The tables have turned!

Wren Sinclair retained her title, and now she challenges Zaria for her NXT Women’s North American Championship! Will we see a double champion crowned?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Mixed Tag: Lizzy Rain & Shawn Spears EK Prosper VS Izzi Dame & Niko Vance; Lizzy & EK win.
• Dion Lennox w/ DarkState VS Saquon Shugars; Dion wins.
• NXT Women’s North American Championship: ZARIA VS Wren Sinclair; Zaria wins and retains the title.
• Mason Rook VS Kam Hendrix; Kam wins.
• Lucien Price VS Lexis King w/ BirthRight; Price wins.
• NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Grayson Waller VS Cruz Montana; No Contest.

PLAY BY PLAY

Lizzy Rain is at gorilla.

And she’s pacing nervously, because Shawn Spears hasn’t shown up. But then Izzi Dame & Niko Vance walk in and they say they told her Spears would do this. Lizzy says then she’ll just go it alone. But are we sure The Culling didn’t have something to do with The Chair Man’s absence?

Mixed Tag: Lizzy Rain & Shawn Spears VS Izzi Dame & Niko Vance!

Lizzy rushes Izzi and fires off forearms and chops! Lizzy whips, Izzi reverses, and Izzi ELBOWS Lizzy down! Now the bell rings, and Lizzy SHOTGUNS Izzi! Lizzy brings Izzi up, but Izzi stops the suplex to wrench and BOOT! Izzi runs up and RAMS Lizzy in the corner! Izzi RAMS into Lizzy again and again! The fans boo but Izzi YANKS Lizzy from the corner! Lizzy crash lands, Izzi covers, TWO! The fans chant, “Who’s Your Partner?” Lizzy ROCKS Izzi, Izzi ROCKS Lizzy, repeat! The shots go back and forth, but then Lizzy dodges a boot to ROCK Izzi! Lizzy springboards and BACK ELBOWS! The fans fire up as Izzi flounders away, but then she smirks.

Izzi tags Niko! But there’s no male partner on Lizzy’s side! The Culling corners Lizzy, but EK PROSPER is here! The fans cheer but Niko slides out to intercept! EK dodges, then goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Niko and the fans fire up! The Disrespectfully Athletic puts Niko in, and he springboards to CROSSBODY! But Niko rolls through, pops EK up, but EK slips free! EK CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then JABS away in the corner! EK whips. Niko reverses, but EKO goes up and over! EK comes back to DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! EK keeps on Niko with a whip but Niko reverses. Niko gets under the Quebrada, but not the BOOT!

Niko rebounds to DISCUS HEADBUTT! Niko then hauls EK up to suplex, but EK lands out! Lizzy tags in, EK rolls over Niko’s back and DROPKICKS! Lizzy runs in, Izzi scoops her, but Lizzy slips free. Izzi kicks and KNEES but Lizzy ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up as Lizzy & EK get a taste, and they “MAKE IT RAIN!” with the CHOPS! The Culling shoves back, but then EK & Lizzy dodge! They both kick, and they both TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up for Lizzy & EK, and EK DIVES onto Niko! Lizzy runs, but Izzi blocks the wrecking ball dropkick! Lizzy kicks free, Lizzy PEANLTY- NO, Izzi blocks to THROW Lizzy down!

Izzi reels Lizzy in, lifts her up, but Lizzy RAN- NO! Izzi blocks and SWINGS Lizzy into the steel steps! The fans boo but Izzi says rock that, and NXT goes picture in picture.

The Culling soaks up the heat while Izzi puts Lizzy in the ring. Izzi runs in at the corner and RAMS Lizzy! And RAMS and RAMS again! Then she short arm LARIATS! Izzi drags Lizzy up, but Lizzy ROCKS Izzi! Izzi scoops, Lizzy slips free and O’Conner Rolls! TWO and Izzi rolls Lizzy, TWO! Lizzy RAMS Izzi low, then RAMS her again! But Izzi keeps Lizzy from her corner! Lizzy ENZIGIRIS, hot tag to EK! EK LARIATS Niko again and again, then dodges to run and BLOCKBUSTER! EK fires up, runs and QUEBRADAS! Cover, TWO! Niko survives but EK goes to the corner. EK goes up, up, but Izzi distracts! The ref reprimands, but Niko runs up!

EK mule kicks Niko away, then CROSSBODIES, but Niko catches him! SWING OUT DDT! Niko fires up, and he stomps away on EK. EK goes to a corner, Niko soaks up heat, and Niko brings EK up. EK fires body shots but Niko KNEES low. Niko then whips corner to corner hard! EK falls, Niko covers, TWO! Niko looms over EK, drags him up, and KNEES him down. Niko scowls, talks trash on Lizzy, then goes back to EK. NXT returns to single picture as Niko stomps away on EK. Niko drags EK up, CLUBS him, and stalks him. Niko whips, but EK CLOBBERS him in return! Hot tag to Lizzy! Izzi runs up but Lizzy LARIATS first!

Lizzy bobs ‘n’ weaves, Izzi ducks one kick but not the ROUNDHOUSE! Then a PUMP HANDLE PLEX! The fans fire up with Lizzy, she runs up on Izzi, but into a KNEE! Izzi goes up, but Lizzy RISING HEADBUTTS! Lizzy climbs up, up, and SUPER STEINERS! The fans fire up for Lizzy and she DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS! Cover, but Niko breaks it! The fans boo, but EK spins Niko around to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up, but then Izzi LARIATS Lizzy! Niko kicks, EK blocks, and EK HEEL KICKS! But Izzi hits EK with the ROLLING CRUCIFIX! Tag to Niko and he goes up! DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!! EK survives and the fans fire up!

