It was recently rumored that Nikkita Lyons would be making her way up to the main roster this summer. The rumor came from Rope Break/TRNBCKL Gold (previously affiliated with BodySlam) and claimed that Lyons is potentially going to make her way up to the main roster at some point this summer:
One name that was mentioned recently for a potential call up to the main roster this summer is none other than Nikkita Lyons, with some suggesting that she would move from NXT to Monday Night Raw.
Latest on Nikkita Lyons
That rumor now appears to have been disputed by a new report from False Finish. Cory Hays of False Finish (and formerly at BodySlam) wrote the following:
False Finish has learned that WWE officials have been impressed with the work of Nikkita Lyons since her return from injury. However, Lyons is not expected to be headed to the main roster in the foreseeable future. Lyons will continue working in both EVOLVE and NXT.
Lyons has been in WWE for quite some time now. In fact, her in-ring debut took place at the December 31, 2021 episode of the now defunct show 205 Live.
An NXT performer is rumored to be making her way to the main roster this summer. According to a rumor from Rope Break, the former Patreon for BodySlam, Nikkita Lyons is set to be making her way up to the main roster at some point this summer:
One name that was mentioned recently for a potential call up to the main roster this summer is none other than Nikkita Lyons, with some suggesting that she would move from NXT to Monday Night Raw.
Nikkita Lyons WWE Main Roster move
We’re working to try and get more on this, however for the the time being, we will be treating it as a rumor until we can get something more concrete.
The BodySlam Patreon and affiliated entities have previously broken news in the past, but recent changes over there have meant that the Patreon is now listed under “Rope Break.” While we believe that it is still the same main group of people getting this information, we will not be posting anything they break as news, only rumors, until we’re able to verify it ourselves going forward.
Two NXT wrestlers made their WWE Speed debuts today with Thea Hail prevailing over Nikkita Lyons.
A jackknife pin earned Hail the victory over her larger opponent with 21 seconds remaining on the three-minute clock. In the final stretch of the match, Lyons was able to get to the ropes after Hail applied a Kimura. She then hit a spin kick and tried for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Hail rolled through and reversed the pin for the win.
Hail vs. Lyons was taped last Friday at SmackDown and was a number one contender’s tournament first-round match. With her victory, Hail advances to face Alba Fyre in the finals on Speed next Wednesday. The winner of that match earns a Speed Women’s Championship shot against Sol Ruca.
Ruca is a double champion at the moment, holding both the WWE Speed Women’s title and NXT Women’s North American title. She dethroned Candice LeRae for the Speed Women’s title this April and has made one successful defense of the belt so far in her reign, defeating Ivy Nile.
Indi Hartwell’s TNA career officially begins on tonight’s TNA Impact from Irvine, California.
After news of her signing was revealed last month, the former WWE/NXT wrestler will compete for the first time as she battles Kelsey Heather.
In their first singles meeting since 2009, Jeff Hardy takes on Nic Nemeth as the feud between their respective teams continue.
Tessa Blanchard teams with Victoria Crawford (the former Alicia Fox) against Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich and WWE NXT’s Nikkita Lyons.
In a four-way International title shot eliminator, it will be Elijah vs. Mance Warner vs. Matt Cardona vs. Ace Austin.
Rosemary takes on Xia Brookside while The Rascalz battle The Great Hands.
Frankie Kazarian will discuss his upcoming Under Siege tag team match with Trick Williams against Joe Hendry and Elijah.
**********
Tessa Blanchard & Victoria Crawford vs. Masha Slamovich & Nikkita Lyons
The show kicks off with an “In Memory Of” graphic in honor of Terry “Sabu” Brunk. After the usual recap package showing highlights from last week, the show settles inside the Impact Zone. Tessa Blanchard’s theme immediately hits and out she comes for the opening contest.
Blanchard settles inside the squared circle and her music dies down. The theme for Victoria Crawford hits and out comes the former WWE Superstar known as Alicia Fox. TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich is out first for the opposition. WWE NXT Superstar Nikkita Lyons comes out last.
After the bell sounds, Blanchard and Lyons kick things off for their respective teams. Lyons takes the early offensive lead. Blanchard and Lyons both tag out. Crawford takes over on Slamovich initially. Slamovich starts to fight back. She hits a spinning back-fist and a step-up enzugiri.
