Hello, hello, hello! Live from the moon…

Noam Dar’s return to NXT continues to grow as he brings back Supernova Sessions! And his first guest is Dragon Lee! Will it all go well? Or will it go to hell?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Cora Jade VS Fallon Henley; Jade wins and advances.
• Tyler Bate & Wes Lee VS Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak; No Contest.
• The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS The Dyad w/ The Schism; The Creed Brothers win.
• Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams VS Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak; Melo & Trick win.
• Thea Hail w/ Duke Hudson VS Kiana James; Kiana wins.
• NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Roxanne Perez VS Jacy Jayne; wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Cora Jade VS Fallon Henley!

The #GenerationofJade is saying she’s the Savior of the Women’s Division and the future champion. All she needs to do is get through the best of the best. The Cowgirl’s been shining, but will she measure up to Jade’s expectations? Or will she YEEHAW B*TCH all over this ring?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Cora pulls hair to put Fallon in a corner, then lets off to laugh at her. But Fallon comes back and powers Cora to the other corner! Fallon SLAPS Cora, but Cora DECKS Fallon! Cora headlocks, Fallon powers out and things speed up. Cora dodges but Fallon runs her over! Fans fire up, Fallon gets around to sit Cora down and basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Fallon runs to slide out and HAYMAKER Cora back in! Fallon grins as she gets back in, but Cora uses the ropes as a defense. The fans boo, but Fallon blocks the cheap shot to CHOP back!

Fallon snap suplexes Cora, covers, TWO! Cora scrambles away to a corner, Fallon runs in but only gets buckles. Cora SHINING WIZARDS to the back, then SHINING WIZARDS to the front! Cora wraps a leg around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Cora lets off to KICK the leg, then drop knees on the knee! Cover, ONE! Fallon hangs tough but Cora drags Fallon by her leg. Cora SMASHES the knee into the mat, then drags Fallon up by her hair. Cora puts Fallon through ropes, ties her up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Cora runs, and SHOTGUNS Fallon down! Cover, TWO! Cora looms over Fallon and drags her around.

Cora steps through, ties up the legs, and gets an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! There’s a watch party going on with Wendy Choo, Tatum Paxley, Kiana James, Thea Hail and many others while Duke Hudson is taking notes. Fallon endures, Cora SLAMS her down, and SLAMS her again. Fallon ROCKS Cora from below, drags her to a cover, TWO! Cora storms up to kick the legs out! Fans boo but Cora gets the leg to SMANSH- NO, Fallon lands on her feet to ROCK Cora! And CHOP! And ROCK and CHOP on repeat! Fans fire up as Cora comes back, and Fallon dodge to UPPERCUT! Fans fire up again as Fallon hobbles up.

Fallon rallies with a LARIAT! Cora goes to a corner, Fallon runs in to elbow! Fallon keeps moving, RUNNNING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Fallon as she slaps her leg. Fallon suplexes, Cora slips out and dragon sleepers! Cora KNEES Fallon in the back, underhooks, but Fallon wrenches out to mule kick the leg! Fallon runs and SHINING WIZARDS! But her bad leg holds her back! Cora flops out of the ring as fans boo, but Fallon hurries out after her. Fallon drags Cora up and into the ring, pushes her to center, but Cora CHOP BLOCKS Fallon’s bad leg! Cora hurries to underhook, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, Cora wins!

Winner: Cora Jade, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Punk Rock Mean Girl is moving on towards the goal, already seeing herself in the winner’s circle. Will NXT soon belong to the Generation of Jade? Lyra Valkyria appears to tell Cora it won’t be that easy. Their semifinal match happens next week!

The watch party reacts.

Everyone was rooting for Fallon since Cora insulted everyone else. But Kiana laughs. They are drawing these conclusions from what experience? Reading textbooks don’t count. There’s a difference between watching as a fan, and watching as a superstar. Thea says okay, but uh, this “fan” watched Kiana get eliminated last week. Oh snap! Kiana says that’s cute. She’s the top tier, while Theta will never get there as a “pathetic little child.” Thea says she should’ve been in this tournament, and she’ll prove it tonight! Sounds like a night off to Kiana. Does she need a permission slip signed first?

No! She just needs Mr. Chase- Er, Duke. Duke can approve it! Thea asks if she can have a match with skirt suit here. Duke says sure, do whatever you want. Then she’s gonna kick Kiana’s prissy little ass! The rest of the party fires up, but will Thea represent for Duke Uni- Er, Chase U?

Wes Lee and Tyler Bate meditate backstage.

Wes is down with finding the higher plane, but they have a match next. Can they come back to this? Yeah, they’ll put a pin in it. BUT THE DYAD ATTACKS!! They trap Bate’s arm in a locker, then throw Wes into it to smash the door on the arm!! Then they stomp both of them down! Joe Gacy walks in and says, “This charade of a friendship is based on lies. And eventually, it will burn out. Wes grabs at Gacy but Gacy SLAMS him back down! Will The Schism look to take the gold away from the #WesSide?

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams arrive backstage.

They are heated as they head for gorilla, and they pass by Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak, who were going to face Bate & Wes tonight. Trick tells them that if they ain’t got a match, they gotta get out the way. Dempsey & Gulak are upset by that, but Trick Melo Gang goes to the ring now. Trick tells production to cut the video recap, everyone knows what Bron did to them. Melo says last week, his boy defending his honor and brought it to Bron Breakker. But after that, Bron decided to send Melo a message. Guess what? Message received. And hey, Melo is well aware this isn’t the same Bron from Stand & Deliver. But what Bron needs to realize is that this isn’t the same Melo, either!

Trick says let’s talk about it. Melo says that at NXT Battleground, “we in my yard. And in my yard we don’t bark, we bite! So if you this big alpha dog, why don’t you come out here and face me like a real one would.” Trick calls out Big Booty Nephew, but he & Melo get Dempsey & Gulak instead. Gulak tells Mr. Melo & Mr. Williams that their “childish little sit in” has gone on too long. Gulak doesn’t care if Melo was embarrassed because Bron left him beat in this ring, they do not disrespect Gulak & Dempsey. Trick Melo Gang stormed in like children, right as Dempsey & Gulak found out their match isn’t happening.

