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Fallon Henley vs. Brooklyn Barlow, Tatum Paxley vs. Sloane Jacobs, and Malik Blade & Edris Enofe vs. Dante Chen and Javier Bernal has been taped for Friday’s NXT Level Up.
Kayla Braxton responded after a tweet celebrating Pride Month got a negative reaction from some on social media. “It’s sad to see the amount of insecure, hateful and self-loathing people who feel the need to express their disdain for gay pride and the LGBTQ+ community,” she wrote. “Don’t knock it til ya try it, sweeties. Maybe you’ll like it.”
AEW released a Control Center video with Tony Schiavone ahead of tonight’s Dynamite at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
Frankie Kazarian spoke to PWInsider about AEW holding tonight’s Dynamite in LA. “Yeah, you know what man, the last week in Vegas is a drive for me as well. And this week in Los Angeles and in Ontario, all drives. So for two weeks out of the 52 week year, I’m not getting on a plane. So I’m very, very grateful for that. That’s cool. And yeah, man, like, as a kid that grew up in SoCal, being able to perform at the Forum and the Whisky back to back, that’s literally a dream like scenario. You know, I never would have thought I would have been on the stage at the Whiskey. I dreamt it, I never thought I would have been performing in the Forum but those dreams are literally coming true. And it’s a little cliche, but it’s very cool man and I don’t take these for granted and am very psyched to be part of AEW’s debut in SoCal, it took long enough. Here we are, and we’ve got a lot of stuff planned this week and I’m ready to go.”
A trial date has not been set for Tammy Sytch, who is in jail for manslaughter and DUI charges. There is a pre-trial meeting set for June 30th at 9:00 am.
NJPW released a video of Juice Robinson calling out Will Ospreay.
Gisele Shaw of Impact spoke to the Daily Star about the stigma of professional wrestling. “Go to a show and give it a chance,” she told them. “People have this stigma when it comes to professional wrestling and call it a joke, or say that it’s fake, but nobody looks at a Marvel film and goes ‘oh, it’s fake’. Do they really think that Ironman is flying around, or that Thor is out there somewhere? They don’t get that same flack as wrestlers do. If you watch a film, you enjoy it and you know it’s not real – I’m not saying wrestling is not real, as there is a lot of emotion to it and when you hit the canvas it hurts. There’s a lot of broken bones and people break their necks. When people give it a chance and go to a show, they change their minds and realise that it’s pretty incredible.”
Matt Cross and Budd Heavy are the latest to enter MLW’s Battle Riot match set for June 23 in New York City.
The former Dakota Kai on Twitter: “In this very moment, I’m King. Kota.”
The former Dakota Kai has filed a trademark for what may be her new in-ring name.
On May 9, Kai (real name Cheree Crowley) applied to trademark “King Kota.” Kai also recently changed her Instagram handle to “imkingkota.”
The full trademark filing is available below:
KING KOTA
Goods and Services IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: Hats; Shirts; Sweatshirts; Bandanas; Hooded sweatshirts
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing online interviews featuring professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes
Kai was released by WWE during a set of NXT roster cuts on April 29. She was a two-time Women’s Tag Team Champion while in NXT.
Prior to her release, Kai worked several main roster dark matches over the past year but was never called up.
Kai went by the in-ring name “Evie” before joining WWE in 2017. In a statement posted after her release, Kai indicated that she wouldn’t be going back to using that name.
“I don’t know what’s next for me,” Kai wrote. “I chose ‘Evie’ at 17 years old. That chapter is shut…just know this; I am far from being done.”
Dakota Kai thanked people for their support following her release from WWE on Friday.
In a social media post, Kai thanked those for reaching out and promised that she was far from being done.
“Above everything, thank you all,” she wrote. “I am so overwhelmed at all the love and support. The DMs, txts, tweets…you all have my heart. I love you. I am thankful for being able to meet, work, and intertwine with so many beautiful people, people I looked up to, people I learned from…I met some of by best friends over these last few years that will remain in my life forever.”
She further added that being ‘Evie’, the name she used prior to signing with WWE, is done with. However, she is far from being done overall.
