[narrator] Then.
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[The Rock] If you smell…
[narrator] Now.
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-[Lemmy] The King of Kings. -[John Cena] You can't see me.
[narrator] Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
You jumped off. You hit that thing like, "What?"
-I was like, "That was crazy." -[laughs] You never lied, dawg.
I'm telling you, one of the coldest things I've ever seen you do, bro.
Oh, what we got here?
-Whoa, whoa, whoa. -Whoa, dang.
[woman] Trick, Trick, how do you feel to win the Iron Survivor on Saturday?
Man, I feel good. I feel like money. I ain't gonna lie to you.
But check it, man. I'm clutch in the fourth, man.
You call me Tricky McGregor. Call me Tricky Williams,
Michael Trick. [laughs]
[man] New Year's Evil, how you gonna get it done?
Hey, New Year's Evil. you already know what time it is.
Trick vs. Dragunov 3. This ain't a movie. This is the real thing.
[Vic] The hours have turned to minutes. The countdown is on.
Welcome to NXT Deadline.
Are you ready?
-["Cult Of Personality" playing] -[audience cheering]
[Vic] You gotta be kidding me, Book.
Who'd have thought, huh, me and you?
Anything is possible, baby. Anything is possible.
[Vic] Wait the start to the night.
Tonight, in the steel cage match, I'm going to end Kiana James.
[Vic] Wait. That's Izzy Dame.
[bell ringing]
I don't want to talk right now.
♪ They coming for the crown They gonna tear it down ♪
♪ I fully guarantee repeating history ♪
♪ Shut down ♪
[Vic] Dragon Lee is now the new North American Champion.
♪ Countdown and shut down ♪
[Lexis] No! It wasn't me who attacked Trick Williams.
-[bell rings] -But thank you,
for that PLE spotlight, my friend.
[slow music playing]
[Vic] These superstars are battling each other.
They're also battling the clock.
This is innovative. This is revolutionary.
♪ Keep moving, keep fighting ♪
[Vic] The goal is to get the most decisions at the end of 25 minutes.
♪ The clock is ticking ♪
[Vic] Let the bodies hit the floor.
♪ The world is slowly sinking ♪
[Booker T] The clock is running out.
[Vic] Bron Breakker. He's breaking everyone in half.
Where the hell Thorpe come from?
-We're tied at three. There's ten seconds. -[Booker] Oh, Trick is at it again.
-[Vic] Oh, my God! -[bell ringing]
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -Trick Williams is the Iron Survivor.
[Vic] Blair Davenport earned Women's Iron Survivor.
Lyra Valkyria. That clock is ticking.
[Vic] Cora Chain is back.
I'm gonna take this place to a whole new level.
♪ Too late, we're out of time ♪
[man 7] Four, three, two, one.
We had two, you had one.
That means Meta-Four is twice as good. That's why it's not…
[groans]
♪ Countdown is shut down ♪
[Vic] It is main event time.
[Baron Corbin] Ilja, at Deadline. I'm taking that title from you.
[Vic] Ilja Dragunov. He's fighting to give a better life for his family.
That is what is in the heart of the champion.
You wanted a hug? You got it.
[Ilja] The only one who can destroy the Dragon is the Dragon himself.
[dramatic music playing]
[Vic] Dragunov, still the czar of NXT.
[Vic] Oh, my God, Booker. Booker, we're live.
Hey, hey. What happened? What happened? Take a deep breath. Relax. Stay there.
Yo, what the freak, man. What happened to him?
-I don't know. I just got here. -What happened to you?
Get some help. Get some freaking help.
[referee] Get medical over here.
-Did you see who did it? -We need medical.
-Oh, yeah, SmackDown on Friday… -Freak, man.
[imitates coughing]
[audience booing]
Four months.
Four long, hard, difficult months.
But not for me. For you. [chuckles]
Saturday at Deadline, the sun finally emerged
from the clouds and the fog was finally lifted.
And I know how hard it was for all of you,
me being gone that long.
Crying yourselves to sleep in your little Cora Jade T-shirts.
Kissing your little 8x10s of me goodnight. [chuckles]
But don't worry, because everything's fine.
I'm back now. And that's what you all wanted, right?
Tweeting me every day, every episode, begging me to come back.
[audience shouting indistinctly]
You guys didn't like me back then, but all of a sudden you love me now?
Saturday at Deadline was just the best day ever.
Because I reminded everybody that no matter how deep
the NXT women's roster may be,
everything is better when Cora Jade's around.
But, hey, I'll give all those women
in that Iron Survivor Challenge Match their flowers.
That was one hell of a match. [chuckles]
But let's be honest, at the end of the day,
nobody was talking about a single one of those women.
They were all talking about the return of Cora Jade.
[audience cheering]
As I stood there holding that NXT Women's Championship high,
-["Triumph" playing] -[audience cheering]
Welcome back, Cora.
Welcome back. I…
I couldn't help but notice you left out one key detail
-when you mentioned me just there. -[audience chanting] Jade!
The fact that you jumped me from behind at Deadline.
You know what's crazy? [chuckles]
It's crazy that you've been away for four whole months
and nothing has changed.
You're still gonna try and take shortcuts just like you always have.
Did I ruffle some feathers when I got your attention last time?
Listen, you may not have changed these past four months,
but things around here definitely have.
I've changed.
I'm not the same woman that you used to mess with.
I'm the NXT Women's Champion.
[audience cheering]
And I don't care what generation you think this is.
I don't care what you think you deserve.
There is nothing that you can do that's gonna…
-["On Point" playing] -[audience booing]
Wow, you might be at the top right now, Lyra.
But I have become four of the very best women in NXT
to become your Iron Survivor. [laughs]
And Cora Jade, you ain't one of them.
[audience chanting] That's not fair!
Lyra, I'm here to remind you something really important.
You need to be focused on me right now.
Because the time is ticking on your reign and come New Year's Evil.
I will become the champion that I was always destined to be.
Don't worry, Blair. I heard what you had to say at Deadline.
But there is no way in hell you are ever gonna take this from me.
And I'm surprised you two aren't best friends already
considering you both like to jump people from behind.
Well, whatever it takes to get the job done.
["Heart Of A Lion" playing]
[Nikkita] Hey, Blair.
I haven't forgot what you've done to me in that parking lot.
[audience chanting] Nikkita!
What? I can't do so… [groans]
[Vic] Oh, Booker, we knew this wouldn't take long.
[Booker] Nikkita's back.
[Vic] All four of these women disorder all around us.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] And what a way to start NXT on the heels of NXT's Deadline.
[Booker] Nikkita's back. Vic.
[Vic] I'm sure you're gonna say that a few more times tonight.
I mean, I can't get over what we just witnessed,
but also, Carmelo Hayes attacked.
Hayes is in the United States Championship tournament this Friday on SmackDown.
She's back.
-You all right? -Yeah, man.
You're more excited for all the disorder and destruction going on right now.
It's unbelievable how we've started the night.
But let's go back to Saturday at Deadline
when some more disorder and mayhem took place.
-Come on, now. -Hello, hello, hello.
Unlucky cowboys, you should be hanging your head in shame.
-Zero for two, you foolish boys. -[all laughs]
Wait a minute, did I miss when Lash so-called Legend
won the Iron Survivor challenge?
Excuse you, I didn't lose, I ran out of time, thank you.
-Oh, that sounds like excuses to me. -Hey, hey, hey.
She had two, you had one.
That means Meta-Four is twice as good. Twice as nice.
Oh! Stop!
Security! Security!
[Vic] Booker, something has been in the water since Saturday.
["Time Out" playing]
[audience booing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is a Mixed Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Jakara Jackson,
representing Meta-Four Oro Mensah, Lash Legend,
and the NXT Heritage Cup Champion, Supernova 11, Noam Dar.
[Vic] Just like tonight, Saturday was a bag of emotions for all involved.
It spills over into tonight.
Six-person tag team action next live on NXT.
I'm joined now by the new NXT North American Champion, Dragon Lee.
Dragon, congratulations on defeating "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio at Deadline.
Has it sunk in yet?
You're the new NXT North American Champion.
Kelly, [speaking Spanish]
Saturday night was a dream come true.
Yes, [speaking Spanish] by the greatest luchador of all time, Rey Mysterio.
And then to win my first championship in WWE.
[speaking Spanish]
But it wouldn't have this opportunity to win this title
it wasn't for the unfortunate injure
to the greatest North American Champion, Wes Lee.
Wes, carnal.
You have all my respect, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Kelly, I'm going to defend this title like he did, as much as possible.
And that starts tonight.
[speaking Spanish]
Who will be your first challenger?
I will be in the ring.
We will find out. Gracias.
Thank you.
One, two, three.
[Vic] Look, everybody's in the fighting mood tonight.
-["Brothers In Arms" playing] -[audience cheering]
[Alicia] And their opponents,
The team of Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs, and Brooks Jensen.
[Vic] Even you have to admit,
Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley both showed up
and showed out this past Saturday at Deadline.
