There must be a new #1 contender to Mandy Rose’s title!

To determine a NEW #1 contender to the NXT Women’s Championship, TWENTY female superstars battle at once for the next title opportunity! Who makes it to the end to go after the Toxic Goddess?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Cameron Grimes VS JD McDonagh; McDonagh wins.
• Roderick Strong VS Damon Kemp; Strong wins.
• NXT UK Tag Team Championships: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Pretty Deadly; Briggs & Jensen win and retain the titles.
• Axiom VS Dante Chen; Axiom wins.
• NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s 20 Woman Battle Royal: Zoey Stark wins and will challenge Mandy Rose for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cameron Grimes VS JD McDonagh!

The Carolina Cash Money Caveman knows how close he was to getting THE NXT Championship, and how bad it felt to let it slip through his fingers. But the Irish Ace doesn’t care about any of that, because he wants is own shot! Will McDonagh unleash the #DEVLINSIDE and remove Grimes from the running? Or can Grimes make some money betting against the Ace?

The bell rings, the two circle, and JD shoots in but Grimes blocks the takedown. Grimes facelocks, they move around, they end up on the ropes, and the ref calls the ropebreak. The two let off with some chippy shoving, but they reset. Grimes waistlocks and he SLAMS JD down to headlock. JD powers up to power out but Grimes runs him over! Fans fire up and things speed up, Grimes slides under the hurdle to waistlock. JD bucks the O’Conner Roll to then shin kick Grimes! And then the ripcord, but Grimes KICKS JD away! Grimes brings JD up, JD throws forearms but Grimes whips him. JD avoids the stomps but not the ROUNDHOUSE!

Fans fire up with Grimes and he hurries to bring JD back up. Grimes bumps JD off buckles, KICKS him in the corner, and JD flounders away! Fans rally, Grimes drags JD up to CLUB him down. Grimes ROCKS JD with a forearm, whips him to a corner hard, and JD bounces off buckles! Grimes covers, TWO! Fans rally, Grimes drags JD up to EuroUpper! Fans rally, Grimes brings JD around but JD KICKS his leg! And KICKS it again! JD gets at the leg but Grimes throws forearms! Grimes whips JD to ropes and back drops him! Fans fire up and Grimes rushes in, but JD trips Grimes up! JD has the leg but Grimes BOOTS free with the other!

Grimes staggers up but he goes after JD. Grimes whips JD into a corner but JD tumbles up and out! JD grins but Grimes runs in to BOOT him down! JD flops to the floor and fans rally up. Grimes goes out after JD, puts him in the ring, and fans fire up again. Grimes goes back in but JD slips out to then trip Grimes with a leg scissor, and TORNILLO SPLASH! Fans fire up for JD’s innovative moves, and JD gets the legs to turn Grimes over! HALF CRAB! Fans rally as Grimes endures, but JD digs his knee into Grimes’ back as he pulls the leg. Grimes turns back over, but he can’t kick free! JD just makes it an ANKLE LOCK!

Grimes endures, reaches out, turns over and kicks with his free leg again! JD flounders to a corner, Grimes runs in but JD puts him on the apron. Grimes ROCKS JD, goes up top, and leaps to CROSSBODY! Grimes bounces off the cover and… Joe Gacy is watching from the perch? Grimes isn’t sure what to make of that but NXT goes picture in picture.

Grimes turns back to JD and drags him up. JD YANKS him into ropes! Grimes sputters and JD gets to his feet to stomp Grimes down. JD digs his boots in at the ropes but the ref counts. JD lets off, Grimes gets to the apron, and JD grabs the bad leg! JD brings it through the ropes but Grimes throws big forearms! JD lets him go and Grimes whips JD to ropes. JD reverses and dropkicks the leg out! Grimes writhes and clutches the knee while JD catches his breath. JD clamps onto Grimes’ shoulder, Grimes endures, but now JD digs into both shoulders! Grimes fights up but JD knees him down! JD then mocks the applause before he KICKS Grimes down!

JD drags Grimes by his bad leg but Grimes kicks with his good leg. So JD KICKS the bad leg, turns Grimes over, and SMASHES the knee into the mat! JD pushes Grimes down for a cover, TWO! JD wants a faster count but the ref says that was fair. Grimes reaches for ropes but JD drags him up. Grimes throws body shots but JD still snap suplexes him! Cover, TWO! JD is annoyed but he gets Grimes up to throw forearms at the ropes. The ref reprimands, JD whips but Grimes ducks ‘n’ dodges to CROSSBODY! Both men are down and the ref checks on them. They’re okay to continue so fans rally up.

JD drop toeholds Grimes and CLUBS away on his head and shoulders! JD sits Grimes up to neck wrench but Grimes endures. NXT returns to single picture, fans rally up and Grimes throws body shots. JD clamps onto a chinlock but Grimes stays up to snapmare free! JD wobbles, Gacy is still watching as Grimes throws forearms. JD whips, Grimes reverses and kitchen sink knees! Then BASEMENT BOOTS! Fans fire up as Grimes snarls! JD goes to the apron but Grimes drags him up by his hair! Grimes suplexes JD up but JD fights to shoulder in! JD trips Grimes, drags him over to a corner and he SLAMS the leg into the post!

Grimes writhes and flounders away but JD takes his time getting back in. Grimes staggers up, and JD CHOP BLOCKS the leg! JD stomps away on the leg, drops elbows on the knee, then clamps on for a HALF CRAB! Grimes endures, reaches out, moves around, and gets a ROPEBREAK! JD lets go but is after Grimes in the corner. Grimes kicks him away, then again! Grimes rallies on one good leg, then spins JD around to scoop and SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Fans fire up while both men are down! JD crawls away but Grimes anchors a foot! Grimes drags JD back in, but JD kicks Grimes away now. JD kicks the bad leg, too!