Niko drags EK up, suplexes, but EK hits that STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! EK crawls, but Niko throws him to the corner. EK BOOTS back, goes up, and SWANTON CANNONBALLS! Tag to Lizzy, she runs up on Niko, but he pops her up for Izzi’s POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Lizzy survives and shocks everyone! “This is Awesome!” but Izzi runs. Lizzy ROCKS Izzi, but Niko sneaks a tag! Lizzy runs, Izzi ROCKS her! Izzi runs, ELBOWS Lizzy, BACK2BACKBREAKER! CUTTER from Lizzy! EK and Niko get in, EK SUPERKICKS Niko! Then he hurdles Izzi, HEADBANGA from Lizzy! Then THUNDERSTRUCK on Niko! EK with the SHINING WIZARD!

The fans fire up as EK goes up, up, PROSPER SAULT!! Cover, EK & Lizzy win!

Winners: Lizzy Rain & EK Prosper, by pinfall

Whatever kept Spears out from tonight, maybe it was for the best, because Lizzy & EK came out on top! Will The Culling have to give this up? Or will Izzi not stop until It Iz What It Iz?

NXT shares footage from after last week.

Myels Borne & Tavion Heights returned to the locker room the conquering heroes, congratulated by the stars of NXT and Evolve. Tavion says finally, he can call himself a champion here in NXT! Along with his dawg, the double champ, Myles Borne! Lucien Price says Myles a real one for sticking his neck out for Tavion. Bronco Nima says loyalty like that is worth way more than any one of the titles. But hey, double champ, congrats, you both deserve it. Sean Legacy tells Dorian Van Dux that he knows what DVD is thinking. These new champs need new challengers! Tavion says yeah, okay. They’ve all got that same hunger.

And honestly, the entire NXT Men’s Tag Division is underrated! Look at all these dogs here! And they’ll be fighting champions to show the world what this division’s got to offer! Myles likes Tavion being amped up. Tavion says he ain’t coming down, neither! Any place, any time, any body! Fighting champions ain’t turning no challenge down. Romeo Moreno says right here and now! Noam Dar has him calm down, and says this is the champs’ night, let them celebrate. But Myles says yeah, let’s go clean up and celebrate. But with Myles & Tavion now leading the way, will the NXT Tag Division finally get back in the spotlight?

Kendal Grey is checked by medical.

Between the wooziness and the blood, Kendal’s ear still needs to be bandaged up for another week. The NXT Women’s Champion heads from here to gorilla, what will she have to say to the fans? We’ll find out, after the break.

Backstage interview with Lizzy Rain & EK Prosper.

Emily Agard is with the makeshift though victorious team and congratulates them on that win. But what made EK want to step in tonight? EK says the Men’s Division has to step up, and that’s what he’s doing! And how is Lizzy feeling after the win? But before she can say anything, Kali Armstrong snatches the mic! She says that’s enough of that, now follow her. She’s the Difference Maker, she ain’t waiting for nobody! Kali then steps out to the ring and tells the fans she’s got something to say! Kendal Grey is gonna come out here, but Kali don’t care about none of that. Because now that Kendal’s done with Lola, Kali wants her shot!

But instead of Kendal, Kelani Jordan makes her way out here! And Lani says no, no, no, no, no! Absolutely not! This is not happening again. Kali, Lani doesn’t care what you’re gonna say cuz Lani knows what it is! Kali will say she deserves a chance to go against Kendal for the title. But based on what? Kali, Lani doesn’t know if you have amnesia or they need to review the tapes, but Lani pinned Kali in the Triple Threat, whether the ref saw it or not. Now, Kali don’t gotta go to the back of the line, but she damn sure better get behind Lani. Because Lani is the one and only woman next in line for the NXT Women’s Championship, cuz she’s never, ever, ever-

Kendal interrupts with her entrance! Wren Sinclair accompanies Kendal, and they go to the ring, a contract folder in Kendal’s hand. Kendal sighs and says Lani, Lasni, Lani… You’ve been saying the same thing over and over and over for months now! To be honest, they’re sick and tired of hearing the complaints. Lani says well, everything she’s been saying has been true. No, what’s true is that when Lani was in the Underground, she got her asked knocked out. But then Kendal beat the Queen of the Underground and kept her title! But she knew Lani would come out here saying the same crap, so here. Kendal got Mr. Stone to draft this up, and it’s just what Lani wants.

Kendal hands over the title match contract. No #1 contender, no tournament, just Kendal and Lani 1v1 to finally see who the best woman is. Pick a time and a place. Wren says wait, the doc just said, Kendal isn’t 100%. Kendal knows, but this isn’t the time to step on the brakes, it is time to step on the gas. Kali says oh, all gas, no brakes? How about when Kali gets her shot? It’ll be after Lani, how about that? Lani says you heard her! After Lani gets hers. And so, since Lani gets to choose… Well, Kendal’s not cleared this week, maybe they do it next week? But then again. Lani won’t waste her first-ever NXT Women’s Championship match in front of these ungrateful Orlando fans!

