What a gift from AEW!

Ahead of Worlds End, Jon Moxley teams with his Death Riders against all THREE of his AEW World Championship challengers in a Trios Match! Will The Maniac have all the momentum going into that Fatal 4 Way?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone VS Anna Jay; Mone wins and retains the title.
• Hook & Katsuyori Shibata VS Christian Cage & Nick Wayne w/ The Patriarchy; Christian & Nick win.
• AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS The Beast Mortos; Shelton wins.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Darby Allin; Darby wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy, Jay White & Hangman Page; The Death Riders win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!

Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 1-2, 3 points
Will Ospreay: 2-0, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 1-1, 3 points
Komander: 0-2, 0 points

Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!

Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
Shelton Benjamin: 1-1, 3 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-3, 0 points

Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy and Jay White.

Renee Paquette is with Freshly Squeezed and The Switchblade, and says that ahead of their main event Trios match where they team up with Hangman Page, they also must be thinking about their Fatal 4 Way match for the AEW World Championship at Worlds End. Are they more focused on the Death Riders tonight? Or more on each other? Cassidy’s about to speak when White asks Renee to bring the mic over to him. White says Cassidy already gave them a hell of a pep talk in the locker room so he’s all talked out. Where is our focus? Is it on the Death Riders tonight? Is it on each other? Is it on Worlds End?

Make no mistake, Renee, and Mr. Cassidy, White’s focus is on the AEW World Championship. But White knows that they have to make it to Worlds End, so that means relying on people he usually doesn’t rely on. He has no Bang Bang Gang, so that makes he has to rely on the likes of… Orange. And on the likes of Hangman Adam Page. But no, no, no, he is not so stupid to rely on that guy, because he’s only good at one thing: Letting himself and everyone around him down time and time again! So if there is one man they do not need on this team, it is H- HEY! There he is! Hangman Page walks into the room and White does a 180 on his attitude.

Hangman tells White to shut his mouth and listen up. Tonight, Moxley is not White’s nor is he Cassidy’s. Tonight, the champion belongs to Hangman! The Cowboy heads out and White says, “Aye, aye, captain! At least you brought your black jacket so we’re matching tonight! C’mon, partner!” White heads after Hangman, and Cassidy sighs as he puts on his sunglasses. Can the Good, the Bad & the Freshly Squeezed make it past Moxley and his Death Riders? Or will The Maniac, The Decoder & The Bastard use this dysfunction to tear them down?

Darby Allin speaks.

“Darby Allin, Will Ospreay. It’s showtime.”

Will Ospreay speaks.

“Oi, oi, Washington, DC! You’re in for a treat tonight, for the C2 rolls on, and you get to witness an elite dream match as the Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay, goes one-on-one with Darby Allin. And while I am grateful for saving my neck last week, sir, don’t let that stand in the way because it’s time for warfare, bruv. And no one fairs better in warfare than the Assassin. So allow me to show you why my name is Will Ospreay, and why I am on another level.” Both men need this win if they want to head for Worlds End, who will be one step closer to those semifinals?

AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone VS Anna Jay!

The CEO is still #TwoBeltsMone after holding onto the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship through NJPW Strong Style Evolved. But the walls are really closing in as Mina Shirakawa issued a challenge right after that match, meaning Mone has a date for WrestleDynasty! But will Mone still be the “greatest TBS Champion ever” after facing the Queenslayer? Or will Anna finally make herself the Star of the Show?

The introductions are made, the teal belt is raised, and we see who has gold for Christmas!

The bell rings and the fans rally and duel. Mone and Anna circle, and Mone offers a handshake? Anna takes it, but then MOne SLAPS her! Anna should’ve known better, but she chases Mone to ropes! Mone uses those as a defense, and then Anna backs off. Mone keeps hiding in the ropes but Anna storms up on her. Mone gets around and throws Anna down! Cover, ONE, but Mone clamps on with a chinlock. Anna endures and fights up to throw body shots. Anna powers up and out, but Mone runs her over! Mone does her dance, then covers, ONE as Anna goes Matrix! Anna runs, jumps the dropdown, then ducks the hurdle!

Anna SLAPS Mone and the fans cheer! Anna fires forearms on Mone in a corner, then runs, only for Mone to get around! Mone spins Anna around, snap suplex! That’s Una Amiga! Mone gets Anna up for Dos Amigas! Mone drags Anna up again, THREE AMIGAS! The fans are torn but Mone is all smiles. Mone drags Anna into the drop zone then goes up a corner. Mone aims, FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Anna moves! Anna hurries to wrench and HOOK KICK! Anna runs to ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mone survives and Anna is frustrated already. Anna runs up to forearm SMASH! Anna puts Mone up top, then wrenches to DANGEROUS JAY KICK!

Anna crosses Mone’s arms, but Mone uses that to get Anna in a HANGING STRAITJACKET! The ref counts, Mone sets Anna down, but she holds on to jump around and STRAITJACKET BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Now Mone is frustrated but she drags Anna up. Mone snapmares Anna, runs and METEORAS! Cover, TWO! The fans continue to duel as Anna stays in this. Mone clamps onto Anna and she puts the straitjacket back on! Mone drags Anna from the ropes, stands her up, but Anna RAMS Mone into buckles! But Mone throws Anna down by her hair! Mone goes up, METEORA! Cover, TWO! Mone is furious but Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Mone huffs ‘n’ puffs as she storms around. Anna goes to a corner, but Mone storms up to dig her boots in! The ref counts, Mone lets off, but then she steps back on Anna’s face! Mone lets off as the ref counts, and she brings Anna up for a scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Mone is still upset but she mocks the Anna Jay fans in DC. Mone clamps on with a chinlock and she grinds Anna down. Anna endures, fights up, and she THRWOS Mone away! Mone comes back to DROPKICK Anna down! Cover, TWO! Mone is growing frustrated again, so she KNEES Anna in the back, and clamps on a chinlock! Anna endures as she’s bent back against the knee.

Anna reaches out, fights up, and JAWBREAKERS free! Mone staggers, swings, but into a waistlock! O’Conner Roll, and then QUEENSLAYER SLEEPER! Mone flails and reaches out, then she kicks off a corner! Mone rolls it back to a cover, TWO! Mone KNEES Anna in the back! Cover, TWO! Mone is beside herself but she brings Anna up and in. Back suplex, but Anna lands out! BACKSTABBER! Mone writhes from tasting one of her favorite moves, and she goes to a corner. Holiday Bash returns to single picture, Anna runs up, but Mone dodges the leg lariat! Mone fires forearms, then goes corner to corner. But Anna goes up, knees hit buckles!

Anna adjusts, she FLYING BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Mone survives and Anna grows frustrated. Anna runs up at the corner, LEG LARIAT! Anna goes side to side, another LEG LARIAT! Then Anna goes the other way, LEG LARIAT! A hattrick of her own and Anna puts Mone up top! DANGEROUS JAY KICK! ICONOCLASM! Anna holds on, YANKS Mone right into the Gory Especial, GORY BOMB!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Mone survives by fingertips and Anna can’t believe it! The fans rally and duel as hard as they can while Anna grabs legs. Mone kicks Anna away then slips out to the apron. But Anna avoids the shoulder to KNEE LIFT!

Anna spins to LEG LARIAT! And then HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Mone flounders, Anna drags her up with a QUEENSLAYER! Anna SLINGS Mone around, and she has the body scissors! Mone is flailing, Mone is fading, but then she BITES Anna’s arm! Anna lets Mone free while fans boo. Mone grabs that arm and wrangles Anna down! STATEMENT MAKER CROSSFACE!! Anna endures, kicks around, and she pushes into a cover! TWO and Mone still has the CROSSFACE! Anna gets her arm free and crawls over! ROPEBREAK!! But then Anna kicks off ropes to jackknife bridge! TWO as Mone bridges!

Mone has Anna in a Gory Especial! But Anna is taller, and she reaches the mat to RAM Mone into buckle! Anna RAMS Mone in again, then drops under to sunset flip! TWO! Mone runs and SUNSET BUCKLE BOMBS! Mone keeps moving, METEORA!! Mone reels Anna in for her Gory Especial, and the MONEY MAKER!! Cover, MONE WINS!

Winner: Mercedes Mone, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)

Anna made Mone work for it, but Mone still earned this win! Kris Statlander is watching in the back, just as she promised she would. Will the #BornAgainKristen make sure Mone is down a title at Worlds End?

FTR speaks.

Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler were at home in Asheville, North Carolina, and Cash says it has been a few days since what happened to them on Collision. And it was over nothing. FTR said they had no problems with the Death Riders. They may not agree with the Death Riders’ methods, and they don’t disagree with the message. AEW does need to change for the better, some people need to be forced into that change. But FTR stopped them from poisoning a man! They weren’t going to sit back and watch them pour cleaning solution down a human being’s throat. That is all they did. And yet that gets them blindfolded, dragged outside, and the crap kicked out of them, left for dead in the cold…

As they were lying on the concrete, Dax was thinking, “What is a life after wrestling? Is there a life after wrestling for FTR?” They built their whole lives around this one thing, so what else is there for them to do? They got off the phone with Doc Sampson just before filming this. Doc says he won’t medically cleared them for the rest of the year. So from now until January 1st, Death Riders better not sleep, because FTR will show up at their doorstep. That won’t be good for them or their families. But on January 1st, Asheville, NC, FTR will be there. They will be in that ring, they will be cleared, and they will fight the Death Riders.

By the way, they won’t be coming alone. #TopGuysOut. Who could Dax & Cash be hinting at as allies against Moxley and his minions?

MJF is here!

Washington, DC is not all that happy to see Maxwell Jacob Friedman going to the ring with a mic in hand, even if he’s dressed in his Hannukah suit. MJF has them cut his music, and he takes a moment to hear all the booing. “Oh, you don’t like me, huh, guys? Good thing I don’t care about the opinions of a bunch of disgustings from DC. I mean, if I did care about your opinion, I wouldn’t have signed on to be an AEW wrestler, I would’ve signed on to become a part of your whack-ass Washington Wizards. Oh, it’s my fault they suck? That’s my fault? I’m sorry.” Some fans actually chant, “Wizards Suck! Wizards Suck!”

MJF says let’s face it, guys. He’s no Scrooge. For crying out loud, it’s the most wonderful time~ of the year~! MJF says pretty soon, the most important holiday, which is part of the most important religion, is coming up. And yes, you guessed it, it’s Hannukah. And if you don’t celebrate that, well sorry, Santa is not real and MJF is not sorry for saying it. The fans chant for “SANTA! SANTA!” which confuses MJF. Santa didn’t give them a lump of coal, it was because their parents were too poor to get real gifts. So everyone just pipe down a bit, okay? The fans boo but MJF continues.

