Shotzi says that some of the comments she’s received following Money in the Bank have “hit hard.”
The SmackDown wrestler performed in the women’s Money in the Bank match on the pay-per-view. On Monday, she posted a statement on Twitter addressing critics of her performance.
“There are 3 things I care about at the end of a match. Is everyone safe? Did everyone have fun? Did the crowd react? Nobody got hurt. We all had a blast and the Vegas crowd was HotHotHot! I felt on top of the world after that match and was so excited to finally have my first hardcore match in over a year. I wouldn’t have done anything I didn’t practice or thought I couldn’t do safely. But I’m not a wrestle robot, I’m human and slips happen especially in a CHAOTIC UNPREDICTABLE ladder match!
“I can take a joke and laugh at myself (One of the first things I said was ‘I can’t wait to see that spot on botchamania’) but comments like “you should be fired” and other terrible things admittedly hit hard. I had to have a few friends wipe the tears off my face and slap some sense into me and remind me WHO THE F I AM! That being said, all my haters can SUCK MY BIG GIANT HAIR MANGOS!”
Alexa Bliss and Natalya both replied to Shotzi’s comments.
“I’m proud of you for always keeping it real. Ladder matches are so hard to do. You guys worked your asses off—” Natalya wrote.
“This is why I don’t like Twitter most of the time – ppl are always to bash everything – if people only knew what all goes into what we do – & the chaos of that day haha everyone is safe & we all had fun,” wrote Bliss.
Happy Friday! Join on-camera personality Denise Salcedo on her show Speak Now Pro Wrestling as she reviews both WWE Smackdown and AEW Rampage! We had two really good back-to-back shows and plenty to talk about from both shows!
Rampage topics include: Jake Hager vs. Eddie Kingston, Kris Statlander vs. Red Velvet, Will Ospreay and more!
Smackdown topics include: Cody Rhodes injury update, Ronda Rousey promos, Gunther as IC champ, Matt riddle vs Sami Zayn and more!
The fallout from Halloween Havoc takes place on tonight’s NXT.
Last week’s Halloween Havoc special featured four title matches and three title changes. Tommaso Ciampa retained his NXT Championship against Bron Breakker, while Mandy Rose won the NXT Women’s Championship, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne won the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, and Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner won the NXT Tag Team titles.
Rose will kick off tonight’s show, Ciampa will address what’s next for him, and we’ll be hearing from Barthel & Aichner.
Dakota Kai made her return to NXT at Halloween Havoc and cost her former tag team partner Raquel Gonzalez the NXT Women’s Championship. Kai faces Cora Jade tonight.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams went to Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis’ haunted house at Halloween Havoc to get Hayes’ North American title belt back. Tonight, Hayes & Williams will face Gargano & Lumis in a tag team match.
Plus, Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner take on Legado del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde, Tony D’Angelo appears on Lashing Out with Lash Legend, Cameron Grimes enters Duke’s Poker Room, and Robert Stone has issued a challenge to Xyon Quinn.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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New NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose kicks off the show. She won the title last week at Halloween Havoc, completing what is being called the “Toxic Trifecta.” All three members of Toxic Attraction won titles last Tuesday night.
Rose enters the ring for a promo. Some in the crowd chant for her, and some chant against her. She heeled on the crowd, regardless. Rose goes on to talk about defeating Raquel Gonzalez for the title last week. Rose told us she was winning the title, and she did. She added that she was a woman of her word. In saying she was the baddest in the building, Rose cursed, and she was bleeped by censors.
Rose brought up the other two members of Toxic Attraction. She assumed everyone was wondering where they were, since they were not at Rose’s side as usual. Cut to backstage where Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolan were attacking Zoey Stark. They targeted Stark’s leg, and Stark sold big.
Back in the ring, Rose says Toxic Attraction runs NXT. She adds there is not a woman, tag team or faction that will stop them. Rose is interrupted by Io Shirai, who says she saw what Toxic Attraction. Shirai does not like Stark, but Shirai says she likes Rose even less.
Shirai challenges Rose to a match right here and now. Rose tells Shirai that she is not scared of her. Rose then hits Shirai with a cheapshot, striking her with a microphone. Rose begins to pummel Shirai. Rose continues the attack at ringside, until they both get back into ring. Rose cuts a promo on Shirai, but Rose is interrupted when Shirai makes a comeback.
Shirai was a house of fire, and she went for a moonsault. Jayne and Dolin runs down to the ring to jump Shirai. Toxic Attraction gang up on Shirai for a beatdown. Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro make a save as they run in to even the odds. The heel trio flees, and the first programs for the new champions are becoming clear.
