Will Cora Jade do Mandy Rose’s dirty work?

Before NXT Heatwave and the NXT Women’s Championship match, Zoey Stark has to deal with the new, selfish Cora Jade standing in her way!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Nikkita Lyons VS Kiana James; Lyons wins.
• British Rounds Match: Wes Lee VS Trick Williams w/ Carmelo Hayes; Lee wins.
• Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Arianna Grace; Grace wins.
• Apollo Crews VS Roderick Strong w/ The Creed Brothers; Crews wins.
• Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins.
• Zoey Stark VS Cora Jade; Stark wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Trick Williams & Carmelo Hayes speak.

Good for Kayden Carter & Katana Chance on winning the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships, but that was last week. This week, is the British Rounds Match! Trick can show the world he has the gift of gab and the gift of jab. Float like a butterfly, cry like Wes Lee. Well, close. Sting like a bee when Trick knocks out Lee! That’s all it is, and that’s all it’s goin’ be!

But Wes Lee responds!

Tonight’s Rounds Match is about Lee coming out swinging. Lee will show that for all the jawing Trick does, Trick’s jaw is made of glass!

Cora Jade speaks.

“Tonight, I put Zoey Stark back on the shelf where she belongs when I eliminate her from this division, just like I did Roxanne Perez from my life.

Zoey Stark responds.

“Cora Jade seems to thinks she’s gonna take me out and take my spot in the Women’s Championship match. Hah, Mandy Rose, put up all the roadblocks you like, but nothing is going to stop me from taking that title at Heatwave.”

Tony D’Angelo speaks.

“Speaking of championships, Santos Escobar cast me two titles. Let’s see what he’s got to say when we meet face to face, right here!” The Don waits in the park, but will he see the Emperor of Lucha coming?

Nikkita Lyons VS Kiana James!

The Lioness is ready to crunch the number cruncher for all the criticisms and insults thrown her way. Will Lyons roar with a win on her way to that WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament match?

The bell rings and Lyons circles with Kiana. They tie up, Lyons powers Kiana but Kiana turns it around to put Lyons in the corner,. Kiana shoves but Lyons shoves back! Kiana headlocks, Lyons powers out and runs her over! Fans fire up and duel as Lyons dares Kiana to bring it. They circle, Lyons blocks a kick but not the elbow! Kiana knees low, fisherman’s, but Lyons fights the suplex. Kiana throws a body shot, wrenches an arm and YANSK on it, then YANKS it again. Kiana wrenches, but Lyons runs Kiana over! Fans fire up and Lyons runs in but misses in the corner! Kiana wraps the leg in the ropes to pull!

Lyons CLUBS Kiana but Kiana ROCKS Lyons, to drop a knee on the knee! Kiana smirks as she stalks Lyons and grabs the leg. Kiana kicks the leg, drives a knee into it, then YANKS it! Fans boo as Kiana stalks Lyons to a corner. Kiana goes out and drags Lyons around by the bad leg, to SLAM the leg on the apron! Kiana tries again but Lyons BOOTS her with the good leg. Lyons SMACKS Kiana off the apron, then kicks, but Kiana dodges and that boot goes into the steel steps! Lyons hobbles and Kiana puts her in the ring. Kiana covers, ONE!! Lyons shoves Kiana but Kiana gets the leg to JAM it! Fans rally as Kiana gets the leg again for a standing toehold.

Lyons endures, Kiana pushes that leg way back, but Lyons claws at Kiana. Lyons uses her free leg to push Kiana, but Kiana stomps the bad leg! Kiana steps through but Lyons kicks her away, only for Kiana to stomp her again! Lyons throws hands and elbows, then a BOOT with the good leg! Lyons KICKS and KICKS and roars to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Lyons manages to kip up! Lyons roars and runs through the pain to CANNONBALL! Lyons then spiders around to get the cover, ROPEBREAK! Kiana survives by inches because Lyons didn’t calculate the cover. Kiana avoids a kick, rolls Lyons up and holds ropes! TWO!!

Lyons gets up, grits her teeth, and SPIN KICKS Kiana down! Then LYONS’ DEN! Cover, Lyons wins!

Winner: Nikkita Lyons, by pinfall

If anyone from Raw or SmackDown was watching, they now know Lyons knows how to fight through the pain. Will they have to worry about Lyons’ roar- KIANA CLOBBERS LYONS! Kiana used her purse to blast Lyons, and she says no one makes her look stupid! Will Kiana mean business when Lyons returns from SmackDown?

Apollo Crews watches film with the Creed Brothers.

Here it comes! Brutus SMASH! That’s great stuff, love to see it. Julius thanks Apollo for sitting with them to watch this back. Apollo is a veteran who sees things they don’t pick up on, so they’re grateful to him. Apollo says they’ve got it. He is a huge fan, after all. But then Roderick Strong walks in and asks what the hell is going on. They’re watching film. No, he knows that. But why is Apollo in here? The better question is, where was Strong last week? He said he’d be there for them and then no-showed! Strong says it was a test! And they passed! They game planned for Strong being there, but he wasn’t there, and they still found a way to win on their own. Strong is proud!

Brutus says screw “tests,” Strong out and lied to them! The Creeds can argue and fight as brothers, but they don’t lie to each other. That’s not what Diamond Mine is about! Apollo does agree here, that was shady on Strong’s part. What? What is Apollo even here for? He’s not Diamond Mine. Oh, he can’t just sit and watch film? NO! Well, then Apollo has a better idea. Let’s put that film up from two weeks ago, the Six Man Tag. How does Roddy feel about that? HoW dOeS rOdDy FeEl? How about Roddy beats the piss outta Apollo and then we watch THAT film back?!

