Will The Standout stand tall?

Tonight, Kelani Jordan has her first defense of the NXT Women’s Championship against her long time rival, Jaida Parker!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Women’s Championship: Kelani Jordan VS Jaida Parker; Kelani wins and retains the title.
• Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno VS The Creed Brothers; The Creeds win.
• NXT North American Championship: Jackson Drake w/ The Vanity Project VS Tavion Heights; Drake wins and retains the title.
• Contenders Stakes Six Man Tag: Tony D’Angelo, Mason Rook & Saquon Shugars VS Cruz Montana, EK Prosper & Keanu Carver; Tony, Rook & Shugars win and advance to a #1 Contender’s Triple Threat.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jaida Parker & Thea Hail walk ‘n’ talk backstage.

Miss Parker says not to put the pressure on, but as Jaida gets hers, Thea Hail can go get hers. Thea is so excited, and she hugs it out with Jaida. Thea wishes Jaida luck as she continues on towards gorilla position, but is tonight the night? Or will no one do it like Lani?

NXT Women’s Championship: Kelani Jordan VS Jaida Parker!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who shines in the spotlight!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Jaida throws Lani down. They stay tied up, Lani kips up and headlocks. Jaida grinds a forearm in, headlocks, but Lani powers out. Jaida RUNS Lani over! Jaida breaks  it down, but Lani anchors a foot. Jaida kicks free, runs, but Lani hurdles. Lani then slingshot- NO, Jaida blocks the arm-drag, THROWS Lani away, then runs up. Lani dodges, but Jaida deflects the dropkick! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Jaida says it was that close, but Lani takes a swing! Jaida blocks, but Lani ducks! Lani cravats, KNEES low, then THROWS Jaida down. Lani mocks Jaida’s dance but the fans boo.

Lani flips but Jaida avoids the leg drop! Jaida SLAPS Lani! Lani shoves Jaida! Jaida SHOVES Lani! Lani comes back, but Jaida blocks the takedown to gut wrench! Lani slips free, ROCKS Jaida in the back, then rams her into buckles! Lani stomps away, the ref counts, but Lani stops at 4. The fans boo while Lani argues with the ref. Lani bumps Jaida off buckles, RAMS into her, and RAMS her again! The ref counts, Lani stops to argue with the ref, but Jaida ELBOWS Lani !Lani ROCKS Jaida, whips her, but Jaida reverses. Lani goes up, up, and FLYING LARIATS! Lani hurries to lift Jaida, but Jaida fights that to backdrop! Lani sunset flips, Jaida sit son it, TWO! Lani has it, TWO!

Jaida sits on the cover, TWO! Lani dodges Jaida, but Jaida stops the rana! Jaida swings Lani up, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Another close call for Lani as she scrambles to ropes, and Jaida tells her the title’s hers now! Jaida tells Lani to quit playing, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jaida paces around, stomps Lani, then kicks her to the apron. Jaida runs, but Lani avoids the slide! Lani BOOTS Jaida down! Lani hurries to build speed, and she slides, to then SWINGING NECKBREAKER on the floor! Lani snarls, drags Jaida up, and SMACKS her off the apron. Lani SMACKS Jaida off the apron again, then shoves her into the ring. Lani storms up on Jaida, THROWS her into ropes, then stalks her. Jaida sits up but Lani pushes her down for a LEG DROP! Lani storms up, but Jaida fires forearms! Jaida CHOPS Lani, whips her to ropes, but Lani stops herself. Lani runs up for another SWINGING NECKBREAKER!

Lani stomps Jaida, then clamps on to rain down elbows! Lani pushes Jaida around, cravats, and cranks the neck wrench. Jaida endures, fights up, and throws Lani down, only for Lani to hold on! Lani keeps on the cravat, but Jaida fights up to RAM her into a corner! And RAM her again! Jaida rolls to throw Lani away, then BOOTS her! Jaida goes up, but Lani GAAMNGIRIS! Lani KICKS Jaida, then climbs up the corner. NXT returns to single picture as Lani goes to the very top, but Jaida holds onto the ropes! Jaida SHOVES Lani away, then leaps to FLYING LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up while both women are down!

The fans chant, “Jaida, Don’t Play That Ish!” The two fire forearms, Jaida BODY SHOTS, but Lani kicks low! Jaida ROCKS Lani, Lani ROCKS Jaida! The fans rally, but Lani dodges! Jaida’s SOUTHPAW finds her! Jaida keeps swinging, blocks a shot, and short arm LARIATS! The fans fire up for Jaida as she puts Lani in a corner. Lani ELBOWS back, goes up, but Jaida YANKS her down! Jaida then runs up, BLOCKBUSTER! Jaida hauls Lani back up, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Lani survives, Jaida is surprised, but the fans continue to rally up. Jaida drags Lani up, dragon sleepers, and inverted suplexes, but Lani slips free!

Lani waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Lani comes back to SPLASH! But Jaida rolls it to a cover! TWO, but into the RINGS OF SATURN! Lani endures while the fans rally behind Jaida! Jaida THRASHES Lani, but Lani pushes it to a cover, TWO! Lani is free and she hurries away to a corner. Jaida runs up, blocks boots, and puts Lani in the ropes. Jaida CHOPS, CHOPS, then- NO, Lani avoids the Teardrop! Jaida is stuck in the ropes, Lani GUILLOTINE LEG DROPS! Jaida bails out, but Lani ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Jaida again, but Lani hurries to put her back in. Lani goes up, up, and 450- NO, Jaida dodges! Jaida fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP!

Jaida hurries to put Lani back in the ropes, CHOPS again, then runs up, TEARDROP! The fans fire up with the high stepping, and Jaida runs up! But Lani THRWOS Jaida into buckles! Lani goes up, ONE OF A KIND MOONSAULT! Cover, Lani wins!

