Time to break more than just hearts!

NXT brings back Vengeance Day, and puts a lot more than love on the line! Will Bron Breakker still be NXT Champion after facing Santos Escobar?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Weaponized Steel Cage: Pete Dunne VS Tony D’Angelo; Dunne wins.
• NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Toxic Attraction VS Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta; Toxic Attraction wins and retains the titles.
• NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Cameron Grimes; Hayes wins and retains the title.
• 2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: MSK VS The Creed Brothers; The Creed Brothers win and will challenge Imperium for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
• NXT Championship: Bron Breakker VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado del Fantasma; Breakker wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mandy Rose chills poolside.

“Rise and shine, bitches.” She texts her girls in Toxic Attraction, and they’re ready to stay champions. Indi & Persia don’t stand a chance. But then Tony D’Angelo tries to blow up their phones? He should be more worried about Pete Dunne and the cage match. Gigi doesn’t see the big deal. Maybe Tony will like this: gif of Dunne smacking those fingers! Trick Williams getting in on it, too? Gigi is down to get grimy, though. But what about THE NXT Champion? Let’s see some gold. Happy Vengeance Day!

Weaponized Steel Cage: Pete Dunne VS Tony D’Angelo!

The Bruiserweight is already in the ring, he must’ve decorated the cage himself. But Tony rolls up in style! “Oh~!” Tony pays his driver then goes to the ring. Tony swaggers in, but will he even be walking out?

The bell rings, and Dunne ENZIGURIS Tony! Tony staggers, Dunne RAMS him into the trash can on the wall! And then the other one on the other side! Fans fire up as Dunne takes a chair and SMACKS Tony on the back! And then SMACKS him again! The chair breaks, and Dunne throws it away. Dunne brings down a trash can, but Tony TACKLSE Dunne! Tony sets the can aside, gets Dunne up and suplexes to FALCON ARROW on the can! Tony brings down some chairs, a chain, and a kendo stick! Tony SMACKS Dunne this time! Tony paces, fans want that “One More Time!” Tony opens the toolbox, but Dunne shuts it closed! And then STOMPS the lid!!

Dunne gets the toolbox, and brings out a wrench! Dunne uses the wrench to BEND Tony’s fingers! Hammerlock and STOMP! Tony clutches the arm while Dunne snarls. Fans rally up as Dunne gets his cricket bat! But Tony SPRAYS Dunne with the fire extinguisher! Tony climbs up, rains down fists on Dunne in the corner, then stands Dunne up. But Dunne goes to climb out! Tony stops Dunne at the top, Dunne elbows the hands away. But Tony drags Dunne around, for a SUPERPLEX! Both men writhe and fans lose their minds! Tony crawls to a cover, TWO! Dunne is still in this as fans say “This is Awesome!”

Tony goes back to the toolbox, and he brings out zip ties! Tony must’ve watched Dragunov VS Devlin, as he zip ties Dunne’s hands behind his back! Dunne has no hands, Tony kicks him around. “You thought you could do this to me?” Tony throws down hands, goes back to the toolbox, and has a hammer! Tony puts the hammer’s claw in Dunne’s mouth to mess with the teeth! Fans rally, chanting for the table. Tony gets Dunne up, Dunne HEADBUTTS Tony! Dunne shrugs, knees Tony low, and then jumps, for a NO HANDS TRIANGLE HOLD! Tony endures, stays up, deadlifts Dunne and POWERBOMBS him!

Tony is free, he hauls Dunne up, DDT! Cover, TWO! Dunne survives again, and fans still want tables. Tony drags Dunne up, brings him over to the table and reels him in. Fans fire up, but Dunne turns powerbomb into a GUILLOTINE!! Dunne drags Tony down, but Tony reaches into the toolbox! Dunne has pliers and he snips the zip ties so he can get free! Dunne’s hands are also freed, and as Tony crawls for the toolbox, Dunne grabs Tony’s hand! But Tony RAMS Dunne into the trash can lid! Tony climbs, and he gets himself the crowbar! But Dunne CHOP BLOCKS Tony’s leg! Dunne brings Tony out, POWERBOMB through the table!!!

Fans are losing their minds as Dunne drags Tony out of the wreckage! Cover, TWO!?! Tony survives and shocks Dunne! Fans argue the count, Tony manages to sit up. Dunne gets the cricket bat again, but Tony still has his crowbar. Dunne stands on the crowbar! And STOMPS the hands! Cricket bat SMACK! The bat breaks, Dunne pump handles, BITTER END!! Cover, TWO?!?! How?!? Fans are thunderous, and Dunne gets the crowbar. Dunne is seething, he aims at Tony, but Tony LOW BLOWS!! Then, FOGEDABOUTIT! Cover off the fisherman buster, TWO!?!? Dunne survives and now Tony is shocked!

Both men are down, fans are thunderous again. Dunne and Tony crawl for items. Tony gets his crowbar, but Dunne finds one he tucked away in a corner! Tony runs in, but Dunne CRACKS him low! Then CLOBBERS him from behind!! Pump handle, BITTER END on table wreckage! Cover, Dunne wins!

Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall

Dunne had an ace in the hole, and got the better of Tony with his own weapon of choice! Is this just the start of a new chapter for the Bruiserweight in NXT?