JD gets up but Grimes SUPERMAN PUNCHES! JD is on spaghetti legs but he goes after Grimes’ bad leg again. Grimes ENZIGURIS him away! Fans fire up as Grimes fires off on JD! Grimes peppers JD with palm strikes, then whips to SUPERKICK!! Grimes’ heart and adrenaline are pumping him through the pain and fans are fire dup! JD grabs Grimes’ leg to keep him from going to the corner. Grimes drags JD up but JD HEADBUTTS! JD rushes in, into a KNEE!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Gacy is still smiling that Cheshire cat smile, “This is Awesome!” JD goes out, Grimes goes to the apron, but JD slips in!

JD goes after Grimes but Grimes ROCKS him! Grimes step sin but JD shoves him down! The bad leg is trapped! JD stomps and kicks away on Grimes but the ref tells him to stop! Grimes manages to get back in the ring but the damage has been done! DEVLINSIDE!!! Cover, JD wins!

Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall

The “Necessary Evil” is successful in his NXT 2.0 debut, and he did it in a very evil way! Will the Irish Ace do anything and everything he has to in order to reach the top? Gacy shakes his head, is he disappointed in Mr. Grimes’ efforts?

Nikkita Lyons speaks.

“Tonight, 19 superstars stand in my way of a championship match. I don’t care if it’s Tiffany Stratton, Wendy Choo, Elektra Lopez, Lash Legend, they’re all going over the top rope! And they can all bring the fight, but I’m bringing the heat. And Mandy Rose, we have some unfinished business, girl. After tonight, there’s no more ducking ‘n’ dodging me.” Lyons is ready to roar, will she make that ring the Lyons Den tonight?

Tiffany Stratton speaks.

“I just find it so offensive that I have to compete in this battle royal tonight. Obvi, I am like the only woman deserving of a title match. And if you can’t see that, I am so sorry. It must be so difficult going through life completely blind to everything around you. Enjoy your existence underneath that rock while I go on to win the battle royal tonight. Sincerely, yours truly, Tiffany Stratton, the next NXT Women’s Champion.”

Cora Jade heads to the ring.

Fans no longer cheer #GenerationJade after what she did to her long time friend and NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship tag partner, Roxanne Perez. Cora rolls her eyes at the boos as she gets the mic. “The first thing that you people need to do is shut the hell up if you want to hear what I have to say. Last week, I stabbed my best friend in the back, and honestly? I should’ve done it sooner. For the past year, I have been the face of the NXT Women’s Division. Me. On all the posters, the commercials. You guys appointed ME the next breakout superstar! Don’t you remember WarGames when I jumped off the top of the cage?”

Cora says all the fans could say, “Wow, Cora Jade’s a star! Cora Jade’s so young! Cora Jade’s got such a bright future!” So she takes her best friend along for the ride. She helps get Roxanne Perez in the door, and from day one, everyone’s attention goes from Cora to Roxanne! Suddenly, Roxanne’s the next big star! Everyone loves Roxie! She’s the next Women’s Champion! It was all going to be perfect, right? After how many failed attempts, Cora finally found the perfect partner, and at The Great American Bash, Cora would become champion with her best friend. They’re on top of the world, champions forever together!

But not 30 minutes later, Roxanne decides that she wants to cash in her Breakout contract and beat Mandy Rose for the NXT Women’s Championship. “What the hell are you thinking, Rox?” Cora wanted to make the tag titles the most important ones in the WWE and yet she’s over it? And fans booing now are the same ones chanting for #RoxieTwoBelts, so y’all can go to hell. When Roxie declared her intentions, Cora knew the friendship was a lie. Roxie didn’t care about Cora, she used her to get here! And honestly, Roxie is a selfish BITCH! Fans boo but Cora says it’s true. Roxie was in her own little world, she didn’t even see who attacked her!

Yes, it was Cora! It was Cora all along! And the plan was going to play out perfectly. Mandy wasn’t ready for Cora, Cora was going to win that title, but of course, nope! Roxie comes right on out to ruin it all. And that’s why Cora felt so damn good to hit her in the back with her belt! And honestly, Roxie looked like a poor little puppy, it was priceless. But Roxie wont’ be here because she’s not cleared to compete with that broken heart, there is no one, not a single woman, that’ll stop Cora from winning the battle royal. And as for the tag titles… Cora takes hers right to the trash! “All this title represents to me now is a lie! This title isn’t worth a damn thing to me anymore.”

This is the end of naïve Cora, and the beginning the TRUE Generation Jade! She’s wired just a little bit differently these days. Cora DUMPS the belt in the trash! Let’s just take that as her way of vacating the titles. Is Cora going to get everything she wants in tonight’s main event? Or just what she deserves?

Backstage interview with Xyon Quinn.

Xyon says good for Cora. She never needed Roxie anyway. This isn’t a “we” kind of business, it’s a “me” kind of business. Some disagree with that, but McKenzie wants to ask Xyon why he interfered in Apollo Crews’ match last week. Oh, that was great, wasn’t it? Just great! Apollo thinks he can see the future, but he didn’t see Xyon coming, did he? And next week, Xyon gets what he wants: a match with Apollo. This will be the biggest win of Xyon’s career. And while Xyon doesn’t care about Apollo, Apollo is impressive. Apollo can throw his weight around in the gym, is a former champion, and had a big moment at WrestleMania.

But the truth is, the guy just couldn’t cut it in the big leagues. That’s not Apollo’s fault. Because not everyone has the X Factor like Xyon does. And next week, THE X Factor will be on full display. Will Xyon find that the X Factor only amounts to so much against all of Apollo’s abilities?

Indi Hartwell speaks.

