Two grudge matches on the way to gold!

The NXT Women’s Championship Tournament reaches the semifinals! Lyra VS Cora, Tiffany VS Roxie, who makes it through to Battleground?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Semifinals: Lyra Valkyria VS Cora Jade; Lyra wins and advances to NXT Battleground.
• Axiom VS Dabba-Kato; Dabba wins.
• Tyler Bate VS Eddy Thorpe; Bate wins.
• Noam Dar VS Nathan Frazer; Frazer wins.
• Hank Walker VS Tank Ledger; Hank wins.
• Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone VS Luca Crusifino; Crusifino wins, by disqualification.
• NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Semifinals: Tiffany Stratton VS Roxanne Perez; Tiffany wins and advances to NXT Battleground.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tonight’s final four speak.

Lyra Valkyria says, “Two epic encounters now stand between me and the NXT Women’s Championship. Cora Jade, fate has brought us together once again. but my ferocity will carry me past you, all the way to Lowell, where I await my final obstacle.” But Cora Jade says “NXT needs me to be NXT Women’s Champion. Better yet, NXT wants me to be champion. Lyra, I saw how you were looking at my title last week, but trust me, honey, that’s all you’re gonna be doing. Looking up at the lights tonight, and looking at me becoming the new NXT Women’s Champion at Battleground.”

Tiffany Stratton says, “I never asked to be the It Girl of NXT, it just happened. When you’re the Center of the Universe, everything just perfectly falls into place. Roxanne Perez, you have no idea what I’m talking about, sorry n ot sorry. But after I’m done with you tonight, it’s off to Battleground to become the NXT Women’s Champ. Traveling first class, of course. Tootles.” Roxanne Perez says that, “In one year, I’ve lived a page out of my wildest dreams. But tonight’s not a fantasy, it’s a realty. Tiffany Stratton, you’re a moment maker, but I am a history maker. And nothing is gonna stop me from becoming a TWO-TIME NXT Women’s Champion.”

All four have said their piece, but who gets a piece of the action at Battleground? We start the semifinals right now!

NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Semifinals: Lyra Valkyria VS Cora Jade!

The Morrigan has been hunting The Punk Rock Mean Girl, and she finally gets her shot! Will Lyra bring down the #GenerationOfJade? Or will Cora keep up the delusions that NXT needs her?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Cora KNEES Lyra low, throws her down, then laugh at her. But Lyra ROCKS Cora, and again, and again! Lyra whips, Cora reveres but Lyra goes up and over. Things keep moving, Lyra ducks ‘n’ dodges and springboards, but she slips! Cora drags Lyra up but Lyra cradles her! TWO!! Lyra hurries to get Cora up, snap suplexes, and then covers, TWO! Lyra rushes at the ropes but Cora puts her on the apron. Cora KNEES Lyra, traps her in ropes, and CHOPS her! Fans boo but Cora runs to SHOTGUN Lyra down! Cora covers, TWO! Lyra is still in this and Cora is annoyed.

Cora kicks at her but Lyra grabs the leg to throw Cora down! Body scissors and Gedo Clutch, TWO! SEATED SURFBOARD! Cora pulls Lyra back, just to STOMP her! Cover, TWO! Lyra crawls to ropes, Cora runs to IMPLODER STOMP! Cover, TWO! Cora keeps on Lyra with a chinlock stretch but Lyra endures. Fans rally, Lyra fights up, and she throws body shots. Fans fire up, Lyra ROCKS Cora, and then Lyra goes to a corner. Cora runs in but into a BOOT! Lyra goes up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Both women are down and fans fire up. Lyra goes to ropes, Cora rises, and Lyra SOBATS! KICKS! And HEADBUTTS! Then AX KICKS!

Lyra reels Cora in, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO and Lyra rolls through! Cora fights the lift, throws knees, and Lyra goes back to a corner. Cora runs in, but Lyra blocks shining wizard for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! No bridge but Lyra still covers, TWO! Lyra keeps focus and rushes in again, but Cora YANKS her into ropes! Cora runs but Lyra dodges! Cora hits ropes, then Lyra hits a HEEL KICK! Cover, Lyra wins!!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to NXT Battleground)

In the blink of an eye, Lyra snatches this away from Cora and has her golden ticket to Lowell! Who will join Lyra on the Battleground to fight for the grandest prize?

Wait, Cora CHOP BLOCKS Lyra! Cora shrieks “That’s MY title!” Cora grabs her favorite kendo stick, and SMACKS Lyra’s leg!! Fans boo but some want that “One More Time!” Cora leaves while refs check Lyra’s leg, will Lyra be in any shape to fight at Battleground on Sunday?

Dijak arrives backstage.

And he gets a FLYING KICK from Ilja Dragunov!! The Czar is still standing after Dijak tried to break him last week, and now he’s gonna see if he can break Dijak! Chair shot to the back! And then he RAMS Dijak into a garage door! And then Dragunov opens that garage door, punches and stomps Dijak to be under it, and he brings it down! Dragunov is returning the favor from a few weeks ago, but refs and trainers stop him from going further! Will UNBESIEGBAR bring down Hard Justice even before their NXT Battleground Last Man Standing match?

Axiom VS Dabba-Kato!

The Undeniable Truth exposed Scrypts quite literally, but now he wants to take on the biggest challenge he physically can. Is Axiom trying too much too soon? Or will he actually climb the mountain of a man that is Dabba-Kato?

