[exciting music playing]
[narrator] Then…
[man] Whoo!
[narrator] Now…
[man] Acknowledge me!
[man] The king of kings!
[man] You can't beat me!
[narrator] Forever.
Together.
One stop before revving our engines, at Stand & Deliver.
[Vic] Welcome to NXT: Roadblock!
[exciting music playing]
[Vic] Showcasing Dijak in an asylum match!
[man] That was the most fun I have ever had,
and I loved every minute of it!
[laughs]
[Vic] Booker, that's Sol Ruka!
Davenport, haunted by her past.
[music continues]
[Vic] Breakker, Corbin, retain.
[woman] Chase, Duke, they're all losers!
[man] The difference between you and me, Ridge,
is that, every time I hold a mirror up to my face,
I'm not ashamed of what I see. You can't say the same!
Do it, Ridge!
[man] Rage is Ridge Holland's best friend.
I finally teach you to embrace it.
[Tatum] Oh, Lyra!
After today, we're gonna be more than just friends…
We're gonna be the new WWE Women's Tag Team champions!
[Vic] Oh! The Kabuki warriors retain.
Roxanne Perez!
[intensifying chord]
Oh!
[chatter]
[man] We have to get her off, move!
[man] Going in.
[Vic] Tony D'Angelo and Carmelo Hayes.
The winner will face Ilja Dragunov
at Stand and Deliver for the NXT championship.
[Tony] Stand and Deliver, it's in my sights.
It's time for me to really be the don of NXT.
When it comes to that NXT championship…
I am the don!
[Vic] Wait a minute! Is he here?
D'Angelo is headed to Stand and Deliver!
[Tony] I am a giving don…
So, Carmelo, I got you a present.
[exciting music playing]
[Vic] It's Trick! Williams is back!
Williams is looking to whoop that Trick!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Well, Roadblock was cleared by some, but for others,
they're still looking for their path to Stand and Deliver.
Welcome to NXT!
[crowd cheering]
[LWO's music playing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is a tag-team qualifying match!
[Vic] Oh!
Alicia Taylor couldn't even get out her announcement!
OTM has rushed the ring with SCRYPTS.
[Booker] Coming up, Vic. This about coming up by any means.
-That's what I like. -[Vic] Whoa!
[Booker] I like them, I like them a lot.
[Vic] They just chucked up Joaquin Wilde.
The official trying to get a little bit of separation.
-[Booker] Yeah! -Again,
this is one of the Triple Threat Tag-Team qualifying matches.
The first one, to be exact. The winner…
will face two other teams in a Triple Threat match,
with the winner going to Stand and Deliver to face Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin.
[Booker] Man, we just talked about this Tag-Team division just last week.
Who's gonna step up?
We talked about OTM, we talked about LWO.
Let's see who's gonna be the one.
[Vic] I'm a little shocked right now that OTM has come out of the gates,
right out of… Just right out of the back.
Didn't even let LWO get in the ring, and this is smart, to gain the advantage.
[Booker] Nima and Price been together since day one.
They're boys. Now, they got somebody
that legitimizes them in SCRYPTS,
calling all the shots!
-All day… -[Vic] Oh, my word!
Modified X-Plex.
Price into the cover, looking to kick out.
I'm just trying to regroup myself,
I can only imagine what LWO is thinking,
as Wilde went for another ride early on in this matchup.
I wanna set the stage here, because we learned last week
of these Triple Threat qualifiers.
Six of the top teams will battle,
the three winning teams will meet in a Triple Threat.
The winner of the Triple Threat heads to Stand and Deliver
to meet Bron and Baron for the NXT Tag-Team titles.
Another ruling from the desk of our general manager, Ava,
again showing why Shawn Michaels had no problem
making her the youngest general manager in WWE history.
[Booker] Hell of a job. I mean, the youngest GM in history.
A lot of young people out there, right now, aspiring to be…
Oh, Ava! Wow!
[Vic] A business starting to pick up here.
Cruz in the ring, made the tag. He is legal.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd roars]
[Booker] Man, look at this bit!
They say styles make fights, right here.
These two styles, these two tag teams, they make class,
but right now, the action is hot and heavy, Victor.
[Vic] This is a big opportunity for these smackdown high flyers.
LWO, of course, back to 100%
with the return of Rey Mysterio,
They got some momentum.
They're at full strength, and they're trying to clear their path
towards the biggest WrestleMania weekend ever.
That was a powerful kickout from Bronco Nima.
[Booker indistinct]
A lot of weight behind [indistinct].
If you can just get one big shot in, that's all it's taking for right now.
Joaquin Wilde going for the ride… Oh!
[Vic] Book, you just brought it up.
This is a case of speed and experience
versus power and potential.
[Booker] Looking like these tag teams are…
Whoa, whoa!
[Vic] Oh, the referee distracted Price with a cheap shot.
[Booker] That's some great tag-team action,
orchestrated by that man, SCRYPTS,
but as far as these two tag teams,
as far as styles go, they may clash…
No pun intended, but these two tag teams are gonna…
Gonna take… Oh, yeah, to the limit!
-[Vic] With one arm! -Wow! Wow!
[Vic] One arm! Bronco Nema might have punched their ticket
to the Triple Threat in a near fall.
Who is gonna be the first team to advance,
LWO or OTM?
[Booker] Yeah…
[Vic] That was the…
Those NXT Tag-Team champions are here!
[Vic] OTM has been in control of this Triple Threat Tag-Team qualifier,
wearing down the LWO.
As you see, the NXT Tag-Team champions,
Baron Corbin, Bron Breakker,
have made their presence felt. They're about to witness…
One of the three teams will be one step closer to facing them
at Stand and Deliver. And during the break…
SCRYPTS, one more time, interjecting himself
while the official was distracted.
I mean, these de facto tournaments, they're tough enough, Book,
without someone like SCRYPTS on the outside.
[Booker] SCRYPTS, he's the X factor. He may be that that one thing
that this team needs to actually get them over the top,
but these tournaments like this, this is an opportunity.
When opportunity knocks, you got just to be ready, man.
[Vic] Yeah, a lot of opportunity. As we learned on Monday,
a six pack ladder match at WrestleMania.
Balor, Priest, Undisputed WWE Tag-Team titles will be on the line,
and three sets of former NXT Tag-Team champions
are in qualifying matches on Raw.
The New Day, DIY, Creed Brothers.
Just shows you what becoming NXT Tag-Team champions can do to your career.
[Booker] Exactly what this tournament is all about.
It's about catapulting your career to that next level.
Who is it gonna be? Del Toro and Wilde.
Oh, the OTF! Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] And Cruz Del Toro marching in,
-but somehow… -by the muscle.
[Vic] Caught himself. Forget the muscle, look at the balance!
Missile Dropkick from the top!
Will this be enough?
Do we have our first team to advance it?
Price able to kick out at two.
Talk about these two teams, could not be more different,
but they both have one goal in mind,
becoming Tag-Team champions,
and for OTM…
Remember Book, they've been close
to the NXT Tag-Team titles in the past.
[Booker] The size factor definitely coming to play right now.
LWO, they're gonna have to…
Have to think about stamina,
trying to take this team in the deep waters,
because, right now, it's not looking that great, Vic.
-Whoa! -[Vic] I'm also keeping my eyes
on the two men to our left,
that being the Tag-Team champions, Corbin, Breakker.
Of course, Corbin very upset that I did not say "End of Days" correctly last week.
-[Booker] He should be. -[Vic] Don't add fuel to the fire,
focus on Cruz, who got caught, lifted and planted!
-This team… -[Vic] Into the cover is Nima,
and Wilde able to break things up at the last moment.
And now, everything's starting to break down.
Even Price, man, over the last month, man.
I can see the growth in this tag team.
It's been expedition… Right there, big shot by Del Toro.
[Vic] Again, single elimination, high pressure.
Six of the top teams. The three winning teams will meet
at Triple Threat to go to the biggest WrestleMania weekend ever.
Right now, LWO trying to get back into it.
Wilde, now. What is Wilde thinking?
[Booker] Oh, my God! Wow!
[Vic] When this man steps into a ring,
he becomes absolutely unhinged!
No fear!
-[Booker laughs] -[Vic] No fear, and Wilde…
And now, it's down to two.
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[Vic] Nima got rocked!
Cruz Del Toro, now on top.
Some of the NXT universe on their feet for the LWO.
[Booker] Del Toro, he don't mind getting up top and flying a little bit himself.
A great balance, look… Whoa!
[Vic] You were getting ready to say, "Showing it one more time",
but he's getting hoisted now.
Bronco Nima!
-[Booker] Big elbows, Vic, big elbows. -[Vic] Effective elbows, as well.
