[theme music playing]
[The Rock] If you smell…
[Lemmy] The King of Kings.
[man] You can't see me.
[Bron] At New Year's Evil, I'm coming for the NXT Championship.
[Tommaso] Bron Breakker,
you are not ready to be a champion in my NXT.
♪ Yeah, I ain't never break And I ain't never fold ♪
♪ This the type of determination You'll never hold ♪
♪ When you born out of greatness Fakeness ain't in your code ♪
♪ Deep inside my DNA It say to break the mold ♪
[Tommaso] One mistake and it's gone.
♪ But they can't make him fold Look in his eyes and tell me ♪
♪ If you see a man that's 'bout to break ♪
♪ Or if you see a man that's ready To do whatever it's gonna take ♪
I am unbreakable!
♪ Trust me, homie They ain't get the message ♪
I'm not coming just to beat you. I'm coming to put you down for good.
♪ You can try but can't break me ♪
♪ See I was destined for great things ♪
[Vic] Oh!
Fairy Tale Ending to retain the NXT Title!
[Wade] No way!
♪ I won't bend or break or fold I'm unbreakable ♪
[Bron] One mistake. One mistake I will not make again.
♪ We apply pressure Apply pressure ♪
♪ Trust me, homie They ain't get the message ♪
I am unbreakable.
[Vic] Ciampa has to tap!
-[bell ringing] -Breakker is the champion!
♪ Champion! I fought for it! ♪
♪ I went against the best! I worked for it! ♪
♪ I set a goal To go capture all the gold ♪
♪ Now I'm here and it's mine! I control the story told! ♪
[Vic] Breakker is now the face of NXT.
[upbeat music playing]
[Vic] As we just relive the landscape of NXT change last week,
the passing of the torch, a new face has emerged of this brand.
Let's not waste any more time.
Let's go to our ring announcer, Samantha Irvin,
who is standing by in the center of the ring.
Please welcome the new NXT Champion,
Bron Breakker!
[audience cheering]
["The Call" playing]
[Vic] And emerging through this smoke, Wade,
I got to ask, how impressed were you last week
with Bron Breakker being able to step up and rise to the occasion?
[Wade] Oh, my word,
I've run out of superlative to describe this man, Bron Breakker.
Let's face it, New Year's Evil was one of the absolute greatest nights
that I've spent in this entire industry.
I was fortunate enough to be right here, ringside, watching up close and personal.
The night capped off by this man, the new NXT Champion, Bron Breakker.
Disbelief is the word that I would use, and he kicked out of everything
that Tommaso Ciampa threw at him absorbed that and came back with his own.
Blowing the minds of the entire NXT universe. Wow.
He said he would be a NXT Champion or he would die trying.
[audience chants "You deserve it"]
Tommaso Ciampa, I just want to say thank you.
Tommaso is an unbelievable athlete, he's a great performer,
but most importantly, man, he is an outstanding human being.
[audience cheering]
Most people didn't see it, but when the match was over,
he stood up, grabbed my neck
and he said, "Congratulations, kid, it's your time,"
and he got out of the ring and he went over here to the front row
and paid respects to my father,
who was here watching me live for the first-time ever.
[audience cheering]
I know I got big shoes to fill, I know that, but I'm ready for this.
And what I love about NXT the most is that we don't have a bi-week,
we don't have days off, week after week we got to get back right up on the horse
and perform for each and every one of you.
[audience cheering]
So to anybody back there in the locker room
who wants to come out and challenge me for this NXT Championship, know this.
Every day when you show up for training, I've already trained.
Every day you want to watch film, I've already watched it.
You want to leave early? I'm staying. You want to know why?
Because I'm the fricking NXT Champion!
[audience cheering]
And I will prove why I earned this championship each and every week.
["The Call" playing]
[Vic] Strong statement from the champ.
[Wade] Yeah. Who's going to argue with him? That's the question.
When you put a performance on like he did at New Year's Evil,
it sets a standard in that ring.
You've got to come up to my level.
["Legacy of The Ghost" playing]
[Vic] Oh, well, speaking of rising to the occasion
and speaking of all-time great performers on this brand…
the Emperor of Lucha himself, eyeing up not only Bron Breakker
but also gave a little look at the gold.
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing Legado Del Fantasma,
Santos Escobar!
[Vic] Wade, Santos Escobar certainly has a championship pedigree,
but tonight, it's not about titles.
[Wade] Absolutely not, but let's face it,
Santos Escobar has done a hell of a lot here in NXT already,
and I will say this about the man,
nobody looks better with gold around their waist than Santos Escobar.
["Run" playing]
[Samantha] And his opponent, Xyon Quinn!
[Vic] Quinn said it all ends tonight.
Again, the winner of this matchup will leave tonight
with Elektra Lopez by his side.
[Wade] He's certainly not wrong on that, it does indeed end tonight.
Xyon Quinn has been a thorn in the side of Legado affairs for months.
Santos Escobar is quite frankly sick of it, and I get it.
Xyon Quinn has the hots for an incredible woman in Electra Lopez,
but tonight, he crashes and burns on global TV.
We've all been… We've all had the off-spring rainbow…
-[Vic] Whoa! -[bell rings]
[Vic] Wade, you talk about… How about a hot start here for Xyon Quinn,
and Quinn is swinging for the fences because he is fighting for Electra Lopez,
and tonight, we got to be honest here, Wade,
we're going to find out just how strong the Familia is.
[Wade] Yes, well, let me tell you this,
Familia is everything to Legado Del Fantasma,
and here we go, right off the bat, he's stirring the pot once again.
[Vic] Stirring the pot? It's what the…
[Wade] Feel good moment from Bron Breakker ruined by you.
Listen, Escobar has been clear from the beginning.
Elektra Lopez has been clear, she is attracted to one thing
and one thing only, that is success, and she's leaving with the winner tonight.
That means she's leaving with La Familia themselves.
[Vic] There was Electra Lopez, she is looking down on the action.
[Wade] Let's face it, her future hangs in the balance right now.
[Vic] Yes, her future with Xyon Quinn hangs in the balance tonight.
[Wade] Don't get… Don't get carried away with yourself, Vic.
[Vic] This certainly is a big moment for Quinn tonight.
[Wade] Of course it's a huge moment for Quinn.
Any young superstar breaking in here at NXT
to get some of the opportunity to step in the ring
with someone with the caliber of Santos Escobar
getting to test their mettle against one of the greats,
it's gonna be huge.
However, there is a massive inexperience between these two,
and I will say, with it, there's a gulf in ability based on that.
[Vic] Well, you didn't have the same sort of conclusion
when Solo Sikoa was getting the job done two weeks ago.
Of course, we'll see Solo Sikoa in action later tonight.
[Wade] Yeah, very good. Solo Sikoa did indeed beat
Santos Escobar a couple of weeks ago, but we all know the reason why.
There was a huge distraction from that man, Xyon Quinn.
Even more reason to give him a whooping tonight.
-[Vic] Ooh! -[audience cheering]
You hear the NXT universe split in this matchup,
but you've seen a couple of different circumstances in this matchup.
Few situations where Quinn and Santos Escobar
have looked up towards Elektra Lopez. I got to go back, though, Wade.
When it comes to Elektra Lopez, what about the brass knuckles?
What about putting the brass knuckles on the hand of Xyon Quinn?
[Wade] It ended up costing him the match. It served as a distraction.
-[Vic] What about the mistletoe? -[Wade] It's all an act.
Advancing Legado business.
[Vic] Who will walk away with Elektra Lopez by his side?
[Vic] Back live on NXT. Quinn, Escobar.
The winner of this matchup will have Elektra Lopez by their side.
As Escobar has been in control,
let's go back to what happened moments ago during the commercial break.
-[Vic] Look at this power. -[Wade] Absolutely.
-[Vic] Whoa! -[Wade] Quinn,
just manhandling the Legado.
[Vic] And that will open the door for Santos Escobar to take advantage,
and again, Wilde, Mendoza on the outside
have been the difference-maker thus far in this matchup.
-[Wade] Oh, don't make it so simple. -[Vic] What do you mean that's simple?
[Wade] The difference-maker is the experience, the ability,
and the leadership…
-[Vic] And the experience to cut corners. -…of Santos Escobar. It's all the brand.
[Wade] Doesn't matter, cutting corners. This is part of the plan.
[Vic] Why can't you come to terms
that maybe Lopez is in love with Xyon Quinn?
[Wade] Lopez is not in love with Xyon Quinn.
In her own words, she is a grown-ass woman.
This isn't some schoolgirl crush like Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis had.
-Elektra Lopez looks for… -[Vic] Cover, count, and a kick out.
[Wade] Elektra Lopez looks for a lot more in a man
than simply being a tall, dark, hunk of man-meat like Xyon Quinn.
[Vic] Well, let's talk about Xyon Quinn. What's wrong with him looking for love?
What's wrong with him showing affection towards someone like Elektra Lopez?
[Wade] Xyon Quinn is a new superstar here in NXT.
He should be focused to the very top.
He's got a great physique. He's a hell of an athlete.
