Escobar lost his match against Tony D’Angelo on Tuesday’s NXT Heatwave. As a result, Escobar now must leave NXT.
The finish of the match saw D’Angelo’s crowbar and Escobar’s brass knuckles both in the ring. Both D’Angelo and Escobar saw their weapons and rushed to use them. D’Angelo was first, striking Escboar and pinning him to win the match. The segment ended with the rest of Legado Del Fantasma consoling Escobar over the loss.
Two weeks ago on NXT, Escobar made his return after being injured and cost D’Angelo a chance to win the NXT North American championship. The following week, the two met in a park where they agreed to one final match. The stipulations were that Legado Del Fantasma would be freed from the Tony D’Angelo family if Escobar won, but if Escobar lost, he would leave NXT.
In his time during NXT, Escobar held the NXT Cruiserweight title on one occasion.
It’s not over between Santos Escobar and Tony D’Angelo.
Escobar returned to NXT TV on Tuesday night, interrupting an NXT Tag Team title match between The Creed Brothers and Tony D’Angelo and Stacks. The finish had Elektra Lopez give D’Angelo a crowbar. He grabbed it, but soon realized someone else was grabbing it. That person turned out to be Santos Escobar. Stunned, D’Angleo instead walked into the Creed Brothers, who soon got the victory and retained their titles.
Later in the show, Escobar called a fuming D’Angelo, taunting him over the loss. Both of them eventually agreed to one more meeting by themselves without their seconds.
Back at NXT In Your House on June 4, Legado del Fantasma lost to the D’Angelo family and as a result were forced to join D’Angleo’s family. A few weeks later, D’Angelo revealed that Escobar was hospitalized and would be out of action. In recent weeks, it seemed as if Legado del Fantasma had grown used to their new roles, helping Tony D’Angelo score wins. D’Angleo in particular had praised Lopez for her output in the group.
NXT’s two warring mafia bosses will go head-to-head tonight.
Tony D’Angelo vs. Santos Escobar headlines tonight’s episode of NXT. The two will be looking to prove which of their respective “families” is superior.
Each side has participated in a kidnapping in recent weeks. After Legado del Fantasma kidnapped AJ Galante, D’Angelo responded by having Cruz Del Toro abducted. Escobar and D’Angelo then agreed to settle things in the ring and let Galante and Del Toro go.
The Creed Brothers are set to take on The Viking Raiders in a rematch from Spring Breakin’ tonight. In their first meeting, The Creed Brothers got the win after Roderick Strong interfered. The Creed Brothers were unhappy that Strong got involved and have vowed to win the right way this time.
Plus, Cameron Grimes & Solo Sikoa take on Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams, Wes Lee faces Xyon Quinn, the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament continues, and Bron Breakker will respond to Joe Gacy’s call for Breakker to join his movement.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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NXT is on the air live from a soundstage at the WWE Performance Center.
The show is opening with a tag team match, but first some braggadocious promos from Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams on their way to the ring.
NXT North American Champion Cameron Grimes & Solo Sikoa defeated Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams
Sikoa pins Hayes to win the match for his team. Good opener.
Hayes and Grimes meet in a title match at In Your House, but Sikoa firmly establishes himself as the next challenger with a pinfall over Hayes. The crowd chants “you got next” at Sikoa after the match.
The match settled into a story where Hayes & Williams work well together, which makes sense. They are actually a team, unlike Grimes & Sikoa. The babyfaces even teased some dissension for a moment.
They wrestle through a commercial break, with Williams & Hayes working over Sikoa. Hot tag, and Grimes clean house, and the crowd inside the soundstage comes alive.
Grimes flew through the air with a high cross, and he was on a roll. Sikoa makes a blind tag. Grimes briefly bickers with Sikoa about the tag. Grimes comes back again moments later anyway.
Hayes cuts off Grimes after springboarding into a forearm smash. However, Hayes a second later is planted with an uranage slam by Sikoa.
Grimes delivers a Cave In to Hayes, while Sikoa climbs the turnbuckles. Sikoa leaps off the top rope with a Superfly splash, and he covers Hayes for a pinfall.
NXT Champions Pretty Deadly cut a promo on The Creed Brothers in a backstage interview with McKenzie Mitchell.
Thea Hail is featured in a video package as a new signee in WWE. She is 18 years old from Pittsburgh. She graduates high school next week, but she is already signed to WWE. Hail says she will attend college while training with WWE.
Lash Legend defeats Tatum Paxley to advance in the Women’s Breakout Tournament
Legend pins Paxley in this first round match, and Legend advances to the tournament semifinals.
Legend at one point traps Paxley in a stretch muffler, as Legend continues working the leg. Paxley escapes, and she fight back.
Paxley goes to lift Legend into an electric chair, but she sells on her knee. Paxley tries three times to lift Legend. On the third try, Legend counters with a high kick. Legend then covers Paxley for a three count.
Pre-tape promo from Tony D’Angelo with his new henchmen. He tells them tonight be beats Santos Escobar alone, apparently meaning no henchmen at ringside. We’ll see about that.
A public relations video package focuses on WWE’s involvement with Special Olympics and the USA Games.
The announcers plug tickets going on sale this Friday for Clash at the Castle stadium show in Cardiff, Wales. Announcers Vic Joesph and Wade Barrett then pitch to a package that hyping NXT going back on road.
NXT live events resume with eight dates including June 10 in Tampa, and tickets go on sale this Friday. June 11 is in Largo. The next weekend is NXT house shows in Jacksonville on June 24, and Venice, FL on June 25. July 8 is Citrus Springs, and July 9 in Orlando. July 22 in Melbourne, and July 23 in Cocoa Beach.
Duke Hudson in a backstage interview with McKenzie Mitchell is asked what is next for him. He says no one around her on measure up to him when he is suddenly interrupted by NXT Champion Bron Breakker.
Breakker storms past Hudson as if Hudson was not even there. Headed to the ring, Breakker aims to answer Joe Gacy’s invitation.
