Kacy Catanzaro, formerly known in WWE as Katana Chance, is returning to American Ninja Warrior.
Catanzaro posted to social media on Sunday revealing that she will be on the show this Monday, August 11 on NBC and Peacock, although likely not in a competitive role.
In a teaser for Monday’s episode, Catanzaro is seen in a hosting or panel member role and is heard saying, “I’m all giddy and excited, I cannot wait.”
Monday’s episode will be the 12th of Season 17 of American Ninja Warrior. The competition is currently in the national finals.
Catanzaro was part of WWE’s roster cuts revealed on May 2. The following month, she told the Lightweights podcast that she still feels as though she has more to accomplish in both wrestling and American Ninja Warrior.
“I know that when it comes to American Ninja Warrior, when I did leave, it was for a good reason. But I know that there were more things I had wanted to do or more things I feel like I was capable of,” she said.
“And when it comes to wrestling, I’m very grateful for my time there. And I also feel the same way where I know that there are things that I’m capable of and there is potential that I wasn’t able to show. So, that’s hard to walk away from, you know what I mean?”
Catanzaro first competed on American Ninja Warrior in 2013 and continued on the show until Season 9 in 2017 after signing with WWE. During her eight-year run with WWE, she won the NXT and WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships once each with Kayden Carter.
This week’s issue is one of the biggest of the year when it comes to major shows and we have one our biggest issues of the year out:
Full coverage of All In Texas including why matches ended the way they did, business numbers, lots of injury updates, booking notes on the top matches, PPV numbers, gate, merch, history of Texas stadium shows, complaints about the length and why, interest level comparisons with WWE this week and the past month, next head-to-head and more
Bill Goldberg’s retirement, his comments, a look into the ratings of the show, WWE side of the story, what could have been done differently, Seth Rollins angle looked at, SummerSlam card revealed, how to accurately look at the numbers and more.
WWE Evolution, early numbers, booking thoughts.
Great American Bash and competition wth All In.
ROH Supercard of Honor featuring an incredible main event
Dragon Gate has its biggest show of the year
The life and times of the Amazing Kung Fu on the death of Eddie Hamill and his influence on how babyfaces in the U.K. work
The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling television shows this past week, with demo, comparisons with last year and quarters.
A look at the CMLL anniversary show
MJF heading to Mexico to challenge for title
Arena Mexico has trios match with young wrestlers that was super
Alberto turns face in AAA
G-1 Climax first week news
Celebrity returns to Japanese rings
MMA legends do pro wrestling title match
Cowboy Bob Ellis and the Hall of Fame
Tokyo Joshi Pro in the U.S.
Slammiversary is TNA’s biggest event in years
Update on lawsuit against AEW
Tony Khan talks a number of subjects after All In
The story behind the Dralisico & Dragon Lee win over FTR in Mexico and what happened next
Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW upcoming shows
Dana White talks about White House show for next year
There was no new episode of WWE Speed today, making this the second straight week without an episode or an explanation why. WWE did not announce a new tournament at the end of the most recent Speed broadcast.
Tiffany Stratton was a guest on PHL17 News and discussed the importance of the WWE Performance Center: “I think it’s so important to have some sort of training center to coach the next in line, the future of the business. And they’ve been doing such a great job. I am from the WWE Performance Center, I’m a homegrown talent. So, I am proof that the WWE Performance Center works.”
Stratton named Rhea Ripley as a dream opponent she’s hoping to face in the future, as well as saying she wants to have a rematch against Becky Lynch.
Chris Sabin noted that today is the one-year anniversary of him signing with WWE: “1 year ago today I signed my first WWE contract. 24 years of hard work, dedication, injuries, comebacks, highs and lows and everything was absolutely worth it to achieve what was both my dream and goal. Never give up.”
WWE filed a new trademark for “SuperBrawl” on July 22.
