The Standout wants to see who can stand tall!

The NXT Women’s Champion, Kelani Jordan, wants a challenger that earns it, so tonight, there will be a TWENTY WOMAN BATTLE ROYAL!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Zilla Fatu VS Lexis King; Zilla wins.
• 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Shido Ash & Viktor Zanov; Hank ‘n’ Tank win and advance to the next round.
• Shiloh Hill VS NARAKU; Shiloh wins, by disqualification.
• 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Sean Legacy & Dorian Van Dux BirthRight VS The Tokyo Bad Boys; Lexis King & Charlie Dempsey win and advance to the next round.
• NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal: Wren Sinclair wins and will challenge Kelani Jordan for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

BirthRight walks ‘n’ talks.

Arianna Grace says they are going to take over every division in NXT! Tonight, she will win the 20 Woman Battle Royal, but first… Lexis King says first thing’s first, he handles the Zilla Fatu problem. Lexis told Zilla straight up that he’s either with BirthRight or against them. Tonight, Zilla will live with that choice.

Zilla walks ‘n’ talks, too.

“Hey, Lexis King! You think WWE owes you something cuz who your daddy is? Nah, I don’t think so. See me, I ain’t worried ’bout my last name. Cuz after I whoop yo’ ass, you will call me The Main One! Zilla FA-TUUU~!” Zilla makes his entrance, will he say HELLO to another victory?

Zilla Fatu VS Lexis King w/ BirthRight!

The moment BirthRight is ringside during their entrance, Zilla CLOBBERS King into the rest of ’em! The fans fire up as Zilla drags Lexis up, SMACKS him off the apron, then peels the vest away so he can CHOP! The fans “WOO~” while Lexis scrambles away. Zilla stares down with Dempsey and Stacks, but leaves them be to go to the ring. The bell rings, and Zilla LARIATS Lexis! Lexis flounders to a corner, Zilla runs in for a SPLASH! Zilla whips corner to corner, runs in, but Lexis dodges! Lexis LARIATS, CHOPS, and headlocks. But Zilla SHOVES Lexis away! Lexis drop toeholds but Zilla stays up!

Zilla drags Lexis up, whips, but Lexis ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Zilla to WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up with Zilla, “HELLO~!” Zilla stands Lexis up to CHOP! Lexis flounders, Zilla stands him up, but Lexis fires CHOPS of his own. Zilla DECKS him for it! Lexis goes to a corner, Zila whips corner to corner, but Lexis BOOTS him! Lexis runs up, into a LARIAT! Zilla stalks Lexis, drags him up, and asks the fans if they’re ready. “HELLO!” CHOP! Zilla then climbs up, and he rains down HEADBUTTS! The fans count along, but Uriah & Dempsey get Lexis outta there at about five. But Zilla just says bet, and he SUPER CROSSBODIES! A hard landing for everyone but the fans love it!

The ref checks, Zilla is alright and he stands up. The fans fire up with Zilla again, and he puts Lexis in the ring. But Lexis distracts the ref so that BirthRight can YANK Zilla back! Zilla scares them off, but now Arianna gets on the apron! Zilla and the ref are both distracted, Lexis KICKS the ropes to jam Zilla up! Then Lexis WRECKS Zilla with a dropkick! The fans boo but BirthRight soaks up that heat while NXT goes picture in picture.

Lexis huffs ‘n’ puffs as he stalks Zilla up the ramp. Lexis CLUBS Zilla, brings him around, and whips him hard into barriers! The ref reprimands but Lexis rolls into the ring. Lexis lets the ring count climb, but then goes back out to fetch Zilla. Lexis stomps Zilla, drags him up, but Zilla fires body shots. Zilla fires haymakers, but Lexis SMACKS him off the apron! Zilla stumbles around the way but Lexis pursues. Lexis brings Zilla over to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Zilla writhes but Lexis drags him back up. Lexis puts Zilla in the ring, stomps him, then ELBOW DROPS! Lexis KICKS Zilla in the back, then stalks him to ropes.

Lexis CHOKES Zilla, the ref counts, and Lexis stops at 4. Zilla sputters but Lexis YANKS the rope to jam Zilla up! Lexis pie faces Zilla, talks trash about BirthRight, then pie faces Zilla again. Zilla RAMS Lexis into a corner! Zilla runs up, Lexis BOOTS back! Lexis runs up, Zilla pops him up, but Lexis uses that to DROPKICK! Zilla goes to a corner, Lexis runs in and LARIATS! Then spins through to CHOP! Then he headlocks for a BIG BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Zilla toughs it out, but Lexis keeps on him with a chinlock. Zilla endures the grind while the fans rally up. Zilla fights up to his feet, but Lexis jumps on as a backpack!

Zilla runs to a corner and HOTSHOTS Lexis away! NXT returns to single picture as Lexis crawls to the apron. Zilla stands Lexis up, but Lexis HOTSHOTS in return! Lexis climbs, leaps, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Zilla survives but Lexis shouts, “What’s it gonna be, Zilla?! What’s it gonna be?!” Lexis clamps on with a chinlock again, but Zilla endures. Zilla fights up, Lexis is a backpack again, but Zilla RAMS him backwards into the corner! Zilla is free, but then Lexis jumps back on! Zilla snapmares free this time, blocks a shot, and ROCKS Lexis! And ROCKS him again! Zilla whips but Lexis sunset flips! Zilla stay sup, but Lexis avoids the hip drop!

Lexis KICKS! And KICKS! KICKS! KICKS! Lexis runs, Zilla ducks the Penalty Kick, and he POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up while both men are down! BirthRight coaches Lexis but Zilla rises first. Zilla LARIATS! And LARIATS! Then he whips, but Lexis KICKS Zilla back! Zilla LARIATS on return! The fans fire up again and “HELLO!” Zilla runs up, blocks boots, and puts Lexis in the ropes. Zilla CHOPS Lexis’ back, then runs to DRAPING DIVING HEADBUTT! Lexis is down, Uriah gets up! Zilla DEECKS him! Stacks gets up, but Zilla TOSSES him in! Then he LARIATS Stacks up and out!

