August is still sizzling!

NXT made it through the Heatwave, but things aren’t cooling off just yet! Who will win their shot at Tiffany Stratton’s NXT Women’s Championship?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• High Stakes Steel Cage Tag Match: The Creed Brothers VS The Dyad; The Creed Brothers win and are reinstated in NXT.
• NXT Global Heritage Invitational Tournament, Group A: Charlie Dempsey w/ Drew Gulak & Damon Kemp VS Pete Dunne; Dunne wins.
• Dana Brooke & Kelani Jordan VS Elektra Lopez & Lola Vice; Lopez & Vice win.
• Eddy Thorpe VS DIJAK; Dijak wins.
• NXT Global Heritage Invitational Tournament, Group B: Nathan Frazer VS Joe Coffey w/ Gallus; Coffey wins.
• NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Roxanne Perez VS Blair Davenport VS Gigi Dolin VS Kiana James; Kiana wins and will challenge Tiffany Stratton for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT mourns the losses of Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt.

High Stakes Steel Cage Tag Match: The Creed Brothers VS The Dyad!

Julius & Brutus may have been exiled from NXT, but how it happened didn’t sit right. So now, after weeks of returning the mind games, they’re here to tear The Schism’s tree! Will Diamond Mine rebuild? Or will they be crushed once and for all?

But before Brutus can get in the cage, the minions attack! Julius is all alone as the bell rings! The match is underway as a 2v1 handicap match inside, and a 12v1 fight outside! The minions drag Brutus away and Julius can only watch! Gacy looks the cage door for good measure, Julius must now go through The Dyad to win. Julius fires up and fires off on The Dyad, but the 2v1 catches up to him. But then Julius powers up to fight back again! Julius underhooks Jagger but Rip gets Julius’ arms. Jagger runs in but into a BOOT! Julius powers out, ELBOWS Rip then OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Jagger!

Rip staggers up, into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Julius kips up, clinches Jagger, but Rip CLUBS him! The Dyad mugs Julius again, but Julius fights the double suplex TO DOUBLE SUPLEX! Fans are thunderous and Julius looks to the wall. The minions are ringside so he can’t climb out that side. Julius pushes Jagger into the steel! Jagger pushes back, Rip CLUBS Julius, and the Dyad double whip to DOUBLE LARIAT! Fans boo as The Dyad storms around. Rip stomps Julius, Jagger stomps Julius, repeat! They CLUB Julius, drag him up, and continue the mugging. Rip DECKS Julius with a right, then Jagger rains down lefts!

Fans boo as Rip digs his boot into Julius’ face. Ava Raine is almost salivating as she watches The Dyad get a leg each, and CATAPULT Julius! But he uses that to go up the cages! Fans fire up as Julius MOONSAULTS over the Dyad, to then DOUBLE LARIAT! STRETCH MUFFLER for Jagger! Jagger endures, Rip runs in, but Julius dumps Jagger to get an ANKLE LOCK on Rip! Jagger runs up, but Julius kicks low and one hand GUT WRENCH BOMB?!? And then the ANKLE LOCK is on tighter! Rip flails, reaches, gets the ropes, but that doesn’t matter in a cage! Julius throws Julius’ leg down, clamps onto his arms, but Jagger CLUBS Julius!

Jagger drags Julius into the ropes, pushes him at the steel, but Julius fights it! Rip helps out but Julius elbows them away. Julius ROCKS Rip with haymakers, whips, but Rip reverses. The Dyad bypass and DOUBLE FLAPJACK Julius into the wall! Julius is down and The Dyad looms over him while NXT goes picture in picture.

The Dyad drags Julius up, Rip ROCKS him with a right, and Julius flops against the wall. Rip drags Julius up to dig his face into the steel! Jagger adds on, and Gacy talks trash from the outside! The Dyad lets off, then stalks Julius. Jagger DECKS Julius, and Rip sits Julius up into a chinbar. Julius endures, but Jagger stomps him in the stomach! Rip stalks Julius to ropes, but Julius TACKLES him! Jagger goes after Julius and CLUBS him down! Rip rains down fists now, and Jagger drags Julius up. Julius switches but Rip saves Jagger from the German Suplex! Rip waistlocks now, Jagger SUPERKICKS Julius into the ripcord THROAT CHOP!

Julius falls over and The Dyad taunts him. The Dyad drags Julius up to TOSS him into the steel! Gacy continues to talk trash, Jagger WRECKS Julius with a dropkick! Ava talks some trash, Jagger talks some trash, but Julius SMACKS him! Rip stomps Julius and digs him into the steel! Rip lets off, Jagger drags Julius up, for a BACKBREAKER! Rip stands Julius up for a back suplex! Rip kicks Julius around, ROCKS him again, and then the Dyad double whip. Jagger BACK ELBOWS in the corner, Rip clotheslines, and then Rip feeds Julius to a CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Julius is hanging tough but The Dyad keeps on him.

The Dyad throw shots but Julius gives them back! Rip ROCKS Julius again, and again! Julius flops against ropes but The Dyad bring him to the wall. NXT returns to single picture as The Dyad talks trash about where Brutus went. Julius fights back with elbows! But The Dyads DRIBBLE Julius off the steel! Julius flops back through the ropes and fans boo as The Dyad paces around. They aim from corners, but wait! A minion just got tossed! And another! BRUTUS IS BACK! Brutus TOSSES a third, CLOBBERS another, and POUNCES the rest! Fans fire up as Brutus is Hulking out against minion after minion!

Brutus climbs, a minion tries to stop him but he just CHUCKS him away! Brutus glares at Gacy who has the key. Gacy asks what Brutus is gonna do, so Brutus chases him! And CLOBBERS minion after minion! He BOWLS OVER the bunch!! Fans are thunderous but the Dyad taunts Brutus. What can he do without the key? Brutus remembers back to a certain famous cage match moment, and he RIPS THE DOOR OFF!! Brutus is looking like the Big Red Monster now! The Dyad is freaking out, the fans are losing their minds, and Brutus starts throwing hands! And then he starts throwing The Dyad!

