Grayson Waller has confirmed why he’s been out of action for the last two months.
Waller tweeted out a promo on Tuesday where he revealed that he suffered a broken leg in his final match for NXT this April. Waller lost to NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes at Spring Breakin’ on April 25.
“My last match on NXT against Carmelo Hayes, I broke my leg,” Waller announced. “Clean break of the fibula.”
Shortly after he suffered the injury, Waller was called up to the main roster in the WWE Draft. He joined the SmackDown roster but hasn’t been able to compete in the ring since his call-up. Instead, he’s hosted his Grayson Waller Effect talk show with guests like Charlotte Flair and AJ Styles.
“Am I just a talk show host now? If I was, I guarantee I’d be the greatest talk show host in the history of this company,” Waller said. “But as good as I am on The Grayson Waller Effect, as good as I am on the microphone — I’m better in the ring.”
Waller said he’s been doing everything he can over the last eight weeks to make sure he’s in the best shape of his life when he returns. Waller said he doesn’t owe it to the fans to tell them when he’ll be able to return to the ring. He’ll give an answer very soon, but he’ll do it on his time.
Logan Paul will be Waller’s guest on The Grayson Waller Effect on this Friday’s SmackDown. The episode is taking place the night before Money in the Bank. Paul, Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura, Damian Priest, LA Knight, Santos Escobar, and Butch are the participants for this year’s men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
Several NXT stars are currently dealing with injuries.
Bryan Alvarez reported on Wednesday that Indi Hartwell was legitimately hurt during the NXT Women’s Championship main event at Spring Breakin on Tuesday. After Tiffany Stratton hit a tope off the turnbuckle and to the floor, Indi Hartwell injured her ankle upon landing. Hartwell was taken to the back while Stratton and Roxanne Perez worked the rest of the match, until Hartwell returned to the ring for the finish.
“They actually changed the finish to Tiffany winning after Indi got hurt, but then Indi managed to make it back out to do the planned finish,” Alvarez wrote on Twitter.
Grayson Waller was also injured during his match against Carmelo Hayes at Spring Breakin. According to Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, the match went immediately to the finish once Waller became hurt while doing his rolling cutter finish.
Sol Ruca is also legitimately injured. On Wednesday, NXT Anonymous posted a video of Ruca being attacked outside the Performance Center. An ongoing storyline in NXT has a mystery assailant attacking the women’s roster outside of the Performance Center, with Nikkita Lyons and Wendy Choo being recent victims.
NXT’s top two championships will both be defended on tonight’s Spring Breakin’ episode.
After becoming champion at Stand & Deliver, Carmelo Hayes will make his first title defense against Grayson Waller. Waller defeated Dragon Lee, Duke Hudson, and JD McDonagh in a number one contender’s fatal four-way match two weeks ago to earn the title shot.
NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell will put her title on the line as she defends against Roxanne Perez and Tiffany Stratton in a triple threat match tonight. Hartwell also became champion at Stand & Deliver, winning the title in a six-way ladder match.
The first-ever trunk match takes place tonight when Tony D’Angelo & Stacks take on Pretty Deadly. The first team that puts their opponents in the trunk of a car will be declared the winner.
A mixed tag team match between Fallon Henley & Josh Briggs and Kiana James & Brooks Jensen is set for tonight. The show will also feature Cora Jade vs. Lyra Valkyria and Bron Breakker vs. Andre Chase.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show begins with introductory video package with the NXT roster partying for spring break. They play games, cookout, have fun, and they also run down the card for tonight. Fun stuff that was very whimsical.
Opening the show live from the soundstage at the Performance Center in Orlando is a tag team gimmick match. Similar to an ambulance match or a casket match, a team wins the opening match by putting their opponents in the trunk of car and closing the trunk. In this case, the car is a custom 1947 Dodge classic. It is very fitting of Tony D’s mafia gimmick. The car itself belongs to Stacks’ uncle.
Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) in a trunk match
Tony D and Stacks put Pretty Deadly in the trunk to win the match, and then The Family kidnap Pretty Deadly by driving away with them still trapped in the trunk.
The trunk match begins with a melee, and weapons are soon in play. Yet, this was not overly violent. It was more campy. The bumps likely still hurt nonetheless. Besides a literal wheelbarrow full of gimmicks, there are folding chairs and trash cans, and also a kiddie pool full of balls like it was the miniature ball pit at Chuck E. Cheese.
The match goes through a split-screen commercial break after Elton Prince takes a backdrop into the kiddie pool. The violence and use of weapons intensifies after the show returns from the break. Less campy and more ECW. Pretty Deadly soon the upper hand, and they punish Tony D and Stacks.
Stacks is hung upside down in the tree-of-woe. Moments later, Stacks takes Pretty Deadly’s Split Milk finisher on the floor, and Pretty Deadly put Stacks in the trunk and close it. Pretty Deadly go back and they attempt to put D’Angelo in the trunk.
When Prince opens the trunk to thrown in D’Angelo, Stacks is waiting with a fire extinguisher. Stacks sprays Prince with the fire extinguisher, and Prince sells big. A blinded Prince is then put through a table with the Bada Bing Bada Boom finisher. Kit Wilson is hit with a crowbar by Tony D, and he happens to stagger into the trunk. Stacks and D’Angelo then put Prince in the trunk alongside Wilson, and the trunk is shut. The Family win the first-ever trunk match in WWE.
Tony D and Stacks then get into the classic car, and they drive away with Pretty Deadly still inside the trunk.
Tiffany Stratton cuts a promo ahead of her challenging for the NXT Women’s Championship in a triple threat match later tonight.
Duke Hudson gives Andre Chase a pep talk ahead match that is up next. Hudson clutches his MVP trophy like Owen Hart did his Slammys.
Bron Breakker defeated Andre Chase (with Duke Hudson)
Breakker submits Chase with a Steiner Recliner. Breakker mauls Chase from the start. Chase does get a hope spot when Breakker crashes his shoulder into a ring post. Chase targets the arm, but then he pauses to signal for his version of a Garvin Stomp. Terrible mistake, as Breakker cuts off Chase and levels him with a lariat. Breakker does his military press/powerslam combo, and then he locks in the Steiner Recliner to win via submission.
NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes is the focus of a video package hyping tonight’s title match.
Dijak assualts and attempts to maim Ilja Dragunov in a backstage skit. McKenzie Mitchell is backstage at the scene of the kidnapping from earlier, where The Family drove away with Pretty Deadly trapped in the trunk of a classic car. Mitchell is reporting on the kidnapping when she interrupted by Dijak and Dragunov brawling onto the scene. Dijak pummels Dragunov, and Dijak then closes a roll-up door on Dragunov’s torso.
Cora Jade defeated Lyra Valkyria
The match goes through a commercial break, and Jade is working over Valkyria when the show returns from the break. Valkyria makes a comeback, until Jade cuts her off again. Jade then retrieves her kendo stick and threatens to use it. The referee and Jade have a tug-of-war with the kendo stick, when Valkyria throws a spin kick. I guess she was supposed to kick the stick by mistake, but that was botched. Jade then gives Valkyria a terrible chop block to the knee. Jade follows up with a DDT, and she covers Valyria for a pinfall.
D’Angelo and Stacks are riding around in the classic car while Pretty Deadly are beating on the trunk. D’Angelo has Stacks go check on them, and Stacks supposedly slams the trunk on their heads. The Family then drive away again with Pretty Deadly still in the trunk.
NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes (with Trick Williams) defeated Grayson Waller to retain his title
Hayes pinned Waller after a flying legdrop. Waller appeared to injure himself during the finish. Hayes calls out Bron Breakker after the match, and Breakker brawls with Hayes before spearing Hayes through a wall in a stunt.
The champ looks strong in the opening moments of the match, but he is eventually tricked by Waller. When Waller throws a chair into the ring, it distracts the referee and Hayes. Trick Williams runs around the ring to intercept Waller, and Waller hits Williams with a chair shot. Hayes rushes to Williams, but it was a trap. Waller cuts off Hayes and levels him with a clothesline on the floor.
The pace quickens after a commercial break. Some wild and wacky bumps by Waller as he does his best Curt Hennig flip bump. Probably should leave that to Mr. Perfect. Hayes also takes some crazy bumps at times during this match. They bumped their butts off.
Waller gets a close near fall. Moments later, Waller executes an Ace Crusher, but Hayes rolls out of the ring before Waller can capitalize. To set up another near fall, Waller jumps off the top rope with a flying elbow that puts Hayes through the announce desk. Hayes still manages to kick out when he is rolled back into the ring.
As they are going home, Waller gets a running start for his signature spot where he flips into the ring. He appears to hurt his ring ankle as he leaps into the ring. Hayes gives him a superkick that misses by a lot. Waller still gets into a position for the finish as Hayes climbs the turnbuckles. Hayes leaps off the top rope with a guillotine legdrop, and Hayes covers Waller for a three count. Waller seems clearly ready to get out of there as he no-sells as soon as he three count is done, and he pushes Hayes off of him.