Cruz trying to stay in this match…
'cause I don't think Nima realizes he's all by himself.
[Booker] And big runner there, these…
It looks like we're going somewhere, Vic!
Oh!
-You gotta be kidding! -[Vic] 450!
-[Booker] You got to be kidding! -With the assist!
-LWO, moving on! -[bells rings]
-[Booker] Joaquin Wilde! -[Alicia] Your winners,
Latino World Order!
[LWO's music playing]
[Booker] Did you see that? [laughs]
[Vic] They never cease to amaze me
with what they can do in the ring.
The assisted… Bam!
-450 for the LWO… -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] …who continue to rid that wave of momentum.
And now, they become the first of three total teams.
But the question is…
who will be the team to head to Stand and Deliver
and face Breakker and Corbin for the NXT Tag-Team titles?
[man] Oba Femi…
How confident are you, going into your title defense tonight?
[laughs] Uh, supremely confident.
Once I put down Brooks Jensen,
then we're on to Stand and Deliver.
[Brooks] Hey, say it to my face.
Say it to my face!
-Come on, come on! -What do you want?
-Break it up, back it up! -Hey, hey!
Take it off! Get off…
What are you doing, man? You got a title match!
-I know! -Why are you trying to piss him off?
-So what? -Listen to your brother.
Hey, Briggs, watch what I do to him tonight.
Just watch! Just watch tonight.
Hey, focus on me! I got you tonight, I got you!
Get off of me!
[Vic] Championship matchup still to come tonight,
but let's go back to last Tuesday. It was Roadblock.
It was after the WWE Women's Tag-Team Championship match
that Roxanne Perez, like a snake in a grass,
came out and bit Lyra Valkyria,
attacking the NXT Women's champion.
It was unprovoked, it wasn't necessary,
and it truly showed a side of Roxanne Perez
that we have never, ever seen before.
And there is a woman who has a lot of explaining to do.
We hear from Roxanne Perez. We hear from her live, next, on NXT.
So, Thea…
I know it's been a while since we really talked.
Yeah, it's been weird since Tailgate, but…
I really need this.
It has been weird.
And one day you'll understand, but just know that…
I'm always here for you.
[clears throat] Thea…
Why don't you tell us who your partner's gonna be?
-Oh, yeah. -I know Jason's been a bit of a…
Look…
They're hanging out without me.
O… OK, OK, yeah…
I know what you guys are thinking, Jasmine, Jacy…
I have no partner, they're too busy for me, but…
Jasmine's an influencer!
-Wait, influencers can't be a real thing. -Oh, they're real…
Influencers.
I mean, yeah, being an international soccer player,
that'll do it for you.
OK, well, anyways…
You know, me and Jacy don't need to be together at all times.
She has her own life, I am a grown-ass woman.
And plus…
I have other friends.
Yeah, you've definitely got other friends.
Remember, Duke, when she… She spoke to the… Yeah.
-And then… -I have other friends!
Anyways…
I know somebody that also has some issues with Kiana and Izzy.
And here she comes.
I've been waiting to get my hands on Kiana and Izzy after what they did to me.
I got you, girl.
All right! See, no Jacy, no problem.
-Exactly. -We're ready. OK.
[Vic] Always strength in numbers.
Told you Thea had friends.
[Alicia] Please welcome Roxanne Perez!
[Perez's music playing]
Last week is exactly what happens
when you get sick and tired of trying to play by all the rules.
That sweet, innocent Roxanne Perez,
that was just happy to be here, is nolonger here.
And it's in your hands…
Because, let's be honest, this isn't something that just happened overnight.
No, this has been boiling up inside me for months and months and months.
This is the culmination of an entire year!
You guys remember Roadblock, one year ago?
After defeating a living legend in Meiko Satomura
and giving everything I had…
I collapsed inside this ring.
And… And yeah, of course!
Of course I collapsed,
after four months of me carrying this entire women's division
on the back of my shoulders.
The pressure, the anxiety, the exhaustion that I had to deal with
after having the best rookie year in WWE history.
And how was I rewarded?
How was I rewarded?
My title was taken from me…
and no one cared!
No one cared.
"Don't worry, Roxanne. Your time will come again.
You're so young! It'll swing back around."
Twelve months!
Twelve months of me busting my ass in steel cage matches,
Weapons Wild matches, Devil's Playground matches,
while everyone else was too busy drooling over Tiffy Time or Becky Lynch
winning a championship she could never win.
Oh, okay. You know what? Let's talk about Becky.
'Cause I want to talk about that.
Me and Becky Lynch, face-to-face, inside this ring,
and you guys acted like I didn't even exist.
You guys… You guys wanna know something?
You wanna know something?
I went home crying that night
because of how everyone made me feel.
How pathetic, right?
How pathetic… So screw you guys!
Screw all of you guys for booing me
and making me feel like I was worthless!
[crowd jeers]
But now…
Now, I don't care what you guys think.
I don't care about anyone's stupid opinions.
I am the most decorated woman in WWE NXT history…
at the age of only, what, 22?
Breakout tournament winner…
Iron Survivor winner, Women's Tag champion,
Women's champion. I have won everything!
Which brings me…
to Lyra Valkyria.
You know, after Vengeance Day,
I expected Lyra to come up to me and say,
"Hey, I'm sorry, Roxanne.
I'm so sorry that that Latina dancing idiot
and my weirdo friend I pretend to like screwed up our match.
So, let's run it back. Let's run it back.
Let me give you the rematch that you deserve."
No, my name never came out of Lyra's mouth.
You know what she did?
She went after the tag titles.
Yep, yep.
That's when I realized…
That's when I realized that the only way
I was going to get what I deserved
was by breaking the rules and doing it my way.
[crowd cheers]
And now, now everyone wants to cheer me, right?
Now, everyone wants to support me.
But where the hell were all of you guys
when Indi Hartwell was holding my championship?
No one cared then!
No one! No one cared then.
The NXT universe reminds me of little Roxanne Perez.
Naïve, confused.
You don't know what you want. But guess what?
I know exactly what I want now.
And I don't need anyone's support
or anyone's approval.
It's funny…
It's so funny, the way history repeats itself.
Right, Lyra?
One year later…
you're the one taking that ride in that ambulance.
And that pain you're feeling right now…
isn't the pain from your arm.
No…
That's the pain of your title being ripped away from you and awarded to me.
[chuckles]
So, now…
thanks to the prodigy,
you all have witnessed
the rise and fall of Lyra Valkyria.
[chuckles]
So, Ava…
Ava, you can go ahead and come on out here,
and vacate the title from Lyra,
and award it to the woman who deserves it…
The woman who never lost it in the first place…
Me. [chuckles]
[Raine's music playing]
Go ahead…
Roxanne, you have so much to say!
You talked about all of your accomplishments, but…
Somehow, you must have forgotten how you completely stepped out of line last week,
and put Lyra in an ambulance
-for no good reason. -[Roxanne] Yeah, yeah…
Poor Lyra, I'm the worst!
Let's just skip to the part where you wish Lyra a speedy recovery,
and you name me the new NXT Women's champion.
Roxanne, I wasn't finished talking yet.
Please don't interrupt again.
Now, as I was saying,
we didn't just immediately strip you of your championship last year.
We waited until we saw the full extent of your injuries.
And while I may not have been GM at the time,
I do think that you…
Refs! Referees!
Referees, come on!
Oh my God… Refs!
Tatum! Tatum, get back!
Tatum, get out!
Tatum, get out! This is not about you!
Tatum, get out!
[electronic music playing]
[hip-hop playing]
[Vic] Well, Ava, trying to get control,
but, Booker…
Focusing on last week, I hadn't heard an ovation
like we heard last week.
Thunderous! For Trick Williams,
because Williams is back!
Not only that, Trick Williams live, here tonight.
-What has gotten into Roxanne? -[Booker] Man…
[King's music playing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Lexis King!
[Vic] Oh, King crossed the line.
He made it personal, and now, will he pay?
Lexis King goes one-on-one with Mr. Stone!
It's next, it's live, on NXT.
[soft Italian music playing]
[chatter]
I told you it was good!
-Told you it was good. -Don…
What a night Roadblock was.
We welcome a new member to the family,
with the smarts and a bona fide law degree to go along with it.
It's valuable.
To Luca Crusifino.
-Oh. -Luca.
To the new consigliere of the family.
Saluti.
I appreciate it.
Luke, will you get that thing done?
Yes, Don. That thing, and the other thing.
This guy!
This kid, huh? Takes care of business.
And the Don, on his way to an NXT title match at Stand & Deliver.
Now, I talked to our connections and family in Philly.
