Tag: ricky saints

WWE NXT live results: Vengeance Day fallout

Posted on by Chris Aiken

A big tag match headlines tonight’s Vengeance Day fallout edition of WWE NXT.

The main event of Saturday’s PLE saw Joe Hendry successfully defend the NXT Championship against Ricky Saints. Tonight, they’ll meet again as Hendry teams up with Myles Borne against Saints & Ethan Page. Page tried to interfere and cost Hendry the match at Vengeance Day, but a miscommunication helped Hendry retain.

Borne became the new NXT North American Champion two weeks ago by dethroning Page for the title.

Sol Ruca will be in action tonight against Lainey Reid. It’s happening one week in advance of Ruca challenging Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Championship in a triple threat match that also includes Zaria.

A new number one contender to Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley will be determined when Wren Sinclair takes on Thea Hail tonight.

Plus, Jasper Troy, Eli Knight, and Sean Legacy collide in a triple threat bout. We’ll also likely get an appearance by new NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley following her win over Izzi Dame at Vengeance Day.

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

**********

In a prelude to tonight’s episode of NXT is a recap from last weekend of Vengeance Day. The follow up tonight is in front of a live studio audience at a sound stage from the Performance Center in Orlando.

Opening the show is the newly-crowned NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley with an in-ring monologue. She is excited to be the new champ, and the studio audience chanted “you deserve it” for her. She credits them with winning the title, and not because of The Culling or anyone else. The fans reminded her to keep going.

Paxley says she won the title for “us”, and she realizes something about Izzi Dame. With that, Dame interrupts the monologue and throws to a video package recapping the journey of Tatum Paxley in NXT. It includes footage from her tryout and her turning on Ivy Nile in a previous angle from some time ago. Dame uses that to claim Paxley current persona is “just another mask” to hide herself as being a “weirdo” in NXT. Dame sarcastically insists she is impressed Paxley is such a chameleon, but Paxley will forever be the girl trying to fit in.

Dame says she hopes Paxley enjoyed the last few days “borrowing” Dame’s title. Dame warns Paxley that she wants her North American title back from Paxley. Dame steps towards Paxley, whose escape is blocked by Shawn Spears and Niko Vance of The Culling. Dame boots Paxley with a high kick and gives her a jackknife powerbomb. Dame then stands over Paxley posing with the North American title belt alongside, and she is flanked by Spears and Vance.

This whole segment would be better if they skipped the banter and went straight to the attack. An opening angle such as this is overdone in WWE. Speaking of something overdone in WWE, up next is a triple threat match. But first a skit from the men’s locker room.

— Ricky Saints is talking with Ethan Page in their locker room, and Saints is trying to give Page a pep talk. Page begins to agree with Saints their recent loses are a blimp on their stellar careers, an they will soon be back in title contention.

Jasper Troy vs. Eli Knight vs. Sean Legacy in a triple threat match

—

Legacy and Knight wore gear with matching colors, which is fitting since they both won the match in what became a de facto handicap match.

Lots of high spots and action. Troy was a monster heel against the two babyfaces, until he is ambushed by Keanu Carver doing a run-in. Carver attacked Troy before chokeslaming Troy on the broadcast booth, and the desk implodes on impact. That takes Troy out of the match for a little while. Carver, who has history with Booker T, has a confrontation with Booker as the show cuts to a commercial break

Back from the break, and Troy is still laid out on the floor. Meanwhile, Knight and Legacy are having a good match in the ring. Troy eventually rises and comes back to pummel both Knight and Legacy. Troy gets a near fall after a chokeslam, but Knight and Legacy work to cut him off.

For the finish, Legacy springboards into a 450 splash, followed by a moonsault press off the top rope from Knight. Both Legacy and Knight then covers Troy, and the referee counts three. They shake hands and embrace as they both are apparently declared winners of the match.

Match result: Sean Legacy and Eli Knight defeated Jasper Troy when both pinned Troy in a triple threat match.

— In a backstage skit, Tatum Paxley is searching for Izzi Dame. Paxley instead finds Shiloh Hill, who is holding a four-way lug wrench. Hill offers Paxlety a solution and they wander off together.

— The Birthright faction talk to Uriah Connors backstage, and Lexis King asks Connors if he made the call. Connors says he did not, but his dad made the call. “They” are on the way, according to Connors.

Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights vs. Lexis King & Uriah Connors (with Arianna Grace & Stacks)

—

William Regal and Fit Finlay appear in a cameo that led to Dempsey turning on Heights. No Quarter Catch Crew is apparently no more. This was more of an angle than a match, although they did wrestle for several minutes. The match itself was good, and so was the angle. Dempsey eventually turns on Heights, and Dempsey joins Birthright.

Regal and Finlay appear at ringside as Dempsey and Heights hug. That hug was a swerve, as Dempsey then executes a German suplex on the floor when he turns on Heights. Back in the ring, Lexis King uses his Coronation finisher on Heights. King then pins Heights to win the match.

Match result: Lexis King & Uriah Connors defeated Tavion Heights & Charlie Dempsey in a tag team match when King pinned Heights.

After the match, Demspey looks at his father (Regal) and Finlay. Dempsey proceeds to get into the ring to join the Birthright faction as their newest recruit.

— Another silly backstage skit with Shiloh Hill and car horns blaring, as Hill apparently used his four-way lug wrench to take the tires off all the cars in the parking lot because he did not know which belonged to The Culling. NXT GM Robert Stone has his hands full as The Culling are naturally upset about Hill’s actions.

— Tony D’Angelo is heading to the ring for a monologue. After a commercial break, D’Angelo get a full entrance. D’Angelo then cuts a promo where he sets his sights on the NXT title.

Tony D’Angelo issues warning for NXT Champion Joe Hendry

D’Angelo told us he came back for two reasons. The first involved Darkstate, and that ended at Vengeance Day when he left them beaten and empty. They were looking for answers just like he did.

The other reason D’Angelo returned is to win the NXT Championship. While he was away from NXT, D’Angelo had to be honest with himself about his future in NXT. There was one thing he could not accomplish, so he basically reinvented himself into the toughest son of a bitch in NXT. D’Angelo then vows to win the NXT title.

D’Angelo says Joe Hendry is a sensation, and D’Angelo has no issue with him — except Hendry is the champion. A year ago D’Angelo and Hendry could have sat down to break bread together, but nowadays if D’Angelo has to go through Hendry then he will do so. D’Angelo would love to say it is just business, but the title is personal to him.

This is Hendry’s one warning. Hendry better prepare for D’Angelo because he will not be denied winning the NXT title.

— Sol Ruca is warming up backstage for her match. Lola Vice approaches her to offer a pep talk, and she says they will be fighting for the women’s title at Stand & Deliver.

— Wren Sinclair and WWE Women’s Evolve Champion Kendal Grey are in a backstage kitchen talking with NXT North American Champion Myles Borne, who is looking for his tag team partner for tonight — NXT Champion Joe Hendry.

They rush over to a refrigerator in a comedic callback to Hendry jumping out of a fridge in previous skits when they say his name and he appears. Instead of Hendry, in the fridge is a cake. Hendry suddenly appears and he agrees to talk strategy for his tag match tonight where he teams with Borne. Grey eats cake with her hands in what was supposed to be comedy.

Sol Ruca vs. Lainey Reid (with Fatal Influence)

—

Reid’s cohorts in Fatal Influence — NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and NXT Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley — are in her corner, and they play into the match. Jayne defends her title against Ruca in an upcoming triple threat match that also involves Zaria. That plays into this match as Fatal Influence interferes in tonight’s bout.

