[epic music]
[announcer] Then,
now,
forever
together.
[cheers]
[Vic] We're live in Las Vegas, home of WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium.
But tonight, it's the home of NXT Battleground.
And we are live inside the state-of-the-art UFC Apex.
This place is unreal from the moment you walk in.
So much to relive, including all the UFC history.
And tonight will be nothing short of historic.
[crowd chants "NXT!"]
As our host is ready
for our festivities to begin at Battleground.
[cheers]
[crowd chants "NXT!"]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the host of NXT Battleground,
Sexy Red!
-[cheers] -Hey, everybody, what's up?
It's our favorite hood, hottest princess, Sexy Mother Red,
and welcome to the NXT Battleground.
-[cheers and applause] -[hip hop music]
[Book laugh] Wow!
[narrator] NXT has arrived to Sin City.
[sexy music]
And tonight,
Las Vegas plays host to the Ultimate Battleground.
We're excited to give our superstars
the opportunity to perform in this state of the art facility.
For the first time ever, UFC Apex will transform.
♪ Here we come, here we come ♪
And make history with NXT
At Battleground, we will crown
the first women's North American NXT champion.
[Vic] These six will fight to achieve the title in a ladder match.
A historic championship clash.
[narrator] But in this town,
when you're on top of the world…
I beat all the odds.
I busted all the competition.
…a single roll of the dice…
[Roxanne] I'm simply better.
…can change your fortunes forever.
♪ Can you keep secret now? ♪
[siren sounds]
[Vic] TNA Knockouts champion, Jordynne Grace!
Now, Roxanne, you have built your name the same as I have in TNA.
So at Battleground, I'm challenging for your NXT Women's championship.
Jordynne, I'm sending your ass back to TNA with nothing but disgrace.
[narrator] The doors to UFC Apex may have been opened,
but the transformation has only just begun.
[Vic] We will enter the NXT Underground to prove who is the baddest.
Shayna Baszler or Lola Vice.
People have forgotten about my dominance.
In the Underground, either I tap you out…
-[Shayna] After I tear you apart… -[Lola] or I knock you out.
[Shayna] You'll find out there's only one cage fighter in wrestling.
You choose, bitch!
[narrator] As the Whoop That era prepares to take over the Strip…
[crowd chants "Whoop That Trick!"]
…keeping your name up in lights…
[announcer] Trick Williams is your NXT champion.
…can sometimes be tricky.
[Vic] Ethan Page gets an NXT title opportunity in his first NXT match!
Ethan, I know that you new here. Let Trick Williams tell you how things go.
Everyone will remember Ethan Page as the one that brought the abrupt end
to the Whoop That era.
At Battleground, you can't end nothing, dog.
[narrator] Ego is everything in this town.
And tonight, within the spectacular UFC Apex,
we built a new battleground.
Las Vegas, this is NXT.
[music fades out]
[announcer] And now live from UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada,
WWE presents NXT Battleground.
[upbeat music]
[cheers]
[Vic] You can feel the energy as we are live inside the UFC Apex
in the entertainment capital of the world.
And tonight promises to be nothing short of historic
with the lines of battle having been drawn.
Welcome to NXT Battleground.
Vic Joseph alongside the two-time WWE Hall of Famer,
the mayor of Las Vegas apparently, T. Booker.
How historic is this night going to be not just for the Superstars,
but for WWE and for UFC.
WWE and UFC wrestling tag teams are about to go on a hell of a run, man.
Oh, yes.
We're kicking off tonight in a very historic way at NXT Battleground
because the field has been set for the women that will compete
in order to make history.
There is the NXT Women's North American title.
Who will be the first to call themselves champion?
[cheers]
[rock music]
[announcer] The following contest is a ladder match to crown
the first ever NXT Women's North American champion!
-Introducing first, Sol Ruca! -[cheers]
[Vic] Sol Ruca of course defeated Izzi Dame to qualify.
But Booker, it's Sol Ruca the one that's feeling the most pressure.
She scored the highest rating at the women's combine.
[Booker] Came in number one out of all the ladies in the combine, Vic.
This is something different here. This ain't a skills challenge.
[intriguing music]
[cheers]
[announcer] Next, representing OTM,
Jaida Parker!
[Vic] Bronco Nima, Lucien Price, Ms. Parker secured her spot
by beating Brinley Reece to make it all the way here to Las Vegas.
Someone who you've gotten to know who was recently on your radio show.
[Book] The Hall of Fame.
[Vic] Yes, she certainly has the "it" factor, as you point out.
[Booker] Yeah, I mean, she has that "it" factor, no doubt.
She has the thing where you can't teach her. It's like deja vu.
Like she's been there before, Vic.
Oh yes, man.
[upbeat music]
[announcer] Making her way to the ring,
Michin!
[Vic] Defeated Tatum Paxley to qualify.
Do you get the sense that Michin has been going for it more,
not being so lax?
[Booker] She knows the deal. Let me tell you something.
Michin is looking for that career-defining moment.
Could this be it?
[uplifting music]
I love that music, man. It's hot. Huh uh.
♪ One, two, three, get it ♪
[hip hop music]
[announcer] Fallon Henley!
[Vic] Fallon beat Thea Hale to get to Las Vegas.
And you talk about being hot. It's about 105 degrees outside.
That jacket's gotta be a little bit warmer here inside the UFC Apex.
But as you see the women getting into the ring, you look up,
you see the championship.
Who will be the first woman to be the Women's North American champion
who will climb the ladder, who will retrieve the title,
who will immortalize herself here tonight at Battleground.
[Booker] What do you think about Fallon? A little different tonight.
[Vic] Coming to a little bit of a chip on her shoulder, no pun intended.
[intriguing music]
[cheers]
[announcer] Representing Meta Four, Lash Legend!
[Vic] Took down Monday night Raw's pit bull, Ivy Nile.
But here's the question about Lash Legend, Book. Where's her head at?
Is she fully focused on what's going on in this match?
Think about Trick, about everything else going on with Meta Four.
Think about the history going to be made tonight.
Think about this match. Is she truly focused?
[Booker] You said Trick Williams. That's big Trick Willie to you.
-Okay? -[Vic] I won't call him that.
I'll call him the NXT champion, thank you very much.
But I also notice how you dodged the question
of is she going to be in the game here tonight?
Will she be the one to crown herself champion?
[Booker] I don't know. I can tell you this.
That walk to the ring told me a whole lot about Lash Legend's confidence.
[upbeat music]
[announcer] And her opponent, Kelani Jordan!
[Vic] Jordan earned her place by beating Wren Sinclair.
As you take a look, she's in a fit, fitting way.
She's wearing a bit of a Vegas vibe.
-Is luck on her side here tonight? -[Booker] She's bright, bubbly.
She's probably the youngest out of these ladies in the ring here.
But she's very skilled, very talented and looking to shine in NXT.
In 2018, the men had the North American title
hanging above the ring to determine its first champion, Adam.
It happened in New Orleans.
[Vic] Who will etch her name in history? We're about to find out at Battleground.
[crowd shouts]
[bell rings]
And right off, body starting to hit the floor.
Booker, I don't know if you've noticed this.
We're a little bit closer than normal.
We're a little bit more confined here tonight.
[Booker] And I don't like it. I don't like it at all.
-[Vic] Oh, brother. -[Booker] Oh, what the hell?
[Vic] Hey!
[screaming]
-You all right, Book? -[Booker] Yeah.
[Vic] I know I asked you that. I'm going to stop asking.
Oh, yeah, we're moving. Take a look in the ring.
Jaida Parker right here legitimately on our desk. And Michin…
[Michin screams]
[Vic] Again, Book… Whoa!
You're welcome, Booker!
You're welcome!
[Vic] I'd say I feel bad, but I don't. You got exactly what you deserved.
I told you to get out of the way. Look at Jordan.
Right into Lash. In this ladder match, everything's legal!
-Big missile drop kick! -[crowd gasps]
And again, who is the first to get up the ladder,
retrieve the title, will call themselves champion here tonight.
Fallon running a bit of interference, but last taken over.
Noam Dar and Oro meant to attack, called things off with Trick Williams.
She's got to be thinking somewhat about the main event later tonight.
-She just got rocked to the outside. -[applause]
-[Booker] The hell is going on? -I told you to watch out.
[Vic] I said get out of the way. You didn't listen. Paid the price.
That's what has happened right now in the ring to Kelani Jordan
as she gets a nice standing reverse. There's action all over the place.
I did just tell you.
-[Booker] Can I get a monitor? -What do you want?
[Vic] I can't be in production at the same time here.
I told you we're a little bit more confined tonight.
[Booker] What's going on?
[Vic] Look at the monitor. I just gave you one.
Kelani Jordan dropping Ruca. And look at Jordan!
-With a little X extra twist! -[crowd gasps]
[Booker] That's what I'm talking about. She's very talented, Vic.
[crowd gasps]
Talking about talent. Talking about talent. That's so Lukavic.
-It's getting hotter here. -[Vic] Just got dropped by Fallon.
Listen to the NXT universe.
[crowd chants "NXT!"]
-[crowd gasps] -[Booker] Oh, my God, man.
[Vic] Just that athletic-- Pure chaos!
And a big pump kick from Lash.
[cheers]
The field is down. Huge demolition derby.
[Booker] Everybody wants to win so bad.
This is a history-making moment tonight.
[Vic] I'm glad you bring that up because what does it mean to be the first?
[Book] No, to be the first so young at this stage of your career, Vic,
is rocket fuel for the career, man. That's what it is.
[Vic] What the hell? Look at Kelani go!
You take a look at the entire card here tonight in Vegas.
There are more women tonight than men.
Truly showcasing why we have the best women's division in all of wrestling.
[Booker] Oh, look at the strength of Lash Legend. Oh, wow!
[Vic] It doesn't matter how strong you are when you get hit with a ladder.
-Oh, my word! -[crowd gasps]
[Booker] Jaida Parker with a lot of natural ability picks.
She's highly touted to win this thing here tonight.
[screaming]
-[Booker] Oh, wow! -[Vic] Nasty landing by Michin.
-Gnarly, man. -It's Sol Ruca in control.
And is Sol the one to watch her first ladder match.
-We know she's not going to hold back. -[Booker] Sol is the one to watch.
But all six of these ladies, Vic,
you cannot sleep on any one of them because like you said a second ago,
this is history, man.
[Vic] There's Fallon,
the only superstar to wear gold in NXT that's in this match up.
She knows what it takes.
And she's climbing rung by rung, has her finger on the title.
And Sol Ruca, nice job running-- Oh! A little bit of interference.
[Booker] This is a different foul in Henley.
She has an attitude here tonight.
[Vic] The ladder a bit off center from where they need to be.
A nasty landing!
There's Ms. Parker. What's Ms. Parker thinking?
-Oh! -[Booker] Oh, wow!
[applause]
[Vic] That'll ruin anyone's night in Vegas.
[Booker] Kelani Jordan could be out for the night.
[Vic] What a way to kick off NXT Battleground.
-[Booker] All action right now. -History to be made.
Michin back to her feet, looking to return the favor
with a high-angle German suplex in Michin.
She knows she's been in this position before. Climbing right to the top.
-The door opens, she's there! -[Booker] Whoa.
-[Vic] Oh, and so was-- Oh! Lash legend. -[crowd gasps]
Lash, I mean, has the most power in this match up, as showcased in the past.
Oh! Able to sidestep, great elusiveness by Lash.
[Booker] Not just that. She's representing Meta Four, Vic.
She's representing tonight. She's representing Noam Dar, Mensah.
That's why I go back and mention
is her head in the game with everything going on?
Michin just got dropped and Lash now, she's in the driver's seat, Booker.
[Booker] No, somebody got to represent
-for Meta Four. -[Vic] Lash starts to climb.
[Vic] Think about Lash, how tall she is.
-She doesn't have to climb as far. -[Booker] One more, Vic.
[Vic] Can't grab it. Michin, able to pull Lash down-- And wow!
[screaming]
Nice counter.
You gotta think she's able to put down Michin.
She's able to put to sleep.
That's one less superstar that Michin,
if she's out, that Lash has to worry about.
[Booker] Not the right strategy though.
You don't want to waste much time in one place in a match up like this.
[Vic] Fallon trying to jump in on the party,
operates with that me-first mentality.
[Booker giggles]
[applause]
[Booker] Talking about the dick being stacked.
