Bostooon~! Please say hello to your C E O!

AEW returns to Boston for a Spring Breakthru! But will Bean Town’s own Mercedes Mone move on in the Women’s Owen Hart Cup? Or will the Fallen Goddess derail the Money Train?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 2025 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal Round: Mercedes Mone VS Athena; Mone wins and advances to Double or Nothing.
• 2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Hangman Page VS Josh Alexander; Hangman wins and advances to the semifinals.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin VS The Gates of Agony; Lashley & Shelton win and retain the titles.
• 2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal Round: Will Ospreay VS Konosuke Takeshita; Ospreay wins and advances to Double or Nothing.
• AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS The Opps & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; The Opps & Hobbs win and become the new AEW World Trios Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

BREAKING NEWS for tonight!

Before cameras were rolling, the Death Riders attacked the already hurting Hook, so now he is ruled out of action for tonight! Even so, Samoa Joe & Katsuyori Shibata will still battle Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta for the AEW World Trios Championships. Will it end up a 3v2 Handicap? Or can the Opps find another partner in time for the main event?

2025 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal Round: Mercedes Mone VS Athena!

Boston fires up as their C E O is here, one match away from going Double or Nothing for the Owen Hart Cup. But will #FourBeltsMone get a win over the Forever ROH Women’s Champion? Or will Athena prove she is every bit the Fallon Goddess, the Minion Overlord, the American Joshi, and THE most dominant women’s champion in all of wrestling today?

The bell rings and the fans are strongly behind “C E O! C E O!” Mone. Mone and Athena stare down, slowly circle, and hear the fans are already losing their minds for this veritable dream match. Athena and Mone tie up, go around, and Mone arm-drags Athena. They tie up again, Athena arm-drags Mone now. They tie up a third time, end up on the ropes, then tumble out to the apron and ramp! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but Mone and Athena stand up to go up the ramp and to the stage! They finally break, and both women tell the other that the cup is theirs. The fans fire up as Athena and Mone reset to tie up on stage!

Mone waistlocks, Athena fights it, and they go all the way back down the ramp, to tumble into the ring this time! The fans fire up as the two fight up, and Athena reaches back to headlock. Mone powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and the fans fire up more. Mone and Athena stare down, tie up, and then Athena arm-drags! Athena trips Mone to a cover, ONE! Mone trips Athena to a cover, ONE! Athena hits an Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Mone reels Athena in, hooks the arms and turns her for a backslide, TWO! Athena mule kicks, her fans getting louder for her, and Athena reels Mone in for a cradle! TWO, and the two roll and roll and roll!

The fans fire up as the two keep rolling, rolling, rolling, and then finally stops for Mone, TWO! Both women stand up, a bit dizzy, and the fans fire up again. Athena eggs Mone on, Mone storms up on her, and the two tie up again. They’re in another deadlock, but Athena powers Mone back. They’re on the ropes, the ref counts, and Athena slowly lets go. Athena whips, Mone tilt-oi-whirls and rolls Athena up, TWO! Athena kicks, Mone blocks, and Mone KNEES Athena! The fans duel and Mone runs, sunset flip BUCKLE BOMB! Shoutout to an old friend and Mone runs corner to corner. METEORA! Cover, ONE!!

Mone is shocked, but Athena is a champion of over 857 days for a reason. Mone drags Athena up, brings her in, turns her again, Gory especial! But Athena flips through, reels Mone into a reverse sunset! TWO, and Athena wrenches Mone to SOBAT! And ENZIGIRI! Mone goes to a corner while the fans fire up. Athena runs, handspring and LARIAT! The fans fire up as Athena cradles again, TWO! Mone stays in this, Athena is annoyed, but the fans fire up more. Athena ROCKS Mone, reels her in, and UPPERCUTS! The fans decide to cheer on the Celtics since they can all agree on that, and Athena whips Mone to ropes.

Mone ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, and LA MYSTICA into the STATEMENT MAKER CROSSFACE! Athena endures, reaches out, and fights around. Mone flips over to block the ropebreak, but Athena uses that to roll Mone for a cover! ROPEBREAK, but then they both tumble to the apron then the floor! Mone still has the crossface on! The ref reprimands, but Mone just wants Athena to pass out at this point! The ring count starts, Mone lets go of Athena, then drags her up. Mone whips, but Athena reverses and she puts Mone int he ring! But Mone METEORAS at the apron! Athena’s stuck in the ropes, dangling over the floor!

The fans fire up as Mone goes back to the apron, stands over Athena, and does her dance! Athena tries to sit up, but Mone waves bye-bye. WOE STOMPS miss as Athena reclines back! Mone hobbles as a leg jams, and Athena grabs her! STUNNER to the floor! The fans fire up again while both women are down, and Dynamite goes picture in picture!

The ref seems to let off on the ring count with both women stirring slowly. Aubrey Edwards checks, Athena and Mone are okay to continue, so Aubrey ushers them into the ring. Athena rises up, brings Mone around to SMACK her off the apron, and then stalks after her as she goes to railing. Athena CHOPS Mone, the fans fire up, and Mone is sputtering as she staggers away. Athena storms up but Mone pushes her to railing, then CHOPS her in return! Mone puts Athena in the ring, storms up and HIP DROPS! Mone then clamps on for a chinlock and stretches Athena back. Athena endures, fights up, and Mone is a backpack!

Athena hits a BACKPACK STUNNER! Cover, TWO! Mone stays in this, then crawls to a corner, but Athena seethes as she storms over to her. Athena fires forearms, whips corner to corner, then runs up, only for Mone to slip out to the apron! Athena hits buckles, Mone pulls her into the ropes, then climbs up for the STOCK DROP! Cover, TWO! Athena survives and Mone is growing frustrated. It doesn’t help that fans are now torn down the middle. Mone drags Athena up, whips, but Athena reverses to TOSS Mone out! Athena builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and they hit the desk! Both women are down again and the ref has to check them again.

Mone and Athena are still in this, and Athena slowly crawls her way over to Mone. Mone tries to get away while Spring Breakthru returns to single picture. The fans duel, “Fallen Goddess!” “C E O!” as Athena and Mone hear the ring count. They both spring in at 9.5! Mone and Athena go forehead to forehead, then go forearm for forearm! Athena ROCKS Mone, but then Mone ROCKS Athena! The forearms keep going, then Mone changes toa CHOP! Athena CHOPS, Mone CHOPS again! Athena fires a flurry of strikes, but Mone blocks the mule kick to spin and DECK Athena! But Athena kips up to SUPERKICK Mone!

The fans fire up as Athena gut wrenches Mone, tucks her in, but Mone kicks and flails! Mone turns this around on Athena, powers up to keep Athena up, but then Athena fights to turn this back around! The fans are thunderous as Mone turns it around again! CIPHER UTAKI! The fans give a standing ovation while both women are down! Mone crawls to cover, TWO!! Athena is still in this and Mone is beside herself. Mone looks to the cup, hears the fans dueling, and she drags Athena to the corner. Mone goes up, reels Athena in, and TORNADO DDTS! Then a tilt-o-whirl, DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Athena survives and Mone is in shock!

“This is Awesome!” as Mone thinks on what more she must do to end this. Mone drags Athena up, fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this is just the start of the show! Mone SLAPS Athena, reels her in, and snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga, and Mone brings Athena up again. Dos Amigas, and Mone brings Athena up again! Mone gives Athena THREE AMIGAS, but she’s not done! Mone gives some Latina Heat, but Athena wrenches out! Athena shoves, pops Mone up, POWERBOMB! High stack, deadlift, and POWERBOMB again! And POWERBOMB AGAIN! Athena flips Mone over, reels her back in, and Canadian Racks!

But Mone slips around to hit a BACKBREAKER! Both women are down again and the fans are thunderous! Mone drags Athena back up, ROCKS her, but Athena fires back! Athena UPPERCUTS, but Mone fires a flurry of forearms! The fans are torn as Mone just HAMMERS away! Mone soaks up the cheers and jeers, but Athena fireman’s carries! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a cover, TWO! Mone scrambles away to a corner while Athena snarls. Athena storms up on Mone, but Mone ROCKS Athena first! Mone fires another forearm, and another, the fans continue to duel, and Mone whips. Athena reverses and UPPERCUTS to the back!

Athena goes side to side, Mone dodges and runs back in, METEORA! Athena tumbles out of the ring while Mone scowls. Mone goes out to the apron, brings Athena up, and reels her in for a waistlock. She’s aiming for the floor! Athena holds onto the ropes for dear life! Mone shifts to get back up, then CLUBS the arms! Athena grabs the middle rope to stop the suplex! Athena powers up to stand on the apron, only for Mone to now shift and SUNSET FLIP! Athena still holds onto the ropes! Mone reaches up like a spider to get her legs involved, but Athena just stomps away on Mone! The fans fire up as Athena roars!

Athena scowls, drags Mone up with a waistlock, but now Mone holds onto the ropes! Mone elbows free, then slips around to Gory Especial! Athena fights free, pushes Mone, and BOOTS her down! Mone sputters but Athena is in the ropes, to SNAP POWERSLAM Mone on the apron! Athena drags Mone in for a cover, TWO!! Mone survives and now Athena is growing frustrated. The fans are thunderous again as Athena clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Athena wants to make a statement of her own with this! Mone endures, reaches out, and Mone kicks off the ropes! They roll around, and now Mone has the CROSSFACE!!

Athena endures, fights up, rolls to a cover, TWO! Mone lets go in time, but then Athena reels her in! Athena hauls Mone up for a Canadian Rack! But Mone fights free again! Mone shoves Athena into a corner, BLINDSIDE LARIATS, then Mone brings Athena around. Athena dodges the haymaker to CHOP! Athena and Mone are both running on fumes but Athena hauls Mone up to the Canadian Rack, SIDEWINDER! But Mone flops out of the ring! The fans are torn while Athena is pulling at her hair in frustration! Athena sees Mone floundering on the floor, goes out and lines up a shot, then runs in, only to be THROWN into railing!

Athena writhes from that crash and Mone has a sinister grin. Mone drags Athena up, puts her on the barriers, but Athena drags Mone up to join her! The fans rally as both women sit up, then stand up! The SLAPS start going off! Athena ROCKS Mone, reels her in, and hits a GOURD- NO, Mone lands out! Athena leaps, Mone dodges, but Athena comes back to SHOTGUN Mone into the LED barriers! Athena puts Mone in, goes up a corner, O- NO!! Mone blocks the stunner to rolling body scissor clutch! Cover, MONE WINS!!

Winner: Mercedes Mone, by pinfall (advances to Double or Nothing)

It was a true epic between these two, but Mone wins in her hometown! And now- TONI STORM IS HERE! The Timeless AEW Women’s World Champion is here among her people in the upper deck to applaud the first finalist in the 2025 Women’s Owen Hart Tournament. Will Mone not just go Double or Nothing but hit the jackpot and go All In with Toni in Texas?

Backstage interview with Hangman Page.

Renee Paquette is with the Cowboy, and says she will try this question again from last week. Coming up in mere moments, he faces the Wild Card in the Owen Hart Cup. How has he prepared for this match? Hangman says it is the Wild Card, how can he- The Elite interrupts. The Young Bucks step in and say hey, been a minute. In fact, it was last year’s Blood & Guts when Hangman walked out on them and cost them the entire match. But hey, Matt knows Hangman’s about to apologize, but they’ve already forgiven him, it’s all good. Nick says my God in Heaven, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, does Hangman look good!

And Nick knows that Hangman is happy now, because the Bucks cost Swerve the world title like Hangman wanted. It’s like they’re best friends again. This is great. Now, one more thing. This whole issue Hangman has with Moxley and the Death Riders? Yeah, they can fix that. They’ll patch things up. Because between you and them, the Death Riders are crazy. But The Elite are sure they can get the Death Riders on their side. So here’s what Hangman is gonna do. Hangman is gonna win The Owen, he’ll bring the world title back to The Elite, let The Bucks handle the rest. You got this, Hanger! Go get ’em, champ!

Nick & Matt walk out, but Okada hangs back long enough to ask Hangman, “Why you always angry? Smile! Like this!” Okada has a big goofy grin, Hangman just heads out. Okada says, “B*tch!” Hangman storms back in and Okada apologizes. Just smile. Hangman leaves again, and Okada rolls his eyes. Will the Rainmaker learn not to push Hangman’s buttons if he knows what’s good for him?

2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Hangman Page VS ???

Spring Breakthru returns as The Cowboy makes his entrance. The Elite is backing his play for the Cup and the AEW World Championship, but who is Hangman even facing? We’ve been waiting since the brackets were announced, and the answer is… JOSH ALEXANDER! The fans go nuts as the Walking Weapon is in Boston! Will Alexander make an impact on this year’s Owen Hart Cup?

