The CW and Netflix will air a new episode of WWE NXT tonight, with Vic Joseph and Booker T at the commentary table, live from the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The show will feature several matches and segments of interest, including a one-on-one between Grayson Waller and Cruz Montana for a title opportunity at NXT Heatwave.
Additionally, Zaria will defend the NXT Women's North American Championship against Wren Sinclair. Also, Shawn Spears and Lizzy Rain will team up against The Culling in a mixed tag team match. As always, we invite you to comment on the article to give your opinion on what happened on the show.
WWE NXT starts on Netflix!
We see a video recap of last week's episode.
We see a concerned Lizzy Rain waiting for Shawn Spears at the Gorilla Position. "Where the hell is Spears, man!?", she exclaims. Izzi Dame and Niko Vance approach her. Dame laughs. "We told you he would do this," Vance says. The members of The Culling head to the ring. "Looks like I'll have to handle this on my own," says Rain.
Izzi and Niko make their entrance to the ring. Rain is the next to appear. The Brit wastes no time running into the ring to go after Dame, prompting the referee to start the match.
Mixed Tag Team Match
The Culling (Izzi Dame and Niko Vance) vs. Lizzy Rain and EK Prosper
Rain surprises Dame with a dropkick. Izzi blocks a suplex to deliver a big boot. Dame takes the Brit to one of the corners to unleash a flurry of corner spears. After that, she takes her down to the mat. 1..2..NO. Dame and Lizzy exchange attacks. Rain surprises her opponent with an elbow. Izzi ends up in his corner, where he quickly tags in Niko. Both approach Lizzy, who is at a numerical disadvantage. Or maybe not...
Ek Prosper appears on the scene!
Vance goes after EK Prosper, but he quickly passes by him to execute an Asai Moonsault. EK Prosper brings Niko back into the ring before launching a diving crossbody. Vance stops him in mid-air. EK Prosper escapes from his opponent's clutches to unleash a rain of chops. EK Prosper surprises Niko with a dropkick.
The action continues. EK Prosper surprises Niko with another dropkick. Izzi tries to intervene, but soon finds herself face to face with Rain. She and EK Prosper deliver a rain of chops to their opponents in opposite corners. "Make it Rain!", the fans chant with each impact. Lizzy and EK Prosper finish off their opponents with a parallel tornado DDT. Izzi ends up at ringside.
Lizzy tries to kick Dame with a Penalty Kick. The member of The Culling blocks the kick to make Rain fall on the apron. Izzi throws the Brit against the metal steps. Dame takes her opponent back into the ring to execute several corner spears. Izzi finishes off Lizzy with a clothesline. 1..2..NO.
Rain escapes from her opponent by applying an enzuigiri. Lizzy tags in EK Prosper, who enters with full force. EK Prosper seeks height in one of the corners. Izzi approaches him, distracting him long enough for Niko to catch his breath. EK Prosper jumps on Vance, but he stops him in mid-air to respond with a spinning facebuster.
Niko continues to punish EK Prosper. He surprises his opponent (we don't see how on screen). Both men are left lying on the mat. EK Prosper tags in Lizzy, who enters with renewed strength. Rain applies a hurricanrana on Izzi from the second rope before finishing her off with a Death Valley Driver. 1..2..NO. Niko grabs the Brit's legs to interrupt the count.
Chaos takes over the ring. EK Prosper kicks Vance with an enzuigiri. Meanwhile, Dame surprises Lizzy with a clothesline. EK Prosper attacks Niko once again, this time in one of the corners. EK Prosper turns around, only to be surprised with a crucifix bomb by Izzi. Vance finishes him off with a diving headbutt. 1..2..NO. Niko can't believe it. "NXT! NXT!", chant the fans.