[Booker] I can admit that. Their stock went up, Vic.
And the thing is, they had a great show.
All right, I'm gonna just say that. I'm gonna put it out there.
You okay with that?
[Vic] Yeah, I'm glad that you finally, we agree on something.
And I wanna ask you this, too. Is Meta-Four right…
-[Booker] Oh, wait a minute. -[Vic] A collection of bodies and cash.
[Vic] And just like this, Meta-Four takes advantage.
-You're talking about [inaudible]. -[Vic] Whoa.
[Booker] [inaudible] look at that.
-Cash and checks to me, man. -[bell rings]
[Vic] Looking around right now, Jensen limping out in front of us.
He may have hyperextended something.
And Noam Dar still going after Jensen, as Lash going right after Fallon Henley.
And these two picking up right where they left off in Bridgeport.
[Booker] We know about Lash Legend, Vic. She showed she's a monster at Deadline.
So close, man, so close.
[Vic] Well, it was Dar, it was Oro Mensah, your main man,
Jakara Jackson as well, who made their presence
felt by holding the penalty door close.
It didn't allow Fallon to get back into the matchup.
And Henley, she's gonna take a little bit of that aggression out on Lash Legend.
[Booker] What are you talking about?
I mean, she wasn't the only one that had people in the building, Vic.
Come on.
[Vic] Well, apparently Book,
I got a little bit of some breaking news right now.
It is official, after what we witnessed to kick off the night,
these four women are going to clash in a Tag Team Matchup later tonight.
-[Booker] That's going down tonight? -[Vic] That is going down tonight.
[Booker] Yes, man. We got action right there, though, Vic.
[Vic] We go back to Saturday too, it was Fallon Henley,
because of Meta-Four blocking her way out of the penalty box.
She took a nasty spill right through our table.
[Booker] Yes, she took a spill, but Vic,
if you look at Fallon Henley right now in the middle of this ring,
it's not holding her back, it's not stopping.
Shows how tough this young lady really is.
[Vic] Certainly did show some grit and determination,
and coming right back in on Lash Legend.
And Lash Legend, by the way, was so close, as you mentioned,
with being the Iron Survivor,
you could argue that she just ran out of time.
[Booker] I mean, Lash, you could say, is so close to the legends of Lash.
If I could say that, so impressive.
[Vic] I just had some flashbacks, because obviously the men
have to fight the men, women fight the women.
But the last six-person matchup we had, Lash body slammed Otis.
[Booker] You know, and what impressed me about Lash is…
[Vic] That's 350 pounds.
[Booker] Not just to test her feet, but the smallest little bitty things
that she's doing now, Vic,
under the expert tutelage of one, who, huh, Noam Dar. Come on, man.
[Vic] Well, Mensah right now just took a flight,
courtesy of Brooks Jensen.
And it's nice to see Jensen, who is on hand in Bridgeport,
rooting on his friends.
[Booker] You know, that's cool and all, but I'm thinking about Josh Briggs
and how impressive he was.
If Brooks Jensen could get on the same page.
[Vic] There's Tiffany Stratton taking a long look a
at what's going on in this matchup.
She has eyes on one person, that's Fallon Henley.
[Booker] You know why, because she's playing on staying at the tippy top, man.
[Vic] You're on one tonight. What are you excited about?
You got a new suit out with your money this weekend?
[Booker] I feel good, I feel good. This is a money suit I got on right here.
[Vic] Speaking of money, Josh Briggs was money and more.
How about the athleticism of Briggs this past Saturday?
[Booker] Absolutely. He can get up and just go, Vic.
-You talking about the… -[Vic] Big right.
[Booker] Obviously, the athleticism the kid could do, back flips,
could do anything. He's that good.
[Vic] No, no, no, no.
Well, it's not about flips, it's about strength.
[Booker] Oh, yes!
-[Vic] Lash Legend wiping out the field. -Bye-bye. Get up, bitch.
[Vic] Who's walking out the winner tonight?
[Vic] Back live on NXT, and it has been the Heritage Cup Champion,
Noam Dar, leading the path in this matchup.
Meta-Four has been in control of Brooks Jensen up until that moment.
And now it's Jensen who needs, Booker, needs to make the tag.
[Booker] Mensah needs to move, and I'm gonna tell you right now.
Mensah been cat quick right now.
Working on that hyperextended that knee right there.
What a hell of a job, man.
[Vic] Here comes Noam Dar, and whether I'd like to admit it or not,
he has systematically dissected his opponents.
-Weekend and week out. -[Booker] Man.
-Oh, yeah! -[Booker] Look at the tag team…
[Vic] Into the cover, hook to the leg. And Jensen was able to kick out again.
We saw these six have an argument in Bridgeport.
It has spilled over into tonight into the six-person Tag Team Match
for the men fight the men, women fight the women.
[Booker] You know, Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen
seem like they were trying to bully Meta-Four.
Right now, seems like the bullies are getting bullied, if you ask me.
[Vic] Book, do you not remember
all the Meta-Fours standing in front of the penalty box door,
not allowing Fallon Henley to get back in the match?
[Booker] Is there any rules that say they could do that?
[Vic] Book, you should run for politics. But I'll tell you what,
you could sell a catcher [inaudible] to a woman in white gloves.
[Booker] I'm just speaking facts, Vic. That's all I'm doing, speaking facts.
[Vic] The fact right now is Brooks Jensen is far away from his corner.
He desperately needs to make attack
as he is just absorbing strike after strike.
Into the cover goes Dar, and another near-fall.
[Booker] He's in there with the lead of Meta-Four.
If you know, perhaps one of the greatest factions
that's gonna go down in the history,
you've never seen a faction like Meta-Four before.
Two men, two women, making history in this business.
[inaudible] needs dad more as well.
Oh, my God, man, they can be beautiful.
[Vic] That's what NXT is all about. And now, Noam Dar trying to hold Jensen.
And again, just going right down to the body.
And Book, how hard is it to compete when you can't walk?
When you can't run? When you can't jump?
[Booker] Like I say, right now, Noam Dar,
not just looking at that knee, looking at that PCL right behind the knee.
And that right there is a debilitating move right there from Noam Dar.
Oh, right now.
[Vic] But what about that debilitating clothesline by Jensen
as Briggs rally the NXT universe?
Get in here. Get in here!
[Vic] Jensen make his way over.
So close and… Oh, went for the enzuigiri.
Dar had it scouted and Dar locking in the ankle lock.
The same ankle lock that he tapped out to, to Chad Gable.
[Booker] Man, this dude's a pro and he knows every trick in the book.
He has every tool in the tool bag and he knows where to use them. Oh!
[Vic] No quitting, Jensen. Not gonna tap out.
Referee distracted by Jakara.
And Briggs tagged in, but the official did not… An illegal tag.
-The official didn't see it. -[Booker] Wow.
-[Vic] Because of Jakara. -[Booker] Did you see that?
[Vic] But he did see Mensah make a tag.
-[Booker] Hey, hey. -[Vic] Tag back to Dar.
[Vic] And now Jensen is a sitting duck. Bam. What a back elbow.
Dar falling into the cover, hook to the leg, trying to steal it.
Fallon Henley breaking up the count.
But in comes Lash Legend.
And Lash looking to take Fallon Henley for the ride.
Fallon holding on.
[Booker] Wow, man, bad spill right there by the ladies.
[Vic] Oh, that's a bad spill there, knocking out Briggs.
Action all over the ring. This has been a nonstop action since the…
It's Tiffany Stratton!
And Stratton and Fallon Henley, no love loss.
And Miss Pretty and Privilege came out here
and is getting beaten to the back by Fallon Henley.
But Book, look around, it's now three on two.
Inside cradle, inside cradle, Book, inside cradle.
Dar is able to kick off, but nobody is home for Dar.
No one to tag.
And bam, that Nova Roller right on the butt of the jaw,
but he didn't see the tag.
And in comes the big, the bad, Josh Briggs.
[Booker] You don't wanna get rolling downhill,
he's like a snowball, getting bigger, faster.
Oh… Here we go, big shot.
[Vic] And Briggs is angry.
Briggs hitting anything that moves,
somewhat of a two-for-one combo, still counts.
[Booker] Actually, what I think about this big man, Josh Briggs.
-[Vic] What do you think, Book? -[Booker] He's agile.
-[Vic] Bam! -[Booker] Throws a [inaudible], oh, yes.
-One, two, three. -[Booker] That's it.
[bell rings]
["Brothers In Arms" playing]
[Alicia] Here are your winners,
the team of Fallon Henley, Brooks Jensen, and Josh Briggs.
[Vic] A big momentum-building victory
for Briggs, for Jensen, and for Fallon Henley.
We gotta go back to some of the action in this matchup,
because Josh Briggs had tagged into the matchup.
The official didn't see it because of Jakara Jackson,
and then all hell broke loose, including… Bam,
that big spinning elbow to the temple of Jensen,
who's able to kick out.
