Tag: blake monroe

First time ever match added to WWE NXT lineup

Posted on by Josh Nason

A first time ever match has been added to this Tuesday’s WWE NXT lineup as Blake Monroe will take on Zaria.

Monroe is coming off a loss to Jordynne Grace in a weaponized steel cage match at last month’s No Mercy premium live event — her second straight defeat. Primarily focused on tag team wrestling with Sol Ruca, this will be Zaria’s first televised singles bout since June.

The new additions join the previously announced battle royal with both TNA and NXT talent to determine the Halloween Havoc challenger for NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne in addition to El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. making his NXT in-ring debut against Lexis King, and Matt Cardona vs. Josh Briggs.

Current WWE NXT lineup for Tuesday, October 14:

  • Josh Briggs vs. Matt Cardona
  • El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Lexis King
  • Blake Monroe vs. Zaria
  • Battle royal for Hallowen Havoc NXT Women’s title match, TNA Knockouts roster invited

Blake Monroe explains decision to leave AEW and join WWE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For Blake Monroe, joining WWE was a chance to start a new chapter and find a new challenge in her career.

The former Mariah May was one of the top stars in the AEW women’s division before departing the company earlier this year. She made her NXT debut in June, taking on a new name but keeping “The Glamour” as her persona. She is currently feuding with NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca on the brand.

During an appearance on Busted Open Radio After Dark, Monroe detailed why she chose to depart AEW when her contract was up. She loved her iconic feud with Toni Storm in the promotion, but she felt like it was the right time to experience something new.

“I mean, I had a fantastic experience and I did things I’m so proud of and cherish,” Monroe said about her time in AEW. “And when — I had a really short contract — and when it came to an end, you know, there were positives and negatives. But it got to a point with wrestling where, you know, I did have an amazing story, but that was the one thing I had. I didn’t have much else.

“And I just thought, ‘Is this everything I want?’ I also considered going to Japan, which I feel like nobody knows. And it’s something I talked to them about. And then when my deal was up, I just — people were like, ‘Just talk to WWE and just see.’ Because I wasn’t considering it, and that’s not an insult to WWE. It’s incredible. I just didn’t — I always just try to focus on one thing at a time [in] wrestling. So it’s like, I hadn’t considered it. And when I talked to them and they cared so much about ‘The Glamour’ and so much about all these different things, I was like, ‘Okay, now I do have a big choice to make.'”

It was a tough decision, but the WWE/NXT women’s division was ultimately where Monroe wanted to be.

“I really sat and thought about it. And it was a really, really tough decision,” she said. “But it just came down to — I did everything I needed to do. I feel like I told a great story. I feel like I made people feel something. And it’s time to close that chapter. And it’s time to start a new one — and like getting a new name and a whole new experience. And like I said, there are so many women here. Like, women’s wrestling is very important in WWE. And that’s something, as a woman, I want to be a part of. And just like I said, all these different matches and possibilities for me, it just was a great deal. And it was just a challenge. I want a challenge.”

Changing her name was something that Monroe was fully on board with. She is excited to start something new in WWE and turn this persona into a megastar.

“No, because if you’re familiar with my prior name, I feel like it was the end to a story — and I cherish that,” Monroe responded when asked if she would have liked to keep her old name. “I feel like it was kind of cool that [Mariah May] died almost and that’s done.

“And also, I can’t turn back time so I never really think about it, but Mariah is my real name and I wish I never used it in wrestling, because it’s weird. But I did it and I can’t change it. But just the chance to start something new, and I feel like with WWE, it’s like, ‘Hey, we’re going to make this new thing and we’re going to make it a megastar.’ And I feel like week-by-week we do that. And, yeah, I love it.”

The name “Blake Monroe” is a tribute to Monroe’s niece whose first name is Blake.

Now a few months into her NXT run, Monroe feels like she’s getting more comfortable and finding her footing. Being in WWE was a childhood dream for her. She has goals like winning championships, but the main thing she wants to accomplish is making the fans feel something with her performances.

Monroe listed Ruca and Tatum Paxley as two of the opponents she’s excited to face in NXT. When she eventually gets to the main roster, Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan are some of the people Monroe hopes to work with.

WWE NXT No Mercy live results: Oba Femi vs. Ricky Saints title match

Posted on by Jeff Moss

WWE NXT holds its latest premium live event with tonight’s No Mercy from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In the main event, WWE NXT Champion Oba Femi defends against former North American Champion Ricky Saints. Femi has defended the title ten times since winning it in January while this is Saints’ first shot at the top prize.

NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne puts her title on the line against Lola Vice who is looking for her first title run.

In a weaponized steel cage match, the rivalry between Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe will continue.

The men’s NXT North American Championship will be on the line as Ethan Page defends against Tavion Heights while WWE Women’s Speed Champion Sol Ruca defends against Lainey Reid.

The show is rounded out by Josh Briggs vs. Je’Von Evans, fresh off challenging WWE U.S. Champion Sami Zayn on SmackDown.

Our live coverage begins with the pre-show at 6 PM Eastern.

**********

Welcome in friends and I have some great news! All the wrestlers working tonight made it to work OK and I know this because camera crew met them at the door as is legally mandated and the footage was shown to open NXT No Mercy!

Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs

The show kicked off with one of my personal NXT favourites, Evans taking on Josh Briggs. What I know about Briggs is this: he’s a bad friend and has a Green Lantern tattoo. Aside from that though, Briggs had a definite size advantage over Evans, but Evans fought Oba Femi to a standstill at Heatwave, so he can bring it with the biggest of them.

Evans opened the match by kicking Briggs square in the face and punching him repeatedly. That upset Briggs, who grabbed Evans a threw him over the ropes. Briggs went to charge Evans, but he moved and Briggs ended up hitting the steel steps.

Back in the ring, Evans had Briggs on his heels, hitting high-flying moves and hurricanranas. Once Briggs got himself back together though, he grabbed Evans and threw him into the corner a few times. He then stood on Evans, working his heels into the small of his back.

Evans was favouring his hip during this mask due to an attack from Briggs on Smackdown last night. Briggs worked this with a series of backbreakers. Evans flopped like wet spaghetti, but managed to get to his feet. Briggs continued the assault with a few more throws into the corner.

Evans began fighting back, but Briggs overpowered him again. Evans tried to use the ropes to springboard but Briggs got to him first and sent him flying off the apron into the barricade, further injuring that hip.

Back in the ring, Briggs hit a side slam but whiffed on the splash afterwards. He began stomping Evans, but then stopped to mug for the crowd. Evans got to his feet and they began throwing hands, with Evans turning it into a snap suplex.

Evans tried a couple of lariats to get Briggs off his feet and the third one connected. Evans hit a series of spinning heel kicks and sent Briggs reeling into the corner. Evans brought the scrap from there, raining down punches on Briggs. He then went up top, but Briggs saw it coming and rolled out of the ring.

Evans changed his aim and hit a big dive anyways. Tossing Briggs back into the ring, Evans hit a frog splash from clear across the ring and got a 2.5 count before Briggs kicked out.

Briggs began clubbing Evans, including a huge lariat that flipped Evans clear over. Evans came back with a bunch of flying forearms and Briggs nailed a big boot to keep the back and forth going. Briggs hit a flipping knee and tried for a cover but only got a two count.

Briggs pulled Evans into the corner and went to climb to the top turnbuckle. He dragged Evans up with him and tried for a chokeslam, but Evans flipped right over it and sent Briggs to the mat. He kicked him in the face and went for a spingboard, but Briggs caught him with a chokeslam.

Briggs charged Evans who pulled the rope down and dove after him. Briggs caught him in midair with a lariat, then put him back in the ring for another one. It was almost a three count, but Evans got his foot on the rope and the ref called it off.

Briggs tried to go up top again, but Evans grabbed his ankle and began slapping him. Briggs went to chokeslam Evans again, but Evans turned it into a cutter and went up top for another fast frog splash. That got to Briggs and Evans made the pin, 1-2-3.

Match Result: Je’Von Evans defeated Josh Briggs

Great opening match. It was fast-paced and went as long as it needed to. Briggs has real potential as a Kevin-Nash style big man and Evans is the best underdog since Sami Zayn. Good stuff all around.

-Footage was shown of Trick Williams beating up Dominick Mysterio in a match for the North American Title at No Mercy 2024. Dragon Lee was the ref. Trick won. I have no idea why they showed this. (EDIT: Later I figured out they were showing these during international commercial breaks. I’m smart that way.)

They then showed some footage of the TNA incursion (we don’t say “invasion” in WWE. Too many bad memories) of NXT last Tuesday, which made more sense. Footage was also shown of Kelani Jordan winning the TNA Knockouts title at Victory Road last night.

Women’s Speed Championship Match: Sol Ruca (c) vs. Jaida Parker

Lainey Reed was originally scheduled for this match, but declared not medically cleared earlier today. Ruca wanted to defend the title anyway, so NXT GM Ava found a new opponent in Jaida Parker.

For those that don’t remember or couldn’t bring themselves to download X, the Speed titles were created as an X-exclusive title. The matches would be released on X and they were subject to a five-minute time limit. Now, once you get all the jokes about lasting long enough out of the way and put aside the horrible X promotion, it’s kind of a fun deal. So, it was great to hear that the titles would be moving to NXT after everyone realized the X was a cesspool of misery and broken dreams.

