Tag: WWE NXT results

WWE NXT New Year’s Evil live results: Oba Femi vs. Leon Slater

Posted on by Jeff Moss

The first WWE NXT episode of 2026 has arrived with tonight’s live New Year’s Evil special from Orlando, Florida.

In the main event, NXT Champion Oba Femi defends against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater. Femi appears to be main roster bound, but isn’t looking to lose his title anytime soon. This is his first TV appearance since December’s Saturday Night’s Main Event match with Cody Rhodes.

The NXT Women’s title will be on the line as Jacy Jayne defends against Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge winner Kendal Grey.

After an upset win to cap off 2025, NXT Women’s North American Champion Thea Hail defends against Blake Monroe in a rematch.

The show is capped off by rivals Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley in a grudge match.

Our live coverage begins at 8 pm Eastern.

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Welcome to NXT New Year’s Evil (presumably to be followed next year by New Year’s Evil 2: Evil Harder) where the stakes are high, the parties are well, over, but the action remains hot and spicy, not unlike the Italian sausage I finished before getting started tonight.

Speaking of getting started, New Year’s Evil started with a quick recap package of some of NXT’s 2025 highlights, while t’ing up the night’s card. Vic Joseph and Booker T made a solemn and dignified pair as we saw what could be the first footage of wrestlers arriving to work in 2026.

NXT Women’s North American Championship Match: Thea Hail (c) vs. Blake Monroe

As 2025 came to a close, Hail won the Women’s North American Title from Monroe and she’s been soooooo bummed about it ever since. Monroe has been sulking around GM Ava’s office and Ava told her last week that she has to “bring the glamour” if Monroe expects to win back her title. But I still believe in Thea Hail.

Monroe attacked Hail on the entrance ramp as her music played and beat her up with a chair before tossing her through the barricade. Security arrived to try and get them back on track while the crowd chanted “Let them fight!”

That settled down just in time for Ricky Saints and his snakeskin pants (also my Velvet Revolver cover band’s name) to come sauntering to the ring? So the match…?

They then casually announced that the match wouldn’t take place tonight so:

Match Result: Thea Hail vs Blake Monroe was a no contest? or something?

Saints grabbed a mic and said that he was there to give the crowd a gift to start of 2026: him. The crowd did not like the gift and asked for it to be returned, but Saints said that “NXT needs” him now that Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams have gone off as “free agents” since they knew they couldn’t hang with him.

Saints said that he “ain’t going nowhere” and anyone who comes at him will be sent back where they came from. Saints said that it’s natural-born stars like him against “home-grown” stars that they are trying to make.

Saints then called out Oba Femi, saying that they are 1-1 against each other and regardless of who wins tonight, Saints will be coming for that title. And that, is absolute.

-Backstage, GM Ava sent Robert Stone to go find Monroe and grabbed a production headset. She told the team to play the Paxley/Dame video package because they were now on first!

-After a break, GM Ava was still stomping around backstage and ran into Blake Monroe. Ava rightly asked her “what the hell?” and Monroe said that she was just bringing the glamour! Ava then banned her from the building and threw her out.

Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame

So, yeah. The long and the short of this match is that Paxley and Dame used to be in the Culling together. Paxley had a cup of coffee with the NXT Women’s Championship, which drove Dame crazy and she convinced the rest of the culling to oust Paxley. So they don’t like each other. Like, at all.

Dame actually came to the ring without her Culling stablemates, so it would be Dame and Paxley one-on-one.

Immediately off the bell, Dame tried to get Paxley on her shoulders, but the latter sllid off. They then traded punches in the corner with each one throwing some very agressive shots. You could really feal the animosity between these two.

Paxley got Dame in an ankly lock through the ropes, but Dame broke it off, rolling out and under the rope clutching her leg. Paxley dragged her back into the ring and smacked her right in the face. She put on an STF lock, pulling Dame’s leg back, then picking it up and slamming it.

Paxley hit a flipping leg drop on the ring apron (the evilest part of the ring!), but Dame caught her leg on the follow up and knocked her off the apron with a forearm. Dame then drove Paxley into the announce table and back into the apron. She picked her up by the throat and slammed her on the apron before throwing her back in.

Dame ragdolled the smaller Paxley from corner to corner, adding in some stomps and elbows for good measure. She then leapt off the second rope into a codebreaker for a two count.

Dame grabbed a headlock while the crowd chanted for Tatum. Paxley fought out of the headlock with some elbows and a chop block, but Dame took the momentum back and the headlock as well. Dame threw Paxley with a gutwrench, but a back elbow stunned her and Paxley got free.

The two started a slug fest in the middle of the ring until Dame landed a backbreaker followed byt a flapjack into the top rope and two knees to Paxley’s gut. She put Paxley in a Walls of Jericho -type hold, but Paxley was able to get to to the rope to break it.

Dame went up top, but Paxley managed to hit her with and insiguri. The crowd started singing the Addams Family theme at this point, but that didn’t distract Paxley from hitting a flipping bulldog from the top turnbuckle!

The two got to their feet and went blow for blow, letting it all come out, until Paxley hit a chinbreaker. She followed that with a snap German suplex and went for a kick, but Dame dodged and hit her with a gutwrench sit out powerbomb for a two count.

Dame sent Paxley into the corner, and Paxley came out swinging. Dame caught her with an up and over suplex, but Paxley kicked out. Dame then speared Paxley through the ropes and into the outside. She threw Paxley into the steel steps then back into the ring.

Paxley countered a suplex attempt and landed a Pele kick before going up top for a 450. She got about 440 and then nailed a Cemetery Drive to get the pin and the victory.

Match Result: Tatum Paxley defeated Izzi Dame

Next a hype video for French luchadore Elio LeFleur aired before heading to a commercial break.

-Back from break, GM Ava told Thea Hail that she would be pushing back her match with Blake Monroe because she was ejected from the building. Hail said that she wanted to revive the open challenge so she could have a match tonight. Jordynne Grace was there and she also approved. Ava said “whatever” and left.

NXT Women’s Championship Match: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey

Grey won the women’s Iron Survivor Challenge to earn the right to face Jayne in this match. Unlike Je’Von Evans, Grey had patience and waited just long enough for Jayne Fatal Influence to beat (up) her best friend Wren Sinclair last week. This match has some great potential as it’s champion vs champion and pits the future (NXT Women’s Champion Jayne) against the future future (Evolve Champion Grey).

During Fatal Influence’s entrance, I had but one thought: So much hair flipping.

After the bell rang though, Grey went right for Jayne, grabbing an armbar. Jayne kicked out of it and Grey threw it right back on. This time, Jayne was able to get to the ropes to break it. Jayne threw some kicks and chops and sent Grey to the corner.

Grey dodged the charge and ran circles around Jayne until delivering a dropkick that sent her out of the ring. Fatal Influence ran over to check on her and Grey did a crossbody from the top turnbuckle onto all three.

Jayne got to her feet first and picked up Grey and thew her into the plastic barricade. She then cannonballed her into the same plastic barricade. She threw Grey back into the ring for a senton and a two count.

Jayne hit a gnarly kick that sent Grey’s head spinning around and then threw some knees into the back of her head before hitting snakeyes on the turnbuckle. Jayne grabbed a chinlock, wrenching Grey’s neck. Grey dropped out of it though and started throwing hands.

Jayne shot Grey off the ropes, but Grey rolled through for a two count. Jayne then kicked her in the face and began mocking her. She tossed her head first into the turnbuckle and grabbed a tight headlock. Jayne pulled back, twisting Grey in half by the head.

Grey fought her way out of it, but left herself open for a neckbreaker from Jayne. Jayne went back to the headlock, but Grey pushed her into the turnbuckles to break the hold. Grey hit a high cross body and dodged a kick, but she and Jayne ran into each other in stereo crossbodys and were left laying.

They staggered up and Jayne’s talented feet peppered Grey with kicks. Jayne started mocking Grey again, but Grey interrupted with a headbutt and a series of kicks. She dropped the straps like so many Brons Breakkers and hit a top rope stomp and then a DDT on Jayne.

Jayne kicked out of the pin attempt and Grey went up top. Jayne knocked her off the turnbuckle though and hit another neckbreaker. Grey kicked out a two, and a frustrated Jayne resorted to punching.

Grey got up and caught her with three german suplexes. Jayne exploded out with a knee, but Grey kicked out at two. Both women crawled around the ring while “this is awesome” chants began around them.

Jayne went up top, but Grey scrambled up and pulled her down. Grey tried a rollthrough, but ended up putting on that armbar, with Jayne nowhere near the ropes. Fatal influence interferede behind the refs back causing Wren Sinclair to get up on the apron.

That left Jayne open and Grey grabbed another ambar and went for a DDT. Fallon Henley reached through the ropes though and grabbed Jaynes tights holding her up, sending Grey to the mat alone. That gave Jayne a few seconds to set up and hit a rolling encore on Grey and get the pin to retain the NXT Women’s Title.

Match Result: Jacy Jayne defeated Kendal Grey

-Back from break, GM Ava was subjected to Ethan Page being in her office. Page reminded her that he had a record setting 12 title defenses in the last year. Page said that since Ava was having a good day, he was going to the ring to finish his thoughts. That gave The Vanity Project a chance to enter. They want to talk 2026 with Ava and the segment ended.

NXT Women’s North American Title Open Challenge: Thea Hail (c) Vs…?

Hail limped to the ring, holding her wrist, obviously not in prime condition. She grabbed a mic and sat in the middle of the ring. She said she was devastated that she wasn’t going to get to fight Blake Monroe, but she promised everyone a championship match and she re-opened the open challenge!

The women’s locker room then emptied out as everyone tried to get to the ring first. Suddenly Tatum Paxley arrived with a chainsaw, only to get taken out by the Culling. Izzi Dame appeared in the ring and Spears made the timekeeper ring the bell!

NXT Women’s North American Title Open Challenge: Thea Hail (c) vs Izzi Dame

Dame absolutely dominated Hail for a few minutes with elbows and scoop slams. She hoisted Hail to her shoulders, but Hail worked out of it. Dame grabbed her, but Hail rolled through it. Dame grabbed Hail and threw her into the turnbuckle before hitting a powerslam for a two count.

Dame then stomped Hail and threw her into the corner. Dame stood on Hail who wailed in pain. Dame continued throwing elbows, stomps, fists and anything else she could think of at Hail. Dame hit a backbreaker but Hail came up swinging. Dame dodged it and grabbed a headlock.

Hail managed to stand, but Dame put a knee in her stomach and went right back to the headlock. Hail fought back, but couldn’t get the upper hand on Dame. Hail got a DDT on Dame that surprised even her and then put a kick to her midsection.

Hail hit a few takedowns and rolled through a charge from Dame, but Dame regained control with a scoop slam and an elbow. Hail fought back with a senton and went off the ropes, but Dame put her knees up. Dame then hit a big boot, but only got a two count as Hail kicked out.

Hail went for a kimura lock, but Dame powered out of it. Hail hit an exploder out fo the corner and Dame slid out of the ring. Hail dove through the ropes at her, but Dame caught her in midair and chokeslammed her onto the announce table.

Dame got back in the ring, but forgot Hail! She quickly grabbed her and threw her back into the ring to avoid the countout. Dame went up to the top turnbuckle, but Hail met her there with some punches. Hail tried to put on the kimura, but that left her open for a Super Dame Over and bam. 1-2-3 and Izzi Dame is your new NXT Women’s North American Champion.

Match Result: Izzi Dame defeated Thea Hail

-Backstage, The Vanity Project left Ava’s office and ran into Lola Vice. They tried hitting on her, but Hank and Tank arrived to shoo them away. Hank, Tank and Vice discussed what they just saw and Vice’s feud with Kelani Jordan. Jordan then teleported into the scene and a brawl broke out.

They decided not to bore us with a finish to that segment and moved back to Ava’s office where Joe Hendry asked for a match against Dark State. Ava said that she knew Dark State would just jump Joe 4-on-1, so Hendry said that he would find some friends to watch his back. Ava said that sounded good and Hendry left.

-Back from break, NXT North American Champion Ethan Page was in the ring. He said that he wanted to celebrate himself being so great in 2025. He said that proved time and time again that he is the greatest North American alive.

Page declared his North American title the most prestigious title in all of WWE. He said that he thought it was funny that Femi only defended his “world” title in North America while he has defended his title all over the place.

Suddenly, Speed Champion Jasper Troy appeared. Troy said that he is out here to prove that he’s the Monster of NXT. He said that the Speed title wouldn’t be the last title he held and looked at Page’s belt.

Then, Sons of Anarchy cosplayer Josh Briggs showed up and said that Page and the crowd were delusional.

Then, because why not, TNA International Champion Stacks and Arianna Grace appeared and added themselves to the crowd of people who think they are more important than Ethan Page.

Not to worry though! The Promo Parade continued as Shiloh Hill came down to the ring to call out Stacks. Hill announced that Santino and Ava had decided that Hill would get a shot at the TNA International title next week.

Then, Tavion Heights showed up and challenged Jasper Troy to a match for the Speed Title. A frustrated Page then told Heights that the last time he was near a championship, he dropped the ball. That caused a brawl to break out with everyone spamming finishers and Hill dancing with Arianna Grace until his tooth fell out.

TL;DR: An Ethan Page promo resulted in a Speed Title match, a TNA International Title Match and a mid-card brawl that ended with someone losing a tooth and as we all know, it’s all fun and games until someone loses a tooth.

-After a break, Joe Hendry was shown trying to recruit OTM to be his backup against Dark State. Hendry convinced them just as Fatal Influence walked by and nearly into Zaria and Sol Ruca. Jayne made fun of Ruca for not having any titles. Ruca said she was coming for Jayne’s title and she said “oh, I thought you were a tag team” and then Fatal Influence left.

-Ethan Page stomped through backstage and yelled at Miles Borne for not being there to back him up even though he didn’t ask. He ended it with “can you hear me now, Miles?” which is a pretty low blow, even for Page.

-It was announced that next week Joe Hendry will take on Dark State’s Dionne Lennox. Jasper Troy and Tavion Heights will fight over the Speed title and Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan will got one-on-one.

NXT Championship Match: Oba Femi (c) vs.TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater

This title shot was supposed to belong to Je’Von Evans for winning the Iron Survivor Challenge. However, Evans forced Femi’s hand and forced him to defend it early in a match that Evans lost in one hell of a match. But then he bounced and signed to RAW, so no one really feels too bad for him. Similarly bouncy TNA X-Division Champion Slater (Evans tag team partner) then won a Fatal 4-Way Match against Dion Lennox, Joe Hendry and Myles Borne to become the No. 1 Contender to Femi’s NXT Title.

Slater was almost as tall as Femi, but could not escape Femi’s strength. Off the bell, Femi picke dup Slater and threw him clear across the ring. Femi grabbed a wristlock and Slater tried to get out of it with speed. Femi wasn’t letting go though and the ref broke it up.

Femi laid some big potatoes on Slater’s skull and then knocked him to the mat. Slater got up to take an elbow, but started throwing shots back. Femi put an end to that with a single chop, sending Slater to the ring with astonishment on his face.

Slater managed to sneak in a high kick, but Femi was right there to counter with a backbreaker. Femi then whipped Slater into the corner so hard he bounced out of the ring to the floor. Femi floolwed him and bounced Slater’s head off the ring apron (the near yearsiest part of the ring!). Femi then dropped him on the apron and rolled him back into the ring.

Femi continued to dominate, countering everything Slater threw at him. Femi hit another backbreaker, trying to take away Slater’s high flying abilites. Slater got in a couple of punches, but Femi threw him into the corner before they could have an affect.

Slater managed to hit a codebreaker, stunning Femi. He then went for a headscissor, sending Femi out of the ring. Slater ran the apron to get Femi, but Femi swatted him down to the mat like a fly. Femi drove his knees into Slater, but Slater moved on the last one and Femi’s knee hit the ring post.

Slater took advantage and sidestepped a lariat and shoved Femi into the steel steps. He then threw the champ back into the ring and hit a crossbody from the top rope. Femi kicked out of the pin at two. Slater went right back to work, trying to take out Femi’s knees. He left himself open for a clothesline and a chokeslam though and Femi went for the pin. Slater kicked out at 2.75.

Femi looked to finish Slater off with a series of elbows, but his knee gave out. Slater took advantage and scooped him up for a body slam! Slater went for a pin but only got a two count. Femi shoved Slater off and rolled to the apron to recover.

Slater hit an insiguri that sent Femi to the floor. Slater leapt over the ring post and right onto Femi. He dragged him back to the ring and went up top for a swanton 450, but Femi got his knees up. Femi crawled over for the cover and Slater rolled through into ta two count.

Femi grabbed Slater before he could recover and hit a Fall From Grace. He pinned Slater but there was no kickout and Femi got the win and retained the NXT World Championship.

Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Leon Slater

Femi posed and celebrated in the ring and backstage, Ava addressed the Evolve Roster about the potential for them to be called up to NXT. Robert Stone then burst into the room saying “did you see what Oba Femi just did?!?!”

The scene cut back to the ring where Femi was nowhere to be found and the NXT Title belt was left behind, sitting in the middle of the ring as the show ended.

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

Posted on by Chris Aiken

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

Ethan Page vs. Moose for the NXT North American Championship

—

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

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

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

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

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

NXT Awards: Male Superstar of the Year

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

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

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

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

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

NXT Awards: Tag Team of the Year

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

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

—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joe Hendry in concert

—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—

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

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

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

NXT Awards: Match of the Year

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

Other nominees included the following matches:

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

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

—

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

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

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

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

NXT Awards: Female Superstar of the Year

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

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

Je’Von Evans vs. Ricky Saints

—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WWE NXT live results: Blake Monroe open challenge

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Tonight’s WWE NXT features the fallout from Deadline and the start of the road to New Year’s Evil.

Je’Von Evans and Kendal Grey earned title shots with their Iron Survivor Challenge victories at Deadline this past weekend. On the first NXT episode of 2026, they’ll challenge NXT Champion Oba Femi and NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne for their respective gold.

Blake Monroe won’t have to wait that long for her next Women’s North American Championship defense. She’s putting her title on the line tonight in an open challenge.

In another women’s division match, Kelani Jordan and Jordynne Grace will continue their rivalry after coming up short in the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Hank & Tank return to NXT following a stint in Japan that saw them win and lose the GHC Tag Team titles for Pro Wrestling NOAH. Plus, we’ll get the NXT debut of WWE LFG season two winner Shiloh Hill.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

It’s past Deadline, so I guess this episode is… late? Or something? Anyways, NXT is on the air with open challenges! New champions! A guy named Shiloh! And to kick it all off the new 2x NXT Champion Oba Femi!

-Femi danced his way to the ring to kick off the show, fresh off his crowd appearance on Monday Night Raw. Femi began a speech about the nature of power, how it never begs and stands still, etc. He gave respect to Ricky Saints and said that his reclaiming of the NXT Title was the will of the universe. Next, he mentioned Cody Rhodes, who Femi will face in a non title match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. He said that Rhodes will get him in all his glory.

Suddenly, Ricky Saints music hit and the man himself dejectedly sauntered to the ring, mic in hand. Saints said that he is man enough to admit that Femi was better man at Deadline. Saints said that there was a moment when he thought his chance to be NXT Champion had passed. But then he remembered that he is Ricky Saints and that he wants a rematch for the title.