“I don’t know what’s next for me,” she wrote. I chose ‘Evie’ at 17 years old. That chapter is shut…just know this; I am far from being done.”
Kai was part of 10 NXT cuts that took place on Friday. Other notable names released include Malcolm Bivens, Harland, Dexter Lumis, Persia Pirotta, and Draco Anthony.
Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio talking all the latest news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter including his story on AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery and his analysis on pro wrestling TV ratings.
We start off the show discussing the NXT releases, then talk about WWE’s stadium strategy, The Rock’s new wrestling show, the new WrestleMania Backlash main event, TripleMania and Sammy Guevara, and COVID-19.
Eight wrestlers, a manager, and a referee have been released by WWE as part of a set of NXT roster cuts.
Dakota Kai, Malcolm Bivens, and Dexter Lumis are among those who were released by WWE today. The 10 releases are listed below:
Dakota Kai (real name Cheree Crowley)
Malcolm Bivens (the former Stokely Hathaway)
Harland (Parker Boudreaux)
Dexter Lumis (Samuel Shaw)
Persia Pirotta (Stephanie De Landre)
Draco Anthony (Reginald Chase Crews)
Referee Blair Baldwin (Paige Prinzivalli)
Vish Kanya (Sanjana George)
Mila Milani (Kellie Morga)
Raelyn Divine (Jaylen Williams)
The releases were first reported by Fightful.
Fightful reports that WWE asked Bivens to re-sign with the company this February, but Bivens made it clear that he didn’t want to do so. Bivens was the manager of NXT’s Diamond Mine faction.
On Twitter, Bivens posted a video joking about his release:
Kai was a two-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, holding the titles with Raquel Gonzalez both times. Kai worked several WWE dark matches in 2021 and one dark match this January, but she was never called up to the main roster. Kai also wrestled one match on Main Event last year.
Harland was an offensive lineman for the University of Central Florida before signing with WWE. He made his NXT debut last October and was paired with Joe Gacy. Over the past couple of weeks, Harland didn’t appear on television and was no longer part of Gacy’s act.
Anthony had recently feuded with Gacy and Harland.
In storyline, Lumis was Indi Hartwell’s husband in NXT. Hartwell & Lumis and Pirotta & Duke Hudson were involved in a storyline where Hartwell and Pirotta debated who the hottest couple in NXT was.
Kanya, Milani, and Divine had yet to be featured on NXT TV.
Join on-camera personality Denise Salcedo as she breaks down the April 12th edition of WWE NXT 2.0! This show featured a gauntlet to determine the new NXT tag team champions, an NXT Women’s championship match, an NXT North American Championship match, a surprise appearance from Natalya and more! This is the perfect way to stay up-to-date with the current NXT product! This is a very fun and lively podcast!
Denise is back from Dallas, Texas and is ready to kick off the week on F4WOnline with her weekly recap of WWE NXT 2.0. This show includes a lot of interesting topics including Gunther vs. Bron Breakker and more. A fun post show you don’t want to miss!
Three title matches have been announced for next week’s WWE NXT.
Mandy Rose will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Dakota Kai, Cameron Grimes will defend the NXT North American Championship against Solo Sikoa, and MSK will defend the NXT Tag Team titles against Grayson Waller and Sanga. Kushida will also face Von Wagner in a singles match.
Rose was involved in the finish of tonight’s NXT Women’s Tag Team title match, allowing Jacey Jayne and Gigi Dolin to regain the titles from Kai and partner Raquel Gonzalez. Later, in a backstage promo, Kai promised revenge.
MSK will defend against Waller and Sanga following an interview that took place on tonight’s show. MSK were doing a promo when Waller and Sanga walked up, with Waller boasting about how he was trending after Saturday. Lee told Waller they won the tag team titles, but Sanga told MSK that they wouldn’t be champions for long. MSK challenged them to a match for tonight’s show, but Waller and Sanga rejected the offer, with Waller pointing to his injured elbow. Waller told them they would take the titles when they were ready.