Winner: Kelani Jordan, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)

Jaida falls short of the title, but then WREN SINCLAIR ATTACKS LANI! The ref drags Wren away, but Wren DECKS the ref, too! Wren goes under the ring, and brings out a kendo stick! Wren SMACKS Lani, SMACKS again, and again, and the fans fire up! Wren chases after Lani to SMACK her again and again at the ramp! Refs and security rush out here but fans want to let Wren keep going! Will Wren avenge Kendal Grey with her own two hands?

NXT shares footage from yesterday.

Robert Stone was filming ad reads for upcoming events when Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno visited his office. Mr. Stone asks them what’s going on, they bring up how last week, they got their first win on NXT. It was a “super duper” win, which is what Stone wanted. But then, The Creed Brothers had to go and ruin it! Please, do something about this. Yes, Stone brought The Creeds in because they’re former tag team champions as well as Dusty Cup winners, not to go jumping people. He apologizes for that. Romeo says they need a match with The Creeds! Dar says this is usually where he tells Romeo to take a chill pill, but he’s right this time.

They get The Creeds are back for opportunities, but this tag division is not the same when they left it. So, Boss Man, #Daromeo needs this one. Stone says alright, sold. Dar & Moreno VS Creeds, #SetInStone. Good luck. They fist bump on it, and now in the present, it’s go time! Will Scottish Supernova y Freestyler get their second win on NXT? Or will Julius & Brutus be right back where they left off when they left NXT?

Myles Borne speaks.

In another vlog post, Myles tells Tavion Heights, “You saw how much it hurt me when I did what I did to you. It really got me thinking, did I throw away our who brotherhood because I was paranoid? Did I make a mistake? I told you many times over and over that I didn’t wanna get played, and I thought you were gunning for me so I got to you first. Then I hear you on the interview say that you would’ve never turned on me. Maybe I misjudged the whole damn thing. I believe you. I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong, and I guess maybe, I was dead wrong. Maybe I owe you an apology.

“I looked you in the eye, T, and I told you you were gonna be champion. And I firmly believe that, and I think tonight’s the night. I wish I could be out there by your side. Good luck against Jackson, T.”

Tavion Heights, Hank ‘n’ Tank finish watching this.

Hank isn’t sure, but Myles sounds genuine. Tank asks if they’ve tried talking in person, face to face. Tavion says no, they haven’t. But look, he has the North American title to win tonight, so all of this is gonna have to wait. Tavion heads out to get ready, Hank ‘n’ Tank cheer him on, but will Tavion be able to reach those new heights with his past haunting him?

Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno VS The Creed Brothers!

NXT returns as Julius & Brutus make their entrance, joining #Daromeo in the ring. The teams sort out, Romeo starts against Julius, and they feel things out. They circle, Romeo gets a leg but Julius rolls him. Julius facelocks, pushes him down, and keeps his feet back. Romeo stands, clinches with Julius, but Julius slips around to waistlock. Julius avoids the switch, facelocks, and they gator roll into the ropes. Julius powers Romeo to the corner, tags Brutus, then Julius SLAPS Romeo! Julius then suplexes Romeo so Brutus can hit a BACKBREAKER! Brutus is fired up, Romeo staggers up, but into a FLAPJACK!

Brutus stays fired up, and he stands Romeo up to whip. Romeo grabs ropes, Brutus blocks a boot but not the ENZIGIRI! Romeo even SLAPS Julius in return! Romeo runs up, Brutus scoops, but Romeo slips free. Dar tags in, Romeo waistlocks, but Brutus elbows him and ROCKS Dar! But then Daromeo HIGH LOW KICK COMBO! Cover, TWO! Dar BLASTS Julius, runs up on Brutus, but Dar blocks a kick. Dar ROCKS Brutus, has him dangling on the ropes, then tags Romeo. Romeo steps up the ropes to DOUBLE STOMP Brutus down! Dar has a HALF CRAB, Romeo adds a CROSSFACE! Brutus endures, Julius storms in, but Dar jumps onto Julius for a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!

The fans fire up as The Creeds endure submission! Julius powers up to SLAM Dar onto Romeo! The Creeds regroup, the fans duel, and The Creeds run up! But Daromeo DUMP The Creeds out! Then they each aim, PENALTY KICK and PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up as Romeo then builds speed and FLIES! Down go The Creeds again! But Dar goes up the corner, ASAI MOONSAULT onto The Creeds! The fans fire up for Daromeo as they stand tall. Daromeo gets Julius up, but he RAMS them into the apron! Julius THROWS Dar aside, runs up on Romeo, but is sent into steel steps! Dar DROPKICKS Julius on top of it!

The fans fire up again as Daromeo stands tall, but Julius gives a kick from below while NXT goes picture in picture.

Daromeo stay focused, and they get Brutus up into the ring. Romeo tags Dar, they each take a limb and stomp! Then they take the other limbs and STOMP! Then they each get a leg, and make a wish! They split the wishbone! Dar runs, PENALTY KICK SANDWICH! Cover, TWO! Brutus survives being picked apart, but Dar winds up. Brutus sits up into a KICK, KICK, and ROUNDHOSUE! Brutus blocks the next kick to GERMAN SUPLEX! Dar flounders, Brutus roars, and Brutus HAMMERS away on Dar’s back and shoulders! Brutus tags Julius, they drag Dar up, DOUBLE GUT BUSTER! Julius stays between Dar and Romeo as he sits Dar up.

Julius CLUBS Dar with crossface forearms, then sucker punches Romeo! The ref reprimands but Julius drags Dar back up, right to a gut wrench! Julius spins with Dar before he SLAMS Dar down! Julius tags Brutus, GUT WRENCH SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Brutus clamps onto Dar, eggs him on, then CLUBS him down! Dar flounders away to a corner, but Brutus storms up to talk some trash. Dar pie faces Brutus, Brutus DECKS Dar! Brutus drags Dar up, reels him in, and suplexes him hard! Brutus then clamps on with a chinlock to grind Dar down. Dar endures, fights around, and rises up. Dar stands but Brutus wrangles him back down.

