In the opening match of Sunday’s premium live event in Colorado, Nathan Frazer & Axiom regained the titles, defeating Chase U’s Ridge Holland and Andre Chase. The finish of the match had Frazer and Axiom isolate Chase, allowing Axiom to hit a Spanish fly. Frazer then connected with Phoenix Splash to win the titles for a second time.
After the match, all of Chase U consoled one another in the ring. However, an upset Ridge Holland turned on his fellow Chase U friends, attacking Duke Hudson and Riley Osborne as they were exiting the ring before focusing on Chase, press slamming him to the floor. As Thea Hail was pleading for Holland to stop, he put Chase through the announcer’s table, causing him to be stretchered out of the building.
Recent months had shown Holland associating himself more with Chase U, despite hesitance from Osborne and Hudson who had their doubts about Holland’s true intentions. Chase & Holland defeated Frazer & Axiom back on the August 13 episode of NXT to win the titles, ending their first reign as champions.
Tuesday’s show saw Nathan Frazer and Axiom defeat Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin to win the NXT Tag Team titles for the first time. The finish came when Breakker accidentally ran into Corbin in the corner. The momentary distraction allowed Frazer and Axiom to send Breaker through the ropes and to the floor, where Frazer followed up by hitting the phoenix splash on Corbin for the win.
After the match, the new champions were jumped by Karrion Kross and AOP, The Final Testament. AOP gave both the super collider before standing over the champions, posing with their titles.
This ends the reign of Breakker and Corbin after 57 days. They defeated Tony D’Angelo and Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo on the February 13 edition of NXT. Earlier that month, they won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, earning a title shot.
Axiom & Frazer had won a three-way match to earn a shot at the Tag Team titles at NXT Stand & Deliver this past weekend, ultimately unsuccessful in winning the titles. NXT Anonymous on X captured footage of Axiom & Frazer asking Ava for a title rematch. The match was agreed to under the stipulation that if Axiom and Frazer lose, they would never be able to team again.
At the start of NXT tonight, we’ll find out Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin’s challengers for Stand & Deliver.
WWE has announced that The LWO (Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro) vs. Axiom & Nathan Frazer vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson is kicking off tonight’s NXT episode. The winning team advances to Stand & Deliver this Saturday to challenge Breakker & Corbin for the NXT Tag Team titles.
Wilde & Del Toro, Axiom & Frazer, and Gallows & Anderson all won qualifying matches over the past few weeks to advance to tonight’s triple threat.
After winning the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Breakker & Corbin defeated Tony D’Angelo & Stacks for the NXT Tag Team titles this February.
The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia is hosting NXT Stand & Deliver this Saturday afternoon. Airing live on Peacock, the main card has a start time of noon Eastern.
Here’s everything that’s been announced for tonight’s NXT:
Two teams have advanced in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament.
Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin and Axiom & Nathan Frazer won their first round matches on Tuesday. Breakker and Corbin defeated Gallus, while Axiom & Frazer defeated Hank Walker & Tank Ledger. They will now face each other in the semifinals.
The rest of the tournament bracket was also revealed on Tuesday. Next week’s matches will see Chase U (Riley Osborne & Duke Hudson) take on LWO (Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro), while Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams will face Edris Enofe & Malik Blade. The finals will take place at NXT Vengeance Day on February 4.
Earlier on NXT, Hayes told Williams that he had secured the final spot in the tournament. Williams wasn’t sure about entering, instead wanting to focus on his future NXT Championship match. He warmed up to the idea, however, once Hayes brought up that Williams could become a double champion.
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is making its return after no tournament was held in 2023. The winners of the 2022 tournament were The Creed Brothers for the men’s tournament and the team of Kay Lee Ray (Alba Fyre) and Io Shirai (IYO SKY) in the women’s tournament.
One of our two traditional biggest issues of the year of the Observer came out this week, the 2023 Hall of Fame issue:
2023 Hall of Fame voting standings for all candidates
Hall of Fame coverage, career highlights of the seven new inductees and one major feature story on a European legend, plus who is off the ballot next year, who will be added to the ballot next year, every first ballot Hall of Famer, every person historically elected with more than 75 percent of the vote and the top 30 in each category for reporters, historians, active pros and retired pros.
Match of the week and performer of the week
A look at Full Gear and Survivor Series
UFC 295 full coverage
The end of an era with Bellator and MMA on Showtime
Coverage of DDT’s Ultimate Party with Chris Jericho, Hiromu Takahashi and a great title match on top
PWG on hiatus and its ever changing role in pro wrestling
The most complete ratings report, demo coverage, competition for the shows and segment-by-segment notes, plus comparisons with one year ago.
