What is next for NXT?

NXT may be past the Heatwave, but things are still pretty hot. Wes Lee addresses his future now that he can no longer challenge for the North American title.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Karmen Petrovic VS Arianna Grace; Karmen wins.
• NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Lexis King; Tony wins and retains the Cup.
• Gallus VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont; Gallus win.
• Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Izzi Dame; Thea wins.
• The Good Brothers VS OTM; OTM wins.
• Sol Ruca VS Fallon Henley; Sol wins, by disqualification.
• Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans ??? VS Ethan Page & Shawn Spears; Trick & Joe Hendry win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Welcome the NEW NXT Champion!

The fans are torn as All Ego Ethan Page makes his entrance, and is not only all smiles, but is also flanked by security. Ethan goes to the ring, gets himself a mic, and he says, “AAAAAAAAND NEEEW~…!” The fans boo but Ethan says, “Six weeks. That’s all it took Ethan Page to absolutely take over this entire brand.” Fans want Ethan to shut up but he says to pull of something so miraculous would take determination, adaptability, and being a world class athlete. But also, a giant freakin’ ego! And oh, c’mon now. You all should’ve seen your faces at the end of Heatwave! It was absolutely priceless!

Ethan wants everyone at home to know that everyone here in the crowd hates Ethan Page. This stupid cameraman probably hates Ethan Page. But for sure, the entire NXT locker room hates Ethan Page! And that is why Ethan has his security. This is so he can make sure any overzealous degenerates can’t get at him or his title. Ethan Page doesn’t have time for little ol’ delinquents to- WHOA! ORO MENSAH IS HERE! Ethan says get him out of here! Security drags Oro away and Ethan says the champ thanks them for getting rid of the trash. And also, a special thanks to NXT GM, Ava Raine.

Ethan thanks Ava for banning Oro from Heatwave so that he couldn’t ruin another opportunity for Ethan. And that is what it was! An incredible opportunity to go home to Canada and main event. And not just main event, but to be part of one of the greatest main events in NXT history, and walk away champion! And here is a promise to everyone watching. As your NXT Champion, Ethan promises that with every ounce of himself, he will make sure none of these outsiders come to NXT and ruin what we have here. What we have here in NXT is so very special. And honestly, if you don’t mind indulging him, he knows there’s a saying around here.

What’s that saying again? “WE! ARE! N X T!” Wrong. Ethan is NXT now. And the Whoop Dat Era is officially done. We are now in the Era of Ego! But wait! Here comes Trick Williams! He has the music cut and is not in the mood. Ethan did win at Heatwave, no excuses. But Trick is gonna get even. And that is by getting his rematch! And he wants that rematch… tonight! The fans love that idea! Ethan smirks, and tells Trick that he understands Trick is emotional. Hell, Ethan is happy Trick is here to “ruin” the celebration. Ethan wanted to thank Trick for that Trick Shot. Ethan fell into the title!

But Ethan know Trick would demand his rematch. But listen up, Trick, you’re not the guy around here anymore, Ethan is. And this title proves that. So as far as the title rematch request goes… DENIED! But wait, here comes Shawn Spears! The Chair Man tells Ethan that Ethan owes Spears the thanks. If Spears’ view wasn’t obstructed, Ethan would not be here NXT Champion. Oh, okay, Shawn. Thanks, but Ethan was gonna win anyway. Spears then tells Trick that he’s been running his mouth. Who’s the goof now? Trick lost the title without getting pinned. That sucks. Spears tried to offer his wisdom but Trick didn’t listen.

And now Trick’s crying for a rematch? Spears can’t let that happen. As Spears sees it, Trick’s at the back of the line. Wait! Here’s Je’Von Evans! He also has his music turn off. Young OG says Spears & Ethan need to shut up! They talking about doing this and doing that. But didn’t Je’Von knock them out and pin them to get this close to winning the title? That’s facts! So Je’Von shot his shot, and he’ll shoot again. He ain’t waiting for ugly Spears or goofy ass Page, and that’s on his mother’s life. Ethan & Spears take swings, but Je’Von & Trick are ready! They fire back haymakers and the fans fire up!

Trick DECKS Spears, Je’Von DECKS Ethan, and the Canadians go running! Refs rush out here now, Spears & Ethan stand down. Will things from Heatwave be rekindled to light up the summer?

Karmen Petrovic VS Arianna Grace!

Team Toronto won big on the Heatwave preshow, but it seems that was just a one time thing. Will the real-life Beatrix Kiddo finally humble the Pageant Queen? Or will Karmen have to learn to lose with Grace?

The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, end up on ropes, but then Arianna throws Karmen down. Arianna says SHE is the MVP of their team. Karmen runs up, Arianna shoves her then trips her. Arianna says she is better, and the fans duel, but Karmen blocks a slap! Karmen throws Arianna down, then LARIATS! Karmen SLAPS Arianna and Arianna cries. Karmen wrenches, kicks, and KICKS! Karmen steps over to mule kick! Cover, TWO! Wait, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn make their way out here. Karmen facelocks Arianna to grind her down, then rolls into a LAST CHANCERY! Arianna endures, elbows free, and the two stand.

Karmen and Arianna tie up, but then Karmen shoves and CHOPS! Arianna goes to a corner, ELBOWS back, then goes up, for an AX HANDLE! Arianna keeps moving and she KNEE LIFTS Karmen down! Cover, TWO! Arianna clamps onto Karmen with a seated cobra twist, and the fans rally up. Karmen fights up, JAWBREAKERS free, and then fires hands! Arianna fires back! Karmen fires more forearms, then whips Arianna to a corner. Arianna reverses, but Karmen goes up to SOBAT! Karmen then storms back up to bring Arianna around. Arianna elbows free, goes up, and she BOOTS Karmen away.