Continuing the promo parade, Je’Von Evans’ music hit and the Young OG came out to interrupt. He reminded everyone that he won the Iron Survivor Challenge and has a title shot coming at New Years Evil. But why should he wait? He challenged Femi to a match tonight.

Saints asked “what’s the rush?” Evans said that he’s no longer “the future” he’s the “now” and no one is touching him right now. Saints agreed and said that Evans could go first. Then Femi got upset, wondering why these “beltless” guys were dictating terms.

Femi said that he’s not afraid of Evans, because he’s never beaten Femi. He then gave him the title shot for tonight!

-After a break, Tatum Paxley cut a promo about her loss to Izzi Dame at Deadline. She said that she has nothing left to lose, but Dame does. She then held up action figures of Shawn Spears and Niko Vance. Paxley laughed on her way off camera.

Kelani Jordan vs Jordynne Grace

Jordan and Grace have had a long history of battling not just in NXT, but over the TNA Knockouts Championship as well. At Deadline, they pretty much cost each other the match and started a Sheamus/Rusev fight in the back. No word on when that fight actually ended, but they are here tonight to go one-on-one in the actual ring.

Grace and Jordan started brawling before Grace even made it to the ring. Grace dropped Jordan with a serise of scoop slams and a Michinoku driver. Jordan fought back and delivered a big boot to Grace off of a suplex attempt.

Grace sent Jordan into the corner but missed the Grace Under Pressure, giving Jordon an opening to start working Grace’s leg. She dropped a bunch of elbows on it then hung Grace up on the ropes. Jordan joined her on the apron where they traded shots.

Grace tried to suplex Jordanoff the apron, but had it blocked. They went back and forth until Grace went to drop a knee and Jordan moved, causing Grace to slam her kneecap against the apron (the knee-est part of the ring!).

Back in the ring, Jordan went back to working the knee, wrapping Grace’s leg around the ring post and stretched it both ways. Then she went for a cover, but Grace kicked out at two while Booker T talked about absolutely nothing. Honestly, never have I heard a man take soe many words to say so little.

Anyway, Jordan stomped the knee and hung Grace up in the tree of woe in the corner. Grace pulled her off the turnbuckle by the hair though and the two traded forearms in the ring.

Grace went for a stretch muffler, but Jordan got out of it, slamming Grace’s head to the mat and sliding out of the ring. Grace followed and Jordan chop-blocked her knee. She then bounced Grace’s head off the steel steps and went under the ring for a chair.

She swung, but Grace moved and she hit the stairs with the chair. Grace used that to jump back into the ring with Jordan. She locked on a leg hold, but Jordan wouldn’t tap. Grace threw a few short arm clotheslines and Jordan whiffed on a kick.

On the outside, Grace managed to hit a Grace Under Presssure and grabbed a chair. Jordan then drove Grace through the barricade. Dragging her back into the ring, Jordan went up and nailed a 450 splash to get the pin and the victory.

Match Result: Kelani Jordan defeated Jordynne Grace

-After a break, the women of NXT were shown warming up(?) in the back. Jordynne Grace was lamenting her loss to Kelani Jordan. She was told by Thea Hale to buck up, she’s Jordynne Grace after all.

-Blake Monroe made her way to the ring next for her Women’s North American Title Open Challenge. She grabbed a mic and said that the women of NXT see her as a role model and with the Holidays coming up, she feels like giving back. She then asked to see who will be answering the challenge.

Literally all the women of NXT came out and Monroe started calling for Ava. Suddenly Thea Hale arrived and jumped Monroe from behind. She pinned her quickly and celebrated, but oops! The Open Challenge had never started. Whomp-Whomp. #LOL

-Shilo Hill was interviewed about his upcoming debut singles match and he used a lot of $10 words to say he’s ready. Then he put in a mouthguard and left.

Shiloh HiIl vs Lexis King

King was already in the ring as we came back from break, but Hill, winner of LFG Season 2, got a big entrance. King tried to jump him during his opening pose, but Hill saw it coming. The bell rang and Hill started throwing King around the ring.

King sent Hill into ther corner for a dropkick and slowed the pace down, chopping and punching Hill. King got cocky though and played a little too much to the crowd. Hill charged out of the corner and he and King collided in stereo clotheslines.

Hill began to hulk up, which to him means removing his mouth guard? Anyway, King hit a superkick, but Hill no-sold it as if he loved the pain. He put King up for a Whisper To The Beast cutter and that was it. Hill gets the victory and King’s transformation into CJ Parker is almost complete.

Match Result: Shiloh Hill defeated Lexis King

-After the break, Oba Femi was interviewed in the back about his upcoming title defense against Je’Von Evans. Femi said that he has learned to expect the unexpected and he hopes Cody Rhodes is watching because he’s going to see what Femi can do. He promised to break Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event and to break Evans tonight.

-Ethan Page then made his way to the ring. Page said that he came to NXT to ask the hard questions and do things Old School, body by body. He ran down other wrestlers using social media to try and gain clout. Page then said that John Cena will be forgotten in a week after his retirement, leaving a space for someone with a “huge ego” (aka Page).

Page said that he is 1 of 1 and the most important guy in WWE. Suddenly the lights went out and the same footage of Tony D’Angelo that was shown at Deadline aired. When the lights came up, a very sad-looking D’Angelo picked up Page in the ring and smashed him to the mat.

-After a break, GM Ava called the participants of the men’s Iron Survivor match to her office. She is going to give them a fatal four way #1 Contender’s match because they were all tied. Suddenly, Ethan PAge burst in complaining about Tony D’angelo. Then it was over.

Sol Ruca vs Wren Sinclair

Ruca was in the Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline with Sinclair’s best friend (and eventuial winner of the match) Kendal Grey, who accompanied Sinclair to the ring. Ruca came out alone, but she is facing Bayley at Saturday Night’s Main Event, so she’s got that going for her.

The bell rang and they locled up with Rucal sending Sinclair to the corner. Sinclair shook off Ruca and her attempts at a waist lock and sent her into the ropes. Sinclair tried to roll Ruca up, but only got a teo count.

Ruca landed an X-Factor for a two count of her own when Zaria appeared in the crowd. Ruca looked at her forlornly, and Sinclair tried to steal one with a rollup. Rucak kicked out, but Sinclair hit a big bulldog and turned her attention to Ruca’s previously injured knee.

As Zaria watched, Ruca hit a back elbow and missile dropkick. Sinclair got her with a butterfly suplex though. Ruca turned it back around with a backstabber and Soul Snatcher to get the pin and victory.

Match Result: Sol Ruca defeated Wren Sinclair

-After the match, Ruca exited through the crowd to try and catch up with Zaria. Fatal Influence’s music hit and NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, NXT Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid made their way to the ring.

Kendal Grey and Sinclair were still in the ring and Jayne started in on the Evolve Women’s Champion, Grey. She told her that it’s never going to get better for her so she should enjoy these moments of crowd support. Jayne said that Grey’s 15 minutes of fame are going to be up when they meet at New Years Evil.

Jayne said that 2025 was the year of Jacy Jayne. She held the NXT and TNA women’s titled at the same time and everyone realized this year that she is a rock star and the glue that holds NXT together. Grey doesn’t stand a chance.

Grey responded by saying that she understands she’s the rookie, the up-and-comer and has a lot to learn. But no one (even her) expected her to win the Iron Survivor challenge. She has shown that she can rise to the occasion and Jayne shouldn’t underestimate her. Becuase this underdog bites back.

Reid and Sinclair jawed a bit and Henley sucker punched Grey and the beatdown was on. The damned numbers game got to Sinclair and Wren with Fatal Influence beating up both until the segment came to a close.

-Next, Hank and Tank appeared in kimonos, back from their trip to Japan. Their return was cut short when OTM showed up and said they should have stayed in Japan. So, as you do, Hank and Tank challenged them to a match next week.

-After a break, Blake Monroe barrelled into GM Ava’s office. She blamed Ava for the fiasco that was her open challenge. Monroe declared “no more open challenges ever.” Ava said that was fine becuase she is going to defend her North American Title against Thea Hale next week.

-The scene shifted and Sol Ruca finally tracked down Zaria in the parking lot. Ruca invited Zaria to Saturday Night’s Main Even and they hugged and made up.

NXT Championship Match: Oba Femi (c) vs Je’Von Evans

Evans cashed in his title shot from the Iron Survivor Challenge to get this match tonight instead of at New Years Evil. Ricky Saints was there and agreed to hold onto his rematch with Femi and step aside so Evans could take his shot first. Femi for his part shrugged his shoulders and said “sure, whatever” but in a way much more menacing way.

Just let me say, I cannot wait for the day when Oba Femi has to dance his way down a 200ft Wrestlemania ramp.

The two locked up off the top with Femi driving Evans into the corner. Evans hit a superkick out of the corner into a cutter, trying to steal one, but Femi blocked it. Evans hit a surprise knee and actually got a 2.5 count out of it.

That fired Femi up though and he started chopping the much, much, much smaller Evans. Femi sent Evans off the ropes and Evans turned it into an insiguri for another two count. Evans’ strategy was clearly leveraging his explosive bounciness.

Femi picked Evans up in a stalling backbreaker and folded Evans in half. He put on a face lock and Evans started throwing elbows. He hit a dropkick that sent Femi out of the ring. Evans followed and went for a springboard, but Femi caught his ankle and threw him at the ground. Femi threw Evans at the ring apron, but Evans jumped up and turned it into a spingboard.

Femi caught him and slammed him against the ring. Femi dropped Evans face-first on the ring apron (the faciest part of the ring!) and climbed back in.

Femi threw a big lariat and stomped Evans in the center of the ring. Femi slammed Evans knee into the mat and stalked over to him for more stomping. The he did a little ab workout after suplexing Evans, who looked like he had the wind knocked out of him.

Evans and Femi traded punches until Femi grabbed Evans for another backbreaker. Femi set Evans up for a powerbomb, but Evans crumpled to the mat. Evans tried swinging from his knees, but Femi just knocked him back down.

Femi pciked up Evans who used his legs to send him out of the ring. Evans followed and Femi looked to powerbomb him through the table. Evans reversed it and Femi backed off and charged. Evans dodged and Femi went flying across the Announce table.

Both made it back to the ring to break the count, but Evans was waiting for Femi with two frog splashes for a 2.75 count. Evans started taking shots into Femi’s gut and hit a spinning kick to send him out of the ring. Evans dove after him and landed it, tossing Femi back into the ring. He went for a springboard, but Femi caught him with forearm on the way down.

Evans hit a quick cutter, but Femi kicked out. Femi came back with a huge shot, but this time Evans kicked out at two. Femi threw Evans across the ring and Evans came back with another two cutters and a pin 1-2- and Ricky Saints pulled the ref out of the ring!

Evans ate a big lariat from Femi in the ring who hit the Fall From Grace on Evans to get the win and retain the NXT Title.

Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Je’Von Evans

WWE NXT live results: Deadline go-home show

Posted on by Chris Aiken

With two weeks of Gold Rush now over, WWE NXT is back tonight with its Deadline go-home show.

An eight-man tag team match headlines tonight’s card with Je’Von Evans, Myles Borne, Leon Slater & Joe Hendry taking on DarkState. The bout features all five of the men’s Iron Survivor Challenge competitors, with Evans, Borne, Slater, Hendry, and Dion Lennox set to face off at Saturday’s PLE.

The women’s Iron Survivor participants — Kelani Jordan, Sol Ruca, Jordynne Grace, Lola Vice, and Kendal Grey — will meet for a summit in advance of their upcoming match. The Iron Survivor bouts at Deadline will determine future challengers for the NXT Championship and NXT Women’s Championship.

Jacy Jayne is the NXT Women’s Champion once again after winning the belt from Tatum Paxley at Gold Rush. The Culling will address their betrayal of Paxley tonight.

Plus, Tavion Heights vs. Josh Briggs is set to take place on the episode. Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

NXT is on the air from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando with a live studio audience. Vic Joseph is commentary as usual, but Booker T is not on the show this week. Instead, Corey Graves is back on NXT for tonight’s episode.

In the ring is NXT General Manger Ava, and she is joined by the participants of the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge. Sol Ruca, Jordynne Grace, Kelani Jordan, Lola Vice and WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey are in the ring for a summit of sorts.

All five participants gets to speak, but they are soon interrupted by the Fatal Influence trio. Before the interruption, each of the five cuts a promo of some kind. Sol Ruca speaks first, and she mentions Ethan Page putting her over in a recent promo. Ruca then talks her trials this year, but there is an easy path back to a championship. That is winning at Deadline and going on to win the women’s title.

Jordynne Grace interjects to say no one can stand in her way. Lola Vice says John Cena all picked her for a reason. Kendal Grey says she is the only women in the ring with a title. Kelani Jordan cuts a promo and is booed more than anyone else in the ring.

Fatal Influence interrupts the summit, with NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne cutting a promo flanked by Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid. Jayne says she cannot wait to see which loser she faces after Deadline. Jayne then singles them all out to cut promos on all of them. In the ring, Jordan insults Grace by calling her a “meat head”, which ignites a brawl.

Cut away from the melee to footage for earlier today with Joe Hendry talking with Thea Hail backstage. In walks Stacks and Arianna Grace. Hail and Grace exchange words, which sets up a match between the two that is up next.

But first, Ava wants to talk with Fatal Influence. Ava books them in a trio match later on against three of the women they interrupted earlier tonight.

Thea Hail (with Joe Hendry) vs. Arianna Grace (with Stacks)

—

They had a fun match for an NXT show, although it was short. Hendry gets involved to counteract Stacks, and Hendry chokeslams Stacks on the ring apron. Hail then applies a Kimura lock, and Grace taps out.

Match result: Thea Hail defeated Arianna Grace via submission.

— A skit from earlier this week in the parking lot, Andre Chase apologizes to OTM after the Chase U students almost run over OTM with a Tesla. OTM says next time it’s on sight, and Chase cuts a promo on the students. This sets up a tag match for later on tonight.

Josh Briggs vs. Tavion Heights

—

They had a really good match in what is continuation of their feud. They picked up where they left off by brawling before the bell. They trade near falls before the fight spills outside again, where Heights sends Briggs crashing through a gimmicked section of the barricade.

After a commercial break the match continues with Briggs getting another near fall. Briggs gets heat on Heights, but Heights eventually makes a fiery comeback. When they collide together, Briggs rips off the chain he was wearing as a necklace. The referee grabs the chain and goes to toss it out of the ring. With the ref distracted with the chain, he is late to see Heights covering Briggs after a belly-to-belly. With the ref late to count, Briggs has time to get his foot on the rope.

For the finish, Briggs lands a big boot. He follows with a Stan Hansen lariat, and Briggs covers Heights for a three count.

Match result: Josh Briggs defeated Tavion Heights via pinfall.

— The Culling faction is headed to the ring for a promo. After a commercial, they are in the ring for a promo from Izzi Dame. The reception for my local CW affiliate is in and out like a fiddler’s elbow, so Dame’s promo was a bit jumbled for me. She is basically cutting a promo on Tatum Paxley, which addresses Dame turning on Paxley on a previous episode. That turn cost Paxley the NXT Women’s Championship. Dame and Paxley are booked in a grudge match at Deadline.

Paxley interrupts the macabre promo on the Titantron. A dejected Paxley is sad and seemingly in tears over the turn. Dame calls her out to come to the ring unless she is scared to face her. Paxlet admits she is scared and does not know what to do without Dame in her corner.

— Sol Ruca apologizes to Zaria for not being in her corner, with Ruca saying she needed some space. Zaria is not buying it, and says she will not be in Ruca’s corner tonight. They are in the locker room with others, which led to Wren Sinclair volunteering to be in Ruca’s corner. Zaria seems displeased with that development.

— After a commercial break and hype video that explains the Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline, up next is the trios match made earlier tonight.

Fatal Influence (NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, WWE Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) vs. WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey, Lola Vice and Sol Ruca (with Wren Sinclair) in a six-woman tag team match

—

The match goes through a commercial break. The heel trio is in control as the show goes into the break. When the show returns from the break they build to a hot tag. Vice runs wild after tagging in. For the finish, Ruca executes a Sol Snatcher on Jayne. Ruca then covers the women’s champ to win the match.

Match result: Sol Ruca, Kendal Grey & Lola Vice defeated Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid when Ruca pinned Jayne.

In a post-match angle, Zaria runs in out of nowhere to spear Grey. The bayface team was on the floor celebrating when Zaria came running in for the sneak attack on Grey. Ruca shoves Zaria, and they argue as Vice steps in between them.

OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) vs. Chase U (Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors with Andre Chase)

—

This match was set up with the parking lot skit shown earlier in the show. Babyfaces shine in the early stages of the tag bout, which led to stereo dives. Both teams have improved greatly in the ring, and both teams have far more stage presence. Dixon & Connors especially show a ton of fire. Too bad they lost clean. They are running wild ahead of the finish, but Nima & Price catch them on dives to cut off the babyface duo. For the finish, OTM execute their assisted spinebuster on Connors.

Match result: OTM defeated Chase U when Lucien Price pinned Uriah Connors.

— In a skit from the parking lot, NXT North American Champion Ethan Page is in his car. Ava is outside the car talking with Page when Mr. Iguana scares Page with La Yesca. Page freaks out at the sight of the stuffed lizard. Mr. Iguana then commits grand theft auto in front of Ava and a national wide television audience, as he steals Page’s car.

— Shiloh Hill is featured in another weird personality profile. He tells a story of getting lost on a snowmobile trip as a youth, and he took shelter. He rejoiced in being one with the earth, and he marks out for wolves. He then shifts to talking about his Undertaker being his coach on LFG. Hill concludes by rushing off to get some bleach. Not sure what the heck to think of this vignette.

— This has been a weak go-home show so far, albeit with good matches. Next up is the main event, which is far from exciting. Nevertheless, there is a stipulation. If the babyface team wins, the wrestler that scores the win gets his choice of when to enter the Iron Survivor. On the other hand, Dion Lennox gets to choose if the heel team wins.

Je’Von Evans, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Myles Borne vs. Darkstate (Cutler James, Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars) in an eight-man tag team match

—

This was pretty good eight-man tag, although it did not have the feel of a main event. Nonetheless, they all worked hard. The match goes through a commercial break. Wild brawl as the show cuts to commercials. After the break, hot tag brings in Joe Hendry.

Lot of wild action down the stretch. Evans does some impressive high spots, including flying over the announce desk. The babyfaces get several near falls. Setting up the finish, Slater does a 450 splash on Griffin. Borne tags in and somewhat steals the pin after executing a Borne Again (Zig-Zag). Borne then covers Griffin for the deciding pinfall. Therefore, Borne gets to determine when he enters the Iron Survivor. There is tension among the babyfaces over Borne getting the pin.

Match result: Myles Borne, Je’Von Evans, Leon Slater & Joe Hendry defeated Darksate when Borne pinned Griffin.

— Closing the show is a contract signing with NXT Champion Ricky Saints and Oba Femi, which builds towards their title match at Deadline. They cut quick promos on each other in this backstage segment. While this closed the show, Ava announces the NXT men’s title match will open the card at Deadline for the first time in NXT history. Despite that announcement, this remains a weak go-home show. However, the wrestling itself was decent enough.

WWE NXT live results: Gold Rush week two

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Gold Rush 2025 concludes tonight with part two airing on WWE NXT.

Taped last week at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the card for tonight’s special includes four title matches — including one where a new champion is guaranteed to be crowned. Zaria and Fallon Henley are set to meet for the vacant WWE Speed Women’s Championship. Zaria is attempting to win the title that her friend Sol Ruca had to relinquish due to injury.