In the ongoing top 25 countdown, WWE ranked The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar from 2002 as the eighth greatest match in SummerSlam history:
25. Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar (2023)
24. Seth Rollins vs. John Cena title vs. title match for the WWE Championship and United States Championship (2015)
23. The Undertaker vs. Bret Hart for the WWF Championship (1997)
22. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship (2019)
21. Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship (2022)
20. Randy Orton vs. Christian no holds barred match for the World Heavyweight Championship (2011)
19. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker (2015)
18. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk TLC match for the World Heavyweight Championship (2009)
17. Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle for the WWF Championship (2001)
16. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero ladder match (2005)
15. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship (2017)
14. The Rock vs. Triple H ladder match for the Intercontinental title (1998)
13. John Cena vs. CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship (2011)
12. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship (2023)
11. John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship (2013)
10. The Undertaker vs. Edge Hell in a Cell match (2008)
9. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon ladder match for the Intercontinental title (1995)
8. The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar for the Undisputed Championship (2002)
Other Wrestling
Ric Flair (who is now cancer-free) apologized for having to miss his scheduled appearance at ATL Comic Convention last weekend, sharing a picture of his forehead after undergoing skin cancer treatment: “@ATL__CC, I’m Sorry I Missed You, But Now You Know Why! Moving Forward With @FitermanSports, It Won’t Happen Again!”
While speaking with Busted Open Radio to promote “Happy Gilmore 2,” MJF reiterated that he wants to be both a full-time wrestler and actor for years to come:
There’s a lot of people in the history of our sport where they just try to do one or the other. I love both with a passion, so I plan on being in All Elite Wrestling for years to come and being on your movie screen or TV screen for years to come.
We’ll hear from new X-Division Champion Leon Slater
The Elegance Brand (Ash By Elegance, Heather By Elegance & M By Elegance) vs. The IInspiration (Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay) and a mystery partner
No DQ match: Jake Something vs. Mance Warner
TNA President Carlos Silva presented Alisha Edwards with a TNA All Star Award at Slammiversary celebrating how much she contributes to the promotion in the ring and behind the scenes
Kacy Catanzaro (former WWE wrestler Katana Chance) announced that she and her boyfriend Naoufal Abouelhouda are now engaged: “Cheers to forever I SAID YES Yes today, Yes tomorrow, Yes ALWAYS”
Because she had been with the company for so long and survived other roster cuts, Kacy Catanzaro (the former Katana Chance) was surprised by her WWE release.
Catanzaro and her tag team partner Kayden Carter were both released from their WWE contracts in a round of cuts that took place on May 2. The release put an end to Catanzaro’s eight-year run with WWE, which began in 2017 when she transitioned to pro wrestling after an accomplished career competing in American Ninja Warrior.
While appearing on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Catanzaro admitted that — while she realizes in retrospect that there were signs her release was coming — she was shocked when she got the call that she was being let go.
“At first I thought that I was in shock and not able to process it, because I feel like when you work there, there is a joke of, like, you could literally be fired at any time. We’re nervous about it often. Not like, oh, I’m sitting there upset every day. But enough that someone will make a random joke every now and then, like, oh, something happened, ‘Well, what if we get fired?’ It is in the back of your mind because it does happen, and you know how the business works,” the 35-year-old Catanzaro said.
“But I actually was very surprised. It just wasn’t on my radar. Then as I was telling the story of kind of how it led up to it, at first I was like, ‘Yeah, I really didn’t have any notice.’ Then as I told the story, I was like, ‘Wait, maybe I could have taken some of those as signs that something could have been coming.’ But also things change so often. If every time something got pushed, or every time we didn’t travel I went into a spiral thinking that we were going to get fired, I wouldn’t have enjoyed my time. So I feel like I was surprised. It was a shock, but I had been there for so many years that I think that that’s normal.”
Getting moved from Raw to SmackDown and then having creative plans pushed back is one of the signs that Catanzaro was at risk of being let go by WWE. A six-woman tag match with Catanzaro, Carter & Zelina Vega facing Chelsea Green, Piper Niven & Alba Fyre was supposed to happen but never did.
“So we got moved from Raw to SmackDown. Originally, you’re like, ‘Oh man, Raw just got moved to Netflix. That’s really big and now they’re taking us off of it. Is that bad?’ But then people are like, ‘Well, there’s more time on SmackDown, we want more storylines for you guys.’ Cool, that’s believable. I love that. So we get to SmackDown, there’s a big pay-per-view coming up, so the stories are all kind of already happening for the pay-per-view for the next two weeks,” Catanzaro said.
