[theme music playing]
[The Rock] If you smell…
[Triple H] The King of Kings.
[John Cena] You can't see me.
[music fades]
[audience chanting "NXT"]
[Vic] Welcome to NXT. Who's pulling up?
[audience cheering]
-Are you guys seen Grayson Waller? -I don't like Grayson Waller.
[chuckles] Okay. Do you guys remember when people actually like Grayson Waller?
-No. -Yeah, me neither.
I'm gonna tell you what, you guys wanna see a teachable moment?
Keep your eyes peeled 'cause I'm about to stomp his ass.
Hell yeah!
[audience cheering]
Don't worry about that car, I'm about to handle business right here.
Hey, have you guys seen Grayson Waller?
-No. -Can't help you.
-You got that Dusty Cup later? -Yeah.
Kickass, man. Somebody hit my music.
[audience chanting] "LA Knight".
[Wade] [laugh] Who's pulling up?
It's the megastar, that's who. Not a moment too soon.
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[audience cheering]
[Alicia] Please welcome, LA Knight.
[Vic] And there's no doubt, Wade, who LA Knight is looking for.
One man has a bullseye on their chest and it's Grayson Waller.
[Wade] I'll be honest with you, if I got jumped in the parking lot
like LA Knight did four or five weeks ago,
if I got put on the shelf for a month, I'd come back here with a vendetta too.
Waller has made so many enemies at NXT, I've kind of lost count of them,
but front and center is the megastar.
[Vic] Take a look at the NXT universe, on their feet.
The atmosphere, at an all-time high. They're almost up against the ring now.
It doesn't get any closer than this here at NXT.
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting "LA Knight"]
-Yeah. -Yeah.
Let me talk to you.
[audience cheering]
Matter of fact, let me go ahead and get right to business.
Grayson Waller…
[audience booing]
Go ahead and bring your scrawny ass out here
so I can finish what I started last week.
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting "Grayson sucks"]
You know, that's about what I expected.
You know, I have to turn my back to get you out here?
Because we all know you ain't going to look in these eyes.
Bottom line is this.
[audience shouting indistinctly]
I mean, you ain't lying.
[audience cheering and applauding]
You got to understand something, Grayson Waller.
Week after week, there's a sound that you hear,
where you hear, "Grayson sucks."
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting "Grayson sucks"]
But… But as much as that…
As much as that chaps your ass, there's one sound that just haunts you.
There's one sound that brings a feeling to you
that you can't quite describe and that's the name of the man
who's going to drop you on your head with everybody saying, "LA Knight."
Yeah.
[audience cheering]
Because let's go ahead and go on back to Halloween Havoc.
You tried to sabotage the car so I couldn't make it, but guess what?
You couldn't get the job done.
So then we go on to WarGames. You do one halfway cool move.
People think you're kind of cool. Actually, nobody except yourself.
And you figure, "Hey, man, maybe that took out LA Knight."
Nuh-nuh. You couldn't get the job done.
So then a couple of nights later, you get all upset
because here's this sweet little chickadee outside.
She turns you down because she knew the kavorka of LA Knight.
-Yeah. -[audience] Yeah.
But you know why she turned you down?
Because she knew you couldn't get the job done.
[audience cheering]
So now, let's go ahead to… Ah.
["Eye On The Prize" playing]
[audience booing]
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on right there.
This is a restraining order,
which says you can't touch me.
So before you do something you're gonna regret, let me talk to you.
[audience jeering]
There is nothing I would love more than to get in there and fight you.
Especially after you acted like a dog last week,
attacked me from behind for no reason at all.
[audience booing]
But… But my lawyers advised me that for my safety,
and more importantly, your safety, this is what has to happen.
This is your fault, LA Knight. You made this happen.
Check it out yourself, mate. Oh, oh, oh. Have a look. Have a look. Hey.
There's a lot of words so you might struggle.
But what it says,
"If you get within 50 feet of Grayson Waller,
you get arrested immediately."
[audience shouting indistinctly]
Hey. You got served. Yeah.
Hey. What is this, five feet? There's ten.
-Hey, hey, shut up! -Fifteen feet. Twenty feet.
Everybody's over hearing your ass talk. So I tell you what.
This is impressive even for you, man. This is big.
This is real big. And I'll tell you why.
I'll tell you why. What do you guys think of this?
[audience booing]
I'll tell you what.
[audience chanting]
Yeah. Oy. Rip it.
Rip it and see what my lawyers do. I dare you. I dare you.
No, no. I got something better for you because although this is good,
you got a restraining order against me, that's pretty big,
but you ain't got a restraining order against him.
["Arrived" playing]
-[Vic chuckling] Oh! -[audience cheering]
[Wade] What did I tell you, a long line of enemies.
No, no, no. You're gone. No.
This ain't happening, no.
Where you at? Where you at, Dexter?
[Vic] Lumis getting his hands on Waller, trying to Silence…
Grayson Waller, it's real simple.
You can lift this restraining order and get dropped on your head by LA Knight
or you can get put to sleep by Dexter Lumis.
Either way, you're getting your ass kicked and that's not an insult,
that is just a fact of life.
[Vic] Who's going to face Waller? It's Waller's choice.
We're gonna find out when we come back next.
Waller's got to make a decision.
[Vic] We are back live on NXT,
and there's never a dull moment here on Tuesday nights.
We found out during the commercial break, Grayson Waller chose Dexter Lumis,
meaning the restraining order against LA Knight is still intact.
[Wade] Yeah, indeed. Perhaps felt Lumis was the lesser of two evils
with a clear rage inside LA Knight right now,
but I gotta be honest with you, I'd not wanna face Dexter Lumis either.
[Vic] Lumis right now piercing into the soul of Grayson Waller.
Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey.
[Vic] And staying one step ahead of Waller right now.
You just see how low Grayson Waller is willing to go.
Have you ever slapped on a retraining order to someone?
[Wade] Listen, even I… Now, I got to be honest,
I could never afford the lawyer fees when it comes to restraining orders.
But it goes to show you the kind of guy that Grayson Waller really is.
Stoops low. Looks for excuses in the easy way.
[Vic] Boom! Feel that impact.
Look, Dexter Lumis has a lot riding on this for himself personally.
He does not forget what Waller did to him several weeks ago.
For someone who doesn't say much, he certainly sees and hears everything.
[Wade] Yeah, he sees, hears everything.
He's seen all the creepy social media interactions
that Waller has been sending his wife, Indi Hartwell.
Listen, I've not approved of the marriage of Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis,
but you don't mess with a man's wife.
Great recipe for trouble.
[Vic] Right now, Waller is focusing on the left arm of Dexter Lumis.
[Wade] Yeah, very smart to do so.
He knows full well that Dexter Lumis needs that left arm to slap on the Silence.
He already tried that once earlier tonight.
Of course, who could forget the injury to Dexter Lumis' hand not so long ago?
Couldn't express himself with his art of corn bats.
That's not going to play well for Dexter Lumis.
[Vic] This is the first time we've seen Lumis
since being attacked by Grayson Waller.
[audience chanting "Grayson, you suck"]
[Wade] Attacked by Grayson Waller. Yet another cheap shot.
Blindside attack with a chair.
We've seen him do that once or twice before.
And of course, Indi Hartwell had to watch her hubby laid out.
Took a mental toll on her, I'm sure.
Indeed, in turn, a mental toll on Dexter Lumis.
Revenge should be swift.
[Vic] Revenge right now on the mind of Lumis.
And, whoa, what an uppercut.
[Wade] Nice pop-up uppercut there.
Using gravity and momentum on Grayson Waller.
Grayson Waller has no idea where he's at right now.
[Vic] And right now, Lumis in full control of this matchup.
Center of the ring, nice neck breaker, and Lumis, that slow methodical pace.
He's going to take a lot of enjoyment into inflicting some pain into Waller.
[Wade] How badly does he want to win the match
versus how badly does he want to torture Grayson Waller.
[Vic] We also know that LA Knight somewhere is watching very closely.
[Wade] Yeah, he wishes he was a little closer than 50 foot,
I guarantee you that,
thanks to that restraining order that the cowardly Waller has taken out.
Jump a man in the parking lot, there's gonna come a time to pay the toll.
[audience chanting "one more time"]
[Vic] You ask, NXT universe, Dexter Lumis delivers.
[Wade] I cannot believe I'm pulling for Dexter Lumis right now.
[Vic] Lumis, into the cover out the trifecta of neck breakers,
and a kick out by Waller.
If one wasn't enough, two wasn't enough, how about this third?
Devastating neck breaker delivered by Dexter Lumis.
And, look, everything Lumis is doing is with serious intent.