Joe Gacy challenges Bron Breakker
Breakker reveals that Gacy left him in the “wilderness” after abducting him a few weeks ago. Gacy last week invited Breakker to join his faction or cult, or whatever it is. Of course, Gacy also kidnapped Breakker at one point, and held him hostage.
Breakker declines Gacy’s invite by saying loudly that Gacy can kiss his ass. Gacy soon interrupts Breakker’s speech. Gacy stands on a perch looking over the ring, with two hooded druids flanking him.
Gacy claims he is not here to start trouble. Breakker on the other hand, he wants to fight right here and now.
Gacy attempts to bore Breakker, and the rest of us watching, with a rambling speech. Gacy says a lot of words just to ask for a rematch with Breakker, and Breakker is quick to accept the challenge, but there is a catch.
Gacy wants to “up the stakes,” so he asks for a stipulation where the disqualification rule is waived for the champion. If Breakker is disqualified, he loses the championship. Breakker agrees, so the title match is on for In Your House.
Indi Hartwell during a pre-tape promo challenges NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose to a match.
Wes Lee had a match scheduled for tonight against Xyon Quinn, but it is again postponed because Quinn is no cleared to compete. Lee cuts a promo on Quinn, and Nathan Frazier interrupts in a polite manner. Frazier is replacing Quinn in a match tonight against Lee.
Viking Raider (Erik & Ivor) defeat The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed with Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp)
Erik pins Julius Creed after interference by Roderick Strong backfires. Good match, and quite possibly the best bout on the show so far.
More tension in Diamond Mine as they bicker among themselves after the match. This is a rematch from two weeks ago, when the Creeds won after outside interference by Strong. Raider get their win back this week.
The bout is a hoss fight from the start. Just before cutting to a commercial break, Brutus leaps off the top with a cannonball to the outside.
The Creeds are in control when the match returns from the break. The Raiders soon rally, but the Creeds are able to cut them off for a near fall.
Raiders use their veteran instincts to counter the Creeds’ explosiveness. Erik assists Ivar in giving Juluis an avalanche slam off the middle rope. Brutus jumps in to break up a pinning attempt.
Julius dispatches Erik with a German suplex, but a moment later Julius takes a flat back bump off the top rope after being shoved off by Ivar. Julius is able to roll away when Ivar goes for a Superfly splash. Ivar crashes and burns. Julius cradles him la magistral, but Erik is able to jump in to make a save and break the count.
They face off in a staredown, and a slugfest ensues. Damon Kemp distracts the referee. Roderick Strong tries to interfere, but Julius sends Strong sailing out of the ring. Strong went for a running knee strike, but Julius blocks him. Julius screams at Strong that they do not need him.
After yelling at Strong, Julius turns around. He walks into a roundhouse kick by Ivar. Tag to Erik, and the Raiders execute a stereo powerbomb on Julius. Erik then covers Julius for a three count.
Santos Escobar in a pre-tape promo has words for Tony D’Angelo. Escobar says tonight is one-on-one without Legado del Fantasma at ringside.
Tiffany Stratton wants Grayson Waller to “take care of this Andre Chase situation.” She says so in backstage skit.
Duke Hudson confronts Bron Breakker in the parking lot about interrupting him earlier tonight. Breakker says they should settle it in the ring tonight. Hudson responds by saying next week instead, so looks like Hudson against Breakker next Tuesday on NXT (presumably in a non-title match).
Grayson Waller defeats Andre Chase (with Bodhi Hayward)
Waller pins Chase. While part of an ongoing storyline, this also feels like filler.
Chase was doing well when he backdrops Waller over the ropes, and Waller lands on Hayward at ringside. Chase checks on Hayward, allowing Waller a moment to recover.
When Chase rolls back into the ring, Waller strikes with a roll through into a pop-up cutter. Waller then covers Chase for a pinfall.
A backstage skit with Toxic Attracton has Mandy Rose accepting the challenge for a match against Indi Hartwell.
More tension within Diamond Mine as they argue in their locker room. Pretty Deadly then confronts Roderick Strong, leading to Strong challenging Pretty Deadly to a match next week against Strong & Damon Kemp.
Roxanne Perez defeats Kiana James to advance in the Women’s Breakout Tournament
Perez pins James in the last first round match, and Perez advances to the semifinals where she faces Lash Legend.
Perez looks so much better in the ring than almost anyone else in the tournament. Yet Perez has to sell for much of this match, which dampens the excitement level. Loud cheers and chants for Perez from the live studio audience, as she is clearly a favorite.
For the finish, Perez counters into a Code Red. She then scores a three count on James.
Edris Enofe & Malik Blade spoof Escobar & D’Angelo as they do an impression of the two. D’Angelo’s henchmen, Stacks and Two Dimes, confront Enofe & Blade. This sets up a tag team match between the two teams. Next Tuesday is Enfoe & Blade against Stacks & Two Dimes.
Nathan Frazier vs. Wes Lee ends in a no contest
Wagner runs in to attack both Lee and Frazier, so the match is thrown out. Lee is also thrown out, and he takes a bump on the announce desk in the process.
The pacing is fast, which is also played up on commentary. “High octane” and “high risk” were a few buzzwords used to describe by the announcers.
No matter how good the match, it ends with a run in. So much for getting over Frazier or Lee. Instead, Von Wagner is the star of the segment.
Wagner runs in and boots Frazier in the face. Wagner tosses Frazier out of the ring like a sack of potatoes, and Frazier by mistake clothesline himself on the bottom rope.
Lee attack Wagner, but to no avail. Wagner boots him in the face as well. Wagner lifts Lee into a military press. Wagner then throws Lee out of the ring, and Lee takes an ugly bump on the announce desk. Lee bounces off the desk.
Wagner stand tall in the ring with Mr. Stone. Sofia Cromwell is also in attendance, and the announcers mention her presence.
