Tag: raquel gonzalez

WWE NXT live results: Final build to Great American Bash

Posted on by Chris Aiken

NXT’s final build to the Great American Bash takes place tonight.

NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell will be putting their titles on the line at the Great American Bash next Tuesday. Tonight, Io Shirai & Zoey Stark, Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai, and Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will face off in a triple threat match to determine their challengers.

An NXT Tag Team title match between MSK and Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher has been made official for the Great American Bash. The two teams will take part in a face-to-face segment tonight.

Mercedes Martinez will team with Jake Atlas tonight as they take on Tian Sha’s Xia Li & Boa in a mixed tag team match. Cameron Grimes will also be in action tonight.

Plus, NXT will follow up on last week’s debut of the Diamond Mine. Roderick Strong, Tyler Rust, and Hideki Suzuki are part of the faction and are being managed by Malcolm Bivens. Strong attacked NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida at the end of last week’s show.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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Io Shirai & Zoey Stark defeated Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in a triple threat number one contender’s tag team match

Shirai pinned Kai to win the match, earning Shiari and Stark a title shot at the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship against The Way at The Great American Bash.

One wrestler from each of the three teams in the ring at once, so three wrestlers were legal at a time. 

The match breaks down into a melee with everybody involved, leading to a parade a dives before a commercial break. All the babyfaces flew. Shirai with an Asai moonsault, Blackheart did a tope suicida, Moon off the middle rope with a somersault senton, and Stark springboarded into a flying cross body.

Gonzalez looked to be dominate after a commercial break, but Shirai and Blackheart fought back and tagged out. Stark, Moon and Kai traded near falls after tagging in. Stark and Shirai teamed up to target Kai. Shirai springboarded into a missile dropkick for another near fall. Blackheart broke up the pin with a senton. Blackheart & Moon with momentum on their side were in control.

Blackheart applied cattle mutilation on Kai, but Gonzalez was able to make a save. Babyfaces ganged up on Gonzalez. She was seemingly out out of the way for a tower of doom spot. Gonzalez jumped back in to break up the tower of doom. Gonzalez ragdolled and mowed down the babyfaces. Shirai was finally able to cut off Gonzalez.

Kai off the top rope with double foot stomp on Blackheart. Kai then turned around into a double knee strike from Shirai. Kai countered a crossface, and she superkicked Shirai. Kai could not capitalize, and Shirai struck with a butterfly backbreaker. Gonzalez again jumped in for a save. This time Gonzalez covered Kai, taking the proverbial bullet for her. Shirai with a moonsault press on Gonzalez & Kai. 

Blackheart with a senton bomb on Gonzalez. Stark with a modified GTS on Blackheart. Eclipse by Moon on Stark. Got To Kick from Kai to Moon. Kai countered Shirai for a roll up that netted a two count. Kai was then dropped by a plam strike, and Shirai executed a moonsault press. Gonzalez was not there to make a save this time. Shirai then covered Kai for the deciding pinfall.

To the back! Johnny Gargano attacked NXT Champion Karrion Kross, and there was a pull-apart brawl. Lots of screaming, as Kross was very upset by this sneak attack.

A video package retrospective looked back on the Breakout Tournament from 2019. In 2021, the Breakout Tournament returns in two weeks time on NXT.

NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed was backstage when McKenzie Mitchell asked him about the tournament. Reed was in the tourney in 2019. So was Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. He interrupted Reed, and Scott was flanked by Hit Row. Scott challenged Reed to a title match tonight. Reed accpeted the challenge, setting the stage for a North American title match.

NXT Champion brawls with The Way

NXT Champ Karrion Kross stormed to the ring, and he dared Johnny Gargano to face him. Gargano confronted Kross, setting up a grudge match. This was also a distraction by Gargano as Austin Theory ran in to attack Kross. Despite the sneak attack, Kross easily fought off Theory.

Kross then went after Gargano, and Kross attempted to bash Gargano with the ring steps. Officials poured out for a pull-apart. They pried Kross away from Gargano. As security held back Kross, Gargano with a cheap shot superkicked Kross. Even the security team took a bump on that one. Superkick, indeed. 

Gargano and Theory feld the scene. Kross told Samoa Joe he was doing a helluva job. Not sure who are the protagonists here, but it was pandemonium nonetheless. During a commercial break, Gargano and Theory did the Earl Hebner gimmick of speeding away from the building in a waiting vechile. 

Roderick Strong (with The Diamond Mine) defeated Asher Hale

Strong submitted Hale in a short match. First match for the Diamond Mine on NXT stable since they debuted together last week. In winning Strong looked… well, very strong.

In Strong’s corner were Malcom Bivens, Tyler Rust and Hideki Suzuki. This was a showcase match for Strong, who has slightly changed his look. He is still great in the ring. Also great to finally see Bivens in a featured role. He was very vocal at ringside.

Bivens in a promo after the match declared that Diamond Mine is “open for business, and this is just the beginning, baby!”

Up next was another enhancement match like this was an episode of Superstars from the 1990s. 

Cameron Grimes defeated Ari Sterling

Grimes pinned Sterling after a Cave In. Fun match while it lasted.

Sterling got to shine getting some offense on Grimes, including a wicked springboard moonsault where he jumped from inside the ring over the ropes. Grimes fought back, but Sterling continued to look strong. Sterling missed a 450 splash, and Grimes struck with a Cave In. Grimes then covered Sterling for a pinfall.

New Million Dollar Champion LA Knight interrupted Grimes’ celebration. Knight said nobody gave a damn about Grimes. Then why is Knight trolling him if nobody gives a damn? Anyway, Knight went on to call Grimes a “natural born loser.” 

Grimes proceeded to cut a promo on Knight, and Grimes challenged Knight to a match next week for the Million Dollar title. Knight at first declined the offer, until Knight added another stipulation. Knight would put the belt on the line, but if Grimes loses, then Grimes has to become Knight’s butler. Looks like the match is on for The Great American Bash.

The NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions — Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell — confronted their challengers. Io Shirai & Zoey Stark were being intervied backstage when they were interrupted by LeRae & Hartwell. LeRae warned Stark that Shirai is a sore loser, teasing Shirai would turn on Stark when they lost. Shirai shot back at LeRae to say LeRae had naver beaten her, and Shirai vowed her and Stark would win the titles. “We’ll see about that,” LeRae exclaimed, and she stormed off with Hartwell in tow.

Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole face-to-face

Cool Kyle comes to the ring for a monologue. He was actually cutting a really great promo, but this is WWE so somebody seemingly always has to interrupt promos like this. Out comes Adam Cole. They are joined by Samoa Joe.

Cole and O’Reilly cutting promos on each other seemed like old hat at first, but business picked up when Cole insulted O’Reilly wife. O’Reilly was overcome with rage at Cole mentioning his wife. They were about to brawl when Joe stepped in between them. Joe said not now, but Cole would not listen.

Cole charged at O’Reilly, and they go to the mat. O’Reilly catches Cole in heel hook, and Cole screamed in pain. Cole begged Joe to stop O’Reilly. Much like Cole ignored Joe, then Joe in turn ignored Cole’s pleas. Joe left the ring with Cole still pleading for mercy as O’Reilly cranked on the hold. Finally, Joe ordered the security team to break up the fight. 

