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 fatal four-way match for an opportunity for the AAA Cruiserweight World Championship.
Additionally, Thea Hail will face off against Nattie one-on-one. On the other hand, WrenQCC will take on Kelani Jordan and Kali Armstrong in a 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, with Zilla Fatu's interruption in the main event of the night.
Cruz Montana is the first to appear on the show. The Puerto Rican heads to the ring, where he wastes no time in speaking up. "NXT! How are you?" Cruz exclaims. He wants to get straight to the point, so he addresses Zilla Fatu directly to ask where he is. Cruz recalls Fatu's statements when he arrived at NXT, insisting that his main goal is to conquer the brand's top championship. In fact, tonight he should be in front of the fans as the new title contender. But it's not the case, all because of the Samoan. Montana wants to make it clear that he will not allow Zilla to interfere in his path. At that moment, a WWE team member approaches the ropes to inform Cruz that Fatu is not in the building. News that doesn't surprise the Puerto Rican, who is about to send a new message. However...
Rey Fenix interrupts the segment!
"I'm happy to see you again, brother," says Fenix as he heads to the ring. The masked man wants to make it clear that he has come to NXT to find out who he will defend the AAA Cruiserweight World Championship against next week. "But if someone costs me a title shot - and you know me - I'll be ready for them too," says Fenix. "Brother, believe me. I'm with you". Montana addresses the masked man, recalling that they share a lot of history. "We've faced each other to the death in the independent circuit, in AAA, and in TNA. Damn, we've taken each other to Hell and back, right? But let me tell you something. I respect you for how you behave, for how you proudly represent our Latin culture. So you have the floor", says Cruz. He addresses the camera directly. "They say the most dangerous place in NXT is out there, in that parking lot. So I'll be waiting for you out there, Zilla. What do you think?", says Montana. He bids farewell to Rey to head outside the venue. Rey, for his part, poses with the championship.
Fatal four-way match for an opportunity for the AAA Cruiserweight World Championship
Romeo Moreno (with Noam Dar) vs. La Parka vs. Tristan Angels vs. EK Prosper
Tristan quickly eliminates La Parka from the ring. The Brit turns around, at which point EK Prosper and Romeo hit him with a stereo superkick. Moreno and EK Prosper continue the fast-paced fight. Suddenly, EK Prosper performs a suicide dive on Angels. Romeo kicks EK Prosper with a Penalty Kick from the apron area before returning to the ring. The action continues. Moreno hits EK Prosper with a dropkick, who in turn executes a DDT on La Parka.
La Parka recovers to deal with Tristan and Romeo until EK Prosper returns. He kicks Moreno with a dropkick while performing a moonsault on La Parka. 1..2..NO. The action moves to ringside. Moreno jumps on Angels and EK Prosper with a diving crossbody. It's La Parka's turn, who performs a moonsault on all his rivals. La Parka takes Romeo back into the ring. Tristan grabs one of the masked man's legs to prevent him from entering the ring.
The Brit punishes the Spaniard while preventing EK Prosper and La Parka from returning to the ring. Angels performs a backbreaker on Romeo, followed by a suplex. 1..2..NO. Tristan knocks down Moreno with a clothesline, at which EK Prosper returns. Angels surprises EK Prosper with a backstabber. La Parka returns to launch an assault on the Brit, but he immobilizes him on the ropes to perform a new backstabber. 1..2..NO.
Tristan hits EK Prosper's head against the apron before returning to Romeo, whom he surprises with an enzuigiri in the upper corner area. EK Prosper returns to attack Angels. La Parka jumps with a springboard to land on the Brit. EK Prosper and La Parka kick each other at the same time. Moreno jumps on both with a double Missile Dropkick. "NXT, NXT!" chant the fans. EK Prosper takes the lead, but receives a kick from Tristan, who finishes him with a suplex. 1..2..NO. Romeo interrupts the count.
Moreno performs a suplex on Tristan before seeking height. However, La Parka surprises the Spaniard with a Spanish fly. 1..2..NO. EK Prosper interrupts the count with a frog splash. EK Prosper and Tristan exchange kicks, giving two to Romeo. EK Prosper surprises Angels with a running knee strike. A knocked-out Moreno collapses on the Brit. 1..2..NO. La Parka interrupts the count.
The action doesn't stop. La Parka knocks down Romeo with a spinning slam. Angels immediately expels the Mexican from the ring to cover Moreno. 1..2..NO. EK Prosper interrupts the count with a running kick. EK Prosper performs a second running kick, this time on Romeo, whom he finishes with a moonsault with a twist. 1..2..3.
