Will The Chair Man just have to FOGEDABOUTIT?

Shawn Spears may have goaded Tony D’Angelo into an NXT North American Championship match, but he still has to win the thing! Will Spears face the painful truth that you don’t mess with The Don?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 2024 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifier: Axiom VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins and advances to WWE Deadline.
• Lola Vice VS Wren Sinclair w/ Charlie Dempsey; Lola wins.
• NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo VS Shawn Spears; Tony wins and retains the title.
• 2024 Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifier: Kelani Jordan VS Giulia; Giulia wins and advances to WWE Deadline.
• NXT Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley w/ The Fatal Influence VS Tatum Paxley; Fallon wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Andre Chase is here!

The fans cheer as Mr. Cha- WAIT, that’s not Chase! That’s Ridge Holland! Now the fans boo as Ridge grins and goes to the ring to Chase U’s music. Ridge steps into the ring with a mic in hand, and he says, “I told you so!” Ridge laughs as the fans boo more, and Ridge soaks it all up. Ridge says, “Trick Williams, Deadline, I’ll be seein’ ya.” Ridge drops the mic, message sent. Will The Redeemer have his twisted redemption when he takes the title for his own? Or can the TWO-TIME TWO-TIME NXT Champion Whoop Dat Ridge?

2024 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifier: Axiom w/ Nathan Frazer VS Ethan Page!

While the Undeniable Truth wasn’t happy his tag team partner, Nathan Frazer, decided to go put his name in the ring for Deadline, there was no way Axiom was going to let All Ego try the same. Will Axiom make sure Ethan does NOT get another shot at the title? Or will nothing stop Ethan from getting what he wants?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Axiom waistlocks but Ethan wrenches out to ELBOW BREAKER! Axiom rolls away and the two reset. They tie up, Ethan headlocks, but Axiom rolls Ethan to a cover, ONE! Ethan and Axiom reset again, and knuckle lock. Axiom wrenches and wrangles Ethan to a MOUSE TRAP! TWO, and Ethan avoids a Penalty Kick! Ethan bails out, but has to hurry away as Axiom runs up! Ethan tells Frazer to give him space, Axiom wants Ethan back in the ring, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and Ethan brawls with Axiom on the apron! Axiom UPPERCUTS Ethan and Ethan wobbles! The fans fire up as Axiom tilt-o-whirls and RANAS Ethan off the apron! Ethan hits the desk and the fans are thunderous! Axiom gets Ethan up and into the ring then climbs a corner. Axiom leaps but Ethan gets under. Ethan runs up, Axiom catches him, ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Ethan fights around, stacks, TWO! Axiom ducks a haymaker to waistlock, but Ethan bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, into a BOOT! Ethan then rains down fists, and ROCKS Axiom for good measure!

Axiom sits up, he fires a body shot but Ethan stands him up. Ethan ROCKS Axiom, Axiom ROCKS Ethan, repeat! The fans rally for Axiom and he CHOPS! The tag teams of OTM, Hank ‘n’ Tank and Myles & Heights are all watching this, more interested in the tag titles than Axiom’s chances. OTM heads out, so Tyson & Tyriek step in. Ty & Ty showing up makes Myles & Heights leave, and so The D’Angelo Family’s Luca Crusifino steps in with Stacks, along with Gallus. Ethan swings, Axiom catches him to a COBRA CLUTCH! Ethan pries free to ELBOW BREAKER! Ethan runs, but Axiom LARIATS at the ropes!

Axiom runs, Ethan follows and LARIATS Axiom at the ropes! Ethan runs but Axiom V-TRIGGERS! Axiom headlocks, Ethan powers out then follows, but Axiom hits a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! INTO ARMBAR!! Ethan endures as Axiom pulls him around into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Ethan deadlifts Axiom, to POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans are fired up! “This is Awesome!” as both men slowly rise. Ethan brings Axiom up to CLUB him down! The fans boo but Axiom pushes back up. Ethan shoves Axiom to ROCK him in the back! Axiom falls, but Ethan drags him back up to hit a BACKBREAKER!

Ethan hauls Axiom up again for another BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives but Ethan clamps on a rear bearhug. Axiom endures and the fans rally up. Frazer is frustrated for his amigo but Axiom fights up. Axiom wrenches out but Ethan ROCKS him in the back! Ethan whips Axiom hard into a corner! Ethan drags Axiom up to whip hard into another corner! The fans rally as Ethan storms up on Axiom. Ethan ROCKS Axiom, and Axiom falls to the apron! Ethan reels Axiom in, underhooks and FLIPPING BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Axiom stays in this but Ethan says on him.

