Who reigns on the Road to WrestleMania?

Both the NXT Women’s and North American Championships are on the line tonight! It’s Lyra Valkyrie VS Shotzi and Oba Femi VS Lexis King!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi VS Lexis King; Oba wins and retains the title.
• Roxanne Perez VS Wren Sinclair; Roxie wins.
• Josh Briggs VS Brooks Jensen; Briggs wins.
• Jacy Jayne w/ Thea Hail & Jazmyn Nyx VS Arianna Grace; Jacy wins.
• NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Chase U VS Axiom & Nathan Frazer; Chase U win and will challenge The Wolf Dogs for the title.
• Kelani Jordan VS Lash Legend w/ Jakara Jackson; Lash wins.
• NXT Women’s Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Shotzi Blackheart; Lyra wins by forfeit.
• NXT Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Lyra Valkyria VS Lash Legend; Lyra wins and retains.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi VS Lexis King!

The Ruler dominated the Breakout Tournament, cashed in on Dragon Lee, then retained against Dragon Lee at Vengeance Day. And The Drama King wants all the credit since he “softened up” the Boy Wonder first. Will Oba “thank” Lexis by making this quick and painless? Or will the King truly have his Coronation?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly reigns over NXT!

The bell rings and King dodges Oba to fire kicks! Oba blocks one, then SHOVES King to a corner! King dodges Oba, runs in to clothesline and CHOP! And SLAP! And CHOP! King whips but Oba blocks and reverses! King goes up, leaps, but bounces right off Oba! Oba whips King to ropes, then back drops him high and hard! The fans fire up as Oba hauls King up for body shots. Oba UPPERCUTS, then whips again, but King sunset flips! Oba spins out, but King avoids the elbow drop! King KICKS, and KICKS, then talks some trash. King BOOTS Oba, runs, but Oba grabs King to SHOVE him up and out!

The fans fire up again and Oba storms out after King. Oba hauls King into the ring, but King DROPKICKS Oba down! King huffs and puffs out after Oba, but Oba shoves him! Oba swings but only gets post! King SLAMS Oba’s arm into the post! Oba ROCKS King with the good hand! Oba brings King up, puts him in again, but King stomps Oba as he slides in! King CLUBS the bad arm, then clamps on with a top wristlock. Oba endures, fights up, but King grinds that shoulder. Von Wagner & Robert Stone watch this, and Stone says he’ll be right back. Where’s he going? Out there. Stone heads to gorilla but Von says it’s still not worth going after King!

As for in the ring, Oba fights up but King CLUBS the arm! King grinds the shoulder, but Oba whips him away! Then Oba scoops, but King slips free! King RAMS Oba into buckles, runs up again, but Oba puts him on the apron. King ROCKS Oba, goes up, but fans chant for “O~BA!” Stone is on the ramp as King DOUBLE STOMPS Oba’s bad arm! King runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slides out to shove Stone down! Fans boo as King talks trash, then gets back in. Oba grabs King, but King breaks fere! King fires forearms and CHOPS, then more forearms! King runs, but Oba LARIATS! King flounders up, Oba has him for the FLAPJACK!

Oba storms up on King, scoop shim, and gives him SNAKE EYES! Oba then hauls King up, SHOT-PUT! Oba fires up, the fans rally behind him, and King stands into the POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Oba wins!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

The Ruler keeps the King from taking the crown, and Stone gets some sense of payback. Will nothing stop Oba’s reign that is backed by destiny?

Thea Hail, Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx talk backstage.

Thea sighs, and they ask if she’s okay. Riley Osborne hasn’t answered her all week. Then please tell them she didn’t desperately text him. No, she did what Jacy said and played hard to get on the date. Yeah, Jacy knows that part. Just tell us what happened on the date. And we see Arianna Grace eavesdropping… Thea says he opened the door for her, she said not to do that cuz she’s a grown ass woman who can do it herself. Oh, okay… So, what next? They went to dinner, he asked what it was like first starting at Chase University, and she was on her phone most of the time so she wouldn’t be “too available.”

Jazmyn, Jacy and even Ariana see how the advice was backfiring, and Jacy says that’s not what she meant about any of that. Uh oh… And then Arianna walks over, pretending like she couldn’t help but overhear. But Thea, a true lady is never afraid to come off as daring. She for one has been on many, many dates, and it just sounds like she scared Riley away. What!? Jacy calms Thea down, and Arianna continues. “When a man opens the door for you, you welcome it. When he shows interest in the little things you do, you engage and reciprocate.” It isn’t too late. Just go talk to Riley. And then what? Come off desperate?

Jacy agrees with Jazmyn, but Arianna says respectfully, how would Thea look desperate? Thea looks to Jacy but Jacy says no, don’t look at her. Jacy didn’t mean it the way Thea executed it. Jacy can’t do everything! Right, sorry. Arianna says, “And she’s your best friend?” Jacy tells Ariana to stop filling Thea’s head up with stuff, and stay out of their business. Or else she’ll make an example out of you. Jacy has the group leave, and Arianna scoffs. Which side is the right side of this? Is there still hope for this Chase U romance?

Lyra Valkyria checks in on Tatum Paxley.

The Morrigan looks her superfan over, she took a pretty serious blow. Is she good? Well, yeah, everything hurts, and Tatum’s only been able to have soup the past week, but she’s just happy Lyra came to her rescue! That wasn’t what that was, but someone had to tell Tatum to just tap out. She shouldn’t try to be a hero. Well, Lyra is Tatum’s hero~! Well, Lyra does feel bad about last week, but if Tatum can do something for her tonight, Lyra promises to make it up to her. Anything! Attack Shotzi with a baseball bat? Hit her with green mist so she’ll match her green hair? No, none of that! But she does need Tatum to just stay away from ringside.

But! No buts! Keep your butt back here! That’s her one request. If Tatum can do that, then Lyra has a very special surprise for her. A surprise? Really? Yes, really. Okay, Tatum will stay right here. Great! Tatum sits down and says this will be the hardest thing she’s ever done. But can Tatum be patient and let Lyra handle things on her own?

Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin head to the ring!

The fans fire up as the Wolf Dogs, the NEW NXT Tag Team Champions, are here. And this is even after the Big Bad Booty Nephew signed with Friday Night SmackDown! They step into the ring, belts on and trophy waiting for them, and the fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Bron says wow, who would’ve thought way back in September, when these two were beating the hell outta each other at No Mercy, that they’d be here today in alligator skin boots and NEW NXT Tag Team Champions! Corbin says yes, yes, yes, yes! He remembers No Mercy like it was yesterday, cuz didn’t Corbin win? Uh… Not funny. It’s a little funny.

Well alright, but then Corbin wouldn’t be here if not for Bron carrying the team. Corbin says if he remembers right, he did set Bron up pretty nicely. Boom, End of Days! Fans chant “Spear of Days!” and Bron says yeah, EOD was the set-up, he hit his Spear, and so just like the fans are saying, Spear of Days. The fans cheer that Spear of Days is a thing now. Corbin does love it. A couple A-Holes standing here with brand new hardware, and they are good with being the NEW NXT Tag Team Champions! But wait, here comes Chase U! Andre Chase & Duke Hudson ask for everyone to hold on just a second.

Now, the Wolf Dogs might not care about who’ll be their next challengers, but Chase U certainly does. Should they spell it out for ya? Duke has to hand it to the Wolf Dogs. Beating seven other teams to win the Dusty Cup, then winning the titles, that’s not easy. But Chase U is back at 100%, and it is Chase U’s time to shine! Bron says take the school spirit and their calendars, and shove ’em! Easy now, easy now. What we have right here… IS A TEACHABLE MOMENT! Chase says the former champs promised a shot at those titles, and Chase U ain’t taking no for an answer! So, Wolf Dogs… Chase U will get their match, and will give them an Andre Chase U sized ass whooping!

But wait! Nathan Frazer & Axiom are here! And they say no no no! That’s not how this works! Hate to break it to ya, Mr. Chase, but that agreement with the former champions is therefore null and void. “And that, my friends, is a Hart-Hitting Home Truth.” Axiom adds that in case no one remembers, these two were the closest to beating the Wolf Dogs. So therefore, if there’s anyone that deserves this shot, it’s them! Frazer & Axiom storm up to the ring and add that Wolf Dogs went and jumped them from behind, so they’re gonna pay for that, “You pieces of sh-” Whoa! Hey! Axiom calms Frazer down and they get in the ring.

Duke mocks Frazer’s accent as he says, “I don’t know who invited you two to the party,” but seriously, good to see you. But grab a ticket, get to the back of the line, because the future TWO-TIME NXT Tag Team Champions are about to plant the Chase U flag firmly where it belongs. Corbin says hold on, listen. This sounds like a you guys problem, and the tag champs have stuff to do and places to be. They can take these problems and tell someone who cares. Ava Raine walks out and tells Baron & Bron that yeah, they’re right. It isn’t up to the Wolf Dogs about who their challengers. That’s up to her!

But it is so easy when she sees two very deserving teams right in front of her. So she feels it’ll be Frazer & Axiom VS Chase & Duke to decide the NEW #1 Contenders. The fans like the sound of that, and Ava says it will also happen tonight. The fans really like that, and now tonight is even bigger than before! #ThankYouAva, but who will rise above to then step to the Wolf Dogs?

Backstage interview with Roxanne Perez.

Kelly Kincaid says we are moments away from Roxie’s match with Wren Sinclair after their… heated altercation. Roxie says Wren shows a lot of promise, and reminds her a bit of herself. Y’know, all happy to be here. But once Wren’s been here awhile, just being “happy to be here” won’t cut it anymore. We’ll see others getting chances she deserves, the spotlight that was once on her being ripped away by every single girl in the locker room, and then as she tries to make sense of it all, it just won’t! Chances you work for an entire year, even your entire LIFE for, will be handed to main roster stars.

After awhile, she’ll build up a callous towards other people’s feelings, and realize that the only person she can make happy around here is herself. Roxie tells Shotzi and Lyra to watch her tonight. Because she’ll be doing the same for them. Is The Prodigy going to use her edge to cut down the future so she can once again be the present?

Another mysterious message plays.

“Men deny their truth. I will be a mirror to it.” And then someone smashes glass! Just what is making its way to NXT?

Roxanne Perez VS Wren Sinclair!

NXT returns and Wren makes her entrance, still remembering that sucker punch to her left cheek. The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Wren powers Roxie to ropes but Roxie turns it around and digs into Wren. The ref counts, Roxie lets off and then shoves Wren. Wren shoves Roxie, then trips her to rain down shots! Roxie turns that around and gives those shots back! The fans fire up as the two scrap, roll, then tumble out of the ring! Roxie fires off on Wren, lets off as the ref counts, and then Roxie pushes Wren in. Roxie storms up but Wren turns her for a backslide! TWO, and Wren rolls Roxie up, TWO!

Roxie is up, and she ROCKS Wren with that same haymaker! Roxie talks trash on Wren, whips her but Wren reverses to ROCK Roxie! And then wrench, scoop and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Wren clamps on a facelock and grinds Roxie. Roxie endures, fights up, and WRINGS Wren’s arm out! Wren bails out, Roxie pursues, and Roxie wrenches again. Wren ROCKS Roxie again, but Roxie just gets mad! Roxie WRINGS Wren’s arm into the floor! Roxie SLAMS the bad arm, drags Wren up and SLAMS the arm on the apron! Then she SMACKS Wren off the apron, shoves her in, and covers, TWO!

