[announcer] Then…
now…
forever…
together.
NXT - LAST TUESDAY
[Vic] It was absolute chaos to start the night.
Noam Dar was attacked.
Excuse me. Je'von, did you attack Noam Dar?
I don't know who attacked him.
What I do know is your boy going against or miss next.
It's about to get real wicked and real bouncy.
Jakarta's tracking the official. What's Lash doing? Lash with the chair!
Trick Willie!
Hold it in the road!
-Big win for Evans tonight. -[bell ringing]
NXT - LAST TUESDAY
-Lola Vice, Shayna Baszler. -All I know is dominance.
I held the NXT women's title more total days than anyone in history.
And when I become NXT women's champion, I'm gonna break every record in the book.
-[bell rings] -[crowd booing]
[Vic] Oh, come on.
Booker, it's The BOAT. It's Petrovic.
These four women have been on a collision course.
You know what? Let's finish this.
You two against us in a tag match. Make it happen.
NXT - LAST TUESDAY
Everyone knows how much that NXT North America Championship means to me, right?
I was in one of the darkest times of my life. But I was focused on one goal.
To get back here.
[Vic] The champ, Oba Femi!
Wes, prove that you deserve an opportunity
for this title that was once yours.
[Ivar] Wes Lee, I went through all the same things you did.
So you want a shot at Oba? I want a shot at Oba.
Wes, Ivar, you guys are all just so emotional.
Oba, we both know how close I was to taking that title.
[Oba] All of you have very compelling arguments.
Fight among yourselves.
The winner will get an opportunity against me.
NXT - LAST TUESDAY
[Vic] It is main event time.
It's the Don. It's Dempsey. It's for the Heritage Cup.
Six three minute rounds. Two out of three falls. The Don smells blood in the water.
-And oh, the first ball. -[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] Dempsey focusing on that elbow.
Get the Don. Hold on.
Dempsey ties it at one.
The next decision wins the Cup.
Hey, that's Damon Kemp and Myles Borne. See ya later!
Forget about it. Keep him in cover!
-[crowd] Three! -[bell rings]
[Vic] We got a new champion.
The Don makes Dempsey pay. Here to-- Wait. Wait, what?
What's going on?
Booker, what's happening?
Surprise, surprise! Did you miss us? This is just the start, boy!
[college football fanfare]
[Vic] After the events of last week, expect the unexpected tonight.
Welcome to NXT.
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
THEA HAIL
[Mike Rome] The following
is an NXT Women's North American Championship qualifier.
We're getting that! [screams]
[Mike Rome] Introducing first, accompanied by Ridge Holland and Chase U,
Thea Hail!
[Vic] That's Thea Hail, who scored an impressive 93.
That's good for second at the combine. But now she needs to defeat a familiar
face to punch her ticket to Las Vegas and her opportunity to make history.
-[rock music] -[crowd booing]
[Mike Rome] And her opponent, Fallon Henley.
FALLON HENLEY
[Vic] I don't know if you could read lips, what Fallon Henley just said.
[Booker] Yeah, I can read. She said, "You can kiss where the sun don't shine."
-I think that's what she said. -[Vic] That is exactly what she said.
In not as many words.
And on a scale of 1 to 10, and I already hate myself for asking this.
How much do you like this selfish side of Fallon?
[Booker] On a scale of one to ten? A ten without any shadow of a doubt.
How many times have I said it? Big attitude, aggression.
It's everything. And now Fallon Henley gets it.
You know why? Kiana James. The draft.
The draft. Hey, it's about making money. It's not about making friends.
[Vic] Well, there will be no love loss in this matchup,
because it was Fallon Henley
who dropped Thea Hail with a right hand
after Hail's match several weeks ago, really,
when that selfish side started to boil out of Fallon Henley.
[Booker] As well as Fallon don't want to be sticking that arm out like that
with Hail…
[Vic laughs] That's a good point, Booker.
We got a grip right off in a hurry.
And you see Chase U on the outside here for Thea Hail and her big matchup.
Including Ridge Holland, who could really become a difference maker for Chase.
-[Booker] Do you trust him? -[Vic] Yes, but that's just me.
Yes, yes I trust him.
[Booker] No, but the question is, can you trust him?
[Vic] Well, I mean, I believe you can.
But time will tell. Off the moonsault into the cover, and a kick out.
And Thea Hail, she doesn't even recognize Fallon Henley anymore.
Doesn't even recognize the woman that was once her friend over the last few months,
who guided her.
[Booker] How many times have I told you to stay out of the locker room?
Stay out of the locker room. This is a business, Vic.
-This is a business Fallon has realized. -[Vic] Cover to qualify.
And another kick out. This time by Thea Hail.
We talk about Rich Howland. He's been encouraging to Thea.
For those who qualify, one of these two will go to Vegas.
For those who qualify, what does battleground mean to them with that
-chance to make history? -[Booker] Good.
I think we've talked about several times.
But this remaking moment is something that's just that, it's a moment.
It could be there and gone. Just like that.
[Vic] Sol Ruca, last legend. They're headed to Vegas.
Brinley, Reece, Parker. Still to come.
Six women, by the way, Book, will compete in that ladder match.
One will become the first ever North American women's champion.
[Booker laughs] Oh, yeah, I can't wait to get to Vegas.
I can't wait to get to the apex. It's gonna be good.
[Vic] It's Fallon Henley right now trying to bend back the arm of Thea Hail.
Fallon Henley trying to wear down
her former friend, her former partner.
And these two were close, much like Fallon and Kalani Jordan.
We saw how that played out two weeks ago, Book.
[Booker] There's gonna be plenty of time to be
close when this career thing is all over with.
Right now, it's about making history.
[Vic] Thea Hail picking up some steam. Nice arm drag. Coming right back.
Going to look for a second one. Variation of sorts.
And it's Hail now who is rolling.
Thea looking for high risk. Wiping out Fallon Henley and then not stopping.
Continuing to fire, continuing to punish.
She knows just how bad she wants to be champion.
She wants to make history. She-- Oh!
[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] She wants to prove Fallon Henley wrong.
And right back on top. Look at the tenacious--
Thea Hail just got kicked right in the face.
And Fallon, is she running away from Thea?
Right in front of Chase? Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I mean, why would…
What's the point of the steel chair?
Nice job by Ridge.
[indistinct argument]
[Vic] Wait a minute. Wait a minute. No, no, no.
Wait a minute. The official just tossed out everyone from Chase U.
[crowd booing]
[Vic] Who's headed to Vegas, Fallon or Thea?
She was gonna use it, man!
[Vic] Back on NXT. Who is headed to Battleground?
Who is headed to Las Vegas?
Could it be Fallon Henley looking for the three?
Thea Hail just getting that left shoulder out.
This is a qualifying match for the NXT Women's North American Championship.
Ladder match. Two women have advanced.
Two more will advance tonight as right here
Fallon Henley was a half second from punching her ticket.
I still, Booker, just… I don't believe
that Fallon has become this sort of superstar, this sort of woman.
-[crowd chanting] -[Booker] This is a selfish business, Vic,
and that's nothing against anybody.
I mean, but if you want to make it to the topic, if you want to make history…
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] If you want to leave a legacy,
you got to have that.
[Vic] Well, both women have the same idea. Just laid the other out.
-This is a crucial point in this matchup. -[Booker] See the matchup right now, too.
No cheerleading. One on one. I like that.
[Vic] This the first of two qualifying matches.
You can see Reece-Parker still to come tonight.
By the end of the night, four of those six spots will be selected.
[Booker] Can you tell me something?
What do you think he was going to do with that chair? What do you think?
What do you think he was going to do?
[Vic] He wasn't doing anything with the chair.
He was gonna get the chair out because Fallon Henley
decided to introduce it into the matchup.
[Booker] Are you sure about that?
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Sometimes I wonder, Booker.
Oh, and look at Thea Hail coming back with some Putskies.
Thea Hail's rocking right now. Thea Hail had Chase U sent to the back
by the official for the aforementioned chair that you were talking about, Booker.
-She's out here on her own. -[Booker] Call the Polish Hammer, Vic.
-The Polish Hammer. -[Vic] Looking for a big slam.
And that's the world's smallest slam. Rolling right through.
[screams]
[Vic] A little extra spring in her step here tonight
to head to Sin City in another near fall in this matchup.
[Booker] I tell you, Thea Hail, she's…
She's something to handle when she's focused, Vic.
And I wonder if she's focused without Chase U at her side.
[Vic] Oh, she has it, she has the Chase U student section.
She has the NXT universe here to rally her.
But for Fallon Henley, she just put a stop to Thea Hail for a moment.
Hail coming right back in.
What is on the mind of Thea Hail?
[crowd chanting] Thea!
[Vic] Thea trying to muscle up Fallon Henley.
Fallon going right to the body, creating a little bit of separation.
Fallon who's putting herself first,
looking for some high impact offense out of the corner.
-[Booker] Oh, baby! -[Vic] And a knife. Oh, counter!
Come on! Can she lock it in?
Trying to lock in a submission.
-And Fallon who has seen it… -[Booker] Break the hold!