Zilla sees Dempsey and DECKS him first! But Lexis SUPERKICKS! Zilla stays up!? The fans fire up while Lexis is freaking out! Zilla clinches, FULL NELSON FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up as Zilla powers up! Lexis rises, Zilla runs up, TRIPLE Z! Cover, Zilla wins!

Winner: Zilla Fatu, by pinfall

It may have been 5v1 but The Main One still won! But now BirthRight goes after him anyway! The fans boo as these sore losers mug Zilla! Oh no, now Lexis brings a chair in! Dempsey takes it from him so he can JAM Zilla up! Dempsey then SMACKS Zilla on the back! Zilla writhes but BirthRight isn’t done with him! They drag Zilla out of the ring, and they look to the steel steps! Dempsey whips Zilla right into the steel! The fans boo but now they pull the steps apart! They put Zilla’s arm underneath, and SMASH!! The fans boo as Zilla clutches his wrist! Dempsey stands on the bashed hand, and only now are refs out here to shoo them away.

Zilla is down and out even though he was the winner, did BirthRight sacrifice this battle so they could win the war?

Backstage interview with Kelani Jordan.

Emily Agard is with the Standout NXT Women’s Champion and says tonight, superstars from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Evolve, AAA and even TNA are all competing in a battle royal for a chance at her title at Halloween Havoc. Can Lani tell us how she’s- Uh, how would Emily feel? Twenty women desperate to prove they’re worthy to stand in the ring with The Standout. Twenty women all trying to get her attention. But the thing is, one person has done that, and that’s Reina Volcan. It’s one thing to attack the champ from behind, and it’s another to outlast 19 others to- Evolve’s Chantel Monroe interrupts!

The Reflection of Perfection wants Lani to be careful, because Chantel is one of the 20. But tonight, she proves she is one of one when she wins the match and takes that title. Which, OMG, so fitting for the Showstopping Diva to then- Lani says Chantel will wake up from her dream. Layla Diggs steps in and says that insult ate. Because before she got hurt, she had won a shot at a title, but never got it. So tonight, this is personal. Miss Everything will be seeing Lani on the other side after she wins. Lani says this is what she said: They’re desperate. At Halloween Havoc, there will be a moment made. But it’ll be made by Lani. So good luck.

Dion Lennox speaks.

“Hey, Cruz. Hearing your story last week was powerful. I can see why so many people relate to you. It’s because you spoke from the heart. But there you go again. You act like you took the tough route when all you did was take the easy one. You bailed yourself out of a situation you put yourself in. You pumped your body full of toxins. Probably the same ones your mama was selling. But me? I used my past to build this machine. A machine that never breaks down, can take hits and keep going. A machine that never, ever runs outta gas. I wasn’t dealt a better hand than you, I just chose to live a better life.

“My parents steered me on the right path, kept me focused. They gave me the tools to succeed, so I ran with it. But you think you had it hard? Man, hell nah! Making the right decision every damn day is hard. Meeting expectations is hard. Cuz if I slipped up, I wasn’t just failing myself. I was disappointing my family, my community. Wasting an opportunity that only 1% of the 1% get, there ain’t no pressure in that? Regiment, structure, discipline. When to eat, sleep, practice, watch film, all that was mapped out for me day in and day out. That was my life. And yeah, there was times I wanted to go out and party with my friends. Y’know, be a loser like you.

“But I didn’t. I saw the bigger picture. And that sacrifice allowed me to live two dreams. And yet, I’m not the one that’s celebrated for always making the right decisions. And you are a grown ass man being patted on the back because you finally decided to? That’s exactly why there’re so many stories out there just like yours, and not many like mine. My story doesn’t bring people to tears like yours does, but y’know something? Here’s something that’s sad, Cruz. It took me two years to make it to NXT TV. It took you 20. You said your past was your superpower, Cruz. I hope that’s the truth, I really do for your sake. Because you might’ve beaten your addition, but you will never beat me.

“And after I do beat you, I’m gonna send your ass right back to that dark place. And then we all gonna see if you can pull yourself outta that hole again.”

Cruz Montana finishes watching that.

The Boricua Badass says bet. Lizzy Rain says Dion’s sure got guts. Cruz says yeah, we’ll see if there’s action behind those words. Lizzy says she’d hate to be Dion. Cruz says don’t worry about that, she’s got a big opportunity. He remembers her in the UK scene, she was shutting it down. Go show the world. Will do, brother. They fist bump and Lizzy heads out, but in steps Xia Brookside, the NEW TNA Knockouts World Champion. And she says, “Wow… You’re supporting her now? You’ve really changed.” Xia leaves, Cruz says, “I’ve changed?” The former TNA star is ready to use his past as power, but will his future be bright?

2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Shido Ash & Viktor Zanov!

The Big Belly Bandits won a big belly flop contest, but they’re hoping to rise and return to some former glory. However, two legit fighters are ready to prove they didn’t just evolve, they perfected their bond as a duo. Will nothing stop the blackbelts from going after the gold belts? Or will it be HONK HONK from here to the finals?

The teams sort out and Hank starts against Ash. They tie up. Ash waistlocks, then slips around to snapmare. Hank comes back to KNEE, shove, but Ash slips through the lariat to have a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! But Hank powers up to power out, only for Ash to land out of the suplex! Hank runs, but into a OGOSHI! Hank is stunned, he isn’t even sure what happened! Ash tags to Zanov, so Hank tags to Tank. The fans rally as Tank storms up, but Zanov RAMS him into a corner! Zanov BODY BLOWS, then whips corner to corner, but Tank comes back to BOOT! Tank headlocks, but Zanov endures the grind.