Gulak says their lifestyles are not alike. Their flash happens in the ring. Fans taunt Dempsey as “Willy Wonka!” but Gulak tells them to shut up and show respect. Just like these ingrates right here! Melo says okay, okay. The difference between them is, when Gulak & Dempsey speak, fans chant “Willy Wonka.” When Trick Melo Gang speak, fans chant “MEL~O!” And they do now. Trick has one! He tells Gulak and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” that if they want a match, Trick Melo Gang is waiting on Bad Booty Breakker, go ahead and run with them! Fans like that, and Gulak asks if they’re sure this close to Battleground.

But then Gulak cheap shots Melo! Dempsey goes after Trick, the brawl is on, and Trick ROCKS Dempsey out of the ring! Melo fires back, and BOOTS Gulak out of the ring! Fans fire up, will this be the substitute for Gulak & Dempsey facing Bate & Wes?

Dijak speaks.

“Last week, Dragunov found out that when it comes to NXT, I’m the judge, the jury, and executioner.” But then Dragunov interrupts! He tells Dijak that Dijak is obsessed with this idea of breaking Dragunov. But Dragunov is #UNBESIEGBAR, which is to say invincible and unbreakable. Dijak says Dragunov enjoys pain, and he enjoys inflicting it. Dragunov says pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. There’s not a man alive Dijak can’t break! Dragunov drums his fingers, and invites Dijak to try. When and where will these two run it back?

NXT shares footage from over the weekend.

Dani Palmer was part of the NXT Sebring house show, when she was attacked by a hooded assailant! Is this the same person who keeps attacking other parts of the Women’s Division?

The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS The Dyad w/ The Schism!

Julius & Brutus are battling it out with Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed on behalf of the Diamond Pitbull going after Ava Raine. Will Diamond Mine crush the Dyad under the pressure? Or will the roots of The Schism’s tree dig into the Creeds?

NXT returns and The Schism make their entrance. The teams sort out and Julius starts against Rip. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Rip arm-drags but Julius kips up and they stay tied up collar ‘n’ elbow. Julius shoots around, fireman’s carry takeovers, and armlocks to wrench. Rip rolls, powers through to back drop, and he has the knuckle locks! Rip pushes Julius down but Julius kips up! But Rip pushes him back down, only for Julius to pop up and monkey flip! They keep the knuckle locks, Julius rolls back but Rip returns the monkey flip! But Julius lands on his feet! And DROPKICKS Rip!

Julius whips but Rip reverses. Julius goes up and over and keeps moving. Brutus tags, Julius ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides out for Brutus to springboard and AX HANDLE! Fans fire up, Brutus wrenches Rip and RAMS shoulders! Brutus wrenches again, but Rip pulls on Brutus’ singlet! Tag to Jagger, the Dyad mugs Brutus in their corner! The ref counts, Rip bails out but Jagger CLUBS Brutus down. Jagger KNEES Brutus in the back and clamps on a chinlock. Fans rally as Brutus endures. Brutus fights up but Jagger throws hands. Brutus DECKS Jagger! And then suplexes Jagger, to hold him up and bring him over!

Tag to Julius, and he takes the handoff! Fans cheer as Julius keeps Jagger up for TEN, then the SLAM! Julius then deadlifts Jagger, but Jagger elbows free. Tag to Rip and Rip ROCKS Julius! And CLUBS him! And suplexes, but Julius suplexes back! Julius holds Rip up now, and he walks over to tag Brutus. Fans fire up as Brutus takes the handoff! It’s a bit trickier with the taller Rip, but Julius tags back in to help out. The Creeds hand off Rip one more time, for the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Rip is dizzy but Julius ROCKS him to a corner. Rip ROCKS Julius back, ROCKS Brutus, but Julius knees low.

Julius whips, Rip stops himself and knees Julius! Tag to Jagger, clinch and ENZIGURI! And then MAYHEM IN MOTION to take out Brutus! Fans are torn as the Dyad makes Julius GRIT YOUR TEETH!! KOJI KLUTCH!! Julius endures, reaches, but Rip stomps away on Julius! The ref reprimands but Julius is fading all the same! Ivy coaches Julius, and he gets a second wind! Julius deadlifts Jagger to POWERBOMB him down! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up while both men are down and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jagger stirs, Julius is after him and CLUBS him to the Creed corner. Tag to Brutus, the Creeds double whip then bypass to DOUBLE ELBOW! Jagger flounders but Brutus clamps onto an arm. Brutus drags Jagger up, wrenches and SAYANAGIS! Tag to Julius, and Julius gut wrench SLAMS Brutus onto Jagger! Cover, TWO! Julius keeps Jagger down with a BEARHUG! Jagger endures, fights up, but Julius SLAMS him back down! Julius keeps on the pressure, Jagger fights up again, but Julius SLAMS him down again! Julius gator rolls with Jagger, keeps him from Rip, but Jagger gets the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, but Jagger throws an elbow! Rip tags in and he brings Julius up. The Dyad RAMS Julius into the buckles! Julius falls back, Rip whips him to ropes and CLOBBERS him! Cover, TWO! Rip throws down elbows into the shoulders, then fishhooks Julius. The ref reprimands and Rip CLUBS Julius down. Cover, TWO! Rip clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Julius down. Julius endures, pries at the fingers, but Rip shifts his grip on the hold. Julius still fights up, reaches out, and pries the hold open. Rip knees low and puts Julius in the corner. Tag to Jagger, he whips Rip in but Julius BOOTS!

Julius ELBOWS Jagger but Rip waistlocks! BOOT and ripcord THROAT CHOP! Cover, TWO! Jagger keeps on Julius with forearms, then clamps on a chinlock. Jagger grinds Julius down now as NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally up and Julius endures, but Jagger leans on the hold. Julius fights up, Jagger as his backpack. But Jagger HIP DROPS him down! Jagger ROCKS Julius, snapmares him, and KNEES him in the back! Jagger wraps on another chinlock and he squeezes tight. Fans rally, Julius fights up, and he carries Jagger as a backpack again! But Jagger CLUBS away on Julius, then ripcords, but Julius gets around! BIG back suplex!