Roxie is seething, but she stands Wren up to wrench and YANK! Roxie wrenches, then chinbars Wren. Wren endures and fights up, but Roxie wrenches and hits an STO! Then she drops a knee on the arm! Wren clutches the elbow, Roxie covers, TWO! Wren is showing toughness but Roxie pulls hair to sit Wren up. Roxie wrap son a cobra clutch and thrashes Wren about. The fans rally, Wren fights up, and Wren pries at the hold, but Roxie hits another STO! Roxie has a top wristlock, leans on Wren, but Wren fights up. Wren throws body shots, the fans rally, but Roxie cranks the arm. Wren arm-drags free!

Wren goes to a corner, Roxie runs in, but Wren ELBOWS her away! Roxie runs up again but Wren BOOTS her! Wren LARIATS, then LARIATS again! The fans fire up as Wren DROPKICKS! Roxie goes to a corner, Wren runs up, but Roxie boots! Wren blocks it and SLINGS Roxie down! Wren then suplexes, but Roxie fights free! The bad arm bothers Wren, Roxie WRINGS it out again! Then SOBAT! Roxie hops on, POP ROX! And then lets off!? She puts Wren in a CROSSFACE! Wren taps, Roxie wins!

Winner: Roxanne Perez, by submission

Roxie showed us some thing new: sadism! Will Roxie tear into whoever is champion after tonight so she can Stand & Deliver?

The Meta Four meets backstage.

Noam Dar says tonight, Lash Legend takes care of Kelani Jordan. But he and Oro Mensah need to figure out how to handle No Quarter Catch Crew. They want the Cup because of the sport and tradition, when both of those belong to Dar! Oro says to relax. They’re champions! Oh, wait, here comes NQCC! Not during the secret handshake, man! But Drew Gulak says hello to Miss Jackson and Miss Legend. Charlie Dempsey reminds Dar that the cup represents over 100 YEARS of British Wrestling. Yeah, shut up, Charlie, you’re boring. Dar’s from the UK and even he doesn’t to listen to a history lesson.

So less talky-talky, more walky-walky. This is two weeks in a row they’ve stunk up Dar’s lounge! Damon Kemp says once one of them wins the Cup, they won’t need to come back. Okay then, who IS Dar facing? Yeah, wouldn’t he like to know. Uh, duh, that’s why he asked! Kemp says Catch Clause means you find out once they’re all in the ring. So see you next week, bud. Catch Clause? What? Dar is confused. He has to prepare for ALL FOUR of them just because of this clause? How is that fair? NQCC might’ve just found a way to counter Meta Four’s numbers game. Will the Cup soon belong to someone who respects its Heritage?

Josh Briggs VS Brooks Jensen!

Country Strong went their separate ways in a mutual break-up, but not everyone in the trio was able to stand strong alone. Briggs told Jensen to grow up and toughen up, so here’s Jensen’s response! Will “little brother” Brooks show everyone that he’s a grown man? Or will he still just be Briggs’ sidekick?

The ref has to keep Jensen back, and Briggs smirks at Jensen’s fuming. The bell rings and the two tie up. They are in a deadlock but then Briggs headlocks. Jensen powers up and out but Briggs runs him over! Things speed up, and now Jensen runs Briggs over! Briggs gets up while fans rally for Jensen. Jensen runs in, but into a BOOT! Briggs runs up to CLOBBER Jensen! Cover, ONE!! Jensen is tough and Briggs knows it, but he reminds Jensen he asked for this. Briggs bumps Jensen off buckles, throws elbows, then brings him around. Briggs CLUBS Jensen, then whips him to a corner. Jensen reverses, blocks the boot and CHOPS!

Jensen fires CHOPS and clotheslines, then BULLDOGS! The fans rally as Jensen DROPKICKS Briggs down! Jensen hurries to get a leg but Briggs BOOTS Jensen out of the ring! Jensen flounders and Briggs steadies himself. Briggs goes to the apron but Jensen ROCKS him! Jensen drags Briggs out to CLUB him, fire forearms, and then CHOP! Jensen pushes Briggs in, fires forearms, but Briggs hits body shots. Jensen CLUBS Briggs, Briggs powers Jensen to ropes, but the ref counts. Briggs whips, Jensen hurdles and hits a RUNNING NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Jensen and Briggs bails out.

Jensen pursues, brings Briggs around, and RAMS him into barriers! The fans fire up as Jensen DUMPS Briggs into the gap! Jensen hops over, rains down fists, and the fans fire up! Jensen stomps away and fans chant for “NXT! NXT!” Jensen stands on the barriers, fist bumps fans, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jensen drags Briggs up and over the barriers, puts him back in the ring, and then storms up. Briggs RAMS into Jensen, but Jensen blocks the buckle bump! Jensen gives the buckle bump, goes up the corner, and FLYING AX HANDLES Briggs down! Jensen CLUBS Briggs down, covers, TWO! Briggs is still in this but Jensen keeps on an arm! Jensen CLUBS Briggs, then clamps on a chinlock! Jensen has a rear mount to put his full weight on Briggs, but Briggs fights up and reaches out. Briggs stands, powers Jensen to ropes, then powers out to ELBOW Jensen down! Jensen flops to the apron but Briggs stomps him.

Briggs digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Briggs lets off, paces, then brings Jensen up. Briggs whips, and scoops for a BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO! Jensen stays in this and Briggs grows frustrated. Briggs looms over Jensen, then eggs him on. Jensen throws body shots, but Briggs whips him hard into a corner! Jensen bounces back off buckles, then crawls by the ropes. The fans rally but Briggs drags Jensen back up. Briggs ROCKS Jensen with a shot right to the nose! Jensen clutches his face as he falls over, and Briggs eggs him on again. Briggs clamps on a chinlock and thrashes Jensen around! Jensen endures, even as Briggs leans on him.

