Four matches have been announced for the Stand & Deliver go-home episode of WWE NXT 2.0 on Tuesday, March 29.
In a last chance qualifiers match, Roderick Strong, Cameron Grimes, and A-Kid will battle in a triple threat match next week with the winner advancing to the North American Championship ladder match at Stand & Deliver on Saturday, April 2.
Strong, Grimes, and A-Kid all lost their original qualifying bouts. North American Champion Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, Solo Sikoa, and Santos Escobar have already qualified for the ladder match.
Also set for next week, LA Knight will team with MSK against Imperium’s Gunther, Marcel Barthel, and Fabian Aichner. The trios bout was set up on this week’s NXT episode, where LA Knight confronted and attacked Gunther while challenging him to a Stand & Deliver match. Barthel and Aichner saved for Gunther, while MSK ran in to save Knight. Barthel and Aichner will defend the NXT Tag Team titles against MSK and The Creed Brothers in a three-way at Stand & Deliver.
Two additional bouts set for next week are Bodhi Hayward vs. Von Wagner, which was set up with a vignette on this week’s show, plus Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde taking on Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen in a tag bout.
Here is the announced lineup for next week’s NXT 2.0:
Last chance qualifying match for Stand & Deliver: Roderick Strong vs. Cameron Grimes vs. A-Kid
WWE has set a new date for Kushida and Roderick Strong’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship match.
Kushida will defend his Cruiserweight title against Strong on NXT next Tuesday. The match was originally supposed to take place on the August 17 episode of NXT, but it was announced before that show that Kushida wasn’t cleared to compete.
Kushida revealed last week that him testing positive for COVID-19 was the reason that he wasn’t cleared to compete on that August 17 episode. Kushida wrote that he and his wife tested positive despite being fully vaccinated, but he and his family are feeling better now.
On tonight’s NXT, Kushida made his return and declared that he’s ready to face Strong. It was then announced that their Cruiserweight title match will be taking place next week.
Strong is part of Diamond Mine in NXT. Diamond Mine manager Malcolm Bivens has been calling Strong the uncrowned NXT Cruiserweight Champion since Kushida wasn’t able to compete last month.
Kushida has been NXT Cruiserweight Champion since winning the title from Santos Escobar this April.
“Against the better judgement of those much wiser than myself, I’ve yet to miss a booking in my entire career because of an injury,” he wrote. “That is until now. Last week whilst training, I fractured virtually every bone in my left wrist. With that said, I found out yesterday I will be having my first ever surgery to put in plates and screws this following Wednesday.”
“Thanks for the continued support,” he added. “The best is yet to come, I promise.”
Since signing with the WWE last year, Stallion has worked mainly on 205 Live. He recently received a NXT Cruiserweight title match, losing to Santos Escobar back on February 3. His most recent match aired on 205 Live on March 12, when he and Mansoor defeated The Bollywood Boyz.
August Grey and Jake Atlas defeated Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari
The match started with some typical heel work. Nese and Daivari distracted Grey from the apron multiple times, preventing him from getting started. Finally, Grey escaped from the isolation, tagging in Atlas who took out both of his opponents in an exciting offensive sequence. However, Daivari soon pulled Atlas’s legs out from under him, leaving the dastardly pair back in control. Nese and Daivari continued picking apart Atlas as the match played out.
Atlas ducked Nese’s spinning kick, creating enough separation to secure the tag. Grey now connected with an offensive flurry of his own, taking out both Daivari and Nese. Daivari interfered with the sequence, allowing Nese to catch Grey with a cradled back to belly piledriver; Atlas broke up the ensuing pin attempt.
Atlas hit Daivari with a tope in the chaos that followed. Nese chased Atlas, delivering a running hotshot to Grey and a crossbody to Atlas. Back in the ring, Grey and Nese struggled for control. Grey eventually won out, connecting with his unprettier before pinning Nese.
This match was fun, content dense, and generally exciting—one of the better 205 Live matches in some time.
Curt Stallion and Mansoor had a brief interview prior to their match to decide on a team name. Stallion suggested “CurtSoor,” and Mansoor suggested “ManStallion.” Mansoor then bragged about his 40-0 record; Stallion then made it known he was not a part of that 40. Stallion pledged to be 1 in 40-1 in following the main event.
The Bollywood Boyz then cut a short promo, calling out Ever-Rise, the other half of Bolly-Rise.
