Time for Jordynne Grace to make an impact!

Before going after Roxanne Perez and the NXT Women’s Championship at Battleground, Jordynne Grace will show Stevie Turner why she’s TNA Knockouts Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jordynne Grace VS Stevie Turner; Jordynne wins.
• Thea Hail w/ Andre Chase & Ridge Holland VS Jazmyn Nyx; Jazmyn wins.
• Josh Briggs VS Shawn Spears; No Contest.
• NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Damon Kemp w/ No Quarter Catch Crew; Tony wins and retains the Cup.
• Izzi Dame VS Natalya w/ Karmen Petrovic; Natalya wins.
• Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont VS ???; No Contest.
• Six Woman Tag: Mia Yim, Jaida Parker & Sol Ruca VS Lash Legend, Kelani & Fallon Henley; Mia, Jaida & Sol win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ava Raine & Robert Stone wait in the parking lot.

They, and some security guards, welcome the arriving All Ego, Ethan Page! Ethan says he feels special getting this reception, Ava knows how to treat a free agent. Ready to iron out the deal? She says yes and then tells Stone to stick close. Stone says whatever she needs, he’s on it. Is Ethan Page about to go from All Elite to the next NXT Champion?

Jordynne Grace VS Stevie Turner!

The TNA Knockouts Champion is not waiting to get her motor running tonight! But will she be running at full speed into Battleground? Or can the 4th Dimensional Star take all that momentum away in an instant?

But before the match begins, the NXT Women’s Champion makes her way out here! Roxanne Perez goes to join commentary so she can watch this match in person. The bell rings, Jordynne and Stevie circle. They tie up, Jordynne headlocks for the takeover, but Stevie headscissors. Jordynne kips free but Stevie SLAPS her! Stevie goes to whip but Jordynne reels her in! Jordynne fireman’s carries, heads for a corner, but Stevie slips free. Jordynne blocks the buckle bump to BACKHAND Stevie! Jordynne runs corner to corner, goes up and over Stevie, then SLAPS her back! Jordynne whips, runs Stevie over, then does it again!

Stevie staggers up, dodges and runs, but into a tilt-o-whirl SLAM! Jordynne kips up, the fans fire up, and she runs in at a corner. Stevie dodges to DOUBLE CHOP! Stevie throws Jordynne into buckles, scrapes her boot off her face, then YANKS the ropes to jam her up. Cover, TWO! Stevie drags Jordynne up to turn and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Jordynne but Stevie keeps her down with a chinlock stretch. Jordynne fights up, Electric Chair Lifts, but Stevie CLAWS Jordynne’s head! Jordynne fights around to snap suplex back! The fans fire up, Stevie storms up but Jordynne blocks the whip to ROCK and CHOP on repeat!

Jordynne scoops Stevie to SLAM her! And scoop SLAM again! The fans rally as Jordynne scoops, but Stevie slips free. Stevie goes to a corner, Jordynne blocks the boot! Jordynne UPPERCUTS, whips, then scoops again! Jordynne carries Stevie with one arm, then SLAMS her down! VADER BOMB! The fans fire up, and Jordynne pump handles. She smiles as Roxie, JUGGERNAUT DRIVER!! Cover, Jordynne wins!

Winner: Jordynne Grace, by pinfall

Roxie seethes but it’s Stevie who felt that impact. Roxie gets in the ring to stare down Jordynne, and the fans are all fired up to see this! Roxie shoves Jordynne, Jordynne shoves Roxie DOWN! Jordynne scoops, Roxie scrambles and gets outta there! Will nothing stop Jordynne from becoming

The Meta Four waits outside.

Trick arrives, he apologizes to Lash Legend, but asks if she’s seen Ethan Page around. No, that coward is probably inside talking to Ava right now. Good, then Trick will go get him! He’ll knock that ego out of him! Lash says yeah, he needs to be handled! Ethan took out Dar, and then Oro! Trick understands. Those aren’t his boys, but he’s got Lash’s back. Lash says hold on. Whatever this is between them… It’s done. It has to be! She has the opportunity to be the first Women’s North American Champion! So she has to do this. Trick tells Lash he gets it. And he’s happy for her. She can lock in and do whatever it takes while he takes care of Ethan.

Trick heads out, but are these two really okay with calling it quits? Will either of them be a champion after Sunday?

Shawn Spears talks to the younger superstars of NXT.

The Chair Man asks if he has their attention. They all have exceptional backgrounds designed to help them succeed in this world. Uriah is a fourth generation superstar, but those are big shoes to fill with a long road ahead. A road that can become very dark if the vision is unclear. And Je’Von Evans, all that athleticism at just 20 years old. Incredible. But he has so much to learn! Shawn says he can help them all, but then Josh Briggs walks over. He hopes they’re not listening to this idiot. Shawn asks “Joshua” if there’s a problem. Well, wasn’t Shawn just talking about Briggs being a lost soul and Shawn is the only answer?

Shawn says he and Josh both know that he has potential. But there’s a difference between saying it, and proving it. And no, Josh isn’t the lost soul he was talking about that needs him. Oh, see? There it is! He’s talking about someone he can manipulate. Shawn says this is exactly what you get when you can’t answer a simple question like, “Who is Josh Briggs?” Briggs will show Shawn something now! Je’Von keeps the two apart, and Shawn says the only thing showing are Josh’s insecurities. Shawn chuckles and leaves, Evans says that guy ain’t worth it. But when and where will we learn about this “lost soul” Shawn is trying to find?

Booker T is the ring with the Women’s North American Championship contenders.

The belt is on display and Booker says yes, yes, yes! There she is right there in all of her glory: The Women’s North American Championship belt! The question is, which one of these talented stars is gonna climb the ladder this Sunday and grab glory? He’s talking about history, baby! The fans cheer for that! He sees talent, the future of this business! OH YES, MAN~! And the question is: Who will be the first? Booker starts with “Michin” Mia Yim. What’s she gonna do this Sunday at Battleground to get it done? She says ever since Ava announced this new title, she just knew she had to be part of it, to be the first champion!