MJF says Hannukah is all about giving, so he is feeling rather philanthropic. Not that anyone in this crowd knows what that means. MJF is about to get a bit emotional, but he wants to talk about a fundraiser he has started. Sorry, he might cry, give him a second. MJF gets fake tears going as he asks for the sad music. The sad piano music plays, and MJF looks into the camera. “Picture this. There’s a small child sitting across from you. It is starving, it needs nourishment, it needs food. Now picture that that small child is this baybay.” A clearly doctored photo of Adam Cole appears on screen, making him look very scrawny.

MJF knows it is hard to look at but don’t avert your eyes. Cut the music, please. The music stops and MJF says right now, if you wanna help the “freakishly small, yellow baybay, all you have to do is scan the QR code you see on your screen so you can buy the Worlds End PPV this Saturday, December 28th. Guys, I’m talking, would you please shut the hell up? Unreal! To think I’m opening up to you hear. And if you buy that PPV, a part of your money will go towards my foundation to help put this small yellow child out of his misery. And for that, and for the fact that I’m better than you, you can thank me later!”

MJF drops the mic but Cole is on the tron! Adam Cole says look! Now he’s the one on the big screen while MJF is the one in the ring, looking like an idiot. As we all know, it is Cole VS MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring at Worlds End. And Cole wants to give MJF a heads up. He just had a meeting with Tony Khan. And because Cole knows how badly MJF wants to get his hands on his diamond ring. And if MJF wants to grab that ring before the bell rings, he’ll have to earn it. There are two men who will be ringside to make sure that doesn’t happen. The Kingdom step in, and Adam Cole says MJF will have nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide.

MJF is a dead man and Cole will finally finish this at Worlds End! BOOM. Oh, wait, hold on. Cole must be forgetting something. There was one more thing he wanted to say. Oh, right! Max, is Cole kicking your ass yet? MJF is confused, but surprise! Adam Cole is already in the ring! That video is prerecorded! MJF turns around, and Cole DECKS him! The fans fire up as Cole rains down fists on MJF! MJF pushes Cole away but Cole keeps him from getting away! SUPERKICK! MJF is down, but Cole drags him up and goes to a corner! The fans fire up for the PANAMA- NO, MJF scrambles out of the ring!

MJF gets away by the skin of his teeth, but will Cole kick those teeth down his throat and finally end the Dynamite Diamond Win Streak?

Jamie Hayter speaks.

“You can’t fight what you don’t see. But I see you exactly for what you are, Julia: a coward. Last Saturday on Collision, you decided to finally show up. But was it face to face? No, ma’am. It was when I was beat, when I was tired, and you used your tricks to attack me from behind. That’s a sneaky, classless move, Julia. Message sent. I know you’re listening, Julia, so here’s my message to you. Fight for the Fallen. I’m gonna serve you a dish best served cold. I’m gonna drop you on your head, and I’m gonna serve you up a heavy dose of Hayterade. See you then, mate.” Will Hayter kick off the New Year by crushing Julia Hart?

Hook & Katsuyori Shibata VS Christian Cage & Nick Wayne w/ The Patriarchy!

The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil wants revenge for what The Patriarchy did to his father, Taz, and this could be a start. Will The Wrestler’s return to AEW be just the thing? Or will Captain Charisma and The Prodigy look to #SendHook home emptyhanded?

AEW returns as Hook makes his entrance, Shibata by his side. The teams sort out and after Christian hugs his “son,” Nick starts against Hook. The bell rings and the fans rally up behind Hook. Hook and Nick tie up, and Nick goes for the bad arm! Nick wrenches, hammerlocks, then headlocks for a takeover. Nick grinds forearms into Hook’s face but Hook gets up. Hook drop steps to the waistlock, then shifts to a headlock, then to a hammerlock, then another headlock and takeover! Nick headscissors, Hook kips free, then Hook avoids the kick! Nick taunts Hook that it was that close, and the two back down.

Hook tags Shibata, and Christian tags in! The fans cheer as these two stare down, circle, and feel things out. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and the two go down low. Shibata finds an angle and he powers Christian to a corner. The ref counts, Shibata lets off slowly, and the fans cheer. Christian storms up, they tie up again, and Shibata clinches. Christian goes to the ropes, Shibata lets off clean, and the fans rally up. Shibata and Christian tie up again, Shibata slips around to a waistlock, then cravats to snapmare Christian down. Shibata sits Christian up, but Christian avoids the Penalty Kick! The fans cheer as Shibata stares Christian down.

The two go again, Christians hoots around and hooks arms! Shibata powers out and the two go again. They feel things out, and Christian kicks low! Then he SLAPS Shibata! Christian runs, but Shibata DECKS him! The fans fire up and Shibata CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! And again! Christian falls, Shibata covers, TWO! Christian crawls but Shibata CLUBS him. Shibata tags Hook but Christian gets away to tag Nick! Nick storms up but Hook drop steps to waistlock! Nick flails, throws elbows, and then TOSSES Hook out! Hook lands on the apron, and he DUMPS Nick out! Christian runs up but Hook ROCKS Christian first!

Shibata storms in and UPPERCUTS Christian! Hook RAMS Christian, then SHOVELS him up and out onto Nick! The fans fire up as the Patriarchy is down! Hook tags Shibata and Shibata storms over. Christian whispers to Nick and they go to the ring slowly. Shibata waits on someone to get in, and even sits down cross legged! Christian storms up but Shibata stands. Shibata is on guard as both Christian and Nick reach ropes. Shibata tags to Hook when Nick steps back in, and they circle again. Nick kicks but Hook blocks! Hook spins Nick around, REDRUM! Nick has the ROPEBREAK but Hook drags him back!

Nick fights, flails, turns things around, and Christian HOTSHOTS the bad arm! The fans boo as the ref misses that, and then Nick BLASTS Shibata! Nick grabs Hook’s bad arm and drags him around while Dynamite goes picture in picture,

Nick drags Hook up to wrench and ELBOW BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Nick watches Hook writhe and crawl to a corner, then storms up on him. Nick drags Hook up to bump him off buckles. Tag to Christian and they mug Hook, going after that bad arm! Christian SLAMS the bad arm against buckles! Christian then throws Hook down, and he STOMPS the arm! Hook writhes but Christian soaks up the heat while he flexes. Christian drags Hook up but Hook fires shots with the good arm! Hook runs, but into a kick! Christian hits an ARMBAR DDT! Cover, TWO! Christian clamps onto the bad arm with a cording hold!

Hook endures while Christian twists the elbow. Christian drags Hook up, but Hook fires  more body shots! Christian WRINGS the bad arm out! Tag to Nick and he BLASTS Shibata again! Nick drags Hook up to whip him hard into a corner! Hook flounders against ropes but Nick storms up on him. Nick whips Hook hard into another corner! Christian taunts Hook while Nick storms over to him. Nick snapmares Hook, isolates the bad arm, then STOMPS it! Hook writhes more while Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Christian drops knees on the bad arm, on the face, and then fakes a stomp to scuff Hook!

The fans boo but Nick flexes, just like Christian. Nick brings Hook up, but Hook hits an EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both men are down! The ref starts a standing count while both men stir. They both crawl, hot tag to Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Nick, DECKS Christian, and then BOOTS Nick in a corner! Shibata CHOPS Nick! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! CHOPS! MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Shibata then runs corner ot corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Shibata hauls Nick up, HALF HATCH SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! But into an ARMBAR! Nick clasps hands, but Shibata pries the grip open, ARMBAR! Nick kicks and flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK!!

The ref counts, Shibata lets go at 4, and he stomps Nick around. Shibata stands Nick up but Nick fights the lift! Nick rains down elbows, then runs, to BOOT! But Shibata just roars! Shibata BOOTS, Nick roars! Nick kicks and fires shots! Nick runs, into an S T O!! Christian hooks Shibata’s arms! Shibata slips free to S T O!! Christian flounders out of the ring while the fans go wild! Shibata snapmares Nick, runs, but Christian trips him! Nick rolls Shibata up, TWO!! Shibatat stands but Nick kicks him! Hook storms after Christian while Nick hits a snap suplex! But Hook doesn’t see Kip creeping up! Kip spins Hook around, but Hook DEKCS him1

Christian runs up but Hook hits an EXPLODER on the floor! That was double-edged, but Nick focuses on Shibata! ROUNDHOSUE, and WAYNE’S- SLEEPER!! Shibata has Nick caught, and Nick is fading!! Shibata sits Nick down, he BOOTS Kip off the apron, then Hook gets Kip in a REDRUM!! PENALTY KICK on Nick! Shayna Wayne is distracting the ref, and Christian slithers in! Christian CLAWS Shibata’s eyes, hooks Shibata’s arms, KILLSWITCH!! Christian helps Nick get the cover before he slithers bac out! The ref counts, The Patriarchy wins!!

Winners: Christian Cage & Nick Wayne, by pinfall

The numbers game gets the better of Hook & Shibata, and The Patriarchy hurry away before Hook can get after them! Will Hook be denied his revenge

BREAKING NEWS for Christmas Collision!

As a reminder, it will be LIVE coast to coast on TNT this Saturday, 8 PM Eastern or whenever NCAA College Football Playoff coverage ends. That said, Adam Cole may have gotten one over on MJF tonight, but he and MJF are going to be face to face live and in person for final words before Worlds End. Plus, the Continental Classic will keep things cheery and bright as Darby Allin will face Claudio Castagnoli, and Will Ospreay will face Ricochet! Rivals all face off, who will look to take over Gold League? And in Blue League, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos while Daniel Garcia faces Shelton Benjamin! Will the Sussex County Chicken survive the menacing minotaur? Will Red Death live up to the Standard of Excellence?

Chris Jericho speaks.

“I was once known as The King of the World. And everybody wants to rule the world. But every king needs a throne from which to rule. A castle, a capital, a city. And there is no better perch, no greater vantage point from which to rule the world than New York City. From the urine soaked sidewalks of Broadway to the tear-filled potholes of Jamaica Queens. From the brownstones of Tribeca to the poshest penthouses of Spanish Harlem. From the lowliest of subjects, the ubiquitous rats, to the prominent powerbrokers and popstars, paparazzi in their wake, all have anointed me, Chris Jericho, the King of New York! And I’ll be damned if I let anyone take my crown.”

The Learning Tree thinks highly of himself as always, but he better take Final Battle seriously! Friday, December 20th, Jericho defends the ROH World Heavyweight Championship against Matt Cardona, who is #AlwayZReady! Will “The Complete” Cardona take away the Nueve’s title?

Mariah May speaks.

