Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/28/23)
Next stop: Hollywood!
It’s the last chance to get those golden tickets!
With one last spot in the NXT Women’s Championship ladder match, and one last spot in the North American Championship Fatal 5, who gets to Stand & Deliver?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship Qualifier Battle Royal: Axiom wins and joins the Fatal 5 Way title match at Stand & Deliver.
- Tyler Bate w/ Chase U VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone; Bate wins.
- Valentina Feroz VS Elektra Lopez; Lopez wins.
- Eddy Thorpe VS Myles Borne; Thorpe wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship Last Chance Qualifier: Indi Hartwell VS Sol Ruca VS Ivy Nile; Indi wins and joins the NXT Women’s Championship Ladder Match at Stand & Deliver.
- Hank Walker VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey; Gulak wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo; Tony & Stacks win and deny Briggs & Jensen a spot at Stand & Deliver.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship Qualifier Battle Royal!
Everyone wants that fifth and final spot in Wes Lee’s star-studded title match, and Wes himself is watching from commentary. SCRYPTS attacks Axiom before the bell! Things are already off to a chaotic start! Dabba-Kato clotheslines Quincy Elliot up and out to ELIMINATE him! Quincy rushes back up but the refs stop him from getting after Kato! Damon Kemp brawls with Edris Enofe, Oro Mensah goes after Kato, Xyon Quinn has Dante Chen, Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey of course work together as they go after Nathan Frazer, and Dijak has Odyssey Jones in a corner. Big Body Javi throws hands on Malik Blade while Jinder storms up on Dempsey.
Kato shoves Oro away, CLUBS him, then CLUBS him again. Dempsey & Gulak lift Jinder but he fights free. Odyssey ROCKS Kato! Fans fire up as Jinder puts Dempsey on the apron but Dempsey slips back in. Dante fights off Kemp and a few others, but Kemp kicks him low. Kemp hangs Dante out to dry and Dante ends up on the apron. Dante fights off Kemp but Dijak BOOTS and ELIMINATES Dante! But then Kemp scoops Dijak! Dijak fights Kemp off, but Kemp hits him back. Quinn puts ? up top, Odyssey BLASTS Quinn but Quinn is knocked into ?! They ELIMINATE ? together!
Kemp suplexes Frazer, Frazer slips free and Apollo CLUBS Kemp! Apollo whips Kemp at the ropes and Frazer holds the ropes down! Kemp lands on the apron but a PELE hits! Kemp wobbles, Frazer SUPERKICKS! Kemp falls, Frazer ELIMINATES him! Dijak ELBOWS Enofe, ELBOWS Blade, and repeat! But Malik BOOTS back! Malik runs in, tilt-o-whirls, but into a fireman’s carry! Dijak pops Malik up but Malik wheelbarrows and throws Dijak into Enofe’s KNEE! And then Malik DROPKICKS! Malik & Enofe TOSS Dijak! Dijak holds on, but Odyssey RAMS Dijak and ELIMINATES him! Dijak is furious, and he goes back after Odyssey!
Dijak trips Odyssey, drags him out, then SUPERKICKS! And ROLLING ELBOWS! And RAMS him into steel steps! Fans boo and the refs reprimand, but Dijak puts Odyssey back into the ring for the sharks. Jinder drags Odyssey up to toss him back out, Jinder ELIMINATES Odyssey! Fans boo but then Enofe KNEES Jinder and Malik DROPKICKS him! Jinder flops over the top, but he HOTSHOTS Malik, and drags Enofe out to join him! Malik runs back in but Jinder ROCKS him! Jinder suplexes, Malik lands on the apron. Jinder fights 2v1, Malik & Enof pinball Jinder! But then Apollo and Scrypts DOUBLE DROPKICK! They ELIMINATE Malik & Enofe!
Axiom whips Scrypts at Jinder, Scrypts FLIES up and over Jinder, but then he lands out on the ramp! Axiom ELIMINATES Scrypts! Jinder grins that it wasn’t him. Apollo ROCKS Dempsey, lifts Javi, and TOSSES Javi out onto everyone else to ELIMINATE him! Fans fire up but Javi is furious as NXT goes picture in picture.
Kato goes after Apollo! Kato HEADBUTTS Apollo, pushes past Oro and Dempsey to fire off on Apollo in the corner. Dempsey whips, Oro reverses but then Dempsey dodges! Jinder CLUBS Quinn, Gulak helps Dempsey with Oro. Apollo and Kato fight, Hank fires off on Quinn. Hank scoops Quinn out to the apron but Quinn holds on. Hank throws haymakers, but Quinn pokes him in the eye! Oro springboards to MULE KICK Quinn down! Oro ELIMINATES Quinn! Jinder rushes up to kick and CLUB Oro! Axiom scoops Hank with ehlp from Apollo but Hank fights them off.
Dempsey and Gulak mug Frazer, Jinder ROCKS Oro. Jinder CLUBS Oro, whips him to a corner, but Oro goes up, only for Jinder to TOSS him out and ELIMINATE him! The Modern Day Maharaja grins then stomps Frazer. Apollo stomps Dempsey, Jinder stomps Axiom, Gulak stomps Frazer. Kato storms up but Gulak CHOPS him! Gulak digs his boot on Frazer’s head, but Kato goes after him! Jinder stomps Axiom at the ropes then digs his knee in. Dempsey OVERHEAD Suplexes Hank! Dempsey drags Hank up but Hank throws hands! Gulak & Dempsey stomp mudholes into Hank! Apollo stomps Kato in a corner then throws hands.
Jinder DECKS Axiom, then goes up the corner to STOMP him down! Gulak & Dempsey throw Hank at the ropes, but Hank holds on! Dempsey has an ANKLE LOCK on a leg to force him over! Hank still clings to ropes, even as boots are dug into his legs and stomach. Hank manages to kick Dempsey away, and NXT returns to single picture. Apollo CLUBS and ROCKS Jinder, Hank hoists Gulak up and over! Fans fire up as Hank has a SLEEPER on Gulak! Dempsey throat chops Kato, then gets Hank’s legs! ANKLE LOCK and a DUMP, Dempsey ELIMINATES Hank and Gulak! Gulak an d Hank don’t care, they brawl tot he back!
Fans fire up, and we’re down to six! Axiom and Jinder brawl, Apollo runs but Kato tilt-o-whirls him. Apollo sips free and BOOTS Kato to ropes! Kato comes back to scoop Apollo and TOSS him! Kato ELIMINATES Apollo! Jinder stomps Axiom down, Dempsey ROCKS Kato! Jinder swings on Frazer, Frazer dodges and springboards to CROSSBODY! Axiom GAMANGIRIS Jinder to ropes! Frazer SUPERKICKS Jinder up and over! Jinder holds on, Frazer gives Axiom a boost, RAILGUN DROPKICK sends Jinder down! Frazer & Axiom ELIMINATE Jinder!! The final four are Kato, Dempsey, Axiom & Frazer!
And speaking of, Kato CLUBS Dempsey down, but Axiom uses Dempsey as a step to GAMANGIRI Kato! Frazer uses Dempsey as a step to CALF KICK! They all dump Kato up and out to ELIMINATE him!! Kato is furious but fans sing, “NANA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY, GOOD-BYE~!” Frazer, Axiom and Dempsey circle. Axiom kicks Dempsey, then ducks the back hand, Dempsey hits Frazer! Axiom SOBATS Dempsey, whips him to ropes, but Dempsey reverses. Axiom wheelbarrows, but Dempsey stops the tuck to WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Frazer springboard SHOTGUN DROPKICKS!!
All three men are down, fans are thunderous, Axiom clotheslines Dempsey up and over! Dempsey lands on the apron, he ROCKS Axiom but Axiom ROCKS Dempsey! They go back and forth, Axiom fires off shots, but DOUBLE HAYMAKERS take both men down! Fans are thunderous , Axiom BOOTS Dempsey off the apron and ELIMINATES him! And that leaves the old friendly rivals, Axiom and Frazer! The fans are giving a standing ovation as we see these two stare down. Frazer and Axiom shake hands, then they start dodging kicks! Frazer runs, QUEBRADA, but Axiom snapmares free of the dragon sleeper!
Axiom rushes in but Frazer sends him to ropes! Frazer lifts but Axiom shoves him away. Axiom blocks a superkick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Frazer fires up, he whips Axiom, but Axiom springboards to arm-drag and kip up, ROUNDHOUSE!! Axiom whips, Frazer springboards to QUEBRADA REVERSE DDT!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Frazer stands Axiom up. Frazer throws a haymaker, Axiom gives it back! They go back and forth, faster and faster, but Frazer gets the edge. Axiom blocks the kick, spins and DECKS Frazer! PENALTY KICK! Axiom aims from the corner!
Frazer stands, GOLDEN- SUPERKICK!!! Frazer hit first but he’s also down! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this has to end somehow! Frazer CHOPS Axiom in a corner, hoists him up top, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Axiom wobbles, Frazer runs back in, but into a SLEEPER! Frazer pries free to ELBOW BREAKER! And then he springs up top, for a SUPERPPLEX! Roll through to the GOURD- NO, Axiom slips free! Axiom waistlocks but Frazer bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, into a SUPERKICK!! Frazer drags Axiom up, whips, but Axiom reverses to send Frazer up and out! Frazer holds on, skins the cat, but into a SUPERKICK!!
Both men are down again, but Axiom hurries to his feet! Axiom TOSSES Frazer and WINS!!!
Winner: Axiom (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Fans are electric for this instant classic of a battle royal! Wes Lee joins Axiom in the ring to congratulate him, and Dragon Lee appears so he can do the same. Even Ilja Dragunov walks out to the ring, and JD McDonagh comes in from the crowd side. All five men are ready to battle, will these five stars get five stars?
Pretty Deadly speak.
Kit Wilson & Elton Prince, in suits ‘n’ ties and wide brimmed hats, want us to sit back, relax, and get ourselves some delicious snacks, because this will be a one of a kind Stand & Deliver Pretty Deadly Preview Show. We just saw a wonderful performance from Axiom in that Battle Royale, earning the fifth and final spot in the North American Championship match. And what a gaggle of vicious competitors he’s joining. “The Mad Dragon,” Ilja Dragunov! “The Devilish Gentleman,” JD McDonagh! “The Audacious Champion,” Wes Lee! And finally, “The Masked Mystery from Mexico,” Dragon Lee.
“A match born from carnage comes full circle with an encounter that is likely to be as unpredictable as the events of its creation.” But Kit has a question. How does Wes possibly retain? Elton doesn’t think Wes will. His money is on the man as smart as them, JD McDonagh. So if Elton is going with intelligence, Kit is betting on Dragon Lee. We don’t know a thing about him, and that makes him dangerous. “Kitty” loves danger, doesn’t he? Yes! And they love YOU!, fans! They’ll be back with more hot takes throughout the evening as we’re on the Road to Stand…! And Deliver!
Chase U talks backstage.
Thea Hail says Tyler Bate’s fired up! Andre Chase asks if Tyler’s fired up and Tyler says he’s fired up! Can he feel it? He feels it! Chase says Bate did great in the Great Debate, and they’re just four days away from Stand & Deliver, where the of Chase University hangs in the balance! But tonight, the Big Strong Boi takes on big bad Von Wagner, who has talked trash on Chase U and Chase U has yet to beat. But Bate will beat Von, and they’re gonna ride that lightning bolt all the way to Stand & Deliver! Bate says with mass and speed on his side, momentum will be theirs! Bate will harness that momentum, he’ll bring home a win for the university!