The match goes through a commercial break. Just before the show cuts to the break, Ruca springboard into a quebrada on the floor. Soon thereafter, Henley distracts the referee while Jayne interferes by grabbing Ruca’s leg. That allows Reid to gain an underhanded advantage. Ruca is in peril as the show heads into a break.

Ruca with a comeback when the show returns from the break. Meanwhile, Zaria is shown watching the match from a backstage monitor. Reid and Ruca go back-and-forth. Reid looks to finish Ruca, but Ruca has a counter followed by a Sol Snatcher. Ruca then pins Reid, much to the chagrin of Jayne and Henley.

Match result: Sol Ruca defeated Lainey Reid via pinfall.

—

Thea Hail vs. Wren Sinclair in a Speed tournament final

—

Of course, the match was short with a three-minute time limit. This tournament finale was fun while it lasted, and Sinclair submitted Hail with under a minute remaining in the time limit. For the finish, Hail applies an armbar. Sinclair counters to apply cattle mutilation (which was called “The Final Wrench”), and Hail submits. In winning, Hail earns a title shot against WWE Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley next Tuesday in Houston.

Match result: Wren Sinclair defeated Thea Hail vis submission in the finals of the tournament to crown a number one-contender for the Women’s Speed Championship.

— In yet another skit, Robert Stone announces a tournament to determine number one contenders for the tag team titles. The tag team roster is in his office, and this skit plays on previous skit in the show. The tag teams all start brawling as the show cuts away from the skit.

— Blake Howard interviews Fatal Influence. Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley cut promos vowing to retain their respective titles. In comes Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey to cut promos on them, and Fatal Influence leaves.

— Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame have a pull-apart brawl backstage as they are separated by referees and security. Robert Stone yells at them and announces Paxley defends her North American title against Dame in a cage match next Tuesday in Houston.

— Blake Howard interviews Robert Stone in what is a hard sell for next Tuesday in Houston. Stone announces that Darkstate and OTM are out of the tag tournament for their actions last weekend and the brawl earlier in his office. Vanity Project rolls up to gloat, and Stone surprises them to announce Vanity Project has a six-man tag team match next week against Los Americanos. Stone then throws to Vic Joseph at the announce for an important announcement about next Tuesday.

— Vic Jospeh, who does commentary alongside Booker T, announces next Tuesday is also “Booker T Appreciation Night” on NXT. I would expect an angle as well.

–Up next is the tag team main event that headlines tonight’s card.

Ethan Page & Ricky Saints vs. NXT Champion Joe Hendry & NXT North American Champion Myles Borne

—

The story of the match is Saints & Page remain in a slump. Before the match goes through a commercial break, Saints goes to slide the North American title belt to Page to presumably use as a weapon. However, the belt slides way past Page, and Page yells at Saints.

Heat on Borne, as the heel duo works him over. They do the old Power & Glory tandem finisher on Borne, as Saints does a superplex followed by Page doing a Superfly splash. That led to a near fall.

Hot tag to Joe Hendry, and he cleans house. Olympic slam by Hendry for a near fall on Saints. Page trips up Hendry, which leads to a double down in the ring.

In a callback to earlier the match, Page slides Saints a title belt to use as a weapon. The referee clearly sees it and takes the belt away from Saints. While he protests to the ref, Saints is rolled up by schoolboy, and Hendry gets another near fall. Saints cuts off Hendry with a spear, but Page makes a bling tag. Saints argues with Page about the blind tag.

Meanwhile, the NXT title belt is still in the ring (since the ref dropped it trying to count the roll up pinning attempt). Borne rushes to dropkick Saints out of the ring. The ref is distracted trying to get Borne out of the ring, as he was not the legal man. Behind the ref’s back, Page executes the Twisted Grin (Twist of Fate), and Hendry takes a bump on his title belt. Page then hooks a leg to pin Hendry.

Match result: Ethan Page & Ricky Saints defeated Joe Hendry & Myles Borne when Page pinned Hendry.

Despite them being at odds at times, Saints & Page celebrate their tainted victory.

Tag team match added to WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new match is set for Tuesday.

On social media, it was announced that Ethan Page and Ricky Saints will team up to take on Joe Hendry and Myles Borne. The match is based on events that took place at NXT Vengeance Day this past Saturday that saw Joe Hendry retain the NXT Championship over Ricky Saints.

Earlier on that show, a dejected Page begrudgingly agreed he would help Saints in the main event by giving the NXT title to Saints. However, he overshot his target and it landed near Hendry instead, putting it in the view of the referee. The match finished with Hendry hitting the standing ovation to retain the title.

Page lost the NXT North American title to Myles Borne on the February 24 episode of NXT then lost a rematch one week later.

Here is the updated lineup for Tuesday:

WWE NXT (March 10)

  • Ethan Page & Ricky Saints vs. Joe Hendry & Myles Borne
  • Women’s Speed tournament finals: Wren Sinclair vs. Thea Hail
  • Tavion Heights & Charlie Dempsey vs. Lexis King & Uriah Connors
  • Jasper Troy vs. Eli Knight vs. Sean Legacy

WWE NXT live results: Vengeance Day go-home show

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Tonight’s live WWE NXT is the go-home for this weekend’s Vengeance Day premium live event.

After turning on Sol Ruca last week, Zaria will challenge NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne for the title. Zaria confronted Jayne last week after her attack on Ruca helped Jayne retain, saying that if she didn’t grant her a title match, what happened to Ruca would happen to her.

Ricky Saints will make an appearance for an Absolute Experience segment. Starks will face NXT Champion Joe Hendry this Saturday.

The women’s Speed title tournament continues with Wren Sinclair taking on Nikkita Lyons with the winner advancing to face Thea Hail.

Before their match at the PLE, NXT Women’s North American Champion Izzi Dame and challenger Tatum Paxley will have a face-to-face while Jaida Parker and Blake Monroe will have their own confrontation ahead of Saturday.

In a trios bout, Hank Walker, Tank Ledger and Shiloh Hill will take on the Vanity Project (Jackson Drake, Ricky Smokes and Brad Baylor).

**********

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

Opening the show is the new NXT North American Champion Myles Borne, and he enters wearing a suit and holding his recently won title belt over his shoulder. Borne gets into the ring for an opening monologue. He would eventually be confronted by former champ Ethan Page, who is looking for a rematch with Borne. But first, the studio audience chants “you deserve it” at Borne.

“Damn it feels so good to hold this title and hear my name announced as champion,” Borne begins his address.

Borne remarks how a new champ will usually will soak up the moment and tell a sob story, but not this time. Borne says instead of thanking the fans and his family for their support, he wants to thanks his biggest haters. Borne thanks Ethan Page, who remarked in their feud that Borne lacked a “killer instinct” within himself. That poured gasoline on a fire inside of Borne and unleashed a demon.

If you push him, Borne says he will push back. He is no Boy Scout, and Borne says his is no angel. If you had to show that demon side of himself to keep the title, then so be it.

Borne ended his monologue by posing with the title after ending with his new catchphrase: “Can you hear me now?”

Ethan Page then interrupts and confronts Page. The former champ says he can hear Borne, but all he heard was Borne thanking him. Page insists Borne should repay him with a rematch for the title. Page claims Borne got lucky last week in winning the title. Page brags about himself and his accolades since arriving in NXT.