But Tiffany Stratton would stick her nose where it doesn't belong,
and she would pay,
as Fallon Henley would take Stratton all the way to the back,
which would open the door for Briggs to hit that huge clothesline
-for that big victory. -[bell rings]
And how good must it feel for Briggs, Jensen,
and, well, Fallon Henley, who's somewhere right now,
big win to kick off NXT.
Man, this is bad timing, man.
-Man, this can't be happening now, man. -Yeah, yeah.
Man, come on, Doc, tell me something.
-Everything appears to be fine. -Yeah.
So, Carmelo, you're medically cleared as tolerated.
Hey, you good, dawg?
-You good for SmackDown on Friday? -Word.
Hey, you know who did this to you?
I don't know, man, but I know somebody that's hit me like this before.
-Who? -[sighs]
I'm not gonna tell you here, but I'll tell you later.
But since I'm clear, I'll call his ass out.
Hey, you know I'm ready to ride.
I just need to take care of this Dragunov situation later,
and we're good.
Now you handle that business, now I handle my business.
[Vic] Boy, and other superstars have business to handle starting here tonight.
Eight superstars will look to stake claim to being the Men's Breakout superstar.
The Men's Breakout Tournament begins next.
[upbeat music playing]
♪ This guy, Maslow, he had a ladder ♪
♪ That you used to get up there ♪
♪ What's the view like from up there? ♪
♪ Well, he can't see The bottom of the stairs ♪
♪ And so it goes around the world ♪
♪ A million boys in love With a dozen girls ♪
[Alicia] Please welcome your 2023 Men's Breakout Tournament superstars.
-[audience cheering] -[upbeat music playing]
From the University of Tulsa, Trey Bearhill.
[Vic] One of the biggest superstars in this tournament.
Are we looking at the next Breakout star?
[Alicia] From Oregon State University, Deon Lennox.
[Vic] Not only from Oregon State,
also was an undrafted signee of the St. Louis Rams,
bringing speed and power to NXT.
[Alicia] From Duquesne University, Luca Crusifino.
[Vic] Studied law, Booker,
he left law school to pursue his dream here in the WWE.
[Alicia] From DeMar University, Tavion Heights.
[Vic] Olympian, he's got a pedigree, was a gold medal winner
at the 2020 Pan American Wrestling Championships.
[Alicia] From Temple University, Keanu Carver.
[Vic] [inaudible] is one intangible he does have,
he was a two-sport division one athlete.
Can he break out?
[Alicia] Representing Chase University, Riley Osborne.
[Vic] He might need that endurance and speed, Book.
I'm sure that's your pick, to walk out the Breakout Tournament winner.
[Booker T chuckles]
[Alicia] From Appalachian State College, Myles Borne.
[Vic] He's been under Drew Gulak's wing, the prime student, so to speak.
Can he take the next step in his career?
[Alicia] From the University of Alabama, Oba Femi.
[Vic] May be the favorite to win it all.
Strength and agility may be his key, plus a lot of power.
[Alicia] These are your 2023 Men's Breakout Tournament.
[Vic] Hey, what the hell is Lexis King thinking?
He's gonna fight the whole field?
[Booker] You looking at the Breakout star right there, Vic, Lexis King.
[Vic] What is up with King?
Was he feeling embarrassed after what took place at Deadline in his match?
Against Carmelo Hayes?
-[Booker] Did he look embarrassed? -Why would he do that?
[Booker] He looked very happy to me, Vic.
-[bell rings] -[Vic] We need to get right into this.
The Men's Breakout Tournament is underway officially.
And look, Book, you saw the whole field, right?
I wanna get your take on the new caliber of athletes
that have been arriving to the Performance Center.
[Booker] I mean, I love it, Vic. I mean, you look at this guy,
I mean, you think, "Where's the damn beef?"
[both laugh]
[Booker] But, more important to them, this is these guys' Olympics.
I mean, a win will change their life.
This is a life-changing moment for one of these young men.
And Oba Femi reminds me of a Francis Ngannou,
a big guy that will throw hands and mean business.
-Oh, yes. -[Vic] Take a look at that field again.
There's scholar students, there's national champions,
there's all Americans.
There's generational athletes that are trying to take that next step
to become a bona fide superstar here at NXT.
And Myles Borne right now, we talk about being under the tutelage of Drew Gulak.
Drew Gulak certainly is a coach who trains his students very hard.
And you're seeing that maybe pay off here in Myles Borne.
Myles Borne has made the right decision to train with Drew Gulak
because you can look at him
and tell that he's a step ahead of Femi right now at this point in the game.
And it's all about being trained. There's trained and there's untrained.
Let's see how Femi work out.
[audience chanting] Oba!
[Vic] NXT universe trying to get behind Oba Femi in this moment.
-Again, gotta remember too… -[Booker] See what I'm saying?
A step behind right there, Myles Borne.
That's that expert tutelage of… Oh, oh, oh, Drew Gulak, man.
Shooting the half into the cover, and Oba Femi able to power out.
Lola Vice won the Women's Breakout Tournament.
And much like the men, the winner will get a championship contract.
And how much power does someone like Lola Vice right now hold in her hand?
[Booker] Well, now she's got like that golden ticket, Vince.
Oh, she has sweet Vic.
-[Vic] What did you call me? -[Booker] Vince. [laughs]
All she has to do…
[Vic] Now, that'll be on X here in about two minutes.
[Booker] [inaudible] cash it in, man.
[Vic] Oba Femi trying to turn on, this is that power.
That we talk about that strength, 6'4, 6'5, 280 pounds,
product of the University of Alabama, multi-time SEC indoor shot-put champion.
Oba Femi, you don't find men his sizes growing on trees or around the corner.
[Booker] No, you don't find men like Oba Femi, they find you.
[Vic] You can say that again. And look at Femi, fired back.
[Booker] Big shot.
[Vic] Following up and now, Oba Femi has turned things around
in this matchup, in this moment.
[Booker] That's what I mean by that crazy Francis…
-[Vic] Whoa, you gotta be kidding me. -[Booker] Wow.
-[Vic] You see that strike? -[Booker] That was a big shot right there.
That's what I'm talking about, that Francis Ngannou.
What takes you back to that is one big shot, Vic.
All it takes is one big shot. Femi can be cash in his ticket. Wow.
[Vic] Oba Femi's eyes told the story.
He acquired his target, which was Myles Borne.
And if I was Borne, I would, whoa, nice powerslam.
Can Borne pull the upset in? No, no, no, no.
That would have been maybe a bracket buster here in the first round.
[Booker] I can tell you this.
Oba Femi has never felt anything like that.
His eyes roll in the back of his head right now.
And he's lackadaisical right now, Vic. Oh, wow.
[Vic] A spine first on the hardest part of the ring.
Again, you talk to all these superstars leading up to this Breakout Tournament.
All these superstars in this tournament, they wanna open some eyes.
They wanna be a part of premium live events.
Even our first premium live event of the New Year
on February the 4th, Vengeance Day.
[Booker] You can't be thinking about that right now.
-[Vic] Gotcha. -[Booker] You gotta be thinking about…
-[Vic] Bam! -[Booker] You gotta stay in the moment.
You gotta get a victory before you can move…
-[Vic] Got caught, got dropped. -Wow.
[bell rings]
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Oba Femi.
[Vic] We talked about the power of Oba Femi.
Certainly was on display in this matchup.
I mean, Myles Borne isn't a small individual.
Myles Borne, 6'4", and he just got tossed. And then take a look right here.
-Catch and planted. -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] With precision, with purpose.
And Oba Femi, bam, just like that.
Punches his ticket and sends a message to everyone else in this tournament.
As you take a look at the updated bracket, Oba Femi,
the first superstar to take that next step and to advance to the next round.
You can only imagine what everyone else is thinking now looking at Oba Femi.
-Hey. -Hey.
Tag match is on. You good, champ?
[sighs] Okay, so I've got Blair Davenport in three weeks at New Year's Evil.
Lola Vice is parading around with that NXT Breakout contract.
And NXT's biggest pain in the ass, Cora Jade, is back.
Yeah.
Just another day in the life of NXT Women's Champion.
-[laughs] Yeah. -Seriously though,
I'm not gonna let Cora's return poison this Women's Division.
Look, as bad as you want, Cora, I want Blair ten times as bad.
-Yeah. -Cora attacked you,
you were back in one night.
Blair attacked me, she put me on the shelf for almost a year.
Yeah, you're right.
And if you thought my kick last week was nasty.
-That's one way of putting it. -Just wait for tonight.
-What's that? -Hm?
-Is that you and Tatum? -No, it's me and…
It was me and Becky.
What? How did you?
-Yeah. -That's creepy.
Yeah, Tatum's a weird girl.
See you out there tonight?
-Yeah, yeah, see you tonight. -Okay.
What the…? How did you?
[Vic] A big Tag Team Matchup still to come later tonight.
But Dragon Lee is set to defend the North American title.
But against who? We all find out next live on NXT.
Tiffany Stratton, no love lost between you and Fallon Henley at NXT Deadline.
And we just saw the two of you get into it.