Winner: EK Prosper
Rey Fenix enters the ring to personally congratulate EK Prosper. Both men shake hands as a sign of respect before their match next week.
Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair converse backstage before their match tonight. Grey makes it clear to her partner that she is ready for action just as she was at the recent live non-televised events of the brand. At that moment, The Vanity Project appear in full force. Brad Baylor approaches Grey to offer all the help she needs. "Of course not," Kendal replies after pretending to be excited about the proposal. "You remind me of the guys I had to deal with in high school. They were also a bunch of kids", she adds. Ricky Smokes reproaches Grey for her response, pointing out that they just wanted to give them some advice before their tag team match. Wren indicates that they don't need advice, especially from a group that lost the NXT Tag Team Championships. Jackson Drake assures that the belts will return to the faction when he defeats Shiloh Hill tonight to earn that title opportunity. Wren and Kendal defend Shiloh, pointing out that he is a smart and very special guy. On the other hand, the members of Vanity Project don't seem like much. Sinclair and Grey believe they spend too much time looking in the mirror and not enough time training. So much so that Myka Lockwood seems like the "Vanity" of the group, while Baylor, Smokes, and Drake are simply the "Project". "In any case, good luck in Texas, guys, but the only team that will leave the event with all the gold will be WrenQCC", says Kendal. She and Wren leave the place. Jackson is not happy with what happened. In fact, he asks Myka why she let them talk to them like that. Lockwood advises him to win his match tonight to prove them wrong.
Thea Hail (with Jaida Parker) vs. Nattie (with Nikkita Lyons and Karmen Petrovic)
Nattie knocks down Thea to look for a Sharpshooter, but her opponent doesn't allow it. Hail and Nattie exchange slaps and shoves. Nattie traps Thea in a headlock on the mat. "Thea! Thea!" chant the fans. Hail frees herself to jump on the Canadian with a Lou Thesz. Nattie seeks refuge at ringside with her partners. Thea doesn't think twice and jumps on all of them with a suicide dive.
Hail takes Nattie back into the ring. Thea focuses her punishment on the Canadian's left arm. She dodges a double knee drop to respond with La Tapatía. Nattie pushes her opponent against the ropes, which she uses as an improvised weapon. Thea blocks a suplex to apply a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Nattie immediately responds with a clothesline.
Nattie approaches the ropes to taunt Jaida, a moment that Hail takes advantage of to surprise her with a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Nattie silences the fans. "Nattie stinks!" respond the fans. The Canadian traps her opponent in a painful submission hold. Thea frees herself to look for a Kimura Lock. Nattie carries her rival against one of the corners to free herself.
Thea crushes Nattie in one of the corners before applying a Fisherman Buster. Both women exchange roll-ups. Thea surprises Nattie with a headbutt before performing a bodyslam. Nattie dodges the impact of a springboard senton but is surprised with a Kimura Lock. The Canadian carries her rival to drop her on the mat, thus escaping the hold. Nattie traps Thea in a Sharpshooter. Hail tries to reach the ropes, but the Canadian doesn't allow it. Unable to withstand the pain, Thea surrenders.
Winner by submission: Nattie
Nikkita and Karmen immobilize Parker in the ring to force her to watch as Nattie applies a Sharpshooter on Hail again. The Canadian looks directly into Jaida's eyes with a satisfied face. Once satisfied, the heels leave the ring. Parker approaches a pained Thea to attend to her.
Bronco Nima approaches Lucien Price in the locker room. Nima understands that his partner wants to do things on his own, but they both know that Lexis King will have the help of BirthRight tonight, especially considering it's a title match. "You're right. I appreciate it. But I did it alone last week and I'll do it alone tonight," says Lucien as he fist bumps Bronco. He understands Price's stance, so all that's left is to wish him luck, hoping he brings the WWE Speed Championship to OTM. Lucien heads to the ring to end this segment.
WWE Speed Championship Match (5-minute time limit)
Lexis King (c) (with Arianna Grace, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, Uriah Connors, and Charlie Dempsey) vs. Lucien Price
Lucien quickly knocks down Lexis with a superkick. 1..2..NO. BirthRight grab their partner's legs to pull him out of the ring. Price goes after the champion, but his partners protect him. King continues to waste time while playing cat and mouse with his opponent. Lucien chops Lexis hard on the apron. "Once more!" chant the fans. Price takes King back into the ring to crush him in one of the corners.