Fans fire up as both men crawl, Rip tags in! Rip drags Julius back, but Julius powers through to hot tag Brutus! Brutus goes up, AX HANDLE! Brutus BLASTS Jagger, CLOBBERS Rip, and then waistlocks! Rip holds ropes, throws elbows and waistlocks. GERMAN SUPLEX but Brutus lands on his feet!? Brutus trips Rip to SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!! Brutus brings down the straps, and he reels Rip right back in for more SMASH! Fans fire up with every ax handle! Brutus lets off on Rip and Rip goes to a corner. Brutus runs in, big clothesline! And then a torture rack, for a SHELL SHOCK! Cover, TWO!!

Brutus keeps focused as he watches Rip flounder. Jagger distracts, Brutus swings on him but Jagger gets away. Rip JAWBREAKERS Brutus and tags in Jagger. The Dyad double whip, but Brutus ducks to shove them into each other! O’Conner on Jagger, NORTHERN LIGHTS for Rip! DOUBLE COVER, TWO!!! The Dyad escapes but Brutus drags Jagger up. Tag to Julius but Jagger ROCKS Julius and fires off on Brutus. Jagger runs, but Brutus POUNCES him! Rip returns, LARIATS, but Brutus doesn’t budge! Brutus and Rip trade lariats, but neither man falls! Brutus dodges, Rip dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down!

Fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” while both men crawl. Ivy coaches Brutus as he and Rip stir. They’re in opposite drop zones, so Julius and Jagger end up thinking the same thing. They both climb up, and they both 450 SPLASH the other opponent!! Fans are thunderous and Julius and Jagger roar! They brawl with each other!! The ref lets it go, Jagger ENZIGURIS Julius! Julius KNEES Jagger! Jagger SUPERKICKS Julius! Julius LARIATS Jagger!! Julius roars, reels Jagger in, but Jagger turns bomb into DDT!! Fans chant “This is Awesome!” Rip flounders outside, grabs at Ivy, but then apologizes when he realizes it’s her and not Ava.

But speaking of Ava, she crawls out from under the ring! She scoops Ivy, but ends up in the DIAMOND DRAGON! BRUTUS BALL takes out Rip! Jagger runs in at Julius but only gets buckles! Julius ROLLING SPINEBUSTERS and SLIDING LARIATS!! Cover, The Creeds win!

Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall

The Diamond Mine just crushed the Schism’s tree! Will this lead The Creeds back to some gold?

Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo are out to dinner.

They’re at their favorite place, Fresco Cucina Italiano, and Stacks is upset that Joe Coffey threatened The Don. Tony says Gallus will get theirs when The D’Angelo Family takes their tag titles. Stacks says that’s only if they get their chance. Tony is sure Gallus will play ball. But then Stacks gets a call. Pauly is talking about a shipment being delayed, Stacks will straighten this out. Stacks goes to another room, Tony is proud he is handling business. But in walk the police. Tony already made a donation to the foundation. But they need him to come down to the station to answer some questions regarding certain criminal investigations.

Investigations into what, specifically? Criminal acts associated with Tony D’Angelo. Oh, okay. He knows how this goes. Tony hopes this is legit, he’s missing his meal. Tony heads out with the detectives, and Stacks returns. He asks what happened and a waitress tells him they just took Mr. D’Angelo in for questioning. For what? Stacks hurries to make more calls. Who ratted out The Don?

The Creeds hop on commentary real quick.

Julius says by the looks of it, Gallus has no challenger. So here’s what they’ll do: May 28th, NXT Battleground, Gallus VS Creeds for the NXT Tag Team Championships! The phone’s ringing, so Markus & Wolfie better pick up. The challenge has been issued, will Gallus accept?

NXT presents the return of Supernova Sessions.

“Hello, hello, hello! Hear me now, live from the moon,” Noam Dar welcomes us to the first-ever episode, live in the USA! Dar is our host, our sensei, and our longest reigning NXT Heritage Cup Champion. Supernova Sessions is must-see TV, is the cream of the cream of the crop, and what originated in NXT UK has now become an international phenomenon that has landed right here in Orlando for all you lucky people. They tell Dar that his first guess is a supreme athlete with his eyes on Dar’s prize, but he isn’t gonna get it. Please give it up, or don’t, for Dragon Lee! Fans cheer the Wonder Boy as he makes his entrance.

Dragon goes to the ring, but Dar has him sit in the chair by the wilting flower while Dar gets the comfy couch and fruit salad. Dar thanks Dragon for coming. Oh, wait, Dar forgot. Dragon no speak English, Dar prepared himself with Spanish Made Easy. “Hola senorita. Mi casa su casa.” No, Dragon can speak English. Maybe even better than Dar. Oh, well there’s $20 wasted. But okay, funny man. Here’s Dar’s first question. Is being on SNS the highlight of Dragon’s otherwise lackluster life? Dragon will say this. It is an honor to be here among the people, except for Dar. Dar doesn’t give people respect.

Dragon comes from a family of respect as a second generation luchador. And Dragon’s father started training him to wrestle at 14, and he also taught Dragon to respect his opponents. Dar says this isn’t about respect. This is about everything except the Cup. Dragon is a champion in three continents, a bonafide celebrity in Mexico… Hey, don’t insult Dragon’s home. He is a proud Mexicano, and he loves the people. Their passion, their spirit, and that is what the NXT Universe has shown him since coming here. But that’s what Dar is talking about! Dar has that same passion for his Cup. But how does Dragon feel knowing this is the closest he’ll ever get to it!?