Notes on Flip Gordon becoming a regular in CMLL
Newcomers to watch out for including one spectacular newcomer at Arena Mexico
Stardom and All Japan tag tourneys
New Japan tag tournament notes and this week’s shows
Lone Star Shootout from New Japan
Women’s wrestling sets all-time attendance mark
Tony Khan’s Continental Classic
Lots of AEW stars in mainstream acting gigs
International TV ratings
Upcoming ticket advances for WWE & AEW
How times have changed greatly for UFC regarding Conor McGregor
Dana White gos on rampages about sponsors and critics of another sponsor
UFC’s greatest fighters of all-time
New UFC major fights
Bellator champion suspended regarding drug test failure
Fury-Ngannou PPV update
Retired star gets giant money offer to return from Middle East
Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
Tuesday Update
WWE
Apollo Crews vs. Myles Borne and Joe Coffey vs. Von Wagner were taped for this week’s Main Event.
Barbend spoke to Natalya on her approach to training and nutrition. She mentioned that she is in her 17th year with WWE. “I’ve been wrestling since I was 18, and in January [2024], I’ll have been signed by WWE for 17 years,” Neidhart said. “Not everybody can say that when they’ve been doing something as physical as wrestling for over 20 years…After all these years, my physical and mental health are my priorities, and I’m in a really good place with both of them.”
Actor Ken Jeong commented on the Netflix series Wrestlers, telling Al Snow on X “I absolutely loved your ‘Wrestlers’ documentary. So unexpectedly emotional & moving. @BlueMeanieBWO recommended it to me, and now I see why Brian loves you so much. Much love & respect for you & everyone at #OVW.”
PWInsider is reporting that Kamille’s contract with the NWA expires at the end of 2023.
This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska before Monday’s episode of Raw.
Two good matches this week, with an appearance from the very talented Axiom to boot, made this a very pleasant experience indeed.
Nikki Cross defeated Kiana James (5:07)
This was a good five-minute match where James was able to get over who she is as a character, whilst also showing off her moveset.
Kiana James hasn’t appeared on Main Event in over a year. Believe it or not, she wrestled Asuka the last time she worked an episode. Asuka is a dream opponent for anyone on Raw, let alone on this minnow of a show.
James plays the heel really well, she appears to be a businesswoman who has the power to manipulate anyone who stands in her way. She’s got a great smile and so if they wanted to turn her babyface later down the line, that’d work too.
She hit a great-looking belly to back suplex, but unfortunately, they stuck a body scissors spot in the middle, which always look a little bit hokey for my taste. Credit to Cross who sold it like the move was squeezing the life out of her.
The finish saw Cross go for a bulldog, but she was posted as James halted it. James hit the 401K but Cross kicked out. After some back and forth, Cross used a swinging DDT and The Purge to get the win.
Akira Tozawa defeated Axiom (8:48)
This was an excellent match by Main Event standards. Tozawa is always value for money and here despite winning, he played his role just right to allow Axiom to get over with the live crowd.
Axiom has only had the opportunity to appear on a main roster show once before and it was this one in December last year. He was able to work with Mustafa Ali and they were tremendous together.
It was nice to see here that they resisted the temptation to put him up against a giant, like a Bronson Reed, and instead went with something that would be far more entertaining.
This was a really carefully crafted match. It had everything you would want: a ton of grappling and intricate mat work early on, some high spots and some late drama before the victor was crowned.
It’s hard to believe that they haven’t worked together before, because the timing was there. Before the break, they worked really hard on the mat and then Axiom did a springboard moonsault onto Tozawa on the outside as they went to the ads.
Tozawa was in control after the commercials and did a sweet spot where he did a kip up into a German before heading up to the top rope.
In the end, the top rope played a big part in the finish. They fought up there and did a wicked-looking Spanish Fly for a near fall before Tozawa got the upper hand and used the senton to get his hand raised.
Dempsey and Axiom are currently competing in NXT’s Global Heritage Invitational. They’re both in Group A of the round-robin tournament. Axiom has competed in one tournament match, going to a 12-minute time limit draw with Butch. Dempsey’s only tournament match so far was a loss to Butch.
The winner of the Global Heritage Invitational will challenge Noam Dar for the Heritage Cup at NXT No Mercy on Saturday, September 30.
Dempsey (Bailey Matthews) is the son of William Regal. Axiom formerly wrestled as A-Kid before adopting his current masked gimmick.
NXT wrestlers Ivy Nile and Trick Williams have also appeared at Reality of Wrestling shows this year.
The Next Chapter is taking place at 9300 Emmett F Lowry Expy in Texas City, Texas. It’s Reality of Wrestling’s first show at their new home venue.
The fifth and final competitor for the North American Championship match at NXT Stand & Deliver has been decided.