[grunting]
[Vic] Again the chaos of this match up,
all these it's somehow Fallon Henley just holding on to Lash Legend.
But look at that. Look at Sol Ruca!
[Sol screams]
Ruca not concerning herself with anyone else.
She's trying to make history.
Kelani jumping on the back. All these women know what's at stake.
These were 12 women that came down to six.
They're in the ring now, only one will make history.
Kelani's all the way to the top. She's right there, Book!
-[Booker] Wow! -Kelani's right there.
-Jaida dropped Sol, dropped each other. -[Booker] Can't get the right balance.
Kelani's by herself.
But that door quickly shuts and Jaida back in control.
This was one of the reasons you've always said you weren't a fan
-of competing in ladder matches. -[Booker] Somebody's going to get hurt.
[Booker] Every time you step into a ladder match, especially these days.
[Vic] We go back to the concept we talked about
with the field with the women's combine.
General manager Ava right now has to be smiling in the back
seeing her concept come to life.
From the combine to the one woman that will make history
as Sol Ruca and Parker.
Now Michin's in and tipping the ladder over.
[Booker] You talk about Ava.
She's the youngest GM in our history. She's doing a hell of a job.
I say give her a raise, man. Give her a raise.
-She's been doing some hell of-- Wow! -[Vic] Oh, my word!
[Vic] Face first onto the ladder. And now Rufa gets dropped!
[Booker] Beautiful shot by Fallon.
[Vic] Fallon realizing why Fallon Henley saw Lash making her way in.
She got right back up, but she's going right back down.
-[Booker] Oh, wow. -Two for one.
Fallon Henley. Don't look around.
Climb the damn ladder.
[Booker] Talk about that attitude that she needed, Vic.
I've been saying it since day one and now she's adopted that attitude.
And look, she's so close now.
[Vic] That attitude you talk about is her developing that killer instinct.
[Booker] Instinct is something you need in this business.
Very selfish business.
[Vic] Look at Kelani now moving a second ladder into position.
[Booker] Especially after taking that hard shot right there.
[screaming]
[Vic] All these women I'm looking around,
everyone, welts forming on their body. Michin getting kicked off.
Four women looking for one title. It's down to three. Jaida reaching up.
Who is going to be able to get their hands…
[Booker] Did you see that shot?
…retrieve the championship. And Lash Legend just wiped out the field.
[Booker] Lash wants it. She wants it so bad.
[Vic] And she seizes it.
She sees it. Lash is starting her climb!
-[Booker] This is it. -Quick climb towards history!
[Vic] Sol's up there now.
-Sol's fighting. -[Sol moans]
Sol Ruca, the number one seed from the combine.
[crowd gasps]
Perhaps maybe the odds on favorite.
Lash, Lash.
[Booker] No way.
-No way she's gonna do this. -[Vic] Sol looking to suplex the other.
[Vic] Bodies teetering. Sol!
Trying to pull down Lash.
Lash trying to hold on.
[snorts] It's almost a bad landing for Lash Legend.
And that…
Book!
-[Booker] I don't like this. -What the hell?
[Booker] I don't like this at all.
[crowd gasps]
-You gotta be kidding me! -[Booker] God, baby.
[Vic] Lash Legend just bounced off the ladder.
[crowd chants "Holy shit!"]
It's been chaos since beginning of the night.
You can see what's trending number one,
and it's because six women are looking to become the one to make history.
I just looked down. Lash is hurt right now. Almost dead.
-[Booker] Of course she's hurt. -Look at the bodies in the ring.
They're throwing haymakers right now.
-Inside the UFC, Apex meets the DDT! -[Booker] Oh, talking about. Here we go.
[Booker] So close, but still gets so far away. You gotta do it.
[Vic] Oh, how wise. Michin to jump to the second ladder.
But, oh…
No.
-Oh! -[crowd gasps]
-Nasty landing for Michin. -[Booker] Very nasty.
[Vic] The danger of the ladder match doesn't stop.
There's no timeouts. This is continuing.
[crowd chants "This is awesome"]
[Booker] The strength.
[Vic] This is just the start to NXT Battleground. A historic night.
This has already been the first Premium Live Event for NXT in Las Vegas,
the first WWE event in the UFC Apex
and Parker looking to become the first-- Oh, Michin.
And these two have a rivalry between the two.
Remember how much they were jaw jacking with one another this past Tuesday?
That's carried over into tonight.
Sol took a little bit too much time trying to get that ladder to be perfectly still.
-Oh! Sol, Snatcher! -[Booker] That was a beautiful setup.
[Booker] Beautiful setup there by Sol Ruca.
-[Vic] And another one! -[Booker] Oh!
[Booker] Two times. Two times for your mind. Oh, my God, man.
[Vic] Quickly up to the top. Sol, Michin, Kelani.
Sol to the top. Kelani to the top.
Michin, Kelani trying to fight just to stay on top of the ladder. Oh!
-Both women, same idea. -[crowd gasps]
-Almost a double KO. -[cheers]
[Booker] Window just opened, window just opened for Michin.
[Vic] Sol Ruca back to her feet somehow, and she just got wiped out.
You're right. That door is open right now for Michin.
[crowd gasps]
The same thing can be said for Kelani.
-One of a kind! -[crowd gasps]
[applause]
Get there.
Kelani.
-She's up top! She did it! -[cheers]
[bell rings]
She just made history! Jordan has made history!
[announcer] Here's your winner
and the first-ever NXT Women's North American champion,
Kelani Jordan!
[Vic] Unbelievable!
Kelani Jordan from the Big Ten to NXT
to Las Vegas,
to the first NXT North American Women's champion.
[Booker] Wow.
What a moment.
[Vic] This was quite the moment as well.
Lash Legend being bounced off the ladder, wiped her out of the match up.
Then it was Michin who was able to take control of this match.
We called it "Human Demolition Derby." We said it was pure chaos.
It was everything we thought it would be and that much more.
It was six women who came out here to lay it on the line like Sol Ruca,
who hit not just one, but then Book,
she went back to the table and she doubled down, bam!
With two Sol's smashers here tonight to make history.
But Kelani Jordan, in the end, proving she truly is one of a kind
by climbing the ladder,
retrieving the title and immortalizing herself.
[cheers and applause]
Because for Kelani Jordan,
she's been looking to stand out in the women's division.
Well, now she stands alone in the record books
as the first woman's North American champion.
[crowd chants]
[Vic] And there is Las Vegas.
It's been a great host of NXT Battleground,
but for Ethan Page, Booker, it kind of got off to a rough start.
Let's look at what I was talking about.
Because Ethan Page, he arrived in Las Vegas yesterday.
[man 1] Welcome to Vegas. How are you feeling ahead of Battleground?
-I mean, other than being-- -[Oro shouts]
Wow!
[grunting]
[Vic] If Tuesday wasn't enough, Oro Mensah got him a little bit more.
Page certainly in the cross hairs of Mensah,
but also in the cross hairs of our champion, Trick Williams,
who arrived at the UFC Apex earlier today ahead of the main events
here tonight at Battleground.
Because Trick Williams will defend the NXT championship
against the aforementioned challenger,
who is still maybe feeling the effects of that attack, Ethan Page.
Main event still to come here tonight of NXT Battleground.
There we are now looking at Lola Vice warming up
as she will re enter NXT Underground,
this time against a different opponent.
That opponent being the one and only former NXT women's champion,
the Queen of Spades, Shayna Baszler,
who is warming up with former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill.
We will indeed find out tonight who is the baddest in NXT,
inside NXT Underground here at NXT Battleground.
[heavy metal music]
[cheers]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is for
the NXT Tag Team championship!
Introducing first,
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
[Vic] I'm just going to be blunt.
When the good brothers arrived in NXT,
should they have been handed a title match?
-A tag team title? -[Booker] No, I don't think so,
but after the reckoning of The O.C., you have no choice but to put them
in this position right here. Oh, yes. I'm ready, man.
[rock music]
[cheers]
[screaming]
[announcer] And their opponents,
they're the NXT tag team champion,
Nathan Frazer and Axiom!
[Vic] They're the good brothers.
The champions have been ducking the challengers.
I don't necessarily agree with that statement.
[Booker] I don't agree with that at all. Axiom, Nathan Fraser, these two together,
they may be unstoppable, Vic.
Oh, yes. I'm talking about the tenacity high octane nitrous oxide.
Man, it's about to get quick up in this bug. Oh, yes, man.
[Vic] See, those two C4 energies you had earlier are starting to kick in
as we're two matches into the night.
The champions though did not approve of outside teams.
And this is their quote, "cutting the line."
It seemed at one point, if you remember,
Gallows and Anderson thought they were NXT originals.
The O.C. thought they were OG's.
[Booker] I told you The O.C. are back here for one reason and one reason only:
-to capture these tag team championships. -[bell rings]
[Vic] Axiom, I just looked up from the monitor,
that left shoulder has a little tape on it after the attack from Tuesday.
Axiom shoulder.
I'd even throw Nathan Frazer's ribs as well. Could be targets for The O.C.
[Booker] Every time these step inside that square circle, they're hurt.
It's just a matter of just not being injured.
[crowd gasps]
Axiom is ready to go. He's ready.
[Vic] He's awake now.
There goes Anderson right to that bullseye.
I just talked about that heavily taped left shoulder.
The O.C. has continually attacked Axiom and Fraser,
forcing the champion's hand by frustrating them.
Would that give the challengers an advantage here tonight?
They know they can frustrate the young champions.
[Booker] I don't think so. I've been watching them for the last year.
I said these two guys, they need something.
And together, Vic, that could be it.
Look at them, as a team, they're flawless.
-[Vic] That tag was made-- -[Book] Oh, wow!
[Vic] Never slow down. That is the motto.
Nathan Frazer is into a cover and Anderson quickly kicking out.
-But these two teams… -[Booker] Look at that.
…couldn't be more different in and out of the ring.
They're champions, very low-key individuals,
let their talking in the ring.
That's where they do their talking.
[Booker] These guys have been champion all over the world.
Like I say, this isn't a reset or anything like this.
This is just regrouping and getting back to business.
[applause]
[Vic] Anderson sort of mocking Frazer in that moment.
When you talk to The O.C., when you talk to Gallows,
you talk to Anderson, they believe they're like Vegas.
People around the world want to see them.
Teams from around the globe want to compete against them.
That is what Axiom and Frazer are doing at the highest level in this moment.
Were almost able to retain the NXT tag team titles.
[Booker] Like Nipy Hustle said, you want a slice, Vic,
you got to roll the dice.
-I love that quote. -[Vic] That's a good quote.
[Vic] I'd have thought you'd have taken credit for it.
I give you a lot of credit for crediting the person.
[Booker] That's Nipsey.
[Vic] Frazer, Axiom in control. Look at Karl Anderson.
This is that frustration I was bringing up earlier that they were angry for.
All the attacks, verbally, physically, that attack out at the merchandise stand,
at the merchandise truck at NXT on Tuesday.
I mean, you think about Frazer, if they can be baited into anything,
that frustration, that little slip, you know, better slip can cost you.
[Booker] It could be a big, big mistake, but I beg the difference, Vic.
I mean, Nathan Fraser and Axiom, these two guys,
you look at them, just by the way they conduct themselves.
They're fighters, man.
They're willing to go in there and put it all on the line
because they believe in themselves. Look at that, look at that!
[Vic] Just cut off Anderson face first.
That middle turnbuckle and a quick tag. You've already said it.
You've been impressed with the champions on many different levels.
-High cross body, big LG just got caught. -[Booker] That's the fight I'm talking--
[in unison] Oh!
[Vic] Being a veteran, staying one step ahead.
Immediately Karl Anderson went right to that injured arm, and here comes Luke.
[Booker] Love me some Karl Anderson. And he is the precision tactician.
And now you got the big man inside just doing work. I love it.
[Vic] Someone might fact-check me on this,
but this is the first NXT Premium Live Event for The O.C.
It's the first Premium Live Event
for The O.C. since competing on Crown Jewel in 2022.
They feel angry, they're disrespected, and they want to hurt
whoever is in the ring with them.
[Booker] Those stats won't mean anything if The O.C. don't walk out of here.
Trust me. That's what it's all about.
It's about winning.
The goal is about becoming the major, major players. Oh, right!
-[Vic] Pinpoint at Gallow's elbow. -I love it, man.
Right to the joint of Axiom. You know what? You brought up gold.
What has made The O.C. so dominant for so long?