Chase likes the way Bate’s brain works. Duke, you coming? He wouldn’t miss this for the world. Though he doesn’t look anywhere near as pumped as the rest. The team heads out, will the Big Strong Boi give Von a #TeachableMoment?
Briggs & Jensen talk backstage.
Brooks Jensen feels pretty good, because Kiana James responded to him after three voicemails instead of five this time. Kiana says they’re on their way, but what does Briggs thinks she wants to talk about? He isn’t sure, but whatever it is, they’ll get through it. The sun always comes up tomorrow. Um, okay. The ladies arrive and Jensen asks if everything is okay. Her message seemed a bit off. Kiana hesitates but Fallon tells her to tell Jensen. “These past few months, I’ve really gotten to know you guys. Especially you, Brooks. And what you guys have is special. I don’t know how to say this, I feel horrible.”
Jensen says it’s okay, she can get it out. Kiana feels horrible… That Briggs & Jensen aren’t part of Stand & Deliver! So she pulled some strings, and she has a match tonight. And if they win, that Triple Threat Tag Team title match becomes a FATAL 4! Fallon says, “What?” Briggs says, “WHAT?!” Jensen can’t believe it! Well hey, Kiana & Fallon are tag team champions, the boys should be tag champs with them! Fallon can’t stand- Surprises! Briggs knows that, but he loves ’em! Kiana just knocked this one out of the park! They could go to Stand & Deliver! Jensen cannot believe Kiana! Fallon can’t, either. Briggs says yes, because it’s unbelievable!
Jensen says first they’ll win tonight, then go to Stand & Deliver and become the NEW NXT Tag Team Champions! Group hug! Fallon is not happy that Kiana backed out of the truth. But will her keeping that buried only come back to haunt her?
Tyler Bate w/ Chase U VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone!
The Big Strong Boi stepped up when Chase U needed him and won big in that Great Debate. But will he win even bigger against vicious Von? Or will Bate fail to stand and deliver before Saturday?
The bell rings and Bate circles with Von. Fans rally behind the Big Strong Boi and Bate headlocks. Von powers up, Bate holds on, but Von powers out. They RAM shoulders, but Bate DROPKICKS! Von comes back to BOOT Bate down! Fans boo while Bate sits up in a daze. Von pushes Bate down to drop an elbow! Von then stalks Bate, drags him up, and choke grips to trophy lift! Von DROPS Bate, and then soaks up the heat. Von waits on Bate to sit up, and he KICKS him in the side! Fans boo, Thea & Chase coach up Bate, but Von clamps on a neck wrench. Fans rally, Bate endures, and Bate fights up to his feet.
Bate pries free, throws a HEADBUTT into the ribs, then fires off body shots! Von shoves, Bate rebounds to sunset flip! Von stays up, but Bate avoids the elbow drop! Bate runs, but into a LARIAT! Von covers, TWO! Von snarls but the fans rally for Bate. Von puts Bate in a corner, clotheslines, and then throws back elbows. Fans obo but Von whips Bate out to throw him back into the corner. And then a BIG clothesline in the corner! Von mocks Bate, fans taunt Von. Von whips Bate corner to corner, runs in, but only gets buckles! Bate goes to another corner. Von runs in but into a BOOT! Bate runs to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Bate fires off shots, keeping Von in a corner! Von choke grips back and TOSSES Bate! Bate boots, Von blocks but Bate KNEES back! Bate goes up to leap, FLYING UPPERCUT! Von rebounds but so does Bate, LARIAT! Von drops to a knee, Bop up, BANG!! Bate keeps moving, but Stone swipes at Bate! Fans boo but Bate goes out after Stone! Stone panics as Bate puts him in the ring! Theta THESZ PRESSES Stone!! Fans fire up and Bate cheers Thea on! Thea kicks Stone all the way out of the ring, but Von SUCKER PUNCHES Bate! Von whips Bate but Duke holds ropes down, and Bate FLIES out onto Stone!!
Fans fire up, Bate is fired up, he high-fives Duke but Duke doesn’t seem to care. Bate gets in the ring, dodges a boot and rebounds, LARIAT! Bate hurries up the corner, to SKY TWISTER! Cover, Bate wins!
Winner: Tyler Bate, by pinfall
Chase U is on a roll! Will all this help them hold onto the school? Wait, The Schism speaks! “Attention students of Chase University!” Joe Gacy stands at a podium with Jagger Reed, Ava Raine & Rip Fowler by his side. “As of this Saturday, The Schism will be in control.” Reed says, “The curriculum is changing. Time to open your minds to a different way of looking at the world through a different lens. Under the Schism’s tree.” The students wear yellow masks and Ava hands out a quiz. “Deprogramming starts now.” Rip says they don’t need to worry. There will be a place for delinquents in the Chase U Memorial Detention Hall.
Ava says at Stand & Deliver, “the world of Chase U will fall when The Schism takes over.” Gacy says, “When the bell rings, a new class begins.” Will The Schism graduate from a cult into a college?
Roxanne Perez is here!
She’s backstage and asks if Shawn Michaels is at gorilla. No, he moved to his office. Okay, she’ll go there. Thanks! The former(?) NXT Women’s Champion is here, but why? What business will she have with the boss?
NXT returns and Roxie knocks on HBK’s door. He welcomes her in and asks how she’s feeling. Does he have a minute to talk? Sure. What is it? Well, as of this afternoon, the doctors cleared her to return to action! Oh. That’s great to hear. Yeah! So they told her that basically, after all the tests, it was a mix of physical exhaustion and stress. It was all through the roof that night, but the only thing on her mind is her title and Stand & Deliver. Well, HBK wants to be the first to say that it is a relief to hear Roxie is better. And more importantly, that the doctors found out why she fainted like that.
But the problem is, Stand & Deliver… He isn’t sure. Her health is the priority right now. And he doesn’t think defending the title in a Ladder Match is the best thing for her right now. They can crown a new champion at Stand & Deliver, get a few matches under Roxie’s belt, and then right after Stand & Deliver, Roxie is the first to get a title match. Oh… Roxie won’t lie, being NXT Women’s Champion has been unlike anything she’s ever experienced. Saying you want to be champion and being champion day in and day out are completely different. But Roxie does struggle with anxiety.
This year has been incredible, but when you accomplish your dreams so fast, you wonder, ‘What do I do now? Is it all downhill from here? Did I peak at 21?” And then that anxiety goes insane! See, that right there! HBK knows Roxie’s all better physically, but mentally, emotionally, she’s just unsure. Roxie, you’re 21 years old! You’ve got a long, wonderful career in front of you. There will be other Stand & Deliver events. Will there? She can’t think like that! Did HBK think like that? WrestleMania was the most important night of the year for him, and she knows that he never had the mindset of, “Well, there’s always next year.”
HBK took it as “There’s here and now,” and he stole the show every time! That’s what Roxie wants to do! Roxie’s anxiety is crippling, but she can’t run away from it. She has to confront it, and that means facing it head-on. The only way she wins that battle is by climbing the ladder, winning back her title, the title she never lost. So please! Let her do this! Let her do this for her and for everyone who struggles with what she struggles with! To show them that they don’t have to be a prisoner of anxiety! Please, HBK! HBK says fine, but she has to get tests, meet with doctors, and follow-ups! Okay, yes! Thank you!
HBK says Roxie deserves the right to defend her title at Stand & Deliver. She’s in the match. Thank you so much, HBK! She’ll get all that for him! Okay, but now he’s gonna have a nervous breakdown. “Roxanne, you can beat this. Good luck.” Roxie thanks him again, then heads out. Will the Prodigy be able to overcome her biggest challenge mentally to then overcome the biggest challenge physically?
Valentina Feroz VS Elektra Lopez!
The Brazilian sparkplug has been doing things fair and square, even as La Madrina told her it was pointless. But Feroz made sure Lopez couldn’t cheat and that cost her against Sol Ruca. Will Feroz show Lopez she can win the right way? Or is it true that nice people finish last?
The bell rings and the two rush each other. Lopez knees low, fires off forearms and a HEADBUTT! Lopez whips Feroz to a corner and ELBOWS her! Lopez then shouts at Feroz for messing with her. Feroz blocks the buckle bump, and she fires back with forearms! Lopez staggers, blocks a kick and CLUBS the leg to then sweep the other leg! Lopez gets the leg to SMASH the knee into the mat! Fans rally for Feroz but Lopez puts on a standing toehold. Feroz endures, kicks with her free leg, but Lopez drops an elbow on the bad leg! Feroz hooks with the good leg but Lopez fights that off to pull on the bad leg.
Fans rally, Feroz fights, and she rolls with Lopez. Lopez shifts to drop another elbow, but Feroz dodges! Feroz dropkicks Lopez down, covers, ONE! Feroz goes to a corner, Lopez runs in but Feroz dodges. Feroz arm-drags Lopez, drags her up to arm-drag again, and then whips to run and SPEAR! Fans fire up, Feroz covers, TWO! Lopez is hanging tough but Feroz fires up. Fans rally, Feroz aims from a corner and goes up. Feroz leaps, into Lopez’s arms! Lopez swings Feroz around into the ELEKTRIC SHOCK!! Cover, Lopez wins!
Winner: Elektra Lopez, by pinfall
Lopez wins, but the irony? She won fair and square! Did Feroz win the moral battle? Or does only the physical battle matter?
Eddy Thorpe speaks.
“Music is celebration. When I make music, I can feel the spirit of my people behind me. It is my honor to lead the way. Like an alpha wolf, I will conquer this territory and everything in it.” Thorpe is ready to level up, his NXT debut is next!
Eddy Thorpe VS Myles Borne!
The heritage and history of the Native American people, the fire and energy of progress, the Alpha Wolf looks to be the hybrid that paths the way to the future! Will Thorpe be the future of NXT?
The bell rings and Thorpe ties up with Borne. They are in a deadlock, Borne wrenches an arm but the fans rally behind Thorpe. Thorpe rolls, wrenches and wristlocks. Borne rolls, slips through and arm-drags to an armlock. Thorpe fights up, Borne headlocks, but Thorpe powers out, only for Borne to run him over. Things speed up., Thorpe hurdles then CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up, but Borne DROPKICKS Thorpe! Borne brings Thorpe up, but Thorpe CHOPS back! Thorpe CLUBS Borne, but Borne trips Thorpe. Thorpe boots Borne away but Borne throws hands! Borne UPPERCUTS, whips, and ELBOWS Thorpe down!
Borne drags Thorpe back up, ROCKS him with a haymaker, then has him on ropes. Thorpe hits back, Borne ROCKS and whips, but Thorpe reverses. Borne blocks a hip toss, body shots, and clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Borne keeps cool and he clamps onto Thorpe with a chinlock. Fans rally and Thorpe fights up. Thorpe pries free, but Borne kicks low. Thorpe blocks to DRAGON SCREW! And then he CLOBBERS Borne with forearm after forearm! SOBAT! PELE! Borne staggers and fans fire up! Thorpe runs in to BOOT Borne! And then HIP TOSS! Borne flounders, Thorpe sets up, BIG elbow drop! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally, Thorpe brings Borne up but Borne wrenches out. Borne waistlocks, Thorpe elbows free but Borne kicks low. Borne swings, into a SAIDO! Fans fire up as Thorpe tries again, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, Thorpe wins!
Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by pinfall
Borne gave him a good, hard fight, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Alpha Wolf. Thorpe says he’s coming for everything, will he get everything he wants in NXT?
Pretty Deadly checks back in.