The bell rings, the fans fire up already, and Hangman stares down Alexander. The two circle, the fans duel, and the two tie up. They break, reset, and tie up again. They break again, circle some more, and they tie up. Hangman goes for an arm, wrenches to a wristlock, but Alexander rolls, wrenches, and BACKDROPS Hangman to then have a wristlock. Hangman fights around, rolls and handsprings up to wrench and headlock. Alexander powers up and out, Hangman RAMS him, but Alexander stays up! The fans cheer, and Hangman fires a forearm! Alexander fires a forearm, Hangman fires back, repeat!

Hangman fires a flurry, puts Alexander in a corner, but Alexander ELBOWS him! Alexander runs through Hangman to then come back and BOOT him down! The fans fire up and Alexander paces around Hangman. Alexander stands Hangman up to CHOP! The fans “WOO~!” and Alexander CHOPS Hangman in the corner! Alexander wrenches, whips, but Hangman reverses to scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM! Hangman kips up, the fans fire up, and Hangman runs corner to corner, LARIAT for Alexander! Hangman snapmares, runs, but Alexander avoids the sliding lariat! Alexander blocks a boot, spins Hangman, but Hangman ROLLING ELBOWS!

Hangman whips Alexander, Alexander reverses, then Alexander runs up. Hangman puts him on the apron and Alexander hobbles. Hangman runs to triangle jump LARIAT! Alexander falls to the apron then the floor while the fans fire up. Hangman storms up, takes aim, but Alexander avoids the plancha! FLAPJACK off the apron! Alexander huffs ‘n’ puffs while Hangman staggers away. Alexander runs up, but Hangman avoids a boot! Alexander gets stuck on the railing and Hangman BOOTS him in return! Hangman refreshes the ring count, then goes up along the ramp. Hangman aims from the stage…!?

Hangman FLYING LARIATS Alexander off the railing! The fans lose their minds while Hangman scowls and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Hangman refreshes the ring count again, then fetches Alexander. Hangman puts Alexander in the ring, covers, TWO! Hangman keeps his cool as he brings Alexander up. Hangman ROCKS Alexander, ROCKS him again, and has him in the corner. Hangman fires more forearms, but Alexander turns things around to fire forearms in return! Alexander CHOPS Hangman, then signals one more time. Alexander runs, but Hangman BOOTS him! Hangman goes up, but Alexander hurries to fireman’s carry! ROLLING SENTON! Alexander goes up the corner, FLYING KNEE! cover, TWO! Hangman stays in this but Alexander stays focused.

Alexander drags Hangman around by a leg, then pulls on that leg. Hangman fights the toehold, throws hands, but Alexander stomps away on the leg! Alexander then hits as GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Hangman crawls to ropes but Alexander is right on him. Alexander brings Hangman up for a BIG back suplex! Alexander paces around Hangman, brings him around, and drops a KNEE! Cover, TWO! Hangman is frustrated with himself, but Alexander KNEES him in the back! Alexander clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Hangman down. Hangman endures, fights up, and Spring Breakthru returns to single picture.

The fans rally, Hangman fights up, and Hangman JAWBREAKERS free! Hangman stands, but Alexander BELL CLAPS him! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Hangman stays in this but Alexander stays cool. Alexander looms over Hangman, drags him back up and reels him in. Hangman fights the lift, but Alexander CLUBS away on Hangman’s back! Alexander runs, LARIATS, but Hangman stays up! In fact, Hangman looks pissed! Alexander eggs Hangman on, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Alexander BOOTS the next lariat away, then ducks the southpaw to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hangman lands out!

Hangman runs up to DISCUS LARIAT!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! A standing count starts, and both men are still down at 5 of 10. They rise up at 6, and Alexander goes to the apron. Hangman storms out to join him, and the fans fire up already. Hangman stands Alexander up to Alabama Lift, but Alexander CLUBS Hangman down! Alexander reels Hangman in, but Hangman BACKDROPS Alexander on the apron! Alexander slumps down while Hangman steadies himself. The fans fire up for Hangman as he climbs a corner! Hangman goes up to the top, ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit on Alexander!

Hangman puts Alexander in, dodges a lariat to POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Alexander survives and Hangman is a bit surprised, but the fans continue to rally and duel. Hangman brings Alexander up to scoop, but Alexander fights that to gut wrench! But Hangman drops, only for Alexander to stuff the victory roll! Cover, TWO! Hangman runs up, Alexander dodges, BLINDSIDE FOREARM! Then a torture rack, TOWER HACKER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Hangman survives, but Alexander has the ANKLE LOCK!! Hangman endures, reaches out, crawls forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Hangman uses that to stand and ENZIGIRI!

Alexander wobbles, Hangman goes up the corner again, QUEBRADA into a reverse suplex, for a TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!! Alexander survives, this is why he’s a former two-time Impact World Champion! The fans rally up, both men rise, and Hangman is on the apron! But Alexander scrambles away to deny the Buckshot! The fans are torn, but Hangman storms back in. Hangman runs up, but Alexander avoids the boot to ROCK Hangman, and then scoop him, APRON POWERSLAM!! Alexander sits Hangman up on the apron to then run and BODY CHECK him to the floor! The fans fire up as Alexander puts Hangman back in!

Alexander pounds the mat, the fans fire up, and Alexander reels Hangman in. Alexander lifts but Hangman skips free! Alexander ducks the enzigiri and has the ANKLE LOCK! But Hangman turns over to BOOT Alexander away! Alexander rebounds, Hangman cradles, HANGMAN WINS!!

Winner: Hangman Page, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Alexander is shocked! Hangman just got him with a technical move! Hangman will be facing Kyle Fletcher in the semifinals, and speaking of, “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” The Protostar makes his presence known, Don Callis by his side. The Don Callis Family wants to dominate Double or Nothing, but Hangman dares Kyle to do something about it now. Callis moves aside, he still has to be here for Konosuke Takeshita’s match later. Hangman storms up to the ramp, Kyle takes a swing, and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Hangman runs up, but Kyle TOSSES him back into the ring! Kyle runs corner to corner, but into a LARIAT!

The fans fire up as Hangman takes aim, but Callis whispers something to Alexander? Kyle scrambles out of the ring, and Alexander CLOBBERS Hangman from behind?! Why would he do that?! The straps come down, and Alexander drags Hangman up, POWERBOMB!! What did Callis say to convince Alexander to do this? Is Alexander the newest member of the Don Callis Family?! The fans tell Callis off, but this all lets Kyle drag Hangman up. Suplex and BRAINBUSTER!! Will this be how it goes in the eventual Owen Hart Cup semifinal match? Or will the Aussie Arrow be shot down by a Buckshot?

The Patriarchy speaks.

Specifically, Nick Wayne says, “The Patriarchy is a hierarchy. And who’s at the top? The father. So when the father disappears, either the whole structure collapses on itself, or someone needs to-” Kip Sabian notices someone off screen, and he taps Nick on the shoulder. Nick asks what’s going on, then looks over. It’s CHRISTIAN CAGE! Christian walks over and says, “Daddy’s home, Nick. It’s been quite a month for you, hasn’t it? And I’ve been watching from afar, and I couldn’t happen to notice one of those weeks, you said you knew the reason why I executed the contract at Revolution and didn’t stick to the plan. But you wanted to say it to my face. Well, say it.”

Nick says the reason Christian didn’t stick to the plan is because he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if Cope became AEW World Champion before Christian did. Oh, is that what Nick thinks? Well, that’s what Nick thinks, so it isn’t a fact, it’s just an assumption. And to assume makes an ass out of you and me. But what is fact is, the last time they saw each other face to face, Nick had a fire lit under him. Christian liked that. Make no mistake, Christian gave Nick this month to find himself. To find the confidence to keep that flame growing. Christian was impressed with what Nick did while Christian was away.

So impressed, in fact, that Christian got Nick something. It has been a lifelong dream for Nick to wrestle for NJPW, in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. So Christian took it upon himself to procure a spot for Nick in that tournament. Now, the best way to get ready for a tournament like BOSJ, Nick, is to keep your momentum going. That is what they will do. Christian will keep Nick very busy until it is time to head for Japan. That starts tomorrow night, Collision: Spring Breakthru, here in Boston. Nick will face one of the best super juniors in the world, Komander, for his ROH World Television Championship.

Christian knows Nick will go out there, win that match, and do it by himself. Nick’s gonna that title home to The Patriarchy, isn’t he? Because Christian knows his baby boy wouldn’t intentionally let his father down, now would he? Christian pats Nick on the cheek, to then basically SLAP him! Nick is fuming, Mother Shayna calms him down, but Christian has her and Kip follow him out. The Patriarchy’s Prodigy has that fire inside, but will that flame blaze a trail to the top of the wrestling world? Or is it going to burn him up inside?

FTR has been suspended!

Given their actions last week, both threatening Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness, as well as going too far with Matthew Menard, Angelo Parker and Daniel Garcia, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler have been suspended for one week, and their paychecks for this week have also been docked as a fine. Will this time off help FTR realize where they’ve gone wrong?

AEW World Tag Team Championships: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin VS The Gates of Agony!

While the All Mighty & Standard of Excellence neither want nor need Maxwell Jacob Friedman, they do need to defend the titles. And while the Hurt Syndicate hurts people, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona are pretty sure they break people. Will the Gates of Agony once again be golden? Or will the Gates be ripped right off the hinges?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really brings the pain!

The teams sort out and Liona just CLOBBERS Lashley & Shelton! Liona fires off on Shelton, the fans boo, but Liona CHOPS! Liona whips, Shelton turns the backdrop into a DDT, but Liona is right up! Liona HEADBUTTS Shelton in the chest! MVP is on commentary now as Liona calls to Kaun. The Gates coordinate, and Liona runs to HIP ATTACK Shelton in the corner! Kaun runs in and METEORAS! Then Kaun PLANCHAS onto Lashley! Liona covers Shelton, TWO! The fans rally, Liona tags Kaun, and now they get Shelton up. They mug Shelton in an open corner, the ref counts and reprimands, and the fans are torn.

Kaun CHOKES Shelton, lets off as the ref counts, and Kaun mockingly applauds. Kaun CLUBS Shelton, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again. Kaun whips, Shelton reverses, but Kaun blocks a kick! The DRAGON WHIP still finds him! The fans fire up as Shelton drags Kaun up and brings him over. Tag to Lashley and he runs to RAM Kaun in the corner! The fans fire up as Lashley RAMS Kaun again and again! Lashley turns Kaun, Kaun slips free and CHOPS! Kaun runs, but Lashley blows past him, then clinches for a FLATLINER! The fans sing, “We Hurt~ People!” as Lashley suplexes high and hard!

The fans fire up for Lashley as he goes corner to corner, but Kaun ELBOWS him away! Lashley LARIATS Kaun up and out! Lashley goes out to then RAM Kaun into railing! Lashley leaves Kaun behind while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Lashley tags Shelton, Shelton drags Kaun up to RAM him into the apron! And then the railing! Then back to the apron! Then back to the railing! Shelton throws Kaun into the ring, storms up and brings Kaun around, scop and TOSS! Shelton paces around Kaun, drags him up, and then TOSSES him back out! Tag to Lashley and Lashley storms over to Kaun. The fans fire up as Lashley THROWS Kaun over the desk! Kaun takes the desk hood with him, and MVP talks trash while Kaun’s on the floor. Lashley returns to drag Kaun up and around, just to THRWO him into railing! Kaun slumps down and Lashley revels in the cheers.

Lashley drags Kaun back up, puts him back in the ring, and Lashley stalks Kaun. Lashley drags Kaun up, but Kaun fires forearms! Kaun CHOPS, but Lashley KNEES low! Lashley whips Kaun to a corner, but Kaun goes up, only to get caught! OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, ONE!! Kaun stays in this, proof of how the Gates were once ROH World and ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions. Lashley tags Shelton, they mug Kaun, then Shelton stands Kaun up. Kaun fires a forearm, Shelton fires back, and repeat! Spring Breakthru returns to single picture as Kaun fires a flurry! Shelton ROCKS him with just one!

Shelton drags Kaun up, fires a flurry of his own, and then whips Kaun to ropes. Kaun ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Shelton dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shelton and Kaun crawl, hot tag to Liona! Liona runs in, fires forearms, then whips. Shelton ducks ‘n’ waistlocks, but Liona fires elbows. Liona shoves Shelton, then SAMOAN DROPS on the return! Liona basement SUPERKICKS, then he runs to SENTON! Cover, Lashley breaks it! Lashley bumps Liona off buckles again and again, then shouts to Shelton to get up. But Liona grabs Lashley by the neck! Liona puts Lashley in the corner, and he fires an UPPERCUT!

