NXT this week featured a title being pulled out of the trash and an eight-man tag team match in the main event.
Zoey Stark would kick off the show after winning the battle royal last week and earning the next shot at Mandy Rose’s NXT Women’s Championship. Stark challenged Rose to put the title on the line then and there but instead would face Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin later in the show. After Stark defeated Dolin and fended off an attack from Jacy Jayne, Cora Jade came out of nowhere to hit her with a kendo stick. This led to Roxanne Perez making the save and sending Jade scurrying out of the ring. It was later announced that Stark will challenge Rose on the August 16 episode branded as NXT Heatwave.
The future of the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles was also addressed on this week’s show. After Jade tossed her title in the trash last week, Alundra Blayze helped Roxanne Perez pull it back out again this week. Blayze then announced the titles will be decided in a fatal 4-way match next week.
It was also announced that at NXT Heatwave, Bron Breakker will defend the NXT Championship against JD McDonagh.
In the night’s main event, The D’Angelo Family picked up the victory against the Diamond Mine, which may lead to further dissension amongst Roderick Strong, Damon Kemp, and the Creed Brothers.
The new-look D’Angelo family imploded last night as Santos Escobar cost Tony D’Angelo a shot at winning the North American Championship.
D’Angelo challenged for Carmelo Hayes’ North American title in the main event of last night’s NXT. While the referee was distracted, D’Angelo wanted Escobar to pass him brass knuckles to use against Hayes. But Escobar instead slid the knuckles to Hayes, who knocked D’Angelo out with a punch and pinned him to retain the North American title.
The show ended with Legado del Fantasma staring down D’Angelo and his crew.
Earlier in the night, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde lost to Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp due to a miscommunication with Stacks & Two Dimes.
Legado del Fantasma were forced to join the D’Angelo family after losing a six-man tag match at In Your House earlier this month. The D’Angelo family used brass knuckles to win that match.
The North American Championship will be on the line in the main event of tonight’s NXT.
For the first time since regaining the title at NXT In Your House, Carmelo Hayes will defend the North American Championship tonight. Hayes is facing Tony D’Angelo, who will be hoping to get his entire “family” in line for tonight’s match. Legado del Fantasma were forced to join D’Angelo’s crew when they lost a six-man tag match at In Your House.
Hayes defeated Cameron Grimes at In Your House to begin his second reign as NXT North American Champion.
Grimes is set to challenge Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship at the Great American Bash in two weeks. Tonight, Grimes takes on Edris Enofe.
Plus, Solo Sikoa vs. Grayson Waller, Alba Fyre vs. Lash Legend, and Von Wagner vs. Brooks Jensen are set for tonight. Diamond Mine’s Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp will also team up, and we’ll hear from Wes Lee following his two consecutive victories over Xyon Quinn.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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A memorial graphic honoring Tim White precedes the opening of the show.
The show itself opens with the entrance of Solo Sikoa. Grayson Waller is next to enter the sounstage, and he has a microphone. He also has a pre-match promo to deliver from atop the entrance ramp, a safe distant from Sikoa.
Waller says he is sick of hearing about Sikoa. We should be talking about Waller instead. He calls himself “the greatest first generation talent in WWE history.” Waller then calls the fans losers, and they support a loser in Sikoa.
Waller goes on to say he is sick of censoring himself, so it is time to say what he really thinks about Sikoa and the audience. Sikoa, on the other hand, has heard enough from Waller.
Sikoa rushes towards Waller and floors him. Waller flops around trying to get his jacket off, while Sikoa sends him from pillar to post. Sikoa then sends Waller into the ring, and the bells sounds to start the opening bout.
Grayson Waller defeats Solo Sikoa
Waller pins Sikoa in a tainted victory, as Sikoa hit an exposed turnbuckle just before taking a cutter.
Much like the pre-match pummeling, Sikoa continues to dominate. Waller tries to fight back, and Sikoa strikes him down. Sikoa is seemingly getting the better of Waller at every twist and turn in the match.