The Creeds keep the peace, but Strong says Apollo won’t have his new buddies in his corner, they’ll be in STRONG’s! Diamond Mine forever! Well, Apollo’s gonna get that match made. Yes, you do that, thank you. Apollo leaves, but will Strong be the one getting beat?

Lash Legend is on the phone.

She asks where her friends are at, they have reservations. But hold on, hold on, she’s gotta go. She walks over and asks Malik Blade where he’s off to. And where’s his boy, Edris Enofe? Oh, it doesn’t matter, because she doesn’t really like him versus Malik. But did Malik see her match VS Alba Fyre? Yeah, of course he did, right? So, ya girl was looking super fly, then her music hits and she comes out, looking good as always, and then that one fan with the poster, ugh, bye. Lash keeps on ranting while we cut away, is Malik going to be okay?

British Rounds Match: Wes Lee VS Trick Williams w/ Carmelo Hayes!

Just as seen on NXT UK, we take wrestling and combine it with boxing, there will be six three-minute rounds, first to two falls (submissions, pinfalls or count-outs) wins, unless there’s a disqualification, or even better, a knockout! The Must-See Kid’s got his boxing gloves ready, but will the gloves come off in this unique grudge match?

NXT returns and Trick makes his entrance, the North American Champion as his cornerman. The introductions are made, there’s a tale of the tape, and the bell rings on the first round! Lee and Trick circle, have their dukes up, but Trick JABS and JABS real fast! Trick does some rope a dope, JABS and throws a right, but Lee shrugs those off. They circle, Lee ducks a shot, and another, then fires off fast body shots! Trick pushes Lee away and falls back to his corner. Melo makes sure those gloves are secure, and fans chant “This is Boxing!” The two circle again, Lee takes another JAB, then guards the rest.

Trick tries to rope a dope but Lee stays clear of those punches! Lee bobs ‘n’ weaves, fires off body shots, Trick clinches for an STO! And some ground ‘n’ pound! But Lee turns it back around! They fire off fast hands and fans fire up! There’s still 90 seconds in this opening round, the two reset and square up again. Lee keeps his distance, Trick swings wild, and Lee fires off more body shots! Trick clinches again but Lee keeps throwing hands! Trick hits back as we reach a minute, then he throws a KNEE! Fans boo, so much for regular boxing! Trick fires off hands as he has Lee in the corner! The ref counts, Trick keeps firing off, but he backs off at 4.

Trick brings Lee out but Lee ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And then fires off body shots! Trick shoves Lee away but Lee comes back. The hands fly, Lee JABS and ROCKS Trick, then gives more body shots! We’re at 15 seconds, then 10, and it’s all Lee! Lee has Trick in a corner, the countdown is zero! Lee is barking but he lets off.

Lee: 0; Trick: 0

Melo coaches Trick up to whoop Lee! The gloves are literally off now, and we start round two! Lee runs in to MONKEY FLIP! And then arm-drag! Trick wobbles into another arm-drag! Lee ducks the haymakers to then FLYING ARM-DRAG! And DROPKICK! Trick wobbles, Lee clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up for Lee as he PLANCHAS and takes Trick down! Lee stares Melo down, puts Trick in the ring, and then hurries in. But Melo grabs at Lee! Lee BOOTS Melo, but Trick BOOTS Lee! Cover, Trick gets a fall!

Lee: 0; Trick: 1

Not even a minute and Trick scores, thanks to Melo! Will Lee be able to recover in these 20 seconds? Melo sprays Trick down with water while NXT goes picture in picture.

Melo peps talks Trick while Lee flounders away to his corner. Lee grits his teeth, the third round starts, and Trick SPLASHES Lee down in the corner! Trick drags Lee up, bumps him off buckles, then bumps him off buckles again. Lee wobbles, Trick bumps him off the middle buckle now. Trick drags Lee up, whips him to ropes, and DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Lee is still in this but Trick talks trash. We’re at two minutes in this round as Trick clamps on a chinlock. Trick leans on the hold and grinds Lee down, but Lee fights back up. Trick puts Lee through ropes and has him for a cobra twist!

The ref counts, Trick lets off, and YANKS the ropes to send Lee down. Trick drags Lee up to scoop and SLAM, then covers, TWO! Trick is annoyed but he CLUBS Lee down. Lee crawls back to ropes but Trick CHOKES him! The ref counts, Trick lets off at 4 and Lee sputters. Trick CHOKES Lee more, then lets off again. Lee sputters and crawls but Trick stalks him. Trick CLUBS Lee again, and again! Lee gets to ropes again but Trick brings him around to whip. Lee ducks ‘n’ dodges to then sunset flip! TWO, and Trick hurries to CLUB Lee again! We’re at 10 seconds in this round, Trick whips Lee but Lee reverses to kick and trip! The round is over before the Half Crab!

Lee: 0; Trick: 1

Trick is saved by the bell again, and Melo says he’s got the gloves “fixed.” Trick says no, no more boxing, but Melo says trust him! NXT returns to single picture just as the fourth round starts. Wait, Trick seems to understand what Melo means, and is A-OK with the glove. But Lee rolls him up! ONE, Lee ducks the glove, ducks it again, but Trick kicks low! Lee dodges the haymaker, sunset flips again, TWO! Trick staggers up but Lee KICKS away on his leg! Trick ends up in a corner, Lee whips him but Trick reverses. Lee hits buckles hard, and Trick storms up on Lee. Lee avoids that left hand again, and again, and again!

Lee rolls, gets around, crucifix takedown! Lee gets the fall!!

