Will the Alpha Academy SHOOOOSH the Wolf Dogs?

In hopes of joining the NXT Tag Team Championship match at Stand & Deliver, Akira Tozawa & Otis face Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin in non-title action!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Shawn Spears VS DIJAK; Dijak wins.
• Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Jazmyn Nyx w/ Jacy Jayne; Thea wins.
• Open Challenge: Lola Vice VS Natalya; Natalya wins.
• Ilja Dragunov VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Adriana Rizzo; Dragunov wins.
• Josh Briggs VS Duke Hudson; Briggs wins.
• NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin VS Akira Tozawa & Otis w/ Maxxine Dupri; Bron & Corbin win and deny the Alpha Academy a spot at Stand & Deliver.

PLAY BY PLAY

Shawn Spears VS DIJAK!

The Chair Man exposed Ridge Holland’s truth, but now he runs into #HardJustice! Philosophies collide and there will be pain, but who will be proven right on the Road to WrestleMania Weekend?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Spears as he circles with Dijak. They tie up, Dijak puts Spears in a corner, but then lets off as the ref counts. Spears headlocks, Dijak powers up and out, but Spears runs Dijak over! Things speed up and Dijak ELBOWS Spears down! The fans duel now as Dijak hauls Spears up. Spears SLAPS Dijak! So Dijak clotheslines Spears up and out! The fans fire up as Dijak goes out, puts Spears in, but then Spears dropkicks the legs out! Spears PLANCHAS and down goes Dijak! The fans fire up again with chants of “TEN! TEN! TEN!” The ring count climbs, Spears puts Dijak in at 3, but Dijak FLIES back out!

The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” as Dijak roars. Dijak gets Spears up and in, stalks Spears to a corner, then lines up a stomp! Spears goes to another corer, Dijak fires forearms! Spears flounders, Dijak stalks him, but Spears kicks low! Spears CHOPS Dijak int he corner and the fans fire up! Spears CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Dijak ROCKS Spears with forearm after forearm in return! Dijak ELBOWS Spears in a corner, ELBOWS again, then CLUBS him! The ref counts, Dijak whips Spears and scoops for the BACKBREAKER! Dijak then goes up the ropes and the fans fire up for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Dijak is frustrated as Spears stays in this. Dijak drags Spears up, whips him to ropes, but Spears reels Dijak in for a NECKBREAKER! The fans rally up again as Spears stands up. Spears shakes his bad leg out, then scrapes his laces on Dijak’s face! Spears bumps Dijak off buckles, then CHOPS! The fans fire up and want another, but Spears whips corner to to corner. Dijak BOOTS Spears, then HEADBUTTS him down! Dijak then goes up and up and- NO, Spears gets him first, SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous as Dijak somehow rises! Spears runs in to KNEE Dijak outta the ring!

The fans rally up as Spears goes out to talk some trash on Dijak. But wait! Joe Gacy is crawling out from under the ring!! Gacy steals Spears’ favorite chair! Spears SLAMS Dijak against barriers, refreshes the ring count, then brings Dijak up. Dijak knees in return, SMACKS Spears off the apron, then shoves him in. Dijak climbs in but into a CODE BREAKER! Dijak is slumped in the ropes and the fans rally for “TEN! TEN! TEN!” as NXT goes picture in picture.

Spears smirks as he hobbles over and brings Dijak around. Spears steps through to stomp Dijak in the stomach! And again, and again! Spears digs his heel in but lets off to then stomp Dijak’s face! Dijak crawls to a corner, Spears stalks him, and Spears stands Dijak up. Spears CHOPS Dijak, Dijak sputters and staggers to another corner, but Spears is on him again. Dijak dodges the chop to CHOP in return! Dijak ROCKS Spears, then brings Spears around. Dijak ROCKS Spears, then whips him to ropes. Spears reverses and kitchen sink knees! Spears then CLUBS away with crossface forearms! Cover, ONE!!

Spears is frustrated but he paces around Dijak. Spears drags Dijak up, CHOPS him again, and Dijak staggers away to a corner. Spears stands Dijak up to CHOP again! Dijak sputters, but Spears puts him up top. Spears ROCKS Dijak with haymakers, then CHOPS again! Dijak clutches his stinging chest while Spears climbs up. Spears brings Dijak up but Dijak resists the superplex! Dijak throws body shots, Spears hops down, but Spears CHOPS again! And ROCKS Dijak with another haymaker! Spears climbs back up to HEADBUTT Dijak! Then they go to the very top, but Dijak still resists! NXT returns to single picture as fans rally up

Dijak fires forearm after forearm and Spears falls back! Dijak adjusts, Spears stands, and Dijak FLYING LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Spears and Dijak slowly rise. Spears stands first, but Dijak throws body shots! Spears throws hands, Dijak throws them back, and they stand. Dijak fires forearm after forearm, then whips. Spears reverses but Dijak ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! Dijak storms up on Spears, smothers him, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up as Dijak says TIME TO FLY!! The throw is good and Dijak snarls in the corner!

The fans fire up as Spears rises, Dijak choke grips, but spears breaks free! Dijak stops the superkick, choke grips again, but Spears wheelbarrows to victory roll! TWO! Dijak escapes but Spears SUPERKICKS! Dijak CYCLONE KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Spears survives and Dijak is beside himself! The fans are thunderous and hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” But this is just the first match, and it has to end somehow! Dijak hauls Spears up but Spears fights the torture rack! Spears CLUBS Dijak, then fireman’s carries in return! But Dijak slips free! Dijak fireman’s carries again, swings, but Spears DDT counters!!

Spears hurries after Dijak as Dijak goes to the apron. Spears stands Dijak up but Dijak HOTSHOTS Spears away! Dijak snarls, drags himself up, and he aims for a springboard MACHO ELBOW FLOP as Spears moves! The ref checks on Dijak and Spears goes for his chair, only to find it’s gone! Spears is confused, he knows he left it right by the stairs. Dijak hurries after Spears but Spears HOTSHOTS him! Spears goes up, AX- NO, Dijak catches him! HIGH JUSTICE!! Cover, TWO?!? Spears survives and Dijak is furious! The fans are thunderous again but Dijak takes aim again. Spears stands, but he blocks the superkick!