Zanov powers up and out, but Tank grabs ropes to stop himself. Zanov storms up, Tank ROCKS him! Tank facelocks, but Zanov blocks the suplex! Tank ELBOWS Zanov, headlocks, but Zanov hits an OGOSHI of his own! Hank runs in but Ash intercepts with a SLINGBLADE! Hank ‘n’ Tank go to a corner, Zanov & Ash egg them on, but the fans boo as NXT goes picture in picture.

Hank steps out, and so does Ash. Tank and Zanov reset, tie up, but Zanov hits a trip and a cover, TWO! Tank hooks n arm to roll Zanov and TWIST! Zanova shakes that arm out but Tank wrenches. Zanov ROCKS Tank, whips him to ropes, but Tank slips around to crucifix takedown! ONE, Tank runs up to SPLASH in the corner! Tank goes side to side, Hank tags in, SPLASH again! And SPLASH again! Then Hank BULLDOGS! Tank SENTONS! Cover, ONE!! Zanov toughs it out, but Hank BLASTS Ash for good measure. Hank fires forearms but Zanov UPPERCUTS! Hank falls out, Zanov argues with the ref, and Ash stomps away on Hank!

Ash puts Hank in the ring, and Zanov dribbles Hank off the mat. Zanov CLUBS Hank to the corner, he throws hands, and Ash joins in! The ref counts, they stop, but Ash tags in. Ash stays between Hank and Tank, then stands Hank up. SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! Hank survives but Ash bumps him off buckles. Tag back to Zanov and he UPPERCUTS Hank down! Zanov talks trash on Tank, Tank talks trash back, but Hank fires body shots! Hank swings, Zanov blocks, and Zanov fires body shots in return! Zanov POWERSLAMS Hank down, snarls, then clamps onto Hank with a chinlock. Hank endures while Tank reaches out.

Hank fights to his feet, fires body shots, but Zanov scoops and SLAMS! Hank flounders away to ropes but Zanov tags Ash. Zanov pushes Hank into the corner, then Ash UPPERCUTS! Tag back to Zanov, he stomps Hank again and again, then brings him up. Zanov UPPERCUTS, tags Ash back in, and NXT returns to single picture. Zanov whips Ash at Hank, but also uses that momentum to BLAST Tank! Ash LARIATS Hank, then Zanov ELBOWS! Feed to Ash for a POP-UP OGOSHI! Cover, TWO! Hank survives being thrown around, but Ash stalks him to ropes. Ash talks trash, then stands Hank up. Hank hooks ropes to stop the suplex!

Ash CLUBS away on Hank, then brings him up, but Hank cradle counters! TWO, and Ash anchors a leg! Hank BOOTS free! Zanov tags in, but Tank is still down! We get a quick picture in picture of The Creed Brothers watching this, as Ash pops Hank up for Zanov’s GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, Tank breaks it in time! The fans fire up, but Ash TOSSES Tank! Ash steps out, Zanov stalks Hank to the apron. Hank HOTSHOTS Zanov away! Ash rushes over, but Hank hops down to YANK Ash down! Hank hurries in, he dodges Zanov! Hank hot tags Tank! The fans fire up as Tank rallies on Ash & Zanov! KNEE for Zanov!

Tank cartwheels to dodge Ash, then LARIATS him down! Tank slips around Zanov to SAIDO! The fans fire up for Tank, but Ash whips! Tank reverses, and OVERHEAD THROWS him! Ash tumbles out, regroups with Zanov, but Tank CANNONBALLS! Down goes Zanov! Ash scoops Tank, Tank slips free, and Hank POUNCES! Ash goes flying over the desk! Hank ‘n’ Tank put Zanov in, the fans fire up as Tank climbs up! SWANTON BOMB! Tag to Hank, and the shirts come off! “HONK HONK!” BIG BELLY- NO, Ash trips Tank, Zanov POWERSLAMS again! Cover, TWO!! Hank survives! But Ash THROWS Tank down!

Ash calls to Zanov, tags in, and they have Hank! Double guzel, DOUBLE- NO, Hank pops free! Hank ELBOWS Ash, but Zanov ROCKS Hank! Zanov dodges Tank! Tank & Hank SPEAR LARIAT COMBO!! Ash is up, he wrenches Tank and GAMANGIRIS! Ash runs, but Hank reels him in, BIG BOSS MAN SLAM!! Hank roars, Tank rises, and Hank runs to HIP ATTACK Ash! tank DIVES onto Zanov! Hank LARIATS Ash! Tag back to Tank and they get back on track! HONK HONK! BIG BELLY SANDWICH!! Then the GRIDIRON!! Cover, HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!

Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall (advance to the next round)

It was far from easy, far from perfect, but the former NXT Tag Team Champions know all about the hard road to the top! Will they make it through Julius & Brutus in the next round? Or will The Creeds have a need for speed?

BirthRight has attacked!!

It seems they weren’t done with beating up in Zilla earlier! They have attacked Sean Legacy & Dorian Van Dux, Zilla’s teammates from two weeks ago! Uriah says first Zilla, now Legacy & DVD ain’t making the Dusty Cup! Stacks says if you mess with them, they leave their mark! BirthRight leaves, having done the damage. Will there be consequences for them stepping out of line again? And what will happen with the tag tournament?

Grayson Waller is here!

The fans boo as the Aussie Icon heads to the ring, mic already in hand. The NXT Champion says, “And still! I’m not surprised. Last week was exactly what I wanted, exactly what I needed. The old Grayson Waller probably would’ve freaked out when everything changed last minute, probably would’ve gone to run and hide. But I buried that brother with the boxing shorts and the Hawaiian shirts. It used to be about likes ‘n’ swipes. Now I fight for championships. And Rob Stone, I know you were fist pumping, putting me in an Open Challenge like I was gonna freak out. Nah, lad, I loved it! That’s why I came back here! Twenty minutes fighting against whoever wanted it the most.

