Tag: Oba Femi

WWE ‘very impressed’ with NXT talent featured at Saturday Night’s Main Event

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE was said to be “very impressed” with the NXT talent featured at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez addressed the company’s reaction to the performances by Oba Femi, Sol Ruca, Leon Slater, Je’Von Evans, and Joe Hendry on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

Meltzer said:

“I know that people there were very impressed with the four that wrestled. Joe Hendry, everyone knows. He’s a guy that’s going to go out there and get a great crowd reaction and that’s a big part of their business. But they see Oba Femi as a superstar, they see Sol Ruca as a superstar, and they see Evans and Leon Slater as superstars.”

“They may botch it, something may happen, but it’s not like they aren’t seeing it.”

“It was right in front of them, plus they got over with the crowd in D.C., which is a big thing.”

The full episode of Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is available for subscribers here.

Hendry and Slater will be in the four-way match on NXT tonight to determine the next challenger for Femi’s NXT Championship. Evans has a match scheduled for next week’s Raw against Rayo Americano and will also be at AAA Guerra de Titanes where he is scheduled to challenge for the AAA Cruiserweight championship in a three-way match against Jack Cartwheel and champion Laredo Kid.

WOL: Thoughts on John Cena’s farewell match

Posted on by Andrew Zarian

It’s time for the Sunday Wrestling Observer Live with Andrew Zarian.

This week’s major news revolves around the retirement of John Cena whose final match took place at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Andrew gives a detailed show review and shares his reaction to the controversial decision to have him lose, debating whether it was the right choice given the immediate fan outrage that followed.

Also, he talks about the rest of the card and the decision to have a DQ finish between Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi — a crutch WWE relies on too much.

Plus, his review of AEW Collision, thoughts on who’s going to win the Continental Classic, and the pending return of a big star this week.

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event live results: John Cena’s final match

Posted on by Jeff Moss

For the final time ever, John Cena will perform in a wrestling ring in the headliner of tonight’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Cena’s retirement tour comes to an end in Washington, DC, as he faces former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther who won The Last Time is Now tournament to earn the opportunity.

The show will also feature several main roster vs. NXT bouts.

In one, reigning WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will face NXT Champion Oba Femi in a non-title match.

Another will see former WWE Women’s Champion Bayley vs. former NXT Women’s North American Champion and former Speed Champion Sol Ruca.

The main show is rounded out by WWE World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Dragon Lee defending against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater & NXT star Je’Von Evans.

Our live coverage begins at 8 pm Eastern.

**********

Here it is, friends. The Time is Up, The Time is Now. John Cena announced his retirement tour last year and it has been quite a ride since then. Heel turns, dream matches, unrealized stories, this run truly had it all. Now, here on this the night of our Lord, Saturday, and the event known as “Main,” Cena will step through the ropes one last time.

So much has been deservedly said about Cena, his contribution to wrestling and his final run in the weeks leading up to tonight, that I don’t feel the need to say much else here. I always saw Cena as a gateway for new fans (and old fans with kids) and I’m pretty sure that’s how his work was meant to be seen. He was the ultimate personality, making money with the people who loved him and making money with the people who hated him. That ability to play both sides is rare in life and even rarer in pro wrestling.

Now, we find ourselves at the end of his career and he’s going out on his terms. Another rarity, especially in wrestling. Nothing else matters up to this point. Like him, hate him, whatever, it’s now all about this last match and going out in style in one of the rare events that has the eyes of the entire industry. An event that reminds us that we as fans are a community. We look to share these experiences (and then rant about them on the internet) with each other and mark the history and work of Wrestler, Actor, Jorts Enthusiast and GOAT-contender, John Cena.

-Leading into the official start of the show, Lillian Garcia gave one hell of a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and the scene moved into footage of a very hyped crowd. Everyone was doing the “you can’t see me” gesture from attendees to merch sellers.

HBK, Johnny Gargano, Trish Stratus, Kurt Angle Mark Henry, actor Jon Berenthol and raper Metro Boomin’ were all shown in the crowd and backstage. Then, a GOAT-themed video retrospective of Cena’s career aired. WWE has always been #1 in all of sports and entertainment when it comes to these video packages and this one was no different.

Fireworks exploded around the arena at the video’s end and the traditional Wrestlers Arriving To Work footage was shown for the undercard matches. Gunther arrived to a smatering of boos and Stephanie McMahon was at the hosting desk with Joe Tessitore.

Stephanie gave Cena his flowers for including the up and coming NXT talent tonight and asked if we were ready. Spoiler: We were.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi

Femi won the chance to face Rhodes by re-acquiring the NXT Championship from Ricky saints at Deadline. He also defended the title against Je’Von Evans on Tuesday’s episode of NXT, so he’s been busy. This will be Femi’s first Main Roster match and if you’ve seen him in NXT, you know that it will definitely not be his last. Rhodes has been Undisputedly Championing since August when he took the title from the Man of The Hour, John Cena at Summerslam.

The only thing in the ring bigger than Femi was Cody’s neck tattoo as the two locked up in a feeling out process. Femi usually overpowers his opponents and Rhodes was no exception, with Femi throwing him into the corner. Rhodes came back with a headlock though, showing Femi he’s got some strength and agility as well.

Femi picked Rhodes up while the headlock was on and Rhodes tried to quickly zip around Femi, but he was caught by the throat. Femi landed a backbreaker as he methodically started picking Rhodes over. Femi whipped Rhodes into the corner and Rhodes started throwing punches.

Femi didn’t like that and he picked up Rhodes and tossed him across the ring. Rhodes dodged a charge and went for a powerslam, but Femi blocked it and hit a powerslam of his own. Every time Rhodes threw a kick or shot at Femi, the NXT Champion just shook it off and delivered one of his own.

Femi hit another backbreaker and pulld Rhodes to his feet. He hoisted him up, but Rhodes rolled out. Femi charged and Rhodes dodged it, sending him into the ringpost. Femi staggered back and Rhodes hit that powerslam and then a Cody Cutter, but Femi kicked out at two.

Rhodes tried another cutter but Femi caught him. Rhodes twisted Femi to the outside and went to diave afater him, but Femi caught him with an uppercut on the way through. Femi charged in the ring again, but Rhodes pulled down the top rope, sending him outside to land a suicide dive on the outside.

Back in the ring, Rhodes came off the ropes again, but Femi caught him and hit a spinbuster. Femi scooped up Rhodes, but again, Rhodes dropped out of it. Femi clotheslined him over the top rope. Femi went to the outside and hit a sprinting European uppercut onto the announce desk, busting Rhodes open.

Back in the ring, Femi planted Rhodes with a chokeslam, but only got a two count. Rhodes was bleeding profusely from the ear, sparking fears of a broken eardrum. Femi tried another pop up, but Rhodes countered it into another Cody Cutter.

Suddenly, Drew McIntyre showed up and started punching Rhodes. The ref called for the DQ and Femi grabbed McIntyre, very mad that his match was interrupted. Femi showed no fear, shoving him to the mat. Then Rhodes hit a cutter on McIntyre and Femi put the exclamation point on it with a chokeslam.

Match Result: Cody Rhodes vs Oba Femi went to a no contest after Drew McIntyre interfered

After the match, Rhodes picked up the NXT title and handed it to Femi, with both champions standing tall and celebrating.

That was a great match with a really disappointing ending. Rhodes is always at his best when he’s fighting uphill and Femi looked dominant against the veteran champion. Killer stuff until the interference, which I get (gotta protect those guys!) but at the same time, I really hope they get to finish that match one day.

-Next a video package with more celebrities like Peyton and Eli Manning, Snoop Dogg, and Jimmy Fallon wishing Cena well aired. An package featuring the likes of Tom Brady, Lil Yachty Vanessa Hudgens, and Jimmy Kimmel aired earlier.

-Back from break, more accolades for Cena from Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Bayley, Rey Mysterio Jr, Charlotte Flair, Jey Uso, Stephanie McMahon, and a tearful CM Punk via video package. Tyreese Haliburton and Chuck Zito were shown in the audience.

Bayley w/Lyra Valkyria vs Sol Ruca w/Zaria

Much like her fans, Bayley just kinda wanted something to do. That turned out to be competing against anyone from NXT at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and it was none other than former NXT Women’s North American and Speed Champion, Sol Ruca. The match was made on the Dec. 5 SmackDown and last Tuesday on NXT, Ruca invited her BFF Zaria to the Saturday Night party, which was nice of her. Bayley stopped to hug WWE vets Trish Status and Eve Torres on her way to the ring.

The bell rang and they locked up. Bayley managed to get a headlock on off the top and transitioned to a waistlock takedown. Ruca tried to roll her over, but Bayley kept her cook and went for a whip wristlock. Ruca turned it into a cartwheel and Bayley started working Ruca’s arm.

Ruca took down Bayley with a flipping ‘rana headscissor that really pleased the crowd. Bayley went back to the arm, but Ruca countered it into an X-Factor. Bayley rolled to the outside to recover, and lured Ruca to the ropes. When she got there, Bayley hung her up on the ropes and the fight moved to the apron.

Ruca kicked Bayley to the ground and went for a flip from the apron, but Bayley moved and she hit the floor. Bayley threw Ruca back into the ring and the two searched for a pin with neither getting one. Ruca planted a kick in Bayley’s face and sent her back to the outside. Ruca hit a handspring over the top rope and landed right on her.

Ruca put Bayley back in the ring and went for a springboard splash, but Bayley moved and hit a front suplex, hitting Ruca’s head on the second turnbuckle. Bayley took control from there with a knee to the back of Ruca and a high knee to the face. Bayley charged Ruca in the corner, but Ruca stepped away and hit a series of back elbows.

Ruca got up on the top rope and walked it into a DDT for a two count. She went for another springboard, but walked right into a Bayley to Belly suplex. Bayley hung Ruca up in a tree of woe and delivered a running elbow.

Ruca came back with a kick and a backslide, but Bayley transitioned it into a rose plant, but Ruca countered it with a shining wizard of sorts. Ruca went for a springboard, but Bayley caught her in another Rose Plant. Bayley made the pin, but Ruca’s foot was on the rope, forcing a break.

Bayley hit a back suplex and went up top to hit a big elbow, but Ruca got her knees up. Ruca scrambled up the turnbuckles and hit a Sol Snatcher, but Bayley rolled it through into a pin attempt. Ruca did the same and shockingly got the 1-2-3 to win the match!

Match Result: Sol Ruca defeated Bayley

Bayley approached Ruca after the match and shook her hand. All four in the ring did the Cena saulte and Zaria and Ruca hugged.

That was fun! Very cool to see Ruca get the quick win over Bayley. Especially when you consider that Bayley is an NXT OG and Ruca is a star in the making. Great stuff.

-Next, Sheamus, Rob Van Dam, Corey Graves, Becky Lynch, Micheal Hayes, Cameraman Tom Stewart, Micheal Cole, Cody Rhodes, Undertaker, and The Rock all wished Cena well via video. Michelle McCool and Rob Van Dam were also shown in the audience along with Sami Zayn. Cole also mentioned Corey Graves, JBL, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross and Taz as colleagues who’ve called icon Cena matches with him over the years.

WWE World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater

Why is this match happening? Who cares! World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs Je’Von Evans and TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater is a collossal clash of wrestling’s past and it’s future. If you’ve never seen Evans, dude be bouncy. Like, really bouncy. Slater is the current X-Division Champion in TNA, a title and division that was literally defined by Styles. Styles has said repeatedly that his time in wrestling is growing short, so maybe this will be the start of his own retirement tour.

Evans and Slater did not waste time, Superkicking Lee and Styles to the outside and diving after them. The speed was about 100 mph as Slater and Evans traded splashes on Lee in the ring. Evans and Slater isolated Lee in their corner and tagged in and out, delivering splashes, kicks and forearms.

Lee managed to kick he way free and pulled the top rope down to sent Evans to the outside. Slater came in through and tried a clothesline, but somehow Lee countered and worked it into a sit out powerbomb.

Evans and Styles made tags and Styles hits a leaping forearm and then a neckbreaker. Slater tried to interfere and took a slam. Styles went outside and Evans followed via moonsault, but not one was home. Lee hit a flying Rana on Slater, sending him into Styles’ arms, but Evans stopped him before he coult hit a Styles Clash.

Back in the ring, Evans hit a massive cutter from about 15 feet in the air, followed by a swanton 450 from Slater. Slater went for the pin, but Lee broke it up. “This is awesome” chants were loud and plentiful.

Lee hit a big dive on Evans on the outside and Slater set up Styles in the ring, but Styles reversed it, trying to get a clash on. Slater wiggled free, but couldn’t get away from the Phenomenal Phorearm. Unfortunately, Styles slipped on the top rope and couldn’t land it.

Slater went up top, but Styles caught him into a Styles Clash and that was it. Styles pinned Slater to get the win.

Match Result: Dragon Lee and AJ Styles defeated Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater

Great match, I love it when the WWE guys get a chance to speed things up and Evans and Slater are all about speed. Lots of high spots with big moves and a solid finish.

-Next, after showing a litany of tweets from pro sports teams congratulating Cena, Kane, R-Truth, The Miz, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Alexa Bliss, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn and Xavier Woods all thanked Cena in video messages.

-When we came back from break, they threw to Stephanie McMahon and Joe Tessitore at the Host position. However, you could see someone in the ring behind them, who interrupted with an “Aaaaaawwwwwsome!” It was the Miz, being mad about being left out of all the celebration for Cena, since he beat him at Wrestlemania. That brought out R-Truth who said that Miz stole someone’s oppourtunity in the Last Time Is Now tournament.

Truth handed Miz the ball with the name of the person who’s spot he took. Miz opened it and said the name “Joe Hendry.”