Spears throws the leg down but Dijak SUPERKICKS through anyway! Torture rack lift, FEAST YOUR EYES!! Cover, Dijak wins!

Winner: Dijak, by pinfall

Spears’ chair disappearing may have been the key, but a win is a win! Will NXT General Manger, Ava Raine, look to give Dijak that golden opportunity? Wait, Gacy shows off that HE has Spears’ chair! Will Gacy show Spears what painful truth he needs to embrace?

Roxanne Perez watches herself back.

The Prodigy holds scissors in her hand as she watches last year’s vignette about her dream board. “Look at this girl. Just happy to be here, stars in her eyes. God, I was so naive. Watching this honestly makes me sick. If you dream big enough~! Ugh, I wanted everyone to like me. Just pathetic. That gullible little girl that grew up taking pictures with her favorite WWE superstars and looking up to her heroes and trying to do everything right.” She uses those scissors to CUT UP those pictures! Roxanne says that little girl is dead. Wanna know what those heroes got her? Nothing! Which is why she is her own hero now.

From the day she stepped foot in NXT, Roxanne was seen as the next woman to carry the torch. The woman to take NXT 2.0 into the new era. She put this brand before her own life! Always on to the next Premium Live Event, the next TV special, the next live event! Where’d that get her? Discarded and without her title. Now Roxie looks out for herself, and it feel so good! Don’t like it? Too bad. Her proof is in the results. She is in the NXT Women’s Championship match at Stand & Deliver, and she got it by just being herself: breaking the rules and doing it her way.

Lyra, Roxie doesn’t like you, nor does she dislike you. She has no real feelings towards Lyra. Lyra’s just the woman carrying Roxie’s title. Well, barely carrying it now. But don’t worry, at Stand & Deliver, Roxie will be holding that title, and it’ll be back where it belongs. The Prodigy is excelling in being selfish and sadistic, but will those get her what she wants? Or only what she deserves?

Hank ‘n’ Tank are rocking out backstage.

Specifically, they’re all fired up because they’re auditioning to be the cohosts of Stand & Deliver! Hank practiced the song, right? Taylor Swift’s Antihero! No, man, Cool Summer! Aw man, that’s so good, too. But apparently, it isn’t just them interested in the job. Brinley Reece is with Malik Blade & Edris Enofe, she wants them to stay positive and give a MILLION percent! Edris says that is mathematically impossible. Malik says it IS possible, you just gotta believe! But Andre Chase also finishes up. How’d it go? He effin’ nailed it! Cool… Next! Next? Chase SLAPS the clipboard out of the staff assistant’s hand before storming off.

Meta Four walks over and Noam Dar says the real stars are finally here. They don’t even knock, they just say hello, hello, hello! Will Ava really accept Supernova 11 and crew as suitable hosts for Stand & Deliver?

Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Jazmyn Nyx w/ Jacy Jayne!

Speaking of things people want and deserve, Chase U’s most energetic prospect is back to her old self! She realized this is who she is and who she wants to be, not what the toxic haters wanted her to be! So then, will Jazmyn get the humbling she and Jacy deserve? Or will they still do what they want to who they want with no remorse?

NXT returns as Jazmyn & Jacy make their entrance. The bell rings and Thea runs up to CLOBBER Nyx! And CLOBBER her again! And again! Then Thea WRINGS Nyx’s arm, then drags her by a leg! The fans rally, Nyx kicks Thea away and hurries to a corner. Thea runs in to back body block! Then she clinches to EXPLODER! The fans fire up, Nyx staggers up, and Thea gest her again! But Jacy gets on the apron! That distracts Thea, Nyx cradles, TWO! Nyx trips Thea, runs, and PENALTY KICKS! There’s her West Virginia soccer ability! Thea gets away to ropes, Nyx distracts the ref, and Jacy storms up.

The ref tells Jacy to back off so she does. Nyx runs up to stomp Thea in the corner, but the fans boo. Nyx lets off as the ref counts, then she drags Thea up to short arm BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nyx stays on Thea by pulling hair and mocking “poor little baby.” But Thea throws body shots! Nyx throws Thea down by her hair, then sits her up for an armlock chinbar combo. The fans rally as Thea endures. Jacy tells Nyx to make Thea pay, but Thea fights up! Thea throws body shots, but Nyx whips her away. Nyx runs up, into an ELBOW! And a BOOT! Thea runs to ROLLING NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up and Thea storms after Nyx. Thea whips, Nyx reverses to PELE! Cover, TWO! Nyx clamps right onto Thea for a seated chicken wing, then LEG HOOK FULL NELSON! Thea endures, but Jacy snatches the towel! The fans boo as Jacy taunts Chase with it, #TowelGate flashbacks! Riley intercepts the throw!! The fans cheer, but then the ref sees Riley in the wrong?! The ref EJECTS Chase U!! The fans boo as Jacy’s toxicity still prevails! But Thea pushes Nyx to a cover! TWO!! Nyx runs up, into a JAWBREAKER! Jacy distracts Thea directly now, and Thea says she thought they were friends!

Jacy says Thea was never her friend! And then she SLAPS Thea!! The ref was too busy checking Nyx, and now Nyx rolls Thea up! TWO, KIMURA!!! NYX TAPS, THEA WINS!!

Winner: Thea Hail, by submission

Thea is so furious, she doesn’t let off, she SNAPS that elbow!! Nyx is writhing, Thea taunts her, but Jacy CLOBBERS Thea! Thea and Jacy brawl and the fans fire up! But wait, Kiana James & Izzi Dame jump in!! They mug Thea to help their new “friend,” Jacy! The fans boo as the mugging is 3v1, but here come Kelani & Fallon! They CLOBBER Jacy, throw hands with Izzi & Kiana, and now the brawl is 3v3! Kelani DROPKICKS Kiana outta the ring! Fallon ROCKS Izzi, then she and Kelani DOUBLE LARIAT Izzi outta the ring! Thea runs up to CLOBBER Jacy! Jacy reaches out, Izzi & Kiana grab her hands, it’s tug-o-war using Jacy!