The action continues. Vance blocks a facebreaker from Lizzy to throw her towards Izzi, who receives her with a sit-out powerbomb. 1..2..NO. "This is amazing!", chant the fans. Chaos takes over the ring once again. Lizzy gets rid of Dame with a flying uppercut before executing a ThunderStruck on Niko. EK Prosper continues the assault on Vance by executing a Shining Wizard, followed by a beautiful moonsault with a twist. 1..2..3.
Winners: EK Prosper and Lizzy Rain
We see a video recorded in the men's locker room last week. Tavion Heights and Myles Borne were congratulated by much of the tag team division of the brand, some of whom were quick to nominate themselves as future challengers for the championships now held by the former members of No Quarter Catch Crew. Heights praised the division, noting that it was full of great teams. He also stated that Myles and he would be defending champions, so they would not hesitate to put their belts on the line against anyone. Romeo Moreno soon asked for an opportunity, but was quickly interrupted by his partner Noam Dar. The Scotsman pointed out that there would be time for that, as that night was for the new champions to celebrate. Borne and Heights went straight to the shower as the rest of their teammates bid them farewell with applause.
We move to the NXT infirmary. There we see Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey, the latter still with a bandage on her right ear. The doctor indicates that her wound is almost healed, but she won't be medically cleared until next week. "Okay," says Kendal. She and Sinclair head to the ring for the next segment of the night.
Emily Agard interviews EK Prosper and Lizzy Rain backstage when Kali Armstrong bursts onto the scene. Armstrong snatches the microphone from Agard and heads to the ring. Kali knows that Kelani Grey is about to come out, and now that her rivalry with Lola Vice is over, she demands a shot at the NXT Women's Championship. However, before she can enter the ring, Armstrong receives an unexpected visitor.
Kelani Jordan makes her entrance. Jordan doesn't want to hear what Kali has to say because she already knows what it's about. Armstrong believes she deserves a title shot, but she's mistaken. Kelani reminds her that she defeated her in the triple threat they had a few weeks ago (whether the referee saw it or not). Jordan doesn't mean that Kali should be at the back of the line, but there's no way she can be ahead of her.
Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair appear on the scene!
Grey goes straight to Jordan to point out that everyone is tired of hearing the same story over and over again. Kendal knew in advance that Kelani would come out tonight to claim she deserves a title shot. That's why she decided to get ahead and talk to Robert Stone to schedule a title match. Grey hands the contract to Jordan. "No matches to determine the number one contender. No tournaments. Just a one-on-one between the champion and The Standard to see who's the best. Choose a date and a place," says Kelani.
Upset, Armstrong asks Kendal when they will talk about her title shot. Grey promises her that she will get what she wants once she's done with Kelani. She, on the other hand, already has a date in mind for her match. Since the fans at the Performance Center don't deserve the privilege of seeing her win her first major championship in NXT, she decides the fight will take place at the biggest summer event, Heatwave, in the state of Texas. Jordan signs the contract before returning it to the champion. She promises her that at Heatwave, she will find out that she is not at her level.
Furious, Kali insists that she has come for her title shot. Sinclair steps forward to remind Armstrong that she will get what she wants after Heatwave. Kali ends the conversation by throwing a punch. Wren ducks to dodge it, but her partner is not so lucky. Kendal ends up lying on the mat. Furious, Sinclair launches an attack. The WWE Speed Champion hits Jordan and Armstrong, who quickly join forces to finish her off. Kali and Kelani face off while Grey and Sinclair remain lying on the mat. And so we reach the end of this segment.
We move backstage, where Cruz Montana thanks Robert Stone for the opportunity tonight. Montana assures him that he will teach Grayson Waller a lesson. Keanu Carver appears on the scene, apparently upset. "Are you telling me that two newcomers already have a title opportunity match?", asks the NXT General Manager. Carver confronts Cruz. "What's up?", asks Montana. "Good luck tonight, man," Keanu replies as he pats the Puerto Rican's shoulder. Carver continues on his way, leaving behind a surprised Montana and Stone. The latter decides to go after Carver to ask him about his recent and calm new attitude. "I'm just figuring out how things work around here," Carver replies. "A trouble-free match against EK last week. You liked it, right?", he asks Stone. "It was impressive, yes," acknowledges the General Manager. "There's a lot more coming. You haven't seen anything yet," says Keanu with a serious face before leaving.
