Results
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/11/23)
Who will face… HIM?
NXT prepares for Spring Breakin’!
With a NEW NXT Champion in Carmelo Hayes, there needs to be a NEW #1 Contender! Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, and two more mystery entries battle in a Fatal 4 Way!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre VS Kiana James & Fallon Henley; Dawn & Fyre win and retain the titles.
- Eddy Thorpe VS Javier Bernal; Thorpe wins.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Sol Ruca; Tiffany wins.
- High Stakes: Ilja Dragunov VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone; Dragunov wins, Wagner and Stone must part ways.
- Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Tank Ledger; Joe wins.
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh VS Grayson Waller VS Duke Hudson; Waller wins and will challenge Carmelo Hayes for the title at Spring Breakin’.
PLAY BY PLAY
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams are here!
Fans cheer for the NXT Champion and his right hand man as they head to the ring. They get the mics, and Melo has the fans settle down. He thinks it’s important to address what happened last week. Trick says talk about it. “Bron Breakker, everything between you and I was supposed to be about respect. I let my guard down, and I got caught slipping.” Trick says it won’t happen again. Melo agrees, but he also understands. Bron is still in his feelings about losing. Defeat is cold and lonely, Melo gets it cuz he’s been there. But if Bron thinks raising Melo’s hand was some kind of passing of the torch, he’s wrong. Bron didn’t pass Melo anything, Melo took it!
“Everyone at home, all these people here, they don’t want you to be their number one anymore, Bron. They want Melo.” Fans cheer and Trick says, “Hello!” Melo says he and Bron will be doing battle for a long time. WrestleMania Weekend was just a chapter of this story. So Melo will go ahead and flex the privilege by giving Bron a spot in the Fatal 4 Way to earn a rematch at Spring Breakin’. And that offer isn’t an ask, it’s a tell! Melo wants to get back- But wait! Here comes Dragon Lee! Fans fire up as The Wonder Boy, who is in that Fatal 4 Way, makes his way to the ring. Dragon gets a mic and stands with Trick Melo Gang.
Dragon says the champion is here. He congratulates Melo and shakes his hand. Fans chant for “Dragon Lee! Dragon Lee!” and Dragon days last week, Bron disrespected Melo. Dragon understands wanting revenge. But Dragon is here to fight the best. And that title says Melo IS the best! But it also proves that when Melo shoots, he doesn’t miss. Melo wants Bron, but after Dragon wins tonight, it’ll be Melo and Dragon at Spring Breakin’ for that title! Trick says Dragon’s spitting fire. Melo says okay. Give it up for Dragon Lee. Fans cheer again, and Melo tells Dragon welcome to NXT, pleasure to have him, he’s a phenomenal talent.
But here’s what you never do: NEVER interrupt the champion. But Dragon gets a pass for being new. If Dragon does get that W tonight, realize one thing. Melo has this title not because it looks nice around his waist, but because Melo is really like that. And at Spring Breakin’- Wait, here comes JD McDonagh! The Irish Ace is also already in that Fatal 4, and he tells Melo, “You gotta keep your head on a swivel when you’re the champ around here. You’ve got new challengers spring up left, right ‘n’ center. One week with that title, and your armor of invincibility is slipping already. One week with that title, and you two already got yourselves laid out by Bron Breakker.”
JD says that isn’t his style, though. Bron pulled a fast one. If it were him, he would’ve just headbutted Melo right in his face. And he would’ve done it because he likes the sound of skulls colliding. But everyone else needs to learn that “ego is loud and confidence is quiet.” JD doesn’t need to be an internet darling, he doesn’t need a fancy entrance with banners dropping, none of that matters or impresses him. When the bell rings, JD knows he’s number one. Dragon finds that out tonight, and Melo finds out in two weeks at Spring Breakin’. Melo says okay, he can’t even hold JD. Game recognizes game. But you still gotta get to the end of that rainbow to get this pot of gold, homeboy.
And yes, that’s a leprechaun joke. But that’s not what matters, either. What matters- is that Grayson Waller interrupts! Fans boo the 21st Century Success Story as he says, “Guess who the third superstar in the Fatal 4 Way is!” Fans boo but Waller says they’re dumber than they look. There’s a combined IQ here of 150. Dragon, Waller will translate. This audience, and Dragon, are estupido. But what Waller doesn’t have to translate is the fact that he’s winning the Fatal 4! Then a real superstar will take that title off Melo. Melo says okay, everyone wants to be a winner, but who’s gonna do what it takes?
In two weeks, it’s Spring Breakin’. Melo sees a whole lotta “them,” but there can only be one HIM. Melo raises the belt after throwing down the gauntlet, who wins big to go for the gold?
Fallon Henley talks with Kiana James backstage.
Their title match is up next, are they good? Let’s see. Considering Fallon tried to ruin Kiana’s relationship with Brooks, then yeah, they’re good. FALLON tried!? Yes, tried. Because Kiana and Jensen made up and are great. Now, let’s focus on getting the titles back. That’s something they can agree on. By any means necessary. There it is! Kiana has to- “I don’t want that goodie two-shoes Fallon Henley as my partner, I need YEEHAW B*TCH Fallon Henley!” Because that’s the only way they’re gonna beat Isla & Alba. Oh, Kiana wants to see that side of her? Fallon can show her right now!
Josh Briggs steps in and tells them to stop arguing. They’re up next, so why not focus on Isla & Alba instead of each other? Where’s Jensen? No idea. Kiana says he’s not coming. What? Why would he miss something this important? Because he doesn’t want to be around either Fallon or Briggs. Kiana heads out first, Briggs reminds Fallon this is about the belts, not the drama. Will it end up being both when the bell rings?
Sol Ruca was on TikTok.
The Sol Surfer wants to make sure everyone knows that her best friend, “Daredevil” Dani Palmer is making her NXT TV debut! They’re both so excited, but then Tiffany Stratton has to barge in. She asks what’s going on and Sol explains they’re making TikToks. They’re making TikToks in Tiffany’s parking lot? Uh, it’s not her parking lot. No, no, this is Tiffany’s space and they didn’t ask for permission. No one cares Dani’s debuting and no one cares she’s Sol’s friend. Tiffany heads off, Sol says whatever, just make sure to watch for Dani. But will Tiffany get in Sol’s space in their match tonight?
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre VS Kiana James & Fallon Henley!
The dark and devious duo have played mind games and put on the pressure, and that is how they got the gold at Stand & Deliver. But will it be even easier to keep the titles with Kiana and Fallon at each other? Or have they been playing with forces even they don’t understand?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if a team can be saved!
Kiana CLOBBERS Fyre before the bell! Then Fallon hits a THESZ PRESS and fast hands on Dawn! Fans fire up as Kiana and Fyre brawl on the outside. Fyre scoops, Kiana slips free and scoop SLAMS Fyre! Dawn CLUBS Fallon, whips, but Fallon reverses to forearm smash in the corner! Tag to Kiana, she stomps away, then RAMS into Dawn! Tag to Fallon, and a feed to the RUNNING UPPERCUT! Cover, ONE!! Fallon clamps on with a chinlock but Dawn pulls hair. Fyre tags in as Dawn powers out, then Dawn shoves Fallon so Fyre can trip her up! Fyre spins Fallon around to ROCK her with a forearm!
Fyre storms in, drops an elbow, and covers, TWO! We see outside that someone pulls up fast in a truck. It’s JENSEN! He’s coming in with a head of steam, but what happened to not wanting to be around his friends? Fyre bumps Fallon off buckles, Dawn mocks her pain, and Fyre stomps a mudhole. Tag to Dawn, she stomps away, then tags Fyre. They dig their claws and their boots in, but let off as the ref counts. The ref reprimands, Fyre argues with him, but that’s a distraction so Dawn can pull hair! Fyre storms up but Fallon BOOTS her away! Fallon elbows Dawn away, runs, but Fyre throws her back, to then back drop Fallon!
Fyre taunts Kiana, drags Fallon up, but Fallon JAWBREAKERS! Hot tags to Dawn and Kiana! Kiana rallies, whips, and RAMS into Dawn at the corner! And again! Kiana handsprings back, Fyre runs in, but Kiana just picks her up! Kiana SANDWICHES Dawn & Fyre, to then RAM into them both! Short arm LARIAT for Dawn! Tag to Fallon, she CALF KICKS Dawn! Fyre returns, Kiana kicks and TOSSES her out! Fans fire up and Fallon slides while Kiana goes to the apron. HAYMAKER MOONSAULT IN SYNC! Fans fire up with the businesswoman and the cowgirl as NXT goes picture in picture.
Kiana and Fallon cool off a moment, and Fallon fetches Dawn. Dawn hits back but Fallon CLUBS her! Kiana whips Fyre into the apron, CHOPS her, then mocks Fyre’s pain. But Fyre knees low and SMACKS Kiana off the apron! Fyre brings Kiana around but Kiana CHOPS back! Fallon keeps on Dawn, Fyre KNEES Kiana again, but Kiana POSTS Fyre! Fallon ROCKS Dawn, CLUBS her down, then reels her in. Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fallon snarls but she brings Dawn up to CLUB her again. Tag to Kiana, they bring Dawn around to double whip and double shoulder tackle! Kiana covers, TWO!
Kiana snarls now but Dawn throws body shots. Dawn swings, but into a waistlock! Fyre tags in before the O’Conner, and she drags Kiana up to GOURDBUSTER onto Dawn’s knees! Cover, TWO! Fyre grows frustrated but she drags Kiana up to HEADBUTT her in the back! Fyre puts Kiana on ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Fyre lets off, and she brings Kiana around to tag Dawn. Fyre feeds Kiana to the TARANTULA, and she SUPERKICKS Kiana down! Dawn covers, TWO! Dawn drags Kiana back up, puts her in the corner and stomps away! Tag to Fyre, they mug Kiana, then Fyre stomps away.
Tag back to Dawn, the mugging continues! Dawn waistlocks but Kiana fights free with elbows. Only for Dawn to throw her down by her hair! Dawn wraps Kiana up in a seated cobra Twist! Kiana endures, even as Dawn digs knuckles into ribs. NXT returns to single picture, fans rally up, and Kiana pulls Dawn’s hair! Dawn KNEES Kiana in return! Dawn laughs at Kiana, drags her up, and whips her to ropes. Dawn RAMS into Kiana, then brings her up again. Dawn whips but Kiana sunset flips! TWO! Dawn RAMS into Kiana again! Tag to Fyre, she Gory Especials but Kiana BOOTS Dawn away!
Kiana sunset flips Fyre now, TWO! Fyre kicks low, brings Kiana up to suplex, but Kiana slips free! Kiana hits a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both women are down! Kiana and Fyre crawl, hot tags to Dawn and Fallon! Fallon rallies on Dawn and fans fire up! Fallon blocks a kick to ROCK Dawn! Fallon springboards, wheelbarrows and BULLDOGS! Dawn scrambles to a corner while fans fire up again. Fallon runs in to back body block! Fallon keeps going, RUNNING FACEBUSTER! Fyre runs in, Fallon DECKS her! Fallon goes up and up and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, but Fyre breaks it!
Kiana runs in, goes after Fyre, but Fyre throws her out. Fyre SUPERKICKS Kiana off the apron! Fallon KICKS Dawn, Dawn ducks, DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES take them both down! Fyre storms up again, Alabama Lifts, but Fallon makes it a DESTROYER! And here comes JENSEN! Jensen grabs the bag! Jensen gives Fallon the bag! Fallon gets upset, throws it back, and now the ref sees Jensen! The ref EJECTS Jensen! Fallon is upset, what is Jensen even doing? Briggs asks Jensen what he’s doing, too, but Jensen SHOVES Briggs! Fallon turns around, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Tag to Fyre, BACKSTABBER SWANTON COMBO!! Fyre covers, Fyre & Dawn win!
Winners: Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Jensen carries Kiana away, only caring about her now. Jensen tried to help in the way he thought was right, but it went all wrong. Will his friendship with Briggs and Fallon be done just like the Kiana-Fallon team-up?
Noam Dar speaks.
“NXT is about to blast off to a new stratosphere. Because finally, Supernova 11, Noam Dar, has arrived. I’m a combination of swag and style. An elegant savage of unlimited potential. There is a lot of fantastic superstars in WWE. There’s only one Supernova. I open people’s eyes, and take breaths away. And I break jaws. I’m a world-class performer, and I revolutionized a whole new match style: The Heritage Cup Rules match, designed to pay homage to the great history of European wrestling.
The rules are simple: two falls to a finish; six rounds; three minutes a round; 20 seconds in between. It tests your strategy, your stamina, and your technique. It started in NXT UK, but now I’ve brought my cup and my talents to NXT. And I’ll be honest, I’m a technical master. Nobody can do it like me. Slicing elbows, heavy knees, sharp kicks, slick submissions. The whole lineage of European wrestling belongs to me. I’m the longest-reigning and only two-time NXT heritage Cup Champion. And we came across the pond to see what NXT’s ‘best’ has to offer. So it’s time to separate the sheep from the goats. Which one of you dafties is gonna step up to the cup?
“But don’t forget. There’s levels to this, and I’m the top. Check, please.”
Chase U is in the ring.
There are red, white ‘n’ ‘black balloons, the students are right up at ringside, and there are pictures commemorating Duke Hudson’s big moment as Stand & Deliver. Andre Chase is at the podium and says good evening. He’s still here as professor and dean of Chase U, thanks to the courage of tonight’s award recipient. “At Stand & Deliver, the chips were down. And this man went above and beyond the call of duty. And he earned the distinction of Most Valuable Player! Now, we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I know the one thing that we can agree on is that you’ll always go to fight fo rme, and we’ll stand alongside each other, and we’ll welcome whoever steps up. And we’ll show those sorry ass mother-”
WHOA! Chase, cool down. Right, sorry, apologies. This is live TV. But without further ado, Chase presents the Chase U MVP, DUKE HUDSON! The trophy is revealed and Duke shakes Chase’s hand. Fans cheer and Duke takes the mic. He thanks Mr. Chase, and says that he doesn’t really like awards ceremonies. He doesn’t want the attention on him. It isn’t about Chase me, it’s about Chase U. But as Duke stands here, thinking about Stand & Deliver, and how millions across the world watched him on the biggest night of his career, at the biggest event NXT has to offer, Duke Hudson took the entire university, put it on his back, and took them to the Promised Land!
Fans cheer and Duke says, “Now, now, now. This isn’t just me coming out here and patting myself on the large back I was talking about earlier.” Duke knows it was a group effort, he merely led the march towards evil! Fans cheer that, too. Duke says to his mentor, Andre Chase, thank you. And to his fellow student, Thea Hail, thanks, sorta. And now Duke Hudson is Chase U’s MVP!! Fans cheer again, and Duke says he loves hearing MVP and spelling it out. But here’s another word to spell it out. He hasn’t gotten to do this before, so please pardon him. Rise from your seats, stand with him, and join in!
C! H! A! S! E! U! Bron hops the railing?! He “apologizes” for interrupting, but he’s pretty sure everyone here wants to hear what he has to say. Fans boo, that’s not true. Chase says Bron is interrupting something important. That’s for good reason. There’s a #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way later tonight, and everyone keeps asking Bron, “Why are you not in the match?” Melo came out, he wants Bron in that match, but Bron finally realized. That title is a curse on Bron’s career! Bron also realized that he doesn’t need the approval of these SCUMBAGS anymore! Fans boo but Bron smirks. Bron says, “You people are gonna see a side of me that you’ve never seen before.”
So Mr. MVP Duke Hudson, if anyone should take his spot in that Fatal 4 Way, it’s all his. Wait, really? Bron offers a handshake. Chase and Thea are unsure but Duke accepts it. Duke is now in the match, but then Bron SPEARS CHASE!! Fans boo and Duke is unsure what to do! Duke snatches the MVP trophy and runs for it! Fans boo as Bron grabs the Chase U flag, waves it around a little, then TEARS IT UP!! Thea is even more devastated than a second ago! But what about Duke? Will he be able to focus on the Fatal 4 Way after seeing his mentor struck down?
Gigi Dolin speaks.