Izzi & Kiana manage to get Kiana away from Thea, Fallon & Kelani, but it seems things are only heating up! Will these six women look to Stand & Deliver in order to settle this once and for all?

NXT presents Prime Target: Trick Melo Gang.

An old selfie video starts us off, and then Trick Williams himself says they clicked right from the beginning. Trick Melo Gang always gonna be here, that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gonna be. It was something special, something unique, even for the storied history of NXT. Trick says what he and Melo built was special. What they built together was special. Booker T says Melo’s rise was awesome, but he couldn’t have had that rise without Trick by his side. Trick was there for his boy, every single victory. But Trick’s name wasn’t on those awards. Trick asked THE John Cena how he knew it was his time.

Booker says there was always going to come a time when Trick would have to leave the shadow of Carmelo Hayes. Both men wanted the exact same things: champagne wishes and caviar dreams. But on the flipside, Randy Orton says that Melo saw the signs. His best friend, former partner, everyone is jumping up and stomping their feet for Trick. Melo hears that reaction. CM Punk says this is a good case study of human nature. Neither man set out for it to be this way. Melo remembers like it was yesterday. He called up his boy, asked Trick if he was ’bout it, and Trick said, “I’m ’bout it ’bout it!” And that couldn’t have been more of a lie.

Melo tells Trick that he brought Trick to the water. Melo let Trick drink, he let Trick eat off the same plate as HIM. It was never a we thing, it was a Melo with Trick thing. Melo says that when you come for the One of One, Melo is second to nobody. The betrayal happened, and Melo claimed he wasn’t the one jealous of Trick’s success, because he was the one who allowed Trick to succeed. Melo was just reminding Trick of his place. When you bite the hand that feeds you, this is what you get. Trick was the sidekick, that is all it is, and that is all Trick was ever going to be. This is just part one of Prime Target, stay tuned for the rest!

The Alpha Academy warms up.

Maxxine Dupri says Tozawa and Otis are looking good. Eyes on the prize, they gotta focus. Otis says, “Oh yeah, my dove. Stand & Deliver is in our sights. But tonight, it’s not about loving Miss Laaash~!” Tozawa gets worked up but Otis says easy, tonight is about fighting. Tozawa says they will beat Bron & Corbin to then make it to Stand & Deliver, A THANK YEW~! Maxxine likes that fire, but will the Wolf Dogs avoid getting burned?

Open Challenge: Lola Vice VS ???

The challenge was put out on social media, because the Mayor of Vice City just knew NXT missed seeing her. Who steps up to prove her wrong?

Lola gets the mic to say, “It’s Stand & Deliver season, baby. And I put out an open challenge to any woman in the locker room who thinks she can handle this Latina Heat. Pero <But>, lemme tell you a little secret. No one, nada, can handle Lola Vice! I am the complete package. I’ve got knockout power in my hands and feet, and I look hot doing it. So I hope whoever’s about to come out is ready to be put to sleep.” IT’S NATALYA!? The fans fire up, and the Queen of Harts tells Lola that she saw the tweet. There is no doubt Lola is one of the fastest rising stars in NXT. But as WrestleMania Weekend has grown, so has Lola’s ego. Someone needs to put Lola in her place!

The fans fire up for that and Natty says she isn’t saying all this because she sees nothing in Lola. It’s because she sees everything in Lola. Natty goes to the ring, and she says that while she sees everything in Lola, she would just love to be the one that kicks her ass! But then Lola TACKLES Natty first! The fans fire up as these two brawl! The ref rushes in to separate them, but it’s only long enough for the bell to ring! They start throwing hands and the fans fire up! Natty CLUBS away on Lola, bumps her off buckles, then bumps her off more buckles! The fans rally for Natty as she trips Lola but Lola kicks her away!

Lola bails out, Natty pursues! Natty CLUBS Lola at the ramp, puts her back in the ring, but Lola hurries out the other side. Natty pursues again and SMACKS Lola off the apron! Natty puts Lola in, CLUBS her again, then gets the fans fired up. Natty DECKS Lola, drags her back up, and talks some trash. But Lola fires body shots and fast hands! Lola has Natty in a corner, Natty shoves her away, but then Lola ducks the lariat! Lola feints to then kick, KICK and ROUNDHOUSE Natty down! The fans fire up while Lola checks her jaw and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and the fans duel as Lola has Natty in a cobra twist! Natty endures, even as Lola digs in an elbow. Natty throws elbows, then hip tosses free! Lola gets up, runs up, but into a BOOT! Natty goes to a corner, Lola runs in again, but into another BOOT! Lola swings, Natty dodges and she ROCKS Lola again and again! The fans fire up, Natty fires off in the corner but the ref backs her off. Natty blocks Lola’s boot to throw her down! Natty then runs, steps on Lola, and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Natty pushes Lola down, has the legs, and the fans fire up as Natty steps through! Lola fights, kicks and has the ANKLE LOCK!

The fans boo as Natty endures and fights around! Lola grapevines but Natty rolls and rolls and has the ROPEBREAK! Lola lets go, has Natty in a corner and she throws body shots. Lola then fireman’s carries, but Natty fights free! Natty spins Lola, goes for a leg, but Lola steps over to La Magistrol! TWO and Natty has a cover, TWO! They both stand and Lola URAKENS! Cover, TWO!! Natty survives and Lola is furious! Lola clamps onto Natty with a TRIANGLE HOLD! Natty endures, fights around, and Karmen Petrovic hurries out here! Karmen cheers Natty on, Natty fights to stack, TWO!

Lola sees Karmen and says she better leave or Lola’s gonna hurt her! Natty goes to a corner, says “I’m a Latina~!” and shakes those hips before the HIP ATTACK! Lola drags Natty up to then URA- NO, Natty ducks to DISCUS LARIAT! The fans fire up as Natty has the legs again! Natty steps through, but Lola continues to fight! Lola BOOTS Natty, rolls her up, TWO!! Natty now has an ARMBAR!! Lola clasps hands to fight it off but the fans rally! Lola stacks Natty, TWO! SOBAT! But Natty ducks the roundhouse to O’Conner Roll! And it’s deep! NATTY WINS!