Fans are all fired up as Brutus has the door as a weapon! He RAMS Jagger into the wall! And he RAMS Rip! And he RAMS Jagger again! And then back to Rip! Brutus tosses the door, to trip Jagger and SMASH! But then Rip waistlocks Brutus and drags him back. GERMAN SUPLEX, but Brutus lands on his feet! Brutus picks Rip up to TOSS him into the wall! Gacy & Ava are freaking out because now the Creeds are at full power! “This is Awesome!” as the Creeds pick Jagger up! They double whip Jagger right into a wall! And then into another wall! And then a third wall! Julius says they’re getting all four bases! They throw Jagger into Rip and the last wall!

Fans are thunderous as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Jagger and Brutus goes up. But Rip drags Jagger down, and the Dyad RAM Julius into Brutus! And then they send Julius into a wall! MAYHEM IN MOTION on Brutus! Ava & Gacy are relieved as jagger rains down fists on Brutus. Jagger snarls, Rip takes ownership of the door, and the Dyad go to choke Brutus! Brutus bench presses the door, but he’s losing! But Julius helps! They push the steel back on The Dyad! Fans are thunderous as the Creeds now CRUSH the Dyad!! Brutus puts the door aside, Julius hoists BOTH Rip & Jagger onto the top rope!

Fans fire up as Julius has a double Electric Chair! Brutus goes up, DOUBLE BRUTUS BALL DOOMSDAY!!! Fans lose their minds again as now the Creeds take opposite corners. Off come the elbow pads, Gacy shouts desperately, but The Creeds hit DOUBLE SLIDING LARIATS!! Double cover, The Creeds win!!

Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall (reinstated to NXT)

Ava looks to Gacy, and then just walks away. Has The Schism’s tree started falling down? Ivy Nile runs out to celebrate with her boys, will this be a new beginning for The Diamond Mine?

Roxanne Perez speaks.

“A few months ago, I would’ve sat here and told you I respect Gigi Dolin for taking a stand for herself. I respect Kiana James for her ability to separate her emotions. And after the war we went through at the Great American Bash, I respect Blair Davenport as a fighter. But if I sat here now and told you all of that, it’d be a damn lie! At this point, I don’t care if I have to walk over three bodies to get back the NXT Women’s Championship. I was called The Prodigy for a reason. I’m done hearing about how I got such a long career to go. I want it now! And tonight is the first step to getting back what I never lost in the first place.”

Roxie’s claws are out, will she cut down Gigi, Kiana AND Blair to get at Tiffany?

NXT explains the Global Heritage Invitational!

Eight superstars representing nations from around the world have been assembled for a unique round robin tournament for the opportunity at the NXT Heritage Cup Championship at NXT No Mercy! The eight superstars will be split into two groups, A and B. Group A is Pete Dunne, Charlie Dempsey, Tyler Bate and Axiom, while Group B is Nathan Frazer, Joe Coffey, Duke Hudson and Akira Tozawa! Every match has a 12 minute time limit, winning by either pinfall or submission! Winners get two points, losers get zero, but a draw is one point!

The best of each group will move on to the finals on Tuesday, September 26th! Then that winner moves on to No Mercy that Saturday, September 30th! “The Road to California starts next!”

Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo talk backstage.

The Don and Stacks seem to have a disagreement, but then Carmelo Hayes joins in, putting his belt by their belts. “Now it’s a potluck!” Stacks says Melo put on a show. Melo says Wes is like that, but you know the champ ain’t gonna lose so easy. Tony says L’s, W’s, ABC, it don’t matter. All that matters is the gold. But then in walk the Street Profits?! Everyone fires up to see Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins back in NXT! Ford tells Melo that they’re proud to see him doing his thing as NXT Champion. But what’s next? Dawkins knows there’s lots of guys in the mix. Y’know, like-

Melo stops them there, and says he knows where they’re going with that. He appreciates the love of one of the greatest NXT Tag Team Champions of all time, but look, he has to silence the rara and erase the asterisk on his record. He’ll holler at them later. Okay, okay. Melo heads out and Ford asks what Melo meant. Dawkins shrugs, and Tony has an idea. But word around town is The Profits used to run things around here. Well, something like that. Stacks says the streets don’t lie, and Dawkins agrees. Ford says streets, neighborhoods, curbs, all kinda the same.

But maybe the next time the Profits are in the neighborhood, maybe we see how you doin’. Nice one! But then there’s a brawl breaking out!? Dana Brooke & Kelani Jordan are throwing hands with Elektra Lopez & Lola Vice! Refs rush in to stop this as stools and chairs get knocked over! The Profits say NXT different now, sheesh!

NXT Global Heritage Invitational Tournament, Group A: Charlie Dempsey w/ Drew Gulak & Damon Kemp VS Pete Dunne!

Though born and raised in Blackpool, England, the Son of the Gentleman Villain is representing the United States on behalf of his teammates. But then, will Dempsey make sure the Bruiserweight is seeing stars and stripes? Or will Dunne snap Dempsey on Great Britain’s behalf?

Watching from their new lounge, The Meta Four watches closely, as Noam Dar may have to face one of these men in the end. The bell rings and we’re on the clock! Fans rally, the two tie up, and Dunne wrenches to wrangle Dempsey. Dempsey headscissors, Dunne kips free but Dempsey slipsi around to a hammerlock. Dunne fights up as fans chant “FIGHT NIGHT!” and he flying-mares free! Dunne then kips up and fans fire up again. The two reset, circle, and tie up again. Dempsey has the arm, CLUBS it, but Dunne throws forearms. Dempsey blocks to knuckle lock but Dunne HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS!

Dempsey shovels Dunne to a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO, but Dempsey pushes Dunne back down with knuckle locks. TWO as Dunne bridges up! Dempsey brings Dunne up, Meta Four isn’t impressed, but Dempsey arm-drags Dunne to a top wristlock! Dempsey has a cording hold, and Dunne scuffs Dempsey with a foot. Dunne slips around, hammerlocks that arm, and goes after the other! Dempsey endures, Dunne bends fingers, but Dempsey powers out to have Dunne in a hammerlock, leglock, and stretch! Dempsey bends fingers, bridges on the armlock, then STOMPS the arm!