Hayes grabs a microphone and calls out Bron Breakker after the match. Hayes challenges Breakker to a title match at NXT Battleground on May 28. Breakker’s theme music rings through the soundstage. Hayes and Williams look towards the stage awaiting the former champ. Breakker ambushes them with a blindside attack.
Breakker spears Williams, and Hayes is thrown out of the ring. Breakker puts Williams in the Steiner Recliner, and Breakker then leaves Williams laid out. Breakker sets his sights on Hayes at ringside. Breakker gets a running start and spears Hayes through a gimmicked wall.
Roxanne Perez in a pre-taped promo talks about being inspired by women wrestlers when she was a child. Perez says she wears bows in her hair to represent all the girls that she hopes to inspire.
A backstage skit sets up a singles match next week with a tag team title stipulation. Joe Gacy and Ava approach Joe Coffey with an offer. They want a fair title match for The Dyad against NXT Tag Team Champions Gallus. Gacy proposes a singles match with him against Joe Coffey. If Gacy wins, The Dyad get a title shot. If Coffey wins, The Dyad will never get another title shot ever.
Josh Briggs & Fallon Henley defeated Brooks Jensen & Kiana James in a mixed tag team match
Briggs pinned Jensen to win the match after a mishap with James. She dumps Jensen after the match, and Jensen reconciles with Briggs.
Jensen has new gear to go along with his new look. He and Briggs have a hoss fight at various times. The announcers sell it like these are brothers having a fight to settle their issues.
James throws in her loaded purse for Jensen to use as a weapon. Briggs dodges the purse, and Jensen is supposed to hit Briggs by mistake. Jensen missed by a country mile, but James sells it anyway as she takes a bump off the apron. James screams at Jensen for mishap, which distracts Jensen. Briggs then delivers an Ax Bomber lariat, and Briggs covers Jensen for a pinfall.
In a post-match angle, Jensen reassures James that they are at least still together. An angry James goes to slap Jensen, but Jensen block it. Jensen with a look of heartbreak on his face asks why James would hit him if she loves him. James looks him dead in the eye and says she never loved him. James then walks away, and Jensen is heartbroken. Briggs embraces Jensen, and they are apparently cool with each other again.
Dragon Lee in a backstage interview with McKenzie Mitchell talks about the Heritage Cup. Scrypts then suddenly appears with a cryptic promo where he is perched on a ledge in the rain like he is Batman.
Oba Femi defeated Oro Mensah
Femi in his in-ring debut on NXT television pinned Mensah to win a glorified enhancement match. Femi did not exactly squash Mensah, by Femi won handily. Mensah targets an arm at one point, only to eat an elbow. Femi then delivers a pop-up powerbomb, and Femi covers Mensah for a pinfall.
Gigi Dolan goes to the announce desk and takes Vic Joseph’s headset away from him. She puts on the headset to cut a promo on Jacy Jayne. Dolan challenges Jayne to a match next week, and Dolan brother will be a ringside to watch Dolan fight for her family’s honor.
Drew Gulak, alongside Charlie Dempsey, vows to beat Wes Lee and win the NXT North American Championship. Later in a backstage skit, Lee agrees to let Tyler Bate be in his corner for the title match.
NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell defeated Roxanne Perez and Tiffany Stratton in a triple treat match to retain her title
Hartwell pinned Perez in a weak finish, which was likely the result of an apparent injury Hartwell suffered earlier in the match.
This is yet another match that goes through a commercial break. The shows cuts to a break just as the title bout begins.
There looks to be some potatoes in this match at times. There was also apparently an injury to Indi Hartwell, when she and Perez base for Stratton on a swan dive to the floor. Hartwell’s right leg folds up underneath her, and she unlaces her boot as a trainer comes to ringside to check on her. That leaves Stratton and Perez in a one-on-one match for a few minutes. Stratton applies a chinlock for a rest hold while they regroup.
Stratton and Perez continue the match until Hartwell rejoins them. Perez carries things, and they set up a high spot. Perez does a Super Frankensteiner off the ropes for a near fall on Stratton.
Hartwell limps to the ring to break up a pinning attempt by Perez, and Hartwell rejoins the match. Hartwell sort of runs wild, or as wild as she can with an injury to one leg.
As they go home, Stratton does a Christopher Daniels’ moonsault. She goes for a cover on Perez, but Hartwell pulls Stratton out of the ring. Hartwell then staggers into the ring, and she does a weak version of her finisher. Hartwell then covers Perez to win the match and retain her title.
The show-long kidnapping ends with murder, as Tony D’Angelo and Stacks drive out to the water’s edge. They are on a pier where they apparently have thrown Pretty Deadly into the water. Tony D says Pretty Deadly is “history.” D’Angelo says their next goal is the tag team titles. They get into the car and drive away as the show ends with a camera shot of the water glistening in the moonlight. The cliffhanger is a homicide.
This show is a mixed bag with some good wrestling, some bad wrestling and some wacky stuff in between. An entire episode of Botchamania can be devoted to this show.
Grayson Waller and Carmelo Hayes will come face-to-face one week before their NXT Championship match at Spring Breakin’.
WWE announced on Sunday that Hayes will be a guest on The Grayson Waller Effect on Tuesday’s show.
BREAKING: Ahead of their Championship Match at #NXTSpringBreakin', NXT Champion @Carmelo_WWE will join @GraysonWWE as a special guest on "The Grayson Waller Effect" THIS TUESDAY!
Hayes will defend his title against Waller on the April 25 episode. Waller earned the right to challenge Hayes after winning a four-way match on last week’s show against Dragon Lee, Duke Hudson, and JD McDonagh.
Waller and Hayes have met just once previously in singles competition. Hayes successfully retained the NXT North American Championship against Waller at last year’s Great American Bash.
Announced for the 4/18 WWE NXT:
NXT North American title: Wes Lee (c) vs. Charlie Dempsey
NXT Tag Team titles: Gallus (Wolfgang & Mark Coffey) (c) vs. The Dyad (Jagger Reid & Rip Fowler) vs. The Creed Brothers (Brutus & Julius Creed)
Grayson Waller will soon get another shot at the NXT Championship.
Waller defeated Dragon Lee, Duke Hudson, and JD McDonagh in a four-way match to become the new number one contender for the NXT Championship on Tuesday’s show. Waller will now face new champion Carmelo Hayes on a special edition of NXT, Spring Breakin’, on April 25.
The finish came when Lee struck Hudson with a running powerbomb. Waller came into the ring and struck Lee with a rolling cutter, then pinned Hudson to become the new number one contender. As Waller was celebrating, Hayes came out and the two had a staredown to end the show.
Last week’s NXT saw new champion Hayes call out Bron Breakker as a sign of respect for his run as NXT Champion. Breakker at first acted sportsmanlike, but later turned on Hayes, attacking both Hayes and Trick Williams.
On this week’s NXT, Hayes offered Breakker the fourth spot in the four-way match. Later in the show, Breakker interrupted a Chase U celebration segment and rejected the offer, saying the championship was a curse. He offered the spot to Hudson, who then accepted. Breakker acted like he was going to leave, but then attempted to spear Hudson, who instead put Andre Chase in front of him, causing Chase to get laid out.
Waller last recieved a NXT Championship match at Vengeance Day back in February, losing to Breakker in a steel cage match.
A stipulation contract signing will take place on next week’s NXT.
Tuesday’s show had Johnny Gargano come out and attack Javier Bernal, who was mocking Gargano. Gargano said that he had a contract for an unsanctioned match at Stand & Deliver. Waller, who appeared backstage, said he would only agree to sign the contract if Gargano was barred from the building and announcer Vic Joseph signed the contract on behalf of Gargano. Gargano agreed, giving the contract to Joseph for safe keeping.
The final spot in the North American title match will also be up for grabs next week in a battle royal. On Tuesday’s NXT, stars such as Dijak, Jinder Mahal, and Dabba-Kato made their intentions for next week, confronting Lee backstage.
Eddy Thorpe will also be making his debut on next week’s show. A vignette aired on Tuesday showing Thorpe, the former Karl Fredericks, talk about his heritage before playing music on a DJ stand.
Here is the lineup for next week’s show:
Contract signing for Waller/Gargano match at NXT Stand & Deliver
Battle Royal for final spot in North American title match at Stand & Deliver
Eddy Thorpe debut
Last chance match for NXT Women’s title match at Stand & Deliver: Sol Ruca vs. Indi Hartwell vs. Ivy Nile
A match between Johnny Gargano and Grayson Waller has been made for NXT Stand & Deliver.
On Tuesday’s NXT, Waller confronted Shawn Micheals on his Grayson Waller Effect show. Michaels and Waller got into an argument, with Micheals becoming upset that Waller thought he was bigger than the brand. Waller issued a challenge to Micheals for Stand & Deliver. Micheals said as much as he would like to “whip his a**”, there was someone else that wanted to do it more. That brought out Gargano, who attacked Waller and sent him out of the ring.
Back in December of 2021, Gargano was in the ring saying goodbye to NXT as his contract was set to expire. After he finished the promo, he was attacked from behind by Waller. When Gargano returned to WWE in 2022, he was brought up to the main roster as a Raw superstar.