Winner: Natalya, by pinfall

The fans cheer the big win for Natty’s NXT return, and she celebrates with Karmen. Will Lola make Karmen pay for even showing up tonight?

NXT Media catches up with Shawn Spears.

The Chair Man is on his way out as they bring up his “disappointing result” against Dijak. Spears says, “Uh, ya think? Of course it’s disappointing. All because of… Joe Gacy? A guy who wasn’t even on my radar.” Spears says Gacy is now. Joe took something that is essential and vital to who Spears is so if he wants to play- Wait, someone shouts “INCOMING~!” The chair falls from the sky!? Gacy is up on the roof again! And he apologizes to Spears, Gacy meant to give that back to him sooner. Woops! Gacy laughs and then Oba Femi steps on Spears’ chair. Gacy says sorry, he didn’t see Oba there! Did that almost hit him? Sorry about that!

Gacy continues to laugh, but now he’s got The Chair Man and The Ruler upset with him. Are they both going to show Gacy that the time for games is over?

Sol Ruca speaks.

“Nothing beats the crest of a wave. Everything’s flowing and gathering momentum, it’s just beautiful. But then, it can all come crashing down with such an unbelievable force. Which perfectly describes what Blair Davenport did to me last April. She shredded my ACL and put me on the shelf for nine long, hard months. Every single day that I was in the gym, I thought about you, Blair, and how I’d repay you for putting a pause on my career. Rehab sucked, but Blair, I’m back now. And don’t be fooled by my carefree beach life personality, because I’m pissed off. Next week is more than a match. It is for every day I couldn’t walk or straighten my leg, and all the pain that I endured on that rehab table.

“Blair, you’ve stacked up your victims, but now it’s your turn to feel the pain of a tendon tearing. You may’ve torn my ACL, but next week, I snatch your soul.”

Backstage interview with Blair Davenport.

Kelly Kincaid brings up Sol’s message and Blair immediately says Sol is so likeable, right? She has the whole beach bum meets cool girl kind of vibe going for her, but she also reminds her of sand. Annoying, gross, and no matter how hoard you try, you just can’t get rid of her. So, Sol, you think you’re gonna have some big vindication against Blair or something? See, that’s your inexperience talking. You can waste all the time you like trying to ensign these TikTok dorks or whatever, but it’s not gonna help, is it? Blair is so excited to see how well the doctors repaired that ACL, because when Blair is done with Sol, she’ll be on another road to recovery, courtesy of Blair.

The Ichiban Gaijin has given her own warning, but who will still be standing after the smoke clears?

Ilja Dragunov VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Adriana Rizzo!

The Mad Dragon has tried showing The Don respect, but it’s hard to say if he’s gotten respect in return. The Underboss looks to soften the NXT Champion up, but will he succeed? Or is this a move Tony D’Angelo will regret making in this brutal game of chess?

The bell rings and Stacks eggs Dragunov on? Dragunov runs up but Stacks blocks the boot! Stacks DECKS Dragunov, DECKS him again, then brings him around for a facelock. Dragunov fights the suplex, wrenches through, and then ROCKS Stacks with boxing elbows! The fans rally, Stacks swings but misses, and Dragunov waistlocks! Stacks goes to ropes to buck Dragunov away, then he DROPKICKS Dragunov down! Stacks storms up to throw hands, then reels him in for a short arm LARIAT! The fans rally, Stacks pushes Dragunov around and then puts him in a corner. But Dragunov ROCKS Stacks, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Stacks comes back to ROCK Dragunov, then he ducks the spring-back enzigiri! Stacks runs to UPPERCUT Dragunov down! Fans are torn as Stacks stomps Dragunov. Stacks drags Dragunov up, bumps him off buckles, then fires hands. Stacks climbs up and he tells Dragunov he’s not ready for The Don. But Dragunov carries Stacks off the corner, for a POWERBOMB! The fans fire up as Dragunov snarls and rises up! Dragunov builds up the energy, runs up, but Stacks KICKS Dragunov before he can drop the hammer! Stacks scouted Dragunov almost perfectly! Then he STOMPS Dragunov’s fingers!!

Dragunov’s hand is all contorted and he can’t even pull the fingers straight! Stacks grabs that hand, but Dragunov HEADBUTTS! And CHOPS! But that’s the bad hand! Stacks runs up to TORNADO DDT! Dragunov flounders, Stacks covers, TWO! The fans rally as Dragunov stays in this, but Stacks stays on that bad hand! Stacks wrenches the hand and bends the beat-up fingers! The Don & Luca are watching backstage, and while the Legal Eagle is very impressed, Tony has a more wait-and-see attitude right now. Stacks JAMS Dragunov’s hand up, then stalks him. Stacks grabs the bad hand, twists the wrist, then throws down elbows on it!

Dragunov shouts in pain and clutches the wrist as Stacks talks smack. Stacks drags Dragunov up, to KNEE DROP on the hand! Then Stacks aims from the corner! Stacks wants Dragunov to get up, then he runs up, into an ELBOW! Stacks staggers, comes back, into the SPINNING CHOP! Dragunov fights through the pain and JUMP KICKS! Stacks goes to ropes, Dragunov runs up to ENZIGIRI! Stacks flops over and the fans rally with Dragunov. Dragunov hauls Stacks up, shoves him and SNAP GERMANS! Stacks flounders and the fans fire up! Dragunov hurries to haul Stacks up, reel him in, and even with the bad hand, he POWERBOMBS Stacks!

The fans rally as Dragunov goes to the corner. “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Dragunov wins!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall

The Czar takes the win, but perhaps Stacks still got the job done? We cut back to Luca and Tony, and Luca asks if he needs to go out there. No, no. Instead, invite Dragunov to dinner. At the restaurant? No, this is too big. Dragunov gets special treatment. They’ll have the meal at The Selica. Wait, that place is real? Oh, it is. That’s where he did the- Yeah, yeah. But it’s also for special occasions. So go get it done. Luca nods and heads out, but is Tony trying to lure Dragunov into his last supper?