Let’s do it at NXT’s biggest show of the summer: Heatwave! Kendal says that’s great for her, too! Lani signs on the dotted line, and Kendal says Lani’s gonna find out that she can’t just keep up. Kali says HELL NAH! She came here for her shot! Wren says did Kali not say after Lani? Kali gets mad, takes a swing, Wren ducks and the shot DECKS Kendal! So Wren fires off on Kali AND Lani! They hit back and mug Wren! The fans boo but Kali and Lani stand tall over the WrenQCC. Will The Standout stand tall in Houston? Will the Difference Maker be ready to run the winner over on the other side?

Robert Stone talks with Cruz Montana backstage.

Cruz thanks the NXT GM for making this match with Grayson Waller happen tonight. Waller will finally eat his words, and Cruz will get his shot at the NXT Championship. But then Keanu Carver storms in and says he can’t believe two new guys just walk in and get their opportunity! Keanu, please, not now. Cruz stares Keanu down, and asks what’s good. Keanu says good luck tonight then. Keanu heads out, Cruz asks what’s up with that, and Stone says he doesn’t know. Stone checks with Keanu why he’s acting like this. Keanu says all he did was wish Cruz luck. Stone doesn’t buy that but Keanu says he’s just figuring things out. He had a pretty smooth match with EK last week, right?

Stone says yes, that was impressive. Keanu says he’s got more coming, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Just what is going on with the One Man Demolition Crew? Will he maintain this strange calm? Or will he simply snap and go back to his old ways?

Dion Lennox w/ DarkState VS Saquon Shugars!

The Six Man Tag did nothing to squash the beef, so now Dion and Saquon are going to settle it 1v1. But will this be the end of it? Or will someone escalate things to a whole new level?

NXT returns as Saquon makes his entrance, Dion and DarkState already waiting in the ring. Dion runs up but Sqquon goes up, over, and the bell rings! Saquon kicks and ENZIGIRIS, then covers, TWO! Saquon stays on Dion with a rain of fists but Dion pushes him away. Dion kicks, Saquon blocks, but then Dion BOOTS Saquon into the corner! Saquon BOOTS back, then fires CHOPS! Dion blocks one, waistlocks, but Saquon switches. Dion stops the O’Conner but Saquon sunset flips it, with feet on the ropes! DarkState protests but TWO as Dion gets out! Saquon shrugs, then lifts Dion for a BACKBREAKER and FLATLINER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer Saquon on as he goes for a corner, but Dion anchors a foot. Saquon stomps Dion, DROPKICKS him out, but Osiris & Cutler coach Dion up. Saquon runs up, bounce once, then DROPKICK! The fans cheer but Dion hurries back in. Dion lifts, Saquon sunset flips again, but Dion rolls through. Saquon ducks the haymaker but not the ELBOW! Dion whips, but Saquon feint steps to KICK! Dion clutches his face, but then Cutler trips Saquon up! The fans boo as the ref misses it, and Dion throws Saquon into ropes! Saquon sputters, Dion BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Saquon survives and the fans rally up.

Dion clamps onto Saquon with a chinlock and he leans on the hold. The fans rally up as Saquon endures, and Saquon fights to his feet. Dion body shots, forearms, and UPPERCUTS Saquon down. Saquon flounders, but Dion is on him with a whip. Dion runs up, RAMS Saquon, then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Saquon survives but Dion snarls as he clamps back on. The fans rally as Saquon fights up, but Dion wrangles him back down. Dion grinds Saquon down, but the fans rally up as Saquon still fights. Saquon claws at the hold, fights up, and pries the hold open. Dion KNEES low, then THROWS Saquon to the corner.

Dion runs up, but Saquon manages to hurdle over! Dion POSTS himself! The fans rally as Saquon runs back up and ELBOWS! And LARIATS! Saquon whips Dion to kitchen sink KNEE! The fans fire up as Saquon runs up< LARIAT on the ropes as Saquon slides out! The fans cheer, then Saquon goes back up. Saquyon slingshots, Dion dodges, but then Saquon dodges in return! TRIANGLE JUMP CROSSBODY! Down goes Dion on the apron and the fans fire up again! Saquon puts Dion in the ring, but he sees Cutler & Osiris storming up. So Saquon gets the bat! The fans cheer as Saquon backs Cutler & Osiris off, but Dion takes the bat!

Dion takes a swing, Saquon duck sit to DECK Dion! But as the ref takes the bat, Cutler & Osiris YANK Saquon down and THROW him over the desk! Vic & Booker have to watch out, and then DarkState feeds Saquon to Dion for the EMERALD FLOWSION! Cover, Dion wins!

Winner: Dion Lennox, by pinfall

And then DarkState pounces! They mug Saquon, and serve him up to the DARKSTATEBOMB!! The fans boo, but will DarkState move on to take everything that they want?

Robert Stone is on the phone with Rey Mysterio.

The NXT GM says what’s up to the AAA GM, and Rey says good, how’s he? Stone says he’s very good. Rey says that with Roman Reigns preparing to defending his World Heavyweight Championship in Mexico City, he wants to connect and find out what’s next for NXT and AAA. Stone appreciates that, and he got the texts, he thinks it is a fantastic idea for Rey Fenix to spend a couple weeks in NXT to defend his AAA Cruiserweight Championship. Next week, Fatal 4 Way to determine a contender! Rey says that’s fire. And to be honest, the first guy he nominates for that Fatal 4 Way is EK Prosper. That kid has something special, especially after tonight.