“There it is. That’s where I grew up. In that house, if you can call it that. That window is where I’d stare out at night, dreaming of the day I’d get out. My brother and I, battling broken trust and my parents’ demons. The definition of a vicious cycle. My mother always told us that we didn’t even deserve to be happy, so as soon as I got the chance, I ran away and I never looked back.” Gigi is human, she wants to be loved like everyone else, and Jacy Jayne knows all of that. But that’s why she couldn’t let Gigi have her moment. “Always reaching for something better, kind of the story of my life.”
Jacy broke Gigi’s heart, her face, but she will NEVER break Gigi’s will. Like the rose tattoo on Gigi’s arm, her story started out jagged and ugly, but then bloomed into something beautiful. The Toxic Avenger is ready to show her thorns, will Jacy Jayne regret ever betraying her?
NXT Anonymous is always watching…
In a tweet captioned, “I see it all,” NXT Anonymous shares video they recorded over the weekend. Pretty Deadly were in the parking lot when Tony D’Angelo & Stacks JUMPED THEM! They beat down Elton then kidnapped Kit! The Don is resorting to his old ways to handle business, what will happen to Kit? What’ll happen to Elton if Kit never returns?
Eddy Thorpe VS Javier Bernal!
The Alpha Wolf made a big debut with a solid victory, but he’s not going to stop until he reaches the top. Will Thorpe keep moving forward into the future? Or will Big Body Javi make this all about him?
The bell rings and Javi kicks al eg out! Javi wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddy wrenches back. Javi spins, arm-drags, but Eddy holds on to wrench again. Javi rolls, monkey flips, but Eddy still holds on! Eddy drags Javi up, Javi wernches and slips through to wrench, but Eddy rolls, kips up and wrenches to a headlock. Eddy hits the takeover, Javi headscissors, but Eddy kips free. Javi headlocks for the takeover now, but Eddy fights up. Eddy powers out, Javi runs him over, and things keep moving. Eddy hurdles, CROSSBODIES, and fans fire up! But wait, Damon Kemp is on the ramp? Who’s he watching in this match?
Javi goes to ropes, Eddy runs in, but Javi ducks the Penalty Kick to schoolboy Eddy right outta the ring! Eddy hits the floor hard and Javi hurries to fetch him. Javi SMACKS Eddy of the desk, puts him back in the ring, and Javi hurries up after Eddy. Eddy CHOPS back! Javi kicks low, brings Eddy around to whip, then runs to BULLDOG! Javi keeps moving, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Javi stomps Eddy, CLUBS him, then ROCKS him at the ropes. Javi whips,. Eddy reverses, but Javi catches the dropkick! Eddy scrambles, reaches, but Javi turns him over! But Eddy turns back over! Javi tris again, but Eddy turns over.
Eddy kicks away at Javi, blocks the haymaker and ROCKS Javi! Eddy blocks a boot to COHP! Eddy fires off a strike fest, then a PELE! Fans fire up with Eddy, and he runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Javi survives but Eddy keeps cool. Eddy brings Javi up, facelocks, but Javi wrenches out. Javi reels Eddy in, SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Eddy survives but Javi keeps on him. Javi suplexes, Eddy slips free and spins Javy, but Javi cradles! TWO! Eddy BOOTS then SNAP GERMANS! Javy sits up in a daze, Eddy reels him in! MANIFEST DESTINY!! Cover, Eddy wins!
Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by pinfall
Fans fire up for the win, but the wolf notices the Golden Gopher. Will Kemp have business with the new kid on the block?
Tank Ledger gets his pictures taken.
Gallus walks over, and Joe Coffey says NXT is just letting anyone in here these days. Tank says hey, a lot has changed since Joe’s last seen him, okay? Oh, is that so? Yeah, man! As a matter of fact, Tank’s been training, and in a couple weeks, he’ll be making his NXT TV debut. Oho, hear that? A couple of weeks. Nothing like the present, though, right? Yeah, how about we bump things up to tonight and make it one to remember! Tank says sure! Let’s do it tonight! Security and producers get Tank and Gallus to back off, but then Gallus turns around to see The Schism. And Rip Fowler says, “Some things never change.” This is typical Gallus: picking fights with those they know they can beat.
Ava Raine says these street thug low lives only reach a certain level. Well, there’s enough Gallus to go around, lads. Oh, is that so, Markus? They’ll fight anyone and everyone, yet The Dyad has been ostracized from the Tag Division. Well, all they had to do was ask. They’d love another chance to kick their asses like back in the day. Well they’re not asking, they’re telling! The Schism heads out, but will Gallus still be on top against the grizzled Jagger & Rip?
SCRYPTS speaks.
“Axiom, what is your biggest fear? Is it in your future? Or is it your past? Is it looking in the mirror and seeing the guy behind the mask? It seems I have your attention, so what comes next wont’ be anything new. You can’t expose me, because I’m exposing you. Sincerely, Scrypts.”
Tiffany Stratton VS Sol Ruca!
Daddy’s Little Rich Girl wants to be the Center of the Universe, but she has to get past Sol first. Will there be a Tiffany Epiphany? Or will she just get her soul snatched?
NXT returns and Sol makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Sol pushes Tiffany to ropes, and Tiff complains. The ref counts, Sol lets off, and Tiff kicks low! Tiff wrenches an arm, UPPERCUTS it then YANKS it! Sol rolls, only for Tiff to throw her down. Tiff digs her knee into Sol’s head while bending the fingers! Sol fights up, fights through to wrench back and YANK the arm! And again! Sol CLUBS the arm, throws Tiff down, but Tiff kips up to backhand! Tiff runs, but Sol runs her over! Fans fire up, things speed up, and Tiff hurdles. Sol handsprings through the arm-drag, then jumps the sweep! But so does Tiff!
Tiff kicks low, whips Sol to a corner, but Sol goes up and over! Sol kicks low, whips Tiff to a corner, but Tiff goes up and over the same! Tiff CHOPS Sol, whips her to ropes, but Sol ducks ‘n’ dodges, both women handspring, and fans fire up for this acrobatic exchange! Sol and Tiff reset, and Tiff offers a handshake? Fans say “NO! NO! NO!” but Solo accepts it. Tiff kicks low! Tiff throws Sol down by her hair to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Tiff RAMS Sol into buckles, then kicks the rope to jam her up! Sol reaches for ropes, Tiff STOMPS the arm down! Cover, TWO! Tiff is annoyed, she stomps Sol to ropes.
Tiff KICSK the bad arm but fans rally for Sol. Tiff whips, ELBOWS Sol, and then wrenches the bad arm to WRING it out! Cover, TWO! Tiff clamps onto that bad arm with a top wristlock. Sol endures and fans rally up. Sol fights to her feet, but Tiff wrangles her back down! Fans rally again and Sol fights up. Sol arm-drags free, but Tiff ROCKS her! And CHOPS her! But Sol rebounds to run Tiff over! And again! Sol kicks Tiff, reels her in, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! And a kip up! Tiff stands, kicks back, then whips, but Solo reverses to gut wrench! POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tiff staggers to a corner but Sol runs in!
Sol handsprings, clotheslines, and scoops again. Another POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives, she kicks Sol’s arm as she gets away, but Sol runs in. Tiff KICKS Sol down first! Tiff drags Sol up, but Sol cradles! TWO! Sol shoots in, rolls Tiff, but Tiff grabs the rope. Tiff YANKS the arm as she gets away. But then Sol FLAPJACKS Tiff! Sol runs, but into a fireman’s carry! ROLLING SENTON! And then the BEST MOONSAULT WHATEVER! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Fans boo but Sol isn’t the center of the universe. Tiff is ready for the gold, but will she be ready for Indi?
Chase U regroups backstage.
Duke pumps up while Thea gets Chase water. Chase says he’s fine, and Duke thanks Chase for “taking one for the team,” sacrificing himself so that Duke can win the Fatal 4 Way. And now, Duke will be the first to finally bring home gold to Chase U! SWEET! Thea is so hyped up, but will the odds be in his favor in the main event?
Backstage interview with The Diamond Mine.
McKenzie Mitchell is with Ivy Nile & The Creed Brothers. She says Ivy requested this time, so what’s on her mind? “Divide and conquer. Last week, I handled my issue with Tatum, and now Diamond Mine is back to us three.” Julius says that at Stand & Deliver, Gallus played their ace in the hole when Joe Coffey came out to help them escape. But now they’re out of surprises. They can keep crossing their arms and acting all big ‘n’ tough, but next week, we find out! The Creeds want Gallus for the NXT Tag Team Championships!
McKenzie points out that The Dyad also made their intentions clear. Brutus says those guys always get into everything, but the Creeds are not done with Gallus just yet. Julius says the focus is on Gallus. Joe Coffey is in action tonight, so they’ll be watching tonight. Thanks for your time, McKenzie. Diamond Mine heads out, McKenzie wants to send things back to ringside, but Tiffany walks over to say, “Um… Kenzie, to the surprise of no one, another victory for The Center of the Universe.
“How I’m not the #1 contender complete fascinates me. I mean, I know Indi Hartwell is like, totally scared of me. I’ve beaten her twice in like three months. She’s like, the most beatable champion like, ever.” So does that count as a Tiffany Epiphany? Gross, Kenzie. Tootles. Is Indi just going to have to watch her back at all times with this many challengers coming for her?
Cora Jade is here!
Fans boo as the Generation of Jade makes her way to the ring, following her ambush attack on Indi Hartwell in her return. Cora gets the mic to say, “Do I have everybody’s attention now? Last week, I returned to find the NXT Women’s Division completely flipped upside-down. So I believe it’s time to start humbling some people around here, shall we? I’ll start with the most athletic woman in NXT, Zoey Stark. Zoey, I’ll be honest, there’re some things you can do in this ring that even I can’t do, so I’ll give it to you. But there is one thing that you will never be able to do, so, I don’t know why you’re so angry, Zoey. I’m just the only one woman enough around here to say it.
“And the fact is that you will always be the challenger, and never the champion.” That brings Cora to the former champion, Roxanne Perez. Her old bestie~! “Roxanne, I put you on the map the second I put that tag team championship in your bag. I’m the only reason you’re here. But y’know what? What you went through, I’m not gonna touch, because it’s real. I knew you, and I still know you. I knew what you went through. So I’m not gonna talk about it. But the thing is, how long are you gonna use it as your crutch? We’re all fighting our own demons, Roxanne, you’re not some special exception.
“The only difference is, you’re just proof that some of us are a little bit better than handling the pressure than others. Speaking of handling the pressure, Gigi Dolin! To be honest, Gigi, I kinda thought you’d crumble without Toxic Attraction, and I probably speak for everybody else, but you didn’t. You were fingertips away from that title. And I saw your video earlier. But let’s get one thing perfectly straight: that title says Cora Jade. So why don’t you go on, and don’t let the door hit you on your big, Instagram famous ass, on the way out.” Fans boo but Cora says “Instagram Famous” brings her to only one person: Tiffany Stratton!
Listen, Tiff, Cora loves the confidence and the ego. Tiff looks the part and plays it even better, but here’s an epiphany for you: Cora runs NXT, not Tiff. Then, Lyra Valkyria. She doesn’t know anything about Lyra, or birds, or any of the weird stuff Lyra’s into. But Cora gives her credit, she attacks anything with a pulse. And in that ladder match, Lyra showed no fear. But if there’s one thing that Lyra should fear in NXT, it is CORA! Which leaves her with one woman left. The NEW NXT Women’s Champion, Indi Hartwell! “The biggest shock of WrestleMania Weekend!” Everyone is saying, “You Deserve It!” but Cora was thinking, “Took ya long enough!”
Indi, this isn’t your fairytale, this is CORA’S NXT, she is the hero of this story! It’s true. But wait! Here comes Lyra! She tells Cora that the fans said it best: Shut up. Cora can cut through the women’s division with her words, but what’s the reason for it? Lyra wants to be blunt for a second. Is it because in Cora’s absence, everyone took a step forward? Cora tells Lyra to do her a favor and fly off to wherever the rest of the division is. Lyra says watching Stand & Deliver didn’t create jealousy, did it? It must’ve been a reality check. A humbling experience. Fans chant, “Cora’s Jealous!” but Cora covers her ears.
Lyra wants Cora to look at her. If Cora wants to come back, a house on fire, and reach the peak on the mic, go ahead. Here’s your crown here and now. But when it comes to the title, if Cora even goes near it, Lyra will rip her eyes out. Cora SLAPS Lyra! And then laughs! But then Lyra catches that arm to ROUNDHOUSE Cora down! Cora scrambles up, and narrowly avoids the heel kick! Cora scurries away, Lyra wants her to come back for more! Will the Morrigan swoop in and snatch up the rat that Cora is?
Backstage interview with Wes Lee.
McKenzie says the North American Champion is on an amazing run, and is closing in on the current record of successful title defenses. How does Wes stay so sharp? It’s the chip on his shoulder. And with the amount of talent in NXT, he has to remain on point. So many great champions have come before him, and many of them are on Raw and SmackDown. Wes really wants to make sure his reign- Wait, Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey walk in. Gulak says Wes’s match with Axiom was just “so good.” Gulak is such a fan of that high-flying ability. The only question is, can Wes get it down when he’s grounded?
Wes asks if Gulak’s getting at a “styles make fights” thing. Dempsey says it isn’t a debate, it is a one sided argument. How is Wes supposed to run and jump when his ligaments are torn, his limbs are tied up, and the only option is to tap? Only option? Wes knows where this is going. If they want a shot, say so. He’s down. Bring game plans, strategies, whatever you want. Wes has one: keep the title. Now if you’ll excuse him, up top! McKenzie high-fives Wes, and he heads out. But will the Philly Stretcher & Son of the Gentleman Villain look to rip that gold away from him?
High Stakes: Ilja Dragunov VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone!
The Mad Russian didn’t win the North American Championship, but it’s not like big bad Von was even in Hollywood. Will this be the final straw for Von and Stone? Or can Von find that special something to finally get going?
The bell rings and Dragunov runs in, but into a BOOT! Von stalks Dragunov to a corner, fires big haymakers from all sides, then elbows! Dragunov falls, Stone cheers Von on, and Von whips Dragunov to a corner. Von runs in to SPLASH! Dragunov falls over again but Von drags him up. Von TOSSES Dragunov across the ring! Fans boo but Stone likes what he sees. Von drags Dragunov up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Dragunov bounces off buckles. Von CLUBS Dragunov but fans rally for the Czar. Von stands Dragunov up to whip him to another corner, but Dragunov elbows back!
Dragunov tries to suplex but Von is too big! von wrenches, and hits a BIG back suplex! Von looms over Dragunov and Stone says to finish this. Von waistlocks but Dragunov throws elbows! Dragunov wrenches to waistlock, but Von elbows. Dragunov lifts! Von throws more elbows, then headlock punches! Von switches, shoves, but Dragunov comes back, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Fans fire up and Dragunov reels Von in! Another waistlock, but Von fights! Dragunov shifts to a Gotch lift, for the SUPLEX! Fans fire up while both men are down! Stone coaches Von but Dragunov goes to the corner!
Dragunov climbs, but Von CLUBS him first. Von chock grips, to ROCKET LAUNCH Dragunov! Von then BUTTERFLY POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Von throws hands, he BOOTS, but Dragunov PELES! And BUZZSAWS! And then runs for the FALLING FOREARM! Fans fire up, Dragunov aims again. “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!” TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Dragunov wins!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (Von Wagner and Robert Stone MUST PART WAYS)
Von loses, and yet Stone doesn’t look that upset. Stone tells Von he is DONE with him, what does Von do now? Wait, DIJAK is making his way out now! Dragunov is ready, but he also knows. Dijak appears behind him! Dijak steps into the ring and Dragunov is ready for the fight. Dijak says, “You say that pain makes you feel alive? That’s great. Because I’m gonna make you immortal.” Hard Justice has spoken, but will he be able to put #UNBESIEGBAR in lockdown?
Tank Ledger gets ready.
Hank Walker finds him and is fired up for his friend. Is Tank ready for this? Well, he wasn’t supposed to debut for a couple more weeks, so… Hank tells Tank that this is the WWE! Anything can happen! Tank says that’s right. And this isn’t his first run-in with Joe Coffey. Everywhere Joe’s been, he’s been a top guy. That means tonight, Tank will show what he’s all about. Hank says this is Tank’s moment, go get it! But will the Iron King ruin Tank’s dreams? Or can #MechanizedMayhem make a huge impact?
Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Tank Ledger!
NXT returns and Tank makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. Joe gets around, CLUBS Tank, but Tank shrugs it off. Joe throws body shots, does some rope a dope, then he pie faces Tank. Tank shoves Joe down! Fans fire up, Joe comes back to headlock. Tank powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, but neither falls. Joe ROCKS Tank, Tank ROCKS Joe! Tank headlocks, Joe powers out, but Tank ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING SHOULDER! Fans fire up, Tank covers, ONE!! Tank nods, he knows the Iron King is tough. But Joe ROCKS him again! Tank blocks the whip to RAM shoulders!
Tank whips Joe to a corner but Joe comes back to UPPERCUT and then SHOTGUN! Joe whips, Tank hits buckles hard, then Joe whips him back in! And then a scoop to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Joe keeps cool and he mocks Tank. Joe pie faces Tank, but Tank throws body shots! Joe BOOTS Tank down! Tank gets up, throws hands, but Joe gets an arm for a cording hold! Joe cranks the elbow, but Tank throws hands. Joe just switches holds! Joe grinds his wrist into Tank’s face, but fans rally up. Tank swings, but Joe traps both arms! Joe HEADBUTTS! Joe and Tank fight for control, and Tank OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes!
Fans fire up, Gallus gets worried, and fans are behind Tank. Tank and Joe stand, Joe swings but Tank counter punches! Joe rallies with some big clotheslines! Joe blows past but Tank ELBOWS him down! Fans rally and Tank cartwheels to then SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tank keeps his cool, he hoists Joe up into an Alabama, but Joe grabs the ropes! Tank pulls, Joe kicks Tank away. Tank comes back, only gets buckles, and Joe DECKS Tank! Tank falls right out of the ring but Joe goes out after him. Joe aims, runs in, GLASGOW SENDOFF into the steel steps! Fans fire up and Joe drags Tank back up.
Joe puts Tank in, fans rally as Tank crawls, and Joe waits. Tank stands up, for ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Joe poses, fans boo, and Tank crawls to ropes. Joe is a bit surprised Tank even is getting up! Joe says fine, he’ll add on. ALL THE BEST again!! Cover, Joe wins!
Winner: Joe Coffey, by pinfall
The Iron King is back, and Gallus Boys are on top! Will Joe finally get himself some NXT gold to truly make this Gallus’ Kingdom?
But wait, here come The Creeds! Julius & Brutus promised to be watching, so here they are! And wait! THE DYAD jumps in, too! It’s a huge brawl! Gacy is after Joe, the tag teams brawl with each other, and refs rush in! Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” and this is utter chaos! How will the tag title scene sort out with Spring Breakin’ only weeks away?
Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo talk backstage.
That little bit of roughing up on Pretty Deadly was good stuff, huh? Operation: Cobalt was a success. But hey, Roxanne’s here! How’re you doin’? Good, how about them? Yeah, good. What’s she doing here? Roxie says she just needed a break after Stand & Deliver, but she’s back and ready to get that title back. Tony & Stacks are after the tag titles, Roxie’s after the women’s title. The Don really thought Roxie was gonna get the first crack at Indi, but Zoey comes in and takes it outta nowhere. Yeah, she saw. But honestly, after what Zoey had to say about Roxie, Roxie’s glad Indi and karma got Zoey back.
Tony tells Rox that if she ever needs back-up, they- Wait, Zoey comes walking in, sarcastically applauding. “Well if it isn’t lil’ miss radio silence herself. So glad you’ve finally got the strength to show your face around here.” Wow, the mouth on this one, huh? Roxie tells Zoey that she’s exactly why people can’t be open and honest about anxiety. People like Zoey don’t get it and don’t wanna try. “But understand this: I have all the strength to beat you next week.” The Don & Stacks like the sound of that. They fist bump with Roxie and she heads out. Stacks starts to ask Zoey why she’s always angry, but PRETTY DEADLY ATTACKS!
Kit & Elton jump Tony & Stacks in return for being jumped this past weekend, and now the fight is on! Elton SMACKS Stacks off a table, Kit THRWOS Tony at a wall, and then Pretty Deadly mugs him! They stomp way on Stacks, snatch the jacket and hat, to cut them up with box cutters! Make fun of them now!! The NXT Tag Division is THEIRS! The Don & Underboss are down, but will they look to retaliate for this retaliation?
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh VS Grayson Waller VS Duke Hudson!
Stand & Deliver was a big night for all four men, but only one of them came away with a win, and that’s the Chase U MVP! Will Duke parlay that win into a golden ticket to Spring Breakin’? Or will someone else move on to face… him?
The bell rings and the four men stare down. Waller tells Duke they should work together here, Aussie Aussie Aussie and all that. Duke says sure, but then he sees the sucker punch coming! Duke DECKS Waller, tells him off, but then JD CLUBS Duke! Duke doesn’t even budge! Dragon runs in, is sent into Duke, then Waller drags Duke out to DECK him! JD headlocks Dragon, Dragon powers out but JD runs him over. JD ELBOWS Waller away and he falls on Duke. Dragon and JD speed things up, JD hurdles but Dragon leaps over! JD kips up, runs in, but Dragon steps aside. JD elbows the waistlock, whips Dragon, but Dragon DROPKICKS the hurdle outta the sky!
Fans fire up, but Waller runs in to CLOBBER Dragon! Waller stomps away, fans boo, and he taunts Duke. Waller says this is HIS house, but Dragon SLAPS him! But Waller fireman’s carries, only for Dragon to RANA! Dragon fires up, runs, but into an ENZIGURI from JD! SUPERKICK from Waller! JD PENALTY KICKS Duke! Duke stays up but Waller WRECKS Duke with a dropkick! JD and Waller are working together now and they get Duke back in. JD CLUBS Duke, Waller joins in, and they double suplex! Duke is too big for that, and he DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! Fans fire up with Chase U!
Duke scoop SLAMS JD, then scoop SLAMS Waller onto JD! Dragon returns, Duke scoops him, and fans fire up as he SLAMS Dragon on both JD and Waller! The MVP is fired up, he runs but Dragon dumps him out! Dragon builds speed and FLIES over JD to take out Duke! Waller returns, JD jumps the slide, Waller LARIATS Dragon! Waller sets Dragon back up, JD moonsaults to take out Dragon! Duke gets back in the ring, and fans rally up. Duke decides to gamble, says a quick prayer, but Waller somersault STUNNERS! Cover, but JD and Dragon break it! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down, and NXT goes picture in picture!
Waller goes to a corner, JD CLOBBERS Duke, and Waller throws Dragon out. Waller mocks the lucha lucha, but Duke CHOPS JD! Waller stomps and CLUBS Duke, kicks him in the leg, then wraps that leg around ropes! JD adds stomps! They keep on Duke’s leg with a standing toehold and some kicks! Dragon returns but Waller DECKS him! JD focuses on Duke’s leg by SMASHING it into the mat! JD then YANKS the bad leg, and Waller takes a turn. Waller drops an elbow and has a toehold, then JD does the same to the other leg! Duke tries to chinlock them both, but then JD and Waller split the wishbone!
Duke writhes, JD DECKS Dragon, and Waller brings Duke up. Duke hits back with body shots, then stands to throw hands! JD throws body shots, Waller CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! JD kicks Duke down. Waller goes out to LARIAT Dragon! JD sits deep on a Half Crab! Waller gets the other leg, DOUBLE HALF CRAB! So technically a full Boston Crab? Either way, Duke endures! Who would win if Duke gives up, though? NXT returns to single picture and everyone rallies up for Duke! Duke fights, reaches out, but JD has to let go to go after Dragon! Dragon KICKS JD, ROCKS Waller, and then slingshots up and over to RANA Waller!
Dragon turns around, JD kicks and whips but Dragon reverses to JUMP KICK! LEG SWEEP! SWINGING DROPKICK! Combinacion Cabron completed! Fans fire up and Dragon runs at Waller, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Fans rally for Dragon, he goes out to scoop JD. JD slips off to POST Dragon! Waller comes around, he high-fives JD, then POSTS him! No more team-ups here! Waller goes up to BALLER ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Duke survives and fans rally up again. Duke sits up, Waller throws hands. But Duke is powering up! He’s DUKING OUT! “U!!” Duke throws hands, CLUBS Waller, ROCKS him, then DECKS him!
Duke rallies with elbows, whips Waller to ropes, then scoops for the SIDEWALK SLAM! JD returns, but he gets a BIG back drop! Dragon returns, but Duke clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans are thunderous for Duke and he runs in to clothesline Dragon! JD runs in, he gets the U-RENAGE! Waller runs in, he’s sent into Dragon, and then Duke brings him around to RAM into Dragon! Duke has the fans chanting “M V P! M V P!” Duke JABS! JABS! Flip, flip and “U~!” ELBOW! SENTON for Waller! Dragon throws Duke out but Duke returns to shoulder in. Duke slingshots up and over to GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, Waller breaks it!
Thea frowns but fans rally up. Waller brings Duke up, but Duke blocks the whip! Duke whips Waller, Waller goes up but into the Electric Chair DROP! Duke brings Dragon up, Electric Chair DROP! Duke sees JD, he wants the trifecta! Electric Chair, but JD POISON-RANAS Duke!! Fans are freaking out, Waller runs in at JD but JD goes up and out! Waller hits buckles, JD trips him up then slingshots to TORNILLO SPLASH! Waller staggers, JD brings him up, DEVLINSIDE!! Cover, DIVING DOUBLE STMOPS from Dragon!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” for making this match happen!
Dragon brings JD up, but JD shoves him away. Dragon dodges, but JD puts him on the apron. JD swings but Dragon blocks to buckle bump and ROUNDHOUSE! JD staggers, Dragon goes up, but JD GAMANGIRIS! JD climbs up after Dragon, brings him up, but Dragon fights! JD sits down, Dragon hits him into the Tree of Woe! WOE STOMPS!! Dragon keeps moving and he DIVES onto Duke!! Dragon is still going, he watches JD get up! RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!?! JD survives and shocks Dragon! Fans argue the count on Dragon’s behalf but he just throws hands on JD. Waller returns but no stunner! V-TRIGGER!
JD JAWBREAKERS Dragon! Duke returns to BOOT Waller to the desk! And then he breaks through to DOUBLE LARIAT JD and Dragon! Fans fire up, Duke gets Dragon up, Crucifix for the- RANA INTO BUCKLES! JD SHOTGUNS Duke down! JD runs in, Dragon SNAP GERMANS! JD flops all the way out of the ring! Dragon drags Duke up, reels him in, and gets him up!? SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! High stack, SLINGSHOT STUNNER from Waller!! Waller takes the cover, and takes the win!!
Winner: Grayson Waller, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)
The Grayson Waller Effect takes over as he snipes this win! Waller goes to the ramp and says he IS NXT, that this is HIS house, but here comes Melo! Waller grins, and turns around to look at the champion. A new champion and a new contender, but who will be the one running things after Spring Breakin’?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT here to keep things rolling. Spring Breakin’ is coming back, and a bit of a surprise to me since we’re also getting NXT Battlegrounds at the end of May. I guess they want something to wrap up certain stories before going towards the Premium Live Event. Great promo at the beginning to set up the main event, though Melo should’ve gotten more annoyed that, after he said you don’t interrupt the champ, people kept interrupting him. And great MVP award ceremony for Chase U, with Duke humble bragging and being rather selfish. Bron showing up during this segment was a nice surprise, and I kinda like his logic that the NXT Championship is just holding him back. It’s a sign he’s ready to move on to RawDown.
Great Fatal 4 Way main event, too, with everyone looking great. While Duke is just a moment away from becoming smug Heel again, fans still love him. But as Melo is now top Face and Waller is of course top Heel, they’re a natural choice for a match-up. But even if it’s a themed episode, that’s still on free TV, so Melo is gonna get his first defense in the books before we see what Battleground has for us. I hope Dragon Lee moves over to the Heritage Cup story like they teased last week. Noam Dar had a good promo to help get viewers who never watched NXT UK familiar with him. Honestly, why not give us a Heritage Rules Tournament to lead to Battleground and the winner faces Dar for the cup?
Good stuff from the Kiana story, but of course she and Fallon lose. Their story is going to now be Kiana more or less turning Jensen against Briggs & Fallon, and we probably get a Mixed Tag to finally put this away. As for Dawn & Fyre, we’re gonna need some new teams to give them contenders, I can only think of Katana & Kayden as the other team in the Women’s Tag Division. Maybe Dani & Sol can be a duo since they’ve now been established as friends. Good TikTok promo and great match from Sol and Tiffany. Commentary might be right, these two are probably going to lead the way for the division very soon. But Tiffany gets the win because she’s being built as top Heel in the Women’s Division.
Very good promo from Gigi, but… was that really the house she grew up in? That’d be pretty bold to do for this. But whenever Jacy is back to 100%, we’ll definitely get another match between them. Good promo from Cora, though maybe a little slow in pace and one bit too long. If she was interrupted by Lyra when she was calling Lyra out, that’d fit better. And I do appreciate that NXT didn’t just drop the story between these two. Though, where the hell was Stevie Turner in all this? Anyway, Lyra VS Cora will happen, Cora will probably cheat to win even though Lyra should win to humble her momentarily.
Decent promo from Scrypts, but they had a really missed opportunity to say “a kid behind the mask” instead of “the guy behind the mask.” It isn’t the strongest response to being humiliated in that failed sneak attack, but whatever. NXT Anonymous is still at it, and it has to be a group rather than one person because of how they get all over the place. Good promo from Roxie, Tony, Stacks and Zoey, and great ambush from Pretty Deadly. We’ll get matches out of both those stories and the winners can move up in the title races. Good match from Dragunov VS Von, and I figured Dragunov would win. Von struggling on his own might actually be a good story for him.
Really good promo from Wes with Gulak and Dempsey. Wes VS Dempsey will be great stuff and I can’t wait to see it. Good promo from Diamond Mine, good stuff out of Gallus and Schism backstage, and what a great way to elevate Tank Ledger’s in-ring debut by having him face Joe Coffey. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger should definitely be a team. Hank & Tank going to the top of the tag division together in late 2023! And while word was that Jagger & Rip (James Drake & Zack Gibson) wanted out of NXT, they’re still here. If that’s the case, can it at least mean they shake the Schism gimmick and return to Grizzled Young Veterans? Granted, being scam artists wasn’t a better gimmick, but they were a lot more fun as the team SSSSOOOON~ to be recognized as the best team in the WWE.
My Score: 8.7/10
How will the Ballad of #ZaRuca end?
To finally put their grudge to rest, Sol Ruca and Zaria battle in a LAST WOMAN STANDING MATCH! Who survives this final fight between former friends?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne VS Dion Lennox w/ DarkState; Myles wins and retains the title.
- Joe Hendry VS Keanu Carver; Keanu wins.
- Vacated WWE Speed Championship: Lexis King w/ Birthright VS EK Prosper; Lexis wins and is the new WWE Speed Champion.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Casket Match: Tatum Paxley VS Blake Monroe; Tatum wins and retains the title.
- Last Woman Standing: Sol Ruca VS Zaria; Zaria wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Unfinished business remains…
The Glamour thinks she is forever, but will she survive another fight with #TuesdayAddams? Those who dared to believe must now reckon with an unhinged danger. And the ultimate revenge will be claimed by the one who stands alone, while the other falls. Tonight, the final reckoning has arrived, where only the ones strong enough to weather the storm will survive, and finally claim their Revenge!
NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne VS Dion Lennox w/ DarkState!
After dealing with All Ego to earn this belt, the champion now deals with a burning rage in this challenger. Will Dion score as he takes point for DarkState? Or will Myles #NeverBreak?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who wants it that much more!