As is legally required, his name was said and he appeared! Truth believes in Joe Hendry and Hendry took out Miz. Truth and Hendry then hit a stereo 5-Knuckle Shuffle on Miz. Hendry hit a Standing Ovation and Truth counted to three. They did the wave and posed as the segment ended.

-A “Thank You Cena” video package aired that rivaled the “My Sacrifice” vignettes from way back in the day. It touched on Cena’s accomplishments, his relationship with his fellow wrestlers and the impact he’s made in people’s lives.

Then, the lights went out and Gunther made his way to the ring. While he was walking down the ramp Cole noted that Cena has not tapped out in 20 years. Gunther actually got out of the ring after his entrance to allow Cena his moment.

Cena’s music hit and the crowd exploded. He walked out of the entrance ramp and took it in as the crowd sang along word for word with his music. Even Cena looked surprised by this. He took the camera off the shoulder of Tom Stewart and gave him his thanks. Cena then threw his towel into the audience and sprinted to the ring for the last time.

The Last Time Is Now: John Cena vs Gunther

During his retirement year, Cena had faced the likes of Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, Sami Zayn, Logan Paul, R-Truth, Dominik Mysterio and more. Now hes up against one of the best in the world, the Ring General, Gunther. Gunther defeated NXT’s Je’Von Evans, Carmelo Hayes, Solo Sikoa and, LA Knight in the Last Time Is Now tournament for the right to face Cena. Gunther notably also retired Goldberg earlier this year, so beating Cena would be another notch on his considerable belt.

Cena looked emotional as he got out of the ring and thanked all the WWE legends that were at ringside including Kevin Owens, Meng, and Booker T before getting back into the ring and throwing up his signature hand gestures.

LIllian Garcia did the introductions, her voice shaking as she announced “the greatest of all time, never seen, seventeen, …for one final time, the last real Champion, John Cena.”

Cena tossed his hat and shirt into the crowd and the bell rang. They locked up collar and elbow, with Cena breaking free. Gunther then stepped out of the ring, playing mind games and trying to calm the crowd. There would be no calming though as he stepped back in and started throwing European uppercuts.

The crowd went with a “F*ck You, Gunther” chant, which actually seemed to rattle the Austrian a bit. He continued punching Cena though, knocking him to his knees with some chops. Gunther scooped slammed Cena, then whipped him into the corner.

Gunther went for a chop and Cena caught it. He threw hands at Gunther and then laied him out with some shoulder tackles and a back breaker. Cena then looked to the audience and called for the 5-Knuckle Shuffle. He executed it perfectly and the crowd went nuts.

Cena went to hoist Gunther into the AA, but Gunther countered and turned it into a suplex. He drove a knee into Cena’s face and locked in a tight sleeper hold. Cena flipped out of it though and locked in an STFU. Gunther was far from the ropes and as the crowd went berserk he slowly crawled his way there.

Cena broke the hold before Gunther could get to the ropes and Gunther kicked him off. He then powerbombed Cena, leaving him flat in the ring. When Cena got up, Gunther clotheslined him back down.

After every strike, Gunther made the ref check Cena, promising that he was going to make Cena give up tonight. A third clothesline repeated the process as Gunther talked trash. A fourth clothesline from Gunther, but Cena got back up. That led to a fifth clothesline, shades of Brock Lesnar and his suplexes.

Cena ducked the sixth clothesline and began to rally with a shoulder block. He hit a second 5-Knuckle Shuffle and nailed an AA. Gunther, however, kicked out at two. Cena grabbed Gunther for another AA but Gunther got out of it and locked in a sleeper in the middle of the ring.

Cena powered out of it and put a sleeper of his own on Gunther. Gunther squirmed and wiggled until his foot touched the rope and Cena had to break the hold. Gunther slid out of the ring and Cena followed, only for Gunther to backdrop him on the ring apron (the Cena-est part of the ring!).

Gunther then threw Cena into the steel steps and dragged the other set up against the announce table. He mocked Cena for the crowd atop the stairs and then went back for Cena himself. Gunther dragged him up the steel steps and cleared the table.

Gunther set Cena up for a powerbomb, but Cena countered and hit an AA, sending Gunther through the table!

Cena threw Gunther back into the ring for a cover, but Gunther kicked out. The two lay in the ring, exhausted. Cena got to his feet first though and went up top for a big leg drop. Gunther kicked out at two though.

“You’ve still got it!” chants broke out, but Cena quieted the crowd and asked if they wanted one more 5-Knuckle Shuffle. As it turns out, they did, so Cena did that, but before he could land it, Gunther popped up and superkicked him. Gunther then hit a powerbomb, but Cena kicked out.

Gunther went up top, but Cena met him there with an uppercut. He grabbed him and set him up for a seccond rope Avalanche AA, but Gunther refused to go down and kicked out at two.

Both men got up and started trading potatoes in the middle of the ring. They went blow for blow until Cena ducked one and tried another AA. Gunther countered it with a powerbomb though and went up top. He hit a massive frog splash, but Cena kicked out at two.

The crowd chanted for “Super Cena” as Gunther showed frustration and locked on another sleeper. Cean started fading as he sank down to the ring apron. He found his guts though and stood back up, peeling Gunther’s arms from around his neck.

Gunther reset and Cena started to fall back to the mat. Cena powered out again and tried for another AA, but Gunther just put that sleeper right back on. Cena dug deep and stood, with Gunther leaping onto his back for leverage.

Cena kept his wits though and drove Gunther back into the corner. Gunther ran back at him though and put him back in the sleeper. Cena, as billed, would not give up and sent Gunther back again. This time. when Gunther charged, Cena hit another AA. Gunther kicked out though and immediately put the sleeper back on.

Cena clenched his fists as the crowd chanted “don’t give up!” Gunther wrapped his legs around Cena’s body and the ref checked Cena’s arm. Two fell, but ont he third, Cena raised his fists and powered back. Gunther started pummeling Cena’s chest with elbows before putting the sleeper on yet again.

Then John Cena shocked everyone by tapping out, giving Gunther the win.

Match Result: Gunther defeated John Cena

Shots of the astonished crowd were shown, a scene I haven’t seen since Lesnar broke The Streak. Gunther laughed as he walked from the ring, leaving Cena sitting in the middle of it.

The crowd showed their displeasure, chanting “bullsh*t” at the ending.

Cena for his part though, stayed calm. He patted the ring gently as the chants changed to “thank you, Cena.”

He stood in the ring and thanked everyone, saying “that’s all I’ve got.” He bowed as the crowd applauded.

Triple, H, Stephanie, HBK, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Undertaker, Bruce Pritchard and the producers and workers in the back came out. The crowd screamed “you fu*ked up” at them.

Rhodes and Punk laid their title belts on Cena’s shoulders and the crowd applauded for him. The rest of the locker room surrounded the ring as Cena held the titles high amongst the “thank you, Cena” chants.

Cena played with the crowd, hoisting the titles around the ring to great cheers. He gave the belts back and Triple H grabbed Cena for a big hug. He pointed to the big screen and a video package began to play.

While Cena watched, picture in picture, It recapped Cena’s greatest moments and featured comments from his Mom and Dad, his colleagues, his rivals and his never ending quest to give time to every kid, fan and person out there.

The shocking part was that Vince McMahon himself was included speaking about Cena in the video. It was from an old interview, but it was still a surprise to see VKM on WWE TV in any capacity.

Cena took one more bow after the video’s end, surrounded byt his colleagues, friends, and fans. He slowly stepped out of his shoes (showing off his “U CANT SEE ME” socks) and laid his wristbands next to them in the middle of the ring.

With that, he walked up the ramp, touching as many hands as possible. He stopped at the entrance and took it in for a moment. With one final salut, Cena said “it’s been a pleasure serving you all these years” and walked through the entrance.

The show went to black as a true era ended. With all that said and done, there’s only one thing left to say on behalf of wrestling fans, journalists, and workers:

Thank you, Cena.

Wrestling Weekly: John Cena’s last match, Gunther & AEW Dynamite upsets

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Les Thatcher and Victor Sosa return on a new Wrestling Weekly to talk John Cena’s last match.

Gunther said something on WWE Raw that gave Vic an idea about one way to go with the match. We look at the rest of the SNME card with WWE vs. NXT and some upsets that took place on AEW Dynamite.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Ricky Saints turns against Je’Von Evans on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Je’Von Evans failed to capture the NXT Championship on Tuesday thanks to one person: Ricky Saints.

In a surprise, Je’Von Evans cashed in his New Year’s Evil title match on Tuesday’s NXT against Oba Femi. Although Femi dominated, Evans made a comeback and managed to land his cutter not once, but twice towards the end of the match. Evans went for the cover but right as the referee went to count three, Saints emerged and pulled the referee out of the ring. Evans wasted no time in laying out Saints with a dive, but the momentum had already shifted as back in the ring Femi cut him off and landed his powerbomb for the win. The show closed with Saints smirking at the result of the match.

NXT opened with Femi coming out to talk about his upcoming match against Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Saints came out and said he admitted that Femi was the better man at Deadline, but he wanted a rematch for the title. Evans came out and said that while he had the title match for New Year’s Evil, he wanted to challenge Femi tonight. After Saints asked Evans why he was in a rush, Evans said he’s not the future, he’s the now and no one is touching him right now.

Evans previously hinted about his plans during Deadline when he consoled Saints following his loss, saying he wasn’t going to wait for New Year’s Evil if he went on to win the Iron Survivor Challenge. Evans then proceeded to win the match, earning him another NXT Championship match.

Oba Femi to Cody Rhodes following NXT Deadline: ‘Change always wins’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Oba Femi wants Cody Rhodes to know that “the biggest factor is change.”

Femi defeated Ricky Saints to regain the NXT Championship at Deadline on Saturday. The win also earned him the opportunity to wrestle WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event next week.

On Sunday, WWE posted footage of Femi following NXT Deadline. In the video, Femi says:

“The biggest factor is change. Change came knocking at the door of Ricky Saints tonight and it asked for his title, and he had no choice but to relinquish because change always wins.”

“When change met the dinosaurs, he sent the meteor. When change met man in the Old Testament, he sent the flood. And when change comes to the main roster asking for Cody Rhodes, he will send the ruler, the destroyer, the bringer of war, Oba Femi!”

With his win over Saints at Deadline, Femi became the eighth wrestler to win the NXT Championship multiple times. It was the 35th time the title has changed hands. Saints’ title reign ends after 70 days following his win over Femi at No Mercy. He had two successful title defenses on WWE programming during his reign, both against Trick Williams. He also defended the title several times at NXT live events.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event lineup | Saturday, December 13 | Washington, D.C.

  • John Cena’s Final Match: John Cena vs. Gunther
  • WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi
  • Bayley vs. Sol Ruca

WWE NXT Deadline live results: Oba Femi vs. Ricky Saints, two Iron Survivor Challenges

Posted on by Jeff Moss

WWE NXT holds their final special event of 2025 with tonight’s Deadline from San Antonio, Texas.

The NXT Championship will be on the line as Ricky Saints defends against former champion Oba Femi. Saints took the title from Femi at September’s No Mercy.

The show will feature two Iron Survivor Challenge matches with the winners earning future title shots.

In the men’s match, it will be Myles Borne vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Leon Slater while in the women’s, it will feature Kendal Grey vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Sol Ruca vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice.

The NXT North American title will be on the line as Ethan Page defends against Mr. Iguana after the latter stole the former’s car, while former NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley attempts to gain a measure of revenge against Izzi Dame who cost her the title at Gold Rush.

Our live coverage begins at 6 PM Eastern with the pre-show.

**********

It’s not a byline, feline or sideline! It’s NXT Deadline!

The show kicked off with a video recap of time itself and tonight’s card. Then Vic Joseph walked us through the Traditional Wrestlers Arriving To Work montage that we’ve come to know and love. After that, as promised, for the first time ever the NXT Championship kicked off an NXT PLE!

NXT Championship Match: Ricky Saints (c) vs. Oba Femi

Way back at NXT No Mercy, Ricky Saints managed to put down the absolute monster that is Oba Femi and win the NXT Championship. Naturally, a few weeks later, Femi demanded a rematch which Saints agreed to. During the legally mandated contract signing for said match, NXT General Manager Ava revealed that this would be the opening bout of Deadline.

Then, for reasons only he knows, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, declared that the winner of the NXT Championship match would also face Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec 13. It may be for the title, it may just be for laughs, but Femi is a superstar powerhouse in the making and Saints has main event written all over him. So either way, our eyeballs win!

The bell rang and Saints went right for Femi’s leg, trying to get the big man off his feet. He did not succeed and Femi threw him into the corner. Saints put Femi and a wristlock and managed to block Femi’s attempts to power out of it. Eventually though, Femi turned it into a backbreaker.

Femi then started yanking Saints arm, seemingly to pull it out of its socket. Saints defended himself, but it didn’t seem to have muchh effect as Femi dropped him Snakeyes-style on the top turnbuckle. Saints managed to fight back and do his best Undertaker impression by walking the ropes and going “old school.” That actually put Femi on the mat and Saints took advantage, stomping him.

Femi didged a dropkick though and caught Saints by the throat. Saints broke free and hit a missile dropkick from the top rope for the match’s first two count. Saints went for a crossbody but Femi caught him and turned it into a backbreaker. Femi then hoisted Saints above his head and dropped him onto the mat.

Femi tried some simple strikes, wearing Saints down bit by bit. He sent him into the corner and peppered Saints’ midsection with jabs. Duelling chants broke out as Femi and Saints traded shots in the ring. Saints seemed to power up, and hit a series of kicks and elbows that staggered Femi. Next, Saints hit a Hurricanrana followed by a spear and got a 2.75 count before Femi kicked out.

