The former Eddy Thorpe, now back to using his real name Karl Fredericks, has been announced for his first post-WWE matches.
Fredericks was part of the roster cuts revealed on May 2, later stating that he had asked to be released. Over the weekend, he made an unadvertised appearance at a West Coast Pro Wrestling show and has since been announced for the promotion’s September 5 event in San Francisco.
The 34-year-old is also scheduled to face Mance Warner at Jersey Championship Wrestling’s show in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 21.
Last month, Fredericks explained on social media that he requested his release from WWE because he wanted to do something meaningful with his life.
“I asked for my release from WWE so I could do something f–king meaningful with my life,” he wrote.
He later added, “I set the goal to work (in WWE). I spent a decade working for it. I got it. And in my experience I came to the conclusion I didn’t want to do it.”
Fredericks also mentioned that he was upset WWE wouldn’t allow him to work a volunteer DJ’ing job over WrestleMania weekend.
Prior to signing with WWE, Fredericks joined the NJPW Dojo system in 2015. He won the Young Lions Cup in 2019 but announced in June 2022 that he was leaving NJPW, upset at not being chosen to participate in that year’s G1 Climax.
JUST SIGNED!
Karl Fredericks returns to San Francisco!
West Coast Pro returns to @TheFoundrySF on Friday, September 5th to bring to you…
Karl Fredericks, formerly NXT’s Eddy Thorpe, says he asked WWE for his release.
The 34-year-old was among WWE’s roster cuts revealed on May 2. He had been with the company since early 2023.
When asked online about recent political comments, Fredericks responded that he asked for his WWE release so he could “do something meaningful” with his life.
“I asked for my release from WWE so I could do something f–king meaningful with my life.”
He later added, “I set the goal to work there. I spent a decade working for it. I got it. And in my experience I came to the conclusion I didn’t want to do it.”
In another reply, Fredericks stated that WWE wouldn’t allow him to DJ during WrestleMania Weekend.
“No. WWE wouldn’t let me DJ for free in Vegas mania weekend. While other talent got to make money on their outside ventures,” he wrote.
Before signing with WWE, Fredericks trained in NJPW’s Dojo system beginning in 2015. He won the Young Lion Cup in 2019 but announced in August 2022 that he would not be re-signing with the promotion. He had previously expressed frustration after being left out of that year’s G1 Climax tournament.
“Last thing I’m even going to entertain with a voice rn as far as professional wrestling goes is that @njpwglobal doesn’t deserve Karl Fredericks,” he posted on June 12.
With Roadblock out of the way, the road to Stand & Deliver kicks into gear on WWE NXT tonight.
Trick Williams and Eddy Thorpe will finally settle their rivalry when they meet in an NXT Underground match. Thorpe used a low blow to defeat Williams when they met in a strap match at Vengeance Day, but Williams has momentum on his side after getting the better of Thorpe in a brawl last week. Williams is hoping to win tonight and then shift his focus to getting the NXT Championship back from Oba Femi.
Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green has a title defense tonight against Sol Ruca, who earned this shot by pinning Green in a recent tag team bout.
Ricky Saints will have his second NXT match when he faces off against Ridge Holland. Plus, the war between The D’Angelo Family and The Culling continues with Stacks, Luca Crusifino & Adriana Rizzo vs. Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance & Izzi Dame.
Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
NXT is back to the sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando with the fallout from Roadblock. Opening the show is a women’s title match.
WWE Women’s United States ChampionChelsea Green (with Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) defeated Sol Ruca (with Zaria) to retain the title
Green pinned Ruca in a good opener. Green’s Cabinet involved themselves in the match, as did Zaria at ringside.
Piper Niven first interferes by grabbing Ruca’s foot. While Ruca did fight her off, the distraction allowed Green to gain an underhanded advantage. Green targets a leg, and she is working the leg during the show’s first commercial break.
Ruca makes a comeback on one leg, and she flew around doing high spots. Springboard cartwheel off the ropes into a swinging DDT from Ruca, while still selling the leg. Alba Fyre interferes by putting Green’s foot on the rope to break a count, and Zaria responds by spearing Fyre. Niven joins in the melee, leading to moonsault from Ruca. Still selling the leg, though.
They trade near falls. Ruca counters Green’s first attempt at an Unprettier. Green clips the injured knee of Ruca when she was going for her finisher, and Green delivers an Unprettier. Green then covers Ruca for a pinfall. And still…
In a backstage skit, Je’Von Evans tries to empathize with Trick Williams. Instead, Tick cuts a promo on Evans. Trick says he is going for the NXT Championship, something Evans will never do.
Heritage Cup Champion Lexis King enters as Trick leaves. King goads Evans, so Evans decks King. Out like a light.
The first double champion in NXT is out next for a monologue. Stephanie Vaquer makes her first appearance on television since becoming both NXT Women’s Champion along with her NXT Women’s North American Championship. Vaquer said this segment was hard for her because English is not her first language
She could have went to any promotion, but she came to NXT because it has the best women’s division. This is something similar to what Jordynne Grace said a few weeks ago. That is fitting, as out comes Grace when Vaquer asks her first challenger to step up.
Vaquer said winning both titles last week made her the best of the best. She wonders would would answer what is essentially an open challenge. So, out some Grace. However, she is ambushed by Jaida Parker.
Parker cuts a helluva promo on Vaquer, as Parker is apparently stepping up as first challenger to Vaquer. Parker congratulates Vaquer on winning the titles, and Parker tells Vaquer to enjoy it. But it will not last long, according to Parker.
Inamura pinned Ledger after a Stan Hansen lariat from Briggs, followed by a flying body press from Inamura for the finish.
Hank & Tank went for a Hardy Boyz spot, apparently trying to take the match “to the extreme” like the Hardys told them a few weeks ago. Crash and burn on the Hardys’ spot, and that would be the final turning point in the match.
Hank is tossed off the top rope. Lariat from hell by Briggs on Ledger. Inamura follows up with a flying body press, and Inamura covers Tank for the pinfall.