“Whoever got in here first, and that was E K Prosper.” The fans cheer for EK, and Waller nods. Waller admits, EK’s first main event championship match, he crushed it. Waller left here feeling like he was in a fight. EK left here, bleeding and feeling sorry for himself. But don’t feel too bad, lad, you got a gift: The Grayson Waller Rub. You’re welcome. And one day, EK will have this NXT Championship. But as long as it’s around Grayson’s waist, there’s not a man breathing that can take it from him! When he came back, he wanted to restore the prestige of the championship. Back when the NXT title was THE title in WWE! Back when every single NXT title match mattered!

That is what Waller is after now. But let’s get to the fun part: Who is going to step up next? And well, Myles Borne appears! The fans are torn as Myles goes to the ring given how he treated Tavion Heights. Waller has Myles hold on, and he personally brings the mic to Myles. Waller lets Myles speak, and Myles says, “Not who you were expecting? I’m done doing what’s expected of me. I’m doing what’s best for me. See, Myles Borne deserves to be a champion. And now that I don’t have that deadweight of Tavion dragging behind me, it’s time to go after the one title that I haven’t held yet, that NXT Championship.”

The fans boo but Myles says what he did to Tavion showed even Myles what Myles is capable of when he stops caring about what all the fans think about him. Myles learned what Waller did! The only way to the top is to be selfish, ruthless, and unbreakable. That’s exactly who Myles is now. Waller nods and says this is the fire he wanted to see! Finally, someone is listening to Waller, and paying attention to what he is saying. But wait, here comes Tony D’Angelo! And he tells Waller that it is not over between them until he says so. Myles picked the wrong time to grow a set. Take the new attitude and use it on someone else, because Tony has unfinished business with Waller.

Tony steps into the ring but Waller says Tony is a week late. We didn’t see Tony fight for the shot last week, where was he? Tony says earlier, Waller said he’s not the same Waller, the guy who would bitch and moan. But deep down, we all know that’s a lie. If Tony had come out here, Waller would be screaming bloody murder, using every excuse about how he was not prepared. Myles tells Tony this is not about him, but Tony says he’s talking here, thanks. So Tony is picking his spot. When he puts Waller through the mat and takes back the title, there will be no room for excuses. And Waller wants to talk bringing prestige back to the NXT title? Tony’s title? Tony takes that personally.

Oh, Tony’s title? Waller doesn’t see Tony’s name on it. But when Cruz Montana tried to snake Waller’s opportunity, Tony said, “Why don’t you two figure it out?” Fantastic idea! Next week, Tony and Myles figure it out, and the winner gets the rub. Let’s see who really wants it. Myles steps forward to stare Tony down, then he stares Waller down. Then he DECKS Tony! Waller likes what he sees, but who will he see for the title at Halloween Havoc?

EK Prosper sits backstage.

He’s a bit down, but then William Regal steps in! EK says hello to Mr. Regal, and Regal asks why he’s so down. EK says he stepped up to Waller and fumbled. Regal says no, he did not fumble. EK fought with every bit of fighting spirit that he had, put heart into it. Regal has seen everyone come and go here, and EK’s got main roster star written all over him. World championship main event material, even. Don’t ever look down on yourself, just keep fighting. EK says he appreciates that and thanks Regal. Then Stone walks by. Regal calls Stone over, and Stone says they gotta talk about BirthRight. Stone is scrambling to find last minute replacements for Legacy & DVD.

Regal says yes, but there’s no one who knows more about the trials and tribulations of NXT than him. He noticed that Stacks & Uriah are out, but Charlie & Lexis were never in. Stone says he can’t reward bad behavior, especially after what they also did to Zilla’s hand. Regal knows, but… Sometimes, you just have to make quick decisions. And Regal doesn’t see how Stone has anyone else. Regal’s hand on Stone’s shoulder is also a bit intimidating… Stone gives in and says Lexis & Charlie can compete. Regal says wonderful. He knew Stone was the right man for the job. But will BirthRight make the most of this opportunity handed to them on a silver platter?

Shiloh Hill VS NARAKU!

The Fog has studied the mist, but the King of Darkness says Shiloh is still blind to the truth. Will Darkness Fall and show Shiloh the light? Or will Shiloh’s #ToothlessAggression dispel the evil?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Shiloh pushes Naraku back, and they reset. They tie up again, are in a deadlock, then break. They circle, tie up, and Naraku KNEES low, then CLUBS Shiloh. Naraku TOSSES Shiloh up and out, but Shiloh skins the cat! The fans cheer, but Naraku runs up! Shiloh scoops and SLAMS! Then scoops to SLAM again! Shiloh headlocks to grind Naraku, but Naraku fights up. The fans rally as Naraku powers up but can’t power out. Shiloh grinds Naraku down again, but Naraku rolls to a cover. ONE, and Shiloh holds the headlock. Naraku endures, headscissors, and he holds on tight.

Shiloh kips free on the second try, then headlocks again. Naraku fires body shots, powers up and out, but Shiloh ducks ‘n’ dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up with Shiloh, he headlocks Naraku again, but Naraku hits a BIG back suplex! Both men are down but the fans rally back up. Shiloh and Naraku stand, Naraku turns Shiloh, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Shiloh is tougher than that, but Naraku rains down fists. Naraku headlocks now, but Shiloh endures. The fans rally as Shiloh fights up, and he wrenches. Naraku powers the hold on tighter, but Shiloh still powers up and out. Naraku THROWS Shiloh down by his hair!

