Will this rematch be an absolute classic?

Ricky Saints and Trick Williams battle one last time for the NXT Championship, in a Last Man Standing Match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Speed Championship: El Grande Americano VS Jasper Troy; Troy wins and becomes the new WWE Speed Champion.
• Thea Hail w/ Joe Hendry VS Alba Fyre w/ Chelsea Green & Ethan Page; Thea wins.
• WWE Speed Women’s Championship Contender’s Tournament: Fallon Henley VS Skylar Raye; Fallon wins and advances to Gold Rush.
• Tavion Heights VS Josh Briggs; Tavion wins.
• NXT Championship Last Man Standing Match: Ricky Saints VS Trick Williams; Ricky wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE honors our American veterans.

To the men and women who stepped forward to answer the call to protect our freedoms and safeguard our future, we are forever grateful to their selflessness and are forever humbled by their sacrifice. To these brave heroes on Veteran’s Day, we remember and say thank you.

The Culling is here!

The fans cheer because that means THE NXT Women’s Champion, Tatum Paxley, is leading the way to the ring. Izzi Dame, Shawn Spears & Niko Vance follow #TuesdayAddams, and she is all smiles as she gets the mic. “Guys, guys, you guys have no idea how much I love hearing this announcement. It just gives me goosebumps when I hear it: Tatum Paxley, NXT Women’s Champion!” The fans cheer that! Tatum says she could hear that over and over and over and over again! The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and even sing the Addams Family theme.

But Tatum knows if she wants to keep hearing that announcement, she has to listen to her friends. Last week didn’t really go the way she planned it, she was just so excited. They were fighting, dancing, they got carried away, and poor Izzi was just trying to protect her! Tatum still feels awful and that it was her fault they lost. But Izzi forgave Tatum because that is what best friends do. Izzi says, “Exactly, Tatum!” And she said it before, The Culling just wants the best for Tatum. They know how long, long, long, long and hard Tatum had to fight to get here, to become a champion!

But, Tatum, if you wanna keep being the silly, goofy, dancing, smiling, amazing NXT Women’s Champion, you gotta promise Izzi one thing: Stop making irrational decisions, and stop giving out title matches to anyone that walks out here. Promise? Tatum says she knows she can be impulsive… But that’s why she has The Culling and thanks them for reminding her. But spinning the wheel was so fun, right? We all love the wheel! Izzi says the fans would be entertained by freakin’ fruit flies if you put those in front of them! This is NOT about what makes the fans happy, this is about what’s best for Tatum!

The fans already chant “Spin the Wheel!” while Izzi tries to get Tatum to understand: Is Tatum being champion for them? Or for herself? Because if she doesn’t recall, the last time she fought for “them,” she was left abandoned and alone. The Culling took her in, and look at her now! She’s everything they imagined and more! She’s perfect! Tatum says yes, that’s right, but… Why can’t she be a champion that does both? She doesn’t want one girl to feel the way she felt! Izzi says because! Because… The more you defend the title, the more you risk losing it. Tatum is treating the title like a participation trophy, just handing out opportunities to everyone.

The reality is, not everyone deserves an opportunity at the title. Tatum is better than that. Don’t risk losing the title, don’t keep giving out free chances. That is not what’s best for Tatum or that title. But then Jacy Jayne & Fatal Influence storm out here! The fans boo as Jacy waves hi and says, “Tatum~! Tatum, Tatum, listen. Nobody knows how you feel more than me. And to be honest, you’re at the point where yo need to decide what kind of champion do you really wanna be.” The fans boo, but Jacy says when the star speaks, you all sit down and shut up. Jacy runs this place, with or without a title.

The fans boo more but Jacy tells Tatum she did work so hard for so long to get to where she is today that she wants to prove beating Jacy wasn’t a fluke. And the best way to do that is to be a fighting champion! So please, erase any doubts you have in your mind or in any of these losers’ minds… The fans chant “Jacy Sucks! Jacy Sucks!” Jacy does admit, Izzi’s got a point. Tatum shouldn’t go blindly giving out opportunities to randos. Instead, give it to someone who has earned it, and who, oh well, let’s see… carried this division on her back all year! Someone who deserves it!

Izzi says, “Wow, Jacy, such big words from someone with such little significance these days. Too bad Tatum’s not falling for it. Right, Tatum? … Right, Tatum?” Izzi says Jacy is saying whatever she has to in order to get a rematch but Tatum owes her nothing! Jacy asks Izzi what’s wrong. Does Izzi not have faith in her best friend to get the job done? Because newsflash: It’s Tatum’s title, not Izzi’s! Izzi doesn’t even know what it means to hold a championship. Tatum needs to be the one who is in charge of how she’s remembered as champion. And the right thing would be to give the former champion her rematch.

The fans chant “We Want Lainey!” “No, We Don’t!” Tatum says that she has to be smart about this. She has to be more selective. And she is absolutely going to do that. Right after New York! Jacy will get her rematch at NXT Gold Rush, BUT! It is Jacy’s last opportunity while Tatum is champ. Jacy is fine with that! Tatum’s excited, Jacy pretends to be excited, but Izzi is feeling a migraine coming on. Will Tatum survive this big rematch in the Big Apple? Or will we all end up under the Influence once again?

Ava Raine meets with The Vanity Project.

Jackson Drake & Swipe Right are in the NXT General Manager’s office, and Drake thanks her for this opportunity to defend his WWE Evolve Championship at Gold Rush. She says you’re welcome. Drake says of course, it’s not like Ava could resist having “the hottest faction in Evolve, The Vanity Project, grace New York City.” And he’ll say one thing: NXT and the Big Apple are gonna get a firsthand look of the future. Yes, and Ava bet the fans cannot wait for Sean Legacy become champion. Seriously? She’s gonna say that right here? But then in strut Ethan Page & Chelsea Green, Alba Fyre watching their six.

