[theme music playing]
[narrator] Then.
[Ric Flair] Whoo!
[The Rock] If you smell…
[narrator] Now.
[Roman] Acknowledge me.
-[Lemmy] The King of Kings. -[Cena] You can't see me.
[narrator] Forever.
Together.
[audience cheering]
-Mensah, this is the life. -The Meta-four life, my brother.
-Look at us. -Look at us, it's tough at the top…
but listen, tonight,
we're going to put this Von Wagner and Mr. Stone business to an end.
-Easy money, easy chicks. -Easy chicks. [chuckles]
But right now, let's just relax and clear our minds.
-Sneak attack! -Sneak attack!
[all grunt]
[grunting]
-[thuds] -[grunts]
Come on, Stone. Let's go, let's go.
-Hey, leave me alone, hey! -Get up!
Come on. Let's go, let's go. Probably this way.
Come on, come on, come on.
Which way do they go? [grunts]
Operation Sneak Attack.
Success.
[Vic] Well, we're live here on NXT,
and it appears that the Sneak Attack strategy worked.
Vic Joseph alongside Byron Saxton.
And we knew that Von and we knew Mr. Stone had an idea.
They were talking about it on social media.
[Byron] Bamboozled by the Sneak Attack. I love it.
Catching no end there. Oh, Mensah off guard here.
[Vic] And we're calling somewhat of [inaudible] here tonight on NXT,
because Mr. Stone, Von Wagner taking matters in their own hands.
An official just ran by us.
The bell has sounded, it's official. This is how we're kicking off the night.
[Byron] But listen, Vic, never underestimate
the strategizing of two 7-year-olds.
[Vic] That's true. Can Cash and Carter be the difference makers
that Von Wagner and Mr. Stone needed?
[Byron] They are right now. Mr. Stone on the middle rope.
-[thuds] -[audience groans]
[Vic] And look at Mr. Stone into the cover.
First of the matchup and a near-fall.
Just take a look at Mr. Stone. He looks like he's cut out of stone.
[Byron] Listen, you know all the nerves, Mr. Stone.
You saw the social media post talking about the trepidation he was feeling.
Getting into this match. Getting ready to team with Von right now.
He does look like he has a Mr. Beat.
[Vic] I think you're just jealous of that physique, Byron.
Oh, but you're not jealous of what just happened to Mr. Stone.
Courtesy of Oro Mensah who's showing that he is ice cold in the ring.
And I'm actually looking at you right now.
Because you guys had social media beef this past week.
[Byron] Don't listen to everything you see on your social media feed. All right?
[audience chattering]
[Vic] A tag was made. And Stone now in the wrong part of town.
The Heritage Cup Champion, Noam Dar, has checked in.
[Byron] This is what you have to be worried about.
If you're Stone. The more experienced Oro Mensah.
The more experienced Noam Dar, who are in the ring every single week.
At the top of their game.
[Vic] I don't think I didn't hear what you said about Oro Mensah.
He didn't like that you were sitting at the table last week.
And he's going to make that known I'm sure again.
Here this week seeing you. But right now it is all Noam Dar.
-And you know what? Like him or not. -[audience booing]
How impressive is the Heritage Cup Champion?
[Byron] When you think about the Heritage Cup Championship
you think about Noam Dar. He is synonymous with that championship.
[Vic] And the official distracted by Von Wagner.
Who is drawn in by Noam Dar.
-[Vic] And a little extra right now. Oh! -[thuds]
-[Vic] And Stone. -One!
-[Vic] Can he kick out? He does at two. -Two!
Look at what Mr. Stone is doing.
When was the last time you saw him in the ring? It's been quite some time.
Even here on NXT.
[Byron] If you think about his entire career. It's been years.
Since Stone has been a regular competitor.
[Vic] Still to come tonight. NXT Tag Team Championship
we'll be on the line, the family defending,
against this year's Dusty Cup winners,
The Wolfdogs, Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin.
Big kick from the main man, Mensah. And still to come, Carmelo Hayes and Gacy.
Into the cover, knee across the face, and a kick out.
Are you worried, though, Byron? It's time to catch you up.
Are you worried for Stone in this matchup?
[Byron] I'm worried from the standpoint of Stone's emotions.
One of the things he had to say before this match is,
"I don't want my kids, Cash and Carter, to have to go to school tomorrow
and say my dad lost."
[Vic] Into another cover. And Mr. Stone able to kick out.
Don't sleep on Mr. Stone.
He's battled Hall of Famers like Kurt Angle throughout his career.
He's done battles here on NXT.
But to your point, he isn't a regular superstar in the ring.
Like Von Wagner, who he's been training for several weeks.
Actually for several months.
[Byron] Certainly changed the career of Von Wagner.
But to your point, about Mr. Stone.
Every time you hit those ropes, every time he gets slammed.
It is more jarring than your competitors because your body isn't calloused enough.
Your body isn't accustomed to this level of punishment.
[Vic] And Stone trying to turn things around,
but there's Noam Dar, who is legal.
He did make the tag.
And you got to wonder what's on his mind, because No Quarter Catch Crew,
they got him looking close at this matchup.
Studying Dar. But right now, here's the moment.
Mr. Stone, a long way away.
And Von Wagner, like a caged beast.
Waiting to get into this matchup.
[Byron] You got a clear lane Stone.
Oh, look at-- make a tag.
[Vic] Noam Dar not pleased. But in comes Von Wagner.
And for Von Wagner, who came up short, against the Heritage Cup Champion.
His goal this year is still the same. He wants to win some gold.
[Byron] This version of Von Wagner that I have seen.
I would say is more championship ready than he has ever been in his career.
[audience] Von! Von!
It's the focus. It's the intensity. It's the ability to lock in.
Unlike he has been able to in the past.
[Vic] Main man trying to run some interference. Double chokeslam.
-[Byron] And how the tides are turned! -[Vic] Tag.
[Vic] And what's on the mind of Stone?
You can never question the heart of a father
who's fighting for his children and Stone.
-[Byron] All the way up. -[audience cheering]
-[Vic] Big splash. -[thuds]
One, two! Ooh!
[Vic] And Dar's main man breaking up the count.
Another look. Boom.
Just driving the air out of the lungs not to be outdone.
-That massive splash. -[screams]
[Byron] Look at Stone getting all fired up.
Dar and Oro Mensah to get some.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Oh, gnarly landing. Right out here in front of us.
-And Stone now. Ooh! -[audience] Ooh!
[Vic] And that might have been a mistake by Stone.
And we talked about the fact that he isn't a regular in-ring competitor.
But Mensah just got wiped out. And Dar from behind.
Jackknife cover. Shoulders down and a kick out.
Noam Dar trying to steal one. Dar is known to cheat more than Tristan Thompson.
But he might not get away with it tonight.
[Byron] Right now it's all up to Von Wagner.
[Vic] Whoa! Lash and Jakara.
Distracting the official. They didn't see the chop block by Mensah.
-[Vic] And Dar steals it. -[bell ringing]
["Time Out" playing]
[Alicia] Here are your winners, Meta-Four.
-[Vic] Frustration from Von Wagner. -[audience booing]
-As Meta-Four does it again. -[audience booing]
[Byron] The numbers game again, Vic.
[Vic] By hook or by crook.
And while Meta-Four maybe has put this issue to rest.
Last week issues continue to rise for Carmelo Hayes.
Not yet. Not yet.
[Vic] Dragunov has a lot on his mind.
He wants to know the answer to the question everybody is asking.
Carmelo Hayes!
You come out right now!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I advise you to step out of my way.
[audience cheering]
I will destroy you.
The million dollar question. Did I attack Trick Williams?
You're damn right I did.
At the end of the day you were always my hype man.
That's all it is.
And that is all you'll ever be.
[Vic] No love will be shown in our main event matchup.
[Wade] These two are going to rip each other apart.
[Vic] Look! Joe Gacy!
What did we just see?
Dragunov it up didn't see what happened. Nor the official.
And the NXT champion reigns supreme.
Once again.
Carmelo Hayes has his eyes on what was once his.
Hayes finally showing his true colors.
And if history tells us anything, it's when Hayes shoots, he don't miss.
[Vic] Of course, a new side of Carmelo Hayes,
but this is a man trying to show his true colors.
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following is a Gallus Gauntlet match!
Introducing first, Ridge Holland!
[Vic] Ridge Holland has been waiting for weeks to fight all of Gallus.
Can he survive the Gallus Gauntlet? We'll find out next on NXT.
["Accomplished" playing]
[Chase] Right here. Get it straight for me. That's it.
This podium, finally back where it belongs.
You took good care. Not a scratch on there.
I appreciate that. Check this out. Check this out.
Warms your heart.
Sometimes you got to let things go, and if it comes back,
you know it's there to stay.
Speaking of, for the second time,
[laughs]
the MVP trophy, everything is right in the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Andre Chase University!
[cheering]
I want to formally apologize for the delay in the start
to the spring semester.
We went through some dark clouds.
But we made it out the other side, thanks to Jacy mother-[bleep] Jayne!
-[Chase] Yes, yes, yes! Woo! -[cheering]
Chase University is [bleep] back, and we are better than ever!
Jacy. Jacy. Jacy.
You're the best. I'm gonna go talk to Riley, though.