Tian Sha vignetted highlighted the faction before their upcoming mixed tag match tonight.

Hit Row bumped up Swerve ahead of his title challeneg later on.

The charging battery is now above 70%. 

Xia Li & Boa defeated Mercedes Martinez & Jake Atlas in a mixed tag team match

Li & Boa won after a referee stoppage. Martinez was rocked by a kick, and the match ended soon thereafter. The ref stopped the bout, ruling Li & Boa as the winners. 

The match started with a wild brawl. Of course, the men and women only faced off against each other as per usual in a WWE mixed tag. Mei Ying watched from her throne at the top the stage. Martinez yelled at her before a commercial break.

Li hit Martinez with a roundhouse kick at one point. Martinez went down like she was knocked silly, and Li went for a cover. Martinez got her shoulder up, but she looked out of it. The referee backed Li away, and Martinez rolled out of the ring. Off camera, the ref checked on Martinez, and then the ref stopped the match.

MSK face off with Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa 

Everyone brought a steel folding chair to the ring, and they had a literal sit down. There was tension, but things seems rather cordial at first. They soon grew angry with each other. Honestly, I had trouble with my television feed during this segment. When things cleared up, the two teams were no longer seated. They were in each other’s faces. 

MSK wanted the challengers to put some respect on their name. Lee was cut a great promo, and Carter then slapped Thatcher. “Toothless Timmy”, as Ciampa called him, was incensed by the slap. Thatcher lunnged at Carter, but Ciampa held Thatcher back. Ciampa told MSK to bring their pride and their titles next week at GAB. Ciampa vowed he and Thatcher will take both. This week MSK got a free shot on Thatcher, but Ciampa said next week they would not be so lucky.

General Manager William Regal was being interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell when Regal was approached by Sarray. She wanted a match against Toni Storm, and Regal basically said he would consider it.

Johnny Gargano did not leave the property despite speeding off in a SUV earlier in the show. Gargano instead stayed around to attack Karrion Kross in the parking lot. Kross was leaving in his car when Gargano attacked him, seemingly leaving Kross laid out on the ground. Gargano was gloating when Kross caught him in a Kross Jacket sleeper, and Gargano was choked out by Kross. Samoa Joe would later step in to pick up Gargano like a child in trouble as recess. Joe remarked to Gargano that he possibly pushed Kross to far.

Great American Bash lineup for next Tuesday on NXT:

  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defend against Io Shirai & Zoey Stark
  • LA Knight defends the Million Dollar Championship against Cameron Grimes (if Grimes loses, then he becomes Knight’s butler)
  • NXT Tag Team Champions MSK defend against Tommoso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher
  • Cole-O’Reilly II

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott (with Hit Row) defeated NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed to win the title

Scott pinned Reed to win the title after interference by Hit Row. Really good match, even despite the distraction at the end. The finish was very WWE, but it allowed Reed to save face. Scott becoming a champ is also really great for nis new faction. They continue to get over.

Reed displayed his power at the outset, and Reed manhandled Scott. There was a spot before the commercial break that must be seen to be truly appreciated. Scott went for a sunset flip off the ring apron. Reed countered by squishing Scott with a sit-out splash on the apron.

The tide turned during the commercial break. Scott gained the upper hand, and Scott leapt off the apron with a missile dropkick on the floor. Scott with a near fall after using the ropes for an assisted German suplex.

Scott caught Reed with a flatliner for another close near fall. Reed countered Scott’s signature kick, and they trade strikes. Scott rolled through seemingly going for another flatliner, but Reed with a counter to deliver a Spicolli Driver. That led into a double down.

Reed with a Dusty Rhodes tribute by using a bionic elbow. Scott is mowed over with a belly splash. Reed signals for his tsunami finisher as he climbed the turnbuckles. Top Dolla caused a distraction at ringside, diverting the referee’s attention. Ashante “Thee” Adonis then interfered by pulling Reed off the turnbuckles. Reed retaliated by throwing Top Dolla through the plexiglass barricade. Adonis is also tossed over the barricade as well.

Scott catches Reed trying to get back into the ring, and Scott nailed him with a kick. Scott followed up with a 450 splash, and Scott hooked a leg while covering Reed for a pinfall. Scott becomes the new NXT North American Champion.

Number one contender’s tag match set for next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A triple threat tag team match on next week’s NXT will determine Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell’s challengers for the Great American Bash.

WWE has announced that Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will take place on NXT next Tuesday. The winning team will challenge for LeRae & Hartwell’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles at NXT Great American Bash on Tuesday, July 6.

The number one contender’s match was announced for next week after a brawl between Shirai & Stark, Gonzalez & Kai, and Blackheart & Moon broke out on tonight’s NXT. After Shirai & Stark defeated Aliyah & Jessi Kamea on tonight’s show, there was a confrontation between LeRae & Hartwell and Shirai & Stark. Gonzalez & Kai and Blackheart & Moon then also appeared and argued that they should get the next Women’s Tag Team title shot.

Here’s the full list of what’s been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT:

  • Number one contender’s match: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon
  • Mixed tag match: Mercedes Martinez & Jake Atlas vs. Xia Li & Boa
  • NXT Tag Team Champions MSK will go face-to-face with Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher ahead of their title match at the Great American Bash
  • Cameron Grimes in action

Women’s title match added to NXT TakeOver: In Your House

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Ember Moon will be the next challenger for Raquel Gonzalez’s NXT Women’s Championship.

WWE has announced that Gonzalez will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Moon at NXT TakeOver: In Your House on Sunday, June 13. Moon called out Gonzalez on NXT tonight following an angle on last week’s show where Moon was forced to watch Gonzalez lay out her tag team partner Shotzi Blackheart.

Moon & Blackheart defeated Gonzalez & Dakota Kai in tag team action on NXT last week, but Gonzalez knocked Moon down after the match and attacked Blackheart. Gonzalez told Kai to make Moon watch her lay out Blackheart. Gonzalez powerbombed Blackheart into the plexiglass surrounding the ringside area, powerbombed her into the ring post, and then dropped Blackheart onto the barricade. Gonzalez warned Moon that she would be next.

On tonight’s NXT, Moon told Gonzalez to come out to the ring and said she wasn’t going to let what Gonzalez did to Blackheart slide. Moon brawled with Gonzalez and sent her outside of the ring, but Kai then ambushed Moon from behind and beat her down.

Moon vs. Kai is set for next Tuesday’s NXT. The episode is NXT’s go-home show for TakeOver: In Your House.

Gonzalez won the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Io Shirai at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver this April. In her first title defense, Gonzalez retained against Mercedes Martinez last month.

Moon previously held the NXT Women’s Championship from November 2017 to April 2018.

Here’s the updated lineup for TakeOver: In Your House:

  • NXT Champion Karrion Kross defends against Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole in a fatal five-way match’
  • NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defends against Ember Moon
  • Cameron Grimes vs. LA Knight
  • Mercedes Martinez vs. Xia Li

Two matches, ‘Million Dollar Face-Off’ added to next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has announced a few additions to the lineup for next week’s NXT.

Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will face NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai in a tag team match on NXT next Tuesday. The show will also feature Bobby Fish’s return to in-ring action as he faces Pete Dunne.