The Culling (Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance & Izzi Dame with Shawn Spears) defeated D’Angelo Family (Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, Luca Crusifino & Adrianna Rizzo) in a mixed six-person tag team match
Tony D’Angelo stayed backstage at the behest of Stacks, which was noted in a skit earlier in the show. D’Angelo trusted his “underboss” so he stayed away. On the other hand is NXT North American Champion Shawn Spears, who was in the corner of his Culling faction. They had a new wicked entrance.
The Culling goes over in the match, thanks in part to a distraction. D’Angelo is backstage watching his Family run wild when he is attacked by the four mystery assailants that have recently terrorized NXT. D’Angelo is ambushed, and there is nothing The Family can do but watch on the video screen. D’Angelo is powerbombed through a bunch of tables.
The Culling then capitalize on the distracted Family, and Vance gives Crusifino a Burning Hammer for a three count.
In a skit from the office of NXT GM Ava. She is there with Stephanie Vaquer when in comes Fallon Henley wanting her rematch for the Women’s North American Championship. The skit leads to Vaquer agreeing to put the North American title on the line next week against Henley. Vaquer is also defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Jaida Parker in a separate match. Vaquer is now set to defend both titles in two different matches.
Jayne pinned Petrovic after a roaring elbow. Just before they go home, Adonis slides a chair into the ring. He wanted Petrovic to use it, but she refuses to use it. Moments later, Jayne delivers a roaring elbow, which they are calling the “Rolling Encore” as its name.
A skit in the locker room sets up Hank & Tank against Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont, with Wes Lee egging it on.
Ricky Saints defeated Ridge Holland
Saints pinned Holland clean in the middle of the ring. So much for Holland getting a big push. At least it was a big win for Saints. They still had a good match, and Saints won after delivering his Roshambo finisher. The match goes through a commercial break.
The four mystery assailants cut promos and go off presumably attack someone else. This seemed oddly political in nature. Later the group is called “Dark State” so the political stuff tracks.
Ricky Saints is being interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Saints does a word play with Stand & Deliver. He mentions revolution, he is interrupted and confronted by The Culling. There is some sexual innuendo between Saints and Izzi Dame.
Trick Williams defeated Eddy Thorpe in NXT Underground
Williams wins via TKO. The match was relatively short for a main event, but it was still action packed regardless. The fighting soon spilled out of the ring after the opening bell. Thorpe back drops Williams on the announce desk, and the desk crumbles.
Thorpe goes for a triangle, but Trick deadlifts Thorpe into a powerbomb onto a pile of bodies. Moment later, they go home. Trick delivers his signature jumping knee strikes. Down goes Thorpe, and Trick follows up with ground and pound. The referee jumps in to stop the fight. Trick wins by TKO.
In a post-match angle, Trick calls out NXT Champion Oba Femi. Out comes Femi to confront Trick. They go face-to-face before the lights go dark. The four mystery assailants arrive and look on menacingly as Je’Von Evans gets into the ring.
Trick shoves Evans away, and Trick brawls with Femi. Pull-apart brawl with Trick and Femi. Evans jumps into the melee to lay Femi out with a cutter. Je’Von and Trick then stare at each other as the show goes off air.
Trick Williams and Eddy Thorpe will lock up in an NXT Underground match.
After a promo segment between the two rivals on this week’s WWE NXT episode, Williams and Thorpe agreed to an NXT Underground match for the Tuesday, March 18 show.
Thorpe has taken part in both of the men’s NXT Underground matches in history, winning each time. In a June 2023 battle, Thorpe defeated Damon Kemp. In a December 2023 Underground matchup, Thorpe was victorious over Dijak.
Williams is a former NXT Champion, while Thorpe has yet to capture a championship in NXT.
There have been five NXT Underground matches in total, including the aforementioned Thorpe vs. Dijak and Thorpe vs. Kemp bouts. Three of the five Underground matches took place in 2024, and all in the women’s division. Al three featured Lola Vice, a former pro MMA fighter.
Vice vs. Natalya took place last April, Vice vs. Shayna Baszler last June, and Vice vs. Jaida Parker last December. Vice was victorious in all three bouts.
A slate of title matches is set for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT on The CW Network.
In his first defense since becoming NXT Champion, Oba Femi defends against Eddy Thorpe in tonight’s main event. Femi won the title from Trick Williams at New Year’s Evil two weeks ago in a triple threat match that also included Thorpe. Now Femi and Thorpe will attempt to settle their issues one-on-one.
Ridge Holland gets his shot at the men’s NXT North American Championship tonight when he challenges Tony D’Angelo. The Heritage Cup will also be on the line as Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey once again face off for the trophy.
Plus, new NXT Women’s Champion Giulia will make an appearance following her victory at New Year’s Evil. She dethroned Roxanne Perez to win the title.
We’ll see if WWE has any follow-up tonight after Perez was confronted by Bayley last week.
Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
Corey Graves is back on commentary alongside Vic Joseph and Booker T.
NXT North American ChampionTony D’Angelo (with The Family) defeated Ridge Holland to retain his title
Lots of closed fist punches back and forth from the start. The match goes through a commercial break with a split-screen. As the show cuts to commercial, out comes Shawn Spears.
During the break, Holland posted D’Angelo twice. Holland then smacked an arm on the ring post, and Holland went to work on the arm. Holland is working the arm as the show returns from the break.
D’Angelo makes a comeback, and “The Don” gets a near fall with a fisherman’s buster suplex. Slugfest starts again, before D’Angelo is dropped on his head. “The Don” still comes back with a spear. Spears soon gets involved in the match.
Spears jumps on the apron and gets punched by D’Angelo. That brings out Spear’s goons, which includes Brooks Jensen and Niko Vance. They brawl with The Family at ringside. That takes the referee’s attention away from the the ring.
That allowed Izzi Dame to suddenly interfere, after she got in the ring. She boots Holland in the face with a high kick. D’Angelo delivers a spinebuster, and he covers Holland for a three count. Dame at ringside says she and “The Don” are now even.
A locker room skit sets up two singles matches for Wes Lee. One against Dion Lennox for tonight, and another next week with Trick Williams. In the skit, Williams gives Lee an open hand slap.
Bayley is up next for a monologue. Her and Roxanne Perez has an altercation in a cliffhanger angle from last week. Bayley is here to address that.