Stone says he couldn’t agree more. EK had his chance at the Latin American title taken from him, so this is great. Who is Rey sending from AAA? Oh, no denying that La Parka. La Parka has so much history, he’s a charisma magnet. Stone says yeah, he loves La Parka. So then, that’s set in stone. Rey says he’s gotta get going, got some items to attend to, but he really trusts Stone in choosing the final two competitors. Have a good week! Stone says same to Rey, he appreciates the call. Who else will make the cut and get their chance at Rey Fenix’s gold?

Saquon Shugars is in medical.

Saquon doesn’t want the doc fussing with him, and then Grayson Waller steps in. Waller says he thought better of Saquon. He said the whole roster just runs to their phones, makes jokes. Does Saquon feel good about that? DarkState just ran over him! Stop feeling sorry for yourself and go do something about it! Waller storms off, and Saquon snarls. He does just what Waller said, and he grabs his bat, and even a chair! Is the Sugar Man gonna have his sweet revenge one way or another?

NXT Women’s North American Championship: ZARIA VS Wren Sinclair!

Speaking of title opportunities, the time ran out on the Women’s Speed Championship match last week, keeping the Agent of Change from following in Sol Ruca’s wake. But will Zaria hold onto her own gold tonight? Or will Wren bring another title home to the #WrenQCC?

NXT returns as Wren makes her entrance, still sore from that brawl with Lani and Kali. The introductions are made, Zaria’s belt is raised, and we see if this one has a definitive finish!

The bell rings and Zaria runs up! Wren dodges, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Wren waistlocks to bridging cover, TWO! Zaria blocks the whip, then RAMS the shoulder. Zaria hammerlocks and RAMS Wren into a corner! Then another hammerlock to THROW her into another corner! Wren hobbles and falls, but Zaria stalks her. Zaria whips Wren to another corner, runs up, and BACK ELBOWS! Then ROLLING ELBOWS! Zaria runs corner to corner to BOOT WASH! Zaria brings Wren in and covers, TWO! Zaria keeps on Wren as she HIP DROPS the bad arm! The fans boo but Zaria clamps onto the arm, and HIP DROPS again!

Zaria drags Wren up, steps over, but Wren rolls Zaria up! TWO, and both women stand. Wren SOBATS at the ropes, RUNS Zaria over, then basement BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Wren underhooks but Zaria THRWOS her away! Wren lands out, but Zaria BOOTS her down! Cover, TWO! Wren is tougher than that, but Zaria drags her up. Zaria hammerlocks, but Wren reverses to send Zaria into buckles. Wren runs back up, but Zaria BOOTS her! Zaria hammerlocks the arm and RAMS Wren into the corner again! Zaria then goes up the corner and she has the HANGING SLEEPER! The fans boo but Wren slips up and out!

Wren UPPERCUTS, but Zaria grabs Wren by her hair! Zaria drags Wren back up, but Wren ELBOWS free! And then she HOTSHOTS Zaria! Zaria falls to the apron then the floor! Wren hurries to DAREDEVIL DROPKICK! The fans cheer Wren on, and Wren manages to hit the WrenQCC pose while NXT goes picture in picture.

Wren shakes out the bad arm, drags Zaria into the ring, then hurries in after her. Zaria swings but Wren counter punches! Wren then tilt-o-whirls for an IRON OCTOPUS! Zaria powers out, whips Wren away, but Wren stops the hip toss to slip around! Zaria fights the backslide to spin Wren and ROCK her. Zaria then WRINGS the bad arm out! Wren writhes but Zaria is right back on her. Zaria KNEE DROPS on the arm again and again, then ELBOW DROPS the arm! Wren crawls away to the ropes, but Zaria storms over. Zaria drags Wren up, hammerlocks the arm, and RAMS it into the corner again! Zaria wraps the bad arm around ropes, but the ref counts.

Zaria CLUBS the bad arm, then runs side to side to BOOT it! Wren scrambles away, falls and flounders, but Zaria stays after her. Zaria stands Wren up, but Wren fires body shots. Zaria blocks a shot to WRING Wren, but Wren rolls through to roll Zaria up! TWO, and Zaria runs up! Wren TOSSES Zaria to the apron! But Zaria HOTSHOTS Wren’s arm! Zaria hurries in, RAMS the shoulder, then RAMS again! And again! Zaria drags Wren to a cover, TWO! Wren toughs it out but Zaria drags her into an armlock. Zaria grinds the arm but Wren still endures. Zaria adds a chinbar, but Wren fights against the hold, only for Zaria to YANK the bad arm!

Zaria drops back into a short arm scissor! Wren fights, manages to stack Zaria, TWO! Zaria is right back on the arm with a mounted armlock. Wren fights up, fires body shots, but Zaria KNEES low! NXT returns to single picture as Zaria whips Wren, but Wren ducks ‘n’ dodges. Wren then sunset flips, but Zaria YANKS Wren up to THROW her down! The fans are torn as Zaria looms over Wren. Zaria drags Wren up, kicks her, and she talks trash. Wren huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up. Wren blocks a shot, TACKLES Wren, and rains down fists! The fans fire up but Zaria kicks free. Wren CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then DOUBLE CHOPS!