Plus, there will be a “Million Dollar Face-Off” segment with Cameron Grimes and “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase on NXT next Tuesday. DiBiase distracted Grimes tonight and caused him to lose a match against Jake Atlas. DiBiase had appeared in videos each of the past three weeks where he used his wealth to upstage Grimes.

Blackheart & Moon and Gonzalez & Kai are looking to get the first shot at Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. Gonzalez & Kai were the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, but they lost the titles to Blackheart & Moon on the same night that the titles were introduced. LeRae & Hartwell became NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions by defeating Blackheart & Moon in a street fight two weeks ago.

Gonzalez retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Mercedes Martinez on NXT last week. In a post-show video, Gonzalez went to Martinez and told Martinez that she respects her. Kai appeared to be angry that Gonzalez did that. Gonzalez and Kai accused interviewer McKenzie Mitchell of trying to start things when she asked them about it tonight. Kai said they can agree or disagree and still be friends.

Next week will be the first time Fish has wrestled since undergoing triceps surgery following the WarGames match where Undisputed Era defeated Pat McAfee, Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch at TakeOver: WarGames last December.

Fish returned to NXT TV last week and saved Kyle O’Reilly from an attack by Dunne and Lorcan. O’Reilly thanked Fish for saving him, but he told Fish that he’s doing his own thing now. Fish said he has his own scores to settle too and will see O’Reilly when he sees him. Fish was interviewed on NXT tonight and said last week had little to do with O’Reilly and everything to do with getting revenge on Dunne and Lorcan for injuring him.

When asked about his goals during an interview on tonight’s NXT, Dunne said it’s time for him to go after the NXT Championship.

Here’s the updated lineup for next Tuesday’s NXT:

  • NXT Champion Karrion Kross defends against Finn Balor
  • Franky Monet’s in-ring debut
  • Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai
  • Bobby Fish vs. Pete Dunne
  • Cameron Grimes-Ted DiBiase Million Dollar Face-Off

WWE NXT live results: Raquel Gonzalez vs. Mercedes Martinez

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Two title matches are set for tonight’s episode of NXT.

The NXT Women’s Championship will be on the line as Raquel Gonzalez defends against Mercedes Martinez tonight. This will be Gonzalez’s first title defense since winning the NXT Women’s Championship from Io Shirai at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month.

The NXT Cruiserweight Championship will also be up for grabs as Kushida defends against Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match. Four weeks ago, Kushida answered Escobar’s open challenge and defeated him to win the Cruiserweight title. Legado del Fantasma (Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) then defeated Kushida & NXT Tag Team Champions MSK in a six-man tag match on NXT two weeks ago.

MSK will face Breezango in a non-title match on tonight’s show. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Oney Lorcan has also been announced for tonight.

Plus, NXT Champion Karrion Kross will be in action against Austin Theory in a non-title match. That match will open tonight’s episode.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show opened with a champion of the brand in a non-title bout. 

NXT Champion Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) defeated Austin Theory (with NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano) in a non-title match

Kross won via referee stoppage after annihilating Theory. Finn Balor confronted Kross after the match. Gargano interfered during the match, and Gargano is now set for a title defense next week after an announcement made while this match was still underway.

Kross was dominate from the start as he methodically controlled the pace. Kross slowly pummeled Theory until Gargano caused a distraction by jumping on the apron. Theory raked the Kross’ eyes, temporarily blinding him. Theory capitalized and he began to target Kross. 

Theory delivered a fallaway slam on Kross, and Kross hulked up. Kross exploded into a volley of two Saito suplex, and his Doomsday forearm strike. Theory was already out when Kross locked in a choke. The ref then stepped in to stop the match.

During the match, a title bout was announced for next week with Bronson Reed challeneging Johnny Gargano for he North American title. Not sure why they had to announce a mostly unrelated match in the middle of another match that was ongoing, but that’s what they did. There was also a teaser for Kross’ next title defense.

Finn Balor after the match appeared behind Kross. They went face-to-face, and Balor said he doesn’t wait in lines. He wanted a title shot, and Kross said he wanted the match much like Balor does. Looks like these to are headed for a return match.

Earlier in the day, Leon Ruff and William Regal got into a heated argument in Regal’s office. Ruff wanted to comepte tonight, but Regal would not clear him to wrestle. Ruff yelled at Regal, and Regal yelled back.

NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) defeated Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) in a non-title match

Carter pinned Breeze in a fun babyface match. 

The great stuff began earlier on. Just before a commercial break, they did a spot that involved the referee doing a drop down and a leapfrog. This match was so fun. Lee was doing flips after the show returned from the break. Fandango cut him, and Fandango used a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Carter jumped in to break up the pin. 

MSK with a series of double teams moves for a two count on Breeze. Fandango with a spear broke up the pin. A brawl erupted, and the champs were rocked by superkicks. Carter went on to springboard out of the ring with a moonsault to the outside.

The champ execute their Hart Attack/Blockbuster combo, and Carter covered Breeze for a pinfall. Breezango shook hands with MSK after the match in a show of sportsmanship.

Johnny Gargano did a comedy skit where he barged into William Regal’s office. The bit ended with Gargano breaking Regal’s pencil. 

Todd Pettengill will host NXT TakeOver: In Your House on June 13th streaming live on Peacock. 

Ever-Rise made a cameo plugging their talk show. 

Leon Ruff attacks Pete Dunne

Dunne first cut a promo in the ring. He called out Karrion Kross for ducking him. Dunne vowed to become the champion, and he issued an open challenge for anyone to prove him wrong. Leon Ruff out of nowhere stormed the ring to attack Dunne.

Wade Barrett on commentary noted Ruff was not medically cleared, but Vic Jospeh claimed Regal could not stop Ruff from answering an open challenge. What? So, Ruff is not cleared to wrestle, but he can wrestle in an open challenge. Whatever.

Pete Dunne defeated Leon Ruff

Dunne won via ref stoppage, which was the second time such finish was used on the show. Much like the other bout, the winner was dominate throughout much of the match.

Dunne targeted the joints, and he was dominating Ruff when Ruff struck with a hurricanrana. Dunne quickly shut down the hope spot, and Dunne went back to joint manipulation. 

Ruff fired up into a comeback. He hit Dunne with a missile dropkick, and he soon went flying again. This time Dunne cut him down with a forearm. Dunne with a triangle, and he rained down elbows on Ruff until the ref stopped the match.

Dunne after the bell again attacked Ruff, and Dunne snapped Ruff’s fingers. 

El Legado del Fantasma cut a promo on Kushida agead of the cruiserweight title match tonight. Kushida defends the NXT Cruiserweight title against Santos Escobar later on.

The “world premiere” of Franky Monet is in two weeks time on NXT. The announcers plugged it as a debut, but Monet has already debuted. Maybe this is a debut in the actual CWC arena. Presley the Pomeranian will also be there. He’s a good boy.

NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez (with Dakota Kai) defeated Mercedes Martinez to retain her title

Gonzalez pinned Martinez clean to retain the championship. Hard-hitting match.

The brawled at the start, and the fight quickly spilled outside. The brawling continued as the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial break. Not long after the break, Martinez had Gonzalez trapped in the ropes. Martinez with a draping and twisting neckbreaker on Gonzalez. Mercedes followed that with a spear on the apron.

