Who will move on to Philadelphia?

Carmelo Hayes thought he was facing the NXT Champion tonight, but Tony D’Angelo pulled a switcheroo! Will Melo still look to Stand & Deliver? Or will he have to fogedaboutit?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Asylum Match: DIJAK VS Joe Gacy; Dijak wins.
• NXT Tag Team Championships: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin VS Chase U; Bron & Corbin win and retain the titles.
• Shawn Spears VS Uriah Connors; Spears wins.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Lyra Valkyria & Tatum Paxley; The Kabuki Warriors win and retain the titles.
• Fallon Henley VS Blair Davenport; Fallon wins.
• NXT Championship #1 Contender’s match: Carmelo Hayes VS Tony D’Angelo; Tony wins and will challenge Ilja Dragunov at NXT Stand & Deliver.

PLAY BY PLAY

Lexis King speaks.

“Well, well, well. We are hitting the pavement. And we’re going full-speed, just how Lexis King likes it, on the Road to NXT Stand & Deliver. And there’s another guy accustomed to the fast lane, and that’s HIM. But there’s only one Don of NXT, and he handles business his own way. And who’s gonna be the next one to challenge Ilja Dragunov? There can only be one king of the road. Now don’t get me wrong, The King loves a little crazy in his life, but who wants to deal with Dijak and Joe Gacy? And while we’re dabbling in a little bit of crazy… Let’s not forget, being a little bit of a loose cannon pays off.

“We’re on the Road to WrestleMania Weekend. One stop before revving our engines at Stand & Deliver! Lexis King is ready. Are you?”

Asylum Match: DIJAK VS Joe Gacy!

Talk about a wild Road to WrestleMania! Hard Justice settles things with crazy Gacy once and for all inside a weaponized steel cage! Who will be left standing when it’s anything goes and there’s no escape?

The bell rings and the fans are behind Gacy. Both men grab weapons from off the wall, and while Dijak gets a chair, Gacy has the fire extinguisher! Gacy gives a quick puff, then he evades the chair shot! Gacy kicks low, whips, but Dijak reverses and knees low. Dijak whips but Gacy reveres to knee low! But then Dijak TOSSES Gacy into the steel! The fans rally and Dijak sees the box that has the words, “Do not open” on it. But before he can inspect it, Gacy is up and takes a swing! Dijak fireman’s carries to DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Gacy’s tougher than that but Dijak CLUBS away on him!

Dijak ROCKS Gacy with a forearm, kicks him around, and eyes that box. Gacy fires a forearm but Dijak DECKS him! Dijak goes to the box, what’s in the box? What’s in the box?! But Gacy rolls Dijak up! TWO, and Gacy blocks a kick to ROCK Dijak! Gacy whips Dijak into the steel! And then the other way! And then into the third wall! Dijak falls back and Gacy grins! Gacy goes to the box, closes and says hush, it’s a secret. But Dijak CLOBBERS Gacy! Dijak stomps Gacy while the fans boo. Dijak asks it himself, “What’s in the box?!” Dijak drags it to center, opens it, and WHAM! Spring-loaded fist into the gut!

Then Gacy BLASTS the fire extinguisher! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up and Gacy hurries to plan while NXT goes picture in picture.

Gacy moves the box aside, as it served its purpose, and he stomps away on Dijak. Gacy drags Dijak up, throws hands, then handsprings, but Dijak avoids the Upside-Down to CYCLONE BOOT! Cover, TWO! Gacy stays in this and Dijak is frustrated. Dijak aims as Gacy rises, and he choke grips for HIGH- DDT!! Gacy turns it around and covers, TWO!! Dijak survives but now Gacy looks to the Asylum for ideas. Gacy brings down a trash can, and he SMACKS Dijak on the back! Dijak crawls, Gacy CLUBS away on him, and he shouts in Dijak’s face. Gacy CLUBS Dijak into the corner, runs side to side and BOOT WASHES him!

Gacy hurries to get the trash can again, and he places it at center. Gacy drags Dijak up, ROCKS him and SMACKS him off steel! Gacy then puts Dijak up top, CLUBS away on his back, and climbs up behind him. Gacy DIGS Dijak’s face into the steel! Gacy dribbles Dijak’s face off the steel, then waistlocks! Dijak clings to the cage, and BUCKS Gacy off! Dijak then steadies himself up top while NXT returns to single picture. Dijak climbs to the very top!? The fans are already going nuts, and then Dijak SUPER MOONSAULTS!! Direct hit and Dijak covers, TWO?!?! Gacy survives and no one can believe it!

The fans are losing their minds while Dijak and Gacy sputter. Gacy sits up while Dijak grabs the straitjacket! “That was Awesome!” but this might get a bit rough. Gacy grabs the jacket but Dijak CLUBS him down. Dijak works to put the jacket on Gacy like he did a couple weeks ago! Gacy resists but Dijak CLUBS away on him! Dijak has the jacket on Gacy but Gacy fights to keep the straps from being secured. Dijak CLUBS Gacy again, and then grabs the door! The fans fire up as the wood door is put in a corner. But Gacy SAIDOS Dijak first! Gacy grins as he gets up, and he brings the table into play. But why does it have a cover on it?

Gacy peels the cover away to reveal it has a big smiley face on it! Gacy smiles at the drawing, and he sets the table up near the door. But Dijak SMACKS Gacy with a chair! Dijak drags Gacy up, finishes strapping him in, but Gacy kicks Dijak. Gacy gets away, BOOTS again, but Dijak throws elbows! Dijak hoists Gacy up top, CLUBS him, then clears space. Dijak takes Gacy’s table for his own and climbs up the corner! Gacy’s arms are trapped but he still resists the superplex! Dijak CLUBS away on Gacy, but Gacy HEADBUTTS! Dijak falls through the table!! And then Gacy SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO?!?