“So far, flying solo has been everything but a smooth ride. I guess the growing pains come with the territory. I’m still searching for what’s missing, but regardless of the slips and slides, the highs and lows, recent history proves that I made the right choice. Because you can’t trust anyone in this division, and that perfectly describes tonight, because it is every woman for herself. Only one can win the opportunity to face Mandy for her title, and that woman will be me.” Will Indi come away with a truly #IMPRESSIVE victory?

Roderick Strong VS Damon Kemp!

The Savior of the Backbreaker tried to keep the Diamond Mine together his way, but his way might be what’s making things worse. Will Strong come to see that in his match with the Diamond Gopher? Or will it be undisputed that Roddy is just headstrong?

NXT returns as Kemp makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two circle and tie up. Kemp waistlocks, Strong wrenches out then wristlocks. Kemp rolls, shoots back in, but Strong facelocks. Kemp still shoots around, Strong wrenches out again, but Kemp cartwheels and gets around to a headlock. Kemp hits a takeover, Strong tries a headscissor but Kemp shrugs that off. Fans rally, Kemp keeps the headscissors away but Strong stands up. Strong powers up and pops out the back to hammerlock then headlock. Strong hits a takeover, Kemp fights up, fans duel, and Kemp wrenches out to headlock back!

Strong powers up and out, but Kemp ducks and spins Strong to then run him over! Things speed up, Strong hurdles but Kemp gets him for a BIG scoop and SLAM, then an elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Kemp keeps on Strong with a deadlift gut wrench suplex! Strong tumbles out to the apron, Kemp runs over but Strong rubber bands the rope into Kemp’s groin! Kemp staggers away, Strong gets in to knee low and GUT BUSTER! Kemp writhes, Strong taunts him and sits him up to CLUB him down! Strong kicks Kemp around, drags him up then puts him on the ropes. Strong stands Kemp up to CHOP, then kicks a leg.

Kemp crawls but Strong puts him in a corner. Strong CHOPS again, but Kemp shoves back. Strong knees low, CLUBS Kemp, then drags him up into a suplex. Kemp fights it, fans rally, but Strong knees low. Strong then suplexes Kemp up and over! Cover, ONE!! Strong hammers away on Kemp then clamps on a chinlock. Kemp endures, Strong CLUBS him in the ribs, and keeps on the double wristlock. Fans rally, Kemp fights up, and Kemp throws back elbows. Strong knees low again, and again! Then he pushes Kemp down to STOMP in the chest! Strong looms over Kemp, KICKS him again, then covers, ONE!!

Kemp is still hanging tough but Strong clamps on with another chinlock. Fans rally, Kemp fights up, and Kemp throws body shots! Strong knees low again and Kemp falls. Strong puts him in a corner, run sin, but into a BOOT! Strong returns, Kemp dodges to CLOBBER Strong! And again! Kemp ducks and dodges to ROLLING LARIAT! Fans fire up with the Gopher as he hauls Strong up for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Kemp runs in to RAM into Strong, shove shim away and SLINGSHOT SPEARS! Cover, TWO! Kemp hurries to haul Strong up, scoop him, but Strong slips off and BOOTS! Strong then runs but into an elbow!

Kemp and Strong run, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men are down, but then The Don gets Strong’s attention on the titantron? “Hey, Roddy! Up here. See, now that I got your attention, these diamonds of yours aren’t shining so bright anymore.” The Family and Legado are mugging The Creed Brothers! “You think Diamonds are forever? That’s Tony D!” Tony has Stacks, Cruz and Wilde let off, and Kemp wants to go help Julius & Brutus! But Strong turns him around for a STRONG KNEE!?! Cover, Strong wins!!

Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall

And NOW Strong  says they gotta go help the Creeds! What kind of two faced leadership is this? And either way, will the Diamond Mine be able to recover and crush the Family for what they did?

Pretty Deadly meets up backstage.

Elton Prince brought plenty of cleaning products to wipe the trailer trash dirt off the NXT UK Tag Team Championship belts. Kit Wilson looks great in his denim, and Kit says Elton looks great period. In a few moments, they get their babies back from those hillbillies! And don’t worry, Kit says they’ve got some pretty wonderful aftershave for that chest hair. Those titles will smell like hot garbage, but it’s TIME to #CowboyUp! Yeehaw, roll tide! Saddle up, boys!

Josh Briggs, Brooks Jensen & Fallon Henley also talk backstage.

Briggs says tonight is the night! Their first title defense while Fallon’s going to win that battle royal! Fallon tells the boys not to worry about her, they have their match first. It’s harder to keep the titles than it is to win them, so just stay focused and keep that composure. Composure? After what Pretty Deadly’s been saying? HELL NO! They’re coming in full of piss ‘n’ vinegar! Pretty Deadly’s talked down to them, insulted them, and think they’re better! Well Pretty Deadly is heading for an ol’ fashioned country ass whooping! Let’s roll! Will the city slickers from Essex end up two-time champions? Or will they get wrecked by these rednecks?

The Creed Brothers regroup.

Julius tells Brutus that they’ll get even with Tony’s crew. Strong finds them and is furious. They should’ve been able to beat those guys! But it was 4v2! That doesn’t matter, they’re the Creed Brothers! They’re tag team champions! Kemp finally shows up and Strong asks what happened to him. These guys go down and Kemp takes forever to show up! Uh, Strong’s KNEE is what happened! Strong knows, he hit Kemp! Just listen to him! Tony D started this, but Diamond Mine finishes it! That much they all agree on. But will Strong’s leadership bring them to victory against The Don? Or will it dawn on the rest that Strong is just a tyrant?

NXT UK Tag Team Championships: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Pretty Deadly!