The ref reprimands but Naraku whips Shiloh to ropes, then ROCKS him! Shiloh falls out of the ring but Naraku pursues. Naraku CLUBS Shiloh, then whips, but Shiloh tiger feints off the apron to ROCK Naraku! The fans fire up as Shiloh puts Naraku back in the ring. Shiloh hurries up the corner, leaps, but Naraku dodges! Shiloh comes back, Naraku BOOTS him! Naraku DISCUS- DOUBLE FOREARMS from both men! Shiloh and Naraku DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Then they DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Naraku and Shiloh slowly stir, rise up, and Naraku CHOPS! Shiloh CHOPS in return! Naraku CHOPS again, so Shiloh CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going, then Shiloh runs. Naraku mule kicks, then he throws Shiloh to HOTSHOT off ropes! Shiloh flops to the outside but Naraku drags him back in. Naraku CHOKES Shiloh, backs off as the ref counts 4, then clamps on with a facelock. Shiloh endures the squeeze, wrenches at the hold, but Naraku clamps it on tighter. Shiloh fires body shots, but he’s starting to fade! The fans rally up, and Shiloh rises! Cradle! TWO, and Naraku is right back on with the facelock!

Shiloh fights up, he RAMS Naraku into a corner, but Naraku holds on! Naraku CLUBS away on Shiloh, but Shiloh RAMS him back in. Naraku KNEES away on Shiloh, then SCRAPES his face off the ropes! The ref reprimands but Naraku keeps Shiloh trapped in the facelock. Shiloh endures, fights up, and he RAMS Naraku into the corner! Then he NORTHERN LIGHTS Naraku away! Both men are down again, but Shiloh crawls his way over. Shiloh drags Naraku up, reels him in, and SHOULDER BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Naraku toughs it out, but Shiloh goes to the corner as NXT returns to single picture.

Shiloh climbs, but Naraku ROCKS Shiloh first! Naraku goes up, but Shiloh fights back! Shiloh SHOVES Naraku down, then takes aim! Naraku stands, into the FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up while Shiloh hurries to cover, TWO! Naraku toughs it out but Shiloh stays cool. Shiloh drags Naraku up while the fans rally. Shiloh whips, Naraku grabs ropes, and Naraku FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS! Then Naraku turns Shiloh, CRAVAT BUSTER! Then a HEADBUTT again and again and again! Naraku doesn’t stop, he whips Shiloh to ropes and DOUBLE CHOPS! Shiloh rebounds, into another DOUBLE CHOP! Naraku SENTONS on top! Cover, TWO!

Shiloh survives but Naraku clamps onto the arm! CROSSFACE! Shiloh endures, even as Naraku pulls him back! Shiloh shifts, reaches out, and fights over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Naraku lets go in frustration. Naraku then grabs Shiloh’s legs, and CATAPULT GUILLOTINES! Shiloh sputters but Naraku fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO! Shiloh survives and Naraku is frustrated. The fans rally as Naraku runs, and Shiloh avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Shiloh rises. He’s got a wild look in his eyes, and he fires off on Naraku! Shiloh CHOPS, whips, but Naraku reverses, only for Shiloh to BOOT!

Shiloh POP-UP HAYMAKERS! Then he rains down fists! The fans fire up for Shiloh, and he hits the IMPLODER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Naraku is still in this but Shiloh stays focused. But then Naraku is preparing to spray! Shiloh clamps a hand over Naraku’s mouth! Naraku breaks free, but Shiloh kicks low! Naraku slips free, but Shiloh ducks! BLUE MIST hits the ref!! The ref calls for the bell while Shiloh and Naraku brawl!

Winner: Shiloh Hill, by disqualification

Shiloh TACKLES Naraku outta the ring, and they keep on fighting! Security hurries to stop this while another ref helps poor Ref Sanders! What will it take for Shiloh and Naraku to settle this score?

Kendal Grey visits her therapist again.

Last time, they discussed how working hard isn’t always enough, and there are some things you just can’t control. How is that sitting with her? Kendal says it is definitely not easy. For one, tonight is the battle royal, Kendal should be in it. But worse, the only person she can blame is herself. What does she mean? Well, it started with NXT Underground. She wanted to beat Lola Vice at her own game, but while doing that, she made a stupid mistake, and she got injured. Knowing she wasn’t 100%, she still handed Kelani Jordan the match for Heatwave. And then the cherry on top is Kendal was the one to expose the metal post Lani used against her. So yeah, it’s all Kendal’s fault.

Is Kendal always this hard on herself? Yeah. Kendal isn’t sure how not to be. She can do something right 100 times, but all her brain focuses on the one time she does it wrong. That’s what people don’t see. They see the matches, the wins, the losses, but they don’t see the person standing behind the laced boots. They don’t see her sitting alone, analyzing and obsessing over every little detail, every mistake. Somewhere along the way, Kendal told herself that if she was hard enough on herself, she’d never have to feel those feelings again. The feelings of not being good enough. She beat herself to the punch.

Before anyone else could tell her she wasn’t good enough, that she was making mistakes, she’s already told herself that. But when you live like that for a long time, you stop knowing how to celebrate. You stop knowing how to be proud of yourself. And Kendal realizes her biggest opponent has always been herself. What does that tell her? That this is her biggest challenge. That this is something she has to fix. And she knows it doesn’t happen overnight. She thought she was gonna hate therapy, but turns out, it’s not so bad. The therapist says she is still figuring out who she is, and that is okay, but remember there is no finish line to this.

The therapist will always be here if she needs to talk, but let’s say this is a good place to stop. She got the three visits per the referral, and she has a medical evaluation coming up. Regardless of how that goes, his door is always open. Kendal thanks him and takes her leave. Will the Ice Woman learn how to be kinder to herself?

2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round: BirthRight VS The Tokyo Bad Boys!

It seems that sometimes, crime does pay. However, are Lexis King & Charlie Dempsey going to make the most of this opportunity William Regal got for them? Or will Kento & Takuma show them that no one is above the law?