The bell rings and fans fire up. Dabba looks at Axiom and almost laughs at how much taller he is. But then Axiom KICKS him in the leg! And again! Dabba rushes in, Axiom dodges, but Dabba blocks a kick, only for Axiom to ENZIGURI! Dabba stays up but he’s wobbling, and Axiom hurries after. Dabba grabs Axiom by the neck, but Axiom flips out of the choke slam! Axiom kicks and kicks and runs, but Dabba just tanks the shoulder! Dabba grabs Axiom to CHOP him down! Dabba then shoves Axiom over the ropes and out of the ring! Dabba then goes out after Axiom. Axiom SLAPS Dabba, but Dabba CHOPS Axiom down!

Fans fire up, Dabba scoops Axiom to a trophy lift, and he TOSSES Axiom back into the ring! Dabba climbs the ropes but Axiom gets a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Dabba hobbles, Axiom KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Axiom runs, springboards, and dropkicks the leg out! Dabba is on his knees, Axiom KICKS him in the chest! And again! Axiom runs, but into a KING KONG LARIAT!! Dabba grabs Axiom with both hands, MOUNTAIN BOMB!! Cover, Dabba wins!

Winner: Dabba-Kato, by pinfall

But Dabba isn’t done! He stands Axiom up to fire off hands and stomps in a corner! The ref reprimands, Dabba lets off, but then Dabba SPLASHES Axiom in the corner! Fans boo, but SCRYPTS- Er, REGGIE leaps in! Reggie fires off on Dabba, but Dabba shoves him away. Dabba rushes at Reggie but Reggie dumps him out! Fans are fired up for Reggie as he tells Dabba to get his ass outta here! The refs rush in to stop this from getting any worse! Dabba is furious, but why did Reggie help Axiom? Reggie helps Axiom up but Axiom shrugs him off. Reggie tries to talk it over with Axiom and fans want them to “Hug it out!” It doesn’t seem Axiom wants Reggie’s help, but will he need it?

NXT has footage of Tony D’Angelo’s interrogation.

The Don sits in a room, and in walks a detective. He thanks Mr. D’Angelo for coming and asks how things are going. Tony says you already know how things are going, so let’s just get to it already. Then to the point, why is Tony’s name coming up in ongoing investigations? He doesn’t know. Tony is an upstanding pillar of society. Well there are some tips- Tips? From who? Maybe if Tony tips the detective, he can go? So is that bribing an officer of the law then? Whoa, hey, relax! He was just joking. Well, what’s not funny is the situation Tony finds himself in. They have video from an informant-

Whoa, whoa, whoa. An informant? Like a rat? No, like an informant. Who is in this video? Is this you, Tony? Tony mugging Pretty Deadly? Tony says the footage is a bit weak. It’s dark and at night, grainy even. Look, Tony will say this: there is no way that is him. It’s not? So then- Another knock at the door. Another detective walks in to tell Detective Stewart that some new information has come in that he will want to see. In that case, be right back. Tony waits alone in the room, tries to eavesdrop, but who knows if he can hear anything. Who is this informant that dropped a dime on The Don?

Bron Breakker speaks.

“Stand & Deliver was the culmination of my year long reign as NXT Champion. Anything less than your best, you’re not gonna get your hand raised when you’re in there with a superstar like Carmelo.” Bron lost that night, Melo showed him respect, and Bron thinks, “What did this last year get me? All the media, all the live events. I stayed after all the live events and signed as many pictures as I could.” Big match after big match, defending the brand, carrying the title, so that he could pass the torch that he knows he’s better than? Melo can have the torch, because Bron’s gonna burn this all down.

Bron snapped, beat up Trick Melo Gang, has continued to beat up on Trick Melo Gang, and Melo tries to say they’re “cut from the same cloth.” To Bron, “Melo’s just a dude walking around with a title that’s got my singlet colors printed on the center of it. We ain’t the same! I just finally woke up!” There’s a level down here, he’s on the level up above it. Anyone can be Him, no one else can be Bron! He cut Melo in half putting him through the stage. Melo tries to make a comeback, Bron speared him outta the sky! Bron isn’t going to Battleground for a homecoming. He’s going there in front of Melo’s fans, friends and family, to dish out a massacre.

Gallus is here!

Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang stand in the ring together, and Joe says, “Well now, well now, well now. Sunday’s Battleground looks absolutely stacked!” Wolfgang was sure Tony D & Stacks were gonna challenge for the NXT Tag Team Championships ever since that meeting in the pub, but he hasn’t seen them anywhere since! Joe says no, Wolfie, that’s because Tony is… detained! Oh, you don’t say? Tony must’ve upset someone down at the docks. If Joe was gonna bet money, we’re not gonna see Tony for a long, long time. And good riddance! Mark says the Creeds were gonna step up to them. Were gonna call them? Mark has no missed calls, though.

Joe says the Creeds must take after Tony & Stacks. Talk a big game, get all hyped up, and then they think- Oh, wait, here come the Creeds after all! The green lights get moved aside by the Diamond Mine blue, and Julius asks Brutus, “It sounds to me that the big bad Gallus boys don’t want a challenge. And that’s right, last week, we did call for you! But this week, we found you and we’re saying it to your faces. NXT Battleground, Gallus, Creeds, titles on the line. Ring, ring, ring. You gonna answer?” Mark says easy, they get it. The Creeds are all hyped up, they want to regain the tag titles. The problem is, Gallus are an entirely different animal.

Brutus says no, the problem is that Gallus is full of surprises. But they dealt their last hand at Stand & Deliver! Wolfie says this firm has had more fights than the Creeds have had hot dinners. Brutus does love dinner. Julius knows he is, he’s always hungry. But uh, Gallus’ guts are showing they’ve had a lot of dinners, too. But hey, this isn’t about bar food. This isn’t about darts or pool. This is about the fight about to take place in Lowell. They’re gonna go in and fight, but only two leave with titles. And it’s the Creeds time! Oh, they think they can throw hands with Gallus, huh? They sure do! Then the brawl is on!

