Tag: Candice LeRae

WWE NXT’s Candice LeRae comments on pregnancy

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

Though she and Johnny Gargano are expecting their first child, Candice LeRae wants to stay on NXT television as long as possible while pregnant.

LeRae and Gargano announced on Thursday that their first child is expected to arrive in February 2022. In an Instagram post today, LeRae wrote that she doesn’t plan on being away from NXT until she absolutely has to be. LeRae joked that Indi Hartwell clearly needs her, and LeRae said she wants to be there for the women in the NXT locker room as long as she possibly can.

LeRae wrote that she’ll have to take a step back from the physical side of pro wrestling for a while, but she knows it will be worth it.

“This road for me and Johnny has been long and I’ve had days where I thought this would never happen for us,” LeRae wrote. “It’s hard as a woman to choose between your career you’ve wanted since childhood and growing a life inside you. There never seems to be a right time. I have been a wrestler for 19 years and it’s been my constant since I was a little girl. It’s my first love. It’s given me irreplaceable friends, a brother, experiences I’d have never had otherwise, the blessing of traveling the world, the ability to make an impact on people’s lives, and (last but not least) a husband.”

LeRae & Hartwell were formerly NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions together. They’re part of The Way with Gargano in NXT. This week’s NXT episode featured an angle where Hartwell went on her first date with Dexter Lumis.

LeRae’s full Instagram post is available below:

Just when I didn’t think I could possibly be happier, you all proved me wrong. My heart is so full of love and support I never expected.

This road for me and Johnny has been long and I’ve had days where I thought this would never happen for us. It’s hard as a woman to choose between your career you’ve wanted since childhood and growing a life inside you. There never seems to be a right time. I have been a wrestler for 19 years and it’s been my constant since I was a little girl. It’s my first love. It’s given me irreplaceable friends, a brother, experiences I’d have never had otherwise, the blessing of traveling the world, the ability to make an impact on people’s lives, and (last but not least) a husband.

I don’t plan on being ‘away’ until I absolutely have to. Indi clearly needs me! And I want to be there for my locker room of girls as long as I possibly can! However, I do have to take a step back from my favorite part of this business for a while- physically wrestling. But I know this little one is going to be soooo very worth every second away from the ring.

I’m incredibly thankful for the love and support from everyone! It’s helped me feel at peace and whole and I’m sure this little one growing inside me feels every bit of it too!

I’m incredibly lucky. Thank you all. I love you 3000! 

WWE NXT’s Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae expecting first child

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

NXT’s Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are expecting their first child.

Gargano and LeRae announced on their social media accounts on Thursday that they have a baby on the way. LeRae is due to give birth in February 2022.

“The secret’s out! Our team is getting a little bigger,” Gargano wrote. “The best is on the way!”

WWE.com posted an article congratulating Gargano and LeRae on the news. Paul “Triple H” Levesque also tweeted: “Massive congrats @JohnnyGargano and @CandiceLeRae on the news! WAY to go!!!!!”

Gargano and LeRae began dating during their time as independent wrestlers. They got married in September 2016.

Gargano signed with WWE after debuting for NXT as part of the 2015 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. LeRae took part in the 2017 Mae Young Classic and then signed with WWE in January 2018.

Gargano and LeRae are part of The Way with Indi Hartwell and Austin Theory in NXT. This week’s NXT featured a storyline where Hartwell went on her first date with Dexter Lumis.

LeRae & Hartwell formerly held the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles together. Gargano is a former NXT Champion, NXT North American Champion, and NXT Tag Team Champion. He’s held the North American title three times.

Title change at NXT Great American Bash, Tegan Nox returns

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Tegan Nox returned to NXT tonight at the Great American Bash, causing a distraction that helped crown new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Towards the end of the title match between The Way (Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell) and the team of Zoey Stark and Io Shirai, the battery seen charging up in vignettes over the last several weeks hit 100%. Nox then appeared, causing a distraction for LeRae and Hartwell. Stark used the opportunity to lay out Hartwell and pin her to win the titles for her team.