Amazing rugby background.
-Why don't you use it? Don't lose focus. -You think you can take my family?
[Wade] Don't lose focus on what's important,
because you'll end up at the feet of Santos Escobar.
[Vic] We'll talk about our Main Event still to come. AJ Styles, Grayson Waller.
But you heard Santos Escobar, Wade, for a moment talk about family.
And the questions continue to mount with La Familia.
-[Wade] The questions don't continue. -[Vic] They do continue to mount.
[Wade] They only continue to mount because you keep repeating them.
You and social media stirring up the pot, poking the bear.
Elektra Lopez is in control of her future,
and her future lies with Legado Del Fantasma.
[Vic] Well, right now the future's looking bleak for Xyon Quinn.
Take a look right there. Boom! Precision from Santos Escobar.
Who you talked about the strength of Xyon Quinn,
Escobar has focused on the lower body,
chopping down Quinn throughout this matchup.
[Wade] I've talked about it before,
it's the experience factor of Santos Escobar.
You can be big and strong.
What you cannot combat
is the bag of tricks that Santos Escobar brings with him when he's in that ring.
Xyon Quinn's learning it first-hand.
-[grunting] -[audience chanting]
[Vic] Escobar setting his sights on Xyon Quinn!
Quinn just de-cleated Escobar.
[Wade] Suckered in, Santos Escobar perhaps developing some strategies of his own now.
[Vic] Wilde, look of concern on his face. Look of concern on the face of Mendoza.
As Quinn getting his second wind
and continuing to focus on the midsection and stomach of Escobar.
[Wade] Now, Xyon Quinn is simply enraged. He's running on fumes at this point.
This is where he's at his most dangerous because complete instinct from him.
[Vic] Right now it's Quinn finding that new gear for Elektra Lopez,
and once again the distractions.
What do you want?
[Vic] How is this fair?
[Wade] You simply have to be ready for it.
When you get in the ring with Santos, this is what you need to prep for.
[Vic] Again, Mendoza, Wilde,
both have stuck their nose in this matchup.
[Wade] They've stuck their nose in their family's business.
-That's where they've stuck… -[Vic] Whoa!
What are you doing? Quítate. Somos familia.
[Vic] What do you make of that, Mr. Barrett? Loyalties. [scoffs]
-What a bare right from Quinn! -[Wade] Club to the ear.
[Vic] Quinn's got all the momentum right now.
[audience cheering]
-This is the mo… Oh! -[Wade laughing]
Now, Mendoza… Come on.
[Wade] Blood is thicker than water, Vic Joseph.
[Vic] Escobar now, Phantom Driver.
-Into the cover. You got to be kidding me. -One, two, three!
[bell ringing]
["Legacy of The Ghost" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner, Santos Escobar.
[Wade] I hate to be the guy that says, "I told you so, Vicky Jo," but guess what?
I told you so all along. Business was always in hand.
Be it Elektra Lopez, be it that man, Santos Escobar.
This is Familia.
This is Legado Del Fantasma, stronger together.
[Vic] Well, you talk about stronger together
by any means necessary. How about the number's advantage?
It was in favor of Legado Del Fantasma from the jump.
Again, another distraction opened the door for Santos Escobar,
but hook, line, and sucker is what's probably going through your mind
because everyone here at NXT,
the NXT universe thought Elektra Lopez had chosen a side,
the side of Xyon Quinn,
and it was Quinn who at this moment thought the match was in hand.
[Wade] Well, they put the bait out there. Then, Elektra Lopez sprung the trap.
Unfortunately, for Xyon Quinn, it all led to this.
The Phantom Driver, good night.
Perhaps, Xyon Quinn needs a family of his own
next time he gets in the face of Legado Del Fantasma.
[Samantha] Here is your winner, San…
[Vic] Escobar all smiles
as La Familia is stronger than ever here on NXT.
[speaking in Spanish]
Pete, pops. There's 16 different ways to use a crowbar.
Tonight, I'm only gonna need like, I don't know, three.
And I tried to be a nice guy, let you off with a little broken hand,
and now you want to come back at me. Oh, big mistake, big mistake.
Tonight, you're done, you're finished.
I swear, all I wanted was a lousy mouthpiece,
a nice little trophy from WarGames, but you, you don't want to listen.
You're like my mutt Stromboli.
I got to teach him not to go to the bathroom on the rug in a pot.
but like my dog, you're going to learn tonight,
Tony D is in charge.
Wow, that was a whole lot of smack talk, but tonight is about crowbars and pain.
Also to come, Crowbar on A Pole Match between Tony D'Angelo and Pete Dunne,
but let's go back to 24 hours ago.
It was AJ Styles and Grayson Waller on Monday Night RAW
as they will meet tonight in the Main Event here on NXT.
[Vic] AJ Styles one-on-one with Austin Theory,
and AJ was looking for that Phenomenal Forearm
until Grayson Waller would interject,
intervene, and stick his nose in AJ Styles' business.
[Wade] Absolutely.
Grayson Waller looking to steal the spotlight wherever he goes.
Turned sour real fast, though, at the hands and feet of AJ Styles.
[Vic] That's probably one of the smartest things
Grayson Waller has ever done,
was hightail it out instead of being in the grasp of AJ Styles
but it didn't happen last night,
AJ Styles gets his hands on Grayson Waller tonight in our Main Event.
Styles, Waller, here on NXT.
[Cameron] 2020. To the Moon. [laughs]
[upbeat music playing]
[Vic] Well, Cameron Grimes, he certainly has picked up his game.
He has proven he isn't lucky, he's just good.
[audience] To the moon! To the moon! To the moon!
[Cameron] I think now I'm going to stop chasing so much green.
Maybe in 2022, I'll start chasing gold.
After a successful title defense, this is how your champ celebrates.
Boys, get my good side.
[upbeat music playing]
Who am I kidding? Every side is my good side.
At New Year's Evil, I arrived in style and left with my title.
They brought the fight, but they couldn't touch me.
I make the Women's Championship look hot.
You tune in every week to see me, because why?
NXT 2.0 is all about Mandy.
[upbeat music playing]
So keep watching, keep staring.
I know you will.
[Wade] Oh, stop drooling, Vicky Jo, you are not man enough for a bikini-clad
-Mandy Rose. -[Vic] Someone get Wade a towel.
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Damon Kemp!
["Head Stomper" playing]
[Vic] You couldn't keep your eyes off the screen a moment ago.
You all right? Are you ready to refocus on this match?
[Wade] It's called Toxic Attraction for a reason. I'm attracted.
["To The Moon" playing]
♪ Yeah, all right, yeah ♪
♪ Let me tell a little story About a guy named Grimes ♪
[Samantha] And his opponent, Cameron Grimes!
[Vic] Is 2022 the year of Grimes?
[Wade] Listen, I bet against Cameron Grimes
every single week in 2021,
and I managed to lose every single time,
but unlike you with Elektra Lopez, I can actually admit when I get things wrong.
I am done betting against Cameron Grimes.
We can't take anything away from the man anymore.
He won rivalries last year, won championships,
won hearts and minds, and made a lot of money while he was doing it.
2022 may well be the year of Cameron Grimes.
[Vic] My nephew Sean's favorite superstar is Cameron Grimes,
and look, Cameron Grimes has predicted that a championship will be in his future.
You look around the NXT universe,
did you see everyone standing on their feet saying, "To the moon"?
Cameron Grimes had the whole support of everyone in the NXT universe.
[Wade] First of all, no one cares about your nephew, Sean.
-[Vic] That's not very nice. -[Wade] Please never bring Sean up again.
Yes, I agree, he has won over a lot of people,
he was a bit of an antagonist at times last year,
but the man has undeniable talent,
and at present, he's no longer interested…
-Oh! -[Vic] Oh.
I was gonna say he's no longer interested in the color green,
but this is a man, Malcolm Bivens, who certainly is,
and perhaps scouting another member for the Diamond Mine?
[Vic] Well, perhaps, and of course,
[Vic] Grimes has a championship background.
He's in there right now with Kemp, and Kemp has a great amateur career,
an aspiring superstar, a three-time State Champion,
and right now it's Cameron Grimes chopping down…
Oh, and taking it to Kemp.
[Wade] Listen, Damon Kemp, he's from the Minnesota area.
Some amazing athletes have come from that area in the past.
RAW superstar, Shelton Benjamin, WWE Champion Brock Lesnar, and--
-Oh! -[Vic] Oh!
And, of course, Olympic gold medalist and RAW superstar, Gable Steveson.
If Kemp can be anything like those three, he's going to go very, very far.
[Vic] University of Minnesota alumnus fired up,
you mentioned Brock Lesnar,
Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley WWE Title at the Royal Rumble.
[Wade] I cannot wait for that, years in the making,
that is going to be superb.
[Vic] Cameron Grimes is now trying to negotiate his way,
and is able to escape.
Charging right in, and--
And this is what we like to see from Cameron Grimes.
If Grimes can keep his head straight and can maintain his focus,
the future is so bright for Grimes.
[Wade] Yes, hard to disagree.