The fans fire up, but Zaria SHOVES Wren! Zaria runs up, Wren BOOTS her, then goes up the corner! Wren leaps, CROSSBODY! Wren hurries to keep moving, and she LARIATS! And ELBOWS! Wren kicks and underhooks, BUTTERFLY PLEX! Wren runs up, but Zaria JUMP KNEES! Wren comes back, but Zaria CLUBS her! And CLUBS her! And HEADBUTTS to the back of the head! Then a GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Zaria runs in, but Wren hops up! Sunset flip, TWO! Zaria escapes, and she DISCUS LARIATS! Then Zaria fireman’s carries, but Wren slips through to a takedown! And then the chicken wings!

Zaria fights up, goes to ropes, and she HOTSHOTS Wren! Zaria SPEARS Wren down! But Zaria can’t make the cover! Wait, whoa, Saquon is chasing Dion onto the stage! Saquon CRACKS Dion with his bat! Refs try to stop Saquon, Dion hits back! The brawl goes to ringside, and then into the ring! Dion runs up, Saquon dodges, and he CROSSBODIES Dion and himself outta the ring! Cutler & Osiris hurry out here, and while security catches Osiris, Cutler has a chair! Wren DROPKICKS the chair into Cutler! Cutler tumbles out, but Zaria fireman’s carries Wren! F5!! Cover, Zaria wins!

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

As if the bad arm wasn’t holding Wren back enough, the chaos that is NXT gets in the way! But will Zaria and Wren really leave it at 1-1 with each other? Or can they find a way to settle the score?

Shiloh Hill posts another vlog.

This week, he has some good news! Remember last week with the news of his fractured maxilla. At the time, the doc said Shiloh might miss some time. But this week, the doc checked and he’s never seen someone’s bones heal so fast. All that air trapped in Shiloh’s nasal passage is gone, which is good. And the swelling has gone down much faster than he’s ever seen in 30 years as a doctor. That’s very lucky for Shiloh. So as long as there’s no serious pain, they can get Shiloh back sooner than planned. Shiloh even wrestled some of the live events wearing a mask brace. Shiloh shows off the other masks he has, from Jason Vorhees to V for Vendetta to The Joker.

Anyway, Shiloh’s not sure how long he can be back on TV, but just know the fog is coming. Not poison fog, regular fog. Remember, the dokukiri? He learned more about Naraku’s origins, and he’s from Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan. It’s famous for being on top of the lava flows from Mt. Fuji, and it’s nicknamed, “The City of Water.” That’s weird, cuz Naraku seems more interested in the sky. Anyways, the poison fog comes in different colors, and each color means a different effect. Shiloh wants to try some of that on the local pests. He’ll let us know what he finds.

Mason Rook VS Kam Hendrix!

He’s big, he’s bad, and he’s really really ticked off when it comes to Mr. Showtime acting like he deserves opportunities for nothing. Will Rook wreck Kam so hard that Kam’s dad feels it? Or will we have to look at the Kam-Era whether we want to or not?

NXT returns as Kam makes his entrance, joining Rook in the ring. The bell rings, Kam pie faces Rook, but Rook DECKS Kam! Kam gets up, shoves Rook, but Rook DECKS him again! Rook scoops and SLAMS, then whips for a BACKDROPS! Kam almost flies outta the ring! Kam scrambles out, the fans chant, “He’s big! He’s bad! He’ll body slam your dad!” Kam runs in but Rook BACKDROPS him again! And again, Kam almost ends up on the ropes just from that! Kam bails back out, Rook pursues, but Kam HOTSHOTS him! And POSTS him! The fans boo but Kam CLUBS away on Rook’s chest against the apron!

Kam lines up a shot, BOOTS Rook, then shouts at the fans. The fans boo, Kam slips into the ring, and Kam LARIATS in the corner! Then he runs and LARIATS again! Kam keeps going, somersaults and LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Kam hurries to ELBOW DROP Rook! Kam winds up as Rook flounders, and Kam BODY SHOTS! Kam CLUBS Rook down, then kicks him around. Kam ROCKS Rook but Rook CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Rook runs, but Kam SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Rook is tougher than that, but that was fairly impressive. Kam brings Rook up, talks trash, then SLAMS him on the mat.

Kam talks more trash, drags Rook back up, and SLAMS him back down! The fans rally for Rook but Kam drags Rook up. Rook BODY BLOWS Kam! Kam BOOTS Rook! Rook spins but Kam ducks the lariat to mule kick and JUMP PUNCH! The fans rally for Rook, Kam throws shots, but Rook gets mad! Rook ROCKS Kam, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Kam goes to a corner, Rook ELBOWS him! And PELES! Rook keeps moving, eh blows through a lariat to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Rook SPLASHES in a corner! Then a whip to the corner, SPLASH, and the SLAM to SENTON! The fans fire up with Rook as he shakes the ropes!

Rook GERMAN SUPLEXES Kam! Kam flounders to a corner, Rook SPLASHES! Then a whip and BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kam survives but Rook says Kam wanted this! Fireman’s carry, but Kam slips free! Kam SHOVES Rook into an exposed buckle! Then a DROPKICK into it! Cover, Kam wins!!

Winner: Kam Hendrix, by pinfall

A bit of serendipity for Kam screws Rook over! Rook is shocked and furious, but will Kam make sure there’s no sequel to this fight?

Vanity Project complains to Robert Stone.