Axiom is headed to Los Angeles after winning a battle royal that opened this week’s NXT. Axiom and Nathan Frazer were the final two men standing. After some fast-paced back and forth, Axiom threw Frazer over the top rope, eliminating him from the match.
After the match, Axiom was joined by Wes Lee and Dragon Lee, who entered the ring to shake Axiom’s hand. Ilja Dragunov and JD McDonagh also made their presence known as the five had a staredown ahead of Stand & Deliver this Saturday.
Here is the updated lineup for Stand & Deliver:
NXT Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
NXT Women’s title ladder match: Zoey Stark vs. Gigi Dolin vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. ???
NXT Women’s Tag Team titles: Kiana James & Fallon Henley vs. Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn
NXT North American title: Wes Lee vs. Dragon Lee vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh vs. Axiom
NXT Tag Team titles: Gallus (c) vs. The Creed Brothers vs. Tony D’Angelo & Stacks
Winner gets the school: The Schism vs. Chase U & Tyler Bate
Unsanctioned match: Johnny Gargano vs. Grayson Waller
Axiom and Indi Hartwell have qualified for their respective Iron Survivor Challenge matches for this weekend’s NXT Deadline event.
NXT on Tuesday opened with Axiom defeating Von Wagner and Andre Chase after pinning Wagner with the Golden Ratio. Hartwell picked up the win after throwing out Wendy Choo, who hit a Vader bomb on Fallon Henley, then pionned Henley after connecting with a forearm to the back of the head.
With their wins, Axiom will now head into the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge with Carmelo Hayes, JD McDonagh, Grayson Waller, and Carmelo Hayes. Indi Hartwell joins Zoey Stark, Cora Jade, Kiana James, and Roxanne Perez.
Here is the updated lineup for Saturday’s NXT Deadline:
NXT Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Apollo Crews
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge match: Carmelo Hayes vs. JD McDonagh vs. Grayson Waller vs. Joe Gacy vs. Axiom
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge match: Zoey Stark vs. Cora Jade vs. Kiana James vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Indi Hartwell
NXT Tag Team titles: Pretty Deadly vs. The New Day
WWE has announced a new match for Tuesday’s edition of NXT.
JD McDonagh will face Axiom in singles competition on the show.
McDonagh is coming off a victory over Ilja Dragunov on the October 25 episode. Prior to that, McDonagh and Dragunov were defeated by Bron Breakker in a triple-threat match for the NXT Championship at Halloween Havoc.
McDonagh was also shown in the closing moments of last week’s episode approaching Apollo Crews in the back.
Axiom is coming off dropping a best-of-three series with Nathan Frazer. He lost the third and deciding match to Frazer on the October 11 episode.
The updated lineup for the November 8 edition of WWE NXT is as follows:
NXT Women’s Tag Team titles: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance defend against Zoey Stark and Nikkita Lyons
Five-minute challenge: Brutus Creed vs. Damon Kemp
Andre Chase vs. Charlie Dempsey
Cameron Grimes vs. Joe Gacy
Hank Walker vs. Stacks
Grayson Waller Effect w/ Bron Breakker and Von Wagner.
JD McDonagh vs. Axiom
Two title matches have been announced for the November 15 episode:
NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose defends against Alba Fyre
NXT Champion Bron Breakker defends against Von Wagner
Tonight’s NXT is the second-to-last episode of the show before Halloween Havoc.
The field for the North American Championship ladder match at Halloween Havoc will be finalized as Nathan Frazer and Axiom compete in a qualifier tonight. It’s the final match in Frazer and Axiom’s best-of-three series.
Carmelo Hayes, Oro Mensah, Wes Lee, and Von Wagner have already qualified for the ladder match for the vacant North American title. Lee will be in action against Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo tonight.
The next challengers for Pretty Deadly’s NXT Tag Team titles will be determined by a triple threat match on tonight’s show. The match will feature Malik Blade & Edris Enofe, Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen, and The Dyad.
The feud between Alba Fyre and Toxic Attraction will continue as Fyre takes on Jacy Jayne.
Plus, a non-title match between NXT Champion Bron Breakker and Javier Bernal will open the episode. Breakker is set to defend his title against JD McDonagh and Ilja Dragunov at Halloween Havoc.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
Vic Joseph welcomed the fans to the show and introduced his new broadcast partner Booker T.
Non-title: NXT Champion Bron Breakker defeated Javier Bernal (3:20)
Breakker and Bernal had a surprisingly fun match considering it was basically a squash. It was more about making Breakker look strong heading into Halloween Havoc.
Breakker was firmly in control, but Bernal tried to fight back. Breakker took down Bernal with a hard clothesline. After a whip into the corner, Breakker hit a belly-to-belly suplex.