[Wade] Of course, he's trying to damage Grayson Waller.
There's an entire locker room of men in NXT
who want to see Grayson Waller punished.
I'll include myself in that group too,
and I'm sure our NXT universe feel the same way.
What a slime ball Grayson Waller has been for the past couple of months.
[Vic] Now Waller, trying to stay one step ahead but it is Lumis right now,
and again back to the injured left arm.
Waller has been focusing, has a plan, and Waller now…
You said it was choosing a lesser of two evils
between Knight and Lumis,
as right now looks like right here in front of us. Big clothesline.
[Wade] This is the most frustrating thing.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] Back live on NXT, as we've seen throughout the commercial break,
Grayson Waller has been in control of this match.
Look, he's kicking things off tonight. He was in the main event last week.
And Wade, how much momentum could Waller have lost
and losing to AJ Styles last week?
[Wade] Listen, here's the ridiculous thing.
Waller has actually gained momentum even in defeat
against someone like AJ last week.
AJ Styles, arguably the number-one performer
on the entire planet.
Waller lost. Let's face it, he came really close.
A millisecond away from beating AJ, but now he is getting an absolute whopping
at the hands of Dexter Lumis.
[Vic] The lesson wasn't learned last week by Waller from AJ Styles.
Maybe a lesson will be learned this week.
[Wade] Yes, indeed. I hope so, but there could be no doubts left
about Waller's caliber in the ring right now
even if his attitude completely sucks.
[Vic] Lumis, showcasing that scary strength he possesses.
Dead lift, belly-to-back suplex, and there's some innovative offense.
Inverted leg drop, Dexter Lumis.
[audience cheering]
And you just feel the energy from the NXT universe.
[Wade] It's coming completely unglued right now for Dexter Lumis.
Wanting to see Grayson Waller get his final battering.
[Vic] Can it be Lumis who Silences Waller here tonight?
Waller… Oh, the grip. Almost got the Silence locked in.
And like a snake slithering home, Waller able to get to the ropes.
[Wade] Scurrying away for dear life
but immediately on top of him is Dexter Lumis.
[Vic] Right back here in front of us. Oh!
Talk about the action being closer than ever.
That includes us as.
[Wade] That's kidney-first into the corner of our desk.
-You see the welts forming. -[Vic] Who in the…
[audience cheering]
[Vic] The referee's distracted.
-[Wade] Who the hell's this beast? -[Vic] Our official not realizing…
Who the… The match continuing.
Waller, big stunner, center of the ring.
-[Wade] No. -[Vic] Not like this.
[audience] One! Two! Three!
-[Vic] Waller picks up the win. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] Who is this guy?
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Grayson Waller.
[Wade] I'll let you go and ask him.
["Eye On The Prize" playing]
[Vic] That guy's huge.
[audience booing]
[Vic] The NXT universe not feeling the Waller effect tonight.
[Wade] Yeah, let's face it, it wasn't just the Waller effect.
It was whoever that giant guy over there.
[Vic] Let's go back to the action, I mean.
For Dexter Lumis, this was the best chance in the matchup
to not only win but to Silence Grayson Waller,
but as we said, slithering his way free, the snake that Grayson Waller is.
[Wade] Grayson Waller, just about having that wherewithal
-to get away from Dexter Lumis. -[Vic] Here's the turning point.
[Wade] Where on earth this guy came from? I need all the facts on this guy ASAP.
Because this was the turning point in the matchup
which led to this, the grand finale from Grayson Waller.
We're going to have to hear about this for weeks now.
[audience] One! Two! Three!
[Vic] The door was open and Waller walked right through.
LA Knight.
My insurance policy, lad.
[audience booing]
[Vic] Waller, all smiles here tonight.
We got to turn to our massive main event.
It all came together with an incident that took place over the weekend.
Well, the Creed Brothers aren't gonna run through the tournament.
They are going to sprint.
Once they win the Dusty Classic, we're onto the NXT Tag Team Championships.
No one's worried about Imperium.
I heard everything they had to say last week.
-And Imperium, they're just a bunch of… -What? What are we?
-Hey, I said you're a bunch of body guys. -Want to act tough?
-Who's your personal trainer? -Act tough now. Huh?
-Act tough now. -Put him down.
-What are you talking about? -Put him down!
You're stepping up for this guy? You want to take his fight?
Look, I'm not scared of you.
Everybody else in this place is, but I'm not.
That's good for you.
-You should be scared. -[chuckles] Yeah, right.
[Vic] Well, It's a matchup we never thought we would see tonight.
The leader of Diamond Mine, Roderick Strong, showing no fear
as he goes up against the Ring General, Walter
in our massive main event this evening.
[Wade] What a main event in store for us. I got to be honest with you.
I am so thrilled that the general, Walter, is here in NXT full-time now,
but Roderick Strong, he's got a big problem on his hands.
We're also very excited because tonight,
it's the start of the men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
[dramatic music playing]
[man] This is a constant reminder of a dream that lives on and on.
♪ Welcome to the game Welcome to the shop ♪
[narrator] The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is back.
♪ Welcome till it drop Your story's never told ♪
♪ Unless you leave it with a legacy Before you go ♪
[narrator] And now, let's meet the teams.
We are Grizzled Young Veterans
soon to be recognized as 2022 Dusty Classic winners.
[Julius] We are the Creed Brothers. We know all about winning tournaments.
The Creed Brothers, that's a team you don't want to face.
[Butch] Everybody's got a game plan till they get popped right in the mouth.
[Josh] Butch Jensen and Josh Briggs.
[screaming]
And this is our year.
[grunts]
-[Kushida and Jiro] It's Jacket Time. -[timer rings]
[screams]
[Jiro] To all the other tag teams,
Jacket Time will be the next tag team champions.
After we defeat you, Imperium, we are coming for you.
[Bodhi] Bodhi Hayward, Andre Chase University.
[Andre] And I'm Andre Chase.
And for the rest of the teams in the Dusty Cup, this…
Is a teachable moment.
Chase U.
[upbeat music playing]
We are the best tag team on NXT 2.0.
This year, the Dusty Cup belongs to Legado Del Fantasma.
-Come on, come on. -[grunts]
Edris Enofe.
Malik Blade.
-That's how you win this tournament. -What else?
-And shock the world. -Shock the world.
♪ [inaudible] ♪
-M… -S…
-K. -K.
Crew ready to run it back to back.
Two-time Dusty Cup Champions.
[narrator] The road to the NXT Tag Team Championship
runs through the 2022 Dusty Tag Team Classic.
[upbeat music playing]
[Vic] Oh, here we see the bracket.
Eight teams, one goal, put their name on the prestigious Dusty Cup,
and by doing that, you guarantee yourself an NXT Tag Team title opportunity.
And there we see the trophy.
The prestigious Dusty Cup,
named after a man who has molded the careers of so many,
that being the American Dream.
["All Rise" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following is a first-round match
in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Representing Diamond Mine, Julius and Brutus, The Creed Brothers.
[Vic] And we are set for the first quarterfinal matchup
of the Dusty Cup.
Julius and Brutus, The Creed Brothers, taking on Briggs and Jensen.
Which one of these teams will be the first to advance
in the men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic?
We're about to find out as this year's Dusty Cup
is ready to begin next right here on NXT.
Hey, yo. Briggs and Jensen versus The Creed Brothers
is gonna be an absolute banger.
Yes, it is. You know what else will be an absolute banger?
Our first-round matchup next week with Jacket Time.
You know it. They're kind of low-key tough, though.
-Yeah. -We on a mission, though.
Just like the Shaman Bro Riddle said…
No one, not one tag team is going to be able to stand in our way.
Yeah, But why'd you say it like that?
-I want to be motivational. -Look what we have here.
[inaudible]
It's last year's Dusty Cup winners. Keyword "last year".
You won't win it again.
If by some miracle, you do beat Jacket Time next week,
you got us in the semifinals and that's where your little mission ends.
I didn't understand a word you just said.
Understand this, we are going to win the Dusty Cup this year, not you.
We're taking that as disrespect.
You all should be focusing on Malik and Edris first.
-Bingo! -Please, come on.
That's light work for us tonight.
We'll see you guys in the semifinals.
-Confidence is brimming from those two. -The boys are cocky.
Let's see if it works out for them.
[Wade] Legado feeling real confident and rightly so.
["Brothers In Arms" playing]
[Alicia] Making their way to the ring, the team of Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen.
[Vic] Wade, before this quarterfinal begins, I got to know,
who's your pick to hoist the prestigious Dusty Cup
-when it's all said and done? -[Wade] I love that bracket.
There is talent all over the bracket itself.