Lee: 1; Trick: 1

CHEAP SHOT from Trick!! The ref reprimands but the shot still landed! Is Lee even able to continue now? Trick waits in his corner, the fifth round starts, and Lee stands. Trick FLYING LARIATS Lee down! Cover, TWO!! Trick drags Lee up, reels him in and suplexes to SLAM him! Trick stomps away in frustration, then drags Lee back up. Trick whips, POP-UP UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!?! Lee survives that shot and Trick is furious! Trick drags Lee up, suplexes again, then drags Lee back up for another! Trick drags Lee up again, another suplex! Not quite Three Amigos, but Trick covers, TWO!!

Trick is annoyed but the fans rally up. Lee stands as we reach 90 seconds, and Trick circles him like a vulture. SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Lee is still in this, Trick covers again, TWO!! Trick and Melo don’t understand how Lee is still in this! We’re at one minute left, Trick spins but the kick misses! Lee ENZIGURIS Trick against ropes, then runs to ENZIGURI again! Fans fire up as Lee ROCKS Trick again, again, and again! Lee backs Trick down with those bare knuckle shots! Lee whips, UPPERCUTS, then whips Trick again. BULLDOG! We’re at 25 seconds as Lee gets HIS gloves back!

Lee aims at Trick with 15, HAYMAKER SHOT!! Cover, Lee wins!!

Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall, 2-1

With 10 seconds left in the fifth, Lee made this one must-see! Will Trick be the one crying when he wakes up?

Andre Chase meets with someone.

He apologizes for what happened, and promises to get to the bottom of this. Someone visits, and it’s Thea Hail. Wait, Arianna Grace claims Thea gave her a black eye?! Is that true? No,  not technically! Thea and Bodhi were just playing catch in the quad, the ball got away from Thea and it hit Grace in the face! Grace says Thea ruined her perfect face! She’s a former beauty pageant queen! How can she wear a crown when she looks like this? Chase says they’ll settle this 1v1 in the ring. OMG Thea’s first match on NXT? That’s amazing! But Grace says no, she was thinking more of a lawsuit.

A lawsuit?! Are you effing kidding?! This is Chase U! They settle their differences in the ring! They can’t do that! Uh, they can! It happened on university grounds so it is under Chase’s jurisdiction. Thea is so excited but is she ready? Yes, she’s got this. Thanks so much, Mr. Chase! She’s got this! She’s got this! She’s GOT THIS! She runs off, leaving Chase falling over in her wake! Will Thea Hail score one for Chase U?

Carmelo Hayes is still in the ring.

“Hey! Hey, everybody, calm down, okay? Look, I’m upset, too. We were supposed to have an hour long Trick & Melobration in this ring, but Wes Lee decided he wanted to cheat!” Fans boo, they don’t believe that. But Melo says there’s time to kill and we need to talk about last week. Melo issued an open challenge for THE North American Championship, and that little peon,  Nathan Frazer, thought he was gonna pull a fast one! But just like everyone else, Frazer stepped up to get stepped on, and Melo is STILL the A Champion! That is all it is, and that is all it’s ever gonna be! But then here comes Frazer!

But wait, the British Prodigy doesn’t come out here, and surprise! From the other side of the arena, it’s Giovanni Vinci! Vinci tells Melo that he’s a top tier athlete, making the North American Championship the most important title here. But Melo’s life flashed before his eyes when he saw Vinci, didn’t he? But luckily, that goof, Frazer, saved Melo from Vinci. Vinci will deal with Frazer when the time is right. Bu tin the meantime… Vinci takes off his jacket, sets it aside, and tells Melo, “Why don’t you open that challenge back up for Heatwave? Because there is nobody standing in my way right now.”

Fans fire up for the idea, and Vinci says in Italian and then English, that while Melo says he’s THE A Champion, all Vinci sees here is a guy. Melo says hold on. If he heard correctly, Frazer saved Melo from Vinci? Nah, bro, you got it twisted. Frazer saved Vinci from Melo. Because Gio, Melo looks at your potential, but he is NOT “him.” Because Melo IS. So at Heatwave, we can put it in the pot and let it cook. But Melo will put Vinci on a shirt, and it wont’ be designer. Melo throws the mic to Vinci, Vinci throws it back, but Melo dodges the cheap shot! Vinci blocks the superkick, but Melo dodges again to SPRINGBOARD, but Vinci gets under!

Vinci kick slow, gets Melo up, but Melo slips free! The refs rush in to stop this before it gets any more heated! But will these two burn the ring down when NXT Heatwave arrives?

NXT looks at the NXT Championship showdown.

JD McDonagh asks if we hear the winds of change. They’re blowing here through NXT 2.0. And you know it’s for a damn good reason. And you’ll find out why soon, because you never bet against the ace. That is to say, JD pulled an ace out of the hole and clobbered Bron Breakker at The Great American Bash. The Necessary Evil has come for the Big Booty Nephew. Bron knows JD is a surgeon in the ring. JD wanted his attention so he got it! Both men pump iron and sweat it out in the gym. Bron knows the NXT Championship attracts all kinds. Those driven by fame, by legacy, by money, by power. But JD is different. He is driven by pain.

JD says Bron trains like a caveman wanting to be an alpha male. JD trains in isolation, away from witnesses. JD tests himself with the extremes. Those moments make him his most lethal, and his desire to win has never been higher. Bron will test JD’s love of pain because he’s in store for a lot of it. JD say she’ll drag Bron screaming past his limits. That is the difference between them. Joint manipulation, torture, Bron doesn’t care. His game plan is simple: speed, power and aggression. But JD promises that Bron learns once and for all to never bet against the Irish Ace.