Vanity Project cheers “All Ego~!” and he says Ava really is the worst. Ethan promises to catch up with the VP boys, but first! AVA! What?! Ethan doesn’t think Ava’s congratulated Chelsea Green on becoming the NEW WWE Women’s United States Champion, joining Ethan in the Double Champ Club. Yes, congratulations, Double Champ Chelsea. Friday was a big deal, but they should really be preparing for their AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match with Thea Hail and- Don’t! Don’t say his name, we’ve all learned a lesson there. But Alba says the match isn’t happening, because neither Thea nor Mr. Unmentionable have security clearance.

Oh, actually, they do. Um, no, that’s a negative. Meow, Slaygent A! Um, yeah, whatever. But Ava says the challengers do have proper clearance, or whatever excuse they’re using. But maybe Alba can settle that in the ring tonight. Chelsea protests but Ethan says no, this is perfect. If Alba eliminates the threat, then they win out in the end. Chelsea says okay, they will do that! Gracias! The Two Canadian Power Trip heads out, but will Slaygent A be able to bring down the Grown-Ass Woman? Or will Thea prove that she, and by extension Joe Hendry, are more than worthy of those AAA titles?

WWE Speed Championship: El Grande Americano w/ Los Americanos VS Jasper Troy!

The (self-proclaimed) greatest luchador in history has held onto this title for a good stretch, but now he runs into a brick wall in the form of the LFG Season 1 Champion! Will the MonStar make quick work of El Campeon de Velocidad? Or will Grande finish this in under cinco minutos?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who reaches top speed first!

The bell rings and Troy RAMS Grande into a corner! The fans fire up and sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” while Troy RAMS Grande again and again! The ref counts, Troy stops and then whips corner to corner. Grande hits buckles hard and falls back, Troy roars, but the fans continue to sing. Grande stands, but Troy scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Grande survives but Troy stalks Grande. Troy runs up, blocks a boot, but Troy reels him in and KICKS! Grande goes up, but Troy runs in! Grande kicks him back, CROSSBODIES, but Troy catches him! Pop up and- NO, Grande lisp free to then CALF KICK! The fans fire up with Grande as we’re one minute deep.

Grande urns, PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Troy is still in this but he’s reeling. Grande clamps onto the arms, knuckle locks and goes up the ropes, but Troy YANKS him down for a LARIAT! The fans still sing for Grande while he flounders. Troy whips Grande to ropes, and ELBOWS him down! Grande flounders around again, but Troy stomps him down. Troy digs his boots in at the ropes but the ref counts. Troy steps off at 4, we’re under three minutes, and Grande fires shots! The fans rally but Troy catches the arms! Troy HEADBUTTS, then he Mongolian Chops! Grande drops to his knee, Troy BOOTS him down!

Troy runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Grande survives and the fans cheer, but Troy stalks Grande to a corner. Troy stomps away, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Troy backs off, runs corner to corner, but into a LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up and Grande rises up! Grande knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goe sup, up, and FLYING BLOCKBUSTERS! We hit the two minute warning and the fans fire up! Troy bails out, Grande builds speed, and Grande DIVES into a FOREARM! Grande tumbles down, Troy drags Grande up, and he puts Grande in the ring. Grande trips up the ref a bit, and Troy wants his chain!?

Bravo Americano rushes over to stop Troy, but Troy SHOVES him down! Rayo grabs the chain! Los Americanos are the ones caught, and the ref EJECTS them! Troy tells ’em to go on and git! The fans boo but Grande DIVES! Down goes Troy and the fans fire up with Grande! But we hit the last minute! Wait, did Rayo just slip the metal plate to Grande? Grande rolls into the ring, the fans rally up, but Troy guzels Grande! Grande SMACKS Troy, runs, JUMPING HEADBUTT! Troy is down but still moving, and we have just over 30 seconds left! Grande loads up the mask! The ref spots that! And Troy SPLASHES in the corner! BLACK HOLE SLAM!!! Cover, TROY WINS!!

Winner: Jasper Troy, by pinfall (NEW WWE Speed Champion)

We 18 SECONDS to spare, Troy breaks through and takes the gold! Will anyone have a chance of bringing him down in under five minutes?

Thea Hail prepares backstage.

She wonders where Joe Hendry is, and takes out her phone, but then realizes duh, just say his name and he appears! Joe Hendry is magically there! She loves it every single time. She thanks him for last week and he says no, no, he thanks her for that. The energy she had popping out the cake and pied everyone in the face, that inspired Hendry. And he wants to let her know that he could not ask for a better tag partner going into Gold Rush. She says HAIL~ YEAH~! She has been waiting for a big moment like this, he gave it to her, and now in just one week, Hendry & Hail will become AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions!

But tonight, Hail will take it to a former NXT UK Women’s Champion. HAIL YEAH! A former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion! HAIL YEAH! And y’know why? Why? Because she believes in Joe Hendry! The fans believe in Thea Hail! And Thea Hail believes in Thea Hail! LET’S GO~! Hail heads out, but will she be ready for whatever “Slaygent A” will throw at her?

Ava Raine now meets with Sean Legacy.

She knows he’s ready to represent Evolve, and he thanks her for this opportunity, the biggest opportunity of his life! He can’t wait to put an end to Jackson Drake’s title reign! Ava says the rest of Gold Rush is shaping up to be great, she knows Legacy will have a great match. Then in steps #ZaRuca, he says hey, and they say hey. Then they say “jinx” cuz they both said it at the same time. Legacy hopes Sol’s rehab is going super, because we all miss seeing her in action. Sol says that’s why she’s here. He moves aside to let Sol and Ava talk. Yes, Ava saw the medical report, and saw that Sol is medically cleared.

But… it is as tolerated. And knowing Sol, she’ll do it anyway, so this is entirely up to her. Sol says yes, she wants her title back next week. Zaria says she’d love nothing more than for them both to walk out of NYC as champions at Gold Rush, but she doesn’t want Sol to rush this. Ava says that’s a good point. They can always wait a couple more weeks, maybe even for Deadline. Sol says she’s cleared, it is her choice, and she wants the match with Blake Monroe next week. Alright, as long as Sol understands the risks. Sol says she does, so Ava’s hands are tied.