Liona roars, then fires POINT-BLANK LARIAT again and again! The fans count along, Liona goes to nine, then reels Lashley in, only for Lashley to slip around! HURT LOCK!! Liona is caught, but Kaun BOOTS Lashley down! Liona then LARIATS Lashley up and out! Tag to Kaun, Liona goes out to go after Lashley! Liona whips Lashley hard into railing! Kaun SHOTGUNS Shelton! Kaun hauls Shelton back up, fireman’s carries, but Shelton slips free! Shelton waistlocks, Kaun fires elbows, and Kaun runs, but into a SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Shelton now waits on Kaun to get up. GERMAN SUPLEX!

Shelton stays fired up, he hits another GERMAN SUPLEX! Liona runs in, Shelton DUMPS him out! Liona lands on his feet, talks trash, but Lashley SPEARS Liona down! MVP is fired up, Boston is loving it, and the Hurt Syndicate has Kaun isolated. Shelton runs up to KNEE, then tag to Lashley! SPEAR!! Cover, Hurt Syndicate wins!

Winners: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

The Gates of Agony may dominate ROH, but The Hurt Syndicate still runs AEW! And wait, here comes MJF. Lashley is annoyed by this scumbag’s persistence, but the fans cheer as MJF makes his way to the ring. MJF has the mic to tell them to cut his music, and the fans cheer him on. MJF says, “Ladies and gentlemen, enough about how great I am. Although, I am enjoying it, don’t get me wrong. But give it up for the Hurt Syndicate, baby!” The fans cheer, and MVP says see? MJF’s not all bad. The fans sing, “We Hurt~ People!” but MJF says no, Boston is way too white, and they’re not even on the same beat, so just stop.

But here’s the deal: As they know, MJF brings a lot to the table. Montel knows this, Shelton knows this–and he looks great by the way–and well, not to name names, but some of us are slow learners. Lashley gets mad because we know who he means, and MVP asks MJF why he has to do that. MVP gets Lashley to calm down, and MJF apologizes. Did he say a name, though? Boston says no, he didn’t. MJF thanks them for having his back. Now, when MJF talks about the talent he brings to the table, he’s not talking about his own. No, no, because MJF has some talent in the back that is just dying- MVP says MJF just needs to put the cards on the table, he already pissed Lashley off as it is.

MVP says he loves Max and, but get to the point. MJF says he loves Montel, too. But they’re gonna really like this. Bring ’em out! The Hurt Syndicate music plays as some of Boston’s finest ladies make their way out on stage. MJF seems to have piqued the Hurt Syndicate’s interest as these eight ladies make their way to the ring. MJF has the music cut, the ladies have towels to dry the guys down, and MJF says the Hurt Syndicate can have a night on the town with all these lovely ladies. All MJF requests are the three thumbs up for him to join up. The floor is theirs. MVP asks Shelton and Lashley to do this one more time.

MVP still gives his thumbs up. Shelton? Shelton, pay attention! Shelton stops staring at the ladies long enough to say this is all very nice. But uh, he might need a little more time. Boston boos, MJF tells them it’s cool, it’s fine, everybody shut up! But what does Shelton mean more time? They’ve been talking about this for weeks! Shelton says he’s gonna need some time. Shelton… Are you saying you want the watch on MJF’s wrist? Yes, exactly. MJF knew he liked Shelton! Okay, okay, hear him out. MJF will give him this watch. All Shelton needs to do is give the thumbs up. The fans cheer, and Shelton looks between watch and ladies, then holds out his hand.

Shelton smiles, and gives a thumbs u- Uhhh… Lashley is staring Shelton down… So Shelton gives a thumbs down!? Lashley intimidated Shelton into saying no! MJF says c’mon! They must be out their da- mocracy! MJF loves him some democracy! And he respects the power of the vote! Hell, MJF even respects the power of the people! Maybe not these people, but you get his point. Shelton, what MJF thinks is that he’s growing on Shelton. And tell you what. As a token of his appreciation, MJF will still give him the watch. In fact, if Shelton still wants the ladies, he can still have the ladies. The fans cheer that!

And just know that when MJF joins the Hurt Syndicate, there will be plenty more watches ‘n’ women where that came from. MJF steps out, and he says one more thing, “Bob.” MJF respects him, he is the All Mighty, he’s known for being strong. But y’know what MJF’s known for? Getting what he wants. MVP keeps Lashley calm, the fans chant “He’s Our Scumbag!” MJF asks Lashley if he knows why MJF gets what he wants. He’ll tell you why. It’s because he is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and he’s better than you, and you know it. MJF drops the mic then takes his leave. But if possessions and pleasures won’t tempt Lashley, what must MJF offer to change his mind?

AEW returns and…

Alicia Atout catches The Hurt Syndicate and MJF’s ladies heading out. She congratulates them on the impressive win, but brings up that MJF is very persistent. MVP stops her there, wanting to talk with the guys first. MJF asks MJF’s ladies to give them a second, but not to wander off too far now. Lashley again says he still doesn’t trust MJF. MVP knows, but he says Lashley is having a personal reaction to MJF. This is business. Look at it from the business standpoint. MVP knows MJF can be… Annoying? Yes, annoying, but think businesswise. They can still use MJF to get what they want. So all MVP is asking is for Lashley to ease up.

MVP will give Lashley his word: The moment MJF steps outta line… Well, they’ll save that for later. Right now, can we just have a good night? Shelton asks, “Please?” Lashley says sure thing. Ladies, shall we? Yass~! Lashley, Shelton, MVP and the ladies head out to enjoy the Boston nightlife, but will the All Mighty actually give in to the Devil of AEW?

2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal Round: Will Ospreay VS Konosuke Takeshita!

Stemming from the Don Callis Family dysfunction and fallout, these two are 1-1 from their instant classics last year. Aerial Assassin once again battles The Alpha, who takes the tiebreaker to go Double or Nothing?

Callis of course joins commentary for this one, but is annoyed that there’s another Callis cosplayer. The bell rings and the fans fire up behind Ospreay. The fans lose their minds already as Ospreay and Konosuke stare down. The two slowly circle, the fans fire up more, and the two tie up. Konosuke waistlocks, Ospreay switches, but Konosuke wrenches out. Ospreay rolls and gets free, and Konosuke applauds. The two reset, feel things out, knuckle lock, and then go shoulder to shoulder. Ospreay rolls back, spins, and wrangles Konosuke with a top wristlock. Konosuke fights up, trips Ospreay and has a toehold.

Ospreay uses his free leg to drag Konosuke down. Konosuke clasps hands to fight the armbar, but his shoulders are down so it’s a cover. TWO as Konosuke sits up, and he works to stack Ospreay. ONE as Ospreay pushes Konosuke back down. Konosuke rolls, traps Ospreay’s legs with his own, then waistlocks. Konosuke shifts to get a half nelson, and he turns Ospreay over to a lateral press, ONE! The two stand off and the fans tell off Callis. Callis looks over his shoulder at the fans flipping him off while Konosuke and Ospreay go to corners. Callis says he does not appreciate this treatment, he is simply helping “elevate” commentary.

Ospreay and Konosuke tie up, Konosuke powers Ospreay to a corner, but the ref counts. Konosuke lets off, but then winds up! Ospreay avoids the elbow and wags his finger. The fans cheer and Konosuke nods. Ospreay and Konosuke reset, tie up, and Konosuke pulls hair to put Ospreay on the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke lets go at 4, but then he tries to sneak a headlock, only for Ospreay to turn things around. Ospreay lets off, to CHOP! The fans fire up while Konosuke goes to the corner. The ref has Ospreay hold on, and the fans fire up as Ospreay backs off. Boston sings for “Ospreay~! Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~!” as Konosuke storms up.

Ospreay and Konosuke tie up again, and Konosuke headlocks, Ospreay powers up but Konosuke holds on tight. Ospreay fights up, fires body shots, then powers out, only for Konosuke to run him over! But Ospreay kips up! Only for Konosuke to throw him down by his hair! The fans boo but Konosuke smirks and runs. Ospreay stays low, hurdles over, but Konosuke leaps! Things keep moving, Ospreay arm-drags to have the armlock! The fans fire up for Ospreay while Konosuke fights up. Konosuke pulls hair again, the ref counts, so Konosuke whips Ospreay to ropes. Ospreay KICKS the backdrop away, then runs, but into a POP-UP- RANA!!

The fans fire up again and Ospreay feeds off that energy! Ospreay runs up and CHOPS in the corner! Then he snapmares Konosuke along the ropes, goes to the apron, and slingshot SENTONS! The fans fire up and Ospreay paces. Ospreay drags Konosuke up while the fans chant “BRUV! BRUV! BRUV!” Ospreay stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke fires a forearm. Ospreay SOBATS, whips, but Konosuke reverses. Ospreay handsprings, Konosuke lets him go up and over! Konosuke runs now, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then TAKESHITA LINES! Callis fires up, as does Boston, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Konosuke runs in, but Ospreay BOOTS first!

Ospreay goes to the apron, ROCKS Konosuke, then goes up, only for Konosuke to catch him! Fireman’s carry and FACEBUSTER! Basement BOOT! Ospreay tumbles out of the ring, and Konosuke builds speed! Konosuke FLIES, and down goes Ospreay! The fans fire up again while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Konosuke checks his legs then crawls over to Ospreay. Konosuke drags Ospreay up, whips him hard into railing, then soaks up the cheers and jeers from Boston. The Callis cosplayer cheers Konosuke on while he puts Ospreay in the ring. Cover, TWO! Ospreay’s still in this but Konosuke clamps onto Ospreay with a chinlock. Ospreay endures, fights up, but Konosuke clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Konosuke then clamps right back on with the chinlock! Ospreay endures again while Konosuke leans on the hold. Ospreay fights up, Spring Breakthru returns to single picture, and the fans rally for Ospreay again.

Ospreay fires body shots, but Konosuke shoves him to ROCK him in the back! Ospreay drops to his knees, but Konosuke brings him back up. Konosuke reels Ospreay in, but Ospreay fights the lift with elbows. Konosuke shoves Ospreay again to again ROCK him in the back! Ospreay grits his teeth as he drops to his knees, but Konosuke winds up the arm. Konosuke whips, but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Ospreay goes to the corner, Konosuke goes to the other. Ospreay runs up, but Konosuke puts him on the apron! Ospreay ROCKS Konosuke, goes up, but Konosuke catches him again!

Ospreay fights back this time to ROCK Konosuke, then PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Konosuke is still in this, but Ospreay fires up again! Boston is with Ospreay as he drags Konosuke up. Ospreay has a wristlock, and he CHOPS Konosuke! The fans “WOO~!” and Ospreay stands Konosuke back up. Ospreay CHOPS again! Ospreay whips, Konosuke reverses, but Ospreay blocks a shot to CHOP! Ospreay runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke runs to LARIAT Ospreay down! The fans fire up again, they are loving “Both These Guys!” Konosuke drags Ospreay up, clinches, but Ospreay fights the lift with more elbows!

Ospreay fires a forearm, but Konosuke ROCKS Ospreay in return. Konosuke runs, into a TIGER WALL KICK! ENZIGIRI! Konosuke wobbles, but he still clinches Ospreay for an EXPLODER! But Ospreay’s right back up! Only to take another EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay stays in this but Konosuke stays calm. The fans rally up, and they hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” But there’s still a main event to go! Konosuke puts Ospreay in the drop zone, then climbs up the corner. But Ospreay rises to CHOP! Ospreay ROCKS Konosuke, climbs up, but Konosuke trips Ospreay up! Ospreay HOTSHOTS off the top rope, then Konosuke reels him back in!

Konosuke vows to end it here! Konosuke drags Ospreay up to SUPER- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE!! Ospreay turns things around on Konosuke and they both go to the ramp! Springboard, OSCUTTER to the ramp!! Both men writhe while the fans lose their minds again! Callis is worried for Konosuke while Ospreay rolls back inside. The ring count is climbing, Konosuke is still down at 7 of 10! He rises at 8, crawls for the ring, and manages to roll in at 9.5! But Ospreay goes COAST2COAST! Then he goes up top, for a LEAP OF FAITH!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but Ospreay just reloads! The fans fire up as Ospreay waits on Konosuke.

Ospreay springboards, OSC- BLUE THUND- RANA!! A counter for a counter! Ospreay runs, Konosuke staggers to his feet, and into the OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives and Boston is stunned! The fans again hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” while both men stir. Ospreay brings Konosuke up, underhooks, but Konosuke fights free of Storm Breaker! Konosuke ducks a roundhouse, double pump handles to FLIP Ospreay, but Ospreay arm-drags! Cover, TWO! Konosuke has the victory roll, TWO! Ospreay O’Conner Rolls but Konosuke rolls through to wheelbarrow GERMAN SUPLEX! And then O’Conner Bridge! TWO!!!!

The fans cannot believe it and Callis is furious, but Ospreay escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Ospreay stirs and Konosuke crawls over to him. Konosuke and Ospreay go forehead to forehead, then stand to go forearm for forearm! The fans rally and duel, they sing for “OSPREAY~, OSPREAY OSPREAY OSPREAY!” Konosuke ROCKS Ospreay, but he wobbles as he stays on his feet! Ospreay comes back to fire another forearm, but Konosuke ROCKS him again! Ospreay staggers around this time, but he grits his teeth as he fires back up! Ospreay fires a flurry of forearms, but the ALPHA ELBOW staggers Ospreay again!