LeRae and Hartwell had held the titles for 63 days, defeating Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart back on the May 4 edition of NXT.

Nox had been out of action since last August, when she injured her ACL. She underwent surgery the following month. It was the third time that she had injured her ACL since signing with WWE in 2017. On Monday, she wrestled Toni Storm in a dark match prior to Raw in her first match back since being injured.

Two title matches added to NXT Great American Bash

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two new title matches have been made official for NXT Great American Bash.

NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell will defend their titles against Io Shirai & Zoey Stark at the Great American Bash next Tuesday. It’s also been announced that LA Knight will defend his Million Dollar Championship against Cameron Grimes at the Great American Bash. If Grimes loses, he’ll have to become Knight’s butler.

Shirai & Stark became the number one contenders to LeRae & Hartwell’s titles by defeating NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai and Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in a triple threat tag team match on NXT tonight. The finish of the match was Shirai pinning Kai after hitting a moonsault.

Knight defeated Grimes in a ladder match at NXT TakeOver: In Your House earlier this month to win the Million Dollar Championship. Knight is the first Million Dollar Champion since 2010.

Knight turned against “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and attacked him on the post-TakeOver: In Your House episode of NXT. Grimes then made the save for DiBiase. On tonight’s show, Grimes challenged Knight to a Million Dollar Championship match next Tuesday. Knight initially declined before adding the stipulation that Grimes will have to become his butler if he loses.

This is the second straight year that WWE has presented a special Great American Bash edition of NXT. Here’s the updated card for the episode:

  • Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
  • NXT Tag Team Champions MSK defend against Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defend against Io Shirai & Zoey Stark
  • Million Dollar Champion LA Knight defends against Cameron Grimes

WWE NXT video highlights: Women’s Tag Team title street fight

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

New NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions were crowned in the main event of last night’s NXT episode.

The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in a street fight to win the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. For both LeRae & Hartwell, this is their first title win in WWE.

After Hartwell took Moon out with a springboard elbow drop through a table on the outside, LeRae gave Blackheart a Wicked Stepsister stomp on a steel chair to get the win.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted after last night’s main event: “Broken tables, snapped ladders, fire extinguishers, one HELL OF A STREET FIGHT and NEW #WWENXT Women’s Tag Team Champions!!! @indi_hartwell @CandiceLeRae”

LeRae & Hartwell are the third team to hold the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles since they were introduced this March. Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez became the inaugural champions when they were awarded the titles, but Kai & Gonzalez lost the titles to Blackheart & Moon that same night.

More coverage from last night —

WWE NXT video highlights —

Falls count anywhere match: Leon Ruff vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott

Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory try to meet with William Regal

Cameron Grimes vs. Asher Hale

Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro want an NXT Women’s Tag Team title shot

Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans

Challengers line up for NXT Champion Karrion Kross

Sarray vs. Zayda Ramier

WALTER reprimands Imperium

Diamond Mine teaser

LA Knight vs. Jake Atlas

Toni Storm says Zoey Stark doesn’t deserve to breathe the same oxygen as her

Kushida issues a challenge to Santos Escobar

Raquel Gonzalez-Mercedes Martinez side-by-side interview

Ted DiBiase again upstages Cameron Grimes

Street fight: Blackheart & Moon vs. LeRae & Hartwell for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles

NXT fallout: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon embrace after their Tag Team title loss

NXT fallout: Gargano and Theory return after LeRae & Hartwell’s win

NXT fallout: The Grizzled Young Veterans say Ciampa & Thatcher stole a win from them

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell win NXT Women’s Tag Team titles

Posted on by Bryan Rose

New NXT Women’s Tag Team champions were crowned in the main event of tonight’s NXT.