Kelly, whatever your question is, it doesn't matter.
Because I need to vent right now.
I am so sick of Fallon Henley. I'm over her entire existence.
Because of that piece of trash, I lost at Deadline.
No. Not yet.
She's never lived a life like me. She serves people like me.
And she calls herself the top shelf of NXT.
And she can't even afford to drink what's on the top shelf, unlike me.
She can't afford to dress like me.
And she doesn't even come close to my star power.
I'm gonna show that little cowgirl where she belongs in life.
And that she'll never come close to being Tiffany Stratton.
[sighs] Now you can talk.
[Vic] Someone who is absolutely rude to someone who is gracious as a champion.
["Control The Empire" playing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following is Desafío Universal,
introducing first, he is the NXT North American Champion,
Dragon Lee.
♪ Let the Dragon's fire rain ♪
[Vic] Well, the NXT universe showing their love
for the new North American Champion.
And this is a quote, called, "Saturday Night, a dream come true."
Rey Mysterio is ringside, his hero, his mentor,
the man who is dubbed Dragon Lee, the future of Lucha Libre.
[Booker] Dragon Lee, he's been searching for quite some time here in NXT.
And that's gold around his waist,
North American gold around his waist right now. He's got it.
But he's got a bullseye planted on his back.
[Vic] The question now, Booker, becomes,
-who will answer this challenge? -[Booker] We're gonna find out.
[Vic] Who is the superstar who will challenge
for the North American Championship here tonight?
[Booker] We're gonna find out real quickly.
Open challenge. I like it.
[Vic] Who will it be?
["Born Animal" playing]
[Vic] Oh, Booker, we're in for a treat.
[Vic laughs]
Look who answers the call.
[Alicia] And accepting the challenge, Tyler Bate.
[Vic] The Big Strong Boy.
[Booker] In a word, okay.
[Vic] What do you mean in a word, okay?
He's better than okay, Booker.
This is someone who is the first ever Triple Crown winner.
-[Booker] Okay. -[Vic] An NXT UK,
someone who's been an NXT Tag Team Champion.
Someone who is trying to remind himself along with the universe of his greatness
to get back to that championship pedestal.
And no doubt, Tyler Bate, well, on his way back.
To the top. Momentum started to pick up last Tuesday.
He won that Last Chance matchup. He had a great show Saturday.
After winning that Last Chance Match at Deadline.
Picking up decision after decision.
And tonight, he can crown himself North American Champion.
Buckle up, Book.
[Booker] Yeah, I mean, Tyler Bate,
he going at three points in an Iron Survivors Challenge.
I mean, he came so, so close to actually winning it.
I mean, he has to be on a high here tonight.
-[bell rings] -[Vic] Momentum is a crazy thing, right?
-[Booker] Yes, it is. -Maybe that momentum can carry him,
a nice show of sportsmanship between these two.
What was the feeling? I wanna get back to Dragon Lee for a second.
What was the feeling that you had when you won your first championship?
Well, what I mean by that is your first taste of singles.
[Booker] Yeah, yeah, first singles championship.
The only thing it did for me, Vic,
was made me realize that perhaps one day that I could be great.
I'm sure Dragon Lee is thinking that same thing,
getting an endorsement from one Rey Mysterio Jr.
[Vic] That's what he called the meaning behind Saturday's match,
an extra special after being hand-picked by Rey Mysterio.
Also, happy belated birthday to The Master of the 619.
Nice takedown by Tyler Bate.
[Booker] Don't go to the freezer on this match right here, guys.
He's gonna be quick.
[Vic] Never heard that one, don't go to the freezer?
[Booker] I mean, don't go to the fridge. -[Vic] I knew what you were talking about.
-I knew where you were going. -[Booker laughs]
-[Vic] I never heard anyone… -[Booker] Get ice cream.
-[Vic] You know I love ice cream. -[Booker] Exactly my point.
[Vic] These two, right now, same mindset.
Nice show of sportsmanship between these two superstars.
But to get back to Tyler Bate, rediscovering his old self.
This may be that next step into rediscovering himself.
[Booker] I never knew the old Tyler Bate,
but I'm gonna tell you this new Tyler Bate trying to get out of the Zen moment.
The thing is, you can Zen all day, all night, just doing it at home.
When you at work, take care of business.
That's what Tyler Bate needs to do here tonight,
maybe walk away with the new North American Champion.
[Vic] Right now, Bate baiting in Dragon Lee
and able to sidestep, go right around.
Unorthodox, unique style, but it is effective
when you are thinking about Tyler Bate.
And he just brought up something that was actually pretty interesting,
going for the cover and a near-fall.
Is Bate too laid back, in your opinion?
[Booker] No, no, that's the thing. He is a lot laid…
In past, in past moments he's been too laid back.
Right now, tonight, taking the initiative,
coming out here for this championship could be the moment for him.
Oh, here we go.
[Vic] A little bit of a stalemate between these two.
And those superstars, same thought with a double clothesline.
Who is gonna walk out tonight North American Champion?
North American Championship is on the line live here on NXT.
It is the champion, the new champion, that being Dragon Lee,
who won it this past Saturday in Bridgeport at NXT Deadline,
against Tyler Bate, who answered the call here tonight.
And well, maybe Dragon Lee was a little overzealous,
even though he is defending tonight in the honor of Wes Lee.
[Booker] Wow, big shot right there. You know what, I get it
that Dragon Lee wants to prove he's truly, truly the champion, Vic.
You know what they say,
you're not a champion until you defend it at least once.
-Oh, my! Oh, wow! -[Vic] To that point,
Tyler Bate knows the difficulties of a first-title defense.
And right now, he is putting his foot on the gas.
He wants to put gold around his waist one more time.
[Booker] Not just that, you gotta wonder how much did Dominik Mysterio
take out of Dragon Lee, because it was a war, man.
[Vic] He got also one of the same out for Tyler Bate,
who's in that Men's Iron Survivor Challenge Matchup.
But for Dragon Lee, realized he wouldn't have had a title opportunity,
if not for Wes Lee's injury, into the cover, [inaudible] on the line.
And a near-fall.
Recognize Lee as the greatest North American Champion of all time.
-But look at Bate, Bam. Right on the butt. -[Booker] Man, what a shot, what a shot.
[Vic] Just one more flying through the air,
and at this point as the challenger, you gotta risk it all.
[Booker] Now, right now, Tyler Bate is thinking about everything
that you've talked about earlier, him being too laid back.
You gotta let it all hang out in this situation.
This is that moment that I talk about, Vic.
[Vic] We've talked… Oh! Right to the throat of Bate.
Bate somehow getting back to his feet,
got caught with another super kick by the champion,
and it's Bate now reeling all the way to the outside.
[Booker] Talking about an extraordinary talent, that's Dragon Lee right there.
Look at him, he's gonna go… Oh, wow.
[Vic] Lee wiping out Bate.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] NXT universe coming to their feet.
[Booker] Championship odds right there, you know what I'm saying?
That championship make you about 30% better,
and right now Dragon Lee is showing that.
[Vic] For both these superstars though, Booker, champion and challenger,
how hard, oh, was it to prepare for a championship fight tonight?
You know. there is no preparation for a matchup like this, Vic.
You don't know what… You had no time to scout,
no time to prepare for this kind of thing.
And you know what I say, preparation is the only luck.
Oh, yes. Oh, yes, it's a fight right now though. I like it.
[Vic] Is this gonna be enough for Dragon Lee to retain it?
Bate getting that inside shoulder off the mat for this matchup to continue.
But we talk about precision.
Take another look at this dropkick from Dragon Lee.
Oh, the wind up and then the torque, the kick.
And Tyler Bate has not gotten back to his feet.
[Booker] Yeah, Tyler Bate, he ate that shot right there.
Right now he's reeling just a bit.
[audience cheering]
NXT universe split between these two great superstars
as Dragon Lee focused.
Dragon Lee though, goes up, got caught.
[audience shouting indistinctly]
Bate taking Lee round and round.
[Booker] Gonna call him the Big Strong Boy for nothing.
Here we go, here we go.
How far we gonna go, Vic?
[Vic] Only Tyler Bate knows.
[Booker laughs]
And Bate able to plant Dragon Lee, get into the cover.
Are we gonna have a new champion?
And just able to get his shoulder up as Dragon Lee…
And if Tyler Bate was able to capitalize a hair quicker,
we'd have a new champion tonight.
[Booker] You know, I'm sure he's just a little bit real,
but he will do right now after all those spins round and round.
But now, he's got to be a little dizzy himself.
[audience chanting] This is awesome!
[Vic] And this is all for the North American Championship.
Tyler Bate trying to slug it out here with Dragon Lee.
Dragon Lee, who has also showcased his abilities Friday night on SmackDown.
Charging right back in, got caught, able to sidestep.
Snap German suplex turning Bate inside out, who's back on his feet.
And there's nothing Zen-like from Tyler Bate with that clothesline.
For the championship and another near-fall.
And Bate knows, Bate has been in this position before.
