, they don’t need to talk no game plans or strategy. The plan is simple: Trick shows Ava that he’s the one deserving of the match with Oba. Not Waller, not Theory. In fact, Trick is sick and tired of those two snaking their way into stuff, so tonight, Trick drops both their b*tch asses! And as for Oba, his receipt’s coming, too. Trick heads out, will he be whooping everybody tonight?

And then, on the monitor behind Sarah, the mysterious test screen with “VENGEANCE DAY” on it appears. Could whoever this is be after someone in tonight’s main event?

Bayley heads to the ring!

The fans fire up as the Role Model once again returns to NXT! Bayley high-fives fans then struts into the ring to grab a mic. But before she can say anything, Roxanne Perez makes her entrance. Roxie is feeling good since she set the record for “Ironwoman” in the Women’s Rumble, and she grabs a mic to tell Mike Rome to hold on one second. Roxie just wants to talk about her great performance on Saturday! One hour, seven minutes, and 47 seconds. That’s right! She broke the record for longest time spent in Rumble history, meaning she broke Bayley’s record! Giulia can wait because right now, this is about her and Bayley.

Bayley says back that Roxie’s going to make Giulia, but Roxie didn’t even win the match! Well, sure, but who did Roxie eliminate? Giulia! But Roxie wants to talk Bayley. Bayley came back to NXT to “mentor Roxie,” but Roxie knows Bayley’s really here just to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Bayley was tired of getting her ass kicked on SmackDown so she hopped to Raw, but it still isn’t clicking, right? So what’d she do? She came to Roxie’s brand and is trying to be the top of the BEST Women’s Division in wrestling. Roxie gets it, though. After the Rumble, Roxie feels it, too. Roxie wants more! Roxie wants ALL of the titles!

Younger Roxie dreamed of this moment, and Roxie is making it happen. 13-year-old Roxie would be freaking out sharing the ring with her Role Model. But now, Roxie realized that her heroes were just standing in her way so that she can’t surpass them. So the vision is clear now: Roxie will win back the NXT Women’s Championship, then she’ll go on to Raw to- Bayley tells Roxie to just shut up! The fans cheer, and Bayley says Roxie still doesn’t get it. Some day, Bayley sure hopes Roxie will surpass her. Bayley hopes Roxie does 10 times more than Bayley ever did! Because that is what this is all about!

Does Roxie not get that? Is Roxie so blind and entitled that she doesn’t realize that here, in this building, Bayley built her first ring with her own bare hands? The fans cheer that! Bayley points that right there, that was promo class and Dusty Rhodes taught Bayley how to hold the mic! Roxie has no respect for that. Bayley stops Roxie from talking to say she isn’t done yet. When Roxie lost the title, she lost her mind. When Bayley lost, she kept pushing forward. That is why next Monday on Raw, when she has her qualifying match, Bayley will win and go on to Elimination Chamber to then go on to WrestleMania!

Roxie rolls her eyes but the fans cheer Bayley. Bayley says Roxie is just losing herself. And in the process of her hissy fit, she might just lose her best friend, too. So when it comes to Bayley and the NXT Women’s Championship, if Bayley doesn’t win, she’ll be just fine. Will Roxie be? The fans chant “NO! NO!” But Roxie says Bayley doesn’t get it. When it comes to that title, Roxie has no friends. Roxie has no mentors, and right now in the WWE, Roxie has no equal. So uh, Bayley can talk all she wants, but at Vengeance Day, Roxie wins back that title! Then she’ll win the title on Raw, and maybe even win the title on SmackDown!

And IF Roxie decides to vacate the NXT title, then maybe Cora can finally win it. Bayley sighs, but here comes Giulia! The Beautiful Madness has waited long enough, and she has a mic as she joins Bayley and Roxie in the ring. Giulia stares Roxie down, then tells her ENOUGH! Roxie, you are nothing without a title! And Bayley, trust Giulia when she says she’ll beat you, too. At Vengeance Day, one of them will survive the Beautiful Madness. WAIT, here comes Charlotte! The Queen said she’d show up looking for “inspiration,” and she keeps her word! The 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble winner struts to the ring, and Orlando is as torn as Cleveland was about it.

The chants of “Welcome Back!” duel with “NO!” but Charlotte tells NXT that “Mama has come home! Yes, Your Queen has arrived! Y’know why? Because I am NXT homegrown! And NXT will always be my home. So wait, wait, wait, guys, do you remember the last time I won the Women’s Rumble? And I selected the NXT Women’s Champion to face at WrestleMania? And I became the TWO-TIME NXT Women’s’ Champion?” Fans do remember, but maybe they didn’t like that. Charlotte tells Roxie, 1:07:47, DAMN that is impressive. Roxie is the Ironwoman, and Charlotte is proud of her. But here’s the thing, if Roxie is champion come WrestleMania, she’ll just be runner-up again.

Charlotte tells Giulia the “champ,” the hype is real! Charlotte respects Giulia, she wants to be in the ring to shake her hand because she is the champion of the GREATEST Women’s Division int he world! But guess what? Charlotte’s better~! The fans definitely boo that. Charlotte says hold on, she’s not done. Bayley, this is a moment for everyone to join in. Giulia can just ask Bayley how when Charlotte goes for a championship, she wins it. WOO~! The Queen has made her statement, but then CORA JADE attacks! She SMACKS Bayley with the kendo stick, SMACKS Giulia with it, and then SMACKS Bayley again! And she SMACKS Giulia again!