After a commercial break, Lee is backstage when he feels disrespected by Sanag. Frazier tells Lee to let it go, but Lee instead challenges Sanga to a match next week. Add that to the list of matches for next Tuesday.
Announced for next week on NXT:
NXT Champion Bron Breakker vs. Duke Hudson in a non-title match
NXT Women’s Champion vs. Mandy Rose in a non-title match
Edris Enofe & Malik Blade vs. Stacks & Two Dimes
NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly vs. Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp in a non-title match
Alba Fyre vs. Elektra Lopez
Sanga vs. Wes Lee
Santos Escobar defeats Tony D’Angelo
Escobar pins D’Angelo after a distraction and a loaded punch. It was mid.
Escobar only got to shine for brief moments in this match, but when he did, he shone like a superstar.
The match in this blood feud between “the two families” (that has involved such heinous acts as assaults and kidnapping) begins with a collar-and-elbow lock-up. It was at least a tense tie-up, for what that is worth.
Despite being the main event, this bout in what is a supposed heated rivalry has more the feel of a mid-card match on a house show. Then comes the screwy finish.
D’Angelo works over Escobar as the match goes through a commercial break. Comeback by Escobar, and he launches into the type of fantastic tope he was known for as El Hijo del Fantasma.
Escobar is cut off by D’Angelo, and D’Angelo uses a trifecta of belly-to-belly suplexes. D’Angelo is soon cut off, and they set up a high spot.
They fight while perched on the turnbuckles, setting up a Super Frankensteiner by Escobar. The audio is muted on the USA Network after a “holy s**t” chant from the studio audeince.
D’Angelo goes looking for a hidden weapon, possibly the crowbar he used in the past. He cannot find it. Legado del Fantasma appear at ringside. They have stolen the crowbar. Stacks & Two Dimes run in to attack Legado del Fantasma. The two teams brawl.
Meanwhile in the ring, D’Aneglo is distracted by the brawl at ringside. Phantom foreign object spot like Jerry Lawler in Memphis, as Escobar digs in his tights. He appears to load up his hand with something, and he decks D’Angelo with a closed fist.
D’Angelo falls like a stone, and Escobar covers him for the deciding pinfall. The announcers at first miss the loaded punch, but they catch it on a replay.
The show closes with a promo from Joe Gacy, because we apparently have not suffered enough Joe Gacy promos. Spare me. His act is getting long in the tooth.
Overall, a much better show than last week, but last week had a far better main event in my opinion.
Find out everything that went down on the May 10 edition of WWE NXT 2.0. Denise Salcedo breaks it all down on Speak Now Pro Wrestling!
Topics include: the Women’s NXT Breakout Tournament, a new addition to the Diamond Mine, another Joe Gacy promo. a telenovela unfolds between Tony D’ Angelo and Santos Escobar, and Natalya faces Cora Jade in the main event!
WWE NXT 2.0 Spring Breakin’ is officially in the books. Join on-camera personality Denise Salcedo on her weekly NXT 2.0 post-show. There’s a lot of topics to touch on including the recent NXT releases, pros of NXT 2.0, and so much more.
This show featured a lot of skits, a hot opener for the NXT North American Championship, and an NXT Championship match.
This is the best way to stay-up-to-date with the new NXT.
Following her surprise appearance on last week’s NXT, Natalya will be in action on the show tonight.
Natalya stopped by NXT last Tuesday and began a feud with Cora Jade. There was also a backstage segment on the show that set up a match between Natalya and Tatum Paxley for tonight. Paxley said she’s been trying to prove herself in NXT, and if she has to step up to Natalya to do it — so be it.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Santos Escobar is also set for tonight, with both Hayes and Escobar looking to state their case for a North American title shot. Hayes lost the North American title to Cameron Grimes in a five-way ladder match at NXT Stand & Deliver earlier this month. Escobar was also involved in the ladder match.
Plus, Grayson Waller vs. Sanga, Sarray vs. Tiffany Stratton, and an appearance by new NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly have been announced for tonight’s show.
Pretty Deadly defeated The Creed Brothers at the end of a gauntlet match last week to win the vacant NXT Tag Team titles. Waller and Sanga’s partnership ended after they failed to win the gauntlet match.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show kicks off with the new NXT Tag Team Champions, Elton Prince & Kit Wilson, who are known as Pretty Deadly. Besides being the new tag champs, they also must have quite the wardrobe.
Pretty Deadly begins to cut a promo, which is their first speaking role on NXT. Grizzled Young Veterans interrupt, and they cut their own promos on Pretty Deadly. Grizzled Young Veterans want a title match tonight. Actually, “Grizzled Young Veterans” might not be their team name anymore. But we will call them that for at least one more week out of habit.
Elektra Lopez interrupts as she leads Legado del Fantasma to the ring. Lopez says that Grizzled Young Veterans are not they only team that wants a title shot. With that, a melee erupts. Legado del Fantasma jump Grizzled Young Verterans.
Pretty Deadly exit the ring so the two heel teams can fight. The two teams brawl out of the ring and off the soundstage.
NXT Champion Bron Breakker comes through the crowd, and he gets into the ring. Dressed in street clothes, Breakker calls out Joe Gacy. Breakker wants his father’s Hall of Fame ring back.
Gacy appears on the Titantron screens hanging around the soundstage. Gacy tells Breakker that Gacy has what Breakker is looking for. Gacy challenges Breakker to find him. Gacy then laughs maniacally like a cartoon villain. Breakker heads backstage to search for Gacy, and so begins a show long skit.
A “digital exclusive” from “last Saturday” shows Santos Escobar cutting a promo on Carmelo Hayes. Hayes, joined as usual by Trick Williams, respond to Escobar with a promo of their own. This sets up a match later on tonight.
Tiffany Stratton defeats Sarray
Stratton pins Sarray after using a springboard into a corkscrew. Decent enough match, but the finishing sequence was odd with Sarray taking a phantom bump.
Stratton continues to improve. Parts of the bout look very choreographed, but Stratton is still one heck of an athlete. When Sarray starts her comeback, the pacing and intensity immediately pick up.