Lash is still venting to Malik.

She claps at him to get him to pay attention. She had Fyre where she wanted her, one, two, and then- OH! Edris, we were just talking about you! Here, let Lash get you caught up. She was facing Fyre, like you all saw, and Edris is probably her number one fan, right? Anyway, she had Fyre where she wanted her, right? NXT cuts away from this again, will Malik and Edris make it through?

Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Arianna Grace!

Though she’s been on NXT Level Up a couple times, this is the first NXT 2.0 match for Chase U’s number one recruit! Will she show the former pageant queen that looks aren’t everything?

The bell rings and Grace shouts about her black eye! Thea dodges Grace, arm-drags her, then arm-drags again! Fans rally for Thea but Grace avoids the third arm-drag to kick, But Thea blocks that for a takedown! Wheelbarrow, but Grace SLAMS Thea off the buckles! And again! Grace makes Thea look at her then smacks her off more buckles! Grace snapmares, hip tosses, then grinds Thea’s face into the mat! Fans boo and the ref reprimands. Grace lets off, to then slap away on Thea! Thea guards her face but Grace CLUBS away on her! Fans rally, Grace throws body shots, and then she traps an arm!

Grace wants the other arm, Thea fights, but Grace gets it for a cover! ONE, and Thea kicks Grace. Grace clamps onto Thea again to trap the arms and dig her elbow into Thea’s face! The fans still rally, Thea endures and fights up, but Grace talks trash as she grinds Thea down. Grace keeps on Thea with that forearm in her face, but Thea reaches out. Fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Thea, Let’s Go!” Thea fights to get an arm free, and she backpacks Grace for a SENTON! Fans fire up and Thea and Grace slowly rise. Thea blocks a punch to spin Grace and elbow her! Then CLOBBER her! And then again! Thea runs in at the corner to SPLASH!

Thea rolls back to SPLASH again! Grace staggers, Thea dropkicks a leg out! Thea runs to ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up with Thea as she goes Ultimate Warrior! She BOOTS then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Thea drags Grace up, cravats, but Grace swings on her! Thea dodges to ROCK Grace! The black eye! Grace says it hurts, but this is a fake-out so she can BOOT Thea down! Grace fireman’s carries, for a WASTELAND SLAM! Cover, Grace wins!

Winner: Arianna Grace, by pinfall

Grace smiles big after that cheeky way to win, will Thea just have to use this #TeachableMoment for her second match in NXT?

Apollo Crews gets a vision of the future.

He sees Roderick Strong down in pain, but also the rest of Diamond Mine, from Damon Kemp to both Creed Brothers. Who did the damage? What does it mean? Apollo shrugs it off, his match with Strong is up next.

Solo Sikoa gets checked by the trainer.

The Street Champion’s got a sprained PCL, meaning it isn’t torn or broken, but he’ll be out four to six weeks. No, that’s too much time! Cameron Grimes walks over to say tough luck on the bad leg, but congrats on the big win. Solo has the doc leave them for this conversation. Solo is still feeling this, but Grimes has the whole respect of the locker room, so him saying all that means a lot. Solo mentions Vinci getting the shot at Melo, and Solo will be watching. When he comes back, he wants to get that gold for guys like them. Grimes says sure thing. Grimes then leaves, perhaps a bit bitter. Will Solo still have next? Or will someone else step up between now and then?

Apollo Crews VS Roderick Strong!

NXT returns as Strong makes his entrance. But despite what he said, Strong does NOT have the Creeds in his corner. Are they “testing” Strong like he did them? Can Strong still win this on his own?

The bell rings and Strong rushes in. They tie up, Strong puts Crews on ropes but Crews puts Strong on ropes in return. Strong hits a headlock takeover but Crews fights up. Crews gets the arm for a wristlock but Strong slips through. Fans rally, Strong shoots to a waistlock, but Crews switches and SLAMS Strong down. Strong moves around as Crew holds on. Fans duel, Crews facelocks, and fans rally again. Strong fights up to wrench and YANK the arm, then wristlocks back. Crews endures, Strong hits a headlock takeover, and Strong grinds Crews down. Crews keeps his shoulders up and gets a headscissors.

Strong kicks but can’t kip free. Strong moves around, headstands then turns Crews over to tie his leg sup. Strong SLAPS Crews, then scrambles to ropes as Crews storms up. Strong grins as he comes back and circles with Crews. Fans taunt Strong but Strong taunts them. Strong and Crews tie up, Crews wrenches an arm to wristlock CLUB it, and then return the slap with interest! Strong gets away and shoves Crews. Crews shoves back, Strong rushes in and gets the arm to a wristlock. Strong wrenches, wrenches and WRINGS Crews, but Crews kicks Strong away. The two reset, tie up again, and Strong trips Crews up.

Strong wants a top wristlock but Crews resists. Crews stands up, arm-drags free, then hurdles over Strong. Strong keeps moving but Crews DROPKICKS him! Fans fire up and Strong gets to a corner. Crews throws body shots, then a CHOP! Strong fires a forearm, Crews ROCKS and CHOPS Strong back! Crews reels Strong in to suplex, but Strong slips out to CLUB Crews on the back! Then Strong scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up while Strong catches his breath. Strong drags Crews up to fishhook his face and CLUB him down! Strong CHOPS Crews against ropes, but Crews ROCKS Strong back! Strong ROCKS then CHOPS again!