Dijak shocks everyone by surviving, and Gacy hurries to get out of the straitjacket. Gacy throws hands, CLUBS away on Dijak, and RAMS him into a corner. Dijak shoves Gacy away to LARIAT Gacy down! Dijak crawls around and looks for something. He finds duct tape! If the jacket isn’t enough, then he’ll use this! Dijak wraps the tape around Gacy’s head to blind him, in return for Vengeance Day! And then Dijak SMACKS Gacy with a kendo stick! Dijak gags Gacy with the kendo stick, but then Gacy LOW BLOWS! Gacy hits the SPINNING URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives again but Gacy grabs the kendo stick!

Gacy SMACKS away on Dijak, but Dijak TOSSES him through the door!! Cover, TWO!!! Gacy survives and Dijak’s seen a ghost! “This is Crazy!” as Gacy rises! Dijak torture racks, FEAST YOUR EYES!! But Gacy rises up?! Gacy swings wild, misses, and Dijak torture racks again! FEAST YOUR EYES AGAIN!! Cover, Dijak wins!

Winner: Dijak, by pinfall

Twice these two have gone to extremes, and twice Dijak found a way to win, despite Gacy finding ways to keep fighting. But is this the end of his story with Gacy? Or will we get a trilogy soon enough?

Adriana Rizzo talks with Tony D’Angelo.

She says tonight is his night. Last week, Tony turned NXT upside-down. Stacks says he did it with just the snap of his fingers. That was a pure Don move. Tony reminds them that they’re going on to bigger things. The NXT Championship and Stand & Deliver is in their sights. Stacks has the guy outside, so Tony has Stacks bring him in. It’s Luca Crusifino! They shake hands and Tony says he is familiar with who Luca is. Luca’s got a sharp mind and isn’t afraid to roll the sleeves up and crack skulls. So straight up, no BS, Tony needs counsel. The Family has the potential to become the most influential force in NXT today.

There’s the Underboss, Rizzo, and now Luca, the Consigliere. Luca must be there for Tony when he calls, no questions asked. Those are Tony’s terms. So what is it? Yes or no? Luca says he’s in. Then welcome to the family. Tony kisses Luca on the cheek and the Family has grown. Is this just the beginning for their NXT takeover?

Fallon Henley talks with Riley Osborne.

She appreciates that he talked to Thea Hail and gave her some clarity. Thea seemed really down the last time she talked to Fallon. Riley says that’s fine, he was down, too. He didn’t know how to approach Thea, and then on her date, she seemed so bored and uninterested in him. She used to be this firework. No, even better! She was a rocket! That just wasn’t who showed up on the date. Fallon says the girl Riley thinks Thea is is still in there, but she’s listening to the wrong advice. She was told to play hard to get. Oh, well, she did a good job of that. Yeah, sometimes Thea takes things to the extreme.

But then Blair Davenport walks in and asks what problems is Fallon trying to fix this time. She can’t help herself, can she? First her former best friends, then Wren Sinclair, and now Thea? And no, given Fallon’s reputation, you should stay out of other people’s business. And Thea isn’t even Riley’s type. Uh, what would Blair know about that? And if Blair has a problem, then set her straight yourself. Oh, Fallon, you don’t want that. It’ll just be added to the list of things that don’t go well for her. Blair heads out and Riley feels awkward. Good luck with that, he has to go be with Chase U in their tag title match.

Fallon thanks Riley for his time and wishes Chase U luck. Will they need it against the Wolf Dogs?

Lyra Valkyria warms up backstage.

Tatum Paxley walks in and says after tonight, they’ll be more than just friends! They’ll be the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions~! Yes, that’s true. But remember, be realistic. There’s a chance they might not. This is Asuka and Kairi Sane, the best of the best, who know each other inside and out. Meanwhile, Lyra and Tatum have had one match, and it’s not like they’re best friends. Tatum’s wide-eyed stare makes Lyra double back and say they have more of a professional friendship. Tatum says they have to win tonight. Then they will be permanently intertwined and Tatum will finally be a champion.

Tatum vows to do anything she has to tonight, and she means anything. And then Tatum will journey to the farthest darkness, conjure the most diabolical thoughts, and reach into her opponents to take out their souls until they are crying in complete agony! Tatum creeps Lyra out a bit and Lyra asks if Tatum’s doing that for Lyra or the titles. Does it matter? Tatum heads out, but will she flip out should she and Lyra lose out?

NXT Tag Team Championships: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin VS Chase U!

This unlikely yet compatible duo made history together by winning the Dusty Cup and these titles, and they aren’t looking to slow down any time soon! But with Riley Osborne, Thea Hail, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx and the entire Chase U student section behind them, will Professor Chase and Duke Hudson once again reign in NXT?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the Chase U comeback is complete!

The teams sort out and the fans bark it up, but Chase starts against Corbin. They circle, tie up, and Corbin powers Chase to ropes. The ref counts, Corbin lets off slowly, and then he shoves Chase. Corbin mocks the U, but Chase CHOPS! And then he rolls Corbin up! TWO, and Corbin CLOBBERS Chase! Corbin BLASTS Duke, too, then gets Chase up for a swinging SLAM! Tag to Bron and the fans bark again. Corbin feeds Chase to Bron’s waistlock, then Corbin runs, LARIAT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Bron kips up and the fans fire up, but Chase throws body shots. Chase fires forearms but Bron just smirks.

Bron choke grips Chase, then trophy lifts him! Chase fights free but Bron elbows him. Bron headlocks, Chase powers out but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and CLOBBERS Chase! The fans fire up with Bron and bark it up again! Bron tags Corbin, they get Chase up, whip and FLAPJACK GUTBUSTER! Cover, Duke breaks it! Bron runs up but Duke clotheslines Bron up and out! Corbin runs in but Duke dumps him out! Duke whips Chase so he can WRECK Corbin with a dropkick! Chase SUPERKICKS Bron, SUPERKICKS Corbin, and fires up! Then he DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTERS! And he even sticks the landing! The fans go wild while NXT goes picture in picture!