[Vic] …time and time again going to the outside.
Doesn't need to break the hold. Trying to hold on and…
Well, she didn't need to, but she certainly had to.
Because Fallon Henley using her environment.
[crowd booing]
[Vic] Look at the eyes of Thea Hail.
[screams]
[Vic] What's the saying about a woman's scorn?
Never mind. I don't want you to get in trouble with your wife.
Coming right back in. Got caught under the jaw.
-Into the cover, and Fallon Henley… -[bell rings]
-[crowd booing] -…is now one step closer to history.
[Mike Rome] Here's your winner, Fallon Henley!
[Vic] Go ahead, Book, tell me all about why she needed to put herself first.
Because she's now one step away from making history and being the first NXT.
[Booker] A shot at glory, Vic. That's what it's all about.
[Vic] And that was-- Wait a minute. Booker, look up. Jasmine Nyx!
-With that Pele kick. -[Booker] Wow.
-Look at Nyx. -[crowd booing]
[Vic] Well, we know what Jasmine Nyx is all about.
She's been looking for payback.
-[Booker] Yeah, I think… -[Vic] For Jacy Jayne.
Talk about hottie and the biscottis and all the cookies you want.
What do you make of Jasmine Nyx
-and what she just did support Thea Hail? -Jasmine Nyx. I mean, look at her.
I mean, that should tell you the whole story, man.
WWE HALL OF FAMER BOOKER T VIC JOSEPH
Put her in the game, sign her up. That's what I'm saying.
Well, she's in the game now, but let's turn our attention
to the NXT tag team champions who had
quite an interaction early earlier tonight with the family.
NEXT - EARLIER TODAY
You did it, T.
-Congrats. -Thanks. A little heavy but it looks good.
-Ah! -Whoa.
Tony G. Hey, congrats on winning the Heritage Cup, my friend.
Thank you.
Yeah, I saw your name on here.
Yeah. I'll be honest, when I won that cup,
it was one of the best nights of my entire life.
-Hey, actually. Was your name on here? -[Axiom] No, actually, I never…
Hey, look. You got Charlie, Tyler, A-Kid. Anyone heard from him?
He couldn't have been that brave
if the only name he could come up with was A-Kid.
-He's funny. -He's very funny.
You guys got some guts, taking on all comers.
I don't know, T. Word on the street is… Not my words,
-these two have been ducking OC lately. -[Axiom] Hey, we're not ducking anyone.
And we're not bullied into just handing out opportunities
for the tag team titles to main roster superstars.
If anything, we'll hand them out to NXT superstars.
-What about me and Stacks, then? -Yeah, you wouldn't want
to duck a couple of NXT superstars like Stacks and Luca, would you?
Would you?
-No. -[Axiom] No.
Yeah, you got your tag team title match, and you got it tonight.
Whoa.
-All right. Come on, let's go prepare. -All right. Tonight.
-See you later. -See you then.
-Shine those up, boys. -Let's go.
[intro music]
♪ It's all about family. ♪
♪ It's all about the business. ♪
[Vic] The family has been walking around very happy with themselves
after last week.
Can they add more gold to the family?
The NXT tag team titles on the line, next on NXT.
NXT - LAST TUESDAY
[screaming]
[Vic] Well, Booker, let's go back to last week,
where the NXT universe was absolutely shocked
with the return of a trio of hooligans.
You cannot stop us!
That's what you get!
Surprise, surprise! Did you miss us? Look at that.
This is just the start, boy! Job done.
[Gallus screaming]
[Vic] As you can see…
BREAKING: AS A RESULT OF THE HEINOUS ATTACK BY #GALLUS AT THE END
OF #WWENXT, @IVAR_WWE HAS SUFFERED AN INJURY
AND WILL BE OUT OF ACTION INDEFINITELY.
…an update has been provided on social media,
and due to that heinous attack, Ivar is out indefinitely.
As for the other two men in the attack…
WES LEE - AYO @JOECOFFEY ATTACKING ME MUST'VE HAD A PURPOSE.
JUST BECAUSE I'M FOCUSED ON MY NORTH AMERICAN TITLE DOESN'T MEAN
I WON'T KNOCK YOU ACROSS YOUR THICK SKULL @AVAWWE_ WHAT ARE THE CHANCES
YOU CAN ADD HIM IN NEXT WEEK?? I'M SURE THE OTHERS WON'T MIND.
Wes Lee and Josh Briggs wasted no time firing back on social media,
wanting to get their hands on Joe Coffey.
[Josh Briggs] You know I'm not letting this slide.
AVA - APPARENTLY THIS IS A BIGGER ISSUE THAN I THOUGHT #WWENXT
So do us both a favor and put Joe Coffey in the damn triple threat match.
Whatever you want to do, Eva. I don't care. You just tell me.
I'll show up and do my job as I've been doing.
Because I don't answer to you. I'm going to answer that final boss.
[Vic] So our general manager, Ava…
AVA - UM NO YOU ACTUALLY DO LISTEN TO ME. THIS IS A DIFFERENT NXT THAN WHEN YOU
LEFT MONTHS AGO - AND WITH THAT SAID, BECAUSE BRIGGS AND WES KICK YOUR ASS,
I'VE DECIDED TO ADD YOU TO THE TRIPLE THREAT GOOD LUCK!! #WWENXT
…reluctantly agreed to their request. As for Joe Coffey, he's standing by
with Kelly Kincaid.
Gallus.
GALLUS - KELLY KINCAID
Quite the dramatic return for you to NXT at the end of the show last week.
Aye, aye, it was.
But it seems like the only way you get noticed is about making a bit of noise.
And see, at the end of the show,
I didn't hear them talking about Trip Williams.
-Nope. -Did Don, Tony D'Angelo?
-No. No. -Je'von Evans? Noam Dar? No.
It was all Gallus.
Exactly how it should be. We took it three at NXT's best.
Ivar. Enjoy your stay in the hospital, big man.
Yeah, and Wes and Briggs,
a lot tougher than we first gave him credit for.
Aye, but they're no smarter, eh?
Do you know why that is, Wilfie? Because they're all in Avon's ear.
Talk, talk, talk, talkish. But see, when I become the number one contender
tonight for the North American title…
Oba Femi…
you're going to find out just how dangerous Gallus are at Battleground.
NXT got real comfortable with us being away.
-Well, that is over. -Over.
[Vic] And Booker, it is official.
These three men will now compete for the opportunity to face Oba Femi…
NXT TONIGHT - JOE COFFEY VS WES LEE VS JOSH BRIGGS - NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
#1 CONTENDER TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
WINNER CHALLENGES OBA FEMI AT NXT BATTLEGROUND
…for the North American title at our next premium live event, NXT Battleground.
[intro music]
♪ Never slow down. ♪
[Vic] Booker, you just have to respect the champions.
Both put the titles on the line here tonight
against the underboss and Lucas Crusifino.
[Booker] I mean, being brought Breaker and Baron Corbin to win the championships
as well as getting past AOP.
Confidence should be through the roof right now. Talking sky high.
This is a team that earned
this position, Vic, as well as being the NXT Tag Team Champions.
[Vic] There is the family looking to add more gold tonight.
[bell rings]
[Mike Rome] The following contest scheduled for one fall…
[crowd chanting] One fall!
…is for the NXT
Tag Team Championship!
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challengers, representing the D'Angelo family,
Stacks Lorenzo and Luca Crusifino!
LUCA CRUSIFINO CHANNING "STACKS" LORENZO
And their opponents, they are the NXT
Tag Team Champions,
Nathan Frazer and Axiom!
NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS AXIOM - NATHAN FRAZER
[Vic] Champions, confident. Challengers, confident as well.
You brought up the tag team division a few times over the last several weeks.
Are the champions starting to…
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS
…feel the heat with that bullseye on their back?
-[Booker] You know… -[Vic] I mean, you're one
of the greatest tactics of all time.
You're better than me.
[Booker] They're always going to feel the heat.
But one thing about Axiom and Frazer,
these guys were awesome as single competitors.
But as a tag team, they are truly, truly special.
Inside that square circle, it's like a mirror image of each other, Vic.
[Vic] They were able to put their differences, so to speak,
aside, as they were always the Achilles' heel
to each other throughout their entire careers,
until they decided to come together for one common goal.
And that really started in the Dusty Roads Tag Team Classic.
It did lead them to the tag team titles, as some tags were made.
It's going to be Frazer and it's going to be…
the underboss. That being Stacks'
-telling them to slow down. -[Booker] That's not going to happen.
[Vic chuckles] No, it's not. Take a look at both of these teams.
So how polar opposite are these two squads? Because you heard Stacks.
Slow it down. That's not the MO of the tag team.
[Booker] I mean, you've heard it many, many times.
Sports fight game, go styles, make fights.
And you got two guys that's moving around like a rocket at all times.
And like Stacks said, let's slow it down a little bit.
Let's be a little more methodical as far as the game goes.
[Vic] It's been a big week for the family.
To your right is the prestigious Heritage Cup held by Tony D'Angelo
up and over the champions.