We have a date.
-[Thea] What's up, Riley? -[scoffs]
[indistinct chatter]
[Andre shushing]
It's okay. Okay.
-[exhales] -[Andre] We're good.
Adriana Rizzo!
Just the woman I've been looking for.
-Big night tonight, huh? -Big night.
Tony and Stacks defending their tag titles. You and Jaida.
Jacy, I got places to be. What do you got for me?
All right, here you go.
Wow, seems a little heavy.
Calendar sales were above projections,
so I threw a little extra in there for you.
And assuming Tony and Stacks retain their tag titles tonight,
ask them to give a look to Duke and Chase for a title shot.
I'll speak to The Don and see what I can do.
All right.
Jacy! Jacy! Jacy! Jacy!
[Vic] I don't know about you, Byron,
but it's just good to see smiles on campus once again.
[Byron] I think Jacy Jayne is the new MVP of Chase U!
[Vic] Well, tell Duke I said that.
Come right up!
[Alicia] Making their way to the ring, Mark Coffey,
Joe Coffey, and Wolfgang, Gallus.
[Vic] Ridge Holland, dangerously focused on this match.
The rules are simple.
If Ridge defeats a member of Gallus or face the next member,
the question I have for you, do you like those odds
of all three members of Gallus swarming ringside?
[Byron] You call the focus on the face of Ridge Holland, I call it concern.
I respect what Ridge Holland could do.
Extremely tough competitor,
but I think it's dawning on Ridge Holland that maybe he's in over his head here.
[Vic] Which member of Gallus is going to start this Gallus Gauntlet match?
All three men in the ring. This isn't three on one.
It appears it's going to be Wolfgang.
[Byron] Early mind games to attempt to throw Ridge Holland off his game.
[Vic] Is it wise if Ridge, who wanna fight all of Gallus? I understand he's upset.
I understand he's a man of pride. Think about what he's been asking for.
[Byron] All three members of Gallus. It's not smart.
What I think right now is that Ridge Holland
is a prisoner of his own emotions.
And by that, I mean you think about everything Ridge Holland
has talked about being on his redemptive story here at NXT.
Battling injuries, dissolution of the brawling brutes,
controversial public perception.
All these things are weighing on the heart and soul of Ridge Holland,
and this is his way to expunge some of that difficulty.
[Vic] It was something you brought up, 'cause I wonder how he feels
with his former partner, Pete Dunne, teaming with Tyler Bate.
We'll be facing the Judgment Day for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles
at Elimination Chamber a week from Saturday in Perth,
streaming on Peacock, but right now he should be focused, hopefully,
on Wolfgang and the rest of Gallus
who called out Ridge for having no friends in the locker room.
[Byron] They're accurate.
Did you see anybody come into Ridge Holland's aid
a couple weeks ago on NXT?
Ridge isn't used to this.
He's used to having the Pete Dunnes and the Sheamuses in his corner.
Now Ridge is all alone.
He is forced to ride solo, and he's paying for it, unfortunately.
[Vic] You know, it's hard to argue, Byron, and you brought up a great point earlier
about a prisoner in his own, what did you say?
[Byron] A prisoner of his own emotions.
[Vic] And I give a lot of credit to Ava.
How wise was Ava to help Ridge by giving him what he wanted,
but also making it a Gauntlet-style matchup, as now Ridge
taking control of the matchup, sliding out right in front of, however,
Joe Coffey and now punishing Wolfgang.
[Byron] Ava was trying to protect Ridge Holland from himself,
but you notice even in this scenario,
Ridge is focused on Wolfgang, but keeping an eye on the Coffeys,
keeping his attention divided as a result.
[Vic] Ava, the youngest general manager in WWE history, wise beyond her years,
as taking his eye off the ball might not have been wise for Ridge Holland.
There's just Joe Coffey chirping in Ridge's ear
as Wolfgang turning this matchup around and trying to follow it up
as Wolfgang right down into Ridge.
And it's important to know that when you think of Wolfgang,
he's the wild card of Gallus.
There's who some say is the leader of Gallus, Joe Coffey, and the calm one,
if you can call him that, is Mark.
[Byron] Yeah, yeah, but there's no good option here.
You're starting off this match assuming Ridge can get past Wolfgang,
it doesn't get any easier.
[grunts]
[Vic] Some of the NXT Universe trying to rally Holland in this moment.
Just trying to get back to a vertical base and then just gets rocked
with a vicious headbutt, and there goes Wolfgang right back to the body,
driving the air right out of the lungs of Ridge Holland.
Always strength in numbers for Gallus, a trio that just thrives in chaos.
[Byron] Thrive in chaos, they love to fight,
they'll punch you in the mouth and celebrate at the pub 20 minutes later.
[Vic] You know, this trio also, Byron, has really mastered the skill
of getting under someone's skin, like they've done to Ridge Holland.
But here comes Holland, trying to block, maybe counter the suplex.
Does he have enough strength to hoist up Wolfgang?
Holland, will the third time be the charm? And Wolfgang now.
-[Vic] Ridge! Ow! -[grunts]
[Vic] I wonder so much taken out of Ridge Holland early on in this matchup.
Holland's gonna need something,
some sort of big boost to get back into the match.
A big suplex by Holland.
[Byron] That might be the big boost we were talking about, Vic,
the big opening that Ridge Holland needs.
[Vic] Wolfgang wiped out.
Gallus on the back foot.
[Byron] Ridge Holland has got to tap into all that emotion right now.
[Vic] Ridge Holland is fired up.
Can Holland survive the Gallus Gauntlet?
[Vic] Back on NXT, Ridge Holland right now doing the work
as he's on to his second member of Gallus,
as you witnessed in that last picture-in-picture commercial break,
Ridge Holland was able to pick up his first victory of this Gauntlet,
Gallet, Gauntlet match, excuse me, as he just gets chopped down
back to the injured knee with Mark Coffey.
During the commercial break,
this is what had happened to get Wolfgang eliminated.
That northern grit, the power of Ridge Holland,
Wolfgang now set to the outside.
Mark Coffey has come in and that has got us
to where we are in this Gallus Gauntlet match.
-Do not try to say that five times fast. -[Byron] Oh, well, they asked me twice.
[Byron] Listen, there's something that I noticed there, Vic,
right after that pinfall victory for Ridge Holland,
almost instinctively thinking to himself, the match is over, time to celebrate.
No, there was no rest period whatsoever.
Mark Coffey was in there immediately to start mauling Ridge Holland again.
That is the disadvantage of this Gauntlet match for Ridge Holland.
[Vic] Well, that's a great point because these matches aren't typical.
You aren't prepared for this. It's a lot like a Heritage Cup match.
Noam Dar in the first matchup, who competes.
Those aren't typical, traditional matches in the WWE.
It's a different mindset. It's what your point is, Byron.
Gallus has been able to game plan with one another.
[Byron] And this is impressive. You see this right here?
Ridge Holland is daring, asking Joe Coffey,
keep hitting me, keep striking me, keep trying to break my spirit.
[Vic] Well, look, it's Ridge Holland who said time and time again,
he's out here to prove a lot of things to a lot of people.
When he gets told you don't have any friends or people don't like him
or people don't trust him, that has to eat away at a man's soul,
and that is what Ridge Holland is fighting for.
[Byron] We're all human.
We all have those moments, those issues that weigh on our soul
that we would do almost anything to get rid of.
But sometimes in this case, I think maybe Ridge Holland
is putting a little too much pressure on himself.
[Vic] Look, Holland trying to fight back in this match.
I want to get your thoughts. How do you view Ridge Holland after the accidents
that have happened in his career?
[Byron] I have as much respect for Ridge Holland as I always have.
Like I said, sometimes you can always be your worst enemy.
Not everyone else is saying what perhaps Ridge Holland is telling himself.
And the power of self-talk, the power of self-talk can destroy you
from the inside out if you let it.
[Vic] Ridge Holland has already eliminated Wolfgang.
He's right now going one-on-one, toe-to-toe with Mark Coffey.
If he's able to defeat Mark Coffey, he will then face Joe Coffey
to try to knock out all three members,
which is what his goal has been for weeks and a big headbutt under the jaw.
Mark Coffey, how the hell is he standing?
Just gets caught and a big overhead belly-to-belly.
[Byron] Not standing for long.
It would be an amazing accomplishment for Ridge Holland to pull this off.
-[screams] -[Vic] On one leg.
Trying to fight through the pain is Ridge.
But here comes Mark Coffey one more time.
Charging in, gets caught.
Spinebuster, modified version, because Ridge couldn't go down all the way
because of the injury to that left knee,
but somehow, bam, another [inaudible]
into another cover to put away Mark Coffey!
-Bring in! Bring in! -What are you doing?
-[Vic] And Joe Coffey! -[bell ringing]
What just happened?
[Byron] Coffey can hold on That's gotta be impressive.
-Joe Coffey interfering in this matchup. -[Byron] Is that it?
[Vic] Yeah, well Joe Coffey stuck his nose where it didn't belong
and now it's a three-on-one assault.
-Wolfgang's got a damn chair! -[audience booing]
[Byron] Ridge Holland is well on his way for scoring another victory
and it all breaks down and now it's reminiscent
of what happened a couple weeks ago.