Lexis kicks Price, who responds with another loud chop. King seeks refuge on the apron. Lucien approaches the ropes, only to receive the impact of a Guillotine Rope. Lexis performs a DDT on the challenger. 1..2..NO. King kicks his opponent near the ropes. Price stops one of the kicks to start a counterattack.
Lucien performs an uranage on the champion, whom he takes to the top of one of the corners. Price carries his rival, ready to perform a powerbomb. At that moment, Grace and Lorenzo distract the referee. Uriah and Dempsey take advantage to grab Lucien's legs and make him fall. Lexis lands on his chest. King finishes Price with The Coronation. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL WWE Speed Champion: Lexis King (4:35)
After the match, BirthRight launch an assault on Lucien. Bronco Nima quickly comes to the ring to help his partner get rid of his attackers. Both men silently observe each other on the mat before embracing. This concludes this segment.
Grayson Waller makes his entrance into the ring. "For weeks, I've been asking for someone to end Grayson Waller's control over NXT. But instead of one of those TikTok guys doing something, somehow I have to deal with another Samoan trying to take food off my table. But you made a big mistake, Zilla, because unlike the others, I'm not afraid of you, or your family. I'm from West Sydney. I've been dealing with losers all my life," he says. Waller describes Zilla as another black sheep of the family, and he's happy for him now that he no longer needs an electronic ankle monitor to move freely. "You chose the wrong night, the wrong show, and most importantly, the wrong guy at the wrong time. You can't handle this version of Grayson Waller. Last week, I was going to become the number one contender for the NXT Championship until you got involved. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm the number one contender for the NXT Championship," says the Australian.
Tony D'Angelo interrupts the scene!
The champion has no problem with Waller considering himself a contender, as it will make his job easier to take them all down one by one. "I don't care where you come from: Japan, TNA, Raw, The Island of Irrelevance... All I know is that I'll knock you all down", he says.
Cruz Montana appears in the crowd area!
Montana makes it clear to Tony that he won't be able to keep that promise when he faces him. On the other hand, he wonders what Waller has smoked to claim he's the number one contender. Maybe last week he hit him too hard, and now he's just talking nonsense because before Zilla interrupted the match, the Puerto Rican was about to finish off Grayson. Cruz suggests they both finish what they started last week to determine who should face Tony for the gold.
Robert Stone makes his entrance to resolve this situation. The General Manager acknowledges that Fatu's intervention harmed both Waller and Montana, so he decides that D'Angelo will defend the title at Heatwave in a triple threat match. As for Zilla, he will take care of him as soon as he arrives at the venue. Tony raises his championship in front of his two challengers as the segment comes to an end.
Shiloh Hill and Lizzy Rain converse backstage. Shiloh assures Rain that last week she would have come out to replace Shawn Spears in their mixed tag team match, but she didn't have medical clearance to do so. The Brit knows she would have done it, but fortunately, she had EK Prosper's help. Both formed a great team and secured the victory. However, she is still angry with Kali Armstrong after she interrupted her subsequent interview. Myles Borne appears on the scene. The North American Champion apologizes for the interruption but needs to talk to Hill. Borne knows that Shiloh will play an important role tonight. The result of her match will determine possible title matches at Heatwave. However, he doesn't think it's fair that only Jackson Drake has something to gain. That's why he spoke with Robert Stone. Borne informs Shiloh that a victory tonight will earn her a shot at his North American championship at Heatwave. Hill thanks Myles for this gesture of kindness. Shiloh fist bumps the champion, who leaves the scene. Lizzy congratulates and encourages Shiloh as the segment comes to an end.
Keanu Carver waits for Robert Stone while sitting in his office chair. Carver asks the General Manager why he has turned the NXT Championship match into a Triple Threat. Stone understands how he feels, but he can't just add him to a title match out of nowhere. Keanu completely understands, and he knows his opportunity will eventually come. Today, he simply wanted to bring him a coffee. Stone isn't in the mood for one right now. "Drink the coffee, Stone. DRINK IT!", he exclaims, trying not to lose his temper. Robert takes a sip, at which point Kam Hendrix appears on the scene. Kam boasts about his big victory last week, leading him to ask the General Manager what's next for him. "Can't you see that Stone and I are in a meeting right now!?", an annoyed Carver asks. Hendrix doesn't know what to say. Carver decides to leave. "See you later, Stone," he says as he walks out of the office. Kam doesn't understand what just happened.