“If there is anybody in this locker room that deserves a rematch, it’s the guy that carried this brand for the last two years,” Page boasts.

Borne tells Page he knew Page would come out here. If Page wants a rematch, Borne says he will go talk with NXT General Manager Robert Stone. Page wants the match tonight.

Out comes GM Stone, and he is happy to book a rematch, but they should take the time to put on wrestling gear. Page roars with a challenge to fight right now, as Borne is taking off his suit jacket and unbuttoning his sleeves. Stone agrees to book the impromptu match, and he calls for a referee as a hockey fight breaks out.

Myles Borne vs. Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship

—

They fight is on with him dressed in slacks and dress shoes. They at least both remove their jackets. The fighting soon spills outside the ring, and the roll onto the broadcast booth. Borne is fired up as he pummels Page on the desk, while the show itself cuts to its first commercial break.

The fighting continues through a split-screen break, and the show returns to the break with a production snafu that took a few seconds to swipe away from picture-in-picture. Meanwhile, Borne rips Page’s clothing trying to keep Page from fleeing the ring. Page eventually had his pants torn away, and he was wrestling in his boxer briefs.

Page with a loaded punch for a near fall. Borne kicks out and a moment later counters Page’s finisher as they go home. Borne applies an ankle lock, which is a callback to an injury angle in their feud. Page kicks free, and his shoes come off in Borne’s hands.

For the finish, Page fumbles with his ripped pants. Borne still has one shoe in his hand that he conceals from the ref, while giving Page’s pants to the referee. The ref goes to get rid of the pants by tossing what is left out of the ring with his back is turned to Borne. He smacks Page with his own shoe, and Borne executes his Borne Again finisher. Borne then hooks a leg to pin him. Great match. And still…

Match result: NXT North American Champion Myles Borne defeated Ethan Page via pinfall to retain his title.

— Sarah Schreiber is a roving reporter who tries to interview Zaria, but she does not want to talk while arriving at the building. Also outside are Darkstate, who are waiting for Tony D’Angelo. Robert Stone convinces them to go inside the building. Great timing because Tony D’Angelo arrives in a sports car, and he retrieves a crowbar from the trunk before heading inside.

Jaida Parker brawls with Blake Monroe

—

Out comes Blake Monroe to cut a promo on Jaida Parker, who then interrupts Monroe and confronts her. That leads to a brawl where Parker stands tall when the smoke clears.

Monroe claims that Parker interfering in Monroe’s speed match last week was reassurance for Monroe. She was reassured because Parker still needs her. Monroe remarks that worst thing anyone can do in NXT is interrupt her. Monroe keeps cutting a promo on Parker until Parker confront her.

Parker cuts a good promo on Monroe, and Monroe tries to retort. Parker cuts her off, and basically says without her gimmick Monroe is a “mediocre bitch.”

Jaida then slaps Blake hard across the face, and they begin to brawl. Monroe is sent packing as the studio audience chants for Miss Parker.

— The Vanity Project trio (NXT Tag Team Champions Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes along with WWE Evolve Champion Jackson Drake) approach Ricky Saints and Ethan Page in a locker room skit. The heel trios apologizes for not having Page’s back in his impromptu match. They are told that is okay, and they can leaves. Saints then leaves after saying he must get ready for his performance tonight. This was a dumb and unnecessary skit.

— Another skit sets up Jasper Troy against Eli Knight and Sean Legacy in triple threat match. The winner meets Speed Champion Elio LeFluer in a title match.

Nikita Lyons vs. Wren Sinclair in the Speed tournament match

—

Sinclair won with Cattle Mutilation with seconds remaining in the three-minute time limit. In winning, Sinclair moves on to the tournament final to face Thea Hail. Whoever wins that match challenges WWE Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley.

Match result: Wren Sinclair defeated Nikkia Lyons via submission to advance to the tournament final.

— NXT Champion Joe Hendry and North American Champion Myles Borne interact in a backstage skit. Hendry makes a joke about being deaf and immediately apologizes for it. Borne mocks Hendry with his pose and they laugh it off.

— Kelani Jordan goes to Shayna Baszler’s dojo to train for her Underground match. This was a cool cameo for Baszler, and it builds up the gimmick match between Jordan and Lola Vice at Vengeance Day.

Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame face-to-face

—

Paxley and Dame face off in a pre-taped segment where they sit across from each other in front of a dollhouse. Dame first cuts a promo on Paxley, but Paxley responds with a confident response. Paxley then walks away before Dame flips out and wrecks the dollhouse in a fit of rage.

Shiloh Hill, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Vanity Project (Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & Jackson Drake) in a six-man tag team match

—

Good match that goes through two commercial breaks. Vanity Project jumps the babyface trio during their entrance. The trios match unofficially begins before the bell, and the match gets underway during a commercial break. Much of it airs in picture-in-picture, and what started as a brawl settles into a traditional six-man tag when the show returns from the break.

Heat on Walker as the heel trio works him over. Hot tag to Tank, and he cleans house on Vanity Project. At ringside, Hank is posted by Jackson Drake. Nevertheless, Tank fights off the heels. As the fighting against spills outside the ring, Tank is trapped in the ring steps by the team formerly known as Swipe Right. Drake then dropkicks Tank from behind, and Tank looks dead as the show cuts to another commercial break.

Hot tag after the show returns from the break, and Shiloh Hill runs wild. Hill is soon cut off and Vanity Project gets a near fall on him. Hank and Drake tag in and face off. Drake lifts Hank to deliver a Burning Hammer.

Parade of high spots in the closing moments. Hank with a Bossman slam on Drake to set up a tandem spot where Hank & Tank sandwich Drake with stereo splashes. Hank & Tank then sail through the ropes with a tope each. Meanwhile, Hill leaps through the ropes to spear Drake in the ring. Hill then executes his combo finisher where he does Saito suplex into a falling neckbreaker. Hill then covers Drake for the deciding pinfall. In winning the match for his team, Hill gets a pin on the Evolve champ. That should set up a title match in the near future.

Match result: Shiloh Hill, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger defeated Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes via pinfall when Hill pinned Drake.

— Before the six-man competitors can exit, Blake Monroe pounces on the announce desk for a promo. She is now dressed in all black as she broods over Jaida Parker. Monroe announces a street fight with her and Parker for Vengeance Day.

Out comes Jaida Parker to once again confront Monroe. They are pulled apart by the winners of the six-man a tag and a slew of referees.

— Darkstate is backstage and they are livid. Osiris Griffin is down selling an apparent ambush by Tony D’Angelo. Darkstate all yell at Robert Stone. Saquon Shugars and Cutler James stay with Griffin while Dion Lennox vows to call out D’Angelo. Lennox is heading to the ring as the show heads into a commercial break.

— Dr. Martin talks with Lola Vice about a fracture in her right hand. The doctor points to an x-ray as he explains the injury to Vice. Dr. Martin advises Vice to not compete, and he says there is great risk in Vice doing the Underground match. Vice shakes her head and tells the doctor she cannot be out that long. She is the most reliable wrestler on the roster, and she vows to continue. Vice promises not to hurt her hand again, and Vice says she signed away any liability to WWE. The doctor reluctantly agrees with Vice, but he insists she come see him again after her match.

— Dion Lennox is headed to call out Tony D’Angelo. Lennox does just that from the ring. Instead of being the hunter, Lennox is now the hunted, as pointed out by D’Angelo when he addresses Lennox. D’Angelo is standing in a perch overlooking the ring as he cuts a promo on Lennox and Darkstate.