Backstage after the melee, Toxic Attraction see Dakota Kai. At Halloween Havoc, Kai interfered to cost Gonzalez the women’s title, giving the win to Rose. Kai tells Rose she did not do it to help Rose. Kai says she did it to “end Raquel.” Kai then heads to the ring for the opening match on this show.
Meanwhile, Cameron Grimes arrives to Duke’s Poker Room. Duke Hudson insults him, but Grimes takes it in stride. Grimes is so great. I hope these skits do not make him look like a geek. We shall see the skits continue later in the show.
Dakota Kai defeated Cora Jade
Kai pinned Jade to win decisively. Kai was a new killer instinct.
Jade carries a skateboard to the ring like she is Johnny Ace. Kai was an a new look, and a fiery new attitude. Kai was ruthless at the start in taking the fight to Jade.
Jade fights back with a flurry of offense that includes near falls. Kai cut her off, but Jade counters again. Kai cut her off again, and Kai hits Jade with a high kick in the corner.
Kai drags Jade around by the hair after the match. Kai gets a table from underneath the ring. She puts the table on top of Jade, and Kai looked to jump off the apron. Kai was talked down by an official.
MSK are at a bus stop. They were headed to meet the man behind the legend of MSK. They were talking and missed their bus, so they decide to walk instead.
Xyon Quinn defeats Robert Stone
This started as some weird dance off. Terrible segment until the squash match where Quinn pinned Stone.
Stone was mad that Quinn had chokeslammed him through a table during a costume party last week. Stone was going to out sing Quinn, and then stomp him. Actually, Stone made “stomp ya'” rhyme with “romper,” which does not translate well in print.
Hit the music and Stone starts to sing and dance. He is awfully proud of himself. The crowd chants that he sucks. Quinn is also unimpressed.
Quinn said he was going to be honest, “that was kind of interesting.” Quinn then says he “only came here to kick your ass.” Stone calls Quinn a chicken fort not wanting to sing. So, Quinn agreed to sing.
Cue the music and it is Shawm Micahels’ theme “Sexy Boy.” Quinn proceeds to sing along to the song. This segment really took a turn for the worse here. This got bad real fast. Stone tries to attack Quinn, but Quinn spins him into a dance routine and drops Stone on the mat.
Stone charges at Quinn again, and they do a Dirty Dancing spot. The singing is thankfully over as Quinn squashes Stone with for a beatdown. Quinn then covered Stone for a pinfall.
Joe Gacy cuts a promo about Harlan,and Gacy says they will take over the world together. Whatever, bro.
Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde with Elektra Lopez) defeated Von Wagner & Kyle O’Reilly
O’Reilly is the workhorse of his team, but Wagner is the focus. Heat on O’Reilly, leading to a hot tag by Wagner. They worked well together until the finish. They went for a tandem move when Mendoza takes out O’Reilly with a missile dropkick. Wilde then pinned Wagner with a schoolboy for the win out of nowhere.
North American Champion Carmelo Hayes is with Trick Williams for a backstage interview. Andre Chase interrupts them to say he has their back like they had his back last week in the haunted house. Williams and Hayes blow off Chase, and they laugh at him as they leave.
Chase is asked about people calling him a coward after what happened in the haunted house. Chase gets angry and heads to the ring to give out an “ass kicking.” There is a lot of cursing on this show. I guess that is edgy and whatnot.
Back at Duke’s Poker Room, Grimes was having good luck chatting with a woman. Grimes also had good luck at poker. He won a hand and did not even know it until revealing a flush. Grimes had not idea what a flush is, but he was happy to win. Duke Hudson called it beginner’s luck. The game continues later in the show.
Bron Breakker defeated Andre Chase
Breakker ran through Chase to win a quick match.
Chase came out to the ring, and he was mad about people calling him a coward. Chase scoffed, and he says we have a “teachable moment.” The only thing to fear out here in Andre Chase. Hold on to that thought, bud.
Chase issues an open challenge, and Bron Breakker answers the challenge.
Breakker mauls Chase from the start of this short match. Chase is pummeled from pillar to post. Breakker with power moves. Chase manages to cut him off with cheapshot. Breakker fires up soon thereafter just before the finish.
Breakker lifts Chase in a gorilla press, and then Breakker drops Chase into a powerslam. Breakker then covers Chase for an easy pinfall.
Breakker cut a promo after the match. He acknowledged failing to win the biggest match of his career last week. Nothing pisses him off more than losing. Breakker vowed to get another shot at the title and win.
The new NXT Tag Team Champions, Imperium, cut a promo with subtitles. They were approached by the new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Jayne and Dolan. The new women’s champs say they are booked in a trios match for next week on NXT. They invite the guys to watch.