Breakker made the mistake of putting his head down, and Bernal caught him with a kick to the face. Breakker caught Bernal with a bulldog, but Bernal kicked him in the face again. Breakker shook it off and threw Bernal off the top rope. Breakker finished him off with the press slam for the win.
After the match, J.D. McDonagh jumped in the ring, but Ilja Dragunov’s music hit. All three faced off in the ring when McDonagh rocked Dragunov with a headbutt sending him out of the ring. As Breakker and McDonagh brawled, Dragunov rocked Breakker a headbutt, and McDonagh jumped out of the ring. Dragunov posed with the title over a fallen Breakker. The commentators pushed that Dragunov hit Breakker on purpose.
********
Alba Fyre narrated a recap of her feud with Toxic Attraction.
A video package recapped the Best of three series between Axiom and Nathan Frazer.
Nathan Frazer defeated Axiom (12:52)
Frazer and Axiom had an awesome fast-paced, hard-hitting, and high-flying match. They both worked hard and took some insane bumps.
They started slowly, with Axiom working over Frazer’s arm. Frazer avoided Axiom with a back flip off the top rope. Frazer then hit a sweet-looking moonsault off the middle rope into a reverse DDT. Axiom slipped out, and they faced off.
They reset with a test of strength. Frazer dumped Axiom over the top rope, but Axiom fought him off. He slowly climbed to the top rope when Frazer ran up to meet him. Axiom knocked him off, but he recovered. He attempted a hurricanrana, but Axiom caught him in a powerbomb position and just dropped on the top turnbuckle.
During the break, Frazer regained control and slowed the pace with a chin lock. Axiom escaped, but Frazer caught him in a Boston crab instead. Axiom broke free and gave Frazer a German suplex off the middle rope. He followed up with a flying crossbody for a two-count.
They fought around ringside, with Axiom barely beating the ten count. Frazer attempted a Phoenix splash, but Axiom caught him in an armbar. Axiom switched into another submission, but Frazer escaped. Axiom sent Frazer to the floor and hit a moonsault.
Later, Frazer gave Axiom a superplex and rolled through, but Axiom reversed into submission.
They traded shots on their knees in the middle of the ring. After a near double-pin, Frazer rocked Axiom with a superkick, but Axiom bounced back with one of his own. Axiom rocked Frazer with a stiff knee. The finish came when they traded pin attempts, and Frazer held on for the win.
Frazer advances to the NXT North American title ladder match at Halloween Havoc.
*********
In the parking lot, McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Ilja Dragunov. She wondered if Dragunov meant to headbutt Breakker earlier. Grayson Waller approached and annoyed Dragunov so much that he decided to stay and have a much with Waller.
********
In the locker room, Valentina Feroz was happy Sanga would be in her corner for her match with Indie Hartwell. He promised to be in her corner. Indie Hartwell approached and was excited about their match too.
Apollo Crews was writing in his journal and had flashes of Chucky the Doll. Crews takes on Grayson Waller at Halloween Havoc.
Hartwell and Feroz had a weak match, with them seeming on different pages. They tried to tell the story that Feroz lost in part because she needed Sanga’s support but he walked out. That part of the story didn’t come across clearly. On the other hand, Hartwell’s superplex looked impressive.
Hartwell had the early advantage with a chin lock. Feroz caught Hartwell with a back elbow and locked on a submission. Hartwell escaped, but Feroz caught her in another submission. Hartwell made it the ropes to break the hold. Feroz jumped to her feet and rocked Hartwell with a running knee for a two-count.
During the match, Veer Mahan showed up and whispered at Sanga. Sanga looked at the ring and left with Mahan. It took Feroz a while before she noticed he had left.
Feroz charged at Hartwell, but she dumped her over the top rope. Hartwell then hit a superplex for the win.
********
After the match, Pretty Deadly showed up and mocked Hartwell. They turned their attention to the tag team match. They’re excited to watch the three teams destroy each other next.
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Cora Jade about the pick your poison matches coming up. Jade’s talked to a few people about taking on Roxxane Perez. Jade was surprised to find out that Perez spoke with a few people on Raw and SmackDown. Perez is even going to SmackDown on Friday. Jade needs to make a few calls. She asked for Ronda’s number. Mitchell claimed not to have it but admitted she does when Jade left.
Triple Threat Number One Contender’s match: Malik Blade & Edris Enofe defeated Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen (w/Fallon Henley) and The Dyad (w/Joe Gacy) (12:30)
They packed a lot into 12 minutes and gave everyone a chance to shine. They also played to everyone’s strengths. Blade and Enofe did a lot of fast-paced and high-flying moves, while Briggs and Jensen hit all the power moves. The Dyad was great at everything they did.