Dragon says Dar keeps talking about this and that. Does Dar wanna defend his Cup? No no no, tranquilo. Maybe Dragon no comprende. Bring out the level two book! Dragon tells Dar that Dar has to defend the cup. Dar chuckles and says his “reptilian mate” has no idea what he’s asking for. Seis, cinco plus uno, three-minute rounds. Two outta three falls! You have to be a master at this game to know what to do! Plus, it’s not as easy as just asking for a match. There are procedures, protocols, forms- But then wait! Nathan Frazer walks out?! Frazer says he’s “sorry” to have to do this to Dar again, but he must expose him “as a massive fraud!”

Dar calls for security, Frazer’s not supposed to be out here! Frazer says on Hard Hitting Home Truths, it doesn’t matter how many rules you make up, that Cup is a trophy that must be defended like any other title in the WWE! And the fact that Dar is champion, that he holds that cup, that doesn’t make him HBK! He can’t say who, when and where! Dar tries to explain in bad Spanish that Dragon no hablas Ingles. But Frazer says Dragon’s been speaking English for over two months! And because he understands English, Frazer will say this. He speaks on behalf of everyone when he says we want to see Dragon VS Dar for the Cup!

Dar says okay, okay, if Dragon- No, Dragon tells Dar it’s Dar VS Dragon at Battleground! What does Dar say? Frazer likes that! And just know this, Noam. If Dar loses that Cup, he could always call Alicia Fox. Dar says okay, haha, if they want a title match against Dragon, how about this! Dar VS Dragon at Battleground is accepted! Dragon will see why there’s levels to this and Dar’s the best! As for Frazer, to have the audacity to ruin SNS’s premiere, Dar is gonna kick Frazer’s ass, in a non-title normal match. That’s all Frazer and the people deserve. Thank you, buh-bye, check please! But in the end, Frazer and Dragon got Dar to take the bait! Will Dar’s historic reign finally come to an end?

Dragunov is being tortured!

Dijak didn’t want to do this in the ring, he’s putting Dragunov through it backstage! Has Dragunov had enough? “Not even close.” Dragunov has a defiant smirk, but Dijak grabs his night stick. What will it take to break the unbreakable?

Backstage interview with Jacy Jayne.

McKenzie Mitchell points out the quarterfinal match between Jacy and “the favorite to win it all,” Roxanne Perez. How confident is she that she can get past a former NXT Women’s Champion? Honestly, she’s not confident at all. She doesn’t even know why they’re having this match tonight. NOT! C’mon, this is Jacy here! McKenzie needs to have better questions for when Jacy is NXT Women’s Champion. And to be honest, Roxie’s time has come and gone. And after Jacy eliminates Roxie, she goes on to the semifinals, where she wanted to face Gigi Dolin. But of course, Gigi proved to everyone what Jacy’s been saying for month: Gigi is a failure!

Gigi failed at being a good daughter, a good sister, a good friend, and at winning the title yet again. Jacy, on the other hand is a winner! The complete opposite! So Jacy will just have to picture Gigi’s face when she kicks Roxie’s head in and take the next step towards becoming the NXT Women’s Champion. Will the Toxic Traitor prove she’s always been better than the Toxic Avenger?

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams VS Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak!

Trick Melo Gang didn’t walk in expecting a match, but they’re more than happy to show the Philly Stretcher & The Son of the Gentleman Villain why they’re where they are today. Will the NXT Champion send a message to Bron Breakker? Or will Dempsey & Gulak manage a win over HIM?

NXT returns and the teams sort out. Dempsey starts with Trick, they tie up and Dempsey gets around to spin Trick and UPPERCUT! Dempsey then shoots under for a snapmare and armlock. Trick fights up, handsprings and wrenches to a wristlock. The fans seem to be singing a form of the Oompah Loompa song as Dempsey snapmares Trick again. Trick comes back, Dempsey RAMS him, then things speed up. Trick hurdles, but Dempsey turns hip toss into backslide and bridge! TWO! Trick gets up and runs Dempsey over! And again! And then DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Trick fires up and the fans are with him!

Tag to Melo but Dempsey tags Gulak. Fans chant “MEL~O!” as he circles with Gulak. They tie up, Gulak knees low and then knees low again. Gulak hits a headlock takeover but Melo gets up fast. Melo comes back to arm-drag Gulak! Gulak wrenches, lifts, but Melo hits a flying-mare to get the takeover. Gulak fights up and powers out, they RAM shoulders, and things keep moving. Melo goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! And then another arm-drag to have the armlock! Gulak fights up and Melo whips. Gulak reverses, and Gulak denies the rana to whip again! Melo reverses, Gulak headlocks but Melo powers out.

Things keep moving, fans chant “GULAK SUCKS!” but he sunset flips Melo! TWO!! Melo just gets out but Gulak grabs the arm! KIMURA! Melo fights up but Gulak tags Dempsey. The technicians double whip, double BOOT, and then Dempsey covers. ONE!! Dempsey clamps onto the arm, wrenches the arm, but fans taunt him as “WILLY WONKA!” Melo wrenches and wristlocks but Dempsey snapmares. Melo wrangles Dempsey, Dempsey snapmares again, and repeat! They go back and forth, throw for throw, then Melo ghost pins! TWO and Dempsey has a leg! Melo resists, kicks, but Dempsey gets both legs!

Melo fights, he throws Dempsey away, then WRINGS him out! Tag to Trick, they double whip and then CLOBBER Dempsey! Cover, TWO! Dempsey chinlocks but Trick wrenches out to WRING Dempsey! Dempsey throat chops Trick! The ref reprimands Dempsey but misses Gulak CLOBBER Trick at the ropes! Fans boo but Dempsey drags Trick up to ROCK him with a forearm! And CHOP him to the corner! Tag to Gulak, the technicians mug Trick and Gulak snapmares Trick around. Gulak hooks up the legs, grabs Trick’s arms, and pulls Trick’s hair! The ref counts, Gulak lets go, and he drops knees on Trick’s back! Cover, TWO!