Crews CHOPS, Strong forearms and CHOPS, then knees low! Strong brings Crews around and scoops to another BACKBREAKER! Fans rally and Crews gets to a corner. Strong ROCKS Crews, and again, but Crews shoves him away. Crews BOOTS Strong, goes up, but leaps into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Crews flounders out of the ring. Strong storms over to the apron and drags Crews up, fans rally and duel, but Crews blocks Strong’s suplex to suplex Strong. Strong slips free to land on the apron and the two start throwing hands! Strong ducks a shot to lift Crews but Crews elbows him down. Crews fireman’s carries but Strong fights free!

Strong waistlocks but Crews holds the ropes for dear life! So Strong just trips Crews instead! Crews hits apron, but he and Strong DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men are down at ringside while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Strong has Crews in a chinlock stretch! Fans rally while Crews endures being bent bac k! Crews pries at the hold but Strong shifts to have the leg. Strong stomps Crews down and drags Crews up. Strong reels Crews in but Crews suplexes first! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Crews drags himself up the ropes, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up top. Strong trips Crews up! Crews gets stuck up top and Strong KICKS him in the stomach! Crews falls, Strong covers, TWO! Strong clamps onto Crews with a grounded abdominal stretch but fans rally again. Crews fights up, throws body shots, but Strong knees low!

Strong runs in at the corner but misses! ENZIGURI from Crews, then a LARIAT! And another LARIAT! Crews whips, and LEAPING LARITS! Crews kips up and fans fire up! Crews runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH! Direct hit and Strong flounders. Crews goes up, FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Strong survives and Crews grits his teeth in frustration. “This is Awesome!” as both men slowly rise. Crews stands first, waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Crews holds on and he GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Crews still holds on, but Strong throws back elbows! Strong is free and he ROCKS Apollo!

Strong runs but into a pop-up wheelbarrow GERMAN! Cover, TWO!! Strong survives and Crews shakes out the cobwebs. Fans rally and duel as both men go to opposite ends. Crews drags himself up the ropes and he storms over to Strong. Crews reels Strong in, but Strong flying-mares free! Strong BOOTS Crews, then dumps Crews out to the apron! Crews slingshots into a KNEE! Strong goes back out after Crews, reels him in, APRON BACK SUPLEX! Crews flops down to the floor and Strong hobbles over. Strong puts Crews in the ring, covers, TWO! Fans fire up as Strong gets the legs, STRONGHOLD!! Crews endures as Strong sits deep!

Fans rally and duel as Crews fights his way around. Crews rolls and BOOTS Strong all the way out of the ring! Strong runs back in, into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Crews says he’ll raise the roof! He lifts Strong but Strong slips off to hit a BACKBREAKER! But Crews PELES! Strong jumps, but into Crews’ arms! Crews pops Strong up, GUTBUSTER DROP! But Strong BOOTS and ENZIGURIS right back! Only to run into the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Crews wins!!

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall

Crews survives the Savior of the Backbreaker and gets a big win off a former NXT Tag Team, Cruiserweight and North American Champion! Will this lead Crews to finally get an NXT title of his own?

Lash is STILL venting.

Malik looks bored and Edris looks upset as she goes on and on. Edris tells Lash that she lost! Now she knows he didn’t just interrupt. And Pretty Deadly walk in to defend Lash> N ever interrupt a woman when she’s talking. #YesBoy! #YesGirl! But don’t worry, they’re facing Malik & Edris next, and will wipe the floor with them! Well, Malik just listened to Lash for an hour, so he has plenty of pent-up aggression here! See y’all in the ring! OKAY~? Edris & Malik mock Lash doing her make-up, but will they be the ones venting against Kit Wilson & Elton Prince?

Santos Escobar is on the road.

He’s talking to someone on the phone. He’s almost to the meeting place. He promises he’s alone, just as they agreed. Santos promises to Elektra Lopez that if anything does go wrong, he’ll send the signal. The Emperor of Lucha is moments away from meeting with The Don, but will this truly be 1v1?

Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz vent to Sanga.

This is so annoying! They were so good in that Fatal 4 Way but they lost. Sanga, how can they improve? But then the NEW NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Katana Chance & Kayden Carter, walk in. They’ve known Leon & Feroz a long time and they respect them. KC Squared will be fighting champions, and they will meet Feroz & Leon again. And when that time comes, they’ll be ready. Feroz isn’t so sure, and Leon isn’t sure, either. Sanga says they’re a lot like those two, though. Kayden & Katana came so close time and again, but never gave up. Now they’re the champions! So you two can’t give up. One day, you will be in that spot. You need to clear your minds.

Sanga says Leon & Feroz can learn from him how to find balance and perspective. They thank him for helping them. Will Sanga hep Leon & Feroz be Zen enough to get another golden opportunity?

Diamond Mine watches film again.

Damon Kemp is with the Creed Brothers, but they’re not sure what they aren’t seeing. This is the same match Crews had them watch, right? Yeah, but Julius isn’t sure what Apollo was seeing. Brutus isn’t, either. Things were good, but what about Kemp? No, he thinks they did great, though they lost. OH, wait, what was that? Run that back! But just as they want to, Strong storms in and asks where they were! That was a test, Roddy, and you passed! How’s it feel!? Strong asks what they just said. He didn’t pass, he lost! They weren’t out there with him and he lost!

Well, Roddy, they just got done through watching back the 8 Man, and there’s bigger issues here. If Julius is right, he deals with the problem next week. The problem is Crews! No talking to outsiders! Strong knows what’s best for them! Crews isn’t Diamond Mine, he’s just an idiot! And then he smashes the laptop! Will Julius have grounds to expel someone from Diamond Mine?

It’s time for the Final Accord.