Both ladies try to head to their corner for the tag, but Blanchard rushes over and yanks Lyons off the apron, where she blasts her face on the corner on the way down. Crawford goes to work on Slamovich. Blanchard slides a steel chair into Crawford.
Slamovich gets a hold of it and whacks Crawford. The referee calls for the bell. Blanchard and Crawford get the win via disqualification. Blanchard yanks Crawford out of the ring to save her from any post-match punishment.
Apparently things aren’t over just yet. TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella’s theme hits and out he comes. He says things won’t end that way. He orders the match to be restarted. Fans chant “Santino! Santino!” Before the match can restart, Robert Stone comes out and says the decision stands.
Blanchard and Crawford remain the winners via disqualification. Santino didn’t like that. Blanchard and Crawford did, and they rub it in on Lyons and Slamovich as they head to the back with their hands raised. The show heads to a commercial break after that.
Match Result: Tessa Blanchard & Victoria Crawford defeated Masha Slamovich & Nikkita Lyons via Disqualification
Cody Deaner Knows Significance Of TNA Under Siege
The show returns to an in-depth sit-down interview with Cody Deaner, who talks about the importance of his match coming up at TNA Under Siege 2025, and how he must win if he wants to continue his future in TNA Wrestling.
He tells a story about the first time his son saw him wrestle. He recalls his son crying afterwards. He thought it was because his son thought he was hurt. It turns out it was because he lost. He says he’s determined to make sure his son doesn’t cry after TNA Under Siege 2025.
The Great Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch) (w/ Tasha Steelz) vs. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
Back inside the Impact Zone, the team of The Great Hands make their way out to the ring accompanied by Tasha Steelz. John Skyler talks on the microphone as they settle inside the squared circle about how he blames the fans for Mustafa Ali’s recent change in personality.
The theme for their opposition hits and out comes The Rascalz duo of Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz to a good pop. The bell sounds to get things officially off-and-running with this tag-team tilt, and it is Miguel and Skyler who kick things off for their respective teams.
After some good back-and-forth action, we see The Great Hands start to take over. They do a good job of isolating their weakened foe in the ring and preventing him from making a tag. However, the momentum begins to shift, with The Rascalz making a comeback.
Ultimately, Mustafa Ali would interfere, leading to Skyler and Hotch getting the win. After the match, Ali viciously assaults The Rascalz in a continued showing of his new, uncontrollable persona. Ace Austin eventually ran down to make the save. The show went into another commercial break afterwards.
Match Result: The Great Hands defeated The Rascalz
TNA International Championship Eliminator Matt Cardona vs. Mance Warner vs. Ace Austin vs. Elijah
The show returns to Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary setting up special video footage that took place during the commercial break. We see Ace Austin backstage still enraged about what just happened.
He looks for The Great Hands, and eventually finds them. Unfortunately, John Skyler, Jason Hotch and Mustafa Ali all beat Austin down until security and officials rush to the scene to break it up. Back in the Impact Zone, we get ready for our next match.
Matt Cardona’s theme hits and out comes “The Complete” Cardona for this high stakes four-way showdown, where the winner will receive a shot at the TNA International Championship currently held by “Bulletproof” Steve Maclin.
Ace Austin comes out still selling the affects of the assault he just endured backstage. Mance Warner comes out with Steph De Lander. Finally, Elijah comes out strumming his guitar to a big pop from the Ivrine crowd. The bell sounds and off we go.
After some back-and-forth action, which sees De Lander get involved a few times on Warner’s behalf, and all four men having their respective moments in the spotlight, it is Cardona who picks up the win after hitting his Radio Silence finisher on Austin for the pin. Cardona has earned a TNA International title shot.
Match Result: Matt Cardona defeated Ace Austin, Elijah & Mance Warner to earn a TNA International Title shot
Tessa Blanchard Slaps The Hell Out Of Arianna Grace
The show heads to another commercial break after the TNA International Championship Eliminator wraps up. When the show returns, Tom Hannifan does a live ad-read to promote TNA’s involvement in the upcoming Border Brawl show.
From there, backstage we see “The Liaison” Arianna Grace is not happy about Santino Marella’s authority being overturned by Robert Stone in regards to the Tessa Blanchard & Victoria Crawford win over Nikkita Lyons & Masha Slamovich.
Blanchard says she’s sick of Arianna’s mouth and smacks the living crap out of her. She walks off as Arianna is on her knees from the slap, possibly with a bloody mouth. The brief backstage segment wraps up there.