The former NXT Tag Team Champions, Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes, say they should’ve never been in that position! Facts! Tavion & Myles aren’t even a real tag team. Jackson Drake says Vanity Project is the best thing NXT has going, so it is time that they acknowledge that. Grayson Waller says the Men’s Division is soft, but Drake knows damn well that he ain’t talking about them. Smokes & Baylor can run circles around any team on the planet, and there is not a single soul on this roster that can touch Drake on- Oh, Myles  & Tavion step in. Brad says oh look, the guys who stole their titles! Smokes says Tavion should put his onesie on, they’re running this back tonight!

Stone says no, they’re not. What they are doing is that Stone will give The Vanity Project the same deal he gave Myles. Jackson Drake will get a 1v1 match, and if he wins, he can challenge Myles for the North American Championship, then Swipe Right will get their tag title rematch. Deal! But see, if you lose, you lose it all. Drake says don’t even worry about it. They’ll reclaim the tag titles while he becomes North American Champion, all on the same night. Wait, Myles is wrestling on the same night? Stone says the dates aren’t confirmed yet, he was gonna say-

Smokes says what’s wrong? Didn’t they say they were fighting champions? Or were they lying? Maybe Waller was right about them! Tavion says no, he said what he said. But two matches in one night, that’s stupid. Myles says hold on, he knows what he’s doing. IF Drake wins, then Myles wrestles twice at Heatwave. But speaking of… Who is Drake’s opponent? Oh, good that you asked. It’s Shiloh Hill. Drake freaks out! Myles says good luck, bud! Myles & Tavion head out, can the Carolina Reaper survive The Fog?

OTM talks backstage.

Bronco Nima says time to go eat Lexis King’s lunch! But Lucien Price says no, he’s got this. Plan B, remember? Price heads on out without Nima, and Nima says yeah, Price has this. Will Price cash in on a win against the Men’s Speed Champion? Or will King and BirthRight make a fool out of him?

Lucien Price VS Lexis King w/ BirthRight!

The bell rings and the fans cheer “O T M! O T M!” as Price stares down with King. King talks some trash on Nima not being ringside, and then Stacks distracts. King SLAPS Price, then dodges to CHOP! Price growls, then he THROWS King to a corner! King BOOTS back, goes up, and he leaps, into a CHOP! The fans fire up while King sputters! King begs for mercy, but Price whips him to a corner. King goes up and over, keeps moving, but Price HEADBUTTS him down! Uriah distracts, but Price grabs him by the man bun! King KNEES Price away, then goes up to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! King wrenches and ARM BREAKERS! Cover, TWO!

King drags Price up, steps over, and HIP DROPS the arm. King KNEES the arm, then brings Price around to have the FUJIWARA! The fans rally for Price, and we see that chop cut through King’s skin! King still pushes on the arm, and we see Nima is at least watching backstage. Price endures, powers up, and he pushes King, but King goes for a triangle! Price deadlifts King to POWERBOMB! The fans fire up for Price, then he LARIATS King! And SUPERKICKS! Price brings King up to THROW him to a corner! Price roars, runs in, but King SUPERKICKS! King goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO as Price sits up!

Price scowls as he lifts King, powers him up, and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Price runs up, but King BOOTS him! King runs up, CROWNING! Then the CORO- NO, Price HEADBUTTS! Stacks gets up, Price DECKS him! Then he gets under King, ONE ARM BOMB! Cover, PRICE WINS!

Winner: Lucien Price, by pinfall

Price stares into the camera as he stands up. He just beat BirthRight all on his own, and got a pin on the Men’s Speed Champion! Will Price get out the mud and get some gold?

Stone is back on the phone.

He assures this person that he is still interested, he has been calling, just please call back. Stone finishes the call as Wren & Kendal walk in. Wren says she wants another crack at Zaria. She had Zaria before that chaos happened! Stone agrees, he saw. Wren wants Stone to get these boys under control! She even tried being nice to Saquon and look what happened! Stone knows, he’ll think about it. Okay, what if they sweetened the pot? Since Zaria is so obsessed with the Women’s Speed title, cuz of you know who… At Heatwave, let’s make it unification! Title for title! Stone likes that! And then, given what happened with Lani and Kali, tag match, them VS WrenQCC.

Wren says Kendal’s still not 100%. But doc did say it’d be fine by next week, right? Kendal says yeah, she’ll be cleared for that and Heatwave. Kendal says they’re gonna leave Texas with all the gold. And next week, everyone learns what happens when you mess with the #WrenQCC. Stone says good luck. Wren & Kendal head out, will they be able to humble Lani & Kali before facing the Heatwave?

Jaida Parker and Thea Hail talk backstage.

Miss Parker says they’ll work on things, but she did say she had Thea’s back, right? She did, she did. And Nattie tried her big one, and look what that got her. An L! LOSER! But even after, they tried, but now Thea & Jaida have their number. They’re good. Thea says yeah, but she kinda wants after Nattie again right now. Nattie keeps walking around like she owns the place, being mean to Jaida, being mean to Thea, being mean to everybody! Jaida has Thea calm down, and wants to talk woman to woman. To be real, no disrespect, Nattie isn’t as easy as she looks. Nattie had Jaida down, and down bad. Jaida doesn’t want Thea to go through that.

Jaida has Nattie, Thea doesn’t have to worry. Thea says that’s why she needs to take Nattie on, though. She feels so good right now! She is finally winning again, like she belongs, and she has Jaida to thank for that. Thea hasn’t had a close friend in awhile, so it feels nice. Jaida says when you put it like that, she wishes Thea luck. Then will Jaida be there? For Thea, sure. They hug it out, but will DAD (Dangerous And Devious) be ready to sink The BOAT?

Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno are in the break room.

The Supernova asks El Freestyler what’s up, and Romeo says Mr. Stone offered him the biggest opportunity yet in NXT, but Romeo feels he can’t take it. Why not? Because next week, Romeo is to compete in the Fatal 4 Way to name a challenger to Rey Fenix and the AAA Cruiserweight Championship! It’s incredible! Noam says no problem then. But they’re a team! Romeo dragged Dar into this, and they might still be figuring this out, but there are new tag champs, new opportunities, Romeo doesn’t want to abandon Dar. Dar says that’s not abandoning him, that’s dramatic. They’ll still be a team. Romeo can’t turn a chance like this down.

Dar brings up how Romeo always says he loved the Cruiserweight Classic. Oh, okay, okay. People from all around the world, Dar made it to the third round. Yeah, and Romeo could be two matches away from being Cruiserweight Champion. So go get it done! Then fiesta time! Alright, alright. They shake on it, but Tristan Angels steps in. He tells them to curb their enthusiasm, it doesn’t matter if Romeo’s in the match or not, because Mr. Stone selected Tristan as the fourth and final competitor. And whilst he never thought of himself as a cruiserweight, “this deliciously snatched little waist” does qualify him, so why not?

Tristan vows to extinguish Fenix’s flame after he disposes of Romeo, EK, and that ridiculous bag of bones, La Parka. Tristan leaves, the field is set, but who defies the odds to then go for gold?

Tony D’Angelo is here!

The fans cheer as THE NXT Champion joins commentary, wanting to watch tonight’s main event with his own eyes. Who will The Master of Fate be facing at Heatwave? We’re going to find out, after the break.

NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Grayson Waller VS Cruz Montana!

NXT returns as the Boricua Badass makes his entrance, coming in through the crowd, followed by the Aussie Icon in new, and very bright green, tights. The bell rings, the two circle, and Waller tests the water with kicks. Hard to tell if he’s taking this seriously, though. Cruz asks what they doing. They gonna fight or what? So they throw hands! The fans fire up, Cruz ROCKS Waller, but Waller RAMS Cruz into the corner. The ref backs Waller off but he JABS Cruz. Waller has Cruz in another corner, fires more hands, but Cruz shoves him away. Cruz slips around, waistlocks and SLAMS Waller, but Waller UP KICKS.

Cruz comes back and LARIATS! The fans cheer as Cruz bumps Waller off buckles. Cruz suplexes high and hard, then covers, ONE! Waller is tougher than that, but then he throat chops! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Waller ELBOWS away in the corner! Waller goes to snapmare, Cruz blocks, so Waller JABS! Waller snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! The fans boo Waller but he stalks Cruz to the corner. Waller fires body shots, then reels Cruz in. Cruz fights the suplex, Waller fires body shots, but Cruz still fights the suplex. Waller powers up to suplex through! Cover, TWO! Waller ELBOWS Cruz down.

The fans rally for Cruz as he stands up, and he ELBOWS Waller! Cruz ROCKS Waller, but Waller BOOTS Cruz. Waller whips, Cruz reverses, then runs up, but into a BOOT from Waller. Waller CLOBBERS Cruz, then talks trash on the fans. Waller CLUBS away on Cruz, kicks him, but Cruz SLAPS! Waller SLAPS, Cruz SLAPS, but Waller DROPKICKS back! The fans boo Waller but Waller brings Cruz up. Waller whips, Cruz reverses, and Cruz CHOPS! Cruz whips corner to corner, runs up, and he CHOPS! The fans fire up, and Cruz says uno mas! Cruz whips, but Waller goes up and over! Only for Cruz to block, CATAPULT into the buckles!

Cruz hurries to ATOMIC SLAM, then SENTON! The fans fire up for Cruz, he sees Waller bail out, and the fans cheer. Cruz builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Waller goes over the desk! The fans fire up as Cruz stands tall, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Waller stumbles to his feet and Cruz pursues. Cruz CHOPS Waller against barriers, then follows him along the way. Cruz CHOPS Waller again, then puts him in the ring. Cruz goes to the apron but Waller KICKS Cruz’s legs out! Then Waller runs, slides, and LARIATS! Waller talks trash while Cruz is down, then he hobbles his way back to the ring. Waller refreshes the ring count, drags Cruz up, and SMACKS him off the apron. Then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into the apron! Waller talks trash, drags Cruz up, then puts him in the ring. Waller stalks Cruz to a corner, CHOPS him, then whips him corner to corner hard!

Cruz slumps down, clutches his back, but Waller JUMP STOMPS! Waller CLUBS Cruz down, Cruz falls out of the ring, but Waller goes out to stomp him around. Waller drags Cruz up and into the ring, then storms up, only for Cruz to counter punch! And counter punch again! Cruz CHOPS Waller, then whips corner to corner. Waller goes up to DOUBLE STMOP Cruz down! Waller drags Cruz up, then he goes up the corner. Waller reels Cruz in, but Cruz fires body shots! Cruz then CHOPS, and he goes up the corner. NXT returns to single picture as Waller SHOVES Cruz down! But Cruz springs right back up, SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down!