Sarry with a double stomp off the top rope, and then comes Sarray’s signature running dropkick. After using a German suplex earlier in the match , Sarray went for another. Stratton blocks it by holding onto the ropes.
Stratton throws her head back, and Sarray takes a bump like she was shot by a sniper. Stratton springboards into a corkscrew body press, and Stratton covers Sarray for a three count.
Breakker is backstage searching for Joe Gacy. He hears the voice of his father, Rick Steiner. His dad is calling out to “Bronson” as Breakker searches for where the sound is coming from.
Breakker finds the cage that Steiner was trapped in. Inside the cage is a electronic tablet, and that is the source of the sounds. An angry Breakker breaks the tablet and storms off to continue his search.
Pretty Deadly is met by Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta. There are sexual overtones when Hartwell & Pirotta ask for a match. Pretty Deadly think they mean a match against the women, but what the women mean is a match against their boyfriends — Dexter Lumis & Duke Hudson. This ends up being the main event match on the show. I am not kidding.
Grayson Waller in a backstage interview addressing his split with Sanga. Waller fired him last week after their loss in the gauntlet match. Waller was cutting a promo on Sanga when Andre Chase & Bodhi Hayward interrupt him. Chase said what we have is a “teachable moment,” which is his lame catchphrase.
Waller begins responding to Waller when a door burst open. It’s SANGA! Waller flees in a hurry. A chase ensues, as the monster lumbers after his prey. Sanga chases Waller onto the soundstage and into the ring. A referee follows them into the squared circle, and he orders for the bell to ring. A match is now underway.
Grayson Waller defeats Sanga
Waller pins Sanga in what is Sanga’s second televised loss on NXT in a singles match. Although Sanga plays a monster in this bout, Waller slays him in the end. Not looking good for Sanga’s future if he is already taking cleans pinfalls on TV. Time will tell.
Sanga in this bout mauls Waller from the start. Waller is on rubber legs, until he takes a powder when Sanga signals for a goozle. Waller seemingly counters, only to eventually run into a goozle at the hands of Sanga.
Waller still manages to again counter Sanga, as Waller escapes an attempted chokeslam. Waller then sends Sanga crashing into a ring post. With a running start into the ring, Waller does a roll and pops up into a cutter. Waller then covers Sanga for a three count.
Cora Jade in a vignette cuts a promo on Natalya. Jade even rips up a photograph of her younger self with Nattie. Jade meets Natalya in a match soon. This was a great hype video, but the next one on the show was even better.
A different vignette introduces viewers to Roxanne Perez (formerly known as Rok-C in ROH and indies). She talks about her struggles growing up, and how playing WWE video games helped her escape. She made her dreams come true, and she debuts in a WWE ring next week.
Roxanne is also interviewed backstage by McKenzie Mitchell. The Toxic Attraction trio interrupts Roxanne, and they proceed to bully her. Jacy Jayne tells her to move her debut up to this week, and Jayne challenges Perez to a match tonight. Perez accepts after saying she “will figure something out.”
Legado del Fantasma (with Elektra Lopez & Santos Escobar) defeat Grizzled Young Veterans
Really good fast paced match, but Grizzled Young Veterans seem more and more like afterthoughts on NXT. They lose another match clean. As good as the match was, it was also an afterthought if the post-match promo is any indication.
Santos Escobar joins Legado del Fantasma in the ring to celebrate. He cuts a promo on Carmelo Hayes, before the show goes to a commercial break. Escobar against Hayes is taking place at the top of the hour.
Carmelo Hayes (with Trick Williams) defeats Santos Escobar
Hayes pins Escobar after outside interference by unnamed assailants. Legadao del Fantasma was not a ringside, so Escobar was alone against the odds.
Seems like a babyface turn for Escobar, and it appears Escobar is headed for a match against Tony D’Angelo. However, D’Angelo later in the show denies any involvement in a Tonya Harding attack on Escobar.
As the match gets going, Williams causes a distraction. That allows Hayes to strike by springboarding into a flying clothesline. Hayes is in control as the show goes to a split screen commercial break.
The show comes back to full screen, and Hayes remains in control. The pace slows down to a crawl. They set up a spot where Escobar gives Hayes a delayed vertical suplex.
Slugfest develops with a fighting spirit exchange. They trade strikes. The pace soon quickens as Escobar fires up. He torpedoes himself through the ropes into a tope.
An unknown person wearing a suit and a fedora is suddenly at ringside standing next to Escobar. He was a red herring. From behind, another person in a suit and fedora attacks. Escobar is hit in the hamstring with a crowbar in a Tonya Harding angle.
The two men roll Escobar into the ring. Hayes leaps off the top rope with a guillotine legdrop, and Hayes scores a pinfall on Escobar.
Hayes cut a promo after the match, and Hayes talks about getting a title shot at “Spring Breakin'”, which brings out NXT North American Champion Cameron Grimes. Just when it looks like a confrontation between the two, in runs Solo Sikoa. He cleans house on Hayes and Williams, and Sikoa clears the ring except for Grimes. Sikoa says he has “next.”
Breakker is backstage searching for Gacy. This was ridiculous to begin with, but it was made even more ridiculous. They did the mirror spot from Nitro where Hollywood Hogan can see Warrior in a mirror, but no one else can. Breakker smashes a mirror and screams.
Tension is apparent in Diamond Mine. Roderick Strong tells Malcolm Bivens that Strong himself is the leader of the group. Strong tells Bivens that whoever does not agree with Strong’s vision of Diamond Mine, then they are an enemy.
Natalya defeats Tatum Paxley
Nattie submits Paxley with a sharpshooter. Nattie looks strong in winning, and she carries the match.
The story of the match is Nattie is basically a ring general, which she is. When Paxley begins to make a comeback, Nattie is there to guide her. Nattie feeds into the comeback while also directing traffic.
