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.
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:
An athletic matchup took place on WWE Speed this week with Katana Chance battling Sol Ruca.
NXT’s Ruca got the victory over her main roster counterpart, pinning Chance with 29 seconds remaining on the three-minute clock. They traded pinfall attempts in the closing stretch of the match until Ruca was able to catch Chance with the Sol Snatcher.
This was the first match in a four-person tournament to determine the next challenger for WWE Speed Women’s Champion Candice LeRae. The tournament continues next Wednesday (April 2) with Michin vs. Shayna Baszler to decide Ruca’s opponent in the finals.
LeRae became the inaugural WWE Speed Women’s Champion in October 2024. The story of her title reign has been using the short time limits on WWE Speed to her advantage, going to draws with both Natalya and Zoey Stark.
In a post-match promo after defeating Chance, Ruca — who signed with WWE in 2022 — said she’s “absolutely stoked on life” following this main roster win. She’s a rising star in NXT and has a background as a college athlete in acrobatics and tumbling.
WWE continued to shuffle the Raw and SmackDown rosters on Friday’s SmackDown, announcing that Katana Chance and Kayden Carter have been moved to the blue brand.
In a backstage segment with GM Nick Aldis on Friday’s SmackDown, it was announced that Chance and Carter are the newest members of the SmackDown roster.
The duo joins Drew McIntyre in new additions to the SmackDown brand announced Friday.
WWE dropped the transfer window terminology used throughout December and January in the McIntyre, Chance, and Carter moves after announcing that the transfer period would close over Royal Rumble weekend.
Carter has wrestled twice in 2025, once in a tag bout with Chance on the January 16 Main Event episode (taped January 13), and once on this week’s WWE Speed in a tournament match against Zoey Stark. Chance’s lone WWE match of the year was the tag bout with Carter.
Chance and Carter could be in line for a Women’s Tag Team title shot at current champs Bianca Belair and Naomi in a tag division bereft of obvious challengers.
With a victory over Alba Fyre, Katana Chance is one step closer to challenging for the WWE Speed Women’s Championship.
The show’s contender tournament continued on Wednesday with Chance and Fyre meeting in a first-round match. As she was locked in a Koji Clutch, Chance managed to turn the move into a pin attempt. Fyre kicked out, but Chance then swept Fyre’s legs and drove her face into the mat. Chance got the pinfall with 35 seconds remaining of the three-minute time limit.
Who will advance in the #WWESpeed Women's No. 1 Contender's Tournament? Will it be @Katana_WWE or @wwe_alba in the Quarterfinals? 👀 pic.twitter.com/QhpMMqC5rh
It will be Chance vs. either Michin or Ivy Nile in the second round. Michin and Nile are facing off next Wednesday in the only remaining first-round matchup of the tournament. Zelina Vega and Natalya have already advanced and will be facing each other in the next round.
Candice LeRae, who became the inaugural WWE Speed Women’s Champion this October, will be making her first title defense against the tournament winner.
Chance also was an entrant in the WWE Women’s Intercontinental title tournament, losing a first-round match on Raw this Monday. She is part of the women’s tag team division with Kayden Carter.
On the eve of the Royal Rumble, SmackDown takes place from Miami tonight.
A singles match between LA Knight and Solo Sikoa is part of the lineup for the episode. At the Royal Rumble, Knight, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles are challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWEUniversal Championship in a fatal four-way match.
Santos Escobar will go head-to-head with Carlito tonight as well. Carlito was out of action recently due to an attack from Escobar.
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance will defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles against The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane). Chance & Carter retained their titles against Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn last week.
Also, in a rematch from two weeks ago, Austin Theory will step in the ring with Carmelo Hayes. There will also be a face-to-face confrontation between The Street Profits & Bobby Lashley and The Final Testament.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show. The Kabuki Warriors and Katana Chance & Kayden Carter were shown walking backstage. We then got a video recapping last week’s main event.
– Eladio Carrion made his entrance. With a microphone inside the ring, Carrion welcomed everyone into SmackDown. Carrion then introduced Randy Orton.
The Randy Orton segment
This was pretty basic, but essential to try and get some final heat on the four-way at the Rumble. Styles kicking Orton was mildly surprising, and it didn’t really pack a punch, but it was a nice way to get out of the segment. Knight showed good fire here – more than he has in a while on WWE TV – but while that stood out, there wasn’t much to say about any of this.
Orton said he bet nobody thought he was friends with Carrion. Orton said he was there to talk about the Bloodline. Orton said the Bloodline has been on a hell of a run and mentioned how Roman Reigns has been holding his title for almost 1,300 days. Orton said that’s unheard of and nobody can stop the Bloodline … except for him. Orton said the only number after Saturday night that will matter is “15,” because Orton will be a 15-time world champion after he beats Reigns. The crowd chanted “Randy!” Orton said he is going to win courtesy of the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment, “RKO.”
AJ Styles’ music then hit and Styles walked out. Styles asked Orton if he was looking past AJ Styles. AJ said he asked Nick Aldis if he could have a match with Solo Sikoa and instead, Aldis gave the match to LA Knight. Styles walked into the ring and told Orton that Orton should know better. Styles reminded Orton of their history together and Styles said Orton has a receipt coming. Styles said he will step over Orton, Reigns and Knight. On cue, Knight’s music hit and Knight came out.
Knight had a microphone and said “Let me talk to ya!” from the walkaway. Knight talked about how Styles has been “crying” ever since be came back to WWE. Knight noted how he didn’t really want to fight Sikoa later. Knight said Paul Heyman lobbied to have Knight wrestle tonight to soften him up for the Rumble. Knight said he’s not going to complain. Knight said he was going to walk over everyone at the Rumble to become the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion. Knight said “Yeah!” and threw the microphone down. Knight left the ring and Styles Pele Kicked Orton to end the segment.
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Santos Escobar defeated Carlito [9:50]
Is it me, or was Carlito moving a bit slower than anticipated there? Either way, these two worked fairly well together. The headline is Lopez’s call up to the main roster and I’m very curious to see how she does under the biggest spotlight WWE has to offer. She’s been a work in progress in the ring on NXT, though her mic work has improved significantly. Will she wrestle more on the main roster or will she be positioned as Legado Del Fantasma’s manager? It should be interesting to see how that faction evolves after the Rumble.
Carlito fired up to open the match and threw a series of punches and kicks. Carlito kept control with a fury of strikes until Escobar ran Carlito into the middle turnbuckle. Carlito went to the outside and was the recipient of a dive from Escobar as Humberto and Angel distracted Carlito. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from break, Carlito ran into an elbow and Escobar got a two-count out of it. Escobar then ripped Carlito’s shirt off of his upper body.
Escobar tore the tape off Carlito’s shoulder. Escobar hit a double knees in Carlito and followed that up with a Frankensteiner from the top rope for a two-count. Escobar worked an arm bar on Carlito. Escobar pulled Carlito down by his hair and stomped on Carlito. Escobar went back to the arm-bar, but Carlito fired up and took Escobar down with a dropkick. Carlito landed a neck-breaker and a spine-buster. Carlito followed that up with a knee and Humberto distracted the referee as Angel pulled Carlito to the outside. The LWO and Humberto and Angel brawled on the outside. Out of nowhere, Elektra Lopez attacked Zelina Vega, which distracted Carlito. Escobar then rolled Carlito up for the win.
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– Styles was shown walking backstage and he ran into Jimmy Uso. The rest of The OC walked up and asked Styles what that was about. Styles told them not to worry about it.
– Nick Aldis was shown backstage and Ava walked into the frame, asking Aldis for tips. In walked the Street Profits and Bobby Lashley, who drew a number for the Royal Rumble. Escobar walked in and drew a number for himself. Neither number was revealed.
– A video profiling Bayley aired.
– R-Truth was shown drawing a number for the Royal Rumble alongside Aldis and Ava. Truth called Aldis “Adam” and “Mr. Pearce.” Truth asked the GMs if he had to quarantine, so I suppose the guess is he drew 19.
