[theme music playing]
[Cena] Then…
-[Ric Flair] Whoo! -[The Rock] If you smell…
[Cena] …now…
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-[Lemmy] The King of Kings. -[John Cena] You can't see me.
[narrator] …forever.
Together.
[audience cheering and applauding]
[Vic] No love being shown by some on this brand
as we inch closer to our next premium live event Vengeance Day
two weeks from Sunday.
Welcome to NXT.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] What?
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] Yeah.
-[bell rings] -[Booker] Oh, man.
[Alicia] The following contest is a first round match
in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Introducing first,
the team of Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] Uh-huh.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] Oh, yeah, man.
Oh, it's about to get crunk in here, Vic.
-[audience] Whoop That Trick! -[Booker] That's Trick.
[audience cheering]
[Booker] Come on, man. I'm trying to vibe here.
-[Vic] You don't vibe with Carmelo? -[Booker] [inaudible]. All right.
It ain't got the right vibe or the right beat, all right.
[Vic] Well…
How about this beat? Does this do anything for you, Book?
♪ I'm far from a rookie I'm far from a rookie ♪
♪ You can never overlook me ♪
[Alicia] And the opponents,
the team of Malik Blade and Edris Enofe.
[Vic] Your silence was deafening.
But we can say when you take a look at Enofe, take a look at Blade,
they wore that Dusty Rhodes-inspired polka dots for tonight.
A first round matchup in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Why has it been so tough for this duo,
for lack of a better phrase, to breakthrough?
[Booker] Uh, they got a lot of learning curves in front of them.
Making the right moves at the right time [inaudible],
I think that's gonna be the thing for Enofe and Blade. Oh, yes.
[Vic] Taking on a duo in Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes.
Nice show of sportsmanship early
and I wanna get this out of the way, Booker.
Are Trick and Melo on the same page? It's a fair question.
Are they on the same page heading into tonight?
[Booker] We're going to find out.
By the end of this match, your questions will be answered.
This thing is great, Vic. This is gonna be like a track meet right here.
This is like 100 yards, 100-meter dash, man.
[Vic] Now we see Carmelo Hayes starting things off,
good to see Hayes in action here tonight, right back in.
He started things off with Blade.
And that pace has been quickening since the beginning.
-[Vic] And take a look at these two teams. -[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] In a bit of a stalemate here early on!
[Booker] [inaudible].
[Vic] I want to focus on Trick Williams.
I want to focus on Carmelo Hayes here again
for a second in the early portion of this match up.
Did this tournament come at the right time for these two superstars?
[Booker] Yeah, I think so, Vic. But the thing is, both of these young men…
Oh. Oh, wait a minute.
Carmelo and Trick Williams, both of these guys, [inaudible].
This Tag Team Championship, the tag team tournament,
definitely could put these guys in the right place at the right time.
[Vic] I wanna capitalize on that as well. Nice dropkick from Trick Williams.
[Booker] A beautiful standing dropkick right there, Vic.
[Vic] But as you take a look around, you see the NXT,
and if you don't think deep down,
there are harbored feelings between Trick and Melo.
[Booker] You know, Vic… Wait a minute. The people [inaudible], I am too.
[Vic] Take another look. Talking about feelings.
Right there on the jaw.
[Booker] Beautiful. Talking about hard work, feelings, Vic.
Let me tell you right now. There's gotta be a bit of animosity.
Everybody right now is talking about Trick.
Everybody is Whoop That Trick right now.
And look at this young man. Look at him go.
[Vic] Trick right now whooping both Blade and Enofe. Tagging in.
Hayes is legal. Hayes looking down.
And, whoa. Hayes looking for Nothing But Net.
But instead gets dropped, gets caught one more time by Malik Blade.
And Blade, Enofe desperately need a victory in their own mind,
you'd have to think.
[Booker] Oh. Wait a minute. Vic, Vic, I'm beginning to like Malik Blade
because that right there was something a little bit different from this tag team.
[Vic] Yeah, tag was made quickly. Enofe coming in too.
And look, Blade and Enofe
have been overlooked in some regards here in NXT.
[Booker] No, no, they haven't. Like I say, these guys like to party.
They like to have a lot of fun. And I always say, Vic, no plan, no jiving.
It's got to be all business. And tonight, Dusty Classic, you better be ready, son.
[Vic] It's a huge night here on NXT.
Not just the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Tonight in our main event a No. 1 Contender Battle Royal.
We will determine who is next in line to challenge Lyra Valkyria
for the NXT Women's Championship.
And then our final first round matchup in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
By the end of the night, Book, the semifinals will be set.
And right now it is Williams. It is Hayes.
They are rolling here in this first round matchup.
Big splash. Into the cover.
Hook of the leg to advance and kicking out.
[Booker] No, Vic, you asked a question. Are these two on the same page?
Looking at them right now, man, they look like they are totally in sync.
I'm talking about working as a well-oiled machine, man.
[Vic] That's part of the game for these two
because there's been a lot of questions.
Look, we still don't know who attacked Trick Williams months ago.
There's Blade right now not worried about who attacked Trick Williams.
Trying to find a tag. Negotiates his way to his partner.
And now Blade and Enofe turning things around
here on Trick Williams.
Up and over. Effective offense from these two.
[Booker] I like Blade and Enofe right now with the moment.
I think they just need to slow down. [inaudible] a little bit, Vic.
They get a little bit overanxious, maybe a little overzealous.
You don't want to do that with these guys right here, man.
Oh! See that? That's what I'm talking about.
[Vic] You know, who had the worst of wear,
and it's Trick Williams who comes out on top.
This is a very unique first round matchup, the third one we've seen.
When you take a look at all four of the competitors.
[Booker] Well, because Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes
was once a time in the same place as Blade and Enofe.
Trying to move up at that ladder. And like them, Blade and Enofe,
they're looking, for what I call, Vic, a moment.
That's all they need to turn everything around for these guys.
-Oh! Oh! -[Vic] Oh!
Incoming!
[Booker] What the heck?
[Vic] Blade and Enofe turning things around.
Who's punching their ticket to the semis in the Dusty Cup?
[Vic] As you witnessed throughout that commercial break,
this has been a highly contested first round matchup
between these two teams in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
[Booker] Highly contested, Vic, and I'll tell you right now,
one of these teams may emerge to be the victor in this Dusty Classic,
because right now this thing has been hot and heavy from the outset, man.
[Vic] Of course, the Dusty Cup finals at Vengeance Day,
Sunday, February the 4th, Clarksville, Tennessee.
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com. Winner gets a tag team title opportunity.
Of course, the Don, the Underboss, currently holding on to the tag team gold.
Braun, Corbin, Axiom, Frazer, they're in the semifinals.
Which one of these two teams punched their ticket,
Enofe and Blade half second away from making it to the next round?
[Booker] I can tell you, this is a different Blade
and Enofe here tonight.
I think they know how important this one match is
to punch their ticket in this Dusty Classic.
They can be like the Texans, man.
[Vic] Don't start throwing cheap shots at the desk at this moment, Book.
What I wanted to ask you to get my mind back on this matchup,
is this the side of Blade and Enofe that you've been waiting to see
for several months here in NXT?
[Booker] Oh, since day one. The thing is it's almost like that lightbulb moment.
Sooner or later, you're gonna figure out, you're gonna say,
oh, this is what we need to do to get to the top of that ladder,
that top rung.
Oh, yeah, but here comes Trick Williams.
[Vic] And there's the tag, as you mentioned.
And look, when it comes to superstars climbing the rung to that next level,
Trick Williams is the definition of, as you would say, that man.
[Booker] No, no, no, this kid is special. He's special.
I mean, since day one, Trick Williams, there's something about that man.
Oh, Shucky duckey quack quack. That is, that is the death.
[Vic] Listen to the NXT universe,
this goes back to what I asked you at the start.
Trick Williams is outshining Carmelo Hayes in some aspects.
-[Booker] You know what? -[Vic] Listen, listen.
[audience chanting] Whoop that Trick! Whoop that Trick!
[Booker] I'm not gonna disagree with you, Vic, for the first time.
Oh, my God. What was that?
[Vic] It was almost… the way…
that Hayes and Williams made it to the semifinals,
but just enough to continue this matchup for Blade and Enofe,
as Blade picking up speed, coming in. Oh, my word!
[Booker] Oh. Give it up for Malik Blade.
[Vic] Oh, neckbreaker!
[Booker] [inaudible] right there.
[Vic] Enofe catching Williams.
Williams, belly-to-back suplex. He's out.
-[Booker] Vic. -[Vic] Blade's climbing.
-[Booker] Are we gonna see it? -[Vic] Blade's looking down.
[Vic] Blade's looking to fly. Bam! Big elbow.
[Booker] Precision elbow to the heart.
[Vic] Is it enough? Williams kicking out.
Keeping the hopes of Williams and Hayes alive.
[Booker] Wow.
[audience chanting] NXT!
[Vic] Take another look. First, it was…
I don't know where the hell Blade pulled that out of.
Fouled it up by, as you call this,
picture-perfect elbow drop, but back to live action.
Again, it's Trick Williams trying to take out both, blind tag.