Tag Team Match
WrenQCC (Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair) vs. Kelani Jordan and Kali Armstrong
Sinclair and Jordan start the match. Wren and Kelani exchange submission holds. Sinclair surprises Jordan with a dropkick. Armstrong tags in, only to fall into the clutches of the WWE Speed Champion. WrenQCC combine against Kali. She charges Kendal into her corner, where Kelani tags in. WrenQCC combine once again. Both women send their opponents out of the ring. Sinclair dives onto Armstrong and Kelani with a diving crossbody.
Wren brings Jordan back into the ring to cover her. 1..2..NO. Sinclair and Grey team up against Kelani once again. Armstrong catches Sinclair off guard and damages her left arm with the help of the ropes. Jordan continues the assault, focusing her attack on her opponent's injured area. Kali tags in to continue her partner's work. Armstrong strikes Kendal in her own corner to provoke her. The referee tries to calm down the NXT Champion, allowing Jordan to illegally strike Wren.
Armstrong traps Sinclair's injured arm in a painful submission hold. Kelani tags in to hit a springboard moonsault. 1..2..NO. Wren escapes her opponents to tag Grey, who comes in all guns blazing. Kendal dishes out suplexes left and right. Grey traps Kali in an Ankle Lock. Armstrong turns to send her opponent crashing into one of the corners, escaping the hold in the process. Kendal catches Armstrong with a back elbow. Both women are left lying on the mat. Grey and Kali crawl toward their respective corners to tag in their partners.
Wren furiously strikes Jordan. She blocks a Cattle Mutilation and takes her opponent toward the ropes, where she hits a neckbreaker. Armstrong tags in. Sinclair lifts Kali onto her shoulders and drops her face-first onto the mat. She then applies a Cattle Mutilation. Jordan grabs Wren's legs to break up the hold. Grey charges at Kelani, causing both women to end up outside the ring. Jordan trips Grey, sending her face-first into the steel steps. Meanwhile, Armstrong takes Sinclair down with a scoop powerslam before finishing her off with a Kali Connection. 1..2..3.
Winners: Kali Armstrong and Kelani Jordan
Saquon Shugars and Dion Lennox hold a remote meeting. Shugars wonders where Cutler James and Osiris Griffin are. Lennox asks him to keep them out of this, as this is between the two of them. Shugars is glad to hear that. Finally, Dion will do something on his own, without the help of his teammates. In fact, he knows that Lennox couldn't beat him if it weren't for the fact that he always plays with the numbers advantage. Dion makes it clear that he isn't afraid of this new version of Shugars. He has always been above him, and that will never change. "I'll show you why I'm the leader of DarkState," Dion says. Saquon couldn't care less. He just wants to finish him in a match without interference, so he challenges him to a Steel Cage Match. Dion not only accepts the challenge, but raises the stakes by adding the "Weaponized" stipulation. In other words, there will be weapons inside the structure. Shugars believes Lennox doesn't realize what he is proposing, because there will be nothing he can do to defeat him."I'm not just going to beat you next week. I'm going to humiliate you for everything you've done to me," Saquon promises. "You're going to feel everything in that cage and find out why I'm the 'next' and you're the 'never,'" he adds. "What I'm going to do to you next week won't be out of anger, or remorse, or any feeling at all. That's where our story ends. I'll make sure Saquon Shugars is done for. Two of us will enter the cage, but I'll be the only one who walks out. And there's nothing sweeter than that," Dion says before ending the meeting.
Shiloh Hill vs. Jackson Drake (with Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes and Myka Lockwood)
Jackson kicks Hill and quickly takes refuge near the ropes. Shiloh takes his opponent toward one side of the ring. Drake shoves his opponent, who responds with a chop. Shiloh traps Jackson in a wristlock. Hill crushes Drake with a corner spear. Shiloh tries to repeat the move in the opposite corner, but his opponent dodges it at the last moment. Jackson counters, but soon falls back into Hill's clutches. He surprises Drake with a rolling Death Valley Driver before striking him with a right hand. 1..2..NO.
Myka gets up on the apron to distract the referee, allowing Brad and Ricky to illegally strike Shiloh. Jackson sends Hill out of the ring so his teammates can beat him up at will. Swipe Right bring Shiloh back into the ring, where Jackson finishes him off with a running knee strike. 1..2..NO. Drake continues to dominate the match. Jackson crushes his opponent's chest with a double footstomp. Hill fights back, but Drake catches him with a Guillotine Rope. Jackson hits Shiloh with a neckbreaker . The fans cheer for Hill. Annoyed, Drake walks over to the ropes and spits out the gum he was chewing toward the crowd. Jackson returns to his opponent, hitting him with a handspring cutter. 1..2..NO.