[Vic] And I don't blame the officials for running away.
-[Byron] What are you going to do? -[Vic] You can't do anything.
-[Byron] Who's going to stop Gallus? -[Vic] Ridge Holland!
[Vic] They're still fighting the big man.
Uh-oh.
[Byron] Ridge Holland with the equalizer.
-[grunts] -[thuds]
[Byron] Swinging for defenses. Ridge Holland is a one-man wrecking crew.
[Vic] Well, the officials finally getting in.
[audience cheering and booing]
[Vic] Byron, look up.
Has Ridge Holland single-handedly sidelined three of the baddest in NXT?
And with his past, does Holland need to come to grips
with something deeper that he even doesn't see?
[groans]
[sighs]
-Well, well, well. -Come on.
Great match, boys. Shame you came up short.
Mr. Stone, you have got to be sick and tired of losing all the time.
Sheesh.
Get out of here, King.
Now. Hey, big guy. I get it.
The truth hurts.
And to be honest, I'd love to sit around and swim in your misery a little longer,
but the King has bigger and better things to do tonight.
Mr. Stone, I just know your little boys are desperate
to look up to a role model, a winner, and a star such as myself.
[scoffs] So I'll tell you what.
When my music starts playing, grab those little brats, watch and learn.
-Hey, don't talk about my kids, man! -Hey.
He ain't worth it.
[Vic] I've never seen Stone like that before.
["Te Lo Rompo" playing]
♪ If you wanna come get it, I hit heavy ♪
[Alicia] The following contest is schedule for one fall.
Introducing first, Lola Vice.
[Vic] Well, from the score of Stone to the Latina heat of Lola.
♪ Yea, I'm a… ♪
Lola Vice is in action going one-on-one with Tatum Paxley.
This matchup is next on NXT.
♪ Yea, I'm a monster ♪
Take a good look, boys. She is a beauty.
You could use a good shine, but I guess it'll do.
This cup right here represents British rounds wrestling
spanning over a century.
Man! What a bloody shame!
This is held by some clown, huh?
-Hey, what are you calling the clown? -Security!
How did you even get in here?
Well, you smelling the cup. I saw you smelling this.
Shouldn't you boys be in Gulak's basement
dousing each other in baby oil and hitting each other with sticks?
You certainly shouldn't be anywhere near the modern-day Mona Lisa.
Criminals, my brother. Look at them. They wanted to steal it.
All right, relax, boys. Listen, baby bear.
We're just here admiring your fine hardware.
Admiring? That's all you'll do.
Because you can looky-looky, but you're not touchy-touchy.
And you certainly won't be stealing it to take it to your dungeon.
Who said anything about us stealing it? Yes. We plan on winning it.
[laughs]
Winning is a really strong word.
Hey! What are you guys laughing at?
Whenever you guys are done messing around and playing with managers,
the No Quarter Catch Crew plans on representing that Heritage Cup correctly.
Lads.
-I'm leaving from that. Come on. -We're not messing.
We're winning. Winners. Ever heard of it?
[Vic] It's the Heritage Cup slipping from Noam Dar's grasp.
[Byron] Noam Dar barely had time to take a victory shower.
["Eyes Of The Reaper" playing]
[Alicia] Making her way to the ring, Tatum Paxley!
[Vic] These two have been on a collision course for weeks.
Let's go back to last week when it went to a whole new level.
Because if you remember,
Tatum Paxley tried to execute the championship contract,
which was already executed by Lola Vice,
and it would not work out for Vice, who would get hit with Pop Rox.
Roxanne Perez to pick up a victory, and you could make the argument
that Lola Vice is on the way to the biggest singles victory
in her career over a former champion.
[Byron] I would argue that point, and I also have spent the last week
racking my brain as to why Tatum Paxley would try to execute
-a contract that she has no possession of. -[thuds]
[Vic] That's a great point you bring.
There's Lola Vice right out of the gate, bringing that MMA background,
swaying away on Paxley.
And it's a loaded question, but what do you think
is going through the mind of Tatum Paxley?
[Byron] I'm sure Tatum Paxley is thinking
right now about Brittany Mahomes' outfit last Sunday,
the red jumpsuit, the fur coat.
I don't know what she's thinking. I have no clue, do you?
[Vic] I don't know, but I do know that was a nice counter,
so maybe a better question is what's going through the mind
of our NXT Women's Champion at being Lyra Valkyria, shoulders down,
and a quick kick out right into a submission!
Goes Lola Vice, nice counter into a cover,
and having to relinquish the hold is Lola Vice.
[Byron] Boy, if I'm Lyra Valkyria,
I think I'm a little torn right now with this "friendship,"
[Vic] Or "friend," and another cover and a kick out.
[Byron] If we can call it that with Tatum Paxley,
Tatum's got good intentions.
She's trying to prove her loyalty, trying to protect Lyra Valkyria,
but at the same time, Tatum has become a liability at times.
[Vic] You also have to imagine, too,
bringing that contract out right in front of Lola Vice.
Vice has to see red when she sees that contract
that she once held after that failed execution at Vengeance Day,
so that brings me to this matchup as Vice into another cover,
another hook and a leg, another kick out.
How important is this matchup for Lola?
[Byron] This is your get-right match for Lola Vice.
Falling short in her attempt to execute the contract
as you mentioned at Vengeance Day,
losing to Roxanne Perez last week.
Lola Vice had all the momentum in the world,
but as quickly as you have momentum, momentum can disappear.
-You have to grab it back tonight. -[audience cheering]
[Vic] Trying to create a little separation as Paxley, but look at Lola Vice,
wise of that MMA background again,
just pulling her opponent right back into it,
and then another knee right to the ribs for Lola Vice.
[Byron] Did you know that Lola Vice' mom was actually pursuing her black belt
while she was pregnant with Lola in the ring?
[Vic] I do know that we're three seconds away from a victory for Paxley.
[Byron] The point is she was bred to be a fighter.
This is all Lola Vice knows.
[Vic] Well, the official right there, and Lola's got to be careful
not to get disqualified in the heat of the moment,
and there is some chirping that Lola Vice has been the same
and that she's struggling with power. Elektra Lopez,
but NXT Women's Champion, Lyra Valkyria,
now out here ringside to support her friend.
[Byron] This is unexpected, but I appreciate it.
[Vic] Paxley rolling right up.
Swing and a miss by Vice, but Paxley connects,
and Tatum now stringing together some offense.
[Byron] Maybe now Lyra Valkyria's presence at ringside
is providing some motivation for Tatum Paxley.
[Vic] Oh, Vinc, agree, I go back also,
as now Paxley realizing who's here ringside.
Maybe Tatum is a little bit delusional trying to execute that contract.
One, it wasn't hers, and two, it was already used,
and she's able to duck a kick as Paxley rolled through.
Shoulders down one more time. Another near-fall.
-[Byron] Tatum now-- Ooh! -[Vic] Ooh!
[Byron] Ouch! Ouch, ouch, ouch.
[Vic] Into another cover, and is that the knockout blow?
Somehow, I know you see Valkyria giving words of encouragement.
One, two…
To her, I'll just say words of encouragement to Tatum.
Paxley and a back-fist right under the jaw.
-Is that going to be enough? -One, two!
[audience cheering]
[referee] The hair, Lola. Get the hell out of the hair.
One, two!
[Byron] As motivating as Lyra Valkyria is for Tatum Paxley,
it's motivating Lola Vice even more.
[Vic] Into another cover, and you've got to wonder right now is--
Paxley gets her foot on the rope.
Lyra Valkyria has been in the ring with Lola Vice.
She may be just saying, stay down, live to fight another day.
[Byron] Right now, Tatum Paxley doesn't know any better.
[Vic] Did you see Paxley's eyes?
They almost look like they're long in the back of her head.
Another submission locked in.
Going to the body with the elbows is Lola Vice.
Almost a vice grip of sorts, just squeezing away on Tatum Paxley.
Paxley's so close, but faded.
[Byron] I don't think she's going to make it, Vic.
-[audience cheering] -[bell ringing]
["Te Lo Rompo" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, by submission,
Lola Vice.
[Vic] And there you see Lyra Valkyria with Tatum Paxley,
and she's doing what is right, friend or not.
She tried to help out the best she could.
Paxley maybe didn't listen to Lyra at the end,
but for Lola, she gets some momentum back in NXT.
There's a fine line between anarchy and justice.
I live on that edge.
You were pressured into this match. You're The Don of NXT.
Hell, you're the tag team champions. No one should tell you what to do.
-Who are you? -Luca Crusifino.
Good luck tonight, sir.
All right.
Listen, Stacks, we got a big night tonight.
-All right. -All right, guys.
Adriana, you got things covered tonight?
Say to Parker, she hits different. You know what I'm talking about.
At Vengeance Day, I got a taste.
But tonight, I'm coming for the full meal.
-No fear tonight, boys. -All right, that's the thing.
No fear, Stacks.
Hey, listen, Miss Parker doesn't know what's about to smack her in the face
like Joey D'Agostino.
Hey, Joey Dags was a punk.
All right, guys, I gotta go. Ava said to stay here.
Hey, move.
She's fired up. I like it.
Listen, Stacks, tonight, we got Baron and Bron, all right?
They might seem like a circus act outside the ring, but in the ring,
they destroy us.
