NXT brings the gold to H-Town!

To finally settle the score, Jacy Jayne, Sol Ruca, and Zaria will battle for the NXT Women’s Championship in a Triple Threat!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Jacy Jayne VS Sol Ruca VS ZARIA; Jacy wins and retains the title.
• Six Man Tag: The Vanity Project VS Los Americanos; Los Americanos win.
• WWE Speed Women’s Championship: Fallon Henley VS Wren Sinclair; Wren wins and becomes the new WWE Speed Women’s Champion.
• NXT Tag Team Contender’s Tournament Opening Round: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright; Birthright wins and advances.
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Steel Cage Match: Tatum Paxley VS Izzi Dame; Tatum wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence VS Sol Ruca VS ZARIA!

The Toxic Rockstar thinks she’s been the most dominant champion just for surviving time and time again. But as the duo formerly known as #ZaRuca wants after each other, they both want after the title. Will Jacy find a way to survive again? Or is someone else going to Stand & Deliver?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the numbers spell disaster in Houston!

The bell rings and the fans fire up as Zaria and Sol stare down. Jacy steps back to let them have it out while the fans cheer Sol on. But then Jacy SUPERKICKS Zaria! Sol waistlocks Jacy, Jacy switches, and Jacy headlocks. Sol powers up and out, but Jacy counters arm-drag with arm-drag. Cover, TWO and Sol ghost pins, TWO! Jacy jackknifes, TWO as Sol bridges up! Sol spins Jacy around, backslides, ONE! Jacy runs up but into a sweep! Cover, ONE! Zaria stomps Jacy! Sol sunset flips Zaria, TWO! Zaria guzels Sol, CHOKE- NO, Sol slips free! Jacy BOOTS Zaria! Jacy dodges Sol to RANA, and Sol stumbles into a BOOT from Zaria!

Zaria goes up, HANGING SLEEPER on Sol! Sol BOOTS Jacy away but she’s still caught! Sol gets to the ropes and ELBOWS free! Then Sol goes out to the apron, only for Jacy to KNEE her down! Then CODE BREAKER on Zaria! Cover, Sol SPLASHES it apart! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Sol as she stands tall. Sol gets Jacy up to SPIN-OUT- NO, Jacy fights the bomb! So SUPERKICKS Jacy, Zaria trips Jacy, and Zaria THROWS Jacy away! Sol handsprings over Zaria to FOSBURY FLOP onto Fallon & Lainey! The fans fire up as now it is Sol and Zaria. Until Jacy RAMS Sol into steel steps! But Zaria drags Jacy up in the SLEEPER!

Jacy fights free, she and Lainey HIGH LOW Zaria! Then PENALTY KICK! The ref reprimands but The Fatal Influence soaks up the heat while NXT goes picture in picture.

Jacy rains down fists on Zaria, then puts Sol in the ring. Jacy runs to ELBOW Sol down! Cover, TWO! Jacy stays cool as she drags Sol up. Jacy whips Sol to the corner, runs in and ELBOWS! Jacy snapmares, KICKS, then basement SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Sol survives and Jacy argues the count. Jacy drags Sol up, ELBOWS her in the neck again and again, then clamps on the chinlock. Sol endures, even as Jacy puts on the pressure. Sol still fights up, and JAWBREAKERS free! Sol fires haymakers, then CHOPS! Sol whips, Jacy reverses, but Jacy throat chops! Zaria CLOBBERS Jacy into Sol! Sol tumbles out, but Jacy spins Zaria around.

Zaria dodges, ROCKS Jacy, then SMACKS her off buckles. Zaira whips corner to corner hard and Jacy slumps down. Zaria storms up to bring Jacy in, but Jacy counters the suplex to a cradle! TWO, and Zaria KNEES Jacy down! Zaria rains down fists on Jacy now, then drags her back up. Jacy breaks free to ROCK Zaria! Zaria ROCKS Jacy! They go back and forth, then Jacy mule kicks! Zaria mule kicks! They DOUBLE HEADBUTT and both women fall down! NXT returns to single picture as they stand back up, but Sol springboards in! DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Sol fires off on Jacy. Sol whips Jacy into Zaria, then CLOBBERS Jacy!

Sol whips Jacy into a corner, then SNAP GERMANS! The fans fire up but now Zaria BOOTS Jacy down! And once again, Sol and Zaria are alone. The brawl is on and the fans love it! Zaria DISCUS LARIATS! But sol SHOTGUNS back! Jacy SENTONS Sol! Zaria runs up, Jacy wrenches to NECKBREAKER DROP! Jacy runs up on Sol, Sol dodges to fireman’s carry! Jacy slips free, shoves Sol, but Sol hurdles the SPEAR!! Down goes Jacy, then Sol SPEARS Zaria! The fans are thunderous and Sol goes up the corner! She aims at Zaria, but Zaria trips her up first! The fans are torn as Zaria goes up, but then Jacy CLUBS Zaria!

Jacy hits Zaria with a BACKSTABBER! Then Jacy CLUBS Sol! Jacy goes up but Zaria gets back in there! DOUBLE SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous, and Zaria covers Jacy! TWO, so Zaria covers Sol, TWO!! Zaria rains down fists on Sol, and “This is Awesome!” Zaria DRIBBLES Sol off the mat, talks trash on her, then hauls her up to THROW her away! Jacy MISSILE DROPKICKS Zaria! Jacy roars, runs, and CANNONBALLS! Then she CANNONBALLS on Sol! CANNON- NO, Zaria catches Jacy! DELTA FORCE! Cover, but Sol breaks it! Zaria is seething, but Sol EDDY GORDO KICKS her!