D’Angelo no longer has the over-the-top Italian accent. D’Angelo proceeds to cut a good promo on him seeking vengeance against Darkstate. Fittingly enough, D’Angelo clashes with Lennox this Saturday at Vengeance Day.

Lennox threatens to meet D’Angelo in the parking lot, and D’Angelo responds by saying bring it on. D’Angelo threatens to beat him up in the parking lot before dragging his lifeless body back into the ring to beat him.

— Sarah Schreiber interviews NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, alongside her stablemates Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence. Jayne cuts a promo where she mentions the breakup between Sol Ruca and Zaria. Jayne teasing interference by Fatal Influence as she vows to retain the title. Jayne wants “smooth sailing” heading towards Stand & Deliver.

— NXT Champ Myles Borne talks with Charlie Dempsey and Tavion Heights in a backstage skit. Borne thanks them for his time as stablemates in No Quarter Catch Crew. Borne leaves and Dempsey laments how unsuccessful they are compared to Borne. In walks Lexis King and his cohorts Uriah Connors, Arianna Grace and Stacks. They are still trying to recruit Dempsey into their faction, much to the chagrin of Heights.

Jacy Jayne (with Fatal Influence) vs. Zaria for the NXT Women’s Championship

—

Despite me hating the finish, this was a great to watch before a run-in. They had a good, long match that went through a commercial break. Before the show cut to commercials, Jayne sandwiches Zaria in the ring steps with a cannonball senton on the floor. Zaria was in control beforehand, as she looked strong at the start of the match. Henley and Reid interfere, which allows Jayne to gain an underhanded advantage ahead of the commercial break.

Superplex spot soon after the show returns from the break. Jayne takes the superplex from Zaria, and a slugfest soon develops. They trade strikes and momentum rises for Zaria. They then trade near falls.

Near fall after Zaria lands a lariat. Jayne runs into a knee before taking German suplexes from Zaria, and Zaria runs into a flying knee from Jayne for another near fall. Zaria ducks Jayne’s finisher and delivers a spear. Zaria goes for her finisher, but Jayne escapes and waffles Zaria with a Rolling Encore.

Double down as Sol Ruca runs down to the entrance ramp. Ruca clotheslines Reid and superkicks Henley at ringside. Ruca then jumps into the ring and springboard into a dual Sol Snatcher that drops both Jayne and Zaria. The referee calls for the bell. No official word, but I assume a no-contest. The mach this thrown out. Really good match until the interference by Sol Ruca. The finish seems to set up a triple threat, which must be one of the most over-booked gimmick matches in modern wrestling.

Match result: NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and Zaria wrestled to a no-contest after interference by Sol Ruca.

— Ricky Saints is heading to the ring for his concert performance.

— Robert Stone is interviewed in his office. Glitch in the feed on my local CW affiliate, so I missed much of this interview.

Ricky Saints’ Absolute Experience

—

Spoofing the concert segments made famous by The Rock from years past, Saints gets in the ring and sits down. He pick up a guitar and hypes up the concert to come. He proceeds to do a terrible rendition of Joe Hendry’s theme song, with new lyrics from Saints. This was deliberately terrible. It was also hard to watch. It was dying a death.

Saints orders a roadie to get him a different chair. That failed to save the segment. Saints next complains about the microphone, and he orders a roadie to fix the mic. The segment drags on with Saints complaining about his guitar. He wants another guitar as well. Saints is handed a different guitar by a roadie, but the roadie will not unhand the guitar. Surprise, it’s Joe Hendry! He saves the segment with a guitar shot on Saints. The guitar shatters on the back of Saints.

Vanity Project runs in to save Ricky Saints from Hendry’s finishing move. Myles Borne runs down to help Hendry clean house and clear the ring of heels.

The NXT Champion and the North American Champion stand tall and celebrate in the ring in the final scene on the go-home episode ahead of Vengeance Day.

Ricky Saints: Cody Rhodes has been ‘very impactful’ in my life and career

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Cody Rhodes’ friendship has made a big impact on Ricky Saints both personally and professionally.

In 2020, Rhodes brought Saints (Ricky Starks) into AEW for a match that led to him being signed by the company. Both are now part of WWE with Rhodes on the main roster and Saints in NXT. They do not get to see each other in person too often at the moment, but Rhodes still helps guide Saints in his career and life in general.

“The friendship in itself is great because, you know, I don’t know if he sees a younger kid in me [like] when he was first starting out. I don’t know. I would think so, but I really don’t know,” Saints told the Battleground Podcast. “But he’s great in the fact that there are things that I’m figuring out on my own. And there are little pockets that I kind of miss, right? He is great at identifying those pockets and giving me words of wisdom that allow me to ultimately guide myself to what it is that I should be learning or figuring out.

“He’s really, really good at that. He’s really good at giving you a perspective and you ultimately being like, ‘Oh, okay. I get it now.’ It’s so undervalued in that sense, because you’re usually used to people like physically showing you this or doing that, right? Since we don’t live very close to each other, it’s hard. So when we do have these moments where we do see each other and we talk, the conversations are in depth. They have such a deep magnitude to them of like life and sh*t outside of wrestling, you know what I’m saying? It covers all of it. So he’s been very impactful in my career and in my life too, personally and professionally. So I can’t really thank him too much [for] that.”

Saints has been in NXT since debuting for WWE in February 2025. He has the chance to become a two-time NXT Champion when he challenges Joe Hendry for the belt at Vengeance Day this Saturday.

This week will also see Rhodes challenge for gold when he faces Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship on SmackDown. That matchup will have a big impact on WrestleMania plans with Randy Orton now confirmed to be challenging for the belt at Mania.

Ricky Saints reflects on ‘sleeper match’ from AEW run

Posted on by Joseph Currier

When Ricky Saints thinks back on important moments he’s had in wrestling, there’s a “sleeper match” that stands out from his AEW run.

The former Ricky Starks appeared on The Battleground Podcast ahead of NXT Vengeance Day. During the interview, he was asked to name the one moment from his career where fans went from liking him to thinking he’s a star. Saints pointed to his strap match against Bryan Danielson from AEW All Out 2023 as an obvious choice. But he also fondly remembers an eight-man tag match from the second-ever episode of Collision where he teamed with CM Punk & FTR against Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns.

“That’s hard, because I felt it twice. Obviously the Bryan Danielson match that I had, the strap match, was really great,” Saints said. “But there’s also a sleeper match that I don’t think people really remember. It was a big tag match. It was me, Punk, FTR against The Gunn Club. It was in Toronto. It was amazing, that was such a great feeling that I had where I go, ‘Wow, I get it. I get it now.’ So I think those two are like standout in my mind of that type of scenario. And it still happens, it’s still happening for some people.”

As someone who was once in AEW and is now signed to WWE, Saints inevitably encounters some tribalism online. But he told The Battleground Podcast that, to an extent, he appreciates the passion people have for the promotions and wrestlers they love. And the dynamic that exists on social media isn’t one that he’s actually encountered in real life.

“I think it’s a little bit more sensitive and touchy just for the fact that we’re all on social media, so it’s a little more saturated. But then when you actually go out into the crowds and you go to these live events — like in Nashville, no one cared,” Saints said. “There were people who were fans of me from AEW, people who were fans of me from NWA, people who are fans of me now. They all mesh, they all share a commonality. I do think that it is kind of cool, to a certain degree, that people have such an ownership and stake in a specific company or a specific wrestler. I like the fondness of that, because if you ain’t got passion for your team, then what are you doing?”