Fans boo as Dempsey mocks the Dunne shrug. Dempsey headlocks, Dunne powers out and things speed up. Dunne hurdles, drops and CLOBBERS Dempsey! Fans fire up and Dunne clamps onto Dempsey’s arm again. Dunne bends Dempsey’s other arm, and then the fingers! Dunne isolates that arm to STOMP it! The Meta Four is hurting from that one! Dunne rains down forearms on Dempsey, then stomps Dempsey in the face! Fans fire up for Dunne and he sits Dempsey up to CHOP! Dunne ROCKS Dempsey, CHOPS him, but Dempsey ROCKS Dunne back! Dunne ROCKS Dempsey! Dempsey UPPERCUTS! Dunne ENZIGURIS!

Fans fire up as Dunne STOMPS the hands! And BUZZ- NO, Dempsey ducks and waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Dunne has the KIMURA! With a headscissor attachment! Dempsey powers up but Dunne has a HOVERBOARD! Dempsey powers through to underhooks and BUTTERFLY! Bridging cover, TWO!! Dunne escapes but Dempsey has a leg! INVERTED MUTA LOCK! Dunne pries the fingers away, bends Dempsey’s arm, and then rises up! Fans fire up as Dunne STOMPS the hand! BUZZSAW! Dunne then goes up a corner, but Dempsey is after him first! Dempsey reels Dunne in, but Dunne fights!

Dempsey full nelsons, SUPER DRAGON SUPLEX! But Dunne lands on his feet!! Dunne blocks the backhand, to bend and SNAP the fingers! And then pump handle, for the BITTER END!! Cover, Dunne wins!

Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Dempsey earns 0)

Meta Four is in denial about how dangers Dunne is, but this is a powerful start to his run! Is the Bruiserweight going to show the Scottish Supernova no mercy in California?

Backstage interview with Dragon Lee.

McKenzie Mitchell is with The Wonder Boy and brings up last week’s win in the Mixed Tag Match last week, where Dragon pinned Dominik Mysterio. Does Dragon feel this puts him back in title contention? Yes, 100%. And Lyra was a great tag partner. Everyone saw what happens when Mami gets taken out of the picture, so this means- Wait, Mustafa Ali walks in. He knows that Dragon is gonna say he deserves the title shot now, but the thing is, Dragon already went 1v1 with Dom, and lost. But there’s a guy like Ali who has yet to have a 1v1 with Dom, so how would Dragon going again be fair? Ali is sick and tired of seeing that outsider, Dom, walk around with that title.

Guys like Dragon and Ali and everyone else who bleeds NXT deserve a champion they can be proud of! Does Dragon get what Ali’s saying? Yes, Dragon does. Then if they can agree on that, then they can agree that Dragon struck out, and Ali is up to bat now. Ali heads out, Dragon does NOT agree with that. Will NXT get clarification on who is next for Dirty Dom soon enough?

Ilja Dragunov is in the ring!

The Mad Dragon is here and he has a mic to say, “Last week, I stood in this ring with a man face to face who desperately tried to prove himself. And I must admit, Trick Williams, you impressed me! You are not just a mere entertainer, no no no. And you are most certainly not a sidekick. The way you stood your ground in this ring deserves everyone’s, everyone’s respect!” Fans cheer that, but as Dragunov said before, he says now that nothing stands in his way to his ultimate destiny: THE NXT CHAMPIONSHIP! We’ve all seen what happens when the dragon spreads his wings. Take this as a message to HIM, Carmelo Hayes. “You know we will-”

“Hello, hello, hello!” Dar interrupts from his lounge to say that this seems like the perfect opportunity for an impromptu Supernova Sessions live in the USA! Dragunov says Dar is always happy to put the attention on himself. Uh, yep. But he’s here to give the people what they want. Because until No Mercy, Dar gets to sit back, relax, “and watch all these dafties rip each other apart in the Global Heritage Invitational for an opportunity to lose to me at No Mercy!” But Dragunov, just look at you! You’re out here begging and pleading for a match with Melo. That’s sad and pathetic. But Meta Four already has their tickets to California! First class, obviously.

Lash says exactly! Only the best of the best for Meta Four, okay~? Dragunov says he is so glad that those four can enjoy the good things in life. Oh, thank you! Even the Mad Dragon understands that they’re as real as real gets. Yep, real recognizes real. Uh, no. Noam, you’re lucky. Every time something, or perhaps someone, happens so Dar can keep his hands on the Heritage Cup. Dar says ain’t no luck required here! Supernova 11 is solid beyond belief. And Dragunov is more like… Oro whispers something to Dar and he likes it. Say it! Oro says something in German, and Dragunov chuckles. What a childish insult.

Dar, give Dragunov one good reason he shouldn’t join them up there. Lash says SKRRRT! Hold up, wait a minute. Noam is NOT afraid! He isn’t scared of anyone! Dar is the UNDISPUTED Heritage Cup Champion! Where’s Dragunov’s title? Oh right, he doesn’t have one! Dar says what Dragunov does have is a lot of excuses. Oh, well, Dragunov sees how this is going. He storms up tot he lounge! Dar says stop! Calm down! Breathe! Don’t come up here and make Dar destroy this lounge as he slaps Dragunov all over the place. If Dragunov wants to do something, they’ll make it official!

Dragunov is listening. That’s right you’re listening, ya Muppet! Next week, the people get what they want: an all out war from two men at the peak of their game! The Mad Dragon VS Oro Mensah! Oro says Dragunov does not deserve to be in the same ring as the Cup Champion! So Oro does this for his brother! Oh, that’s fine. If Oro wants to speak German, Dragunov tells him off! “I WILL BREAK YOU!” And then the hands start flying! Dragunov gets the edge but Oro kicks low! But Dragunov PELES! “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!” Oro runs away and Dragunov dares him to come back for more! Will Dar’s main man, Mensah, end up Dragunov’s appetizer before the main course?

Von Wagner speaks.

“Hey, Bron. You walk around here, calling yourself ‘The Badass’ Bron Breakker. It’s more like the Blindside Bron Breakker. Cuz that’s the second time now you’ve had to blindside me! And I get it. You’re pissed off cuz I tabled your ass! Well guess what? I’m pissed off, too! So how ’bout we take this a step further! Come Tuesday, you won’t have to worry about blindsiding me! But make sure you bring every ounce of energy you got, and I’ll make sure to bring the hardwood. Cuz it’s you and me, Bronny boy, next week! NO DISQUALIFICATION!” Is Bron about to get tabled?