Zaria HEADBUTTS Sol, then fireman’s carries! DELTA- FACEBUSTER! Sol then LARIATS Zaria up and out! Sol goes to Jacy for the SOUL SNATCHER!!! Cover, ZARIA DRAGS SOL OUT!! And then DELTA FORCE on the floor!! Zaria puts Sol back in, but Fatal Influence gets in there! Zaria HEADBUTTS Lainey, then picks Fallon up! DEATL FORCE!! But Jacy covers Sol, AND WINS!!

Winner: Jacy Jayne, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)

Zaria is beside herself! The Fatal Influence just keeps on saving Jacy from certain doom, but will they always keep NXT under their influence?

Kendal Grey gives Wren Sinclair a pep talk.

They know Fatal Influence cheated their way to keeping one title, but they’re not keeping the other. Wren says that’s for sure, she is feeling fast tonight! But then Birthright walks by, and Wren asks him what the hecc! He’s been ghosting her and betrayed Tavion, for what? To join that? Charlie says Wren has someone she clearly relates to better, and he had to do the same. Birthright leaves, and Kendal tells Wren to focus. This isn’t about Charlie, this is about the WrenQCC and taking the Women’s Speed Championship. Then at Stand & Deliver, Kendal gets the NXT Women’s Championship. Kendal vacated the Evolve Women’s Championship so she could get that rematch.

Lola Vice steps in, and says good luck to Wren with Fallon. But Kendal, she’s been seeing you eye the NXT Women’s title. Kendal is badass, but so is Lola. And no one is stopping Lola from winning that title at Stand & Deliver. Adios. The line is forming, but who will be THE #1 contender to Jacy Jayne’s reign of terror?

Ricky Saints is here!

Houston has a mixed reaction as The Absolute makes his way to the ring. He maybe gets a little too pumped up on the corner, he slips on the rope. Saints grabs a mic and says, “Lemme tell you something! Ol’ Ricky Saints, he could slip but he never falls! And nothing is going to dampen my spirits because the real main event is standing right before you.” The fans again have a mixed reaction, but Saints even on the drive here, three hours stuck in traffic, he was not bothered at all, because things are looking up. And after that small, itsy bitsy setback, he and Ethan Page are back on the same page. They’re great pivoters! They know how to pivot!

Last week, they beat Joe Hendry & Myles Borne because they’re a great tag team. Save the “What?” for Myles when he comes out here. Saints would love to point out how he was thinking on some team names, so how about this? Slump Busters! That’s what they did! And if their boys in Vanity Project weren’t the NXT Tag Team Champions, Ricky & Ethan could be in the tag tournament. Lucky for everyone else, they are safe as Saints & Page are focused on the singles titles. And with Stand & Deliver right around the corner, Ethan is on his way to becoming a TWO-TIME NXT North American Champion while Saints will claim his rightful place as TWO-TIME NXT CHAMPION~!

But wait! Here comes All Ego himself! Ethan says okay, okay, Ricky, um, he digs the tag name. Though, he was thinking more like, “Bounce Back Boys.” But here’s something that might’ve slipped Ricky’s mind: ETHAN is the one who pinned Hendry. Saints says sorry, that’s a small detail. Ethan did lose to Myles twice, but he’s back in title contention! It’s okay! Because as a good friend, before Saints calls out Hendry, Ethan can take the floor to call out Myles here and now. Ethan would do that, if he wanted to be two-time North American Champion. Except, he doesn’t. But… He does still plan on becoming a two-time champion.

Ricky stammers as he says that’s not the plan! But wait! “Say his name and he appears!” JOE HENDRY is here! The fans cheer the Prestigious NXT Champion as he walks to the ring, mic in hand and belt on his shoulder. “You said his name and he has appeared in Houston, Texas!” The fans cheer again, and Hendry “hates” to get into the middle of this little fight, but Ethan has some good points. Ethan did what Saints never could. And sure, it involved smashing Hendry’s face into the title, but Ricky… Last week, that left Hendry with the sense that Ricky doesn’t want this as bad as Ethan. So Ethan wants THE NXT Championship?

Hendry says it doesn’t matter what they want, but what they need, and that is medical attention if they think they can step up and face him for THE NXT Championship! The fans cheer that! Ethan says no, don’t let Hendry troll them. Saints agrees, go ahead Ethan. Hendry says he gets it, Ricky, you’re clinging to Ethan because of his success in spite of all of Ricky’s failures. Ricky couldn’t beat Hendry, he couldn’t play guitar, and he certainly couldn’t sing. Saints says he tried! Ethan says that was his first time! Hendry thinks on it, and says Ethan and Saints faced each other at least year’s Stand & Deliver, didn’t they?

In fact, that’s the perfect solution to this situation! Ethan and Saints can figure this out between themselves. Saints says yeah, they had a match, and Saints won. Ethan says who cares! Ethan then went on to become North American Champion, longest reigning even, having beat Ricky for the belt! Oh, wow, now we’re talking semantics and details! Well, here’s details! Ethan pinned Hendry, NOT Ricky! Ricky could do that any night! Let’s try right now! They DOUBLE DECK Hendry! The fans boo as the Absolute Egos beat up on Hendry, then double whip! But Hendry ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE LARIAT!