NXT UK’s Ashton Smith & Oliver Carter fought hard to get these belts off Moustache Mountain, but perhaps too hard as Ashton went down with an injury. Briggs & Brooks got their chance and they took these titles, and that only upset the former champions, Elton & Kit. Will Pretty Deadly rope ‘n’ ride and take back these titles? Or will the Yanks continue their reign?

Pretty Deadly seemed to take “cow” literally with the cow print tops. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who rides off into the sunset with the gold!

The teams sort out, Jensen starts with Elton, and the two tie up at the bell. Elton gets around to smack Jensen on the head, and he mocks the two step. Jensen storms up on Elton but he uses the ropes to defend himself. Elton then SLAPS Jensen! That only angers Jensen and he grabs Elton with both hands to TOSS to the corner! Jensen CHOPS, clotheslines, and repeats! Jensen whips corner to corner, Elton bounces off buckles and into a back drop! Fans fire up and Jensen storms up on him! Jensen spins Elton around to suplex, but Kit blocks that for Elton. Kit then tags in, Jensen suplexes but Kit CLUBS him in the back!

Pretty Deadly mug Jensen, CLUB him and stomp the hands, to then Scott Hall finger wiggle at him. Jensen throws hand son Kit! Kit ROCKS Jensen, ROCKS him again, tags back to Elton, and Pretty Deadly double whip. Jensen kicks them away, ROCKS Kit and tags in Briggs! Jensen and Briggs double whip Pretty Deadly to then run them both over! Fans fire up as Pretty Deadly end up on ropes. Jensen and Briggs run, slide and STEREO HAYMAKERS! Fans fire up for “U S A! U S A!” but Elton jumps on Briggs’ back! Briggs endures the sleeper, he RAMS Elton into the corner, but Elton lets him go while standing on Briggs’ hand against the ropes.

The ref counts, Elton lets Briggs go, and Elton leaps, into Briggs’ arms! Briggs SLAMS Elton down but Kit distracts. Elton rushes in, puts Briggs on the ropes, Kit tags in as Elton whips. Briggs busts through the clothesline but Kit grabs at Briggs. Briggs DECKS Kit but Elton whips again. Briggs reverses this time to TOSS Elton out, into Fallon! Briggs and Jensen realize what happened and hurry to check on Fallon. Jensen is furious but Briggs has him stay back, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Jensen fires off on Kit, then BACKHANDS! Jensen whips and WHEEL KICKS Kit down! Fans fire up with Jensen but Kit gets to his corner, Jensen runs in but misses, and Elton tags in. Elton whips Jensen into a corner, Kit WRINGS Jensen’s arm out, and Elton CLUBS Jensen down. Elton fires off on Jensen in a corner but Jensen hits back! Elton CLUBS Jensen, facelocks, and tags in Kit. Pretty Deadly double suplex Jensen onto ropes, but then Jensen fights it, so they hang him out to dry! Cover, TWO! Kit is frustrated and he eggs Jensen on. Jensen boots but Kit blocks to COLOBBER Jensen at the ropes!

Kit headlock punches over and over then he tags in Elton. Elton stomps Jensen, knees him in the back, then clamps on a chinlock. Elton grinds Jensen down but fans rally up. Jensen endures but Elton cranks on the chinlock. Jensen reaches out, fights up, and Jensen JAWBREAKERS! Jensen keeps Elton from his corner but Elton does the same to Jensen. Elton knees low, tags in Kit, and Pretty Deadly mugs Jensen. Jensen throws body shots, haymakers, but Kit hits back! It is a brawl but Kit RAMS Jensen into the corner! Elton tags in to forearm smash! Cover, TWO! Elton stomps and kicks Jensen but Jensen throws body shots!

Jensen fights but Elton facelocks to hold him back again. Jensen reaches but Elton headlocks. Briggs reaches out, but Elton kicks at him! Elton whips Jensen, runs in, but misses in the corner! Hot tags to Kit and Briggs! Briggs rallies on Pretty Deadly! BOOT for Kit! SIDEWALK SLAM and a SPLASH for Elton! Fans fire up with Briggs and he whips Kit to ropes. Kit ducks ‘n’ dodges, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Fans rally up, both men stand, and Briggs gets Kit for a backslide! TWO, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide now! Both men are down again and Kit flounders to the apron. Fans rally for “U S A!” but Elton sneaks a belt to Kit.

Elton has the other belt, the ref sees what Kit has in his hands, but then Elton tosses the other belt at Briggs. Elton says Briggs is gonna use the belt, but then Jensen BOOTS Elton down! The ref confiscates one belt but then Fallon snatches the other! Fallon lets go and the ref reprimands her, Kit ends up in the COUNTRY HIGH LOW!! Briggs covers, the Yanks win!

Winners: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen, by pinfall (still NXT UK Tag Team Champions)

Pretty Deadly tried to cheat but got cheated back! Will they learn to play fair and square from the start from now on? Will Briggs & Jensen continue to reign on both sides of the Atlantic?

Joe Gacy speaks.

“For the last ten weeks, you have sat under my tree. You have surrendered yourselves to my teachings, torn down your egos, and rebuilt yourselves as pillars of inclusion and acceptance. Under my guidance, you will be who you were always meant to be. It is time for you to emerge. Before you do, understand there is no going back. Do you accept this fate?” The Dyad says, “Yes.” Gacy says the final step of the purification commences! It’s James Drake & Zack Gibson! Gacy “baptizes” the Grizzled Young Veterans in his smoky aura, and they rise as “Jagger Reed” and “Rip Fowler!” Their past will now stay where it belongs: behind them.

“Jagger” says that they were two souls that needed guidance and found redemption. Now they can feel joy and finally, truly be recognized. They are the first but not the last to be unshackled. Many more will join. There is plenty of shade under the tree. And to Jagger and Rip, welcome home in The Schism.

Bron Breakker arrives.