Everyone's real proud of you,
and ready to pay their respects to the future
NXT champion.
Well, listen, you give him my regards, all right?
We'll see him in a couple weeks.
Well, look, it feels good
to call my shot
and hit a home run…
but this move has been a long time coming.
Now, my path is clear…
with Stacks.
You hit that music…
That was perfect timing with the music, huh?
When Trick's music hit the roof, blew off the place.
Look, and DeMelo, "Oh? Oh? What's going on?"
Don, it means a lot. All I did was hit a button,
but Trick? Our boy, Trick Willie?
-What a guy. Am I right? -Yeah, he's a cool dude.
-He's a cool dude. -How'd you do it?
Look, I called Trick up, all right?
I said, "I got this idea."
He was in, he agreed.
Alright? He wanted any excuse to get his hands on Melo.
I hung up, bada bing, bada boom…
-Philly, here we come. -Lil' Philly.
[laughter]
Oh…
Congratulations, Tony!
You did exactly what you said you were going to do.
Now, look at you! The Don.
Captain of industry, multiple business ventures.
How would you say it? You have your finger in…
many pies.
And now, in the NXT title match at Stand & Deliver!
You have everything!
But this title's…
everything I have.
I don't have any other focus.
No deals…
just this title.
I came here to let you know that…
no matter what you do, it's time to deliver.
This…
stays with me.
Is that so?
I'm afraid it is, for you.
Listen, Ilja, I want you to know…
that whatever happens here…
the Don likes you.
What do you mean?
Hands away! Hey!
[Ilya groaning]
[groaning dissipates]
-Don, everything okay? -Hey…
Everything's all right.
Thanks for the meal.
-Let's go. -Amazing, huh?
Gotta get in that car.
We all set?
He's in.
Let's take a ride.
[car starts]
-[Vic] Wait a minute, wait a minute… -[Booker] Vic, Vic…
You didn't see nothin', all right?
Mind your business.
You feel me?
[Stone's music playing]
[Alicia] His way to the ring, Mr. Stone!
[Vic] I will turn my attention to Robert Stone and Lexis King,
because, as a father, Booker,
you have to understand where Stone is coming from, don't you?
-As a father. -[bell rings]
And look at Stone, right out of the gate!
[Booker] Man, I have kids. Know what I mean?
It's my job to keep my kids, you know, out of harm's way, unlike Mr. Stone.
Leave your kids at home, man! Leave your kids at home.
[Vic] Well, Stone told Von Wagner he needed to do this himself,
for his family, and right now, I can't imagine Cash and Carter,
all the questions that they've asked their dad,
as going up and over!
Stone is taking it to King!
[Booker] Good shot by Stone. This kid's got a lot of heart.
I gotta give Stone a little bit of credit there.
[Vic] Well, look, he talked on social media, he let his voice
be heard regarding tonight,
as now, peering down, and… Oh!
That certainly could be a mistake, and it seems to have been a major one
-by Robert Stone -It was a mistake.
Stone, stepping into the… He's not a wrestler, man,
he's a manager! He, you know…
-Ask me what I think, -I'm not playing into this game.
He's a father, Booker! He's had his two children here…
[Booker] What I'm saying is, Stone's a good guy.
So is my next-door neighbor.
Should he be in this match? No, no!
He should not be in this match. You got to…
-Look at that [indistinct]. -[Vic] I…
-What do you see? -What the heck?
[indistinct]
[Vic] [indistinct]. Tell your kids, look at your kids.
And this is even a new low,
for someone like Lexis King, to talk about someone else's children.
These aren't children that are adults or teenagers,
they're elementary school kids.
[Booker] We have labor laws here in the United States.
You leave your kids at home.
You see what I'm saying? You could be putting them in harm's way.
I bless you, Mr. Stone, for this.
So hold the social.
[Vic] So Mr. Stone's at fault for Lexis King's comments?
[Booker] Lexis King is just doing the…
[Vic] And the comments he's continuing to make.
[Booker] He's doing his job. Lexis King is…
He's a TV star!
-Look at the beard. -[Vic] He's a TV…
Robert Stone's beard's better than Lexis King's.
-It's not painted out. -Look how well coiffed he is, Vic.
-Coiffed? You're on one tonight. -No, it's called…
-C'mon, Stone! -It's called debonair.
[Vic] Come on, Stone!
Why target someone like Mr. Stone, then?
Oh, he's… He's a manager, he's not…
Explain that to me, Booker.
Then why did Lexis King target Robert Stone?
[Booker] He's not targeting Robert Stone. Robert Stone put himself in this position.
He said he wanted a piece of the action.
He wanted to go out here and be a man and step up
for just what you just said a second ago, his kids!
-His kids! -[Vic] So, what show are you on?
-Like I said… -Lexis's kid…
Lexi… Oh!
Lexis's kid brought up Mr. Stone's kid.
Mr. Stone never said, "Hey, I wanna fight. Hey, I want a match."
He was brought into this.
[Booker] The kids would've never been brought up if they had been left at home.
Am I right about that? Am I right? Am I right, Vic?
You wanna make your kids a part of the show?
-That's what happens. -He didn't.
They wanted to help out their Uncle Vaughn,
someone who's become a family member, someone who's been…
[Booker] Where's your kids?
-They're at home. -Exactly.
[Vic] Lexis King, now, taking it to Robert Stone!
Uh oh! Stone's got some life!
Don't think about it, do it!
This time, the High Crossbody hits!
Cover! Can…
King, just able to kick out.
[Booker] Come on, Vic, he's in there with a pro.
-I'm giving this kid a lot of… -Oh!
[Booker] He just ran into that shot.
That's the biggest rookie mistake I've ever seen.
And I expect that…
Oh!
Oh, Driveby! Driveby!
[Vic] The King just crowned Robert Stone,
and now, looking for the Coronation.
[Booker] Oh, I love this kid! The TV star!
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[Booker] It's over.
-[bell rings] -[Booker indistict]
[Vic] He's a greasy individual.
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Lexis King!
[King's music playing]
[Vic] And you sit here, with a smile on your face.
Oh, you're gonna give a round of applause to this, Book?
Is this necessary, Book?
[Booker] I don't condone this, Vic.
[Von Wagner's music playing]
[Vic] And finally, Von Wagner!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] I hope Cash and Carter are asleep…
at this moment.
[Booker] Now, you wanna put him to bed?
[man chants] He's a baby!
[crowd claps, chants] He's a baby!
[Vic] Von Wagner, the right place…
at the right time. Look, there's a lot to get into
tonight here, but we still got a lot to come.
We're gonna hear from Trick Williams, he's gonna be live here tonight.
But we had some major, major news that happened earlier today on Impaulsive,
from the United States Champion himself, Logan Paul.
SummerSlam!
WWE SummerSlam will be hosted
-in Cleveland, Ohio this year. -[man] Wow!
My God!
-Cleveland, where I'm from. -Congrats!
We're bringin' it back at the Cleveland Browns Stadium.
[exciting music playing]
[Vic] That's right, Book! I got goosebumps!
My hometown! SummerSlam is back,
for the first time since 1996,
inside Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Dawg Pound will be unleashed!
Cleveland, a prime location
for the biggest party of the summer.
SummerSlam! This August.
[music continues]
Oba Femi, we are moments away from your title defense.
Now, we all saw what happened earlier in the parking lot, with Brooks Jensen.
What happened earlier was an ignorant boy
trying to convince himself that he's ready for a challenge…
But in reality, the only thing he displayed
is that he's nowhere ready
to walk in my jungle.
And now…
he'll be slaughtered.
You may believe that you're backed
I'm not buying it yet.
Once you're finished playing around…
we'll see if you have what it takes to be a real champion.
[scoffs]
[Femi's music playing]
[Vic] What a face-to-face.
Oba Femi, Dijak, moments ago,
as Femi, now, tries to focus on the task at hand,
The towering, the imposing North American champion
puts it up against Brooks Jensen.
These two, one on one, live. Next.
[phone rings]
Hi, baby!
-Hi, daddy! -You okay?
Yeah!
She just wanted to Facetime and wish you good night.
-Oh, good night, baby. I love you! -Good night, daddy!
Good luck tonight! And please be careful.
Oh, well, don't worry about me. Love you!
-Love you, see you tomorrow. -Bye!
Bye!
[grunts]
[Vic] Rich Holland, Shawn Spears still to come later tonight,
but we are set for Brooks Jensen
to try to capture singles gold, here at NXT.
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is for the NXT
North American Championship!
Introducing first, the challenger…
Brooks Jensen!
I'm takin' that tonight!
It's coming home with me, now!
And his opponent, he is
the NXT North American champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] Look, I don't think you really like the challenger's odds in this matchup.