Paxley gets a two count after a standing senton. She missed a charge into a corner, and that is the beginning of the end. Natalya applies a sharpshooter, and Paxley taps out.
Tony D’Angelo in the parking lot when he is asked about the attack on Escobar. D’Angelo scoffs at any notion he is involved in the assault. He asks if a SUV in the parking lot belongs to Escobar.
A comedy skit shows Duke Hudson trying to game plan with Dexter Lumis. Gaga ensues.
Xyon Quinn defeats Wes Lee
Quinn pins Lee in a showcase match.
This was set up when the two got into a brief argument earlier in the show. Lee sold for much of the bout, but he eventually explodes into a comeback. But to no avail.
The match is basically all Quinn until he signals for his finisher. Lee counters with a superkick, and Lee fires up. Not for long. Lee messes up on an attempted springboard.
The botch kind of works well with the finish, as Quinn levels Lee with a right hand. He was probably supposed to hit the punch on Lee in mid-air, but Lee instead runs into it.
Quinn hits Lee with a Tito Santana flying forearm that looked very stiff. It looks downright brutal in slow motion.
Natalya in a backstage interview is confronted by Nikkita Lyons. Nattie is talking about Cora Jade when Lyons confronts her. Lyons towers over Nattie. They yell at each other, and this looks to set up a match between the two in two weeks.
Roxanne Perez defeats Jacy Jayne (with Mandy Rose and Gigi Dolan)
Perez pins Jayne after a distraction. Perez looks so much better in the ring that any of the other new faces in NXT. Too bad her bad was kept super short.
The match was just getting good when Wendy Choo appears on the Titantron. Choo is trashing Toxic Attraction’s lounge.
Choo’s antics distract Jayne, allowing Perez to bounce into action. Perez executes a Code Red, and Perez scores a three count on Jayne.
Escobar is leaving the building with Legado del Fantasma. They are in the parking lot walking to Escobar’s SUV. In some unintentional humor, Escobar is still wearing his gear. My guess is they pre-taped this segment before his match, but that is only a guess on my part. Escobar gets to his SUV only to find a boot on one of the wheels. A dead fish sits stinking on the hood. Escobar says it is pretty obvious who did this.
Made official for Spring Breakin’ in two weeks time, Cameron Grimes defends the NXT North American Championship in a triple threat match against Carmelo Hayes and Solo Sikoa.
Joe Gacy is watching Bron Breakker on a set of security monitors. Gacy says it is time he ends this. I sure wish somebody who end this stupid storyline. Mercy.
During the main event, some matches were announced for next Tuesday on NXT. Those bouts include:
Nikkita Lyons vs. Lash Legend
Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen meet Elektra Lopez & Legado del Fantasma in a six-person mixed tag team match
Solo Sikoa vs. Trick Williams
NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) defeat Dexter Lumis & Duke Hudson (with Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta) to retain their titles
Prince pins Hudson, and the champs retain.
While the work in the match was decent enough, this did not feel like a main event at all. Very much a prelim finish as well. Though this is basically in the main event slot, a skit would actually close the show.
Similar to the skit, this match had some gaga at times. It is supposed to be comedy.
The tag match built to hot tag where Hudson cleans house on Pretty Deadly. He is cut off, but Hudson fights back down the stretch. Hudson gets a near fall after a powerslam on Prince.
Wilson distracts Hudson, which allow Prince to boot Hudson with a high kick. Prince then covers Hudson, hooks a leg, and gets a pinfall. The champs retain.
Joe Gacy pushes Bron Breakker over the edge
Much of the lights on the soundstage go dark, with spotlights lighting up only Joe Gacy. He is on a perch bathed in the light. Out comes an angry Breakker to confront him.
Gacy tells Breakker he will return Rick Steiner’s Hall of Fame under one condition — Gacy is granted a title shot at Spring Breakin’ in two weeks time. I almost feel like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story” when he finds out the whole ring gimmick is just a crummy commercial. Drink more Ovaline. Watch more NXT.
Breakker accepts the challenge, because of course he does. Gacy places the HOF ring in a pocket on Breakker’s denim vest. On a side note, I think it is a nice looking vest. It is very pro wrestling.
Gacy then tells Breakker there one last thing he needs to do, and that is take a “leap of faith.” Gacy shoves Breakker backwards, and Breakker takes a bump off the platform they were standing on.
Breakker is down selling the fall. Gacy is standing on the platform looking down at Breakker. Gacy wears a sinister smile as druids cloaked in black suddenly appear. The druids cover Breakker as he screams for them to get off him.
The show closes with the cliffhanger of Breakker in peril. Joe Gacy is officially the next challenger. This storyline must continue for at least two more weeks. Please send help.
A match between two potential North American title contenders has been added to this week’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that Carmelo Hayes vs. Santos Escobar will take place on NXT this Tuesday night. The match was set up by a video that WWE uploaded over the weekend:
In the video, Escobar said that Hayes was never worthy of being NXT North American Champion. Escobar threatened to remind Hayes that Hayes’ place when it comes to the title is the back of the line.
Hayes was NXT North American Champion heading into NXT Stand & Deliver earlier this month. Cameron Grimes defeated Hayes, Escobar, Solo Sikoa, and Grayson Waller in a five-way ladder match to win the title.
Grimes retained the North American Championship against Sikoa on NXT last week. Trick Williams interfered near the end of the match and distracted Sikoa. Hayes and Williams then beat down Grimes and Sikoa after the match.
Escobar appeared on NXT last Tuesday and declined a peace offering from Tony D’Angelo, telling him that the respect of La Familia is worth far more than that. The previous week, Escobar congratulated D’Angelo on becoming the new “don of NXT” — but he warned D’Angelo to keep his business out of Legado del Fantasma’s.
Four matches have been announced for the Stand & Deliver go-home episode of WWE NXT 2.0 on Tuesday, March 29.
In a last chance qualifiers match, Roderick Strong, Cameron Grimes, and A-Kid will battle in a triple threat match next week with the winner advancing to the North American Championship ladder match at Stand & Deliver on Saturday, April 2.
