Will NXT still belong to Toxic Attraction?

Mandy Rose was running scared, but now she has nowhere to run! Will Kay Lee Ray take the NXT Women’s Championship away from the golden goddess?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: The Creed Brothers VS Grizzled Young Veterans; The Creed Brothers win and advance to the finals.
• Tiffany Stratton VS Wendy Choo; Stratton wins.
• Pete Dunne VS Draco Anthony; Dunne wins.
• LA Knight VS Sanga w/ Grayson Waller; Knight wins.
• Sarray VS Dakota Kai; Sarray wins.
• 2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: MSK VS Malik Blade & Edris Enofe; MSK win and advance to the finals.
• NXT Women’s Championship: Mandy Rose VS Kay Lee Ray; Mandy wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mandy Rose speaks.

She’s sure the world enjoyed seeing what Kay lee Ray put her through. It only took three showers to get all that sauce out of her hair. But tonight, Mandy will have the last laugh. Mandy beat Raquel Gonzalez and Cora Jade, and now she’ll end the career of the greatest woman to come from the UK. She maybe be pretty, but she gets it done in the ring and has the gold to prove it. Mandy demands respect put on her name! She’s the baddest bitch in this game! If that’s true, will she walk out of this arena still champion?

2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: The Creed Brothers VS Grizzled Young Veterans!

Julius & Brutus are already in the ring, but Zack Gibson has a mic as he makes his entrance. “Lads, lads, you are in over your heads! We have had more matches than you have hot dinners. We are Grizzled” The Creeds jump GYV at the ramp! They brawl, Brutus puts James Drake in and the bell rings! Brutus ROCKS Drake, whips him corner to corner, then back drops him on the rebound! Drake flounders, fans fire up with Diamond Mine as Brutus taunts GYV. Brutus bear crawls up to the ropes, but Gibson keeps Drake back. Gibson calms Drake down and has him tag out. Fans boo as Gibson circles with Brutus.

Brutus waistlocks, Gibson turns it around to arm-drag and headscissor. Brutus breaks free, waistlocks, but Gibson switches to a hammerlock. Brutus witches back, fireman’s carry takeover, and a tag to Julius. Julius takes the hand-off, arm-drags Gibson, then gut wrench SLAMS Brutus onto Gibson! Julius stalks Gibson to ropes, has the leg, but Gibson pulls ears! Gibson ROCKS and CHOPS Julius, but Julius ROCKS Gibson back. Julius whips corner to corner, Drake takes the bump for Gibson so he can CLOBBER Julius! Gibson brings Julius over, tags in Drake, and GYV mug fans, even as fans chant, “You Suck!”

Drake snapmares Julius, KICKS him, covers, ONE! Drake taunts Julius, throws haymakers, but Julius gets around to waistlock and SLAM! Julius pushes Drake around, waistlocks and SLAMS him again! Julius waistlocks again, but Drake headlocks! Gibson tags in as Julius powers out, things speed up and Julius LARAITRS Drake! Julius dropkicks Gibson down! Fans are fire dup, Julius tags Brutus! SLAM, then KNEE after KNEE! Gibson pinballs between the Creeds and Brutus deadlift gut wrenches for a TOSS! Gibson bails out and regroups with Drake but Brutus goes out after them.

Brutus DECKS Drake, puts Gibson in, but Drake grabs Brutus’ leg. Brutus kicks Drake away but Gibson throat chops him down! Brutus gasps and sputters, Drake tags back in. GYV gets Brutus under the ring, DOUBLE GUILLOTINE into the frame! Brutus gasps and sputters even more, Julius rushes over to back GYV off! The damage is done, fans continue to chant, “You Suck!” Drake drags Brutus up and into the ring, throws forearms on him, and has him against ropes to choke him! The ref counts, Drake lets off at 4, tag to Gibson. Drake chokes Brutus more, Gibson YANKS the ropes to jam Brutus.

Gibson looms over Brutus, clamps on a chinbar, and he talks trash while fans rally up. Gibson drags Brutus up to ROCK him with a forearm, then he tags Drake. Gibson holds Brutus out along the ropes, Drake goes up, AX HANDLE to the back! Brutus goes down in a heap, Drake covers, TWO! Drake clamps on with a chinlock to keep Brutus down. Fans rally, Brutus fights up, and Brutus throws body shots. Drake ROCKS Brutus back, tags in Gibson, but Brutus tackles Drake! Gibson CLUBS Brutus down and stomps him to ropes. Gibson taunts Julius, stomps him more, then drags him up.

Gibson reels Brutus in, but Brutus suplexes Gibson first! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tag to Drake, he gets around Brutus to leap on for a SLEEPER! Brutus is turning purple as he fades out! Fans rally up, Brutus gets a second wind and fires forearms! Drake gets a leg, Brutus BOOTS him away! Hot tag to Julius! Julius rallies on the GYV, throws haymakers on Drake then DECKS Gibson! Julius dodges to CHOP BLOCK Drake! Fans fire up, Julius gets a STRETCH MUFFLER! Julius carries Drake around! But Drake sits up, fights around, and has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Julius BACK DROPS free!

Julius scoops and POWERSLAMS Drake! Cover, Gibson breaks it! Julius throws Gibson back out, then gets Drake up. Drake slips out of the suplex, waistlocks, but Julius switches. Gibson tags in as Julius O’Conner Rolls. Julius rushes over, Gibson dodges. Drake runs into an elbow, Gibson drags Julius out! Julius ROCKS Gibson, Drake DIVES onto Julius! They go into the announce desk and fans lose their minds! Gibson puts Julius in and tags Drake back in. Drake goes up, Gibson Electric Chair Lifts Julius. GRIZZLED YOUNG DOOMSDAY DEVICE! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives and “This is Awesome!”