Ethan brings Axiom up to whip to the corner. Axiom stops himself, goes up and over, but Ethan BOOTS back! Ethan goes up but Axiom GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up and Frazer coaches Axiom. Axiom goes up, has Ethan, and though a little wobbly, Axiom hits a SUPER SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives but Axiom shakes his head. The fans rally up for “NXT! NXT!” as Axiom goes to a corner. Axiom climbs, but Ethan ROCKS Axiom first! Ethan climbs up now, but Axiom fires hands! Axiom has a KIMURA! Ethan endures the armlock way up top, and he CLUBS Axiom! Scoop and TOP ROPE BACKBREAKER!!

Ethan has a wild look in his eyes while Axiom is on the floor! The fans boo and Frazer checks on Axiom, but NXT goes back to break.

NXT returns again and Ethan has Axiom down with knuckle locks. Axiom keeps his shoulders up, Ethan jumps on but Axiom stops the cover! They rock up, Axiom leaps to the top rope and then MOONSAULT DDTS!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives and Axiom is beside himself! Frazer is also shocked but this is why Ethan’s been a top champion before. Axiom drags Ethan up, and KCISK! And KICKS! Axiom eggs Ethan on as he fires forearms! Ethan eggs Axiom on so Axiom fires another shot! Ethan ROCKS Axiom! Axiom goes to a corner, Ethan runs in, but he blocks a boto! Axiom ENZIGIRIS! And then hops on for a SLEEPER!

Ethan RAMS Axiom into buckles, but Axiom holds on! Ethan RAMS Axiom into the corner again, but Axiom shifts around to GUILLOTINE! Ethan uses that to suplex Axiom into buckles! Then Ethan gets Axiom up, POWER BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Axiom survives but Ethan won’t stop there! Ethan brings Axiom to a corner, CLUBS him, and then hoists him up top. Ethan then climbs up, and he lifts Axiom in the crucifix! SUPER EGO’S- RANA!! The fans are thunderous as Axiom rises again! Ethan stagger sup, into the- LARIAT!! Ethan hits first!! Cover, ETHAN WINS!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (advances to WWE Deadline)

The fans are disappointed but that’s music to Ethan’s ears. Will he get an even greater chorus of boos when he finds a way to win the Iron Survivor Challenge? Sarah Schreiber interviews Ethan in the ring, and congratulates him on the big win. Ethan says that if you bet against All Ego, you are gonna lose money every single time. Ethan finds a way to win! Tonight, he found a way to win against one hell of a champion. But Ethan is the last guy anyone wanted to qualify for Iron Survivor. But Frazer speaks up to say Ethan can settle down. He hasn’t won anything yet. Ethan takes the mic from Sarah and dismisses her as Frazer steps into the ring.

Frazer reminds Ethan that the Iron Survivor Challenge is quite literally Frazer’s kind of match. 25 minutes of sheer chaos! And Ethan ain’t winning anything, because he won’t be able to keep up. Ethan says no, please, don’t change a thing. Go your speed, Frazer. But if Ethan could ask Frazer’s mouth to slow down to catch up with his brain, understand that Ethan just beat Frazer’s tag team partner. The guy that carries the weight in the team, the driving force of the two. Frazer laughs that off and says yeah, well, he’ll tell Ethan right now that Axiom isn’t the driving force! But then Frazer remembers, Axiom’s still right here.

Frazer says no, he wasn’t going there, Axiom, that’s the truth. And Frazer sees what Ethan is up to with this. But wait, here comes Wes Lee! Wes says Frazer does not need to answer Ethan like that, Ethan is just trying to rile him all up. Now, what Frazer can do is answer Wes’s questions, as can Ethan. “Which one of y’all is gonna be coming in second? Because I got this thing on lock, and everybody in here is looking at the future NXT Champion.” Nathan can hit the ropes at like 60 miles per hour all he wants, and Ethan can go ahead and point to his smile for 25 minutes. But Wes Lee will be pointing to New Year’s Evil when he finally gets- Interrupted by Je’Von Evans!

The Young OG makes his way out and he says things are getting full up right now. This is a playing field right now. But they got one more person to add, AND the Young OG is in it, so you know it’s about to be BOUNCY~! But Wes, what you need to answer is: How many times are you gonna end up in the penalty box? That’s just Je’Von’s question. Wait, OTM make their way out here, and Price says he and Bronco do not give a dayumn about this Iron Survivor stuff! Frazer & Axiom are tag champs, right? But they’re too focused on singles gold, and OTM ain’t cool with that. Actually, seems no team is, because all those teams from earlier are headed this way!

The teams start shoving each other, then start brawling, and Frazer says if they all wanted the champs’ attention, they’ve got it! Frazer FLIES out onto one side, Axiom MOONSAULTS out onto the other! The fans are fired up as the tag division is brawling two weeks in a row! Security does its best to steer this to the back, will Fraxiom have to handle business before Deadline?

Brinley Reece talks with Sol Ruca in the locker room.

