Are you ready for an Absolute Experience?

Before going after the NXT Championship, Ricky Saints looks to prove anything Joe Hendry can do, he can do better! Therefore, Ricky’s gonna sing!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne VS Ethan Page; Myles wins and retains the title.
• Women’s Speed Tournament: Wren Sinclair VS Nikkita Lyons; Wren wins and advances to the finals.
• Six Man Tag: Shiloh Hill, Hank ‘n’ Tank VS The Vanity Project; Shiloh, Hank ‘n’ Tank win.
• NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence VS ZARIA; Double Disqualification, Jacy retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Myles Borne is here!

The fans are all fired up for the NEW NXT North American Champion as he brings the original belt to the ring. Myles holds it up proudly and the fans cheer again. The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” while Myles gets the mic. Myles says it feels so good to hold this title and to hear his name announced as a champion. And yes, he heard it loud and clear. Now normally, the new champ comes out all grateful, talk about his dreams, his sob story, and soak it all up. But not this time. We’ve been down that road. The fans all know what he’s been through and what he fights for, so… Instead of just standing here and thanking everyone for supporting him…

Myles wants to support his biggest haters! He wants to thank Ethan Page! Ethan didn’t think Myles had this inside him. This might be outta character, but Ethan did teach him he lacked a killer instinct. All that did was pour gasoline on a fire that was inside of Myles and Ethan unleashed a demon! You wanna push Myles? He’ll push back! He won’t be a boy scout and he damn sure ain’t an angel! So to get this title, and to keep this title, if that’s the side he has to show, then so be it! Myles asks, “Can you hear me now?” The fans cheer, but then Ethan Page has to show up. The fans boo, but Ethan says he most definitely can hear Myles!

And all Ethan heard was, “Thank You, Ethan Page!” Because if not for All Ego, this would still be the mild-mannered little boy too afraid to rock the boat. And now he stands here as champion! Time to repay the favor, pal. Last week, Myles got lucky. Anyone can have a good night. Ethan had a bad night. But he had a MILLION great nights! From night one of stepping into NXT to become the quickest NXT Champion in history! Then he became AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion! Then he broke records as the Greatest North American Champion: Longest amount of days, most successful defenses! If there’s anyone who deserves a rematch, it’s the man who carried this brand for two years!

The fans are torn, but Myles says he just knew Ethan would come out here. Maybe it is because, what did Ethan call it? Champion’s Intuition! Ethan wants a rematch? Fine, Myles will talk to Mr. Stone. Ethan says great! And when he does, let Stone know it should be tonight. Well, if that’s what Ethan wants, he’s got it! But he’ll sure as Hell regret it! Wait, Stone himself walks out here. The fans are a little upset as Stone says he’ll happily give us the rematch, but let’s take a beat and put wrestling gear on. Ethan says no, if Myles wants to be a fighting champion, he accepted the challenge, so let’s do this RIGHT NOW! The fans like that idea, too!

Stone says fine, since they’re both want it right now, then let’s get a ref out here and have the match NOW! The ref slides right in, and even with these men in their nice suits and loafers, we’re having a title match to kick off NXT! Will this pay off for All Ego? Or will it just be insult to injury?

NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne VS Ethan Page!

The bell rings and Myles is right on Ethan with UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Myles shoves Ethan around, throws his jacket at him, and fires more hands! Myles fires body shots, then UPPERCUTS, then a whip corner to corner. Myles runs up to LARIAT, then he lets Ethan fall! the fans cheer as Myles stands Ethan up for more haymakers! Ethan kicks low, throat chops, and Myles sputters! The fans boo as Ethan RIPS Myles’ nice shirt up! Ethan CLUBS Myles down, then whips him corner to corner. Myles reverses but Ethan BOOTS him away! Ethan goes up, leaps, but into a DROPKICK!

Myles storms out after Ethan, and they brawl on the desk! The fans fire up as Myles just rains down shots! They count to TEN and Myles lets off! Myles throws off what’s left of his shirt while NXT goes picture in picture.

Myles SHOVES Ethan off the desk, then stalks him around the way. Myles THROWS Ethan into the ring, storms up and covers, TWO! Ethan flounders to a corner but Myles stomps him. Ethan hits back but Myles DECKS him! Myles drags Ethan up, reels him in, and hits an ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ethan toughs it out, but then he CDLAWS Myles’ face! Ethan gets Myles down to ground ‘n’ pound but Myles is in the ropes. The ref counts, Ethan stops, only to come back for more! The ref has Ethan back off, and Ethan rolls up his sleeves as he storms up on Myles. Ethan rains down fists, then stomps Myles around, and even HEADBUTTS!

Ethan whips Myles to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! Myles toughs it out but Ethan stays focused. Ethan looms over Myles, drags him up, but Myles fires body shots! Myles fires haymakers, then runs the ropes, but Ethan scoops to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Ethan seethes as Myles survives, but Ethan sits Myles up for KNEES to the back! Ethan clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Myles down. Myles endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Myles fights free, but Ethan ROCKS him! Ethan reels Myles back in but Myles blocks the suplex! NXT returns to single picture as Myles lifts, but Ethan fights the suplex!

Ethan wrenches free, kicks low, and hits the CONFIDENCE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Myles survives again and Ethan seethes. The fans rally for Myles but Ethan paces. Ethan drags Myles by an arm, RIPCORD and POWER- NO, Myles makes it a REVERSE DDT! The fans rally up as Myles drags himself up with the ropes. Myles ROCKS Ethan, ROCKS him again, and again! Myles DECKS Ethan, DECKS him again, then RIPS that shirt off! Then he DROPKICKS Ethan down! Ethan scrambles away but Myles grabs the nice shoes! Ethan kicks but those PANTS rip! Myles storms back up but Ethan YANKS him into the ropes!