Drake waits for Julius to get up in the corner. Drake runs in, but Julius dodges the dropkick! Drake crashes down, Julius crawls for his corner! Hot tags to Gibson and Brutus! Brutus coughs but he glares at Gibson. Fans are thunderous as they start throwing big forearms! Brutus TACKLES Gibson and hammers away! Brutus DECKS Drake, but Gibson throat chops again! Fans boo but Gibson tags Drake back in. GYV mug Brutus with haymaker after haymaker as fans boo. Drake and Gibson coordinate and tag. Gibson gets Brutus up, Drake climbs up. But Brutus RAMS Gibson into the corner!

Julius goes up over his brother to get Drake for a SUPERPLEX! Brutus then lifts Gibson, he and Julius work together, DDT! Straps down, Brutus says HE wants to finish this! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, Creed Brothers win!

Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall (advance to the Dusty Rhodes Classic finals)

A HUGE win for Diamond Mine’s young tag team! They’re heading to Vengeance Day and the finals, will they be putting their names on that trophy’s plaque?

Backstage interview with Cora Jade.

After that hard fought match, Cora and Raquel are now a tag team, and they’ll be in the Women’s Dusty Cup in two weeks. Cora is excited to be teaming with Big Mami Cool, and they’re going to make a lot of noise. But then Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon say they will be winners. They have a lot to prove. Cora & Raquel have competition. But Raquel counters their Spanish with her Spanish. There can only be one tag team that wins, so Feroz & Leon better be ready. Only Raquel can call Cora that. Wait, what did they say? Well, at least Raquel has Cora’s back. Will they get the win over las Latinas lethal?

Amari Miller & Wendy Choo arrive.

And it seems Amari went with Wendy on that shopping spree. After all, Wendy has Mr. Stratton’s credit card. That was fun and all, but the card got cancelled partway. Wendy dumps it. But will Tiffany get revenge for Daddy here tonight?

Tiffany Stratton VS Wendy Choo!

The bell rings and Tiffany wants the card back! Wendy threw it away, though… Tiffany says she could charge her with theft! Wendy wrenches Tiffany’s arm to a wristlock! Tiffany goes up the ropes, handsprings and arm-drags Wendy away, but Wendy just lounges! Tiffany runs in but into a drop toehold! And then a sleepy headlock! Tiffany fights up, wrenches free, and gets a headlock back. Wendy powers out to a waistlock, but Tiffany bucks the roll-up. Wendy just does the splits! She ducks the kick, rolls Tiffany up, TWO! Wendy dropkicks Tiffany to the corner! Wendy runs in to BOOT Tiffany down!

Tiffany checks her chin, Wendy hits a sleepy ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Wendy is annoyed but she clamps on with a SLEEPER HOLD! Tiffany freaks out and flails, fights her way up, and snapmares free to knee Wendy low! Fans boo as Tiffany talks trash on Wendy. Tiffany whips, Wendy reverses and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Fans fire up for Wendy as she handsprings, into a forearm from Tiffany! Tiffany says handsprings are HER move! But then she realizes she broke a nail! She stomps away on Wendy for it, then drags her up by the pigtails! Tiffany puts Wendy in the corner, and handspring SPLASHES!

Tiffany then slingshots to dropkick Wendy down! And a basement dropkick to add on! Tiffany goes up for a CORKSCREW VADER BOMB! Cover, Tiffany wins!

Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall

She may be a brat, but she’s got skills. Will Tiffany make Daddy proud one way or another?

NXT shares Draco Anthony’s comments from last week.

A loss to Andre Chase is not how he expected his NXT in-ring debut to go. But then in walks Joe Gacy & Harland. Mr. Anthony shouldn’t be disappointed, he gave it his all out there. Keep your chin up, and just remember that you don’t have to do this alone. “Draco, I’m here to listen. Listen to not just your actions, but your words. Have a great night.” Wil

Backstage interview with Pete Dunne.

The Bruiserweight is making his return to action against Draco Anthony, but he has a Steel Cage match with Tony D’Angelo next week for Vengeance Day. Dunne says if there’s one thing we all know about Tony, it’s that he talks way too much. But it’s funny. Since Tony lost to Grimes, he’s gone quiet. Not even a post on social media. Well, it must be hard to tweet after getting his fingers smashed. Dunne promises Tony to finish this where it started: inside that steel cage! But then Draco walks over. Tony may not respect Dunne, but Draco does. It’ll be an honor to share the ring with him tonight. Whatever, mate. Dunne will still snap those fingers. Good luck.

Pete Dunne VS Draco Anthony!

Dunne keeps that cricket bat in hand as a reminder of what he’s willing to do! Will he make an example out of Draco? Or can the newest star redeem himself here tonight?

NXT goes picture in picture for the entrances, but the bell still rings. They tie up, go around, and Dunne wrenches to wristlock. Draco tries to fight free but Dunne wrenches him again. Draco spins, wrenches, and has the wristlock back. Draco spins around to shift the grip but Dunne slips through to get the armlock on Draco. Dunne drags Draco down, digs his knee into the shoulder, and he bends the arm from elbow to wrist! Dunne traps the arm in a hammerlock, steps over the other arm, and even chinbars Draco into the recliner cover. TWO, and Draco is free. The two reset, tie up with knuckle locks, and Dunne drops to trip Draco up.