Bayley said she was there last week to talk with Perez, because Bayley cares about all that Perez has done. That that got her was a slap in the face.
Bayley goes on to talk about Perez confronted her from the front row on Raw and Smackdown. At some point, Bayley name drops Giulia. So, out comes Giulia to join Bayley.
Giulia says Perez may not look up to Bayley, but Giulia herself does. Bayley and Giulia sing each other’s praises until they are interrupted by Cora Jade and Perez.
Both Perez and Jade cut promos on Bayley. Perez claims the current NXT exceeded anything the Four Horsewomen did, and that is really way Bayley is here. That ignites a brawl, and the fight is on. The heels powder as Bayley and Giulia stand tall. This angle clearly sets up a tag team match.
Cut to the women’s locker room, where Kelani Jordan is arguing with Jaida Parker. Karmen Peterovic wants to calm them down since she is in love now.
Cut back to ringside and the brawl between the two teams is on again.
Wes Lee defeated Dion Lennox
Lee pinned Lennox in a short match that was more of a backdrop for the angle that followed with Trick Williams. Lennox did get a close near fall, but Lee strikes with a Cardiac Kick. Lee then covers Lennox for a pinfall.
Lee in a post-match promo says he is going to handle Trick next week since Trick slapped him earlier. That brings out Trick, and he is a house of fire. Williams drops Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe, who both were at ringside with Lee.
Trick then storms into the ring and lays out Lee. Trick grabs the microphone and accepts the challenge for next week at Center Stage in Atlanta.
Lexis King is the focus of a video package, and he defends the Heritage Cup up next.
But first, an interview with Stephanie Vaquer. Sarah Schreiber conducts the interview. Vaquer cuts a decent promo. It is not her fault they do not have her in a focused angle.
NXT Heritage Cup Champion Lexis King defeats Charlie Dempsey (with No Quarter Catch Crew) to retain the cup
This match got a lot of time, but that was somewhat a given with the round system. The match went through a commercial break, and they did a fall during the break. When the show returned from the break, Vic Joseph on commentary remarked how that shows you have to pay attention during the split-screen break.
King is saved by the bell in the first round. Dempsey applied a crossface chicken wing that would make Bob Backlund proud. Time runs out on the round with King still locked in the hold. The closing moments of this round were really good.
A camera shot shows brass knuckles in King’s corner as the show cuts to commercial. That is when they did the finish during the break. King scores a pin he counters a sunset flip into a pinfall. King is up 1-0.
Dempsey evens the score in round 3, as Dempsey scores pin using a butterfly suplex. Between rounds, King teases using the brass knux. But he thinks better of it.
Later on, King fires up and leaps over the ropes with a flip dive on No Quarter Catch Crew. They go back-and-forth in the closing moments. After deciding against the knux, King still wins with a heel move. King with a mule kick low blow, and the ref didn’t see it. King then executed the Coronation, and King scores the deciding pinfall.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Naomi cut promos on Meta-Girls (Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson). Next week in Atlanta, Meta-Girls challenge for the tag titles in a featured match.
Karmen Petrovic enters with her love interest, Ashante “Thee” Adonis. Petrovic has a match up next.
Andre Chase is followed around in a skit, but he is depressed. Some trainees are watching old Chase promos, but Chase is still super depressed.
Karmen Petrovic defeated Jaida Parker
Petrovic rolled up Parker to score the pin, after interference by Kelani Jordan. Parker looked strong throughout much of the match.
Jordan shows up and she goes to slap Parker, but Parker blocks the slap. The referee is right there the whole time, but somehow this is not a disqualification. Petrovic then rolls up Parker, and the referee counts the pin.
Petrovic celebrates after the match with Adonis.
A locker room skit has Sol Ruca and Zaria talking with Meta-Girls. Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolan are also there. This was a waste of time I will never get back.
Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance defeated Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Luca Crusifino
Vance pinned Stacks to win the match. For the finish, Jensen with a somersault kick and Vance follows up with a lariat. Stacks does a flip to sell it, and Vance covers him for the pinfall. This was a great way to introduce Niko Vance.
NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazier & Axiom are being interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura interrupt the interview. Briggs is upset they went to TNA when Briggs claims they had “next” up. This did not go anywhere as the director cuts away to a brawl happening backstage. Then, the show cuts to commercial.
More melodrama after the break, this time within The Family. Stacks is upset that “The Don” was not out there with them. D’Angelo responds that Stacks has been Underboss for a while now. He needs to figure it out on his own. “The Don” then leaves.
Ethan Page is cutting a sadistic promo on Je’Von Evans in a video package sponsored by an insurance company. Would have made sense if it was medical insurance, but it was automobile insurance.
Evans is then in GM Ava’s office. Evans is still selling his jaw, but he wants a match with Page. Ava says he is still hurt, which he clearly is selling like he is hurt. Evans can barely talk. Ava then brings in Cedric Alexander, who is booked against Page in a match next week at Center Stage.
In comes Austin Theory & Grayson Waller. Apparently, next week at Center Stage is “The Grayson Waller Effect” in Atlanta. What have we done to deserve this?
Oba Femi is heading to the ring for his match when he crosses paths with Trick Williams backstage. They exchange glances just before the show cuts to a commercial break.
After show returns from the break, Diamond Dallas Page is shown sitting front row ringside.
NXT ChampionOba Femi defeated Edddy Thorpe to retain his title
This wasn’t Flair-Steamboat, but thank goodness it wasn’t another skit. It was actually pretty good too, especially by the end. At least for action. Psychology might be another story.
For a champion who’s nickname is “The Ruler”, Femi ends up selling a lot. Maybe too much, but as champ I guess he has to give the illusion he might lose. Him selling so much takes away from his aura. Thorpe cuts off Femi before the show’s final commercial break, and Femi is in peril during much of the picture-in-picture. Why is Femi fighting from underneath?
Back from the commercial break, and comeback by Femi. Led to a near falls after Femi delivers a spinebuster. Thorpe counters an attempted chokeslam with a triangle. Femi tries to power out, but Thorpe counters that into a hurricanrana. Two count for Thorpe.