Dion Lennox (with Cutler James and Osiris Griffin) vs. Saquon Shugars
Lennox charges at Shugars as he leaves his baseball bat on the metal steps. Saquon jumps over his opponent to avoid the attack. Shugars knocks down Dion with an enzuigiri. The action continues. Saquon throws Lennox out of the ring with a dropkick. Shugars charges at his enemy once again, hitting him with a rope dropkick.
Lennox returns to the ring to continue the fight. Saquon kicks Dion's face. Shugars gains momentum on the ropes, at which point James and Griffin grab his legs to unbalance him. This way, Lennox takes control. Dion catches Saquon in a sleeperhold. Shugars dodges a charge from his opponent in one of the corners to start a counterattack. Lennox ends up at ringside. Saquon takes him back, at which point James and Griffin approach him threateningly.
Saquon heads to the metal steps to pick up his bat. Shugars threatens his former teammates, who start to retreat. Dion approaches the ropes to snatch the bat from him. Lennox tries to use it against his opponent, but he dodges it to respond with an enzuigiri. The referee picks up the bat from the mat, a moment that Cutler and Osiris take advantage of to throw Shugars onto the commentary table. After that, they take him back to the ring, where Dion finishes him off with a powerslam. 1..2..3.
Winner: Dion Lennox
DarkState launches a post-match assault on Shugars, applying a triple powerbomb to him. Dion, Osiris, and Cutler pose victoriously over their former teammate to end this segment.
Robert Stone has a phone conversation with Rey Mysterio to organize a fatal four-way match that will determine the next challenger for the AAA Cruiserweight Championship, currently held by Rey Fenix. Mysterio proposes EK Prosper as one of the participants, especially after his great performance tonight. Stone agrees with the AAA General Manager, as EK Prosper couldn't compete for the Latin American Championship a few weeks ago due to El Hijo del Vikingo's unfortunate injury. Mysterio proposes La Parka as the second participant. Stone thinks it's perfect. Mysterio points out that he has matters to attend to, so he leaves the General Manager to choose the other two participants. Both men say goodbye, at which point the segment comes to an end.
We move to the infirmary, where a sore Saquon Shugars is being attended to. Grayson Waller appears on the scene to order the doctor to leave the place. The Australian drops a smartphone on Saquon. "'I'm going to bury you.' Are you kidding? Are you feeling good about that? These guys walk all over you without a second thought. How about you stop feeling sorry for yourself and do something about it?", asks the Australian before leaving. Shugars stands up to pick up his baseball bat and a metal chair. After that, he quickly leaves the infirmary.
Match for the NXT Women's North American Championship
Zaria (c) vs. Wren Sinclair
Sinclair seeks a quick victory with several roll-ups, but Zaria doesn't allow it. The Australian launches a strong offensive against Wren, kicking her head in one of the corners. 1..2..NO. Wren recovers to launch a quick counterattack, but a big boot stops her momentum. 1..2..NO. Zaria throws Sinclair against one of the corners, where she tries to strangle her. Wren frees herself with an elbow to hit her opponent's right arm with the help of the ropes.
Sinclair executes a corner-sliding dropkick before taking Zaria back into the ring. Zaria blocks an Octopus Hold to respond with a punch. The Australian focuses her punishment on Wren's left arm. Zaria traps her opponent's arm in a painful submission hold. Sinclair throws several punches to free herself. Zaria executes a facebuster on Wren before kicking her face repeatedly. Furious, Wren blocks a kick to respond with several attacks.