Gulak keeps on Trick and tags Dempsey in. They drag Trick up, whip him to a corner, and then GERMAN SUPLEX into another GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Trick is still in this but Dempsey stomps him down! Fans rally but Dempsey has Trick’s leg! Trick resists the turnover, kicks at Dempsey, but Dempsey just grabs that leg! Trick ENZIGURIS and hot tags Melo! Gulak tags in but Melo rolls off his back to DECK Dempsey! Melo fires off on Gulak, then gets around to SUPERKICK! Dempsey tags back in, but Melo dodges him to SPRINGBOARD LARIAT! Fans fire up and Melo whips.

Dempsey reverses, Melo reverses back and ducks the boot! Melo pump handles Dempsey for a SINGLE LEG SLAM! High stack cover, Gulak drags Melo off with a back suplex! Melo lands on his feet, pushes Gulak to the corner, tag to Trick! O’Conner Roll and LEAPING LARIAT! Trick fires up and the fans are with him. Dempsey hits low, uppercuts, but Trick spins him and whips. CYCLONE KICK! Hot tag back to Melo and he’s up top, NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Trick Melo Gang wins!

Winners: Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams, by pinfall

Trick with the assist, Melo from downtown, they get the win! Trick says that’s another one for Trick Melo Gang, and Melo says, “As we were saying, Bron…” But Bron just responds via the tron. How do Melo’s ribs feel after being speared outta the sky? Melo will have to wait a little longer, since Bron made a little pitstop. But he has to say, the energy in this place, just not the same today. Bron is in CutWiz! He wonders why everyone’s so nervous. Bron says he’s gonna get a fresh cut before finishing what he started. Trick Melo Gang says fine, they’ll be waiting. When will the Big Booty Nephew arrive and step to HIM?

Duke Hudson finishes grading papers.

Wrong, wrong, laughably wrong. But then Thea jumps in with her high energy to say it’s go time! Where? To the ring! Remember? He gave permission! The match is next! Wait, he did? Yes! Oh, right, of course! And it is go time! Thea’s got this! Let’s go! Duke looks worried, though. Will his teaching style be put to the test as Thea takes on Kiana?

Noam Dar cradles the cup.

He says he won’t let anyone else touch him. He then walks across Lash Legend, and oh, um… “Miss Jackson.” He apologizes, it’s just that Dar and Lash go way back. Lash wouldn’t say that, say less. Dar asks if Lash saw Supernova Sessions. Lash is upset. All these talk shows on NXT, from the Grayson Waller Effect, which is now on SmackDown, and Nathan Frazer talking all this mess on his show. Dar and Jackson agree, he talks too much. And now, Dar. Running around with his Supernova Sessions. The only show we should be talking is the OG, Lashin’ Out with Lash Legend, okay? Dar missed that one. But will Dar win Lash over soon enough?

Thea Hail w/ Duke Hudson VS Kiana James!

Andre Chase is still on sabbatical, but Duke has made a good substitute teacher. Though, maybe that’s not saying much. Will Thea still past this test? Or will the Professional Professional Wrestler flunk her hard?

The bell rings, Kiana talks trash while Thea eggs her on. Kiana shoves Thea down, then shoves her again! Fans boo but Thea gets around to waistlock and SLAM! Thea stomps away on Kiana at the ropes! Fans fire up, Thea lets off, but then Kiana kicks her low and throws her down by her hair. Kiana wants her bag, but Thea rolls her up! TWO, and Kiana ROCKS Thea! Kiana whips Thea to a corner, Thea goes up and over and arm-drags! Fans fire up as Thea arm-drags Kiana more! Thea whips Kiana to a corner, then back drops her! Kiana flounders and Duke cheers, though he wasn’t really paying attention.

Thea gets a bit distracted getting thumbs up from Duke and Kiana ROCKS her! But Thea TOSSES Kiana out! Thea builds speed, and she DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp with the “Tope U-icida!” Thea rains down fists, and she high-fives Duke. Thea puts Kiana in, Duke goes back to his papers, and Thea climbs up. Thea FLYING FLOPS as Kiana avoids the splash! Kiana drags Thea up, KNEES her low, then KNEES her again! And again! Fans boo, Kiana covers, TWO! Thea is still in this but Kiana throws more KNEES in! Kiana KNEES Thea to a corner but the fans rally for her. Kiana throws forearms, then RAMS into Thea.

Kiana brings Thea around, pushes her down to a cover, TWO! Kiana REAR BEARHUGS, but fans rally up. Thea endures the squeeze, even as Kiana thrashes her around. Thea fights up, but Kiana throws her down! Kiana gets the legs and stomps Thea in the stomach! Thea crawls to a corner but Kiana shoves her into the buckles. Kiana taunts Thea, shoves her and BODY BLOWS! And then another! Duke is still too busy checking papers, but Theta blocks the third shove and elbows Kiana back! Thea throws forearms, dodges and kicks the legs out! KNEE! Kiana staggers into forearm after forearm!

Kiana goes to a corner, Thea ELBOWS her, then reels her in, EXPLODER! Fans fire up, Thea shakes the ropes and SPRINGBOARD SENTONS! Kiana goes to a corner, Thea runs in but Kiana puts her on the apron. Thea counter punches Kiana, goes up top, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Kiana survives and Thea scowls. Fans rally, but Kiana blocks the suplex to GOURD BUSTER! Thea sputters, Kiana FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS her! Thea flounders but Kiana runs, 401KO! Cover, Kiana wins!

Winner: Kiana James, by pinfall

Thea goes to Duke for consoling, but he still pays a bit more attention to the papers. Will Thea ever get that A+ win? Will Kiana be waiting around the corner of the Women’s Championship tournament finals?

Hank Walker & Tank Ledger are backstage.

Tank is checking his teeth after one of them got chipped in that match with Briggs & Jensen. Hank says the dental team did a good job. Tank agrees, but it’s not like they’re winning any beauty pageants. Hank’s gotta admit, the tag division doesn’t care about looks. Briggs & Jensen walk over and say hey, and that Hank & Tank were very impressive. They liked that Hank & Tank were ready to throw hands. And how the teeth doing? Tank’s got a brand new tooth, and a souvenir from the match. Briggs says Tank is one tough kid. The last time Briggs hit someone that hard, it was all Jensen. And Jensen sure gave it back. And now they’re better off for it!