Raquel Gonzalez is calling.

Cora Jade wakes up and asks what’s going on. Good morning, time to get up. But it’s 5 AM! Cora, only losers are still asleep. Does she wanna win the Dusty Cup or not? Yes, but can’t they do this more at like 10? No, it’s time to train. Raquel is already outside her apartment! Cora needs time to get dressed…

They then go to the Performance Center, and Raquel says it takes three wins to win the tournament. Time to warm up. They pump iron, with Raquel doing much more. They run, they throw the medicine ball, they do chin-ups, and then Cora gets a snack. Raquel slaps that away. That’s not part of the plan. The Dusty Cup is a grueling tournament, no one is gonna just give up. Does Cora have the stamina to last night after night? yeah, yeah, she’s ready. Then finish strong. Let’s go! They jog in the park, do sit-ups, and push-ups. They gotta work as a team, so they’re gonna do partner carries. Raquel piggybacks on Cora, and Cora almost falls.

Okay, they gotta do this all again tomorrow. All of this? Exactly? Yes. But Cora killed it. Raquel’s proud. Cora might be having regrets, but will this all pay off in the end?

The Women’s Dusty Cup starts next Tuesday!

McKenzie stands by the Dusty Cup trophy because tonight, the men finish up! Who has MSK? Who has The Creed Brothers? We now hear from the finalists.

Malcolm Bivens speaks for Diamond Mine. “The Dusty Cup Finals, MSK VS The Creed Brothers, and boy, these two teams couldn’t be any more different.” Brutus Creed agrees. The Creeds are the ones who put in the work. They’re the ones that lift weights and hit bags. Bivens says the only thing MSK hits is still illegal in 13 states. Julius says the only green they chase is money. “But don’t get it twisted, the money doesn’t make us. We make the money.” The only reason MSK won last year is because the Creeds weren’t in it. And tonight, the creeds take what is theirs! They become Dusty Cup Champions! Diamond Mine forever!

But MSK are pumped up for the finals. One year ago, they walked in the new kids on the block, went to Vengeance Day and walked out Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Champions! There was confetti, sparklers, people were screaming, they were crying. Nash Carter denies every crying. It was allergies. Man, it’s all good. Wes Lee teared up, too. But now tables have turned. They’re going in the veterans against a team rising up the ranks faster than Bivens swipes right on Valentine’s. But everyone knows the Creeds, the freaks of natures who show no mercy. But they didn’t have Shaman Bro Riddle help them reach the mountaintop!

And that is what they’re gonna do this year, risking it all to make history! They’ll walk out two-time Dusty Cup winners! That’s MSK, all night and all day. But then, who puts their names on the plaque to then head for the NXT Tag Team Championships?

NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Toxic Attraction VS Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta!

Mandy Rose is still golden through and through, and now it’s time for Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne to put in the work. Will they stay on top of the NXT Women’s Division? Or will they be uprooted and dethroned by the best friends from down under?

But as soon as the challengers get in, the champions attack! Gigi is after Indi, Jacy is after Persia. Indi & Persia push them back but Gigi & Jacy DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Indi & Persia bail out, Toxic Attraction go to the apron. Jacy CANNONBALLS onto Persia, Gigi CANNONBALLS onto Indi! Mandy loves what she sees as her girls high-five. They get Persia up and in, the ref reprimands and Jacy starts with Persia at the bell. ROLLING ELBOW! Persia stays up, Jacy runs, but Persia catches her crossbody! FALL AWAY SLAM! Persia tags in Indi, Persia whips Jacy, then BACKBREAKERS! Feed to Indi’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO!

Indi drags Jacy up, puts her through ropes and EuroUppers! Indi then BOOTS Jacy down, covers, TWO! Indi drags Jacy up but Jacy powers her to the corner! Jacy puts Indi up top, tag sin Gigi, but Indi fights them both off! Mandy distracts, Jacy GAMANGIRIS and Gigi BOOTS! Indi tumbles down to the floor and Mandy mocks her pain. Persia wants to reinforce Indi but the ref has her stay back. Mandy puts Indi in, but gets caught! The ref EJECTS Mandy! Toxic Attraction is furious but fans taunt Mandy as NXT goes picture in picture.

Gigi sits Indi up for Kowata Kicks! Gigi talks trash, then ROCKS Indi with a forearm! Gigi whips, ROCKS Indi again, then whips her for another big forearm. Gigi keeps going, but Indi gets around to roll Gigi up! TWO, Gigi CLOBBERS Indi! Cover, TWO! Gigi stalks Indi, drags her back by her ponytail, and clamps on a neck wrench. Indi endures, Gigi SLAMS her down, then Gigi just drags her up again. Gigi whips Indi into the Toxic corner, tags Jacy, and they sweep the legs. Jacy fires up, mocks Persia, then CANNONBALLS into Indi! Jacy drags Indi to a cover, TWO! Jacy smirks as she keeps on Indi and whips her to the corner for a SPLASH!

