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, highlighting a triple threat to determine the next challenger for the NXT Championship.
Additionally, Lizzy Rain and Kali Armstrong will face off in a one-on-one match to settle pending issues. On the other hand, Myles Borne will publicly apologize to Tavion Heights for what happened at NXT Heatwave. As always, we invite you to comment on the article to give your opinion on what happened on the show.
WWE NXT begins on Netflix!
We see the arrival of some of tonight's protagonists at the venue: Tony D'Angelo, Mason Rook, and Saquon Shugars.
Lizzy Rain vs. Kali Armstrong
Armstrong takes down Lizzy with three almost consecutive powerslams right at the beginning of the match. Rain blocks a fourth powerslam to respond with a springboard elbow. The British wrestler takes Kali to one of the corners before applying a Fisherman's Buster. 1..2..NO. Rain traps her opponent's left arm in a painful submission hold. Armstrong breaks free, only to be taken down with a spinning heel kick. 1..2..NO.
Lizzy continues to strike Kali. She throws Rain against one of the corners, where she applies a corner spear. Armstrong repeats the move, but this time the British wrestler dodges it. As a result, Kali impacts against the post. She then falls to ringside, where she receives a Rope Dropkick. Lizzy brings her opponent back into the ring. Rain seeks height in one of the corners for her next attack, but her rival makes her fall. Armstrong takes control of the match this way.
Rain tries to recover, but Kali knocks her down with a diving clothesline. 1..2..NO. Armstrong continues to strike her opponent, applying a spinebuster. 1..2..NO. Kali prepares for her next attack, but Rain surprises her with a backslide. 1..2..NO. Lizzy executes a superkick on Armstrong before applying a back suplex. Kali takes refuge in one of the corners, where she receives a rain of chops. "Make it Rain!" chant the fans to the rhythm of each impact. Armstrong tries to surprise Rain, but it is Lizzy who takes down the former with a cutter out of nowhere. 1..2..NO.
Kali seeks height in one of the corners. However, Lizzy makes her fall with a Frankensteiner. Armstrong stops Rain's offensive with a scoop powerslam. Kali gains momentum on the ropes to execute her finisher, but Rain stops her with a flying headbutt. 1..2..NO. Armstrong blocks a Thunderstruck to recharge her energy with the help of the ropes. After that, she executes -now- a definitive Kali Connection. 1..2..3.
Winner: Kali Armstrong
Skylar Raye enters to attack Kali. Several officials, joined by Rain, must intervene to calm the WWE EVOLVE talent. Armstrong retreats to the entrance ramp while reprimanding Skylar, who is still being held back by the officials.
We see Grayson Waller jogging on a treadmill to start a very particular challenge. The Australian wants to run a half marathon during tonight's show.
Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux warm up before their match tonight. Legacy asks his partner if he has heard anything about the big announcement regarding the tag team division that Robert Stone will make tonight. DVD responds that he hasn't. And it's something that doesn't concern him right now, as he is focused on his match against DarkState. Sean is too, but he needs to know if his partner is as ready as he is to do something big in NXT. "Whatever it is, we'll be part of it", says the Belgian to his partner. BirthRight appears in full force. Uriah Connors wants to make it clear to Legacy and Dux that the NXT Tag Team Championships will be theirs. Charlie Dempsey, on the other hand, reminds them of what they did to Zilla Fatu last week. That's exactly what will happen to anyone who gets in their way. Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo points out that the tag titles are the faction's top priority right now. Lexis King advises Sean and Dorian to step aside, as they deserve by birthright to be at the top. Sean reiterates his intention to win the belts, and they won't step aside for anyone. "We're not afraid to fight you to get it," DVD adds. Legacy agrees with his partner, but now they must go to deal with DarkState. Both men head to the ring, ending this segment.
