Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (6/3/24)
One step away from the end!

The goal is within reach!
Neither El Desperado, Douki, TJP nor Taiji Ishimori have won a Best of the Super Juniors tournament, so who will survive to keep that dream alive?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Shoma Kato, Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA VS Blake Christian, Ninja Mack & HAYATA; Blake, Mack & Hayata win.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Bullet Club War Dogs; TMDK wins.
- Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb; Khan & Cobb win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Dragon Dia, Boltin Oleg, Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi; LIJ wins.
- Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito VS HENARE & Callum Newman; Shingo & Naito win.
- 10 Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Shota Umino & ???; Shota Umino, Yuji Nagata, Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan win.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 Semifinal: TJP VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins and advances to the finals.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 Semifinal: El Desperado VS DOUKI; Desperado wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Shota Umino & ???
The King of Darkness has declared his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match at Dominion will be a Lumberjack match, but also believes it will be a “Handicap” Lumberjack match, as Jon Moxley has no friends willing to support him. But surely, the Roughneck has friends who will. Who joins #SHOOTER in tearing down The House?
Evil gets the mic to point out all the “X” on the card for the mystery partners. He is convinced Shota has no one! The fans boo but Evil tells Shota that Osaka-Jo Hall will be even easier. But wait, the lights go down and we get a message from Jon Moxley on the tron! “June the 9th in Osaka-Jo Hall, Evil wants a Lumberjack match. He wants all his cronies in House of Torture out there to surround the ring. How is that different than any other night with you guys? But this is gonna be very different. Very different indeed. See, I’ve worked very, very hard, I have nearly killed myself, I have worked myself to the bone.
“I have given every inch of all my effort, and all my sweat and blood, and every ounce of my soul to earn the respect of the wrestlers in NJPW, the fans of NJPW, to everybody who came before me who made this belt what it is today, who build NJPW into the place it is today. And I have worked too hard to earn that respect to share that respect, to see a guy like you just piss all over it! Take a little spray paint can, do a little number on this belt right here, put a little scar on the IWGP Championship belt. You did that. You disrespected everybody that came before you. And I will do something about it.
“You’re gonna have House of Torture? Well I’m gonna have my own set of enforcers to keep law and order. And there will be a need for law and order, because this won’t be just any Lumberjack match. This is gonna be a Jon Moxley Lumberjack match, where there are no limits! Anything can happen! There are no limits to how out of control it can get! I look to the Third Generation of NJPW to lay down the law, to beat some respect into The House of Torture. At the end of the night on June 9th in Osaka-Jo Hall, respect or not, I will still be the King of NJPW, and I will still be IWGP World Champion.”
The message ends there, the lights come back up, and walking in from the crowd with Shota is… BLUE JUSTICE, YUJI NAGATA! And he’s brought Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan! The fans are all fired up to see these living legends make their way down with the Reiwa Musketeer, will they finally put The House in their place?
Wait a minute, now Evil isn’t even gonna be in this match? He’s making Dick Togo be the fifth man for his team? Well, the card does say “House of Torture,” so that still counts. The two sides are staring down as the tension rises, and then the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Narita is of course after Shota and throws him out. The bell rings as some of the legends are cleared out, but Narita keeps after Shota on the outside. Nagata helps out but Narita knocks him down. Tenzan is stuck in the ring, getting mugged by Sho, Dick and Kanemaru. But he fights back with headbutts and Mongolian Chops!
Tenzan kicks and chops Dick but Kanemaru kicks low. Kanemaru runs but into a slap! Then a kick and Mongolian Chops! The fans fire up and Tenzan runs, but Kanemaru avoids the falling headbutt! Dick storms back in to DROPKICK Togi off the apron! The chaos on the outside continues, even spills into the crowd a bit! Kanemaru POSTS Tenzan, and the ref tries to sort this out. Kanemaru puts Tenzan back in, drags him up, and Dick helps him mug Tenzan. Then they double suplex! Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans fire up but Kanemaru tags Sho. They split the wishbone! Sho then sneaks a CHOKE on Tenzan!
The fans boo and the ref notices, so he counts. Sho lets off to tag in Yujiro. The fans rally for Tenzan but Tokyo Pimp drags him up. Yujiro knees low, and steals the Mongolian Chops! The fans boo as Yujiro keeps doing that. Dick & Sho keep Tenzan trapped so Yujiro can mug Tenzan in the corner. Then Yujiro hits a FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Tenzan is still in this and the fans fire up. Dick tags in and he stands on Tenzan’s hand! The fans boo, but Tenzan throws body shots. Dick CLUBS Tenzan down, snapmares, and then runs up to FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Dick stomps Tenzan, tags Narita, and Narita brings Tenzan up.
Narita grinds Tenzan’s face off the ropes! The ref reprimands, Narita runs and he BOOTS Tenzan down! Cover, TWO! Narita BOOTS Shota just because! Tenzan throws body shots and haymakers! Narita CLAWS Tenzan’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Narita runs, but into a MOUNTAIN BOMB BACK DROP! The fans fire up as Tenzan crawls, hot tag to Nagata! Blue Justice BOOTS Narita, theN BOOTS Dick! Yujiro kicks and whips but Nagata reverses to kitchen sink knee! The fans fire up with Nagata and he aims at Narita! KICK! KICK! KICK! Nagata whips corner to corner, runs in and BOOTS! Then the EXPLODER!
The fans fire up, Nagata covers, TWO! But into the DISARMER!! Narita flails but the House saves him! The fans boo but Tiger Mask KICKS Kanemaru then fires off shots on Sho! But Kanemaru grabs the mask! Sho ROCKS Tiger Mask! But Tiger Mask BOOTS Sho and DROPKICKS Kanemaru! Tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER for Sho! Hot tag to Shota! Shota fires off on Narita, then runs corner to corner, only for Narita to dodge! Narita gets around to a SLEEPER! And he pulls hair to keep Shota from ropes. Narita shoves, distracts the ref, and Evil trips Shota! Now the King gets involved! The House then BLASTS the legends off the apron!
Dick & Kanemaru double whip Shota to a corner, then Dick elbows! Yujiro BOOTS! Sho forearms! Kanemaru UPPERCUTS! Snapmare and they set Shota up! The ref is distracted by Yujiro while Dick goes up, to DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up! But Narita slips Dick the choker! Kanemaru distracts the ref and the SPOILER CHJOKER is used on Dick! Togi gets in to CLUB Dick! But Kanemaru & Sho go after Togi! They double whip but the Rapmagping Gorilla blasts through their line to DOUBLE LARIAT! Togi BLASTS the rest of the house, too! Nagata & Shota whip Dick to a corner!
Nagata runs in to BOOT! Togi runs in to clothesline! Feed to Tiger’s SOBAT, then Tenzan’s Mongolian Chop! Shota hits the EXPLODER! Cover, Yujiro makes the save! Tiger fires off on Yujiro and whips but Yujiro reverses. Yujiro runs up, Tiger dumps him out! Tiger Mask DIVES and down goes Yujiro! Shota gets Dick up and hooks him, but Narita uses the PUSHUP BAR to choke Shota! Shota flings Narita away, kicks low, DEATH RIDER!! The fans are thunderous but Dick ROCKS Shota! Shota roars! Kick and DEATH RIDER!! Cover, Team Roughneck wins!
Winners: Shota Umino, Yuji Nagata, Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan, by pinfall
Evil is furious that his team lost, but he insists this changes nothing! But Shota gets the mic now to respond. Right here are the heart and soul of NJPW, his senpais. And even through the toughest times in NJPW history, they all loved this company and battled for THE IWGP Championship. And there is NO way any of them can forgive what The House of Torture has done. They all stand by this lion symbol, so Shota asks them to lend him and Moxley their strength. He asks with the respect of a kouhai (underclassman) who respects his senpai and everything they’ve done, they are the kind of men he wants to fight alongside.
Shota shakes hands with each of the legends, and they are all ready to stand against Evil. Will they help Moxley serve true justice at Dominion? Or will Darkness Fall on Osaka-Jo Hall?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 Semifinal: TJP VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Public Enemy made it through by bringing out The Aswang, while The Bone Soldier believes it was God’s grace that helped him overcome Hiromu. Will Taiji prove beyond a doubt #ItsReborn? Or will TJP continue to conquer this tournament for the United Empire?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “T J P! T J P!” as he stares down with Taiji. TJP and Taiji circle, feel things out, and Taiji shoots to a waistlock. TJP switches, Taiji switches, but TJP headlocks then facelocks. Taiji wrenches out to wristlock, but TJP rolls, spins, and wrangles Taiji to have the leg. TJP then floats to an arm for the top wristlock. Taiji rolls to stand but TJP shifts to a hammerlock, then headlock, and hits a takeover. Taiji rolls to a cover, ONE! TJP holds on, shrugs off the headscissors, then handsprings over to get the chinlock. Taiji endures, fights up, and they end up on ropes.
The ref calls the break, TJP lets go and Taiji pats him on the shoulders. The fans applaud as the two reset and circle. They tie up with knuckle locks, go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength, and Taiji bridges TJP back. TJP fights up, breaks a lock to cartwheel and trip Taiji. TJP has the top wristlock, but Taiji moves around. Taiji headlocks, then shifts to wrench an arm to a hammerlock. TJP slips around the back, spins Taiji to waistlock, full nelson, spin and trip! TJP has the toehold but Taiji turns and reels TJP into a headlock. The fans cheer this technical exchange, and TJP endures the grind. TJP then pops out the back to IRON OCTOPUS!