It was later announced on Tuesday’s NXT that Gargano would be on next week’s show. A North American Championship match was also announced, with Wes Lee defending the title against Axiom. Gallus will defend the NXT Tag Team titles against Pretty Deadly, and Dabba-Kato will face Apollo Crews.
Grayson Waller invited Shawn Michaels to be a part of the Grayson Waller Effect at NXT Roadblock in two weeks.
The end of Tuesday’s NXT saw Waller hijack the production truck. He said that he was taking things over and called himself the new showstopper and Mr. Stand and Deliver. He invited Shawn Michaels to a special edition of the Grayson Waller Effect at Roadblock on March 7.
Waller has had issues with Michaels since NXT Vengeance Day, when he interrupted a media call to tell Shawn Michaels that he was upset, and asked why he wasn’t one of his guys. As a result, Waller was suspended for a week. When he came back, he argued with Michaels backstage after losing to Tyler Bate in his return match.
In addition, Tony D’Angleo on Tuesday’s show challenged Dijak to a jailhouse street fight. The two have been feuding since Vengeance Day, when Dijak dived on both D’Angelo and Stacks.
A match between Meiko Satomura and Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship is set for the special edition of NXT.
Date: February 20, 2023 Location: Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Show Recap —
There was a long recap of the Elimination Chamber main event and aftermath.
Sami Zayn kicked off Raw. The crowd sang his song and gave him a long ovation that went on for a few minutes. Zayn could only say, “wow” to the reaction and they kept going.
Zayn said the one feeling that’s been most prevalent the past few days was gratitude and the fans had no idea how much their reaction meant to him. The crowd chanted “you deserve it” and Zayn soaked it in.
Zayn came so close to putting a bow on a storybook ending in front of his friends and family but he felt a lot of guilt like he let a lot of people down. The crowd seemed genuinely upset to hear that. Zayn let them know that the story wasn’t over but we were entering the final chapter.
The final chapter wasn’t just about him. He called out Kevin Owens.
Owens entered. Zayn wanted to say ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ but he knew that they were beyond the point of words. He knew how much they put Owens through but he also knew how much Owens wanted to take down the Bloodline. Zayn would stop at nothing to make sure that Roman Reigns and the Bloodline came crumbling down.
Owens couldn’t do it alone and Zayn couldn’t do it alone. There was one way they could get it done and that was if they did it together. The crowd chanted “Yes.”
Owens said he didn’t want an apology or his gratitude. He didn’t attack the Bloodline on Saturday for Zayn — he did it for himself and his family. Owens’ family was in the front row but they weren’t there at the Royal Rumble when the Bloodline beat the hell out of him while Zayn just stood by and watched.
Owens also did it for Zayn’s family so they didn’t have to watch Zayn get beaten down too. Owens has been fighting the Bloodline alone for months and would continue alone. Owens said if Zayn wanted help against the Bloodline he should just ask his buddy Jey.
Owens walked off and the crowd booed.
— After the announcers ran down tonight’s card, Zayn saluted the crowd one last time when he was suddenly attacked from behind by Baron Corbin. They abruptly went to break.
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After a break, Corbin was cutting a promo on Zayn as officials helped him to his feet. Corbin said he called it when he said Reigns would embarrass Zayn in front of his friends and family. Zayn was pissed and had to be held back by officials. Corbin called Zayn a failure whose story was over after he let down all of Canada.
Even Adam Pearce thought that was too much so he stepped aside and let Zayn go after Corbin. Zayn decked Corbin and they made a match official.
Sami Zayn defeated Baron Corbin (9:01)
Corbin worked over Zayn’s bruised back through a break. Zayn came back with a tornado DDT for two followed by a flip dive. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick but Corbin turned him inside out with a clothesline and hit Deep Six for a nearfall. Corbin charged at Zayn in the corner but Zayn came right back with a Helluva Kick for the pinfall win.
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Rhea Ripley/Dominik Mysterio interview
Byron Saxton did a sit-down interview with Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio. Ripley said she had unfinished business with Beth Phoenix but she was focused on WrestleMania and didn’t want to talk about Phoenix anymore. Saxton was going to press her on Phoenix but Dom told him to move on or else he’d show him what he did to people in prison who talked too much.
Saxton asked about Charlotte Flair. Ripley said Charlotte kept talking about three years ago because she knew that Ripely was the best woman in the company. Ripley said Charlotte’s empire would come crumbling down when she becomes champion at Mania.
They mentioned that Ripley would have a face-to-face with Charlotte on Smackdown. Dom said his deadbeat dad had a match scheduled and decided he would join Ripley on Friday.
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Cathy Kelley interviewed Austin Theory. Theory admitted he was banged up from the Chamber but he was here as always because he was the champ. He beat five of the best in WWE including Seth Rollins who everyone thought would win.
Theory was annoyed that John Cena was getting headlines over him for his upcoming appearance in two weeks. Theory looked forward to beating a legend like Edge in “crappy Canada.”
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Mustafa Ali defeated Dolph Ziggler (2:16)
Ali did a cool counter to the Fameasser where he basically did a handstand to block it and followed with a crucifix cover for the pinfall win.
(Ali was being a phoney babyface, glad-handing fans on the way to the ring, and he celebrated the win like it was a huge deal.)
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Kelley interviewed Miz and Maryse who were making out backstage. Maryse had an anniversary gift (in an envelope) for Miz. Whatever it was seemed to be a big deal to Miz but he won’t reveal what it is until next week. Kelley kept trying to ask him about facing Rollins tonight. Miz was annoyed by Kelley but was glad to see Rollins get bested by his former protegee Logan Paul.
[SECOND HOUR]
Cody Rhodes/Paul Heyman segment
Rhodes only said one word before Paul Heyman interrupted on the big screen. Heyman wore a neck brace and had both WWE title belts. Rhodes invited Heyman to the ring. Heyman declined because he was attacked by a maniac and took a dig at the Canadian healthcare system.
Heyman had a simple statement for Rhodes: “You can’t beat Roman Reigns.” However, Heyman wanted Rhodes to imagine what his life would be like if he did beat Reigns.
Heyman basically said Reigns had him doing his business but Rhodes didn’t. Heyman spoke about Reigns’ busy schedule as champion and all the time spent away from home defending the title, doing promotional work, etc. The crowd booed as he droned on.
Heyman mentioned Dustin once saying that Dusty was never at home and when he was at home, it didn’t feel like he was. Heyman said Reigns was a happily married man and seemed to suggest that Rhodes (and his wife) wouldn’t be if he won the title at Mania.
Rhodes looked into the camera and told Reigns not to send Heyman again. Rhodes said they haven’t come face to face yet but they will soon. Rhodes called Reigns the best Universal Champion in history and the best current champion in the business but Rhodes had to finish the story. Rhodes had to beat Reigns at WrestleMania.
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Asuka defeated Nikki Cross (9:29)
Bianca Belair’s music hit as soon as the match started and she marched down to ringside to watch.
They had a competitive match which probably wasn’t for the best. Asuka kicked the ring post after Cross ducked and Cross followed with a reverse DDT on the apron. After a break, Asuka fought back with strikes and three straight German suplexes for a two count. Cross got some more offence in but Asuka won by submission with her new finisher.
— Belair entered the ring for a staredown after the match. It seemed to be a friendly exchange until Asuka began spitting up a blue substance. Asuka laughed and Belair looked weirded out.
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Kelley asked Carmella if she had a new game plan for making it to Mania. Carmella said no because it’s only been 48 hours since Elimination Chamber. Carmella did want to give Asuka a receipt. After Carmella left, Kelly caught up to Seth Rollins who was nearby.
Rollins warned Logan Paul that there was another side to him. “I’m going to find Logan Paul and I’m going to hurt Logan Paul.” Paul wasn’t there tonight so Rollins looked forward to making Miz suffer in his place.
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MVP called Brock Lesnar a coward. Lesnar knew he couldn’t escape the Hurt Lock so he got himself disqualified. MVP said Omos was issuing Lesnar a challenge to face him at WrestleMania. He invited Lesnar to show up next week to accept.
Seth Rollins defeated The Miz via referee stoppage (11:07)
As with the Zayn/Corbin and Asuka/Cross matches, the heel took control ahead of an early commercial break. Rollins made a comeback but Miz kicked his leg out of his leg and hit a Codebreaker for two. They traded counters until Miz hit Bryan Danielson’s running knee strike for two. Miz hit Yes kicks but Rollins came back with strikes and curb stomp.
The crowd chanted “one more time” so Rollins stomped him again. The crowd chanted it again and the referee told him not to do it but Rollins stomped him again anyway. Rollins was declared the winner via ref stoppage.
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Adam Pearce agreed to give Carmella a match against Asuka. Pearce received a phone call from Chelsea Green who said their travel department sent her to Ottawa, Illinois, not Ottawa, Canada. Pearce smirked and claimed he didn’t know how that happened. She complained until he hung up on her.
