Fight the cold by fighting for gold!

Best friends no longer, Mina Shirakawa wants to take the AEW Women’s World Championship from Mariah May, and break her heart like Mariah broke hers! Who will truly be the ice queen of AEW?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jon Moxley & PAC w/ The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy & Jay White; Moxley & Pac win, by disqualification.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins.
• Dynamite Diamond Ring #1 Contender’s Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly; Cole wins and will face MJF at Worlds End.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
• AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Mina Shirakawa; Mariah wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!

Kyle Fletcher: 3-0, 9 points
Shelton Benjamin: 1-1, 3 points
Kazuchika Okada: 1-1-1, 4 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
Mark Briscoe: 1-1, 3 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-1, 0 points

Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!

Claudio Castagnoli: 2-0, 6 points
Brody King: 1-1, 3 points
Will Ospreay: 1-0, 3 points
Ricochet: 1-1, 3 points
Darby Allin: 1-1, 3 points
Komander: 0-2, 0 points

Jon Moxley & PAC w/ The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy & Jay White!

It was last Saturday that the AEW World Champion and his band of rogues almost poisoned Freshly Squeezed, if not for FTR saving him. And it was last Wednesday that Pac & Wheeler Yuta almost got one over on The Switchblade, if not for Jay White’s top tier toughness. But will tonight be the night The Maniac & The Bastard destroy their enemies once and for all? Or will unlikely allies be able to win another battle in this war for AEW’s soul?

The teams sort out and while fans cheer on Cassidy, White works to convince him that White should start. Cassidy isn’t so sure, but then he warns White! White turns around and he DECKS Pac first! Moxley runs up but Cassidy SHOTGUNS him down! The fans fire up as Cassidy kips up and DIVES onto Pac! White slides out to SMACK Moxley off the desk! White fires hands, SMACKS him off the desk again, then CHOPS! Cassidy sends Pac into railing, the fans fire up more, and Cassidy ROCKS Pac! White CHOPS Mox, then RAMS him into the apron! Pac is sent into more railing! Moxley is sent into railing!

The fans fire up but Pac whips, only for Cassidy to reverse! Pac hits more railing! Fans on the other side count along as White rains down fists on Moxley’s head! White stops at nine so he can BITE Moxley’s head! The fans fire up and Cassidy DECKS Pac! White CLAWS Moxley’s back, and Cassidy CLUBS Pac. Pac and Moxley stumble into each other, so White and Cassidy trade! White sends Pac into railing while Cassidy does the same with Moxley! The fans fire up more, and now Cassidy climbs up so he can rain down fists! The fans count along, and Cassidy is almost about to fall as he reaches nine! Cassidy uses that to his advantage, and he runs back up to BOOT Moxley!

White SMACKS Pac off the desk! Fans high-five Cassidy but Moxley turns things around! Moxley fires knees, then he sends Cassidy into steel steps! White gives Pac more SMACKS off the desk, then puts him in the ring. The ref has White hold on, and finally the bell rings! White then JABS, wrenches, and scoops Pac for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, Moxley breaks it! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Moxley steps back. Moxley tags in, he gets in White’s face and he ROCKS White with a forearm! White goes to a corner, Moxley storms up on him, but Moxley blocks a boot! So White kicks a leg! White fires hands and the fans fire up!

White CHOPS, but Moxley CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” as the CHOPS keep going! White CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Moxley snarls but White gives him more CHOPS! White CHOPS in the corner, then whips corner to corner. White runs up but Moxley ELBOWS him! Moxley storms up, but into a clinch! Moxley powers out, runs up again, but into a BOOT! Cassidy tags in and he runs to DROPKICK Pac! Cassidy then puts Moxley in the corner to fire off hands! Moxley shoves Cassidy, Pac sneaks a tag, and Moxley avoids an Orange Punch! Cassidy runs but Pac BOOTS him down! Pac kicks Cassidy out, then distracts the ref so Moxley can DESK BACK SUPLEX!

Cassidy slumps to the floor, Pac goes out to stomp away! White protests but this only lets Pac stomp Cassidy more! The ref reprimands Moxley & Pac but Moxley puts Cassidy back in. Pac stalks Cassidy, then stomps him down! Pac taunts White, goes back to Cassidy, and Pac snapmares Cassidy to the ropes. Pac stomps Cassidy right on the face! The fans boo but Pac stomps Cassidy again, then digs his boots into Cassidy’s face! The ref counts, and we get a glimpse of The Patriarchy up in a skybox! Captain Charisma is clearly in no rush to cash in his Casino Gauntlet contract, or else he’d be much closer to the action.

The fans boo as we see Christian Cage on the tron, but in the ring, Pac tags Moxley. Pac & Moxley drag Cassidy up to mug him, and Moxley CLAWS at Cassidy’s face! The ref counts, Moxley stops at 4, and fans boo more. Moxley kicks and stomps Cassidy, then talks trash, but Cassidy springs up to SUPERKICK! The fans fire up while both men stagger around! Moxley and Cassidy reach for their corners, hot tags to Pac and White! The Switchblade rallies on The Death Riders! Then he dodges Pac to BACKDROP him! The fans fire up with White, there are many Gold Members in Kansas City, Missouri!

White runs at Pac in a corner, and UPPERCUTS! White then CHOPS, whips, but Pac reverses. White comes back to wrench and DDT! Moxley runs in, but into a wrench and DDT! Moxley staggers, White tells Mox that he has his number! White runs up on Pac in the corner, but Pac BOOTS White down! Death Riders have turned the tides while Dynamite goes picture in picture,

Pac drags White up, TOSSES him out, and then he tags Moxley. Moxley goes after White and brings him around to crotch him on the railing! Moxley then runs up to BOOT White over! Moxley flips off Kansas City because clearly they boo him, and then he goes out after White in the crowd. White fights back! They brawl out there, but Moxley ROCKS and TOSSES White back to ringside. Moxley puts White in the ring, storms up on him, and paces around. Moxley stomps White’s hand, then tags Pac. They mug White, then Pac riles up the fans. Pac stomps White around, taunts the fans, but the fans rally up.

Pac BLASTS Cassidy off the corner! Pac goes back to White but White CHOPS him! Pac BOOTS White back down! Pac then CHOKES White by kneeling on his neck! The ref counts, Pac steps off to taunt Cassidy, then Pac drags White up to snapmare him to the corner. Tag to Moxley and he’s already up top! Moxley jumps down to STOMP White! Christian Cage is still watching intently as White fights from below. White CHOPS but he’s the one that falls over! Dynamite returns to single picture as Moxley puts White in another corner, and Moxley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans do count along, and Moxley goes PAST TEN to FIFTEEN!

The fans boo but Moxley hops down to KNEE White again and again! Moxley digs his knee in, but stops as the ref counts 4. Moxley drags White up and DECKS him! Moxley CLAWS White’s face, the ref counts, but Moxley pushes White down. The fans rally but Moxley drags White to the corner. Tag to Pac, Moxley stomps White in the stomach, and Pac drops knees on White’s face! Cover, TWO! White is still in this and Pac argues with the ref. The ref defends the count, and White rises up to CHOP! Pac eggs White on so White CHOPS again! Pac SOBATS and White falls! Pac mockingly asks, “Is this it?!”

Pac paces while White sputters and crawls. Pac drops down to have a headlock on White. The Patriarchy talks, and Christian has Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian head out, but for what purpose? White endures, fights around, and reaches out for a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Pac lets go, and then the ref makes sure Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta stay back. Pac checks with Moxley, then keeps on White in the open corner. Pac drags White over to bump him off buckles, then tags Moxley. Moxley pie faces White but White CHOSP! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Moxley HEADBUTTS White, then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO!

Moxley clamps onto White’s legs to tie them up in a reverse deathlock! Moxley throws down crossface forearms, but White BITES Moxley’s hand! The ref reprimands, Moxley gets free and tags Pac. Pac KICKS White down, then KICKS him again! White shakes his head so Pac KICKS him again! The fans rally, Pac mocks them for it, and the fans boo Pac for that. Pac kicks but White blocks! White grins and hits a DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down! White and Pac crawl, Moxley warns Cassidy, but we get hot tags to Cassidy and Mox! The fans fire up as Cassidy storms up on Moxley and the forearms start flying!

The fans are on Cassidy’s side, he fires a flurry, but Moxley fires a flurry of body shots and knees in return! Moxley JABS, ROCKS, and runs, but Cassidy doges to Alabama Lift! Moxley rolls through but gets a PENALTYO KICK fore it! Pac is back but Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ tilt-o-whirls for a DDT! Cassidy kips up while fans fire up, and Cassidy climbs a corner! But Moxley is up after him! Cassidy BITES Moxley! Moxley falls back, Cassidy hits DEEP IMPACT! Cover, TWO! Moxley stays in this but Cassidy fires back up! The fans rally, Cassidy pulls on the elbow pad, but Moxley sits up! REAR NAKED CHOKE!

Cassidy rolls back to have a cover, TWO as Moxley lets go! Cassidy builds speed, ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Pac is back again, but Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ tilt-o-whirls, but this time Pac blocks! Pac powers through to suplex, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! White is back in and gives Pac a CUTTHROAT SUPLEX! Moxley BOOTS White down! Cassidy Alabama Lifts Moxley for BEACH BREAK!! Cover, TWO?!? Moxley survives and Kansas City is shocked! Cassidy rises up, the fans rally up, and Cassidy goes to a corner. But Yuta gets on the apron! The ref stops Yuta but Marina grabs at Cassidy!

Cassidy KICKS Marina away! And he runs up to ORANGE PUNCH Yuta!! Moxley runs up, Cassidy dodges, ORANGE PUNCH!! Off comes the elbow pad! The fans are thunderous and Cassidy aims, but HANGMAN PAGE SPEARS MOXLEY!!

Winners: Jon Moxley & PAC, by disqualification

This isn’t Cowboy S*it, this is BULL, because Hangman just handed Moxley the win! Granted, Hangman’s raining down fists on Moxley, but Cassidy is upset. Cassidy brings Hangman off but Hangman shoves him away! Hangman rains fists back down on Moxley, CHOKES him even, but now Cassidy is pissed! Cassidy drags Hangman away from Moxley, but Hangman punches Cassidy! So now Cassidy and Hangman are brawling! The fans are torn but Hangman ROCKS Cassidy! So White goes after Hangman! These rivals brawl it out, a score still to be settled, but then Hangman gets loose! Cassidy runs up, Hangman ducks, ORANGE PUNCH hits White!

Hangman swings, misses, ORANGE PUNCH for Hangman! BLADERUNNER for Cassidy!! The Death Riders are amused, because their enemies are doing their dirty work for them! And now the Death Riders attack Cassidy, White and Hangman! The fans boo but Moxley kicks Hangman out of the ring while Yuta digs his boots into Cassidy. Pac & Marina beat up White, the fans tell off Yuta, but Moxley has his crew head out. Will nothing and no one stop this literal reign of terror?

The Most Wanted is back!

The little western town sees Bandido arriving, and the sheriff’s men are ready for a fight! They tell Bandido that he’s wanted, so he’s under arrest. They can do this the easy way, or the hard way. What’s it gonna be? Bandido hops off his horse, puts his hat and cape aside, and so the hard way it is. The sheriff has his men apprehend Bandido, but Bandido TIGER WALL KICKS the sheriff, DOUBLE DROPKICKS his men, then kips right up! Bandido says bring it, so the sheriff runs up! Bandido BACKDROPS him away, grapples with his biggest man, and that guy fireman’s carries Bandido! He claims that reward is all his!

But Bandido slips free, SHOVES the man into the railing, and then with a finger gun, he says BANG! Bandido runs up, pommel horses off the big guy to DROPKICK the sheriff, and then he hits the BLACKJACK 21 GERMAN SUPLEX on the big guy! Bandido stands tall after the shootout, but where will we see him next?

The Death Riders regroup backstage.

Moxley says, “I’m a marked man. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being a marked man is the only way to live, it’s the only way to feel alive! The only way to live is with a knife to your throat, with the dynamite stick burning down to the end of the wick. That is the only way to live and I wouldn’t have it any other way!” Moxley says these guys, their problem is their egos! They wall want that next title shot! Moxley mockingly runs around arguing with himself, “I want the next title shot! No I want the next title shot!” That’s the problem! YOUR EGOS RUN YOUR LIVES! EGOS RUN ALL ELITE WRESTLING!!