“So we’re like, ‘Okay, we’re not doing anything yet. Again, makes sense. That’s how things happen. That totally makes sense.’ So then the pay-per-view passes. Now it’s another month or so, we’re pitching stuff. We’re pitching all the angles, sending storylines in, trying to get in. We’re trying to fit into what’s already happening, trying to pitch off-the-wall stuff that could be cool and different, whatever. So as it gets closer, now we’re getting to Mania season. So now it’s like a month before WrestleMania. So we’re like, okay, I know that if something that we’re doing isn’t in WrestleMania, anything can happen, because everything has to lead up to that.”
Catanzaro reiterated that she isn’t sure if she is going to continue wrestling or not. She has a couple of months before her non-compete clause expires to decide which path she is going to take in life.
Van Vliet’s full interview with Catanzaro can be watched below:
Kacy Catanzaro, formerly Katana Chance, spoke about her WWE departure and future plans during a recent appearance on the Lightweights Podcast.
Catanzaro and her longtime tag team partner Kayden Carter were part of WWE’s roster cuts on May 2. Her last match for the company was the tag team title number one contender battle royal on the April 11 SmackDown.
The 35-year-old had been with WWE for eight years, signing in 2017 after competing on seasons 5 through 9 of American Ninja Warrior. She says this is the first time in a long while she’s had to reflect on what she wants to do next.
“Growing up, I loved watching wrestling. I loved watching American Ninja Warrior. And now that I’ve done both of those in a certain aspect, I’m like, OK, well, am I done with that? Do I want to do more of either of those? That’s possible.”
“Do I want to do something different that I haven’t done yet? And it’s really a hard question.”
“Now that like the world is open, I’m not sure what that looks like yet, which is like exciting. It’s scary, but exciting.”
She was asked about the possibility of returning to American Ninja Warrior or wrestling on the independents.
“Those are both very good questions and my answer to both of them is it’s possible. Definitely possible. It’s definitely on my mind that I’m looking for. I just need to decide what my first step is going to be, if that makes sense.”
“I know that I have more potential in both of those avenues. I know that when it comes to American Ninja Warrior, when I did leave, it was for a good reason. But I know that there were more things I had wanted to do or more things I feel like I was capable of.”
“And when it comes to wrestling, I’m very grateful for my time there. And I also feel the same way where I know that there are things that I’m capable of and there is potential that I wasn’t able to show. So, that’s hard to walk away from, you know what I mean?”
“I feel like in both of those avenues, I feel that way where, OK, I know that this could be explored further and I know that I have the potential to do a lot more. So I just need to take the time to choose, like, what is that going to be? And I don’t know yet.”
Catanzaro’s full appearance on the Lightweights Podcast with Joe Vulpis is available here:
Both NXT Tag Team titles are on the line next week.
NXT Tag Team Champions The New Day will defend the titles against Briggs and Jensen, while Kayden Carter and Katana Chance will defend the Women’s Tag Team titles in a three-way against Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne and Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley.
Additionally, Carmelo Hayes will face Axiom, Zoey Stark will take on Nikkita Lyons, and Apollo Crews will return after his loss at NXT Deadline this past Saturday.
The New Day came out during Tuesday’s show to celebrate their title win when Pretty Deadly interrupted, wanting a rematch. The New Day said they would consider it if they could recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Briggs and Jensen came out and did just that, earning themselves a title match.
A match between Dolin & Jayne vs. Nile & Paxley that took place Tuesday ended when the three teams ended up brawling. Later in the show, the three teams fought again, with officials having to separate them.
Here is the lineup for next week’s NXT:
NXT Tag Team titles: The New Day defend against Briggs and Jensen
NXT Women’s Tag Team titles: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defend against Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne and Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley
Kacy Catanzaro has officially been given a new WWE in-ring name.
In a video that WWE uploaded after this week’s NXT, it was confirmed that Catanzaro is now going by the name “Katana Chance.” Chance & Kayden Carter will face Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz on NXT next Tuesday. Both teams are looking to challenge Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles.
“Everyone knows me as Kacy Catanzaro, and that is me. But there are parts of me that people haven’t seen — except maybe Kayden — where I get to do what I want,” Catanzaro said. “And that’s like shooting back straight whiskey and letting loose. And Kayden isn’t the only one that can party and shake a little something. That is Katana Chance. And that is the energy that I’ll be bringing to NXT from now on.”
PWInsider reported on April 16 that both Catanzaro and Kay Lee Ray had been given new in-ring names by WWE. KLR will now be known as “Alba Fyre.”