The fans fire up for Hendry as he scoops Saints, and FALL AWAY SLAMS him! Then a kip up, and a scoop for Ethan! FALL AWAY SLAM! Another kip up, then the… TURN! But TONY D’ANGELO SPEARS HENDRY!! The fans boo as Tony D then SPINEBUSTERS Saints, and he SPINEBUSTERS Ethan! The man who was once Don is now ready to become champion, but will he have to fight everyone to do it?

NXT shares footage from after last week’s episode.

Birthright regrouped backstage with William Regal & Fit Finlay. They approved of their sons and the faction pulling it off. Lexis King thanks them both for being here, and says Charlie made the right decision. It is his birthright. Regal says if Charlie wants to go to his first Stand & Deliver, then he needs to win the tag team tournament. But then Robert Stone stepped in and said nice to see them. Regal walks and talks with Stone, and says Stone is doing an excellent job as Interim General Manager. Really? Yes, Stone is trying things differently, and he’s handled the chaos of NXT very well. Plus, he’s an excellent dresser.

Regal says he’ll talk with Shawn Michaels, and they can make this “interim” into permanent. Stone greatly appreciates that. Stone and Regal shake hands, will NXT truly be the Robert Stone Brand?

Six Man Tag: The Vanity Project VS Los Americanos!

Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes are almost full-time NXT stars, but they’re still golden with the Evolve Championship & NXT Tag Team Championships. Will they prove they belong when they overcome three visiting Raw superstars? Or will El Grande, Rayo y Bravo humble these egos?

NXT returns as Vanity Project makes their entrance. Houston boos, but the VPs just brush it off. The trios sort out and Smokes starts against Rayo. They circle, then Rayo ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA Smokes! The fans fire up as Rayo then wrenches Smokes, tags Bravo, and they CLUB Smokes’ arm. Smokes wrenches back and he THROWS Bravo down. Bravo kips and kips and kips up to then arm-drag free! Bravo taunts Smokes, but Smokes RAMS low! Smokes ROCKS Bravo, whips him to ropes, but Bravo reverses to JAB! JAB! JAB! Bravo winds up and DECKS Smokes! The fans fire up as Bravo wags his finger.

Bravo has Smokes in the corner, he rains down fists, and the fans count in Espanol! Bravo gets to ocho before Brad distracts the ref, allowing Smokes & Drake to HOTSHOT Bravo down! The fans boo but then VP BLASTS Los Americanos! VP soaks up the heat as they do their own Texas two step! The fans boo, it sucks! Bravo DOUBLE CROSSBODIES Swipe Right! El Grande LARIATS Drake up and out! Rayo ENZIGIRIS Smokes! Then Rayo goes out to SEATED SENTON Brad! Bravo RIDER KICKS Smokes! El Grande DIVES onto Drake! The fans cheer as Los Americanos strut around in the ring!

Smokes returns but Bravo mule kicks him! Tag to Rayo, they double whip Smokes to a corner, then Rayo sends Bravo in. Bravo ROCKS Smokes, sits him down, and Rayo METEORAS! The fans fire up and Rayo drags Smokes up. Rayo CHOPS, Smokes CHOPS, repeat! The CHOPS go back and forth, then Rayo fires off CHOPS! Smokes headlocks, Brad tags in, and Swipe Right redirects Rayo for the FLATLINER and DOUBLE STMOPS! Drake tags in so he can DEADLIFT GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Rayo survives but VP eggs Los Americanos on while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again as Drake hits a snap suplex for Uno Amigo! Then he hits another for Dos Amigos! The fans boo as hard as they can as Drake gives a horrible version of Latino Heat. But then Rayo X-PLEXES Drake instead! Hmm, that’s interesting… The fans fire up as Rayo and Drake crawl, hot tags to Brad and El GrandE! Swipe Right runs up but El Grande raliles with haymaker after hayamker! Then BACKDROP on Brad! CHOP on Smokes! Then short arm LARIAT on Smokes! Grande goes up, and he DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTERS Swipe Right! Cover on Brad, Drake breaks it! But Bravo runs up to SMACK Drake!

Drake returns to ROLLING ELBOW! Drake runs, handsprings, but into a torture rack! Time for an AIRPLANE SPIN! And then NO HANDS for the SLAM! Bravo is dizzy, but Rayo give shim his cowboy hat! YEEHAW as Bravo DIVES and Rayo MOONSAULTS! Grande then SMACKS Brad, fireman’s carries, AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Brad survives and shocks El Grande! The fans are thunderous as Grande aims, but Smokes anchors him in the corner! The fans boo but Drake tags in! ROUNDHOUSE on El Grande! Drake runs, then uses Grande as a step to FLY onto Rayo y Bravo! Then torture rack for Grande, BURNING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!!

Tag back to Brad, Smokes tags in! Tag to Drake and he climbs up! Swipe Right hits Grande with the DROPKICK SPINEBUSTER! Drake adds a 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Grande survives and shocks Vanity Project! Houston is home of the Rockets and they’re about to take off into orbit! Drake snarls and SUPERKICKS Grande! But Grande just fires up! Drake BOOTS Grande, but Grande fires up again! Drake runs, Grande dodges, GAMANGIRI for Drake! The fans fire up as Grande then lifts Drake, but Drake fights free! Drake rolls Grande up, FEET ON ROPES! BRAD HELPS! Rayo points it out! The ref sees and the count is off!