Dana Brooke & Kelani Jordan VS Elektra Lopez & Lola Vice!

The Flex Appeal has been working on bringing out that killer instinct, both in herself and in her protégé. But are they picking a fight with the wrong lethal Latinas?

NXT returns and Dana & Kelani make their entrance. The teams sort out and Kelani starts against Lopez. They rush in, Kelani dodges to DROPKICK Lopez down! Then she swings through the ropes to arm-drag! Lola tags in but Kelani headlocks for a takeover! Lola fights up, fans rally and Lola throws body shots. Lola powers out, Kelani dodges, but Lopez helps block the swinging arm-drag! The ref reprimands but Lola THROWS Kelani into ropes! Tag to Lopez, she and Lola DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Lopez dribbles Kelani off the mat, then talks trash.

Lopez whips Kelani to a corner, then picks her up. but Kelani sunset flips! Cover, TWO, and Lopez is furious! She THRAOT CHOPS Kelani! The ref reprimands but Lopoez whips Kelani to the corner, then runs in to back elbow! And ENZIGURI! Loepz then drops an ELBOW, covers, TWO! Lopez grins but she drags Kelani up to tag in Lola. Feed to Lola’s URAKEN! Cover, TWO! Dana calls to Kelani but Lola brings her up and whips. Lola kicks low, then whips her again, for another kick! Fans rally and duel, Lola whips but Kelani rolls Lola up! TWO, and Lola kicks! Kelani blocks, steps over, and WHEEL KICKS!

Fans fire up as both women are down. They crawl, hot tags to Lopez and Dana! Dana ROCKS Lopez, dribbles her off the buckles, then fires off forearms! The ref reprimands, Dana keeps firing off, but the ref backs her off. Dana just storms in for more elbows! Fans fire up, Dana short arm LARIATS! And again! And again! Dana drags Lopez up, whips her to a corner, but Lola runs in! Dana sends Lola into Lopez! Dana fires up, handsprings corner to corner, and BACK ELBOWS them both! Dana keeps moving, she ducks ‘n’ dodges Lopez to wheelbarrow and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Dana is frustrated but she tags in Kelani.

Kelani & Dana coordinate, ASSISTED MOONSAULT! Cover, Lola breaks it! Dana runs in to LARIAT Lola! Dana fires off on Lola and they spill out to the floor. Dana runs in but Lola sends her into the steel steps! Kelani is stunned, Lopez CLOBBERS her! Tag to Lola, HEEL KICK SPINEBUSTER COMBO! Cover, Lola & Lopez win!

Winners: Elektra Lopez & Lola Vice, by pinfall

Dana is furious again with another loss on her record! Lopez & Lola tell her to kick rocks, will La Madrina and her MMA amiga take the Women’s Tag Division by storm?

Gigi Dolin speaks.

“The road to the NXT Women’s Championship is a game of choosing the devil you know, and the devil you don’t. Chaos is the devil I know, and a Fatal 4 Way match to determine the #1 contender, that’s chaos. You gotta have a mean streak to win this match, and everyone in this thing does. That’s why the smartest thing Tiffany did was make the four of the biggest threats to her title fight it out for one opportunity. But the stupidest thing she ever did was allow me in this match, So Tiffany, I’ll see you next week.”

Trick Williams is checking his phone.

Yessir, #WhoopDatTrick all over Memphis! But Melo walks in and Trick says that at Heatwave, Melo did his thing. Now Trick just talked with the Profits- Okay, okay, cool, but Melo has something to talk about. What’s up? Melo says he can’t have people thinking that the only reason he won at the GAB was Trick’s help. Trick says that’s crazy talk. It’s just noise. Cut out all that noise and focus on the main thing. Right, right. But see, there’s only way we can really find out. Trick was in the ring with Dragunov, he knows Melo can beat Dragunov, right? Yeah! Trick sure thinks so. Why’d he say it like that? It sounds like Trick doesn’t really think it.

Trick asks why Melo’s tripping. What happened at the Bash was not Trick’s fault! Does Trick’s word mean nothing to him now? Melo says he’s asking cuz he does trust Trick! Can Melo really beat Dragunov or not? Trick takes a moment, and says he doesn’t think- That’s all Melo needed to hear. Melo storms off, and then Trick says no, he doesn’t think Melo can. Trick knows Melo can! Will Melo hear this later on? Or is doubt already in control?

Eddy Thorpe VS DIJAK!

The Alpha Wolf and #HardJustice have each cost each other big opportunities and have already gone a round, but now they look to settle the score! Will Eddy be able to press forward in the spirit of his ancestors? Or will Dijak throw him down and step over him towards a title opportunity?

But wait, Dijak rushes Eddy at the ramp! The brawl is on and fans fire up! Dijak shoves Eddy but Eddy BOOTS back! And then SHOTGUNS Dijak into steel steps! Fans fire up, Eddy puts Dijak in the ring, and then the bell rings! HELLUVA KICK to a SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Eddy facelocks, brings Dijak up to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives but Eddy keeps moving! BIG EL- NO! Dijak blocks the elbow drop! Eddy throws hands on Dijak as he rises, but Dijak still lifts Eddy for HIGH JUSTICE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Eddy survives but Dijak snarls. Fans rally up and Dijak choke grips again!

But Eddy victory rolls through! TWO!! Dijak escapes, SUPERKICKS, and Eddy wobbles. Dijak roars, runs in, but into an ENZIGURI! But Dijak CHOPS! Eddy CHOPS! They CHOP back and forth! Dijak SUPERKICKS but Eddie LARIATS! Fans fire up as both men are down! Eddie and Dijak stir, rise up, and Dijak is taking off his belt? Dijak is wrapping it around his wrist, studs on the outside! Eddy rises, but he ducks the fist to ROCK Dijak! Now Eddy takes the strap! Dijak blocks the lash, kicks low, and they tug-o-war! Eddy lets go so he can SOBAT Dijak! And then Eddie reels Dijak in, but Dijak throws hands!