The Women’s North American Championship match is set, but will Sol regret going after The Glamour so quickly? Or will The Woman From Hell make sure Sol doesn’t survive in the Big Apple?

Thea Hail w/ Joe Hendry VS Alba Fyre w/ Chelsea Green & Ethan Page!

The Chase U alumni believes in the fans that believe in her, but she also believes in the Thea that believes in Thea! Will that inspirational energy help her win big tonight? Or will she be shut out by the Green Administration’s “red tape?”

The bell rings, the two rush up, and Thea dodges to then jump on Alba! Thea wants the arm but Alba RAMS her into the corner! Alba RAMS Thea again and again, then snapmares. Alba stomps away on Thea’s arm, then drags her up. Alba whips Thea to a corner, then RAMS her again! And again! And again! Ethan & Chelsea applaud while Alba snapmares Thea. Alba stands on Thea’s hair while she pulls Thea’s arm, and Alba salutes while the fans recite their Pledge of Allegiance to Chelsea Green. Alba KICKS the arm, drags Thea up, and whips her to the corner. Alba runs up, but Thea goes up and over to roll Alba up, TWO!

Thea snapmares Alba, runs, but Alba avoids the kick! Roll-up, TWO! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Alba scrambles around to stand up, then she SLAPS Thea! Thea gets mad now! Thea roars and THESZ PRESS! Fast hands! Alba shoves Thea away, but Thea wrenches to YANK the arm again and again! Thea goes to drag Alba down but Alba pull s hair. Alba whips Thea away, then scoops, but Thea arm-drags! Thea wheelbarrows and arm-drags again! Then she DROPKICKS Alba right outta the ring! The fans fire up and Thea hurries to the apron! Alba stands into the TRUST FALL! The fans fire up with Thea while Chelsea protests!

Thea puts Alba in the ring, argues with Chelsea, but then Chelsea swings! Thea blocks the slap, but Alba DIVES onto Thea! The fans are torn but Hendry storms over to make sure the others stay back. Thea is down while the Two Canadian Power Trip gloats, and NXT goes picture in picture.

The ring count climbs while Hendry coaches Thea up. Thea sits up slowly, but Alba drags her up. Alba SMACKS Thea off the apron, then throws her suit vest at her! Alba puts Thea in the ring, storms up on her at the ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Alba stops at 4, then she KICKS the ropes to jam Thea up! Thea flounders but Alba KNEES her in the back! Alba paces while Thea hobbles and goes to ropes. Alba CHOKES her again! The ref reprimands and counts, but Alba YANKS Thea back. Cover, TWO! Alba clamps onto Thea with a chinlock and she grinds Thea down. Thea endures and Hendry rallies the fans.

Thea fights up, fires body shots, and is free to roll Alba up! TWO, and Alba LARIATS Thea down! Cover, TWO! Alba is frustrated, but she sits Thea up by pulling hair. The ref reprimands but Alba whips Thea to the corner. Alba then storms up and CHOPS! Thea sputters and flounders, Alba salutes again, and Alba goes back to bring Thea up. Thea fires body shots, Alba CLUBS her and CHOKES her on the ropes! The ref counts, Alba stops at 4, but that lets Chelsea CHOKE Thea behind his back! Chelsea gets away with it all but Alba drags Thea around. Alba suplexes, GOURD BUSTER, and cover, TWO!

Thea survives and Chelsea is frustrated, but Alba clamps onto Thea with a COBRA CLUTCH! Thea endures, fights, but Alba leans on the hold. Thea rises up, fires body shots, and NXT returns to single picture. Alba spins Thea around, SLAPS her, then SLAPS her again! Thea HEADBUTTS! Alba HEADBUTTS in return! Thea HEADBUTTS again! Then Thea ROCKS Alba, ROCKS her again, and repeat! Thea runs to ropes, comes back, but Alba DECKS her! Alba whips Thea to the ropes, Thea reverses, and Thea ROCKS Alba! Thea kicks, runs, but into a fireman’s carry! But Thea slips through and arm-drags! Then POLISH HAMMER! POLISH HAMMER!

Thea runs, wrenches, and kicks a leg out! Thea says eat it! BASEMENT LARIAT! Thea then scoops Alba for a WORLD’S SMALLEST SLAM! Somersault and Thea shakes the ropes! TRUST FALL FLOPS as Alba moves! Ghost pin! TWO!! Thea escapes, and has the arm! KIMURA!! Alba flails, pulls hair, and she sends Thea into buckles! Thea falls, Alba reels her in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Thea survives and Alba is stunned! The fans fire up, Alba suplexes, but Thea cradle counters! TWO!! Thea and Alba stand, Thea scoops! MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Alba survives but the fans are thunderous for Thea!

Thea goes up a corner, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref tells her to back off, but Thea leaps over Alba! Thea blocks a kick, spins Alba, and jumps on! KIMURA!! Alba drops to her knees, Ethan gets on the apron! Hendry rushes over and YANKS Ethan down! Then POSTS him! The fans cheer, Hendry smiles, but Chelsea takes a swing! Hendry ducks and Chelsea SLAPS Ethan!! The fans fire up and Chelsea says that’s Hendry’s fault! Thea DIVES onto Chelsea! The fans are thunderous again as Thea hurries back into the ring! SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!! Thea survives but Alba hooks her up! GORY- SUNSET FLIP! THEA WINS!!

Winner: Thea Hail, by pinfall

The power of believing in yourself comes through! Thea beats Alba here tonight and we all get to wave our hands side to side, but can Hail & Hendry do it all again in New York City?

Tatum Paxley talks with someone backstage.