Ruca won the Women’s Speed title from the inaugural champion, Candice Le Rae April and this will be the first NXT defence of the title at a PLE. Incidentally, the Men’s speed title is currently held by El Grande Americano, who won it in May and it hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

The match started and the clock started ticking. The two traded quick pin attempts, and Ruca hung Parker up on the ropes before flipping her out of the ring. Parker tried to regroup, but Ruca dove off the steps onto her.

Ruca tossed Parker back into the ring, but Parker rolled back out. Ruca went for a baseball slide, but Parker caught her and hit her in the throat at 3:32.

Ruca hit a back stabber, but Parker recoverd and set Ruca up for some offense in the corner. She hit a falcon arrow, but Ruca kicked out at 2:47. Parker didn’t waist time and went for a tilt a whirl, but Ruca reversed it and planted a big knee in Parker’s chest.

Parker tried to go up the entrance ramp, but there was only two minutes left. Back in the ring, Ruca hit a DDT, but only got a two count at 1:43. They got to their feet and Parker caught Ruca in a Samoan drop. Ruca rolled out and pulled Parker with her at 1:03.

Ruca started wasting as much time as possible and went for another dive, but Parker dodoged it and threw her back into the ring. Lash Legend arrived and that distracted Parker before she rolled back into the ring just in time to get caught by Ruca for a pin. Ruca wins and retained the Speed Title with 0:11 on the clock.

Match Result: Sol Ruca defeated Jaida Parker

-Footage was shown from last week’s NXT of Joe Hendry being interviewed. He was interrupted by the DarkState who told him that they were going to give him a 4-on-1 beatdown if he doesn’t back off. They said he’s either with them or against them and left, leaving Hendry pondering that.

Weaponized Steel Cage Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

These two have been at each other’s throats for months and this would hopefully be the big blow off of their feud. They made a big deal about the cage being “weaponized” which I assumed meant that it was going to be used later in a argument or something.

Instead though, it meant that there were kendo sticks, garbage cans, Official Slim Jim Tables and chairs (painted pink) attached to the cage that the participants could use. So it wasn’t the cage that was weaponized and more the… weapons, that were weaponized.

The bell rang and they charged each other with Grace sending Monroe into the cage first. Monroe grabbed a kendo stick though and beat Grace with it. Grace got it away from her and returned the favor. She then hit a spinebuster on a chair. Grace set the chair up and put Monroe in a boston crab, setting the chair over her so Grace could have a seat for more torque.

Grace set up a chair in the ropes and picked up Monroe. Monroe bit Grace and sent her shoulder first into the chair and then face first into the cage. Monroe worked Grace’s wrist into the chain link, wrenching the already injured joint. She then pulled down a pink garbage can and clobbered Grace with it. There was a curling iron and hair dryer in the can, but they got ignored.

Monroe worked the hand of Grace again, then hit an inverted Russian leg sweep onto the kendo stick. Monroe then went to the aforementioned hair dryer and used the cord to tie Grace to the middle rope. Monroe pulled a bag off the cage that held a pair of scissors. Monroe then started cutting off chunks of Grace’s hair, with Grace powerless to stop it.

Grace freed herself from the hairdryer cord and threw a Thez Press to beat the heck out of Monroe. She hit a series of lariats and went for a powerbomb, but Monroe got out of it and started scaling the cage. Grace pulled her down onto the top rope and hit a samoan drop from way up high.

Grace took a moment to mourn for her curly locks and then grabbed what looked like a wieght belt from the cage and beat up Monroe with it. She set up a trash can, but Monroe reversed it and sent Grace face first into the metal. Monroe grabbed the lid and hit a dropkick with it, sending Grace into the cage.

Monroe pulled another bag off the cage and emptied it’s contents which were diamonds. She grabbed Grace and tried to slam her, but Grace reversed and slammed them both onto the diamonds.

Grace got to her feet first and grabbed a garbage can. Setting Monroe up on the top turnbuckle, Grace climbed up, but Monroe slipped out and hung Grace up in a tree of woe. She put the garbage can over Grace’s head and then double stomped it from the top rope.

Monroe then grabbed the Official Slim Jim Table to the crowd’s delight. She tried to jam Grace’s face into the table leg, but Grace reversed it and sent Monroe into the cage like a battering ram. Grace finished setting up the Official Slim Jim Table and put it in the corner. She grabbed Monroe, but Monroe punched her and scaled the cage. Grace met her up there and got her into an electric chair position.

Monroe wormed out of it and the two climbed to the top of the cage where they traded punches. Monroe produced a bag with powder and threw it into Grace’s eyes. Grace slunk down to the top rope, and Monroe tried for a powerbomb, but Grace turned it into an air raid crash and put both women through the table.

Grace landed on top of Monroe, so the ref counted 1-2-3 and gave her the victory.

Match Result: Jordynne Grace defeated Blake Monroe

Dang! That was a cool cage match. Silly name, but awesome match none the less. I’ve never seen that hair spot in a cage match which was awesome. The diamonds instead of tacks was a great touch. That was really, really fun.

-Next, NXT GM Ava addressed the situation between TNA and NXT. She announced that NXT and TNA will compete in two 5-on-5 Survivor Series style matches (one Men’s one Women’s) and a Tag Team Title match between The Hardy Boys and DarkStake (winner takes all). There must be a finish in that match as everyone will be banned from ringside. It will all happen on October 7th on NXT TV and yes, it will be called “Invasion.”

-Then Lash Legend came out from the back. She cut a promo on the recently announced Invasion. She lobbied hard to lead Team NXT in the Women’s match. Jaida Parker took exception to that and jumped her from behind. They fought and were pulled apart.

-Lainey Reed was interviewed in the back about how she had to give up her shot at the Speed Championship. It was an ankle injury that took her out, but she will be back. Lola Vice interrupted the interview to tell her that sucks. Reed said that Vice had no chance to win her match tonight and Vice said she was bringing the title to Vice City.

NXT North American Championship Match: Ethan Page (c) vs. Tavion Heights

So, if Tavion wins the title here, does he have to pay the tariffs on it? Or if Page wins, does he have to pay them to get it back over the border? Just asking.

Off the bell, the two locked up and Heights brought some real agression to Page. Page responded with a headlock and Heights sent him into the ropes as “USA” chants broke out. The two started throwing shoulders with neither getting the advantage.

Heights kept coming at Page though, dodging kicks, dropping punches and then dropkicking Page out of the ring. On the entrance ramp, Page hit a big backdrop on Heights, leaving him writhing in pain. He dragged him back into the ring and dropped some big elbows before playing to the crowd.

Heights scrambled to the corner and Page landed a big back body drop. He continued the beatdown, working Heights into the corner and charging, but Heights moved and went for a suplex. His back gave out though page capitalized with a waist lock, wrenching his back. This went on for a while.

Heights finally shook page off and sent him into the corner. Heights went up, but PAge climbed the ladder and hit a backbreaker over the steel of the turnbuckle. Heights landed on the outside and was checked on by the official.

Page went outside and sent Heights back into the ring. He yapped at the announce team and turned his back on Heights, who found his second wind and hit a bunch of big lariats and high kicks. Heights locked in an ankle lock, but Page was able to get over to the ropes.

Heights tried a backslide, but Page kicked out. He picked up Heights in the Ego’s edge and then put on a an Olympic Boston Crab. Heights made it to the ropes though and it seemed like Page’s ankle gave out. Heights went up top, but Page clocked it and joined him. He went for a suplex, but Heights put on a sleeper hold. Page countered and sent him to the mat.

Page hit a twisted grin in the ring and got the pin, retaining the North American title.

Match Result: Ethan Page defeated Tavion Heights

Heights looked really impressive here, but as a Canadian I am legally mandated to be excited that Page won. I’m serious though, Heights looked great in this match.

-After the match, the AAA Latin American champion, El Hijo De Dr Wagner Jr appeared on the big screen, challenging Page.

NXT Women’s Championship Match: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Lola Vice

Jayne arrived doing her best 1994 HBK impression for her 4th defence of the NXT Women’s Championship. Also, Fallon Henley was there. Booker T could barely contain his excitement.

The crowd was clearly behind hometown hero Vice, chanting for her as the match started. Jayne slapped on a headlock and Vice worked it into a head scissor. Jayne went back to the headlock, transitioning to a wristlock. Vice tried to flip out of it, but Jayne put on a third headlock then started throwing shoulders and sentons.

Vice managed to catch Jayne with an armbar before moving into a headlock of her own. She threw Jayne into the ropes and kicked her back to the mat. Jayne whispered something in Henley’s ear before booting Vice in the stomach. She sent Vice to the corner and stomped her.

Jayne set Vice up for some chops and then threw her into the ropes. Vice came off them with a shot to the stomach followed by a suplex. Vice put on a chinlock and wrenched the neck of Jayne. Jayne turned it into a chinbreaker to make some space and the two traded pinning attempts.

Vice sent Jayne into the ropes and kicked her in the stomach as she bounced back. On the third, one, Jayne left the ring and Vice followed, smacking Jayne’s face on the announce table. Henley got involved, distracting Vice enough that Jayne could throw her into the steel stairs. She followed that up with a cannon ball and tossed Vice back in the ring.