And it's the end of Axiom,
Crusifino looking to add the tag team goal off that deep
cleaner into the cover to kick out. And just how quick it could happen.
We were a half second away, Booker,
from new champions being crowned here tonight.
[Booker] Yeah, Crusifino and Stacks is going to have to isolate their opponent,
try to keep them grounded.
But right now, I don't think it's going to happen early.
[Vic] It was the family last week vowed to take the cup strong in their conviction.
Could they do the same here tonight?
But Axiom turning things around along with Frazer, another quick tag was made.
-[Booker] Talk about combos. -[Vic] Yeah, talking about some combos.
How special can this duo be at being the champion?
[Booker] No, no.
We talk about tag teams and that tag team pitch.
[Vic] Holy crap. Look at the speed.
[Booker] Very, very innovative. That could be it.
[Vic] Cover. Retained. Stacks just able to kick out.
And I gotta go back.
I'd like to get a stopwatch out just to see how fast
Frazer was moving, because the man moves like a blur.
-He strikes like a cobra. -[Booker] Yeah.
I'm wondering how Luca feel on Stacks going there, because that was a…
A time where you got to get in there and save your partner. That didn't happen.
[Vic] Crusifino made the tag.
It is Luca who is legal. Frazer able to land on his feet.
Creates a little separation. Stacks just wiped him out!
Almost into our laps. Titles are on the line.
Stacks looking down. The underboss added insult to injury.
Are we going to have new champions crowned here tonight on NXT?
That's what I'm talking about, baby!
[Vic] it has been all Stacks and Crusifino for the tag team titles…
-[Booker] Wow. -…here over the last few minutes.
Underboss into the cover, broken leg.
And Frazer somehow able to kick out.
Could you imagine the Tag Team titles
and the Heritage Cup in the grasp, Booker, of the family?
[Booker] I mean, you know, that's just two pieces of gold, just two trinkets.
I'm going tell you right now, Tony D has bigger plans, Vic.
And you know what that is, right? You know what it is, right?
-[Vic] He's looking ahead. -[Booker] Exactly my point. The big goal.
I'm talking about the number one spot.
[Vic] And another cover and another kick out.
[Booker] Crusifino is definitely unimpressing me as of late.
I mean, this guy is not just a mouthpiece or anything like that.
He actually can get in the middle of that ring and grind.
[Vic] So now that you're saying nice things about the family,
can you finally admit
that Dempsey deserved what happened last week?
Losing his Heritage cup to the Don who came to collect?
[Booker] Nobody deserves to lose anything like, that big.
I mean, Tony D was just the better man on that night. I give props.
What props are due. That's just me.
[Vic] I gotta get props to Crusifino,
who's able to overpower Nathan Frazer, who's trying
to make a tag as he desperately needs one.
And the underboss swinging around. Oh, got caught!
And Frazer, now there's a gleam. And well, that's a shot.
Down real quick as Crusifino
right to the midsection, but up, over, catch, drop!
-[Booker] Wow. -[Vic] So much taken out of Frazer.
Typically, he would get into the cover
but right now he's worried about making that tag.
His body has absorbed so much punishment
in this matchup, he's got to get to Axiom.
And it's moves like this that have made Frazer and Axiom
the tag team champions as Axiom's legal.
Axiom's in. And Axiom is flying.
[Booker] Talking about speed. This man right here. This man right here.
Axiom truly is quick on his feet right now. Hand ability.
Hand ability thing. Here we go!
[Vic] Uh-oh.
-[Booker] Beautiful. -[Vic] Wiping out the challengers.
-It is all Axiom right now. -[Booker] Look at the confidence.
[Vic] I'm looking at Tony D right here in front of us
starting to sweat a little bit.
Just holding on with Stacks. Stacks now charging in.
And he got caught. Half and half!
Backs him into the cover, hook at the leg, Crusifino nowhere to be found.
And that was all Stacks Lorenzo in that moment.
[Booker] It was an instinctual kick out right there by Stacks.
[Vic] Rizzo trying to get Luca back into the fight because Stacks
-is falling. Listen to these kicks. -[Booker laughs] Oh, yeah.
[Vic] Oh, look at Frazer. Frazer is a legal superstar. And super kick.
Brain buster! Brain buster! Cover title on the line at that time.
Luca lucky enough to break up the count.
[Booker] Luca was desperate right there.
I'm going to tell you, if he hadn't made that shot right there,
that would have been a one, two, three. This match would be over.
[VIC] NXT…
Tag Team Championships on the line in this moment,
we got a huge tag team main event still to come. But Luca Crusifino
-showing his worth. -[Booker] Landed a big shot.
-[Vic] To the family. -[Booker] Yes, most definitely.
Like I said, not just a mouthpiece, Vic.
Wow!
-Good night. -[Vic] That could be the deciding factor.
And there's Axiom, who popped up at just the right moment.
Things are breaking down. I feel bad for the official.
[Booker] Family's doing pretty damn good right now.
Looking to cash in on the Tag Team Championships.
[Vic] Nobody home for Stacks. Right into that middle turnbuckle.
And this is right now, Axiom in Frazer's wheelhouse.
I said at the start of the night, expect the unexpected.
What are we going to see from these four here in this moment,
in this match with the titles on the line?
-Stacks. Superplex! -[Booker] Oh, baby!
Crusifino got caught! Super kick got Crusifino!
[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Hey, wait a minute. That's Myles Borne.
And David Kemp. Charlie Dempsey. No Quarter Catch Crew.
Taking it out on the dime.
Back in the rematch, continuing, Frazer, inside cradle.
-[bell ringing] -Champions pull it out tonight.
[Mike Rome] Here are your winners, and still the NXT…
-[Vic] Oh, this is a brawl. -[Mike Rome] …tag team champions,
Axiom and Nathan Frazer!
[Vic] I don't mean to interrupt Mike Rome,
but this has turned into an absolute chaos.
[Booker] Who pays? Who's paying the bills now?
[Vic] Not the way Axiom and Frazer were hoping to retain, but nonetheless.
Champions still. This, obviously.
No doubt we can argue about it all day. Turning point in the matchup.
Out of nowhere came the No Quarter Catch Crew
going at the new Heritage Cup champion.
Making them pay. Yes, Booker, for what happened last week.
But in the ring, off the distraction,
it was Nathan Frazer who made Stacks pay here tonight.
As the champions celebrate here tonight.
-What the hell? -[Booker] Uh-oh!
Not celebrating too long.
Oh, my God, man.
-This is a beat down. -[Vic] The OC.
[crowd booing]
They have said the champions have been ducking them for weeks.
-Gallows, Anderson, killer. -[Booker] Oh, baby.
[Vic] The good brothers,
focused on reminding the world how dangerous and vicious they are,
are focused on a piece of gold they've never held, they've never won.
That being the NXT tag team titles.
[crowd booing]
So good. I mean, so good.
I was so impressed watching you in the combine.
Thank you.
Top three, vertical jump. Look,
no doubt in my mind, soon everybody's gonna be saying the name Layla Diggs.
-But for real-- -Everybody's already saying the name
Lexis King, my guy.
Yeah, you can go now.
-What? -Look, you got it all wrong.
You're trying to recruit the next big superstar.
But dude, Chelsea Green wouldn't even reunite with you.
You're stuck in a hole, man.
And the only way you're gonna get out of it is to hitch your wagon to me.
Yeah, that'll happen over my dead body.
[chuckles]
Dead body? Yeah, I know all about dead bodies
because I've been walking over them week after week and winning.
I mean, I'm virtually undefeated, Mr. Stone.
Something you wouldn't know anything about.
You better watch what you say right now.
-Ava. -What's, what's going on here?
Better get your man here.
-I'm feeling a temperature. -You are so annoying.
I don't know how you don't see it.
I don't see it. And I don't think I'm annoying.
So I'll see you later.
Hey, I don't know where you're going so fast because you have a match tonight.
Oh, do I?
-Get ready. -Tell me more.
Well, you'll find out who your opponent is when you get in the ring.
He needs to get his ass handed to him, and I'm going to be the one to do it.
I would love to, but remember, the last time you stepped in the ring,
it didn't go very well.
But hey, that's okay, because you know what?
I will find the perfect opponent for Lexis tonight.
Don't worry.
[sighs]
[Vic] I just don't know who Stone is going to find
that's ready to compete here tonight.
[intro music]
[Mike Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the NXT…
NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION OBA FEMI
…North American Champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] What we do know is that three Superstars
are about to compete for the right to challenge the North American champion.
Which of these three men is headed to Battleground?
I saw this coming. I saw it coming.
Mr. Chase, how could you not see this coming?
Which is clearly a liability.
Riley, you have to see the good in people.
-The good in people? The good in people. -Riley, respectfully, back off.
I couldn't just stand there and watch Thea get hit with a chair.
And quite frankly, none of us could. So I stepped in. I had to do something,
You did something, though, didn't ya?
You cost Thea the match. A chance at making history.
And to be honest, I'm sick of all your excuses, mate.
You cost us the match last week, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt.
Mistakes happen. No hard feelings. And you stand there judging me?