She is really struggling on deciding who is truly deserving of opportunities. Does he know what she means? Ricky Saints says he gets it. You think Trick Williams is really deserving of another shot? No! But he is deserving of getting his ass kicked. Ricky thanks the doc for taping up his ribs, and he tells Tatum she’s in the same spot. Next week, she’ll do the same to Jacy Jayne. She just needs to understand that she can be the champion she wants to be. Don’t let nobody else tell you how. But in step The Culling. Izzi says hey to “Rick.” Izzi says The Culling was looking for her everywhere, but guess that’s because she’s been a little “everywhere” lately.

Niko says they should leave “the champ” to think about what’s coming his way tonight. Tatum says before she forgets, just a few minutes ago, she- Izzi interrupts Tatum but Tatum says Ricky needs to know about this. Izzi insists they leave, so Tatum leaves. As The Culling heads out, Ricky says Tatum’s a bit weird, but he kinda likes it. Will whatever news Tatum had turn out to be crucial information? Or can Ricky survive on his own?

Blake Monroe sits down for an interview.

“I was so excited when I got your message. You know I always carry you with me. And look what I got us~!” Blake shows off the Women’s North American Championship, but another Blake tells her, “Don’t kiss my ass, Blake. But congratulations. The Glamour, new NXT Women’s North American Champion. How does victory taste?” Glamour Blake says, “Delicious, darling. It’s everything I deserve, and The Glamour always does get what she wants. They all said, ‘Oh, Blake Monroe, she’s just a look.’ And I proved we’re more than that. We’re power.” Dark Blake says, “Power fades, slips through manicured fingers. And I mean, ‘deserved?’ Such an interesting word.”

So to the questions: How long ’til the light burns out, Blake? It won’t! She worked way too hard to get here, and no one is taking this title from her. But Sol never lost her title. And well, Blake drove a wedge through the ZaRuca friendship, but she didn’t tear them apart. That title isn’t Blake’s until she beats Sol. But it IS hers! After all, she’s the total package! She’s the most complete woman in the NXT locker room. But Dark Blake says Sol’s more complete. And with that mindset she has right now, she’ll take that title, IF Blake lets her. Does Blake think her attitude is enough to hold the championship?

Blake says yes! She’s confident, polished! The Glamour is a champion who doesn’t get her hands dirty! Hah! Nothing about Blake is clean. She’s as dirty as can be, and that nail polish cracks under pressure. Blake won’t beat Sol by outshining her. Sol is an incredible athlete, injured or not, so there’s only one way they beat her. How? Think, Blake! Sol’s not truly 100%, but Blake can be with Dark Blake by her side. Break Sol, make her feel every bit of pain, do whatever it takes to keep the title, and remind Sol what she’s lost! Blake needs to let the darkness be part of this. No, that’s not the champion Blake wants to be.

But it’s the kind of champion Blake NEEDS to be! If she wants to keep her title. Doesn’t Blake love the Woman From Hell? Doesn’t she want her to be part of this? Blake needs her, and she always shows up when Blake needs her most. Go on, Blake. Be the Glamour, blind them with your beauty, but Hell is what makes them fear you! Blake says let’s hypothetically entertain this. Say she breaks Sol. Then “they” won’t like that. They won’t care. Because Blake will still be champion! And Dark Blake doesn’t want to destroy Blake! They don’t compete, they coexist! Blake loves to be adored, but she hates what she has to do to stay that way.

That’s where the other Blake steps in. They need each other. The Glamour to be seen, and The Woman From Hell to be remembered. Spotlight needs shadow. Together, they make one perfect champion! See you at Gold Rush, love. Blake’s two sides are ready to work in tandem, will Sol stand a chance against a duo like that?

Je’Von Evans arrives.

His phone rings and he picks up. He tells Leon Slater that you are now talking to the man entering the Last Time is Now Tournament! Leon’s surprised Je’Von picked up at all. But what about that stuff with DarkState after him last week? Je’Von was a madman! Je’Von says he does wish Leon was here last week. But Je’Von is gonna make a special announcement to the fans! And he talked to the truck, they set things up so Leon can be part of hits. Call him back in a few. Je’Von hangs up for now, but just what does The Young OG have planned for after the break?

Backstage interview with Jordynne Grace.

Sarah Schreiber is with the Juggernaut, and brings up Kelani Jordan speaking her mind last week. What does Grace have to say in response? Grace says, “All Kelani did last week was try to justify why she took the easy way out. Cheating isn’t original, it’s uninspired and it’s lazy. Literally anybody could do it. What’s more important is what Santino said about the Triple Threat for the TNA Knockouts Championship at Gold Rush. Before I was an NXT Superstar, I was a TNA Knockout. In fact, I would go so far as to say I was THE TNA Knockout. That title was synonymous with MY name.

“Before Kelani even thought about stepping foot into a ring, while she was still flipping around over at Michigan State, I was TNA Knockouts Champion not once, not twice, but THREE times. In two weeks in New York City, I have the opportunity to course correct an entire division and make history. As for Lei Ying Lee, I’m sorry, but at this point, she’s just gonna have to be collateral damage. Kelani keeps saying that the world is why she is the way that she is now. But at Gold Rush, she can just blame me.” Grace has spoken, but will the Juggernaut strike TNA gold for the FOURTH time in New York City?

Je’Von Evans is in the ring.

The fans cheer The Young OG, and he says alright, c’mon now, hold on. YUUURT~! But now, he ain’t gonna lie, ya boi is pretty excited about what he heard last night on Raw. The fans cheer that! Je’Von Evans is gonna be in the Last Time is Now Tournament! But hear him out, he also won’t lie… He’s pretty nervous. Not only because he’s going against Gunther in the first round, which is crazy, but because he’s wrestling in Madison Square Garden at the age of 21, gang! The fans cheer that! Je’Von says look, MSG has been around longer than Je’Von’s been alive. But that’s next Monday. Let’s talk next Tuesday.