Arianna snarls, storms up, but avoids the leg sweep! Only for Karmen to SWEEP on the return! LION’S BARRAGE! Cover, Karmen wins!

Winner: Karmen Petrovic, by pinfall

And now we know who really is the better half of the one-off team. Jacy & Jazmyn sarcastically clap in congratulations, but it’s all a distraction as FALLON HENLEY CLOBBERS KARMEN! The Toxic Cowgirl snap suplexes Karmen and rains down fists! The fans boo but Jacy & Jazmyn smile as the beating continues. Fallon soaks up the heat as she stands over Karmen, and she says she is sick of these rookies! Jacy & Jazmyn smile, but will these three toxic elements continue to tear down the NXT Women’s Division?

BREAKING NEWS!

Given that confrontation of Trick & Je’Von with Ethan & Spears, we will not get Trick & Je’Von VS Ethan & Spears! Will the former champion and Young OG get bouncy on the Canadians? Or will All Ego & The Chair Man make them face the painful truth that they’re not getting a title match?

Brooks Jensen has his meeting with Ava Raine.

She thanks him for joining her for this. She hopes he knows his actions have been completely out of line. He does know, 1000%, and he wants to apologize for everything. he’s just been stuck in his own head, trying to figure out where he’s to go, and he got lost. Jensen isn’t here to make excuses, he owns his behavior. He wants to take back everything he did and said but he can’t because it’s out there. Ava tells him that this life, this job, it isn’t easy. It isn’t always titles and wins, there are ups and downs. You just gotta keep pushing through.

Jensen knows that and is still learning. And as a second generation superstar, this is all he’s ever wanted. The pressure he puts on himself to succeed, surely Ava understands. She does, completely. But to be honest, after everything that’s happened, she and HBK were ready to release him. But there were people here who vouched for him, so the decision has been made to give Jensen a second chance. Jensen thanks her and says she won’t regret this. He has a great support system now. That is good to hear, but she cannot stress this enough: He is a WWE superstar 24/7, so he has to carry himself like one.

Jensen says yes, ma’am. He will do better, and he will make an impact, he promises. Good. They shake hands, and Jensen is back! Will his second chance be just the thing he needs to finally reach the top?

NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Lexis King!

The Don did not appreciate being called out on social media while he was just trying to enjoy his weekend. But since The Drama King wants to take the throne for his own, Tony will gladly shut him up. Will Tony make Lexis FOGEDABOUTIT? Or will The King rock Tony like a hurricane?

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

Wait, Tony has Eddy Thorpe up in the perch with his DJ table? The bell rings, the two tie up, and Tony wrenches Lexis to a wristlock. Tony wrenches again and again, then YANKS the arm. Lexis rolls, cartwheels, rolls and then kicks Tony! Tony frowns while Lexis talks trash, and the two tie up. Tony headlocks, Lexis powers up and out, but Tony runs him over! Things speed up, Tony ducks ‘n’ dodges to whip, but then Lexis steps on the dropdown. The fans boo but Tony runs up to SPINEBUSTER! And fireman’s carry takeover! And arm-drag! Tony has the armlock but Lexis fights up. Lexis pulls hair to put Tony in the corner.

The ref counts, Lexis lets off, but he body shots! Lexis fires forearms, whips, but Tony reverses. Tony then back drops Lexis away! And arm-drags again, for another armlock! Lexis endures, reaches out, fights up, and he powers Tony to ropes. Lexis whips, hurdles, and DROPKICKS Tony down! We’re under a minute now as Lexis CHOPS! And CHOPS! Lexis swings again but Tony dodges to CHOP! Lexis sputters, Tony whips but Lexis reverses. Tony stops himself to avoid the dropkick, then he gets the legs! Lexis scrambles, reaches out, kicks at Tony, and we’re at 20 seconds. Lexis stands but Tony TACKLES him!

Tony has the legs, he turns Lexis but Lexis resists! Ten seconds, BOSTON CRAB! Lexis endures, flails, and the time’s up! Tony lets go, and Eddy plays some intermission music!

Tony: 0; Lexis: 0

Lexis hates the EDM concert going on but the fans like it. Eddy says sorry, but Tony hired him for this. The bell rings to start round two, and Lexis fires CHOPS on Tony! Lexis talks trash on Eddy, but turns around into FOGEDABOUTIT! Cover, Tony scores!

Tony: 1; Lexis: 0

The intermission music is back and Lexis is frustrated. Lexis says he’ll come up there and end Eddy, but NXT goes picture in picture.

Lexis has no cornerman so he has to refresh all on his own. Eddy trolls Lexis with more dubstep, and Lexis storms back into the ring. Round three begins, and Tony fires off haymakers! Lexis knees low, CLUBS Tony, and then whips, but Tony reverses to send Lexis out! Lexis drags Tony out to join him, but Tony fires haymakers! Lexis backs up, Tony runs in, but Lexis sends him into steel steps! Lexis poses by the Cup, then he RAMS Tony into the apron. Lexis CHOPS Tony and Tony gets in the ring. Lexis stomps Tony around, drags him up to whip, and he kitchen sink knees! Lexis talks trash before he covers, TWO!

Lexis is annoyed but he drags Tony up by an ear. Lexis talks more trash but Tony’s getting mad. Tony bends fingers, but Lexis kicks low! Lexis bumps Tony off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then lets off as the ref counts. Tony sputters but Lexis whips. Kitchen sink becomes roll up! TWO, and Lexis hurries to his feet. Lexis runs in, Tony puts him on the apron! Lexis RAMS into Tony and Tony falls down. Lexis slingshots to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Lexis sits Tony up to ELBOW away on Tony’s neck and shoulder. Then Lexis wraps Tony up in a seated cobra twist! Tony endures as we go under a minute!