Moxley says none of this is about him, it’s about his people. They do not fight flesh and blood. He’ll give all three of them an “early Christmas gift.” Worlds End in Orlando, Florida, the AEW World Championship, FATAL 4 WAY!! Moxley heads out, Death Riders following, and the champ just raised the stakes on himself! Will The Maniac be able to win his own gamble? Or will there be a NEW AEW World Champion one way or another?

Christian Cage speaks.

Still up in the skybox, Captain Charisma tells Kansas City, “As I literally and figuratively look down on you, sit down and shut your mouths while I conduct my business!” The fans boo, but Christian continues. “So it’s a four way match at Worlds End, huh? Well, I have a problem, a very- SHUT UP!” Fans boo more but Christian says he has problem with every person in that match. Jay White cost Christian the world title at Full Gear, and so did Hangman Page when he didn’t live up to his end of the bargain. And while Orange Cassidy is just a pissant that gets on Christian’s nerves, Moxley is the real problem because he has what Christian wants.

The fans boo more but Christian says if Moxley happens to make it out of that match still the champion, know that Christian very well might be waiting on the other side. And if he is, then this time, Christian will not miss. Christian will send Moxley back into a tailspin, send him back to rock bottom, and Moxley will hear that little voice in his head saying, “It’s okay, Jon, do it. It’s okay, Jon, you earned it. Have that drink.” Christian vows to send Moxley back to rehab, and he will then rehab the world title! Until then, do not ever forget that Christian is THE face of TBS then, now and forever, and he is the reigning, defending, undisputed NEXT AEW World Champion!

The fans boo more but Christian adds one more thing. “Kansas City, before I leave, I just wanted to say… Go- HOOK!?” Hook SMASHES the door window with his arm that’s in the cast! It’s in that cast because of last week’s Con-Chair-to! Christian freaks out, runs away and goes to the bleachers, but Hook drags him back! Hook fires off on Christian in the skybox, and he dribbles Christian off the side of the cabinets! The fans fire up as Christian has no one to help him! REDRUM!! Christian flails while Hook drags Christian out into the crowd, and then goes to dump him over the balcony!! Christian flails and fights free!

Christian runs away but Hook keeps after him! Hook SLIDES Christian across the kitchen counter! And then does it again, right into a wall! Kip & Nick return to fight Hook, but Hook THROWS Kip into the table! And he KNEES Nick low! Christian has run for it but Hook pursues! Kip & Nick hurry after, will The Patriarchy regret getting on the bad side of the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Will Ospreay!

The Swiss Superman is leading this block after demolishing Ricochet and cheating Brody King. But while he’s on his third, The Aerial Assassin is on his second. Can Ospreay bring down Claudio and tie things up with him? Or will all the Death Riders be unstoppable?

The bell rings and both men run right in! SPANISH FLY from Ospreay!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio gets up and out but Ospreay builds speed! Ospreay handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL! Down goes Claudio and Kansas City is already thunderous! Ospreay high-fives a fan and puts Claudio back in. Springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! The fans sing for “Ospreay~ Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~!” and he calls his shot! Ospreay springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Claudio drags Ospreay by his legs, but Ospreay flips and twists for a victory roll! TWO, and Claudio kicks low! Gotch lift, but Ospreay backdrops free!

Claudio lands on his feet, UPPERCUTS, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! A standing count begins, the fans rally for Ospreay, and both men rise at 5 of 10. Ospreay fires a forearm, Claudio give sit back, and they go back and forth. Ospreay rises with a shout and the fans fire up! Ospreay fires another forearm, but Claudio wrenches to hit an ELBOW BREAKER! Ospreay still ROCKS Claudio, the forearms go back and forth, and Ospreay fires a flurry! Claudio hits another ELBOW BREAKER! And another! But Ospreay fires more shots! Ospreay whips, Claudio reverses and WRINGS Ospreay into buckles!

The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, and Claudio goes out after him. Claudio CLUBS Ospreay, and then pulls the steel steps from the corner. Claudio goes to Ospreay but Ospreay CHOPS, and CHOPS! But Claudio hits another ELBOW BREAKER! Claudio whips Ospreay at the steps, but Ospreay leaps up, onto and then off the steps! Ospreay quickly turns back around and he DROPKICKS the steps into Claudio! Claudio hobbles away and the fans fire up with Ospreay. Ospreay runs up the steps to leap, but into Claudio’s arms! FLAPJACK off the railing! Claudio refreshes the count, then shakes out his leg before going for Ospreay.

Claudio UPPERCUTS Ospreay down, then has the legs! Claudio swings Ospreay into the steps! The fans lose their minds while Ospreay writhes! Claudio then tips the steps over to be on their side. Claudio again refreshes the count because he wants to keep putting the hurt on Ospreay. Claudio puts Ospreay inside the steps, and he pulls Ospreay’s arm through a gap in the frame! Claudio pulls Ospreay into that frame, then climbs up to trap Ospreay’s arm on top of the steps! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but Claudio STOMPS Ospreay’s hand! Ospreay flops out of the steps, and Claudio pushes them over! Ospreay narrowly avoids being crushed!

Ospreay goes into the ring, Claudio pursues, but Ospreay CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Claudio TOSSES Ospreay out but Ospreay ROCKS Claudio from the apron! Ospreay springboards, but into another UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Claudio isn’t even annoyed as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Claudio grabs Ospreay’s legs, steps through, and he turns Ospreay over for the SHARPSHOOTER! Ospreay endures but Claudio sits deep on that hold! Ospreay reaches out with his good arm, pushes up as best as he can with the bad one, and he crawls forward, only for Claudio to drag him back! Claudio sits deep again, but Ospreay still endures! Ospreay pushes back up, fights forward, but Claudio reaches back to get the arm! CROSSFACE! And he rolls Ospreay away from the ropes, too! Ospreay endures all over again, but he has Claudio’s wrists in his face, blinding him to where ropes are! Ospreay fights, even as Claudio pulls him back!

Ospreay endures, Claudio pulls him back again, but Ospreay uses that o cover! TWO, and Claudio now shifts to the legs! Ospreay CLUBS away on Claudio’s legs, but Claudio still turns over, back into the SHARPSHOOTER! Ospreay endures this painful technical innovation as Claudio again sits deep on the legs and back! Ospreay fights, the fans rally, but Claudio does not let Ospreay gain an inch! Ospreay powers up to turn and tuck, and he slips under as Dynamite returns to single picture! Ospreay fires fists from below, Claudio knuckle locks, but Ospreay lifts Claudio! Claudio leans back but Ospreay uses that to spring up, springboard, and FLYING RANA!

The fans are thunderous and Ospreay gets moving! Handspring, NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down and Kansas City fires up again! Ospreay runs up to BOOT Claudio in a corner! And then he reels Claudio in, but Claudio fights the suplex! ELBOW BREAKER! The fans sing for Ospreay again but Claudio reels Ospreay in. But it’s Ospreay who suplexes up and over! The fans fire up and Ospreay sets up, STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, TWO! Claudio stays in this and Ospreay grits his teeth as the fans fire up. Ospreay then takes off the elbow pad, gives a wink, and he aims from a corner. HIDDEN- BOOT from Claudio!

Claudio has the straitjacket, RICOLA- NO, Ospreay slips free, and he wraps Claudio up in the IRON OCTOPUS! Claudio endures, fights around, and goes to the ROPEBREAK! Ospreay lets go, but Claudio ELBOWS him! And he WRINGS the arm! Claudio runs to DOUBLE STOMP Ospreay! Claudio then deadlifts Ospreay into the GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives, “This is Awesome!” Claudio is a bit frustrated now but he watches Ospreay go to a corner. Claudio runs corner to corner, but Ospreay BOOTS him! Ospreay goes up but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio then climbs up, and goes to the very top!

Ospreay fires body shots, and he HEADBUTTS Claudio down! The fans fire up while Ospreay wobbles, and Ospreay resets up top! LEAP OF- NO, Claudio moves, Ospreay lands out, UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio is firmly frustrated now as Ospreay survives. Claudio scuffs Ospreay but the fans boo. Claudio kicks Ospreay but Ospreay gets mad! Ospreay sits up, Claudio kicks the bad arm, and Claudio eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay stands to fire a forearm! Claudio hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Ospreay fires a forearm! ELBOW BREAKER! Forearm! UPPERCUT! ELBOW! UPPERCUT! ELBOW! ELBOW BREAKER!

Claudio fires a flurry of UPPERCUTS, then runs, but Ospreay dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER!! But Ospreay can’t cover from the pain in the bad arm! Claudio rolls out to the apron, but so does Ospreay. Ospreay drags Claudio up, puts him back in, and he aims from a corner! HIDDEN- POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and Claudio is furious! Claudio drags Ospreay up, runs, and LARIATS him inside-out!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives so Claudio hurries to Gotch lift! But Ospreay trips him, jackknife bridge! OSPREAY WINS!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Claudio earns 0)

Even Claudio is shocked! Ospreay serves him his first L this year, but Claudio is a sore loser! He CLOBBERS Ospreay, and hits the NEUTRALIZER!! Claudio storms off, but he comes back with a chair! WAIT! Here comes Darby Allin! And he has the baseball bat! Claudio runs away, he doesn’t want this one! The Relentless One makes sure Ospreay stays safe, because next week, Dynamite’s Holiday Bash, we get Will Ospreay VS Darby Allin! With Ospreay at 6 points and Darby at 3, will the dynamic of this Gold League change rather quickly for the holidays? Or will Ospreay make sure he’s headed for Worlds End?

Backstage interview with Ricochet.

Renee Paquette is with The One & Only, and she says he is 1-1 in the Continental Classic right now. He had an incredible win over Komander last week on Rampage, but tonight is about Brody King, who is also 1-1 right now. How is Ricochet preparing for a man like Brody? Well, see, this is why Ricochet came to AEW. This scenario is why! It’s the level of competition. And nothing brings that out quite like the Continental Classic. So tonight, ya boi Ricochet drew Brody King, and we’re seeing this for the first time anywhere! Brody’s big, bad and scary, perhaps one of the toughest guys in this entire tournament.

But do you know one thing Brody is not? He’s not Ricochet. And while both men are 1-1, after tonight… Ricochet glances at MVP’s business card…!? Ricochet says tonight, he’s holding all the cards! Ricochet heads out, but will he make the C2 #OuttaThisWorld?

A car pulls up backstage.

And reaching out is a hand adorned with the Dynamite Diamond Ring on the pinkie. It’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman! MJF is in KC, surely to watch the match between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. Will the Wolf of Wrestling have an effect on that match’s outcome?

Backstage interview with Matt Cardona.

Renee is now with “The Complete” Cardona, and brings up the incredible reaction he got when he arrived in AEW/ROH last week. Cardona says he’s #AlwayZReady, but given what we saw on Rampage last Friday, does he feel ready for Chris Jericho? Cardona says it is great to be back in AEW, and everyone was shocked about it. But who wasn’t shocked? Cardona himself. He’s been saying it for years, he is always ready, it even says so on his T-shirts. But for the past five YEARS, he has busted his ass to reinvent himself, going from “Indy Guy” to “Deathmatch King,” and at Final Battle, December 20th, the biggest opportunity of his career is against Chris Jericho.

On Rampage, Jericho and Bryan Keith laid him out, sent him a message, and he’s glad they did. Now he knows what he is in store for in New York City, but he isn’t gonna wait! Cardona calls out Keith for a match this Friday on Rampage! Cardona is always ready, but is Keith? As for Jericho, he better watch so he can get a taste of what’s in store for Final Battle! Will Cardona take a bite out of the Bad Apple before returning home to the Big Apple?

Dynamite Diamond Ring #1 Contender’s Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly!

It has been quite the tangled web of a roller coaster ride when it comes to the Ballad of the Brochachos. But after MJF relapsed into being the Scum of the Earth, the Panama City Playboy couldn’t keep himself from pursuing MJF. However, from the perspective of The Violent Artist, that same pursuit is what got Roderick Strong hurt. Will Kyle stop Cole from reaching MJF for his own good? Or will Cole have to be the one that hurts a friend to finally have vindication?

Before Kyle steps through gorilla, Renee is there to ask him about this match. These two are good friends with so much history between them, how has Kyle prepared himself for tonight? But before Kyle can answer, The Kingdom’s Matt Taven & Mike Bennett walk over. Taven tells Kyle that they don’t have to do this. Didn’t Kyle himself say a couple weeks ago that MJF is just playing them all? They’re all looking like idiots fighting each other when “that Melvin” isn’t even here! Bennett tells Taven to relax, and says the match is happening. Bennett knows Kyle is gonna go out there and fight, but he hopes Kyle remembers, they’re all family in the end.