The fans fire up, and now Grande gets his metal plate!! The fans cheer as that mask is now loaded! Grande runs up, Drake dodges, HEADBUTT on Brad! Grande runs, Drake dodges, Grande hits buckles! Rayo tags in before the UNALIVING! Then SUPERKICK on Drake! Smokes tags back in, he BOOTS Rayo! Smokes runs up, Bravo tags in, GAMANGIRI! Then Grande tags back in! Bravo y Rayo hit a FLYING HEADBUTT LEG SWEEP COMBO! Then Grande RUNNING HEADBUTTS!! Cover, LOS AMERICANOS WIN!

Winners: Los Americanos, by pinfall

The Vanity Project is beside themselves! They’ve been running so hot and now they’re not! Does this not bode well for Stand & Deliver?

Robert Stone talks with Elio LeFleur.

The NXT GM and Speed Champion are discussing the tournament but Sean Legacy & Eli Knight step in. Sean is on crutches, and says we all know that after that Triple Threat last week, he did get hurt. Sean talked with NXT medical and… With his leg, he is unable to compete in the tag team tournament. Stone says that is a bummer, but the show must go on. Eli either forfeits or finds a new partner. Elio says he could do it. Really? Yeah, he’s still waiting on the Speed tournament, but it’s the least he could do for Eli. Done deal! Eli & Elio VS The Culling! Now to focus on the Speed situation. But then Sol Ruca steps in.

Sol says she has once again been screwed out of the title situation, all because of Fatal Influence and Zaria. Stone says anything can happen in a Triple Threat. Yes, but Sol wants to see Zaria next week in the ring, there is a lot she needs to say. Sol heads back out, and Stone has a full plate to get through. Who will be in the next Men’s Speed Tournament? Will Knight & LeFleur make it to the end of the tag tournament? And what will happen when Sol and Zaria finally have it out?

NXT returns with Vic Joseph in the ring.

Vic has the mic to say, “To steal a quote, tonight has been about checks and championships. And we still have two more championships to be defended here tonight, live in Houston.” The fans cheer that, and Vic then says tonight is also about appreciation. Appreciation for a man that has been a SIX-TIME World Champion! A man who has been King of the Ring, and who is a TWO-TIME WWE Hall of Famer. Please welcome Houston’s favorite son, the one and only BOOKER T! The fans cheer as Booker hops off commentary to go to the ring. Booker hugs his family and friends in the ring, and takes the mic to say, “What up, y’all?!”

Vic says it has been three years of them working together at the commentary desk. Vic remembers on day one, he asked Booker what Booker wanted his legacy to be. Booker said it wasn’t about the titles he won, but about the moments he made for these fans across the world. But it was also about earning the respect of his peers. We get a video package highlighting Booker’s career, with HBK saying it is an honor for NXT to be able to have a Booker T Appreciation Night. From WCW with Harlem Heat, the WCW TV Championship, the WCW World Heavyweight Championship FIVE TIMES, to the Spinarooni!

The energy, the excitement, the violence, Stone Cold beating him up in the supermarket, the reign as King Bookah, a rap song about him by Bad Bunny, the Hall of Fame inductions, and the fun he has on commentary. Booker T is a man who loves this business. He is a trainer, a coach, a mentor, someone who encourages and educates, and his love for this business is infectious. There’s not enough time to say it all, but to sum it up, #ThankYouBook. Now can you dig that, SUCKAAA~?!

The fans cheer Booker on, and Vic says there are a lot of friends here, as well as his family and his students. Vic is honored to give Booker the plaque that officially marks tonight as Booker T Appreciation Night. The fans let Booker know, “You Deserve It!” Booker thanks them for that, and says it’s so crazy. For over 35 YEARS, he’s been doing this. It has been an amazing ride, and he just wants to thank them all for making it possible. The talent in NXT- Wait, KEANU CARVER is interrupting?! He SHOVES the refs out of his way and tells everyone to shut up when he’s talking! Booker don’t deserve no celebration!

Security hurries up but Keanu CLOBBERS them, and even throws Booker’s students aside! Keanu says Booker has ten seconds to get out of HIS ring, or he’ll do something to him! Booker’s students try again but Keanu SPINEBUSTERS one, DECKS another, and- WAIT! JASPER TROY is here! The MonStar says bring it, Keanu! They brawl and the fans fire up as Troy has the edge! Keanu kicks low, scoops, but Troy slips free! Troy LARIATS Keanu up and out! The fans fire up and Keanu is furious, but more refs and even producers rush out here! Booker thanks his number one student on the shoulder for making the save.

Keanu is a dangerous man, but Troy ain’t too far behind. The other superstars of NXT appear on stage to applaud Booker, and he says hold on, kill the music. He just wants to know what’s going on! Someone needs to take control around here! Mr. Stone, that kind of stuff shouldn’t be happening in his damn city! The fans cheer that! Stone knows what Booker means, and he will handle it. NXT goes picture in picture while Stone sorts this one out.