Kelani Jordan defends her TNA Knockouts Championship in a triple threat match against Jordynne Grace and Lei Ying Lee.

The Evolve brand gets into the Gold Rush mix with its men’s and women’s titles both on the line. Men’s Evolve Champion Jackson Drake is defending against Sean Legacy, while Kendal Grey is putting the women’s Evolve Championship up for grabs against Lainey Reid.

Along with that, Trick Williams and Myles Borne go one-on-one in a grudge match.

Join us for coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

NXT Gold Rush is on the CW with a taped episode from The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The show opens with a title match from the WWE ID program. Peter Rosenberg is a guest on commentary as the “Evolve analyst” for the opening match. He joins NXT regulars Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary.

Jackson Drake (with Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes) vs. Sean Legacy for the WWE Evolve Championship

—

The tag team called Swipe Right are in the corner of the champion.

Sean got several close near falls that wowed the crowd. One included a Spanish Fly of sorts that involved a backflip into a suplex. Drake came back soon thereafter with a guillotine knee drop, followed by a running knee strike Drake calls “The Unaliving”. Drake then hooked a leg and locked his arms for a three count on Legacy. Great opener.

Match result: WWE Evolve Champion Jackson Drake defeated Sean Legacy to retain his title via pinfall.

— NXT North American Champion Ethan Page offers heelish advice to Sol Ruca. In walks Myle Borne to confront Page. This plays on Borne against Trick later, but they also tease another match between Borne and Page.

— Clips from a sit-down interview hype John Cena’s final match on Saturday Night’s Main Event next month.

Zaria vs. Fallon Henley (with Jacy Jayne & Lainey Reid) in the finals of the WWE Women’s Speed Championship Tournament

—

This match for the vacant Women’s Speed title is the culmination of a tournament that played out over a few weeks on NXT. It also plays to an angle involving Sol Ruca, who vacated the Speed title due to a supposed injury.

They went Broadway after going to a three-minute time limit. Zaria got to shine in the match, and she applied a Texas cloverleaf at one point. However, Henley got a rope break. Henley went for a high cross off the top rope, but Zaria rolled through and deadlifted Henley with 30 seconds remaining in the match.

DDT by Henley counters Zaria for a two count with 15 seconds remaining in the title bout. As the time clock ticks down, Zaria is going for her finisher with Henley in a fireman’s carry.

Out comes NXT General Manager Ava to order the match must continue with sudden death, meaning the first to score a pin or submission wins the match. The show cuts to a commercial break as the match restarts.

Back from the break, Henley is in control as Zaria takes a bump off the ropes. Rings of Saturn applied by Henley, but Zaria escapes the hold. Henley takes a press slam off middle rope, and Zaria fires up.

Zaria spears Henley out of the ring, and gives chase. Zaria goes for a spear on the floor, but she instead collides with the ring steps after Lainey Reid saves Henley. Back in the ring, Henley delivers a shining wizard. Henley follows with a famouser, and she covers Zaria to score a pinfall. Good match. And new…

Match result: Fallon Henley defeated Zaria in a tournament final to win the vacant WWE Speed Championship.

— Shiloh Hill is featured in another vignette where he talks about being a long time wrestling fan. Hill tells a story about playing wresting with his dad, and he broke his dad’s nose. He talks more about his dad, and then Shiloh talks about his missing tooth. He makes a remark about forgetting his wire cutters, and that ends the vignette.

— Booker T ribs Vic Joseph during a plug for the relaunch of the WWE LJN figures.

John Cena picks the men’s Iron Survivor participants

—

Cena chooses the participants in a pre-taped segment that mixes Cena’s monologue with video clips of those chosen by him.

The participants for the Men’s Iron Survivor:

  • Joe Hendry
  • Je’Von Evans
  • Dion Lennox
  • TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater
  • The winner of tonight’s main event between Myles Borne and Trick Williams

— Izzi Dame cuts a promo on Tatum Paxley after turning on her last week. Dame promises to explain her actions next week on NXT.

— TNA President Carlos Silva is on camera sitting front row ringside, alongside Tommy Dreamer, for the next title match on the card.

Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Lei Ying Lee in a triple threat match for the TNA Knockouts Championship

—

While Jordan and Grace have been programmed together as rivals on NXT, this was a big match for Lei Ying Lee (who was formerly Xia Li in NXT).

The title bout goes through a commercial break. Just before cutting to commercials, the defending champ is standing tall. Jordan does an Asai moonsault just before the break. When the show returns from the break, the three wrestlers return to triple threat spots.

Wild Spanish Fly spot by Jordan and Grace, with little room for error. They do some creative spots playing off each other’s strengths. In the closing moments, no water in the pool for Jordan as she misses a 450 splash. Lee is capitalizing on the missed splash when Grace throws her outside. Grace then executes a finisher (Torture Rack turned into a sit-out powerbomb), and Grace goes for a pin. Lee strikes with a flying spin kick, and she covers Jordan for the deciding pinfall. And new…

Clever finish, and apropos for Lee to win her first title on NXT television. She was in tears after putting on the TNA Knockouts title belt.

Match result: Lei Ying Lee defeated TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan and Jordynne Grace in a triple threat match to win the title when Lee pinned Jordan.

— Fatal Influence is backstage celebrating Henley winning the Speed title. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and Lainey Reid are talking up Henley when in walks Ava. The GM announces that Jayne and Henley are barred from ringside tonight when Reid challenges for the Evolve Women’s Championship.

— NXT Champion Ricky Saints sits down with Sarah Schreiber for an interview. Saints talks about facing Oba Femi and the challenge that presents. Saints addresses the doubt he and other feel about his upcoming match against Femi. Saints basically says he will use the doubt and criticism to motivate him in beating Femi again.

Kendal Grey (with Wren Sinclair) vs. Lainey Reid for the WWE Evolve Women’s Championship

—

The title bout goes through a commercial break. They have a very competitive match, and it was quite good. The style of the match was very different than a typical WWE match, except for a dumb run-in.

Despite being barred from ringside, Reid’s cohorts in Fatal Influence run down to the ring. Jayne and Henley jump on opposite sides of the apron, and the referee is beside himself on what to do. Sinclair decks Henley with a punch, and Henley takes a bump off the apron. Jayne charges towards Grey, only for Grey to sidestep her. Jayne then crashes into Sinclaur, who goes flying off the apron into the arms of Charlie Dempsey. He appeared out of nowhere to catch Sinclair. She screams in celebration of Dempsey’s return. The referee ejects all involved from ringside.

For the finish, Grey counters Reid to execute an avalanche overhead suplex. Grey pulls down straps on her gear like she is hulking up at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis. Grey then leaps into a flying flatliner, and she covers Reid for a pinfall to retain the Evolve title.

Match result: WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey defeated Lainey Reid via pinfall to retain her title.

— Darkstate are featured in a backstage promo. Dion Lennox, who is wearing a NXT tag team title belt, says he is going for singles gold when he wins the Iron Survivor. Darkstate then leaves in search of Myles Borne.

John Cens picks the Women’s Iron Survivor participants

—

Similarly to the earlier segment, Cena voices over a video package that mixes his promo with video clips of the participants announced by Cena.

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge participants at NXT Deadline:

  • Sol Ruca
  • Lola Vice
  • Jordynne Grace
  • Kelani Jordan
  • Kendal Grey

— Announced for next Tuesday on NXT on the go-home episode ahead of Deadline is a summit with the women’s participants.

— Also announced for next Tuesday is Josh Briggs against Tavion Heights in a grudge match a few weeks in the making on NXT.

Trick Williams vs. Myles Borne in an Iron Survivor qualifying match

—

The main event match goes through a commercial break. The show cuts to commercial after Borne gets a close near fall. They do some clever spots, like a double neck breaker spot at one point late in the match.

The fight spills outside, where Trick delivers his signature flying kick. He goes for another attempted kick, but Borne dodges him. Trick crashes his knee into the ring steps. Borne then follows up by giving Trick a Zig Zag (now called “The Borne Again’) on the floor. Back in the ring for the finish, as Borne executes another Borne Again. Trick had kicked out earlier in the match after a Borne Again, but not this time. Borne hooks a leg and covers Trick for a three count.

Match result: Myles Borne defeated Trick Williams via pinfall to qualify for the Iron Survivor Challenge.

After the match, Borne is celebrating when the arena lights go dark. Spotlights then illuminate the entrance of Darkstate, as they stalk Borne. Darkstate enters through the crowd, and they surround Borne. Borne’s fellow Iron Survivor participants run down to back up Borne. Je’Von Evans, Leon Slater and Joe Hendry join Borne in the ring to face off with Darkstate. Credits roll as the two groups face off. This seems to build up an eight-man tag match for the go-home show next Tuesday.

WWE NXT live results: Gold Rush week one

Posted on by Chris Aiken

A two-week special event kicks off on WWE NXT tonight with the start of Gold Rush 2025.

Following last night’s Raw at Madison Square Garden, WWE is still in New York City for NXT Gold Rush. The show is taking place at The Theater at MSG and is branded as an event that will feature representatives from NXT, Evolve, TNA, and Lucha Libre AAA.

There will be a rematch for the NXT Women’s Championship as Tatum Paxley defends her title against former champ Jacy Jayne. Along with that, the Women’s North American Championship will be up for grabs in a bout between Blake Monroe and Sol Ruca.

In the opening match, Chelsea Green & Ethan Page defend their AAA Mixed Tag Team titles against Thea Hail & Joe Hendry.

Je’Von Evans — fresh off his loss to Gunther on Raw — will team up with TNA star Leon Slater for a title challenge against NXT Tag Team Champions DarkState.

Plus, NXT Champion Ricky Saints will meet face-to-face with Oba Femi.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

NXT Gold Rush is on the air from The Theater at MSG with a raucous crowd in attendance. They pop big for the entrance of mixed tag team Joe Hendry and Thea Hail. They challenge tonight for the AAA Mixed Tag Team titles in the opening match. The champions enter next.

Joe Hendry & Thea Hail vs. Ethan Page & Chelsea Green for the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship

—

From the start, the crowd was hot. The babyfaces shine before a commercial break. Before the show cuts to the break, Hendry and Hail do some double team moves and a stereo pose. Page cuts off Hendry as the show is in picture-in-picture, and Page is working over Hendry as the show returns from the break. Alba Fyre interferes, which allows Page to derail a hope spot.

Comeback by Hendry, who does a hurricanrana and a fallaway slam before hitting his signature pose. In turn, Hail with a trust fall off the top rope to the outside. Hail and Page run through some spots in the ring, and Hail gets a near fall. Page jumps in to break up the pin, and Hail superkicks him for his trouble.

Fyre interferes again, which allows Green to attempt an Unprettier. Hail counters to catch Green with an armbar. Hail with a Kimura lock as Page shoves Hendry backwards on Hail. She releases the hold, and Green delivers an Unprettier. Green then covers Hail for a three count. And still…

Match result: AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions Ethan Page & Chelsea Green defeated Joe Hendry & Thea Hail to retain their titles.

— Lola Vice and Jordynne Grace are in a locker room for a skit where TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan barges in to bicker with them. This is designed to build up Grace against Jordan in a title match set for next week on NXT.

— John Cena is featured in a plug for his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

— NXT General Manager Ava announces an Iron Survivor match for NXT Deadline, and Cena will decide all of the competitors for both men’s and women’s Iron Survivor.

— Rapper Lil’ Yachty is shown on camera sitting at ringside in the front row.

— Sarach Schreiber interviews Tavion Heights in a spot overlooking The Theater. Heights is asked about making big moves, and Heights says it was a wild ride. Heights also mentions growing pains of moving from collegiate wrestling to the pros. Heights gets a cheap pop mentioning NYC, and Heights says he needs to focus. Heights is hyped, and he also mentions Cena picking the participants in the Iron Survivor. As Heights vows to to become the Iron Survivor, he is ambushed by Josh Briggs. They have a pull-apart brawl.

— Sol Ruca once again insists to Zaria that she is ready to regain her title in the championship match tonight, and Ruca insists she must regain the title on her own.

— NASCAR driver Jesse Love is shown in attendance in NYC in what one can assume is a promotional tie-in with the CW.

Blake Monroe vs. Sol Ruca for the NXT Women’s North American Championship

—

Monroe works a knee as she targets the brace on Ruca’s left leg. Double down before a commercial break, as they both deliver a lariat to each other on the floor. Monroe is back to working the knee when the show returns from the break. Ruca soon begins a comeback. Monroe briefly dashes the hope spot, by Monroe nonetheless fires up. Missile dropkick off the middle rope from Ruca. She then does kip up with one leg, and Ruca gets a two count on Monroe.

Double down in the ring, and Monroe rolls outside. Ruca runs and jumps over the ropes to springboard off the middle turnbuckle into a quebrada. Back in the ring, Monroe cuts off Ruca. Monroe then applies a half crab, which she had applied earlier in the match as well.

To further targeted the knee with the brace, which was coming loose. Monroe tries rips the brace off Ruca’s knee. Ruca went to superkick, but her leg gave out. Monroe applies another submission hold as Zaria screams at the timekeeper to ring the bell.

Zaria grabs a white towel, and the crowd gasps. Zaria hesitates and teases throwing in the towel before ultimately doing so. Zaria throws in the towel, and Monroe is awarded the match. And still…

Match result: NXT Women’s North American Champion Blake Monroe defeated Sol Ruca when Zaria threw in the towel.

— The Fatal Influence trio cut promos in a backstage skit where they vow to win all the gold the next two weeks at Gold Rush.

— Footage from after NXT went off the air in Orlando shows Oba Femi confronting NXT Champion Ricky Saints. Another clip shows Femi, the former champion, confronting Saints at a NXT spot show in Chicago. The new champ is then seen headed to the ring for a confrontation with the former champ.

Saints and Femi set up title match for NXT Deadline

—

Saints is dressed in street clothes with the title belt slung over his shoulder. Femi towers to the ring in jeans with no shirt. Femi also has his fist tapes for some reason. They face off in the ring and cut promos on each other. That led to Saints giving Femi a rematch for the title at Deadline.

Trick Williams interrupts them to cut a promo of his own. However, Williams is ambushed by Myles Borne, who lays out Williams. Borne cuts a quick promo saying payback is a bitch. Borne then vows to become the Iron Survivor, ensuring he sees the champ at New Year’s Evil.

Borne jumping Trick leads to a match between them next week on part two of Gold Rush. That match-up is made official later in the show.

— After a commercial break, Ava is scolding Borne in a backstage skit.

— In a page from TNA Impact of old, it was TO THE BACK! Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights are still brawling backstage.

Je’Von Evans & TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater vs. Darkstate (Osiris Griffin & Dion Lennox with Saquon Shugars and Cutler James) for the NXT Tag Team Championship

—

The match goes through a commercial break. Before the break, Evans gets a near fall soon after he leaps over Griffin onto the announce desk. Slater & Evans with double teams moves, followed by stereo planchas. The babyfaces are standing tall as the show cuts to commercials.

Darkstate are in control as the show returns from the break. Evans is worked over, although he tries to fight back. Evans with superkicks to create separation, and Evans tags out. Hot tag to Slater, who is on fire and runs wild. Slater with a two count after a high cross.

Slater & Evans with more tandem moves, and they are on a roll. Slater runs corner to corner to leap outside with a corkscrew plancha. Shugars tries to interfere, but Evans kicks him away. Evans then leaps off the top rope with a frog splash for another near fall.

Evans is shoved off the turnbuckles by Lenno, which left Slater alone against Darkstate. Slater takes a double powerbomb, and Lennox goes for a cover. Evans breaks up the pin with a springboard body press, but in doing so he lands on his tag partner. Slater is again alone against Darkstate. Slater falls victim to a Doomsday Device, and Griffin covers Slater for a pinfall. And still…

Match result: Darkstate defeated Je’Von Evans & Leom Slater when Osiris Griffin pinned Slater.

— Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair talk in a backstage skit. They hype Grey’s title match for next week, but they bring up the invasion of TNA.

— John Cena is again featured in a hype video plugging his final match at SNME.

— A photo shows a basketball player from Michigan State holding a title belt after winning the Champions Classic game in MSG, which was head up with the NXT when the show went on the air.

— Shiloh Hill is the subject of a personality profile sponsored by an insurance company. Hill is the season two winner of LFG. Hill’s gimmick plays on him being an athlete and a nerd. He also talks about playing football while attending Stanford University.

— Sean Legacy is featured in a vignette.

— Zaria and Sol Ruca argue over Zaria turning in the towel earlier on.

Jacy Jayne (with Fatal Influence) vs. Tatum Paxley (with The Culling) for the NXT Women’s Championship

—

The match goes through a commercial break. Paxley was getting to shine before the break, after thwarting interference by Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid. Paxley takes out Henley and Reid with a quebrada off the apron.

Jayne cuts off Paxley during the break, and Paxley is getting worked over over as the show returns from the break. Jayne gets a two count. She also uses a Frankensteiner, only to eat a superkick from Paxley.

Double down in the closing minutes of the match. They square off again in a exchange of fighting spirit. Paxley lands a bicycle kick on Jayne for a near fall.

Jayne with a running cannonball to set up Jayne climbing the ropes. That led to an avalanche twsiting neckbreaker off the top. Paxley held out to deliver a sit-out powerbomb as well. Jayne somehow kicked out for a close near fall.

From ringside, Izzi Dame tries to slide a metal folding chair to Paxley, but Paxley tosses back in Dame’s direction. Moments later, Paxley thwarts interference by Fatal Influence. Jayne then strikes with a running soccer kick off the apron.

Back in the ring, Jayne lands her Roaring Encore (roaring elbow). Paxley kicks out at two and half for a very close near fall. At ringside, Reid snatches the title belt from it’s pedestal. Dame waylays Reid with a lariat. Dame then slides the title belt into the ring, presumably for Paxley to use as a weapon. Jayne intercepts the belt, and teases a belt shot. The referee sees Jayne with the belt, and he takes it from her. O’Connor roll by Paxley for a two count down the home stretch.

In dramatic fashion, Shawn Spears and Niko Vance of The Culling block Paxley’s way as she tries to get back into the ring. Dame then comes out of nowhere with a big boot to Paxley. Dame then rolls Paxley into the ring for a waiting Jayne. Roaring Encore by Jayne, and she pinned Paxley to regain the title. And new…

Match result: Jacy Jayne defeated NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley to win the title.

After the match, Jayne poses with the title alongside Fatal Influence. Meanwhile, Dame and The Culling stand over a fallen Paxley as the show goes off air.

WWE NXT live results: Speed Women’s title tournament begins

Posted on by Jeff Moss

A tournament begins on NXT tonight as WWE starts the process of crowning a new Speed Women’s Champion.

The WWE Speed Women’s Championship is vacant at the moment after being relinquished by the injured Sol Ruca. A four-woman tournament will determine the new champ, with the first-round matchups being Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair and Fallon Henley vs. Skylar Raye. The Zaria vs. Sinclair match goes down tonight.

Skylar Raye is the new NXT name for Dani Raye Sekelsky, the female winner of WWE LFG season two.

There will be a championship celebration with new AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green & Ethan Page following their victory over the weekend against La Hiedra & Mr. Iguana.