Kyle says yeah, they are. But Kyle adds that they all should’ve thought about that before letting one of their brothers get hurt. Kyle gives a shrug before heading out, will Kyle take out his frustrations on Cole?

Cole steps forward and offers a handshake. Kyle slaps the hand, hard to say if that was respectfully or disrespectfully. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Cole wrenches an arm, then wristlocks. Kyle spins, drop toeholds, and he floats to a facelock. Kyle then floats to a waistlock but Cole fights up. Cole switches, the fans duel, and Kyle wrenches out to wristlock. Cole goes to the ROPEBREAK, and Kyle lets off cleanly. They circle again and tie up. Kyle headlocks and grinds Cole down, but Cole fights up. Cole powers up and out, but Kyle runs him over! Cover, ONE, and Cole sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE!

Kyle narrowly avoids the superkick and bails out of the ring. Cole lets Kyle have his time while the ring count climbs. Kyle goes up the steps and into the ring, and the two reset. The fans rally as the two tie up, and Cole headlocks. Kyle endures the grind to power up and out. Cole sunset flips but Kyle stays, to then drop into the ARMBAR! Cole clasps hands and hurries to stack Kyle! Cole steps through but Kyle turns leglock into cradle! TWO, and Cole narrowly avoids a roundhouse! Cole bails out and Kyle gives him time. But then he goes to the apron! Cole avoids the flying knee, but Kyle blocks the superkick!

Kyle fires a strike fest, then SWEEPS the legs! Cole falls hard and the fans fire up while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Kyle paces around, brings Cole up, and he puts Cole back in the ring. Kyle storms back into the ring, and he storms up to Cole to KICK him down! Cole goes to ropes, and Kyle KICKS a leg out! Cole crawls to a corner, then along ropes, but Kyle goes right after him. Kyle clinches to KNEE and whip, then he kitchen sink knees into a COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Cole endures, and then Cole powers up to hip toss free! Both men go to ropes, and Cole storms up to fire forearms! Kyle shoots in and trips Cole, then he floats for some ground ‘n’ pound! Cole guards as best he can but Kyle lets off to pace around.

Kyle drags Cole up to wrench an arm, and he hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle still holds onto that arm, and he wrenches for another ELBOW BREAKER! And then another wrench, a snapmare, and Kyle ties Cole up in a Figure Four seated COBRA TWIST! Cole endures being turned into a pretzel, but Kyle let shim up to wrench and kick! Kyle wrenches again as Dynamite returns to single picture, and Cole fires off forearm after forearm! Kyle fires another strike fest and Cole hobbles to a corner. Kyle runs up to forearm SMASH! Kyle runs side to side into a SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up!

Cole drags himself up as the fans rally, and Cole then goes up the corner. Cole leaps, but Kyle KNEES him first! Kyle then reels Cole in, but Cole suplexes for the GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives and Cole is shocked! Cole rises, waits on Kyle, and Kyle stands into a 52 FAKE OUT! Then a fireman’s carry, but Kyle slips free! Kyle suckers Cole in, steps up and over, and kitchen sink knees hard! Cole bails out, Kyle goes to the apron, FLYING KNEE! The fans fire up as Kyle puts Cole back in, and then Kyle climbs! KING KONG- NO, Cole moves and the knee hits mat! But then Kyle ducks The Boom!

Cole returns, 52 FAKE- NO, Kyle SOBATS through! AX AND SMASH!! But THE BOOM returns!! Both men are down as Cole can’t make the cover! The fans rally up while a standing count begins! Kyle and Cole go to ropes on opposite ends, and they drag themselves up. They both run up and they both BOOT! And BOOT! Cole avoids a sweep to SUPERKICK! But Kyle yoyos in the ropes to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kyle suplexes, FALCON ARROW into the ARMBAR! Cole fights that so Kyle grabs a leg! ANKLE LOCK, then GRAPEVINE!! Cole fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans are torn but Kyle lets go of Cole’s foot.

Cole crawls and Kyle hobbles, but the fans rally up again. Kyle hoists Cole up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. Kyle has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Cole fights but Kyle fires back! They brawl up top and the fans fire up! Cole HEADBUTTS again and again! And then AGAIN! Kyle falls back, Cole adjusts, and Cole leaps for the PANAMA SUNRISE!! Kyle flounders, Cole brings down the kneepad, but Kyle grabs the other leg!! ANKLE LOCK!! Cole flails, reaches out, but Kyle drags him back! Cole still fights, still claws at the mat, then Cole rolls! Kyle is sent outside, but Cole hurries to the ropes. Kyle trips Cole to drag him out!

Kyle reels Cole in to suplex, but Cole knees free! SUPERKICK! Cole drags Kyle back up, puts him in, and Kyle is punch drunk! Kyle staggers then falls, and the ref checks on him. Cole wants Kyle to get up, but wait! MJF SNEAKS OUT HERE! Cole sees MJF, dodges and SUPERKICKS him!! But Kyle rolls Cole up!! TWO!! Cole escapes to SUPER- NO, Kyle blocks to have the ANKLE LOCK!! Cole rolls to a cradle! COLE WINS!!!

Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall (advances to Worlds End)

The Wolf of Wrestling tried to weasel out of a match with Cole, and now he runs away like the coward he really is! But will Cole soon shine with that Dynamite Diamond Ring as the ultimate revenge on MJF? As for Kyle, Taven & Bennett have also joined them out here, and Cole wants that handshake. Kyle sighs, and bails out. Is Kyle letting this grudge against MJF ruin his friendship with Cole? Or is there something more to this frustration?

FTR speaks.

The Top Guys are backstage again, and Cash Wheeler says, “So as we were saying last week before we had to go stop an attempted murder… Asheville, North Carolina, January 1st, Fight for the Fallen, one of the most important shows, one of the most meaningful shows, that we’ll ever be a part of. Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, it hit the western North Carolina area, it washed away cities, it washed away towns, it washed away communities. And now, with the help of you, with the help of AEW, with the help of Fight for the Fallen, we get to help build Asheville up from the ground up. Because nothing is gonna stop North Carolina, come hell or high water.”

Dax Harwood adds that January 1st might be the biggest night in AEW TV history. Because for the first time ever, Dynamite will be simulcast from TBS and streamed on HBO Max. For the first time ever, AEW comes to Asheville, NC, and for the first time in five YEARS, FTR is bringing pro-wrestling back to their city. So a big event needs a big match. And what FTR suggests is that FTR shows up that night and has that big match. But before we get there, there was a miscommunication last week with The Death Riders. Dax & Cash don’t have a problem with them.

But if they’ve got a problem with FTR, then this Saturday night, on Collision, FTR will be in that ring. Moxley, Claudio, Yuta, Pac, show up, have a conversation with them. See you there. #TopGuysOut. But will Dax & Cash even make it home to Asheville if they start picking a fight with the Death Riders?

Chris Jericho speaks.

With Bryan Keith behind him, The Learning Tree says, “Hi, guys~! It’s Chris Jericho, The King of New York here, and this is a New York Minute. Earlier today, I was on the Staten Island ferry, going from Washington Heights to the meat packing district, and I heard about Matt Cardona’s challenge to Bryan Keith. Matt, apparently you’re not happy that we left you laying like a discarded Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure, also from New York, last week on Rampage, and you wanna challenge Bryan Keith!? Huh?! You wanna try and send a message to the King of the Big Apple by taking a bite outta the Bad Apple?”

Keith says he’ll take a bit outta Cardona, “dumbass!” Jericho says that makes it official. Cardona VS Keith on Rampage, with Jericho on commentary. But wait! There’s more. Tomorrow night on ROH, available on WatchROH.com, you can see Jericho and Cardona have their contract signing to make their title match at Final Battle official. See? Cardona’s getting everything he ever wanted. But be careful what you wish for. As Mayor Bloomberg once said, “New York City is where potential is realized, and where dreams are made.” But there’s a big difference between dreams and delusions.

But Cardona’s delusional if he thinks he’ll walk out of the Hammerstein Ballroom and Final Battle the NEW ROH World Champion! AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN! You are NOT ready for Jericho, NOT ready for The Nueve, and NOT ready for Bryan Keith. Keith says Cardona made a mistake. He put his crumby hands on the King of New York, so Keith’s gonna make him pay the damn price. That’s a Learning Tree lesson for you, Cardona. Jericho signs off, this has been a New York Minute. Thanks, guys~!

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

Winter is Coming, but only after coverage of the NBA on TNT wraps. That means an EARLY start time for the West Coast, so you better be ready! With that said, there will be MORE Continental Classic action as Blue League leader, Kyle Fletcher, goes up against Mark Briscoe. Can the Sussex County Chicken bring down The Protostar? Or will the Aussie Arrow hit the mark and be an unstoppable 4-0? Plus, Kazuchika Okada is back in action as he takes on The Beast Mortos! Will the Rainmaker make up for some lost ground? Or will the menacing minotaur drag him down into the dungeon?

Sit-down interview with Darby Allin.

Tony Schiavone met with the Relentless One before the show began, and brings up how he hasn’t really spoken to anyone since Full Gear’s ending and that wild car crash into the Death Riders’ truck. Does Darby feel his efforts to topple Jon Moxley failed? And if so, is his quest over? Darby says the quest is never over. When Darby thinks about Moxley, The Death Riders, and everything they’re doing to this place, they are slowly chipping away at what makes AEW great. Darby saw them put Bryan Danielson’s neck in a chair and essentially end his career. And thinking back to that, Darby thinks to how Bryan was the backbone of this place.

And Darby gets why the younger guys don’t wanna get involved. For many, this is the first time they’ve made a real living off of pro-wrestling. But the problem is, if they don’t do anything about this, it’ll just keep happening. People think Darby is reckless, impulsive… Darby punches himself and immediately draws blood! Darby says this does not bother him. Blood, pain, violence, that doesn’t bother him. What bothers him is if no one does anything about it. Schiavone understands, and says all of this is going on during the Continental Classic, the most important time of year for AEW.

Darby says that when he thinks on the C2, it is “everything that’s right” with AEW. People going out there, putting it all on the line for the love of the game, and for the love of AEW. Darby needs to win this tournament because it represents AEW. It represents the passion of AEW. And Darby isn’t stupid, he knows there’ll be collateral damage along the way. But Moxley thinks everything is so wrong in AEW and that it needs to be saved. But Moxley failed to remember that this is the company that gave his career a second shot. This is the company that let Sting go out on his own terms. This is the company that took a chance on Darby.

So Moxley keeps telling himself all these lies again and again and again. “But nothing fools you better than the lies you tell yourself, Jon.” Darby has called out The Maniac, but will he be able to focus on Will Ospreay and their Continental Classic Holiday Bash?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Ricochet!

Speaking of kings, The King of Death and the King of Flight are about to collide in a critical match for both men! They’re both 1-1 with 3 points, and only one can keep pace with Will Ospreay. Will Brody keep Ricochet grounded? Or will the C2 be #OuttaThisWorld?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Ricochet circle while fans bark. The two tie up, Brody SLAMS Ricochet down, and Ricochet backs right up to a corner. Brody waits on Ricochet and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Brody TOSSES Ricochet to a corner! Ricochet comes right back to CHOP! Brody just grins. Ricochet ducks a chop to KICK and fire body shots, but Brody TOSSES him to another corner! Brody runs up, Ricochet goes up and over, and Ricochet CHOPS! Brody just stares Ricochet down. Ricochet runs, ducks ‘n’ rolls to roll back, and he RANAS Brody to a corner!

Ricochet runs up, Brody puts him on the apron, but Ricochet RAMS him! And GAMANGIRIS! Ricochet climbs, leaps, but he bounces off of Brody! The fans bark and Brody SHOVES Ricochet up and out to the floor! The fans bark more while Brody storms out to fetch Ricochet. Ricochet CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS back! Ricochet definitely felt that! But then Brody CHOPS again! Brody peels off the protective padding on the railing, brings Ricochet over, but Ricochet jumps up and off the railing! SUPERKICK! Brody wobbles, Ricochet goes to the apron, and Ricochet leaps, only for Brody to stop the rana!