Tag back to Gigi, Gigi snapmares Indi and KICKS her in the back! Gigi tells Persia to kiss this, then she hip drops Indi. Gigi hip drops again, then taunts Persia. Gigi drags Indi up but Indi throws body shots. Gigi CLUBS Indi, drags her up and bumps her off buckles. Tag to Jacy, they mug Indi with stomps, then tag again. Gigi stomps Indi more, lets off as the ref reprimands, but she keeps Indi in the corner. Tag to Jacy, Jacy digs her boot into Indi but lets off at 4. Jacy stalks Indi as she crawls then stomps her down. Jacy gets the arms for a motorcycle stretch. Indi endures, Jacy shakes her head and pulls the arms more.

Indi fights up as NXT returns to single picture. Jacy throws Indi down, then slaps her around. Indi throws body shots, Jacy CHOPS! Indi CHOPS, then blocks a kick to JAB! Jacy staggers, runs back in, DOUBLE FACEBUSTERS take both women down! Fans rally up as Indi and Jacy crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Gigi and Persia! Persia rallies on Gigi, runs in at the corner and SPLASHES! Persia scoops Gigi for SNAKE EYES! Then a GERMAN SUPLEX! Powerhouse Persia fires up, but Jacy jumps on! The ref reprimands, Persia RAMS Jacy into a corner! Persia fireman’s carries Gigi, stacks Jacy on top, and DOUBLE SAMOAN DROPS! Cover on Gigi, TWO!!

Persia drags Gigi up, CLUBS her, fans duel but Persia tags Indi. Feed to Indi’s lift, COMBO SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Jacy breaks it with a senton! A close call, but Persia goes after Jacy! They spill out of the ring as Persia keeps clubbing Jacy. Jacy gets up, Persia runs in, but is sent into steel steps! Indi sees Gigi is down, and she springboards, only for Jacy to trip her up! Gigi QUESTION MARK KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Indi still lives and fans fire up! Tag to Jacy, she and Gigi get Indi up. Gigi ROCKS Indi and Jacy runs, DISCUS HIGH-LOW!! Cover, Toxic Attraction wins!

Winners: Toxic Attraction, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Mandy may have been removed but Jacy & Gigi are still very sneaky. Will Toxic Attraction always been on top of the division? Or will the winners of the Women’s Dusty Cup be able to stop them?

Amari Miller and Wendy Choo hang out backstage.

Amari and Wendy realize Amari’s phone case matches Wendy’s thermos cup. They should’ve been a team all along! They both had good Valentine’s Days, but what about the Women’s Dusty Cup? Amari wishes Wendy had asked last week, she already accepted someone else’s offer. Wendy says that’s fine. Amari thanks Wendy for the shopping spree again, and Wendy says it’s good. Good luck out there! But then Wendy gives a thumbs down when Amari leaves. Who will she get for the Dusty Cup? Wait, Dakota Kai!? Wendy walks over and says, “Hey, loser. A spot on my team just opened up for the Dusty Cup. What do you say? Me, you?”

Dakota talks to her invisible friends in disbelief. Wendy wants to team with her? Sure, why not? Dakota again talks to her invisible friends about how weird that’d be, but Wendy interrupts. It can be a lot of fun. Dakota did win last year. But no, that’d be a horrible idea. Well, when Dakota and whoever else is here figure this out, come find Wendy. Dakota says it’ll be fine. But will whoever she’s talking to accept that?

Grayson Waller arrives, with the police!

The 21st Century Success Story tells Sanga to stay here, and when Waller returns with LA Knight in cuffs, they can get it on video, put it in TikTok and go viral! Waller talks to the officers. Knight has been harassing Waller for months, been a real nuisance, so Waller has no other choice. Waller leads the officers in, are we about to see Knight spend the night in jail?

Brooks and Briggs are at the bar.

Well, how did the date go? It went good. Brooks thanks Briggs for taking Kacy to the movies. Briggs says Brooks owes him $50 for the movie tickets, the popcorn, and a lotta beer. Okay, okay. But Brooks appreciates the alone time he had with Kayden. So how’d that go? Well, he picked her up in the pick-up truck, had a dinner, talked about the Dusty Classics, and being the independent woman that she is, she paid for herself, and then he took her back to her place. So was it nice? Yeah. What the hell, Brooks? Well, they hugged, said g’night, and then she said something really sweet. She thinks of him as a little brother.

Oh, brother. Briggs knows Brooks is from ‘Bama but that ain’t a good thing! That means you’re just friends! No way. Look, they’ll ask the bartender. Wait, Fallon? You work here? It’s her family’s place, she helps out from time to time. Well, okay, they can get a woman’s opinion on this. Hypothetically, maybe Brooks went on a date- Listen. Brooks went on a date, the lady paid for herself, she gave him  a hug, and said he was like a brother to her. Good or not? In a way it’s good. A friend for life, for sure. Just a friend…? Brooks shouts, “NOOO!” Did Fallon say something wrong? No, it’s just Brooks is in… “The Zone.”

LA Knight goes to the ring!

Knight gets a mic, but Waller appears before Knight can speak! Waller points at Knight and tells the officer that that’s the man who’s been stalking him and attacking him! IT didn’t have to be this way, but Waller has no other choice! Officers, Waller will show you footage as to why this is happening. Last month, Waller fought his heart out against Styles, and then “this maniac viciously attacks” Waller, and has caused him emotional trauma! Waller protected himself with a restraining order, and yet Knight still puts his hands on him! Waller can’t sleep at night! He’s got so much anxiety! It’s not fair!