Fans fire up as Julius TACKLES Joe! Then he helps Brutus against Mark and Wolfie! But this is still 3v2! Fans are on the Creeds’ side but that’s not enough! Mark & Wolfie get Julius up, but STACKS CLOBBERS MARK! Fans fire up as Stacks helps turn the tables! Brutus clotheslines Joe out! Gallus regroups and the Iron King has his guys stand down. Will Gallus not be on top against Diamond Mine at Battleground?

Backstage interview with Wes Lee.

McKenzie Mitchell is with the North American Champion and says last week was rough on him. Attacked in the locker room by The Schism, and now a crack in the bond with Tyler Bate. Wes is a bit unsure what to say, but he does say that everyone does look out for themselves in NXT. That’s the nature of the beast. But Wes really thought he could trust Tyler. Maybe Gacy is messing with Wes, or maybe Wes is paranoid because everyone wants to ruin his title defense record. Things have changed. Wes might need to stop letting people get close to him, who knows.

McKenzie does bring in someone to talk. It’s Tyler Bate! Wes says save it, Tyler doesn’t need to be friends anymore to get a title shot. But Wes will be paying close attention to Tyler’s match with Eddy Thorpe, now that he knows what he’s really after. Wes leaves, Tyler wishes he’d understand. Tyler explains that him wanting the title doesn’t change that he has respect for Wes and everything he’s done. Joe Gacy, though, is a different kettle of fish. But we’ll just have to wait and see at Battleground. Tonight, Tyler has Thorpe to worry about. Will the Big Strong Boi be able to focus against the Alpha Wolf?

Tyler Bate VS Eddy Thorpe!

NXT returns as Bate makes his entrance. Wes is on commentary to watch closely, just as he said. The bell rings and Bate ties up with Thorpe. Thorpe wrenches an arm, Bate goes around, rolls, and spins to then break free with a leg. Bate wrenches Thorpe, Thorpe rolls and kips and wrenches to get around and waistlock, then headlock. Fans fire up, Thorpe holds on as Bate tries to power out. Thorpe hits a takeover, Bate moves around, and Bate rolls to a cover. TWO, Thorpe holds on, so Bate tries again. ONE, and Thorpe still holds on. Fans rally, Bate fights up, and Bate spins out to wristlock and arm-drag!

Thorpe headscissors, Bate kips free and trips Thorpe! Cover, ONE, and they knuckle lock. Bate kicks, steps over, gets around, baits Thorpe in then duck sunder. Thorpe doesn’t fall for the next freebie and fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Thorpe gets around to a waistlock. Thorpe lifts but Bate arm-drags free. Thorpe runs in, Bate dodges, drops and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up, Bate covers, TWO! Bate keeps on Thorpe and fireman’s carries, but Thorpe fights free! Thorpe waistlocks, Bate elbows free, and then RAMS low. Bate whips, Thorpe reverses and SPINNING CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up and duel while both men are down.

Thorpe brings Bate up, but Bate cradles! TWO and Thorpe CHOPS! Bate grits his teeth, Thorpe snapmares him to KICK in the back! Cover, TWO! Thorpe keeps Bate down in a seated cobra twist. Fans rally, Bate fights up, but Thorpe wrangles him back down. Bate fights up, fans rally, but Thorpe gets him for a standing cobra twist! Thorpe CLUBS Bate, pulls on the hold, but Bate pries the hold apart. Bate gets under a clothesline to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUTS again! But Thorpe SOBATS! Bate goes to a corner, Thorpe runs in, but he blocks Bate’s boot, only for Bate to KNEE him away!

Bate goes up, leaps, FLYING UPPERCUT! And then an EXPLODER! Bate kips up, fans fire up, and Bate SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Bate drags Thorpe up again, and he underhooks the arms! Thorpe slips free of the driver to UPPERCUT! Thorpe kicks, whips, but Bate ducks ‘n’ rebounds, but Thorpe BOOTS him! But Bate bucks the O’Conner! Thorpe runs in, Bate dodges to REBOUND LARIAT! Bate hurries to underhook, TYLER DRIVER 97!! Cover, Bate wins!

Winner: Tyler Bate, by pinfall

Wes applauds because that was a good match, but GACY ATTACKS! Gacy beats down Bate, and Wes can’t stand it! Wes gets in to run up on Gacy, but Gacy moves and Wes DECKS Bate! Wes realizes his mistake, but turns around into the UPSIDE-DOWN! Gacy takes out Wes and Bate, then picks up the belt. Will The Schism finally have gold hanging from the tree?

Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.

McKenzie is with Lyra in the medical room as she has ice on the leg. Lyra is going to the finals of the tournament but Cora may have just injured her. Does she have a medical update at this time? Lyra says her knee is bruised and swollen, but she has to wait for that to go down first. Lyra doesn’t feel a tear or ligament damage, so she’ll be fine. No matter what, she’ll be fine. She can rehab all week, watch the other match, and be ready for the finals. Any preference as to who she faces? “This is the part where everybody gives a vague answer, right? And they say they’ll take on anyone.

“Nah, I want Roxanne Perez. In my eyes, she’s the best of NXT, and I wanna take on her for the championship.” McKenzie thanks Lyra for her time, but will Lyra get what she wants again?

Noam Dar VS Nathan Frazer!

The Scottish Supernova brought back his talk show, the Supernova Sessions, all to poke fun at Dragon Lee. But with a little help from the Home Hitting Hard Truths host, Dragon Lee now has a Heritage Cup Championship match at Battleground! Will Dar make Frazer pay for crashing the party? Or will Frazer expose Dar for the fraud he says Dar is?