The Dyad ran wild early and had the early advantage. As they looked up at Pretty Deadly, Jagger Reid, Rip Fowler, and Joe Gacy hugged at ringside. The Dyad isolated Blade on their side of the ring and cut him off from his corner.
Blade escaped and tagged in Enofe. They ran wild on The Dyad, but Briggs made the blind tag. He cleared the ring and tossed Reid over the top rope onto the pile. He then assisted Jensen in hitting a dive to the floor.
Back from the break, The Dyad was back in control. They attempted a double superplex, but Jensen gave them a double powerbomb at the same time.
Briggs got the hot tag and ran wild. At ringside, he tossed Blade into the ropes and destroyed him with a clothesline as he bounced back. Briggs and Jensen hit a series of running splashes on Reid and Enofe. Briggs rocked Enofe with a kick to the face for a near fall. Blade hit a flying crossbody onto Reid and Jensen.
Everyone took turns hitting a big move in the ring. Blade and Enofe ran wild and cleared the ring. Blade and Enofe then hit huge dives, wiping out the heels.
Joe Gacy was furious at ringside and attacked Blade. Suddenly, Cameron Grimes jumped Gacy and beat him down. The Dyad went for their finisher when Grimes pulled out Fowler, and Enofe rolled up Reid for the win.
Blade and Enofe are the number one contenders for the tag team titles.
*******
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin. Jayne promised to send Alba Fyre to Middle Earth. She teased a surprise for Fyre.
Kiana James was on the phone, busy at work. She’s got a match later with one of Chase U’s students.
Alba Fyre defeated Jacy Jayne (w/Gigi Dolin) (3:35)
Jayne and Fyre had a slow-paced match that dragged and drained the crowd. The highlight was after the match when SmackDown’s Sonya Deville showed up to attack Fyre. They seemed on different pages at times.
Fyre and Jayne traded forearm shots in the middle of the ring. Fyre tripped up Jayne, but Dolin caused a distraction. Jayne took advantage and rocked Fyre with a cannonball in the corner. Dolin slowed the pace down with a chin lock, but Fyre escaped. Jayne briefly ran wild and hit a neck breaker for a two-count.
Fyre recovered and hit a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Fyre hit a suicide dive wiping out Jayne and Dolin. She then finished off Jayne with the Gory Bomb for the win.
Fyre celebrated after the win and slowly walked up the ramp, slapping hands. Suddenly, a fan grabbed Fyre by the hair and slammed her head into the railing. The fan took off her hood to reveal Sonya Deville.
Deville, Dolin, and Jayne beat down Fyre around ringside. They finished her off with a triple powerbomb through the commentary table.
********
Joe Gacy and The Dyad was looking for Cameron Grimes in the back. They knocked down a cameraman. Gacy threatened Grimes that he’d have to face the Schism alone since he doesn’t trust anyone in NXT.
********
In the back, Hank Walker and Quincy Elliot were hanging out with security. Security loves the idea of them teaming up next week.
Wes Lee defeated Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (3:55)
Lee and Stacks have a fun four-minute. They told the story that Stacks was out for revenge and tried to injure Lee’s knee. Still, Lee managed to hit some impressive high flying moves.
They recapped Tony D’Angelo injuring his knee the last time he took on Lee.
Stacks targeted Lee’s leg and gave him a chop block. Stacks slowed the pace down with a submission, but Lee broke free. Lee backed Stacks in the corner and hit a running uppercut. Lee was in control, but his leg gave out. Stacks took advantage and hit a torture rack into a neck breaker for a near fall. Lee then hit his finisher for the quick win.
After the match, Camelo Hayes and Trick Williams jumped Lee from behind and beat him down. Oro Mensah ran out for the save and cleared the ring. Lee hit a dive taking out the heels.
*********
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Sonya Deville, Gigi Dolin, and Jacy Jayne. Deville noted she had problems with Mandy Rose, but they’re still best friends. She added that nobody gets away with kidnapping Mandy Rose. She challenged Alba Fyre to a match next week.
********
Diamond Mine Segment
Roderick Strong was in a wheelchair with a neck brace, talking to The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile. He apologized for bringing Damon Kemp into the group. Strong just needs Julius Creed to win at Halloween Havoc.
*********
Kiana James defeated Thea Hail (w/Chase U) (1:18)
Hail and James didn’t have a match, and instead, it turned into a lame segment with Robert Stone taking a back drop from Hail.
Robert Stone ran out and jumped in the ring before Hail and James could touch. He was furious that Thea Hail slammed him and promised to ruin her night. Instead, Hail backdropped Stone out of the ring. James took advantage and hit the 401 K for the win.
*********
In the back, Tony D’Angelo approached Stacks. He was unhappy that Stacks lost tonight and found a mystery opponent for him next week.