Cruz Montana and Robert Stone are in the General Manager's office when EK Prosper appears. EK Prosper wants to apologize to the Puerto Rican for last week's defeat. Cruz points out that he doesn't have to, as it wasn't his fault. Montana fist bumps EK Prosper. At that moment, The Vanity Project enters the office. Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes have heard rumors about an announcement regarding the tag team division, so they demand Stone to inform them about it, as they are the champions of that division. The General Manager tries to respond, but is soon interrupted by Baylor. Cruz scolds Brad. Smokes mocks the Puerto Rican, pointing out that he is in the office to beg for another title shot. "First, I'm going to beat the three of you. Second, all I hear is a lot of noise when the toughest person in your group is Myka. And third, I was winning tag titles all over the world when you were still sucking on your mo...", says Cruz before being interrupted by Stone, who prefers not to hear the end of that sentence. Smokes asks the General Manager if he's willing to allow them to be spoken to in this way. Montana, on the other hand, asks Stone to schedule a tag team match. He will team up with EK Prosper to face Smokes and Baylor. Stone accepts the suggestion, scheduling the match for tonight.
Tag Team Match
Dorian Van Dux and Sean Legacy vs. DarkState (Cutler James and Osiris Griffin)
James and Sean start the match. The DarkState member quickly takes down Legacy, to whom he subsequently applies several corner spears. Sean manages to recover to counterattack with several kicks. Legacy surprises Cutler with an inverted cutter before giving the tag to DVD. James tags in Griffin without their opponents noticing. Thus, Osiris surprises both with a double clothesline from behind.
Osiris exchanges attacks with DVD. He surprises his rival with a rain of attacks. Dux and Legacy join forces to carry out a combined assault on Griffin. Dorian and Sean apply a double side slam on Osiris. Legacy continues with a P.K. before executing a standing moonsault in parallel with his partner. Both land on Griffin's body. Legacy covers Osiris. 1..2..NO. Griffin blocks a combined suplex to execute one of his own arsenal.
The DarkState members charge against their opponents. They dodge them so that they end up at ringside. Legacy and DVD throw themselves at Osiris and Cutler, but they stop the attack. James reverses a suicide dive into a suplex. Meanwhile, Griffin stops a tope from Legacy to execute a bodyslam. As a result, Sean and Dorian are left lying on the ground. Cutler brings Dux back into the ring to punish him.
Dux escapes from his rivals to give the tag to Legacy, who jumps with a diving crossbody on Osiris. However, he receives a scoop powerslam out of nowhere. Griffin tags James. DVD escapes from his opponents to crush them with a double springboard cutter. DVD covers James. 1..2..NO. Dorian seeks height in one of the corners for his next attack, but Cutler makes him fall to the mat. James tags Griffin. DVD escapes from his opponents to crush them with a double springboard moonsault. Osiris and Cutler end up on opposite sides at ringside.
Sean receives the tag to launch himself time and time again against Griffin and James with successive suicide dives. DVD receives the tag to jump on Osiris with an Asai Moonsault. DVD brings him back into the ring to finish him off with a Shooting Star Press. 1..2..NO. James interrupts the count. Cutler and Osiris are expelled from the ring. Dux jumps on Griffin with a tope.
Sean and Dorian bring their opponents back into the ring. Suddenly, Dion Lennox appears out of nowhere to surprise Dux with a clothesline. The referee doesn't notice it. Griffin gets rid of Legacy with a big boot while Lennox brings DVD back into the ring. Griffin and James finish off Dux with a double pop-up powerbomb. Cutler covers DVD. 1..2..3.
Winners: DarkState
BirthRight enters the scene. Microphone in hand, Uriah Connors boasts about how his faction ended Zilla Fatu last week. Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo hopes everyone has paid attention because this is a warning to the NXT roster. Charlie Dempsey promises they will continue to do this until they get the titles they deserve... starting with Legacy and Dux. BirthRight launches an assault on both men when suddenly...
Zilla Fatu appears on the scene!
The Samoan bursts into the ring to start a fight with his enemies. However, they end up asserting their numerical superiority. Recovered Legacy and DVD join Fatu to expel the faction from the ring. Charlie is the last man standing, but soon succumbs to Zilla's Triple Z. BirthRight retreats through the entrance ramp as Dux and Legacy thank Fatu for his help.
