[announcer] Then
now,
[epic music playing]
forever
together.
[Victor] We are live in Las Vegas, home of WrestleMania 41.
But tonight it's the home of NXT Battleground.
And we are live inside the state of the art UFC Apex.
And tonight will be nothing short of historic.
["Red Alert" playing]
We're about to witness the end of the "Whoop that!" era.
Or can Trick Williams knock down Ethan Page?
This indeed is a different side of the champion.
-Ethan Page is becoming unraveled. -[Booker] He's going to get disqualified.
[Victor] Trick shot! Cover, count.
Williams able to overcome and retain at Battleground.
It's gonna be a party in Las Vegas for the NXT champion.
[crowd chanting] Whoop that Trick!
Will "the Juggernaut" head back to TNA with NXT gold?
Or will "the Prodigy" prove again why this is her show?
-A historic championship clash. -[Booker] What the hell is going on?
[Victor] That is the Knockouts Championship.
What's Paxley doing?
That's TNA wrestler Ash By Elegance!
Well, Jordynne Grace did like anyone
putting their hands on her Knockouts title.
Grace, moments away from history. Juggernaut drive with a cutter.
Hot Rox Perez defends her title
and continues to show there is no one
in her league anywhere in the world.
[drums]
For the first time on a premium live event,
we will enter the NXT Underground
to prove who is the baddest. Shayna Baszler or Lola Vice.
The UFC Apex. After I tear you apart,
you'll find out there's only one cage fighter in wrestling.
[Lola Vice] At Battleground, I'm going viral.
I'm gonna knock Shayna Baszler out and then it's time to dance.
[Victor] Baszler's down. Referee, stop the match.
And at Battleground, Lola Vice proves she's the baddest.
-[bell rings] -We will crown the first
Women's North American champion
as these six will fight to retrieve the title in a ladder match.
Who will make history at NXT Battleground?
[Booker] This is a history making moment tonight.
Talking about talent. It's getting hot in here.
-[Victor] You gotta be kidding me! -God, man.
[Victor] These six women are looking to become the one inside the UFC Apex.
[Booker] So close. But still gets so far away.
You gotta do it.
[Victor] Kelani. She's up top.
She did it!
Jordan has made history
as the first Women's North American champion.
Welcome to NXT.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the first NXT Women's North American champion,
Kelani Jordan!
[Victor] No doubt, Kelani Jordan showed the spirit of a Spartan.
Finally achieved her breakout moment. Think about this, Book.
Attended a tryout in Nashville. Signed in 2022.
Less than two years later, a champion.
From a standout in the Big Ten to a standout right here.
In NXT.
[Booker] it's very simple, man. Nobody does it like Lani.
I like it, man. Oh, yes. The new Women's North America champ.
-[Victor] Not only the new, the first. -[Booker] Oh, yes, man.
Hi, guys.
[crowd cheering]
Thank you guys so much.
This is so surreal to me.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is so surreal to me.
I've won many championships in gymnastics for the past 18 years,
but nothing compares to being the first ever
Woman's North American champion.
[applause]
But I'll be the first to say, at Battleground,
us six women, we were battling.
Bodies were flying, risks were being taken,
souls were being snatched,
and we're all a bit beat up.
But when I climbed up that ladder and grabbed this title,
it's a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life.
It's an honor to be the first champion.
But because I'm the first champion,
there's no history or lineage to live up to.
There's no prestige to uphold.
It's up to me to create the importance for this title.
There's a lot of extremely talented women in that locker room.
But I'm gonna prove day in and day out,
by in this ring,
no one can do it like Lani.
["About That Time" playing]
-What do we got here, Book? -It's Parker.
Kelani, the only thing you proved
on Sunday was you could scurry up a ladder like a damn squirrel.
No one can climb a ladder like Lani.
Baby, all this noise you talking about bringing importance to this title
ain't going to be long, because when I handle Michin,
all you're going to be hearing is, "And the new North America--"
-[Booker] Oh! -[Victor] You say her name,
she shall appear.
[Booker] Yeah!
Can't get along. Let's get it on, man.
[Victor] These two have been trying to tear each apart for weeks.
We got an official.
-This didn't take long to pop up, Book. -Oh, man.
-[bell rings] -[Victor] There's the bell.
[Booker] Everybody's looking for a spot.
They're talking about that North American champion.
Is this something to the ladies in the locker room?
[Victor] The bottom line, Book, these two do not like each other.