Jayne hit a slingblade and went for a pin, but only got a two count. She suplexed Vice and delivered some hard kicks to the back, working the body part that took the brunt of the stair shots. She went for another kick, but Vice caught her leg and delivered a few of her own.

Henley got up on the apron and Vice charged her, but that just left her open for Jayne to deliver a backstabber. Jayne put her knee on Vice’s back and pulled her up in a chinlock in the middle of the ring. Vice managed to stand up and back Jayne into the corner. Jayne came right back out and went for a pin, but Vice reversed it into an arm submission.

Vice began throwing kicks, sending Jayne into the corner. Vice, the spiritual sucessor of Rikishi introduced some Butt-based offense, but Jayne rolled out of the ring where Henley was. Vice dove through the ropes to take out Henley, but that exposed her to a pump kick from Jayne.

Jayne tossed her back into the ring but missed with a discus elbow and Vice landed a big kick. She went for the pin, but at two, Henley pulled the ref out of the ring. He ejected her from ringside and when he got back, Vice had the Squeeze locked in on Jayne.

Jayne rolled through, avoiding the submission and the two traded chops. Jayne got a backfist in, but Vice kicked out at two. Bothe women lay on the mat as the “this is awesome” chants rained down on them.

Jayne got up first and kicked Vice in the head, sending her to the corner for some back elbows. Jayne yapped at Vice’s family at ringside and when she turned, Vice grabbed her for a DDT into a guillotine choke. Jayne got up though and sent Vice to the corner.

Vice responded with her feet and climbed to the top turnbuckle. A high kick from Jayne stopped her in her tracks and Jayne grabbed her for a suplex from the top followed by a big running knee. Vice kicked out at two though, to the surprise of Jayne.

Jayne left the ring and grabbed the title belt, presumably looking for the DQ. The ref pulled it away from her and Vice rolled her up for two. Vice hit a superkick and Jayne hit some high strikes. A flurry of kicks and backfists from Vice sent JAyne to the mat, but Vice’s momentum took her out of the ring.

Suddenly, someone in black jumped the guardrail and flattened Vice on the outside. Jayne writhed in the ring and Vice made it back in at 9, just beating the count. Jayne hit a rolling encore to the dazed Vice and got the pin to retain the title.

Match Result: Jacy Jayne defeated Lola Vice

I really liked this match. It was hard hitting and fast with a ton of near falls. Jayne makes a terrific heel champion and Vice has star power to spare. Great work here.

NXT World Championship Match: Oba Femi (c) vs. Ricky Saints

Ricky Saints is an excellent professional wrestler. So is Oba Femi, but Femi has the advantage of also being a murder monster who has dominated NXT for months now. Saints (200lbs) has a 110lb size difference from Femi (310lbs), but see the aforementioned “being really good at wrestling.” This should be an excellent match.

Femi went for Saints off the top, but Saints had it scouted and hit a few jabs to the face. Femi grabbed him and threw him at the ground for a few minutes before sending him to the corner. Saints put a big boot up and sent Femi staggering, but Femi was right back and pressed him against the ropes.

Femi started throwing European uppercuts and dropped Saints down into a headlock. Saints got his leg up though and across the throat of Femi to break the hold. Femi slammed Saints then started clubbing his back. Saints ducked underneath and threw some chops. Saints hit a boot to the gut and then a kick to the face to knock Femi off his feet.

Saints went up top, but Femi caught him on the way down. Saints wriggled out and hit a dropkick, stunning Femi momentarily. He sent him outside then charged for a dive, but Femi was waiting and hit a massive shot to Saints through the ropes that echoed through the arena.

Femi got back in the ring and slowed the tempo down. He hit a big backbreaker on Saints, followed by another and then a third. Saints kicked out at two though. Femi put him in the corner and laid some shots into Saints stomach, followed by a big clothesline that sent Saints through the ropes.

Femi pulled Saints back in then punched him so hard he flew back out, seemingly knocked out on the entrance ramp. Saints got back in at 7, beating the count, but Femi used that the drop him on the top rope and hit another European uppercut. Femi put his knee on Saints’ back and pulled him up in a chinlock.

Saints got out of it and went for a crossbody, but Femi caught him and hit a backbreaker before laying him out over the turnbuckle and pressing down, folding him in half. Saints snuck a shot in and Femi staggered back. Saints went off the ropes, but got caught again and chokeslammed into next year.

Femi charged, but Saints moved and tried a rollup. Off of that, he hit a high knee and then charged in with a forearm and a few more for good measure to get Femi into the corner. Saints tried to pick up Femi and on the second try got him up for a samoan drop. Femi kicked out at two.

Saints went for a spear, but Femi swatted him out of mid air and hit another big uppercut. They ran the ropes again and this time, Saints landed the spear, but Femi kicked out at two.

Saints went up top, but Femi ran over an punched him. He climbed the ropes and Saints clubbed him, slid underneath and landed a big powerbomb. He fell on top of Femi and got a near fall.

They both got to their feet and began trading shots. Femi powered up and Saints collapsed in the middle of the ring before he could touch him. Femi got close and Saints popped up. He laid in a few shots, but Femi threw him off. Saints charged and Femi grabbed him and threw him across the ring. He tried to pick up Saints, but Saints turned it into a rollup and got a two count.

Saints wearily rolled out of the ring and Femi followed. He pulled everything off the announce table and picked up Saints. He threw him onto the table and set him up for a powerbomb, but Saints countered and DDT’ed Femi on the table. Somehow it did not break.

Saints hit a tornado DDT and crawled back into the ring. Saints charged Femi on the ring apron, but Femi swatted him down like a fly. Back in the ring, Femi hit a Fall From Grace, but Saints somehow kicked out.

Femi went for another Fall From Grace, but Saints turned it into another DDT followed by a fourth spinning DDT and pinned Femi 1-2-3! Ricky Saints is the new NXT Champion!

Match Result: Ricky Saints defeated Oba Femi

Wow! I did not see that coming! Saints won and won clean over one of the most dominant champions NXT has ever had. Absolutely stunning. Maybe WWE has bigger plans fo Femi, but Saints earned the hell out of that title.

WWE NXT Heatwave live results: Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans, three title matches

Posted on by Jeff Moss

In another busy day of wrestling, WWE NXT closes up the weekend with Heatwave live from Lowell, Massachussetts.

The headliner will see reigning WWE NXT champion Oba Femi defend against top prospect and high flyer Je’Von Evans. This will be Femi’s ninth title defense and his second defense in which Evans is involved.

In a three-way for the TNA Knockouts title, reigning double champion Jacy Jayne will defend against Ash by Elegance and former champion Masha Slamovich.

In a grudge match, Jordynne Grace will finally get her shot at going one-on-one with Blake Monroe.

NXT Tag Team Champions Hank Walker & Tank Ledger defend against two members of DarkState (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Saquon Shugars or Cutler James).

In a three-way to determine the next contender for the NXT Women’s title, it will be Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice.

The main card is rounded out by Chelsea Green & Ethan Page vs. Tyra Mae Steele & Tavion Heights.

**********

To quote the immortal Robin Williams in the film Good Morning, Vietnam: “It’s damn hot. Real hot. Hot. My shorts, I can cook things in them. Little crotch-pot cooking.” Which can only mean it’s time for NXT Heatwave!

After the traditional mandatory footage of wrestlers arriving to work, Heatwave kicked off with a confrontation that was definitely more than lukewarm.

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender Match: Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

Jacy Jayne can’t hold onto that NXT Women’s Championship forever and the next in line to try and take it from her will be determined in this match. Given her popularity, one would probably safe in saying that this was Lola Vice’s match to lose, but WWE does love itself an “unexpected” win.

The match started with Vice and Jordan teaming up to kick Parker out of the ring. Vice and Jordan went went back and forth after than until Parker rejoined the fray, knocking both women’s heads together like proverbial coconuts.

Parker stacked Jordan and Vice up on the second rope in the corner and dropped a hit on both. Parker tossed Jordan out of the ring to hit a Samoan drop on Vice. Jordan got right back into it though, climbing the ringpost, but missing the splash on Vice. She made good on the following leg drop though.

Jordan hit a split-legged DDT on Vice, but only got a two count. She went back up top, but Parker shoved her off the ringpost. Parker and Jordan fought on the ring apron (the most #1 contender part of the ring!) with Parker taking a superkick from Jordan. Jordan then hit a corkscrew over the top rope onto both Vice and Parker.

Jordan hit what looked like a Lethal Injection but with the splits on Vice, but Vice kicked her off and locked in a dragon sleeper. Parker joined and both she and Jordan received a flurry of soccer kicks from Vice, before throwing multiple hips in the corners.

Vice tried another dragon sleeper on Jordan but Parker interrupted her fun with a blockbuster. Parker laid out Jordan with a spinebuster that was so good it made Booker T mumble something about Ron Simmons.

Parker and Jordan continued to battle in the ring and Vice joined in, literally kicking Parker in the butt. Jordan and Parker were on the top turnbuckle, when Vice scooped them up for a double suplex off the ropes.