Sinclair kicks Zaria before launching a diving crossbody. Wren continues her offensive until Zaria stops her with a knee strike. Sinclair blocks an F5 to look for the Cattle Mutilation, but her opponent clings to the ropes to avoid it. The Australian surprises Wren with a spear. Both women are left lying on the mat. At that moment, Saquon Shugars bursts onto the scene chasing Dion Lennox.
The fight between the two men reaches the ring. Cutler James and Osiris Griffin quickly appear, with several officials trying to stop them. James enters the ring with the intention of hitting Shugars with a metal chair, but his former teammate is already at ringside. Furious at the interruption, Wren kicks Cutler with a dropkick, throwing him out of the ring. The distraction allows Zaria to surprise Sinclair with an F5. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL NXT Women's North American Champion: Zaria
Shiloh Hill posts a new video on Instagram to provide an update on his injury. Hill reveals that his jaw fracture is healing faster than expected. So much so that even the doctor treating him has been surprised. Shiloh has been cleared to compete as long as he feels well enough to do so. That is why he wrestled with a protective mask at the two live events that took place last weekend. However, he has still not been medically cleared to wrestle on NXT's televised programming. Shiloh revisits the last topic he discussed last week: the mist that many Japanese talents often use in their matches. Hill has discovered that different colors are used because each one has a meaning. Shiloh promises to look further into it this week. Hill says goodbye, bringing the video to an end.
Mason Rook vs. Kam Hendrix
Hendrix pushes Rook. He responds emphatically, taking his opponent down time and again with astonishing ease. Mason executes a powerslam on Kam. The latter comes back at him, only to be sent flying with a body drop. Hendrix runs toward the Brit once again, and once again he is sent flying with a body drop. Kam uses the ropes to catch Rook off guard. In doing so, he takes control of the match.
Hendrix punishes the Brit in one of the corners before executing a clothesline. Kam keeps attacking Rook. He recovers, only to be hit with a spinebuster. 1..2..NO. Hendrix slams Mason's face into the mat. After that, he unleashes a combination of attacks on his opponent. He responds with a series of punches. Mason crushes Kam with a crossbody. Rook executes two corner splashes on Kam in opposite corners before taking him down with a powerslam. The Brit finishes him off with a senton.
Mason continues to strike Hendrix, taking him down with a german suplex. Kam takes refuge in one of the corners, where he quickly removes one of the turnbuckle pads. At that moment, Rook crushes him with another corner splash. Hendrix takes the turnbuckle pad with him. Mason executes a Blue Thunder Bomb. 1..2..NO. "You wanted this," Rook tells Kam before hoisting him onto his shoulders. The Brit is about to execute a corner cannonball, but Hendrix escapes his grasp and shoves him into the unprotected turnbuckle. Mason's face crashes into the metal. Kam kicks his opponent in the head before covering him. 1..2..3.
Winner: Kam Hendrix
Robert Stone talks with The Vanity Project in full in his office. The faction expects the General Manager to finally acknowledge that they are the best talents on the brand. Tavion Heights and Myles Borne appear on the scene. Ricky Smokes accuses them of stealing the NXT Tag Team Championships from them, but promises that they will soon win them back. Stone ends the argument before it even begins to inform those present that he will do for Vanity Project the same thing he did for Myles and Tavion a few weeks ago. If Jackson Drake wins his match next week, he will receive an opportunity at the NXT North American Championship. In addition, Smokes and Brad Baylor will have a rematch for the tag team titles. If he loses, they will have nothing. Jackson assures his teammates that they have nothing to worry about, as he will take care of everything. Drake points out that the two title matches he will undoubtedly win next week will take place at NXT Heatwave. "You want me to wrestle twice on the same night?", Borne asks Drake. Stone points out that the dates have not yet been confirmed. Tavion insists that they are champions who will defend their titles, but he is not willing to accept that his partner might have to wrestle twice on the same night. Myles, however, has no problem with it. "If Jackson wins, I'll wrestle twice," says Borne. With that, he asks Stone who Drake's opponent will be next week. The General Manager replies that it is Shiloh Hill. The news does not please The Vanity Project. The Tag Team Champions leave the office while Drake, Baylor, and Smokes argue with the General Manager.