The thanks and praise of Booker continues, and Booker calms down a bit. Troy raises his mentor’s hand in victory, and Booker returns the favor. The NXT roster applauds Booker more, and Booker steps out to rejoin commentary.

WWE Speed Women’s Championship: Fallon Henley VS Wren Sinclair!

The Fatal Influence saved Jacy’s reign, but now the Toxic Cowgirl steps to the plate. Will Fatal Influence pull off another screw job in Houston? Or will Fallon lose this title in five minutes or less?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has the need for Speed!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The two tie up, Wren powers Fallon back but Fallon pulls hair. Wren rolls Fallon up, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Bridging cover, TWO! Fallon ROCKS Wren! And CHOPS her! Fallon fireman’s carries but Wren slips free, shoves, and RUNS Fallon over! Then she basement BULLDOGS! Jackknife, TWO! Wren keeps on Fallon, wants the arms, but Fallon rolls around. They fight up, and Fallon runs to ropes to HOTSHOT Wren! Wren sputters, but Fallon slips around to pump handle SUPLEX! Fallon runs up to BACK ELBOW, then ROLLING ELBOW! Fallon then wrenches and LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally while Fallon shakes out her bad arm. Fallon stands Wren up, but Wren ROCKS her! Wren bobs ‘n’ weaves, ROCKS Fallon again, then blocks a kick to underhook! Fallon fights while the fans rally up, and Fallon KNEES low! Fallon brings Wren around but the fans are on Wren’s side. Wren wrenches Fallon to CHOP the arm, then BUTTERFLY PLEX! Cover, TWO! Wren hurries to hook the arms! Fallon scrambles, fights up, and breaks free! They go around and around as we enter the regular three minutes. Fallon puts Wren on the apron, but Wren ROCKS her first! Fallon sits in the corner, but then BOOTS Wren down!

The fans boo Fallon while she goes outside. Fallon takes aim, and she swings on the corner! YEEHAW- NO, Wren ducks the boots! Fallon avoids the leg sweep, but Wren blocks the Penalty Kick to TRIP Fallon up! The fans fire up as Wren hurries in, HEEL KICK! Then she runs up, but Fallon avoids the Penalty Kick! Things keep moving, and Fallon YEEHAW FACEBUSTERS! The fans boo as Fallon runs, but Wren pops out of the Famouser to WRING the arm! We hit the two minute warning but Fallon CHOPS Wren! Fallon hooks Wren up again, but Wren fights the pump handle! Wren CHOPS, and CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS!

The fans fire up as Wren waistlocks and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Fallon has it, TWO! FINAL WRENCH!! Fallon freaks out, but she QUITS!! WREN WINS!!

Winner: Wren Sinclair, by submission (NEW WWE Speed Women’s Champion)

With EIGHTY SECONDS to spare, Wren leaves Fatal Influence speechless! A huge win for the home state hero, and Wren finally has gold in NXT! Will Wren be more than ready to Stand & Deliver in Las Vegas?

Ricky Saints & Ethan Page complain to Stone.

Absolute is very upset with what happened to him out there! All Ego reminds him it is them, it happened to them! Right, yes, THEM! Saints was so close to getting his rematch for Stand & Deliver and then that maniac shows up to attack Saints, and then attack his good friend, Ethan! Saints will not stand for it! Stone understands, it was uncalled for. Ethan says Saints is still the face of NXT! He wont’ stand for this injustice! Saints says he agrees with everything Ethan just said. Stone, you need to stand up and do something about this! That Tony D has been wreaking havoc over the entire place, which is why Saints wants Tony 1v1!

W-Wait, what? Saints is stunned but Stone says that’s actually a great idea. For the first time ever, 1v1, Ricky Saints VS Tony D’Angelo. Saints asks what Ethan is doing, but Ethan says he knows what Saints is doing. Saints is going to handle this vigilante once and for all. Saints says yeah, this is great. He is excited. Because his good friend, Ethan, will be out there in his corner next week. Ethan stops smiling but Stone says he likes it. He has some calls to make, but great stuff from both of them. Stone heads out, Saints says that was a hell of an idea, Ethan. Yes, Ethan thought so. Forget Tony D, are the Absolute Egos going to even survive each other at this rate?

NXT Tag Team Contender’s Tournament Opening Round: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright!

The NXT Tag Division is heating back up, and just in time for Stand & Deliver. But will the Big Belly Boys be cruising down the road to St. Louis and those tag titles? Or will the Underboss and Chase U Dropout prove those titles are their birthright?

NXT returns and Birthright makes their entrance. The teams sort out, but on the King’s orders, Stacks & Uriah attack! The fans boo as Uriah fires off on Tank while Stacks TOSSES Hank! Birthright then mugs Tank, but the ref reprimands. Birthright backs off, Stacks officially steps up, and he runs in at the bell! Tank dodges Stacks to then run and SHOULDER TACKLE! Tank keeps moving, Hank tags in, and Tank fakes Stacks out for Hank to lift! Hank SLAMS Stacks into the buckles, then Tank runs up to LARIAT! Hank SPLASHES, then BULLDOG! Tank SENTONS, but here comes Uriah! Hank ‘n’ Tank pick him up to DOUBLE SLAM!