The fans rally for Cruz as he and Waller rise up. Cruz counter punches Waller, fires off a flurry, then whips. Waller reverses, but Cruz LEAPING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Cruz, but then he dodges Waller in the corner. Cruz blocks a boot, ENZIGIRIS back, then brings Waller out. Cruz runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! And ROLLING- NO, Cruz fireman’s carries for the CHALK OUTLINE! Then Cruz runs up, but Waller dodges to ROLLING ELBOW! Waller runs, but Cruz hurdles! Cruz comes back, catches Waller, DEAETH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Waller survives and the fans rally up again.

Cruz rises, he brings Waller up, but Waller slips free! Waller ducks the enzigiri, then waistlocks. Cruz bucks the O’Conner, then somersaults back to CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Waller survives but the fans rally up again. Tony D likes the hard-hitting match, and we’re seeing who can swim in deep waters. Cruz powers up the arm and the fans rally. Waller rises up, but he hurries away before Cruz can spin! Cruz storms up, Waller grabs him, but Cruz denies the hotshot to BOOT Waller down! Cruz then builds speed, and he DIVES into a KNEE! Waller gets up, somersaults, FLATLINER! Cover, TWO!! Cruz survives and Waller is growing frustrated.

The fans rally up for Cruz, but Waller slaps him around! Waller kicks Cruz, brings him in, but Cruz drops, flips Waller, TWO! Cruz SWATS a lariat, ELBOWS Waller, but Waller BOOTS back! Waller runs, BLINDSIDE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Cruz survives and Waller is beside himself! “This is Awesome!” as Waller goes to the corner. Waller goes along the ropes, BALLER ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Cruz is tougher than that, but Waller BOOTS him back down! Waller goes back up, BALLER- ATOMIC DROP! Cruz then RAMS Waller into a corner, puts him up top, and CHOPS! Cruz climbs up, but Waller CLAWS at Cruz’s face!

Cruz falls to HOTSHOT, then Waller HOTSHOTS again! Waller somersaults, but SPIN THE BLOCK!! But Cruz can’t make the cover!! And then wait!! ZILLA FATU?!?! What’s he doing here?!? And he POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS Cruz!!

No Contest

The fans are going nuts, because then he SUPERMAN PUNCHES Waller!! The fans are thunderous as Zilla goes up, up, and DIVING SPLASHES! Then he drags Waller into a drop zone, goes back up, and another DIVING SPLASH!! Tony D stands up as he sees Zilla staring him down. Zilla says, “I need that! I NEED that! New champ, baby! New champ in town! The Main One! Be ready!” Tony D may think of himself as the master of his own fate, but what does Zilla’s arrival mean for NXT’s future?

My Thoughts:

A vey good episode to get things rolling towards Heatwave. Not sure why Shawn Spears wasn’t part of the mixed tag without an explanation given right after, hopefully there is one that isn’t real-life injury or emergency. But that was still a great spot for EK Prosper, and a lot of fun for a Mixed Tag. Good win for The Faces, and then good segue into Kali Armstrong and Kelani Jordan calling out Kendal Grey. Good promo, good brawl, and naturally a tag match is made from that. Wren VS Zaria was really good, but the chaos of DarkState seemed like a lame way of getting to a controversial finish. But at the same time, Winner Takes All (though I’m worried by how Wren said unification) is definitely the way to go for the tiebreaker.

And speaking of Dion and Saquon, good stuff in their match but of course Cutler & Osiris got involved. I wonder if the way this ends is with a cage match that may or may not keep Osiris & Cutler from getting involved. Rook VS Kam was a good match, and that was quite a quick buckle pad pull, good stuff. Kam getting the win from that is very much his character even from Evolve, but I would think there’s going to be a rematch. Very good promo from the Face portion of the NXT Tag Division, and as well as from Myles & Tavion with Vanity Project. Drake having to face Shiloh Hill to get his shot at the North American title is good stuff, though I almost thought it was gonna be Keanu Carver.

Shiloh had a very good promo video, and I like how he snuck a reference to Naraku/Evil being married to Iyo Sky in there. Keanu also had a good bit with Cruz Montana, where his anger flares up, but then he cools it right off. I hope we get an explanation on what Keanu is doing to help keep himself calm like that. As for whether Drake beats Shiloh, I feel like something will happen, and Drake does get the win so that Myles has to do double duty at Heatwave, perhaps keeping the North American title but losing the tag titles, causing Tavion to turn on him once and for all. Then Myles and Tavion can feud over the NA title one last time, maybe with Tavion winning.

Good promo from Thea and Jaida to keep their team going, Thea VS Nattie will be good stuff. Good stuff with Price beating King, even with BirthRight running around ringside. Price definitely has to challenge for the Men’s Speed title now. Though, if they’re teasing phasing out the Women’s title, same could be for the Men’s Speed Champion, and Price will at best be the last new Men’s Speed Champion. And I like that we’re getting more NXT AAA crossover again, that Fatal 4 Way is going to be awesome, and any of the possibilities, except maybe Tristan Angels, will make for an awesome match with Rey Fenix.

And great stuff in the main event, but then holy crap, Zilla Fatu finally made his NXT debut. There was all this talk that he was coming here, but even that was like months ago, so it’s great to see it all come through. But since Zilla blew up this contender’s match, do they run it back as a Triple Threat? Or does Heatwave just crank it up so that we get a Fatal 4 Way? Then Tony can lose without taking the pinfall, and perhaps he just moves on to main roster after that. It’s gotta be something big since WWE is going all in with that particular Sunday, to where it’s even an afternoon show, not a primetime show, because they insist on counterprogramming their rival.

My Score: 8.8/10