[Booker] You got to love it, man. You got to love that.
What do you expect to happen, Vic?
[Victor] I expect what we're seeing here is Michin trying to maybe
beat some respect into Jaida Parker.
These two couldn't stop chirping at each other as teammates last week.
They couldn't stay away from each other on Sunday.
Speaking of which, how you feeling after Battleground?
-I gotta little rest. I feel pretty good. -I'm not talking about that, Book,
I'm talking about the last time we saw these two up close,
you were knocked down on your backside.
-What? -[Booker] Call the action, Vic.
-[Booker] Oh! -[Victor] Body slam.
[Booker] Big body slam.
Beautiful counter though by Michin.
[Victor] Michin right back in.
And again, these two do not like each other
trying to stand out here in NXT.
Speaking of standing out,
and you heard Jaida Parker say… Well, how about.
The NXT champion Trick Williams is here.
Trick Williams is live later on tonight
here on NXT,
Eddy Thorpe also back in action.
We've learned over the last several weeks, Book,
Tuesday nights, you should expect the unexpected.
[Booker] Yes, indeed. And like you said,
Eddy Thorpe is returning and I cannot wait to see that young man…
Here we go. Whoa! So close.
[Victor] Able to kick out Michin showcasing her toughness
on social media.
I don't know if you saw after that ladder match,
busted elbow, deep thigh bruise.
To be fair though, I don't think anyone, and that includes Jaida Parker, is 100 %
after that six woman ladder match.
[Jaida screams]
[Booker] She put up a hell of a fight on Sunday night.
Came out of little bit short, but tonight
all of that could go away, Vic.
All of that… She could be redeemed here tonight.
[Victor] Certainly could be.
And I want to go back to Kelani Jordan.
Congratulations to the first North American Women's champion.
It's up to her to create the importance of that championship.
[Booker] Oh, seriously.
Everybody that walk in the shoes after,
definitely is gonna be what Kelani Jordan made out of that championship.
How big will that North American Championship get?
We're going to find out real soon.
[Victor] Standing switch by Jaida Parker. Michin.
Sharp, back up. We could say that again,
but take a look at that German suplex.
[Booker] Michin is on top of her game tonight.
Seemed like all the dust from Sunday night has settled.
[Victor] Oh, nobody home as Jaida Parker able to get out of the way.
And it was Parker who warned Michin she would beat her,
she would hurt her
the next time they got in a one on one situation.
And you see Jaida Parker right now starting to take it to Michin.
[Booker] Yeah!
-Who's gonna get here, Vic? -And enjoy it.
[Booker] Oh, yes, man.
[Victor] Can Michin bounce back against Jaida Parker live on NXT?
You can't hang with me, baby. This is my ring.
[Victor] Back live on NXT.
And throughout the commercial break, Jaida Parker has been taking it to Michin
even over here in front of us at the announce desk.
[Booker] Yeah, and speaking of that, how do you feel to be called a snitch?
-Shoulders down. -How does it feel, Vic?
The resident neighborhood snitch. How does that feel, Vic?
[Victor] I still can't believe that you told her that I was a snitch.
Jaida Parker taking it to Michin and now starting to dissect
Michin in the center of the ring.
And another big shoulder tackle into possibly another cover. Yes.
Hook of the leg and Michin able to kick out.
Unlike her opponent. it was Jaida Parker who was angry
following Battleground and that ladder match.
And she has been taking it out on her opponent… Bam!
…here tonight.
[Booker] Every smart move was by Jaida Parker.
I look at that as just natural ability. You can't teach that or anything.
She's somebody that's going to be a big star in this business, man.
[Victor] And Michin doing a nice job right now.
Not allowing Jaida Parker to get her hands fully attached.
Almost like Parker is looking for a cross face chicken wing.
[Booker] Veteran knowledge from Michin and Michin definitely knows
every inch of that square circle.
That's what Jaida Parker is going to have to watch out for.
Just like that back elbow right there.
[Victor] This is that veteran ability of Michin
who's able to see a little bit of a glimpse
and then kick that door right open.
[Booker] No waste of motion right now by Michin.
[Victor] Certainly not. Michin now charging in. And big drop kick.
Buckle in the knees for a moment of Jaida Parker.
And can we give our general manager, Ava, her flowers?
Battleground was still trending number one the next day.
Ava gave these two what they wanted to go one on one.
And these two not disappointing. Showcasing why we have the best…
[Booker] Oh, wow!