Lexis grinds Tony, Tony fights up, and Tony powers up, only for Lexis to body shot! NXT returns to single picture as Lexis mocks The Don. But then Tony turns it around to fire hockey scrum punches! And HALF HATCH SUPLEX! Tony runs in, Lexis dodges the splash! CROWNING KNEE! Then the CORONATION!! Cover, Lexis scores!

Tony: 1; Lexis: 1

And with seven seconds to spare, we’re all tied up! Eddy still does the EDM, but Lexis tunes it out as he refreshes. Tony also gathers himself, and the bell rings on round four. Lexis DROPKICKS Tony right down! Lexis stomps away on Tony, the ref counts as they’re in the corner, so Lexis reels Tony in for a short arm LARIAT! Lexis soaks up the heat and waits on Tony. Tony rises, Lexis moves, but Tony LARIATS first! The fans fire up while both men are down! The D’Angelo Family coaches Tony and the fans rally behind him. Tony rises, Lexis flounders, and both men stand. Tony fires counter punches on Lexis!

Lexis runs up but into a haymaker! And another! And a BELLY2BELLY! And another one! The fans fire up, Tony whips, but Lexis slips free of the scoop! Lexis waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Tony escapes but Lexis goes to a corner. Tony runs in, but into an ELBOW! Lexis goes up and up, but Tony springs up to get him! Lexis fires hands to send Tony down! Tony staggers, Lexis hits DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, TWO!! Tony survives and Lexis is losing his mind! The fans rally up but Lexis aims! Tony blocks a superkick, fisherman’s, but Lexis cradles! TWO! One minute and Lexis SUPERKICKS Tony down!

Lexis reels Tony in again, CORAO- NO! Tony slips free to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Tony wins!

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

With 40 seconds to spare in the fourth, The Don takes Lexis down! Eddy remixes The Don’s theme in celebration, and watching Lexis be humbled is surely icing on the cake for him. Will the Drama King choose his words more wisely next time?

Wait, something’s going down backstage!

Brooks Jensen is going after Je’Von Evans?! Referees, producers and even Josh Briggs shows up to get in Jensen’s face! What the hell is he doing!? Briggs stuck his neck out for Jensen and he pulls this crap!? But this is Jensen making an impact. By attacking Je’Von!? Briggs tells Jensen to get out of here, and refs ask for medical. Did Jensen just ruin tonight’s main event tag match?

Chase U talks backstage.

Thea Hail says Duke Hudson & Mr. Chase did such a good job at Heatwave, even though they lost. But now, Thea will get things back on track. She’ll beat Izzi, Chase U will get rolling again! Ridge Holland walks in and he’s fired up, too! What a performance at Heatwave! They stole the show! Even the whole weekend! And okay, while Ridge knows they’re probably not in the mood, he has been working on some stuff to make it up to them. Chase says Ridge doesn’t have to but he insists. Ridge says Thea is ready for another shot at the NXT Women’s Championship, so that’s why she has this match against Izzi tonight.

Because after talking with Ava, Ridge convinced her to see that Thea is ready for Roxanne Perez! Thea is even more fired up, but Chase wants them to take it easy. Ridge says no, it’s fine. Because see, Ridge got Duke a championship match, too! What? Is it against Ethan Page? No, sorry, not that good. But it’ll be Duke VS Oba Femi for the North American Championship, next week on NXT! Whoa… Thanks…? Riley Osborne says Oba’s gonna kill Duke! Ridge says have some faith in Duke! Duke Hudson is gonna knock The Ruler off the throne and bring singles gold home to Chase U! Thea excitedly says yes he is!

Thea is ready, Duke is concerned, but will Ridge’s favors get him back in favor with Chase U?

Gallus VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont!

Joseph, Markus & Wolfie talked smack back on Ty & Ty after things got heated backstage and online. But now it is everyone’s chance to have it out in the ring! Will Gallus still be on top? Or will they regret riling up the #TYGAS?

In fact, Ty & Ty attack during Gallus’ entrance! The fans fire up as this is a brawl all around ringside! Igwe has Mark while Dupont has Wolfgang! Dupont sends Wolfgang into barriers! Mark ROCKS Igwe, but Dupont LEAPS! Joe takes the hit for his brother! Dupont chases Mark into the ring, the bell sounds, and it is on the record as these two fire hands! Mark kicks low, whips, but Dupont ducks ‘n’ dodges to UPPERCUT Mark down! Dupont TOSSES Mark to the corner, fires more hands, then he tags in Igwe. They double whip Mark to then DOUBEL SHOULDER TACKLE! Wolfgang gets in but Igwe LARIATS him out!

Igwe fires off on Mark in a corner, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but into an ELBOW! Mark swings, Igwe dodges and BOOTS! The fans rally as Igwe whips Mark. Mark reverses and DROPKICKS Igwe down! Tag to Wolfgang but Igwe fights them off! Mark backslides Igwe so Wolfgang can KNEE DROP right on Igwe’s face! Gallus mugs Igwe, the ref reprimands, and Wolfgang puts Igwe in a corner for haymakers. Igwe fires back, Wolfgang knees low then whips. Wolfgang runs in to SPLASH and go tot he apron! The ref has Dupont stay back, but that allows Mark to LARIAT Igwe behind their backs!