Strong, Grimes, and A-Kid all lost their original qualifying bouts. North American Champion Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, Solo Sikoa, and Santos Escobar have already qualified for the ladder match.
Also set for next week, LA Knight will team with MSK against Imperium’s Gunther, Marcel Barthel, and Fabian Aichner. The trios bout was set up on this week’s NXT episode, where LA Knight confronted and attacked Gunther while challenging him to a Stand & Deliver match. Barthel and Aichner saved for Gunther, while MSK ran in to save Knight. Barthel and Aichner will defend the NXT Tag Team titles against MSK and The Creed Brothers in a three-way at Stand & Deliver.
Two additional bouts set for next week are Bodhi Hayward vs. Von Wagner, which was set up with a vignette on this week’s show, plus Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde taking on Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen in a tag bout.
Here is the announced lineup for next week’s NXT 2.0:
Last chance qualifying match for Stand & Deliver: Roderick Strong vs. Cameron Grimes vs. A-Kid
Two of the five competitors in the NXT Stand & Deliver ladder match for the North American Championship are now set.
Santos Escobar defeated Cameron Grimes in a qualifying match on tonight’s NXT 2.0 episode to advance to the ladder match on April 2. Escobar and three competitors to be determined will challenge Carmelo Hayes for the North American title.
Following his victory, Escobar had a backstage confrontation with Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio. Escobar and Mysterio ultimately shook hands, and a future match was teased between the two, as Escobar asserted that he was the greatest luchador of all time, not Rey.
Stand & Deliver is set for Saturday, April 2 at 12 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock and WWE Network. The NXT North American title match is the only match official for the show at this point.
The lineup:
NXT Stand & Deliver, Saturday, April 2, 12 p.m. Eastern time —
NXT North American Championship ladder match: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Santos Escobar vs. TBD vs. TBD vs. TBD
Three title bouts, the finals of the 2022 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and a weaponized steel cage match took place on last night’s special Vengeance Day edition of NXT.
In last night’s main event, Bron Breakker defeated Santos Escobar to retain the NXT Championship. It was Breakker’s first title defense since becoming NXT Champion last month.
While the referee was distracted by Legado del Fantasma trying to interfere during the match, Dolph Ziggler got involved and dropped Breakker with a superkick. Escobar covered Breakker to try and get the win, but Breakker kicked out. Ziggler was then taken out of the equation when Tommaso Ciampa fought with him at ringside. Breakker ended up getting the win with a spear and powerslam.
Ziggler and Ciampa will face off on NXT next week.
The NXT North American Championship and NXT Women’s Tag Team titles were also on the line last night. Carmelo Hayes retained his North American title by defeating Cameron Grimes, while Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne retained their tag titles against Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta.
The Creed Brothers were crowned as the 2022 men’s Dusty Cup champions as they defeated MSK in the finals. Plus, Pete Dunne defeated Tony D’Angelo in their weaponized cage match.
Join on-air personality Denise Salcedo as she reviews the February 15th edition of NXT Vengeance Day. This was a really good episode of NXT 2.0, check out the show to find out why!
Topics Rundown:
Weaponized Steel Cage match — Pete Dunne vs. Tony D’Angelo
Raquel and Cora Jade prep for the Dusty Cup tournament
Persia & Indi challenge Toxic Attraction for the NXT Tag Team Championship
Will Wendy Choo wants to partner with Dakota Kai
LA Knight and Grayson Waller feud continues
NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes vs. Cameron Grimes
Three title matches headline tonight’s special Vengeance Day edition of NXT.
The NXT Championship will be on the line as Bron Breakker defends against Santos Escobar in tonight’s main event. It will be Breakker’s first title defense since winning the championship from Tommaso Ciampa at New Year’s Evil last month.
The NXT North American Championship and NXT Women’s Tag Team titles will also be up for grabs tonight. Carmelo Hayes defends his North American title against Cameron Grimes, while Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta challenge Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) for the Women’s Tag Team titles.
The finals of the 2022 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will take place as MSK take on The Creed Brothers. Plus, Pete Dunne faces Tony D’Angelo in a weaponized steel cage match.
For the second straight week, NXT is airing on Syfy due to the Winter Olympics being on USA Network. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Pete Dunne defeated Tony D’Angelo in a Weaponized Steel Cage Match
Pete Dunne was already standing in the cage as we kicked off the show. Then we cut to the back where Tony D’Angelo was driven into the building in a car that Vic Joseph mentioned might have been “lifted”.
Dunne attacked D’Angelo immediately after the bell and hit him with several of the weapons that were tied up around the cage. D’Angelo fought back and hit a Falcon Arrow on top of a garbage can as things got off to a really fast start.
Dunne went after D’Angelo’s fingers early in the match too. Attacking hands has sort of been the story of their feud. First Dunne slammed D’Angelo’s hands in a tool box, then he wrapped them in a wrench and stomped on them. Dunne then tried to escape the cage but D’Angelo hit him with a blast from a fire extinguisher and suplexed him off the top. After this, he tied Dunne’s hands behind his back.
Dunne actually managed to get some offense in despite having his hands tied behind his back. He landed a headbutt and then looked to lock in a headscissors on his opponent. D’Angelo slammed out of the hold, however, and then got a 2 count after a DDT.
D’Angelo went to Powerbomb Dunne into a table but Dunne wrapped him up in a Guillotine choke. In order to get out of the move, D’Angelo grabbed pliers from the tool box and cut Dunne’s hands free.
After this, D’Angelo went for his weapon of choice, the crowbar, but Dunne caught him and powerbombed him through a table. After that, Dunne went for his weapon of choice, a cricket bat, and broke it over D’Angelo’s back. Dunne then picked him up and delivered the Bitter End but only got a 2 count.
D’Angelo then hit Dunne with a low blow and then a fisherman buster for a 2 count. Dunne then grabbed a crowbar that was hidden by the ring apron and hit D’Angelo with it. He then hit Bitter End for a second time and got the pin.