So tonight, no guessing, no doubting.
We're cracking skulls first and asking questions later.
It's Stand & Deliver season.
-Capisce? -Capisce.
[Vic] Rizzo, Parker. Next.
-You two are closer than I thought. -Shotzi.
-She had a rough one out there. -I saw.
Look, you've got your hands full, but I want to add to it.
We can go back and forth on social media,
or we can chop this up right now, face-to-face.
Okay, good. I like my interactions face-to-face, straight to the point.
You want a title shot? You got it. It's done.
Oh, great. Well, then this should be easy to put together.
After I take care of Tatum, I'll go speak to Ava.
Already handled, champ. All Ava needed from you was the green light.
Okay. Done. I'll see you next week.
Oh, next week.
Even better, because I want to walk into Chamber as NXT Women's Champion.
-You got balls, Shotzi. -Big ones.
But you'll be walking into Elimination Chamber empty-handed.
[chuckles]
We'll see next week. Take care of your friend.
She's not my friend.
Oh. Oh.
So, we got Shotzi next week?
Nope.
[Vic] Oh, looks like we got a championship match
next week for the Women's Title.
[Byron] Sign me up. Let's go.
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing the D'Angelo family,
Adriana Rizzo.
[Vic] I'll get some business out of the way here, Byron.
The family preparing for the NXT Tag Team Titles later on tonight.
Ava has made it clear.
OTM, Toni Stacks, no one can be ringside for this matchup.
["About That Time" playing]
[Byron] No distractions. Let the best woman win.
♪ Gotta, gotta light up when we do it ♪
[Alicia] And her opponent,
representing OTM, Jaida Parker.
♪ Gotta, gotta light up when we do it ♪
[Vic] Jaida Parker attacked Rizzo at lunch,
which really was the spark needed to ignite this rivalry.
And then take a look at the family.
They stood tall over OTM at Vengeance Day in a six-person match,
but it was at Vengeance Day that some pointed out,
including who I was calling that night with Wade Barrett,
that OTM was in control of that matchup.
[Byron] OTM was in control of that matchup,
and that's got to irk the entire faction of OTM.
In this case, Jaida Parker understanding she's got to get a little something extra.
She's got to get some redemption on behalf of OTM, getting her hands on Rizzo.
[Vic] We're talking about Ava a few times tonight.
She made this matchup last week after meeting Parker,
and a dropkick just slotted to the side.
What grade do you give Byron, the youngest general manager in WWE history?
[Byron] Considering she's probably watching right now, I'd say A+.
But seriously, you think of everything Ava's had to manage.
The Dijak-Joe Gacy situation, The Family, OTM.
There's never a dull moment in Ava's office, and it gets busier
and more hectic and more chaotic weekly.
[audience chanting]
[Vic] NXT Universe now voicing to both these women the respect they got.
Oh!
[Rizzo] That's all you get?
And this rivalry has escalated quickly
over the last several weeks, and Byron, it's hard to argue that Rizzo
hasn't raised the profile and the business dealings for The Family.
And it could be a good night for The Family too.
[Byron] Rizzo has a reputation for being fearless, willing to do the dirty work,
willing to collect when she needs to.
[Vic] Nice suplex, Rizzo looking for her first solo victory
into the cover, and a quick kick out by Jaida Parker.
Also, you gotta think too, Chase U received a heavy envelope
-receiving heavy envelope from Chase U. -[Byron] That's what I'm saying.
[Byron] Who's the collector? Who's Rizzo?
[Vic] You're bringing up the great points here tonight, Byron,
but also we're talking about Rizzo, not someone who's just the brains
five times All-American track and field at UNC has an athletic background,
but that's not gonna help you when you're in the ring
with someone as real as it gets, Jaida Parker!
[Byron] The first half was a disciplined job,
we'll call the second half the posterior bump.
[Vic] That one into the cover, I'll let you know. There you go, Byron.
[Byron] Posterior bump! Right to the abdomen of Rizzo.
[Vic] I can imagine Booker T just threw something at his television, obviously.
[Byron] Booker [inaudible].
[Vic] As we mentioned with Jaida Parker,
her motto is you're going to get the version of her that you deserve.
And right now, oh, from behind goes Rizzo and a kick out.
Parker's all business inside the ring.
She is not someone who backs down in the ring,
on the streets, wherever it may be.
And how has Parker made OTM more dangerous?
[Byron] Jaida Parker's allowed OTM.
[Vic] Another suplex into a cover in her own right, and a kick out.
[Byron] To be more efficient, to get things done the right way.
You mentioned Rizzo raising the profile of the family.
Jaida Parker has the potential at ground level
to raise the profile of OTM.
You think about great managers like a "Sensational Sherri,"
and what she did for one of the greatest tag teams of all time,
Harlem Heat, Ray and Booker.
By the way, I'm redeemed now.
But you think about what she did for their careers,
and now the potential is there for Bronco Nima, Lucien Price,
and SCRYPTS, with Jaida Parker in the mix.
[Vic] Well, inside cradle this time by Rizzo. Will it be enough?
And Parker again, able to kick out, and these two are bringing it tonight.
And, Byron, as you look at this, this really is a case of two women
trying to make their mark quickly and early in their careers.
[Byron] I've seen this so many times. I've seen it from day one here in NXT.
I saw it with The Four Horsewomen when they were around these parts.
I saw it with the likes of Charlotte Flair,
the Becky Lynch's, the self-doubt, the folks on the road,
but the constant pressure to get better every time you come out
to impress the coaches, impress the decision-makers,
and hopefully, one day make it to the grand stage of a WrestleMania.
[Vic] And this is where the foundation is laid,
to your point, Byron, but look at Parker. Catch it and then planting.
Spine-tingling, spinebuster as Parker right back in,
and a big blow right to the back of the neck.
Shoots the half, hooks the leg, and a kick out by Rizzo.
[Byron] Jaida Parker looks. Parker's not happy.
She looks a little taken aback that Rizzo's still in this.
[Vic] Almost was as if it wasn't even frustration.
She almost took it as disrespect that Rizzo kicked out.
-Come on! Come on! -[audience chanting]
[Vic] Rizzo's saying, bring it! And that's exactly what Parker did.
-One, two, three! -[bell ringing]
["About That Time" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Jaida Parker!
[Vic] Give a lot of credit to Rizzo.
[audience chanting]
In that moment, in that matchup.
But Parker went to Ava for this match.
She was granted the match, and as bad as she wants to be,
Parker just hits different.
I learned what it takes beat Joe Gacy and what it takes to break him in.
He thinks he's unbreakable.
And you will realize…
why I am one bad thing.
[Dijak] How's your broken nose, huh?
[audience chanting]
[Vic] But it just speaks to the toughness of Dijak.
[audience cheering]
Joe Gacy. What on Earth?
What did we just see?
-[thuds] -[Gacy giggles]
[Gacy laughs]
[suspenseful music playing]
[zips]
[Vic] Who knows what evil is running through the mind of Dijak.
♪ …best here, you want your shot Well, I guess you wait 'til next year ♪
♪ I'm at the top Get respect while I get feared ♪
♪ Who got a problem, huh? Tell 'em to step here ♪
[audience booing]
♪ Yeah, 'cause I'm… ♪
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Carmelo Hayes.
♪ I'm the best to ever do it Going against me, you stupid ♪
[Vic] NXT Universe showing Carmelo Hayes what they think of him.
As Carmelo Hayes is here, he attacked Joe Gacy last week.
Gacy wants to make him pay. Will he?
We'll find out next here on NXT.
♪ You want your shot Well, I guess you wait 'til next year ♪
♪ I'm at the top… ♪
[breathes deeply]
There he is. There he is.
Looking swollen up. Looking tan.
-You ready for this? -I'm ready.
That's it? That's all you're gonna give me?
-What? -Dude, Aldis called.
-He's upping your money for SmackDown. -Really?
-No! -Shut up, dude.
Dude, get your head in the game. Tag Team gold.
You're thinking about this money truck being delivered to your house.
-Come on, man. -All right.
-Bring it down from the clouds. -All right.
Look, what do you even mean?
I figured you'd still be partying from the big game on Sunday.
Talking to Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, all that.
-You're gonna be going to the parade. -I am going. You're not invited.
Sorry about that, but I'd like to show up with half of the tag team gold.
Do you understand? Do you understand how much this means to me?
I haven't held a title in six years. I am hungry for this. I need this.
-You hungry for this change? -Yes.
-Hungry like a wolf? -Yes.
-Dog? -No.
-Why?
-Why can't you just say it one time? -Because it's not good.
Okay, listen. I'll make a deal with you. I'll meet you in the middle.
We go out there. We get the job done tonight.
When we hold those tag titles over our head,
I'll say it one time just for you.
-One time? -One time.
-Deal? -Deal.
-Let's go. -Let's get these titles.
Let's get it done.
Oh, ho, ho.
[Vic] Tag team titles on the line in our main event.
♪ Love is blind ♪
[Alicia] And his opponent, Joe Gacy.
♪ I'll never leave ya ♪
[Vic] Byron. Why are you smiling right now?
[Byron] Because I like Joe Gacy.
-[Vic] I can't even see what's going on. -[Byron] That's the fun part of it.