Brutus THRASHES Dar around, but Romeo coaches Dar on. Dar keeps fighting, he rises up again, and fires body shots. NXT returns to single picture as the fans rally up, but Brutus whips Dar away. Dar goes up, under, but Brutus catches him! Brutus WINDMILL HAMMERS away! Brutus drags Dar up, Julius tags in, and Brutus feeds Dar to Julius for a scoop. BACKSTABBER FALL AWAY SLAM COMBO! Julius mockingly coaches Dar up, then clamps on with a rear bearhug! The fans rally as Dar endures, fights up, and HEADBUTTS! Julius KNEES low, whips Dar to a corner, but Dar feints, then SHOTGUNS Julius! The fans fire up as Dar and Julius are down!

Dar and Julius crawl, Dar leaps, but Julius catches him into a front bearhug! Julius squeezes tight but Romeo coaches Dar. The fans rally, Dar fires forearms and elbows, but Julius ROCKS him! Julius whips, Dar grab ropes., Dar dodges Julius and Julius hits ropes! Dar dodges Brutus on the outside! Dar slides in, baits Julius, and Julius misses the knee drop! Hot tag to Romeo! Romeo rallies on Julius with fast hands! Romeo whips, Julius reverses, but Romeo ducks ‘n’ dodges to LARIAT! Brutus is in, Romeo dodges, sends him into buckles, GERMAN SUPLEX! Romeo goes up, Julius stands, into the MISSILE DROPKICK!

The fans fire up with Romeo, he takes aim, and he says BANG! Romeo ESCALARAS and down go The Creeds! The fans fire up as Romeo puts Julius back in, and he tags Dar! The fans fire up as Daromeo gets the arms! ROUNDHOUSE SANDWICH, then the DOUBLE PUMP HANDLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Julius survives, Dar stands, and Dar tags Romeo. The fans rally up again as Daromeo aims. But Brutus trips Dar up! Romeo adjusts and goes up, but Julius catches him! POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Romeo survives that deep throw and Julius is frustrated. Julius tells Brutus go go up, Brutus indeed does, but Dar trips Brutus! Romeo ranas to cover, TWO!!

Julius JUMP KNEES Romeo! But Dar SHADOW ELBOWS Julius!! Romeo falls onto the cover, but a BRUTUS BALL breaks it! The fans are thunderous as all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” Dar gets up, he brings Brutus around, but Brutus TOSSES Dar! Brutus goes out, Dar fires off! Brutus KNEES low, then THROWS Dar into barriers! Romeo rolls Julius! TWO, and Julius LARIATS Romeo! The straps come down, Brutus tags in! The Creeds get Romeo up, DOUBLE POWERBOMB!! Cover, Creeds win!

Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall

The Creeds are back in town, and they’re ready to tear it down! Will Julius & Brutus be right back on top of NXT soon enough?

BirthRight talks backstage.

Uriah Connors asks who Zilla Fatu thinks he is, throwing them off like he’s better than them when he’s legit one of them! Charlie Dempsey says he is tired of the disrespect, and tired of being treated like an afterthought. Arianna Grace points out who’s coming, and everyone looks over. It’s William Regal & Fit Finlay! Regal says it IS time they stepped up to grab the attention of NXT and the entire WWE. Finlay says they already took Lexis’s Speed Championship, what’re they gonna do now? Regal says this fight with Fatu isn’t over yet. Lexis says he’ll handle it. Regal doesn’t doubt Lexis could.

But Regal has a long history with Zilla’s father, “U-manga.” Dempsey is the man for the job. Bring Zilla Fatu into BirthRight, or bring a piece of him back. Dempsey nods before he heads out. Will it truly be “like father, like son” tonight in NXT?

Robert Stone catches up to Wren Sinclair.

He shouts at her to get her to stop, and he asks what’s gotten into her. What’s gotten into Wren?! What’ s gotten into Kelani?! She insures Kendal at Heatwave, then comes after Wren, calling her the “sidekick.” Wren is tired of being a doormat, Robert! If Kendal can’t defend herself, then Wren will do it for the both of them! Stone says that’s not gonna happen, and Wren asks why’s that. Stone says it’s because he has to suspend her. Security steps in and ushers Wren out. Stone says he’s sorry about this, but Wren says they can’t keep her away forever! When and where will Wren’s wrath reach Kelani?

Charlie Dempsey is in the ring.

NXT returns as he stands in the ring alone, mic in hand. “Enough is enough. For nearly six years, I’ve kept my head down and my mouth shut here. And the more I do that, the more I realize how truly underappreciated I am around here, despite everything I can do in this ring.” The fans do applaud that. Dempsey knows there are a lot who don’t think he’s the most entertaining wrestler. He’s not flashy, he doesn’t do all the dives and flips and catchphrases fans find so mindlessly entertaining. But he’s always been more substance over style, action over words, and maybe that’s what’s held him back.

But at least he can go home and look himself in the mirror, knowing he’s never sold out or compromised his ideals just so he can play the game like so many others back there do. So when Lexis, Stacks, Arianna & Uriah all came up to him, asked him to join BirthRight, well… That was just too good of an offer to pass up. Together, they’re five individuals who practically bleed pro-wrestling! All they want to do is mold NXT into what it should be. It was meant to be a fresh start for Dempsey to highlight who he truly is, and to show everyone that he’s the best damn grappler in this entire company!

The fans do applaud, but Dempsey continues by saying instead of all that, he comes out here every single week and gets made to look like a fool. All of BirthRight does! They’re treated like jokes! And last week, their one shred of credibility, taken away, just like that! But guess what? Dempsey is sick and tired of being treated like a joke! Fed up with it! And he won’t just sit here and wait for NXT to take him seriously! He’ll force it to! Why should he keep giving to a company more concerned with taking failed football players and turning them into something they’re not?! They’re turning their backs on the real wrestlers who put their hearts and souls into this every single day!