At some point, Waller pulls a pad off a turnbuckle while struggling to free himself from Sikoa. The exposed turnbuckle would later play a factor in the finish.
Waller turns the tide after the show cuts to a split-screen commercial break. During the break, Waller teases a Rikishi stinkface. An angry Sikoa rises up, but Waller used that anger to bait Sikoa. Waller then proceeds to work over Sikoa.
The show returns from the break with Sikoa fighting back. Waller regains control, and he continues to work over Sikoa. Eventually, Sikoa fires up into a fury, leading to an Umaga hip attack. Samoan drop by Sikoa, and he climbs the turnbuckles. Waller rolls out of the way, forcing Sikoa to jump down.
Waller eats a superkick, and he backs into a corner with an exposed turnbuckle. Sikoa attempts another Umaga attack, but Waller dodges him. Sikoa hits the exposed buckle, and Sikoa takes a pop-up cutter. Waller then covers Sikoa for a three count.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews Tony D’Angelo, who is flanked by his “family” that still includes Legado del Fantasma. D’Angelo is challenging for a title later tonight, and it is a chance for Santos Escobar and his crew to prove themselves to the family. Escobar says he understands, and he has “got this.”
JD McDonagh (formerly Jordan Devlin) is “coming soon” to NXT. A vignette shows him driving a car, so I assume he is driving there. Good luck with that. Gas is high, and he is driving an older model automobile. Bless his heart. Regardless, he seems confident.
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defeat Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz
Chance scores a pinfall after her and Carter execute their double team finisher with a 450/neckbreaker combo.
Leon & Feroz got a lot of offense, but Carter & Chance still manage to win decisively in this tag bout.
Wes Lee is backstage wearing a cool shirt and a stern face. He is headed to the ring for an in-ring monologue.
Trick Williams-Wes Lee confrontation
Lee stars his speech by thanking the audience for their support. He has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in recent months. Lee gets emotional as he talks about the former team with his “brother,” and having that end. Lee gets teary eyed talking about it.
Lee goes on to apologize for not acting himself because of being angry over recent events. Trick Williams suddenly interrupts the monologue. Williams cuts a promo on Lee, accusing Lee of leaving his brother behind. Williams insinuates Lee is not as true of a friend as he claims.
Responding to Williams, a fiery Lee dismisses Williams’ claims. Lee retorts by saying Williams is playing “second fiddle” to Carmelo Hayes. Lee basically dares Williams to step into the ring with him. Williams replies that they are on his time. Williams then says he will do like all of Lee’s tag partners, and he will leave.
Tiffany Stratton in a pre-tape promo insults Wendy Choo on her appearance.
Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp defeat Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro (with Stacks & Two Dimes)
Strong pins Del Toro after outside interference backfires. Stacks & Two Dimes are at ringside, and they cost Wilde & Del Toro the match.
Two Dimes trips Del Toro by mistake in a mix-up, and Strong capitalizes to score a pinfall.
Good match, and the outside interference backfiring plays into a larger story. With that and the work in the match itself, this was all pretty good. Kemp is outmatches in turns of experience in this match, but he fit in okay.
Giovanni Vinci is being interviewed McKenzie Mitchell when Ikemen Jiro interrupts them. Jiro and Vinci apparently have a match in the near future.
Apollo Crews continues to write in his journal during a vignette. He goes full Batman, albeit without the cape and cowl. A dude is getting jumped by three other dudes in an alley. Crews jumps in to make a save, and he kicks some butt in doing so.
Turmoil in the women’s tag division
The Toxic Attracion trio is headed to the ring for a promo. NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose is first to speak.
Rose wants to make something really clear about Roxanne Perez and her loser friends. They are losers, and they got lucky last week. Rose continues in burying Perez.
Gigi Dolan is next to speak, and she continues the insults. Jacy Jayne follows by also insulting Perez. They all bury Perez over her dream of being a superstar. Rose warns that if Perez sticks around, her dreams will become a nightmare.