Lashing Out with Lash Legend has Tony D’Angelo as a guest. The subject is the abduction of the producer named Mark. He comes on the show, and D’Angelo verbally dresses him down. D’Angelo bullies Mark into saying everything is fine. D’Angelo says his goal to make as much money as he can and beat people up along the way. D’Angelo slips Lash some money before making an exit.
Solo Sikoa defeated Jeet Rama
Sikoa pinned Rama in a squash match. Sikoa was made to look like a killer. Sikoa won after a splash off the top rope, and Sikoa looked impressive in doing so.
Boa defeated Grayson Waller
Boa pinned Waller after Waller was distracted by LA Knight.
LA Knight did guest commentary during the match. Boa got a lot of offense, which Knight was happy about. Should be noted that Boa was alone with Mei Ying in his corner.
When Waller was making a comeback, Knight left the announce desk. Knight caused a distraction, which allowed Boa to nail Waller with a knee strike. Boa then covered Waller for pinfall.
The conclusion of the skits from Duke’s Poker Room saw Cameron Grimes beat a smug Duke Hudson in a poker game. Grimes got the last laugh. Pleasantly surprised Grimes did not look like a look. Instead, he looked to be headed TO THE MOON!
Kay Lee Rat returns to NXT next week, and she vows to rage. She also smashed a lot of things in a rage.
North American Champion confronts NXT Champion
NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa comes to the ring clutching his title belt. Ciampa talks about a changing of the guard at Halloween Havoc. All of the titles changed hands except for Ciampa’s title. Ciampa declares himself the “the god of NXT.”
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams interrupt Ciampa’s promo. Hayes, who is the North American Champion, says he wants to put Ciampa in check. Hayes tells Ciampa that Hayes is the “A” champion in NXT.
Ciampa claps back at Hayes, and Ciampa basically says Hayes is bluffing. Ciampa tells Hayes that Hayes himself does not believe a word that Hayes is saying right now. Ciampa says if Hayes feels froggy, then Hayes should jump.
Williams tries to chime in, saying Ciampa is tripping. Ciampa in turn lays out Williams with a punch. Ciampa hold up the his title, and Ciampa slowly back away to leave the ring. Ciampa punked them out big time.
Johnny Gargano enters the scene for the main event. He stops to meet Ciampa in the aisle, which is clearly a tease for the former teammates to reunite as a tag team.
Trick Williams & NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes defeated Dexter Lumis & Johnny Gargano
Hayes pinned Lumis after Williams hit Lumis with a shoe.
Lumis and Gargano in storyline worked well together as a team. The babyfaces got to shine early on in the match. Gargano did some of his signature spots, and the heels were reeling as the babyfaces looked strong.
The match went through a commercial break. Heels work over Gargano. Hot tag to Lumis, and Lumis cleans house. Gargano joins in by putting a black glove on his hand to match Lumis’ black glove. The old school fan in me wanted them to deliver a heart punch with that glove gimmick, but they chopped the heels in the throat instead.
Really good exchange with Gargano against Hayes. Lumis tagged in to clean things up, and he applied his signature sleeper on Hayes. However, Williams hit Lumis with a shoe like he was JJ Dillon at The Clash of the Champions. Just like at The Clash, it works. Lumis was knocked out. Gargano hit Williams with a tope, but Lumis was still laid out in the ring.
Hayes leapt off the top rope with a Psicosis-style guillotine legdrop on Lumis. Hayes then covers Lumis for a three count, and the heels steal a win.
Three members of the NXT roster appeared in dark matches at tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings.
Former NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defeated Toni Storm in a dark match.
Gonzalez dropped the NXT Women’s title to Mandy Rose in a Trick or Street Fight at NXT Halloween Havoc this past Wednesday. Gonzalez had held the Championship since April’s NXT TakeOver Stand and Deliver.
Gonzalez, 30, has been with the company since signing in October 2016. She made her WWE in-ring debut at an NXT house show in January 2017.
The Creed Brothers of NXT’s Diamond Mine also appeared in a dark match, losing to The Viking Raiders.
Brutus Creed and Julius Creed made their in-ring debuts on the September 7 episode of NXT television, a show taped in August. Julius signed with WWE in October 2020, while Brutus signed in February 2021.
Both Creed Brothers have high-level amateur wrestling backgrounds, with Brutus wrestling at Otterbein University and Julius capturing the 2018 ACC heavyweight championship while wrestling at Duke University.
The final SmackDown episode of the ThunderDome era took place last night.