-That man, Brooks Jensen. -Come on!
Brooks Jensen, right there, is an emotional rollercoaster.
He's a wreck right now.
I mean, he's angry. For what reason?
Is it because he feel abandoned, perhaps?
[Vic] I'm sure we'll dive into that,
as I wanna talk about what happened earlier tonight,
as both these superstars were arriving here, to the building.
I mean, it was a little back-and-forth altercation.
Brooks Jensen's fired up, but for Oba Femi,
it's what he said to Josh Briggs.
He looked Briggs in the eyes, and said, "Watch what I do to your boy."
[Booker] Because you know what? He felt disrespected. He's the champ.
He's walking into the building, and get confronted like that?
For no… You already got your title shot.
[Vic] So, do you give Jensen any credit for stepping up to Oba
-to try to get any sort of advantage? -Yes and no, Vic,
because, like I say, he's stepping into a lion's den,
and I'm looking at Oba Femi,
and I see nothing but raw brute strength and power,
somebody that can destroy you in a moment's notice, Vic.
You don't step into a fight like that.
[Vic] I wanna go back to something at the start, by Brooks Jensen,
He was told to grow a set, for lack of a better phrase.
He was… And then, he went up to the biggest.
He went up to the baddest, the breakout winner,
the unbeaten North American champion.
So, he's just listening to what some have said to him,
but to your point, if you look deeper,
does Jensen need to find a self purpose of sorts?
[Booker] Yeah, I agree with that. Everybody in this business,
you gotta be looking for something to motivate you,
and it's normally checks and championships.
Brooks Jensen, he's got a long way to go, Vic.
And he's stepping to, like I say…
-Whoa. -Quick takedown there,
-by Oba Femi, and… -Big shot!
[chatter]
[Vic] That's Josh Briggs looking on, and you know, he…
Jensen, someone admitted that he's lost without Josh Briggs.
He's lost without Fallon Henley, to your point.
-Yeah, I mean… -Why do you keep laughing?
[Booker] Look at his own partner there. He's concerned about his buddy,
but you can't think like that, Vic. It's a selfish, selfish vision.
You gotta be be thinking about, A, number one.
That's what Josh Briggs is doing right now.
-Jensen trying to prove… -Excuse me, that's Jensen.
[Vic] Jensen trying to prove that he has what it takes.
Can he be the one to dethrone Oba Femi?
[Booker] Tell you something… I went back and did a little research.
He made his debut 2022, and he lost his first match.
And since that day, Vic, he's gone on a tear.
Breakout tournament winner,
and did go out and just destroy the champion
to win this North American championship. He's on a roll, man.
[Vic] Well, we should mention that Oba Femi, though, in NXT,
is yet to be taken down by anyone.
You know, you take a look around, Book, you hear the NXT universe,
they have been electric all night!
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] Jensen though, just trying to survive 'til Friday,
after that devastating shot.
Brooks Jensen's knees buckle. They buckle.
[Booker] Look at the eyes of Oba Femi. He's loving this right now!
He's feeling this right now,
And I tell you, man, it looks good!
I like this kid! I like him!
[Vic] Look, you've said it before. There's not many men, or even athletes,
like Oba Femi.
The mere presence stops people in their tracks,
as Femi, right back up.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Back live on NXT.
North American championship is on the line.
It has been all Oba Femi, the champion has dominated.
Jensen, right now, trying to pick up a quick one.
Almost was able to capture the North American championship.
Answering back with a big dropkick!
Throughout the break, it was all over Femi,
but right now, Jensen has gotten his second,
even his third win in this match.
[Booker] I don't know what's keeping Jensen up, because like you say,
he took a hell of a beat. It was almost like
Oba Femi was just getting some rounds in.
I don't know if the stamina may be coming into play right now, Vic.
I'm not saying it is.
[Vic] Jensen has to remember all those tough nights he's had recently.
-Oh! -Oh, smart by the big man. Smart.
[Vic] All the frustration he has felt, but right now,
he's not only feeling frustration,
he's feeling pain, 'cause he's in there with Oba Femi,
who went from dominating the SEC at Alabama
to decimating all those in his path, here at NXT.
[Booker] Just playing with him right now, seemed like…
Oh, but like I said earlier,
-just get some rounds -Into the cover to retain.
And there you see again, a kick out. But Josh Briggs watching.
Briggs was told to "watch what I do to your…"
-Like I said… -Wait, Briggs isn't watching anymore.
[Booker] He's not watching because he's probably upset,
because Jensen is getting the hell beat out of him.
And right now, this could be that… That Coup d'État! Here he…
-Oh, yes, man! -Did you see the eyes of Oba Femi,
before uncorking that uppercut?
And Oba Femi now looks like he's enjoying what he's doing,
because he knows that there's no one that can take him down.
Bam! One more time.
-Toying with Jensen right now. -[Vic] Whoa, whoa, hey!
-There's Briggs! -Get your ass up, Brooks!
Get your ass up, Brooks!
[Vic] Briggs trying to hype up Brooks Jensen…
trying to add some fuel to Brooks Jensen…
trying to rally Jensen.
But Jensen just seems out on his…
Oof! Out on his feet, Book, because he has been taking…
blow after blow, shot after shot.
[Booker] Is this legal?
-Is this legal? -What do you mean?
-I mean… -You competed in the ring, I didn't.
-I mean, come on here. -Is he breaking a rule?
Having a cheerleader out here…
Having a second out here? I mean, c'mon!
Vic, c'mon, is this fair?
[Vic] It's up to the referee's discretion,
but right, now it seems to be working in the favor of Brooks Jensen.
But Oba Femi just holding onto that rope.
So much strength, so much power!
But a big Superkick. Somehow, though,
Oba Femi able to counter, but just got knocked down!
This is Jensen's time!
The ultimate equalizer of Josh Briggs on the outside,
-rallying Brooks Jensen! -Whoa!
-Better get it! -Cover!
-Wow! -Kickout by Femi.
[Booker] That was was close!
Jensen fee… Jensen just got tossed! What a Backdrop!
That warrior right there, Vic.
[Vic] And I wonder if it's sinking in for Josh Briggs right now.
[Booker] Well, what is that?
That he's looking… That no matter what Jensen does,
it won't be enough.
[man] Let's go, Oba!
[Booker] You gotta understand, Oba Femi, he's no Johnny-come-lately.
This guy's grown up, and had to do it to the hard way, right here at NXT.
He didn't just come here to play games, he came here to take everything!
And that started with the North American championship.
-Oh! Oh, yes! -[Vic] Take a look!
Brooks Jensen's not a small man.
-He just got chucked by Oba Femi. -Look at the smile, look at the walk.
You can tell a man by the way he walk.
You know what I'm saying, Vic? You can tell by the look in his eyes
-what he's thinking. Oh, yes! -You're having a great time.
Oba Femi look like he's about to do it.
He's gonna do it, Vic.
You're having fun, Briggs is not having fun.
[Josh] Come on, Brooks!
[Vic] Briggs is trying his best to rally Brooks Jensen,
but Brooks Jensen has nothing left.
And the question, now, that I will bring up…
is, "When does the official step in?"
[Booker] He may have [indistinct]. He may have to have the understanding,
know-how to do the right thing, Vic,
step in and do his job.
Oba Femi looks like he's just toying with Brooks Jensen,
like he's having fun at Brooks Jensen's disposal,
with Briggs looking on.
Send in an absolute message with that power box!
[Booker] He's sleep, man.
He's sleep. He's done!
[Vic] Pin him.
-Pin the man! -This, this is a message.
This is a message, man.
This is a message!
[indistinct]
You know that I won't.
[Vic] You're right, Book, because he's not done having fun.
A second vicious, nasty Powerbomb!
-With evil intention. -[bell rings]
[Alicia] Here is your winner. It's still
the NXT North American champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] I feel bad for Brooks Jensen, as Oba Femi retains North American title.
But again, Oba Femi was just playing,
just toying with Brooks Jensen in this matchup.
I mean, was just throwing around Jensen.
Again, Jensen's not a small man.
Oba Femi, 550 pounds on the bench,
and he's just in there right now,
tossing Brooks Jensen around like he's a shot put…
Bama, in Tuscaloosa. He's just throwing around a man,
as Josh Briggs was looking on.
That's what happens!
[Vic] Question I have for you, Book,
is who can stand up
and stop Oba Femi?
[Booker] Good question.
[Femi's music playing]
[suspenseful music playing]
-Get your hands off me! -Stop!
-Let's go, now! -Let's go!
-Stop! -Hey!
[panting]
Give it to me! [pants]
Ilja, this wasn't done out of disrespect,
but you can't walk into my restaurant uninvited, unannounced…
and go unpunished.