The reason being my biggest concern from day one, with Cameron Grimes,
is not ability, not athleticism,
it's been his ability to maintain focus and keep his head on.
If he can do that, he will go to the moon.
[audience chants "To the moon"]
[Vic] Grimes, now coming in looking for the Cave In.
Grimes got all of the Cave In and Grimes starts out 2022 with a win.
["To The Moon" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner, Cameron Grimes!
[Wade] Really nice showing from Kemp.
Gave a lot in there, but ultimately, I don't care who you are,
I don't care what your pedigree is,
you're on the receiving end of a Cave In to the face,
no chance of him ever kicking out.
That will take you to the very top here in NXT when you hit that.
2022, there are no more games! Cameron Grimes is the man here!
Cameron Grimes is coming for the gold!
[Vic] Well, certainly got off on the right foot in 2022.
Will it be the year for Cameron Grimes on NXT?
[audience cheering]
Harland and I want to express our sincerest gratitude
to the tournament committee for allowing us
to participate in tonight's Dusty Rhodes Classic Player match.
This is an opportunity that will not be taken lightly,
nor will it be squandered.
To allow me and Harland to participate in such a historic event
is something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
And we plan to use this platform to demonstrate
that no matter one's size, skills, or experience,
that everyone involved has an equal opportunity
to be winners of the Dusty Cup.
Malik Blade and Edris Enofé,
when you step in the ring with us in a few moments,
you are in a safe space.
And though tonight we may be rivals…
Harland wants you to know, that does not make us rivals in life.
[Vic] Welcome back to NXT, we want to take you back to last week.
This is what teachable moments are all…
[Vic] Well, Wagner was having nothing but a teachable moment from Andre Chase.
He would unleash on Andre Chase, but then it's what transpired after that.
It was Wagner putting his hands on a member
of Chase University student section,
but then he put his hands on a member of the NXT universe.
[Wade] Broke the cardinal rule,
never place your hands on a member of the NXT universe,
a member of the audience, drilled into me from day one.
You have to think, powers that be in NXT will be far from thrilled with that.
Yes, and we were provided a statement that I want to read to you right now.
"After the events of last week, Von Wagner has been fined,
and the WWE disciplinary committee has suspended Von Wagner."
As soon as we have more information, we will bring it to you.
Yes, I would imagine that would be a hefty fine,
and I doubt we'll be seeing Von Wagner for a very long time.
Right now, we've got to turn attention to what's about transpire.
[Vic] Who is headed to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic?
[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following contest is a Dusty Cup playing match.
Introducing first the team of Malik Blade and Edris Enofé!
[Vic] Look, this duo of Enofé and Blade,
they have been waiting for this golden opportunity.
Malik, you know what they're saying about us?
Yeah, man, that we're not a real tag team.
We haven't got a shot to beat Joe Gacy and Harland tonight.
-Man, screw that. You know what I say? -What you say?
-I say we win this match. -What else?
-We win this tournament. -What else?
-We shock the world. -Shock the world.
[Vic] I'll ask you, Wade, are they going to shock the world tonight?
[Wade] We'll see about that.
Let's say they've got their hands full, that's for sure.
I don't know if they are aware about what they've let themselves in for.
["Love Is Blind" playing]
[Samantha] And their opponents, the team of Harland and Joe Gacy!
[Vic] We heard from Gacy before the commercial break.
We also heard from Gacy last week, and he and Harland, according to Gacy,
wanted to earn their way into the Dusty Cup.
[Wade] Yes, you sound a little suspicious. I don't like that tone in your voice,
do you have a problem with them wanting to earn their way in?
-[Vic] No. -[Wade] I think that should be admired.
They're big-name superstars here,
they could get an automatic buy-in to the first round of the Dusty Cup,
but they, as they like to do, want to set an example.
They want to do things the right way.
To me, that is a noble gesture from Gacy and Harland.
[Vic] We also heard from Gacy tonight
who said that while they may be rivals in the ring,
Enofé and Blade are not rivals in life.
These messages that come from Joe Gacy are just hard to digest sometimes.
[Wade] It's competition in that ring.
When the competition ends, we can be friends,
we don't have to have hatred.
That's what the message is. How can you not decipher that?
[Vic] The winner of this matchup will be in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic,
as Gacy and Enofé starting things off.
Wade, early in your career, you could look back
and take a look at Enofé and Blade,
what would a win mean in the young careers of this duo?
[Wade] I will tell you that victory here for these two, Enofé and Blade,
that would be what I would call a legitimizer.
A lot of talk about aspiring superstars here in NXT,
here's your chance, Enofé, and Blade, to drop the aspiring part of that moniker.
Win tonight, and as far as I'm concerned, you're two legit superstars,
and you are, of course, in the Dusty Cup proper.
[Vic] What a spinning Uranage from Gacy planting Enofé,
[Vic] Harland looking on.
Into the cover, hook of the leg.
[Wade] Did Harland look impressed? What do you call that look?
[Vic] I'm not necessarily 100% sure, but take a look and feel.
Boom, the impact from Gacy, as now Gacy reaching out, trying to make a tag.
Enofé knows, if Harland gets in this matchup,
you talk about an instant game-changer.
[Wade] Yeah, I will tell you that if I was Blade and Enofé,
I would keep Harland well out of that ring.
Do all you can to keep Gacy isolated, if you can, easier said than done.
[Vic] From behind, Gacy, shoulders down, and a quick kick out.
Of course, Imperium watching all these tournament matches very closely.
The winner of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
earning an NXT Tag Team Title opportunity,
as Malik Blade enters the matchup and hits that picture-perfect dropkick.
And Harland certainly not impressed with the dropkick.
But, hey, let's talk about pairings, the unique pairing of Enofé and Blade,
the unique pairing of Gacy and Harland.
[audience chanting]
[Wade] Gacy and Harland clearly unique individuals.
We've never really seen anyone like either of them in truth.
While they're a rare combination, they seem to work better together.
There's a certain symbiosis between the duo.
Gacy is clearly the leader, but Harland is like an attack dog.
[Vic] Look at the tag team continuity.
Into the cover goes Enofé to advance, and a kick out quickly by Gacy.
[Wade] This is really nice chemistry from these two new lads, Blade and Enofé…
-Let's go! -[Wade] …growing in confidence.
[Vic] We talk about odd pairings, Randy Orton and Riddle were a pairing
that had a lot of questions, and a lot of success.
Recently, though, losing the RAW Tag Team Titles
last night to Alpha Academy, as a tag was made and in comes Harland.
Quickly, Enofé makes his way up, and Harland just snatching Blade.
[Wade] I don't blame Enofé in getting the hell out of there.
Poor Malik Blade now has to face the consequences, however.
Oh, my…
[Vic] Take a look at Harland.
[Wade] Just raw, unbridled aggression.
-[grunts] -[groans]
[Vic] And Harland again. Harland almost snapping.
Now anything that moves is getting dropped.
[Wade] I suggest you keep well clear of the ring.
This guy will snag you off.
[Vic] Enofé's not even legally in the match.
Harland doesn't care. Harland can't be controlled.
[Wade] Yeah, clearly not. The man is an absolute loose cannon.
If anyone can get through to him, it's Joe Gacy,
but Joe Gacy doesn't seem too intent on getting through.
[bell ringing]
Hey! Harland, it's over.
-[Vic] The referee called for the bell. -Hey, Harland.
[Wade] Referee should get out of the face of Harland if he's got any sense.
[audience] Harland! Harland!
Hey, I'm just doing my job. Gacy, I'm just doing my job, man.
It's five seconds. It was five seconds, Gacy.
Please, please. I'm just doing my job.
["Far From a Rookie" playing]
[Vic] Well, let's go back to some of the re…
Harland was absolutely out of control in this matchup.
Again, we said no one can control Harland.
Harland was literally hitting anything that moved.
-[Wade] Oh, he's at his most dangerous… -[Vic] No rhyme, no reason.
[Wade] He's at his most dangerous when he is in control, that's the truth.
But I think he may have come [inaudible].
I'm gonna assume there was a disqualification
somewhere in this melee.
I think the referee got to five, he'd seen enough.
He wasn't being listened to him, and wisely threw this one out.
I guess that means Enofé and Blade make it through to the Dusty Cup.
[Samantha] The winner of this match as a result of a disqualification
and advancing into the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic,
Edris Enofé and Malik Blade!
[Vic] Well, now when you take a look at those in the tournament,
some have to be breathing a sigh of relief.
Hey, don't count against Enofé and Blade. They can win the whole thing.
[Gunther] Imperium was built on three key principles.
Integrity, discipline, and honor.
Every part of our many successes has been achieved
through the glory of working harder than everybody else.
It is impossible to explain this level of commitment to people here.
The average imperfect specimen in this country
living a life of gluttony and sloth simply cannot imagine
existing in a world devoid of entitlement and laziness.
[Ludwig] When Imperium achieves success, we don't go on vacation.
We do not congratulate ourselves. We only work harder.
There is no easy route to take.
The road to perfection is paved with pain and suffering.