What has made them so good?
TNA, New Japan, Raw Tag Team champions, World Cup Champions in WWE.
[Booker] Very simple, Vic. These guys have been together by each other's side.
Side by side for the last 11 years.
They always say it's about the money and the miles, man.
That's what they got. You feel me?
[Vic] I do. And Axiom feels he's miles away from his tag team partner
because he desperately needs to make the tag and instead just got dropped!
[Booker giggles] What a shot.
-What a shot. -[Vic] And Anderson back in. And, oh!
[Vic] Right to the midsection.
And now The O.C. slowing the pace of this match down.
[Booker] Better remove, Vic, right now. Slowing the pace.
It looked like we're slowing the pace down,
but right now we're just keeping Axiom real close to the body, man.
That's not gonna work.
See what I'm saying?
[Vic] With a chop. Could that bring gold?
Seeing a kick out, Anderson is a bit frustrated in his own right.
-He's going to punish Axiom. -[Booker] He's taking his time, Vic.
Doesn't matter if it's a Tokyo or a private jet.
The O.C.'s about talking shop winning gold.
They may win a goal, Booker, they have never held before.
[Booker] That's the question. Can they do it?
Let me tell you, Fraser and Axiom,
they're not going to lay down and just let it happen.
We're in for a long night. I don't care what you think.
This is just the beginning here. This is the Appetizer, man.
[crowd chants "Axiom"]
[Vic] NXT universe trying to rally the champions in this moment.
And there's Axiom. You can see just the size disadvantage.
And with one clubbing blow buckling the knees of Axiom.
-[Booker] Big uppercut. Big, big uppercut. -Oh, that was a big counter.
[Vic] Axiom and all that DDT again, you got to think he was on the left side.
His left shoulder is damaged.
He couldn't quite get all the hook in that he wanted, but he's desperate.
-Right now, he needs to make attack. -[Booker] This goes back to what I said.
-[Vic] Here comes Anderson. -[Booker] They're not gonna quit.
-They're not gonna quit. -[Vic] They certainly are not in The O.C.
[Vic] One more time. Oh, wait a minute. Axiom using that quickness, reaching out.
-And in comes Fraser! Missile drop kick! -[crowd gasps]
There's nothing wrong with the champions doing things their own way.
They never slow down.
[Booker] Yeah. Let me tell you.
The O.C.'s as good as they are.
I don't think they faced anybody quite the caliber of these two teams.
These two guys right there. Oh, beautiful!
-[Vic] Bam! -Beautiful, Vic.
[Vic] Frazer looking around.
Standing Shooting Star to retain the gold here tonight
-in a near fall. -[Booker] Poetry, emotion.
[Booker] Fraser. You want to stay on the gas, young man.
Stay on the gas pedal.
[Vic] Certainly has to. We talk about the champions.
They competed against each other for years.
They finally came together to achieve gold.
They're not just going to roll over here tonight.
Up to the top rope, looking for the Phoenix blow!
Able to roll through, land on his feet. In comes Anderson. Up goes Frazer.
And a TKO dropping Frazer. Another tag was made.
Axiom gets isolated.
[Booker] We could have new tag team champions in a minute.
[Vic] It's only going to take three damn seconds!
-[Booker] The tide has shifted, man. -Combination neck break.
-[Booker] That'd be it. -Gallows into the cover, hook in the leg.
And Axiom just able to kick out. Or, excuse me, Frazer able to kick out.
[Booker] Instinctual kick out.
Because Frazer was on Dream Street after that.
[Vic] Take another look, damn. This was after Axiom was isolated.
Frazer's by himself.
I still don't even see Axiom moving. Nathan, right now in a bad way!
Sit down, Power bomb. This has got to be an Axiom. Axiom!
Oh, wow! Just got there in the nick of time.
Anderson didn't like that play. He dumped Axiom back to the outside.
Look at Frazer. Frazer looking for attack.
He doesn't have anyone to tag. But you know who did? Gallows.
You know who's legal now? Anderson.
[Booker] Yeah, but I'm telling you, you don't want to play with Nathan Fraser.
You don't want to waste any time like Karl Anderson is doing now.
Vic, you want to keep the pressure on, man.
-[Frazer grunts] -[crowd gasps]
[Vic] Nice counter. Almost to your point, Book, tag was made. Axiom's now legal.
Anderson took a little bit too much time. Axiom looking to make him pay.
Rolling right through. Charge it back. And spine buster!
-[Booker] Always go back to your base. -Tag.
[Booker] When nothing's working, you always go back to your base.
That big spine buster by Karl Anderson.
[Vic] Gallows and Anderson have been crossed the last few moments.
Now looking for that magic killer to end the magic run of Axiom and Frazer.
Whoa, wait a minute. Look at this! A counter. A submission.
Frazer to the outside. Anderson just got dropped.
Axiom just took down Gallows. Squeeze, squeezing, Gallows.
Gallows is fading, Book. Axiom repositioning.
Looking to put the big fella to sleep.
But there's a lot of fight left in the big XLG.
[Booker] Yes, indeed. He needs to move. Luke Gallows needs to.
Beautiful counter there.
[Vic] He's usually the LG, but in Vegas, he add the extra X and now it's Gallows.
-[Booker] Could this be it? -Anderson.
Looking to add that piece of gold to their repertoire.
[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] I don't know if there's anything left!
[crowd gasps]
Where in the hell did Frazer come from?
[applause]
Frazer didn't just run in the ring.
Frazer jumped over halfway across to save the titles.
[Booker] I didn't even see him come in.
[crowd chants "NXT"]
[Vic] You said the champions wouldn't roll over, wouldn't lay down.
They are bringing the fight right now to The O.C.
But Anderson, there's a different look in his eye.
He seems a little PO. It's a cradle. It's a cradle, center of the ring.
Near fall, double kick out.
Don't necessarily know whose shoulders were down, but I know who's down.
It's Anderson. It's now Gallows to the outside. Big dive.
Frazer adding it up. Got caught.
It's going to get caught, and it's going to get dropped.
[Booker] Oh, man.
[screaming]
Safer Axiom.
[Booker] Anderson and Gallows seem like they came with a master plan
to walk away with those tag team champions.
-They're so damn close. -[Vic] They've said for months
more teams to go about their business in the same manner as the good brothers.
And it could be goodnight for Axiom.
-[crowd gasps] -[Booker] What?
[Vic] You got to be kidding me. And now look at Anderson.
Almost became incentive when he kicked out.
He is so angry right now. Anderson is seeing red.
Yeah, but he's doing the right thing.
He's doing the right thing. One more big shot. That could be it.
[Vic] Great shot by our camera crew. Frazer is nowhere to be found.
It's Axiom by himself.
Axiom, though, right now is teetering, trying everything he can
to wiggle his way free, and was able to get out for a moment.
What a match, Book.
[Book] I tell you, Vic, what a match here in the UFC Apex.
Talking about history being made already.
What else is about to happen? Oh, wow!
[Vic] Frazer overshot, but he got enough to take down Gallows.
Tag. Frazer's now legal. Axiom, though, on the top rope.
What's Axiom thinking?
[crowd gasps]
Super Spanish fly moved him into position! It didn't work earlier,
but if at first you don't succeed, try again. Phoenix splash!
-Cover count. -[crowd counts]
-This is why the champs never slow down! -[bell rings]
Wow.
[announcer] Here are your winners,
the NXT Tag Team champions,
Axiom and Nathan Frazer!
[Vic] A look of frustration in the eyes of Luke Gallows.
[cheers and applause]
What a victory
for the champions here tonight.
And take a look at the closing moments of this match up.
First, it was this super Spanish Fly. And no doubt about Axiom got all of that.
And then it was Nathan Frazer putting an exclamation point on this match up. Bam!
To secure the victory, to retain the gold, and to stay as the top tag team in NXT.
And now the question is, Book, as we move to this Tuesday,
who can keep up with the tag team champions here in NXT?
There is the city of Las Vegas, the home of WrestleMania 41, and NXT Battleground.
It's been part of history tonight. Still more to come, Book.
We are sold out here for Battleground tonight in the UFC Apex.
And one of the reasons is because the NXT women's champion, Roxanne Perez,
who is ready to compete tonight to make more history,
as she will defend the NXT Women's Championship
against the juggernaut,
the TNA Knockouts champion, Jordynne Grace,
as she soaks in some of the UFC history here at the UFC Apex.
A historic championship clash still to come tonight at Battleground.
[heavy metal music]
But Book, you see what's going on
because the Battleground being turned into NXT Underground.
[Booker] This is it, Vic. This is it.
[Vic] Booker, I want to remind you, as you see people starting to flood,
it's a little bit closer, it's a little bit tighter ringside.
The Underground is right here in front of us,
and it's right here in a matter of moments, because it's simple.
Tap or nap, both these women believe they are the best.
But tonight, Baszler and Vice
will prove who is the fattest in an NXT Underground match.
[crowd gasps]
[woman 1] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay, okay.
[indistinct shouts]
Look, it's clear that both of you are looking for a fight.
You can do this at Battleground.
[cheers]
Nah. NXT Underground!
[intense music]
Stay humble. Enjoy the grind.
Those are all words I've heard since coming to NXT.
And they may be true for everyone else, but I'm not everyone else.
Lola Vice is a superstar in every form.
-[Lola] Let me tell you a little secret. -[Vic] Lola Vice, the breakout superstar.
I am the complete package.
I've got knockout part in my hands and feet, and I look hard doing it.
[seductive music]
No one, nadie, can handle Lola Vice.
My star shines bright no matter who throws shade.
I brought Shayna Baszler back to NXT,
a place she dominated.
I never imagined it. A woman with all of her accolades.
Someone I looked up to as an inspiration would be jealous of me.
And now I get it.
[Vic] Went for the clutch. This partnership certainly is over.
Somewhere along the way, people have forgotten about my dominance.
Clutching people out, snapping bones, crushing faces.
The most feared woman in NXT.
It doesn't matter how brave you think you are to stand up to me,
you're gonna get smacked in the face with a hard dose of reality.
And I am that reality.
The woman who has held the NXT Women's championship longer than anyone,
the first woman to cross over from MMA to pro wrestling.
If it wasn't for me, Lola Vice wouldn't be one of the hottest prospects in the game.
She'd be shaking her ass on some street corner.
This Sunday in the Underground
is the reintroduction of the Queen of Spades.
[Lola] Shayna Baszler,
in the Underground, you have one of two options.
Either I tap you out
or I knock you out.
-You choose… bitch! -[crowd gasps]
Lola Vice, I'll be rooting for you Sunday at the Battleground.
Let's go for the knockout.
She's got way more experience than this girl.
She'll wipe the floor with her.
Shayna Baszler is going to lock that arm around Lola's neck
and see her life flash before her eyes.
I think Lola's going to get the KO. I think it's going to end devastatingly.
Shayna is the best MMA crossover performer,
but I'm going to be the greatest superstar to cross over from MMA to the WWE.
[Shayna] At the UFC Apex, after I tear you apart,
you'll find out there's only one cage fighter in wrestling.
[Lola] Sunday at Battleground, I'm going viral.
Think I'm gonna knock Shayna Baszler out. And then it's time to dance.
[applause]
[Vic] Oh, get ready, Booker. There is Khalil Rountree Jr.
The 8th ranked UFC light heavyweight.
He's taken in a historic night here in Las Vegas at Battleground.
He in fact is ready for NXT Underground.
And also the former UFC Flyway champion, Brandon Moreno,
who knows a little bit about making history.
The first Mexican born UFC champion.
He's here as well. And are they…?
Are you ready for what we're about to witness?
You've been knocked down once.
[Booker] You might get your ass knocked out here.
-Mind your business, all right? -[Vic] I try to protect you earlier, Book.
[cheers]
Shayna Baszler, though, is all business.
Baszler doesn't think… Well, she's not going to hesitate tonight.
Two former MMA fighters looking to hurt the other here tonight.
When you start thinking about Shayna Baszler,
this sort of is a surreal moment.
Part of Team Rousey on the Ultimate Fighter. She entered the UFC Apex.
It's a full circle moment, in a way, for the Queen of Spades.
[Booker] It's a new game now, Vic.
♪ Uno, dos, tres, cuatro ♪
[sexy music]
[Vic] It's the first time NXT Underground has been on a Premium Live Event fitting.
It's in the UFC Apex.