The fans rally as Ethan takes off his belt. Despite the attire, this is NOT a Street Fight, so the ref confiscates it. Wait, Ethan takes off a shoe!? And he DECKS Myles with that leather fist! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is furious as Myles survives, and Ethan takes the pants off. Ethan drags Myles up, reels him in, but Myles fights the lift! Myles trips Ethan, steps through, but Ethan BOOTS him away! Ethan kicks low, TWISTED- NO, Myles slips free to trip Ethan! ANKLE LOCK!! Ethan flails, reaches out, but Myles drags him back! Ethan turns over to BOOT Myles away! Myles has the shoe and pants! Myles gives the ref the pants, and CLOBBERS Ethan with the shoe!!

The fans cheer as Myles hits BORNE AGAIN!! Cover, MYLES WINS!

Winner: Myles Borne, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

Ethan tried to cheat Myles, but Myles turned the tables on him! Myles will do what it takes, but how long can he last as champion?

Backstage interview with Zaria.

Sarah Schreiber is there to interview the Agent of Change as she arrives, and she asks why Zaria attacked Sol Ruca last week. Zaria says if you have to ask that question, then you weren’t paying attention. Zaria storms off, and now DarkState arrives for the night. They are all fired up already, looking for Tony D’Angelo. But Stone and security hurry to stop them. Stone knows they are furious, and Tony D is on his way, but they can’t do this in the parking lot! They gotta do it inside a ring. Cutler James says one way or another, they get their hands on Tony. Yes, that’s fine, but just do it inside! Security ushers DarkState inside, and then a car pulls up! Tony D HAS arrived!

And from the trunk of said car, he pulls out a crowbar! The man who was The Don is ready to get dark with DarkState. Will anyone be walking away from this one?

Blake Monroe is here!

NXT returns as The Glamour is already in the ring, mic in hand. “When Jaida Parker interrupted me on her ‘big return,’ I expected to feel disrespected. When she cost me the Speed match against Thea Hail last week, I expected to feel rage. I expected to want to ear her apart piece by piece, but that’s just not what I felt. What I felt was… revealing. Shocking, actually. It was reassurance. Because in that moment, I realized something very simple: Jaida Parker needs Blake Monroe.” The fans are torn, but Blake says you can paint this as a heated rivalry, act like Jaida got under her skin, like Jaida could actually steal the spotlight, but that’s just not the case.

No, no, no. All Jaida did was confirm Blake’s value. You don’t interrupt irrelevance, do you? You don’t sabotage someone who doesn’t matter. The biggest thing a woman in NXT can do is interrupt Blake Monroe. Because The Glamour is perfectly poised. In NXT, she is the conversation, the controversy, the standard. When she breathes, people react. When she speaks, timelines light up. When she competes, it trends every single time. People don’t just quietly admire Blake, no. They obsess over her! People love to hate Blake than they love to love Jaida! “Jaida’s the kind of girl who acts on emotion and asks questions later. And to me, that’s just… It isn’t scary.

“Jaida can’t step up, so stepping to me is her only option, because that is the fastest way to matter. Whether you wanna admit it or  not, this division revolves around me!” The fans are again torn, but Blake continues by saying poor Jaida is just like all the girls back there, begging for a chance. Blake will do some charity and share her spotlight with Jaida at Vengeance Day. Then Blake will walk straight through her to go to Stand & Deliver. But then Jaida appears! The fans chant, “MISS PARKER!” Jaida asks if Blake hears that, cuz she does. It’s crazy. See, Blake’s got jokes tonight. Blake’s talking about Jaida this, Jaida that. What w need is for Jaida to slap the taste outta Blake’s mouth!

Blake is delusional because she built this fantasy where everything revolves around her. If that’s the case, why is Blake trying to convince everybody and their mama of how important she is? See, Jaida clocked Blake a long time ago. The Glamour exists because of insecurity. But y’know who’s not insecure? Jaida! When she pops up, the temperature changes. Her presence is felt before she’s even seen. And she doesn’t need to chase relevancy, she is the definition of it! And Blake hates that! All eyes are on Jaida and she doesn’t give a damn what others think. But Blake does, because her whole life she’s been the supporting character praying for a starting role.

And at Vengeance Day, Jaida gives Blake what she wants through the ass whooping that she needs! The truth is, Blake, you need Jaida. Blake needs Jaida so that she doesn’t fade into the background that she’s so scared of. So now, Jaida’s gonna show Blake just how soft she is. Blake says Jaida forgets herself, but Jaida tells her to shut her ass up. Because Blake doesn’t even believe the words coming outta her own words! she’s scared! Under that polished ego of hers, she is NOT who she thinks she is> Yeah, Blake did one great thing, but take away the theatrics, the help, and all this “Everyone loves to hate on The Glamour!” All that’s left is a mediocre B*TCH!

Blake SLAPS Jaida, so Jaida fires hands! The fans fire up, Jaida ELBOWS Blake, but Blake TACKLES Jaida! Jaida turns that around for ground ‘n’ pound! Blake kicks free, but the HIP-NOTIC finds her! Blake flounders out of the ring and up the ramp! Jaida tells Blake to keep talking! Miss Parker don’t play, but will she still beat Blake at her own game?

Vanity Project regroups backstage.

Ricky Saints consoles Ethan, then Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes walk in. Drake says that he just wants to say he is so sorry. They didn’t realize Ethan would want his rematch tonight, they were prepping for the Six Man Tag. Brad says they would’ve made sure Myles didn’t steal that title away. Ethan says he appreciates that. He just needs time to think. Fair enough. Saints says yes, just give it time. Vanity Project has the Six Man Tag, Drake has his Evolve Championship defense tomorrow on Succession 2. Smokes says yeah, it’s against Cappuccino Jones, but Drake’s got this. Yes, just be sure he’s got this.