Draco kicks Dunne away and the two reset again. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Draco gets around to waistlock and headlock takeover. Dunne keeps his shoulders up, NXT returns to single picture, and we see Gacy & Harland watching from the perch. Draco grinds the headlock, Dunne fights up and fans rally. Dunne headlocks back, Draco powers up and out, then dodges Dunne to run Dunne over! Draco gets Dunne up in a facelock, suplexes, but Dunne throws knees. Draco keeps Dunne up for the SLAM! Fans rally and duel, but Draco stands on Dunne’s hands! Draco shrugs a la Dunne, but Dunne avoids the stomps!

Dunne kicks Draco down, and shows Draco how the STOMPS are done! Then BUZZSAW! Fans fire up as Dunne circles around Draco. Dunne hammerlocks the arm again, stands on Draco’s head and bends those fingers back! Draco endures, Dunne STOMPS his head! Fans chant, “Break His Fingers!” Dunne drags Draco up, wrenches, and bends the fingers more. Draco tries to fight free but Dunne isolates the arm! Dunne STOMPS the hammerlock! Draco gets to ropes, Dunne is on him again. Dunne wrenches, Draco fires forearms! Dunne DECKS Draco in return! Dunne then shrugs and clamps onto the arm again.

Dunne pulls the arm way back, twists the wrist, and even pulls on Draco’s ear. Fans rally and duel, Draco fights up, but Dunne CHOPS! Draco glares at Dunne so Dunne SLAPS and CHOPS him over and over! Draco still gets to his feet, and he LARIATS Dunne down! Fans fire up, Dunne goes to a corner, and Draco runs in to clothesline! Draco keeps moving, back elbow! Draco reels Dunne in, back suplex FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Dunne is still in this and Draco looks at Gacy & Harland. Gacy smiles, Draco runs in at Dunne in the corner. Dunne dodges the back elbow to GAMANGIRI! Draco goes down, Dunne drops KNEES On the arm!

Dunne gets Draco up, has the double wristlock, but Draco moves around. Draco whips Dunne away, gets under, BACK DROP! Dunne bails out, Draco pursues, but Dunne GAMANGIRIS him back in! But here comes Tony D’Angelo with a crowbar! Dunne dodges and POSTS Tony! Dunne DECKS Tony, gets in the ring and SNAP GERMANS Draco! Dunne pump handles for the BITTER END! Cover, Dunne wins!

Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall

Not even a distraction can stop the Bruiserweight! But Tony gets Dunne at the ropes with a sleeper! But Dunne pries free, and SNAPS Tony’s fingers! Dunne goes out of the ring to bring out trash can, lid and whatever else he can find! Dunne puts all of that in the ring, Tony doesn’t get it! Dunne even gets a TOOLBOX! Dunne spills the contents out in the ring then tells Tony, “You’re gonna need more than a crowbar at Vengeance Day! So how ’bout we take everything we can find, we attach it to that cage, and we have ourselves a WEAPONIZED Steel Cage match?!” Dunne just raised the stakes on Tony D, and he accepts! Will the Bruiserweight break the wise guy once and for all?

Zoey Stark sits with Io Shirai.

Stark says they need to have a serious conversation about the Women’s Dusty Cup. Raquel and Cora are a mismatched team, but guess what? So are Shirai & Stark. Now, Kacy & Kayden have amazing chemistry, Yulisa & Valentina are on the rise- So then why is Stark telling Shirai about this? Because Stark knows her. No she doesn’t! But Stark is sure Shirai wants those NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships, that they lost without being pinned. Okay, that’s true. Stark’s knee is keeping her out, but they need to find someone who is hard hitting, willing to sacrifice, and is just as crazy as Shirai.

Shirai says that’s fair. She’s in. Awesome! And Shirai already knows who to ask. Really? Will she say who it is? Nope. C’mon! It was Stark’s idea, though! Will Shirai get a new partner just as evil and genius as she is?

Wendy Choo finds Dakota Kai going through her shopping spree haul!

Dakota says, “You might have a new wardrobe, but uh, all these clothes won’t but you victories in the ring.” What is Dakota’s problem? And did she take anything for her own?

LA Knight VS Sanga w/ Grayson Waller!

The Million Dollar Megastar wants after the 21st Century Success Story so bad, he’s going to take on Waller’s towering insurance policy head on! Will Sanga deny Knight his shot at Waller? Or will Waller have no choice but to face the consequences of his actions, YEAH?

NXT returns and Sanga makes his entrance, Waller swaggering around behind him. The fans boo, Sanga angrily shouts, “NAMASTE!” and the bell rings. Knight talks trash to Sanga while Waller talks trash to Knight, Knight dodges the haymaker to give haymakers, but Sanga blocks the whip to reverse it! Knight dodges in the corner, fires off hands, then runs, to ROCK Sanga with a forearm! Knight runs to ROCK Sanga again, then dropkicks! Sanga stays up to TOSS Knight into the corner for knees and stomps! Waller is the only one cheering as Sanga CLUBS Knight down. Sanga gets Knight up to DECK him!

Knight bails out, Waller talks more trash, and Sanga pursues Knight around the way. Sanga scoops Knight, but Knight slips out and POSTS Sanga! Waller is panicking as Knight gets in the ring. Sanga gets in, Knight hammers away on him! Knight fires kicks and haymakers, then runs, ducks the boot, and kicks, only for Sanga to TOSS him off the cravat! Sanga drops a BIG elbow, then covers. TWO and Knight is still in this. Sanga looms over Knight, drags him up, and RAMS him into a corner. Sanga runs in, into a knee! Knight throws clothesline after clothesline but Sanga stays up. Knight LEAPS but Sanga only wobbles!