The fans cheer while Taiji endures and marches forward to the ROPEBREAK! TJP lets off, then pats Taiji on the shoulders. The fans cheer and the two reset. They tie up, Taiji wrenches to a hammerlock then a wristlock. TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels, drops down, TWISTING SCISSORS! TJP has Taiji down, but then Taiji headscissors TJP! TJP moves around, headstands, but Taiji SPIKES him for it! The fans applaud and Taiji keeps on the squeeze. TJP headstands again, but Taiji SPIKES him again! Taiji keeps hold but TJP hops and turns Taiji over! TJP pops free to have the legs, BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Taiji pops free to a cover, TWO!
Taiji wants the arm, TJP fights up. Taiji grinds the shoulder but TJP slips out and goes around, into the stepover! Taiji scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, TJP lets go, and Taiji bails out. The fans rally while Taiji dares TJP to come after him. TJP slides out but Taiji slides in. TJP slides in but Taiji catches him for the NECK TWIST! The fans applaud while TJP writhes and slumps out. Taiji goes out to POST TJP! Taiji then unties the blue buckle pad while the ref checks TJP. The Bullet Club Special is in play while TJP gets back up and in. The fans rally, but Taiji storms up to grab an arm and twist the wrist.
TJP tries to get up but Taiji wrangles him down. Taiji digs a knee into TJP’s head while pulling on the arm. Then Taiji cravats and drags TJP up for the neck wrench. Taiji rams his shoulder in again and again, then snapmares for the NECK TWIST! The fans rally while Taiji paces. Taiji drags TJP up, snapmares again, and clamps on a chinlock. TJP endures, the fans rally again, and TJP rises up. TJP fires body shots, gets free and runs, but Taiji catches him to the headlock! Taiji grinds TJP down but TJP grabs the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Taiji lets go. The fans rally for TJP more but Taiji CLUBS him.
Taiji whips, TJP goes Spider-Man! Taiji HANDSPRING KICKS TJP down! Taiji grins, grabs TJP’s arm and brings him back up, but TJP steps over! DARK SACRIFICE on the apron! The fans fire up while Taiji flounders. TJP goes to the far corner, comes back, and triangle jump DROPKICKS Taiji from the apron! The fans fire up and TJP hurries to bring Taiji back into the ring. TJP climbs, Taiji rises, FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Taiji goes to a corner. TJP runs up to ELBOW Taiji down, and then the scrubbing begins! The fans cheer, TJP runs side to side, BOOT WASH! The fans fire up as they want it again!
TJP obliges and scrubs Taiji some more. TJP runs side to side again, for a BOOT WASH DROPKICK! The fans fire up as TJP goes the extra mile! TJP then storms in to drag Taiji up and reel him in, “ICHI!” HALF HATCH! Then “NI!” HALF HATCH! And then “SAN!” HALF HATCH! The fans fire up and TJP climbs. MAMBA- NO, TJP has to land out as Taiji moves! Taiji waistlocks, TJP switches but Taiji fights free. Taiji runs, but TJP goes to a corner! TJP goes up and out and springboards in, FLYING DDT!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and TJP pounds the mat. The fans clap along, “T! J P! T! J P!”
TJP goes to a corner, Taiji sit sup, ONE BY- NO, Taiji ducks the knee! Taiji wrenches and hammerlocks TJP, to then POST him! The ref reprimands but then Taiji hammerlocks and half nelsons, for the scoop and SHOULDER BUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! TJP and Taiji slowly rise, and Taiji aims from a corner. Taiji runs up, into a SUPERKICK! TJP goes to a corner, Taiji runs in, and TJP goes up and- NO, Taiji keeps him from going over! Taiji has TJP in the gut wrench, for CIPHER UTAKI! Taiji crawls to the cover, TWO! TJP is still in this and the fans fire back up!
Taiji is a bit frustrated but he focuses and goes to a corner. Taiji climbs a corner, but TJP ROCKS him first! TJP shakes out the bad arm, positions Taiji and throws hands. TJP climbs, but Taiji throws body shots! Taiji reels TJP in, but TJP fights the lift! The fans freak out a bit but TJP fights free with body shots. TJP sits on the top rope and CHOSP! But Taiji CHOPS back! TJP CHOPS, but then Taiji CHOPS TJP off the rope! TJP takes a tumble to the apron and then the floor! TJP slowly drags himself back up to the apron, but then Taiji grabs at his hair. TJP shrugs free, and SPRINGBOARD SUPER STEINERS!!
The fans are thunderous while Taiji takes a rough tumble! NOVA FIREBALL!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous as Taiji survives the shoutout to Akira! But TJP reloads, runs in, but into a JUMP KNEE from Taiji! Taiji aims now, runs up, LA MYSTICA!! BONE LOCK!!! TJP flails, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him from ropes! But TJP pops out the back! Stepover and- NO, Taiji drags TJP into a cradle! TWO!!! TJP escapes, Taiji BOOTS him! Taiji runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, sunset BOMB! But TJP’s up to LARIAT!! Both men are down and the fans are electric! TJP stirs, he finds Taiji, and he grabs a wrist,
Taiji grabs the wrist back, so TJP throws forearms! Taiji won’t let go so TJP fires forearm after forearm! Taiji finally does let go, swings, but into the dragon sleeper! Taiji drops down but TJP drops on that to cover! TWO! ROLLING SOBAT! Taiji KNEES TJP, runs, but TJP hits a THESZ PRESS! And makes it a prawn hold! TWO!! Taiji escapes and the fans are electric again! TJP goes to a corner, Taiji runs in, but TJP goes up and over! TORNADO DDT! TJP sets Taiji in the drop zone and hurries up top! MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! But into the stepover! PINOY STRETCH!!! Taiji endures, reaches out, crawls forward, but TJP shifts sides, to steal BONE LOCK!!!
Taiji endures his own hold, but TJP rolls him from ropes! Taiji slips free to get the BONE LOCK!!! TJP endures now as the fans go nuts! TJP pries at the grip, crawls his way around, but Taiji roll shim! But TJP fights up, only to end up in BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO?!?!? TJP survives and the fans are volcanic! Taiji gets TJP up, BLOODY CROSS!!! Cover, TAIJI WINS!!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
The Public Enemy tried, and got so close, but it is The Bone Soldier who hits the target! Will God’s grace continue to see Taiji through until he’s holding the trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 Semifinal: El Desperado VS DOUKI!
It is time to complete the Dominion main event! The Rogue Luchador and Japones Del Mal are no strangers to each other, so it comes down to who knows the other better than they know themselves! Who wins out to move on to Osaka-Jo Hall?
The bell rings and the fans are split rather even between the former Suzuki-Gun members. The “DOUKI! DOUKI!” starts to stand out, and he circles with Despe. They stare down a moment then feel things out. They knuckle lock, go around, and Douki waistlocks. Despe pries the hold and spins around to a facelock. Douki wrenches free to wristlock, but Despe traps both Douki’s arms. Despe headlocks, wrenches, wristlocks, but Douki rolls, wrenches and hammerlocks. Despe flips over to wrench and wristlock, hammerlock, snapmare and chinlock. Douki slips out the back to hammerlock and the fans cheer the exchange.
Despe moves around, Douki brings him up to also have the cording hold. Now Despe’s arms are trapped, and Douki pushes him down. Douki shifts his grip to have an upside-down motorcycle, and it’s a cover! TWO as Despe turns back over, but Douki keeps a wristlock. Douki wrenches then CLUBS that arm. Douki wrenches again, but Despe powers him down to the mat. They knuckle lock, Despe shifts to hook a leg and keep a top mount. The fans duel as Douki now scissors Despe’s leg. Despe uses that to get a deathlock, and he stands with it! Douki bridges to relieve pressure, but Despe pushes him back down to a lateral press, ONE!
Despe keep Douki down with a headlock but Douki headscissors. Despe bridges, rolls back, but Douki puts on a squeeze. Despe headstands to then pop and roll to a headlock! Douki headscissors back, and Despe gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, Red Shoes counts, and Douki lets off. Despe bails out and Douki waits on him. Despe steps back in, they reset and tie up. Despe waistlocks, Douki wrenches it open to hammerlock, but Despe steps through the ropes! Despe steps back in to wrap Douki’s arm around ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, so Despe KICKS the rope as he lets off! Despe runs up but Douki does the splits!
The fans fire up as Despe tumbles out, and Douki builds speed! Despe ducks so Douki stops short. Douki then resets to PLANCHA, but has to land on the apron as Despe moves. Despe SWEEPS the legs, but Douki handsprings through! Douki then FLYING RANAS! The fans fire up with Douki while Despe tumbles! Douki goes back for Despe, and he puts Despe in the ring. The fans rally up and Douki stomps Despe. Douki whips Despe, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! Douki hurries to get Despe’s legs tied up, turn him over, and have the SEATED SURFBOARD! The fans fire up as Douki pulls Despe again and again, and then stands!