Je’Von and Leon have a big announcement. Leon isn’t here physically to join Je’Von, but…! He got something figured out. So, uh, Miss Amy in the truck, please connect Leon. Leon is on the tron! The fans cheer and the TNA X-Division Champion is all fired up being on the big screen! Je’Von says he’s got some pull around here. Now, he knows Leon’s been doing his thing back home in TNA, taking care of business, but that doesn’t mean Je’Von stopped scheming. Je’Von talked to Ava, he knows Leon talked to Santino, and they both finally agreed to give them what they want. And that is an opportunity in NYC at Gold Rush…

To go against that goofy ass DarkState for the NXT Tag Team Championships! The fans fire up for that! Leon says let’s get it! Damn right, OG! And seeing what those four did to the GOATS, Matt & Jeff Hardy, then trying to do Je’Von like that before he dipped outta there, Leon says they gotta get this back the only way they know how. That’s jacking the gold, baby! Yeah, yeah, yeah~! And look, look, Leon knows it, Je’Von knows it, and everyone here knows it, that when The Youngest In Charge & The Young OG are in the same ring, they make magic! They’ll do that next week in the process of taking those tag team titles!

And not only that, but guess what? OH NO! DARKSTATE IS HERE! The lights go down, and the four wild dogs are already in the crowd. Osiris Griffin says they’ve got their next two victims right in front of them, huh? Hey, fellas, these young’uns didn’t learn a thing when DarkState put down their daddies, the so-called greatest tag team of all time. Dion Lennox tells Je’Von and his boy, Leon, think they’re the future of this business, but their future is in DarkState’s hands! And they end the future in NYC! Cutler James says Je’Von ducking them last week only bought him more time to think on the consequences of confronting DarkState!

Saquon Shugars says Santino and Ava got it all under control, but that don’t mean nothing unless DarkState enforces it! What is Je’Von even doing in the ring? Not thinking, obviously, because if he was, he and Leon would’ve taken their beating! Now, Je’Von is just standing there looking stupid without his man here to save him. Leon, you fittin’ to do Gold Rush on your own. Je’Von says they got ’em! Leon rushes off screen, and Je’Von says THEY the ones dumb as hell! That wasn’t a remote video call at all! Leon Slater is HERE! And now it is 4v2! The fans cheer but this is still a bit lopsided! But then Leon TOSSES Dion so he can LEG LARIAT Cutler!

Je’Von ROCKS Shugars, Leon SUPERKICKS Osiris! Je’Von SUPERKICKS Osiris, then they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as DarkState regroups outside, only for Leon to FLY! Down goes Dion & Cutler, but then Je’Von FLIES to take out Osiris & Shugars! The fans are all fired up as the young guns are poppin’ off! Will nothing stop them from taking those tag titles?

Kelani Jordan talks with Trick Williams.

The Standout says she knows what she said about Trick last week, but the more she thinks about it, she realized Trick was right. Trick looks around for witnesses on that, but Lani says it gets lonely at the top and he would know. Trick says yes, he would. Lani has come to grips with how it’s like he said: If you wanna be successful, the only person you should worry about is yourself. Exactly! He’s been saying it for years. Lani says she doesn’t care what anyone says, she’s picking Trick to win tonight. Trick says she’s got her head on straight for once. And yeah, sometimes you gotta be selfish. Selfish is the word.

That’s why Trick’s taking care of Ricky tonight, and Lani will take care of that Triple Threat in New York. Show everyone here why she’s #HER. Lani says yeah, she IS #HER! They fist bump and Lani heads out, but will no one really do it like #HER? Will Trick actually find a way to be better than The Absolute?

WWE Speed Women’s Championship Contender’s Tournament: Fallon Henley VS Skylar Raye!

Jacy Jayne has her title match for Gold Rush, and now The Toxic Cowgirl wants to wrangle one of her own. Zaria is waiting on the other side, will Fallon meet her in New York City? Or will the new girl say LFG in MSG?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Fallon doesn’t think much of Skylar and laughs it off with Jacy & Lainey, but then she turns around into DOUBLE KNEES! Skylar then runs up, wheelbarrows, and victory rolls! ONE, but Skylar runs up. Fallon puts her in a corner to fire off forearms! Skylar arm-drags, then hooks Fallon up and slips around, leg clutch! TWO, and Fallon body scissor cradles! TWO and Skylar swings into a crucifix takedown, TWO! Fallon CHOPS Skylar down! The fans are torn, Skylar sputters, but Fallon fireman’s carries. Skylar slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Fallon WRANGLES Skylar, BUTTERFLY STRETCH!

Skylar tips things into a cover at the two minute warning, TWO! Fallon cradles Skylar, TWO! Both women stand, Fallon kicks low! Fallon reels Skylar in, lifts, but Skylar RANAS! The fans fire up and Skylar runs in for a BACK BODY BLOCK! Skylar whips, Fallon reverse, but Skylar ELBOWS her back! Skylar goes up, HIGH FLY CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Skylar ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirl, DDT! Not the cleanest but Fallon is still down! Skylar hurries to cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Skylar and she wheelbarrows again! Fallon turns that into a STUN GUN! One minute warning and Fallon runs up, YEEHAW FACEBUSTER!

Fallon keeps moving, FAMOUSER! Cover, Fallon wins!

Winner: Fallon Henley, by pinfall (advances to Gold Rush)

With 44 seconds to spare, Fallon smiles ear to ear. Jacy & Lainey celebrate with Fallon, but will Fatal Influence be even happier when they bring home two belts? Or will they split the difference when the pressure is on?

NXT Media catches up with Jasper Troy.

The reporter asks for words from the NEW Men’s Speed Champion, and Troy says he might be the last person you think of when it comes to speed, but this title proves that whoever steps into the ring with him gets shut down because he makes time stand still! There is a whole lot more carnage on the way, and everyone in NXT will bend the knee! Meanwhile, DarkState storms out of the building to rant and complain. Je’Von & Leon think they’re smart, but they won’t be laughing next week when they get they asses knocked out! Dion guarantees it! Cutler says you can’t hit ‘n’ run forever. When DarkState gets hold of Je’Von & Leon, it’s lights out!