Really? Yeah, beating the hell outta each other was the best thing for them. Huh. Well, once Hank & Tank are done here, drinks are on them! Sounds good to Tank! Tank wonders. Maybe they should do that. Do what? If they wanna be a good tag team, which they do, then they gotta be close. Like, Briggs & Jensen close. Like peanut butter & jelly, like mashed potatoes and gravy! Hank says okay, but Tank says they get in the ring with each other. Wait, Hank VS Tank? Yes! Straight up hoss fight! Push the limits, make it a bonding experience. By beating the hell outta each other? Yeah! Well, alright! Let’s do it! See you in the ring!

Backstage interview with Wes Lee & Tyler Bate.

McKenzie is with them as they’re in the medical room getting checked out. Bate is still being looked at, any ideas as to why The Schism attacked them? Wes usually loves talking with McKenzie, but he’s gonna say what he needs to say in the ring. Is Bate good? Yeah. Okay, then. Wes tells us to stay tuned. Well, it’s fairly clear what Wes is gonna do, but will he get the response he wants?

Dabba-Kato speaks.

“I came to NXT with one mission. And I put an emphatic end to him. And then I watched as an entire NXT locker room holding their breath, hoping that I would go to Raw or SmackDown. But all of your deepest, darkest fears still exist. Because I’m not going anywhere! I’ve still got so much more to accomplish, so many more superstars to destroy, so much more havoc to create. And championship gold to capture. I’m on the hunt, and every NXT superstar is my prey!”

Other superstars respond.

Axiom sits with Dante Chen, Eddy Thorpe, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe watching that promo. And Enofe isn’t sure about the rest, but Dabba looks pissed. Hey, good thing he and Malik are a tag team. Enofe, what’re you talking about? What? Dabba’s got hands like cement bricks! Thorpe says Dabba’s got the strength of ten men. Malik agrees with that. Axiom says Dabba is definitely the biggest mountain in NXT today. But he enjoys the challenge of climbing the mountain, because the view from the top is breathtaking. Yeah, unless you stop breathing first. Malik says Enofe plays too much. But is the Undeniable Truth going to try and topple the towering Dabba-Kato?

Wes Lee heads to the ring!

Fans cheer the North American Champion and he gets a mic. “Look, I wanted to come out here to address everyone. I was promoted to be in a match with my friend, Tyler Bate, tonight. But because of an attack by Schism, that match is not gonna be happening. Look, I have gotten so much better at controlling my anger. But when you attack me and my man for no reason, you’re gonna piss me off. Gacy, you and your leech squad preach friendship and unity, but they aren’t friends. They’re sheep! Tyler Bate, he is a friend! And you did not need to target me or my friend to get an opportunity at this NXT North American Championship.”

Bate is watching while being tended to. Wes says if Gacy wanted it, all he had to do is ask! And Gacy says from the perch,” What a speech! But unlike your friend, Tyler Bate, who you speak so highly of, I have never been dishonest with what I want. And I’ve said it, and I’ll openly say it now, that I want that North American Championship.” Ava says that with every groundbreaking win, Wes edges closer and closer to becoming the greatest North American Champion in history! But what will that make Gacy when he takes that title from Wes at Battleground? If all Gacy had to do is ask, then he’s asking, Wes.

Now all Wes has to do is break the bad news to the Big Strong Liar that Gacy is the one getting the match. Wes asks why Gacy tries to use these Schism powers to drive wedges between people? But wait, Bate is on the move! Wes asks when Gacy will understand it won’t work. Ava says the wedge has already been created. Tyler is deceiving Wes! But speaking of, here comes Bate! Bate tells Gacy that he has had it with this “high school name calling rubbish!” Gacy, Bate doesn’t know why you have a problem with him,. Maybe it’s about Stand & Deliver. Either way, Gacy has a receipt coming for him. And if it is as Battleground, so be it.

Wes says Gacy might have a busy night. But then Bate tells Wes to hold on. Bate says he and Wes are friends. But he would be lying to everyone if he said he didn’t want a title match, too. And the truth sets you free! SHUT UP, GACY!! Fans cheer Wes, and Wes asks Bate what he means. Why didn’t he just say something sooner? Bate says that’s right, he should have said something. But they can still do this strictly in the spirit of competition. Bate would never let titles get in the way of friendship. “If you say so, Tyler,” Ava adds. Gacy asks who it’ll be at Battleground then? The sworn enemy who approaches you face to face? Or the so-called friend who would stab you in the back?

Wes considers his options, and fans seem to sense the answer. “I’ll take you both on. How about a Triple Threat and I’ll see y’all at Battleground!” Wes tells Bate he thought he could trust him. Bate says he can, but Wes still leaves alone. Be it friends or enemies, who comes away with the gold at Battleground?

Roxanne Perez speaks.

“Exactly one year ago, my journey to becoming NXT Women’s Champion started when I entered the Women’s Breakout Tournament. I won that contract, and then went on to become the NXT Women’s Champion. Where did the time go? Everything happened so fast. Last year, this board was block, and now, every single one of these pictures capture a moment in time from the last 365 days. Championships, overcoming Meiko, my Rumble appearance. What’ll my next year look like? What’ll my next board look like?” Roxie has it prepared, with NXT, Battleground, Raw, SmackDown and WrestleMania 40 already represented.

Roxie says the unknown is nerve-wracking yet also so exciting. She knows where she’s been and where she wants to go. Now it’s just about how she gets there.

Von Wagner walks along backstage.

One of the ladies brings up Raw last night, and the battle royal. He did a great job there. He appreciates that. She also apologizes for what that guy, Lucas, said to him last week. That wasn’t cool. That was horrible. Von says that guy was probably just trying to impress the ladies or something. People always run their mouths like that. Speaking of Lucas, he is complaining to Robert Stone about Von assaulting him last week. Stone tells him to not push the issue, but Von pushes Lucas against spare ladders! Lucas wants to keep playing games, huh?! Do you wanna get in the ring? They can settle this any time he wants!