Brin saw Sol video bomb Roxanne last week, that was so good. And Sol is definitely Brin’s pick for the Iron Survivor. Lola Vice walks over to say she’s happy so long as Jaida Parker isn’t in it. Lola then talks with Stephanie Vaquer that nothing is through with Lola and Jaida until Lola says it is. Vaquer and Lola converse in Espanol, and La Primera appreciates Lola helped her, not that she needed it. Lola agrees, but she just wanted to make sure Vaquer won. Well, that’s fair. Vaquer heads out, and Wren Sinclair steps in. Wren says it’s kinda crazy if you ask her. Sure, Wren’s done some… silly things herself. But going after Jaida again, after she literally smashed a brick in Lola’s face…

Wren says Lola should’ve just taken the L and- Lola stops her there. All Lola’s ever needed are her two fists. Jaida needs anything she can find. Wren says she totally agrees, but- Lola tells Wren that tonight, Lola can show Wren what Jaida already knows: That these fists don’t lie. Lola heads out and Wren realizes she stepped in it again. “Charles” is not going to be happy, but can Wren save herself against the Mayor of Vice City?

Ashante THEE Adonis talks with Nikkita Lyons.

Adonisly, Lyons caught him off guard with that move last week. Well, she had to get his attention somehow. Yeah, but that train has left the station. He’s trying to hop back on, and now he’s got some baggage. Why? Cuz of Karmen? Yeah, cuz… There’s something there. She’s a straightshooter who’s straight perfect. She’s special. Okay, sure, but to be clear, he is interested here, right? Since he did text her. Yes, of course. But who didn’t he text? Karmen walks in and mocks his words back at him. “Of course I did~! I didn’t even text her, Karmen~!” Yeah, right. Adonis tries to explain but Lyons speaks up.

Lyons says Karmen should get used to it, because when it comes to a little girl like Karmen and a grown woman like Lyons, the answer is obvious. And it won’t be Karmen. Adonis knows where to find her. Lyons leaves and Karmen wants after her but Adonis keeps her back. Karmen says Adonis was fooling everyone. Fool her once, shame on her. Fool her twice, shame on him! Karmen storms off, and Adonis seems to be stuck. Will he deal with this issue Adonisly or honestly?

Lola Vice VS Wren Sinclair w/ Charlie Dempsey!

The Mayor of Vice City is in a fighting mood, and Wren should’ve read the room. Will Wren get smartened up the hard way by those fists of fury? Or can she use what she’s already learned from NQCC to get away with a win?

The bell rings and Wren is wary of Lola. Lola shoots in, slips around, waistlocks and SLAMS Wren! Wren fights up, Lola wrangles her, but Wren fights back up. Wren pops free, but then Lola HIP TOSSES her! Wren goes for a leg but Lola blocks and gator rolls her around! Wren endures, reaches in, hooks a leg, and she pops Lola to a cover. ONE, but Wren hurries to facelock. Wren whips but Lola blocks hip toss. Wren blocks hip toss, but ends up in an ARMBAR! Wren kicks around, fights around, Dempsey coaches her, and she bridges back. Wren keeps moving, manages to stack Lola, TWO!

Lola KNEES low! Lola suplexes Wren, that’s Una Amiga! And then another suplex, Dos Amigas! Lola gives some Latina Heat and the fans love it! THREE AMIGAS! Cover, TWO! Lola drags Wren up, but Wren WRINGS the arm! Wren steps over the arm and SNAP LOCKS it! Wren SLAMS Lola’s arm down, throws her down, then SLAMS the arm again! Dempsey likes what he sees as Wren double wristlocks and pushes on the arm! Lola endures but Wren wrangles her and has the headscissor added on! Wren bends fingers but Lola kicks around. Wren keeps Lola down with the headscissors but Lola keeps fighting!

Lola fights around, Wren holds onto the arm, but Lola fires body shots. Wren KNEES Lola and hammerlocks. The fans duel, Wren sends Lola into buckles! Wren runs up, Lola dodges to KNEE low! And then LIGHTNING KICKS! Wren blocks one! Short arm LARIAT! Wren stalks Lola, runs up, and basement DROPKICKS Lola to the apron! The fans continue to rally and duel while Lola crawls back in. Lola clinches Wren but Wren breaks free to CLOBBER her again! Lola bails out and Wren storms out after her. Wren has the arm and goes to the steps! Dempsey says do it, but Wren hesitates. That lets Lola THROW Wren down!

Lola storms up but Wren DROPKICKS her down! Dempsey says that’s the way! Wren puts Lola into the ring and rolls her up, TWO! Lola is right up to URAKEN! Cover, Lola wins!

Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall

Buenas noches, Wren! Lola’s knockout power is always 100%, and she tells Jaida that very soon, they’re going UNDERGROUND! Will there be no stopping Lola when her fists don’t lie?

Adriana Rizzo finds Tony D’Angelo backstage.

She asks The Don what’s going on. Where are Luca & Stacks? They’re busy doing their own thing, it’ll be fine. Then how’s the knee? The knee’s good, it’s time to go. The Don is ready as he’ll ever be for this title defense, will he still be North American Champion after tonight? Speaking of…

Shawn Spears and Brooks Jensen talk backstage.