The bell rings and both men run up! Dion catches Myles to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! DarkState is fired up for Dion but the fans rally for Myles. Dion whips Myles into a corner, RAMS him again and again, then whips corner to corner. But Myles comes back to LARIAT and DROPKICK! The fans cheer Myles as he ROCKS Dion, DECKS him, then whips him to ropes. Dion reverses but Myles avoids the boot! The fans cheer the standoff, then Myles ROCKS Dion! Myles bobs ‘n’ weaves Dion’s hands, but Dion ELBOWS him! Dion NORTHERN LIGHTS, bridging cover, TWO! Myles is tougher than that but DarkState coaches Dion.
Myles goes to a corner, but he kicks Dion first! Myles FISHERMAN SUPLEXES, then floats to the cover, TWO! Dion is tougher than that, too, but Myles storms up. Dion fires body shots, then BOOTS Myles! Dion CLUBS Myles, the fans duel, “DARK~ STATE~!” “SUCKS!” Dion CLUBS Myles, ROCKS him, then CLUBS him! The fans rally as Dion runs, but Myles SNAP POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Dion bails out and DarkState checks on him, but Myles builds speed! AIR BORNE! Down go Dion AND Osiris, and the fans fire up! Myles puts Dion in the ring, but the ref warns DarkState as they creep up. Myles stares them down as he goes to the apron, but Dion LARIATS!
The fans boo as Dion turns the tide, then goes out to fetch Myles. Dion goes looking under the ring and the fans boo more. The ref reprimands, but Dion THROWS Myles into the ring’s frame! The fans boo but DarkState is all fired up as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dion points to the title, then drags Myles up. Dion puts Myles in the ring, stomps him at the ropes, but the ref reprimands. Dion backs off, then drags Myles up. Dion scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Myles toughs it out but DarkState coaches Dion to keep going. Another scoop and another BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Myles survives but Dion drags him up. Dion whips Myles to a corner, but Myles goes up and over to roll Dion up! TWO! Dion stands but Myles slips around, only for Dion to elbow free! Myles ROCKS Dion with haymakers, then whips, but Dion turns backdrop into KNEE SMASH!
Dion runs to SPLASH onto Myles’ back! Cover, TWO! Dion huffs ‘n’ puffs as he TOSSES Myles out. Dion distracts the ref so DarkState can mug Myles! Myles writhes but DarkState gets away with it, and Dion goes out to SMACK Myles off the apron. Dion puts Myles in the ring, covers, TWO! Dion snarls as he clamps onto Myles again, and hooks up the legs in a modified deathlock. Myles endures, reaches out, reaches back, and SLAMS Dion down! NXT returns to single picture as both men rise up and the fans rally even harder. Myles counter punches Dion again and again, then ROCKS Dion for a LAIRAT! And LARIAT!
Dion staggers up, Myles whips, but Dion reverses to LARIAT Myles up and out! The fans rally as Dion steps out and stalks Myles. Dion ROCKS Myles, has him against the steel steps, then runs up, only for Myles to dodge! Dion kicks the steps, then gets pissed at them! Dion shoves the top steps off, then turns around, only for Myles to ROCK him! Myles swings again, but Dion gets under to BACK SUPLEX onto the steps!! The fans go nuts while the ref checks Myles. Myles writhes and sputters but he’s still in this fight. Dion drags Myles up, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Myles shows his true toughness but Dion HAMMERS away!
Dion says Myles doesn’t deserve this title! Dion HAMMERS Myles again, then stands him up. But Myles ROCKS Dion! Dion BODY BLOWS then ROCKS Myles, then SLINGSHOT POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Myles survives and the fans fire up again! DarkState grows frustrated, but they coach Dion to keep on Myles. Dion stalks Myles while the fans rally up, and Dion hits a BIG back- NO, Myles lands out! Myles ELBOWS Dion, BOOTS him, then runs up, but into a SPINE- DDT COUNTER! Myles turns things around on Dion and the fans fire up again! Myles LARIATS, and LARIATS, then UPPERCUTS!
Myles hits a BIG backbreaker, then tells Dion to get right back up! Dion stands, Myles fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Dion survives but DarkState looks worried. Myles climbs a corner, but Saquon gets on the apron! Myles BOOTS Saquon down, but UPPERCUTS! Dion climbs but Myles fires off hands! Dion staggers back, but he hits the ropes to trip Myles up! Dion climbs, brings Myles up, and hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Myles blocks the pin by grabbing Dion’s hand! The fans rally as the two stare down. Myles shakes his head as the two go forehead to forehead.
Dion fires a shot, Myles fires back! Dion fires another shot, but Myles fires back! They stand as the haymakers keep going! Dion ROCKS Myles but Myles just gets pissed! UPPERCUT! HAYMAKER! Dion BODY BLOWS, UPPERCUTS, but the two lean on each other again. The fans rally as they shove and DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Saquon has the team huddle up, and then they go into action! “This is Awesome!” as Saquon gets on the apron! Cutler saves Dion from Borne Again! Dion scoops, but Myles slips free! Osiris is up now, but Myles BLASTS him! Dion scoops and- NO, Myles slips free again!
Saquon tries one more time, but Myles SHOVES Dion into him!! Then BORNE AGAIN!! Cover, MYLES WINS!!
Winner: Myles Borne, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
DarkState tried to tip the scales, but they end up turning this all the way around and messing themselves up! Will DarkState ever figure out the problem? Will Myles continue to go the distance as a champion?
Blake Monroe speaks.
“Staring at this title, it just feels correct. But a casket match tonight? Of course Tatum’s twisted mind goes there.” Vanity Project is there and Ricky Smokes says Blake’s got this! She IS The Glamour! Blake says yes she is! And tonight, she beats Tatum to become the rightful Women’s North American Champion. Jackson Drake is checking his phone, and he says to press pause! Baddie alert! Look at who he just matched with! Yeah, but Blake’s got her match tonight. They’d never leave Blake alone with Tatum. Blake says no, they gave her everything she needed. They can go and enjoy their night.
Drake says okay, but if she needs literally anything at all, just shoot a text, they’re literally going right across the street. Go, queen! Love you! The Vanity Project heads out, but will they miss Blake’s last night as the deluded champion? Or will they get to join in on a glamorous celebration?
Saquon Shugars hurries to talk with Robert Stone.
Saquon gets the NXT General Manager’s attention, and Suit Man Stone points out we all saw that interference. Saquon says yes, but he fumbled the ball! You gotta give DarkState another chance. Well, walk ‘n’ talk with him. They head out, Shiloh Hill tells Stone he’s got next. Tatum Paxley is there to tell Shiloh great job in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. Shiloh says that was so much fun. He just kept telling people he was supposed to be in the match and it kept working. But tonight is about Tatum finally putting Blake to rest. Tatum can’t wait to put Blake in that casket, that Shiloh personally made! And he’s dug the hole already!
Tatum seems down and Shiloh asks if that joke was too far. Tatum says no, she just worries Vanity Project will get in the way. Nothing to worry about! Shiloh helped arrange a date, and let’s just say, it’ll take them a while until that date shows up. Wait, who’d he set them up with? Don’t worry about that now. But next week, Shiloh gets a match with Ricky Saints! Shiloh & Tatum both hit the Absolute pose, and Shiloh wants to wish Tatum luck. Tatum thanks Shiloh as he heads out. Will Tatum truly put this feud to rest? Will Shiloh be absolutely ready for his match with Saints?
Joe Hendry VS Keanu Carver!
All the Prestigious One wanted to do was give the fans a live concert that helped work out his plans for the future, and the One Man Demolition Crew had to step all over it! Will Hendry make Keanu pay for raining on the parade? Or will nothing stop Keanu from carving Hendry up?
The bell rings and the fans cheer Hendry. Hendry dodges Keanu to CHOP, UPPERCUT, and repeat! Keanu THRWOS Hendry to a corner, but Hendry dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Keanu shoves Hendry away, then scoops, but Hendry slips free! Hendry BOOTS Keanu, then CHOP BLOCKS! Hendry KNEES Keanu down, then covers, TWO! Hendry stands Keanu up, but Keanu breaks free to guzel! Keanu SHOVES Hendry into the corner, then RAMS him again and again! The ref counts but Keanu BODY SHOTS, ROCKS, and stomps away on Hendry! The ref counts, Keanu stops, then he stands Hendry up.
Keanu whips Hendry corner to corner hard! Hendry falls to his knees from hitting buckles, but Keanu just whips him hard into the other corner! Keanu storms up on Hendry, whips him back the other way, then storms up and reels Hendry in. Gut wrench and Canadian Rack for the stretch! The fans rally as Hendry endures, and Hendry fights free! Keanu runs up but Hendry drop toeholds him onto the ropes! The fans fire up but Keanu just snarls! Keanu stands up, but Hendry LARIATS him up and out! The fans cheer while Keanu throws a fit! Hendry holds the ring as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Keanu facelocks but Hendry wrenches out to fire body shots. Hendry swings but Keanu ducks the lariat to GERMAN SUPLEX! Hendry tumbles to the ropes while the fans are dueling! Keanu storms up on Hendry, ROCKS him, stomps him, then backs off as the ref counts 4. Hendry slowly rises but Keanu scoops and pops Hendry up for the BACKBREAKER! Hendry writhes and grits his teeth, but Keanu pushes him to a cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Hendry toughs it out. Keanu drags Hendry up, scoops again, and hits another BACKBREAKER! Keanu bends Hendry against his knee, but Hendry continues to endure!
The fans rally, Hendry fights free with knees, and Keanu staggers away. Keanu kicks Hendry, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but Hendry dodges! Keanu POSTS himself and the fans fire up! Keanu staggers back, takes a swing, but Hendry ROCKS him! Hendry fires haymaker after haymaker, then LARIATS! Hendry whips, Keanu reverses, but Hendry ducks ‘n’ dodges to DISCUS LARIAT! The fans fire up with Hendry as he scoops, and FALL AWAY SLAMS! The fans fire up as Hendry kips up, and he… TURNS! But Keanu LARIATS right back! The fans fire up as Keanu scoops and whips, then SPINEBUSTER!
Keanu roars as he stands back up! Keanu FALLING FOREARMS on Hendry! And another! Not quite Ilja Dragunov’s H-Bomb shots but close enough! Keanu HAMMERS Hendry, the ref checks, Hendry is OUT! The ref calls it!!
Winner: Keanu Carver, by referee stoppage
And yet, Keanu won’t stop! The ref has to physically pull Keanu back, but then Keanu scares the ref away! Keanu looms over Hendry, who isn’t even moving! Has Keanu proven that no matter how hard you believe, some things are just inevitable?
Someone is ready to rock!
The guitar riff gives way as this new face says “they” told her she too loud, too gritty, and too unapologetic, but why would she apologize for who she is?! And she is Lizzy Rain, the Heavy Metal Maiden! The stage is set for her NXT debut, and the world is about to find out that Lizzy Rain and Heavy Metal will never, ever DIE!
Vacated WWE Speed Championship: Lexis King w/ Birthright VS EK Prosper!
The Drama King and the Unapologetically Athletic both fought through the short ‘n’ quick tournament to reach this opportunity, and only one can become the NEW Speed Champion! Who crowns themselves the champion in five minutes or less?
NXT returns as Prosper makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has the need for speed!
The bell rings, the clock starts, and EK runs up to handspring and backslide! TWO, and Lexis scrambles back tot he ropes! The ref keeps EK back, btu then Lexis wrenches an arm! Lexis pulls hair, talks trash, then slaps EK around. EK CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return! Lexis headlocks, EK powers up and out, but Lexis rolls over the dropdown. EK runs up, shoots around, but Lexis switches to shove. EK ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Lexis dodge the No Hand Handspring! But EK still DROPKICKS Lexis down! The fans fire up as EK runs up, blocks a boot, and DROPKICKS Lexis! EK goes out to slingshot back in, LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up while Lexis bails out. Birthright regroups to talk strategy, but EK builds speed! ARIANNA is used as a shield! The fans boo but Lexis slithers in, and Uriah Connors distracts! EK still ROCKS Lexis first! EK goes up, but Lexis kicks the legs out! Then WOE STOMPS! Lexis keeps going, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! EK is tougher than that but Lexis talks trash on him. Lexis SLAPS EK, but EK SLAPS back! They go forearm for forearm and we hit regulation of three minutes remaining. The CHOPS go back and forth now, and EK CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! EK runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as EK watches Lexis go to a corner. EK runs in, Lexis dodges, and Lexis LARIATS! Then CHOPS! Then reels EK in for a BIG BACKBREAKER! STRAITJACKET BCKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! EK survives but Lexis soaks up the heat. We hit the two minute warning orange phase but Lexis reels EK in! CORO- NO, EK slips through to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up again as both men go to corners. Lexis runs up, but EK CORNER SUPLEXES him down! Lexis is in the drop zone, EK goes up, but Lexis hurries to trip EK up! EK dangles over the floor, the fans rally, but Birthright says 90 seconds! Lexis and EK trade forearms on the apron!
Lexis CHOPS, then reels EK in! But EK BACKDROPS Lexis on the apron! Lexis falls to the floor, EK goes up, ARIHARA MOONSAULT onto ALL OF BIRTHRIGHT!! Th efans are thunderous as we’re under a minute! EK puts Lexis in but Arianna SLAPS EK!! The fans boo, but then EK dodges Stacks, SUPERKICKS Uriah, then DECKS Stacks! But Lexis SUPERKICKS EK! Then the straitjacket, CORONATION!! Cover, LEXIS WINS!
Winner: Lexis King, by pinfall (NEW WWE Speed Champion)
It was more like a 5v1 as Birthright steals away this title! Will nothing stop them all from taking over the world of wrestling entertainment?
Vanity Project posts online.
Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes are keeping an eye on Jackson Drake as he waits on his date. They wanna see how hot the lady herself is, and maybe she brought some friends? Just don’t be obvious. Wait, is Drake alone? Drake says she’s yet to show. NO! What!? Did he get stood up?! Drake says he has no idea who this chick thinks she is, no-showing Dr. Thirst. Smokes says don’t take it personally, some girls are just the worst. Words of wisdom: Drake will live to love another day. But y’know who else took losses back in the day? LeBron James! If The King can take a loss, so can Drake. Let’s bounce, boys!
Wait, Bailey Humphrey turns the corner. Did she hear that they got stood up? U-Um… N-No…? Is Vanity Project in trouble? And if so, what kind?
DarkState regroups backstage.
Dion asks what happened out there, and Saquon says he was trying to help. Was he? Yes! He knows he messed up, but after the fight, he went right to Robert Stone. Saquon got them a rematch! The team fires up, and Dion says he owes Saquon. Dion guarantees he’s got Myles beat in the rematch. Well, that’s the thing. No doubt Dion would have, but it won’t be Dion getting this match. What? Saquon did everything he could to make sure Dion got his lick back, but Stone said something like Dion got his shot, and if DarkState was to get another one, it’d have to be Saquon. Is that what he said? Yes! And Saquon wasn’t gonna say no!
Saquon reminds Dion that this is about getting gold back in the fam by any means necessary! This is the means! Dion did mean that, didn’t he? Yes, Dion did mean that. Good! So next week, Saquon brings that North American Title home! Dion says hell yeah, brother! Cuz when DarkState strikes, ain’t nobody safe! But will the team hold it together and succeed with this second chance?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Casket Match: Tatum Paxley VS Blake Monroe!
For the first time since Undertaker VS Shawn Michaels at Royal Rumble 1998, a title is on the line in this morbid match type! But will #TuesdayAddams make Taker & HBK proud? Or will The Glamour make herself the real Women’s North American Champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who mourns their own defeat!
The bell rings, Blake throws off her blazer while Tatum takes off her veil, and the fists start flying! The fans fire up as Tatum ROCKS Blake, but Blake ROCKS Tatum! The forearms keep going back and forth, but then Tatum hits a JUMP KNEE SMASH! Tatum wants the lid open so the refs oblige. Tatum TOSSES Blake in, but Blake scrambles right back out! So Tatum WRECKS Blake with a dropkick! Blake falls but Tatum puts her in the ring. Tatum runs corner to corner but Blake dodges! Tatum crashes into buckles, Blake LARIATS, then Blake ROCKS her! Blake turns Tatum around, goes to the apron, but Tatum denies her the Stratusfaction!