“Thunder Rosa. When you were working as a social worker, why did you wanna become a wrestler? Was it to make your family proud? Cute. A hero is just a dreamer who doesn’t realize they’re dreaming. I’m no hero. I spent my entire career just looking out for me, and I’d say it’s served me pretty well. How dare you say this Women’s Division is alive and well when I’ve eclipsed everyone here, just by being me. And if I was here four years ago, you wouldn’t have even been hired. So let’s do your little Tijuana Street Fight so you can go on about your heritage and your culture, and please bring your father. I would love to end two generations in one night.

“And Papa Rosa? Does being a failure run in the family? I won’t be bringing my father to Worlds End. I don’t want him to se what I’m going to do.” The Glamour has sent her ultimatum, but will she regret running her mouth?

Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

Schiavone says that later tonight, we will see Will Ospreay VS Darby Allin in the Continental Classic. But Ospreay has his work cut out for him as live this Saturday on Christmas Collision, in the Hammerstein Ballroom, he will face this man! Let’s welcome in Ricochet! The fans fire up as The One & Only makes his way to the ring. Schiavone congratulates Ricochet on his six points so far, and says he could advance to Orlando, Florida. But there has been perhaps a change in attitude and demeanor lately. Ricochet says, “But didn’t it look real good on me, though?” Schiavone says sure, but wait! Here comes the Hurt Business!

Ricochet is a little surprised, and maybe a little worried. Montel Vontavious Porter, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin all go to the ring and fans sing along, “We Hurt People! We Hurt People!” Ricochet nervously asks what’s up, and MVP brings him in close. Ricochet says everyone looks great. They collectively look great! But honestly, he’s happy they’re here. He wants to ask them if they saw how he beat the brakes off of Komander. MVP says yeah, they saw that. Then did they see him handle Brody King? Yeah, they saw that. And Ricochet has six points! Ricochet figures after tonight, Shelton might have six points, and they could face each other in the near future.

Ricochet says they could keep this business on lock. Wow, you don’t say? Absolutely! Facts! Because the last two guys Ricochet has to face, they’re facing each other tonight, Ospreay and Darby. So Ricochet is going to watch that. And then Saturday, he has Ospreay. Ospreay will see that different side of Ricochet, you feeling him? MVP says yeah, he’s feeling it. Does Ricochet still have the business card? MVP wants to see it. Ricochet brings the card out, and Lashley grabs him by the neck! MVP takes the card, and he RIPS IT UP! MVP has revoked his invitation, and he says nobody likes a kiss ass. Lashley lets Ricochet go, straightens the suit out, and pats Ricochet on the back.

Ricochet leaves the ring, and he says they can talk about this later. MVP tells Shelton that he’s got business to handle, so go hurt somebody. MVP & Lashley fist bump with Shelton before Lashley heads out per Continental Classic rules.  MVP joins commentary to watch this closely, will the Standard of Excellence be able to bring down The Beast Mortos?

AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS The Beast Mortos!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Shelton and Mortos circle, tie up, and Shelton waistlocks. Mortos fights the lift, fires elbows, and then ROCKS Shelton again and again! Shelton spins, but into the Gotch clutch! HIGH CROTCH PLEX! The fans fire up and Shelton brings Mortos up to scoop and SLAM! MVP says that is what at multiple time All American does! Shelton puts Mortos in a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Mortos goes up and out! Mortos RAMS into Shelton, slingshots up and over, then runs to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Shelton flounders and the fans fire up with Mortos! Mortos storms up on Shelton but Shelton knees low!

Shelton fires forearms, then whips. Mortos slips free of the scoop to waistlock, but Shelton bucks the O’Conner. Mortos comes back to Arabian Press and hip toss! Mortos has the leg to turn Shelton over, HALF CRAB! Then INVERTED DRAGON SCREW! Shelton clutches that leg while the fans fire up. Mortos storms up on Shelton to SMACK him! Mortos knuckle locks, then he goes up, up, but Shelton trips him up! Mortos lands on his minotaur, and Shelton step-up KNEES Mortos to the floor! The fans fire up even more while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Shelton waits on Mortos while the ref checks him. Mortos slowly sits up, still in pain, so Shelton goes out to fetch Mortos. Shelton RAMS Mortos into railing! Then he RAMS Mortos into the apron! Back to railing! Back to apron! Then into steel steps! Shelton leaves Mortos behind to the mercy of the count. Mortos writhes at 4 of 10, sits up at 6, but hobbles to his feet at 7. Mortos lunges in at 9, but Shelton is right on him with stomps! Shelton drags Mortos up and into a corner, to then ROCK him with forearm after forearm! Mortos shoves back to SMACK Shelton! Shelton comes back to ROCK Mortos!

Shelton brings Mortos around and the forearms fly! Mortos gets the edge, but Shelton kicks low! Shelton ROCKS Mortos, runs, and BOOTS him! Shelton reels Mortos in, but Mortos fights the suplex! Shelton throws body shots, then ROCKS Mortos with forearms. Shelton whips but Mortos grabs ropes. Shelton runs up but Mortos dropkicks the legs out! Mortos steps over and brings Shelton into La Magistrol! TWO, and Shelton CLOBBERS Mortos! Shelton stalks Mortos, Holiday Bash returns to single picture, and Shelton whips. Mortos dropkicks legs out again! The fans fire up and Mortos steps over again, La Magristrol, TWO!

Shelton escapes again but Mortos SMACKS him again! Shelton fires forearms in return, then whips him corner to corner. Mortos reverses and runs up to UPPERCUT! LARIAT! GAMANGIRI! The fans duel as Mortos whips, but Shelton reverses to wrench and back suplex! Mortos lands out, shoves Shelton, and SNAP POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shelton survives and Mortos roars in frustration! Mortos brings Shelton up, blocks a kick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Shelton and Mortos rise up, and Shelton runs in at the corner! Mortos BOOTS him away! Shelton comes back, but Mortos HEADBUTTS him!

The fans fire up and Mortos runs to SLING-DOG! Shelton sputters and the fans fire up! Mortos goes up a corner, BEAST SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Shelton survives as Mortos floats like a butterfly, but the fans rally up again. Mortos fireman’s carries Shelton, but Shelton fights with forearms! Shelton dragon sleepers, inverted suplexes, and uses that to POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Shelton rises, but Mortos sits up! Shelton is no stranger to that, but Mortos still runs up to HEADBUTT! And ROLLING ELBOW! Shelton sputters, Mortos runs, but into a SUPERKICK!! Shelton storms around, he is feeling it now, and so is DC!

The fans fire up and Shelton GERMAN SUPLEXES Mortos! And GERMAN SUPLEXES! And then GERMAN SUPLEXES again! DC becomes Suplex City and Shelton waits on Mortos. Mortos goes to a corner, Shelton runs in, STEP-UP KNEE! Mortos staggers around, the fans want that again, so Shelton runs back in, STEP-UP KNEE! Shelton wrenches and clinches, HURT FALL! Cover, Shelton wins!

Winner: Shelton Benjamin, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)

MVP says nice doing business with everyone, and both he and Lashley celebrate with Shelton. But they’re not done, as they beat up on Mortos! The fans boo as The All Mighty beats up on Mortos, but MVP says Mortos could use a little more of what Shelton gave him during the match. Show ’em what we do! Shelton drags Mortos up, reels him back in, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos sputters and MVP tells Daniel Garcia, this is what you have to look forward to on Saturday! But wait! Garcia is here! Garcia has them cut the music so he can tell MVP, “I’m not stupid, I can do the math. There’s three of y’all and one of me.”

Garcia knows what’d happen if he came to the ring on his own. But he doesn’t care, because everyone in DC wants to see a fight tonight! Let’s get it! But wait, MARK BRISCOE is here! The Sussex County Chicken won’t let Garcia fight alone, so they brawl with Shelton and Lashley! But Lashley shoves Garcia back and CLOBBERS him! MVP CRACKS his cane on Briscoe’s back! MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER for Garcia, and a LARIAT for Briscoe! Then Lashley sets Mark up for Shelton’s SUPERKICK! MVP hands the TNT Championship to Shelton, they’re clearly planning things beyond the C2. Will Shelton snatch himself a golden ticket one way or another this Saturday?

Backstage interview with Ricochet.

Renee is now with The One & Only and asks about that interaction in the ring. It seems business with The Hurt Syndicate is off the table. Ricochet says honestly, he doesn’t know. They gave him the card, he thought he was doing what they wanted, but… Ricochet is a bit frazzled but he says that we’re not going to worry about that. The Syndicate can do what they do. But for Ricochet, he’ll worry about the Continental Classic. Like he said out there, “ya boy’s already got 6 points.” But on Saturday, he steps into the ring with one of the main reasons he even came to AEW, and that is Will Ospreay.

Ricochet says it is funny. He didn’t come to AEW just to step into the ring with Ospreay. He came here to shut the world up and prove he can beat Will Ospreay. And so, as he said, he is going to have his eyes glued to this next match, HAHA~~! But then he turns around and Swerve Strickland is there, as is Prince Nana sipping his coffee. Nana nods and Swerve says, “What up, turd?” Oh, cute, call him a turd. The fans are loudly chanting, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” as Swerve says when Ricochet first showed up, it was only a matter of time before the real Rico- No, the real Trevor showed himself.

Oh, going there, huh? Yeah. But Swerve says in the 14 years of knowing Ricochet, Swerve thought Ricochet had changed. But turns out, no, that’s still the same ol’ Trevor: a follower. Hate to tell you, Ricochet, but that won’t work here. Because AEW is whose house? Swerve’s House! Ricochet laughs that off and says he was wondering how long it’d take for him to hear that stuff. He’s glad Swerve brought that. But he also knows the real Swerve. And Swerve didn’t win the C2, now did he? So Ricochet knows it will eat Swerve up when Ricochet does. HAHA~! Ricochet leaves and Swerve says that’s why Ricochet’s still bald.

But win, lose or draw for Ricochet, will Swerve be waiting on the other side of Worlds End with the Killshot?

RJ City presents Toni Storm: Portrait of a Rockstar.

Toni Storm introduces herself to RJ, even though they’ve met… She’s so excited, look at all the lights and cameras. So cool. RJ asks Toni to explain where she’s been. Toni says she’s from Gold Coast, Australia, and growing up, she loved three things: Wrestling, rock music, and the grind. She would grind it out on the indies any chance she got. And now it’s led her hear to AEW! Uh, what? Yeah, hard to believe, huh? Okay, but uh, what about her history with AEW? Toni says she’s watched every show since the start, and she cannot believe she’s finally made it. Um, okay… What about her being a THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion?

Toni laughs and says it’s a bit early to be thinking about that, right? But thank you. Okay, okay, what if he were to say a name like Saraya? Legend! Mercedes Mone? Icon! Mariah May? Toni takes a breath, and says, “Best in the business today.” RJ is exasperated. What if he were to say, “Timeless?” Timeless Toni Storm! No, no, the catchphrase is the other way around. It’s #ToniTime! Right? Rock ‘n’ roll fingers! Toni Time! Okay, great talking with you! Toni hugs RJ, heads out, and leaves RJ absolutely speechless. Is Toni alright?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Darby Allin!