This started fast and never let up. There was a lot of plunder used but also a lot of story to it with call-backs to things that happened earlier in the rivalry.
– We cut to a video of Cora Jade being woken up early in the morning by Raquel Gonzalez. They’ll team together in the Dusty Rhodes Classic so the story here is that Gonzalez wants to train hard to win the tournament. A montage of them doing various training exercises ensued.
– The Creed Brothers and Malcolm Bivens cut a promo backstage saying the only reason MSK won the Dusty Cup last year is because they weren’t in the tournament.
– MSK cut a backstage promo saying they plan on winning back-to-back Dusty Cups. They mentioned that now they were the veterans facing an up and coming team.
Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) defeated Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta to retain the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships
Toxic Attraction attacked the challengers before the bell. Once things got back in the ring, Pirotta got her and Hartwell back into it pretty quickly, however, after giving Jayne a fall away slam.
The heels took over after Mandy Rose distracted Hartwell. Then after Indi had spilled to the outside, the ref caught Rose tossing her back in the ring and ejected her from ringside. We then went to commercial.
Hartwell started to make a comeback right as the show came back from break. She then made a hot tag to Pirotta who would take out both her opponents and eventually gave them a double Samoan Drop.
With Hartwell and Dolin the legal competitors, Jayne and Pirotta ended up brawling on the outside. Jayne then tossed Pirotta into the steel steps, taking her out of the match. She then grabbed Hartwell’s leg as she was going for her springboard elbow. Shortly after this, Toxic Attraction hit a high and low double-team move on Hartwell and got the pin.
– We cut to the back where Wendy Choo was asking Dakota Kai to be her teammate in the Dusty Rhodes Classic. As this was happening, Dakota was talking to someone off-screen that only she was aware of.
– Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs were in a bar talking about their recent dates with Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter. Jensen’s date with Kayden didn’t appear to go too great, as she referred to him as like a brother. Everyone agreed that he has fallen into the “friend zone”. Riveting stuff.
Grayson Waller & LA Knight promo segment
LA Knight came out to cut a promo but was interrupted by Grayson Waller who had two police officers with him. He showed footage of Knight attacking him last week and breaking the restraining order he had taken out on him. Then Knight played a video of Waller attacking him from two weeks ago. Knight also pointed out that page 2 of the restraining order also said that Grayson Waller could not attack him either. The police officers then just decided to leave, perhaps realizing that two wrestlers attacking each other on a pro wrestling show is not something for them to get involved in.
Knight then attacked Waller and tossed him out of the ring before announcing the two of them will face off next week.
– We cut to the back where Pirotta and Indi Hartwell were consoling each other over their loss. They said they would enter the Dusty Rhodes Classic and get another shot at the titles. Dexter Lumis then came in and left with Hartwell. Duke Hudson then came in and led Pirotta away by the hand.
– Tommaso Ciampa cut a backstage promo about people thinking they are better than him because his accomplishments occurred in what they consider a “farm system.” He said Dolph Ziggler thinks he’s better than him but shouldn’t mistake his loyalty for weakness.
Carmelo Hayes (w/ Trick Williams) defeated Cameron Grimes to retain the NXT North American Championship
They started off with some back and forth grappling and a slow pace. Grimes then hit a big back body drop but got distracted with Williams on the outside. This allowed Hayes to attack from behind and go on offense. Hayes hit a springboard leg drop on Grimes as he was draped in the ropes just before we went to commercial.
During the picture-in-picture, Williams hit Grimes behind the referee’s back. Commentary played up that his interference was the story of this match thus far.
Grimes began to make a comeback shortly after we returned from break. He hit a big side slam for a 2 count. Hayes then hit a lung blower and a springboard clothesline for a 2 count. Grimes got the next near fall after a super kick.
Williams then tried to distract Grimes again but as Hayes went to attack from behind, the challenger side stepped him and gave him a poisonrana. Grimes then kicked Williams and delivered a flying crossbody to the champion for a two count.
Grimes called for his double foot stomp but Hayes rolled out of the ring. Grimes followed and went to give him the move on the floor but Williams pushed Hayes out of the way and ended up taking it himself. Hayes then tossed Grimes into the barricade.
Back in the ring, Hayes locked Grimes up in a crossface. As Grimes went for the ropes, Williams pulled the bottom rope away from him. Grimes ended up countering the hold into a pinning combination for a two count. Short after this, Hayes whiplashed Grimes’ neck off the ropes and hit a diving axe kick for the win.
In storyline, Trick Williams is really good at interfering. He did it a bunch this match without getting caught or ejected.
– In the back, Kay Lee Ray was smashing things with a baseball bat and asked if Io Shirai wanted to as well. This then led to a montage of them breaking stuff. With Zoey Stark injured, Shirai needs a tag partner for the Dusty Rhodes Classic. It looks like she’s chosen Ray.
The Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed & Julius Creed) w/ Malcolm Bivens defeated MSK (Nash Carter & Wes Lee) To Win The 2022 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
Malcolm Bivens came out with a John Cena “Never Give Up” towel. He then flipped it around where it read “Nah, You Should”.
The two teams exchanged periods of offense early. Eventually, the Creed Brothers gained the advantage and knocked both members of MSK to the outside before we went to commercial break.
When we got back from break, Lee made a hot tag to Carter. He hit a snap German suplex on Brutus and a series of kicks on both Creed Brothers. He then hit a Senton on Julius as Lee tagged in and delivered a diving corkscrew right after. MSK then kept up the attack with double-team moves after this.
The Creed Brothers then turned things around. Brutus took Lee out with a push kick. Meanwhile, Julius caught a tope attempt from Carter and gave him a spine buster on the floor. He rolled him back in the ring, gave him a big clothesline and got the pin.
The Creed Brothers and Malcolm Bivens then celebrated with the Dusty Cup as confetti dropped from the floor.