The Kabuki Warriors (Kairi Sane & Asuka) defeated Katana Chance & Kayden Carter to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship [9:02]
Perhaps the most predictable outcome of the WWE weekend. Good for Chance and Carter at least getting a tiny run as champs on the main roster, but this outcome felt more probably than anything else on the card. The story of Damage CTRL having all the gold and then Bayley maybe winning the Royal Rumble seems as intriguing to me as anything else the company has going on in its women’s division. The match here was pretty good despite a couple iffy moments. Chance and Carter worked hard, but if those tag titles are going to get back to having a notable profile, they need to be on Asuka and Sane moving forward. Sane’s InSane elbow is one of prettiest moves in all of wrestling.
Carter and Asuka started the match, but it wasn’t long before Chance tagged in and the champs landed a couple double-team moves. With Asuka and Sane on the outside, Chance hit a plancha on both as the show went to a commercial break. Back from that break, Sane and Asuka hit a series of double-team moves on Chance to keep control. Asuka ran at Chance, but Chance pulled the second rope down and Asuka spilled out to the floor. Sane ran at Chance and Chance threw Sane to the outside, but Carter wasn’t on the apron for a tag. Eventually, Carter tagged in and hit a splash onto Sane and Asuka.
Carter hit a running boot to Asuka before landing a springboard leg-drop on Asuka for a two-count. Sane tagged in and the Warriors hit a double-team move on Carter for a near-fall. Sane landed a spinning back-fist on Carter and Sane went to the top. Sane went for her elbow, but Carter got her feet up and Sane landed on those feet. Asuka tagged in and Carter got in a modified Sister Abigail. Chance tagged in and the champs hit the Keg Stand, but Sane broke the pin attempt up.
Things broke down and Sane and Chance fought on the outside. Sane Slammed Chance onto the commentary table. Asuka kicked Carter in the head and tagged in Sane. Sane went to the top and this time landed the InSane Elbow for the win. After the match, the rest of Damage CTRL came out and celebrated with the new champs.
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– Paul Heyman was talking to Solo Sikoa backstage. Heyman asked Sikoa to “fix the problem” and to not be merciful in his match later. Jimmy Uso said Sikoa was scary and Heyman told Jimmy said Roman got to Tribal Chief level because he saw a moment and seized it. Heyman mentioned Seth Rollins and told Jimmy to seize the moment and enter the Royal Rumble, win it and challenge Seth Rollins at WrestleMania.
– Bianca Belair and Bayley were shown picking their numbers for the Royal Rumble match.
The Final Testament/Street Profits/Bobby Lashley segment
I don’t think we can debate Kross needed this reboot. I think it’s working. Kind of? Maybe? OK, so perhaps it’s too early to tell for sure, but I’m willing to keep an open mind as this Final Testament stuff unfolds. They need a strong start and they’re off to it, getting the best of Lashley and the Profits each week. This was no exception.
Bobby Lashley introduced the Profits and himself to the crowd. Lashley said the people of Miami came to see a fight and a fight is what they wanted to bring the Final Testament. The Final Testament’s music then hit and out they came. Scarlett walked into the ring and stared down Lashley, who called Kross a coward. Montez Ford said the Final Testament is scared. Paul Ellering had a microphone and spoke from the walkway. Ellering said there is no fear in Karrion Kross, who then began to speak and the crowd gave him the “What?” treatment. Kross told the crowd to “shut the hell up.”
The crowd booed heavily. Kross told Lashley that Lashley wasn’t in control anymore. Kross said Lashley wasn’t going to get his fight tonight. Lashley said Kross lied because they indeed are going to fight tonight. Scarlett jumped onto Lashley and Kross ran Lashley into the ring post. AOP beat the Profits down in the middle of the ring. The faction then attacked Lashley. Kross his the Kross Hammer and stood tall to end the segment.
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– Jimmy Uso showed up to Aldis’s office to draw his Rumble number. Jimmy seemed unhappy with his number.
– A video recapping the Kevin Owens/Logan Paul stuff from last week aired.
Austin Theory defeated Carmelo Hayes [6:59]
A seven-minute match with a commercial break in the middle of it. Did we really need to do this? I appreciated WWE’s position on stopping their first match out of caution, but that didn’t mean we had to do the whole thing again if it was just going to be this. The biggest story here was the appearance of Trick Williams on main roster TV and damn, that crowd let the world know he wasn’t going to disappoint. I know he’s over in NXT, but holy cow, turns out he’s over in all of WWE. There’s a lot of money in Hayes and Williams in the coming years. Here’s hoping WWE doesn’t drop the ball on them.
Hayes gained an early edge and Theory went to the outside. the match reset and Theory threw Hayes outside, where Grayson Waller hit Hayes. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from that break, Hayes fired up and hit a face-buster for a two-count. Hayes went to the second rope, but Waller distracted him and Theory pulled Hayes to the ground. Theory landed the Ataxia for a two-count. Theory lifted Hayes, but Hayes worked out of it. Waller got on the apron and Theory and Hayes traded roll-up attempts, but Theory grabbed the tights and ultimately got the win. After the match, Waller and Theory attacked Hayes, but Trick Williams’s music hit and Trick made the save. The crowd went nuts and yelled “Whoop that Trick.” Hayes appeared bothered that Williams was there.
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– Kayla Braxton interviewed Carrion backstage. Braxton asked him who he thought would walk out as champ and he said he thought Randy Orton would. The Bloodline walked into the frame and stared Carrion down.
LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ [8:40]
Poor Solo Sikoa (and so much for that squash against John Cena). This was fine for what it was. The final minutes of the last three or four SmackDowns have all been far too similar for my liking, but that’s just me. Knight looked fired up, carrying that same energy he brought to the show’s opening segment, so that was a welcome surprise. The match was just kind of there, between the commercial break and the fomulaic nature of everything. Sikoa, meanwhile, has become the beacon of losses. Here’s hoping that changes after the Rumble this weekend, but seeing is believing.
Knight had control early and stepped on Sikoa’s hands before kicking Sikoa to the outside. Knight followed him and slammed Sikoa’s hand on all the tables on the outside. Knight ran Sikoa into a ring post and wrapped Sikoa’s hand around the post before slamming it against it multiple times. Knight rolled Sikoa back into the ring and went for a springboard splash, but Sikoa caught Knight with a punch. The show then went to its final commercial break of the night.
When the show returned, Sikoa landed a Samoan Drop for a two-count. Before long, Knight rallied and landed a bulldog from the second rope. Knight hit a bunch of punches and a running clothesline, complete with a side Russian Leg Sweep. Knight stomped on Sikoa. Knight punched Jimmy Uso off the apron and then DDT’d Sikoa. Knight clotheslined Sikoa over the top rope and the action spilled outside. Knight slammed Sikoa on the commentary table. Knight landed a running knee on Sikoa, but AJ Styles appeared out of nowhere and hit Knight with a flying elbow to give Knight the DQ win.
Styles ran Knight into the ring steps after the match. Jimmy Uso approached Styles with a chair and Jimmy put the chair down, suggesting Styles attack Knight with it. Styles picked up the chair and Sikoa yelled at Styles. Instead of attacking Knight, Styles attacked Jimmy and Solo with the chair. Randy Orton’s music then hit and Orton ran to the ring. Orton hit Styles and powerslammed Uso. Sikoa pulled Orton to the outside and Orton dropped Sikoa on the commentary table. Orton took his shirt off the and crowd cheered. Orton grabbed Uso and set him up for a draping DDT. Jimmy took it. Styles got back into the mix and Orton did the same to Styles. Orton RKO’d Styles and that was enough to end the show … until Knight showed up and gave Orton a BFT to truly end the show.
This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC before Monday’s episode of Raw.
Despite some fresh faces, the work in the ring never really dazzled and so the show was a bit of a damp squib.