Jensen fights around, reaches out, but Briggs squeezes tight. NXT returns to single picture and Jensen fights to his feet. Jensen throws body shots, gets free, and he ENZIGIRIS Briggs! Briggs wobbles and staggers, swings, but Jensen catches him for a backslide! ONE, but Jensen dodges Briggs to sunset flip! Briggs stays up, to NECK TWIST! Jensen scrambles to a corner and Briggs seethes. Briggs storms up to fire haymakers! The ref counts, Briggs fires more shots and fans boo. The ref backs Briggs off and Briggs paces around. Briggs storms back up to get Jensen to his feet. Briggs whips, scoops, and SIDEWALK SLAMS, to a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally as Jensen survives, and Briggs even has to smirk at his former tag partner’s toughness. Briggs looms over Jensen, says he’s doing this to toughen Jensen up. “Show me that you’re a man.” Briggs kicks at Jensen, Jensen stands to SLAP him! Fans fire up as Briggs wobbles! Briggs grins and nods, and he even claps for Jensen. Jensen stands, blocks a shot to fire off more shots! The fans fire up as Jensen backs Briggs down! Briggs blocks the whip but Jensen SUPERKICKS! Jensen whips and LARIATS Briggs, then CLOBBERS him! And DROPKICKS him! Jensen hurries to go up a corner and takes aim!

Briggs stands, into a MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Briggs is still in this but Jensen stays focused. Jensen CHOPS and clothesline Briggs in a corner again. The fans rally, Jensen BULL- NO, Briggs powers out, then BOOTS Jensen down! Briggs choke grips for the CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Jensen survives and shocks everyone! Briggs and Jensen slowly rise, and Briggs pushes Jensen around. Jensen fires a haymaker, Briggs hits back, these two brawl from their knees up to their feet! The fans fire up, Briggs CLUBS away on Jensen, then runs. Jensen BOOTS! Briggs rebounds to BOOT!

Jensen rebounds to WHEEL KICK! Then he suplexes Briggs high and hard! Cover, TWO!!! Briggs stays in this and “This is Awesome!” Jensen drags Briggs back up, reels him back in, but Briggs back drops free! But Jensen sunset flips it! TWO!! Briggs used a punch to get free, and now CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!! But Briggs isn’t done, “I did this for you! I love ya, man!” CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL AGAIN!! Cover, Briggs wins!

Winner: Josh Briggs, by pinfall

Briggs then sits Jensen up to hug him, again assuring him this was all for the betterment of them both. Jensen did put up one hell of a fight, will he become a champion thanks to this tough love?

Joe Gacy’s still in a straitjacket?!

And he wakes up in some dark space. Gacy manages to sit up, and look who walks in. Dijak puts his nightstick on his desk and says there is no decency in Gacy. Gacy says he admires Dijak’s attempts to stop him, but this train is on a never-ending track. Dijak says he has many… “instruments of peace” to derail Gacy’s train. Gacy stands up, and there’s a Plexiglas window between them. Gacy fogs up the glass, and uses his nose to doodle a smiley face. Gacy laughs and staggers around the padded room. Luca Crusifino somehow finds this place, and says this is false imprisonment. Dijak tells him to go to hell, Dijak can do what he wants.

Okay, but this is still illegal. Dijak tells Luca that Gacy violated Dijak’s law! Luca says the world doesn’t work the way Dijak wants it to. Luca leaves, and Dijak glares at Gacy. Gacy grins and says this isn’t over. Gacy laughs again, is there no breaking the already broken?

Carmelo Hayes walks downtown.

He returns back to the barbershop, his favorite spot to visit with Trick Williams. But what’s he doing back there without Trick? We’ll hear from HIM after the break.

NXT returns and Melo wants Trick to see where he is right now. “This is where it all began. Trick Melo Gang. That’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gonna be. Good memories, great moments, but here I am, all alone. But I ain’t lonely. Let’s talk about it.” Melo is here to wear his pride, knowing his principles stay intact, and knowing he didn’t have to snake his boy out of his spot, or getting too big for his own boots. Melo says it is a shame, cuz Trick played his role so well. Melo wanted Trick to experience everything there was to being a top guy. Melo wanted to lift Trick up with him. And this is how Trick repays HIM? By trying to be the top guy?

Trick could’ve been number five, three, or even number two. But Trick wanted to come for the one of one. And when you come for the one of one, you realize Melo ain’t second to nobody. Melo let Trick stand beside him, put “Trick” before “Melo” in “Trick Melo Gang,” all to amuse Trick. In reality, it was amusing to Melo for anyone to think Trick was ahead of HIM. To stay at the top, you have to be ruthlessly ambitious, with that killer instinct. You think Melo is stupid? That Melo didn’t see the signs? Melo knew Trick would want his shine sooner or later. Melo saw Trick side-eyeing the title, he felt the envy with every accomplishment.

Melo is Trick’s biggest competition, so Melo knew that sooner or later, unfortunately, he’d have to get Trick before Trick got him. So Trick, wherever you at, stay there. Because your 15 minutes is up. Now back to business. Ilja, you wanna see me? Get in line. Because if you ain’t talking about that NXT Championship, we ain’t got nothing to talk about.” Melo has issued his mission statement, will he return to the top of the brand by any means necessary?

Jacy Jayne w/ Thea Hail & Jazmyn Nyx VS Arianna Grace!

They warned the Pageant Queen, but it seems they’re gonna have it out after all! Will this match help win the romance advice argument? Or will it just show Thea how to handle nosy eavesdroppers?

The bell rings, the two circle and tie up. Jacy wrenches and wristlocks but Arianna spins, wrenches, wristlocks back, and holds on tight. Jacy rolls, handsprings, and then wrenches to CHOP BLOCK! Cover, ONE, but Jacy storms up, Arianna body shots, snapmares, then runs to run Jacy over! Arianna blows kisses and tells Jacy to kiss the ring. Jacy WRINGS Arianna into ropes! Arianna tumbles out of the ring, feigning pain, and Jacy wants her girls to go after Arianna? This is still that toxic nature Jacy has to work on, as neither Thea nor Jazmyn want to do any of that. Jacy goes out after Arianna to shove her in and then she asks what the hecc.