The champion was reeling, but she still kicked out at two. They traded strikes. A powerbomb into a hotshot that cut off Martinez, but Martinez also kicked out at two. They traded more strikes amd near falls. 

Martinez countered Gonzalez when Gonzalez went for her finisher. Martinez then delivered a running knee strike, and a suplex for another two count. Gonzalez fired up with a boot to the face, and Gonzalez with her signature powerbomb on Martinez. Gonzalez went on to cover Martinez for a three count.

Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory apparently attacked Bronson Reed backstage at the CWC. Security ordered The Way to leave the building.

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott arrived with his new faction. Scott was flanked by AJ Francis, Ashante “Thee” Adonis and B Fab. The name of the new crew is Hit Row. They all seem to have a musical background. Francis even freestyled during his part of the promo. Great introdcution for Hit Row.

Cameron Grimes in a skit arrived at an auction for a house. Grimes wondered why the auctioneer talked so fast. Grimes is outbid by Ted DiBiase, and Grimes is very upset. He rants and raves about DiBiase. Grimes calls out DiBiase, he tells Grimes everybody has a price for the Million Dollar Man. But DiBiase said Grimes is no Million Dollar Man.

Zoey Stark and Toni Storm cut promos on each other in a vignette. They meet in a rematch next week on NXT. Stark won their prior encounter in an upset.

Kyle O’Reilly defeated Oney Lorcan (with Pete Dunne)

O’Reilly pinned Lorcan in a fun match while it lasted. This match was set up after an angle earlier in the day involving a fight in the parking lot. Bobby Fish made a surprise return to make a save after the match.

Great grappling in the early moments. The grappling soon gave way to strikes. Dunne at ringside distracted O’Reilly, which allowed Lorcan to hit O’Reilly with a sneak attack. The show went to a commercial break with O’Reilly down selling the sneak attack.

O’Reilly after the break soon made a comeback, and dropped Lorcan with a brainbuster. O’Reilly finished the match with a Bobby Eaton flying knee drop, and O’Reilly covered Lorcan for a pinfall.

Bobby Fish returned to NXT while making a save after the match. Lorcan and Dunne attacked O’Reilly after the bell. Fish ran down to even the odds. The former tag partners reunited to clean house one more time.

O’Reilly told Fish it was good to see him back, but O’Reilly told Fish he was doing his own thing. Fish said he understood that, and Fish went on to say he was his own scores to settle. Fish says he will see him when he sees him. They left on friendly terms.

A wacky video package showed The Way as superheroes. Cut to a serious promo from Bronson Reed, and Reed announces that he will challenge Gargano for the NXT North Amercian title in a cage match next week on NXT. 

NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defeated Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match to retain the title

Kushida won after winning two straight falls. He dropped the first fall, but came back to win the next two. Great match to close the show. 

Early on there was brawling at ringside whe Legado del Fantasma tried to interfere. MSK ran down to counter the interference, and the referee ejected both teams from ringside. Meanwhile, Kushida leapt off the top turnnuckle into a flip dive on Escobar. 

Escobar was in control when the show returned from the break, after Kushida had wiped out on another dive. Escobar targeted Kushida’s back with a single leg crab and La Tapatia. Kushida fought back, but Escobar continued to work him over.

An avalanche into a sunset flip allowed for Kushida to get a two count. That led into Kushida making a comeback with a handspring back elbow and a cartwheel dropkick. Escobar quickly cut him off, and Escobar executed the Phantom Driver. Escobar then covered Kushida to win the first fall.

The second fall lasted seconds. Kushida locked in a cross armbreaker, and Escobar tapped out to end the second fall. The falls were even as the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial break.

The fighting spilled outside the ring as the show returned from the break. Kushida kept targeting an arm, but Escobar snapped Kushida on the top rope. Escobar followed with a torpedo tope suicida through the ropes.

Kushida fought back to drop a flying knee on Escobar, which targeted the already injured arm from earlier. Kushida dropped Escobar with a shoulder breaker on the floor. Back in the ring, Escobar countered an attempted armbar by using a small package to get a two count. 

They traded near falls until a double down. They got up and ended up fighting on the top turnbuckle. Kushida flipped off with a Spanish Fly into the Hoverboard Lock. Escobar was able to reach the bottom rope to break the hold.

Kushida suplexed Escobar into the turnbuckles, and Kushdia went to suplex him again. Kushida did so, but this time he trapped both of Escobar’s arms. Kushida then bridged into a cover for a three count to win the deciding fall. Kushida retained after winning two straight falls.

Mercedes Martinez to challenge for NXT Women’s Championship

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

Raquel Gonzalez has a date and an opponent for her first NXT Women’s Championship defense.

Gonzalez will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Mercedes Martinez on NXT in two weeks (Tuesday, May 11). The match was announced after Gonzalez beat down Martinez on tonight’s NXT.

Martinez faced Gonzalez’s tag team partner Dakota Kai on tonight’s NXT, but the match ended in a disqualification when Gonzalez attacked Martinez. Gonzalez was at ringside during the match and got into a confrontation with Martinez. Gonzalez went to hit Martinez, but Martinez moved out of the way and punched Gonzalez. Martinez then went back into the ring, but Gonzalez attacked her to cause the DQ.

Gonzalez then beat down Martinez and laid her out by launching her head-first into the plexiglass surrounding the ringside area.

After Martinez had called out Gonzalez, Kai responded last week and told Martinez that she wouldn’t be getting a title shot. Martinez called Gonzalez a lapdog and said she would take out Kai so that nothing would be standing in the way of her challenging for Gonzalez’s title.

Gonzalez defeated Io Shirai in the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one earlier this month to win the NXT Women’s Championship.

The next challenger for Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship was also confirmed on NXT tonight. As a result of Bronson Reed defeating Austin Theory, Reed will be getting another shot at Gargano’s North American title. WWE hasn’t announced when that title match will be taking place.

Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley appear on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley appeared on tonight’s episode of NXT, celebrating their recent title wins with Raquel Gonzalez.

After a confrontation with the debuting Franky Monet (Taya Valkyrie), both Ripley and Belair came to the ring and congratulated Gonzalez on her NXT Women’s Championship win. The three posed in the ring, holding their championships high as a picture of themselves during their time in NXT was displayed in the background.

All three women won the WWE’s top singles titles last week. Gonzalez defeated Io Shirai on the first night of NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver. Belair beat Sasha Banks in the main event of the first night of WrestleMania 37 to become the SmackDown Women’s Champion, while Ripley defeated Asuka on the second night of WrestleMania to become Raw Women’s Champion.

Earlier in the segment, Gonzalez came to the ring to celebrate winning the NXT Women’s title when Monet made her debut. In her debut, Monet called out Gonzalez and said that since Gonzalez was at the top of the division, she would be seeing a lot more of her going forward.

Raquel Gonzalez segment announced for WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

This week’s NXT will feature an appearance by new Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez.

WWE has announced that we’ll hear from Gonzalez on NXT this Tuesday. NXT’s move to Tuesday nights kicks off with the episode.

Gonzalez defeated Io Shirai in the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one last week to win the NXT Women’s Championship. At the end of the match, Gonzalez hit a lariat, a one-armed powerbomb, and pinned Shirai to win the title.