Roxie has Cora hold on. They’re friends, right? NOPE! Cora takes a swing so Roxie goes running! Cora heard Roxie say that there aren’t friends when it comes to this title, so Cora holds up the NXT Women’s Championship to say that’s going to be hers! She SMACKS Bayley again for good measure, will this inspire Charlotte’s decision?

Ava Raine moderates a face-to-face between Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans.

The NXT General Manager, and a few security guards, stand between All Ego and Young OG as she reminds them that this is just to talk. Ethan says don’t worry, he will personally be on his best behavior. And the only reason he hasn’t cracked Je’Von in the jaw already is that Ethan made a promise to the Final Boss. Ava has Je’Von understand that last week was the second time he stormed out to the ring, fought with security and with Ethan, even though he’s not even cleared to be here. Ava is left with no choice but to suspend Je’Von. What? But Ethan is the one who started this! Ethan has “Boss” Ava hear him out. Je’Von shouldn’t be suspended, but he should be punished.

And Je’Von can be punished by being in a match… with Ethan. Je’Von says #SayLess! Ava says alright, fine. They can have the match, only if Je’Von gets medically cleared. Je’Von says bet! Ethan says he hopes it happens. Ava says they’re lucky she’s even considering this, and they should go. Security ushers Ethan out in one direction and Je’Von the other. Will the Young OG return to 100% so that he can have vengeance on Ethan?

Josh Briggs talks with Hank ‘n’ Tank.

Briggs tells them about needing a team to face next week, and Tank says Big Briggs & Big Yoshiki VS the Big Belly Boys, that’s a match. They shake hands on it, but what about the talk Inamura had with Myles & Heights? The camera follows Hank ‘n’ Tank, but then spots The D’Angelos and Izzi talking. Stacks is frustrated, but then he gets mad as Ridge steps up! Tony has everyone calm down, and Ridge tells Tony that judging by the look on The Don’s face, they both know that if Ridge gets a true 1v1, Ridge can take that North American Championship. Tony says they had that two weeks ago, but Ridge says that was a joke!

And Tony’s new little friend, Izzi, cost him that match. Tony says Izzi’s not his friend. Ridge says there are people watching Tony’s every move, and Ridge doesn’t trust any of them. Izzi says why not settle it in a Steel Cage match. Ridge likes the sound of that. Tony says fine, Steel Cage it is. But he doesn’t need his family to beat Ridge. Ridge chuckles then heads out. Why does it feel like this is a trap? And even if it’s not, will Tony make it out of that cage in one piece?

Kelani Jordan VS Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis!

The Standout has been feeling stepped over and pushed aside, and she won’t stand for it any longer! Will NXT find that no one does bad attitude like Lani? Or will the karate girl kick Kelani’s sass?

NXT returns as Karmen makes her entrance, Ashante THEE Adonis by her side. The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Kelani shoves Karmen away, and the fans rally up. The two tie up again, go around, and end up on ropes. The ref counts, the two break, and then go again. Kelani slips around to full nelson, then she snapmares Karmen to basement DROPKICK! Cover, ONE! Kelani headlocks, but Karmen powers up and out, only for Kelani to run her over! Karmen goes to a corner, the fans rally, and Adonis offers water. Karmen says no thanks, but Kelani says Karmen and Ashante aren’t a real couple!

Karmen rushes up, Kelani dodges, but Karmen KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Karmen stomps away on Kelani in the corner, then lets off at 4. Karmen SWEEPS the legs, then runs to SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Karmen clamps onto Kelani with a cording hold, and the fans rally as Kelani fights up. Kelani puts Karmen in the corner, then RAMS her! And RAMS her again! The ref counts, Kelani lets off, and Kelani whips corner to corner. Karmen goes up to SOBAT Kelani, then she BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Karmen clamps onto Kelani’s arm again, and the fans rally up. Kelani fights up, wrenches, but Karmen ducks the kick, only for the CALF KICK to hit!

The fans rally as Karmen goes to ropes. Kelani runs up, slingshot arm-drags, then she SHOTGUNS Karmen to the corner. Kelani runs in, but Karmen slips to the outside. Kelani blocks the punch to BOOT Karmen down! Karmen tumbles to the floor, Kelani takes aim, but Ashante shoves Karmen out of the way to take the PLANCHA! Kelani is upset, but then wait! Here comes Jaida Parker! Jaida says she hasn’t forgotten about Kelani, but then Kelani turns around into the DIVE from Karmen! Karmen drags Kelani up and into the ring, then storms up to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Kelani survives, Jaida says that was close, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and Karmen trades forearms with Kelani! Karmen SOBATS, whips, but Kelani LARIATS! Kelani fires a flurry on Karmen, CHOPS then whips, CARTWHEEL BACK ELBOW! Jaida is on commentary and asks what even was that. Kelani kips up, then kicks Karmen to bring her in, X-FACTOR! Cover, TWO! Karmen stays in this and Jaida is amused as Kelani fireman’s carries Karmen. Karmen slips free, shoves Kelani at a corner, but Kelani elbows Karmen away! Kelani runs up, Karmen blocks the kick, and she ducks the enzigiri! Kelani runs up, Karmen dodges, and Karmen hits forearm after forearm! DISCUS LARIAT!