Thorpe again counters Femi. This time Thorpe uses a stunner after blocking a suplex attempt. Thorpe climbs to the top rope and he leaps off with a mighty flying elbow drop. Near fall.
Thorpe and Femi trade strikes and moves. Femi goes off his feet after Thorpe gives him a snap German suplex. Thorpe goes for another flying elbow, but Femi blocks it to deliver a chokeslam. Thorpe gets a shoulder up to break the count at two and three quarters.
Femi posted himself on a missed charge in a corner. Femi looks to be in trouble, until he tossed Thorpe across the ring. Femi then executes his pop-up powerbomb, and Femi covers Thorpe for a pinfall.
The psychology seemed way off in this match, but the work itself was really good. Grayson Waller & Austin Thoery were watching from a perch overlooking the ring. They are trying to jaw with Femi. Meanwhile, Trick Williams is in the ring to confront Femi.
Williams then drops Thorpe when Thorpe goes for a cheap shot. Williams an Femi are face-to-face as the show goes off the air.
New contenders for WWE NXT’s top two titles were crowned over the weekend at a pair of live events.
Eddy Thorpe earned an opportunity at new NXT Champion Oba Femi during Saturday’s NXT live show in Jacksonville, Florida, after winning a battle royal.
Thorpe is coming off a title shot on this past Tuesday’s New Year’s Evil where Femi won the title in a three-way with then-champion Trick Williams and Thorpe. He also had a title shot in December which ended in a double pin.
On Friday in Dade City, Florida, Lola Vice earned a future shot at new NXT Women’s Champion Giulia by also winning a battle royal. After the win, the champion came out to confront Vice. The challenger has had several opportunities at the title in the past (Roxanne Perez, Lyra Valkyria) but has never held the gold.
When the match happens, it will be their first-ever meeting.
It’s unclear if these wins will be recognized on TV or just be honored at future NXT live events in Florida.
After he complained about what happened during last week’s title match, Trick Williams on Tuesday said he would defend the title at New Year’s Evil on January 7 in Los Angeles against both Thorpe and Oba Femi, who won the Iron Survivor gauntlet match at Deadline earlier this month. The show ended with the three brawling, with Femi standing tall.
Last week’s show saw a double pin take place in a title match between Williams and Thorpe. Post-show footage saw Ava declare Williams the champion, angering Thorpe who eventually pushed Shawn Micheals out of frustration. On this week’s show, Thorpe said that his foot was under the rope and hadn’t been pinned.
Thorpe in recent weeks has found ways to get to championship matches. After qualifying for the Iron Survivor Challenge, he was found laid out backstage and was ruled ineligible for the match. The following week on NXT, he ended up getting a match out of Williams for the title. The end of the show saw Thorpe reveal to NXT GM Ava that it had all been a ruse so he could get a title match without actually having to compete in the Iron Survivor Challenge.
Here is the updated card for New Year’s Evil:
NXT Championship: Trick Williams defends against Oba Femi and Eddy Thorpe
NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez defends against Giulia
Tuesday’s NXT Championship match on WWE NXT TV ended in controversy.
Trick Williams defending his NXT Championship against Eddy Thorpe in the show’s main event ended with a double pin and confusion surrounding who is the rightful NXT Champion as two referees were involved in the finish.
After the first referee was taken out inadvertently following a DDT from Thorpe, a second official entered to call the rest of the match. As Williams hit his Trick Shot finish, the original referee was revived.
Williams and Thorpe then fell into one another and landed in such a way that one referee counted the pin for Thorpe, and one for Williams.
NXT general manager Ava came to ringside as the show went off the air to mediate the dispute between the officials.
In an angle posted to social media, WWE revealed that Williams is still the NXT Champion as a result of the double pin, with Thorpe getting physical with Shawn Michaels:
The matter will certainly be addressed further on next week’s taped edition of WWE NXT on Christmas Eve.
The announced lineup for next week’s show is as follows:
WWE NXT, Tuesday, December 24 —
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Cora Jade
NXT Tag Team Championship number one contender’s match : Tavion Heights & Myles Borne vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Stacks Lorenzo & Luca Crusifino vs. Bronco Nima & Lucien Price
NXT Heritage Cup Champion Charlie Dempsey defends against Lexis King
The NXT Championship is on the line as the show heads to Lowell, Massachusetts tonight.
Trick Williams will defend his belt against Eddy Thorpe on tonight’s broadcast. Thorpe was originally scheduled to participate in the men’s Iron Survivor Challenge match at NXT Deadline, but he was replaced following an angle where he was attacked. Last week, it was revealed that Thorpe actually faked the attack so he could get a shot at Williams without having to go through the Iron Survivor match.
In Thorpe’s place, Oba Femi entered the Iron Survivor Challenge and has earned an NXT Championship at New Year’s Evil 2025. Tonight, Femi faces Axiom in singles action.
Axiom is pulling double duty on the episode. Due to a miscommunication between Axiom and Nathan Frazer, the two are defending their NXT Tag Team titles tonight against Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang).
Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria is also set for the show, along with Jaida Parker vs. Wren Sinclair.
Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
The show begins with a video package retrospective looking back on past WWE shows from the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts. The past is intertwined with the present as the introductory video package shifts to the current NXT brand.
The lighting in the venue was far better in the ’90s. This was lit like an indie show, as the venue was too dark in places. But that is just my opinion, and there is some cool backlighting in the background. The ring itself seems slightly smaller than the usual 20×20.
In the opening match, a co-holder of the NXT Tag Team Championship faces one tough challenge in his first of two matches on the show. Axiom takes on Oba Femi, and later Axiom and Nathan Frazier defend the tag titles against Gallus.
Oba Femi defeated Axiom (with Nathan Frazier)
Femi pinned Axiom after a pop-up powerbomb. This was David vs. Goliath, except Goliath won this time. Plus in this version, David is pulling double duty and wrestling again later in the show.
Cat and mouse game at the start, as Axiom sticks and moves. Femi eventually snatches Axiom by his feet. Femi is manhandling Axiom, as the match goes through a commercial break.
Hope spot after the show returns from the break, as Axiom targets a leg. Femi clotheslines Axiom, and turns him inside out for a near fall. Axiom later goes for an armbar, but Femi dead lifts Axiom to easily break the hold. Femi keeps mowing down Axiom, but Axiom still fires up.