-[Byron] Everything about Joe Gacy. -[Vic] Like a fun house. Yeah.
[Byron] He's weird. He's erratic. I'm a big haunted house guy, right?
And I swear Joe Gacy is one of those scare actors
that you see in the haunted house chasing around with a chainsaw.
Saliva coming down his mouth.
Going nuts. A little kooky. A little crazy. Keeps you on edge.
But that's the fun part,
because you don't know what Joe Gacy is going to do next.
Just don't come around here.
[Vic] In the seven years I've known you on commentary,
that's the most excited I've ever heard you sound.
-[Byron] It's the little things. -[Vic] About Joe Gacy in a haunted house
and being mysterious and spooky.
[Byron] I can see this dude at Sir Henry's Haunted Trail.
[Vic] What?
[Byron] I'll tell you about it later.
[Vic] Carmelo Hayes starting off where he left off last week.
And it was last week we couldn't even leave the desk
due to Hayes' assault on Joe Gacy.
[audience chanting] You sold out! You sold out! You sold out!
[Vic] I think Carmelo Hayes has a different viewpoint
than the NXT Universe, as now Gacy turning things around in this matchup.
Will Hayes regret his actions?
[Byron] I'm not sure if Carmelo Hayes will ever regret what he's done.
Because what we saw from Carmelo Hayes
clearly has been festering for who knows how long.
What we are seeing is the real Carmelo Hayes.
[Vic] What are we seeing?
Joe Gacy just smiled after getting his face smashed in
and turned it around into a suplex, followed by a float-over,
kick out by Carmelo Hayes.
So if you were Joe Gacy
[audience chanting] Let's go, Gacy!
[Vic] And the NXT Universe is fired up here tonight.
But if you were Joe Gacy, how would you be planning your revenge?
I'm interested to hear this.
[Byron] Well, you saw some of that planning.
Maybe it started last week.
Was he walking around with a epoxy globe on a stick?
I don't understand the strategy of Joe Gacy.
I would imagine he wants to win, but at the same time,
maybe he's a bit of a masochist.
Maybe he wants to get hurt.
Maybe he wants Carmelo Hayes to punish him.
That's how out there Joe Gacy is.
But it's still fun to watch.
[Vic] I'm just listening to the NXT universe too, Byron.
As you were talking and they are almost at a fever pitch
for both these superstars.
But there is textbook Carmelo Hayes flying with ease through the air.
[audience booing]
And the NXT universe, which used to love to see it hates to view it now.
But we're gonna take a look at it one more time.
[Byron] You know what surprises me about Carmelo Hayes?
With someone as talented and as gifted as Carmelo,
what his actions have shown me is how insecure Carmelo Hayes is.
-[Vic] I mean, you're not lying there. -[Byron] Of course, I'm not lying.
[Vic] Joe Gacy turning things around in this moment.
-[audience cheering] -[referee] Two, three!
[Vic] Just going to town.
[Byron] Whatever [inaudible], Carmelo.
[Vic] Look, Joe Gacy seemed to be lost at one point,
but now appears to have found his way.
And however you want to make that make sense in your own mind.
[Byron] I think he's still lost. He just enjoys being lost.
[Vic] Senton crashing down. Gacy into the cover.
And a kick out by Carmelo Hayes.
[Byron] Like Joe Gacy's the hitchhiker that doesn't want to be picked up.
[Vic] Why are you staying on these scary movie references in this matchup?
You're starting to freak me out a little bit.
[Byron] You need to hang out with me more.
-[Vic] Absolutely not. -With me and you.
[Vic] Nobody wants to do that.
And Joe Gacy right now in control of this match.
And when you think of Joe Gacy, Joe Gacy's part of the locker room.
How do you think Hayes is now viewed in the locker room?
You've been in the FCW locker room, ECW locker room,
RAW, SmackDown, the list goes on. How would you view Carmelo Hayes?
[Byron] I would give you a direct quote.
As a matter of fact,
someone I was talking to earlier on today in that NXT locker room,
they said to me, if I had the chance, I would punch Carmelo Hayes
in the mouth and break his jaw
so he can no longer spew the junk he's been spewing.
So that gives you an idea about what some of the superstars,
some of the competitors in that locker room are saying
about Carmelo Hayes and their attitude about Hayes these days.
[Vic] We gotta take Joe Gacy into another cover
and getting a left shoulder up with Hayes.
You know, Joe Gacy's getting the first shot,
so to speak, to punch Carmelo in the mouth.
Devastating backbreaker into another cover,
another hook to the leg, and Carmelo Hayes able to kick out.
[Byron] And that means you have an entire locker room of superstars
locked into this match,
watching to see what Joe Gacy does to Carmelo Hayes
and hoping, hoping that Carmelo Hayes fails against Joe Gacy.
[Vic] And I just go back and talk about failing the plan that he failed last week,
because why would you attack a superstar like Joe Gacy?
Think about what he did at Vengeance Day to Dijak.
[Byron] It's the same reason Carmelo Hayes,
similar to why he attacked Trick Williams.
He felt like Williams was taking his spotlight.
In that moment, Carmelo Hayes believed that Joe Gacy was taking his spotlight.
[Vic] Gacy charged right in.
Nice trip though by Carmelo, and Hayes now on top.
And there's Hayes, who seems to be done playing games in this matchup.
Frustration, bubbling, boiling out of Hayes in this moment, on this night,
and he just has to be listening to the fans right now, here at NXT.
Did he think that the fans were going to come along with him for the ride?
[Vic] Absolutely not!
[Byron] It would've been silly to think that.
Carmelo Hayes feels--
This is what I gotta do! They want to play with me.
They wanna disrespect me.
-One. -You--
It's time Melo. Two. Drop the hair.
[Vic] Gacy still with that sinister smile.
-[Byron] How unnerving is that? -[Vic] Hey, wait.
[Vic] Well, Carmelo Hayes not gonna find what he's looking for, so to speak.
Whoa!
-[Vic] He jumped back four feet. -[Byron] I got you, Vic.
[referee] Two!
-[Vic] Again. -[Byron] I'm not sure Carmelo has this.
[Vic] Hayes not gonna find what he's looking for.
-[Vic] Incoming! -[Byron] Found him!
[Vic] Joe Gacy in control!
Can Gacy knock out Carmelo Hayes here on NXT?
[Vic] Back on NXT, and Carmelo Hayes has turned things around in this matchup.
He has been punishing Joe Gacy
for the last several moments in this matchup.
Let's go back to what happened during the commercial break.
Really, this is the turning point as Carmelo Hayes saw a small opening,
took full advantage of it, and I wanna talk about my broadcast partner,
Booker T, who's still recovering.
He recently said that Carmelo Hayes has thin skin,
after what Hayes had to say about Booker last week.
So, Byron, why turn your back
on all those that have supported you to get you where you're at?
[Byron] It's the lure of success.
That success has become an idol for Carmelo Hayes.
It trumps relationships. It trumps mentors like Booker T.
It trumps anyone who had your back because it's all about Carmelo Hayes
and he will stab anyone in the back right now to get ahead.
[Vic] Hayes back into the ring, charging right in,
and Joe Gacy turning things around and Gacy, much like the locker room,
has heard from Carmelo Hayes.
Hayes doesn't believe he's in the wrong.
As he put it, the villain is only the villain when the hero tells the story.
[Byron] Of course, Carmelo's brainwashed himself.
He's brainwashed himself into believing that everything he's done is justified.
[Vic] Look at the combination offense with the Ura Nage,
but not enough to keep Carmelo Hayes down.
Take a look. Feel the impact from Joe Gacy.
Joe Gacy is a very peculiar person to say the least,
but he's very skillful inside the ring.
[Byron] Carmelo Hayes is seeing firsthand, and this could really put
the proverbial egg on the face of Hayes if he were to lose to Gacy.
[Vic] Hayes looking for a suplex.
Gacy had it counted for a moment, then getting turned around
almost into the cutter, but Gacy had it scouted up on the shoulders
and down goes Hayes.
Is this enough for Joe Gacy?
And another near-fall, and that would be such an upset,
wouldn't you think, if Joe Gacy was able to knock off
a caliber superstar like Carmelo Hayes? Bam!
[Byron] Listen, Vic, it may become a reality.
We may be moments away from witnessing Joe Gacy upset Carmelo Hayes.
[Vic] Joe Gacy fueled by, well, we're not really sure what he's fueled by,
but we know Carmelo Hayes is fueled by jealousy.
He's had the titles. He's had the main events.
He's had his name in the Marquee,
but he doesn't like to share the spotlight.
And for Joe Gacy here tonight, to something you said earlier,
could play almost a locker room hero.
Not that he necessarily wants to, but look where Gacy's at, looking forward.
For Nothing But Net. Came up short, but just plowed over Gacy.
And now it's Carmelo Hayes turning things around.
Nice cutter center of the ring. Gacy out on his feet.
Hayes thinks this match is over.
Into the cover, but Joe Gacy still would fight.
[Byron] Think again, Carmelo Hayes. Perturbed look on the face of Melo.
-[audience chattering] -[laughs]
[Vic] How do you describe that one, Byron?
Gacy somehow still smiling.
-Carmelo Hayes… -[Byron] Was euphoric.