Jacy gets in, storms up on Arianna but Arianna hits a SAYANAGI! Arianna scoops but Jacy slips fere to shove her into a corner. Jacy runs up to back body block, then she short arm LARIATS! Jacy says “SUCK IT!” then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Jacy clamps onto Arianna with a chinlock but Arianna pushes back. Jacy holds off the pin, grinds Arianna, but Arianna pushes to a cover this time. TWO, and Jacy shifts to a ghost pin, TWO! Arianna staggers to a corner, Jacy runs up but Arianna dodges. Arianna scoops to SLAM Jacy, then she sets up to high kick and ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!

Arianna clamps onto Jacy with a chinbar and armlock, and she says they know her advice is right! The fans rally as Jacy endures, and Jacy fights up. Jacy pries the chinbar away, then TOSSES Arianna up and out! Jacy storms back out after Arianna, but Arianna throws body shots! Arianna SMACKS Jacy off the apron but Jacy ELBOWS back. Jacy gets in, Arianna staggers around, and Jacy storms up again. The ref stops her so she says to do something! Jazmyn says fine, and she CLUBS Arianna! Jazmyn puts Arianna in for Jacy to ROLLING ELBOW! Cover, Jacy wins!

Winner: Jacy Jayne, by pinfall

Thea wasn’t really into that finish, but she and Jazmyn- Er, well, Jazmyn pushes Thea aside to raise Jacy’s hand. Is Thea seeing Jacy’s true colors?

The D’Angelos meet.

Adriana Rizzo & Stacks sit with The Don. Rizzo says she gave everything she had out there last week. Tony knows. It was her first singles match, it was a great showing, don’t get down. Stacks takes the blame for last week, and vows they’ll get those tag titles back. Tony says no, they’re not. Not now. What? After that loss, Tony did some thinking. The past six months, he lost track of the bigger picture. What does he mean? They’ve been playing small ball. Taking bets from Chase U, fighting OTM over who runs the streets, and destroying the restaurant in the process. What the hell are they doing? They’re the D’Angelo Family!

Tony wants them to go in the right direction, a new direction. No more community stuff, no more feedbag, no more pinons, they do things his way. They do things his way, and if you don’t like it, tough. He needs them to let the rest of the family know, and if they don’t like it, let him know. It is time for Tony to truly be The Don of NXT. Rizzo & Stacks nod, but what is Tony planning for the future?

Ridge Holland has a sit-down interview.

Sarah Schreiber thanks him for taking this time. She recalls their previous sit-down about a month ago, where he poured his heart out. We got an inside look at his life, and some of the more unfortunate moments in his career. Now we’re back here after the Gallus Gauntlet, where he took a chair to all three men. What does he have to say a week after that? Ridge says when they spoke last, people saw a different side of him. But then he still can’t get that stench of misfortune off him. Gallus took Ridge’s surgically repaired leg, put it in a chair, and they smashed it. But that’s fine, right?

But when Ridge got that chair in his hands and used it, it is truly a weapon. He can’t even fight fire with fire without being judged. So he’ll try this once more. But not here. Sorry, Sarah. Next week, on NXT, Ridge will address the WWE Universe and apologize for all of his actions, “even if no one cares, even if no one gives a damn.” Because the man Ridge Holland is, chair in hand, is not the man Ridge is in everyday life. Ridge walks away, will NXT finally understand Yorkshire Grit?

NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Chase U VS Axiom & Nathan Frazer!

From one half of Chase U to the other, Thea feels awkward about passing Riley Osborne without really saying anything. But will all things be A-OK after Duke & Mr. Chase win their way back to the tag titles? Or will the Undeniable Truth and the Jersey Island Rocket be the ones flying high on the Road to WrestleMania?

NXT returns as Frazer & Axiom make their entrance together. The teams sort out and Chase starts against Axiom. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Chase rolls back, wrangles Axiom with a top wristlock, but Axiom kips up to bridge. Axiom stands but Chase wrangles him back down. Axiom kips up and bridges again, then rolls and headscissors back. Chase fights around, Axiom holds tight, so Chase rolls Axiom and bridges out to tie the legs up. Chase armlocks, wrenches, and YANKS the arm. Axiom rolls, slips under and trips Chase to a toehold, then an ANKLE LOCK! Chase rolls but Axiom facelocks.

Chase wrenches, facelocks, but Axiom waistlocks. Axiom ties up the legs and has a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Chase pops free to cover, ONE, and Axiom sweeps to cover. ONE, dropkicks cancel out and fans fire up as the two stand off! The two reset, tie up, and Chase headlocks. Axiom powers up and out, drops, but Chase rolls, runs up and hip tosses. Axiom handsprings through, arm-drags then DROPKICKS! Fans fire up, Frazer tags in, and they speed blitz on Chase! Clothesline then BASEMENT DDT! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Frazer whips but Chase BOOTS Frazer down!

Tag to Duke, he and Chase double whip Frazer into the corner then body shot! High-ten and DOUBLE CLUB! Frazer drops to his knees, Duke wrenches and RAMS shoulders! Cover, TWO! Duke whips but Frazer slides under to headlock! Duke powers up and out, Frazer goes up an dover to headlock again. Duke powers up and out again but Frazer redirects, redirects again, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then keeps going to DROPKICK! Duke stays standing to CLOBBER Frazer! Duke drags Frazer up, tags Chase in, and they hit a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, but Frazer lands out! Tag to Axiom, BOOT to Chase!

Frazer helps Axiom DROPKICK Duke, then Axiom knuckle locks Duke for a CHOP! Axiom goes up and up and FLYING RANA ARM-DRAG COMBO! The fans fire up as Duke runs back in, but Axiom & Frazer dump him out! Axiom DIVES onto Chase, Frazer DIVES onto Duke! Then another DIVE for Chase! Another DIVE for Duke! The fans fire up as the fast ‘n’ furious duo stands tall and NXT goes to break!