Axiom cuts down Femi with a dropkick to the knee. Femi rises again for a great sequence of exchanges. Axiom gets a near fall, and Femi powers out and goes for a powerbomb. Axiom counters with a hurricanrana for another near fall.
Axiom lands a missile dropkick, and he goes for his finisher. Femi catches Axiom like a damsel in distress, except Femi heaves Axiom aside. Femi then executes his pop-up powerbomb finisher, and Femi covers Axiom for a three count.
Sarah Schreiber interviews Eddy Thorpe in a backstage area. Thorpe boasts about fooling everyone in the angle last week that got him the title shot tonight. NXT General Manager Ava enters the scene and she scolds Thorpe for taking a shortcut, but the contract is signed so there is nothing she can do. Thorpe interjects that he just worked smarter instead of holder. After tonight, Thorpe says she can call him the champion.
In a pre-taped skit, more drama with Ashante “Thee”Adonis and Karmen Petrovic. This time it once again involves Dion Lennox. He tells Karmen to apologize to Adonis. Petrovic agrees and hugs Lennox. Adonis walks in to see them hugging, and he cuts a promo on them. Adonis storms off as the world turns, and so are the days of our lives.
Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson defeated Sol Ruca & Zaria
Legend pinned Ruca to win the match.
Before the show cuts to commercial, Zaria catches Jackson in a fireman’s carry. Ruca then uses Jackson’s body as a launching pad to jump out of the ring to the floor on Legend. Zaria then lifts Jackson with a military press and throws her outside on Jackson. With Ruca and Zarua standing tall, the show cuts to the break after a big pop from the live crowd.
After the break, heat on Ruca as Jackson & Legend work over Ruca. Hot tag Zaria, and Zaria is a house of fire. Legend distracts Zaria, and Jackson hits her with a chop block. Zaria and Legend battle to suplex each other. Near fall after Ruca springboards into a flying body press. Jackson breaks up the pinning attempt as they go home.
Ruca hits Jackson with the X-factor, only for Legend to strike down Ruca. Zaria almost collides with Ruca, but stops short. Ruca then takes a bullet for Zaria, as Ruca gets a pump kick from Legend. Jackson makes another save, and Zaria is thrown outside. Jackson follows up with a dive on Zaria. In the ring, Legend executes her Bougie Bully Drop, and Legend pins Ruca.
Parker pinned Sinclair after a hip attack. OTM and the Catch Crew start brawling at ringside during the match, and they brawl their way down the aisle and through the curtain. In the match, Parker dominated at times, but Sinclair got some offense as well.
Sinclair fired up at one point, but Parker would ultimately cut her off. For the finish, Parker hits Sinclair with a back elbow, followed by a hip attack. Parker then covers Sinclair for a pinfall.
Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolan and Shotzi all cut promos in a what is supposed to be an spooky dollhouse setting. Fatal Influence are watching on a backstage monitor. They are confronted by Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn. Fatal Influence leave as Fyre & Dawn chuckle over causing them to leave.
Every week on NXT is a video package sponsored by an insurance company. This week it highlights the history of NXT, and more specifically the rich women’s division. The package quickly chronicles the women’s title from the past to the present, concluding with a plug for Deadline.
NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazier & Axiom defeated Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang with Joe Coffey) to retain their titles
Frazier pinned Wolfgang after a Phoenix Splash and a plethora of other high spots. Axiom went into the match with his shoulder taped, which sells the match earlier tonight where Axiom lost to Oba Femi. Frazier is also wearing a face guard, after a recent injury. That seems legit and not part of the plot like Axiom selling his shoulder.
Gallus mauls Frazier & Axiom before the show cuts to a commercial break. Gallus is working over Axiom when the show returns from commercials. Hot tag to Frazier, and he is running wild at a frantic pace. Frog splash by Frazier on Coffey, and Wolfgang has to jump in to break up a pinning attempt. Soon thereafter, Axiom jumps in to break up a pinning attempt.
Later on, all four go down after a flurry of high spots. Axiom delivers a Golden Ratio to Coffey, and Frazier jumps on Wolfgang’s back. Frazier is inadvertently hit with a Golden Ratio from Axiom, in story line miscommunication. Soon thereafter, Coffey takes a Canadian Destroyer from Axiom. Wolfgang takes a poison-rana from Frazier. All four are down.
Frazier and Wolfganag are fighting with Wolfgang on the turnbuckles. Blind tag by Axiom, and he does a Spanish Fly. Axiom then dives outside on the Coffeys (Mark & Joe) at ringside. Meanwhile, Frazier leaps off the top rope into a Phoenix Splash, and Frazier covers Wolfgang for a the deciding pinfall. And still…
A wacky skit has Je’Von Evans talking with Hank Walker & Tank Ledger. Evans is hyping up Hank & Tank. A depressed Ethan Page pushing him way through them.
In a vignette, Charlie Dempsey has a training session with Lexis King. Dempsey is impressed that King kept up with him, so Dempsey agrees to grant King a title shot at the Heritage Cup.
Depressed Ethan Page sulks out and says the crowd should boo him. He deserves it, according to himself. Page goes to cut a promo where he says he brings up his daughter, son and wife. Page relates his recent failures with his desire to provide for his family. He was getting the “WHAT”chants.
The promo leads to Page spoofing a famous Shawn Michaels’ promo that was cut in the same venue. Page says he lost his smile, and he is soon interrupted by Je’Von Evans. He confronts Page in the ring, and Evans wants to see the real Ethan Page. Evans details the joy Page had for his wife and kids. Evans then talks about a smile from Page as he gives Evans a good pep talk. Evans tells him to drop the “Ego” and let the audience see the real Page.
Page is choking up as he responds to Evans. Page says he should not worry about losing his smile, but instead worry about taking Evans’s smile. Page assaults Evans, and he Pillmanizes Evans with a metal folding chair. Page puts it around Evans’ neck and jaw, and Page stomps on him. Evans sells big and spits up fake blood. This clearly sets up a grudge match.