Konosuke fires shots in the corner, the ref counts, and the ref has to back Konosuke down! Konosuke has the ref step aside so he can tell Ospreay to get up. Ospreay fires up to BOOT Konosuke! And BOOT! And BOOT, but Konosuke blocks! ALPHA ELBOW!! Ospreay falls in a heap and Boston is thunderous! The ref checks on Ospreay, and somehow, he isn’t out of this yet. Callis tells Konosuke to kurose, aka kill him! Konosuke drags Ospreay up, calls his shot, and RAGING- NO, Ospreay fights the suplex, wrenches free and then ducks a shot to full nelson! Konosuke elbows free but Ospreay HOOK KICKS him!

Ospreay winds up to SUPERKICK! Konosuke winds up, Ospreay SWATS the elbow to then HOOK KICK again! Konosuke drops to his knees, Ospreay prepares the arm! HIDDEN- NO, Konosuke flops right over! The fans boo but the ref checks Konosuke. Ospreay has the ref step aside like Konosuke did, but then Konosuke springs up to ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke was playing possum, and now he hits a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives and shocks Konosuke! The fans rally as hard as they can while Konosuke rises up. Ospreay rises, Konosuke runs, but Ospreay dodges! They come back, Konosuke LARIATS, but Ospreay flips and lands on his feet!!

Ospreay springboards, OSC- ALPHA ELBOW!!! Antiair hits the target! Konosuke covers, ONE?!?! HIDDEN BLADE!!!! Cover, ONE?!?!?!? Boston is erupting, Schiavone shouts, “What’re we watching?!” Both men run up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Ospreay slumps down and Konosuke grins. Konosuke drags Ospreay up and reels him in, and then he underhooks the arms?! STORM- NO, Ospreay slips free, double pump handles, and he FLIPS Konosuke into position, BASTARD DRIVER!! Ospreay turns a steal into a steal! And then he deadlifts for the WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! But Konosuke HIDDEN BLADES?!?!?

Konosuke flounders, but so does Ospreay, and Ospreay avoids the cover! The fans are electric while both men are down! Callis takes a deep breath while the standing count begins. Both men stir at 4 of 10, then Ospreay reaches up at 5. Both men are still down at 7, but they’re rising at 8! We hit 9, and both men stand! The fans fire up, HELLUVA KICK in the corner!! Ospreay falls, Konosuke climbs, but Ospreay rises up again! Ospreay ROCKS Konosuke, ROCKS him again, then climbs up, only to slip! Ospreay slaps himself to focus again, and the fans fire back up. Ospreay climbs, but Konosuke fires forearms!

Konosuke throws shots, but Ospreay RISING HEADBUTTS! Boston cheers as hard as they can, and Ospreay brings Konosuke to the very top! Konosuke fires shots, and then he winds up, SUPER TAKESHITA LINE!! But Ospreay lands on his feet!! Konosuke is stunned, and then HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!?!? HOW?!?! Ospreay goes back to the corner, throws off the elbow pad, but a POWER DRIVE KNEE finds him! RAGING- RANA!! Cover, TWO, but Ospreay just gets Konosuke’s legs! Ospreay drags Konosuke up, STYLES CLASH!!! Cover, TWO!?!??!!? What is Konosuke even made of?!? Boston is thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!”

Ospreay runs, HIDDEN- BACKSLIDE! TWO!! POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Konosuke runs, but Ospreay slips through the lariat to underhook, lift, STORMBREAKER!!!! Cover, OSPREAY WINS!!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (advances to Double or Nothing)

Callis is furious, no more “Proto-shita” finals for him! Ospreay and Konosuke pushed the limits of what is even possible, but will Ospreay win the whole damn thing at Double or Nothing?

BREAKING NEWS for Spring Breakthru Collision!

On top of the ROH World TV Championship match Christian Cage arranged for Nick Wayne, we will get a tag match of Mercedes Mone & Harley Cameron VS Kris Statlander & Julia Hart! Could this be a sampling of what’s to come in the Owen Hart Cup? Plus, Adam Cole puts up the TNT Championship in an Open Challenge! Who will step to the champion in this city of champions? This and more as Collision’s live on a Thursday night!

AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS The Opps & ???

As mentioned at the start of the night, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta made sure The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil was in no shape to compete tonight. But even so, the Samoan Submission Specialist and The Wrestler will not let this opportunity at both gold and vengeance pass them by. The question is, will there be a new third man? Or will The Opps be caught lacking?

The Death Riders make their entrance in from the crowd as usual, which is pretty daring given how packed the venue is tonight. As for The Opps, we see Joe & Shibata step on stage, but they’re not alone! POWERHOUSE HOBBS IS HERE!! Will the Book of Hobbs have a chapter about ending the reign of terror? The introductions are made, but then the brawl is on! The fans fire up and the bell rings, Hobbs has Yuta, Shibata has Claudio, and Joe has Moxley! The fans fire up as Moxley spills out of the ring with Joe while Claudio drags Shibata outside. Yuta ducks ‘n’ dodges Hobbs, but then Hobbs CLOBBERS Yuta!

Claudio and Shibata trade heavy forearms, Joe SMACKS Moxley off the apron, and Hobbs whips Yuta to a corner. Yuta staggers, Hobbs CLOBBERS him again! Yuta flounders into the corner, the fans chant “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Hobbs whips Yuta corner to corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Hobbs shouts, “MEAT!” and the fans chant “MEAT!” with every big lariat! “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Hobbs then grins as he winds up to “MEAT!” Moxley storms in and he CLUBS Hobbs! That just pisses Hobbs off! The fans tell Moxley he messed up! Moxley bails out, but then Yuta CLUBS Hobbs! Same result as with Moxley!

Hobbs scoops Yuta, carries him around, then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Hobbs tags Joe and the fans cheer. Hobbs stands Yuta up for Joe to JAB! JAB! JAB! Joe fires hands high and low, backs Yuta into a corner, then fires up! RIDGE HAND CHOP! Joe whips corner to corner, runs up, and back ELBOWS, to then PELE! Yuta flops down, Joe stares Moxley down, and fans sing, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Joe drags Yuta up, CHOPS him in the corner, then tags Shibata. The fans fire up again as Shibata UPPERCUTS Yuta! And again! And then CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Shibata snapmares Yuta, runs, and he BOOTS Moxley!

Shibata then clamps onto Yuta and grinds him down. Yuta endures, pries at the hold, and fans taunt Yuta. Yuta fights up, powers up and out, but Shibata BOOTS Moxley again! Yuta CLUBS Shibata, then TOSSES Shibata out. Yuta distracts the ref so Claudio can run and THROW Shibata into railing! The fans boo but Hobbs backs Claudio off. The ref has Hobbs stay back, and Yuta goes out to fetch Shibata. Yuta drags Shibata into the ring, tags Moxley, and the fans boo as Moxley flips off Joe. Joe storms in, the ref stops him, and Moxley KICKS Shibata down! Tag to Claudio, the Death Riders mug Shibata. Claudio drags Shibata up but Shibata CHOPS!

Shibata CHOPS, Claudio eggs him on, repeat! Claudio blocks a chop to short arm LARIAT! Claudio soaks up the heat, then he stomps Shibata. The fans rally, but Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Claudio drags Shibata up, pushes him to a corner, and UPPERCUTS! Claudio stomps Shibata, tags Moxley, and Moxley runs corner to corner to LARIAT! And then LARIAT! And LARIAT! Tag back to Claudio, the mugging continues, then Claudio tags Yuta. Yuta taunts Hobbs & Joe, Claudio stands Shibata up, and Yuta stomps Shibata down. The ref reprimands but Yuta hooks a leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Y uta clamps onto the leg for a toehold. Shibata endures, even as Yuta twists the ankle. Yuta drops an elbow on the knee, then tags Moxley. But then Joe & Hobbs storm in!

The ref stops Joe & Hobbs, Moxley taunts them, and then Moxley drags Shibata around. Moxley stomps Shibata, turns him over, and CLAWS Shibata’s back! The ref reprimands and counts as Moxley CLAWS Shibata more! Moxley fishhooks, the ref counts again, and Moxley pushes Shibata down at 4. Moxley drags Shibata up, has a facelock, and he drags Shibata over to the corner. Tag to Claudio, the mugging continues, and Claudio brings Shibata around for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Shibata stays in this but Claudio stays on him with a top wristlock. Shibata endures, fights around, but Claudio knees him low!

Claudio pushes on the wristlock and grinds Shibata back down. Spring Breakthru returns to single picture while the fans rally behind Shibata. Shibata fights up, but Claudio TOSSES him out! Moxley storms up on Shibata, but Hobbs hurries over to stop that. The ref is busy with Claudio and Moxley, which lets Marina CHOP BLOCK Hobbs! The fans boo but Marina flips them all off. Yuta drags Shibata up and into the ring for Claudio, and Claudio eggs Shibata on. Claudio SLAPS Shibata, kicks him around, but Shibata CHOPS! Claudio ROCKS Shibata! Shibata CHOPS Claudio! Repeat! Claudio shoves Shibata, catches him to a SLEEPER, but Shibata slips around to get a SLEEPER!

The fans fire up as Claudio flails! Claudio JAWBREAKERS free, Shibata staggers into the Death Rider corner, but then Shibata BOOTS Claudio! Shibata crawls away from the corner, the fans rally up, but Claudio whips Shibata back in! BOOT for Moxley! Claudio and Shibata trade forearms again, and Shibata backs Claudio down! Shibata fires a flurry, then an UPPERCUT! Shibata DECKS Yuta, but Claudio UPPERCUTS Shibata! Claudio BOOTS Shibata, but Shibata stays on his feet! Shibata clinches Claudio, BACK HEEL TRIP! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shibata and Claudio crawl, hot tags to Yuta and Joe!

Joe DECKS Yuta again and again, then atomic drops! Joe runs to BOOT Yuta down! And adds a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuta stays in this but Joe stays on him, only for Yuta to CLAW Joe’s eyes! Yuta runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, Moxley breaks it! Moxley tags in, then he goes looking under the ring! Moxley grabs a chair! The Maniac no longer cares about winning but about using Champion’s Advantage! The ref tells Moxley to stop right there, but then WILLOW NIGHTINGALE is here! She snatches the chair from Moxley! And she flips him off! Joe BOOTS Moxley down! Yuta goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK Joe!

Shibata BOOTS Yuta! Claudio POP-UP UPPERCUTS Shibata! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Claudio! Moxley SHOTGUNS Hobbs! Joe is back as Moxley runs, and Moxley BOOTS Joe! Joe LARIATS Moxley! All six men are down around ringside and Boston is thunderous! Willow coaches The Opps, but now The Young Bucks walk out here? The EVPs are surely going to sway things in the Death Riders’ favor now, given they grab some chairs. But wait! Someone in the crowd snatches Matt’s chair?! IT’S SWERVE STRICKLAND! And he DECKS Matt! Nick runs up, but Swerve BOOTS him! Swerve goes up, DOUBLE KILL STOMPS for The Bucks!!

The fans are thunderous as Boston is now “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve then TOSSES Matt over railing! And he TOSSES Nick onto Matt! The Bucks go tumbling away! Joe is in the corner, Moxley runs up, but Joe URENAGES him down! But Claudio UPERCUTS Joe! Shibata BOOTS Claudio! Shibata pushes Claudio out, they brawl on the ramp! SLEEPER!! Claudio is caught, Shibata sits him down, then runs to PENALTY KICK! Then back to the SLEEPER! Joe puts Moxley up top, tucks him in, but Yuta CLUBS Joe! The fans boo as Yuta fires hands, then runs, but Joe swings! Yuta ducks that to DIVE onto Hobbs, but Hobbs catches him!

Hobbs URENAGES Yuta on the desk! The desk does not break but Hobbs snarls. Marina SMACKS Hobbs with a chair!! The ref missed that but Willow didn’t! Willow runs up to LARIAT Marina!! The fans are thunderous, but Moxley drags Joe up! Underhooks and- NO, Joe wrenches out, COQUINA CLUTCH!!! Moxley is caught, and he’s RIGHT OUT! OPPS WIN!!

Winners: The Opps, by submission (NEW AEW World Trios Champions)

No more reign of terror in the trios division, this one was for Hook! Joe personally gives Hobbs the belt, the pyro goes off, and Boston is all fired up! The Death Riders retreat, and Will Ospreay leads the way as the AEW locker room comes out here to celebrate! The champagne bottles pop off and it’s a toast to The Opps, but perhaps we’re burying the lead as Joe took out THE AEW World Champion! Will Joe look to also dethrone “The One True King” and truly restore the feeling here in AEW?