As we heard from the Aerial Assassin earlier tonight, he is grateful for the save from Claudio Castagnoli, but priority one is winning the C2. As for The Relentless One, it’s showtime! Will Will Ospreay be one step closer to the semifinals? Or will Darby once again throw his whole body into earning the victory?

The bell rings and DC is already fired up as the two stare down. The clock is ticking, though, so the two men circle and tie up. Darby waistlocks, Ospreay switches but Darby slips away. They reset, the fans rally and duel, and the two tie up again. Ospreay puts Darby on ropes, the ref counts, and Ospreay lets off slowly. Ospreay smirks, then he fakes the chop, and he pats Darby on the shoulders. Only for him to take a swing! Darby dodges, headlocks, but Ospreay powers up. Ospreay can’t get free as Darby holds tight, but Ospreay tries again. Ospreay lifts, Darby flails to fight that, but Ospreay powers out.

Darby rolls, comes back, but Ospreay whips. Darby springboards to FLYING ARM-DRAG, but Ospreay handsprings through! The fans fire up, Darby storms up, but Ospreay kicks low! Ospreay whips, Darby reverses. but Darby avoids the handspring! Darby waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, ONE and Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, ONE and Ospreay sweeps the legs to cover! ONE, Darby ducks the buzzsaw, and the fans fire up this standoff! The two reset, and the two circle again while DC fires up more. Darby and Ospreay tie up, Ospreay powers Darby to a corner, but the ref counts. Ospreay lets off, to CHOP!

Ospreay ROCKS Darby in the corner, CHOPS him, then goes corner to corner, but Darby BOOTS him! Darby jumps up and over, comes back and SHOTGUNS Ospreay into the corner! Darby keeps moving, and he COFFIN SPLASHES! Darby returns but Ospreay dodges! Ospreay then runs in but Darby BOOTS him! Darby goes up, but Ospreay CHOPS Darby off the corner! Darby hits apron then floor while the fans fire up! Ospreay gets the fans to join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Ospreay then aims, PLANCHAS, but Darby slips into the ring! Ospreay lands on his feet but Darby DIVES! Direct hit and Ospreay hits railing!

Darby has a wild look in his eyes, but he hurries to get Ospreay up and in! Darby climbs, but Ospreay goes to the apron. That doesn’t stop Darby, h e just adjusts! APRON COFFIN DROP but only apron!! Ospreay avoids disaster and wipes his brow, but the ref has to check Darby. The fans are losing their minds while Darby sputters, but Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Darby stirs as the ring count starts, and Ospreay has the fans fire up again. Darby stands at 4, Ospreay PLANCHAS Darby back down! Ospreay storms around while Darby sputters again. Ospreay drags Darby up to CHOP him, then brings him around to put in the ring. Ospreay storms in after Darby but Darby bails out the other side. Ospreay waits as the ring count starts again. Darby clutches a leg while he slowly sits up. The count reaches 5 of 10 as Darby hobbles over to the steel steps. Darby drags himself in at 7, but Ospreay is right on him! BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Darby toughs it out so Ospreay eggs him on.

Ospreay looms over Darby while Darby sits up, and Ospreay grabs at him. Darby shoves Ospreay away but can’t stand up. Ospreay stands Darby up just to ROCK him in the back! Darby crumples but Ospreay brings him up again. Ospreay scoops to SLAM Darby, then runs to JUMPING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Darby is still tougher than that so Ospreay keeps on him. Ospreay stomps Darby’s leg, sits him up, and KNEES him in the back! Ospreay KNEES Darby in the back again, then clamps on a chinlock! Darby endures being bent backwards, and the Holiday Bash returns to single picture.

The fans rally, Darby fights up and fires body shots. Ospreay CHOPS Darby and Darby goes to ropes. Ospreay whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN SPLASH! The fans fire up while Darby rises again. Darby fires hands, then runs, but into the TIGER WALL KICK! But Darby catches Ospreay to a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Ospreay powers out to suplex but Darby slips free! THROWBACK STUNNER! Both men are down and the fans fire up for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Darby and Ospreay slowly rise up, and Darby goes to a corner! Darby climbs but Ospreay CLUBS him first! Ospreay climbs up but Darby fires elbows!

Ospreay drops down but he tucks Darby in! CHEEKY NANDOS! Darby falls, Ospreay puts him in the drop zone! Ospreay goes up, for the LEAP OF FAITH! No, he lands out as Darby moves! Darby hops on, but Ospreay FLINGS Darby away, then HIDDEN BLADE!! And then underhooks for the STORM- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay escapes and the fans are thunderous! Both men are down so a standing count begins. They both sit up at 3 of 10, and Darby hits Ospreay first! Ospreay hits Darby back! Darby fires forearms but Ospreay ROCKS him back! Darby comes back with more shots, but Ospreay CHOPS!

Darby wobbles but he stays up. Darby fires more forearms, but Ospreay CHOPS again! Ospreay eggs on “Big Boy” Darby, so Darby fires more shots! Ospreay CHOPS Darby off his feet, but he has a wristlock to bring Darby back up! Ospreay CHOPS Darby off his feet again, but he doesn’t let go! Ospreay drags Darby up and winds up, to CHOP again! But Darby stays up! Darby growls so Ospreay CHOPS again! Darby blocks a chop, WRINGS Ospreay and rolls through to bring Ospreay around! La Magistrol, TWO!!! Ospreay narrowly escapes, and he SUPERKICKS! Springboard, OSC- NO, Darby SLAM DUNKS Ospreay!

Darby hurries to springboard, COFFIN DROP!! Cover, TWO?!?! Ospreay survives and the fans are absolutely loving this! “This is Awesome!” as both men go to the same corner. Darby looks to the floor, and he brings Ospreay up! Ospreay fights the lift, throws body shots, but Darby CLUBS Ospreay! Ospreay hops down to the apron, and he BOOTS Darby’s legs out! Darby is stuck up top, but Ospreay drags him off there, and into position for a STYLES CLASH TO THE FLOOR!!! The fans are losing their minds all over again, but Ospreay clutches a foot. Ospreay may have jammed it up bracing for that fall, but Darby is all but unconscious!

The ring count is climbing, the fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but there’s a 20 minute time limit. Ospreay rolls into the ring and he lets the count go to 6 of 10. The fans then chant, “You Killed Darby!” The count is 8! 9! DARBY SPRINGS TO LIFE! But into an OSCUTTER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Darby survives and shocks everyone! But Ospreay vows to end this! Underhooks, STORM- NO, Darby pops free! SCORPION DEATH DROP!!! Darby hurries up top and takes aim, COFFIN DROP!! But Darby goes right back up! COFFIN DROP again!! Cover, DARBY WINS!!!

Winner: Darby Allin, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)

“Relentless” is almost not enough to describe Darby Allin! This epic first-time-ever match also gives us quite the traffic jam in Gold League! FOUR men stand at 2-1 with 6 points, and we will see them all face off on Christmas Collision! Will Ospreay VS Ricochet, Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, who will be the two that come out ahead? But speaking of the Death Riders, here they come! They have their main event Six Man Tag, but the Swiss Cyborg is eyeing his next target. Will Darby stick it to the Death Riders when he makes sure Claudio does NOT make it to Worlds End?

Six Man Tag: The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy, Jay White & Hangman Page!

AEW returns, and while Darby Allin was allowed to leave unscathed, Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta & Pac will certainly deal plenty of damage to all three contenders. Will the Death Riders be riding high on the road to Orlando? Or will Freshly Squeezed, The Switchblade & The Blackhat Cowboy actually make a formidable trio?

The teams sort out and Hangman starts against Yuta. The bell rings but Hangman of course wants Moxley to man up and tag in. Yuta says no way, so Hangman tags Cassidy. The fans boo and Hangman argues with Jay White, but Cassidy throws his sunglasses at Yuta before firing off fists! Yuta fires back, the fans fire up as Cassidy fires a flurry! Yuta shoves Cassidy but Cassidy SHOTGUNS Yuta! The fans cheer as Cassidy stares down with Moxley. Moxley eggs Cassidy on, then he gets away from Cassidy. Pac grabs Cassidy, Yuta runs up, but Cassidy BOOTS Yuta and ELBOWS Pac! Yuta comes back but Cassidy DUMPS him out!

Yuta bumps into Pac, Cassidy springboards to CANNONBALL! Down go Pac and Yuta! Cassidy puts Yuta in, but Moxley THROAT CHOPS Cassidy! The fans boo but Yuta tags Moxley. Moxley brings Cassidy around to put in the ring, and then drags him up to reel him in! Moxley lifts Cassidy, but Cassidy fights and flails! Moxley tries to hold on, but Cassidy powers up to BEACH BREAK! At least, halfway between that and a backdrop. Moxley and Cassidy still crawl, but then White leaves Cassidy hanging! Hangman still tags in, but so does Yuta! Hangman CLOBBERS Yuta, DECKS Pac, and then BOOTS Yuta!

Hangman triangle jumps to LARIAT Pac! Hangman dodges Yuta to scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM! Hangman kips up, stares Moxley down, then goes out after Pac. Hangman pushes Pac aside to go for Moxley but Marina Shafir stands in the way. She’s a problem as always, but Yuta CLUBS Hangman on the back! Yuta puts Hangman in, then runs up, but into a fireman’s carry! Yuta fights free, runs, but into a LARIAT! Hangman snarls and he TOSSES Yuta to the corner. Hangman dares Moxley to man up and tag in! Moxley grins, but then Jay White tags in!? The fans are torn while Hangman and White argue about this.

The ref tells Hangman he has to step out so Hangman steps out. And then he LEAVES! Hangman already made it clear he only cared so long as he got to beat up Death Riders, have White’s antics just cost the team? Moxley does tag in and he runs up on White! White clinches but Moxley slips free! White BLASTS Yuta and Pac to deny Moxley an escape, but Moxley CLOBBERS White! Moxley argues with the ref now, and Claudio UPPERCUTS Cassidy! The fans boo but then Moxley gives White a PILEDRIVER! Death Riders are in control as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Moxley drags White toa  cover, TWO!! White barely gets his arm up, but Moxley drags him around. Moxley puts White in the corner, tags Pac, and the Death Riders mug White. Pac pulls White’s hair and Yuta CHOKES White, but Yuta lets off as the ref counts. Pac then digs his boots in while the ref’s busy! Marina taunts White with the briefcase that holds the title, but the ref finally notices the shenanigans. Pac lets off to argue with the ref, and Moxley gets a cheap shot in! Pac BLASTS Cassidy off the apron, too! White gets up, fights back with haymakers and CHOPS, but Yuta YANKS him down!