Damn right I'm judging you. You know, you don't even belong here.
-Belong where? -You don't even belong in Chase U.
Hold it. Hold It.
I'm not gonna stand for this. This isn't the time or the place.
You want to settle it, settle it in the ring.
Sounds good to me.
Not now, Duke.
[Vic] Andre Chase, looking for another teachable moment.
[intro music]
[bell ringing]
[Mike Rome] The following contest is a triple threat match
scheduled for one fall.
WES LEE
Introducing first, Wes Lee!
[Vic] Well, Booker,
here is a man who has said he is at his best when he is focused.
And he is focused on getting to Las Vegas, getting to the UFC Apex,
getting the Battleground, and regaining the North American championship.
[Booker] I said it once, I'll say it again,
perhaps truly the greatest North American champion,
he's superhero-like. This kid could do anything
in the middle of that square circle.
[Mike Rome] Next, Josh Briggs!
NXT - JOSH BRIGGS
[Booker] Oh, yeah.
[Vic] Well, we see Lee, we see Briggs.
They're two of the three superstars competing in this matchup to become
number one contender for the North American Championship at Battleground,
June 9th in Las Vegas,
when they will meet our champion, who is joining us here on commentary.
I mean, Oba Femi.
[Booker laughs]
-Why are you laughing? -Ain't nobody shaking your hand, man.
It's the North American champ. That's the ruler, that the conqueror.
-It's Oba Femi, man. -[Vic] I'll just stop trying.
[Mike Rome] And their opponent, representing Gallus, Joe Coffey!
GALLUS JOE COFFEY
[Vic] Well, Gallus certainly made an impact.
Shocking the NXT universe, changing the landscape, if you will, Book.
Wiping out Wes Lee, Briggs, Ivar,
Ivar, so brutalized, unable to compete here tonight.
Joe Coffee obviously taking his place.
Something that Lee and Briggs were okay with, when you take a look at it.
-Joe Coffey, the wild card in this match. -[Booker] Good to the last drop.
That's my man, Joe Coffey. Let's go back to 2023. New Year's Eve.
Gallus boys showed up. Within a month,
they were tag team champions and ruling NXT's tag team division. And guess what?
-They're back. -[Vic] Speaking of ruling, Mr. Femi,
how much do you love seeing these men fight?
Not only to face you, but to battle to compete
for your North American championship at Battleground.
[Oba] Well, it's definitely entertaining to see them
fight each other like dogs for this opportunity.
It's a big opportunity for them, so they have an opportunity
to prove themselves right here, right now.
[Vic] You see Wolfgang right now and Mark Coffey trying to save Joe Coffey.
But here is where Wes Lee and Josh Briggs, at least for a moment, are going to be
on the same page.
Josh Briggs is looking for just that one big win, Vic,
to take him to that next level.
Endorsed by one future Hall of Famer, JBL.
[Vic] Certainly so, and we saw Wes Lee get pushed away,
and he saw the eyes for a half second of Wes Lee.
He'll be focused in this matchup. As we talked about.
But when you talk about Briggs, his tolerance for others doesn't even last as
-long as a piece of bazooka bubble gum. -Excuse me,
but you screwed it up, not me.
I'm not the one that's going to get a phone call.
That's going to be you as Lee going up and over Briggs,
Briggs charging right back in. It's not gonna work at first.
You don't succeed, try again.
But this time it's Briggs who just uses Wes Lee as a weapon.
[Booker] Last thing you want to try is
a hip toss on somebody like big Josh Briggs.
Like I say, he's looking for that ultimate moment.
Take him to that next level.
[Vic] We talk about three men fighting for this matchup.
And there was a JBL-esque fall away slam with the help of Joe Coffey.
Love to get your thoughts, Oba, on the,
I guess you call the leader of Gallus, Joe Coffey.
[Oba] The thing about Joe Coffee is that he's a very seasoned fighter.
If you look in his eyes, he has that thousand yard stare.
He's been through some things. He's a real fighter.
Into the cover to head to battleground
and kick out. I didn't mean to interrupt you.
I didn't mean to interrupt you. I'm sorry.
[Oba] Be careful doing that. Very astute, very careful.
[Booker] You know, you know your business, man. I see you've been studying.
[Oba] Yes, I have.
[Booker] Which one of these guys would you rather take on for the championship?
[Oba] I feel like the result is very inconsequential.
It doesn't matter who it is. Look at Wes Lee now. Look at him.
[Vic] Well, Wes Lee throwing caution to the wind, wiping out Joe Coffey.
[Oba] That's exactly what I'm talking about. See, Wes is a fighter.
He's not…
It's not about the size of the dog in the fight,
it's about the size of the fight in the dog.
And West Wes Lee has a lot of fight in his heart.
[Booker] What do you think about Wes Lee B. Casino?
[Vic] Oh, no. Big boot.
I don't know if that was a tooth that just flew out of his mouth,
but Wes Lee flying up
Lee getting caught and then getting planted.
[Booker] Oh, that's that shot.
[Vic] Josh Briggs, and Briggs turning his attention.
He's dropping Joe Coffey with a big back body drop. Briggs is rolling all.
Don't miss a second of the action in this matchup. Who's headed to Battleground?
[Vic] Back on NXT Triple Threat match
to find out who will face our champion Oba Femi
at NXT Battleground in Vegas, June 9th.
Femi to my left, he's joined us on commentary.
This has turned into a slugfest here in the center of the ring
with Briggs getting the better right now of Joe Coffey
who goes into the midsection.
You gotta remember those ribs we saw two weeks ago.
Briggs still having lingering effects
from standing liver when he broke two ribs,
but showing no effect now off the splash.
But look at Wes Lee off the top to save this matchup and his championship dreams.
[Booker] Definitely getting back to the championship position in this match.
This one match could put him right back on top of the world, Vic.
[Vic] You see Briggs, you see Wes Lee
as Oba Femi with a sinister smile on his face.
But it's Wes Lee who's picking up right now.
And Booker, it was Wes Lee who certainly jumped right back
into the fire when he returned.
[Booker] Let's see. Oba Femi has a look on his face every time
I say Wes Lee could be considered perhaps
the greatest North American champion of all time.
[Oba] I don't appreciate that.
[Vic] That was Booker that said it, not me.
But this is Wes Lee who's doing it all.
Into the cover trying to pin Briggs in an air fall.
Lee realizing it into the cover to try to beat Coffey to head to Battleground.
And another
near fall.
Take another look.
Wes Lee, that two-for-one special.
Wiping out the field, but couldn't get the job done.
And after the passion we heard last week we've seen on social media,
there's no doubt his respect and love for professional wrestling.
[Booker] I mean, Oba Femi, he said something earlier,
that Wes Lee is a fighter.
I mean, this kid has no quit in him.
And that's why I say he is considered to be one of the best. Truly one of the best
of all times.
[Vic] Joe Coffey turning this matchup around
much like Gallus shook the landscape,
reminding the locker room, Booker, just how dangerous Gallus is.
[Booker] Gallus boys just put the locker room on notice.
If I was in this tag team division,
this is the team that I would fear the most.
That could be the knockout blow.
What is Briggs waiting for? Briggs knows he needs a little bit extra.
He needs that exclamation point, with Oba Femi
watching ringside, he knows he needs to do a little more.
But there's Wes Lee.
[Booker] Got caught by Wes Lee, and we know what Wes Lee does.
-His best work, Vic -[Vic] Wes Lee all the way to the top.
Joe Coffey back to his feet.
I don't like the looks of this book, but you know who does? Oba Femi.
These three men destroying one another
for the opportunity to face Femi in Sin City.
[Booker] Don't get no better than that. Wes Lee going up!
Oh, got caught.
[Vic] Certainly did. And then got planted into that top turnbuckle.
And Briggs is taking this match over.
[Booker] We always talk about who needs it the most,
and I must say, it's this man right here.
Josh Briggs. He needs this match more than any thing, Vic.
-Oh, man. -[Vic] That was a hell of a choke slam,
double cover and a double kick out.
Briggs almost stacked him here tonight. And look, I'll ask you this.
Would you be frustrated if you're Josh Briggs thinking that people just continue
to jump the line ahead of you for titles?
[Booker] I would be.
But it would be motivation for matches just like this.
When you got a window of opportunity and it opens, you got to take it, Vic.
[Vic] NXT universe rallying, rising to their feet.
[Booker] Good shot.
[Vic] The smile continuing to grow on Oba Femi's face.
Oba, why are you smiling?
You truly love to see people destroy each other.
[Booker] Oh, yeah!
[Oba] Every single blow they've landed
is just a guarantee for me eventually, whoever I end up with,
is not going to be at 100 percent. And that just makes me glad.
Look at Josh.
I feel like Josh Briggs is one of the more underestimated.
[Vic] Oh! High cross body into the cover, that took Oba's breath away.
But Wes Lee was able to break up the count to keep this match going.
And one of these men will walk away
out of this triple threat match the number one contender.
But there goes Joe Coffey trying to swing, looking for the knockout blow.
Lee answering back. Big kick to the chest.
Lee bouncing up, bouncing back, wiping out Coffey.