[Vic] Measuring now. Joe Gacy looking to come back in.
Gacy though, a little bit too much time taken
by the former NXT Champion
who signaled out Ilja Dragunov last week as well.
Now focus on Dragunov tonight. Focus on Joe Gacy.
Gacy trying to drop Ilja after being brutally attacked
last week when he went off air.
Hayes looking to fly once more.
Got caught. Got dropped.
Bossman-esque slam from Joe Gacy who's licking his chops.
[Byron] Maybe one big move away, Vic.
[Vic] Trying to take Carmelo to the upside down. And no.
-[Byron] And that's for Gacy. -[Vic] Countered by Hayes.
[Vic] And now for the second time tonight, Hayes taking his spot on the court.
-Lining up. Looking for Nothing But Net. -[audience booing]
[audience cheering]
[Vic] And to the cheers of the NXT universe, Hayes victorious.
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Carmelo Hayes!
♪ …respect while I get feared Who got a problem, huh? ♪
[Vic] Hayes…
♪ Step here, yeah ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest, ain't no… ♪
Ilja, I'm the last one left.
Count your days.
[audience booing]
♪ They say success either mangle them… ♪
[Vic] Sounds like Carmelo Hayes for the champion.
I noticed as we go back to some of the action in this matchup,
Joe Gacy was rolling throughout this matchup.
Was looking to take Hayes to the upside down.
Carmelo had a different plan of attack.
And then looking for Nothing But Net got all of it.
And we are seeing a side of Carmelo Hayes
-that we have never ever seen before. -[bell ringing]
-[Vic] I would say-- Hey. -[Byron] Dijak.
-[thuds] -[audience booing]
-Stick to your [inaudible], huh? -[audience booing]
[Vic] We saw Dijak carrying his bag around earlier tonight.
-[Vic] Is that a straight jacket? -[Byron] It looks like it.
-[Vic] What's going on? -[Byron] I don't know.
[screams]
[Vic] Joe Gacy has just been through a matchup with Carmelo Hayes.
And now we got this diabolical Dijak out here trying to tie up Joe Gacy.
[Byron] Clearly, Joe Gacy is continuing to haunt the mind of Dijak.
But this is next level.
[Vic] This must be the evil intentions conjured up in Dijak's mind.
-Come on! -[grunts]
-[Dijak] Stop it! -[referee 1] Get out of here!
Let's go. That's enough.
[referee 2] You got to stop it now, Dijak.
-Come on! -[Dijak] Get your hands in, huh Joe?
-Come on. -[Dijak] You like that.
-[laughs] -[Dijak] You like that, huh.
[grunting]
[Vic] This is getting hard to watch.
Dijak, that's it. Come on.
[referee 2] That's enough. Come on.
[referee 1] Come on. Your job is done. Come on.
[Dijak] How's that feel? How's that feel?
Get you laughing, huh, Joe.
Keep moving. Keep moving. Go, go, go.
-Sit him up. Sit him up. -Come on.
[audience chanting] Free Joe Gacy! Free Joe Gacy! Free Joe Gacy!
Define confidence.
-Brinley. -Yeah.
You don't need to be warming up this hard.
Carmen, I want to be super ready and super prepared.
I already have my G's and P's, grams of protein, of course.
Brin, it's okay to be nervous. Kiana's at the top of the division.
-True. -But I know you can get this win.
Big Head Brinley.
I wouldn't listen to these two if I were you.
Yeah, more like do the opposite.
Especially from the so-called future of the women's division.
What'd you say last week? Fear never crowned a champion.
So looks like you'll be waiting for a very long time.
Because I just don't see the hype that Kiana sees behind all this.
Because I guess Slash, when Kiana saw you, she didn't see you as a threat.
If she even saw anything.
But it kind of makes me wonder, what's Noam see in you?
Oh, baby girl, I'll show you a whole lot of stuff.
Let's dig. They're all beneath us.
Berry pickles.
[Vic] Quite the interaction, but how about our main event coming up later tonight?
Our Dusty Cup Winners get their championship match.
It's D'Angelo, Stacks, Breakker, Corbin
for the NXT Tag Team Titles in our main event.
It's some breaking news.
Shotzi, Lyra have gone back and forth on social media.
This is official from our General Manager, Ava.
The NXT Women's Championship will be on the line next week here on NXT.
But when we talk about champions, this is maybe the biggest
and the baddest around.
There is Oba Femi.
The North American Champion has a lot on his mind
and we will hear from him live next.
Are you kidding me? Is this a freaking joke? Seriously?
I finally get my one-on-one title match and Lola comes in and screws it up for me.
I've literally been waiting an entire year to get my one-on-one title match
and Shotzi just gets one right away?
Why? Because she put out a tweet? Because she's on SmackDown?
Ava's just handing out title matches now? Where the hell was she the past year?
-I've been here. -Roxanne, I know how you feel.
-I literally-- -I'm sorry.
You know how I feel? Oh, yeah, that's right.
You just got here so you don't know how I feel.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
What I meant was Shotzi was a former tag champion.
She won WarGames twice, and she's on SmackDown.
So maybe, maybe you can ask to face the winner of Lyra and she's--
-Oh! -[grunts]
-What the hell is she doing? -What is your problem?
-Are you okay? -I…
[footsteps echoing]
[suspenseful music playing]
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[audience cheering]
[screams]
[Alicia] Please welcome, the NXT North American Champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] Byron, he's powerful. He's dominant.
He's destructive. I can continue to go on.
My question to you, who can stop Oba Femi?
[Byron] As of now, I've seen no one who can stop Oba Femi.
I can't remember the last time I saw a newcomer
step inside this NXT ring and own it the way that Oba Femi has.
-[Vic] He messed up your boost. -[Byron] Uh, yeah. Not quite. Ever.
You cannot argue with prophecy.
I'm still, the NXT North American Champion.
-I'm still, the mountain of NXT. -[audience] Whoo!
-I'm still, the man, Oba Femi! -[audience] Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!
[audience applauding and cheering]
Dragon Lee, Dragon Lee,
you are a proud warrior.
But I showed at Vengeance Day that it takes more than a fighting spirit
to take this title from me.
[audience] Whoo!
A championship around the waist of a superstar means prestige.
-But for me, it represents supremacy. -[audience] Whoo!
Which makes me the alpha species of NXT.
Dragon Lee was the first casualty, but he will not be the last.
So you can send anyone, send anyone to try to take this title from me.
But don't send anyone that you want back.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
-Mr. Oba Femi! -[audience booing]
The King just wanted to come out here
and personally congratulate you
on all of your success.
But I gotta be honest, Oba.
I've been wanting to get something off my chest.
[audience chanting]
I hear you've been calling yourself the ruler, and well,
everybody knows I'm The King, so… [chuckles]
I just think it's a little funny, you know?
Make your point.
My point is that I softened up Dragon Lee for you
so that you could exercise your breakout tournament contract.
Okay? So it was me, The King,
who placed that title on your shoulder, Oba Femi.
And I'll be damned if it's not gonna be The King that takes it off of you.
I don't deal with empty threats.
[audience] Whoo!
Well, Oba, that wasn't a threat.
It was a promise.
And a King always keeps his promises.
You get your title opportunity next week.
-[audience applauding] -[audience] Whoo!
But I promise you that this throne is not one
that you'll be sitting on any time soon.
[audience groans and cheers]
[Vic] And Lexis King is striking first.
-And King looking for the coronation. -[audience cheering]
-And there's just the power of Oba Femi. -[grunts]
[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
And King, Lexis King may want to rethink his promises.
What a matchup we could have next week for the North American title!
[King] I'll catch you next week, baby.
Look, the game had a lot of physicality on Sunday,
but I think the main event's gonna have a little hard hitting action.
I'm telling you, my money's on the Wolf Dogs.
Wolf Dogs?
-The Wolf Dogs? -Yes.
[chuckles] How you gonna play the dog like that?
Bro, dog?
-It's the dog. -You want me to grow some balls?
It took you a whole week to figure that?
Well, here they are.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hey, hey, hey.
All right, all right. Come on, kid.
Hey, hey, hey.
Enough. Stop. What the hell are you doing?
Listen to me. If you want to do this, do it out there.
Not in here.
-I'm gonna beat up Charlie's. -You're not doing this here.
[Vic] I said it earlier, Ava's got a lot on her plate.
["The Highest" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
introducing first, accompanied by Izzi Dame,
Kiana James!
[Vic] Can you think of a more calculated superstar in NXT
than Kiana James?
I'm gonna let you think about that one, Byron,
because when we come back, Kiana James will be in action,
going one-on-one with Brinley Reece here on NXT.
[Vic] Well, Byron, it didn't take long for our NXT champion
to respond to Carmelo Hayes.
You can see right there what Ilja Dragunov had to say
on social media
after what Carmelo Hayes said earlier tonight.
And the champion has heard from Melo.
Next week, face-to-face, the Mad Dragon looks to breathe fire once more.
[dramatic music playing]
["Bring It On" playing]
[Alicia] And her opponent, Brinley Reece.
Yeah.
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting] Brinley! Brinley! Brinley!
Brinley! Brinley! Brinley! Brinley!
[Vic] Go back to what I had asked you before the break,
as Reece has entered the ring.