Lucas runs away, Stone thanks Von for the help. But wait, Von sticking up for Stone? N-No, what? But, you were. Von admits it, he did stick up for Stone. But that’s because Stone’s the only guy who has believed in Von since the beginning. And Stone says the reason why is because he knows there’s a superstar deep inside Von! So Stone asks Von this: Is Von ready to talk about his past?! Von looks at the picture. Nice try, Stone. Von leaves, but is Stone going to be the one that pushes things too far?

NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Roxanne Perez VS Jacy Jayne!

While Gigi Dolin is out of the running, there’s plenty of beef to squash between The Prodigy and the Toxic Traitor from the past 365 days. Will Roxie get a bit of vindication on top of vengeance? Or will Jacy make this all about her?

The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Jacy powers Roxie to a corner and grinds her forearms in. The ref counts, Jacy lets off while talking trash, but Roxie rolls Jacy up! TWO, and Roxie ROCKS Jacy! Jacy nods, that was good. But then she rushes in, only for Roxie to get around and waistlock. Jacy switches, Roxie wrenches out and wrenches hard. But Jacy ROCKS Roxie with a forearm! Fans boo but Jacy whips Roxie to ropes. Roxie wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and steps through to O’Conner Bridge! TWO, and Roxie hurries to step over! La Magistrol, TWO! Jacy staggers into another wrench.

Jacy swings, Roxie ducks but Jacy bucks the O’Conner to run Roxie over! Jacy howls but fans boo. Jacy KICKS Roxie in the back, but then Roxie blocks the mule kick! Roxie drags Jacy down to a roll-up, TWO! Jacy rushes in but into an arm-drag! Roxie has the armlock, floats to a cover, TWO! Roxie keeps on the arm and grinds Jacy down. Fans rally behind Roxie but Jacy fights up. Jacy pulls hair, whips Roxie ot ropes, but Roxie wheelbarrows again. Jacy throws Roxie away to DECK her! Roxie goes to ropes, then a corner. Jacy runs in but Roxie elbows her away! Roxie goes up, but Jacy SHOVES Roxie to the apron!

Roxie drags herself back up, but Jacy BLASTS her off and Roxie hits the desk! Fans boo but Jacy shrugs while NXT goes picture in picture.

Roxie writhes but Jacy taunts her. Roxie drags herself up, drags herself in, but Jacy CLUBS her down! Jacy has Roxie in a corner, runs in and back body blocks! Jacy then snapmares to KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Roxie checks her teeth, Jacy drags her into a motorcycle stretch. Roxie endures, fans rally up, and Roxie kicks forward. Jacy just sits back to pull deeper! But Roxie pushes back! It’s a cover, TWO and Jacy lets Roxie go, to get Roxie in a body scissors! Jacy squeezes tight but Roxie fights around. Jacy adds a chinlock but Roxie still fights. Roxie pushes back again to another cover, TWO!

Jacy lets Roxie go this time, but she hurries to clamp back on with the chinlock. Roxie endures again, fights back up, and she pushes back, only for Jacy to send her into the buckles! Roxie BOOTS back, Jacy runs in but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Roxie gets around to backslide! TWO and NXT returns to single picture as Jacy hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Roxie while Jacy grows frustrated. Jacy stomps Roxie around, and bends her back with a chinlock stretch. Roxie endures all over again and the fans continue to rally. Jacy licks Roxie’s forehead, but Roxie fights up, only for Jacy to throw her down!

Fans boo but Jacy soaks it up and has some fun. Jacy runs in to RAM Roxie! And RAM her in again, and again! The ref counts, Jacy lets off at 4, and then she jukes to CANNONBALL into just buckles! Roxie avoids the crash but Jacy hurries after her. Roxie KICKS Jacy from below! Jacy sits up, fans rally, and Roxie throws forearms! Jacy hits back, they go back and forth! Roxie gets the edge, and she eggs Jacy on! Jacy ROCKS Roxie back! Roxie rebounds to ROCK Jacy! And again! And again! Jacy kicks, Roxie blocks and throws furious fists from all sides! Fans fire up but Jacy shoves Roxie away, Roxie SHOTGUNS Jacy out of the ring!

Roxie kips up and fans fire up! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Roxie drags Jacy up and into the ring, then climbs up top. Fans rally, Roxie CROSSBODIES! She bounces off but keeps moving, and BOOTS Jacy! Then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Jacy hangs tough but Roxie keeps her focus. Roxie dares Jacy to get up again. Fans are with Roxie as she sobats but Jacy blocks to knee low! Jacy whips, Roxie goes up and over and around but Jacy pops her off! SUPERKICK! ROLLING ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives and Jacy can’t believe it! Jacy then gets mad, and she scowls at Roxie.

Jacy tells Roxie to give up as she rains down forearms! Fans boo but Jacy drags Roxie up. Jacy fireman’s carries but Roxie grabs ropes. Jacy throws Roxie to KNEE her low! Jacy spins, but Roxie dodges to SOBAT! Hop on and POP ROX!! Cover, ROXIE WINS!

Winner: Roxanne Perez, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

And we have our final four! Roxanne will take on Tiffany Stratton next week, and the two stare down on stage. These two were so close to being champion against Indi Hartwell, but who will be the one to get back to that belt?

And wait! GIGI DOLIN is here, and she beats up on Jacy! Jacy kicks Gigi away but Gigi pursues! They brawl, Jacy gets away again and then drags Gigi out to the floor! Gigi fires back and SMACKS Jacy off the apron! Refs rush in to stop this, when will Gigi get her revenge on Jacy?

Dragunov still endures Dijak’s beatings.

He grits his teeth and sweats through the pain, but he’s already battered and bruised. Dijak says he already told Dragunov that he can break any man. But Dragunov says he’s still standing! Dijak chuckles and leaves Dragunov be. Was this satisfactory for Hard Justice? Or does nothing break UNBESIEGBAR?

Melo & Trick make their way back out!

Melo has the mic, and he tells Bron that it’s time. Traffic ain’t that bad, so Bron can get on out to the ring. Trick & Melo will stay until the lights turn off if they have to. They’re watching all possible entrances, will Bron follow through on his word? We find out, after the break.