Saints has the boys head out, then he tells Ethan that it will be okay. Ethan IS the Greatest North American Champion, with the most defenses. That has to mean something. And y’know what? Better than that is being a TWO-TIME Greatest North American Champion! It all comes back around, Ethan will be champ again, just like Saints will become a two-time NXT Champion this Saturday at Vengeance Day. That’ll rule! And Ethan knows what it is like to be a former champion. You feel on top of the world, like you can do anything. So c’mon now. But enough pep talk, the stage needs Saints, he has to go prep, drink his tea. Just hang in there.

Saints leaves it to Ethan to get himself out of the funk. Will it only take a week to reignite that fire? As for Saints, will he wow the crowd with this Absolute Experience?

Eli Knight talks with Sean Legacy.

The Disrespectfully Athletic is still at a loss over his loss in the Speed Triple Threat. He hit the move, he bounces off, and- Elio LeFleur steps in and says he arrives to take the pin. Sean chuckles and says Elio LeFleur, the NEW Men’s Speed Champion. Congrats, man. They fist bump, and Eli admits, Elio didn’t just beat him to the pin, he beat the clock. They shake it out, and Elio says hey, they’re all just trying to prove themselves in NXT. And well, Sean, sorry about Keanu. yeah, that was a rough night. But hey, Sean’s not done with him yet! But then Jasper Troy steps in. He doesn’t see Keanu as a real threat.

More importantly, he hasn’t tasted gold like Jasper has, and he wants that Speed title back. Eli has him hold on there. No shade, but Speed titles are meant for guys like them, who know a thing or two about speed. Josh Briggs is nearby and he says the new kids are right. Jasper ain’t the best big man anymore after losing to one of them. Jasper says then how about he crushes everybody in another Triple Threat! Then he can take back his Speed title! Jasper storms off and Elio says Eli and Sean are in trouble. Will Legacy & Knight have to truly be SUPER if they wanna slay The MonStar?

Women’s Speed Tournament: Wren Sinclair VS Nikkita Lyons!

While Jaida Parker gave Thea Hail the assist, the Grown-Ass Woman is still waiting in the finals. Will then #WrenQCC battle the Chase U alum? Or will #BigKatKita be the Goliath to Thea’s David?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Lyons slips around to sunset flip, ONE! Wren runs up, slips around, and waistlocks, but Lyons fights with a booty bump! Lyons KICKS, KICKS, then whips. Wren grabs ropes, then SOBATS in return! Wren runs up but Lyons dodges the dropkick! YAM SLAM! Cover, TWO! Lyons hurries to rain down forearms! Wren kicks free, but Lyons CHOPS! Lyons winds up, but Wren blocks to CHOP! The fans rally as Wren trips Lyons and gives some ground ‘n’ pound back! We hit the two minute warning as Wren rolls Lyons up, ONE! Ghost pin, ONE! Wren still tries with a whip but Lyons reverses.

Lyons BODY BLOWS Wren, then reels her in for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Lyons is annoyed but Kendal coaches Wren. Wren fires body shots but Lyons CLUBS her down. Wren fires more shots, then blocks a shot to ROCK Lyons! Wren ducks a kick to CHOP again! And CHOPS again! Then DOUBLE CHOPS! Wren LARIATS Lyons, then dodges for another LARIAT! One minute warning with the red lights! Lyons ROCKS Wren from the apron, then APRON YAM SLAM FLOPS! Wren DROPKICKS Lyons down! Kendal coaches her to hustle and Wren gets Lyons in the ring. But HEEL KICK!! Lyons huffs ‘n’ puffs as she drags Wren to a cover, TWO and Wren has it! TWO!!

We have 20 SECONDS! Wren dodges Lyons to POST her! SAIDO!! CATTLE MUTILATION!! LYONS QUITS, WREN WINS!!

Winner: Wren Sinclair, by submission (advances to the finals)

With FOUR SECONDS to spare, the #FinalWrench gets the job done! And now, Wren will meet Thea in the finals! Who moves on to challenge the Toxic Cowgirl, Fallon Henley, in Houston?

Joe Hendry finds Myles Borne backstage.

The Prestigious One just wants to say, champion to champion, congratulations on that defense. Finally, someone knocked Ethan Page off his high horse. Myles says he appreciates that. And last week, the NXT Chronicle on Joe Hendry, loved it. Inspirational! That means a lot from someone as inspirational as Myles. Hendry’s had his hardships, but everything Myles has had to overcome to get here doesn’t compare! Well, it’s not all that bad. One advantage of being mostly deaf means he doesn’t have to sit here and listen to Ricky Saints’ “Absolute Experience.” Hendry says he’ll sound so bad, he’ll wish he was deaf, too.

Oh, sorry. Hendry didn’t mean to make it sound like that. Myles turns away, but then he turns back around a la Hendry! Myles says he was just messing with him. Hendry’s not the only one with a sense of humor. But Myles does appreciate that, and he’ll talk to him later. Myles heads out, but do they both have a point? Will this Absolute Experience be the absolute worst?

Kelani Jordan speaks.

“This weekend, I have an Underground match with Lola Vice, so I’m training and doing what she claims to be so hard. But I’m learning from one of the best. Let’s go~!” Lani leads the way into the dojo, and she says, “There she is!” It’s SHAYNA BASZLER! Lani gives The Queen of Spades a lapel mic while going on about how Shayna is a former UFC fighter, a former TWO-TIME NXT Women’s Champion, the Submission Magician! Lani thanks Shayna so much for training her, she has to win against Lola. Shayna says yeah, sure. Get to jumping. Lani takes the jump rope and gets to work. Shayna asks Lani if she even understands what she’s gotten herself into. Lola’s no joke.

Lani says, “Respectfully,” she tapped Lola out, so she can definitely do it again, especially in an Underground match. Who said Lani could stop jumping? O-Oh, sorry. Lani gets jumping again and Shayna says she’s actually been in an Underground match with Lola. Lola is everything she says she is. Now, let’s work on some reversals. Shayna shoves MMA gloves into Lani’s hands and she puts them on. Montage of Lani punching the pads and fighting the sleeper holds. Lani says she did things Shayna’s way, now let’s switch it up and do things from a gymnastics perspective. Hah, right, those won’t work. Well, we’ll see.