As Cameron Grimes came out to celebrate his North American title win, Solo Sikoa came out and was respectful, saying that now comes the hard part of becoming champion – defending it. Grimes said he had to fight every day to be here and told Solo that the match was on.
Toxic Attraction are getting a rematch for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles.
WWE has announced that tonight’s Stand & Deliver fallout edition of NXT will feature a Women’s Tag Team Championship rematch with Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai defending their titles against Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne.
Gonzalez & Kai won the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles from Dolin & Jayne on the Stand & Deliver pre-show this past Saturday.
This is Gonzalez & Kai’s second reign as NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. The two reunited on NXT last week when Gonzalez saved Kai from a beatdown by Toxic Attraction.
Toxic Attraction leader Mandy Rose retained her NXT Women’s Championship at Stand & Deliver, defeating Cora Jade, Io Shirai, and Kay Lee Ray in a fatal four-way match.
Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez are the new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions.
They defeated Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jane at NXT Stand & Deliver in Dallas on Saturday. Wendy Choo got involved by hitting Dolin with her pillow and throwing a drink in her face on the outside. This led to Gonzalez hitting Jane with a Chigona Bomb and picking up the victory.
This is the second time Kai and Gonzlez have won the titles. They were also the first-ever team to hold them. William Regal awarded them the belts on March 10, 2021 after they had won the Dusty Rhodes Classic at Vengeance Day the previous month. Kai and Gonzalez then lost the championships to Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart on the same day they were awarded them.
Toxic Attraction’s title reign ends after 158 days. They won a triple threat ladder match at Halloween Havoc 2021 to win the titles from Io Shirai and Zoey Stark. They successfully defended the championships just once on WWE programming, defeating Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta at Vengeance Day.
A match for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship has been announced for Stand and Deliver’s kickoff show this Saturday.
Champions Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne will face the reunited Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez. This follows events that took place on tonight’s episode of NXT that saw Kai and Gonzalez reunite after a bitter rivalry.
Toxic Attraction came to the ring during tonight’s show and said that Wendy Choo and Kai had failed. They mentioned that they had beaten everyone and that there’s no teams left to face. Kai came out and attacked Toxic Attraction by herself, as Choo had been missing since the start of the show. The three beat down Dakota Kai until Gonzalez made the save, the two reuniting following a split that took place last year.
Here is the full card for Saturday’s NXT Stand & Deliver:
Dolph Ziggler vs. Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship
Imperium vs. The Creed Brothers vs. MSK for the NXT Tag Team Championship
Mandy Rose vs. Cora Jade for the NXT Women’s Championship
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Tony D’Angelo
LA Knight vs. Gunther
Carmelo Hayes vs. Santos Escobar vs. Grayson Waller vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Cameron Grimes in a ladder match for the NXT North American Championship
Kickoff: Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacey Jayne) vs. Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship
The finals of this year’s women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic has been set.
The team of Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray will take on Wendy Choo and Dakota Kai in the finals. This is after Shrai and Ray defeated Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter, while Choo and Kai defeated Raquel Gonzalez and Cora Jade. It was not said when the finals would take place.
During the Choo & Kai vs. Gonzalez & Jade match, Gigi Dolan struck Gonzalez in the knee from behind with a foreign object. Gonzalez’s knee buckled towards the finish, allowing Kai to pick up the victory with a foot stomp off the top rope. Later in the night, Jade attacked Mandy Rose, who was in her own personal lounge watching the second semifinal match.
Shirai & Ray defeated Catanzaro & Carter after Ray connected with the KLR bomb on Carter, with Shirai getting the pinfall following the moonsault.
Four NXT talents are reportedly scheduled to be part of Friday’s SmackDown tapings.
PWInsider reported this afternoon that Io Shirai, Dakota Kai, Roderick Strong, and LA Knight will be at the SmackDown tapings this Friday in Kansas City, Missouri. This would mark Shirai’s first main roster match since Survivor Series 2019.
Dakota Kai worked dark matches prior to Raw and SmackDown back in November 2021. Since then, she has returned to NXT with a new, more unhinged character. She most recently lost to former tag team partner Raquel Gonzalez in a street fight on the December 21st edition of NXT.