The bell rings and Dar circles with Frazer. They tie up, Dar wrenches an arm to a wristlock then brings Frazer down. Frazer fights up, arm-drags, but Dar holds onto the wristlock. Frazer fights up, spins, and headlocks. Frazer grinds Dar, but Dar powers out the back to get a headlock of his own. Dar talks some trash but Frazer fights up to power out. Things speed up, Dar avoids the hurdle but Frazer avoids the sweep to hit a headlock takeover! Fans rally, Dar headscissors but Frazer kips free. Frazer gets the headlock and takeover again! Fans rally, Dar keeps his shoulders up, and Dar powers up.

Dar powers Frazer to ropes, the ref calls the break, and Dar lets off. Frazer avoids the cheap shot to hit the headlock takeover again! Dar keeps his shoulders up, fights around again, and Dar powers up, only for Frazer to hit yet another takeover. Dar fights up once again, knees low, and he throat chops! Dar whips, Frazer goes up and over and things speed up. Fans duel as Frazer redirects, and redirects, and redirects! Frazer then ducks ‘n’ dodges to DROPKICK Dar right out of the ring! Fans are thunderous and Dar crawls to the Heritage Cup on the pedestal. Dar tries to get encouragement from it as NXT goes picture in picture.

Dar stands, he catches his breath, and he slowly returns. Frazer rushes him, they both go out, and Frazer ROCKS Dar! And SMACKS Dar off the apron! Dar scrambles in, Frazer high-fives fans, and Frazer hurries back in. Frazer snap suplexes Dar and floats to a cover, TWO! Frazer stalks Dar to ropes, brings him up and CHOPS him! Frazer whips Dar to ropes, Dar reverses but Frazer sunset flips! TWO, and Frazer DROPKICKS Dar down! Cover, TWO! Dar is still in this, he wouldn’t be Heritage Cup Champion if he wasn’t tough. Frazer drags Dar up, cravats, cranks on the neck, and rolls with Dar.

Dar fights up, powers Frazer to ropes, but Frazer still rolls with Dar! Frazer keeps that cravat on tight, but Dar pulls hair. The ref reprimands, Dar knees low, but Frazer ROCKS Dar with a right! Frazer suplexes but Dar wrenches out to sweep the legs! Dar nods, feeling smug again. Frazer goes to a corner, Dar runs in to forearm smash! Dar eggs the fans on, he snapmares Frazer, and he UPPERCUTS Frazer in the back! Frazer goes to a corner, Dar whips him corner to corner but Frazer goes up and over and handsprings away. Dar runs in, but into a boot! Frazer goes up but Dar sweeps the legs again! Frazer lands hard, Dar covers, TWO!

Dar flexes to taunt Frazer as well as the fans, and then he clamps on with a top wristlock. Dar digs a knuckle into Frazer’s triceps, but Frazer endures. Dar cranks on the arm, NXT returns to single picture, and fans rally up. Frazer fights up, throws body shots, but Dar UPPERCUTS! Frazer goes to a corner, Dar runs in but Frazer dodges! Dar bounces off buckles, Frazer jumps up, but Dar kicks the legs out! Frazer hits the apron hard, Dar drags him up through the ropes. Dar has Frazer on the ropes, and feels like a Viper. But the ref counts, so Dar drops Frazer to KICK the arms out! Cover, TWO!

Dar grows frustrated but fans rally up. Dar drags Frazer around by an arm to stomp the arm! And then Dar stomps the other arm! Dar taunts Frazer, gets a leg and stomps that! Dar stomps the other leg, covers, TWO! Frazer crawls but Dar puts him in a corner. Dar climbs up to rain down elbows from above! The ref counts, Dar stops and he flexes again. Fans cheer and jeer but Dar stalks Frazer. Frazer throws body shots! Frazer ROCKS Dar with haymakers, but then Dar dodges to SUPERMAN FOREARM! Frazer flops to the ropes, Dar KICKS him! Frazer goes to another side, Dar KICKS him again!

Dar talks trash, KICKS but Frazer blocks! Dar throws hands, Frazer dodges and QUEBRADA into REVERSE DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans rally up, Frazer and Dar stand. Frazer counter punches Dar! And again! Frazer fires off more shots, CHOPS Dar in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Frazer runs in, Dar puts him on the apron but Frazer ROCKS him again! Frazer goes up, but he avoids the kick this time! Frazer ELBOWS Dar, then springboards to AX HANDLE! Fans fire up as Frazer rallies on Dar! Spin and suplex, ANARCHY! Cover, TWO! Dar is still in this and Frazer is beside himself!

Frazer goes to a corner, fans rally and duel, and Frazer goes up the corner. Frazer PHOENIX SPLASHES but he has to roll through! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS! Dar drops to a knee, but he blocks a kick! Frazer ENZIGURI but Dar spins under it! And then ANKLE LOCK! Frazer rolls to send Dar into buckles! Dar staggers back, into a PELE! Dar staggers around, Frazer QUEBRADA, but Dar dodges to ROUNDHOSUE! Pop-up ARMBAR! Frazer flails, clasps hands, fans duel and Dar CLUBS the hands! Dar has the ARMBAR in full! But Frazer fights around, stacks, TWO!! Dar lets Frazer go, but Frazer ducks the elbow! SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up and both men are down! Frazer is shocked but the fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” Dar and Frazer slowly rise, they go forehead to forehead, “This is Wrestling!” as both men throw hands! Frazer CHOPS! Dar forearms! Frazer CHOPS, and CHOPS, and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! But Dar JABS Frazer! Dar reels Frazer in, but Frazer cradle counters! TWO!! Dar blocks a kick, to BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!!! Frazer is showing his own toughness, and now Dragon Lee walks out here. Dragon looks at the cup and fans fire up. Dar sees him and gets upset. Dar goes out to tell Dragon to back off.