Can you think of a more calculated superstar than Kiana James,
who Reece is getting ready to face one-on-one?
[Byron] No, I think Kiana James has taken that corporate boardroom mindset,
applied it to her entire career.
Very meticulous decision-making.
And you know who's a close second to that mindset?
Her understudy on the outside of the ring, Izzi Dame,
who is soaking up every bit of knowledge from Kiana James.
[Vic] Take a look at Brinley Reece. She is someone who is certainly energized.
I think that's a good word or descriptor to use.
And can you relate to Reece? Because this is her matchup on NXT.
Taking on a big-time superstar like Kiana James
as James rolled to the outside to maybe regroup.
And we've seen Kiana James in the past
get deep in her bag like a grandma looking for a peppermint.
And right now, it's not working out for Reece.
Because Reece turned around and this goes back to what you just said.
Two-on-one on the outside.
Reece, not good odds when you take a look at someone like Izzi Dame.
[Byron] A loyal understudy strikes again.
And to your previous question, Brinley Reece is going through
what a lot of rookies go through here.
You're always going to get tested.
I was there when I first started in this industry.
Veterans are going to test you to see how much they can stop on you,
how much they can walk all over you.
Are you going to stand up for yourself?
So this is Brinley Reece's chance to stand up for herself
and let Kiana James and Izzi Dame know,
hey, I'm not your doormat.
[Vic] What a night it has been on NXT. Kiana James in control at this juncture.
Still to come in just a matter of moments,
our main event for the NXT Tag Team Titles.
Back to Kiana James and testing a lack of a better phrase here, a rookie.
She poured Reece's drink out last week
because she could in front of everyone in the locker room.
And for what reason? To simply embarrass Reece.
Into another cover off the neckbreaker hook of the leg
and Reece able to get that inside shoulder up.
[Byron] So to my point, everybody in the locker room is going to go,
how's Brinley going to respond?
What's she going to do?
If Brinley did nothing, then that's the reputation
she will have in that locker room for years.
[Vic] The NXT universe is trying to rally behind Reece,
but I continue to talk about the locker room
because we're all looking towards the biggest WrestleMania ever.
And on Wrestlemania Saturday, Stand & Deliver.
Tickets on sale now, by the way, ticketmaster.com.
Everyone wants that spotlight. Everyone wants that platform.
And Kiana James lost last year at Stand & Deliver.
She doesn't want to be embarrassed again.
[Byron] It's a big stage. Everybody's getting ready.
I've already got my suit ready up.
For Kiana James it's an opportunity for redemption.
For everyone else, it's an opportunity to stand out.
[Vic] What a clothesline!
But I bring up, is that why she maybe recruited Izzi Dame
if you're Kiana James. And overpowering James is Reece.
Getting a little workout.
Dropping down with a cutter-esque maneuver into the cover.
And a kick out by Kiana.
[Byron] Kiana trying to play the long game by having Izzi Dame in her corner.
Kind of an insurance policy, a protector, an insurer of her success.
[Vic] Ooh! Another nice counter.
Just dropping Reece right in the center of the ring.
Kiana charging right back in.
Oh!
-A little 401K from Kiana. -[audience booing]
And now Kiana's just bankrupting Brinley. One, two, three!
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Kiana James!
[Vic] Reece seems to be the definition of a go-getter.
But Kiana James with Izzi Dame by her side
may just be unstoppable in the women's division.
["The Highest" playing]
Don't [inaudible]. I already talked to them.
Next week, it's official. It's Briggs vs. Jensen.
-Ava, do you got a minute? -I'll talk to you later.
Yeah, I do actually.
Great. Did you punch Wren Sinclair in the locker room?
Did you give Shotzi a women's title match against Lyra?
No, no, no. Did you punch Wren in the face or not?
Okay, yeah, I did. Wrong place, wrong time for Wren. Anyway…
No. There's no wrong place, wrong time for anyone, Roxanne.
You can't just go around punching people in the face.
And because of that, Wren already asked me for a match next week,
one-on-one, with you.
-Okay. Give it to her. -I did.
And maybe when that's done, we can talk about what you really want,
which I'm assuming is the women's title picture.
-Seriously? -Seriously.
[sighs]
[Vic] We are moments away from our main event.
There you see the Wolfdogs,
the 2024 Dusty Cup Champions looking for their tag team opportunity
as they're getting ready to face the Tag Team Champions.
There's Stacks. There's The Don. Titles on the line next.
-I'm starting to feel bad for Benji, man. -Uh.
After what Kiana and Izzi did to her last week,
knocking her drink out of hand?
That's crazy. And the face she made in the locker after.
Aw.
After what they just did to her out there.
-Uh. -[sighs]
Luckily, she's strong.
Look, look, look. This could be a good thing.
How?
Because now she's gonna know exactly how we feel.
Ain't no more happy-go-lucky girl.
-A loss hurts, no matter who it is. -Edris. No, bro. No.
When we were down and out, she was there for us.
When she comes back through that curtain, she gonna be down,
and she might even be out.
So please, can you please be there for her?
-Please! -Look. You're right. You're right.
-Thank you. You're right. -I have an idea, though.
What if, just hear me out, what if you make her do five likes, five dislikes?
-You're heartless. -Oh, my gosh.
[grunts]
-Oh, my God. -Hell no.
Guys, what a buzz.
Whoever said experience is the best teacher wasn't lying.
Kiana's got the experience, but now I'm motivated to train harder,
get better.
Hold on, hold on, hold on. So you mean to tell me you're not mad?
Mad?
-Angry? -Angry?
Edris, I've never been better. Uh!
Now that is somebody who practice what she preaches.
We have no excuse, man. Brin, yo, wait up!
[Vic] What a night it has been, but let's look at next Tuesday
as former partners, former champions collide.
Josh Briggs told Brooks Jensen to throw up after an altercation earlier.
These two meet one-on-one next week.
Also, Roxanne Perez punched Wren Sinclair right in the face
in the middle of a locker room.
Sinclair now wants payback.
She'll face The Prodigy next week here on NXT.
Championships will also be defended.
First, Lexis King believes he's owed a thank you
and an opportunity to crown himself champion.
Next Tuesday, he faces the imposing Oba Femi for the North American title.
And Shotzi returns to an NXT ring for a golden opportunity
against Lyra Valkyria.
The NXT Women's Championship is up for grabs in a massive showdown.
It's all going down next week here on NXT.
But tonight, it's main event time with another set of gold on the line.
["Burn The Ships" playing]
[audience cheering]
[explodes]
♪ Won't take what's mine You'll burn and I'll rise ♪
♪ There's no turning back Burn the ships to ash ♪
[dogs barking]
[Vic] Here come the Dusty Cup winners.
The Wolfdogs!
[Byron] I was waiting for you to say it, Vic.
You got a ring to it.
[screams]
[Vic] Baron Corbin has made a promise to Bron Breakker.
But in all seriousness, these two are focused.
As Baron Corbin said, he needs this.
It's been six years since he's won a championship.
These two earned this Tag Team title opportunity
by winning the four-match in Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
And the question now becomes, Byron, can this duo win the Tag Team Title?
[Byron] Think about how far-fetched of an idea
it seemed a matter of a few weeks ago
that Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker would even consider being a tag team.
And now here we stand on this night,
these two men one win away
from calling themselves Tag Team champions.
[Vic] They are arguing over names. They both come out on the choppers.
Baron's laughing at Bron. Bron's laughing at Baron.
A lot of one-upsmanship, but whatever it is, it's worked.
To your point, it's gotten them to this moment.
[Byron] And now you've got to finish the job against The Family.
["Strictly Business" playing]
[Vic] And I give credit to the champions.
Didn't back down from Bron and Baron.
They're ready.
The theme of the night for The Family has been no fear.
There's been some ups tonight. There's been some downs tonight.
All the pressure now is on The Don and The Underboss.
[Byron] The moment that Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker won the Dusty Cup,
this was inevitable.
Stacks and Tony D knew that The Wolfdogs were coming for them.
So why delay? Why waste time? Let's get it done.
About Stacks, about Tony D, I want to prove why we are on top
of the tag team mountain in NXT.
[Vic] Main event time on NXT.
[audience cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Tag Team Championship!
Introducing first the challengers.
The team of Baron Corbin
and Bron Breakker!
[audience barking and cheering]
[Alicia] And their opponents,
they are the NXT Tag Team Champions!
Jimmy "Stacks" Lorenzo and The Don of NXT
Tony D'Angelo!
[audience cheering and booing]
[Vic] Champions, challengers, not taking their eyes off of the other.
Bron Breakker likes to name Corbin a little bit on the fence.
We are going with Wolfdogs, right? Is that what we're going with? Wolfdogs?
[Byron] I'm going with it, and I think Corbin will be fine with it
if he leaves here tonight with tag team gold.
[Vic] That's a great point.
-[Vic] Winning cures everything, right? -[Byron] It sure does.
[Vic] Well, we're going to start off. Tony D'Angelo, Bron Breakker,
and you have to like the champions.
They were ready to throw down last week here on NXT.
[Byron] If you've watched The Family at any point during their careers in NXT,
you should not be surprised.
You may not love their antics, but they are always game for a fight.