Saints then tried the unthinkable and attempted to lift Femi. It did not work out and they traded quick moves until Saints hit a stunner, complete with Femi doing a Scott Hall reaction in taking it. Saints then threw on a reverse boyd scissor/chin lock submission, but Femi stood up.

Saints kept it on tight though and Femi sank back to his knees. Digging deep he stood up and dropped Starkz gut-first onto the top rope. Femi charged and Saints pulled down the top rope sending him out. Saints then dove after him, driving Femi into the announce table. Femi took his time but beat the count out by scrambling back into the ring.

Femi picked up some steam and threw Saints into the corner. He then threw himself into the corner and hit an elbow. Saints tried to steal one, but Femi kicked out. Femi then planted Saints with a shoulder slam, but Saints kicked out as well.

Femi miscalculated a charge and went straight into the ring post. He rolled out to recover, but Saints charged from the apron. Femi saw it coming and clotheslined him. Saints rolled off onto the steps and Femi charged but Saints moved and Femi hit his knee. Saints then hit an arround the world DDT on the steel steps before putting Femi back in.

Saints hoisted Femi up, but Femi countered it into a jack knife powerbomb for a very near two-count. Saints charged and Femi caught him with a sit-out fall from grace powerbomnb. Saints struggled, but Femi pinned him 1-2-3 to reclaim the NXT title and a chance to take on Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Ricky Saints

Saints was a good champion, but Femi is just so powerful. Literally and as a character. This wasn’t a exciting as their first match, but was still very intense and a lot of fun.

-After an interview with Kendall Grey (spoiler: she’s happy to be in the Iron Survivor Challenge), Sol Ruca was shown on Facetime talking with Zaria. They decided that they need to talk when they are next in the same place. Then Ruca had to leave for the match.

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Kendal Grey

During NXT: Gold Rush NXT General Manager Ava announced that the participants in the men’s and women’s Iron Survivor Challenge matches would be selected by John Cena himself. Hey, Ava, isn’t that your job? No fair passing the buck to the guy on the way out the door! Anyway, Cena landed on Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan, Jordynne Grace, and WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey, reminding everyone that yes, Evolve is still a thing. The winner of this match also becomes the #1 Contender for the NXT Women’s Title and gets their shot at New Year’s Evil.

If you’re here, you probably know how Iron Survivor matches work, but if you’re with someone, a friend, or grandparent who doesn’t know, here’s how it works: 2 Wrestlers start off, with three more entering at 5-minute intervals. The goal is to have the most pinfalls and submissions at the end of the 25 minutes. If a wrestler is DQ’d, pinned or submits, they have to go to a penalty box for 90 seconds, which is so adorable I could squee.

0:00-5:00

Grey and Jordan were the opening contenders and Jordan started toying with the Evolve Champion. Grey fought back though, holding her own and looking good, working out of a bridge suplex and pin from Jordan.

Grey went to work on Jordan’s leg, stomping and slamming it. The two rolled through a few pinning combinations and Grey went to sweep Jordan out of the ring. Jordan jumped and stomped Grey on the ring apron (the Ironest part of the ring!) before tossing her back in for a Northern Lights suplex.

Grey started laying right hands into Jordan’s stomach, bit Jordan worked her into two quick pin attempts after a backbreaker. Jordan hung Grey up on the ropes and then landed a big leg drop. Jordan went up for a frog splash, but Grey dodged it. She hit a big slam after it though and pinned Jordan to get the first point.

5:00-10:00

Grace ran to the ring and immediately sent Jordan packing. She turned her attention to Grey, sending her face first into the turnbuckle. Grace hit the Grace Under Pressure and got a two count before Grey kicked out.

Grace hit a sunset flip bomb and locked in a submission lock, but Jordan returned an broke it up before Grey could tap. Grey and Jordan rolled each other up until Grey put an ankle lock on Jordon. Jordon rolled her up for a quick pin to get her first point in the match and set Grey to the penalty box.

That let Grace and Jordon go at it, trading shots and quick slams, but not giving up or gaining any points. As soon as Grey exited the Box, Grace was there to hit her with a lariat. Jordan hit a spinning dive on Grace and went back into the ring. Grace and Grey followed and Jordan went up top.

She threw off Grey and Grace once, but Grace stacked Grey and Jordan up for a supler plex.

10:00 – 15:00

Lola Vice sprinted to the ring and immediately got a pin on Grey, scoring a point. Grey went to the box and Vice took out Grace and Jordon with her patented brand of butt-based offense. She suplexed Jordon, but Jordon kicked out. Grace did the same, so Vice went back to stomping Jordon.

Grey came out of the box with some steam, knocking Vice down and arm dragging Jordon. She put Grace in a scissor submission and managed to roll her up for a pinfall and second point. Jordon grabbed Grey and stomped her into the corner.

Grey interrupted her split-legged moonsault and threw Jordan with a super German suplex. Vice tried to steal one by pinning Jordon, but Grey broke it up before she could get the point. Grey they put an arm lock on Vice. Grace kicked the penalty box door open and took out Jordon who was for some reason standing in front of it.

Grace then suplexed Grey and Vice, getting two counts from both. She grabbed Jordon and pinned her to get her first point in the match.

15:00 – 25:00

Ruca bounded to the ring and was attacked by Jordon who was supposed to be in the pentaly box. She injured Ruca’s knee and doctor’s helped her to the back.

In the ring, Grace was trying desperately to get pins, but no joy. Vice tried to focus on Grey, but Grace took her out with a shoulder block. She lifted Grey and slammed her, going for a Five Knuckle Shuffle in tribute to John Cena.

Jordan returned from the Box at that point and interrupted it. Vice took her down and Grey grabbed Jordan’s arms. Grey and Vice tried to throw her, but Jordon landed on her feet. Jordan then took a Spanish Fly on the outside and Ruca came charging down and pinned Jordan and Vice in quick succession.

Ruca then dominated the match with her knee in a brace. She cleaned house, but couldn’t get a pin. Grey jumped and Sol grabbed her, slamming her to the mat and slapping on a Dragon Sleeper. Grace then turned them both over in a half crab.

Vice stormed out of the Box and broke it all up. Ruca landed an X Marks The Spot, but then Grace Death Valley Drivered her. Grey hit Shades of Grey on Grace, but Jordan broke it up and stole the pin.

Grey and Vice threw hands in the corner while Ruca and Jordan did the same. Ruca dispatched Jordan and leapt onto Grey and Vice. Jordan Slammed Vice and went for a 450, but Vice moved. Grace ran back in and suplexed them both at the same time. She hit a Blue Thunder bomb on Jordan to pick up a Pin.

Vice pinned Grey and it was a 5-way tie with 2 minutes left.

Ruca slammed Grace spine first onto the ring apron and Vice locked a sleeper on her on the outside. Ruca broke the hold and climbed the stairs. She hit a Sol Snatcher from the steps and threw Vice back into the ring.

Ruca tried to get back in, but Jordan took her out with a cheap shot and hit a 450 on Vice in the ring. Grey came out and hit a Shaes of Grey on Vice to score a point with 3 seconds left. The clock rand out and the Iron Survivor was Kendel Grey!

Match Result: Kendal Grey (3) defeated Sol Ruca (2), Lola Vice (2), Kelani Jordan (2) and Jordynne Grace (2)

Wow that was a ton of fun! The action was fast a furious and with the penalty box, there were none of those awkward moments in multi-person matches where participants just disappear. Great match and effort by everyone involved.

-Backstage, Blake Monroe told GM Ava that she is offering up an open challenge for her North American Championship on Tuesday. Ava warned her that could cause her more problems than solve them, hinting that Monroe couldn’t defend the titie without help. Monroe seemed oblivious to this and the segment ended.

-Myles Borne was interviewed to let us know which entry spot he’s chosen for the men’s Iron Survival Challenge. He declared that after some thought, he will come out third. They were interrupted though by Jordynne Grace and Kelani Jordan brawling nearby.

NXT North American Championship Match: Ethan Page (c) vs. Mr. Iguana

At the start of November, Ethan Page and Chelsea Green defeated Mr. Iguana and La Hiedra to win the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship. At the beginning of December, NXT General Manager Ava casually reminded Page that he also needed to defend his NXT North American Championship. Page scoffed, saying nobody wants to face him. Ava said she knew someone who did, before introducing Iguana, who then STOLE PAGE’S CAR. No police were called, but it was announced that Page and Iguana would face off at Deadline. No word on who gets the car.

The two locked up off the top with Page throwing Iguana to the mat, causing him to play dead as he does. Page acted like he’d never seen it before and didn’t hit him or pin him or anything.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Iguana came back to life as the crowd chanted for him. Page put on a wristlock and Iguana countered it into a rollup. Page kicked out and continued to be shocked and surprise by Iguana’s antics. Iguana ate a DDT while reaching for his puppet and Page pulled him up to the top turnbuckle.

Iguana hit Page with his puppet, sending him to the mat. Iguana leapt at him with a crossbody for a two count. Iguana then hit an Iguanarana (I don’t know if that’s actually what it’s called, but it should be) and sent Page to the outside.

When Iguana followed, Page grabbed him and sent him into the steel steps before throwing him back into the ring. Page hit a back elbow, knocking Iguana to the mat. He slapped him and Iguana went back to playing dead. Not as long this time though.

Iguana hit a headscissor followed by a flying shoulder to daze Page. He grabbed the puppet and had him “bite” Page’s hand. Iguana went up top, but Page powerslammed him, enraged. Page threw some stuff punches and big boots at Iguana, knocking him silly(er).

Page grabbed the puppet and blew snot on it before throwing it up the entrance ramp. Iguana popped up full of rage and chopped Page against the ropes, followed by a DDT. Page went up top with Iguana on his shoulders and set up a Super Ego’s Edge. Iguana countered it into a super hurricanrana.

Page left the ring and Iguana dove after him. Page went back in the ring and Iguana hit a missile headbutt from the top rope to get a two count. Iguana went back up top, but Page caught him and threw him off. Page then hit a Twisted Grin and got the pin to score the victory.

Match Result: Ethan Page defeated Mr. Iguana

Fun mid-card match from these two. Iguana is a silly character and Page played the equal parts of not taking him seriously and taking him too seriously perfectly. I thought the playing dead bit went on a bit too long, but I loved when Page got fed up and worked to end it. Great use of Iguana and Ethan Page is always great!

-Kendal Grey was interviewed backstage and seemed as shocked as anyone that she won the Iron Survivor Challenge. Sol Ruca came by and said that she wouldn’t have won if Ruca was at 100%. the scene switched to DarkState getting ready for the Iron Survivor Challenge. Oba Femi wandered by to make sure they knew he won his match. Dion Lennox said the Femi will see him at New Years Evil.

Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame (with Niko Vance and Shawn Spears)

Tatum Paxley managed to defeat Jacy Jayne at Halloween Havoc to win the NXT Women’s Championship. However, in the rematch, Paxley was betrayed by The Culling with Dame attacking Paxley, resulting in her losing the title back to Jayne. Dame said that she betrayed Paxley because she didn’t listen to her and that Paxley acted like she was too good for The Culling. Dame then challenged Paxley to this match at Deadline. Jacy Jayne continued to be awesome, in case you were wondering. Which you should have been.

Spears and Vance got into the ring during Paxley’s entrance and leered at her. Dame tried to jump her from behind, but Paxley caught her. The two seemed to be moving towards maybe making up as friends, but Dame essentially winked at the crowd and Paxley caught her, kicking off the match with some punches.

Paxley hit a really cool spinning stomp and Dame bailed out of the ring. She begged Paxley not to leap on her, so Paxley climbed down and helped her up. They hugged and Dame immediately threw her into the steel stairs.

Dame threw Paxley back into the ring and put her through the paces. Paxley sent her to the corner and tried a crossbody but Dame caught her in a Military Press. She threw forearms in the corner and then hooked Paxley into a spinning backbreaker.

Dame continued playing mind games with Paxley, luring her in and then putting knees in her gut. Paxley countered a spin move into a sleeper hold, but Dame drove her into the corner to break it. Dame threw her into the ring post and then dropped a big boot on Paxley’s head.

Dame hit another backbreaker and then put on a Boston Crab to push Paxley to submit. Paxley dragged them both towards the ropes, finally touching them. The ref didn’t make her break the hold for some reason and instead she adjusted into a Walls of Jericho.

Paxley almost got a quick rollup, but Dame kicked out at two. She mocked Paxley for not fighting back hard enough and then slapped the proverbial taste out of her mouth. That brought a wild smile to Paxley’s face and she unleashed a flurry of kicks, slaps and slams, completely reversing the momentum of the match.

Paxley went up top, but Dame was able to punch her in the stomach once she got there. Dam scrambled up for a superplex, but Paxley threw her off and leapt. Dame met her with a dropkick and then a spinning neckbreaker, but Paxley kicked out of the cover.

The two former friends traded shots in the middle of the ring with Paxley landing a superkick. She grabbed dame in a crucifix and sent her to the apron. Paxley then rand into her, knocking them both out of the ring. She used the announce table as a springboard to kick Dame, then cleared it off.

Paxley picked up Dame and laid her out on the table. She climbed up and Dame begged her to stop. Paxley scooped her up and slammed her onto the table. Paxley threw Dame back in the ring, but Spears stepped in between them and handed Paxley her dolls.

Paxley stepped towards the ring and Spears grabbed the “Paxley” doll and ripped it’s head off. Paxley slapped him and got back in the ring where Dame was waiting with the big boot. She nailed it and pinned Paxley to get the win.

Match Result: Izzi Dame defeated Tatum Paxley

What that match did was tell a really, really good story. From Paxley going from defeated to rage, to the minimal but effective interference of Spears it was a story from start to finish. It leaves me asking where Paxley and the Culling go next, which is what I should be thinking!