Kit says what a night of headlines! Elton agrees. An impressive debut win for Thorpe. But it isn’t all smiles, as they’re here on the Grayson Waller Effect set. Waller VS Gargano is far more than personal. They say never mess with a man’s family, and that front yard brawl sure gave a new meaning to the term “viral moment.” Gargano has now vowed to do everything in his power to get revenge on Waller, and he wants this as an unsanctioned match. Will Waller sign the agreement? Would either Kit or Elton do it? Would you sign the contract, knowing what is coming for you? This could be a match so brutal, it’ll take YEARS off your career!
Kit says he would! Only to defend Elton’s honor. Oh, Kit is so selfless and brave. That is his middle name: Kit Bravery Wilson! Elton’s here for it. And stay tuned for more Pretty Deadly Talk as we continue towards Stand… and Deliver!
Backstage interview with Gallus.
McKenzie is with Mark Coffey & Wolfgang, and says that while we saw the end result of everything that happened at the bar last week, what led to it? Mark says it was obvious they’re not interior decorators, and Wolfgang admits, they were pretty banged up after that fight. Then at this point, it is a Triple Threat for Stand & Deliver. But then, why’re they willing to defend against not just one, not just two, but up to three teams with this deal made on behalf of Briggs & Jensen? You’re asking them, “Why?” They thought, “Why not?” The Creeds made a good case. Tony D & Stacks made a good case. And Gallus is all about equal opportunity.
If Briggs & Jensen do win tonight, then the more the merrier! Four, six, eight guys, it doesn’t matter. Well, Wolfie does love a good fight. How confident is Gallus that they’ll walk out of Stand & Deliver still NXT Tag Team Champions? Wolfgang admits that Markus likes to wind Wolfgang up, likes to get under his skin. But they’re the champs, heading into the biggest show of the year, against a collection of guys all ready to fight. They don’t need that much riling up. The odds don’t matter, at Stand & Deliver, the Creeds, The Don & Stacks, and should Briggs & Jensen make it there, they’ll all find out the hard way that it is #GallusBoysOnTop!
NXT Women’s Championship Last Chance Qualifier: Indi Hartwell VS Sol Ruca VS Ivy Nile!
Tiffany Stratton, Zoey Stark and Lyra Valkyria won their way in, and now that Roxie is physically cleared to compete, so is she! Who will win the final spot to make the Ladder Match a Furious 6 Way for the gold?
NXT returns as Ivy makes her entrance, followed by Indi. The bell rings and Indi kicks Ivy! Sol spins Indi around but Indi kicks, CLUBS and backhands her! Ivy rolls Indi up, TWO and Ivy jumps at Sol! Sol catches Ivy, pops her up but Ivy slips free to shove Sol into Indi! Down goes Indi, Ivy rolls Sol! TWO, and Sol scoops and SLAMS Ivy! Sol grabs at Ivy but Ivy kangaroo kicks her away, and Indi rolls Sol up! TWO, and Indi rushes in, but Sol dumps her out! Ivy KICKS Sol, KICKS her again, but Sol dodges the superwoman punch to DROPKICK Ivy out! Fans fire up and Sol goes up a corner! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit on Ivy & Indi!
Fans fire up with the Sol Surfer, and she puts Indi back in. Sol hurries to cover, TWO! Fans sing for Sol while Indi flounders to ropes. Sol brings her up, whips her to ropes, but Indi reverses and hip tosses. Sol handsprings through to a FACEBUSTER! But Ivy leaps in to FLYING RANA! Ivy fires up, fans are with her and she ROCKS Indi! Ivy rolls and CALF KICKS Sol! Cover, TWO! ARMBAR!! Sol clasps hands, and Indi drops a BIG ELBOW on Ivy! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Ivy up, puts her through ropes and UPPERCUTS! And BOOTS! Ivy flops down, Indi covers, Sol breaks it! Fans duel, Sol drags Indi up to whip, but Indi reverses to put Sol through ropes!
Indi UPPERCUTS, but Sol dodges the boot to HOTSHOT! Indi is down, Sol springboards and SPLASHES! Cover, Ivy breaks it! All three women are down and fans rally back up. They all rise up slowly, Sol swings but Ivy tilt-o-whirls to sunset flip! ONE, but Ivy KNEES Sol down! Cover, TWO! Things speed up, Sol blocks a Rana, Ivy slips free of the bomb, but Sol SUPERKICKS! Sol handspring SPLASHES Ivy! Sol runs corner to corner to handspring, but Indi dodges! Sol bumps off buckles, into Indi’s IMPRESSIVE SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Sol survives, and Ivy BUZZSAWS Indi! Ivy whips but Indi reverses!
Ivy tilt-o-whirls, into the DIAMOND DRAGON!! Indi endures, fades, but Sol runs in, SOL SNATCHER!! But Indi BOOTS Sol away! BLINDSIDER LARAIT!! Cover, INDI WINS!!
Winner: Indi Hartwell, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
#IndiWrestling is going to Hollywood! Will Indi finally have the top title? But speaking of, here’s Zoey Stark! And Lyra Valkyria! And Gigi Dolin! And of course, Tiffany Stratton! But also, Roxanne Perez! Roxie holds up the belt now, but who will bring it down from the sky in Hollywood?
Pretty Deadly checks in again.
They climb up a step ladder for this segment, and says Indi makes good on the Last Chance match. The field is now set. Six women put their bodies on the line in a match to crown a “new” women’s champion. Well, Roxie the plucky prodigy is back. And since she never lost the title, this becomes a title defense now. Who does Elton see coming away with the gold? Oh, so glad Kit asked. Because Elton recently had an epiphany. Los Angeles, the city of stars, Hollywood, and there’s only one woman suited for the City of Angels! #BuffBarbie herself! The most glamorous superstar in NXT, Tiffany Stratton! Yes girl!
Kit says this could be a show-stealer! If the fans wanna find out, join us on Saturday for Stand… And Deliver!
Grayson Waller speaks.
Via a Twitter video, captioned “Will I or won’t I?” Waller calls out “Johnny Cosplay.” He’s so close to finally getting what he wanted: him and Waller in an Unsanctioned match. In fact, Waller’s on his way inside right now. Waller had security do one last sweep of the perimeter, and because he knows Gargano’s “a sneaky little hobbit,” they’ll also be all around ringside. But Waller hopes Gargano tunes in. “Because you never know what I’m gonna say.” The 21st Century Success Story is trolling until the very end. Will he sign on the dotted line so that he and Gargano can go to the extreme?
NXT presents Prime Target: Bron Breakker VS Carmelo Hayes.
The NXT Champion says, “This match is like destiny. The youngest main event in WrestleMania Weekend history. Carmelo and I, we came in in the same class, these two alpha males that are just undeniable.” The challenger asks Bron, “Do you know what it takes to be a king? I don’t think you do. Heavy lies the head that wears the crown.” Melo is the 2021 Breakout Star, a winner of NXT WarGames (alongside Bron), the combined longest reigning NXT North American Champion, the one who unified the North American and Cruiserweight titles, and “HIM.”
Melo says this has been a whole different training camp to get ready for this match. He isn’t just doing his high-flying, his mat wrestling, he is covering every aspect. He hits the ropes harder, he takes less steps, he makes less mistakes. He worked out for four hours, partied for three, but skipped the afterparty. Trick Williams couldn’t believe it, but Melo has to put in the work to take on Bron Breakker. Trick and the others understood, and Melo let them go on. Melo didn’t need to go, he’ll celebrate when this is finished, when he has won, and he is at the top of the mountain. The job is not done, it is far from it.
Training montage as Melo pushes himself. But Bron chuckles. It’s funny because he’s been doing that and not going to parties since the first day. He works with weights two and a half hours a day. He runs the ropes another two and a half hours a day. Because that is what it takes to be champion, to be “The Guy.” Bron knows people think matches are won and loss in the ring or in the weight room. But Bron is of the opinion that they’re won and loss in the film room. There is nothing better than to watch film. Melo is fast, he will try to get in Bron’s head, gas him out, and get Bron playing Melo’s game.
You can take Bron to the deep water, but he’s been there so many times, it has become his home. Bron has carried NXT on his back for almost two years now. The NXT title is everything to him, this brand is everything to him. He respect everyone who has come before, but there is a difference. He is the most dominant of all time. This has been the path since Vengeance Day, and now, in LA, Melo vows to take that weight off Bron’s shoulders when he knocks Bron’s head off and takes the title. Melo is Him, and the kingdom of NXT is his, and he wants his effing crown!
Bron says that this one is a bit more special, it means a bit more to him. Fans are torn, but Melo says Bron doesn’t understands. Bron doesn’t want this like Melo wants this! Bron doesn’t wanna go as far as Melo is willing to go! But Bron says when he gets going with that 4.3 speed, hits those Steiner-lines, Melo won’t know where he is. Melo says at Stand & Deliver, he takes everything from Bron because everything is his! Melo is HIM! Bron has promised and continues to promise he will make it through as champion, but who will have the Hollywood ending to their story?
Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre speak.
The Firekeeper says, “When the sun goes down at Stand & Deliver, a darkness will rise over NXT.” The Wicked Witch says, “The eternal horror of gullible fools will not be contained.” The fate of Kiana James and Fallon Henley has already been sealed. Two spirits in turmoil do not deserve to be tag team champions. Fyre and Isla bond together to connect their past and forge their destiny. This Saturday, they burn their opposition tot he ground. And from the ashes, their message will spread far and wide. “It is always darkest before the Dawn, and where there’s smoke, there’s Fyre.” Will nothing stop this devious duo from ascending to the throne?
Hank Walker VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey!
The blue collar working man was already in the 20 Man Battle Royal, but so was the Philly Stretcher. Their fight that literally spilled out of the ring now returns to it, will the student avenge himself against his arrogant teacher? Or will Gulak show Hank he still doesn’t belong?
NXT returns as Gulak makes his entrance, the Son of the Gentleman Villain by his side. The bell rings and Hank rushes in! Gulak dodges, headlocks, but Hank slips out to hammerlock. Gulak throws back elbows then haymakers. Hank blocks to fire off haymakers in return! Hank whips, and he CLOBBERS Gulak! And CLOBBERS him again! Fans rally and Hank back drops Gulak! Gulak staggers up, but Hank hits a MONKEY FLIP, into an ARMBAR! Gulak flails, grapevines a leg and drags Hank into a camel clutch! But Hank slips out to put Gulak in the camel clutch! Gulak powers his way back and gets a leg, STRETCH MUFFLER!
But Hank trips Gulak to put on the STRETCH MUFFLER! And he lifts Gulak off the mat with it! Fans fire up, but Gulak kicks free. Gulak trips Hank, has the heel hook, and he turns Hank over for a HALF CRAB! Hank endures, powers Gulak down and gets the HALF CRAB for himself! Gulak endures, crawls forward, and he has the ROPEBREAK! Hank lets go quickly, Gulak goes to the apron but Hank drags him up. But Gulak HOTSHOTS Hank away! Gulak slides in for a NECKBREAKER! Then a knee drop! And another! And another! Gulak snarls but fans boo. Gulak drags Hank up and whips him to a corner.
Gulak runs in to clothesline! Gulak shoves Hank out to then BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Fans boo but Gulak tells Hank he doesn’t belong. Gulak goes up the corner, and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! But Gulak has the arm to drag Hank into a CROSSFACE! Hank endures, fans rally, and Hank moves around, only for Gulak to shift to a chinlock. Hank endures, fans rally more and Hank fights up! Hank pries free, but Gulak pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Hank pries Gulak’s hands away. Hank fires off big hands from all sides! Hank whips to THESZ PRESS! And fast hands! Hank fires up and fans are with him!