The build to Money in the Bank continued ahead of the Sunday, July 18 pay-per-view. Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura won Money in the Bank qualifying matches last night, meaning the field for the men’s MITB ladder match is now fully set. Ricochet, John Morrison, Riddle, Drew McIntyre, Big E, Kevin Owens, Rollins, and Nakamura will be taking part in it.
WWE both added and subtracted a participant from the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. With Bayley out of action for approximately nine months due to injury, it was announced that Bianca Belair will no longer be defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship at Money in the Bank. She’ll instead be defending her title against Carmella on SmackDown next Friday.
Carmella is now no longer in the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Liv Morgan is taking her spot, joining Asuka, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, and Zelina Vega in the match. There are still two more spots left to be filled.
In the main event segment of the show, The Mysterios provided backup for Edge against Roman Reigns and The Usos. Reigns is defending his Universal Championship against Edge at Money in the Bank. A SmackDown Tag Team title match between The Mysterios and The Usos also looks to be on the horizon.
Plus, Shotzi Blackheart & Tegan Nox debuted by defeating WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Natalya & Tamina in a non-title match last night. It was also announced that Toni Storm is being called up to SmackDown and will be debuting soon.
Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart made their debut on WWE SmackDown as a team, defeating the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
It was noted prior to the match that Natalya and Tamina would be facing a new team never seen before in WWE. The ring announcer introduced the new team as “Nox” and “Shotzi”, although Michael Cole on commentary referred to Nox as “Tegan” multiple times. Shotzi picked up the win for her team, pinning Natalya following a senton.
Both Nox and Shotzi have competed in dark matches prior to Raw and SmackDown in recent weeks as WWE prepares to return to the road later this month. Other names that have worked dark matches recently include Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Toni Storm, Bronson Reed, and Odyssey Jones.
Nox has just returned from a ACL injury suffered last August, returning on The Great American Bash episode of NXT this week. Her distraction cost The Way (Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae) the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. Shotzi Blackheart has teamed with Ember Moon in the past and together are former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, losing the belts to The Way back on May 4.
Four NXT wrestlers, including Toni Storm and Odyssey Jones, worked dark matches prior to tonight’s SmackDown.
Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Toni Storm, Karrion Kross, and Shotzi Blackheart worked dark matches tonight. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful was the first to report that Storm worked a dark match. PWInsider additionally reported that Storm faced Shotzi Blackheart. Odyssey Jones, real name Omari Palmer, faced Robert Roode in a singles match. He is a former football player for Syracuse University who has been signed with WWE since 2019.
Karrion Kross, who has worked dark matches for WWE officials for the last few weeks, faced Cesaro tonight in a singles match. Kross and Blackheart have previously competed in dark matches. Kross appeared on Main Event two weeks ago, defeating Shelton Benjamin. Blackheart competed in a dark match prior to last week’s SmackDown, facing Scarlett.
Bronson Reed is another name that has appeared in recent dark matches. He also competed on Main Event two weeks ago, defeating Drew Gulak.
NXT’s final build to the Great American Bash takes place tonight.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell will be putting their titles on the line at the Great American Bash next Tuesday. Tonight, Io Shirai & Zoey Stark, Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai, and Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will face off in a triple threat match to determine their challengers.
An NXT Tag Team title match between MSK and Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher has been made official for the Great American Bash. The two teams will take part in a face-to-face segment tonight.
Mercedes Martinez will team with Jake Atlas tonight as they take on Tian Sha’s Xia Li & Boa in a mixed tag team match. Cameron Grimes will also be in action tonight.
Plus, NXT will follow up on last week’s debut of the Diamond Mine. Roderick Strong, Tyler Rust, and Hideki Suzuki are part of the faction and are being managed by Malcolm Bivens. Strong attacked NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida at the end of last week’s show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Io Shirai & Zoey Stark defeated Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in a triple threat number one contender’s tag team match
Shirai pinned Kai to win the match, earning Shiari and Stark a title shot at the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship against The Way at The Great American Bash.
One wrestler from each of the three teams in the ring at once, so three wrestlers were legal at a time.
The match breaks down into a melee with everybody involved, leading to a parade a dives before a commercial break. All the babyfaces flew. Shirai with an Asai moonsault, Blackheart did a tope suicida, Moon off the middle rope with a somersault senton, and Stark springboarded into a flying cross body.
Gonzalez looked to be dominate after a commercial break, but Shirai and Blackheart fought back and tagged out. Stark, Moon and Kai traded near falls after tagging in. Stark and Shirai teamed up to target Kai. Shirai springboarded into a missile dropkick for another near fall. Blackheart broke up the pin with a senton. Blackheart & Moon with momentum on their side were in control.