Dragon says he’s just admiring the cup, and Dar shoves Dragon! Dragon is ready to punch Dar but Dar goes to the ring. Frazer DIVES and takes out Dar! Dragon laughs at Dar, Frazer puts Dar in! Frazer goes up, to PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, FRAZER WINS!!

Winner: Nathan Frazer, by pinfall

The Wonder Boy helps the British Rocket out here, meaning Frazer pins the Heritage Cup Champion! Will Frazer be next in line for the cup no matter who wins at Battleground?

Backstage interview with Ilja Dragunov.

McKenzie asks him that if he’s to sign the Hold Harmless Agreement with Dijak before their Last Man Standing Match, why attack Dijak here tonight? Dragunov says he is making Dijak feel the pain that awaits him on Sunday. Last week was torture but Dragunov was still standing. So Dragunov will sign the agreement so that at Battleground, the fight can go anywhere they want. And then, Dijak will understand what Dragunov means when he says he is UNBESIEGBAR! But Dijak storms in! The rest of the locker room tries to stop this but the brawl is back on! The others pull these two apart, but then Dijak gets loose!

There’s chaos backstage as these two keep wanting after each other! Will nothing stop these two from destroying their opponents and even themselves at Battleground?

Carmelo Hayes has a special homecoming.

Just last weekend, the NXT Champion returned home to Boston, Massachusetts and did the media tour, from 98.5 The Sports Hub to Boston 25 News, and was even on the Ten Count podcast. What is it like being back home? Melo feels very comfortable. It’s time for him to lock in, get ready, be around his people, his city, where he paid his dues. It just feels right. It will be his first time back as champion, especially THE champion. He’s of course very excited to be back around friends and family and to show them how he does what he does. This is a big moment. Melo even went to Kowloon’s to have a great dinner and sign a picture for them to put on their Wall of Fame.

Melo says it all feels right. He is in the City of Champions. You look at any major sports city, Boston’s right up there. It is only fitting that this champion comes home. He got to go to a Boston Celtics game, and the organization they are, they rolled out the red carpet. Just a couple days and it has been all love for Melo. Now, he defends against Bron Breakker. Does Bron have any idea what he is walking into? Coming into Melo’s backyard to beat him? That’s crazy! Bron is not prepared for what this is. It will be a hostile environment, Melo has earned a lot of love and respect in this area, this will be his homecoming. Bron wants to try and ruin that, but Melo’s dogs don’t bark, they bite.

That previous time in the ring with Bron, Melo learned everything he needs to know about Bron. Bron is big, fast, strong, but he isn’t Boston Strong, and he finds that out this Sunday.

Hank Walker VS Tank Ledger!

Though they make their entrance together, these two teammates and good friends are looking to sharpen iron with iron! Will they become a stronger team for this match? Or will all this blue collar brawling blow up in their faces?

The bell rings and the teammates shake hands to show there’s respect. The fans cheer, the two tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Tank gets a headlock but Hank powers up. Hank powers out, they RAM shoulders, and they both say, “Holy moly!” Tank and Hank go again, they RAM shoulders, and fans rally. They RAM shoulders again, and they’re firing up now! They both run to RAM shoulders! Tank pushes Hank to a corner, CLUBS him, CLUBS him and ELBOWS him! But then Hank shoots in to put Tank in the corner! Hank RAMS into Tank again and again, then CLUBS him! And CHOPS him!

Fans fire up as Hank brings Tank around, to scoop and- NO, Tank slips free and he RAMS Hank into buckles! Tank whips corner to corner, Hank staggers into a scoop and SLAM! Fans fire up as Tank cartwheels and DIVING HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Tank stays fired up, he eggs Hank on, and Hank throws a haymaker! Tank hits back! Hank throws another, but Tank gives it back! Hank throws a body shot, and a forearm! Hank eggs Tank on and Tank swings. Hank gets around, scoops, and SLAMS! Tank staggers to a corner, Hank SPLASHES him! Hank whips corner to corner, Tank dodges, keeps moving, and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide!

Fans fire up, Hank manages to cover, and Hank wins!!

Winner: Hank Walker, by pinfall

The hoss fight is over, and Hank helps Tank up. But Bron SPEARS Hank!! Fans boo but Bron SPEARS Tank!! The Big Booty Nephew just decimates two hosses at once! Fans chant “You Suck!” but Bron tells Melo he’ll see him Sunday. Will Bron become champion for a third time when he breaks… Him?

The Diamond Mine talks backstage.

The Creeds are going for gold and they’re all excited, and then Stacks walks over. So Tony finally got caught sleeping with fish, huh? Brutus, no, that’s not how that goes. Ivy smacks Brutus on the chest and Julius tells Stacks that though they haven’t always seen eye to eye, he appreciates Stacks having their backs out there. Well, Joe Coffey didn’t just screw the Creeds over at Stand & Deliver, he did that to everyone. The Creeds agree, and Brutus says that this Sunday, they’ll beat Gallus get those belts back. Then Gallus can be on the first plane back to Scotland.

Stacks says, “But here’s the thing. You’ll be as outnumbered in Lowell as you were tonight.” Good point. And with The Don begin detained, maybe they could work out an arrangement for Stacks to have their back? No offense, Stacks, but they’ve been burned trusting people before. Multiple times. Stacks understands that, no offense taken. But Julius says that when Tony gets free, the Family can have the first shot at the Creeds. Stacks appreciates that, and wishes them luck. But just how long will The Don be stewing in the police precinct?

Gigi Dolin is here!