Knight hurries to a corner and Waller shouts. Knight springboards to missile dropkick Sanga down! Cover, TWO and Knight goes flying! Waller takes a buckle pad off while the ref is busy with Knight. The ref sees Waller, Sanga choke grips Knight! Knight rakes eyes! Knight runs Waller off, then sends Sanga into bare buckle! JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight

Waller’s sneaky tactics cost his guy! Waller gets in and fires off hands with Knight! Knight gets the edge and CLOBBERS Waller! Kick and B F T!! Knight gets away before Sanga gets back up, but will Waller keep his word and remove the restraining order?

Backstage interview with Duke Hudson.

A man who wants revenge on Duke is one Dante Chen. Duke expected Dante to call him out but uh, haven’t seen him anywhere. Turns out saying it and doing it is completely different. The Singaporean Warrior isn’t as tough as he thinks it is. Duke will say that Dante’s not here for a reason. There’s your scoop. And Duke wishes Indi & Persia some luck in their tag title match next week. That wink surely means something, but will Indi keep Persia from responding?

NXT returns with the NXT Championship Summit.

Wade Barrett is in the ring, already joined by Legado del Fantasma, with Santos Escobar sitting at the table. Wade introduces Santos as the #1 contender to the NXT Championship, and fans are torn between cheers and jeers. Now, welcome his opponent for next week at Vengeance Day, THE NXT Champion, Bron Breakker! Bron makes his way out, title on his shoulder and fans barking in support. Bron takes his seat at the table and Wade thanks them for their time. Wade directs the first question to the champion, Bron. What makes him so sure that next week, Bron will walk out still NXT Champion?

Bron says, “Look, I’ll keep this short and sweet, alright?” He already said he respects Escobar, but he’ll beat Escobar and there’s not a damn thing Escobar can do about it! Fans cheer that on. Bron says they both know how contract signing type deals go, so let’s just flip this table and start fighting right now! Escobar laughs and says he expects nothing less from “smoeone so new, so young, but so naive.” When Escobar says things happen on his time, what he really means is that he’s pulling all the strings, and has everything under control. Bron doesn’t even realize it! So while people like Paul Heyman are calling Bron the future, Escobar is already planning ways to end his career before it starts.

Oh, so Escobar wants to do something? Wait, is that Dolph Ziggler making his way out here?! What is the Show-Off doing in NXT?! No one can believe it, least of all Escobar and Bron! Ziggler takes Wade’s place at the table as fans chant his name. “What a night! NXT on SyFy, what a moment! The NXT Champion and the challenger, ready to throw down right here. What a moment. Until I showed up.” Breakker, congrats. He knows how to use Twitter, he owns a smart phone, Ziggler’s a big fan. Chase the clouds, Ziggler will hang on to his money and titles. Now, it seems Ziggler works Tuesdays now. Paid, thanks to Johnny Ace.

But apparently… Time is money and Ziggler has a plane to catch, so he has one thing to say to Bron. “Who the hell are you?” Who is Bron? He’s the NXT Champion, the reason Ziggler’s even down here! Bron will handle Ziggler after he handles Escobar. Wow, that is an amateur hour move. That’s something Ziggler would do, but Bron’s not him. Ziggler could list his accolades and it’d take up the rest of the show. But Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion, Mr. Money in the Bank, Sole Survivor, World Heavyweight Champion. Ziggler is aware that every hundred matches or so, 99 don’t go his way. But we all know what Ziggler can do any day of the week.

Fans chant “Steal The Show!” and Ziggler says, “All those accolades I have, and yet… One title I do not. The NXT Championship.” Fans want a “Triple Threat!” but Ziggler says it doesn’t matter what the fans say. Ziggler doesn’t have to be better than Bron, which he is, or even smarter, which he is. He just has to be in Bron’s head and- TOMMASO CIAMPA makes his way out! “Damn, man. Dolph Ziggler in an NXT ring! Ain’t that something?” Fans are hoping for a Fatal 4 Way as Ciampa copies Ziggler saying, “What a moment.” But Ciampa will be honest here. Ziggler as NXT Champion is a hard pass from Ciampa.

Ciampa pulls up a chair right next to Ziggler, and says, “Listen, kid. Can I call you ‘kid?’ I’ll call you ‘kid.’ I love your spirit, but if you’re gonna walk into my home-” Ciampa stops this right here, asking what the hell is going on! First, Ciampa and Bron play frenemies and now Ciampa wants the title again? And then Ziggler, what is he even doing here? He doesn’t go here! He’s upset over some mean tweets? Now this is what’s happening: once Escobar becomes the NEW NXT Champion, he’ll handle Ziggler, and he’ll handle Ciampa. Ciampa tells homeboy that if he interrupts again, he ain’t making it to Vengeance Day, comprende?!

And as for Bron, Ciampa says once he’s dealt with all this, Ciampa’s next in line. Unless Mr. Ziggler has a problem. Ziggler says Ciampa calls NXT his home. But the same few hundred Florida people come out and clap like seals week in and week out, year after year, no matter what. And yet Ciampa thinks this is his home? When does it end? When does the helmet and the elbow pad come off? Ciampa BOOTS Ziggler down! Then chases him out of the ring to throw hands! They brawl to the ramp, Mendoza, Wilde & Escobar jump Bron! Legado mugs Bron, Ciampa fights Ziggler all the way to the back!

Mendoza & Wilde get Born up, but he fights them off, all while Escobar is gloating! Escobar sees he’s lost his pawns again, and fans are barking! Bron kicks Escobar, reels him in, but Legado return to save Escobar! DOUBLE BUZZSAW! They get Bron back up, DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER through the table! Bron is down, and Escobar says, “Everything happens on my time. And this? This is my time! See you next week, young champion.” The message was sent, but it had to be done by Escobar’s henchmen. Will Escobar be able to win that title when he has to do it himself?