All three tried to stagger to their feet, with Vice and Parker locking up. Parker subdued her with a back elbow in time to catch Jordan coming off the top rope. Parker got the knees up though, but was taken out by Vice. Jordan put Vice on her shoulders and hit a big spin. She went up top for a 450, but Vice scouted it and put her in a sleeper submission.

Just as Jordan was about to pass out, Parker broke it and Vice rolled her up to get the 1-2-3 and become the new #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Title!

Match Result: Lola Vice defeated Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan

Great opener! It was indeed Vice’s match to lose, but Jordan in particular looked really good while she did it. Parker’s lack of finesse might have cost her here, but she was a force to be reckoned with all throughout.

-Next, multiple promos for Evolve, a show that I had literally forgotten was on, aired to remind me that Evolve, was in fact, still on.

-The Culling joined us from therapy(?) next, discussing how Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame are going to tag against Wren and a mystery partner next week.

NXT Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank vs. DarkState

The first title match of the night featured mystery partners as well, seeing how we didn’t know which members of DarkState would be taking on Hank & Tank. It turned out to be Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox, but Shugars and James stayed at ringside.

Hank and Tank were on fire off the top with quick tags and heavy work on Darkstate. A quick double team on Tank from Griffin and Lennox changed the favor though. All four men entered the ring and a brawl broke out. Hank and Tank took out Griffin and Lennox, then hit a stereo dive through the ropes to take out all four members of DarkState.

Once things settled down, Hank and Lennox fought in the ring. Hank went up top, but Lennox pulled him down and beat him on the steel ring steps. He bounced Hank’s head off the ring apron then tagged in Griffin, who felt the need to do it again. A few times.

Hank got an elbow into Griffin’s gut though and tried to crawl to a tag. Griffin got to him though, preventing the tag and hitting a big powerslam. Lennox tagged in and the two sent Hank into the corner face-first.

Lennox squeezed on a chinlock, but Hank powered out, still too far away for a tag. Finally, Tank got the tag he craved, and he took out Griffin and Lennox with some spingboard moves. Shugars climbed up to cause a distraction, but Tank took him out and then hit at Bubba-Bomb on Lennox.

On the outside, Hank took a beating from the three members of DarkState, while Lennox hit a spinebuster on Tank. Griffin and Lennox isolated Tank in their corner, trading quick tags until Tank fought them off and hit a swanton from the top rope on both men.

Hank dodged multiple attacks on the outside and got the tag from Tank. Hank hit a Bossman slam on Lennox then splashed the reamaining three on the outside. Shirts came off and Hank and Tank hit their big slam on Lennox. James pulled Hank into the ropes crotch-first though, which allowed Lennox and Griffin to hit a Doomsday Device and win the NXT Tag Team Championship!

Match Result: DarkState (Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox) defeated Hank & Tank

I did not see that coming! Though, the next time someone takes on DarkState they may want to even those numbers up. Either way, it’s cool to see a group like DarkState with some gold and now we get to see what other havoc they can wreak as champions.

-Lexis King and Ava were shown talking in the latter’s office. Ava said that Miles Borne and King will have a blindfold match on Tuesday’s NXT episode.

TNA Knockouts Champion Jacy Jayne vs. Masha Slamovich vs. Ash by Elegance

Always cool to see TNA titles up for grabs on NXT shows! Also, fun to have Ash By Elegance back in NXT.

Ash and Slamovich zeroed in on each other off the top, but Jayne soon got involved and Ash was sent to the outside. Jayne hit a blockbuster on Ash on the outside, but jeft herself open to a corkscrew through the ropes from Slamovich.

Back in the ring, Slamovich and Ash fought with Slamovich hitting a series of kicks on Ash. She went for a move off the ropes, but Jayne grabbed her and Pele’d Slamovich off the ring apron. Jayne hit ASh in the corners, but only got a two count.

Jayne hit a standing senton on Ash, but that brought Slamovich back in just in time to eat a kick from Jayne. Ash caught her second wind and hit a blockbuster on Jayne for a near fall. Ash hit a handspring into the corner on Jayne who climbed the ringpost, allowing Ash to grab her for a sit-down powerbomb.

Slamovich tried to get involved, but Jayne hit her from behind. Slamovich responded with a dropkick and then a couple of hell-of-a-kicks in the corners. Then a series of dueling cannonballs and a white noise into the corner.

Ash bailed, leaving Slamovich and Jayne trading punches. Jayne hit a huge knee and pulled Slamovich into the ring for a neckbreaker, but Ash broke up the pin. Ash then disposed of Jayne and turned her attention to Slamovich, hitting a moonsault that missed. Jayne was right there with one of her own though, but only got a two-count.

Jayne put Slamovich on the ring post and hit a big hurricanrana followed by a big kick. Ash broke up the pin though with a meteora and tried to pin Jayne. Fatal Influence put her foot on the ropes, causing a shouting match with the Elegance Brand at ringside. The ref tossed Fatal influence and Slamovich tried to get a quick pin on Ash in the confusion, but it was only a two.

Ash took out both women on the outside and dragged Slamovich back in, but eat a kick. Slamovich went back to the kick, but Ash caught it and returned the favor. Ash hit a tornado DDT and then a moonsault, but Jayne interrupted with a high knee to Ash for another near fall.

Jayne hit a rolling encore on Slamovich, but the Elegance brand pulled Jayne out. Ash hit a swanton on Slamovich in the ring and got the 3-count to bring the Knockouts Championship back to TNA!

Match Result: Ash by Elegance defeated Jacy Jayne and Masha Slamovich

Great fun, its amazing how far Ash By Elegance has come since her NXT debut. Jayne has superstar written all over her and Slamovich is a veteran not to be messed with. Three distinct wrestlers, each showcasing their best talents. More of this please!

-Wow, they really went with it, huh? All right. A promo for “Wrestlepalooza” in September aired and then, Ricky Saints and Je’von Evans had a chat about Evans’ title match tonight. Saints said that he and the WWE Universe believe in Evans. Saints asked for the first shot at the title should Evans win.

Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

A VERY long recap of the relationship between Monroe and Grace aired before this match. The TLDR version is that they were friends, then Monroe turned on Grace at Evolution. So, they aren’t friends anymore.

Off the bell, Monroe delivered a big slap to Grace and then did the smartest thing she could and tried to run away. Grace chased her though as Monroe tried to hie behind the announce team. Grace dragged to the ring and started pummeling her.

Grace flipped Monroe with a big back slam followed by a twisting suplex. Monroe tried to get away again, bailing from the ring. Grace followed and backslammed her on the floor. Grace put Monroe on her shoulders and climbed the ring steps. Monroe wiggled free though and ripped Grace across the steel steps.

Monroe jumped back in the ring to break the count and Grace followed. Monroe took her turn to stomp and pummel ending with a pin attempt for two. Monroe hit a dropkick on Grace against the ropes, sending her back to the outside. She then wrapped Grace’s arm around the ring post, wrenching and twisting it before tossing her back inside.

Monroe tried to get a submission with an armbar, but Grace reversed it. Monroe stepped over Grace, working her arm for another submission, but Grace stood up and using the ropes, reversed it into a suplex.

The two began trading punches with Grace favoring her arm. Monroe took advantage and tried to hook her, but Grace put her down with a clothesline. Grace landed a spinebuster and jackhammer, but Monroe kicked out at two.

Grace hit a flapjack, but Monroe had grabbed the bottom turnbuckle, tearing the pad off. Monroe kicked out of the ensuing pin and hit a side russian leg sweep into a reverse armbar, continuing to wrench the arm of Grace.

Grace hit a back body drop and a bridge suplex, but Monroe kicked out at two. Grace began stomping Monroe and the two started trading head butts. Monroe hit a Nasty Suplex, but Grace kicked out at two. Monroe seemed distressed, unsure how to put Grace away for good.

Grace tried to lift Monroe, but her arm gave out on on her. Monroe pulled her up to the top of the ringpost, but Grace reversed it into a sit-down powerbomb from the top rope. Somehow, Monroe kicked out at two.

Monroe then stomped Grace into that exposed turnbuckle, crushing her head against it. Monroe then hit a DDT and got the pin.

Match Result: Blake Monroe defeated Jordynne Grace

That was a NASTY match. It got really really rough and there were a couple of spots that made me wince. Not becuase they were badly done, but because they were so hard and intense. These two could be on the edge of “Fight Forever” status.

-Backstage, Jaida Parker lamented her loss tonight when Lash Legend appeared. The two jawed at each other and a pullapart brawl ensued.

-Further backstage, Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence were backstage, with Jayne screaming at her minions for costing her the Knockouts title. Lola Vice, Sol Ruca and Zaria arrived to make fun of her, with Jayne claiming she was sick and leaving.

Chelsea Green & Ethan Page vs. Tyra Mae Steele & Tavion Heights

Before the match, it must be stated that Chelsea Green is a treasure and should be protected at all costs. Also, I am a Canadian and as such, I’m legally bound to liking Ethan Page (for some reason, there are tariffs on American wrestlers? I don’t get it either).

Green and Steele started things off and for those not in the know, in WWE Mixed Tag Matches, women fight women and men fight men, so a tag changes the players on both sides. Heights joined Steele in the ring and they hoisted Green and Page on their shoulders and tossed them out of the ring.