Lani and Shayna tie up, but Lani uses the flips to avoid a sweep. Just not the tackle. They keep going, Lani giving as good as she gets, and even Shayna has to admit, it might work. But with just FOUR DAYS LEFT, will no one do Underground like Lani? Or will Vice City still be undefeated in the Underground?

Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley have their face-to-face.

The It Girl welcomes #TuesdayAddams back to The Culling’s lair, surely this brings back memories. Tatum looks at her dollhouse, and she sees there’s no Spears or Niko. Izzi says no, the boys know she’s safe. Tatum can’t touch Izzi or she’ll forfeit the title match. One of the many lessons Izzi taught Tatum is that The Culling can give, and The Culling  can take away. Tatum agrees, The Culling gives Izzi the sense of control she’s always wanted, but when Tatum took the boys away, she’s the one that won at New Year’s Evil. Uh, does Tatum remember the rest of that time? Running around with a chainsaw, pandering to all her so-called “friends.”

Izzi’s the one who took advantage of the moment. Izzi’s the one who became Women’s North American Championship. Or did Tatum forget that, too? Tatum says she’s changed, that there’s some final form we haven’t seen yet. Izzi would love to meet her because it’s about time! All Izzi’s ever seen is the same broken, naive little girl who tells all her problems to dolls because they can’t talk back! They can’t tell her that she’s the one to blame for all her problems. Tatum IS the reason Lyra left her, the reason Izzi left her, the reason that there is not a single person standing in her corner! Tatum is UNLOVEABLE!

But that’s what Izzi was there for. Tatum is a shell of herself without Izzi. Tatum has no purpose, no meaning. Izzi gave her all of that! Honestly, it’s pathetic. Tatum IS pathetic. And let izzi let you in on a secret: There is no new version! Tatum hasn’t changed, and she’s uncapable of being fixed. Tatum says she just wanted to tell Izzi that nothing lasts forever. This pain that Izzi’s put her through, the manipulation, it’s all temporary. Just like when Tatum was champion. Tatum remembers winning that, and thought it’d be the best time of her entire life. But she was wrong. Because nothing is going to beat the satisfaction she feels taking the North American title off Izzi.

Tatum stands up to tell Izzi that then Izzi will understand that Tatum was never to be toyed with. Tatum leaves, and Izzi BREAKS the Izzi doll! She SHOVES the dollhouse over, and even pulls at her own hair. Tatum is in Izzi’s head, but will Tatum finally tear her down? Or will Vengeance Day prove #ItIzWhatItIz?

Six Man Tag: Shiloh Hill, Hank ‘n’ Tank VS The Vanity Project!

Last week, #ToothlessAggression and the Big Belly Bandits pulled a bit of a prank pulling apart Brad Baylor’s car, then a fight broke out in the locker room. Now that fight is going to happen in the ring! Will Shiloh, Hank ‘n’ Tank dismantle Drake, Brad & Smokes as easily as the car? Or will it be V’s up on NXT?

Whoa, Vanity Project doesn’t even wait for an entrance, they just attack Shiloh & The Belly Boys at the ramp! The fans boo but the brawl is on again! Brad SMACKS Tank off the apron but Shiloh RAMS Drake! Smokes and Hank throw hands on the other end while NXT goes picture in picture!

Drake ROCKS Shiloh, then ROCKS him again. Smokes fires hands on Hank as they go around the way, but Hank CHOPS Smokes! Brad POSTS Tank, SMACKS him off the apron, and Drake SMACKS Shiloh off the barriers! Tank fires hands in return and he ROCKS Brad! Hank CHOPS Smokes! Brad UPPERCUTS Tank, Smokes ROCKS Hank, then Drake helps Brad mug Tank. The VP fire up, and Drake has his boys get the steel steps. Swipe Right drags those over, and they run at Hank ‘n Tank! But Hank ‘n’ Tank dodge! Swipe Right is jammed up, and Shiloh is back up! Shiloh fires off on Drake while Hank ‘n’ Tank go after Swipe Right!

Things finally move into the ring, the brawl is on again, but now security rushes out here! It seems the match is off, but the brawl isn’t stopping! Robert Stone and refs rush out here to get these teams to back off! Stone checks with the ref appointed to the match, will this match still happen? YES! The ref signals the bell, and we see Hank step! The VP is annoyed but Smokes storms in! Smokes dodges the boot to fire hands! Smokes mocks the belly pat, but Hank puts him in the corner! Hank fires hands, then winds up to CHOP! Smokes sputters but he comes back with haymakers! But Hank bumps Smokes off buckle!

Hank fires more hands, then whips corner to corner. Hank runs up but Smokes dodges! Hank hits buckles, Smokes RAMS him and stomps him down! The ref counts, Smokes stops at 4, and he brings Hank around to CHOP! Smokes seethes as he whips Hank to ropes, but Hank reverses to BOOT Smokes down! Smokes flounders away but Hank brings him back up. Hank RAMS Smokes into the corner, tag to Tank! They mug Smokes while NXT returns to single picture. Hank keeps Smokes trapped while Tank sets up. Hut hut, hike! Tank LARIATS Smokes in the corner! Snapmare and cover, TWO! Smokes flounders away, but he comes back to RAM Tank!

Smokes tags Brad, but Tank scoops to SLAM! Brad avoids the elbow drop, KNEES low, then whips. Brad runs up and ELBOWS Tank! Drake tags in, Brad feeds Tank toa  DROPKICK! Drake is feeling himself but the fans boo. Drake KNEES away on Tank, then taunts Shiloh that this is for him! Drake wrenches, but Tank DECKS him! Tank RAMS Drake to the corner, Hank tags in, they whip and redirect to RUN Drake over, and SENTON! Hank covers, TWO! Drake reaches out but Hank drags him up. Hank wrenches, tags Shiloh, and the fans cheer as they double whip Drake for a DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, TWO!