He's gotta now maybe think about taking some risks.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] And such back and forth action, this Matchup.
First was that German suplex.
Dragon Lee thought he had Bate in position,
but Bate would bounce up,
would get right back into this matchup, and were able to turn things around.
But now it's Dragon Lee who was able to get out in front of Tyler Bate.
[Booker] All right now, Tyler Bate, he's in that drop zone, Vic.
Not a good place to be.
-Man. -[Vic] Say that again.
A more high impact from Lee than Dragon Lee now.
[audience shouting indistinctly]
-Could be setting up Tyler Bate. -[Booker] There's a lot of talent there.
[Vic] Well, that patent powerbomb counter. Bate now looking for Tyler Driver '97.
Up and over, no counter.
Into the cover, center of the ring, title on the line,
-and Bate kicks out this time. -[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] Even Tyler Bate looked over. He was shocked he was able to kick out.
Oh! Bop and bang didn't work.
Knee to the side of the face. Big left hand.
Dragon Lee on rubber legs. Looking to fly one more time.
Bate swings, he misses.
Coming in for Operation Dragon in full effect.
-Dragon Lee retains. -[bell rings]
-[Booker] Wow. -["Control The Empire" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner,
and still the NXT North American Champion,
Dragon Lee.
[Vic] Standing ovation from the NXT universe.
Both these superstars gave everything they had Saturday.
At Deadline, they gave everything they had.
Bam. Again here tonight with the North American Championship on the line.
Tyler Bate so close, but not close enough.
Bate would go to the well one more time.
Look for that clothesline. Lee, though, had it scouted.
And Operation Dragon, bam, would secure the first
of what could be many successful title defenses for Dragon Lee.
What a championship match.
What a battle.
And between these two, what a show of sportsmanship.
[audience cheering]
-♪ To the top, I elevate ♪ -♪ Straight to the top ♪
-♪ Let the dragon's fire reign ♪ -♪ Fire, fire, fire, rain ♪
-♪ Have you walking through the flames ♪ -♪ Burn it up ♪
♪ Feel my struggle and my pain… ♪
[Vic] Congratulations to Dragon Lee.
-♪ Let the dragon's fire reign ♪ -♪ Fire, fire, fire, rain, ♪
[groans] But look, I don't know how you did it,
but you pulled through for us tonight, man.
You turned to what could have been lost into a big win, Bate.
-It was a close one. -Yeah.
Meta-Four, they ain't as soft as I thought they were, dude.
Sorry guys, I didn't mean to leave you out there.
Just every time I see blonde, I see red!
Did you hear what she said?
Yeah, no, she's garbage.
Well, look, Briggs saved the match, but he also pinned Noam Dar.
-Hell yeah, he did. -Bingo, and look, since I just pinned him,
I gotta be next in line for a Heritage Cup Match, right?
Guys, I wanna drink out of that damn cup.
-That'd be cool. -The Heritage Cup.
Look, I don't know how to tell you this, but that's not your style, man.
Not my style?
You're more of a one round knockout type of guy, right?
-Okay. -This is a multiple rounds match.
Well, look, if I knock out Noam, then I win the match, right?
And the Iron Survivor Challenge, that wasn't my style either,
but you said I did great.
-I did, and I meant every word. -All right, then.
Well, I gotta keep this momentum going,
and I need to start thinking outside of the box, dude.
I'm with you.
I mean, your name would look good on the cup.
I like what you're talking about.
[sighs] All right, let's do it.
-Let's do it. -Briggs is going after the Heritage Cup.
-All right. -Come on, split up.
-Bang. -There we go.
-Come on, put it in, girl. -Come on. See?
[Vic] I wonder how Noam Dar feels about all that Heritage Cup talk.
["Driver" playing]
[audience booing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Dijak.
[Vic] Anger, resentment, rage.
Just a few words that describe the feeling Dijak
and his opponent Eddy Thorpe have for each other.
This is going to be human demolition derby next on NXT.
You hear the sound of that chair? It was like whack.
[inaudible].
And then the tree came tumbling down. [laughs]
He's pretty pissed, isn't he?
Yeah, if I were you, I wouldn't go in there.
Everyone in the tournament wants a piece of you.
As per [inaudible].
No, Lexis, they want you in the tournament so they can kick your ass.
[laughs] Well then, mission accomplished, Ava.
See, I make moments happen on NXT.
And I get it, you're fired up, you're a little flustered.
'Cause you're in the presence of a superstar like myself.
Don't sweat it, it's completely natural.
Besides, you're not the first and you definitely won't be the last.
Yeah, so since you're still new around here, it's official.
You'll be replacing Trey Bearhill in the Men's Breakout Tournament.
You don't say, Lexis King in the Breakout Tournament. [exhales]
You just made my night, Sweet heart. [laughs]
I will see you around.
[Vic] How delusional is Lexis King?
What planet is he living in?
[Booker] Great God, stop.
["Let The Good Times Roll" playing]
[Vic] Whoa, hey, Booker.
Alicia Taylor couldn't even say Eddy Thorpe
as these two are already starting to slug it out.
I don't think a bell has gone off yet.
These two may not even get back into the ring.
[Booker] They don't need a bell.
We got two grown-ass men, and this is called a fight.
[Vic] We talked about the demolition derby we'd see here tonight.
Thorpe of course, costing Dijak his opportunity
at becoming the Iron Survivor
and thus the number one contender for the NXT title on Saturday.
[Booker] Getting a little close, Vic. Getting a little close to the action.
[Vic] Thorpe going right… Ooh, spine first going Thorpe, and to your point.
[Booker] I knew it.
[Vic] Again, I don't believe I've heard a bell sound yet.
You want to stick your nose in my business,
you cost me the Iron Survivor.
[Vic] Well, we knew that a lot of rage would be boiling out at Dijak.
But what about Eddy Thorpe?
Thorpe was just sticking up for himself on Saturday.
-[Booker] A lot of animosity. -Eye for an eye, right?
[Booker] A lot of animosity between these two.
Go back to that strap match, this fight should have been over a long time ago.
-But Dijak would not let it go. -Ring the bell!
[Vic] And finally the official gets the bell to go,
and now we're underway officially between these two.
And I'm glad to bring that up.
You know, Dijak can be as angry as he wants to be.
He's hit Eddy Thorpe with every cheap shot.
He's said things about his heritage, things about his family.
He brought up that strap match.
You remember Eddy Thorpe's niece crying here tonight, here live?
[Booker] Look, Eddy Thorpe walked in the door
and Dijak wanted to treat him like a rookie,
wanted to make him go get coffee and donuts for him.
-[Vic] Oh! Oh! [laughs] -[Booker] Oh!
[audience shouting indistinctly]
[audience chanting] Holy shit!
[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa, Dijak, whoa.
[bell ringing]
[audience booing]
[Vic] Well, the referee doing his job,
and I wouldn't want to be the official at this point.
Let's not forget the injured ribs of Eddy Thorpe, and Dijak.
[Booker] Vic, Vic, this is serious, man. This is serious.
[Vic] That's the entire turnbuckle, Booker, steel and all.
[Booker] We need to get some help out here quick, man.
We knew he was gonna be angry. We knew he was gonna be mad.
But even this is overstepping a line.
[audience booing]
[Vic] You finally agree Dijak maybe has gone a little too far?
[Booker] I agree, I agree.
-Man. -[Vic] No, no, no.
We need more than just officials. Come on.
[shouting indistinctly]
[Vic] Ooh!
[indistinct chatters]
Get the hell out of here!
[groans]
[indistinct chatters].
Get some more help.
["Driver" playing]
[Vic] Oh, man. Booker, we're trying to compose ourselves here at the desk.
I mean, everything was going on around us.
I mean, the match hadn't even officially begun at this point.
These two are so much animosity, so much rage towards each other.
This was where, bam, right there
you just saw the entire turnbuckle just break off.
And then the disqualification, focusing in on those injured ribs of Eddy Thorpe.
Dijak repeatedly, one after another, cheap shots,
and then still wasn't even done.
Left, came back, and inflicted more damage to Eddy Thorpe.
I haven't seen you speechless too often.
But what is it gonna take for these two to settle their differences?
-Get here, now! -Let's go.
["Accomplished" playing]
Okay, students, last week we brainstormed ideas
and this week we put it to action.
So, give us the numbers on the bake sale.
$66, Mr. Chase.
Mm. Okay, and the car wash?
$245.
[man 9] Ooh, nice.
[applauding]
-Well, that's one quarter. -See, we gotta start somewhere.
Of one quarter of one quarter of the interest.
Duke, don't worry, this is just the beginning.
I'm gonna handle it, I'm gonna take care of it.
You will, 'cause you look like [bleep].
I don't mind you guys continuing to brainstorm a little bit.
Let's come up with new ways to make money. Anything, anything's a good idea.
He's on next.
Okay, so what do you wanna watch his match in the Chase U sections?
We can do that?
Yeah, it's our section, we can do whatever we want.
Go, go.
Duke, what do you think?