The Chair Man says that’s when he knew, they’re in this position partly because of his wisdom, but also because of Jensen’s execution. Jensen says the way it’s all fallen into place, the way Spears manipulated and maneuvered things, it’s brilliant! Spears says now Jensen is learning. They head out, also ready for this match. Will Spears make Tony D face the painful truth that pride truly does come before the fall?

Tatum Paxley speaks.

Specifically, she talks to her dolls. “Oh, can you just believe it? I have been chasing gold all year! And finally, I can shut those mean girls up, and call myself, ‘The Champion.’ Oh think of all the friends that’re gonna come play with us!” But in step Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx. Jacy tells Tatum to tell her “friends” the truth. Jazmyn says the truth is, Tatum will never be a champion. Playtime’s over, freak! Jacy throws down Tatum’s dolls, but Tatum says, “Your past will haunt you.” Tatum storms off, but someone picks up one of the dolls. Does Tatum have a friend she doesn’t even know about? Will they make themselves known once Tatum has the shiny shiny Women’s North American title?

NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ Adriana Rizzo VS Shawn Spears w/ Brooks Jensen!

The Don had the whole D’Angelo Family with him when he finally overcame Oba Femi, but he’s down his Underboss and his Consiglieri given their tag title aspirations. But The Chair Man has his right hand man with him as always, and his influence is clearly growing. Will Tony handle business and send Spears on his way? Or will Spears expose Tony to more than just painful truth?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who will just FOGEDABOUTIT!

Spears offers a handshake, but Tony fires haymakers! The bell rings as Tony is getting some payback for that cheap shot last week! Spears puts Tony in a corner, CHOPS, but Tony gets in Spears’ face! Tony fires hands, Spears headlocks but Tony powers up and out. Spears runs Tony over, gets moving, but Tony CLOBBERS Spears! Tony hobbles on the bad leg, through, and Spears wags his finger. Tony and Spears tie up, Spears wants the leg but Tony waistlocks. Spears fights the lift, puts Tony in the corner and that leg in the ropes! Tony fires hands and Spears staggers away. Tony whips Spears, Spears reverses, but then blocks a boot!

Spears KICKS the bad leg, puts it back in the ropes, but Tony again fights with haymakers! Spears ROCKS Tony, then drop a KNEE on the knee! Tony writhes, Jensen cheers Spears on, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Spears is outside. Spears drags Tony to a corner, but Tony YANKS Spears into the post! The fans fire up while Tony crawls away. Tony stands, then he brings Spears up the corner! The fans rally but Spears fights the suplex! Tony powers through to SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up again while both men are down, and we get picture in picture of the tag division still brawling, and in the parking lot! Whoa, Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura get Fraxiom outta there. Are they trying to make sure the champs stay safe? As for the action in the ring, Spears storms up, but into body shots! Tony then fires hands, and he DECKS Spears!

Tony DECKS Spears again, then hits a BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Tony hobbles, and he runs corner to corner, only for the leg to give out! Spears KNEES Tony down, then grabs that bad leg! FIGURE FOUR! Tony fights off the main leg, but Spears powers it down! Tony endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, but Spears pushes up on the leg! Tony’s shoulders are down, the ref counts the cover, TWO! Tony stays in this, and he drags himself and Spears back towards ropes! Tony reaches out, Rizzo cheers him on, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Spears lets go in frustration. Spears argues with the ref but the ref says he was doing his job.

Spears goes back for Tony’s legs but Tony kicks at him. Spears stomps the leg, but Tony BOOTS Spears with the good one! Spears returns in a flash, but Tony SPEARS SPEARS!! Cover, TWO!! Spears survives and Tony grows frustrated. Rizzo coaches him up, the fans rally up, and Tony fights through the pain to whip. But the leg won’t let him hit the spinebuster! Spears kicks the leg, SUPERKICKS Tony, but Tony back drops Spears! Spears sunset flips, high stack, TWO! Tony sunset flips, TWO!! Spears escapes, but runs into a SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TONY WINS!!

Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

The Don survives, but here comes Jensen! Tony fires hands on the sidekick, then on Spears! Jensen runs up but into a BACKDROP! Then Tony DECKS Spears! Tony D is tough, but NIKO VANCE CLOBBERS TONY! Spears’ second sidekick makes all the difference, and Rizzo is stunned! What does this mean for The Don’s future as NXT North American Champion if the numbers keep growing in The Chair Man’s favor?

The Tag Division is STILL brawling?!

OTM DOUBLE SUPLEX a security guard onto the top of a car!? And another guard has been put through a car window! The other teams just keep on throwing hands, no signs of stopping! Gallus throws another guard into a garage door, then TOSS him onto the windshield! Robert Stone AND Stevie Turner rush out on behalf of Ava to shout at everyone to stop it! The chaos continues even as NXT goes to break, will Ava regret letting the inmates run wild?

Chase U packs things up one last time.