Perez, joined by Cora Jade, comes out to confront the heel trio. Rose warns Perez about challenging her for the title. Perez had previously earned a title shot. Perez has a swerve for Toxic Attraction.
Instead of challenging Rose for the title, Perez is instead partnering with Jade in challenging Dolan & Jayne for their NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Out comes Kayden Carter & Katana Chance to object. They too want a tag title shot. Carter says the line starts behind them. Perez & Jade trade verbal jabs at each other. A pull-apart brawl erupts and a melee ensues.
Kiana James and Indi Hartwell bicker in a backstage interview with McKenzie Mitchell. James insults Hartwell, so Hartwell challenges her to a match next week. James accepts. Hartwell calls her a “bitch” before leaving.
Cameron Grimes defeats Edris Enofe (with Malik Blade)
Grimes pins Enofe, as Grimes continues his journey towards a NXT Championship match.
This bout was set up with a backstage skit last week, and they have a babyface match.
The match is fast paced, but not heated at first. The tone changes when Enfoe hulks up. He dares Grimes to strike him some more, only for Enfoe to fire up with strikes of his own.
Double down, and it is time for Enofe to shine. He dives over the ropes to the floor. He rolls through on a missed 450. Grimes comes back with a Cave In, and he coves Enfoe for a three count.
Grimes shakes Enfoe’s hand after the match, and they embrace in a show of respect and sportsmanship.
Thea Hail is moving into the dorms at Chase University, and her roommate is Bodhi Hayward. This was supposed to be comedy.
Nikkita Lyons returns from her injury next week on NXT.
Von Wagner defeats Brooks Jensen
Wagner pins Jensen in a grudge match where everyone from their respective sides are barred from ringside.
Unlike any other match on this show, this was a hoss fight where they fight like it is indeed a grudge match. No lock up at the start, as it begins with brawling.
Jensen gets a near fall after a flying DDT, but he is unable to hook a leg due to an injured thumb. Jensen then climbs the turnbuckles, and he leaps off into the waiting arms of Wagner. Dropping Jensen into a shoulder breaker, Wagner follows up with an Attitude Adjustment and a pinfall on Jensen.
NXT Champion Bron Breakker approaches Cameron Grimes in the locker room. Breakker says the Grimes shows heart, and that who Breakker is looking forward to facing at The Great American Bash. Grimes tells Breakker if this Cameron Grimes shows up, you are looking at the next champion.
Joe Gacy’s druid tag team are apparently former champions. Now they are in Gacy’s cult, or whatever. Kevin Sullivan in Florida was way better. Heck, Sullivan as the Taskmaster in WCW might be better.
Alba Fyre defeats Lash Legend via disqualification
Legends uses a baseball bat to hit Fyre, leading to a DQ. The feud clearly must continue.
Fyre (Kay Lee Ray) brought the bat to the ring. The bat is still part of her act, except now is is used as a torch for her entrance. It would also play into the finish.
Legend looks so much better in the ring here with a far more experienced worker than some of Legend’s previous matches.
Legend works over Fyre during much of the match, but Fyre counters into a Gory Bomb. Fyre went for a high risk move off the top rope. She has to roll through. After the roll through, Legend grabs the baseball bat. Legend hits Fyre with the bat for a DQ.
Two matches announced for next Tuesday on NXT:
Katana Chance & Kayden Carter against Cora Jade & Roxanne Perez in a number one contender’s match
Sanga vs. Xyon Quinn
NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes (with Trick Williams) defeats Tony D’Angelo (with the family) to retain his title
Hayes pins D’Angelo, after hitting D’Angelo with brass knux given to Hayes by Santos Escobar.
D’Angelo has a punch and kick style that would have fit well on a house show in the ’80s. It at least fits his gimmick rather well. He sends Hayes crashing into the ring steps just before the show cuts to its final commercial break.