Fans cheer the Toxic Avenger as she makes her way to the ring. Gigi isn’t headed to Battleground for the NXT Women’s Championship and we all know why. Gigi gets the mic to say, “I’m not shy about the broken home that I grew up in. Or the fact that my brother and I had to learn the hard way what addiction looks like from our parents. Neither of us ever knew what a stable family felt like. But when I came here, I thought I found one. I allowed Jacy Jayne in so she could tear everything down. She cut me out of her life when I would’ve done anything for her! But now I will do anything to end her.

“And the pain that is tattooed on my soul will be written all over your face, Jacy Jayne, when I purge everything I ever felt for you.” But Jacy appears in the upper deck to say, “Alright, alright, alright. That’s about as much of this emo talk as I can take for one night. Hey, Geeg! Remember this? This is where it all started. We used to sit up here in our lounge, looking down at everybody. We were on top of the world! It was truly the run of your career, riding shotgun to me.” Gigi shoots back, “If everything was so great, why throat it all away, huh?” Jacy says, “Because I outgrew you!”

Jacy got sick and tired of carrying Gigi through every single match we had. Everybody knew that Jacy was destined for bigger and better on her own. And Jacy refused to let Gigi drag her down any longer than she already had. Gigi says that’s funny, Jacy talking about moving on, because Gigi has been the center of Jacy’s attention since that kick to the face. It isn’t that Jacy wants to move on, it’s that Jacy will do whatever it takes that she’s not remembered as Toxic Attraction’s third wheel! Jacy says that’s funny, because as Jacy remembers, the last time they were in the ring together, Jacy beat her and embarrassed her in front of her “pathetic little brother.”

Gigi says okay, yes, Jacy won. But she also had to get eight stitches to fix that face. And before that, Gigi beat Jacy at Roadblock, so this is 1-1. How about we settle this here and now?! Fans want that, but Jacy says everyone loves Gigi, huh? The fans cheer, and Jacy says Gigi can go ahead and do what she does best: pander to her little troll fanbase that lives on social media. Y’know, the ones that love to eat up her “tragic, depressing, pathetic Instagram stories.” If there’s one thing Jacy can’t wait for, it is to be done with Gigi once and for all. So how about next week, they end this right where it all began?

However, Jacy doesn’t wanna do this in any ordinary match. She wants to end this in a STEEL CAGE!! Fans love that, and Gigi says she doesn’t pander to anyone. She wears her heart on her sleeve and has no problem doing so, because she is real! The fans all see it. Gigi is as real as it gets. Unlike Jacy, because Jacy~ Jayne~ “is a fake ass b*tch!” And if Jacy wants a cage, then let’s kick it up a notch to make it a WEAPONIZED CAGE! Jacy says Gigi’s on! Fans are ready for the Toxic War’s final chapter, but just how far will Gigi and Jacy go to bury this once and for all?

Luca Crusifino, Esquire speaks.

“After a series of unfortunate events, Von Wagner, tonight, you face legal consequences. I attempted to explain my position to your associate, Mr. Stone, but it’s fallen on deaf ears. That leaves me with no other option but to have this settled in that NXT ring tonight. And I promise you this, Von Wagner, I promise you, when you’re in the ring with Luca Crusifino, you’ll be regretting that you didn’t settle this outside of court.” Is Luca gonna throw the book at Von over losing his cool?

NXT Anonymous has another video.

They’re watching as Oro Mensah talks with Noam Dar. Dar’s been on the same roster as him for years, but only now is Dar turning to Oro? Get outta here! Dar says hold on, that’s why! He knows how good Oro is as a former NXT UK Tag Team Champion. Dar really needs Oro as a cornerman! Frazer will be in Dragon’s corner, so the number one needs a number two! Dar wants Oro to understand the opportunity being laid out here! Oro can strap himself to Dar’s rocket ad they’ll blast off into another stratosphere! What does Oro say? Oro says absolute NOT. Dar wants Oro to be reasonable! There must be an amount of money-

But then in walk Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson. Dar says hello to the ladies, and Lash says NOPE. Dar thought he was hotter than hot, but he can kiss his little cup good-bye! The ladies leave Dar behind. Dar says it’s not little! What is Supernova 11 to do without a second?

Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone VS Luca Crusifino!

The usually vicious and cold Von Wagner seems to have a sad secret that he didn’t want getting out. But the “Legal Eagle” poked fun at it and incurred the wrath of Von Wagner! Will Luca take Von to the cleaners since he couldn’t take him to court? Or will Luca soon learn why you don’t wake the sleeping giant?

The bell rings and fans sing “Von is gonna kill~ you!” Luca talks a bunch of trash, but Von picks him right up to RAM him into a corner! Von RAMS into Luca again and again, then fires off clubbing hands! The ref counts, Von lets off, and Luca crawls away. Von whips Luca to a corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Von then brings Luca around to whip and BOOT him down! Luca flounders away and fans actually cheer Von! Von goes out after Luca, puts him in the ring, and then hurries back in. Von runs but Luca dodges! Von hits buckles, Luca CLUBS him in the back! Luca stomps a mudhole in but Von shoves him away.

Von runs in, but into a QUICK DRAW from Luca! Cover, TWO! Luca fires off in a corner, the ref counts, but Von shoves him away. Von ROCKS Luca, ROCKS him again, then DECKS him! Von drags Luca up, whips him to ropes, and CLOBBERS him! Von drags Luca up, shoves him, but Luca holds ropes. Von runs in but Luca sends him tumbling out! Stone coaches Von but Luca gets in Stone’s face now. Luca wants the picture! Stone tells him no, but Luca gets it! The picture of baby Von and Luca says, “Look at this freak! Look at this freak!” Stone says that’s not right, but Von rises up!