He wants to know where McDonagh is but no one is sure. Bron is on the hunt, will he unleash some “necessary evil” of his own on JD tonight?

Backstage interview with Wes Lee.

McKenzie say sit seems everyone was dropping his name last week. Yes, on his journey to find himself, he keeps hitting road blocks. Trick Williams blinds him at the Great American Bash, but now Lee has 20-20 vision. Trick thinks the music between them is going to stop, but they ain’t done dancing. But Grayson Waller blames Lee for losing the North American Championship match? And says Lee’s life sucks? Lee’s heard worse from people he actually respects. If Waller was 1/10th as good as he thinks he is, he wouldn’t have been so distracted. But Waller can only blame himself next week when he takes on Lee 1v1.

It’s a two stop detour! Waller first, Trick Willy second, and then Lee is back on his path to find himself. Will the Must-See Kid go viral with Waller next week?

Bron Breakker heads to the ring!

THE NXT Champion is back with that bad shoulder taped up, and fans bark along as he holds up that belt with the beat up arm. Bron gets the mic to say, “At Great American Bash, I went toe to toe with one of the very best here in NXT in Cameron Grimes. He tried to make things personal, but he stood up to me, and that’s something I can respect. And then there’s JD McDonagh.” Fans boo and Bron says JD attacked from behind and put him through a table. Bron gets it, “next man up.” Not the first time and it won’t be the last. But Bron knows who JD is: The Irish Ace! The NXT UK Kingpin! Hell, JD’s a surgeon in the ring.

JD wanted Bron’s attention? Well he’s got it! And he’ll pay for what he did! But JD calls to Bron from the tron. They haven’t formally met, right? How’s that shoulder? It’s fine, so JD can bring his ass to the ring to find out himself! Oh, so aggressive and so predictable. When JD was in the UK competing at a level no one else could touch, he was watching Bron. Bron’s faced a ton of great competitors. But that’s the difference. Those guys were competing with Bron. JD is going to dissect him. Take that bad shoulder, for example. Did Bron know there are eight major muscles in the shoulder? They all have to work together for a strong shoulde rjoint.

JD knows Grimes hurt Bron’s shoulder, but JD will disable him. JD knows exactly how to tear the tendons from the bone. JD knows Bron is going to say, “I’ll fight through the pain! RUFF RUFF!” For a bit, maybe. But there’s only so much trauma a human brain can go through before it shuts down. So what Bron needs to do that while he loves the NXT Championship, he has to ask himself if he’s willing to risk his health for it. One day, many years from now- One day, JD has to get in the ring with Bron! If JD can’t find his balls, borrow some from the mannequin! Oh, Bron. One day, but not today. Bron’s future changed forever at The Bash, he just doesn’t know it yet.

The Necessary Evil has arrived in NXT, and until the next time they meet, Bron should mind his shoulder. Oh, JD wants to rip the shoulder off? Fine! Bron will take it back from JD and beat him over the head with it! The NXT Champion isn’t going to let JD intimidate him, but will he be able to keep that arm and belt where they are?

NXT Media caught up with Solo Sikoa on a Friday.

They asked him what he was doing backstage at a SmackDown, and Solo says he’s just checking out the show, showing some love to the family. Well he and Von Wagner had a big scrap last Tuesday. Solo said he and Von Wagner ain’t through. Next time Solo sees Von, he’ll smack that taste out of Von’s mouth. But Von BLINDSIDES Solo!! And RAMS him into a truck! And then they brawl back out of the building! Von keeps after Solo, slamming him against a security door, and kicking him over and over! Vicious Von says, “This is the Street Champ, huh? I just put the Street Champ on his ass!” But will Solo look to rip Wagner’s World apart with his bare hands?

Backstage interview with Diamond Mine.

McKenzie won’t waste their time, she just wants to know why Tony D and his crew attacked the Creeds. Julius says it doesn’t matter why! Tony will get it anywhere, anytime! They’ll slam bodies on the mat, in the back, on the asphalt, through concrete! It is ON SIGHT! Brutus says Tony’s guys jumped up but they’re already back on their feet! Diamond Mine is a family! You jump one of us, you are jumping all of them! Strong says that’s right! Tony D thinks he has the strongest family? First thing’s first, Tony, take off that stupid hat and then take a good look! Diamond Mine is the strongest! The four of them against any four in the world!

Julius says hold on, they’re not done, bring the camera back over. Tony, you’ve got two choices: Accept the challenge and get your asses beat, or refuse the offer and Diamond Mine hunts you down to beat your ass anyway! Tony’s choice! Diamond Mine is fired up, is this what they needed to keep the family together?

Axiom VS Dante Chen!

No longer just a kid, he is embracing his unique and powerful blend of agility, ability and intelligence to become something more than he was before. He has donned the mask to show us the true face of justice! Will Axiom become the undeniable truth here in NXT?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Axiom powers Chen back, arm-drags him, then wristlocks to arm-drag again. Chen arm-drags back, Axiom gets up but Chen avoids the enziguri! Fans cheer this opening exchange, and Chen headlocks. Axiom powers out and around to have an armlock. Chen rolls, slips around, wrenches back, but Axiom rolls and handsprings to wrench and WRING Chen into the armlock! Chen fights up, whips Axiom to a corner, but Axiom goes up, comes back and arm-drags again to kip up and ENZIGURI! Fans fire up, Axiom waits, and then he dodges Chen to wrench and hammerlock.

Chen reaches back, moves around, they go around and around and Chen throws Axiom out. But Axiom is right back in to slingshot and schoolboy, ONE! Chen waistlocks, whips and CLUBS Axiom on the back! Then a ripcord, into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Axiom is still in this but Chen clamps on to drag Axiom up. Chen whips again, CLUBS Axiom back down, and fans duel. Chen whips Axiom to CLUB him again, then he hauls Axiom up. Chen whips, Axiom ducks the forearm this time, then dodges again to tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Fans fire up while both men get up. Chen goes to ropes, Axiom fires off forearms!