[applause]
But it's an area that Lola Vice has been. She's competed in this match up,
she's been victorious in this match up, but she was victorious?
You could make the argument because of her opponent, Shayna Baszler.
[Booker] She says she's going to get the work done, then it's time to dance.
This is about who is the truest MMA fighter in NXT.
[Vic] These two women fired up because these are the rules for NXT Underground.
No counts, no pitfalls. You can see it.
The referee here only to hear someone quit or stop the fight.
Who's going to be the baddest? Baszler or Vice?
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following
is NXT Underground match!
[cheers and applause]
The only way to win this match is by knockout or submission.
Introducing first,
Shayna Baszler!
[cheers]
[crowd boos]
And her opponent, Lola Vice!
[cheers]
-[Vic] Feel the atmosphere now, Book. -[bell rings]
This is not going to be pretty.
For Baszler, I don't think she'll be as kind as Kevin Holland at UFC 302.
She gets a hold of a limb, she's going to snap it off the body of Lola.
[Booker] Look at Lola, she's putting on a lot of pressure early in this match up.
[Vic] How unique though is this match up truly to NXT, to the WWE?
[Booker] You know, NXT Underground is a very big match up. Oh!
[Vic] Right on top with a hammer fist! He's trying to stop away on Vice.
Referee's right there. And Lola Vice getting out of the way.
Baszler. This her 11th NXT Premium Live Event.
Only one woman has more. It's Iyo Sky.
This is a staple of NXT and you think about Nia Jax,
Natalya, Damon Kemp, Eddy Thorpe.
They've been in this environment. They weren't the same when it was over.
[Booker] Yes, indeed, shout out to Eddy Thorpe because he's the guy for me
who put me on as far as the Underground match.
Bad, bad dude, man. Let's see how this thing went out here tonight.
[Vic] This Saturday, Baszler received Zoey Stark in Scotland,
clash the cast for the WWE Women's Tag Team titles.
Now she's worried about knocking the hell out of Lola.
Baszler is the only person to hold a submission victory
in combat sports over Ronda Rousey. And another brutal take down!
[Booker] Here's about what happened. Beautiful, beautiful countered there.
[crowd shouts]
[Vic] Nice countered again. Another big take down.
And now getting a hold of a limb. It's an ankle!
[cheers]
Lola Vice now. Is she going to tap?
Is she going to quit? The referee only there to hear her submit.
[Booker] Advantage to Shayna Baszler early in this match up.
[Vic] Right to the midsection, to the body. Vice's in a lot of trouble.
Lola Vice is in danger very quickly in this match up.
And if you want to get pain, you gotta be willing to take the pain!
Right now, face first went Shayna Baszler. And that will break any hole.
[Booker] Beautiful setup by Lola Vice right there.
But she's still gotta be a little worse to wear.
[Vic] Hammer fist right to the back of the neck.
And now trying to lock in. Nice body. Scissors.
And a grapevine is wrapped around the body of Shayna Baszler.
Baszler now is in trouble.
[Booker] Rear naked indeed, Vic. She's got it locked in deep.
Shayna's gonna go to sleep.
[Vic] Referee in great position.
Baszler's still trying to move. She's still trying to fight.
[Booker] A little bit of space in between there, obviously.
[Vic] MMA world has been split on this match up
as Vice holding on for dear life
and taking Baszler right back down to an E.
[crowd shouts]
-[Booker] The danger… -Continuing to squeeze Shayna Baszler.
[Booker] Vic, the referee might have to hand away.
-[Vic] We thought-- wait a minute! -Whoa!
[crowd gasps]
[Vic] And again the hold broken.
[applause]
Baszler was in trouble.
And it's kind of odd to think about when you take a look at…
this match up. We thought Lola would come in here with the strikes.
Believe it, her fists don't lie. Instead, she tried to submit Baszler.
-And now these two pay. Oh, my. -[Booker] Whoa.
[crowd shouts]
-[Vic] Our whole table just shifted. -[Booker] Moving. Vic, move it.
[Vic] It's ironic. You're the one trying to help me right now.
-[Vic] Book, you got me? -I got you.
Because Shayna Baszler has destroyed our area.
[crowd shouts and applauds]
[Vic] Again, the official only here.
The official's in great position right next to you, Book.
[cheers]
Baszler looking for the ultimate knockout.
Vice now going to the body, trying to climb the ladder.
Connected under Baszler's jaw. Coming right back in. Baszler!
Nice take down! Hammer fist straight to the jaw. She's right on top of Vice!
Lola Vice almost out of desperation.
You gotta think if they weren't on the table, if they were on the mat,
that might have been a knockout.
-Oh! No one home for Baszler! -[Baszler screams in pain]
And Baszler just ran her kneecap into our table.
Take another look, Book. Over here to your left. Take a look.
[Booker] Man.
Top of the knee. You can hear Baszler screaming in pain.
[Booker] That's the difference. It's not an MMA ring.
It's a lot of furniture out here.
You get a chance to use, like, a steel pole or something like that.
-That's the difference, man. -[Vic] It's the danger.
[Vic] And now Lola Vice, Venita's bend in that direction.
Back on top, and now in control.
And look at these vicious strikes, these vicious kicks right to that knee
that's gone into the steal. It's gone into the table.
And now locking in another submission.
Look at Shayna. Shayna's in pain.
You don't see the Queen of Spades with this sort of look on her face often.
Trying to do anything she can to break this hold.
She's been in this position before.
Again, these two are MMA veterans, combat fighting, but again,
-trying to hyperextend the damn… -[Booker] Beautiful switch, Vic.
[Vic] Oh, my gosh. Look at the extension. The knee doesn't bend that way, Booker.
[Booker] It came down to heart experience, Vic.
It's going to be about who wants it most, man.
[Vic] Vice has been victorious before in the Underground.
And much like we saw earlier,
now it's Shayna Baszler who's locked in the ankle lock.
And remember the knee, remember the calf, remember the ankle.
Within the last four or five minutes,
the damage that has been done, and there's no stoppage.
This is going to go till there's a winner.
Is there going to be a knockout? A stoppage?
-And Lola Voice got a knockdown! -[Booker] Beautiful low kick.
Beautiful low kick there, Vic.
[Vic] Baszler doing her best to try to keep her body close.
I don't know if she looks for a Kimura, but instead Vice's swinging.
Keeping her hands up to defend is Shayna Baszler.
You see everyone on the outside, they want the knockout.
[Booker] Beautiful ground.
-[Vic] Oh, my! That could be it. -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Is that the knockout? The official right there in position.
Shayna doing her best, able to get back to some sort of base.
Look at Vice jumping right on her back, locking in another submission.
She certainly has the back of Baszler. Baszler saying no.
[thuds on the carpet]
-All those who-- She certainly is. -[Booker] Baszler is in trouble.
[Booker] She's in trouble. She's about to go out.
[Vic] Baszler trying her best to negotiate and was able to nap right free
and right back on top of the injured knee for Baszler.
You looked and you saw Baszler. She didn't almost…
I hate to say, the sense of freak out. She stayed calm.
She stayed composed! And now she's back on top.
And now it's Shayna Baszler raining down right, raining down left.
-She gets the back of Vice, locking it in. -[Booker] It was a desperation shot.
[Vic] Look at this squeeze!
[Booker] And now she's on top and have switched the momentum.
[Vic] Is Lola Vice going to take a nap in NXT Underground?
[crowd shouts]
Listen to those around the ring, the officials right there.
Right on top of the action. And you talked about it earlier.
Neither of these superstars, these competitors,
had a true advantage in this match up, but right now it is advantage.
Baszler. But look at Lola Vice twisting that right ankle,
forcing Baszler to relinquish the hole.
[Booker] Shayna Baszler is the only person to submit Ronda Rousey.
[Vic] Big kick. Big knee!
-[Booker] Whoa. -Big knee. Rocked her.
[Vic] Official went right in. Vice said she's okay.
[crowd shouts]
Can you look up, Book? They're right here in the Underground
a little bit too close, at least in my opinion, for us tonight.
[Booker] Yeah, Vic. [indistinct]
[Vic] Baszler exposing as best she can. That right knee…
-big back fist! -[crowd gasps]
-And again, a big drop from Baszler. -[Lola shouts indistinctly]
It's a kid, Book. Right out here at our feet.
-Baszler's still moving. -[Booker] Can't win it that way, Vic.
[Booker] You gotta be in the middle of that square circle.
[Vic] Lola Vice. Vice take down.
[crowd shouts]
Both women have been through so much. Oh, wait!
[Booker] What the hell is going on?
[Vic] Vice right now is out, but Baszler has turned her attention
those on the outside.
Maybe she feels they're in her way. I don't know. Big kick by Vice!
[Booker] Beautiful axe kick.
[Vic] This is unlike any Underground we've ever seen.
[Booker] Getting wild, Vic. We know Lola Vice.
She's going to be looking for the KO. She's going to be looking for that 305.
She's going to be looking to hit it just one more time.
[Vic] Wait, wait, wait. Book, look.
Right in front of us. That arm bar is etched in.
I'd say she's looking for a triangle. That's not in positive position.
She's trying to get that arm locked straight out.
But to your point, Lola Vice in great position there on the outside.
Oh.
-[crowd gasps] -[Booker] Oh!
[applause]
[Vic] I'm just trying to peek over the desk at Lola Vice.
Vice said she's still good.
[Booker] Back of her head just slammed into the back of the table.
-Wow. -[Vic] Again, the officials only here
to stop it or to hear someone say they're done.
Everything legal. The most unique match in NXT.
[Booker] He's got to be in the ring, right? Right?
[Vic] Oh, no!
[indistinct shout]
-[Vic] Booker! -[crowd chants]
-[Booker] Wow. -Did you just see Baszler?
Baszler's head. Baszler's neck just went off those steel steps.
NXT universe right now in a frenzy!
Big back fist. Baszler down, fights on top.
Hammer fist under hammer fist.
-Referee, stop the match! -[bell rings]
[music starts]
[announcer] Here's your winner, Lola Vice!
[Vic] Shayna doesn't even know she's out. Shayna's confused as to what's going on.
Shayna now is having reality set in that Lola Vice dropped Baszler,
forced the official to step in,
and she knocked Baszler from the 702 to the 305.
Baszler's still in disbelief. And this really, Book,
this is what you and I were going back and forth.
That happened so fast, that Baszler cover.
Baszler didn't even realize she was out. Baszler thinks she's in Scotland.
Lola Vice got on top. The referee did what he needed to do.
He stopped the match up.
The victory goes to Lola Vice, who proves she's the baddest.
And at Battleground, it was Vice who was right. Her fists don't lie.
[music fades out]
[Eddy] To most people, fire is a destructive force.
But to me and my people,
fire is used for healing.
The time for recovery and contemplation is over. My body is healed.
The vision is strong. The path is illuminated.
Eddy Thorpe has been reborn.
I come from a long lineage of fighters
battling with everything they had for every inch of this world they got.
That's true inspiration
because I'm fighting for more than winning wrestling matches.
I'm fighting for representation.
I now lead the way, not only for me and my family,
but for all indigenous people with a dream.
Now I return to NXT, reborn,
with a clear mission to execute and my eyes open.
[sing in unison] Get it, Lani? Get it, Lani.
-Congratulations, my girl. -Thank you.
I'm so in shock. I can't believe it. [squeaks]
You know we gotta pop out tonight.
Lost the Battlegrounds. I need you to come with me.
I'll be there because I don't want this night to end!
-Yeah, we outside. -Yeah.
-Pop out, My girl. My crew, let's go. -Thanks, girl.
[sighs]
[Vic] Booker, get ready, cause Sexy Red is coming to a city near you.
The Sexy Red For President Tour, 26 cities.
Tickets go on sale Friday, June 14, 10 a.m.,
but cities and dates will be announced tomorrow
10 a.m. Eastern, 7 a.m. Pacific at Sexyy4president.com
and while that ticket's coming, concert's coming to a city near you.
NXT, the next time we're on Premium Live Event, we're coming your way.
Money in the Bank weekend. I cannot wait.
But what a night it's been here at UFC Apex.
History has been made all evening long and we got a huge match up coming up
in just a matter of moments for the North American Championship.
It's going to be contested under triple threat rules,
where the champion doesn't have to be pinned or submitted to lose his title.
Can Joe Coffey or Wes Lee stop the unstoppable champion, Oba Femi?
[Booker] Representing the UFC Merab Dvalishvili in the house,
ladies and gentlemen,
number one weight, UFC Phantom weight.