[Booker] I mean, that's like the third time
Wes Lee has made the big save.
Just letting me know that he's got a strategy
coming into this game tonight, Vic.
[Vic] Joe Coffey stands by the statement.
The only way to get noticed in NXT is to make some noise!
And that is exactly what Wes Lee is doing. He's bringing the fight tonight. Hey!
Right here in front of us.
So, there's no disqualification in a triple threat match.
Wolfgang and Mark Coffey just wiped out Briggs.
-[Booker] Wow. -[Vic] Wes Lee didn't realize it.
Lee back to his feet. Going up, going over, landing on his feet.
All the best for the bell. Swings wildly, doesn't connect,
but that headbutt certainly did.
Falling into the coverous Briggs, and…
[bell rings]
-[indistinct argument] -[Oba laughing]
[Booker] I don't think so.
Ladies and gentlemen, your winners, Joe Coffey and Wes Lee!
-[Booker] What? -[Vic] Booker, I was getting ready to say,
falling onto the cover of Briggs… Oba Femi's all smiles. Double pin?
[Oba] What does this mean?
[Vic] So who's gonna face Oba for the title?
Karmen. Natalya. Tonight…
NXT KARMEN PETROVIC & NATALYA
…you ladies are in tag team action
in the main event against Shayna And Lola.
So, how are you going to turn around your recent struggles against them?
I mean, Kelly, I'm a little nervous because it is my first main event,
but I got the BOAT as my partner.
Nattie, she has the most matches in the history of this business.
Oh, stop it.
So if it wasn't for Shayna, Nattie would have won her underground match.
-Me and her, we're ready for tonight. -You're so sweet.
You know, Karmen doesn't give herself enough credit.
In the last few weeks, she--
You've just impressed me so much and we've just bonded. We've really, really bonded.
And as the most winning woman in WWE history,
I think tonight you're going to see this team
be a well-oiled winning machine.
-Bye, Kelley. -Bye. Good luck tonight, ladies.
First world champions, yes!
Honestly, bro,
I think you're right.
I'm cooked.
I mean, the mirror…
the black cats…
the rabbit's foot.
Listen, brother, no, we have to remain positive.
Like Brinley would say, man, she's good for us in that way.
The energy, the vibes, the good luck.
Aw, Malik, does that mean you guys are coming out with me tonight? Yes!
Honestly, no. This is not a good idea.
But you know, Idris is bad luck and everything.
-Just stop saying it out loud! -I was talking about it.
It's the worse when you say it!
I…
Breathe.
-You'll be fine. -Look, guys.
It's not about luck. It's about confidence.
So whatever you guys choose to do, I'm all for.
I just choose not to do it.
[Vic] Who will advance? We'll find out next.
Can't do that to her.
I think we should stop.
BIANCA BELAIR WWE SUPERSTAR
Sometimes in life, in order to move forward,
It helps to look back.
BECKY LYNCH WWE SUPERSTAR
To learn from the pioneers and trailblazers.
To gain inspiration…
DAMIAN PRIEST WWE SUPERSTAR
…from those who came before us.
SONYA DEVILLE WWE SUPERSTAR
To show us what it means to act with empathy
and to show that love has no labels.
Join WWE and Love Has No Labels…
CODY RHODES WWE SUPERSTAR
…throughout the year in celebrating people from all communities and heritages.
[Bianca Belair] Because when love has no labels…
[Becky Lynch] That's a love we can all fight for.
LOVE HAS NO LABELS
WWW.LOVEHASNOLABELS.COM
At the same time.
[Oba] Ava.
So what's the decision on this triple threat match?
Who am I facing at Battleground?
Look, I've watched this tape many, many times and it is clear that Wes
and Joe both pin Briggs.
So at Battleground, you are going to defend
that championship against Joe Coffey and Wes Lee in a triple threat match.
Hm.
[Vic] Oh, Booker. That is huge news heading into Battleground.
SEXY RED COMES TO NXT NEXT TUESDAY - USA 8/7C
But how about this for huge news?
Social media sensation and one of Billboard's breakout artists of 2023,
Sexyy Red, will be here on NXT.
Her latest album In Sexyy We Trust will be released this Friday
and features the hit single Get It Sexy. I cannot wait to see what happens
when Sexyy Red joins us right here on NXT next week.
[intro music]
[bell rings]
NXT - BRINLEY REECE
[Mike Rome] The following is an NXT Women's
North American Championship qualifier!
-Introducing first, Brinley Reece! -[Vic] I know we just heard from Reece,
but I hope she saved some of that energy, Booker,
for this qualifying matchup,
[Booker] Reece has been waiting on the ultimate opportunity
to cash her ticket.
This could be it.
[Vic] She's trying to punch that plane ticket to Las Vegas.
-[Booker] That's exactly right. Oh, yes. -[Vic] She's the apex.
Tonight. Battleground.
But so is her opponent.
[intro music]
[Mike Rome] And her opponent representing OTM…
JAIDA PARKER
…Jaida Parker!
[Vic] Well, no doubt Ms. Parker
is all business here tonight.
[Booker] Yes, indeed.
You know, I touted Jaida Parker as being one that's going to move
up here in NXT very, very quickly. See if that come to fruition.
[Vic] I'm just trying to calm down, take a breath…
after the hectic night we have had thus far.
-[bell ringing] -Got to expect the unexpected.
Whoa. And Parker coming out swinging.
And again, you got to go back to just last week right here in front of us.
These two were fighting all over ringside, fought all the way up the aisle,
all the way in the back.
All the referees had to come out here to pull them apart.
These two were throwing hands and that was a side of Reece we've never seen before.
[Booker] Yes. And tonight is about stepping up
for an opportunity of a lifetime.
And Reece is looking pretty damn good right now, Vic.
[Vic] Reece said tonight, not about luck, but about having the confidence to win.
And that is the type of confidence she's trying to show Idris and Malik so they can
start believing in themselves the way that she does.
[Booker] Yeah, I've said it. I've said it many, many times.
Big preparation is the only luck you're gonna have in this business.
And you're right.
Uh, that tag team could gain something from that.
[Vic] Well, the winner of this matchup will head to Battleground.
The field will be six women. And it'll be a ladder match.
That field filling up, Sol Ruca,
Lash Legend, Fallon Henley, who we saw earlier tonight.
They're already in.
One woman will make history Sunday, June 9th
and be crowned the first ever Women's North American Champion.
For Miss Parker to the midsection. Turning things around.
And I-- You love Ms. Parker. You like Ms. Parker.
You said it time and time again.
You've already said it tonight. But I want to ask you.
[Booker] She's got game.
[Vic] Pinpoint one thing. What sticks out the most about Jaida Parker?
[Booker] Look at her right now.
The tenacity, Vic, that you can just tell she wants it and she wants it badly.
Check this out right here, Vic. I've seen this right here before.
Watch this. This is going to be beautiful.
Brinley's perched, she's in perfect position.
Oh, my God, man!
[Vic] It's the first time I've heard you do play-by-play
in almost two years working.
Maybe I can breathe on a Tuesday night
and take a breath now that I know you can do it.
[Booker chuckles] Take a break.
[Vic] Well, Jaida Parker taking no breaks, continuing to bring the fight.
And this is what you just saw moments ago from Jaida Parker.
-She is in cruise control. -[Booker] Oh, yes!
[Vic] You know, we talk about the North American title. What about Oba Femi?
A massive challenge at Battleground.
As we learned moments ago, it's going to be a triple threat
against Wes Lee and Joe Coffey.
[Booker] Oba Femi, this guy is no joke.
[Vic] Shoulders out, shoulders out to get to base!
-Look at the core strength and power. -[Booker] Oh! Look at the strength…
[Vic] You almost took the words right out of my mouth.
As it's Brinley Reece looking for that backslide.
Parker trying to fight,
could not do it any longer, but was able to kick out.
[Booker] I mean, Reece seemed like right now she's on autopilot.
Not really having a game plan or strategy or anything like that.
[Vic] Off the double underhook, suplex,
hook of the leg, a deep hook and another kick out,
this time by Reece. Parker-Reece, both tied with scores of 91.
Good for third in the women's combine, which helped them qualify for this matchup
as…
Well, there you see Idris and Malik
and I would love to know what that conversation
is all about as we try to focus back in on this matchup.
And it's Reece who's trying to show Idris and Blade
that you can overcome any obstacle.
Shoulders down and a kick out. If you stay positive.
-[Booker laughs] -[Vic] And it's Reece
who's staying positive right now as you continue to laugh.
-What the hell's so funny? -[Booker laughing] No, no,
what if it's not fair to Blade?
Nothing has worked for Blade.
I mean, send him to Ms. Cleo. Do something.
Give him a crystal ball because they need help. They need help.
[Vic] Well, right now, Parker able to kick out.
And, you know, when it comes to help and luck,
Ms. Parker seems like someone who makes her own luck.
[Booker] No, no. Like I said, Ms. Parker, she's a boss.
I really feel like being in this position
-with the old team-- Oh, wow. -[Vic] Oh, trip back.
Quick kick out. Reece going around one more time. Shoulders down.