Catanzaro signed with WWE in 2017 after having been a star on American Ninja Warrior.
Last week, Dave Meltzer reported that Vince McMahon decreed in a memo that he doesn’t want anyone new using their real names anymore, nor using names that they already had on the indies.
Here’s the updated lineup for next Tuesday’s NXT:
Solo Sikoa vs. Trick Williams
Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen vs. Legado del Fantasma (Elektra Lopez, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde)
Nikkita Lyons vs. Lash Legend
Nathan Frazer makes his NXT 2.0 debut
Katana Chance & Kayden Carter vs. Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz
NXT’s Kay Lee Ray and Kacy Catanzaro appear to be the latest wrestlers to have their in-ring names changed by WWE.
PWInsider reported on Saturday that KLR will now be going by the in-ring name Alba Fyre going forward, while Catanzaro will now be going by the name Katana Chance.
WWE filed trademarks for both “Alba Fyre” and “Katana Chance” on April 12.
KLR was involved in the NXT Women’s Championship match at NXT Stand & Deliver during WrestleMania 38 weekend. Mandy Rose retained her title by defeating Cora Jade, Io Shirai, and KLR in a fatal four-way match.
Before coming to the United States’ version of NXT, KLR was the longest-reigning NXT UK Women’s Champion in history.
Catanzaro is part of a tag team with Kayden Carter in NXT. She signed with WWE in 2017 after having been a star on American Ninja Warrior.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Vince McMahon decreed in a memo that he doesn’t want anyone new using their real names anymore, nor using names that they already had on the indies.
Marcel Barthel (now Ludwig Kaiser) and Raquel Gonzalez (Raquel Rodriguez) got new names when they were called up to SmackDown last week. Raw’s Austin Theory is now just going by the name Theory, while NXT’s Raul Mendoza has been given the name Cruz Del Toro.
This match consisted of basic groundwork and some arm drags. It was fine.
The debuting Enofe traded quick pin attempts early in the match. Likewise, the pair traded mat control as the opening sequence took form. Blade connected with a top rope dropkick before attempting a splash that Enofe evaded. Enofe capitalised, connecting with a spinebuster and standing moonsault for the win.
Tiffany Stratton defeated Amari Miller
Stratton, before making her debut, cut a 2001 popular girl promo in the ring—my dad is rich, I’m hot, etc. The match was not great.
Miller gained ground control as the match began. After Stratton reversed the momentum in her favour, she connected with underhanded offence—working the fingers, stomping the feet, etc. Stratton tried to roll up Miller, but something caused an awkward fumble. Miller tried pinning Stratton herself, but Stratton escaped. Stratton transitioned into another pin that resulted in a debut victory.
Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter defeated Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon
A video presentation before the match revealed Catanzaro and Carter like to attend music festivals. Neat.
Even though this match formula is threadbare, what was delivered was quite enjoyable.
Leon and Carter opened the match. The pair went back and forth, both in moves and dance, before Catanzaro and Feroz tagged in. Catanzaro gained control before Carter re-entered the ring.
Feroz caught Carter in the ropes with an armbar, resulting in her team’s first stint of control; this continued as Leon and Feroz traded tags. Feroz and Leon took turns working Carter’s arm and throwing her across the ring.
Carter eventually fought through, resulting in a hot tag. Catanzaro regained control, and with aid from Carter, hit Leon with a flipping dive. Carter pinned Leon to close the match.
Toxic Attraction will look to continue their dominance over NXT tonight.
NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne will face off with Io Shirai, Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro in six-woman tag team action on tonight’s episode of NXT. The match was made after Carter and Catanzaro saved Shirai from a beatdown by Toxic Attraction on last week’s show.
It was revealed last week that Dolin and Jayne had attacked Zoey Stark backstage. Shirai confronted Rose, but Toxic Attraction ganged up on her and had the numbers advantage. Carter and Catanzaro then made the save for Shirai.
Stark recently underwent surgery after suffering a torn ACL and torn meniscus at Halloween Havoc.
The team of Jacket Time (Kushida & Ikemen Jiro) will take on Diamond Mine’s Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) tonight. Plus, Kay Lee Ray faces Sarray, Pete Dunne will make an appearance, Cameron Grimes and Elektra Lopez will be in action, we’ll hear from NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa and Bron Breakker on WWE’s UK tour, and The Grizzled Young Veterans will hone their “urban training” skills.