Carmelo Hayes now legal. Hayes looking to springboard into action.
[Booker] Yeah, shotty shot right there. Vic, did not miss,
but right there got caught on the rebound.
[Vic] Spinebuster drops Hayes. Enofe now to the top.
Perched high. Frog splash!
[Booker] This is it. This is it, Vic. This is it.
[Vic] Williams again just able to break things up.
[Booker] In the nick of time, man.
[Vic] What a way to kick off NXT. A big right hand!
-[Booker] Oh, Enofe got caught. -[Vic] Enofe may be out.
[Vic] Speaking of getting caught, Blade gets caught.
-[Vic] Tag. Trick's legal. -[Booker] Look at the knees.
[Vic] Williams jumping in with that flash knee. Into the cover.
-Trick, Hayes advance to the semifinals. -[bell rings]
[Alicia] Here are your winners,
team of Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams.
[Booker] Yeah. Uh-huh. I like it. Oh, yeah, man.
[Vic] Well, there was a lot to like in this match for both teams,
including Enofe and Blade
who took their game to a new level here tonight,
as close as it would get for Enofe and Blade.
Carmelo Hayes, the former NXT Champion,
former North American Champion, a man who has done it all,
tagged in the hottest man in NXT today, Trick Williams.
Williams, Hayes to the semifinals
as we take a look at an updated Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic bracket.
The third team is in. Who will be that final team to advance?
Our final first round matchup takes place later tonight.
But there you are looking at the first team to advance tonight
to the semifinals.
But who will be the No. 1 Contender by the end of the night
for the NXT Women's Championship?
[indistinct chatter]
Fallon Henley, tonight you're one of 20 women
vying to win the Battle Royal to become the No. 1 Contender
for Lyra Valkyria's championship. So how are you gonna get it done?
Listen, Kelly, I had a lot of fun last week.
I think everybody enjoyed it.
But tonight, it is down to brass tacks
because I've never had an NXT Women's Championship match before.
And to get to Vengeance Day, I have to go through 19 other women.
It is gonna be chaos, utter chaos.
But I am down for it all because it's WrestleMania season,
it's Stand & Deliver season, and it's time to show everybody
exactly why I am the top shelf of NXT.
So I'm putting on my work boots and I am making it to the final four.
Because when it comes down to four women, I have three words.
Yee-haw, bitch.
[audience cheering]
[intense music playing]
[Vic] We are set for the North American Championship
to be decided.
Dragon Lee, is this enough? Cover.
Yes! We got a new champion!
Dragon Lee has dethroned Dirty Dom.
To win my first championship in WWE…
it's incredible.
[man 1] Dragon Lee is back on SmackDown and he's rocking the gold.
I'm going to defend this title as much as possible.
[Vic] The gravity-defying Dragon Lee has been a fighting champion
since dethroning Dirty Dom.
Dragon Lee retains!
Desafio universal.
[Lexis] You don't have to go out there and wait for a challenger.
All you got to do… is sign.
You're looking at the next North American Champion Lexis King.
-[Vic] Oh, boom. -[Booker] Oh, yeah.
-[Vic] And Lee retains tonight. -[bell rings]
-That match is the main event tonight? -Yeah.
-[Booker] Oba Femi. -[Vic] With an official.
[Alicia] Oba Femi is executing his Breakout Tournament contract.
[Vic] There's no way Dragon Lee was ready.
[Booker] Oh, my God.
[Vic] Title's on the line. Oba Femi has shocked us all!
From Breakout star to champion.
[Vic] The imposing, the powerful, the new North American Champion is here.
We hear from Oba Femi live next.
I can't wait to kick Lyra and her creepy friend in the throat.
You're gonna beat Lyra in our tag match.
We're gonna walk out to that Battle Royal as an unstoppable force.
-And I'm gonna win. -Love it.
And then that makes that Vengeance Day a Triple Threat match.
And that NXT Women's Title, that's coming home to us.
-Us? -Yeah.
I like the way you think.
Oh, but you two won't be winning tonight.
Then I'm gonna vanquish 19 other women in that Battle Royal,
just so Lyra doesn't have to defend her title.
Because no one goes near my champion.
See you two creeps later.
-That was so weird. Let's get out of here. -[speaking Spanish]
[Vic] Tag team action still to come tonight on NXT.
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[Alicia] Please welcome
the new NXT North American Champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] Look, I know you got a lot to say about this superstar,
but I want to get one big fact out there.
Oba Femi is the first NIL athlete to win a championship in the WWE.
This is a man who was molded from clay, no prior experience,
and he's coming in five short NXT televised matches and has dominated.
[Booker] There's something about that man, Oba Femi.
You can tell by the way he walks.
Vic, that man, Oba Femi, he's a monster. Oh, yes!
[audience whooping]
I know many of you are surprised to see me as the North American Champion.
[audience applauding]
But the truth is, this prophecy has been long foretold.
There was going to be the juggernaut drenched in gold.
[audience cheering]
Yeah.
As soon as I was born, it was already said that I was going to be omnipotent.
The biggest, the strongest, the fastest.
The one who stands tall above everyone else.
The embodiment of olorigu.
That means war leader.
Yeah.
And I've been tested. I was tested as a young Nigerian prince.
And I destroyed my opposition.
I was tested in the NCAA.
[audience whooping]
[audience cheering and applauding]
And as a D1 athlete, I made that world my own…
-[laughs] -[audience whooping]
…by winning title after title, championship after championship.
[audience whooping]
And now that I'm here in NXT, the goal is still the same. Yeah.
I've already made my mark
by dropping three men in the Breakout championship.
[audience whooping]
I dropped Dragon Lee last week.
[audience whooping]
And now with this title…
I've my divine right to rule over all of you.
[audience whooping]
And I will crush to dust every man that stands in my way…
[audience whooping]
…because I am bought by destiny.
-♪ Have you walking through flames ♪ -♪ Burn it up ♪
-♪ Feel my struggle and my pain ♪ -♪ Turn it up ♪
-♪ To the top I elevate ♪ -♪ Straight to the top now ♪
♪ Let the Dragon fire rain ♪
Oba, Oba, Oba.
Que pasa? You know…
I can be mad after what happened last week.
You are hungry.
You took your moment… and you got in there.
[audience applauding]
But, you know…
I don't think anyone in NXT history
has made an impact as fast as you.
[audience applauding]
And holding that championship is significant.
That title represents opportunity.
Now you are the man holding it.
And I hope you can give to others what I gave to you.
What Wes Lee give.
Did what I, before me.
You know.
And you continue the tradition of the open challenge.
It's an honor for me to be your first opponent.
Tonight.
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting]
No.
[audience booing]
The open challenges are now closed.
Well, if that's the case,
I want the championship rematch that I deserve.
At Vengeance Day.
[audience applauding]
You don't get to decide anymore.
I may consider it.
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[Vic] Not the conversation Dragon Lee was hoping for…
with the new champion.
It certainly seems to be the champion's prerogative
on when he wants to defend his title.
As earlier today, Eddy Thorpe was met by some aspiring NXT superstars.
[indistinct chatter]
Yes, he does.
The NXT underground match was insane, bro. A total badass, man.
Brother, you didn't go out there and just survive, either. You thrived.
I know.
When somebody challenges your culture, your beliefs,
you go out there and do every piece of it.
Man, my energy was flowing, my moves were on point.
-I went out and got my hand raised. -It's amazing, bro.
Eddy.
-See you later, bro. -See you guys.
I want to thank you for going out there and representing our culture.
Appreciate that.
-Trey, right? -Yeah. Trey Bearhill.
Muscogee Creek. Sac and Fox.
Cool, man. Eddy Thorpe. Northern Paiute.
-Our people need real representation. -Yeah.
Just know around here, there's always gonna be someone trying to cut us down.
Like self-righteous people like Dijak.
-Lexis King. -Exactly.
Screw that guy.
[Dijak] Hey, Thorpe.
You finally made a friend. That's so cute.
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your little powwow.
Why couldn't I? Get the hell out of here, Dijak.
Did you teach him that?
[speaking Native American] I'm my own man.
Oh, I see. The two of you must be real proud of your culture, right?
-Yeah. -That culture that taught you everything?
Oh, but it didn't teach you when to quit.
Never.
You see, last time, I put one of you on the shelf.
And tonight, Bearhill, it can be you.
["Triumph" playing]
[Vic] That was a quite a challenge throw down.
And this looks like Bearhill has found himself a mentor in Eddy Thorpe.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] And there is the NXT Women's Champion.
Always ready for a fight.
Lyra Valkyria, of course it'll be a busy night
because tonight in the main event,
20 women will compete to become the No. 1 Contender. The…
-[bell rings] -[Vic] What the…
[Alicia] The following contest is a tag team match,
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, the team of Tatum Paxley
and the NXT Women's Champion,
Lyra Valkyria.
[Vic] This is getting borderline obsessive, don't you think?
[Booker] Which one is Lyra? Listen, I can't tell them apart.
[Vic] Unique partnership in action next live on NXT.
-Talk about it, dawg. -Hey, dawg.
One dub down. Two to go.
Let's talk about it. I gotta say, bro. You was in your bag out there, man.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! We was in our bags.