NXT presents Prime Target: Trick Melo Gang, part 2.

Trick Willy returned home to South Philly and said hey to everyone from the neighborhood. His Uncle James, aka “Sweet Baby James,” took Trick in when he moved here, and that’s why Trick’s even wrestling now. Trick appreciates Uncle James and James says Trick’s the man! April 6th, they’re coming back to Philly, Sweet Baby James will get to see it as they tear the roof off the joint! Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love, but Trick ain’t gonna lie, he thought Melo was his brother. Booker says Trick knows it isn’t about getting beat down. It’s about getting beat down, and getting right back up into the fight.

Trick’s boxing coach and long time friend, Matthew Brooks, doesn’t know what’s up in Boston, aka Melo’s hometown, but a real brother never does what Melo did. CM Punk says, “When you’ve been stabbed in the back by somebody you considered a brother, the brother’s knife cuts the deepest.” Garry Cobb, former NFL player and a Philadelphia Eagle at that, says sometimes you get got. You may not get that guy back that same game, it might be something you have to wait for a long time, maybe even wait your whole career just to get that one game with them, that one shot. But there’s nothing sweeter than payback.

Trick’s never been this motivated. He will come back stronger, faster and better. Cobb says when you have that energy, it’s because you know you’re gonna make that play. Punk says, “When something monstrous gets done to you, you risk becoming a monster. And if I was Melo, I would be a little bit worried.” William Davis, family friend to Trick, says Trick’s gonna whoop dat ass, you know that. Trick runs the stairs like Rocky Balboa, and he is ready! “Melo… I’m coming for you.” Will Melo have a response? Stay tuned for part 3!

Baron Corbin talks with Bron Breakker backstage.

There he is! Looking good! And really tan, too… Uh, thanks, dude. Corbin asks how, and Bron says it’s because he goes outside. This is all natural, okay? Try it. Well, Bron does realize that tanning beds aren’t the actual sun, right? It must be frying his brain. Bron says he does know that! And he also knows that Corbin would be coming in all pale and ugly and crap. He brought something for Corbin. Boom! It’s a can of spray tan, with the words, “THE SUN” labeled on it! But then in step the Good Brothers. Luke Gallows asks if they’re interrupting something. N-No…! But what do they want anyways?

Karl Anderson says that is a good question. Because what they want as tag team legends is a traditional tag team match for Stand & Deliver! 2v2! But if Bron & Corbin lose, then it one: becomes a Triple Threat Tag; two: doubles the Wolf Dogs’ workload; and three: while you’re stuck on the aprons critiquing tans or lack thereof, Good Brothers will pin Alpha Academy to take the tag titles. If that’s not Too Sweet, we don’t know what is! Bron says woohoo, it won’t be a Triple Threat at Stand & Deliver because the Wolf Dogs will do their job. And the Good Brothers better do their jobs next week. See you in Philly. Maybe.

The Wolf Dogs leave because they’re going to Stand & Deliver no matter what. But will things be that traditional 2v2? Or will the odds drastic go down after tonight?

Ridge Holland is in the ring.

Fans are a bit torn on Yorkshire Grit being here live, but he has the mic to say, “It’s extremely hard for me to come out here tonight in front of everyone and say what I’m gonna say. I knew this day would come, but I never thought it’d be this soon. So first off, I’d like to thank Mighty Johns, the man that brought me in. I’d like to thank William Regal for seeing something in this washed-up, former professional rugby player, and giving me a chance. I’d like to thank Shawn Michaels, all the producers and talent back there for allowing me the time to come out here and say what I need to say.

“During my decade plus playing professional rugby, I always said that if I found myself hesitating or if I found myself a step off, that it would be time to have some difficult conversations. And lately, I have been hesitating. I have been a step off. And I can’t in good conscious run the risk of hurting myself or somebody else again.” Fans appreciate the honesty, and Ridge says he is very aware there is a perception around him. He’s heard the whispers, seen the comments, and the DMs, all the messages. Whether they’re true or not, what you haven’t seen is the affect it has had on the man behind “Ridge Holland.”

He is tired. He is tired of taking his work home with him. And he refuses to let this job take away from what he finds most valuable in life, and that is his ability to be the best dad and husband he possibly can be. The fans applaud the honesty again, and Ridge says that these past few days, he’s had a few of those difficult conversations. The first was with the ones that love him and care for him. The second was with himself, six inches from the mirror. Rugby and wrestling both require physical and mental resilience, and it is quite evidence he has been lacking in both. So he has made a decision. One that is best for his mental health and for the welfare and future of his family.

“With all that being said… I’m out here tonight to announce that I’m officially stepping away from in-ring competition indefinitely.” Fans applaud Ridge’s courage in saying that, and Ridge is clearly still emotional. As difficult and gut-wrenching as his decision has been, Ridge considers himself extremely blessed and lucky to even have had the opportunity to step foot in this company, let alone perform in front of millions of people all over the world. The fans applaud that, and Ridge extends the biggest thanks to all of NXT for allowing him to come back and take that last shot at redemption. He’s just sorry it didn’t work out.

Ridge appreciates the fans more than they’ll ever know. Cheers, lads. Thank you. The fans cheer, “Thank You, Ridge! Thank You, Ridge!” Ridge sets the mic down and steps out of the ring. If indefinite ends up being forever, will Yorkshire Grit’s mind finally be at peace?

Lyra Valkyria speaks.

“In every story every told, there are two paths you can walk: the wrong path, and the right one. Professor X and Magneto, Vaenera Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, Anakin and Obi-wan. The road to becoming NXT Women’s Champion makes or breaks those that walk it. And everything changes when you reach the top. When you’ve beat Becky Lynch to become champion… the little girl in you has no idea what’s on the other side. There’s a certain force that comes with the NXT Women’s Championship. It’s the same force that took me from Ireland to here, that drove me to beat my idol, that tests my moral compass and drives me to do right by this title every single day.

“When given the chose between right or wrong, that’s where Roxanne and I hit a crossroads. Because she took the easy way out. It’s way easier to walk around punching people in the locker room, being angry at the world. Cuz let’s face it, Roxanne, looking in the mirror, it’s just too hard for you. We both know the truth. Perez was beaten for this title, the minute she couldn’t climb the ladder to retain it last year at Stand & Deliver. Roxanne, I get all of your emotions. But this title deserves so much better than you.