The fans fire up as Hank then hoists Stacks up top! The fans rally behind Hank ‘n’ Tank as he climbs up, but Arianna anchors Hank! Uriah GAMANGIRIS Tank down, then Stacks ROCKS Hank! Stacks MISSILE DROPKICKS Hank, then hurries to bring him over. Stacks fires hands on Hank, tags Uriah, and they mug Hank. The fans boo, the ref counts, but Uriah scrapes his boot into Hank’s face. Tag to Stacks, Uriah runs to BOOT WASH! Stacks CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Hank survives but Stacks keeps him down. Tag to Uriah and he slingshot SENTONS! The fans boo again as Uriah covers, TWO!

Uriah keeps Hank down with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Hank endures, fights up, and he reaches out, but Stacks tags in. Hank throws Uriah away, ROCKS Stacks, then dodges Uriah! Hot tag to Tank and the fans fire up! Tank rallies with forearms and elbows, then he cartwheels to LARIAT Stacks! Tank dodges Uriah’s cheap shot, goes to the apron, and blocks a superkick to then KNEE Uriah down! The fans fire up as Tank rubs the belly! CANNONBALL onto Charlie & Lexis! The fans fire up with Tank and he gets back in! Scoop and SLAM for Stacks! Tank then brings Stacks up and RAMS him into the corner!

Tank puts Stacks up top, then tags Hank. Hank climbs the corner, Tank climbs the other. SUPERPLEX for the Power! SWANTON BOMB for the Glory! But Uriah SWANTON BOMBS the cover apart! The fans rally up while all four men are down. The teams regroup, rise up, and Uriah CHOPS Tank! Hank blocks a kick, sends it to Stacks, but Stacks sends it back! Hank ducks, only for Tank to take the HEEL KICK! Hank TOSSES Uriah, but Uriah lands on the apron. Uriah GAMANGIRIS Hank, then slingshots, but into a KNEE! Stacks SUPERKICKS Hank, then runs, but into a BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! The fans fire up as Hank and Tank take off the jerseys!

Hank ‘n’ Tank aim from corners, but Lexis gets Stacks outta the way! HONK HONK, BELLY SANDWICH on Lexis! But Uriah tags in! Hank scoops Stacks for GRIDIRON!! But Uriah rolls Hank up!! BIRTHRIGHT WINS!

Winners: Birthright, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The fans boo, but Birthright already knows how to use the numbers to their advantage. They’re moving on by the seat of their pants, but will they soon have the tag team belts around their waits?

Stone and Hendry talk backstage.

Stone knows Hendry is upset, Tony overstepped, that wasn’t cool. Hendry says he let it slide before, but not this time. Just make the match! Hendry VS Tony, NEXT WEEK! Stone says no, he can’t do that. For one, Saints & Ethan already set something up with Tony. Hendry says one way or another, Tony is HIS! Wait, now something is going on around the corner?! OTM brawls with DarkState’s Shugars & Osiris! Price TOSSES Shugars, but then Dion Lennox runs in from outta nowhere to POUNCE him onto road cases! Then DarkState mugs Nima 2v1, and sets him up for Shugars to BOOT him down! OTM tried to take the fight to these wild dogs, but did that just come back to bite them?

Tatum Paxley and Thea Hail talk backstage.

#TuesdayAddams is so excited for tonight! The Grown-Ass Woman is just as pumped, she will beat Izzi Dame’s ass in that cage! And do NOT listen to anything Izzi says, she is a liar. That title is not leaving Tatum’s side. Trust Thea, she knows how hard it is finding yourself in NXT. And she’s had her fair share of haters, but haters don’t matter! Tatum’s got this! She’ll do this! Tatum tells Thea to never change, NXT needs more people like her. Tatum heads out, and Thea crashes from being so fired up. Kelani Jordan steps in and tells Thea to just “drop the act.” This is never gonna work for her.

Lani used to be just like Thea, and what’d that get her? Stepped on, overlooked, and kicked out. Toughen up and be selfish for once! If you want to accomplish anything in NXT, be like Lani. But now Jaida Parker steps in and tells Lani to leave Thea alone. The only thing Lani’s accomplished here is getting her ass beat by Lola Vice. Jaida says Thea can just keep doing her thing. Lani says Jaida would know, right? But who knew! Miss Parker is getting soft. Thea has Jaida stay calm, she’s got this. Thea reminds Lani that she got her ass knocked out by Lola! And next week, Lani gets tapped out! Jaida mocks Lani being in the Kimura, will The Grown-Ass Woman finally get back on top?

Fatal Influence regroups.

Fallon is frustrated but Jacy is still elated that she won her match. Jacy beat Sol AND Zaria, and now she goes to Stand & Deliver! Jacy thanks the team, and Fallon has a surly, “You’re welcome.” She wishes she could say the same for her match. Lainey says relax, they’ll get Fallon back to that title. Wren will just be a temporary Speed Champion. Fallon asks what Lainey is even talking about! She’d have to go through an entire tournament just to get a rematch! Jacy says Fallon has every right to be upset. Yes, damn right she does. And while we wait on the next tournament, Fallon & Lainey will handle Wren & Kendal next week, since Jacy will be coasting until Stand & Deliver.

Fallon leads the way, and Jacy says right, handling Kendal would be good for her, too. Is the Toxic Rockstar going to understand the real reason Fallon is upset? Or will it not matter, so long as she has her gold?

Stone talks with Myles Borne.