Mr. Chase sighs as he looks at all the things in his classroom. He remembers back to the highlights of Chase U’s tenure, and even some of the low lights. But in the end, Chase U meant so much to him, and now it’s gone for good. Now it’s just an empty room. Chase walks down the hallway, but then someone calls to him. Who could it be? And could they help give Mr. Chase some hope?

2024 Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifier: Kelani Jordan VS Giulia!

The Standout wants to be exactly that, even after losing the Women’s North American Championship. That means moving on and moving up to THE NXT Women’s Championship, which first means getting into the Iron Survivor Challenge. But is Kelani being more like Icarus, flying too high and too fast for her own good? Or can she find a way to survive the Beautiful Madness?

The bell rings, the fans rally as the two tie up. Kelani goes for an arm, wrenches, but Giulia wrenches to YANK the arm. Kelani rolls, rolls back, trips Giulia, and has a toehold. Giulia rolls over but Kelani cartwheels through! Kelani wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wristlocks. Giulia slips around to hammerlock, but Kelani switches that onto Giulia. Kelani then spins Giulia to snapmare and run, for a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kelani goes for the arm but Giulia wrenches and hammerlocks Kelani on the mat. Kelani fights around, fights up, reaches back, but Giulia headlocks for a takeover. Giulia ghost pins, TWO!

Kelani has a cradle, TWO! Giulia has a sunset flip, TWO! Kelani has the prawn hold, TWO! Both women stand and the fans cheer this standoff. Giulia and Kelani reset, and then Kelani offers a handshake. Giulia accepts, and the fans cheer the sportsmanship, but then Kelani whips! Giulia reverses, dodges, but Kelani slingshots, only for Giulia to RANA instead! Giulia wrangles Kelani into an omoplata, and then a RINGS OF SATURN! Kelani endures and the fans rally up! Kelani fights around with legs, but Giulia throws down elbows. Kelani makes it a cover, TWO! Giulia lets Kelani go, but then wrenches the hair!

Giulia keeps on the hair, and then CLUBS Kelani down! Kelani goes to ropes but Giulia runs up, only for Kelani to ELBOW her back! Kelani reels Giulia in to wrench her hair in return! But Giulia HEADBUTTS! Giulia runs to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Kelani ends up in a corner, the fans fire up, and Giulia runs up, only to block a boot. Kelani goes up to AX KICK Giulia down! Kelani then goes up and up, but Giulia anchors her! No moonsaults yet, but Kelani kicks Giulia to the apron. Kelani brings Giulia up, but Giulia HOTSHOTS! And then she DUMPS Kelani out! Giulia aims and leaps, but Kelani dodges! Kelani slides in, Giulia follows to duck ‘n ‘dodge!

Kelani bobs ‘n’ weaves, and DOUBLE HAYMAKERS ROCK both women! The fans are thunderous as these two stare down, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Giulia storms up on Kelani. Giulia fires forearms, then winds up to ROCK her! Kelani leans on the ropes, Giulia whips her, but Kelani reverses. Giulia ducks a kick but not the CALF KICK! Giulia bails out but Kelani storms up to TORNILLA PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Giulia! Kelani puts Giulia in, then rallies on her with LARIAT after LARIAT! Giulia catches Kelani, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Kelani has the body scissor cradle, TWO! Kelani UPPERCUTS Giulia to a corner! The fans fire up and Kelani roars! Kelani runs back in, and SHOTGUNS Giulia down! Kelani runs back up, but into a BOOT!

Giulia goes up, but Kelani GAMANGIRIS! Kelani hurries up after Giulia now, but Giulia throws hands! They brawl up top, and Giulia HEADBUTTS Kelani down! Giulia adjusts, aims, and MISSILE DROPKICK FLOPS as Kelani dodges! Kelani has Giulia in the drop zone! Up, up< ONE OF A KIND into a TRIANGLE HOLD!! Kelani fights and flails while the fans rally and duel! Giulia rolls Kelani from ropes to have that hold in deep! Kelani keeps fighting, keeps reaching out, but she’s fading! Kelani gets a second wind to high stack! TWO!! Giulia keeps on the triangle hold but Kelani keeps fighting!

Kelani powers her way up to deadlift Giulia! POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Giulia survives and Kelani is beside herself! Roxanne Perez is watching this, and she’s rather nonplussed. She probably doesn’t want either woman in the Iron Survivor. Giulia and Kelani head for each other, and they fire forearms! They go back and forth, then stand up! Giulia winds up to DECK Kelani! Kelani gets right up to ROUNDHOUSE! And then facelock, but Giulia wrenches out! Hammerlock, half nelson, scoop and spin, GLORIOUS DRIVER- NO, Kelani victory rolls it! TWO!! But Giulia DECKS Kelani again! Scoop and NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, GIULIA WINS!