Douki walks with Despe in the pendulum, then drops him to focus on the arms! Douki steps over for more leverage, but Despe still endures. Douki sits to then roll Despe into the REVERSE ITALIAN STRETCH! Despe endures this modified leg nelson, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Red Shoes counts, Douki lets go at 4. Douki stomps Despe around, but Despe fires body shots and forearms! Douki kicks low, runs, but Despe ELBOWS him! Despe runs, but Douki JUMPING HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Despe is still in this and the fans rally up. Despe goes to a corner, Douki storms up, and Douki wrenches an arm.
Douki whips corner to corner, runs up and elbows Despe, to then turn him. But Despe fights the neckbreaker! Despe grabs a leg, Douki fights the shin breaker! Douki runs, Despe gets around and ties up the legs, KNEE CRUSHER! Douki writhes while clutching both legs! The fans rally up but Despe grabs a leg to YANK it! And SPLASH on it! Douki writhes and the fans rally as he crawls to a corner. Despe waits on Douki to stand, then he runs up, but blocks a boot! Despe dropkicks the bad leg! Then he gets that leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Douki flounders around but Despe grabs the bad leg again.
Despe digs his knee into the knee, then pulls on the toehold. Douki kicks with the free leg but Despe sits down for more leverage. Despe ties Douki’s legs up in the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Despe sits up to egg Douki on, and Douki CHOPS again and again! Despe “falls” over to put on more pressure! The fans rally, Douki endures, and he crawls around. Douki reaches out to the ROPEBREAKS, and Despe says he needs help undoing the hold. Red Shoes pries the legs apart, Despe kneels on the bad leg! Red Shoes reprimands, but then “Oops!” Despe falls on the knee! Despe drags Douki up and around to CHOP him to a corner.
Despe eggs Douki on, CHOPS him again, but Douki shoves back. Douki fires a forearm, and another, and another! Then he CHOPS! Despe just eggs Douki on more so Douki CHOPS again! Despe kicks low and whips Douki to a corner, only for Douki to fall two-thirds of the way there. Despe stands on the bad leg, taunts Douki, then drags him back up. Despe waistlocks but Douki fights the lift. Douki goes to run, Despe reels him in but Douki kicks. Despe blocks and FLIPS Douki, but Douki lands on his feet! But that just jams up the bad leg! Despe grins, kicks the leg, then runs, but Douki handsprings and BACK ELBOWS!
The fans fire up as both men are down again! Despe goes to ropes while Douki shakes out the bad leg. Douki runs up in the corner to clothesline, then he whips corner to corner. Despe comes back but Douki arm-drags him! Douki then spins around Despe to arm-drag again! Douki rams Despe then runs to springboard and BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Douki as he drags Despe up, swings him, but Despe slips out to waistlock. Douki switches, spins and drops, ITALIAN STRETCH 32! But Despe powers out! The fans fire up, Douki kicks low! Douki suplexes but Despe fights that, spins it around, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP!
Despe then gets a leg, for a LEG DDT! Then STRETCH MUFFLER! Douki flails, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Despe lets go in frustration. Douki and Despe each shake out bad arms and legs before they sit up. Despe runs up on Douki, but Douki BOOTS and goes to the apron! But the leg jams! Despe KICKS the leg, builds speed, and DIVES into a GAMANGIRI! And then ROPE ITALIAN STRETCH!! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Douki lets go at 4, and the fans rally again. Douki aims as Despe rises, into DAY- NO! Despe stops Daybreak to suplex, but Douki slips free!
Douki goes up to MYSTERIO RANA! Despe tumbles out, Douki builds speed and DIVES to TORNADO DDT to the floor!! The fans are thunderous while Despe writhes. Douki sits up, gets his bad leg working and roars as he stands. The fans cheer, the ring count climbs, but Douki gets Despe up at 8 of 20. They go in at 10 and the fans cheer. Douki aims from the apron again, and Despe rises into DAYBREAK! Cover, TWO, but into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Despe endures as Douki has him! Despe kicks and flails around, reaches out, but he falls over! Douki pulls on the hold as hard as he can! Red Shoes checks as Despe fades!
The fans are thunderous as Despe gets a second wind! Despe rises but falls to the other side! Douki pulls but Despe finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Douki lets go. Both men catch their breath while the fans continue to rally. Douki slaps his bad leg to get it going again, and Despe goes to a corner. Douki runs in to clothesline! Douki roars, runs, and DOUKI-SAN BOMBERS! Both men are down but Douki rises again! The fans fire up with Douki as he goes to the legs. Douki wheelbarrows, but Despe somersaults! Despe waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Douki escapes and the fans fire up again!
Despe grits his teeth and clutches his neck, and the fans rally up again. Both Despe and Douki sit up, and Douki grabs Despe’s hair. Douki ELBOWS Despe on the neck! Despe growls and fires off CHOP after CHOP! Douki ROCKS Despe back! Both rise, Despe fires forearms, but Douki ROCKS him with just one! The fans fire up with Despe and he stands back up. Despe fires a forearm, Douki fires back, repeat! They go back and forth, and Douki looks to be in better shape. Despe fires a flurry of forearms! Douki ROCKS Despe, Despe KICKS the leg, Douki ENZIGIRIS! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Douki rises and roars and he goes back for legs. Douki drags Despe to center, wheelbarrows, and full nelsons! SUPLEX- NO, Despe breaks free, and DECKS Douki! The fans fire up, Despe roars and drags Douki up! Underhooks and PINCHE- NO, Douki sunset flips over, TWO!! Despe wants after Douki but ends up in ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Douki pulls on the arms and Despe is already fading! Despe sputters, reaches out, kicks around, but Douki pulls! Despe is fading, Red Shoes is checking! Despe fights back to life! Despe drags Douki back with him, but Douki rolls Despe away! ITALIAN- JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! TWO!!!
Douki lets go in time, ELBOWS and ROLLING ELBOWS! But Despe wings up! Douki ROCKS him first!! Douki roars, runs, but Despe wrenches! Backslide, roll through, JAY DRILLER!! The fans are thunderous as Despe rolls Douki back to his feet, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPE WINS!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
An incredible battle between friends, but perhaps it was just too soon for Douki to reach that next level. How much harder will he have to fight to one day be The Best of the Super Juniors?
As for Desperado, he stands, raises a fist in victory and the fans cheer. But before Despe can get the mic to speak, Taiji Ishimori returns to the ring! The BOSJ 31 finalists stare down in the ring and this year’s Dominion theme music plays. Taiji and Despe each tell each other to be ready, and then Despe offers a handshake. Taiji doesn’t take it, and takes his leave instead. The fans cheer, and now Despe gets the mic. Despe says he doesn’t really need to say anything more. He’s going to win this!! And with that, The Rogue Luchador drops the mic and heads out. One way or another, someone will hold their first BOSJ trophy! Who makes NJPW their Dominion?
My Thoughts:
A great final bit for the BOSJ series before Dominion, including all the go-home matches. TMDK getting the win over the War Dogs here makes me think Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita fall short of taking the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Clark Connors & “Drilla” Moloney, as great as that would be to go along with Shane Haste & Mikey Nichols being NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions. Similarly, Khan & Cobb win to have momentum going into their respective title matches. But where I feel Khan fails to take back the KOPW Championship from Yuya Uemura, Cobb finds a way to retain the NJPW World Television Championship against Tomohiro Ishii. No offense to Ishii, but I don’t see him as a “15 minutes or less” match kind of guy.
LIJ takes the night in their tag matches, and I’m thinking we see Hiromu, Tsuji & Bushi take on Tanahashi, Yano & Boltin for the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles. They probably won’t win those titles, but it’d be a great match. Likewise, Takagi & Naito stood tall here, but there’s a good chance Henare finds a way to win that NEVER Openweight Championship from Takagi at Dominion. Really good promo from Moxley that then revealed the old school NJPW guys joining his side in this. Very good 8 Man Tag, and while The Faces won here, that should not affect the math. I can’t see Evil being the one dethroning Moxley, even with Lumberjacks and cheating. Mostly because, who challenges and dethrones Evil? Not sure anyone’s really been built to be that next Face champ.
Awesome BOSJ Semifinal matches, with TJP VS Taiji perhaps being the more exciting match overall. It certainly had a bit more unpredictability in who would win, but Taiji winning out does make sense. TJP’s story has been his crisis of confidence, how he needed The Aswang to win his spot here only to lose when he went back to his normal self. Desperado VS Douki was still a lot of fun given these two have known each other a long time. Desperado winning works for his story, because he’s been saying again and again that he needs to finally win this trophy. Taiji VS Desperado is going to be awesome stuff for the Dominion main event, and really anyone’s game.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

St. Paul is All Elite!
Forces of nature converge as Toni Storm & Thunder Rosa reunite against The Megasus & The Superbad Girl in a powerful tag team match!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kenny Omega VS Blake Christian w/ Lee Johnson; wins.
- Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis VS Brody King; wins.
- “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS Mark Davis w/ Don Callis; wins.
- Mark Briscoe VS Konosuke Takeshita w/ Don Callis; wins.
- Thunder Rosa & Toni Storm VS Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford; win.
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

So much gold is on the line!
Stephanie Vaquer is the first ever NXT Women’s Double Champion, and she’s willing to defend both belts separately! Will Vaquer still be golden after tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Jaida Parker; Vaquer wins and retains the title.
- Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee; Igwe & Dupont win.
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Je’Von Evans; Lexis wins and retains the title.
- Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Gigi & Tatum win.
- Ethan Page VS Andre Chase w/ Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors; Ethan wins.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Fallon Henley; Vaquer wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Jaida Parker!
The Dark Angel starts her Double Header to start the show, and Miss Parker is ready to take her shot on goal! Will Jaida get out the mud with this one? Or will she learn that La Primera don’t play, either?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and both title and history are on the line!
The bell rings and the fans duel already. The two tie up, go around, and Jaida knees low! Jaida wrenches, wristlocks, and YANKS the arm. Jaida wrenches, YANKS, and wrenches again, but Vaquer rolls, handsprings, and wrenches to a wristlock in return. Jaida powers through to scoop and SLAM! She eggs Vaquer on, scoops her again, and SLAMS her! Jaida talks trash, the fans rally, and Vaquer goes for a leg. Jaida stops Vaquer with a facelock, shifts to hook the arms, but Vaquer slips through to trip Jaida up! Vaquer has the toehold, then ties Jaida’s legs up into a DEATH LOCK! The fans fire up while se see Ava Raine and the Women’s Division watching backstage.
Jaida endures, crawls back, and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Vaquer lets go, but Jaida runs up. Vaquer dodges, comes back, and tilt-o-whirls to a roll-up! TWO, Vaquer dodges Jaida and sits her down for body scissors! Gedo Clutch, TWO! Jaida escapes that one and the fans fire up. The two reset, circle again, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Jaida powers her way to a facelock. Jaida CLUBS Vaquer, headlocks, then THROWS Vaquer down! Jaida wraps on the body scissors, but Vaquer pushes back to a cover, TWO! Jaida CLUBS away on Vaquer, rolls her over to a cover, TWO!
Jaida facelocks, drags Vaquer up, but Vaquer wrenches free. Vaquer whips, Jaida reverses, but Vaquer RANAS! Jaida tumbles to a corner and the fans fire up. Vaquer runs up and LARIATS, but Jaida fires a forearm! Vaquer CHOPS, SOBATS, and whips corner to corner. Jaida goes up, over, and HIP DROPS! Jaida caught Vaquer with that one and the fans fire up! Jaida talks more smack before she rains down fists, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Jaida lets off of Vaquer to clap back at the Vaquer fans. Jaida whips Vaquer to a corner hard, then scoops for a BACKBRAEKER! Vaquer writhes, Jaida drags her back up, and Jaida whips Vaquer to then ROCK her! Jaida whips Vaquer and CLUBS her, then she brings Vaquer around for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Jaida stays on Vaquer with a facelock, and snap suplexes again! Cover, TWO! Jaida is annoyed, but she whips Vaquer, only for Vaquer to fire off forearms! Vaquer dodges a lariat, ROCKS Jaida again and again, but Jaida knees low! Jaida stands Vaquer up, runs and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!
Jaida grows frustrated but she pushes Vaquer over. Jaida digs a knee into Vaquer’s back and pulls her back! Vaquer endures, fights to her feet, but Jaida wrangles her back down. Jaida digs her knee in more but Vaquer still endures. Vaquer fights back up, only for Jaida to CLUB her back down! Jaida whips Vaquer to a corner, then whips her back in! Jaida talks some smack while NXT returns to single picture. Jaida whips Vaquer back into the corner, then corner to corner. Vaquer staggers, Jaida scoops, but Vaquer slips free and drops down, VICTORY- NO, Jaida stuffs it! TWO, and both women stand! Jaida blocks a shot, wrenches and slips around, BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up as Vaquer goes to a corner. Jaida runs in, but into a BOOT! Jaida comes back, but into a HANGING TRIANGLE! The fans fire up, the ref counts, and Vaquer lets go at 4. Jaida staggers away, Vaquer springboards in and CROSSBODIES! Direct hit, and the watch party loses a few guests, such as Jordynne Grace. The fans fire up as Vaquer runs and dials it up, 619! Jaida flounders, Vaquer storms up, and the fans fire up for the headscissors! Vaquer turns Jaida over for the PRIMERA DRILLER! Vaquer goes all the way to TEN, then brings Jaida up. Vaquer underhooks but Jaida wrenches free!
Jaida knees low, reels Vaquer in and suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Vaquer survives and Jaida grows further frustrated. Jaida drags Vaquer up, dragon sleepers, “This is Awesome!” as Vaquer slips free. Vaquer waistlocks. Jaida switches and shoves, then SPINEBUSTER! Jaida drags Vaquer back up, POSTS her, then has her in the ropes! Jaida CHOPS Vaquer, then runs to TEARDROP! Jaida high steps, but GRACE is ringside! The Juggernaut is not happy with how Jaida interrupted her last week! Jaida frowns, but she still blocks Vaquer’s kick! Jaida ROCKS Vaquer, runs and builds speed, into a victory roll! VAQUER WINS!!
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)
Jaida is beside herself, but she let someone else get in her head before the end. Refs rush out here to keep Jaida from going after Jordynne. The bottom line is that Vaquer still has the top title in the NXT Women’s Division. But FATAL INFLUENCE ATTACKS! The fans boo as Fallon, Jacy & Jazmyn mug Vaquer, wanting to soften her up for the main event! Jacy drops a SENTON, then another SENTON! Then a third SENTON! The fans boo as hard as they can, but will NXT once again be under the Influence?
Trick Williams paces backstage.
But he spots someone walking in and says he doesn’t wanna hear any of that, he doesn’t have time for it today. But Je’Von Evans says, “Deadass, I didn’t like how you pushed me to the side last week. I was focused on Dark State, and I was trying to tell you and Oba that-” Trick says Je’Von still doesn’t get it! Just because they’re from the Carolinas, they’re supposed to be brothers? Trick told him once and he’ll tell Je’Von again, the focus is on Stand & Deliver and the NXT Championship. Je’Von knows Trick’s obsessed with Oba, he’s been that way for the last four months! How is Trick focused so hard on Oba that he couldn’t do what Je’Von did and just drop him?
Trick says be real. Je’Von only dropped Oba because Oba was focused on Trick. Oh, really? Well, if Trick keeps on doubting Je’Von, then Je’Von will just keep on shocking him. Trick said Je’Von would never be champion, but tonight, Je’Von proves Trick wrong again. Trick says yeah, Je’Von has potential, good for him. Randy Orton said Je’Von’s got potential, there’s all these “cosigns,” but there’s a difference between having potential and having the title. Everybody can’t hold that title in the air. Je’Von says he thought Trick was mad before. But that title has really changed Trick into someone else.
Trick says it’s a champion thing, dawg. That’s something Je’Von doesn’t understand. Well, after tonight, Je’Von will. The Young OG heads out, but will he take the Drama King’s throne as Heritage Cup Champion?
The NXT Women’s Division Watch Party continues.
As the others murmur about how the opening match ended, Ava says she needs to go check on Vaquer. But Lash Legend says, “SKRRT! Excuse me, Miss Mayor.” Ava says, “Yes, Lashes?” Lash needs to check into why Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley have a title match with the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions when it should be the Meta Girls. Ava tries to start, but Gigi says maybe it’s because Ava is tired of giving Lash & Jakara opportunities and they lose. Ever think about that? Tatum says first, Gigi & Tatum will beat Ash & Heather By Elegance, and then they’ll bring those TNA titles to NXT!
Jakara says whatever, she and the Bougie Bully have been a real tag team a lot longer than anyone else in this room. Zaria steps up but Sol Ruca has her calm down. Lash tells them both to sit back down. Jakara says you don’t send girls to do a woman’s job. They ran up on Ash & Heather but Gigi & Tatum went and took their shot. Oh, “took their shot,” huh? Please, Miss Jackson. If you’re about the action, Gigi & Tatum will show them something. Lash says don’t even go there. The Meta Girls head out, telling Ava to fix this. Ava has a lot on her plate, but will Gigi & Tatum show they can make an impact?
Sit-down interview with Ricky Saints.
Vic Joseph sits down with The Absolute and says he has been waiting for this moment ever since Ricky arrived over a month ago. Ricky has already had some big moments, but there are those in the locker room that say Ricky doesn’t belong. It’s Stand & Deliver Season, tensions are high, is that all white noise or motivation? A bit of both. Ricky thinks it is funny, as there are superstars back there that have had a head start on him. And it wasn’t until he actually showed up that the decided to up their game. Vic and the fans are finding out just how confident Ricky is as a performer. And confidence can scare people.
That is what Ricky has been dealing with all his life. So coming here and getting that is nothing new to Ricky. Then where does Ricky find that inner confidence? Ricky says when he was breaking into the business, he was living out of his car. There were times he didn’t know how he was going to eat for that weekend. He didn’t know if he’d have money for food or clothes. But at the end of those days, the only thing he actually had was his confidence. The confidence in the fact that he was going to get out of that situation. That is why he’s sitting with Vic right now, in NXT and the WWE. It is because of that confidence.
Ricky wears the scars and battle wounds as pride. But wait, Shawn Spears interrupts? Vic tries to explain this is an exclusive interview, but The Chair Man says he is going to take it from here. Vic steps aside and Spears tells Saints to relax, he’s just sitting down. Spears says they’ve known each other a long time. Ricky says too long. Then why does Ricky think Spears didn’t ask Ricky to join The Culling. Because Spears knew Ricky would say no. Spears knew Ricky would say that, and tells Ricky that he’s wrong. Remember that conversation in Philly? How many times has Spears had to talk Ricky off the metaphorical ledge?