Axiom ducks Chen’s clohtesline to PELE, then O’Conner! But Chen bucks him off. Axiom comes back to HOTSHOT! Axiom is up top and leaps to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up and Axiom aims from a corner, to RYDER KICK! Cover, Axiom wins!

Winner: Axiom, by pinfall

Axiom calculated perfectly and hit the mark! Will he find the winning formula to get to the top of NXT?

Lash Legend speaks.

“The best women that NXT has to offer will be in the same ring at the same time. The top 20! But you’re looking at the top one, numero uno, the odds on favorite to win it all! It’ll be easy as two snaps and a clap. Oh, and Ms. Firemaker? I’ll see your burnt brain in the battle royal. And when I send you flying over the top rope, you’ll realize that no one messes with Lash Legend, the one and only, okay?” Will Lash use the battle royal to become a contender? Or will her playing with Fyre get her burned?

A fan walks up to Giovanni Vinci.

They ask if it’s okay to get a picture. He says sure. He takes a selfie of just himself, but she wanted to be in it with him. With him? Uh, no. Everyone wants a picture of Vinci right now, especially after he handled Apollo Crews with style. Chase U then returns from their field trip and cross paths with Vinci. They ask if Vinci wants to hang out with them in the Chase U student section. Absolutely not! Now move your bus! Thea Hail is in awe of his car. No finger prints. Oh, sorry… Well, they’ll save Vinci a seat anyway. Chase U heads out and Vinci is still upset about the bus! Did Vinci just have a #TeachableMoment about parking spots?

Once again, Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams visit the barber shop.

Melo is still recovering from the #Melobration last week. Trick understands that. He met two of the finest ladies. Melo saw ’em. One was Mercedes, she drove a Lexus. And the other girl was Lexus, who drove a Mercedes. And Trick was getting them confused the whole time! But we need to lock it in. There’s business to be taken care of. Everyone wants after the North American Championship. Solo said he’s got next, but Melo is so over Solo. Solo is fighting Von, and they say this is Wagner’s World, and we’re just living in it. Pff, what? No, Von is in the Meloverse! But what about someone new? Giovanni Vinci looks good.

C’mon, man, didn’t that guy just get here? Technically… Let’s find someone else. Apollo Crews wants to make this a big homecoming, but with Melo’s title. Melo says Apollo’s lucky he let him off easy. When you’re at the top, you don’t look below or behind you, because you’re too busy leading the way. Wait, his phone is blowing up. Wes Lee was talking about Trick Williams a minute ago. Trick says of course! He’s Trick Willy. Lee needs to be obsessed with his match next week. But two things are for sure in NXT: Waller gonna lie; Wes Lee gonna cry. They might as well watch Titanic. Melo wants Trick to watch that match, though.

Oh, Trick will be watching. Lee can’t, though, because his eyes are still burning. GOTTEE! And that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gonna be. Now let’s get this do right. WHOA~! Yikes. Wait, seriously? Uh, no, it’s not that bad… But will it be real bad for Melo & Trick if they keep dissing this many superstars?

Backstage interview with Toxic Attraction.

McKenzie asks them about the coming battle royal to name Mandy Rose’s next challenger. Who do they think has what it takes to win? Umm… Well if Mandy had to guess, she’ll go with… Tatum Paxley. Okay, bye. Wait, why Tatum? Ugh, McKenzie, why is it more than one question? Mandy doesn’t care, that was the first name in her head! Here’s what’ll happen. They will leave, McKenzie will watch them leave, just like all the weird microphone holders here do. Jacy says, “Like this?” And then she has a glazed look in her eye. That’s rude… Oh, McKenzie, whoever next up is just the next loser. Take your pick.

The bigger question should be about the NXT Women’s Tag titles. But before Gigi & Jacy can go on about that, Ivy Nile walks in to dare someone to call her “loser” to her face! Once she wins, she will render Mandy unconscious and take her title. Kiana James walks in to say “Ms. Nile” has ZERO chance of winning. Strategy and brains trump muscle in every situation. Especially here. As for Ms. Rose, her long title reign will come to an end when- Alba Fyre beats her! This is the woman who will burn the Toxic Empire to the ground. Fyre’s music hits first, but will she be the last woman standing in that ring?

NXT Media catches up to Cameron Grimes.

He tells the reporters to leave him alone! After losing the North American Championship, he said not now! After losing out on the NXT Championship, he said not now! And now he loses to JD, so what part of “not now” does no one understand?! Let him go home! Joe Gacy is there to say he understands how Grimes is feeling. He knows exactly what Grimes is going through. Not now, Gacy. Grimes hobbles out to the parking lot, and Gacy smiles. Will Gacy get through to Grimes soon enough?

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s 20 Woman Battle Royal!

If we continue with Kiana James’ math, all these women have a 1/20, a 5% chance, of winning that golden ticket to take on the Toxic Goddess! But will numbers mean nothing when you’ve got some of the hungriest superstars in NXT today in that ring?

NXT returns and Elektra Lopez makes her entrance. McKenzie interviews Tony D’Angelo backstage, and Lopez is in the battle royal. Tony says to say it right: Lopez is going to win the battle royal. Well, what does Tony have to say about the challenge for an 8 Man Tag from Diamond Mine? Oh no~, the big bad dojo bros got beat up. Y’know why those guys need a dojo? Because they can’t fight on the streets. These fake tough guys fooled everyone else, but not The Don. They think they have the strongest unit? They barely get along! And now they think they can beat Tony’s crew? Gentlemen, they accept the offer. Bring your towels, singlets and yelling, but it won’t change the outcome. Next week, Diamond Mine is FINISHED. As is this interview.