What, am I supposed to be intimidated right now?
Ilja, I've walked onto this bridge
with many a man for the past couple of years,
and walked back alone.
But this isn't one of those walks.
Oh, really?
Look, this is about the NXT title.
You're the Mad Dragon. You're dominant!
Human weapon!
You strike fear into the hearts of your opponents.
But look at where you are.
I can end everything
with a snap of my fingers.
See, you got power, Ilja,
but you don't got this kind of power.
Go ahead, Tony,
snap with your finger. Show me what you got, Don!
I will.
You have a nice walk back.
Tony.
One thing you will find out about me…
I always find a way.
[music continues]
[Vic] Booker, yesterday, it was announced
that the greatest is now a WWE hall of Famer,
-Muhammad Ali. -Yeah, the man who said,
"I'm gonna shake up the world in '64 and talk no more.
I am the greatest!"
[Vic] This year's class, of course, gets inducted on Friday, April 5th,
following SmackDown, the night before WrestleMania, Saturday.
[Dolan's music playing]
[bells rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Gigi Dolan!
[Vic] And a lot more than a match tonight for Gigi Dolan.
How embarrassed would she be if she loses tonight?
And it has to go.
-Listen to Arianna Grace go to her head. -That might not be a bad thing.
No, no, that might not be a bad thing, Vic,
but you don't want a loss on your record, or anything like that.
Gigi's trying to find her way home.
[Grace's music playing]
[Alicia] And her opponent, Arianna Grace!
[Vic] WWE is proud to support the Ad Council
and their Love Has No Labels campaign.
Celebrate this Women's History Month,
visit wwe.me/shopwhm
or scan the QR code on the screen to purchase your own
WWE Heritage Month merchandise. $7.50 will be donated from each sale
to support Ad Council.
[Booker] Look at Adam right now. Ariana, she's…
I mean, she's graceful, and she's smiling.
She doesn't have to be mad, Vic.
This is a beautiful thing! It's a contest. I love that.
-[Vic groans] -I love that!
[Vic] Well, if Grace wins, then Dolan will be under…
Grace's guidance, so to speak.
Just saying that gives me the heebie jeebies.
[Booker] Come on, Vic!
[Vic] I mean… I guess I wanna throw this to you.
Why is Gigi willing to risk
having to enroll in Grace's version of etiquette class?
-Notice… I mean, I can't even say it! -It's about getting TV time.
It's about, you know, going to that pay window
and cashing that big check.
You wanna be in the ring every week.
If this the way you gotta do it, it's the way you gotta do it.
[Vic] We just talked about Women's History Month in the hall of Fame.
Wanna congratulate Bull Nakano
on her WWE Hall of Fame induction in this year's class.
[Booker] Somebody that was way before for her time.
Nakano is definitely worthy of being a Hall of Famer,
-and I can't wait to be there. -Simple for Gigi do in this matchup.
She just wants to punch Ariana Grace in the face,
and you see Grace get the hell out of the ring.
[Booker] Know why? It's a wrestling match.
The referee needs to do his job and reprimand Gigi about that.
-I'm just giving… -Now you're a stickler for the rules?
[Booker] Just keeping it real, just keeping it real.
[Vic] You wanna be real? Grace is confused.
Why does she think the WB is a is a catching contest?
-This is a beauty. -Why do you have to be confused?
Because you want etiquette in the locker room.
[Vic] In the locker room? That's why everyone's fighting!
[Booker] That's what I'm talking about.
Why should there be fighting in the locker room?
[Vic] Into the cover, but it's not enough.
[Booker] I've been in many a locker room, it's always been cordial.
We've always been able to get along.
It's always been business at the end of the day, Vic.
[Vic] So you wouldn't be upset if you were Gigi Dolan?
-About what? -Someone costing you a match.
That's what Grace did.
You just said, "Every win this time of year is important."
We're on the road to WrestleMania, so you would be like, "You know what?
-It's OK. I'll have grace." -No, no, no.
I'm not gonna sit here and lie, like some people.
If you cost me money, I'm gonna be hard about it, Vic.
I'm gonna be hard about it.
No, no, I can agree with you on that.
-I have no problem with that. -Into the cover!
Ooh, a half second away from Dolan.
[Booker] Look at Ariana right now, she's turning it on.
I mean, she's flipped that switch, and I love that. I love that, Vic!
[Vic] Grace also is in this because she doesn't wanna be embarrassed either.
She doesn't want to have been all this tough talk in the locker room.
She didn't want to get into Gigi Dolan's face,
the face of all the other superstars that she's upset in the women's locker room.
She needs this victory, as Dolan, from behind.
Shoulders down, and a near fall.
[Booker] Just imagine if, with Aria… Whoa!
[Vic] Inside cradle, shoulders down!
[Booker] If Ariana Grace could give Gigi Dolan
a full makeover
and take her to that next level. What are you gonna say then, Vic?
-What are you gonna say? -Gigi Dolan is a superstar that's about
-self-expression, she beats… -Self-expression?
But she doesn't have self-confidence right now.
-Do you agree with me on that? -She's a little rattled,
I won't disagree with that. She's had a different path
since, obviously, going out on her own, as another cover by Grace,
and another kickout by Dolan. Of course, she's admitted to it.
She's trying to figure out her own path, so to speak,
not just to Philadelphia, but here at NXT.
[Booker] Exactly what I'm talking about. Arianna Grace could be the key
to getting Gigi Dolan back to that place,
but it's gonna come down to who win this match.
It's gonna come down to that, right now. Arianna Grace!
-Whoa! -Grace looking for the suplex.
It's blocked, and Dolan answering back!
Nice counter, and maybe that's what Dolan needed in this matchup
to start the rally, because Dolan does not want to be embarrassed.
She's had everyone say everything to her over the years,
attack her family, talk about her upbringing,
specifically calling out her brother.
Dolan, now, trying to harness all those emotions
-and take them out on Grace! -Wow!
[Vic] Cover!
Not enough, as Grace just got that right shoulder up.
But, Book, there was not a lot behind that kickout from Grace,
but you look in the eyes of Dolan, I think Dolan was a little shocked
that Grace was able to kick out.
[Booker] Arianna Grace has been competing her whole life.
Even though getting badgered…
You're gonna be a princess!
-[Booker] Oh, yeah! -[Vic] What's this?
[Booker] That's exactly what I'm talking about!
She's about to crown Gigi Dolan!
[Vic] Put the tiara on the…
[ref] C'mon, let's go!
[Vic] Oh, the official…
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] Hands full, a little bit. Finally, able to br…
Oh, and that wasn't very ladylike by Grace!
-[Booker] What are you talking about? -Off the hair!
-…for you! -Off the hair!
[Vic] Oh!
[bell rings]
[crowd jeers]
[Alicia] Your winner, by disqualification,
is Arianna Grace!
[Vic] Oh, my word…
Look, Book, the referee following the rules.
We talked about it before. Using his discretion.
A low blow is a low blow,
but Dolan, now, under the guidance of Grace.
PT? Okay, Sol, way to make your return!
Dude, I've been waiting 10 months to get back at Blair
after she tore my ACL, but I'm not done with her just yet.
Well, unfortunately, since you've been gone,
a lot of women have been following her lead.
-Really? -[Lola] Yeah, really.
Blair goes after what she wants, targets who she wants.
Only the strong survive,
which is why it doesn't sit well with weak people like…
-A little karate girl. -Wow! Karate girl?
You really wanna go there?
Mama, you can't handle this Latina heat in the cage or in the ring.
Let's get in the ring, and I'll kick your face off!
Chill, chill. Save it for the ring, you two.
I'm a master.
Your skills are no match, basura.
What does that even mean?
-Oh, my! -Great job, Sol!
Breaking up that fight right there shows your positive vibe!
That's just why I'm so excited for the match next week!
Oh, you're such a great sport! Great sport, right?
Huge challenge for me too, it's why I'm so excited!
Maybe, before, I can get a solo warm up,
and we can get our body all warmed up, and…
She's got a lot of energy… No?
-Not everyone's gonna be like Blair. -That's good.
[Vic] Look, it's that time of year again. Animosity running high!
[helicopter roars]
[Dame and James's music playing]
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is a Tag-Team match,
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
the team of Izzy Dame and Kiana James!
[Vic] Confident duo, with a lot of self-confidence!
Believe that they run the locker room.
Well, they got a Tag-Team match coming up in moments,
with Hale and Jordan.
It's live, it's next.
[Vic] The numbers don't lie.
WWE has surpassed 100 million subscribers on YouTube.
with over 81 billion lifetime views.