Kay Lee Ray speaks.

“Mandy, you could’ve saved yourself a lot of trouble just giving me the match when I asked. But now I’m gonna make you suffer. Don’t worry, this’ll all be finished when I take my NXT Women’s Championship. I’ll see you in a little bit.” Is the Scary Queen of Scots only going to get scarier tonight?

Sanga and Waller head out.

Waller tells NXT Media that they saw what happened. Knight showed his true colors! He got lucky, but he’s a loser because he broke the restraining order. And Vengeance Day is fitting, because Waller is gonna get his vengeance. So, is that a match? NO! Knight’s getting arrested! In front of the entire world. He’s going to jail, YEAH! Karma is a BITCH.

Sarray VS Dakota Kai!

After being insulted and threatened by #CobraKai, the Warrior of the Sun is going to use all her power to put Dakota in her place! Will Sarray shine bright against Dakota’s darkness? Or will the sun set already on Sarray’s return?

NXT goes picture in picture for the entrances and the bell rings. Sarray offers a handshake, Dakota talks to herself, and the two approach. Dakota slaps the handshake away, so the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Dakota pulls hair to put Sarray in a corner. The ref counts, Dakota lets off at 4, but she tucked Sarray’s hair into buckles! Sarray gets free, they circle again, and they tie up. Sarray wrenches an arm to a wristlock, keeps Dakota from ropes, but Dakota rolls and handsprings up to wrench back. Sarray rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, but Dakota spins around to get behind Sarray. Dakota bumps Sarray off buckles then digs her boots in.

Dakota lets off as the ref counts to snapmare Sarray down. Dakota uses a headscissor necklock to bring Sarray down, and even gets an arm for an inverted triangle hold! Sarray bridges back to make it a cover, TWO! Dakota BOOTS Sarray down, covers, Sarray goes Matrix to slip out! Dakota throws Sarray down as NXT returns to single picture. Things speed up, Sarray rolls Dakota up, TWO! Into a HALF CRAB! Dakota crawls to get the ropebreak! Sarray KNEES Dakota down, then runs the ropes. Dakota dodges the dropkick to BOOT Sarray down! Dakota bumps Sarray off buckles, goes side to side, BOOT WASH!

Dakota keeps going, another BOOT WASH! Dakota goes again, a third BOOT WASH! Dakota drags Sarray back, covers, TWO! Dakota laughs as Sarray stays in this. Fans rally up for Sarray but Dakota drags her up. Dakota BOOTS Sarray again, but Sarray fires up! Dakota BOOTS Sarray again, but Sarray gets back up. Sarray ROCKS Dakota with forearm after forearm! Sarray whips, Dakota reverses but Sarray wheelbarrows to a victory roll, DOUBLE STOMPS! Fans fire up as Sarray goes to a corner and climbs up top. Sarray hits a missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Sarray grows frustrated and Dakota scrambles away.

Sarray storms after Dakota, but Dakota SCORPION KICKS! Sarray stays up, SCORPION KICK again! Then a dragon sleeper, TWISTING DDT! Cover, TWO! Dakota is growing frustrated and she’s talking to herself again. Sarray drags herself to a corner, Dakota stalks behind her. Fans rally up, Dakota drags Sarray up and whips her to a corner. Sarray goes up and up, sunset flips, TWO! Sarray Oklahoma Rolls! TWO, Dakota has the cradle, TWO! Sarray has the sunset again, TWO! Dakota has a prawn hold, TWO!! Sarray escapes, fans fire up, but Dakota BOOTS Sarray again! Dakota runs Around the World, but Sarray dodges!

Sarray SOBATS Dakota and she’s on the ropes! Sarray runs, SUNRAY DROPKICK! Sarray gets Dakota up, SUN PLEX! Cover, Sarray wins!

Winner: Sarray, by pinfall

Dakota’s doom and gloom couldn’t stop Sarray! Will the Warrior of the Sun shine brighter than ever before after this big win?

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams hang out at the Cut Wiz barber shop.

Trick wants their boy, Josh, to fix up Melo’s mustache. He thinks he has a date with OllieJayy this week. C’mon, man, you know this is date number three. Oh? Well alright. But is Melo ready to defend his title? C’mon, Josh. Cameron Grimes stepped up, he’s gonna get stepped on. Trick isn’t so sure. He’s been checking Twitter, and people think Grimes stands a chance. What? No way! Not “To the Moon” guy. The one guy in the corner thinks Grimes has a chance. Who’s friend is this? Trick thought he was with Melo. But Melo’s going to check Grimes’ wiki. Two years in NXT, and what has he done? No accolades!

Richest man in NXT? His value gonna shot getting hit with the Melo Shot. Melo is Breakout Tournament winner. Ch’yeah! Melo is North American Champion! Ch’yeah! Cruiserweight Unifier! Ch’yeah! And on top of all that, his team won WarGames! YES, SIR! They did that, but Trick says this rise has been meteoric. Grimes has won matches, but none like this. Grimes is talented in the past. Melo is a top talent. No one was talking about Grimes before this. You do business with the A Champ, you become relevant. That’s just a fact: Melo does numbers. And at Vengeance Day, that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gonna be! Ready for the haircut? Ch’yeah!

Will Melo be looking good with a title win on Vengeance Day? Or is the North American title finally going to the moon?

Indi Hartwell talks with someone on the phone.