This was a fun opener. It was nice to start with a match instead of a long promo. They worked hard, and the fans got into the match by the end.
Mandy Rose gained the early advantage for her team after knocking Shirai off the apron. The heels then cut Carter off from her team and isolated her on their side of the ring. Jacy Jayne caught Carter with a neck breaker for a near fall. She followed up with an enziguri, but Carter recovered and tagged in Shirai.
Shirak hit a standing moonsasult into a double-knees for two-count. Catanzaro hit a slingshot senton on Jayne for a near fall, but the heels backed her into their corner. Catanzaro recovered and hit a dive to the floor on Rose. Carter then hit a cross body onto Gigi Dolin and Jayne. Shirai went for a dive, but Rose cut her off to take over.
During the break, Shirai caught Dolin with a cross face. The heels took over by isolating Catanzaro in their corner.
Back from the break, the heels were firmly in control. Rose slowed the pace down with the body scissors on Catanzaro. Catanzaro broke free, and Shirai got the hot tag. She ran wild on Dolin and stomped her in the corner.
Shirai finally got her hands on Rose and hit running double knees in the corner. She followed up with a huge moonsault on Rose for a very close near fall. The heels briefly took over until Carter tagged back in the match.
Carter rolled through and rocked Dolin with a superkick. The fans broke into a loud “This is awesome” chant. Carter climbed the top rope, but Jayne jumped on the apron to distract her. Catanzaro and Shirai attacked Rose and Jayne at ringside. Dolin then yanked Carter off the top rope and hit her finisher for the win.
After the match, Toxic Attraction posed on the stage with the titles.
In the back, McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Pete Dunne. She asked about Tony D’Angelo’s comments from last week. Dunne told D’Angelo to come and find him. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams approached. They got in Dunn’s face. Dunne became furious and challenged Hayes to match later.
Toxic Attraction were still posing on the stage. Kay Lee Ray’s music hit, and she made her way to the ring passing by Toxic Attraction.
MSK continued on their journey. They’ve been walking for a long time, apparently. They joked about joining the mile-high club, which they might think means something else.
Kay Lee Ray defeated Sarray (4:51)
Ray and Sarray had a good short match.
Ray jumped Sarray at the bell and beat her down. Sarray fought back with an arm drag and hit a double foot stomp. She rocked Ray with a forearm, but Ray fired back with a series of forearms as well.
Sarray missed a splash in the corner, and Ray hit a DDT for a close two-count. Sarray rolled up Ray for a near fall and transitioned to a half-crab. Ray fought back and made it to the ropes to break the hold. Ray rocked Sarray with a superkick, but Sarray fired back with a kick to the head.
Sarray missed a dropkick and Ray sent her to the floor. Ray then hit the KLR bomb on the announce table and hit a second KLR bomb in the ring for the win.
In the back, Joe Gacy discussed his upcoming match with Boa. He thinks Boa feels he has to hide who he really is.
They showed highlights of Bron Breakker competing on the UK Tour and promising to win the NXT title.
Joe Gacy defeated Boa via DQ (3:23)
They didn’t get a lot of time and had a weak DQ finish.
Boa briefly had the early advantage, but Gacy took over. Gacy hit a side slam, and suplex Boa fired up and hit a series of knees. Suddenly, the lights went out, and Boa viciously attacked Gacy against the ropes. Boa refused to break the hold, and the referee called for the bell.
Gacy laughed in the camera and acted like he planned everything.
They showed the Jacket Time promo for last week. The Diamond Mine watched the promo as they trained. Malcolm Bivens demanded that the Creed Brothers defeat Jacket Time tonight.
In the back, McKenzie Mitchell tried to interview Sola Sikoa, but Grayson Waller and LA Knight interrupted. Sikoa challenged them both to match later.
The Creed Brothers (w/Dimaond Mine) defeated Jacket Time (7:42)
This was a fun short match that the fans enjoyed. Kushdia was the highlight of the match.
The Creed Brothers gained the early advantage and isolated Kushida in their corner. Kushida fought back and hit a double handspring elbow on the heels. Ikemen Jiro and Kushia then regained control and knocked the Creed Brothers off the apron. Jacket Time posed in the middle of the ring before the commercial break.