WWE is the largest sports channel on YouTube, and number 10 overall.
The new subscriber total, more than the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL combined.
Book, you wanna know what one of my favorite clips is?
Remember when Stone Cole was beating you up to the grocery store?
-I mean, that 77… -You about to take a ass-whooping
right here at the desk. Don't bring that up, all right?
Mind your business.
Concern yourself with business that concern you, all right?
-Do that. -Okay, well, the business at hand,
right now, Kiana James, Izzy… What happened?
We'll get to the back. There's something going on in the back.
Who hurt you? What hurts?
-Everything! -Try not to move.
We're gonna get you some help.
-We don't know… -[indistinct chatter]
What happened? What happened?
We're trying to get her some help, but Thea, you have a match right now.
[indistinct chatter]
-No, I'm sorry! -Can we get some medical over here?
[Vic] What…
[Chase U's music playing]
[Vic] Booker, what…
What's… What's Thea gonna do?
[Alicia] And her opponent, representing Chase University,
Thea Hail!
[Vic] I'm looking up at the student section,
I'm wondering if…
there's anyone…
in Chase U that can help, because…
-She can't go two on one in this match. -[Booker] Why not?
-Why not? -It's a handicap match.
[Booker] Exactly. That's what it's called now.
It's called a handicap match.
[Vic] I mean, this isn't fair, though. Book.
She thought she was gonna have a part…
[crowd cheers]
[Vic] Oh, she does have a partner!
[Henley's song playing]
[music fades]
[Vic] Good for Fallon!
Fallon Henley evening the odds.
She's not gonna sit back and watch Thea Hail go at it alone.
[Booker] I mean…
This is exactly what I'm talking about.
-This is… I mean… -What, friendship?
[Booker] No, no, Fallon Henley and… Friendship?
Grow up, Vic. Grow up.
Grow up for a second.
This is not about friendship, this is a business.
I mean, c'mon. Fallon Henley had nothing…
[Vic] They're in the business of working together.
Fallon Henley has been the voice of reason,
the voice you can trust, for Thea Hail.
After Jacy Jayne led Thea Hale with some bad advice on her date,
it was Fallon Henley who came in,
who smoothed everything over. You know what it is?
Here's what it is, Book.
Fallon Henley, she's a threat to Kiana and Izzy.
-They love to stir the pot. -What are you talking about?
-It's jealousy, Vic! -Yeah, jealousy.
[Booker] Fallon Henley used to be on the right team,
if you remember, if you recall.
Former Tag-Team champion.
Now, Izzy Dane is in that spot. C'mon, Vic, c'mon!
[Vic] Last year at this time, James and Fallon
were the Tag-Team champions heading into Stand & Deliver.
Can you believe it?
Kiana James is the only person I know that could start an argument in an empty house.
-Yeah, but Fallon Henley… -So you agree?
[Booker] Fallon Henley went to her heights,
her highest highs in this business with one Kiana James.
Why won't you get her some credit for that thing?
Why won't you give her credit for taking that team all the way to tag-team goal?
-C'mon, man! -It's about how she did it.
Fallon Henley is not gonna cut corners,
but do you also forget that it was Kiana James
who tried to take away the family bar from Fallon Henley.
Fallon Henley hasn't forgotten that!
And she certainly is not gonna forget what's happening now.
[Booker] Talking about old stuff, holding grudges.
That's not… That's not a recipe for success in this business, Vic.
You gotta put stuff like that behind you and move forward.
Oh, yes!
Like Kiana James right there. What do we call her?
[Vic] Into the cover, hook of the leg…
-And a kickout. -She's a boss, man!
[Vic] No, I call her conniving. I call her "the conniving Kiana James".
We take another look at James.
Boom! Just dropping, as you mentioned,
her former tag-team partner from last year,
as now, Izzy Dame tags herself in.
The new partner, the new muscle for Kiana.
And it is what it is.
And this is a two on one assault! Come on, ref!
Trying his best, but again, cutting corners is Kiana.
-Into the cover goes Izzy. -You know the rules, Vic.
You got five seconds to get in and get out.
You gotta utilize that time. That was legal.
[Vic] So now, you know the rules.
But earlier tonight, you're asking me, "Is it legal?"
[ref] She's on the rope! You gotta get her off.
[Vic] You playing Bingo with yourself, or just trying to fire me up?
Another cover and another kickout.
[Booker] Let's see if you know the rules, Vic.
Right now, Izzy Dame is looking good
under the expert tutelage of Kiana James.
[Vic] I just wanna go back, though.
This was supposed to be Thea Hail and Kelani Jordan.
Who would attack Kelani?
Who would take out Kelani? As there's Jacy Jayne.
[Booker] Wait a minute, the party just started.
-The party just started, man! -Jasmine Nixon.
It was Jacy, last week, who told Thea she was busy.
She couldn't be here to be her partner, but now, she's here in front of Thea Hail,
and Thea Hail might have just got that extra juice,
as you like to call it, because Jacy Jayne has arrived.
-Now, Henley, desperately, though… -Man!
…needs to make the tag, and just take a look at all the women around the ring.
There's a lot of animosity in the women's locker room.
[Booker] Right now, I'm looking at the tag-team continuity of this team,
of Kiana James and Izzy Dame. It's looking good!
[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] …has her hands full, and James may have her hands full now,
as Thea Hail has made the tag.
Thea Hail is legal, and Thea Hail taking it to new heights!
[Booker] Always been impressed with Thea Hail.
She was so close to becoming NXT Women's champion.
So close, and she's more focused. She looks focused, Thea.
[Vic] She talked about that earlier, along with Andre Chase,
as, hopefully, those two have finally
gotten back on the same page as Thea Hale.
[screams wildly]
[Vic] There's that school spirit we've seen in the past!
Cover! Is this gonna be enough?
And Izzy Dame, again, coming in at the last moment.
[Booker] What a parter's for, that's what your partner for.
Oh, right at your back! Oh, wow!
[Vic] That's exactly what Fallon… Fallon Henley in the right place,
right time, but same can't be said for Thea Hail!
-Spinebuster! Kickout! -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Oh, James not very happy right now.
Looking to add an exclamation point,
trying to get that power bomb countered!
Kamara!
Rocking into submission!
Oh, get into the ropes!
[ref] C'mon, back inside!
-[Vic] Rhat was smart, though, of James. -Very smart, there,
by the boss lady, Kiana.
Kiana Ja… Whoa!
[Vic] Izzy Damon… Oh!
Well, Jacy Jayne inadvertently…
Was trying to help Fallon Headley and Thea Hale,
but Thea Hale took The Bull,
and now got hit with the Bankrupt in the center of the ring.
-Kiana James and Izzy steal it! -[bell rings]
[Alicia] Here are your winners, Team [indistinct],
Izzy Dame and Kiana James!
[Booker] Man…
How crafty was that, Vic? Huh?
[Dame and James's song playing]
[Vic] That was crafty.
-[Booker] You saw it, didn't you? -This is what I saw.
Jacy Jayne, trying to help out Thea Hail,
pulled Fallon Headley out of the way.
Would open the door for Kiana and Izzy
to steal a victory, here tonight.
[music continues]
[Thea whimpers]
But, Jacy…
I bet you think that I'm a loser right now.
What's wrong with you?
What did I do to you?
What happened with us?
You found me when I was in the most vulnerable position…
And I thought you were everything!
[whimpers]
I thought you were the coolest girl in the locker room, but…
More than that, I thought you were my best friend!
I finally thought I had somebody…
that saw what I saw in myself and what I wanted to become…
or what I thought I wanted to become.
And I changed myself…
for you!
I changed myself for you!
And through this entire friendship,
you've just become an even more rotten version of yourself.
And I ignored that!
I ignored that, because I idolized you!
I thought you were my sister!
But I was wrong!
And I am done!
This isn't me, this is you!
And I don't want to be anything like you.
[crowd cheers]
So I'm sorry I'm a loser to you.
I'm not cool enough for your toxic self.
But that's fine…
because guess what?
The old Thea Hail is back, bitch!
[crowd erupts]
[Vic] Booker, Thea has grown up!
[marching band music playing]
Give me one time, Book. Hell, yes!
[indistinct]
All I did for you, and that's what you're gonna do?
You're an ungrateful little girl!
Nice one, Thea. Oh, it's fantastic!
Thea Hail…
Two steps forward, four steps back.
-That's a bit harsh, don't you think? -No, it's not.
See, Thea, she reached her ceiling of success when she was with us.
Oh, and you'd know that.
I mean, um, as Heritage Cup Champions, I think we would know.
And, as Heritage cup champions, did you not hear Mr. Regal last week,
when he said to respect where this cup comes from?