The teams sort out and Kento starts against Dempsey. The two tie up, Dempsey waistlocks, spins Kento, then UPPERCUTS! Dempsey snapmares Kento, Kento wrenches to wristlock, but Dempsey spins to cording hold. Dempsey whips, Kento ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Kento springboards to CROSSBODY! Things keep moving and Kento wrenches to wristlock. Dempsey wrenches to wristlock, then he SLAPS away on the arm before he hits a STRAIGHT ARM SUPLEX! Dempsey clamps on, but Kento headscissors. Dempsey fights around, rolls Kento, then bridges back so he can roll and BOW ‘N’ ARROW!

Kento endures, the fans rally, and he pops free to a cover, ONE! Kento arm-drags! And arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Kento then wrenches, and he brings Dempsey to tag Takuma. They mug Dempsey, then double whip. They double kick, then DOUBLE GIRI SANDWICH! The fans cheer as the Bad Boys double whip, and DOUBLE BACKDROP! Dempsey stumbles, Lexis tags in, and Lexis runs up. Takuma blocks the kick to CLUB the leg, then CHOPS Lexis! Takuma whips, Lexis reverses, but Takuma handsprings! Takuma ducks ‘n’ dodges, Kento sneaks the tag, and Takuma RANAS Lexis!

The fans cheer as Lexis staggers around, and Kento springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Lexis bails out but Kento builds speed to FLY! Down goes Lexis, but then Takuma ESCALARA MOONSAULTS Dempsey! The fans are all fired up for the Bad Boys as they put Lexis back in. They coordinate, but Dempsey CLOBBERS both Bad Boys! Kento even hits steps on the way down! The fans boo, but BirthRight soaks up the heat before going after Kento. We get a quick picture in picture to see Los Hermanos Wagner watching backstage, waiting to see who they get next. Lexis ELBOW DROPS, then tags Dempsey.

BirthRight mugs Kento, and Dempsey UPPERCUTS him down! Dempsey GUT WRENCH PLEXES, then covers, TWO! Dempsey stomps Kento around, but Kento blocks a kick! Kento fights up, then DRAGON SREWS the leg! Tag to Takuma, and he springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Takuma BOOTS Lexis, then UPPERCUTS Dempsey! Takuma whips, then SPANISH FLIES! Takuma drags Dempsey to the drop zone, goes up, springboard 450 SPLASH! Cover, Lexis breaks it! The fans boo but Takuma gets up to DECK Lexis in return! The fans fire up as Takuma goes up, up, but Lexis is back! Only for Kento to SPEAR him off the apron!

The fans fire up, but Dempsey CHOPS Takuma! Dempsey goes up, underhooks, SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX! Then he POSTS Takuma, drags him back in, and LEG CAPTURE PLEX! Bridging cover, BirthRight wins!

Winners: Lexis King & Charlie Dempsey, by pinfall (advance to the next round)

They may not have earned this second chance, but they did earn their way into the second round. Dempsey grabs Vic Joseph’s headset to tell us all at home that first it was Zilla, then it was DVD & Legacy, and now Tokyo Bad Boys. Everyone will realize you do NOT step up to BirthRight! They storm off victorious while the fans boo them all. Will nothing stop BirthRight from taking everything NXT has to offer and more?

NXT Media catches up to Myles Borne.

He rolls his eyes and says, “Lemme guess. You want a comment? Plan and simple, I’m just leveling up to the top where I belong. And how do I do that? By taking out the man who was the pillar of NXT for the past five years, Tony D’Angelo. Then, I’ll see Grayson Waller at Halloween Havoc for that NXT Championship.” Myles heads out for the night, but will he be the one in for a fright?

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal!

Six branches of the WWE Universe all connect here in this match, with twenty of the hungriest chasing their chance at glory. But who defies these incredible odds to be the one standing across from The Standout?

NXT returns as Xia Brookside makes her entrance, but she seems disappointed that this is the NXT she’s returning to. Then the Reina de Reinas Champion, La Catalina, makes her entrance! She and Xia join Reina Volcan, Izzi Dame, Kali Armstrong, Nikkita Lyons, Arianna Grace, Thea Hail, Lizzy Rain, Layla Diggs, The Elegance Brand, Ivy Nile, Kiana James, Indi Hartwell, Skylar Raye, Chantel Monroe, Lady Shani and Adelicious in the ring, to then be followed by NXT Women’s North American Champion, Zaria! The bell rings, and chaos ensues! Kali puts Catalina in a corner, Arianna brawls with Chantel, and Izzi tries to hold off Lizzy and Lyons!

Maggie helps Kali DUMP Catalina out, but Catalina lands safe on the apron! Thea tries to scrape Heather out, and Izzi TOSSES Layla! But Layla holds onto the ropes! Layla tries to skin the cat, but she can’t hold on! Layla falls, Izzi ELIMINATES Miss Everything! Izzi then stares down with Zaria, they start shoving, and then start throwing hands! Zaria THROWS Izzi right out and ELIMINATES her! The fans fire up for that one! Zaria waves bye bye, but Izzi wants right after her! The refs stop Izzi, then security has to drag her away. Izzi ELBOWS one guy, BOOTS another, but has to be carried away now!

Zaria shrugs, then DECKS Skylar. Zaria and Reina now throw hands! Zaria ROCKS Lyons, Catalina fights off the Elegance Brand, and Reina suplexes Skylar! Skylar clings to ropes, Adelicious goes after Reina, and they work together against her! Reina SMACKS Adelicious and Skylar off each other! Kali fights off Lizzy, Kiana fights off Thea and Indi, and Adelicious headstands to BRONCO BUSTER Skylar! Adelicious then runs up, but Skylar dodges! Skylar KICKS a leg, then fires off! Kali DUMPS Lizzy, Lizzy holds onto ropes! Reina scrapes Xia but Xia clings to ropes! Adelicious swings on Skylar but Skylar dodges! Adelicious goes to RANA, but Skylar clings to ropes!