Mr. Chase, my man, I got a little proposition for you.
♪ Countdown to shutdown ♪
♪ Woo! ♪
♪ They're coming for the crown They're gonna tear it down ♪
♪ I fully guarantee repeating history ♪
♪ Shut down ♪
♪ Woo! ♪
♪ Into the promised land Supply but no demand ♪
♪ Ain't never gonna quit Lookout baby this is it ♪
♪ Shutdown ♪
♪ My guy Ponzi, he had a scheme ♪
♪ And the world is like a head of hair ♪
You know you kind of stole my moment on Saturday night?
What? No, I didn't. Lyra Valkyria did.
She interrupted you mid-sentence. Very rude.
And if she wouldn't have interrupted you, I would have never came out there.
I would have made sure you had your moment as the new Iron Survivor.
Well, just so you know, whenever you do get your title match,
it won't even be against Lyra.
After New Year's Evil, I'll be the Women's Champion.
I reckon, and assertive, I could work with it.
Great. And after what she did to me last week,
I'll take care of Nikkita.
Trying to knock me out of the Iron Survivor challenge, [chuckles]
can you imagine?
No, I can't, but perfect, I'll take care of Lyra.
-Great, 'cause after New Year's Evil… -Yeah, I got it.
[Vic] Booker, our tag team main event, still to come tonight.
["Thugging My Trap" playing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following is a first round match
in the Men's Breakout Tournament.
Introducing first, Keanu Carver.
[Vic] Second tournament matchup of the night.
And Booker, when we look at Carver,
you're looking at someone making their in-ring debut.
That's quite the timing to step into the ring, don't you think?
[Booker] [laughs] If this was the guy I was making my debut against,
I would not be coming out.
["Engine" playing]
[Alicia] And the opponent, Riley Osborne.
[Vic] Certainly no stranger to competition.
And we saw earlier, Oba Femi advanced.
Again, the winner of the Breakout Tournament
gets a championship contract.
-What did you wanna tell me? -[Booker] No, this kid's in trouble.
I mean, Riley Osborne, I mean, he looks good,
he's got a nice smile, but…
[Vic] He's got Thea Hail and Jacy Jayne in the crowd.
[Booker] But everything that's been going on at Chase U,
the students have had no time.
I'm talking about literally no time to think about training, Vic.
[Vic] A reminder, when it comes to this tournament,
when you move on, lose, you are done.
Talk about you only get one chance to make a first impression.
[Booker] Yes, indeed. I mean, this… Keaton Carver, is that his name?
[Vic] Yeah, Keanu Carver.
[Booker] I mean, this kid's got a upside…
[Vic] Shoulders down, shoulders down, shoulders down, and a kick out.
Look, Booker, he's a former defensive tackle at Temple University.
He grew up idolizing Ray Lewis.
[Booker] [laughs] I like all that, but I'm just looking at that.
[Vic] Another cover and powering out.
[Booker] I'm just looking what's in that box.
I'm talking about passing that airport test.
Oh, yes, man.
[Vic] Up and over goes Osborne.
Osborne was trained by the legendary Johnny Moss,
-and I'm pretty sure… -[Booker] Oh, shucky ducky quack quack.
[Vic] Pretty sure Coach Moss would have taught him
to evade that sort of clothesline.
Take a look at this tree trunk, bam.
[audience cheering]
Got all the body.
Looked like he was tackling a running back, a full back,
even all three of them,
trying to run through that line at Temple University.
And a big slam.
That was a fallaway slam, and he never left his feet.
[Booker] Oh, my God. One thing about this kid, Carver…
Did you say he play football, defensive line?
He knows how to hold the line.
He knows about X's and O's,
and right now he's all over this kid, Osborne.
[Vic] I was gonna say, it was nice to see Thea Hail and Jacy Jayne in the crowd
with the rest of the student section showing support.
But I don't necessarily know
if Riley Osborne wants them in the crowd right now to see this.
[Booker] You can see the look in their eyes.
-[Vic] Oof. -[Booker] It seems like all hope is gone.
[Vic] Another big slam, into the cover to advance, and kicking out is Osborne.
Look, I wanna talk about Carver for a second.
This is someone who signed in February to the WWE.
Look at the power. Look at the strength one more time.
Bam, and then the presence of mind to get quickly into a cover.
I can't say enough about the athletes
from around the world that are coming here to NXT.
[Booker] You can tell this kid right here is on the fast track.
You talk about the training. That's what it's all about.
Maybe you should learn those little small things.
Make sure you get that man in position
and you stretch it just like he's doing Osborne right there.
He's doing a hell of a job, man.
[Vic] I wanted to talk to you about the speed versus the strength.
But right now, it looks like strength is winning this fight here tonight.
And the Men's Breakout Tournament, first round matchup.
And you win, you move on, you lose, you are done.
And for Osborne, trying to fight back in, accepted into Chase University,
could have been, could be sidetracked,
to your point about the ongoing scandal after university.
But maybe Osborne could be the key to a new era on the campus of Chase U.
[Booker] This kid is fighting on instinct.
My sources say there's a whole lot more gonna come out on Chase U. Trust me.
[Vic] A nice dropkick, and getting rattled around right now is Carver.
And Carver's never been in this position before.
-Oh! -[Booker] Oh!
Pounce, pounce, pounce.
[Vic] Give another one of those shucky things.
[Booker] Shucky ducky quack quack. Oh, my God, man.
[Vic] You didn't know Carver before,
he certainly just left an imprint on Osborne.
[Booker] Talking about a drive-by, man.
[Vic] Say that again. I don't know how you talking about instincts earlier.
They are certainly being played out right now by Osborne.
Osborne looking around, trying to get any sort of energy,
any sort of feeling back in his body.
And a shooting star press.
[audience] One! Two! Three!
-[Vic] Osborne advances. -[bell rings]
["Engine" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Riley Osborne.
Congratulations to Osborne.
But how about a first impression from Carver?
[Booker] Where the hell Osborne get that from?
[Vic] I mean, one more time, take a look. Boom.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] I mean, give it to us again. Just unbelievable timing.
Talk about that defensive tackle mentality.
Somehow Osborne would recover and would have the ability
to hit a picture-perfect shooting star from the top in advance.
-Take nothing away from Carver. -[bell rings]
Give a lot of credit as Thea Hail was happy to see Osborne advance.
And take a look at the bracket.
The second superstar advances, one from each side.
Congratulations to Osborne and Oba Femi, who will join them in the semifinals.
We certainly will find out here on NXT.
But at least for one night, it's going to be a campus party
again in the quad on the campus of Chase U.
[audience cheering]
[applauding] Yeah! Dragon Lee!
That was incredible out there. Great job.
Yeah, what do you mean? Tyler Bate, it's a real deal.
-What do you guys want? -Hey, take it easy.
We're just trying to have some friendly conversation between some sportsmen.
Don't worry. We come in peace.
That's why you guys are here, right?
Well, no, we're here because I want to ask you a question.
Sure.
This touching tribute to Wes Lee that you're doing,
is that going to be like an every week situation
or is that just a one-off?
No. [speaking Spanish]
What is it?
Learn Spanish and you will know.
I haven't thought about taking lessons, but maybe that's a good idea.
Let me ask you, though.
-Every week? -Yes.
Then we accept for next week. This is great.
Thank you so much.
Fine by me, but you guys will know who I am.
Which one of you want to step up?
Oh, hmm. Let's see, which one wants to step up.
You'll find that out next week, too. [laughs]
Thank you.
[Vic] Well, he did say he would be a fighting North American Champion,
and he's looking to prove it again next week.
["Heart Of A Lion" playing]
♪ Rah! Nikkita! ♪
♪ I'm here for it all, whatever it takes I'm taking it all ♪
[Vic] Are you ready to feel the roar?
[Booker] Let me pop my neck, man. Get ready for this match.
["Triumph" playing]
-Ice in my veins… -[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is a Tag Team Match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, The team of Nikkita Lyons
and the NXT Women's Champion,
Lyra Valkyria.
[Vic] Both women have been blindsided, Valkyria, this Saturday.
But now with Nikkita Lyons by her side, this duo is looking for retribution
in our tag team main event live next on NXT.
-Oh, hey, Thea. -Hey.
Hey, thank you so much for being out there for me tonight.
-I really appreciate it. -I appreciate you.
I'm… I mean, yeah, no… Any problem… No problem.
-Okay. -Mm.
-Are you from around here? -Not quite. I'm from the UK.
Listen, I'm gonna go and take a quick shower.
Yeah, yeah, go do that. You need it. Wait, no, you smell nice.
You're kind of sweaty, though.
Yeah, okay. Well, I'll catch you in class later, yeah?
-Yeah. -Okay, sweet. All right, see you later.
Bye.
[exhales]
How was I?
-Um, there's room for improvement. -Yeah.
-He's pretty cute. -Don't start.
Why? Because little Thea Hail has a crush? Trust me, I wasn't.
Are you delusional? You and him? [chuckles]
He's a whole man, and you're a whole child.