Brody brings Ricochet up to APRON POWERBOMB! Ricochet writhes, but Brody hauls him up to whip hard into railing! Ricochet falls but Brody stands him up to CHOP! Ricochet takes a seat, he wants Brody to leave him be, but Brody runs up to CROSSBODY against railing! Ricochet falls in a heap and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Brody looms over Ricochet, but leaves him behind to refresh the ring count. Brody then hauls Ricochet up and into the ring, stalks him to a corner, then CHOPS! Ricochet sputters while he slumps down to the mat. Brody stands on Ricochet’s neck! The ref counts, Broody steps off, and Brody grabs at Ricochet. Ricochet shoves Brody back but Brody ROCKS him! Ricochet flounders along the ropes, Brody CLUBS him down, and then he digs his boots in at the corner! The ref counts, Brody steps off, and Ricochet sputters some more. Brody comes back, stomps a mudhole into Ricochet, then grabs the legs.

Brody YANKS Ricochet up for him to fall hard on the mat! Ricochet sits up but Brody clamps on with a neck wrench! Brody grinds his elbow into Ricochet’s head, then drags him up. Brody whips Ricochet hard into the corner! Ricochet falls back and Brody looms over him again. Brody drags Ricochet up and CHOPS him back to the corner! Brody then brings Ricochet up to suplex high and hard! And then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives the onslaught but Brody stays on him. Brody ROCKS Ricochet and Ricochet staggers on noodle legs. Brody brings Ricochet up to ROCK him again!

Ricochet stumbles about, Dynamite returns to single picture, and the fans bark again. Brody CHOPS Ricochet, eggs him on, so Ricochet musters up what he can. Ricochet fires forearm after forearm but Brody shoves him! Ricochet ducks and handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Brody covers, TWO! Ricochet is still in this but Brody looms over him again. Brody drags Ricochet up, CHOPS Ricochet back down, and he eggs on the King of Flight. Brody stands Ricochet up, so Ricochet fires forearm sand CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Brody runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS!

Ricochet spins to PELE!, and Brody wobbles! The fans fire up, Ricochet baits Brody in and DUMPS him out! Brody lands on the apron, Ricochet triangle jumps to ENZIGIRI Brody down! Ricochet then builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP! Down goes Brody and the fans are torn. Ricochet drags Brody up and into the ring, then aims from the apron. Springboard 450 SPLASH! Cover, ONE?!? Brody shocks Ricochet with that toughness! Ricochet hurries to BOOT, but Brody just growls! Ricochet BOOTS again but Brody eggs him on! Ricochet KICKS, Brody just snarls! Ricochet runs up but Brody SWATS the kick! And he spins to LARIAT Ricochet! Cover, TWO!!

Brody is annoyed with Ricochet but he drags Ricochet up. Brody reels Ricochet in, hauls him up, but Ricochet fights free to sunset flip! TWO!! Brody escapes and runs back up, only for Ricochet to V-TRIGGER! Ricochet drops back to a corner, Brody runs up again, but into another V-TRIGGER! Ricochet tries to fireman’s carry!? Brody’s too much for that, and he CLUBS Ricochet! And then CHOPS him! Ricochet goes back to a corner for Brody to SPLASH! Ricochet sits down and the fans bark it up! CANNONBALL! Brody drags Ricochet out to cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Brody is more exasperated than frustrated.

Brody stalks Ricochet, hoists him up top, and he CHOPS! Brody climbs up, Ricochet fires body shots, and Ricochet CLUBS away! Ricochet adjusts, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Ricochet hurries back up top, for the SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! But then Brody reaches to grab Ricochet by his neck!! Brody rises like a zombie, but Ricochet CLUBS away on Brody’s arm! Brody spins Ricochet into the SLEEPER! Ricocher grabs the ropes! Th eref counts, Brody holds on until 4. Brody has the SLEEPER again, but Ricochet clibms the corner! Ricochet goes up and out to HOTSHOT Brody! Then he ROUNDHOUSES!

Brody wobbles, Ricochet slingshots, but into a DOUBLE CHOP!! Brody has Ricochet on the apron, drags him up and clinches, to then YANK him right up to the top! Brody climbs now, but Ricochet still fights back! DDT on the top buckle! Brody wobbles, Ricochet shrugs, and he KICKS the legs out! Brody hits buckles on the way down! Kansas City boos but Ricochet says BANG! SPIRIT GUN!! But Ricochet knows that’s not enough! Brody rises, Ricochet runs, SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Brody earns 0)

Ricochet overcomes the biggest and meanest obstacle in his way, and now he is tied with Will Ospreay and Claudio Castagnoli! But given Ricochet lost to Claudio in the opening round, how much harder will he have to fight to become a finalist?

Private Party speaks.

Marq Quen says, “Good evening, everybody. We are your AEW Tag Team Champions, Private Partaaay~! And welcome to The Vault.” Isiah Kassidy says, “What happens in The Vault stays in The Vault.” Winter is Coming, and you know what that means! Santa is coming to town! But in step Lio Rush & Action Andretti, and they say this is rather interesting. What do Quen & Zay say to letting them have a taste of some of that? Oh, okay, Zay’s got ’em! All he had to do was ask. No, Action wasn’t talking about the shots. Lio says they want the gold on the table. That’s what they want this year from Santa Claus.

Well, Zay will tell ’em what HE wants from Santa. This year, a nice, thick, juicy a- And here comes Leila Grey & Top Flight! Leila wants to have a little chat after last week. Zay notes Santa came early this year. Darius & Dante ignore that to have that chat. Darius, remind Dante again, how many tag team matches have Action & Lio won to actually earn a tag title shot? Darius is pretty sure it was ZERO. Dante takes a sip of the good stuff while Private Party says, “Ooh~!” Lio asks Action to remind him who got eliminated from the battle royal. Action says let’s think. Oh, it was Darius & Dante! OOH~! The two sides argue, and Private Party has them both stop.

Zay says he has a perfect solution! Y’all can just face each other at Collision: Winter is Coming, and the winners can face the champs for the titles. That is good for them all. Lio offers a handshake and says, “No hard feelings, right?” Darius takes the handshake, pulls Lio in close, but pats him on the back. Leila leaves with the Martin brothers, and Zay says, “Thank you, Santa.” But then with the table set for Top Flight VS Bad Child & Sight to See, who will get their shot at Private Party?

Backstage interview with both Anna Jay and Mercedes Mone.

Renee welcomes both The Queenslayer and The CEO one week ahead of their AEW TBS Championship at Holiday Bash. Mone says, “Kansas Citaaaay~! Missouri or Kansas, Renee? Y’know what? It doesn’t matter! Just say hello to your C E O.” Renee thanks them both for being here, and for agreeing to no physicality. Mercedes has now defended the TBS title ten times, and today marks Day 200 as champion. But before getting into that match, Renee wants to talk Sunday, December 15th. In Long Beach California, it will be NJPW Strong Style Evolved, where Mone defends the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Hazuki.

Mone says Renee is doing so good today, she is so proud. But she’s also really proud of Anna. Anna has been doing so well. Mone loves how gutsy Anna is, and how she went to Japan to train. Mone went to Japan, too. And Mone loves that Anna believes in herself, it is so cute. But Mone says Anna is only 26 and just getting started. By the time Mone was 26, she was a FIVE-TIME CHAMPION. And now she’s the greatest TBS Champion of all time. So next week on Dynamite, Mercedes shows Jay there is a price to pay when you mess with Mone. Anna tells her hold on, Mone is not going anywhere.

They may have agreed to no physicality, but they also agreed to a face-to-face. Mone is going to stay and listen to Anna. Mone is a living legend, and Anna does admire what Mone does in the ring. And Anna is aware she’s going into this the underdog. But that’s fine. Anna has been underestimated her whole life, her whole career, and she keeps proving people wrong. So go ahead, underestimate her, too. Because when Mone makes the first mistake, Anna will capitalize on it, because all she needs is 1-2-3 to shock the world and become the NEW TBS Champion. Anna leaves, Mone says we’ll see about that.

Confident as she is, the walls are closing in. Will Mone make it through the holidays with both belts still in her possession? Or will Christmas be cold when you don’t have any gold?

AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Mina Shirakawa!

They met in Japan’s World Wonder Ring Stardom and not only became tag team partners, but became best friends. But in the world of wrestling, we all know friendship can only last so long when both friends want to be the best in the world. The Glamour betrayed the Fighting Gravure Idol out of paranoia, but claims to still love her. Will this newest chapter in Mariah’s twisted story have a “happy ending” for her? Or will Mina make May pay?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who ends the night on top!

The bell rings and the two run up on each other! They start throwing hands and the fans fire up! Mina HAMMERS away on Mariah, but Mariah shoves her back! Mariah SLAPS Mina! Mariah talks trash, too, but Mina SLAPS back! The fans fire up as Mina SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires more shots! Mariah cowers in the ropes but Mina keeps after her with hammer fists! The ref counts, Mina lets off, but then she SOBATS! Mina whips, dropkicks Mariah’s legs, then grabs a leg to kick away on it! The fans cheer Mina as she kicks and stomps Mariah around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! The fans cheer and Mina drags Mariah around.

Mina steps through to have a FIGURE FOUR! Mariah hurries and rolls under the ropes, but Mina holds on! Then they fall to the floor! But Mina still holds on! Mina kicks at Mariah while letting off the hold, and the fans fire up while the ref checks Mariah. Mariah clutches her leg but she is still in this. Mina drags Mariah up while the fans rally, only for Mariah to wrench and whip Mina into the steel steps! Mariah brings Mina up to whip hard into railing! The fans boo, and we see Thunder Rosa in the front row! She holds up a sign that reads, “Mariah May??? You May Not!!!” Rosa herself says, “YOU SUCK! You’re not my champion!”

Mariah is mad, and she runs up to SHOTGUN Mina! Mariah stomps away on Mina, but the ref counts. The ref has to pull Mariah back at 4, and Mariah goes to the ring. Mina crawls and Mariah mocks the shimmy and shake. The fans boo but Mariah slaps her knee, both because she thinks she’s funny and to get it working again. Mariah then goes to the apron, takes aim, and as Mina rises, Mariah runs up! But Mina blocks the kick! Mina trips Mariah, brings her to the corner, and she SLAMS the leg against the post! The fans fire up and Mina ties those legs up! Mina stares Mariah down, and shouts “B*TCH!” before hitting the HANGING FIGURE FOUR!

The fans fire up while the ref counts, and Mina lets go at 4! Mariah screams in pain, but Mina shows no mercy as she SLAMS the leg into the post again! The fans fire up and Mina feeds off that energy while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Mina storms back over and stalks Mariah. Mina drags Mariah up to hook the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Mariah writhes but Mina kicks her around. Mariah goes to the ropes but Mina brings her back up. Mariah CLUBS Mina to stop the lift, and then she hits a SAIDO! Mariah grins while Mina flounders, The Glamour has her confidence back. Mariah then rains down fists on Mina! The ref reprimands about closed fists but Mariah lets off to hobble around. Mariah soaks up the heat from Kansas City, then mocks their crying. Mariah throws her armbands at Mina, stomps her around, but Mina throws them back!

Mariah kicks Mina, snapmares her, and she runs to SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Mina stays in this but Mariah storms around. Mariah soaks up more heat, then kicks Mina around. Mina goes to a corner, Mariah stands her up and she CHOPS! Mina staggers away to another corner, but Mariah is right on her at the ropes! Mariah CHOKES then stomps away, then CHOKES Mina again! The ref counts, Dynamite returns to single picture, band Mariah drags Mina up. Mariah snapmares Mina, steps over, and throws down fists! Mariah gives Mina one last kiss, then runs, but Mina dodges! FLYING CHUCK!

The fans fire up and Rosa cheers Mina on as she stands Mariah up. Mariah breaks free but mina still ROCKS her first! Mariah hits back, so Mina hits her again! Mariah ROCKS Mina but Mina ROCKS Mariah! The shots keep going, the fans cheer Mina on, but Mariah gets the edge! Mariah grins, runs, but Mina ROLLING ELBOWS! Mina runs, but into a HEADBUTT! But Mina URAKENS! Both women fall and the fans are thunderous! Mina and Mariah crawl, Rosa gets the fans even more fired up for Mina, and Mina DROPKICKS the legs out! Mina wants the legs but Mariah kicks her away! Mariah rises, but Mina wrenches and SAIDOS!

The fans fire up and Mina hurries to cover, TWO! Mina goes right to a corner and right up, only for Mariah to hit some STRATUSFACTION! Mariah then runs up, but Mina avoids the knee! URAKEN! Mariah stays up this time, takes a swing, but Mina catches her and spins her, dragon sleeper and REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up and Mina covers, TWO! Mariah survives but Mina just hauls her up! Mina suplexes Mariah to the top rope, for a DRAPING DDT!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Mariah survives by her fingertips! Mina grabs the legs, Mariah holds tight to the rope, and then Mariah YANKS Mina into the ropes!