Chad Gable was practicing his modelling in front of a mirror with Otis. Bronson Reed asked him if that’s how he prepared for a match. Gable said he was on the verge of a big modelling gig. Reed threatened to put him in a full-body cask so Otis got in his face. Reed chuckled and left.
[THIRD HOUR]
Ding Dong, Hello (Bayley’s talk show)
Bayley said it was Family Day in Canada (well, most of Canada) so she wanted to spend it with her family — Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. Kai bragged about all of the people they’ve beaten to retain the tag titles.
Becky Lynch interrupted. She said it’s been so long since they’ve defended the titles that they were getting dusty. Lynch said they weren’t going to coast into WrestleMania without defending the titles first and Lynch wanted the titles. Bayley said Lynch didn’t have any friends to team with.
Lita entered and joined Lynch. Bayley said they didn’t do anything to deserve a title match. Lynch said she and Lita were two of the best ever and that was enough.
They argued with Bayley until they persuaded her into accepting the match on behalf of Kai and SKY, which they didn’t seem to appreciate. Lynch and Lita grabbed the title belts and posed with them before forcefully handing them back.
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Saxton tried interviewing Candice LeRae about Johnny Gargano but before she could say much, she approached Nikki Cross who was nearby. LeRae wanted answers from her. Cross whispered something to LeRae and scampered off. LeRae informed Saxton that Cross said all her friends were gone and she was lonely.
LeRae also let Saxton know that Gargano would be back soon.
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Bronson Reed defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) (3:15)
They gave Gable moments to shine, notably when he gave Reed a German suplex. However, Gable was distracted because Otis was busy talking to Maxxine Dupri. Reed gave Gable a power slam and Tsunami for the pinfall win.
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Elias was in the ring and had a message for Rick Boogs. This was the time of year when stars were made and there was no bigger star than Elias. He wanted to know who wanted to talk with Elias.
Bobby Lashley entered, attacked Elias, hit a spear and made him tap out to the Hurt Lock.
Lashley said everyone had a plan until they get put in the Hurt Lock. Lesnar panicked when he got put in the Hurt Lock and he had to use a low blow. Lashley said nobody could break the Hurt Lock — not Lesnar, not Bray Wyatt, not Elias. Lashley issued a warning to everyone in the back.
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Next week on Raw:
Dakota Kai & IYO SKY vs. Becky Lynch & Lita – Women’s Tag Titles
Candice LeRae vs. Piper Niven
Asuka vs. Carmella
Brock Lesnar responds to Omos’ challenge
Miz TV
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Edge interview
Saxton interviewed Edge. Edge was happy that Judgment Day was behind him and said Beth Phoenix was back at home with their girls. Edge could now focus on the goals that he set when he first returned.
Edge mentioned Theory’s “forever reign” but he warned Theory that nothing was forever and he knew firsthand how quickly things could be taken away. Edge couldn’t wait to knock the duckface off of Theory’s overly manscaped head.
Edge said his second WWE match was in Ottawa in 1997 and he hasn’t wrestled there in 18 years. He said it would feel pretty damn good to win the title in Ottawa and walk into WrestleMania as the United States Champion. “Never say never.”
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Kevin Patrick mentioned that Edge beat Kurt Angle for the US title back in 2001 when Austin Theory was 4 years old.
Austin Theory defeated Edge to retain the United States Championship (18:17)
Edge outwrestled and outsmarted Theory early on and held control through an early commercial break. Theory hit a clothesline to take over and applied a chin lock. The crowd chanted “let’s go Edge” as Theory cut off a comeback attempt and applied a chin lock again. Theory hit a rolling dropkick for two which led to another break.
Theory tried a superplex but Edge dropped him and hit a flying crossbody. Edge followed with clotheslines, a flapjack and an Edge-o-matic for two. Theory tried the rolling dropkick again but Edge countered into a powerbomb for two.
Theory leaped over a spear attempt but Edge landed on his feet when Theory tried a monkey flip. Edge applied a crossface but Theory got a rope break. Theory tried a cover with his feet on the middle rope but the ref caught him.
Theory tried an A-Town Down but Edge reversed into an Edgecution DDT for a nearfall.
Edge set up for a spear but stopped to fend off Finn Bálor who ran to ringside. Theory tried to catch Edge off guard with the distraction but Edge countered into a schoolboy for a nearfall.
With the ref’s back turned, Bálor caught Edge with a kick to the head and Theory hit A-Town Down for the pinfall win. Theory retains. The crowd was deflated by the finish.
— After the match, Bálor attacked Edge and hit him with the Coup de Grace three straight times. The crowd booed as the show went off the air.
WWE NXT has announced a storyline suspension for Grayson Waller.
In a social media post on Monday night, NXT stated that Waller’s suspension stems from an angle shot during Saturday’s post-Vengeance Day media call where Waller interrupted WWE senior vice president of talent creative and on-screen authority figure Shawn Michaels.
As Michaels was speaking to the media, Waller interrupted, upset that Michaels had instituted a pinfall or submission only stipulation in Waller’s steel cage NXT Championship match against Bron Breakker at Vengeance Day.
Waller again brought up the stipulation in a tweet on Monday:
Anyone else find it interesting that @ShawnMichaels introduced a stipulation, mere hours before the match, that gave Bron a massive advantage on Saturday? Guess it pays to be mates with HBK 🤭#WWENXT
Breakker defeated Waller at Vengeance Day in a rematch from the New Year’s Evil television special last month. In the New Year’s Evil contest, Waller lost by countout after a ring rope snapped.
Waller became number one contender to Breakker’s NXT title after winning an Iron Survivor Challenge at the Deadline event in December.
Carmelo Hayes was set up as Breakker’s next title challenger in a post-match angle at Vengeance Day.
NXT held a media call with Shawn Michaels following the Vengeance Day premium live event to discuss the fallout from Saturday’s show.
When asked about NXT wrestlers possibly doing independent dates moving forward following the news that Ivy Nile would be working Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling promotion, Michaels said that the booking was just “a one night deal”. He said it was just something where they were helping Booker T out with his upcoming show.
Regarding Dijak, Michaels said that x-rays were taken and, as it turns out, his finger was not broken and was being put back into place.
At one point during the media call, Grayson Waller stormed in and confronted Michaels, running him down and asking why he “wasn’t the guy”. He was eventually taken away by head trainer Matt Bloom. When Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful asked Michaels what that was about, Michaels said that there was “an incident coming back from Gorilla” between him and Waller, and Waller was “perturbed” at him.
The call finished with discussion on the participants involved in the Women’s Tag Team title match. Michaels said that both Kiana James and Fallon Henley have improved during their time in NXT, and putting them together seemed like “one of those things that worked”. He also said that Katana Chance and Kayden Carter’s futures are still “very bright” and have been the most consistent tag team in NXT.
NXT’s next live premium event will be Stand and Deliver, which will take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on April 1.
NXT heads to Charlotte, North Carolina tonight for its first streaming special of 2023.
The NXT Championship will be on the line as Bron Breakker and Grayson Waller face off inside of a steel cage. The steel cage stipulation was announced after Breakker and Waller’s previous title bout ended in a countout. Waller lost that match after the ropes broke on him.
Roxanne Perez will look to remain NXT Women’s Champion as she defends against both members of Toxic Attraction in a triple threat match. Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne simultaneously won a battle royal to become the number one contenders to Perez’s title.
The New Day’s NXT Tag Team titles will be up for grabs as they defend against Pretty Deadly, Gallus, and Chase U in a fatal four-way match. Wes Lee defends the NXT North American Championship against Dijak. And Fallon Henley & Kiana James challenge Katana Chance & Kayden Carter for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles.
Plus, Apollo Crews takes on Carmelo Hayes in a two-out-of-three falls match.
Vengeance Day streams live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time tonight. There will also be a pre-show leading into the event.
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Pre-Show
– It was announced that the Steel Cage match for the NXT Championship can only be won by pinfall or submission in the ring. I’m a fan of the change.
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Main Card
– The show begins with a video package of Charlotte Flair hyping up the matches on the show, with all the people walking down a runway-type set. Because they’re in Charlotte, North Carolina, you see.
NXT North American Title Match: Wes Lee defeated Dijak to retain
An excellent, action-packed opener. A great way to kick off the show.
Dijak had a Sin City-style entrance. I wonder if Karrion Kross is upset at someone stealing his black-and-white motif. Dijak used his size advantage to knock Lee down with shoulder blocks. Lee feigned laying down for Dijak before booting him in the face. Dijak powered out of a German suplex attempt, but Lee came back with a springboard rana that sent Dijak to the floor. Dijak caught Lee on a dive and dumped him on the floor with a Death Valley Driver.
Dijak clubbered on Lee in the ring before sending him across the ring with a suplex for two. Dijak drove Lee down into his knee before flinging him over the top rope to the floor. Dijak brought Lee back into the ring, but only got a nearfall on a pin attempt. More clubbering from Dijak in the corner. Lee ducked a corner charge, sending Dijak over the top rope to the floor. Dijak got back in the ring, where Lee peppered him with shots before dropping him with a basement dropkick. A second attempt at a German was blocked, but a thrust kick helped Lee get Dijak up for the German for a nearfall.