The student section puts up the U, and Chase drags Corbin up. Riley and Thea are excited as Corbin is sent into barriers! Chase follows Corbin, CHOPS him, then headlocks him. Chase brings Corbin over to SMACK him off the apron. Chase puts Corbin in, then brings him up to throat chop! Tag to Duke, Chase U sends Corbin into the buckles, then they high-ten and DOUBLE CLUB Corbin down. Duke wrenches Corbin to wristlock, and then wrenches again. Duke RAMS Corbin, then wrenches again. Duke RAMS Corbin again, wrenches again, and whips him to the corner. Duke clotheslines, tags Chase, then Chase U double whips.

Chase drop toeholds, Duke drops the elbow! Chase covers, TWO! Chase brings Corbin up to whip but Corbin reverses and ELBOWS Chase down! Corbin shakes out the arm, drags Chase up and ROCKS him with a right. Chase goes to a corner, Corbin fires forearms, then lets off as the ref counts. Corbin brings Chase up, puts him on the top rope, and throws more hands. Tag to Bron and Corbin runs in. Chase BOOTS Corbin, he BOOTS Bron, repeat! But Bron goes up and up and salutes to SUPER STEINER! Chase staggers around while the fans fire up with Bron! Bron then storms up on Chase and brings him back up.

Bron ROCKS Chase with a right hand, and Chase ends up in a corner. Bron digs his knee in, lets off as the ref counts, then tags Corbin. Bron gets Chase up, the Wolf Dogs mug the professor, and then Corbin clamps on a chinbar half nelson comb. Chase endures, the fans fire up as NXT returns to single picture, and Chase fights up! But Corbin wrangles him back down! Corbin grinds Chase down, but the fans rally up. Chase rises, throws body shots, and he reaches for Duke. Corbin whips Chase away but Chase BLASTS Bron! Chase ELBOWS Corbin, runs up, but Corbin catches him! Corbin RAMS Chase into the corner!

Tag to Bron, and Corbin suplexes for a CUTTER! Bron then hits the back suplex CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives and the fans fire up! Bron frowns and he clamps onto Chase with a facelock. Tag to Corbin, and the Wolf Dogs double whip. Chase holds ropes, Bron runs up but Chase tosses him out! Chase ELBOWS Corbin away, Corbin returns but Chase dodges to POST him! The fans fire up as both men are down! Chase and Corbin crawl, hot tags to Bron and Duke! The Chase u MVP rallies on the Big Bad Botty Nephew! Duke blows through the clothesline to BOOT! Corbin runs up but into JAB, JAB, JAB!

Duke flips, flops, but Bron runs up! BIONIC ELBOW for Bron! BIONIC ELBOW for Corbin! Duke whips, Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and tags Corbin! Duke SCRAPBUSTERS Bron, but Corbin is in! SIDEWALK SLAM for Corbin! Cover, TWO! Corbin survives but Duke fires up! Duke stands Corbin up to whip, but Corbin holds ropes. Duke runs up, Corbin dumps him to the apron, but Duke RAMS into Corbin! Duke slingshots up and over to GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag to Chase, and Duke brings Corbin up. Chase climbs while Duke Gory Especials Corbin! FRATLINER!! Cover, Bron breaks it! Duke is frustrated as he misses the block!

Duke fires hands with Bron, the fans rally and Duke, and Bron knees low. Born TOSESS Duke, Chase KNEES Bron! Corbin HIP TOSSES Chase into a corner! The fans go nuts, Bron and Duke brawl on the outside, and then Bron goes up! BULLDOG on the desk!! The desk didn’t break but maybe Duke did! Corbin clotheslines Chase up and out, but then Chase returns with an UPPERCUT! Corbin wobbles, Bron runs in, Chase sends Bron into steel steps! Chase GAMANGIRIS Corbin and hurries up top! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Corbin survives and the fans are thunderous! Chase looks around, he brings Corbin up and he fires forearms.

“This is Awesome!” as the brawl goes back and forth! Corbin shoves, Chase SUPERKICKS! Corbin staggers but Bron tags in! Chase runs up, END OF DAYS, into the SPEAR!! Cover, Wolf Dogs win!

Winners: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)

Chase U was red hot but that fire got put out! The Wolf Dogs keep the tag titles around their waists, are they going to Stand & Deliver soon enough? Meanwhile, Jacy Jayne says she told Thea that Chase U are losers. Thea throws a fit and runs off? Jacy’s toxic nature is showing itself, has it all but poisoned Thea?

Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.

Kelly Kincaid sees all of Melo’s bodyguards around and asks if this is an okay time to talk. Melo says yeah, and a guard gives Kelly a seat. Kelly says it was a shocking turn of events last week. Melo says yeah, Dragunov calls himself an honorable champion and then he makes a decision like that. He asks her a question: When have we ever seen Melo back down from a fight? Don’t answer. Much less one that was already agreed to. But Tony D, man… He’s gonna do what he’s gonna do. He’ll put on a show, snap his fingers, make the rent-a-cop guards disappear. That’s why Melo has handpicked guards to do whatever it takes to protect HIM.

So then, for tonight- Yes, tonight. You saw the last guy who tried to “jump the line,” right? Yeah you did. That NXT Championship is reserved for the biggest star in NXT, and there is no bigger star than Melo. And Melo is the one man who makes history by going back to back at Stand & Deliver. Because Melo IS HIM. If Melo Don’t Miss, then is he going to get his shot at Dragunov and the title? Or will The Don be a true Roadblock on this Road to WrestleMania Weekend?

Shawn Spears VS Uriah Connors!

The Chair Man hath returned to NXT! He’s still a perfect ten, but he’s here to bring out the truth. And since the truth hurts, is there pain in store for his fresh faced opponent?

The bell rings and Spears circles with Uriah. The fans chant “Welcome Back!” for Spears as he ties up with Uriah and puts him in a corner. Spears lets off slowly, then whispers something to Uriah. Uriah seems unsure what to do now, but Spears eggs him on. Uriah fires forearms and CHOPS but Spears smirks. Spears then HEADBUTTS Uriah, brings down the kneepad, and then puts Uriah in a corner. Spears wrenches, hammerlocks, and fire off KNEES on Uriah! The ref counts, Spears lets off while pushing Uriah down. Spears drags Uriah up by his hair, fireman’s carries, and runs for the C4!! Spears takes his time with the cover, Spears wins!