First Class Penthouse With O’Shea Jackson Jr.
Back inside the Impact Zone, the theme for First Class hits and out comes AJ Francis and KC Navarro to host the latest installment of their God-awful talk show segment, First Class Penthouse. They begin with their usual boasting.
They then hit the usual pop culture insults for cheap heat, with some rap and basketball references, before bragging about how they always bring the best when they show up. They hype up their special guest as a bonafide movie star.
With that said, after listing his IMDB credits, they introduce O’Shea Jackson Jr. The son of Ice Cube and recent TNA Rebellion 2025 pre-show panelist makes his way out wearing a First Class t-shirt, which Francis and Navarro quickly show off.
Jackson Jr. grabs Francis’ hand and takes it off of his shoulder, Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall-style. Francis asks why they have static. Jackson Jr. tells him that he might think he’s Suge Knight, but he looks more like a “broke-ass Uncle Phil.”
The crowd explodes with “Uncle Phil! Uncle Phil!” chants. Francis has a decent comeback, noting how he should be like Uncle Phil and treat Jackson Jr. like Jazz, and throw his ass out of here. Jackson Jr. breaks bad and Navarro tries keeping him and Francis apart.
On that note, Mike Santana’s hip-hop theme hits to calm things down. Santana makes his way through the crowd, as always, as Navarro and Francis complain about being interrupted by him. In very annoying fashion, by the way.
Santana chases them to the back without saying anything. He and Jackson Jr. shake hands and pose for the crowd to end what was actually the first tolerable First Class Penthouse segment ever. That’s how the talk show-style segment wraps up.
Indi Hartwell vs. Kelsey Heather
Without wasting much time, the theme for Indi Hartwell hits and out comes the former WWE and WWE NXT Superstar to the ring for her highly-anticipated TNA Wrestling in-ring debut. Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk on commentary about how it’s a lifelong dream for Indi to compete in a TNA ring.
Already in the ring is her opponent for this scheduled one-on-one contest in the TNA Knockouts division, Kelsey Heather. The bell sounds to get things officially off-and-running. Fans immediately break out with a loud “Indi Wrestling! Indi Wrestling!” chant.
Kelsey slaps Hartwell to get the physicality started, and all this does is anger Hartwell, who quickly goes to work on Heather. She hits a side-slam and some big strikes, but then Heather hops on Hartwell’s back with a sleeper-hold.
Heather taunts Hartwell while holding onto the hold, but Hartwell escapes and shifts the offensive momentum back in her favor. She sends Heather into the ropes and hits a big sidewalk slam.
She hits a running booty to the side of Heather’s head as she was draped over the middle rope. Hartwell hits her “Hurt Don’t It” finisher after that for the pinfall victory. Hannifan and Rehwoldt run through the match highlights while singing Hartwell’s praises. The show heads to another commercial break.
Match Result: Indi Hartwell defeated Kelsey Heather
Tasha Steelz & Indi Hartwell Verbally Clash Backstage
When the show returns, Indi Hartwell is shown backstage talking to the camera about getting her first TNA Wrestling match, and win, in the books tonight. As she sits down to continue talking more, she is cut off by Tasha Steelz.
Steelz puts her hand in Hartwell’s face and says she doesn’t know what Hartwell is talking about, noting “I’m sure it’s a cute promo,” but she claims to have more important matters to discuss. She turns to the camera and mentions that Mustafa Ali has been kicked out of the building.
Before she can say anything else, Hartwell stands up and cuts her off. Hartwell says she just had a successful debut, and Steelz is going to have the audacity to take her camera time? Tasha says she’ll deal with Hartwell later. She heads off looking for Santino Marella or Robert Stone.
Rosemary vs. Xia Brookside
Inside the Impact Zone, the lights go down and the familiar sounds of Rosemary’s theme hits. Out she comes, heading to the ring for the next match of the evening as a split-screen interview she did earlier in the day is shown.
The theme for her opponent hits, and out comes Xia Brookside. Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk about the new side of Brookside that has been seen in recent weeks. The bell sounds and things get officially off-and-running.
Brookside charges at Rosemary, who exits the ring and does a sadistic laugh at Brookside as she avoids the early action on the floor. Back in the ring, the two finally engage and begin getting after it. Brookside takes the early lead, but it isn’t long before Rosemary takes over.