Blackheart applied cattle mutilation on Kai, but Gonzalez was able to make a save. Babyfaces ganged up on Gonzalez. She was seemingly out out of the way for a tower of doom spot. Gonzalez jumped back in to break up the tower of doom. Gonzalez ragdolled and mowed down the babyfaces. Shirai was finally able to cut off Gonzalez.
Kai off the top rope with double foot stomp on Blackheart. Kai then turned around into a double knee strike from Shirai. Kai countered a crossface, and she superkicked Shirai. Kai could not capitalize, and Shirai struck with a butterfly backbreaker. Gonzalez again jumped in for a save. This time Gonzalez covered Kai, taking the proverbial bullet for her. Shirai with a moonsault press on Gonzalez & Kai.
Blackheart with a senton bomb on Gonzalez. Stark with a modified GTS on Blackheart. Eclipse by Moon on Stark. Got To Kick from Kai to Moon. Kai countered Shirai for a roll up that netted a two count. Kai was then dropped by a plam strike, and Shirai executed a moonsault press. Gonzalez was not there to make a save this time. Shirai then covered Kai for the deciding pinfall.
To the back! Johnny Gargano attacked NXT Champion Karrion Kross, and there was a pull-apart brawl. Lots of screaming, as Kross was very upset by this sneak attack.
A video package retrospective looked back on the Breakout Tournament from 2019. In 2021, the Breakout Tournament returns in two weeks time on NXT.
NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed was backstage when McKenzie Mitchell asked him about the tournament. Reed was in the tourney in 2019. So was Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. He interrupted Reed, and Scott was flanked by Hit Row. Scott challenged Reed to a title match tonight. Reed accpeted the challenge, setting the stage for a North American title match.
NXT Champion brawls with The Way
NXT Champ Karrion Kross stormed to the ring, and he dared Johnny Gargano to face him. Gargano confronted Kross, setting up a grudge match. This was also a distraction by Gargano as Austin Theory ran in to attack Kross. Despite the sneak attack, Kross easily fought off Theory.
Kross then went after Gargano, and Kross attempted to bash Gargano with the ring steps. Officials poured out for a pull-apart. They pried Kross away from Gargano. As security held back Kross, Gargano with a cheap shot superkicked Kross. Even the security team took a bump on that one. Superkick, indeed.
Gargano and Theory feld the scene. Kross told Samoa Joe he was doing a helluva job. Not sure who are the protagonists here, but it was pandemonium nonetheless. During a commercial break, Gargano and Theory did the Earl Hebner gimmick of speeding away from the building in a waiting vechile.
Roderick Strong (with The Diamond Mine) defeated Asher Hale
Strong submitted Hale in a short match. First match for the Diamond Mine on NXT stable since they debuted together last week. In winning Strong looked… well, very strong.
In Strong’s corner were Malcom Bivens, Tyler Rust and Hideki Suzuki. This was a showcase match for Strong, who has slightly changed his look. He is still great in the ring. Also great to finally see Bivens in a featured role. He was very vocal at ringside.
Bivens in a promo after the match declared that Diamond Mine is “open for business, and this is just the beginning, baby!”
Up next was another enhancement match like this was an episode of Superstars from the 1990s.
Cameron Grimes defeated Ari Sterling
Grimes pinned Sterling after a Cave In. Fun match while it lasted.
Sterling got to shine getting some offense on Grimes, including a wicked springboard moonsault where he jumped from inside the ring over the ropes. Grimes fought back, but Sterling continued to look strong. Sterling missed a 450 splash, and Grimes struck with a Cave In. Grimes then covered Sterling for a pinfall.
New Million Dollar Champion LA Knight interrupted Grimes’ celebration. Knight said nobody gave a damn about Grimes. Then why is Knight trolling him if nobody gives a damn? Anyway, Knight went on to call Grimes a “natural born loser.”
Grimes proceeded to cut a promo on Knight, and Grimes challenged Knight to a match next week for the Million Dollar title. Knight at first declined the offer, until Knight added another stipulation. Knight would put the belt on the line, but if Grimes loses, then Grimes has to become Knight’s butler. Looks like the match is on for The Great American Bash.
The NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions — Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell — confronted their challengers. Io Shirai & Zoey Stark were being intervied backstage when they were interrupted by LeRae & Hartwell. LeRae warned Stark that Shirai is a sore loser, teasing Shirai would turn on Stark when they lost. Shirai shot back at LeRae to say LeRae had naver beaten her, and Shirai vowed her and Stark would win the titles. “We’ll see about that,” LeRae exclaimed, and she stormed off with Hartwell in tow.
Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole face-to-face
Cool Kyle comes to the ring for a monologue. He was actually cutting a really great promo, but this is WWE so somebody seemingly always has to interrupt promos like this. Out comes Adam Cole. They are joined by Samoa Joe.