So the officers have seen the evidence, Knight violated the order, he should be arrested! Knight snatches the order and asks the officers to wait. He won’t stop them from doing their jobs. He knows he has the right to remain silent, but he also knows he has a right to explain his side of things, “So lemme talk to ya!” Knight read the order front to back, and knew that Waller would bring his own video evidence, so here’s some of Knight’s! Waller was the one who attacked Knight two weeks ago! Knight ain’t no legal beagle, but we all know that according to page two of the order, it reads, LA Knight cannot touch Grayson Waller but Grayson Waller can’t touch LA Knight!

So what that means is, this order ain’t worth the paper it’s printed on, ya dumb son of a bitch! No, in Australia, it’s only one way! But we’re in USA, Waller. The police leave, nothing to see here. Waller asks if there’s nothing stopping Knight right now. There isn’t. And Knight CLOBBERS Waller! Knight rains down rights, then stomps away in the corner! Fans chant, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But here comes Sanga! Knight knocks Sanga off the apron, then TOSSES Waller at him! Sanga catches Waller, and Knight says it is open season on Waller! Next week, Knight VS Waller, and Waller gets his ass stomped out by who? L A KNIGHT, YEAH!

Persia & Indi regroup backstage.

They were so close tonight! They worked so hard for those titles. Indi wants to take the blame but Persia says it’s fine. They can win the Women’s Dusty Cups and do it all over again. Dexter Lumis visits and Indi hugs. Indi tells Persia they’ll hang out later. Indi goes off with Dexter, and Duke Hudson walks in. Duke says he knows what’ll cheer Persia up. Seems Persia has a man of her own now. Will both Indi & Persia feel much, much better at the end of tonight?

Tommaso Ciampa speaks.

“I have spent the last six years of my career, of my life, building a brand, moment after moment, triumph after triumph, setback after setback. Building MY brand, building MY home. And yet still, there are people out there who act as if none of that matters. They act as if I’ve been doing this all in some sort of minor league farm system.” Ciampa sees it in their eyes, in how they look at him, how they talk to him, their body language. Those people think they’re better than Ciampa! Dolph Ziggler thinks he’s better than Tommaso Ciampa! But Ciampa thinks Ziggler has mistaken loyalty for fear.

Ciampa says it isn’t about that tonight. Tonight is Bron Breakker VS Santos Escobar for the NXT Championship. The same title Ziggler wants, the same title Ciampa wants. Quite the predicament. Ziggler surely will be watching tonight, knowing that Ciampa will be watching, too. After all, this is Ciampa’s home. The Psycho Killer has sent his message, but will the Show-Off heed the warning?

NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Cameron Grimes!

Melo says himself, “I am NXT’s Breakout Superstar. When I shoot, I don’t miss.” Trick says to talk your talk. This is why Melo IS the Unified North American Champion, THE A Champion! Will Melo be pouring out another one, just like it shows on the shirt? Or will this top star be left in the dust as Cameron Grimes goes #ToTheMoon?

The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see if Melo still stays the A Champion.

Fans chant, “Whoop That Trick!” and Grimes hopes Melo hears all that. Grimes says he’s goin’ TO~ THE~ MOON~, and then points a finger to the sky. Melo aims at the “rocket,” shoots it down, and then stomps on it! Grimes and Melo circle, tie up, and go around. Melo puts Grimes on the ropes, the ref counts, Melo lets off quickly. The two go again, Grimes gets a leg but Melo hops to the ropes. Grimes lets off quickly, and the two reset again. They tie up with knuckle locks, Grimes spins to wrench and wrangle Melo to the mat. Melo kips up and wrenches back. Grimes slips through, fireman’s carries takeover, cover, ONE!

Melo gets away and fans cheer the exchange. The two go again, Grimes shoots in to get a leg then a waistlock. Melo fights up, backs Grimes into a corner, but Grimes avoids the cheap shot to arm-drag and armlock! Grimes grinds the arm, Melo fights up, but Grimes wrenches and WRINGS Melo out. Cover, ONE as Melo goes Matrix, but Grimes clamps onto the arm for another armlock. Melo kips up, arm-drags back and has the armlock back. Fans rally and duel, Grimes works his way up, and Grimes arm-drags Melo down. Melo facelocks, Grimes fights up and wrenches out to a headlock. Melo powers out, Grimes runs him over!

Fans fire up, things speed up, Melo hurdles, Grimes handsprings and says, “Kiss Mah Grits!” Grimes then counter punches Melo, CHOPS him, and Melo is stinging! Grimes KICKS Melo against ropes, then whips him. Melo reverses, bumps shoulders, kicks low, CLUBS Grimes on the back, then whips. Grimes reverses back, and back drops Melo high and hard! Fans fire up, Trick talks trash to distracts Grimes. Melo mule kicks low! Melo drags Grimes up to throw forearms. Melo whips Grimes, Grimes reverses but Melo slips off the back to CLOBBER Grimes! Melo runs in, but Grimes throws him out!