Back from the break, Kushdia ran wild and scored a near fall. Kushdia and Jiro hit a double dropkick on Julius. Jiro hit an elbow off the top for a close near fall. Brutus went after Kushdia as Julius ripped off Jiro’s jacket to a chorus of boos.
Jiro tried to fight back, but Roderick Strong interfered, and Julius hit a gut-wrench powerbomb to win.
After the match, Odyssey Jones ran out for the save and attacked the Diamond Mine.
Toxic Attraction were in the parking lot bragging about being the champions. Rose noted there was nobody worthy of challenging for her title. Suddenly, Raquel Gonzalaz drove up on her bike. She told Rose to keep her belt warm, and she drove to the ring.
Raquel Gonzalaz And Dakota Kai Segment
Gonzalaz jumped in the ring and repeated to Rose to keep the belt warm. She’s going to deal with Dakota Kai first and then is coming for her title. She then demanded that Kai come to the ring. Kai slowly walked out and talked about how good it felt to hit her in the back with the shovel at Halloween Havoc.
Suddenly, Cora Jade ran out and attacked Kai. Gonzalaz got in Jade’s face and noted she gets to face Kai first.
Adam Chase held a seminar at Chase University. They discussed mental toughness until he yelled at one of his students and kicked him out.
Cameron Grimes defeated Ru Feng (1:45)
This was mostly a squash match to showcase Grimes. He looked good in the match and was good in the post-match angle as well.
Grimes had the early advantage and mocked Feng. Feng fought back and slowed the pace down with an abnormal stretch. Grimes fought back with a hip toss. Grimes fired up and ran wild on Feng. He rocked Feng with a running boot in the corner. Grimes followed up with a flying crossbody for a near fall. He then hit the double foot stomp for the win.
After the match, Duke Hudson came to the ring and got in Grimes’ face. He demanded to know if Grimes duped him and called him a hick. Grimes mocked Hudson and bragged about winning. Hudson promised that he’d never lose again to someone that looks like a rotten troll living under a bridge. The fans gave Hudson the “What” treatment and chanted it for the first half of his promo.
Grimes wondered why Hudson had to resort to name-calling. Grimes promised that he holds it down, and it doesn’t matter if it’s in Duke’s poker room, in the ring, or on wall street. Grimes noted he likes to play dumb, but last week, he played Hudson.
Hudson then challenged Grimes to a poker showdown next week in the ring.
Triple Threat Match: Solo Sikoa defeated Grayson Waller and LA Knight (5:00)
This was a fine triple threat match, but they didn’t get a lot of time.
Waller and Knight argued until Sikola took them both out. Waller charged at Sikoa, but he moved, and Knight pulled down the rope. Sikoa then brought Knight back in the ring, but Waller pulled down the rope on Knight and he fell to the outside.
Waller and Knight then worked together to beat down Sikoa. The fans broke into a loud “LA sucks” chant. Waller and Knight argued about giving Sikoa a superplex. They finally agreed to give Sikoa a double superplex. Instead, Sikoa slipped out and gave the heels a double powerbomb.
Sikoa missed a splash in the corner, and Knight hit a neck breaker to take over. Waller attacked Knight with knees and caught Sikoa with a superkick. The finish came when Sikoa threw Waller out of the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex. He then hit the splash on Knight for the win.
In the back, McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Indie Hartwell and Persia Pirotta. They discussed coming close to winning the tag team titles at Halloween Havoc. Tony D’Angelo approached and promised to defeat Dexter Lumis next week. He then gave a dead fish to Indie to give to Dexter.
Elektra Lopez and Legado Del Fantasma were on their way to the ring. Lopez hopes that Xyon Quinn is watching.
They showed highlights of NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa on the UK Tour.
Elektra Lopez (w/Legado Del Fantasma) defeated Erica Yan (1:21)
This was a quick squash match that was rough in a lot of places.
Yan tried to jump Lopez at the bell, but Lopez quickly took over. She slapped Yan hard across the face and hit a suplex. She followed up with a scary-looking sit-out powerbomb for the win.
After the match, Lopez called out Xyon Quinn and offered him a spot in Legado Del Fantasma. Quinn was flattered but turned down the offer. Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde tried to stop Quinn, but he fought back. Quinn cleared the ring and had an intense staredown with Lopez.
They announced NXT War Games for December 5th. The event is only called War Games with no references to the Takeover name.