Cole and O’Reilly cutting promos on each other seemed like old hat at first, but business picked up when Cole insulted O’Reilly wife. O’Reilly was overcome with rage at Cole mentioning his wife. They were about to brawl when Joe stepped in between them. Joe said not now, but Cole would not listen.
Cole charged at O’Reilly, and they go to the mat. O’Reilly catches Cole in heel hook, and Cole screamed in pain. Cole begged Joe to stop O’Reilly. Much like Cole ignored Joe, then Joe in turn ignored Cole’s pleas. Joe left the ring with Cole still pleading for mercy as O’Reilly cranked on the hold. Finally, Joe ordered the security team to break up the fight.
Tian Sha vignetted highlighted the faction before their upcoming mixed tag match tonight.
Hit Row bumped up Swerve ahead of his title challeneg later on.
The charging battery is now above 70%.
Xia Li & Boa defeated Mercedes Martinez & Jake Atlas in a mixed tag team match
Li & Boa won after a referee stoppage. Martinez was rocked by a kick, and the match ended soon thereafter. The ref stopped the bout, ruling Li & Boa as the winners.
The match started with a wild brawl. Of course, the men and women only faced off against each other as per usual in a WWE mixed tag. Mei Ying watched from her throne at the top the stage. Martinez yelled at her before a commercial break.
Li hit Martinez with a roundhouse kick at one point. Martinez went down like she was knocked silly, and Li went for a cover. Martinez got her shoulder up, but she looked out of it. The referee backed Li away, and Martinez rolled out of the ring. Off camera, the ref checked on Martinez, and then the ref stopped the match.
MSK face off with Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa
Everyone brought a steel folding chair to the ring, and they had a literal sit down. There was tension, but things seems rather cordial at first. They soon grew angry with each other. Honestly, I had trouble with my television feed during this segment. When things cleared up, the two teams were no longer seated. They were in each other’s faces.
MSK wanted the challengers to put some respect on their name. Lee was cut a great promo, and Carter then slapped Thatcher. “Toothless Timmy”, as Ciampa called him, was incensed by the slap. Thatcher lunnged at Carter, but Ciampa held Thatcher back. Ciampa told MSK to bring their pride and their titles next week at GAB. Ciampa vowed he and Thatcher will take both. This week MSK got a free shot on Thatcher, but Ciampa said next week they would not be so lucky.
General Manager William Regal was being interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell when Regal was approached by Sarray. She wanted a match against Toni Storm, and Regal basically said he would consider it.
Johnny Gargano did not leave the property despite speeding off in a SUV earlier in the show. Gargano instead stayed around to attack Karrion Kross in the parking lot. Kross was leaving in his car when Gargano attacked him, seemingly leaving Kross laid out on the ground. Gargano was gloating when Kross caught him in a Kross Jacket sleeper, and Gargano was choked out by Kross. Samoa Joe would later step in to pick up Gargano like a child in trouble as recess. Joe remarked to Gargano that he possibly pushed Kross to far.
Great American Bash lineup for next Tuesday on NXT:
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defend against Io Shirai & Zoey Stark
LA Knight defends the Million Dollar Championship against Cameron Grimes (if Grimes loses, then he becomes Knight’s butler)
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK defend against Tommoso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher
Cole-O’Reilly II
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott (with Hit Row) defeated NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed to win the title
Scott pinned Reed to win the title after interference by Hit Row. Really good match, even despite the distraction at the end. The finish was very WWE, but it allowed Reed to save face. Scott becoming a champ is also really great for nis new faction. They continue to get over.
Reed displayed his power at the outset, and Reed manhandled Scott. There was a spot before the commercial break that must be seen to be truly appreciated. Scott went for a sunset flip off the ring apron. Reed countered by squishing Scott with a sit-out splash on the apron.
The tide turned during the commercial break. Scott gained the upper hand, and Scott leapt off the apron with a missile dropkick on the floor. Scott with a near fall after using the ropes for an assisted German suplex.
Scott caught Reed with a flatliner for another close near fall. Reed countered Scott’s signature kick, and they trade strikes. Scott rolled through seemingly going for another flatliner, but Reed with a counter to deliver a Spicolli Driver. That led into a double down.
Reed with a Dusty Rhodes tribute by using a bionic elbow. Scott is mowed over with a belly splash. Reed signals for his tsunami finisher as he climbed the turnbuckles. Top Dolla caused a distraction at ringside, diverting the referee’s attention. Ashante “Thee” Adonis then interfered by pulling Reed off the turnbuckles. Reed retaliated by throwing Top Dolla through the plexiglass barricade. Adonis is also tossed over the barricade as well.