Grimes goes to the apron, but Trick is in the way! Melo blocks the kick to trip Grimes! Melo gets in, runs in, but blocks a boot. Melo avoids the enziguri, puts Grimes in the ropes, ENZIGURI! And then a FADE AWAY! The imploding leg drop takes Grimes down, Melo pats himself on the back as NXT goes picture in picture.

Melo and Trick high-five while Grimes flounders in the corner. Melo stomps a mudhole, lets off as the ref counts, and then he drags Grimes to a cover. TWO, and Melo is annoyed. Melo pushes Grimes around, has him in a corner, and whips him corner to corner hard! Grimes bounces off buckles, Melo covers, TWO! Trick talks trash on Grimes, Melo talks a little trash of his own, and then Melo snapmares Grimes into a chinlock. Grimes endures as Melo grinds him into the mat. Trick says to squeeze, but Grimes fight sup. Grimes throws body shots, gets free, runs, ducks and dodges, CROSSBODY!

Both men are down, Trick is stressing out but fans rally up. Grimes gets up, goes for Melo, but Melo YANKS him into buckles! Melo gets up while the ref reprimands, and Trick gets a cheap shot in! Melo drags Grimes to a cover. TWO, and Melo is annoyed again. Melo stomps Grimes down, drags Grimes up and CHOPS him down, then drags Grimes up again for another CHOP! Grimes falls back down, Melo gets the arm for a top wristlock. Grimes endures the grind as Melo leans on the hold. NXT returns to single picture as fans rally and duel. Grimes sits up but Melo twists the wristlock. Trick says to keep on that, but Grimes fight sup again.

Grimes goes around and around, arm-drags Melo off, and then gets to a corner, Melo runs in, Grimes BOOTS him away this time. Melo comes back, Grimes goes up and over, ducks and dodges, COLLISION COURSE! Both men are down and Trick is freaking out! Fans are fired up as Melo and Grimes stir. Grimes kips up! Grimes fires up and fans cheer as he fires off on Melo. Melo hits back, they go back and forth with forearms! Melo wobbles, winds up, then throat chops! Grimes blocks the kick to RANA Melo! Grimes rallies with running forearms, then runs in at the corner, but Melo BOOTS him!

Melo runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Grimes powers through that to tilt-o-whirl SLAM Melo! Cover, TWO! Trick is relieved but fans argue the count. Grimes wants another cover, Melo shoves him away. “This is Awesome!” as Grimes waistlocks Melo. Melo resists the lift, elbows free, but Grimes SUPER- NO! Melo blocks the punch to CODE BREAKER! Melo runs, springboards, FLYING SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Trick can’t believe it! Fans argue the count again but Melo just tries to refocus. Melo snarls, says he IS the A Champion, shoots the three, but Grimes ROCKS him with a back elbow!

Grimes kicks but Melo ducks it to JUMP KICK back! Melo rolls off Grimes’ back, but into Grimes’ SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Grimes can’t believe it! Melo checks his teeth, Grimes snarls and gets up. Melo sits up, Grimes KICKS Melo in the chest, and KICKS him again! Trick distracts Grimes, Grimes dares Trick to try something! Melo runs in, Grimes sidesteps and Melo almost collides with Trick! Grimes jumps up, POISON-RANA on Melo!! Then PENALTY KICK for Trick! Grimes hurries and fans are thunderous! Melo is up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! That’s not enough yet, and Melo even shakes his head!

Fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” and shout along, “TO~ THE~ MOON~!” But Melo bails out to deny the stomps! So Grimes goes to the apron, CAVE-IN on Trick as Melo moves! Melo RAMS Grimes into the barriers! Melo tells the belt he’s never gonna lose it. Melo puts Grimes in, runs to ropes, tilt-o-whirl FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!? But into the CROSSFACE! Melo bends Grimes way back! Grimes endures, fans rally, and Grimes gets his arm free! Grimes crawls, Melo pulls on the bully choke! Trick pulls on the rope! The ref reprimands, Melo kicks off the rope to roll back, but Grimes makes it a cover! TWO!!

Grimes is free, he hurries to the corner, Melo runs in but is put on the apron. Melo YANKS Grimes back by his hair! Grimes staggers, Melo hits the FLYING LEG DROP!! Cover, Melo wins!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

Melo #DroppinDimes and keeping the gold! Trick says that’s the A Champion, all because he played his part in this. Will Melo never miss when he has Trick for the assist?

Kay Lee Ray talks with Io Shirai.

The Scary Queen of Scots smashes class with her bat, and asks the Evil Genius if she wants a turn. Shirai says no thanks. Not her style. Aw, c’mon. Surely Shirai is mad about something. Like how there’s no title around her waist, and how she can’t stand Toxic Attraction. Right now, Toxic Attraction has all the gold, they injured Zoey Stark, and- Okay, okay. Shirai will try. SMASH! Homer after homer! Shirai & KLR are having fun now! Shirai does feel better. Stark asks what the heck is with this mess, and then Shirai takes Starks’ coffee cup and SMASHES it on the ground.

Shirai likes KLR. Well, that’s a better start than with Stark. KLR says they’re gonna have some fun. Will they have fun smashing their way through the Dusty Cup to then smash Toxic Attraction?

2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: MSK VS The Creed Brothers!