Wolfgang pushes Igwe to a cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Wolfgang drags Igwe up to scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Wolfgang tags Mark, then they put Igwe in the corner. Igwe dodges Wolfgang’s splash, CLOBBERS Mark, then hot tags Dupont! The fans fire up as Dupont CLOBBERS Mark, rallies on him, DROPKICKS Wolfgang then DROPKICKS Mark! SPLASH for Wolfgang! Dupont swings but Mark catches him, only for Dupont to run that around into a SIDEWALK SLAM! Dupont runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Tag to Igwe, they get Mark up, but Wolfgang is back! That distracts the ref so Joe can DUMP Dupont out!

The fans boo but Mark O’Conner Rolls. Igwe bucks that but Mark DECKS him! Tag to Wolfgang, he gets Igwe up. BOOT O’ DOOM!! Cover, Gallus wins!

Winners: Gallus, by pinfall

Ty & Ty made this fast ‘n’ furious from the start, but Gallus had the numbers to turn the tide! Will NXT finally be Gallus’ Kingdom once and for all?

Backstage interview with Trick Williams.

Kelly Kincaid is with Trick as he is still collecting himself from Heatwave. And now, his partner in tonight’s tag team main event has been taken out! Trick says Jensen did Je’Von dirty! The last 48 hours have been crazy! But, it is what it is. Nothing and no one is gonna stop Trick from getting that title back. Trick will even take one both Ethan & Spears alone tonight! But thinking about it, that isn’t the best idea, so he needs to find himself a tag team partner. Kelly wishes him the best of luck, and then on the screen behind them, JOE HENDRY~! Could all Trick need to do is say his name?

Wes Lee is here!

The fans cheer as the Cardiac Kid makes his way to the ring, but he isn’t in the same fired up mood. His shirt has the words, “Find Yourself,” and it seems that is what Wes must do again after Heatwave. Wes gets the mic, the fans cheer, and he says, “Hey, look, look. I’ve had a rough couple of days here, y’all. I truly went into Heatwave believing I could beat Oba Femi, and finally be reunited with my North American Championship. But y’all saw what happened. Look, Oba Femi was the better man, period, point-blank. But you see, like, the match wasn’t the only thing I put my everything into. Like, as soon as I woke up from surgery, I knew exactly what my goal was: To beat the unbeatable.

“That was truly the thing that pushed me through rehab. I visualized it. I imagined my arm being raised. I could feel the title in my hands again, and I was ready to proudly raise it above my head as the King of the Wes Side.” The fans cheer that, but Wes says unfortunately, that is not how it happened. Now, he’ll be straight with us: he doesn’t know where to go from here. He’s been beaten before, but this was different. And he has had one hell of a run here in NXT. But he has to be honest with them all, and himself. The fans chant “Please Don’t Go! Please Don’t Go!” Wes wants them to understand. He thinks it is just time for him…

The fans say “NO! NO! NO!” and that makes it harder for Wes. And just as Wes wants to speak, M S K plays?! Because surprise, surprise! The RASCALZ are here in NXT! Wes cannot believe it, but his old friends have shown up from TNA to be here! Wes asks Zack Wentz (aka Nash Carter) & Trey Miguel what they’re doing here, and Nash asks Wes what HE’s doing! It sounds like Wes is about to do something stupid! The fans don’t wanna see Wes leave! And the Rascalz don’t wanna see Wes leave! They have missed him so much! And they get it, he can’t believe they’re here. Neither can they!

The fans chant “WELCOME BACK!” and Wes has them hold on. Just like all the fans, he has missed them both so damn much. And he has been watching everything, so he is so proud of the men they’ve become. They know! But hey, look, this isn’t about them, this is about Wes. Wes is the GREATEST North American Champion EVER! And on top of that, MSK was one of the best tag teams to ever step in this building! So this is what they’re here to do: they are in NXT, because it is time to get MSK back together! And not just that, but time for the Rascalz to wreck shop around here! What’s Wes think?

The fans chant for the Rascalz, and all three hug it out! The fans cheer this reunion, and Wes has truly found his path forward! Will NXT & TNA soon belong to RSCL?

Backstage interview with Ethan Page & Shawn Spears.

Sarah Schreiber asks if All Ego & The Chair Man how they’re feeling about their tag team main event. Oh, doesn’t she mean their handicap match? Poor Trick doesn’t have friends. What a loser. Ethan says that you best believe he and Spears are on the same page tonight, because they want to beat up Trick again. Spears asks Ethan if he really thinks Trick can’t find a partner. Ethan says, “Hmm… I don’t believe he will!” Spears says he’ll see Ethan out there, but there’s a “lost young soul” in need of his guidance. Ethan nods and Spears heads out. Ethan tells Sarah to get the hecc outta here so the champ can warm up.

Sarah leaves, but just who is Spears going to go counsel? Though, do we even have to guess?

Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Izzi Dame!

Chase U has been on a roller coaster for a long time now but Thea wants to bring them back up. Ridge says Thea could be a contender, will she make it so? Or will the Volleyball Ace simply spike Thea’s dreams right into the mat?

NXT returns as Izzi makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up for Thea. Thea dodges Izzi to KCIK! And KICK! And KICK, but Izzi blocks! Izzi SLAPS Thea down, but then Thea avoids the elbow drop! Thea hurries up and ties up with Izzi. Izzi powers Thea to a corner, lets off as the ref counts, and then Izzi BOOTS Thea out of the ring! Iziz talks trash, Thea goes up to the apron, and Thea does the splits the avoid a haymaker! Thea RAMS into Izzi, slingshots to sunset flip, ONE! Izzi swings, Thea ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl arm-drags! The fans fire up as Thea wrenches and YANKS an arm!