A singles match between Je’Von Evans and Saquon Shugars of DarkState is part of tonight’s card. Plus, six-woman tag team action kicks off the show with Tatum Paxley, Izzi Dame & Lola Vice battling Fatal Influence.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

Tonight on NXT we answer the most important questions: Will Izzi Dame turn on Tatum Paxley? On a scale of 1-10, how great will Chelsea Green and Ethan Page’s Championship Celebration be? (spoiler alert, I’m predicting 10,000/10) and most importantly: Have Trick Williams and Ricky Saints been fighting all week long? Like, through breakfast and everything? Let’s find out!

Six-Woman Tag Match: NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley, Izzi Dame, and Lola Vice vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid)

Fatal Influence interrupted the NXT Women’s Title Match between Champion Tatum Paxley and Lola Vice last week. So, Paxley gabbed Izzi Dame and formed a team with Vice to get some revenge. Dame wasn’t stoked that Paxley gave Vice a title shot in the first place, so everyone’s allegence in team Not-Fatal-Influence is questionable at this point.

The crowd chanted for Paxley as the Culling’s intro took place, but Vice got a big cheer as well. Paxley and Vice hugged in the ring, but Dame wanted no part of it. Jayne threw her jacket at Dame during their intro, setting the tone right away.

The bell rang and Jayne went right for Paxley. The two brawled, but Jayne let herself be isolated in the corner for Vice to enter and start throwing hands. After making a little space, Jayne kicked Vice into the Fatal Influence corner and she and Henley traded hitting elbows on her.

Dame tagged in to face Reid and took out some of her frustrations with a scoop slam and a dropkick. Paxley tagged in and hit a jumping elbow for a two count. Reid tagged in Henley who started throwing hands at Paxley along with a few dropkicks. Vice tagged in and kicked her to the mat for a two count.

Henley and Reid tried to double team Vice, but Paxley and Dame came in for the save (and some dancing). Vice stayed legal and kicked Reid off the ropes. Henley distracted the ref and Jayne got a cheap shot in through the ropes. Fatal influence worked as a team to beat down Vice in their corner.

Jayne hit a big cannonball on Vice while signalling to Paxley that she was coming for her. Reid tagged in and Vice fought her off until takeing a kick to the side of the head. Henley tagged in and Vice drove her to the corner and thew her off with a shoulder role. Henley clotheslined her and tagged in Reid.

Reid hit a bulldog and Jayne raced in with a high knee. Jayne went for another cannonball, but Vice dodged that tone and Vice tagged Paxley in who cleaned house, taking on all three members of Fatal Influence.

Paxley hit a spinning heel kick on Henley and went up for a 450, but Henley moved. Paxley ended up on the ropes where Reid punched her through the ropes. Henley found herself about to be pinned and Henley came in to broke it up and all hell broke loose. All six battled in the ring and when the dust cleared, Paxley and Henley were legal in the ring.

Jayne and Dame hit blind tags and Jayne crushed her with a rolling encore. She grabbed the pin and Fatal Influence picked up the win.

Match Result: Fatal Influence defeated Tatum Paxley, Izzi Dame, and Lola Vice

Pretty good match that did a lot to further the Dame/Paxley simmering issue. Fatal Influence looked good because they always look good.

-Backstage, El Grande Americano and company arrived and were suddenly face to face with Josh Briggs who just can’t seem to not be in someone’s face all the time. Briggs challenged Americano to a match later tonight.

-Back from break, footage of Kelani Jordan using the TNA Knockouts belt to win a match with Jordynne Grace was shown. Jordan looked like she was pretty conflicted about having to stoop so low to retain her title.

The Evolve women were shown in what I can only assume is the NXT First Class Airport Lounge area talking and then Kelani showed up on her way to the ring specifically to dismiss them. Rude. Jordan then made her way down the entrance ramp to the ring.

Jordan grabbed a mic and said that she did everything she could to retain her title last week. The crowd booed and Jordan pointed out that they cheer for Dominick Mysterio and Cody Rhodes using title belts to win a match, so why not her? The crowd moved from boos, to straight up jeers.

Jordan said that she wanted to hold this title with honor and prestige, but all that gets her is boos and bad vibes from the back. She said that there isn’t anyone in the back that can keep up with her and the fans? The fans aren’t loyal. All they care about is girls with “fat asses and catchphrases.”

Jordan said that it’s her time to be selfish and she isn’t going to be like Tatum Paxley and hand out title shots all the time. If that makes her a traitor, so be it. She’s still the champion. (Mic drop).

-After the break, OTM were interviewed. They put the NXT tag team division on notice that they don’t have to yell no more, they want silence that shakes the room. Chase U arrived to take issue with this. Nothing else was resolved.

Josh Briggs vs WWE Speed Champion El Grande Americano

Briggs arrived after stopping by a Spirit Halloween and grabbing a smoking skull to attach to his jacket which I’m sure he thought looked really cool. Americano arrived with Los Americanos and somewhere Dalton Castle snapped a pencil in one hand.

The bell rang and the two locked up with Briggs having a definite size advantage. While Booker T yelled about Pancho Villa, Briggs knocked Americano to the mat. Americano fought back with an insiguri and a deep inside arm drag. Americano did some very entertaining moves before laying in a soccer style kick to Briggs’ head.

Americano spent a little too much time posing and noticed Jasper Troy (who will face Americano next week for the Speed title) in the audience with a comically large chain. Briggs used that to grab Americano and throw him to the mat. The crowd chanted “Briggs es stupido.”

The two fought in the corner with Briggs grinding his foot into Americano’s throat. Americano came back with some chops, but a big boot (Briggs Boot?) put an end to that. Briggs stomped Americano but took a little too much time and Americano was able to roll him up for a two count.

Briggs hit a big sidewalk slam but only got at two count. He put on a chin lock and wrenched Americano’s neck. Americano slumped, getting close to passing out but suddenly fired up with a chinbreaker. Briggs hit a splash, but Americano kicked out at two.

Briggs hung Americano up in a tree of woe and stomped him. He tried to unmask Americano, which brought Los Americanos up on the apron. Americano used that to hit a flying shoulder block from the top rope. He chopped Briggs repeatedly and tried to hoist him up on his shoulders but couldn’t make it.

Americano hit a discus chop and then a blockbuster, rallying as Briggs rolled out of the ring. Americano dove after him, driving Briggs into the announce table. Briggs threw Americano’s cape at him then bounced his head off the ring apron (the most American part of the ring!).

Suddenly, Tavion Heights appeared and distracted the ref. Both Americanos hit a double backstabber on Briggs and threw him back in the ring for Americano to lock in a backstabber submission. Briggs tapped and that was it.

Match Result: El Grande Americano defeated Josh Briggs

Fun match, but if Americano has a match with Jasper Troy for next week and the Briggs match was made on the spot, why was he here this week…?

-Backstage, GM Ava approached Kelani Jordan and reminded her that she doesn’t decide when she defends her title. Tyra Mae Steele arrived and said ‘Yeah!” Ava made a match between Steele and Jordan for later tonight.

Ricky Saints was shown talking to Miles Borne in the back. Borne asked Saints to leave a piece of Trick Williams for him.

-Back from break, Ricky Saints and Trick Williams were shown in different studios to have a conversation about their last man standing match next week. Saints said that Williams needs to accept that he lost his title match and not throw fits. Williams said that he knows everything about carrying a brand.

Saints retorted with a “you don’t care about NXT!” accusation. He then said that the works for this, but Williams has one foot out the door. Williams said that the NXT title doesn’t belong to someone like Saints, who is just like a fan. He should get his belt at NXTshop.com! Saints said that he’s done with the talking and they both stood up and walked out.

Saints and Williams found each other in the clanky poles section of the back stage area and Williams used one to knock Saints down and then stormed off.

Women’s Speed Championship Tournament Match: Zaria vs Wren Sinclair

Sol Ruca got hurt and as a result, was forced to vacate the Women’s Speed Championship. After realizing they couldn’t have CM Punk and Jey Uso fight for ANOTHER vacant title, a 4-woman tournament was announced which I am calling The Friend In Speed Is a Friend Indeed (or FISIAFI) Tournament. The eventual winner will be the new Women’s Speed Champion.

Next week, Fallon Henley will take on Skylar Raye (aka Dani Raye Sekelsky, the female winner of WWE LFG season two), but tonight Zaria, who was accompanied to the ring by Ruca, kicks the tournament off against Wren Sinclair who came down with Evolve Women’s Chamption Kendal Grey.

The bell rang and the three minute countdown began. Sinclair and Zaria leapt into action, rolling through some pinning combinations before Zaria landed a huge backbreaker. She threw some punches at Sinclair and threw her at the ropes. Sinclair threw a kick and locking an octopus hold.

Sinclair hit a dropkick and Zaria came back with a series of clotheslines and pump kicks. With 60 seconds left, Sinclair locked in an armbar submission. Zaria rolled out of it and landed a speak. She hoisted Sinclair up and dropped her to get the pin with 30 seconds left.

Zaria will face the winner of Fallon Henley vs. Skylar Raye which takes place next week.

Match Result: Zaria defeated Wren Sinclair

Speed matches are fun, if not a little speedy. I like that there’s a bubbling something happening with Zaria and Ruca. Sinclair also looked good! She’s got some great stuff going on.

TNA Knockouts Champion Leilani Jordan vs Tyra Mae Steele

Steele was aggressive off the top, charging Jordan. Jordan avoided her and the two traded wristlocks. Steele cartwheeled out of it and Jordan sent her to the corner. Steele hit a sunset flip, but Jordan used the rope to cut her off.

Steele hit a drop toe hold and wrenched Jordan into a submission over her shins. She and Jordan rolled through and Jordan hit a big forearm to the face. She then sent Steele headfirst into the ringpost and onto the outside.

Jordan smashed Steele’s hand on the ring apron and laid her out on the steps. Steele kicked her and Jordan threw her into the ring for some elbows to the traps. She put on an elbow lock, but Steele stood up out of it and ducked a lariat.

Steele dragged Jordan down to the mat and threw her off the ropes for a flapjack. She then hit Jordan in the face with her butt and hoisted her up on her shoulders for a modified Angle slam. Jordan sent her into the corner for a slam and then a split-legged moonsault. Jordan made the cover and got the pin.

Match Result: Kelani Jordan defeated Tyra Mae Steele

After the match, Santino Marella appeared on the video screen from his dining room and told Jordan that she would be defending the title in a triple threat match in New York at Gold rush.

-Backstage, Sol Ruca and Zaria asked for a match with Blake Monroe, but Ava said that she wouldn’t be medically cleared in time. Fatal Influence arrived and Jacy Jayne asked for her rematch against Tatum Paxley for the NXT Women’s title. Ava asked everyone to leave because she needed to talk to people about who from NXT would be in John Cena’s Last Time Is Now Tournament.

Really? Now? During a show? They couldn’t hold that conference call during the day?

Je’Von Evans vs. Saquon Shugars

Current NXT Tag Champions and Guys Who Bought Up All The Edgy Masks After The Pandemic, DarkState have beef with Je’Von Evans. It doesn’t really matter why because the bounce is going to trounce the… stounce? I don’t know, DarkState doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Either way, Shugars and Evans should light it up in this one.

Evans started the match by leaping over the ropes and taking out all of DarkState before the lights had even come on. Shugars hit an inverted atomic drop powebomb combo in retaliation. He began pounding on Evans, keeping the bouncy one off his feet as much as possible.

Shugars landed a backbreaker and pulled Evans back up by his pants. Evans bounced over Shugars and hit him in the back, knocking him down. Shugars got up and went back to the backbreaker for a two count. Shugars went to throw a punch, but Evans beat him to it and kicked him down. Evans hit a springboard hurricanrana followed by a headscissor and a dropkick.

Shugars got some encouragement from the rest of DarkState and over powered Evans until he charged at him and Evans sent him out of the ring with a back drop. Evans dove after him, but Cutler James got involved and levelled him.

Shugars dragged Evans by the hair around the outside of the ring and slammed his back on the apron. He slammed him on the announce table and then dropped Evans on the apron headfirst before rolling him back in for a shoulder block knee to the ribs.

Shugars threw Evans into the corner and started throwing chops. He sent Evans to the ropes and Evans came back with a sunset flip. Unfortunately, Shugars hit a drop elbow and then splashed him in the corner.

Shugars hoisted Evans on his shoulders in a submission hold, but Evans wriggled free and tried to get a pin. Shugars kicked out a two and went back to that reverse crucifix submission. Evens worked out of it and tried to steal a quick cover, followed by a superkick.

Evans met Shugars in the corner and went for a top rope springboard, but Shugars saw it coming and met him with a dropkick. Shugars started toying with Evans, paintbrushing him with his foot. Evans responded with a snap suplex.

Evans started throwing jabs and connected with a jumping punch. Evans stomped him down in the corner and Shugars was pulled out by Dark State. Evans leapt after him taking out Shugars on the outside. He threw him back in and bounced around laying in all kinds of moves, but favoring his right arm.

He went up top and Shugars pulled him down into a sit down flapjack. Shugars went up top, but Evans saw it coming and moved. He hit two cutters from the top rope, but Osiris Griffin pulled him off before the three count.

All Four members of DarkState charged and Evans dodged them all. He scrambled back into the ring and hit a flying cutter to pin Shugars 1-2-3 for the win.

Match Result: Je’Von Evans defeated Saquon Shugars

Je’Von Evans is one of the most entertaining guys to watch in NXT (and maybe all of WWE) right now. He’s fast, he plays a great baby face and I haven’t seen someone as good at the comeback since Sami Zayn.

-Backstage, Ava and Blake Monroe discussed her potential opponents for the Women’s North American Title at Gold Rush. Sol Ruca seems to be the frontrunner if she is cleared.

-Backstage, The Culling tried to console Tatum Paxley over the loss earlier in the show. Dame said that she can’t make these irrational decisions anymore. She needs to think before she acts. Paxley agreed. She promised to make better decisions… after just one thing. Then she ran off.

In the ring, the new AAA Mixed Tag Champions, Chelsea Green and the NXT North American Champion Ethan Page were ready for their Muy Grande Champion Celebration. A large Canadian “Cake” was behind them on the stage.

Page started off with the mic, talking about how everyone hates Canadians because “we say things and they come true.” Page went on to remind everyone that he’s the greatest North American ever. Green agreed and said that jealousy is a disease and the locker room is rife with it.

She asked to name a more iconic pair than her and Page and no one said anything. Page said that they would defend the AAA Mixed Tag Titles against anyone and everyone. Green said that she wished “Joe was here” and Page told her not to mention his name!

Chelsea made her Slaygent said “Joe Hendry” and as promised, he appeared! Hendry grabbed a mic and told them that they forgot what true talent looks like. Hendry said that he wanted a shot at the AAA Mixed Tag Titles.

Green said that he needed a partner, so Hendry said that they just needed to say her name and she would appear… and Thea Hale appeared out of the cake!

Hendry and Hale smashed cake over Page and Green and high-fived and waved hands as the show ended.

WWE NXT live results: TNA Knockouts title on the line

Posted on by Chris Aiken

NXT’s Halloween Havoc fallout episode takes place tonight with a card highlighted by two women’s title matches.

The TNA Knockouts Championship will be on the line with Kelani Jordan defending against Jordynne Grace. A former TNA star before arriving in NXT, Grace is looking to reclaim a title that she has held three times before.

New Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey also has a title defense scheduled, taking on Lash Legend.

A new number one contender for men’s Speed Champion El Grande Americano will be determined in a tournament final. The matchup pits Axiom against Jasper Troy.

Plus, former No Quarter Catch Crew members Tavion Heights and Myles Borne meet in singles action.

We should also get appearances by NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley, Women’s North American Champion Blake Monroe, and NXT Tag Team Champions DarkState following their Halloween Havoc title wins.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

NXT is on the air from the Performance Center in Orlando in front of a live studio audience. The results and happenings at NXT Halloween Havoc are recapped in a video package. It somewhat reminded me of WCW Halloween Havoc in 1999 since both shows were overbooked.

After the canned intro, Trick Williams is in the television control room ranting and raving at production staff. Trick is hijacking the show like he is NWO in 1996. He screams about this being his house, and he runs things. He orders no one touch any buttons as he storms his way into the building, and Trick grabs a microphone on his way to the ring.

Trick says to shut up because grown folks are talking. He then proceeds to say he beat NXT Champion Ricky Saints “like a bum.” Trick calls Saints a bum numerous times, prompting NXT General Manager Ava to interrupt Trick’s diatribe.

Ava tells Trick a temper tantrum will get him nowhere. Ava insists there is no controversy from the title match, and Trick simply lost. Trick strongly disagreed. He rants some more, and Trick claims to the fans support him. The studio audience chants “Trick got whopped,” which plays on common chant during Trick’s segments and matches.

Trick cuts a promo listing some of his recent victories over the likes of Carmelo Hayes, Ethan Page and Pete Dunne. That includes some fights in the “underground” and last man standing. With that, out comes Ricky Saints with his NXT championship belt in hand. Saints runs to the ring while yelling into a microphone, saying that it is tough talk for “a guy that got his ass whipped on Saturday.”

Saints rushes into the ring with security rushing in close behind him. Saints and Trick have a silly pull-apart brawl, as this feud seemingly must continue.

— Sponsored by an insurance company, a video package hypes the Speed tournament final with Axiom against Jasper Troy, which is up next.

Axiom vs. Jasper Troy in of the WWE Speed Championship Number One Contender’s Tournament

—

On commentary, the announcers likened this to tales old as time where speed meets brute strength. That includes David against Goliath. Booker T also likens the match to “The Tortoise and the Hare”. Sure, Booker.

That was indeed David against Goliath, except the Goliath character won this time. The match was short of course, given the time limit. There was some cat and mouse. Axiom used his speed, but this match was more about getting Troy over. For the finish, Troy gives Axiom a Black Hole Slam. Troy then pins him to become the number one contender to the WWE Speed Championship. His opponent, El Grande Americano, was sitting in the crowd watching the match.

Match result: Jasper Troy defeated Axiom via pinfall in the finals of the WWE Speed Championship Number One Contender’s Tournament.

— Sol Ruca is backstage talking with Ava. Alongside them is Zaria. Ava says Ruca is making “progress” with her injury, but not sure when Ruca will be cleared to compete. Ruca forfeits the WWE Speed Women’s Championship to Ava, much to the dismay of Zaria. Ruca had also declined to have anyone sub for her, and Zaria storms off.

— The Culling is heading towards the ring.

New women’s champ spins the wheel to make a deal

Newly-crowned NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley is joined by The Culling, as they celebrate her win with an in-ring promo. Paxley shouts “We did it!” as chants of “Tatum” fill the sound stage. She dreamed of this moment, she says before calling Halloween Havoc the greatest night of her life. Paxley goes to cut a babyface promo, much to the chagrin of her heel faction.

Paxley wanted to share the win with everyone. Not because of who holds the title, but what the title represents. Paxley talks about the journey getting there, and how she made the most of her opportunity. If a creepy weirdo like her can become the women’s champ, then anyone can. Paxley wants to be a fighting champion.

Izzi Dame, Paxley’s stablemate in The Culling, interjects trying to talk sense into Paxley. Dame does not picture Paxley as a fighting champion, and Tatum can lose the title fast as she won it. Dame mention it took Paxley four years and countless title challenges, and Dame insists that Paxley make challengers earn their shot like Paxley did.

Paxley dismisses Dame’s concerns, and Paxley herself insists this is going to be amazing. Paxley mentions fans were upset about no wheel at Halloween Havoc, so she brought it back to determine a challenger. A gleeful Paxley hurries to the wheel gimmick that is on the entrance ramp. Notably, Dame’s name is not on the wheel. Paxley says they would never fight over the title as she wants nothing to come between their friendship.