Lucien Price gets ready backstage before his match tonight. His partner, Bronco Nima, indicates that it is time to make their way out. "Time to eat," he says. Price places his hand on his partner's shoulder. "I've got this. Plan B," says Lucien before making his way to the ring alone.
Lexis King (with Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, Charlie Dempsey, Arianna Grace and Uriah Connors) vs. Lucien Price
Lexis extends his hand toward Lucien, apparently intending to shake it. Lorenzo gets up on the apron, distracting Price, who receives a chop from the WWE Speed Champion. King charges at Price, who greets him with a tremendous, resounding chop. Lexis' chest turns red. King seeks refuge at ringside. Connors distracts Lucien, allowing Lexis to catch his opponent off guard with a kick directly to the face.
King focuses his punishment on his opponent's left arm. We see blood beginning to seep from Lexis' chest. Price breaks free to launch a counterattack on King. Lucien stops a diving crossbody and responds with a backbreaker. Once again, Lorenzo tries to distract Price, but he quickly knocks him off the apron. Lucien dodges a kick from Lexis and counters with a decisive chokeslam. 1..2..3.
Winner: Lucien Price
Robert Stone is talking to someone on the phone when Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair appear on the scene. Sinclair asks the General Manager for another opportunity at the North American Championship, arguing that Saquon Shugars' interference (despite her trying to be nice to him) worked against her. Stone promises to think about it. However, that promise is not enough for her, so she proposes putting her WWE Speed Championship (which means a lot to Zaria due to her past with Sol Ruca) on the line in a title unification match at NXT Heatwave. The General Manager likes the idea and approves it. Stone informs Wren and Kendal that next week they will face Kelani Jordan and Kali Armstrong in a tag team match. Sinclair is not sure about it, as her partner is not in any condition to wrestle. Grey assures her that she will be fine, as she will be medically cleared in seven days. Kendal promises her partner that they will leave Heatwave with all the women's gold around their waists. But first, next week, they will show everyone what happens when you mess with WrenQCC.
Jaida Parker and Thea Hail talk backstage. Thea confesses that, despite her victory last week, she still does not feel satisfied. She needs to defeat Nattie to teach her a lesson. Parker advises her not to do it. She has already faced the Canadian, and can assure her that she is no easy opponent. That is why she asks her to let her handle it. Thea points out that this is precisely why she has to do it. Little by little, she is starting to gain confidence and feel like she belongs here. And she owes some of that confidence to Jaida. "I hadn't had a friend in a long time, and it feels really good," says Hail. Parker understands her point of view, so she wishes her luck. They bump fists. Jaida is about to leave, but Thea grabs her hand to stop her. "You'll be there, right?", Hail asks. "For you? Of course," Parker replies. Thea gets up to hug Jaida. And that brings this segment to an end.
We see a nervous Romeo Moreno informing Noam Dar that he has to turn down an offer from Robert Stone. The Scot asks him what it is. Moreno explains that the General Manager has offered him a spot in the four-way match that will determine the next challenger for the AAA Cruiserweight Championship. However, he cannot do it, as that could mean putting aside the team he has built with Dar. Dar, for his part, advises him not to turn down the opportunity. Especially knowing how much the Spaniard enjoyed the Cruiserweight Classic tournament. Dar points out that he is just two victories away from winning his first title, so he encourages him to go for it. And once he gets the belt, the two of them can celebrate. Tristan Angels appears on the scene to reveal that he is the fourth participant in that match, making the Spaniard's presence completely irrelevant. Angels acknowledges that he is not a cruiserweight wrestler, but his waist can accommodate any championship he wants. "I'm going to extinguish Rey Fenix's flame and become champion after getting rid of you, EK, and that bag of bones, La Parka," says the Brit before walking away.