The fans cheer again, and Dempsey says it is finally time for the people who deserve this to come and take it! And there is nobody, and he means nobody, who can step up to any of BirthRight in the ring. Especially not Zilla Fatu! Dempsey knows Zilla’s watching, and to be honest… Zilla has something they need. And if Zilla joins them, they can put Zilla on the path to be undeniable. Now, last week, they got off on the wrong track, but forget that, that’s the past. Let’s start fresh. Dempsey, Zilla, and BirthRight are all the same. They all know what it is to be trapped in their father’s shadows, just trying to make a name for yourself.

But here’s the thing, you don’t need to do that. So here’s Dempsey’s proposal: Zilla can come out and accept the offer to join BirthRight. That’s all he has to do. Zilla makes his entrance and the fans fire up! “HELLO~!” Zilla tells Charlie, he likes what he’s saying, and everything he just said, it’s mostly true. Zilla does have a chip on his shoulder because of who his father is, and he damn sure can’t grapple with Dempsey. But he damn sure can turn this up! The fans fire  up with Zilla, and he steps into the ring to face Dempsey. Zilla appreciates the invitation, but he won’t get lost in the sauce. He’s not just one of the ones, he’s The Main One, Zilla Fatu!

The fans cheer, and Zilla says just like last week, his answer to this is, “HELLO~! More like, HELL NO~!” But then Uriah Connors steps out. They’re not asking anymore, they’re telling him! BirthRight appears ringside! Zilla dodges Charlie, BLASTS Lexis, then BLASTS Stacks, but he still gets mugged 4v1! The fans boo but BirthRight stands Zilla up. Zilla still BOOTS Stacks, ROCKS Charlie, and ROCKS Uriah! Arianna SLAPS Zilla! Zilla fires up, but Lexis SMACKS Zilla with a chair! The mugging continues, the fans boo, but then they clear off the desk! They tell him this is his birthright now! SHIELD POWERBOMB down through the desk!!

The fans boo, but Charlie RIPS Zilla’s shirt away from him. Uriah says Zilla could’ve been one of them, but now he’s gonna suffer, and its’ all his fault! Will BirthRight not stop until they’re undeniable? Or will Zilla be the one who can go home, look in the mirror, and be proud that he did it his way, not theirs?

Naraku speaks.

“There is an old Japanese saying, “Saihatsu boshi.’ It means, ‘avoiding future reoccurrence of the same problem.’ Shiloh Hill, you seem to not understand questioning the nature of the mist is only leading you down a path of pain and darkness. In your searches about the mist, you must know there are many colors with many different ways it can harm you. You have felt the red mist, and last week, you felt the green mist. Now Shiloh, I will give you the choice. Stop all of this now, or you will experience every color and every painful effect. Choose wisely. Because if you choose wrong, you will regret it. Darkness awaits. HAHAHAHA!”

Saquon Shugars, Mason Rook & Tony D’Angelo meet in the locker room.

The Sugar Man wants the others to listen to him, he’s got it all figured out. Rook can take care of Keanu, though be careful because he’s off his meds right now. If Rook needs help, tag Tony. And Tony, Shugars knows he has problems with Cruz, so Tony can handle that. But Shugars swears, EK tries any of his Simone Biles crap, Shugars will swat him out the sky! Tony tells the guys to just hold up their end of the bargain and stay out of his way. He still has scars from Shugars’ old crew, and Rook tried to flatten Tony on the first day. Tony doesn’t give a damn about a plan, he just cares about getting his title back.

Rook says they all want the same thing, but they gotta be on the same page. Tristan Angels then steps in and says look at this! The weakest link attempting to play peacemaker. Mr. Rook, Tristan would’ve fit wonderfully into this main event tonight, and Rook does not belong at all, seeing as how he only just got his first singles win here in NXT. Shugars has Rook stay calm, and says he’s got this. Tristan has said a lot of words for someone who couldn’t get their first singles win against Zilla last week. Tristan says at least he had the bollocks to step up to Zilla. In these flocks, Saquon’s always been nothing more than a sheep.

Mr. England leaves, but will he have to eat his words when this team wins? Or will Cruz, Keanu & EK be the ones to prosper?

NXT North American Championship: Jackson Drake w/ The Vanity Project VS Tavion Heights!

Heatwave was a great night for The Vanity Project, and the worst night for Myles & Heights. But Tavion looks to avenge himself by finally getting this title for himself. Will Tavion cool the Carolina Reaper off? Or will Vanity Project do whatever it takes to stay golden?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly championship material!

The bell rings and the two circle. Jackson taunts Tavion a bit, then they tie up. Tavion powers up and lifts Jackson to then BACKDROP him! The fans fire up with Tavion, and he dodges Jackson to waistlock and SLAM! Jackson scrambles around, Tavion brings him into a bridging cover, TWO! Tavion holds on, rolls, facelocks, then waistlocks. Jackson scrambles to the ropes, the ref counts, but Tavion ducks the cheap shot. Tavion waistlocks, Jackson switches and rolls Tavion up, TWO! Both men stand, and Jackson BOOTS Tavion! Jackson talks trash, whips Tavion, but Tavion reverses. Jackson reverses back to step over and ELBOW!

Jackson soaks up cheers and jeers, whips Tavion to ropes, but Tavion redirects and LARIATS! The fans fire up for Tavion, he shoves Jackson, then he scoops and SLAMS him! Cover, ONE, but Tavion gives the trash talk back. Tavion whips Jackson to a corner, Jackson goes up, but Tavion catches him! Jackson slips free, ROCKS Tavion, then CLUBS him. Jackson fires body shots, then reels Tavion into a waistlock. Tavion switches, Jackson switches, but Tavion THROWS Jackson out! The fans rally as Tavion builds speed, but Ricky Smokes trips Tavion up! The fans boo but Smokes says shh. Tavion goes out to DECK Smokes!