Legado, who we just saw. Of course, MSK, won it last year.
The Grizzled Young Veterans have to be in with a shout,
two-time losing finalist in the Dusty Cup, but me, I'm backing these two.
The Creed Brothers,
they have taken NXT by storm since their arrival.
And with Malcolm Bivens at the wheel, I just don't think anybody can stop them.
[Vic] Brutus is going to start things off with…
Oh, and a nice take down almost as Brutus starting things off with Jensen.
You got some questions about this duo of Briggs and Jensen.
-And they started to win you over? -[Wade] Yeah, they certainly have.
Listen, I wasn't sure about the chemistry when they first got here.
They now earned a bit of chemistry. Got some wins under their belt.
A couple of big lads that like scrapping in bars so I already knew they were tough.
Did you see the mouthpiece get shot out of the top lip after that knee?
That was almost… That's a… That's close to a KO.
Just as I was saying how tough they were, now we know.
Listen, they lacked a little finesse and perhaps they still do,
but they make up for it with enthusiasm and they're just fearless.
-Got to see this again. -[Vic] This absolutely had to hurt.
Right under.
[Wade] Here's what's brilliant about that from Brooks Jensen.
Listen, that was scouted exactly what the Creeds were going to do.
That kind of move has caught everyone by surprise from the Creeds,
but Jensen there absolutely scouted that. I think he's bleeding from the mouth too.
[Vic] Take a look at the strength on display by Briggs in the match.
[Wade] This match has been turned on its head right off the bat.
[Vic] We talked about odd pairings
that have been successful in this tournament.
Most recently, Riddle and Dunne.
[Wade] Riddle turned into something of a tag specialist more recently…
-[Vic] Tag. -[Wade] …with RK-Bro.
He'll be looking to win back the Raw tag titles very soon
after what we saw on Raw last night.
[Vic] Right now it's Briggs and Jensen looking to advance
to the next round of this Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic matchup.
I have just been almost shell-shocked
at the physicality in this tag team matchup.
[Wade] Nobody has done this to the Creeds so far.
They haven't been beaten at their own game. Raw power, strength.
[Vic] Look, Briggs and Jensen win tonight, win the Dusty,
already have Kayden and Kacy. Things are looking bright for this duo.
[Wade] Steady on. They haven't won it yet
and they certainly haven't got Kayden and Kacy to themselves.
I'll get back to that in a second.
We're taking another look at Briggs and Jensen,
just with that chemistry week after week.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] What do you mean they haven't won the hearts of Kacy and Kayden?
[Wade] I get it. They are a couple of young lads on the prowl,
they're looking to hook up, but they need to be focused on the ring,
-not the bedroom. -[Vic] Uh-oh. Whoa.
[audience cheering]
[Wade] Just when you thought it was one-way traffic,
the Creeds with their brute force and strength
turn this one on its head.
[Vic] [inaudible] get it.
Brutus and Julius no doubt, as physical as they come.
This could be a big night for Diamond Mine. Tag.
[Wade] Absolutely. Let's face it, big opportunity here
to advance to the semifinals of the Dusty Cup.
How huge is that?
Of course, later on, we have a massive main event
when Roderick Strong of the Diamond Mine squares off with the formidable Walter.
[Vic] And take a look right now. Getting right up in the grill of Jensen.
Closer than you've ever been to any action in sports entertainment right here in NXT
as Julius Creed right now inflicting some punishment.
And to you, Wade, what separates Julius and Brutus
from the other team in this tournament?
[Wade] There's a bunch of things that separate them.
[Vic] Woah!
[Wade] That's just part of it right there. Listen, athletic prowess,
unique offense we've never seen before in all of sports entertainment.
Just as I say it, they perform a move like that.
Complete intensity, non-stop,
and, of course, the guiding mind of Malcolm "Big Money" Bivens.
[Vic] You can just feel the air rushing out of the lungs, in that moment,
and then followed up with that unique innovative offense
as unique way to tag.
Have you ever slapped your tag team partner across the face?
[Wade] I don't like getting slapped in the face myself.
You know, if it's going one way,
it's coming back the other way sooner or later.
Listen, Brooks Jensen must feel like he's been run over by a steamroller
at this point.
[Vic] Julius right back in, focusing on those ribs,
focusing on the midsection, and… Whoa!
Snapping right off the middle rope, went Julius.
[Wade] This has been an all-out war. It hasn't been going too long.
It literally can't go much longer.
The amount of abuse these four men have incurred thus far in the match.
[Vic] These two teams know what it means to win the Dusty Cup,
what it could do for their careers
because the winners of the Men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
earn a guaranteed NXT Tag Team Championship opportunity,
and right now Briggs, hitting, dropping, and splashing anything that moves.
[Wade] Josh has to be the freshest man in the matchup thus far.
Both Creeds getting rocked and rolled.
[grunts]
[Vic] It's not been very long for the Creed Brothers,
but they have never been taken…
They've never taken this much punishment in a matchup.
They've never been taken to this limit.
[Wade] That could be it right now.
Briggs and Jensen looking to advance. And just breaking things up, Julius Creed.
[Wade] Just in the nick of time after that huge choke slam,
but immediately back in is Brooks Jensen, cleaning house.
-Now, Josh Briggs has the opportunity… -[Vic] Did you see the rail bend?
[Wade] It's bent. That's solid steel.
[Vic] From the impact. And Briggs swings wildly.
Malcolm Bivens, he's got to be thanking his lucky stars.
Tag was made. Briggs didn't realize it.
Certainly realizes it now as Julius Creed, the legal superstar.
And look at this tag team offense.
[Wade] Effortless strength
and power combined with an unnecessary clothesline.
-[Vic] Into the cover. -[audience] One! Two! Three!
-Creed Brothers. First team to advance. -[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The winners, the Creed Brothers.
[Vic] What an absolute banger of a tag team match.
[Wade] The entire arena on their feet, rightly so.
These Creeds are legit. They are the real deal.
Hats off to Briggs and Jensen, stepping up to a whole new level.
That was something special.
["All Rise" playing]
[Vic] NXT universe on their feet after this tag team matchup.
Look, Briggs and Jensen, they're in control for most of it.
Briggs is so close to advancing his team.
And look, Malcolm Bivens was absolutely relieved at that moment.
But here's the turning point. Take a look at the bend,
that steel bending from the force from Julius Creed,
and in the end, here's an innovative offense.
[Wade] What a performance. Just shear humanity getting thrown around.
[Vic] Wham!
[Wade] Josh Briggs, one of the biggest athletes in NXT,
getting slammed down easily by the Creeds.
What a matchup.
[Vic] It was your pick, Wade, the Creed Brothers,
they advance to the semi-finals.
And let's take a look at an updated Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic bracket.
There you see the Creed Brothers etching their name in the semi-finals.
Who will they face? Either Grizzled Young Veterans
or will be Andre Chase University?
Are we looking at this year's Dusty Rhodes Classic Champions?
[music fades]
[upbeat music playing]
Four months ago, when NXT 2.0 first launched,
I was one of many superstars getting an opportunity
to prove themselves.
I became the first Singaporean stepped inside the WWE ring
and I made my debut September last year.
[Vic] What a debut for Dante Chen.
But the reason you haven't seen me since,
it's because of a leg injury put me out of action.
It has been difficult watching my peers find success
and be involved in events like Halloween Havoc, WarGames,
and New Year's Evil
because I have to watch them from the sidelines.
My father would tell me to keep pushing so that he can see his son on TV again.
Two months ago, I lost my father.
He was my biggest fan and mentor in life.
While he got to see his son's debut match,
I have plenty more matches for him to watch.
I've been working hard on this road to recovery.
I've never been more tested in my life.
I've got a whole country to represent and a father to make proud.
As of today, I'm back,
and the Singaporean Warrior is ready to compete.
[music fades]
[in Austrian]
[audience cheering]
[in Austrian]
[Wade] Tonight has been straight fire at NXT.
We're gonna reach a crescendo later with Walter-Strong in our main event.
["Duel Of The Dragons" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, Dante Chen.
[Vic] And, Wade, for Chen, he has been counting down the days
-to make this return. -[Wade] Absolutely.
Listen, he had a taste of the big-time in NXT four months ago
before being brutally struck down by injury.
Tonight is the chance to get back on track for Dante Chen.
["Duel Of The Dragons" continues playing]
[audience cheering]
[Vic] You mentioned NXT universe had been on fire here tonight,
Dante Chen looking to reignite his career against Guru Raaj.
-You look at Chen and… -[bell ringing]
I got to bring this up right out of the gate,
will Chen be questioning himself with that lower leg injury
in this return match?