Shiloh stands Drake up, but Drake CHOPS! Shiloh just laughs?! Shiloh HEADBUTTS Drake, then runs to CLOBBER him! The fans fire up as Shiloh drags Drake up, whips him to a corner, but Smokes saves Drake! Shiloh hits buckles! Drake puts Shiloh in the Vanity corner, tags Smokes, and they stomp away. Brad tags in, he stomps away, then Drake tags in. Wait, Keanu Carver is here? Keanu tells Booker T to tell his boy, Jasper Troy, to keep Keanu’s name outta his mouth! Booker doesn’t say anything and Keanu storms off. Meanwhile, Smokes CHOKES Shiloh in the corner, and he wants to take the fake tooth away!

The fans boo, but then Smokes reaches into Shiloh’s mouth! Shiloh BITES Smokes’ hand! The fans cheer, Shiloh lets go, but Smokes comes back. Shiloh TACKLES Smokes, rains down fists, then SMACKS Smokes off buckles. Tag to Tank and he runs Smokes side to side to SMACK him off more buckles! And then he comes back to SMACK him off buckles again! Tag to Hank and he goes up, to lift his shirt up and show the belly! Tank winds up and sends Smokes into the GUT! The fans cheer the visit to Belly City, but here comes Brad! Tank gets outta the way and Brad runs right into the GUT! Shiloh runs in and LARIATS Drake!

The fans fire up as the bandits all have a boy! TRIPLE SCOOP SLAM! The fans fire up again while Shiloh, Hank ‘n’ Tank all high-five. Then Hank sees targets on the outside and goes after Smokes! Smokes runs for it but Hank chases him! Hank grabs Smokes in the ring but Smokes kicks him away! Tag to Brad, he gets Hank at the apron! Smokes BOOTS Hank down! Brad then steps in for the SPLASH! The fans boo but Swipe Right is fired up. Brad CLUBS Hank, stalks him to ropes, and he bumps Hank off buckles. Tag to Drake, Drake snapmares Hank, then KNEES him down. Then he snapmares again for a KNEE DROP!

Drake BLASTS Shiloh just because, but Hank CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Drake knees low, puts Hank back in the corner, and tags Brad. They stomp away, then tag to Smokes. Smokes sends Brad in, but Hank dodges! Brad hits buckles, Hank dodges boot, tag to Tank! Tank rallies on Swipe Right! EMERALD FLOWSION on Smokes! Cartwheel LARIAT on Brad! The fans fire up with Tank and he has Smokes! Smokes BACKHANDS first! Tag to Drake and they double whip! Tank gets help from Hank to come back and DOUBLE LARIAT! But Brad POSTS Hank! Drake UPPERCUTS Tank! Drake runs in, but Tank dodges the splash!

Tank whips, Smokes tries the same bumper trick, but Tank sends Drake back into the other corner! And then he KICKS Smokes, and dribbles him off buckles! Brad storms up but Tank gives Swipe Right a meeting of the minds! Tank then dodges Drake to OVERHEAD THROW him! The fans fire up, but Drake talks with the ref about some kind of injury. This is all a trick so Swipe Right can drag Tank out! They ROCK him, then RAM the steps into him! The fans boo as Tank is caught, and Drake DROPKICKS him into the steps! The fans boo but Vanity Project is standing tall while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns as Brad waistlocks Smokes to help anchor Tank! Tank is dragging them both in, but Drake runs to DROPKICK Hank! And then he runs up on Tank, but Tank BACKDROPS him away! Swipe Right falls off and Tank hot tags Shiloh! Shiloh rallies on Swipe Right! He RAMS Smokes, whips him into Brad, and RAMS them both! Shiloh keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And out comes the tooth! The fans fire up for the IMPLODER SENTON LEG DROP COMBO! Cover on Brad, but Drake breaks it! The fans boo, btu Shiloh ROCKS Drake and TOSSES him out! But then Drake distracts the ref again!

Smokes SLINGSHOT SPEARS Shiloh, Brad falls on a cover, TWO!! The fans cheer as that trick fails to stop Shiloh! Shiloh crawls, hot tags to Hank and Drake! Drake kicks, Hank blocks, but then Drake blocks back! ENZIGIRI! Drake tries the torture rack, and he manages it!? BURNING HAMMER on Hank! Cover, but Tank breaks it! The fans fire up again, but Smokes GAMANIRIS Tank! Tank KNEES Smokes back! Brad BOOTS Tank! Shiloh FLYING LARIATS Brad! Drake TOSSES Shiloh again! But Hank stands, dodges a lariat, and hits the BIG BOSS MAN SLAM!! The fans are thunderous as Hank tags Tank!

The jerseys come off as Hank ‘n’ Tank take aim! Shiloh tags in before the HONK HONK and the BELLY SANDWICH on Drake!! Then they DOUBLE DIVE while Shiloh uses the steps to DIVE into the ring!! All of Vanity Project is down! Then Shiloh gives Drake the BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Cover, Shiloh & Hank ‘n’ Tank win!!

Winners: Shiloh Hill, Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall

The denim clad lads just said swipe LEFT to the Vanity Project, and now they’re on a roll! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank get the next crack at the NXT Tag Team Championships now? Will this really hamper Drake’s chances against Cappuccino Jones tomorrow night?

Blake Monroe is back?

The Glamour sulks right on top of the commentary desk as she says, “You did it, Jaida. Congratulations. I guess you got what you wanted. You truly did bring the HELL out of me! This ends at Vengeance Day! IN A STREET FIGHT!!” The Woman From Hell has spoken, but Miss Parker storms her way right back out! They both hit the ring and brawl! Hank ‘n’ Tank get in there to stop these two, but Jaida says if you want it, you got it!! As if Vengeance Day wasn’t going to be violent enough, these two are about to turn it up a notch! Will either woman survive sharing such sadistic spotlight?