The fans fire up as Brad Baylor stays back. Tavion goes to the ring, but Jackson is waiting! Jackson TOSSES Tavion out hard, then soaks up the heat while NXT goes picture in picture.

Jackson goes out and SENTONS Tavion on the floor! The ref reprimands but Jackson drags Tavion up, puts him in the ring, then poses with the title. Jackson goes back to the ring, and Tavion fires body shots! Jackson DECKS Tavion, then CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Jackson runs, and he HIP ATTACKS Tavion! Tavion sputters while Drake swivels the hips. Jackson then drags Tavion under the ropes, and CATAPULT GIULLOTINES! Tavion sputters and coughs, but Drake steps on him on the apron! The ref counts, Jackson backs off, and Swipe Right talks trash. Tavion kicks at them but they get clear.

Jackson drags Tavion into the ring, puts him in a corner, and CHOPS! Drake fires forearms, then stomps Tavion down. Jackson rolls outside so he can CHOKE Tavion through the ropes! The ref counts, Jackson stops at 4, but he drags Tavion onto the apron to grind him against the edge! The ref counts, Jackson stops at 4, and he drags Tavion up for a HALF HATCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! Tavion survives, but Jackson keeps Tavion down with a chinlock. Tavion endures, fights up, but Jackson throws him down! And KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO! Jackson clamps back onto Tavion with a chinlock, then leans all his weight on him.

Tavion endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Tavion THROWS Jackson, then RAMS him into the corner! Tavion RAMS into Jackson again and again, but Jackson BOOTS Tavion away! Jackson goes up, leaps, but Tavion gets under! NXT returns to single picture as Jackson hobbles and clutches a leg! Vanity Project is worried, but Jackson claims this is Tavion’s fault. Jackson throws off his boot, but Tavion runs up, SLINGBLADE! And ANKLE LOCK!! Jackson flails, reaches out, but he turns over to KICK free! Jackson bails out, but the ref has Tavion stay back. Jackson takes off his kick pad, hobbles back in, and Tavion runs up to CHOP BLOCK!

Jackson bails out again, but Tavion pursues. Tavion drags Jackson up, but Jackson POSTS him! Jackson has Tavion’s arms and YANKS him into the post! Jackson then BOOTS Tavion down with the good foot. Jackson puts Tavion in the ring, hobbles his way over, and clamps on for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Jackson clamps onto a chinlock but the fans rally for Tavion. Tavion fights up, pushes back, and has a toehold! Jackson CLUBS away on Tavion but Tavion pulls on the foot! Jackson HAMMERS and KICKS at Tavion, then gets free. Jackson clutches his foot, but Tavion BOOTS him while on the mat!

Jackson BOOTS Tavion, but that was the bad foot! Tavion fires a forearm, Jackson fires back! They go back and forth, then Jackson SLAPS Tavion! Tavion snarls and he fires a flurry of forearms! The fans fire up for the SUPER FOREARM! And the LARIAT! Tavion then dodges to LARIAT again! Tavion whips, and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Tavion gets moving, SLINGBLADE! Tavion wants more, and Jackson staggers to his feet. But Jackson BOOTS Tavion, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Jackson is frustrated, his bad foot compromised that bridge. But he still runs up to forearm SMASH in a corner!

Jackson snapmares Tavion, runs, and basement DROPKICKS! Tavion flounders to the apron, Jackson goes out after him, and they both stand. Jackson KICKS Tavion in the chest! And KICKS him again! But Tavion blocks the next kick, spins Jackson around, APRON GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans go nuts for that double-edged move! Tavion gets Jackson back in the ring, covers, TWO! Jackson has a ghost pin! TWO! Both men stand, they both ROCK the other! Then they both BOOT! Then Jackson manages to fireman’s carry! But Tavion slips free, shoves, and TACKLES Jackson! ANKLE- NO, Drake rolls! Tavion tumbles, comes back, but Jackson KNEES him down!!

Jackson pushes Tavion to a drop zone, goes up top, and 450 SPLASH! Cover, Jackson wins!

Winner: Jackson Drake, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

Even with a bad foot, Jackson managed to stand on his own two feet and finish this match himself! But will he still have a leg to stand on when the next challenge comes along? As for Tavion, he was once again so close, and yet so far. And wait, Myles Borne is in the crowd! Myles steps through the bleachers, but then stops short. Tavion is too frustrated to talk and he storms off. Is there no hope for these two to reconcile?

EK Prosper, Keanu Carver & Cruz Montana meet backstage.

The Disrespectfully Athletic says this is for their championship opportunity, they gotta hit this. The Boricua Badass knows what it is. EK turns to the One Man Demolition Crew and says they’ve had their differences in the past, but- Keanu says he got nothing to say to EK. EK tries to get Keanu to hear him out, but Cruz has them both stop. They had a beef in the past, but they all want the NXT Championship, right? But then so do Tony, Saquon and Mason. And they’re coming with that fire, so tonight, let’s lock in so that next week, we can throw hands. EK says Cruz ain’t wrong. No argument from him. Let’s not play the “Can they coexist?” game.

Keanu says EK don’t speak for him! Cruz says wasn’t Keanu the one to suggest this to Stone? So what we doing? Keanu wants to tell Cruz something, but then Stone steps in. Stone say she just wanted to check in before the main event. Keanu says just the man he wanted to see! They’re just getting ready for the match, boss. Big one tonight, and it got Stone’s ass out of a jam, right? Stone says he’s looking forward to the competition. Keanu says, “My man.” Stone heads out, and both Cruz and EK are starting to see what this is. Will Two Face Keanu flip the switch during the main event? Or will he flip on them and go rogue?

Zaria is here!