NXT returns and Trick Melo Gang is still waiting. Fans chant “Bron is a Coward!” but then Bron’s music hits. Bron walks down the ramp, mic in hand and smile on his face. But then security walks out, too? Melo asks what’s going on, and Trick says Big Bad Bron needs bodyguards. Bron says he didn’t bring these guys for him. The last time Bron saw them, he speared Melo through the wall. This is to protect Melo from Bron. If they weren’t out here, there would be no homecoming, and no NXT Battleground main event. Trick says the only one who needs protection is Bron!

Bron says, “Excuse me, but the last time I checked, last week, you and I strapped up the boots and let the ring talk, dude.” And Bron is pretty sure he beat Trick, too. Melo says that’s big talk coming from a guy with a wall of security in front of him. Some people say Bron changed for the better, but in reality, Bron can’t blame the people or Melo. Bron can only blame himself. Bron thought he was untouchable, until he got touched. And at NXT Battleground, Bron is NOT taking Melo’s NXT Championship.

Bron says he and Melo fight for two very different reasons. Melo wants to go to Battleground and retain the title, which is fine. But the title isn’t what interests Bron anymore. This is about destroying Melo in front of his hometown, in front of his fans, family and his friends, so that they all leave that night crying that their hero, Carmelo Hayes, couldn’t get the job done. Melo says Bron is saying all that with so much conviction and belief, and it’s that same believe that got him a year long title reign with this belt right here. But there is a reason that Melo and Bron are the main event. Everyone else ain’t cut like them. They ain’t.

And here Bron is, thinking he’s gonna ruin the homecoming. Cool. But the reality is, beating Bron is gonna help Melo create the dynasty he builds over Bron’s body. That is all it is, and that is all it’s gon’ be. Bron says Melo’s hometown does have a history of dynasties coming to an end. Like the New England Patriots. The Boston Celtics. The Red Sox. The Bruins. Any other team from Boston that’s trash. The Floridians in the audience actually cheer that. But the thing is, Bron is gonna put an end to the Him Dynasty before it even begins. And then after, Melo realizes he’s not Him, he’s nothing. And there’s not a damn thing Melo can do about it.

But Melo FLIES out onto the security guards! Bron goes after Melo, they brawl, security gest thrown aside and the hand start flying! Trick also helps clear things out so Melo and Bron can brawl in the ring! Fans fire up but security keeps trying to stop this! “Let Them Fight!” Melo clotheslines a guard out, but Bron CLOBBERS Melo!! Fans bark it up as Bron trophy lifts, but Melo slips free! And LOW BLOWS! No rules in a brawl! BELT SHOT!! Fans cheer Melo on, but he and Bron are both down. Who will be the man who gets back up to be THE NXT Champion?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for NXT, great build towards Battleground, but given that final segment, I kinda wish they had saved that in particular for the go-home show next week. What a great final image of Bron and Melo both down, the belt between them, and them feebly reaching for it. With one more segment next week, I have a feeling Bron stands tall there to establish that he isn’t winning at Battleground. Stand & Deliver was Melo’s Heel win moment, Battleground will be his Face win moment, and then Melo and Bron can move on to another story for the Summer. I feel like Bron should move to the North American Championship given how that scene is building.

Good bit of The Schism attacking Bate and Wes to ruin their plans for the night. And really creative way to get Bate to admit to wanting the title match. That Triple Threat will be great stuff, and because it is a Triple Threat, it could go any which way. As for the rest of Schism, of course The Dyad loses to Diamond Mine. As good as Zack Gibson & James Drake are, Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed are fairly weak. And at this point, we need to have Ivy VS Ava to happen. But should that happen, Ava probably wins thanks to shenanigans. Now, after someone dropped a dime on Tony, The Creeds step up to be contenders, that will be a good match. I can’t be sure if it was Gallus or The Creeds themselves who tipped off the cops, though.

Really good video for Dabba-Kato, and good response. Axiom seems to be moving on from Scrypts to go after his Bane in Dabba. That feud will probably be competitive compared to Axiom punking out Scrypts. Another good segment with Wagner and Stone where of course the “punchline,” if you will, is Stone bringing up the picture of Von’s scar. Von is going to resist, and he probably will beat the hell out of that Lucas guy, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Good promo from Hank, Tank, Jensen & Briggs. And before Tank even said it, I knew he was gonna suggest a match of Hank VS Tank. I hope this doesn’t backfire on these guys.

The Dragunov and Dijak segments were filmed very well, very Hollywood action movie, but I’m not sure the point of it. It’s supposed to establish how tough Dragunov is even though we’ve already seen it plenty when Dragunov has faced opponent after opponent who have beat the hell out of him. Just give us a No Disqualification type match where Dragunov gets brutalized yet still comes out the winner and we’d get the same effect as two of the three segments here tonight.

Great return of the Supernova Sessions, because Dar is always great on the mic. Dragon was great, Frazer was a great surprise, and we all knew Dar VS Dragon was going to be the title match so I guess them just getting to it is fine. No contender match, just straight up challenge made and accepted. Dar VS Dragon at Battleground is going to be great, and Dar VS Frazer next week is going to be great, too. And I liked that watch party stuff during the women’s title tournament. Thea VS Kiana was a good match but even if Duke was paying attention, I feel like Kiana was going to win. Duke being an inattentive teacher is an interesting next step in this story, but he still played it well.

I like that we got some more of that “NXT Women’s Division attacker” at other events other than the televised ones. I wonder if this person is revealed at Battleground. Whoever this is probably attacks whoever the new champion is, thereby getting a title feud for the summer. And while both matches tonight were great, I said last week that the outcomes were so obvious. Lyra advanced, so did Cora. Tiffany advanced, so did Roxie. Those feuds will be settled in the semifinals, and I’m thinking we get Cora VS Roxie to settle the ultimate grudge. Then Roxie can put being a two-time NXT Women’s Champion on her second memory board.

My Score: 8.6/10