Scott catches Reed trying to get back into the ring, and Scott nailed him with a kick. Scott followed up with a 450 splash, and Scott hooked a leg while covering Reed for a pinfall. Scott becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
A triple threat tag team match on next week’s NXT will determine Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell’s challengers for the Great American Bash.
WWE has announced that Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will take place on NXT next Tuesday. The winning team will challenge for LeRae & Hartwell’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles at NXT Great American Bash on Tuesday, July 6.
The number one contender’s match was announced for next week after a brawl between Shirai & Stark, Gonzalez & Kai, and Blackheart & Moon broke out on tonight’s NXT. After Shirai & Stark defeated Aliyah & Jessi Kamea on tonight’s show, there was a confrontation between LeRae & Hartwell and Shirai & Stark. Gonzalez & Kai and Blackheart & Moon then also appeared and argued that they should get the next Women’s Tag Team title shot.
Here’s the full list of what’s been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT:
Number one contender’s match: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon
Mixed tag match: Mercedes Martinez & Jake Atlas vs. Xia Li & Boa
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK will go face-to-face with Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher ahead of their title match at the Great American Bash
WWE has announced a few additions to the lineup for next week’s NXT.
Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will face NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai in a tag team match on NXT next Tuesday. The show will also feature Bobby Fish’s return to in-ring action as he faces Pete Dunne.
Plus, there will be a “Million Dollar Face-Off” segment with Cameron Grimes and “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase on NXT next Tuesday. DiBiase distracted Grimes tonight and caused him to lose a match against Jake Atlas. DiBiase had appeared in videos each of the past three weeks where he used his wealth to upstage Grimes.
Blackheart & Moon and Gonzalez & Kai are looking to get the first shot at Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. Gonzalez & Kai were the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, but they lost the titles to Blackheart & Moon on the same night that the titles were introduced. LeRae & Hartwell became NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions by defeating Blackheart & Moon in a street fight two weeks ago.
Gonzalez retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Mercedes Martinez on NXT last week. In a post-show video, Gonzalez went to Martinez and told Martinez that she respects her. Kai appeared to be angry that Gonzalez did that. Gonzalez and Kai accused interviewer McKenzie Mitchell of trying to start things when she asked them about it tonight. Kai said they can agree or disagree and still be friends.
Next week will be the first time Fish has wrestled since undergoing triceps surgery following the WarGames match where Undisputed Era defeated Pat McAfee, Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch at TakeOver: WarGames last December.
Fish returned to NXT TV last week and saved Kyle O’Reilly from an attack by Dunne and Lorcan. O’Reilly thanked Fish for saving him, but he told Fish that he’s doing his own thing now. Fish said he has his own scores to settle too and will see O’Reilly when he sees him. Fish was interviewed on NXT tonight and said last week had little to do with O’Reilly and everything to do with getting revenge on Dunne and Lorcan for injuring him.
When asked about his goals during an interview on tonight’s NXT, Dunne said it’s time for him to go after the NXT Championship.
Here’s the updated lineup for next Tuesday’s NXT:
NXT Champion Karrion Kross defends against Finn Balor
Franky Monet’s in-ring debut
Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai
Bobby Fish vs. Pete Dunne
Cameron Grimes-Ted DiBiase Million Dollar Face-Off
New NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions were crowned in the main event of last night’s NXT episode.
The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in a street fight to win the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. For both LeRae & Hartwell, this is their first title win in WWE.
After Hartwell took Moon out with a springboard elbow drop through a table on the outside, LeRae gave Blackheart a Wicked Stepsister stomp on a steel chair to get the win.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted after last night’s main event: “Broken tables, snapped ladders, fire extinguishers, one HELL OF A STREET FIGHT and NEW #WWENXT Women’s Tag Team Champions!!! @indi_hartwell @CandiceLeRae”
LeRae & Hartwell are the third team to hold the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles since they were introduced this March. Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez became the inaugural champions when they were awarded the titles, but Kai & Gonzalez lost the titles to Blackheart & Moon that same night.
New NXT Women’s Tag Team champions were crowned in the main event of tonight’s NXT.
The Way (Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae) captured the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, defeating Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart to win the titles for the first time. It was under street fight rules with tons of weapons used, including Blackheart jumping off a ledge into a table. However, LeRae picked up the win for her team, pinning Blackheart after a foot stomp into a steel chair.
This marks the end of Moon and Blackheart’s run with the titles. They held the titles for 55 days, defeating inaugural champions Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez on the March 10 edition of NXT.
Moon and Blackheart challenged The Way after a match between them and the team of Aliyah and Jessi Kamea ended before it could even begin, with The Way attacked Moon and Blackheart before the match began, leading to tonight’s street fight.