Dijak whips but Eddy reverses to POST Dijak! Dijak flops out of the ring, and Eddy PLANCHAS out onto him! Fans are thunderous as Eddy brings down Dijak! Eddy grabs Dijak’s legs, but Dijak BOOTS Eddy into the desk! Dijak scoops Eddy, aims, swings and THROWS Eddy over the desk! Booker T and Vic Joseph get clear and Eddy hits their chairs! Dijak drags Eddy up and into the ring, then tells the timekeeper to move over! Dijak takes the chair, brings it into the ring, and fans boo as Dijak aims at Eddy! Eddy avoids the chair shot and then ENZIGURIS! Dijak flops out of the ring, the ref takes the chair, and Eddy DIVES into the strap!!

Dijak gets back in, grins, spins, CYCLONE KICK!! Cover, Dijak wins!

Winner: Dijak, by pinfall

The studs of that belt won this for Dijak, and fans boo. If that is #HardJustice, what will it take Eddy to get true justice against Dijak?

Kiana James speaks.

“When you hear the name, ‘Kiana James,’ you picture success. Now everyone around here has the same opportunities, but they fall short. Roxanne Perez has been through so much~! Gigi Dolin rides her mommy issues until the wheels fall off, and Blair Davenport has an identity complex. One minute, she’s attacking people in the parking lot, and now she’s the ‘toughest woman here?’ What separates me from them is I don’t make excuses, I make things happen, no matter the cost. Why? Because my success is measured by action. That’s why tonight in that Fatal 4 Way, I will do whatever it takes to have my hand raised.”

Baron Corbin chews out a staffer.

He mocks this guy for doing something stupid, but then Bron Breakker walks over. What do you want, Bron? Uh, how about a “thank you” for starters. Thanks for what? For saving your ass! Uh, did it look like he needed to be saved last week? Oh, does Corbin not remember? It just slipped his mind? Corbin says Bron’s ego is something else. Corbin isn’t sure where Bron got this confidence from but he’ll need it in next week’s No Disqualifications match. Otherwise, he could just fall back on his little T-shirt making business. Bron says that’s funny. But he’s gonna put an end to Von’s fairytale. And if Corbin even thinks about getting involved-

Okay, time out, stop. Think about this: what makes you think Corbin cares? He doesn’t care about Bron, and he really doesn’t care about Von! Good! Because otherwise, it’ll be the end of days for Corbin. Corbin chuckles at the pun. Just be careful not to get put through a table. Corbin leaves, will Bron only have to worry about Von next week?

Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo remember their grandfather’s words.

He wants them to remember what he told them. But then Garza sees blood on his hands? And a pretty nasty scratch on his shoulder? He washes it off, and then someone knocks on his door. It’s Humberto, and they both say they had a dream about their grandfather. Grandfather must’ve talked to them both. They were playing as kids. And Garza woke up with this scratch. Is he crazy? No, because Humberto woke up with a scratch on his shoulder. “We always have family.” Everything they’ve ever done, side by side. And then it got ripped away. This is not an accident. Grandfather is watching them. He wants them to start from scratch.

And so, Angel & Humberto look through their clothes. Humberto says their grandfather was a great luchador, but an even greater man. He visited them for a reason. They will take what he gave them further than ever thought possible. Angel has grandfather’s fire, Humberto has grandfather’s heart. Together, they are his legacy. They rip the Los Lotharios shirts up, and seek glory for themselves but also for him. They make their in-ring return next week, but just how will they represent?

Blair Davenport speaks.

“My three opponents tonight are all former champions, and no, I don’t have a championship on my résumé yet. But what I do have is over a decade of destroying women all across the globe, including right here in NXT. A Fatal 4 Way? I’m smiling because of what awaits tonight. Yes, I will become the #1 contender, that’s a foregone conclusion, but I’m smiling because I take immense pleasure in watching my opponents scream in pain. And tonight, I get three for the price of one.”

Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio speak.

Via an Instagram reel, Mami says “Batman, I mean, sorry. Dragon Lee… And Mustafa Ali really want a piece of Dirty Dom. The thing is, we really just don’t like to share.” Dom says he belongs to Mami. And it doesn’t matter what happened at Heatwave, because as far as the NXT North American Championship goes, Dom will hold it until he retires. And Mami will make sure of it. #Champ4Life. As for Dragon and Ali, if they wanna keep arguing about who is gonna challenge him next, then those two can fight it out, and Dom will fight the winner at No Mercy.

Rhea whispers something more, and Dom says she’s so right. There has to be a winner, so for that to happen, Dom will be special guest referee! Rhea says Dom will look so good in stripes. But then will Dom find a way to do both men dirty on the road to No Mercy?

NXT Global Heritage Invitational Tournament, Group B: Nathan Frazer VS Joe Coffey w/ Gallus!

The Rocket from Jersey got cheated out of the Cup by Meta Four, big surprise. But he at least gets a way back to the Cup! But can he beat the Iron King tonight to get a hot start? Or will this soon be Gallus’ Kingdom once and for all?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The two circle, feel things out, and then tie up. Joe TOSSES Frazer to a corner, then eggs him on. Frazer storms up, waistlocks, but Joe throws him off! Joe eggs Frazer on but Frazer keeps cool. They tie up, Joe waistlocks and SLAMS him! Frazer dodges the elbow drop, swings, but Joe catches that arm for a wristlock. Frazer endures, fans rally, and Frazer rolls, rolls and handsprings to cartwheel and WRING Joe out! Fans fire up as Frazer has the armlock now! Joe fights around, fights up, but Frazer wrenches again. Joe powers Frazer to ropes and the ref counts.

Joe ROCKS Frazer, whips, but Frazer ducks. Joe scoops, Frazer slips off and waistlocks, but Joe bucks the O’Conner Roll. Joe swings, Frazer dodges but Frazer gets caught up in the ropes! That was a bit wild, but he recovers and avoids Joe again. Joe CLUBS Frazer, scoops him and SLAMS him! Joe KNEES Frazer in the back, eggs him on, and the ref checks with Frazer. Frazer is okay to continue so Joe whips. Frazer ducks ‘n ‘dodges to DROPKICK! Frazer then hits a flying headlock takeover! Fans rally, Joe fights up and throws Frazer away to throw body shots! Joe suplexes to hang Frazer out to dry!