[Vic] I have to believe that Chase U is watching this matchup very closely,
handed Rizzo a heavy envelope earlier tonight, as Bron Breakker
just rolls right over Tony D'Angelo and not even blinking.
Bron Breakker has been in these big matches.
He's been at the main event of Stand & Deliver.
He's won the NXT Championship.
He's not going to flinch in this situation.
[Byron] And for as rocky as their partnership has been at times,
let's not understate the value of the knowledge that Baron Corbin
has imparted on Bron Breakker.
He has 12 years of WWE experience.
I guarantee you, Bron being a student, has soaked it up.
[Vic] Answering it right back was The Don
after The Don for The Underboss who just checked into the matchup.
Is this their tumultuous test, in your opinion,
as the title holders here in NXT?
Look at the combination off a big slam from The Don.
Underboss into the cover, hook of the leg to retain.
-[Vic] Bron kicks out. -[Byron] I'm going to say so.
[Byron] On the surface, you look at Corbin and Breakker,
obviously they haven't spent that much time as a tag team,
but their collective resumes are what make them such a threat
and, in my opinion, the biggest threat to the chains.
[Vic] Bron now making his way back over and tagging in Baron Corbin
for the first time in this matchup.
Corbin brought up a great point earlier.
Is Bron going to be distracted by personal dealings in this matchup?
He's got a lot going on with SmackDown, with RAW, with Red, with Blue.
What a right hand from the former Golden Glover.
[Byron] A lot of trauma going on for the job,
Stacks, but to your point,
I think Corbin, it goes back to what he's been able to advise Bron with.
Corbin has been through those situations,
moving to different brands,
-negotiating with general managers. -[Vic] Tag.
[Byron] I'm sure he's been able to kind of temper Bron's emotions
and keep him focused on the task at hand.
[Vic] Double suplex wiping out Corbin.
I want to go back a moment ago to what we just saw Stacks with that uppercut.
It almost looked like he was able to connect into the ribs,
into the chest of Baron Corbin and knock the air,
knock the wind out of him, opposed to a typical uppercut under the jaw.
[Byron] And that can be the broken story the more this match goes on.
We have to keep an eye on Baron Corbin and his ability to move
throughout this match.
[Vic] The Family turning things around in this matchup, though.
The champions are the ones standing. The challengers right now are reeling.
And one thing that can be said about the champions,
they're not complacent.
They're ready for a fight anytime.
And it's starting to break down into a hockey fight from The Don.
[Byron] The benefit of being a long-term team like Stacks and Tony D's
is that you know your partner's act.
You don't have to communicate. It's almost like a telepathic.
[Vic] A tag was made. Bron Breakker's legal.
The Don just got dropped.
Stacks coming back in after he was just dropped
with a little cheap shot,
looking for a tornado DDT, which connected.
But there's Bron Breakker,
weighing in the weight to overpower "Stacks" Lorenzo.
And like a wrecking ball, Bron Breakker steps right into the ring.
Just got caught. Sit-down powerbomb.
All four men down.
[panting]
[Vic] Tag team titles on the line.
[Vic] As you witness throughout the commercial break,
this has been an evenly contested Tag Team championship main event.
The champions, The Family, taking on the winners
of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, who earned this opportunity
by winning the Dusty Cup, have brought it now into this main event matchup,
not wanting to wait, wanting to get the job done
which is why we're having the matchup here tonight
and Deep Six! Is it enough for the first title in six years
and it was not for Baron Corbin.
Stacks just able to kick out and Baron Corbin returns
with unfinished business as we see Deep Six hit perfectly.
Won the Dusty Cup after making it to the finals in 2015.
Now looking for his first taste of gold in NXT.
[Byron] This is also a man who's been a King of the Ring.
Been a United States champion. Money in the bank.
So after that six year job,
when you've had that taste of gold you've been on top.
You yearn for it.
And after six years,
Baron Corbin is gonna do whatever it humanly takes to experience that again.
[Vic] If memory serves me correctly, when he left NXT,
he debuted at Wrestlemania and won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
And Stacks right now, not caring about the past,
he's caring about the present, which could carry into his future.
Titles on the line and right now, turning point of the matchup.
Who can find their corner first? Here comes Breakker.
Here comes The Don.
[Byron] It's The Don now cleaning house.
Downing, Breakker, Downing, Corbin.
[Vic] Belly to belly wasn't perfect but it was effective this time.
Just tossing around Bron Breakker.
Breakker, Corbin, said they were on the hunt tonight.
Well, it's The Family who was prepared.
-Oh! -[audience cheering]
Shot to the Adam's apple will stop anybody.
And look at Bron Breakker. Flying, got caught.
[audience cheering]
Spine tingling spinebuster from The Don.
[Byron] This is a champion's mindset.
A champion's performance on display right now from Tony D.
[Vic] We've seen the loyalty of Stacks on display
and we've seen this in the past.
-Stacks, risking it all for The Family. -[audience cheering]
[Vic] And look who is the only one standing right now,
bam! It's Tony D'Angelo.
After offense, after counters, after using his own partner as a weapon,
tag was made. Corbin is out.
Bron right now on Dream Street. Two for one.
Champions now looking to put away the challengers
to retain the NXT Tag Team Titles and kicking out at two.
Bron Breakker.
[Byron] We talk about being there, we talk about deep waters.
Stacks and The Don, they've been in these deep waters of matchups before.
These two are not fazed by the pressure of this moment.
And neither should Bron Breakker be.
-[Byron] Oh! Gets a point. -[Vic] Big knee under the jaw.
[Vic] Stacks is rocked. So is Breakker.
Stacks right now on Dream Street. Bron presence of mind to make the tag.
And in comes Corbin, looking to burn down the ship of The Family.
[Byron] Corbin wobbling his legs at all.
Bron Breakker to add more punishment.
[Vic] Nice cutter into the cover. Is this enough for the titles?
And a no! Oh, my-- That was close.
-[Byron] Oh, man. -[audience chattering]
[Vic] This is our main event. The NXT Tag Team Titles on the line.
The champions, The Family, D'Angelo and Stacks taking on the challengers,
the winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Baron Corbin, Bron Breakker.
An unlikely alliance which has formed, which has molded,
which has gelled possibly into the next tag team champions.
[Byron] We're seeing competition at its finest between two proud teams.
[Vic] Match goes up, goes over, near-fall.
And Stacks wisely making the tag over to The Don.
The Don charging right in.
And he just got dropped by Bron.
Excuse me, Baron.
As Bron barking, reaching out, making the tag.
[Byron] This match quickly turning into advantage.
Wolf Dogs!
[Vic] You gotta be kidding me! Look at the power into the cover.
And Stacks saves the matchup for his team.
-[Byron] Lots of interference by Stacks. -[grunts]
-[Vic] Look, when you talk about-- -[Byron] Oh, wow!
Corbin truly wants out. Everybody, bodies hitting the floor.
NXT universe on their feet. NXT Tag Team Titles on the line.
[audience chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT!
[Vic] Who will be the first one to get to their feet.
It appears it was The Don.
-[grunts] -[groans]
[Byron] Nasty shot by Tony D.
[thuds]
-[Vic] Oh! -[Byron] Oh!
[Vic] Baron might be done. Bron now.
Power on his way. And now it's two on one.
Watch The Family. The family.
-[thuds] -[audience cheering]
[audience cheering and applauding]
[Vic] I thought Corbin might be done.
[Byron] Breakker's gotta be done.
[audience cheering]
[Vic] I thought Corbin was done. As you mentioned, Breakker might be done.
To retain. Don into the cover.
And somehow, that's the passion of a man who hasn't had a damn title in six years.
He wants it, he can feel it. But look at Stacks, up to drop Corbin.
[Byron] How long now?
How long will it be until The Family retains?
Because Corbin's in terrible shape. Breakker's hurt.
Stacks and Tony D on the offense.
[Vic] Corbin the veteran hanging on.
It is two on one as D'Angelo just gets dropped for a moment.
But there's Stacks, right from behind.
Again, look at that Tornado DDT. Didn't connect, coming in.
The End of Days!
Is that the end of the rail on this?
And Don, taking out Corbin in perfect position.
Stacks is right. Breakker looking for the Spear!
One, two, three!
-[bell ringing] -[audience cheering]
They've done it!
[Alicia] Here are your winners
and new NXT Tag Team Champions!
Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker.
[Vic] The celebration begins for The Wolfdogs!
[Byron] Can you believe it?
Baron Corbin! Bron Breakker!
Your new NXT Tag Team Champions!
[audience cheering]
["Destined For Greatness" playing]
[audience barking and cheering]
[Byron] A team that should have never been.
They now call themselves champs.
[Vic] Let's go back to some of the action.
This is when you-- we-- you-- both thought
it was over for the Wolfdogs.
Corbin was out. Bron was out. The Family was in control.
Not to be outdone, Corbin was able to counter with the End of Days.
And then Bron Breakker would slide into the ring
after The Don, away from Corbin and deliver that bone-crushing,
rib breaking Spear.
And when you think about Bron Breakker,
he's a living, breathing form of AI, not Artificial Intelligence.
I'm talking about Alpha Intensity.
[audience chanting]
And the Wolfdogs go from the hunters to the hunted
here in NXT.
[audience cheering and chanting]
Subtitle translation by: Aparna Iyer to the hunted