Stretching Hayes as the show returns from the break, “The Don” works over the champion. Meanwhile, a stern Escobar watches on, biding his time.
Comeback by Hayes. He nails Hayes after springboarding into a flying lariat. D’Angelo cuts off Hayes by executing an overhead Tazplex. D’Angelo then slaps around Hayes.
Hayes counters to deliver a codebreaker. Moments later, D’Angelo again cuts off Hayes with another overhead suplex. D’Angelo crawls to the side of the ring near Escobar.
Escobar pulls out brass knux at the behest of D’Angelo. Meanwhile, Stacks distracts the referee. D’Angelo demands the knux. Escobar looks D’Angelo dead in the eye when Escobar slides the knux right past D’Angelo.
An angry D’Angelo yells at Escobar, while Hayes grabs the knux that Escobar passed to him. Hayes punches D’Angelo with the brass knux, dropping D’Angelo to the mat. Hayes then covers D’Angelo to score the deciding pinfall.
Escobar and Legado del Fantasma have a staredown with D’Angelo and his crew as the show goes off the air.
Updates on C.M. Punk, Cody Rhodes, the injuries, how WWE and AEW are booking around the injuries, details of the injuries, surgeries, AEW interim title and medical protocol questions
Hell in a Cell coverage, the matches, the ticket demand, PPV numbers, interest level and WWE & AEW crossover fan base
Hiromu Takahashi sets Best of the super Juniors records, business of the finals, angles for Dominion and more
AEW Double or Nothing PPV number update
Saturday’s UFC coverage and what comes next for the fighters on the show
NXT In Your House coverage
Television ratings for every national show, ups, down and competition
Expected CMLL anniversary show main event
AAA and running in the US
Stardom & New Japan joint show
Movie being made about the life of an active women’s wrestling star and details
Notes about young retirements in Dragon Gate an the booking
CyberFight show at Saitama Super Arena
Kota Ibushi and New Japan update
Benefit event for Shinjiro Otani
More on Ric Flair’s return
Johnny Rodz and the infamous Roddy Piper story
Olympic wrestler talks about better conditions for pro wrestlers
Notes on PBS documentary on St. Louis wrestling
MJF update
All-Atlantic title and thoughts
Forbidden Door notes
International TV ratings
Ticket sales for upcoming U.S. events
Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE
UFC revenue and profits update
This week’s UFC show
Major fight Dana White is looking at for the interim heavyweight title
ONE debuts on Amazon Prime
Bellator allows one of its top stars to do Bare Knuckle Fighting
Update on Stephanie McMahon
More on Vince McMahon autobiography
Hilarious Vince McMahon deposition in the liver Luck case
Why Edge was kicked out of Judgment Day
Reports from all the WWE events this week with business notes
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Sunday News Update
Bryan and I did our weekend show last night with Ryan Frederick talking UFC, Dominion, G-1 lineup, Smackdown and Rampage and other news. Garrett and I did our week in review show on Friday night. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow talking about Raw and the weekend notes.
Regarding last night’s UFC 275 show, the Jiri Prochazka light heavyweight title win over Glover Teixeira was one of the greatest fights in UFC history. I’d say even more exciting than either Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson and Jon Jones vs. Gustafsson I, which were the two best light heavyweight title fights in history. The scores going into the fifth round were 39-37 in favor of Teixeira, 38-38 and 38-37 for Teixiera (a judge giving Prochazka a 10-8 round). Teixeira was winning round five as well when with 28 seconds left he got choked. Dana
White wasn’t there (he had a big weekend as his son turned 21) so there was no talk about who Prochazka will face next. I think a lot of people would want the rematch.