The fans are conflicted as the NXT Women’s North American Champion makes her way to the ring, having officially buried the WWE Speed Division after Heatwave. Zaria has the mic to say, “For the longest time, there was always something or someone standing in my way of championship gold. And that included my so-called best friend, who held two of those titles hostage all to herself. I finally shed that dead weight of a mistake seven months ago, and look at what I have done!” The fans do cheer that, and Zaria says one by one, she’s knocked down every single one of the favorites, no matter what odds were stacked against her!

And that continued at the Triple Threat unification match, where she put to rest every bit of doubt about who Zaria is. What was once the nightmare that haunted her for months became the redemption she was craving for. And finally, Zaria was the one holding two titles above her head. The fans do cheer that, and Zaria says the Speed title is in the past where it belongs, and Zaria will be the most dominant Women’s North American Champion this brand has ever seen! Which means now- “Which means exactly what, Zaria?” Izzi Dame interrupts from the perch! And Izzi says Zaria wins one Triple Threat, and suddenly she’s the most dominant Women’s North American Champion?

Hmm… Izzi isn’t sure that’s how it works. The entire WWE Universe might be buying this facade, but Izzi doesn’t. Zaria says she put to rest any doubt who she is, but they both know that’s not true. This little act she’s putting on, Izzi sees right through it. And to Izzi, Zaria is now everything she said she hated! Zaria tells Izzi to bring those fuzzy boots down here to says this to her face! Oh no~, denial! So typical from someone who’s hiding something. Zaria can’t hide behind her face paint forever. Izzi knows there’s more to Zaria, she’ll find it out, and she’ll expose Zaria’s true self one layer at a time to show us who the real Zaria is.

But then Thea Hail joins the chat! And speaking of fuzzy boots, Thea walks out here to say she feels we can all agree, we don’t give a HAIL about what Izzi has to say! Cuz Jaida just lit a fire under Thea’s ass to go after whatever she wants! For the past couple of months, Thea’s been trying to find herself back in front of that title- Izzi says, “Borrrrring~!” It is nice to know Thea is still losing sleep over that, though. But Izzi will let Thea and Zaria fight it out, she only cares about the woman behind the title. Oh, great, forget Izzi! Thea does want the title! She doesn’t care who’s holding it, she just wants to prove that Thea Hail is not a one-hit wonder!

Zaria says Thea would not have come out here if not for Miss Parker telling her what to do! That is why Thea will never be champion again: Thea depends on someone else thinking for her. Always have, always will. Thea says she thinks Zaria’s just a little bit jealous that Thea has a REAL friend! OH, is she? Is Jaida a real friend? They’ll never be by your side, they’ll always leave you! Always have, always will, when will Thea learn? Maybe when Zaria gets over Sol. Zaria HEADBUTTS Thea! Then fireman’s carry! But Thea slips free! Thea dodges a spear to send Zaria into the post! Then she POSTS Zaria again!

The fans fire up as Thea jumps on, KIMURA!! Zaria TAPS!! Thea lets Zaria go to run wild! Is #DAD (Dangerous and Devious) about to bring that title home?

Myles Borne is backstage.

Hank ‘n’ Tank find him, and they ask he just hear them out. Myles says they all saw him out there, Tavion wants nothing to do with him! Myles made a mistake, jumped the gun, and if he could go back, he would! Hank ‘n’ Tank calm Myles down, and Tank says there’s only one thing to do now: Apologize. Myles did that! Well, no, he kinda danced around it. And it was on social media. He needs to do this face to face. Myles went out there, Tavion walked away! Because Tavion’s upset. Myles is his brother, but Tavion just lost a huge title match. Not the best timing. Myles admits they’re right on that. Where’s Tavion now? Already bounced.

Okay, well, next week, Myles will apologize face to face. Hank ‘n’ Tank say they’ll be here for him if he needs them. They head out, can Myles and Tavion still make amends?

BirthRight heads out.

Lexis says that’s how it is done! They feel good about what they did, and Uriah says Zilla’s lucky a shirt is all they took from him. BirthRight regroups with Regal & Finlay, and Dempsey says they wanted a piece of Zilla, so here you go. Regal says good work, and Finlay says violence is the way to go. Regal is proud of them. But then The Vanity Project steps in, and Jackson says Mr. Regal needs to be more proud of #HeartbreakDrake. His first title defense against a former Olympian, because that’s how- Regal says, “Congratulations, Sunshine. But don’t get too comfortable. BirthRight is on the hunt.” Is that right…?

Finlay gives Drake a hard pat on the back as BirthRight heads out. Smokes says watch your pops! Uriah says you watch your mouth! And then Sean Legacy & Dorian Van Dux step in. DVD says BirthRight aren’t the only ones who want their shot. DVD & Legacy want the tag titles. Brad says no way Legacy & DVD are challenging them after- The Creeds step in and Brutus points out Legacy & DVD took a loss last week. Julius points out that they just beat the team that beat Legacy & DVD, so that puts them at the top of the list! Drake says whoa, whoa, get a load of this! The Super Seniors are back, and they’re picking on the freshmen.

The teams all argue, but in step DarkState’s Cutler James & Osiris Griffin. Cutty says this has got to be a joke. Osiris says they heard about The Creeds. They won’t come back here and do what Waller did. Oh, and what’s that? Win? who’s gonna stop them? All the other teams step up, but tensions are only rising. Who will indeed get their shot at Swipe Right’s gold?

Backstage interview with Kali Armstrong.

Sarah Schreiber is with the Difference Maker, and brings up that we haven’t seen her since Heatwave. Kali asked for this time, what is on her mind? Kali says, “Who the hell does that half pint heifer, Thea Hail, think she is? Caught herself trying to jump the line just to get a North American Championship, all because her ‘bestie’ told her to? Has she beat Zaria in a one-on-one like I have? Hell no! That girl couldn’t even think for herself. But the Difference Maker don’t need nobody, I roll solo.” But then Lizzy Rain steps in, and says if Kali is so deserving, why didn’t she go out there and steal the opportunity like she stole Lizzy’s interview time a few weeks ago?