Something just happened backstage!

Cutler James is helping Osiris Griffin sit up, and both Saquon Shugars & Dion Lennox rush in! They both ask what happened but Big O says it’s obvious! This was Tony D! Stone is there, he wants everyone to calm down, but Shugars says no, Stone ran out of time on that! They’re handling this TONIGHT! Dion says they should’ve done this in the parking lot! Dion tells the boys to stay right here, he’ll call Tony out! Dion storms off to gorilla, will he and Tony have it out once and for all?

Lola Vice checks in with the doctors.

Per the x-rays, she has an oblique fracture in the firth metacarpal, aka the small bone on the outside of her hand. The fragments are not displaced, but it is still an injury they should take very seriously. The best advice is she take time off and they can set the fracture. But if she insists, there is a risk this gets worse, taking her out of action for roughly six months. Even worse, it could lead to deformity and/or loss of function. Lola thinks for a moment, and says sorry, she can’t be out that long. She’s the most reliable woman in the WWE, there are a lot of opportunities coming up. Once she’s done with Kelani, she wants after a title, she NEEDS to be on Stand & Deliver!

Please, doc, she promises she won’t hurt her hand again. She even signed all the paperwork clearing NXT and the doctors of liability. The Underground is her world, and she’ll shut Lani up for good. The doctor says win or lose, she should come back to see him again. Lola promises she will. Lola is taking quite the gamble, but will it pay off? Or will the Standout make Lola sit on the sidelines?

Dion Lennox is in the ring.

“Tony, let’s get straight to it! You trying to box with DarkState, bring your ass out here then!” The music plays, but Tony is already in the crowd. He calls to Dion, and asks him, “How’s it feel, Dion? The hunter has become the hunted. I know the feeling. Cuz you’re the one that caused the downfall of my life last year. You had to take out one of the most powerful men in NXT. Congratulations. You may have killed that man, but I’ve come back a different, more dangerous man. And I told you exactly what I was gonna do. I took you out one by one. And now it’s time for me to take those dreams of yours, those dreams of being on top, something you always talked about… and kill it.”

Saturday is Vengeance Day. How poetic. That is the day Tony cashes in his final promise of destroying DarkState by taking Dion out. Dion says after what Tony’s done, tossing his brothers and taking their gold, taking Osiris down and trying to injury Dion, Dion’s fighting for four on Saturday! This Tony sized speedbump in Dion’s way is gonna get run right over! Then there ain’t gonna be a damn thing stopping him from NXT Champion! The main event of Stand & Deliver has HIS name on it! The DarkState takeover of NXT is far from over. Dion says on Saturday, Tony be ready the moment he steps on this property, because Dion will be waiting in the parking lot! IT’S ON SIGHT!

Tony steps forward, Dion says it’s cool, he’ll get what’s coming. Tony tells Dion he’ll be ready. Ready to whoop Dion’s ass in the parking lot, then drag his ass into that ring and beat Dion in front of everyone! The fans cheer that as Tony says one of the two reasons he’s back will finally be completed. Tony and Dion are ready to fight to survive, but who will make it through Vengeance Day?

Backstage interview with The Fatal Influence.

Sarah Schreiber is now with Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid. Sarah says Jacy escaped what would’ve arguably been her toughest challenge against Sol Ruca. But now, Jacy will defend her title against someone who might be an even bigger threat in Zaria. Jacy says the only thing she’s trying to escape is being caught in the middle of the pitiful ZaRuca break-up. Have you even seen Sol here tonight? She’s probably lingering somewhere. There’s no way Sol is gonna let Zaria get this match after what she pulled last week. Now, for argument’s sake, let’s just say Sol doesn’t want revenge on her former bestie. Lainey & Fallon understand the assignment.

And once Jacy is past Zaria, it is smooth sailing to Stand & Deliver in St. Louis, where Jacy will await her next opponent. And that’s the champ’s cue. Jacy heads to gorilla to make her entrance, but which way will it go? Will Sol ruin this night for Zaria as payback? Or will Sol choose to let it all play out first?

Myles talks with Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights.

Myles tells his former NQCC teammates that he wants to thank them for their help. That time in No Quarter Catch Crew really did prepare him for this moment. Tavion says c’mon, now! Myles did that himself, they’re proud of him. They all shake hands, then Myles heads out again. Charlie says look at him go. Myles is champion while they’re… spinning their wheels. Tavion says damn, Charlie! Don’t kill the vibe! They’re supposed to be happy for Myles! But then Birthright walks in. Lexis King says no need to reminisce about the past when the future is staring right at you. But the clock’s ticking.

Uriah Connors brings up what he did to Kale Dixon. He dropped that deadweight and embraced his birthright. Charlie just has to do the same. Tavion says he knows Charlie is NOT considering joining the clowns! Stacks gets heated but Arianna Grace has him calm down. First of all, Tavion, she is TNA Knockouts Champion now, while Charlie’s friends are all moved on. Maybe he should do the same? Just think about it. Tick-tock. Oh, like Tavion isn’t standing right here. Tavion again says there’s no way Charlie is considering this. Like he’d ever take advice from Lexis King! But is that true? Is Charlie going to stay on his own path? Or will he embrace his own birthright?

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

NXT returns as Zaria makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if NXT is still under the Influence!

Jacy mockingly asks where Sol is, but maybe Zaria’s wondering that, too. The bell rings, Lainey taunts Zaria and Jacy fires cheap shots! Jacy stomps Zaria in the corner, the ref counts, but Jacy stops at 4. Jacy fires haymakers but Zaria SHOVES Jacy! And then guzels! Jacy pleads with Zaria but Zaria TOSSES her to the corner! Zaria RAMS into Jacy again and again, but the ref backs her off. Zaria runs back in, but into a BOOT! Zaria tries again but Jacy ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Zaria stumbles to a corner, Jacy runs up, but Zaria catches her! Jacy panics again, but she manages to victory roll! TOW, and Zaria is up!