As far as Google searches, the show did 1.1 million which is very low for a PPV show. It was a great show but this was not a main event that was going to draw a lot. The last three fights all had a story coming out. Valentina Shevchenko nearly lost to Taila Santos. The fight could have gone either way 48-47. Most (73% of media scores) had Shevchenko so this was not a robbery but it was a very close competitive fight. Judge Howard Hughes gave Shevchenko rounds two, four and five. Judge David Lethaby gave Shevchenko four and five only. Judge Clemens Warner gave Shevchenko every round except three. The way I saw and most did was one and three for Santos and four and five for Shevchenko and it came down to round two.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Zhang Weili fight seemed the most talked about going to the show. Weili looked her career best, and Jedrzejczyk announced her retirement after. She had been talking during the week that if she lost she would likely retire so it wasn’t a decision in haste. She was a great champion and real star who put the 115 pound division on the map as something significant as champion. She said she was 35, had trained for 20 years and wanted to have kids and start a career.
UFC announced Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards for the welterweight title as the main event for an 8/20 PPV show in Salt Lake City at the Vivint Arena.
As far as Google searches for the week, nothing from pro wrestling or boxing cracked the top 20, dominated by news, NBA and NHL. The only top 20 stuff was UFC and Jedrzejczyk from last night’s show.
Zack Sabre Jr. after his match last night outright issued a challenge to Bryan Danielson for Forbidden Door. Unless this match is on the show, neither man should be teasing it for that date. That is a match that on paper could be legendary. The two wrestled once, years ago, long before Sabre became a top star. They are two of the greatest technical pro wrestlers of the modern style and probably the two best of the last 20 years.
It appears the Tony D’Angelo injury at the NXT house show last night was either storyline or not serious. There are people with the company saying storyline and others were just downplaying it.
The former Paige, whose WWE deal is up on 7/7, is accepting bookings after that date. She will use the name Saraya. She can be booked at [email protected] She wants to wrestle and said she thinks she will at some point, but didn’t indicate she would be wrestling right now. It was WWE’s call to not renew her as her contract expired. They haven’t used her on television in a long time.
We’re looking for your thoughts on these shows, so leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]:
UFC 275 yesterday
New Japan Dominion today
Also we are looking for reports from tonight’s WWE shows in Springfield, MO and Albuquerque, NM, as well as last night’s NXT show in Largo, FL and show in Las Cruces, NM.
With Dominion over, I expect a lot of announcements this week regarding Forbidden Door.
Jessie Vargas, who was in the United Empire corner in today’s matches in Osaka, is a former world boxing champion.
WWE from last night in Cape Girardeau, MO:
Street Profits b Alpha Academy
Veer Mahaan b Robert Roode
Mysterios b Miz & Theory
Ezekiel b Ciampa
Bobby Lashley b Omos & MVP in a street fight handicap match
Alexa Bliss b Nikki ASH
Riddle b Seth Rollins
Bianca Belair retained the women’s title over Asuka & Becky Lynch when he pinned Lynch.
So Riddle right now looks to be Cody Rhodes’ replacement at least for the next hour show run against Rollins. At least for now.
NXT from Friday night in Tampa, FL: Carmelo Hayes b Nathan Frazer to keep North American title, Ivy Nile b Lash Legend, Giovanni Vinci (Fabian Aichner) b Dante Chen, Stacks & 2 Dimes b Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro, Creed Brothers b Pretty Deadly to keep tag titles, Solo Sikoa b Xyon Quinn, Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin b Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade lo keep tag titles, Bron Breakker b Grayson Waller to keep NXT title (thanks to Chris Hendricks and Kyle Niblett). They also did a Wendy Choo-Tiffany Stratton angle.
We’ve heard a lot of talk about two major indie matches this weekend that I hope to check out today or tomorrow. One is Friday’s FTR vs. Brian Pillman Jr. & Brock Anderson for Big Time Wrestling in Webster, Massachusetts, which was the match where Bret Hart managed FTR. The other was Mike Bailey vs. Konosuke Takeshita from West Coast Pro in San Francisco.
No matches have been announced for Raw tomorrow. They are pushing that Seth Rollins will have a new direction with Cody Rhodes out, and that the new Judgment Day will also have a new direction without Edge.