My Thoughts:

An awesome episode of Dynamite here, a lot more than I expected for a themed episode. At the same time, it was a lot of tournament and big story stuff, so they were of course going to go hard. I was a little surprised by the match order, but when they kayfabe’d away Hook being out of action, it did make sense for them to push the trios title to the main event. At the same time, bringing in Hobbs as the third man, adding a lot of overbooking and tying in more story, that was a great way to dethrone the Death Riders and close out the show. Hobbs being a champion again is great for him, and I really do think they should parley this into Joe VS Moxley for the world title at Double or Nothing.

Mercedes Mone VS Athena really could’ve been a main event in itself, but it was still an awesome match even as the opener. Mone winning is fine because Boston, and while I was thinking it’d be Mone VS Athena at All In for the TBS Championship, I suppose they could swing it where it is title for title, TBS Championship and ROH Women’s Championship both on the line. I say that because I still feel like Kris Statlander could be going to All In to face Toni. A little confusing as to why we can’t just get Kris VS Hayter tomorrow night, but Mone & Harley VS Kris & Julia will still be really good. It just feels like they’re giving away the Double or Nothing match just so Mone can have matches both nights in Boston.

Very good promo from The Patriarchy with Christian Cage now being passive aggressive towards Nick Wayne. I like how Christian is taking kayfabe credit for Nick getting in the Best of the Super Juniors, and I do like Nick VS Komander for Collision. No idea if Nick wins that match or not, as it’d be a shame if Nick’s storyline is the reason Komander’s reign comes to an end. But at the same time, how great would it be for the ROH World Television Champion to be part of BOSJ and that big round robin tournament? Though at the same time, something about what Christian said certainly made it feel like Nick will lose, so maybe not.

Great match from Hurt Syndicate VS Gates of Agony, even with Kaun & Liona obviously set up to fail. MJF of course showed up, and while I figured MJF would bribe Hurt Syndicate, I didn’t think it’d be with ladies. Also I think a few, if not all, of the ladies were wrestlers. The redhead was Sloane Jacobs, if I’m not mistaken. But great stuff with Lashley intimidating Shelton into voting against MJF. I feel like MJF should reveal he has been watching the episodes back cuz he wants to keep an eye on the Hurt Syndicate’s “private” conversations, and he can call out MVP for being two-faced saying the Syndicate would just be using MJF for their own gains.

Good promo from Hangman with The Elite, and Okada was cruising for a bruising. Josh Alexander was a great Wild Card, and he has a great match with Hangman, but it made sense for Hangman to win. Alexander possibly joining Callis Family with that bit after is intriguing, but Kyle is now on top going into their semifinal match. I would think that means Hangman wins to go to Double or Nothing. Ospreay VS Konosuke was insane, it might as well have been for the Owen Hart Cup already. Great win for Ospreay, and now even if Kyle defies go home math, Ospreay VS Hangman and Ospreay VS Fletcher are both awesome choices to put on PPV.

My Score: 9.1/10

Time to defy the odds!

A tag team gauntlet and a Fatal 4 Way determine contenders that will challenge for NXT gold this Saturday at Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins and will challenge Ricky Saints for the title at Stand & Deliver.
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice; Lola wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
• NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet: Hank ‘n’ Tank win and will challenge Fraxiom for the titles at Stand & Deliver.
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS Thea Hail; Thea wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page!

The Absolute holds what many want, but only one gets their shot. Will the Alpha Wolf be one step closer to his “birthright?” Will the Drama King look to go for another crown? Will the Wes Side return to former glory? Or will it be All Ego that meets Saints in Sin City?

But speaking of Saints, Ricky makes his entrance after everyone else is already in the ring! The fans fire up as the champion decides to join commentary. The bell rings and Eddy kicks at Ethan but Ethan blocks, only for Lexis to DECK Ethan! Wes then rolls Eddy up, but Lexis shoves Wes away! Lexis basement SUPERKICKS Eddy! Wes and Lexis stare down, things speed up, and Lexis hurdles, but Wes leaps over. Wes dodges Lexis, but Lexis steps on Wes’s dropdown! The fans are torn, but Eddy is up. Lexis wants Eddy to calm down, but then Ethan is also up. Lexis tells them both to calm down, but now Wes is up.

Lexis finds himself surrounded, and Wes feeds Lexis to Eddy’s KICK, and Ethan’s HAYMAKER! Wes adds a HAYMAKER, then Eddy KIKS again! Ethan HAYMAKERS, Wes ENZIGIRIS, and Lexis wobbles. Eddy TOSSES Lexis, the fans fire up, but then Ethan DECKS Wes! Eddy ROCKS and KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS on Ethan! Wes runs up, Eddy gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Wes tumbles to a corner, Eddy BOOTS Ethan! Eddy runs and BOOTS Wes! Lexis is back, but Eddy dodges to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, Ethan breaks it! Ethan ROCKS Eddy, but Wes ROCKS Ethan! Eddy spins Wes, but Wes BODY BLOWS!

Wes KICKS, KICKS, and ENZIGIRIS Eddy, to then DOUBLE STOMP him down! Wes runs to ELBOW Ethan in a corner, mule kick, and AX KICKS! Wes then runs at Lexis, but Lexis dodges! Lexis dodges Eddy so Eddy runs into Wes! Lexis dodges Ethan, Ethan runs into Wes & Eddy! Lexis then SUPERKICKS Ethan into them both! Lexis runs corner to corner, but everyone clears out! Lexis POSTS himself! Wes BOOTS Ethan, Eddy kicks Wes, then Eddy reels Wes in. Wes wrenches out, slips around, but Eddy elbows free. Eddy runs, Wes dodges, and Ethan holds the ropes down! Eddy tumbles up and out and to the floor!

Wes runs up, Ethan puts him on the apron, but Wes RAMS into Ethan! Eddy grabs at Wes, Wes kicks him away, but Ethan ROCKS Wes! Wes is stuck in the ropes, so Ethan hits a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wes survives, Ethan drags Wes up, but then he sees Lexis climbing a corner. Ethan pushes Wes aside to ROCK Lexis! Ethan then climbs up to join Lexis, reels him in, but they both fire body shots! Lexis CLUBS Ethan, Eddy UPPERCUTS Lexis! Eddy climbs up to work with Ethan, but then Wes throws hands on the legs! Wes gets under all of this, and the fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!!

All four men are down while the fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener! Lexis flops out of the ring, Ethan and Eddy flounder, but Wes runs, SHOOTING STAR on Ethan! Cover, Eddy breaks it! The fans fire up as Wes and Eddy stand to trade forearms! Wes fires a body shot then a forearm, but Eddy fires a forearm, an UPPERCUT, and a KICK! Eddy snarls, but Ethan waistlocks! Eddy fires elbows to get free, but Wes BOOTS Eddy! Ethan DUMPS Eddy out, Wes DECKS Ethan! Wes builds speed and he DIVES into Lexis! Ethan let Lexis take that shot while he grabs Eddy. Eddy blocks the apron bump to elbow Ethan!

Eddy runs up, Ethan dodges, and Eddy almost hits Ricky! Ricky says watch it, but then Ethan SHOVES Eddy into Ricky! The fans go nuts, Ricky is pissed, and he THROWS Eddy aside to get at Ethan! The ref tries to stop this, but Ricky is too heated, so the ref EJECTS Ricky from ringside! The fans boo but Ethan just mockingly waves bye-bye. Ricky warns Ethan, the fans chant, “Ref, You Suck!” but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Lexis ROCKS Wes. Lexis reels Wes in, but Ethan BOOTS Lexis down! Ethan then scoops Wes to SLAM him onto Lexis! Ethan then THROWS Lexis into Eddy! Ethan drags Lexis up, but Lexis slips free of the Canadian Rack! Lexis grabs the arms, crosses them, then reels Ethan in, but Ethan trips Lexis up! Ethan turns Lexis over, BOSTON CRAB! The fans are torn as Lexis endures, and Lexis claws at the mat! Lexis crawls forward, but Ethan drags him back from the ropes! Wes runs up, Ethan ducks the lariat, but then Eddy YANKS Wes outta the ring! Eddy clamps onto Lexis with a CROSSFACE!!

Lexis endures double submissions, but then Wes STOPS Lexis from tapping!! The fans are thunderous, but Eddy is furious! Eddy lets go of Lexis to STOMP Wes down! Eddy then BOOTS Ethan down! Eddy goes up a corner as the fans duel, and Lexis UPPERCUTS Eddy! Lexis climbs, fires forearms on Eddy, and Eddy falls to the apron! Ethan CLUBS Lexis! Ethan has an Electric Chair, then he has Eddy in a facelock! But Wes goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS onto a DOOMSDAY DDT COMBO!! The fans are going nuts all over again while all four men are down! But then Ethan crawls to cover Eddy while Wes crawls to cover Lexis! Double covers, TWO!!

The fans fire up while Wes and Ethan grow frustrated. They stare down, then they throw hands! Wes fires a flurry, but Ethan ROCKS Wes with one! Wes PELES in return! Wes hurries to go up a corner! But Lexis SHOVES him down! Wes hits apron, Lexis climbs, SWANTON BOMB on Ethan! But Eddy is up top! He MACHO ELBOWS the cover apart! Eddy then drags Lexis up, but Wes rises! METEORA for Eddy!! Cover, Lexis YANKS Wes up! CORONATION!! But Ethan has Lexis! TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, ETHAN WINS!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)

Ethan smirks as he takes advantage of this golden opportunity. Ethan grabs a mic to say, “Well, I guess that makes me the man then, huh?” The fans are torn but Ethan says he is the #1 contender. Ethan knows he isn’t the guy Ricky wanted to win, and he has every right to believe that. Because everyone remembers their first. And the first championship in WWE for Ricky was ruined by Ethan Page! At Stand & Deliver, Ricky’s first title defense will also be ruined by- RICKY SPEARS ETHAN!! No more ringside ban, and the champ gets some payback! But will Las Vegas be absolute? Or will All Ego’s ego only expand exponentially this Saturday?

Jordynne Grace speaks.

“What you see today as The Juggernaut, multiple time TNA Knockouts Champion, this wasn’t how I started. I wasn’t scouted, I never had ‘star power,’ never really been a beauty queen. If it were possible to have negative aura, that is who I was. I was just a little girl wrestling in half-empty gyms, trying to find a place to fit in a world that didn’t seem built for me. I knew what people saw, or really rather what they didn’t see. But something I did have that not a lot of people in wrestling do, is self-awareness. So I finally stopped wishing that I had what I was supposed to have, and started building what I could become.

“I turned insecurity into intensity, doubt into discipline, and that was the day The Juggernaut was born. I fell in love with getting stronger. I became laser focused into building my body into an atomic bomb. Waking up at 3AM to train, jumping into a car to drive 8 hours to wrestle, hit another gym session after that, then sleep two hours and do it all over again the next day. And as hard as that was, I was obsessed with it. It was a way that I could stand out against all the other women. And to me, it was the only way. I wanted the WWE Universe to say, ‘Yeah, the WWE women are killing it, but have you seen Jordynne Grace over in TNA? That’s Jordynne Grace!?’

“I’ve put in the work so that no one could ignore me. I forced my way into the conversation and made people believe in The Juggernaut the way I believed in myself. Now, the biggest hurdle of my career is right in front of me this Saturday, when I have the opportunity to become NXT Women’s Champion. And just like I’ve been my entire career, I’m aware of exactly what I’m gonna have to do to leave Vegas with my first WWE championship.” Jordynne is ready, but will Grace survive in Sin City?

The NXT Women’s Division holds another watch party.

Sol Ruca asks Zaria who she thinks will take the last two spots in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match. Zaria isn’t sure, but it won’t matter when the outcome will be the same. Sol agrees there, because it’ll be one of them as the champ. Oh, really? Doesn’t Sol mean Zaria? Kelani Jordan hears this and takes offense. She thought #ZaRuca was fine. Uh, they are. New shirts and everything, thanks for asking. Well, it won’t be either of them, because Kelani’s going to be a TWO-TIME Women’s North American Champion. And she’ll show everyone why no one can do it like Lan- Izzi Dame interjects.

Izzi says good one, idiots. But y’know who Izzi misses these days? The old Kelani. She was way more likeable. Old Kelani, new Kelani, it won’t matter when Izzi’s the one on top of the ladder, holding the title, and bringing it home to The Culling. Keep dreaming, Izzi, it’ll never happen. Those two both head out, and Sol says it’s just like she said, either her or Zaria will walk out as champion. Zaria says sure, something like that. But to the point, who will get the remaining spots and fill out the six pack?

NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice!