Mariah rises up, runs up to KNEE Mina down! Mariah keeps moving, Mina rises, into another KNEE!! Mariah hauls Mina into a fireman’s carry, for the MAYDAY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mina shocks Mariah and KC loves it! Mariah snarls but her former best friend would know how to survive Mariah’s best shot! Mariah drags Mina up, fireman’s carries again, but Mina hits a CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Mariah survives that sudden turnaround, but Mina hurries up top! Mariah stands, into a FLYING SLINGBLADE! Mina roars and the fans fire up with her! Mina drags Mariah up in the dragon sleeper!

Mina lifts, GLORIOUS DRIVER MINA!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Now Mariah shocks Mina for surviving her best shot! Mina tries again but Mariah HEADBUTTS! Mariah reels Mina in, STORM ZERO!!! Cover, MARIAH WINS!

Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall (still AEW Women’s World Champion)

It was a gritty battle, but it took the move of a different former friend to finish this! But even so, Mariah is still champion, or as Rosa’s second sign puts it, “You are NOT My Champ!!!” But wait! IS THAT TONI STORM!? And now Rosa has a sign that says “W T F?!” Because yeah, while this isn’t Timeless, this is STILL TONI STORM!! She’s gone back to her original identity, and everyone is going wild! Are we about to get one hell of a sequel to All In?

My Thoughts:

A great start to what is now Winter is Coming Week in AEW. And the only weak point for tonight might be the time constraints on the women’s match. It was great to make it the main event, and for what time they had, they made the most of it, but if you’re going to make it the main event, I feel like it needed more than 10 minutes. But at the same time, it seemed rather clear Mina was losing. Mina is already Rev-Pro Women’s Champion, she wasn’t going to become the other double champion in AEW. Plus, with Rosa wanting next AND Toni Storm returning, that’s big story stuff for Mariah. Also, it is incredibly clever for Toni Storm to return as rock ‘n’ roll Toni after “Timeless Toni” said she’d retire from wrestling. We all knew this was coming so great to see it happen.

Speaking of the double champion in AEW, good promo from Mone with Anna Jay, but as I said last week, Mone’s going to have two title defenses in one week. Either Mone has a great week by retaining both titles, or she could have a really bad week by losing both titles, it really depends on the plans for WrestleDynasty. I’m leaning towards Mone having a great week because I don’t think she’s going to lose at Strong Style Evolved, and I’m not so sure she loses on Holiday Bash. Mone is more likely to lose her TBS title at Worlds End, maybe even to Kamille once Kamille’s arm is all healed up. Also, I assume that was just a kayfabe injury to lead to the breakup we got.

And to my earlier point of time constraints, I feel like we got a few promos we didn’t really need, despite them still being good promos. For one, Bandido having his Hollywood Western fight scene. Again, really fun and very well made, and maybe it was to help some people learn/remember who Bandido is, but I thought last week’s “Most Wanted” was enough to let us know he’s on his way back. The other was Private Party with all of Top Flight. Given we had Top Flight arguing it out last week, we knew they were going to have a match, Dante & Darius VS Action & Lio. But that promo seems a bit redundant now with this one, setting up that same match, but now with actual stakes. AEW’s been a thing for five years and they still can’t iron out disjointed storytelling?

Though at the same time, they’re not good with pacing out stuff like this Jericho VS Cardona build. They obviously do it to get people to watch ROH Thursdays, and maybe the sooner they get that cable TV deal the better. If Rampage really is going away, they should just make ROH replace it, but keep it on Thursdays because I don’t need overlaps with SmackDown and how that is going to be three hours in 2025. But either way, good promos from both Cardona and Jericho, and we’ll get a very good contract signing segment and good tune-up match for Cardona on Rampage. Though again, what weird pacing since Rampage is being recorded right now yet ROH was more than likely last Saturday…

Really good stuff with this Death Riders story tonight. That was a great tag match to open, though rather long, especially with Hangman “ruining” it. If he was gonna do that, cut things down by 5 minutes because why would Hangman wait until the match was getting hot to go after Moxley? But to Moxley’s point right after with his ranting promo, the egos kept the other three guys from becoming a super team that the Death Riders would’ve certainly lost against. But hey, that Fatal 4 Way is gonna be awesome, and Christian Cage might get in on that. Though, great promo from him and great attack by Hook. I’m a little surprised we didn’t get a follow-up on that tonight.

Very good promo from Darby, though maybe another spot that could’ve been another night for sake of time. Darby still got his point across, and I think this was his best paced promo, no rushing through lines to get them out. Depending on how Worlds End goes, I feel like we could get a really good “Can they coexist?” 8 Man or even bigger, where Darby, White, Cassidy and Hangman work together to fight Moxley, Claudio, Yuta & Pac. They could even do a Stadium Stampede/Anarchy in the Arena (I forget if there’s any real difference other than what kind of venue they do it in), and that could even give us the return of Bryan Danielson for him to tip the scales in favor of “Team AEW.”

And of course, great stuff in the Continental Classic tonight, even though it was just two matches. Claudio VS Ospreay was awesome, and fitting that Ospreay would win to stay near the front. Darby watching Ospreay’s back was good, but also a reason Darby’s promo tonight could’ve waited for Collision. And Ricochet adds some intrigue by showing he still has MVP’s card. I almost thought The Hurt Syndicate would walk out there after he won, but maybe they’re waiting for Ricochet to take control of Gold League so that no matter what, the Syndicate has someone going to Worlds End. Plus, that’d be a big moment should Ricochet go to Worlds End, win the whole thing and become NEW Continental Champion with MVP, Lashley & Shelton backing him.

My Score: 8.8/10

Will NXT succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

The Iron Survivor Challenges have been won, and it is Giulia and Oba Femi aiming for the top of NXT! What will the current champions have to say about that?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Je’Von Evans VS Wes Lee; Je’Von wins.
• Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe; Hank ‘n’ Tank win.
• Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx w/ Fallon Henley; Jacy & Jazmyn win.
• NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ethan Page; Tony wins and retains the title.
• Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade VS Giulia & Kelani Jordan; Roxie & Cora win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Giulia is here!

The Beautiful Madness, the 2024 Miss Iron Survivor, returns to Orlando and the fans cheer her on. Giulia grabs the mic to say, “I am the IRON SURVIVOR!” The fans cheer more, and Giulia says that all means she will do what she came here to do. Roxanne Perez, New Year’s Evil in LA, the Beautiful Madness will become NXT Women’s Champion! But speaking of, Roxie interrupts! She congratulates Giulia and says she’s lucky for surviving Deadline. But in Roxie’s opinion. Sol Ruca was the MVP. And Wren Sinclair spent a lot of time in the penalty box, yet she still got a score. Zaria and Stephanie didn’t lose, they just ran out of time.

Roxie says Giulia won, but unfortunately, she’s just not on Roxie’s level. But Roxie will give it to them all. Those five proved why NXT has the best women’s division in ALL of wrestling. But like Roxie said, none of them are on her level! And none of that changes, even at New Year’s Evil. Because in case Giulia forgot, they’ve been here before. Roxie VS Giulia happened! And it was the same result then as it has this past year: Roxie holding her title over her head, reigning over her division. And at New Year’s Evil, new town, same result: Giulia falling short to The Prodigy. That is, if she makes it there.

Oh? Then how about they just do it right now? Giulia steps up, but here comes Cora Jade with a kendo stick. Cora agrees with Roxie, Giulia isn’t making it to New Year’s Evil. And Giulia may think her bestie, Stephanie, will come and save her, but she can’t, and she won’t. There is no question about who did it this time! Cora cues the tron and Vaquer is down in the back! Cora & Roxie grin as they surround Giulia, but Giulia DECKS Roxie! But then the kendo stick SMACKS Giulia in the side! The fans boo but wait! Here comes Kelani Jordan! The Standout slides in and TACKLES Cora! The fans fire up as Kelani dribbles Cora!

Cora & Roxie get away from Giulia & Kelani! Will Kelani make sure it’s Cora & Roxie who don’t make it to LA?

Other NXT superstars react to Ethan Page’s Deadline reaction.

All Ego said that after losing the Iron Survivor, he had no path back to the top. Tony D’Angelo & the family walk in and find Ethan himself. Ethan, c’mon, you’re killing the vibe of the room! So you lost, get over it! Get over it? Tony, Ethan doesn’t know how to get back into the NXT Championship picture. Sure, yeah, he blew it. Tony can’t even believe he’s saying this, but he has a soft spot for Ethan. How about an NXT North American Championship match? Ethan says he’s a former NXT Champion. When he was, he carried this brand on its back and turned it into NX-ME. So no offense, but Ethan’s above the North American title.

Wow, okay. Tony tries to be a nice guy, extend an olive branch, because he sees Ethan sulking in the corner. If he doesn’t want it, then he’ll open it up to the roster. Everyone else rushes over but Ethan says hold on, hold on! Ethan is reconsidering. No, no, Ethan, Tony gets it, he doesn’t want Ethan to be “stepping down” a level. It’s not, it’s not! If Ethan can’t beat the North American Champion, then his career… His career really is over. Oh, right, okay. NO, HE NEEDS THIS! Ethan calms down, and says he needs this. Well, that’s all he had to say! Tony will see Ethan out there.

The Don and his boys head out, the rest of the room is bummed. But will Ethan be able to take that title and revitalize his NXT career?

Lexis King talks with Charlie Dempsey.

The King speaks on his “soul searching” in Minneapolis, and he found he is a man of integrity, and that his wrestling has been top notch. So to cut to the point, Lexis wants one more shot at the Heritage Cup. Well of course he does. But Dempsey’s already given him a shot. So he’ll think on it. That’s all The King is asking for. Dempsey and King head out, and the No Quarter Catch Crew walks in. Dempsey tells Wren, Myles & Tavion that he is proud of them and that is an understatement. Myles & Tavion were this close to taking the NXT Tag Team Championships off the best team in this place.

And Wren showed the world she belongs at the top. Wren says he has no idea how much that means to her. But in steps OTM, and Bronco Nima says they told the NQCC they weren’t getting those belts. Price says they can’t hang with the big dogs. Wren says they were rally close! Jaida Parker says the only words that should be coming out of Wren’s mouth are, “Thank you, Miss Parker.” Because if Jaida hadn’t ducked that backhand during the Fatal 4, then Wren would never have fallen into the win. Oh, but then if Jaida hadn’t ducked, she would’ve gotten knocked out and lost. Jaida says she’ll knock Wren out here now!

NQCC and OTM argue as NXT is getting heated for the holidays. Will Jaida and her boys prove they’re worthy? Or will they get no quarter from the crew?

Je’Von Evans VS Wes Lee!

Two other men who lost in the Iron Survivor Challenge had their own disagreement about how to feel. The Young OG stayed positive, but the cutthroat Cardiac Kid is trying to bring him down. Will things stay bouncy~ in NXT? Or will Wes’s bitterness get to Je’Von?

The bell rings and Je’Von runs up on Wes! They fire hands fast and furious and the fans fire up! Je’Von gets the edge, and he fires shots over and over at the ropes! The ref counts, Je’Von lets off, but then Wes turns thing around to fire hands in return! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Wes argues with the ref. Je’Von TOSSES Wes out, builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Wes and the fans fire up! Je’Von rains down more fists while fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” Wes pushes free but Je’Von ROCKS him! Wes goes to the ring, Je’Von pursues, but Wes hits low! Wes dumps Je’Von in, then jumps up, but Je’Von avoids the stomp!

Je’Von ROCKS Wes again, springboards, but into a DROPKICK! Wes takes Je’Von outta the air and fans boo, but Wes hurries to cover, ONE, and Wes is annoyed. Wes stalks Je’Von to a corner and he fires hands! Je’Von goes to another corner, Wes storms up, but Je’Von fires a shot! Wes RAMS into Je’Von! And RAMS him again! The ref counts, Wes lets off, but Wes ELBOWS Je’Von! Je’Von DUMPS Wes out of the ring! Je’Von then aims, but Wes trips him up! Wes drags Je’Von out to throw him hard into barriers! Wes soaks up the heat and then THROWS Je’Von into barriers! The fans boo but Wes drags Je’Von up again.