Raw will go head-to-head with game five of the Warriors-Celtics NBA series so it would be great if Raw even came close to last week’s numbers. This will be the last NBA game of the season that will go against a WWE show. If there is a game six, it’s Thursday against Impact & New Japan and game seven would be Saturday. The game is on network so Raw should easily be first on cable.
The NHL Stanley Cup finals with Tampa Bay vs. Colorado open Wednesday against Dynamite. It’s on ABC game so AEW has a good shot at first on cable but still will be hurt. The schedule is also game three on Monday 6/20 and game four on 6/22, again against Dynamite. If there is a game five, it will go against Smackdown & Rampage on 6/24. Game seven if there is one would go against NXT on 6/28.
The International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Albany NY had a ceremony on Thursday to induct Terry Funk. Funk couldn’t travel but Mick Foley was part of the ceremony.
AEW
At yesterday’s Dark tapings in Orlando, they had a Pure Rules match where Wheeler Yuta retained the title over Tony Nese, and set up a future title defense by Yuta against Daniel Garcia.
OTHER NOTES
NOAH returns to Budokan Hall on 7/16 with Satoshi Kojima vs. Kenou for the GHC title. Kojima won the title earlier today over Go Shiozaki at the Saitama Super Arena.
Stardom from today in Osaka: Saya Iida b Mai Sakurai, Ami Sorei b Waka Tsukiyama, Momo Kohgo b Ruaka, Natsupoi won three-way over Momo Watanabe and Mina Shirakawa-DQ, Syuri & Mirai b Tam Nakano & Unagi Sayaka, Mayu Iwatani & Hazuki & Koguma d Giulia & Maika & Himeka 15:00, Starlight Kid & Saki Kashima & Fukigen Death b Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani & Lady C
Jon Moxley beat Speedball Mike Bailey in the main event of the Sami Callihan Wrestling Revolver show in Dayton, OH last night. Moxley is now living in the Cincinnati area and strongly put over Bailey after beating him.
United Wrestling Coalition returned on 6/25 in Bordentown, NJ at the Elks Lodge.
Insane Wrestling Revolution from Thursday night in Monroe, MI: Zach Thomas b Kenny Urban, Tanner Nix b Moonshine, Game Changers b Aaron Orion & Jack Price, Madman Fulton b Jackson Stone, Sam Beale won four-way over Malcolm Monroe III, DBA and Hannah Henderson, Jeremiah Goldmane b Benjamin Boone, Rhino & Rod Lee NC Eh Team, Trey Miguel b Jason Hotch, Dread King Logan NC Shane Douglas, Erik Redbeard b Big Kon to win the heavyweight title (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Metro Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Wyandotte, MI: Darian Ultra b Iron Eagle, Chuck Stein b Jheras Grey, Brutus Atwell b Donte Casson & Pastor Patterson in a handicap match, Lamario Starr b Daniel Wolf, LJ Lawrence NC Forever Young, N8 Mattson & Gutter b KJ Reynolds & Ryan Matthias, Alex Van Zant won over Percy Drews, Kyler Coleman and Father Maquis to win PWL TV title, Adam Wick b Austin Manix, Jordon Holt b Tanner Nix, Jason Hotch b Elijah Burke (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Savio Vega has been announced for MLW Battle Riot on 6/23 in New York at the Melrose Ballroom.
Warrior Wrestling is doing a Fan Fest on 6/26 in Chicago the day of Forbidden Door. They ‘ve announced Kevin Kelly from New Japan, Chris Hero, Denise Salcedo and everyone that is on their afternoon show. ,a26 in
Tony D’Angelo suffered an injury during a WWE NXT house show.
D’Angelo was facing Cameron Grimes in Largo, Florida on Saturday. Fans in attendance posted to social media that the match was stopped early and D’Angelo looked to have sustained an injury to his arm or shoulder. The extent of the injury is not currently known.