Katana Chance defeated Tatum Paxley (4:48)
This was quite a tepid offering from the pair, that didn’t get going, but Chance is a good babyface with a lot of crowd-pulling potential.
Tatum Paxley is an NXT Level Up performer who has been in and around the show since the summer of last year. While she and Chance have worked together before, they haven’t done a singles match.
They laid out a basic match with Paxley taking advantage early of a slip-up so that she could work over Chance’s left arm.
After a few near falls, Paxley had a slip-up of her own where she walked into Chance’s boot. And that was pretty much it.
Chance hit a Sister Abigail-type flatliner move and got her hand raised to keep her Main Event record at 4-1, for those keeping score.
Apollo Crews defeated Tavion Heights (7:36)
A better bout than the opener, but Crews is still coming back from injury and Heights is still pretty green.
Heights made his Main Event debut here and certainly has a good look. His name, however, is pretty lame. He’s an Olympic wrestler so I would say his real name G’angelo Hancock is a lot cooler, but what do I know?
Crews is certainly a good person to debut against because he’s a guy who doesn’t get involved in too many bad matches and who knows his way around the ring.
As you might expect, there was a lot of mat work in the early going. After some grappling, Heights gave Crews a big boot to send him outside and we went to the break.
After the ads, Heights was getting some serious heat. People were booing him as he locked in a rest hold and stomped and beat down Crews. Heights dodged a charge and used a scoop slam for a near fall.
The finish was very ordinary: Crews used a boot to plant Heights and then he hit a top rope frog splash to get the win.
This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee before Monday’s episode of Raw. We got two good matches this week in front of a crowd who were very much into them.
Katana Chance (w/ Kayden Carter) defeated Chelsea Green (5:04)
This was a good little opener with some nice work, particularly from Chance who looks better every time she’s in the ring.
Chance worked this show for the first time since a win over Emma in June, returning here to make it two-for-two against Green. It was Green’s first Main Event appearance since January 2020. However, she wasted no time reasserting herself and came right out of the block at the bell to nail Chance with a big boot. The early going was pretty much all Green, who played the heel well.
Eventually, Chance got back into things and did a nice spot where she had Green hung on the middle rope and came off the second turnbuckle with a stomp. Green kicked out at two and then tried to use the ropes to steal a win. This prompted Carter to show her absolute disgust for such behavior, but she remained on the outside.
Green signaled to the crowd that it was game over for Chance. She then tossed her opponent into the ropes but Chance blocked it. Chance then hit her with a kick to the midriff and followed it up with a rolling facebuster for the win.
JD McDonagh defeated Akira Tozawa (7:57)
This was a good match here between two guys who can really go. McDonagh has some amazing stuff in his arsenal and Tozawa is the ideal opponent for him to showcase it against.
After a run on this show over the summer, McDonagh has flirted with main roster action, but his presence is always welcome on Main Event.
McDonagh is reasonably active on X, but he didn’t do much to promote this one, other than reposting a gif that tells you pretty much all you need to know about his current persona.
After being beaten down, Tozawa fought his way out and saw the telegraphed clothesline from McDonagh, reversing it into a head scissors takedown. Tozawa then used a top rope back elbow for a near fall.
McDonagh fired up and they went back and forth until Tozawa nailed him with an enziguri and went up to the top rope. This time, he got caught and McDonagh hit him with a beautiful Spanish Fly.
The Devil Inside got this one done for McDonagh who now really needs a main roster run in a proper program with more eyeballs on him.
Tonight’s NXT is the final stop before Great American Bash.
One week after his North American title win, Dominik Mysterio will appear tonight. Dominik and Rhea Ripley are kicking off the episode. Ripley will also be in action against Lyra Valkyria.
With help from the rest of Judgment Day, Dominik defeated Wes Lee last Tuesday to win the NXT North American Championship. Lee was scheduled to defend the title against Mustafa Ali at Great American Bash this Sunday. Tonight should provide some clarity on WWE’s plans for Sunday’s title match.
Carmelo Hayes is putting his NXT Championship on the line against Ilja Dragunov at Great American Bash. Tonight, Dragunov will team up with Hayes & Trick Williams in a six-man tag against Joe Gacy & The Dyad.
Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson will provide an answer about his future as he appears tonight. A kendo stick match between Cora Jade and Dana Brooke has also been announced for the episode.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
The show opens with recaps of Dominik Mysterio matches from Raw and Smackdown. Out comes the new NXT North American Champion, alongside WWE World Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, for an in-ring promo to kick off NXT tonight.
Ripley speaks first. She says Judgment Day runs all of WWE. They both brag on their faction. The live studio audience chants for Dom to cut his mullet. Ripley mentions the name of Lyra Valkyria before she was interrupted by former North American title holder Wes Lee.
Lee hates seeing the title in Dom’s hands, because “for 269 days, that title represented hard work and opportunity.” Lee is rightfully upset at the way he lost a title, and he wants a rematch.
Ripley says what NXT needed was a new champ. Wes agrees that they need a new champion tonight. Suddenly, Lee is interrupted by Mustafa Ali, as Ali barges into the conflict.
Ali says he has respect and love for Lee. Keep that in mind for later on. Ali has no respect nor love for Dom. Ali accuses Dom of being a thief. Dom stole his catchphrases, his father’s finisher, his other daddy’s frog splash, and now Ali’s chance at a title shot.
Freudian slip by Ali as he calls Lee a dummy for putting his championship on the line last week. Ali goes on to say he tried to tell Lee not to take the match, but Lee was too stupid to listen. An angry Lee responds by getting in Ali’s face.
Dom interjects, and Dom says he does not mind who he faces at The Great American Bash. Mami even says he can defend the titles against both of them. Dom goes to leave, but he first punks Ali. Dom ducks when Ali charges towards him, and Ali inadvertently hits Lee with a lariat.
The plot thickens in the North American title picture, as two challengers and former friends now seem at odds. Seems to set up a triple threat.
McKenzie Mitchell is backstage interviewing Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo. Tony D says he will not forget the reaction from the audience last week, and Stacks vows they will win the tag team titles. They are soon interrupted by Bronco Nima and Lucien Price. This sets up a tag match for later tonight.
A clip from last night, that was posted to social media, shows Lyra Valkyria challenging Rhea Ripley to a match tonight on NXT. Back at the Performance Center, McKenzie Mitchell is with Valkyria for a live interview. She wants to face Ripley tonight to show the world who she is, against what Valkyria called “the measuring stick” in WWE.
Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams & Ilja Dragunov defeated The Schism (Joe Gacy, Jagger Reid & Rip Fowler with Ava)
Hayes pinned to win this six-man tag match. Good action, and a fun match. They wrestled through a commercial break. Just before cutting to the split-screen break, the babyface trio is standing tall.
In the closing moments, Dragunov is holding his own against The Dyad until the double team is too much. Just as Gacy tags in and The Schism looks to be in control, masked guys at ringside tripped up Gacy. The masked figures at first seemed aligned with Schism, but are they really the Creeds? Meanwhile, Gacy leaps off the top rope for a splash, but no water in the pool.
Dragunov signals for a finisher when Hayes makes a blind tag, just when Dragunov was seemingly about to win. Hayes then climbs the turnbuckles, and leaps off to deliver Nothing But Net on Gacy. Hayes then covers Gacy for the deciding pinfall.
Unrest among the winning trio after the match. Williams is angry with Dragunov, and Williams is held back by Hayes. Later in the show, Williams and Dragunov are arguing backstage. They get in each other’s face, which sets up something for later on tonight. Hayes is unhappy with how Williams handled the situation, but Williams vows to call out Dragunov.
NXT Women’s Champion is the focus of a video package that hypes her title defense against Thea Hail at The Bash.
Von Wagner (with Mr. Stone) defeated Javier Bernal
Wagner pinned Bernal in a glorified enhancement match. Booker T on commentary brags on Bernal, and then Bernal proceeds to get squashed by Wagner. Bernal is pummeled before Wagner executes a Rock Bottom into a spinebuster, and Wagner pins Bernal.
Wagner is not done yet, as he powerbombs Bernal through the announce desk after the match. Out of nowhere comes Bron Breakker with a spear that wipes out Wagner. Breakker grabs a metal folding chair. Referees pour out to stop Breakker from using the chair. This clearly sets up a singles grudge match with Wagner against Breakker.
Gable Steveson challenges Baron Corbin to a match at The Great American Bash, in what will be Steveson’s debut match in NXT
Gable Steveson is headed to the ring to announce his decision. He introduces himself to the audience for those that do not know him. He talks about being a Gold Medalist, and says he could go to Paris for the next Olympics to became the first American to win two gold medals in his sport. Or, Steveson says he can go back to college to win a national championship.
Steveson is just about to announce his decision when he is interrupted by Baron Corbin. He sarcastically tells Steveson to either go back to college or go to the Olympics, but do not come to NXT.
Corbin warns Steveson that his decision could determine his entire future. Corbin tells Steveson that he will make Steveson fail. Corbins warns this wrestling ring will humble him. It will make someone question their entire existence. Corbin cautions Steveson that in NXT he will be swimming with sharks. Corbin calls himself a Great White, and says he is “starving” while smelling blood in the water.
Steveson responds by telling Corbin that he just made Steveson’s decision that much easier. Steveson challenges Corbin to a match at The Great American Bash in what is Steveson first match in NXT. A scuffle ensues. Steveson waistlocks Corbin, and he gives Corbin a German suplex. Steveson then does an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Referees pour out to break up the melee.
Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio are seen talking in the locker room.
Dana Brooke (with Kelani Jordan) defeated Cora Jade in a kendo stick match
Brooke pinned Jade to win a match that had more kendo sticks shots than a Sandman match in ’95.
Jade dominated most of the match, as she pummeled Brooke with shots from a kendo stick. Jade retrieved even more kendo sticks, and continued to use them as weapons. Brooke took a lot of hard strikes, but Brooke fights back. Jade dashes a hope spot, but not for long.
Jade sets up a chair in the ring, and she sits Brooke down in the chair. That backfires as they do the Raven spot where Brooke does a drop toe hold, and Jade smashes into the chair. Jade then grabs a pink kendo stick, and it is time for receipts. Brooke repeatedly hits Jade with the kendo stick.
As they go home, Brooke piles up a bunch of kendo sticks and suplexed Jade onto the pile. Brooke then does a senton atomico, and she covers Jade for a pinfall.
Dragunov and Hayes have words in the locker room. Tension build ahead of their title bout on Sunday. Something is also building for later tonight with Trick Williams planning to call out Dragunov, who seems not the slightest bit scared to answer the call.
The Family (Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo) defeated Bronco Nima & Lucien Price
Scrypts is ringside to provide guest commentary. Not sure why, except it set up Axiom doing a run in where he jumps Scrypts. Then, Scrypts escapes after going through the ring. Axiom gives chase, and Axiom does a dive through the ropes.
Despite Nima & Price looking strong during the match itself, I think it was a terrible idea to beat them so early in their run. But whatever. Here they apparently got distracted by the Axiom run-in, which is a pretty lame excuse for a lose. But whatever. The Family is the team getting the title shot on Sunday, so they went over.
Hot tag to Tony D, and he cleans house on Nima & Price. Bada Bing finisher on Price, and Tony D covers him for a pinfall.
After the match, Gallus appears on the Titantron to cut a promo on The Family. This hyped up the tag title match on Sunday.
Dijak in a vignette cuts a promo on Eddy Thorpe.
Zion Clark is seen sitting at ringside among the live studio audience.
“Exclusive footage” shows Roxanne Perez attacking Blair Davenport in a convenience store. Not exactly a classic like Booker T and Stone Cold brawling in a grocery store, this here was still an entertaining brawl in an unusual area. It similar to a brawl at a concession stand in Tupelo.
Davenport and Perez brawl around the store, knocking over merchandise and other gimmicks. Perez stands tall as sirens wail in the distance. The sound of sirens get closer as Perez walks out of the store with Davenport still down on the floor.
The Meta-Four are in the ring for a Supernova Sessions talking segment. Noam Dar is still doing the Weekend at Bernie’s gimmick where he is unresponsive. Jakara Jackson, Lash Legend and Oro Mensah flank Dar in the ring.
They present Dar with a replica of the Heritage Cup trophy, which snaps Dar out of his condition. Dar takes a phantom bump out of his wheelchair, and he jumps to his feet. Dar hugs the trophy and hold it like a baby.
A now jubilant Dar is soon interrupted by reigning Heritage Cup Champion Nathan Frazier and Dragon Lee. This leads to a brawl where Dragon Lee and Frazier get the better of Dar and Mensah. Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon also run in to counteract Jackson and Legend. This all sets up a eight-person mixed tag match for pre-show before The Bash on Sunday.
A vignette shows Thea Hail training for her title challenge at The Bash, as he trains alongside Andre Chase and Duke Hudson. The vignette itself is fun and quirky, but there is maybe too much comedy in this title program. But its Thea Hail, so the comedy works well with her character.
Un-aired footage from last week showed the partnership further deteriorate between Los Lotharios, as Humberto Carillo storms off after an argument with Angel Garza.
WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley (with NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio) defeated Lyra Valkyria in a non-title match
Ripley pinned Valkyria to win the main event match on tonight’s show. It would not actually close the show as the last segment, but it was indeed given plenty of television time.
The match goes through a commercial break. Ripley is looking strong as Valkyria is a babyface-in-peril fighting from underneath. Valkyria kicks out of a near fall, and she also counters a Riptide. Her comeback is seemingly thwarted by Ripley, as Ripley uncharacteristically climbs the turnbuckles.
Ripley does the Eddy shimmy in honor of Dom, but that backfires as Ripley is tripped up and shoved off the top rope by Valkyria. Dom sacrifices himself for his “Mami” when he takes a wrecking ball dropkick from Valkyria. Ripley then takes a flying Frankentsteiner off the apron by Valkyria.
Back in the ring, Valkyria counters a vertical suplex to give Ripley a DDT. Valkyria off the top with a frog splash for a near fall. Valkyria with a series of kicks, and then she attempts a springboard off the middle rope. Ripley cuts her down in mid-air with forearm shiver. Ripley then plants Valkyria with The Riptide, and Ripley folds up Valkyria for a pinfall.
After the match, Ripley gets in Valkyria’s face to motivate her. Ripley tells Valkyria to prove her right and defeat Jacy Jayne. Valkyria tells her she will.
Great American Bash go-home segment closes the show
Trick Williams is heading to the ring to call out Ilja Dragunov, and Williams does just that. He calls out Dragunov. Out comes Dragunov, and a brawl erupts. Brawling around ringside, Williams pummels Dragunov. Williams throws him into the barricade, smashed him into the steps, and bodyslams Dragunov on the floor.
Dragunov fights back as he cuts off Williams. Dragunov with a trifecta of suplexes on the floor. Dragunov rolls Williams in the ring, and Dragunov chops him like Wahoo McDaniel, and then Dragunov chops him some more. Dragunov measures and delivers a lying forearm on a prone Williams.
Dragunov looks to deliver Torpedo Moskau. In runs Carmelo Hayes, and the NXT Champion sacrifices himself for his friend. Hayes takes a bullet for Williams, as Dragunov levels Hayes with Torpedo Moskau.
Dragunov on the house mic vows to win the NXT title on Sunday. He poses with the title belt as the show goes off the air.
With the WWE Draft now over, changes are coming to NXT.
NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, Apollo Crews, JD McDonagh, Zoey Stark, Von Wagner, Pretty Deadly, Katana Chance & Kayden Carter, Cameron Grimes, Grayson Waller, Indus Sher, Odyssey Jones, and Xyon Quinn are all moving on from NXT after being included in the draft.
The new WWE rosters will take effect after this weekend’s Backlash pay-per-view.
Before both teams depart NXT, Fyre & Dawn will defend their Women’s Tag Team titles against Chance & Carter tonight.
McDonagh is also set for his final NXT match. He issued an open challenge that was accepted by Dragon Lee.
A North American Championship match with Wes Lee defending against Drew Gulak has been announced for tonight. The show is also set to feature a grudge match between Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne, Joe Gacy vs. Joe Coffey, Axiom vs. Scrypts, and the debut of Dani Palmer.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show begins with a recap of the recent draft, where a group of NXT wrestlers join the main roster on either Raw or Smackdown.
NXT North American Champion Wes Lee (with Tyler Bate) defeated Drew Gulak (with Charlie Dempsey) to retain his title
Lee pinned Gulak in a match that was just getting good when they went home. All they needed was more time.
Dempsey got involved early on by distracting Lee, which allowed Gulak to get a near fall. Lee soon fought back, and they tease a superplex. Instead, Lee flips backwards off the top rope and rolls through, only to get met by a flying lariat off the top. Gulk then grounds Lee on the mat.
Moments later, a slugfest gives way to a comeback by Lee. He goes on to fly through the ropes with a tope. Dempsey interferes again by pulling Lee off the apron. Bate leaps in to make the save as he springs off the ring steps with a flying uppercut.
For the finish, Lee jumps back into the ring to deliver his Cardiac Kick. Gulak then takes the fall as Lee covers him for a three count.
A video package recaps an angle from last week on NXT television where Bron Breakker speared NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes through a gimmicked wall in a stunt.
NXT Tag Team Champions Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre are using a Ouija board to for a promo about their title defense later tonight.
Trick Williams is heading to the ring for a monologue. Williams talked about being friends with Hayes since high school. Williams goes on to say he took a spear for Hayes last week (which he did before the stunt where Hayes is speared through the wall). Williams says he would do it again.
Williams mentions Bron Breakker’s name, and out comes Breakker to interrupt. This will set up a match between Williams and Breakker on the go-home show ahead of NXT Battleground. Breakker confronts Williams in the ring. Williams asks if Breakker is accepting Hayes’ challenge for a title match at Battleground. Breakker not only accepts, he talks about how he will embarrass Hayes in Hayes’ hometown in front of his friends and family.
Breakker goes to leave, but Williams says not so fast. Williams challenges Breakker to a match, and Williams to fight right here and now. Breakker heels on him and books the match for next week.
JD McDonagh in being interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell when Noam Dar interrupts to ask if McDonagh would injury Dragon Lee. Dar wants to protect his Heritage Cup, but McDonagh threatens to take it from Dar if he does not leave McDonagh alone.
Jacy Jayne defeated Gigi Dolan
Jayne pinned Dolan, and a bloody Jayne also attacked Dolan again after the match. Jayne was busted open just before they went home.
Dolan’s little brother, Miles, is watching from the front row. Jayne taunts him during the match, and Dolan embraces him later in the match. He also has to watch Jayne assault his sister after the match.
A cover on the actual turnbuckle itself is removed during the match, and it comes into play for the finish. Jayne smashed Dolan into the exposed turnbuckle, and Jayne follows up with a pump kick. She then covers Dolan for a pinfall.
Jayne delivers another pump kick after the bell, and she attacks Dolan for a post-match beatdown. Jayne smashed Dolan into the ring steps, she puts the boot to her, and Jayne taunts Dolan’s brother.
Axiom defeated Scrypts
Axiom pinned and unmasked Scrypts in a match that was short but good. Scrypts is Reggie.
Lot of flying and high spots, but they also told a little story. The epilogue to that story includes Scrypts being unmasked by Axiom after the match. Scrypts was dominating early on when Axiom fought from underneath.
Scrypts leaps off the top rope, and Axiom cuts him down with a kick. Golden Ratio by Axiom a second later, and Axiom covers Scrypts for a pinfall. Axiom is then unmasked after the match.
A skit in Fallon Henley’s bar shows Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen are best buds again, and the band is back together. Women hit on Jensen, and Henley remarks that Jensen is all grown up. Too bad his character barely evolved aside from no longer being a virgin. Women are attracted to him now according to this skit, so there is that. Good for him.
JD McDonagh defeated Dragon Lee
McDonagh pinned Lee, in what was billed was McDonagh’s last match in NXT. They had a banger. Noam Dar interfered just before the finish. Dar and Dragon Lee brawled after the match.
Hard-hitting match went through a commercial break, as a match on this show is finally given enough time this week. Because of that, this became the best match on the show so far tonight. McDonagh is working over Lee when the show returns from the break.
Dragon Lee makes a comeback, setting up a tope con hilo. Lee then leaps off the top with a double foot stomp for a near fall. That double stomp is common in a Dragon Lee match, but I was somewhat surprised to see that in WWE as its Finn Balor’s finisher.
McDonagh later cuts off Dragon Lee, and McDonagh gives Dragon Lee a Spicolli Driver on the ring apron. That led to them teasing a countout, but Lee barely breaks the count to continue the match. Lee with a second comeback gives McDonagh a snap dragon and a poison rana. McDonagh cuts off Lee again, turning Lee for a flip with a lariat.
They trade strikes down the home stretch. Liger bomb by Dragon Lee for another near fall. They fight while perched on the turnbuckles, setting up a Spanish Fly where McDonagh gets the upper hand. McDonagh then delivers a brainbuster for a the closest and best near fall of the match.
Canadian Destroyer spikes McDonagh, and McDonagh rolls out of the ring. Lee goes to retrieve McDonagh, and Noam Dar interferes with Lee. So, Lee drops Dar with a superkick. However, the distraction was enough to cost Lee the match. McDonagh head butts Lee, and then comes The Devil Inside suplex. McDonagh then covers Dragon Lee for a three count.
Joe Gacy (with The Schism) defeated Joe Coffey (with Gallus)
Gacy pinned Coffey in a battle of the Joes, thanks in large part to interference by The Schism.
The Dyad interfere at ringside when Rip Fowler puts Gacy’s foot on the rope to break a count. Mark Coffey and Wolfgang then chase The Dyad around ringside, and the two teams brawl.
Amidst the melee at ringside, Ava jumps into the ring like she is about the jump Coffey. He turns around to confront her, and Ava does an Eddie Guerrero phantom bump acting like Coffey hit her. That distraction allowed Gacy to execute his Upside Down clothesline finisher, and he covers Coffey for a pinfall.
Dani Palmer defeated Tatum Paxley
Palmer pinned Paxley after an Art Bar frog splash. Palmer wins in her “debut” match on NXT television, and she was pushed strong.
Andre Chase is not in class to teach his class, after he was written off the show last week in a loss against Bron Breakker. Thea Hail is freaking out about what to do about Mr. Chase, and Duke Hudson has an idea. He will teach the class, and his first order under his leadership is to rip up the pop quiz.
Von Wagner and Mr. Stone are looking at Wagner’s family photo album. They discuss some pictures of Wagner father (Wayne Bloom) in a tag match at SummerSlam inside Wembley Stadium. That was ironic given that tickets for AEW in that same stadium went on sale today.
Wagner gets angry and shuts down when Stone sees a childhood pic of Wagner with stitches on his head. Wagner does not want to discuss it, much to Stone’s dismay. Stone continues to want Wagner to open up to him, but Wagner is reluctant. No sure where this is going, but it at least give Wagner’s character some depth.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre defeated Kayden Carter & Katana Chance to retain the titles
Dawn pins Chance to win the match. The champs retain on their way out of NXT. What happens to the titles is anyone’s guess, so the champs are heading to Smackdown.
This match goes through a split-screen commercial break. Chance & Carter are on a roll until the show returns from the break. Soon thereafter, Chance is cut off and she is briefly worked over. Chance makes her own comeback, and she tags Carter so they can execute their tandem finisher for a near fall. Moments later, Carter & Chance use a Spanish Fly for another near fall.
As they go home, Chance & Carter again attempt their tandem finisher, but they are thwarted. Dawn & Fyre then execute a tandem finisher of their own, and Dawn covers Chance to win the match and retain the titles. The announcers on commentary sell it like the women’s tag title are headed to Smackdown.
Dijak in a pre-taped montage issues a dire warning to Ilja Dragunov.
Apollo Crews, who is headed back to the main roster, offers Trick Williams some encouraging words.
Indi Hartwell vacates the NXT Women’s Championship
NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell heads to the ring to address the audience. Hartwell is walking with a crutch and the title belt draped over her shoulder. Her right foot is in a walking cast. She reflects on her time in NXT, and she talks about getting drafted to the main roster.
Hartwell also announces that next week a tournament begins to crown a new NXT Women’s Champion, which culminates in four weeks at Battleground. Hartwell vacates the title. She kisses the belt before laying it in the center of the ring.
Hartwell jokes that now she has to figure out how to get out of the ring (since she is walking with a crutch). Dexter Lumis pops out from underneath the ring, and he carries Hartwell backstage with her in his arms. There are smiles and thumbs up a plenty between the two as this ends like a rom-com, if a rom-com ended with a wild brawl.
Tiffany Stratton suddenly appears in the ring. She picks up the title belt, and in comes Cora Jade. They are having a tug-of-war with the belt when a bunch of women on the NXT roster run in for a big brawl. The show ends with bedlam as the women brawl in the ring. The ending reminds me of a go-home show for the Royal Rumble, but its only May.
Nikkita Lyons & Zoey Stark are getting another chance to become Women’s Tag Team Champions tonight on NXT.
Lyons & Stark are challenging Katana Chance & Kayden Carter in a return match for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. The teams previously faced off for the titles two weeks ago.
In their prior tag title match, Stark seemingly had gotten the win for her team by pinning Chance, but the decision was reversed due to the referee missing an unseen tag. Chance & Carter then went on to retain their titles by pinning Lyons.
Last week on NXT, Stark lost her temper in a singles match. That cost her the match, despite Lyons attempting to calm her down. Stark was later apologetic over the incident in a backstage skit.
Tonight’s NXT also features a talk show segment. Before Von Wagner challenges Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship next week, Breakker and Wagner will both be guests on The Grayson Waller Effect tonight.
Plus, Brutus Creed takes on Damon Kemp in a five-minute challenge, Axiom faces JD McDonagh, Charlie Dempsey returns to the ring against Andre Chase, Hank Walker will be in action against Stacks, and Cameron Grimes battles Joe Gacy.
Grimes vs. Gacy is opening tonight’s show. It will be Ava Raine’s ringside debut as The Schism accompany Gacy.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opens with the entrance of Joe Gacy and The Schism. The team of The Dyad is alongside Ava Raine in flanking Gacy on his way to the ring.
Cameron Grimes enters the soundstage in Orlando with a stern look on his face, looking determined ahead of the opening match on tonight’s card.
Joe Gacy (with The Schism) defeats Cameron Grimes
Gacy pins Grimes after interference by Ava Raine. The Dyad also interfere throughout the match, but Grimes thwarts most of their attempts to help Gacy. It was Raine that eventually costs Grimes the match.
Gacy is wrestling in trunks and boots, ditching his previous gear of street clothes. It is a much better look, especially since Gacy is such a good wrestler. He also looks like a wrestler with the new gear.
They match goes through a commercial break. Grimes has to fight off Schism. Despite their interference, Grimes makes a comeback. His rally continues, despite Schism trying to cut him off.
Schism tries to interfere again, but that backfires. Gacy takes a poison rana, and Grimes signals for his finisher. The Dyad help Gacy to powder out of the ring. Undaunted, Grimes leaps over the top rope with a flip dive on Schism.
Grimes climbs the turnbuckles, and Ava Raine shoves him off the top rope. Gacy then hits Grimes with the Upside Down World, and Gacy scores a three count.
Axiom is waiting outside the trainer’s room for Nathan Frazier, who tells Axiom it will be a few more weeks before Frazier is cleared to wrestle again. Their conversation is interrupted by JD McDonagh.
McDonagh sarcastically guesses that Frazier has a herniated disk. Axiom takes up for Frazier, and he banters with McDonagh. This sets up a match between Axiom and McDonagh.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams are back at the barber’s shop for a vignette. Hayes wants his North American Championship back, and Hayes notes he was not pinned in losing the title. He lost the strap in a ladder match, where Wes Lee won the North American title.
Hayes has some respect for Lee, but Hayes claims Lee is not the true champion until he beats Hayes. Williams calls a Lee a “transitional chump,” and everyone has a big laugh at Lee’s expense.
A barber named Josh gives Lee some props, much to the astonishment of the group gathered in the barber shop. Josh asks Hayes how long he will let Lee hold the title. “Two weeks” is the answer from Williams.
Hayes announces that next week there is a contract signing where he and Lee make the match official. This was a good segment, and very unique in the presentation.
Scrypts interrupts the show with another cryptic message warning everyone of his arrival.
Elektra Lopez defeats Sol Ruca
Ruca is running wild when Lopez pulls her off the top rope. Ruca takes a bump onto the mat, and Lopez then executes a sit out choke bomb. Lopez then covers Ruca for a pinfall.
After the match, Indi Hartwell runs in to attack Lopez. There is a pull-apart brawl. Hartwell’s sneak attack is a receipt for Lopez jumping Hartwell last week in a similar manner. This is clearly building to a match between the two.
Duke Hudson hypes Andre Chase in a pep talk for the ages. Thea Hail is also hyped for Chase’s match.
NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose is facetiming with Jacy Jayne, and Jacyne is attacked by Alba Fyre. She was apparently posing as a “mall cop” when Fyre attacks Jayne. Fyre then gives Rose a warning that she is coming for her too.
Charlie Dempsey defeats Andre Chase (with Thea Hail & Duke Hudson)
Dempsey wins after Hudson throws in the towel to stop the match.
Dempsey keeps getting the better of Hudson in grappling exchanges. Nevertheless, Chase is able to do a Garvin Stomp as the live studio audience spells out C-H-A-S-E-U.
Dempsey ties Chase in a crossface. Hudson is at ringside cringing at the hold, and Hudson could finally take no more. Hudson grabs a towel, and he attempts to throw it into the ring. Like Helen Hart at Survivor Series in ’94, he misses at first as the towel awkwardly lands on the middle rope. Hudson throws it a second time, and the referee then sees it on the mat.
A confused Hudson wonders what happened, saying he did not quit. Hudson checks on Chase, and Hudson also glares at Dempsey. Chase has a look of bewilderment.
Kaina James and her assistant go to Fallon Henley’s dive bar. Briggs and Jensen are also there as James scouts the place looking to buy the property. Henley does not wish to sell the place, as it has a rich history in her family. James makes her final offer, and Henley again declines to sell. Henley then orders them to leave.
Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (with Tony D’Angelo) defeats Hank Walker
Lorenzo pins Walker in a match where both guys wrestle in pants.
When making a comeback, Walker rips his shirt off like he pulling a strap down on his singlet. Walker then hulks up. Lorenzo counters with an eye poke for a near fall.
Lorenzo follows up the near fall with a knee drop curb stomp. Lorenzo then hooks a legs and covers Walker for a pinfall.
The Grayson Waller Effect with Bron Breakker and Von Wagner
As part of the segment, there is a bunch of graphics on the screen. It is very busy. The set includes fake ferns like the show is hosted by Zach Galifianakis, except there are more than two ferns.
NXT Champion Bron Breakker sits across a desk from Von Wagner and Mr. Stone. Grayson Waller is seated between them. They proceed to have a boring talking segment where they banter back and forth. Things eventually heat up.
Building to a title match next week, Wagner cuts a promo on Breakker. In response, Breakker jumps to his feet and challenges Wagner to an impromptu fight. They get face to face and have a staredown. Mr. Stone is aghast, but he is kicked aside.
McKenzie Mitchells interviews NXT North American Champion Wes Lee, who brings up what Carmelo Hayes said earlier in the barber shop. Lee vows to retain his championship against Hayes.
Cora Jade in a vignette cuts a promo on Wendy Choo, which hypes a match next week with Jade against Choo.
JD McDonagh defeats Axiom
McDonagh wins via referee stoppage after targeting Axiom’s knee.
Fast paced match at the start, as things heat up. The match goes through a commercial break, and the paces has slowed when the show returns from the break.
McDonagh works a leg, but Axiom nonetheless launches into a comeback. Despite selling his knee, Axiom springboards into a quebrada to the outside. Back in the ring, McDonagh again targets Axiom’s knee. Axiom counters for a near fall.
Trapped in a Boston crab, Axiom struggles and claws for a rope break. They go on to trade strikes, with both landing big blows. McDonagh drops Axiom with a strike.
McDonagh attempts a moonsault press, but Axiom has a counter, Axiom catches McDonagh in a triangle. McDonagh goes for a deadlift powerbomb while looking to break the triangle. Axiom counters the counter, and he executes a hurricanrana for a two count.
In a final hope spot, Axiom was another counter when McDonagh goes to again target the leg. Axiom applies a rear naked choke, and McDonagh tries to escape. Axiom transitions into a Fujiwara armbar, but McDonagh block it by barring the injured knee.
McDonagh cranks on Axiom’s knee, and the referee jumps in to pause the action. Booker T on commentary screams that he heard Axoim’s knee pop. Axioms sells big, but he pleads with the ref to not stop the match. Trainers come over to check on Axiom. The ref and the trainers rule that Axiom cannot continue, and the match is awarded to McDonagh.
McDonagh cuts a post-match promo saying his match was a lesson to the rest of the roster. McDonagh then issues a warning to Apollo Crews.
A plug for next week announces that Shawn Michaels will “issue a statement” related to Deadline, which is the next NXT supercard.
Damon Kemp defeats Brutus Creed (with Julius Creed & Ivy Nile) via disqualification
Brutus is disqualified after using a chair before his five minute are up.
The gimmick to this match is Brutus gets five minutes with Kemp, based on Julius Creed winning a stipulation match a few weeks ago at Halloween Havoc.
The first few minutes are all Brutus, as he pummels Kemp from pillar to post.
Kemp eventually cuts off Creed around the three minute mark. Kemp then grabs a metal folding chair from ringside, and Kemp brings the chair into the ring. Creed blocks a chair shot, and Creed fires up.
Brutus smash. Creed then picks up the chair, and he contemplates using it as a weapon. He hits Kemp with chair shots to the back, and the ref disqualifies Creed.
Creed stands over Kemp, and then Creed again picks up the chair. Creed hits Kemp with the chair one more time for good measure.
This may be a blow off for now to the angle with Kemp, based on a post-match staredown. Veer & Sanga from a perch overlooking the ring stare at Diamond Mine.
A vignette teases the return of Dijakovic, or whatever name he is going to use. He is no longer T-Bar, and he takes about dishing out justice. Whatever that means.
Roxanne Perez stops Indi Hartwell backstage to ask if she is okay. Earlier in the show, Hartwell cut a heelish promo. Her heelish behavior continues, as she dismisses Perez’s concerns.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defeat Zoey Stark & Nikkita Lyons to retain their titles
Carter pins Stark to win the match. Stark turns on Lyons after the match.
The champs clear the ring midway through the match, and they stand tall as the show cuts to its final commercial break. The challengers are fighting back as the show returns from the break.
Chance is cut off from her Carter, and Chance falls prey to Lyons. Stark tags in, and she lands a kick on Chance for a near fall. Meanwhile, Carter wipes out Lyons with a dropkick on the floor.
Starks almost crashes and burns on a Phoenix Splash, but she is able to roll trough. Stark attempt to suplex Chance, but Chance counters her. Starks takes a stunner.
All four are down on the mat selling in the final moments of the match. They head home as Stark almost collides with Lyons. They stop short of each other. Lyons then takes a bullet for Stark. Lyons pushes Stark aside, and Lyons is hit with double superkicks.
Stark springs into action with a superkick on Carter. Chance counters Stark to deliver a tornado DDT. Chance and Carter then execute their tandem finisher, and Carter covers Stark for the deciding pinfall.
Seemingly in a show of sportsmanship, Stark and Lyons present Carter and Chance with the title belts after the match in a symbolic gesture.
Just as the challengers are handing over the belts to the champs, Stark smacks Lyons with a title belt. Stark follows up with dropkick on Lyons, and Stark stands over a fallen Lyons as the show fades to black. Looks like Stark is going heel.
The fallout from Halloween Havoc takes place on NXT tonight.
NXT Champion Bron Breakker and NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose kept their titles at Halloween Havoc, while Wes Lee was crowned the new NXT North American Champion. We’ll see if new challengers emerge tonight.
Tonight’s show is also Tag Team Title Tuesday. The women’s and men’s Tag Team titles will both be on the line. Zoey Stark & Nikkita Lyons are challenging NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Katana Chance & Kayden Carter. NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly are defending their titles against Malik Blade & Edris Enofe.
After hosting Halloween Havoc, Shotzi will be in action against Lash Legend. Legend tried to interrupt Shotzi and Quincy Elliott at Saturday’s event, but Shotzi put a stop to that by laying her out with a DDT.
The newest member of Schism will also be unmasked tonight. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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After a highlight recap of Halloween Havoc, the show is opening with a tag team title match. The participants are already in the ring for the pre-match introductions.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defeat Nikkita Lyons & Zoey Stark to retain their titles
Chance pins Lyons for the champs to retain. A Dusty finish teased a title change, but the match is restarted. The champs then go on to retain the belts.
The defending champions continue to adopt what on commentary is called a “more aggressive” style. They still do flashy moves, but they are subtle heels in this bout between two babyface teams. Shades of grey, or something like that.
The challengers look strong as the show cuts to a commercial break. The champs regain control during the break, but Lyons comes back when the show returns. She is soon cut off, but not before she give Chance a hard slam.
Hot tag to Stark, and she is a house of fire. Starks gets a few near falls before she clotheslines Carter over the ropes. They seemingly were both supposed to go over the ropes like a Cactus Jack clothesline, because Stark jumps over the ropes after not initially going over. This was so she could skin the cat back into the ring, where Stark rolls up Chance with a schoolgirl. Stark scores a pinfall, but it would count.
Stark & Lyons celebrate in the ring, as a second referee comes into the ring to overturn the call. The second ref, who is apparently the “head referee,” informs Taylor of the Dusty finish. Taylor announces the match must continue because of an unseen tag.
The match restarts with a slugfest, and the fight is on again. Lyons gets a near fall that is broken up, and Lyons then takes Carter & Chance’s tandem finisher. Chance covers Lyons for a deciding pinfall, and the champs retain their titles.
Ilja Dragunov cuts a promo on JD McDonagh in a vignette. This builds to Dragunov against McDonagh in a bout tonight, which comes off both failing to win the NXT title at Halloween Havoc in a triple threat match.
T-Bar is getting a new gimmick, as a clip shows him burning his mask. Formerly in NXT under the Dominik Dijakovic moniker, he is set to return to the developmental brand.
R-Truth cameo appearance sets up match for next week
New NXT North American Champion Wes Lee heads to the ring for his first appearance since winning the title last Saturday.
The live studio audience chants that he deserves it. Lee thanks the fans for their support, and he talks about some of his struggles in his journey to the championship.
Lee talks about being grateful, and he thanks the fans. Lee goes on to talk about his plans, but he is interrupted by Grayson Waller.
Waller gets into the ring to confront Lee, but there is another interruption. R-Truth enters the soundstage to a big pop. He does the “what’s up” call and response with the studio audience.
Truth welcomes everyone to Halloween Havoc, which is a joke since that took place on Saturday. Waller interrupts Truth, and Truth compliments his British accent. That is another joke, as Waller is Australian.
Waller informs Truth that Havoc happened three days ago. Truth busts out laughing, but Lee assures Truth the card was days ago. Truth clowns on Waller for losing in casket match on Saturday.
Waller challenges Truth to a match next Tuesday, and R-Truth accepts the challenge. Waller tries a cheap shot on Truth, but Waller is thwarted by Truth and Lee. Truth tosses Waller out of the ring, and Truth tells Waller he will see him next week.
Edris Enofe tries to hype up of Malik Blade with lyrics from an Eminem song. It works, as they are hyped to get a tag title match later on tonight.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews Apollo Crews, and Crews is putting Grayson Waller behind him (after Crews beat Waller on Saturday in a casket match). Crews says NXT Champion Bron Breakker returns to the show next week, and Crews is interested in what Breakker has to say. Previously, there was a tease of Crews challenging Breakker. That looks like a possible direction.
Shotzi Blackheart defeats Lash Legend
Blackheart pins Legend in a short match.
Quincy Elliott is at ringside, after being involved in an angle that set up this match. He briefly gets involved with a staredown with Legend when teh fight spills outside the ring
Balckheart delivers her DDT finisher called “Never Wake Up,” and she covers Legend for a pinfall. Elliott celebrates with Blackheart after the match.
Julius & Brutus Creed are heading to the ring, as Brutus is supposed to get five minutes against Damon Kemp (based on a stipulation from a match on Saturday).
The Creed Brothers get in the ring for a promo. Julius talks about being in pain after his win on Saturday when he defeated Damon Kemp. Julius’ hands are bruised and swollen from the match.
Brutus thanks his brother for what he did, as Brutus’ career was on the line. Julius won, so his brother thanks him for it. Brutus then yells that it is now his turn, and Brutus calls out Kemp.
Kemp appears on a video screen. This is a swerve, as Kemp informs the Creeds he is not medically cleared to compete tonight. Suddenly, there is a sneak attack.
Veer & Sanga ambush the Creeds with a blindside attack. Veer & Sanga beat them down. Sanga pauses briefly, as if he is second guessing the attack. Sanga then attacks again, and he delivers a chokeslam.
Veer & Sanga leave the ring with the Creeds down selling the attack. Ivy Nile walks out to confront Veer & Sanga. Nile yells at them, “Why?” Nile then goes to check on the Creeds.
Toxic Attraction are facetiming each other. NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose announces that next week they will celebrate the one year anniversary of her title reign.
NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) defeat Edris Enofe & Malik Blade
Wilson pins Blade to win the match.
The challengers start off strong with a flurry of offense at the start. The champs cut them off, but the challengers soon fight back. The challengers are standing tall as the show goes to a commercial break.
Having turned the tide, the champs are working over Enofe when the show returns from the break. Hot tag to Blade, and he runs wild. Blade then does a huge dive over the ropes to the floor.
Blade gets a near fall after flying crossbody. Blade is soon cut off following a bling tag by Pretty Deadly. The two teams continue to trade near falls.
“Boo/yay” chants during a slugfest, and the trading of near falls goes on. Pretty Deadly attempts their Spilt Milk finisher, but Blade counters for a good false finish.
For the finish, Enofe is neutralized. That left Blade alone in the ring, and he takes Spilt Milk. Wilson then cradles Blade for a pinfall, and the champs retain the titles.
JD McDonagh in a vignette cuts a promo on Ilja Dragunov ahead of their match tonight.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews Zoey Stark in a locker room. Stark is upset over losing the title match earlier in the show. Nikkita Lyons rushed in to apologize for the loss, but Stark assures her it was not Lyons’ fault. Stark vows to win the titles in a rematch.
Here comes The Schism. Oh joy. Anyway, they all get into the ring wearing drama masks. Joe Gacy takes off his mask, and he begins to cut a promo. He usually talks a lot, but he keeps it short tonight as The Dyad also say a few words before the unveiling of the newest member of their group. Their promos play on the words written on their respective mask.
This all leads to the newest member of Scism being revealed as Ava Raine (Simone Johnson).
Sol Ruca is doing an interview backstage when she is interrupted by Indi Hartwell. This leads to a match up next.
A voice message left at the Performance Center has an ominous warning from someone named Scrypts, who threatens to rip NXT apart. The voice reminds me of the Black Scorpion in WCW.
Indi Hartwell defeats Sol Ruca
An aggressive Hartwell pins Ruca in a short match. Hartwell shows a lot of fire and viciousness.
Elektra Lopez runs in after the match, and she attacks both Hartwell and Ruca. Lopez lays out Ruca, and Lopez says warns the roster she is back.
Chase University is the setting of a pre-taped skit. Bodhi Hayward is absent from a class, but Duke Hudson is there to take his seat, much to the chagrin of Thea Hail. Andre Chase is giving a lecture when Hail’s pen stops working. Hudson gives her his pen. Chase yells at him for not having a pen to take notes. Hail tries to take up for Hudson, but he insists in taking the heat. Hudson then steals another student’s pen.
Roxanne Perez in a vignette reflects on her grudge match against Cora Jade, where Perez defeated Jade at Halloween Havoc.
JD McDonagh defeats Ilja Dragunov
McDonagh wins via referee stoppage in what is by far the best match on the show. An injured Dragunov is caught in a submission at the finish, but he refuses to tap.
Dragunov jumps McDonagh before the bell sounds to start the match. This leads to them exchanging chops and strikes. Dragunov goes into the match with taped ribs, and McDonagh targets the injury during the bout.
Sent sailing off the apron, Dragunov crashes into the announce desk. He lands on his injured ribs, and medical staff rush in to check on him. Dragunov is pleading with them to let him continue the match as the show goes into its final commercial break.
McDonagh is working over Dragunov as the show returns from the break. Dragunov fights back, but he continues to sell his ribs. Dragunov fights through the injury, and he executes a superplex.
Dragunov briefly falls to his knees selling his injury. He rises to his feet with a look of rage in his eyes. He charges towards McDonagh, only for McDonagh to counter him. McDonagh applies a crossface that also targets the injured ribs. Dragunov refuses to tap, but the referee stops the match. Despite Dragunov being bloody, he never quit.
Dragunov is carried from the ring on a stretcher as the show closes.
Last night’s NXT featured the crowning of new Women’s Tag Team Champions.
With the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles vacant following Cora Jade’s heel turn, a fatal four-way elimination match was held last night. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter defeated Toxic Attraction, Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz, and Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley to become the new champs.
The match came down to Chance & Carter and Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne. Chance pinned Jayne to get the win after a double-team move where Carter hit a neckbreaker while Chance connected with a 450 splash.
For both Chance and Carter, this is their first title reign in WWE.
The men’s NXT Tag Team titles were also on the line last night. The Creed Brothers retained against Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo after Santos Escobar made his return, reuniting with Legado del Fantasma and costing the D’Angelo family the match.
Chance and Carter won a four-way for the vacant Women’s Tag Team titles on Tuesday’s WWE NXT 2.0 episode, capturing the titles for the first time in their careers.
Chance and Carter defeated Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne, Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz, and Diamond Mine’s Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley to win the titles when Chance pinned Jayne after a 450 splash.
The Women’s Tag titles had officially been vacant since last Tuesday’s NXT. The former title holders, Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade, split as a team when Jade turned on Perez on the July 12 episode of NXT 2.0.
Chance and Carter have regularly teamed since 2018, when Chance was known by her real name of Kacy Catanzaro, while Carter began her NXT career under the Lacey Lane ring name.
The duo have twice advanced to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinals, losing in that round in both 2021 and 2022.
The Championship win is the first for both in their WWE careers.