In the back, McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Kyle O’Reilly. He’s not sure if he should focus on his singles career or go all-in with Von Wagner as a tag team. Imperium approached O’Reilly until Wagner showed up and the heels backed off.
Non-Title Match: Pete Dunne defeated North American Champion Carmelo Hayes (w/Trick Williams) (12:12)
Dunne and Hayes had a good fast-paced, and hard-hitting match.
Dunne rocked Hayes with a forearm right at the bell. Dunne followed up with a hard clothesline and slowed the pace down. He worked over Hayes’ arm and targeted the fingers. Hayes fought back with a kick to the face and a springboard clothesline off the middle rope.
Hayes took over and kicked Dunne in the arm. Dunne recovered and rocked Hayes with a kick to the arm as well.
Dunne sent Hayes to the apron and snapped his fingers. They fought on the floor. Hayes attempted a suplex, but Dunne reversed with a suplex on the apron.
Suddenly, Dexter Lumis showed up to join the commentators.
Back from the break, Dunne was firmly in control until Hayes hit a huge code breaker to take over. He followed up with a hard clothesline. Dunne tried fighting back, but Hayes slammed him down for another near fall. Dunne fired back with a hard forearm and a sit-out powerbomb for a very close two-count. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant.
Hayes leaped off the ropes, but Dunne rocked him with a hard forearm. Hayes fought back with a twisting suplex for another near fall. The fans broke into an “NXT” and “Fight Forever” chant. Hayes locked on the Gargano escape, but Dunne broke free by attacking the fingers. The fans broke into another “This is awesome” chant.
Dunne hit a release German suplex and knocked Williams off the apron. Dunne went for the bitter end, but Hayes shoved him into the middle rope. Lumis attacked Williams at ringside before he could attack Dunne.
In the ring, Hayes backed up against the ropes, and a hand appeared from under the ring. Hayes backed off as the hand grabbed at his leg. Dunne took advantage and hit the bitter end for the win.
After the match, Johnny Gargano appeared from under the ring and gave a thumbs up to Lumis. Dunne looked at Lumis and Gargano giving each other the thumbs up to end NXT.
Next Week: Cameron Grimes takes on Duke Hudson in a Poker Showdown. In a six-man tag team match, Odyssey Jones & Jacket Time take on Diamond Mine’s Roderick Strong and The Creed Brothers. Plus, Dexter Lumis goes one-on-one with Tony D’Angelo.
Toxic Attraction are set for six-woman tag team action on next week’s NXT.
WWE has announced that Toxic Attraction (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) will take on Io Shirai, Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro on NXT next Tuesday. On tonight’s episode of the show, Carter and Catanzaro saved Shirai from a beatdown by Toxic Attraction.
Rose, Dolin, and Jayne all won titles at Halloween Havoc last Tuesday. Rose defeated Raquel Gonzalez in a Trick or Street Fight to win the NXT Women’s Championship, while Dolin & Jayne won the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles in a Scareway to Hell ladder match against Shirai & Zoey Stark and Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta.
Rose kicked off tonight’s NXT and bragged about Toxic Attraction’s title wins. It was revealed that Dolin and Jayne weren’t with her in the ring because they were attacking Stark backstage. After Rose said Toxic Attraction runs NXT and no one can stop them, she was interrupted by Shirai.
Shirai wanted a match against Rose, but Rose gave her a cheap shot and attacked her instead. Shirai fought back and was going for a moonsault when Dolin and Jayne got involved. Carter and Catanzaro then made the save for Shirai, evening the odds against Toxic Attraction.
A tag team match between Kushida & Ikemen Jiro and The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) has also been announced for next week’s NXT. It appears that Kay Lee Ray will have a match on the show as well. A promo aired on NXT tonight where KLR promised that she’s going to “start to rage” next week.
WWE has announced that Hit Row’s B-Fab will make her in-ring debut on tonight’s NXT. Ridge Holland and the Creed brothers will also be in action on the show.
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WWE has made a new match announcement for tonight’s episode of NXT.
Carter & Catanzaro unsuccessfully challenged for Io Shirai & Zoey Stark’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles last Tuesday. After the match, Dolin, Jayne, and Rose attacked Carter and Catanzaro on the stage. Rose was wearing a protective face mask as part of an angle where she was dropkicked in the face by Sarray the previous week.
Rose’s match against Sarray on NXT two weeks ago ended in a countout after the dropkick. Dolin and Jayne held a towel over Rose’s face as they left.