Osiris says if you thought what they did to The Hardy Boyz was bad, just watch next week! Shugars says when DarkState strikes, ain’t NOBODY safe! Will that statement be true in the worst way? Or can Je’Von & Leon get DarkState off their game with how angry they are?

The Fatal Influence regroups backstage.

Jacy says it seems she won’t be the only one leaving Gold Rush as champion. Lainey says that’s right! Jacy will win back the NXT Women’s Championship, and Fallon will become the NEW Women’s Speed Champion. And Lainey knows exactly what she has to do next. Oh? Fallon asks, “What is she doing?” Jacy says, “What always works.” And knowing the Southern Charm, does that mean what it sounds like?

Tavion Heights VS Josh Briggs!

Speaking of angry, this is a grudge match right here! The Olympian wants an opportunity to prove himself, but the Bullhead Brawler is trying to keep everybody down. As Briggs said, there’s only room for one at the top, but will Briggs be the one to come out on top? Or is Tavion about to reach those new heights?

NXT returns and Tavion makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two run up! Briggs BOOTS Tavion right down! The fans fire up but they boo as Briggs rains down fists. Tavion goes to ropes, Briggs stands him up and DECKS him! Tavion flounders, the fans taunt Briggs with “You Tapped Out!” in reference to last week with El Grande Americano, but Briggs ignores that to stomp away on Tavion at the ropes! The ref reprimands, Briggs steps off, and he shouts at the fans to shut up. Briggs stalks Tavion, drags him up, and then scoops, only for Tavion to slip free. Tavion waistlocks, Briggs ELBOWS fere, but then Tavion hits a fireman’s carry takeover!

Briggs staggers up, Tavion hits a HIP TOSS! Briggs gets back up, but Tavion slips around, and Tavion SLAMS Briggs down! The fans rally while Tavion holds onto Briggs. Briggs endures, fights up, and the fans rally. But Tavion just SLAMS Briggs back down! Tavion then gator rolls Briggs around, but Briggs fights around. Tavion squeezes tighter but Briggs still fights up. Briggs pulls Tavion’s hair, then REAR HEADBUTTS! Tavion staggers, Briggs CLOBBERS him! Briggs HAMMERS Tavion, then whips him to ropes! SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Tavion survives but Briggs talks trash right to his face. Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Briggs stalks Tavion, then he CLUBS Tavion. Briggs drops an ELBOW on Tavion’s back, then covers, TWO! Tavion stays in this and Briggs is upset with the ref, but the count was fair. Briggs winds up, but Tavion counter punches! Tavion fires fast hands, but Briggs shoves and ELBOWS him down! Briggs throws Tavion and soaks up the heat. But Tavion trips Briggs, spins him, and jackknife roll into the fireman’s carry! Brigg sis big but Tavion still lifts him! Briggs CLUBS Tavion, shoves free, but then both men duck ‘n’ dodge! LEAPING LARIAT from Briggs! Briggs roars right in Tavion’s face while the fans boo, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Briggs looms over Tavion, then taunts the fans. Briggs KICKS Tavion to the ropes, digs his boots in, but he stops as the ref counts. Tavion sputters, Briggs slaps him around, then stands Tavion up. Briggs whips but Tavion reverses to LARIAT at the ropes! Tavion whips and LARIATS Briggs again, then whips again for a LEAPING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Briggs survives and Tavion is frustrated, but both men rise up. Tavion is on Briggs first but Briggs shoves him, then kicks out the leg! Briggs DECKS Tavion with a right hand! Tavion sputters, Briggs stalks him, and he stomps Tavion down while the fans continue to taunt him.

Briggs digs his boots in, stops as the ref counts 4, then paces around while he soaks up the heat. Briggs goes back to Tavion but Tavion fires body shots! And forearms! Tavion rises to whip, but Briggs reverses. Tavion ducks ‘n’ dodges to then DROPKICK! Briggs staggers back against ropes, Tavion runs up, but into a BOOT! Both men are down again, but Briggs crawls to a cover, TWO! Tavion survives and the fans cheer while Briggs seethes. Briggs drags Tavion into a chinlock and he squeezes tight. Tavion endures, even as Briggs smothers and thrashes him! Tavion fights up, fires body shots, and NXT returns to single picture.

Tavion fires forearm after forearm, then ROCKS Briggs! The fans fire up and Tavion storms up, but Briggs is on the ropes. The ref has Tavion hold on a moment, but Briggs uses that to CHOP BLOCK! Briggs CLOBBERS Tavion, HAMMERs away, and the fans boo. Briggs covers, TWO!! Tavion survives and Briggs is frustrated now. Briggs looms over Tavion, slaps him around, and eggs him on. Tavion gets mad, he gets up and under Briggs, but Briggs fights the lift! Briggs HAMMERS Tavion again, but Tavion powers up! SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up and Tavion runs to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And then a SLINGBLADE!

The fans fire up as Tavion whips Briggs to ropes, then shoots past him! Briggs BOOTS, and BOOTS again! Tavion is back down, Briggs huffs ‘n’ puffs, and then Briggs builds speed! But Tavion avoids the boot! Briggs gets stuck on the ropes! Tavion clinches, BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TAVION WINS!

Winner: Tavion Heights, by pinfall

The Bullhead Brawl built a head of steam, but he just got derailed! Will Tavion’s train make it to a golden destination in the not-too-distant future?

Myles Borne and Ava Raine finish watching this backstage.

The NXT GM knows Myles wants his own opportunities, but they already talked about this: Ricky VS Trick is for the title tonight, and while it is Last Man Standing, that doesn’t change what they talked about. Myles says he loves it. Yes, and she knows he’d love even more to cost Trick his title opportunity, but we can’t have that happening. But Trick hit Myles in the back with a chair for no good reason. Retribution is coming. Yes, but there is a time and a place, and she can’t have anyone interfere in the main event. Myles gave her his word, remember? But then Wren Sinclair walks over. She and Myles say hi, and Myles excuses himself so he can get a “closer look” at the main event.