The fans fire up and Karmen scowls as she brings Kelani up. Karmen KICKS and KICKS, Kelani ducks one, but the HOOK KICK hits! Karmen runs to LARIAT and cover, TWO! Kelani scrambles to the corner, Karmen runs in, but Kelani BOOTS her! Kelani goes up, but Karmen grabs her for the STRATUSPHERE! Cover, TWO! Kelani survives and Karmen grows frustrated. Ashante coaches Karmen and she reels Kelani in again. TORNADO- NO, Kelani stops the DDT to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Kelani floats through to drag Karmen up, but Karmen rolls Kelani! TWO, and both women hurry up!

Karmen KCIKS Kelani, whips her, but Kelani reverses. Karmen goes up, Kelani stops the kick, and Kelani torture racks for the OLYMPIC SLAM! Kelani goes up to be ONE OF A KIND! But she then glares at Jaida before she hits another ONE OF A KIND! Fans want that ‘ONE MORE TIME!” but Kelani clamps on a REAR NAKED CHOKE! Karmen taps, Kelani wins!

Winner: Kelani Jordan, by submission

But she’s not done?! She clamps the REAR NAKED CHOKE on again! Jaida is laughing as Kelani makes Karmen suffer! Refs rush out here to stop Kelani, and Jaida mocks, “Aw, poor baby.” The senior referee then says they need to reverse the decision! Now KARMEN wins!!

Winner: Karmen Petrovic, by disqualification

Kelani is pissed! And she’s angry at Jaida for it! Jaida mocks Kelani more, but will Kelani prove she’s legit?

NXT Media catches up to Stephanie Vaquer.

The reporter says it was a big weekend with Vaquer’s Royal Rumble debut, and it was a big match tonight with that win over Jacy. What can we expect from her at Vengeance Day? Vaquer says she has burned through everything in her path, and rises to the top. Vaquer sees Lola Vice walk past, but neither of them says a word. Vaquer then says Fallon Henley’s title reign is going to end, because “the eyes of The Dark Angel are on the North American title. Vengeance Day, I will make history, because I’ve come to NXT to be champion. Jacy can’t help you. Jazmyn can’t help you. Fallon, I will see you… in Hell!”

Bayley barges into Ava’s office.

Ava is in the middle of talking with Fraxiom when Bayley tells “I want that b*tch in a match!” Ava asks which one. Bayley wants Cora! Okay, okay, but Bayley has her qualifier on Monday, and- Bayley says yeah, she knows. Ava can give Bayley to her tomorrow, next Tuesday, or Hell, even in the title match! Bayley just wants Cora! Okay, then next week it is. Bayley heads out, and Ava goes back to Fraxiom, only for Briggs & Inamura to both barge in. And they each want to request a tag match? Briggs says his team already agreed, but Inamura says so did his. Briggs got Hank ‘n’ Tank, Inamura got NQCC…

Fraxiom laughs, because this sounds familiar. Ava says well, as a tag team, they should really communicate with each other before talking with Ava, but this is an easy fix: Triple Threat, Briggs & Inamura VS Hank ‘n’ Tank VS NQCC. Done. Briggs & Inamura thank Ava, and Frazer says if those two wanted action, they certainly got it. Axiom agrees, and says that if Briggs & Inamura can get through both those teams, then they really do deserve a title match. Ava agrees with all of that. Will Briggs & Inamura prove they’re a true team by taking down two of the best?

Backstage interview with A-Town Down Under.

Sarah Schreiber is with Waller & Theory as they walk up to gorilla, and she says after talking with both Oba and Trick, they’re clearly pissed off. Waller says he would be, too, because ATDU is here to expose these fops! ATDU runs NXT! They’re the best tag team in the WWE! Theory says he and Waller check off all the boxes! They can’t be denied! And they’re gonna put it down #AllDay! Think of this as a preview of Vengeance Day, where Waller finally becomes NXT Champion! Theory asks Waller what he just said, and if Waller wants to be real, Theory’s gonna be champ. Waller says, “Me, you, we, there’s gonna be a new NXT Champion at Vengeance Day.”

Theory says yeah, that much is true. But the music hits, time for their match! Wait, the mysterious test screen is behind them… Will the Grayson Waller Effect be in full effect tonight? Or is that just a theory when put up against The Ruler and Tricky Two-Time-Two-Time?

Oba Femi & Trick Williams VS A-Town Down Under!

NXT returns and Trick makes his entrance first, followed by Oba’s. The chant becomes “WHOOP DAT TRICK! HOO!” The teams sort out, Oba starts against Theory, but then Trick tags in with some stank! The chant of  “WHOOP DAT TRICK! HOO!” continues while Trick and Oba argue, but then Theory attacks! Theory throws hands, bumps Trick off buckles, then RAMS into Trick again and again! Theory talks trash, whips Trick to ropes, but Trick whips Theory away to then dodge and CLOBBER him! And CLOBBER him! And DROPKICK! Trick argues with Oba again, but Oba tells Trick to stay on Theory.

Trick runs at Theory in a corner, Theory dodges! Theory slingshots in to somersault SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Theory drags Trick up, brings him over, tag to Waller. ATDU mugs Trick while the fans boo. Waller stalks Trick to a corner, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! The fans fire up hearing that one! Waller mocks Oba’s strut, ROCKS Trick, then swings, but Trick dodges to CHOP! Trick whips Waller corner to corner but Waller goes up and over. Waller ducks, hurdles, but the LEG LARIAT finds him! And another one! Trick reels Waller in for a BIG suplex! The fans fire up for “WHOOP DAT TRICK! HOO!”