“Honestly, I’d like to think in another life, we’d have been friends. Both dreamt of being here, idolized our favorites, trained day in and day out to prove we were worthy. But the only difference is, you let this title break you. You think you’re the chosen one, but your time has passed. And at NXT Stand & Deliver, it’s just you and me, and I will do anything to keep this title, and everything to keep you the hell away from it.” The Morrigan has spoken, will she come through on this promise in Philadelphia?

Josh Briggs VS Duke Hudson!

As Ava Raine said, there are heavy North American Championship implications on tonight’s matches. Dijak knows that, too, that’s why he’s on commentary for this one. So just how heavy is this going to get when big bad Briggs collides with the Chase U MVP?

The bell rings, the fans rally as the two tie up, and they go around. Briggs puts Duke on the ropes, then CLUBS him! Then Briggs headlocks, but Duke powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, neither falls so they start shoving. Duke runs but Briggs ELBOWS him! Briggs ROCKS Duke, has him in a corner and RAMS into him! Briggs fires elbows, then brings Duke around to bump off more buckles! Briggs ELBOWS Duke, tells Dijak to watch this, and then he throws more elbows! Dijak tells Briggs if they were the ones fighting, he’d lay waste to Briggs. Briggs whips Duke corner to corner, then runs up, but into the U~ RENAGE!

The fans fire up with Duke as he storms up and whips. Briggs reverses, Duke ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up as Duke moves like a cruiserweight, then ROCKS Briggs! Briggs rebounds off ropes into the scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Briggs stays in this but bails out of the ring while Dijak brags that he’s been in some of the best North American title matches this company has ever seen. Duke pursues Briggs, but Briggs throws body shots! Duke SMACKS Briggs off the apron, pushes him into the ring, then storms up to the apron. Duke RAMS Briggs before Briggs can ram him, then he slingshots to GERMAN SUPLEX!

The fans fire up while Briggs tumbles away! Duke hurries but Briggs flops out of the ring first. Duke goes out after Briggs again, hauls him up, but Briggs RAMS him into steel steps! Duke falls, Briggs grits his teeth, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Duke fights out of a chinlock with body shots. Briggs staggers, Duke fires fast hands and UPPERCUTS! Duke whips, Briggs reverses and scoops, SIDEWALK SLAM to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Duke survives even though Briggs called and raised him on that one. Briggs scowls at Dijak, then storms after Duke. Dijak says he’s the superior big man and will prove it, but Briggs bumps Duke off buckles. Briggs puts Duke up top, the fans duel, and Briggs climbs up. Briggs wants Dijak to watch this but Duke fires forearms! Briggs staggers back, Duke stands, but Briggs kicks the ropes to trip Duke up!

The fans are torn as Duke lands on his MVP! Briggs goes up, then SUPERPLEXES! Both big men writhe and the fans fire up! Briggs drags Duke up for a chinlock, then whips him to a corner. Briggs runs up but into an ELBOW! Briggs tries again, Duke dodges and Briggs hits buckles! Duke fires forearm after forearm, then short arm LARIATS! Then LARIATS! Briggs takes a swing, Duke ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT! The fans fire up as Duke JABS, JABS, JABS, then flips, flops and “U~!” BIONIC ELBOW! The fans rally as Duke SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Briggs stays in this and Duke grows frustrated, but the fans rally up again.

Duke stands Briggs up, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Duke staggers, Briggs runs, but into the BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Briggs survives and Duke is stunned! Duke hurries to haul Briggs up, reels him in, but Briggs resists! The fans rally, Briggs shoves Duke then BOOTS! Then BIG back suplex! Briggs goes to a corner! Dijak chuckles and says yeah, go ahead, go up. Briggs climbs, but Duke gets him for a POWERBOMB!! Duke huffs and puffs and the fans fire up! Briggs goes to a corner, Duke runs in to clothesline! Then Duke whips corner to corner, only for Briggs to LARIAT!

Briggs roars, throws off the elbow pad and he runs, CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!! Cover, Briggs wins!

Winner: Josh Briggs, by pinfall

Dijak admits, that was good. But then Briggs glaring at him only upsets Dijak, so Dijak storms to the ring. But wait! Oba Femi is on the perch! And he tells Briggs and Dijak, “Two monumental victories for the both of you tonight. Now I can finally say that I have two very worthy opponents for this North American Championship. Two titans who get to climb the mountain at Stand & Deliver! But gents, lest we forget, I AM THE MOUNTAIN! And on April 6th, the both of you will find out that nobody can reach that summit. But me and the rest of these good people will pay good money to see you try… IN A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH!”

The fans love the sound of that, but apparently so do Briggs and Dijak! Will Stand & Deliver turn WrestleMania weekend into Meat Madness?

NXT presents Prime Target: Trick Melo Gang, part 3.

Roadblock, Melo VS Tony, an NXT Championship #1 Contender’s match. And Trick’s theme song was all that was needed to mess HIM up. And then Trick got in there to go after Melo himself! Trick tossed the bodyguards, threw hands on Melo, and Melo was sent running. Punk brings up the saying, “When you set out for revenge, dig two graves.” This is beyond the ring, this is personal. Who wants to hurt the other man more? Johnny Gargano adds that being betrayed by a man closer than a brother, you lose a part of yourself in the process. And you may never get that part back.

Orton understands where both men are coming from. The main point, the main takeaway, is that at Stand & Deliver, it is gonna be one hell of a way to start WrestleMania Weekend. Tommaso Ciampa says this match is quite possibly the biggest match in NXT history. Cody Rhodes says when it comes to predicting the winner, it is easy: Trick Williams. Trick knows he and Melo aren’t on the same level. They never were. Melo could put on boots, stand on a stepstool and have a Ludacris afro, he’ll still never measure up to Trick!