Bad, bad, man.
[Vic] We talk about a bad, bad man.
Here, a Hall of Famer, much like yourself, Forrest Griffin in the house.
They're all taking in the sights, the sounds of the electricity
in a sold out UFC Apex for NXT Battleground.
[upbeat music]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following is a triple threat match
for the NXT North American Championship!
Introducing first, Wes Lee!
[Vic] We argue a lot, Book, but I think we can both agree
Wes Lee is the greatest North American champion ever.
[Booker] No doubt, no doubt, Vic.
Without any shadow of a doubt, Wes Lee, as champion, pushed himself to the limit.
All the way to the brink. But he's back, man. I'm loving it, man.
[Vic] Wes Lee's ninth NXT Premium Live Event.
His record book, eight and one.
Maybe Lady Luck is on his side tonight here in Las Vegas.
[Booker] True champion, true champion. This kid, Vic, made me a believer.
[upbeat music]
[announcer] Next, representing Gallus, Joe Coffey!
[Vic] Joe Coffey, Gallus,
I think it's safe to say, turned this place upside down
several weeks ago with some attacks.
But tell me why some should consider Joe Coffey the favorite
-to walk out as champions. -[Booker] Very, very simple.
This kid has a championship mentality, Vic.
He's always on the grind. He's Joe Coffey, good to the last stop.
[Vic] I knew you were going with that.
You got your bingo card, take it to the casino, try to cash in.
-[Booker] Grind good to the last drop. -I get what you're doing, Book.
[Booker] Check it out. [laughs]
[Vic] we can have a lot of laughs when this man's in the ring.
No one's laughing.
[intense music]
[announcer] And their opponent,
he is the NXT North American champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] You defended multiple championships under these sort of rules. Correct?
[Booker] A couple, yes.
How difficult are these matches then for the champion?
[Booker] So no, you always gotta stay in the game at all times, Vic.
That means you gotta keep your head on the swivel, man,
because it don't take but one, two, three seconds, it's over, man.
[Vic] Femi has defended the North American title
under the triple threat rules before.
But still there is no champion advantage. Oba Femi does not need to be factored
in the decision to lose his title here tonight
at NXT Battleground inside the UFC Apex.
[Booker] You go back to NXT, Stand and Deliver.
Mimi, Josh Briggs and Dijak, what a match.
Match of the night.
So Femi is no stranger to this situation, Vic.
[Vic] Glad you brought up Briggs.
I wonder what's going through Briggs's mind because it was a double pin
a few weeks back that led to this triple threat match up.
[Booker] Briggs is saying he should be in Vegas right now in this match up.
[Vic] Look at a little two for one.
I don't know if you can trust Joe Coffey, but it might behoove Wes Lee and Coffey
to work together in this situation to take down Oba Femi.
I don't remember the last time I saw Joe get up to throw a drop kick.
[Booker] I don't like the tag team work in a situation like this.
I was always a solo act, Vic, always looking for all the admiration.
[Vic] If you were in this sort of match up, going against a superstar the size,
the strength of Oba Femi,
would you work out a deal with the other man?
[Booker] I wouldn't work out a deal. What kind of back door system is that?
[Vic] Oh, you've never cut corners? Who's the king of cutting corners?
[Booker] I didn't say that.
[Vic] Okay, no one can trust Joe Coffey and Wes Lee may have to here tonight.
And there comes Lee right back in and no fear from Wes Lee.
He doesn't have Fee-Fi-Phobia. He's not scared of giants.
He's taking it right to Oba Femi!
[Booker] Looking great in the early outset of this match up, in his comfort zone, Vic.
He's in his comfort zone.
[Vic] Looking to fly with a bit of a twist!
This match could be over just like that. Do we have a new champion?
-And there is Oba Femi. -[Booker] That's what I'm talking about.
[Booker] You got to stay in the game at all times.
And that's Femi, man.
[Vic] Swing and a miss wildly by Oba.
It was Oba on the countdown to Battleground
-that said NXT is his house in Las Vegas. -[crowd gasps]
The house always wins.
And now he has turned the complexion of this match up around.
[Booker] He…
[Vic] What's Oba Femi thinking now?
[Booker] Wes Lee hit about 10 shots and Oba Femi landed just one.
-Switched the whole. -[Vic] You gotta be kidding me.
[crowd chants "Oba Femi"]
-[Vic] Two grown men! -[crowd gasps]
-[Booker] Wow! -Taken down…
-[Booker] Wow! -with that suplex from Oba.
-I don't even know what to say. -[Booker] Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of Oba Femi, man.
[Booker] Oh!
[Vic] This why I said they should've worked together at the start.
-[Booker] In the ring? -They certainly did.
[Vic] They should've had a little two for one because Oba Femi
is hitting everything in the ring but the official…
-[cheers] -[Booker] Out of control.
[Vic] And you said this off-air to me about Oba Femi who just lawn darts.
Wes Lee, you said the greatest attribute to Oba Femi is his confidence,
not just his pure power.
[Booker] I always say winning the championship does something to a man.
And Oba Femi definitely has adopted that feeling, that 30% better feeling.
The confidence is overwhelming with this kid.
[Vic] Oba can stop anyone with just a glance and a big body shot.
-[Booker] Did shake this man. Wow. -A second.
[grunting]
[Vic] I mean, what is it gonna take?
Finally put Wes Lee down, who connects with a kick again.
I'm just stunned that Oba Femi is still on his feet.
-[Booker] Femi is a big guy. -[screaming]
He's got a lot of strength and like you said earlier, a lot of confidence.
-He's looking to defend this championship. -[Vic] Can you take a look at Joe Coffey?
It was the trio of Gallus who altered this match up
by attacking Briggs, Lee and Ivar.
An attack so brutal. Ivar is out indefinitely.
And this is that vicious side of Joe Coffey.
Coffey's been in a lot of big matches throughout his career.
Can he finally win gold here tonight?
Wes Lee sensed it, able to create a little separation,
but then try to take it over Femi.
Femi just stopped Lee.
[Booker] Snatched him right out the sky, Vic.
-[Vic] And they just toss him! -Wow!
[Vic] Have you ever seen anything like that?
-[Booker] Wow! -Oh, my word!
[cheers]
[crowd mimics monkey sounds]
[Vic] Take another look. He threw him out of frame, Book.
[Booker] Got to be kidding me. Like I say…
Snatched Wes Lee right out the sky, man.
Wow!
[Vic] I mean, Oba Femi just continues to impress every single time.
This is someone who just got knocked to the outside,
but he continues to grow as a champion.
[Booker] He does, but Coffey's looking to grow a little bit himself, Vic.
[Vic] Coffey and Lee again,
maybe they have to put their differences aside for a few moments.
And Coffey, Tornado DDT!
Almost so much force, it flipped Wes Lee onto his feet.
-Big German suplex. -[Booker] Coffey's in position.
He's in position here, Vic.
Oba Femi rock Coffey, though, he is in control.
And Coffey now, he knows he has to strike quickly.
This is Coffey's best opportunity because Oba Femi's all the way on the outside.
Big back breaker right to the spine.
That third surgically repaired back of Wes Lee.
[Booker] You took it right out of my mouth.
[Vic] Oh, do you hear those forearms?
[crowd chants]
I don't know if this decision's gonna work for Coffey. Right back in.
Able to put on the brakes for a moment and oh, just dropped throat.
First goes Femi.
-[Booker] Smart right there Coffey. -Going to the body.
[Vic] Look at these hands.
Throwing some rapid fists. Charging right back in.
Lee got caught one more time. Wes Lee is in no man's land.
-Oba Femi side walk slam. -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Back to the midsection goes Coffey for the title.
Into the cover and Femi able to kick out at two.
Would you agree in this moment there's Coffey's best opportunity?
Same would go for Lee.
We haven't seen Oba Femi in this position too often.
Certainly never hoisted up in this sort of fashion.
[Booker] Oh, look at the strength by Joe Coffey.
This another one of those matches that's going to be determined
late in the game. It's going to be a minute.
-[Vic] Double stop! -Wow!
[crowd gasps]
[Vic] What a combination offense.
I guess you could say they work together there for a moment.
[Booker] Whatever works on the big man.
Big right hand. Hey, Coffey. Coffey fell to the cover!
-[Booker] Oh! -He almost didn't realize it.
And Joe Coffey almost was able to grab his first taste of gold here in NXT.
[Booker] So close.
[crowd chants "Let's go, Wes Lee"]
[Vic] The NXT universe.
Sold out in Las Vegas, rallying Wes Lee.
Lee. Are you surprised? He hasn't really lost a step.
There's been no hesitation in his game after back surgery.
[Booker] We don't know if he's lost his step.
Right now he's looking good, but later on in this match,
is going to determine how well Wes Lee is going to handle his situation.
Like you said, that surgically repair back-- Oh! Wow! Big shot.
[Vic] Oba Femi just stopped the momentum of a monster. It pops up!
Power bomb spine first where steel meets wood.
[Booker] That's the hard part of the ring right there.
[Vic screams] Lee!
Holy…!
-[Booker] You got the be… -He tosses Lee!
[cheers and applause]
I don't know how Oba Femi caught another grown-ass man like nothing.
Like something fell off the top rope at the top shelf at a grocery store.
He just caught it and threw it into the cart.
And now Coffey coming back in. What a triple threat match, Book.
[Booker] Oh, that's twice tonight. Oba Fimi snatched Wes Lee up like that.
-That speed… -[Vic] Lee coming back in.
[Vic] He did a cardiac kick and instead got caught again by Femi.
Oba just looking for a place to land.
And Lee able to turn inside out, was able to get Femi off his feet
ever so slightly for a moment. And he's coming right back.
That connection between the eyes! Cover that man!
Become champion again! He was able to break it up.
Wes Lee was so close. So close.
How many times have Wes Lee gone to the well with that one big shot.
That cardiac kick from the Cardiac kid. Because the man's whole heart.
-[Coffey] Come on. -[Vic] Coffey's fired up.
Oh! Well, you talk about not knowing if that back was tested.
It's getting tested tonight.
Coffey rolling into the cover in a near fall.
[Booker] That was a lazy kick out right there by Wes Lee, Vic.
A very lazy kick out.
Who cares if it was lazy, Book? He at least kicked out.
[Booker] We know that. He's working.
-[Vic] You tell me he's ripe right now. -Let me know that he's ready to go.
[Vic] Oba Femi. Where does he get this strength from?
Back on his feet. Coffey. Coffey, though, not going to hang around for too long.
I wonder what Ava's thinking now.
She's got to be happy with her decision to make this a triple threat.
She knew what was on the line here in Las Vegas.
-[Booker] Wow! -Hey! That's the rest of Gallus.
And there's no disqualification under triple threat rules.
-It's Wolfgang. It's Mark Coffey. -[crowd boos]
And you knew those damn hooligans were somewhere.
And they by themselves have just turn this thing around.
Advantage, one man, but the advantage now is to Joe Coffey.
[Booker] He just lost his championship.
[Vic] Coffey's picking up the scraps. Moonsault!
[screaming]
-Come on! -[Vic] Setting up Wes Lee.
-Glasgow. Send off! -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Lee just snapped on that turnbuckle.
This is going to be it! We got a new champion at…
[Booker] No!
Public sickout, Book.
[Booker] The heart of this, man. You just said it.
Cardiac kid, right? Did you just say it?
[Vic] Book, Book.
Oba Femi has risen.
And he drops Gallus.
[crowd gasps]
Las Vegas ain't lying. Coffey got caught. Wolfgang getting tossed into the steps.
Oba Femi's pissed off. Oba Femi's angry. And the giant is awoken.
-[Booker] He just woke up a monster, man. -All the best for the bells.
Just rocks Oba Femi for a moment. Super kick under the jaw.
Is this Lee's moment now? Lee just took out Oba Femi.
Wes Lee's been here before, Booker.
This is what made him the greatest North American champion of all time.
By rising to the occasion.
For that moment. Just one more time. He's so close. People are behind Wes Lee.
Wes Lee. Target acquired. Coming right in. Going-- Oh!
[Booker] Wow!
-[Vic] Going down! -You think you can stop me?
Wes Lee's feeling it. Adrenaline will make a man do some crazy things.
And Wes Lee's riding the wave of momentum right now.
Under the jaw again. Back in with another kick.