Tony D’Angelo waits, but of course Escobar is late. “Speak of the devil, there he is.” Escobar parks and exits his car, and Tony asks if he’s alone. Of course he is. Did Tony come alone? Yeah, just the two of them. Escobar offers a handshake but Tony tells him to sit down at the table. Escobar wants to shake hands now? Last time they saw each other, Escobar got Tony with brass knuckles. Escobar’s lucky to still be breathing. Escobar says Tony thought he’d never see him again, huh? Tony and his goon put him in the hospital and almost ended his career. But Escobar is full of surprises. Last week was just some payback, nothing personal.

Tony told Escobar to stay in his lane but Escobar didn’t listen. So here we are, four months later. Escobar still works for Tony. Oh, right. But is Tony North American Champion? No. Is Tony NXT Tag Team Champion? Why is he asking questions he already knows the answers to? Escobar laughs as he says those are his favorite questions. Tony tells Escobar not to get smart with him. Tony is The Don! Yeah, yeah, he dictates the rules, the others enforce them. But Tony must know by now that this isn’t going to work. Escobar has pride and legacy. Legado was- Yeah, yeah, built on hard work. Tony’s heard that all before, too.

Escobar talks about hard work from his ivory tower with his stupid pride. But that got him walking behind Tony. Then what do they do? They don’t like each other anymore. Tony wants Escobar to do his job! Escobar has no power. Tony called the meeting to get Escobar’s head on straight. But it’s still shoved up his own ass! Oh, Escobar’s got his head up his own ass? Well, these last four months, Escobar got to learn what makes Tony tick. And Tony loves having a big feather in his cap. The only reason Tony is The don is because he sent Ciampa packing. So here it is: one final match, and they raise the stakes.

NXT Heatwave: If Tony beats Escobar, Escobar leaves,  never to be seen in NXT. Never? Never! Okay, but then Tony keeps his three sheep. Lopez, Cruz and Wilde aren’t sheep, they’re familia! NO, they’re sheep, Fine, Tony gets them. But if Escobar wins, Legado is free from the D’Angelo Family. Okay, Escobar gets his match. But under one condition. It isn’t going to be a regular match. it will be under rules they are both familiar with. This will be man to man, in a STREET FIGHT! Fine by Escobar. If Escobar wins, Legado is free. If Tony wins, Escobar is gone. Now they shake hands. And next week, we find out who is the true leader of leaders.

Tony tells Escobar to say good-bye to his people. Because he vows to rid NXT of Santos Escobar for good. Will this be adios to the Emperor of Lucha?

Tiffany Stratton arrives at her dressing room.

She walks inside and thinks she can relax, but WENDY CHOO is there! Wendy has night vision goggles!! She turns off the lights, then whoops Tiffany in the dark! “How do you like that, Tiffy?!” And when the lights come back on, Tiffany is a mess! Wendy tells her this isn’t over, and she leaves for now. Will Wendy turn Tiffany’s life into a waking nightmare?

Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS Pretty Deadly!

For whatever reason, Lash felt the need to vent to Malik & Edris, and they just about snapped! Will they take all of that out on the former NXT UK Tag Team Champions? Or will Edris & Malik be crying over some Spilt Milk?

The teams sort out and Prince starts against Malik. They circle, tie up, and Prince headlocks. Malik powers out but Prince runs him over to then say “WHOA~!” Malik scowls and gets back up. They tie up, Prince headlocks but Malik powers out. Things speed up and Malik hurdles to arm-drag! Prince flounders, Malik arm-drags him again! Malik keeps on the arm and wrenches to a wristlock. Tag to Edris, Edris climbs up and leaps to AX HANDLE Prince’s arm! Fans fire up and Edris scoops to SLAM Prince, then drops an elbow! Cover, ONE!! Edris drags Prince over, tags Malik in, then drop toeholds Prince so they can BOOT and LARIAT!

Fans fire up and Malik runs to BOOT Wilson! But Prince FLAPJACKS Malik then tags Wilson in. Pretty Deadly double whip to POP-UP UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Wilson CLUBS Malik, stomps him, then drags him up, Malik throws body shots but Wilson scoops and SLAMS! Wilson drops a knee on Malik’s face, then he stalks Malik to the corner. Malik hits Prince but Wilson fires off on Malik! Tag to Prince, Wilson cheap shots Edris before the ASSISTED GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Prince puts him on the ropes. Tag to Wilson, Pretty Deadly mock Briggs & Jensen with the “YEEHAW~!” They both slide and HAYMAKER Malik down!

Pretty Deadly strike their pose, but then Briggs & Jensen come storming down the ramp! Pretty deadly run away into the ring, then mock the UK Tag Team Champions. But they forget about Malik! Malik dodges Wilson, slides under Prince and hot tags Edris! Edris rallies on Pretty Deadly with lariats and elbows! And then a DROPKICK! Wilson wobbles, Edris whips and trips him, to then SLING-DOG! Fans fire up with Edris as he goes up top! MACHO ELBOW! Cover, Prince breaks it! Prince hurries to grab a chair from under the ring and slide it in. But Malik FLIES and takes Prince out! Wilson has the chair, but Briggs snatches it from him!

Edris runs in, but Wilson sends him into the chair and Briggs! Briggs and Edris both fall, Prince POSTS Malik then tags in! Pretty Deadly get Edris up for some SPILT MILK! Cover, Pretty Deadly wins!

Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall

Wilson & Prince use Briggs & Jensen against Malik & Edris! And then Lash BOOTS Fallon Henley outta nowhere!! Lash talks trash, but will she and Pretty Deadly take over from the country trio?

Javier Bernal calls out to Cameron Grimes.