-In the locker room, Ricky Saints was lamenting his lost to Oba Femi with Je’Von Evans. Evans tried to cheer him up, but Saints said that he will never get another chance to be champion because the “monster” Femi was back. Evans said that if he wins Iron Survival tonight, he won’t be waiting for New Year’s Evil. He did not elaborate on what that means.

-It was then announced via really, really long video that Shiloh Hill will be debuting in NXT on Tuesday.

Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Je’Von Evans vs. TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne

Like the women’s match earlier, John Cena put together the participants of this match and picked Je’Von Evans, TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater, Joe Hendry, and Dion Lennox. The last spot was earned by Borne by defeating Trick Williams. And just to top it all off, whoever survives this match gets an NXT Championship match at New Year’s Evil. Got it? Cool, let’s fight!

0:00-5:00

Slater and Evans started the match which was 1000% the right call. The clock started and Evans went right for a springboard cutter. Slater dodged it and they bounced around each other. They tied up with Slater dropping down to take Evans legs out from under him.

Evans bounced back up and hit a headscissor. Slater and Evans grabbed each other’s feet and then negotiated letting them go. Evans tried to slip out, but Slater dragged him for it. Slater changed gears and threw some punches in Evans’ gut.

Evans hit a bouncing hurricanrana off the top rope, but Slater kicked out. Neither man could score a point. Evans threw Slater to the corner and the two traded tops. Evans knocked Slater unto the ropes, but Slater countered into a rollup and they went back and forth trying to steal a three.

Evans hit a quick hurricanrana and pinned Slater to get the first point of the match.

5:00-10:00

Miles Borne was the next entrant and he went right for Evans, dropping an elbow on his throat. Evans roared back with a superkick, but Borne hit a high angle suplex to get a two count. Evans tossed Borne out as Slater got out of the box and leapt on Evans, getting a two.

Borne came back into the rung and Slater kicked him before flipping over the ropes with Evans. They fought on the outside and Borne leapt onto both of them. He thew Evans back in and tried to pin him for a two count. Borne grabbed Slater for the same treatment, but again, kick out.

Borne put Slater in one corner, Evans in the other and rotated hitting them. Slater came back and chopped the air out of Borne’s lungs, surprising even him. Borne dispatched Evans and then knocked Slater to the mat. Evans kicked up at Borne and they threw forearms.

Slater went for a springboard, but Borne and Evans caught him in midair. Evans hit a suplex and a splash on Slater, but only got a two count. Borne had been sent to the ropes by Slater.

10:00-15:00

Dion Lennox came out next, charging to the ring and running rampant on Borne, Evans and Slater. Hit hit a northern lights suplex on Borne, but couldn’t get the pin. Slater popped up and hung Lennox up on the ropes. Evans pulled him off and threw hands at Lennox in the corner.

Slater and Evans took turns stomping Lennox while Borne recovered in the corner. Lennox went up top and Slater and Evans followed. Before either could do anything, Borne came over and got Slater in an electric chair. Lennox turned it into a doomsday device. Off of that he scooped up Evans and slammed him for a pin and a point.

Lennox and Borne went at each other, with Borne getting a headlock. Slater flew in through and Borne caught him and went for a pin. No dice as Slater kicked out. Slater kicked Borne to the mat and went up top, but Evans came out of the Box and shoved him off.

Evans flew at Borne and Lennox, hitting Borne with a splash to try and get a point, but Borne kicked out. Lennox grabbed Evans, but Borne pulled him down and went at Lennox as…

15:00-25:00

He appeared! Joe Hendry joined the match, scoop slamming Evans, then Borne, then Evans AND Slater at the same time. Hendry started a stomp with the crowd and was about to engage Slater, but Lennox interrupted. Hendry went toe to toe with him, throwing him out of the ring.

Hendry tossed Evans and Slater out there too and jumped over the ropes onto them. He got back in and hit Borne with a slam, pinning him for a point.

Hendry then got rolled up by Evans, but kicked out at two. Hendry, Slater and Evans traded pinning combinations until Evans and Slater started spamming superkicks, taking everyone out, including each other.

Borne got out of the penalty box, but Lennox was waiting for him and slammed the door on his head. In the ring, Evans and Hendry were getting bouncy as the clock approached 5 minutes remaining. Evans hit a coast to coast swanton, and then Slater took him out.

Slater hit a swanton 450 on Hendry and got himself on the board with a pin. Later then turned his attention to Evans until Borne broke it up. Lennox threw Slater aside and he and Borne went at it. Borne hit a cutter and picked up a point, tying the match with 3 and a half minutes left.

Lennox went over and started stomping Hendry in the penalty box. In the ring, Borne, Slater and Evans hit each other in triangle formation. Hendry got himself some mad and took out Lennox in the box before storming out and into the ring.

Things moved super fast after that as Evans, Hendry, Slater and Borne ran each other ragged. Lennox got out of the box and pulled Hendry out of the ring. Evans leapt down, but Lennox grabbed him and locked him in the penalty box.

Lennox got in the ring for a Standing Ovation from Hendry that rolled him out. Evans climbed out the top of the box and leapt on Lennox. Slater took out hendyr and then evans hit a top rope cutter on Slater t for a two count. Evans tossed out Borne, but boren came back in and head butted him Borne hit a Super Borne Again on Evans, but Lennox broke up the pin attempt.

Borne occupied Lennox while Slater hit a swanton 450 on Evans. Hendry threw Slater over the ropes and then Evans scooped up Borne in the ring to get a quick pin as the time ran out, winning the match and becoming the Iron Survivor!

Match Result: Je’Von Evans (2) defeated Leon Slater (1), Joe Hendry (1), Dion Lennox (1) and Myles Borne (1)

After the match, Evans celebrated until Femi’s music started to play and the Champ appeared at the top of the ramp they stared each other down and then the lights went out. A video of a mysterious figure played, and when the lights came up, Tony d’Angelo was in the ring.

He slammed Evans and stared at Femi who looked like he’d just seen a ghost, as the show ran off the air.

That was amazing! I love these Iron Survivor matches! The finish was so fast and furious that I’m definitely going to have to watch it again to take it all in. I love Evans as the winner and the return of d’Angelo was well done. All right a good night of matches, each having their own flavour.

NXT Championship match confirmed for Deadline

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A match for the NXT Championship is now set for Deadline.

Oba Femi will challenge Ricky Saints for the NXT Championship on December 6 in San Antonio, Texas. As Saints was set to deliver a promo on Tuesday, Femi immediately cut him off and the two had a war of words, with Femi saying he took time off to go to the motherland and become the version of himself that will beat Saints at Deadline. The two agreed to the title match for next month.

Suddenly, Trick Williams arrived and said he wasn’t done with Saints and wouldn’t be until he is NXT Champion once again. However, he was then jumped from behind by Myles Borne, retaliation for Williams’ attack the week prior. Borne told the two that he would win the men’s Iron Survivor Challenge and see them at New Year’s Evil.

Femi had been NXT Champion for most of the year, winning it at New Year’s Evil. However, Saints ended his nine-month reign at No Mercy. After Saints stood tall over Williams in their Last Man Standing match on last week’s NXT, Femi returned, making it clear he was aiming for the title once again.

NXT Deadline (December 6):

  • NXT Championship: Ricky Saints defends against Oba Femi
  • Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: participants TBA
  • Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: participants TBA

Former NXT Champion returns, confronts Ricky Saints

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Oba Femi has returned.

The former NXT Champion appeared in the closing moments of Tuesday’s show, immediately after Ricky Saints retained the NXT Championship over Trick Williams in a Last Man Standing match. Femi hadn’t been seen since the No Mercy PLE in September when he lost the title to Saints.

Saints and Williams capped off their feud on Tuesday, battling in what was a brutal and bloody match filled with kendo sticks and table bumps. After Saints speared Williams off the stands and into the announce table nearby, both struggled to make it to their feet before the count of ten. Saints made it to his feet and piefaced Williams back to the floor, standing tall as the referee counted to ten and awarded him the match. But the final seconds of NXT saw Femi make a brief appearance, cutting out before he could be seen in full.

Prior to No Mercy, Femi had held the NXT Championship for most of the year, defeating Williams at New Year’s Evil back on January 7. During 2025 he was successful against the likes of Austin Theory, Grayson Waller, Je’Von Evans, Moose, and Yoshiki Inamura.

Oba Femi calls out Omos for NXT house show: ‘There can only be one Nigerian giant’

Posted on by Ian Carey

After interacting at a WWE NXT house show in Detroit on Friday night, Omos and Oba Femi are set to wrestle tonight in Cleveland.

The news was announced via WWE NXT social media accounts on Saturday.

“After an interaction last night at #NXTDetroit, @Obaofwwe has challenged @TheGiantOmosto a match TONIGHT at #NXTCleveland!“

On Friday’s show, Omos confronted Femi and the two had a brief stare down before Omos hit Femi with a clothesline. Femi then challenged Omos to a match in a video posted to social media on Saturday.

“This is a message from the ruler directly to the giant Omos. You came here to Detroit city under the guise of being an ally of the ruler. When I least expected it, you turned on me and you hit me when I wasn’t looking. Omos, you know what that tells me? That tells me that that you think you can come down from your throne, from your pedestal, and come here to NXT and try to bully people. You can’t bully anybody, especially not the ruler.”

“There can only be one Nigerian giant. There can only be one giant of Africa. There can only be one dominant force and his name is not Omos, his name is Oba Femi!”

Both Omos and Femi are from Lagos, Nigeria. Femi moved to the United States in 2017 after being offered a track and field scholarship by the University of Tennessee. Omos moved to the United States alone at the age of 15, attending Atlantic Shores Christian School and later playing basketball for the University of South Florida.

Omos returned to the ring on Thursday, defeating Lexis King at an NXT house show in Columbus. It was his first match since AAA TripleMania XXXIII, where he won the Bardahl Cup battle royal.

Sol Ruca, Jacy Jayne, and Trick Williams are also advertised for tonight’s NXT house show in Cleveland.

WWE NXT No Mercy live results: Oba Femi vs. Ricky Saints title match

Posted on by Jeff Moss

WWE NXT holds its latest premium live event with tonight’s No Mercy from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In the main event, WWE NXT Champion Oba Femi defends against former North American Champion Ricky Saints. Femi has defended the title ten times since winning it in January while this is Saints’ first shot at the top prize.

NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne puts her title on the line against Lola Vice who is looking for her first title run.

In a weaponized steel cage match, the rivalry between Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe will continue.

The men’s NXT North American Championship will be on the line as Ethan Page defends against Tavion Heights while WWE Women’s Speed Champion Sol Ruca defends against Lainey Reid.

The show is rounded out by Josh Briggs vs. Je’Von Evans, fresh off challenging WWE U.S. Champion Sami Zayn on SmackDown.

Our live coverage begins with the pre-show at 6 PM Eastern.

**********

Welcome in friends and I have some great news! All the wrestlers working tonight made it to work OK and I know this because camera crew met them at the door as is legally mandated and the footage was shown to open NXT No Mercy!

Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs

The show kicked off with one of my personal NXT favourites, Evans taking on Josh Briggs. What I know about Briggs is this: he’s a bad friend and has a Green Lantern tattoo. Aside from that though, Briggs had a definite size advantage over Evans, but Evans fought Oba Femi to a standstill at Heatwave, so he can bring it with the biggest of them.

Evans opened the match by kicking Briggs square in the face and punching him repeatedly. That upset Briggs, who grabbed Evans a threw him over the ropes. Briggs went to charge Evans, but he moved and Briggs ended up hitting the steel steps.

Back in the ring, Evans had Briggs on his heels, hitting high-flying moves and hurricanranas. Once Briggs got himself back together though, he grabbed Evans and threw him into the corner a few times. He then stood on Evans, working his heels into the small of his back.

Evans was favouring his hip during this mask due to an attack from Briggs on Smackdown last night. Briggs worked this with a series of backbreakers. Evans flopped like wet spaghetti, but managed to get to his feet. Briggs continued the assault with a few more throws into the corner.

Evans began fighting back, but Briggs overpowered him again. Evans tried to use the ropes to springboard but Briggs got to him first and sent him flying off the apron into the barricade, further injuring that hip.

Back in the ring, Briggs hit a side slam but whiffed on the splash afterwards. He began stomping Evans, but then stopped to mug for the crowd. Evans got to his feet and they began throwing hands, with Evans turning it into a snap suplex.

Evans tried a couple of lariats to get Briggs off his feet and the third one connected. Evans hit a series of spinning heel kicks and sent Briggs reeling into the corner. Evans brought the scrap from there, raining down punches on Briggs. He then went up top, but Briggs saw it coming and rolled out of the ring.

Evans changed his aim and hit a big dive anyways. Tossing Briggs back into the ring, Evans hit a frog splash from clear across the ring and got a 2.5 count before Briggs kicked out.

Briggs began clubbing Evans, including a huge lariat that flipped Evans clear over. Evans came back with a bunch of flying forearms and Briggs nailed a big boot to keep the back and forth going. Briggs hit a flipping knee and tried for a cover but only got a two count.

Briggs pulled Evans into the corner and went to climb to the top turnbuckle. He dragged Evans up with him and tried for a chokeslam, but Evans flipped right over it and sent Briggs to the mat. He kicked him in the face and went for a spingboard, but Briggs caught him with a chokeslam.

Briggs charged Evans who pulled the rope down and dove after him. Briggs caught him in midair with a lariat, then put him back in the ring for another one. It was almost a three count, but Evans got his foot on the rope and the ref called it off.

Briggs tried to go up top again, but Evans grabbed his ankle and began slapping him. Briggs went to chokeslam Evans again, but Evans turned it into a cutter and went up top for another fast frog splash. That got to Briggs and Evans made the pin, 1-2-3.