Trick scoops and SLAMS Waller, then tells Oba that’s how it’s done. But then Oba tags in! Oba tells Trick this is how it’s done, but here comes Theory! Oba scoops Theory to SLAM him! But Waller is up to JAB Oba! Waller goes to scoop, but Oba’s too big and strong! As such, Oba scoops and SLAMS Waller! Oba brings Waller up, but Trick tags in. Trick scoops Waller to SLAM him, and Trick argues with Oba again. Waller RAMS Trick into Oba, then runs up again. Trick dodges to kick, then Trick whips. Waller reverses, Trick ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Oba trips Trick! Oba drags Trick out and they argue! Waller FLIES and takes them both out!

Waller and Theory stand tall, and Theory says that’s #AllDay, while NXT goes picture in picture.

Waller drags Trick up, puts him in, and KNEES Trick down. Waller drags Trick up, CLUBS him, then flexes. Waller tags Theory, Theory jump stomps Trick down, then Theory soaks up heat. Theory brings Trick up, DECKS him, then soaks up more heat. Theory drags Trick up, whips him hard into buckles, and Trick falls in a heap. Theory drags Trick to ropes to stand on him! The ref counts, Theory steps off at 4, and he then CHOKES Trick on ropes! The ref counts, Theory steps off at 4, and Theory talks smack on Trick. Waller gets a cheap shot in while the ref is busy with Oba! Theory brings Trick up but Trick fires elbows and haymakers!

Trick whips, Theory reverses, then Theory scoops Trick on the rebound for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Theory tags Waller, Waller stomps Trick, and Waller covers, TWO! Waller rains down forearms to the back of Trick’s neck! Waller pulls Trick back with a chinlock stretch, but Trick endures while the fans rally up. Waller stomps Trick down, drags him up, and fires forearms against ropes. Theory helps mug Trick, then Theory tags in. Theory brings Trick around, but Trick fights the suplex. Trick suplexes Theory in return! NXT returns to single picture and the fans rally up with more “WHOOP DAT TRICK! HOO!”

Trick crawls, but Theory stomps him on the back! Theory drags Trick up to rain fists down into Trick’s cheek! Theory tags Waller, then Theory ROCKS Trick! Wailer JUMP KNEES, and Theory somersault BLOCKBUSTERS! Waller BLATS Oba then covers Trick, TWO! Trick survives but Waller has a cravat. The fans rally, Trick fights up, but Waller fires knee after knee! Down goes Trick and Waller covers, TWO! Waller HAMMERS Trick down, talking trash as he does! Waller then isolates an arm to drop an elbow on it! Trick kicks from below, but Waller hits a FALLING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!

Theory argues the count but Waller drags Trick up by his hair. Waller has a SLEEPER, but Trick hits a JAWBREAKER! Waller sputters, Trick wobbles, but Waller ROCKS Trick first! Trick staggers, Waller clinches to fire knees! Waller TOSSES Trick to the apron, then runs up, but Trick ROCKS Waller first! Theory BOOTS Trick in the distraction! Waller then slides out to LARIAT Trick down! The fans boo but Waller stands on the barriers. Waller BALLER ELBOW DROPS to the floor! Waller then puts Trick back in the ring, lines up his shot, and runs up to somersault into a pop-up UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Trick takes Waller down!

The fans fire up while both men crawl, but Theory tags first! Theory drags Trick back, but Trick BOOTS him away! Hot tag to Oba! The fans fire up as Oba CLOBBERS Theory, CLBOBERS him again, then TOSSES Waller in just because! Oba runs at Theory, Theory BOOTS him, then Theory goes up. But Oba CHOPS first! Waller runs up, Oba fireman’s carries him! Oba adds Theory to the stack, DOUBLE SAMOAN DROP!! The fans are thunderous for Oba’s overwhelming strength, and he UPPERCUTS Waller in a corner! Then he UPPERCUTS Theory in the other! And repeat! And repeat! And then SHOTPUT for Theory!

Oba is all fired up, but Trick tags in! The fans actually boo because Oba was on a roll! Waller sneaks the tag, Trick LARIATS Theory out, but Waller runs up! Waller sidesteps Trick to ROLLING ELBOW! Waller taunts Oba with the barking, but then he runs into a SPIN KICK from Trick! Cover, Theory breaks it! Oba storms in, Theory dodges to LEBOW him! But Oba still pops Theory up! But Theory RANAS Oba and himself out! Trick aims at Waller, but EDDY THORPE LASHES TRICK WITH A LEATHER STRAP!! Trick staggers, into the somersault FLATLINER! Cover, ATDU wins!!

Winners: A-Town Down Under, by pinfall

The Alpha Wolf then gets in the ring, strap wrapped around his fist! He wants to fight whoever, but Oba simply stares him down. Oba doesn’t care about Eddy anymore, he leaves. So Eddy beats up on Trick! The fans boo, but Eddy says get ready to whoop this! He LASHES Trick again, and again, and again! And again, and again, and again! Refs rush the ring, but Eddy stands over Trick, strap in hand. Is the Alpha Wolf going to have his own vengeance at Vengeance Day?

Wait, speaking of, the test screen returns. And then, we get a look at four shadowy figures, before the video cuts away. Is there about to be an invasion?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT with a lot more set up for Vengeance Day, but also some great intrigue towards the new NXTNA partnership. Lexis King’s promo wasn’t bad, he just took his time getting to his point. And his point was apparently that his Face turn was an act all along, all to get the Heritage Cup. Maybe it was an act, maybe the “real” reason was that it was too hard for Lexis to do the right thing and he gave up. Either way, very intriguing that he and the Heritage Cup are being used for a crossover where Fandango returns to NXT, but of course as his TNA persona, “JDC.” That will be a very good match, but I would think Lexis wins, even if he has to blatantly cheat.