Tony D'Angelo makes his entrance to join the commentary team for tonight's main event.
Match for an opportunity at the NXT Championship at Heatwave
Grayson Waller vs. Cruz Montana
Waller tries to kick Montana as if this were an MMA fight. Cruz remains motionless in the center of the ring. "What are you doing!? Did we come here to fight?!", Cruz exclaims. Both men grapple. Grayson corners his opponent in one of the corners, forcing the referee to intervene. Waller takes advantage of the moment to throw an unexpected right hand at Montana.
Cruz quickly recovers, but Grayson once again resorts to dirty tactics (this time with a direct attack to the throat) to regain control. The Australian takes his opponent down before kicking him in the back of the neck with a dropkick. Waller applies a suplex to Montana. Grayson repeatedly kicks his opponent's face with disdain. Furious, Cruz takes Grayson toward one of the corners to deliver a resounding chop. Montana repeats the move in the opposite corner.
Cruz takes the Australian down before hitting him with a senton. Waller seeks refuge at ringside. Montana doesn't think twice and uses the ropes to launch himself with a tremendous suicide dive. Waller goes flying over the commentary table. Cruz stands on top of it and addresses D'Angelo. "I told you! That title is mine," he says while placing his hands around his waist.
Montana continues to strike Grayson, hitting him with several chops next to the crowd barrier. Cruz takes him back inside the ring. The Australian kicks Montana's legs, preventing him from following. After that, he slides underneath the bottom rope to return to ringside and hits Cruz with a clothesline. Waller applies a Russian Leg Sweep to his opponent on the apron. "I'm in charge of NXT," he exclaims to the camera before continuing his assault on the former TNA World Champion.
Waller takes Cruz back inside the ring. The Australian hits him with a chop in one of the corners before sending him into the opposite corner. Grayson focuses his punishment on his opponent's back. He tries to recover, but Waller crushes his back with a double footstomp. Cruz catches Grayson with a superplex. Montana continues striking his opponent, taking him down with a flying clothesline.
The action continues. Waller catches Cruz with a knee strike. Montana responds with a facebuster. Grayson uses the ropes to build momentum and runs toward the Puerto Rican, who catches him with a Death Valley Driver. 1..2..NO. Waller blocks a powerbomb, but there is nothing he can do to stop a Rolling Back 50. 1..2..NO. Montana prepares to execute his finisher, at which point Grayson seeks refuge on the apron.
Cruz heads toward Waller's position to kick him. The Australian ends up at ringside. Montana prepares to dive onto his opponent, but the latter stops him with a knee strike. Grayson returns to the ring to execute a Rolling Thunder Flatliner. 1..2..NO. Cruz and Grayson exchange attacks. Waller kicks Montana in one of the corners before crushing him with a stomp. 1..2..NO. Grayson climbs up to launch himself with a diving elbowdrop from the second rope. 1..2..NO.
Montana stops another diving elbowdrop with an Electric Chair. Grayson seeks refuge near the ropes. Cruz approaches him, only to be caught with a Rope Guillotine. Waller prepares to execute a second Rolling Thunder Flatliner, but Cruz stops him with a Spin the Block! Both men lie motionless on the mat. Suddenly, the fans go wild. We soon find out why.
Zilla Fatu appears on the scene!
Fatu catches Montana off guard, hitting him with a samoan drop. After that, he knocks Waller out with a Superman Punch. Zilla climbs up to execute a Diving Splash on Cruz. He then repeats the move on Grayson.
No Contest
Fatu heads toward the ropes to exchange looks with Tony D'Angelo. "I need that!", he exclaims while pointing at the NXT Championship. Zilla proclaims himself the brand's new sheriff. "Fatu! Fatu!", the fans chant as this week's show comes to an end.
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