How many times did Ricky not believe in himself? All the advice he’s given over the years. The reason Spears didn’t offer is because, sadly, Ricky is still the same man he left over a year ago. Nothing’s changed. This arrogance is a plague everywhere Ricky goes. All he does is create a long line of enemies, and it is all his fault. Wow, what’s really weird to Ricky is that Spears doesn’t get how if he wants to be number one here in not just NXT but in WWE, it’s that he’s going to make enemies. Spears has heard that same thing, “You wanna make friends? Or do you wanna make money?” That is Spears’ point with Ricky!
Look at Spears! He is a champion in the WWE, with three of his best friends, family even, right by his side. Ricky says they’re the only reason he has that title. And Ricky is going to be the one to take it from Spears. Oh, so Ricky wants the North American Championship? Is he sure? Even though they both know what the outcome’s going to be? Do not add Spears to your long list of enemies, Ricky. You know what they are capable of. Jensen, Niko & Izzi step in, but Spears has them stay back. Spears tells Ricky that in case it doesn’t work out, he can always go back to… Oh, no, never mind. They both know Ricky burnt every bridge.
The Culling leaves, and Ricky says he’ll just have to win then. Will Spears still be so high and mighty when Saints comes marching in?
Other superstars finish watching the interview.
Wes Lee’s guys, Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont, cannot believe this. What is Ricky doing? He can’t be for real. Wes says no, he is. It’s “Ricky ‘Everything is About Me Once I Walk Through the Door’ Saints.” But in time, he’ll realize he ain’t the guy around here. But don’t sweat it, it’s almost time for their match. Let’s get it. The Wes Side heads out, Ethan Page puts his coat up, and Kale Dixon tells Uriah Connors that Ricky is pulling an Ethan Page. That’s what All Ego did, didn’t he? That’s gotta suck. Ethan says two more words, and Kale will get knocked out again. Uriah steps up for Kale, but then Andre Chase steps in.
Chase tells Ethan, “What the hell is your problem? You know that’s not how we handle things here.” Oh, and this isn’t a classroom, professor, this is the real world. Yeah, and Ethan knows better. Kale & Uriah are young and inexperienced. Oh, then Chase better teach them that their words have consequences. Actually, Ethan forgot that their dead-end university is closed. Oh, is that how Ethan feels? Yeah! Then maybe Chase should teach them about sensitive tough guys like Ethan who can’t handle the truth. Ethan says, “We’ll see.” Ethan heads out, Chase tells Kale & Uriah that he’ll handle this. And seeing how eager they are, Chase lets Kale & Uriah follow.
Kale & Uriah are excited to see Mr. Chase handle business, but will All Ego stomp all over the name of Chase U?
Hank ‘n’ Tank walk ‘n’ talk.
They’re riled up from last week, being talked down to by Wes, but forget about last week. Right here, right now, these two will prove they’re not just two individuals. They are two minds intertwined! Nobody is more connected than the Bodacious Belly Boys! What does Motor City Machine Guns say to that? Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin are waiting and they like the energy. Hank ‘n’ Tank have got this! One time for the boys! HONK HONK! MCMG wants to see Hank ‘n’ Tank bring out that it factor, will this be the night they level up? Or will Ty & Ty show them what it takes to evolve?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee!
NXT is picture in picture for entrances, and while the teams sort out. Igwe starts against Tank and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock as Igwe is taller but Tank is wider. The two reset, tie up again, and Igwe waistlocks. Igwe SLAMS Tank down, holds him down, but Tank fights back up. Tank wiggles and swivels and switches, but Igwe fires elbows! Igwe goes to ropes, bucks Tank, then runs him over! Igwe drags Tank up, tags Dupont, and they double wrench to double YANK the arms! Tank goes to ropes, Dupont brings him around, and Dupont CLUBS the arm! Dupont wrenches to RAM shoulders, then taunts Tank.
Dupont stands Tank up but Tank rolls Dupont up! TWO, and Tank wrenches to YANK the arm! Tank wrenches the arm again, Dupont fights the elbow breaker, but Tank powers him into the corner! Hank tags in, sets up, and Tank HONK HONKS the ELBOW BREAKER! Hank runs up and LARIATS Dupont! Hank bumps Dupont off buckles, then goes corner to corner with Dupont to bump him off more buckles! Hank whips, Dupont reverses, and Dupont SPLASHES! Dupont talks trash, then whips corner to corner. Hank goes up and over, and he BODY BLOWS! NXT returns to single picture as Hank climbs up!
Igwe storms in but Tank intercepts! The fans fire up as Tank bumps Igwe off buckles and climbs up! Hank ‘n’ Tank coordinate, and they rain down fists! The fans count along, and we go to nine, wind up, and TEN! Hank ‘n’ Tank send Ty & Ty into each other, and then HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH! Igwe falls out, Wes is annoyed, and Hank wrenches Dupont to YANK the arm. Tag to Tank, drop toehold and ELBOW DROP! Tank then sits Dupont up for Hank to run, run, and run, to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Tank hurries to get Dupont for a cover, TWO! MCMG watches this backstage, Tank whips but Dupont blocks!
Dupont reels Tank in to LARIAT! Tag to Igwe, Ty & Ty double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Igwe snarls, but Tank avoids the stomp! Igwe hobbles, Dupont tags in and he CLOBBERS Tank! Dupont talks trash, whips Tank, but Tank KICKS Dupont! Tag to Hank, and Hank TOSSES Dupont onto Igwe! The fans fire up as Tank holds the way open! Shoutout to MCMG, Hank DIVES! Direct hit and Hank even hits the desk! The fans are losing their minds over the world’s biggest “five hole goal” as Hank puts Dupont in the ring. Dupont goes to a corner, Hank runs in, BACK BODY BLOCK and BULLDOG! The fans fire up with Hank, but Wes distracts him!
Hank takes a swipe, Wes gets away, and Dupont UPPERCUTS Hank down! Tag to Igwe, he stomps away, and Igwe clamps onto Hank’s arms, to then pull and STOMP! Igwe then drags Hank up to fire hands, then he lines up a shot. Hank wobbles, Igwe BOOTS him down! Igwe drags Hank up, whips him to the corner, then he runs up to RAM into Hank! Dupont tags in, but Hank fights back! Dupont full nelsons, Igwe BODY BLOWS, and Dupont FULL NELSON SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Hank survives that mugging but Dupont drags him back up. Dupont has the full nelson and he thrashes Hank around! Hank fights up and hits a JAWBREAKER!
Dupont staggers, Igwe tags in! Igwe drags Hank from Tank, but Hank fights and flails! Hank powers up, the fans rally, and Hank steps forward. Igwe CLUBS Hank on the back! Igwe keeps the facelock, but then takes a swing on Tank! Tank dodges. then Hank dodges, hot tag to Tank! Tank rallies on Ty & Ty with big forearms and LARIATS! Tank dodges Igwe to then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Dupont storms up but Tank ROCKS him, and BLASTS him! Wes is freaking out as Tank cartwheels past Igwe to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Tank suplexes Igwe, FISHERMAN SPINEBUSTER! Cover, DUPONT BREAKS IT!
The fans rally, Igwe goes to a corner, and Tank runs in. Igwe runs up, Tank dodges to go up, up and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Tag back to Hank, and Tank goes up? Hank turns Igwe, but Wes slides in! The ref stops Wes, but that lets Dupont trip Tank up! No Skull ‘n’ Bones, Igwe shoves Hank away! BOOT and Hank is on spaghetti legs! Dupont tags in, SLAM DUNK SAIDO!! Cover, Ty & Ty win!
Winners: Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont, by pinfall
The Wes Side used numbers against Hank ‘n’ Tank trying to use another legendary team’s style. Will Hank ‘n’ Tank ever find that thing that makes them a legendary tag team?
Ava Raine checks on Vaquer.
Vaquer is being iced and taped up from that attack earlier, and the NXT GM says she should’ve known better. Is Vaquer sure she can defend the North American Championship tonight? After what Fatal Influence did, Ava- Vaquer stops Ava there. Vaquer is the double champion, and she will keep her word to Ava, to the NXT Women’s Division, and to her home country of Chile. Vaquer IS La Primer. Fallon will still get her title match. Okay, but is Vaquer sure? They can always reschedule. Vaquer says she’s sure, thank you. Vaquer heads out with both belts in hand but ice wrapped around her waist. Will Vaquer still make history by successfully pulling off the double header?
Backstage interview with Fraxiom.
Sarah Schreiber is with the NXT Tag Team Champions and brings up that the last time we saw them, they were battling it out with The Hardy Boyz at Roadblock. What was it like for Axiom to go home to Spain and push Der Ring General, Gunther, to his limits? Axiom says that was a dream come true. Axiom pushed the WWE World Heavyweight Champion to his limits in front of Axiom’s home crowd. His friends, his family! That’s a moment he’ll never forget. Nathan Frazer says him, too, amigo. Because Frazer didn’t get invited to that. But hey, it’s Stand & Deliver Season, and-
Axiom stops Frazer there. They talked about this. It was all meant to be a big surprise for everyone, and… Frazer has a big mouth. So- Oh, what is that supposed to mean? Does Axiom think Frazer was going to tweet it out or something? Well, he’s kinda done something like that before… Hey, maybe if Frazer was there, Axiom would’ve beat Gunther! Okay, what is that supposed to mean? Wait, as Fraxiom argue, someone pulls up. It’s OBA FEMI! And The Ruler does not look happy. Axiom gets out of there, and Frazer is unsure where he’s going. Frazer follows, will the dysfunction start up all over again?
NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Je’Von Evans!
The Drama King continues to talk a big game, but perhaps changing the rules from British Rounds to First Fall might come back to bite him. Will this Cup still be Lexis’ prized possession? Or will the Young OG shock the world by adding his name to the Heritage Cup legacy?
NXT returns as Lexis makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and we see if this is still Lexis’ way and Lexis’ life.
The bell rings and the two approach. Lexis takes a swing, Je’Von dodges, and Je’Von asks if Lexis is still mad about last week. Lexis runs up, Je’Von headlocks, and Je’Von thrashes the hold. Lexis powers up but can’t power out. Je’Von thrashes the headlock more, but Lexis pries at the grip. Lexis pulls hair, puts Je’Von in a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Je’Von dodges the sucker punch to hit a headlock takeover! The fans cheer as Je’Von shows he has that technical side, but Lexis headscissors. Je’Von kips free, headlocks again, but Lexis fires body shots. Je’Von CLUBS Lexis and CHOPS him, then it’s back tot he headlock.
But Lexis hits a BIG back suplex! The fans boo but Lexis stomps away on Je’Von. Lexis soaks up the heat, drags Je’Von up and scoops for a SLAM! Cover, TWO! Je’Von is tougher than that and Lexis stays focused. Lexis taunts Je’Von, clamps on the chinlock, but Je’Von endures. Je’Von fights up, but Lexis crossface forearms Je’Von down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for “YOUNG O G!” Lexis tells them to shut up, then he winds up. Je’Von dodges to springboard and FLYING SCHOOLBOY! TWO, and Lexis swings, into a wrench! Je’Von goes up the ropes, BOUNCY~” RANA! Lexis gets up, Je’Von dodges him, for a springboard CROSSSBODY! Cover, TWO!
Je’Von DROPKICKS Lexis right down and the fans fire up! Lexis bails out, Je’Von grins and builds speed. Je’Von DIVES, direct hit on Lexis and he ends up on the desk! The fans fire up as Je’Von cheers himself on, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Je’Von perches on the desk as he waits for Lexis to get up. The ref reprimands and wants this in the ring, so Je’Von hops down to fetch Lexis. Je’Von CHOPS Lexis, brings Lexis around, but Lexis SHOVES Je’Von into steel steps! Je’Von writhes, Lexis talks trash, and he drags Je’Von up to put him in the ring. Lexis drags Je’Von up to scrape laces off the face, then he KICKS Je’Von in the back! Je’Von grits his teeth but Lexis stands him up. Lexis bumps Je’Von off buckles, then headlocks to throw in some sneaky punches! The ref sees those and reprimands, but Lexis drags Je’Von up. Je’Von stops the buckle bump to give a buckle bump!
Je’Von CHOPS and Lexis sputters! Je’Von CHOPS again, but Lexis dodges to throat chop! The ref reprimands, but Lexis stomps Je’Von around. Lexis hoists Je’Von up for a BIG back suplex, covers, TWO! Lexis looms over Je’Von, stomps him, then drags him up to bump off buckles. Lexis uses the ropes so he can dig both boots in! The ref counts, Lexis backs off, and he drags Je’Von out from the corner. Je’Von fires body shots, then whips, only for Lexis to reverse. Lexis DROPKICKS Je’Von down, covers, TWO! Je’Von stays in this but Lexis stays on him with a chinlock. Lexis leans on Je’Von but Je’Von still endures.
NXT returns to single picture as Je’Von rises up. Je’Von arm-drags free, then BODY BLOWS! And BODY BLOWS! Lexis ROCKS Je’Von right back! Lexis runs up to LARIAT in the corner, and CHOP! Lexis wrenches, then has an inside fisherman, for a FISHERMAN DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Je’Von survives and Lexis is furious! The ref defends his count was fair, so Lexis drags Je’Von back up. Lexis talks trash, Je’Von CHOPS! The fans fire up while Lexis sputters and drops to his knees! Je’Von then goes to a corner, and Lexis snarls. Lexis runs up, blocks a boot, but Je’Von stands on Lexis’ foot! Je’Von ROCKS Lexis, UPPERCUTS, then runs and hits a SUPER OG PUNCH!
The fans fire up and Je’Von keeps moving, springboard and DREAMCAST KICK! The fans fire up as Je’Von hurries to the apron! Je’Von then climbs, FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Lexis survives and the fans are thunderous! Je’Von just brushes that off and brings Lexis up. Je’Von underhooks, “This is Awesome!” but Lexis BACKDROPS free! Je’Von lands on his feet! Lexis runs up to SUPERKICK! Lexis snarls, drags Je’Von back up and reels him in! “LONG! LIVE! THE KING!” CORO- NO! Je’Von wrenches out, whips, but Lexis reverses! Je’Von hits a NEURALIZER! Lexis tumbles out while the fans fire up!
Je’Von shakes the ropes, he is all fired up! Je’Von runs and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up again! Je’Von hurries to get Lexis in, then he goes up the apron. Lexis distracts the ref, OBA GRABS JE’VON! APRON POWERBOMB!!! The Young OG writhes, the fans boo, but the ring count is climbing! The Ruler counts along as we pass 5 of 10, and then 8! 9! TEN! Lexis wins!!
Winner: Lexis King, by count-out (still NXT Heritage Cup Champion)
The King keeps his crown thanks to The Ruler getting revenge on Je’Von! And while Oba stalks Je’Von back into the ring, the lights go out! Because THEY are here! Dark State is in the crowd! Je’Von fights Oba while Dion, Saquon, Cutler & Osiris creep closer! Oba ROCKS Je’Von, reels him in, but Je’Von gets out of the bomb! Trick Williams runs in, Oba dodges, TRICK SHOT hits Je’Von!! Trick is a bit stunned, but refs and security rush out here! Dark State waits at the barriers to see how this plays out. Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but the refs won’t let Trick and Oba get started! Dark State is loving this! Will NXT truly fall into chaos?
Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!
It was last week that these teams “crossed the line” into TNA to call out Ash & Heather By Elegance, but it was the “weird girls” who were given the title opportunity. Will Gigi & Tatum make Lash & Jakara understand why? Or will the Meta Girls make them pump the brakes?
The teams sort out and Gigi starts against Lash. They circle, tie up, and go around. Gigi arm- NO, Lash blocks the arm-drag to then press Gigi down. But then Sol & Zaria walk out on stage to watch this in person. Lash whips and THROWS Gigi away! Lash talks smack on Sol & Zaria, then tags in Jakara. The Meta Girls double whip Gigi to the corner, then Lash sends Jakara in for a back body block! Lash runs up to SPLASH, then she feeds Gigi to Jakara’s SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Gigi stays in this but Jakara stays on her. Gigi reaches up to RANA Jakara to the corner! Gigi back body blocks, tag to Tatum!
Gigi sends Tatum and she CROSSBODIES Jakara in the corner! Tatum sets up, Gigi runs up, POETRY IN BRONCO BUSTER! Gigi gives Jakara a wild ride, then Tatum high stacks, TWO! Jakara toughs it out and then ROCKS Tatum with a right! But Tatum drop toeholds! Tatum drags Jakara back, then top mounts to hook the legs, and she turns Jakara over for the SPIDER-WEB SURFBOARD! Jakara endures, Lash storms in and pushes things over! Lash drags Tatum up, tells her off, and then Jakara HOTSHOT BULLDOGS! Tatum flounders, Jakara tags Lash, and Lash BOOTS Tatum down! Lash puts Tatum on the ropes and dares Zaria to do something.
Tag to Jakara, and she drops a knee on Tatum’s face! And another knee! Jakara runs to cartwheel ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Jakara drags Tatum up, tags Lash, and then Jakara feeds Tatum to Lash’s scoop! Lash SLAMS Tatum, talks trash to Zaria & Sol, then covers Tatum. TWO, and Lash is annoyed. Tag to Jakara, the Meta Girls mug Tatum, but Jakara swaggers too soon! Tatum BOOTS her away! Tatum breaks free of Lash, leaps, but Lash catches her! Tatum still reaches out, tag to Gigi! Lash throws Tatum back, Tatum dodges Jakara, Jakara ROCKS Lash! Gigi goes up to DOUBLE FLYING LARIAT the Meta Girls!
The fans fire up as Gigi hurries to DECK Jakara! SUPERKICK for Lash! Gigi wrenches and ROCKS Jakara, to then ripcord and LARIAT! Tag back to Tatum, Gigi gives her a boost to ENZIGIRI Lash! Tatum & Gigi then set Jakara up, DOUBLE HEADBUTT SANDWICH!! But that’s not all! They hook Jakara up, CEMETERY DRIVE!! Cover, Tatum & Gigi win!
Winners: Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley, by pinfall
The combination of STO and Lightning Spiral is certainly deadly! Will it help them knock out the Knockouts Tag Team Champions?
Tony D’Angelo is at the restaurant.