She says she misses them more. Tonight, when she gest home, bubble bath together. Laters. Persia walks in and Indi welcomes her as future NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion. Persia asks who that was on the phone. Was it Duke? No! It was Dexter, duh. Well, Duke wished Indi good luck but not Persia. Indi knew he was trouble. Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne walk in, saying that going into the biggest match of their career next week and they’re having a toxic meltdown. Stop trying to mess with them. Indi & Persia are best friends. They’ve won against Toxic Attraction before, they’ll win again.

Gigi & Jacy roll their eyes, but Persia says they can go console Mandy after she’s lost her match, same as she will for them. Haha, good one. But here’s a better one: When Indi & Persia lose, who’s gonna console Indi? Dexter or Duke? Gigi has a photo of them in the past! Best friends don’t tell each other everything, do they? Persia DECKS Gigi and a brawl is on! Security and refs rush in to stop this, but it’s only a matter of time! Will Indi & Persia get the gold? Or will this weird love rectangle cause dysfunction between them?

NXT hears from Nikkita Lyons.

“You hear the phrase all the time, ‘Jack of all trades but a master of none.'” That doesn’t apply to her. She can sing and kick ass. Boxing, martial arts, nun chucks, and of course, wrestling. Life on the road made her grow up quick. She had to learn how to defend herself. Eventually, she was the one picking fights cuz she knew she could finish them. You could look at her and make assumptions, but you come at her with weak ass shit, watch out for this Lyons’ roar. Will Nikkita Lyons rock NXT when she arrives?

Brooks Jensen talks with Josh Briggs.

Brooks isn’t sure he can do this. Briggs tells him to rip the bandage off and ask Kayden out. She’s right over there. Brooks almost chickens out but Briggs makes him move. Brooks says hey, Kayden gives him a hug. Brooks asks them if they could all hang out for Valentine’s Day. Yeah, they’re always such fun. Maybe they can do something? More the merrier. See you then! Text them the details later. The ladies leave and Briggs asks Brooks what happened! He doesn’t know! He, she, we, it all just felt the same! But wait. Briggs can take Kacy somewhere, Brooks gets alone time with Kayden. The perfect plan! Here, here’s some money.

Uh, this is just $8, and kinda wet… Movies are like $20 apiece now. Briggs gives Brooks a push and Brooks says he’s not made of money. Can he at least figure out how to talk to Kayden? Or will he crash ‘n’ burn worse than ever?

2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: MSK VS Malik Blade & Edris Enofe!

This is the moment of truth! Wes Lee & Nash Carter want to repeat not just as finalists but as Dusty Cup winners! However, their opponents have been busting brackets every round! Will Malik & Edris make sure no one ever overlooks them again? Or is this where the Cinderella story ends?

The teams sort out, Malik starts against Lee. Fans are fired up for the hometown kid as he circles with Lee. They tie up, Malik powers Lee to a corner. Lee goes up the corner, the ref counts, and Malik lets off. Lee shows punch but Malik asks Edris what to do. Lee leaps, Malik gets under, and Lee gest around to waistlock. Malik resists the lift, standing switches, but Lee pries free to switch back. Lee spins Malik, things speed up again, and Malik shows he can keep up. Lee still gets another waistlock, pushes Malik to the corner, but Malik puts him on the apron. Carter tags in, Lee ENZIGURIS, then holds Malik in for Carter’s BRONCO BUSTER! Fans duel, Carter covers, ONE!

Carter keeps on Malik with a facelock but Malik fights up. Carter fires off KICKS, but Malik ducks the enziguri! Malik waistlocks, Edris tags in, O’Conner Roll to a BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE! Edris drags Carter into a chinlock and grinds him down. Carter endures, fights up, throws body shots and CHOPS! Carter whips, Edris reverses but Carter holds ropes. Carter dumps Edris to the apron but Edris shoulders in. Edris slingshots up and over then comes back to RAAN, but Carter rolls through! Carter wags his finger, fires off kicks and sweeps the leg! PENALTY KICK! Malik tags in, but so does Lee! Lee and Carter fire off on Malik! ENZIGURI to DOUBLE STOMPS!

RAILGUN DROPKICK for Edris! Fans fire up and duel as MSK stand tall in the ring! NXT goes picture in picture as they wait on Edris & Malik. Malik returns, he circles with Lee and Lee sweeps the legs! Lee CLUBS Malik, facelocks, and tags in Carter. MSK coordinate, snapmare to slingshot senton! Cover, TWO! Carter kicks Malik to a corner, SHINING WIZARD to rolling snapmare. Malik ducks the kick, rolls Carter, ONE! Malik forearm smashes in the corner, Edris tags in! Malik and Edris pinball Carter around, BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Edris keeps Carter down with a facelock, then whips him to the corner.

Edris RAMS into Carter, Malik tags in, and they double whip Carter into the corner for a double hip toss! Cover, TWO! Malik keeps cool and keeps on Carter with a chinlock. Carter endures, fights up and throws body shots. Carter runs, into a BIG dropkick from Malik! Cover, TWO! Malik drags Carter and JAMS his knee into the back. Malik has the chinlock again but Carter endures. Carter fights up, Malik throws him down and JAMS the knee back in. Carter still endures and pries at the hold. Malik CLUBS Carter down, JAMS the knee back in again, and has the chinlock back on. Carter still fights, moves around, and NXT returns to single picture.