Which just so happens to be where I'm from?
Look, Riley, you and your fancy moves have no place near this Cup.
Neither do you. You're born and bred in Atlanta!
Okay, buttercup, you say the word, and we'll enact the Catch Clause.
[Nathan] Ah, the Catch clause.
It's already been a few weeks,
and we are pretty much sick of it at this point.
Yeah, Riley is a former Heritage Cup champion,
and, flippy guy myself,
I'm pretty sure you could take each and every single one of these guys.
-100%. -And also, if you need any help…
I'm very close to the first guy that held that Cup.
I wonder whatever happened to that guy.
Who knows?
Anyway, when we take out at least two of you,
that should narrow down the odds of who it's gonna be.
No, no, no, boys.
The No Quarter Catch Crew will be walking out of Stand & Deliver
as the NXT Tag-Team Champions, along with the Heritage Cup.
Let's go.
[Vic] Well, Booker, get ready, because a grudge match of sorts, in moments.
As Shawn Spears has promised Ridge Holland,
he will show him how to embrace his rage.
These two meet one-on-one.
It's next, on NXT.
But still to come tonight, Trick Williams is here.
He will be live, and he will address the NXT universe
for the first time since Vengeance Day. Later, tonight.
"The NXT Tag-Team Champions."
Sounds pretty sweet to me, huh, Machine Gun?
LG, I could listen to you talk all night,
but see, to get to those two clowns, Bron and Corbin,
we have to go through two teams, starting with Hank and Tank.
Ah, the energetic big boys, getting their big shot.
Well, good for them, but you're getting the short end of the stick, brothers,
because we were winning titles, brothering
and dominating every continent in this world
before you two bought your first pair of bizoots.
Yeah, and while you got stars in your eyes and butterflies in your belly,
hoping to luck your way all the way to the big dance…
See, the big LG and I are on a mission,
and that's lining 'em up,
handing out Magic Killers to every single tag team there is,
until there's one left.
And that's gonna be handed out at Stand & Deliver,
when we win the gold.
That ain't too sweet. Tell me what is.
[groans]
[Tank] These guys… Big guys.
-Pretty big guys. -Big guys.
-They are sweet, Hank. -A little too sweet.
That's what I'm saying. What are they sipping on? Frapuccinos?
I like my coffee black, bro!
Hank, I am a cup o' coffee, brother.
-No decal! -None, baby!
Talking about love, but we didn't get here by just loving.
You know how we got here? Three yards at a time.
Smashmouth wrestling, blue-collar brawler mentality,
and bro, the OC, and frankly,
everybody around here is already talking about Stand & Deliver.
Sounds like the good brothers already got their bags packed for Philly.
And I get it, they've wrestled in every continent,
but that's why they're gonna overlook our match.
Dude, they're oozing confidence right now,
and Hank, nobody is picking us to win this match next week.
So next week, when we shock the world and win, who won't be surprised?
Oh, we won't! That's right!
We go on to the Triple Threat and we win that,
become #1 contenders. You know who won't be surprised?
-We won't, but… -Yeah, Hank and Tank versus the Wolfdogs!
Hey, Hank… One match at a time, brother.
I think they said "Wolfdogs".
They did say "Wolfdogs".
-Oh, we're good with it, boys. -That's what I'm talking about!
No strangers to a couple guys being in the trenches on the gridiron.
-Who says you can't beat the OC? -That's what we're gonna do.
-Y'all ready? -Of course, we're ready!
-They don't sound ready. -Are you kidding?
-No, c'mon… -I'm ready, Baron!
[indistinct chatter]
[indistinct yelling]
What was that?
Think they know their match is next week?
[laughs] I don't know!
[Vic] Earlier tonight, it was the LWO who became the first team
to advance in that Tag-Team Triple Threat.
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first bridge, Ridge Holland!
[Holland's music playing]
[Vic] NXT Stand & deliver is presented by Xfinity Extreme Sports.
Stream sports from the best seat in the house with Xfinity,
because it's only live once.
Stand & Deliver, of course, WrestleMania Saturday,
the biggest WrestleMania weekend of all time.
But that's not necessarily what's on the mind of Rich Holland.
We saw him earlier, on the phone with his family.
And do you believe Ridge is ashamed of who he sees in the mirror,
as this man suggests?
[Spears's music playing]
[music continues]
[Alicia] And his opponent…
Shawn Spears!
[Vic] So, Book, I'll ask you again. Do you believe Ridge is ashamed
of who he sees in the mirror,
which is what has been suggested by Shawn Spears?
[Booker] I mean, it's no secret.
I mean, Rich Holland is at a rocky, rocky road.
-[Vic] Whoa, whoa… -[Booker] Whoa!
Oh, wow!
[Vic] This is what Shawn Spears said.
Shawn Spears is trying to show Ridge how to embrace this rage.
He's almost welcoming this at this moment.
[Booker] Shawn Spears is a very complicated individual, Vic,
and Ima tell you this, there is a method to the madness.
-Oh, yes, man! -[Shawn] Bring it out!
Get it out!
[indistinct]
[Vic] Ridge is boiling right now! And look, you know, we've talked about it,
but how tough is it going to be for Ridge to change perception in the locker room?
-I mean, for real. -Vic, I don't know one guy
that started this business and finished the same way.
You got to learn how to… Time to evolve in this business.
I think that's what Shawn Spears is trying to get out of Ridge Holland.
[Vic] You know, the message has been very clear from Shawn Spears…
since his return to action.
It's been, "Are you willing to give up who you are…
[groans]
[Vic] …for what you will become?" And for Shawn Spears,
my question is, to him and to you,
what are the beliefs of Shawn Spears,
and the driving force behind that thought?
[Booker] Shawn Spears is the key to Ridge Holland…
-[Vic] Whoa! -Whoa!
…to unlock all of that untapped potential in this man, Vic.
[Vic] Rich Holland trying to keep it focused. He's gotta remember
what his wife said on the phone earlier,
to be safe, to stay under control… And whoa!
How it spilled out right here, in front of us…
this one-on-one matchup with Shawn Spears.
So, do you agree with Spears's view on Ridge?
With everything he's said about Ridge Holland?
[Booker] You know, like I said, Shawn Spears is not a man
that's here to play games, or anything like that.
He's here for a reason, and the reason is this one man right here, Ridge Holland,
to define that one thing in Ridge Holland
that he can't find in himself, Vic.
Like I said, to unleash that beast in this man.
I can see it!
-I can see it myself. -He promised to help Ridge.
He promised to show Ridge how to embrace this rage.
He's right here in front of us, don't know if it's getting picked up.
Ridge Holland is shaking right now.
His body is shaking right in front of us,
as he hoists up Shawn Spears.
What's he looking at? Trying to…
[Shawn] Come on, Ridge! Do it!
[Vic] Shawn saying, "Do it."
Shawn Spears welcoming the pain,
but he just sent Ridge Holland into the post!
You should've done it, Ridge!
That's what happens when you hesitate.
You should've done it to me.
Now, I'm gonna hurt you. You need to let it out.
[Vic] Back live on NXT, Ridge Holland, one-on-one with Shawn Spears,
and as we saw throughout the break, Booker,
and we heard it, it seems that Shawn Spears's getting frustrated.
-Ridge Holland hasn't embraced that rage. -He may be getting frustrated a little,
but Ima tell you right now, Ridge Holland, he's got his ears open.
He… He hears the message.
Sometimes, Vic, you just need somebody to tell you to wake up.
"Wake up, man! You can do this!" And that's what Shawn Spears
-is trying to do here, man. -Ridge Holland is trying to change
a perception, which you have told me off air,
is one of the toughest things to do in this industry.
He's not this man that Shawn Spears thinks he is.
He's a family man.
That's what he said to his daughter earlier, to his wife.
That's not who he wants to become.
It's an internal struggle, I believe, for Ridge Holland,
who's trying to move past this stigma, but now he's being tied up!
[Booker] Can I be honest with you, Vic? Nice guys finish last
in this business, Vic.
You gotta have that killer mentality,
you gotta have that instinct.
-C'mon, he's at the ropes! -[Shawn] You failed!
[crowd chanting]
[Shawn] You let me down!
You let everybody down…
Yourself, the people.
You let your wife down!
[ref] C'mon, let's go! [indistinct]
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] I don't necessarily think frustration's the word now to use…
for Shawn Spears, and… Oh.
Ridge just grabbing Spears!
Ridge, control it!
Don't go there! And Holland…
trying his best to contain.
He also wants to win the match, but he's not trying.
He's just going right in, now. Doesn't want to get disqualified.
[Booker] Shawn Spears got him right where he wants him right now, Vic.