Saints told The Battleground Podcast that he believes right now is a great time to be a wrestling fan. When he was coming up in the NWA, there were so many fewer options than there are now.

“Think about 2018, right? Think about 2019,” he said. “When I was in NWA, it was just NWA and WWE. That was it. And then you had, of course, New Japan and stuff like that. But it’s a great time to be a fan of professional wrestling.”

Saints is challenging Joe Hendry for the NXT Championship at this Saturday’s Vengeance Day PLE. If Saints wins, it will be his second time holding the NXT Championship since debuting for the brand in February 2025.

Two title matches set for WWE NXT Vengeance Day

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two title matches are set for next month’s Vengeance Day.

After a brawl in the parking lot, Ricky Saints and the new NXT Champion met face-to-face on Tuesday, entering a war of words with one another. Saints said Hendry was great at marketing but wasn’t about to let someone like him ruin his run in NXT, issuing the challenge for the March 7 PLE. Hendry agreed to the bout, saying he had no problem taking Saints out at Vengeance Day.

Earlier this month, Hendry won the vacant title for the first time after sending Saints crashing through a ladder.

The NXT Women’s North American title will also be defended. Izzi Dame was shown mocking Tatum Paxley’s promo from the previous week and dismissed Paxley’s claim that a new version of herself would be coming for Dame. The North American Champion said that no matter what version of Paxley appears at Vengeance Day, she would remain champion.

Tuesday marked the first time that the Vengeance Day PLE has been brought up by WWE, with no venue announced for the show. Here is the updated lineup:

NXT Vengeance Day (March 7)

  • NXT Championship: Joe Hendry defends against Ricky Saints
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship: Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley

WWE NXT live results: Ladder match for the vacant NXT Championship

Posted on by Chris Aiken

A new NXT Champion will be crowned on tonight’s WWE NXT from Orlando, Florida, as the post Ava era begins.

After Oba Femi relinquished the title on the way to the main roster, Ricky Saints, Shiloh Hill, Sean Legacy, Jackson Drake, Dion Lennox, Keanu Carver and Joe Hendry will compete in a seven-way ladder match to determine the new champion.

In a three-way, NXT Women’s North American Champion Izzi Dame will defend against both Thea Hail and Lola Vice who made her women’s Royal Rumble debut this past Saturday.

The TNA Knockouts Tag Team titles will be on the line as The Elegance Brand (M by Elegance & Heather by Elegance) will defend against ZaRuca (Sol Ruca & Zaria). This comes days after Ruca’s impressive performance in the women’s Royal Rumble.

Tony D’Angelo will also make an appearance to finally address why he’s back in NXT and what’s next for him.

Our live coverage begins at 8 pm Eastern.

**********

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

The show begins with Shawn Michaels making Robert Stone the new interim general manager of NXT. Stone enters the office formerly belonging to Ava, as HBK wanted to see him. HBK remarked how Stone always does whatever is asked of him, and Stone replied he did it because he loves NXT.

Michaels then informs Stone he is the interim GM. Michaels says he knows this place can be crazy, but he likes it like crazy. With that, HBK wished Stone luck before leaving the office set.

No mention of Ava.

After the skit, a video package hypes the men’s championship ladder match later on. Opening the show from the sound stage is a triple threat match for the NXT Women’s North American Championship. On commentary, Vic Joseph noted is the first time this particular version of the North American title is ever being defended in a triple threat.

Izzi Dame (with The Culling) vs. Thea Hail vs. Lola Vice in a triple threat match for the NXT Women’s North American Championship

—

The title bout goes through a commercial break. Thea Hail and Lola Vice shine before the show cuts to commercials, with Hail first jumping off the ring steps with a flying head scissors on Shawn Spears at ringside. Hail ducks a kick from Dame, and Vice leaps off the ring apron with a meteora on Vice. Hail circles back to drop Vice with a tope suicida. The title belt is on a pedestal at ringside, and Hail runs over to bite the title belt as the show heads into the break.

The show returns from the break with combo where Dame has Vice on her shoulders as Hail leaps off the ropes with a neckbreaker on Vice as Dame falls back like a Samoan drop. Vice then fires up with a series of kicks and hip attacks. More tandem spots, leading to several near falls.

Hail with another rally as she shakes the ropes like Ultimate Warrior before springboarding off the middle rope into the waiting arms of Vice, who catches Hail in sleeper hold. Dame breaks up the hold and they fight on. Hail went for a Kimura lock a moment later, but Vice escapes and is able to again apply a sleeper. Dame breaks up the sleeper, only to take a DDT from Hail.

Kelani Jordan suddenly ran down to ringside and attacked Vice. Jordan pulls a ladder partially out from underneath the ring, and Jordan uses the ladder to smash Vice’s right hand. Vice sells big as referees pour out to eject Jordan from ringside.

Meanwhile in the ring, Hail as Dame locked in a Kimura. Dame escapes the submission hold, and Dame with a gutwrench Liger bomb on Hail. Dame then pins Hail for a three count. Good opener in a match that appeared very choreographed at times. And still…

Match result: NXT Women’s North American Champion Izzi Dame defeated Thea Hail and Lola Vice in a triple threat match to retain her title.

— In a locker room skit, Zaria was upset at Sol Ruca for not telling her about being in the Royal Rumble. Ruca wants to tell Zaria everything, but Ruca was told not to say anything. Zaria is understandable, and she switched focus to their upcoming title bout.

— As the show heads into a commercial break, Tony D’Angelo is headed to the ring for a monologue.

— Back from commercial for a skit that sets up a tag team match for later on. Chase U’s Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon are confronted by Lexis King & Stacks, along with Arianna Grace, and a match is made for tonight.

Tony D’Angelo explains his actions

—

Tony D’Angelo is in the ring to “clear the ring” after seven months of him talking to the audience. The studio audience starts chanting for him before D’Angelo briefly runs down his history in NXT. He had family, friend and people that had his back — but that was taken from him.

D’Angelo goes on to say he needed to regroup after Darkstate ruined his life. He had to set in a dark room but himself to remember who he was, which is a National Champion and Division I All-American. He also remembered he was good at bouncing people off the mat.

D’Angelo talks about the mystic after his recent return, where no one knows what he is doing. Tony calls this a selfish time in a selfish business, and that aligns exactly with his plans. He came back for two reasons. One reason is he wanted Darkstate to know he was coming for them. This is about punishment, not revenge. The second reason we will see when he is done with Darkstate.

— “NXT Focus” is the sponsored personality profile where Shiloh Hill takes about the championship ladder match that headlines tonight’s card.

— WWE Speed Champion Jasper Troy cuts a promo on his prospective challengers ahead of the upcoming tournament to crown a top contender. No matter who wins, Troy vows to destroy them in Atlanta.

Elio LeFleur vs. Charlie Dempsey in a first round match in the Speed tournament

—

This was great for a three-minute match. The closing minute was especially good with them trading counters and near falls. LeFleur delivers a tilt-a-whirl Rocker Dropper, and he hooks a leg to cover Dempsey for a three count with seconds remaining in the time limit.

Match result: Elio LeFleur defeated Charlie Dempsey via pinfall to advance in the Speed tournament.

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Joe Hendry, and he talks about going into the ladder match with an injury. His smile has been hiding frustration and disappointment because the last seven months have been without a championship. Hendry goes to vow he becomes the new NXT Champion.