Match Result: Je’Von Evans defeated Josh Briggs

Great opening match. It was fast-paced and went as long as it needed to. Briggs has real potential as a Kevin-Nash style big man and Evans is the best underdog since Sami Zayn. Good stuff all around.

-Footage was shown of Trick Williams beating up Dominick Mysterio in a match for the North American Title at No Mercy 2024. Dragon Lee was the ref. Trick won. I have no idea why they showed this. (EDIT: Later I figured out they were showing these during international commercial breaks. I’m smart that way.)

They then showed some footage of the TNA incursion (we don’t say “invasion” in WWE. Too many bad memories) of NXT last Tuesday, which made more sense. Footage was also shown of Kelani Jordan winning the TNA Knockouts title at Victory Road last night.

Women’s Speed Championship Match: Sol Ruca (c) vs. Jaida Parker

Lainey Reed was originally scheduled for this match, but declared not medically cleared earlier today. Ruca wanted to defend the title anyway, so NXT GM Ava found a new opponent in Jaida Parker.

For those that don’t remember or couldn’t bring themselves to download X, the Speed titles were created as an X-exclusive title. The matches would be released on X and they were subject to a five-minute time limit. Now, once you get all the jokes about lasting long enough out of the way and put aside the horrible X promotion, it’s kind of a fun deal. So, it was great to hear that the titles would be moving to NXT after everyone realized the X was a cesspool of misery and broken dreams.

Ruca won the Women’s Speed title from the inaugural champion, Candice Le Rae April and this will be the first NXT defence of the title at a PLE. Incidentally, the Men’s speed title is currently held by El Grande Americano, who won it in May and it hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

The match started and the clock started ticking. The two traded quick pin attempts, and Ruca hung Parker up on the ropes before flipping her out of the ring. Parker tried to regroup, but Ruca dove off the steps onto her.

Ruca tossed Parker back into the ring, but Parker rolled back out. Ruca went for a baseball slide, but Parker caught her and hit her in the throat at 3:32.

Ruca hit a back stabber, but Parker recoverd and set Ruca up for some offense in the corner. She hit a falcon arrow, but Ruca kicked out at 2:47. Parker didn’t waist time and went for a tilt a whirl, but Ruca reversed it and planted a big knee in Parker’s chest.

Parker tried to go up the entrance ramp, but there was only two minutes left. Back in the ring, Ruca hit a DDT, but only got a two count at 1:43. They got to their feet and Parker caught Ruca in a Samoan drop. Ruca rolled out and pulled Parker with her at 1:03.

Ruca started wasting as much time as possible and went for another dive, but Parker dodoged it and threw her back into the ring. Lash Legend arrived and that distracted Parker before she rolled back into the ring just in time to get caught by Ruca for a pin. Ruca wins and retained the Speed Title with 0:11 on the clock.

Match Result: Sol Ruca defeated Jaida Parker

-Footage was shown from last week’s NXT of Joe Hendry being interviewed. He was interrupted by the DarkState who told him that they were going to give him a 4-on-1 beatdown if he doesn’t back off. They said he’s either with them or against them and left, leaving Hendry pondering that.

Weaponized Steel Cage Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

These two have been at each other’s throats for months and this would hopefully be the big blow off of their feud. They made a big deal about the cage being “weaponized” which I assumed meant that it was going to be used later in a argument or something.

Instead though, it meant that there were kendo sticks, garbage cans, Official Slim Jim Tables and chairs (painted pink) attached to the cage that the participants could use. So it wasn’t the cage that was weaponized and more the… weapons, that were weaponized.

The bell rang and they charged each other with Grace sending Monroe into the cage first. Monroe grabbed a kendo stick though and beat Grace with it. Grace got it away from her and returned the favor. She then hit a spinebuster on a chair. Grace set the chair up and put Monroe in a boston crab, setting the chair over her so Grace could have a seat for more torque.

Grace set up a chair in the ropes and picked up Monroe. Monroe bit Grace and sent her shoulder first into the chair and then face first into the cage. Monroe worked Grace’s wrist into the chain link, wrenching the already injured joint. She then pulled down a pink garbage can and clobbered Grace with it. There was a curling iron and hair dryer in the can, but they got ignored.

Monroe worked the hand of Grace again, then hit an inverted Russian leg sweep onto the kendo stick. Monroe then went to the aforementioned hair dryer and used the cord to tie Grace to the middle rope. Monroe pulled a bag off the cage that held a pair of scissors. Monroe then started cutting off chunks of Grace’s hair, with Grace powerless to stop it.

Grace freed herself from the hairdryer cord and threw a Thez Press to beat the heck out of Monroe. She hit a series of lariats and went for a powerbomb, but Monroe got out of it and started scaling the cage. Grace pulled her down onto the top rope and hit a samoan drop from way up high.

Grace took a moment to mourn for her curly locks and then grabbed what looked like a wieght belt from the cage and beat up Monroe with it. She set up a trash can, but Monroe reversed it and sent Grace face first into the metal. Monroe grabbed the lid and hit a dropkick with it, sending Grace into the cage.

Monroe pulled another bag off the cage and emptied it’s contents which were diamonds. She grabbed Grace and tried to slam her, but Grace reversed and slammed them both onto the diamonds.

Grace got to her feet first and grabbed a garbage can. Setting Monroe up on the top turnbuckle, Grace climbed up, but Monroe slipped out and hung Grace up in a tree of woe. She put the garbage can over Grace’s head and then double stomped it from the top rope.

Monroe then grabbed the Official Slim Jim Table to the crowd’s delight. She tried to jam Grace’s face into the table leg, but Grace reversed it and sent Monroe into the cage like a battering ram. Grace finished setting up the Official Slim Jim Table and put it in the corner. She grabbed Monroe, but Monroe punched her and scaled the cage. Grace met her up there and got her into an electric chair position.

Monroe wormed out of it and the two climbed to the top of the cage where they traded punches. Monroe produced a bag with powder and threw it into Grace’s eyes. Grace slunk down to the top rope, and Monroe tried for a powerbomb, but Grace turned it into an air raid crash and put both women through the table.

Grace landed on top of Monroe, so the ref counted 1-2-3 and gave her the victory.

Match Result: Jordynne Grace defeated Blake Monroe

Dang! That was a cool cage match. Silly name, but awesome match none the less. I’ve never seen that hair spot in a cage match which was awesome. The diamonds instead of tacks was a great touch. That was really, really fun.

-Next, NXT GM Ava addressed the situation between TNA and NXT. She announced that NXT and TNA will compete in two 5-on-5 Survivor Series style matches (one Men’s one Women’s) and a Tag Team Title match between The Hardy Boys and DarkStake (winner takes all). There must be a finish in that match as everyone will be banned from ringside. It will all happen on October 7th on NXT TV and yes, it will be called “Invasion.”

-Then Lash Legend came out from the back. She cut a promo on the recently announced Invasion. She lobbied hard to lead Team NXT in the Women’s match. Jaida Parker took exception to that and jumped her from behind. They fought and were pulled apart.

-Lainey Reed was interviewed in the back about how she had to give up her shot at the Speed Championship. It was an ankle injury that took her out, but she will be back. Lola Vice interrupted the interview to tell her that sucks. Reed said that Vice had no chance to win her match tonight and Vice said she was bringing the title to Vice City.

NXT North American Championship Match: Ethan Page (c) vs. Tavion Heights

So, if Tavion wins the title here, does he have to pay the tariffs on it? Or if Page wins, does he have to pay them to get it back over the border? Just asking.

Off the bell, the two locked up and Heights brought some real agression to Page. Page responded with a headlock and Heights sent him into the ropes as “USA” chants broke out. The two started throwing shoulders with neither getting the advantage.

Heights kept coming at Page though, dodging kicks, dropping punches and then dropkicking Page out of the ring. On the entrance ramp, Page hit a big backdrop on Heights, leaving him writhing in pain. He dragged him back into the ring and dropped some big elbows before playing to the crowd.

Heights scrambled to the corner and Page landed a big back body drop. He continued the beatdown, working Heights into the corner and charging, but Heights moved and went for a suplex. His back gave out though page capitalized with a waist lock, wrenching his back. This went on for a while.

Heights finally shook page off and sent him into the corner. Heights went up, but PAge climbed the ladder and hit a backbreaker over the steel of the turnbuckle. Heights landed on the outside and was checked on by the official.

Page went outside and sent Heights back into the ring. He yapped at the announce team and turned his back on Heights, who found his second wind and hit a bunch of big lariats and high kicks. Heights locked in an ankle lock, but Page was able to get over to the ropes.

Heights tried a backslide, but Page kicked out. He picked up Heights in the Ego’s edge and then put on a an Olympic Boston Crab. Heights made it to the ropes though and it seemed like Page’s ankle gave out. Heights went up top, but Page clocked it and joined him. He went for a suplex, but Heights put on a sleeper hold. Page countered and sent him to the mat.

Page hit a twisted grin in the ring and got the pin, retaining the North American title.

Match Result: Ethan Page defeated Tavion Heights

Heights looked really impressive here, but as a Canadian I am legally mandated to be excited that Page won. I’m serious though, Heights looked great in this match.

-After the match, the AAA Latin American champion, El Hijo De Dr Wagner Jr appeared on the big screen, challenging Page.

NXT Women’s Championship Match: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Lola Vice

Jayne arrived doing her best 1994 HBK impression for her 4th defence of the NXT Women’s Championship. Also, Fallon Henley was there. Booker T could barely contain his excitement.

The crowd was clearly behind hometown hero Vice, chanting for her as the match started. Jayne slapped on a headlock and Vice worked it into a head scissor. Jayne went back to the headlock, transitioning to a wristlock. Vice tried to flip out of it, but Jayne put on a third headlock then started throwing shoulders and sentons.

Vice managed to catch Jayne with an armbar before moving into a headlock of her own. She threw Jayne into the ropes and kicked her back to the mat. Jayne whispered something in Henley’s ear before booting Vice in the stomach. She sent Vice to the corner and stomped her.

Jayne set Vice up for some chops and then threw her into the ropes. Vice came off them with a shot to the stomach followed by a suplex. Vice put on a chinlock and wrenched the neck of Jayne. Jayne turned it into a chinbreaker to make some space and the two traded pinning attempts.

Vice sent Jayne into the ropes and kicked her in the stomach as she bounced back. On the third, one, Jayne left the ring and Vice followed, smacking Jayne’s face on the announce table. Henley got involved, distracting Vice enough that Jayne could throw her into the steel stairs. She followed that up with a cannon ball and tossed Vice back in the ring.

Jayne hit a slingblade and went for a pin, but only got a two count. She suplexed Vice and delivered some hard kicks to the back, working the body part that took the brunt of the stair shots. She went for another kick, but Vice caught her leg and delivered a few of her own.

Henley got up on the apron and Vice charged her, but that just left her open for Jayne to deliver a backstabber. Jayne put her knee on Vice’s back and pulled her up in a chinlock in the middle of the ring. Vice managed to stand up and back Jayne into the corner. Jayne came right back out and went for a pin, but Vice reversed it into an arm submission.

Vice began throwing kicks, sending Jayne into the corner. Vice, the spiritual sucessor of Rikishi introduced some Butt-based offense, but Jayne rolled out of the ring where Henley was. Vice dove through the ropes to take out Henley, but that exposed her to a pump kick from Jayne.

Jayne tossed her back into the ring but missed with a discus elbow and Vice landed a big kick. She went for the pin, but at two, Henley pulled the ref out of the ring. He ejected her from ringside and when he got back, Vice had the Squeeze locked in on Jayne.

Jayne rolled through, avoiding the submission and the two traded chops. Jayne got a backfist in, but Vice kicked out at two. Bothe women lay on the mat as the “this is awesome” chants rained down on them.

Jayne got up first and kicked Vice in the head, sending her to the corner for some back elbows. Jayne yapped at Vice’s family at ringside and when she turned, Vice grabbed her for a DDT into a guillotine choke. Jayne got up though and sent Vice to the corner.

Vice responded with her feet and climbed to the top turnbuckle. A high kick from Jayne stopped her in her tracks and Jayne grabbed her for a suplex from the top followed by a big running knee. Vice kicked out at two though, to the surprise of Jayne.

Jayne left the ring and grabbed the title belt, presumably looking for the DQ. The ref pulled it away from her and Vice rolled her up for two. Vice hit a superkick and Jayne hit some high strikes. A flurry of kicks and backfists from Vice sent JAyne to the mat, but Vice’s momentum took her out of the ring.

Suddenly, someone in black jumped the guardrail and flattened Vice on the outside. Jayne writhed in the ring and Vice made it back in at 9, just beating the count. Jayne hit a rolling encore to the dazed Vice and got the pin to retain the title.

Match Result: Jacy Jayne defeated Lola Vice

I really liked this match. It was hard hitting and fast with a ton of near falls. Jayne makes a terrific heel champion and Vice has star power to spare. Great work here.

NXT World Championship Match: Oba Femi (c) vs. Ricky Saints

Ricky Saints is an excellent professional wrestler. So is Oba Femi, but Femi has the advantage of also being a murder monster who has dominated NXT for months now. Saints (200lbs) has a 110lb size difference from Femi (310lbs), but see the aforementioned “being really good at wrestling.” This should be an excellent match.

Femi went for Saints off the top, but Saints had it scouted and hit a few jabs to the face. Femi grabbed him and threw him at the ground for a few minutes before sending him to the corner. Saints put a big boot up and sent Femi staggering, but Femi was right back and pressed him against the ropes.

Femi started throwing European uppercuts and dropped Saints down into a headlock. Saints got his leg up though and across the throat of Femi to break the hold. Femi slammed Saints then started clubbing his back. Saints ducked underneath and threw some chops. Saints hit a boot to the gut and then a kick to the face to knock Femi off his feet.