Good promo from Ethan VS Je’Von, but no Unsanctioned Match like I was hoping for. Maybe that’s too much for someone still so young like Je’Von. I would think Ethan will try to keep Je’Von from being medically cleared, only for it to fail and then Ethan has no choice but to face Je’Von. Very good “Vengeance Day Summit” for the NXT Women’s Championship story, especially the stuff from Bayley and Roxie. Charlotte showing up here was very fitting, and the same goes for Cora. Cora attacking Bayley and Giulia almost got her in the title match because Bayley brought that up herself. Maybe if Cora cheats and beats Bayley next week, we’ll end up with a Fatal 4 Way.

Very good stuff with the tag title story. For one, Fraxiom plugged their NXT Tag Team Championship match with Nic & Ryan Nemeth, that’s cool. Second, Briggs & Inamura getting themselves into a Fraxiom style situation is clever. That Triple Threat Tag is going to be great stuff, and lends itself to Briggs & Inamura coming away with the win since they can just opportunistically strike. It’s a little odd that this is how Briggs & Inamura find themselves as challengers instead of winning matches week after week, but with only the two hours and no Level Up anymore, there just wasn’t room for that and all the other stories.

Though, to that point, not sure we ever really needed the Karmen x Adonis saga. That ended up kinda secondary to this thing with Kelani, per what we saw tonight. Very good match from Kelani VS Karmen, and Jaida showing up was enough to anger Kelani. I did not think we were going to see “referee reverses the decision” as a result ever again, so very clever to revive it here. We’re getting some interesting developments in The D’Angelo Family story. Stacks being passive aggressive to Tony all because of Izzi is certainly odd. But as I’ve been sensing, Izzi has to be playing double agent somehow. She suggested the cage match, so there’s a chance she helps Ridge win, then reveals she’s been on Shawn Spears’ side all along.

Good promo to set up Sol & Zaria VS Gigi & Tatum. A little disappointing that the trio of Gigi, Tatum & Shotzi already seem on the downturn, but Sol & Zaria looked great in their win tonight. They’ll have a very good match with Lash & Jakara, I’m just not sure the endgame. I suppose it still depends on how the Women’s Tag Team Championship story with Naomi & Bianca is going to go. Vaquer VS Jacy was good, though maybe there was some kind of miscue with Jazmyn’s interference? Vaquer still looks good in her win, and she has a good promo that not only calls out Fallon, but hints at a little something with Lola. Maybe Lola will challenge Vaquer for the Women’s North American Championship on the other side of Vengeance Day.

Very good promos from Oba, Trick and A-Town Down Under before their tag match tonight. That tag match was really good, but of course Trick and Oba fell apart as a team. This gives ATDU momentum going into Vengeance Day, but mostly because they aren’t winning. Eddy going after Trick was a wild surprise, but it’s clear we’re getting a Strap Match between them now. And speculation is already abound for that new group of four. Are they underappreciated NXT superstars? Are they free agents joining NXT? A bit of both? I’m sure there will be more speculation, or even someone close to these four leaking that information, but we can only hope the faction works out and they get to do some great stuff on NXT.

My Score: 8.9/10

Will there be a Mighty new champion?

Though already IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, Kosei Fujita wants to be THE Junior Heavyweight Champion! Can he do it? Or will El Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Togi Makabe & Daiki Nagai; Makabe & Nagai win.
• 8 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino & Master Wato VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• Boltin Oleg & Tomoaki Honma VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
• Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori; Sanada & Taiji win, by disqualification.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; Double Count Out Draw.
• 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK; Chaos wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Kosei Fujita; Desperado wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

After the 8 Man Tag: Team Phantasmo VS The United Empire…

While victory was good enough for Jeff Cobb and the others, The Great-O-Khan attacks Shota Umino! The fans are torn as Khan CLOBBERS Shota, then sends him back into the ring. Khan stomps away, then he hits a SAYANAGI! Khan then goes out to fetch a pair of scissors! Khan goes back to Shota, sits him up, and starts cutting away Shota’s air! Khan revels in the trophy he just took from The Roughneck, and the fans continue to be torn. Khan stomps Shota, then leaves him behind, but the message seems rather clear. Will Khan look to humiliate Shota in a Hair VS Hair grudge match?

Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori!

Every time The Holy Emperor has gone after Cold Blooded Sanada in these tag matches, Sanada has found a way to frame Taichi and get him disqualified! Surely Sanada can’t keep this up forever, will this be the moment of his comeuppance? Or will he still get the better of his furious former friend?

Well, to start, Taichi & Taka attack Sanada & Taiji during their entrance! The fans fire up as Taichi goes right after Sanada with kicks, then he POSTS Sanada! Taichi CHOKES Sanada, Taka keeps Taiji away, and then Taichi shoves Sanada into railing. The ref reprimands but he can’t do much else, this isn’t a match yet! The brawls spill out into the crowd, and Taichi whips, only for Sanada to reverse! Taichi clips a chair, then Sanada goes after him! Taiji CLAWS Taka’s eyes, and Sanada SMACKS Taichi off the “West” sign! Taiji takes a water bottle, takes a swig, then MISTS Taka in the face! Fans rally for Taichi as Sanada brings Taichi back to ringside.