— NXT’s presence in the Royal Rumble was the focus of a video package.

The Elegance Brand (Heather by Elegance & M by Elegance with Ash by Elegance & The Personal Concierge) vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship

—

TNA authority figure Daria Rae (who is formerly Sonya Deville in WWE) returns to NXT as she watches the title bout near ringside.

The story of the match was dissension between Zaria and Ruca. Zaria refuses to tag out, and they trade blind tags, while also arguing and shoving each other. Their future is in question, especially after the finish.

The match goes through a commercial break. Ash by Elegance jumps on the apron to cause a distraction, which allows The Elegance Brand to gain the upper hand as the show cuts to a commercial break. When the show returns from the break, heat on Zaria as she is worked over and separated from her corner. Zaria comes back and refuses to tag out.

For some reason, Sean Legacy is seen getting ready in the locker room ahead of the main event ladder match in a split-screen in the middle of the match. Why?

Double down in the ring and Zaria uses the ropes to pull herself to her feet, which allows Ruca to make a blind tag. Ruca then runs wild and gets a few near falls. Meanwhile, the studio audience is doing the wave.

Heather by Elegance with a moonsault press, and M by Elegance goes for her own moonsault. No water in the pool, though. Ruca rolled out of the way, and Ruca struggles to her feet. Zaria makes a bling tag, leading to her and Ruca getting into a shoving match.

The challengers argue as they both deliver stereo spears on the champs. Ruca signals for their finisher, so Zaria hoists M by Elegance on her shoulders. Ruca went to follow with a Sol Snatcher, but M escapes their clutches. Ruca then inadvertently catches her own partner, Zaria, with a Sol Snatcher. Ash by Elegance pulls Ruca out of the ring and sends her crashing into the ring steps.

Bow and arrow hold on Zaria by M as Heather leaps off the top rope with a double foot stomp. Heather then covers Zaria for the deciding pinfall.

Match result: Heather by Elegance & M by Elegance defeated Sol Ruca & Zaria via pinfall when Heather covered Zaria to retain their titles.

— NXT North American Champion Ethan Page cuts a promo where he gives The Vanity Project a pep talk of sorts.

— In a skit from social media, Jaida Parker is attacked by Blake Monroe at a merchandise booth outside the building.

Chase U (Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors with Andre Chase) vs. Lexis King & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (with Arianna Grace)

—

Dixon & Connors got their time to shine, but this match was more about getting King & Stacks over as a team. Dixon & Connors looked great in the ring, but they drop the match to the new heel team. Dixon fires up in the closing moments. He goes for a moonsault off the top rope, but Stacks gets his feet up to block it. King tags in and delivers a V-trigger, and King follows with The Coronation. King pins Dixon to win the match.

Connors backs away and apparently quite Chase U in an angle after the match. He leaves Chase U and exits just behind the heels.

Match result: Lexis King & Stacks defeated Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors via pinfall when King pinned Dixon.

— The trio of Fatal Influence are in the ring for a promo where NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne talks about her time in the Royal Rumble. Jayne cuts a promo on Sol Ruca, who eliminated Jayne in the Rumble match by tossing her out. Jayne is cutting her promo on Ruca when she is interrupted by Zaria.

Zaria gets in the ring to confront Jayne and Fatal Influence. Zaria says Ruca had plenty of shots at the title, and this was Zaria’s turn. They are all soon interrupted by the team of Wren Sinclair & WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey. Everyone is bickering in the ring when Sol Ruca joins the ongoing argument.

Ruca makes a crack at Zaria about not being friends anymore, and they briefly bicker. Eventually, out comes Robert Stone for his first announcement and ruling as GM. In his first act at interim GM, he books a tag match for next week with Sinclair & Grey against Ruca & Zaria. Whomever scores the winning fall also earns a title match against Jacy Jayne in Atlanta.

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Kelani Jordan, who boasts about breaking Lola Vice’s hand in an injury angle from earlier tonight.

— Ricky Saints gets a full entrance before a commercial break. Other participants for the ladder match get their entrances during a split-screen as commercials run.

— After the commercial break is a skit where Lexis King, Stacks and Grace approach Charlie Dempsey to ask if he thought about their recent offer to join the new faction.

— Joe Hendry also gets a full entrance after the break.

Ricky Saints vs. Shiloh Hill vs. Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake vs. Dion Lennox vs. Keanu Carver vs. Joe Hendry in a ladder match for the vacant NXT Championship

—

Keanu Carver starts off strong, and ladders soon come into play with several taking bumps on the ladder from the opening moments onward.Many ladders of various sizes are set up around ring for easy access.

Joe Hendry uses the ladder as a battering ram before he spins around with it to do his pose. He tries to climb towards the title belt hanging above the ring, only for Hendry to get tripped up by Jackson Drake. Time for Drake’s turn to take a bump off the ladder as Hendry tips it over. Hendry then powerbombs Drake over the ropes into the arms of the other participants on the floor. Hendry follows up by hurdling the top rope for a dive outside the ring. The show cuts to a commercial break with a slow motion replay of Hendry’s hurdle over the ropes.

Carver rips a gimmicked ladders apart in a feat of strength in the middle of the match. The ripped apart ladder would play into another stunt moments later. Sean Legacy and Dion Lennox get their chances to shine in spots after the show returns from the break. They are fighting on a ladder when Shiloh Hill uses the two sections of the gimmicked ladder as a stilts. Hill would go on to take a Doomsday Device at the hands of Carver and Lennox.

Lennox is climbing the ladder when Saints tries to stop him. Saints takes a spinebuster on a ladder. Hendry thwarts Lennox and give him a chokeslam on a ladder. Hendry climbs and Drake again stops him. Legacy takes a wicked swanton from Drake, and Drake climbs he ladder. Saints goes to stop him, only for Carver to enter the ring and mow down Saints.

Carver stumbles over the ropes in a spot. Drake then does a tornillo splash off the top turnbuckle to the floor, just before the show cuts to its final commercial break. They continue running through high spots during a split-screen.

After the show returns to full screen, Carver is using a ladder to smash everyone. Hill leaps off the ring steps for senton that sandwiches Carver in the ladder. In a bizarre spot, Hill celebrates by taking out this false teeth and throwing them on the ground, which apparently similar to a Southern babyface pulling down the straps on is singlet.

Hill follows up with a running knee strike on Carver, and Hill smashes him with the ladder. Everyone works together to pile ladders on top of Carver. They bury Carver underneath ladders. Hill does the Terry Funk spo of airplane spinning a ladder in a crazed manner while other wrestlers bump into the ladder. Hill eats a shining wizard from Drake, and Drake builds a ladder bridge. That backfires on him as Legacy springboards into a 450 splash that drives Drake into a ladder.

Legacy and Lennox are fighting on one ladder when Hill sets up a second ladder to climb. Hill and Drake climb the second ladder. Hill and Drake takes bumps off the ladder, while Lennox and Legacy remain on the other ladder. Legacy hangs from the ladder like its Ultimate-X before taking a bump off the ladder. Hendry breaks up Lennox’s climb with Lennox fingertips away from the title belt.

Hendry and Lennox end up fighting outside the ring, where Carver awakens from his slumber under the pile of ladders. Carver mows down wrestlers with shots from the ladder and spears on the floor. Carver sends Drake over the barricade into the arms of plants in the front row. In another stunt, Legacy is shoulder tackled through a gimmicked section of wall by a charging Carver.