Dijak and Lee ended up on the apron, where Lee sent Dijak on the apron with a backdrop. Lee hit a spinning Space Flying Tiger Drop to massive NXT chants. Lee went for his springboard kick, but was caught in Feast Your Eyes position. Lee reversed it into a poisonrana, then followed it with a Michinoku Driver for two.
Dijak avoided a 450 and caught Lee on a springboard, hitting a massive chokeslam for two. Dijak locked on a modified Crossface Chickenwing. Lee tried to roll out, but Dijak held on and got the hooks in. Lee almost faded but fought back to his feet. Dijak brought him into Feast Your Eyes position, but Lee reversed it into a rollup for two. Lee hit some big strikes, but Dijak took him down with a big boot for two. Dijak hit a superkick and a lariat for another nearfall. Somewhere in this madness, we got a closeup shot of Dijak’s gnarly dislocated finger.
Dijak brought Lee to the top rope for a powerbomb, but Lee reversed it into a rana that dropped Dijak on his head. Lee hit a Spiral Tap for an incredibly close nearfall. Lee went for a suicide dive, but Dijak threw him into the barricade. Dijak put Lee in a rolling chair at ringside and restrained him to it with a broom. Dijak went up to the top and hit a moonsault, but it was on Tony D’Angelo and Stacks, who had pushed Lee out of the way. Dijak got superkicked out of the air by Lee, who followed it with the handspring Pele Kick to win and retain the title.
– McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. They said nothing of note.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Title Match: Fallon Henley & Kiana James (w/ Brooks Jensen & Josh Briggs) defeated Katana Chance & Kayden Carter to win the titles
There were a lot of spots here, but nothing connecting them together. It was impressive athletically, but as a match, it wasn’t anything special.
Carter and James started. After some frivolity with Jensen at ringside, Carter and Chance laid out James with a double-team move. James and Henley had some miscommunication but were able to drop the champions with dual clotheslines. Carter and Chance hit a double-team move on Henley, but James tagged in and dropped Chance with a backbreaker.
Henley tagged in and hit a hairmare for a nearfall. Henley worked over Chance for a while before Carter snuck in a tag. Carter ran wild, dropping Henley with a dropkick in the ropes. Carter boosted Chance over her head to hit a crossbody on both challengers. James tagged in but got caught with a Carter-assisted rana from Chance. James cut her off with a spinebuster for a nearfall. James got her knees up on a double-team moonsault before tagging Henley in. Henley and James hit an assisted Michinoku Driver for a nearfall.
Carter took James out with a dive to the floor. Henley got caught in the champions corner, where Chance hit a super Frankensteiner off of Carter’s shoulders for two. The champions went for their finisher, but James shoved Chance off of the top rope to the floor. Henley rolled up Carter, and with James holding Carter’s feet down from outside the ring, got the three count to win the titles.
– At the Vengeance Day watch party, Drew Gulak and Hank Walker talked about the show. Gulak wanted Walker to get actual wrestling gear now that he’s, you know, a wrestler.
– Lyra Valkyria cut a promo on Cora Jade. She says that Jade is two-faced, since Jade called her out for a match on NXT, then backed out of it. She issued an open challenge for NXT this Tuesday.
Two Out of Three Falls: Carmelo Hayes (w/ Trick Williams) defeated Apollo Crews 2-0
This was so disappointing. The match never got out of first gear, and the crowd never really got into it. It was a long match that only peaked at OK.
Williams gave Hayes a special introduction, listing all of his accomplishments in NXT so far. Crews also got a special entrance, running through his WWE career up to this point. They’re giving this one a real big-match feeling here.
The men chain wrestle to a stalemate to start. Hayes cut off a back-and-forth with a slap, but Crews knocked him down with his own slap. Both men countered each other’s dropkick attempts before Crews dropkicked Hayes out of the air on a springboard. Crews sent Hayes hard into the buckles sternum first. A backbreaker from Crews led to a German suplex attempt, but Hayes cut him off. Crews caught Hayes on a springboard and got his German suplex.
Hayes and Crews both went for dives to the floor, ending with Crews dropping Hayes with a clothesline on the floor. Crews hit a moonsault off the apron to Hayes on the floor. Back in the ring, a delayed vertical suplex got a nearfall for Crews. Hayes countered a corner charge from Crews, sending him over the ropes and catching him with a stunner on the way down. Williams has a chair on the floor, but he’s only menacing Crews with it at the moment.
Hayes clubbered on Crews before getting two on a cover. Hayes worked over Crews before hitting him with a hotshot over the ropes for a nearfall. Crews fought back before Hayes dropped him with a short-arm clothesline. Hayes talked trash, but Crews hit a pair of Germans and a big back body drop. Crews fired up, laying Hayes out with clotheslines and a big splash. Hayes cut him off for a moment, but Crews caught him on the apron with a big kick to the face. Crews powered Hayes into the ring with a superplex for a nearfall.
Williams is at ringside praying for a comeback from Hayes, and his prayer got answered when Hayes hit a La Mistica for a nearfall. An elevated cutter got two before Hayes locked in a Crossface. Crews tapped out, giving Hayes the first fall.
They trade shots to start the second fall. Crews popped off a trio of Germans before hitting a standing shooting star press for a nearfall. Hayes cut Crews off on the top rope, hitting the Fadeaway leg drop for a nearfall. Crews rebounded with a Destroyer-style DDT for two. Both men got up to the top rope before they knocked each other to the floor. Hayes shoved Crews down to try and win by countout, but Crews beat the count. Crews caught Hayes with a jumping knee and an Angle Slam. Hayes hit a codebreaker before Crews came back with a pop-up Death Valley Driver.
Williams got himself involved by taking a turnbuckle pad off of one corner and letting Hayes know about it. Crews fired up and sent Hayes into the buckle himself. Williams tried using a chair before Dabba Kato, Crews’ former heater, took him out of the equation. Somehow, Hayes got the advantage out of this and hit the diving leg drop to win in two straight falls.
After the match, Dabba Kato laid out Crews with a chokebomb on a chair. Why try to help him win the match then? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
– Valentina Feroz accepted Lyra Valkyria’s challenge for NXT this week.
– The new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Kiana James and Fallon Henley celebrated their win with Jensen and Briggs.
– NXT Stand and Deliver was announced for Saturday, April 1st.
NXT Tag Team Title Match: Gallus defeated The New Day, Pretty Deadly, & Chase U to win the titles
This was fun and chaotic, as to be expected in these multi-man matches. Gallus winning was a shocker as they aren’t what you would call, over. But they performed well here, as did all eight men in the match.
Two legal men at a time in this one, as Kingston started with Prince. Woods blind-tagged in and chopped Prince down before sending him to the floor. Wilson ended up on Prince’s shoulders, leading to Kingston dropkicking Prince. Thea Hail shouted them both down, leading to a Woods dropkick on both men.
Chase U tagged in, laying out Woods with a double team. Gallus got in and worked over Wilson, who had tagged in earlier. To save myself some typing, there’s been a lot of quick tags between teams. Eventually, Pretty Deadly isolated Woods in their corner of the ring. After a few minutes, Kingston got the hot tag and ran wild on Pretty Deadly. He hit a Boom Drop on them and an interfering Coffey. Kingston hit an SOS on Wilson for a nearfall.
A big strike train left Pretty Deadly alone with Kingston. They hit a tag team gutbuster for a nearfall. Kingston fought them off before tagging Woods in. New Day hit their finisher before everyone else broke up that pin attempt. A brawl broke out on the floor as Kingston and Chase fought on the top rope. Chase sent Kingston into the pile off the top rope. Wilson cut Chase off, but Chase got the upper hand and superplexed him into everyone else on the floor.
Gallus tried to put Chase through the table, but Hudson saved his partner and fought them off. Pretty Deadly cut him off and tried to suplex him through the table, but Hudson fought them off. Pretty Deadly sent him into the ring before putting the table cover back on the table to big heat. Hudson fired up and took out Pretty Deadly, but Gallus got their hands on Hudson and sent him through the announce table.
Gallus isolated the hometown hero Chase, but Chase was able to get Wolfgang out of the equation and hit the Chase U stomps on Coffey. A crossbody off the top rope got a nearfall. Chase locked on a Figure Four in the center of the ring, but Wolfgang hit a Swanton to cut him off. The tag team powerslam from Gallus only got two. Kingston cut off another tag move, but Pretty Deadly caught him on a dive and hit Spilled Milk on the floor. Woods got isolated by Gallus, who hit their tag team powerslam for the win and the titles.
NXT Women’s Title: Roxanne Perez defeated Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne to retain
This was a standard issue WWE triple-threat match. The crowd was into it though, and the women worked hard.
Dolin and Jayne came out together. They double-teamed Perez to start off. Perez fought them off momentarily, but Jayne cut her off by sending her into the ropes. A miscommunication gave Perez an opening to hit a double lucha armdrag before hitting Dolin with a dive to the floor. Jayne took Dolin out with a cannonball, which allowed Perez to get Jayne by herself.