-You can see the brace on the right knee. -[Wade] I can speak to that.
I had a few injuries during my career, some surgeries.
You cannot all implicate match speed, match intensity…
[Vic] Cover by Raaj and a quick kick out.
…with rehab, all the rehab in the world isn't gonna replicate that.
Simply never know how a repaired body part is going to respond,
and that absolutely is going to be playing on the mind of Dante Chen right now.
[Vic] Raaj no stranger to competition as Chen now back to his feet,
looking to get some offense in this matchup
as Chen looks like he hasn't missed a step since he's been in rehabbing.
Right now just sidesteps Raaj.
Look, four months is a long time if you're Chen to be on the sideline.
[Wade] He's testing out that knee right now with that dive to the outside,
seems to have held up pretty damn well.
-Listen, four months shock is going to… -[Vic] Whoa, whoa. Whoa!
[audience shouting indistinctly]
[bell ringing]
-[Vic] Oh, Raaj. -[Wade] It's Duke Hudson.
[Vic] That is Duke Hudson.
-Oh, come on. -[Wade] He's lost his mind.
[audience cheering]
[Wade] Welcome back Dante Chen.
[Vic] Not, I'm sure, the welcome back that Chen wanted.
We need some help out here. Hudson's become unleashed.
[Wade] Security, referees in there.
[audience chanting and booing]
Duke Hudson's back.
-Come on, you have to go there. -Get out of here.
-So stay out of my way. -You say enough.
-Let's go. Get out of here. -Get out of here.
[audience shouting indistinctly]
[Vic] Unreal.
Harland, tonight, we could've been one of those teams
who advanced to the semi-finals of the Dusty Cup.
That could've been us. I'm not mad at you.
I can never be mad at you.
[sighs] Just disappointed.
Disappointed we won't have an opportunity to have our names on that cup,
but times like these are opportunities for growth and development.
Hold on. You don't actually believe the words coming out your mouth right now
or do you know you're full of crap?
Mr. Jones, thank you. Thank you for your feedback.
I will take that under advisement,
but how are you doing after your unfortunate accident?
Oh, this?
Little training injury, sprained knee. I'll be back on a couple weeks.
Well, good luck with your rehab. Please, allow me.
Thanks.
[door creaks]
Harland, you can't allow negativity to spread like wildfire.
Having the strength to face it is the true measure of progress.
[Vic] I don't necessarily know what Joe Gacy just said to Harland,
but I also don't know what's on the mind of Tony D'Angelo
as we're about to witness the Pete Dunne memorial service
conducted by D'Angelo next.
[narrator] NXT 2.0 has the drip, so find your fit.
NXT Shop, yeah, it's like that.
Welcome back to NXT.
I'm now joined by the NXT Champion Bron Breakker.
Bron, I have to ask. Has it set in yet, Bron Breakker, NXT Champion?
It has. It's been my goal since I've stepped foot in the door here,
and I understand the responsibilities that come with it but I'm ready.
What about the brief interaction you had last week with Santos Escobar?
Santos Escobar is a great performer.
He's a former champion but him, just like everybody else,
-is gunning for me now. -Bron Breakker.
NXT Champion,
one of the fastest-rising stars in the history.
You know what? Stop. All right? Save it.
Whatever it is you're trying to do, I'm not interested.
You don't have to be interested in her, cabron.
Now as for Santos Escobar, now that's a different story.
You might have become el campeon…
but you're not ready to carry this brand on your shoulder.
And honestamente,NXT 2.0…
it's going to look a lot better with that championship around my waist.
Tell you what.
Give me a reason to kick your ass right now.
[breathes deeply]
Young champion, you will soon learn that things are done on my time.
[clicks tongue]
[speak in Spanish]
[gloomy music playing]
[Wade] Yes. It is about time Santos Escobar sets his sights
on the big one in NXT.
Right now all eyes on Tony D'Angelo.
Dearly beloved, we gather here today
to celebrate the career of "the Bruiserweight" Pete Poppins.
Pete Poppins was a pigheaded man and he didn't listen to nobody.
[audience] What?
So he needed to be taught a lesson by me, Tony D.
[audience] What?
And I tried and I tried,
but he needed to learn a lesson the hard way.
[audience] What?
Just like my cousin Tulio always told me,
when you're taking care of business,
you got to handle it by any means necessary.
[audience] What?
So for the sake of everybody in here, this is gonna be a closed casket service.
[audience] What?
I don't think anybody in here wants to see Pete
after I broke that crowbar right across his thick skull.
You know what I'm saying?
[audience chanting "Bruiser weight"]
Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, listen.
So look, we can't mourn forever, right?
I mean, I'm on the bigger and better things.
More important things.
You know, I just got done beating one of the most decorated champions
in NXT history.
[audience] What?
So I think it's about time.
Tony D added a little bit more gold to his collection,
specifically around the waist. If you know what I'm saying.
So… So… [laughing]
You know what I got my eyes on?
[audience] What?
I got my eyes on…
What's do you call it? What's that thing? Oh, that's right.
The North American Championship.
What do you think about that, huh?
Oh, yeah.
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest Ain't no hatin' ♪
[Trick] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Turn around, Tony. We up here.
♪ Get respect ♪
It's Trick and Melo Gang, baby.
♪ Who got a problem, huh? Tell 'em to step here ♪
[audience shouting indistinctly]
Hey, Tony, I'm happy for you. I'm going to let you finish.
But last week, Trick and Melo
had one of the greatest memorial services of all time.
Woo-hoo!
But seriously, what did you say about my championship?
Ho, ho, ho. Hey, Tony, you see us up here.
We're dressed for the occasion. I thought we was all boys.
Boys? You thought me and you were boys?
Teammates maybe, but not boys. I already got my boys.
Jerry. We got Jerry, the… What's do you call that "the Hack."
Jerry "The Hack," Sammy "The Shark," Benny "The Groin."
We even got JT "The Brick."
[audience] What?
Well, listen, Carmelo. It's nothing personal. It's just business.
Hey, hey, hey. Tony, Tony, Tony. We know all about your boys.
The Hack, The Brick, Ben and Jerry's, MO, Curly, Larry.
It don't matter, the truth is they're all skinny.
They look just like Vic Joseph.
[audience shouting indistinctly]
Hey, okay. Okay. That's not the point, but you want to talk about business,
this championship is my business
and you need to keep my business out your mouth
because the next memorial service is going to be yours, and I promise you.
Yes, sir.
I promise you. It's going to be a closed casket too.
Talk your talk, dawg.
What did you even talk about over there?
[audience cheering]
["To The Moon" playing]
♪ Yeah, all right, look ♪
♪ Let me tell you a little story About a guy… ♪
Tony! Tony, Tony, Tony, I hate to tell you this,
but you're going to have to wait at the back of the line.
[audience chanting "you know who"]
Now as for you, Melo. Melo, last week, I walked up to you like a man.
And I looked you dead in your eyes, Trick was there.
And I told you that I was coming for that North American Championship,
but I haven't heard anything back from you.
Well, I did receive a call from Orlando Rentals.
Apparently, I might have scuffed your car.
What? That's our car. That is ain't no rental.
-We bought that car. That's our car. -We own that.
Listen, you got jokes. Huh? I got this. I got this, Trick.
-How about you two goofies… -Goofies.
-…go one-on-one, and maybe… -Maybe.
…the winner of that gets a shot at DA Champion.
Yeah.
[audience cheering]
You see, I don't got a problem with that because I'll fight him,
I'll fight you and I'll fight you,
because you're looking at a 220-pound rocket
-that's going to the… -[audience] To the moon!
[Vic] Oh, and Grimes, one step ahead of Tony D'Angelo.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Tony is out. Tony D thought the service would go.
[Wade] Yeah, a lot of breakdowns that happened right there,
but I'm still over Trick Williams mocking you,
"Skinny like Vic Joseph."
[Vic] Steady eye, Wade, as he would say, D'Angelo-Grimes, one-on-one.
Sign me up for that clash.
-Brooks, I know it ain't fun losing, man. -That ain't, man.
But men are made through patience and overcoming obstacles.
We're going to be all right.
We just got to keep on keeping on and get our asses back to work.
I like the sound of that.
Hey, we know you guys are bummed, but what's done is done.
You guys, stop worrying. I mean, come on. Let's go out and have some drinks tonight.
That sounds like a good time.
I mean, you can work hard tomorrow, but tonight, we're going to party hard.
-With you? -Of course.
-Hell yeah. -Let's do it.
Woo. He likes you.
No, no, no. I don't like you.
Wait a minute. I do like you, but not like in that kind of way.
Let's go out to the bar and have a few beers, hang out.