Rosemary grabs some brass knuckles, but before she can use them, Brookside stops her. Rosemary secures a submission on Brookside in the ring, and the two push-and-pull with the brass knuckles inches away. Brookside recovers and begins shifting the offensive momentum into her favor.
Brookside climbs to the top-rope after establishing a comfortable offensive lead. She is stopped when Rosemary once again picks up and puts the brass knuckles on her hand. Brookside hops down and fights with Rosemary over them. She headbutts Rosemary and gets the brass knuckles.
She debates putting them on and eventually does. Rosemary turns her cheek and invites her to blast her with a free shot with the brass knuckles. Rosemary pops up and thumbs Brookside in the eye. Rosemary goes to load up with the green mist, but before she can spray it, Brookside decks Rosemary.
She has Rosemary tied up on the ropes. The referee tries to break things up, but once again Brookside’s darker side shows itself, as she shoves the referee off of her and continues a physical rampage on Rosemary. Lei Ying Lee ends up running out and chasing Rosemary away.
She stands tall in the ring shouting at Rosemary. The post-match scene wraps up on that note, We then see a quick “TNA Injury Report” video package. Steve Maclin suffered a minor skull fracture, lacerations and an extreme loss of blood. The show heads to another commercial break after that.
Match Result: Rosemary defeated Xia Brookside via disqualification
Arianna Grace Wants Tessa Blanchard At TNA Under Siege
When the show returns, Arianna Grace demands a match against Tessa Blanchard at TNA Under Siege. Santino Marella doesn’t like the idea, but agrees to it. Robert Stone comes in and thinks it’s the first smart decision he’s made.
Frankie Kazarian & Trick Williams Confronted By Joe Hendry & Elijah
Highlights are shown of the WWE NXT Battleground 2025 contract signing between TNA World Champion Joe Hendry and Trick Williams is shown. Back live inside the Impact Zone, Frankie Kazarian’s theme hits and he makes his way down to the ring.
The self-proclaimed “King of TNA” goes on to rant and complain about being “robbed” of the TNA World Championship at TNA Rebellion. He then moves on to discuss the upcoming TNA Under Siege show, and mentions how there’s someone who feels the same about Joe Hendry as he does.
On that note, the familiar sounds of Trick Williams entrance tune hits the house speakers in Irvine, CA. The crowd breaks out into a loud “Whoop That Trick!” chant as the WWE NXT Superstar heads down to join Kazarian in the ring.
Trick says it’s no secret that he doesn’t like Kazarian, and that Kazarian doesn’t like him either. He says they’re not out here to be liked. They’re out here to be respected. If they were out here to be liked, they’d be like Joe Hendry.
As always, the rule applies, as someone said his name, and so out he comes to appear. The crowd goes wild as the TNA World Champion settles at the top of the entrance stage. They provoke Hendry, saying he claims to be a fighting champion. They challenge him to prove it.
Before Hendry heads down for a one-on-two impromptu battle, we hear the familiar sounds of a guitar strum off-camera. With that said, Elijah walks … out to join Hendry at the top of the stage. As they get ready to fight, Santino Marella’s theme hits.
The TNA Director of Authority comes out and mentions how the four of them are scheduled to battle it out at TNA Under Siege. He says they all seem ready tonight, so it’ll take place tonight instead. The crowd loves it. Robert Stone comes out and shuts it down. He even mentions “suitable replacements” for next week.
Nic Nemeth (w/ Ryan Nemeth) vs. Jeff Hardy (w/ Matt Hardy)
It’s main event time!
After the show returns from another commercial break, the TNA Moment of the Week segment airs, showing footage of RVD vs. Sabu from years ago. The lineup is announced for next Thursday night’s TNA Under Siege “go-home” episode of TNA Impact on May 22 (see below).
We return inside the Impact Zone in Irvine, CA., where Nic Nemeth’s “Wanted Man” theme hits. Out comes one-half of the reigning TNA World Tag-Team Champions accompanied by his brother, “The Hollywood Hunk” Ryan Nemeth, for our scheduled main event of the evening.
He settles inside the squared circle and his music dies down. The legendary theme for The Hardy Boyz hits next, and out comes Nemeth’s opponent, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, accompanied by his brother, Matt Hardy.
Hannifan mentions to the viewers at home that this is only the second ever singles match between Hardy and Nemeth. He mentions how Hardy won their lone singles match from over 16 years ago. The bell sounds and we’re officially off-and-running with our final match of the evening.