Frazer flops down, Joe hauls him back up, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Meta Four is bored, but Joe shoves Frazer to a corner. Joe runs in but is put on the apron! HOTSHOT! Frazer runs to SHOTGUN Joe off the apron and Joe hits the desk! Fans rally and Frazer glares at Dar as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Meta Four still isn’t all that impressed as Joe throws hands on Frazer. Joe whips but Frazer springboards, QUEBRADA DDT! Fans are fired up again as both men are down! Gallus coaches Joe, Joe and Frazer stir, and the fans rally as they rise. Joe ROCKS Frazer, Frazer fires off! Joe ROCKS Frazer again, so Frazer fires off! Joe shoves, Frazer dodges and CLOBBERS Joe! And again! Frazer spins Joe and suplexes, ANARCHY! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives and Frazer is a bit surprised. Frazer hurries around, runs, but Joe reels him in! Frazer fights the waistlock, runs in, but Joe POP-UP UPPERCUTS!

Frazer staggers up, into a GLASGOW SENDOFF! Joe drags Frazer up, GERMAN SUPLEXES, and bridging covers TWO!! Frazer escapes and Gallus coaches Joe up. Joe watches Frazer, runs in, but Frazer dodges! Joe tumbles out of the ring, Frazer builds speed! Frazer DIVES! Direct hit and Frazer puts Joe in fast! Frazer aims, springboards, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives and fans fire up! Frazer goes up a corner, but Joe CLUBS him! Joe climbs up behind Frazer but Frazer fights him away. Joe returns, and has Frazer for a SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX! Frazer lands on his feet! And he runs in to SUPERKICK!!

Frazer hurries up top again, glares at Dar, and PHOENIX- NO, Joe dodges! ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Cover, Joe wins!

Winner: Joe Coffey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Frazer earns 0)

Meta Four mocks Frazer, but at least the Iron King won one on his own. Will Joe be the one storming into California to take Dar’s Cup? Can Frazer make a recovery in the coming rounds to still make it to the tournament finals?

Chase U is in session.

But where’s Thea Hail? Duke says she’s just late. Is she… skipping class? Thea? No, no way! Right…? Well, to wrap up the class, Chase U’s very own MVP, Duke Hudson, has been selected to be part of the Global Heritage Invitational! The students applaud Duke and Chase says Duke is representing Australia. He didn’t even know Duke was Australian! Duke sighs and asks what gave it away. Well, sorry, just thought it was a New Zealand accent. Anyway, Mr. Chase explains the rules of the tournament matches: round robin, with two pools, and the winners of each pool will face off in the finals.

Duke is starting to realize, he didn’t know any of this. He writes notes quickly, and Chase is confident Duke brings another trophy to Chase U! The students cheer, the bell dismisses, and Chase says he and Duke are gonna game plan. Now, did Duke get those rules down? Two points for a win, one for a draw, none for a loss. Thea walks in now and Duke says she’s on time. No, she’s late and missed the entire class. Oh, is that a crime now? Duke cools things off by saying Thea has a perfect attendance record. One absence is… Well, okay, it was an important class. This is Global Heritage Invitational Month. Wait…

Thea stares daggers at Chase, Duke says they’ll go to study hall. No, they aren’t. Thea has plans to go out tonight. With Jacy Jayne?! Thea and Jacy head out, is this a sign of bad things to come for Chase U?

NXT Anonymous is watching…!

And this time, they watched Fallon Henley check in with Myles Borne. He was cleaning up after another training session but she says she might have something he’d be interested in. Oh yeah? He should be done here in like an hour. Doesn’t it get old being treated like dirt by those guys? Well, no, he’s paying his dues? Paying dues? If Briggs & Jensen ever treated her like Gulak and those guys treat Myles, she’d knock their teeth out and be on her way. But speaking of the boys, they’re looking for a third man to take on Gulak, Kemp & Dempsey. Does he want in?

Wait. Myles could have his first match on NXT? Yep! Well that’d be awesome! Fallon will let the boys know. Myles thanks her, but uh, how are Gulak, Kemp & Dempsey going to feel about this?

Wes Lee speaks.

Via his Instagram, Wes just gives us a quick update. HE thanks us all for the positive messages, and he is just clearing his mind out in the desert. Heatwave didn’t go as planned, obviously, but we’ll be flowing. Wes is focused on one thing. Melo and Wes aren’t done. Melo didn’t beat Wes, Wes beat himself. Hitting that barricade was not his intention, but he took everything Melo threw at him and kept fighting! Just like he will fight for the opportunity for them to run it back. And that rematch will be a lot different than last time. Melo knows it, and Wes knows it. “The NXT Championship is coming to the #WesSide.”

Backstage interview with Tyler Bate.

McKenzie is with the Big Strong Boi and says the Global Heritage Invitational is well under way. How does Tyler feel stacking against the others in Group A? Well, NXT hasn’t made this easy for him, have they? But he does love a challenge. There’s Charlie Dempsey, “a ruthless technician” who is now in a must-win so that makes him dangerous. Then there’s Axiom, “just an immaculate performer.” And of course Butch… Yes, as fans may or may not know, Tyler & Dunne have known each other a very long time. They’ve been great friends, and great rivals. In this Heritage Invitational, they might finally set the score.

But until then, Tyler must clean his palate. “Dabba-Kato, big and strong as you are, you have made a huge mistake in thinking you can push around The Big Strong Boi. So next week, I’m gonna be waiting for you in the middle of that ring. Come try and push me around. Allow me to be the David to your Goliath.” Tyler has thrown down the challenge, but will he be getting in over his head before going after the Heritage Cup?

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Roxanne Perez VS Blair Davenport VS Gigi Dolin VS Kiana James!

All four women have said what’s on their mind, and now it is time to back up words with actions! Will the Prodigy return to former glory? Will the Ichiban Gaijin prove she IS number one? Will “Hell’s Favorite Flower” bloom amidst the chaos? Or will the Calculator use the 25% odds in her favor?