Skylar dangles, gets up, and she brawls with Adelicious! Reina BLASTS them both, DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Reina taunts them, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns as Reina presses Heather over her head, only for M to save her. Elegance Brand ROCKS Reina together! We get a quick replay of Ivy TOSSING Chantel Monroe out to ELIMINATE her, but she’s currently after Lyons. Reina CLUBS Arianna, Arianna comes back for more, but Reina ELBOWS her away. Elegance Brand and Arianna work together now, and they storm up on Reina! Only for Elegance Brand to BETRAY Arianna and TOSS her out! They ELIMINATE Arianna! BirthRight’s karma comes back to bite Arianna! But then M almost sends Heather out! Heather is paranoid, M defends her innocence, but Thea CLOBBERS M into Heather!

Heather falls, ELIMINATION! Then Thea LARIATS M up and out, another ELIMINATION! The fans fire up for the Grown-Ass Woman! Elegance Brand argues over what happened, but the fans cheer Thea as she does her dance. Thea goes after Kiana, Zaria is after Kali, Catalina storms up on Lady Shani, and Lizzy HEEL KICKS Lyons! Lizzy CHOPS away, “MAKE IT RAIN!” But Zaria runs up! Lizzy dodges to CHOP away on Zaria! Ivy runs up, Lizzy dodges her to CHOP away! Lizzy ten PUMP HANDLE EXPLODERS Zaria! The fans fire up with the Maiden of Metal, only for Lyons to dodge! Lyons hoists Lizzy up, CHOPS her, and Lizzy tumbles!

Lizzy clings to ropes and she slides in! Lizzy HOTSHOTS Lyons’s leg! Catalina lifts Shani but Shani clings to ropes! Catalina brawls with Reina, Thea tries to lift! Reina fights Thea up, then she fights Indi. Indi & Thea work together, and Ivy helps out! Catalina, too! But Reina EXPLODERS out! The fans fire up as the Force of Nature uses some serious force! Reina grabs Ivy, fires hands in a corner, then hoists her up. Lizzy fights off Lyons, Xia goes to dump Lyons out! Lyons BOOTS free! Ivy slips free of Reina, Kiana DUMPS Zaria! Zaria stays on the apron and clings to ropes. Thea and Catalina fire off on Reina but she fires back!

Ivy is on the apron but she DUMPS Lizzy out! Lizzy is on the apron with Ivy now, and Lizzy waistlocks Ivy! Lizzy tries but Ivy holds onto the ropes to stop the suplex! Ivy ELBOWS Lizzy, Lizzy ROCKS Ivy! They brawl, the fans rally, and Lizzy BOOTS Ivy! Ivy ELBOWS Lizzy again! But Lizzy UP KICKS! Ivy ROUNDHOUSES! Lizzy staggers, but comes back, HEADBANGA! Down goes Ivy, Lizzy ELIMINATES her! Reina runs up, Lizzy HEEL KICKS! Lizzy cues it up, the rest go after Reina! They lift and DUMP Reina out to ELIMINATE her! The fans cheer the group effort! But then Reina drags Shani out from under the ropes! SNAP POWERSLAM!

The fans are torn as Reina gets revenge, but she still has to leave! The battle royal rages on as NXT goes picture in picture.

Catalina is in one corner, but Lyons goes after Kiana instead. Zaria has Kali up top but Kali BOOTS her away! Lizzy storms up, goes after Zaria, and they brawl. Zaria scoops Lizzy to SLAM her! Zaria looms over Lizzy while Indi clings for life against Kiana and Lyons. Kiana BOOTS Lyons down! Zaria clings to ropes as Lizzy goes after her hands! Zaria kicks Lizzy away before she scrambles back in. Kali goes after Indi, Lyons fights of Kiana, but Xia kicks Lyons. Zaria ROCKS Lizzy, Thea whips Xia to a corner. Lizzy slips away, Lyons goes after Kiana. Kiana goes up and over but Lyons ROCKS her! Lyons SOBATS Kiana, then fireman’s carries.

Kiana slips free, she fireman’s carries Lyons! Kiana puts Lyons on the apron, Lyons blocks a kick, but the SUPERKICK his! Kiana then uses her brain, and slides out under the bottom rope! But Lyons uses her hips to booty bump Kiana away, denying her powerbomb! Lyons kicks, Kiana blocks, and she THROWS Lyons down to ELIMINATE her after all! Kiana waves bye to the Evolve Women’s Champion before stepping back inside. Kali, Zaria, and Lizzy continue to brawl but Kiana goes after them. Zaria CHOPS Kiana down! Lizzy CHOPS Zaria! Thea is after Kiana, Kali whips Lizzy to a corner.

Zaria SHOVES Kali aside, ROCKS Lizzy, then shoves her. Zaria ROCKS Lizzy, Lizzy ROCKS Zaria, repeat! NXT returns to single picture as Kiana brawls with Thea! Indi is after Xia, Lizzy BACK ELBOWS Zaria! Zaria KNEES Lizzy in return! Zaria TOSSES Lizzy, but she clings to ropes! Zaria fireman’s carries Kiana, Kiana slips free! Lizzy slips back in while Zaria LARIATS Kiana down! Zaria and Indi meet, but they both dodge Kali and Thea! They each BOOT Thea and Kali down! The fans cheer as the two Aussies circle. But Lizzy and Catalina interrupt! Catalina TOSSES Indi, but Indi holds onto the ropes! Zaria THROWS Lizzy away!