He tells Grimes to be more careful going through the door this time. Grimes wants after Bernal but the security guard is there to tell him it’s not worth it. Grimes says he’s right, Bernal isn’t worth it. But then Joe Gacy & The Schism walk over. They ask Grimes where he is going. He’s going home. But to who? Grimes doesn’t respond, he just walks out the door. Will Gacy break Grimes down until he’s part of their movement?

Toxic Attraction speaks.

Gigi & Jacy held the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships for so long, those belts felt like a part of them. They can’t believe they let this happen. Gigi never knew a real home or had a constant in her life until Toxic Attraction, and until they became champions. When you lose something so dear, you either reflect, or you can rebel. Gigi & Jacy each revitalize themselves with their comfort zones. Jacy loves rock music, it is her release, because rock music doesn’t give a damn about who you are or what you do. Gigi doesn’t play by anyone else’s rules. She does her things her way and thrives. That will never change, ever!

Toxic Attraction lives the rockstar life: seductive, sadistic, and successful! They are wounded, but wounded animals are more dangerous. They ARE Toxic Attraction, and they will shatter your false reality. Is this all a sign that Gigi & Jacy are ready to revamp what it means to be toxic?

Backstage interview with Apollo Crews.

McKenzie congratulates him on the big win tonight. Crews says hell yeah that was big! The whole world saw it! And Crews says he doesn’t like or trust Strong. But Cres is getting win after win, gaining momentum- But Waller walks in to congratulate him, too. Yeah, thanks, that was a hard fought win. Waller says he’s gonna do McKenzie’s job for her again, and ask the hard hitting questions. WHY is Crews here? To take from Waller and the locker room? The rest of the guys are afraid to say it, but not Waller! On behalf of NXT 2.0, Crews is no longer welcome. Oh, is that true? Yeah, check his history, lad. Waller already ran one guy out of here. He has no problem making Crews next.

Then lets’ go now! Crews dares Waller to try, but Waller backs off. Crews says he’s going nowhere, but will his return to NXT bring him up to the top?

Zoey Stark VS Cora Jade!

The Iron Woman has her shot at the NXT Women’s Championship next week, but she talks with Lyons backstage about their coming tag title opportunity. Lyons owes Kiana another beat down, but for now, it’s Stark’s turn. Cora is not going to stop Stark from getting at the women’s title next week, just like no one will stop them from becoming WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They have a secret handshake already, will this team sweep the night? Or will Cora do the Toxic Goddess’ dirty work before Heatwave?

NXT returns and speaking of the champion, Mandy Rose joins commentary, with Wade Barrett kissing up to her immediately. Stark then makes her entrance, and she stares Mandy right down. The bell rings and Zoey circles with Cora. Fans rally, Cora shoves Zoey but she smirks. Cora shoves again but Zoey grabs her arm and reels her in to run her over! Cora scrambles away but Zoey drags her back in! Cora ducks the kick, rolls Zoey up to a cover, TWO! Fans duel, Zoey spins Cora around to a cradle, TWO! Zoey Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Cora gets up but into arm-drag after arm-drag! Cora gets to ropes for defense and fans boo.

Zoey wants Cora to come back but the ref has her back off. Zoey RAMS into Cora, throws knees, but Cora CLUBS and throws Zoey down. Cora stomps Zoey, stands on her, but Zoey shoves her away. Cora stomps and CLUBS Zoey, covers, TWO! Zoey ROCKS Cora again and again, then CHOPS and CHOPS! Zoey whips Cora, CLOBBERS Cora, then covers, TWO! Zoey keeps on Cora with a suplex, but Cora slips out and waistlocks. Zoey bucks the O’Conner Roll so Cora ROCKS her with a right! Fans boo, Cora drags Zoey up but Zoey waistlocks and SLAMS her down! Zoey holds on, drags Cora up again, and SLAMS her back down!

Cora fights up, throws’ an elbow but Zoey ducks to FISHERMAN SUPELX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, so Zoey CLOBBERS Cora in a corner. Zoey goes corner to corner but Cora puts her on the apron! Zoey ROCKS Cora, sweeps the leg, then slingshot ARABIAN PRESSES! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Zoey drags Cora up to waistlock. Cora bucks Zoey now, then sidesteps to SHINING WIZARD! Fans boo while Cora swaggers and NXT goes picture in picture.

Cora stomps Zoey, drags her up, but Zoey ROCKS her! And again! Cora bumps Zoey off buckles, then stomps Zoey down. Cora digs her boots in, the ref counts but Zoey shoves Cora’s foot away. Cora drags Zoey to a cover, ONE!! Cora is annoyed but Zoey throws body shots and a CHOP! Cora CHOPS back but Zoey CHOPS again! Cora CHOPS, Zoey kicks low and ROCKS Cora with forearms! Zoey snapmares then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Cora stomps Zoey back down and has her in the corner. Cora drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Cora is annoyed but she drags Zoey up to whip to a corner hard!

Cora grins as Zoey bumps off buckles. Cora storms over, stomps Zoey down, then kicks her around. Cora drags Zoey up but Zoey ROCKS Cora again and again and again! Zoey kicks low, ROCKS Cora then whips, but Cora reverses. Zoey hits ropes hard and Cora ELBOWS her down! Cover, TWO! Cora snarls, talks some trash, then stomps Zoey down. Cora keeps stomping Zoey at the ropes, but the ref has her back off. Zoey sits up, Cora springboards to DOUBLE STOMP! NXT returns to single picture as Cora covers, TWO! Cora drags Zoey up to whip her to ropes, put her on the ropes again and KICK her down! Cora runs but Zoey dodges the elbow!