Paxley spins the wheel and it stops on the name of Lola Vice. Paxley is pumped up, and her first title defense is set for later tonight.

— Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey enlists the help of Wren Sinclair to be her second for the title match that is up next.

Kendal Grey vs. Lash Legend for the Evolve Women’s Championship

—

Grey really shined here. They were given a lot of time, and this could possibly be among the longest matches in the career of Lash Legend. Especially so with no smoke and mirrors.

The match goes through a commercial break. Legend lands a big boot, and she is standing tall as the show cuts to commercials. The big boot spot would play a part in the finish. As they go home, Legend misses a big boot. Grey counters to deliver her flatliner finisher (“Shades of Grey”), and she scores a pin on Legend. And still…

Match result: Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey defeated Lash Legend via pinfall to retain her title.

—

Myles Borne vs. Tavion Heights

—

Good match that was given time, as it went through a split-screen commercial break.

Josh Briggs is at ringside at the announce desk for guest commentary, and Briggs goes on to play a part in the match. Heights finds himself outside the ring near the desk. He exchanges sharp words with Briggs, and Briggs jumps on the apron after Heights rolls into the ring. Briggs is knocked off the apron by Heights, but the distraction allowed Borne to clothesline Heights out of the ring. Borne follows up with a plancha on both.

Back in the ring they are going back-and-forth down the home stretch, when Borne counters a belly-to-belly into an inside cradle. Borne scores a pinfall with the small package.

Match result: Myles Borne defeated Tavion Heights.

Borne and Heights shake hands after the match, but they are soon each attacked in post-match angles. Briggs brawls with Heights at ringside as security tries to break them up. Meanwhile, Trick Williams rushes into the ring with a metal folding chair. Borne takes a chair shot from Trick, and Trick grabs a microphone.

Trick against calls out Ricky Saints as he rants and raves. Trick is ranting and looking towards the entrance ramp. “Stone Cold” Ricky Saints jumps the barricade for a surprise attack on Trick. They have a pull-apart brawl. I have lost track of the number of pull-apart brawls on this show. Please give it a rest. Security could use a break.

— Chelsea Green in a cameo appearance is talking with Ethan Page backstage. Page, who is still NXT North American Champion, hypes up their mixed tag team title match on a AAA show this Sunday. As they talk, Thea Hail walks by and name drops Joe Hendry. Say his name and he appears, and he does appear by jumping out of a trash bin like a jack in the box. As Page and Green leave, Hail comes back to push Hendry away as he rides in the trash bin. This was an odd skit.

Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice for the NXT Women’s Championship

—

This was more of an angle than a match, as the heel trio of Fatal Influence interfere to render a no-contest. Former champ Jacy Jayne is joined by her cohorts, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, as they surround the ring. Vice and Paxley get back-to-back trying to fight off the heels. However, they are no match for the heel trio. Paxley is held so that Jayne can deliver a Rolling Encore. Both Paxley and Vice are laid out in the ring as the heels pose in the ring.

Despite the numerous pull-apart brawls throughout the night, security was nowhere in sight on the Fatal Influence run-in. No security rushing to the ring, even though they rushed to the ring earlier in the show. Maybe they were too tired from all the other pull-apart brawls. Or they could be busy still trying to break up Trick and Saints. Nevertheless, the heels just run amok here on the babyface champ and her new friend. This sets up a trios match with Fatal Influence against Paxley, Vice and Dame next Tuesday on NXT.

Match result: NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley and Lola Vice wrestle to a no-contest after interference by Fatal Influence.

— New NXT North American Women’s Champion Blake Monroe cuts a promo in bathtub. This includes product placement with Maybelline. Monroe reveals her first title defense is in New York City for the “Gold Rush” specials held from The Theater at MSG.

— Darkstate has a confrontation with Je’Von Evan, which helps set up Evans teaming with Leon Slater against the heels in a tag title bout.

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Sol Ruca and Zaria as they are leaving the building. Zaria blurts out that she is entering the Speed tournament, and she vows to win the title back for Ruca. They are then interrupted by Jacy Jayne and company. Jayne then cuts a promo on regaining the women’s title she lost.

Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace for the TNA Knockouts Championship

—

The match goes through a commercial break. Jordan rams Grace’s leg into the ring steps just before the show cuts to the break.

They do a close near fall on a Spanish Fly, and Grace kicks out at the nick of time. At that point, there is a commotion at ringside. The fight between Ricky Saints and Trick Williams spills out into the aisle, which interrupts the match that is still going in the ring.

With the referee distracted by the melee at ringside, Jordan retrieves her Knockouts title belt. Jordan stares at the title belt, and she throws it down like she thought better of using it to cheat. Grace rolls her into German suplex for another near fall. Jordan got a shoulder up.

Saints and Trick fight their way into the ring, where Saints spears Trick. More brawling before a Cactus Jack clothesline sends them both out of the ring. Security rushed in trying to separate them. Meanwhile, Jordan grabs the title again. Grace goes to grab Jordan, and Jordan turns around with a belt shot. Hit by the title belt, Grace sells like she is knocked out. Jordan then covers her for the winning three count.

Match result: TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan defeated Jordynne Grace via pinfall to retain her title.

WWE NXT live results: Halloween Havoc go-home show

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Ricky Saints and Trick Williams sign the contract for their Halloween Havoc match tonight on NXT.

The NXT Championship will be on the line this Saturday when Saints and Williams clash at Halloween Havoc. It’s the first title defense for Saints, who defeated Oba Femi last month to become champion. Tonight’s official contract signing is their last interaction before the PLE.

Sol Ruca has been scheduled to defend her NXT Women’s North American Championship against Blake Monroe on Saturday, but the status of that match is now up in the air due to a potential injury Ruca suffered on SmackDown. Ruca will address the fans tonight and give an update on her condition.

TNA gold will be up for grabs on the episode with X-Division Champion Leon Slater defending against Stacks.

A new tournament will begin as WWE looks to determine a number one contender for men’s Speed Champion El Grande Americano. The first two matchups are Axiom vs. Sean Legacy and Jasper Troy vs. Zachary Wentz.

Plus, Hank & Tank battle OTM in tag team action.

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

**********

NXT is on the air before a live studio audience from the Performance Center in Orlando.

The Culling open the show with an in-ring promo where Tatum Paxley celebrates her win last week on NXT. Izzi Dame is at Paxley’s side. Shawn Spears and Niko Vance flank them, as Paxley recites a promo where she is giddy with excitement.

While they are soon interrupted by the Fatal Influence trio, Paxley gets a few minutes of spotlight. Dame and Jayne eventually get in each other’s face, potentially setting up a match between the two.

At first, the studio audience chants “you deserve it” for Paxley. She gushes over them and their support. She also puts over her friendship with Dame, whom she called her best friend. Paxley could not be happier than being with The Culling, and Paxley promises to bring a singles title to the faction.

From there, enter Fatal Influence. A tirade from Jayne follows where she says Paxley has no chance in winning the title. Jayne cuts a scathing promo on Paxley, then she tries to sew dissension between Paxley and Dame. That is when Dame verbally gets into it with Jayne.

A brawl eventually erupts and Fatal Influence are sent packing. Glares are exchanged. The tension builds ahead of Halloween Havoc.

Leon Slater (with Je’Von Evans) vs. Stacks (with Arianna Grace) for the TNA X-Division Championship

This was a really good television match with a lot of action. The match goes through a commercial break, and Slater gets to shine just before the show cuts to commercials. High flying and a plancha to the outside by Slater. Evans is hyped at ringside, and he celebrates with Slater. They are near the announce desk, and Evans gets on the headset to send the show to break.

When the show returns from the break, Stacks is working over Slater. As Slater makes a comeback, Arianna Grace jumps on the apron to help Stacks. Slater hits the ropes with a handspring, causing Grace to go sailing off the apron into the waiting arms of Evans. A jealous Stacks freaks out like Randy with Liz, and Slater pays the price by taking a bump on the announce desk.

On the home stretch, Slater runs corner to corner with a flip dive over the ring post to the floor. Slater flew back into the ring with a 450 splash, and Slater covers Stacks for a clean three count. Great way to open the show.

Match result: TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater defeated Stacks via pinfall to retain the title.

Afterwards is an in-ring promo from Slater and Evans. They want to team together at Halloween Havoc against a team from anywhere. Out comes Mr. Iguana and La Parka to answer the challenge, which looks to set up a tag bout for Halloween Havoc this weekend.

Mr. Iguana is over huge with the crowd, as is La Yesca. Iguana questions whether they could have even have Halloween Havoc without them. They already spoke to NXT General Manager Ava, and the tag bout is booked for Halloween Havoc.

— Zachary Wentz and Jasper Troy each hype their match in pre-tape promos, before the show cuts to a commercial break.

Jasper Troy vs. Zachary Wentz in a first round match in the WWE Speed Men’s Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament

—

Being a “Speed” match, the match was short, yet packed with action. They made to most of their time. Wentz gets some near falls, but he ultimately is pinned clean. Troy with a swinging uranage slam, and he covers Wentz for a clean pin.

Match result: Jasper Troy defeated Zachary Wentz to advance in the tournament.

— TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan is banned from the NXT women’s locker room, and the roster dumps her belongings on the floor outside the door. Jordynne Grace tries to help Jordan, only for Jordan to cut a promo on her.

The Hardys transforms into “Broken” characters in vignette

Darkstate is cutting a promo when they are supernaturally interrupted by Matt and Jeff Hardy from their family compound. The brothers go into the Lake of Reincarnation, and they emerge again as Broken Matt Hardy and Brother Nero.

Broken Matt announces they will face Darkstate in a “Broken Rules” match at Halloween Havoc, and Darkstate is scheduled for deletion. Delete…delete…delete!

— Clips from Smackdown show Sol Ruca suffering a knee injury. Cut to present day, and Ruca is walking with a crutch backstage alongside Zaria. On Ruca’s knee is a large brace. Ruca is headed to the ring to address the audience after a commercial break.

Sol Ruca vacates title; new Women’s North American Championship match set for PLE

—

An emotional Sol Ruca talks about her injury, and she does not know when she will return. Ruca was basically saying she would vacate her titles when Blake Monroe interrupts her. Ruca at the moment held both the NXT Women’s North American title, along with being the WWE Speed Women’s Champion.

Monroe gets into the ring and offers sarcastic condolences. Monroe then lobbies for the North American title. Zaria takes exception to Monroe wanting to simply be awarded the championship, as Ruca fought to win and defend the title.

Monroe accuses Zaria of fighting all of Ruca’s battles, and even Ruca herself says Monroe has a point. Ruca goes on to talk about not knowing how long until she is cleared, but Zaria assures her that Zaria has got it until then.

This all sets up Zaria subbing for Ruca in a title match against Monroe at Halloween Havoc. Monroe gets into it with Ava, and Ava checks her. Ava then makes the match official for the PLE. Monroe seethes at Ava, and Zaria steps in to give Monroe a F-5. Zaria then snatches the belt from Ruca, and Zaria poses with the title belt.

What started as an emotional speech from Ruca turned into a contrived angle by the end.

Axion vs. Sean Legacy in a first round match in the WWE Speed Men’s Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament

—

While the earlier Speed match was good, this bout was even better. Great finish where it came down to the wire, with seconds remaining as they go home. Los Americanos are watching the match from ringside seats.

Spanish Fly off the top rope, and Axiom covers Legacy for the finish, which capped off a hot match. They pulled off the finish so well, with under 10 seconds remaining as they do the Spanish Fly. A second remained as Axiom scores the clean pin.

Match result: Axiom defeated Sean Legacy via pinfall to advance in the tournament.

— The upcoming title match at Halloween Havoc with NXT North American Champion Ethan Page defending his title against challenger (and AAA Latin American Champion) El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. is the focus of a video package hyping the bout. Great stuff here.

Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Lucien Price & Bronco Nima

—

Hank & Tank battle OTM in a hoss fight, and the fight begins before the bell sounds to start the match. Hank & Tank jump OTM during their entrance. Bedlam before the bell, and that continues as the match gets under way.

Heat on Hank, with OTM cutting him off from his corner. OTM work over Hank, and they toy with him. However, Hank creates separation and rolls into a hot tag. Tank in and he gets a near fall after a flying shoulder tackle.

Hank takes an uranage slam, and he rolls out of the ring. Tank then fights two-on-one, and he is cut off. Tank takes an assisted spinebuster, and Price covers Tank for a clean pinfall.

Match result: Lucien Price & Bronco Nima defeated Hank Walker & Tank Ledher when Price pinned Ledger.

In a post-match beat down, OTM jump Hank & Tank after the bell. Hank is hit with a shot from the ring steps, and Tank takes is sent crashing through the announce desk. Hank & Tank are not only pinned clean, but they are beaten up again for good measure. Hank & Tank lost clean and were then laid out.

— Lash Legend insults Wren Sinclair in a locker room skit that included product placement with sponsor Maybelline. Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey sticks up for Sinclair, which seems to set up a match between Legend and Grey.

Jacy Jayne & Lainey Reid (with Fallon Henley) vs. Tatum Paxley & Izzi Dame (with The Culling)

—

The tag bout goes through a commercial break. The babyfaces were fired up just before the show goes to commercial. Paxley swings in through the ropes with a wrecking ball dropkick on Henley. However, Reid ties up Paxley’s legs, which allows Jayne to deliver a draping neckbreaker on Paxley. The heels are in control as the show cuts to the break.

Back from the break, and Dame cleans house after a hot tag. Melee develops, and when the smoke clears there are Paxley squaring off with Jayne. Challenger against champion, and Paxley held her own until Henley causes a distraction.

Henley jumps on the apron to distract both the referee and get the attention of Dame. Henley takes a bump into the ring after Dame strikes her. Dame then goes to run the ropes, but she is tripped up by Reid and pulled outside. In the ring, Jayne with a Rolling Encore that drops Paxley. Jayne then covers Paxley for a pinfall. So, the champ pins the challenger clean ahead of their title match. Take that for what it is worth.

Match result: Jacy Jayne & Lainey Reid defeated Tatum Paxley & Izzi Dame when Jayne pinned Paxley.

Henley and Reid jump Dame after the match, and they send her crashing into the ring steps. Dame is down and out while Paxley is left defenseless in the ring. The heel trio surround Paxley. She is held by Reid and Henley for Jayne to taunt her.

Jayne goes to hit Paxley with the title belt, but Paxley jumps up to kick Jayne. Paxley then fights off Reid and Henely, as they bump and feed. Paxlet then executes her finisher on Jayne. Paxley concludes the segment by posing with the women’s title belt.

NXT Champion Ricky Saints is heading to the ring, as is Trick Williams. They meet face-to-face in the ring for a contract signing.

Contract signing for NXT Championship Match at Halloween Havoc

—

Ava is the ring with security surrounding her. She is standing at a table when she introduces both Saints and Trick. Ava first brings out the challenger, followed by the champ. They take a seat on opposite ends of the table set up in the ring.

Trick claims Saints is jealous that Trick is still the man in NXT, despite Saints being the champion. Trick says that is why he left Saints hanging a few weeks ago at Showdown. Trick wants to prove he is the only one that can carry NXT on his back.

Pivoting on NXT, Trick says to not “get it twisted” with him and NXT. Trick says he owes nothing to NXT. Trick is only loyal to one man, and that person is Trick himself.

“Trick Williams loves himself Trick Williams,” Trick said.

Trick vows to become a three-time NXT champ. Saints responds by saying the title can ether make the holder complacent or more ambitious. Saints ponders what did it do for Trick, and Saints concludes Trick started to think he was bigger than the NXT brand. Saints accusing Trick of wanting to leave NXT for a long time.

Trick makes a crack at Saints about the indies. Trick boasts he is Hollywood, thus above going to the indies. Trick claims Saints is cosplaying as champion, and Trick vows to kick his butt and end the “Absolute Era”.

Saints gets fired up while scolding Trick about the indies. Saints claims Trick wants to be like him, because Saints also claims to be more slick and more stylish than Trick. Saints stands up to lay claim as the face of NXT.

Shoving starts as security holds them back, and Trick goes for a cheap shot on Saints. A brawl begins to erupt, as security tries to keep them apart. Saints and Trick both clobber the security holding them back, and Trick boots Saints in the face. Saints counters Trick, and Saints gives Trick a F-5 through the table set up in the ring.

Saints then poses with his title belt while taunting a fallen Trick.

WWE NXT live results: The road to Showdown

Posted on by Chris Aiken

WWE NXT sets the stage tonight for its newly-named Showdown special with TNA Wrestling, which is happen next Tuesday on CW.

Last week saw the TNA roster invading NXT, causing the Oba Femi vs. Trick Williams main event to end in a no contest. Announced since then is a clash for next Tuesday, which includes two Survivor Series-style elimination matches pitting the show’s wrestlers against each other.

NXT General Manager Ava and TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella will appear tonight as they choose their captains for both the men’s and women’s matches.

Also confirmed for the Showdown card is DarkState vs. The Hardys in a Tag Team title vs. title match. That could lead to more build for Showdown.

There is a new NXT Champion after Ricky Saints dethroned Femi at No Mercy, and the new champ scheduled for the show tonight to begin his reign.

Plus, Lash Legend and Jaida Parker face off one-on-one in a bout on tonight’s card.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

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

Opening the show is the entrance of the new NXT Champion, and Ricky Saints enters dressed in street clothes while holding his title belt.

Team captains announced for Showdown

“You deserve it” chants from the audience as Saints begins his monologue. Saints talks about winning the title from Oba Femi at No Mercy. Saints then reflects back to February when he debuted in NXT, and the reality of him headlining NXT shows and winning the title. Saints gets excited when saying reality is here standing in front of the crowd (as the new champ).

“Ricky” chants from the crowd. Saints says the journey has not been easy, and the question was whether Saints would do it. He asks the crowd if he did it, if we did it? The audience pops of course.

Saints put all of his chips on the line and bet on himself, and he walked out as the new champion. That is proof the only person to worry about is you. The only one to bet on is you. There is always one person you must see when going to sleep, and that is yourself. I think he meant looking in the mirror, but you get the picture.

Saints is suddenly interrupted by theme music for Fatal Influence, followed by the entrance of NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne. She congratulates Saints on winning the title, but Jayne says they have bigger things to worry about (likely meaning TNA).

The studio audience loudly boos Jayne, and she calls them idiots before telling them to shut up. Jayne goes to say TNA is trying to take over NXT. (The hostile takeover plot is so 1996, yet here we are.)

Jayne is interrupted by the NXT General Manager Ava, who says Jayne took the word out of her mouth. They do have more things to worry about. Ava informs them she appointed them as the team captains for NXT. That means they will decide who is on their team.

Ava asks them to put their differences, and their pride, aside because Ava needs the best team. Ava needs the best men and women in NXT. Before Ava can finish speaking, she is interrupted by Santino Marella. He is an authority figure for TNA.

Marella says Ava has a great idea, and he will also allows his team captains to pick their teams. Marcella then says “Tricky” Williams will not be his captain. Trick Williams holds the TNA Word Championship, but Marella says he cannot trust a man named “Tricky” to be captain.

Marella then introduces Mike Santana as captain of the TNA team. Marcella also introduces TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan as the captain of the women’s team for TNA. That is interesting because Jordan is actually a wrestler from NXT. Jordan won the title at TNA Victory Road last Friday.