Tatum BOOTS Blake and Blake falls to the floor. Tatum hurries after Blake, dodges the bouquet attack, then mule kicks! Tatum winds up and SMACKS Blake around with those roses! Petals fly and the fans fire up, but Tatum waistlocks. Blake grabs the handles on the casket to resist the suplex, then she ELBOWS Tatum away! Tatum runs back up to ROCK Blake! Blake SMACKS Off the lid and the casket closes with no one inside. Tatum gets an idea, and she goes looking under the ring. Tatum brings out one of her dollhouses! The fans cheer as Tatum props it up against barriers, then brings Blake around.
Tatum whips, Blake stops short, so Tatum runs up. Blake dodges, Tatum stops herself from crashing into the dollhouse, then she fireman’s carries! But Blake CLAWS Tatum’s eyes! Blake SHOTGUNS Tatum into the dollhouse! Tatum wipes out the living room with her back, but both women are down as NXT goes picture in picture.
Blake drags Tatum up, then takes a piece of that dollhouse to SMACK her with it! Blake then brings the whole thing around, and SLAMS it down onto Tatum! The refs check Tatum but she’s still able to continue. Blake drags Tatum up, opens the casket, and shoves Tatum. Tatum resists so Blake SMACKS her off the steel steps! Blake tries again, and she GRINDS Tatum’s head against the edge of the casket! Blake shoves Tatum down, then brings a fire extinguisher over! Blake holds it up, but Tatum CLUBS her first! Tatum whips, Blake reverses, and Tatum SMACKS into the casket lid, causing it to shut again!
Tatum flops down but Blake steps on her. The refs open the casket again as Blake fireman’s carries. Blake THROWS Tatum inside, then grabs the lid. But Tatum keeps the lid open with a foot, then scrambles into the ring! Blake pursues, but Tatum ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! And again! Blake HEADBUTTS back! Tatum flops against ropes, Blake grabs her title belt, and she takes aim! But Tatum drop toeholds Blake into the ropes! The vanity belt goes into the casket, but Blake gets up to SLINGBLADE Tatum! Tatum flounders around, but Blake storms over to stomp her at the ropes! Blake CHOKES Tatum, then stops to go to the apron.
Blake actually closes the lid so she can DRIBBLE Tatum off it! Tatum sputters as Blake pushes her back into the ring. Blake paces, signaling she’s going to be the champion again, and she stomps Tatum. Blake suplexes Tatum high and hard! Tatum writhes, Blake opens the casket, and Blake drags Tatum up. Blake TOSSES Tatum, but Tatum lands safe on the apron! NXT returns to single picture as Tatum RAMS into Blake! Blake returns but Tatum slides under. Tatum kicks, Blake blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! The fans fire up with Tatum while Blake staggers away. Tatum rises, runs up, and rallies with big forearm shots!
The fans cheer as Tatum wrenches, ROUNDHOUSES, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Blake flounders, Tatum runs, and ROLLING AX KICK! The lid is opened, Tatum shoves Blake into the casket, but Blake has the pillow?! Blake SMACKS Tatum, and it sounded heavy! What is in that thing?! Blake ROCKS Tatum, but Tatum SUPERKICKS! Both women wobble, but Blake KENES Tatum! They BOTH fall in, the lid slams closed on its own! The refs agree, this is not even a draw, someone has to win! Blake sits up to open the lid, and she grins as she has Tatum in a vulnerable position. But Tatum laughs?! Blake SLAPS Tatum!
Tatum stands to ROCK Blake! They both go to the apron again, then stumble around. Tatum BOOTS Blake, Blake stands on the casket! Tatum joins her, they brawl, and Blake HAMMERS away on Tatum! Blake shrieks like a banshee, then underhooks. But Tatum wrenches and clinches, SPANISH FLY to the floor! The fans are thunderously losing their minds while both women are down! Tatum clutches an arm while Blake sputters, but “This is Awesome!” for the fans! Blake and Tatum sit up, spot each other, but also spot the weapons nearby! They both crawl for the fire extinguisher! Blake SMACKS Tatum off the floor, then grabs the canister!
Blake BLASTS Tatum with the smoke! Then she hits a DRAPING GLAMOUR SHOT!! Blake shouts for the lid to open and the refs oblige. Blake pushes Tatum into the casket, and she SLAMS the lid shut! But Tatum uses the title belt to keep the casket open!! Blake doesn’t realize it until the refs point it out!! The fans fire up while Blake is losing her mind! Blake storms to the apron, grabs at the belt, but Tatum isn’t letting go! The casket has to open, and Tatum rises up again! Blake drags Tatum into the ring using the belt, and then STOMPS her down! Blake holds up her belt, takes aim, and LASHES Tatum! And LASHES! And LASHES her again!
Tatum writhes as Blake LASHES her again! The Woman From Hell takes that weighted pillow, and reveals it indeed had something heavier inside! IT WAS RHINESTONES!! Blake drags Tatum over, underhooks, and GLAM- NO, Tatum slips through! CEMETERY DRIVE onto the stones!! Blake flounders and scrambles, but Tatum rises like a zombie! Tatum runs up to LIGER KICK! Blake falls into the casket!! Tatum SLAMS the lid shut and WINS!!
Winner: Tatum Paxley (still NXT Women’s North American Champion)
And now, holding up the TRUE title belt, Tatum has finally closed the proverbial book on Blake Monroe! But now that she’s survived The Woman From Hell, what will be next for Tatum as she continues to reign?
The Vanity Project keeps us updated.
It seems Drake is going through with his impromptu back-up date, and Smokes says that’s his boy! Drake asks “Mika” what’s her deal, and she says she used to be a mortician’s assistant. Dissecting bodies, stitching them up. Whoa, wait, she used to dissect corpses? Yes! Her hands have done some stuff. Wow, Drake says that is quite impressive. He’s never been so happy to be stood up, because let’s be honest, who needs to go on a date with this chick? Mika looks closer at the profile picture and says bro, that’s an AI bot! You didn’t get stood up, you got tricked! What? No, this is… Oh… Okay, Drake knows exactly who did this! SHILOH!
Mika says no need to ruin a perfectly good night, though. Let’s get some dinner. And uh, his cute little friends can join them if they want. W-Wait, who? Smokes & Brad? No, no, they don’t wanna come with. Uh, yes they do! Mika leads the way out, arm in arm with Drake. Mika SHOVES a dude in the way outta the way, and Drake says that’s kinda hot. Is Dr. Thirst about to have himself a tall drink of water tonight?
Lola Vice is here!
The fans cheer as the Mayor of Vice City struts to the ring, #AndStill the NXT Women’s Champion! Lola grabs a mic to say, “Hola, NXT!” “Hola, Lola!” Lola says last week, she didn’t just beat Jacy Jayne, but she made a statement! In her first defense, she showed us exactly the kind of champion she is going to be. The fans cheer that, but Lola does give Jacy credit, she elevated this division and completely reinvented herself. Lola will, too, but in her own way. And not to lie, the hardest part about being a champion isn’t winning the title, it’s keeping it. Lola feels it, she sees it. She knows all eyes are on her in the locker room.
The NXT Women’s Division is deep, hungry, and full of girls ready to have their moment. And none of them are waiting! Kendal, Kali, Izzi, Sol and Zaria, they all stepped up and made it clear they want what Lola has. Those women are not competition, they’re threats. And they all want Lola’s NXT Women’s Championship. But… Lola likes it that way! And she gets why. Holding this title could mean you’re a possible WrestleMania main-eventer one day! The fans cheer that! This title is the most important title to hold as a woman proving themself in the WWE! Lola is about ot be the realest champion, because this title deserves women who are willing to step up and take their shot!
Because Lola was that girl. And she still is that girl. So while she respects it, she understands it, she wants to make something very clear. You don’t just walk into Vice City and step up to the champ! You’re stepping into a fight! And you don’t just walk up to take what’s Lola’s! You can try. You can step up, you can take your shot, but all that will get you is knocked out and danced on! The fans like the sound of that, but Izzi Dame interrupts. Lola, it is so interesting listening to you. Lola’s talking like she’s already cleared out the division after just one defense. Granted, it was Jacy Jayne, so we’ll give Lola that.
But to circle back to what’s important, it’s Izzi. Lola called Izzi a threat, and thank you, it’s true. But Izzi wants to ask Lola, is she feeling it? The shift. The looks are sharper, the whispers are a little louder, and Lola’s rather emotional. Every time she steps in the ring, she has to prove something. The woman standing across from her has to be knocked out in order for Lola to prove she belongs. And that works, until it doesn’t. While Lola swings on everything that moves, Izzi is watching, learning, and waiting for the exact moment when Lola makes a mistake. And no doubt about it, Lola will make a mistake.
And Lola keeps saying this is Vice City, this is her world. But having that mindset means Lola isn’t a champion that losses in big moments, but loses in small ones. Izzi isn’t stepping into Lola’s fight, but into Lola’s weak spot, and she will rip Lola apart! Every crack, every doubt, every second slipping away, Lola will feel everything. And when it’s over and Izzi is the NEW NXT Women’s Champion, Lola won’t be cursing Izzi’s name, she’ll be thanking Izzi! Lola laughs and says Izzi and everyone else, all that studying, that waiting, it’s just hesitation. So go ahead, take your shot, wait for the right moment. Because by the time she does, she’ll already get her ass kicked!
Izzi says don’t tempt her with a good time, mamacita! One thing Lola learns about The Culling is that they’re always two steps ahead. That’s why Izzi will be champion. Niko Vance swipes at Lola’s Mixed Tag title, Lola gets on guard, but Izzi BOOTS her down! The fans boo as Izzi snatches the NXT Women’s Championship off Lola, but will she do it when it matters?
Birthright regroups backstage.
Sarah Schreiber is there to congratulate the NEW WWE Speed Champion. Though, the circumstances were a bit questionable. Lexis says, “Questionable? Ma’am, do you have any idea who you’re talking to right now? I am the fastest man alive! Let’s face it, NXT finally has a champion that was born to do this. Not one of these pompous college recruits, or some indie degenerate that we pulled up off the street. No, a real star! Stars, in fact, that’s plural. And we’re not gonna stop until each and every one of them has gold around their waists. Because this right here, Sarah, is our birthright.”
But EK Prosper storms in! He tells Lexis that they gotta run that one back, because if it wasn’t for Lexis’ sorry ass crew, Lexis wouldn’t even be champion. Dempsey says EK lost, get over it. But then Dorian Van Dux steps in, and he points out “these clowns will never fight fair.” But DVD will gladly team with EK against whichever two are brave enough. Uriah says if DVD wants in the ring with generational talent like them, consider your career over before it even begins. Arianna says now that Birthright has another title in the collection, they can make this happen. See you two next week. As for right now, they have a coronation to attend! Bottles on King!
Birthright heads out, but will they keep the momentum going in tag team action? Or will they see that EK + DVD = W?
NXT presents Chronicle: Kendal Grey, part 2.
Before coming to the Performance Center, the Ice Woman was a three-time UNDEFEATED National Champion! She was the first girl to qualify for an all men’s tournament in the state of Nevada. She is not the first woman to list all her accolades, but amateur wrestling was her entire life. Growing up in Vegas was an incredible experience, too. When you think “Las Vegas,” you think The Strip, the nightlife, but for her, it was the fight capital of the world. She wasn’t drawn to the lights, but to the competition. At school, she competed against the guys. So many people said girls shouldn’t wrestle, let alone wrestle boys, but for her, that was just natural growing up with a big brother.
Everything was competition. When she hung out with her friends, it was really her brother and his 20 friends playing football, baseball, whatever. They’d even be backyard with gloves on, wrestling until someone tapped out. She definitely is a tomboy, but she owns it. She got that from her mom, who didn’t like to dress up or do make-up. And she and her dad would bond through sports and outdoor activities. She has an embarrassing story about that. They go to a Mets game, eating soft pretzels and chilling, and then BOOM, foul ball hits her! Of course, that’s her luck. Mom would tease her as “The Problem Child” cuz she was always getting hurt, getting scars.
One time at a barbeque, she was 12 years old. Even though there was a ton of food around, this dog just decides to jump up and bite her lip off! Then in high school during a match, Kendal and her opponent go for a grapple at the same time, and she gets her forehead split open! She’s just a magnet for bad luck. But regardless, Kendal was obsessed with wrestling. She lived on the mat. The technique, the pressure, the pace, she loved it all. But especially with winning. And while she knows she said she hates talking about herself, she’s actually glad she took this time to sit down and talk, because the NXT Universe deserves to get to know her.
But for now, there’s a ton of work to be done, and she won’t stop until she has her hands on THE NXT Women’s Championship. NXT is about to enter the Grey Area, will Kendal come out on the other side with gold?
Robert Stone talks with Lola Vice.
Fortunately, Lola is okay after that sucker kick from Izzi. But she just has to even the odds. And she has the perfect person in mind. Wait, what’s going around the corner? Stone hurries over, and Saints is beating up on Shiloh! Saints says play games with him now! Stone is furious, what is Saints doing in his office?! Saints says here’s your phone back. Saints says he’s beating Shiloh’s ass next week! Stone calls for a ref, it seems Saints sprung a trap on the unorthodox genius. But will he be ready to fight #ToothlessAggression fair and square?
NXT returns as Sarah Schreiber catches up to Robert Stone.
Naturally, she asks for a medical update on Shiloh after Saints’ sneak attack, but all Stone can say is he’s headed to medical right now, so he’ll give us one when he gets one. Stone then turns the corner and sees Tony D’Angelo. Stone says great timing, he was also looking for him. But then a staff member says this box just arrived for Tony…? Tony accepts, those he isn’t sure what the Japanese kanji on it means. Stone says he was hoping to talk with the champ, he’s still sorting things out, but next week, he’ll have a better idea of who Tony’s next challenger will be. Tony then spots Keanu Carver passing by.
Tony asks if this delivery is from Kenau. Keanu says nah, if he wants someone’s attention, he’ll just get it. But that right there is the kanji for war. There are sharks circling, Tony of all people should know to be ready. Keanu heads out, Stone says that’s not wrong, Stone’s phone has been blowing up. But then, will whatever is inside the box be a clue as to who wants Tony’s attention?
Last Woman Standing: Sol Ruca VS Zaria!
We already know how much these two have grown to hate each other when their friendship’s dysfunction turned into disdain. Ironically, they still made it to the biggest show of NXT’s year together, but it was only the Soul Surfer that could stand and deliver on a win. Will Sol get one last win on her former friend? Or will the Agent of Change truly change the landscape of NXT?
NXT returns ringside as Zaria’s music hits. But while Sol’s looking to the ramp, Zaria slips in from the crowd side! Sol turns around, but she dodges in time! THESZ PRESS and fast hands as the bell rings! Zaria shoves Sol away but Sol BOOTS her back! Sol LARIATS Zaria up and out! The fans rally as Sol goes to the apron, springboard TORNILLO! Down goes Zaria at the ramp and the fans cheer! Sol smiles as she watches Zaria writhe. The count starts but Zaria is already crawling. Zaria stands at 5 of 10 and stumbles to barriers. Sol runs up, but into a BOOT! Zaria has a trash can already, and she CHUCKS it at Sol! Sol goes down in a heap!
Sol flounders, crawls, but Zaria wants the count to go faster! The ref keeps the pace fair, so Zaria storms up. Sol swings a kendo stick, but Zaria blocks it! Zaria YANKS the stick away, BOOTS Sol, then gets the can! But Sol SHOTGUNS it into Zaria! Both women are down while the fans fire up! The count starts again, Sol rises up while Zaria crawls. Sol storms up on Zaria, but Zaria LASHES her with camera cables! And LASHES her again! And again! The fans wince as Sol writhes, but Zaria CHOKES Sol with the cable! Zaria even gags and DRAGS Sol to the apron, and DANGLES her off the edge!!
The fans are freaking out while Sol kicks and flails! Zaria DROPS Sol, then stands over her while the count starts again. Sol sputters and sits up at 4, but Zaria drags her up! Sol SMACKS her with a trash can lid! Zaria stumbles away, Sol storms in, but Zaria swings with the kendo stick! Sol dodges to hit the X-FACTOR! Zaria is now under the count while the fans rally and duel. Sol has the kendo stick again, and she sees Zaria stand at 6. SMACK! SMACK! And SMACK again! Sol then fires off with the kendo stick on Zaria’s back! Zaria writhes while the fans fire up. Sol paces around Zaria while fans chant, “One More Time!”