We don't wish upon a star or believe in some unrealistic pipe dream.
[Gunther] We look down upon the unkempt, uneducated, and unfashionable.
We carry and present ourselves with class, elegance, and sophistication.
[in Austrian]
And to us, the mat is sacred.
[Vic] Most certainly a superstar no stranger to Imperium
is looking for a little redemption tonight.
You can see Pete Dunne looking down at that injured left hand.
The reason for that injured left hand, you're taking a look at him.
Tony D'Angelo with his actions several weeks ago,
it leads us to tonight, a Crowbar on A Pole Match,
D'Angelo-Dunne next.
[Vic] We're back live on NXT.
We are set for a unique match, a Crowbar on A Pole Match.
Where once the crowbar is retrieved,
the crowbar is a legal weapon to use for the rest of the match.
["All About Family" playing]
♪ It's all about family ♪
[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is a Crowbar on A Pole Match!
Introducing first, Tony D'Angelo!
[Vic] D'Angelo knows his way around a crowbar,
said there's 16 ways to use a crowbar,
and also had some strong words for his opponent earlier tonight.
[Wade] Yes, he did. He said Dunne should've learned the first time
exactly what happens when you get one up on Tony D.
There are consequences, and who can forget those consequences?
Just three weeks ago when that crowbar smashed into our desk,
savaging the hand of "The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne in the process.
Will Pete Dunne somehow able to compete this evening and looking to get even?
["Stand Tall" playing]
[Samantha] And his opponent, "The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne!
[Vic] Well, Dunne taking a look at the left hand.
He's typically the one that's snapping back
and bending the digits,
but he was on the retrieving end of that crowbar smash, Wade,
that we've talked about right here in front of us.
Pete Dunne not in a good mood.
Probably not wise to anger The Bruiserweight.
[Wade] Well, let's face it.
The Bruiserweight isn't really a smiler at the best of times
but he's really got more of a furious look to him than usual.
[Vic] NXT universe is fired up tonight.
You can be part of our live audience in Orlando, Florida.
Follow NXT Live's official Facebook page for more information
or visit wwe.com/NXT Live.
[Wade] Listen, The Bruiserweight has a sadistic streak a mile long.
Combine that with the caliber of talent, he clearly is a former NXT UK Champion,
clearly one of NXT's best competitors.
This could be the downfall of Tony D'Angelo.
[Vic] We see Dunne taking a look over at the crowbar.
Dunne certainly has felt that crowbar.
[audience chanting "Bruiserweight"]
Not only… D'Angelo-- Oh! He's looking to run up to the crowbar,
snapped on at Dunne, delivered a powerful right hand.
[Wade] That was some street smarts there from Tony D'Angelo,
catching a charging Bruiserweight, but perhaps enjoying it a little too much,
and opening that window for The Bruiserweight to fire back.
[Vic] Oh, you're talking about Pete Dunne
who has felt that crowbar in front of us, as we mentioned, also at WarGames.
[Wade] What a nasty WarGames matchup
that was as we take another look at Tony D being a little too quick,
a little too smart for Pete Dunne in the early goings,
but Dunne, the caliber that we know he is, turning this straight back around.
[Vic] Nasty. Again, Dunne, looking up.
Look, Pete Dunne wants redemption. Pete Dunne wants retaliation.
Pete Dunne wants to smack that crowbar across the face of Tony D'Angelo.
[Wade] Yes, he does. What a mean nasty kind of matchup this truly is!
The sheer terror that most competitors would have,
knowing that crowbar is going to come into play at some point.
[Vic] This is a very deep-rooted issue for both superstars, more so for Dunne.
Dunne has mentioned this.
Dunne again trying to scale the top rope to get the crowbar.
Again, the first superstar to retrieve the crowbar,
it becomes a legal weapon to use for the rest of the matchup,
as D'Angelo wanted some interference and now some hockey punches,
just trying to drive the air out of Pete Dunne's body.
[Wade] A severe lack of respect from the start between these two,
the trash-talking, stealing the mouth guard at WarGames,
crowbar attacks, nice exploder suplex.
It's something, sometimes from day one, when you meet another superstar,
when he walks into the locker room, you just don't like them.
The only way to move on from that is to handle business body to body.
[Vic] Nasty landing from Pete Dunne. But Now it's D'Angelo who is getting his--
Very close, his fingertips on that crowbar.
Now it's Dunne again scaling. Look at Dunne.
[Wade] That crowbar is up high
and he might use the head of Tony D'Angelo as a foot ladder here.
Well, it's swinging down, look.
-[Vic] It's right there. -[Wade] Now is your big chance.
[Vic] Go ahead and grab it. Oh, very close, couldn't shake it loose.
D'Angelo wisely realizing what was happening.
[Wade] There's a clip at the top end of that crowbar hanging it on.
Obviously, Dunne could not quite get it unlocked thankfully for D'Angelo.
[Vic] D'Angelo now showcasing that power one more time.
Oh! Center of the ring, dropping Dunne.
Who gets their heads on the crowbar? Who will use it as a legal weapon?
Who's walking out of NXT? Dunne-D'Angelo continues on USA.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] We are back live on NXT,
Tony D'Angelo, Pete Dunne, a Crowbar on A Pole Match,
first superstar to climb up retrieve the crowbar
is able to use it legally in this matchup,
and again, these superstars were getting their hands
on just about everything around the ring.
Referee did a great job of having in to step in
and say, "No, I have to disqualify you. The only thing legal is the crowbar."
[Wade] Somehow managing to regain control despite the hatred between these two,
both men wise enough to get back in and continue competing
and hopefully get their hands on that crowbar
that's dangling precariously above the ring.
[Vic] I mean, this is certainly a non-traditional match.
[Wade] Yes, I got to be thankful,
I have never been in a Crowbar on A Pole Match.
I do thank my lucky stars for that.
I've been in some weird matches in my time
and ended up fighting Randy Orton in an elevator about 10 years ago
and got RKO'd on top of a car for my trouble.
This is WWE, you have to be ready as a superstar,
you never know what is coming next.
[Vic] Well, D'Angelo not going to like what's coming next here
-as Dunne stomping right down. -[Wade] I don't even like looking at that.
[Wade] Imagine taking that on your shoulder.
[Vic] Pete Dunne has not been a happy camper
and now again sets his eyes on the crowbar.
He felt the crowbar at WarGames, felt the crowbar across his bare knuckles
right here in front of us on the announce table.
[Wade] Here's the thing, smart enough not to take that opportunity
to scamper up there and grab the crowbar.
He wants to make sure that Tony D'Angelo is down for good,
that he doesn't get caught halfway up there
and blindsided, like we saw earlier in the matchup.
Just taking his time now is The Bruiserweight.
[Vic] I also think Pete Dunne is getting some enjoyment…
-[Vic] …out of punishing D'Angelo. -[Wade] Here's his chance.
[Vic] But now we talk about punishment.
Dunne again scaling, hands on the crowbar, can he detach it?
Can he pull it down?
Somehow, D'Angelo able to get his hands on Dunne.
[Wade] Wasn't able to run unhook it,
you got to lift that thing up before pulling it down
and that is where Bruiserweight wasn't quite getting it right there.
Of course, that played into the hands of Tony D'Angelo, slight delay there,
and Tony, he's back on top.
[Vic] Tony D'Angelo could get that crowbar in his hands.
Crowbar, obviously, the weapon of choice for Tony D.
[Wade] What a disaster this is going to be, hands on the crowbar,
knows all about his crowbar skills, learned them from his cousin, Jezepe,
part of the Rittenhouse crew over in Philly.
[Vic] A swing and a miss, got caught, and Dunne now has got the crowbar.
[Wade] It's backfired in the worst way.
[Vic] Well, the self-proclaimed made man of NXT, Tony D'Angelo,
could be running for the hills.
[Wade] If I was Tony D'Angelo, I would hightail it out of NXT right now
because, quite simply, you cannot win from this position.
All right, that's what you got?
[Vic] Well, D'Angelo,
the wise guy with the wise technique just dropping Dunne spine-first,
and now it's Tony D'Angelo who's got that crowbar in hand.
[Wade] Tony D'Angelo now.
[Vic] I don't like the fact that he's got the crowbar
and that he's coming our way, absolutely not.
[Wade] It's his right to do that, he goes wherever he wants,
-and I'm going to start running. -[Vic] Whoa!
[shouts]
[Vic] Oh, no, no, no. Not again!
This is exactly what happened a few weeks ago, and--
Oh! Charging back in is Dunne.
-[screams] -[audience cheering]
Pete Dunne is fired up. Right down.
Dunne in control of this matchup, referee is at eight,
and Dunne right to the outside.
Pete Dunne wants to earn this victory, wants to gain a win inside the ring
to silence the mouth of Tony D'Angelo,
and once again has the hands on that crowbar. Are you all right?
[Wade] I'm back in, I'm back online, you can hear me again,
and unfortunately for Tony D'Angelo, things are looking bleak.
[Vic] Oh, talk about a receipt.