“I know Tony D’Angelo got hurt tonight in Largo,” Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio. “I don’t know how serious yet but I’ll try to find out in the morning.”
The full results from the WWE NXT house show in Largo, Florida on Saturday, June 11 are as follows:
NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose defeated Indi Hartwell to retain her title
Hank Walker vs. Myles Borne went to a no contest
Von Wagner defeated Hank Walker
Katana Chance & Kayden Carter defeated Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon
Wendy Choo defeated Tiffany Stratton
Ikemen Jiro & Andre Chase defeated Quincy Elliot & Duke Hudson
Cameron Grimes vs. Tony D’Angelo went to a no contest
NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes defeated Solo Sikoa to retain his title
Bron Breakker, Brooks Jensen & Josh Briggs defeated Joe Gacy and two unnamed druids
Legado Del Fantasma now has to work under Tony D’Angelo as a result of tonight’s loss at NXT In Your House.
D’Angelo, Stacks, and Two Dimes defeated Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Cruz del Toro, and Joaquin Wilde) in the opener of tonight’s NXT In Your House event. The finish of the match had Wilde using D’Angelo’s pipe to attack Stacks, but D’Angelo was able to get Santos’ brass knuckles and struck Wilde with them. A knocked-out Stacks then fell on Wilde, pinning him in the process and scoring the win for his team. Per the stipulation agreed to, Legado del Fantasma now has to join Tony D’Angelo’s group.
The two groups have been feuding in the weeks following Stand and Deliver, which have included kidnappings from both sides. On the May 17 edition of NXT, Escobar defeated D’Angelo in a singles match.
On this week’s NXT, the two groups met on a yacht to discuss the stipulations for the match. It was agreed that whichever team lost, they would have to join the other team.
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.
Tony D’Angelo has introduced a pair of new associates in his battle against Santos Escobar and Legado Del Fantasma.
In a backstage interview on this week’s NXT 2.0 episode, D’Angelo introduced Troy “Two Dimes” Donovan and “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo as his new allies.
While not explicitly stated, it appears as though Donovan and Lorenzo were the figures that attacked Escobar on last week’s NXT show.
Donovan and Lorenzo began appearing on the NXT Level Up show earlier this month, with Lorenzo working under the name Channing Lauren. The two tagged in a loss against Andre Chase and Bodhi Hayward on the April 8 episode, then Lorenzo accompanied Donovan to the ring in a loss against Damon Kemp the following week.
Donovan signed with WWE in February after a run on the indies and a handful of AEW enhancement matches as Cole Karter. Lorenzo was Jake Tucker on the independent scene, and also worked as enhancement talent on AEW Dark in 2021.
A sit-down meeting between Escobar and D’Angelo has been announced for next week’s Spring Breakin’ episode of WWE NXT.
Shortly after Quinn was removed from the match, Robert Stone suggested that Von Wagner could serve as a replacement. Wagner had recently been suspended in storyline for attacking Ikemen Jiro.
“If Xyon isn’t man enough to step up and face Tony D, my guy will cause he’s not SOFT. I got Von’s suspension cut down. Now all I have to do is pay his fine which won’t be a problem,” Stone wrote on Twitter.
Wagner vs. Angelo has since been made official for Tuesday’s show.
Tony D’Angelo is set to face Xyon Quinn in singles action.
WWE announced the match will take place on Tuesday’s edition of NXT.
“‘The New Don of NXT’ looks to solidify his status in his first match since becoming a Made Man when he takes on Xyon Quinn,” reads a WWE.com preview.
This will be D’Angelo’s first match since defeating Tommaso Ciampa at Stand & Deliver on April 2. As for Quinn, he defeated Wes Lee on the April 19 edition of NXT and defeated Draco Anthony the week before that.