Not the way of… I pick you up with my pickup truck.
Easy cowboy, hit the showers. We'll see you later.
-Please don't go. -You coming?
Please don't go.
-Briggs, you know what I'm saying. -Less there's more, brother, dang.
Come on, Briggs. You know what I mean? You know what I'm saying.
We're friends, but not like that, but possibly, but not really. No. [sighs]
[slurping] Ah.
[upbeat music playing]
[in Brazilian]
[Vic] You got to feel the passion of Feroz and Leon.
You may not know a lot about us, so let us show you.
[in Brazilian]
I'm the first female Mexican-born superstar in WWE.
I won three weightlifting gold medal at the 2019 World Cup.
I was in the process to go to Olympic games,
but I choose to follow my dreams.
We are two badass women.
We fight hard and we play hot.
We are from different countries and we have different backgrounds.
[in Brazilian]
-Welcome to our jungle, baby. -Welcome to our jungle, baby.
Well ladies, an impressive resume, but it's Dusty Cup season.
How excited are you to be competing in the Tag Team Classic this year?
-McKenzie, we are so excited! -Woo!
This is the opportunity we have been waiting for.
-Welcome to… -[Dakota Kai laughing]
This is adorable. [chuckling]
Yeah. Okay. I'll give them a heads-up.
Hey, ladies, let me give you some advice, all right?
Nothing divides friendship more than success.
No manches.
What is with you thinking? Our friendship will last.
What's your problem?
[laughs] I'll make you a problem. How about that, huh? Yeah?
Nothing is going to happen to her, mi amor.
[laughs] Okay. I see that you are pumped up.
All right. How about we see about that later on tonight?
Looking forward to it, mi nina.
Bye.
[chuckles] Yes, Mac. Can I help you?
["Venom" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making her way to the ring, Kay Lee Ray.
[Vic] It's a busy time for Kay Lee Ray.
Wade, let's go back to what transpired last week on NXT.
She can show up to do photo shoots, but she can't show up to defend the title.
She thinks she's so perfect, doesn't she? [laughs]
[objects clattering]
Everything is perfect for Mandy.
How about you take a photo of this?
[crashing and smashing]
[Vic] Are you talking about a smasher?
Ms. Kay Lee Ray's set to compete against Ivy Nile.
I wonder what does Mandy Rose think of that destruction.
That's who the message was sent to. Directly to the champion.
Let me talk. The only thing going through Mandy Rose's mind right now
is what time is her next mani-pedi appointment.
In fact, she might be focused on some extra training
seeing as the women's Royal Rumble is coming up.
Can you imagine, Toxic A stunned, pointing in unison at the WrestleMania.
[Vic] I bet you wouldn't sleep for a week if that happened.
[Wade] It will be on repeat at my house.
[Vic] Back to the matchup at hand. It is Nile, it is Kay Lee Ray.
This is a tough test tonight for Kay Lee Ray.
[Wade] Absolutely.
Listen, Kay Lee Ray has been in there with some of the absolute best,
but Nile is undefeated.
She's never been really tested in the ring thus far.
That's how good she is
and how high above the competitions she's been so far.
We really don't know just how good Ivy Nile really is,
but we know all about Kay Lee Ray, veteran competitor,
former NXT UK Women's Champion, a.k.a. "The Forever Champion".
[Vic] A great transition by Nile,
and Malcolm Bivens on the outside all smiles.
As the smile may have gone away from his face.
It has been a big night thus far for Diamond Mine.
Creed Brothers advancing to round two of the Dusty Cup.
And right now, though, Ivy Nile is having it taken to her by Kay Lee Ray.
-Into the cover. Nile, able to kick out. -Two!
[Vic] But all joking aside, Wade,
you don't think Mandy Rose is worried about Kay Lee Ray, of KLR?
[Wade] Worried isn't the right… Listen.
[audience chanting]
[Wade] You thought that Mandy Rose was worried about Raquel Gonzales.
Guess what? She beat Raquel Gonzales.
You thought Mandy Rose would be worried about Cora Jade.
Guess what? She beat Cora Jade.
Let me be clear. Mandy Rose is the attraction in NXT.
She's the reason people tune in.
Don't worry about the competition. They'll all fall.
[Vic] Ivy Nile off the enzuigiri, into the cover,
and a kick out by Kay Lee Ray.
Let's look at what's going on at hand right now
as Malcolm Bivens excited for what Ivy Nile is doing right now.
Ivy Nile has never competed against a superstar like Kay Lee Ray.
[Wade] Of course, she hasn't. Kay Lee Ray has a massive amount of experience,
15 years plus at this point.
She's been in huge spotlights like the WarGames matchup.
She's been winning championships around the world.
Nile can overcome all of that despite the gulf in experience,
and it's all thanks to the training in the Diamond Mine.
Working alongside the likes of the Creeds,
working alongside the likes of Roderick Strong,
and, of course, with her career guided by the mastermind, Bivens.
Look how she is now, dominating the scary queen of Scots.
[Vic] Nile now is certainly in control of this matchup as Kay Lee Ray,
you talked about the championship Pedigree,
certainly going to be tested here tonight as Nile, one more time trying to hold on.
And unique counter by Kay Lee Ray.
[Wade] Kay Lee Ray managed to get out, but how much damage has been done though?
[Vic] Talked to Kay Lee Ray earlier. She said she respects for Ivy Nile
on what she has accomplished in such a short time.
Also said, she's looking forward to rooting for fellows Scot, Doudrop,
who faces Becky Lynch for the Raw women's title
at the Royal Rumble a week from this Saturday.
Into the cover for Kay Lee Ray.
Hooks the inside leg, and able to kick out was Ivy Nile.
[Wade] Cannot wait for the women's Royal Rumble.
My opinion, Becky Lynch is the best on the planet.
Doudrop needs to bring her A-game.
To be honest, she's started doing exactly that last night on Raw.
[Vic] Right now, Ivy Nile looking to bring her A-game to this matchup.
Oh, nice… I was going to say nice kick,
but Ivy Nile certainly has continued to evolve her game.
-[Wade] Modified leg DDT. -[Vic] Into the cover.
Will this put away Kay Lee Ray? And another near-fall.
Would you consider this an upset if Ivy Nile were able to win?
[Wade] Let's be honest. This will be an upset, but with moves like that,
she is getting closer and closer to shocking the world.
You know for a fact that Malcolm Bivens is loving every second of this,
because he smells money with Ivy Nile. Quite rightly so.
[Vic] I'm talking about the tough test for both these women.
This certainly is a premiere battle here this week on NXT.
[Wade] Superkick was a game-changer.
[Vic] And now Kay Lee Ray looking for the KLR Bomb to put Nile away.
[Wade] Nile clearly having it scouted, though.
[Vic] Whoa, wait a minute. There's Mandy Rose.
You asked for it. You're talking a little trash.
You have to imagine the champion is going to come out at some point.
Kay Lee Ray again looking for the KLR Bomb. Can she connect?
Rolling through. Shoulders are down, center of the ring. Nile.
-[bell ringing] -[audience cheering]
[Vic] Wow.
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Ivy Nile.
[Wade] What a shocker.
-[Vic] Wait a minute. -[Wade] Okay.
[Vic] The women's champion, Mandy Rose. Yeah, you said she wasn't worried, Wade.
What's this look like? She's certainly worried.
[Wade] Listen, you turn up
and you smash up Mandy Rose's photo shoot location,
there will be a price to pay, but it might be backfiring right now.
[Vic] There's the rest of Toxic Attraction.
[Wade] Here comes the cavalry.
[Vic] The NXT Women's Tag Team Champion, Gigi Dolin, Jayne, out here now.
The numbers advantage.
[Wade] Oh!
-Prop her up. Prop her up. -[screams]
[audience cheering]
[Vic] There's Mandy Rose telling the troops…
[Wade] The hell is this?
-[Vic] Hartwell and Pirotta. -[Wade] What's it got to do with them?
[Vic] Persia Pirotta, Indi Hartwell evening the odds.
[Wade] Sticking their nose where it doesn't belong.
[Vic] What do you mean? They have beef with the NXT Women's Tag Team Champions.
[Wade] Jealousy's more like.
[Vic] Hartwell's taking care of business. So is Pirotta.
[Wade] Jayne's in a world of trouble.
This has backfired in the worst way for Toxic Attraction.
[Vic] Oh! Talking about in your face. Boom!
[audience shouting indistinctly]
[Vic] Tasting your own medicine to Toxic Attraction.
[music playing]
What the hell?
We are going to be the champion.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
-Yeah, yeah, yeah. -You can't get up, huh?
Be careful.