[shouts indistinctly]
[Vic] Coffey's rocked. Cardiac kick. Throws the cardiac kick!
[Booker] The greatest of all time, in my opinion. He'll do it again.
[Vic] Can he do it one more time? Damn it!
[Booker] Wow!
-[indistinct shouts] -So close.
[crowd boos]
[Vic] Gallus is stuck in their nose.
Come on. What do you say? Wait a minute!
[crowd shouts]
Wes Lee!
[applause]
Taking these guys to the west side. But at what cost, though, Book?
At what cost for Wes Lee?
[Booker] Lee had all the momentum.
Should have kept it in the middle of that square circle.
[Vic] All the best for the bells. Doesn't pay off over Femi now.
-Tossing Joe Coffey! -[Booker] Wow!
Femi's in control. In comes Lee. Oh, my word.
[crowd gasps]
Snap, crackle, pop! One more time. Pop up!
Power bomb. Oba Femi lays waste to the field.
-And Oba Femi retains. -[bell rings]
[Booker] Wow, Vic.
[cheers and applause]
What a match.
[announcer] Here's your winner and still the NXT North American champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] Look, I just don't know what else to say
about Oba Femi and the power this man possesses.
I mean, first Oba Femi took on Gallus. In this moment, I gotta be honest,
I thought Gallus had put the tide into Joe Coffey.
I thought Joe Coffey was finally going to win his first piece of gold here in NXT.
And he was so close at this moment.
But then you see Oba Femi, like a phoenix, rise from the ashes.
And in one fell swoop, bam! Wiped out former tag team champions.
But for Wes Lee, the Cardiac Kid hit that Cardiac Kid,
and that had to be his best opportunity
to bring the North American championship back around his waist.
Because in Wes Lee would risk it all.
He knew like Oba Femi did, they had to get rid of Callus
to make this truly a triple threat.
Oba Femi overpowered Joe Coffey and Wes Lee
throughout this entire match up.
That's what I mean. I don't know what else to say about this man.
He's catching human beings and throwing them around
with no remorse for human life. Bam!
Pop up power bomb. And just like that.
Here in front of a sold out NXT universe in Las Vegas,
inside the UFC Apex,
it is Oba Femi who continues to stand tall
as the North American champion here in NXT.
[snoring]
[alarm clock rings]
[yawns]
[Vic] We are sold out in Las Vegas.
It's been a historic night all evening long.
Championships still to be defended
and you've seen a lot of celebrities here in the house.
But look who is here tonight joining us.
That is Ash Costello of New Year's Day.
She's performed, Book, at WrestleMania
and tonight she's taken in NXT Battleground.
One of the reasons why she is here along with the sold out crowd
is for what will happen in moments.
The world has been talking about this match up.
Can Knockouts champion Jordynne Grace do the unthinkable
and walk out with the NXT women's title?
Or can Perez prove this is her brand, her title, her division
in this unprecedented clash for the NXT women's title?
[intriguing music]
[Roxanne] I am a two-time NXT women's champion.
I should have been handed back my title when it was vacated, but no.
I played by all the rules. I beat all the odds.
I bested all the competition.
That's why I'm back at the top, right where I belong.
You will be defending that women's championship against…
[music speeds up]
So why the hell am I in this position right now?
[siren sounds]
[cheers]
TNA Knockouts champion, Jordynne Grace.
You have built your name here in NXT, the same as I have in TNA.
Who do you think has built the stronger foundation?
I've been working towards this since I was 13 years old.
For over half my life I've been busting my ass.
And I have this to show for it.
[commentator] TNA's got an absolute weapon.
I refuse to let this be taken from me
from someone that doesn't even deserve to be here.
[echoing] Be here.
When I made my impact at the Royal Rumble…
[commentator] TNA Knockouts champion [inaudible].
-I made it crystal clear. -[commentator] What a beast. Jeez.
That I do belong here.
[Booker] Perhaps the most powerful woman to ever grace this business.
[Vic] This woman has muscles in places you don't even have places.
Making history, just like I've always done in TNA. And now guess what?
I'm going to do it again.
Against the face of the NXT women's division, Roxanne Perez.
[Vic] The women's title will be on the line in NXT.
Are we looking at a history maker?
Or can Roxanne Perez prove she's a prodigy?
[crowd gasps]
Here's the thing about child prodigies.
Eventually they almost always burn themselves out.
I am the only one who has shown true commitment to this championship.
Fortunately for Roxanne, she doesn't have to worry about that.
Because I'm going to stomp that flame out.
[somber music]
There's no way…
[echoing] No way, no way, no way.
…I'm letting this go.
[siren sounds]
[cheers and applause]
[heavy metal music]
[Vic] Booker, what a moment this is at Battleground.
In recent memory the Internet won't fact-check me.
This is unprecedented in WWE. Grace isn't signed to this company.
She's a TNA wrestler, but could be wearing a piece of WWE gold
walking out of Battleground.
Going to TNA as the NXT Women's champion.
[Booker] I'm a little worried about this match up.
You talked about that juggernaut. An overpowering voice.
Roxanne Perez is gonna have to expect it.
That this could be the toughest night of her young career.
It's just that simple, man.
[Vic] Grace has noted a lot of similarities between her and Perez.
Both started their training young. Champions have made history.
But the difference has been the path that they both have taken
to get to this point.
[upbeat music]
For Perez, she said Grace is like everyone else, not on her level,
no lack of confidence.
And moments ago I said, "Deadline, we're here at Battleground."
Not Deadline, but what I wanted to get to was so excited for this match up.
A little excited for the night that we've had tonight.
There is Roxanne Perez, who was the first to go to Deadline
and become the first women's Iron Survivor.
She has done so much in her career.
She truly now believes she is untouchable.
[Booker] Breakout tournament winner as well.
Two-time NXT Women's champion
now looking to beat the TNA Knockout champion
right off her mantle and shock the world, man.
She is truly the prodigy.
[Vic] First time a TNA wrestler will face a WWE superstar
one on one inside a WWE ring.
Jordynne Grace, she's a powerhouse, man.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Women's Championship!
[cheers]
Introducing the challenger.
She is the TNA Knockout champion,
Jordynne Grace!
[cheers and applause]
[crowd chants "TNA"]
And her opponent,
she is the NXT champion,
Roxanne Perez!
[Vic] Booker, you've seen it all.
You've seen it all. You've done a lot. You've been a champion in WWE.
you've been a champion in TNA. What does this moment mean to you?
What does this moment mean to the wrestling world?
[Booker] That means everything to me, Victor.
To watch Roxanne Perez grow from 16 years old
reality of wrestling champion down to this point right here
these bright lights in Las Vegas at Battleground.
-This is a moment, man. This is a moment. -[bell rings]
[cheers]
[Vic] It's a goosebump moment.
We aren't excluding, we're including here at NXT,
as they finally lock up in Las Vegas. Has been very lucky for Jordynne Grace.
She defeated Naomi to become the TNA Knockouts Champion here in Vegas.
Can she roll the dice and make history tonight?
-I know you got to take yourself back. -[Booker] No, no.
[Booker] It's very well possible. You can't take anything.
[crowd chants]
Loving this already.
You can't take anything away from Grace because she's carved her own path,
but she got here on her own
by true heart and determination. You can't take that away from her.
[Vic] Feeling out process.
Early on in, Roxanne Press said, "Damn, hell with that.
I'm going right at Grace."
This is what we talked about on Tuesday.
Roxanne Perez was with us here on the commentary desk.
We asked her how she would combat the strength of Jordynne Grace.
She said she's gonna have to do what she's doing now, the speed,
the agility and being able to stay one step ahead of the challenger.
[Booker] Yes. Right now, Roxanne seemed to have come in with a strategy
and that strategy is to keep the feet moving, stay on the bicycle.
-[crowd gasps] -[Vic gasps]
[applause]
[Booker] Trying to get under the skin of Jordynne now with that shot.
[Vic] I take nothing away from Roxanne Perez.
Perez has risen to every occasion.
Smack Down victories.
Devil's Playground is one of three women to hold the NXT women's championship.
Twice she called her shot.
She's hit home runs, but I don't necessarily know
if she's even been in the ring with someone like Jordynne Grace.
No, she's definitely an athlete. She's an athlete like none that we--
-[Vic] Oh, wait a minute. -[Jordynne pants]
That was a thumb straight to the eye and that's certainly one way to--
[Booker] What are you talking about?
[Vic] Did you not see the thumb go right into the eye of Jordynne Grace?
-[Booker] I did, I did. -Grace coming up, getting caught.
Perez's seen this in the past.
Perez coming back in now, trying to stay one step ahead.
This goes back to what you've always said about Roxanne Perez,
a student of the game.
[Booker] No, I try to critique Roxanne Perez these days
that she's got just that good, Vic, right now. She's perfect.
She's perfect and she's special.
[Vic] Right back on top is the champion
has successfully defended the title against Tatum Paxley,
Lyra Valkyria, Chelsea Green, and Natalya.
And she said over and over again, Booker,
she's felt overlooked and underappreciated.
[Booker] When you lose the championship the way you do and you come back
and you're not first in line,
you still should be champion in so many people's minds
and you don't get the shot. Yes!
[Vic] Not arguing with you. Don't get hot about it.
I said something that she has brought up time and time again in the past.
Trying to bend back the left arm of Jordynne Grace!
[Booker] Strategy right now by Roxanne Perez.
Trying to clip the wing of Jordynne Grace here early in this match up.
-[Vic] Quite a strategy. -It's a perfect strategy.
[Vic] They continuing to focus on that left arm.
And Jordynne Grace getting worn down here by Roxanne Perez.
These two came to fight.
They knew this would be a historic clash on a historic night here at Battleground
in Las Vegas in the UFC Apex.
And again, it's Roxanne Perez who said, "No one is on my level."
Trying to prove it tonight with that Russian leg sweep.
Trying to float over into the cover,
hook the leg and Grace powering out, Booker, at one.
[Booker] Jordynne shakes the head.
That normally means something when you're shaking your head no, Vic.
[Vic] Truly believes Roxanne Perez, that this is her division,
that is her ring,
that NXT is her brand.
[Booker] She's the best, Vic.
Now she's looking to, like I say, just go out here and make TNA look real,
real bad after this match up. I'm loving it, man. I'm loving it.
-[Vic] NXT universe here. -[crowd chants "NXT"]
Kind of split 50, 50 between these two. No one there for Perez.
Grace having to try to power her way, no pun intended, back into this match up.
getting tied up one more time by Perez.
[Booker] How much pressure this is for Jordynne Grace.
Stepping into this ring right here, the WWE, with the best…
I mean, here in NXT, Roxanne Perez. How much pressure is that for Jordan?
[Vic] Another dropkick to the shoulder, into the cover and another quick sickout
by Jordynne Grace. You just heard Grace scream.
-That's got to be a scream of frustration. -[Booker] No, that arm is hurting, Vic.
That's what that is. She's in a lot of pain right now.
She did expect the prodigy to be this good, Vic. That's what it is.
[Vic] Looking for a submission now, center of the ring.
Perez trying to crank back on that left shoulder.
But take a look at the juggernaut.
Not throwing right over, right through Perez trying to take Grace off her feet.
Couple of kicks to the spine right now.
Not facing Grace with that third one. Connected right into the lower back.
[crowd chants]
And for Grace, favor in the arm, the lower back as well.
She's right now feeling the effects of the offensive onslaught
from Roxanne Perez, but she just got planted.
-Grace under pressure! -[Booker] One big jump.
-[Vic] No one home. -What I'm talking about Roxanne Perez.
[Booker] She seems to be one, maybe two steps ahead of Grace.
[Vic] Goes back to the film study, to being a student of the game.
Goes back to truly believing what she has said,
that there is no one that could touch her in the ring.
There's no one that's on her level.
Right now she's not going to like the level she's going to go to
because Grace is looking to toss Perez.
[grunting]
And back to the injured arm goes Roxanne.
The challenger now letting the frustration go.
[Booker] Referee, referee. Pressure. Come on, refs, do your damn job!
-Illegal shot to the back of the head. -[Vic] You talked about pressure.
Grace knows there's pressure. She knows it's unprecedented.
She knows it's never happened before.
It could never happen again.
Jordan Grace now overpowering Roxanne Perez.
And turning Perez right around inside out!
High powerful impactful offense from the TNA Knockouts champion.
Take another look at the impact of Perez, who just bounces off the mat.