NXT returns as Kiana makes her entrance, leaving Blair to make her entrance last. The bell rings and the four stare down from the corners. They all approach, and then Blair and Kiana swing on Gigi and Roxie! Gigi and Roxie dodge, Roxie throws Kiana out while Blair turns things around to throw Gigi out! Fans fire up as Kiana rushes up but Gigi YANKS her down! Roxie and Blair circle while Gigi ROCKS Kiana! Gigi and Kiana brawl while Roxie speeds things up in the ring. Roxie hits a THESZ PRESS! Blair kicks her away, but Roxie fires off on her again! Roxie runs, has to BLAST Gigi off the apron, and Blair ROCKS Roxie!

Blair throws Roxie into ropes and she falls back. Blair drags Roxie up, whips her to ropes, then scoops, but Roxie slips free to waistlock. Blair switches, Roxie bucks the O’Conner, then Roxie rolls back to headscissor and roll-up! TWO as Kiana sunset flips Roxie! TWO as Gigi ghost pins Kiana! TWO as Blair Oklahoma Rolls Gigi! TWO as Roxie just breaks it up! Fans fire up, Kiana headlocks Roxie, but Blair storms up. Roxie sends Kiana into Blair, Gigi and Roxie each roll one for a DOUBLE COVER! TWO!! Fans fire up as all four women stand off! Gigi then goes after Roxie while Kiana goes after Blair!

Gigi CLUBS away on Roxie but Roxie hits back! Kiana smacks Blair off buckles then follows her out of the ring. Roxie UPPERCUTS Gigi down, then follows her to the apron. Gigi ROCKS Roxie, Roxie ROCKS Gigi! Fans duel as those two throw hands, but then Gigi hits an APRON STO! Kian kicks Gigi, whips her, but Gigi sends her into barriers! Kiana BOOTS back, and Blair leaps off the steps to DOUBLE STOMP Gigi down! Kiana goes up the barriers to MOONSAULT Blair down! Kiana says that is why SHE is the 1%! But then Roxie DIVES to take Kiana out! Fans are thunderous as NXT goes picture in picture.

Roxie grins, goes back for Kiana, and puts her in the ring. But Kiana hurries to roll away to the outside! Roxie is frustrated, but she sees Blair comign! Roxie ROCKS Blair first, then fires off more hands! Roxie CLUBS away at the ropes, whips Blair, but Blair reverses and Kiana trips Roxie up! Kiana slides in, she stomsp Roxie, and Blair stomps Roxie, too. They corner Roxie and stomp her some more. Gigi runs in to HEADBUTT Kiana! Blair ROCKS Gigi, but Gigi ROCKS BLair! They brawl now, Blair spins Gigi around, but they DOUBLE LARIAT! Kiana hurries after Roxie while the others are down, but Roxie ROCKS Kiana!

Kiana RAMS into Roxie, and again, and again! Kiana handsprings, runs in, and RAMS Roxie again! Kiana throws Roxie down, covers, TWO! Kiana is frustrated but she keeps on Roxie with body scissors! Roxie endures, pries at the hold, and pushes back to a cover! TWO, and Kiana lets Roxie go so she can ROCK her! Kiana stomps Gigi, goes back to Roxie and wraps the body scissors back on. Roxie endures all over again, but Gigi headscissor holds Kiana! But then Blair does the same to Gigi! It’s a chain of leg squeezes! NXT returns to single picture as Roxie pries free of Kiana, Blair uses ropes as leverage, but then Roxie gets Kiana’s legs!?

Roxie tries to turn Kiana over, and thereby turning everyone over! But Blair lets Roxie go to ROCK her first! Fans boo but Blair CLUBS Roxie down! Blair brings Roxie up to send her to a corner. “This is Awesome!” as Blair runs in but Roxie sends her into buckles! Blair staggers back, Roxie goes up, but Blair GAMANGIRIS first! Roxie flops over, Blair climbs up after her, but Roxie resists the superplex! Kiana joins Blair and they both have Roxie! But Gigi adds on! TOWER OF DOOM!! Fans fire up for the Double Powerbomb Superplex combo! Gigi nods, stands up, and she storms around. Blair stands, into a BOOT!

Kiana storms up, Gigi kicks a leg out then BUZZSAWS Kiana down! Gigi SWITCHBLADE KICKS! Blair swings, misses, and Gigi whips her to ROCK her! Gigi runs side to side to HIP ATTACK at the ropes! And then BASEMENT DROPKICK at the ropes! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Gigi drags Blair into underhooks! TIGER- NO, Blair wrenches out and YANKS Gigi into ropes! Kiana kicks, Blair blocks but Kiana ENZIGURIS! Kiana then whips Gigi into the POST! Kiana drags Blair up, ROCKS her, and eggs her on. Blair ROCKS Kiana back! Kiana ROCKS Blair again! They brawl, clinch, but Roxie CROSSBODIES!

Blair & Kiana catch Roxie, swing her, but Roxie arm-drags Blair! Roxie then dodges Kiana to roll back and RANA! Fans fire up as Roxie kips up! Roxie runs in to UPPERCUT Kiana! And then she UPPERCUTS Blair! Roxie runs, but senses Blair following, so she stops and sends her into Kiana! Roxie UPPERCUTS them both! Roxie pushes Blair aside, goes up to go after Kiana and rains down fists! Fans count along, but Roxie stops at 5 to CROSSBODY Blair! Fans fire up with Roxie, she wrenches and clinches, but Blair THROWS Roxie down! Blair has Kiana, but Gigi runs in to LARIAT, making Blair DDT Kiana!

Fans fire up as Roxie and Gigi storm up., Roxie gets around, NECKBREAKER for Gigi! Cover, Kiana breaks it! Kiana drags Roxie up, throws her to a corner, but Roxie goes up and over! POP- SHOTGUN!! Blair stops Pop Rox with a  shotgun dropkick that sends Roxie into buckles! Blair brings Kiana around, to POST her! Kiana flops to the floor, Blair drags Roxie up, FALCON ARROW! Cover, Gigi CURB STOMPS Blair! Gigi drags Blair up, Blair goes around and shoves her away, but Gigi gets around to HALF ‘N’ HALF! Bridging cover, Roxie breaks it! Fans are thunderous again as Gigi sits Roxie up.