[audience chanting "Tap"]
[Wade] Absolutely, choking right on that crowbar is Tony D'Angelo,
and taking their teeth out.
Much like we saw at WarGames.
[Vic] Oh, no, no, D'Angelo able to counter-- Oh!
[Wade] That spelled the beginning of the end for Dunne.
[Vic] With the assist from the crowbar.
Into the cover, and Dunne kicks out.
[Wade] I told you all about the wherewithal, the desire to win.
[Vic] An assisted… with the crowbar right down on the throat.
I can't get over what we just witnessed.
[Wade] I can't believe that Pete Dunne managed to kick out of that,
crushed larynx and all.
[Vic] Oh! Into the injured hand goes D'Angelo.
For a lot of talk about inexperience, D'Angelo knows exactly what he's doing.
[Wade] Of course, he does.
He's in an inspired moment here, knows he's in control,
slowly wearing down The Bruiserweight.
[Vic] Again, the crowbar is legal in this matchup, nice counter from Dunne.
[Wade] This one is swinging back and forth now,
Pete Dunne doing what he does best.
[Vic] Dunne says, "Crowbar be damned." He is taking it to D'Angelo.
[audience cheering]
You can only imagine the thoughts running through the mind of The Bruiserweight.
D'Angelo not going to like the view.
[Wade] Did not take into account the athleticism of The Bruiserweight,
and now the sadistic streak of the Englishman
baring down upon Tony D'Angelo.
[Vic] You heard the NXT universe for a moment as D'Angelo…
D'Angelo again.
[groans]
Wait, D'Angelo's fingers might've got snapped in the chair.
And again, referee doing a nice job of running some interference of his own.
As going up, going down, waiting for the submission is Dunne.
[Wade] Locking it in and snapping those fingers in the process.
How disgusting is this?
[Vic] Getting bent back, D'Angelo able to get to the bottom rope.
D'Angelo is just able to get to that bottom rope,
which broke the hold, and you got to be thankful for Pete Dunne
'cause it looked like D'Angelo was getting ready to get crank
with that crowbar.
[Wade] Absolutely. Now we got ourselves a slugfest over the crowbar.
[Vic] Oh, nasty landing for Dunne.
[Wade] Real nice there from Tony D,
bringing out some of those freestyle skills.
Back first into that pole too,
barely able to stand up is The Bruiserweight
club to the face with the crowbar.
One, two, three.
[bell rings]
["All About Family" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner, Tony D'Angelo!
[Wade] What a brutal affair it turned out to be,
but hats off to this man, Tony D.
[Vic] Unreal conclusion to this matchup.
I mean, again, it was a Crowbar on A Pole Match.
Both these superstars slugging it out,
and take a look at the nasty landing by Pete Dunne,
who went spine first on the chair,
back of the neck hit the turnbuckle, then he went face-first into the post.
This was a methodical attack, and then, boom,
bingbong from Tony D'Angelo, knocking out Pete Dunne.
[Wade] All smiles is Tony D.
I am walking in here. Me.
Tony D'Angelo getting the win by any means necessary,
-and with me now, Grayson Waller. -[audience booing]
Grayson, tonight's match as you finally go one-on-one with AJ Styles?
In the Main Event? That's the key phrase, in the Main Event.
That's where I'm destined to be, where I deserve to be.
And after I beat AJ tonight,
where I'm permanently staying because I'm everywhere right now.
My social media's going off, I'm the face of NXT 2.0,
I was on RAW, and maybe, Friday, I go to SmackDown.
Slap Roman Reigns and Shinsuke Nakamura in the face.
[chuckles]
Everyone has the dream of WrestleMania moment, right?
Well, I go one step further, I create Grayson Waller moments.
I jump off the cage at WarGames,
the chair shot heard around the world times two, you liked that one, didn't you?
[chuckles]
In the match with AJ Styles tonight, I'll create another Grayson Waller moment.
Watch me. [chuckles]
A very confident Grayson Waller. Guys, back to you.
[Vic] Thanks, McKenzie, but before we get to our Main Event,
we have a six-woman Tag Team action coming up.
The team of Indi Hartwell, Persia Pirotta and…
Just woken up?
Looks like Wendy Choo just woke up, getting in some squat.
She's getting ready. This six-woman Tag Team match, next.
[Mandy Rose] Toxic Attraction is made up of three sexy,
self-confident, successful women,
and we got all the gold to prove it. Tell them, girls.
[upbeat music playing]
[Jacy] Plain and simple. Women want to be us, and men want to be with us.
And since Halloween Havoc,
the thirst for Toxic Attraction has been an all-time high.
[Gigi] Mandy saw something in us that no one else did.
Two women who kick ass in the ring and break hearts outside of it.
Don't believe it?
Ask the NXT Women's Division and the men we've ghosted.
[Jacy] No one can hang with this group of champions.
Mandy is at the top of her game.
There isn't a Tag Team in the world who could touch Gigi and I.
If anyone wants to prove us wrong, they know where to find us.
Just follow the crowd because everyone watches our every move.
We aren't just Toxic Attraction, we are the attraction.
Just a few more, guys.
[Wade] I think I speak for the population of planet Earth
when I say we are all attracted to Toxic A.
-["Believe In Me" playing] -[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is a Six-Woman Tag Team Match
scheduled for one fall.
[announcer] Introducing first,
the team of Wendy Choo, Persia Pirotta, and Indi Hartwell!
[Vic] When it comes to Toxic Attraction,
Hartwell and Pirotta would love an opportunity at the gold, but…
[Wade] I got to ask you, what the hell is this?
[Vic] I was going to ask you the same thing.
How is this trio going to work, with Wendy Choo?
[Wade] Listen, I've had some odd tag partners in my time.
I had one guy from West Virginia who was a nightmare.
But I do not envy Hartwell and Pirotta with Wendy Choo on their side,
if she can stay awake.
["All My Ladies" playing]
[Samantha] And their opponents, first, Amari Miller!
[Vic] We can focus on Amari Miller.
A bubbly personality that certainly fits well with her partners, here tonight.
[Wade] Ball of energy indeed,
catching a lot of eyes at the performance center.
The coaches have spoken highly of Amari Miller.
Now we have these two dancing their way to the ring,
Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro.
[Samantha] And her Tag Team partners, Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter.
[Vic] Much like Persia and Indi,
Carter and Catanzaro would love an opportunity again,
-to call themselves champions. -[Wade] Of course, they are.
Everyone wants an opportunity at Toxic Attraction at the moment
because Toxic Attraction have the gold, and they have the spotlight.
Everybody wants a slice of that.
But the only way to get that chance right now
is a victory via the Dusty Cup that is upcoming.
Indi Hartwell, of course, former Tag Champ with Candice LeRae.
She wants to recapture the gold, but this time with a new partner,
perhaps in Persia Pirotta.
[Vic] Now, of course, you just mentioned
the Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic right around the corner.
We saw earlier tonight, Enofé and Blade play their way in,
so to speak, into the Men's Dusty Cup.
This is Six-Woman Tag Team-- Wendy Choo asleep?
[Wade] I'm going to guess, at this point, she must have narcolepsy.
[Vic] Nonetheless, it's Miller starting off with Indi Hartwell in this matchup.
Look, there's a lot of turmoil between these six women.
[Wade] Of course.
There's been squabble in the locker room a couple of weeks ago,
over who deserves that opportunity at Toxic Attraction,
-quickly devolves… -[Vic] Oh!
Almost a nasty landing there for Amari Miller,
throwing her own health on the line in pursuit of victory tonight
such is the spoils available to victors here.
People who climb the ladder in the tag division,
everybody wants to start hitting on all cylinders ahead
-of the Women's Dusty Cup. -[Vic] Look at Catanzaro, up and over.
Catanzaro, Carter, Miller,
they are flying through the air in this matchup,
literally taking control of-- There's Briggs and Jensen?
[Wade] Yes. They're trying to get dates with Catanzaro and Carter.
I don't fancy their chances.
Bit out of your league, lads, if I'm honest.
[Vic] Didn't they go to a country concert together, though?
Wasn't that technically a date?
[Wade] I didn't think it went too well, from what I could see anyway.
[Vic] Right now, things not going well for Indi Hartwell.
Look at Carter turning, twisting, planting Hartwell.
Cover, count, and a kick out.
[Wade] Oh, Hartwell [inaudible] getting mauled right now,
perhaps in part, thanks to sleepy Wendy Choo.
She ain't pulling away, is she? Let's be honest.
[Vic] At least Choo's back to her feet at this point.
Hartwell trying to make a tag, desperately needs to make one,
as Carter reaching out.
[Wade] Inches away, powerhouse though, Indi Hartwell.
Talk about another powerhouse, Pirotta getting busted off the apron.
[Vic] Hartwell showcasing her strength. Shoulders are down. Oh, kick out.
Hartwell answering right back.
Again, we talk about the animosity between these six women.
There is Choo, maybe not necessarily
as asleep as she's in touch with her inner child.
She's looking to make a tag, and in comes Choo.
[Vic] She's got slippers on.