Winner: Shawn Spears, by pinfall

Well, that one certainly hurt, because the truth is, Spears is better than ever. Spears then says on the mic, “It takes a certain kind of man to hold a mirror up to humanity. Most of you won’t like what you see. Being forced to be what you are instead of what you truly want to be, that is the very definition of hypocrisy. Ridge Holland…! Those words hit a little too close to home, don’t they? You say that every time you compete in this ring, Ridge, it’s for your family. Well, that sounds like a moral success, but the thing is… I don’t believe you. You are lying to yourself, Ridge! The darkest of thoughts, they get a hold of all of us. Especially me.

“But the difference between you and me, Ridge, every time I hold up a mirror to my face, Ridge, I’m not ashamed of what I see.” The fans chant “TEN! TEN! TEN!” Spears says Ridge can’t say the same, and Ridge knows Spears is right. So enough of this emotional damage! Time to be a man! Well, here comes Ridge! Spears asks if Ridge is gonna do this for his family. Is Ridge gonna hurt Spears? Ridge DECKS him, that’s for sure! And DECKS him again! Ridge stomps away on Spears, the fans boo, but Spears eggs Ridge on! Ridge fires hands in the corner and then TOSSES Spears across the way! Spears flounders to grab the chair, but sends it to Ridge!?

Spears dares Ridge to do it! Embrace the truth! Ridge has the chair, takes aim, but the refs stop him! Ridge is furious but he stops from giving in. The fans boo but Spears grins. Spears takes his chair back and says it’s only a matter of time. Is Spears right about Ridge’s rage being the true Yorkshire Grit?

Josh Briggs finds Brooks Jensen backstage.

Briggs brings up Jensen challenging Oba Femi. Briggs doesn’t wanna get into Jensen’s business, but Jensen’s facing Oba next week? Yeah, he is. Is Jensen sure about this? Oba’s been unstoppable ever since showing up here! Jensen has Briggs stop, and says Briggs dares Jensen to grow a pair. That’s what Jensen is doing! Jensen is taking control of his career, and that is why he is challenging Oba. But Oba’s a monster! Damn right! But Briggs brought this out of Jensen. Briggs says he knows he can’t change Jensen’s mind but- Jensen stops Briggs. Whether Briggs wishes Jensen luck or not, he will stand across the ring from Oba, ready to bust him up! Ready to become NXT North American Champion!

Briggs says good luck then. Jensen heads out, but then Dijak walks in. Briggs just lied to Jensen’s face. Jensen is a dead man walking and they all know it. Dijak then leaves, is he right about this? Or can Jensen find a way to shock the world?

Backstage interview with Ilja Dragunov.

Kelly is now with the NXT Champion and brings up tonight was going to be Melo VS Dragunov, until things took an unexpected turn and Tony D interrupted. What does Dragunov make of tonight’s main event? Dragunov says when you are NXT Champion, you can’t be surprised by anything. Dragunov likes Tony, Tony is a man with vision. However, we might see the end of the vision very differently. As for Melo, Dragunov will not take away from Melo’s abilities. But Dragunov enjoys seeing Melo squirm. So if Melo wants his rematch, he will have to earn it. Stacks walks in to say Melo’s gonna miss.

Stacks introduces himself to the Mad Dragon, nice to finally meet. But he, and Luca, are here to let Dragunov know that The Don is making moves. So one way or another, Tony D is gonna be seeing Dragunov at Stand & Deliver. Until they meet again, champ. Stacks & Luca leave and now Dragunov really can’t wait for the main event.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Lyra Valkyria & Tatum Paxley!

From one title scene to the next, Asuka & Kairi Sane return to NXT to defend these titles! But while Damage Control is having fun tormenting Bayley and taunting tag teams on Raw and SmackDown, will they get caught sleeping by The Morrigan and her stalk- er, superfan? Or is truly NO ONE ready for the Empress and Pirate Princess?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who brings these belts down the Road to WrestleMania!

The teams sort out and the fans chant “Welcome Back!” for the Kabuki Warriors. Asuka starts against Lyra and the fans rally up for this first-time encounter. The two tie up, go around, and Asuka headlocks. Lyra chinbars but Asuka wrenches an arm to a wristlock. They knuckle lock, go shoulder to shoulder, and Lyra bridges as Asuka powers her back. Lyra falls, but kips up to wrench and wrangle Asuka. Lyra then rolls to arm-drag Asuka, and floats around to get a ghost pin! TWO! Asuka ducks the heel kick and the fans cheer the standoff. Asuka says alright, calm down, and she tags in Kairi. The fans cheer, and Kairi wants Tatum?

Lyra obliges and tags in Tatum. Tatum and Kairi both scurry around, then tie up. Kairi waistlocks, pulls hair and CLUBS away on Tatum! The ref reprimands but Kairi says lets go! Kairi whips Tatum to a corner, runs in, but Tatum puts her on the apron, Kairi ducks a haymaker to RAM low! Kairi goes up, leaps over Tatum, and then rolls through to say kiss this! The fans fire up as Kairi bridges to mock Tatum, but Tatum just crawls up. Kairi pulls hair but Tatum just smiles! Tatum pie faces Kairi, so Kairi SLAPS Tatum! The forearms start flying, the fans fire up, and things get fast and furious! Taum whips, Kairi reverses then runs through to RANA!