Unlike her opponents, she knows what it takes. She has had her face shattered and broken, all in NXT and all in a Ladder Match. And she loved it! That’s the best part of being back here: She gets to be herself, the HBIC! And on Sunday, the Head Baddie In Charge walks out the- But then Jaida Parker interrupts, saying that Mia thinks she can just come here and run things. She came back but it ain’t black ‘n’ gold, this is Miss Parker’s time. And if Mia even gets close to Jaida’s belt, then she will turn Mia’s ass black ‘n’ blue. Booker has things calm down a bit, Fallon Henley chimes in that the first champion IS Fallon Henley!

The fans boo but Fallon says this is her kind of match. No carrying the dead weight of a tag team partner, no worrying about anyone else’s feelings. Because when she looks around this ring, she doesn’t care about any one of them! She will step over all of them to get what she wants. That championship was created just for Fallon. But Kelani asks where it says that. It doesn’t! They’re all more than qualified to become the first ever Women’s North American Champion. And everyone’s saying they want it, but none of them wants it more than Kelani! No one is willing to take the risks like her! And no one is willing to put their bodies on the line like Kelani!

Because these people, HER people, deserve a champion like her! The fans fire up for Kelani and Booker gets a SHUCKY DUCKY QUACK QUACK. But now, to the number one seed from the combine, Sol Ruca! The fans cheer and Booker says Sol might be a little out of her element in this match. What will she do to get this done? Sol says she was gonna sit back and let these girls get out their insults, because everyone here thinks they’ll be the one at the top by the end. But the fact is… Five will be wrong. She won’t cut anyone down, but she will say that five souls will be snatched. Lash puts on the SKRRRRRRRRR brakes.

Lash says she’ll let everyone know, no one is snatching her soul. But look, honestly? It’s been a rough couple of weeks for her. But Sunday will be all about her! All about Lash Legend going from a woman with potential to a woman who is the Women’s North American Champion! Jaida says wow, she didn’t realize Lash could think of anything other than #BigTrick! OHHHH~ she did not! Booker knows where this is going! Lash says yeah, but what is Jaida talking all this for nothing? Everyone gets out of their seats as things fire up, and then FALLON fires the first shot! The brawl is on, Mia after Jaida, Fallon after Sol, and Kelani after Lash!

The fans fire up as Kelani and Sol toss Lash and Fallon, then Mia tops it off with tossing Jaida! Robert Stone hurries out here and tells them to hold it! Ava gave him permission to let them know that if they aren’t gonna wait, then it’s Six Woman Tag, TONIGHT! The fans fire up as the Assistant GM makes a big move! Which side will come away with major momentum going into the ladder match?

Charlie Dempsey is talking in the mirror.

And in his best Taxi Driver, he asks, “You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Are you talkin’ to me?” Myles Borne walks over and asks what’s going on. Depends. Was he listening to Dempsey? Well, best that he can. Myles, just go get Damon and bring him. He’s already here. As he was five minutes ago. Myles says they all arrived together. But uh, is this weird that they’re talking to each other through the mirror? Dempsey says he’s talking! Demon, tonight, make them proud. Win back the Cup, and then bring it back for “The Family.” Capiche? Oh no, not again… Just say it, Damon. But he doesn’t get what it means!

DAMON! Capiche?! Just say it! Fine. Capiche. Good, just like that. Dempsey might be going a bit overboard, but will the Golden Gopher take down The Don later tonight?

Chase U heads to gorilla.

Mr. Chase wants to make sure Thea Hail is ready. Oh she’s gonna tap that Jazmyn out with the Kimura then break her arm anyway! Riley says that’s great and all, but he’s not feeling it. Duke says it’s nothing personal, but neither is he. Oh, okay… But they’re Chase U. Well, what about Ridge? Chase says hey, it’s fine, their feelings are valid. And then Ridge shows up so he’s in her corner. This trio goes out there, will Thea still get payback on Jazmyn? Or will Jazmyn avenge Jacy Jayne’s busted face?

Thea Hail w/ Andre Chase & Ridge Holland VS Jazmyn Nyx!

NXT returns and Jazmyn makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two tie up, and they go around. Thea puts Jazmyn on ropes, Jazmyn powers Thea to the other side. They go around into a corner, the ref counts, and Thea powers Jazmyn back out to roll her up! TWO, and Jazmyn KICKS a leg! Jazmyn shoves, Thea shoves, so Jazmyn KICKS again! Jazmyn runs, Thea avoids the Penalty Kick to sunset flip, TWO! Thea runs up, wrenches and YANKS the arm, then she KICKS Jazmyn down! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Thea keeps on Jazmyn with an armlock and stands over Jazmyn.

Jazmyn endures, fights up, but Thea wrenches and YANKS the arm. Thea kicks, then HIPD ROPS the arm! Then she drops down onto the FUJIWARA! Jazmyn endures, rolls Thea up, TWO! Thea hurries up, sidesteps and drops down. Jazmyn keeps moving, Thea arm-drags! Thea then wrenches and arm-drags again! Jazmyn clutches the arm, Thea back elbows her! Thea whips, Jazmyn reverses, Thea goes up but Jazmyn KICKS her out of the air! Jazmyn runs to PENALTY KICK! Jazmyn talks trash, SMACKS Thea off the mat, then off buckles! Jazmyn wraps the arm around ropes, lets off, and then kicks at Thea.

Jazmyn wraps the arm around ropes again, lets off as the ref counts, then stands Thea up. Jazmyn WRINGS the arm out, talks some trash, then brings Thea up. The fans rally, Jazmyn clamps onto the arm, and she grinds Thea down. Jazmyn SLAMS the arm off the mat, kicks at Thea, then SLAMS the arm again. Thea goes to a corner, Jazmyn storms up but Thea BOOTS her! And BOOTS her again! Thea then dodges Jazmyn, and hits an ARM CODE BREAKER! But wait, Riley & Duke are in the student section, but now hopping the railing? Thea rallies on Jazmyn, the fans fire up, and Thea mule kicks! Thea runs, to ROLLING NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up with Thea and she scoops for a POWERSLAM! SENTON! Then she shakes the ropes, but sees Riley here after all! She’s confused by what they’re doing, but she has to fire forearms on Jazmyn first! Thea wrenches, hops on, KIMURA!! Jazmyn backs Thea into the ref! The ref counts the ropebreak, Thea lets go. Jazmyn PELES Thea down! Cover, Jazmyn wins!

Winner: Jazmyn Nyx, by pinfall

Jazmyn scored that goal after some trickery, and Riley just shrugs. What is going on with all this toxic energy in Chase U?

Ethan Page finishes his meeting with Ava.

He is leaving the GM’s office and says honestly, this is fantastic. A very generous offer, very generous. But he doesn’t want her to forget about “one tiny detail.” Because when you have all the leverage, you can pretty much ask for whatever you want. And he’s pretty sure he can get it, too. Ava says he can keep telling himself that. Ethan heads out, Stone heads in. Stone says he handled the Six Woman Tag situation like she instructed. Awesome, thank you so much. She’s had so much on her plate already. He understands. And he also has a way to spice it up a bit, but let’s worry about that later. What is the deal with Ethan?

Ava says he is a nightmare! Look at his demands! Whoa, really? Yeah, it’s insane. But clearly, there has to be one obvious demand on that list, will he get it in time for Sunday?

NXT shares footage from just before the show began.

Nathan Frazer & Axiom were doing a Meet ‘n’ Greet just right outside, when The Good Brothers ran up on ’em! The fans fired up seeing the brawl, and Gallows & Anderson were the ones winning that. Gallows fired off haymakers while Anderson threw Frazer into the side of the truck! Gallows then THREW Axiom from the truck, and gave him a BOOT! Security pulled the Good Brothers away from the tag champs, but clearly Battleground can’t come soon enough! Will Gallows & Anderson do whatever they want to make NXT Just Too Sweet?

Josh Briggs VS Shawn Spears!

Just as the Blue Collar Brawler said, he wants to show The Chair Man all about his potential! Will we all finally learn just who Josh Briggs really is?

Wait, what’s going on backstage? SPEARS ATTACKED BRIGGS! And with a chair no less! Shawn dares Briggs to show him something now! Didn’t think so, Josh! But then Evans is there. Shawn says don’t do it. Evans says try doing that to him! BLAOW! Evans brawls with Spears and the fans fire up as this spills out on stage! The Young OG won’t let Spears bully anyone! They get in the ring, Spears turns it around on Evans, but then Evans turns it back around on Spears! Evans tackles Spears, fires off hands, but Spears gets out! So Evans DIVES onto him! They wipe out into the desk! The fans fire up and refs rush out here!

Evans drags Spears up, fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but then Spears RAMS Evans into steel steps! The fans boo as Spears crawls away, then he grits his teeth as he clears the desk! There goes Vic’s candy! Spears drags Evans onto the desk, stands him up and underhooks, but Evans backdrops free! The fans fire up again and Evans drags Spears up! Evans puts Spears in the ring, then springboards to FLYING CUTTER!! And then a LARIAT!! Spears is sent right outta the ring and Evans rips his shirt away! The Young OG is ready to get bouncy, when and where will he show Spears his own potential?

Backstage interview with The D’Angelo Family.

Sarah Schreiber catches up with The Don and asks him about his match coming up next. How does his first defense of the Heritage Cup feel? Tony says these Heritage Cup matches are very unique. It’s not his cup of espresso, but he’s learning to like the taste. But his boy Luca has schooled him about The Catch Clause. Now NQCC sees what The Family can do when they’re in control. Then does that mean The Don has Dempsey in checkmate before the game’s even begun? Or will the No Quarter Catch Crew change it up on the fly?

NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Damon Kemp w/ No Quarter Catch Crew!

NXT returns and the NQCC makes their entrance first, followed by The D’Angelo Family’s. The introductions are made, and though the Family teases pulling a bait ‘n’ switch, it is still Tony D himself. The cup is on display, and we see who really runs things around here!

The bell rings on round one and Damon hurries in. Tony stays back and the two reset. They tie up, Damon rolls Tony up, TWO! Damon hurries to fireman’s carry takeover, then he ghost pins, TWO! Oklahoma Roll! TWO, and Tony is getting annoyed. Damon says he got that close. The NQCC coaches Damon , but then Tony ROCKS Damon with a right! Tony fires some body shots, then hits the HALF HATCH! The fans fire up, Tony headlocks, but Damon hits a BIG back suplex! Damon shakes out the cobwebs, stomps away on Tony at the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Damon whips, ELBOWS Tony down, then covers, TWO!

Tony stays in this and the fans rally for him, but Damon whips. Tony reverses, Damon powers his way to the waistlock, but Tony bucks the O’Conner! Tony kicks low to hit the FOGEDABOUTIT! Cover, Tony scores!

Tony: 1; Damon: 0

That was outta nowhere, and Tony is already halfway to retaining the Cup. NQCC refreshes Damon and we start again. The two tie up, Tony kicks low, but Damon gets away. Damon says that won’t happen a second time, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Tony storms up, but Damon kicks low. Damon reels Tony in, Tony resists the lift, then Tony turns it around. Damon fights the lift, trips Tony and spins him, but Tony avoids the stomps! Tony TACKLES Damon, steps over, and has the HALF CRAB! Damon endures, reaches out for his crew, claws at the mat, but Tony sits deep on the hold! Damon still fights his way forward, flails at the ropes, but Tony drags him back! Ton is starting to tire out as he kneels on the hold. Tony thrashes the leg but Damon still endures. Damon manages to turn over, and he kicks Tony away. Tony hurries to facelock, but Damon trips him to a cover, TWO!

Damon hurries as we reach a minute, and he WRINGS Tony’s arm out! Tony staggers up, Damon gets the arm for a CODE BREAKER! Tony flounders, Damon hurries after him to cover, TWO! Tony toughs it out but Damon grinds the arm in a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Tony endures, even as Damon bends the fingers! Tony fights around, we’re at 30 seconds! The Family coaches Tony, even as Damon digs his knee into the arm. Fifteen seconds becomes the last ten seconds, and Tony fights up! Tony FLIPS Damon, both men run up to LARIAT! Time’s up, but they just fire off fists!

Tony: 1; Damon: 0

Everyone rushes in to stop this, and the ref reprimands both men. Damon and Tony cool down and refresh, and NXT returns to single picture. Tensions are rising, but it’s time for round three! The brawl is on again! Tony ROCKS Damon, whips him to a corner, then storms up. Tony whips corner to corner the other way hard! Tony storms up, but Damon YANKS him into buckles! Atomic drop and LARIAT! Damon runs to DOUBLE STOMP! He keeps going, SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tony survives, but Damon drags him to a cradle, TWO! Tony swings, misses, and Damon kicks low. UPPERCUT, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Damon holds onto Tony and squeezes with a rear bearhug. The fans rally as Tony fights up, but Damon SLAMS him back down! Damon still holds on, still squeezes, but Tony still endures. Tony fights up again, throws some elbows, but Damon won’t let go! Tony pries at the hold, Damon GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Damon grinds Tony down as we reach one minute in the round. Tony fights up again, but Damon just GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Damon won’t let go, but Tony fights up to RAM him into buckles! Tony is free, but Damon comes back for more! Tony throws Damon away fast!

Damon CHOPS, and that just fires Tony up! Tony dodges Damon’s lariat to LARIAT back! And again! And again! Tony clinches to BELLY2BELLY! Another BELLY2BELLY! Tony puts Damon in a corner, hoists him up, but we’re at ten seconds! Damon HEADBUTTS Tony, gets him up< ROLLING SENTON!! Cover, TIME’S UP!

Tony: 1; Damon: 0

Saved by the bell! Damon is frustrated as Tony has to be helped to his corner for this refresher. The fourth round starts, Damon runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TONY WINS!!

Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (still NXT Heritage Cup Champion)

Dempsey is furious! They barely made it past halftime and Damon lost! Will the NQCC have to give up on the Cup? Or will they learn more tricks of the trade until they beat The Family at their own game?

Backstage interview with Ava Raine.

Kelly Kincaid is with The NXT GM and asks how the contract negotiations are going with Ethan Page. Ava says she wanted to have Ethan sign the contract in her office, but no. He was insistent on signing it in front of all the NXT Universe here tonight. But even before that, there are still somethings she needs to approve before Ethan can even think he’s an NXT Superstar. Trick Williams barges in and says whatever Ethan wants, just give it to him. Ethan must be out of his mind thinking he can come here, jump Trick, then jump the line for the NXT Championship. All the work they’ve put in, all they’ve done for this brand, Ethan chose the wrong ones.

Ava understands, but Ethan hasn’t even signed anything yet. Good! If he wants to sign a contract for the whole world to see, then Trick Willy will be there to make sure Ethan’s pen hits paper. Trick heads out, and Ava gets a call. Sorry, this is Sexyy Red, she’s gotta take this. Ava heads off to talk with the host of Battleground, but will Ethan get everything he wants and more?

Jordynne Grace runs across Mia Yim.

These two go way back and say hey. Jordynne says look at them. Who would’ve thought? TNA X WWE. But hey, how is Mia feeling about her Ladder match? Oh, that’ll be cake. But tonight is a Six Woman Tag and well… Sol hops in and says yeah, she’ll see Mia out there. Also, just had to introduce herself to Jordynne. Huge fan! Jordynne is a fan of Sol’s! No way! She is so jacked, how much does she squat? Jordynne wants to know how Sol pulls off that Sol Snatcher all the time. But then Jaida walks in and says please, stop kissing each other’s asses, it is sickening. Oh of course Jaida’s the one talking about ass, hers is popping up everywhere.

Jaida says Mia is one to talk. Jaida leaves, Jordynne says Mia needs to handle that. Mia says no worries, she’ll put a muzzle on that one tonight. She’s gotta go get changed, she’ll talk with Jordynne later. Everyone else goes, and then in walks Arianna Grace. Arianna says, “These girls can be so draining.” Sorry, who are you? Well, they’re both Grace, but not related. Yeah, what a coincidence. Arianna knows everyone knows her. Anyway, surely Roxanne is not thrilled about the idea of Jordynne walking out of Battleground the double champion. Arianna would know, they’re pretty close. Then Tatum Paxley sneaks in and touches the Knockouts title.

Jordynne gets the jump scare and Tatum says she just LOVES talking about championships! Doesn’t Jordynne just love hers? Yes, she does. It is the most important thing to her. Yes, but not as important as Arianna’s crown. No, it is. Arianna pouts and leaves, then Jordynne leaves. Tatum says those titles are important to her, too. Jordynne just got quite the introduction to the NXT Women’s Division, but will she soon stand above them all?

NXT takes a closer look at Vice VS Baszler: Underground.

The Mayor of Vice City turned on The Queen of Spades even though she was the one that lost last time. Lola says she heard the words “Stay humble and enjoy the grind” when she first joined WWE. And while they may be true for everyone else, she is NOT everyone else. She is a superstar in every way. She was an NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament winner, has knockout power in her hands and feet, and she becomes the star no matter who she faces. She’s the reason Shayna’s even back in NXT. Shayna may have dominated, but to think someone she would be jealous of Lola. But Lola gets it.

The Submission Magician says somewhere along the way, people had forgotten about her dominance. Clutching people out, snapping bones and crushing faces. “The Most Feared Woman in NXT.” #TapNapOrSnap. The woman who has held the NXT Women’s Championship more days than anyone else, and THE first woman to crossover from MMA to pro-wrestling. If not for Shayna, Lola would NOT be one of the hottest prospects in the game, she’d be shaking that ass on a street corner. So this Sunday, NXT Underground, it is the reintroduction of The Queen of Spades. Lola claims Shayna has two choices: tap out or get knocked out.

The MMA world has weighed in, and it seems rather split. Lola says Shayna may have done it first, but she’s going to be the biggest crossover star ever. Shayna says at The Apex, we’ll find there is only one true cage fighter in WWE. Lola says she’ll go viral when she knocks Shayna out and dances on her body. There will be no ropes and no holding these two back, who takes the other down in the Underground?

Izzi Dame VS Natalya w/ Karmen Petrovic!

This was meant to be Izzi taking on “sword girl,” but Karmen got hurt at an NXT Live event over the weekend. However, The Queen of Harts is willing to step up for her protege and handle business. Will The Boat still be afloat? Or will Izzi sink her to the bottom of NXT?

The bell rings, the fans rally and the two circle. They tie up, Izzi headlocks, but Natty powers up and out. Izzi runs Natty over, then soaks up the heat. Izzi taunts Karmen, eggs Natty on, and Natty scowls. The two reset and circle and teh fans rally again. They tie up, Izzi kicks low! Izzi whips, Natty ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slips around to go for the crucifix takedown! But Izzi stays up, and she RAMS Natty into buckles again and again! Natty lets go, but she dodges Izzi’s boot! DRAGON SCREW! Izzi hobbles, Natty blocks to trip her up! Natty runs and steps on Izzi, to then come back and basement dropkick!

Izzi bails out, checks her chin, but Natty goes out to bring her around. But Izzi turns that around to RAM Natty into steel steps! The fans boo but Izzi talks more trash. Izzi soaks up the heat, pushes Natty in the ring, and then drags Natty up. Izzi gut wrenches to a Canadian Rack! Natty endures the backbreaker stretch, fights free, and shoves Izzi! Izzi comes back to BOOT Natty down! Cover, TWO! Izzi is frustrated but she drags Natty up into a COBRA TWIST! Natty endures, even as Izzi grabs a leg for more leverage! The fans rally as Natty fires elbows on Izzi’s leg! Natty hip tosses free, but Izzi kicks low!

Izzi reels Natty in, gets her up, but Natty RANAS free! The fans fire up and Natty runs up, DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Izzi is still in this but Natty gets her by the legs! Natty steps through but Izzi boots her! Roll up, TWO! Natty grabs the arm, drags Izzi down, ARMBAR!! Izzi fights, tries to stack, Natty keeps her shoulders up! Izzi deadlifts Natty, and BUCKLE BOMBS her! Natty lets go, staggers back up, and Izzi runs up! Izzi rains down fists, but Natty stops her at seven! POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Izzi survives again and even Karmen is frustrated! Natty gets the legs, she steps through, but Izzi kicks back!

Natty jackknifes, TWO! Izzi has the sunset, TWO! Natty has the prawn hold! NATTY WINS!

Winner: Natalya, by pinfall

Izzi can’t believe it, but it iz what it iz! The Boat gets back on a winning track, and she says it’s time for a change! Will Natty turn her luck around after Battleground?

NXT Media catches up with Axiom & Frazer.

Will the NXT Tag Team Champions still be able to defend their titles at Battleground? Axiom furiously asks back, “Are we? Are we gonna be able to defend these titles? C’mon, man! Do you think you’re tough men attacking us like that? No, hermanos, you’re not tough.” Frazer says tough is getting back up, walking to Vegas hurt, walking into Battleground as the underdogs, still putting on the match of a lifetime, and kicking some Good Brother asses to walk out still NXT Tag Team Champions! THAT is tough. Gallows, Anderson, see you Sunday! The Undeniable Hard-Hitting Truths aren’t going to stop, will they blast right through Gallows & Anderson?

Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont VS ???

Speaking of The Good Brothers, Ty & Ty were meant to face them tonight. But after that attack, Gallows & Anderson were suspended for the night and sent home. Who steps up in their place? And will they be ready to face the #Tygers tonight?

NXT returns, and GALLUS ATTACKS! They wipe out Tyriek & Tyson, completely cancelling any match that would’ve happened! The fans boo but now Gallus have the mics. Joe Coffey says, “Sorry, not sorry. Wrong place, wrong time. Burn one on.” Mark Coffey says now that they’re back at full squad, unlike last week with Wolfgang banned from ringside, even though Sexyy Red was in the corner of Trick & Je’Von! That right there is the problem! Or rather, just one of many problems. Maybe if Gallus cared about TikTok or had a million followers, or if they took beach selfies with Ava, or if they shook their asses up and down, or played some other sport, the WWE Universe would respect them.

But Wolfie, if you were there last week, then they would’ve had the starting line up, and it would’ve been another victory for the Gallus Boys! Mark says that’s absolutely right. But WWE Universe does not respect Gallus, nor even care. But see, Gallus isn’t here for clout or respect. They are here not to be internet influencers but to be PROFESSIONAL WRESTLERS! Wolfgang says that’s right! He feels sad for this next generation of so-called superstars, ruining everything that they’ve built! They’re taking stupid photos to post online, but they’re nothing but a bunch of wee lil’ boys! Yes, wee boys!

What you see here are three fully grown men! And on Sunday, they’ve got a bit o’ business to take care of. There’s a Triple Threat, and that means anything goes! The Gallus Boys will do ANTYHING at Battleground to make sure Joe Coffey is leaving with the- Well, speaking of the North American Championship, here comes Oba Femi! Oba has the mic to tell these “gents,” it would be foolish of him to regard them as anything less than extremely dangerous. The three of them as a collective has caused chaos all across the roster. However, Mark, Wolfgang, listen to Oba. They can try to aid Joe, but Oba has said this before and will say it again: the outcome remains the same!

But wait! Here comes Wes Lee! And Wes says hey, he’s in the crowd! The fans cheer, and Wes says everyone is saying their piece. But Wes knows that to get his North American title back, he’ll have to go through three angry Scotsmen hellbent on mayhem, and the most dominant man in the game today. But none of them are ready to do- OH SHOOT, Gallus mugs Oba! Wes hurries in, and he fires off on The Coffey Brothers! Wes then goes after Wolfie, but that’s still 3v2! The Coffey Brothers mug Wes, then mug Oba! Then they set Oba up for Joe, ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS! Wes staggers up, but Mark feeds him to Wolfgang’s fireman’s carry!

Mark runs up, BOOT O’ DOOM!! The Gallus Boys stand tall over champion and challenger, will they be the ones on top at the end of Battleground?

Time to get out of bed.

A certain you know who puts on her fuzzy slippers, walks to the door, and freshens up in the bathroom. But then when Wendy Choo looks up at the mirror, it shatters! Whether it’s Wendy, or someone else, we’re getting a big return next week on NXT!

Backstage interview with Lexis King.

Sarah is with the Drama King and asks him how he feels about back-to-back losses to Dante Chen. Lexis says Dante Chen didn’t look like a winner after last week! She isn’t telling the whole story, she’s leaving out a major detail. That being Lexis laying Dante’s ass out on the concrete floor so hard, that Dante couldn’t even walk out. They had to scrape him up off the ground and take him to the back. That’ll happen to anyone who gets in the way of- DANTE ATTACKS!! The fans cheer a Dante gets payback on Lexis! They brawl, Lexis gets away but then Dante pursues! They end up in the staging area and brawl more!

Security hurries in to stop this, and Lexis shouts, “Who do you think you are?! You and I are gonna finish this once and for all!” Dante says bet! It’s going to be a SINGAPORE CANE MATCH! Will the Singapore Warrior finally “dethrone” this Drama King?

Six Woman Tag: Mia Yim, Jaida Parker & Sol Ruca VS Lash Legend, Kelani Jordan & Fallon Henley!

Well, this must be what Stone meant by spicing things up. He made sure there’d be a bit of dysfunction on both sides, which is why Michin will have to work with Miss Parker and the Sol Surfer while The Baller, the Gym Princess and the Cowgirl will have to tolerate each other. Which side doesn’t fall apart in order to have momentum going into Battleground?

The teams sort out, and Kelani starts against Sol. They show respect with a handshake, then tie up. They go around, Kelani headlocks then hits the takeover. Sol headscissors, Kelani kips free, but then Sol headlocks for the takeover. Kelani headscissors. Sol moves around and headstands. Sol pops free but Kelani avoids the headlock to get a headlock back. Sol powers up and out, but Kelani jumps the dropdown. Kelani tilt-o-whirls and RANAS, but Sol handsprings through! They keep going, they both handspring and narrowly miss each other, but the fans fire up! But then Lash and Jaida tag themselves in.

Jaida tells Sol to scoot, but Lash picks Kelani up and puts her on the apron! Kelani is upset, but then Jaida kicks low! Jaida wrenches, headlocks, but Lash powers up and out. Jaida RAMS Lash, but bounces off! Lash talks smack, dares Jaida to try again, but then snatches Jaida by her hair! Jaida fires body shots, talks trash back while pulling hair, but Lash fires body shots! Lash throws Jaida down, but Jaida avoids the splash! Cover, ONE, but Jaida clamps on. Jaida brings Lash over, but her partners don’t want in. So Jaida tags Mia with some stank! The fans fire up, Mia dodges Lash and headlocks back.

Lash powers up and out, Mia RAMS her, but Lash does not budge! Lash asks what is going up with these two? Lash swings, Mia dodges and RANAS! The fans fire up and Mia taunts Jaida, tot hen BOOT Lash! Mia brings Lash around to whip, but Lash reverses. The ref is busy with Jaida while Mia ducks ‘n ‘dodges, and Fallon gets a cheap shot in! Mia takes a swipe but Fallon gets away, and then Lash CLOBBERS Mia! Lash tags Fallon and they argue despite coordinating. Lash holds Mia against ropes so that Fallon can slide out and HAYMAKER! Fallon says she comes first and will be first, but the fans boo and NXT goes picture in picture.

Lash tells Fallon to get on Mia, Fallon storms in, and she stomps a mudhole in. The ref counts but Fallon lets off at 4. Fallon argues with the ref, then drags Mia up. Fallon SMACKS Mia off the mat, stalks her to ropes, then bumps her off buckles. Fallon bumps Mia off the middle buckle, then off the bottom buckle! Fallon puts Mia in a corner, Lash tags in, and they stomp away together. Lash brings Mia around, whips her hard into a corner, and Mia falls over. Lash drags Mia up, whips her corner to corner again, then CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this but Lash clamps onto the arm. Mia endures, even as Lash stands over her.

Mia fights up, her team reaches out, and Mia fires body shots. Lash throws Mia down by her hair! The ref reprimands, Lash storms up on Mia, and RAMS into her at the corner! And again! And again! Lash carries Mia, but Mia fights around to sunset flip! Lash does the backstroke to stay up, then she drags Mia up to SLAM her down! Cover, TWO! Mia survives, but Lash clamps on to the arm again. Mia fights up, throws body shots, but Lash knees low! Lash brings Mia around to whip her to the corner, but Mia BOOTS her back! Mia BLASTS Fallon, NXT returns to single picture as she runs up, only for Lash to stop her!

Lash keeps Mia from Sol and Jaida, THROWS her back, but then Mia dodges! Kelani tag sin, Jaida snipes the tag from Sol! But Kelani rallies on Jaida with big forearms, then a cartwheel ELBOW! Kelani kips up, the fans fire up, and she handsprings, but ducks the haymaker! Kelani wrenches to an OLYMPIC SLAM! Kelani then hurries to a corner, goes up and up, but Jaida grabs at her! Kelani kicks Jaida away, leaps, but Jaida catches her! BACKBREAKER, then Jaida wedges Kelani in the corner. Jaida CHOPS Kelani, then runs up to DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT! Kelani flounders, Jaida hauls her up, INVERTED SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!

Jaida is annoyed, drags Kelani over, and again she tags Mia in. Mia scowls, pushes Jaida aside and gets Kelani up. Mia whips then goes the other way to POUNCE Kelani down! Cover, TWO! Kelani stay sin this but Mia stays on her with knees in the back. Mia ties up legs, pulls Kelani in, BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Kelani endures as Mia thrashes her around, and Kelani pops out to cover, TWO! Mia gets up to DROPKICK Kelani back down! Mia drags Kelani up, brings her over, and again Jaida snipes the tag! The fans boo, they want Sol! Jaida puts Kelani in a COBRA TWIST! Kelani endures, even as Jaida thrashes her around!