Roxie and Gigi have their history, and Gigi whips, Roxie reverses to send Gigi out! Roxie goes to the apron, leaps, FLYING RANA sends Gigi tumbling! Roxie then SOBATS Gigi, hops on, but Blair PENALTY KICKS Roxie into her POP ROX!! That takes those two out in one go, and Blair puts Roxie back in! Blair goes up a corner, to DIVING DOUBLE STOMP!! Blair drags Roxie up by her wrists, suplexes, but Roxie slips free! SOBAT! Roxie hops on one more time, POP ROX!!! But Blair flops out of the ring!! Roxie can’t believe how close she was! Gigi is back, she blocks the sobat to KNEE Roxie!

Gigi reels Roxie, GIGI- NO, no driver as Roxie holds ropes! Roxie SOBATS again, but Kiana hits the 401K!! Then 401K for Gigi! Cover, Kiana wins!!

Winner: Kiana James, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender for the NXT Women’s Championship)

The fans boo, they didn’t want the Boss Chick to take over this! But Kiana said her name is all about success by any means necessary! Will she do the same to take the title off Tiffany Stratton next week? Speaking of, Tiffany appears to hold her title up right in Kiana’s face. Will Tiffany still be holding onto the gold after Kiana’s through with her?

Carmelo Hayes heads to Shawn Michaels’ office.

He’s also watching Wes’s message on Instagram for himself. Melo is annoyed by all this mess. He walks into HBK’s office without knocking, and says they need to talk. What will be the plans for the NXT Championship at No Mercy?

My Thoughts:

A really good NXT, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear this Global Heritage Invitational tournament is a round robin, not single elimination. Though don’t expect it to compare to NJPW’s G1 Climax. However, how sneaky of them to put some of these tournament matches on Level Up on Fridays. I definitely will end up watching the episodes that have these tournament matches, and then that’s it. And Akira Tozawa being the one put on there seems to be a rather fitting choice, as Level Up used to be 205 Live, where modern WWE Cruiserweights like Tozawa got their start in the WWE. But uh, going against Duke Hudson, I don’t see him winning in this first round.

Another odd thing about this tournament is, since they want different countries to be represented, they put Charlie Dempsey in as the USA representative. Commentary claimed he’s American born but with British heritage, and that’s half true. Bailey Matthews being William Regal’s son would give him the British heritage, but wasn’t he born in the UK? If they wanted an American technical wrestler in this, why not make it Gulak or Kemp? They can eat losses all day, but Dempsey needs to be seen as a winner. This will make the second trio that’s more or less held Dempsey back. Granted, Dempsey had a great showing against Dunne, but Dunne won to have a strong “callback.”

Coffey VS Frazer was also really good, and that mishap with the rope was wild to see. And Coffey winning was pretty surprising. I suppose Frazer could make a rebound in the last two matches and then go to the tournament finals to get his rematch with Dar at No Mercy. Meta Four watching the whole time was good stuff, too, as it speaks to their egos. Dar starting beef with Dragunov is a very foolish move of his, as is Oro taking his place in a match with Dragunov next week. Dragunov is gonna whoop Oro, he could easily whoop Dar, but his target is THE top title so Dar is very fortunate.

And speaking of which, good promos concerning Melo and the top title. Good interactions between Melo, The D’Angelo Family and the Profits. They’re teasing Melo & Trick joining this growing faction of Lashley’s, but also teasing Profits VS D’Angelos or something like that. Melo misunderstanding Trick was also a good story point on this, perhaps signaling only one of them moves on to join Lashley’s group and the other is stuck on the outside. Wes also had a good promo, and he makes a good point that it was his miscalculation that cost him. Melo barging into HBK’s office was a great closing moment, and I almost feel like we could end up with a Triple Threat. That would be a match type where interference could happen without disqualifying the match, making it go any which way.

Von VS Bron in No Disqualifications is a great move, because then Von can get a table spot in, or maybe a couple, and something can still happen to turn thing Bron’s way. Y’know, like Corbin actually interfering even though he just claimed he doesn’t care. He cares, because gimmick or no gimmick, Corbin still has his ego as an alpha male. Then we get a Triple Threat between these three to determine a contender to perhaps the top title. Great match from Dijak and Eddy Thorpe, but Dijak cheating to get the win makes sense. They’ll keep this feud going and perhaps in their won No Disqualification match, given how both men tried to use that chair.

Ali interrupting Dragon was a nice little promo, and then Rhea & Dom had a good response. Dom being special ref, this is one time where the ref spot will be “on purpose,” as you can Ali, Dragon or both of them will take a swing on him. And no offense to Dragon, but at this point in time, I’d love for Ali to take that title off Dom just because Ali has been deserving of a title for so long. Ali himself has been around since to 205 Live days but he never got the Cruiserweight Championship before the change to NXT 2.0 and 205 Live being converted. And since technically the North American Championship also has the lineage of the Cruiserweight title from when Melo and Roddy Strong had their feud, Ali getting this belt would be like him getting the Cruiserweight title after all.

Good promo from Chase U establishing that Thea and Jacy are becoming friends in that sorta “we’re bad girls” trope. Bad girl Thea might actually be a fun character. Good tag match from Dana & Kelani VS Lola & Elektra, but of course Dana’s side loses again. Dana is gonna snap, probably on Kelani, and that might be what saves her in the eyes of the fans. The NXT crowd was really behind Lola, maybe Lola & Lopez figure something out to challenge for the Women’s Tag titles. And great steel cage tag match to open the night. I was pleasantly surprised to find this as a No Escape style cage match, and really good stuff where Brutus was taken away only to fight his way back. Of course the Creeds win and they’re back in NXT, but the real intrigue is what The Schism does next.

Great promos from the four contenders tonight, and a great main event from the four of them. I am really surprised neither Gigi or Roxie won this, but then another surprise is that this was only to face Tiffany next week, not at No Mercy. In which case, that means Tiffany retains. Tiffany has been eyeing Raw already with some cameos last night that I forgot to mention. Tiffany don’t want none of Rhea or Becky, but she can find a way to handle Kiana. I just don’t know what they’re planning for No Mercy then. Does she end up facing multiple opponents so that she can lose without it hurting her power rankings? That might be the best thing for her if they’re going to fast track her to Raw.

My Score: 8.7/10