White sputters but Pac goes out to fetch him. Pac puts White in the ring, covers, TWO! Pac drags White up to cravat, and Moxley tags in so the Death Riders can mug White. Moxley ROCKS White, CLAWS White’s back, then CLAWS him again! Moxley brings White up to climb the corner. Moxley rains down fists, Claudio gets a cheap shot on Cassidy, and Moxley goes all the way to TEN! Moxley argues with the ref now, and Claudio gets a cheap shot on White! Moxley storms up on White while the Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Moxley drags White up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER!

Tag to Yuta and Yuta drags White around, to then drop a KNEE! Yuta kneels on White’s neck, waits for the ref to count, and then steps off at 4. Yuta scuffs White, White rises up to CHOP! Yuta pulls White’s ear! The ref counts, the fans tell Yuta off, but Moxley gets another cheap shot in on Cassidy! But then White clinches to EXPLODER Yuta up and out to the floor! Claudio is disappointed but White sees he has no one! Yuta crawls into the ring while White shouts for Orange! Yuta tags Pac, and Pac runs up, but White dodges! White CHOPS Pac, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Pac kicks low, runs, but into a BACKDROP!

The fans fire up and its Guns Up for the DC Gold Members! White hauls Pac up but Pac fights the urenage! Pac elbows White away, runs up, but White puts him on the apron! But Pac slingshots in for a CUTTER! White sputters and Pac waits on him to stand. Pac SOBATS, KICKS, and SOBATS! Pac runs, but White avoids the boot! White LARIATS Pac inside-out! Pac staggers up, into the sleeper! CUTTHROAT PLEX! The fans fire up and White says BANG. White runs, Claudio steps in the way, but White still heads back for Pac. Pac dodges to SNAP GERMAN! Pac shakes out the stars while White flounders.

Pac crawls over, tag to Moxley. Cassidy rises, but he’s still so far away! Moxley drags White up, talks trash, but White slips around! CUTTHROAT PLEX! Moxley roars as he rises up, but White gets around again! DDT!! Moxley is dazed, White flounders over, hot tag to Cassidy! Cassidy goes up to DEEP IMPACT! The fans fire up and Cassidy “unleashes” those kicks! Then he actually kicks and stomps away on Moxley! Cassidy runs, but he ducks ‘n’ dodges first before he tilt-o-whirl DDTS! Moxley flounders, staggers, and Yuta gets in! Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges Yuta now, tilt-o-whirl- NO, Yuta stops that!

Yuta suplexes, STUN DOG- NO, Yuta stops that, too! Yuta GERMAN SUPLEXES Cassidy! White gets in, CUTTHROAT PLEX! Pac baits White into a corner and BOOTS him down! Pac goes up top, but Cassidy goes right after him! White gets outta the way before the SUPERPLEX! The fans are thunderous as Cassidy rises, but Moxley is in! Moxley spins Cassidy around to kick and underhook! Cassidy slips out, dodges, and ORANGE- CUTTER!! Moxley turns things around, but HANGMAN IS BACK! Hangman fires hands on Moxley! Hangman whips, Moxley reverses, but Hangman goes to the apron!

The fans fire up as Hangman loads up! Hangman BOOTS Moxley, then Cassidy hits an ORANGE PUNCH!! Hangman is pissed as Cassidy hits his target! Pac grabs Hangman’s legs, but Hangman kicks him away! Yuta sends Cassidy into Hangman! Yuta suplexes, but into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Hangman slingshots, Cassidy dodges, BUCKSHOT hits Yuta!! And probably not on purpose… Pac returns, Hanganmn dodges, White gets Pac with BLADERUNNER!! White and Hangman argue about this, but Cassidy sighs. Moxley rolls Cassidy up! Holding the waistband!! DEATH RIDERS WIN!!

Winners: Death Riders, by pinfall

White and Hangman were so busy with each other, they didn’t save their teammate! Cassidy gets pissed with both of them, but now it doesn’t matter because Worlds End is every man for themselves. But wait, the Death Riders are flanking the ring, and Moxley has a chair! Cassidy, White & Hangman realize this, and now they stand back-to-back-to-back. They finally fight as a united front as they throw hands on the Death Riders! Cassidy DECKS Pac, White DECKS Claudio and Hangman DECKS Moxley! The Death Riders and their enemies brawl on the outside, but Marina makes sure Moxley gets outta there!

ORANGE PUNCH for Pac! Hangman and Yuta fire hands now and Hangman sends Yuta into railing! Hangman still wants to take out Moxley, but so do White and Cassidy. Will Worlds End be where Moxley’s reign of terror ends? Or will The Maniac AEW World Champion use all of his enemies against each other like he did tonight?

My Thoughts:

Will Eddy Thorpe continue to game the system?

Eddy Thorpe cried wolf, but he still got his shot at the NXT Championship. Will Trick Williams make Eddy regret tricking everyone into feeling sorry for him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Axiom w/ Nathan Frazer VS Oba Femi; Oba wins.
• Sol Ruca & Zaria VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Lash & Jakara win.
• Jaida Parker w/ OTM VS Wren Sinclair w/ No Quarter Catch Crew; Jaida wins.
• NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS Gallus; Frazer & Axiom win and retain the titles.
• NXT Championship: Trick Williams VS Eddy Thorpe; Double Pinfall Draw, Trick retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Axiom w/ Nathan Frazer VS Oba Femi!

The Undeniable Truth oddly thought he could teach The Ruler a lesson for brutalizing Nathan Frazer and the rest of the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge field, which is why he asked for this match. The irony is that Frazer asked for the NXT Tag Team Championship match we’ll be seeing later tonight! Will Axiom even survive the start of the show to join Frazer in that defense? Or will Oba be unstoppable on his way to New Year’s Evil?

The bell rings and Axiom stares Oba down. They feel things out, Axiom kicks at Oba, but Oba shrugs that off. The fans sing, “Oba’s gonna kill~ you!” Oba grabs at Axiom, Axiom kicks and scurries away, but Oba keeps after him. Axiom slips around to waistlock but Oba throws Axiom right off! Oba storms up on Axiom, knuckle locks with him, and powers Axiom into the corner. The ref counts, Oba lets off, and Axiom resets. The fans rally, the two circle, and Axiom kicks! And KICKS! Oba blocks a kick and he RAMS Axiom into a corner! The ref counts, Oba lets off slowly, but then Axiom CHOPS! Axiom dodges and CHOPS again!

Axiom eggs Oba on, the two circle again, and they knuckle lock. Oba blocks a kick, he trips Axiom, but Axiom kicks free. Axiom goes to ropes, Oba runs up, and Axiom holds the ropes down! But Oba stops from being dumped out! Oba stomps Axiom, then whips him to ropes. Axiom ducks ‘n’ dodges, goes up, but Oba CHOPS him on the back! Axiom flops to the outside while fans fire up and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Oba throws hands with Axiom. Oba CLUBS Axiom, then CLUBS him down! Axiom crawls but Oba CLUBS him again! Oba brings Axiom up, but Axiom blocks the shot! Axiom fights up, but Oba knees low! Axiom goes to a corner, Oba runs up, and Axiom BOOTS Oba away! Axiom tries again but Oba blocks, and Oba CHOPS! Oba puts Axiom up top, but Axiom fires hands! Axiom kicks Oba away, adjusts position, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Oba stumbles and falls back, but he gets to his feet. Axiom KICKS Oba’s leg again and again, then runs, to KICK it again! Axiom keeps moving, but Oba LARIATS Axiom inside-out! Cover, TWO!

Oba is annoyed but the fans rally up. Oba drags Axiom to his feet, just to YANK the bad arm! Oba YANKS the arm again, then CHOPS Axiom off his feet! Frazer is wincing as Axiom sits up in a daze. Oba brings Axiom up, wrenches, but Axiom SLAPS him! Oba swings, but into an ARMBAR- NO, Oba stays up! Oba deadlifts Axiom, puts him in a corner, and CHOPS again and again and again! Axiom flops down, the fans are torn, but Oba smiles all the same. Oba dares Axiom to get up, and Axiom stands to CHOP! And KICK! But Oba CHOPS Axiom down! Axiom rises, the fans rally, and Axiom fires fast hands!

Axiom KICKS but Oba CHOPS him down again! Axiom gets up and he roars! Axiom fires more shots, then dodges Oba’s to DROPKICK! Oba staggers, Axiom runs, and Axiom dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up and Axiom runs up to BUZZSAW! Oba flops over, Axiom covers, ONE!! Oba is seething as he rises, but Axiom BUZZSAWS, SUPERKICKS, and covers, TWO! Oba rolls to get Axiom right up! But Axiom RANAS in return! Cover, TWO!! Oba escapes but Axiom CALF KICKS Oba down! The fans fire up as Axiom rolls to ropes. Axiom rises, goes to the apron and then up the corner. Axiom aims again, MISSILE DROPKICK!

Axiom kips up and the fans fire up! Axiom aims from a corner, runs up, GOLDEN- SHOTPUT!! Oba turns things right around, and he storms right up on Axiom! FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall

A valiant effort from Axiom, but the Iron Survivor is rolling on towards his golden opportunity. Will Oba do the same to whoever is NXT Champion come New Year’s Evil? Will Fraxiom be able to make it out of Lowell, Massachusetts still the NXT Tag Team Champions?

Backstage interview with Eddy Thorpe.

Sarah Schreiber is with the Alpha Wolf and says Eddy shocked the world when he admitted to staging an attack to take himself out of the Iron Survivor Challenge, only to get an NXT Championship match tonight against Trick Williams. What does he have to say for himself? Eddy says he is BRILLIANT. For all the know-it-alls out there, Eddy fooled everyone! And they want to say, “Eddy, how could you do that?!” Save it. If it was anyone else, they’d be called a mastermind or a genius. But Eddy does it, he’s a cheater?

Ava Raine storms in and she tells Eddy that he can spin it however he wants, but we all know Eddy took a shortcut. Unfortunately, the contract is signed, it is binding, and this match is happening. Eddy says it must hurt to take the blame for something you didn’t do. Do you know how many times Eddy was told, “Work smarter, not harder.” That’s all he did. Eddy would’ve gotten screwed in the Iron Survivor anyways. So call him whatever you want, but by the end of the night, you will call him the NEW NXT Champion! Eddy heads out, will he get what he wants? Or only what he deserves?

Karmen Petrovic talked with Dion Lennox.

She isn’t sure what to do about Ashante THEE Adonis. Dion says they’re friends, yeah? So as friends, he will say that her match with Nikkita Lyons, that was Adonis genuinely trying to help. He literally brought her flowers before the match and… Maybe she should apologize. Karmen says that’s true. She doesn’t know what it is, but she just gets so defensive around him. She will go apologize. She thanks him and they hug it out, but then Adonis walks over. Adonis misunderstands now and both Karmen and Dion defend it isn’t what it looks like. Adonis says why does he even try! Was that “just a hug?” Should he go hug all the other girls?