Sarah Schreiber interview NXT Champiom Trick Williams, and Trick cuts a promo. Oba Femi comes in to say he hopes Williams does win, because Femi wants to take the title from Williams at New Year’s Evil.
Stephanie Vaquer is the focus of a video package that hypes her up.
NXT Champion Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe ends with a finish, but no declared winner
Trick is over with this crowd as a babyface. In contrast, they chanted “Eddy sucks” at Thorpe.
In the match, Trick crotches himself when he missed a leg lariat. Thorpe shoves Trick off the apron as the shows cuts to a commercial break.
Back from the break and Thorpe is working over Williams. Slight botch just before a double down. Trick starts building momentum, and he uses a Rock Bottom for a two count. Thorpe fights back with kicks, and an elbow drop for a near fall.
Slugfest leads to them trading kicks. Thorpe then counters Trick to deliver a backbreaker. Trick fights back. Thorpe with another counter to set up a DDT by Thorpe, but the referee is knocked down. Trick takes the DDT, and he is down for the count. No ref to count. A second ref comes out just as Trick schoolboys Thorpe for a two count.
Thorpe with a couple of running kicks to the face. On the third attempt, Trick counters with a jumping knee strike. Trick falls on top of Page as both refs jump in to make a count. Thorpe’s foot is noticeably under the bottom rope as both refs (with one on either side) each count a pinfall. While Williams was clearly on top of Thorpe, Williams’ shoulders were also down. The foot under the rope must not have been part of he planned finish, as it did not factor in. However, the refs argue after the bell over who they declare the winner. Each counted three with a different perspective.
The refs are still bickering as Ava comes down to ringside. The cliffhanger is who won the match, as the show goes off the air without a declared winner.
A change has been made to tonight’s men’s Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline.
Eddy Thorpe has been removed from the match after being attacked backstage by a mystery assailant at the end of Tuesday’s episode of NXT. General Manager Ava posted to social media on Saturday that Thorpe has been pulled from tonight’s show due to the attack, and she will find a suitable replacement to take his spot in the men’s Iron Survivor Challenge.
Ava said:
“Due to the heinous attack he suffered this past Tuesday, Eddy Thorpe has been ruled out of the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge. We still don’t know who attacked Eddy, and we’re continuing to look into the situation. However, for Deadline tonight, I will find a suitable replacement to take Eddie’s spot in the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge.”
After a vignette featuring the former Karl Fredericks aired at NXT Battleground last night, WWE announced on Monday that Thorpe will officially return to the brand on Tuesday’s show.
Thorpe hasn’t wrestled on NXT since defeating Dijak in an NXT Underground match in December, which our own Dave Meltzer rated ****½. He reportedly suffered a hip injury in the bout and was sidelined for the early part of 2024. However, he’s been wrestling on house shows and episodes of Level Up since March.
Updated lineup for WWE NXT on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 —
On the final NXT episode of 2023, Eddy Thorpe and Dijak look to settle their rivalry.
Dijak and Thorpe are facing off in an NXT Underground match tonight. The two have been at war for months, including Thorpe recently costing Dijak the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline. Their most recent match ended in a disqualification when Dijak used a turnbuckle and the ring ropes to attack Thorpe.
There will be no ropes tonight in the MMA-inspired NXT Underground match. It’s the second time the stipulation has ever been used. Thorpe defeated Damon Kemp in the first NXT Underground match this July.
Cora Jade, who made her return at Deadline, will be in action against Karmen Petrovic tonight.
There will also be a Heritage Cup Championship match with Josh Briggs challenging Noam Dar. Briggs has said that, even though Dar will have Meta-Four with him, Briggs needs to do this on his own and doesn’t want Brooks Jensen or Fallon Henley getting involved.
Plus, both semifinal matches in the Men’s Breakout Tournament will take place. Our coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Taped before a live studio audience from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando, the show opens with an “all of nothing” tag team match.
OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price with Scrypts) defeated Chase U (Andre Chase & Duke Hudson)
The “all or nothings” stipulation relates to Chase U’s debt. If Chase U won this match, all of their debt would be wiped out. They lost, so their debt doubles, or something like that. This storyline where Saved by the Bell meets The Sopranos is a bit convoluted.
NXT Tag Team Champions The Family (Tony D’Angelo & Stacks) watch from a perch overlooking the ring, as they have a stake in Chase U’s debt.
Heat on Chase that leads to a hot tag. In comes Hudson like a house of fire. Scrypts jumps on the apron, and Hudson gives him a hip toss into the ring. With Hudson distracted with Scyrpts, Chase makes a bling tag.
Chase assures Hudson, “I got this!” However, Chase did not. He eats a superkick from Price. Nima then tags in, and Price assists him in executing a tandem spinebuster. Nima then covers Chase for a three count.
Hudson was noticeably upset with Chase after their loss.
The first winners of the NXT Year-End Awards are announced with very little fanfare, as a generic voiceover announces the winners. Tag Team of the Year is The Creed Brothers. Female Superstar of the Year is Tiffany Stratton. Male Superstar of the Year is Ilja Dragunov. Fan voting was supposed to determine who won the awards, but I am not sure if that is a shoot.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams meet up backstage, and they talk about the injury to NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov. Williams is thinking of postponing the match, but Hayes urges him to not to postpone. Hayes urges to take the shot, thus taking advantage of an injury to win the title.
Heritage Cup Champion Noam Dar (with Lash Legend, Jakara Jackson & Oro Mensah) defeated Josh Briggs via disqualification to retain the trophy
Briggs gets DQ’d in the fourth round, and Dar is awarded the win. Although Dar had his Meta-Four entourage in his corner, Briggs in storyline was adamant that he do this alone without his pals. That decision likely cost him the match.
The match itself was pretty good, but just the audience is getting invested, it ends with a lame DQ. Could have done it in the second of third round, and saved us all that time.
Briggs dominated in the first round, but Dar was saved by the bell. Briggs was about to powerbomb Dar when the bell rings to end the round.
Dar tries to counter with a triangle in the second round, but Briggs powers out. Briggs goes on to deliver a Western Lariat, and Briggs covers Dar for a pinfall to end round two in under 90 seconds.