NXT returns again and Chase fights out of a chinlock. The fans rally as Chase hits an ELBOW BRAEKER, but Axiom shoves him to ropes. Axiom ROCKS Chase, tags Frazer, then Frazer GAMANGIRIS! Chase staggers back into a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Frazer shoves Chase toa  cover, TWO! Chase survives and the fans rally up! Frazer snarls as he clamps on a chinlock. Chase endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Chase reaches out but Frazer keeps him back. Frazer whips and trips Chase, then goes up the apron to springboard, into a SIDE EFFECT! Chase and Frazer are both down while the fans fire up!

Chase and Frazer crawl, hot tags to Duke and Axiom! The Chase U MVP rallies on the speedsters! Scoop and SLAM for Frazer, then a BOOT! Axiom leaps, into a kick! Duke hauls Axiom up, but Axiom slips free to SUPERKICK! Axiom runs up, into an “U~” Renage! Frazer runs up, is sent into buckles, and Duke JABS, JABS, JUABS! Flip, flop and “U~!” BIONIC ELBOW! Axioms taggers, Duke scoops, FALL AWAY GUTBUSTER SENTON COMBO!? Cover, TWO!! Duke almost had it there but Riley coaches him up. Duke drags Axiom up, reels him in, and Canadian Racks! But Axiom turns The River into a RANA!

Duke hits buckles and sputters in a daze! Frazer tags in, to SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK! Tag back to Axiom, the speedsters RAM Duke into a corner! They put Duke up top, Duke fights free, but Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom climbs back up after Duke, brings him to the very top, and fans freak out for the SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO?!? Duke survives and no one can believe it! Riley can barely breathe and he’s not even in the match! Duke huffs and puffs and powers up, “This is Awesome!” Frazer tags in, he and Axiom KICK and KICK and KICK! And SUPERKICK! And DOUBLE SUPERKICK!

Duke roars and DOUBLE LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous and Duke tags in Chase! Chase goes up top, he aims at Frazer, CROSSBODY! Cover, Frazer rolls through! TWO!! ENZIGIRI! Chase URAKENS! And then sunset flip, but Frazer sits on it! TWO and Chase has the sunset! TWO!! Frazer goes to stack but Chase rolls it back to a cover, CHASE U WINS!!!

Winners: Chase U, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Champions)

Frazer is stunned, but somehow, someway, Chase U really is better than ever! But the GOOD BROTHERS attack?! The fans go nuts as Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows beat down Chase, Duke, Axiom & Frazer! Riley runs into the ring but he gets an UPPERCUT and a BOOT! Gallows & Anderson get Duke up, for the MAGIC KILLER!! Fans fire up with “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” Are the Machine Gun & Big LG about to run NXT?

Ilja Dragunov speaks.

“Carmelo Hayes. Since day one, I saw right through you. The jealousy of your best friend consumed you, and you pointed the finger at me! You are the complete opposite. You are a coward, attacking Trick from behind and doing the same thing to me. Melo, you are the lowest form of life. A rodent emerging under the cover of night. But I have what you seek. So I will see you at Roadblock, under one condition. Show up next week and meet me face to face. Melo, come for this championship, because I’m coming for something more important: Your soul.” The red eyes of the Mad Dragon stare HIM down, will Melo regret adding fuel to the fire?

Fallon Henley sulks backstage.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into them. They’re supposed to be like brothers.” Seems seeing Briggs and Jensen fight that hard has Fallon questioning things. But then Thea sighs and Fallon looks over. Seems they’re both doing bad. Tonight, Fallon watched her two best friends beat the hell out of each other, and she can’t get her footing to save her life. A rough time. Thea says that does suck. The only positive thing in Thea’s life is that Mr. Chase & Duke have another chance at the tag titles. But then the OC goes and knocks them on their butts. Mr. Chase probably deserved it, but don’t get Thea started on that.

And then everything else… sucks. Her best friend is acting weird, Thea probably did take her advice the wrong way, and she just does that apparently. Went on a date with Riley, it didn’t go so well, it went worse, awful. She ruined everything. Valentine’s Day strikes again. If there’s anyone who knows about that, it’s Fallon. Really? If there’s one thing Fallon could do to erase February 14th, 2023 from her memory, she would. Fallon suggests taking a walk so she can tell the story. They head out, is Fallon going to be the friend Thea truly needs right now?

Kelani Jordan VS Lash Legend w/ Jakara Jackson!

The Gym Princess may be on Kiana James’ radar, but the Meta Four doesn’t get it. Will Kelani spell it out for them in this match? Or will Legend simply #LashOut and bring Kelani down?

NXT returns and Kelani makes her entrance. The bell rings and Lash is already talking trash. She and Kelani circle, tie up, and Lash waistlocks to SLAM Kelani down. Lash pushes Kelani around, talks more trash, but Kelani pie faces back! Kelani dodges Lash, waistlocks, but Lash wrenches free. Lash wristlocks, knuckle locks, then straight arm levers! She holds Kelani up, but Kelani sunset flips through! Lash stays up, brings Kelani back up to wheelbarrow, but Kelani victory rolls! ONE, but Kelani tilt-o-whirls to crucifix takeover, TWO! Lash gets up but Kelani headlocks! Lash powers out but Kelani ducks ‘n’ dodges, only to jump into a BOOT!

Lash storms up on Kelani, talks more trash, then SMACKS Kelani off the mat! Lash soaks up the heat, talks more trash, then has Kelani on ropes. Lash whips to RAM Kelani, then brings her up to RAM her again! Lash scoops and swings for a BACKBREAKER! Kelani writhes, Lash drags her into position for a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Lash is annoyed, the fans rally up, and Lash stalks Kelani to ropes. Lash talks more trash, CHOKES Kelani and thrashes her around! The ref counts, Lash lets off and Kelani sputters. Lash stands Kelani up, whips her to a corner then gets her on the rebound for another whip.