Robert Stone and Stevie Turner both see this, and they both get an idea, so they both head out. Adonis says the crazy thing is, he cut Nikkita off. But he might just text her now. And don’t even try to explain, Dion. Adonis storms off, Dion realizes he is stuck in the middle of this drama, and he has had it! He will just go back to reading books and minding his own business. But just how will this love story of Adonis and Karmen sort out?

Sol Ruca & Zaria VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!

Speaking of the Iron Survivor Challenge, two women who were in it but didn’t win it are having to face a couple haters who think they would’ve done better. Will Ruca and the Agent of Change snatch some souls? Or will the Meta Girls make them slam on the brakes?

NXT returns and the Meta Girls make their entrance. The teams sort out and Jakara starts against Sol, and SHOTGUNS her right down! Jakara rains down fists, then brings Sol up. Jakara ROCKS Sol, whips her, then runs in, but Sol catches her! Sol spins around with Miss Jackson before the FACEBUSTER! Sol stands on Jakara, and she uses her to surf! Then she hops off to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Sol brings Jakara up and around, but Jakara fires body shots! Jakara backs Sol down, tags Lash, and they whip to drop toehold and ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Lash clamps onto Sol with a waistlock and she thrashes her around!

Lash SLAMS Sol, brings her back up, but Sol switches. They go to ropes, Lash bucks the O’Conner but Sol kips up to ROCK Lash! Lash goes to a corner, Sol runs up, but Lash dumps her to the apron! Sol slingshots back in to CODE BREAKER! Lash staggers, Sol runs up again, but Lash picks Sol up! Lash TOSSES Sol, but Sol is closer to her corner! The fans fire up as Sol tags in Zaria! Lash and Zaria stare down and circle. Lash pushes first, then they tie up. Zaria whips Lash away but Lash RAMS her! Zaria comes back to RAM Lash! Lash rebounds to RAM Zaria, but Zaria dodges the boot! Zaria fireman’s carries, but Lash fights free!

Lash clamps onto Zaria’s neck, CHOKE- NO, Zaria slips free and kicks low! Zaria reels Lash in, but Lash fights the suplex! Zaria fires hands, but Lash still fights! Lash wrenches and scoops, and the fans fire up as Lash spins and SLAMS! Lash runs, but Zaria avoids the splash! Tag to Sol, and Zaria sends her in, Sol RANAS Lash out! Jakara runs up, Sol SUPERKICKS her! Sol goes up a corner while Zaria fireman’s carries Jakara! Sol & Zaria work together for Sol to STAND on Jakara, HIGH TIDE CROSSBODY onto Lash! The fans go nuts, but then Zaria adds on by THROWING Jakara onto Lash! Sol & Zaria stand tall while NXT goes to break!

NXT returns again and Lash has SOl up with both hands! The fans fire up as Lash then lets Sol down, but Sol dodges the lariat to sunset flip! Lash waves and leans back, then stands back up! Lash drags Sol up and throws her to the corner! Sol dodges Lash to roll her, TWO! Lash ROCKS Sol and Sol flops against ropes! Lash brings Sol around, tags Jakara, and the Meta Girls mug Sol! Jakara CHOPS Sol, then Lash feeds her to Jakara’s underhooks! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Jakara swaggers, taunts Zaria, then handspring ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Jakara is annoyed but she clamps onto Sol with a straitjacket stretch!

The fans rally up while Sol endures, and Sol fights up. Jakara kicks the legs out to then trap them, and Jakara bends Sol back against the knees! Sol endures, gets her feet free, and she rolls back to have a cover! TWO as Jakara lets go, and then Jakara fires hands! Jakara whips Sol but Sol BLASTS Lash! Sol goes up and over Jakara but Jakara waistlocks. Sol switches, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Sol hurries but Jakara has her foot! Sol hops up, ENZIGIRI but Jakara ducks! Jakara talks smack on Zaria, but Sol wrenches Jakara for a ROUNDHOUSE! Jakara staggers, Sol crawls, hot tag to Zaria!

The fans fire up as Zaria LARIATS Jakara! And BOOTS her! And then waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Jakara flounders around while the fans fire up, and Zaria runs to SPEAR! Cover, Lash breaks it! The fans boo but Lash and Zaria stare down. The ref stops them from fighting, but Jakara CHOP BLOCKS Zaria! Lash tags in, and she hauls Zaria up. But Zaria fights the suplex to try a suplex! Lash fights that, and the fans rally as Lash and Zaria fight for control! Zaria powers through and she suplexes Lash up and over! Tag to Sol, SPRINGBOARD SPLASH! cover, Jakara breaks it and DROPKICKS Zaria at the same time!

But Sol gets Jakara with an X-FACTRO! Lash DECKS Sol! Zaria runs in but Lash dodges! Zaria stops short of hitting Sol! They both understand, and Sol pushes Zaria aside to take the BOOT! Zaria fireman’s carries, but Jakara saves Lash! Lash LARIATS Zaria up and out! Lash opens the way for Jakara to DIVE! Down goes Zaria! Lash brings Sol around, bow ‘n’ arrow rack, LASH EXTENSION!! Cover, META GIRLS WIN!

Winners: Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson

The tag team comes through against two big singles stars, and you can bet The Meta Four’s ego is only going to grow. Will the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson find their way back to some championship opportunities?

NXT shares footage from after last week’s show.

After their loss to Hank ‘n’ Tank, Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont regrouped backstage. Tyriek is getting sick of losing. Tyson says they’ll get ’em next time. What Tyson wants to know is, what was that about? What was what about? They lost! Yeah, but Tyriek blew off Hank ‘n’ Tank. So!? Tyriek doesn’t care about them! He is tired of being buddy buddy when that’s gotten them nowhere! They want to make it to the top! Or did Tyson forget that? Tyson didn’t forget. Tyriek says it is about checks ‘n’ championships, wins ‘n’ losses. Tyson says yeah, he gets that, but there’s a way to do that without coming off disrespectful or like a sore loser.

Tyson says they need to change the mindset. Wes Lee is hearing all this, and he asks, “Does he, though?” Wes doesn’t see what’s wrong with Tyriek’s thinking. Maybe it’s Tyson who needs to reevaluate. Wes says this place is cutthroat, and friends are overrated. Keep that same energy, it’ll take you places you wanna go. Wes and Tyriek fist bump, but who is in the wrong about how to deal with losses?

Jaida Parker w/ OTM VS Wren Sinclair w/ No Quarter Catch Crew!

Miss Parker may have lost in the Underground, but she’s taking it out on the woman who won that Last Chance Fatal 4 instead of her. Will Wren pay for simply being in the right place at the right time?

NXT returns and Wren makes her entrance. The bell rings, Wren tries to reason with Jaida, but Jaida pushes her! And pushes her again! Wren goes for a leg, Jaida CLUBS her down! Jaida whips Wren to a corner, runs up, but Wren ELBOWS her away! Wren BOOTS Jaida, then rams her into the ropes. Jaida uses the ropes to HOTSHOT Wren away, then she throws Wren into ropes! Jaida CHOPS away on Wren, then goes side to side, for the TEARDROP! Jaida is high stepping already, then she brings Wren up. Jaida suplexes for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, ONE!! Wren shows some grit but Jaida is right on her.

Jaida whips Wren, then Jaida RAMS her! Jaida backs off, runs in again, but Wren dodges! Wren waistlocks but Jaida fights the lift. Wren shifts to a full nelson! Jaida endures as Wren thrashes, and Jaida powers her way to switch the full nelson onto Wren! The fans are torn but Jaida spins Wren around to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Jaida clamps onto Wren with chicken wings, and the fans rally as Jaida shifts to a motorcycle stretch. Jaida steps over and sits on Wren! Wren endures being folded up, and the fans rally as Wren fights up! Wren grabs Jaida’s leg, but Jada CLUBS her down! Jaida brings Wren up and thrashes her around with a facelock!

Wren endures, wrenches out, and she ROCKS Jaida! Jaida ROCKS Wren! The forearms go back and forth, then Jaida CHOPS! Jaida SLAPS Wren, talks trash, but NQCC says fight back! Wren CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Wren LARIATS! And CLOBBERS Jaida, and then BASEMENT BULLDOGS her! Wren tells Jaida to get up, and she RAMS into her! Wren underhooks for a BUTTERFLY PLEX! Jaida writhes and flops out of the ring. OTM and NQCC jaw at each other, but Jaida trips Wren! It busts off for the boys and the fans fire up! OTM and NQCC brawl up the ramp and to the back!

Jaida fireman’s carries, Wren slips free and RAMS Jaida into the apron! Wren puts Jaida in, Jaida runs up, HIP- NO! ROLL-UP! TWO!! Jaida staggers up, but Wren has the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Jaida powers out before the body scissors are on, BACK ELBOW! And then HIPNOTIC! Cover, Jaida wins!

Winner: Jaida Parker, by pinfall

Miss Parker gets her win back, but she still has to keep fighting if she wants to be a contender. How long must Jaida wait to get what she wants?

Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart talk.

Tatum says they’re outcasts. Gigi says they’re loners. Shotzi says they’re badasses! Shotzi sees so much of herself in these two, especially because people stamp labels on them the moment they meet them. Tatum says Gigi & Shotzi saved her! They were the two friends she didn’t know she needed most. And now, Tatum doesn’t have to play alone anymore! Gigi says yes, but first, they take care of Fatal Influence. Jacy Jayne was Gigi’s best friend, until she wasn’t. And as much as Gigi despises Jacy, she knows everything about her. Jacy is stronger when she has someone by her side. Right now, that’s the champion, Fallon Henley, and her “new bestie,” Jazmyn Nyx.

Shotzi laughs at the irony, and Gigi says no one loves Jacy more than Jacy. Tatum says just like Fatal Influence did to her dolls, she’s gonna rip their heads off! Shotzi says “Dolls out, balls out!” And they won’t even see it coming. Except…

The Fatal Influence finishes watching this.

Jacy Jayne mockingly says, “Aw, how cute. The freaks of NXT all found each other. Too bad they don’t have what we have.” Fallon and Jazmyn agree. Those three don’t have the Influence’s style, aura, or unity as a team. Not to mention the Women’s North American Championship. But then in step Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn! The wicked witches say, “New name, same old Jacy Jayne.” And look, she managed to round up Fallon, and she even added a new little friend. Fallon asks what they’re even doing here. Jacy says they just seem to attract the freaks. Alba tells her to watch what she says. But what Isla thinks is there’s a lack of unity in Fatal Influence.