Once again, the finals are must-see. Carter & Lee can make history by being back-to-back winners, but Julius & Brutus could prove they’re the future of this division. Will MSK become NXT’s dream team? Or is Diamond Mine about to crush them on the way to the gold?

The teams sort out, Brutus starts with Carter. Brutus shoots in, Carter steps over, they roll, and Brutus still has the leg. Carter gets the ropes, Brutus lets off and CLUBS Carter down to fireman’s carry throw. Tag to Julius, Brutus feeds Carter to Julius’ fireman’s carry takeover, and then Julius feeds Carter back to Brutus’ fireman’s carry takeover. Julius pushes Carter around, waistlocks, but Carter elbows back. Julius still GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Carter lands on his feet! Lee tags in, shoulders into Julius and then slingshots and body blows! Carter KICKS, Lee KICKS, Carter KICKS and Lee ENZIGURIS! Carter DOUBLE STOMPS and fans fire up!

Lee taunts Brutus but Julius bails out. The ref keeps Brutus back, Lee runs and FLIES over the corner to hit Julius! Lee puts Julius in the ring while fans are losing their minds. Lee springboards, handsprings, but Julius SLAMS him down! Julius gut wrenches, rolls with Lee, and then gets him up to throw him into ropes! Julius DECKS Carter, runs and POUNCES Lee to the announce desk! Fans fire up for “CREED! CREED! CREED!” and NXT goes picture in picture.

Julius goes out to fetch Lee into the ring, then goes in to HALF HATCH Lee to the corner! Tag to Brutus, Brutus KNEES Lee in the side, Julius KNEES Lee back, and repeat! Brutus looms over Lee, brings him around, CLUBS him down, then drags him over to tag in Julius. Brutus DECKS Lee, then Julius gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on him! Julius taunts Carter, drags Lee up, and waistlocks for a rear bearhug. Lee endures, throws elbows, but Julius keeps him from Carter,. Lee elbows even harder, but Julius CLOBBERS him! Julius drags Lee away, tags in Brutus, and now Brutus JUDO THROWS Julius onto Lee!

Brutus drops elbows on Lee’s leg, circles him like a shark, then drags Lee back up. Brutus wraps on the bearhug and Lee endures the squeeze. Brutus thrashes Lee around but Lee throws down elbows. But Brutus squeezes tight again! Lee still endures, NXT returns to single picture, and fans rally up. Brutus SLAMS Lee down, then rains down clubbing forearms! Lee gets away and Brutus hammers the mat! Brutus snarls as he stalks Lee. Brutus lunges in but Lee dodges and Brutus hits buckles! Lee crawls, Brutus gets the legs, but kicks Brutus away. Hot tags to Julius and Carter! Carter rallies on Julius, CHOPS him, then whips.

Julius reverses, Carter turns hurdle into FLAPJACK, then SNAP GERMANS Julius down! Fans fire up as Carter fires off strikes. Carter sweeps the leg and PENALTY KICKS! SUPERKICK for Brutus! Carter sees Julius go out, and he has Lee coordinate. APRON PUSH-SAULT! Down goes Julius and fans fire up with Carter! Carter drags Julius up and into the ring. Carter goes up, Lee tags in, Carter SWANTON BOMBS! Lee goes up as Carter dropkicks Brutus! Lee MARIPOSA SENTONS! Cover, TWO!! Brutus survives the corkscrew, “This is Awesome!” Lee KICKS Julius, tags Carter, and MSK coordinates, RAILGUN DROP-

NO! Julius catches Carter to dump him out! Julius runs at Lee but into a basement dropkick! The legs go out, Lee gets Julius, CATAPULT SUPERKICK! DOUBLE STOMPS!! Carter covers, Brutus barrels through Lee to break it!! Fans are fired up again as all four men are down! Lee BOOTS Brutus, Brutus BOOTS back! Carter KNEES Brutus out of the ring! Julius bails out but Carter builds speed, to DIVE into a SPINEBUSTER!! Julius puts Carter in, fans are losing their minds again, and Julius brings down the straps. SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, CREEDS WIN!!

Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall (2022 Dusty Rhodes Classic winners)

Bivens is almost tearing up, he’s so proud of his guys! Julius & Brutus raise the cup high as the confetti rains down! But will they be able to end the reign of Imperium?

Nikkita Lyons speaks.

“One night, my dad sat me down to talk to me before one of his gigs.” He told her to stop beating people up and pushing people away. She was here on this planet to bring people together. Her eyes lit up, and the rest is history. Nikki’s feelings of crushing a routine is only compared to a knockout blow on an opponent. Nikki knows she’s a whole lotta woman who’s ready to do a whole lotta whoopin’. She won’t hide it, deny it or apologize for it. Watch out for Lyons’ roar, because she’s coming to NXT next week!

Imperium is in the ring!

The NXT Tag Team Champions and Gunther are here, and Gunther wants the ring announcer to get it right: “It’s GUNTA!” Fans still chant “Walter! Walter!” Aichner says, “Congratulations to the Creed Brothers, Dusty Classic winners. After a grueling tournament, you have now earned the opportunity at our tag team titles. But that’s all it is: an opportunity.” Barthel says that to truly understand what Imperium stands for, “you must be willing to persevere through suffering, anguish, and the misery that you are not prepared to endured just yet.” Gunther says Marcel & Fabian have brought  honor to our great sport!