Saints went up top, but Femi caught him on the way down. Saints wriggled out and hit a dropkick, stunning Femi momentarily. He sent him outside then charged for a dive, but Femi was waiting and hit a massive shot to Saints through the ropes that echoed through the arena.

Femi got back in the ring and slowed the tempo down. He hit a big backbreaker on Saints, followed by another and then a third. Saints kicked out at two though. Femi put him in the corner and laid some shots into Saints stomach, followed by a big clothesline that sent Saints through the ropes.

Femi pulled Saints back in then punched him so hard he flew back out, seemingly knocked out on the entrance ramp. Saints got back in at 7, beating the count, but Femi used that the drop him on the top rope and hit another European uppercut. Femi put his knee on Saints’ back and pulled him up in a chinlock.

Saints got out of it and went for a crossbody, but Femi caught him and hit a backbreaker before laying him out over the turnbuckle and pressing down, folding him in half. Saints snuck a shot in and Femi staggered back. Saints went off the ropes, but got caught again and chokeslammed into next year.

Femi charged, but Saints moved and tried a rollup. Off of that, he hit a high knee and then charged in with a forearm and a few more for good measure to get Femi into the corner. Saints tried to pick up Femi and on the second try got him up for a samoan drop. Femi kicked out at two.

Saints went for a spear, but Femi swatted him out of mid air and hit another big uppercut. They ran the ropes again and this time, Saints landed the spear, but Femi kicked out at two.

Saints went up top, but Femi ran over an punched him. He climbed the ropes and Saints clubbed him, slid underneath and landed a big powerbomb. He fell on top of Femi and got a near fall.

They both got to their feet and began trading shots. Femi powered up and Saints collapsed in the middle of the ring before he could touch him. Femi got close and Saints popped up. He laid in a few shots, but Femi threw him off. Saints charged and Femi grabbed him and threw him across the ring. He tried to pick up Saints, but Saints turned it into a rollup and got a two count.

Saints wearily rolled out of the ring and Femi followed. He pulled everything off the announce table and picked up Saints. He threw him onto the table and set him up for a powerbomb, but Saints countered and DDT’ed Femi on the table. Somehow it did not break.

Saints hit a tornado DDT and crawled back into the ring. Saints charged Femi on the ring apron, but Femi swatted him down like a fly. Back in the ring, Femi hit a Fall From Grace, but Saints somehow kicked out.

Femi went for another Fall From Grace, but Saints turned it into another DDT followed by a fourth spinning DDT and pinned Femi 1-2-3! Ricky Saints is the new NXT Champion!

Match Result: Ricky Saints defeated Oba Femi

Wow! I did not see that coming! Saints won and won clean over one of the most dominant champions NXT has ever had. Absolutely stunning. Maybe WWE has bigger plans fo Femi, but Saints earned the hell out of that title.

WWE NXT live results: Big interpromotional title vs. title match

Posted on by Chris Aiken

With a potential TNA invasion looming, a big interpromotional title vs. title match headlines WWE NXT tonight.

NXT Champion Oba Femi and TNA World Champion Trick Williams will clash with both of their titles on the line. It’s a winner-take-all match where the winner will leave with both belts. However, we could potentially see the TNA roster get involved in things. Last week saw the TNA talent — led by Bound for Glory title challenger Mike Santana — voice their displeasure on social media over how NXT is treating them.

Tonight’s NXT is the go-home show for No Mercy. At the PLE, Ricky Saints has a title shot scheduled against tonight’s Femi vs. Williams winner.

We’ll find out Speed Women’s Champion Sol Ruca’s No Mercy challenger tonight when Candice LeRae and Lainey Reid meet in the finals of a number one contender’s tournament.

Plus, Myles Borne and Lexis King continue their rivalry in a Lights Out match.

Join us for live coverage beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

After recapping last week’s Homecoming, the show begins with footage from earlier today of NXT Champion Oba Femi and TNA World Champion Trick Williams arriving to the building.

NXT is on the air from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando, and in front of a live studio audience.

Lexis King slides in from stage right aboard his gimmicked throne. Fog covers his feet on the stage. Myles Borne enters and flips a switch, and the arena light go dark. Under only spotlights, Borne attacks King. The “lights out” match is underway, and the lights are indeed out.

Myles Borne vs. Lexis King in a lights out match

Both combatants are dressed in street clothes. Borne in combat pants, and King is dressed in what appeared to be a homage to his father, Brian Pillman.

The lights are dim in the sound stage, and the ring is lit by only spotlights. The match is no disqualification, and weapons come into play early on. Metal folding chairs and trash cans are used early on. Tables and the ring steps are used later on.

They brawl through a commercial break, and they brawl around ringside. King threatens to Pillmanize, but Borne fights back and sends King crashing through the barricade. The ring steps soon come into play. Back in the ring, a table is set up and a section of the ring steps. Borne also whips King with a belt.

King is setting up for a spot on the stairs when Borne counters and DDT’s King on the steps. Borne then leaps off the stairs with a Borne Again that puts King through a table. Borne then covers King for a pinfall.

Match result: Myles Borne defeated Lexis King via pinfall in a lights out match

— Robert Stone and Stevie Turner are backstage for a skit in Ava’s office. Ava is in England and on speaker phone with Stone and Turner. Stone informs her that TNA wrestlers are walking around backstage. Stone ask Ava if she invited them, but Ava soon hangs up due to bad cell service. Not before Ava tells them she has confidence in them.

— NXT North American Champion Ethan Page is walking towards the Gorilla Position on his way to the ring for the next segment, when the show comes back from a commercial break. Meanwhile, TNA talent is seen lurking backstage.

Ethan Page issues a challenge to Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.

Page grabs a microphone after entering the ring. The audio feed is muted several times, presumably because of foul language chanted by the studio audience. Page hints at such as well.

In the audience is El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., or is he? Page cuts a promo on him. “Wagner” stands up, and Page challenges him to a fight right now.

A referee comes to the ring and the match is on.

Ethan Page vs. “El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.” (Tavion Heights in disguise)

“Wagner” makes quick work of Page, and “Wagner” locks in an angle lock submission hold. Page taps out for a submission.

Match result: “El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.” defeated Ethan Page

Afterwards, “Wagner” unmasks as Tavion Heights. Page defends against Heights on Saturday at No Mercy.

— A locker room skit sets up a match later on between Jordynne Garce and Arianna Grace.

Candice LeRae vs. Lainey Reid in the WWE Speed Women’s Championship #1 Contender Tournament Final

The match was fast-paced since it was so short, which is typical of a Speed match. Both looked great going the ring before going to the finish, as they go home with under a minute remaining in the match. They trade near falls when Reid counters LeRae . Reid levels LeRae with a knees strike, and Reid scores a pinfall.

Match result: Lainey Reid defeated Candice LeRae via pinfall to win the tournament

In winning, Reid earns a title shot against Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca on Saturday at No Mercy.

— Jaida Parkers cuts a promo on Lash Legend.

— Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors are backstage with Andre Chase when they met by NASCAR drivers (in a cross-promotional tie-in as NASCAR airs on CW along with NXT). Darkstate interrupts as a NASCAR driver asks about Joe Hendry. Say his name and he appears, and Hendry appears wearing a NASCAR driver’s suit. This skit sets up a six-man tag team match.

Jordynne Grace vs. Arianna Grace

The battle of Graces was more of a showcase for Jordynne than Arianna. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo appears at ringside after the match to console Arianna. Just before going home, Grace fires up with a series of short-arm clotheslines. Grace then lifts Arianna into a Torture Rack, and she sends Arianna crashing to the mat with a powerbomb.

Match result: Jordynne Grace defeated Arianna Grace via pinfall.

Blake Monroe enters the sound stage after the match, and she storms the ring with a bunch of weapons. She grabs a kendo stick wrapped in pink fabric. Grace grabs a chair, and they dual with the weapons. Grace then double-legs Monroe and they brawl on the mat as referees and security runs out to break up the impromptu fight.

Robert Stone and Stevie Turner come out to declare the Grace-Monroe match at No Mercy is weapons match inside of a steel cage! Grace and Monroe celebrate the news by resuming their pull-apart brawl.

— Lainey Reid is interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Reid vows to win the North American title on Saturday. The Fatal Influence trio confront Reid after the interview.

NXT Women’s Champ Jacy Jayne is face-to-face with Lola Vice

Jacy Jayne, with her NXT Women’s Championship belt over her shoulder, enters for an in-ring promo. Jayne cut a great promo on Lola Vice. This was great business, and it got better when Lola Vice enters to confront Jayne.

Champion and challenger go face-to-face in the ring. Vice cuts a promo on Jayne. These two play off each other really well, and this was a helluva go-home segment. Jayne finally goes over the line by bringing up Vice’s family, and Vice lays her out with a spinning back fist. Great stuff here.

— Josh Briggs is the focus of a personality profile sponsored by an insurance company.

Joe Hendry, Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors vs. Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars in a six-man tag team match

Hendry teams up with Chase U against Darkstate in this trios match. In the babyface corner was Andre Chase, while Darkstate’s Cutler James was in the heel corner.

The babyface trio fought from underneath early on and they shine. Before a commercial break, Dixon sails through the air with a Sasuke Special. After the break, the tide turns. Dixon is being worked over by the heels.

During the match, Mike Santana from TNA is shown arriving to the building.

They build to a hot tag, and Connors is a house of fire. The heels cut off Connors, but not before a high spot. James is ringside preying on Chase, and Connors makes a save with a tope suicida. However, that allows the heel faction to gain an advantage.

Connor is soon tossed into an assisted powerbomb, and Shugars covers Connor for a pin.

Match result: Darkstate defeated Joe Hendry & Chase U when Saquon Shugars pinned Uriah Connors.

— Ricky Saints is the focus of a video package that profiles him and his hometown of New Orleans.

— Je’Von Evans is being interviewed backstage by Kelly Kincaid. Suddenly, they are interrupted by a commotion, and the camera pans over to find Jazmyn Nyz on the ground in pain. She was apparently ambushed, and medical staff rushes in to treat her.

— Nyx is of course part of the Fatal Influence trio, but Jacy Jayne is unbothered by the attack. Jayne is backstage with Fallon Henley, and Jayne tells her that was about time to dump Nyx anyway.

NXT Champion Oba Femi vs. TNA World Champion Trick Williams in a title vs. title match

They both get a full entrance, plus in-ring introductions. Despite that and the hype and ballyhoo, this does not feel special enough for a title vs. title match. TNA talent is seen throughout the audience, as they close in on the ring.

Just before a commercial break, Mike Santana hops the barricade and joins the announce team for impromptu guest commentary.

Matt Cardona shows up in the crowd, and he gets a big pop. The match was beginning to become more of a back drop for an angle with TNA.

As Oba and Trick fight at ringside, Trick comes face-to-face with Santana. Trick slaps Santana across the face, which goads Santana into chasing Trick into the ring. Santana brawls with Trick as the referee calls for the bell.

Match result: Oba Femi defeated Trick Williams via disqualification (presumably that is the result, as there is no official word. The result could also be a no-contest. Your guess is good as mine.)

NXT talent and TNA talent pour into the ring for a massive melee. Meanwhile, Ricky Saints saunters to the ring as mayhem happens around him. Saints grabs the NXT title belt and looks at it longingly. Oba Femi rises to his feet and snatches the belt away from Saints. Femi raises the title overhead as the show goes off air.

WWE NXT live results: Oba Femi & Ricky Saints team up for eight-man tag

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The road to No Mercy continues on WWE NXT tonight with Oba Femi teaming up with his next challenger.

Ricky Saints defeated Josh Briggs last week to become the new number one contender to the NXT Championship. He’ll get his shot against Femi later this month at No Mercy, but first they’ll be on the same side for an eight-man tag match. It will be Femi, Saints, Hank & Tank vs. DarkState.

DarkState’s Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin defeated Hank & Tank at Heatwave to become the new NXT Tag Team Champions. A win in this eight-man bout could help Hank & Tank earn their rematch.

NXT hosts its first Speed match tonight as Candice LeRae meets TNA’s Xia Brookside. It’s an opening-round matchup in the tournament to decide Sol Ruca’s Speed Women’s Championship challenger for No Mercy.

With both having their sights set on challenging Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Championship, Lash Legend and Jaida Parker will face off one-on-one tonight.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

NXT is back on the air in front of a live studio audience at a sound stage from the Performance Center in Orlando. Participants in the eight-man tag match arrive to the building. Ricky Saints brought swagger, while Hank & Tank arrived with a rotisserie chicken. NXT Champion Oba Femi arrives to rule, while Darkstate saunters into the building.

Opening the show from inside the building is the entrance of Jaida Parker. She is over with the studio audience, as the crowd chants “Miss Parker” as she enters the ring. Following her entrance is that of Lash Legend. Those two meet in t he opening bout tonight on NXT.

Jaida Parker vs. Lash Legend

They wrestled through a commercial break. They were given a lot of time, and they worked hard. Push Jaida Parker and she would become a superstar. She has the tools in the ring and an “it” factor, but they put Legend over here.

Parker got to shine in the match despite dropping the fall, including getting near falls on Legend. Before they went home, the fight spilled outside the ring on the floor. Legend executes her Lash Extension on the floor, and Parker takes the finisher on the announce desk. Back in the ring, Legend with another Lash Extension in the ring, and Legend covers Parker for a three count.

Match result: Lash Legend defeated Jaida Parker via pinfall

This feud must continue, so they brawled after the match. Parker attacked Legend in the aisle after the bell, and Legend is sent into the barricade. Parker then delivers a hip attack, and Legend crashes through the barricade in a stunt.

— Blake Monroe is backstage when she meets up with Arianna Grace, and there is some product placement with Maybelline in a skit. Stacks is there with Grace, but he exits stage left. Jordynne Grace enters the scene and has a pull-apart with Monroe.