Strong and Knight had a match prior to last week’s SmackDown, with Knight defeating Strong. The two then had matches on the Main Event tapings that took place Monday night prior to Raw, with Strong losing to T-Bar and Knight defeating Cedric Alexander. Both men also appeared in a digital exclusive on WWE social media, with Knight confronting the team of Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode.
AJ Styles is headed to NXT tonight and appears to be set for a confrontation with Grayson Waller.
The appearance was announced after Waller mocked Styles on social media. Waller made fun of Styles’ hair and called him out for riding Omos’ coattails. Waller said he loved Styles when he was a kid, but Styles has hung around too long.
Waller has laid out Johnny Gargano and LA Knight on NXT over the last two weeks.
Styles’ partnership with Omos came to an end on Raw last night after dissension between them. Omos gave Styles a press slam when the two fought after their loss to Rey & Dominik Mysterio.
The rivalry between Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai will come to a head as they face off in a street fight tonight. Pete Dunne vs. Tony D’Angelo, Dexter Lumis vs. Trick Williams, and The Creed Brothers vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans are also set for the show. Plus, Von Wagner will be in action.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opens with NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa in the ring for a promo. Ciampa says as the NXT Champion is hunted, with all eyes on the champion. Ciampa is different than past champions, because Ciampa says he does the hunting. Ciampa says that last week Bron Breakker becomes the hunted.
Ciampa goes on to say Breakker will soon interrupt him, but he does need to do that. Instead, Ciampa invited Breakker to the ring. Out comes Breakker, and he goes to get a microphone. Ciampa tells Breakker he does not need a mic.
Ciampa talks about Breakker pinning the champ at the WarGames match last month. Ciampa says Breakker earned another shot at the title. Ciampa basically challenges Breakker to a title rematch on January 4 at New Year’s Evil. Ciampa chides Breakker by saying don’t “drown” like he did last time, bringing up Breakker losing to Ciampa in a title match in October at Halloween Havoc.
Breakker stares a hole through Ciampa as Ciampa tells Breakker he is not ready to be a champion in Ciampa’s NXT. Although Ciampa says Breakker is doing great, Ciampa tells him that he is not ready. Too much too soon. Ciampa goes on to mock the Breakker about Breakker winning the title. Ciampa throws in a Steiner reference without actually saying the word Steiner.
Ciampa’s tone changes, and he gets into Breakker face. Ciampa snarls at Breakker before slapping Breakker. Ciampa screams at Breakker. Breakker cannot take anymore, he grabs Ciampa by the throat and picks him up with a gorilla press. But Breakker puts him down. Breakker grabs the belt and says at New Year’s Evil there is blood in the water.
“This shark is going to eat you alive,” Breakker says to Ciampa. Breakker says he will see Ciampa in two weeks, and then Breakker leaves the ring.
Grayson Waller cut a promo on Instagram burying AJ Styles.
Dakota Kai ambushes Raquel Gonzalez
Raquel Gonzalez is backstage getting ready to go out to the ring. Dakota Kai tries to ambush Gonzalez with a crate, and the fight is on between the two. They were fighting backstage, but there match apparently was yet to start because neither made it to the ring. So they were basically having an impromptu Boiler Room Brawl.
They fight with props scattered around backstage. Kai tries to flee and throw stuff at Gonzalez to block her path like a low budget slasher movie. Gonzalez still manages to put Kai in the face with a high kick. Kai superkicks Gonzalez after hitting her with objects. Gonzalez is down selling as Kai tries to set up a table. Gonzalez ran into Kai with a cart, and then sends Kai crashing into a door.
The fight spills outside the building as the show cuts to a split screen commercial break. During the break, they brawl their way to the ring. The match finally begins.
Raquel Gonzalez defeated Dakota Kai in a street fight
Gonzalez pins Kai in what appears to a blow off to their feud.
There might have been more weapons used in the ring than during the brawl backstage. No rolling carts, though. They left the carts backstage. The ring and ringside area were littered with chairs, kendo sticks, and trash cans. Tables soon came into play as well, but nobody went through one set up in a corner.