He's got Ridge Holland right in that place where he needs to.
[Vic] Some said that Holland proved Spears right last week,
-with that barbaric free tag. -Oh, man!
[Vic] And it seems, now, that becoming unglued is Ridge Holland.
[Booker] Shawn Spears is willing to take it to get the job done,
to complete his mission, Vic.
I love that!
I love this, Vic!
[Vic] Said he failed himself.
He failed the people here tonight.
He failed the NXT universe.
He failed his wife.
But if Ridge could control his anger,
-he wouldn't be failing any of us! -Oh, Vic…
-This is getting real serious, man! -Think about it, Ridge!
-Think about it! -[Booker] Back up.
[Vic] Think about it!
[crowd chatter]
[Ridge] You hear me?
[Vic] Ridge, you don't wanna do this!
Get up! Get up, you wanted this!
You wanted this!
[Vic] Booker!
[crowd erupts]
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] And Booker, with…
With that Choke Slam, is Ridge embracing the rage,
or is Ridge Holland controlled by the rage
that's pumping through his veins,
as he now has that chair that Shawn Spears brought to the ring.
[Beth] Going to that dark side, Vic.
And this is what Shawn Spears is all about, Vic,
Vic taking this man, Ridge Holland,
to that side that one thought he may not cross.
He's gonna do it!
-[Booker groans] -[Vic] Oh!
And Chet Danning, the official, stepping in.
I mean, that's the right… From behind, Spears!
Spears rolling up high, center of the ring!
Not enough to put down Ridge Holland.
Holland now, hoisting up Spears, looking for that Northern grit.
Countered.
Spears now, hoisting up Holland!
C4!
inadvertently out of the chair
that Chip Danning just took from Ridge Holland.
Spears into the cover,
-and Spears picks up the win. -[bell rings]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Shawn Spears!
[Spears's music playing]
[Vic] Shawn Spears promised…
He promised to help Ridge Holland…
embrace the rage.
And I believe Shawn Spears kept his word.
[Booker] Did his job, Vic.
Took Rich Holland to that place.
That was it, right there!
[Vic] And that was it.
Referee, who had just taken a steel chair from Ridge Holland,
inadvertently set it up in the corner,
and a C4, delivered right on to that solid steel chair.
The difference-maker tonight for Shawn Spears.
I did it…
[music continues]
[Vic] Booker, what a night it was here, this evening,
on our path to Stand & Deliver.
But we talked about the wild night for both these women,
as Perez took out Lyra Valkyria,
demanded Ava hand the NXT Women's title.
Well, instead she got a fist from Tatum Paxley.
Paxley wants Roxanne Perez.
They meet next week.
Also, Triple Threat qualifier continues next week.
LWO advanced earlier.
Which of these two teams will join a championship opportunity
hanging in the balance at Stand & Deliver?
And Riley Osborne has his confidence back,
as he was able to carry it into next week.
That's the question against No Quarter Catch crew,
for the Heritage Cup.
The match will be contested under the Catch Clause, possibly.
It's all going down next week, on NXT.
[Williams's music playing]
[Vic] But coming up in moments, Trick is here.
Williams returned last week.
Trick is gonna be live tonight, in moments.
Trick Williams addresses the NXT universe
for the first time since Vengeance Day.
In moments, Williams is live! Next.
[Vic] Booker, WrestleMania, Saturday, starts with Stand & Deliver.
I can only imagine Ilja Dragunov's mindset
after the ride he took with the family.
The NXT title is on the line.
It's the Czar! It's the Don!
It's for the NXT championship,
at Stand & Deliver.
[Williams's music playing]
[Booker] Uh huh!
Uh huh!
Huh!
Yeah!
Uh huh!
I like it!
Oh, yeah, man!
That's Trick!
[Alicia] Please welcome
Trick Williams!
[Trick] Yo, yo, cut the music.
[music fades]
Now, usually, I come out here,
I step in this ring,
I grab my microphone,
and I do my thing.
But today…
I'm struggling to find the words to say what I really need to say.
I'm not gonna lie, man.
I'm pissed off.
I'm angry.
I feel betrayed.
Family means something to me.
When I say that you my brother, that means I got your back.
When I say that you're my brother,
that means I take food off my plate to make sure you eat too.
And that's what I did for two years, Melo.
I had your back. For two years, I watched you succeed.
I watched you get every single accolade NXT has to offer
with a smile on my face, because that's what brothers do.
[applause]
Melo…
Why?
I'm not gonna lie.
Melo. Watching you succeed…
made me wanna step up my game.
It made me put the extra work in.
I went to Shawn Michaels's office and I asked him,
"What do I need to do to take my game to the next level?"
And Melo, you said…
Yes, you said that you was happy for me.
I had no idea what was on the other side of me taking a chance on myself.
But that's when Trick Willie was born.
[crowd cheers]
I saw it,
the fans saw it.
and Melo, you saw it too!
Melo, I wanted you to be happy for me
the same way that I was happy for you.
But that's when I heard the whispers…
People saying…
"Melo ain't really happy for you."
"Melo making faces after your victories."
"Nah, man, I don't believe that."
Then, John Cena told me himself.
John Cena said, "Trick…
Melo hating on you."
I said, "Nah, man, Melo's my boy.
It's Trick Melo Gang, we always gonna be here."
And Melo, that's when I had to come see you face to face.
And I asked you…
"Melo…
did you attack me?"
And you looked me in the eyes…
and you lied to my face.
Come to think about it, you've been lying for a long time.
You lied about attacking me.
You lied about King and Dragunov.
And the part that hurts the most is…
you lied about being my brother.
But it's cool.
Within all those lies,
you found one time to tell the truth.
You told the truth about one thing, Melo.
You stepped in this ring, and you told everybody.
The reason why you did what you did
is because we not on the same level.
And I have to agree with you, Melo.
We not on the same level.
We never been on the same level.
I don't care if you put on some Timberland boots,
you're on a step stool with a ludicrous afro…
you'll still never be on the same level as Trick Williams
with your little punk ass!
[crowd cheers]
Melo…
I had your back…
and you stabbed me in mine.
So this is how we gonna do it.
At Stand & Deliver…
We gonna have a match,
and I'm gonna pay you back for everything that you did to me.
And I'm gonna put a little bit more on it.
And I guarantee the whole crowd gonna be chanting,
"Whoop That!"
[crowd] Whoop That Trick!
-[Noam] Hello, hello, hello… -[Vic] What the…
Trick Williams, hear me now.
Your rise has been epic…
but let's be real.
We're all sick and tired of hearing about you complain about Melo,
and how he smashed you up.
Because the reality is…
you deserved it.
[Trick] Noam…
This ain't the same man that you used to know.
I suggest you say what you need to say,
or you mind your business and leave me alone.
[Noam] Trickster, calm, calm…
You and I aren't that different.
At Vengeance Day, you lost your best friend.
And two weeks ago,
I lost what mattered to me the most…
The Heritage Cup.
But the difference is,
I didn't run home,
put my head under a pillow…
and cry about it!
I made the big boy decision
to move on to bigger and better things.
Noam, I've told you once and I won't say it again.
I'm really not in the mood.
Go ahead and mind your business, and leave me alone.
[Noam] Okay, Tricky.
I'll make it really simple.
I'm here to steal all that hype.
Because…
let's be serious.
There's nobody hotter than you right now.
Looking the way Lash looking at me, I think everybody agrees.
[crowd cheers]
[Oro] Hey, you talking with this guy?
Are you talking with this guy?
Now, Trick…
Tricky, Tricky, Tricky!
Don't even play, 'cause you already know wassup.
You need to be listening to what Noam's trying to tell you, boo.
[Noam] You listen to Lash, and you listen to me.
Supernova Living is ready to blast off,
and I can't think of a better way to do it
-than by knocking you out. -Yes!
The paper tiger of NXT…
the one-Trick-pony Williams.
Next week…
we're not gonna to talk about it…
we're going to fight about it.
[Booker] Hmm!
[Vic] Well, Trick's ready to fight now!
I told you what's happening!
[crowd chatter]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd erupts]
[Vic] Booker, why are you sweating?
[Booker laughs] Check it right, Vic!
[Vic] Mensah!
Dar!
Trick Williams, laying waste!
[Vic laughs] Oh ho!
[Williams's music playing]
-[Booker] Yeah! -[Vic] Whether it's a lip lock…
-[Booker] Uh huh! -[Vic] Or a wrist lock.
-[Booker] I like it! -Trick is on fire!
-[Booker] Oh, yeah, man! -He's on notice!
-Oh, yeah, man! -He's gonna show Darwin
a Super Nova, looks like!
Next week!
Subtitles: Bruno Costa e!