Yeah. Hey, Trick Melo Gang, we on our way to the semifinals.
-Then we got Vengeance Day, the finals. -Yeah. Yeah.
Oh, man, I'm telling you, man. [inaudible].
Let's talk about it.
-Sorry to interrupt. -Ilja?
Trick, listen, I'm sorry. My injury, [inaudible] title match,
medical just wouldn't clear me at New Year's Evil.
They didn't let me fight. But I'm cleared now.
-I see you. You look good. -Please. Let me finish.
As the NXT Champion, I let you down.
And you, you deserve your title match on a big stage.
-I owe you that much. -Yeah.
So our title match will be at Vengeance Day.
[both laughing]
Vengeance Day. Now you talking, dog. I appreciate that, man. Yeah.
[laughs]
Hey, bro. I get my title match at Vengeance Day, dawg. Me and Ilja.
-Vengeance Day. -Yeah. Vengeance Day, bro.
No, Vengeance Day.
Man, that's when we're supposed to be in the Dusty Cup finals.
The tournament that we still in, man.
[inaudible].
["Te Lo Rompo" playing]
[Alicia] And their opponents,
the team of Elektra Lopez and Lola Vice.
[Vic] That was a big statement just made, Book.
I don't want to overlook it, but I got to get your thoughts in real time.
Trick dragging off NXT title at Vengeance Day?
[Booker] No, that's a tough call.
A tough decision for Trick Williams, man. I wouldn't want to be tricked right now.
[Vic] That's huge news for Trick, but also for Carmelo Hayes.
[Booker] I would want to be tricked. An opportunity of a lifetime. Oh, yeah.
[Vic] It's two weeks from this Sunday at Vengeance Day.
Tickets, of course, on sale now at ticketmaster.com.
But let's talk about this tag team match.
Because you said you didn't know which one was Lyra Valkyria.
And Valkyria mentioned online today that someone had taken some of her stuff.
But obviously we now know who that is. We get a cover.
Champion couldn't keep Lopez down.
-[Booker] Is this Lyra in the ring now? -[Vic] This is Lyra in the ring.
[Vic] This isn't going to be a Coffey and Gacy situation here.
[Booker] This is quite the unique tag team.
I've been in that situation before myself once upon a time. Booker T and Goldust.
We made it work. Let's see if this team can make it work here tonight.
Oh, beautiful spin kick. Nobody home though, Vic.
[Vic] We've seen all four of these women tangle a few times last week.
Oh! A little back and forth skirmish led to this matchup.
And… Oh!
[audience cheering]
[Vic] And Lyra just as confused. And remember, it was Tatum Paxley
who said that no one gets near her champion.
-[Vic] It's a little odd, don't you think? -[Booker] No, no. This is weird, Vic.
[Booker] I'm not sure what to make out of this thing.
But right now everything seems to be working. They're jelling.
[Vic] It's gonna be a long night for Lyra Valkyria.
There's a lot for her to look forward to
and look at not only this match, but also our massive main event.
The No. 1 Contender will be determined
for Lyra Valkyria's NXT Women's Championship.
And a Battle Royal, which will have a twist to it.
It'll turn into a Fatal 4-Way matchup.
Lyra certainly can't be fully focused on this matchup.
Big kick into the cover for Vice. And a near-fall.
[Booker] Here comes that Latina heat.
-Lola Vice, man. She's something, Vic. -[Vic] Feel this. Oh!
A vicious kick in…
We talk about trust issues all night.
Are Lopez and Vice, are they on the same page?
[Booker] Come on, Vic. Look at them. You're talking about like peanut…
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Look at the action.
I'm talking about like peanut butter and jelly, man.
Give me a sandwich. Give me a sandwich.
[Vic] I'll tell you what. Your eyebrows were raised earlier
when Lopez described them both as NXT Women's Champions.
It was Lopez who said she would win the Battle Royal in a main event.
Which then she kind of hinted that maybe Lola Vice would execute that contract.
She has a guaranteed contract opportunity
at the next premium live event, Vengeance Day, as well.
How can two women be the NXT Women's Champions?
Cover, cover, cover, cover, and another kick out.
[Booker] If there's anybody, Elektra Lopez,
if there's anybody that's looking for that breakout moment
that can step up to the plate and knock a queen out of the park,
that's Elektra Lopez, Vic.
[Vic] Is Lopez your favorite heading into the Battle Royal?
[Booker] I'll not say she's my favorite, but if she wins, she'll be my favorite.
[Vic] Oh, nice counter.
I almost said by Valkyrie,
but it's Tatum Paxley in there right now reaching out for the NXT Women's Champion.
Vice makes the tag. In comes Lopez. In comes Valkyrie.
[grunts]
Valkyrie's had a lot to think about on the outside.
And she's got to be thinking,
can she even trust her partner at this moment, Tatum Paxley?
[Booker] Vic, she's a champ. You know what they say about being a champ?
DTA. Don't trust anybody. Keep your head on a swivel, son.
There you go.
[Vic] A very unique dynamic between Valkyrie and Paxley.
Nice Northern Lights suplex. Couldn't get the three.
And it was Paxley who wants to win the Battle Royal,
so Lyra doesn't have to defend her title.
I suppose if she makes the tag,
that's a good friend to have in some aspects.
High cross body off the top by Paxley. Hook of the leg.
And another near-fall. Vice breaking things up in this match.
But now all four women in the ring. And there's…
-[Booker] Beautiful spin kick. -[Vic] …that combination offense.
[Vic] But wait a minute. Paxley got hit. Paxley's legal.
Paxley's out, but Paxley picked up the win.
[Booker] What?
[Alicia] Here are your winners, the team of Tatum Paxley
and the NXT Women's Champion, Lyra Valkyria.
[Vic] Maybe Valkyria can't trust Tatum Paxley.
[Booker] What the hell are you talking about?
["Eyes Of The Reaper" playing]
Imagine being No. 1 Contender to the NXT Women's Champion.
-That could happen tonight. -That's gonna be me.
For some of you,
imagination is as far as your underdeveloped minds will allow you to go.
For Arianna Grace, myself, to believe it is to achieve it,
which is why I will go on tonight and emerge the No. 1 Contender
for the NXT Women's Championship
after I outlast each and every one of you tonight.
After all, I did defeat Roxanne Perez last week,
-so it's only fair… -Wait, did you just say that you…
[giggles]
[sighs] I can see it now.
Me, walking down the aisle at Vengeance Day.
Please, ladies, don't ruin this vision for me.
I go on to defeat Lyra Valkyria.
I do this tonight and every night for every little girl who dares to dream
and for all you delusionals who fill this locker room.
Tonight I take one step closer to the ultimate crown,
the NXT Women's Championship.
[chuckles]
Thank you. Thank you all, ladies. My sisters.
Oh. My sisters. Hmm.
Thank you.
[Vic] Grace just never does herself any favors.
["Can't Stop Winning" playing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Ridge Holland.
[Vic] Same could be said about this superstar
who's looking to turn doubters into believers.
Ridge Holland back in action here on NXT.
And as Holland steps back into the ring,
he's getting ready to take on the menacing Joe Coffey one-on-one live next.
[Vic] Back live on NXT.
And Booker, we're ready for a good old-fashioned scrap.
["Thicker Than Blood" playing]
[Alicia] His opponent, representing Gallus, Joe Coffey.
[Vic] Joe Coffey is not buying anything Ridge Holland has been selling,
whether it's been in media interviews, his sit-downs recently on NXT,
or for that matter, anything he's been talking about a lot.
He doesn't believe him at all.
So I look at you, because you've told me the same exact thing about Ridge Holland.
You don't buy anything that Ridge Holland has said.
-[Booker] Not at all. I really don't… -[Vic] But why?
[Booker] I don't know why Ridge Holland won't just come out and tell the truth,
and just say, "Yeah. Yeah, I did it. Yeah, I did it on purpose."
-[Booker] This is the hurt [inaudible]. -[Vic] You think…
[Booker] And if you get in my way, the same thing's gonna happen to you.
That's the type of guy that I would like to see out of Ridge Holland.
Just told you.
[Vic] Holland was mocked by Coffey last week.
I want to take things a step further then.
How do you believe Ridge Holland was booed by the locker room?
By everyone in the back there?
[Booker] It's not the first time I've seen this [inaudible] in the locker room.
The guy that would purposely take you clean out of the game,
if you give him chances. It's not the first time I've seen this.
[Vic] Book, the man apologized for what happened.
He said he was sorry. How can you say that's on purpose?
[Booker] How many times have you seen someone do something drastic
and then turn around and make an unfelt apology?
And become one. How many times have you seen? Many, many times, right?
[Vic] Look at the strength from Ridge Holland.
I hear what you're saying, Booker,
but the man said he was sorry for what happened to Dragunov.
Dragunov, of course, returning here earlier
and looking Trick Williams right in the eyes
because two weeks from Sunday, Dragunov-Williams, Vengeance Day,
for the NXT Championship.
[Booker] I've never seen anybody manhandle Joe Coffey like this.
I'm always talking about… Whoa!