They teased a spot through a table before Kai gives Gonzalez a hurricanrana, which sends them both out of the ring. A trash can is placed over Gonzalez’s head, and Kai leaps onto the trash can with a double stomp off the apron. Gonzalez soon counters Kai, giving Kai a powerbomb on the ring steps.
Back in the ring, Kai takes a powerbomb onto a trash can. Gonzalez then pins Kai for a three count.
Gonzalez grabs a mic to cut a promo where she calls out NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose. Gonzalez challenges Rose to a title match right here and now, and the show cuts to a commercial as we await an answer.
Tony D’Angelo in a pre-tape promo disrespects Pete Dunne. They meet later in match tonight.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez is still in the ring calling out Rose. Out comes Cora Jade instead.
Jade, with one arm in a sling, tells Gonzalez that she deserves a rematch with Rose. Jade says wants Toxic Attraction to pay for injuring her, and Jade says the way to do that is cut the head off the snake.
Gonzalez responds by basically telling Jade to not get in her way. Gonzalez says she will go through anybody to get her title back. Jade says not if she gets there first.
Mandy Rose interrupts them by appearing on the video screen. Rose was poolside wearing a swimsuit while also wearing her championship belt. Rose says the champ is speaking, and enough whining. Rose announces at New Year’s Evil she will defend her title against both Gonzalez and Jade in a triple threat match.
Jacy Jayne amd Gigi Dolan of Toxic Attraction hit the ring to blindside Gonzalez and Jade with a sneak attack. The heels were hitting the babyfaces with kendo sticks. Jade is sent outside, as Gonzalez tries to fight off the two heels by herself. Double-teamed and outnumbered, Gonzalez is beaten down. The table set up a corner earlier on was finally used when Toxic Attraction send Gonzalez crashing through it.
Gonzalez is laid out with the table crumbled over her as the heels leave the ring.
Joe Gacy in a promo apologies to Brian Kendrick on behalf of Harland, who threw Kendrick down a flight of stairs last week. Somehow, Gacy manages to blame Kendrick for the incident.
Grizzled Young Veterans were trying to act tough about their match with the Creed Brothers later on. This was an attempt at comedy I think.
Persia Pirotta and Indi Hartwell were backstage when Grayson Waller confronts them. Hartwell is mad at Waller for what he did to Dexter Lumis. Waller insults Lumis, and Pirotta has to hold Hartwell back from attacking Waller.
Creed Brothers (Brutus & Julius Creed with Malcolm Bivens) vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) went to a no-contest
Huge brawl between four teams, two from the match and two at ringside, led to the bout being thrown out.
The Creed Brothers with an early advantage as they work over Gibson. Brutus does not notice when Drakes makes a bling tag, which allows Gibson and Drake to take over. Jacket Time (Ikemen Jiro and Kushida) enter ringside carrying a mock announce table. Jacket Time becomes the impromptu Japanese announce team. Kind of spoof on the Bill and Buddy Show from Memphis wrestling from 30+ years ago (Google it kids as it’s highly entertaining).
Heat on Brutus as Grizzled Young Veterans work him over. Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen came down the aisle to watch the match from ringside. Hot tag by the Creed Brothers, but Brutus is soon cut off by tope from Gibson. A tease of powerbombing someone through the mock announce table. Jacket Time get up and get into the face of the Creed Brothers. Grizzled Young Veterans shove Creed Brothers into Jacket Time, kicking off a huge brawl.
All of the various teams both in the match and at ringside all begin to fight.
McKenzie Mitchell, wearing a holiday sweater featuring The Rock, interviews NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes, who is wearing a Santa hat. Hayes and Trick Williams cut a promo on Dexter Lumis.
Dexter Lumis defeated Trick Williams (with Carmelo Hayes)
Lumis submits Williams. Match was not particularly good. To try and hide that, there was a lot of other stuff going on. Like much of this show, too much as going on. Very Russo, bro.