Fans fire up as Tatum tumbles out and Kairi swings on Lyra. Lyra gets away, the ref is busy with her and Kairi, which allows Asuka to PENALTY KICK Tatum down! The fans are torn but Asuka smiles. Kairi tags Asuka in, and Asuka eggs Tatum on. Tatum slides in, Asuka talks trash while pulling hair, but Tatum just SLAPS her! Asuka nods, the fans sing “Asuka’s Gonna Kill~ You!” and Asuka SOBATS! And Kawada Kicks! The fans fire up as Asuka throws Tatum by her hair! Tag to Kairi and Asuka taunts Lyra. The Kabuki Warriors double whip Tatum, then kick, AX KICK, BULLDOG and BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Kairi kicks Tatum around, but then we get some picture in picture with backstage as… Is that Thea going after Kiana James & Izzi Dame!? The refs are breaking that up, what brought this on?! Kairi waistlocks Tatum, Tatum fights up, and Tatum pries at the hold. Kairi brings Tatum down but Tatum pops free, backflips up and over and then facelocks Kairi! Tatum whips Kairi to the corner, tags Lyra, and Tatum stomps away! Lyra has Tatum cool off, they have to keep from being disqualified. Lyra facelocks Kairi to grind her down, but Kairi rolls. Lyra rolls through with Kairi, then brings her up. Tag back to Tatum and they mug Kairi.

Tatum & Lyra double whip Kairi, then DOUBLE HIP TOSS with some cartwheels! Asuka runs in, Lyra & Tatum dodge, and they DOUBLE DROPKICK the Kabuki Warriors! Asuka & Kairi tumble out, Tatum & Lyra run to DOUBLE WRECKING BALL DROPKICK! The challengers are standing tall as NXT goes picture in picture!

Tatum hurries to fetch Kairi into the ring, then brings her up to snapmare. Tatum JUMPING ELBOW DROPS, then covers, TWO! Tatum clamps onto Kairi with a headlock and grinds her down. Kairi throws body shots, powers up and out, and Asuka tags in. Kairi drops, Asuka KICKS Tatum down! Asuka says they’re just smarter than their challengers. Asuka then swaggers around while she stays between Tatum and Lyra. Asuka KICKS Tatum down, dances around, then KICKS again! Asuka continues to dance, and then she KICKS Tatum again. Asuka taunts Lyra, the ref keeps Lyra back, and Asuka goes back to Tatum.

Asuka drags Tatum up but Tatum throws forearms! Asuka eggs Tatum on, Tatum fires CHOP after CHOP! Tatum runs, but into a KICK! Asuka covers, TWO! Asuka tags in Kairi while staying fired up. Asuka says kiss this, and Kairi brings Tatum up, to send into Asuka’s hips!  Now that’s a funky weapon! Kairi drags Tatum around, puts her on ropes, and has everyone hush a moment. Kairi CHOPS and Tatum shouts in pain! Kairi says moi kai, aka one more time! Kairi winds up, but Tatum dodges to roll her up! TWO!! Kairi almost gets caught, and she CLOBBERS Tatum for it! Kairi drags Tatum over, tag to Asuka.

Kairi brings Tatum around and feeds Tatum to Asuka’s boots! Asuka then drags Tatum up, clamps onto an arm and grinds Tatum down. Tatum endures, fights up, and CLUBS at Asuka. Asuka stays clamped on the arm but Tatum fires more shots. Asuka whips Tatum to the corner, Tatm BLASTS Kairi! And BOOTS Asuka! Tatum rolls to KICK, KIC,, but Asuka blocks to an ANKLE LOCK!! Tatum endures, reaches out, and NXT returns to single picture. Tatum rolls, but Asuka rolls with her to keep the hold! Tatum moves around more, rolls free, but Kairi tags in. Kairi hurries to step on Tatum and swing on Lyra!

Lyra avoids getting hit, but Kairi CLUBS away on Tatum! Kairi puts the ANKLE LOCK on Tatum herself now! The fans rally, Tatum fights up and hops around, but Kairi ducks the enzigiri! Kairi swings on Lyra again, misses, and Tatum dodges! Hot tag to Lyra! Lyra CROSSBODIES Kairi, then rallies with LARIATS! Asuka runs in but Asuka RAMS into her! Lyra springboards to CROSSBODY the Kabuki Warriors! The fans fire up and Lyra stands Asuka up. Asuka resists, they go around and around as they fight for control, and Asuka throws body shots. Kairi joins in, but Lyra pie faces her away! Lyra DDTS Asuka!

Lyra calls to Tatum and they get Kairi. Lyra fisherman’s Kairi, Asuka has Asuka! LIGHTNING SPIRAL on Asuka, FISERHAMN BUSTER on Kairi! Lyra drags Kairi back up, to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Kairi survives and the fans fire up! Lyra brings Kairi up again, fireman’s carries, but Kairi fights with body shots! Lyra sobats, whips her to ropes, but Kairi holds them. Kairi BOOTS Lyra, Asuka tags in, and Asuka hits a CODE BREAKER! Then BLOCKBUSTER from Kairi! PENALTY KICK SLIDING D COMBO!! Cover, Tatum breaks it!! Kairi gets Tatum up, but Tatum sends Kairi out first!

Asuka says this is the end! Asuka waistlocks lyra but Lyra fights! Lyra holds ropes, the ref counts, Lyra ELBOWS Asuka away. Lyra BOOTS Asuka, but Asuka rebounds to KICK! Lyra rebounds, into the pop-up KNEE! Lyra returns, Asuka blocks the kick, slips around, but Lyra wheelbarrows to the victory roll! TWO!! Asuka kicks, Lyra ducks and ENZIGIRIS! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Lyra drags Asuka over, tags in Tatum, and they hand Asuka off. Tatum scoops and Lyra climbs! BACKBREAKER and LEG DROP!! Cover, KAIRI BREAKS IT! That was just in time and the fans fire up!

Lyra SOBATS Kairi, RAMS her, KICKS her, then winds up! But Kairi ducks, the HEEL KICK hits Tatum!! Kairi URAKENS Lyra down! Kairi & Asuka roar as they coordinate, BUZZSAW to Tatum! Kairi tags in then climbs, and Asuka has Tatum in the dragon sleeper. IN-SANE DDT!! Cover, Kabuki Warriors win!

Winners: The Kabuki Warriors, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Lyra and Tatum were running rather smoothly, but they got sunk all the same! Asuka & Kairi now sail on towards Raw to defend these titles against Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark, is DMG CTRL still going to be in control?