Melo says Trick really thinks he has what it takes to be on top. What does Trick know about carrying a brand for two YEARS? About being THE guy on the posters? About being THE reason tickets sell? About doing media? About being… HIM? Two years, Trick had Melo’s back, watched him win everything NXT had to offer, because that is what brothers do. Melo says he brought Trick into this world, he will be the one to take him out of it! Melo carried NXT, carried Trick, because he is the greatest performer in NXT history. Trick says Melo wanted a war, so they’re going to war! In the end, it’s Trick VS Melo, but who will Stand & Deliver?

Meta Four is messing around with the cameras?

But they can’t seem to figure out which one is what angle. They got the floor, they got the overhead view, but which one is for the truck? There it is! And Dar says hello, hello, hello! Hear him now as Meta Four proves they run this! Lash says you can’t have the biggest show of the year without the biggest stars of the galaxy, okay? And that is why they are officially the hosts of Stand & Deliver! Meta Four ever~! Wait, wait, back to Vic & Booker! And just in time as we’re about to have the main event! But wait, is Meta Four really going to take over the biggest Stand & Deliver ever?

Arianna Grace posts on Instagram.

She’s stressed out trying to pick out the perfect dress for “Giorgina,” aka Gigi Dolin. Gold would look so nice, but it kinda clashes with her orange hair. They could fix the hair. But then tassels! Who doesn’t love tassels? No, no, still not right. What about this one? Beige but covered in various precious stones. No, this is Arianna’s favorite so no. Wait! OMG, yes! This one! Gigi will look so good in… What? What kind of dress does Arianna really think will work for Gigi?

Backstage interview with Ilja Dragunov.

Kelly Kincaid congratulates him on his victory and he thanks her for that. But Dragunov admits, The Underboss definitely brought it. The D’Angelos did their homework. Yes, and with Stand & Deliver just two weeks away, is Dragunov surprised Tony didn’t show himself? Dragunov was expecting that, but then Luca steps in. Just when you think you know the answers, you don’t. But Luca is here to extend an invitation for a pre-Stand-and-Deliver dinner with The Don. Oh, is that so? Okay, Dragunov is familiar with the restaurant, so tell Tony- No, no, Ilja. This won’t be at the restaurant. Dragunov will need this,

Luca hands over an envelope with the initials “TD” on it. Dragunov does his best to open it, and it would seem there are directions written. Dragunov is rather surprised, but will there be any surprises waiting for him at the infamous Selica?

NXT Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin VS Akira Tozawa & Otis w/ Maxxine Dupri!

The Wolf Dogs just told the Good Brothers that they’re gonna handle business tonight against the Alpha Academy, but the Stamina Monster & Tree Trunk promised to come through for Master Gable. Who lives up to their word after this high stakes tag match? We find out, after the break!

NXT returns and “SHOOOOSH~!” The Academy makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Tozawa starts against Corbin. Corbin rushes in, Tozawa dodges and fires off fast strikes! Corbin shoves Tozawa away but Tozawa comes back for more! Corbin throws Tozawa to a corner, then runs in, but into OBOTS! Tozawa goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Tozawa DROPKICKS Corbin, and Corbin staggers away! Bron tags in, and Tozawa falls back to tag in Otis! The fans fire up for the “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” The two step up and Bron pushes Otis, only for Otis to shove Bron! Bron runs up, Otis ducks and then headlocks hard.

Bron powers up and out, Otis reverses with a whip, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Otis to CLOBBER him! Bron bails out, Corbin runs in, but Otis sends him into a GAMANGIRI from Tozawa! Otis adds a SPLASH, then a LARIAT! The fans fire up as Tozawa tags in and runs up, pop-up RANA! Corbin ducks the Shining Wizard but not quite enough, he gets clipped on the back end. Tozawa then hurries up top to MISSILE DROPKICK! Corbin tumbles out to join Bron, and Otis scoops Tozawa! Gorilla Press TOSS and down goes the Wolf Dogs! “A THANK YEW~!” as NXT goes picture in picture.

Bron & Corbin sputter while they stir on the ramp, and Otis tags back in. Bron gets up and slides in but Otis is right on him. Otis BELLY BUMPS Bron right down! Otis then brings Bron up, for another BELLY BUMP! Bron leans on ropes, Otis storms up and has him in the corner. Otis whips corner to corner, runs in and RAMS into Bron! Otis digs his shoulder in, then brings Bron out to push him down. Tag to Tozawa, and Otis steps on Bron! Tozawa steps on Bron, to then rapid fire stomp! Bron sputters, Tozawa brings him up and tags Otis back in. The Academy mugs Bron and Otis stalks Bron. Bron throws body shots then UPPERCUTS!

Otis staggers, comes back, and Bron scoops! But he falls over under Otis’ weight! Cover, TWO! Otis tags Tozawa back in and Tozawa stomps Bron around. Tozawa brings Bron up but Bron JUMP KNEES! Hot tag to Corbin and he hurries after Tozawa! But Tozawa SOBATS, spins, slides under, then SPIN- NO, Corbin stops the kick to fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Corbin rains down fists, then lets off to drag Tozawa into a seated half nelson. Tozawa endures as NXT returns to single picture, fights up, and the fans rally, only for Corbin to HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOW! Tozawa drops, Corbin tags in Bron.

The Wolf Dogs mug Tozawa, the fans rally, but Bron headlocks. Tozawa powers up and out, Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed to LARIAT! The fans fire up with Bron and he brings Tozawa back up. Bron brings Tozawa over, tags Corbin, and they whip Tozawa to POP-UP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tozawa survives but Maxxine is still worried. Corbin drags Tozawa up, KNEES him low, and then stands on Tozawa’s face! The ref counts, Corbin steps away, and the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Corbin!” “TO-ZA-WA!’ Corbin hauls Tozawa up but Tozawa fires body shots! Tozawa runs, but into an ELBOW!

Corbin tags Bron, they get Tozawa up, SUPLEX CUTTER to the BACK SUPLEX CUTTER! Tozawa is dazed, Bron covers, but Otis breaks it! The fans rally, Bron is annoyed, but then Bron aims from the corner. Tozawa is in the other, and Bron runs in, but only gets POST! Tozawa hurries but Bron grabs a foot! Bron and Tozawa stand, Tozawa ENZIGIRIS! Bron staggers, Tozawa crawls, hot tags to Corbin and Otis! Otis LARIATS Corbin, LARIATS again, then whips to the corner for the BACK ELBOW! Bron returns but Otis sidesteps to WRECKER ELBOW! Otis SPLASHES Bron in a corner, then LARIATS again!