But for himself, it is time he sets his eyes on championship gold in NXT! Tonight, he will be watching Bron VS Escobar with “the highest of interest.” For they are Imperium, and to them, the mat- They’re interrupted by Solo Sikoa! The Street Champion of the Island says, “Yo, we get it. The mat is sacred, right? That’s what you was about to say. I don’t give a damn about that mat. Because on the island, you gotta climb the ladder, find the biggest and the baddest dude, and then we smack the taste outta his mouth!” That’s what he’s about to do to Gunther! Solo doesn’t care how to say his name, he’s gonna wipe the mat with the Ring General, and make him his BITCH.

Walter/Gunther keeps Barthel & Aichner from going after Solo. Will the Ring General make the Street Champion wishes he never got into the family business?

Backstage interview with Dolph Ziggler.

The Show-Off got hit with a drink in his face by Ciampa last night on Raw. Not the first time someone’s done that to him, and certainly not the last. But it wasn’t just water, either. Ciampa got a nice kick for his troubles, though. But it must be nice being Ciampa. Staying in his lane, soaking up the Florida sun, popping off and being annoying. Sure, Ziggler can handle that. But Ciampa showed up on Raw, flew himself on his own dime, middle seat in the back. He was on commentary, flexing his muscles. Hope Ciampa got a nice big picture of that, he can make it into an 8 x 10 and put his autograph on it to sell for a lot of money, here in Florida.

Ziggler knows Ciampa is the pulse of NXT, but Ziggler stops that pulse next week. This is Ciampa’s home? Well next week, Ziggler kicks down the door, opens up the fridge, drinks milk outta the carton, takes a bathroom break and a little more. Now, the NXT Championship match is next, and you better believe Ziggler will watch it closely.

Melo & Trick regroup backstage.

They’re talking about who will win tonight’s main event. Bron may be good, but what does being good matter to someone who is great? Good point, Melo. But then Pete Dunne walks over. “Congrats, mate. Still North American Champion… for now.” The Bruiserweight coming for The A Champion next, will he be the first to make Melo miss?

NXT Championship: Bron Breakker VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado del Fantasma!

All eyes are on this main event! Two second generation wrestlers collide for the biggest prize on this brand! And for that reason, this main event is COMMERCIAL FREE!! Will the Big Booty Nephew hold onto the gold to then welcome everyone else to try? Or will The Son of the Phantom solidify his own legacy by reaching the mountaintop?

NXT returns one more time, Bron makes his entrance, using a flare to ignite the old school Vengeance logo. Bron then makes his way out, all fired up. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Bron wins this make-or-break match!

Escobar talks trash on Bron but Bron just smirks. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock! Escobar keeps trying but then Bron pushes him back! They end up in a corner, Bron lets off with a pat on the shoulder. Escobar shoves but Bron doesn’t budge! They tie up again, turn around, Bron shoves Escobar away. Bron flexes, Escobar gets up and the two circle again. They tie up, Escobar waistlocks but Bron headlocks back. Escobar endures the grind, powers up but can’t power out as Bron holds tight. Escobar tries again, he stomps on Bron’s foot and powers out. But Bron runs Escobar over! Fans bark for Bron as he looms over Escobar.

Escobar gets up, Bron headlocks again but Escobar powers out. Things speed up, Escobar dropkicks Bron down! Fans rally but Bron is right back up. Bron says that was pretty good. They tie up, Born headlocks, but Escobar powers out. Bron sees the drop down and gator rolls it to a suplex! Bron holds Escobar up, walks around with him, and then SLAMS him down! Bron kips up! Fans fire up, bark for Bron, but Escobar bails out. Bron pursues, Escobar gets back in, but Born dodges. Things speed up, Escobar hurdles, but Bron ducks and dodges to LARIAT Escobar down! Bron RAMS Escobar in the corner, then RAMS his shoulder in more.

The ref counts, Bron lets off and scoops Escobar to carry him around. Fans duel, Bron hits a BACKBREAKER! Wilde distracts Bron in that bright red suit, then runs off as Bron storms over. Escobar CLOBBERS Bron from behind! Bron goes out, Escobar builds speed, ARROW FROM HELL! Direct hit with that powerful tope and Escobar whips Bron into steel steps! Escobar drags Bron up, puts him in, then pushes him down to a cover. TWO, but Escobar hammers away on Bron’s back. Escobar drags Bron up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Escobar gets annoyed but he keeps on Bron with a chinbar and armlock.

Bron endures, Escobar shifts his grip on the chinbar, then digs a knee into the back. Escobar drags Bron through the ropes, turns him, HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Escobar takes time to fix his hair, “Viva Mexico, Vic!” Escobar gets in to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Escobar gets Bron up as fans rally and duel. Escobar puts Bron in a corner but Bron throws body shots! Bron turns thing around and throws more hands! The ref counts, Bron lets off, but then runs back in, into a BOOT! Escobar drags Bron back up, puts him back in the corner with buckle bumps, then clubs his back. Escobar goes corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES!