Stone says tonight has been a great one for NXT, but he has wanted to talk to Myles about Stand & Deliver. Myles says great, he’s been thinking about it, too. He is more than ready to defend his title in St. Louis. Then next week, there will be a Gauntlet Eliminator, and whoever wins will face Myles for the title. Okay, but who’s in the gauntlet? Well, Stone is working on that. But then Lexis King steps in and says he couldn’t help but hear them talking about Stand & Deliver. And he figured since Birthright is already going to claim the NXT Tag Team Championships there, might as well claim the North American title, too.

Stone says nothing is confirmed yet, don’t get ahead of yourselves. King understands, Stone works so hard, but surely Stone will do the right thing. Because after all, it is their birthright. Have a good night. Birthright leaves, and maybe Lexis gets in that gauntlet? Will Myles have no choice but to relive his past with the Drama King?

NXT Women’s North American Championship Steel Cage Match: Tatum Paxley VS Izzi Dame!

Vengeance Day may have been the tiebreaker, but this could be the one that ends it all! Will #TuesdayAddams finally be rid of her bully? Or will Izzi prove that even now, It Iz What It Iz?

NXT returns as Tatum makes her entrance. The introductions are made, but Izzi BLASTS Tatum at the cage door! The fans boo as Izzi cheats before the match is even a match! Izzi fires hands, then RAMS Tatum into the steps! Izzi stomps Tatum on the steps, then stops so Tatum can flop down. The fans chant “IZZI SUCKS!” but she says they can SUCK IT! Izzi then hauls Tatum up, snap suplexes her on the floor, then taunts the fans. Izzi SLAMS the door into Tatum! The fans boo but Izzi drags Tatum up and into the ring. Izzi soaks up heat while she then goes looking under the ring. Izzi brings out a chair! Izzi steps into the cage, finally closes it, and this match finally begins!

Tatum stands, but she avoids the chair shot! Tatum mule kicks, FRONT KICKS, then ROCKS and CHOPS away on Izzi! Izzi grabs Tatum to CHOKE- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO, but Tatum ENZIGIRIS Izzi down! The fans fire up while Izzi and Tatum both look to the chair. Tatum grabs the chair, Izzi climbs the steel! Tatum runs up, Izzi BOOTS the chair away, then keeps climbing! But Tatum drags Izzi back down! Tatum climbs up to SMACK Izzi off the steel! Izzi returns the favor! They both teeter on the top rope, but Izzi drags Tatum up, only for Tatum to SMACK her off the steel! And again, and again, and again!

The fans fire up as they shake the whole cage, and then both women stop to catch their breath. The fans rally behind Tatum but Izzi ELBOWS her down! Izzi climbs, but Tatum is back to CLUB her on the leg! And then the other leg! Tatum climbs back up, but Izzi SMACKS Tatum off the steel! They’re both teetering, but Tatum just SMACKS Izzi off the steel again! Izzi and Tatum DOUBLE SMACK! They both fall back, the fans fire up, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Tatum and Izzi stir, and they both sit up. They meet at center and Izzi ROCKS Tatum! Tatum ROCKS Izzi! Then Tatum ducks to JUMP KNEE! Tatum runs, but Izzi sends the crossbody into steel! Izzi stomps away on Tatum against the steel, but stops so she can drag Tatum under the ropes. CATAPULT GUILLOTINE! Cover, TWO! Tatum survives but Izzi drags her up for a fireman’s carry. Izzi then runs to LAWN DART Tatum into steel! Tatum flounders and writhes while Izzi soaks up heat. Izzi then fireman’s carries again, for another LAWN DART! Tatum takes a tumble against the steel, but Izzi just drags her back up.

Izzi fireman’s carries a third time, for a third LAWN DART! Tatum flops back, Izzi runs and KICKS her in the side! Izzi then has Tatum between ropes and steel for a modified BOSTON CRAB! Tatum can only suffer as she’s pressed against the steel! Tatum manages to YANK Izzi into the steel! Izzi clutches her arm, but she gets Tatum up to whip. Tatum ELBOWS Izzi back! And then Tatum dodges Izzi and Izzi RAMS into the steel! Tatum THROWS Izzi into more steel, and then more steel! Tatum runs to DROPKICK Izzi into steel! NXT returns to single picture while the fans fire up! Izzi stands, but Tatum CLOBBERS her! And CLOBBERS her!

Tatum wrenches, Izzi ROCKS Tatum, and Izzi runs, to climb up the steel! But Tatum GERMAN SUPLEXES Izzi down! The fans fire up with Tatum and she climbs the corner. Tatum then thinks about it, and the fans like where she’s going with this! Because she’s going up to the top of the cage! But Izzi hurries and she SHOVES Tatum! Tatum holds onto the cage, escaping does NOT win you this match, and it’ll just hurt anyway! Izzi climbs up to be on top of the cage, and she brawls with Tatum! They throw forearms back and forth, the fans cheering Tatum and booing Izzi. Tatum ROCKS Izzi, Izzi ROCKS Tatum, repeat!

The shots keep going, faster and faster, heavier and heavier, and the fans fire up! Both women wobble, but Izzi says SUCK IT! And she sits Tatum up, only for Tatum to have a scary smile! Izzi wants Tatum to hold on, but Tatum fires a flurry of forearms and fists! Tatum HAMMERS Izzi back down, but Izzi SMACKS Tatum off the top! And then she brings Tatum in for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both women are down and the fans go nuts! Izzi crawls over to Tatum, manages to cover, TWO!!! Tatum survives and Izzi cannot believe it! But Houston knows, “This is Awesome!” Izzi argues with the ref but the ref defends the count.