Evlove Woman’s Champion Kalli Armstrong rushes in to cut a promo on Grace for barging into an “ruining” another segment. Not only does Grace have a problem with Monroe, Armstrong warns Grace that she now has a problem with Armstrong too. This clearly sets up a singles bout between the two.

— An in-house commercial plugs AAA while promoting When Worlds Collide in Las Vegas.

Josh Briggs trolls and attacks Je’Von Evans

Evans is somber as he cuts a heartfelt promo about losing to championship match against Oba Femi. Josh Briggs interrupts after trolling the audience by teasing a cameo from The Undertaker. Briggs then jumps Evans after a cheap shot.

First, Evans wears his heart on his sleeve as he recounts his failure to capture the NXT title. He cannot be positive after Heat Wave. Evans appears emotional and takes a moment to collect himself. He went into excited, and he even called his sister to say he would become the youngest NXT champion. But he did not do that.

Evans apologizes to the fans for letting them down, and the studio audience responds with “NO” chants. Evans says he also let himself down. The crowd chants they love him, and Evans is appreciative of that. He continues to speak when a motorcycle is seen arriving to the building. Evans says this is not time for games.

The motorcycle is seen again, as it arrives at the building. This is all a tease for The Undertaker. The dong sounds, and the studio audience comes unglued for a huge pop.

Out comes Josh Briggs to troll everyone. He is drowned in boos but the studio audience. Briggs gets into the ring and cuts a promo on Evans, with Briggs complaining about Evans getting so many title shots only to lose. Briggs goes to say Evans should have gotten in Femi’s face and demanded a rematch. Briggs says try being himself. Being better than everybody else and not getting an opportunity. Briggs proclaims that Evans will never beat Femi.

Evans tries to respond, but Briggs hits him with a cheap shot. Big boot by Briggs, and Briggs sets up a metal folding chair in the ring. Briggs then gives Evans a chokeslam on the chair. Evans is left for dead, and these two are programmed together for a grudge match.

— Xia Brookside is the focus of a personality profile sponsored by an insurance company. She is in a match tonight.

— Hank & Tank are hyping up Oba Femi and Ricky Starks in a backstage skit.

Candice LeRae vs. Xia Brookside in a Speed Championship Number One Contenders tournament match

Being a Speed match, the action was fast-paced and quick. To set up the finish, LeRae springboards off the top rope with a tornado DDT. LeRae follows up by leaping off Brookside’s back into a senton. LeRae then jumps off the middle rope with a Lionsault, and Lerae covers Brookside for a pinfall with about 30 seconds remaining in the time limit.

Match result: Candice LeRae defeated Xia Brookside via pinfall to advance in the tournament

In winning, LeRae moves on to the semifinals to meet the winner of Faby Apache vs. Lainey Reed.

— Josh Briggs and Andre Chase are set for a singles match after a locker room skit. Chase U students basically get Chase in a match with Briggs after a confrontation.

— In another skit, Ava is in her office with tag teams from the women’s roster. She announces a number one contender’s triple threat tag match for next Tuesday.

— Darkstate is the focus of a personality profile on the faction. They cut promos as highlights hype them up. This was a good piece of business.

— TNA World Champion Trick Williams is heading to the ring before a commercial break.

DYI returns to NXT to confront Trick Williams

Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa make a surprise appearance in a cameo that builds up the “Homecoming” show in a few weeks.

Trick begins the segment by boasting about himself. He bemoans none coming out to respond after calling himself the greatest NXT superstar ever, seemingly suggesting the past NXT stars do not care about the brand anymore. Trick does not blame them, as he plans to never return when he signs a million dollar contact when called up to the main roster. Trick claims all of the NXT favorites do not love NXT anymore.

The team of DIY — Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa — enter to a huge pop. They soak it in before getting in the ring to confront Trick. Gargano insists they still love NXT, and he notes today is the 10 year anniversary of their NXT debut. Ciampa and Gargano goad Trick about them both being two-time NXT champs. Gargano also held the North American title three times, and DIY were also tag team champs.

Trick bickers with them some more until a shoving match begins. Ciampa shoves Trick, and Gargano hits Trick with a superkick. DIY then do their stereo finisher on Trick, and they celebrate their return by posing on the turnbuckles.

— In a skit from the trainer’s room, Ava comes to an agreement with Je’Von Evans. If Evans does not interfere in Josh Briggs’ match tonight, then Ava will book Evans against Briggs for next week.

— In another skit after a commercial break, Ava books a flag match between Tavion Heights and North American Champion Ethan Page. The stipulation came after Page opened his big mouth and talked his way into a gimmick match.

— Kalli Armstrong is featured in a video package ahead of her match tonight. This was good, but too bad she loses clean.

Jordynne Grace vs. Evolve Women’s Champion Kalli Armstrong in a non-title match

They had a really good match, and the audience was into it. Armstrong with a decent push on this show coming into the match, only for her to lose clean. She is the champ of another brand no less, and she still lost clean. No fault of Grace, as she is the one they have pushed for some time now. Still, whatever momentum Armstrong had is minimized by dropping the fall. Unless the NXT viewing audience does not care about wins or loses, but that seems like an existential question for another time.

The match itself went through a commercial break, and Armstrong was able to look strong at times. For the finish, Grace drops Armstrong with a back elbow. Grace then executes a scary rendition of Beast Mode, and Grace scores the clean pin on Armstrong.

Match result: Jordynne Grace defeated Kalli Armstrong via pinfall

Blake Monroe runs in after the match, and she gets into a post-match brawl with Grace. Monroe is sent crashing into the ring steps before security pours out to separate them. Monroe appears to be bleeding from the mouth after the brawl. Armstrong was unfortunately an afterthought here, but the program is Grace and Monroe in a feud.

Josh Briggs vs. Andre Chase

Briggs spoofs Undertaker during the match, which is surely building to Undertaker making an appearance to give Briggs a comeuppance of some sort.

Chase can still get over with the studio audience, even if he is more of a bit player than his previous role. He is so much better than his push would indicate. He gets a close near fall on Briggs during the match, and the crowd bought into it hook, line, and sinker.

Chase had the crowd behind him when Briggs hulks up and cuts off Chase. Briggs goozles Chase and deliver a chokeslam. Briggs then hits Chase with a high kick, and Briggs pinned Chase clean as a sheet.

After the match, Briggs gets more heat by attacking the Chase U students at ringside. Briggs sends Kale Dixon crashing into the barricade, which would have been more effective if we had not seen a similar spot several times earlier in the show. Nonetheless, Briggs also attacks Uriah Connors. Briggs chokeslams Connors on a gimmicked announce desk, and the desk implodes on impact. Briggs stand over his prey after the carnage is complete.

Match result: Josh Briggs defeated Andre Chase via pinfall

— Trick Williams is backstage cutting a promo on DIY. After they attacked him earlier tonight, Trick will not let that slide. Trick says they are not the only ones here with a history, and he will see them next week.

— Canelo vs. Crawford is hyped in a video package, which is cross-promotional marketing within the TKO family.

NXT Champion Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Darkstate (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Saquon Shugars & Cutler James) in an eight-man tag team match

The team of babyfaces stand tall as the show cuts to its final commercial break. Darkstate gets heat on Hank after the break, until Hank creates some separation. Hot tag to Tank, and he cleans house. Blind tag by Saints, and he runs wild with a tornado DDT. Femi makes a bling tag by smacking Saints hard on the back.

Femi and Saints argue, and they collide into each other when Shugars shoves them into each other. Saints in turn shoves Shugars into Femi, and Femi tosses Shugars on Saints. After getting back to his feet, Saints smacks Femi. Slugfest between Saints and Femi, despite them being tag partners in the match. Bling tag to Tank, after Femi and Saints go over the top rope with a Cactus Jack clothesline. They brawl their way up the ramp and exit stage left. That leaves Hank & Tank to face Darkstate — two against four.

Shugars gets sandwiched by Hank & Tank, and they are on a roll. Not for long, as Tank is posted groin-first. Hank has his eyes raked by Shugars. Darkstate gang up on Hank & Tank, but the babyfaces fight back. Nevertheless, Hank is cut off by Cutler James. After grabbing him but the throat, James asks Hank who will save him now. Hank says, “Joe Hendry.” Speak his name, and he appears.

Hendry suddenly appears on the apron to distract James and Darkstate. James then takes the combo finisher from Hank & Tank. Following the powerslam/spear combo, Hank pinned James to win the match.

Match result: Hank Walker, Tank Ledger, Oba Femi & Ricky Saints defeated Cutler James, Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, & Saquon Shugars when Walker pinned James

Joe Hendry celebrates with Hank & Tank after the match, with them posing together in the ring.

TO THE BACK, Saints and Femi are still brawling as security tries to separate them. The show goes off the air in the midst of the pull-apart brawl. After that cliffhanger, it would be funny if they were still brawling when the show goes on air next week.

WWE NXT Heatwave notes: Speed titles coming to brand, Ricky Saints

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Notes from Sunday’s WWE NXT Heatwave.

After Sol Ruca has been appearing in recent weeks with the Women’s Speed Championship, it was announced that the titles would be defended in NXT moving forward. Ruca will defend her title next month in a tournament that begins on the September 2 edition of NXT. The participants will include a participant from NXT, TNA, AAA, and a participant from the Raw & SmackDown brands. The winner of this tournament will challenge Ruca at WWE NXT No Mercy on September 27 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

El Grande Americano currently holds the WWE Speed men’s championship. It wasn’t announced when he’d defend his title next

In the main event of Sunday’s show, Oba Femi was successful in defeating Je’Von Evans. After the referee was knocked out, Evans hit a springboard cutter as another referee came out and counted three. However, the original referee called it off, saying Femi’s foot was under the rope. Femi dodged a top rope maneuver by Evans and shot put him into the announcer’s table below. He then put him back into the ring and pinned Evans to retain the title.

After the match, Ricky Starks came out and had a staredown with Femi as the show went off the air.

WWE NXT Heatwave live results: Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans, three title matches

Posted on by Jeff Moss

In another busy day of wrestling, WWE NXT closes up the weekend with Heatwave live from Lowell, Massachussetts.

The headliner will see reigning WWE NXT champion Oba Femi defend against top prospect and high flyer Je’Von Evans. This will be Femi’s ninth title defense and his second defense in which Evans is involved.

In a three-way for the TNA Knockouts title, reigning double champion Jacy Jayne will defend against Ash by Elegance and former champion Masha Slamovich.

In a grudge match, Jordynne Grace will finally get her shot at going one-on-one with Blake Monroe.

NXT Tag Team Champions Hank Walker & Tank Ledger defend against two members of DarkState (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Saquon Shugars or Cutler James).

In a three-way to determine the next contender for the NXT Women’s title, it will be Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice.

The main card is rounded out by Chelsea Green & Ethan Page vs. Tyra Mae Steele & Tavion Heights.

**********

To quote the immortal Robin Williams in the film Good Morning, Vietnam: “It’s damn hot. Real hot. Hot. My shorts, I can cook things in them. Little crotch-pot cooking.” Which can only mean it’s time for NXT Heatwave!

After the traditional mandatory footage of wrestlers arriving to work, Heatwave kicked off with a confrontation that was definitely more than lukewarm.

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender Match: Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

Jacy Jayne can’t hold onto that NXT Women’s Championship forever and the next in line to try and take it from her will be determined in this match. Given her popularity, one would probably safe in saying that this was Lola Vice’s match to lose, but WWE does love itself an “unexpected” win.

The match started with Vice and Jordan teaming up to kick Parker out of the ring. Vice and Jordan went went back and forth after than until Parker rejoined the fray, knocking both women’s heads together like proverbial coconuts.

Parker stacked Jordan and Vice up on the second rope in the corner and dropped a hit on both. Parker tossed Jordan out of the ring to hit a Samoan drop on Vice. Jordan got right back into it though, climbing the ringpost, but missing the splash on Vice. She made good on the following leg drop though.

Jordan hit a split-legged DDT on Vice, but only got a two count. She went back up top, but Parker shoved her off the ringpost. Parker and Jordan fought on the ring apron (the most #1 contender part of the ring!) with Parker taking a superkick from Jordan. Jordan then hit a corkscrew over the top rope onto both Vice and Parker.

Jordan hit what looked like a Lethal Injection but with the splits on Vice, but Vice kicked her off and locked in a dragon sleeper. Parker joined and both she and Jordan received a flurry of soccer kicks from Vice, before throwing multiple hips in the corners.

Vice tried another dragon sleeper on Jordan but Parker interrupted her fun with a blockbuster. Parker laid out Jordan with a spinebuster that was so good it made Booker T mumble something about Ron Simmons.

Parker and Jordan continued to battle in the ring and Vice joined in, literally kicking Parker in the butt. Jordan and Parker were on the top turnbuckle, when Vice scooped them up for a double suplex off the ropes.

All three tried to stagger to their feet, with Vice and Parker locking up. Parker subdued her with a back elbow in time to catch Jordan coming off the top rope. Parker got the knees up though, but was taken out by Vice. Jordan put Vice on her shoulders and hit a big spin. She went up top for a 450, but Vice scouted it and put her in a sleeper submission.

Just as Jordan was about to pass out, Parker broke it and Vice rolled her up to get the 1-2-3 and become the new #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Title!

Match Result: Lola Vice defeated Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan

Great opener! It was indeed Vice’s match to lose, but Jordan in particular looked really good while she did it. Parker’s lack of finesse might have cost her here, but she was a force to be reckoned with all throughout.

-Next, multiple promos for Evolve, a show that I had literally forgotten was on, aired to remind me that Evolve, was in fact, still on.

-The Culling joined us from therapy(?) next, discussing how Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame are going to tag against Wren and a mystery partner next week.