Sol clamps onto Zaria with a kendo stick Camel Clutch, and STOMP! The fans cheer Sol while she tells Zaria that this is what she wanted. The count passes 5 but Zaria goes to the apron. Zaria drags herself up at 8, then drops to a knee. Sol SLINGSHOT SUNSET FLIPS, but Zaria holds onto the ropes! Sol pulls, pulls, and POWER- NO! Zaria fights with fists to get free! Then she BOOTS Sol down! The fans fire up while both women are down again! The fans chant for “TABLE! TABLE!” as both women rise. Zaria and Sol crawl to each other at 7, and stand at 8. Zaria fireman’s carries Sol, but Sol fights free of the F5! Sol SPEARS Zaria through the wall!!
The fans lose their minds while both women are down underneath The Perch! The count is climbing, Sol stands at 6 and hobbles away. Zaria rises at 8, stands at 9, but both women flop back down! The fans cheer as NXT goes picture in picture.
Sol stands at 5 again, then clears off the commentary desk! The fans like what they see as Sol makes sure everything is pushed aside, but then Zaria CHUCKS a water bottle at her! Right in the back! Zaria then THROWS Sol over barriers! Zaria then climbs up and over to join Sol, and they brawl in the crowd! The fans cheer as they’re even closer to the action now! Sol ROCKS Zaria, but Zaria ROCKS Sol! Zaria ROCKS Sol again as they go up the stands! Sol hits back, Zaria shoves fans aside, and she makes Sol take a seat for a CHOP! Zaria HAMMERS Sol, brings her around, but Sol hits back! Sol CLUBS away on Zaria no w!
Sol pushes Zaria back tot he railing and DECKS her! Zaria tumbles up and over into the gap! Zaria drags herself up, but Sol is right on her! Sol and Zaria stand on the barriers as they brawl! Zaria ROCKS Sol, Sol stumbles away, but she still hits back. Zaria ROCKS Sol again, they go along the way, and the hands keep flying! They go back ‘n’ forth, faster and faster, and the fans cheer as Sol WINDMILLS on Zaria! NXT returns to single picture, Zaria blocks the kick to HEADBUTT Sol! Then as they both wobble, Zaria manages to fireman’s carry! The fans go nuts for the F5 down through the desk!!
Zaria stands tall on the barriers while Sol is under the count. Sol is still down past 5, but rises at 7! Zaria decides to go look for something as Sol stands at 8. Sol leans against the apron, but she falls again. The count is on Sol again, but Zaria brings a table out! Zaria stands it up on one end, but Sol GERMAN SUPLEXES Zaria first! The fans fire up as Sol then SHINING WIZARDS! Both women are down but the fans fire up again! The count is back, and Sol keeps her eyes on Zaria as she stands at 5. Zaria sputters, drags herself up at 8, and stands at 9! Sol takes that table for her own, stands it up on the legs, and she looks to the Perch?!
Zaria SMACKS Sol off the table first! Then the POST! Zaria goes looking, and she SHOVES things aside so she can bring out another table! Zaria positions this table right next to the first, CLUBS Sol, then finishes arranging the furniture. “This is Awesome!” as Zaria also looks to The Perch… Zaria storms up to Sol, but Sol JAMS her up with a piece of the desk! And then SMACKS her on her back! Sol puts Zaria on the table, and it is now the drop zone as Sol climbs up! The fans are fired up already as Sol goes to The Perch! Sol is fifteen feet high as she looks down at Zaria! Except, Zaria isn’t there anymore?!
The fans are going nuts already as Zaria is behind Sol again! Sol says don’t do it! Zaria still runs up, Sol hurdles over! Zaria stops herself from going over, but SOUL SNATCHER on the perch!! The fans are going nuts again as both women are down! The ref hurries to check them, then starts the count! Sol already sits up at 3, then drags herself up at 6. Sol sees Zaria stand at 9, and ROCKS her! Zaria ROCKS Sol back! They go shot for shot, back and forth, but Zaria is dangerously close to the edge! Zaria ROCKS Sol, Sol ROCKS Zaria, repeat! The shots are fast ‘n’ furious and the fans are loving it! Sol ROCKS Zaria, but then keeps Zaria from falling!?
Zaria asks Sol to show mercy! She’s sorry! Sol pulls Zaria away from the edge, and the fans aren’t sure what to make of it. Sol and Zaria are both emotional, and they hug it out! The fans cheer, maybe there’s hope for #ZaRuca yet. But then… the look on Zaria’s face says otherwise. Zaria SHOVES Sol down through the tables!! The fans are speechless as Sol really only goes through the one and not the other… But the count is climbing, and there’s no stopping it! Sol is down, ZARIA WINS!
Winner: Zaria
Zaria said Sol was the villain, but only an evil mastermind would pull at the heartstrings just to rip them out like that! Sol is down, both physically and emotionally, will she ever recover? Will Zaria’s cold-blooded nature finally lead her to gold?
My Thoughts:
A great second week for the first-ever NXT Revenge special, they can probably make this an annual thing. Though, that ending to the Last Woman Standing was a bit scary. They were smart to have two tables there for a bigger drop zone, but they still miscalculated Sol’s fall in the moment. She clips that table edge pretty badly, so hopefully she’s okay. Another point towards my argument that taking physics classes is a must for pro-wrestlers, and surely the WWE Performance Center can figure out how to do that. But even with that scary ending, that was a great Last Woman Standing match, and it worked so well in story for Zaria to win out, and the way she did it.
Great Casket Match for Tatum VS Blake, and I like the side gag that Vanity Project was away with a date. Great spot for Bailey Humphrey to get TV time, and she clearly owns the fact that she’s a country strong girl. Blake’s unofficial title coming into play for the finish was genius, but I’m actually a touch surprised Blake lost. I feel like Blake can move on to the top title now while Tatum defends the North American title against a lot of other contenders. Great promo segment from Lola and Izzi to set up that title match, but Izzi is definitely losing that to help build Lola up. And I’m pretty sure the person she’s gonna get to help her is Mr. Iguana, his interactions with Shawn Spears & Niko Vance will be great.
Very good stuff with Shiloh and Saints, their match is going to be great stuff. Very good Men’s North American Championship match, and DarkState accidentally costing Dion was a great way to do this. Especially with Saquon now getting the title shot next week. I don’t know if we get a second take on what we just got, but I also don’t know if Saquon wins the title. But one way or another, this has to add to the dysfunction between Saquon and Dion, forcing Cutler and Osiris to choose sides. Very good Speed Championship match, but as I figured, Lexis won with help from Birthright. DVD stepping up to be EK’s teammate is good stuff, they’ll have a great match with I assume Uriah & Dempsey.
Great match of Keanu VS Hendry, and I really like them going with a ref stoppage. Keanu is already monster, now he’s a savage. Though, to think this is how Hendry is exiting NXT to go to main roster. I wonder if his next concert promo addresses this. As for Keanu, they continue to keep him orbiting the NXT Championship. Tony D getting a mysterious box with Japanese on it, there are a few options. I don’t want it to be Nakamura coming back to NXT just to lose to Tony D, Nakamura needs to do more with Tama Tonga and MFT. This could/should be someone from Pro-wrestling Noah, like a returning Yoshiki Inamura or someone else building up his stardom, like Kaito Kiyomiya or Kenoh. Imagine if it was Kenta, formerly Hideo Itami in NXT…
My Score: 8.9/10
It’s the Raw After WrestleMania!
WrestleMania 42 is in the books, and once again, WWE must ACKNOWLEDGE HIM! But what will be next for Roman Reigns now that he is the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky VS The Kabuki Warriors; Rhea & Iyo win.
- Je’Von Evans VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins.
- Sol Ruca VS Liv Morgan w/ The Judgment Day; Liv wins.
- Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh; Finn wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
OBA FEMI is here!
The T-Mobile Arena in Vegas cheers as The Ruler appears! They chant for “O~BA!” as he struts to the ring in a suit and tie. The fans cheer more as Oba grabs a mic and steps into the ring. “O~BA! HOO!” echoes out and Oba takes it all in. The fans chant for “OBA FEMI!” and he says, “The Ruler has arrived!” Then he drops the mic and the fans cheer again! Oba doesn’t need to say much, his actions spoke loud and clear on Sunday! Oba stands in the spotlight, but who will he conquer next?
The Kabuki Warriors speak.
Asuka tells Iyo, “Once again, you choose your fake family in Rhea Ripley over your real one and yourself. I will always be your senpai, and I will always be the one who brought you your success in WWE. Iyo, you seem to forget this, but tonight, you will remember. Since you devoted yourself to Rhea, how has that been working out? Rhea is a champion now, and what are you? Huh? You are NOTHIN! Iyo, it didn’t have to happen this way. You could’ve shown me the respect I deserved, and you would’ve had your senpai by your side. Not only did you make your choice, you tried to corrupt Kairi, too!”
Kairi speaks up to say that last week, she beat Iyo. This week, they beat Iyo again! Iyo & Rhea will suffer the consequences! They are not ready for Asuka! But will that still be true even now? Or will #RheYo finally be done with the Kabuki Warriors?
Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky VS The Kabuki Warriors!
Raw returns as Asuka & Kairi make their entrance to join #RheYo in the ring. The teams sort out and Kairi starts against Iyo. They circle, tie up, and go around. The fans rally as Iyo arm-drags Kairi but the two keep the grapple. Kairi fights to her feet but Iyo puts her on the ropes. The ref counts, Iyo backs off slowly, but Kairi shoves her! Kairi swings, Iyo ducks to waistlock, but Kairi wrenches through to wristlock. Iyo spins, wrenches, and headlocks. Kairi pulls hair and the fans boo, but Asuka gives a thumbs up! Kairi THROWS Iyo down, then drags Iyo up by her hair. Kairi THROWS Iyo, but Iyo handsprings through!
The fans cheer, Kairi runs up but Iyo blocks a shot and kicks low. Iyo wrenches and whips, Kairi reverses, but Iyo pops Kairi up and out! Kairi RAMS low, goes up, but Iyo avoids the leap! Kairi says kiss this! The fans rally for Iyo & Rhea but Kairi taunts Iyo with her own crazy taunt. Kairi runs, dodges, then stomps Iyo’s foot! Kairi runs to go up and RANA, then she basement DROPKICKS! The fans boo but Asuka cheers Kairi on. Kairi brings Iyo up, reaches out for Asuka, but Iyo rolls her up, TWO! Kairi blocks Iyo’s kick, ROCKS her, then Alabama Lifts! Iyo fights that to underhook and TIGER BACKBREAKER!
The fans fire up as Iyo tags Rhea! Iyo then wheelbarrows with Rhea for the assisted SPLASH! Rhea covers, TWO! Rhea drags Kairi up but Kairi SMACKS Rhea! Rhea atomic SLAMS Kairi, then DROPKICKS her! Asuka tags in and the fans fire up! Asuka shoves Rhea, each ducks a kick, but Asuka fires fast hands! Rhea ducks the uraken to kick, SMASH, and- NO, Asuka ducks the haymaker to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, MULE KICK, then run the ropes! SLIDING KICK! Rhea falls over, but she EDDY GORDO KICKS right back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Rhea drags Asuka up, but Asuka BOOITS Iyo to prevent the tag!
Rhea waistlocks, Asuka elbows free, but Rhea BOOTS back! Asuka distracts the ref as Kairi takes a swing! Rhea ducks it, then DECKS Kairi, but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Rhea down! Rhea falls out of the ring while Asuka tags Kairi. Asuka BLASTS Iyo while Kairi climbs, and Kairi FLYING KABUKI ELBOWS! Down goes Rhea and Kairi is all fired up while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as The Kabuki Warriors whip Rhea to ropes to then KICK, AX KICK, BULLDOG, and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Rhea stays in this, but Kairi tags Asuka. Asuka brings Rhea up while Kairi climbs, and Asuka dragon sleepers! But Rhea wrenches out to DECK Asuka! Kairi leaps, Rhea dodges, and Kairi rolls, only for Rhea to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up as Rhea crawls, but so does Kairi. Hot tags to Asuka and Iyo! The fans fire up as Iyo dodges Asuka to URAKEN, SHOTEI, and SHOTEI! Asuka shoves Iyo, but Iyo BOOTS back! Kairi runs up but Iyo blocks a kick and sends it into Asuka!
The fans cheer as Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, handsprings through, then DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! The fans fire up again as Iyo kips up and does the crazy taunt! Iyo has targets in the corners, so she hops on the bullet train! SHINKANSEN for Asuka, SHINKANSEN for Kairi, and SHINKANSEN back to Asuka! The fans fire up as Iyo BUZZSAWS Asuka, covers, TWO!! Asuka survives but Iyo drags her up. Iyo wrenches, then calls to Rhea! Rhea tags in, then she hauls Asuka up! Iyo climbs, then waves bye to Asuka. RAZOR’S EDGE, and a MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kairi is a fingertip shy so she’s fortunate Asuka survives.
But then Rhea hauls Asuka back up, RIP- NO, Asuka slips free! Asuka BLASTS Iyo, dodges Rhea, then tags Kairi! CODE BREAKER to BLUCK BUSTER! DOUBLE SLIDING ATTACK! Cover, Iyo breaks it! The fans fire up but Asuka is furious! She BUZZSAWS Iyo, then GERMAN- NO, Iyo victory rolls to STOMP 182! But Kairi CLUBS away on Iyo! Kairi SLAPS Iyo, whips her, but Iyo DIVES onto Asuka! Kairi is stunned, but Rhea HEADBUTTS her! Then tag to Iyo, RIPTIDE to OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, RheYo wins!
Winners: Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky, by pinfall
The team is back together again and they’re still winning! But how will Asuka handle Kairi taking the loss?
Adam Pearce talks with Penta.
The Raw General Manager congratulates the Man With Zero Fear on retaining the WWE Intercontinental Championship, that match was increible! Penta thanks Pearce, but Pearce isn’t sure how to follow that up. Je’Von Evans walks in, says hey to “Mr. P” and Penta, and says congrats to Penta. Penta did his thing. But to be real, Evans is still gonna be champion, so he ain’t going anywhere. Penta says yes, they stole the show, and they can do it again soon. But Penta’s title isn’t going anywhere, because he is Penta, and he has #CeroMiedo! Penta leaves, Evans sighs, but in steps Ethan Page! Pearce knows Evans knows All Ego, but he welcomes Ethan as Raw’s newest superstar!
Ethan asks Evans if he really said he wants another shot at the Intercontinental title. Well, Ethan is here now, and he always gets what he wants. And he wants the Intercontinental Championship. The only difference is, Ethan’s not gonna need a second chance. Oh, he thinks he’s funny, huh? Pearce says okay, okay, let’s settle this in the ring tonight. Ethan says he’ll gladly humiliate Evans again. Evans says ain’t nobody taking his spot. The Young OG heads out, Pearce welcomes Ethan to Raw, but will Ethan already take over?
CM Punk is here!
We watch Punk walk to and through gorilla, then onto the stage, yet with no music. The fans still cheer “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” despite him no longer being WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Punk kneels, checks his watch, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Now Cult of Personality starts and the fans sing along as Punk walks down the ramp. Punk goes to the ring, but takes his time as he gets the mic. The fans still cheer Punk on, and Punk finally says, “I’ve been dealing with a lot of loss the past six months, maybe since October. I was overseas wrestling in Japan when I got a call that woke me up. My friend, my MMA trainer, that Duke Rufus, didn’t wake up that morning.
“Then in November, my Larry crossed the rainbow bridge. And it seemed like between then and now, every two weeks, me and my WWE family lost a member. Kerwin Silfies, Jim Shank, David Coates. And these are the people behind the scenes. These are the cameramen, the hair and make-up, and the caterers, and the producers and the people in the truck and the truck drivers.” The fans cheer as Punk gives reverence to “everybody who makes this place a well-oiled machine, the real heroes, the real superstars, behind the men.