WWE.com wrote about Gonzalez’s segment on Tuesday’s NXT:

What better way to ring in NXT on Tuesday nights than with the new NXT Women’s Champion?

The NXT Universe will hear from Raquel González on NXT on its new night this Tuesday at 8/7 C on USA Network.

“Big Mami Cool” rose to the occasion in the biggest moment of her career, dethroning former champion Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver after an unforgettable battle.

Now that González has solidified her place atop NXT, what will be her first move as champion?

WWE has also announced that Franky Monet will debut on this Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Franky Monet appears to be former Impact Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie’s WWE in-ring name.

NXT TakeOver video highlights: Two new champions crowned

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver kicked off with two new champions being crowned on night one.

In the main event, Raquel Gonzalez defeated Io Shirai to become NXT Women’s Champion and end Shirai’s 300-plus day title reign. MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) also defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) and Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) in a triple threat match last night to win the NXT Tag Team titles. The tag titles had been declared vacant after Danny Burch suffered a separated shoulder last month.

WALTER retained the NXT United Kingdom Championship by defeating Tommaso Ciampa in a violent battle, Pete Dunne staked his claim as the best technical wrestler by defeating Kushida, and Bronson Reed won a Gauntlet Eliminator match to become the number one contender to Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship. Reed will challenge for Gargano’s title at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two tonight.

More coverage from last night —

NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one video highlights —

TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one pre-show

Nita Strauss performs the national anthem

Kushida vs. Pete Dunne

Gauntlet Eliminator match

WALTER vs. Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT United Kingdom Championship

Franky Monet is coming to NXT next Tuesday

Johnny Gargano says TakeOver night two will be a different story for Bronson Reed

MSK vs. Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Legado Del Fantasma for the NXT Tag Team titles

Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship

NXT TakeOver fallout: Io Shirai gets an ovation from the crowd after her loss

NXT TakeOver fallout: Raquel Gonzalez knew she’d be here one day

NXT TakeOver fallout: MSK were destined to do this

NXT TakeOver fallout: MSK appear on the TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Watch Along

NXT TakeOver fallout: Tommaso Ciampa lost again on the big stage

NXT TakeOver fallout: Bronson Reed is representing himself and his entire country

Raquel Gonzalez wins NXT Women’s title at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Raquel Gonzalez defeated Io Shirai to win the NXT Women’s Championship in the main event of night one of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. 

Highlights from the match included Shirai connecting with a moonsault off the post to the ramp and a crossbody off the skull stage set piece. 

The closing sequence saw Shirai hit a moonsault in the ring, but Gonzalez kicked out. Gonzalez followed up with a lariat and a one-armed powerbomb to secure the victory. 

Gonzalez, 30, signed with WWE in 2016. She appeared as enhancement talent on NXT television in early 2017, then participated in the Mae Young Classic in the summer of that year as Reina Gonzalez. Her NXT ascent began when she became associated with Dakota Kai at NXT TakeOver: Portland in February 2020. 

Shirai’s NXT Women’s title reign ended after 10 months as champ. She claimed the Championship at NXT TakeOver: In Your House on June 7, 2020, dethroning Charlotte Flair by pinning Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match. 

NXT TakeOver Stand & Deliver night one live results: Shirai vs. Gonzalez

Posted on by Chris Aiken

NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver kicks off tonight with night one airing live on the USA Network and Peacock in the United States, and the WWE Network internationally.

In the main event, Io Shirai will put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Raquel Gonzalez. Shirai, who has been NXT Women’s Champion for more than 300 days, was last pinned by Gonzalez in WarGames this past December.

The NXT United Kingdom Championship will also be up for grabs as WALTER defends against Tommaso Ciampa tonight. WALTER’s reign as champion recently reached the two-year mark.

New NXT Tag Team Champions will be crowned as MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter), The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zach Gibson & James Drake), and Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) face off in a triple threat match. The NXT Tag Team titles were declared vacant last month after Danny Burch suffered a separated shoulder.

A Gauntlet Eliminator match on tonight’s show will decide NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano’s challenger for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two. The Gauntlet Eliminator participants and their order of entry were decided by a battle royal last week. Leon Ruff will enter first, followed by Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Bronson Reed, Cameron Grimes, Dexter Lumis, and LA Knight.

The Gauntlet Eliminator will begin with Ruff and Scott in the ring, then a new entrant will be added every three minutes. Eliminations can occur via pinfall or submission.

Pete Dunne vs. Kushida in a match to prove who’s the superior technical wrestler rounds out the main card. On the pre-show, Toni Storm will face Zoey Stark. The pre-show begins at 7 p.m. Eastern time and will air on Peacock in the U.S. and the WWE Network elsewhere, along with WWE’s social media platforms.

**********

Media personality Sam Roberts and MMA commentator Jimmy Smith welcomes viewers to the pre-show. Smith reportedly had a recent audition with WWE. Now he is hosting the pre-show alongside Roberts.

Sports media journalist Arash Markazi joined the show via a virtual link. He offered his thoughts on the show.

The pre-show so far has separate sit-down interviews conducted by Samoa Joe with both WALTER and Tommaso Ciampa. LA Knight cut a promo during a backstage interview with McKenzie Mitchell. Lots of hard sell too, of course.

Mickie James and Vic Joseph are on commentary for the pre-show match that is up next.

Zoey Stark defeated Toni Storm

Stark upset Storm via pinfall in a good match. This was not your average WWE pre-show match. They worked really hard, and the live crowd in the CWC helped to make it more dramatic.

They started with grappling where they traded headlocks. Stark on offense and Storm was reeling, until she cut off Stark. Storm grounded Stark, and Strorm began working her over. Stark was able to superplex Storm, and the tide began to turn. 

Trading strikes, and they trade counters. Stark with a suplex and a running knee for a near fall. Storm answered back with a sit-out facebuster for a two count. Stark countered Storm’s finisher, and she leveled Storm with a kick. 

Storm with German suplexes, and she went for Storm Zero. Stark then countered into an inside cradle, and she pinned Storm for the upset.

Samoa Joe did interviews with Raquel Gonzalez and NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai ahead of their title match later on.

By the way, there is ramp leading to the ring like Clash of the Champions back in the day.

The main card opened with Nita Strauss playing an instrumental version of the “Star Spangled Banner” on electric guitar. 

Pete Dunne defeated Kushida

Dunne pinned Kushida in a great opener. This was quite possibly Kushida’s best match in NXT. More matches between these two, please.

They started by each trying to catch the other in a submission hold. The grappling continued as they fought for control. Dunne with joint manipulation, and he tripped up Kushida on an attempted handspring. Dunne gave Kushda the X-plex on the apron. 

A slugfest developed, and the fight spilled onto the ramp. Great sequences as they went back-and-forth. Dunne snapped Kushida’s fingers, but Kushida answered back with a fisherman’s buster into a small package. On USA the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial break, but Peacock stayed on full screen with the match. 

They both went for cross-armbreakers, and they traded lots of strikes. Awesome stuff so far, and it was only getting better. They fought on the turnbuckles, and Kushida with a flip off the top into a Hoverboard Lock. Dunne escaped, but Kushida tied up Dunne in another hold.