Van Wanger approached Robert Stone. He needs Stone to focus on the ladder match at Halloween Havoc for the NXT North American title.
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Cameron Grimes. Grimes admitted that Joe Gacy’s right. He doesn’t trust anyone in NXT, but that doesn’t apply to all of WWE. He promised to have two partners to face Schism next week.
Cora Jade barged in and started yelling at Micthell. She claimed that she just got off the phone with Rhea Ripley and she’s heading to Raw next week.
********
Ilja Dragunov defeated Grayson Waller (11:06)
Dragunov and Waller had another surprisingly good hard-hitting match, which seemed like a theme tonight. It was a fun ten-minute NXT main event, but the finish was weak and silly. The spin the wheel started spinning on its own at ringside, which distracted Waller leading to the finish. They never explained why the wheel was suddenly spinning.
Dragunov gained the early advantage with hard chops. He took Waller down to the mat, but Waller got to the ropes. Waller took advantage and caught Dragunov with a cheap shot. He then hit a sidekick and posed like Booker T to loud boos.
Back from the break, Waller was firmly in control. Dragunov recovered and caught Waller with an inside cradle for a near fall. Dragunov fired up and destroyed Waller with chops and a kick to the head. Dragunov went for a back suplex, but Waller caught him with another cheap shot.
Waller took over and beat down Dragunov with forearms. Waller hit an elbow drop off the middle rope for a near fall. He followed up with a sleeper, but Dragunov backed him into the corner. Dragunov then destroyed Waller with a vicious clothesline.
Waller regained control and hung Dragunov on the top rope. Waller ended up out of the ring in front of the “spin the wheel make the deal” wheel. It started spinning on its own, which freaked out Waller. He jumped back in the ring, but Dragunov hit a German suplex. He followed up with the torpedo for the win.
As Dragunov celebrated his win, Bron Breakker jumped into the ring and destroyed Dragunov with a spear. Breakker posed as the camera zoomed in over his shoulder to J.D. McDonagh clapping in the crowd.
******
Next Week: The Schism vs. Cameron Grimes and two mystery partners. Sonya Deville goes one-on-one with Alba Fyre. Plus, Stacks takes on Tony D’Angelo’s mystery opponent.
The fallout from Worlds Collide takes place on tonight’s edition of NXT.
Five matches have been announced for the episode. Nathan Frazer and Axiom will begin their best-of-three series, Wes Lee takes on JD McDonagh, Meiko Satomura faces Roxanne Perez, Ricochet will be in action against Trick Williams, and Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. team up against Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne.
Three unified champions were crowned at Sunday’s Worlds Collide special. Bron Breakker defeated Tyler Bate to unify the NXT Championship with the NXT UK Championship. Mandy Rose won a triple threat match to unify the NXT Women’s Championship with the NXT UK Women’s Championship. And Pretty Deadly became the unified NXT Tag Team Champions by winning a fatal four-way match.
NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Katana Chance & Kayden Carter both fended off challenges on Sunday. Hayes defeated Ricochet, while Chance & Carter defeated Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. Interference in those matches set up Ricochet and Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H.’s bouts for tonight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
The show opens with a monologue from Tyler Bate, just days after he lost the unification match to NXT Champion Bron Breakker.
Bate thanks the fans from the bottom of his heart. The live studio audience thanks him with a chant. Bate thanks everyone that backed NXT UK from the beginning.
Bate goes on to thanks Breakker, putting him over as the unified NXT Champion. Despite the loss, Bate says they created magic, he was grateful for that.
Bate notes his name will remain in the history books as the first and last NXT United Kingdom Champion. Bate attempts to continue speaking, but he is interrupted by the Gallus faction.
Those in Gallus feel that Bate should be apologizing instead of thanking people. He should apologize to everyone back home in Europe. Gallus thinks he let everyone down by losing the unification match last Sunday.
Bate responds by noting that Gallus did not hold their end of the bargain either. Gallus failed to win the NXT Tag Team Championship at Worlds Collide.
Gallus surround Bate with a three-on-one advantage. They attack Bate and beat him down. Breakker runs down for a save, and Breakker clears the ring. Breakker then grabs the house microphone to say he will join with Bate for a fight tonight. Looks like this sets up a tag match for later on.
NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly are backstage admiring two sets of tag title belts they won on Sunday. In comes Lash Legend, who tells Pretty Deadly some gossip that gets them angry.
A “digital exclusive” skit shows Cora Jade challenging Meiko Satomura to a match tonight, but Satomura informs her she is already booked in a bout against Jade’s rival — Roxanne Perez. An angry Jade storms off, clearly upset by again being upstaged by her rival.