The Way (Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae) captured the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, defeating Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart to win the titles for the first time. It was under street fight rules with tons of weapons used, including Blackheart jumping off a ledge into a table. However, LeRae picked up the win for her team, pinning Blackheart after a foot stomp into a steel chair.

This marks the end of Moon and Blackheart’s run with the titles. They held the titles for 55 days, defeating inaugural champions Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez on the March 10 edition of NXT.

Moon and Blackheart challenged The Way after a match between them and the team of Aliyah and Jessi Kamea ended before it could even begin, with The Way attacked Moon and Blackheart before the match began, leading to tonight’s street fight.

The other members of The Way, Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory, left the arena before the main event after attacking Karrion Kross earlier in the show.

Finn Balor returning to WWE NXT next week, two matches announced

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Next week’s episode of NXT will feature Finn Balor’s first appearance since losing the NXT Championship.

WWE has announced that Balor will make his return to NXT next Tuesday. Balor will speak on the show for the first time since Karrion Kross defeated him to win the NXT Championship at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two earlier this month.

“Viva Mexico! Recharged, refreshed & refocused. Next Tuesday, Finn is back,” Balor wrote on social media.

Prior to losing the title to Kross, Balor had been NXT Champion since September of last year. Balor defeated Adam Cole to win the then-vacant title after Kross had to relinquish the championship due to injury. Kross won the NXT Championship from Keith Lee at TakeOver XXX last August but suffered a separated shoulder during the match.

Two stipulation matches have also been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT. The NXT Women’s Tag Team titles will be on the line as champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon face Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell in a street fight. Rivals Leon Ruff and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott will also face off in a falls count anywhere match.

Two matches added to NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has announced a couple of new additions to the lineup for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

Pete Dunne vs. Kushida has been announced for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one. At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will defend their titles against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.

In the main event of tonight’s NXT, Dunne and Kushida simultaneously eliminated each other from the battle royal to determine the participants for the Gauntlet Eliminator match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one. Kushida then refused to let go of a Hoverboard Lock that he had Dunne locked in.

 There had been a segment earlier on tonight’s NXT where Dunne interrupted an interview with Kushida. Dunne took exception to Kushida calling himself the best technical wrestler in the world last week. Dunne said he already holds that crown and dared Kushida to answer his challenge and try to prove him wrong.

The NXT Women’s Tag Team title match was announced for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver after a challenge that was issued by LeRae & Hartwell tonight. LeRae & Hartwell defeated Gigi Dolin & the debuting Zayda Ramier (formerly known as AQA) on tonight’s show and then challenged Blackheart & Moon to an NXT Women’s Tag Team title match at TakeOver. Blackheart & Moon came out in Blackheart’s tank and accepted the challenge.

Blackheart & Moon defeated LeRae & Hartwell in the semifinals of the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic last month. In the finals, Blackheart & Moon lost to Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez. Kai & Gonzalez later became the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions when they were awarded the titles, but Blackheart & Moon defeated them to win the titles that same night.

TakeOver: Stand & Deliver is taking place on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8. Night one will air live on the USA Network and will also simulcast live on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network everywhere else. Night two will be live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else. Here are the updated cards for the event:

TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one —

  • NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defends against Raquel Gonzalez
  • NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER defends against Tommaso Ciampa
  • Triple threat match for the vacant NXT Tag Team titles: MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs, The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
  • Gauntlet Eliminator match to determine NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano’s challenger for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two (Leon Ruff, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Bronson Reed, Cameron Grimes, Dexter Lumis, and LA Knight are the Gauntlet Eliminator participants)
  • Pete Dunne vs. Kushida

TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two —

  • NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Karrion Kross
  • Unsanctioned match: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
  • Ladder match to determine undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion: Jordan Devlin vs. Santos Escobar
  • NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against the winner of the Gauntlet Eliminator match from night one
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell

Gonzalez vs. Stark added to WWE NXT, The Way set for action

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Before challenging for Io Shirai’s NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver Stand & Deliver, Raquel Gonzalez will be in action on NXT tonight.