Meanwhile, Lyra helps Tatum up and apologizes for the miscue. But then ROXANNE PEREZ ATTACKS!! She CLOBBERS them both, then HAMMERS away on Lyra! Fans boo as Roxie hits a DIVORCE COURT DDT! Then she POSTS Lyra by that bad arm! And then POSTS her into the other corner! Fans are torn as Roxie pulls a cover off a crossbar, and then pulls Lyra’s bad arm into the bar! The refs say no, but Roxie STOMPS the arm!!! Lyra shouts in pain as she clutches the elbow! Did Roxie just clip The Morrigan’s wings?

NXT returns as Lyra is being loaded into an ambulance.

The medics have Lyra keep her arm as still as possible, and both Ava Raine and HBK are there to see her off. The GM and the commissioner talk, what are they going to decide as Roxanne’s punishment for this heinous attack?

Fallon Henley VS Blair Davenport!

The Cowgirl was just simply trying to help some friends sort out their messy love life, and for whatever reason, The Heir of Darkness had to criticize that. These two look to settle things in the ring, whose side will be made right through the fight?

The bell rings, the two tie up, and Fallon waistlocks. Blair elbows free, headlocks Fallon, but Fallon pries the hold open. Fallon has a top wristlock but Blair fights around. Fallon wrenches but Blair ROCKS her! Blair whips, Fallon reverses and ELBOWS back! Fallon runs, trips Blair, and then runs to CALF KICK! The fans fire up with Fallon while Blair ends up on ropes. Fallon runs in, slides, but Blair tries to stop Fallon! Fallon still ROCKS Blair! Fallon storms in, body scissor roll-up, TWO! Blair goes to ropes but Fallon is after her. Blair holds ropes to stop the whip, then she kicks low. Blair wrenches but Fallon shoves her away.

Fallon runs in, Blair sends her into the corner, then Blair runs up. Fallon puts Blair on the apron, but Blair blocks the haymaker to HOTSHOT the arm! Fallon hobbles away, Blair goes up top, and Blair DOUBLE STOMPS the bad arm! Fallon writhes and shouts in pain, but Blair goes after the arm again. Blair wrenches and WRINGS Fallon out! Blair clamps onto the arm and bends the fingers! The fans rally while Fallon endures but Blair tortures that arm more! Fallon fights up, rolls, and then KICKS Blair! Fallon fires forearms but Blair gets the bad arm again. Blair wrenches, Fallon ROCKS her again!

Fallon LARIATS, keeps moving, and ROCKS Blair again! Fallon whips Blair to a corner, runs and FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Blair toughs it out, goes to ropes, but Fallon runs in to clothesline Blair up and out! The fans fire up with Fallon as she fetches Blair, but Blair ROCKS Fallon! Blair RAMS Fallon into the steel steps! Blair then runs up, but Fallon dodges! Blair’s knee hits steel, then Fallon slide sin. Wait, is that Sol Ruca?! Sol cartwheels to DDT Blair! The ref was busy checking Fallon’s arm, Sol gets away with that one! Sol puts Blair in for Fallon to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Fallon wins!

Winner: Fallon Henley, by pinfall

Now that’s a way to make a comeback! Not just Fallon rebounding from recent losses, but the Sol Surfer sliding back into NXT! Blair is furious, but is her past coming back to haunt her?

Chase U regroups backstage.

Jacy Jayne says it slipped right through their fingers. She worked her magic to get them this match, and what happens? Yeah, Jacy, Chase gets it. He was there. Yeah, the moment was, too. Duke, you came up short! What does Jacy have to do? Win a match herself? Thea returns from fighting with Kiana and apologizes, she lost her cool and it escalated quickly. She thinks there’s gonna be a tag match next week because she got into it with Kiana & Izzi and there was a lot of stuff going on. Whoa, who is gonna be her partner? Uh, isn’t Jacy her partner? Oh, uh, no, sorry. Jacy’s busy next week. Sorry.

Jacy and Jazmyn leave, and they leave Thea hanging. Will Thea have to scramble to find a friend? Or is there one closer than she thinks that’ll be more than happy to fight Kiana?

Ava Raine talks with Gigi Dolin.

The GM explains that “she” said no, she refuses to fight. What does that mean? Well, it takes two to have a match, and she doesn’t fight for a living. If they got in the ring together, she would just run away, and that’s not a win Gigi would want. Gigi says it’s not about the win, it’s about punching her in the face! Yes, but- Oh, speaking of, here’s Arianna Grace. Has the pageant queen reconsidered having a match with Gigi? A match? Afraid not. Grace doesn’t see the point. Is she for real? Fighting is literally what pro-wrestlers do, and Grace deserves to get her ass handed to her for what she did during Gigi’s match!

Grace says there is no need for such a potty mouth! Is she serious? Grace thinks about it, and she does accept. But on one condition: If Grace wins, Gigi must let her bring out her “true inner beauty! Teach you how to be a true lady! And get rid of that vulgar language.” Ava asks Gigi if that’s okay. Gigi says if that’s what it takes, done. Grace is all excited and hurries away. Gigi has what she wanted, mostly, but will she give Grace what she deserves?

Backstage interview with Shawn Spears.

Kelly Kincaid catches him on his way out and says after both last week and tonight, he must surely be expecting Ridge Holland will want a match. Spears says he is counting on it. Rage is Ridge’s best friend, and next week, Spears will teach Ridge to embrace it. The Chair Man is ready to test Yorkshire Grit, but will he learn a painful truth about poking the bear?

The No Quarter Catch Crew is in the ring.

Drew Gulak, Damon Kemp & Myles Borne stand with the NEW NXT Heritage Cup Champion, Charlie Dempsey, and they get the mics. Gulak says last week, the world saw what this group already knew about Dempsey, and that is that Dempsey is one of the most unique and talented grapplers in ALL of pro-wrestling! Thanks to Dempsey, the Heritage Cup now sits with the NQCC. Dempsey has to say, winning this is an honor. The Heritage Cup is something he’s held a great interest in for quite some time now. “This Cup represents the style of competition that perfectly aligns itself with my vision of the pure art of this sport.”