Wes puts Je’Von in, but Je’Von ROCKS Wes again! Then PLANCHAS! Down goes Wes and the fans fire up! Je’Von stands Wes up to THROW him into barriers! The fans fire up, Je’Von puts Wes in the ring, and then Je’Von uses the ropes to BOUNCY RANA! The fans fire up again as Je’Von DROPKICKS Wes out! Wes staggers up, Je’Von builds speed, but Wes runs in to dropkick the legs out! Je’Von tumbles, Wes FLIES! Direct hit and Wes even lands on his feet! The fans boo but Wes soaks it all up as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Wes fights Je’Von up top! Wes ROCKS Je’Von, Je’Von steps back, and Wes FLYING 450, but Je’Von gets clear! Je’Von then SUPERKICKS Wes down! The fans are thunderous and Je’Von rises back up. Je’Von storms up on Wes to ROCK him, then he bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire more shots! Je’Von whips, LARIATS, and then LARIATS again! Je’Von whips, Wes reverses but Je’Von rebounds to NEURALIZER KICK! Je’Von then goes to the apron, springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Wes survives and Je’Von is stunned! The fans know “This is Awesome!” as Je’Von reels Wes in.

Wes fights the lift, backdrops Je’Von, but Je’Von sunset flips! Wes grabs the ref to stay up! Wes ROCKS Je’Von, then drops an elbow, only for Je’Von to dodge! JUMPING PUNCH! Wes ROCKS Je’Von in return! Je’Von ROLLING ELBOWS! Wes blocks the next shot to fire a strike fest! SUPERKICK! Je’Von rebounds to BOOT Wes! Wes slaps himself, fires up, but Je’Von ROUNDHOUSES! And then underhook for a TIGER- RANA from Wes!! Je’Von flounders and the fans rally up as Wes builds speed! But Je’Von is back! SPANISH FLY! Je’Von hurries to underhook, TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!

Wes survives and Je’Von is stunned. The fans are thunderous, Je’Von builds speed to go up ropes, but Wes trips him up! High stack, feet on the ropes! But the ref sees it in time!! The fans cheer but Wes is furious! Wes argues with the ref, but then Je’Von goes up and up and- NO, Wes gets under the leap! Wes tilt-o-whirls to DDT Je’Von! Wes builds speed, handsprings, CARDIAC KICK!! cover, TWO?!?! Je’Von survives and Wes is shocked! Fans are thunderous for “YOUNG OG! YOUNG OG!” but Wes snarls. Wes rises, runs in, but Je’Von SUPERKICKS again! Wes falls, Je’Von goes to the corner, but Wes anchors Je’Von.

Je’Von ROCKS Wes, then SUPERKICKS! Je’Von goes up and up and SKY TWISTERS! Cover, Je’Von wins!!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall

Another win over Wes and the Young OG is looking to leave Wes behind. Will Wes’s bitterness only grow stronger from here?

BREAKING NEWS!

Given the confrontation that happened earlier tonight, we are getting a BIG main event tag match! Cora & Roxie VS Kelani & Giulia! Will the mean girls of NXT pay for what they did?

Nathan Frazer & Axiom meet up backstage.

Frazer is still banged up, using some coffee to wake up. Axiom says Frazer was so close. He could’ve gotten just one more pin and become Iron Survivor. Frazer says look on the bright side: They still have the tag titles, don’t they? That they do. Frazer coughs a bit from sore ribs, but Axiom wants to apologize. Axiom was worried about Frazer competing twice in one night, but somehow, he did it. Frazer got his nose smashed to pieces, but it didn’t matter, he still walked out there with Axiom and defended the titles. Frazer admits, Axiom carried them. Frazer could barely breathe, but without Axiom, they wouldn’t be champions. Frazer owes him.

Axiom’s performance? No, Frazer was amazing! Frazer really deserves to be both tag champion and Iron Survivor. Yeah, well, Oba Femi kinda screwed that up. Man, he wasn’t even originally in that match! Wow, Axiom’s really mad at Oba, huh? Well of course! Axiom wanted Frazer to succeed. They’re tag team partners. Axiom would do anything for him. Frazer says no, he has to make this right. They each want to make up for something, and they both head out. Just what will each half of Fraxiom do in the wake of Deadline?

Josh Briggs speaks.

“This past summer, I fought in the Pro-Wrestling Noah N1 Victory tournament in Japan. The Japanese wrestling style is different. It’s tough, it’s gritty, it feels like it was made for me. And in the two months I was there, one wrestler impressed me. It was Inamura.” Inamura himself says his first impression was that Briggs fit Japanese Strong Style. He has a fighting spirit like WWE Hall of Famer, Stan Hansen. In the ring, when Brigs gets in the zone, he has that crazy side, which Inamura likes. These two clicked because they’re “grown ass men.” Inamura was raised in a different culture, so there isn’t the immaturity Briggs dealt with before.

Briggs & Inamura may have a language barrier in the way, but with this opportunity, Inamura knew he and Briggs could do damage in the NXT Tag Team Division. Briggs didn’t want to be back in a tag team, but he saw how Inamura trained. Ava Raine wants more out of this division, but there won’t be a division after Briggs & Inamura get through with it. Inamura loves competition, the fight, the struggle. He and “Josh-san” are ready to create chaos in NXT!

Sarah Schreiber is stationed outside NXT Medical.

She’s hoping for some updates on Stephanie Vaquer, and out walk Kelani & Giulia. Giulia rants in Japanese, clearly mad with Cora & Roxie. Kelani gets the gist and says what goes around comes around. Stephanie is banged up, but she’ll be okay. And honestly, Kelani is just sick and tired of Cora & Roxie walking around like they run NXT. Because let’s be real, Cora & Roxie couldn’t run a lemonade stand in a desert! And Cora thinks Kelani is the one that left Michigan State a few years ago? Newsflash: this Kelani would eat that Kelani alive, so what does Cora think is gonna happen to her?

Kelani will put her résumé up against Cora’s any day of the week. Now, time to get ready for their main event tag match. Kelani & Giulia head out, will they avenge Stephanie here tonight?

Zaria and Sol Ruca are watching from the locker room.

Sol says that Iron Survivor match was the most fun she’s had in a long time. Zaria says she’s never felt anything like that before. The heat of the battle made her feel alive. Sol kind of felt the opposite of that stuck in the penalty box watching the clock run out. Freakin’- SKIRRRR~! Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson pull up, and Lash says she could’ve told them both that neither one of them was winning that match. And newsflash, if the Meta Girls were in there, one of them would be the Iron Survivor. But Zaria, they heard about you. The mystique, the power. Zaria may have all these other girls shook, but Lash knows like Zaria knows, that she ain’t Lash Legend and that she can’t hang.

Sol says Lash may be bougie, but if she was in that match with Zaria, she’d learn that she can’t bully Zaria. Jakara asks why Sol is sticking up for someone who wanted to rip her head off 48 hours ago? EW~. It’s giving delusional. The Meta Girls head out, but will they be the ones getting their heads ripped off by the Aussie powerhouse?

Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe!

The Tag Team Battle Royal was wild, but while Walker & Ledger had a respectful handshake with Tyson, Tyriek wasn’t about that, and he cost Hank ‘n’ Tank in that match! Will settling this 2v2 be enough to make one of these teams the next #1 contenders?

NXT returns as Ty & Ty make their entrance. The teams sort out and Tank starts with Tyson. They tie up, Tank headlocks but Tyson powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, and then things keep moving! Tyson CLOBBERS Tank! The fans are torn but Tyson whips Tank. Tank reverses to reel Tyson in for a BIG atomic drop! Tyson hobbles, Tank goes up and up, Hank tags in before the CROSSBODY! Hank drops a leg, brother! Cover, ONE!! Hank clamps onto Tyson, whips him to a corner, but Tyson dodges the splash! Tag to Tyriek and they double whip Hank to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Tyriek drops a knee!

The fans rally, Tyriek stalks Hank to a corner and headlocks. Hank powers up and out but Tyriek reverses. Hank whips Tyriek on the return, but Tyrike hurdles then DROPKICKS! The fans rally and Tyriek goes corner to corner. Hank BOOTS Tyriek, puts him in the corner, and he fires body shots and a HAYMAKER! Hank goes side to side, Tank tags in before the SPLASH! Tank adds a RAM, then Hank SPLASHES for a BULLDOG! The fans fire up, “HONK! HONK!” BELLY SANDWICH! The fans fire up as Tyriek flounders. Tank storms up but Tyriek fires shots! Tank ROCKS Tyriek, whips, but Tyriek reverses and ELBOWS Tank down!

Tyriek bumps Tank off the buckles a few times, then he whips corner to corner hard! Tank sputters, Tyriek SPLASHES, then he wrenches for a BIG back suplex! Tag to Tyson and Tyson runs to BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Tank stays in this and Hank coaches him, but Tyson drags Tank up. Tyson CLUBS Tank, whips him to a corner, but Tank comes back, only for Tyson to CLOBBER him! Tyson kips up, the fans fire up, and Tyson tags Tyriek. They mug Tank but Tank fights back! Tyriek puts Tank in a corner but Tank ELBOWS back! Tank hurries for his corner, but Tyriek RAMS him into the other!

Tyson runs up to SPLASH! Tank falls, Tyriek covers, TWO! Tank is tougher than that but Tyriek clamps on a chinlock! Tank endures, fights up, but Tyriek whips him to a corner! Tyriek runs in to ELBOW, then he whips corner to corner. Hank takes the bump for Tank, and Tank LARIATS Tyriek! The fans fire up with the blue collar brawls, and Tank crawls his way over! Hot tags to Tyson and Hank! Hank CLOBBERS Tyson again and again, then POLISH HAMMERS him! The fans fire up as Hank whips Tyson to a corner, runs, but Tyson falls under the splash! Hank pulls up, whips Tyson corner to corner and SPLASHES!

Hank keeps going, he whips and LARIATS Tyson down! The fans fire up and Hank even goes out to CLOBBER Tyriek! Hank hurries up top?! FLYING- NO, Tyson dodges, comes back, but into the BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! And off comes the jersey! Tag to Tank and Hank scoops! HIT FIRST, HIT LAST! cover, HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!

Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall

Big win for these big boys, but they still wanna show respect to Ty & Ty. And again, Tyson is willing, Tyriek is not. Tyson apologizes for his friend then follows after. What will it take for Ty & Ty to get up the ranks of NXT?

Oba Femi is here!

Orlando fires up for The Ruler, for he is the 2024 Mr. Iron Survivor! Oba goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and says, “Surprise, surprise. The Ruler is back! At Deadline, I stormed into the building, I kicked down the opposition, and destroyed everybody! And now, I am the Iron Survivor.” The fans cheer that. Oba says in four weeks, in Los Angeles, at New Year’s Evil, Oba will reclaim his rightful place on the throne as THE RULER of NXT. The fans also like the sound of that, but Oba says that brings him to Trick Williams. Trick and Oba haven’t officially crossed paths yet. But they have been very dominant in their own runs, haven’t they?

But now, it is time to find out who the real top man is! To Oba’s surprise, here comes Trick! The fans cheer Trick on as he makes his way to the ring. The two eye each other, but wait, EDDY THORPE is here! The Alpha Wolf has his music cut and says this ain’t happening. Eddy tells Oba that he won’t ignore what happened last week! Eddy and his people have been through enough. Eddy storms into the ring and says Oba attacked him, took him out, and the biggest chance of Eddy’s career was just gone. On top of that, Oba took Eddy’s place in The Iron Survivor! Where is the justice? Is it just because Oba’s some big badass that he can do whatever he wants?

Eddy will not stand for this! But then Oba tells him to shut his mouth! The fans are on Oba’s side, and Oba says Eddy is making a bold accusation. Did Eddy see Oba attack him? No, because it was a blindside attack! But Eddy’s never been hit so hard! And there’s only one person who can hit like that, and it’s Oba. Oba says thanks for the compliment, but he is done wasting his time. Now, Trick! Trick interrupts Oba there, because he’s heard Oba talk enough. Time for Oba to listen to Trick. Trick’s been where Oba’s been. The highs and the lows, Trick’s done that. Winning Iron Survivor, Trick’s done that.

And Trick knows everyone has been waiting for Trick and Oba to go 1v1. LA, the City of Angels, the City of Stars, and the two biggest stars NXT has to offer in Trick and Oba, will collide on New Year’s Evil. That sounds good, don’t it? Oba and Trick ain’t really talked, but Trick’s glad Oba’s here. The legacy of a title reign isn’t defined about how long it lasts, but by who you beat while you carry it! Oba says all this noise about being champion, but here’s the truth. No one has hit Trick with truth like this. The only reason Trick was the number one guy is because Oba LET him be! The fans like those fighting words!