Lumis was in solid control until outside interference by Hayes. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong attacks Hayes to even the odds. Malcolm Bivens and Ivy Nile of Diamond Mine watch from a perch above the ring. Strong and Hayes brawl to the back.
Williams capitalize on the distraction to get heat on Lumis. Come back by Lumis. Williams tries to hit Lumis with a shoe. Lumis blocks the shoe and applies his signature sleeper hold. Williams passes out, and Lumis wins the match.
Grayson Waller from behind and out of nowhere hits Lumis with a chair. Waller lays out Lumis with chair shots. AJ Styles is seen arriving to the building in an SUV, and he is heading to the ring.
AJ Styles confronts Grayson Waller
After a commercial break, Waller is still in the ring. He is cutting a promo on the fans. The entrance of AJ Styles interrupts Waller’s promo. Thank goodness. The crowd goes crazy because Styles is a true superstar.
Styles tells Waller to shut up. Styles then cuts a promo on Waller. They go back-and-forth on the mic for a moment. Waller says Styles is here because his partner turned on him last night (which happened on Monday Night Raw). Waller insists that Styles wants Waller to be his new tag partner, which of course is not true. Waller says he is more of a singles guy.
Styles says Waller is calling him out because Waller wants a rub. Styles notes that Waller wrestles with gear, like his gloves for example, that is rip off of Styles. AJ responds by basically burying Waller, insinuating he is not yet ready to be a real superstar.
Waller threatens Styles. Waller says this is his ring, and Waller says he can “end” Styles right now. Styles dares him to do it. Styles says Waller thinks he is a superstar after three weeks, but Styles has been a star for twenty years.
Waller takes off his shirt, and teases a fight with Styles. Ever the heel, Waller instead leaves the ring. He tells Styles that Omos can have Styles firsy, and Waller has next. This seems to set up a match with Styles in a few weeks.
Another wackly skit with MSK and Matt Riddle where Riddle gives them Randy Orton merchandise. Riddle then reveals that next week MSK will call out Imperium, and Riddle vows to be at their side when they do so. MSK and Riddle then ride away on scooters, but they are hit by a vehicle. Suddenly, MSK wake up at the bus stop. Was it all a dream? They think so until they find a Riddle hat in their fanny pack. Riddle then appears, and they ride away on scooters. Riddle stops them to look both ways before they ride away.
Edris Enofe defeated Von Wagner
Enofe surprises Wagner by pinning him after a counter.
Enofe tries to attack Wagner at the bell, but to no avail. Wagner begins to pummel him. Continuing the theme of this show where people watch a match from ringside, Robert Stone looks on from the aisle. He is apparently scouting Wagner.
Wagner goes for a powerbomb (which is a move used and/or teased throughout this show), but Enofe counters with a sunset bomb. Enofe then scores a three count to win the match.
Wagner attacks Enofe after the bell, and Wagner beats him down to leave Enofe laid out. This seems to lead towards a rematch.
NXT Champions Imperium cut a promo on MSK in foreign languages. Finally, in English they say that MSK may have a shaman, but Imperium has a general. An obvious reference to WALER, so he could possibly be in the champs’ corner opposite MSK and Riddle.
Matches made official for two weeks time at New Year’s Evil:
Tommaso Ciapma defends the NXT Championship against Bron Breakker in a rematch
Mandy Rose defends the NXT Women’s Championship against Cora Jade and Raquel Gonzalez in a triple threat match
On her way to the ring, Elektra Lopez cuts a promo on Io Shirai. Lurking in the background unnoticed by Legado del Fantasma is Xyon Quinn.
Io Shirai defeated Elektra Lopez (with Legado del Fantasma)
Shirai pins Lopez after a bunch of gaga involving Xyon Quinn.
Lopez gains an early advantage, but Shirai soon fires up. Lopez cuts off Shirai when Shirai went for a moonsault.
Xyon Quinn storms onto the scene as he comes down to ringside. Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde try to stop him, but Quinn throws them aside like rag dolls. Quinn puts a mistletoe into his mouth as he climbs on the ring apron.