Winner: Giulia, by pinfall (advances to WWE Deadline)

Take nothing away from Kelani, but give Giulia her due! The Standout succumbs to The Beautiful Madness and the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge is that much bigger! Will Giulia be the one standing tall at the end of it all? What about that fifth and final spot?

Ava Raine speaks with a lot of superstars at once.

She has Fraxiom, Cora Jade, Lexis King, Jaida Parker, Eddy Thorpe, and Cedric Alexander with her. She knows they all lost their Iron Survivor Qualifiers, but not all hope is lost. Next week, the last NXT before Deadline, there will be two Last Chance Qualifier Fatal 4 Ways! These stars are happy to hear that! Wait, wait, The Alpha Wolf is still annoyed that his match had interference in it, and now he has to beat three other superstars just to get in? Eddy, this is the most fair option possible. Lexis says that he’s sure he speaks for everyone when he says, thank you. Ava says you’re welcome, and now the table is set. Who wins out to make it in under the deadline?

Ava has Fraxiom hang back while the others leave. She knows that she told all the tag teams to step up, and well, clearly that ended in chaos. Ya think? But the solution is: a Tag Team Battle Royal! The winners of that will face Fraxiom for the titles at Deadline. Wait, what? Frazer & Axiom have to defend their titles and compete in the Iron Survivor? Frazer points out that for now, he’s qualified, but Axiom still has to. But hey, he does have a quarter of a chance! Axiom sighs, but the point is, this might be going too far. Briggs & Inamura step in now and Briggs says he needs to talk with them. Frazer says no, he and Axiom need to finish their conversation.

Ava tells these four can handle that, but then the tag teams all swarm in. They all want to stake their claim, but who comes out of the battle royal on top? As for Ava, Eddy catches up to her. He wants to talk more but she says she’s done everything she can. This is his last chance, nothing else can be done. Eddy grabs at Ava’s arm, but she shakes him off and warns him. Do NOT touch her! But then Nima shoves Mark Coffey into the door and the door hits Ava!! Ava falls and everyone freaks out! The brawl is back on for the tag teams, but did Eddy’s desperation just hurt all of NXT?

NXT returns and…

Shawn Michaels is here, along with medics, checking on Ava. Ava says she’s fine, she just needs a minute. She was talking to Eddy and then someone hit the door. Eddy says he can explain and HBK asks, “Explain what?” Eddy says he just wanted to talk with Ava, but HBK starts shoving him! HBK pushes Eddy against a garage door! You do NOT put your hands on Ava like that. HBK tells Eddy to get out of here, and Eddy does as told. Tensions are running high, is something about to explode in NXT?

Trick Williams is here!

Speaking of exploding, the fans really fire up seeing the TWO-TIME, TWO-TIME NXT Champion make his way out here. Trick echoes Booker T, “What? Uh-huh! I like it!” Now, let’s talk about it. Medical is checking on Ava as we speak, surely she’ll be okay. We know who her bloodline is. But NXT has been nothing but chaos these past couple of weeks. And as we all saw last week… We may have very well seen the end of Chase U. Trick won’t lie, as he looked around, it was sad. Kids were crying, there was shock on a lot of faces, including his. But then he looked up and saw Ridge Holland’s face. That pure evil grin of satisfaction, like he proud of what he did!

That is when Trick knew. Ridge, you and Trick ain’t the same. Trick came up in this business with some dawgs who LOVE NXT! They put it all on the line to make NXT what it is today! Trick is talking about people like DIY! Bron Breakker! Tiffany Stratton! Ilja Dragunov! Even people like… H1M, Carmelo Hayes. But more importantly than that, people like the students of Chase U! Everyone Trick just named are people who put it all on the line for NXT. They built something special here! But Ridge, all you know how to do is destroy. That’s why Trick cannot let Ridge become NXT Champion! Trick won’t let Ridge become NXT Champion!

Because if Trick does let that happen… everything they worked so hard to create to have the Black ‘n’ Silver… will die. But wait! Ridge makes his way back out here! Ridge tells refs to not even touch him! And Ridge says Trick damn right what Trick built will die! Ridge doesn’t care that wherever he goes, controversy follows. But wait, ERIC BISCHOFF is on the tron!? Fans go nuts seeing the man behind WCW and much of Ruthless Aggression Monday Night Raw is on NXT! And he wants everyone to just hold on. Trick is right, NXT has been very chaotic. And Eric’s enjoyed it! Next week, he wants to get a closer look.

Yes, next week, Eric Bischoff will be ON NXT! And Ridge, if you want that title so bad, while Trick wants to keep it so bad, we’ll see just how bad. What makes both of them tick? And if you think tensions are high now, well, after Eric’s done, they’ll wanna destroy each other at Deadline! Hell, maybe even that night! See you next week. The fans are excited to have Bischoff back, but will he be better than ever?

Dempsey regroups with Wren backstage.

She apologizes, she was in medical getting checked. She’s alright, but uh… Wow, what happened to Myles & Heights? Aw, they just got a bit roughed up in that scrap. But they’ll be fine, too. Because good news: Myles & Heights are in the tag team battle royal. And if, or when they win, they’ll get that title shot at Deadline. Awesome! Better than her, anyway. She’s so sore. Lola hits hard. Dempsey says that battle royal wasn’t the only announcement Wren missed. Because Wren gets to be part of the Last Chance Qualifier Fatal 4 Way. What? Yeah, if Wren wins that, she can get in on the Iron Survivor.

The only thing is, Wren will be up against Kelani Jordan, Cora Jade, and Jaida Parker. WHAT?! No! Not all at the same time! How is Wren supposed to win?! NQCC encourages her, but will that do very little given those odds?

NXT Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley w/ The Fatal Influence VS Tatum Paxley!

The Cowgirl has really gotten toxic over the years, and it’s par for the course when it comes to Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx. Tatum’s always dealt with that toxic element, it’s why she’s become so… weird. But will being twisted help Tatum take the title? Or will NXT still be under the Influence?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to play for keeps!

The bell rings and the two tie up. The fans are all behind Tatum but Fallon powers Tatum to ropes! Fallon thrashes Tatum around, but lets off as the ref counts. Fallon then wrenches and WRINGS Tatum, then grabs the arm again. Fallon HIP DROPS the arm, then stalks Tatum to ropes. Fallon wrenches again, bends fingers, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Fallon YANKS the arm, YANKS it again, and then wrangles Tatum down. The fans rally but Fallon drops KNEES on the arm! Tatum goes to ropes, but Fallon is right on her again. Fallon wrangles Tatum, steps over, and gives an extra “Yeehaw~!” But Tatum rolls her up! TWO!!

Tatum is up, Fallon WRINGS the arm, but Tatum cartwheels through! The fans fire up and Tatum grins, but Fallon frowns. Fallon runs up, Tatum gets around, but Fallon elbows free. Fallon whips, Tatum reverses to drop down and UP KICK! Fallon wobbles, Tatum reels her in, ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Fallon scrambles around but can’t stack Tatum! Tatum tries to bring Fallon down but Fallon fights to stay up. Jacy & Jazmyn look worried but Fallon finds a spot to stack Tatum, TWO! Tatum holds onto Fallon to spin and RANA her into a victory roll! With bridge! TWO!! Fallon escapes again, but Tatum wrenches and reels her in! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!

The fans fire up and Tatum BOOTS Fallon out of the ring! Fallon flounders, Fatal Influence is frustrated, but Tatum waits. Fallon rises, pounds the desk in frustration, but Tatum chases her! Tatum catches Fallon, puts her in the ring, but Jacy tells Tatum off! The little freak will NEVER be champion with them around! Jazmyn runs up, Tatum dodges her, but Fallon SWING KICKS from the post! The fans boo as Fatal Influence stands tall and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns once more and Tatum ROCKS Fallon! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! Tatum fires off, the fans fire up, but Fatal Influence freaks out. Tatum whips, Fallon reverses and ROCKS Tatum! Fallon frowns as she cravats, but Tatum shoves her away! Tatum storms up, but Fallon CHOPS! Tatum wobbles, Fallon wrenches and wrangles Tatum, to then SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Fallon glares at the ref. Fallon clamps onto Tatum with a top wristlock, and she adds a chinlock to it. Tatum endures, the fans rally up, and Tatum fights up. Tatum fires body shots, gets free, but Fallon kicks low!

Fallon suplexes, Tatum fights it to cradle! TWO! Tatum and Fallon ROCK each other with forearms! Both women stagger, storm up, and DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Both women fall back, then they flounder to ropes. They both stand, run up again, and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES take them down! The fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” for giving them this main event! Tatum and Fallon rise, and Fallon fires the first forearm! Tatum CHOPS! Fallon fires a forearm! Tatum kicks low! Fallon kicks low! Tatum RAMS into Fallon! Fallon runs back up to ROCK Tatum! Tatum goes to a corner, Fallon runs up, but Tatum ELBOWS her away!

Fallon steadies herself, but then Tatum goes up and over! Tatum blocks a boot, Fallon apologizes, but Tatum spins her and DECKS her! Tatum rallies with more shots, then an ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up as Fallon flops into a corner. Tatum runs in and BODY CHECKS! Then she brings Fallon out, torture racks, RACK DROP! Cover, TWO!! Fallon survives and Fatal Influence can breathe again. Tatum drags Fallon to a drop zone and she goes up the corner. Tatum grins, but Jacy gets on the apron! The fans boo but Fallon runs up. Tatum leaps over, comes back, but Fallon full nelsons, pump handles, and FALL AWAY SLAMS! cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up and Fallon is shocked! Jacy & Jazmyn are frustrated, but Fallon runs at Tatum in the corner. Tatum dodges, Fallon goes up and up, but Tatum TOSSES her down! Tatum goes up, up, and 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Fallon survives and Fatal Influence is about to faint! Tatum hauls Fallon up but Fallon cradles her! TWO, Fallon waistlocks, but Tatum switches! O’Conner Roll, TWO, and Tatum WRECKS Jacy before the cheap shot! Tatum knew Jacy’s tricks, and then she dodges Fallon! Tatum hooks the leg, but Fallon hooks ropes! No twisted ride for Fallon, and she runs to FAMOUSER!! Cover, FALLON WINS!