Both these women trying to qualify for that matchup at Battleground.
[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] And again, this is such a big matchup for both these women, Booker.
As Book--
There's Reece starting to get going in this matchup again.
She's building momentum
by believing in herself, which is what her matches have been since day one.
[Booker] This is all heart right here, Vic. This is all heart by this young lady.
She's doing a hell of a job going for it.
Beautiful!
[Vic] Off the clothesline to qualify. And Parker again able to kick out at two.
See the wheels starting to roll
right now in Reece's mind, what does she have to do to put Parker down and hold up?
Idris and Malik getting a closer look.
I know they're not out here to talk to you.
As Parker back in the center of the ring, able to power her way free.
And then just drops Reece, center of the ring.
And Parker charging in with that teardrop hip-check into the cover for Parker,
-who punches her ticket to Las Vegas. -[bell rings]
[Booker] I think she was distracted.
[Mike Rome] Here is your winner, Jaida Parker!
[Booker] I think Brinley Reece was distracted
by Enofé and Blade coming out here.
You agree with me on that?
[Vic] I don't necessarily agree,
but I cannot argue the fact because Reece was rolling
-in this matchup. -[Booker] She was rolling,
she was looking damn good.
[Vic] Right off that clothesline.
You started to maybe see maybe that doubt creeping in.
And then that patented hip-check
from Parker.
As Jaida, representing OTM, trying to get out the mud and to Las Vegas,
joins the field with Sol Ruca, Lash Legend, and Fallon Henley.
NXT WOMEN'S NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER MATCH
June 9th at Battleground.
[inaudible]
-Oh, hey, Fallon. -Hi.
-Bet it felt nice to finally get a win. -Yeah, it did.
And now you get to go to Battleground.
Yep. And all I have to do is climb that ladder,
grab that title, and become the first women's North American champion.
Yeah, with this attitude, you definitely can.
Well, duh.
I knew you never needed any friends to be successful.
Really?
Yeah. That's why I waited till after your match
to get my payback on Thea for breaking Jacy's nose.
[snoring]
-[alarm ringing] -[snoring]
[yawns]
This NXT Women's Championship has always been my why.
And that's why no one's gonna take it from me.
It's me and my title against the world.
And that's fine. Because as good as these girls are,
I'm simply better.
And everyone can say what they want about me. The locker room, main roster,
the WWE Universe that loves to post their useless opinions about me.
If they only knew it all just lands at my feet.
Because all I care about is my NXT Women's Championship.
[crowd cheering]
So you better get used to this sight.
Because when I look in the mirror, I don't see a villain,
I don't see a hero.
All I see is the prodigy. Your two-time NXT women's champion.
Yeah.
Yep. So I already talked to Nick, I talked to Adam. Everyone's on board.
Everything is all signed. All good to go.
Yes. So next week, Roxanne finds out who her next title defense is against.
Yeah. At Battleground. Mm-hm. Okay, great. Thank you. Bye.
[sighs] All right, let's see how this goes.
[Vic] Hold the phone. I mean, Booker, you got sources.
You gotta know something. What's Ava talking about?
[Booker vocalizing]
The TV star.
[Vic] That's not what I was talking about.
[Booker] The star of all television.
Japan,
England,
Zambuca,
everywhere. Oh, yes. His name is Lexis.
LEXIS KING
[Mike Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Lexis King!
[Booker] Oh, yeah!
[Vic] Oh, Mike Roman's been back two weeks, you're just trying to take his job.
[Booker laughs]
Hey, man, this guy gotta get the star intro.
Well, well, well…
The King has been on a bit of a hot streak lately.
I mean, can you argue with that?
And we all know that whoever walks through that curtain tonight
is gonna join a long list of gentlemen who have fallen to the King.
I mean. I mean, let's face it, in 2024, I am virtually undefeated.
[intro music]
This guy I already beat.
[Vic] Oh, it's Mr. Stone.
NXT - ROBERT STONE
-[Booker] Give him a shot. -[Vic] Well, he was issued a challenge
by Ava.
[intro music]
-Yeah! -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And look who he found!
[Mike Rome] And his opponent, Dante Chen!
DANTE CHEN
[Vic] Stone's fired up. The NXT universe is fired up.
Dante Chen, a stalwart of NXT and Level Up.
This is a big opportunity. This is a big chance for Dante.
[Booker] Lexis King finna make short work out of the Chin Man.
This is gonna be quick, trust me, dog.
[screaming]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Rob certainly has left no stone unturned
looking through the NXT locker room.
What's your first thoughts on Dante Chen?
[Booker laughs] The Chin Man is about to get the hell beat out of him
by a television star.
You know what? The thing is, he's going to be a made man tonight.
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] Are you saying the Chen Man or the Chin Man?
[Booker] The Chen Man, the Tin Man, the Chin Man, the same thing.
[Vic] No, it's not. It's Chen. It's not Chin. It's Dante Chen.
The first Singaporean-born superstar in WWE. Lexis King right on top.
And Lexis King, almost to your point
about how he would treat Mr. Stone.
And Chen-- I just don't get what makes King think
-he can just come out here, call his shot. -[Booker] Look at him.
[Vic] Two wins in a row doesn't make a career.
[Booker] Every since this man, Lexis King, showed up, the Internet has blown up.
We've been trending on a weekly basis, that's why.
[Vic] What about that shot? Big drop kick by Dante.
[Booker] King's looking good.
He's looking real good here early in this matchup.
[Vic] I can't believe what Mr. Stone was able to do, to get Dante Chen.
[Booker] Take your time, King. Take your time. You're a TV star.
You're the star of all television.
[Vic] A lot of cheap shots thrown to Rob Stone
from Lexis King. Well, Stone threw some back as well, but also to--
-Oh, those kicks! -[Booker] Beautiful dropkick by the King!
[Vic] Into the cover, hook of the leg and a kick out.
[Booker] I tell you, King, the King.
This dude right here, he definitely lives up to the moniker.
You got to give him that, Vic.
[Vic] Oof. I'm not giving him anything. You don't give…
You don't give credit where credit is due half the time.
[Booker] I'm giving credit right now to the King.
[Vic] Yeah, when it serves you and your thoughts. Lexis King again, certainly--
I, I just don't. Are you on his payroll?
How the hell did he climb up your hall of fame ranks?
[Booker] No, no. From day one I'm watching this kid right now.
He's making quick work of the Chen Man.
Chen is gonna have to do something
because the fans on him, he's got that six, man.
He's got people cheerleading for him.
But it's not going to help him with the television star.
[Vic] We talk about history being made
at Battleground, Kelani, the first ever NXT women's North American champion said
moments ago about Dante Chen, he's a history maker too.
That's why this moment is so big, so special
that Rob Stone has delivered to us.
[Vic] 'Cause the first Singaporean-born superstar in WWE history
is in the ring against your so-called television star.
Nice short arm clothesline.
-[Booker] Beautiful. -[Vic] But what other shows is he on?
[Booker] Beautiful. What are you talking about, what other…
-[Vic] What other show is he on? -[Booker] He's on…
He's on every television screen across the world.
-Across the nation -[Vic] Maybe right now on a Tuesday.
[Booker] Exactly my point. You know what it is?
That television time is worth its weight in gold.
And this man right here, Lexis King is thinking about that one thing, the goal
at the end of the day.
[Vic] King with a lot of strikes got caught by Dante.
-A big clothesline! -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Surprised Dante could hold on to King.
King is a greasy individual.
[Booker] That was a big shot by the Chen Man.
[Vic] It was a big moment. Bam!
Dante Chen has been waiting for this moment
since he moved over here to America,
since he signed that contract. He's been waiting for an opportunity.
He's been waiting for that match.
He's been waiting for that moment
that his family can watch and be proud of.
-And look at Chen unloading. -[Booker] The hell's going on right here?
Betting odds is about 325 minus 325 for this man. Lexis King. King, do your job.
I got money on you.
[Vic] I don't even know what you said, you talk so damn fast.
There's Dante right now.
Dante can do it!
Big splash, big inverted atomic drop.
Dante found the…
[Booker] Whoa!
-[Vic] …kick across the jaw. -[Booker] Can he get some space?
Find some space, son.
[crowd chanting] Dante!
Look at the chest of Dante Chen.
He's all cut up and marked up right now, but he's still fighting.
[Vic] Catches Lexis King. We gotta remember, too, for Dante Chen,
he battled Lexis King in King's debut. Maybe there's a little
payback on his mind. Into the cover and a kick out by King.
Oh, this place was about to explode.
[Booker] Dante Chen is doing a hell of a job right now,
and he's letting it all hang out,
but I just don't think it's gonna be enough
to defeat the television star,
the star of all television. I don't think it's gonna happen.
[Vic] Dante was a half second away, but King was able to fight through.
[Booker] Oh, drive by, drive by! Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] There's that crowning moment
as King staring a hole in Rob Stone. They go ahead and talk about it.
But Stone hasn't had the best track record, so to speak, as Stone right now…
[Booker] Do your job, ref!
[Vic] He didn't involve himself in the match.