Kelani ELBOWS back! Kelani wrenches but Lash ROCKS her! Lash scoops for the Bow ‘n’ Arrow Rack! Lash thrashes Kelani but Kelani still endures! The fans rally as Kelani swings free, only for Lash to block the arm-drag and SLAM Kelani down! Lash runs to SPLASH onto knees! Fans fire up as Kelani saves herself! Kelani staggers back up to fire off forearms, and even CHOPS! The fans rally as Kelani keeps throwing shots! Lash shoves Kelani, Kelani dodges and RANA- NO! Lash blocks that to bring Kelani up! But Kelani flips through the bomb! Kelani BOOTS back, goes up a corner, and she leaps to FLYING RANA!

The fans fire up, Lash staggers up, into a SHOTGUN! Lash ends up in a corner, Jakara is worried, and Kelani blocks a boot, steps over, and WHEEL KICKS! Kelani kips up, hurries to a corner, but Jakara is there! Kelani DECKS Jakara first! But Lash SUPER CHOKE SLAMS Kelani!! Cover, Lash wins!

Winner: Lash Legend, by pinfall

Kelani may be one of a kind, but that’s the problem: there’s only one of her and always Meta Four! And then Kiana James & Izzi Dame storm out here! They look to pick the bones! Izzi CHOKES Kelani, haul her up, but Kelani kicks! Kiana blocks, but Kelani uses that to flip out and free! Kelani then ducks Izzi, dodges Kiana, sends them into each other, and bails out! Fans fire up as Kelani escapes at least one numbers game. Will the Gym Princess prove that nothing will break her fighting spirit?

Backstage interview with the Good Brothers.

Kelly Kincaid catches up with Gallows & Anderson, and speaks on this shocking appearance here on NXT. Yes, the boys are back in town, and they’ll stay here as long as they want. Gallows says he is absolutely thrilled about this. He doesn’t know if Chase U is, but Gallows was always a terrible student anyway. Anderson says the same for him, though he did enjoy the Chase U calendar. But when it comes to the NXT Tag Team Championships, they will separate the men–that’s the Good Brothers btw–from the boys. And they didn’t realize Baron Corbin came back to NXT just to become the world’s largest comedian.

But Bron Breakker, maybe the Good Brothers can be something that Big Poppa Pump and the Dog-faced Gremlin never were: a couple of heroes. But before all that, they gotta crush the dreams. And that means winning the NXT Tag Team Championships! It is the same old recipe: Magic Killer, 1-2-3, and Just Too Sweet. If you need them, they’ll be over here “brothering.” The Good Brothers have explained their reasoning, will they be unstoppable on their Road to WrestleMania?

NXT Women’s Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Shotzi Blackheart!

A social media war of words and a face-to-face confrontation forced The Morrigan’s hand a little, and now we have this title match! Will Lyra hit a Roadblock a few weeks early? Or can she find a way to Stand & Deliver against the Wild Child?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly takes care of business!

The bell rings and the fans duel as the two stare down. They approach, tie up, and go around. Lyra wrenches, waistlocks, and SLAMS! Shotzi gets up to facelock back, and then hits a snap takeover! Shotzi pulls on the facelock but Lyra moves around. Lyra wrenches out, trips Shotzi and goes for the leg, but Shotzi kicks her away. The fans applaud the standoff and the two reset. They tie up, Lyra headlocks, and then hits a takeover. Shotzi fights around, Lyra cranks on the hold, but Shotzi rolls her to a cover. ONE, and Shotzi wants to headscissor. Lyra fights that off, traps an arm then floats around to roll and body scissor cradle, ONE!

Shotzi is up, Lyra runs up to wrench, and then she hooks Shotzi up in a MOUSE TRAP! TWO, and Shotzi runs up to wheelbarrow, victory roll, TWO! The two reset again and the fans continue to duel. They tie up, Lyra headlocks, and Shotzi powers her way up and out. Then she passes Lyra to run her over! Shotzi howls to the moon and the fans fire up. Shotzi runs, Lyra drops then hurdles, but Shotzi comes back to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Lyra handsprings through and howls right back! Shotzi runs up, into a hip toss! And then another hip toss! Lyra whips, Shotzi blocks the knee to CHOP! Shotzi knuckle locks, goes up and up, then FLYING ARM-DRAGS!

Lyra ends up in a corner, Shotzi runs in, but Lyra puts her on the apron. Shotzi ROCKS Lyra first, then brings her into the ropes, APRON DDT! Shotzi clutches her leg, the fall perhaps double-edged. Both women are down and the fans rally as NXT goes picture in picture.

The ref checks on Shotzi as she clutches that knee. Lyra sits up and shakes out the stars, but she may not have taken the worse of that fall. Medics now check Shotzi’s leg, and the ref checks with Lyra. Shotzi hobbles but this doesn’t look good. The fans cheer Shotzi on as she tries to tough it out but the medics are having to help her stay standing. Shotzi sits back down, clearly in pain. Lyra stays nearby, also concerned for Shotzi. The medics help Shotzi back to her feet, and unfortunately, it seems the match is coming to an end. Shotzi does her best to walk on the bad leg, and she makes it to the back.

Lyra paces inside the ring, not wanting to win this way. NXT returns to single picture as everyone waits on the news. Ava Raine walks out, and she says that due to Shotzi’s injury, she is no longer able to compete. But the fans were promised an NXT Women’s Championship match, and that is what we are going to get. Ava says this is now an Open Challenge, so whoever makes it out here first will be Lyra’s new opponent. And here comes Meta Four’s Lash Legend! She wants to win twice in one night! Will this be the night Lash truly becomes a legend?

NXT Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Lyra Valkyria VS Lash Legend!

The bell rings and Lash runs in! Lyra dodges to KICK, KICK and KICK! Lash DECKS Lyra, then drags Lyra up. Lyra pushes Lash back, staggers up, and Lash eggs her on. Lash TOSSES Lyra, then stalks her to ropes. Lash half nelsons and grinds Lyra down to a cover, TWO! Lash keeps on Lyra with a chinlock and she thrashes Lyra around. The fans rally as Lyra endures. Lyra fights up, but Lash wrangles her back down! Lash leans on Lyra, but Lyra fights up again. The fans rally, but Lash whips Lyra. Lyra RAMS into Lash, KICKS and KICKS and SOBATS, then reels Lash in. But Lash fights the suplex to throw body shots!