Much of round three is during a split-screen commercial break, and Dar cuts off Briggs. The show returns from the break with 30 seconds remaining in the third round. Dar and Briggs are fighting on the apron, and Dar gives Briggs on DDT. Dar delivers a finisher on the floor to Briggs as the round ends.
Briggs bled from the nose and/or mouth. Briggs is on rubber legs as round four begins. Dar capitalizes with a fast paced attacks, but Briggs keeps kicking out of covers.
Briggs fires up with a big boot for a near fall. A moment later and Dar targets Briggs’ leg. Dar jumps off the top rope on the Briggs’ leg. Dar goes for an ankle lock, but Briggs escapes.
Briggs levels Dar with a right hand, and Dar hits the mat like falling timber. As the referee goes to check on Dar, Legend jumps on the apron. She hits Briggs in the back of the head with a spit bucket, and Briggs crumples to the mat. Dar hooks a leg, but Briggs still kicked out.
Jakara Jackson tries tossing Dar the bucket, but Briggs takes it away from Dar. Briggs hits Dar with the bucket in full view of the referee. The ref signals for a DQ, and Briggs loses the match as a DQ automatically ends the bout (instead of the score being 1-1).
Cora Jade defeated Karmen Petrovic
This match was set up after a dispute over a locker. Petrovic was upset at Jade for disrespecting her and stealing her locker. Petrovic got a lot of offense, but Jade cuts her off. Jade then delivers a double-arm DDT, and Jade covers Petrovic for a three count.
Jade acts like she is going to pummel Petrovic more after the match, but Gigi Dolan runs down to make a save. Jade flees to fight another day.
Riley Osborne defeated in a semifinal match in the NXT Breakout Tournament
King was looking dominate when out comes Trey Bearhill. He was carrying a metal folding chair, and was seemingly out for revenge on King. King is distracted by the Bearhill, allowing Osborne to execute a shooting star press on King. Osborne then scores a pinfall on King. Osborne advances to the tournament final.
Bearhill, who looks similar to a larger, more angry Post Malone, attacks King after the match. In storyline, King took Bearhill’s spot in the tournament after attacking him. Now Bearhill is out for revenge. King is taking a beating, but he slithers out of the ring to escape a beatdown.
More NXT Year-End Awards: Match of the Year is Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov at NXT No Mercy (September 30) and Moment of the Year is Undertaker arrives in NXT.
Ava, who is now an official spokesperson of NXT, tells reporter Kelly Kincaid that there is no update on the condition of NXT Champ Ilja Dragunov.
Bron Breakker defeated Nathan Frazier
Baron Corbin was scouting the match from a monitor backstage.
The story of the match was a variation of David vs. Goliath. Similar to the Dar-Briggs earlier in the show, the dynamic was at least different here as Goliath was a heel in this match (rather than the face in the earlier bout). It worked much better here, and this was arguably the best match on the show so far.
The match goes through a commercial break. Frazier is getting pummeled as the show returns from the break. He eventually makes a comeback, and Frazier does a dive through the ropes. Breakker is sent crashing into the ring steps.
Frazier jumps off the top rope into the waiting arms of Breakker, and Breakker slams him hard. Breakker measures for a spear, but Frazier cuts him off with a superkick. Frazier goes for a Phoenix Splash, but Breakker moves. Frazier rolls through and is back on his feet. Not for long, as Breakker mows him down with spear. Breakker then hooks a leg for a three count.
Drew Gulak and the No Quarter Catch Crew cut promos on Dragon Lee and the LWO. By the way, “No Quarter Catch Crew” is a terrible name in my opinion, for whatever that is worth. Too many words in one name.
Fallon Henley, Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs meet backstage, and the apparently agree to go their separate ways. They all want to go singles. Why can’t they be friends anymore? They at least say they love each other.
In a skit with Arianna Grace and Ava, Grace finds out Roxanne Perez is her opponent in a match next week at New Year’s Evil.
NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria and Blair Davenport sat down for a “face-to-face” segment. They bickered, argued and insulted each other. This was supposed to hype up their title match next week. Not sure it did that, but whatever. Their match should be good.
Oba Femi defeated Tavion Heights in a semifinal match in the NXT Breakout Tournament
Vic Joseph on commentary remarks that most people thought these two would meet in the finals, instead of the semifinals. That makes no sense if you know how brackets work.
They had a hoss fight in the match itself. Femi eventually executes a pop-up powerbomb, and Femi covers Heights for a pinfall. Femi advances to face Riley Osborne in the tournament final, which happens next week at New Year’s Evil.
NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov shows up wearing a neck brace. He tells Kelly Kincaid that he is looking for Trick Williams.
Joe Gacy defeated Joe Coffey (with Mark Coffey & Wolfgang)
Gacy enters through the crowd like he is Raven on a episode of Nitro in ’97, minus all the fanfare. Last week he was under the ring like Hornswoggle. His gimmick make less sense to me as the weeks go by, but at least this match somewhat makes sense as Gacy cost Coffey a match on a previous episode. Plus, this was the battle of two guys named Joe.
Hank Walker & Tank Ledger run down to ringside during the match, and they brawl with Mark Coffey & Wolfgang. Meanwhile, Gacy with the Upside Down finisher, and Gacy covers Coffey for a pinfall.
Eddy Thorpe defeated Dijak in an Underground match
Despite some silly things, this was otherwise a good match. Thorpe has good charisma. His face was painted for this match, giving him a modified look for this gimmick match.
Of course, with the “Underground” setting, no ropes on a ring surrounded by what are essentially lumberjacks in pro wrestling parlance. Their main job was pounding on the mat, which gave the setting a Pit Fighter vibe.
If they were supposed to act like lumberjacks in a lumberjack match, they failed miserably. That was a gimmick in early versions of the “Underground,” but Thorpe and Dijak brawled around ringside with no interference. Those at ringside parted like the Red Sea, as they allowed Dijak and Thorpe to keep brawling on the floor. Later, there would be a stunt at ringside.
At one point, Thorpe gives Dijak a German suplex. Diajk is suplexed out of the ring, but he (sort of) lands on his feet at ringside. Dijak then lifts Thorpe on his shoulder for the Feast Your Eyes finisher. Thorpe is laid out on the floor.