Wait, Jazmyn Nyx walks out here, and with Jacy Jayne! Jacy’s got a face mask to protect that busted nose, but then Kelani powers her way to put a COBRA TWIST on Jaida! Jaida powers out to suplex, but into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Hot tags to Sol and Fallon! Sol springboards to FLYING LARIAT Fallon down! Sol keeps moving, she BLASTS Lash then rallies on Fallon! Sol springboards, but Fallon DECKS her! Fallon stomps away in a corner, whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT! Fallon keeps going, FLYING FACEBUSTER! Fallon roars, but Sol ROUNDHOUSES her down!

Sol springboards, Fallon dodges but sol rolls through! They both run, both dodge, and then DOUBLE LARIAT! Both women are down and the fans are thunderous! Jaida and Mia fight over who is getting the tag, and Jaida reaches out real far! But Mia SPANKS Jaida into the ring! Jaida YANKS Mia in with her! They brawl and Fallon tags Lash! Lash runs up to get Fallon for the full nelson! Lash and Fallon mug Sol! Kelani gets in to stop this but Fallon SLAPS Kelani! Fallon turns around but Sol ducks, Fallon accidently DECKS Lash! Kelani gets Fallon with the COMPLETE SHOT! Lash runs to BOOT Kelani!

Sol uses the ropes for the SOL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol’s team wins!

Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall

The Number One Seed stays number one with this victory! Will Sol ride this wave of momentum all the way to the top of a ladder? Or will someone bring her crashing down?

Ava Raine heads to gorilla.

She looks over the contract she’s written up for Ethan Page, and hops this works. But then Stevie walks over and asks for a moment of her time. Stevie gets why she was put against Jordynne Grace, but it didn’t really seem fair. So maybe next week, Stevie can get another shot? Ava says she has to go, she’ll get back to her. Ava has a lot of pressure on her, will she be able to sign All Ego to NXT? We’ll find out, after the break.

Eddy Thorpe speaks.

“When I sit and look into the sacred fire, my thoughts turn to my memories. Stories passed down through generations tell me I come from a long lineage of fighters, battling with everything they had for every inch of this world they got.” Legends like The Brisco Brothers, “Chief” Jay Strongbow, Wahoo McDaniel. “That’s inspiration.” Eddy is fighting for more than winning a match. He is fighting for representation, for the next generation so that they can hear his stories. The time for recovery and reflection is over. His mind and body have been cleansed. Now he returns to NXT reborn, with a clear mission to execute, and his eyes wide open.

The Alpha Wolf is on his way back, will he make himself a legend in his own right?

Ava Raine is in the ring.

The NXT GM says, “Alright, Mr. All Ego. You wanted to do this publicly, so here we are. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Ethan Page.” The fans boo but Ethan still makes his way out here. Ethan smirks as he goes to the ring, steps inside, and Ava says this is not how she likes to handle business. But against her better judgment, she is making an exception. So please, let’s get this finished. Ethan says yes, of course. Now listen… The fans are already chanting “Shut The Hell Up!” but Ethan says sorry, did the fans get invited out here to sign an NXT contract? No? Then maybe THEY should shut the hell up!

The fans boo more but Ethan thanks Ava for this. But then the fans chant “WE WANT TRICK!” Ava says this needs to get done. Ethan thanks Ava, but says she’ll have to get used to him calling shots. Because if, and that’s a huge if, he signs her contract, he’ll get a lot of perks no one else in the back does, and they won’t like that very much. Ava won’t like it much either. But to be honest, Ethan doesn’t really give a damn, because he’s earned this. He is tired of waiting, sitting around for opportunities, so now he is gonna take them. He’s a bit frustrated, but Ava should have a giant smile on her face for signing THE wrestler with THE biggest upside in pro-wrestling!

Ava says those are very bold claims, but honestly, she isn’t signing anyone with these demands. Uh, but she is! And on live TV, tonight! Because Ava needs Ethan Page. Now hold on, fans, please. Everyone here knows, they saw the Draft. NXT lost what? EIGHT of its top stars, leaving a giant void perfectly sized for Ethan to fill as THE FACE of NXT. He will take this brand to new heights, and to their new home of The CW. But Ethan is here for that. He understands there is a lot of money in this contract. But he could’ve sat his ass at home and collected a check. But Ethan ain’t about that! He wants opportunities, because he hears that in NXT, talent grants opportunity.

And when they look at Ethan, they might hate him with every ounce of themselves, but they know he’s talented. They know he’s a superstar. The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” and is that guy wearing a QR Code shirt? Ethan tells them all to shut up but they keep going. Ethan says Ava knows that Ethan has earned and deserves the ego that he has. Because so far in this ring tonight, Ethan hasn’t said anything that is an opinion. he is spitting facts! But wait! Here comes Trick! The fans fire up and Trick has his own mic. Trick goes to the ring, and Ethan gets the table right out of the way. Ethan tells them to cut the music and tells Trick to listen.

Trick may not know Ethan but he’s been around the block. he sees how these things go. No one’s getting put through a table, because Ethan is just here to handle business. Trick says let’s handle business then. Please give Ethan whatever it is that he wants, sot hat Trick and everyone else here can get what they want, and that is Trick whooping Ethan’s ass! Trick knows Ethan is new to NXT so he’ll tell Ethan how things go here. This is Trick’s house! Trick has been here for a minute. Since the 2.0 days to be exact. There are boys who have been here with him. The fans chant “Trick’s Yor Daddy!”

Trick says he’s got some friends here, and the crowd’s been here the whole time, too. Through the ups, the downs, and everything in between. Trick’s problem with Ethan is, he thinks he can just come into Trick’s house, jump the line, jump Trick. He must be crazy! This is how they gonna do it. Trick will make an example out of Ethan for every other man in every other company around the world who thinks they can just find a way into NXT and get a shot. Because of Ethan, Trick is gonna take Ethan out. Open your ears to hear what Trick’s telling him. Ethan says Trick’s getting a little close, he needs to chill. Ethan says they’re doing business.