Mason Rook stars in a promotional video before his match tonight. Rook describes his victory last week as the most important of his professional career. Now he is closer to becoming the first wrestler from Nottinghamshire to be NXT Champion. Mason reviews his career in the business, proud of being a talent who has always silenced critics. Rook recalls a serious ankle injury suffered during his time on the independent scene. Mason points out that not only did he not abandon the tour he was on at the time, but he also recovered to participate in WWE tryouts and eventually be hired. "You can consider me the underdog, but I'm in the fight for the NXT title and I'm going to give every last drop of energy I have to become the new title contender," he says to end his promo.
Robert Stone talks with Skylar Raye backstage. The NXT General Manager asks Raye about her actions tonight, confessing that she is the last person he would have imagined having a conversation like this with. Raye knows that Stone has followed her career in EVOLVE. However, she was still waiting for a call from him. "I'm still waiting for an opportunity. Now I have your attention, right?", Skyler asks. "I guess so," Robert replies. Myles Borne interrupts the conversation. Myles informs the General Manager that he is about to go out to the ring to apologize to Tavion Heights, although he doesn't know if he will accept his apologies. "Do I have time to do it?" he asks. "You have all the time you need," Stone replies. Borne thanks him for that and heads to the ring with a serious face.
Zaria is attended to in the medical room. The doctor checks her left arm. The Australian assures that she is fine. The doctor informs her that she has medical clearance, but advises her to take it easy. Izzi Dame appears on the scene. "How is it that the self-proclaimed most dominant North American Champion has been injured by Thea Hail?", she asks. "What's your problem?" asks the Australian. "Do you think people are born cursed or that evil has been imposed on them?", Dame asks before leaving. Zaria picks up her championship to walk in the opposite direction.
Myles Borne makes his entrance into the ring. Borne points out that he has a lot to say, so he needs Tavion Heights to come out. Heights responds to his friend's call. Once in the ring, Tavion addresses Myles. Heights knows perfectly well that brothers fight, but Borne crossed the line at Heatwave. Myles understands, but insists that he acted out of fear that Heights would betray him first. "I'm sorry, T," says Borne. Tavion accepts the apology, but his back still hurts right where he was stabbed. Heights asks Myles how he expects him to simply forget what happened and trust him again. That night he not only lost the only championship he has ever won. "I didn't have my brother. I didn't have my best friend. I had NO ONE. That's not something you can forget," says Tavion before pointing out that their time as partners may have come to an end.
Myles reminds Heights that he was in the same situation after The Great American Bash. Tavion points out that these are different situations. Borne reminds him of how he forced him to defend the North American Championship against him. And after that, Tavion admitted that he behaved like a bad brother, putting his interests above their friendship. And what happened next? Myles came to Heights' rescue to kick The Vanity Project's butt. After that, he forgave him and together they went on to win the tag team titles. They had the world in the palm of their hands. And all because together they are unstoppable. Borne is not proud of what he did at Heatwave. That's why he asks Tavion to forget what happened to move forward... together.
Heights acknowledges that he may have planted the seed of doubt in Borne. It wasn't premeditated, but it happened. However, he doesn't think they can repeat the success they have recently achieved. "I can't turn back time to change what I did, but I love you as a brother, T. I'm sorry," says Myles as he extends his arms. "I forgive you, Myles. Let's do this again. It's you and me against the world in front of these people, in front of the entire WWE Universe. Myles, you're my lifelong buddy!", exclaims Heights before embracing Borne. The fans applaud the moment. Suddenly... Myles executes a Born Again on Tavion!
Borne continues attacking Heights, throwing him into the crowd barrier, which is destroyed in the process. Myles takes Tavion back inside the ring. Borne grabs a metal chair and places it over Tavion’s left ankle. Borne delivers a stomp onto the chair to injure his partner’s ankle, causing him to scream in pain. The fans boo Myles, who simply watches his victim. Several officials appear on the scene to assist Heights. This brings us to the end of this segment.