Izzi fights but Thea thrashes the arm. Thea whips, Izzi reverses but Thea wheelbarrows, only for Izzi to SMACK her off buckles! Izzi BOOTS Thea down, the fans boo, but Izzi puts Thea in a corner. Izzi fires forearms, stomps a mudhole, then lets off as the ref counts. Izzi hauls Thea up, whips corner to corner, then scoops her for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Izzi turns Thea over for an STF! Izzi pulls Thea back but Thea endures! Chase U and the fans rally up, and Thea crawls forward. Izzi lets go to drag Thea back, and it’s back to the STF! Thea still endures as the fans still rally up!

But wait, Tatum Paxley appears at ringside. Izzi is pissed and goes out to ROCK Tatum! Izzi SMACKS Tatum off the apron, scoops her, but Tatum slips free! Tatum baits Izzi in to POST her! Izzi staggers around, and Thea DIVES! Down goes Izzi and the fans fire up! Thea gets Izzi up and into the ring, then goes up a corner! CROSSBODY! The fans fire up more and Thea CLOBBERS Izzi! And wrenches to a REVERSE DDT! Mule kick, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Thea and she shakes the ropes! Thea hits an ARM BREAKER, and then clamps on with a KIMURA!! Izzi flails, Izzi TAPS! Thea wins!

Winner: Thea Hail, by submission

Chase U celebrates with their top prospect! Thea is looking sharp, will she prove Roxanne Perez isn’t as good as she thinks she is? Meanwhile, Oba Femi calls out Duke from the perch! Oba says Ridge must really like Duke, given how he begged Ava to give Duke this title match. But Chase U will realize that was a big, BIG mistake. Because come next week, Oba will destroy him! Duke has a mic to respond, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, seek ‘n’ destroy, move on, we’ve heard it all before, Oba. It’s the same old crap. But here’s the thing, this is something you shouldn’t do. Don’t underestimate the man you’re in there with next week.

“The man they tell you not to worry about, yet the man who has the attention of one WWE Hall of Famer, Trish Stratus. The man who tore the roof off in Toronto! The man they call the MVP of Chase University! The one, the only, DUKE HUDSON!” The fans fire up for their guy, and Duke says that in seven days, it will be his pleasure to rip that championship away from Oba, when Duke gives Oba the BIGGEST Andre Chase University sized ass whooping! Oba holds up the belt, but will Duke make the most of this golden opportunity?

The Rascalz talk backstage.

They are all fired up to be here together! Anything can happen in NXT. And Wes was about to quit, of all things. But then Gallus walks over and they mock the reunion. The internet must be loving this. All the tweets and texts, a maddening frenzy of delight. But what are they even supposed to be called anyway? Oh, well, if it’s Wes & Zach, then they’re MSK. But if it’s all three of them, it’s The Rascalz. Well, Gallus doesn’t want them here. And tell the rest of TNA the same thing. Especially that phony Scot, J- NO! Don’t say his name. Gallus leaves, Zach asks what that is about. Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Will The Rascalz have each other’s backs whether it’s the Capitol Wrestling Center of the Impact Zone?

OTM speaks.

Bronco Nima, in his new face mask, tells Gallows & Anderson that they broke his nose, but he’ll break their teeth! Lucien Price says The OC is about to get this work! They messed with the wrong ones! Jaida Parker says pray for mercy, because they ain’t getting none from OTM! They head to gorilla, will this be anything but Too Sweet?

Ava & Briggs talk with Jensen.

She is trying to be sympathetic towards Jensen, but attacking Je’Von unprovoked and ruining the main event is out of line! Briggs says he’s already yelled at Jensen about that, but Ava says it doesn’t matter. Jensen still did what he did. Yes, but Briggs says Jensen will be his responsibility until he gets it together. Then that better be quick, because tonight, Je’Von is not cleared for tonight. If Je’Von is cleared next week, then he’ll get a match against Jensen. Briggs says he’ll be there for that, but Jensen says he can go it alone. Jensen leaves, Briggs promises to handle that, but then he wants Spears in return.

Spears attacked Briggs and took him out for a month. Ava says she can’t have Briggs interfering in tonight’s main event then. Briggs promises to stay out of it, then leaves. Stevie Turner says why didn’t Ava just make Briggs the new partner for Trick? Robert Stone laughs at that idea. Is there a problem? Oh, to think you’d say his name. Tensions are mounting all around NXT, is this place about to explode?

The Good Brothers VS OTM w/ Jaida Parker!

NXT returns as Gallows & Anderson make their entrance, surprisingly sans Michin. The teams sort out and Gallows starts against Nima. Gallows kicks low, UPPERCUTS again and again, then has Nima in a corner. Gallows whips corner to corner, runs in to ELBOW, and Nima staggers. Gallows reels him in, suplexes high and hard, then fires up. Nima goes to a corner, Gallows run sin but Nima dodges! Nima winds up, kicks and reels Gallows in. Nima fires himself up, suplexes, and he holds Gallows up for TEN before the SLAM! The fans fire up, Nima talks trash, and says this is what they get. Nima talks trash on Anderson, too.

But Gallows gets up to UPPERCUT! And ROUNDHOUSE! Gallows pushes Nima to the corner, stomps a mudhole in, then tags Anderson. They mug Nima, and Anderson CHOPS! Nima powers Anderson all the way to the OTM corner! Tag to Price and they whip Anderson for DOUBLE ELBOWS! ELBOW DROP, AX HANDLE, and Price covers, TWO! Jaida says keep it up and Price runs in at the corner. Anderson BOOTS Price, fires hands, then CHOPS! Anderson UPPERCUTS, runs, but Price roars before he URENAGES! Price snarls while Anderson goes to a corner. Price runs in to LARIAT! Nima drags Anderson out, grins, and pushes him down.