Kushida with a flying knee drop on Dunne’s elbow. Back to the Hoverbaord Lock. Dunne escaped again, and he targeted the fingers. Kushida went for his big punch, but he sold his own hand. Dunne a moment later executed the Bitter End, and he covered Kushida for a pinfall.

Bronson Reed won the Gauntlet Eliminator

Reed with the win earned a title shot at NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano. The match overall was good and action-packed.

Leon Ruff during his entrance crawled onto the ramp. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott was close behind, and he had apparently attacked Ruff before the match. Ruff fired up and they brawled around ringside before getting into the ring. All of this took place during a commercial break on USA, but it aired live on Peacock. After the break, the match began in the ring.

Scott with heat on Ruff, but Ruff came back by springing off the announce desk into a cutter on the floor. Scott soon cut off Ruff. They fought on the turnbuckles, and Ruff sent Scott flying with a Super Frankensteiner. 

Bronson Reed entered the match. Ruff went for a flying crossbody on Reed, but Reed caught him. Reed then flung him into the ring. Reed proceeded to clean house. Power moves by Reed, and then he sat on Ruff. Triple German spot with Reed suplexing Scott while Scott also suplexed Ruff.

Cameron Grimes strolled down the ramp as the next entrant. Grimes moonsaulted into the ring, landing on Reed. After Reed was sent outside, Grimes bribed Scott with a fistfull of cash money. Scott then teamed up to help Grimes.

Ruff was taking all kinds of big bumps, including an exploder into a corner. Good grief. He was also the first eliminated.

Dexter Lumis joined the match as the next entrant. Lumis cleared the ring, and then he faced off with Reed. Everybody was sent out of the ring just before the newest entrant.

LA Knight came out cutting a promo. He kicked a downed Reed on his way to the ring. Reed interrupted Knight’s promo to begin kicking his butt. Reed made a comeback on everybody.

Lumis was eliminated when Knight cradled him for a pinfall. Reed then eliminated Knight via pinfall. Lumis grabbed Knight, and he put him to sleep. Great three-way dance develolped between Reed, Grimes and Scott. 

Scott eliminated Grimes after reversing an O’Connor roll with a handfull of tights. That left Scott and Reed as the final two.

Reed took a Death Valley Driver on the apron. It looked very painful. Scott with a 450 splash for a near fall. Reed kicked out after another two count moments later. 

Reed powerbombed Scott, and he also planted Scott with a Air Raid Crash. Reed finished the match with the Tsunami off the top to score the deciding pinfall.

NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER defeated Tommaso Ciampa to retain his title

WALTER pinned Ciampa to retain in a slobberknocker. Great bout. Highly recommend. They beat the heck out of each other.

Ciampa was notably back in trunks instead of his more recent gear. He has also shaved his head again. 

Just when Ciampa thought he was in control, the monster inside WALTER awoke. WALTER struck down Ciampa, and WALTER pummeled him at ringside. Ciampa ducked a chop, and WALTER almsot chopped the anounce desk in half. That is no exaggeration.

Ciampa in the ring blocked another chop, but he could not lift WALTER. Ciampa targeted a hand, but WALTER mowed him down with a big boot to the face. 

WALTER grounded Ciampa on the mat, and WALTER again booted him the face. WALTER punished Ciampa, but WALTER kept selling his hand. Ciampa fought back with lariats, yet he was unable to knock WALTER off his feet. Ciampa kept hitting WALTER countless times with lariats before finally knocking WALTER off his feet. Ciampa followed with an Air Raid Crash for a near fall.

WALTER with a backdrop for a two count, but Ciampa answered back with Devil’s Wings for another near fall. WALTER caught Ciampa in a sleeper, and Ciampa used the injured hand to break the hold. Suplex by WALTER, and the he hit Ciampa with a lariat from hell. Ciampa somehow kicked out.

Ciampa countered WALTER to apply a Fujiwara armbar. WALTER looked to be in trouble as Ciampa stomped on him. WALTER with a counter, and he clubbed Ciampa with his good hand. They fought on the top turnbuckle, and Ciampa gave WALTER an avalanche Air Raid Crash.

They traded vicious chops. WALTER targeted the neck, and twice powerbombed Ciampa. Nonetheless, Ciampa managed to kick out. Sleep suplex by WALTER, and he followed with a hard knife edge chop before covering Ciampa with a pinfall.

MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) defeated Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) and Legado del Fantasma (Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza) in a triple threat match to win the vacant NXT Tag Team Championship

MSK won the three-way to become the new champs. This was pretty dang good. Sometimes there was so much action it was hard to keep up with it all, but everybody worked extremely hard.

So three wrestlers are legal at a time, and their partners can tag in from the apron. Lots of action at the start, and too much to name. The Vets slowed things down, but MSK fired up into a flying comeback. Wilde himself also did a dive to the outside. Legado del Fantasma with stereo coast-to-coast flying dropkicks.

Legado del Fantasma in control throughout a commercial break with heat on Carter. Hot tag to Lee, and he ran wild with high flying offense. Lot of action with everybody involved.

The Vets smashed Lee’s hand in a turnbuckle, and Lee was trapped in an arm bar by Gibson. Carter went to make a save, but he was put to sleep by Drake. Legado del Fantasma rushed into the ring to hit several double team moves.

MSK takes out Legado del Fantasma with double team moves. The match comes down to MSK against the Vets. They all four face off heading into the finish. Carter with a double cutter on the Vers. MSK then execute a Doomsday Blockbuster, and Gibson took the pinfall.

Raquel Gonzalez defeated NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai to win the title

Gonzalez pinned Shirai to win the championship. They match was really good, and it felt like a special match. Maybe not the best match on the show, but it was still good nonetheless. Gonzalez looked like a powerhouse, and Shirai looked tough as nails.

Shirai used quickness to outwit Gonzalez during the early portion of the match. Shiari eventually flew trough the ropes with a dive to the outside. 

Dakota Kai was in the corner of Gonzalez, but Kai was ejected from ringside mere minutes into the match. Kai interfered, and the referee ejected her. The distraction did allow Gonzalez to cut off Shirai. Gonzalez with power moves, but Shirai kept kicking out at two.

Gonzalez worked over Shirai, and Gonzalez applied a modified Gory Special. Shirai escaped to mount a comeback. Shirai came back with a Tiger Feint Kick and a springboard missile dropkick, which led to a near fall.

Shirai countered a power move to catch Gonzalez in a crossface. Shirai off the top turnbuckle with a moonsault on the ramp, and she followed that by hitting Gonzalez with double running knee strikes. There was a huge skull on the ramp as part of the set, and Shirai climbed on top of it. Shirai leapt off the skull into super plancha on the ramp. She did it better than when Sabu jumped off the “R” on Raw back in the day. It was impressive like an Aerostar dive.

Shirai with her signature moonsault press, but Gonzalez kicked out. Gonzalex soon cut off Shirai’s momentum, and she talked trash to Shirai. That fired up Shirai for one final flurry, but Gonzalez was too powerful. She lifted Shirai with a one-arm powerbomb, and then Gonzalez covered Shirai for a pinfall.