We see a pre-recorded video from the Evolve Health & Wellness clinic. In it, Kendal Grey (accompanied by Wren Sinclair) receives an update from her doctor. She informs the former NXT Champion that her case is complicated. First of all, she wants to know how she is feeling. Kendal admits that she has been nervous and anxious, as she is eager to return to the ring. The doctor points out that this is normal following recent trauma. It has affected her head and ear, which is why she is still suffering from vertigo. The doctor states that Grey is not under concussion protocol, but she cannot medically clear her to compete either. Kendal, however, is eager to return to training and competition. The doctor understands, but there is nothing she can do about it. Kendal must rest and accept that she will not receive medical clearance in the short term. That is why she will recommend a sports psychologist for the sake of her mental health. The doctor apologizes for not being able to do anything more for her at this time. Kendal thanks her for everything. This brings us to the end of this segment.
Tag Team Match
The Vanity Project (Ricky Smokes and Brad Baylor) (with Myka Lockwood) vs. EK Prosper and Cruz Montana
Baylor and EK Prosper start the match. Brad takes his opponent down with a shoulder tackle and mocks him. EK Prosper gets his revenge with a dropkick. EK Prosper continues beating down Brad. The latter gets rid of EK Prosper with a right hand before tagging in Ricky. EK Prosper, meanwhile, tags in Cruz. Smokes tries to take Montana down, but to no avail. Cruz unleashes a great offensive flurry on Smokes. He tries to escape his opponent, only to be hit with a rolling cutter.
EK Prosper and Montana work perfectly together against their opponents, who end up at ringside. Montana brings Ricky back into the ring, where EK Prosper crushes him with a splash. 1..2..NO. EK Prosper and Ricky exchange strikes in one of the corners. Smokes hits EK Prosper with a chop, who responds in kind. Cruz receives the tag and delivers another loud chop to Ricky, who grimaces in pain.
Baylor blind-tags himself in without Montana noticing, allowing him to surprise the Puerto Rican with a suplex. Cruz lands on the ropes. Baylor and Smokes team up to punish Montana. The NXT Tag Team Champions hit Cruz with a dropkick + spinebuster combo. Smokes covers him. 1..2..NO. Ricky traps Montana in a headlock. Cruz breaks free and takes Smokes down with a Death Valley Driver. Both men are left lying on the canvas. Montana and Ricky crawl toward their respective corners to tag in their partners.
EK Prosper hits a double Missile Dropkick on his opponents. EK Prosper throws Smokes out of the ring before hitting Baylor with a diving neckbreaker. 1..2..NO. Brad avoids an moonsault from EK Prosper and responds with a dropkick. Smokes receives the tag and continues the match. EK Prosper surprises Ricky with a kick before tagging in Montana. He launches EK Prosper so that he can hit Smokes with a Frankensteiner. Cruz catches his opponent and hits him with a powerbomb (more or less) as he comes down. 1..2..NO. Baylor breaks up the count.
Montana throws Brad out of the ring before diving onto him with a tope. Meanwhile, EK Prosper does the same to Smokes on the opposite side. Suddenly, Jackson Drake comes out of nowhere to surprise Cruz with a running kick. The referee gets out of the ring, aware that Drake is responsible for Montana’s condition. He therefore ejects him from ringside, along with Myka. Meanwhile, the action continues inside the ring. Smokes surprises EK Prosper with a backslide next to his corner. Brad holds his partner’s legs to apply more pressure without the referee noticing. 1..2..3.
Winners: The Vanity Project
Tristan Angels interrupts an interview with Saquon Shugars to make it clear that nobody in NXT has more championship material than him. Neither Zilla Fatu nor, of course, Shugars. He advises “Mister England” to take a seat and watch tonight’s main event, where he will see what someone with true championship material looks like.
Kelani Jordan makes her way to the ring. Jordan claims that, the very moment she won the NXT Women’s Championship, she set a new standard in the brand’s women’s division. She will not be the typical champion who shares photos on social media. That is why she defended the title just two weeks after becoming champion. And, as expected, she defeated Jaida Parker, which surely did not sit well with the fans. They boo. Following that victory, she was attacked by Wren Sinclair, who tried to ruin her moment. “How did that work out for you, Wren? You crossed the line and got suspended. Meanwhile, I debuted on Monday Night Raw in Mexico City,” she says. She now wonders who will be the next woman to come after her title. The answer is simple: no one. Because all the women on the roster are too intimidated to step up. Jordan advises the fans to get used to seeing the title around her shoulders, because she is setting a new standard that nobody can match.