Tough, tough shot right there
with a lot of whiplash going on in the body of Roxanne Perez
after a shot like that.
[Vic] Everything that's gone on in this match up throughout your career,
have you ever witnessed an athlete
that possesses superhuman strength and durability like Jordynne Grace?
[Booker] Never, never. I mean, if I compare her to anyone,
it would be Chyna, the ninth wonder of the world.
-That's a big hit right there. -[Vic] Looking for the juggernaut driver.
[Vic] Countered by Perez. Right again to that lower big shot.
[crowd gasps]
[Booker] Nice return.
[screaming]
[Vic] You cam hear it. Look at that.
Jordynne Grace was done with Perez with one arm.
[Booker] I don't like this toe to toe action for Roxanne Perez.
[Vic] Again with a big body slam! I want to go back to Perez.
Did you notice that last pump kick went to the left shoulder?
She's continuing to focus at Perez.
[Booker] Best of fight in Roxanne Perez.
[Vic] They know this is a moment that's going to be talked about forever.
Oh! Followed over the clothesline!
And Jordynne Grace, the living definition of a juggernaut.
[Booker] Jordynne Grace looks bad. She's holding on here tonight.
-God, man. Wow! -[Vic] Three-time knockout champion.
The prodigy got a little lucky there, don't you think? Book, spine buster!
[Booker] Oh! Come on!
[Vic] Perez! Got that left shoulder up for Jordynne Grace.
She's got to stay composed, Booker.
She was a half-second away from making history.
We were all here in this sold-out crowd in Las Vegas.
A half second away from seeing history at NXT Battleground.
[Booker] What a beautiful spine buster by Grace.
But I think that shoulders are not able to get a full pressure, you know, on that.
On that big, big spine buster there I think.
[crowd shouts]
[Vic] Strength for Jordynne Grace is the power.
That is exactly what Roxanne Perez knew and what she did when she came in,
she focused on the upper body. She tried to take away the one arm.
She tried to take away the lower back.
She's trying to systematically dissect the knockouts champion here tonight.
Perez came in with a plan. She's executing it. But you know what?
It's getting countered right now.
-[Booker] Wow, wow. -Able to reverse right back out.
Perez coming right back in, trying to roll through and DDT!
-Grace, back up, right back in! -[Booker] Got all of it!
[Vic] Could that be the knockout blow to the knockout champion
in another near fall.
[Booker] Jordynne Grace seems to still have a lot left in the tank.
[Vic] Into the submission now and again. Look at the force.
Look at the pressure being applied to the shoulder to that AC joint,
which was damaged by Perez early on in the match up.
-For Roxanne, she has done everything-- -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] I don't know if that was a DDT or if it was damaged under the shoulder.
Perez followed it up, but now it's Jordynne Grace, who again,
back to a vertical base, back to her feet and trying to kick her way free.
[Booker] Roxanne's being a student of the game.
She's doing everything that she's learned over these years.
[Vic] She's getting rocked.
I wonder if it's going to be enough with Jordynne Grace…
[Vic] Shoulders down, Booker!
-[Booker] Grace coming into effect. -Going for a row!
[Vic] No, no, no. Over the top rope.
That pressure being applied.
You see the strain in the shoulder of Jordynne Grace.
Perez realizing what the rules are.
The referee, like what you were saying, is doing his job,
gave her the five count, and she used every second.
[Booker] Roxanne turned the strength of Grace against her.
That movement right there over that top rope.
And Jordynne Grace is not letting up, Vic. She's not letting up.
Both these women have been history makers trying to do it one more time.
-Book. -[Booker] Muscle buster.
-I don't like-- -[Vic] Second time.
-I don't like the look of that! -[Vic] [inaudible]
[Vic] This could be it for history, for your moment.
-And another near fall. -[Booker] Wow!
Jordynne so close to crossing the line to TNA with the NXT women's title.
[Booker] That move finished so many people, Vic.
I'm sure Jordynne is shocked right now. Finished Roxanne Perez.
[Vic] Booker, but you also,
you have been in historical positions like these two women,
you've been in matches that have gone down in history,
you understand more so than anyone else the pressure that these two are feeling.
Because this isn't the start of the match. There's no more butterflies.
They are in the deep, deep water of this match.
[Booker] [inaudible]
Who wants to come down the cardio? Who has the most left in the tank?
Roxanne Perez seems like she's ready for this moment.
[Vic] Looking for pop rocks after sending Grace shoulder first into the steel post.
No, no, no, no. No way. Grace having to hold on.
Grace still with one arm, trying her best.
And then face first down goes the challenger.
The champion back to her feet.
The champion now risking it on another DDT right there on the floor
in the entryway of the UFC Apex.
[Booker] I'm so impressed with Roxanne Perez, man.
-Like we talk about-- -[Vic] She's going for the cover!
-She's going for it, man! -[Vic] Springboard!
[crowd gasps]
[Vic] Will this time be enough for Perez? And Grace got that left shoulder up,
but quickly floating over and into that cross face.
This is how Roxanne Perez has defended,
how she's won many matches over the last few months with this crossface.
Think about that left shoulder, that damaged left shoulder
of the TNA Knockouts champion.
Grace's trying to best to roll Perez over.
Shoulders down. Perez had to relinquish the hold.
-[Vic] Oh. -[crowd gasps]
[Booker] Beautiful spinning back elbow.
One more time.
Able to counter the juggernaut driver. Right to the midsection goes Perez.
Perez again looking for pop rocks. Counter.
Going the opposite way.
Perez.
Grace.
[crowd gasps]
That's one way to counter the pop rocks, Book. Overpower the opposition.
[applause]
What a match.
It's Tatum Paxley.
We know that Paxley's become obsessed
with championship gold.
But…
[crowd shouts]
That's not the NXT women's title. That is the Knockouts Championship.
What's Paxley doing? Where's she going?
Oh, Booker, that's Dana!
-I mean, TNA wrestler Ash by Elegance. -[Booker] The hell is going on?
-[grunting] -[crowd gasps]
[Vic] Jordynne Grace, like anyone putting their hands on her knockouts title.
-The hell is going on, Booker? -[Booker] I just said that.
Back into the ring, though, Perez got caught.
This could be that moment we've been waiting for, Book.
Up and down goes Perez.
Grace, moments away from history.
-[Book] Oh, go! -Juggernaut!
That was the first with a cutter.
-[Booker] Wow! -Pop rocks! Pop rocks!
-[crowd counts] -[bell rings]
[Vic] Perez defends her title at Battleground!
-[Booker] Wow! -[announcer] Here's your winner,
the NXT women's champion,
Roxanne Perez!
[Vic] Once again,
the prodigy proves we are in Rox's world.
[Booker] That happened quick too, Vic.
[Vic] What a historical championship clash.
As looking for pop rocks was Perez overpowered.
Jordynne Grace in control at this moment.
Tatum Paxley and then Ash by Elegance coming out here
getting in a tussle over the knockouts title.
Jordynne Grace took her eye off the ball,
dropped the opposition in the aisle way and then returned her attention
to what was going on in the ring, turning her attention to making history.
But that little bit of a distraction, that slight moment
opened the door for the Prodigy to prove that there is no one on her level.
And Perez continues to show there is no one here in her league
or on her level anywhere in the world.
Sexy Red, how are you enjoying your night here at NXT Battleground?
I'm having so much fun and matter-of-fact I've been talking to announce
that I'm running for president and I'll be going on tour soon.
So I'm going be in the city near you and go get my new album In Sexy We Trust.
Sexy.
-Congratulations, my girl. -It means a lot to me.
I told everyone of them, "Knock chain out and dance on her"
and I did it, baby.
What's up y'all? Trying to twerk real quick.
[sings] Get it loud, love.
Get it loud. You got to twerk too.
Oh, gosh.
Shake that ass, girl.
Yeah.
[woman 2] Wes Lee, so close.
He came up short tonight, regaining the North American title.
-How are you feeling? -I'm pissed off.
It would have been completely dumb--
[screaming]
[indistinct shouts]
[referee] That's enough! That's enough!
[man 2] Medical!
Medical.
[Vic] We need to get more help for Wes Lee.
But social media has been very active tonight, including WWE Universal champion
Cody Rhodes, watching this historic night. You see those comments, Book?
Watch Battleground. Curious about our main event.
Thinking about maybe making his way down to see an old friend.
He tagged me by the way.
Not you, see? Some people do like me here, Booker, so take that one.
-[Booker] Nobody likes you. -Obviously Cody does.
[Vic] When speaking of Tuesday, let's talk about some of the action coming up
because after the brawl between these two last week,
Je'Von Evans looks to bounce Shawn Spears back to reality.
These two finally go one on one Tuesday on NXT.
Another rivalry that's been heating up is between these two superstars.
Dante Chen is looking to make it three in a row against Lexis King.
King stated that this is going to come to an end.
Chen and King meet in a Singapore Kane match live on NXT this Tuesday.
In addition to that match up,
issues between these two went to another level earlier tonight,
but this time talk is over.
Michin's gonna get her hands on Jaida Parker this Tuesday on NXT.
What a match up that's gonna be.
But take a look at who is in the house. Jamahal Hill is here.
Someone who was given advice earlier.
You know what, Book? Maybe you should spar with Hill.
-You two should get in. -[Booker] What?
[Vic] Throw some hands. I'm just throwing an idea.
[Booker] Would you spar with him?
[Vic] Absolutely not. We're not done here tonight because in moments,
Trick Williams is defending his title against a man
who a week ago was a free agent.
We are about to witness the end of the Whoop That era.
Or can Trick Williams knock back and knock down Ethan Page?
[Trick] I talked about this. I dreamed about this.
We all wanted this. Trick Williams is your NXT champion.
I've been fighting for this, and I come from fighters.
My mama's fighting right now. She in the hospital.
[woman 2] I need you to Whoop That Trick.
[Trick] People want to see you succeed.
People want to see you do your thing. And I got to put the brand on my back.
We entering a new era.
I think we're going to call this era the Whoop That era.
We will continue to break records and we will continue to make history.
[Ethan] Yeah. Young Trick Williams,
he has the biggest spotlight shining on him.
And if there's anyone in my world that deserves the spotlight, it's me,
Ethan Page.
Of course, there was going to be others trying to get their spot in line,
and I don't like waiting, so I cut the line.
Whoop that Trick? Yeah. I'm about to.
Here's the one that everybody's chanting for,
talking about, absolutely loves.
That's the person that everyone's paying attention to.
So Trick was the perfect, perfect person
to get Ethan Page all the attention in the world.
And you saw the attention I got.
Oh, my God!
All ego. Ethan Page is in NXT!
[Ethan] Everybody talking and asking, who is this guy?
Where is he from? Does he work here?
That's my job, is to get people talking.
And I think I did a great job at it because Ethan Page gets what he wants.
Ava, please give this man Ethan Page whatever it is that he wants.
So Trick Williams and every other person in this building
can get exactly what we want.
And that's for me to whoop your ass.
With that title comes that giant ass target on your back.
Ava, I think I'm ready to sign that contract.
She's giving me my first match in this company
this Sunday at Battleground for this NXT title.
[Vic] All bets are off.
The grounds for battle have certainly been laid down.
Whose ego is gonna be bruised in Vegas?
It is so perfect and poetic that my first match
is for the NXT title
and everyone will remember Ethan Page
as the one that brought the abrupt end to the Whoop That era.
So at NXT Battleground, that NXT championship,
it's going home with Ethan Page.
So Trick, I hope you're all in because Ethan Page is all ego.
[cheers]
[upbeat music]
[Vic] Ethan Page signed a contract five days ago,
an unprecedented contract that gave him an NXT championship match in his debut.
Gave him a main event spot on a Premium Live Event in his debut.
No one has ever had this sort of opportunity before on this brand.
[Booker] I'll tell you what I know about Ethan.
This kid is one, I wouldn't call him a kid.
He's a grown ass man, has won championships
in just about every regional company in this business.
All over the world, all over the nation.
And tonight he's looking to…
Let's just make him play the kid. He's looking to take Trick Williams spot
all in one foul swoop. Oh my God, man.
[Vic] Certainly looking to prove that he is all ego.
[cheers]
[uplifting music]
-[crowd chants "Whoop That Trick"] -[Booker] What?
Damn!
Uh-uh.
I like it. Oh yeah, man. Oh yeah, man.
That's Trick, dog.
[Vic] Trick Williams has been jumped. He's been attacked.