WWE has announced that Gonzalez vs. Zoey Stark will take place on tonight’s NXT. The episode is the go-home show for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

Gonzalez & Dakota Kai defeated Shirai & Stark in a tag team match on NXT last week. After pinning Stark to get the win, Gonzalez attacked Shirai and slammed her onto the announce table.

Shirai vs. Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship will be the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one. The two-night event is taking place on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8. Night one will air live on the USA Network, while night two will be live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else.

It’s also been announced that The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell will be in tag team action on tonight’s NXT. The team they’ll be facing hasn’t been revealed.

Last week, there was a backstage segment where NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon were confronted by LeRae & Hartwell.

Tonight’s NXT will also include a Prime Target special feature building up Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly’s unsanctioned match for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two. Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s show:

  • 12-man battle royal to decide the six participants for Gauntlet Eliminator match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one (Dexter Lumis, Bronson Reed, Roderick Strong, Kushida, Leon Ruff, Jake Atlas, Pete Dunne, LA Knight, Cameron Grimes, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Austin Theory, and Tyler Rust will be the battle royal participants)
  • Raquel Gonzalez vs. Zoey Stark
  • Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell in tag team action
  • Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter vs. Tian Sha
  • Roderick Strong vs. Cameron Grimes
  • Prime Target special feature: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly

Once tonight’s battle royal gets down to the final six, the order of elimination will determine the entry order for the Gauntlet Eliminator match. The winner of the Gauntlet Eliminator match will challenge for Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two.

Kyle O’Reilly to kick off WWE NXT, Blackheart & Moon vs. The Way set

Posted on by Joseph Currier

– An appearance by Kyle O’Reilly will open tonight’s TakeOver: Vengeance Day fallout edition of NXT.

After he was involved in the show-closing angle at Sunday’s TakeOver event, WWE has announced that O’Reilly will kick off tonight’s show. TakeOver: Vengeance Day ended with Adam Cole laying out NXT Champion Finn Balor and O’Reilly with superkicks.

Balor retained his NXT Championship against Pete Dunne in the main event of TakeOver: Vengeance Day but was attacked by Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch after the match. Lorcan, Burch, and Dunne beat down Balor until Undisputed Era (Cole, O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong) ran down to make the save.

O’Reilly then helped Balor up and told him how much he respects him. Undisputed Era posed in the ring and Balor was about to do his own pose, but Cole gave him a superkick. Cole then superkicked O’Reilly after O’Reilly argued with him about what he did to Balor. Strong looked conflicted between his Undisputed Era stablemates as the show went off the air.

WWE uploaded video of what happened after TakeOver ended. Balor asked O’Reilly who he trusts — and O’Reilly responded by saying he doesn’t trust anyone right now. Balor said he doesn’t know if he trusts O’Reilly either. Balor told O’Reilly to be careful because he isn’t going to clean up O’Reilly’s mess.

– WWE has also announced that Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell will take place on NXT tonight. Blackheart & Moon defeated LeRae & Hartwell on NXT last Wednesday to advance to the finals of the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez then defeated Blackheart & Moon at TakeOver: Vengeance Day to become the first-ever women’s Dusty Classic winners.

WWE will follow up on Kai & Gonzalez and MSK’s Dusty Classic wins tonight. As the women’s Dusty Classic winners, Kai & Gonzalez will get a shot at Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler’s WWE Women’s Tag Team titles at some point. MSK will also get a shot at Lorcan & Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles. WWE hasn’t announced when either of those matches will be happening.

Plus, WWE is advertising that NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano will be searching for Austin Theory’s whereabouts after Theory was abducted by Dexter Lumis at TakeOver: Vengeance Day. Gargano retained his North American title by defeating Kushida at TakeOver.