La Catalina interrupts the segment!
La Catalina gets into the ring to congratulate Jordan. “It’s difficult to reach the top, but you’re not the only game-changer,” says the Chilean. She recalls that she won the Reina de Reinas Championship at Triplemanía 34, and now she is here to take Mexican and global women’s wrestling to a new level.
Zaria storms onto the scene!
Zaria gets into the ring to make it clear that she cannot be left out of a conversation about dominant champions. Because who among them has unified championships? “What about Thea?” asks La Catalina. The Australian claims that what happened last week was simply a stroke of luck on Hail’s part, who also interrupted her moment. Kelani points out that Zaria and La Catalina are now the ones interrupting her. The three women begin arguing when...
Thea Hail appears on the scene!
Hail is aware that she is one of the youngest talents in NXT. However, she knows that she can defeat anyone. The Performance Center fans who have watched her grow know it just as well as she does. Thea gets into the ring, where she claims that she has what it takes to be a champion. She already made Zaria tap out last week. Now she just has to do it again in a title match to become a two-time North American Champion. Furious, Zaria throws a right hand at Hail. Both women start fighting. La Catalina and Kelani also exchange blows. Thea and La Catalina hit a dropkick on Zaria and Jordan, who are left draped over the second rope. Hail and La Catalina charge at them with a rope hip attack in tandem. The NXT Champions remain lying on the ringside floor while Thea and La Catalina dance around in the center of the ring.
Tony D'Angelo stars in a promotional video ahead of his match tonight. Tony claims that nobody changes. At least, not completely. And that is something he knows very well. D'Angelo recalls what Saquon Shugars and his DarkState teammates did to him in the past. That is why he went after them as soon as he returned to NXT. Saquon may no longer be with DarkState, but he is still an "aggressive rat." As for Mason Rook, he attacked him during his first appearance on the brand. Last week, he only proved that he is still the same opportunist. As for himself, he is still the same old Tony D'Angelo. "The toughest guy in NXT and the guy who was and will be NXT Champion," he says.
Shiloh Hill delivers a promo through a video posted on his social media. Hill knows that Naraku has threatened him for investigating the mist, but that will not stop him from continuing his experiments. Shiloh shows us his small laboratory, where he has been analyzing the different components used in the various types of mist. Shiloh uses himself as a guinea pig, spraying a mixture he prepared himself into his eyes. Hill explains that everything seems to be going well. He feels no pain, nor is he experiencing any vision problems. Suddenly, some raccoons appear on the scene. The raccoons ask Hill what he is doing. Shiloh explains that it is an experiment. Hill turns back to the camera to confirm that he has NOT experienced any adverse effects after applying the mixture. Shiloh says goodbye and continues testing some mixtures.
Emily Agard interviews Robert Stone in his office. The General Manager is excited about the boost NXT's tag team division has received in recent months. That is why he has decided to bring back the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, featuring 14 teams from NXT, EVOLVE, SmackDown, Raw, and AAA. The tournament bracket will be announced on social media later this week. The Creed Brothers appear on the scene. Julius Creed knows that the General Manager brought them back so they can win the tournament, just as they did in 2022. Brutus Creed wants to know who they will face. His brother tells him that it does not matter, because they will be the ones making history as the only team to win the tournament twice. The Creeds leave, bringing the segment to an end.
Triple Threat for an NXT Championship opportunity
Tony D'Angelo vs. Mason Rook vs. Saquon Shugars
Mason and Tony square off while ignoring Saquon. He approaches them, only to be thrown out of the ring. Rook and D'Angelo start their own fight. As they grapple, they prevent Shugars from getting back into the ring. Tony takes Mason down with a spear. The Brit ends up at ringside. D'Angelo dives onto Rook with a tope. Meanwhile, Saquon returns to the ring. Shugars builds up momentum to hit a suicide dive on Tony, but the latter stops him with a right hand.