Winner: Fallon Henley, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s North American Champion)

Talk about a “Psycho Trap,” it was Tatum who fell victim to the bait. But now Fatal Influence beats up on Tatum for pushing Fallon this far! The fans boo, but wait! GIGI DOLIN is here!! Jacy and Fatal Influence have seen a ghost, but they’re lookin gin the wrong direction! Gigi sneaks in from the crowd! Jazmyn sees her first and RUNS! Gigi DECKS Jacy, then fires hands and kicks on Fallon! Gigi then wrenches Jacy to short arm LARIAT! The fans are thunderous for Gigi’s return, but Jacy fires back! Tatum THESZ PRESSES Fallon! Gigi and Jacy brawl, Tatum and Fallon get up, Gigi and Tatum STEREO ENZIGIRI Jacy & Fallon!

The fans are thunderous as this is what Tatum was talking about! The past has come back to haunt Fatal Influence, and it was toxic! Are Gigi & Tatum just the wild ‘n’ weird combination needed to humble these mean girls?

My Thoughts:

An awesome NXT to really add a lot to next week’s go-home and Deadline at the same time. For one, great trolling from Ridge with the Chase U entrance, but we again get some redundancy given he comes out again during Trick’s promo. Good promo from Trick, good response from Ridge, and then ERIC BISCHOFF is getting involved. That’s wild, and I suppose his presence in the go-home segment next week could really stir things up to keep us guessing. Mr. Chase had a good segment, because I like the cliffhanger. Was that Duke calling to Chase? I couldn’t be sure by the voice, but it could be something if the group sticks together without having to be “Chase U.”

Lots of great intertwining and overlapping of stories again with all the other divisions and matches, too. Great Iron Survivor Qualifiers, with results I figured we’d get. Ethan Page is too good to lose to Axiom 1v1, and same for Giulia over Kelani. But I figured we’d get Second/Last Chance matches, too. Wren has a reason to be worried given the level of talent in that Fatal 4. However, I actually feel Wren ranks highly in who could win that. Jaida won’t because Lola wants her for an NXT Underground blowoff. Cora Jade is Roxie’s friend, for now, so why would Cora even get in a match that could pit her against Roxie? Though, at the same time, Cora could try to win it so she and Roxie can Finger Poke of Doom their New Year’s Evil match.

Therefore, Wren could be a second choice behind Kelani getting back into the Iron Survivor because then just look at that field: Kelani and Sol are both incredible athletes, while we have what is basically the NXT Big 3 of Giulia, Vaquer and Zaria. The men’s match is a bit trickier. Axiom could get back in so that he and Frazer are both pulling double duty together, but Cedric is a friend of Je’Von’s so things could get complicated there. Lexis is trying to redeem himself and Eddy just wants to have his own opportunities. However, Eddy seems to be going on a different course, so I’m leaning towards Axiom, and then Lexis King as a secondary choice.

Speaking of Eddy, his desperation causing that workplace accident for Ava was some out-of-the-box thinking. HBK getting that furious was also something surprising, and there’s a chance they could create Eddy as a new “bitter, anti-authority” Heel akin to Drew McIntyre or something. The tag division that was on the side was great, and I’m intrigued by Briggs & Inamura making a save on Fraxiom. They might be a surprise seventh team in that battle royal that then wins out. But that really depends on WWE’s willingness for Inamura, a Pro-Wrestling Noah guy, to potentially become an NXT Tag Team Champion over a lot of deserving tag team guys from NXT.

Speaking of championships, great stuff in both midcard title stories. It worked out that Luca & Stacks were distracted with the tag titles, it made it where Tony only had Rizzo as back-up against Spears, Jensen, and eventually Niko Vance. Tony and Spears had a great match, both sides kept it clean, but then the brawl after going Spears’ way was fitting. I don’t know if they’d rocket Niko right to a title match, but we do have grounds for a Six Man Tag now. That Six Man Tag could be used to give Spears a second chance at the North American title that Spears wins, perhaps for New Year’s Evil.

And great promo from Tatum with Jacy & Jazmyn to also foreshadow Gigi’s return. Especially given how the doll Gigi picked up was the one with bright orange hair. Fatal Influence of course used overbooking to win, but Gigi’s return fighting alongside Tatum was awesome. That is a tag match right there, Gigi & Tatum VS Jacy & Fallon, or maybe Jacy & Jazmyn so Jazmyn takes the pin. I would think Gigi gets a title match out of this, but I think one more grudge match of Gigi VS Jacy would be good enough for the fans, too.

My Score: 9/10