NXT Tag Team Champions Hank & Tank vs. DarkState

The first title match of the night featured mystery partners as well, seeing how we didn’t know which members of DarkState would be taking on Hank & Tank. It turned out to be Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox, but Shugars and James stayed at ringside.

Hank and Tank were on fire off the top with quick tags and heavy work on Darkstate. A quick double team on Tank from Griffin and Lennox changed the favor though. All four men entered the ring and a brawl broke out. Hank and Tank took out Griffin and Lennox, then hit a stereo dive through the ropes to take out all four members of DarkState.

Once things settled down, Hank and Lennox fought in the ring. Hank went up top, but Lennox pulled him down and beat him on the steel ring steps. He bounced Hank’s head off the ring apron then tagged in Griffin, who felt the need to do it again. A few times.

Hank got an elbow into Griffin’s gut though and tried to crawl to a tag. Griffin got to him though, preventing the tag and hitting a big powerslam. Lennox tagged in and the two sent Hank into the corner face-first.

Lennox squeezed on a chinlock, but Hank powered out, still too far away for a tag. Finally, Tank got the tag he craved, and he took out Griffin and Lennox with some spingboard moves. Shugars climbed up to cause a distraction, but Tank took him out and then hit at Bubba-Bomb on Lennox.

On the outside, Hank took a beating from the three members of DarkState, while Lennox hit a spinebuster on Tank. Griffin and Lennox isolated Tank in their corner, trading quick tags until Tank fought them off and hit a swanton from the top rope on both men.

Hank dodged multiple attacks on the outside and got the tag from Tank. Hank hit a Bossman slam on Lennox then splashed the reamaining three on the outside. Shirts came off and Hank and Tank hit their big slam on Lennox. James pulled Hank into the ropes crotch-first though, which allowed Lennox and Griffin to hit a Doomsday Device and win the NXT Tag Team Championship!

Match Result: DarkState (Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox) defeated Hank & Tank

I did not see that coming! Though, the next time someone takes on DarkState they may want to even those numbers up. Either way, it’s cool to see a group like DarkState with some gold and now we get to see what other havoc they can wreak as champions.

-Lexis King and Ava were shown talking in the latter’s office. Ava said that Miles Borne and King will have a blindfold match on Tuesday’s NXT episode.

TNA Knockouts Champion Jacy Jayne vs. Masha Slamovich vs. Ash by Elegance

Always cool to see TNA titles up for grabs on NXT shows! Also, fun to have Ash By Elegance back in NXT.

Ash and Slamovich zeroed in on each other off the top, but Jayne soon got involved and Ash was sent to the outside. Jayne hit a blockbuster on Ash on the outside, but jeft herself open to a corkscrew through the ropes from Slamovich.

Back in the ring, Slamovich and Ash fought with Slamovich hitting a series of kicks on Ash. She went for a move off the ropes, but Jayne grabbed her and Pele’d Slamovich off the ring apron. Jayne hit ASh in the corners, but only got a two count.

Jayne hit a standing senton on Ash, but that brought Slamovich back in just in time to eat a kick from Jayne. Ash caught her second wind and hit a blockbuster on Jayne for a near fall. Ash hit a handspring into the corner on Jayne who climbed the ringpost, allowing Ash to grab her for a sit-down powerbomb.

Slamovich tried to get involved, but Jayne hit her from behind. Slamovich responded with a dropkick and then a couple of hell-of-a-kicks in the corners. Then a series of dueling cannonballs and a white noise into the corner.

Ash bailed, leaving Slamovich and Jayne trading punches. Jayne hit a huge knee and pulled Slamovich into the ring for a neckbreaker, but Ash broke up the pin. Ash then disposed of Jayne and turned her attention to Slamovich, hitting a moonsault that missed. Jayne was right there with one of her own though, but only got a two-count.

Jayne put Slamovich on the ring post and hit a big hurricanrana followed by a big kick. Ash broke up the pin though with a meteora and tried to pin Jayne. Fatal Influence put her foot on the ropes, causing a shouting match with the Elegance Brand at ringside. The ref tossed Fatal influence and Slamovich tried to get a quick pin on Ash in the confusion, but it was only a two.

Ash took out both women on the outside and dragged Slamovich back in, but eat a kick. Slamovich went back to the kick, but Ash caught it and returned the favor. Ash hit a tornado DDT and then a moonsault, but Jayne interrupted with a high knee to Ash for another near fall.

Jayne hit a rolling encore on Slamovich, but the Elegance brand pulled Jayne out. Ash hit a swanton on Slamovich in the ring and got the 3-count to bring the Knockouts Championship back to TNA!

Match Result: Ash by Elegance defeated Jacy Jayne and Masha Slamovich

Great fun, its amazing how far Ash By Elegance has come since her NXT debut. Jayne has superstar written all over her and Slamovich is a veteran not to be messed with. Three distinct wrestlers, each showcasing their best talents. More of this please!

-Wow, they really went with it, huh? All right. A promo for “Wrestlepalooza” in September aired and then, Ricky Saints and Je’von Evans had a chat about Evans’ title match tonight. Saints said that he and the WWE Universe believe in Evans. Saints asked for the first shot at the title should Evans win.

Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

A VERY long recap of the relationship between Monroe and Grace aired before this match. The TLDR version is that they were friends, then Monroe turned on Grace at Evolution. So, they aren’t friends anymore.

Off the bell, Monroe delivered a big slap to Grace and then did the smartest thing she could and tried to run away. Grace chased her though as Monroe tried to hie behind the announce team. Grace dragged to the ring and started pummeling her.

Grace flipped Monroe with a big back slam followed by a twisting suplex. Monroe tried to get away again, bailing from the ring. Grace followed and backslammed her on the floor. Grace put Monroe on her shoulders and climbed the ring steps. Monroe wiggled free though and ripped Grace across the steel steps.

Monroe jumped back in the ring to break the count and Grace followed. Monroe took her turn to stomp and pummel ending with a pin attempt for two. Monroe hit a dropkick on Grace against the ropes, sending her back to the outside. She then wrapped Grace’s arm around the ring post, wrenching and twisting it before tossing her back inside.

Monroe tried to get a submission with an armbar, but Grace reversed it. Monroe stepped over Grace, working her arm for another submission, but Grace stood up and using the ropes, reversed it into a suplex.

The two began trading punches with Grace favoring her arm. Monroe took advantage and tried to hook her, but Grace put her down with a clothesline. Grace landed a spinebuster and jackhammer, but Monroe kicked out at two.

Grace hit a flapjack, but Monroe had grabbed the bottom turnbuckle, tearing the pad off. Monroe kicked out of the ensuing pin and hit a side russian leg sweep into a reverse armbar, continuing to wrench the arm of Grace.

Grace hit a back body drop and a bridge suplex, but Monroe kicked out at two. Grace began stomping Monroe and the two started trading head butts. Monroe hit a Nasty Suplex, but Grace kicked out at two. Monroe seemed distressed, unsure how to put Grace away for good.

Grace tried to lift Monroe, but her arm gave out on on her. Monroe pulled her up to the top of the ringpost, but Grace reversed it into a sit-down powerbomb from the top rope. Somehow, Monroe kicked out at two.

Monroe then stomped Grace into that exposed turnbuckle, crushing her head against it. Monroe then hit a DDT and got the pin.

Match Result: Blake Monroe defeated Jordynne Grace

That was a NASTY match. It got really really rough and there were a couple of spots that made me wince. Not becuase they were badly done, but because they were so hard and intense. These two could be on the edge of “Fight Forever” status.

-Backstage, Jaida Parker lamented her loss tonight when Lash Legend appeared. The two jawed at each other and a pullapart brawl ensued.

-Further backstage, Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence were backstage, with Jayne screaming at her minions for costing her the Knockouts title. Lola Vice, Sol Ruca and Zaria arrived to make fun of her, with Jayne claiming she was sick and leaving.

Chelsea Green & Ethan Page vs. Tyra Mae Steele & Tavion Heights

Before the match, it must be stated that Chelsea Green is a treasure and should be protected at all costs. Also, I am a Canadian and as such, I’m legally bound to liking Ethan Page (for some reason, there are tariffs on American wrestlers? I don’t get it either).

Green and Steele started things off and for those not in the know, in WWE Mixed Tag Matches, women fight women and men fight men, so a tag changes the players on both sides. Heights joined Steele in the ring and they hoisted Green and Page on their shoulders and tossed them out of the ring.

The crowd began chanting for “Can-a-da” at this point which, in complete honesty, was surprising. Page turned that around by grabbing a mic and promising not to sponsor the crowd for Canadian citizenship. Then he got in the ring to wrestle Heights, landing several stomps and elbows.

Page grabbed a headlock on Heights and tossed him into the ropes. Heights changed direction and bounced back into a clothesline. Page and Heights knocked noggins and Green sprinted across the ring to dropkick Steele off the apron.

Page tagged in Green and the crowd erupted. Green tried to slap Heights who caught her hand, leaving her open to a spear from Steele.

Green battled back and dropkicked Steele into the ropes, followed by some stomps in the corner. Green tossed Steele into the ropes, but Steele used it to her advantage and the two collided in the center of the ring. The women crawled to their corners to tag in their partners.

Heights burst out of the corner for a suplex and massive power slam. Green tried to kick Heights through the ropes, causing enought distraction for Page to get up. The men ran into each other and Heights tagged in Steele.

Steele grabbed Page and hit a gutwrench on him, followed but a spinebuster on Green. Alba Fyre of the Secret Hervice tried to get involved, but Steele suplexed her and Page at the same time and tried to put on an ankle lock. Green was the legal person though and grabbed Steele for an Unpretty-her, picking up the pin and the win for her team.

Match Result: Chelsea Green & Ethan Page defeated Tyra Mae Steele & Tavion Heights

Loved every second of this. Green and Page were awesome and made Steele and Heights look great, not that they needed much help. Steele in particular has a ton of up side and I’d love to see her and Heights hanging out more going forward.

-Backstage, Oba Femi was approached by Josh Briggs. Briggs said that the grind of being champ is wearing Femi down. Femi responded by saying “thank you for you insignificant opinion. Now leave” which may be my new e-mail signature.

-Ava joined us next from her office to announce that the Speed Titles will be moving to NXT. Sol Ruca, current Women’s Speed Champion arrived to learn that she will be facing the winner of an NXT/WWE/AAA/??? four way match at no Mercy.

NXT Champion Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans

Femi is an absolute monster of a champion, but Evans is gunning for the Sami Zayn “Ultimate Underdog” title. The real question is will Kevin Owens arrive after the match to powerbomb the winner on the ring apron (the most remember-when-that-happened part of the ring!)

Evans played it cool and kept some distance between he and Femi of the top. When Femi charged, he worked around him, trying for a waistlock. Femi shook him off and Evans tried a chop. Evans tried kicks and punches, but Femi absorbed most of it. Evans tried for a bouncing cutter, but Femi caught him, sending him into the corner.

Femi began pounding on Evans, delivering hammering blows to the back and kicks to the gut. Evans relied heavily on his agility, but every time he jumped off the ropes, Femi would grab him. It wasn’t until a surprise superkick from Evans that Femi even left his feet.

Evans hit a double stomp and hurricanrana on Femi, not giving him a chance to recover. Femi rolled outside the ring and Evans tried to dive after him, but Femi caught him by the throat and smacked him into next week.

Femi then grabbed Evans in a military press and tossed him over the top rope back into the ring. Femi stepped on Evans, putting all his weight onto his stomach. Femi picked up Evans and hit a double gutbuster, but Evans kicked out at two.

Femi tried a submission tactic, but Evans struggled up and tried to suplex Femi. Femi reversed it in the air though and ended up crushing Evans under his weight. Evan slipped away and managed to kick Femi in the head, sending him out of the ring.

Femi scrambled back in though and hit a massive spinebuster on Evans before he could recover. Femi then sent Evans to the corner, whipping him against the turnbuckle. Evans crumpled after each attack. Femi sent him into the corner again, but Evans got a foot up and kicked Femi in the head.

Dazed, Femi staggered back and Evans tried to take him down, but Femi countered with a huge backbreaker followed by a chokeslam. Evans kicked out at two though, and Femi continued clubbing him around the ring.

Evans stood up in defiance and began raining punches on Femi, driving him back into the corner. Evans hit a springboard lariat, connecting this time and began bouncing around the ring hitting springboard moves and getting a two count.

Evans got caught by Femi, but reversed it into a DDT before scrambling up the ring post. Evans hit a splash, but didn’t quite connect, showing how beaten up he was. Evans went back up top and hit a picture perfect frog splash, but it wasn’t enough to get Femi down for the count.

Evans hit a german suplex on Femi, but that seemed to charge up the champion who nailed him with a massive lariat and began running the ropes. Evans interrupted with a cutter though and went up top. Femi was waiting for him to come back down though with a Eurpoean uppercut.

Femi pulled Evans to the top rope, but Evans squirmed out. Femi pushed him off the top rope, taking out the official. Femi tried a pop up powerbomb but Evans caught him with a cutter! A second ref arrived and counted 1-2-3!!

BUT!

Femi’s foot was under the ropes! So the original Ref waved off the new guy. Femi then picked up Evans and tossed him over the top rope through the announce table. He dragged Evans back into the ring for a signature powerbomb and that was it. Oba Femi retained the NXT Championship.

Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Je’Von Evans

After the match, Evans’ friend Ricky Saints came down to the ring. He stood toe to toe with Femi, indicating that he wants the next shot at the Champion.

Wow, That match had every indication of an uneventful squash, but damn did it deliver! Femi looked great as always, but he also made Evans look like he was a very worthy adversary. When Evans got that three count, I genuinely gasped in surprise. Fun night of wrestling!!