Hardy immediately takes Nemeth down. He goes to hit the ropes, and Ryan tries grabbing his foot. Jeff catches him, and turns to yell at him, only to then turn around into a big DDT from a prepared Nemeth. Nemeth charges at Hardy after that, but Hardy sends him up and over the top-rope.
Nemeth crashes and burns on the floor at ringside. Jeff hits a follow-up dive from the ring to the floor to take Nemeth out for a big pop. He celebrates that with his brother Matt, as the show heads into a mid-match commercial break as the action continues.
When the show returns, the action is back in the ring, with Nemeth controlling the offense. Hardy begins fighting back, hitting his trademark Whisper in the Wind spot off the ropes in the corner. Hardy looks to follow-up with a Twist of Fate, but Nemeth counters and slaps on a sleeper-hold.
Hardy begins to fade as Nemeth squeezes away. Fans break out in a “Hardy! Hardy!” chant. Hardy fights back to his feet and drops down into a jawbreaker to force Nemeth to release the hold. Nemeth ends up sending Hardy shoulder-first into the steel post.
He immediately follows up with a FameAsser and quickly covers him, only to get a close two-count. Nemeth tunes up the band in the corner waiting for Hardy to get up. He charges at him looking for a super kick, but Hardy avoids it and counters with a Twist of Fate.
He takes his shirt off. He heads to the top-rope. He leaps off for his trademark Swanton Bomb, but Nemeth counters him on the way down and quickly tries rolling him up, again only getting a close count of two.
Hardy rolls Nemeth up out of nowhere seconds later, but Nemeth kicks out before the count of three. Fans break out in a loud “This is Awesome!” chant. Hardy looks for another Twist of Fate, but Nemeth counters with a super kick. He covers him, but only gets two.
Fans break out in a loud “Let’s go Hardy!” chant, rallying behind “The Charismatic Enigma” as Nemeth stalks him, waiting for him to get up. As soon as he does, Nemeth leaps for a Danger Zone, but Hardy avoids it and counters with a Twist of Fate.
He follows up with a Swanton Bomb that connects this time, and covers Nemeth for the pinfall victory. Excellent main event. As soon as the match wraps up, Ryan Nemeth hits the ring for a post-match attack, but Leon Slater runs out to make the save. The Hardy Boyz iconic theme hits again. That’s how this week’s show goes off the air.
Match Result: Jeff Hardy defeated Nic Nemeth
Next Week On TNA Impact (5/22/2025) * Ace Austin vs. Mustafa Ali * Sami Callihan & Mike Santana vs. First Class * Santino Marella & Robert Stone In-Ring Debate * Joe Hendry & Elijah vs. Moose & Brian Myers
Nikkita Lyons has returned to WWE NXT television for the first time since January.
Lyons made her unannounced return on Tuesday’s WWE NXT episode in a backstage segment with NXT GM Ava, plus Lola Vice. Later in the episode, Lyons vs. Vice was made official for next week’s episode.
Lyons suffered a left ACL injury in January, with her last televised bout taking place on the January 9 WWE NXT episode against Blair Davenport. Lyons returned to the ring on an NXT house show on September 27, teaming with Dante Chen in a mixed tag team victory over Izzi Dame and Jasper Troy.
The left ACL injury was the second catastrophic knee injury Lyons suffered in as many years, as she suffered ACL and meniscus tears in January 2023, missing most of that calendar year as well due to injury.
Lyons vs. Vice is one of four matches set for the October 15 WWE NXT show. The announced lineup:
NXT Championship number one contender’s match: Wes Lee vs. Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans (winner challenges Trick Williams at Halloween Havoc on Sunday, October 27)
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Wren Sinclair
New NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo celebrates his title win
Lola Vice vs. Nikkita Lyons
The Halloween Havoc wheel (Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal) returns
At a NXT house show in Davenport, Florida on Friday, Lyons teamed with Dante Chen and won a mixed tag team match. This was her first match since January when she lost to Blair Davenport on NXT television.
The last two years have been tough for Lyons, who has spent much of that time injured. After being out for nearly all of 2023, she made her return in December of last year, wrestling a few times before suffering an ACL injury in January. Lyons wrote about her recovery recently on X:
it’s been a minute 8 months post op on my left ACL. now im even lmao… it’s not over when you fall, it’s over when you don’t get back up and just quit. no one knows all you’ve been through but you. take your power back and protect your peace.