The first match airing on tonight’s card was set up at Worlds Collide, when Toxic Attraction interfered in the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship match. That interference went on to cost Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. their chance for a fair shot at the tag titles.
Nikki & Doudrop gained control early on in the match, until Jayne shoves Nikki off the top rope. Nikki falls to the floor, and Jayne follows up with a somersault senton off the apron. Doudrop also gets dropped with a soccer kick. The main roster duo is in peril as the show cuts to its first commercial break.
Part of the story in the match plays on Doudrop & Nikki having wrestled in three matches in the last several days. That includes traveling to and from Monday Night Raw.
Toxic Attraction work over Nikki. Hot tag brings in Doudrop, and she sandwiches both Jayne & Dolan with a senton. Doudrop goes on to clean house, leading to a cannonball in a corner. Vader splash by Doudrop for a near fall.
Jayne makes the save to break up the pinning attempt, and a melee breaks out as Nikki is fired up. Nikki traps Jayne in the ring skirt, and Nikki waffles her.
For the finish, Doudrop delivers a Michinoku Driver, and Doudrops follows with a running splash. A three count makes it official. Doudrop had a bloody nose she suffers sometime in the closing minutes.
Apollo Crews is writing in his journal, and he is reflecting on his feud with Grayson Waller. Crews is upset that Waller poked him in the eye last week on NXT in their match. Crews’ eye is reddened, but Crews vows to push on ahead. A return match between the two is near.
JD McDonagh defeats Wes Lee
McDonagh pins Lee after The Devil Inside in a really good match.
The match goes through a commercial break. Lee does an impressive flip dive over the ropes just before the show cuts to commercials. McDonagh cuts off Lee during the break, and McDonagh targets an arm.
McDonagh continues to work the arm. Lee fights back and he fires up on him. McDonagh tries to powder, but Lee sails through the ropes. Lee knocks McDonagh over the announce desk.
Back in the ring, Lee gets a near fall on McDonagh. Lee is on fire, but McDonagh tries to cut him off. They trade headbutts, and both fall to the mat.
Lee gets another near fall, but McDonagh kicks out. McDonagh maintains wrist control on the arm he targeted earlier in the match. He then rocks Lee with head kicks. McDonagh executes The Devil Inside finisher (which is sort of a short-arm Saito suplex). McDonagh then scores a clean pinfall on Lee.
In a backstage skit, Pretty Deadly runs into Tony D’Angelo & Stacks. D’Angelo insinuates that Pretty Deadly convinced Damon Kemp to turn on his Diamond Mine stablesmates. Pretty Deadly is aghast at the thought. D’Angelo chuckles at them.
Meiko Satomura defeats Roxanne Perez
Satomura pins Perez in a fun and hard hitting match. Great grappling throughout as well. Cora Jade attacks Perez after the match with a sneak attack.
There is grappling from the outset. Chain wrestling transitions into running some spots. Counters and reversals as they continue to grapple. Builds to Perez leaping through the ropes with a dive.
Cora Jade is watching the match from a backstage monitor. She storms off as the show cuts to a commercial break. The match continues in the ring.
Satomura has Perez grounded when the show returns from the commercial break. Perez soon fires up on Satomura, only for Perez to eat a kick. Perez fights back with a counter for a close near fall. Some more nice grappling moves.
Perez takes a spinning wheel kick from Satomura. They fight while perched on the turnbuckles, setting up Perez executing a Super Frankensteiner for a near fall.
They trade strikes, and Perez eats another kick. Satomura delivers her Scorpio Rising finisher, and she covers Perez for a pinfall.
Jade runs in after the match, and Jade blindsides Perez by hitting her across the back with a shot from a kendo stick. Satomura comes back to the ring to run off Jade.
Bron Breakker and Tyler Bate are in the locker preparing for their tag match later tonight. They seem to be on the same page.
A video package recaps the implosion within Diamond Mine. Damon Kemp turned on the Creed Brothers at World Collide.
The Dyad cut a promo putting over The Schism. They offer a happy face pin to Kiana James and her secretary. She takes the pin, then she throws it in the trash. This then turns into a bad skit where James and Arianna Grace argee to team up.
Ricochet defeats Trick Williams
Ricochet pins Williams after a shooting star press.
NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes is at ringside providing guest commentary. Williams is knocked out of the ring at the outset, right near Hayes at the announce desk. Hayes offers an impromptu prep talk.
The rest of the match takes mostly takes place in the ring. Ricochet is great enough that it helps to elevate Williams, in what is arguably Williams’ best singles match so far in his NXT run.
Williams mocks Ricochet, just before Ricochet begins a comeback. Rally by Ricochet as he runs through a series of high spots. Recoil (codebreaker) by Ricochet, and he stares at Hayes while climbing the turnbuckles.