Hank has Gulak in a corner, whips him corner to corner then SPLASHES! And then whip and SPLASH the other way! Gulak flounders, Hank ripcords him for a FLAPJACK! And down come the straps! Hank roars, runs, and CLOBBERS Gulak! Cover, TWO!! Gulak survives that open field tackle, but Hank is right on him! Wheelbarrow and lift, but Gulak arm-drags to the press and CROSSFACE!! Hank endures, fans rally, and he pops out the back! Hank gets the legs again, wheelbarrows, into the ARMBAR!! Hank pulls on the arm but Gulak clasps hands. Hank powers it open!! Gulak flails, fans are thunderous, but Gulak scrambles over! ROPEBREAK!!
Hank lets go in frustration while fans boo. Hank hurries after Gulak, they’re in the ropes, the ref is busy with Gulak and Dempsey CLOBBERS Hank! Gulak cradles, Gulak wins!!
Winner: Drew Gulak, by pinfall
Fans boo as Gulak steals that one! Hank was about to beat Gulak at his own game, but Gulak needed the assist from his new friend! Will Hank get payback the next time they meet?
Pretty Deadly checks in again.
They’re having a couple mimosas at the bar and Kit says, “Ever since we joined the division, the tag team scene has been a bustling hive of competition.” Elton says that at Stand & Deliver, the NXT Tag Team Championships will be contested in a Triple Threat match. The Creed Brothers have got their mojo back, baby. #AustinPowers. Elton still can’t stand them, but he has to admit, Julius & Brutus have more personality then say this bar rag. The champions, Gallus, well, are the champions. Let’s move on, please. And the new team, Tony D’Angelo & “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo, show family loyalty.
Imagine if The Don & The Underboss win. Kit would love it! Or, speaking of love, Briggs & Jensen do have the opportunity to make this a Fatal 4 Way. Could you imagine if the foursome of Briggs, Jensen, Kiana & Fallon were all tag team champions together at Stand & Deliver? Aw, so magical. Such a perfect fairytale ending. But that’s just the thing about fairytales: there’s always a witch, or witches, right behind. Nice one. Isla & Alba are dangerous duo, and if they have their way, it’ll be a sinister Stand & Deliver. The fairytale could be of heartbreak and tragedy. So see you Saturday afternoon for Stand… And Deliver!
NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo!
Speaking of that Hollywood ready story, the next chapter is being written right here! Will the Country Strong good ol’ boys fight their way into the title match to join their leading ladies at Stand & Deliver? Or will these underdogs fail to live the dream?
The teams sort out and Stacks starts against Jensen. They circle, tie up, and Jensen shoots to a roll-up, TWO! Jensen waistlocks but Stacks fights up. Stacks arm-drags but Jensen holds on. Stacks makes that a cover, ONE as Jensen bridges into his own cover! TWO, Stacks is free, and the two stand off. Fans applaud while Jensen says it was that close. The two reset, tie up again, and Jensen waistlocks to O’Conner Roll. TWO, Jensen rebounds off ropes, things speed up, and Jensen hip tosses Stacks! Stacks kangaroo kicks, then he scoops and SLAMS Jensen! But Jensen kangaroo kicks back!
Stacks runs in, into a headlock takeover! Stacks tries to headscissor but Jensen fights that to a cover, TWO! Stacks headscissors after all but Jensen kips free. Jensen runs, hurdles, tags Briggs and FACEBUSTERS! Briggs runs in to CLOBBER Stacks! Fans fire up as Briggs scoops, but Tony drags Stacks down! Tony tags in and fans rally as he circles with Briggs. They tie up, Tony waistlocks and SLAMS Briggs. Tony talks trash, grinds his forearm into Briggs’ head, but Briggs fights up. Tony SLAMS Briggs back down, facelocks, but Briggs fights his way up again. Briggs pries the hold open, but Tony shoves him away, only for Briggs to run him over!
Things speed up, Tony drops but Briggs stops short of the back drop to CLUB Tony on the back! Stacks distracts Briggs, and Briggs turns around into a haymaker! Tony tags Stacks, they double whip, body shot and knee lift to an UPPERCUT! Stacks covers, ONE! The ladies are watching backstage, and Fallon still can’t believe Kiana lied to Jensen. Oh, yes, Kiana is so horrible to have gotten Jensen & Briggs a chance at the tag titles. When this is over, Fallon is telling Jensen! No, Fallon, wait! Let’s talk! Fallon hurries off, Kiana hurries after, and we watch the ring again as Stacks has Briggs down in a chinlock.
Briggs endures, fights up, and fans rally. Stacks thrashes Briggs around but Briggs still fights up. Briggs powers out, Tony tags in. Jensen tags in, Briggs CLOBBERS Tony and Jensen CLOBBERS Stacks! Tony & Stacks end up on the ropes, Briggs & Jensen fire up and they slide, to DOUBLE HAYMAKER! Fans fire up with the good ol’ boys as NXT goes picture in picture.
Jensen hurries in after Tony, wrenches an arm and RAMS shoulders. Jensen wrenches again, for an ELBOW BREAKER! Jensen wants after the shoulder but Tony stays on his feet. Briggs tags in, Jensen whips Tony so they can DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Briggs covers, TWO! Briggs clamps onto that arm and grinds it down. Briggs CLUBS Tony, but Tony fights up. Briggs wrenches the arm, tags in Jensen, and Jensen takes the handoff to wrench again. Jensen wrangles Tony to the mat, wrenches the arm again, but Tony DECKS Jensen! Tag to Stacks and he runs in, into an arm-drag!
Jensen has the armlock and grinds the shoulder. Stacks endures, fights up, but Jensen whips him to ropes. Stacks holds the ropes and ELBOWS in return! Jensen comes back, Stacks dodges and Tony CLOBBERS Jensen! The ref reprimands, but now Fallon and Kiana are ringside. Tony stomps Jensen, drags him up and ROCKS him. Tony brings Jensen around, whips Jensen to ropes, and hits a BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Tony is annoyed, but he drags Jensen up to whip him into the corner. Tag to Stacks, Stacks clamps on a chinlock, and NXT returns to single picture. Stacks claws at Jensen’s face!
Fans rally, the ref reprimands, and Jensen fights his way around. Jensen stands, throws body shots, and is free. Stacks grabs at the pants, Jensen throws elbows! Stacks catches Jensen to a BACKBREAKER! And then a BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Tag to Tony, he drags Jensen up and facelocks for some hockey scrum shots! Fans rally but Jensen drops to his knees. Tony DECKS Jensen, then drags him back up. Tony whips Jensen hard into the corner, tags Stacks, and then Tony scoops. BACKBREAKER, and Stacks leaps in, ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!! Jensen survives but Stacks clamps on with a chinbar and armlock.
Fans rally, Jensen fights up, and Stacks shifts to a headlock. Jensen throws body shots, powers out, but heads collide! Both men fall over and fans rally up. Stacks and Jensen crawl, hot tag to Briggs! Britts rallies on Stacks & Tony! Briggs DECKS Stacks, runs and BOOTS Tony! Stacks runs in but into a SIDEWALK SLAM! SPLASH for Tony! Briggs is all fired up and the fans are with him. Tag to Jensen, and Jensen goes up. Briggs Electric Chair Lifts Stacks, WHEEL KICK DOOMSDAY DEVICE! Jensen covers, Tony barrels through Briggs to break it!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down!
Fallon & Kiana coach up their boys, Briggs and Tony stare down. They fire up and stand to throw hands! Fans fire up, Briggs gets the edge, but Tony dodges the boot to DECK Briggs out of the ring! Tony tags in off Stacks, then helps Stacks to go after Jensen. They double whip, to BADA BING, BADA BOOM!! Cover, Tony & Stacks win!
Winners: Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo, by pinfall (DENIES Briggs & Jensen a spot in the NXT Tag Team Championship match)
The Triple Threat stays a Triple Threat, and Stacks says it’s The D’Angelo Boys On Top! Will that be how it goes in Hollywood?
As for the others, Fallon grabs the mic. Fallon knows this isn’t a good time, but this has gone on long enough! There is something Kiana needs to tell Jensen! Kiana says that’s true. There is something she should tell him. But she’d rather just show him. Jensen is confused, but Kiana gives him a kiss! Jensen is over the moon, and Fallon still can’t believe it! Is there no end to the back-up plans Kiana has to cover her bases?
Grayson Waller heads to the ring.
Security is at the ready, just as he said. Fans boo as the 21st Century Success Story walks down the ramp, and then he goes to Vic Joseph at the announce desk. Waller takes the contract, looks it over, and then grabs a pen. Waller says, “Once I’m done, whatever happens in this match, I want to do it in front of you (Vic). Whatever happens to your boy is on your hands.” Waller takes the contract into the ring, and gets a mic. “Hey! You flops better watch my back, because Gargano’s known for his cheap shots. And he could come from anywhere, right?” Fans boo as Waller continues.
“I’m staring at this paper and… I still can’t believe it. Grayson Waller VS Johnny Gargano, at Stand & Deliver.” Fans taunt Waller, “You Can’t Read!” Waller says Melo VS Bron thinks it’s the main event. But it doesn’t matter when he’s on, Waller’s the REAL main event! Because this is a full circle moment. Two years ago, Waller was trying to stand out in front of the new wave. He was trying to build a relationship with the idiot fans! He was singing, dancing, all the things the fans pretend they don’t like but secretly love. “And then came WarGames. And at the time, I was considered the fourth best member of Team 2.0.”
Fans tell Waller to shut up, but Waller continues. He went out there, he stepped in that cage, and he jumped from the top! He put his body on the line because that was gonna be his “viral moment.” That was gonna be what launched him to superstardom. But he was wrong. “Because at the end of the night, after WarGames, all anyone could talk about was Johnny Wrestling. So two nights later, in a night I know you remember very vividly. You (Johnny Gargano) walked to this ring, and everyone couldn’t wait to hear what you had to say! And because you kissed his ass so much, Shawn Michaels gave you as much time as you wanted!
“But it only took me 30 seconds. I saw my mark and I hit it. And let’s be real, Johnny, you are the biggest mark in this business.” Waller stepped out there, hit Gargano with the chair, and sent Gargano home. Then Waller sent himself into the stratosphere. It’s funny, because Gargano told the world that you should bet on yourself. “And if you wanna talk about the last 15 months, no one has bet on themselves more than Grayson Waller! And if you want proof, my proof is right here! I have the greatest big match superstar in NXT history begging me to kick his ass at Stand & Deliver. Don’t forget that, Johnny: you’re begging me. I’m your golden ticket right now!”
Waller admits, Gargano is the greatest big match superstar in NXT history. Gargano’s done it all. The records, the titles, the matches, the moments. Johnny Gargano IS Mr. NXT. “But just like your idol, Mr. WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels, you are gonna lose at Stand & Deliver. You bleed black ‘n’ gold, lad? I bleed green. 15 months ago, I used you to put myself on the map. And at Stand & Deliver, I use you one more time-” GARGANO IS HERE?! But Waller told him not to show up or he wouldn’t sign the contract! Waller is ready for a fight, he dares Gargano to come for this fight, but where is Gargano?