Karrion Kross vs. Santos Escobar has been announced for tonight’s show but isn’t currently listed on WWE.com’s preview.

LeRae & Hartwell advance in WWE NXT women’s Dusty Classic

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell have advanced to the semifinals of the inaugural women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

LeRae & Hartwell advanced in the tournament by defeating the debuting Gigi Dolin (Priscilla Kelly) & Cora Jade (Elayna Black) on Friday’s 205 Live. LeRae & Hartwell will face either Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon or Marina Shafir & Zoey Stark (Lacey Ryan) in the semifinals.

LeRae & Hartwell vs. Dolin & Jade was the first women’s match in 205 Live history. Hartwell got the win by pinning Jade.

LeRae & Hartwell are the second team to advance in the women’s Dusty Classic. The eight-team  tournament kicked off with Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter upsetting Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez on this week’s NXT. During the match, NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai interfered and attacked Martinez. Catanzaro & Carter will face either Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez or Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in the semifinals.

WWE has announced that the first round of the women’s Dusty Classic will continue with Kai & Gonzalez vs. Aliyah & Kamea taking place on NXT this coming Wednesday.

Two Dusty Classic matches announced for WWE 205 Live

Posted on by Joseph Currier

This week’s 205 Live will feature first round action in both the men’s and women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classics.

The first round of the men’s Dusty Classic will conclude with Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher facing Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari on Friday’s 205 Live episode. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell will also face Gigi Dolin (Priscilla Kelly) & Cora Jade (Elayna Black) in a women’s Dusty Classic first round match on the show.

Ciampa & Thatcher teaming together in the men’s Dusty Classic was set up after Thatcher defeated Ciampa in their Fight Pit match in the main event of this week’s NXT. Ciampa & Thatcher are replacing Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Desmond Troy in the tournament. There was an angle where Adonis & Troy were taken out of the Dusty Classic after Adonis lost to Karrion Kross on NXT. Kross also put Troy in the Kross Jacket after the match.

The Ciampa & Thatcher vs Nese & Daivari match will decide who advances to face Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong in the men’s Dusty Classic quarterfinals. 

Cole & Strong, Kushida & Leon Ruff, and The Grizzled Young Veterans have advanced to the quarterfinals from the left side of the men’s Dusty Classic bracket. MSK, Drake Maverick & Killian Dain, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado, and Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde have advanced from the right side of the bracket.

Along with Zoey Stark (Lacey Ryan), Dolin & Jade are both new WWE signees. Stark is teaming with Marina Shafir against Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in the first round of the women’s Dusty Classic. The team that wins that match will advance to face either LeRae & Hartwell or Dolin & Jade in the semifinals of the tournament.

The women’s Dusty Classic kicked off with Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter upsetting Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez on this week’s NXT. Catanzaro & Carter will face either Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez or Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in the semifinals.

Blackheart vs. LeRae, Gargano vs. Lumis added to WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two new matches have been added to the lineup for tonight’s episode of NXT.

WWE has announced that Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae will take place on NXT tonight. NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano (w/ Austin Theory) will also face Dexter Lumis in a non-title match on tonight’s show.

Lumis was the host of NXT New Year’s Evil last Wednesday. After Blackheart and Kushida interrupted a celebration for Gargano breaking his title defense curse, Lumis made a mixed tag team match where Kushida & Blackheart defeated Gargano & LeRae.

Gargano broke his title defense curse by retaining the North American Championship against Leon Ruff on NXT two weeks ago.

Blackheart and LeRae were the captains for the women’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames last month. LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm defeated Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai.

Here’s the updated list of announced matches for tonight’s NXT:

  • Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: Undisputed Era (Adam Cole & Roderick Strong vs. Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango)
  • Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel) vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
  • Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas vs. MSK
  • Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae
  • Non-title match: NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano (w/ Austin Theory) vs. Dexter Lumis

MSK is a new tag team debuting in the Dusty Classic. WWE hasn’t revealed who MSK are.