Catalina tries to scrape Indi out, but Thea & Xia run up on Zaria. Zaria breaks their double clothesline to DOUBLE SPEAR! The fans fire up as Zaria roars! Indi GAMANGIRIS Catalina, Zaria fireman’s carries her for an F5! But IZZI RUSHES IN!? Izzi whips Zaria but Zaria reverse to TOSS Izzi right back out! Izzi is furious but Zaria says that’s twice. But then Kali SHOVES Zaria out to ELIMINATE her! Izzi’s revenge works, and now she brawls with Zaria! Refs and security hurry after these two, but Kali goes after Catalina. Xia fires off on Indi but Indi dodges. Xia BOOTS Indi,  then RAN- NO, Indi stops that to lift Xia! Xia fires hands, and they go to ropes!

Xia still tries but Indi still blocks the rana! Xia kicks at Indi, but Indi just SHOVES Xia away to ELIMINATE her! The fans cheer as Indi gets rid of the Knockouts Champion! But then Xia YANKS Indi up and out by her hair to ELIMINATE her! The fans boo but now the TNA stars brawl off and around! Kiana has Thea up top, Catalina & Lizzy go after Kali. Thea ROCKS Kiana, then headscissors! Thea has a HANGING TRIANGLE! Kiana holds on, and she SWINGS Thea into the post! Thea clings to the corner crossbar! Lizzy TOSSES Kiana, Kiana ROCKS Lizzy! Thea slips around Kiana but Kiana holnds onto ropes!

The fans rally as Thea tries, but Kiana pulls up to HOTSHOT Thea down! The fans boo, but Kiana is part of the final four with Lizzy, Kali, and Catalina. Lani watches from the perch, and the four start to brawl! Lizzy has Kali. Catalina has Kiana, and they go back and forth! Kali blocks a kick, swings it, and Kiana ducks so Catalina takes the hit! Kiana then hits a CODE BREAKER on Lizzy! Kali adds a SPINEBUSTER! Kali and Kiana are fired up as they get Lizzy up, but Catalina DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS them first! The fans fire up with Catalina, and she HIP ATTACKS Kali! HIP ATTACK on Kiana! HIP ATTACK on Lizzy!

Catalina runs again, but Kali catches her, puts her on the apron, and Catalina slips off!! Kali ELIMINATES Catalina! But Kiana RAMS into Kali! Then she RAMS Lizzy! And RAMS Lizzy again and again! Kiana handsprings to RAM Kali again! Kiana talks trash, but Lizzy HEADBANGAS! Lizzy TOSSES Kiana, but Kiana holds onto ropes! Kiana kicks Lizzy away, and Kali SNAP POWERSLAMS! Kali fires up, she builds up speed, but Kiana is in the way! Kali BLASTS Kiana and ELIMINATES her all the same! Lizzy goes Matrix to dodge Kali! Kali stops the cutter, SNAP- NO, Lizzy slips free to CUTTER! Then she LARITS Kali! They both go up and over!!

The fans fire up as the two dangle, kick at each other, and somehow get to the apron. They brawl back and forth, then Kali BOOTS Lizzy! Lizzy dangles again but Kali stomps away! Lizzy KICKS Kali, brings her up, but Kali BODY BLOWS! Lizzy goes to a corner to HOTSHOT Kali! HEADBANGA into a KNEE! Lizzy falls! Kali… hasn’t won?! SHANI IS BACK! She never went over the top rope! SHANI DUMPS KALI and WINS!! But wait, Shani is taking off her mask?! Because surprise, that’s WREN SINCLAIR!! WREN WINS?!?

Winner: Wren Sinclair (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship)

Wren just pulled off quite the trick, and now her treat is that she gets to face Kelani Jordan for the title! At least, will she? Or will Stone be in no laughing mood with Wren finding a way around her suspension?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT, and what a great twist in the main event. Wren Sinclair disguising herself as Lady Shani was clever and very unexpected. I’m sure Robert Stone will want there to be consequences, but honestly since it’s pro-wrestling, just spin the wheel and make the deal so that Wren VS Lani at Halloween Havoc is a really wild No Disqualification based match. That way, if Wren loses, it’s not so bad because it was Lani using the stipulation, and vice-versa. Clearly, we got similar philosophy in how Lexis loses to Zilla, BirthRight loses their cool and goes after him AND Legacy-DVD, and yet they get to have a match in the Dusty Cup and win against The Tokyo Bad Boys. I feel like they won’t get past Los Hermanos Wagner, though, perhaps because Zilla, Legacy & DVD will somehow get involved.

Great tag match from Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Ash & Zanov, with a great NXT debut for Ash & Zanov, but I had a feeling Hank ‘n’ Tank would win. Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Creed Brothers is going to be a great second round match, feels like it could decide who goes to the finals already. At the same time, when are Legacy & DVD gonna catch a break? Injuries have already slowed them down, assuming those were legit to begin with, and now Heels keep screwing them over. We got a very good match from Shiloh VS Naraku, but that disqualification was perhaps a way to give Shiloh a win on paper while keeping this going until Halloween Havoc.

Very good promo from Dion where he of course continues to talk down to Cruz. And I figured they’d go this route, where Dion preaches the pressure of success rather than the power of privilege. Good promo back from Cruz, Lizzy, and even Xia as part of it. Very good promo from Waller, and I figured Tony would show up. Myles was more the surprise, but we got more good Heel work from him. Tony VS Myles will be a very good match, but I would think Tavion costs Myles so they can have their own Halloween Havoc grudge match. Waller VS Tony should also use the wheel to decide a stipulation, it’d be too easy to have one of them win in a standard match.

And another good “therapy” promo from Kendal. I can relate and appreciate the concept of beating yourself up mentally as a perfectionist and/or competitive personality. The Kendal comeback is still going to be solid stuff, so it makes me wonder if Lani goes on an undefeated streak until Kendal returns to get a rematch. It’d be interesting to see if it happens at Deadline, marking the anniversary of when Kendal became last year’s Miss Iron Survivor.

My Score: 8.8/10