Oba says that in fact, the only reason there even was a Whoop Dat Trick Era is because Oba ALLOWED there to be one! Trick feels like he got spat on, and Oba says the truth is also this. Oba has always known that whenever he was ready, he would take that title and easily! And at New Year’s Evil, it seems Oba and Trick have a date with destiny. Oba VS Trick for THE NXT Championship! And Oba promises, he swears, that 2025 begins with the END of Trick’s era. Trick is riled up, Oba ignores Eddy as he leaves, but then Eddy steps to Trick! Eddy asks what the hell. Trick’s the NXT Champion! He’s supposed to be the leader around here, right?

But Trick didn’t press Oba once about what he did to Eddy! And here Eddy thought that maybe, just maybe, Trick would give Eddy a title match for the injustices done to him. Seems Eddy was wrong about that! Just like Eddy was wrong about Trick. Eddy used to see Trick as a man of the people. Everyone follows Trick wherever he goes. But when it’s time to check under the hood of the Lamborghini, all there is to see is a manufactured sports entertainer. And Eddy knows that Trick reached the top here very quickly, but Trick wouldn’t have lasted two WEEKS in the Japanese dojo that Eddy came up in.

so what? This is the real Trick? The guy we’re supposed to be chasing? A guy that came from the Eagles’ training camp and went to a WWE tryout? Unlimited charisma? Eddy doesn’t care about that! Trick tells Eddy to shut his ass up! The fans fire up for Trick and Trick says he is sick of Eddy and all the doubters. Those same doubters who called Trick a sidekick! But look at Trick now. Those same doubters when it was Trick VS Mad Dragon, but look at him now! Those same doubters who think they got to see Trick 1v1 and take his title! You think you can, Eddy? You think you the one? Then believe that, because Trick ain’t got a problem whooping every single ass inside that locker room.

Trick has no problem proving to everyone he is what he says he is, and that is THE NXT Champion. So then, let’s find out, Eddy! Next week! Trick tells Ava, set it up. Then Trick DECKS Eddy! The fans fire up as Trick storms off, but Eddy laughs that off. Will Eddy get exactly what he wants out of this? Or is he only getting what he deserves?

The Fatal Influence talks backstage.

Jacy Jayne is so sick of Gigi, why won’t she just go away? She is obsessed with Jacy! Fallon thinks it’s more Gigi wants Fallon’s title. Jacy frowns and says Gigi’s after her. Jazmyn keeps the peace by saying it doesn’t matter. They just need to get rid of her. Okay? The trio heads out, will they keep their own toxicity down enough to handle business?

Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley talk backstage.

Gigi is glad they have- Friendship? Tatum gives Gigi a big hug! Y-yes, friendship. And as fun as it is pissing off Fatal Influence, it’s still three against two. Tatum says no worries there. Tatum made a brand new- Izzi Dame steps in and tells them that whatever drama they have with Fatal Influence, put it aside. Izzi ain’t done with Gigi, she wants to run it back. Shawn Spears and his crew walk in and says easy now, Miss Dame. He doesn’t want anything happening to Gigi & Tatum. Gigi & Tatum head out and Spears wishes them luck. Now, Izzi, you seem… lost. But he couldn’t overlook how impressive she was in that match last week.

Izzi says what she doesn’t need is someone’s approval. Dame knows how damn impressive she is. Izzi storms off, but could The It Girl be just the thing Spears’ squad needs to take over NXT?

Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx w/ Fallon Henley!

Hell’s Favorite Harlot made her return to help out the twisted outcast that is Tatum, and while she already has Jacy and Fallon snipping at each other, who’s to say it isn’t two bird brains with one stone? Will Gigi & Tatum take down common enemies and open a path to the Women’s North American Championship? Or will NXT still be under the Influence?

NXT returns as Gigi & Tatum make their entrance. The teams sort out and Jacy dares Gigi to step up, but gets Tatum instead. Jacy gets around Tatum to CLUB her, then she throws her to the corner. Tag to Jazmyn and she sends Jacy in, but Tatum dodges to then BOOT Jazmyn! Tatum wrenches Jazmyn, YANKS her arm, and tags Gigi. They KICK and SWITCH KICK, then SPLASH! Gigi covers, TWO! Gigi drags Jazmyn up, but Jazmyn kicks low! Jazmyn whips, Gigi goes up and over and keps moving, but Jazmyn drops under. Gigi blocks hip toss to give hip toss, then she SHOTGUNS Jazmyn down

The fans fire up, Gigi keeps moving, and she DROPKICKS Jazmyn agianst ropes! Jazmyn flops out, Gigi goes after her, but Jazmyn POSTS Gigi first! Jazmyn grins and puts Gigi in, and Jacy shouts to be tagged in! Jacy is the one sounding obsessed, but Jazmyn hurries over to tag. Jacy rains down shots and Fallon talks trash. The fans rally but Jacy SUPERKICKS Gigi down! The fans boo but Jacy runs up to RAM Gigi! Tag to Jazmyn and they mug Gigi. The ref counts as Jazmyn digs boots in, and she tags to Jacy. Jazmyn sends Jacy in to ELBOW Gigi, then a snapmare to a BASEMENT KICK! Jazmyn adds another kick, then Jacy adds another!

Jacy runs, but Gigi avoids the senton! Jacy gets up to swing on Tatum but she ducks. Gigi dodges Jacy to hot tag Tatum! The fans fire up as Tatum rallies on Jacy, then she CLOBBERS Jazmyn! Tatum wrenches Jacy, brings her in< BUTTERFLY PLEX! Jacy runs up but is sent into Jacy! Tatum rusn to CROSSBODY them both in the corner! Tatum reels Jacy in for a fireman’s carry, then a SWINGING SLAM! Tatum goes up a corner, Jazmyn distracts the ref, and Fallon SHOVES Tatum down! Jacy hits the ENCORE ELBOW! High stack, Fatal Influence wins!

Winners: Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx, by pinfall

The fans boo but now Fatal Influence mugs Tatum! Gigi gets in to fight back, but that’s still 3v2! Just as Gigi said before the match! The fans boo, but here comes SHOTZI!?! The Ballsy Badass is back in NXT! She TOSSES Jacy, dodges Fallon and BOOTS Jazmyn! The fans are thunderous as Shotzi KICKS Jacy, ROCKS her, then QUESTION MARK KICKS! Gigi & Tatum ENZIGIRI the rest! Then they hold the way open so Shotzi can DIVE onto the Influence! The fans are thunderous, and this is that new friend Tatum was talking about! Will the misfits make the mean girls pay once and for all?

Fraxiom regroups.

They’re both excited and they sit down to talk. Axiom knows has told Frazer to control his emotions, but he went to Ava and made a match for him and Oba Femi. Wait, what? Yeah, he did! When…? It’ll be next week. And yeah, Axiom knows Frazer is concerned, because it is Oba, but they’re tag partners. Axiom is standing up for Frazer! Oba will feel the pain he put Frazer through! Wait, why is he upset? Frazer says first, thanks, but Frazer was about to tell Axiom that he felt bad Axiom had to carry the team. So Frazer went to Ava and made themselves a tag team championship match! For…? Next week…

So now Axiom has a double header? Frazer says hey, if anyone can pull it off, it’s Axiom! How bad can it be? Did Frazer not see his face? Well, Axiom does wear a mask… Fraxiom has gotten themselves in another bind, but will they make it out in one piece?

NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ethan Page!

The Don was just being a nice guy, but he did get the better of All Ego’s, well, ego to make this match happen. Will Tony beat a former NXT Champion to bolster his own standing? Or will Ethan have new gold to keep him afloat?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really championship material!

The bell rings and the two tie up. Tony headlocks, hits a takeover, but Ethan headscissors. Tony kips free, hits another headlock takeover, but Ethan headscissors again. Another kip free, another takeover, and this time Tony holds off the headscissors. Ethan pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Ethan gets the headscissors, and now Ethan holds tight. Tony still pops fee, but Ethan SMACKS him! Ethan scoops and SLAMS Tony, then storms up on him. Ethan whips corner to corner, but Tony comes back to CLOBBER Ethan! Tony scoops and SLAMS Ethan, then stalks him to a corner. Tony whips corner to corner, Ethan bounces off buckles!

Tony headlocks but Ethan powers up and out. Tony dodges Ethan then comes back to LARIAT Ethan and himself up and out! The fans fire up while both men are down, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Tony and Ethan slowly rise, and The D’Angelo Family coaches up The Don. Tony CLUBS Ethan, puts him in the ring, then storms in after him. Tony stomps Ethan around, drags him up, and whips him hard into buckles! Ethan falls and Tony paces. Tony storms up, stands Ethan up, and whips, only for Ethan to reverse. Tony BOOTS back and Ethan falls right over! Tony drags Ethan to a high stack, TWO! Ethan stays in this but Tony stays on him with a chinlock. Ethan endures, even as Tony squeezes tight. Tony grinds Ethan down, but Ethan flails and fights around. Ethan fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free!

Ethan runs and he CLOBBERS Tony! Cover, TWO! Ethan stays on Tony with a rain of fists! Ethan lets off, and he stalks Tony to a corner. Ethan stomps away on a leg, then drags Tony up. Ethan bumps Tony off his boot, then ROCKS him again! Ethan stalks Tony, but Tony ROCKS Ethan in return! Tony fires shots, then has Ethan in a corner. Tony climbs up to rain down fists! Tony goes all the way to nine, winds up, then hits TEN! Ethan sputters and Tony follows him from the corner. Tony drags Ethan up, but Ethan fights the suplex! Ethan fires body shots, and he GOURD BUSTERS! Tony flounders but Ethan is right on him.

Ethan whips Tony while NXT returns yo single picture. Tony hit as KNEE SMASH first! Then a KNEE LIFT! The fans fire up while Ethan flounders. Tony runs up, Ethan dodges, and Tony POSTS himself! Ethan goes up to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Ethan hurries to scoop Tony, and SLAM him down! Cover, TWO! Ethan drags Tony up and tells him to stay down. But Tony ducks a punch to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men rise up. Ethan throws body shots first! Tony hits back, they go back and forth! Tony gets the edge, then whips, to LARIAT Ethan! And LARIAT again!

Tony clinches Ethan for a BELLY2BELLY! And then another BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up with Tony and he whips Ethan for a SPINE- NO, Ethan CLUBS Tony, then ROUNDHOUSES Him! Ethan runs, Tony dodges, and Tony SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives and Tony grows frustrated. Tony drags Ethan up, hooks a leg, but Ethan fights that to a cradle! TWO!! Ethan BOOTS Tony down! Cover, TWO!! Tony survives again but Ethan reels Tony in. Tony fights the lift, then RAMS Ethan into a corner. Tony whips Ethan corner to corner, runs up, and he LARIATS! Tony hoists Ethan up, climbs up, and fires more shots!

Tony brings Ethan to the top but Ethan fires body shots! Tony hops down, but he comes back, into a BOOT! Ethan then FLYING ENZIGIRIS! Ethan reels Tony in, TWIST OF FATE! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is furious that his shoutout to the Hardy Boys was not enough! Ethan snarls as he drags Tony back up, hoists him up, but Tony slips free of the crucifix! SPINEBUSTER!! High stack, Tony wins!!

Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

The Don adds to All Ego’s woes, clearly Ethan has no idea what is becoming of his NXT career. What path must he take to get his confidence back?

Lexis King talks with someone backstage.

Lexis is honored to be meeting with Ryan Leaf! Second draft pick overall in the NFL back in the day! Granted, it didn’t work out, but just look how Ryan turned his life around! Pac-12 commentator on CW, not to mention all the charity he does for mental health. Ryan says no, Lexis is the inspiration here. They both competed week in and week out, very publicly at that. Lexis is so much more relatable. We all get to see it. You don’t decide what your story is when it starts, but once you figure things out, you know how to finish it. Ryan can’t wait to see that. Lexis appreciates that, and appreciates that advice on going to Minneapolis to close the book on that part of his life.

Dempsey walks over and says he finished thinking it over. Lexis is becoming the best version of himself, so why not? Heritage Cup Championship will happen in two weeks! But first, Lexis needs to make it through a workout with Dempsey. Done! Dempsey says excellent. Ryan asks if Dempsey’s workout regiment is hard. Lexis says he’s about to find out. Lexis and Leaf shake hands, but will The King finally have his crowning moment?

NXT Media catches up with Ethan Page.