Gonzalez vs. Stark added to WWE NXT, The Way set for action

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Before challenging for Io Shirai’s NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver Stand & Deliver, Raquel Gonzalez will be in action on NXT tonight.

WWE has announced that Gonzalez vs. Zoey Stark will take place on tonight’s NXT. The episode is the go-home show for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

Gonzalez & Dakota Kai defeated Shirai & Stark in a tag team match on NXT last week. After pinning Stark to get the win, Gonzalez attacked Shirai and slammed her onto the announce table.

Shirai vs. Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship will be the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one. The two-night event is taking place on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8. Night one will air live on the USA Network, while night two will be live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else.

It’s also been announced that The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell will be in tag team action on tonight’s NXT. The team they’ll be facing hasn’t been revealed.

Last week, there was a backstage segment where NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon were confronted by LeRae & Hartwell.

Tonight’s NXT will also include a Prime Target special feature building up Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly’s unsanctioned match for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two. Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s show:

  • 12-man battle royal to decide the six participants for Gauntlet Eliminator match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one (Dexter Lumis, Bronson Reed, Roderick Strong, Kushida, Leon Ruff, Jake Atlas, Pete Dunne, LA Knight, Cameron Grimes, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Austin Theory, and Tyler Rust will be the battle royal participants)
  • Raquel Gonzalez vs. Zoey Stark
  • Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell in tag team action
  • Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter vs. Tian Sha
  • Roderick Strong vs. Cameron Grimes
  • Prime Target special feature: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly

Once tonight’s battle royal gets down to the final six, the order of elimination will determine the entry order for the Gauntlet Eliminator match. The winner of the Gauntlet Eliminator match will challenge for Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two.

Women’s title match to headline NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A Women’s Championship match will headline the first night of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

WWE has announced that Io Shirai will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Raquel Gonzalez in the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one. The two-night event is taking place on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8. Night one will air live on the USA Network. Night two will be live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else.

Shirai retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Toni Storm on NXT last week. Later in the night, Shirai confronted Gonzalez and declared that she wants to face Gonzalez next. Shirai then shoved a contract at Gonzalez on this week’s NXT and told her to sign it. Gonzalez posted a video today of her signing the contract for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

At NXT TakeOver: WarGames in December, Gonzalez pinned Shirai to get the win in the women’s WarGames match. Gonzalez was part of Team Candice with Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai & Storm, while Shirai was part of Team Shotzi with Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon & Rhea Ripley.

Shirai & Zoey Stark are facing Gonzalez & Kai in a tag team match on this coming Wednesday’s episode of NXT.

Shirai has been NXT Women’s Champion since defeating Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match at TakeOver: In Your House in June of last year.

Shirai vs. Gonzalez is the third match that’s been made official for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. The NXT Championship will be on the line at the event as Finn Balor defends against Karrion Kross. And NXT Cruiserweight Champions Jordan Devlin and Santos Escobar will face off in a title unification match. WWE hasn’t announced which night those matches will be taking place on.

WWE NXT live results: Women’s Tag Team titles on the line

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler are headed to NXT for a title defense tonight.

The Women’s Tag Team titles will be on the line as Jax & Baszler defend against Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez on tonight’s show. Kai & Gonzalez got the title shot by winning the first-ever women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Kai & Gonzalez defeated Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in the women’s Dusty Classic finals at TakeOver: Vengeance Day last month.

Men’s Dusty Classic winners MSK were supposed to challenge for Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles tonight, but that match won’t be taking place on the show due to MSK’s Wes Lee suffering a broken hand. Instead, Lorcan & Burch will face Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher in non-title action.

Lee suffered the injury when MSK defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans in the men’s Dusty Classic finals at TakeOver: Vengeance Day. In storyline, the injury was said to have happened when The Grizzled Young Veterans attacked MSK last week.

Dexter Lumis defeated NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano in a non-title match last week after Austin Theory refused to hit Lumis with a steel chair. Due to the Stockholm syndrome Theory has shown since returning from being abducted by Lumis, The Way will attend therapy tonight.

WWE will also follow up on last week’s show-closing angle that saw Adam Cole turn against Roderick Strong, there will be a special look ahead to next week’s Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm NXT Women’s Championship match, and LA Knight will appear. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show is opening with a tag team bout.

NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defeated Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher in a non-title match

Lorcan pinned Thatcher, and the champions won. 

Burch and Thatcher started the match for their teams with some chain wrestling. Ciampa and Lorcan each tag in, and they square off. All heck breaks loose and the champions are reeling. Lots of uppercuts from both teams. 

Lorcan is grounded by Thatcher, but he used a fish hook to escape Thatcher’s grip. A chopblock targets Thatcher’s knee. Thatcher answered back with a belly-to-belly suplex, but then came a spot teasing an injury. That spot led into a commercial break.

Thatcher took a clothesline, and he looked to have landed on his neck. He immediately rolled out of the ring while clutching his neck. He laid on the floor, and pointed to his neck. He was moving his left hand as if to check for feeling in that arm. The show then cut to commercial, but Thatcher was back in the match when the show returned from the break. 

Ciampa in after a hot tag. He ran wild as he mowed down the heel champions with lariats. Ciampa was fired up! Thatcher tagged in to pummel the heels. The champions were taking a beating when they managed to turn the tide.

All four went down selling right before they went home. Imperium appeared on the top of the stage watching the match. The champs spiked Thatcher with an DDT, and Lorcan pinned him.

Finn Balor & Roderick Strong brawl

After a commercial break, Roderick Strong was in the ring. He was clearly pissed off. Strong demanded Adam Cole come to the ring. NXT Champion Finn Balor was out to confront Strong instead.

Strong was angry with Balor, and Strong blamed Balor for Undisputed Era breaking up. Strong said they were fine until Balor showed up in NXT. Balor scoffed. He said the group fell apart over the NXT Championship.

Balor said he had a way to get Cole to show his face. Balor challenged Cole to a championship match next week on NXT. Balor went on to tell Strong he would never be a leader, only a follower.

Strong needed to become selfish and greedy, accordinng to Balor. “Until you get a killer instinct like ‘The Prince’ you will never,” Balor was saying when Strong decked him with a right hand. A brawl erupted, leading to them being pulled apart.

The Way goes to therapy

Up next was a skit with The Way going to therapy. They were all at the Central Florida Psychiatric Center. Austin Theory remarked, “This doesn’t look like Chuck E. Cheese.” Johnny Gargano reassured him. The group was meeting was a clinical psychiatrist named Dr. Linda Nicolu.

The doctor said she normally sees patients one-on-one. Gargano said it was okay because Theory needed his family there for support. The Dexter Lumis “problem” was hurting them all. Theory said there was no problem. Gargano said that is the problem. Theory was kidnapped by Lumis, but Theory claims he was on vacation. 

Theory said was just two dudes hanging out. Indi Hartwell was doodling on a notebook “Mrs. Indi Wrestling Lumis,” and Gargano freaked out. He yelled about giving her the “Wrestling” name. He torn up the notebook and said she ruined Christmas.

The doctor said it seemed Gargano’s hostility towards Lumis is exposing deeply rooted isuues within Gargano. He scoffed at the notion. Gargano made a pee joke out of “thera-pee.” He got out of his seat, and he contiued to scream at everyone.