NXT is set to premiere on the CW this coming Tuesday in Chicago. The top two matches will have Ethan Page defending the NXT Championship against Trick Williams and Roxanne Perez defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Giulia.
Nikkita Lyons has revealed the expected timeline for her WWE NXT in-ring return.
Last month, Dave Meltzer reported that Lyons was sidelined with an injury. She had just returned to the ring in December 2023 after 11 months out of action due to a torn ACL and meniscus.
Lyons gave an update on her latest injury while appearing as a guest on Booker T’s Hall of Fame podcast. While specifics about the injury have not been disclosed, Lyons announced that she’s undergone surgery. Lyons said she’s hoping to be back in NXT by Halloween Havoc this October.
Lyons responded when asked about the timeline for her recovery:
So my timeline, right now, it’s been two months since my surgery. And honestly, I feel like those two months went pretty quick, at least for me, because I’m on the grind every day. But right now, I’m hoping by Halloween Havoc. I’m hoping that’ll be, you know, a good time. But also I want to make sure that — it should be ready to go. But I don’t want to say an exact, you know, ‘It’s gonna be here,’ because with injuries, it’s kind of day-by-day.
Going back to the out of sight, that’s why I’m gonna stay active. Y’all, I’m not going nowhere. I ain’t going nowhere. That’s why I’m shoving myself in y’all face. Y’all are not gonna see this brick house blow down. That’s where I’m at, and that’s where I cross into my music and different forms of art that I can do, still talking to the people, being involved, going to these community events and charity events, like, I ain’t going nowhere. I’m just going to continue to improve in every other way that I can until I can step in the squared circle again.
The 24-year-old Lyons hasn’t wrestled since facing Blair Davenport on an episode of NXT this January.
Before signing with WWE in 2021, Lyons (real name Faith Jefferies) wrestled for Women of Wrestling as Faith the Lioness.
WWE NXT wrestlers Edris Enofe and Nikkita Lyons are both dealing with injuries.
The injuries were reported by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer noted that Enofe suffered his injury while teaming with Malik Blade against Axiom & Nathan Frazer on the February 6 episode of NXT.
Despite his injury, Enofe appeared in a backstage segment on NXT this week. Meltzer wrote that Enofe “won’t be wrestling for a period of time.”
Edris Enofe suffered a serious injury on the 2/6 show when he and Malik Blade lost to Axiom & Nathan Frazer. He was on TV this week doing a promo but won’t be wrestling for a period of time.
Nikkita Lyons is injured again, just coming back from [an] injury.
The specific injuries that Enofe and Lyons are dealing with were not reported.
Enofe responded to the report by confirming he’s injured but stating that he’s going to be ok: “Aye how tf yall know about this?? Who snitched? Lmao ima be aight”
Lyons was out of action from January 2023 to December 2023 due to a torn ACL and meniscus. She hasn’t wrestled since losing to Blair Davenport on NXT last month. That match took place on the January 9 NXT episode.
Blair Davenport will meet Nikkita Lyons on Tuesday’s show. This past Tuesday, Lyons confronted Davenport after she came up short in the NXT Women’s title match, losing to Lyra Valkyria. The two exchanged words and nearly came to blows before they were escorted away by backstage personnel.
Lyons was out of action for 10 months in storyline after being taken out by Davenport in a backstage attack. It was eventually revealed that Davenport was behind a string of backstage attacks, putting people such as Sol Ruca and Wendy Choo out of action. In reality, Lyons was out recovering from a torn ACL. She made her return last month and has targeted Davenport ever since.
The announced lineup for the Tuesday, January 9 WWE NXT:
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic begins
NXT Tag Team Champions Tony D’Angelo & Stacks Lorenzo defend against OTM’s Bronco Nima & Lucien Price
During Raw on Monday, commercials for NXT announced that Lyons would be making an appearance on Tuesday’s show. This follows her appearance on last week’s show, where she attacked Blair Davenport.
Lyons has been out of action since January, when she underwent surgery for a torn ACL and torn meniscus. She was last seen on NXT television being laid out backstage by a mystery attacker who had put others on the shelf such as Wendy Choo and Sol Ruca. The mystery attacker was eventually revealed to be Davenport. She and the four other Iron Survivor participants were brawling at ringside when she made her exit. However, she was cut off by Lyons, who laid her out with a kick.