Fans fir up as Zoey jackknifes, TWO, and Cora CLOBBERS Zoey! Cora snarls and she drags Zoey up to a chinlock. Zoey endures as fans duel and Cora shifts to a neck wrench. Cora leans on the hold and traps Zoey’s arms so she can CLUB her again and again! Zoey victory rolls through, TWO! Cora CHOPS Zoey to ropes! Cora runs in to SHINING- NO, Zoey blocks that to YANK Cora down! Fans rally and duel again as Cora crawls to a corner. Cora brings out her kendo stick! Cora aims at Zoey, but Zoey dodges and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans fire up while both women are down! Cora and Zoey sit up slowly as the fans rally up.

Zoey blocks a punch to give a punch! And then again! And again! Zoey DECKS Cora, but Cora gets up so Zoey CLOBBERS her! And CLOBBERS her! And mule kicks to fire off forearms and elbows! Cora wobbles into a mule kick, then Zoey fires up! Zoey runs to SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is annoyed but Mandy isn’t worried. Zoey runs in at Cora but blocks a boot to reel her in! HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cover, TWO!! Cora survives and Zoey is frustrated. Cora sits up but Zoey takes aim. Cora stands, deflects the superkick and ROCKS Zoey! Cora cravats, goes up the corner, but no Sliced Bread! SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!!

Mandy is disappointed in Cora, she expected better out of her. Cora crawls, Zoey watches her go to ropes, and then Zoey goes to the apron. Zoey slingshots but Cora moves! Zoey handsprings through her own senton, runs back in, but into a drop toehold! Zoey’s on the ropes again and Cora SHINING WIZARDS! Cora reels Zoey into a HAMMERLOCK DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey survives and shocks Cora! Fans rally and duel, Cora cravats again, SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans are fired up and Cora goes back for her custom kendo stick. “This is Awesome!” and guess what! Roxie just took Cora’s kendo stick!

Cora is furious, but she turns around into Zoey’s SUPERKICK! And then GO TO STARK!! Cover, Stark wins!!

Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall

And she stares Mandy right down! Is Mandy worried about Stark now? And as for Roxie, she warns Cora that there is nowhere to hide! Roxie swings the stick, Cora runs for it, but then Mandy gets in the ring! Stark SUPERKICKS her first! And hits GO TO STARK!! Zoey holds up the title belt, is the Toxic Reign about to end?

My Thoughts:

A great go-home episode for NXT with their newest special next week. Good opening match with Lyons VS Kiana, and I figured Lyons would win here, even without the news of Lyons & Stark being in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. Kiana attacking Lyons after is a good way to keep the feud going, as Lyons & Stark aren’t the ones to win the RawDown titles. Great stuff out of Diamond Mine and Apollo, and even Apollo’s future vision ability going to a new level was clever. Crews sees the faction’s downfall, and the green light implies it’s because of him, but we all knew Strong is going to be kicked out of the group at some point. Awesome match out of Crews and Strong, too, and I’m sure Crews VS Waller will be a great one, too.

The British Rounds match here was a lot of fun, especially with how Trick and Lee started it as a boxing match and then shifted into wrestling. I almost thought we were going to get a knockout win here, but it was fair of them to let Lee win with a pinfall. Melo and Vinci have a great exchange, from both their promos to the acrobatic brawl. That title match is going to be awesome, and Heatwave is getting even bigger. Bron and JD have a good vignette, though it wasn’t quite a Prime Target. Both the North American and main NXT Championship matches feel like they can go either way, but I would be very surprised if both champions lost. Maybe HHH & HBK worked something out where Melo & Trick are moving up to one show (SmackDown) while Bron goes to the other (Raw).

Another great Chase U promo, and a pretty solid match from Thea VS Arianna. Thea’s got great Chase U ring gear, and quite the surprise that Grace won. I suppose Thea is going to go through some growing pains before she gets her first televised win. Lash venting to Edris & Malik was a hilarious way to lead us to a match. Edris & Malik VS Pretty Deadly was great, even with the mishap involving Briggs & Jensen. A Mixed Six Tag of Briggs, Jensen & Fallon VS Lash & Pretty Deadly would be a lot of fun, and so would Fyre joining Malik & Edris against Lash & Pretty Deadly. It could even lead to Edris & Malik getting a shot at the UK Tag titles while Briggs & Jensen are stateside.

Solo Sikoa being out for a month or so is a shame for him, real or kayfabe, but using him as part of Grimes’ bitterness was great continuity since Grimes was the one who first encouraged Solo in the North American Championship chase. Javier Bernal seems to be getting great little cameos as part of Grimes’ story, I wonder if a match with Bernal will be the last straw and Grimes goes Heel, finally joining The Schism. And though short, we got a really good segment out of Wendy and Tiffany with the dressing room ambush. I really hope their blow-off grudge match is No Disqualification. They did a great job with that backstage brawl, they really should up the ante, and then Wendy wins to move on and force Tiffany to have a confidence crisis angle.

We got a decent segment out of “The Final Accord,” but obviously the major development from that is their Street Fight blow-off. Escobar leaving NXT if he loses is clearly code that this is his window of opportunity to be called up. We got a good vignette from Gigi & Jacy, and we finally got to learn a bit about their characters, and it was framed like we are supposed to sympathize with them like they’re Faces after how they’ve behaved for almost a full year. But the main event was great stuff out of Stark and Cora, and of course Roxie shows up to keep Cora from cheating. However, with Stark winning the match and standing tall against Mandy at the end, I have a feeling Mandy finds a way to retain, which is a bit of a shame.

My Score: 8.7/10