Izzi drags Tatum up, fireman’s carries, but Tatum slips free to SHOVE Izzi into steel! Tatum runs up, but Izzi pops her up! But Tatum lands on the top rope, to then WHISPER IN THE WIND! Cover, TWO!! Izzi survives and the fans fire up again! Tatum and Izzi crawl to each other, they go forehead to forehead, and the fans rally up as they rise up. They DOUBLE ROCK each other, then DOUBLE BOOT! They both fire up, and DOUBLE BOOT again! Tatum then dodges the next shot to SUPERKICK! Tatum runs up, but Izzi FLAPJACKS her into the steel, CODE BREAKER! But Tatum handstands through it!! Only for Izzi to BOOT her down!!

Izzi hauls Tatum up, I-DRIVE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Izzi is furious and freaking out but Tatum is just that tough! Izzi goes to the chair, she winds up, and she JAMS Tatum up! And JAMS her again! And SMACKS her on the back again, and again, and again! Izzi shoves the chair down, then she brings Tatum around. Izzi lifts Tatum up, but Tatum fights with fists! Izzi BOMBS Tatum into the steel! But Tatum holds onto Izzi! So Izzi just BOMBS Tatum into more steel! Tatum flops down, Izzi brings her around, and she aims for the chair! But Tatum grabs the cage! Tatum squeezes Izzi’s head, but Izzi just turns things around! Only for Tatum to CODE RED on the chair!!

Tatum and Izzi rise up again, but Tatum’s got the chair! Izzi panics, but Tatum throws the chair to her? FULL METAL WHEEL KICK! And then a CEMETERY DRIVE!!! Cover, Tatum wins!!

Winner: Tatum Paxley, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s North American Champion)

It was a rage in the cage, and Tatum finally puts Izzi away! Another home state victory, but wait! BLAKE MONROE pops out from under the stage?! And she YANKS Tatum down into the pit! The Woman From Hell wants Tatum’s gold, just how dark will The Glamour get to have it?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT, especially as Booker T Appreciation Night live in Houston. That was a good segment for Booker, and Keanu crashing the party was certainly some good story build. Jasper Troy is getting a Face turn through this, as well, and it works because A) he was Booker’s student in LFG and B) it’s big meaty men slapping meat! And we got great wins for the Texas girls tonight, especially the main event with Tatum VS Izzi in the cage. I appreciate that they went with a No Escape stipulation, though Izzi apparently didn’t care either way. Blake Monroe going after Tatum after with that trap door surprise was pretty good, and Blake VS Tatum will be a very good feud.

As I said last week, Fallon was the more likely to lose her title, and that’s what happened. Great stuff for Wren, she’s been doing great work for a long time and deserved a title win like this. It was more surprising that the Women’s Triple Threat went first. But it does work in story, where Fatal Influence made sure to turn the Triple Threat into a 3v1v1. Jacy survives again, but she and Lainey didn’t even lift a finger to help Fallon. If anyone is leaving this faction next, it’ll likely be Fallon cuz she ditches Jacy & Lainey during something important. Good promo from Kendal with Lola, those two are definitely in the conversation for #1 contender. Honestly, it doesn’t matter who it is, just as long as they finally dethrone Jacy.

Thea also had a very good promo with Tatum before the main event, as well as with Lani and Jaida. Thea VS Lani will be very good, can’t wait to see who wins that. Jaida and Lani interacting again, I don’t know if they’re going to renew that rivalry, but it could help send one towards a title and the other to main roster. Good promo from Eli, Legacy & Elio to establish the unfortunate change to the tag team tournament. Eli & Elio will be a great duo, and I suppose they can get through The Culling. However, it certainly feels like this is Birthright’s tournament to win. They had a very good tag match with Hank ‘n’ Tank, and a very good promo with Regal & Finlay. I also liked Regal giving his support to Robert Stone, I just wonder if he’ll hold that over him.

Great Six Man Tag of Los Americanos VS Vanity Project. Houston must have a lot of AAA fans cuz they all loved Los Americanos here. At the same time, they’re the lesser of two evils against Vanity Project, so I feel like any crowd would’ve taken Los Americanos over the VPs. Great win for Los Americanos, too, and quite the surprise. Tomorrow night’s Evolve is Drake’s last one, so he’ll drop the Evolve Championship either way, but it’d be good follow-up if Drake actually loses to Aaron Rourke instead of wins and vacates. The gauntlet eliminator to determine Myles’ challenger will be great stuff, and that was quite the beatdown from DarkState to OTM.

And great stuff in the build towards the NXT Championship match for Stand & Deliver. Good in-ring promo from Saints and Ethan where Ethan springs the news on Saints that he wants the top title. Hendry confronting them was good, and then Tony D coming outta nowhere to turn things upside-down was pretty good. Saints and Ethan being passive aggressive towards each other is good stuff, and I feel like Ethan costs Saints against Tony. Tony can face Hendry for the title while Saints and Ethan have a grudge match at Stand & Deliver, and it’ll all be great stuff.

My Score: 8.9/10