[Vic] Wolfgang trying to interfere and interject himself,
but instead paid the price for a moment,
but certainly has opened the door now for Joe Coffey.
[Booker] Look at this kid Ridge Holland. He looks like a cyborg.
I mean, it seems to me like he has no care, no pain,
but no regard for anything in front of him.
I mean, he's different there.
[Vic] Speaking of no regard. Dijak has no regard for anyone.
That matchup is official.
Dijak-Bearhill later on tonight, but Coffey into the cover.
Hook of the leg to put down Holland and a near-fall in this matchup.
And look, Joe Coffey didn't hold back on his criticism of Ridge Holland.
And Joe has gone on record as to say,
as he continues to inflict damage and pain right here in this matchup,
that Ridge Holland has no future on this brand.
-Do you agree with that statement? -[Booker laughs]
[Vic] You're laughing, so I'm going to say yes.
[Booker] If I was Joe Coffey, I would feel the same way.
Anybody, any means necessary, we got to get this guy out of here.
Uh, and somebody get some dirt on him. Let's get him fired.
Anyway, by any means necessary, let's get him the hell out of here.
-Yeah, I like that. -[Vic] He's a family man, Book.
He said he was a family man, that being Ridge Holland.
As Holland just hoisting up Coffey, that's not something we say all the time,
and then following it up, missed, but connects with the back of the left.
-What a combination from Ridge Holland. -[grunts]
And what a driver as well.
Into the cover for Holland, and Ridge Holland on this night
-victorious. -[bell rings]
["Can't Stop Winning" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Ridge Holland.
[Vic] Holland had me confused all the clotheslines he was throwing
in those closing moments in this matchup.
[Booker] Somebody check Joe Coffey. Somebody check him.
[Vic] This is what I was talking about, these clotheslines.
First, Coffey ducked and then got dropped with the left.
Holland though would not be done
and would showcase that power one more time,
driving with force Coffey into the mat.
Hey, whoa, wait a minute.
Gallus, Wolfgang, Mark Coffey, like a pack of hyenas.
-[audience booing] -Hey, hey, hey.
[Gallus team laughing]
-[grunting] -[groaning]
[Vic] And Gallus laying waste to Ridge Holland.
Come on, we need security. We need some help.
[Booker] This is no place for Ridge Holland.
They said it. He's not for this brand.
Get him up. [screams]
[Vic] No one coming to help.
Get him up. There's no one coming for him. Come on.
[Vic] Ridge Holland. Oh, the best for the bells.
-[screams] -[audience booing]
You see that. [inaudible] no friends left.
[audience clamoring]
["Thicker Than Blood" playing]
[inaudible] no friends left, son. You the dead man.
You the dead man. You the dead man.
[indistinct chattering and laughing]
Ladies, these look fantastic.
And Karmen, I appreciate you answering my call and helping out with all of this.
-Yeah, no worries. I mean, I love Chase U. -Who doesn't love Chase U?
But just wait till Mr. Chase sees these.
Ladies, the work has only just begun.
Karmen, Thea, good luck in the Battle Royal tonight.
All right, I'm gonna go get changed.
-Thank you so much. -Appreciate it. See you in there.
See you there.
Ladies, thank you. You're all dismissed. And we'll be in touch.
[indistinct chatter]
Hey, Jasmine, hang back for a second.
-You did so good. -Really?
I mean, thanks to you with all your great direction.
Oh, stop it.
Do you want to maybe hang out, get some drinks,
-and I can get your number? -Yeah, let's do it.
[Vic] Only one more team can advance. Who will it be?
The final first round match of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
is next live here on NXT.
I'm going into that Battle Royal with a chip on my shoulder.
2023, I broke out.
But you better believe, in 2024, I'm breaking through.
But if I have to hear one more time,
patience, patience, patience, I'm going to lose my mind
because patience isn't going to unlock the doors I'm trying to walk through.
I hear you, girl. Eyes on the prize, Kelani.
The difference between try and triumph is a little bit of oomph.
And I love your spirit.
Oh, my gosh, your energy is giving me so much energy.
-I cannot wait for the Battle Royal. -Me too, girl.
But remember, it's every woman for themselves.
You're right, and if it's not me, I hope it's you.
Back at ya.
Oh, and remember, some people want it,
some people hope to have it, and some people make it happen.
L-E-T-S-G-O.
-Let's go? -Oh, yeah.
That girl got energy.
Baron Corbin, you and your partner Bron Breakker
have advanced to the semifinals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Yes, it's amazing. And as the leader of this team,
-I was out there, I was directing traffic. -[Breakker] Dude, what are you doing?
-You said the interview starts at 9:30. -I never said that.
-You did. Look. -Yeah.
Okay. Right here. Text message from you.
"Hey, bud. Interview at 9.30." Thumbs up emoji.
Listen, can you focus on the interview? Okay.
So going back to last week,
the leadership skills I possessed, I saw this guy, he was nervous.
He was so nervous for this opportunity, so I took him in the locker room,
I gave him a pep talk, and you saw the results.
I went out there, I picked up the slack, and we got the victory.
Okay. I think what Baldy here is trying to say is that I led the team to victory.
When I came in, bodies were flying everywhere,
and I saved his ass on our way to getting the victory as a team,
and not for the glory. All right?
Now listen, Kelly.
The Wolf Dogs are on the hunt. All right?
Next week, we're going to beat Axiom and Nathan Frazer,
and we are going to win the Dusty Rhodes.
Hold on. What?
-What? -What did you just say?
-The Dusty Classic? The tournament? -No, no, no, no. Before that.
Nathan and Axiom, our opponents.
-Are you listening to what I'm saying? -No.
What did you call us?
The Wolf Dogs.
-That's pretty good, right? -No.
No. And how long did it take you to come up with the Wolf Dogs?
I don't know. Three or four weeks?
We've only been a team for two.
Well, it felt longer than that.
Look. Listen, I was in the shower. I was feeling it.
-I'm like, "This would be a great idea." -Stop.
You were thinking of me in the shower.
No, idiot. Us. The team. I was thinking of the team.
Not much better.
Listen, as the leader of this team, I'm vetoing the Wolf Dogs…
and I'm vetoing any future thoughts of us in the shower.
You're such an a-hole. Kelly, right? He's…
-I… -Do not answer that.
All right, look.
Drop the journalist hat for just a second. I'll allow it. All right?
He… He…
I have to be unbiased, but to be honest, you're both a-holes.
-All right, I think so. -I can agree.
But I'll tell you what we're not. We are not The Wolf Dogs.
Okay, well, if you… Come up with a name then, smart guy.
-You're supposed to be the creative one. -I am.
Okay, so give me something better than Wolf Dogs, please.
All right, fine. Just thought of it, right?
Wilde Boars.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
[Vic] It brings up a fair question. Book, do you ever think of us…
[Booker] Chill, dog. Chill, chill, chill.
All right, we're not the Wolf Dogs. We'll never be the Wolf Dogs. Okay? Relax.
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is a first round match
in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Introducing first, representing Chase University,
Riley Osborne and Duke Hudson.
[Vic] This is the final first round matchup
in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
And can Chase University turn it around right now?
[Booker] You know what? I don't know if they can do that,
but I must say, I'm very impressed with this kid, Riley Osborne.
Breakout Tournament contestant as well as my main man.
-[Booker] The main different. -[Vic] That's mixed up.
-[Vic] Don't mix up the names. -[Booker] Yeah, yeah.
[Booker] My man Duke Hudson.
If there's any two that [inaudible], it's those two guys right there.
[Vic] When it comes to Riley Osborne, wanna touch base on that in just a moment.
["Our World" playing]
[Alicia] And their opponents, accompanied by Zelina Vega,
representing Latino World Order,
Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde.
[Vic] Well, Zelina Vega adding a little extra motivation
for Latino World Order.
[Booker] Joaquin Wilde, that hat, there's something about that hat.
Like a sheriff coming to town.
[Vic] As we get into this, you again being the fashion police this week on NXT,
who has the advantage in this final first round match,
Latino World Order or Chase University?
[Booker] Vic, that's a tough question. In a tournament like this,
I mean, which one's the advantage, it's gonna be who walks out
at the end of the match,
who has the advantage of moving on to the next round.
I don't think I see something like this.
[Vic] I'm taking a look up, and this is what I wanted to get back to.
Is Jacy Jayne the answer for Chase University?
Is she more capable of leading Chase U than Andre Chase?
She replaced Andre Chase in this match with Riley Osbourne.
Osbourne's in this match because of Jacy Jayne.
[Booker] I can only tell you this, Vic.
If Jacy Jayne and Chase was running for president, what are you…
-I got my vote. I got my vote. -[Vic] Shoulders down.
[Booker] I got my vote. It'll be on Jacy Jayne.
[Vic] Backslide, shoulders down.
[Booker] There's something dirty about Andre Chase. Something dirty about him.
[Vic] You just don't like the guy, and that's okay.
Maybe it's professional jealousy.
We'll get into that at a later date, but up and over.
Shoulders down one more time. Another near-fall.
And again, winner heads to the semifinals. Loser eliminated.
If you can make it all the way to the finals of the Dusty Cup,
it takes place two weeks from Sunday at Vengeance Day,
our next premium live event.