Jazmyn says she doesn’t know what Isla’s talking about. Well, when Alba & Isla look at Tatum, Gigi & Shotzi, that’s harmony. But these three? It is giving… turmoil. Jazmyn is confused, Jacy sarcastically laughs and says the witches see nothing. Fatal Influence leaves the “freaks” behind, but Isla & Alba say it’s so cute to see someone in denial. Will Fatal Influence fall apart under their own arrogance? Or can they last long enough to survive this nightmare before Christmas?

NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS Gallus!

Much like the Jersey Island Rocket pulled double duty at Deadline, the Undeniable Truth must now power through and fight to keep the titles. But can the best team in NXT today survive when neither of them is 100%? Or are Mark Coffey & Wolfgang about to put the Gallus Boys back on top?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see how much Fraxiom has left in the tank!

The teams sort out, Axiom starts against Mark but Frazer is worried already. Frazer tags in, he ties up with Mark, and Mark puts Frazer in a corner. The ref counts, Mark backs off, but then Frazer avoids the cheap shot! Frazer CHOPS, whips, but Mark reverses. Frazer goes up and over and handsprings away! The fans fire up, Mark runs up, but Frazer rolls him up! TWO, and Frazer arm-drags Mark to a wristlock! Mark fights up, Frazer wrenches, and Frazer ELBOW BREAKERS! Frazer reaches out but now Axiom is hesitant. That hesitation costs them as Mark RAMS Frazer! Mark whips and ELBOWS Frazer!

Tag to Wolfgang but Frazer fires hands! But Mark hooks Frazer, backslide, and Wolfgang drops a KNEE on Frazer’s face! Frazer has that face brace but it doesn’t do much in the way of protection! Wolfgang stomps away on Frazer, then has him in the ropes. The ref counts as Wolfgang thrashes Frazer, and then we get a glimpse of Luca Crusifino & Stacks watching backstage. Wolfgang YANKS Frazer up but Frazer lands on his feet! Frazer PELES Wolfgang, then DROPKICKS Mark! Hot tag to Axiom! The champs rally on Wolfgang with forearm after forearm! then a BASEMENT DDT! Mark runs up but into a SOBAT, KICK, and tilt-o-whirl RANA!

Mark tumbles out, Frazer regroups with Axiom, and they get moving! Frazer DIVES and down goes Mark! Axiom DIVES but Joe Coffey takes the hit for Wolfgang! Frazer DIVES to hit Mark again! Axiom gets moving, but his body gives out! Axiom flounders back up, Wolfgang runs in with a RAMPAGE SPEAR! Wolfgang runs up on Frazer, Frazer gets back, but Mark is there to APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans boo but Joe Coffey is all fire dup while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Mark whips Axiom to the Gallus corner. Mark throws a body shot, but then Axiom fires forearm sin return! Axiom reaches out for Frazer but Mark whips him away. Axiom goes up, but Mark kicks the legs out! Axiom falls in a heap, Mark stomps him, then Mark tags Wolfgang. Gallus mugs Axiom, then CATAPULTS him into the BACKDROP! Axiom goes flying, Wolfgang hurries to cover, TWO! Wolfgang stays between Axiom and Frazer, then he kneels on Axiom while throwing down hands! The fans rally for Axiom but Wolfgang tortures the bad arm. Axiom fights up but Wolfgang whips him to the corner,

Tag to Mark and Mark ROCKS Axiom. Mark whips Wolfgang in but Axiom dodges! Wolfgang hits buckles, Axiom leaps over Mark, hot tag to Frazer! Frazer springboards to AX HANDLE Mark! Frazer BLASTS Wolfgang, then CHOPS Mark! Frazer whips, Mark reverses but Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Mark! Frazer dodges again, QUEBRADA DDT! Wolfgang is back but Frazer TOSSES him back out! RUNNING SHOOTING STAR onto Mark! Cover, TWO! Joe is relieved but Frazer hurries to a corner. Frazer drags himself up to springboard, but Mark moves! Frazer handsprings through, comes back, SLINGBLADE!

Frazer goes right up top this time, FROG SPLASH! Cover, Wolfgang breaks it! The fans rally up while Frazer brings Mark up. Mark wrenches out, ROCKS Frazer, and tags Wolfgang! Wolfgang scoops Frazer, ENZIGIRI POWERSLAM COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Frazer survives but Wolfgang tags Mark. Mark tags Wolfgang back in, and they haul Frazer up. HALF NELSON BACKBREAKER from Mark, and Wolfgang adds the HOWLING SWANTON! Cover, AXIOM BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again and Joe is beside himself! The fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” but Wolfgang fireman’s carries Frazer. Mark runs, into a GOLDEN RATIO!

Frazer fights to sunset flip Wolfgang, TWO!! Wolfgang is free but Frazer jumps on for a SLEEPER! Wolfgang stays on his feet, Axiom takes aim! Wolfgang ducks in time, GOLDEN RATIO hits Frazer!! Axiom panics, Wolfgang drags him into a CATAPULT, DESTROYER for Mark!! Wolfgang KNEES Axiom out of the ring! Frazer hops on, POISON-RANA!! The fans are thunderous as all four men are down, and Joe has no idea what to make of this! Joe shouts to Wolfie to get up, but Frazer has him first. Wolfgang and Frazer fire hands, but then Wolfgang blocks a kick! But not the DRAGON WHIP! Frazer runs up, but Wolfgang FLAPJACKS him off buckles!

Wolfgang LARIATS Frazer down, then goes up the corner! Wolfgang reaches the top, but Frazer is right after him! Axiom tags in! Wolfgang shoves Frazer away, but Frazer backflips through! GAMANGIRI! Axiom goes up now, and he brings Wolfgang to the very top! SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Frazer tags back in before both men climb! Axiom aims, to SWANTON onto the Coffey Brothers! Frazer PHOENIX SPLASHES!! Cover, FRAXIOM WINS!!

Winners: Nathan Frazer & Axiom, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)

At less than 100% total, against the THREE members of Gallus, Nathan Frazer & Axiom survive another title defense! But how can these two keep going when the rest of the NXT Tag Division is closing in?

Je’Von Evans talks with Hank ‘n’ Tank.

The Young OG tells the Blue Collar Belly Boys that they got a huge win over Tyriek & Tyson last week. Hank says same for Je’Von over Wes. Je’Von says hear him out. For 2025, Hank ‘n’ Tank: NXT Tag Team Champions! They love the sound of that! But they’re just trying to keep up with Je’Von. Well, thinking about it, Je’Von debuted in April, got respect from the Mad Dragon, won a battle royal, and his first PLE match was Heatwave in the main event. He took on Randy Orton, got to wrestle in the ECW Arena, met X-Pac, and… ALMOST won Iron Survivor. Yeah, that is a great year! Je’Von is on fire!

But then Ethan Page, disheveled and depressed, pushes right past them all. They’re not sure what to make of All Ego’s zero energy, but what is Ethan to do if he’s still going to be NXT?

Lexis King trains with Charlie Dempsey.

The Drama King says he’s ready to earn that Heritage Cup match. Dempsey says okay, and he brings out a deck of cards. King asks why, are they gonna play poker? No, this is called a Deck of Cards Workout. They keep going until there are no cards left. Just try and keep up. Five of clubs, that means you double it, ten reverse Hindu pushups. Ready? They get to work, go through the deck, and we get a montage of the pushups, the jumping squats, the mace swings, the walking neck bridge, and repeat. Dempsey is actually impressed. King says no shortcuts, no cheating, just old fashioned hard work.

Dempsey says he’ll keep the promise. They’re gonna have that Heritage Cup Championship match. They shake on it, but will the real work begin when the bell rings?

Ethan Page walks out to the ring.

He has a mic and is already apologizing as he interrupts the show. He just needs to get this off his chest. Ethan says everyone has every right to boo him, which they’re doing. Honestly, this is the same energy he’s been getting at home the last couple weeks, he deserves it. Ethan doesn’t think anyone understands the journey he’s been through to get to NXT. They don’t know the promises he made to his family. He promised his daughter that he would “win the big one.” And he did. He did it in NXT, he became NXT Champion. Not only did he become champion, he did it in record time. Faster than Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Sami Zayn. Ethan made history!

Ethan went through 18 YEARS of Hell to keep that promise, and he did it. The fans do applaud that. Ethan says he did it for her, for his son, for his wife, and fine, if the fans wanna boo, if the fans wanna cheer, that’s fine, they paid for their ticket. But right now, Ethan just wants to talk to his wife. Ethan says, “Without you, Viviana, there is no Ethan Page. I wouldn’t be standing in this ring. These lights would not be on me. These cameras would not be on me. These people would not be having the time of their lives what-ing me without you! Let them do what they want, I got to live my dream because of you.

“And that’s the part that rips me apart. I did it. But now every time I lose, you lose. My daughter loses, my son loses, the people that blindly supported me, they lose! When I come home and my daughter looks through my gear bag, and she’s looking for that NXT Championship and she’s empty handed… When I’m on the road and my wife sends me videos of my son crying because I can’t win… And the worst part is when I come home and I see the look in my wife’s eyes of disappointment. That’s the part that’s eating me alive. I don’t know if I love this anymore. And to be honest with everybody… I’ve just lost my smile.”

Lowell boos Ethan using that line in particular, but Ethan says they can mock him for being emotional. But this job- Je’Von makes his way out here? Je’Von says he just wanted to come out here and apologize for what he’s said back there. Je’Von saw how Ethan was, and it doesn’t feel good hearing about other people’s accomplishments. Because see, that’s all we’ve heard from Ethan since he got here. All Ego did this, All Ego did that. He walked in here all cocky. But Ethan, that isn’t really you, is it? Je’Von knows the real Ethan Page. Hear him out, really. Je’Von saw the real Ethan at Heatwave. It wasn’t what he did in the match, it’s what he did after.

Ethan won the NXT Championship, and he looked at his wife and kids and said, “I love you.” Je’Von wants to be real with Ethan. Not everyone can do that. The joy Ethan had when he saw his family after that, saw his wife and kids, the SMILE that he had wasn’t just some regular smile. That was a proud dad smile. That was a proud husband smile. That was a smile from someone that has been busting his ass for 18 LONG YEARS to get where they deserve to be. That smile came from Ethan. The fans cheer that! Je’Von says Ethan deserves to be here. The FANS know Ethan deserves to be here! The fans cheer that, too!

From now on, drop All Ego, let’s see the real Ethan Page! The proud dad, the proud husband, the REAL Ethan. And if no one else will say it, Je’Von will say it: he’s proud of Ethan. NXT is proud of Ethan! Look at him, man. They’re all proud of Ethan, and Je’Von means that from the heart. The fans cheer and Ethan isn’t sure what to say. Ethan thanks Je’Von, and says yeah, Je’Von is right. That made it all so clear to Ethan. Ethan shouldn’t be so worried about losing his smile. He should worry about taking Je’Von’s! ETHAN DECKS JE’VON!! The fans boo as Ethan rains down fists on Je’Von! Ethan storms out of the ring, grabs a chair, and storms back in!