For some reason, an angry Dijak rages on the lumberjacks. Dijak mows down several of them at ringside, but that allows Thorpe time to recover. Thorpe backdrops Dijak back into the ring. In the mean time, Dijak has wrapped his hand with a belt he used earlier in the match.
Thorpe blocks a punch with the wrapped hand, and Thorpe delivers an implant DDT referred to as “Manifest Destiny.” With a receipt from earlier in the match, Thorpe whips Dijak with the belt. Thorpe applies a sleeper, but Dijak rams Thorpe into a ring post to break the hold.
Thorpe counters a powerbomb with a hurricanrana. Dijak takes a bump out of the ring, and he lands with a thud on the floor. Thorpe follows up with a flying elbow drop off the apron. Dijak takes another “Manifest Destiny” DDT, but this time Thorpe gives him the DDT on the floor. Dijak in a corny manner yells he will not give up.
Thorpe mounts Dijak and again applies the sleeper. Dijak tries to break the hold, and somehow Dijak manages to climb up a set of ring steps. The steps are conveniently set up beside the announce desk. They tease a Nestea Plunge through the desk, but Thorpe let go of the sleeper. Thorpe then does a DDT that sends him and Dijak crashing through the announce desk. Thorpe gets to his feet, but Dijak is unable to do the same. Thorpe is awarded the match.
The show closes with a contract signing with Trick Williams and Ilja Dragunov. They are backstage seating at a table across from each other. As he signs the contract, Williams says they can postpone the match. Dragunov responds by taking off his neck brace and saying nothing can stop him. Dragunov signs the contract and they have a stare down as the show fades to black.
The return of NXT Underground is set for the last NXT of 2023.
Dijak and Eddy Thorpe will meet in the no ropes match next Tuesday. Thorpe appeared via vignette on Tuesday’s show, saying what he has gone through has been heart wrenching for his family. After mentioning their last match ended with the top rope breaking, Thorpe challenged Dijak to the NXT Underground match. Dijak agreed to the match later, saying that the last NXT of 2023 will be Thorpe’s last match ever.
A match for the NXT Heritage Cup will take place next week between Josh Briggs and Noam Dar. In a segment backstage, Jensen offered to be in Briggs’ corner, saying he knew Meta-Four would be in Dar’s corner. Briggs rejected Jensen’s offer, saying he needed to do this on his own.
Cora Jade will meet Karmen Petrovic after Jade reclaimed her locker backstage, which had been given to Petrovic. When Petrovic appeared, she was unhappy to see the contents of her locker on the floor.
The Men’s Breakout Tournament semifinals will also take place. Oba Femi will face Tavion Heights, while Riley Osborne will take on Lexis King.
Here is the lineup for next week’s NXT:
NXT Underground: Eddy Thorpe vs. Dijak
NXT Heritage Cup: Noam Dar defends against Josh Briggs
Cora Jade vs. Karmen Petrovic
Men’s Breakout Tournament semifinals: Oba Femi vs. Tavion Heights
Men’s Breakout Tournament semifinals: Riley Osborne vs. Lexis King
Last week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the Simmons Bank Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas, before Raw.
Nikki Cross defeated Isla Dawn (4:59)
This was good, but putting a match with this kind of natural storyline on a show like Main Event is a waste.
In the real world, Dawn and Cross grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, about a mile away from each other. Despite the five year age gap, it was Cross who gave Dawn her first ever wrestling match ten years ago. This was all glossed over on commentary, but seems like an angle that they could have done way more with.
Currently one half of the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Dawn made a good debut here. Cross gave her plenty of shine, but beat her clean in the end.
They gave Dawn an inset promo on her way to the ring where she alluded to the fact that she and Cross had worked together in a previous life and was looking forward to their encounter tonight.
Dawn used a cobra clutch several times to try to wear Cross down. She worked her way out of it twice and they exchanged clubbing blows.
Dawn didn’t get to show off much of her moveset as they kept this one fairly basic. After a couple of dropkicks, Cross came off the second rope with a tornado DDT and then finished Dawn with a whiplash.
Dexter Lumis defeated Eddy Thorpe (8:02)
This was again very basic. Neither looked bad and Thorpe had plenty of offense, but neither dazzled and the more experienced man went over.
They gave Lumis an inset promo where he basically stared at the camera. It would have been better to give Thorpe, the former Karl Fredericks, the air time so that new viewers could have seen a little of what he was about. If you aren’t catching NXT Level Up when he works matches there, you have likely never heard of him.
Lumis has generally had a winning record since he started to make Main Event appearances, but a losing effort to Bronson Reed two weeks back marred his run on this show.
Thorpe worked over Lumis’ left arm in various ways throughout the match. He tried for a quasi kimura and used an abdominal stretch. It didn’t play into the finish, but Thorpe is certainly slick in his transitions and knows his way around the ring.
After the commercials, Thorpe used a lep whip and went back to the abdominal stretch but Lumis worked his way out and nailed him with a suplex.
The finish was Lumis’ kip-up leg drop, followed by a side slam. The crowd seem to be warming to Lumis and he seems to be gradually getting over.
Final Thoughts:
After the two strong matches last week, this show wasn’t as good. The fresh faces always make it an intriguing show, and credit to Dawn and Thorpe who did well, but two rather rudimentary bouts meant it was one to miss.
Lee wrestled at Saturday night’s NXT house show in St. Petersburg, Florida. He wrestled Eddy Thorpe (Karl Fredericks), who both have a connection to New Japan Pro Wrestling. This marked Lee’s first match in WWE since signing with the company late last year. Lee had made his debut for the company back at Tuesday’s Roadblock event, sitting in the crowd. Although signed in December, it took him several months to debut due to visa issues.
Lee has wrestled for the likes of CMLL, AAA, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. He also made an appearance last year in AEW, teaming with his brother Rush and Andrade El Idolo in AEW’s Trios Championship tournament. However, Rush and Idolo turned on him after their less.
Along with his brother Dralistico, Lee won the AAA Tag Team titles on December 28 at the company’s Noche de Campeones event. It was there that Lee announced he had signed with WWE, vacating the titles.