– We cut to a vignette of Nikkita Lyons. She said she’ll be making her debut next week.
Imperium Promo
The fans kept chanting “Walter” at Gunther. He then corrected them on how to properly pronounce the name “Gunther”.
They congratulated The Creed Brothers on winning the Dusty Cup but said they wouldn’t be ready to face them for the titles. Gunther then said he’ll be watching the NXT Championship match between Bron Breakker and Santos Escobar with interest. He was likely about to mention something about the mat being sacred when Solo Sikoa interrupted.
Sikoa said that on the island they find the biggest and baddest guy and smack the taste out of his mouth and that’s what he was looking to do. He never did get in the ring, though. His music played and he left. So, it looks like we’ll be getting Gunther vs Sikoa sometime soon.
– Dolph Ziggler was interviewed in the back and spoke about Ciampa’s promo from earlier. Ziggler said that he plans on ending Ciampa’s hope of becoming NXT champion again by beating him next week. He also said he’ll be watching the NXT Championship match between Breakker and Escobar closely.
– In the back, Pete Dunne congratulated Carmela Hayes on still be NXT North American Champion “for now”. It looks like Dunne plans on challenging for that belt soon.
– The lineup for next week was revealed. The Women’s Dusty Rhodes Classic begins next week, though no teams or matches were announced. LA Knight vs Grayson Waller and Dolph Ziggler vs Tommaso Ciampa were also announced.
Bron Breakker defeated Santos Escobar to retain the NXT Championship
During his ring entrance, Breakker lit the Vengeance Day logo on fire before walking out to the ring.
They established Breakker as the much stronger wrestler early in the match. He knocked the challenger over with a shoulder block and also no-sold a shove attempt (as in Escobar shoved him but he didn’t move an inch).
Escobar got back into things with a dropkick. Breakker then regained the advantage shortly after with a big delayed vertical suplex. A lariat and a backbreaker followed. Then Joaquin Wilde got up on the ring apron, distracting the champion. Escobar knocked Breakker off the ring apron and landed his patented tope. This led to Escobar going on a sustained period of offense.
After a very long period of Escobar wearing the champion down, Breakker eventually made a comeback. He hit a flurry of punches and shoulder blocks to get back into it. Mendoza and Wilde then both got up on the ring apron but Breakker took them both out. Then Elektra Lopez distracted the referee and Dolph Ziggler ran in and super kicked Breakker. Escobar covered the champion but only got a two count. This really upset Ziggler on the outside.
Ziggler then tried to get back in the ring but Tommaso Ciampa prevented him. They then brawled on the outside.
Escobar hit a tornado DDT but missed a frog splash attempt. Breakker then hit a spear, pulled the straps down on his singlet and gorilla pressed his opponent into a power slam and got the pin.
Final Thoughts: This was a fun show. The NXT Championship picture is getting exciting. Multiple guys stated their intentions to go after the belt tonight. Ziggler, Ciampa, and Gunther all referenced wanting a shot at the title. Ziggler and Ciampa will face each other next week while Gunther has to get passed Solo Sikoa at some point it seems. A Gunther vs Breakker match would be fun, Ziggler vs Breakker would be good too. I imagine those will be the next two title matches. The cage match tonight was awesome, and Grimes vs Hayes was good too. There are things to like about NXT 2.0.
A member of the WWE main roster made their way to NXT last night to crash Bron Breakker and Santos Escobar’s championship summit.
After weeks of back and forth on social media, Dolph Ziggler showed up on NXT last night to confront Breakker. Ziggler interrupted the title summit and set his sights on Breakker’s NXT Championship. Ziggler ran down his list of accomplishments and mentioned that becoming NXT Champion is one thing he hasn’t done.
But Ziggler wasn’t the only person to interrupt the segment. Tommaso Ciampa made his way out and ended up getting into it with Ziggler. Ciampa also wanted to be next in line for a shot at the NXT Championship after Breakker faces Escobar.
Ziggler asked Ciampa when the training wheels are going to come off for him to move on from NXT. Ciampa responded by attacking Ziggler. As they fought on the outside, Legado del Fantasma attacked Breakker in the ring and put him through a table.
Breakker is defending his NXT Championship against Escobar at NXT Vengeance Day next Tuesday.
Join on-air personality Denise Salcedo as she reviews the February 8th edition of WWE NXT 2.0. This show features Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semi-final matches, an unexpected appearance from Dolph Ziggler, and much more!
Topics Rundown:
Creed Brothers advance to Dusty Cup Finals
Tiffany Stratton defeats Wendy Choo
Pete Dunne adds weapons to steel cage match with Tony D’Angelo
LA Knight vs. Sanga
Dolph Ziggler appears on NXT 2.0 —- Santos Escobar overshadowed
Santos Escobar will officially be the first challenger for Bron Breakker’s NXT Championship.
Breakker will defend his title against Escobar at NXT Vengeance Day on Tuesday, February 15. The show is airing live on Syfy instead of the USA Network due to a scheduling conflict with the Winter Olympics.
Breakker won the NXT Championship from Tommaso Ciampa at New Year’s Evil last month. Escobar has taken exception to Breakker becoming champion so soon into his career, saying that he despises how fast Breakker got to NXT, despises the opportunities Breakker has been given, and despises the fact that Breakker won the NXT Championship before him.
Whenever Breakker challenged Escobar to face him over the last few weeks, Escobar stated that they would do things on his time. Breakker & Ciampa defeated Escobar’s Legado del Fantasma stablemates Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde in the main event of NXT this past Tuesday. Breakker challenged Escobar to get into the ring after the match, but Escobar again said that they would do things on his time.
Before Vengeance Day, Breakker and Escobar will meet for a “championship summit” on next Tuesday’s NXT. That episode is also airing on Syfy due to the Winter Olympics.
Here’s the updated card for Vengeance Day:
NXT Champion Bron Breakker defends against Santos Escobar
NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes defends against Cameron Grimes
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) defend against Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta
The finals of the 2022 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