-[Odyssey groaning] -Just relax. Put it down, Harland.
-Put it down. -Harland, get out. Get out!
[Odyssey's continuous groaning]
Just breathe, all right?
[Odyssey] That's my knee. Something's wrong with my knee.
-Get somebody. Get somebody. -Breathe. Breathe, Odyssey.
[mellow music playing]
[in Japanese]
Inside the ring, I am the Warrior of the Sun,
but outside, I am just Sarray, and that's okay.
Now, I will return back to America
and NXT with a new passion and energy.
[music fades]
[Vic] NXT universe can't wait for the return of Sarray.
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following is a first-round match
to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Making their way to the ring, Legado Del Fantasma.
-[Vic] The second first-round matchup… -[Wade] No, stop it.
You just stop right there, because I need to make something clear.
I told you and I told everyone else around the world
that nothing, nothing is stronger than La Familia.
All of the naysayers, all of the doubters, including you Vicky Joe, you got it wrong.
Last week, Elektra Lopez put Xyon Quinn in his place.
Let's face it. Legado Del Fantasma still run the bingo.
Before you start, if you got any more dumb questions,
you wanna get out of the way.
[Vic] Legado Del Fantasma is going to advance tonight?
[Wade] Of course. Are Legado going to advance tonight?
You always seem to cease me, Vicky Joe.
Always taking shots.
-Always being a doubting Thomas. -[Vic] It was a question.
[Wade] Just watch and learn right now.
Legado Del Fantasma have everything in control
against a pair of rookies tonight.
[Vic] They believe that being Enofe and Blade, they are far from rookies.
[Wade] Okay, I admire their confidence.
I admire their swagger, their attitude, but then reality hits, doesn't it?
Listen, Legado Del Fantasma have a combined 30 years in-ring experience.
I'm sorry, lad. Thanks for coming.
Congratulations on getting into the competition.
It ends tonight. "You are rookies in this match."
[Vic] As we mentioned, this is a quarterfinal matchup,
and it was Enofe and Blade, who were in control of the match,
as Enofe just chugged himself into the matchup,
defeated Harland and Gacy last week to earn a spot in the tournament.
Now looking to advance, and a kick out.
[Wade] Yeah, listen, that was a Pyrrhic victory last week.
They won by default,
because Harland could not control himself and got disqualified.
Well, now, unfortunately, they are in way over their heads.
It's a great achievement to tell your family about.
You were in the Dusty Cup proper, but don't get carried away.
[Vic] Oh, another cover to advance to the second round,
and a kick out again by…
Hey, look, if you're so pro-Legado,
then why didn't you pick them to win the tournament tag,
-Mr. Creed Brothers? -[Wade] Why didn't I pick Legado?
[Vic] Yeah. You're so pro out here saying, "I told you this, and this."
-Why didn't you pick Legado? -[Wade] I picked the Creeds.
Why don't you pick a team? Who's your pick, wise guy, huh?
Who are you picking?
[Vic] I'm a broadcast journalist. I don't make the picks, I ask you.
[Wade] You are absolutely not a journalist, first of all.
[Vic] Cover by Mendoza, hook to the leg to get to the semis, another kick-out.
[Wade] Do not try and drive a wedge
between Wade Barrett and Legado Del Fantasma.
I am a huge admirer of the two men in the ring,
Santos Escobar, and of course, Elektra Lopez.
-[Vic] He benches. -[Wade] Maybe they would be my 1B.
If the Creeds are 1A, for my picks, they would be 1B.
-[Vic] Who's your 1C? -[Wade] Probably Grizzled Young Veterans.
[Vice] Oh, so you're just going to have 1D, E,
and now you've just picked the whole field by the end of the day.
Again, I'm a broadcast journalist, I don't make picks.
-[Wade] You're not a broadcast journalist. -[Vic] Mendoza… Oh!
Charging in, nobody home.
It's now Enofe trying to make a tag, desperately needs one,
and Mendoza wisely able to cut the ring back off.
[Wade] This is what a veteran does, Raul Mendoza is in complete control.
[Vic] You mentioned Santos Escobar,
he's certainly put his focus on Bron Breakker and the NXT title.
-[Wade] Of course. It's about time. -[Vic] Tag.
[Wade] Santos Escobar just sheer quality and absolutely championship caliber.
[Vic] Now, Blade tagging back in,
and it's Blade and Enofe first looking to focus on the Dusty Cup.
Been looking at championship gold of their own.
Again, the winner of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
earns a guaranteed opportunity at the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Now on the outside.
[audience cheering]
Santos Escobar sticking his nose where it doesn't belong.
[Wade] Oh, come off it. At least that was a moment away.
-Santos Escobar getting… -[Vic] Tag was made.
[Wade] …ejected from ringside by this referee.
[Vic] The referee saw what happened. The referee had to make a decision.
Whoa. Escobar, right now, costing his own team.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Speaking of Bron Breakker.
What are you doing?
[Vic] NXT champion making his presence felt.
[Wade] Escobar is out cold.
-Face first into the… -[Vic] We're back into the ring.
-Blade rolls and… Whoa. Oh! -[Wade] No.
[Vic] Bracket busted.
["Far From a Rookie" playing]
[Alicia] Here are your winners, Edris Enofe and Malik Blade.
[Vic] What were you saying about the Legado?
[Wade] I will tell you. The single worst refereeing performance
I have seen in 20 years of this entire industry.
[Vic] Just like the Dallas Cowboys, blaming the official.
Huge win for Enofe and Blade.
Well, let's go back. I mean, right here, Santos Escobar, plain as day.
How can you blame the official?
The official saw Santos Escobar interject himself in the match.
[Wade] Wait a minute, because this is where we see Bron Breakker
sticking his nose into business,
KO-ing Santos Escobar causing a huge distraction.
The referee was all fine and dandy without…
[Vic] One, two, and if you filled out your brackets,
-certainly busted here tonight. -[Wade] Everyone's bracket is now busted.
Nobody picked Malik Blade and Edris Enofe.
[Vic] As you can see, have advanced, as have the Creed Brothers
to the semi-finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
[Wade] What a shock.
[Vic] What a shocker, what a feeling this must be for Enofe and Blade.
[Wade] It must be Legado Del Fantasma.
[speaking Spanish]
-[speaking Spanish] -You'll never have this. You hear me, man.
Tonight, Diamond Mine is two-for-two.
Ivy now has proven that she can defeat any woman in NXT.
And the Creed Brothers are one step closer to winning the Dusty Classic.
And later tonight, we will be three-for-three,
because Roderick Strong, the leader of Diamond Mine,
he will wipe the mat with the leader of the Imperium.
And, Walter, you put your hands on me.
But you know what the crazy thing is, you think that this mat is sacred.
The mat is not sacred.
The mat is a revenue generator for us to get paid,
so we can move on up and get that deluxe apartment in the sky.
Walter, you're big, you're strong,
you won a bunch of matches in Europe or whatever,
but tonight, the mat belongs to Roderick Strong and Diamond Mine.
[audience booing]
[Vic] Huge main event still to come tonight on NXT.
Boa, I said I take on whoever shows up,
but last week, you took it to the next level.
I had never been hit with a firebomb before,
burned half my face.
You wanna bring out your ancestral powers, well, let's go
because you're not the only one who can call on his past,
whose bloodline came from wolves.
Next week, I don't care where it goes, the ring, the streets, the locker room,
bring your battle paint, because I got mine.
Next week, we're going to war.
[music fades]
[Wade] Man, Boa versus Sikoa next week. That one is guaranteed to get ugly.
["Kombat" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing Dakota Kai.
[Vic] Kai has said for weeks and even said it again tonight, to Leon,
"Nothing ruins friendships like success."
[Wade] It's hard to blame Dakota for thinking that way.
Just look back at Dakota's friendship with Raquel or the ruins of it.
Perhaps they won last year's women's Dusty Cup together.
They were the inaugural NXT Women's Tag Team Champions.
Raquel, of course, went on to win the NXT women's title,
thanks to Dakota's guidance, and then Dakota was left in the shadows.
Now, her life in ruins, her career in ruins.
Success can certainly be a poison chalice.
[Vic] Leon and Feroz, certainly focusing their attention
ready to compete in the Women's Dusty Cup this year,
which is going to start very soon here on NXT.
[Wade] Be very careful what you wish for. Use Dakota Kai as an example there.
Last year's winners were Raquel and Kai.
[Vic] Shoulders down, kick out.
[Wade] Raquel went from strength to strength,
whereas Kai's career and personal life have just nose-dived ever since.
[Vic] Let's talk about Dakota Kai. When is she going to let the past go?
[Wade] She will let the past go
when the past stops affecting her presence.