Dr. Nicolu got up from her hair, and yelled at him to get out of her office. He screamed the office was his now because he is the North American Champion. She was having none of it, and she slammed the door in his face. To be continued later in the show.

Cameron Grimes tried to buy his way out of it, but William Regal booked him in a match against Bronson Reed. Also booked for later tonight is Finn Balor vs. Roderick Strong

Ember Moon (with Shotzi Blackheart) defeated Aliyah (with The Robert Stone Brand)

Moon pinned Aliyah in a short match. Moon looked strong, but this felt like filler to pass time. 

Robert Stone apparently has PTSD related to Blackheart. Jessi Kamea tried to interfere, but Blackheart made a save with a dive on Kamea and Stone. Moon then delivered The Eclipse.

A great video package hyped the NXT Women’s Championship bout for next week with Toni Storm challenging Io Shirai.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defeated Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai to retain their titles

Baszler submitted Kai to win the match, but the challengers have an out. Kai was not the legal woman in the ring. 

Baszler and Kai revisited their history with a call back spot. Kai had much more fight this time around. Both team squared up for a standoff that led into a commercial break. The challengers were in control when the show returned from the break.

Jax tagged in to ragdoll Kai. Jax applied a stretch muffler, and she bounced Kai’s face off the middle turnbuckle. The champs with double team moves. 

Gonzalez cleaned house after a hot tag. She was a house of fire, leading to a near fall on Baszler. The challlengers with a double team, and they got another near fall.

Kai went for her finisher, but the knee worked over earlier gave out on her. She buckled. Baszler countered to apply a Kirifuda Clutch. Kai was able to tag Gonzalez despite being trapped in the hold.

The ref got bumped, and he went down. Gonzalez and Jax brawled on the floor, and they crashed onto the announce desk. Baszler again applied her rear naked choke. Adam Pearce sent another ref to the ring. He checked Kai’s arm, which was limp. The ref called for the bell, and the champs retained. However, Kai was not the legal woman in the match.

The Way goes to therapy (cotinued)

The therapy session continues as Theory, Hartwell and Candice LeRae are on the couch. Thoery insists Lumis not who they think he is, and Hartwell still has a huge crush on him. LeRae got caught reading text from Gargano. The doctor kicked everyone out expect Theory.

The doctor told Theory this was a safe space. She asked him what really happened with Lumis. To be continued…

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott was in a recording studio making music. He took a break to cut a promo on Leon Ruff. This was great. Best non-wrestling segment with Scott since he came to NXT.

LA Knight came to the ring for a promo. He was putting himself over when he mentioned TakeOver. Knight said he was better than Tom Brady. He was a trendsetter, and he didn’t come here to do something fancy. He claimed to be the last of a dying breed. Don’t call him the GOAT, just call him LA Knight.

Bronson Reed with his entrance interrupted Knight’s segment. Knight did clear out of the ring, but not before glaring at Reed.

Cameron Grimes defeated Bronson Reed

Grimes pinned Reed after interference by LA Knight. Fun match while it lasted.

Grimes at the start tried to buy off Reed, but Reed punched him in the mouth instead. The handful of cash in Grimes went flying, and it rained down in the ring. Reed manhandled Grimes, and Reed squashed him like a bug after an attempted sunset flip. The show cut to a commercial break with Reed in complete control.

Grimes after the break fought back to execute a one-man running Spanish fly for a two count. Reed hulked up into a comeback. He mowed down Grimes. 

Reed flew through the ropes to wipe out Grimes with a dive. Grimes had put on his top hat, and he was leaving when Reed dived onto him. LA Knight came to ringside. Grimes hat had fallen off. He slid it until the ring to distract the ref. Knigth then interfered by tripped up Reed.

Grimes followed with the Cave In for the 1-2-3. 

William Regal and Adam Pearce were arguing backstage.

Kayden Carter challenged Xia Li to a match next week on NXT.

The Way goes to therapy (the conclusion)

Theory thought Lumis was a nice guy. The doctor told him that Lumis only brought Theory back because he was tired of him. She said the truth was Lumis couldn’t wait to get used to him. Lumis basically buried Theory to the doctor. Theory broke down crying, and he ran out of the office into the waiting arms of Gargano.

The rest of The Way left the office with Theory. Gargano stayed behind to give the doctor a piece of his mind. Instead, he paid her off. Gargano said she earned every bit of that money, but he took back a $100 bill. Arcade money, he said. Gargano yelled to Theory they were headed to Chuck E. Cheese.

After everyone left her the office Dr. Nicolu concluded the segment with a remark: “What a bunch of idiots.”

Legado del Fantasma attacks

Ever-Rise was in the ring for a match. The were supposed to face Breezango. El Legado del Fantasma attacked Breezango before the match could start. Breezango were spoofing astronauts during their entrance when they were attacked by Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde. Tyler Breeze was not wearing a helmet, but Fandango was wearing a motorcycle helmet. It never came off so that might not have really been Fandango.

Ever-Rise fled the ring when Wilde & Mendoza stormed into the ring. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar came down to ringside, and he cleaned house on Ever-Rise. He laid them both out. This segment seemed to rehab Legado del Fantasma after the loss to Karrion Kross last week. Escobar in a promo even said to not mistake last week for weakness.

Announced for next Wednesday: 

  • Kayden Carer vs. Kayden Carter
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm
  • NXT Championship: Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole

William Regal says has an announcement next week “that will change the landscape of NXT.”

NXT Champion Finn Balor defeated Roderick Strong in a non-title match

Balor pinned Strong to win the match. This was a great match. 

Great grappling at the start, and they fought through a commercial break. Balor targeted an arm. Strong came back to work Balor’s back. Backbreaker for a two count, but Balor soon fought back with a series of Irish whips.

Strong answered back with a lariat. Strong rallied into some of his signature spots, and he got a near fall on Balor. 

Balor hits Strong with a slingblade, but Strong still caght him in a Boston crab. Strong went for a his falling backbreaker, but Balor countered into a foot stomp. Balor soon struck with a shotgun dropkick, and he followed with a Coup de Grâce. Balor then delivered the 1916, and he covered Strong for a pinfall.

Adam Cole appeared on the stage after the match. He had a staredown with Balor as the show went off the air.

Dusty Classic winners to get title shots on March 3 WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has revealed when the men’s and women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic winners will be getting their title shots.

Both title matches will be taking place on the Wednesday, March.3 episode of NXT. Men’s Dusty Classic winners MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) will challenge for Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles, while women’s Dusty Classic winners Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez will challenge for Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler’s WWE Women’s Tag Team titles.

At TakeOver: Vengeance Day on Sunday, MSK defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) in the men’s Dusty Classic finals and Kai & Gonzalez defeated Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in the women’s Dusty Classic finals. A trophy presentation for both teams took place on NXT tonight. It included Jax & Baszler appearing for a confrontation with Kai & Gonzalez.

MSK (former Rascalz Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) made their NXT debut in this year’s men’s Dusty Classic. They defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas in the first round of the tournament, Drake Maverick & Killian Dain in the quarterfinals, Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde in the semifinals, and The Grizzled Young Veterans in the finals.

Kai & Gonzalez defeated Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in the first round of the women’s Dusty Classic, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter in the semifinals, and Blackheart & Moon in the finals.