-That worked, surprisingly. -[Vic] Choo right back.
[Vic] She certainly now delivering inside the ring.
[Wade] Packs a punch too. Can she keep it up, though?
Or is she going to tire out halfway through this?
[Vic] Look at her go.
-[screams] -[audience cheering]
I don't know how many children are out there
throwing their weight around like Wendy Choo is.
-Choo delivers another suplex. -[Wade] I was not anticipating this.
Cover. Count. Catanzaro breaking things up.
Now it's Pirotta running some interference, showcasing her strength.
[Wade] Powerhouse herself, nice power bomb, center of the ring,
but cleaned out by Kayden Carter.
[Vic] Spinebuster from Hartwell.
[Wade] This one is just fully broken down now.
Nice from Amari Miller, getting herself back on top, but can she put this to bed?
Amari still looking for her moment, here in NXT.
[audience chants "NXT"]
[Vic] She's asleep, pin her.
Now Miller… Choo able to kick…
I think Choo was playing possum, reaches out, makes the tag.
In comes Pirotta.
There's no playing around when Persia Pirotta tags into a matchup.
-[Wade] Absolutely none. -[Vic] Tag. In comes Hartwell.
Pirotta. Devastating move, dropping Amari Miller.
Then pretty savage to the lower back.
Hartwell into the cover, a kiss for Dexty, and what a win.
["Believe In Me" playing]
[Samantha] Here are your winners,
the team of Wendy Choo, Persia Pirotta, and Indi Hartwell.
[Vic] Say what you want about Choo,
Wendy Choo came into this matchup, changed it for her team.
In the end, Pirotta, Choo, Hartwell stand tall.
["Believe In Me" playing]
-Oh, it's big time. -Yeah, man, absolutely.
Oh, she's even more beautiful than I remember.
The little bag to the Tag Team Titles runs through the Dusty Rhodes Classic.
Hey, and just like our "Shaman" bro Riddle said…
"The comeback's always greater than the set back."
Bingo. And history's about to repeat itself,
as we run through every single one of the teams.
-Like the Grizzled Young Veterans. -Or Briggs and Jensen.
[laughter] Or like Creed Brothers, Brothers Creed, Diamond Creed…
Look, I'm more worried about [inaudible] personally.
Bro, he's a rock. He can't tag in. He can't tag in.
Hey, guys.
I won this. Huh? I did. We won it.
Yeah. Same night. Fireworks, screaming…
Nothing divides friendship more than success.
[chuckles]
Get that out of here.
That evil, don't you put that evil on us, Dakota Kai.
-Don't put that evil on us. -Trying to hex us?
Boa, you want to jump me in the shadows?
You want to fight?
Now that's a language I can understand. I don't care which one of you shows up.
Let's get it.
[audience cheering]
What's going on?
This is the Mandy Rose championship photo shoot,
but we're all done.
Okay. She can show up to do photo shoots, but she can't show up to defend the title.
I see hers. Okay.
She thinks she's so perfect, doesn't she?
[laughs]
Everything is just perfect for Mandy.
How about you take a photo of this?
Sorry.
[bell rings]
[Vic] Boa, Solo Sikoa underway. KLR certainly makes a great point.
Is Kay Lee Ray… You're the biggest cheerleader for Toxic Attraction.
You're very mute at this point.
[Wade] I did not like seeing that photo shoot get smashed up
because I know the end product of those photo shoots is simply superb,
-especially when they involve Toxic A. -[Vic] Focusing on this matchup,
Solo Sikoa coming off the biggest win of his career,
is still undefeated, but is in there with Boa, here tonight.
[Wade] Yeah, well, he said it quite clearly, "Jump me in the shadows,
that is language I understand. Let's get it."
And I'm pretty sure at some point very soon, Boa is going to get it.
[Vic] Nice take down by Sikoa.
Sikoa said tonight is about more than just a match.
He doesn't care which Boa shows up.
[Wade] Listen, he is the street-fighting champ of the island.
Solo Sikoa got embarrassed by being jumped on global TV.
He's used to sneak attacks, but the truth is,
Boa's dark side was just too powerful for him to overcome.
[Vic] Sikoa just measuring Boa.
Sikoa obviously hasn't taken kindly, as you mentioned, being attacked by Boa.
Focusing in, right now.
This is the most focused we've seen Sikoa entering a matchup.
-And you can see it in his eyes. -[Wade] I like that.
[Wade] It's about time Boa got a little focused.
I've criticized him in the past.
He was losing every match he was in, at one point.
Couldn't get the job done.
But if he can handle these dark powers that have somehow overcome him,
learns to control it, he's going to be a real force.
That's a big if though. I don't know how he can do this.
[Vic] When it comes to Boa though, I guess lack of a better term,
switches to his darker alter ego, he loses control of himself.
[Wade] Listen, at times Boa seems almost possessed by something.
There are dark forces controlling him, the results are always impressive.
The issue is, it's so erratic.
He looks confused, he finally snaps out of it.
He needs to learn to harness that power,
because it is such a destructive force when used well.
[Vic] Look at Boa. Double underhook suplex, well-executed.
Boa quickly into the cover. Hook of the leg.
This would be a huge win for Boa. Sikoa able to kick out at two.
Off that hair, Boa.
[Vic] Boa now focusing in trying to wear down Solo Sikoa.
You can see both superstars early on in this matchup
-have been through a physical war. -[Wade] Both men busted open already.
Such is the level of animosity and intensity that both men behold here,
but has to say this is the most impressive I have ever seen Boa.
We know about Solo Sikoa, how powerful he is.
-[audience chanting] -Crowd clearly behind him now.
Boa struggling to hang on to the street fighting champ.
[audience chants "let's go, Solo"]
[Vic] Oh, nice strike, and nice block. This is what Sikoa does so well.
You talk about the street fighter,
it's the striking ability of Sikoa on display.
Sikoa is going strike for strike with Boa.
And-- Oh! Senton!
[Wade] Tremendous ability to ride out the storm, Solo Sikoa.
Clearly had some beatings in his life, that's…
[audience chants "Ooh"]
Indeed…
A taste of those beatings in return is Boa.
[Vic] No doubt who the NXT universe is rallying behind in this matchup.
And of course, Solo Sikoa.
-[audience chants "NXT"] -Two! Three! Four!
[Wade] Sikoa has got himself the upper hand here,
needs to make it count.
[Vic] We talk about losing control, right here, right… Oh…
Nine.
-The referee's at nine. -Ten!
-It's a draw! Ring the bell! -Referee got to ten.
[Wade] Both men are counted out on this one.
[Vic] I don't think either man cares what's going on.
[Wade] Completely lost focus on winning the actual match,
just wanting to take each other to hell and back.
Oh!
Are we gonna get some security out here, or what?
[Vic] We've never seen Solo Sikoa enraged as he is, in…
Boa and Solo Sikoa now, we're trying to get our cameras
to capture some of the action
of what these two superstars are going through,
but right now, McKenzie Mitchell standing by
with the phenomenal AJ Styles.
Things between Solo Sikoa and Boa are clearly far from over.
AJ Styles, I wanted to get your thoughts on everything that transpired.
Those two are going at it. That's what I love about NXT.
It's the passion that these superstars have.
It's infectious to everyone, except for Grayson Waller.
He's quite the opposite, in fact. You heard what he had to say.
Grayson is very confident.
He believes that he has you in the palm of his hand.
That's nervous confidence talking.
For the first time, Grayson will have to step to the plate.
The Waller effect ends tonight. 2022 is my year.
The Georgia Bulldogs, my Georgia Bulldogs won the national championship last night.
I'm going to ride that momentum to the Royal Rumble.
I'm going to win that match, and I'm going to headline WrestleMania.
It all starts with shutting Grayson Waller's mouth.
AJ Styles takes on Grayson Waller in tonight's Main Event.
[epic music playing]
[Samantha] The following contest is a Championship Unification match.
The NXT North American Champion,
Carmelo Hayes!
His opponent, the NXT Cruiserweight Champion,
Roderick Strong!
The winner will be recognized as the NXT North American Champion.
[upbeat music playing]
You're going to be carried out, and forever known as Humbled Hayes.
[upbeat music playing]
When I say I shoot and I don't miss,
that's not a catchphrase, that's a lifestyle.
One, two, three!
[Vic] History has been made!
[upbeat music playing]
-Showtime, baby. Champ is in the building. -This ain't clean, Melo.
Champ is in the building. Let's go.
-Boy, you look good. You look like money. -Say that.
[laughing]
Yes, sir. Sheesh.
Keep it here, we'll be right back.
[Vic] The North American Champion addresses the NXT universe, next.
[narrator] NXT 2.0 has the drip, so find you a fit.
[upbeat music playing]
NXT shop. Yes, it's like that.
[Vic] We're back live on NXT. Wade, the chaos is continuing.
Our cameras have caught up with Sikoa and Boa in the warehouse.
[Wade] This is turning into a blood feud in the worst way here,
back to where, perhaps, Solo Sikoa is in his element.
It's over. It's done. You'd got count out.
[Vic] Oh!