The updated lineup for the April 26 edition of NXT from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando is as follows:
Solo Sikoa vs. Trick Williams
Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen vs. Legado del Fantasma (Elektra Lopez, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde)
Nikkita Lyons vs. Lash Legend
Nathan Frazer makes his NXT 2.0 debut
Katana Chance & Kayden Carter vs. Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz
Pete Dunne and Tony D’Angelo have agreed to a weaponized steel cage match for Vengeance Day next week.
D’Angelo interfered during a match between Dunne and Draco Anthony on tonight’s NXT. After Dunne defeated Anthony, D’Angelo attacked Dunne on the apron. Dunne was able to break free and started to throw weapons into the ring, eventually challenging D’Angelo to a weaponized steel cage match. D’Angelo agreed to the stipulation.
Dunne and D’Angelo have feuded in recent months, with Dunne defeating D’Angelo on the December 21st edition of NXT. D’Angelo then defeated Dunne in a Crowbar on a Pole match on the January 11 edition of NXT. It was then confirmed last week that the two would meet inside a steel cage on Vengeance Day.
Also announced for Vengeance Day is Carmelo Hayes vs. Cameron Grimes for the NXT North American Championship, Toxic Attraction vs. Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship, the finals of the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and Bron Breakker vs. Santos Escobar for the NXT Championship.
Additionally, Grayson Waller threatened that LA Knight would be arrested next week after Knight attacked Waller on tonight’s show. Waller had attempted to sneak attack Knight after he defeated Waller’s bodyguard Sanga, but Knight attacked him first.
A steel cage match is the latest addition to the card for NXT Vengeance Day.
WWE has announced that Pete Dunne and Tony D’Angelo will face off inside of a steel cage at NXT Vengeance Day on Tuesday, February 15. Due to the Winter Olympics, the show will air live on Syfy instead of the USA Network.
D’Angelo defeated Dunne in a Crowbar on a Pole match last month. The week after his win, D’Angelo conducted a memorial service for Dunne and claimed that Dunne’s career was over.
Dunne then made his return by costing D’Angelo a North American Championship number one contender’s match against Cameron Grimes. Dunne got revenge against D’Angelo by hitting him in the hand with a cricket bat.
On NXT earlier this week, a promo aired with Dunne challenging D’Angelo to a steel cage match. Dunne wanted to settle their issues where they started — inside of a steel cage. Dunne and D’Angelo were on opposing teams at NXT WarGames this past December.
Here’s the updated lineup for NXT Vengeance Day:
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
WWE has revealed how the next challenger for Carmelo Hayes’ North American Championship will be determined.
A North American title number one contender’s match between Cameron Grimes and Tony D’Angelo will take place on NXT next Tuesday. The match was proposed by Hayes after Grimes and D’Angelo each wanted a shot at his title.
After defeating Pete Dunne in a crowbar on a pole match last week, D’Angelo held a memorial service for Dunne on tonight’s NXT. D’Angelo said he was now setting his sights on the North American Championship.
Hayes and Trick Williams interrupted D’Angelo and told him to keep Hayes’ business out of his mouth. Hayes said that if he didn’t, the next memorial service would be for D’Angelo.
Grimes then made his way out and said he was already first in line for a North American title shot. Hayes suggested that Grimes and D’Angelo face each other to determine who gets to challenge him.
Hayes has held the NXT North American Championship since October of last year. At New Year’s Evil earlier this month, he defeated Roderick Strong in a match to unify the NXT North American and Cruiserweight titles. The stipulation of that match was that the winner would be recognized as the North American Champion going forward.
Grimes vs. D’Angelo is one of five matches that’s been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT. It’s also been announced that musical artist OllieJayy will appear on the episode for a special musical performance.
Here’s the full list of what’s been announced for next week’s show:
North American title number one contender’s match: Cameron Grimes vs. Tony D’Angelo
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first-round match: MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Jacket Time (Kushida & Ikemen Jiro)
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) vs. Andre Chase & Bodhi Hayward
Toxic Attraction (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) vs. Kay Lee Ray, Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta
No DQ, falls count anywhere match: Solo Sikoa vs. Boa