-Be for real. -Okay.
Just go. Just go.
♪ Welcome to the Generation of Jade ♪
["Generation Of Jade" playing]
♪ Stand up, I will never lay down ♪
♪ Right time, wrong day Drivin' up a one-way ♪
♪ Runaway, but it feels right ♪
♪ Leave them running for the get life ♪
♪ 'Cause we're loud, wild, crazy All of the above ♪
♪ We're what dreams are made of ♪
♪ Nothing's gonna change us, no ♪
["On Point" playing]
[audience booing]
[Alicia] And the opponents, the team of Cora Jade
and the 2023 Women's Iron Survivor,
Blair Davenport.
[Vic] Well, as she reminded her tag team partner,
that being Blair Davenport, by winning the Iron Survivor Challenge,
Blair Davenport will now meet Lyra Valkyria
for the NXT Women's Championship in three weeks,
New Year's Evil right here on USA.
That could be a day of reckoning in the NXT Women's Division
if Blair Davenport is able to capture the NXT Women's Championship.
But here we have a huge main event,
look for Cora Jade, first match in several months, four months.
Seemed very, seemed to be as vengeful as ever,
-let's just put it that way… -[bell rings]
…from what she said tonight, from what she did on Saturday,
and what we're probably going to see in this matchup from Jade.
[Booker] Everybody's talking about Cora Jade right now on the internet.
She's back and she's full of a lot of fire that,
what I call a bad little sister. Oh, yes, man.
[Vic] A little preview of what we'll see
three weeks from tonight at New Year's Evil.
Blair Davenport beat the clock, she beat the competition,
she is this year's Women's Iron Survivor.
And she's going right after the Women's Champion,
but the champion with a quick cover and a quick kick out,
and right back into another cover and another kick out at one.
And now a little back and forth between challenger and champion,
you gotta wonder, are they trying to get a little bit of a one-upmanship,
so to speak, heading in the championship showdown?
[Booker] Contest right now, Vic, and I'll tell you right now,
anybody that's willing to step up to the plate,
it's going to be Lyra Valkyria. She's bad, man.
[Vic] In comes Cora Jade for the first time.
Jade called Saturday the best day ever.
She also said that she's going to pick up where she left off,
and she's going to take this entire place to a whole new level.
[Booker] Yeah, but you gotta understand, Lyra Valkyria said one thing,
she said, "Now it's a little bit different, I'm the champion now."
And I could think that that Cora Jade
could be setting herself up for failure, man, because you saw it.
[Vic] All four of these women
were throwing stones earlier tonight when they were talking.
Also, it's important to note that all four, when they arrived here,
were not ready to compete when this matchup was put together.
[Booker] Yes, indeed, I must say this, I'm so happy that the Lion Queen,
Nikkita Lyons, is back, because you get huffed, you get puffed,
but you can't blow that house down, Victor.
[Vic] Lyra Valkyria just took two down with one move
and was almost able to pick up a victory.
And that would have been a statement from the NXT Women's Champion
and knocked down to knock out Jade and Davenport.
-And finally… -[Booker] Oh, here we go.
[Vic] We are once again in the Lyons den.
-[Booker] Yes, man. -[referee] Tag!
[Vic] And she wants Davenport,
and it was Davenport who took nearly a year
of Lyons' career away from her, from attacking her in a parking lot,
from blindsiding her, and snaking her way out.
-Tagging in Cora Jade. -[audience chanting]
[Vic] Talking about four months, it's been a long time for Cora Jade.
I mean, again, one year, almost one year, Lyons was out.
[Booker] Yeah, but I'm gonna tell you,
it looks like the Nikkita Lyons is firing them all cylinders right now.
[Vic] And as you saw, still to come,
the confrontation between the Men's Iron Survivor winner,
that being Trick Williams and NXT Champion, Ilja Dragunov.
That's coming up in moments.
Another tag was made, in comes Davenport.
And for a moment, Davenport and Jade, they're on the same page.
And let's not forget, it was Davenport
who said Cora Jade stole a little bit of her spotlight this past Saturday.
Into the cover, hook to the leg, and a kick out by Lyons.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Huge tag team main event live on NXT.
[Vic] Back live on NXT,
it's been all Cora Jade, it's been all Blair Davenport.
And from your seat, did Cora steal some of Davenport's thunder on Saturday?
[Booker] I wouldn't say that way, Vic.
I would call it extending the olive branch.
Both are cut from the same cloth. I would call them Twins of Deception, Vic.
[Vic] I'll use another D word, they're both cut from the same cloth.
'cause they're both deceitful. And another swing and a miss.
Lyons though, from behind, shoulders down.
-Lyons almost able to pick up the victory. -[Booker] Oh, wow.
And it's interesting to note too,
because Cora Jade went after Valkyria came off the ring apron,
Lyons was in the corner to make a tag. But Valkyria was not back up quick enough.
And one more time, Davenport's back in to cut the ring off.
[Booker] I must say, Davenport and Cora Jade working well together.
It's their first time working together.
-[Vic] Finally a tag. -[audience cheering]
And in comes Valkyria.
And how has Valkyria matured into being a champion?
[Booker] Now what's happened for Valkyria, all in just one calendar year, Vic?
She showed up last December, and now she's the NXT Women's Champion.
A lot of hard work went into that.
[Vic] Right to the midsection, here's that combination offense
from the NXT Women's Champion taking on the number one contender
who she will meet three weeks from tonight at New Year's Evil.
-[Booker] Wow. -[Vic] Nice.
Fisherman's suplex.
Thought she's gonna go maybe into a tougher.
[Booker] Smart, smart there by Davenport, creating that space.
[Vic] You know, I gotta ask you this too, Cora Jade's back to return on Saturday.
Valkyria flying through the air.
How does the locker room led by Lyra Valkyria
look at someone like Cora Jade?
[Booker] Come on, I wouldn't even call Lyra Valkyria a locker room leader.
-[Vic] Champion. -[Booker] No, but she's all about herself.
[Booker] Ever since day one, she's been vocal.
-[Vic] Booker, I don't mean to… -[Booker] Wait a minute.
[Vic] Tatum.
Paxley's brought this entire NXT universe to a standstill, including us.
And also the champion, Lyra Valkyria, in that momentary hesitation,
allows Davenport to get right back into the offensive flow.
And Lyons helping out her partner.
And I feel bad for the official, 'cause thing's starting to break down.
And in comes Cora Jade.
[Booker] And Cora Jade just [inaudible] the boom right there.
[Vic] Jade just got caught, gets dropped. Davenport right back in.
Davenport now trying to focus in, hoisting up.
And that Falcon Arrow connecting on the champion.
-[Booker] Gonna try to steal away. -[Vic] Into the cover, Lyons broke it up.
[Vic] All four of these women right now, just how we started the night.
Slugging it out, including Jade almost right here into our left.
Big kick by Davenport, dropping Lyons from behind.
And I think there was a tag.
-The referee said there was one. And, oh… -[referee] I need you to get up there.
[Vic] Double noggin knocker, knocking down Jade.
And, oh, Lyra Valkyria just got dropped.
Davenport now getting ripped out by Lyons.
And we gotta remember, Cora Jade is legal.
-Cora Jade into the cover. -One! Two!
[Vic] And Cora Jade just pinned the Women's Champion.
[Alicia] Here are your winners,
the team of Blair Davenport and Cora Jade.
[Vic] Everything breaking down in that matchup.
["Generation Of Jade" playing]
[Vic] And it turns out roses, so to speak, for Jade and Davenport.
And this was it.
The tag was made, Cora Jade was legal, Blair Davenport did all the work.
But as Nikkita Lyons would rip Davenport out, and then bam.
Planning with another devastating strike,
it would be Cora Jade who would get the glory here tonight.
With that victory for herself and for her team.
And Book, if you didn't think Cora Jade stole the spotlight Saturday,
she sure did tonight.
Whoa, whoa, what's Paxley doing? What the…?
[audience shouting indistinctly]
This is creepy.
What you thinking about, Bo?
Same thing I've been thinking about for the past seven days.
You, me, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang next week.
Yeah, it's like we said in the bar last week.
We gotta earn our spot on the table.
If that means proving ourselves up against Gallus, we can do that, Bo.
-So be it. -[laughs] Boys, look good [inaudible].
Have you lads been reading Being a Tag Team for Dummies?
[laughs] In fact, you two should go back to the pub and drown your sorrows.
-You got a better chance of surviving. -Don't worry, Wolfgang.
We know exactly what's in store for next week.
Y'all may have forgotten more fights than we've been,
we have more heart than all three of you combined.
-All three of us? -Yeah, that's right.
Mate, I'm not getting involved in this match.
Trust me. Trust me, okay?
-Trust him. Trust him. -Sure, I guess we'll see.
-We'll see, we will see. -You guys can take care of it.
-Cool. -[forklift horn honking]
Hey Joe, what do you know?
What is he doing here? It Joe Gacy.
You know, Joe, it takes a Joe to know a Joe.