Lash whips Lyra to a corner, runs up but Lyra BOOTS her! Lyra goes up the corner, leaps, but Lash catches her! Lash shakes her head, then swings Lyra into the BACKBREAKER! Lyra flounders, Lash drags her to a cover, TWO!! Lyra is still in this but Lash pie faces her. Lyra SLAPS back! Lash and Lyra pie face, then Lash DECKS Lyra again! Lash drops a BIG elbow on Lyra, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Lyra is tougher than that but Lash pushes her around. The fans rally behind Lyra as she goes to a corner. Lash ROCKS Lyra, whips her into a corner hard, then whips her back in! Lyra stays up but Lash LARIATS her down! Cover, TWO!!

Lyra survives once again and Lash grows frustrated. Lash hauls Lyra up, Canadian Racks, and she bends Lyra back! Lyra endures, pries at the grip, and manages to flip out and free! Lyra RAMS into Lash while Roxie returns to the locker room. She learns about this change from Lyra VS Shotzi to Lyra VS Lash while Lyra fires clotheslines! Lyra runs and LARIATS Lash down! Roxie is furious that another person passed her up in line, and she CHUCKS the TV!! Roxie storms out again, but back to the ring, Lyra runs to RANA Lash! Lash staggers up, Lyra ENZIGIRIS, and down goes Lash! Lyra aims, runs up, but Lash blocks the heel kick!

Lash lifts Lyra to SLAM DUNK CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives and Lash is beside herself! Lash drags Lyra up again, whips her to a corner hard, then runs up. Lyra BOOTS Lash, then goes up the corner. The fans rally and duel, Lyra leaps for the CROSSBODY! Down goes Lash, Lyra hurries back to a cover, TWO! Lyra drags Lash up and fireman’s carries?! Lash is too big and she slips free, to BOOT Lyra down! Lash high stacks, TWO!!! Lyra survives again and Lash is losing her cool! Lash drags Lyra up to put her on the top rope. The fans rally as Lash climbs, but Lyra fires forearms!

Lyra ELBOWS Lash down, adjusts, and leaps for the DIVING SPLASH! Cover, Lyra wins!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)

Lash tried to capitalize on her momentum, but not even she could stop The Morrigan! That’s another feather in the cap, or rather the shoulder pads, for Lyra, but will she continue to soar to new heights on this Road to WrestleMania Weekend?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT, even with the very real misfortune in the main event. It’s been known basically since this past Friday because of how Alba Fyre stepped in to take Shotzi’s place in the Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifiers, but seeing the moment where a drop off the apron Shotzi has done quite a few times is just one drop too many and her knee gives out. Get well soon, Shotzi. But also, kudos to NXT for pivoting so well with that. Lash got a big although cheaty win off Kelani, and she was already dressed so good of them to have her go back out there.

I also like how it fed into Roxie’s story, she missed out on the Open Challenge call cuz she apparently took a shower and got dressed. Roxie and Wren had a really good match that of course Roxie won, and it sounds like Roxie will try to win another opportunity either for Roadblock or Stand & Deliver. I don’t think it’ll work out for her, which can still work for her story as she perhaps even moves on to Raw or SmackDown (probably more SmackDown) after WrestleMania weekend. At this point, something has to happen where we get Lyra VS Tatum with how much Tatum is obsessed with Lyra and always hanging around.

Great opening title match from King VS Oba, and I like Stone wanting after King and costing him. We’re definitely getting King VS Von as a battle of second generation superstars. Awesome match from Briggs VS Jensen, probably the best singles match either guy has ever had in NXT. Briggs of course was winning but in a way, he’s right, him doing this for Jensen really did help. Briggs probably moves on towards a title match, maybe even Oba and the North American title. That’d be some big meaty men slapping meat and throwing hands. Then fun promo from Meta Four and No Quarter Catch Crew, can’t wait to see who faces Dar next week.

Really good promo from Ridge, but I feel like his apology will end up interrupted by Gallus. Maybe we get some kind of No Disqualification stipulation for Ridge VS Joe Coffey for Roadblock. Honestly, Roadblock has the potential to be as big as Stand & Deliver, especially with Melo and Dragunov having promos to set up their title match for that Tuesday. At the same time, that match for Roadblock could make for a great return moment from Trick, maybe that sets up a Triple Threat for Stand & Deliver? That’d be such an awesome way to wrap up all these stories as Melo prepares to move on to SmackDown.

And really good integration of the Chase U and tag title stories. Good promo from Thea, Jacy and Jazmyn with Arianna to set up Jacy VS Arianna. I was sensing something was going to sour for Chase U and it seems to be that Jacy can’t help but wrestle like a Heel and that Jazmyn is willing to do that with her. And they’re already giving us what we need for a tag match, Jacy & Jazmyn VS Fallon & Thea with Fallon & Thea bonding over their hard times. Really good promo from Wolf Dogs, Chase U and Frazer-Axiom setting up that great tag match. Chase U winning makes sense, they can make for a solid first defense under the Wolf Dog belts, or even a solid new team if Wolf Dogs are one-and-done given Bron is “signed” to SmackDown now.

And at the same time, didn’t think Gallows & Anderson would show up here in NXT (again, apparently, even though I forgot the first time). Whether it’s Wolf Dogs or Chase U, the Good Brothers would make for a solid title feud. And then I really like the promo from The D’Angelo Family. This is clearly a sign that Tony wants THE NXT Championship and he’ll probably even expect Stacks to get a midcard title. If it’s Trick at the top after Stand & Deliver, he and Tony could have some real awesome promos and matches as two NXT homegrown talents.

My Score: 8.8/10