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.
[Booker] [inaudible]. Talking about velocity,
and I'm talking about the way he goes from one lead to the next.
Unbelievable.
[Vic] Cruz, Wilde, even Zelina Vega,
who has shocked us all here with a nice little surprise.
Their minds have to be all over the place in regards to Santos Escobar
for a little tag team continuity.
Will it punch the ticket? And it does not, as Osborne able to kick out.
But look, Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde,
they're trying to get back some momentum after what took place this past Friday
when they battled Carrillo and Garza.
[Booker] It was a fair and square loss. Just got caught watching the [inaudible].
Lost focus there for a minute.
And tonight in this matchup, you don't want to do that.
This match is a big matchup. Dusty Classic.
Oh, wow.
[Vic] As I mentioned, the second matchup here tonight,
we saw earlier Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes advance to the semifinals,
with the power of the MVP Duke Hudson on display with authority, into the cover.
And a kick out.
Now I hate to even ask it about Andre Chase,
and it keeps coming back to one man. That is Andre Chase.
Is he a liability to his own institution?
[Booker] One thing I know about Andre Chase, every time I look at him,
I talk to this guy, he's always looking down or up to the left.
That's a liar, Vic. That's a liar.
[Vic] That's one way to look at it. But take a look at the strength.
And the one thing that is still operating at a high level on the campus of Chase U
is the weight room
and taking two out for the price of one Duke Hudson.
[Booker] The big man right there carries a big, big punch, Vic.
[Vic] I saw you lifting earlier. You ready to declare for the Royal Rumble?
Like the Intercontinental Champion [inaudible] last night in the RAW.
As Osborne takes to the air, wipes out the field.
Who's headed to the semifinals?
Right here, baby. It's me again.
[Vic] We're back with the final first round matchup
in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Which team will be the final one to make it to the semifinals?
And right now you see Latino World Order has been in control of this matchup
and have been taking it to Riley Osborne.
And look, [inaudible] into the cover really quick goes Wilde.
Hook of the leg. Osborne just got that left shoulder up.
It's important to bring up his name
because Jacy Jayne made the switch for Osborne to come into this matchup
opposed to Andre Chase who's on the outside.
Hudson and Chase, they're former Tag Team Champions.
[Booker] There's a reason why Andre Chase is on the bench.
They got a great coach now. Name is Jacy Jayne, Vic.
[Vic] Osborne taking out everyone.
Unique innovative offense and this has to be the moment now
because athleticism is on display.
Up, around, and down, taking out the Latino World Order,
but he's so close to Duke Hudson.
Hudson stretching out, trying to get into this matchup
because Chase U desperately needs to make a play and there it is.
In comes the MVP.
[Booker] The big man. The big man is rolling.
He's looking good. He's looking real good. Oh, wow!
[Vic] Duke Hudson wants to add another trophy to his case.
[Booker] Oh, Chase and Dusty Rhodes. Yes.
[Vic] Chase U would love to have their name etched into that Dusty Cup.
Come on, out!
[Vic] Hudson looking around and now Duke Hudson showcasing that power.
We've talked about so many times, Booker,
that Hudson has to look at the combination offense by Del Toro.
Del Toro is cooking with a Poisonrana.
[Booker] Talking about athleticism. Look at this young man go. Oh, wow, Vic!
[Vic] Door could be open for Latino World Order. Oh, no!
[Booker] Wow! Spiked him.
-[Vic] Cover! -[audience] One, two…
[Vic] Oh, near-fall Zelina Vega beside herself out here.
[Booker] I think the screaming of Zelina Vega…
[Vic] Gotcha.
[Booker] Del Toro just won't keep up there for a second, Vic.
[audience applauding and chanting]
[Vic] Who will make it to the semifinals?
Del Toro doing his best just to get away. Create a little bit of separation.
Have to be thinking too for Del Toro. He desperately needs to make a tag.
Oh, nice kick. There it is. Tag was made. In comes Wilde.
Wilde's legal and Duke Hudson doesn't realize it.
-[Vic] Bossman slam connects. -He's not legal. He made the tag.
[Vic] But Toro's not legal. Wilde is. Missile drop kick.
[Booker] Perfect, precision timing.
Joaquin Wilde is going for it.
[Vic] Going for broke.
[audience groaning]
[Vic] Latino World Order.
-[Vic] You gotta be kidding me. -[Booker] This kid is unbelievable.
[Booker] This kid is unbelievable, Vic.
-[Booker] Whoa! -[Vic] DDT.
[audience jeering]
[Booker] Talking about a dog, Vic.
[Vic] L-F-G L-W-O.
[audience chanting] Holy shit!
Tag. Del Toro's legal. Moonsault connects.
Cruz. He's taking it one step higher to the top.
-[Booker] He got all of it. -[Vic] He gets a ten and he got a three.
-[bell rings] -[Booker] Wow.
[Alicia] Here are your winners, Latino World Order.
[Vic] Latino World Order headed to the semifinals
which are now set in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Chase University though, they were bringing it tonight led by the MVP.
Duke Hudson didn't realize a tag was made. Wilde was legal.
He certainly would find out with his pinpoint precision missile drop kick.
Wilde not to be outdone.
Massive tornado DDT here right in front of us.
And then tags galore.
First, a moonsault from the middle and then to the top with a twist
came Cruz Del Toro.
Another picture-perfect landing for the three
and to head to the semifinals as the bracket is now official.
We are down to the last of four teams.
The field of eight has shrunk, which will be the two teams
that will compete for the prestigious Dusty Cup at Vengeance Day?
["Our World" playing]
[audience cheering]
Jacy's our only hope.
Well, Rizz, what's the matter with you? I've never seen you like this before.
I'm excited for tonight, but I'm nervous.
It's my first match and it's a No. 1 Contender Battle Royal.
Adriana, the Rizz always takes care of biz. Always.
This is nothing you haven't handled before. Right?
Remember that time Suzy Q was giving you a hard time?
What'd you do? Boom! Knocked her out.
You got a left hand like Iron Mike. Suzy was snoozing.
-But that's because she deserved it. -She did.
You know what? How about that time that the books came in a little light?
And you had to show Spiadinni how the family does it.
-What'd you do? Boom! -Knocked him out.
-I did. That's because he deserved it too. -Well, even better.
How about that time all three Carlucci sisters,
they were giving you a hard time and what'd you do?
One at a time. Bing. Bang. Boom. Knocked them out.
How cold. Like the Dolphins in KC the other night.
-You did that. -That's right.
But those Carlucci's, they deserved it too.
What's your point, Tone?
The point is, it's that all those women in that match tonight, they deserve it.
So give it to them, huh?
All right. Then their bodies will be flying.
-That's right. That's right. -Just like on the bridge.
-Oh. The bridge. -Oh, take it easy.
Not literally, Rizz. But I get what you said.
Back to business. Head in the game. Give me one right now. Boom!
Joe Gacy reporting to you live tonight,
and what a main event we're going to have tonight, right, Vic?
Right, Booker?
-Yeah. -I guess.
I'm looking forward to it.
["Driver" playing]
-[audience booing] -[Vic] What are you doing out here?
Just your joke, Book?
[Booker] No. No, I had nothing to do with this.
[audience booing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Dijak!
[Vic] Well, it appears our table has gotten bigger for our following contest.
After a verbal altercation earlier tonight,
Dijak is going to go one-on-one with Trey Bearhill next live on NXT.
[Vic] [inaudible] out here?
Absolutely insane. I've been wanting to ask you, man.
-What's your New Year's resolution? -I don't do that stuff. [inaudible].
-Come on. -What is happening?
What are we doing here?
Every time it's always the same thing. What are we doing?
What is that trophy?
It's not a trophy. That's just my heritage cup.
Weird. Because I have a cup too.
-[laughs] -[gags]
Magic! Get out! Get out! [groans]
Don't smell it! Don't smell it!
Hey, Dom. How about you give me a shot at that?
[gags] You're not getting a shot.
[clears throat] You're not getting a shot at this.
It's complicated. There are rules and regulations.
-Pinfalls and submissions. -Wait, wait, wait.
So if I pin you like a regular match, I get the cup?
No, not like a regular match. Listen carefully.
Six, three minutes.
Oh, so I only have three minutes to beat you?
No. Six times three.
-Oh, 18. -Oh, that was good.
That's math and wrestling. That's tough stuff.
Von!
I'm tough stuff.
-Okay, buddy. -Why is he laughing?
So if I pin you one, two, three, I get the cup?
No. Best two out of three falls,
which means you would need to beat champion not once, but twice.
Oh, so two times three. I got it. I got it, yeah.
So if I pin you one, two, three, four, five, six, or sacks, how you say it…
What is he saying?
…then, I mean, that could be tough, but can I bring a calculator?
[scoffs]
I'm done with this. You've melted my brain.
Well done, Von. Waste of time. Let's go.
-Hey, were you getting all that? -Of course.
I got an A for algebra. Hey, Stone. How about Von Wagner gets gold in 2024?
Hey, now that's a goal.
-You ready to start training? -You know that I am.
["Cheyenne City" playing]
[Alicia] Making his way to the ring, Trey Bearhill.