The weird girls are hungry for some gold, but so is the MMA Mamacita! Will Tatum take over? Or will there be a Vice in Sin City?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Tatum rolls Lola, TWO, and Tatum narrowly avoids the roundhouse! The fans rally as the two reset and tie up. Tatum waistlocks, Lola switches, and Lola SLAMS Tatum down. Lola holds on as Tatum fights around, and Gigi coaches Tatum up. Tatum pries free, backflips up and over to then Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Lola has Tatum in a modified CROSSFACE! Tatum endures, fights to stack Lola, TWO! Lola runs up but Tatum kicks her away. Tatum wrenches, UPPERCUTS, then CLUBS the arm. Tatum grinds Lola down, the fans duel, and Lola endures. Tatum hits a BRIDGING FUJIWARA!

The fans rally, Lola fights around and reels Tatum into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tatum high stacks, TWO! Lola lets Tatum go, but then BODY BLOWS! Tatum drops to her knees, Lola clamps on with a headlock, and Lola hits a takeover. Tatum fights around, but Lola puts on the pressure. Tatum fights up, Lola thrashes, but Tatum powers up and out. Lola ducks ‘n’ dodges to then whip Tatum, and Lola catches Tatum to a SLEEPER! The fans rally, Tatum powers out fast, but then Lola hits a SPINEBUSTER! Tatum bails out, Lola rushes after her! Tatum crawls under the ring? Lola grabs at Tatum but Tatum kicks her away!

Tatum scurries under the ring, Gigi taunts Lola, but Lola tells Gigi she’s estupida. Lola goes looking for Tatum, but Tatum YANKS her into the ring frame! Tatum laughs, Gigi says that’s what Lola gets, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Tatum taunts Lola, brings her up and into the ring, then drags Lola up to KNEE the arm again and again! Tatum wrenches and WRINGS the arm, then JUMPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tatum grabs Lola’s arm, stomps it, then twists the wrist! Lola endures, but Tatum SLAMS the arm off the mat! Tatum bends the fingers, mockingly high-fives the hand, but Lola kicks her away! Tatum comes back and wrenches again, but Lola wrenches and WRINGS it in return! Lola SOBATS Tatum, whips and KNEES her low, and Tatum is in the ropes. Lola goes to the apron to AX KICK Tatum down! Tatum flounders into the ring but Lola pursues.

Lola whips and KICKS Tatum, then drags her up to reel her in. Lola snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga as Lola gets up, for Dos Amigas! Lola drags Tatum up again, gives some Latina Heat, and hits THREE AMIGAS! Cover, TWO! Tatum stays in this and Lola grows frustrated. Lola stalks Tatum to the ropes, stands her up, and whips her to KNEE- NO, Tatum rolls Lola up! TWO, and Lola KICKS Tatum back down! Lola drags Tatum around, then clamps on with a chinlock. Tatum endures, even as Lola thrashes her around. Tatum fights up, RAMS Lola into a corner, but Lola holds on! Tatum RAMS Lola into another corner, but Lola clamps on again!

Tatum pries at the hold, RAMS Lola into the corner again, and now she’s free. Only to run up into headscissors! Tatum brings Lola off the corner to POWERBOMB! NXT returns to single picture as both women rise. Tatum dodges a kick, and she CLOBBERS Lola! And CLOBBERS her again! And ENZIGIRIS! Tatum wrenches Lola for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Tatum runs corner to corner and CROSSBODIES Lola in the corner! Tatum whips corner to corner to CROSSBODY again! Tatum goes for a third, but Lola KNEES the crossbody down! The fans rally, Gigi coaches Tatum, but Lola AX KICKS again!

Lola fires LIGHTNING KICKS and she backs Tatum up into the corner! The fans fire up for Lola as she reminds us, “I’m a Latina~!” HIP ATTACK! Lola drags Tatum out of the corner, covers, TWO!! Tatum survives and the fans fire up! Lola drags Tatum up, lifts her up, but Tatum sunset flips! TWO, and Tatum hurries to a corner. Lola runs in, but Tatum dodges! Lola gets stuck in ropes, Tatum CROSSBODIES again! Tatum brings Lola around to hoist her up top, and the fans duel even harder! Tatum climbs, Lola fires body shots, and Lola shoves Tatum down! Tatum comes back to GAMANGIRI! Tatum then climbs up, brings Lola up, and SUPERPLEXES!

The fans fire up, Tatum crawls to the cover, TWO!! Lola survives, but Tatum doesn’t stop! She hooks Lola up, but Lola pops free! SLEEPER!! Lola drags Tatum down, but Tatum rolls back to a cover! TWO!! Lola lets go in time, but Tatum throat chops! Tatum goes up the ropes, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! And then the BUENAS NOCHES BACKHAND!! Cover, Lola wins!

Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)

Lola got the knockout, and now she’s punched her ticket to Las Vegas! Will everything come up LV this Saturday?

Giulia speaks.

“For the past few weeks, I watched Stephanie bask in the glory of being a double champion. I waited and waited for her to give me a rematch, but it never happened. Friendships only go so far when it comes to the NXT Women’s Championship. Last week, I reminded Stephanie of what Beautiful Madness is. Jaida Parker? I don’t know her, but I can tell she is very confident. She likes to dish out punishment, but she doesn’t like to take it. Jordynne Grace is strong, but on Saturday, I will introduce her to Strong Style. Jordynne and Jaida are obstacles in my way to Stephanie. My goal was to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Losing it only made me more dangerous.

“Last year at Stand & Deliver, I introduced myself. This year, I leave as the NXT Women’s Champion.” Giulia is ready, will all succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

A car pulls up real fast.

And out steps Trick Williams! #CrashOutTrick looks ready for a fight, will he find one this close to his NXT Championship Triple Threat?

Ava Raine is arguing with The Fatal Influence and Meta Four!

The NXT General Manager is trying to get Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to all listen to her, but then Gigi & Tatum stumble in. Gigi brings up this other opportunity Ava talked about last week, and Ava says yes, that’s what this is about. But Jacy says it won’t be an opportunity for Gigi & Tatum. Ava says hold on, hold on. Everyone will get their opportunity at Stand & Deliver. There will be a Triple Threat Tag Team match, and after talking it over with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis, the winners will get a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match for the NXT after WrestleMania.

Tatum & Gigi are fired up, as are the Meta Girls and Fatal Influence, but then Roxie storms in and says she just knew Ava would do this. Every single woman is going to be on Stand & Deliver except for Roxie, the woman who made this division the best Women’s Division in the WORLD! Ava says yes, hi, how are you, Roxie? Good job losing to Tiffany on SmackDown last Friday. But clearly she didn’t get enough because she’s back here bothering Ava. But hey, if Roxie can charm herself a tag partner, then Ava will happily make this a Fatal 4 Way. The others chuckle and Roxie says Ava has always had it out for her,

Roxie storms off and the others sarcastically wish her luck. Will Roxie be able to salvage one of the many bridges she’s burned around here? Or will the Prodigy be out of luck this close to Stand & Deliver?

NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet!

Speaking of luck, the luck of the draw is going to be tested, and the team that survives the odds will battle Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the titles! But who do we have first? It’s Hank ‘n’ Tank! The Street Profits told them to just be themselves and it’ll be alright, but will Hank ‘n’ Tank be able to run the table?

Starting with them are Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont! Will Ty & Ty represent for the Wes Side?

Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont!

The teams sort out and Tank starts against Tyson. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. They break, circle again, then tie back up. Tyson waistlocks, full nelsons, but Tank powers up. Tyson spins Tank to KNEE him in the face! Tyson runs and UPPERCUTS Tank down! Cover, TWO! Tyson storms up but Tank fires a body shot. Tyson ROCKS Tank, SPLASHES in the corner, then tags Tyriek. Tyson feeds Tank to Tyriek for a kitchen sink knee! Tyriek UPPERCUTS, then KICKS a leg out, to then BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tank is toughing it out, but Tyriek bumps him off buckles. Tyriek runs, but Tank BOOTS him back!

Tank storms up, Tyriek headlocks, but Hank tags in as Tank powers up and out! Tank blows past Tyriek, Tyriek gets distracted, and Hank CLOBBERS him! Tank dodges Tyson’s sucker punch to triangle jump LARIAT! Hank ‘n’ Tank take the corners, and as Tyriek stands up, “HONK! HONK!” BIG BELLY SANDWICH! Hank scoops, Tank runs up, GRIDIRON! Cover, Hank ‘n’ Tank ELIMINATE Ty & Ty! The fans fire up while Wes is freaking out! But no time to rest, here comes Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank be victims of The Culling?

Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen!

Jensen keeps Vance back, they have to do this the right way. Vance does start against Hank, and the two tie up. Niko RAMS Hank into the corner, then Jensen throws hands! Jensen tags in, and he ROCKS Hank! Jensen whips corner to corner but Hank reverses. Hank runs up and SPLASHES, then he runs side to side! Tank tags in, Hank LARIATS again! Tank adds a LARIAT! Niko runs up, Hank hits him with an atomic drop! Niko hobbles to a corner, Tank runs up to LARIAT! Hank LARIATS Jensen, then Hank ‘n’ Tank switch, more LARIATS for Jensen & Niko! And then more LARIATS! HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH for Niko!!

Jensen staggers up, Tank gives Hank the boost into the SEATED SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jensen survives but Tank clamps on, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jensen endures, fights up, and he bumps Tank off buckles. Jensen gives Tank more buckle bumps, but then Tank stops that! Tank keeps Jensen from running away to give him buckle bumps of his own! Shoutout to Matt Hardy with these “DELETE!” bumps, and then he SLAM DUNKS Jensen off the corner! Tag to Hank, and Tank puts Jensen up top. Hank ‘n’ Tank coordinate, and they DOUBLE HEADBUTT Jensen in the ribs! Hank pushes Jensen down, covers, TWO! Jensen stays in this but Hank stays on him. Hank whips Jensen to a corner, runs up, but Jensen BOOTS him! Jensen brings Hank over, tags Niko, but Hank gets loose!

Hank ROCKS Jensen, DECKS Niko, then dodges Jensen, only for Jensen to DUMP Hank to the apron! Jensen ROCKS Hank, and Niko Electric Chair Lifts Hank! Jensen lines up the shot, DOOMSDAY BULLDOG to the desk!! Hank goes down in a heap while The Culling stands tall! Niko then drags Hank up, bumps him off the apron, and Hank sputters around the way. Niko puts Hank in the ring, stomps him around, then drags him from his corner. Niko bumps Hank off buckles, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Niko lets off, and he stalks Hank to a corner. Niko whips Hank corner to corner hard!

Niko tags Jensen, Jensen throws hands on Hank, then JABS, JABS, JABS! Jensen DECKS Hank, covers, TWO! Hank stays in this, even with blood in his mouth, but Jensen ELBOWS him in the head. NXT returns to single picture as Jensen whips and CLOBBERS Hank! Cover, TWO! Tank coaches Hank, the fans rally up, but Jensen clamps onto Hank with a chinlock. The fans rally harder, Hank fights up to his feet, and Hank fires body shots! The fans cheer, but Jensen turns Hank! Hank turns that to a backslide! TWO, and we see Fraxiom watching backstage as Jensen grabs Hank’s leg! Jensen drags Hank back, tag to Niko.

Niko stomps Hank again and again, then talks trash. Hank fires body shots in return, but Niko CLUBS him down! Niko taunts Tank, Tank warns Niko, and Hank LARIATS Niko down! The fans fire up, but Niko grabs Hank’s leg! Hank still crawls, but Jensen distracts the ref! The ref misses Hank’s hot tag! The fans boo as Tank has to go back! Niko scoops Hank, Jensen goes up, ASSISTED POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Hank survives and the fans are thunderous! Jensen & Niko have no idea how this is possibly, but Niko facelocks Hank. Hank fights up, fights forward, but Niko CLUBS him down!

Niko tries to suplex but Hank blocks it! Hank suplexes Niko, but Jensen reaches out to push it down! The ref reprimands, but Niko suplexes! Hank slips free, shoves Niko away, Jensen tags in, but Hank hot tags Tank! The fans fire up as Tank rallies on The Culling! Tank LARIATS Niko up and out! Then he dodges Jensen to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Tank dodges Niko to ROCK him! Tank runs to BLAST Niko off the apron! Jensen runs up, Tank cartwheels and LARIATS! A shoutout to the War Raiders, perhaps? Tank covers, Niko breaks it! The fans boo, but Hank is back! Hank and Niko grapple, Niko TOSSES Hank, but Tank TOSSES Niko!

But Jensen rolls Tank up! TWO, and Jensen runs! Tank ducks under the leg lariat, goes up, up, but leaps into a WHEEL KICK! Niko tags in, then he tags Jensen back! They hoist Tank up to the Electric Chair, and Jensen goes up, DOOMSDAY BELLY2BELLY!? Tank turns things around on Jensen, and Hank trips Niko! Tank covers, HANK ‘N’ TANK ELIMINATE THE CULLING!! Blink and you might’ve missed it! But Hank ‘n’ Tank have to regroup quickly, because here comes the No Quarter Catch Crew! Will Myles Borne & Tavion Heights be the ones to go the distance?

Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Myles Borne & Tavion Heights!

Myles & Heights rush in, they dodge Hank ‘n’ Tank, and Myles DROPKICKS Hank! Tavion fireman’s carries Tank for the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Tank survives but Tavion knows he has Tank where he wants him! Tavion ROCKS Tank, whips Tank, and LARIATS Tank! Tag to Myles, the NQCC double whip to then DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Tank is still in this, but Myles drags him up. Myles ROCKS Tank, ROCKS him again, and then tags Tavion. Feed to the fireman’s carry throw! Cover, TWO! The fans duel while Tavion rains down forearms! Tavion clamps on a chinlock but Tank endures the squeeze.

Tank fights up, the fans rally harder, and Tank fights up to his feet. Tank fights around, and JAWBREAKERS free! Myles tags in, but Tank tags Hank! Hank DUMPS Tavion, then fires haymakers on Myles! The fans fire up as Hank swings away, then fires fast hands from all sides! Hank whips, ELBOWS and then DECKS Myles! Myles staggers to a corner, Hank runs corner to corner, SPLASH and BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Hank goes to the outside, and he gets on the tracks! He uses the steps to FLYING BODY ATTACK on Tavion! The fans are thunderous as Tank is up, too! HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH for Tavion!!

Wait, Myles FLIES?! Down goes Hank ‘n’ Tank and the fans are thunderous as NXT goes picture in picture!

Myles drags Hank up, puts him in the ring, and pushes him to a cover, TWO! Hank is still in this, but Myles KNEES him in the back. Myles drags Hank up, ROCKS him, then UPPERCUTS him! Hank flops against the ropes, Myles stomps away, but then stops as the ref counts. Tag to Tavion, and Tavion stomps away on Hank on the apron! Tavion steps in, kicks Hank to the floor, then takes a bow. Tavion goes out to fetch Hank for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Hank writhes, Tavion pushes him in and covers, TWO! Hank is showing true grit, but Tavion fires forearms! Tavion whisp Hank to ropes, then LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!

Tavion drags Hank up, whips him into a corner, then tags Myles. Tavion stands Hank up to feed him to the SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Myles is frustrated, but he sits Hank up to KNEE him int he back! Myles CLUBS Hank, ROCKS him, then fires body shots! Hank fires hands in return but Myles kicks low. Myles reels Hank in but Hank blocks the suplex! Hank cradles Myles, TWO! Myles stomps Hank down, then drags him up to ROCK him with a right! Hank flops over, Myles stomps him and taunts him, then ROCKS him again! Hank fires a body shot in return! Myles fires another haymaker! Myles stalks Hank, but Hank ROCKS Myles!

Myles comes back to ROCK Hank, but Hank ROCKS Myles! NXT returns to single picture as the hands keep going! Hank ROCKS Myles, both men flounder to their corners, hot tags to Tavion and Tank! Tank and Tavion fire fast ‘n’ furious fists and the fans fire up! Tavion RIPOS Tank’s shirt off! Tank ROCKS Tavion again and again! Tank whips, Tavion reverses to LARIAT! Tavion runs, but Tank ELBOWS him! Then Tank hits a BIG back suplex! Tavion is up!? Tavion hits a BIG back suplex! But Tank is up!? The fans are thunderous as these two run up, LARIAT from Tavion again! Cover, Hank just breaks it in time!

Myles storms in and TOSSES Hank! NQCC get Tank up, fireman’s carry, but then Hank drags Myles out! Tank shoves Tavion, rolls him up, HANK ‘N’ TANK ELIMINATE NQCC!! What a hot streak! But now, the final team is none other than Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank get past the Bullhead Brawler & Great Rush? Or will being themselves only get them this far?

Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura!

Tank steps outside, but Briggs just goes after him! Briggs THROWS Tank into the steel steps while Inamura runs up on Hank! Inamura wrenches Hank to fire those fast hands! Then Inamura hits a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO!! Hank still has something but Briggs tags in. Briggs CLUBS Hank, talks trash, but Hank fires a haymaker! Briggs likes the fighting spirit and eggs Hank on. Hank fires more hands, but there’s not a lot of mustard. Briggs BOOTS Hank, whips him, then scoops him, SIDEWALK SLAM and a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Hank still has something left, and Fraxiom likes where this is going. Briggs tags Inamura and Inamura CHOPS Hank!

Inamura CHOPS and JABS on hyper speed! Tag to Briggs, he runs side to side and BOOTS Hank! Briggs brings Hank around, tags Inamura, CHOP into the CHOKE SLAM BACKBREKER COMBO!! Cover, TANK BREAKS IT! The fans cheer and Tank coaches Hank. The fans rally as hard as they can, but then Inamura runs up! Tank takes the CHOP for Hank! Briggs BOOTS Tank down, then he and Inamura double whip Hank! Hank ducks Briggs, shoves him into Inamura, then cradle for Briggs!! Inamura leaps but Tank anchors him! HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!?!?

Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships)

Incredible! Hank ‘n’ Tank start and finish this gauntlet, and now they’re headed to Las Vegas! Fraxiom may #NeverSlowDown, but Hank ‘n’ Tank never give up. What happens when irresistible forces meet immovable objects at Stand & Deliver?

Stevie Turner talks with Kali Armstrong.

The Evolve General Manager, and Ava’s assistant NXT GM, is very impressed with Kali, which is why she’s in the Fatal 4 Way main event of tomorrow night’s Evolve! Kali will take on Brinley Reece, Kendal Grey, and Chantel Monroe. Kali likes that, and says thanks for the opportunity, Stevie. Kali heads out, and Ava is there to say Kali’s gonna be a big star one day. Robert Stone agrees. But how stoked are we that Hank ‘n’ Tank just won the tag team gauntlet? He is so happy for those guys. Stevie agrees, the tag title match is set. But alas, there’s one last spot in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match to fill.

Ava says yes, but she found a last minute entry for that match. Oh? Who? Ava says don’t worry, you’ll know when the music hits. Ava teases something big, who will make a surprise entry? And will that certain someone soon Stand & Deliver?

A truck pulls into the parking lot.

And it’s Oba Femi! The Ruler brings his NXT Championship with him, but wait! Is that Dark State sneaking up behind him!? Are they going to go after the champ and ruin Stand & Deliver?

Jaida Parker speaks.

“When you see Jaida Parker, you’ve already made your mind up. Because of my old life, people have already made assumptions about me. And to be honest, I don’t care, because I never fit in anywhere anyways. People think just because you look the part that it’s easy. But just because I carry something with ease don’t mean that it ain’t heavy. See, this path to Stand & Deliver started right here, in Port St. Lucie. I laughed in these streets, I cried in these streets, and I started making a damn name for myself in these streets. And Stephanie, Jordynne, and Giulia, they all come from somewhere. I’m the only homegrown talent in this match.

“And yeah, other women might be intimidated by that. Hell, the entire world IS intimidated by that. But I learned right here in Port St. Lucie that if I can hang with the boys, then I can hang with anybody. Because baby, I am pressure. And I ain’t talking about the pressure that burst pipes. I’m talking about the pressure that creates diamonds! Because growing up, if you didn’t apply it, it was damn sure applied to you. See, my dad’s a coach, and he would never let me play football like my brother did. So I decided to go for the next best thing: Soccer. And that physicality, what? Man, I loved it.

“But with my dad also being my coach, people already made the assumption about me. I’ve been in a women’s locker room my whole life, so I know exactly how vicious it can be. All women wanna do is try and cut you down. And out here in NXT, we have the best division in the world. But I know deep down, none of them want me to succeed before they do. And that’s not my problem. My best friend is actually my uncle. Man, you talk about a support system, You wanna talk about keeping a smile on my face. That’s exactly what he did to me. And when I lost him, I learned real early on that I couldn’t trust nobody. Because if I could lose my best friend, who else can I trust?

“See, people assume I have an attitude. Nah, I’m just the way that I am because that’s what happens when you don’t fit other people’s agendas. That’s what happens when you lose the purpose of this all. Life made me hard. So nah, I don’t need no damn friends in no damn locker room. All I need is that big game situation. The moments that make or break you. And ain’t nobody been able to break me. And come this Saturday in Las Vegas, I’m gonna show the entire world that Jaida Parker don’t play. And I’m taking that NXT championship with me.” Miss Parker got #OutTheMud, but will she get that gold?

The D’Angelo Family arrives!

Stacks, Rizzo, Luca, and a few other cousins are here, but where’s Tony? Where’s The Don? Stacks says T ain’t coming. This was Stacks’ call. Wait, Stacks didn’t run this by Tony? Stacks tells Luca that he doesn’t need to justify his decisions, he’s the Underboss, this is his call. Are they with him or not? Luca says they’ve never backed down from a fight before, they sure won’t do that tonight. Dark State is already waiting, so it’s go time! Stacks has Rizzo move aside, and the boys get the crowbars out! Rizzo hurries to call Tony, but the fight is on! The crowbars hit first and they hit hard! The random cousins get taken out, but Stacks & Luca stand their ground!

Luca’s got Dion, Stacks has Saquon, they drag those two inside, but then Dion & Saquon fight free! They brawl around backstage, knocking into ladders and walls. Luca CHUCKS a trash can at Dion! Saquon SMACKS Luca with the trash can’s lid, then throws it into Stacks! Saquon grabs a chair, but Stacks grabs it from him! Luca SMACKS Saquon with another chair! But now Cutler & Osiris have caught up! They’re throwing off the other cousins, as well as security, and Cutler CLOBBERS Luca! Security still tries, but Cutler ELBOWS one, and CHOKE SLAMS another through a table! But then Stacks & Luca get Cutler with a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX through a table!

Osiris shakes free of security to run up on Luca with a crowbar! Stacks gets Luca outta the way, and that crowbar goes into the wall! Then Luca & Stacks DOUBLE SPEAR Osiris through that wall!! Security drags Luca & Stacks up, Saquon and Dion are back, this brawl moves down some other hallway! They’re in the storage area, they crash into spare pipes, and Dion THROWS Stacks up against some spare lockers! And then Dion SLAMS the lockers down! Stacks avoids disaster, Luca SMACKS Dion off the lockers! Saquon comes back, armed with a fire extinguisher! Cutler & Osiris are back up, they brawl with the D’Angelos, but Saquon just BLASTS everybody!

Saquon is going wild, but then he JAMS Luca up with the extinguisher itself! Cutler THROWS Stacks against someone’s car! Security steps in, but one of them is sent into the car! Stacks CHUCKS a cinderblock! Cutler dodges, the block shatters on the ground, and Cutler scoops Stacks to LAWN DART him into the garage door! Saquon SMACKS Luca off the side of the car, then Dark State gets him up. DOUBLE URENAGE onto the hood! Another car pulls up, and it’s TON! CROWBAR SHOTS FOR EVERYBODY! Dark State is going into retreat as the cops get involved! Tony helps Stacks up, and he says HE called the police.

Tony now asks what the hell Stacks is doing! Going over his head?! Risking the family for something Tony didn’t sign off on?! Stacks says Dark State disrespected the family! Tony says yeah, but Tony had a plan. Stacks says he got caught up, and Tony says yeah, and Stacks should’ve listened instead. Because while Stacks got caught up in whatever the hell this was, Tony was handling business the way it’s supposed to be handled. They all want Dark State, okay? But not in some street, in some parking lot. They’ll do it in front of the entire world, on the biggest stage: Stand & Deliver! Because that’s what they do.

Tony knows what is best for the family. Stacks, do NOT question him again. Understood? Understood. Tony hugs it out with Stacks, but will the D’Angelos be able to end Dark State the right way?

Stephanie Vaquer speaks.

La Primera went home to Chile, and not only does she get to see family and friends again, but she’s also part of Chilean TV specials on this Road to WrestleMania. She is very happy to represent Chile at Stand & Deliver as well as all of WrestleMania Week, the most important week of the year. She reviews how she is not only the first woman to hold both the NXT Women’s & NXT Women’s North American Championships at the same time, but she’s the first Chilean women’s champion.

She then goes to her hometown of San Fernando to have a media moment with the mayor, Pablo Silva Perez, who is very proud that one of their own is now a world class professional wrestler. Vaquer tells the story of when, years ago, she told her father she wanted to be a wrestler. He was of course worried, but she told him she would one day be a champion in the WWE. During her career, she was winning titles all over the world, but he never got to see that because she couldn’t come home. But now, she gets to give him a big surprise, because she brought home replicas of the titles she won in NXT.

Vaquer feels so blessed to be home to have all the love and support of her people in Chile. And at Stand & Deliver, she promises to continue representing them with pride, passion and courage, always keeping Chile’s name high. Vaquer is ready, but will La Primera still be THE champion here in NXT?

Backstage interview with Hank ‘n’ Tank.