Quinn holds the mistletoe overhead as Lopez approaches him. Lopez grabs the mistletoe out of his hands as Santos Escoabr enters the scene to pull Quinn off the apron. Quinn reverses a whip and sends Escobar crashing into the ring steps.
Meanwhile, the match is still ongoing. A distracted Lopez is easy prey for Shirai. Palm strike by Shirai followed by a moonsault press. Shirai then covers Lopez for a three count.
Backstage, Carmelo Hayes accepts the challenge for a title vs. title against Roderick Strong at New Year’s Evil.
Brian Kendrick is wearing a neck brace as he cuts a cellphone promo on Joe Gacy and Harland. Kendrick takes off the brace while saying he resigned as a coach in NXT. He also signed a waiver. Kendrick challenges Gacy and Harland to apologize to his face.
Announced for next Tuesday on NXT:
Contract signing for the unification match between North American Champion Carmelo Hayes and Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong (hosted by Wade Barrett)
Dexter Lumis vs. Grayson Waller
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolan & Jacy Jayne) vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Cora Jade in a non-title match
Pete Dunne defeated Tony D’Angelo
Dunne pins D’Angelo after a Bitter End. This was easily D’Angelo’s best singles match so far in NXT. D’Angelo gets his heat back after the match by attacking Dunne to lay him out.
Good sequences in the opening moment of the match. Dunne also kicked D’Angelo right in the side of the head at one point, which looked like it hurt.
The match goes through a commercial break as Dunne targets the fingers of D’Angelo. Dunne with joint manipulation as the show returns from the break.
D’Angelo cut off Dunne, and D’Angelo went for a float over. Dunne traps D’Angelo in a triangle, yet D’Angelo escapes the hold by powering out with a suplex. D’Angelo follows with an exploder suplex into a corner.
Comeback by Dunne with series of strikes and a near fall. Dunne stomps on D’Angelo, but Dunne collapses in a heap. Double down leads into them trading strikes. D’Angelo counters with a falcon arrow for a near fall.
D’Angelo grabs a crowbar that was hidden at ringside. He goes to hit Dunne with the crowbar, but Dunne counters him. Dunne transitions into applying an armbar. D’Angelo escapes and he takes out Dunne mouthpiece. Dunne soon counters again, and he snaps the fingers of D’Angelo. Bitter End by Dunne, and he covers D’Angelo for a pinfall.
D’Angelo attacks Dunne after the match, and D’Angelo gives Dunne a twisting fisherman’s buster on the floor at ringside. D’Angelo again grabs the crowbar. He puts the bar in Dunne’s mouth, and D’Angelo wacks Dunne in the hand with a shot from the crowbar. The show goes off the air with Dunne selling his arm.
Former tag team partners Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai are set to collide in a street fight.
WWE has announced that a street fight between Gonzalez and Kai will take place on NXT next Tuesday. Gonzalez challenged Kai to the match on tonight’s show, saying that she needs to end Kai.
Kai lost to Cora Jade on tonight’s NXT. When Kai got a shovel out from under the ring during the match and went to use it as a weapon, the referee took it away from her. That distracted Kai and allowed Jade to roll her up to get the win.
Kai attacked Jade after the match and went to hit her with the shovel, but Gonzalez ran out to make the save. Gonzalez and Kai brawled to the parking lot, where it was broken up by officials.
Gonzalez cut a promo later in tonight’s show and said that things between her and Kai need to be over. Gonzalez said she looks back on her friendship with Kai as a positive, but the reality is that she needs to end Kai. Gonzalez challenged Kai to face her in a street fight.
The feud between Gonzalez and Kai began when Kai turned against Gonzalez this July. Gonzalez defeated Kai at NXT TakeOver 36 in August, but Kai made her return at Halloween Havoc and caused Gonzalez to lose the NXT Women’s Championship to Mandy Rose. Gonzalez, Jade, Io Shirai & Kay Lee Ray defeated Kai, Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne in WarGames earlier this month.
Gonzalez vs. Kai is one of three grudge matches that’s been announced for next week’s NXT. Von Wagner will also be in action on the episode. The full list of what’s been announced is available below:
