Lyra Valkyria and Chelsea Green both made appearances on NXT.
Valkyria made the save for Tatum Paxley after she defeated Rosemary on Tuesday’s show. Both Wendy Choo and Rosemary jumped Paxley after the bell and continued to attack until Valkyria ran in. In a later segment, Paxley and Valkyria patched things up with one another and agreed to team together.
The last segment of this week’s show had Roxanne Perez come out to boast about her latest victory after defeating Jaida Parker at No Mercy this past Sunday. Green came out and said that no one was going to prevent her from being the number one contender to Perez’s NXT Women’s title. That brought out Giulia, who quickly took out Green and had a staredown with the NXT Women’s Champion. The show ended with Giulia challenging Perez to a title match on the premiere episode of NXT on CW next month.
Two more have qualified for the upcoming Money in the Bank ladder matches.
Lyra Valkyria and Chad Gable have qualified for the ladder matches that will take place on July 6 in Toronto. In the first qualifier, Valkyria defeated Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane after pinning Sane with the nightwing (Michinoku driver). Later in the show, Chad Gable defeated Bronson Reed and Braun Strowman when Gable pinned Reed with a moonsault.
After the match, the lights went out and the Wyatt Sicks’ Nikki Cross emerged. Gable left before he could be attacked like on last week’s Raw. Later, he attempted to make amends with Otis and the rest of his former Alpha Academy students, but failed. The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile then walked up to him as they started to talk.
The current card for Money in the Bank set for Saturday, July 6 —
World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest defends against Seth Rollins
WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn defends against Bron Breakker
Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, and Randy Orton vs. The Bloodline
Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match: Jey Uso vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Chad Gable vs. TBD vs. TBD
Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match: IYO SKY vs. Chelsea Green vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. TBD vs. TBD vs. TBD
New holders of the King and Queen of the Ring crown will be determined on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In the King of the Ring finals, Raw’s Gunther will battle SmackDown’s Randy Orton. For the Queen of the Ring, SmackDown’s Nia Jax will face Raw brand newcomer Lyra Valkyria. The winners of both matches will receive title matches that will take place at SummerSlam on August 3 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Undisputed WWE Championship will be on the line when Cody Rhodes defends against United States Champion Logan Paul. Although it was initially billed as a title for title match, Paul successfully managed to get Rhodes to sign a contract where only the WWE Championship would be on the line.
Other matches will have Becky Lynch defend the Women’s World Championship against Liv Morgan and Sami Zayn defending the Intercontinental title in a triple threat against Chad Gable and Bronson Reed. In the pre-show kickoff, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill will defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles against Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell.
Join us for live coverage starting at 11 am ET.
After 90 minutes of King of the Ring history with the occasional propaganda, we are finally getting to the first match. Two hour pre-shows are bad enough for WrestleMania. Doing it on a FIVE MATCH SHOW is simply ludicrous.
Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair defeated Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles
This was fine, a basic match that the crowd got really into.
Cargill started the match, quickly giving LeRae a fallaway slam. Belair did a cartwheel and walked up to Cargill, who slammed Belair on top of LeRae. Belair was still selling her leg and that ended up playing a part of LeRae escaping and tagging in Hartwell, who took over for heat.
Hartwell and LeRae took turns working on Belair until she tagged in Cargill for the hot tag. Cargill gave LeRae and Hartwell stinger splashes in the corner. Cargill hit a powerbomb on Hartwell but LeRae broke up the pin.
LeRae and Hartwell hit an assisted moonsault spot, but Hartwell only got two. The champions then rallied back and ended up getting the win with a wheelbarrow DDT into a German suplex combination.
Liv Morgan defeated Becky Lynch to win the Women’s World Championship
I was surprised by the title change but there’s clearly a story here between Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley whenever she returns, so that seems to be the key story in the division going forward. Maybe we’ll see Morgan/Ripley at SummerSlam. Match itself was very good, the crowd heat for today’s show was strong.
The two ended up outside early. Morgan cut off Lynch by dropping her from the middle rope. Morgan got heat for a good while until Lynch cut her off and started to make a comeback, hitting a top rope legdrop.
Lynch attempted for the disarmher but Morgan hit a codebreaker for a nearfall.Lynch recovered and went to the top rope but Morgan rolled away and connected with a dropkick. Morgan tried Oblivion, but Lynch cut her off and hit a reverse DDT for a nearfall. Lynch went for the manhandle slam but Morgan countered with a rollup but Lynch kicked out. The two traded punches as Morgan attempted a springboard arm drag but Lynch countered into the disarmher. Morgan countered with the Rings of Saturn but Lynch countered with the disarmher again.
Dominik Mysterio then appeared at ringside. Lynch, distracted, walked into a codebreaker. Morgan went to the top rope but Lynch met her there and landed a superplex. Mysterio introduced a steel chair into the ring as he distracted the referee. Morgan hit a DDT into the chair then hit Oblivion for the win.
The announcers painted Mysterio as an idiot for letting Morgan win the title.
Sami Zayn defeated Bronson Reed and Chad Gable to retain the Intercontinental title
Another very good match. Zayn was super over and Gable’s act got a lot of heat.
Crowd was SUPER into Zayn, who went after Gable after the bell until Reed cut him off. Reed managed to catch both Zayn and Gable and managed to slam both to the ground at the same time. Zayn threw Gable to the floor and Reed soon joined him as Zayn hit a huge tope con hilo to the floor.
Reed attempted to gain control by taking Zayn to the top rope, but Zayn took down Reed for a nearfall. He tried the blue thunder bomb, but couldn’t lift Big Bronson. Gable came back and attempted a superplex but Reed recovered and hit a tower of doom spot. Reed attempted a moonsault on Zayn, but Zayn escaped right as Gable hit one of his own, landing on Reed.
Zayn connected with a springboard DDT on Reed but Gable fought back with an ankle lock. Reed recovered but Gable took him down with the ankle lock. Zayn hit Reed with a blue thunder bomb in an impressive spot.
All three wound up on the outside, with Reed taking out both men as he went to the top rope. Zayn took him out, but when Gable arrived the two traded German suplexes. The three did a double German suplex spot that looked really cool. Gable recovered and told Otis on the outside that it was now time as he took out Reed, but hesitated when he was told to attack Zayn.
Gable lifted up Zayn and told Otis to pull the trigger, but he refused as Gable berated him, slapping Otis, who went into position. However, Zayn dodged the clothesline and Otis struck Gable instead to a big pop. Zayn then entered the ring and connected with the helluva kick on Reed for the win.
Byron Saxton asked Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill if there is a secret to their team. Belair said that there wasn’t a secret. Ok.
Nia Jax defeated Lyra Valkyria to become Queen of the Ring
This was fine, I thought Jax looked better here than in many of her other matches, but considering she took like 90% of the match she didn’t have to sell. The result was ordained as soon as Valkyria won her semifinal match and it’s very clear that Bayley vs. Jax is the SummerSlam match. Can’t wait.Â
Jax quickly took over after she rammed Valkyria on the outside after he hit a dive. Valkyria attempted to fight back but Jax kept pounding away. Jax put in a sleeper. Valkyria attempted to fight back with some elbows but Jax spun her around and slammed Valkyria to the floor, then connected with a Samoan drop.
Jax went to the corner for the Annihilator but landed on her butt on the outside as Valkyria went for a running dropkick. Jax attempted to counter, but Valkyria instead hit a bulldog on the floor. She took Jax back to the ring and hit a missile dropkick and connected with a tornado DDT for a nearfall.
Valkyria went to the top rope but Jax threw her off and tried for the annihilator again. Valkyria fought back and hit a legdrop off the top rope for a nearfall. Valkyria attempted for her nightwing finish but Jax was too big. Jax lifted her up and went to the top rope but Valkyria attempted for a sunset flip powerbomb. However, Jax countered by squashing Valkyria with the Annihilator for the win.
Triple H presented Jax with the crown. Jax cut off Kayla Braxton and said she knew no one was happy for her, but she was happy for herself because she will become the new WWE Women’s Champion at SummerSlam.
Saxton interviewed Becky Lynch, who said she doesn’t know what happened out there between Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan but she has a rematch clause, and is going to invoke it Monday on Raw.
Gunther defeated Randy Orton to become King of the Ring
I thought this was pretty good. It was much more methodical and worked at a less intense pace than normal top notch Gunther matches but I thought they told a good story here.
The two start off slow, with Gunther grabbing an arm. Orton reverses as the two go to the ropes. Orton puts Gunther in a side headlock and holds on to it. Gunther took Orton to a corner and when the referee called for a break, started to chop Orton. Gunther attempted a powerbomb, but Orton escaped and dodged an RKO, honing in on Orton’s shoulder.
Gunther continued to chop down Orton, working over the shoulder as well. Orton finally hit a suplex that put him in control. Gunther dodged a powerslam attempt by Orton, who injured his knee in the process. Gunther hit some punches, but still walked into a powerslam. Orton followed with the draping DDT.
Orton tried for the RKO but Gunther followed with a slam and a flying headbutt. Gunther went to the top rope again but missed, allowing Orton to hit an RKO. Both ended up on the outside where Gunther was slammed into the table twice, neither time breaking. After getting slammed on it for a third time, the two ended up back in the ring where Gunther started to target Orton’s leg, putting Orton in a half crab.
Orton escaped and hit the RKO, but Gunther kicked out. Orton favored his leg as Gunther pinned Orton with a crucifix for the win.Â
After the match, he told the crowd that what he deserves is none of their business. The apex predator became prey for the Ring General. gunther said he would become the World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Triple H, who had breaking news. Drew McIntyre has been cleared medically and Damian Priest has agreed to defend the World Heavyweight title against him at Clash at the Castle on June 15.
Cody Rhodes defeated Logan Paul to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship
I thought this was the best match of the night. Paul is super athletic and does everything very well, never looking lost. Rhodes works a very good main event style match and the two managed to deliver.
The two started off tentatively. Rhodes attempted to do Goldust’s uppercut spot, but Paul grabbed the hand and slammed it to the mat. Rhodes fired back with a gourdbuster. He attempted a flying crossbody but missed and bailed to the floor, allowing Paul to hit a crossbody to the floor.
Back in the ring, Paul gained control with an abdominal stretch. Rhodes fired back with a disaster kick as Paul was on the apron, sending him to the floor. The two got near Logan Paul’s friends, who gave Paul brass knuckles, allowing him to hit Rhodes in the ribs with the knucks. Paul argued with Paul over using the knucks as Rhodes connected with a suicide dive. Rhodes missed another disaster kick but connected with Dusty Rhodes’ punches.
Rhodes put Paul in the figure four. Paul went for the buckshot lariat but missed, allowing Rhodes to hit the Cody cutter for a nearfall. Paul fired back with a crossrhodes. Rhodes took out Paul with a suplex. Paul cut him off and took him to the outside, where he cleared off the announcers table. However, Rhodes fired back and hit the Cody cutter with the help of the barricade. The referee attempted to count out Paul, but Rhodes told the referee to stop, so he did. I guess that’s how it works.
Rhodes cleared off the Arabic announce table but Paul made his comeback, put Rhodes on the announce table and hit a big frog splash to the outside. Paul put Rhodes back in the ring and hit another frog splash for a nearfall. Ref bump as Rhodes actually hit his vertebreaker for the first time in who knows how long. Rhodes attempted to get the referee to recover, distracting him long enough for Paul to low blow Rhodes.
Paul took the brass knuckles out of his gear and went to strike Rhodes but Ibrahim Al Hajjaj, the special guest ring announcer for the night, grabbed his leg. The distraction allowed Rhodes to hit the crossrhodes three times, securing the win.
Gunther and Lyra Valkyria have a chance to become WWE royalty this Saturday.
Monday night’s Raw saw Gunther and Valkyria advance to the finals of their respective tournaments. In the main event of the show, Gunther defeated Jey Uso to earn a spot in the King of the Ring finals. Valkyria booked her place in the Queen of the Ring finals with a victory against IYO SKY earlier in the night.
The story for the main event was Uso coming close to defeating Gunther but ultimately passing out in a sleeper. There was a moment where Uso gave Gunther a spear but accidentally took out the referee as well. When Uso followed up with a top rope splash, the referee was still recovering and slow to make the count. That gave Gunther enough time to kick out. He then locked Uso in a sleeper for the win.
Valkyria, a recent NXT call-up, was able to continue her run in Queen of the Ring by upsetting SKY. After avoiding a moonsault, Valkyria went for her Nightwing finisher. SKY slipped out of it, but Valkyria then sat down on a pin to get the three count.
Saudi Arabia is hosting King & Queen of the Ring this Saturday (May 25). The event streams live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 1 p.m. Eastern time. The King of the Ring finals will be Gunther vs. either Randy Orton or Tama Tonga. For Queen of the Ring, it will be Valkyria vs. Bianca Belair or Nia Jax.
Gunther & Lyra Valkyria have advanced to the finals of the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments.
The first finalists were decided on Monday’s Raw. Valkryia was the first to advance, pinning IYO SKY in a surprise after reversing a sunset flip into a cover. In the main event, Gunther submitted Jey Uso to make it to the finals.
Gunther had defeated Sheamus and Kofi Kingston to qualify for the semifinals, while Lyra Valkyria defeated Dakota Kai and Zoey Sark.
More semifinal action will take place on Friday’s SmackDown, which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Randy Orton will take on Tama Tonga, while Nia Jax will battle Bianca Belair. The winners will advance to the finals that will take place on Saturday.
This is the first time the King of the Ring tournament has taken place since 2021. Xavier Woods won the crown that year, defeating Finn Balor. The first-ever Queen’s Crown tournament was held that year as well, with Zelina Vega winning after defeating Doudrop (Piper Niven).
Thoughts on the Cung Le lawsuit settlement, and meaningful changes in business and what this closes the door on in MMA
Why TKO paid $335 million and considered this as a win
Why the stock market thought the same
UFC & WWE financials
Changes in television and Smackdown plans going forward
The crazy story of WWE losing more money in this quarter than they made in virtually any year of its existence and multiples of the total losses of AEW since its inception and why there is nothing to worry about
How the interest on loans for TKO alone is more than WWE ever made until the Austin era
Complete coverage of WWE Backlash
The business numbers both good and bad
Notes from the French crowd
Next year’s WrestleMania
A look at the departures of Gable Steveson and Drew Gulak Ric Flair talks heart attack
Saudi Arabia getting more traction in WWE & UFC business
New Japan Dontaku coverage
UFC 301 coverage
Final Dark Side of the Ring episode on Black Saturday looked at
Coverage of three other major shows this week
Next TripleMania show
Arena Mexico heats up
Champion Carnival coverage
International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
Ric Flair incident
MLW looking at expanding into new markets
Wrestler song makes U.K. charts
NBA rights and how this affects AEW
Chuck Taylor career legit in jeopardy
Update on Double or Nothing
Advance ticket sales for AEW & WWE upcoming shows
Art Jimmerson remembered
Canelo Alvarez along with WWE, AEW and TNA PPV number updates
Comcast announced that they are planning to offer a bundle that will include Peacock, Netflix, and Apple TV+ called StreamSaver. The bundle is expected to debut later this month.
More NXT stars were called up during the second night of the WWE Draft.
During Raw, it was announced that Ilja Dragunov and Lyra Valkyria would be heading to Raw, while Blair Davenport will now be a part of the SmackDown brand. On social media, Dijak was announced as the newest member of the Raw roster.
EXCLUSIVE: The #WWEDraft isn't over just yet! Which #WWENXT Superstar just got drafted to #WWERaw?
SmackDown this past Friday had Carmelo Hayes and Baron Corbin were drafted to SmackDown, while Kiana James was called up to Raw. Cody Rhodes defeated Hayes in the main event.
Dragunov is a former NXT Champion, losing the title to Trick Williams on last week’s NXT, the first night of Spring Breakin’. Valkyria is a former NXT Women’s Champion, having lost the title recently to Roxanne Perez at NXT Stand & Deliver during WrestleMania weekend.
This will be Dijak’s second run on the main roster after first being called up as part of the group Retribution in 2020 under the name T-Bar. After the group disbanded, he remained on the main roster until 2022, when he returned to NXT under the name Dijak.
Before the title match began, free agent Giulia was shown seated in the crowd next to William Regal and Rossy Ogawa. On commentary, they said Giulia was there to “take in” the greatest women’s division in the world.
Valkyria’s title reign ends after 165 days and six defenses on WWE NXT programming. She defeated Becky Lynch for the belt at NXT Halloween Havoc 2023.
Perez’s second title reign begins a little over a year after she lost the belt to Indi Hartwell at NXT Stand & Deliver 2023. Hartwell won a six-pack ladder match that night but was forced to vacate the belt due to injury shortly after.
Roxanne Perez will finally get her NXT Women’s Championship match.
It was made official on NXT that Valkyria will defend the title against Roxanne Perez on April 6 in Philadelphia. Tuesday saw Perez come out and demand the title shot that she felt she deserved from General Manager Ava. Valkyria came out and the two fought. An unintentional distraction by Tatum Paxley allowed Perez to lock in the crossface on Valkyria. Later backstage, Valkyria demanded the match from Ava, who granted it.
Perez has developed a chip on her shoulder in recent weeks, particularly after a match that turned into a three-way at NXT Vengeance Day in February that saw Valkyria pin Lola Vice after she inserted herself into the match. Perez cemented her turn at Road Block by jumping Valkyria and injuring her elbow.
Here is the updated lineup for NXT Stand & Deliver:
NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov defends against Tony D’Angelo
NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria defends against Roxanne Perez
An NXT Women’s Championship match was set up at a house show on Saturday.
SmackDown’s Shotzi took part in NXT’s live event at the Venice Community Center in Venice, Florida. She teamed with Gigi Dolin in the main event and defeated NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley in a tag team match.
According to live reports, it was then revealed that Shotzi will challenge Lyra Valkyria for the NXT Women’s Championship on the Tuesday, February 13, edition of WWE NXT.
WWE has yet to make the match official for Tuesday’s show.
Shotzi also has a chance to qualify for the Elimination Chamber this week. She will wrestle Tiffany Stratton in a qualifying match on SmackDown.
An appearance from North American Champion Oba Femi was announced on social media Sunday. Femi successfully defended the title against Dragon Lee at Vengeance Day last week.
After his impressive victory at #VengeanceDay, Oba Femi returns to #WWENXT THIS TUESDAY!
Lyra Valkyria and Roxanne Perez are set to make things official for Vengeance Day tonight.
Last week, Perez won a number one contender’s battle royal to earn an NXT Women’s Championship shot against Valkyria at Vengeance Day. The battle royal turned into a fatal four-way match once it was down to the final four. Perez pinned Kelani Jordan to secure the title shot.
Vengeance Day is taking place on Sunday, February 4. Valkyria and Perez will sign the contract for their title match on NXT tonight.
The Vengeance Day card also includes the finals of the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin are facing Axiom & Nathan Frazer in a semifinal bout tonight.
Dragon Lee vs. Scrypts, Dijak vs. Joe Gacy, Blair Davenport vs. Karmen Petrovic, Wren Sinclair vs. Lash Legend, and Lexis King vs. Trey Bearhill have also been announced for tonight’s show. Plus, Noam Dar will be joined by Lola Vice on Supernova Sessions.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Opening the show live from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando is a semifinal match in the ongoing Dusty Classic. Although their personalities and team dynamic are different, both pairs are similar in being essentially odd couple tag teams.
Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin defeated Nathan Frazier & Axiom in a semifinal of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament
Breakker pinned Frazier to win the match, which was a great opener. Breakker & Corbin now advance to the tournament final.
Frazier & Axiom get on a roll early on before the bell ever sounds to start the match. Stereo dives, and a parade of high spots, before they get in the ring to officially start the bout.
The tide turns just as the show is about to take a commercial break, when he aerial tactics eventually cost Axiom & Frazier. Corbin counters a flying headscissors, and Corbin powerbombs Axiom on the announce desk. Frazier is caught on a high cross, and Breakker powerslams Frazier.
The match goes through a split-screen break. Breakker & Corbin are in control as the show returns from commercials. Breakker releases Axiom on a back drop and turns it into a cutter in an impressive spot.
Hot tag to Frazier, and Frazier is on fire moving at a rapid pace. Frazier leaps off the top turnbuckle into a flying crossbody on both Corbin & Breakker. Axiom & Frazier with back-to-back frog splashes for a near fall. Up next is a submission spot that Breakker breaks up by powerbombing Axiom on Frazier.
Corbin cuts off the babyface duo, and Corbin gets a near fall on Axiom. Frazier & Axiom get one last hurrah before they go home. Frazier executes a Spanish Fly on Breakker, and Frazier follows up with a Phoenix Splash. Corbin rushes in to break up a pinning attempt.
Corbin plants Axiom with End of Days. Corbin goes for the same finisher on Frazier, but Frazier counters. Breakker was waiting, and he pounces with a spear. That was worth of a highlight reel. Breakker then covers Frazier for a three count. Breakker & Corbin move on to the finals of the Dusty Classic.
Josh Briggs confronts NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov in a backstage skit. In comes Trick Williams to break them up. That led to Briggs and Williams having words, which sets up a match for later on. Dragunov said he will be watching.
Wren Sinclair is nervous about her match tonight, and Fallon Henley give her a pep talk.
Ava is the new General Manager of NXT. William Regal appears in a skit with Ava to deliver the big news. He and Ava come out of Shawn Michaels’ office. Regal congratulates Ava on being the youngest GM in WWE history. Regal asks Ava to look after the brand, and Ava thanks him.
Legend pinned Sinclair in what was Sinclair’s singles debut on NXT. This match was set up last week when Sinclair eliminated Sinclair from a battle royal.
Jackson interferes, but that backfires. Legend is still about to execute her chokeslam/spinebuster combo finisher. Legend the covers Sinclair for a pinfall.
Meta-Four surrounds Sinclair after the match in a menacing way. Fallon Henley runs down to make a save, and at the heels flee.
There is some time devoted to plugging the new WWE video game.
Dijak vs. Joe Gacy brawl to no-contest
They picked up where they left off last week, and they began brawling before the bell. Dijak cannot even get his jacket off. Gacy hits Dijak with a chair shot. Dijak would counter a moment later, and Dijak kicks Gacy through a gimmicked wall.
Unbeknownst to Dijak, Gacy crawls out of the wall with a smirk on his face. Gacy then fires up on Dijak, until Dijak puts Gacy through the announce desk. Referees and officials pour out trying to separate them, to no avail.
Gacy rises again from the ashes, and he catches Dijak in a sleeper. Gacy is peeled off by officials, as the bout ends before it even begins.
In a vignette, Von Wagner trains at a college football stadium with Mr. Stone and Stone’s two sons.
Lexis King defeated Trey Bearhill
This was a grudge match weeks in the making that was thrown on a random episode of NXT like a filler match. This was about getting King over. He won via pinfall, after executing his Coronation finisher.
In a locker room skit, Carmelo Hayes warns Trick Williams that Dragunov is playing Williams.
Lola Vice is the guest on Supernova Sessions, hosted by Noam Dar and Oro Mensah. Vice sits down with Dar and Mensah to talk about Elektra Lopez. Vice and Lopez broke up last week when Vice eliminated Lopez last week in a battle royal.
Vice cuts a promo on Lopez, which brings out Lopez to interrupt. Lopez confronts Vice, and Lopez cuts a heck of a promo on Vice. Vice is getting the push, but Lopez is such a better talker than her.
Next week on NXT is Lopez and Vice in a singles mach. Lopez says she cannot wait until next week, and Lopez spears Vice onto the Supernova couch. Referees pout out for a pull-apart.
The Family cuts a promo on social media with a warning to OTM, in response to OTM roughing up the staff at The Family’s Italian restaurant.
Chase University is being cleaned out, literally. The crew took everything, including Duke Hudson’s MVP trophy and Andre Chase’s podium. Next week Hudson and Chase say their final goodbyes to Chase U.
Dragon Lee defeated Scrypts (with OTM)
They had a pretty good match, but it became a backdrop for other storytelling beyond the match itself. OTM had trashed The Family’s restaurant, and The Family was out for revenge.
Out runs Tony D’Angelo & Stacks. They get into a brawl with Lucien Price and Bronco Lima. The two teams brawl around ringside. Adrianna Rizza does a tope on Jaida Parker. This would seem to set up a trios match, possibly even for the tag straps.
For the finish of the match that was still ongoing, Dragon Lee executes his finisher on Scrypts. Lee then scores a pinfall.
New NXT North American Champion Oba Femi appears on a perch overlooking the ring. He informs Lee to has accepted Lee’s challenge for a return title match at Vengeance Day.
Blair Davenport defeated Karmen Petrovic
Much like other women’s match-ups on this episode, this was set up in the battle royal last week. Davenport got the win after her knee strike finisher. This was a showcase match for Davenport.
Ridge Holland in a backstage interview says he plans to take on the Gallus trio by himself.
Trick Williams defeated Josh Briggs
NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov is watching at ringside. while also doing guest commentary.
The match itself was a hoss fight. Dragunov on a few occasions urged Williams to get up when Williams was down selling, as Briggs got to look strong.
Just before the finish, Dragunov was urging Williams to get to his feet, when Dijak boots Dragunov over the announce desk. Williams then kicks Briggs. Dragunov tries to get in the ring, but in runs Carmelo Hayes to pull Dragunov off the apron.
Meanwhile, Briggs is cooking in the ring when he gets trapped by Williams on a victory roll. Three count later, and Williams wins the match. Briggs still hits Williams with a lariat after the bell. The live studio audience boos Briggs on his way out.
Williams was seemingly upset with Hayes for the help, as Williams previously told Hayes that Williams wanted to do it on his own.
Lexis King was hitting on Jacy Jayne and Thea Hail, when in comes Riley Osborne to their rescue. Osborne asks Hail to talk alone later tonight. Hail was freaking out, but Jayne convinces her to keep it together.
No Quarter Catch Crew is the focus of another vignette. Their new gimmick is the “Catch Clause,” which is similar in some ways to the Freebird Rule. Any member of the crew can wrestle in a match.
Carmelo Hayes yells at Trick Williams in a backstage skit.
Up next is the contract signing for the women’s title bout at Vengeance Day. New NXT GM Ava is hosting the segment, and she introduces Roxanne Perez and NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria.
Perez and Valkyria sit down across from each other at a table sitting in the ring. Instead of bickering and arguing, they compliment each other. That praise eventually turns to some insults.
They both cut decent promos on each other. Ava convinces them to sign the contracts, making their title match official.
Valkyria leaves the ring, and the champs turns to have a stare down with Perez. Out of nowhere, Tatum Paxley is crawling around in the ring. Perez is blindsided by Paxley, and Paxley gives Perez a spinebuster through the table set up in the ring.
Rushing back to the ring, Valkyria rushes back into the ring. Paxley tries to hug her, but Valkyria shoves Paxley away. Valkyria screams at Paxley, as Paxley cries. The show goes off the air as the world turns. And so these are the days of our lives…
WWE’s New Year’s Knockout Week continues tonight with a special episode of NXT.
TTwo championship matches headline NXT New Year’s Evil 2024. Trick Williams and Blair Davenport are getting the title shots that they earned by winning the Iron Survivor Challenge matches at NXT Deadline. Williams is challenging Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Championship. Davenport is facing Lyra Valkyria with the NXT Women’s Championship on the line.
A grudge match between Tiffany Stratton and Fallon Henley will go down tonight. If Stratton wins, Henley has to become her servant for a day. If Henley wins, Stratton will need to spend 24 hours working as a ranch hand for Henley.
The winner of the Men’s Breakout Tournament will be crowned when Riley Osborne and Oba Femi face off tonight.
With Dragon Lee unable to appear due to visa issues, Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro will have a mystery partner against the No Quarter Catch Crew (Drew Gulak, Damon Kemp & Myles Borne). Roxanne Perez vs. Arianna Grace is also set.
*********************
The show begins with a video package highlighting tonight’s supercard. The first of two title matches opens the show, which is live from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando.
The first 30 minutes is commercial free. That is special, but the setting itself is run-of-the-mill. Special graphics on the video screen aside, this looks like any other episode of NXT from the PC.
NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria defeated Blair Davenport to retain her title
Valkyria pinned Davenport after a Michinoku Driver/fireman’s carry combo finisher. Seemed very snug at times, like they were beating the heck out of each other.
In setting up the finish, Davenport executes an avalanche Falcon Arrow off the top, but Valkyria rolls outside the ring before Davenport can cover her. Davenport goes outside after Valkyria, and Davenport is tossing her around near the announce desk. Davenport goes for a knee strike, Valkyria moves, and Davenport strikes the desk. Davenport sells her knee after she broke a hole in the desk.
Back in the ring, Davenport goes for a suplex, but her knee gives out. She goes for a double stomp, after delivering one earlier in the match. No water in the pool this time around. Davenport lands on the mat, and sells her knee. Valkyria boots her in the face, and Valkyria executes a finisher. One, two, three, and Valkyria retains via pinfall.
Lola Vice ran down to ringside with her contract she recently earned. The gimmick is the contract is like Money in the Bank, and it can be cashed it at any time. Vice is about to cash in when Tatum Paxley jumps out from the front row to attack Vice. In runs Elektra Lopez to back up Vice, and she brawls with Paxley. Valkyria makes a save, and there is a brawl at ringside. Seems to set up a tag match with Valkyria teaming with Paxley for sometime soon.
A crawler at the bottom of the TV screen during the last match promised breaking news, and it involved the men’s NXT Championship match scheduled for the show. NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov is not cleared to compete, so they title bout for later tonight is reportedly off.
In another change to the advertised card, Dragon Lee is having some of sort of issue with his visa. Therefore, Dragon Lee is missing the show. He is replaced by Carlito in a trios match that is up next.
LWO (Carlito, Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro) defeated No Quarter Catch Crew (Drew Gulak, Damon Kemp & Myles Borne) in a six-man tag team match
Kemp drops the fall for his team, after he is pinned by Del Toro.
Wilde does a wild dive to the outside, where Carlito and Del Toro help by launching him off the middle rope. Wilde is soon cut off, and the heels work him over. That builds to a hot tag, where Carlito tags in and cleans house.
Wildes wipes out Gulak and Borne, after a corkscrew senton off the top to the floor. Kemp goes for an O’Connor roll on Carlito, not realizing there was a blind tag. Kemp takes a backstabber from Carlito, and Del Toro follows up with a Phoenix Splash. Del Toro then scores a pinfall on Kemp. Playing into his gimmick, Carlito spits an apple in Gulak’s face after the match.
Grayon Waller returns to NXT when he interrupts an interview with Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes. Hayes hypes up Trick, before Hayes promises that Williams will put up his title shot tonight in a match against Waller. Trick is not happy with Hayes, but Waller accepts the challenge nonetheless.
Riley Osborne is featured in a vignette from Chase U. In the skit, Osborne recites and essay he is writing about his match later tonight.
Arianna Grace defeated Roxanne Perez via a reversed decision
Perez attacks Grace after the match, and the referee reverses his decision. That awards the match to Grace, despite Perez scoring a pinfall. Perez teases a heel turn, or something like that.
Perez pinned Grace after Pop Rox (Code Red). Grace got some offense with some heel tactics, as she worked over Perez. Eventually, Perez hulks up. Perez looks to make a comeback. Grace cut her off, but Perez counters into her finisher. Perez then cradles Grace for a three count.
Grace yells at Perez after the match, screaming that Perez “needs help!” Perez snaps and jumps Grace. Perez locks in a crossface, and several referees have to pry her off Grace. Perez flashes a sinister smile before letting go of the hold. I will never be comfortable with that sport after living through the summer of 2007.
Blair Davenport and Nikkita Lyons argue in a backstage skit, nearly leading to a fight. This would seem to set up a singles bout between the two.
Fallon Henley defeated Tiffany Stratton in a servant or ranch hand stipulation match
Henley pinned Stratton to win this grudge match. Thus, Stratton has to serve as a ranch hand for Henley.
This is a takeoff of an angle done with Jimmy Garvin and David Von Erich in World Class, during the heyday of that promotion in the 1980s. Garvin lost a match, and he had to serve as Von Erich’s valet for a day. That led to humorous skits where Von Erich ordered Garvin (and Garvin’s valet Precious) to do various chores around the ranch. The angle was likely done elsewhere at other times, by the World Class version I recall fondly the most.
The match goes through a split-screen commercial break. They had a good grudge match. The setting hurt it some, as they likely would have more heat in an arena setting outside of the sameness of the sound stage.
For the finish, Stratton grabs a metal folding chair. Stratton looks to use the chair as a weapon. The referee takes the chair from Stratton. With Stratton distracted by the chair, Henley charges at her to deliver a running knee strike. Henley then covers Stratton for a pinfall.
Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker star in a lackluster skit where they agree to team up for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They still bickered, but they are a team. Whatever, dudes. Why should we care?
Oba Femi cuts a promo ahead of his match tonight in the finals of the Men’s Breakout Tournament. Oba Femi is such a promising new character.
Cora Jade and Gigi Dolan get into a argument over a locker. So, we have another grudge match over a locker. Half expecting to see Mr. Belding run in to ask, “What is going on her!?” Even Saved by the Bell had more complex storylines than fights over a dern locker.
Ridge Holland sits down for an interview, where he discusses the injury angle with Dragunov. Holland also discussing other injuries he either suffered or was part of during his WWE career.
Holland talks about blowing out his knees in a NXT match. Holland returns and joins the main roster, and Holland gets smashed in the face. He had reconstructive surgery. Now Holland is back. Holland goes on to say he had no ill intend when Dragunov suffered an injury in their match.
Holland concludes by saying he is going to show who he truly is by running through the NXT roster.
In a backstage skit, Thea Hail marks out when she high fives her crush, Riley Osborne.
Oba Femi defeated Riley Osborne to win the NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament
The match probably went too long, but it was a tournament final so they were given a lot of time. Femi is portrayed like a monster heel.
As they went home, Osborne is going for a shooting star press. Oba Femi gets his knees up, and he awakens like a Kraken. Femi gives Osborne a snake eyes, and Femi tosses Osborne with a suplex that seems rather unsafe. Femi then delivers a powerbomb, and Femi covers Osborne for a pinfall.
OTM cut a promo on NXT Tag Team Champions The Family. This hypes up a tag team title match on the next episode of NXT.
Kiana James and Izzi Dame are interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Another interview on this show where no one interrupted them. That has to be some kind of record.
More tension between Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes, as Williams tells Hayes that Williams wants to wrestle on his own tonight. That means no Hayes at ringside, which visibly upsets Hayes.
Jacy Jayne is somehow no in charge of Chase U, or at least their booking of matches. Jayne tells Andre Chase to only focus on his debt, and she is now in running things. Jayne replaces Chase with Riley Osborne as Duke Hudson’s tag team partner in the Dusty Classic. Jayne vows to restore Chase U to glory. I was unaware her character cared so deeply about education until now.
Tatum Paxley continues to freak out WWE Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria.
Nathan Frazier and Axiom agree to team up for the Dusty Classic. Edris Enofe and Malik Blade overhear Frazier bragging, which is Frazier’s new gimmick where he stick his foot in his mouth.
NXT Tag Team Champions Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo cut a promo on OTM. Tony D also introduces the audience to Adriana Rizzo, who has been featured in skits over the last several weeks. Joe Gacy also locked himself in a trunk for some unrelated reason. Tony D was not alone in being confused by Gacy’s gimmick. Same here.
Trick Williams defeated Grayson Waller
Williams pinned Waller, after a surprise appearance by Kevin Owens. Carmelo Hayes also did a run-in, as he argued with Williams just before the finish. In winning, Williams remains the number one contender.
Not a bad match, but anti-climatic after it replaced a main event title match that was build up for a few weeks. A cameo by Kevin Owens at least made it feel a little more special.
The match goes through a split-screen commercial break. Probably did not need to be that long, but it was the main event so they got main event time. They did some good near falls after the show returns from the commercial break. Waller is overheard at times loudly calling spots. Kayfabe, brother.
Carmelo Hayes runs down and jumps on the apron at one point. Williams and Hayes argue as Waller looks to capitalize. Kevin Owens suddenly appears at ringside. Owens attacks Waller, and Owen rolls Waller back into the ring. Williams abandoned his argument with Hayes just in time to hit Waller with a flying knee. Williams then covers Waller for a three count. Williams retains his number one contender status.
Two championship matches are set to air on tonight’s Thanksgiving week edition of WWE NXT.
In her first title defense, Lyra Valkyria puts the NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Xia Li. Valkyria claimed the title by defeating Becky Lynch at Halloween Havoc four weeks ago. Li is coming off a loss to Lynch on last night’s Raw.
Li confronted Valkyria earlier this month and has her sights set on winning NXT gold.
The Heritage Cup Championship will be defended tonight as main roster star Chad Gable challenges Noam Dar.
Two Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches are taking place tonight. Carmelo Hayes will look to secure his NXT Deadline spot as he faces off against Josh Briggs. Blair Davenport clashes with Thea Hail with a place in the women’s Iron Survivor Challenge on the line. This week’s competitors were selected by JBL.
Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo vs. Edris Enofe & Malik Blade has been announced for tonight as well, along with Eddy Thorpe vs. Charlie Dempsey.
There is notable post-production on this show, as Vic Joseph’s voiceovers are clearly different than the commentary recorded live with him and Booker T.
Ring introductions open the show, as champion and challenger are already in the ring.
Noam Dar (with Lash Legend, Jakara Jackson & Oro Mensah) vs. Chad Gable (with Maxxine Dupri, Akira Tozawa & Otis) for the Heritage Cup Championship ends in a draw
Heritage Cup goes Broadway on NXT in a great opener. Dar and Gable tie 1-1 after six rounds, thus the match is ruled a draw. Dar retains in that case. Gable had Dar in an ankle lock as time expires in the sixth round, and Dar was tapping out as the bell rings. Still ruled a draw.
Some good wrestling in the first round, but no falls in round one. Good wrestling continues into the second round, except this time there is a fall. Not clean, though as Dar would go up by one fall after outside interference by Mensah.
Mensah kicks Gable in the head with under a minute remaining in round two. Dar then delivers his Nova Roller, and he covers Gable for a three count.
Much of the third round happens during a split-screen commercial break. Under 30 seconds in round three as the show returns from the break. They trade near falls after a superplex as the third round winds down.
Double down as both are on the mat selling, and their corners have to help them up between rounds.
Action intensifies in the fourth round. Some close near falls, and they even tease a count-out. They are trading strikes on their knees as the fourth round ends
Fifth round is all Gable, and he makes short work of Dar to even the score at one fall apiece. Rolling koppo kick by Gable, followed by a series of German suplexes. Gable bridges on a suplex, and Gable evens the score via pinfall.
Legend starts an argument with Dupri between rounds, which distracted Gable. With Gable’s attention diverted, Dar hammers Gable with a cheap shot.
Gable is rocked with 90 second left in the sixth round. They keep trading near falls as the clock continues to run. With 30 seconds remaining, Gable goes for a moonsault press, and Dar tries to keep his boots up to block the moonsault. Gable counters the counter, and he grabs Dar’s leg to apply an ankle lock.
Gable has the ankle locked in with seconds remaining. Time appears to run out on six round as Gable still applies the hold. Dar taps out as the bell is ringing to end the round. Time had run out, as the official decision is a draw.
Post-match angle that teases something between Otis and Legend. Otis catching Legend after she is slapped by Dupri. Legend sells it with disgust and she freaks out.
JBL announces his picks for the Iron Survivor qualifier, which takes place later tonight.
WWE has a cross-promotional with the Big 12 Conference for a tie-in at the Big 12 football championship game.
NXT Tag Team Champions The Family are welcomed by their family for a meal. They toast. To be continued…
Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes seem to be on good terms again in a brief locker room skit.
Xia Li attacks NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria before their match even has its ring introductions. Li jumps Valkyria during the champ’s entrance. That delays the women’s title match, as viewers are to wonder if Valkyria is able to defend her title tonight.
This was supposed to be a standby match, but it is really a showcase for Carillo & Garza. They are getting a renewed push, yet it is still missing something. They could benefit with more character development, as their wrestling itself is great.
Josh Briggs defeated Carmelo Hayes in an Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match
Briggs pins Hayes, and Briggs qualifies for the Iron Survivor. Lexi King runs in at the finish to cause a distraction, leading to the pibfall.
Breakout moment for Briggs. He is given a pep talk before the match, but he does not need it. Briggs is a monster from the outset of the bout. He shows a ton of fire with a more aggressive style.
Just before a commercial break, Briggs is teases putting Hayes through the announce desk, but Hayes escapes. Hayes goes on to open hand slap Briggs, which enrages Briggs. In a fit of rage, Briggs bounces Hayes on the ropes to set up a lariat. Briggs then flings Hayes over the announce desk as the show cuts away to commercials.
Briggs is working over Hayes as the show returns from commercials. Hope spot dashed as Briggs is fired up again. Hayes eventually makes a comeback, amidst some great action.
Lexi King runs down in the closing moments, and King jumps on the apron. Hayes levels King with a kick, and King takes a bump off the apron. That moment of distraction allowed Briggs to capitalize. Hayes goes for a springboard, and Briggs wipes him out with a lariat. Briggs then climbs the turnbuckles and leaps off into a moonsault press. Briggs covers Hayes to win and advance to Deadline.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews NXT Women’s Champ Lyra Valkyria, who is holding an ice pack on her shoulder. Mitchell asks Valkyria if the title match for tonight is off. Valkyria rises to her feet and exclaims the bout is still on.
Von Wagner comes to Mr. Stone’s house for dinner. Wagner brought brownies, but he ate some on the way. Wagner says he wore his best tank top. Wagner bounds with Stone’s kids as Wagner eat dinner with the family. The kids stare at the scars on Wagner’s head, but they still become fast friends. This was supposed to be comedy I guess.
Wes Lee comes to the ring for a monologue, where he issues a challenge for another title shot against NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio. Out comes Dom to interrupt up, even with no “Mami” to accompany Dom.
Lee and Mysterio bicker back-and-forth for a little bit. Mysterio then tells Lee he is booked in a match next week against three former North American champs. If Lee beats all three former champs in matches, then Lee earns a title shot against Mysterio. Lee of course accepts the challenge and the stips.
Blair Davenport defeated Thea Hail (with Jacy Jayne) in an Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match
Hail did well with Jayne’s support, but Hail failed to capitalize when she was on a roll. Hail was briefly distracted by the Chase U student section and their lack of support. Jayne urges Hail to forget about them, but it was too late. Davenport delivers her knee strike finisher, and Davenport covers Hail for a pinfall. In winning, Davenport qualifies for the Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline.
A video package hypes the NXT Championship match at Deadline. The feature compares the two different lives and lifestyles of NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov and challenger Baron Corbin. The two meet in a title match at Deadline.
Eddy Thorpe defeated Charlie Dempsey (with Drew Gulak & Myles Borne)
The trend of good wrestling continues with this bout. This is such a wrestling-heavy show.
Thorpe scores a pinfall on Dempsey to win the match, but Thorpe is jumped by Gulak & Borne after the match. Dempsey, Gulak & Borne leave Thorpe laying after the match.
Humberto Carillo & Angel Garza jump The Family in another beatdown. Tony D’Angelo & Stacks are leaving their family dinner when they are attacked by Carillo & Garza. This seems to set up Garza & Carillo challenging for the tag titles at Deadline.
Arianna Grace is the focus of a vignette.
NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria defeated Xia Li to retain her title
“Stone Cold” Valkyria came back from a supposed injury to win the match and retain the championship.
Valkyria wrestled great for someone that was supposedly injured earlier in the show. She is a house of fire at the outset of the match, but Valkyria is soon cut off by Li.
Li works over Valkyria through a commercial break. Valkyria eventually makes a comeback, and she has Li in a fireman’s carry when Valkyria drops her into a Michinoku Driver. Valkyria then covers Li for a three count to retain her title.
Xia Li confronted Lyra Valkyria on Tuesday’s NXT.
The Raw star entered through the crowd as Valkyria was in the ring, appearing for the first time since winning the NXT Women’s Championship on night one of NXT Halloween Havoc, defeating Becky Lynch. Li said that she was coming for the NXT Women’s Championship, reminding her of what she did to Lynch on Monday’s Raw. Security attempted to separate the two, but Li took out one of the guards with a spinning roundhouse kick.
On Monday’s Raw, both Lynch and Li were set to participate in a battle royal to determine Rhea Ripley’s Survivor Series challenger for the Women’s World Heavyweight title. As Lynch was making her way to the ring, Li attacked Lynch and took her out with the spin kick. Adam Pearce came out and threw Li out of the match. After commercial, it was revealed Lynch would be unable to compete in the battle royal, which was won by Zoey Stark.
In recent weeks on Raw, Li had made it clear that she wanted a title match from Lynch. Lynch was receptive to the idea until her loss at Halloween Havoc.
Lyra Valkyria returns to WWE NXT tonight for her first appearance as Women’s Champion.
At Halloween Havoc night one two weeks ago, Valkyria picked up the biggest victory of her career by defeating Becky Lynch for the NXT Women’s Championship. It was a historic match with two Irish women facing off for a WWE championship for the first time ever.
Lynch, whose NXT run has come to an end, has said that the future is in good hands with Valkyria as champion. We’ll see who emerges as Valkyria’s first challenger.
With NXT Deadline a month away, Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches begin tonight. Tiffany Stratton faces off against Fallon Henley in a women’s qualifier. Dijak clashes with Tyler Bate in a men’s qualifier.
A grudge match between Von Wagner and Bron Breakker is also set for the episode.
In tonight’s opening match, Akira Tozawa challenges Noam Dar for the Heritage Cup Championship. Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable & Otis will be appearing on NXT to support Tozawa in his Heritage Cup challenge.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Opening the show is a singles championship match.
Noam Dar (with Oro Mensah, Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend) defeated Akira Tozawa (with Chad Gable, Otis & Maxxine Dupri) for the Heritage Cup Championship
Dar retained his Heritage Cup in a really good bout. In past Heritage Cup matches, there have been seconds in the corners. Tonight they each had an entourage. Meta-Four interfered during the finish.
First round ends with no falls. They did a superplex just before the bells rings to end the round. The entourages bicker with each other between falls. which would come to a head later in the bout.
Dar scores the first fall, after a schoolboy roll-up on Tozawa in the second round. Dar held the trunks, and he got an underhanded three count to go up by one fall. Dar then drops Tozawa with a cheap shot just before the show cuts to a commercial break.
Third round went the entire split-screen commercial break. Lots of action as time winds down on round three, but neither can capitalize. Round ends just as the break is over.
Round four begins after the show returns from the break. Tozawa does a big flip dive the outside that takes out Mensah at ringside. Dar posts Tozawa, but Dar then kicks the ring post when Tozawa ducks out of the way. Dar is selling his ankle as they roll back in the ring.
Tozawa evens the score, after submitting Dar in round four. Tozawa applies an ankle lock, and Dar taps out. Tozawa is on fire as round five begins, but he is soon cut off by Dar.
Tozawa thwarts interference by Mensah, but that serves as a distraction. The referee is distracted with Mensah, and the ref does not see Legend pull Dar out of harm’s way as Tozawa is going for a senton. Tozawa crashes and burns. Dar then delivers his shining wizard finisher, and Dar scores the deciding pinfall in the fifth round.
Mensah argues with Dupri after the match, and she slaps him. Gable then gives Mensah a German suplex, and Otis does a splash on Mensah.
The announcers, Vic Joseph and Booker T, plug tickets being on sale for NXT Deadline in Bridgeport, CT. Featured on that is show is a gimmick match called the Iron Survivor Challenge.
The announce team then throws to a clip of Mick Foley, who is a booking qualifying matches on tonight’s card. Foley’s picks include Tiffany Stratton facing Fallon Henley in the women’s qualifier, and a men’s qualifying matches with Tyler Bate against Dijak.
New NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria enters the sound stage for her first monologue since winning the title. Pretty decent promo by Valkyria as she puts over the former champ (Becky Lynch), and Valkyria also compliments the live studio audience.
Xia Li, from the Raw roster, comes down to ringside through the crowd. Valkryia tells security to let Li into the ringside area. Xia Li attacked Becky Lynch last night on Raw, and the now Li is back in NXT to confront Valkyria.
Li warns Valkyria that she is here to take her title. A security geek tries to push Li back, and he eats a superkick from Li. He goes down like fallen timber. Valkyria and Li get face to face as the segment ends.
Tyler Bate cuts a promo ahead of his qualifying match later tonight against Dijak.
Alpha Academy is coming back to NXT next week as guest on Noam Dar’s Supernova Sessions. A backstage skit also sets up Drew Gulak against Otis for later on.
A referee coming out of Shawn Michaels’ office says Michaels instructed the ref to use his discretion in the match tonight with Von Wagner against Bron Breakker.
Ava is seen in the background going to Michael’s office as the referee is being interviewed.
Tiffany Stratton defeated Fallon Henley in an Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match
Stratton is the first to qualify, after pinning Henley in a pretty decent match.
Henley looked strong in the first half of the match. She stands tall before the show cuts to a commercial break. Henley worked over Stratton’s leg with a half crab, and Stratton would soon turn the tide and work over Henley’s leg.
Henley takes a wild bump after the the match, when Stratton dumps Henley out of the ring through the ropes. Henley takes a nasty bump on the floor. It got a “holy s**t” chant from the studio audience, but the bump was unnecessary. Geez, this is supposed to be a work.
After Henley takes that ugly bump, Stratton smacks Henley’s leg on the ring post. Stratton works the leg for a short time, until Henley makes a comeback.
Stratton goes for moonsault finisher, but no water in the pool. She rolls through, only to be rolled up Stratton for a near fall. Stratton then targets Henley’s injured leg with a chop block. Henley’s knee buckles, and Stratton executes her “Prettiest Moonsault Ever.” Stratton goes on to cover Henley for a pinfall.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews a returning Wes Lee. They are interrupted by Baron Corbin, who insults Lee. This sets up a match between Corbin and Lee.
Dijak cuts a promo ahead of his match tonight against Tyler Bate.
Bron Breakker defeated Von Wagner (with Mr. Stone)
Breakker pinned Wagner to win the match, but Wagner powerbombs Breakker on the announce desk after the match is over.
Gorilla Monsoon would have likely referred to this as the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object. Vinny V might call it a “hoss fight.” It was definitely a grudge match.
Breakker was the aggressor early on, and he applied a Steiner Recliner. Wagner escapes the hold, and Wagner hulks up. Wagner with a spear for a near fall.
The fight spilled outside the ring. Wagner teases giving Breakker a powerbomb on the announce desk, but Breakker counters. Breakker sends Wagner crashing into the ring steps. Mr. Stone gets involved, and Breakker gives Wagner a low blow.
Breakker lifts Stone in a military press, but Wagner makes a save. Wagner is checking on Stone when Breakker delivers a spear to Wagner on the floor. Breakker does a second spear in the ring, and Breakker hooks a leg to cover Wagner for a three count.
After the match, Stone hits Breakker with a metal folding chair. Breakker stalks Stone and grabs him by the throat. Wagner steps in to again save Stone. Wagner then powerbombs Breakker through the announce desk. They play up Wagner doing it like it meant more than losing the match. Wagner and Stone hug after the table spot.
Carmelo Hayes denies attacking Trick Williams in the Tonya Harding incident from a few weeks ago.
Brawling Brutes — Ridge Holland & Butch — are featured in a vignette. This was part of a build to match against OTM next week on NXT.
This tag bout was set early in the show during a badly acted locker room skit. Arianna Grace comes out during her Miss NXT gimmick, and she wished both teams luck. She then watched the match from a chair set up in the aisle.
Perez carried the load for her team, but Jordan still did well for herself. Hot tag to Jordan, and she runs wild. Perez executes Pop Rocks on Lopez, and Perez takes out Vice with a tope suicida. Jordan botches her finisher at first, but ultimately she springboards into a split-legged moonsault. Jordan then scores a three count on Lopez.
Arianna Grace interrupts the post-match celebration by trying to take over the ring announcing duties. For her trouble, Grace is blindsided by Karmen Petrovic in a sneak attack. Petrovic shouts out Grace to shut up.
Not sure is Petrovic was supposed to be a babyface of a heel, but shutting up Grace is a babyface move in the context of this show.
Joe Gacy gives a creepy warning in a pre-taped promo. It was better than his cult leader stuff, but not by much. Regardless, Gacy has good delivery and plays his character well. He just needs a better character, so at least he is getting a makeover.
WWE Champion Ilja Dragunov cuts a promo on Baron Corbin, which is the next title program for better or worse.
Otis (with Chad Gable, Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri) vs. Drew Gulak (with Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp & Myles Borne)
Otis pinned Gulak after a powerbomb. Good TV match that looked much more like something on the main roster than NXT. This bout was set up with a backstage skit earlier in the show.
Kiana James and Tiffany Stratton brag on each other while burying everybody else, but they are very catty with each other.
Jacy Jayne intercepts a package from Tony D’s Family meant for Andre Chase. Jayne is caught by Chase snooping in the envelope. Jayne now knows something the rest of Chase U does not, but she keeps it a secret for now.
Dijak defeated Tyler Bate in an Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match
Dijak pinned Bate to become the first qualifier for the men’s Iron Survivor.
Good match. They played on the size difference at times, but that was not the story of the match. Back-and-forth action and they traded several near falls.
Bate eventually falls victim to a Feast Your Eyes. Bate was able to counter the first attempt at Dijak’s finisher. Moments later, Bate leaps off the ropes into the arms of Dijak. That set up the Feast Your Eyes, and Dijak covered Bate for a pinfall.
The main event segment is a face-to-face confrontation between Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes. They would be interrupted by Lexis King.
Before the interruption, Hayes starts by trying to plead his case. Williams rebuffed Hayes’ reasoning, as Williams relays he wants Hayes to be there for him like he was there for Hayes.
Hayes insists he had Williams’ back, but Williams asks Hayes where Hayes was when Williams needed him. Williams goes on to say he does not know who attacked him, but the first voice Williams heard afterwards was Hayes’ voice. Hayes ponders that, and asks again if Williams never say his attacker. They would then soon have an interruption.
Williams eventually flat out asks Hayes if Hayes was the unknown attacker. Hayes was just about to answer when Lexis King interrupts. King looked like a modern version of Van Hammer, which I assume is not the desired look. But maybe it is.
King barges into the ring and gets between Hayes and Williams. King hints that he might be the unknown attacker. King then goads Williams into an act of violence.
Williams goes to seemingly punch King, but Williams instead punches Hayes. After being decked by Williams, Hayes sells big.
Williams to offers Hayes a hand up, but Hayes at first slaps away Williams’ hand. After a second offer, Hayes accepts Williams’ help up. They embrace, but Hayes has an angry look on his face as the show goes off the air.