The fans boo while Ethan scares off refs! Ethan puts the chair around Je’Von’s head!! Ethan says if Je’Von wants the real Ethan, here it is! Ethan STOMPS the chair!! Je’Von is immediately spitting up blood!! The fans boo, but Ethan took everyone’s kindness and threw it away in the trash! Will All Ego do whatever he has to in order to take over NXT?

Backstage interview with Trick Williams.

Sarah Schreiber is with the NXT Champion and says that moments before his main event match, he is really charged up. Trick says first thing’s first, nothing but well wishes and prayers for Je’Von after what Ethan just did to him. But to Eddy Thorpe, we saw how he lied his way into this match. Eddy gets what he wants, but so does Trick. The first time Trick won this title, he was happy just to win it. This time is different. He’ll prove all the doubters wrong and prove himself right by showing he IS the man around here! Tonight, we are in Lowell, Massachusetts, the home of hard work and getting the job done.

So while Trick may not have a Boston accent, he has the fighting spirit of Mickey Rourke! But Oba Femi walks over to say good luck. Whoever wins faces Oba next. And for what it is worth, Oba hopes it is Trick that wins. Because in three weeks, New Year’s Evil in LA, Oba will take this title from someone. And he hopes it is Trick. Trick tells Oba that he’s also looking forward to it. The Ruler awaits, will Trick whoop Eddy as an example of what happens when you doubt him?

Stephanie Vaquer speaks.

“Cora, you think I’m just another threat that you can get rid of. But you don’t know me. I didn’t become the best luchadora in the world overnight. La Primera (the first/the best) worked tirelessly to get here after years of hard work. But Cora arrived here first. She signed in 2021 and became the representation of the new era of NXT. Meanwhile, I went out into the world to face great challenges that made me stronger. Now, I am here. I got where I wanted. I found my way. And I will be everything Cora wants to be. Next week, Cora, I will take you to Hell.” Vaquer and Cora battle on Christmas Eve, will it be not so merry and bright for the Generation of Jade?

BREAKING NEWS for Christmas Eve NXT!

With Fraxiom once again surviving, that means we need new challengers! It will be OTM, NQCC, Hank ‘n’ Tank AND The D’Angelo Family in a Christmas Chaos Fatal 4 Way #1 Contenders match! Who wins themselves some golden tickets for Christmas?

NXT Championship: Trick Williams VS Eddy Thorpe!

As it has been said, everyone got tricked by the fake whodunnit mystery. Trick wants to shut up the doubters, but will he also dole out some justice? Or will the Alpha Wolf weasel his way to success yet again?

NXT returns once again and the fans fire up as Trick makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and with as much NXT history that’s been made here, time to make a little more!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Eddy runs up, Trick dodge and headlocks. Tricky hits a takeover but Eddy fights around. Trick denies the headscissor but Eddy fights up. Eddy throws body shots, whips, but Trick comes back to whip Eddy. Trick then redirects and CLOBBERS Eddy! And CLOBBERS him away! Trick whips, Eddy grabs ropes and he bails out! The fans boo but Trick goes to the ropes. Eddy trips Trick, but Trick BOOTS Eddy into the desk! Trick CLUBS Eddy, CHOPS him against railing, then CHOPS him again! The fans fire up while Eddy sputters. Trick puts Eddy in, runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Eddy hurdles!

Eddy CROSSBODIES Trick down, then runs up to kitchen sink knee! Eddy KICKS Trick in a corner, then bumps him off buckles. Eddy KICKS, whips, but Trick reverses. POP-UP HAYMAKER! Eddy staggers up, into the LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Eddy stays in this but Trick stays on him, DROPKICK! Eddy flounders to ropes, Trick runs up, but Eddy ducks! Leg lariat turns into a bad landing on Trick’s willy! Eddy SHOVES Trick to the floor, the fans boo, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns once more and Eddy hurries to kick Trick down. Eddy snapmares Trick, KICKS him in the back, then covers, TWO! Trick stays in this but Eddy snarls. Eddy drags Trick up, cravats for a neck wrench, but Trick endures. The fans rally as Trick fights up, only for Eddy to wrangle him back down. Trick fights up again, turns, but Eddy fires knees! Trick still powers out! Eddy knees low to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Trick stays in this but he clutches that bad neck. Eddy frowns and he sits Trick up for another cravat. The fans rally, Trick fights up again, and Trick fires body shots. Trick ROCKS Eddy, then whips.

Eddy reverses, drops down, then hurdles. CROSS- FACEBUSTER! Trick turns things around in midair and both men are down! The fans rally up while Trick and Eddy stir. Eddy goes to ropes, Trick rises and he ROCKS Eddy! And he ROCKS Eddy again! Eddy staggers up but into a wrench, body shot, UPPERCUT, and then Trick runs to LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Trick then FLAPJACKS Eddy! Trick kips up and the fans fire up! Trick storms up on Eddy, has the arm, and cartwheels to ripcord BOOKEND! Cover, TWO! Eddy survives but Trick brushes that off. Trick aims at Eddy as Eddy rises and the fans rally up.

Trick fireman’s carries, Eddy slips free, and Eddy KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS! Eddy GERMAN SUPLEXES Trick away, and the fans boo as Eddy storms back up. Eddy runs to TOMAHAWK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Trick is still in this and Eddy grows frustrated. They go forehead to forehead as they rise up, and the fans rally up as they start throwing hands! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and Trick gets the edge! Eddy wobbles, but he SOBATS! Eddy runs, but into Trick’s BOOT! Eddy PELES! Both men stagger, and Trick uses an EDDY GORDO KICK! Eddy Thorpe wobbles, into the turn, but he slips through!

Eddy uses a BACK2BACKBREAKER! Trick writhes but Eddy hauls him up! Trick RAMS Eddy into the corner! Trick swings, but Eddy ducks under! Eddy brings Trick out but Trick fights the German Suplex! Trick switches, fireman’s carries, and hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The hair comes down and Trick brings Eddy up! Whip and pop-up, but Eddy catches Trick! Facelock, IMPALER DDT but the ref gets taken out by the swing! The fans fire up, Eddy covers, there’s no one to count! The fans count, Eddy would’ve had this three times over! Eddy shouts at the ref to get up, another ref hurries out here! Trick rolls Eddy, TWO!!!

Eddy escapes in time, he shoots around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Trick ends up in a corner, BOOT from Eddy! Eddy keeps moving, ANOTHER BOOT! Eddy keeps moving, but into a TRICK SHOT!! Trick falls on Eddy, but Eddy’s got an arm on Trick! Both refs count a cover, THREE! But who wins?! Each ref saw one guy pinning the other, so who really had this fall? Ava comes out here to try and reason this out, each ref has a guy they’re saying won! Is it Trick? Eddy? Both? Neither? What a conundrum for Christmas! But as NXT goes off the air, social media catches Ava declaring this is a DRAW, Trick RETAINS the title!

Double Pinfall Draw; Trick is still NXT Champion

Lowell cheers but Eddy is pissed! A double pinfall draw and there’s no overtime for Eddy!? HBK hurries out here to try and cool Eddy off, but Eddy SHOVES HBK! Trick storms over and SMACKS Eddy! They fight into the ring, Trick dodges Eddy and hits the TRICK KICK! Eddy flops back out of the ring, has justice been served?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT here, but there was a lot that indicated they’re going to tape the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve episodes. Which is great, really, because the superstars deserve to have the holidays off so they can be with family or even just take it easy for a couple weeks. We got great hype packages throughout the show, especially at the beginning to remind us of NXT’s history in Lowell, Massachusetts. There was also a great one to remind us of the great lineage behind the NXT Women’s Championship, perhaps as foreshadowing for Giulia taking the title from Roxanne Perez for New Year’s Evil.

Good promo from Vaquer to call out Cora, they’ll have a very fun match. Good promos from Tatum’s trio and the Fatal Influence, and adding Alba & Isla to it is great stuff. That is long term story telling right there, with how Alba & Isla knew Tatum had her twisted side back when Tatum was trying to be buddies with Ivy Nile and Diamond Mine. That’s how long ago it was. That said, we’ll get a great Six Woman Tag, and at the very least, Gigi VS Fallon for the Women’s North American Championship. Maybe they even escalate things to another Six Woman Ladder Match, but they might be holding onto that idea for Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas in April.

Very good promo from Tyriek, Tyson and Wes. I hope Ty & Ty stick together, but then that would require Tyson pulling the same move as Johnny Gargano and join his Heel partner in being a Heel. But at the same time, we almost got nothing from Ty & Ty on TV so we need to see them more. And then brilliant stuff with Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans. The seed was planted having Je’Von excitedly push past Ethan as everyone was arriving, and then Je’Von getting hyped with Hank ‘n’ Tank was a great way to bring Ethan back around. Plus, what’s not to like about HBK handing down “I lost my smile” to Ethan here. Je’Von did great in his part after that, and then they did a great job with the fake blood from Je’Von’s mouth.

Another good promo from the Karmen-Adonis romcom, and I like that Dion just wants out of it. Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey doing their workout was good, but it also seemed like fanservice for the ladies. Their Heritage Cup match should be some great stuff, but at this point, shouldn’t Lexis win? Why go through the trouble of reforming him and giving him this second chance if Dempsey retains? Very good match from Jaida and Wren, but a lot of it was of course so we’d get OTM VS NQCC. Though, they stepped it up and made it a Fatal 4 Way so that match is going to be awesome.

Very good tag match from Zaria & Sol VS Lash & Jakara, and while I was surprised Meta Four won, I shouldn’t be. NXT logically let the established team that’s been doing stuff together for much longer beat the two singles stars who haven’t. Axiom VS Oba was great, but of course Oba won. Oba has his momentum going into New Year’s Evil, and that result put the pressure on Axiom & Frazer for their title match. Great sell from Axiom, I believe he “fell over” during the team entrance. And of course great match with Gallus, but I was legit surprised Fraxiom won. I feel like that hurts Gallus a bit, but with that Fatal 4, maybe the winner of that match finally takes the titles off Fraxiom.

And of course, more great stuff with the NXT Championship but also the story of Eddy Thorpe. Good promo from Eddy, and a good promo from Trick with Oba. Great match, and what a brilliant way to finish with the double pinfall. Those only watching TV ended up with a cliffhanger, but it was good to have this addressed tonight and then posted on social media. Eddy is about to get himself put up against Oba in one last tune-up after he shoved HBK like that. Trick VS Oba is going to be great, though, and I feel like Oba wins so Trick can move on to RawDown.

My Score: 8.9/10