Cora makes her entrance now, and she mocks the fans booing and crying over Roxie. Toxic Attraction is in the lounge watching, as ZOEY STARK makes a return!? Is this huge return from the Sin City Soldier going to flip this match on its head?

The bell rings, Cora talks trash to all 19 others, but all 19 aren’t having it. Cora realizes she’s surrounded, but then she slides out under the ropes. Only for Ivy to do the same and DECK her! The match is on as Ivy puts Cora back in! Cora slides back out, Ivy chases her off! The rest are brawling all over, Indi after Amari Miller, Leon after Lyons, Tatum after Sloan Jacobs! Lash scoops Indi, Kiana is after Feroz but Feroz fights back. Arianna Grace fights off Amari but KC Squared is after her now. Fyre goes after Kayden, Grace is after Katana, Tatum puts Amari on the apron! Ivy DROPKICKS and ELIMINATES Amari for the Diamond Mine!

Lopez throws forearms on Ivy but Ivy hits back. Tatum is after Grace, as is Sloane. KC Squared are after Tiffany but she fights back. Feroz & Leon work on Lyons together, Fallon helps Jacobs against Grace! She’s on the apron but Grace hits them both back! Grace waves hi to everyone in the crowd, but Indi BOOTS her and ELIMINATES her! Indi waves bye to Grace. Stark stomps Lyons, Fallon stomps Feroz, Lash is after Fyre. Tatum fights off Sloan, Fyre jumps but Lash blocks the rana to swing her into Leon, Feroz and whoever else! Lash gets Fyre up, but Fyre RANAS Lash out, DOUBLE ELIMINATION!

Fyre isn’t done with Lash, either, SUPERKICK!! Fyre fires off but Lash hits back! They brawl to the back while Lyons fights off Feroz. Tiffany puts Choo on the apron but Choo ROCKS Tiffany! But Tiffany TRIPS Choo! Choo falls, but onto her pillow! Her feet aren’t touching the floor, she’s safe! Choo stands up, slides back in and starts again! Fallon is after Kiana, Ivy schoolgirls Lopez, Loen gets Stark up but Stark holds ropes! Stark kicks Leon away, Leon runs back in but Stark tosses and ELIMINATES her! Feroz is shocked and goes after Stark! They brawl, Stark shoves Feroz into a corner but gets caught into a HANGING ARMBAR!

Feroz puts Stark on the apron but Stark fights up to deadlift and TOSS Feroz! But Leon catches her teammate to carry her back over, but Stark BOOTS Leon down! Feroz hits the floor and Stark ELIMINATES her! Sloane is after Tiffany, Lopez brawls with Lyons, KC Squared stick together while Kiana RAMS Fallon. Kiana puts Fallon out HOTSHOTS her, and RAMS her! Fallon holds on, Kiana KICKS the bad arm! Fallon falls, Kiana ELIMINATES her! Wendy Choo and Tiffany Stratton end up on the apron together now, and Choo tries a full nelson. Tiffany elbows free, then CLOBBERS Choo with her own thermos! Tiffany ELIMINATES Choo, and blows her a kiss good night.

NXT goes picture in picture as Tiffany mocks Choo more, then gets back in. Stark and Sloane are after Lyons but she fights them off. Kiana pie faces Indi, Sloane CLUBS Katana Chance, then throws her over! Katana holds on, hits Sloane back, and Kayden whips Sloane to the ropes. Sloane boots back but Katana crucifix holds her against ropes! Kayden runs back in, dumps Sloane out, KC Squared ELIMINATES Sloane! But Lopez LCOBBERS Kayden! Kayden hits Katana, Katana holds on, so Lopez keeps on Kayden! Kayden hits back, gets around, Katana headscissors, and Kayden dumps Lopez out! KC Squared ELIMINATES La Madrina!

KC Squared watch the competition while Diamond Mine’s ladies stomp away on Kiana. Ivy hits Tiffany while she’s after Indi, KC Squared go after Lyons! Lyons fights them off but they come back for more. Tatum is after Stark, Katana falls but through the middle rope so she’s safe. Tatum gets help from Kiana against Stark but Tiffany goes after Tatum. Lyons stomps Kayden, Tatum brawls with Tiffany and Ivy EuroUppers Indi. NXT returns to single picture, Katana returns to help Kayden while Toxic Attraction still watches. Katana and Kayden are after Lyons again but again she fights them off.

Ivy, Indi and Tatum are after Tiffany but Katan gets involved. Tatum goes after Katana while Lyons is after Kayden. Tiffany is after Indi, Lyons ROCKS Kayden then ROCKS Tatum! Lyons fires off knees on Tatum then forearms. Ivy whips Katana but Katana goes up and out to get a boost from Kayden, DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! They drag Ivy out to ELIMINATE her! Lyons ROCKS Katana and she almost falls, but Kayden holds her hand to keep her on the apron! Ivy grabs at Katana and YANKS her down! Ivy ELIMINATES Katana, but then Lyons BLASTS Kayden off the apron and onto Ivy! KC Squared is ELIMINATED!

Tatum fires off on Lyons, and SCOOPS her! Tatum puts Lyons on the apron, but KC Squared is mugging Ivy for what she did! Tatum sees that, and SLINGSHOTS to PLANCHA! SELF ELIMINATION!! But Diamond Mine is forever, so that is more important to her than gold. Indi sees Lyons still on the apron and rushes over to fire an uppercut! Indi DECKS Tiffany, BOOTS Stark, and SPINEBUSTERS Kiana! Indi then whips Tiffany into a corner! Tiffany goes up and out, Indi runs in but Tiffany holds the ropes down! Indi tumbles and Tiffany ELIMINATES her! Tiffany blows another kiss goodnight to #IndiWrestling.