HE’S THE CAMERAMAN!! Gargano sets the camera down, takes off the hat and mask, and he rushes Waller! Security finally realizes and they rush in! Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but security does its job in separating them. But then Waller and Gargano get loose to fire off hands again! Waller bails, Gargano pursues, and they COLLIDE! Waller tumbles over steel steps, Gargano goes after him, and the scrapping continues at the ramp! Fans rally behind Gargano but Waller TACKLES him on the stage! Security pulls them apart again, but Gargano gets free to LEAP onto the pile!
Fans fire up but the two are separated again. Johnny Wrestling and the viral villain are ready to stand and deliver, but who will be left standing at all in the end?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT and a great go-home, though still with the usual level of talking for NXT, which is a little too much talking. I do appreciate that Pretty Deadly was inserting themselves all over the show to give their thoughts and predictions. And they were entertaining each segment so it is still fine. Isla & Alba have a good promo to give their thoughts on Fallon & Kiana being at odds. And I’m glad we got Prime Target back since this isn’t NXT 2.0 but “white & gold” era. But none of these really change the math in those matches as I see it. Melo is still the proper choice to win so Bron can move on, and given Fallon & Kiana are so against each other right now, Isla & Alba are definitely taking those titles.
Speaking of that story, the romcom of Jensen and Kiana continues to take some really clever turns that also help tie into other stories. The tag team “main event” of Briggs & Jensen VS Tony & Stacks was a really good match, and it adds to story. Kiana uses the tag match and that public kiss to deflect from Sebastian. At this rate, Kiana is gonna marry Jensen before she tells him about Sebastian. Which honestly, would be a hilarious thing given American pro-wrestling can’t help but have weddings. And this win gives Tony & Stacks the momentum going into the Triple Threat. I’m thinking this all leads to Gallus finding a way to retain the titles.
Opening with the battle royal was the right move, as was making it chaotic like the rest of the North American Championship open challenge segments. Scrypts going after Axiom is good consistency, but I’m pleasantly surprised to see he didn’t stop Axiom from winning. I thought they were gonna put a giant over but nope, we got two Cruiserweights at the end. Also great detail was that the final three were NXT UK alumni (Axiom is A-Kid for anyone who still doesn’t know). And in the end, Axiom finally gets what he wants in getting this title opportunity. If Wes isn’t winning, this is anyone’s game, all of these guys are that great.
Though, I’m not sure we needed Gulak VS Hank here tonight after both men already competed in the battle royal. It was still a great match, with a strong showing from Hank and a classic Heel shenanigan for Gulak to win. But I would’ve waited to make this part of the aftermath episode next Tuesday to help bridge things into the Spring and Summer phases. Meanwhile, Eddy Thorpe has a good TV debut after a string of matches on Level Up. Formerly Karl Fredericks in NJPW as a Young Lion, Thorpe brings those basics and essential moves, but shows he can do the fancier stuff. The Twist ‘n’ Shout swinging neckbreaker is a great finisher, can’t wait to hear its finisher name.
Good match from Feroz and Lopez, and I figured Lopez would win, but I’m surprised Lopez didn’t cheat since that was kinda the whole point of their story. Maybe Feroz points that out to Lopez next week and Lopez starts to see things her way. Good stuff out of Chase U, especially the checked out attitude of Duke Hudson. I think Duke’s assist was meant to screw Bate but it ended up an assist because Bate jumped for the tope. And good promo from The Schism to bum everyone out after Bate’s win. Duke helping screw Chase U over seems a bit obvious but sometimes stories go in the obvious direction.
Roxanne being back before Stand & Deliver is quite the surprise to me. I really thought we were waiting for an Undisputed NXT Women’s Championship story, but I suppose putting that on just a TV special like Spring Breakkin’ isn’t enough. So instead, Roxie makes her return, she champions the fight of mental health and anxiety to still be champion going into Stand & Deliver. I’d somehow lost count, but yeah, a SIX WAY Ladder Match. That is wild, and much like with the North American Championship, I see it as Roxie retaining, or anyone’s guess of a new champion. Indi winning that great Last Chance Triple Threat was a bit of a surprise, but Stand & Deliver could be her good-bye match to NXT. Then she rejoins The Way on Raw in a big moment of some kind.
And speaking of big moment, great final segment with Waller and Gargano. Good promo from Waller showing us that indeed, this is full circle. Waller was honestly good at being a Face back in the days of 205 Live. But even then, there were hints of being arrogant and defying authority, Waller’s come into his own as a Heel, perhaps one the top Heel at this point. I thought Waller was gonna beat up Vic since he was to have Gargano banned from the building, but Waller said it himself, Gargano became “Johnny Cosplay” pulling off the covered up cameraman disguise. Great brawl, it was a wash so no one has the math behind them, but I would think that with Gargano on Raw now, Waller will use the fact this is Unsanctioned/No Disqualification to win and just have all the Heel heat.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25
The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let’s see what happens!
So Genesis is Sunday, followed by next week’s Live Episode of iMPACT! Let’s see exactly how we get to Genesis and not to bury the lead, the fact the WWE/TNA partnership was extended for a few years is very big news for TNA. More visibility for a nostalgic brand and the younger NXT wrestlers get more opportunities with potential sprinkles of a big name here or there (yes I only really mean AJ Styles, but that’s what we all want to see one more time).
Let’s get to the show and see if it’s a Go Home worth anything.
After her shocking appearance on @WWENXT, @mashaslamovich steps into the confessional with @WeAreRosemary…
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswj28 pic.twitter.com/YSTXfJZw6X
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025
Ratings:
- Trent Seven vs Leon Slater: Slater wins via Swanton 450 – *
- Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin): EY wins via Macho Elbow – ** 3/4
- Laredo Kid vs Jake Something: Jakes wins via Avalanche Something Bomb – **
- The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO): Hardys win via Crouton Bomb – ***
Results:
Trent Seven vs Leon Slater
British on British violence! I just appreciate that Trent’s theme is a down tuned remix of Seven Nation Army.
A little back and forth until Slater hits a Reverse Gamengiri, Trent tries to climb back to the apron after the powder, eats a Shotgun Kick. Trent dodges the dive, and Suplexes Leon down the steps at Center Stage. I feel like Slater over sold the spot, but I suppose using your surroundings is always interesting. Leon slides in at 9.5, Trent gets a little cocky and Leon hits two Flash Cradles for near falls, as Trent is reeling from the quick pinfall attempts he eats another Shotgun Kick for a near fall. Trent sells to the corner, eats a Jumping Bootwash, Leon perches Trent, goes for possibly a Spanish Fly but Trent turns it into an Avalanche Flowsion for two!
Bop and Bang, 7 Star Lariat, Piledriver with flourish and…still a two. Birminghammer attempt but Slater flips out of it, Crucifix pinfall for two, Uppercut by Trent and Birminghammer is hit! But Slater…kicks…out? He sells a Suplex where he slides down steps like death, but eats huge signature and finishing moves and kicks out. The psychology in this match is non-existent. Trent does the Finger Break, Leon sells away, hits another Shotgun Kick and Trent powders. X Plex gets reversed into a DDT from Slater. Trent powders off the Ramp, Leon goes to the entrance way runs and jumps off the ramp, then hits the Swanton 450.
Completely stupid match with spots that make no sense. All sizzle no steak, so dumb my IQ dropped 5 points.
The Elegance Clique have a “Pre-Launch Championship Celebration”. Tom Hannifan hates it, the crowd hates it, and the Personal Concierge uncovers a cardboard cut out with a Knockouts Title around their waists…and they are size accurate. Heather is like a My Size Barbie. Ash gives a very cringey speech where she thanks everyone except Heather, the Concierge passes the mic to Heather, Spitfire interrupts of course, and at least Dani cuts the promo to start so it’s tolerable. Yeah this is painfully bad cringe, as much as I didn’t mind the Ash gimmick to start with, this is lame. The only thing saving the segment is the crowd is hot for the the Elegance Clique getting their stuff ruined. So it was lame, but the crowd was into it and Ash sold the destruction of cardboard cut outs like Spitfire just murdered her puppy.
.@PCOisNotHuman and @TheSamiCallihan take on The Hardys! If they win, they’ll secure their spot in the TNA World Tag Team Title match at #TNAGenesis!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswQRG pic.twitter.com/fO9P2F5d9d
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025
Well the first 40 minutes of this show are making me wish for a stroke instead of watching this. So hopefully it picks up somewhere.
Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin)
KC flips out of two of EY’s Back Body Drops and does his “First Class” taunt, so EY just slaps him upside the head and tags in Maclin to start beating on Navarro. I do really like KC’s work. He’s like WWE Lio Rush, but likable and talented. Maclin is beating the hell out of KC though, Lariats him out, goes for the SCUD, but AJ low bridges so Maclin crashes to the outside, KC hits the Tope con Hilo with blind tag so AJ is now legal and they start working over Maclin in the corner. Tennessee Whiskey, and there does seem to be a few First Class fans in the crowd.
Navarro is back in for the 305, quick tags though to keep Maclin eating offense. Splash into Big Boot into Assisted Splash while AJ leans on Maclin literally. KC starts picking on kids in the crowd near Judd Normand, he shoves the actor, the actor shoves him back and AJ comes over to mad dog the actor. Maclin takes advantage of the distraction and drops AJ on the way back in with an Olympic Slam, tags in EY and EY comes out hot. KC tags in, EY levels KC and they start messing around in the corner, AJ tries to break it up but eats a Busaiku Knee from Maclin and then a SCUD. EY manages to throw KC off the turnbuckle and then hit the Macho Elbow for the win.
After the match Eddie, Lish and Brian Myers stand at the entrance way to send a message but not cause any real chaos.
Josh Alexander and his two bitch boys come out to cut a promo on Santana or something. I am about as interested in this as I am in Norwegian Dog Sledding. Josh trying to say Santana is too hurt to go at Genesis when we all know this was filmed the same time like a month ago. You really can’t do doofus attempts a story when you’re promoting the first live episode in nearly a decade or something for next week. At least the match should be good because this build is lame, the jabronis are useless, “Bald Ass Head” is the big insult…sheeeesh.
Laredo Kid vs Jake Something
Well…someone has to win this match, so there’s that.
Nothing special start until Jake comes off the ropes and runs over Laredo sending him flying over the ropes onto the ramp. Jake panders to the crowd, Laredo tries to get something going but Jake steps on his foot to stop any Lucha things, and mollywops him. Jake runs him corner to corner until Laredo moves, strings a few moves together, tries to fly and then gets knocked out of the sky with a Forearm. Only a two count for Jake, but Laredo is definitely doing his best impression of a pinata so far in the match. Laredo gets a desperation Satellite DDT, misses his big attempt, but Jake misses the Spear in the corner, La Magistral gets a 2, a few bad spots from Laredo where it looks like he missed a Satellite Facebuster and sloppy Essex or Canadian Destroyer. Laredo goes to the top, Jake bear paw slap, goes up top and Avalanche Something Bomb for the win.
The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO)
Before the Hardys intro, the 23 thing flashes a few times again. So at least they didn’t forget that.
Sami starts with Jeff and gets in a few early shots and goads Jeff with Hardys taunts, then all four get in, throw hands and we go to commercial. We come back from commercial to Matt Delete Turnbuckling Sami, and then Poetry In Motion the classic way! A few quick tags, but Sami eventually knocks down Matt, tags in PCO, Matt’s moves aren’t very effective, Jeff throws himself in too and they get their asses beat by PCO. PCO tags in Sami, Sami slaps around Matt, drags his face across the ropes, tags PCO back in and uses PCO as a battering ram into Matt’s chest. PCO keeps Matt in their corner, tags back in Sami, some simple tandem work and a short 2 count for Sami. Sami calls PCO back in and they’re formulating a tag move, they try the Double Back Drop, but Matt turns it into a Double DDT instead.