The authority figures and the team captains face off in the ring. Marcella says this not an “invasion” since the two promotions have worked together for months. Marcella this is more of a “showcase” or a “showdown” between the two promotions.

Jayne objects to Marella picking Jordan as team captain, as Jayne says that does not make sense. Saints interjects to say they need to focus on their own teams. Saints tells Santana he will see him later on.

— Before and after a commercial break is hype Saturday Night’s Main Event, with advertising focusing on John Cena and tickets soon going on sale.

— TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater meets up backstage with Je’Von Evans. They are cordial, and they are hyped about their title match set for TNA Bound For Glory. They are interrupted by Shawn Spears and The Culling. Spears and Niko Vance take exception to Evans being friendly with a TNA talent. That led to Vance challenging Evans and Slater to a tag team match later tonight.

Lyra Valkyria walks up as Evans and Slater leave. Valkyria has a new doll she gifts to Tatum Paxley. Paxley throws her other blonde doll behind her, and Izzi Dame catches it with a look of disgust on her face.

Jaida Parker vs. Lash Legend

This was a rematch from a few weeks ago, and this was much better this time around. They added some heat to the feud as Legend cost Parker a recent title match.

The match goes through a commercial break. Parker with a Samoan Drop, and Legend takes the bump on the floor just before the show cuts to a commercial. Legend is working a leg as the show returns from the break. Parker gets a rope break and fights back.

Comeback by Parker, and she executes a twisting neckbreaker for a two count. Moments later, Legend no sells one of Parker’s signature moves, and Legend lands a big boot. Outside the ring, Legend sends Parker crashing into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Legend goes for her finisher, but Parker blocks it. Parker follows up with a running hip attack, and Parker covers Legend for a three count.

Match result: Jaida Parker defeated Lash Legend via pinfall.

— TNA World Champion Trick Williams is in the NXT locker room. He wants to be co-captains with NXT Champ Ricky Saints. After scoffing at such, Saints announces Je’Von Evans as his first pick. Evans is pumped up. Myles Borne is the second pick, and Trick says they need more size. Jasper Troy rattles his chain like Hercules Hernandez, as if to say he wants the spot. Trick instead suggests Josh Briggs. Evans objects, and Evans calls Briggs goofy and selfish. Evans storms off as Trick suggest Briggs against Borne in a match tonight. The winner is added to the team, and Saints likes that idea.

Mustafa Ali returns to challenge Ethan Page

North American Champion Ethan Page enters the sound stage for a monologue. Page proclaims himself the greatest North American Champion ever, and Page says he beat an Olympic threat. Page claims that proves there is a talent gap between him and the Olympics.

While Page says everyone else is worried about TNA, Page has problems south of the border. Page brings up his feud with El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., who holds the AAA Latin American title.

Page is getting fired up about Wagner and doctors when he is interrupted by a vehicle arriving to the building.

Mustafa Ali enters the sound stage, and he gets in the ring to confront Page. Ali says he has no issue with NXT of the fans, but he has an issue with what Page is holding in his hand (meaning the title). Ali earned a shot at that title a long time ago, but he was faced twists and turns instead. Ali thought he was cursed, as on this very day two years ago, Ali thought he was booked in a title match at No Mercy. Instead, Ali got a phone call that his services were no longer needed. Here he is 749 days later, and Ali still wants the title he earned. Ali goes on to announce next Tuesday he finally gets his title shot, as he meets Page next week at Showdown. Ali vows to end the curse.

Page cuts a promo and Ali punches him. They brawl in the ring, until Ali dropkicks Page out of the ring. Page fetches his title belt and clutches it as he flees the scene.

— A locker room skit sets up Lola Vice against Fallon Henley, with the winner being added to Team NXT.

— TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz in a pre-taped promo talk hope their match next week against Darkstate.

Josh Briggs vs. Myles Borne

The winner gets a spot on Team NXT. The match itself goes through a commercial break. Briggs wore a chain necklace, which is interesting considering that is Jasper Troy’s gimmick these days. Regardless, Briggs gets heat on Borne before the show cuts to commercial. Briggs gets a near fall after a chokeslam from the heavens.

Borne mounts a comeback, but Briggs cuts him off and delivers backbreakers. Borne soon fights back with another comeback. Powerslam by Borne for a two count. They then trade big moves for a double down.

Briggs rips the chain off his own neck, and Briggs wraps the chain around his fist. Matt Cardona suddenly runs in and stops Briggs from using the chain. The referee then takes the chain away. Borne strikes and delivers his “Borne Again” (Zig Zag) finisher. Borne then hooks a leg and pins Briggs.

Match result: Myles Borne defeated Josh Briggs via pinfall.

— Knockout Champion Kelani Jordan is talking with Jordynne Grace, and Grace lobbies to be on Team TNA. Jordan raises the obvious conflict of interest. Grace by chance name drops Joe Hendry. Say his name and he appears. Santana enters and basically points out the conflict of interest with both Hendry and Grace. She tells Hendry they should be somehow be a part of Showdown.

Fallon Henley vs. Lola Vice

Jacy Jayne was ringside in Henley’s corner. The winner of the match gets a spot on Team NXT. Henley and Vice had a good competitive match. Henley is knocked outside the ring , where she trips up Vice with the ring skirt. Back in the ring, Vice counters Henley with a spinning back fist. Vice then covers Henley for a clean three count.

Match result: Lola Vice defeated Fallon Henley via pinfall.

— Darkstate cuts a promo on The Hardy Boyz ahead of their match next week.

— Lainey Reid talks with Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne in a backstage skit. Reid reveals to them she was under the mask at No Mercy. Reid also takes credit for the phantom attack on Jazmyn Nyx last week.This seems to set up Reid joining the Fatal Influence faction.

Je’Von Evans & TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater vs. The Culling (Shawn Spears & Niko Vance)

Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley are in the heel corner as members of The Culling. The tag bout goes through a commercial break. The babyface duo hit stereo dives as the show cuts to a break. After the break, The Culling is getting heat on Slater.

Hot tag to Evans, and he cleans house. Evans and Slater get near falls on The Culling down the stretch. Just before they went home, Eavns and Slater both springboard into stereo cutters. Vance is taken out by a dive from Evans, before Slater climbs the turnbuckles. Slater leaps off the top rope with a 450 senton bomb, and Slater pins Spears.

Match result: Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater defeated Shawn Spears & Niko Vance when Slater pinned Vance.

— TNA wrestlers arrive in the building, albeit some that are walking up have already been there tonight. NXT talent meet them in the parking lot for a verbal altercation as the show cuts to a commercial break.

Summit turns into a melee

The talent that meet in the parking lot surround the ring for a NXT/TNA “summit” meeting. Santion Marella and his captain, Santana, are in the ring opposite Ava. She is joined by Ricky Saints and Trick Williams.

Saints bickers some with Trick. Nonetheless, Saints announces the men’s NXT team was Saints, Trick, Borne and Evans.

Marella has Santana announces the TNA team, which is Santana, “TNA OG” Frankie Kazarian, Moose, and Leon Slater.

Jacy Jayne cuts a promo on Kelani Jordan. Jayne then announces the NXT women’s team as herself, Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker and Lola Vice.

Jordan responds with a promo of her own on Jayne. Jordan then announces the first picks for the TNA women’s team as Jessica McKay and Cassie Lee. They are The Inspiration, but they were formerly a team in WWE (which was not acknowledged, yet hinted at by Jordan). Rounding out the team is Mara Shade (who was formerly Jakara Jackson in NXT).

Santana vows that TNA will win next Tuesday, just like he will win the TNA title at Bound For Glory. From there, a brawl erupts. Mayhem and bedlam in the ring. As the melee unfolds, out comes Shawn Michaels to watch the brawl.

The melee continues as the show fades to black.

WWE NXT live results: Big interpromotional title vs. title match

Posted on by Chris Aiken

With a potential TNA invasion looming, a big interpromotional title vs. title match headlines WWE NXT tonight.

NXT Champion Oba Femi and TNA World Champion Trick Williams will clash with both of their titles on the line. It’s a winner-take-all match where the winner will leave with both belts. However, we could potentially see the TNA roster get involved in things. Last week saw the TNA talent — led by Bound for Glory title challenger Mike Santana — voice their displeasure on social media over how NXT is treating them.

Tonight’s NXT is the go-home show for No Mercy. At the PLE, Ricky Saints has a title shot scheduled against tonight’s Femi vs. Williams winner.

We’ll find out Speed Women’s Champion Sol Ruca’s No Mercy challenger tonight when Candice LeRae and Lainey Reid meet in the finals of a number one contender’s tournament.

Plus, Myles Borne and Lexis King continue their rivalry in a Lights Out match.

Join us for live coverage beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

After recapping last week’s Homecoming, the show begins with footage from earlier today of NXT Champion Oba Femi and TNA World Champion Trick Williams arriving to the building.

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

Lexis King slides in from stage right aboard his gimmicked throne. Fog covers his feet on the stage. Myles Borne enters and flips a switch, and the arena light go dark. Under only spotlights, Borne attacks King. The “lights out” match is underway, and the lights are indeed out.

Myles Borne vs. Lexis King in a lights out match

Both combatants are dressed in street clothes. Borne in combat pants, and King is dressed in what appeared to be a homage to his father, Brian Pillman.

The lights are dim in the sound stage, and the ring is lit by only spotlights. The match is no disqualification, and weapons come into play early on. Metal folding chairs and trash cans are used early on. Tables and the ring steps are used later on.

They brawl through a commercial break, and they brawl around ringside. King threatens to Pillmanize, but Borne fights back and sends King crashing through the barricade. The ring steps soon come into play. Back in the ring, a table is set up and a section of the ring steps. Borne also whips King with a belt.

King is setting up for a spot on the stairs when Borne counters and DDT’s King on the steps. Borne then leaps off the stairs with a Borne Again that puts King through a table. Borne then covers King for a pinfall.

Match result: Myles Borne defeated Lexis King via pinfall in a lights out match

— Robert Stone and Stevie Turner are backstage for a skit in Ava’s office. Ava is in England and on speaker phone with Stone and Turner. Stone informs her that TNA wrestlers are walking around backstage. Stone ask Ava if she invited them, but Ava soon hangs up due to bad cell service. Not before Ava tells them she has confidence in them.

— NXT North American Champion Ethan Page is walking towards the Gorilla Position on his way to the ring for the next segment, when the show comes back from a commercial break. Meanwhile, TNA talent is seen lurking backstage.

Ethan Page issues a challenge to Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.

Page grabs a microphone after entering the ring. The audio feed is muted several times, presumably because of foul language chanted by the studio audience. Page hints at such as well.

In the audience is El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., or is he? Page cuts a promo on him. “Wagner” stands up, and Page challenges him to a fight right now.

A referee comes to the ring and the match is on.

Ethan Page vs. “El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.” (Tavion Heights in disguise)

“Wagner” makes quick work of Page, and “Wagner” locks in an angle lock submission hold. Page taps out for a submission.

Match result: “El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.” defeated Ethan Page

Afterwards, “Wagner” unmasks as Tavion Heights. Page defends against Heights on Saturday at No Mercy.

— A locker room skit sets up a match later on between Jordynne Garce and Arianna Grace.

Candice LeRae vs. Lainey Reid in the WWE Speed Women’s Championship #1 Contender Tournament Final

The match was fast-paced since it was so short, which is typical of a Speed match. Both looked great going the ring before going to the finish, as they go home with under a minute remaining in the match. They trade near falls when Reid counters LeRae . Reid levels LeRae with a knees strike, and Reid scores a pinfall.

Match result: Lainey Reid defeated Candice LeRae via pinfall to win the tournament

In winning, Reid earns a title shot against Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca on Saturday at No Mercy.

— Jaida Parkers cuts a promo on Lash Legend.

— Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors are backstage with Andre Chase when they met by NASCAR drivers (in a cross-promotional tie-in as NASCAR airs on CW along with NXT). Darkstate interrupts as a NASCAR driver asks about Joe Hendry. Say his name and he appears, and Hendry appears wearing a NASCAR driver’s suit. This skit sets up a six-man tag team match.

Jordynne Grace vs. Arianna Grace

The battle of Graces was more of a showcase for Jordynne than Arianna. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo appears at ringside after the match to console Arianna. Just before going home, Grace fires up with a series of short-arm clotheslines. Grace then lifts Arianna into a Torture Rack, and she sends Arianna crashing to the mat with a powerbomb.

Match result: Jordynne Grace defeated Arianna Grace via pinfall.

Blake Monroe enters the sound stage after the match, and she storms the ring with a bunch of weapons. She grabs a kendo stick wrapped in pink fabric. Grace grabs a chair, and they dual with the weapons. Grace then double-legs Monroe and they brawl on the mat as referees and security runs out to break up the impromptu fight.

Robert Stone and Stevie Turner come out to declare the Grace-Monroe match at No Mercy is weapons match inside of a steel cage! Grace and Monroe celebrate the news by resuming their pull-apart brawl.

— Lainey Reid is interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Reid vows to win the North American title on Saturday. The Fatal Influence trio confront Reid after the interview.

NXT Women’s Champ Jacy Jayne is face-to-face with Lola Vice

Jacy Jayne, with her NXT Women’s Championship belt over her shoulder, enters for an in-ring promo. Jayne cut a great promo on Lola Vice. This was great business, and it got better when Lola Vice enters to confront Jayne.

Champion and challenger go face-to-face in the ring. Vice cuts a promo on Jayne. These two play off each other really well, and this was a helluva go-home segment. Jayne finally goes over the line by bringing up Vice’s family, and Vice lays her out with a spinning back fist. Great stuff here.

— Josh Briggs is the focus of a personality profile sponsored by an insurance company.

Joe Hendry, Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors vs. Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars in a six-man tag team match

Hendry teams up with Chase U against Darkstate in this trios match. In the babyface corner was Andre Chase, while Darkstate’s Cutler James was in the heel corner.

The babyface trio fought from underneath early on and they shine. Before a commercial break, Dixon sails through the air with a Sasuke Special. After the break, the tide turns. Dixon is being worked over by the heels.

During the match, Mike Santana from TNA is shown arriving to the building.

They build to a hot tag, and Connors is a house of fire. The heels cut off Connors, but not before a high spot. James is ringside preying on Chase, and Connors makes a save with a tope suicida. However, that allows the heel faction to gain an advantage.

Connor is soon tossed into an assisted powerbomb, and Shugars covers Connor for a pin.

Match result: Darkstate defeated Joe Hendry & Chase U when Saquon Shugars pinned Uriah Connors.

— Ricky Saints is the focus of a video package that profiles him and his hometown of New Orleans.

— Je’Von Evans is being interviewed backstage by Kelly Kincaid. Suddenly, they are interrupted by a commotion, and the camera pans over to find Jazmyn Nyz on the ground in pain. She was apparently ambushed, and medical staff rushes in to treat her.

— Nyx is of course part of the Fatal Influence trio, but Jacy Jayne is unbothered by the attack. Jayne is backstage with Fallon Henley, and Jayne tells her that was about time to dump Nyx anyway.

NXT Champion Oba Femi vs. TNA World Champion Trick Williams in a title vs. title match

They both get a full entrance, plus in-ring introductions. Despite that and the hype and ballyhoo, this does not feel special enough for a title vs. title match. TNA talent is seen throughout the audience, as they close in on the ring.

Just before a commercial break, Mike Santana hops the barricade and joins the announce team for impromptu guest commentary.

Matt Cardona shows up in the crowd, and he gets a big pop. The match was beginning to become more of a back drop for an angle with TNA.

As Oba and Trick fight at ringside, Trick comes face-to-face with Santana. Trick slaps Santana across the face, which goads Santana into chasing Trick into the ring. Santana brawls with Trick as the referee calls for the bell.

Match result: Oba Femi defeated Trick Williams via disqualification (presumably that is the result, as there is no official word. The result could also be a no-contest. Your guess is good as mine.)

NXT talent and TNA talent pour into the ring for a massive melee. Meanwhile, Ricky Saints saunters to the ring as mayhem happens around him. Saints grabs the NXT title belt and looks at it longingly. Oba Femi rises to his feet and snatches the belt away from Saints. Femi raises the title overhead as the show goes off air.

WWE NXT Homecoming live results: Big returns at Full Sail University

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Tonight, WWE NXT returns to where the brand first rose to prominence.

NXT is back at Full Sail University for a Homecoming special. The card features some of NXT’s biggest names from the Black & Gold past, including stars like Rhea Ripley, Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and Tyler Breeze.

Ripley will team with Stephanie Vaquer & Lyra Valkyria as they battle the new-era trio of Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx). Valkyria is replacing Tiffany Stratton in the match due to Stratton not being medically cleared to compete.

Tonight’s show will also see DIY (Gargano & Ciampa) team up to face the reuniting duo of Trick Williams & Carmelo Hayes.

Gold will be on the line as Charlotte & Bliss defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles against The Culling’s Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley. Plus, Breeze challenges Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship.

A Grayson Waller Effect segment will see NXT Champion Oba Femi and Ricky Saints build up their title match ahead of No Mercy on September 27.

In addition to all that, WWE has announced that Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, Bianca Belair, Bobby Roode, William Regal, and more will be in the building.

**********

NXT is back on the air with a supercard this week to celebrate Homecoming, and the show returns to Full Sail.

The show begins with a retrospective video package highlighting the history of the brand, with notable moments from Full Sail.

The first talent seen in the video package is Triple H, and he also kicks off the show live in the Full Sail arena. Big pop for Triple H as he enters, and the crowd chants for him.

Triple says he can hardly tell the audience how good it feels to be home. He says NXT and Full Sail are something special. He goes on to say all of the superstars over the years are special, and he puts over the fans of NXT. What started as a whisper, they turned into a roar.

Triple H says their passion for NXT “shattered conventions” and “allowed NXT to take over” (which is an obvious play on the TakeOver specials of years past). Triple H cued the crowd to help him finish the phrase “We are N-X-T.” Triple H tells them thanks when the tones of “Sexy Boy” blare.

Shawn Michaels enters and joins Triple H in the ring. HBK is wearing a nice sports coat, but his cowboy hat looks as if it was run over beforehand in the parking lot. He used to wear a nice Stetson hat way back in the day. That might pair better with the sports coat.

Michaels tells Triple H that we know he’s been out there selling out million dollar gates with Raw and Smackdown, and he has also cut billion dollar deals. But HBK has to let Trips know that the current NXT roster is ready to knock it out of the park. Triple H puts over the current NXT. They are “lighting the world on fire.”

Triple H then suggests, “What if I want to come back?” Michaels gets in Trips’ face and says, “Then we would have a very, very big problem.”

Suddenly, the entrance of William Regal interrupts the standoff. Regal also ran NXT, much like Triple H and Michaels. Regal says there is only one way to settle this. Someone in the crowd off camera yells, “War Games!” In a funny bit, Regal remarks that was his line. Pretend you did not say that, and “take that off the edit.”

Regal then screams, “WAR GAMES!”

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexis Bliss then enter and stand beside Regal. They joke about Tripe H and Shawn arguing more than they do, as the champs are an odd couple team of sorts. Flair says, respectfully, that the women have always been in charge in NXT. The “Women’s Revolution” started right here in Full Sail.

Flair and Bliss wait out the crowd chants to list off names of women wrestlers from NXT. Bliss says the women have always been the backbone of NXT, and if they are not down with that. She has two words for ya’, and the crowd chants “Suck it!”

Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

Shawn Spears and Niko Vance are in the challengers’ corner. The tag title bout goes through a commercial break. At one point, Alexa goes for Twisted Bliss. Paxley gets her knees up thanks in part to a distraction from The Culling. Paxley follows up with a roll up and her feet on the ropes for a near fall.

Paxley executes her own finisher for another near fall. Flair breaks up the pin, and Dame brawls with her. Paxlet misses a 450 and rolls through, only to eat an elbow from Bliss. Sister Abigail from Bliss, and Bliss covers Paxley for a pin. And still…

Macth result: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss defeated Tatum Paxley & Izzi Dame to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship (when Bliss pinned Paxley).

— Sol Ruca and Zaria are bickering in a backstage skit when in walks Lainey Reed, followed by Candice LeRae. They argue about who is winning the Speed tournament. The winner faces Ruca for the Speed title at No Mercy.

Shayna Baszler walks in for a cameo, and her glare makes both Reed and LeRae to leave. Baszler then urges Ruca and Zarua work out their differences.

Trick Williams & Carmelo Hayes vs. Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano

The tag match goes through a commercial break. DIY run wild before the break. Double down as the show returns from the break, and hot tags. Garagno runs wild. He and Hayes do some cool spots on the entrance ramp (which is the same height as the ring).

Tricks soon tags in and cleans house. He signals for his finisher, but Hayes makes a blind tag. Trick and Carmelo tease dissension, but they double team instead with an electric chair/springboard lariat. Ciampa soon tags in, and he gets a near fall after giving Hayes a backbreaker bomb.

Trick retrieves his TNA World title belt, and the referee takes it from him. DIY set up Trick for their finisher, but Hayes pushes Trick out of the way. DIY then double team Hayes for another near fall.

The Miz suddenly runs in at ringside. Skull Crushing Finale by Miz on Garagno, and he rolls Gargano back into the ring. Hayes leaps off the top rope with Nothing But Net. Hayes then hooks a leg and covers Gargano for a three count.

Match result: Trick Williams & Carmelo Hayes defeated Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano when Hayes pinned Gargano.

Kelly Kincaid interviews WWE United States Champion Sami Zayn. He is emotional over returning to NXT. Zayn then goes on to put over Je’Von Evans. Interrupting the interview is Josh Briggs, who barges in to cut a promo where he buries Evans. Briggs is calling Evans a bum when Evans rushed in to brawl with Briggs. Zayn stops Evans, and Zayn gives Evans a pep talk. “The sky is the limit,” Zayn tells Evans.

Ethan Page vs. Tyler Breeze for the NXT North American Championship

The title bout goes through a commercial break, much like the other matches on the show. Like the other title match on the show, the champ never felt in jeopardy of losing the strap. Breeze did get a few near falls, and the match itself was decent enough. Breeze looked good.

For the finish, Breeze was atop the turnbuckles when Page tripped him up. Breeze crotched himself on the top turnbuckle, and Page excited a draping Twisted Grin on Breeze. Page then scores a three count.

Match result: Ethan Page defeated Tyler Breeze to retain the NXT North American Championship

AAA Latin American Champion Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. is ringside after the match, and he has a stare down with Page.

— Damien Priest is backstage talking with Tavion Heights. Priest hypes up Heights. Priest then tells Heights he booked him a title match against Page for the North American title at No Mercy.

The Grayson Waller Effect with special guests Ricky Saints and Oba Femi

Waller comments that he has never been in the arena at Full Sail. Waller then introduces his guest — Ricky Saints and NXT Champion Oba Femi.

Waller asks a condescending question, and Femi answers it by cutting a promo on Saints. Femi is not impressed with Saints. Femi accuses Saints of looking past NXT to the main roster, where he can “carry Cody Rhodes’ bags.” Waller laughs uproariously.

Femi goes on to say Saints can carry any bags he wants, but Saints cannot carry the North American title. Saints responds by talking about Femi being scouted and recruited for NXT. Saints accuses Femi of being a “pampered athlete.”

Saints brings up a WWE tryout and not getting a deal, but he is here now. Saints says he will always gamble on himself, as Saints rises from his chair to cut a fiery promo on Femi. Saints vows to win the NXT title at No Mercy.

Out comes TNA World Champ Trick Williams to interrupt. Trick says Femi is holding something of his, which is the NXT title.

Waller butts in to suggest a title vs. title match next week with Trick Williams against Oba Femi. Then, the winner defends against Saints at No Mercy.

Femi concludes the segment with a promo where he vows to beat Trick for the TNA title, and he will successfully defend both against Saints at No Mercy.

— “NXT Spotlight” sponsored by an insurance company is a skit with Charlie Dempsey and Wren Sinclair, and cameos by Bobby Roode and Joe Hendry. Dempsey informs Sinclair he is going to Japan for a little while.

Roode then appears and Sinclair asks him to do the “Glorious” pose. Roode poses, complete with sound effects. Hendry then appears, and Roode tells Hendry to focus on the NXT title. Hendry shakes hands with Roode.

— Lexis King is in the ring after a commercial break. King cuts a promo proclaiming himself the “Homecoming King”, before King buries the “Black and Gold” of NXT. King then cuts a promo on Myles Borne, and King announces he and Borne meet next week in a “lights out” match.

The lights in the arena goes dark, and Finn Balor gets a full entrance. Balor, wearing street clothes, poses in a corner. King is distracted with Balor as Borne jumps King. Balor then jumps off the tope rope with a double foot stomp. Borne and Balor pose together as King sells.

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Darkstate. Montez Ford interrupts them, and he interacts with them.

— Bianca Belair in a cameo appearance is shown at watching from ringside.

Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer & Lyra Valkyria in a six-woman tag team match

The match goes through a commercial break. The babyface trio cleans house before the break. During the commercials, the Valkyria is cut off and worked over. The heels are in control when the show returns from the break.

Hot tag to Vaquer, and she is a house of fire. Vaquer is cut off, and the heels gang up on her. Henley gets a near fall on Vauquer.

Hot tag to Ripley, and she runs wild. Vaquer and Ripley do a stereo version of the Devil’s Kiss. The babyfaces are looking strong. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne tries to flee, but Lola Vice blocks her path. They meet in a title match soon. Vice hits Jayne with a spinning back fist, and Ripley then executes a Rip Tide on Jayne. Ripley covers Jayne for the deciding pinfall. Afterwards, Vice celebrates with the babyfaces.

Match result: Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer & Lyra Valkyria defeated Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyz

— Closing the show is a backstage stare down with NXT Champ Oba Femi and TNA Champ Trick Williams. It is official. The two champs meet next Tuesday in a title vs. title match. Pretty big match for only a week’s notice.

WWE NXT live results: Flag match, title bout, new number one contenders

Posted on by Chris Aiken

A title match, a stipulation bout, the crowning of new number one contenders, and more are part of the WWE NXT lineup for tonight.

The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line with DarkState defending against Hank & Tank. It’s a rematch from NXT Heatwave, where Osiris Griffin & Dion Lennox became the new champions.

A rare flag match will go down as Ethan Page (representing Canada) battles Tavion Heights (representing the United States). It’s the first time WWE has presented a flag match since 2017.

New number one contenders for WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss will be decided with Fatal Influence, The Culling, and Sol Ruca & Zaria facing off in an elimination match.

At No Mercy later this month, Ruca will defend her Speed Women’s Championship against the winner of a four-woman tournament. Candice LeRae advanced last week by defeating Xia Brookside of TNA Wrestling. Tonight, Lucha Libre AAA’s Faby Apache takes on Lainey Reid.

Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs is also slated for tonight. Plus, WWE will follow up on the feud between Trick Williams and DIY ahead of NXT’s return to Full Sail University next week.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show begins with footage from earlier today, where teams arrive set for a triple threat number one contender’s match.

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

Je’Von Evans storms to the ring to call out Josh Briggs. No introductions of ring entrances. Straight to fighting as Evans meets Briggs in the aisle. The fight is on, and it is wild from the start.

NXT General Manager Ava is also at ringside, trying her best to restore order. Good luck as Evans and Briggs brawl at ringside.

Josh Briggs vs. Je’Von Evans

Briggs tries to counter Evans early on, but Evans is on fire. Evans jumps from the floor, past the apron, and springs off the bottom rope into an Asai moonsault. Back in the ring, Evans strikes with a spinning kick and a frog splash for an early near fall.

Briggs cuts off Evans with clubbing blows, and the studio audience drowns him in boos. Bossman slams by Briggs for a two count. Briggs grounds Evans, but Evans comes back with hurricanrana, and then another after springing off the top rope. The fight spills outside as Briggs cuts off Evans.

Evans is sent face first into the announce desk. Briggs with a gozzle as he teases a chokeslam through the table. Evans escapes and sails through the ropes with a tope suicida that sends him and Briggs crashing over the desk. From there the show cuts to its first commercial break with picture-in-picture.

Briggs with heat on Evans during the break, and Briggs has Evans grounded again when the show returns from commercials. Evans fires up on Briggs, but Briggs cuts him off. Briggs goes on to taunt and slap Evans. That only serves to fire up Evans, and Evans hulks up. Evans springboards into a flying clothesline for another near fall.

Briggs gets a stunner after trying for a powerslam, and Briggs is on rubber legs. Evans boots Briggs with a field goal kick, and Briggs still kicks out at two. But Briggs is soon dropped with a kick. Evans goes coat-to-coast with a Swanton.

Evans is posted on the floor, and the tide seemingly shifts. Not for long. Briggs tries to use a chair, but the ref stops him. Evans then boots Briggs in the face. Evans then goes for a signature double springboard into what was presumably a stunner. Briggs blocks it by clubbing Evans with a loaded right hand. Briggs then covers Briggs for a three count. A replay afterwards shows Briggs use his chain necklace as a weapon to lay out Evans.

Match result: Josh Briggs defeated Je’Von Evans via pinfall

Great opener, but Evans drops another fall. Briggs did cheat to win. So, Evans will hopefully go over at some point. After such a good match, I was disappointed with Evans losing another match. Especially because Evans has another stellar performance. Maybe Briggs will get his comeuppance soon enough.

— NXT Champion Oba Femi and his next challenger, Ricky Saints, argue in Ava’s office. She then books them in a face-to-face segment for next week to air their grievances.

TNA World Champion Trick Williams enters, and he wants to know if everything they talked about is still on ahead of the DIY segment that is up next. That led into a talking segment with DIY and a surprise appearance after a commercial break.

Carmelo Hayes cameo sets up tag match with DIY

DIY — Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano — enter the sound stage to a pop. Ciampa says they feel at home in NXT, but tonight is extra special. Tonight marks ten years since he and Gargano first tagged together. Gargano also speaks, saying they have not forgotten where they came from. They are NXT for life, even if they are on Smackdown. NXT will always be home.

Ciampa says he hoped, and even kind of knew, his last match in NXT would not his last on the brand. Cue Trick Williams, who enters the sound stage to cut a promo on DIY.

Trick proclaims himself the greatest NXT superstar of all time. Trick claims that DIY is jealous because their NXT crew cannot hang with the current NXT crew. Trick is challenged by DIY to get in the ring and prove it. Trick says he will, but Trick is not alone.

Out comes Carmelo Hayes, as he returns to NXT in this surprise appearance. Hayes being there does make sense, though, and that is evident by the match this segment sets up.

Hayes gets a full entrance as he joins Trick in the ring to confront DIY. Hayes gets into the ring and look at Trick, as the Trick-Melo Gang is back together. The studio audience chants for them to “hug it out,” but Hayes instead cuts a promo on Trick.

Hayes counteracts Trick’s claim about NXT being Trick’s house. Hayes tells Trick that DIY built this house, and Hayes renovated it. Hayes goes on to accuse Trick of “squatting” in their house. Squatter chants ring out from the crowd.

Trick and Hayes bicker when they are verbally cut off by DIY. Trick-Melo Gang are then challenged to a tag match against DIY.

Natalya is front row for the next match, which features Faby Apache. Nattie and Faby collide in a match at When World Collide. Nattie being there plays into the finish of the next bout on tonight’s card.

Faby Apache vs. Lainey Reed in a Speed Championship Number One Contender’s tournament match

Both get pre-taped promos to get help get themselves over. Apache gets to shine, as she should. She is a legend. Reed still gets the win, after a distraction by Nattie at ringside. That made Faby miss a senton, and Reed delivers a running knee strike. Reed then scores a pin, and she advances in the tournament to face Candice LeRae in the tournament final.

Match result: Lainey Reed defeated Faby Apache via pinfall in a tournament semifinal

Short match of course, but good while it lasted.

— Sol Ruca & Zaria are in a somewhat silly skit with Hank & Tank. Both teams are pumped about their match later on.

— Blake Monroe is featured in a vignette where she laments her feud with Jordynne Grace. Monroe cuts a sinister promo on Grace.

Darkstate (Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin) vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger for the NXT Tag Team Championship

The tag title match goes through a commercial break. Hank & Tank are on a roll as the show heads into the break. After returning from the break, Tank is being worked over by Darkstate. Hot tag to Hank, and he is running wild. Near fall for Hank after a unique flatliner.

Hank & Tank do a takeoff of the old Power & Glory finisher. Lennox takes a superplex from Hank, and Tank follows with a Swanton. Another near fall for the challengers. Hank & Tank signal for their own finisher. Darkstate members at ringside, Saquon Shugars and Cutler James, interfere to break up the attempted finisher.

Cutler James is punching Hank when he invokes the name of Joe Hendry. Of course, speak his name and he appears.

Out comes Hendry smashing through a wall like the Kool-Aid Man. James backpedals and flees. Hendry chases him into the ring, and the referee stops Hendry to scold him. Meanwhile, Lennox is rolled by Hank with an O’Connor Roll. Griffin jumps in to reverse the roll-up, and Lennox scores a pin on Hank.

Match result: Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin defeated Hank Walker & Tank Ledger when Lennox pinned Walker.

Hank & Tank are becoming a popular tag team, and they had a decent enough match here with Darkstate. Joe Hendry being there is certainly a choice, but Darkstate has not been taken seriously anyway so the comedy works. They are still the tag champs… For now at least.

— The flag match later on tonight gets some hype in a great video package, albeit somewhat over the top.

— In a locker room skit, Lexis King is in the locker room complaining about a post from social media. In the post by “NXT Anonymous”, Ethan Page is seen scolding Myles Borne over his loss to King. Borne appears with a metal folding chair. Playing off the blinded angle, Borne shuts off the lights and attacks King with the chair. This feud must continue!

NXT North American Champion Ethan Page vs. Tavion Heights in a non-title flag match

USA and Canadian flags are on a pole in their respective corners. Lots of climbing the turnbuckles trying to fetch the flag. In between the climbing were some risky high spots. Scary spot at one point when Heights spears Page, and Page takes an ugly bump on the floor. Page seems to land on his head and neck. Heights tries to help break the fall, but the bump still looked scary.

Looked like they are killing each other at times with the gnarly bumps they took. Psychology was all based on climbing for the flags, and that turned the match into a stunt show. To set up he finish, Page takes a suplex off the top rope. Heights then climbs the ropes and grabs “Old Glory” to win the match.

Match result: Tavion Heights defeated Ethan Page after retrieving the US flag.

They worked hard and had a helluva stunt show. This appears to blow off the feud, and the right guy won.

Heights hold the American flag while he also grabs the Canadian flag off the pole. Heights drapes the Canadian flag over Page in a callback to last week. Heights gets his revenge.

Tyler Breeze suddenly appears at ringside holding his selfie stick. Breeze gets into the ring and poses over a fallen Page. This sets up a North American title match for next week, which was officially confirmed later in the show.

— Lola Vice of the focus of a great personality profile. The video package was very well done.

— In a backstage promo with Fatal Influence, NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne name drops Maybelline for some product placement with a regular sponsor.

Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx vs. Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria in a triple threat number one contenders’ tag team match

This was like an old ECW three way dance, meaning on team was eliminated before the final two teams face off. Lots of action. Almost took much to call. Plethora of high spots and saves. The studio audience was hot throughout the match. This may have been more of a stunt show than the flag match, but the bumps here were at least much safer.

The triple threat goes through a commercial break before the first elimination.

Sol Ruca & Zaria are eliminated after Jazmyn Nyx pinned Zaria.

With one team eliminated, one would think the action would be less. Not the case here as the pace only quickened, and the spots came quicker.

Match result: Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley won the triple threat after Dame pinned Paxley following a sit-out bomb.

This was an exciting, but difficult to follow at times with so many people.Triple threat matches are an overdone concept, but they did well here to have an action-packed match. The elimination aspect added something other WWE triple threat matches lack.

Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer & Tiffany Stratton return to NXT to set up trios match for Homecoming

NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne cut a promo after the match where she heeled on her partners in Fatal Influence. She blamed them for losing, and Jayne claims she was carrying them on her back. Jayne goes on to claim she is the greatest NXT women’s champ ever. In between her rants, the show cuts to a commercial break. She is still ranting after the break.

Enter Stephanie Vaquer. She confronts Jayne and Fatal Influence. Vaquer gives Jayne credit, but Vaquer boasts about holding both the NXT women’s title and the North American title at the same time. Vaquer vow to win the WWE Women’s World title to prove she is the greatest.

Jayne threatens Vaquer, and Jayne warns Vaquer she is outnumbered. Vaquer asks what time is it… It’s Tiffy Time.

Out comes WWE World Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, who cuts a promo on Jayne. Stratton lists off her long list of accomplishments as evidence Jayne is not the greatest.

Out comes Rhea Ripley to a huge pop, and Jayne sells big. Mami is back home in NXT. Ripley cuts a promo on Jayne claiming to be the greatest. Ripley then books a match for NXT Homecoming next week, with Ripley teaming with Stratton and Vaquer against Fatal Influence.

The babyface trio of returning stars rush the ring and the heel trio powders. Fatal Influence beg off as the show goes off the air.

WWE NXT live results: Oba Femi & Ricky Saints team up for eight-man tag

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The road to No Mercy continues on WWE NXT tonight with Oba Femi teaming up with his next challenger.

Ricky Saints defeated Josh Briggs last week to become the new number one contender to the NXT Championship. He’ll get his shot against Femi later this month at No Mercy, but first they’ll be on the same side for an eight-man tag match. It will be Femi, Saints, Hank & Tank vs. DarkState.

DarkState’s Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin defeated Hank & Tank at Heatwave to become the new NXT Tag Team Champions. A win in this eight-man bout could help Hank & Tank earn their rematch.

NXT hosts its first Speed match tonight as Candice LeRae meets TNA’s Xia Brookside. It’s an opening-round matchup in the tournament to decide Sol Ruca’s Speed Women’s Championship challenger for No Mercy.

With both having their sights set on challenging Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Championship, Lash Legend and Jaida Parker will face off one-on-one tonight.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

NXT is back on the air in front of a live studio audience at a sound stage from the Performance Center in Orlando. Participants in the eight-man tag match arrive to the building. Ricky Saints brought swagger, while Hank & Tank arrived with a rotisserie chicken. NXT Champion Oba Femi arrives to rule, while Darkstate saunters into the building.

Opening the show from inside the building is the entrance of Jaida Parker. She is over with the studio audience, as the crowd chants “Miss Parker” as she enters the ring. Following her entrance is that of Lash Legend. Those two meet in t he opening bout tonight on NXT.

Jaida Parker vs. Lash Legend

They wrestled through a commercial break. They were given a lot of time, and they worked hard. Push Jaida Parker and she would become a superstar. She has the tools in the ring and an “it” factor, but they put Legend over here.