The cousins tell The Don, “the streets are talking.” “And they’re talking a lot.” Tony knows that. He hears everything. He’ll handle it. The rest of the Family arrives, and they sit with Tony. Luca asks how he’s doing, and Tony says he’ll be alright. Those four guys put a pretty good beating on him. Tony doesn’t even know who they are. Tony wants intel. He wants to know who they are, what’s their motive, what’s their purpose, and where they eat before they even do. Understood? Rizzo says got it. They’ll take care of it. Luca says Tony can count on them. Tony says he knows he can. Stacks stays silent, but then Tony tells him to hold on.
Stacks sits back down while the others leave, and Tony asks if Stacks is good. Yeah, everything’s alright. Besides this “Dark State.” But why? Tony says Stacks is Underboss for a reason. They grew up together. Remember back in high school, when Stacks and Ralphie Ziparetto hit that high roller card game? Yeah, he does. There were some big sharks there. That there were. And remember when they tried to pull his card and Tony had to step up and convince them to give Stacks a pass? Yeah, he remembers. He’ll never forget what Tony’s done for him. Tony knows Stacks won’t. Because Tony believes in Stacks, trusts him, and can always trust him. Right?
Stacks stands up and pats Tony on the shoulder. “You can always trust me, T. Always.” Stacks leaves, but is that enough for Tony to believe him? Or is something brewing in the background of all this?
Hank ‘n’ Tank regroup with MCMG.
Tank doesn’t get it! They did everything Sabin & Shelley said: Stay connected, step in unison! Shelley says okay, enough. Let’s talk them off the ledge. MCMG thinks Hank ‘n’ Tank did great. But hey, they’ve also been in this game a long time, wrestled all sorts of teams from all over the world. They definitely feel Hank ‘n’ Tank are future champions, but… They have to remember that everyone’s process is different. Everyone takes a different path to the top. It’s short term pain for long term gain. There are levels to this, but a couple words of advice: trust your partner, and don’t compare yourselves to other teams. MCMG’s been together well over a decade.
But y’know what? This isn’t linear, it is undulating. It took MCMG a long time to get to the top, to get to the WWE. And within weeks, they were WWE Tag Team Champions! The most important thing: Don’t give up. Don’t give up! Tank says yeah, they’ll get there, and they’ll see MCMG down the line. They all fist bump, but what path will it be? Will Hank ‘n’ Tank just need more time? Or will they find a major breakthrough as soon as next week?
Ethan Page VS Andre Chase w/ Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors!
While All Ego and The Professor have different philosophies, they do have something in common: They both want to rebound from some disappointing losses. Wait, Ricky Saints pushes right past Ethan to join commentary. The Absolute wants to watch this in person, will he see Ethan rebuild his ego? Or will we finally see some school spirit again?
NXT returns and Chase makes his entrance, still a bit worse for wear, but Kale & Uriah are pumped up enough for all three of them. Chase has them remember, it’s not Chase U, though. Even so, Uriah & Kale put up that U and cheer Mr. Chase on. On commentary, Vic apologizes for Shawn Spears interrupting their interview. Ricky says hey, just one more Canadian wrestler who doesn’t like him. The bell rings and the two tie up. Chase headlocks, Ethan pries at the hold, and Ethan powers up and out. Chase goes up the corner and around to roll Ethan up! TWO, Chase trips Ethan, steps through, but Ethan boots him away.
Chase comes back, Ethan drops down, but Chase counters hip toss with a hip toss! Ethan hits a headlock takeover, and he holds Ethan down as Ethan kicks around. Ethan fights up, the fans chant, “We Want Thea!” Ethan stomps Chase’s foot, headlocks back, but Chase powers up and out. Ethan runs Chase over! Things speed up, Ethan counters hip toss with hip- NO, Chase MONKEY FLIPS that hip toss away! The fans fire up and Chase headlocks. Ethan powers up to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans rally but Ethan KNEES Chase in the side, stomps away, then drops an ELBOW! Ethan brings Chase up, but Chase stops the buckle bump!
Chase fires forearms, then whips, but Ethan reverses to DECK Chase! Ethan DECKS Chase again, then looms over Chase at the ropes. The fans boo but Ethan drags Chase up again. Ethan whips Chase to ropes, but Chase grabs ropes! Chase DUMPS Ethan out, then takes aim, only for Ethan to step aside. Ethan glares at Kale & Uriah, but Chase is on the apron! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up for Chase as he FLYING LARIATS! Down goes Ethan and the fans fire up! Chase wants Kale & Uriah to calm down, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Chase drags Ethan up, puts him in the ring, then storms up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Ethan is tougher than that but Chase brings him back up. Chase whips Ethan to a corner, but Ethan reverses. Ethan runs in, Chase ELBOWS him away, then Chase goes up. Ethan ROCKS Chase first, then brings him off the corner for an OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Ethan stomps Chase, then drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Ethan clamps onto Chase with a chinlock and he grinds Chase down. Chase endures, Uriah & Kale rally the fans, and Chase fights up! Chase fires body shots, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Ethan covers, TWO!
Ethan grows frustrated, but he clamps back on with a chinlock. Chase endures, even as Ethan grinds him into the mat. Kale & Uriah keep cheering Chase on with the U, and Chase fights up again. Chase JAWBREAKERS free! Ethan staggers, but he still scoops and SLAMS Chase! And back to the chinlock! Chase endures all over again as Ethan squeezes tight. Chase fights up, pries at the hold, and NXT returns to single picture as Chase fires body shots. Ethan knees low, then whips, but Chase KICKS Ethan back! Chase then wrenches and SWINGING NECKBREAKERS! The fans fire up while Ethan and Chase are both down.
Chase and Ethan go to corners, and Ethan runs up, only for Chase to dodge! Chase rallies with ELBOW after ELBOW! Chase whips, Ethan reverses, but Chase reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans fire up and Chase starts to spell it out, but he feels so conflicted! Uriah & Kale tell him it’s okay! Spell it out! Chase says alright! “C! H! A! S!” But Ethan blocks the E! Only for Chase to dodge the roundhouse and SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Ethan stays in this but Kale & Uriah coach Mr. Chase to keep going. The fans fire up, Chase storms up on Ethan and brings him around. Chase goes up the corner, reels Ethan in, but Ethan wrenches out! ICONOCLASM!
Ethan then RIPCORD CODE BREAKERS! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives and the fans fire up! Ethan is frustrated but Uriah is relieved and Kale is pumped up! Ethan and Chase rise up, and Ethan pie faces Chase. “Stay down! Stay down!” Chase eggs Ethan on! Ethan SLAPS! Chase SLAPS! Chase CHOPS, CHOPS, runs, but Ethan BOOTS him! Ethan goes to the apron to get Chase, and brings him up, only for Chase to APRON NECKBREAKER! Chase hurries in, goes up, and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives and the fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Chase hurries back up top, but Ethan hits the ropes! Chase gets tripped up!
Ethan goes up the corner, hoists Chase onto his shoulder, and fans boo as Ethan hits a SUPER POWERSLAM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Chase survives and the fans are thunderous! But TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, Ethan wins!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall
Chase gave Ethan much more of a fight than expected, but Ethan still won out. All Ego talks trash on Ricky, Ricky says if Ethan wants some, he’s right here. But then SHAWEN SPEARS CLOBBERS RICKY! The Culling mocks Ricky’s pain and Ethan smirks. Will they all make sure Ricky has nothing to show for showing up in NXT?
Dark State speaks.
They post to X as Dion shouts, “Y’all like that, huh? Y’all like that?! We ain’t even gotta do nothing and y’all go crazy!” Cutler says, “Just ask Tony D what happens when we decide to get involved!” Osiris says, “When the lights go out, anxiety goes through the roof!” Saquon asks, “Are y’all slow? When are y’all gonna realize that when Dark State strikes, ain’t nobody safe! NOBODY!” They head out into the night, when will they strike again?
NXT Media catches up with Trick Williams.
The reporter asks if Trick meant to hit Je’Von earlier tonight. Trick says everyone wants to talk about Je’Von. Everyone who can see knows Trick was aiming for Oba. Je’Von was just collateral damage. Nah, forget that! Je’Von’s a distraction! Just like how Eddy Thorpe was a distraction! A distraction from what Trick wants. Everyone’s a distraction from the fact that Trick is the man around here! Trick is supposed to be NXT Champion. Oba knows it. And if Oba is still The Ruler, then he knows where to find Trick right here next week. Trick turns to go but the reporter asks his opinion on Dark State.
Tricky says that ain’t his business. Trick leaves, not interested in distractions. But is he overlooking a major problem gnawing away at the foundation of NXT?
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Fallon Henley w/ The Fatal Influence!
La Primera made it through Jaida Parker, perhaps in part thanks to Grace. But Fatal Influence still had to stack the deck against Vaquer with an ambush. Will the Toxic Cowgirl just be picking the bones like a vulture? Or will the Dark Angel still have gold on each shoulder?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Vaquer can defy the odds to make history again!