Might need more than just the officials back there to separate these two.
[Wade] They are trashing the place, and each other in the process.
Absolute bedlam.
What's going on? The match is over. All right, Solo.
[Vic] These two could care less about a match.
They just want to tear each other apart.
Whoa!
[Wade] The hell was that?
-Medical! Medical! Medical! -Relax, stay still!
Relax. Stay still. Stay still, Solo.
-Go get the medic now! -Yes, sir.
-Get it quick. -Stay there. Stay with us.
That's it. Relax, Solo.
-Don't move. Don't move. Don't move. -Medical is coming. Relax.
Listen, things were completely out of control between those two,
but that has just crossed a line there.
As a matter of fact, I can't disagree with you.
I'm being told, receiving word
that Von Wagner's suspension has been lifted,
and his fine has been paid.
-By who? -I don't know.
We got to continue the action here.
Please welcome Trick Williams and the NXT North American Champion,
Carmelo Hayes!
[Vic] As I was saying, continuing the action with the man
who made history last week.
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
It is hard to doubt Carmelo Hayes.
[Wade] Melo don't miss, it's really that simple.
[Vic] He doesn't.
[Wade] It sounded like a bit of a catchphrase. It has catch.
You could put that on a T-shirt, but no, it's actually the truth.
It's actually a fact.
He does not miss, especially when Trick Williams is in tow,
helping him out. He's the deal.
The guy unified the Cruiserweight and the North American Championships.
This guy is the real deal.
[Vic] A self-proclaimed "a champion".
The NXT universe like him or hate him,
they're on their feet showing respect to Carmelo Hayes.
[Wade] It's based on what a matchup it was last week with Roderick Strong.
First matchup of the year, here in the NXT.
Aye. Here we go. Here we go.
Aye, first thing first, I need for everyone to get out your seat
and make some noise for your North American Champion.
[audience cheers and boos]
That's right, make some noise. He deserves it.
You see, Melo, I'm happy for you
because when you have gold, we both have gold.
See, you might not know this, but Trick and Melo go together
like peanut butter and jelly, like Shaq and Kobe,
like Trick Williams and big booty women.
Hey. Hey. Hey.
-My bad, brother, but it is what it is. -It is.
I feel you, bro, but listen, we got some serious business we need to get to, man.
Set the thing up. Set the thing up.
Last week…
I had one of the toughest challenges of my career,
against one of the toughest opponents, Roderick Strong.
So with that being said, I just like to take a moment of silence
for Roderick Strong's Cruiserweight Championship reign.
Rest in piss to all my ops…
Okay, that's enough. Now we're really celebrating.
Make some noise for your Unified North American Champion, baby.
I am HIM! I am HIM! Let's go. I am HIM!
You that, bro.
Since I got the ball, it's been nothing but first downs and touchdowns.
-I ain't passing no time soon. -Whoa. You ain't passing?
Aye, man. You know what I'm trying to say, bro. Come on.
-My bad. Talk your talk. -Anyways, [clears throat]
I got more accomplishments than I got months in this company.
When it comes down, two things that are true,
numbers don't lie, and Melo don't miss. Ready?
This my part right here. It's my favorite part.
'Cause I am the walking cheat code.
I am a history maker in the physical form.
And I am the most scintillated champion ever
in NXT.
All right. All right.
-Scintillated. -Okay, okay.
Because you can call it the NXT Unified North American…
Can-we-talk-for-a-minute-because I-want-to-know-your-name Championship
if you want, but because it's around my waist,
this is the A Championship.
So you can step up and get stepped on.
That's all it is, and that's all it's ever going to be.
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
[Wade] Think you call that charisma off the charts
from The A Champ and Trick Williams,
convincing everyone around the world, week by week
that he is the biggest star in NXT.
-["Phenomenal" playing] -[audience cheering]
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
[Vic] Carmelo Hayes wants to talk about accomplishments,
there's a superstar who has done
just about everything there is to do in the WWE.
[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, The Phenomenal, AJ Styles!
[Vic] For the first time ever, "The Phenomenal One" competes in NXT,
against Grayson Waller, next in our Main Event NXT.
♪ Blue collar boys do it With our hands muddied ♪
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
That's how you do it, bro. We killed that, man.
-Now that's a 'melobration'. -Keys. Let's go.
Hey, I ain't got your keys, man.
What do you mean you ain't got my keys, bro?
-Watch out now. [laughs] -Oh, this guy.
You're looking for some keys, Melo?
You see, in 2021,
you would've caught old Cameron Grimes out here doing doughnuts in this Bentley.
But in 2022, I'm just going to keep it straight with you, man.
I'm coming for that championship. [chuckles]
In 2022, I'm going to the moon.
Don't miss. [laughing]
-He done lost his mind. -You lucky, man. He so lucky.
-Don't worry about it. -Trying to make me look…
We going to see it. We going to see.
[Vic] Cameron Grimes called his shot,
but how about the first round of the men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic?
It begins next week.
Earlier tonight, we saw Blade and Enofé earn their way into the tournament.
I cannot wait for the start of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Live,
right here on NXT,
but I also can't wait for the Main Event here tonight.
-We're moments away. -[Wade] Oh, yes.
Waiting for this for a long time.
One of the biggest stars in WWE, right here in NXT.
-["Eye On The Prize" playing] -[audience booing]
[Samantha] And his opponent, Grayson Waller!
[Vic] I'd love to get your prediction on this matchup,
but I already think I know which way you're leaning.
[Wade] My prediction is that AJ Styles is going to slap the snot
out of this loudmouthed ingrate, Grayson, not a moment too soon.
[audience booing]
["Eye On The Prize" playing]
[Vic] This is Grayson Waller's first NXT Main Event,
and he's certainly going to put his money where his mouth is.
[Wade] It's about time too.
Listen, Waller got what he wanted, which is the spotlight,
but this is just going to make him even worse than ever.
The nonsense, it just works for him. He's addicted to that spotlight.
Now he's cracked the cheat code to get that spotlight.
The runaway train is only going to get worse and worse.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] While we relive what happened 24 hours ago,
earlier tonight on Monday Night RAW,
AJ Styles not going to play games with Grayson Waller.
[Wade] Certainly not. This maybe rough start to the year,
not only have to deal with Waller's nonsense,
but also losing his tag team partner, The Giant, Omos,
who was devastating last night on RAW.
[Vic] How does that mentally mess with AJ Styles?
[Wade] Losing his tag partner? Listen, AJ is a 20 plus-year veteran.
He's Main Event caliber, World Champion, one day guaranteed Hall of Famer.
He's seen it all, done it all, and that split from Omos,
just be a bump on the road. [inaudible] starts tonight.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] As we said, NXT universe is fired up.
You can see everyone on their feet for this Main Event match.
Look, when it comes to AJ Styles, he's made the announcement.
He's entered into the Men's Royal Rumble match.
Shoulders down. Kick out.
[Wade] Royal Rumble, always a favorite event of mine.
One thing AJ and I have in common, and not many, unfortunately,
is neither of us have ever won a Royal Rumble.
Could change this year, of course, for either AJ, or maybe me.
[Vic] Maybe you? Who you kidding?
You got bad knees. You don't fit in here anymore.
[Wade] Steady on. Focus on the match, will you?
[Vic] AJ Styles right now focused on delivering some big blows to Grayson.
[Wade] Here's the problem for Waller.
Talk all that trash, now, you have to back it up.
You're not backing it up against just anybody,
you're backing it up against one of the absolute best of all time,
AJ Styles, so much easier said than done.
This is where the hard work really starts for Grayson Waller.
You want to live with someone like AJ Styles in that ring, it is difficult.
He's just so vast, so experienced,
has the ability to withstand so much punishment.
That's what's taken him to the top.
Now Grayson Waller is finding out that there are levels in this game.
Very top of those levels is AJ.
[Vic] Take a look at the pinpoint precision from "The Phenomenal One".
AJ Styles has endured weeks of verbal harassment,
said it was Waller's nervous confidence, nervous energy, so to speak.
[Wade] Hey, listen, Grayson Waller talk all that nonsense
was as obnoxious as he could be,
but that shows why AJ is such a great veteran.
Took all that verbal abuse, didn't overreact, didn't rush anything,
-got Waller right where he wants him… -[Vic] Cover!
…which is a one-on-one match.
Now it is time for Grayson Waller to face the music.
-You dug this hole for yourself. -[Vic] Take a look.
Talk about pinpoint precision, right between the eyes.
AJ Styles and Grayson Waller seem to… His eyes were like deer in headlights.
[Wade] Of course, it is, but he just pulled out a very nice tricky move there
on AJ, to try and wrestle back this pendulum in his own favor.
[Vic] Waller said tonight in his first Main Event,
he's going to create a Grayson Waller Moment.
[Wade] Grayson… Is that the same as the Grayson Waller Effect?
Let me be clear. This is the AJ Styles effect
that we're witnessing right now. This match turned into a cauldron.
If anyone is getting the benefit from anyone here,
Grayson Waller is getting the benefit of being able to stand in that man,
AJ Styles' spotlight.