He hasn't touched Lexis King. And look, Rob Stone, he got down.
He got off his feet. Swing and a miss, though.
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] Oh,
you cannot sucker a TV star like that. What do you think?
[Vic] Super kick caught. Dante Chen, who's already been crowned.
-[Booker] Rockabye. -[Vic] Looking for the coronation!
-It's on cradle! -[Booker] Oh, hell no.
[Vic] Chen countered! Chen shocks the NXT universe!
[Mike Rome] Here is your winner, Dante Chen!
You did it!
[Vic] Nothing?
[Booker] What just happened?
[Vic] Nothing. You got nothing to talk about
because Dante Chen just made the King
a jester here tonight on NXT.
Listen, you beat Natty in Underground?
LOLA VICE SHAYNA BASZLER
-Yeah. Hm-hmm. -I beat Karmen one-on-one.
We should be pretty dominant in there tonight.
Shayna.
Together we're unstoppable.
Natty and Karmen only have one of three options, right?
Yeah.
But listen…
let's keep the dancing back here tonight, okay?
Out there, we're cage fighters.
-It's all business in there. -Oh, I'm all business, mama.
Once that bell rings, pero I'm a Latina.
I like to have fun, too.
[Vic] Well, certainly, Booker, no fun in games in our main event,
as our champion is here and he doesn't look to be in a good mood.
NXT - NEXT
We're gonna hear from our NXT champion, Trick Williams, next.
[intro music]
[Mike Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome…
NXT CHAMPION TRICK WILLIAMS
…NXT champion…
Trick Williams!
Oh, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo.
Hey, y'all, I appreciate that, but I gotta get serious.
Let's get straight to business.
Two weeks ago, Noam Dar cussed me out
here for a supernova session and he dropped me from behind.
I took that on the chin.
Last week, Noam Dar comes out here and he gets dropped backstage.
Now we all know that if anyone knows how that feels,
Trick Williams knows how that feels. And I wouldn't wish that on nobody.
So let me say this one time and make it crystal clear
so everyone understands what I'm trying to say.
Noam Dar, I did not attack you.
If Trick Williams wanted to attack you,
Never. It won't happen. If Trick Williams wanted to attack you, Noam Dar…
you would have been unconscious.
If Trick Williams wanted to attack you…
If Trick Williams wanted to attack you, you wouldn't have been holding your leg.
You would have the size 15 Jordan logo tattooed
right across the middle of your forehead.
I don't attack from behind.
[intro music]
Trick. Trick. Trick.
What you need to do is stop playing.
META-FOUR
You might have all these crusty dusty mustys tricked, but you ain't tricking us.
'Cause we know it was you.
It might have been Je'von.
Or maybe it was the both of you that attacked Noam.
Trick, cut it out.
If it wasn't Je'von and it was you, you're probably still salty because my guy
-know knocked the daylight out of you. -[Jakara] That's right.
[Oro] My guy.
Grow up. Be a man. Admit it.
Admit that you are a low life and you don't deserve--
They don't want me.
-You don't deserve to be NXT champion. -Say it with your chest.
Wait a minute!
Jakara, Oro, please cut it out. Trick did not attack Noam.
-What? What? -He didn't!
-Girl! -He did not!
What makes you think Trick didn't do it?
Uh-huh. Humble minds want to know.
-Lash, let's hear about it. -Look, I didn't even say it like that.
Trick has actually been through this.
[repeating] La la la. Lash.
Are you shaking this man's dreads?
What?
Whose side are you on, huh?
Oro, I suggest you shut your mouth
before I come out there and I'll smack them tap dance loafers right off your ass.
[indistinct argument]
[intro music]
[Lash] Who that?
You're probably wondering why.
Probably thinking why is the guy who's just earned the opportunity
for a shot at the North American title…
Why am I out here talking to the NXT champ?
[inaudible]
Wilson, you're about to find out why.
-[Lash] Oh, really? -[crowd shouting]
[Vic] Booker, Wolfgang, Mark Coffey.
-[Jakara] Get him! -[crowd booing]
[Vic] That looks like a pack of hyenas attacking Trick Williams.
It's Je'von Evans…
joining Williams.
[crowd chanting] Young OG!
[Vic] Young OG throwing hands in the numbers game too much.
[crowd booing]
[Booker] Concerning himself with business that don't concern him, Vic.
[Vic] I just looked up, Jakara, Oro, all smiles on the outside
as Evans just taken care of. There's Trick!
NXT champion not gonna lay down.
[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick!
[Booker] Numbers game, Vic. Numbers game.
[Vic] Not even the NXT universe can rally and help and save the NXT champion.
[crowd booing]
[Booker] Locked with no notice, Vic. Wow!
[crowd booing]
[Vic] Gallus has come back to NXT
and has had a gigantic seismic shift to the landscape on Tuesday nights.
You see that?
[Vic] Oh, Booker, we have to get focused as there you see
a Canadian connection of Karmen Petrovic and Natalya
as they look to settle their issues once and for all
with the duo of Lola Vice and Shayna Baszler.
NEXT - NATALYA & KARMEN PETROVIC SHAYNA BASZLER & LOLA VICE
It's main event time next right here on NXT.
You did great out there.
You deserved that win.
Did you hear those people? I couldn't even hear out there.
-They loved you so much -Dante.
I just wanted to come in and personally congratulate you.
-You did amazing tonight. Well deserved. -Ava, thank you.
More importantly, thank you for the opportunity tonight.
I mean, look, I wish I could take credit, but honestly, that was all Mr. Stone.
He convinced me that this was your time.
[scoffs]
Well, then, Mr. Stone,
-thank you. -Super proud of you, Dante.
-Appreciate it. -Enjoy that win.
Hey, look, I know you're always looking for fresh, young talent.
-He was it. -Absolutely.
Congratulations, because you made a star tonight. Well done.
["Get It Sexyy" by Sexyy Red playing]
SEXYY RED - I CAN'T WAIT TO GO TO NXT NEXT WEEK YALL I MIGHT RKO SOMEBODY @WWE #NXT
[Vic] She's nominated for five BET Awards and drops her latest album
In Sexyy We Trust this Friday. But next week, Sexyy Red is coming to NXT.
One of hip-hop's fastest rising superstars
joins our own fast rising superstars when Sexyy Red joins us next Tuesday.
SEXYY RED COMES TO NXT NEXT TUESDAY USA 8/7C
On the topic of next Tuesday, the question in all our minds…
NXT BATTLE GROUND LAS VEGAS OPPONENT REVEALED - ROXANNE PEREZ
…who will the prodigy defend the gold against next?
Well, next Tuesday, the wait is over,
when Roxanne Perez's Battleground opponent will be revealed live on NXT.
Four superstars, two spots.
NXT WOMEN'S NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING MATCHES
MICHIN VS TATUM PAXLEY KELANI JORDAN VS WREN SINCLAIR
Who will take their next step towards history?
Who will advance to the ladder match
at Battleground to determine the first ever
North American women's champion? The field, it gets set next week.
And after everything that went down tonight…
TRICK WILLIAMS & JE'VON EVANS VS GALLUS
…Je'von Evans and NXT champion Trick Williams will battle Gallus.
It certainly didn't take long
for the Gallus boys to make enemies out of everyone in the locker room.
It's all going down next week live right here on NXT.
[intro music]
[bell rings]
[Mike Rome] The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
NXT - LOLA VICE & SHAYNA BASZLER
Introducing first the team of Lola Vice
and Shayna Baszler!
[Vic] Booker, they walk around,
that being Vice and Baszler, like they own the place.
-Like they run NXT. -[Booker] Big.
Both accomplished in their own perspective arts.
And the thing is, Shayna Baszler been there, done that.
How many time NXT champion? How many times…
-[Vic] Held it more than anyone. -[Booker] Exactly. Exactly my point.
[intro music]
[Mike Rome] And their opponents,
the team of Karmen Petrovic…
NXT - KARMEN PETROVIC & NATALYA
…and Natalya!
[Vic] That was Petrovic, who was done talking last week.
She wanted to fight.
She wanted to end this, as does Natalya.
[Booker laughs]
[Vic] The future Hall of Famer.
[Booker] That's a really solid woman right there, Natalya.
Look at that. Finally got some style and some class.
[Booker] You had 'em upside down.
You had him on upside down.
[Vic] She put him on me upside down, but I wasn't going to say anything.
That's your own fault for calling that out,
blowing up everything going on over here,
You just ruined a great moment.
-Thanks, Book. -[Booker] Great moment for who?
[Vic] For me, and Natalya.
We're friends. You know that I do have friends.
[Booker stammering] Nobody is friends with you.
[Vic] Yeah, you couldn't even get that out.
You don't even believe what the hell you just said.
-[Booker laughs] -[Vic] Canadian connection united tonight.
Karmen sporting a pink heart in support of the BOAT.
That being Natalya, who has supported her since Petrovic signed here to NXT.
[Booker] Shayna Baszler going right to her base,
immediately using that black belt ability.
-[Natalya chanting] Patty! -[crowd chanting] Patty!
[Vic] It's gonna be a very interesting matchup.