Jeff tries to fight them both off, Sami grabs Jeff, PCO goes for the Lariat, malfunction at the junction, Whisper in the Wind mostly hits PCO so Jeff Splashes Sami. Twist of Hate, Twist of Fate, Swanton Bomb from Jeff and the Hardy Boys win!
Before the obligatory contract signing on the Go Home before a PPV, Jordynne walks over to the announce table with the contract for her match with Tessa. Says she’ll leave it with them so she can’t miss it, but hey, “if she doesn’t show up at Genesis it wouldn’t be the first time”. That’s funny.
Joe starts the promo saying he has to win, but its on him to take the title from Nic. There’s an intensity, so it’s not all cornball jokes and shenanigans. That’s kinda nice to start with. Nic takes the babyface angle of “you’re not wrong but I don’t think you’re ready yet kid”. Then he plays the JBL clip from Bound for Glory. Nic tries to use the video to clear his name because Ryan got attacked too. Joe is about to poke a hole in the defense but then Hollywood Abyss Mokuba shows up. “MY BROTHER SETO” Ryan interferes, Nic tries to stop the stupidity but Ryan plows through is about to eat a Standing Ovation but Nic Superkicks Joe to save Mokuba. Nic does stand there as the crowd chants “kick your brother”, but Nic doesn’t pull the trigger but you can tell he’s contemplating.
OH! Sexy Tessy shows up, signs the contract but Jordynne was waiting for her and leaves Tessa laying with a Grace Driver and solid intensity. Okay most of the show was kinda mid but the ending was pretty solid.
Overall Score: 6.25/10
As I said at the very end, most of this show was mid…or mediocre for the older crowd. Indie Spotfest Dumbassery to kick off the show, a few segments that made me question if I was tasting pennies, a decent match with First Class, the stalled push never relevant squad match between Jake and Laredo, and at least the main event match was fun.
The video packages always feel lackluster because the only people really watching TNA currently are hardcore fans. I never really see too many people pull the whole “whoa first TNA episode in 11 years and I decided on the random Go Home instead of the first live episode since 2015”. See, this is why logic matters in booking. WWE gets to have the mentality of “it could be someone’s first time watching it” every week because they the biggest show in town. The name alone will garner random views or transient lapsed fans if they get a whiff of something. However when it comes down to TNA, people are only surprised its still alive.
Even with many questionable hours it wasn’t terrible. It did fine…plus like I just said, there’s opportunity for more random eyes thanks to the WWE merger AND a live episode next week. So the Go Home format won’t change, but hopefully the exposure gives us more congruent storylines.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will the hot streak continue?
On the verge of a milestone, Red Velvet is back on the Proving Ground! Who will look to Stir It Up with The Chef? Will they be served an L fresh outta your mama’s kitchen?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Katsuyori Shibata, Komander & The Outrunners VS Rosario Grillo, Colby Carter & The Stew Crew; Shibata, Komander & The Outrunners win.
- The Beast Mortos VS Tony Nese w/ The Premier Athletes; Mortos wins.
- Blake Christian VS Parker Li; Blake wins.
- ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground match: Red Velvet VS Angelica Risk; Velvet wins and denies Risk a title match.
- ROH Rewind – ROH TV Episode 1: Mark Briscoe VS Slim J w/ Ari Daivari & Mark Sterling; Briscoe wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Shane Taylor Promotions & LEE-J VS The Dark Order, Serpentico & Beefcake Boulder; STP & LEE-J win.
PLAY BY PLAY
QT Marshall speaks.
“Next week is the 100th episode of ROH Television. Impressive, huh? And that big shot, Paul Wight, from the Board of Directors, he said, ‘QT, I need you to do me a big favor. This show has to be huge! And the way to make that happen is to have you challenging for the ROH Television title.'” QT tells Paul that we all know he owes QT an apology. And the “old QT” would’ve been pretty petty and held that against Paul. But now that QT is a viral sensation who literally has strangers from all over falling in love with him, QT said, “Y’know what, Paul? I’m gonna do it.”
So that’s right, ROH fans! Next week, episode 100, QT Marshall VS Komander, and QT walks out the NEW ROH World Television Champion! And Paul, after that, you will look QT in the eyes and apologize. QT is all smiles now, but will he be the one feeling the DOOM~ after facing the Commander of the Skies?
8 Man Tag: Katsuyori Shibata, Komander & The Outrunners VS Rosario Grillo, Colby Carter & The Stew Crew!
The Wrestler is back in action, and he’s teaming up with the ROH World TV Champion and the Youngest Men Alive! Will they all be rolling into episode 100 and beyond?
The teams sort out and Shibata starts against Grillo. The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. Shibata and Grillo circle, the fans rally for Shibata, and the two tie up. They go around, Grillo wrenches, and he talks some smack. But Shibata wrenches back! Shibata puts Grillo on ropes, the ref counts the break, but Shibata CHOPS! And CHOPS again! The fans cheer as Shibata says one more time, and he CHOPS! Tag to Komander, he and Shibata double whip. Shibata drops down, Komander DROPKICKS Grillo! Grillo scrambles to tag in “Twisted Steel,” Dylan Stewart. Dylan is the shorter of the Stewart Brothers, only because Zach is 6’5″.
Dylan and Komander circle, then Dylan takes a swing. Komander dodges, scoops, but Dylan slips free to shove Komander. Komander springboards to CROSSBODY, but Dylan catches him! Dylan throws Komander but Komander lands on his feet. Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, then goes up, up, jumps around and around, and the fans fire up for the FLYING RANA! Komander keeps going, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to roll and FACEBUSTER! Then a basement DROPKICK! Komander wrenches Dylan, winds up, and he tags in Turbo Floyd! The fans fire up as Turbo wrenches and headlocks Dylan.
Dylan pulls Turbo’s hair, puts him in a corner, but the ref reprimands. Dylan lets off, but he throws a body shot! Dylan takes another shot but Turbo dodges! Turbo winds up, and flexes! The fans cheer, Dylan swings, but into a BIG atomic drop! Tag to Truth, the Outrunners whip and DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Dylan staggers while The Outrunners flex! Colby runs in, but into a DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! The Outrunners have Colby and Dylan in opposite corners, and they storm up to rain down fists! The fans count along, and The Outrunners go to nine, wind up, and TEN! The fans fire up as The Outrunners headlock Dylan and Colby.
The Outrunners run to each other, MEETING OF THE MINDS! The fans cheer while The Outrunners spin! Truth drags Dylan up, but Dylan powers him to the corner! “Silverback” Zach tags in, and Dylan sends him in for a SPLASH! Zach roars, then he CHOKES Truth in the ropes! The ref counts, Zach backs off, then he tags in Grillo. They stomp away on Truth, the fans rally up, but Grillo tags Dylan. Dylan stomps Truth, throws some hands, then tags Colby. Dylan and Colby mug Truth, then let off as the ref reprimands. The fans boo Colby while he taunts Truth’s team. But Truth fights against the others!
Colby kicks low, headlocks Truth, then shifts to a SLEEPER! Colby leans on the hold but Truth endures. The fans rally up, Truth fights to his feet, and Truth fires body shots! Truth reaches out, but Colby keeps him from Turbo! Colby then short arm LARIATS! The fans boo but Colby soaks up the heat. Colby runs, but Truth avoids the knee drop! Colby flounders, tag to Grillo! Grillo runs but Truth dodges! Zach runs in, Truth DUMPS him out! Dylan whips but Truth reverses to TOSS him! Grillo DECKS Truth! Grillo then winds up, but Turbo blocks the sucker punch! Turbo ROCKS Grillo, and Truth BACKDROPS him!
The fans fire up as Truth crawls, hot tag to Turbo! The fans fire up more as Turbo rallies on Grillo with haymaker after haymaker! Then a scoop SLAM! Grillo staggers back up, into another scoop SLAM! Turbo looks around, Colby runs up, but into a scoop and SLAM! Dylan storms in, but into a scoop SLAM! Zach is in, he’s a big guy! Treuth helps for the SLAM! The fans fire up as Truth then feeds Grillo to Turbo’s ELBOW! Then the Outrunners wind up… “Turbo Floyd! You sonovabi*ch!” DOUBLE ELBOW DROP on Grillo! Then tag to Shibata! The fans fire up again as Shibata whips and BOOTS Grillo in the corner!
Shibata fires a flurry of forearms, he sits Grillo down, then he runs corner to corner and back again. HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! SNAP HALF HATCH! Cover, Colby breaks it! So Truth swings! Colby dodges, Turbo scoops! TOTAL RECALL for Colby! SAIDO for Grillo! Komander goes up, and he gives Grillo CIELITO LINDO! Shibata keeps The Stew Crew out, then PENALTY KICKS Grillo! Cover, Shibata’s team wins!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata, Komander & The Outrunners, by pinfall
An eclectic combination, but a victorious one as well! Shibata and team show respect to each other with handshakes and bows, will all these men be part of the revolution in the New Year?
Shane Taylor speaks.
“Whoever, wherever, whenever. That is the motto of Shane Taylor Promotions. Where I’m from, winning a fight had to be definitive. There was no time limit, there were no disqualifications, there was no bell, and there damn sure wasn’t a referee to come save you. A fight wasn’t over until somebody didn’t wanna fight anymore. A fight wasn’t over until somebody couldn’t fight anymore. A fight wasn’t over until somebody was either knocked out, choked out, or chalked out. It’s a new era in the professional wrestling industry: my era. It is the Era of Shane Taylor Promotions. Win a match if you can. But you damn sure won’t win the fight. Rumble, bad man, rumble.”
The Beast Mortos VS Tony Nese w/ The Premier Athletes!
La Faccion Ingobernable as been conspicuous by their absence, but the menacing minotaur is continuing on no matter what. But then “Smart” Mark Sterling cuts Bobby Cruise off and tells him to “hit the bricks.” Sterling handles the introductions as everyone knows this is Tony Nese and they are The Premier Athletes. “And folks, we’ve been sick and tired of every town messing up our mojo by doing the incorrect pregame cheer. So I told the guys we’re not even gonna give the people of Athens the opportunity! But Josh said, ‘Surely they can read what’s on our shirts.’ So we’re gonna give you one chance. When I say, ‘Athletes,’ you say, ‘Rule.’ NOTHING ELSE!
“Hands in, boys. Ohhhh…! ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” The fans get the better of Mark again, but will Mortos take everything Nese has and eat it for lunch?
The fans rally for “BEAST! BEAST! BEAST!” Sterling and the guys try to get an “Athletes! Athletes!” chant going, but the fans boo. The Code of Honor is hesitantly kept, and the bell rings. Mortos and Nese circle, then tie up. Mortos powers Nese to a corner, the ref counts, and Mortos lets off. Then he SMACKS Nese! Nese is mad and says Mortos is an animal! Mortos snarls and the two circle again. Nese and Mortos circle, Nese dodges and throat chops! The ref reprimands but Nese kicks low. Nese tries to pretend the “BEAST! BEAST! BEAST!” chants are really “NESE! NESE! NESE!” chants but the fans boo.
Nese CHOPS Mortos, has Daivari & Woods put their hands in, “Ohhhh…! ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” Nese scowls, then headlocks Mortos. Mortos powers out, Nese RAMS him, but Mortos stays up! Nese runs again, RAMS Mortos again, but Mortos just roars! Nese revs up, but he kicks low! Nese fires haymakers, then whips, but Mortos reverses. Mortos CLOBBERS Nese! Then CLOBBERS him again! And again! The fans fire up for Mortos, and he stomps around. Nese goes to a corner, Sterling panics, but Nese throat chops Mortos again! Nese runs with Mortos for the BULLDOG HOTSHOT! Nese hurries up top, leaps, but Mortos deflects the crossbody!