The crowd began chanting for “Can-a-da” at this point which, in complete honesty, was surprising. Page turned that around by grabbing a mic and promising not to sponsor the crowd for Canadian citizenship. Then he got in the ring to wrestle Heights, landing several stomps and elbows.

Page grabbed a headlock on Heights and tossed him into the ropes. Heights changed direction and bounced back into a clothesline. Page and Heights knocked noggins and Green sprinted across the ring to dropkick Steele off the apron.

Page tagged in Green and the crowd erupted. Green tried to slap Heights who caught her hand, leaving her open to a spear from Steele.

Green battled back and dropkicked Steele into the ropes, followed by some stomps in the corner. Green tossed Steele into the ropes, but Steele used it to her advantage and the two collided in the center of the ring. The women crawled to their corners to tag in their partners.

Heights burst out of the corner for a suplex and massive power slam. Green tried to kick Heights through the ropes, causing enought distraction for Page to get up. The men ran into each other and Heights tagged in Steele.

Steele grabbed Page and hit a gutwrench on him, followed but a spinebuster on Green. Alba Fyre of the Secret Hervice tried to get involved, but Steele suplexed her and Page at the same time and tried to put on an ankle lock. Green was the legal person though and grabbed Steele for an Unpretty-her, picking up the pin and the win for her team.

Match Result: Chelsea Green & Ethan Page defeated Tyra Mae Steele & Tavion Heights

Loved every second of this. Green and Page were awesome and made Steele and Heights look great, not that they needed much help. Steele in particular has a ton of up side and I’d love to see her and Heights hanging out more going forward.

-Backstage, Oba Femi was approached by Josh Briggs. Briggs said that the grind of being champ is wearing Femi down. Femi responded by saying “thank you for you insignificant opinion. Now leave” which may be my new e-mail signature.

-Ava joined us next from her office to announce that the Speed Titles will be moving to NXT. Sol Ruca, current Women’s Speed Champion arrived to learn that she will be facing the winner of an NXT/WWE/AAA/??? four way match at no Mercy.

NXT Champion Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans

Femi is an absolute monster of a champion, but Evans is gunning for the Sami Zayn “Ultimate Underdog” title. The real question is will Kevin Owens arrive after the match to powerbomb the winner on the ring apron (the most remember-when-that-happened part of the ring!)

Evans played it cool and kept some distance between he and Femi of the top. When Femi charged, he worked around him, trying for a waistlock. Femi shook him off and Evans tried a chop. Evans tried kicks and punches, but Femi absorbed most of it. Evans tried for a bouncing cutter, but Femi caught him, sending him into the corner.

Femi began pounding on Evans, delivering hammering blows to the back and kicks to the gut. Evans relied heavily on his agility, but every time he jumped off the ropes, Femi would grab him. It wasn’t until a surprise superkick from Evans that Femi even left his feet.

Evans hit a double stomp and hurricanrana on Femi, not giving him a chance to recover. Femi rolled outside the ring and Evans tried to dive after him, but Femi caught him by the throat and smacked him into next week.

Femi then grabbed Evans in a military press and tossed him over the top rope back into the ring. Femi stepped on Evans, putting all his weight onto his stomach. Femi picked up Evans and hit a double gutbuster, but Evans kicked out at two.

Femi tried a submission tactic, but Evans struggled up and tried to suplex Femi. Femi reversed it in the air though and ended up crushing Evans under his weight. Evan slipped away and managed to kick Femi in the head, sending him out of the ring.

Femi scrambled back in though and hit a massive spinebuster on Evans before he could recover. Femi then sent Evans to the corner, whipping him against the turnbuckle. Evans crumpled after each attack. Femi sent him into the corner again, but Evans got a foot up and kicked Femi in the head.

Dazed, Femi staggered back and Evans tried to take him down, but Femi countered with a huge backbreaker followed by a chokeslam. Evans kicked out at two though, and Femi continued clubbing him around the ring.

Evans stood up in defiance and began raining punches on Femi, driving him back into the corner. Evans hit a springboard lariat, connecting this time and began bouncing around the ring hitting springboard moves and getting a two count.

Evans got caught by Femi, but reversed it into a DDT before scrambling up the ring post. Evans hit a splash, but didn’t quite connect, showing how beaten up he was. Evans went back up top and hit a picture perfect frog splash, but it wasn’t enough to get Femi down for the count.

Evans hit a german suplex on Femi, but that seemed to charge up the champion who nailed him with a massive lariat and began running the ropes. Evans interrupted with a cutter though and went up top. Femi was waiting for him to come back down though with a Eurpoean uppercut.

Femi pulled Evans to the top rope, but Evans squirmed out. Femi pushed him off the top rope, taking out the official. Femi tried a pop up powerbomb but Evans caught him with a cutter! A second ref arrived and counted 1-2-3!!

BUT!

Femi’s foot was under the ropes! So the original Ref waved off the new guy. Femi then picked up Evans and tossed him over the top rope through the announce table. He dragged Evans back into the ring for a signature powerbomb and that was it. Oba Femi retained the NXT Championship.

Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Je’Von Evans

After the match, Evans’ friend Ricky Saints came down to the ring. He stood toe to toe with Femi, indicating that he wants the next shot at the Champion.

Wow, That match had every indication of an uneventful squash, but damn did it deliver! Femi looked great as always, but he also made Evans look like he was a very worthy adversary. When Evans got that three count, I genuinely gasped in surprise. Fun night of wrestling!!

Two matches announced for WWE NXT Heatwave

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two matches have been announced for NXT Heatwave.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Hank & Tank will defend the NXT Tag Team titles against two members of Darkstate at NXT’s next PLE on August 24 in Lowell, Massachussets. Meanwhile, Jordynne Grace will face off against Blake Monroe.

As Monroe was wrestling Kelani Jordan on Tuesday’s NXT, Jordynne Grace emerged in a neckbrace and chased Monroe out of the area and into a car that quickly whisked her away. In a later segment, Grace met with Ava, who said she would make a match between the two.

In the segment that followed after, Hank & Tank were wrestling Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon when all four members of Darkstate entered the ring after the match and attacked both teams. When they went to Ava to complain about the situation, the NXT GM announced that the two would defend their NXT Tag Team titles against two members of Darkstate at Heatwave.

Oba Femi will be defending the NXT Championship at Heatwave as well. He will face the winner between Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans on the August 19 edition of NXT in Philadelphia.

Here is the updated card for Heatwave:

WWE NXT Heatwave (August 24):

  • NXT Champion Oba Femi defends against Je’Von Evans or Trick Williams
  • NXT Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank defend against two members of Darkstate (Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin)
  • Blake Monroe vs. Jordynne Grace

Blake Monroe turns against Jordynne Grace at WWE Evolution

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Blake Monroe has cost Jordynne Grace the NXT Women’s Championship.

The end of the match at Sunday’s PLE had Jacy Jayne’s stablemates introduce the Women’s Championship into the match. Blake Monroe managed to take out Fallon Henley then Jazmyn Nyx. Henley recovered and distracted the referee on the apron as Jayne whipped Grace into the ropes. That was where Monroe struck Grace in the back with the title, allowing Jayne to connect with a punch for the win.

After the match, Monroe handed the title to Jayne and smirked at Fatal Influence as she made her exit.

Grace reacted to the turn on X, clearly unhappy.

Since making her debut last month, the former Mariah May had been feuding with Fatal Influence, who attacked Monroe during her contract signing. At Saturday’s The Great American Bash, she and Grace teamed up to defeat Jayne and Henley. In the build to their match, Grace & Monroe developed a friendship, enjoying a spa day together.

In a segment that aired during the Evolution pre-show, Monroe agreed to be in Grace’s corner for her title match.

WWE NXT Great American Bash live results: Three title matches

Posted on by Jeff Moss

WWE NXT returns with the Great American Bash — a Saturday afternoon premium live event from Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.

In the headliner, NXT Champion Oba Femi looks to continue his run as he defends against Yoshiki Inamura who earned the shot in a recent no. 1 contender’s match.

Blake Monroe will make her televised NXT debut, teaming with Jordynne Grace to take on Fatal Influence (NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley) one day ahead of Grace challenging Jayne for the title at Evolution.

In a falls count anywhere match for the North American title, Ethan Page defends against Ricky Saints.

A day after making her main roster debut on SmackDown, Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca will defend against Izzi Dame.

The high-flying Je’Von Evans will battle LFG winner Jasper Troy while TNA Champion Trick Williams, Joe Hendry and Mike Santana will sign their contracts for TNA Slammiversary.

Our coverage begins at 3 PM Eastern.

**********

It’s great! It’s American (mostly)! And someone is sure to get bashed. It’s NXT’s Great American Bash and it starts…

Wait for it…

NOW!

Je’Von Evans vs. Jasper Troy

Noted chains enthusiast, Troy, won LFG Season One and almost dethroned Oba Femi and captured his NXT Title. Evans doesn’t like that Troy is causing chaos in his structured little NXT and is looking to end the threat once and for all. 

Troy was pretty much a whole human bigger than Evans, so it wasn’t a shot that off the top, Try began ragdolling him around the ring. Evans was also wrestling with taped ribs, so he wasn’t at 100%. That didn’t stop him from slapping Troy in the face.