Otis storms up on Corbin but Corbin ROCKS him with a right! Otis ROCKS Corbin back! Corbin ROCKS Otis, Otis ROCKS Corbin! Bron is back, but Otis clinches him! Corbin runs up, but also into a clinch! DOUBLE BACK DROPS! The fans fire up as Otis rips off the shirt! Maxxine says that’s what they’re talking about! Here comes the hip swivels, and the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Corbin survives and Otis is shocked! The fans chant “You Can’t Handle the Meat!” as Otis drags Corbin up. Ortis scoops, Corbin slips free and he staggers to his corner. Tag to Bron, Bron runs up, but into the WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Cover, Corbin breaks it!

Tozawa SHINING WIZARDS Corbin, and it was a clean one this time! Tozawa hurries back to his corner, Otis tags him in before he Electric Chair Lifts Bron! Tozawa climbs, ALPHA DOOM- POWERSLAM COUNTER?! Bron turns things around quite literally! The fans are thunderous as Bron pulls down the straps! Otis runs up, but Bron dumps him out! Otis ends up on the apron but Bron ROCKS him! Tag to Corbin, but Otis fires hands on both Wolf Dogs! Bron kicks Otis, slides under, and with Corbin’s help, POWERBOMBS Otis through the desk!!! Maxxine freaks out and the fans lose their minds!

Tozawa is alone but he kicks Corbin on the return. Tozawa fires off, SUPERKICKS, but Bron tags in! Corbin catches Tozawa for a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Flip over, then SPEAR!! Cover, Wolf Dogs win!

Winners: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin, by pinfall (denies The Alpha Academy a title opportunity)

Tozawa & Otis did their best to Stand & Deliver, but they could not withstand the hard-hitting combination of Bron & Corbin. But wait, now the LWO is ringside! And then here come the Good Brothers! And of course, Axiom & Nathan Frazer zip out here! The brawl is on and the fans are thunderous! Refs rush in as “NXT! NXT!” closes out in chaos! Now that only one team faces the Wolf Dogs in Philadelphia, who will overcome the odds in next week’s Triple Threat to be THE #1 contenders?

My Thoughts:

An awesome NXT with a lot of the go-home stuff taken care of here, but in a good way. Great promos from Roxanne and Lyra, with Roxanne trashing her past while Lyra points out the reality of that past. The same goes for the three-part Prime Target on Trick and Melo. You know it’s a big deal when they get names like Orton and Punk to talk on this feud, and it’s very fitting to also have Gargano and Ciampa involved. I don’t know if Trick VS Melo really is the biggest thing in NXT history, but it is definitely the best thing in this generation and deserves to be in the conversation.

Ridge Holland’s promo announcing his indefinite sabbatical was not expected, and it certainly sounded like the fans weren’t sure where he was going until the end there. I would really hope this isn’t some sort of Mark Henry fake retirement speech, because mental health and the work-life balance are serious issues. If Ridge really does feel this is what he needs to do, then I commend him on realizing that for himself and making this move. He more than a lot of wrestlers in this generation has faced misfortune and fans not really knowing how to react to him because of all that. I really do hope that he can find some solace in stepping away from the ring.

Good promo from Arianna Grace to tease what she’s gonna dress Gigi in for the continued pageant queen makeover, and it is probably going to be really weird or shabby as a way to humiliate Gigi rather than make her look good. Really good promos from Sol Ruca and Blair Davenport to hype up their grudge match, that will be some really good stuff for the go-home next week. Great match from Natty and Lola, and of course Karmen shows up to more or less help Natty. Karmen VS Lola is definitely coming and it is definitely going to be good, but I would think Lola wins to make up for the loss here.

Great matches in the North American Championship scene and the stories connected to that. Gacy stealing Spears’ chair was a good way to get us going towards that feud, but that bit where Oba Femi stomps the chair made me think we were going big with another ladder match. But instead, it is as I figured from last week, we’re going big in the sense that this will be the biggest, meatiest match for this title perhaps ever and that is great stuff. Great stuff from the story with Thea, Jacy, et cetera, and I guess it’ll be a Six Woman Tag, not eight like I expected given how Thea “injured” Jazmyn with the kimura. But still, Thea, Fallon & Kelani VS Jacy, Kiana & Izzi is gonna be great stuff.

I do like that Stand & Deliver is getting hosts this year, but how could I not expect it to be Meta Four? Even though they’re Heels, they’re all very entertaining and will be able to make the most out of this role, this really will be a lot of fun. Great stuff with Dragunov VS Stacks and then Tony inviting Dragunov to what I hope I’m hearing/spelling correctly as The Selica. I think that’s supposed to be the boat the D’Angelos met with Legado Del Fantasma way back when, so I do like there’s some continuity coming back. Dragunov won tonight but who knows how the go-home math will sort out. I said a few weeks ago that it’d be wild if Trick won to send Melo off and Tony did the same for Dragunov, leaving us with Trick VS Tony for the Summer, and I will stand by that possibility.

And of course, great stuff in the tag division. Good promos tonight, especially Good Brothers confronting Wolf Dogs. Awesome main event tag, but of course the Academy was losing here. Wolf Dogs are defending the belts 2v2 since the Triple Threat box has been checked by Oba VS Dijak VS Briggs, and that brawl to close us out was great stuff. No one stood tall as we cut away, so technically any team could win next week. LWO is least likely, they’ve still got stuff building with Legado. Frazer & Axiom are second most, they’re great Faces and it’d be a great rematch from the Dusty Cup, but that’s just it: it’d be a rematch. Wolf Dogs VS Good Brothers is fresh, it’d be great stuff, and Good Brothers feel like they’re also the most likely to beat the Wolf Dogs, allowing Bron to go to SmackDown full-time.

My Score: 8.9/10