Sanada whips, but Taichi reverses, and Sanada hits railing hard! The fans cheer, but Taiji still CHOKES Taka! Taichi storms up on Sanada, brings him around and puts him in the ring. The fans cheer again, but then Taiji anchors Taichi’s foot. The bell rings, and Sanada KICKS ropes to jam Taichi up! Sanada then suplexes Taichi onto ropes for MAGIC SCREW! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY PRESS! The fans are torn but Sanada just soaks it all up. Sanada brings Taichi up, but Taka BOOTS him! Taiji kicks and whips Taka, but Taka reverses, only for Taiji to handspring and NEURALIZER KICK!

Taiji says BANG, and BLOODY- NO, Taka fights out, UPPERCUTS, and MICHINOKU DRIVERS! Taka scoops Sanada, Sanada slips free, but Taka fights the dragon sleeper! SUPER K! AX BOMBER from Taichi! The fans fire up and Taichi TAKES OFF HIS PANTS! The fans fire up more as Taichi takes aim. TENSHO- NO, the ref is sent at Taichi! Taichi pushes the ref aside, Sanada blocks the kick, then fakes the low blow! But the ref saw it this time, Sanada’s trick won’t work! Sanada gets mad at the ref, then he kicks at Taichi. Taichi blocks the kick and he wants the ref to see this! LOW BLOW!!

Winners: Sanada & Taiji Ishimori, by disqualification

If Sanada wants it that bad, Taichi will give it to him! Taka can’t understand, but consider it a moral victory for Taichi. But he isn’t done, TENSHO JUJIHO for Sanada! Taichi RIPS the “F Just5Guys” shirt off Sanada, then tells him this is what he gets! Taichi storms out of the ring, to grab a chair! Taichi then goes back for Sanada, but Taka and Young Lions tell him not to! Taichi shoves them all aside, storms into the ring, but again he has to push Young Lions and even Taka out of the way! Taichi aims as Sanada sits up, but Taka stops Taichi. Taka says Taichi only has to wait a week, then he can get Sanada in Osaka.

Sanada slips away, and Taichi scares Taiji off. Will the Holy Emperor’s wrath be satisfied when he ends this at The New Beginning?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Kosei Fujita!

The Rogue Luchador’s been on quite the roller coaster ride the past 13 months. He wins this title at WrestleKingdom 18 off his long time rival, Hiromu Takahashi. He loses this title to that cheating Murder Machine, Sho, in Sapporo. He wins Best of the Super Juniors 2024 to then win this title back in a Steel Cage Match, also in Sapporo, only to lose it to his old friend, Douki, only a few weeks later. And then, Desperado wins this title back from Douki, only because Douki crashed and burned at WrestleKingdom 19. Will Despy find himself back on the rise? Or will the Japanese Young Punk send him plummeting back down?

The introductions are made, Desperado’s belt is raised, and we see who is truly the mightiest Junior Heavyweight!

The bell rings and the fans rally and duel. The “FU-JI-TA!” is fairly loud compared to the “DE-SU-PEY!” Despy and Fujita circle, tie up, and feel it out. They clinch, Fujita waistlocks, Despy facelocks, they move around, and Despy tries again. Fujita slips free to float for a later press but Despy’s right up. Despy facelocks yet again, Fujita slips to a waistlock, but Despy arm-drags for a wristlock. Fujita headscissors, Despy moves around, turns Fujita over, and then has the legs. Despy floats back to the facelock, but Fujita fights up to wrench and wristlock. Despy grabs the ROPEBREAK, and the fans applaud. Fujita lets off with pats on the shoulders, and fans cheer again.

Despy stays cool as he and Fujtia reset. They tie up again, and Despy hammerlocks. Fujita switches that onto Despy, Despy switches it back onto Fujita, and they go again and again and again! Despy spins Fujita to then wrangle him, but Fujita rolls to his feet. Despy wrenches, Fujita rolls through and CHOPS! Despy grins and CHOPS in return! The fans rally as Fujita comes back to CHOP! Despy grins again, and then CHOPS! Fujita fires up and CHOPS! The CHOPS keep going back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! Neither man is backing down, and the CHOPS just keep going faster and faster!

The fans fire up, and finally Despy feels it! Fujita CHOPS again, eggs Despy on, so Despy gets the fans fired up. Despy CHOPS and Fujita feels that one! Fujita grins and shakes out his arm to CHOP again! Despy almost laughs, then he comes back to CHOP! Fujita CHOPS, Despy CHOPS, and they’re back at it again! Despy CHOPS and Fujita feels that one! The fans fire up again, and Fujita comes back with another CHOP! And another CHOP! But then Despy ducks one to trip Fujita, STRETCH MUFFLER! Fujita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Despy drags Fujita back to SPLASH the leg! The fans rally while Despy feels that stinging in his chest.

Despy steps over Fujita’s leg to drop a knee on the knee! Despy whips, Fujita reverses, wrenches, and drop toeholds! Fujita ties the legs up fast, and he has the arms! Fujita pulls back for the modified surfboard! Then Fujita manages the NEMESIS SPECIAL! Despy flails, but then he pries the chinlock apart! Fujita shoves him down, shifts to get the arm, and he uses CLARKY CAT! Despy flails and has the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go in frustration, and the fans rally as Despy goes to the apron. Fujita brings Despy up, bumps him off buckles, then takes a swing. But Despy blocks and HOTSHOTS that arm!