Price tags Nima, he STOMPS Anderson’s hand, then covers, TWO! Nima DECKS Anderson, tags Price, and OTM mugs Anderson. Price talks some trash, pie faces Anderson, and he brings Anderson up. Anderson JAWBREAKERS back! Price staggers, runs back in, but into an UPPERCUT! Anderson dodges Price, hot tag to Gallows! Gallows rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! Gallows DECKS Nima, BOOTS Price, then whips Price to a corner. Gallows runs in to ELBOW Price, and he keeps moving to LEAPING UPPERCUT! The fans fire up with Big LG, and he runs in to SPLASH Price! Tag to Anderson and they BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER!

Anderson covers, but Nima breaks it! The fans are torn as Gallows fires hands on Nima! Gallows grabs at the mask! And NOW Michin shows up! She distracts Miss Parker from the crowd! Refs and security rush in, Gallows still wants Nima’s mask! Nima breaks free but Gallows UPPERCUTS! The ref reprimands but Anderson whips. Price reverses, Nima gets a cheap shot! Tag to Nima, Price DECKS Gallows! OTM gets Anderson up, SUPLEX SPINEBUSTER! Cover, OTM WINS!

Winners: OTM, by pinfall

Gallows was too ready to hurt Nima and that hurt the team! Will Nima & Price truly get Out The Mud and up the ranks in the tag division?

Fallon Henley speaks.

She’s sending this one out to Sol Ruca, the biggest waste of a title shot in NXT this year! We all know it should’ve been Fallon at Heatwave, and we’d all hear #AndNew! As for Kelani Jordan, she should enjoy her reign while it lasts, because it won’t last much longer.

Backstage interview with Sol Ruca.

The Sol Surfer finishes watching Fallon’s little message, and Kelly Kincaid says it was an incredible Heatwave for her. There are clearly detractors, though. Sol says Kelani proved why she’s the champion on Sunday, and when it comes time for a rematch, Sol is sure it’ll be a different result. As for Fallon tonight, Sol has no issue with Fallon, but clearly Fallon has issues with her. They were all in that Women’s North American Championship ladder match together, and while Sol might be newer, she’s learned in her time here that you either put in the work or turn into a b*tch. Sol wants to put in the work. As for Fallon… Well, we know what happened to her.

Sol heads out, ready to hang ten on the Toxic Cowgirl! Will the wave of momentum build back up until Sol’s going for gold again? Or will Henley make sure Fallon Comes First?

No Quarter Catch Crew meets in the parking lot.

Charlie Dempsey shouts that mistakes won’t be tolerated! And he slams a trunk closed! He says everyone makes mistakes, but mistakes are not tolerated in the NQCC. Right, Myles? Myles! Yeah, Charlie? Mistakes- Right, won’t be tolerated. Tavion says hey, do they do this often? Dempsey says let’s go. But then Wren Sinclair is a witness! She swears she didn’t see a thing. Wren hurries away, NQCC drives away. Are they really going to bury the Golden Gopher?

Sol Ruca VS Fallon Henley!

NXT returns as Fallon makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Fallon wrenches an arm to ELBOW BREAKER, then wristlocks. Sol rolls, facelocks, and the fans rally. Fallon spins to wrench and WRING, but Sol handsprings through! The fans cheer and Fallon is annoyed. She and Sol tie up,. Sol waistlocks then snapmares, but Fallon cartwheels! Fallon says it’s so~ amazing! But then Sol DROPKICKS Fallon! Fallon gets up to CHOP, then she whips. Sol handsprings through the hip toss to FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Sol scoops, Fallon slips free and shoves. Sol hurdles, comes back, but Fallon hurdles.

Sol handsprings and handstands over Fallon, but Fallon KICKS her down! And KICKS her again! Fallon taunts Sol, brings her around and RAMS her into the corner! Fallon brings Sol around to hammerlock and RAM into more buckles. The fans chant “You Still Suck!” Fallon hammerlocks Sol again, swings Sol around and around, but Sol gets loose! Fallon runs, and Fallon wrangles Sol down! Fallon drops a KNEE on the arm, covers, TWO! Fallon whips, Sol reverses and now Fallon hits buckles! Sol rolls Fallon, TWO! Fallon staggers up, Sol whips, but Fallon reverses to kick the leg! Fallon HIP DROPS the arm!

Fallon runs to CALF KICK Sol down! Cover, TWO! Fallon snarls as she clamps onto Sol. The fans rally as Sol endures the hammerlock and fights the chinbar. So Fallon shifts to a motorcycle stretch! Sol still endures, fights up to her feet, and then spins to flip and victory roll! TWO, and Fallon stands, into an ELBOW! Sol runs, springboards and CROSSBODIES! And then springboards to CROSSBODY again! Sol goes to the apron, Fallon runs up but into a ROUNDHOSUE! Sol springboards but Fallon trips her up! Sol stagger sup, Fallon runs in, FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Sol toughs it out and the fans rally up!

Fallon snarls, waistlocks, but Sol arm-drags free. Sol spins Fallon to then SPLIT-LEG STUNNER, and UP KICK! Kip up, DROPKICK! Fallon flounders, the fans fire up and Sol runs in, gets around, but Fallon fights the lift. Sol spins Fallon, Fallon SLAPS Sol! Sol fireman’s carries through, but Fallon fights free. Fallon runs in, swings, but Sol dodges, SOL SNATCHER!! But then Jacy & Jazmyn attack!