Kelly Kincaid is with tonight’s big gauntlet winners, and says they’re going to Stand & Deliver! Yeah, baby! Here we come! These past few weeks, they’ve gotten tons of advice from teams on Raw, SmackDown, and beyond. Some was good, some not so good. But tonight, Hank ‘n’ Tank stayed true to who they are, and they pulled it off! They learned who they are! But they also learned who they’re not. They didn’t change who they are, and they left it all in the ring! They took the gauntlet and gave it a bodacious belly boy booming twice! And now… They’ve got a chance at the titles at Stand & Deliver!

But in steps Frazer & Axiom. Axiom loves it! Hank ‘n’ Tank found themselves and they did it! Now they’re ready to put themselves to the test on the biggest stage, against the best tag team in NXT. Axiom looks forward to it. Frazer says he knew they could do it! He knew the entire time. Uh, no, Frazer gave them the worst advice possible. Oh, did he? They ran the entire gauntlet, but it’s just a shame they did it for nothing. Axiom is annoyed by Frazer, but Tank says agree to disagree. See you at Stand & Deliver. Hank ‘n’ Tank offer handshakes, Frazer says, “We most certainly will,” and then heads out? Axiom shakes hands, so at least one champion is respectful.

But will Frazer also learn to respect the bodacious belly boys? Or will Fraxiom, dysfunctional once again, still pull off the win?

Roxie meets with Ava again.

Roxie is so upset! Even Hank ‘n’ Tank get to go to Stand & Deliver and she doesn’t? Stone says those two beat four other teams, they deserve it. Well so does Roxie! Ava asks if Roxie found a tag partner. Actually, yes. Roxie thought about it, and she realized she’s a Prodigy for a reason. She’ll just be her own tag partner. That’s not how that works… And one Roxie is plenty anyway. Ava asks how bad she wants this. Really badly! Oh, is that so? Cora Jade steps in! Does Roxie want it so bad that she’s willing to apologize? Roxie is speechless, but she’s only got 4 days left. Will Roxie swallow her pride to go for glory with an old friend?

BREAKING NEWS for Stand & Deliver!

It seems during commercial, Roxanne did apologize to Cora, and now the mean girls are back in action! The Fatal 4 Way Tag match is now an ELIMINATION MATCH, and set for the Stand & Deliver Countdown Show! Who will start off their WrestleMania Weekend with a big win and head right for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles?

NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS ???

It’s the main event and there’s one spot left in that six pack challenge! Karmen is ready to represent for Team SHING SHING, but who’s she up against? We find out, after the break.

NXT returns and wait, Andre Chase is talking with Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon. The boys want Mr. Chase to reconsider reopening Chase U, but he tells them that while he’s thankful for everything they’ve done for him, he’s… He’s just scared. What if he ruins their lives like he has everyone else’s? “You didn’t ruin mine.” THEA HAIL!? She’s back! And Thea says Mr. Chase has her blessings. He can reopen Chase U. Does that mean she’s back in? No, but she’ll always be a proud alumni. For now, she’s qualifying for the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match! Then go get ’em, champ! Thea fist bumps Mr. Chase and fires up!

The music starts, “I’m a grown ass woman!” Thea runs out there, the fans go nuts already, Thea almost licks the title! Will everyone be shouting #HailYeah this Saturday in Las Vegas?

The bell rings, the fans chant “Welcome Back!” and even Karmen is happy to have Thea back. But then Karmen kicks, only for Thea to block! Thea spins Karmen, rolls her up, ONE! Karmen trips and covers, ONE! The two stand off and the fans cheer. Karmen and Thea reset, then things speed up. Thea rolls over the dropdown, then arm-drags! And arm-drags again! The fans fire up with Thea, she runs in and ELBOWS Karmen! Thea clinches for an EXPLODER! Karmen bails out, Adonis coaches her, but Thea builds speed! Thea DIVES, but into a GAMANGIRI! Karmen storms in, runs up, and she SLINGBLADES!

Karmen dares Thea to get up, then whips her, only for Thea to reverse. Karmen goes up to JUMP SOBAT! Thea flounders, Karmen DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Karmen is annoyed but she rains down fists! Thea kicks free, but Karmen brings her up for a KICK! And KICK! And KICK, but Thea blocks it! Thea HEADBUTTS Karmen, then dodges a lariat to ELBOW Karmen down! And ELBOW her again! And then wrench and kick to the leg! BASEMENT CLOTHESLINE! The fans fire up and Thea runs, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Thea hauls Karmen up, scoops and POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up with Thea as she shakes the ropes!

Thea SEANTONS, then TRUST FALLS! The fans fire up and Karmen flounders. Thea runs in, floats over, and underhooks for the BUTTERFLY TWIST! Then KIMURA!! Karmen TAPS, Thea wins!

Winner: Thea Hail, by submission (advances to Stand & Deliver)

Thea makes a return in a big way, and she’s on to perhaps the biggest match in her career! Thea looks around at ringside, we see #ZaRuca up in the perch, while Izzi Dame, Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice have appeared in different parts of the crowd. The six pack is complete, but who will be toasting their victory at Stand & Deliver?

Trick Williams heads to the ring!

The fans fire up and chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” as he makes his way out for what is to be one final faceoff between the NXT Championship Triple Threat competitors. Trick grabs a mic to keep that Booker T energy going, “Huh? I like it!” Trick says he’s been doing a whole lot of thinking lately about who he is. A couple weeks ago, Young OG came out here and said Trick… is the new Carmelo Hayes… But Trick gets it now. Because you either die the hero, or live long enough to become the villain. But Trick Willy still alive! And heavy is the head that wears the crown. Oba, your head may be heavy, but on Saturday, Trick’s coming for that crown, dawg!

And Je’Von, that means better luck next year for you! The fans cheer, but here comes Oba Femi! The Ruler changes the mood as he has belt around his waist and mic in his hand. Oba tells “Mr. Williams, it’s funny how you still talk like you’re the man around here. Well guess what? You’re not the man. What you are is a broken record playing the same hits over and over, and over and over again. And nobody is singing along, because you are the only one who is still whooping dat trick!” The fans disagree as they chant, “Whoop Dat Trick!” Oba says he’ll give Trick a word of advice: The spotlight is moving on, so Trick should do the same.

Trick gets one last chance to stand in the spotlight alongside Oba at Stand & Deliver on Saturday, and that will be Trick’s last time. Because when Oba is done with him, Oba is moving on, as well. Trick wants to ask, do Oba’s ears not work that good? Are those braids too tight? The fans are still chanting Whoop Dat Trick around the world, let’s talk about it! The fans cheer, and they again chant for Trick. But hey, what’s Oba got? He’s still The Ruler? It takes more than a few Black Panther chants to be the man around here, dawg! Trick says he’ll help Oba out, because it looks like Oba is struggling to hold that title up ever since Trick let him have it.

Trick will take that from Oba, that’ll help Oba out, and- Here comes Je’Von Evans! The Young OG has them cut his music, and he tells Trick, “Please, please, PLEASE shut yo’ ass up! Oh, I mean, I dunno, I could be trippin’, gang. But like, I guess the Young OG was right about Trick a few weeks ago. I mean, bruh, you come here week, after week, after week, after week, after week, after week… talking about a match that you deserve. And honestly, I’m gonna speak for some people here, at least for some. We tired of that! Like, if you gon’ talk, talk about something else. But you already know how I feel about you, so Trick Williams, you’re dismissed.

“Let’s talk about the Ruler now! HOO!” Je’Von steps in, fans chant “O~BA! O~BA!” Je’Von says, “I ain’t gonna lie, that’s cool. I ain’t gonna lie. Real recognizes real, OG. You’ve been glued to a championship ever since you got to NXT. Y’know what I mean? It’s like you’re on track to success. You walk into a room, and everybody knows who you are. And honestly, I’m not trying to be a smart ass fool, but those two times I dropped you, I was hype about it. Cuz I didn’t drop a regular wrestler, Oba. I dropped the NXT Champion! You feel me? That’s real talk.” The fans do cheer that. Je’Von asks how many times are we gonna hear, “Oba Femi will main event WrestleMania in a couple of years.”

And that’s not an “if,” it’s a “when” Oba gets drafted. And c’mon, Big O. C’mon, champ. Je’Von pats him on the shoulder and says yeah, he did that. But c’mon! Oba from the University of Alabama! Roll Tide! Roll Tide! The fans here being from Orlando, Florida, they’re not as into that. But Je’Von says bruh, Oba was supposed to get to Raw, SmackDown, and be great! But he walks around this arena, around the Performance Center, and around NXT like all this revolves around here. Deadass right now, bro bro… This kid from North Carolina wasn’t supposed to make it to WWE. But what’d he do? He did that!

And you think Oba is the favorite? But little do you know, that’s how Je’Von likes it. YERRR! Oba chuckles, and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, Je’Von Evans!” The fans cheer, and Oba says, “The Young OG! This is what 20 years looks like. Look at him. 20 years old. You’ve had a phenomenal rookie year. If anybody knows anything about having a phenomenal rookie year, it’s The Ruler, isn’t that right? And you’re the future of this place. But like I said, I’m the present. The future is not here yet. And you’re right about one thing: This place does revolve around me, because I have this!” Oba holds up the NXT Championship.

“Because I have this, that makes me the man! Because I have this, I’m the top dog! And you cannot handle this, because you are a CHILD!” The fans boo that, and Je’Von brushes that off. Trick says he’ll hope both of them out. After they’re done hugging and giving compliments, they’ll talk about what matters, and that’s Trick getting that title back. Belee dat! Je’Von says if they’re gonna talk about Saturday, it’ll be how neither Trick nor Oba can touch Je’Von in this ring. Because we all know Je’Von can wrestle circles around both of them, and that’s facts. The mics drop, but then Trick & Oba SHOVE Je’Von out of the ring!

And now Trick and Oba start throwing hands! The fans fire up, Je’Von returns, but he gets TOSSED out this time! Trick and Oba throw more hands, but Je’Von springboards in! DOUBLE O G CUTTER!! Je’Von stands tall over Trick and Oba, then holds up the title! Is this what we’ll see at the end of Stand & Deliver?

My Thoughts:

A great go-home NXT here, especially with the “last minute” builds to some big matches. I was a little surprised the Fatal 4 Way went first, but I suppose it was the match that needed time to breathe, while also one of the matches they couldn’t adjust on the fly if they needed to cut something for time. That technical stuff aside, it was an awesome opener with all four guys looking strong. Ethan did a great job sniping the finish there, but great stuff with Ricky being ejected just to come back and spear Ethan down. I hope Ricky doesn’t lose given he stood tall, but he and Ethan will have a great match for this title.

Very good stuff in the Women’s North American Championship build. Good promo from Sol, Zaria, Kelani and Izzi, and good stuff in connection. Thea Hail making her TV return was a great move, and a great win over Karmen here. Also, I do appreciate she gave Mr. Chase the encouragement to restart Chase U. Lola VS Tatum was also a very good match, and very good win for Lola. I can’t really be sure who wins the ladder match, but I feel like it’d be boring for Kelani to win again, she has to have a proper feud with someone before she becomes a two-time Women’s North American Champion. It’d be the most fun if Thea finally got a title reign with this match.

Branching off from that, good stuff with building a Fatal 4 Way tag. Roxie having to make amends with Cora is an interesting twist but I figured that would happen. I don’t know their chances when we’re talking an Elimination Fatal 4, but I suppose Roxie & Cora wouldn’t reunite if they weren’t going to have a strong showing. At the same time, it really depends on if Liv & Raquel are meant to win against Lyra & Bayley. Speaking of Lyra & Bayley, I’m surprised Hank ‘n’ Tank ran the table just like they did, but it was done in an awesome way. Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Fraxiom will be awesome, and this really will come down to how Hank ‘n’ Tank are of like minds while Frazer & Axiom keep disagreeing.

The backstage brawl of Stacks & Luca VS Dark State was both a bit cheesy but also really good. Tony making the save was great, and now we’re getting a big Six Man Tag out of it. It feels like this will be the make or break for the D’Angelo Family, as Stacks keeps pushing the boundaries of his authority within the family. Great cameo from Kali Armstrong to help plug Evolve, that’ll be a great Fatal 4 Way over there. Great promos from the women in the NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way. Jaida’s promo felt like the longest and most in-depth, but Vaquer’s was pretty close. I feel like it’ll be between the two of them for who wins the title. I’m leaning towards Vaquer retaining, but Jaida really does deserve some kind of title reign before her NXT run is over.

And a great promo segment from Trick, Oba & Je’Von to close the show. All three made strong points, but then Je’Von standing tall was quite the surprise but also a great image. The math would now say he doesn’t win, but it’s a Triple Threat so maybe there’s a way for him to still win out. It could even have to do with all these theories of someone leading Dark State, but that’s only if there is someone else leading Dark State. It’d be a great way to kick off a new chapter for NXT if Dark State had the NXT Champion leading them, and their feud with the D’Angelos continued as Tony tried to go after that title to complete his Grand Slam.

My Score: 8.9/10