She's been on a huge losing streak of late.
Let's face it, she should be challenging for the Women's NXT Championship here.
She is miles away from that right now.
[Vic] Feel the impact, boom! Face first. Dakota Kai able to side-step her opponent.
Maybe Dakota Kai just needs to find a hobby.
[Wade] Dakota Kai needs to learn how to relax, let the stress go.
[Vic] Shoots the half, hooks the leg, is it enough? Kick out.
[Wade] Do what I do, wake up in the morning,
cup of tea, and a game of Wordle.
-It will set you up for the entire day. -[Vic] Wordle?
[Wade] Yeah, I'm nice and relaxed, aren't I? Calm, cool.
That's what people say about me. You should try it.
-[inaudible] it's gonna be you as well. -[Wade] It's too difficult for you, pal.
[Vic] Now Dakota Kai is certainly in control of this matchup.
It's been very vocal in the past recent weeks.
And look, Dakota Kai becomes very almost possessed sometimes inside the ring.
[Wade] Yeah. And this is the problem with Dakota Kai,
her inability to control that demon that seems to be possessing her at times
and remain focused on the task at hand, which right now is defeating Yulisa Leon.
[Vic] Now, the cover, another hook to the leg, and another kick-out.
[Wade] And getting her in-ring career back on track.
I think Dakota Kai feels slighted as well from Leon and even Feroz.
They didn't want her advice earlier tonight.
[Wade] Dakota Kai is talking to her in the ring.
I have no idea what she's feeling.
I don't think she has any control over her abilities right now.
[audience shouting indistinctly]
[Vic] A call chat with somebody. Oh!
[Wade] I can't imagine she has a cohesive strategy in this match.
[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Oh! Nasty right across the face.
And that could be the final boot that puts Dakota Kai back
in the winning circle, and another kick out.
[Wade] That's impressive from Yulisa Leon.
We're learning a bit about her tonight, her durability, her desire to win.
[Vic] Kai was almost surprised and shocked but Leon firing back.
[Wade] Clean shot to the jaw of Dakota Kai, starting to…
[Vic] Oh, you talk about a clean shot to the jaw.
[Wade] With that kick, talk about durability in itself.
[Vic] Excuse me. Dakota Kai again. Look. Oh.
-Oh, [inaudible]. -Shut up!
What?
[Vic] Valentina Feroz now, interjecting herself. In and out.
Able to sidestep Kai, Leon is able to turn things around.
[Wade] "Are you fully satisfied with this? Are you okay?"
[Vic] Feroz firing up her tag team partner.
[Wade] Feroz getting involved in the match and distracting Dakota Kai,
calling it like it is.
[Vic] She did distract her, but look, it's paying off right now for Leon.
Leon now, trying to seize her moment tonight.
[Wade] It's called cheating in my book, Vic Joseph.
[Vic] You wouldn't say that about someone like Legado Del Fantasma moments ago.
It's Leon showcasing that strength. Fallaway Slam with the bridge.
-Cover, kick out. Whoa. -[audience] Two!
[Wade] I'll be honest, that deserved a victory. That was superb.
[Vic] Listen to the NXT universe showcasing their appreciation
for this innovative beauty offense, but back to live action,
scorpion kick connected from Kai.
[Wade] Strength and flexibility from Yulisa Leon,
but there is very little you can do when you get that kick across the face.
-Cover, count, goodnight. -[bell ringing]
["Kombat" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Dakota Kai.
[Vic] Well, you said Dakota Kai needed to put her past behind her,
needed to start moving on, needed to pick up wins.
Dakota Kai back on her winning ways.
[Wade] Well, and that, but she still seems slightly deranged,
let's be honest.
[Vic] Well, yeah, let's be honest. You're seeing how deranged Dakota Kai is.
[Wade] Face it, Valentina Feroz deserves this, and more,
after trying to get involved in Dakota Kai's matchup.
[Vic] Thankfully for Feroz, her tag team partner was near.
[inaudible]
I come back! Whoa!
[inaudible]
[shouts]
Dakota Kai with the victory,
but we look forward to seeing more of Yulisa and Valentina,
but with me now, Raquel Gonzalez.
Raquel, what's next for you
since Mandy Rose walked out of New Year's Evil
still the NXT Women's Champion?
I know everyone expects me to make this big ordeal
about how Mandy needed Dakota
to win the title from me in the first place.
And I could stand here and complain about how I wasn't the one
who was pinned in the Triple Threat at New Year's Evil.
But Mac, mira me, look at me,
I am la chingona, "Big Mami Cool" Raquel Gonzalez.
I don't make excuses.
And it should come as no surprise to everyone around here
that I am still coming after Mandy and might I…
So am I.
Look, I know we both want the same thing, but let me ask you this,
don't you want to be a back-to-back Dusty Classic Champion?
I bet it felt pretty cool. We can walk in there, win it all,
and take those titles right out of Jacy and Gigi.
Cora, it's because of you that I don't have a title right now.
Chiquita, I like you, but don't get in my way again.
Thanks, but no thanks.
[audience shouting indistinctly]
I'll convince her. You'll see.
Well, Vic, Wade, back to you.
[Vic] Well, McKenzie, only time will tell, but it now time for our main event on NXT.
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Representing Imperium, Walter.
[Vic] It's a main event matchup we never thought we would see.
The Ring General, the leader of Imperium, Walter, going one-on-one
with the leader of Diamond Mine, Roderick Strong.
It's our main event and it's next on NXT.
[audience chanting "Walter"]
Man, what did we say? What did we say?
We said we was going shock the world, man.
Shock the world. Two down, two to go.
-Let's do it. You know what's next? -What's next?
-Semifinals, baby. -Let's go!
Hey, Big Bron.
-I appreciate you, Bron. -No problem.
I'd say you're welcome, but I didn't do anything.
That was all you guys, all right?
Hey, good luck the rest of the way. Go win that cup.
-Thanks, brother. -Let's do it.
Let's go, we're in it. Hey, who do you want next?
MSK or Jacket Time?
It don't even matter, because we'll be ready.
We'll be ready, baby. All the time, all day, everyday, everyday.
[Vic] Certainly what an upset it was
in the men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic,
but how about next week.
No disqualification falls count anywhere.
Solo Sikoa is focused on beating up Boa. Next week live right here on NXT.
[Wade] That is wild, but it gets better,
'cause the challenge was set early tonight.
Cameron Grimes takes on Tony D next week.
The winner gets an opportunity at the NXT North American Champion,
Carmelo Hayes.
[Vic] What a matchup that will be, but are you ready, Wade?
She is part of the soundtrack of NXT 2.0, and she'll be here next week live.
OllieJayy joins NXT with a special musical performance
live next week here on USA.
[Wade] Hell yeah, I'm ready, but here's what else I'm ready for,
because we saw a kick-off earlier, by next week, it get settled.
Kay Lee Ray, Hartwell, and Pirotta will take on the trio of Toxic Attraction
in six-woman tag action right here on NXT next week.
[Vic] It is the main event time in this week here on NXT,
and it gets no bigger than Walter and Roderick Strong.
[audience chanting "Walter"]
["The End Of Heartache" playing]
[Alicia] Making his way to the ring, representing Diamond Mine,
Roderick Strong.
[Vic] Strong said he is not afraid of Walter.
[Wade] Yeah, and I've known Roddy Strong a long time.
I can see that look in his eyes, I believe it.
I love the attitude, I love the confidence,
but I hope he's smart though, Walter is a dangerous man
and should instill fear in anybody.
Take his head off! Take his head off!
[audience chanting "Roderick"]
[screams]
[audience cheering]
[screams]
[Wade] What a night it has been for Diamond Mine already.
Two victories, the Creeds are through for the semifinals of the Dusty Cup.
Ivy now getting a massive victory against Kay Lee Ray.
And now Roderick Strong perhaps with the toughest task of them all
against the Ring General, Walter.
[Vic] This is a matchup, a huge main event with international appeal.
And speaking of huge, International WWE News
recently announced the Elimination Chamber premium live event
announced for Saturday, February 19th in Jeddah.
[Wade] Now what an event that is going to be, cannot wait,
but speaking of events, this in itself is a spectacle.
Any time Walter steps in the ring, Bivens should like it,
because he is a big money matchup every single time.
[Vic] You're looking around right now at the NXT universe,
no one's staring at their phones, no one's looking up.
All eyes fixated on this main event matchup,
Walter and Roderick Strong.
I mean, wait, this is a matchup some thought we would never see.
[Wade] Yeah, I'm not surprised, of course. Walter made his name over in NXT UK.
It looked for a long time that that's all he was interested to do.