Mansoor defeated Curt Stallion
Stallion and Mansoor traded some grappline early, both standing and on the mat. A gut-wrench suplex from Stallion marked an end to the extended feeling out process.
Mansoor secured some momentum of his own with a clothesline. Mansoor took the match back to the mat, but this didn’t last long. Stallion landed a double foot stomp following a momentary opening which he followed with an air raid crash neckbreaker. A dropkick and DDT to the bottom turnbuckle left Stallion with a near fall.
Stallion tried to end the match again by rolling Mansoor into a pin; Mansoor rolled through the attempt, initiating a struggle. Mansoor connected with a double underhook slam before trying for a pin.
Mansoor tried and failed to hoist Stallion to his feet. Stallion popped up from his slump with a quick headbutt sending Mansoor crashing to the outside. Stallion hit a crossbody before sending Mansoor back inside the ropes. Stallion then climbed to the top rope and lept to meet Mansoor’s knees on his descent.
Mansoor climbed to the top rope himself; Stallion met Mansoor at the top, producing a struggle that concluded with a one-man Spanish fly from Stallion. Mansoor broke the pin that followed with a desperation rope break. Mansoor then evaded a headbutt attempt, sending Stallion crashing into the turnbuckles. Mansoor then lept into a neckbreaker followed by a pin for the victory.
This was another strong match. The drama of Mansoor’s streak, which is now being mentioned regularly, added to the near falls. Stakes, believe it or not, can significantly improve a match’s aura.
All in all, this episode of 205 Live was better than any other in recent memory. There was atypical, fun character work and the matches had more meaning.
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Gigi Dolin & Cora Jade
205 Live’s first women’s match began with a typical tag team open; a headlock and a pair of quick tags. Jade gained control over LeRae. LeRae took advantage following a Hartwell distraction. Hartwell tagged into the match, landed a sidewalk slam, and tagged LeRae back in.
Jade rocked LeRae with a forearm and secured the hot tag. Hartwell tagged in only to be on the receiving end of Dolin’s leg kicks punctuated with a punt. Jade then rejoined the match, but Hartwell immediately retook control.
LeRae, now legal, and Jade traded back and forth rollups. Jade’s last kick out sent LeRae crashing into her own corner, allowing Hartwell to tag back in. Hartwell then dropped Jade with a spinning sidewalk slam and pinned her.
This was a wholly ordinary match. It was entirely by the numbers with nothing special going on, but seeing as it only exists to further the tournament, it could have been worse.
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
Thatcher started the match by taking Daivari straight to the mat. After being contorted in one hundred ways, Daivari managed to tag Nese into the match; Thatcher then took Nese straight to the mat. Ciampa tagged in and continued the ground work on Nese.
Nese forced Ciampa into his corner, and with aid from Daivari, took the advantage for his team. A quick takedown left Ciampa tied up against the turnbuckle post; Daivari relentlessly whipped the legs of Ciampa into the metal beam. A Daivari figure-four leglock in the middle of the ring left Ciampa in deep water.
Daivari lost control of the legs, which allowed Ciampa to gain a quick tag. Nese tried to maintain control for his team, but Thatcher hit the ring with ferocity. Suplexes and uppercuts left both of his opponents downed, but eventually, the numbers proved to be too much. Nese connected with a running hotshot followed by a moonsault. Daivari then hit the Persian splash for a near fall.
Following the kick out, Thatcher reached the corner for a tag. Ciampa then took on both of his opponents, just as Thatcher did moments prior, and again the numbers proved to be too much. This time things played out differently; however, as Thatcher joined in even the odds. After a quick locking of eyes and a look of understanding between Ciampa and Thatcher, Ciampa hit Willow’s Bell on Nese and pinned him in the middle of the ring.
This was a strong match. It played well off of everyone’s strengths and came together under a nice bow.
The first round of the Dusty Classic will continue with Killian Dain & Drake Maverick vs. Curt Stallion & August Grey and The Bollywood Boyz (Samir & Sunil Singh) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) airing on 205 Live this Friday night. 205 Live premieres on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays.
It had been announced last week that some of the first round of the Dusty Classic would be held on 205 Live.
The Dusty Classic kicked off with three matches taking place on this week’s NXT. Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong defeated Breezango, the debuting MSK defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas, and The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ever-Rise. MSK were formerly known as The Rascalz’s Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz.