[Vic] Oh, we are getting set for Trey Bearhill.
[Joe] I am so excited to be here with you, Vic, and you, Booker.
I'm just such a big fan, such a big fan of you both.
Where'd you find that suit?
-It smells like mothballs. -That's what I'm talking about.
That's my hot dog.
-[Vic] A hot dog? -[Joe] Yeah, it's my pocket dog.
[Vic] A pocket dog… Well, a pocket dog makes sense, actually.
[Joe] Yeah, you gotta be prepared.
-[Vic] Like a Boy Scout. -[Joe] Yes.
[Vic] You've been under the ring for a long time
and in the trunk of a car and working late hours.
-[Booker] You're not homeless, are you? -[bell rings]
-[Vic] Book, you ever have a pocket dog? -[Booker] That's what I'm saying.
-[Joe] Here we are with the action. -[Booker] What'd you find?
-[Vic] In his pocket. -[Booker] Okay, okay.
[Vic] It makes sense, doesn't it, Joe?
-[Joe] Yes. Yes. -[Vic] He's a man of few words.
He's a man of few words.
Let's focus in on this matchup because there was a lot of words
getting thrown around between these two superstars earlier tonight.
And, well, Booker, I'll come to you first.
On paper, not a very good draw for Bearhill.
[Booker] No, no. Bearhill, he wanted this. He asked for this, Vic.
He wanted to test himself and now he's got the biggest test…
-[Vic] Whoa! -[Booker] Oh, yes!
[Booker] I like the energy of this Bearhill.
[Vic] I want to remind you, Booker, this is Joe Gacy, not Joe Coffee.
-[Booker] Joe Gacy, Gacy. -[Joe] Yes, sir?
[Booker] What's up with the hairdo, with the cloth?
[Joe] Oh, you know, I just needed to look good to be out here at the desk.
[Vic] Cloth, Book?
[Booker] Hairstyle. That's what that means.
[grunting]
[Vic] Okay. Bearhill right now having his own style inside the squared circle.
Turned around though by Dijak and then face-first.
Bearhill down and then bam! Right under the jaw.
[Booker] My God, man. Bearhill, he knows the reputation of this man right here…
[Vic] Into the cover, hook of the leg.
-Dijak only getting a one. -[Booker] The nasty mayhem…
-[Vic] Joe, take a look at this replay. -[Joe] What a maneuver!
[Vic] What a maneuver. You sit pretty well out here.
[Joe] Thank you, thank you.
[Vic] Book, you better need to start getting worried.
[Booker] That was a kick to the jaw. That was a Savate kick, right, Vic?
-[Vic] A Savate kick? -[Booker] That's what you call it.
[Vic] I call it a few different things. That's fine.
I called it a crescent kick as well, but we don't need to get…
-We don't need to get… -[Booker] Croissant kick.
[Vic laughs] Croissant kick. You got one of those in your pocket?
[Joe] I do not, but that sounds delicious.
[Vic] Fair enough. And look at Dijak using his power and Bearhill getting tossed.
[Booker] Just muscling right there.
[Vic] Into the cover, another hook of leg, another near-fall,
but what is Dijak's issue, Book?
He just can't seem to leave anything alone.
[Booker] It's not that, Vic.
You know, you got guys like Trey Bearhill showing up,
you know, trying to run something. They don't run nothing around here.
This is Dijak's house tonight, Vic.
[Vic] Mr. Gacy, you seem to have an opinion on that?
[Joe] Booker is not incorrect. I think this could be Dijak's house,
but he does go about things in a different way
-than maybe most people. -[Booker] Pain, man, pain.
[Vic] Well, he is a superstar who always has evil intentions on his mind.
Into another cover, another hook of the leg,
and another kick out for Trey Bearhill.
[Booker] What do you think Bearhill is thinking right now after all that talk,
all that tough talk?
What do you think he's thinking right now, Vic?
[Vic] I think he's thinking right now
that he's got to get a little bit of separation between him and Dijak,
but when it comes to the talk earlier,
it was Dijak who said he was going to put Bearhill on the shelf earlier,
and Bearhill just turned Dijak around.
[Booker] He turned around a big way right there.
Dijak, the back of his calf, caught that middle rope.
-That can be dangerous. -[Vic] Ooh! Yeah, you're right, Book.
-[Vic] What's your expert analysis? -[Joe] I said that does not feel good.
[Booker] He's been there. He knows.
[Vic] That was a nasty, gnarly landing for Dijak.
And in this moment, Bearhill maybe going to find another gear,
find his second win in this matchup.
Certainly found a good mentor in Eddy Thorpe earlier tonight.
Oh! More of that strength on display.
This is where things get a little sticky, Joe.
[Joe] Oh, I've seen. I've seen.
[audience groans]
-[Joe] Bearhill need to get… -[Vic] Wait a minute.
[Vic] There's Dijak one more time taking advantage.
[Booker] Oh, yeah, baby. To the street, Vic.
You shut your mouth too. You can go to hell.
[Vic] Oh!
[Vic] Well, the official did not see our broadcast partner with the headbutt,
but look at Bearhill possessed now.
Almost awoken, Booker, by what just transpired.
[Booker] Look at what just transpired here, Vic.
-What was that all about? -[Vic] I don't know. You're asking me?
Gacy lost his headset on the headbutt that the referee didn't see
because he was checking on Bearhill
who went into the barricade and a big back [inaudible].
There's a lot of B's right there.
[Vic] Coming out with a little momentum, B!
-[Booker] Man. -[Vic] High cross body. Not enough though.
Dijak's right shoulder just up, and now, Booker, we're seeing Bearhill.
He… es, what was he thinking? He's extra motivated in this matchup.
This could be his opening for a major upset.
And this would be a major upset for Bearhill.
[Booker] That'll be a major moment for Bearhill.
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] It's not gonna happen tonight.
[Vic] Lights go out.
-[Booker laughs] -[bell rings]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Dijak!
["Driver" playing]
-[Vic] What's… Joe, what? -[audience booing]
There's our broadcast partner, Booker!
Gacy's unhinged!
[Booker] Broadcast partner? What the hell are you talking about?
[Vic] He was our broadcast partner for about five minutes,
and now he's just swinging away on Dijak.
What are the issues between these two men?
[grunting]
What has gotten into these two men?
But hats off tonight for Trey Bearhill making his presence known.
[Booker] What did he do? Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah, that's what I'm talking about.
[Vic] That's snake Lexis King.
[Booker] Dunk that stuff there. Dunk all that trash he was talking.
Now I got something. Oh, yeah. Rock-a-bye baby.
[audience booing]
[inaudible]. You know what you did?
You cost me the biggest match of my career!
Don't you ever do that! Stay out of my business because I'm the king!
[audience jeering and booing]
["King" playing]
[Vic] The self-righteous Lexis King…
trying to teach Bearhill a lesson.
-Josh Briggs! -JBL, it's nice to meet you.
What you doing?
I'm just watching my match back to see if there's anything I can improve on.
Let me ask you, is there any advice you have for me?
No, no. I watched your match.
It was a great victory, but what you're looking for, it's not there.
Do you know why I picked you to be in the qualifier?
Yeah, because I'm a good big man, right?
You are that. But I want you to discover who you are.
You see, you have all the talent in the world. You're incredible.
You've shown that since you got into NXT. But who is Josh Briggs?
You see, I put up the beer, I threw away the playing cards.
I showed the world that JBL was a wrestling God.
That was my journey. Yours is different.
I want you to show NXT, WWE, who you are.
Thank you, sir.
[audience applauding]
[helicopter whirring]
[Vic] That was quite the advice for Briggs from the WWE Hall of Famer.
["Time to Get it" playing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest
is the women's No. 1 Contender Battle Royal.
Introducing first, Izzi Dame and Kiana James.
[Vic] There are 2 of the 20
that will compete to become the No. 1 Contender
for Lyra Valkyria's NXT Women's Championship.
The women's No. 1 Contender Battle Royal will begin next.
[intense music plays]
These last few weeks have been unacceptable.
So we go back to basics.
That means conditioning and toughness.
Begin!
No Quarter Catch Crew.
A group of exceptional athletes united by one common bond.
The definition of no quarter. No pity shown, no mercy given.
And it all starts with conditioning.
[Tavion] We must break the will of another man
before we can break his body.
There are no limits except the limitations of the mind.
[Myles] Pain is the feeling of weakness leaving your body.
[Drew] We embrace the grind.
[Charlie] Going forward, we have worked out the catch clause
in every one of our contracts.
We will decide who steps forward and competes,
and I promise you, whomever steps forward…
We will show…
No pity…
No mercy…
[in unison] No quarter!
[music fades off]
[Trick] Hey, Melo, I need to holler at you, dawg.
Hey, look, bro. I apologize for earlier.
I got excited, man. Ilja said it was clear.
You know how much I wanted this title match for a while now.
Look, I completely stepped on everything you and me got going on
with the Dusty Cup. And that's my bad.
You good, man. I understand, bro.
You've been wanting this match since October.
So if anybody understands, it's me.
That's good. But check this. I got a solution.
Come Vengeance Day, you and me, we finish what we started.