He's had issues with Lash Legend because of Ethan Page.
He couldn't touch Ethan Page because Page wasn't under a contract.
He could have been arrested, suspended,
he could have been stripped of the title.
Will Trick Williams come hot out the gates at his challenger tonight?
[Booker] What do you think? What do you think?
[Vic] I'd say yes.
-[Booker] You hear it, man. -You forgot what it was. Digress.
-Trick Williams, for himself. -[Booker] I like it. Oh yeah, man!
-For the brand. -[Booker] Oh yeah, man.
-Is Trick doing what a champion should do? -[Booker] Hell yeah.
[Booker] He's doing what a champion should do.
I'm talking about go out here tonight,
let's be redeemed by beat the hell out of Ethan Page.
[Vic] You know what the doctor said about your blood pressure.
I'm good, man, I'm good.
[Vic] Are we about to witness the end of the Whoop That era?
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT championship!
[cheers and applause]
Introducing the challenger,
all ego,
Ethan Page!
[crowd boos]
Oh, you'll see! You'll see!
And his opponent,
he is the NXT champion,
Trick Williams!
[cheers]
[Vic] Now it's important to note…
[crowd chants "Whoop That Trick"]
[Booker] Man.
[Vic] it's important to note as I was getting ready to say,
that our general manager Avenue did not want to cave into Ethan Page's demands.
-It was Williams who won in this match up -[bell rings]
and Ethan Page is the one who comes out hot.
[Booker] Trick Williams just got caught slipping early.
[Vic] It was Williams who was attacked.
It was Ethan Page who took out Noam Dar, Oro Mensah,
and has wreaked havoc here at NXT.
It's crazy to think that for Ethan Page, he noted on social media,
took him 17 years to get here and in one night he can be champion.
[Booker] 17-year veteran. A lot of experience, Vic.
He's not going to go out here and try to match wits with Trick Williams
or anything like that. He's going to try to catch it flipping
like he did early in this match up.
[Vic] Williams coming right back in and now showcasing his own,
a little bit of power in this match up.
Look at Trick just take down Page.
We've never seen Trick Williams like this before.
[Booker] He's moving a little bit too quick.
I like them just to slow down just a little bit, Vic. Just a little bit.
[Vic] we know that Trick Williams is not one to sit around and play games.
Is this a new layer of the champion being shown tonight in the main event?
[Booker] Right there, Vic.
That's exactly what Ethan Page is looking for.
He's not going to try to test him with strength or anything like that.
It's about knowledge with this man, Ethan Page.
[Vic] I think it's important to know. Oh, my word!
I don't know the cameras didn't catch it, but right behind the barricade,
our security guard just got pounced because of the force that Trick hit.
Those steel steps, courtesy of Ethan Page.
The referee using some discretion right now,
he knows how big this moment is here at Battleground.
Sold out in Las Vegas UFC Apex.
It's been a history…
[indistinct shout]
I don't like to look at Ethan Page's eyes as he just shoots the half.
He gets right back into throwing rights and lefts.
I'm glad that our referee was able to step in.
Page realized the only way he can win the title is by a pin fall
inside the ring. He can't be out here with us.
[Booker] Ethan Page is making a hell of an impression here in NXT.
And they all always say first impression could be the last impression.
This kid's looking to walk away with the championship.
[Vic] Think about this too when it comes to Trick Williams.
I know you have a deep love for Trick. I do know that.
His first defense of the NXT championship.
His first defense is the North American champion. He lost it. He lost the title.
How can that play into his psyche here against Ethan?
[Booker] It's a fact in this business. You're not a champion until you defend
at least once.
I'm sure that's on his mind, Vic. I'm sure he's that's weighing it on him.
Right now that could be the reason he's out of position.
I wonder what's going through his mind,
because he has been angry the last few weeks.
That was an interesting back breaker.
The veteran going right into the cover and a sickout.
And one mistake, one little mistake from Trick Williams could cost him everything.
And that one mistake could give Ethan Page everything he wants.
That'd be the NXT title as again at one Trick Williams kicking.
[Booker] Yeah. The one thing you can't imagine, Trick was hot.
He's gonna stand. He can take a beat. He's not your team.
[Vic] Another cover by the challenger. Another kick out.
[Booker] He's not your traditional wrestler. He's a fighter.
He's a fighter. He said that himself.
[Vic] Not disagreeing with you, with the point being made.
Life throws curve balls.
How you handle them tells the untold story.
Your character under pressure is who you are.
And we're gonna find out a lot about these two men here tonight.
More specifically, our NXT champion, Dean Trick Williams.
[Trick screams]
[Booker] I didn't know a lot about it, but when he attacked Trick,
it's always, they say your name and get there before you knew you do.
He's definitely a player in this business.
[Vic] I get you talk about the attacks. When it comes to Trick,
we've already mentioned there's a lot on his mind.
Is Ethan Page right now trying to squeeze the will out of the champion?
When you arrived at the WWE back in 2001, it was the king of the ring.
You drove WWE champion Stone Cold Steve Austin through a table.
You know a thing or two about making a first impression.
[Booker] In Vegas, man. It's about getting a chip in the game.
I mean, Stone Cold Steve Austin. It didn't matter, man.
I just wanted some action just like Ethan Page right now.
[Vic] You gotta give credit to Ethan Page. He went right to the top
of who's here in NXT.
And along the way, he dropped a couple members of Meta Four.
Recent weeks and in recent hours,
it was Ora Mensah who got himself a little bit of a piece of Ethan Page.
But Ethan Page right now, not worried about anybody else
than the moment right here.
The main event of NXT Battleground in Las Vegas.
Can he become the NXT champion?
He has taken it to Trick Williams since the start.
Remember, it was Ethan Page who struck first in this match up.
[Booker] Yeah, but he just did get that…
get that big shot in there looking for that big superplex. Couldn't get it.
[Vic] Coming right back is Page
-who has been in control. -[Booker] One more time.
[Vic] Page can go from a free agent to a main eventer.
Possibly a champion here tonight. Trick Williams trying to counter!
[Booker] Here we go!
[grunting]
[Vic] Page with that…
veteran ability, able to counter, able to correct, doesn't let go of the wrist,
has no wasted motion and continues to punish with a power slam.
The champion titles on the line in another near fall.
[Booker] Ethan Page is showing me something here tonight, Vic.
This dude's a winner, man.
[Vic] It's a spotlight that Ethan Page craves.
I don't know if you would agree with me.
He came out here on Tuesday and compared himself to Trick Williams path.
Trick never complained.
Trick earned his opportunity, was an iron survivor,
became a number one contender.
Ethan Page said one thing on Tuesday, his self righteous attitude.
He said that NXT, that Ava needed to sign him.
[Booker] I don't understand Page to get the advantages
that Trick Williams had at NXT.
This is a guy that I can say on that independent scene
had to earn everything that he's got to this point.
Like I said, all the championships now, this is the culmination,
the big one here at NXT.
-[screaming] -[crowd chants]
[Vic] NXT universe getting behind Trick Williams.
And Trick Williams has such a connection with the NXT universe
no matter where we go, whether it's Orlando, Florida,
whether it's Las Vegas or whether it's next month in Toronto.
-[Vic] DDT! -[Booker] Yeah.
[Booker] That six man is huge in this business, Vic.
Having those fans just wheel you to that point.
[Vic] And there's no argument that Trick is facing the unknown.
You can see him right now trying to rise to the occasion with every counter
and every move he makes.
Ethan Page brought up Carmelo Hayes.
Hayes was a childhood friend.
Trick Williams has no connection to the challenger here tonight.
That could make Trick a little bit more dangerous,
but also makes the challenger dangerous.
[Booker] Trick is going to fight.
He's throwing that right hand, he's doing that right. Here he comes.
Got a little bit of offense, a little bit of momentum.
[Vic] We know that momentum is a dangerous thing.
And Trick coming in!
Follow it up one more time. I see that smile on your face.
[Booker] I've seen that one a couple of times.
[Vic] One man flap Jack!
[cheers]
Trick now maybe it's kicked out.
Has gotten his second will and Ethan Page slithering his way.
[crowd boos]
[Booker] That's nice, Ethan Page. That's a veteran move.
Championship on the line again.
Pinfall submission in inside the squared circle.
Count out. There's no favors as Page spilled into the NXT universe
here in Las Vegas at Battleground inside the UFC Apex.
Look at Trick.
Trick Williams just launching himself.
This indeed is a different side of the champion.
[Booker] Not the traditional Trick. He's letting it all hang out here tonight.
[Vic] Big kick to the side of the face.
Falling into the cover as the champion to retain!
Page, right shoulder off the mat. But go back to Trick Williams.
You don't think Trick's focused now? Williams is laying it all out of the line.
And then he fouled it up with bam!
That nearly, nearly was able to bring him retention of the
of the NXT title as Trick's gonna leave his feet all the way to the top.
Took a little bit too much time and got caught.
Then got caught one more time by that running knee.
And that's what Page did to Williams on Tuesday several weeks ago.
Will it be enough? But no. Another kick out.
Remember Page's sneak attack,
ran that knee right into the jaw of Trick Williams.
[cheers and applause]
Are you starting to wonder, Book, is Williams starting to fight on instinct?
[Booker] I think so.
Going up to the top rope throwing caution to the wind
and normally not Trick Williams mode [inaudible].
[grunting]
[crowd mimics monkey sounds]
[monkey sounds intensify]
[Vic] It's all about the NXT championship.
Ethan Page, who talked his way in to this opportunity to this main event,
saying that this brand, that our general manager
needed to sign him, needed to give him this opportunity.
But there's Trick Williams, the champion who has fought since he arrived
to get to this stage, to get to this main event, spotlight.
Oh, that kid caught by Page clothesline did it.
Urinagi, rock bottom! Whatever the hell you want to call it!
[Vic screams] Is it another Williams…?
-Kicked out. -[Booker] Didn't get all of it, Vic.
[cheers]
[Booker] Ethan Page trying to take a break right now.
A little bit of breather.
[Vic] Yeah, he's taking a breath a little bit close to us.
[crowd chants "This is awesome"]
[Vic] This indeed is awesome.
This is our main event here at NXT Battleground.
[panting]
[indistinct shouts]
Booker, there's just a different look in Trick socks. There's a different gleam
in the champions look.
[crowd shouts]
Trick Williams now is looking to plant Ethan Page.
Page countering… Page overpowering Trick!
[crowd chants "Holy shit"]
But Page has to get Williams back into the ring.
That's the only place Ethan Page can win the NXT title.
And on his first night, his first match get Page make history.
[crowd chants]
I cannot hear you, Book. Booker's headset is damaged because of the impact.
Ethan Page now.
Just dropping, planning Williams into the cover for the title
and somehow Trick was able to kick out.
[crowd chants "Whoop That Trick"]
Page wanted to come here to end the Whoop That era
and he might just do it.
Gotta be careful though, not to get disqualified.
Page back in. Right back on top.
Ethan Page is becoming unraveled, is becoming unglued.
[Booker] He's close to getting disqualified. It's so close.
-Whoa! -[Vic] Trick shot!
-Trick shot, cover, count! -[crowd counts]
-Williams able to overcome -[bell rings]
and retain that battleground.
[announcer] Here is your winner and still
the NXT champion, Trick Williams!
[Vic] Unbelievable main event for Trick Williams.
You said you weren't truly a champion
until…
you successfully defended it.
And here tonight, for the first time ever,
Trick Williams successfully defends his NXT championship.
But there was a lot of question marks in this match up
because Ethan Page showed what he was made
and a little bit more right here.
Was able to turn this match up around, was able to take out Trick Williams
and in this moment, walking that fine razor's edge line,
was able to plant the challenger or the champion, as the challenger,
was so close to the unthinkable in his first night here,
but got a little overzealous, took it to Trick Williams.
Referee didn't want to disqualify Ethan Page. And in the end, bam!
That Trick shot knee from Trick Williams was all he needed
to be the difference maker
here tonight as the host.
Joining Trick in the center of the ring that being Sexy Red.
It's going to be a party in Las Vegas for the NXT champion.
[crowd chants "Whoop That Trick"]
The battleground
has been cleared. The NXT champion stands tall.
And in the end, it was Ethan Page's ego who got bruised by our champion,
Trick Williams!
[cheers]
Subtitles: Ed Boon
[narrator] This has been a special presentation of WWE.
For over 70 years, the global leader in sports and entertainment. mpion,