Winner: Sol Ruca, by disqualification

The fans boo as the toxic tandem mugs Sol! ROLLING ELBOW! And PELE! Jacy, Jazmyn & Fallon stand tall together, will they continue to poison the locker room until only they remain?

NXT Anonymous is watching.

Tatum says Izzi had her distracted from the title, but when Tatum sees girls like her, she just can’t help herself. All Tatum can think about is that cool girls don’t like girls like Tatum! Girls like Izzi take things away from girls like Tatum. Why is Izzi above her? The title will always be waiting, but taking care of girls like Izzi needs to be done now. And when Tatum is done playing with Izzi, Izzi will see that she is rotten. Tatum breaks her Barbie, will she do the same to Izzi? And… Wendy Choo picks the doll up. Has a playmate found Tatum when she wasn’t even looking?

Brooks Jensen is talking with someone.

But the window obscures who this person is. Is this person giving Jensen bad advice when he’s at his most vulnerable?

Ava & Stevie finish a meeting.

And they were meeting with Cedric Alexander! It was very productive, and they thank him for his time. No, he appreciates the opportunity. NXT is on fire, he is glad to be back. Then see him next week. Robert Stone finishes up a phone call and asks what is going on. Stevie got this meeting with Cedric, and now Cedric is back in NXT. High-five! Cedric heads out and Stone gets back to his call. Keep on coming, they’re right here waiting. Because turns out, Stone has arranged a meeting with Ashante THEE Adonis! He and Ava hug it out, and good to see him back in NXT. Ashante says everyone’s been sleeping on him, time to wake up.

Stone & Ava step into the office with Ashante, and then Stone tells Stevie that two can play at this game! But how interesting. Cedric & Ashante were considering being a tag team, yet each one has come back to NXT? Will they end up as competitive as Stevie and Stone?

Trick Williams & ??? VS Ethan Page & Shawn Spears!

Heatwave was wild but things are only getting hotter, because Trick still has to settle the score with All Ego & The Chair Man. But with Je’Von Evans sidelined for the night, will Trick have to go it alone? Or has he found someone who wants after Ethan Page & Shawn Spears as badly as him?

Spears makes his entrance, followed by Ethan’s, and then Trick makes his entrance. And then SAY HIS NAME AND HE APPEARS! “I believe in Joe Hendry~!” That tease at the end of Heatwave, that tease earlier tonight, Joe Hendry is back in NXT tonight! The teams sort out and Trick starts against Ethan. The bell rings, the hands start flying! Trick ROCKS Ethan, whips, but Ethan reverses, only for Trick to LEAPING LARIAT! Then Trick TOSSES Spears into the ring! Trick fires hands on Spears, but Ethan CLUBS Trick! Ethan ROCKS Trick, reels him in, but Trick fights the lift. Trick whips Ethan to the corner, SPLASHES, and then UPPERCUT!

And tag to Hendry! The fans go nuts as Trick & Hendry double whip, DOUBLE ELBOW, and “WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!” Spears runs in, but Hendry fireman’s carries for a TOSS! Hendry smiles, suplexes Ethan, and holds Ethan up for a count of TEN before the SLAM! Ethan gets up, Hendry LARIATS Ethan out! Tag to Trick, he goes up, and he SUPER CROSSBODIES onto Spears & Ethan! The fans fire up with Trick, and even Hendry cheers that. Trick and Hendry shake hands, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Trick goes out to fetch Ethan into the ring, then bumps him off buckles. Trick whips Ethan back in, then whips corner to corner. Ethan hits buckles hard and falls to his knees. Trick stands Ethan up so he can CHOP! Trick whips, runs in, but Ethan dodges the splash! Hot tag to Spears and he shoves Trick back to CHOP! Trick ends up in the corner, Ethan holds him and Spears CHOPS again! Spears follows Trick to another corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in, but Trick LARIATS Spears down! Trick drags Spears over, tags Hendry and they mug Spears. Hendry bumps Spears off buckles then UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS!

Hendry fires forearms, Spears sits down. Hendry stands Spears up to CHOP again! Hendry shakes out his hand but Spears kicks low! Spears HEADBUTTS Hendry, tags Ethan, and they mug Hendry. Ethan bumps Hendry off his boot, then fires hands! Ethan RAMS into Hendry again and again, then lets off as the ref counts. Ethan scoops to SLAM Hendry, then ELBOW misses as Hendry moves! Hendry whips, and he ELBOWS Ethan down! Hendry drags Ethan up, UPPERCUTS, and NXT returns to single picture as Hendry UPPERCUTS again! Hendry UPPERCUTS Ethan down, the fans fire up, and Hendry brings Ethan around.

Ethan wrenches out to ROUNDHOUSE, then DDT! Tag to Spears and he gets between Hendry and Trick. Spears rains down fists, then stomps Hendry on the face! The fans boo but Spears taunts Trick. Spears drags Hendry up to CHOP him! Hendry goes to the corner, Spears tags Ethan, and the Canadians mug Hendry some more. The ref counts but Ethan CHOPS Hendry! Hendry CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! But Ethan kicks low, CLUBS Hendry down, then clamps on a facelock. The fans rally, Hendry fights up, and he powers Ethan back. Ethan hops on for a GUILLOTINE with body scissors!

The fans chant “WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!” and Hendry powers out of the guillotine to suplex Ethan! The fans fire up, Hendry crawls, hot tag to Trick! Trick LEG LARIATS Ethan! And LEG LARIATS him again! Spears jumps in but gets a LEG LARIAT, too! Trick fires up, whips but Spears reverses. Spears ducks as Trick leaps, and Ethan catches Trick to URENAGE! Ethan kicks Trick out, tags Spears in, then goes to the apron, FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Ethan puts Trick in for Spears, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Trick is still in this and the fans rally up. Spears drags Trick up, scrapes him with his laces, then talks trash on Hendry.