Fans applaud, and Dempsey continues to say, “But… This prize is not just mine alone.” Damon Kemp says it is about time this cup is represented and showcased by athletes and combat. His boy, Dempsey, won the cup, but they are all champions as a collective. The Catch Clause means that any member of the NQCC can defend the Cup. And Gulak says speaking of that, they will officially enter itself in this upcoming NXT Tag Team Elimination Tournament, made earlier today by Ava Raine. So come Stand & Deliver, they will not only be NXT Heritage Cup Champion, but also NXT Tag Team Champions!

They will succeed in showing no pity! No mercy! No remorse! And- WAIT! Is that William Regal!? The fans go nuts as Regal says, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s delightful to see you all again.” Mr. Regal goes to the ring and fans chant, “Welcome Back!” Regal looks at the NQCC, the fans say, “That’s Your Father!” to Dempsey. Regal looks to the Heritage Cup and says that means the absolute world to him. That championship represents outstanding competitors from the British and European scenes for generations. So every time that Cup is contested, all the ladies and gentlemen that came before them, that is a tribute to them, and Regal takes that very personally.

So Regal hopes that they will defend this Cup with the honor and integrity it deserves. Dempsey says he’ll defend this better than Regal ever could. Fans are stunned but Regal smirks. Fee fye foe fum, Regal will be watching, son. The Gentleman Villain gives his approval, but also a warning. Will the NQCC do him proud? Or will they show him up?

The Meta Four talks backstage.

From the looks of it, Noam Dar is catatonic again. Lash Legend and Oro Mensah are worried after what happened last time. So what’re they to do? Get Jakara Jackson, she’s been looking for Dar everywhere. Lash then sits with Dar and consoles the Supernova. You okay? LASH! Hey! Dar is all better now! They hug it out, and Dar says hey, the past is the past. Time for the Meta-FUTURE! Brighter and better things! Check please~! Does that mean Dar is over the Cup and ready to move on to a new precious? Who will have to watch out for Supernova 11 on the Road to Stand & Deliver?

Robert Stone watches a WWE Digital Exclusive.

It’s Lexis King talking trash on him, and saying that the Stone boys need a real role model in their lives. Not someone who has another man fight his battles or that gets involved in someone else’s business. Von Wagner walks over and says he’s not done with King. Von’s gonna SMASH him! Stone gets that, Von, but this isn’t about Von VS King anymore. King assaulted Stone, talked bad about the kids, and made this personal. What’s Stone saying? Stone is saying Von needs to step aside on this one so Stone can fight King himself! Stone is a man, a husband, and a father, so he has to do this and do it alone.

Stone was there for Von when no one else was, so he is asking this favor. Please, let Stone fight this fight himself. Von says yeah, he’s got it. King pushed Suit Man Stone too far, is Stone going to knock King off his throne?

NXT Championship #1 Contender’s match: Carmelo Hayes VS Tony D’Angelo!

Speaking of moving on, the former NXT Champion can’t move on, doesn’t wanna move on, and is only looking to get back to where he once was. But will he make his way back to both the NXT Championship, to Ilja Dragunov, and to Stand & Deliver? Or will The Don of NXT finally take over and get his own shot at the Mad Dragon?

The bell rings and Melo runs up to ROCK Tony! Melo fires off hands, Tony shoves him back, but Melo ENZIGIRIS! Melo CLUBS Tony while fans taunt Melo with, “CAR-MELO SUCKS~!” Melo whips, Tony blocks, and Tony whips Melo to run him over! Tony keeps moving, he runs Melo over again, but then Melo drops. Tony TACKLES Melo, rolls through with him, and back drops him away! The fans fire up and Tony eggs Melo on. Tony storms up on Melo, Melo kicks but Tony blocks. Tony kicks low, whips Melo into a corner, and he RAMS into Melo! Tony RAMS in again and again, whips corner to corner and runs up, to RAM again!

Tony RAMS Melo more, lets off as the ref counts, and Tony gut wrenches for a GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans fire up, Tony covers, TWO! Tony keeps cool as he stalks Melo to ropes. Tony whips but Melo kicks back. Melo fires forearms, CHOPS, then fires forearms! Melo CHOPS, brings Tony in, and mocks the Italianos. The fans boo but Tony blocks the suplex! Tony cording holds, Melo apologizes, but Tony brings him in for the hockey scrum! The fans fire up as Tony then HALF HATCHES Melo away! Tony CLOBBERS Melo, Melo staggers around, and Tony tells him, “I’m The Don, you ain’t him!”

Tony TOSSES Melo, Melo lands on the apron, but Tony BLASTS Melo off the apron! Melo’s men catch him and Melo smiles. The fans boo but Melo thanks his guys. Melo says that’s why they’re here. But then Tony eggs Melo on and Melo storms up. NXT goes picture in picture right as Tony YANKS Melo into the ring!

Melo flounders, Tony runs up and bumps him off buckles. Tony fires hands, Melo goes to another corner, but Tony bumps him off buckles again. Tony CLUBS Melo, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Melo endures as Tony leans on the hold, but Melo pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Tony clamps on the chinlock tighter. Melo still fights up, throws body shots, then CHOPS! Tony kicks low, CLUBS Melo to a corner, then whips him to a corner hard. Tony runs up but is sent into buckles! Melo then wrenches to ARM CODE BREAKER! Tony writhes, Melo huffs ‘n’ puffs, then Melo HAMMERS away on Tony!

Melo WRINGS the bad arm out, then CLUBS Tony back down. Melo pushes Tony to a cover, TWO! Tony toughs it out but Melo keeps his cool. Melo clamps onto the arm, steps over and has the DISARM-HIM! Tony endures, reaches out, but Melo lets off to CLUB the arm down! Melo then shifts to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Melo bends the fingers, NXT returns to single picture, and Tony continues to endure. Melo says if Tony wants his spot, then he’ll end up like the last guy! The fans rally as Melo shifts to a top wristlock, but Tony throws body shots. Melo cranks the hold, Tony still fights up. Tony throws body shots again and again, but Melo SLAMS Tony down!