[Vic] NXT universe showing their love for "The Phenomenal One".
AJ Styles just got dropped by Waller on the outside.
And Grayson Waller oozing that confidence, that cockiness
that could earn him what he is calling the biggest victory of his career,
here in the first Main Event matchup for Waller on NXT.
[Wade] That is a game-changer right there.
Hangman neck breaker on the ropes from Waller.
Look, I don't like the guy, but the guy is clearly really good,
which is perhaps the most frustrating part of Grayson Waller.
[Vic] Oh!
Waller running through Styles.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Back live on NXT.
This, our Main Event, Monday Night RAW's AJ Styles taking on Grayson Waller.
The NXT universe has been fired up all night long.
Let's go back to what transpired just before the commercial break.
It was a nice combination offense from Grayson Waller.
First, that neck breaker, and then BAM, that explosion,
that deep cleaning clothesline wiping out AJ Styles,
which certainly has turned the complexion of this matchup.
Grayson Waller said when he wins tonight, Wade,
he's going to be in the Main Event permanently.
[Wade] I would never argue with that, in all honestly.
Let's just go back to the men's WarGames match.
Grayson Waller's put performance in that match, it was simply brilliant.
It was a star-making performance. We can take another look.
Exactly why he is so good in the ring, pinpoint accuracy on the jaw of AJ Styles.
That's what's frustrating. He has the talent.
-Go around here, huh? -Off the hair!
Two! Off the hair!
[Wade] He has the talent to get in the Main Event
without all the trash-talking, the obnoxious behavior.
His behavior is the antithesis of what should be rewarded here in NXT.
[Vic] AJ Styles now one step ahead of Waller, but wait a minute,
Waller with Styles perched up high. Styles with a nice block.
You talk about combination offense, look at the strikes from Styles!
[audience cheering]
-Styles charging right in. -[Wade] Here's the problem with AJ Styles.
You think you get one up on him, you're way off the mark.
[Vic] And one more time, boom!
Styles, with a little extra pepper on that last forearm.
Styles now, with Waller in his sights.
Look, Waller hasn't just rubbed us the wrong way, or RAW superstar…
Oh, that being AJ Styles. Styles into the cover.
Hook of the leg to put Waller away, and Waller kicks out.
Waller's rubbed everyone the wrong way.
[Wade] Everyone the wrong way. You're absolutely right.
Banned from the locker room for being so obnoxious.
Bron Breakker kicked him out.
Long road back, when you get to that point with the rest of the locker room.
The locker room polices itself. It always has done, and always will do.
Right now, Grayson Waller has zero friends here in NXT.
-Well, now Styles… -Hey, he's on the rope!
Styles was trying to put Grayson Waller away,
looking for a Styles Clash, and Waller was able to weasel his way free.
Two!
[Vic] Now Styles going up, going over, and there is the classic AJ Styles.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] It's offense like we're witnessing tonight,
that has made AJ Styles a household name.
[Wade] This place is going absolutely bananas for The Phenomenal One
thanks to this performance, finally, hopefully, shutting up Grayson Waller,
who at this point, can't even get to his feet.
[Vic] Styles looking for that Phenomenal Forearm.
Waller had some other plans.
[Wade] I don't know if that was playing possum by Waller,
or if that was instincts,
but it was the smartest thing I've ever seen him do.
-[Vic] What a forearm. -[Wade] Back on top.
He needs to put this one to bed right now.
You've got AJ down,
you've got very little energy left at this point, Grayson Waller.
Put this one to bed.
[audience chanting]
That might do it.
[Vic] Into the cover for the biggest win of his career,
and AJ Styles, just able to kick out.
One more time, one more look. Pinpoint precision from Waller.
[Wade] This, to the audience for added emphasis,
just so close to putting away AJ Styles at this point.
[Vic] This is our Main Event here live on NXT,
Monday Night RAW's AJ Styles, Waller,
a war of words that has turned into this huge Main Event matchup.
Styles looking for a German suplex. Nice counter here by Grayson Waller.
Looking for a submission!
There's nowhere for Waller to go!
Waller doing anything he can to wiggle free.
[Wade] Absolutely screaming in agony now is Grayson Waller.
I love that look on his face.
[Vic] Listen to the NXT universe. Torquing the ankle.
-Is he going to tap out? -Waller going to tap?
Reach it out.
You think about, how many victories, how many championships AJ Styles has won
with the Calf Crusher.
Somehow, someway, Grayson Waller, like him or hate him,
was able to dig deep and find the bottom rope.
[Wade] Have to ask yourself, can Waller even stand up at this point,
after the damage incurred from that Calf Crusher.
If not, he is simply a sitting duck for AJ Styles.
Clinging onto that top rope for dear life as well, he should.
It's not going to be enough though.
[Vic] Look, AJ Styles… Up and over goes Waller.
Center of the ring, shoulders down.
AJ Styles able to kick out at two. Comes back in, goes up.
Waller planting, again, Styles. This is the upset. No.
Kick out, AJ. He did.
[Wade] A millisecond from the unthinkable in putting away AJ Styles.
Listen, I don't like him at all.
I've made that very clear, but we are learning a lot
about the irrepressible nature of Grayson Waller in this Main Event.
[Vic] Could you imagine if Grayson Waller won this match?
[Wade] Don't think about it. We'd never hear the end of it.
[Vic] Wait. You got to be kidding me.
You talk about an ultimate sign of disrespect.
[Wade] Don't get too cocky, kid.
[Vic] Styles able to weather the storm.
AJ Styles with another forearm under the jaw. Waller rocked.
Styles looking to fly.
Oh, and again, Waller able to roll through.
-Wait a minute. Stunner. -[Wade] A thing of beauty.
[Vic] Cover.
Hook of the leg, and again Styles able to kick out at two and a half.
[Wade] Styles is clinging on here. This is your chance, Waller.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] What must be going through the mind of Grayson Waller?
[Wade] He smells blood. It is there for the taking.
[Vic] Waller trying to get some feeling back into his leg after that Calf Crusher.
Waller now, just strike after strike.
Listen to the NXT universe…
trying to rally The Phenomenal One.
[Wade] Meanwhile, Grayson Waller trying to tear up the script on this one.
[Vic] Waller. Nice counter by Styles.
[Wade] Very sneaky, very effective.
[Vic] Waller, swing and a miss. Oh, kick connects.
-[Wade] Leaping Pel kick. -[Vic] Waller's rocked.
Styles now, up and down, brain buster.
[audience cheering]
Look at the eyes of AJ Styles, they tell the story.
[Wade] Steely determination.
An opportunity to end this once and for all.
[Vic] Styles looking to finally shut the mouth of Grayson Waller
with a Phenomenal Forearm!
-Cover by Styles. -One… Two…
-Three! -AJ Styles picks up the win.
["Phenomenal" playing]
[Samantha] Here's your winner, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles!
[Vic] Take nothing away
from what Grayson Waller was able to do here tonight,
when the lights were shining the brightest,
against the superstar de caliber of AJ Styles.
Grayson Waller, to your point, answered a lot of questions,
but in the end, AJ Styles was simply phenomenal.
[Wade] Absolutely. What a matchup.
This was the last chance for Grayson Waller to put this one to bed,
that leaping stunner, just a millisecond away
from doing the unthinkable, in putting away AJ Styles.
[Vic] Then look, things slipped away.
AJ Styles, the veteran was able to stay one step ahead of Grayson Waller,
here in the closing moments of this matchup.
As Waller would look for a huge forearm, it would be turned around.
For AJ Styles, the exclamation point came with The Phenomenal Forearm.
You think about all those that have fallen before Grayson Waller.
One… Two… Three!
AJ Styles notches another dub in his career.
Hey, Waller…
loved giving you that ass-kicking.
You're good, but you're not phenomenal.
[audience cheering]
But your night is not over yet.
I want to introduce you to one of my friends.
-["Welcome To LA" playing] -No, no, no.
-[Wade] It can't be. -[Vic] Yes.
-Hey, hey, hey! -[Wade] LA Knight!
[Wade] We haven't seen him since Waller waiting out in the parking lots.
-[Vic] We haven't seen that in weeks. -Hey, hey! No, no, no.
-[Vic] LA Knight's back. -I'll get a little piece of you!
[Wade] This is the worst day of Grayson Waller's life.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] And Knight is taking it to Waller.
[Wade] He's been waiting weeks for this moment.
-Thoroughly deserved by… -[Vic] Watch out!
If I'm done, we're done!
[Vic] LA Knight. You talk about coming back with a vendetta.
LA Knight wants him some of Grayson Waller.
Listen to the NXT universe.
Welcome back, LA Knight.
Come on back here inside! We're not done yet!
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[Wade] Oh, that felt good.
I'm finally reconnecting for a second time tonight,
absolute banger.
Hats off, AJ Styles. Hats off…
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[audience cheering]
[Wade] That is simply phenomenal. Two of the absolute best on the planet.
[Vic] The Waller Effect certainly has found itself
a phenomenal megastar problem.
Welcome back, LA Knight.