Jacy dodges Zaria again, comes back, but Zarya stops the rana this time! Zaria swings Jacy up but Jacy fires hands. Jacy pops free of the bomb, but the BOOT takes her down! Zaria DRIBBLES Jacy off the mat! Zaria THROWS Jacy down, the fans rally up, but Fatal Influence is worried. Zaria drags Jacy up to snap suplex! Then she rolls through, drags Jacy back up, and deadlifts for the BIG suplex! The fans cheer Zaria as she then runs up on Jacy, but Jacy dodges! Zaria stops short of hitting buckles, and she reels Jacy in for a HANGING SLEEPER! Jacy flails, kicks her way to the apron, and slips free. But Zaria FLYING LARIATS!

Jacy falls to the floor, Zaria storms out after her, and Lainey worries again. HANGING SLEEPER! The ref counts, Zaria DROPS Jacy, then flexes. The fans cheer, and Zaria hops down. Fallon barks at her but Zaria scares her off. Zaria runs up on Jacy, but Lainey YANKS Jacy to safety! Zaria crashes into the steel steps! Jacy hurries and CANNONBALLS into Zaria! The fans boo as Fatal Influence pulls the same old tricks, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again as Zaria fights up out of a SLEEPER! Zaria RAMS Jacy into buckles but Jacy holds on! Zaria RAMS Jacy in again and is free! But Jacy BOOTS her away! Jacy goes up, up, but Zaria SMACKS her first! The fans cheer while Jacy wobbles up top. Zaria climbs up after Jacy, brings her up, but Jacy fights with body shots! Zaria fights shots in return, then hits the SUPERPLEX! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The fans cheer “This is Awesome!” “Women’s Wrestling!” as Zaria slowly rises. Jacy goes to ropes, Zaria ROCKS her! Jacy ROCKS Zaria, Zaria ROCKS Jacy, repeat! The shots go back and forth, but Jacy mule kicks!

Zaria fires a flurry on Jacy, then winds up to HEADBUTT! Jacy goes to a corner, Zaria runs in, and Zaria ELBOWS Jacy! Zaria whips corner to corner, runs in and ELBOWS again! Then another whip, Jacy staggers, into the OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up for the LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Jacy survives and The Fatal Influence is relieved. They fan Jacy off but Zaria runs up. Jacy ELBOWS Zaria, goes up, up, and DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Jacy talks trash, then goes corner to corner, but Zaria BOOTS her down! Zaria drags Jacy up for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Jacy flounders but Zaria has her again, GERMAN SUPLEX!

The fans fire up as Zaria runs in, but Jacy KNEES her down!! Cover, TWO!! Zaria survives and Jacy cannot believe it! The fans rally again as Jacy crawls away. Jacy says no one will ever take her title! This is HER division! Jacy runs up and ROLLING- NO, Zaria dodges to SPEAR!! Then she hauls Jacy up, fireman’s carry, but Jacy slips free! ROLLING ENCORE!! Both women are down and the fans fire up! But wait, NOW Sol shows up! She CLOBBERS Lainey, SUPERKICKS Fallon, and she slips into the ring! DOUBLE SOL SNATCHER!!

Double Disqualification; Jacy Jayne retains the title

The fans are going nuts as Sol snatches both her former friend and the champion! Sol says Zaria’s soul is now HERS, b*tch! And yeah, she’s still coming for the gold, Jacy! But then Lainey runs up! Sol CLOBBERS her with the belt! The fans cheer Sol as she holds up the NXT Women’s Championship. Will nothing stop her wave of momentum from finally making her THE woman around here?

Backstage interview with Robert Stone.

Sarah is now with the NXT General Manager and says on back to back weeks, the NXT Women’s Championship match has ended with less than desirable outcomes. With Vengeance Day just days away, then Stand & Deliver a month after that, how- Stone apologizes for cutting her off, but he sees where this is all going. He is with her on this, but he wants to thank the fans for the Stand & Deliver presale buys, and tickets officially go on sale tomorrow. That’s great, but about the title…? Yes, he knows, the NXT Women’s Division is the absolute best in the world. But the past two weeks, it hasn’t quite lived up to the hype.

He needs some time to figure this out, but Stone promises that by Vengeance Day, he will have his decision. Sarah thanks him for that, and sends it back to ringside.

Ricky Saints makes his way to the ring!

The fans are torn as Saints hits his pose, then continues down the ramp. Saints steps into the ring, where a guitar, stool, and mic wait for him. Saints smiles as he goes to his set-up, and he says, “Wow. Thank you, guys. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, hosted by a once-in-a-lifetime performer, me!” The fans boo but Saints says he is a critically acclaimed actor! In case no one saw, he was on Wild Cards recently, the CW Network loves him! And he just thought, “Wow, Ricky, you’re a musician, you’re a great actor, you’re a great wrestler, you are a true thespian!”