Perez locked Jayne in a crossface, but Jayne got out and laid in some heavy strikes for a nearfall. Dolin yanked Jayne out of the ring and the two argued. Dolin tried to bargain a truce, but yanked Jayne in the way of a Perez dropkick. Dolin took control by sending Perez into the barricade. An STO into the apron and a side suplex got Dolin a nearfall that got broken up by Jayne. The two started fighting each other, which allowed Perez to hit a crossbody onto both of them.
Perez ran wild on both women, dropping them with a legsweep/DDT combination for a nearfall on both of them. Jayne caught Perez and tied her in the tree of woe on top of Dolin. She hit a cannonball on both women, then followed it with a running knee to Perez. Dolin broke up the cover, and the two teammates brawled with Jayne getting the better of it. Perez got Pop Rocks countered by Dolin into an STO. Dolin hit a suplex with a bridge before Jayne broke it up.
Dueling chants for Dolin and Perez as all three traded shots. Dolin and Jayne superkicked Perez, then headbutted each other for a double nearfall. Dolin and Jayne sent Perez to the floor and pulled out a table. Perez fought out, hitting Pop Rocks to Dolin on the floor. Jayne and Perez ended up on the top rope. Dolin tried getting involved, but Perez booted her through the table. Perez hit Jayne with Pop Rocks off of the top rope to win and retain the title.
NXT Title Steel Cage Match: Bron Breakker defeated Grayson Waller
I never understood why this match was a cage match, and in the end, it didn’t really need to be. This match never got out of the first gear, as is commonplace for Breakker’s main events. The crowd wasn’t into this one, and it never felt like Waller had a chance to win. A main event that left me feeling empty.
This match can only end by pinfall or submission in the ring. Waller came out with a train of beautiful women and a “golden shoey,” a shoe that he planned to have a celebratory drink out of when he won in traditional Australian fashion. Waller jumped Breakker before he got in the cage. Waller dodged a Breakker spear, but Breakker stopped short of the barricade and clotheslined a prematurely celebrating Waller. Breakker sent the door into Waller’s face before getting them both in the ring.
Breakker ran wild, bouncing off the ropes and the cage before dropping Waller with a big clothesline. Breakker hit a delayed vertical suplex before hitting a standing moonsault. Waller got out of a powerslam and played keep-away before landing a satellite DDT for a nearfall. Waller worked over Breakker, but Breakker caught him with a belly-to-belly suplex. Breakker hit Waller with another powerslam before hitting the top rope bulldog.
Breakker went to wrap things up with a spear, but Waller rolled to the apron. Waller dodged a Breakker spear, sending Breakker into the cage head first. Waller laid in punches before sending Breakker into the cage again for a nearfall. Waller hit a crossbody on Breakker against the cage, but Breakker caught him on a second attempt. Waller fought out and sent Breakker into the cage before hitting a diving Unprettier for a nearfall.
Waller went to the top rope, but Breakker followed him up and hit a top rope Frankensteiner for a nearfall. Breakker came off the top rope, but Waller caught him with a jumping knee. Waller hit the crossover elbow off the top, but only got two. Waller tangled Breakker in the ropes Andre The Giant-style and laid in the shots to Breakker.
Waller tackled Breakker twice, but Breaker fired up and untangled himself before pinballing Waller all over the cage. Breakker press-slammed Waller into the cage and set up for the spear, but Waller avoided it and hit a low blow. Waller hit his rolling Stunner but only got a two count. Waller went to the top of the cage for a viral moment, but Breakker met him at the top and superplexed him all the way down. Breakker hit the spear and pulled the straps down. Breakker told Waller off for talking trash before hitting a massive second spear for the win.
Post-match, Carmelo Hayes came out and looked down Breakker from the ramp as the show went off the air.
An angle building up Bron Breakker and Grayson Waller’s NXT Championship match for Vengeance Day went down at the WWE Performance Center on Monday.
In an Instagram live video, Waller filmed himself confronting Breakker while Breakker was training. A brawl broke out between the two after Waller threw water bottles at Breakker. After the brawl was broken up, Waller was kicked out of the Performance Center by NXT coach Norman Smiley.
“I’m living rent-free in his head, lad. Absolutely rent-free,” Waller said at the end of the video. “I ain’t scared of Bron. Bron Breakker is a bitch. He’s my bitch.”
Waller teased that this is just the beginning and he’ll have more for Breakker on NXT tomorrow night.
Waller is challenging for Breakker’s NXT title in a steel cage match at Vengeance Day on Saturday, February 4. The show is a Peacock/WWE Network special.
Breakker and Waller originally faced off for the NXT Championship at New Year’s Evil earlier this month, but the match ended with Breakker retaining by countout after the ropes broke twice. Waller was counted out after the middle rope gave way as he was standing on it.
The show begins with a skit of an Andre Chase lecture at Chase U. Homework for the class is to watch New Year’s Evil. Chase then goes on to preview the card for tonight.
Chase curses at a student, and he kicks him out of class. Chase yells at him, “We don’t need that kind of stupidity around Thea Hail. Tonight is the biggest match of her career.” Hail is nervous and anxious about the women’s number one contender battle royal. Chase assures Hail none of the others have her heart. That pumps up Hail, and she screams, “LET’S F****** GO!”
Opening the show live from the soundstage at the Performaance Center is a fight for justice, or something like that. Out comes Tony D’Angelo and his henchman, followed by the entrance of Dijak.
Dijak is apparently a new age Big Boss Man, or maybe his version of vigilante justice is wrestling’s version of The Punisher. His look reminds me more of when Alex Wright became Berlyn in WCW, but Dijak’s newer gimmick is at least an improvement from his last persona.
Dijak defeated Tony D’Angelo (with Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo)
Dijak pinned D’Angelo after D’Angelo sacrificed himself to save Stacks. That followed a sacrifice by Stacks earlier in the match. It was a good enough bout, and did well in trying to get both Dijak and D’Angelo over. Stacks also has a new layer as a character.
The match went through a split-screen commercial break. The fight spills outside just before the show cuts to its first commercial. Stacks takes a bullet for D’Angelo, allowing D’Angelo to take down Dijak. However, Dijak soon turns the tables.
With a form of justice, Dijak handcuffs Stacks to a turnbuckle for his interference. The chain on th handcuffs was long enough to walk a dog, which would allow for a storyline spot later in the match. When the show returns from the break, Dijak is working over D’Angelo. Best spot in the match was a near fall after Dijak delivers a sit-out choke bomb.
As they went home, Stacks gets into the ring. He tries to stand in front of D’Angelo. Stacks was looking to take another bullet for his boss. D’Angelo tells Stacks he is not his boss, he is his family. The Don kisses Stacks on the forehead and, and he shoves him out of harm’s way. D’Angelo then walks into a superkick from Dijak, and D’Angelo falls like timber. Dijak covers him for the pinfall.
NXT North American Champion Wes Lee watched the match from ringside, as the winner is likely his next challenger. Dijak glares at Lee after the match. He must want justice. It certainly was a buzzword during this match.
The duo of Toxic Attraction in a backstage interview vow revenge on Roxanne Perez at Vengeance Day. Talk turns to the battle royal later on. McKenzie Mitchell asks them what happens if the duo is the last two left in the battle royal. Toxic Attraction insists they will apparently be declared co-winners.
Jinder Mahal’s surprise run in and sneak attack
The Creed Brothers enter the ring for their match with Indus Sher, which is many weeks in the making. Sanga enters the soundstage alone, and he addresses the Creeds. Sanga says Veer is not here tonight, but Sanga says he will honor the match by wrestling the Creed in a two-on-one match.
Julius and Brutus Creed begin to respond when they are blindsided by an attack from Jinder Mahal. He jumps the Creeds. Mahal and Veer administer a beatdown. They lay out the Creeds. Brutus Creed takes a chokeslam from Sanga on the ring steps, which writes him out of the show for tonight. Mahal gives Julius a Khallas.
Mahal is given a microphone. “Veer and Sanga fight with respect, but I don’t,” Mahal said before a mic drop. The angle would set up a singles match later tonight with Mahal against Julius Creed.
Number One Contender’s Tag Team Gauntlet Match
Pretty Deadly enters first. They had they hair curled in a comedy skit that aired earlier with NXT Tag Team Champions The New Day.
Pretty Deadly cut a promo saying they picked “three of the toughest teams” in NXT to face in a gauntlet match. Aiming to prove they deserve a tag title shot against The New Day. Comedy ensues.
The Rockers theme song blares inside the soundstage. Pretty Deadly mark out at the entrance of a team spoofing The Rockers.
Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) defeat “The Rockers” (Flyin’ Bryan Williams & Slammin’ Jammin’ Jimmy Jackson)
Pretty Deadly easily defeat the spoof team in a squash match. Spilt Milk and a quick pinfall is scored to end it in a hurry.
New Days interrupts things. They figured Pretty Deadly would do something this silly, so they had a plan. New Day has chosen two other teams for Pretty Deadly to beat to earn a tag title match.