The bell rings and the fans rally behind “LA PRIMERA!” But Jacy distracts Vaquer and Fallon RAMS her into the corner! Fallon RAMS in again and again, then drags Vaquer out to snap suplex! Vaquer writhes, Fallon covers, TWO! Fallon top mounts but Vaquer pushes her up and away. Vaquer then fires a flurry of forearms! Fallon kicks low then whips Vaquer. Fallon KNEES low, the fans boo, but Fallon covers, TWO! Fallon snarls, storms around, and she drags Vaquer up. Fallon bumps Vaquer off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in. Fallon whips corner to corner, runs up, but Vaquer BOOTS her away! Vaquer then DROPKICKS Fallon down! Cover, TWO!
Vaquer and Fallon rise up, and Fallon BOOTS Vaquer down! Fallon drags Vaquer to then stomp her in the stomach and ribs! The fans rally but Fallon covers, TWO! Fallon frowns, but she clamps on with a REAR BEARHUG! Vaquer endures, the fans rally for her, and Vaquer pries at the grip. Vaquer turns around to JAWBRAEKER, and SUPERKICK! Fallon falls onto ropes, Vaquer dials it up, but Jacy & Jazmyn warn Fallon! Fallon ducks the 619, then RAMS into Vaquer! Fallon POSTS Vaquer, then runs to swing and TIGER FEINT Vaquer down! The fans boo but Fatal Influence soaks up that heat while NXT goes picture in picture.
Fallon storms back into the ring, stalks Vaquer, and drags her up. Vaquer fires body shots, but Fallon KNEES low! Vaquer falls over, clutches the ribs, but Fallon drags her back up. Fallon bumps Vaquer off buckles, stomps her down, then talks trash. Fallon stomps away on Vaquer, digs her boot in, but steps off as the ref counts. Fallon drags Vaquer up, TOSSES her out, then paces. The ring count starts while Vaquer writhes. Fallon storms out to stand Vaquer up, and she RAMS Vaquer into the apron! Fallon drags Vaquer up again, SMACKS her off the desk, then puts her in the ring. Fallon stomps away on Vaquer, covers, TWO!
Vaquer toughs it out and Fallon grows frustrated. Fallon drags Vaquer by her hair, talks smack on the fans, but Vaquer ROCKS Fallon again and again! Vaquer SOBATS, runs, but Fallon BOOTS her down! Fallon huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Vaquer around again. Fallon clamps on a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Vaquer endures, fights up, and NXT returns to single picture. Vaquer fires shots, but Fallon kicks low! The fans boo but Fallon whips and ROCKS Vaquer! Fallon cravats, Vaquer powers out, but Fallon comes back to get around. Fallon waistlocks and sits Vaquer down! Fallon then runs to SLIDING FOREARM!
Fallon keeps moving and she KICKS Vaquer in the side! Vaquer writhes, but Fallon drags her up to bump her off buckles. Fallon goes out to the apron, and she redials, but Vaquer dodges the feint kick to bump Fallon off the buckles! Then they go side to side, but Fallon blocks the buckle bump! Fallon SMACKS Vaquer, goes up the corner, but Vaquer SMACKS Fallon back! Vaquer goes up, but Fallon fights back. Vaquer HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Then she brings Fallon up for a SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while both women are down! Fallon and Vaquer crawl to each other, and Fallon SLAPS Vaquer!
Vaquer HEADBUTTS Fallon! Fallon ROCKS Vaquer! Vaquer HEADBUTTS again! Fallon kicks low, Vaquer sits down, but Fallon is right on her. Fallon whips, Vaquer reverses, EAT DA FEET! Vaquer bumps Fallon off buckles again and again and again, all three levels! Vaquer scrubs Fallon’s face with her boot, then goes corner to corner! METEORA! The fans fire up as Vaquer snapmares Fallon, and wraps on the headscissors! But Fallon victory rolls, and she STOMPS Vaquer’s ribs! Fallon then drags Vaquer up, clinches, pump handle, FALL AWAY SLAM! Fallon stomps Vaquer again whiel fans boo.
Fallon stands Vaquer up, runs, but Vaquer victory rolls! TWO!! Fallon SOBATS, then she TOSSES Vaquer out! The ref argues with Fallon, but that lets the Influence rush in! Vaquer dodges Jacy to SUPERKICK! But Jazmyn’s NYX KICK hits!! The fans boo as Jazmyn puts Vaquer in, and Fallon goes up, up, and BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives and Fallon is shocked! Fallon argues with the ref, then she snarls at Vaquer. Fallon runs in, Vaquer dodges! SUPERKICK! Vaquer tucks the arms, but Jazmyn gets on the apron! Vaquer runs up but Jazmyn scurries away. Fallon hooks Vaquer up again, but Vaquer slips underneath!
Vaquer shoves Fallon into Jazmyn! Then roll-up, roll through, and tuck! S V B!! Cover, Vaquer wins!!
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s North American Champion)
The Influence is shocked, but their numbers game backfired! La Primera keeps both titles, but then Jacy & Jazmyn attack! The fans boo as they and Fallon stomp Vaquer again! They set her up, but HERE COMES JORDYNNE! The Juggernaut is back, and she picks Fallon up, BOOTS Jacy, and then SMACKS Jazmyn using Fallon! Grace ELBOWS Fallon down, then LARIATS Jacy! A BACKHAND for Fallon, and the fans fire up! Grace picks up both belts, and she hands them back to Vaquer. But she kinda holds on, too… Grace lets them go, Vaquer gets fired up, but then Jaida SHOVES Grace into Vaquer!
Jaida fires hands on Grace, but Grace DECKS her in return! And then she runs up to HIP ATTACK Jaida down! Grace shows Miss Parker isn’t the only one that’s hip-notic. But then Vaquer turns Grace around so they can stare down. Grace bailed Vaquer out two times tonight, will Vaquer have to face Grace two times in one night?
We cut back to the watch party, and Ava tells Stevie Turner that this is historic. No one has pulled off two defenses in one night, but Vaquer did. Lola Vice steps up and says she wants next. Kelani Jordan says nope, not before her! She deserves her own shot at the title. Cora Jade says she wants in, but so does Izzi Dame, Karmen Petrovic, and pretty much everyone else in the room. Ava says okay, okay! She will figure this out! Just what will Mayor Ava choose for Stand & Deliver Season?
My Thoughts:
An awesome NXT, really packed for just the two hours, and with some great story intertwining. Saints VS Spears next week for the North American Championship is a touch surprising, but they laid the groundwork really well tonight. Good interview promo where Spears “interrupts” and gives Ricky that not so subtle threat. Then with that promo, they cleverly used it to make Ethan VS Chase and put Ricky on commentary. I wonder, though… Ricky’s line about Canadians hating him, was that a shot at Adam Copeland taking those cheap shots at him last year?
That aside, great match from Ethan VS Chase, but I figured Ethan would win, this keeps building anticipation for the moment Chase U returns. But also, Ricky jawing with Ethan was a good distraction for Spears to attack. It feels like Ricky is going to win, but The Culling could easily cheat him out of the title and we extend things towards Stand & Deliver. Igwe & Dupont VS Hank ‘n’ Tank was a great match, but between Wes interfering and Hank ‘n’ Tank clearly trying to do things like MCMG and not their own way, Hank ‘n’ Tank were of course losing. I believe I said this when “going extreme” like the Hardys didn’t work out that Hank ‘n’ Tank just need to find a team more their style, aka The Dudleys.
Very good promo from Tony D with The Family, with Tony’s strength as The Don being questioned by “the streets,” but also perhaps Tony questioning if Stacks is going to stay loyal this time. They teased Stacks turning on Tony way back when The D’Angelos were feuding with Gallus, but they might actually pull the trigger now. The Culling is working to replace The D’Angelos as the top faction, Tony has done almost everything in NXT, and something would be very fitting if Tony was betrayed before he can win THE NXT Championship and become the Grand Slam Champion.
Very good stuff in this Dark State story, though it’s really more the others in it, like Je’Von, Trick and Oba. Je’Von VS Lexis was a great match, but I should’ve figured Oba would cost Je’Von. Also, good promo from Fraxiom to revive their dysfunction while also segueing into Oba showing up. Trick hitting Je’Von by accident was also a good touch, and he had a good promo after. Him claiming he doesn’t care about Dark State is intriguing, too. Could Trick be working with them behind the scenes? It’d be very “CM Punk helped The Shield” of them to do in this story. Perhaps Dark State affects the NXT Championship match for that purpose.
And of course, the highlight of the night, the throughline story, is NXT’s incredible women’s division. Opening with Vaquer VS Jaida for THE NXT Women’s Championship was rather telling that Jaida would lose, but it’s a bit disappointing it had to be because of Jordynne. I get wanting to keep Jaida strong and they’re clearly planting sees of Jaida VS Jordynne there, but it doesn’t really help Vaquer. Though they also have Fatal Influence attack to put Vaquer in the underdog position with the beat up ribs. Vaquer does get to show her grit by overcoming the unofficial 3v1, but all that could’ve still happened without Jordynne costing Jaida on some level.
I also did appreciate that the watch party had a part to play. Gigi & Tatum VS Meta Girls was really good stuff, and I really like that team finisher from Gigi & Tatum. They probably won’t beat Ash & Heather By Elegance, but they can have a great showing. And all the other women wanting their shot at Vaquer’s belts, Ava can definitely give us something big in the last three weeks before Stand & Deliver. Maybe a small tournament, maybe a battle royal, it really depends on if Vaquer will defend the belts in another double header or in a Winner Takes All match.
My Score: 9/10
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