Two weeks ago on NXT, Lyons was seen in the crowd, with announcers saying that her return would be soon.
WWE NXT on December 12, 2023, announced lineup:
Eddy Thorpe vs. Dijak
Meta-Four’s Lash Legend, Oro Mensah & Noam Dar vs. Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs, & Brooks Jensen
Nikkita Lyons is almost ready to return to action.
After showing a video of Lyons training on social media, she was seen in the crowd on Tuesday’s NXT. Commentary noted that she was nearing a return to in-ring action.
Lyons has been out of action since undergoing surgery for a torn ACL and torn meniscus back in January. Her last match took place on the Level Up that aired on January 17, defeating Jakara Jackson.
In storyline, Lyons was written out after being laid out backstage by a mystery attacker who had also attacked the likes of Wendy Choo, Dani Palmer, and Sol Ruca. It was eventually revealed that the person attacking people backstage was none other than Blair Davenport, who has since qualified for the Iron Survivor Challenge match at NXT Deadline on December 9.
Previous to her ACL injury, Lyons had suffered a MCL tear and sprain back in May of 2022. She signed with WWE in late 2021 and started to appear on TV the following year.
NXT’s Nikkita Lyons is on the road to recovery after undergoing successful knee surgery.
Lyons announced on Tuesday that she’s undergone surgery to repair her torn ACL and torn meniscus. Lyons thanked the surgeons, doctors, and nurses who treated her.
“Surgery was a success,” Lyons wrote. “Thank you deeply to the WWE Universe, my Lyon Pride for all the love and support you show. I’ll be back stronger than I’ve ever been. #ReadyToPounce Also a big thank you to the wonderful surgeons, doctors and nurses. @WWENXT @WWE”
Surgery was a success ✨ Thank you deeply to the WWE Universe, my Lyon Pride for all the love and support you show. I’ll be back stronger than I’ve ever been. 🙏🏼 #ReadyToPounce Also a big thank you to the wonderful surgeons, doctors and nurses. 🫶🏼🤍 @WWENXT@WWEpic.twitter.com/brePCYbCZI
The injury would be expected to keep Lyons out of action for several months.
Lyons last wrestled when she defeated Jakara Jackson on an episode of NXT Level Up earlier this month. On NXT last week, there was an angle where it was shown that Lyons had been attacked in the parking lot. The angle was a cover for Lyons being injured and needing surgery.
The 23-year-old revealed Wednesday on social media that she has suffered a torn ACL and meniscus.
Lyons wrote:
ACL & Meniscus are torn. This comeback is personal. Thank you to all who consistently show love & genuine support every week. You have no idea how much it means to me. Those of you who don’t see the vision, thank you too. Stay ya a** right there.
This is just another lesson life needed to teach. Love, Light, & Positivity always.
She last wrestled on an episode of Level Up taped on January 17, 2023.
In an angle likely done to explain her upcoming absence from television, Lyons was yet another victim of the NXT parking lot on Tuesday. She was seen laying on the pavement and clutching her leg on this week’s show. Lyons repeatedly said that she did not know what happened to her.
Lyons also suffered a partial MCL tear in May 2022, resulting in her being removed from the NXT Women’s Breakout tournament. However, the injury did not require surgery and she returned to action the following month.
Lyons signed with WWE in the summer of 2021 after having spent the previous two years wrestling as Faith the Lioness for Women of Wrestling.
After failing to become Women’s Tag Team Champions, Zoey Stark betrayed Nikkita Lyons on last night’s episode of NXT.
Stark & Lyons came up short in their NXT Women’s Tag Team title rematch against Katana Chance & Kayden Carter. There was a miscommunication near the finish that led to Chance & Carter getting the victory. Stark nearly hit Lyons when Chance moved out of the way. Chance and Carter tried to hit a double superkick on Stark, but Lyons pushed Stark away so that she could take the bullet herself. With Lyons out of the picture, Chance & Carter defeated Stark to retain their titles.
Stark took the NXT Women’s Tag Team title belts away from the referee after the match. Stark and Lyons were going to present the championships to Chance and Carter, but Stark instead turned against Lyons, dropping her with a belt shot.
Stark blamed Lyons for their loss, screaming that Lyons ruins everything for her. Stark then laid out Lyons with a kick.
WWE had been building to Stark’s heel turn as she became increasingly unhinged after the last time she and Lyons lost to Chance & Carter.
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.