Fujita falls back and the fans rally up again. Fujita PENALTY KICKS from the apron! Then he ASAI MOON- NO, Despy catches Fujita! And he LAWN DARTS Fujita into the POST! Fujita falls and the fans fire up! Despy catches his breath and shakes out his arm while Red Shoes checks Fujita. Fujita is still in this, so Despy refreshes the ring count. Despy drags Fujita up, whips him and Fujita hits railing! Fujita falls over, Despy storms over, and Despy drags Fujita up to pull him against a post. Despy SLINGS the arm into the post! Fujita falls, Despy goes to the ring, and the fans duel again. Fujita rises, hobbles, and the ring count starts again.

Despy paces while Fujita rises. Fujita rolls in at 9 of 20 and the fans cheer. Despy drags Fujita up to YANK the bad arm, and Fujita drops to his knees. Despy stomps Fujita, then puts him in a corner. Fujita CHOPS, but Despy scuffs Fujita. Despy whips corner to corner, runs up, and he blocks a boot to KICK the other leg! Despy then DRAGON SCREWS Fujita down! Despy steps through to drop a leg on the knee, then he ties Fujita up in a DEATHLOCK! The fans rally while Fujita endures, and Fujita CHOPS! Despy puts pressure on the knees but Fujita still CHOPS! Despy grabs Fujita’s arm, KIMURA, and even a headscissor!

Fujita endures, Despy shifts to have both arms! Fujita endures this Zack Sabre Jr. level combination of submissions while the fans rally up! Despy shifts to have a cover, TWO! Fujita is still in this and the fans cheer, but Despy looms over him. Despy drags Fujita up, but Fujita pushes his hand away. Fujita CHOPS, but there wasn’t much behind it. Despy eggs him on, so Fujita CHOPS again. Despy CHOPS and Fujita staggers to a corner. Despy whips corner to corner, Fujita reverses, then runs up. Despy puts Fujita on the apron, then kicks the bad leg! Fujita falls to the floor, and Despy builds speed! But Fujita GAMANGIRIS the dive!

The fans fire up as Fujita rises. Fujita slingshots up and over, comes back, and CROSSBODIES! Despy falls while Fujita tumbles out. Fujita then resets, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS! The fans fire up again as Fujita stands tall! Fujita brings Despy up, puts him in the ring, then stalks behind him. Despy stands, Fujita facelocks, but Despy fights the suplex! Despy fires body shots, then knees low. Despy whips Fujita to a corner, but Fujita reverses! Fujita runs up, Despy puts him on the apron again, but Despy ROCKS Fujita first! Fujita springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Fujita roars!

Fujita stalks Despy, deadlifts him, but Despy throws Fujita down for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Then he shifts to a KIMURA! Fujita fights, Despy pulls on the arm, but Fujita scoops to SLAM Despy down! The fans fire up and Fujita KICKS Despy in the back! Fujita PENALTY KICKS, but Despy grits his teeth! Despy eggs Fujita on, so Fujita KICKS again! Fujita runs, but Despy blocks the kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! STRETCH MUFFLER! Fujita throws Despy away, dodges him, and GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fujita crawls to ropes, drags himself up, and the fans rally again.

Fujita brings Despy up, but it’s Despy who suplexes high and hard! Despy then SPEARS Fujita, hauls him up, and hits a BIG back suplex! Despy keeps going as he gut wrenches Fujita, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives, the fans rally up, and Despy rises again. Despy drags Fujita up, reels him in, and underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Fujita RANAS Despy down to then get an ARMBAR! Despy fights around but Fujita turns that into CLARKY CAT!! Despy endures, fights as Fujita pulls, but Fujita cording holds the arm! Then he scissors the arm, and grabs a leg! Despy still fights, kicks, and he manages to kick Fujita!

But Fujita grabs that leg to add a HALF CRAB to the mix! Despy endures being twisted around! Despy uses his one free leg to kick around as the fans are thunderous again! Fujita pulls on the leg with all his might but Despy still endures! Despy tries to find a point of leverage, but Fujita uses that to stack him! Cover, TWO!!! Despy escapes, but Fujita PENALTY KICKS! Fujita roars and the fans are with him! Fujita storms back up, waistlocks, and deadlifts! Despy fights the German Suplex, but Fujita still lifts! Despy fights, flails, goes to ropes, but Fujita uses that to O’Conner Roll, CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, TWO!!!

The fans are thunderous again as Despy survives! Fujita roars and slashes his throat, vowing to end this now! Fujita drags Despy up but he’s a ragdoll! Fujita stomps Despy, then drags him up with a facelock. Fujita CRANKS on the hold, it’s almost a Guillotine Facelock! Despy CLAWS at Fujita, but Fujita just CRANKS the facelock! Then he suplexes, ABANDON- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE?! Despy busts that out in desperation and now both men are down again! The fans rally up, Fujita sputters and crawls, and he rises to his feet. Fujita drags Despy up, Despy fires body shots, then he shoves Fujita away.

Despy sits up and eggs Fujita on, so Fujita CHOPS! The fans rally as Fujita CHOPS again! Despy stands, Fujita CHOPS! Fujita drags Despy up, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but then Despy CHOPS! Despy drops to his knees, but he still CHOPS again! Despy is running on fumes, but he still CHOPS! Fujita storms up to CHOP again! Despy KICKS the bad arm! Fujita tries but his warm won’t let him chop! Despy ROCKS Fujita, but Fujita HEEL KICKS Despy down! The fans fire up again and Fujita brings Despy around, for a CHOP! Despy grabs that arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Despy uses an S grip, and more like a crossface hold on the arm, but it’s very effective!