Escobar pushes Bron down to cover, TWO! Escobar grows frustrated but he drags Bron to a corner. Escobar brings the legs onto the steel steps, then brings Bron all the way out. BOSTON CRAB against the post! The ref reprimands and counts, Escobar lets go at 4. Escobar puts Bron on the steps and RAMS his head into the post! Escobar puts Bron in the ring, drops an elbow, then drags Bron around for another elbow drop! Escobar is after the neck as he digs a knee in and pulls on the arm. Bron endures, fans rally and bark, but Escobar pulls on the arm more. Escobar sits Bron up for a chinlock against the knee.

Bron still endures, fans rally and duel, and Escobar pulls Bron back more. Bron fights up as fans rally more. Bron throws body shots, Escobar CLUBS him on the neck over and over. Escobar whistles and fans cheer. Escobar drags Bron up, “I told you, Bron! Callete, cabron! I told you, this is MY time, cabron.” Escobar winds up, but Bron blocks the punch! Bron fights up, bends the hand, then ROCKS Escobar! And again! And again! Bron rallies with shoulder tackles, then dodges Escobar to scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Bron fires up, fans bark and Bron aims from the corner. But Mendoza distracts now, so Bron DECKS him!

Bron sees Wilde and TOSSES him into the ring! Wilde gets up, Bron clotheslines him out! Elektra distracts now, but here comes ZIGGLER! SUPERKICK!!! Escobar hurries to cover, TWO!! Bron survives the screw job from the Show-Off! Ziggler throws a fit, gets back in, but CIAMPA drags Ziggler out! They brawl again, and Ciampa runs Ziggler off! Escobar goes to a corner, seethes as he aims at Bron, and Bron flounders up. Escobar runs in, TORNADO DDT!! Bron is down, Escobar goes up! He shouts out Eddie Guerrero, but he has to bail out of the frog splash! Escobar fireman’s carries but Bron fights free!

Bron shoves, runs, and SPEARS!! Straps come down, fans are thunderous, and Bron gets Escobar up. Trophy lift, for the BREAKKER SLAM!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)

The young champion is still champion, even as Escobar had more than just Legado helping him! Will Bron continue on as the Face of NXT? Who will come for him next?

My Thoughts:

An awesome episode for NXT! The fanservice eye candy opening with Toxic Attraction was very much what Vince has made NXT into, but things got serious right away with the Weaponized Steel Cage Match. It was great stuff, and what a clever spot with Dunne getting the secret crowbar out. Dunne winning was quite the surprise, but then after the awesome North American Championship match of Melo VS Grimes, we see why. Dunne is at least going to put Melo over to build that reign, but I would love if Dunne finally got some crossover in his résumé. Former NXT UK Champion becoming North American Champion, that’d be pretty cool.

The training montage for Raquel and Cora was pretty fun stuff. KLR and Shirai bonding over smashing things was a nice little touch. And then I had a sneaking suspicion that Wendy and Dakota were going to team up for the Women’s Dusty Cup. Amari Miller is either teaming with Tiffany Stratton, or Lash Legend as Amari and Lash worked a few matches on 205 Live together. Or I guess we’ll be calling it NXT: LVL UP now. Not that it’s a level up, it’s still going to be NXT Lite to me. We got a great NXT Women’s Tag title match, but I figured Toxic Attraction would retain. I’m already thinking our semifinalists are going to be Raquel & Cora, Wendy & Dakota, Shirai & KLR and then Indi & Persia. And other than Wendy & Dakota, any of those teams could take the cup.

Duke Hudson made his move, that is planting the seeds of Persia & Indi breaking up, so maybe they aren’t winning the Women’s Dusty Cup, either… Brooks & Briggs have really good comedy chops, they’ve really turned this romcom with KC Squared around. I like that they got Fallon Henley (Tesha Price) in on this one, and I sense more these three becoming a faction over Brooks getting Kayden to see him as a romantic interest. Nikkita Lyons has another good promo, her debut is coming, I actually expect some big things from her. She was already a rather promising talent when she got her start in Women of Wrestling, let’s just hope Vince doesn’t ruin things.

The segment with Waller and Knight was actually a good surprise that Knight turned tables on Waller. Their match is going to be great stuff. Last week, I said that match with the Grizzled Young Veterans was The Creed Brothers’ best match. This week, the match with MSK was The Creed Brothers’ best match. The finish was abrupt but this was a great win for The Creeds, I did not think it was going that way. Imperium had a good promo to frame the win as more the honor of losing to them, but wow I didn’t think someone would step up to Walter/Gunther. Solo Sikoa VS Walter/Gunther is going to be great stuff, but it’ll certainly be a win for Walter/Gunther on his way to the top title.

We got good promos from Ziggler and Ciampa, and we should’ve figured they’d have a part to play in the main event. Their match is going to be great, and I would think Ziggler as Jobber to the Stars puts Ciampa over so even RawDown fans understand Ciampa is great. Bron VS Escobar was also great, and I really liked Escobar’s tights being tribute to Eddie Guerrero and Eddie’s first world title win. But in the end, Bron IS NXT 2.0 personified for Vince, so Bron wins. Bron will take on the winner of Ciampa VS Ziggler, or maybe even both of them regardless. I can’t be sure who takes the title off Bron, it feels like it’s gonna be all year before that happens.

My Score: 9/10