Fans rally and duel as Malik leans on Carter. Carter fights up, throws body shots, then uppercuts! Malik reels Carter in but Carter elbows him away! Hot tags to Edris and Lee! Lee rallies with big forearms and uppercuts! Lee fires off a strike fest, snapmares Edris and basement dropkicks him! Fans fire up as Lee grits his teeth and Edris goes to a corner. Lee runs in corner to corner and ROCKS Edris with a forearm! ENZIGURI, then INVERTED EXPLODER! Edris flounders, Lee takes aim, RUNNING DOUBLE KNEES! Tag to Carter, Lee catapults Edris into a SUPERKICK! METEORA BACKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, Malik breaks it!

Lee gets Malik up but Malik throws Lee out! Lee hits barriers, Malik dodges Carter and FLIES to take Lee out at the ramp! Fans fire up, Edris rolls Carter! TWO!!! That was so close! Edris DECKS Carter, tags Malik, and they coordinate. Malik runs, GOURD BUSTER CUTTER! Edris climbs, tags back in, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!!! MSK survives but barely! Malik runs at Lee but is TOSSED out! Edris runs in, but only gets buckles! RAILGUN DROPKICK! Tag to Lee, MUST-SEE BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, MSK wins!

Winners: MSK, by pinfall (advance to the Dusty Cup finals)

Malik & Edris came so close, but Lee & Carter keep their own dream alive! Will MSK be the first team to go back-to-back in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic?

The Creed Brothers return for a face-to-face with MSK. Both teams are ready, but who takes history into their own hands?

NXT hears from Cameron Grimes.

“I know I come from humble beginnings. My time in NXT has been a roller coaster ride. No one has taken more body blows, had to adapt, and has grown more in NXT more than me. But through everything, I came out the other side a self-made man.” The big house, the fancy cars, and let’s not forget all that money. He has everything but what he got in the business for. He’d trade it all away and come back to the trailer park if it meant he’d walk through the front door to see a title on the mantle. Next week is the chance. Melo, everyone knows you’re on the fast track. But there are two ways a career can go in this business.

2022 is still gonna be Grimes’ year. The rocket boosters are ready, the fuel tanks are filled, and the coordinates are placed. Grimes has a one way ticket TO~ THE~ MOON~! Will the Carolina Cash Money Caveman finally achieve liftoff here in NXT?

Dakota Kai mutters to herself backstage.

She needs help, and Wendy Choo finds her. “Not as easy as it looks, is it?” Wendy walks away, but will Dakota’s voices in her head give her ideas of how to get back up?

NXT Women’s Championship: Mandy Rose VS Kay Lee Ray!

Toxic Attraction’s leader may have glossed over some of the details, but it is true that she found a way to win and to keep this title around her waist. But the Scary Queen of Scots set a record for longest reigning women’s champion in the modern era! Will KLR get started on her second Forever Champion Era? Or does Mandy find yet another way to win and keep this title?

As Mandy makes her way to gorilla with Gigi & Jacy, Indi & Persia jump them from behind! Talk about vengeance, Persia & Indi are making sure Mandy doesn’t have her minions ringside! Referees rush back in, they tell Mandy she has to have her match. Mandy doesn’t want to leave her team behind but she has no choice! The entrances are made, as are the introductions, and the belt is raised. We see if Mandy can focus after all that’s happened, or if KLR makes history at her expense!

The bell rings, KLR dodges Mandy to SLAP her! And then CHOP her! And then CHOP and CHOP and snapmare. Mandy gets up but KLR CHOPS her again. KLR hooks the arms but Mandy fights free to SLAP back! Both women are seething, Mandy hits a THESZ PRESS! Mandy fires off fast hands but KLR gets away. Mandy CLUBS KLR, drags her up, but KLR breaks free to CLOBBER Mandy! KLR drags Mandy up, ROCKS her with a forearm, and then again! KLR keeps on Mandy with more forearms, then a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! KLR stalks Mandy to a corner, stomps her, then KLR goes up to the top.

Fans rally and duel, but Mandy bails out. KLR hops down, then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit near the announce desk! KLR grins and she drags Mandy back up. KLR puts Mandy in, fans love “NXT! NXT!” as KLR covers. TWO, but KLR keeps on Mandy. KLR whips Mandy to a corner, ROCKS her with a forearm, then whips her back in. Mandy dodges this time, blocks a kick and throws KLR back against the buckles! Mandy stomps KLR, dribbles her off the buckles, but lets off as the ref counts 4. Mandy stalks KLR now, throws more forearms and body shots, then whips KLR to ropes. KLR reverses, Mandy gets under and SPINEBUSTERS! High stack, TWO!

Mandy keeps on KLR with body scissors. KLR endures as Mandy squeezes. McKenzie has an update on what happened in the back while Mandy CLUBS KLR over and over. Toxic Attraction, as well as Indi & Persia, were escorted out of the building, neither team will be a factor ringside. KLR bridges back to a cover, TWO and she’s free of the body scissors. KLR DECKS Mandy, but Mandy pops her to a cover! TWO, KLR prawn holds, TWO as Mandy bridges. Mandy spins, backslides, TWO! Mandy KNEES KLR low, reels her in and hits an INVERTED GUT WRENCH! Cover, TWO!

Mandy grows frustrated but fans continue to rally and duel. Mandy stalks KLR to ropes, talks trash then dribbles KLR off the mat! Mandy CLUBS KLR, drags her back up, then hooks her up for a cobra twist. Mandy drives elbows into KLR’s ribs but KLR endures. KLR fights as fans rally and duel. KLR hip tosses free! Mandy runs into back elbows, then misses in the corner. KLR CLOBBERS Mandy, dropkicks her to the corner, then runs in to ROCK her with a forearm! KLR GAMANGIRIS, Mandy flops down! KLR goes back up top, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! KLR tries again, TWO! KLR gets a KOJI KLUTCH!