Staying over there forever, but something changed with Walter,
he decided to come stateside and bring Imperium's devastation
and dominance right here to NXT.
[Vic] You can see Malcolm Bivens on the outside.
Look, this all started over the weekend, Walter did not like the comments
that Bivens made about Imperium.
[Wade] He didn't like that. Bivens was looking into a crystal ball.
I personally said the Creeds were gonna win the Dusty Cup.
Bivens went one further, he went all in
and said they were going to win the NXT tag titles from Imperium too.
Walter simply standing up for his troops, the tag champions of Imperium.
[Vic] Walter also… We heard from earlier tonight,
noted it was Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel
who had been waving the flag for Imperium.
Is Walter the current weak link in Imperium?
There's no gold around his waist or over his shoulder.
[Wade] Did you say Walter and weak link in the same sentence?
You absolute fool, Vic Joseph.
I hope for your health and safety,
-he doesn't hear you say it. -[Vic] Oh!
[Wade] Walter sets the standard in Imperium, if you're a better man,
put your house on Walter winning gold sooner or later here in NXT.
The only question for me is what title.
[Vic] You can see the trash talk picking up between Strong and Walter.
You're talking about victories, Roderick Strong needs to win tonight.
[Wade] Yeah, absolutely.
Listen, you lost the Unification Match with Carmelo Hayes
at New Year's Evil in an absolute bomb,
but it's to kick-off NXT's 2022 first match of the year right here.
Such a great match,
plaudits from around the sports entertainment sphere.
However, that was no consolation to Strong who is all about championships and victory
and, of course, Bivens looking on, he's all about the money.
[Vic] Right now, Strong, trying go up and over,
and the massive Walter able to get his grips,
his mitts on Strong, and Strong now starting to strike back.
Forearm, trying to rock Walter. Did you hear that chop? Oh!
[Wade] You're just asking for trouble
by getting the big man, Walter, unloading those chops.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] Listen to this.
[chops]
[audience cheering]
[Vic] And the welt forming across the chest of Roderick Strong
as Walter now…
[Wade] That welt is only half the story, believe me,
internally, there was no oxygen in the lungs of Roderick Strong.
[audience chanting "this is awesome"]
[Vic] This is your main event here on NXT.
You talk about two superstars that aren't afraid of contact.
[Wade] Oh, man. We're seeing it first hand.
[Vic] Oh! Come on!
[Wade] Man on man, skin on skin, fight till the end.
And Walter right now wreaking devastation on the leader of the Diamond Mine.
[Vic] Well, Walter right now focused in just eating some forearms, then, bam!
It was Strong eating that huge boot under the jaw.
And now Walter sending a message right to Malcolm Bivens.
You can do nothing. [screams]
-[Vic] Whoa! -[Wade] Uh-oh. Malcolm Bivens.
Not where you want to be, young man.
[Vic] Oh, and Strong chopped out Walter to the injured knee.
Strong keeping his foot on the gas, and now Walter on the back foot.
Strong now looking to continue to march on.
Oh, my gosh, just got caught, riffed it, and pulled it.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Quite the main event here at NXT this week.
Walter taking on Roderick Strong.
And as you saw throughout the commercial break,
it has been… Oh, Walter.
Roderick Strong, trying to bounce back, trying to find a new gear.
A dropkick rocks, Walter into the corner.
[Wade] We know all about the conditioning of Roderick Strong.
He's going to need every ounce of that conditioning in there
with the big Austrian.
[Vic] And now Strong.
-Oh! [laughs] -[audience cheering]
[Wade] Taste of your own medicine, Big Walter.
[Vic] Strong said he was not afraid of Walter.
Would not back down.
Can he hoist Walter up?
[Wade] That might be a mountain too tall to climb even for Roderick Strong.
[Vic] Oh, Walter locking in the sleeper trying to wear down Strong.
Strong realizing he is in danger. Bivens shouting on the outside.
[Wade] This is where panic really sets in when you're in the big arms
of someone like Walter getting the life squeezed out you,
straight back into it.
[Vic] Right back in goes Walter, and Strong now is in danger.
There's nowhere for Roderick Strong to go.
Strong's going to have to navigate his way somehow free.
[Wade] Yeah. This is a dying embers leaving Roderick Strong
perhaps stealing a move from the Cruiser weight.
-Working on those small joints. -[Vic] A little joint manipulation.
That's an interesting way, nonetheless effective for Roderick Strong.
[Wade] By hook or by crook, get away from Walter if you can.
It seems to work for now.
[Vic] Now, the stamina monster unleashing, showcasing that tank, that never empties.
Running right back into Walter.
[Wade] Ducking that huge chop from Walter.
You know that's going to take every ounce of fight out of anybody's body.
[Vic] Strong, again.
Oh!
And just like that, Walter can change the complexion of a matchup.
[Wade] A tree limb across the jaw with added momentum
from Roderick Strong himself.
[Vic] Walter said he and Imperium, were looking for global domination,
and it starts tonight.
[Wade] Absolutely. That's what they want. Easier said than done.
Listen, he said it since their arrival in NXT UK.
Tore down old pillars, rebuild NXT UK in their own image.
Now doing it here, stateside. He already conquered the tag division.
He beat Roderick Strong, he might be unstoppable.
-[Vic] Roderick Strong. No way. Oh. -[Wade] Oh, no.
[Vic] Just with one chop, Strong dropped. Back to his feet.
[Wade] Immediately off falling to the side of the massive face of the Austrian.
[Vic] Walter is rocked, and Bivens knows. Bivens is shouting, "This is your chance."
[Wade] That's the money in now.
[audience chanting "this is awesome"]
[Vic] This certainly is, and this would be impressive if Strong…
No way!
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Strong's got to cover Walter. Strong, drapes his arm over Walter.
Cover, count. Somehow. Come on.
[Wade] Lost a millisecond away.
That Superplex took so much out of Roderick Strong,
unable to make the cover in the nick of time.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] Take a look.
Oh, feel the impact, but listen to the NXT universe
come unglued for that moment,
and for this main event, everyone on their feet.
[Wade] This turning into a slug fest before our eyes.
Normally you'd have to back Walter, but after that massive Superplex,
280 pounds of Walter crushing down, how much is left in the General?
[Vic] Walter is rock, Strong charging right back in,
and again Strong going to rely on his form.
Right now, Strong just throwing everything,
anything he can at Walter, and Walter gets knocked down.
[Wade] Unleashing a wave of offense.
-This could be it. -[Vic] Strong again.
-Into the cover to knock off Walter. -[audience] One! Two!
[Vic] No, another near-fall.
[Wade] Malcolm Bivens said it himself, the mat is not sacred,
the mat is a revenue generator, and the mat belongs to Diamond Mine.
[audience chanting "fight forever"]
[Vic] This atmosphere has been unbelievable all night long,
and what a main event to cap things off here tonight
as Strong again just looking to gain any sort of advantage.
Walter, too big, too strong.
[Wade] How many of those can any human sternum take?
[Vic] Uh-oh. And Walter now looking for a power bomb.
Strong able to counter. Strong double underhook.
Does he have enough to hoist up Walter? Second time not the charm.
Walter driving Strong right back into that top turnbuckle.
Now taking care of business, is Walter.
[Wade] Smartly using the ring to his advantage.
-Always in control. Always with a plan. -[Vic] Powerbomb.
Second-time connects.
Walter into the cover and the Ring General stands tall tonight.
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor" playing]
[audience applauding]
[Vic] Malcolm Bivens in disbelief. NXT universe on their feet.
What a main event we all just witnessed here tonight on NXT.
Walter standing tall. Roderick Strong, he laid it on the line.
Roderick Strong, this could've been his best shot at the match.
[Wade] Let's face it, he came within a whisker of beating the Ring General.
Just a millisecond away on numerous occasions.
That wasn't the only chance, but when you hit something like this.
I don't care who you are in NXT, that connects,
you are there for the taking.
[Vic] Walter able to counter one last effort from Roderick Strong,
deliver this massive power bomb, center of the ring.
And for Walter, tonight indeed marked the dawn of a new time of Imperium.
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen, the winner…
No.
The winner of this match is Gunther.
-[Wade] Wait a… -[Vic] What?
Aichner, Barthel, the rest of Imperium.
Roderick Strong's got nothing left in the tank.
[audience booing]
[Vic] And then come the Creed Brothers.
[audience shouting indistinctly]
[Vic] All hell breaking loose. Bedlam has broken out.
We need some help out here.
[audience chanting "NXT"]
[Vic] These two teams destroying each other.
Break it off! Break it off! Break it off!
Subtitles: Ed Boon it off! Break it off!