And since he knows each and every one of the fans loves a good Joe Hendry concert, Saints decided to do us one better. With Vengeance Day just days away, and Saints becoming a TWO-TIME NXT Champion an inevitability, he wanted to give each and every one of us this special treat as a token of his appreciation. So let us get the Absolute Experience on the road. He picks up his guitar while the fans boo, and Saints has production hit the spotlight. The lights dazzle around Saints and he picks up the guitar pick. Saints strums a rather sour chord as he “sings,” “I can’t relate~, to desperation~. My…”

Oh, hold on, hold on, there are a lot of songs Saints has written, he’s fine. Okay, okay, here we go for real. “Make Joe Hendry disappear! I believe in Ricky~! Hey, sing it with me!” The fans boo instead. “I believe in Ricky~! That’s great, right? That’s who we love! We put the picture on the titantron, we make fun of our opponents. You like it, I love it, baby!” The fans chant for “JOE HENDRY! JOE HENDRY!” Saints gets a zoom-in and says no more games. Let him get comfortable. Hey, one of these jabronis bring him a real chair! He can’t get into a flow state sitting on this. Saints apologizes to the fans, they deserve better than this. Well, he said it…

A ring crew member brings a chair and sets it in place for Saints. Saints thanks them and adjusts his mic. Saints clears his throat, then starts again. “He has no fashion, no style, makes my eyes hurt, whenever I see him wearing that ugly shirt! That’s why I believe in Ricky~! WE believe in Ricky~!” The fans boo more but he thanks them. He isn’t sure if they got that, he rhymed “hurt” with “shirt.” That came to him last night in a dream and he felt he had to use that. Now, there’s more, so let’s go. But then Saints doesn’t like this. The jabroni needs to fix his mic. The vibe ain’t right. The ring crew checks the mic, it’s working, and Saints thanks him again.

Saints isn’t sure if the fans smell something tangy in the air, but uh, that’s them, the fans stink. Please wear deodorant. Okay, here goes. “The blond hair, his beard, it does not go! He looks like the guy from that cooking show! Don’t believe in Joe Hendry! Because he looks like Guy Fieri! That’s the joke, they look alike!” Saints keeps going, but then he doesn’t like the guitar. Saints needs a new guitar now. The ring crew member comes back in, takes that guitar away and Saints again apologizes. It will be a special day on Saturday, and- Okay, you can let the guitar go now. The ring crew member YANKS Saints up, and it’s JOE HENDRY!

The fans cheer as Hendry kicks Saints low, and gives him a SMASH HIT on the back! Saints writhes, Hendry clears the ring, and the fans chant, “WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!” Then a STANDING- NO, The Vanity Project runs in! Hendry fights them 3v1! The fans boo as Saints joins in for 4v1! But then MYLES rushes out here! Myles CLOBBERS Smokes, CLOBBERS Brad, CLOBBERS Drake, and he even CLOBBERS Saints! The fans cheer as Myles then DROPKICKS Drake! Hendry scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM into Swipe Right! The champs then DOUBLE LARIAT Swipe Right outta the ring! The fans cheer as Hendry then TOSSES Saints out onto them all!

The fans cheer as Hendry & Myles stand tall, champions both! But will we all still believe in Joe Hendry after Saturday? Or will Saints have a reason to celebrate on Vengeance Day?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT, especially as the go-home to Vengeance Day. Them getting Myles’ first defense in with that “impromptu” opener, with both Myles and Ethan wearing suits, very clever stuff. Myles winning with the same cheat Ethan tried is great, as well as Ethan being in a funk afterward. Good promo from Myles with Joe Hendry, and with the former NQCC. That was also a good segue into a promo with Birthright, and it’s really hard to tell if Charlie will join up or not. I still think Charlie should, just so he’s doing something. Though, I suppose he could feud with Birthright, with Tavion as his teammate again.

Ricky Saints’ Absolute Experience being awful was obviously on purpose, to which, Saints did a great job being a bad singer and guitar player. Joe Hendry of course jumped him during, but then Vanity Project of course came to save Saints. Myles helping run VP off was good stuff, but now the go-home math would indicate Saints wins at Vengeance Day. I suppose that’s not the worst thing, as Hendry can have his rematch at Stand & Deliver. Meanwhile, Myles could defend his North American title against Jackson Drake, assuming Jackson Drake loses his Evolve Championship on Succession 2. And Drake really should, he’s already had it for a full year and it’s time to move on.

Great Six Man Tag from Vanity Project VS Shiloh, Hank ‘n’ Tank, and that triple dive spot was awesome stuff. Great win for Shiloh to get back up, and while Shiloh VS Drake 1v1 can help build someone up for the North American title, it’s given that Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Swipe Right can be made, maybe even for Stand & Deliver. Great Speed match from Wren VS Lyons, and I’m a little surprised Wren won. I thought Lyons won with that heel kick but she didn’t even go for the cover right away, so that was a bit of a tell. That and maybe Lyons still needs time on Evolve to get her timing of spots right. Either way, Thea VS Wren will be a lot of fun, and either makes a great challenger for Fallon.

Very good promo from Lani with Shayna Baszler to give Lani some last minute MMA training. Lola had a good promo with the NXT doctor about her hand, and clearly with them bringing up the dramatic nature of her bad hand, that will come into play during the match. I would hope Lola wins the Underground match, but I wonder if it’ll be a pyrrhic victory where she hurts her hand and has to miss time. That wouldn’t be much better, either, she would then miss Stand & Deliver. Great promos from Blake and Jaida to call each other out, brawl it out, then escalate to a Street Fight for Vengeance Day. As I said before, the winner of that match should really go right to a title.

And that title will likely be the Women’s North American Championship. Izzi and Tatum had a very good promo to hype up their match, and while Tatum got Izzi all angry, I would hope Tatum still wins out. But because of classic Face VS Heel rules, if Tatum wins, Blake would be the Heel challenging her. If Izzi wins, Jaida would be the Face challenging her. One match will likely inform the other as far as I can tell, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Good stuff with DarkState and Tony D, and naturally it will be Tony VS Dion. I would think Tony wins so he can finally go after the NXT Championship, but perhaps that is again something informed by the Hendry VS Saints match.

The NXT Women’s Championship match went the right way tonight, in that it actually got to be a match. I was personally hoping Sol would wait until Zaria won to then go after Zaria and make this about the two of them for Stand & Deliver. However, Sol going after both Zaria and Jacy is good, too. Pretty sure Stone is going to give us a Triple Threat for Stand & Deliver, though. Jacy can lose the title without really being hurt, and she can either go for a different title or she can go on to main roster. The only problem would be choosing between Sol and Zaria, they’re both great and both worthy of the top title going into the next phase of NXT.

My Score: 8.8/10