Myles leaves, Ava asks he not interfere. Kenda Grey walks in and asks what Wren was talking with Myles about. Is she already second-guessing the #WrenQCC? Uh, no, of course not! Myles is just obsessed with Trick, and Wren is so focused on getting the team off the ground. Kendal says that’s good, they’ve got something here. Wren agrees, but they need at least one more person. They gotta get on the same page, put their heads together (which she makes Kendal do with her literally) and mind meld! Mind meld! W-What? Lainey says she’s got something to tell Kendal. SLAP! Kendal TACKLES Lainey for that!

Wren and Ava freak out as these two brawl, refs rush in, and even the rest of Fatal Influence is here. But Jacy & Fallon laugh, they realize now what Lainey’s up to. Will The Southern Charm prove she’s ready to Evolve? Or will she regret stepping into The Grey Area?

NXT Championship Last Man Standing Match: Ricky Saints VS Trick Williams!

The Absolute may not be 100%, but he is 110% determined to finally shut down and shut up the so-called best NXT has ever had. Will Ricky #WhoopDatTrick once and for all? Or are we about to crown a THREE-TIME NXT Champion?

NXT returns and Ricky makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, as are the stakes! It is time to see who truly defines this era of NXT!

The bell rings and Trick takes a swing with a kendo stick! Ricky dodges and fires haymakers in return! He ducks another kendo stick shot, fires a CHOP and more forearms, then ducks another shot to CLUB Trick! Ricky kicks low, goes up, but then blocks the kendo stick! Ricky uses that to go up and tightrope walk. They tug-o-war, Trick stops the Old School, but Ricky takes the stick to SMACK, SMACK, and SMACK! Then he KENDO STICK LARIATS Trick up and out! The fans fire up with Ricky and he goes outside to bring out chairs from under the ring. Trick CLUBS Ricky, each man gets a chair, and they CLASH!

Ricky is disarmed with hands shaking, and Trick KNEES low into those bad ribs. Trick whips, Ricky reverses, and Trick hits steel steps hard! The fans cheer while Trick is down, and the count begins! Ricky hurries to bring out a trash can, and even a chain, but the fans chant, “We Want Tables!” Trick rises at 7 and is up at 8, but Ricky puts him in the ring. Ricky then goes up the corner, springboards, but into a TRASH CAN ATTACK! Right to the ribs! Trick SMACKS Ricky with the can again! And again! Trick brings Ricky around, whips, and then FLAPJACKS Ricky onto the can! Ricky writhes and sputters while the ring count begins.

Trick paces, waits on Ricky, and Ricky is still down at 5 of 10. Ricky uses the ropes to stand at 8, but Trick LEG LARIATS! Trick fires up and says this is still his house! The fans cheer as Trick paces, and Ricky stands at 5 this time. Trick CHOPS Ricky, stalks him to a corner, then brings him around for another CHOP! Ricky flounders against ropes, the fans duel, and Trick stands Ricky up again. Trick traps Ricky’s arms in the ropes! The fans fire up as Trick SMACKS Ricky with the kendo stick, and breaks it!

The fans fire upas Trick keeps going, and he SMACKS Ricky again, in the ribs! The stick is busted, Trick lets Ricky fall, and the count begins. Trick grabs a chair, Ricky rises at 7, but into a SMACK on the back! Ricky writhes and flounders, Trick egg shim on, and then SMACKS him while he’s down! Trick clutches his neck while Trick tries to make the chair sit up. The chair is too bent, it just falls over. Trick goes to get the other chair, he makes that one sit up, and he fetches some more! Ricky is up at 8, but he then slumps back down. Trick says this is his house, this is his NXT! Ricky eggs Trick on, and he blocks the trash can lid!

Ricky SMACKS Trick in return! Trick staggers, Ricky SMACKS him again! And again! Then he JAMS Trick up to SMACK him on the back! Trick falls out of the ring, Ricky leans on the one good chair, and the fans cheer while NXT goes picture in picture.

The standing count starts while Trick clutches his back. Trick uses the apron to stand at 6, Ricky runs up, but Trick traps him in the apron skirt! Trick HAMMERS away on Ricky, then ROCKS him! Trick even looks under the ring for something, and he finds a trash can! Trick puts the can over Ricky, then grabs a new kendo stick. Trick SMCKS the can! And SMACKS it again! And again, and again, and again, until this kendo stick breaks! The ref checks on Ricky as he slumps out of the trash can, and Ricky is still in this. The standing count starts while Trick stays close. Trick puts the trash can in the ring, then a couple more chairs.

Ricky is still down at 5, but he rises at 6, so Trick shoves him into the ring. Trick rips at the rib tape! Ricky flails but can’t get away as Trick drags him around using the tape. Trick then hits a BOOKEND onto the chair! Ricky writhes but Trick plans ahead. Trick wedges a chair into the corner, clears some space, and Ricky stands at 7. Trick SMACKS him with the trash can! Ricky sits down in the corner and the ref checks him. Ricky is still in this so Trick whips him at the corner. Ricky reverses but his ribs won’t let him do much more than that! Trick CLUBS Ricky, and then THROWS him out of the ring! Ricky lands hard on the outside!

Trick goes to commentary and clears the desk! Trick then drags Ricky up, SMACKS him off the apron, and ROCKS him with a right hand! Ricky hits back, they brawl, and NXT returns to single picture. Trick hits a SPIN KICK! Ricky falls back, Trick dares him to get up, then runs back in, only to be sent into and through the barriers! The fans go nuts while Trick goes down in a heap! The count is on Trick now while Ricky goes to the ring. Ricky checks under the ring and he brings out another chair. Trick rises at 8, but he staggers and topples more barriers. Ricky has to use a kendo stick like a walking stick but he’s up!