“My job is easy. These are the men and women that grind day in and day out, away from their families, that are with me so often that they call me family. And I just had to show a little bit of respect last night on my jacket. Yeah, give it up for them.” The fans applaud with a standing ovation for all of the WWE crew. Punk continues by saying most recently, his friend, Bo Lueders, passed away. Then Punk lost the title last night. All the aforementioned losses sting more than losing the title, but the thing is, every week, Punk has come here, and the fans cathartically helped Punk heal and get through those losses.
Being Heavyweight Champion gave Punk an anchor and a reason to not just slow down and reduce himself to a puddle of tears, even when he wanted to. So he is here to say thanks for helping process all the grief. The fans all helped him get through those losses, so something tells him they’ll help him through the loss from last night. Hell, Punk wasn’t even supposed to be World Heavyweight Champion. He survived Gunther, only to be cashed-in on in a single second by Seth Rollins. A part of Punk said being WHC at 46 years old, for even three minutes, that’s not bad. That’s the cherry on top of one hell of a sundae.
And then, Punk could’ve just reduced himself to a puddle of tears, ate donuts on the couch with his hot wife. But instead, he stayed ready! He came here and poured his heart and his soul into this to entertain all the fans. And because Punk stays ready, an opportunity arose. Rollins got hurt, Punk won the #1 contender’s match, and next thing you know, Punk is WHC. If he didn’t stay ready, you’d be here YEETING with Jey Uso instead. Punk doesn’t know why fans boo that, he likes to YEET. Get with the program, Vegas. But Punk stays ready, that’s all he can do, because he never knowns when a title opportunity will fall outta the sky.
Punk stays ready, but do you know why he’s smiling? Because he’s still the Best in the World, and he came here to Vegas. He said he had a dream ever since he was a kid, and he stood under the brightest lights on the biggest stage in front of the world, and he proved it! He gave everything he had, it just wasn’t his night. He won’t cry about it, he won’t go home and sulk, and he’s not going on vacation. Punk will stay ready, because you never know when an opportunity is gonna fall out of the sky. WAIT! Cody Rhodes is here! The fans sing along with Kingdom as the American Nightmare walks out on stage.
Cody takes off the sunglasses to reveal the nasty bruising around his eye. Cody hobbles a bit as he walks down the ramp, and while the fans say “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get the pyro, Cody isn’t really in the mood for that. Cody steps into the ring, gets himself a mic, and Punk gets a good look at the shiner. In fact, that might not even cover what happened. Cody waits on the second “WHOA~ OH~!” while the fans are a bit more torn. Punk asks if he went over, is this Cody’s time? No, Punk, don’t leave, this is Monday Night Raw, this is Punk’s time. And well, maybe Cody assumed, maybe he is wrong, but he was standing by, watching like everyone else, and…
This isn’t necessarily what Cody expected, but… Wait, wait, did Cody think Punk would freak out or crash out? If Punk is asking if Cody thought that, then… yeah. Punk says that’s fair. But Punk knows Cody, Cody knows Punk, but Punk is buttoned up. This is not what Cody was expecting, he is glad Vegas gave Punk the flowers he deserves, as he always does. But Cody isn’t sure what he’s supposed to do, he’s the one standing here feeling and looking like a loser, yet he has the title. Punk asks hold on, should Punk feel like a loser? Cody tries to apologize but Punk says no, stop, it’s fine! They’re friends! Punk doesn’t feel like it, okay?
Well, maybe Punk looks like a loser, he has that tattoo of a marshmallow on a stick. But Cody’s not a loser, either. Punk gets why Cody feels it. On Saturday, Cody overcame a first-ballot Hall of Famer, a living legend. But this is what made it hard: he also beat a friend, a mentor. Punk fought someone he hates! That’s easy! It’s easy to kick him in his stupid face and make fun of the chili pepper necklace. But Cody fought a friend, that’s a real challenge. Cody won, Punk lost. Cody is a winner, and technically, Punk’s a loser. But it’s okay! The path is clear. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, but Punk’s free as a bird.
Punk gladly shouldered the burden of being world champion last night, but it just wasn’t his night. The path for Cody is to keep being champion, to keep winning. The path for Punk is to stay ready, because you never know when a championship opportunity is just gonna fall out of the sky. Punk gives a glance to the title, then steps away, but Cody says, “Hey, Punk. Just say when.” Punk smiles and the fans cheer. Beat up as Cody is, is he willing to fight the Best in the World?
Finn Balor speaks.
“Last night at WrestleMania, Dom brought out The Demon. And The Demon put Dom down. But I’m not finished with The Judgment Day. Dom drew first blood, so he was the first to fall. I expected this type of betrayal from Dominik. But from JD? I remember when JD was just a 12-year-old unassuming kid that walked into the wrestling gym in Ireland. Over the years together, I helped him grow into one of the greatest performers on earth. And in the Judgment Day, when I needed someone that I knew would have my back no matter what, it was only gonna be JD. But then the moment of truth, he made a choice, and he chose Dominik Mysterio.
“JD, this is gonna be one of those full circle moments. Because I brought you into this business, but tonight, I’m gonna take you out.” The Prince has spoken, will he prove you don’t bet on the Irish Ace?
Je’Von Evans VS Ethan Page!
These two have a deep and heated rivalry from NXT, and now it’s about to get Raw! But will The Young OG humble All Ego on his debut? Or will Ethan steal everyone’s smile on the Raw After Mania?
Raw returns as Evans makes his entrance to join Ethan in the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally for Evans. They tie up, go around, and Ethan headlocks. Evans endures and powers up to power out. Ethan RUNS Evans over, but the fans boo as Ethan pats Evans on the head. Things speed up, Evans dodges to redirect and jump into the roll-up! TWO, but Ethan runs up! Evans goes up and over, then again, but Ethan still takes a swing! Evans goes Matrix to kip up and STUNNER! The fans cheer as Ethan stumbles to a corner, but Ethan uses the ropes as a defense! The ref has Evans back up, but Ethan DECKS Evans with a cheap shot!
The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Ethan rains down fists! Ethan snarls as he paces around. Evans stands, Ethan CLUBS him on the neck, then scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Evans writhes but the fans rally. Ethan storms up but Evans UP KICKS! Evan brings Ethan around to CHOP, but Ethan swings! Evans ducks to JAB, JAB, JAB! Evans runs, but Ethan dodges to ROCK Evans again! Ethan whips Evans, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! The fans rally but Ethan HEADBUTTS Evans! Ethan clamps onto Evans and squeezes tight, but the fans rally for Evans. Evans fights up, reaches out, and he RAMS Ethan into the corner!
Ethan CLUBS Evans, stalks him, then back suplexes. Evans lands out, DROPKICKS, then runs up to BOUNCY~ RANA! Ethan tumbles all the way out while the fans fire up! Evans says guess where we at! #WeOutside! He builds speed to FLY! Down goes Ethan and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Ethan CHOKES Evans and says this is HIS house! Evans breaks free to TOSS Ethan, then he DIVES! Another direct hit at the ramp and the fans cheer again. Evans puts Ethan in, bobs ‘n’ weaves to ROCK Ethan, put him in the corner, and ENZIGIRI! Evans shoves Ethan to center, then springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Evans as he stands again. Evans fires Vegas up even more, then goes to the corner. Evans climbs, but Ethan SMACKS him! Ethan climbs up after Evans, but Evans HEADBUTTS back! Ethan drops down, but he UPPERCUTS! Ethan then crosses the arms, ICONOCLASM!
Ethan then RIPCORDS Evans up for the POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Evans toughs it out! Ethan is annoyed, and he points to Evans while mocking the fans. The fans boo Ethan but Ethan rips Evans’ shirt up! Ethan scoops but Evans fights free! Evans DUMPS Ethan out, mule kicks him, then ASAI M OONSAULTS, but has to land out as Ethan moves! Ethan whips, Evans reverses, and Ethan eats POST! Evans runs up to SUPERKICK Ethan onto the desk! The fans fire up as Evans looks to the corner. But someone turns Evans around! Rusev?! Evans ducks the cheap shot to SMACK Rusev in return!
Evans sees Ethan getting up, but Evans CROSSBODIES Rusev down! The fans fire up for Evans, he hurries after Ethan in the ring, and goes up, up, and- NO, Ethan trips Evans up! TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, Ethan wins!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall
Give an assist to the Bulgarian Brute, Rusev storms in to beat up on Evans! Ethan says yeah, not his problem. The fans boo Ethan and they boo Rusev, but Rusev stops stomping so he can drag Evans around! Stomp and ACCOLADE!! But PENTA rushes out here to make the save! The fans cheer as Penta dodges Rusev, CHOPS away, then KICKS, KICKS, and- NO, Rusev blocks the superkick! Rusev spins Penta but Penta dodges the lariat to SUPERKICK after all! The fans fire up for Penta as he climbs up a corner! But Ethan SHOVES Penta down! Rusev MACHKA KICKS Penta down!
All Ego calls to Rusev and says good work. Ethan leaves the ring to Rusev, and Rusev stomps Penta! ACCOLADE!! Penta endures being bent back, but Rusev lets him go to pick up the belt. Will Rusev have his day when he finally gets that title?
Judgment Day is here!
The NEW WWE Women’s World Champion, Liv Morgan, leads the way for Dirty Dom, JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez, ready to celebrate her victory at WrestleMania. The new theme song is right, she was nothing but trouble for La Primera, though it helps that she had her amigas helping out. The fans are torn as Liv gets the mic, and she revels in it all. Some fans even chant, “You Deserve It!” Liv smiles as she says, “las Vegas, that is the smartest thing y’all’ve said all day! Because you are now in the presence of the GREATEST Women’s World Champion of ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIIIIIIME~!”
But before they really get to the celebration, there are a couple of people Liv would like to thank. First off, to her Judgment Day family, JD, Roxie, Daddy Dom y Raquel. They have been her rock, she wouldn’t be where she is without them, thank you. Secondly, this one might surprise people, but she’d like to thank her opponent, Stephanie Vaquer. “We beat the hell out of each other, but she reminded me of a feeling that I haven’t felt in a long time. It reminded me of who I am. And who I am is the most talented in the WWE! This is MY ring, this is MY division, this is MY show, and this is MY Women’s World Championship!”
The fans are again torn, but Liv says if you thought she was “messy and trouble before,” well, just you wait. Because- SOL RUCA is here?! The fans cheer the Soul Surfer as she high-fives her way down the ramp and to the ring. Sol gets a mic and says, “Hey, Liv~! Now, I’m so sorry for interrupting, but I’ve been watching you. And honestly, you are such an inspiration to me. Watching your journey over the past decade, seeing you win that title, it taught me what I learned at the battle royal. And that’s that you are the top woman in this division. Honestly, congrats, dude, you deserve this.” Liv thanks Sol but uh, she has some nerve coming out here during LIV’S celebration!
But y’know what? Liv does appreciate those kind words. So since Sol was so nice to Liv, Liv will say this as nicely as she can. “You are no Liv Morgan, sweetie! HAHA~!” But Liv will give Sol a chance to save herself. If she ever wants to make it to a WrestleMania, she’ll get out of LIV’S ring right now! Sol says Liv is misreading this. She’s not picking a fight. But she sure won’t back down from one, either. The mics drop, the fans fire up, but Adam Pearce hurries out here. The GM says hold on, don’t get hot, he has to keep this under control! This is the biggest Monday of the year, the Raw After Mania, and Vegas is acting like they wanna see a fight. The fans cheer “YES!”
Wait, they DO wanna see the fight? Pearce calls to Jessica Karr, and he asks if she can handle this. Jess says yes, and Pearce says then it is official! Liv VS Sol, right now! Judgment Day is livid, but will Liv get her soul snatched? Or will she drag Sol into Oblivion?
Sol Ruca VS Liv Morgan w/ The Judgment Day!
Raw returns, the bell rings, and Liv runs up! Sol goes Matrix, then trips Liv to handspring and SUPERKICK! The fans cheer Sol and she whips Liv. Liv blocks, ROCKS Sol, then kicks, KICKS, and ENZI- NO, Sol ducks under! Sol waistlcoks, Liv victory rolls, ONE! Sol has it, TWO! Liv ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA, but Sol cartwheels through! DROPKICK! Sol kips up, the fans fire up, and Sol runs up in the corner to BACK BODY BLOCK! Sol then snapmares Liv and sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT but onto knees! Liv turns things around and Judgment Day coaches her up. Liv runs at the ropes but Sol ROCKS Liv!
Sol jumps up, Liv hits the ropes, and that trips Sol up! Sol falls, Liv stomps away, and Liv HAMMERS away on Sol’s back! The fans are torn as Sol writhes. Liv smiles as she steps on Sol, then drags her up. Liv whips Sol to a corner, runs up and BACK BODY BLCOK! Liv rolls, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Liv snapmares to SHOTGUN Sol down! Cover, TWO! Sol toughs it out and Liv is annoyed. Liv drags Sol up, kicks her around, then runs up, but Sol ELBOWS her away! Sol BOOTS Liv, then slips around to O’Conner- NO, Liv bucks the roll to kick low! Liv looms over Sol, brings her around, and scoops, only for Sol to slip free!
Sol waistlocks, SLAMS Liv down, then floats to a facelock. Liv wrenches out to facelock back, but the fans rally as Sol endures. Sol fights up, but Liv KNEES low! Liv CLUBS away on Sol, then scoops, but Sol slips free again. Sol shoves Liv, then runs past her! Sol handsprings through the arm-drag to X-FACTOR! The fans fire up while Liv flounders! Roxie & Raquel are worried but Sol goes to the apron. Sol goes to the corner to QUEBRADA! Down goes Liv and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Liv ROCKS Sol. Liv reels Sol in, then snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga as Liv stands again, and she hits Dos Amigas! The fans boo but Liv brings Sol up again, gives some Latina Heat, but Sol snap suplexes in return! The fans fire up while both women are down! Raquel & Roxie coach Liv up, and she fires a forearm! Sol fires back! They go back and forth, shot for shot, then Sol CHOPS! Liv CHOPS back! Sol ROCKS Liv, Liv ROCKS Sol, repeat! The fans rally behind Sol as she fires a flurry of CHOPS! Sol mule kicks, ELBOWS, then ducks to UPPERCUT! Sol whips and ELBOWS Liv, then ELBOWS her again!
Sol whips Liv to a corner, then SNAP GERMANS! Sol goes up the corner, leaps and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Liv tumbles away, and Sol kips up! The fans cheer as Sol runs and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! Liv survives and the fans are torn again. Sol goes back up the corner, “This is Awesome!” as Sol takes aim again. Liv rises, Sol leaps, but Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sol survives the counterattack and Liv is beside herself! The fans rally again as Sol crawls to a corner. Liv takes aim, runs up, OBLIV- NO, Sol handsprings through! SUPERKICK! And then SOUL SNATCHER!!! But Liv flounders right out of the ring!
The fans boo, and Sol can’t believe how close and yet so far she was! Sol just handsprings, SOL-SUKE SPECIAL! Sol takes Judgment Day down and Vegas is losing their mind! Sol then locks in on Liv, puts her in the ring, BUT ZARIA ATTACKS!! Zaria POSTS Sol, then SPINEBUSTERS her on the floor! All while Liv distracts the ref! Zaria tells Sol better get used to looking at the floor! Their Last Woman Standing match awaits for NXT Revenge, but the fans boo as Zaria leaves Sol laying. The ring count starts, Sol is still down at 5 of 10. The fans rally harder and harder but Sol is still down at 8! Sol rolls in at 9, but into OBLIVION! Cover, Liv wins!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall
New reign, same story: Liv gets help and survives. But will Liv’s luck run out some day? Will Sol make sure to get her revenge on Zaria tomorrow night? Wait, speaking of revenge, Vaquer is here! La Primera stares Liv down on stage, and warns her that this is far from over. When and where will the Dark Angel strike Liv down?
The Vision is here!