Spears CLUBS Trick, tags Ethan, and they get Trick up. They DOUBLE SUPLEX, then Ethan covers, TWO! Ethan keeps on Trick with a facelock. Trick endures, the fans rally up, and Trick fights up. Ethan powers Trick back, tags Spears, and they mug Trick. The fans boo but Spears brings Trick around to CHOP! Ethan gives a thumbs up and Spears CHOPS again. Spears puts Trick in the corner, but Trick fires back with elbows and CHOPS! Trick runs up but Spears fireman’s carries! Trick slips free to JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Trick and Spears crawl, but Ethan drags Spears over!

The fans boo, Hendry protests, but the ref keeps Hendry back. But then ORO RETURNS! Oro is after Ethan again and the fans fire up! Oro chases Ethan into the crowd, so now Spears is the one all alone! Hot tag to Hendry! Hendry LARIATS Spears again and again! Hendry whips Spears to the corner, runs in, but into a KNEE! Spears runs up, but into a wrench and DDT! Hendry fires up and the fans are with him! Hendry whips Spears, catches Spears’ crossbody, and he fires up as he FALL AWAY SLAMS! Hendry has the fans behind him as Spears rises. Hendry poses for the camera, then goes back to Spears.

Spears runs up but Hendry TOSSES him out! TRICK SHOT! Trick puts Spears in for Hendry, and the CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, Hendry & Trick win!

Winners: Trick Williams & Joe Hendry, by pinfall

Hendry gets everyone to wave their hands with him, and now everyone in NXT believes! Trick still wants after Ethan and that NXT Championship, but will Main Man Mensah get his pound of flesh first?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT to follow up Heatwave but also to get us back to some TNA crossover. Now, I will say that Wes Lee wanting to give up all because he didn’t win the North American Championship seems like bad writing, mostly on the character of Wes Lee. Why not say, “Time to go for the top title!” This is when pro-wrestling kinda gets in its own way. Yes, the NXT Championship is spoken for because Trick wants after Ethan, but c’mon, where is Wes’s fighting spirit? But at the same time, still awesome to have a Rascalz reunion and now they can go for all sorts of things. And after that great Gallus VS Igwe & Dupont match, I like that we’re getting Gallus VS Rascalz, and also making this NXT VS TNA on some level. Seriously, Worlds Collide needs to return for such a reason.

And also, how great for Joe Hendry to come back. In retrospect, wouldn’t it have been an even bigger moment if this was Hendry’s NXT debut? Though, perhaps then the teases from Heatwave and tonight wouldn’t have made sense. But great use of intertwining stories, as Jensen returns only to break Ava’s trust with that attack on Je’Von. It is clear they’re building to Jensen becoming Spears’ sidekick, and after next week’s Jensen VS Je’Von and eventual Spears VS Briggs, pretty sure we’ll get Spears & Jensen VS Briggs & Je’Von. Hendry helping Trick fight Spears & Ethan, and Oro getting after Ethan, that was all good stuff, and I feel like Hendry might get himself in on an NXT Championship contender’s match. Great American Bash is only a month away, after all.

Great Heritage Cup match, and I almost predicted how Eddy was going to be involved. Instead of him waiting to blast EDM to mess with Lexis, he was just kinda doing it the whole time. Lexis can certainly claim that threw him off his game and that’s why he lost, and that leads us to Lexis VS Eddy. I still want to see Tony win a Heritage Cup match by knockout. Good promo from NQCC and hilarious little bit from Wren Sinclair, and it seems they really are writing Damon Kemp off, as his contract has expired. I thought he was doing a great job, but it seems the WWE just couldn’t figure things out for him, even in this NQCC story.

An equally surprising move is how Cedric Alexander AND Ashante THEE Adonis are returning to NXT, yet separately. They were supposed to be a team on main roster, but we got nothing past vignettes, so maybe in some weird roundabout way, their tag team comes here to NXT. Or perhaps, they become the proxies for Stevie and Stone in their fight to be the best assistant, as I was theorizing a few weeks ago. And great stuff from Good Brothers VS OTM. I had a feeling Mia was waiting to show up at the right moment to mess with Jaida, but it surprisingly didn’t cost OTM. I think they really need some kind of Mixed Six blowoff. Make it a tornado tag, too, so there’s just chaos the whole time.

Great stuff from Chase U tonight, with Ridge’s special gift to everyone being title matches. Thea VS Izzi was a really good match, and helped bring out more of this Tatum Paxley story. Tatum is obsessed with the “cool” Izzi, and then Wendy showing up, I’d love having Tatum and Wendy as a sort of “weird girl” tag team. Thea winning tonight, I’d love to see a build of her and Roxanne Perez, give us the “hard worker VS prodigy” trope there. I also appreciated Duke wasn’t that excited to be facing big bad Oba, even if it is for the title. Duke VS Oba is going to be some real fun with big meaty men slapping meat, but Oba is definitely winning out.

Karmen VS Arianna was a good match, but clearly the real focus is on Fallon, Jacy & Jazmyn becoming more and more of an official trio. Great match from Sol VS Fallon, even with it being “ruined” in the end, and I think we’re going to get a Six Woman Tag of this new toxic alliance VS Sol, Karmen & Arianna. Then perhaps someone from the winning side, presumably the Heels, gets their shot at Kelani and the Women’s North American title for Great American Bash.

My Score: 8.9/10