Evans’ agility was his greatest weapon against Troy, as he dodges a ringpost and hit a springboard at the big man. Unfortunately, Troy caught him mid air and threw him at the ground. Hard. Both men ended up on the outside, where Troy drove Evans’ back into the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring, and the earliest I’ve ever used that joke).

Troy grabbed Evans by the throat and threw him over the top rope. He then picked him up by said throat and thew him at the barricades. Back in the ring, Troy hit a splash off the ropes on a barely moving Evans. He hit another one for good measure and then put on a devastating chinlock. Yes, even a chinlock from Troy looks devastating.

Evans tried again to go high flying, but once again, Troy caught him and wracked him through a series of backbreakers. The ref checked on Evans, but as soon as he was able, Troy mercilessly attacked him again. Troy locked in an abdominal stretch and topped it off with some elbows to the gut.

Evans found a second wind though and started peppering Troy with shots. That dazed the big man and he fell to one knee. Evans tried to go up top, but his body failed him and the couldn’t make it. Troy did though, and hit a big headbutt from the second rope.

Evans started throwing hands and sent Troy to the corner. He hit s superkick and then tried a German Suplex, but couldn’t get the bigger man over. Evans tried a springboard cutter, but it didn’t land. He went up top but Troy threw him back into the ring. Troy charged, but his momentum took him over the ropes when Evans dodged. Evans dove through the ropes and hit Troy.

Back in the ring, Evans finally got that German Suplex on Troy and punctuated it with a Frog Splash. It only got him a two count. He tried again, but Troy caught him for a choke slam. Troy set him up for abig slam, but Evans wormed his way underneath and rolled up Troy for a quick pin!

Match Result: Je’Von Evans defeated Jasper Troy

Good gracious! Troy is absolutely terrifying. Evans did an amazing job of making him look like the monster he is. I loved Evans’ “never say die” attitude, even when Troy was essentaily killing him. Lopsided matches like this almost always turn into squashes, but these guys told a great story with a fun finish. Excellent kickoff to the Bash!

-The current holder of the Heritage Cup, “Stacks” Lorenzo joined us next to reveal a list of all the people he’d give a shot at the cup to, including Fat Lexis King, Randy Orton’s Kids, Koko B. Ware and Matt Bloom (A-Train). He then spoke to Bloom in the Performance Center, who advised him to keep his head on a swivel. After that, it was revealed that someone had stolen the Cup!

-Next, Sol Ruca and Zaria joined i for an interview. They said all the things the wrestlers say, but what was interesting was the brief interruption of the feed to a skull-faced stranger. It only happened for a second, and Ruca and Zaria did not acknowledge it.

NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca w Zaria vs. Izzi Dame w/Tatum Paxley

This match is all about friendship. Women’s North American and WWE Speed Champion Ruca wanted to be friends with Tatum Paxley, but Paxley decided that she’d rather be friends with The Culling, helping Dame pin Ruca in a tag match, Now Ruca and Dame will go one on one for the Women’s North American Championship, but it’s their friends on the outside who could make the biggest difference. 

Right off the bell, Paxley and Zaria got into it, distracting the ref. That allowed Dame to hit a quick powerbomb and pin Ruca. By the time the ref noticed though, Ruca’s foot was on the ropes.

The match began in earnest with Ruca hitting a missile dropkick on Dame, sending her to the outside. She followed with a splash and threw Dame back into the ring for a two count. Ruca had control, but got caught by Dame who hit a bellybuster, leaving Ruca writhing.

Dame sent Ruca off the ropes for a knee to the gut and backbreaker. Ruca tried to fight back, but Dame dropped her and set her up for a knee to the back and crab submission. Ruca powered out and got some momentum, but Dame hit a big boot the face and tried a quick pin for two.

The crowd was solidly behind Ruca, who started throwing elbows at Dame. Ruca hit a backstabber and Dame rolled out of the ring. Ruca followed via moonsault, but it was hard to tell who got more hurt in the move.

Back in the ring, Ruca hit a springboard clothesline off the top rope and set Dame up on the ringpost. Dame shoved her off and hit a missile dropkick, knocking Ruca onto her back. The two stood and traded shots in the middle of the ring.

Ruca set Dame up on the ringpost and hit an X-Factor from the top rope. She tried it again, but Dame caught her by the throat and hit a big chokeslam in the middle of the ring. Dame climbed up and tried a splash from the second rope but Ruca met her with a kick instead.

Ruca fired up and hit a huge spear, but Dame got her foot on the rope during the pin. By that I mean, Paxley put it there. Zaria speared Paxley on the outside and Ruca hit a big cutter in the ring to get the 1-2-3 and retain her Women’s North American Title.

Match Result: Sol Ruca defeated Izzi Dame

That was a fun match. It lacked a little of the intensity of the first bout, but the crowd was way into it and that made it a ton of fun to watch.

-Next, a promo for Lola Vice played, touting her victory in AAA last night. From there, Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe were shown warming up for their match, before a hype package for Saints vs Page aired.

Falls Count Anywhere Match: NXT North American Champion Ethan Page vs. Ricky Saints

The latest chapter in this long-running feud is sure to be brutal. Page took the NXT North American Championship from Saints in May and then injured him, putting him out of action for months. Now that Saints is back, revenge is on his mind as well as reclaiming the NXT North American title. 

Saint’s jumped Page as the bell rang, sending him to the outside right away. He grabbed a Kendo stick from under the ring and peppered Page with shots to the back. Page grabbed a trash can lid and hit Saints, following him up into the crowd.

They battled in the aisles and the crowd chanted for Saints. Saints sent Page into the concession area where he hit him with a garbage can. Page responded by driving Saints into a pillar and locking in a boston crab. Page went for an Ego’s Edge, but Saints wriggled out and sent him face first into that pillar.

PAge charged and Saints caught him and put him through a WWE Merch table. Saints went for the cover, but only got a two. Moving back out into the crowd by the entrance ramp, Page sent Saints into the steel ring steps and grabbed a chair. He hit Saints with it and wrapped it around his neck before sending him into the ringpost.

Page threw a bunch of chairs into the ring, pausing to swing at Saints. Saints dodged though and page hit the barricade. Saints then blasted him with a fire extinguisher and stripped the banner from the steel guardrail, which he then threw on top of Page. Saints grabbed a chair of his own and delivered a shot before tossing it and the barricade into the ring.

Saints stomped Page’s head on the ring apron (the ego-est part of the ring!) and dragged him inside. Saints picked up Page and racked him on the turnbuckle, but Saints fought back and slammed Page’s head into a chair.

Saints then set up two chairs in the middle of the ring, back to back. He then suplexed Page onto the chairs, followed by another suplex onto the barricade in the corner. Somehow, Page kicked out at two.

Saints upped the ante by setting up four chairs, front to front. Page followed him up the to the top rope where they fought until he was able to Powerbomb Page onto the chairs!

Page bailed trying to escape to the back, but Saints followed, and the two battled in the green room, using a couch, a flip-flop and a sewing machine. Suddenly, Jasper Troy appeared and slammed Saints onto a road case!

Page dragged Saints back to the ring and belted him with a chair. Saints punched back and back body dropped Page onto the entrance ramp. From there, Saints hit a tornado DDT and got a two count. The two fought along the LED board, and Page hit an Ego’s Edge on Saints, throwing him off the ramp and through two tables!

Page scurried down and got the pin, winning the match and retaining his North American Title!

Match Result: Ethan Page defeated Ricky Saints

That was a killer match with all the best things that a Falls Count Anywhere stipulation can bring. Weapons, huge spots and a flip-flop. It’ll be interesting to see if Jasper Troy had a reason for interfering, or if he was just annoyed that the match interrupted his feeding time, which I assume is mostly raw meat.

-Next, it was announced that the next NXT PLE will be Heatwave, on Sunday August 24th.

TNA World Championship Contract Signing

Of all the wrestling tropes out there, my least favorite is the dreaded “Contract Signing.” These segments are rarely different from one another, “Promo, promo, signed paper, overturned table, brawl, signed paper, fight.” But I guess legally speaking, papers have to be signed, so let’s get on with it. 

Trick Williams will defend the TNA World Title at Slammiversary against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana in a Triple Threat Match. The Hendry and Santana want the title back in TNA, and will sign any papers they have to in order to get that done.

NXT GM Ava started the proceedings by introducing the participants, starting with Santana. Hendry followed to a great ovation and then Trick Williams came down with the TNA Title. Booker T called Hendry the “Brett Farve of wrestling” which tells me that Booker does not pay attention to football (or fraud cases).

Santana grabbed a mic and talked about how being in a WWE ring as a TNA wrestler means something to him, but the TNA title belongs in TNA. He called Williams soft and talked about respecting Hendry, but at the end of the day, Hendry is standing in Santana’s way. He then signed the contract.

Hendry spoke next, saying that he respects Santana as well, but Hendry is the one who should being the TNA title back and take TNA to the next level. He turned to Williams and warned him that he will make him believe in Joe Hendry. He then signed the contract.

Williams then said he didn’t want to ruin the moment for Hendry and Santana, but they need to put some respect on his name. Williams said that he’s the one with the stroke around NXT and TNA (I’m pretty sure no one but wrestlers use “stroke” like that).

Williams said that he doesn’t need help to defend the title and would kick both of their butts. He then signed the contract.