Mortos scoops Nese, brings him around, but Nese slips free! Nese SOBATS, KNEE LIFTS, then runs. Mortos follows, rolls off Nese’s back,a dn SOBATS< KNEES and ELBOWS Nese! Snapmare and NECK TWIST! Nese staggers up, into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Mortos goes to a corner. Mortos makes sure Nese is in the drop zone, then he climbs up. But The Athletes drag Nese out of the ring! The fans boo but Mortos builds speed! TORNILLO TOPE! Direct hit on all three Premier Athletes! The fans fire up and Mortos roars! Mortos then spots Sterling, and Sterling has a chair!
Sterling backs off while apologizing, and Mortos SMACKS Nese! Mortos brings Nese around, pushes him into the barrier, then CHOPS! Mortos winds up to SMACK Nese! The fans fire up with Mortos again, and he drags Nese up. Mortos whips Nese hard into the steel steps! Sterling protests, but Mortos storms over again. Sterling hides behind Woods so Mortos goes back for Nese. Mortos puts Nese in, but Woods creeps up! Mortos steps to Woods, but he avoids Nese’s plancha! Nese lands safe, cartwheels around Mortos and SUPERKICKS him down! The fans boo but Nese says last chance! “Ohhhh…! ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!”
Woods gets frustrated with the fans, but Nese stomps Mortos. Nese puts Mortos in the ring, then he storms into the ring. The fans chant ‘Athletes Suck!” on their own while Nese CHOPS Mortos to a corner. Nese whips Mortos corner to corner, then runs up, but Mortos dodges! Nese hits buckles, Mortos UPPERCUTS, LARIATS, and GAMANGIRIS! Nese staggers around and the fans fire up with Mortos. Mortos whips Nese, Nese grabs ropes! Mortos runs up but Nese DUMPS Mortos out! Mortos tumbles to the apron then the floor, and Nese argues with the ref so the Premier Athletes can mug Mortos!
The fans boo but Sterling and the boys get away with that one. Nese soaks up the heat, then goes to fetch Mortos. Nese drags Mortos up, scuffs him, but Mortos shoves Nese. Nese kicks low, then says if the fans want tables, here we go! Nese reels Mortos in, only to send him into the ring! Nese tells the fans can shove it, then he covers. TWO! Mortos is still in this, so Nese stays on him with a chinlock. Mortos fights up as the fans rally, and he fires body shots! Then he UPPERCUTS! Mortos fires back up, he runs, but Nese trips him! The fans boo again but Sterling and the boys applaud. Nese goes in, PREMIER FLOP as Mortos moves!
Mortos runs to SLING-DOG! And tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! And then another BACKBREAKER! Nese staggers around, into the torture rack! The fans fire up for the BEAST BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives Mortos’s vicious hattrick, but the fans rally up again. Mortos drags Nese up, but Nese fights the suplex! Nese fires body shots, but Mortos SMACKS him again! Mortos fires forearms, then rears back, but Nese CLAWS the eyes! Nese winds up, but Mortos HEADBUTTS him! Mortos powers up, runs, but Woods & Daivari trip him up! The ref has had enough, he EJECTS The Premier Athletes!
The fans fire up while Woods, Daivari & Sterling throw a fit! Sterling gets on the apron to shout at the ref, but Mortos grabs Sterling! Nese rolls Mortos up, TWO! Mortos blocks a lariat, and he LARIATS Nese inside-out! Cover, TWO?! Nese survives but Mortos roars! Scoop and PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Mortos wins!
Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall
The Minotaur Driver finally puts this one away, and Mortos is back on a winning track! Will he storm up on whoever is champion after ROH Honor Club Episode 100?
MXM Collection speaks.
Well first, they slow clap. Then they POSE! Mansoor congratulates Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara on their successful title defense in the Tokyo Dome. Mason Madden says, “Congratulations is right. But the only dome you boys should be receiving is from us! When we clack your domes together!” Mansoor says that is right! MXM has run through the Runway of Honor so long now, racking up the wins, and they are finally making a claim on those ROH World Tag Team Championships! The Sons of Texas fancy themselves a couple of tough guys, from Texas Death to Texas Bull Ropes.
MXM knows how to get hardcore! And they know how to get tied up! Time for the sun to set on the Sons of Texas, and it is time for the MXM Collection to upgrade their hardware. They clack belt buckles on the belts they’re wearing, and then Mansoor claims those belts are coming to them. And MXM is deafly serious! They take off their sunglasses to reveal their eyelash extensions… Will The Iron Chic & Mahogany Hunk take a deep breath and take those titles from The Natural & The Spanish God?
ROH catches up with the Athena World Tour.
Though she fell short in the International Women’s Cup Fatal 4 Way, the Fallen Goddess did settle the score with “War B*tch” Thekla in a defense of the ROH Women’s World Championship. The Minion Overlord overcame Thekla and her entire faction of HATE to win in Korakuen Hall. Athena addressed the crowd by saying it was always her dream to compete in Japan, and it was a dream fulfilled. Athena told the fans “Arigatogozaimasu! <Thank you very much!>” Will the Athena World Tour continue to make stop after stop and defeat opponent after opponent?
ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground match: Red Velvet VS Angelica Risk!
While The Chef is leaving Leyla Hirsch on the waiting list, she’s still stepping onto the Proving Ground against whoever wants it. Will Velvet continue to avoid her LEGIT rival? Or will she regret taking on this Risk instead?
The Code of Honor is upheld with some arrogance on Velvet’s part, but Risk makes her look her in the eye! The bell rings, Velvet pushes Risk back and says not to get attitude like that. The two talk smack, but we’re on the clock. The two feel things out, but then Velvet dodges Risk. Velvet pushes Risk and Risk says okay, Velvet thinks she’s loca. Velvet says Risk didn’t beat her four years ago, she won’t beat her now. Risk says she about to whoop Velvet all over Athens! But then Velvet dodges again and says she’s too smart. Risk says Velvet’s a dumbo, but Velvet pie faces her! Risk SLAPS Velvet and knocks her down!
Risk mockingly asks if she got Velvet in that “ugly mug” of hers, then laughs. The fans boo Risk as she eggs Velvet on. Velvet stands, Risk twerks at her, but Velvet runs up! Risk dodges to hip toss! And arm-drag! Risk runs and CROSSBODIES! Risk rains down fists, then lets off. Risk says Velvet’s about to get that spice! Risk CHOPS Velvet on the back! Velvet is in the ropes, but Risk goes to the apron. Risk headlocks Velvet, and she twerk attacks! Risk HIP ATTACKS, then tells Velvet to kiss this. Risk steps into the ring, builds speed, and she slides, but into the apron skirt! Velvet fires off fists and the fans fire up!
Velvet steps on Risk to go up to the apron! The fans cheer Velvet on as she then CLUBS Risk! Velvet follows Risk around the way, then brings her to barriers, for a DOUBLE CHOP! The fans cheer while Velvet gets a taste. Velvet then CHOPS Risk again! Risk turns things around to DOUBLE CHOP back! And DOUBLE CHOPS again! And then SLAPS Velvet! They scrap, Velvet knees low, but Risk blocks the apron bump! Risk elbows Velvet and gives her the apron bump! Velvet flounders in, Risk storms up on her, but Velvet YANKS her into ropes! Velvet then runs to DOUBLE KNEE Risk in the ropes!
The fans fire up as Velvet yanks Risk back, and she rains down furious fists! Velvet covers, TWO! Risk stays in this but Velvet stays on her. Velvet pulls hair, and she bumps Risk off buckles. Velvet fires a BODY BLOW, then mocks the count. Velvet BODY BLOWS again, soaks up heat from the fans, then digs her boot in! The ref counts, Velvet steps off at 4, and she soaks up more heat. Velvet drags Risk up to snapmare and KICKS! Risk writhes but Velvet pushes her to a cover, TWO! Risk toughs it out but Velvet clamps on a chinlock. Risk endures, pries at the hold, but Velvet holds on tight. The fans rally, Risk stands, and Risk fires body shots.
Risk JAWBREAKERS free, then dodges Velvet to come back and LARIAT! And LARIAT again! Risk then dodges Velvet for a COPE-A-SETIC! The fans fire up with Risk, “505!” Risk runs to hit the TIGER FEINT! Velvet staggers, Risk TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Velvet survives, but Risk gets mad. Risk reels Velvet in for a dragon sleeper, but Velvet CLAWS Risk’s eyes! Velvet winds up, and she DECKS Risk with that left! Cover, Velvet wins!
Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall (denies Angelica Risk a title match)
Velvet’s left hand was the cherry on top, she gets to taste sweet victory. But will she continue on this hot streak? Or will she run out of challengers and have to have her just desserts with Leyla?
ROH Rewind – ROH TV Episode 1: Mark Briscoe VS Slim J w/ Ari Daivari & Mark Sterling!
Here on Episode 99, we look back to the return of ROH TV here on Honor Club! The opening match was the Sussex County Chicken taking on The Trustbuster’s Real One to kick off the new era of honor!
The ref calls for the Code of Honor handshake. Mark offers, Slim accepts, but then kicks it away. Fans boo while the bell rings, and Mark circles with Slim. Fans sing, “Briscoe’s gonna kill~ you!” They tie up, Mark headlocks but Slim powers out. Mark slips under and UPPERCUTS! Slim bails out, Daivari and Sterling check on him, but Mark waits. The fans chant for “BRISCOE! BRISCOE!” but Slim comes back. They circle again, tie up, and Slim waistlocks. Briscoe pries free, wrenches to a wristlock and then he waistlocks. Sterling distracts and Slim mule kicks low! Fans boo as Slim tears his shirt off.
Slim mocks Mark, throws hands, but Mark throws hands back. Slim fires off on Mark, bumps him off buckles, and fans boo. Slim whips, Mark goes up and out, and then he UPPERCUTS again! Fans fire up with mark, he shoulders into Slim and then slips around to run and BOOT Slim outta the ring! Fans fire up as Mark builds speed to WRECK Slim with a dropkick! Mark says, “That’s how we do, baby!” Mark throws a chair in the ring! The ref tells him no, but Mark claps with the chair. Fans rally along, Mark sets the chair up and builds speed, to go up, only to stop as Daivari gets Slim to safety. Fans boo but Daivari says to get the chair outta the ring!
Mark waits, Slim gets in the ring and gets in Mark’s face. They talk trash, Mark dares Slim to hit him, so Slim ROCKS him with a haymaker! But Mark comes back to CHOP! Slim spasms, Mark CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS again! Mark CHOPS and then puts Slim up top. Mark fires up to UPPERCUT! Fans fire up while Slim wobbles. Sterling distracts again, Mark chases him off, and then Mark goes back to Slim. Slim fights off the Iconoclasm to FLYING GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mark has a bloody cut on his forehead but Slim brings him up. But Mark throws body shots! Mark swings but Slim blocks to LARIAT, LARIAT and knuckle lock.
Slim goes up and up and FLYING DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and fans fire up! Slim drags Mark up, throws him out, and then distracts the ref so Daivari can stomp away! Fans boo but Daivari gets away with it. Daivari puts Mark in, Slim goes after him and digs his boots in. The ref counts, Slim lets off at 4, then digs his boots in again! The ref counts, Slim lets off, but then goes after Mark again! The ref backs Slim off, Mark sputters, but Slim ROCKS him with a right! Fans rally for Mark but Slim mocks them. Slim clamps onto Mark’s arm, Mark endures the armlock, and Mark fights up. Slim body scissors to keep the hold!