The revamped version of NXT will debut starting with tonight’s episode. The revamp is being called “NXT 2.0.”
Here’s the updated card for tonight:
Fatal four-way match to determine new NXT Champion: Pete Dunne vs. Tommaso Ciampa vs. Kyle O’Reilly vs. LA Knight
The wedding of Indi Hartwell & Dexter Lumis
Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro vs. Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne
NXT’s Kacy Catanzaro is currently out of action due to a knee injury.
In a social media post on Tuesday night, Catanzaro revealed that she has a partially torn LCL and is working with the medical staff to return to the ring as soon as she can. “It’s been a tough week.. coming to terms with a partial LCL tear, but working with medical staff to get back as soon as I can. You can’t keep me down,” Catanzaro wrote.
XIa Li defeated Catanzaro by referee stoppage on NXT last week. As officials were checking on Catanzaro following the match, Li laid her out with a kick. It was claimed on commentary that Catanzaro was getting X-Rays for a “possible broken leg” after Li attacked it during the match.
Catanzaro took part in this year’s women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, teaming with Kayden Carter. Catanzaro & Carter defeated Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez in the first round of the tournament but then lost to Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in the semifinals.
WWE NXT wrestler Kacy Catanzaro posted a video Saturday on Twitter, addressing some of the recent controversy around an Instagram video she posted last week where she wasn’t wearing a mask at a restaurant.
However, on Sunday, she had deleted her Twitter account altogether following negative responses to the video. Her Instagram account is still active as of now.
In the now deleted video, she said she appreciated the concern but that in Florida, you don’t have to wear a mask while seated at a restaurant and only when you walk in and out. She understands that’s the only clip people saw and that’s why people were upset.
“I understand your concern and I want you to know that I do care about the safety of others around me and myself and I follow all of the protocols. Luckily for me with work, we get tested at least once a week, if not twice sometimes. I carry my hand sanitizer with me everywhere. Everywhere that we have to, I wear my mask. I’m sorry that this moment made people think otherwise, but I just want you all to know that I hear you and I appreciate the concern. I am looking out for the safety of others around me as well as trying to take care of myself the best I can, and I wish the best for everybody else.”
The 31-year-old was last seen teaming with Kayden Carter in the semifinals of the Dusty Rhodes Women’s Tag Team Classic.
The inaugural women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic kicked off with an upset on tonight’s episode of NXT.
In the first match of the tournament, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter defeated Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez to advance to the semifinals. Catanzaro & Carter got the win after NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai made her return by attacking Martinez during the match. There had been an angle on NXT last month where Martinez returned to the brand and attacked Shirai. Later on tonight’s show, Storm and Shirai had to be separated by officials backstage.
After defeating Storm & Martinez, Catanzaro & Carter said they’re going to make history by winning the entire tournament.
Catanzaro & Carter will face either Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez or Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in the semifinals.
The women’s Dusty Classic is an eight-team tournament. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Gigi Dolin (Priscilla Kelly) & Cora Jade (Elayna Black), Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Marina Shafir & Zoey Stark (Lacey Ryan), and Kai & Gonzalez vs. Aliyah & Kamea are the remaining first round matches. Dolin, Jade, and Stark are all new WWE signees.
The first round of the women’s Dusty Classic will continue on this Friday’s episode of 205 Live.
The first-ever women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will kick off on next week’s NXT.
WWE has announced that the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will begin with Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez vs. Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter taking place on NXT next Wednesday.
Storm & Martinez, Catanzaro & Carter, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, and Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon are the first four teams to be announced for the women’s Dusty Classic.
Martinez made her return to NXT by attacking NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai three weeks ago. After being challenged by Storm, Shirai went to the ring and called Storm out. But Martinez instead ambushed Shirai. A promo aired on NXT New Year’s Evil last week where Martinez said she’s coming for Shirai’s NXT Women’s Championship.
This year’s men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic began on NXT tonight with Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong defeating Breezango, MSK (formerly known as The Rascalz’s Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) defeating Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas, and The Grizzled Young Veterans defeating Ever-Rise.
Two men’s Dusty Classic first round matches have been announced for next week’s NXT: Kushida & Leon Ruff vs. NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory and Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner vs. Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado. Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher will also face off in a Fight Pit match on NXT next Wednesday.