The fans boo as Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Paul Heyman walk out on stage. They may have lost at WrestleMania, but they’re still WWE World Tag Team Champions. What will their next order of business be? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns, the fans still booing, as Heyman has the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. I had a whole speech prepared, but the beginning of this entire program threw me off a bit. Y’know, my favorite part of WrestleMania has always been, ‘Expect the unexpected.’ And yesterday was a moment that was so unexpected, it will live inside my heart, and I suspect a lot of other people’s hearts for the rest of their lives.” The fans applaud, and Heyman says, “And yet, despite the fact that earlier tonight, CM Punk came out here and was kissing the asses of all the people backstage, and in the production truck, and all the people behind the scenes and how great they are…
“This supposed greatest production team of all time, when they did the Then, Now & Forever, still have MY Beast in the Now! So these STUPID B*TCHES IN THE TRUCK and in the production team just can’t take the reality of what went down yesterday! So let me bestow upon you my wisdom. Please take him out of the Now, and put him in the Forever! Because he is now the Now, and he will Forever be the BADDEST…” Heyman stomps his feet to censor himself… “That has ever been in the WWE ring! And that Beast’s name…! IS BRRRROCK! LESNAR!!!!” The fans cheer Heyman for that one! They also chant, “Thank You, Brock!”
Heyman calms down and continues to say let’s talk about the now. The now is the fact that the WWE is experiencing a resurgence in the tag team division thanks to Theory & Logan. The fans boo that one, but Heyman says they are the Heavyweight Tag Team Champions of the World, The Vision. To interrupt your regularly scheduled program, ladies and gentlemen, a personal message from Logan Paul. The fans boo furiously but Logan takes the mic. Theory pats Logan on the back and Logan holds up the title belt while he says, “The only reason that the Usos and…” The booing gets loud so Logan tries again, and again.
The only reason The Usos & LA Knight stole that victory from Logan and his “brother,” Theory, “was because of that ungrateful, backstabbing weasel, IShowSpeed!” Logan gets heated as the boos keep going, and he says he is sick of these YouTubers, these streamers, thinking they can come into OUR business and do what WE do! Logan HATES the outsiders! The fans boo Logan being a hypocrite on top of a sore loser. Logan says nothing at Mania matters! Because guess what? He left Speed with a piece of his fist lodged in Speed’s face, and STILL Tag Team Champions of The World! The fans boo more, but Heyman takes the mic back.
Heyman says, “I think it’s only fitting if we all take a moment to realize the fact, what a magnificent, magnificent favor that was done for me by Gunther. And Gunther, sir, not only do I thank you, I also realize I owe you one. Any time you’re ready, I’m willing to repay. But the best assist of the weekend belongs to the man that cut Seth Rollins in half! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back to Monday Night Raw…! BRRRON! BRRREAKKERRR!” The fans are torn as The Badass makes his entrance. Bron goes to the ring, rejoining The Vision, and Heyman hands him the mic. The fans bark, but also cheer his return.
Bron says, “I was thinking today, one year ago, ironically, is when I became the leader of The Vision, right here in this very same arena, because Seth Rollins was too weak. Now, I don’t know about you, but my favorite part about WrestleMania Weekend was watching Seth Rollins get this close to beating Gunther, and then I ruined everything for him!” The fans already sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” but Bron tells Seth, “I hope you’re back there, at home, who knows. I hope you’re watching somewhere, because from here on out, every single day from this day forward, I will be coming after you. I’m going to attack you. I’m going to make your life-”
“BURN IT DOWN!” The music hits, the fans cheer, and Rollins sides in from the crowd side! SHIELD CHAIR SHOT!! You think they’d learn by now! Rollins then JAMS Logan, but Theory DECKS Rollins! Theory rains down fists, then stands Rollins up for Logan’s ONE LUCKY RIGHT! The fans boo as The Vision mugs Rollins, then Theory shoves Rollins down. Theory drags Rollins back up, but THE STREET PROFITS are here?!? The fans cheer, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins finally return to Raw, and they’re rushing the ring! Ford & Dawkins brawl with The Vision! The fans fire up as Dawkins DECKS Logan, then CYCLONE SPLASHES!
Ford DECKS Theory, Dawkins LARIATS Logan up and out! The fans are all fired up, and Ford FLIES! Ford lands on his feet as he wipes The Vision out! Then they TOSS Logan & Theory into the crowd to keep on brawling! The fans cheer as this goes around the way and to the back! But that leaves Bron, Rollins, and a SPEAR- SUPERKICK COUNTER!! Rollins rains down fists of fury on Bron, then DRAGON STOMPS! The fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins CURB- NO, Bron dodges, to SPEAR!! Bron turns the tables on Rollins and rips off his shirt. Bron snarls while Rollins writhes, and he steps on Rollins’ neck!
Bron RIPS Rollins’ shirt away now, and he tells Rollins that he never needed his sorry ass! Bron is gonna ruin everything Rollins has ever done! The fans will only remember Rollins as a shell of his former self! Bron builds speed again, and he SPEARS Rollins again! Rollins coughs and sputters but the fans bark for Bron. Bron looms over Rollins, will nothing stop this Badass now?
JD McDonagh speaks.
“Alright, Finn. Are we done with the wigs and the makeup? Because it’s time to get serious. You brought me into the Judgment Day, you told me it was a family. But let’s put the rest of the crew aside for a second, let’s forget about them, because you ‘n’ me specifically are supposed to be family. Now you’ve changed so much I barely even recognize you anymore. You started taking your cues from CM Punk. You let him get in your head. What about me? What of the guy who stood beside you for 20 YEARS? Defending you, taking bullets for you. You walk around the clubhouse, causing fights with people, talking down to us like you’re the leader.
“You cost us gold, Finn. But ever since we jumped you out, people’ve been asking me, ‘JD, how could you do that to Finn? How could you throw away 20 years?’ You wanna know the truth? It was easy. I’d do it again. After tonight, after all this time, I’m gonna step out of that big, fat shadow that you cast. I’m gonna show the whole world what I already know: the Finn Balor we all knew and loved is dead.” Will the Irish Ace deal the death blow to The Prince?
Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh!
Raw returns as JD makes his entrance, Finn already waiting in the ring. But as soon as JD is in range, Finn WRECKS him with a dropkick! The tape around JD’s ribs is a clear target as Finn storms out after him, but JD RAMS Finn into the apron now! Then JD THROWS Finn into barriers! JD storms up but Finn DUMPS him up and over! JD tumbles, Finn FLYING FOREARMS, and the fans cheer as they brawl in the crowd! This isn’t a match yet so Finn can throw more hands without worrying about a count! The ref still follows them up into the bleachers as Finn throws hands, then brings JD around. JD kicks low, whips Finn into barriers, then runs up again!
Finn dodges to then LARIAT JD into the ringside area! The fans cheer as Finn puts JD in the ring, and now the bell sounds! Finn runs up to CHOP JD in a corner! The fans cheer as Finn CHOPS again, and Finn whips JD to ropes. JD reverses but Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for JD to ELBOW him down! The fans rally up while JD rains down fists on Finn’s head! Finn bails out while the fans chant “Bobblehead!” JD shakes his head and storms up on Finn. Finn RAMS the ribs! Then GAMANGIRIS JD down! The fans cheer as Finn goes up, COUP DE- NO, JD dodges, then he DROPKICKS Finn out of the ring! JD seethes while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as the fans rally, because JD has Finn in a chinlock. Finn endures, fights up, and fires body shots. JD scoops but Finn fights it to the EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Both men are down, Finn has blood in his mouth but fire in his eyes. The fans rally as Finn drags himself up with the ropes. Finn ROCKS JD, ROCKS him again, BODY BLOWS again and again, then trips JD to STOMP him in the ribs! The fans fire up for Finn as he stalks JD, whips, but JD reverses. Finn reverses back to SLINGBLADE! The fans cheer Finn as he goes to the corner, then takes aim> But JD knows Finn and dodges that dropkick! Jackknife bridge, TWO!
Finn kicks, JD blocks, and JD HEADBUTTS! Both men fall, JD crawls to the cover, TWO! Finn survives and JD grows frustrated. The fans rally up for Finn but JD goes to a corner. JD goes up the corner, MOONSAULTS, but into BOOTS! Finn then SHOTGUNS JD down, goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the CUOP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
Finn throws up the Too Sweet, but DIRTY DOM ATTACKS! The fans boo this sore loser as he stomps away on Finn, then rains down fists! Finn got a win on Dom, he got a win on JD, but Dom wants the last word! He dials it up, but Finn LARIATS Dom first! Finn then takes aim again, SHOTGUN! Dom hits buckles and falls into the drop zone! Finn climbs, but JD saves Dom! The fans boo, but it is clear Finn is not done exactly vengeance on Judgment Day.
Backstage interview with Gunther.
Jackie Redmond is with Der Ring General and asks how he’s feeling after the victory of Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. Gunther says he feels fantastic. He proved every word right he said about Seth. Well, on that note, were Gunther and Heyman aware of Bron Breakker’s presence that night? Gunther says first off, there is no him and Heyman. The only thing Heyman does is owe Gunther a very big favor. Jackie then asks what this favor might be. Gunther says he’s only going to say that it is something that benefits his future. And everyone better get used to seeing the World Heavyweight Championship back around Gunther’s waist very soon.
But then LA Knight steps in! The Mega Star says Gunther and the world title, it gets Knight thinking, LEMME TALK TO YA! From one Mania winner to another, congrats! Gunther must be very proud of himself! And he should! He beat Rollins, he did it! But uh, Knight knows that Gunther knows that Knight knows that Gunther knows that he’s not the only one with eyes on the world title. Seems to Knight, if we look back and do the math, one of them is a winner that needed a 2v1 advantage to make the win go down. And that wasn’t Knight, so that means it was Gunther, and that should really count as an L.
That L is short of an A and of a Knight. Why? Because there can be only one, with everybody saying L A KNIGHT, YEAH! See you around. Knight leaves, Gunther frowns, but will they have to battle it out to see who really gets first crack at the title?
Rhea and Iyo regroup backstage.
Mami says guess this is it. Let’s try not to make it forever, okay? Rhea says Iyo can handle her business here while she becomes the champion SmackDown deserves. Iyo says Rhea’s got this. They hug it out, wish each other luck and safety, and #RheYo is no more, for now. But then Liv is right around the corner. Liv hopes to see her down the line. Rhea says she’s looking forward to it. Will these forever-enemies both hold onto these belts and meet again down the line?
Roman Reigns arrives backstage!
The fans cheer already as they watch The OTC step out of his car, belt on his shoulder, and head to gorilla. Roman checks his watch, fashionably late but right on time to close the show. Roman nods to the camera as he can hear the fans singing for him already. Roman arrives at gorilla, and the Usos are there waiting for him in Las Vegas Raiders style jerseys. They dap it up, the music hits, and Roman tells them to come along for old time’s sake. The fans cheer as the OG Bloodline steps out on stage, raises their fingers to the sky, and the pyro goes off. What will The Tribal Chief have to say about his victory and his future? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns as the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman stands in the ring, soaking it all in, and has the mic to say, “Las Vegas…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and Roman continues by saying he was gonna keep it simple tonight. Roman was gonna talk about the title, about business moving forward, and about the future. But then he ran into his cousins, and uh, it just makes sense that they discuss some family business first. Roman looks to The Usos, and he says, “I miss this.” Jey says a quick, “Yeet.” Roman says he misses having their full trust. He misses having their full respect and admiration. He misses doing business with The Usos.
See, right now, this is them, as he holds up his hand with fingers apart. They’re separated and scattered, weak enough to where guys like CM Punk think they can run their mouths and get away with it. There is no limits to it! Even some rapper from the 90s is running his mouth to Jey! That’s crazy! This is Main Event Jey, The YEET Man! Vegas says “YEET!” See? Look at that! Jey changed the whole environment, and he got washed rappers running their mouths? That’s because they’re separated. This ain’t them. Roman makes a fist and says this is them! The fans cheer that! Roman says this is the power! When they all come together, nobody can touch ’em!
Roman says when they were like this, they ran this company for FOUR YEARS STRAIGHT! The fans cheer that, too! Roman says he isn’t asking them to serve him, he’s just asking they be his blood and stand with him. Fans “YEET!” Jimmy says he speaks for him and his brother when he says this: Roman IS The OTC, he’ll always be their Tribal Chief. Any time The Bloodline in your city, everybody already know, they the twos and #WeTheOnes! Jimmy drops his mic and puts up his finger. The fans cheer as Jey does the same! Roman raises his finger, but JACOB FATU is here?! The fans cheer as The Samoan Werewolf goes to the ring!
Fatu, victorious off his unsanctioned and violent match with Drew McIntyre, now joins his cousins in the ring, mic already in hand. The fans cheer Fatu as he looks at Roman & The Usos. Roman says it’s been awhile since they last saw each other. There can only be two reasons why Fatu is out here. It’s either to ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, but then Fatu says nah, that ain’t it! Then it must be because Fatu wants the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Fatu says he doesn’t want that title, he NEEDS it! Fatu says he’ll make it clear that he isn’t here to be Tribal Chief, but he needs everything that the Tribal Chief has!
Fatu needs the shoe deal, the private jets, the Rolex, the cars, the house, and to put his kids in better schools! Fatu will do anything for his family, even if he has to dogwalk Roman! So at Backlash, Fatu’s upgrading! At Backlash, Fatu’s levelin’ up his household! And at Backlash, you gonna know Jacob Fatu is ALL GAS, NO BRAKES WITH IT! YADADADADA MEAN?! FATUUU~! The fans cheer that while Roman is stone faced. Roman says he agrees, he wants those things for Fatu, too. Maybe Fatu can be world champion. Maybe. But the question is, if he can beat Roman, can he handle the burden of the title?
Then we have to look at it the other way: If Fatu can’t beat Roman, can he handle the burden of having to ACKNOWLEDGE HIM?! Understand this, Fatu. The air is thin and the footing is shaky at the top of the mountain. But Roman will give Fatu the rest of the week to think about it. This isn’t a yes but this isn’t a no. Roman wants Fatu to be sure he’s ready. Roman will see Fatu next week on Raw. Later, cousin. The Tribal Chief puts the ball in Fatu’s court, but will Fatu still be game for a match with Roman Reigns?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw After Mania here, though a bit sparse on the match number. Well, those were still really good matches, with a very good call-up for Ethan Page and at least a tease of where Sol Ruca will go for her call-up. Good combination of stories with Ethan, Rusev, Evans and Penta. All roads should lead to the Intercontinental Championship, and they can certainly do something for Backlash. Maybe not as big as WrestleMania with that ladder match, but we can get a great 1v1 of Penta and any of those choices. Good match for Liv VS Sol but of course Zaria interfered. Just not sure if this means the go-home math tips the scales back in Sol’s favor.
Very good promo from Kabuki Warriors ahead of their match with Rhea & Iyo. It makes sense for Rhea & Iyo to win to add heat to the Iyo-Asuka-Kairi triangle. Rhea is now moved to SmackDown, but I did like Liv having a sarcastic goodbye for Rhea. There is a good chance we see Liv and Rhea fighting over the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship or something. Great stuff with Finn VS JD, both the promos and the match, and great win for Finn. Dom attacking made sense, and Finn turning things around on him was good, too. Not sure Finn needs an ally, not sure if he gets one, but I’m not sure what else is supposed to happen aside from Finn VS Dom again.
Very good stuff with Oba, and he didn’t have to say much, we’re all still buzzing from Oba winning. It was kinda like the flipside to when Roman reveled in the booing after beating The Undertaker, where he also only had to say one line to get the fans all heated. Heyman had a great promo as part of the sendoff for Lesnar. Logan had a decent promo, playing up getting flustered by the fans, and then Bron had a great part for Rollins to interrupt. The Street Profits returning was a great surprise, and perhaps they and Rollins go against The Vision now. Bron standing tall works for his full return, and we’ll get some good stuff on the way to Backlash.
Good promo from Gunther and LA Knight, they can definitely have a good feud in the background of the world title story, since we now see it will be Roman VS Fatu. Fatu must be the unofficial trade for Rhea, and great stuff with Fatu and the OG Bloodline. I can’t imagine Roman’s new reign being under a month, but we’re gonna get some good stuff in this not quite Bloodline reunion story. And great promo from Punk and Cody, but I almost thought Cody was going to give up the title. The nasty black eye Cody’s got, there was perhaps an assumption from dirt sheets that he was going to be out of action. Now, maybe something happens on SmackDown to establish that, but we could see Punk win the world title and undisputed title within six months of each other.
My Score: 8.8/10
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