We win the Dusty Cup.
And then… Hold on now. And then the main event.
Me and Ilja for the NXT Championship.
-[exhales] -[giggles]
Come on now.
-You sure about that? -Yeah, bro.
That's how we get down. You got my back, I got your back.
We about to win the whole doggone thing, dawg.
True, true. Look, that sounds good.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves, okay?
We still got Latino World Order, man. We can't sleep on those guys.
And we didn't come this far to only come this far.
I don't want to afford anything to mess up along the way.
Let's put all that alien stuff behind us for now and let's focus on what's next.
You got my word. I'm locked in, dawg. And look at me, eyes on the prize.
-Dusty Cup. -Yeah, bro. Dusty Cup. Locked in.
Hey, man, I want you to become triple crowned.
[inaudible].
-I want to become triple crowned. -You will.
I can think about it now.
I'll be the first one to hold the NXT Championship
and the NXT Tag Championships at the same time, man.
[laughs]
Hey, we locked in, dawg.
[Vic] Well, speaking of Vengeance Day,
the NXT Women's Champion Lyra Valkyria will be joined by the winner
of tonight's No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal
to make their championship match official.
A Vengeance Daycontract signing live next week here on NXT.
And a trip to the finals at Vengeance Day is on the line
with one of our semifinal matchups in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Which team will advance? We find out next Tuesday.
[upbeat music playing]
There you see the field for this main event Battle Royal,
but there is one superstar that is missing.
That would be Cora Jade.
That's because at this last weekend's sold-out NXT live event in Dade City,
Cora Jade was injured at the live event, suffering a torn ACL.
Doctors are saying she will be out of action for close to a year.
And the woman who defeated Cora Jade in that matchup is Wren Sinclair,
who you see centered on your screen at this moment.
She's actually taking Cora's place in the Battle Royal.
She certainly now has a golden opportunity in front of her tonight.
["Accomplished" playing]
[Alicia] Representing Chase University, Thea Hail!
[Vic] And so much going on for Chase U,
a victory tonight by Thea Hail will be welcome on campus.
[Booker] Back to Cora Jade, just bad luck. Just seemed to be snake bit, Vic.
[Vic] Our best wishes going out to Cora Jade.
["On Point" playing]
[Alicia] Making her way to the ring, Blair Davenport.
[Vic] This year's Women's Iron Survivor
has had an NXT Women's Championship matchup.
Can she make it too? Can she be the No. 1 Contender yet again?
[Booker] I got my money on Davenport, man.
Never knew so few owe so much to so many, Vic.
She will take you out. She will leave you high and dry.
-That's Blair Davenport. -[Vic] And again, the field is set.
You must go over the top rope. Both feet must hit the floor.
The last four superstars will meet then in a traditional Fatal 4-Way match.
The first one to score a pinfall or submission
will become the No. 1 Contender.
But here we go. You gotta get through the Battle Royal first.
And unlike the women's Royal Rumble, which takes place a week from Saturday,
all these superstars are starting in here once.
-[Vic] It's massive chaos. -[Booker] Yes, indeed.
-[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa. -[Booker] Look at the [inaudible].
[Vic] They did not. You see the officials.
Great position, [inaudible] going over. But look, this is Parker from OTM.
That's Rizz from the Family.
Bad blood already boiling between these two as you take a look at the field.
They're slugging it out right here in front of us.
Jackson went over the top. Jackson went over the top.
[groans]
Gigi Dolin trying to make Jackson pay and Miss Jackson the first to go.
[Booker] Jackson still got that [inaudible] on.
She's still not 100% right now, Vic.
[Vic] The first one to be eliminated.
You can have all the excuses you want, but as you said in the past,
you gotta get the job done.
[Booker] No excuse, Vic.
You still got Lash Legend in there representing Meta-Four.
[grunting]
[Vic] Take a look at all these women, all fighting for the right…
You gotta be wondering, what's Lyra Valkyria thinking right now?
As well Lash Legend, you just talked about her, Booker, showcasing that power.
[Booker] You've seen the strength of Lash Legend a couple of weeks back.
[Vic] Remember, they both went over the top.
That was Rizz. They went over the top. She has been eliminated.
Oh, no.
-Is that an experience, Book? -[Booker] It is.
-[Vic] Parker talking a bit of trash? -[Booker] It is.
That's what I'm talking about. The maturity level in this game right now,
I mean, you gotta grow up, you gotta grow up fast, and [inaudible].
[Vic] Look at Kelani to the top.
Oh, got overpowered by Izzi Dame, Lash Legend,
and being in the air is not where you wanna be.
-[Booker] Oh, I don't like this. -[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Booker] Oh, man.
[Vic] I'm gonna wait for just a moment. Kelani Jordan surviving at this juncture.
Up, over. Both feet though, Book. Look, look. Both feet must hit the floor.
Whoo! So close.
[Booker] Kelani Jordan, she had a breakout moment, Vic, didn't she?
She wants more. She wants more out of this game, Vic.
[Booker] Oh. Oh, wow!
[audience clamoring]
[Vic] I hear the official to my left. Kelani still in this thing.
Who's gonna be the No. 1 Contender? Who's heading to Vengeance Day?
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Back live on NXT, this is the women's No. 1 Contender Battle Royal.
Who will earn a golden opportunity? Let's go back to Kelani Jordan.
Who moments ago, during the break, she said she had a chip on her shoulder.
She was able to navigate her way from the announce desk all the way around
and had, one of your favorite superstars of all time, a Kofi Kingston-esque moment.
[Booker] What you talking about?
[Vic] To get back into the matchup to her own shot, but then we had elimination.
It was Stevie Turner.
Because of Fallon Henley, as the field has continued to shrink,
one of these women, by the end of the night
will be the No. 1 Contender.
She gotta go over the top rope. Both feet must hit the floor.
And the twist?
The last four superstars will meet in a traditional Fatal 4-Way matchup.
The first to score a pinfall or submission will win,
will be the No. 1 Contender. Lola Vice right now being hung out to dry.
And there from behind her partner in crime, so to speak, Elektra Lopez.
They may be a power duo in this book.
[Booker] When you talk about who's the favorite in a matchup like this,
let me tell you this, I can only tell you this.
[Vic] Booker! Tell me nothing!
[Booker] You gotta be kidding me. You gotta be kidding me.
[Vic] You said they were on the same page.
-[Booker] You gotta be kidding me, man. -[Vic] Lola Vice eliminated by Paxley.
-[audience cheering] -[indistinct chatter]
[indistinct chatter]
-You are out! -[indistinct chatter]
-[Vic] There is no love. -[Booker] What the hell?
[Vic] These two ripping each other apart, Book.
Told you there was something up between those two.
But think about Tatum Paxley. Said she wanted to win this Battle Royal,
so Lyra Valkyria did not have to defend the championship.
As there you see Blair Davenport, who was your pick at the start,
one-on-one here with Karmen Petrovic.
-I'm glad Davenport… -[Vic] Oh, nice STO from Gigi Dolin.
And off the STO, Davenport got to go.
[Booker] No, no, no, no!
[Vic] Just holding on. And Dolin with a little extra oomph!
-Dolin with Davenport locked in teetering. -[Booker] This is personal.
[Vic] This certainly is somehow though. Davenport hanging on.
The Iron Survivor. Oh, whoa, whoa! Oh!
[Booker] Smart. That's just smart, Vic.
[Vic] Gigi Dolin, who has never won singles gold, has been eliminated.
Wait a minute.
Remember, it was Davenport who went over the top rope, Thea Hail now.
Hail though from Chase U.
[groans]
[Vic] Oh!
Thea Hail, she went over the top rope. Great job. Officials in position.
Hail's feet did not touch.
Right here [inaudible] Fallon Henley teetering as well. Oh, what a kick!
Just enough to knock Davenport off balance.
Petrovic eliminates your pick.
-Get out of here. What are you doing? -[Vic] She's been eliminated!
Get out of here.
[Vic] Come on, ref! Oh, no!
[Booker] That was a hard shot, Vic. Petrovic is out.
What are you doing? Get out of here! Blair, let's go.
Get to the back. You're out of here. Go. Go.
[Vic] You're right, Book, and the damage certainly done.
Stupid bitch!
[Vic] Karmen Petrovic indeed is out as the field continues to dwindle.
And again, you've got to imagine, you win this,
you go to Vengeance Day, you go win the NXT Women's Championship,
you then are headed to WrestleMania weekend.
You're headed to Stand & Deliver with your name in the marquee.
And that's what's on the mind of Lash Legend.
[Booker] Yes, indeed, Vic. Look at the stance of this lady.
-Wow! -[Vic] Paxley, nice counter.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Tatum Paxley's… Oh! Hook, kick, sends Paxley to the back.
[Booker] Monster, baby. That was monster by Lash Legend. Wow!
[Vic] When you take a look at the field,
you've gotta imagine that it's Lash Legend who has to be the favorite.
[Booker] We've been talking about the favorite since the game started.
One person I know that [inaudible] to get back to that position.
And that's Roxanne.
And we haven't talked a whole lot about Roxanne in this matchup, Vic.