Wait, what’s this!? Hendry and Santana pushed their chairs back and jumped Williams, putting him through the table! What a shocking and unexpected outcome!!

-Any way, a promo for Saturday Night’s Main Event played next, but was interrupted by that masked faction, DarkState, who entered the ring and beat up Hendry and Santana who were still in the ring for some reason!

-Next a promo from Tony d’Angelo aired, revealing that he was the one who stole the Heritage Cup from Stacks! He tossed it off of a bridge and promised to win their “final” battle on Tuesday.

NXT Champion Oba Femi vs. Yoshiki Inamura w/Josh Briggs

The NXT Title could be headed to Japan! Inamura has made his bones in Pro Wrestling Noah and If he’s able to defeat Femi here, he would become the first non-WWE person to win the NXT Championship. Femi however has dominated NXT since he debuted and his winning of the NXT Championship was pretty much only a matter of time. Inamura will have his work cut out for him. 

The crowd was chanting OBA before the match even started, but once the bell rang it was clear that these two were pretty evenly matched in size and power. They locked up and Femi got the advantage with a shoulder block. Inamura moved on to a wrist lock, but Femi overpowered it. The two remained locked in a test of strength that Femi eventually won.

Femi picked Inamura up for a suplex which just energized Inamura. He charged Femi and drove him to the mat with a shoulder, followed by a big elbow. Inamura went to the top rope, but Femi rolled out of the ring, drawing Inamura down for Femi to hoist him on his shoulders.

Inamura broke free though, and dove on Femi on the outside. Back in the ring, he picked up Femi for a spinning slam. Femi responded with a slam of his own, but neither man could get more than a two count.

Femi began to take charge, tossing Inamura around the ring. He put Inamura in a back stretch over his knee, but Inamura was able to power out and counter the hold into a body slam. Femi hit a spinebuster in response. Working the body, Femi tried to get Imanura up for a suplex, but Inamura blocked it and delivered on of his own to Femi.

Inamura started delivering chops to Femi, utilizing his strong style strikes. Inamura hit another German Suplex on Femi, but only a two count. Inamura went to the top rope, but Femi dodged his dive, sending him into the ref in the corner. That allowed Briggs to hit Femi with the NXT title.

Inamura went up top, but Briggs tried to get him to make a pin. IN the confusion, Femi staggered to his feet and Inamura hit a big splash from the top rope. However, the ref was still down, so there was noone to count the pin.

Briggs tried to put the ref back in, which allowed Femi to recover and hit a choke slam. The pin was only for two though as Inamura kicked out. The big men went back to striking and punches and chops flew everywhere.

Inamura hit a modified Blue Thunder Bomb, but that only got him a modified two count. Briggs got up on the apron, but Femi wasn’t distracted and hit a pop up powerbomb to get the 1-2-3 and retain the NXT Title.

Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Yoshiki Inamura

That was a lot of big men slapping the meat! I love these slobberknockers as a certain Oklahoman used to say and Imanura kept up with the dominant Femi the whole way. I could have done without the Briggs interference, but it was still a fun title match.

-Backstage, Trick Williams asked GM Ava to do something about him getting jumped by Hendry and Santana. Ava said that DarkState got his revenge and then made the match Williams, Hendry and Santana vs DarkState on Tuesday.

-Oba Femi was interviewed in the back and he was joined be Inamura. They exchanged respect and Inamura apologized for Briggs’ interference. Briggs arrived and a pull apart broke out.

Jordynne Grace & Blake Monroe vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley) w/ Jazmyn Nyx

Monroe’s arrival in NXT threw the women’s division into chaos and resulted in Fatal Influence putting her through a table. Grace is the number one contender for Jayne’s NXT Women’s Title, and just hours before Evolution, Fatal Influence will be looking to make an impact on the division and the faces of Grace and Monroe. 

Grace and Henley kicked things off, with Grace having the obvious strength advantage. She sent Henley into the corner and after some shots hit a big spinning slam. Henley tagged in Jayne and the two traded schoolboy attempts.

Grace then tagged in Monroe in her first ever WWE/NXT match. She and Jayne locked up and traded armbreakers. Monroe dodged a senton from Jayne who rolled over and tagged Henley back in. Monroe sent her to the corner and Grace tagged in. Using Monroe as a weapon, Grace scooped her up and dropped her on Henley.

Now isolated, Henley struggled against Monroe and Grace in the corner. Monroe, the legal woman, hit a spinning slam in the middle of the ring followed by a rollup. Jayne distracted the ref and Nyx jumped in to break up the pin and give a shot to Monroe.

Now Monroe found herself isolated as Jayne and Henley tagged in and out, working her over. Monroe dodged a double team though and got a hot tag to Grace who cleaned house until Jayne got a foot in her stomach. Henley arrived for a double team, but Grace shrugged them both off, sending them to the outside.

Jayne lured Grace to the outside and delivered a huge kick as Grace rounded a corner. Tossing her back into the ring, Henley and Jayne suplexed Grace, but it only resulted in a two count. Jayne pounced on a dazed Grace and hit a big elbow and a kick square to the face.

Henley rejoined the fray and hit Grace with a back elbow off the ropes. Jayne and Henley tagged in and out, delivering shots and kicks to Grace in the corner, targeting the arms. Grace fought back, overpowering Henley into a Death Valley Driver. A hot tag was made to Monroe to took out Henley and Jayne.

Jayne tried to go up top, but Monroe got her with a head scissors and brought her back down to earth. Monroe fought Jayne on the ring apron (the most glamourous part of the ring!) and tried a power bomb, but Nyx stopped her and Jayne dragged Monroe back into ring.

Henley tagged in and hit a blockbuster on Monroe for a two-count. Monroe delivered a big headbutt to Henley and fell back into a tag from Grace. Grace worked Henley over, tossing her onto the entrance ramp. They traded shots until Henley speared Grace through the ropes back into the ring.

Jayne and Monroe tagged in and traded stiff shots. Jayne sent Monroe intot he corner, but Monroe dodged and hit a German Suplex on Jayne. Monroe went to the top rope, but Nyx managed to push her off. Suddenly Masha Slammovich appeared and took out Nyx!

All four women brawled in the ring, the Ref unable to keep control. Henley sent Grace to the outside and in the ring, Monroe at a high kick from Jayne. Grace popped up and hit a back fist on Jayne, knocking her cold and allowing Monroe to get the pin!

Match Result: Jordynne Grace & Blake Monroe defeated Fatal Influence

A fun match that was worthy of being the Main Event. Loved the Slammovich cameo and thought that all involved worked really well together! Evolution should be great tomorrow, but before that, it’s Saturday Night’s Main Event!

Blake Monroe makes WWE in-ring debut at NXT live event

Posted on by Ian Carey

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May, now wrestling as Blake Monroe, made her WWE in-ring debut on Friday night.

Monroe defeated Lainey Reid at an NXT live event in Fort Pierce, Florida. It was her first bout since losing the “Hollywood Ending” match to Toni Storm at AEW Revolution on March 9.

Blake Monroe on her WWE debut

Monroe released a vlog earlier this week that was filmed just before her NXT debut on June 3. She called becoming a member of the WWE roster the greatest achievement of her life so far.

“I didn’t think I was going to be in WWE and it still doesn’t really feel real to me, and I don’t know if I’m going to share this one because this is so personal — but this is maybe thus far the greatest achievement of my life to be a part of WWE.”

After her surprise debut, a vignette aired the following week announcing her new ring name would be Blake Monroe. She later said the name is a tribute to her niece and Marilyn Monroe. Monroe was attacked by Fatal Influence during her contract signing on the June 17 episode and did not appear on this past Tuesday’s show.

Blake Monroe: ‘Greatest achievement of my life to be part of WWE’

Posted on by Ethan Renner

New WWE NXT star Blake Monroe has posted a vlog filmed ahead of her debut, calling joining WWE “the greatest achievement of my life.”

Monroe, formerly Mariah May in AEW, posted the vlog filmed in her closet just hours before her NXT debut on June 3.

In the vlog, Monroe opens up about her doubts that her childhood dream of joining WWE would ever come true, and details some of the steps she took towards making that dream a reality, including training at Tyler Breeze and Shawn Spears’ Flatbacks wrestling school.

“I didn’t think I was going to be in WWE and it still doesn’t really feel real to me, and I don’t know if I’m going to share this one because this is so personal — but this is maybe thus far the greatest achievement of my life to be a part of WWE.”

Monroe also spoke about doubting that her WWE dream would come true as 2024 came to a close:

“I don’t know, I think I I felt a little dejected at the end of last year and I didn’t know [WWE] was an option for me. And I started training again — I actually started training at Flatbacks, which is an amazing school. I was training in Atlanta, and I just fell in love with wrestling again.”

Flatbacks is located in Florida, and it is unclear if Monroe was confused as to the location or is she was also training in a different place in Atlanta in preparation for her debut.

Monroe notes that support from her manager and her family helped quell that doubt:

“I fell in love with wrestling again, and I felt like I was back in the game and I wanted to do so much more. And I spoke to my manager and he said ‘I believe in you.’ And I spoke to people around me and they were like ‘I believe in you.’ And I spoke to my parents who were really the big ones, and even my dad said ‘Life isn’t a dress rehearsal you get one go this is your dream since you were a little kid.’ And so everything happened really quickly. And I’m doing it, I am officially a WWE superstar. I’m debuting at NXT tonight.”