Von storms over and fans says Luca messed up! Von CLOBBERS Luca again! Von puts Luca in, drags Luca up for more clubbing hands, but the ref counts! Stone tells Von to stop, but he goes past 5! The bell rings and Luca wins!

Winner: Luca Crusifino, by pinfall

But Von BOOTS Luca out! Fans want him to “KICK HIS ASS!” and Von TOSSES Luca into barriers! Stone says Von can stop, but Von doesn’t wanna stop! Von drags Luca up, fans want a table bomb, but Stone reasons with Von. Von lets Luca go, Stone thanks him, because otherwise he’ll get suspended. But then Von thinks about it. Von goes back to Luca! POWEROMBB on the desk!! The desk doesn’t break but Luca might have! Will everyone learn not to anger Von Wagner?

Tony D’Angelo is still stewing.

How long has he been in there in total? But then the detectives return. He asks if this is all cleared up, he’s gotta get Mama D’Angelo to the grocery store. The detectives say they’re fine, but Tony’s not. Stand up, put your hands behind your back. Seriously!? They read Tony his rights and he says this is ridiculous! He knows his rights, but do they know who he is? Where’s his phone call? Is The Don done for?

NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Semifinals: Tiffany Stratton VS Roxanne Perez!

The Center of the Universe wants it all, but the Prodigy has already done it all. Will Tiffany have what she wants in a golden ticket to Battleground? Or will Roxie get started on her new memory board with that same opportunity?

NXT returns as Roxie makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Tiff talks trash and pats little Roxie on her head, but Roxie swats that way. Tiff calls for a test of strength but holds her hand way up there. Roxie jumps up to grab that hand, and the two tie up. They go shoulder to shoulder, Tiff bends Roxie back, covers, TWO as Roxie kips up! Roxie kicks, wrenches, and waistlocks. Tiff throws elbows, grabs for a leg, but Roxie flips her over! O’Conner Bridge, TWO! Roxie headlocks but Tiffany stays up. Tiff pulls hair, powers out, and they RAM shoulders! Roxie rebounds to run Tiff over!

Things speed up, Roxie cartwheels then tilt-o-whirls, but Tiff handsprings through! Fans cheer the ability, Tiffany soaks it all in, but Roxie rolls Tiffany up! TWO, and Roxie runs back in. Tiff catches her, but Roxie sunset flips! TWO, and Roxie hurries to go after an arm. Roxie wrenches, wristlocks, but Tiff pulls hair again. Tiff puts Roxie in the corner, the ref counts, but Tiff lets off. Roxie ELBOWS Tiff, goes up, but Tiff gets under the jump. Roxie handsprings and arm-drags Tiff down! Roxie keeps on the arm with an armlock but Tiff fights up. Fans rally, Roxie wrenches, but Tiff ROCKS Roxie!

Fans boo but Tiff drags Roxie up to wrench the arm. Tiff YANKS the arm, YANKS it again, and wrenches again. Roxie throws body shots, cartwheels and headscissors Tiff right out of the ring! Fans fire up, Roxie builds speed, and Roxie DIVES, but into a fireman’s carry! Tiff shows strength but Roxie slips off! Roxie dodges, tilt-o-whirls, and sends Tiff into the apron! Roxie puts Tiff in the ring, climbs up the corner, and fans cheer, but Tiff sweeps the legs! Roxie falls to the mat and then the floor, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Tiff goes out after Roxie, drags her up and RAMS her into the apron! Tiff snarls, but Roxie throws hands! Tiff CHOPS Roxie back! Tiff talks trash, CHOPS Roxie again and puts her in the ring. Cover, TWO! Roxie goes to a corner, Tiff stomps away! The ref counts, Tiff lets off and she CHOKES Roxie on ropes! The ref counts again, Tiff lets off and YANKS the ropes. Roxie flops back, Tiff has a cocky cover, TWO! Tiff stomps Roxie, puts her on ropes and CHOKES her again! The ref counts, Tiff lets off to run and HIP ATTACK! Roxie falls over, Tiff covers, TWO! Tiff grows annoyed but she taunts Roxie.

Roxie throws body shots! And forearms! But Tiff throws Roxie by her hair! And then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Tiff is furious but she clamps onto Roxie with a motorcycle stretch. Roxie endures and fans rally up. Roxie fights up, but Tiff wrangles her back down! Fans rally up as NXT returns to single picture, and Roxie fights up gain! Roxie turns things around but Tiff kicks her low! Tiffany says no one is taking that title from her, and she gut wrenches, but Roxie arm-drags free! And then SHOTGUNS Tiff out of the ring! Fans fire up, Roxie builds speed, and Roxie DIVES! Direct hit and down goes Tiffany!

Roxie keeps moving, she DIVES again! Another direct hit! Fans fire up with Roxie and she pushes Tiff back in. Roxie goes up the corner, Tiffany stands, and Roxie CROSSBODIES! Tiffany rolls through with it! Tiff pops Roxie up, ROLLING SENTON! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER, but Roxie moves! Tiffany rolls through, but comes back into Roxie’s THESZ PRESS! Roxie fires fast hands, then runs at Tiffany to UPPERCUT in the corner! Roxie keeps going, to UPPERCUT Tiffany down! Tiffany staggers up, avoids Roxie’s boot, and pops her up, SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives and Tiffany is furious!

Fans fire up and Tiffany drags Roxie up. Fans rally for Roxie but Tiff hoists her up to hang her out to dry. Tiff goes up the corner, brings Roxie around to join her, but Roxie throws body shots! Roxie CHOPS Tiffany, stands on the very top, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Tiffany survives and Roxie is shocked! Fans fire up again and Roxie grits her teeth. Roxie brings Tiff up, throws more body shots, then fires off with windmilling shots at the ropes! Roxie wrenches, clinches, but Tiff throws Roxie by her hair! Tiff drags Roxie up, reels her in, POWER- RANA!! Roxie has the cover, TWO!! Tiff sunset flips, TWO!!