[Vic] Roxanne Perez, former NXT Women's Champion,
still in this matchup.
Arianna Grace still in this matchup.
Lash Legend though trying to fight off Grace at this moment.
There's Thea Hail, take a look around, Kelani Jordan.
Oh, yeah, Arianna Grace still in this as well.
And Grace certainly is trying to make a name for herself in recent weeks.
She's able to win this matchup. As Izzi Dame is overpowering.
[audience cheering]
What's Grace smiling for?
[Booker] [inaudible].
[Vic] Oh, of course.
[Booker] That's what she's smiling for, man.
[Vic] Coming in to pick up the scraps.
Petrovic is knocked out because of Blair Davenport,
and is eliminated because of Arianna Grace.
[Booker] The big elimination right there from Grace.
Confidence gotta be sky high right now.
[screaming]
[Vic] Don't celebrate, Book!
[audience jeering]
[Vic] Grace is gone.
[crying]
-[Vic] Who's headed to Vengeance Day? -Bye-bye.
[Vic] Thea Hail right now running through the field.
She wants to be the No. 1 Contender.
She wants to bring gold to the campus at Chase U with her fighting spirit.
But as you take a look at the field, you see Kelani Jordan.
Then you think of Lash Legend. You think of Izzi Dame.
You think about their size, their power, their strength.
There's Thea Hail with a DDT.
You think about the connivingness of Kiana James,
the unknown of Wren Sinclair.
One of these women will be the No. 1 Contender to Lyra Valkyrie.
But remember, this is a Battle Royal now.
The last four will compete in a traditional Fatal 4-Way matchup.
And the only woman standing is Thea Hail.
[Booker] I'm thinking about the momentum Thea Hail had a couple of months back.
And right now she's trying to pick that momentum back up.
And she's looking good right now, Vic. She's looking real good. One big shot.
That's all it can take. Hmm.
[Vic] Right down onto Roxanne Perez.
And this may be Hail's match to lose at this moment.
-[Booker] Clean house. -[Vic] Uh-oh.
[Booker] I like all of this, Vic.
But she needs to be concentrating on that top rope.
[Vic] She does. She has to get the women up and over the top rope.
Both feet have to hit the floor. Hail looking one more time.
There's Dame. Izzi Dame. That power we talked about. Full display.
Thea Hail eliminated.
[Booker] Exactly my point right there, Deme there too caught up in the moment.
[Vic] And when it comes to Izzi Dame, Kiana James,
they certainly can change the game. That could start tonight.
But Fallon Henley now trying to eliminate her former tag team partner,
her former friend. Look who's almost out.
And Izzi Dame again saving the conniving Kiana James.
But who's going to save them from Lash Legend?
[Booker] Izzi Dame, she's a powerhouse.
But right now, she's in the middle with Lash Legend.
And we know all about the strength of Lash Legend. Whoa, whoa.
[Vic] The two strongest meeting in the middle.
[audience cheering]
[Booker] [inaudible] right there, Vic.
[audience chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT!
[audience chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT!
[Vic] Izzi Dame. [inaudible]. She's out.
She slipped at the last moment. She's upset. Kiana's in shock.
And Lash Legend trying to overpower the fear.
[groans]
-[Vic] Oh, meeting of the minds. -[Booker] Did you see that shot?
[Vic] I did. You look at who's in the ring.
There's five women left in this matchup.
-[Booker] My God. -[Vic] Another elimination.
We'll be into the final four, the last four, so to speak.
Roxanne's holding on. Flash up, flash over, flash out.
Wren Sinclair who's in this matchup because of the injury to Cora Jane.
Sinclair though…
-[Booker] Whoa, Vic. -[Vic] Trying to toss out Kiana.
Referee's trying to get some order. I'm trying to take a look around.
I'm trying to see the numbers.
Kelani Jordan didn't get eliminated earlier.
Kelani Jordan just came back into the ring.
We still have five, Book. We still got five.
The next one to be eliminated, this becomes a traditional Fatal 4-Way.
Wren Sinclair to the top. Takes a nasty landing. Both feet hit.
So we go down to the last four superstars.
[Alicia] The Fatal 4-Way begins now!
[Vic] It's Kelani Jordan, Kiana James, Fallon Henley…
and Roxanne Perez.
[audience chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT!
[audience chanting] NXT! NXT!
[Vic] And, Book, remember, the strategy now,
you have to switch it in real time
because it becomes a traditional Fatal 4-Way.
The first one to score a pinfall or submission will win.
That winner becomes the No. 1 Contender.
It no longer matters of dumping someone over the top rope
and having both their feet hit the floor.
[Booker] I can tell you this right now, Vic.
Fallon Henley, I mean, she's so close to finally cash in on that big moment
that she's been looking for for so long. Could this be that night for Fallon?
[Vic] And it was Fallon Henley who teamed a year ago
actually won the tag team titles with Kiana James.
That took place at Vengeance Day. But then you see Roxanne Perez.
It was this time last year
that the prodigy was the NXT Women's Champion.
[screams]
And for Kelani Jordan, taking out the field.
She's in there right now, if you think about it, with three former champions.
She's in there with current pillars of this women's division.
She's trying for a redemption moment. So close in that Breakout Tournament.
It's why she said earlier tonight, she has a chip on her shoulder.
Roll through, shoulder down.
And again, it's only one fall to a finish and another near-fall.
[Booker] Just imagine if Kelani Jordan can walk away with a win.
-[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! -[Booker] Whoa! Man, so close.
[Vic] Perez able to kick out one more time. And Perez…
Oh! Roll through with a little extra, into the cover in her own right.
Will this be enough? And Henley able to break up the count.
Kelani Jordan going to need that Spartan mentality tonight.
But Fallon Henley wants to prove she's top shelf.
This is how you go about it. You win this matchup.
You go to Vengeance Day. You become Women's Champion.
You get your name on the marquee in Philadelphia.
WrestleMania weekend. It's Stand & Deliver.
-[Vic] Cover, count. Oh! -[Booker] Wow. So close.
[Vic] Kiana James able to break up the count and continue this match.
And just like that, oh, it's Kiana who's in control.
Oh, another! Devastating.
Oh. Got caught there by the elbow though in the last moment.
[Booker] Former partners, but no love lost, Vic.
-No love lost at all. Oh. Brutal! -[Vic] Spinebuster.
[Booker] That could be in three seconds. Here we go. Man.
[Vic] Jordan, Perez breaking things up. All four women down.
One of these four will be the No. 1 Contender.
Well, Perez did not like Jordan trying to help out.
Roxanne Perez going for Pop Rocks. Counter.
Oh, she walked right in to that drop kick.
[audience chanting] This is awesome! [claps] This is awesome!
[Vic] To the throat goes Kiana. And, oh, a little 401.
Is that going to be enough to get the three?
Jordan rolling to the outside.
Perez though turning things around and counting at the last moment up.
[Booker] Oh, baby!
[Vic] [inaudible], a nice counter.
And these two know each other so well.
I talked about Roxanne Perez, Fallon Henley, James.
These are three women who have really been the cornerstone
of the NXT women's division over the last several months.
Will one of them have the opportunity?
James right now trying to go for broke, trying to look for a high-impact,
high-risk maneuver, but the risk may not pay off.
[Booker] Man! Man! James going for broke right here, Vic.
[Vic] A little bit of separation for a moment.
Fallon trying to run interference.
Oh, a nice kick by Perez.
And Perez now. Talking about high-risk.
You talk about high reward. Prodigy off the top.
[inaudible] hurricanrana.
[inaudible] Jordan. Frog splash! Kelani! Kelani!
Is she headed to Vengeance Day?
And Perez breaks up the count in just in the nick of time.
[Booker] I tell you right now. Perez landed that big shot,
but watching her work right there for a second,
almost made a huge mistake. Wow.
[Vic] Fallon Henley might have just been wiped out with that superkick.
Jordan may have just wiped out Perez.
And for Kelani Jordan, this could be that moment.
Looking for that one-of-a-kind [inaudible]!
There's no disqualifications.
Izzi Dame saving her friend, her partner, but cannot save Kelani Jordan right now
from Roxanne Perez, Pump Rocks!
-[Vic] Cover! -[audience] One, two, three.
[Vic] Perez the No. 1 Contender!
[Alicia] Here is your winner, and No. 1 Contender
for the NXT Women's Championship, Roxanne Perez!
[Vic] Roxanne Perez is headed to Vengeance Day.
What a match again. This started with 20 women in a Battle Royal.
It came down to the last four.
Izzi Dame saved the match as she thought in that moment.
But the prodigy coming in and hitting that patented Pump Rocks,
which punches her ticket to Tennessee, punches her ticket to NXT's Vengeance Day.
["All Fall Down" playing]
[Vic] And for Perez, she was never beaten as the NXT Women's Champion.
She now has a chance to recapture the gold
two weeks from Sunday at Vengeance Day.
But Perez and Valkyria next week will meet face-to-face
to make their championship clash official at Vengeance Day.
Two of the very best will tangle for the NXT women's title.
Valkyria, Perez, Vengeance Day!
["All Fall Down" continues playing]
Subtitle translation by: Venkata g]