But Ethan gets it. He gets why Trick is emotional and all that. Trick has every right to be. Last time they were both here, Ethan knocked Trick into Lash, took that belt, held it up for the world to see, it was a whole thing. Trick has a right to be pissed off. But listen to Ethan clearly. Whether the people like it or not, Ethan and Trick have a lot more in common than Trick thinks. Yeah, Ethan has been watching NXT. He saw Trick with Melo. The spotlight was on Melo and Trick was in his shadow. Ethan was in that spot a million times over. The only difference is, Ethan couldn’t do what Trick did, and Ethan respects him for that. Trick broke out!

Trick took the spotlight and put it on himself as the NXT Champion! The fans cheer that, but Ethan says to listen. With this title comes the responsibility of the target on his back, and with the spotlight that Ethan craves. So this isn’t personal, it was Ethan making an opportunity for Ethan. So Ava, he’s ready to sign the contract. Ava holds the contract up for Ethan, he signs his part, and now all we need is Ava to sign. Trick says yes, please sign it. Ava can’t in good conscious sign given the stipulations. Trick asks why not, but Ethan says because, Ava is signing on for two things. One: Ethan gets his first match in NXT this Sunday at Battleground, for the NXT Championship!

And two: Avan signs on for the end of the Whoop Dat Era! Trick says Ava’s been here al long time, they built this place together. So to make it clear, Ethan can’t end nothing. And come June 9th, Ethan hears one thing and one thing only. NXT, tell ’em what they gonna do! “WHOOP DAT TRICK! WHOOP DAT TRICK!” Ava sighs, but she signs her part. Ethan is now in NXT, and he is now facing Trick for the title! Will All Ego make it a one and done deal? Or will Trick make sure he goes broke in Vegas?

My Thoughts:

A very good NXT, even as a go-home episode. Very good vignette for Lola VS Shayna to hype up their match. Lola may be the NXT superstar, but it just feels like Shayna should win. Sure, Shayna’s in a tag team with Zoey Stark on Raw, has already done quite a bit, but they could find a way to use a defeat to make Lola stronger because she realizes she does have to take this more seriously. And we got some surprisingly good uses of the No Contest tonight. Good promo from Shawn Spears talking with the new kids and Josh Briggs stepping in, and then good move of Je’Von Evans stepping up to Spears. A part of me really wants the “lost soul” Spears is talking about to be Brooks Jensen. It’ll help Jensen have things to do while also making Briggs confront his past.

Good Brothers going after Axiom & Frazer was a good little bit, and we got a really good promo out of Axiom & Frazer in response. Tyriek & Tyson going from match to victims of a blindside was a good segue to give Gallus a promo for the North American Championship match. But as I’ve been feeling, Joe Coffey is definitely taking the loss. It’s just a matter of whether it’s Oba retaining or Wes taking the title. And very good promo from Eddy Thorpe to hype up his return being very soon. I would think he hops right into a midcard title scene after Battleground, he’d be great in either scene.

Speaking of, good stuff from the Heritage Cup tonight. Dempsey’s Taxi Driver “You talkin’ to me?” being interrupted by his team was pretty amusing stuff. A little disappointed The Family didn’t actually go through with pulling one over and making tonight Luca VS Damon or something like that. Instead, a good match for the Cup, but I’m still waiting on someone to win by knockout. Maybe next time if Dempsey sends Myles at Tony, Tony gets an even easier win, forcing Dempsey to try again, or to get someone new to join the crew.

Good match from Izzi VS Natty with Natty as a substitute. I’m sure it was still gonna be a quick pin win for Karmen, so no big deal that Izzi lost. When Karmen’s healthy, she and Izzi can have their own match and maybe just go right to something very competitive. Good promo and brawl from Lexis King with Dante Chen, and them bringing a Singapore Cane Match (aka kendo stick match) out for next week’s post-PLE episode is going to be great stuff. Wendy Choo’s little vignette was great stuff because of what appears to be a bait ‘n’ switch. Instead of Wendy, seems we’ll be getting Mei Ling and Tian Sha making a return instead.

Really good stuff with this ongoing Chase U & Ridge Holland story, where Riley & Duke continue to be salty over Ridge hanging around and being trusted by Chase & Thea. I don’t know if we get a Mixed Six but it feels like it should be that, with Jazmyn or even a returning Jacy Jayne joining Riley & Duke. In fact, Jacy’s cameo tonight certainly teases something. We got a good “summit” promo segment, and of course it turned into a Six Woman Tag, but I did appreciate Stone “spicing it up” so it wasn’t purely Faces VS Heels. And of course things broke down in the end, but honestly, Sol’s team winning surprised me. Go-home match now suggests Sol won’t be the first, but I suppose HHHBK love the philosophy of there being money in the chase for the Face.

Great stuff with Jordynne Grace tonight. Great win for Jordynne, great promo with multiple superstars backstage, and I’m most pleased to see Jordynne and Arianna met given they’re both Grace. Tatum sneaking up on Jordynne makes me wonder if she’ll challenge Jordynne for at least the Knockouts Title in a visit from NXT to TNA. And I would think if Roxie is to win/survive her match against Jordynne, she can definitely cheat or use Champion’s Advantage. And good stuff throughout the night from Trick and Ethan, but I’m really surprised Trick didn’t realize for himself that Ethan’s contract would include a title shot.

The closing segment dragged on a bit, with Ethan doing his best to reference AEW without saying “AEW.” I wonder if some part of this is them improvising because Noam Dar really is beat up. Noam was clearly putting on an act when he was first attacked, all to test Lash, and even Oro being attacked could’ve been part of the scheme. But Noam never came back to call Trick out and demand a match given the fuss he made during the Scottish Supernova segment weeks ago. Ethan Page is still a great signing either way, and he’s going to give Trick a great match, but I would think Trick retains and maybe has his match with Dar for Heatwave in July.

My Score: 8.7/10