Reporters want a word but Ethan is in no mood. He knows what they want to ask, but he just can’t right now. He really can’t. Ethan knows he is better than this, he’s been better than this, but he’s lost his way. He says he’s All Ego, but the reality is… Ethan isn’t. Ethan doesn’t think he’s good enough to get the North American title, has no clue how to get back to THE NXT title, and he’s just… lost. And ashamed. And… Ethan goes to his car to leave for the night, but will he be back next week?

Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade VS Giulia & Kelani Jordan!

The Prodigy and her bad bad best friend made sure Vaquer got the message, and they look to do the same to The Iron Survivor. But will they be able to bully The Beautiful Madness & The Standout so easily? Or are we about to get a preview of New Year’s Evil?

NXT returns as Giulia makes her entrance, and Roxie & Cora rush up the ramp to get her! Kelani hurries out to even things up again, and the fans fire up as these four brawl back to ringside! Giulia & Kelani SMACK Cora & Roxie off the apron, then push them into the ring. The brawling continues as Roxie & Cora turn the tables! They put Kelani & Giulia in corners, then whip them at each other. But Giulia rolls and Kelani hurdles, they trade enemies! Kelani ROCKS Cora, Giulia ROCKS Roxie, and then they send Roxie & Cora into each other! Then they DOUBLE DROPKICK! Roxie & Cora bails out while Kelani kips up.

Giulia rolls out to set Cora & Roxie up, and Kelani PLANCHAS! Down go the mean girls and the fans fire up! Kelani puts Roxie in, now the bell rings, and Kelani hits a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kelani brings Roxie up, wrenches, and cranks the wristlock. Tag to Giulia, but Roxie breaks away. Roxie and Giulia get face to face, then Roxie takes a swing. Giulia whips, Roxie rolls and rolls back, but Giulia says no to the rana! Roxie avoids the elbow drop to then ghost pin, TWO! Giulia pulls Roxie’s hair! The fans cheer as Giulia wrenches the hair, but Cora storms in. Giulia runs up on her but Cora runs away! Roxie runs up to CLOBBER Giulia!

Roxie stomps away, then tags Cora. Cora SCRAPES Giulia’s face on the ropes! Cora whips, sends Giulia into the ropes, then runs, only for Giulia to dodge! Giulia rolls Cora up, TWO! Giulia has a facelock and she tags Kelani. They double whip Cora to drop down, and DROPKICK! Kelani covers, TWO! Kelani wrenches Cora’s arm, but Cora pulls hair! Cora puts Kelani on ropes, then ROCKS her! Cora whips, Kelani reverses and slingshot arm-drags! Cora hurries to tag Roxie, but Kelani arm-drags her around! Then DROPKICK! Kelani whips corner to corner hard and Roxie slumps down. Tag to Giulia and she sends Kelani in, handspring ELBOW!

Kelani sits Roxie down, Giulia runs up, but Cora drags Roxie out to safety! Giulia stops short, she and Kelani tell Roxie to get back in, but NXT goes picture in picture.

Roxie & Cora regroup, then complain about Giulia & Kelani. Kelani goes to the corner, Giulia backs up, and Roxie rolls back in. Roxie runs up, but Giulia blocks the kick! Giulia spins around and backslides Roxie, TWO! Giulia keeps on Roxie with a facelock, then a wrench. Giulia YANKS the arm, then tags Kelani. Kelani goes up to AX HANDLE! Kelani drags Roxie up to wrench the arm again, but Roxie rolls, breaks free, and SLAPS Kelani! Kelani just gets mad, and she TACKLES Roxie! Kelani dribbles Roxie off the mat! Roxie fights free, but Kelani swings on Cora for good measure. Cora gets away, Kelani whips Roxie, but Roxie reverses.

Cora trips Kelani up! Kelani KICKS Cora, but Roxie hits a THESZ PRESS! Roxie rains down fists, then steps on Kelani before stomping her. Tag to Cora and they mug Kelani. Cora SMACKS Kelani off the mat, then runs to IMPLODER STOMP! Cover, TWO! Cora drags Kelani over, tags Roxie, and they mug Kelani. Roxie brings Kelani up, talks trash, but Kelani throws hands! Roxie ROCKS Kelani, wrenches and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Kelani stays in this but Roxie stays on her with a chinlock. Kelani endures, even as Roxie leans on her. Roxie thrashes Kelani around, then shifts to a CROSSFACE!

Kelani fights up, fights with body shots, and NXT returns to single picture as she arm-drags free! Roxie runs up, but Kelani ORCKS her first! And ROCKS her again! Kelani whips, Roxie reverses, and Roxie UPPERCUTS! Kelani flops out of the ring, Roxie builds speed, and Roxie DIVES! Down goes Kelani! Roxie hauls Kelani up and into the ring, then tags Cora. Roxie sets Kelani up for Cora to ELBOW her down! Roxie then LIONSAULTS! Cora covers, TWO! Cora is furious but she drags Kelani up. Cora pie faces Kelani, but Kelani fires body shots and forearms! Cora ROCKS Kelani back, then KICKS her!

Cora storms up, tags Roxie, and they mug Kelani more. Roxie & Cora double whip, then Roxie runs in, but Kelani BOOTS Roxie! Kelani stops the shining wizard to DUMP Cora out hard! Kelani hurries, hot tag to Giulia! The fans fire up as Giulia DECKS Roxie! And DECKS her again! And again! The fans fire up and Giulia stomps away on Roxie at the ropes! Giulia sits Roxie up to run and BOOT WASH! Roxie sputters, Giulia drags her up, hammerlock and lift, for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives but Giulia drags her up. Giulia hammerlocks and scoops again, spin and- NO, Roxie slips free to kick low!

Roxie hops on, but Giulia pops free! Giulia ROCKS Roxie, Roxie runs up to ROCK Giulia! Giulia ROCKS Roxie, and eggs Roxie on! Roxie ROCKS Giulia, Giulia ROCKS Roxie, repeat! They go back and forth, Roxie gets the edge, then Roxie whips. Giulia reverses to wrench and SAIDO! The fans fire up with Giulia and she brings Roxie up. Another wrench, another hammerlock, and another scoop! Giulia tags Kelani in before she hits the GLORIOUS DRIVER! Kelani hits the FIVE STAR FROG SPLAASH! Cora breaks the cover! The fans boo but Cora TOSES Giulia! Cora backs away, Kelani hauls Roxie up, but Roxie fights the suplex to cradle! TWO!!

Roxie SHOTGUNS Kelani down! Roxie tags Cora and they bring Kelani up. They talk trash, then Roxie runs, but Giulia drags Roxie out! Giulia DECKS Roxie, goes up, but Cora SHINING WIZARDS at the corner! Cora turns around, but Kelani blocks a kick to WHEEL KICK! Cora bails out but Kelani aims again. PLANCHA and down goes Cora! Roxie got herself clear, but then she grabs Kelani! SOBAT! Roxie hops on, POP ROX!! Cora kept the ref distracted from seeing that! But then Giulia FLYING MISSILE DROPKICKS Roxie! Roxie and Giulia brawl up the ramp while Cora and Kelani are in the ring.

Cora kicks Kelani, underhooks, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, Cora & Roxie win!

Winners: Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade, by pinfall

Cora soaks up the heat as she stands over the former Women’s North American Champion, but wait! Vaquer is making her way out here!? Cora gets her kendo stick, ready to hit Vaquer some more! But Vaquer doesn’t come out from the ramp, she comes out from the crowd side! She turns Cora around to DECK her! And DECK her again! And HEADBUTT! The fans fire up as La Primera stands tall, Cora’s kendo stick in hand. Vaquer BREAKS the stick, then she storms out after Cora! Cora runs away going up the bleachers, but Vaquer pursues! Vaquer broke that kendo stick rather easily, will she do the same to the Generation of Cora Jade?

Eddy Thorpe signs the contract.

Now his NXT Championship match with Trick Williams is official. Eddy can’t believe this is happening. The biggest match of his life is next week. Ava says yep, it is official. She’ll see him in Lowell. Eddy says he deserves this. Ava says they’re still looking into who attacked Eddy, but Eddy says he knows who it was. Wait, what? Eddy says, “You’re looking at him. I got my title match, and I didn’t have to go through 25 minutes of hell to get it. See you in Lowell.” The Alpha Wolf admits to being a snake! He gamed the system, but is he about to be THE champion of NXT?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT here to turn the corner from Deadline to New Year’s Evil, and what a brilliant twist with this newest whodunnit. After Eddy Thorpe inserts himself in the face-to-face of Oba Femi and Trick Williams, after he makes a big stink about Oba being his attacker and Trick not supporting him, and after goading Trick into giving him that title match, Eddy reveals that he somehow faked being attacked backstage, and all this implies he fooled medical into thinking he couldn’t compete. Given how Eddy angered Trick that badly, he was already getting whooped something fierce, but with this reveal, Trick might go the extra mile just to humiliate Eddy.

Great stuff with this Ethan Page crisis of confidence story, and I was just thinking a midcard title could’ve been a way to go. But then they kinda skip a few weeks in build by just giving him a match, and then he loses. Ethan’s promo afterward was good, because I really feel he could be called up to RawDown already. Ethan is probably more a SmackDown guy to add to the US Championship scene, and maybe one day be in the Undisputed WWE Championship scene. Oh, well, maybe after the “Transfer Window” closes, it’ll be the World Heavyweight Championship instead. Ethan VS Gunther wouldn’t be too bad really.

Great tag match from Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Ty & Ty to build a bit of a feud there. Hank ‘n’ Tank win to stay strong, but it also allows Tyriek to show more of his frustration and reluctance to show respect. If other tag team stories are to be believed, Tyriek will get Tyson to see things his way and Tyson will become a very aggressive Heel in the rematch. Good promo from Briggs & Inamura, who I feel will get those tag titles in early 2025. And I say that because Frazer & Axiom are perhaps just a week away from losing the belts. They didn’t communicate with each other, Axiom is now gonna get crushed by Oba, and then he and Frazer are going into a match with Gallus at far less than 100%. Gallus can get those belts to then drop them to Briggs & Inamura at New Year’s Evil.

Awesome match from Je’Von VS Wes, building on how they opened the Iron Survivor on Saturday. Great win for Je’Von, but Wes will surely double down on being bitter and trying to drag Je’Von down to his level, we probably get another match at New Year’s Evil. Good promos from Lexis King with Charlie Dempsey, and some good CW integration with Ryan Leaf showing up to talk with Lexis. Lexis will definitely be put through the wringer by Dempsey next week, and that Heritage Cup match could probably go either way. Lexis can’t keep losing the “big one,” so maybe he pulls this off with a late fall in the final round.

Also, good promo from the full NQCC with OTM to set up both a Mixed Six Tag as well as separate matches of Jaida VS Wren and Nima & Price VS Myles & Heights. Wren’s getting on a roll and the fans love her, but the fans still like Miss Parker, so that match is going to be really good and hard to call. At this point, it feels like Price & Nima missed the boat on becoming a top team, but that isn’t all their fault. I feel like there were bigger plans had Reggie/Scrypts stuck around, but someone somewhere up high in WWE said those plans didn’t matter. Maybe things can change in the event Frazer & Axiom stop being a team after next week.

And a lot of good stuff with tag matches in the women’s division. Good promo from Fatal Influence to show there’s dysfunction between Fallon and Jacy. After all, they were once enemies, so they’re not going to be best of friends here. Good promo from Gigi & Tatum with not just Izzi but with Spears’ team. Just as I was thinking, Spears is shifting gears to possibly recruit Izzi, and she really could use something to do. Very good match of Gigi & Tatum VS Jacy & Jazmyn, but the 3v2 numbers of course favored the Influence. But great return for Shotzi, not just to NXT but in general, and that’ll be a very fun Six Woman Tag that then sets up Fallon VS Gigi. Jacy thinking Gigi’s here for her could in effect cost Fallon, and then we get more Jacy VS Gigi but for a title.

Good promo from Zaria & Sol with Lash & Jakara, and I’m pretty sure Zaria & Sol win that tag match to stay strong overall. Very good opening promo from Giulia with Roxie & Cora confronting her while having “attacked” Vaquer backstage. Kelani making the save was good, as there was still a grudge for her and Cora to work out. Giulia and Roxie taking themselves out of the match by brawling away was good stuff, and Cora winning for her team was fine. Vaquer was of course coming out for revenge, I’m just not sure they’re going to wait until New Year’s Evil to have a match. They could easily have a match next week or for NXT Christmas Eve, and then the winner moves on to do something else. My guess would be Vaquer wins to challenge the winner of Roxie VS Giulia.

My Score: 8.8/10