Tiffany, Lyons, Kiana and Stark all have a corner and fans are thunderous. All four get to their feet and Stark goes after Kiana while Lyons goes after Tiffany! The brawls are on and the fans are loving it! Kiana knees low, Lyons tosses Tiffany then BOOTS Kiana! Lyons runs in to SPLASH Kiana! Then she back body blocks Tiffany! Stark swings but gets a GERMAN SUPLEX for it! Lyons ROUNDHOUSES Tiffany but Kiana RAMS her into a corner! Kiana fires off shoulders, then handsprings, into the SPIN KICK from Lyons!! Lyons tosses and ELIMINATES Kiana! But then Tiffany DUMPS and ELIMINATES Lyons!!

Tiffany blows another kiss goodnight, and she swaggers around, but she forgets Stark is here! Stark fires off forearms on Tiffany, TOSSES her, but Tiffany skins the cat! Stark sees her get in, and clotheslines her back out! Tiffany keeps ONE foot up, she’s still in this!! So Stark goes right at her at the ropes! Tiffany shoulders in, dumps Stark up but Stark is on the apron. They BOTH forearm, both fall, but are still safe on the apron! They get in the ring, fans are fired up, Tiffany SHOTGUNS Stark! Tiffany runs corner to corner with a handspring back- NO, GERMAN SUPLEX from Stark! And a half nelson TOSS up and out, to then DECK her! Tiffany hits the floor, Stark ELIMINATES her!

But she hasn’t won, because everyone forgot about Cora! Cora runs in, but Stark TOSSES her cheating ass outta here! Stark wins!!

Winner: Zoey Stark (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Champion)

Cora is furious but no one could deny Stark this moment! Stark is back in the biggest way possible, will she be the one that strikes down the Toxic Attraction’s last champion?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for NXT here with quite a lot set up for the rest of the summer. Grimes VS McDonagh was a great opener, and the result served both stories. Grimes losing adds to his frustration but also to Gacy’s efforts to recruit him. JD wins to head for that NXT Championship, though I’m not sure they really executed his promo with Bron that well. Bron did well in his part because it was standard Bron. JD trying to use a mannequin to demonstrate his knowledge of anatomy is bit out there from how Jordan Devlin’s promos were in NXT UK, but maybe they’re just trying something out. That title match is going to be really good, though.

And speaking of Gacy and his Schism, finally we’re all vindicated. That was the Grizzled Young Veterans all along, but of course they’re getting renamed. Whether or not they needed new names, GYV does have a clever visual presentation as the Dyad with the yin-yang thing going on. And joining Gacy and being “reborn” is also a clever way to kayfabe why WWE is renaming so many people in NXT 2.0. Clearly Gacy wants Grimes to be The Schism’s midcard man, but I’m not sure that’ll happen. Melo & Trick have another good barber shop promo to talk trash on all the possible contenders, but I would love if Lee makes it through Waller and Trick to get at Melo for the title.

Good promo from Xyon, and calling himself “The X Factor” is a half decent nickname. But he’s totally losing to Apollo Crews, it’s what makes sense. Especially after Apollo lost to Vinci. And oddly, Vinci might be on to feuding with Chase U after that goofy promo together with them. Vinci will beat Bodhi, and probably even beat Chase, and since he was namedropped by Melo, he could be in some big North American Championship match, like another ladder match. Similarly, a decent segment from Solo and Von, the best part being the nod to The Bloodline. Solo VS Von has to be Falls Count Anywhere, it’s what makes sense.

As weird as A-Kid becoming Axiom is, I can’t actually rip into it that badly. I’d want to be a whole comic book superhero persona myself if I were a wrestler. And seeing the mask in the light, it looks better than I thought it did last week. I will also say, though, Dante Chen had a look on his face that says he thought he was past the superhero wrestler stuff when NXT (randomly) let go of Trey Baxter. But of course Axiom won, and the Ryder Kick being his finisher is a bit of a surprise, but I suppose it is a nice, flashy finisher for him. If this helps A-Kid get another title, like the North American Championship, then we should be all for it.

Strong VS Kemp was a very good match, but what a random move for Tony D’Angelo and his team to go after the Creeds. Though, I suppose this is all because Tony wants Legado to get those tag titles. But Strong waiting to win the match to go help the Creeds was definitely a jerk move. They could’ve both gone and worst case scenario was a draw. Strong is being extra pumped up for the 8 Man Tag so he’s totally leaving Diamond Mine high and dry. And we got a very good NXT UK Tag Team Championship match, and of course Briggs & Jensen retain. Not sure Pretty Deadly had the right tactic with their cheating, because when the ref caught Kit, Elton should’ve blasted Briggs. But now Briggs & Jensen will “return” to the UK to face teams there, who knows if they “return” to the US with the belts.

Cora had a fairly good Heel turn promo, but I think the best part was that she got to recreate the Alundra Blayze moment of dumping a belt in the trash. Toxic Attraction will of course want those belts back when they’re cleaned up. We got pretty good promos from all the major names in tonight’s main event, and going into it, I thought Nikkita Lyons was primed to win this. Cora has her story with Roxanne, Fyre and Lash have their story, even Tiffany and Choo still have their feud. Anyone else in that match was either in a tag team or in the Level Up midcard. But Zoey Stark making a true surprise return was great stuff, and she even defies Cora’s Heel cheat move to win.

I felt they should’ve made Indi the next to check off both tag title and singles title reign, but Zoey Stark is a great alternate choice. Fans clearly love her, she has story with Toxic Attraction dating back to the previous Women’s Dusty Cup, she really should be the one to dethrone Mandy Rose once and for all.

My Score: 8.5/10