Kali says why don’t she steal on her now?! Who she talking to? Security steps in already to keep these two from fighting right now. But will the Pride of Inglewood and the Maiden of Metal just have to rock ‘n’ roll in the ring to see who goes for some gold?

Contenders Stakes Six Man Tag: Tony D’Angelo, Mason Rook & Saquon Shugars VS Cruz Montana, EK Prosper & Keanu Carver!

Both teams talked it out, and hard to say they’re all on the same page. But in the end, the winning side will have to fight it out for their opportunity at Grayson Waller. Who holds it together long enough for the win?

But before anything gets going, Grayson Waller makes his entrance so he can watch this in person! The NXT Champion rubs it in that he IS NXT Champion as he joins commentary, and this main event will start, after the break.

NXT returns as EK makes his entrance, followed by Keanu, then Cruz. Tony’s team is already in the ring, and the trios sort out. But then they all just brawl! Rook with Cruz, Keanu with Tony, and EK with Shugars! EK and Shugars stay in the ring while the others tumble out! Shugars ducks a roundhouse to headlock, but EK powers up and out. EK drops down, Shugars rolls over, but EK gets up to SOBAT! EK runs, but Shugars stops the rana! Shugars swings EK up, EK sunset flips it, TWO! Shugars staggers, EK runs up, and EK slips around to waistlock. Shugars ELBOWS EK, switches and shoves, but EK QUEBRADAS!

The fans fire up with EK, he whips, but Shugars reverses. EK handsprings to RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! EK keeps on Shugars, brings him over, and Keanu tags in. Shugars THRWOS EK away, but Keanu grabs Shugars by the hair! Shugars stomps feet, victory rolls, TWO! Keanu clinches, suplexes, but Shugars slips free. Shugars bobs ‘n’ weaves, swings around, but Keanu stays standing! Shugars pulls Keanu down into the crucifix pin, TWO! Shugars wristlocks Keanu and calls to Rook! Keanu whips Shugars away, then runs to POUNCE! Shugars flies and the fans fire up! Rook tags in after all, and now the fans fire up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!”

The big men throw forearms, Keanu runs, but Rook dodges! Keanu fireman’s carries to SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up, Keanu covers, ONE!! Rook survives but Keanu brings Rook up. Tag to Cruz and they hand Rook off. But Rook fires forearms with Cruz! Cruz CHOPS Rook, whips, but Rook reverses. Rook runs up on Cruz in the corner, BACK BODY BLOCK, then PELE! The fans fire up, but Rook runs to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Rook drags Cruz up, tags Tony, and they double whip. Cruz stops short, rolls back, DOUBLE CUTTER! Cover on Tony, TWO! Cruz brings Tony up to then lift and- NO, Tony slips free!

Tony ducks an enzigiri, shoves Cruz to ropes, then hurdles, only to get caught! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Tony survives but Cruz brings him around. Tag to EK and they double whip. Tony reverses to send EK into Cruz! Tony then waistlocks Cruz to GERMAN SUPLEX! Cruz tumbles, EK runs up, but Tony catches him to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! EK goes to a corner, Tony LARIATS, then Tony runs, but into a BOOT! EK goes up, leaps, but Tony SPINEBUSTERS! Tony tags Shugars, Shugars goes up, and he DOUBLE STOMPS EK down! Shugars then atomic drops EK, and SLIDE ATTACKS on the ropes!

Shugars taunts Waller, Waller talks trash, and Shugars slingshots to LEG DROP! Cover, but Cruz breaks it! Tony JUMP KNEES Cruz, but Keanu runs in! Keanu dodges once to POUNCE Tony! Rook is in and he BOOTS Keanu! Cruz SUPERKICKS Rook! Shugars has EK but EK BACKDROPS free! EK runs up, into an UP KICK! Shugars skins the cat, but EK jumps up after him! Shugars SHOVES EK back, but Cruz & Keanu catch him! They throw EK back up so he can SUPER STEINER Shugars! The fans fire up, EK covers, TWO! Shugars survives and the fans cheer again while NXT goes picture in picture.

EK storms over, brings Shugars up, and CLUBS him to the ropes. Shugars ROCKS EK in return! EK ROCKS Shugars, tags Cruz, and they mug Shugars. Cruz CHOPS Shugars down, then SENTONS! Cruz drags Shugars up, ROCKS him, then puts him on the ropes to CHOP! Shugars CHOPS back, but Cruz ROCKS Shugars. Cruz wrenches, back suplexes, but Shugars lands out! Hot tag to Tony! Tony fires off haymakers, then whips Cruz to the corner, Tony runs up, LARIATS, and he tags Rook. They double whip Cruz, DOUBLE ELBOW him down, then Rook covers, TWO! Cruz toughs it out but Rook keeps him from the team.

Rook whips Cruz to the open corner hard, and Cruz falls to the mat! Rook brings Cruz back up, CHOPS him, but Cruz SLAPS back! Rook headlocks, drags him over, tag to Shugars. Shugars rolls Cruz up, TWO! Shugars CHOPS Cruz, but Cruz scoops and SLAMS Shugars! Cruz huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Shugars up to tag in EK. EK fires forearms on Shugars, then snapmares for a basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! EK stays focused, and he keeps Shugars away from his team. EK snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! EK keeps Shugars from his corner again with a chinlock. Shugars endures, fights up, but EK becomes a backpack!

EK weighs Shugars down and Shugars drops to a knee. NXT returns to single picture, Shugars snapmares free, but EK kicks low. EK whips, Shugars hurdles, but EK hurries to wristlock! EK ducks a kick but Shugars uses that to CALF KICK! Both men are down, Cruz tags in! Cruz brings Shugars around to whip him to the corner. Cruz ELBOWS Shugars, snapmares, and Keanu sneaks a tag. Shugars dodges the dropkick, then he DUMPS Cruz out! But Keanu waistlocks Shugars! Shugars fires elbows, but Keanu ducks the Pele! Keanu whips Shugars, pops him up, but Shugars uses that for a SEATED SENTON! Shugars hot tags Rook!