Mark endures but he drops to a knee. Fans chant “SLIM J SUCKS!” but Slim slips around to a SLEEPER! Mark throws Slim off but Slim ENZIGURIS! Mark goes to a corner, Slim snapmares to wrap on a chinlock. Fans boo but Daivari and Sterling applaud. Mark endures, fans rally up, and Mark stands, only for Slim to throw him down! Fans still rally and Mark hammers the mat. Mark fights up to his feet, he throws body shots, then elbows! REDNECK KUNG-FU CHOPS! Mark fires off, whips corner to corner, then runs in to clothesline! Snapmare and SLIDING BOOT! Fans fire up and Mark brings Slim back up.
Mark turns Slim, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Slim survives the Jay style neckbreaker but Mark drags Slim up. Mark suplexes, but Slim knees free! Slim ROCKS Mark, runs, but into a FOREARM! Mark whips, to CLOBBER Slim again! Fans fire up, Mark reels Slim in, Canadian Rack to the CRUCIFIX BOMB! Cover, TWO!! But Mark fireman’s carries, to ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up and Mark climbs a corner! Mark says this is for Jay, the FROGGY- NO, Slim dodges! But he runs into a BOOT! Mark hoists Slim up, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall
A great look back at the first episode, and it’s been a great two years since! What new heights will episode 100 bring? Will all of ROH #ReachForTheSky?
8 Man Tag: Shane Taylor Promotions & LEE-J VS The Dark Order, Serpentico & Beefcake Boulder!
As the man himself said, this new era in ROH is The Shane Taylor Promotion Era! Lee Moriarty has the ROH Pure Championship, will this win bring Shane, Big Shotty & The Judge that much closer to their own golden opportunities? Or can Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, SNAKEMAN and an Iron Savage be a major roadblock?
Serpentico throws his shirt at The Infantry, they get mad, but then Boulder stands in their way. So Shawn Dean throws Reynolds’ jacket down as payback. The teams sort out and Lee starts against Reynolds. They keep the Code of Honor, and the bell rings. The fans rally up, the two circle, and they knuckle lock. Lee grabs a leg, Reynolds counters with a facelock, but Lee slips out to facelock back. Reynolds fights up, wrenches out, and he wrangles Lee. Lee rolls, goes for the arm, but Reynolds rolls. They end up on ropes, the ref counts, and then the ref has to get in between them. Lee backs off, but then he whips Reynolds!
Reynolds sunset flips, Lee stays up and steps over to turn Reynolds around, LA CACITA! TWO, Reynolds fakes high, then catches Lee as he goes low! Reynolds spins Lee around to a backslide, TWO! Lee stands, Reynolds whips, but Lee avoids the dropkick! But then Reynolds avoids the Penalty Kick! Reynolds O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Lee has the O’Conner, TWO! Reynolds has a GEDO CLUTCH! TWO! Lee spins, Reynolds ducks! Reynolds spins, Lee ducks! The two back off and the fans cheer! Reynolds says he wants that Pure title! Dean says smack Reynolds for that! Lee instead tags out to Lee. Johnson, that is.
Reynolds tags out to Uno and the fans cheer. Uno circles with Big Shotty while Carlie Bravo says Johnson’s so handsome. Uno offers a handshake, but Lee kicks low! Lee talks trash, headlocks, but Uno powers up and out! Lee comes back and RAMS Uno, but Uno rebounds to CLOBBER Lee! Things keep moving, Uno catches Lee for an atomic drop! Uno calls to the corner, Reynolds and Serpentico get their boots up! Boulder holds those in place, and Uno brings Lee in to bump him off boots! The fans cheer and Uno tags Reynolds. JAWBREAKER, then BACKBREAKER, then feed to a DDT! Cover, ONE!!
Reynolds stays on Johnson, tags Serpentico, and Serpentico climbs. The fans fire up for the DOUBLE STOMPS to the arm! Roll-up, roll through, SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Serpentico brings Lee up, dodges a lariat, and UPPERCUTS! Serpentico snap suplexes Lee into the drop zone, then he climbs! The fans rally as Serpentico climbs, and he builds up the energy, but Lee moves! Serpentico handsprings through the stomps to UPPERCUT again! Serpentico runs, Lee distracts the ref, and EJ DUMPS Serpentico out! EJ then gives Serpentico SNAKE EYES off the apron, THROWS him into railing, then pushes him into the ring.
Big Shotty storms over, tags in The Judge, and #LEE-J sends Serpentico into the corner. EJ RAMS in, Lee CHOP LARIATS, then he feeds Serpentico to EJ’s SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! EJ drags Serpentico up, bumps him off buckles, then he steps on Serpentico. The ref counts, EJ lets off to taunt Uno, and Shane digs his boot in! The fans boo but EJ storms up to stand Serpentico up. EJ fires a BODY SHOT, then he tags in Shane. Big Bad Shaney T. taunts Serpentico’s team, but Serpentico fires hands and CHOPS! Shane short arm LARIATS! Shane stands Serpentico up, scoops him, and SLAMS him down!
Shane runs up to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Serpentico survives but Shane drags him back up. Shane puts Serpentico in the corner, tags Shotty, and he stomps Serpentico. Lee suplexes, covers, TWO! Lee clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Serpentico down. Serpentico endures, fights up, and the fans rally. Serpentico JAWBREAKERS free, dodges Lee, then FLATLINERS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Serpentico and Shotty crawl, but then The Infantry YANK The Dark Order down! Serpentico still hot tags Boulder! The fans fire up as the Beefcake DOUBLE LARIATS the Lees!
Boulder scoops Johnson to SLAM! Then a scoop for Moriarty, and SLAM! The fans fire up as Boulder then SPLASHES Johnson, SPLASHES Moriarty, and then sends Moriarty into Johnson! Boulder fires up, the fans are with him, and Boulder runs corner to corner for a DOUBLE SPLASH! Boulder isn’t done with the Lees as he fireman’s carries Moriarty. Johnson goes up, leaps, but Boulder catches him! Boulder has both Lees, and he FALL AWAY SLAM SAMOAN DROP COMBOS!! The fans fire up more, but Johnson tags in Shane! The fans fire up as we see the “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” meet again!
Serpentico storms in to back Boulder up! The fans are torn, but Serpentico dares Shane to hit him. Shane CHOPS! Serpentico staggers away, Boulder grabs Shane! Shane breaks free, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then HEADBUTTS! Shane runs, but Boulder SCOOPS Shane!! The fans go nuts for the POWERSLAM! Cover, the Lees break it! Reynolds drags Johnson out, but Moriarty gets away. Moriarty is back at the corner, hot tags to Moriarty and Serpentico! The fans fire up as Serpentico dodges, mule kicks, and forearms! SUPERKICK and a run, but into a BOOT! Reynolds is back and he eggs Lee on! They brawl and the fans fire up!
Lee kicks a leg, then spins, but into a wrench and spin! Reynolds swings, but into a takedown! BORDER CITY STRETCH! Reynolds flips it over into an ANACONDA VICE! EJ drags Reynolds off of Lee, then hoists him up with both hands! Reynolds CLAWS the eyes, then he fires forearms! EJ shoves Reynolds, Reynolds dodges, but EJ FLYING SHOUDLER TACKLES! Uno is in, “STOP!” EJ says no, so Uno DUMPS him out! Uno SHOTGUNS EJ off the apron, but Shane storms in! Uno kicks, Shane blocks it, and Shane KNEES Uno down! Boulder is back, the DOUBLE LARIATS collide! The straps come down and more LARIATS collide!
The fans fire up as both big men run, DOUBLE LARIATS take them down! The fans are thunderous as Serpentico and Johnson each go up a corner! They say bet, and they MIRROR FROG SPLASH! Serpentico and Johnson stand up, and they start firing forearms! The fans fire up, Johnson fires a flurry then whips Serpentico to a corner. Serpentico BOOTS back, goes up, and he RANAS Johnson! Johnson is up to SUPERKICK! Johnson runs, into a SUPERKICK! Serpentico runs, and he hits a CUTTER! But the ref reminds Serpentico, that’s not the legal Lee! Then where’d Moriarty go?
Johnson argues with the ref, he’s still Lee! No, the ref said legal! But EJ grabs Serpentico by the throat! Only for Uno & Reynolds to YANK EJ down! Serpentico TOSSES Johnson out onto everyone!! But Lee Moriarty returns and he CLOBBERS Serpentico! BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Serpentico TAPS, STP & LEE-J win!
Winners: Shane Taylor Promotions & LEE-J, by submission
#TAIGASTYLE gets the drop on SNAKEMAN, and perhaps this alliance of STP & LEE-J can be a full partnership. Is this truly the Shane Taylor Promotions Era?
My Thoughts:
A very good ROH, especially with it at about an hour and 11 minutes. Again, that’s actually less because of the ROH Rewind. A great choice to go with something from Episode 1 as we’re about to hit Episode 100 of this new “Under Tony Khan” ROH. However, they advertised an update on the “Athena World Tour,” but it wasn’t even anything new, it was just footage courtesy of Stardom. I was hoping she’d have a quick video message meant specifically for the ROH fans, or even a message Billie Starkz would be forced to read in Athena’s place per being Minion 400,237 & 3/4ths. Honestly, I hope we get a proper return from Athena next week on episode 100.
Speaking of, I blanked on how they “planned” on making QT VS Komander for tonight’s episode but good move on them kayfabing the move to episode 100. Good promo from QT to introduce that, and he’ll have a great match with Komander. Speaking of, good adjustment of putting Komander, The Outrunners & Shibata together in a match against I would think the four guys they were going to face anyway. Good showing from Grillo, Colby & “The Stew Crew,” but of course they took the loss. And also good win for Blake Christian, I hope he keeps his win streak going so he can take Komander on for the title.
Mortos VS Nese was great stuff, even The Premier Athletes insisting on the “Athletes Rock!” stuff. Great win for Mortos, but it just occurred to me that once again, Tony Khan has let La Faccion Ingobernable go ice cold. Mortos is the only one of them we see do anything, and he was losing all over the C2. I don’t even know why LFI disappeared again, other than TK is just too focused on Death Riders, Learning Tree, Rated FTR, Don Callis Family, The Hurt Syndicate, and everything else without even properly integrating everything into the “Death Riders want to wake up the AEW roster.” Why not give us some LFI VS Death Riders? Rush VS Moxley could tear it up.
Very good Proving Ground match but of course Velvet won. Risk sure talks a lot of smack, and I almost thought they were going to push this to like the two minute warning. But Velvet is going to be rolling until Leyla Hirsch comes back around and they have their rematch. And a very good 8 Man Tag with STP & LEE-J making a great combination against a rather interesting combination. 11 minutes as a main event match wasn’t much but it was rather hectic, and good win for the Heels. With Lee Johnson resisting the STP recruiting months ago, they could use this to make up for that dropped story. LEE-J joining as a way to also go for the ROH World Six Man titles could be good stuff. They might have to wait until they’re back in Texas, though, since the Von Erichs seem to stay local.
My Score: 8.5/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
-
Coverage7 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/10/25)
-
Coverage4 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/13/25)
-
Podcasts5 days ago
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL and College Playoffs, NBA and Unrivaled
-
AEW Coverage6 days ago
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (1/11/25)