The full bracket for the Dusty Classic was unveiled on Wednesday. The team that wins the tournament will receive the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
After an opening lockup, Daivari gained the advantage. He taunted Adonis, immediately reversing control in Adonis’s favor. A spinebuster followed by a dropkick sent Daivari to the floor. A missed tackle into the corner left Adonis prone. Daivari slammed Adonis’s leg into the post, creating a target for the rest of the match.
Following a prolonged leg-targeting segment, Adonis finally pushed Daivari away. Adonis took advantage of this separation, connecting with some quick offense before hobbling to the top rope. A massive crossbody and a kip-up left Adonis ahead.
Adonis set up for a superkick to end the match, but failed in execution due to his injured leg. Daivari gained a quick takedown before locking in the figure-four leglock. Adonis struggled in the hold before flipping to apply the pressure to Daivari. Daivari freed himself and landed a uranage. Adonis ducked the hammerlock lariat attempt that followed and connected with the superkick. Adonis hooked the leg and pinned Daivari.
This was a decent match, most notable for its semi-consistent leg injury narrative.
Curt Stallion and August Grey defeated Sunil Singh and Samir Singh (The Bollywood Boyz)
Samir and Grey struggled for control in the opening moments of the match. Following tags from both teams, a double foot stomp left Sunil in deep water. Grey and Stallion then traded tags to further their control.
Grey found himself on the outside of the ring as he tried to follow Sunil. A massive lariat from Samir blindsided the distracted Grey. The Singhs then traded tags of their own, tearing down Grey in the process. This beatdown lasted forever. A Bollywood blast marked the end of the prolonged Grey beatdown, a pin breakup and a hot tag followed.
Stallion hit the ring with fury. A big boot, dropkick, and a DDT left a legal Grey in perfect position for a crossbody. Stallion hit a tope to Sunil and tagged back into the match, only for Samir to block the dive attempt that followed. Sunil pulled Grey to the outside as Samir tried for a quick pin. The match quickly fell out of the Singh’s favor as Stallion landed a pair of headbutts and Grey an unprettier. Grey then pinned Samir to pick up the win.
Playing into a crowd-based match so heavily without an audience to back you up is hard to pull off, to say the least. This match missed the mark in that way
Atlas and Mansoor grappled as the match opened. Mansoor secured a single-leg crab. Atlas kicked Mansoor away, causing an awkward crash into the turnbuckles. A neckbreaker to a prone Mansoor and a forearm left Atlas with a pair of near falls.
Mansoor fought his way free from a headlock and landed a chop block. Mansoor landed two dragon screws and a spinebuster before locking in the scorpion deathlock. Atlas crawled into the bottom rope to break the hold. A surprise neckbreaker from Atlas gave him control.
Atlas tried for a suplex, but his leg gave way, allowing a quick pin attempt from Mansoor. Atlas powered through and landed a brainbuster before climbing to the top rope. Mansoor met Atlas with a dragon screw from the top rope to the mat. Mansoor maintained control of the leg and pinned Atlas.
This was a new side of Mansoor. This had some awkward moments but was well-executed.
Curt Stallion, Chase Parker, and Matt Martel defeated Sunil Singh, Samir Singh, and Ariya Daivari
Daivari gained the advantage for his team in the early going. He then taunted his tag partners, allowing Stallion to create some separation. Sunil stole a tag from Daivari. Stallion, with aid from Ever-Rise, maintained control.
Martel tried his hand at taking on all three of his competitors but fell short. After being overwhelmed by the numbers, Martel found himself on the receiving end of a double suplex. Martel then began his role as the punching bag.
A forced tag from Daivari stopped the Bollywood domination. Daivari immediately lost control of the match, allowing Stallion to tag in. Stallion unloaded on the now legal Samir; a gargantuan DDT left Stallion with a near fall. Stallion and Ever-Rise traded tags, taking out all three members of the opposition.
Daivari tagged back into the match, connecting with multiple strikes on Stallion. Daivari set Stallion up for a Samir dive, but Stallion missed, hitting Daivari instead. An enraged Daivari then announced he was leaving; the Singhs tried to console him. Stallion, not missing a beat, landed a beautiful dive, connecting with all three opponents. Stallion threw Samir back into the ring in time for Ever-Rise to connect with a double flapjack. On the rebound, Stallion connected with a leaping headbutt. Parker pinned Samir for the win.
This was fine enough, considering no one on Earth wants more Bollywood/Ever-Rise matches. Stallion has star potential.
Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari defeated The Bollywood Boyz (Sunil & Samir Singh)
Nese started the match by driving Sunil Singh into his corner. Daivari tagged in, but the momentum soon shifted in favor of the Singhs as Samir joined the fray. A Bollywood Boyz double suplex punctuated the Singh lead; Nese then provided a distraction, allowing for a Daivari-favored shift.
Daivari reigned in fists from the mount to further his advantage. Nese looked to further this lead after a tag, but instead planted Daivari with an accidental dropkick. Sunil tagged in and was free to land a ton of offense on the now distraught Nese. A double superkick sent Nese to the outside as Daivari re-entered as the legal man. Both Singhs then set Daivari up for and connected with the Bollywood Blast. Nese broke up the pin.
Nese dragged Sunil to the outside both to gain Samir’s attention while also buying time for Daivari. Davarii then caught a distracted Samir with an uranage. Daivari climbed to the top rope and hit the Persian splash for the win.
This match was quick, opting for a tried and true formula while not overstaying its welcome.
Curt Stallion, Ashante “Thee” Adonis & August Grey defeated Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde
A lockup ultimately favoring Ashante Adonis started the match. Raul Mendoza, the other legal starter, was hit with two arm drags, inciting Legado interference. Adonis single-handedly dispatched both Joaquin Wilde and Santos Escobar before they could touch a hair on Adonis.
A passionate Curt Stallion tagged into the match. With his sights set on flying, Stallion hit the ropes; a kick from Mendoza stopped Stallion mid flight. Legado Del Fantasma was now in complete control. Knees and chops left Stallion in a heap of his own person.
The cocksure nature of the Legado beatdown allowed Stallion to steal a quick tag, allowing August Grey to make up some previously lost ground. A powerbomb left Grey with a near fall on Wilde. Grey tried to maintain his control over Mendoza, but Escobar pulled the ropes causing Grey to crash to the mat.
Legado utterly dismantled their opponents for a significant amount of time before a devastated Grey eventually landed the hot tag, allowing Stallion to re-enter the fold. Stallion then took on both Mendoza and Wilde in a great show of heroics. After every move he landed, Stallion made eye contact with Escobar. Stallion even locked eyes with the Cruiserweight champion during a near fall.
Mendoza broke up a Stallion pin attempt causing all six men to hit the ring. Legado emerged from the exchange with a man advantage, but Grey from the outside tripped Mendoza, allowing Stallion to roll up Wilde for a surprise pin.
Following the match, Legado Del Fantasma attacked Stallion. Adonis and Grey ran them onto the apron, and a forearm from Stallion cemented the Legado retreat.
This match was great. Every second felt as if its inclusion was necessary, and everyone made their presence felt.
This week’s episode of 205 Live will include an in-ring appearance by NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar.
WWE has announced that Legado del Fantasma (Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) will face Curt Stallion, Ashante “Thee” Adonis & August Grey on 205 Live tonight. This is a rematch from a match that took place before NXT TakeOver: WarGames went on the air this past Sunday. That match was released online by WWE and featured Escobar pinning Grey to get the win.
Stallion became the number one contender to Escobar’s title by winning a fatal five-way match on 205 Live last month. WWE hasn’t announced when or where their title match will be taking place.
Stallion defeated Mendoza in a singles match on 205 Live two weeks ago but was beaten down by Wilde and Mendoza after. Escobar then came out to the stage to stare Stallion down.
On the final episode of NXT before TakeOver: WarGames, there was an angle where Stallion was supposed to team with Leon Ruff against Escobar & Mendoza but was attacked by Legado del Fantasma before the show. Ruff ended up teaming with Damian Priest and pinning Mendoza to get the win.
The Bollywood Boyz vs. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari is also set for tonight’s 205 Live. The show airs on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise) defeated Sunil Singh & Samir Singh (The Bollywood Boyz)
This rematch started with both members of Ever-Rise jumping the Singh brothers as the opening bell sounded. A brawl spilled the action to the outside. Back inside the ring, Chase Parker and Matt Martel traded tags to pick apart Sunil.
Sunil created an opening by shoving Parker into his corner. Samir tagged in before landing some big fists from the mount. The Singhs traded tags of their own, landing a two-man suplex after stomping a hole in Parker’s chest. Sunil locked in a choke that left Parker desperate for a tag. After Parker broke the hold, Sunil stopped the tag attempt with a spinning heel kick.
Samir tagged in and tried for an assisted diving elbow. Instead of hitting Parker, Samir leveled his brother, leaving Parker open to secure the hot tag. Martel planted both Bollywood Boyz before trading tags with Parker to further their new lead. Ever-Rise lifted Samir and hit him with a double snake eye, a move called “The French Connection” by the commentary team. Martel then hooked the leg and pinned Sunil for the win.