Parker got to shine in the match despite dropping the fall, including getting near falls on Legend. Before they went home, the fight spilled outside the ring on the floor. Legend executes her Lash Extension on the floor, and Parker takes the finisher on the announce desk. Back in the ring, Legend with another Lash Extension in the ring, and Legend covers Parker for a three count.

Match result: Lash Legend defeated Jaida Parker via pinfall

This feud must continue, so they brawled after the match. Parker attacked Legend in the aisle after the bell, and Legend is sent into the barricade. Parker then delivers a hip attack, and Legend crashes through the barricade in a stunt.

— Blake Monroe is backstage when she meets up with Arianna Grace, and there is some product placement with Maybelline in a skit. Stacks is there with Grace, but he exits stage left. Jordynne Grace enters the scene and has a pull-apart with Monroe.

Evlove Woman’s Champion Kalli Armstrong rushes in to cut a promo on Grace for barging into an “ruining” another segment. Not only does Grace have a problem with Monroe, Armstrong warns Grace that she now has a problem with Armstrong too. This clearly sets up a singles bout between the two.

— An in-house commercial plugs AAA while promoting When Worlds Collide in Las Vegas.

Josh Briggs trolls and attacks Je’Von Evans

Evans is somber as he cuts a heartfelt promo about losing to championship match against Oba Femi. Josh Briggs interrupts after trolling the audience by teasing a cameo from The Undertaker. Briggs then jumps Evans after a cheap shot.

First, Evans wears his heart on his sleeve as he recounts his failure to capture the NXT title. He cannot be positive after Heat Wave. Evans appears emotional and takes a moment to collect himself. He went into excited, and he even called his sister to say he would become the youngest NXT champion. But he did not do that.

Evans apologizes to the fans for letting them down, and the studio audience responds with “NO” chants. Evans says he also let himself down. The crowd chants they love him, and Evans is appreciative of that. He continues to speak when a motorcycle is seen arriving to the building. Evans says this is not time for games.

The motorcycle is seen again, as it arrives at the building. This is all a tease for The Undertaker. The dong sounds, and the studio audience comes unglued for a huge pop.

Out comes Josh Briggs to troll everyone. He is drowned in boos but the studio audience. Briggs gets into the ring and cuts a promo on Evans, with Briggs complaining about Evans getting so many title shots only to lose. Briggs goes to say Evans should have gotten in Femi’s face and demanded a rematch. Briggs says try being himself. Being better than everybody else and not getting an opportunity. Briggs proclaims that Evans will never beat Femi.

Evans tries to respond, but Briggs hits him with a cheap shot. Big boot by Briggs, and Briggs sets up a metal folding chair in the ring. Briggs then gives Evans a chokeslam on the chair. Evans is left for dead, and these two are programmed together for a grudge match.

— Xia Brookside is the focus of a personality profile sponsored by an insurance company. She is in a match tonight.

— Hank & Tank are hyping up Oba Femi and Ricky Starks in a backstage skit.

Candice LeRae vs. Xia Brookside in a Speed Championship Number One Contenders tournament match

Being a Speed match, the action was fast-paced and quick. To set up the finish, LeRae springboards off the top rope with a tornado DDT. LeRae follows up by leaping off Brookside’s back into a senton. LeRae then jumps off the middle rope with a Lionsault, and Lerae covers Brookside for a pinfall with about 30 seconds remaining in the time limit.

Match result: Candice LeRae defeated Xia Brookside via pinfall to advance in the tournament

In winning, LeRae moves on to the semifinals to meet the winner of Faby Apache vs. Lainey Reed.

— Josh Briggs and Andre Chase are set for a singles match after a locker room skit. Chase U students basically get Chase in a match with Briggs after a confrontation.

— In another skit, Ava is in her office with tag teams from the women’s roster. She announces a number one contender’s triple threat tag match for next Tuesday.

— Darkstate is the focus of a personality profile on the faction. They cut promos as highlights hype them up. This was a good piece of business.

— TNA World Champion Trick Williams is heading to the ring before a commercial break.

DYI returns to NXT to confront Trick Williams

Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa make a surprise appearance in a cameo that builds up the “Homecoming” show in a few weeks.

Trick begins the segment by boasting about himself. He bemoans none coming out to respond after calling himself the greatest NXT superstar ever, seemingly suggesting the past NXT stars do not care about the brand anymore. Trick does not blame them, as he plans to never return when he signs a million dollar contact when called up to the main roster. Trick claims all of the NXT favorites do not love NXT anymore.

The team of DIY — Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa — enter to a huge pop. They soak it in before getting in the ring to confront Trick. Gargano insists they still love NXT, and he notes today is the 10 year anniversary of their NXT debut. Ciampa and Gargano goad Trick about them both being two-time NXT champs. Gargano also held the North American title three times, and DIY were also tag team champs.

Trick bickers with them some more until a shoving match begins. Ciampa shoves Trick, and Gargano hits Trick with a superkick. DIY then do their stereo finisher on Trick, and they celebrate their return by posing on the turnbuckles.

— In a skit from the trainer’s room, Ava comes to an agreement with Je’Von Evans. If Evans does not interfere in Josh Briggs’ match tonight, then Ava will book Evans against Briggs for next week.

— In another skit after a commercial break, Ava books a flag match between Tavion Heights and North American Champion Ethan Page. The stipulation came after Page opened his big mouth and talked his way into a gimmick match.

— Kalli Armstrong is featured in a video package ahead of her match tonight. This was good, but too bad she loses clean.

Jordynne Grace vs. Evolve Women’s Champion Kalli Armstrong in a non-title match

They had a really good match, and the audience was into it. Armstrong with a decent push on this show coming into the match, only for her to lose clean. She is the champ of another brand no less, and she still lost clean. No fault of Grace, as she is the one they have pushed for some time now. Still, whatever momentum Armstrong had is minimized by dropping the fall. Unless the NXT viewing audience does not care about wins or loses, but that seems like an existential question for another time.

The match itself went through a commercial break, and Armstrong was able to look strong at times. For the finish, Grace drops Armstrong with a back elbow. Grace then executes a scary rendition of Beast Mode, and Grace scores the clean pin on Armstrong.

Match result: Jordynne Grace defeated Kalli Armstrong via pinfall

Blake Monroe runs in after the match, and she gets into a post-match brawl with Grace. Monroe is sent crashing into the ring steps before security pours out to separate them. Monroe appears to be bleeding from the mouth after the brawl. Armstrong was unfortunately an afterthought here, but the program is Grace and Monroe in a feud.

Josh Briggs vs. Andre Chase

Briggs spoofs Undertaker during the match, which is surely building to Undertaker making an appearance to give Briggs a comeuppance of some sort.

Chase can still get over with the studio audience, even if he is more of a bit player than his previous role. He is so much better than his push would indicate. He gets a close near fall on Briggs during the match, and the crowd bought into it hook, line, and sinker.

Chase had the crowd behind him when Briggs hulks up and cuts off Chase. Briggs goozles Chase and deliver a chokeslam. Briggs then hits Chase with a high kick, and Briggs pinned Chase clean as a sheet.

After the match, Briggs gets more heat by attacking the Chase U students at ringside. Briggs sends Kale Dixon crashing into the barricade, which would have been more effective if we had not seen a similar spot several times earlier in the show. Nonetheless, Briggs also attacks Uriah Connors. Briggs chokeslams Connors on a gimmicked announce desk, and the desk implodes on impact. Briggs stand over his prey after the carnage is complete.

Match result: Josh Briggs defeated Andre Chase via pinfall

— Trick Williams is backstage cutting a promo on DIY. After they attacked him earlier tonight, Trick will not let that slide. Trick says they are not the only ones here with a history, and he will see them next week.

— Canelo vs. Crawford is hyped in a video package, which is cross-promotional marketing within the TKO family.

NXT Champion Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Darkstate (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Saquon Shugars & Cutler James) in an eight-man tag team match

The team of babyfaces stand tall as the show cuts to its final commercial break. Darkstate gets heat on Hank after the break, until Hank creates some separation. Hot tag to Tank, and he cleans house. Blind tag by Saints, and he runs wild with a tornado DDT. Femi makes a bling tag by smacking Saints hard on the back.

Femi and Saints argue, and they collide into each other when Shugars shoves them into each other. Saints in turn shoves Shugars into Femi, and Femi tosses Shugars on Saints. After getting back to his feet, Saints smacks Femi. Slugfest between Saints and Femi, despite them being tag partners in the match. Bling tag to Tank, after Femi and Saints go over the top rope with a Cactus Jack clothesline. They brawl their way up the ramp and exit stage left. That leaves Hank & Tank to face Darkstate — two against four.

Shugars gets sandwiched by Hank & Tank, and they are on a roll. Not for long, as Tank is posted groin-first. Hank has his eyes raked by Shugars. Darkstate gang up on Hank & Tank, but the babyfaces fight back. Nevertheless, Hank is cut off by Cutler James. After grabbing him but the throat, James asks Hank who will save him now. Hank says, “Joe Hendry.” Speak his name, and he appears.

Hendry suddenly appears on the apron to distract James and Darkstate. James then takes the combo finisher from Hank & Tank. Following the powerslam/spear combo, Hank pinned James to win the match.

Match result: Hank Walker, Tank Ledger, Oba Femi & Ricky Saints defeated Cutler James, Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, & Saquon Shugars when Walker pinned James

Joe Hendry celebrates with Hank & Tank after the match, with them posing together in the ring.

TO THE BACK, Saints and Femi are still brawling as security tries to separate them. The show goes off the air in the midst of the pull-apart brawl. After that cliffhanger, it would be funny if they were still brawling when the show goes on air next week.

WWE NXT live results: The fallout from Heatwave

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The fallout from Heatwave goes down on WWE NXT tonight as the brand moves toward No Mercy.

NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne already knows her next challenger with Lola Vice having won a number one contender’s match at Heatwave. Those two will meet at No Mercy next month for the title. We may already have Oba Femi’s next NXT Championship challenger too — with Ricky Saints confronting him at the end of Heatwave after Femi defeated Je’Von Evans.

Fatal Influence (Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx) will face Vice, Sol Ruca & Zaria tonight in a six-woman tag match.

It’s been confirmed that Ruca will defend her Women’s Speed Championship at No Mercy against a challenger that will be determined starting next week. That tournament will feature one representative from the WWE main roster, one from NXT, one from TNA, and one from Lucha Libre AAA.

A stipulation bout is set for tonight with Myles Borne and Lexis King clashing in a blindfold match.

Plus, Blake Monroe faces Kelani Jordan. And Wren Sinclair and a mystery partner will take on Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

Highlights from NXT Heatwave begin the show, which recaps the supercard from Sunday on the road in Lowell, MA. NXT is back tonight in Florida before a live studio audience at the sound stage from the Performance Center.

The entrance of Ricky Saints opens the show, with Saints in street clothes doing his signature entrance. Saints gets into the ring for an opening monologue.

Saints says he is here to “kick off NXT the right way — the Ricky way!” The studio audience chants for him as Saints briefly brings up Heatwave. Saints will always put his money behind Je’Von Evans, who lost on Sunday in an unsuccessful challenge for the NXT Championship. Saints then shifts to NXT Champion Oba Femi.

Saints calls out the champ, but out comes Josh Briggs instead. Briggs cuts a promo on Saints as the studio audience drowns Briggs in boos. The crowd then begins chants of “WE WANT JE’VON!” Briggs continues his promo, but he was hard to follow with the chants.

Saints responds to Briggs with a fiery retort. Likening him to the Sid character in Toy Story, Saints goes on to tell Briggs that he is not waiting in line for a title shot. Saints is the line! Briggs and Saints banter some more before NXT General Manager Ava interrupts their argument.

Ava says she knows where this is going, and she has an announcement. Since she has not heard from Evans since Sunday, she needs to find a challenger for Femi at No Mercy. So, Saints and Briggs are in a singles match tonight to determine a number one contender.

— In a skit from Sunday posted to social media, Ava is backstage talking with Blake Monroe. Kelani Jordan storms in to cut a promo on Monroe, which sets up a match tonight.

Monroe gets a full entrance before the show cuts to a commercial break. Jordan has her entrance after the match returns from the break.

Blake Monroe vs. Kelani Jordan

Jordan and Monroe previously met in a singles match three weeks ago. In that match, Monroe fled after being chased by Jordynne Grace. The match tonight played on that finish with a callback, except Monroe was unable to escape this time.

Grace walked with purpose down to the ring, and Monroe begs off. Monroe then tries to flee from Grace, but the door Monroe ran to was locked. Grace then yells at Monroe to get back into the ring. Monroe does, and Jordan airplanes her into an Olympic slam. Jordan follows up with a split-legged moonsault. Jordan then covers Monroe for a three count.

Match result: Kelani Jordan defeated Blake Monroe via pinfall

— Myles Borne is interviewed by Sarah Schreiber on his way to the ring for his match tonight. Borne is asked about his eyesight after being blinded last week by Lexis King. Borne says his vision is still blurry, but he notes tonight he is in a blindfold match. Borne then calls on the crowd to help him tonight with their energy and directions. Borne then charges to the ring like a 1980s babyface.

Myles Borne vs. Lexis King in a blindfold match

King is reluctant to put on the blindfold (or what was really a hood) at the start of the match. Once blindfolded, King fumbles around the ring. He takes a nasty bump outside the ring, and he stumbles over the ring steps. In between those spots, Borne also executes a lovely dropkick while both are wearing the hoods.

King eventually cuts off Borne, and they fumble around some more. King backs Borne into a corner, and the referee separates them. King feels his face and knows it’s the referee before he somewhat inadvertently pokes the ref in the eyes.

With the referee selling the eye poke, King smirks as he takes off his hood. King hits Borne with a low blow, and King delivers a Coronation finisher. King then covers Borne for a pin.

Match result: Lexis King defeated Myles Borne via pinfall

— Wren Sinclair is pacing backstage when Charlie Dempsey walks up. Sinclair is distraught because does not have a partner for her tag match tonight. She asks Dempsey why he is so calm. Dempsey answers and reveals he has a tag partner for Sinclair. Kendal Grey walks up and Sinclair is thrilled. Dempsey and Grey do a comedy shtick before they all head for the ring.

Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair (with Charlie Dempsey) vs. Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley (with Shawn Spears & Niko Vance)

While Dempsey is in the babyface corner, The Culling are in the opposing corner. Yet, they do not factor into the match itself. The skit beforehand with Dempsey does play into the match. Dempsey mentioned that Grey had a great armbar. That plays into the finish.

Grey gets an armbar on Paxley, but they are apparently not the legal participants. Meanwhile, Sinclair takes a sit-out powerbomb from Dame, and Dame pins Sinclair. Grey was busy applying the armbar, so she could not make a save.

Match result: Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley defeated Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey when Dame pinned Grey

— TNA World Champion Trick Williams hypes himself up in a pre-taped promo that also plugs three upcoming shows. Those shows are a “homecoming” show on September 16, NXT No Mercy on Sept. 27, and Halloween Havoc on October 25.

Ricky Saints vs. Josh Briggs in a number one contender’s match

The match went through a commercial break, and they worked hard throughout the bout. The studio audience gets hot for the match, and they get behind Saints. They really dislike Briggs.

Before a commercial break, Briggs catches Saints on a dive. Saints escapes the clutches of Briggs, and Briggs crashes into the ringpost. They go on to trade near falls after the show returns from the break.

Heated exchanges as they go home. For the finish, Saints fires up and springboards into a tornado DDT. That seems to be a new finisher for Saints, as he used in his last several matches. Saints goes on to cover Briggs for a pinfall. With the win, Saints is the number one contender for the NXT Championship.

Match result: Ricky Saints defeated Josh Briggs via pinfall.

After a commercial break, Saints is still in the ring. He is cutting a promo on NXT Champion Oba Femi when out comes Femi to confront Saints.

Saints cuts a promo on Femi with Saints implying that Femi is slipping as champ. Saints cautions that Femi cannot be the “Ruler” forever. Femi claims he sees fear in the eyes of Saints. As Femi continues his promo, the lights go dim in the sound stage.

Darkstate enters the scene, and they surround the ring. Darkstate members cut promos (and some are wearing the NXT tag team title belts) as they close in on the ring. They rush into the ring and jump Femi and Saints. The numbers are too much for Saints and Femi, and they are being beaten down. Hank & Tank run in to make a save. Hank & Tank (who lost the tag titles to Darkstate at Heatwave) help send the heels packing. This would seem to set up an eight-man tag match.

— A backstage skit sets up a singles match between Jaida Parker & Lash Legend.

— WWE Speed is the focus of a video package that explains the concept of the Speed Championships, which are coming to NXT. Ava then says Speed Champion Sol Ruca needs a number one contende, so Ava announces a tournament to decide Ruca’s next challenger. The tournament begins next Tuesday on NXT.

Participants in the Speed tournament are Candice LeRae from Smackdown, Lainey Reed from NXT, Faby Apache from AAA, and Xia Brookside from TNA. Brookside against LeRae kicks off the tournament next Tuesday.

Tyra Mae Steele (with Tavion Heights) vs. Alba Fyre (with Chelsea Green, Piper Niven & NXT North American Champion Ethan Page)

While Steele is green, they play to her strengths. Frye is also really skilled in the ring, so that greatly helps make for a good match. Steele shines at first, until she is cut off by Fyre (with help from Page and Green at ringside). Steele is distracted by the antics of Page and Green, and Fyre is able to nail a dive through the ropes.

Steele blocks Fyre’s finisher, and Steele goes on to apply an ankle lock. Page interferes by trying to help Fyre escape. Instead, Page gets his hand stomped on by Steele. Fyre goes for a superkick, only for Steele to sidestep her. Steele then rolls up Fyre for the deciding pinfall.

Match result: Tyra Mae Steele defeated Alba Fyre via pinfall

Chelsea Green attacks Steele after the match, and Heights jumps in to save Steele. Heights teases he will strike Green, who first struck Heights. Page then ambushes and blindsides Heights. Page delivers his finisher on Heights. Page goes on to drape a Canadian flag over Heights, which builds heat for a match between them.

— Hank & Tank are in Ava’s office, and they do some comedy before Ava makes an eight-man tag match official for next Tuesday. This plays off the angle shot earlier tonight.

— Sarah Screiber interviews the Fatal Influence trio. There is bickering and tension between Jayne and Nyx. Jayne remains the NXT Women’s Champion, despite dropping the TNA Knockouts title over the weekend.

Fallon Henley, Jaxmyn Nyx & Jacy Jayne vs. Lola Vice, Sol Ruca & Zaria in a six-woman tag team match

Today is apparently Ruca’s birthday, which is mentioned on commentary. The match itself goes through a commercial break. Lainey Reed is seen watching the match from a perch overlooking the ring, as she is apparently scouting Ruca (who is the current Speed champion).

Lots of action, especially during the closing moments. Hot tag to Vice, and Vice runs wild with a flurry of kicks. Hip attacks by Vice, but Vice is soon cut off after getting distracted by Jayne. High/low knee strike combo by Henley and Jayne on Vice. Ruca superkicks Henley for a save on a subsequent near fall.

As they go home, Zaira spears Jayne on the floor. Henley almost inadvertently hits Nyx. Then, Vice shoves Henley into Nyx. They bonk heads when they collide. Ruca rushes into the ring to execute a Sol Snatcher on Nyx. Vice then hits Henley with a spinning back fist, and Vice cover Henley for a pinfall.

Match result: Lola Vice, Sol Ruca & Zaria defeated Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx when Vice pinned Henley.