If you take a look at all four of these superstars
who are so different and the styles in which they've learned to fight.
We know the history of Shayna Baszler. We know Lola Vice is back, though.
The cheap shot to the spine, followed up with a devastating knee.
Natalya may be out and able to hit that right shoulder up, that sort of offense,
that sort of attacks. Natalya couldn't learn that in the dungeon.
[Booker] You know, I'm wondering if Karmen Petrovic
is going to be able to pull her load
in this matchup right here.
Because like I said, Lola Vice, we know what she bring to the table. Fast hands.
[Vic] Fast hands. Another quick tag was made.
And I know you've been impressed with Lola Vice,
but you also have to remember it's Shayna Baszler
who has helped her in recent weeks pick up victories.
[Booker] Not just that, just sitting under that learning tree of Shayna Baszler.
You can't help but learn.
You can't learn those tricks at any wrestling school or anything like that.
[Vic] Natalya trying to get through the leg,
-trying to get over, so close. -[Booker] Ah-ah.
[Vic] Able to kick away Baszler, finally making the tag.
And in comes Karmen Petrovic,
a superstar whose swing steel has skill, a fierce superstar.
Petrovic wanted this fight.
Right now she's bringing it right now, too, Vic.
-[Vic] It was Natalya-- -[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] It was Natalya who told Karmen Petrovic
to blaze a trail of glory in the ring.
It is Natalya who is a definition of a role model,
has challenged Petrovic to step up, be forceful, not get walked on.
And that's exactly
what Petrovic is bringing here tonight.
Into the cover, hook of the leg and a near fall in this match.
[Booker] See that karate coming into place right there.
-Educated feat by Petrovic. -[Vic] Petrovic called over, saw Vice.
In comes Natalya. That Canadian connection trying to showcase
their offensive ability, but there's the power,
there's the combat style, there's the MMA background of Vice and Baszler.
Swing and a miss, right back in. Oh! Double clotheslines in stereo.
Don't miss a second of this matchup.
Who's walking out with the victory on NXT?
Back on NXT, tag team main event.
Long standing issue between all four of these superstars,
specifically between Lola Vice
and the team of Natalya and Karmen Petrovic.
Because Vice disrespected the career of Natalya
or the combat background in karate of Karmen Petrovic,
who rolls up Baszler and a kick out.
But it's hard not to argue
that Baszler is into the cover hook of the leg
-and another near fall of Lola Vice. -[Booker] Damn close.
-[Vic] They are just a savage duo. -[Booker] Yeah, they say MMA
trumps karate any day of the week.
And like I said, I don't know if Karmen Petrovic is that weak link,
but right now she's definitely vulnerable in this position.
[Vic] Certainly have the advantage striking submissions,
that being Baszler and Lola Vice.
But there you see Natalya.
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] When you try to match desire, you try to match spirit,
and you try to match heart,
you gotta give those attributes to Natalya and to Karmen Petrovic.
And Petrovic a long way away from her partner.
She's got to figure out a way to navigate her way free.
[Booker] She's in a very tough spot right now,
but she's just going to have to fight her way out of it.
[Vic] Up, got caught.
Baszler coming right back in, sweeping the leg. And into another cover.
Go, Shayna Baszler. And another kick out. And Baszler not in a good mood.
She was eliminated two weeks ago from the Queen of the Ring tournament.
Looking to take her aggression out on Karmen Petrovic
as she makes a tag with Lola Vice.
And it just seems right now that Vice and Baszler are having their way.
[Booker] It's all about control. Right now I'm looking at Shayna B.
She looks very comfortable.
[Booker laughs] We can't say enough about Lola Vice.
Putting a little spice on it right there.
Add the hot Cholula green to the situation.
[Vic] Back in. And again, going to the midsection.
[Booker] Yes!
[Vic] Another tag was made. And these are quick effective tags
from Baszler and Lola Vice.
It shows the work that they've been putting in as a team, as a unit.
[Booker] Tag team tandem right now, Vic
[Vic] Big suplex, float over, hook of the leg.
And Booker, you just seem that it's a matter of time.
Karmen Petrovic is not going to quit in this matchup.
The official may have to step in at some point and really talk to Petrovic
because she's being bent, she's being beaten.
She right now is at the pure will of what Shayna Baszler wants to do.
[Booker] You say that the referee has to think about having the wherewithal,
the understanding, and know-how to do his job,
and that may be stopping this contest.
[Vic] Right back, dragging her away from Natalya, Shayna Baszler,
and Petrovic right now, you see the welts forming on her body,
but that's not stopping her heart from pumping.
Makes the tag! And it comes the BOAT.
Here comes the Guinness world record holder, Natalya.
[Booker] Big shots. Big shots by Natalya.
[Vic] Natalya has heard it from all around the world.
[Booker] Trying to make up some ground right now.
[Vic] Right now she is unlike any superstar
that has ever signed, entered or competed in the WWE.
A superstar continues to evolve.
[Booker] Yeah, she's happy about that.
Seemed like the hypocrisy of Natalya has no bounds. Here we go!
[Vic] With a little extra help, Lola was able to counter.
-[Booker] Beautiful counter. -[Vic] Nice arm track.
-Back up! -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Down goes Vice from Natalya.
Into the cover, how…
I was about to say how good that would feel for Natalya
to be able to pin Lola Vice after-- Bam! That big Larian.
Because we can't forget it was Lola Vice who defeated Natalya.
[Booker] Natalya's asking karma to come on, let's get this done.
I need you.
[Vic] Vice all by herself.
Petrovic trying to get her footing, trying to get to her feet.
Trying to fly with on a high cross body into the cover. Will it be enough?
And, oh, Vice able to kick out. And you just look at Petrovic.
She wants this so bad.
She has taken such a beating in this matchup.
Back into the corner for Natalya.
Natalya's a ring general out there right now. She's calling the shots
-[Booker] Oh! Wow! -[Vic] Coming in from behind!
Behind the knee, inside cradle.
Natalya's shoulder's down, able to kick out.
That could be the deciding factor in this matchup.
Looking for the sharpshooter, but right back up goes Baszler
who got caught with an elbow, but got caught with a back fist. Natalya's out.
-Petrovic saves. -[Booker] Whoa!
-[Vic] What a main event. -[Booker] Didn't see that coming.
-I thought Petrovic was out -[Vic] All the way on NXT.
[Shayna] Pick her up.
[Vic] Baszler done messing around in this matchup.
Baszler now the ring general.
Baszler now the quarterback. Baszler reached out for the tag.
Not gonna be able to get it. Just gets dropped by Natalya.
-Oh! -[Booker] Wow.
Just ran into that shot, which added a lot of extra move.
Big took. Oh, yes! Man!
[Vic] Talking about momentum, I see you moving to my right
as Lola Vice trying to lock in the sharpshooter.
Natalya trying to block it.
Natalya doing anything she can. Yes, she did. Natalya to her feet.
[Booker] Bad position. Bad position. Vic.
[Vic] Lola trying to hook. Couldn't do it.
Sharpshooters locked in, center of the ring.
Nowhere for Lola to go. Vice is gonna have to tap.
Lola. There's Baszler. Baszler from behind.
[Booker] Big shot.
[Vic] But now there's Petrovic. One more top.
Couldn't take down Baszler. And Shayna Baszler careful to clutch.
Baszler has taken this matchup over by herself until just moments ago.
[Booker] That's a big learn from that first time being locked in.
[Vic] Do you hear Petrovic? She's screaming "Natalya." Petrovic realizes
Baszler on the outside might be wiped out for a moment.
This is the opportunity now.
Put your foot on the gas. Tag was made.
-Booker, take a look! It's a Hart attack! -[Booker] Whoa! You can't beat that.
-[Vic] The Hart attack! -[Booker] You can't beat it.
-[Vic] Petrovic pins Lola Vice! -[bell rings]
[Mike Rome] Here are your winners.
The team of Natalya and Karmen Petrovic!
[Vic] How good this must feel
for that duo. Take a look at this punch.
Oh, you talk about rib breaking. Natalya held nothing.
And they went deep into the playbook of the Hart family
with that patented Hart attack.
It's Petrovic picks up the victory here tonight on NXT.
They wanted to end it.
They wanted to take the fight to Baszler and Vice.
And that's exactly what Petrovic and Natalya did tonight.
[crowd exclaims]
[Vic] Hey!
-Lola just dropped Shayna Baszler. -[crowd booing]
[inaudible]
[Vic] And then let her know about it.
Uh-oh.
Kirifuda Clutch.
This partnership certainly is over.
Baszler taking Vice down.
Referees, we're going to need more than the referees out here.
[referees talking indistinctly]
[Vic] Separate these two!
NXT universe going nuts!
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay, okay, okay.
Look, it's clear that both of you are looking for a fight.
And to be honest, I kind of want to see it, too.
So you want this? Say less.
You can do this at Battleground.
[crowd cheering]
Nah.
NXT Underground.
[Vic] Booker.
It looks like Sin City will be headed to the underground inside the UFC Apex.
These two are gonna rip each other apart at NXT Battleground.