I assume that this match was better than their last. This might be because I forgot this was a rematch until tonight’s bout was nearly over. Ever-Rise’s new intensity should make this match more memorable compared to their leadoff from two weeks prior.
Curt Stallion defeated Ariya Daivari
Ariya Daivari and Curt Stallion traded a wrist lock in the opening moments.The two traded the advantage before Daivari left the ring. On the outside, Stallion landed a headbutt before slamming Daivari into every hard surface surrounding the ring. Stallion went for a dive, but Daivari, like a matador with a muleta, sidestepped Stallion, sending him crashing into the barricade. At the count of nine, Stallion re-entered the ring.
Daivari took full control back inside the ropes. Stallion, try as he might, was unable to string together anything meaningful for some time. Stallion fought free from the camel clutch and initiated a strike exchange, which allowed Stallion to regain some footing; a standing crossbody allowed Stallion to regain the lead. A dropkick to a seated Daivari and a DDT from the corner yielded Stallion the near fall.
Stallion climbed to the top, but Daivari sent him crashing back to the mat. Daivari tried for the hammerlock lariat, but Stallion ducked. Daivari hit a uranage for a near fall of his own. Daivari hit a superkick, which Stallion answered with an air raid crash neckbreaker. Stallion climbed to the top rope and landed a splash for another near fall.
A dropkick from Daivari sent Stallion crashing to the outside. Daivari tried for a splash of his own, but Stallion avoided the move. Stallion then jumped towards Daivari, landing a nasty leaping headbutt. Stallion then pinned Daivari.
This match was fun. Stallion has a real charisma about him, and Daivari’s work was strong. All in all, a good watch.
Grey and Daivari started the match with a basic babyface/heel grappling sequence that transitioned into a convincing show of Grey’s offense. After receiving a rana, slam, and bulldog, Daivari escaped to the outside. Daivari baited Grey, splitting his legs around the turnbuckle post before slamming one into the beam. Daivari pulled Grey back into the ring, hung Grey in the tree of woe, and continued targeting the left leg.
Grey sent Daivari back outside after evading a strike. Grey then used his legs to push Daivari into the barricade/chain link combination surrounding the Capitol Wrestling Center. Daivari made up the lost ground back in the ring as Grey’s leg gave out, allowing Daivari to land a chop block.
Daivari locked in the figure four leglock. After a struggle, Grey began to show signs of life. Daivari responded by dropping the hold, only for Grey to kick him back to the outside. Grey was able to catch Daivari as he re-entered the ring with a suplex. A Grey neck breaker sent Daivari outside once more. On the outside, Daivari grabbed his chain just as Grey hit a perfectly timed tope. Grey sent Daivari back into the ring, hit a crossbody, and a superkick.
Daivari pulled free from an unprettier and locked in a second figure four; Grey rolled into the ropes to break the hold. Grey then kicked Daivari away and landed a big slam for a near fall. Grey hoisted Daivari onto the top rope, but Daivari pushed him away and landed the Persian splash. Grey kicked out of a close pin and secured an inside cradle that Daivari just barely escaped from.
Daivari tried for a hammerlock lariat, but Grey ducked. Grey then transitioned into an unprettier position and landed a rope-assisted variation of the move. Grey folded up Daivari and pinned him.
Raul Mendoza took an early lead, toying with the contender Curt Stallion along the way. Mendoza used the hair of Stallion to whip him into both a headlock and a turnbuckle. Mendoza walked the rope and landed an impressive dropkick.
Mendoza pulled Stallion up from a pin by his hair. Stallion landed a slap to create some separation. Stallion landed a few significant strikes that sent Mendoza to the outside; Stallion hit a dive in follow-up. Back in the ring, Stallion landed a big boot, a running knee, a dropkick, and a DDT. A stomp to the chest left Stallion with a near fall.
Stallion scaled to the top rope, but Medoza met him atop the post. The two struggled, but Mendoza came out ahead with a colossal rana. Stallion landed on his feet after a suplex but was nearly rolled up by Mendoza. Mendoza landed a kick and set Stallion up for the finish. Stallion again slipped free and rolled up Mendoza for the win.
Joaquin Wilde hit the ring following the finish and began to beat down Stallion. Santos Escobar walked out following the beating.