Mandy endures, fights up, makes it a cover, TWO! KLR lets Mandy free, but she spins Mandy around and hooks the arms! Gory Especial, but Mandy SUNSET BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Mandy is beside herself, and she drags KLR up by her hair. Mandy reels KLR in, underhooks the arms, but KLR fights! KLR wrenches out, and suplexes for the GOURD BUSTER! KLR waits for Mandy to get up, but Mandy deflects superkick to roll up! TWO!! KLR SUPERKICKS Mandy down! KLR covers, TWO! Mandy is still in this, but KLR goes to a corner. Fans rally up, KLR climbs again, but Jacy and Gigi show up after all!?

Jacy distracts the ref, Gigi shoves KLR down! Mandy runs in, KNEE FROM A ROSE!! Cover, Mandy wins!

Winner: Mandy Rose, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)

Once again, Mandy wins because someone else did the work! Jacy gets KLR’s bat, threatens the ref into backing off, and then Gigi drags KLR up. Jacy hands the bat to Mandy, Mandy says KLR’s gonna get it now. But here comes Io Shirai! The Evil Genius DECKS Jacy, dodges Mandy and SHOTEIS! FLAPJACK for Gigi! Jacy returns, Shirai blocks the kick to send it into Gigi! SHOTEI for Jacy! 619 for Gigi! Fans fire up, Shirai springboards, missile dropkick to Gigi & Jacy! Mandy returns to attack Shirai, but KLR gets Mandy up, K L R BOMB!!

Toxic Attraction goes into retreat as KLR & Shirai stand tall! Is this the kindred spirit Shirai talked about? Is Toxic Attraction running out of time as champions?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode here, especially as a go-home to Vengeance Day next week. Great Dusty Cup matches here tonight. Creed Brothers VS GYV got the fans fired up for this episode, and I should’ve figured Creed Brothers would win. GYV have really only ever been jobbers to the stars since moving over to NXT prime, and it seems NXT 2.0 is making the Creed Brothers into stars. MSK VS Malik & Edris was also really good, but I did figure MSK would win. Pitting MSK making history against Creed Brothers as rising stars is definitely how they were going to book this, and therefore makes the match hard to call. As a fan, I’m voting for MSK.

Amari Miller sticking to whoever had the credit card was a pretty good character bit, as was Wendy just trashing the card since it got canceled. Tiffany probably should’ve known that, though, cuz who would’ve canceled the card other than Daddy Stratton? Tiffany VS Wendy was a good match, but it was quite the surprise that Tiffany won. I suppose Wendy losing does set up things with Dakota Kai in what I hope is a rivalry, not a dysfunctional team. Dakota and Sarray have a great match, Sarray gets a great win, and Sarray is getting back on that slow burn to the singles title.

Cora, Raquel, Yulisa and Valentina have a good promo segment, though I suppose the punchline of “What’d she call Cora?” is why there were no subtitles. Cuz they have those at the ready for Imperium instantly, so they could have it for this promo here. Gacy & Harland look to be recruiting, which makes sense to me. Not sure if Draco Anthony is the guy, but maybe Draco becomes their next feud. Draco gives Dunne a real good match, but Dunne wins and now gives us NXT’s version of the Ambrose Asylum with Tony D’Angelo. Honestly, a Street Fight or something like that should’ve just been how they hyped this to begin with, but I suppose this is fine.

We got a good vignette from Nikkita Lyons, she seems pretty comfortable already in this character. Duke Hudson is stirring up trouble with Indi & Persia, so that’s a good way of using the story blending to its fullest. Melo & Trick have a good on-location promo, as does Grimes. Their title match is going to be awesome stuff, but I have a feeling Melo wins and we could be seeing Grimes moving up to RawDown at some point. The story of Brooks’ romantic struggles continues, but I don’t know where they’re going with it. I don’t see it being Brooks “getting the girl,” but I don’t like the idea of another guy coming in and swooping Kayden up. That’d mean that guy fights Brooks and it just feels cliché.

Knight VS Sanga was good, and I like that Waller cost Sanga this match with that buckle pad removal. But as I figured, Waller is not giving Knight a match, he’s just doubling down on his retraining order. Knight already feels like a mishmash of The Rock, Hogan and Stone Cold, seems he’s gonna get that Stone Cold treatment of being arrested on TV. That Championship Summit was great stuff, especially considering the surprise appearance of Dolph Ziggler. Fans were eager for more than just 1v1, but Triple Threats and Fatal 4 Ways are too big for just Vengeance Day. Ciampa VS Ziggler is going to be a great match, as will Bron VS Escobar next week.

And of course, all the things Toxic Attraction was up to tonight were pretty well done. Gigi & Jacy have a good promo with Indi & Persia, I like that Indi & Persia did their best to keep Toxic Attraction from helping Mandy. Mandy and KLR have good promos to hype up the main event, and then the main event was really good stuff, even with the overbooked finish. I thought Shirai was going to choose Sarray as her partner, but something makes sense about Shirai & KLR. They’ve been teaming with each other on and off since WarGames, I have a feeling they’re going to take the Women’s Dusty Cup to then go after Gigi & Jacy and those tag titles.

KLR making history as being the first NXT UK Women’s Champion to become NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion would be a great distinction for her, but I still kinda hope she gets that singles title. KLR becoming NXT’s first Women’s Triple Crown would be great for her, as well as for the NXT 2.0 Era. If the 2.0 Era is the one that gives us a stand alone achievement like that, I think it’ll be able to shrug off a lot of the criticisms fans have had for it.

My Score: 8.8/10