Ricky SMACKS away on Trick again and again and again! Trick wants mercy!? Ricky does hesitate, but then he breaks the stick on his knee! Ricky grabs a chair, but Trick BOOTS it into Ricky! Trick runs, but into a SMACK! And another SMACK! And another! Ricky is going yard with these homerun derby shots! Ricky stops after about a dozen, and the fans are thunderous as the standing count is on Trick. Trick is down at 5, at 6, at 7, but he rises at 8! Trick is bloody, but Rick builds speed to ABSOLUTE SPEAR!! The fans fire up as Trick is back down and the count starts again! Trick is still down at 5, at 6, at 7, at 8, but he springs to life at 9!

Trick rises, but Ricky kicks low! Ricky hauls Trick up, but Trick slips free of the Canadian Rack! Ricky runs in, but is send into the corner chair! Ricky tumbles out to the apron and then the floor! Ricky manages to crawl but that’s not the same as standing. Trick grabs the top part of the steel steps! Trick aims as Ricky stands at 8, and he RAMS Ricky down! The count restarts, “This is Awesome!” as Ricky stirs. Ricky is still down at 5, at 6, at 7, but he sputters at 8. Ricky stands at 9, but into a FLYING TRICK SHOT! Trick is fired up, he says he just got the knockout! Ricky is down at 5! At 6! At 7! But Ricky stirs at 8 so Trick is not satisfied!

Trick drags Ricky over, BOOKEND onto the steps! Then he grabs the steps, and he puts them over Ricky so he can stand ON Ricky! The fans are torn as the ring count starts, but Ricky manages to slip free from the trap! Trick is gloating too much, he doesn’t see that! Ricky SHOVES Trick off the steps, and Trick SMACKS off the timekeeper’s desk! Maybe even the ring bell! And then deja vu, Ricky lines up a shot! Ricky runs up, but Trick dodges this time! Ricky CRASHES through the wall under the perch!! The fans lose their minds all over again and Trick says he’s already won! Ricky is still down at 7! At 8! But Ricky LEAPS out at 9!

Ricky and Trick brawl, Trick THROWS Ricky into the crowd! They brawl up into the stands of the NXT Arena! The fans move aside as these two go up, and up, and then TRICK SHOT!! Ricky sits back in a chair, sputters, but Trick is all fired up! Trick still thinks he’s got this in the bag, but Ricky stands at 8! And he SPEARS Trick off the ledge and down through commentary!! The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Both men flounder, they somehow rise at 8! Ricky PUSHES Trick down to stand up, and RICKY WINS!!

Winner: Ricky Saints (still NXT Champion)

But before Ricky can even pick up the belt to celebrate, OBA FEMI RETURNS?!?! The Ruler is back, and it’s already clear what he wants! Has Ricky only jumped out of the frying pan to jump into the fire?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT, especially as go-home to Gold Rush for the next two weeks (at least on TV, I’m pretty sure it’s all happening on one night IRL). Very good promo from Vanity Project with the Two Canadian Power Trip, and then subsequently with Sean Legacy and ZaRuca. Vanity Project just being Jackson Drake & Swipe Right is proof that Zayda Steel has moved on IRL, but setting up Drake VS Legacy for Gold Rush heavily indicates Drake retains the title against Keanu Carver on tomorrow night’s Evolve. But if that’s the case, can Legacy please at least win the title off Drake to move things forward in Evolve?

Great match from Thea VS Alba to come from that promo, but Thea winning out clearly indicates she and Hendry aren’t taking the AAA Mixed Tag titles, as I figured last week. Sol being determined to win even though she’s only “cleared as tolerated,” aka like 80 or 90 percent healthy in kayfabe, might mean she loses. Plus, Blake had a very good promo with, well, herself. I’m a little surprised we’re having another case where a character’s multiple sides interact given we got that from Bayley not too long ago, but it still works in story. Blake could do a Two Face cosplay as a play off of Gotham City in DC Comics being New York.

Very good Speed match from Fallon VS Skylar, and a very good debut for Skylar, but I figured Fallon would win. Then Lainey going after Kendal was actually a good surprise. I don’t see Lainey taking the Evolve Women’s Championship because then that means she’d have to be on episodes of Evolve, but Fallon could certainly take the Women’s Speed title. At the same time, it might be more compelling if Zaria wins and Sol loses so that the dysfunction in ZaRuca grows. As for Jacy, I would hope Tatum retains to further the dysfunction within The Culling. Tatum winning despite going against Izzi’s wishes can be used to show Tatum is right and that only upsets Izzi more until Izzi demands a title match with Tatum.

Great Speed Championship from Troy VS Grande, and I like that this is a rate time where Grande going for the cheat costs him. But as I said before, the WWE Speed titles being on NXT, it was gonna be an NXT star holding the men’s title soon enough. Very good promos from Jordynne Grace and Kelani Jordan, and I would think Lei Ying Lee gets to say something on TNA this week. I feel like Lani is going to retain through opportunistic means, maybe even being the one to introduce “weapons” into the No Disqualification environment of a Triple Threat. Great stuff with Je’Von, Leon and DarkState, especially with how Je’Von & Leon used the video call to fake out DarkState. DarkState also had a good promo later, but it feels like they’re winning at Gold Rush anyway.

Great match from Tavion VS Briggs, and a great win for Tavion. Tavion could certainly find himself on track for another shot at the North American title, but that depends if they choose to do Ethan VS Hendry or not. Good tease from Myles to be part of the main event, but he kept his promise to Ava and stayed away. That main event was awesome stuff, though maybe they were a little sloppy with how they were hitting each other with the chairs and kendo sticks. A little bit of sloppy and rough treatment helped make it a grittier, realer fight, and falling off the ledge was a wild spot. Ricky shoving Trick down to win was slightly anticlimactic, but something about that also works for a sake of realism.

Oba Femi returning was also great to see, but I wish they gave us more time with that. Oba VS Ricky is certainly going to be for Deadline, but I wonder if this undercuts Oba Femi being an entry in the Last Time is Now tournament. By the way, so much for that tournament having more from AAA or even TNA, but maybe that’s still to be seen with those wild cards Aldis and Pearce are holding. But if Oba loses to Ricky at Deadline, you can bet Oba goes to main roster and even gets in on the Royal Rumble.

My Score: 8.9/10