The other members of The Way, Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory, left the arena before the main event after attacking Karrion Kross earlier in the show.
Next week’s episode of NXT will feature Finn Balor’s first appearance since losing the NXT Championship.
WWE has announced that Balor will make his return to NXT next Tuesday. Balor will speak on the show for the first time since Karrion Kross defeated him to win the NXT Championship at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two earlier this month.
“Viva Mexico! Recharged, refreshed & refocused. Next Tuesday, Finn is back,” Balor wrote on social media.
Prior to losing the title to Kross, Balor had been NXT Champion since September of last year. Balor defeated Adam Cole to win the then-vacant title after Kross had to relinquish the championship due to injury. Kross won the NXT Championship from Keith Lee at TakeOver XXX last August but suffered a separated shoulder during the match.
Two stipulation matches have also been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT. The NXT Women’s Tag Team titles will be on the line as champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon face Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell in a street fight. Rivals Leon Ruff and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott will also face off in a falls count anywhere match.
Two tag team matches have been added to tonight’s episode of NXT.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will be in action tonight as they face The Robert Stone Brand’s Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in a non-title match. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will also take on Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner on tonight’s show.
WWE uploaded an interview with Robert Stone, Aliyah, and Kamea ahead of tonight’s NXT. Stone vowed that Aliyah & Kamea would defeat Blackheart & Moon and become the official number one contenders to the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. Aliyah said she and Kamea can’t wait to show the world that they can defeat Blackheart & Moon twice.
Indi Hartwell said on last week’s NXT that William Regal had agreed to give her and Candice LeRae a shot at Blackheart & Moon’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, but when Hartwell & LeRae will be getting their title shot wasn’t announced.
Barthel & Aichner defeated Ever-Rise on NXT last week. After being attacked by Imperium earlier this month, Dain came out to ringside and confronted Imperium’s Alexander Wolfe during Barthel & Aichner’s match against Ever-Rise. But when Maverick then ran out and went to fight with Wolfe, Dain carried Maverick away. Dain and Maverick argued in a post-show video and Maverick asked Dain if he was going to join Imperium. Dain told Maverick no and walked away.
Dain and Wolfe were formerly stablemates in SAnitY.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
Sit-down interview with Adam Cole
Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory (if Reed wins, he gets a future shot at Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship)
Mercedes Martinez vs. Dakota Kai
Kushida & MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Aliyah & Jessi Kamea
Drake Maverick & Killian Dain vs. Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian AIchner)
WWE has announced a couple of new additions to the lineup for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Pete Dunne vs. Kushida has been announced for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one. At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will defend their titles against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.
In the main event of tonight’s NXT, Dunne and Kushida simultaneously eliminated each other from the battle royal to determine the participants for the Gauntlet Eliminator match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one. Kushida then refused to let go of a Hoverboard Lock that he had Dunne locked in.
There had been a segment earlier on tonight’s NXT where Dunne interrupted an interview with Kushida. Dunne took exception to Kushida calling himself the best technical wrestler in the world last week. Dunne said he already holds that crown and dared Kushida to answer his challenge and try to prove him wrong.
The NXT Women’s Tag Team title match was announced for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver after a challenge that was issued by LeRae & Hartwell tonight. LeRae & Hartwell defeated Gigi Dolin & the debuting Zayda Ramier (formerly known as AQA) on tonight’s show and then challenged Blackheart & Moon to an NXT Women’s Tag Team title match at TakeOver. Blackheart & Moon came out in Blackheart’s tank and accepted the challenge.
Blackheart & Moon defeated LeRae & Hartwell in the semifinals of the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic last month. In the finals, Blackheart & Moon lost to Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez. Kai & Gonzalez later became the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions when they were awarded the titles, but Blackheart & Moon defeated them to win the titles that same night.
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver is taking place on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8. Night one will air live on the USA Network and will also simulcast live on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network everywhere else. Night two will be live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else. Here are the updated cards for the event:
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one —
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defends against Raquel Gonzalez
NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER defends against Tommaso Ciampa
Triple threat match for the vacant NXT Tag Team titles: MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs, The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Gauntlet Eliminator match to determine NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano’s challenger for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two (Leon Ruff, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Bronson Reed, Cameron Grimes, Dexter Lumis, and LA Knight are the Gauntlet Eliminator participants)
Pete Dunne vs. Kushida
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two —
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Karrion Kross
Unsanctioned match: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Ladder match to determine undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion: Jordan Devlin vs. Santos Escobar
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against the winner of the Gauntlet Eliminator match from night one
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