Cruz tags back in, but Rook LARIATS! And LARIATS! Cruz ducks one, but not the SOUTHPAW! Rook fires up, the fans are with him, and he runs to SPLASH Cruz! Then a scoop and SLAM! Rook SENTONS, covers, TWO! Cruz survives but Rook drags him back up. Rook scoops but Cruz victory rolls through! TWO! Cruz swats a lariat, ELBOWS Rook, then SMACKS Rook! Cruz bumps Rook off buckles, tags EK, and EK sends Cruz in for an ELBOW! Keanu tags in, he runs up, and he ELBOWS Rook! Keanu & Cruz puts Rook up top, then they climb up to join him. EK tags in, and he goes to another corner.

The fans fire up as Keanu & Cruz hit a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX on Rook!! Then EK adds a FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! They had the Power, the Glory, but no victory! The fans are going nuts all the same, and EK tags in Keanu. Keanu drags Rook back but Rook BOOTS Keanu into Cruz! EK tags back in while Cruz and Keanu argue. EK uses Rook as a step to FLYING DROPKICK Shugars! Rook BACKDROPS EK, tag to Tony! The fans fire up as Tony rallies on EK, Cruz & Keanu! GERMAN SUPLEX for EK! Another GERMAN SUPLEX for EK! Then a GERMAN SUPLEX for Keanu! Tony LARIATS and BULLDOGS EK!

The fans fire up with Tony, he whips EK, and POP-UP POWERSLAMS! Cover, Keanu breaks it! The fans fire up as Cruz winds up, Cruz SPINS THE- NO, Tony ducks, and Cruz LARIATS Keanu and himself up and outta the ring! EK runs up, SHINING WIZARD on Tony! But then Shugars is up top! He SUPER CROSSBODIES Cruz and Keanu! EK is up top, though! PROSPER- NO, Tony dodges the moonsault, and SPEARS!! Tony hauls EK up, DEAD TO RIGHTS! Rook tags in, Tony asks what the heck, but Rook fireman’s carries Tony!? No, he makes Tony a backpack! BACKBACK CANNONBALL on EK!! Talk about teamwork! Cover, Rook and team win!

Winners: Tony D’Angelo, Mason Rook & Saquon Shugars, by pinfall (advance to the #1 contender’s match)

Shugars realizes what’s going on, and he’s happy to hear he’s part of the winning side! They held it together just long enough, but what happens now that it’s every man for himself? As for Keanu and Cruz, they’re brawling, with security and refs trying to separate them! Tony gets in Rook’s face, but Shugars has them both calm it down. They get to fight it out next week. Waller says it don’t matter, he’s better than all of these guys! But will the Grayson Waller Effect come around to bite the Aussie Icon in the ass? Or will he be ready no matter who wins the Triple Threat?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for NXT, but of course the title status quo was kept. It was a very good match from Lani VS Jaida, and a little surprised it was such a clean win, but still a good win for Lani. Wren going right after her was a great surprise, and maybe this is the story that gets Wren to the top title scene while Kendal is out. Great tag match from Dar & Moreno VS The Creeds, and great win for The Creeds as part of their return push. Drake VS Tavion was a great match, and I’m again surprised Drake won so cleanly. Also, I’m surprised he wasn’t faking a bad foot and instead selling bad foot as part of the story.

Good stuff with the Myles and Tavion story, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Heel Turn Remorse before. The thing is, does Myles really have remorse? Or is this a super deep way of suckering Tavion in? I can’t be sure which I prefer, but both stories could be really good. Very good promo from Dempsey, and from my Evolve coverage, I absolutely agree that WWE needs to get back to supporting pro-wrestlers and not just “crossover” athletes. We’ve had some great instances where it works, just look at Oba and Lani. But we also have many great choices among the WWE ID talent and transfers from other promotions that should be given the push.

Now as for the story of BirthRight, I like where it’s going with how they beat up Zilla and are becoming a serious threat. I like the tease of a feud with Vanity Project, but we also got all the other tag teams, so either we get Dusty Cup 2026 or a gauntlet to figure out who challenges Swipe Right next. It’s probably the latter, as we didn’t have a Dusty Cup 2025. Sadly, that tradition stalled out during NXT 2.0 and they haven’t tried to get it back consistently. I also hope we get to see Charlie Dempsey go for the North American title while Myles and Tavion have their own story away from it.

Good promo from Naraku, but while he and Shiloh have both talked about the mists having different effects based on color, do they really? All forms of the mist are just spat or rubbed into the eyes, so they all just sting the eyes. But no doubt, Naraku will bust out as many colors as they can think of in some kind of No Disqualification match with Shiloh, who could easily defend against the mist with goggles. Very good promo from Zaria with Izzi and Thea, and good promo from Kali with Lizzy. The Women’s North American Championship scene is heating up again, I wonder if we’ll get another ladder match for the title, as it has been awhile since we’ve had one.

Very good promos from the trios tonight, and of course Tristan tries to rile up Rook. Then Keanu with his two faced act continues to be clever stuff. Great Six Man Tag main event, and as I said last week, they made sure to keep Tony and Cruz on opposite teams so it wouldn’t be predictable. Cruz and Keanu are clearly going to have their own feud on the side, and between Tony, Rook, and Saquon, those are all good choices for facing Waller. It’d probably be too easy for Tony to get his rematch so soon, but even if he did, not sure the chances of him winning the title back so soon. If this goes to Halloween Havoc, I wouldn’t mind seeing Waller and Saquon spinning the wheel to make the deal and do something really wild and Halloween themed. Then Waller can win from legal shenanigans so that Saquon is protected in a loss.

My Score: 8.8/10