And you know what's better than one Joe? A cup of joe.
[inaudible]
[exhales] So serious.
[Vic] I don't know what was creepier, Tatum Paxley or Joe Gacy.
But we do want to talk about the Men's Breakout Tournament.
You see the first two superstars who have advanced,
Riley Osborne and Oba Femi.
And also, Lexis King is in the tournament
after he attacked Trey Bearhill earlier tonight.
Well, the tournament will continue next week.
It's Femi, Osborne advanced.
Who will be the next two to do the same Men's Breakout Tournament?
First round continues next week right here on NXT.
Also next week, this matchup is made official
as Chase U added maybe another problem to their growing list
in the form of Kiana James and Izzi Dame.
Hail and Jayne, they are done playing kiddie games next week
when these two teams clash on NXT.
Speaking of kiddie games, speaking of months of animosity,
it has boiled over into this.
Tiffany Stratton said Fallon Henley will never, ever be as good as her.
Well, next week Fallon looks to prove Tiffany wrong
and maybe beat some respect
into the former NXT Women's Champion when these two meet one on one.
And this also is official for next week.
Dragon Lee will once again defend the North American Championship,
but against which member of the No Quarter Catch Crew.
We'll all find out together next Tuesday right here on NXT on USA.
Well, we know what time it is
because he won the Men's Iron Survivor on Saturday.
He's ready to talk to the NXT universe live.
Trick Williams next.
And we start to focus on what will happen
three weeks from tonight at New Year's Evil.
By winning the Iron Survivor Challenge,
Blair Davenport will challenge Lyra Valkyria
for the title three weeks from tonight.
Does Davenport have the advantage
after the tag team victory earlier tonight?
We'll find out at New Year's Evil.
And from the women to the men's side of things,
Trick Williams will look to slay The Mad Dragon
Ilja Dragunov with the NXT title on the line
that's also three weeks from tonight.
It's live. It's New Year's Evil right here on USA.
And right now it's time to go to our ring announcer, Alicia Taylor.
Please welcome
the 2023 Men's Iron Survivor,
Trick Williams.
[audience cheering]
["Locked In" playing]
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -[Booker] What?
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -Yeah.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -Uh-huh.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -I like it.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -Oh, yeah, man.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -That's Trick.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -That's the Iron Survivor, Dawg.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -Oh, yeah, man.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -Uh-huh.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -I like it.
-[Vic] Book, we sat ringside… -[Booker] Oh, yeah, man.
[Vic] …and we saw Trick complete the greatest comeback
since LeBron in the 2016 Cavs,
-Saturday Night. -[Trick] What?
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -[Trick] Huh?
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -Uh-huh.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -I like it.
-[audience] Whoop that Trick! -[Booker] Oh, yeah, man.
[Vic] You're gonna sue him like you're suing Barrett?
[Booker] No, that's his, man.
-I gave it to him. [laughs] -[Trick] I love it, baby.
Hey, yo, go ahead and cut the music, cut the music.
[audience cheering]
Thank y'all for that. Thank y'all for that.
All right, so let me get straight to business.
Deadline was a movie.
[audience chanting]
Hey, look man, I walked into this match
before the best thing here at NXT to do it.
And I walked out of this match, your Men's NXT Iron Survivor.
[audience cheering]
Now, usually I would come out here and I would cut up my opponents,
but not this time, not tonight.
I mean, I have nothing but love for them boys,
we put on a banger last Saturday.
[audience cheering]
And I heard NXT is coming out with an award show
at the end of every single year,
and I nominate that last 25 minutes,
that match against any match NXT had to offer all year long.
Let's talk about it.
[audience cheering and applauding]
But here's the thing,
I was in the ring with some dawgs, but they made one mistake.
They forgot one very important thing,
Trick William's been balling his whole life.
[audience cheering]
I mean, Trick Willy is Clutch in the fourth.
Never mind Steph Curry, I'm Trick Curry,
I'm Tricky McGrady. I'm Mike Trick. I'm 23 in LA.
Never mind who you thought I was, I'm Trick James, bitch.
[audience cheering and applauding]
In three weeks, we got New Year's Evil,
and imagine it now, the baddest man in NXT
versus the hottest NXT superstar under the sun.
["Death Waltz" playing]
[Vic] Dragunov was able to retain his NXT title,
victorious Saturday, defeating Baron Corbin.
What is on the mind of Ilja?
A few months ago, you and I stood in this ring.
And you, you thanked me for pushing you to a whole new level.
Do you remember that?
I do.
Well, on this day, I said that I admire your courage,
and that I'm proud of you, Trick.
[audience cheering and applauding]
I couldn't watch it. [chuckles]
I couldn't watch it live because I was getting into the zone for my own match.
But I went back and watched the Iron Survivor Challenge,
and you, you slashed that victory
right from the jaws of defeat within the few seconds that left.
And misstep here, there, and I would have a conversation with somebody else today.
Trick, you ride a wave of momentum that has been barely ever seen before.
I mean…
whoop that Trick.
[audience chanting] Whoop that Trick!
It's the talk of all WWE.
-[audience cheering] -I appreciate that.
And I…
And I say this with respect to your journey,
at New Year's Evil it comes to an end.
Ilja…
if you look me in the eyes,
and you said that a few months ago,
I probably would have played it cool,
and deep down wondered if I had what it takes to face Ilja Dragunov.
But this ain't a few months ago, dawg.
[audience cheering]
I ain't in here trying to show my worth in this world,
show the world what I can do.
I'm that guy now, I'm talking that talk,
I'm Trick Williams, I'm the man here at NXT.
[audience cheering and applauding]
And in three weeks, I'm gonna beat the best here NXT has to offer.
And I'm gonna be your new NXT Champion.
[audience cheering and applauding]
[audience chanting] Whoop that Trick!
I like you, Trick. I like you. I do.
But I suffered too much to become NXT Champion,
way too much to stay NXT Champion.
And I'm so sorry,
but I will do whatever it takes
to remain NXT Champion.
[audience cheering]
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest Ain't no hating, I'm the best here ♪
♪ You want your shot? Well, I guess you wait 'til next year ♪
♪ I'm at the top Get respect… ♪
[Vic] Well, there's the man, Dragunov defeated for the title.
But also the man who we saw get attacked to start the night.
It's been a rocky evening.
Hey, Trick. Trick, Trick, hey, man, look, I apologize for interrupting you.
But this can't wait any longer, man.
Hold on, Melo, like, now is not the time right now, bro.
-This is between me and Dragunov. -Look, I know.
I know, but remember that business I told you
we had to take care of earlier?
-Yeah. -Well, this is that.
Look, man, for two months,
they dragged my name through the dirt, and that ends tonight.
Because I know exactly who attacked you.
Because it's the same person who attacked me.
Listen, Trick, listen, I see you at New Year's Evil,
and I will leave you, gentlemen, to handle your business.
No, no, no, Ilja, don't go.
Ilja…
it was you.
[audience exclaiming]
What?
[audience chanting]
It all make sense now, Trick.
It was Ilja who took me out, and it was Ilja who took you out, Trick.
What the hell are you talking about?
I had no part in whatever happened to you both, none at all.
Tell me something, dawg, what's going on?
Think about it, who gains more from separating us than him?
Look, look, I put all the pieces together.
Man, all that instigating that he was doing,
saying that you assisted me at Great American Bash, all of that.
You know why he did that?
Because that he knew if he faced one of us,
that he had to face both of us.
And by the looks of it, he didn't wanna take that chance.
Oh, Melo, I knew that you are arrogant, but delusional too?
-No, no, no. Delusional? -Oh, well.
You're more calculated than you look.
You knew that if you pitted Trick and I against each other,
and then you attack Trick,
that you would have all of this to yourself, huh?
That you knew that the whole world would point their finger at me, huh?
Man, I had him beat at Halloween Havoc.
You know it, but you came out and distracted me and caused him to win.
But Trick, that was his plan all along.
Man, I knew I'd do anything to keep that championship,
but you, you had me beat.
Melo, listen, I don't know what kind of boogeyman
you are creating in your head, but I didn't attack you.
If you did get attacked.
Ilja, wait on.
Tell me you didn't just say that.
[audience exclaiming]
Trick, listen, look me in the eyes.
Honestly, man to man, I did not attack you.
But you need to talk to your friend, really.
-Melo… -No, no, it's too late for all that.
Me and him, we on the same page now. There's nothing you can do about it.
Hey, I think you got your point across, bro.
No, I didn't.
He needs to feel like what it feels like to have something taken from him, Trick,
the same way you did, the same way I did.
You don't deserve that championship like Trick does.
Not like this.
[audience exclaiming]
[Vic] Boy, this is getting out of hand.
Carmelo Hayes, hold on, I wanna make this clear,
was sticking up for Trick Williams.
He got accidentally hit, but who attacked Melo?
Who attacked Trick? Booker, who can you trust?
[audience chanting] Melo's guilty! No, he's not!
Subtitle translation by: Min ilty! No, he's not!