Tiff stands, into a V-TRIGGER! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up with Roxie and she aims at Tiff. Tiff rises, Roxie SOBATS! Roxie hops on, but Tiff pops her off! Roxie hotshots off ropes, Tiffany hits the ROLLING SENTON! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, TIFFANY WINS!!!

Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (advances to NXT Battleground)

Tiffany toughs it out and takes out the Prodigy! Will NXT have no choice but to acknowledge Tiffany as The Center of the Universe? Tiffany and Lyra stare down by the title while Roxie makes her leave, but wait! Someone attacks Roxie!! It’s the hooded figure! The assassin of the NXT Women’s Division is beating down Roxie! Lyra and refs rush in, and the hooded figure runs away! Just who is that?!

Dijak heads to the ring.

But then Dragunov CLOBBERS him from behind!! Their brawl continues and fans are thunderous! The hands keep flying, Dijak ELBOWS Dragunov but Dragunov PELES Dijak! Fans fire up, Dragunov runs in, but Dijak dodge! Dragunov rams himself into steel steps! And then Dijak TOSSES Dragunov over barriers and into the gap! Dijak grabs the Hold Harmless Agreement and signs his part. Then he goes after Dragunov, but security rushes in. Dijak throws them all aside, and he choke grips Dragunov! But Dragunov SLAPS, SLAPS and SMACKS Dijak! And CHOSP! And CHOPS!

Dijak shoves Dragunov away, but Dragunov comes back to CHOP Dijak over the barriers! Dragunov gets a pen, signs his part of the agreement, and it’s all official! Fans are thunderous as Dragunov fights off security, but Dijak BOOTS Dragunov down! Dijak then pulls the steps apart! Dijak aims at Dragunov, but Dragunov kicks him lows! Dijak falls and smacks off the steps! Dragunov jumps off the steps for the FALLING FOREARM!! The fans are thunderous as Dragunov stands tall, but then Dijak rises! Just what will it take to end this at Battleground?

My Thoughts:

For a go-home show, this was awesome stuff. I didn’t cover them but there were some awesome video packages to hype up some stuff. Especially at the end there, that was a really great way to sum up what’s coming at Battleground. Also, great videos for Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes ahead of the title match. It is great that Melo got to have all those moments in his hometown area. Hank VS Tank was really good but also surprisingly short, and great for Hank to win, but I guess it was short because Bron was going to attack Hank and Tank. This kinda counts as Bron standing tall so I think Melo retains.

Really good match out of Axiom VS Dabba-Kato but I should’ve figured Dabba would win. But what a twist that Reggie came to Axiom’s rescue after Axiom punked him out and took his Scrypts mask. It also seems a strange character move, I thought Scrypts wanted to be Axiom’s archnemesis, not an ally. Also good stuff out of Gallus, the Creeds and Stacks. Interesting aesthetic choice for Gallus to have green light bathing the entire area for their promos, but good promo and brawl to make Gallus VS Creeds the official tag match.

But does Stacks feel suspicious to anyone else? Tony D’Angelo is arrested, Stacks is more concerned about being The Creeds’ corner man to help against Gallus. But at the same time, Creeds did promise the Family a title match, so maybe Stacks is multitasking in trying to help Tony both legally and in his career. I guess we’ll see after Battleground, but it’d be an amazing level of kayfabe to have Tony go to trial and maybe even spend some time in prison until Stacks can bail him out. If only Cole Karter wasn’t still with AEW/ROH, he could make a huge return being the guy reporting Tony to the police.

Really good stuff with Wes Lee, Tyler Bate and Joe Gacy. A bit of a shame Eddy Thorpe had to be fed to this story to help get Bate momentum, but I suppose getting his first loss out of the way is fine. Gacy attacking both Wes and Bate made a lot of sense, and him standing tall of course means Gacy isn’t winning. Either Wes breaks the record or Bate adds another belt to his accolades. I’m fine with either of those outcomes. But at the same time, what is Gacy supposed to do to stay relevant in NXT? The Dyad didn’t win tag titles, Gacy tried for NXT Championship and lost, and Ava hasn’t even wrestled all that much so when is she supposed to get women’s title? Maybe Gacy defies go-home math and wins after all just out of necessity.

Great match out of Dar VS Frazer, and Dragon Lee helping Frazer win makes me think Dar wins to keep the cup. But since Dar is looking for a corner man, I am really hoping this is the time they bring back Sha Samuels. Sha and Dar had such great chemistry in UK, I hope the US audience gets to finally see that in person. Good stuff from Von, Stone and Luca, and I really like that the fans have come around on Von because of this story. Von gets to use his “I beat people up” thing in a Face way because he’s doing it to bullies, and while Luca gets the win, Von is really the winner because he bodied that guy. I just hope the WWE can make this story work on RawDown, because I am not sure the overlap between RawDown viewers and NXT.

Great promo from Gigi and Jacy, and I actually like that they’re going with a Steel Cage for this. Neither Gigi nor Jacy have someone on their side that can cheat this thing, and being weaponized, it’s almost like Hell in a Cell or something. This could go either way, but since it’s after Battleground, it really depends on who will be the new Women’s Champion. We got great matches from both Lyra VS Cora and Tiffany VS Roxie, and instead of going with the seemingly obvious Roxie VS Cora, they went with the exact opposite. I suppose that’s fine, Roxie’s already done a lot and now it’s time for her to be in the chase. Of course, she also got attacked by the hooded assailant of the Women’s Division, so maybe Roxie gets to the bottom of who that is and has a great feud with them.

My Score: 8.6/10