Ricky Saints rushes to climb a ladder in the ring as Carver rushes back inside the squared circle. Two ladders are still side-by-side from earlier in the match. Now, Carver and Saints climb opposing ladders. They fight atop the ladders.

Saints kicks over the other ladder, and Carver takes a big bump on a ladder bridged between the ring apron and the broadcast booth. Carver crushes the ladder as Saints smirks atop the ladder in the ring. Saints senses victory, only for him to be surprised by Hendry shooting up the other side of the ladder.

Saints and Hendry are fighting over the title belt as they unhook from the hanger. Tug-of-war with the belt as he hangs above ring. They each tease falling off the ladder until Hendry lightly hits Saints with the belt, and Saints does a Nestea Plunge off the standing ladder to a ladder bridge. Nasty bump for Saints as his head snaps on the top rope as he takes a hard bump on the ladder.

Hendry grabs the title belt, and new…

Match result: Joe Hendry wins a ladder match to capture the NXT Championship

The Joe Hendry era of NXT has begun. He is your new champion of the men’s division. All hail the king.

Ricky Saints, two other wrestlers set for WWE NXT title ladder match

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The first two participants in the upcoming NXT Championship ladder match are set.

Sean Legacy and Shiloh Hill both won matches on Tuesday’s show to advance to the ladder match that will determine the next NXT Champion on February 3. Shiloh Hill defeated Josh Briggs to advance, while Sean Legacy defeated Eli Knight in what was both men’s first match as a NXT-contracted wrestler.

During both qualifying matches, Tony D’Angelo came out and wreaked havoc, laying out everyone involved without saying a word. After he laid out Legacy and Knight, Ava came out with police who proceeded to arrest D’Angelo. He refused to say anything as he was taken away.

It was also announced that Ricky Saints will also be in the match, as since he was the final champion before Oba Femi, he automatically gets into the match.

The NXT Championship became vacant earlier this month when Oba Femi left it in the ring following a successful title defense against Leon Slater at New Year’s Evil. The following week, Ava announced the ladder match for next month.

WWE NXT (February 3)

  • Ladder match for NXT Championship: Shiloh Hill vs. Sean Legacy vs. Ricky Saints vs. TBA vs. TBA vs. TBA
  • Triple threat match for NXT Women’s North American title: Izzi Dame defends against Lola Vice and Thea Hail

Fight Game: Powerhouse Hobbs leaves AEW, our own WWE draft

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and Garrett Gonzales return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling.

We gave out our thumbs up and thumbs down for the week while talking about Powerhouse Hobbs and the two big main events on WWE Raw and AEW Dynamite.

Then, Keila Cash and Scott Young from The WRAP joined us for the first ever Fight Game WWE Draft.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

WWE NXT live results: Je’Von Evans vs. Ricky Saints, Joe Hendry concert

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The final WWE NXT of 2025 takes place tonight from the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

After costing Je’Von Evans in his challenge of NXT Champion Oba Femi, former champion Ricky Saints will take on Evans in a grudge match.

Joe Hendry will host a New Year’s Eve Eve concert.

NXT North American Champion Ethan Page puts up the title against former TNA World and X-Division Champion Moose.

Ahead of defending against Kendal Grey at New Year’s Evil, NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne will defend against Wren Sinclair in non-title action.

As always, our live coverage begins at 8 pm Eastern.

**********

NXT is on the air with an episode taped in front of a live studio audience.

Ethan Page vs. Moose for the NXT North American Championship

—

Page jumped Moose during the ring introductions, and the fight was on. The fighting soon spilled outside the ring. Page dodged a charging Moose, and Moose collided with the metal ring steps. They both work an arm, as Moose posted Page shoulder first moments later.

The match goes through a commercial break. Both were selling their shoulders, but Page was in control as the show cut to commercials. Comeback by Moose after the show returns from the break. Moose was on fire, yet still selling his arm. Page takes an avalanche tree slam into a sit-out powerbomb, and Moose gets a two count on Page. They trade strikes and kicks, they trade near falls. Codebreaker by Page, but Moose kicks out.

In a stunt, Moose speared Page through a gimmicked section of the barricade. Another spear by Moose in the ring, only for Page to get his foot on a bottom rope to break a count. The fight spilled outside again, where Moose takes an ugly bump on the ring steps. Page with a back body drop, and Moose looked to have struck the edge of the steps. Page follows up with a flying body press off the top rope, but Moose gets his shoulder up on a pin attempt. Page then delivers his Twisted Grin finisher, and he covers Moose for a clean pin.

Match result: NXT North American Champion Ethan Page defeated Moose via pinfall.

— Up next is the first of many year-end awards.

NXT Awards: Male Superstar of the Year

Je’Von Evans is awarded the trophy shaped like a ring bell, signifying him as Male Superstar of the Year. Other nominees included Ricky Saints, Trick Williams, Ethan Page, and Oba Femi.

— Izzi Dame wants The Culling to confront Tatum Paxley right now, but Shawn Spears is hesitant. Dame storms off mumbling about having to do everything herself. Dame is headed to confront Paxley in the next segment after a commercial break.

— After the commercial break is a Tonya Harding skit where WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey is Nancy Kerrigan. Grey was attacked by an unknown assailant. Wren Sinclair wails after finding Grey on the ground after the attack.

Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley set up match at New Year’s Evil

— Dame cut a promo on Paxlet before being interrupted by her. They banter back and forth until they set up a grudge match for New Year’s Evil. Paxley stops Dame from leaving by saying she dictates when things are over. Dame goes to attack Paxley, but she does a Matrix move to dodge Dame. Paxley then executes her finisher on Dame to end the segment.

NXT Awards: Tag Team of the Year

Sol Ruca & Zaria get the award for Tag Team of the Year. Other nominees included the team of Hank & Tank, along with factions like The Culling, Fatal Influence, and Darkstate.

NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne (with Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) vs. Wren Sinclair in a non-title match

—

Sinclair shines in the first half of the match, and she works an arm on Jayne. Before the show cuts to a commercial break, NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley tries to interfere. Sinclair avoids the interference, but falls for the distraction by Fatal Influence. Jayne with a superkick cut offs Sinclair, and the show heads into the commercial break.

Sinclair makes a comeback after the show returns from the break. Running lariats and butterfly suplex by Sinclair for a two count on Jayne. Sinclairs eats a knee strike. A moment later, Sinclair targets an arm to cut off Jayne. High cross off the top by Sinclair, followed by a cattle mutilation submission hold applied on Jayne in the center of the ring. Sinclair wrenches in the hold, only to switch to an arm bar. Jayne then escapes with a counter.

Just before the finish, Jayne also escapes an inside cradle. Jayne then strikes with Rolling Encore, and Jayne pinned Sinclair.

Match result: NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne defeated Wren Sinclair via pinfall in a non-title match.

In a post-match attack, the Fatal Influence trio all jump Sinclair. They gang up on her until Wren Sinclair runs down for a save in a takeoff of the Spirit of ’76 comeback. Sinclair showed no signs of injury despite the apparent assault earlier.

Grey runs wild on the heel trio, and she catches Jayne in an arm bar. The heels flee the ring as Grey holds up the women’s title belt.

— Joe Hendry is warming up for his concert with vocal exercises before heading to the ring for his musical performance.

Joe Hendry in concert

—

Booker T was going wild on commentary singing along to Hendry’s theme song, as Hendry gets a full entrance.