Fujita fights around, Despy pulls and even pushes on the arm as he changes angles! The fans rally as hard as they can while Fujita endures, and he powers up with his one good arm! Fujita stands, but Despy fishhook shim! Despy spins him, underhooks him, and TIGER DRIVERS!! Despy keeps the underhooks, rolls Fujita around, and then hauls him up for PINCHE- NO!! Fujita BACKDROPS Despy, with a bridge! TWO as Despy bridges up!! Despy keeps the arms hooked, and he powers up to PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Fujita put up a fight worthy of being The Mighty! But even though The Mighty Don’t Kneel, Fujita could not stand tall in the end! Despy is given the belt by Red Shoes, and he either taunts or motivates Fujita with it. Fujita stands to SLAP Despy, then he flops back down. He still has spirit, but what will it take for the Japanese Young Punk to become the Best of the Super Juniors?

As for Desperado, he gets the mic, and though the fans are cheering him, he says he’s had his fill, give it up for Fujita. The fans chant for Fujita now, proud of his fight. Despy then asks Fujita, “How about it? Frustrating, huh?” If the guy who beat him told the fans to cheer him on, Despy would probably crawl away into a hole somewhere. But does the Young Punk get it now? Yeah? Okay, good. Despy notes how during this Road to series, Fujita came after Despy pretty hard, but Despy knows Fujita has business to handle in Osaka, so good luck. Despy says it’s more fun when someone else is doing this, so he wants to wrap this up already.

The fans chuckle, and Despy dismisses Fujita so he can go home. Despy says when you work hard, sometimes you get hurt, even by your colleagues. But sometimes, they get support like this from the fans, and that makes it fun. It still hurts, but Despy still wants to do this. It’s also fun that fans can shout what they want, even if it’d upset Despy, but it’s fine here in this space. He even dares fans to say what they want, like he’s an idiot or he should just go home, even that he should die! So long as they come here to say it, he’ll welcome it.

Despy continues by saying he has a lot he still wants to do, and he even has an idea of who he wants to face next. The fans like the sound of that! Despy says he’s keeping it secret but the fans want to know! Despy says he’s not telling~! Now, Despy doesn’t have a match for Osaka next week, February 11th, but Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr. sounds like a good time to him. He hopes everyone will still watch the rest of Road to New Beginning, thank you very much. Despy drops the mic, gets the official announcement that he is still the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and then he gets the streamers! Wait, his music cuts off?

And now, Francesco Akira’s music plays! The Nova Fireball makes his way out to the ring, and he grabs the mic now. Akira tells Desperado that he had an amazing match! Bravo, Despy, bravo! Akira says he still remembers tapping out to Despy two years ago, right here in Korakuen Hall. But even back then, Akira knew they were destined to battle for that title. That is why Akira is here today! The fans like the sound of that! Akira shifts to English to say, “Despy, I want this belt. And I want to take it from you in a special place for me.” He wants that match for the NJPW Anniversary Show in March! The fans cheer, and Akira pushes the mic back at Despy.

The fans cheer Akira on, and Despy says he remembers that match, too. Maybe not that it was two years ago or whatever, but it was in Best of the Super Juniors. Despy remembers he was giving Akira the runaround before TJP came to help. But Despy does remember that, and he remembers NJPW saying Akira’s name was one of the best. Despy’s a little surprised it took Akira this long to challenge him, especially when Despy hasn’t had the title that long. That said, Despy will gladly accept Akira’s challenge. The fans like the sound of that! But uh, donde esta tu jefe? Where is your boss? Where’s TJP? Doesn’t he need TJP’s approval?

Akira gets mad and shoves Despy! Despy shoves Akira back, things get heated, and Akira trips Despy! Akira throws hands and Young Lions hurry to stop this! Akira tells Despy not to screw around with him! Akira says he doesn’t need TJP, he doesn’t need anybody! Get back in here, Despy! Despy taunts Akira from afar, but then they both storm up to the center of the ring, even as Young Lions try to hold Akira back. Despy tells Akira to go home and calm down. Despy isn’t into Akira’s flash and fire, he shouldn’t just start a fight for no good reason. Who’s gonna have the title? Just listen to the song and you’ll understand.

Despy drops the mic and his music plays again. The New Beginning hasn’t even begun and things are getting spicy! Will Desperado turn down the heat on the Nova Fireball? Or will Akira finally blaze his own trail in NJPW?

My Thoughts:

A great event for Road to New Beginning, with a lot of great story stuff in post-match moments. Khan going after Shota’s hair as part of their feud is certainly an interesting move, given Khan really only has that ponytail now. At the same time, I don’t see Shota resetting back to a Young Lion buzzcut here. That could be a very interesting one right there. Taichi giving Sanada the win using the low blow was hilarious stuff, great comeuppance for Sanada. Their 1v1 match will be a lot of fun if trying to frame each other becomes their focus. LIJ and War Dogs ending in a count-out and then just brawling after is some good stuff, really adds to Yota VS Gabe for the Global Heavyweight Championship.

Chaos VS TMDK keeps happening to keep building up Goto VS ZSJ, not sure this one really added anything, other than seeing #BigJag Hartley taking a Shoto. Despy VS Fujita was awesome, though, probably Fujita’s best singles match yet. But in the end, great win for Despy, and then a somewhat surprising appearance by Akira. Despy pushing Akira’s buttons about how TJP is in charge was some good stuff. Despy VS Akira is going to be a great match for the Anniversary Show, but hard to say if Akira wins the title. The fans really like Despy, he’s been going strong, I’m not sure Akira has had that real breakthrough yet.

My Score: 8.8/10