Pretty Deadly defeated Malik Blade & Edris Enofe
Enofe and Blade fare far better than The Rockers spoof. They wrestle through a commercial break, but Enofe and Blade ultimately lose after the show returns from the break.
Enofe and Blade gets some near falls, but Prince catches Enofe in a small package for a three count. Enofe and Blade are eliminated from the gauntlet.
Next up is in the gauntlet is supposed to be Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs, but they are jumped backstage by Gallus. The faction returns from a storyline suspension, and they a wrecking shop.
Wolfgang pinned Wilson, after Gallus ran roughshod over Pretty Deadly. Gallus win easily as Georgia beat TCU.
Gallus confront New Day on their way out. Looks like Gallus is New Day’s next challenger, and this is much more serious than the recent tag team gaga.
Next up is “countdown to the new year.” That is odd considering today is the 10th day of January. This was of course a gimmick. It led to a return of Tiffany Stratton. She saunters to the ring and cuts a promo. The ess said about the better.
Video packages hype the men’s singles championship match.
NXT Champion Bron Breakker defeated Grayson Waller via countout to retain his title
Waller is counted out of the ring after a stunt where the middle rope breaks. They set up the finish with a broken turnbuckle stunt about halfway through the match. The finish sets up a return match that is announced at the end of the show.
Waller slapped Breakker across the face early on in the match, which angers Breakker. Cat-and-mouse game ensues, but this time Tom catches Jerry. Breakker dominates Waller for a little bit, but Waller is able to cut off the champ. Waller tries to choke out Breakker, and Waller gets a near fall.
Breakker comes back with a series of suplexes and a Steiner tilt-a-whirl. Breakker is again seemingly in control, until Waller reserves an Irish whip. Waller then tackles Breakker into a corner, and the middle turnbuckle snaps. The second rope goes limp upon impact. Production crew and referees pour in to fix the rope, as the show cuts to a commercial break.
Waller has Breakker in a Boston crab as the show returns from the break. Waller is working the back, but Breakker counters into an armbar. They stand and trade strikes. Waller drops Breakker with a lariat from behind. Waller applies a camel clutch, but Breakker hulks up.
Comeback by Breakker, leading to a Rick Steiner powerslam. Breakker follows with a flying bulldog, and he pulls down the straps on his singlet. Breakker lets out a primal scream, and he measures for a spear. Waller powders, and he flees the ring. Waller tucks and flips back into the ring to deliver a flying knee strike for a great near fall.
Waller goes to spring off the middle rope when it breaks again. This was an obvious stunt, and Waller tumbles outside the ring and lands on the floor in a heap. Waller stumbles to his feet, but he unable to break the ten count. Breakker retains via countout.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez. They joke about Cora Jade possibly winning the battle royal, since that is Perez’s rival. Perez goes on to give a babyface interview, and they briefly discuss Toxic Attraction.
Apollo Crews and Axiom are in the locker room, and they decide they want to team up against Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams.
Charlie Dempsey defeated Hank Walker (with Drew Gulak)
Dempsey submitted Walker after a competitive match. Walker got some offense, but he is eventually stretched by the shooter. Dempsey has a crossface and a leg grapevined, and Walker fights valiantly to escape. Dempsey cranks on the submission hold, and Walker has little choice but to tap out.
During the match, a tweet from Shawn Michael is shown. HBK has something planned for later on, which apparently relates the finish of the NXT Championship match.
Alba Fyre and Solo Ruca set up a match against each other in a backstage skit. Fyre sells like something is off with her, presumably related to her feud with Isla Dawn.
Tyler Bate returns to NXT next Tuesday.
Scrypts left a note in Oro Mensah’s bags in the locker room.
Jinder Mahal (with Sanga) defeated Julius Creed
Mahal pinned Creed after The Khallas. Hard hitting match, and Mahal looks to be a new monster heel on NXT. Julius bled from the mouth during the match.
Creed charged in to attack Mahal just as the bell sounds to start the match. They brawl, fight, and wrestle their way through a commercial break, and the show returns from the break with Creed giving Mahal a superplex.
The match looked snug and stiff at times, and Creed bled from the mouth after eating a dropkick. Mahal works over Creed, but Creed fights back. A suplex by Creed begins a comeback.
For the finish, Creed goes for a shooting star. He misses, but rolls through. However, Creeds eats a high kick. Mahal then delivers The Khallas, and he covers Creed for a pinfall.
Stevie Turner in a vignette reveals herself as the “new data collector” in NXT.
Gigi Dolan and Jacy Jayne are co-winners of the number one contender 20-woman battle royal
The duo of Toxic Attraction both win the battle royal, in what was a takeoff of Lex Luger and Bret Hart in 1994 at the Royal Rumble.
Cora Jade was the first eliminated, even after getting a full entrance. Lyra Valkyria eliminated Jade, which would later play into the finish. The eliminations continued as the match goes through a commercial break.
Wendy Choo does a spoof of the Kofi Kingston gimmick, where she kept her feet from touching the floor by landing on a pillow. Elektra Lopez pulls the pillow out from underneath Choo, and Choo hits the floor for an elimination.
With seven remaining in the ring, Zoey Stark eliminates rival Nikkia Lyons. Before Stark can celebrate, she is immediately thrown out by Sol Ruca. A few moments later, and Alba Fyre throws out Ruca. That plays into them having a match next Tuesday.
Final four are Dolan, Jayne, Ruca, and Valkyria. Fyre and Valkyria end up fighting on the apron, where Valkyria eliminates Fyre with a headscissors that sends Fyre to the floor.
Cora Jade runs in from the crowd and she hops the barricade. Jade goes sweep Valkyria’s feet, but Valkyria avoids it. Toxic Attraction then team up to shove Valkyria off the apron for the final elimination. Jade jumps Valkyria at ringside. Meanwhile, Dolan and Jayne are in the ring.
Dolan and Jayne raise each other’s hand. Jayne acts like she is going to eliminate herself. Dolan pleads with her to stop. Jayne stops, and then she superkicks Dolan. Jayne tries to toss Dolan out of the ring, but Dolan saves herself by landing on the apron.
They both end up on the apron, and they fight on the turnbuckles. They tease a superplex, and they soon butt heads. Both take a Nestea Plunge off the turnbuckles, and they crash to the floor at the same time. Referees on either side of the ring separately declare Dolan and Jayne the winners. The referees huddle, and the official ruling is Dolan and Jayne are co-winners.
Main event set for NXT Vengeance Day
Shawn Michaels is backstage between Bron Breakker and Grayson Waller. The NXT champ and his most recent challenger are face-to-face ready to continue their fight. They are about to brawl when Michaels gets between them. HBK then books a cage match for the NXT title at Vengeance Day.
Tonight’s NXT is the last episode of the show before New Year’s Evil.
Bron Breakker is set to defend his NXT Championship against Grayson Waller at next Tuesday’s New Year’s Evil special. Tonight, the two will meet face-to-face on the Grayson Waller Effect. It will be the first time they’ve been in the same place since Waller outsmarted Breakker two weeks ago. Waller tricked Breakker into giving him a spear while Waller had a metal vest on.
In a match with potential NXT Championship implications, Carmelo Hayes will take on Apollo Crews tonight. Both are looking to get the next shot at either Breakker or Waller.
A grudge match will also take place as Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn collide in an Extreme Resolution match. Plus, Axiom goes one-on-one with Trick Williams and Charlie Dempsey faces off with Hank Walker.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show begins with a retrospective video package looking back on 2022. It ends with a message wishing a happy new year.
Carmelo Hayes (with Trick Williams) defeated Apollo Crews
Hayes pinned Crews in a great opener. Both wrestlers in this match should both be featured on the main roster instead of a soundstage at the PC. Nonetheless, they cooked here.
Hot from the start. They settle in before picking up the pace again. Crews with a moonsault off the apron, and the show cuts to split-screen commercial break. They again pick up the pace when the show returns from the break.
Crews is distracted by Williams, and Hayes capitalizes by targeting a knee. Hayes goes to work on the knee. Hayes with a sly transition into a single leg crab, further targeting the Crews’ leg. Crews is able to counter moments later, and Crews lands an enzuigiri.
Comeback by Crews and he connects with a series of lariats, followed by a backstabber and a flying lariat. Crews gives Hayes a superplex. Hayes fights back to counter Crews, and they trade high kicks. Crews is fired up, but Hayes catching him with a diamond cutter. Crews answers back with a blockbuster.
Williams interferes to help Hayes, and Crews clotheslines Williams. Hayes tries again capitalize on a distraction, only for him to eat a knee strike from Crews. Hayes takes an Ultimate Warrior military press from Crews, but Hayes is able to roll away when Crews attempts a standing moonsault. Codebreaker by Hayes, and he climbs the turnbuckles. Hayes leaps off with a guillotine legdrop. Looked like it missed by a mile, but Crews sells it. A three count later, and Hayes wins the match.
Axiom runs in after the match, and he leaps off the top rope with a flying crossbody on both Hayes and Williams. Axiom springboards into a moonsault outside the ring. Axiom rolls Williams back into the ring, as Axiom cannot wait any longer to have his scheduled match with Williams. The television channel has other ideas, and they have bills to pay. So, the show cuts to a commercial break.