Melo keeps on the top wristlock but Tony fights around. Melo body scissors Tony and ends up a backpack as Tony stands! Tony RAMS Melo into buckles! Tony is free but Melo clamps back on! Tony arm-drags free, Melo runs up but Tony ROCKS him! The hands go back and forth, faster and faster, and Tony DECKS Melo! And DECKS him again! Tony whips, Melo reverses to KICK the bad arm! Tony snarls, storms up on Melo, then clinches to BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up and Tony BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES again! Then a HUGE SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up for Tony as he waits on Melo. BIG back suplex, cover, TWO!

Melo stays in this but Tony stays on him. Tony reels Melo in, the fans rally, but Melo fights the suplex. Melo wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! Tony ROCKS Melo, Melo KICKS Tony! Melo BOOTS Tony down, runs, but into a tackle! Tony rolls through again, but Melo CLUBS away on him! Melo reels Tony in to suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! But it’s back to the FUJIWARA! Tony endures as Melo pushes back on the arm! The fans rally, Tony still fights, and Tony rolls Melo up! TWO!! Melo goes to a corner, Tony runs in but Melo sends him into buckles. Melo goes up but Tony YANKS him down for a POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!

Melo survives and Tony is frustrated. Melo goes to the apron and rises up. Tony storms his way over, but Melo HOTSHOTS the bad arm! Tony staggers away, Melo runs up, FIRST 48! Cover, TWO! Melo is shocked, and he rains down fists in fury! Melo SLAMS the bad arm off the mat, then he goes to a corner. The fans boo as Melo climbs, and he aims at Tony. But wait! TRICK WILLIAMS IS BACK?!? Melo is furious! His guards are, well, on guard! The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” but where is he? Melo shakes his head, thinks maybe he got tricked, and then he turns around into a SPINEBUSTER!!

The fans fire up and Tony brings Melo up! FOGEDABOUTIT!! Cover, TONY WINS!!

Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)

Melo got tricked by The Don, but it shows how badly the betrayal of his best friend haunts him. Tony D is heading to Philadelphia, will he Stand & Deliver on his promise? Tony “apologizes” for the stunt he pulled, but he is a giving man. So Melo, he’s got a present for you. TRICK REALLY IS HERE!! Trick runs in to fire off on Melo! The guards get in, but Trick whoops them, too! The fans are thunderous as Trick BOOTS Melo, BOOTS the last guard, then goes after Melo again! Melo runs away to the safety of his thugs, is Trick ready to Stand & Deliver some revenge?

My Thoughts:

An awesome night for NXT here, so many great twists and turns and returns and surprises for the Road to WrestleMania. For one, William Regal showing up to sorta confront his son, Charlie Dempsey, was great stuff. NQCC want to Freebird Rules the Heritage Cup, they want the tag titles, and Regal is perhaps wanting them to not be Heels about it but Faces. However, that doesn’t seem to bet the NQCC’s plan, can’t wait to see how this tag title contender tournament turns out. Dar snapping out of the funk this quickly makes me think he and Oro might get in on that tournament so Meta-Four can have the tag titles, maybe they end up having a match against NQCC along the way.

And speaking of the tag titles, a great match from Chase U VS Wolf Dogs, but of course Chase U lost. That feeds the overall tag title story but also the story within Chase U. Good promo from Fallon with Riley and Blair, and nice little irony that Riley and Blair are a couple IRL. Thea flipping out on Kiana & Izzi was great stuff, and duh, Fallon is gonna be Thea’s teammate since Jacy is going back to her Toxic ways. And of course Arianna Grace wants a match just to establish her beauty pageant queen ways. I have a feeling Gigi loses and will end up suffering through a makeover by Grace.

Great Women’s Tag Team Championship match, though there just seems something about Kairi’s timing that needs work. She probably just needs reps in the WWE pace and style again. But Kabuki Warriors of course retained, they’re gonna take these titles to WrestleMania, even with Shayna & Zoey waiting for this Monday. I thought this was gonna tear Lyra and Tatum apart, but instead Roxie tries to tear Lyra’s arm off her body! I am pretty sure this sparks Roxie VS Lyra for Stand & Deliver as Roxie’s last chance at the title. Roxie might even face Tatum as a tune-up to also cue Lyra’s “miraculous” return to go after Roxie. And Roxie will surely lose at Stand & Deliver so she can be called up after Mania.

The Asylum Match was some wild and fun stuff, but why in the world did Dijak win here? Dijak already won at Vengeance Day, shouldn’t Gacy win to tie things up and force a tiebreaker? Dijak getting in on Briggs’ moment with Jensen was also interesting. He’s right that Jensen is gonna lose but is he going to start a feud with Briggs now? Spears of course gets a win, and of course Ridge goes after him, and they’re going to have a really good match next week. Then Von and Stone had a good promo to set up Stone VS King, that will be a real good match just from the story of Stone defending his family’s honor as well as his own. He probably loses, I’m just not sure how this story comes to an end.

And of course, awesome story beats in the NXT Championship build. Luca Crusifino joining the D’Angelo Family is great stuff, good promos from the Family, from Melo, and from Dragunov. And I am very glad to see this work out how I figured. Trick is back, he closes us out by going after Melo, and there’s our grudge match for Stand & Deliver to also send Melo off to SmackDown. Then with Tony facing Dragunov, we’ll get some great stuff out of them. Dragunov may win, Dragunov may lose, but he’ll give it his all either way. As I said last week, it’d be some wild stuff if Tony comes out on top, so that he and Trick, two homegrown NXT talents, standing at the top while Melo and Dragunov move on to SmackDown. Or maybe to Raw in Dragunov’s case if they want him to feud with Gunther again.

My Score: 9/10