The action returns to the ring. Mason takes control by hitting powerslams left and right. The last one is delivered to Shugars, who lands on top of D'Angelo. After that, Rook crushes them both with a senton. Mason covers Tony. 1..2..NO. D'Angelo recovers and grabs Saquon, hitting him with several consecutive German suplexes. Tony now grabs Rook, who in turn does the same to Shugars. D'Angelo hits a German suplex on Mason, who then hits the same move on Saquon. Rook climbs one of the corners. Shugars goes after him. Tony hits a powerbomb on Saquon, who in turn executes a superplex on Mason. All three men are left lying on the canvas. "NXT, NXT!" the fans chant.
Tony takes control of the match. D'Angelo sends Saquon into one of the corners before getting out of the ring. Tony lifts the ring skirt to pull out a chair. D'Angelo approaches Rook, who is lying on the floor. At that moment, Shugars surprises Tony with an elbow strike. Saquon places the chair in front of the commentary table. Shugars prepares to hit D'Angelo with a suplex onto the chair, but the former NXT Champion blocks the move and responds with a right hand. Saquon ends up sitting on the chair. Mason delivers a big boot. Tony dodges it, causing the kick to land squarely on Shugars' face.
D'Angelo attacks Rook from behind and takes him back into the ring. Tony surprises the Brit with a sleeper hold. Mason resists to the point of attempting to launch himself into one of the corners with a cannonball. However, Saquon returns to catch D'Angelo in his own sleeper hold. Rook throws himself backward into one of the corners to break up this chain of submissions. Mason crushes Tony with a running crossbody. 1..2..NO.
D'Angelo and Shugars temporarily join forces to attack Mason. Tony traps the Brit in a headlock. Saquon climbs to the top to hit a sunset flip powerbomb on Rook, who in turn executes a side suplex on D'Angelo. Shugars covers Mason. 1..2..NO. Saquon continues dominating the match. Shugars dodges a charge from Tony, who ends up at ringside. Saquon dives onto him with a rope dropkick. After that, he returns to the ring to hit a beautiful legdrop on Mason. 1..2..NO.
Rook dodges a charge from Shugars in one of the corners. Saquon is crushed by both D'Angelo and Mason. Tony focuses his attention on Rook and hits him with a Jackhammer. 1..2..NO. Shugars dodges a charge from D'Angelo and responds with a backslide. Saquon places his legs on the corner to apply more pressure. 1..2.. The referee stops the count after noticing the trick. Saquon prepares to continue his offense against Tony, but the latter surprises him with an exploder suplex. The action moves to the top of the same corner. D'Angelo throws Shugars with a belly-to-belly suplex from the second rope. Mason catches him with a sit-out powerbomb. 1..2..NO.
Rook and D'Angelo exchange blows in the center of the ring. Tony hits the Brit with a clothesline. As a result, both men end up at ringside. D'Angelo and Rook continue fighting beside the ring. Shugars surprises them with a stomp. Saquon takes Tony back into the ring. Shugars climbs up for his next move, but Rook pushes him, sending him crashing to ringside. Mason hits a corner cannonball on Tony. Saquon returns to surprise Rook with a tornado DDT. Saquon follows up with a Vader Bomb. 1..2..NO. Tristan Angels appears on the scene and pulls the referee out of the ring, interrupting the count.
Furious, Shugars dives onto "Mister England" with a tope. Both men start fighting, with the brawl moving toward the backstage area. Meanwhile, in the ring, Tony dodges a clothesline from Mason and responds with a spinebuster, but his opponent’s weight hurts his back. Mason takes advantage and takes the former NXT Champion down with a Blue Thunder Bomb. After that, he climbs to the top of one of the corners to finish him off with a Super Slam. 1..2..3.
Winner: Mason Rook
After completing his challenge of running a half marathon during the show, Grayson Waller appears on the entrance ramp to hold the NXT Championship up in front of his next opponent. This brings us to the end of this week’s episode.
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