Axiom defeated Trick Williams
Axiom pinned Williams in a decent enough match. Much shorter than the opener, Axiom got to shine here in the match itself. Williams gets his heat back after the match when he and Hayes jump Axiom.
The match is joined in progress after the show returns from commercial break. Besides getting to fly, Axiom also grapples with Williams. Axiom goes for a cross armbreaker, but Williams gets a rope break.
Williams fights back and winds up looking to deliver a kick, but Axiom cuts him off with a superman punch. Shining wizard by Axiom, and he covers Williams for a pinfall.
Williams and Hayes jump Axiom after the match for a beatdown. Crews runs down to make a save, and he runs off Hayes and Williams. That would seem to set up a tag team match if that is something they want to do.
The Schism confront NXT Tag Team Champions New Day in a contrived backstage skit. This sets up a match for later tonight with Kofi Kingston against Joe Gacy.
One contrived skit follows another, as Dijak has kidnapped Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo. Stacks is bruised up and handcuffed to a chair. Dijak hits him some more. Stacks tells Dijak to “be a man,” uncuff him, and settle it in the ring. Dijak says he plans on it, and Dijak sets a key on a nearby desk. Dijak then leaves. This all apparently happened earlier today, leading to a match up next tonight.
In yet another skit, Duke Hudson is with Thea Hail and other students from Chase U. They are training with Drew Gulak. Andre Chase comes in and takes exception to training his students without his permission. The back-and-forth between Chase and Gulak reveals that Charlie Dempsey is supposedly injured, so his match for tonight is off. Gulak pisses off Chase, and Chase curses at him.
Dijak defeated Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (with Tony D’Angelo)
Dijak wins via pinfall in a match he dominates. Stacks did pretty good for a guy that had supposedly been kidnapped, beaten, and tied up for a week.
Dijak punishes Stacks throughout the match, as Stacks sells his ribs and other body parts. David against Goliath type of energy, as Stacks begins a rally. Dijak cuts that off when he mows down Stacks with a big boot. Stacks still manages to kick out.
Stacks gets a last minute near fall before they go home. Dijak does a slingshot suplex to set up his Feast Your Eyes finisher. Dijak then covers Stacks for a three count.
Dijak continues to attack Stacks after the match is over, causing D’Angelo to jump in. D’Angelo peppers Dijak with punches, and D’Angelo clotheslines Dijak out of the ring. D’Angelo then cuts a promo on Dijak, and he challenges him to a match at New Years Evil. Dijak accepts the challenge, so the match is on for next week.
McKenzie Mitchell is interviewing Oro Mensah when Javier Bernal interrupts them. Bernal is pitching a Christmas album. This was a comedy skit to hype a match later tonight between Mensah and Bernal.
The duo of Toxic Attraction head to the ring for a promo segment. Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolan cut promos in the ring where they vow revenge on Roxanne Perez. They are interrupted by Indi Hartwell.
Hartwell says she is tired of hearing about Toxic Attraction. Cora Jade is next to interrupt, and Jade cuts a promo burying Hartwell. Nikkita Lyons interrupts, followed by Zoey Stark and Wendy Choo. Wash, rinse, repeat. They all want to be the “new blood” in the top of the women’s division. Thea Hail is in the crowd, and she screams “GIRL FIGHT!” A huge brawl erupts.
In the melee, Alby Fyre comes out and she is attacked by Isla Dawn. Others in the women’s division run out and the brawl grows larger in number. Fyre and Dawn fight their way outside the building.
Cue Roxanne Perez’s theme song, and the NXT Women’s Champion is standing on a perch looking over the ring. The brawling halts, and everybody in the ring freezes. A chipper Perez says next week is a 20-women battle royal, and the winner gets a title shot at Vengeance Day. Perez signs off, and the brawl begins again like someone hit “play” on a paused video.
Meanwhile, Fyre and Dawn are still fighting outside the building. The show goes into a commercial break, and Dawn and Fyre and still brawling when the show returns from the top of the hour break. They fight into warehouse space, and they fight on props. Referees pour in trying to order them to stop fighting, but they fight on.
Dawn takes a Nestea Plunge off camera in a contrived stunt. Contrived seems to be a theme on tonight’s show aside from a kickass opener. Anyway, Fyre puts Dawn in a wheelbarrow, and Fyre rolls her into the soundstage and towards the ring. Their gimmick match officially begins.
Alba Fyre defeated Isla Dawn in an “Extreme Resolutions” match
Fyre pinned Dawn in a weapons-filled brawl.
The wild brawl that preceded the match continued when they finally got into the ring. From there things settled into more of wrestling match, albeits gimmicks were still plentiful. This was a grudge match, and they fought like it.
Fyre gets a near fall with a Gory Bomb. She then uses a metal folding chair to punish Dawn. Fyre puts the chair on Dawn, and then Fyre climbs the turnbuckles. Dawn flings the chair at Fyre, and cracks her in the head. The show cuts to a split-screen commercial break with Fyre down selling on the floor.
Fyre fights back after the show returns from the commercial break. Fyre fired up on Dawn, and Fyre dives through the ropes. Fyre sets up a table at ringside, only for Dawn to counter Fyre. Dawn slams a toolbox shut on Fyre’s hand as they fight near the set up table.
Fyre goes on to do a swanton off the top rope trying to put Dawn through the table, but the table did not break. So, Fyre gives Dawn a Gory Bomb through the table. It broke that time. Fyre then rolls Dawn back into the ring to score a pinfall.
Grayson Waller is being obnoxious in an interview with McKenzie Mitchell. Waller is hyping “The Grayson Waller Effect” segment for later tonight, when NXT Champion Bron Breakker is the special guest.
A feature package chronicles the upcoming match between Indus Sher and The Creed Brothers. This was a good way to build up anticipation for the tag match next Tuesday during New Years Evil.
Oro Mensah defeated Javier Bernal
Bernal attacked Mensah before the bell, and Bernal shows some aggression. Mensah comes back as the match goes back-and-forth. Mensah fires up with series of forearms and a lionsault. Mensah applies a submission hold in the ropes. Northern light suplex, and Mensah delivers a spinning heel kick in a corner. Mensah then scores a pinfall to win the match.
Kaina James was oddly nice in a skit where she congratulates Fallon Henley on winning in their match last week.
Drew Gulak (with Hank Walker) defeated Andre Chase (with Duke Hudson & Thea Hail)
Gulak submitted Chase to win the match. The story of the match is Gulak’s unsportsmanlike conduct.
Gulak was all about sportsmanship when he was getting the better of things, but Gulak becomes angry when Chase begins to counter him.
Charlie Dempsey is seen on a split-screen with his arm in a sling. Dempsey takes off the sling and storms out of the locker room.
Chase does his version of the Garvin Stomp, and Chase applies a figure four leglock. Gulak gets a rope break, and he cheapshots Chase. The cheapshot played off a spot earlier in the match when Gulak was seemingly all about sportsmanship.
Gulak pummels Chase, and Gulak applies a Dragon Sleeper. Chases tapped out, and Gulak was reluctant to break the hold.
NXT North American Champion Wes Lee says he will be at ringside doing guest commentary during Tony D’Angelo and Dijak’s match next week. The winner of that match is the next challenger for Lee’s title.
Kofi Kingston (with Xavier Woods) defeated Joe Gacy (with The Schism)
Kingston pinned Gacy in a really good match.
Xavier Woods provided guest commentary during the match. From outside the ring, Ava Raine interferes to crotch Kingston on a turnbuckle. A superplex from Gacy follows, and Gacy begins to work over Kingston.
Kingston makes a comeback, and he runs through some of his moveset. Gacy counters a Trouble in Paradise, but Kingston was counters of his own. Near fall for Kofi and he again climbs the ropes. Schism looks to interfere again, but Kingston escapes their clutches.
However, the distraction allows Gacy to clobber Kingston with a right hand. Kofi goes down like a sack of concrete, but he quickly recovers. Woods gets up from the announce desk, and he confronts The Schism at ringside. Kingston wipes out Schism with a flip dive over the ropes. Back in the ring, they go home as Kingston connects with Trouble in Paradise. Kingston pins Gacy to win the match.
The Grayson Waller Effect with NXT Champion Bron Breakker
Breakker is cheerful and overly polite to Waller, despite Waller repeatedly insulting him. Breakker basically baits Waller into getting his butt kicked. Breakker does good in his speaking role, even with the contrived creative. Waller is as obnoxious as usual, which is a compliment to his heel persona.
Breakker plays it cool, and he is about to leave when Waller begins insulting him again. Waller insults Breakker’s father, Rick Steiner. Breakker finally hears enough, and Breakker decks Waller with a punch. Breakker picks Waller up in a military press, and Brekker drops Waller into a powerslam.
Breakker grabs Waller’s cell phone, looking to create a viral moment. Breakker holds the phone while he runs the ropes and leaps into flip dive over the ropes to the floor. Breakker poses with a title belt over a fallen Waller as the show goes off the air.