Hendry sits down with a guitar and talks about his accomplishments this past year. Hendry then introduces a song about NXT. Hendry proceeds to perform a song while strumming an acoustic guitar, with him referencing other talent and moments from the WWE brand in 2025. T

he hook for the song: “Join us on CW. You won’t believe your eyes. NXT was the show for me in 2025.”

Hendry then mentions Darkstate, singing how they will ruin the show. He gets a dig at them by saying no one knew who they were until Joe Hendry made them famous. Shortly thereafter, the lights in the sound stage go dark.

Darksate rush the ring and attack Hendry. They beat down Hendry in a four-on-one assault. Henry takes an assisted power bomb, and Darkstate stand over a prone Hendry.

— NXT General Manager Ava gets to her office to find her door already open. A disheveled Blake Monroe is there to greet Monroe. Ava gives her a bit of a pep talk, and she tells Monroe to get her glamour back if she wants to regain the Women’s North American Championship.

— Hard sell for the NXT title match set to headline New Year’s Evil, which is NXT Champion Oba Femi defending against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater. Talent from NXT and TNA offer their picks in a video package hyping the title bout.

Tavion Heights vs. Lexis King in the finals of the WWE Speed Tournament

—

Heights won in seconds after a belly-to-belly suplex. King has his back to Heights as the bell sounds to start the match. Heights shoots in and suplexed King mere seconds into the bout. Heights then covers King for a three count, and Heights wins in about eight seconds.

Match result: Tavion Heights defeated Lexis King via pinfall to win the the tournament final.

Vic Joseph on commentary pushed the result as the fastest loss in NXT history. By winning the tournament, Heights becomes number one contender for the WWE Speed Championship held by Jasper Troy. Jasper Troy enters the sound stage after the match for a stare down with Heights.

NXT Awards: Match of the Year

Winning match of the year honors is Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams in a triple threat match for the NXT Chanpionship at Stand & Deliver in Las Vegas.

Other nominees included the following matches:

  • Sol Ruca vs. Kelani Jordan for the NXT Women’s North American Championship from Battleground in Tampa
  • Ethan Page vs. Ricky Saints in a falls count anywhere match for the NXT Men’s North American Championship at Great American Bash in Orlando
  • Jacy Jayne vs. Lola Vice for the NXT Women’s Championship at No Mercy in Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans for the NXT Championship at Heatwave in Lowell, MA
  • Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline in San Antonio

OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) vs. Swipe Right (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes with Jackson Drake)

—

The entire Vanity Project trio is there with WWE Evolve Champion Jackson Drake in the corner for Swipe Right. Not sure if OTM are babyfaces, but Swipe Right are definitively heels. The latter are certainly the foils in this tag bout.

Drake tries to interfere, only to be driven into the mat with a urnange slam. OTM execute their tandem finisher, and Nima pinned Smokes.

Match result: OTM defeated Swipe Right via pinfall in a tag team match.

— In a locker room skit, NXT Women’s North American Champion Thea Hail asks Jordynne Grace to be in her corner at New Year’s Evil. Grace reluctantly agrees, while also agreeing to a hug from Hail this one time.

NXT Awards: Female Superstar of the Year

Sol Ruca is Female Superstar of the Year. That makes two NXT awards for Sol Ruca. Jacy Jayne was robbed despite being nominated in this category. Other nominees besides Jayne included Kelani Jordan, Sol Ruca, Tatum Paxley and Blake Monroe.

— Hard sell for New Year’s Evil next Tuesday on NXT, and then comes the main event for tonight.

Je’Von Evans vs. Ricky Saints

—

Melee at the start as Evans rushes the start by attacking Saints before the bell. They brawl in a fitting start to a grudge match.

Saints targets a knee, and Saints also sends Evans crashing through a gimmicked section of the barricade, which was similarly located in a section used for a stunt in an earlier match. Evans fights back, which leads to a dive to the outside. They fight atop the announce desk, and Evans springboards off the top rope into a flying clothesline.

Saints cuts off Evans and is pummeling him on the floor when the show cuts to a commercial break. Saints has Evans locked in a guillotine choke as the show returns from the break, but Evans counters into a vertical suplex.

Sueprkick and comeback by Evans, who runs the ropes and leaps into a flip kick and a near fall. Evans counters an attempted tornado DDT from Saints, and Evans executes his own tornado DDT. Flying knee by Evans for another near fall.

Evans with a flying boy press off the top rope, but Saints gets his knee up. Pearl River Plunge by Saints for two and a half. On floor, Saints is messing with the announce desk when Evans launches himself like a missile. Evans and Saints tumble over the desk. Back in the ring, Evans with a frog splash for yet another near fall.

Evans goes for a springboard, only for Saints to trip him in the ropes. Saints with his feet on the ropes for added leverage, but the referee catches him and stops the attempted pin. Spear by Saints, but Evans kicks out. Tornado DDT by Saint. Yet again, Evans kicks out.

Evans hulks up, and he counters a Roshambo. Evans catches Saints with a Diamond Cutter. Evans goes for a springboard cutter, but Evans drops the ref with the cutter instead of Saints.

For the finish, the assigned ref is out as Saints plays possum. Saints hits Evans with a low blow, and Saints follows up with Roshambo. A second referee rushes into the ring to count the pin as Saints covers Evans.

Match result: Ricky Saints defeated Je’Von Evans via pinfall.

Saints celebrated his tainted victory in the final scene from NXT in 2025.

WWE NXT star announced for Reality of Wrestling event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Ricky Saints is headed to Reality of Wrestling.

The promotion announced on social media Friday that Saints will appear at their December 20 show in Texas City.

“Additional tickets have just been added — and for good reason…@WWENXT Superstar @starkmanjones is making a special guest appearance this Saturday at the Walker Texas Lawyer Arena! What’s going to happen when “Absolute” Ricky Saints arrives in Reality of Wrestling? Be there to witness it LIVE!,” they wrote.

This would mark the first independent show Saints has appeared on since signing with WWE earlier this year. The former NXT Champion is fresh off a heel turn, costing Je’Von Evans the NXT Championship after pulling the referee out of the ring during Evans’ match against Oba Femi. The two will now meet on the December 30 edition of NXT after they brawled on this past Tuesday’s show.

Earlier this year, Natalya (billed under her new alter-ego Nattie) wrestled Promise Braxton in a match that headlined a Reality of Wrestling event that took place back in June.

WWE NXT’s Ricky Saints to appear on CW’s ‘Wild Cards’ season three

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

WWE NXT’s Ricky Saints is now set to increase his portfolio with his upcoming ‘Wild Cards’ appearance.

Following his years of experience as a pro-wrestler, Saints is now on his journey to become a TV actor. Following the conclusion of the December 16th edition of NXT on the CW Network, a trailer aired for season three of ‘Wild Cards’ on The CW, which featured former NXT Champion Saints.

Saints is featured for a brief moment during the 00:20 timestamp in a bright pink tank top. Season three of ‘Wild Cards’ is set to premiere on January 26th, 2026.

Created by Michael Konyves, the series stars Vanessa Morgan, Giacomo Gianniotti, and Michael Xavier in important roles. Season 3 will be directed by Andy Mikita, Amanda Tapping, Alexandra La Roche, James Genn, Bosede Williams, and Shawn Piller. The series is produced by Charles Cooper, Virginia Rankin, and Tashi Bieler.

Saints was earlier featured tonight on the December 16th episode of NXT, where he brawled with Je’Von Evans. The segment finished with Saints dropping Evans through the announce desk with the ‘Roshambo’ finisher.

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.

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.

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.