The former WWE Evolve Champion applies a headlock to Hill. He escapes to surprise his opponent with a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Drake quickly responds with a back elbow. 1..2..NO. Jackson traps Shiloh in another submission hold. Hill escapes, only to be hit with a running knee strike. 1..2..NO. Shiloh and Jackson trade strikes. Hill dodges a handspring cutter and responds with a discus lariat. Hill continues to pummel Jackson, finishing him off with a spinning senton. 1..2..NO.
The action continues. Shiloh stops Drake's charge and sends him flying. Hill catches him with a right hand on the way down. At that moment, Lockwood climbs back onto the apron to distract the referee. Brad and Ricky take advantage by grabbing Shiloh by the legs and pulling him out of the ring. Baylor restrains Hill. Smokes prepares to strike him, but the official quickly gets out of the ring to stop the attack. Tired of the situation, the referee ejects Ricky, Brad and Myka from ringside.
The entirety of The Vanity Project argues with the official at ringside. Meanwhile, Shiloh returns to the ring to use the ropes as leverage before launching himself at his enemies with a tope con hilo. Myka carries Baylor and Smokes back toward the backstage area. Meanwhile, Hill brings Jackson back inside the ring, where he takes him down with a flying shoulder tackle.
The action moves to the top of one of the corners. Shiloh and Drake exchange strikes. Hill pushes Jackson, who lands on the referee. Suddenly, Naraku appears out of nowhere to spit his red mist directly into Shiloh's face. Hill falls onto the mat completely blinded. Drake doesn't miss the opportunity and climbs to the top of the corner to hit a definitive 450 Splash. 1..2..3.
Winner: Jackson Drake
Robert Stone talks to Zaria in his office. Stone informs the Australian that her title unification match at NXT Heatwave will have no time limit. The news pleases the North American Champion. Suddenly, Kali Armstrong appears on the scene. Kali boasts about her victory tonight over two of the brand's champions, so she wonders what's next for her. Armstrong hopes it won't be an appearance in a tournament for the WWE Women's Speed Championship. Zaria steps forward to assure her that after Heatwave there will no longer be a WWE Speed Title. There will only be one dominant North American Champion. Kali mocks the Australian for calling herself "the dominant champion" when she needed a distraction to defeat Wren Sinclair last week. She, on the other hand, only needed one match to defeat her. Stone puts an end to the argument by scheduling a match between the two next week. If Kali wins, the title unification match at Heatwave will become a Triple Threat. Both women accept the General Manager's decision.
We see a car arriving in the venue's parking lot. Zilla Fatu gets out and quickly heads inside the building.
We see Robert Stone standing in the center of the ring with a contract in his hands. The NXT General Manager soon introduces Zilla Fatu. He makes his entrance to a huge ovation. The Samoan approaches the commentary desk to greet Booker T and Vic Joseph. Afterward, he enters the ring. Zilla poses on one of the corners. At that moment, he notices Tony D'Angelo in the luxury box.
With a microphone in hand, Zilla addresses the fans. Fatu is happy and proud to have arrived at the number-one company in the business and thrilled to begin this new chapter of his career in NXT. "I never thought I'd be here, but here I am now!", he exclaims. "My goal is to show you that I'm not just another nepobaby. I'm here to let my talent speak for itself. I know I made a lot of people angry last week. All I can say about that is: get used to it," he says.
A furious Grayson Waller appears on the entrance ramp. Several officials prevent him from reaching the ring. "Mr. Controversy. You already have a black eye. You want another one?", he asks. We see Cruz Montana trying to reach the ring from the crowd area, but he is also held back by several officials. "Oh, Cruz! You want drama? Welcome to the Zilla Fatu show, baby!", he exclaims. After mocking both men, Zilla asks Stone to explain what his contract entails.
The General Manager announces that Fatu's first match in NXT will be for the brand's top championship. "Guys, at Heatwave we're going to turn that Triple Threat into a Fatal Four-Way match," Zilla says. He signs the document to officially become an NXT Superstar. Fatu shakes Stone's hand. Meanwhile, numerous officials do everything in their power to prevent Waller and Montana from reaching the ring. D'Angelo simply watches, this time standing on the commentary desk. With this chaos contained, we reach the end of this week's episode.
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