Ricochet motions towards Hayes just before Ricochet nails a shooting star press. Ricochet covers Williams for a three count, and Ricochet smirks at the North American Champion.
Cameron Grimes once again turns down an offer to join Tony D’Angelo’s family. They begin exchanging words, leading to D’Angelo and Stacks putting Grimes through a table.
An ad plugs NXT trading cards, and that absolutely amazes me to known trading cards are still a thing.
Sol Ruca is a surfer that will soon arrive in NXT, according to a teaser clip.
The Creed Brothers are being interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell, and they are furious about Damon Kemp. NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly interrupt to challenge the Creeds to a match where the fans pick the stipulation. The Creeds accept the challenge. So, looks like a tag title match is set for next week with some sort of stipulation added to it.
Axiom defeats Nathan Frazier in the first match of a best-of-three series
Axiom wins an exciting fast paced match, putting Axiom up one match ahead to begin their series
The match goes through a commercial break. The pace remains quick as they trade near falls.
Although there was a stunt show full of high spots, this wasn’t a spot fest. Axiom in the storyline has an injured leg, and Frazier targets it. However, Axiom is able to strike with a leg lariat, and Axiom scores a pinfall.
Hank the security guard, who was featured on the show last week, has a confrontation with Javier Bernal in a backstage skit. Hank was with the rest of a security detail assigned to watch over Gallus. Bernal chides Hank for being a lowly security guard, and Hanks gets in Bernal’s face. This sets up a match between the two for next Tuesday.
“The Super Diva” Quincy Elliot debuts next week on NXT.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. Mitchell reveals that Hayes’ North American title is on the line against a challenger chosen by the fans. This is part of a celebration commemorating the one-year anniversary of the NXT 2.0 reboot.
Announced so far for next Tuesday on NXT:
NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly defend their titles against The Creed Brothers in a match where fans vote to decide the stipulation
Cameron Grimes and a mystery partner in a tag match against Tony D’Angelo & Stacks
NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes defends his title against a challenger decided by fan voting
Zoey Stark & Nikkita Lyons vs. Kiana James & Arianna Grace
Hank Walker vs. Javier Bernal
NXT Champion Bron Breakker & Tyler Bate defeat Gallus (Mark & Joe Coffey with Wolfgang)
Bate scores a pinfall to win the match. Somewhat of an anti-climatic main event after all of the other great wrestling on the show, but the match itself was decent enough.
The match goes through a commercial break. Just before the break, Bate & Breakker pay tribute to the Steiner Brothers. They pose after cleaning house.
The heels turned the tide after the break. They underhandedly gain an advantage on Bate. Gallus goes on to isolate Bate, as they cut the ring in half.
Bate eventually creates some separation, leading to a hot tag. Breakker mows downs Gallus, and he tosses them around them suplexes.
Breakker pulls down the straps down on his singlet, signaling for the finish. Breakker tags Bate, and they execute a Doomsday Device in tribute of the Steiners. Bates leaps off the top with a flying bulldog, but it was only a near fall.
Breakker with a further assist, as he lands a shoulder tackle. Bate then executes a Tyler Driver ’97, and Bate scores the deciding pinfall.
Axiom will make his WWE NXT debut on next week’s NXT 2.0 episode.
For the second consecutive week, a vignette for Axiom aired on this week’s NXT show. In this week’s video package, the wrestler was shown in a comic book store, then in a ring in a mask.
A-Kid last appeared on WWE programming on the May 26 episode of NXT UK, losing to Charlie Dempsey in a match taped in April.
Prior to that appearance, A-Kid had a three-week run on NXT 2.0 in March of this year. He defeated KUSHIDA in his debut match on the brand on March 15, dropped a North American title match qualifier to Grayson Waller on March 22, then lost a triple threat North American title match qualifier on March 29 to Cameron Grimes in a bout that also involved Roderick Strong.
No opponent was announced for Axiom’s debut bout next week.
A vignette for a new wrestler, Axiom, was shown tonight during NXT.
Axiom’s face was not shown during the promo, but he did speak. He said that he had a mind for mathematics, and said that there is a solution for every problem. He said that when the body fails, the minds can push you to different levels.
Based on the voice, the person most likely to be Axiom is the former A-Kid, who made his debut in NXT earlier this year after spending time in NXT UK. He has not been seen since March, when he lost to Cameron Grimes in a three-way match that also involved Roderick Strong.
In another segment that aired on tonight’s NXT, a QR code was shown, with NXT instructing people to scan the code. The QR code revealed a link to WWE’s website that revealed the numbers “8:10:11”.
JD McDonagh, whose return to NXT has been hyped in the last several weeks, made his return on tonight’s show attacking Bron Breakker.