The full vlog can be viewed in the embedded video below.

Fight Game: Gunther vs. Goldberg is set, AEW Grand Slam Mexico recap

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I, Garrett Gonzales, are back to talk about the major topics in the world of wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast.

We kicked off the show by giving out our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before hitting the major AEW and WWE topics of the week.

Here are some of the things we talked about:

  • A fun AEW Grand Slam Mexico
  • Private Party and whether WWE would be interested in them
  • Goldberg vs. Gunther
  • WWE King & Queen of the Ring brackets
  • Blake Monroe

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF – Exclusive Subscriber only Podcasts

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

WWE NXT live results: Blake Monroe contract signing

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Two weeks after her debut, the former Mariah May is set to officially join the WWE NXT roster tonight.

A contract signing for the newly named Blake Monroe will take place on tonight’s NXT episode. In her first appearance for the brand, Monroe declared that she wants to be the next NXT Women’s Champion. That title is currently held by Jacy Jayne after dethroning Stephanie Vaquer.

We know that the NXT Women’s Championship will be on the line at WWE’s Evolution PLE next month. Tonight, the road to deciding who will challenge for the belt begins with four Evolution eliminator matches. They are: Jordynne Grace vs. Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan vs. Lash Legend, Zaria vs. Izzi Dame, and Thea Hail vs. Jaida Parker.

TNA stars Elijah, AJ Francis, and KC Navarro will be on tonight’s show for a six-man tag match. TNA World Champion Trick Williams is teaming up with Francis & Navarro against Elijah, Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

Opening the show is the first of four Evolution eliminators.

Jaida Parker defeated Thea Hail in an Evolution eliminator match

Parker pinned Hail after a running hip attack. Parker had tapped out to a Kimura, but not in view of the referee. Hail thought the match ended because of the tap out, but the ref was oblivious. Parker then struck with the Hipnotic.

Heat on Hail during the body of the match, with Parker dominating on offense. Hail is a babyface in peril, but she fights back. Hope spot just before the show cuts its first commercial break. Hail sidesteps Parker, and Parker crashes into the metal ring steps.

While Hail looked to turn the tide, Parker cuts her off during the split-screen break. Parker tries her finisher as the show returns from the break, but Hail counters and applies a Kimura. Hail has Parker trapped in the submission hold. Parker struggles for the ropes, but Hail with a gator roll maintains control. Parker gets to her feet, but Hail still has the hold applied on her.

Parker maneuvers herself into a position where her left hand is hidden from the referee. Parker then taps out, but the referee does not see it. Hail releases the hold, and looks towards the referee. Parker strikes with a Hipnotic on an unsuspecting Hail, and Parker scores the pinfall.

Lash Legend defeated Kelani Jordan in an Evolution eliminator match

Legend pinned Jordan with a Lash Extension. They wrestled through a commercial break.

Asai moonsault by Jordan just before the show cuts to a traditional break. No split-screen. The match is rejoined in progress. Near fall for Legend after a pump kick. Argentine backbreaker by Legend, but Jordan counters into a codebreaker.

Cartwheel back elbow and Jordan is on a roll. Sliced bread by Jordan, and she leaps off the top rope with frog splash for a two count on Legend. Jordan goes for a split-legged moonsault, only for Legend to cut her off. Legend sets up for an avalanche back suplex, but Jordan turns that into a falling crossbody off the turnbuckles. Legend still powers out.

For the finish, Legend gets her knees up to block a 450 splash from Jordan. Legend executes her Lash Extension finisher, and Legend then covers Jordan for a pinfall.

Up next is the saga of melodrama with the Tony D’Angelo Family.

“The Don” is in the ring talking about being stabbed in the back by Stacks. D’Angelo does not know what is going on. Up is down. Down is up. D’Angelo says all he wanted from Luca Crusifino was his trust and loyalty, and D’Angelo claims he is not getting that from him.

D’Angelo calls out Crusifino and tells him to continue lying to him and the audience. Crusifino sticks to his story, but “The Don” is not sure to believe him. D’Angelo says the eyes never lie, so he asks Crusifino to look him in his eyes and tells him that Luca is not with Stacks.

Stacks interrupted before Luca can answer. Stacks is flanked by his new crew. Stacks tried to recruit Luca into his crew. Stacks says Luca knows what to do next. D’Angelo takes down a henchman from the new crew and a brawl erupts. Luca fights off the Stack’s crew while Stacks and D’Angelo have a hockey fight. Luca goes to presumably hit Stacks. Instead, Luca inadvertently hits D’Angelo.

Je’Von Evans is making the rounds around the locker room in a backstage skit. He briefly chats with a mean Jasper Troy. A moment later, a match is set up with Evans against Tavion Heights. If Heights wins, he can leave No Quarter Catch Crew. Charlie Dempsey agrees to the stipulation, and Wren Sinclair hugs Dempsey in a comedy spot.

Eijah gets to do his troubadour gimmick before a commercial break. When the show returns, Elijah is in action for a six-man tag team match

Josh Briggs, Yoshiki Inamura & Elijah defeated TNA World Champion Trick Williams, AJ Francis & Wes Lee (with High Ryze)

Inamura pinned Williams to win the match. Inamura scoring a pin on the TNA World champ would seem to set up a TNA title match.

The trios bout goes through a commercial break. Elijah with a Randy Savage flying elbow drop just before the split-screen break. Inamura is being worked over when the show returns from the break. Hot tag to Briggs and he cleans house. Elijah tags in and further cleans house.

Everybody joins in and the match breaks down. After a shoves by Briggs, Lee inadvertently wipes out Trick on a corkscrew senton. Elijah then tosses Lee over the top rope into the arms of High Ryze at ringside. Meanwhile, Inamura is tagged in. Inamura leaps off the top rope with a flying body pres, and Inamura covers Trick Williams for a pinfall.

Izzi Dame (with The Culling) defeated Zaria (with Sol Ruca) in an Evolution eliminator match

Dame pinned Zaria, after a sudden appearance of Tatum Paxley. That was set up in a skit before this match.

The match goes through a split-screen commercial break. Tatum Paxley hops the barricade at ringside just before the finish. NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca is in Zaria’s corner, and she is distracted by the sudden appearance of Paxley. Apparently, so was Zaria. A distracted Zaria takes a pop-up sit-out powerbomb from Dame, and Dame scores a three count.

Inamura gifts Briggs his TNA title shot in a skit that made little sense except Inamura envisions a world where Briggs is TNA champion and Inamura is NXT champion.

Jordynne Grace defeated Lola Vice in an Evolution eliminator match

Grace pinned Vice after Beast Mode. Vice drops the fall, but she looked strong in the match. It was also a good match.

The match goes through a commercial break. No split screen, and the bout is rejoined in progress. Great closing moments.

NXT GM Ava introduces Blake Monroe for her contract signing.

Monroe began by putting over NXT as having the best women’s division. That seriousness was met with sexual innuendo, as Monroe says she cannot wait to jump into bed with the talent in NXT. WWE has always been her dream and now she is here.

She claims to raise the bar, turn heads and redefine what being a star means. The spotlight is now on her, and Monroe signs the contract with a custom pink pen that compliments her character.

Out comes the heel trio of Fatal Influence. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne is joined by Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyz. Jayne cuts a promo on Monroe, leading to Monroe decking Jayne with a right hand. Henley then brawls with Monroe. Jayne recovers and the Fatal Influence trio jumps Monroe. They pose over a fallen Monroe.

The heels leave the ring with Monroe still selling the attack, and Jayne poses with her title belt as the show fades to black.

WWE files ‘Blake Monroe’ trademark for Mariah May’s new name

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has officially applied to trademark “Blake Monroe” — the new in-ring name for Mariah May.

The former AEW Women’s World Champion made her NXT debut last week but was not identified by name during that appearance. Last night, it was revealed that she is now going by Blake Monroe. A video aired on NXT with May introducing herself and her new name to the audience.

WWE filed its trademark to secure the rights to the “Blake Monroe” name yesterday, with the application covering goods and services relating to performances by a professional wrestler:

  • Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment

The new name was chosen by May as a reference to her niece Blake.

A contract signing for Blake Monroe will take place on NXT next week. When she makes her NXT in-ring debut, it will be the first time the former Mariah May has wrestled since losing to Toni Storm at AEW Revolution this March.

Mariah May’s new name revealed on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Say hello to Blake Monroe.

In a video stylized like a old Hollywood newsreel, May could be seen getting out of a bathtub and preparing to go out while newspapers appeared on the screen emphasized her ‘Glamour’ nickname. After some teasing, it was revealed that going forward she would be known as Blake Monroe.

May made her debut in NXT on last week’s show, informing everyone that she was looking to go after the NXT Women’s championship and that NXT had just become more glamorous. Neither May or the announce team mentioned her name.

After spending most of 2024 feuding with Toni Storm, May lost to Storm in a ‘Hollywood Ending’ match at AEW Revolution in March. Not too long after, reports started to surface that May would be leaving the company when her contract ran out later in the year. Just a few days before her WWE debut, it was reported that AEW had removed May from their roster page, usually a sign that someone had officially departed from the company.