This was another fun match, and with it, 205 Live’s role as NXT’s third hour was cemented. If 205 Live is used as nothing more than a story starter, that is a much better fate than cruiserweight purgatory.
Curt Stallion will face off with a member of Legado del Fantasma on 205 Live tonight.
WWE has announced that Stallion vs. Raul Mendoza will take place on tonight’s episode of 205 Live. The match was set up by a promo from Legado del Fantasma’s Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde. Mendoza challenged Stallion and — responding to comments from Stallion last week — said Stallion doesn’t even deserve to mention Santos Escobar’s name.
Stallion won a fatal five-way match on 205 Live two weeks ago to become the number one contender to Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Last Friday, a promo from Stallion aired. It ended with him telling Escobar to smarten up.
A Legado del Fantasma video then aired on NXT this Wednesday. They listed the cruiserweights Escobar has defeated and asked who’s next. Escobar pretended not to know Stallion’s name and mockingly said he’s sure Stallion is going to be a huge challenge.
WWE hasn’t announced when or where the Escobar vs. Stallion Cruiserweight title match will be taking place.
August Grey vs. Ariya Daivari is also set for tonight’s 205 Live. The show airs on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
A new number one contender to the NXT Cruiserweight Championship was decided on last night’s episode of 205 Live.
Curt Stallion defeated Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and August Grey in a fatal five-way number one contender’s match on 205 Live last night. Stallion will get a future title shot against NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar, though WWE hasn’t announced when that title match will be taking place.
Stallion pinned Nese in last night’s fatal five-way match after hitting a reverse Spanish Fly off the top rope. Stallion’s face was bloody after being busted open above the eye earlier in the match.
Stallion, who formerly wrestled for EVOLVE, has been a regular on 205 Live since being introduced as a new WWE signee as part of last month’s Performance Center class.
Last night’s number one contender’s match was in celebration of the show being the 205th episode of 205 Live.
In his most recent title defense, Escobar retained against Jake Atlas on this week’s NXT.
205 Live’s 205th episode opened with a fantastic video package retelling the brand’s history with a special focus on individuals who have called the show home.
Curt Stallion defeated Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and August Grey
Ashante “Thee” Adonis rolled out of the ring following the opening bell, allowing the now allied Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari to control the match’s opening. Curt Stallion and August Grey fought off the team, leaving themselves alone in the ring. Grey tried for a quick pin on Stallion before the two locked up.
Adonis managed to control the match by beating down Nese and Daivari in an impressive display; however, Daivari and Nese together proved to be too much. After sending Adonis to the mat, Nese and Daivari stared each other down for the first time. Grey dove onto the pair before they could engage. The match broke down into temporary chaos as the established lead broke down.
Daivari and Nese reclaimed the match from the fog. The pair dominated all three of their other opponents with little resistance. Both Stallion and Grey tried their hand in slowing Nese and Daivari, but it was an Adonis distraction that opened a window; Daivari slammed that window shut.
After prolonged offense from Nese with Daivari’s support, Adonis hopped in the ring. With Nese holding Grey down, Adonis was able to throw Daivari to the outside and catch Nese with a sleeper. Stallion hit the ring with furry and stole the momentum gained by Adonis. Stallion nearly won the match with a DDT, but Nese broke the pin. Nese, for his troubles, was hit with an air raid crash neckbreaker.
Grey hit a DDT of his own to trigger another five-way chaos-filled sequence. Grey, Adonis, and Daivari all scored near falls in quick succession. A dive-filled show of athletics followed. Nese set up for a running knee, but Grey met him with a superkick. Grey fell into a pin just in time for the Bollywood Boys to hit the ring. The two focused solely on Grey, pummeling him into the mat.
Adonis helped in ejecting the Bollywood Boys just as Ever-Rise hit the ring. Ever-Rise laid Adonis to rest. Stallion stood up to the attackers and gained control with help from Adonis and Grey. Dual dives from Stallion and Grey took out all four interfering wrestlers. Daivari snuck into the ring and hit Adonis with chain-wrapped knuckles.
Grey broke up Daivari’s pin attempt before Nese sent him to the outside. Stallion climbed to the top rope but was interrupted by Nese. The two struggled for control before a bloody Stallion hit Nese with a Spanish fly from the top. Stallion hooked Nese’s leg and gained the pinfall victory.
This was a high-quality match. Throughout its runtime, Stallion’s charisma stood out. By the final bell, Stallion’s triumph was hard-fought. This match should be nothing short of a launching pad for the new number one contender.