The full bracket for 2021 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic was announced earlier today.

Candice LeRae didn’t suffer broken arm at NXT TakeOver: WarGames

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

Candice LeRae didn’t suffer a broken arm at NXT TakeOver: WarGames after all.

Though it was feared that she suffered a broken arm in the women’s WarGames match earlier this month, LeRae told Sports Illustrated that she didn’t break her arm or wrist.

“My arm didn’t break, my wrist didn’t break, so that’s my Christmas miracle,” LeRae said. “I’ve been having some rib tenderness from when Shotzi landed on me, but I’m surprised and thankful that my arm wasn’t broken.”

Team Candice (LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm) defeated Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai) in the women’s WarGames match. LeRae’s injury happened near the end of the match when Blackheart hit a senton off the top of a ladder onto LeRae as LeRae had a steel chair on top of her.

“When I went to check my ribs, that’s what I realized I couldn’t move my arm,” LeRae said. “Medical came out to check on me, and this might sound crazy, but I said to myself that I couldn’t leave the cage because technically that would end the match and my team would lose. That’s all I could think about in that moment.”

Paul “Triple H” Levesque had said during his post-TakeOver: WarGames media call that it was feared LeRae suffered a broken arm in the WarGames match. Levesque said LeRae was getting X-Rays after the show.

“Candice is the strongest person I know,” Johnny Gargano told Sports Illustrated. “She asked to stay and watch my match despite her arm feeling like it was going to fall off. We were going to go to the hospital together anyway, but then I ended up needing stitches, so we got to be there together. And I was so impressed by her match, especially working hurt, but everything she does in the ring is special.”

Tonight’s episode of NXT will feature “A Very Gargano Christmas” with The Way (LeRae, Gargano, Indi Hartwell & Austin Theory). After Hartwell lost to Blackheart by disqualification on last week’s NXT, LeRae and Hartwell laid out Blackheart with a double Wicked Stepsister stomp. Hartwell had gotten disqualified for hitting Blackheart with the trophy Gargano gave LeRae after TakeOver: WarGames.

WWE announces ‘A Very Gargano Christmas’ for next week’s NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has made a few announcements for next week’s episode of NXT.

During the main event of tonight’s NXT, it was announced on commentary that “A Very Gargano Christmas” will take place on NXT next Wednesday (December 23). It will feature The Way (NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, and Austin Theory).

Gargano & Theory teamed together to defeat Leon Ruff & Kushida on NXT tonight. Later in the show, Shotzi Blackheart defeated Hartwell by disqualification when Hartwell hit Blackheart with the trophy that Gargano gave LeRae after NXT TakeOver: WarGames. Hartwell and LeRae laid out Blackheart with a Wicked Stepsister stomp after the match.

Team Candice (LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm) defeated Team Shotzi (Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai) in the women’s WarGames match at TakeOver earlier this month. LeRae is out of action after injuring her arm during the match.

A rematch and a return are also set for next Wednesday’s NXT. WWE has announced that Jake Atlas vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott will take place on the show. Bronson Reed will also make his return, appearing on NXT for the first time since October 21.

Atlas defeated Scott on last week’s NXT by reversing a pin attempt. After the match, Scott refused to shake Atlas’ hand.

Scott took part in a backstage interview on tonight’s NXT and was asked about refusing the handshake. Scott said he gets frustrated when he loses and everyone is blowing the handshake out of proportion. Scott went to say that he especially gets frustrated when losing to someone like Atlas. Scott caught himself and said Atlas is a hell of an athlete and deserves to be in NXT. But Scott said he’s been in NXT longer and has been working on his craft longer than Atlas, so losing to someone like Atlas is going to get to him a little bit.

Scott then announced that he just got out of NXT general manager William Regal’s office and they agreed that Scott will face Atlas in a rematch next Wednesday.