[Victor] Tornado DDT. Will it be enough? And another near fall.
[Booker] Talking about Ava. She's young, but she's very wise for her years.
[Victor] I go back to Michin.
A moment ago you saw her try to get up and around
for that Tornado DDT.
Go back to what happened at Battleground.
That deep thigh bruise on her left thigh for Michin.
And she was looking for possibly to put Parker away.
Parker able to counter, hoist up and then just…
[Booker] Wow! The strength of Jaida Parker!
-[Victor] Oh, my word. -[Booker] What? What was that?
[Victor] I can't believe what we just witnessed.
-[Booker] She's out. -And the good brothers, the O.C.,
[Victor] Anderson, Gallows coming out here.
Close your legs and take another look.
That teardrop quick check.
Finally getting Michin back into the ring. And a kick out.
[Booker] Check that avalanche. What are you talking about?
[Victor] It was effective, Book. And Jaida Parker, though,
you gotta think she might have been able to pick up the victory.
[Booker] What the hell are they doing out here?
-Rolling to the outside? -What's going on here?
[Victor] Why the hell Jaida Parker getting a steel chair?
[Booker] They're cheerleaders now?
The hell is going on?
[Victor] Why don't you focus on that?
Whoa! Gallows turned the attention away from the official.
Anderson!
What is wrong with you?
[Victor] Michin from behind. Referee, shoulders down.
And it's Michin who gets some redemption tonight.
[announcer] Here's your winner, Michin.
-[Victor] What are you upset about? -[Booker] Not like that, Vic.
-[Booker] Come on, man. -Well, the O.C., Michin all smiles.
Anderson, Gallows running a little interference tonight.
And Michin would take care of the rest. You said she was a veteran.
That was a veteran move by Michin to pick up the victory
here this evening as Michin
silences Jaida Parker here tonight.
Booker, let's go back.
Sunday we were in Las Vegas. It was the UFC Apex. It was battleground.
And after the Triple Threat match for the North American title,
Gallus was not done with Wes Lee.
A vicious, heinous three on one attack this past Sunday.
[all shouting]
That's enough. That's enough.
[Victor] As for tonight though…
Gallus,
looks like you're up to your old tricks.
Now, I've been in Wes's position before, and Wes is my mate.
And I'm not going to stand there and watch my mate get bullied.
So tomorrow, lads, prove it. Gallus boys on top. Shut up.
[Victor] Six man tag still to come, but there he is.
The WWE Champion is here. Cody Rhodes.
We're going to hear from "the American Nightmare"
live tonight on NXT.
[indistinct chatter]
Easy, easy. Fellas. Fellas.
-I thought we squashed all this. -As did I.
Well, sorry, Ridge.
It's just a little hard to trust you.
Exactly. You can't be trusted.
You're not part Chase U.
Name one good thing that's happened since you've been here.
You two said you weren't even gonna be out there last week.
No, I wasn't gonna go out there last week.
-You should have been out there. -You insisted that we go out last week.
I wanna be a uni and stick together.
[indistinct]
[screaming] Everyone shut the up and sit down!
Sit down.
-Where'd she learn that from? -What the issue? He's an outsider.
Well, guess what, Riley? So were you. And we let you in.
Thea, I think we need to take a step back and breathe.
-I think the whole Jacy situation… -Andre, do I need to remind everyone
that you almost gambled the entire university away?
Oh, wait, you did gamble the entire university away.
-Thea, I… -Duke and you.
You.
Everyone thought that you were gonna stab Mr. Chase in the back, but you didn't.
Because we gave you a chance. We give everyone a chance.
And I'm over it.
Everyone needs to get on the same page.
We're all Chase U.
And that's not a teachable moment. That's the truth.
[silence]
Wow, she has a point.
[Victor] I kind of agree with Duke.
She does indeed have a point, doesn't she?
[Booker] Sometimes you just mind your business.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following Contest is a six man tag team match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Wolfgang, Mark and Joe Coffey,
Gallus!
[Victor] I actually want to piggyback off what you just said.
You said mind your own business, right?
When was the last time Gallus just minded their own business?
Took out Ivar, took out Josh Briggs. They've attacked multiple times Wes Lee.
[Booker] You know what? Let's call a crew right here.
Brothers to the bone, man. And you know what they say, right?
Blood is a whole lot thicker than water.
There he is. There he is.
-Who are you pointing at? -Talking about my man Joe Coffey.
That was Mark Coffey that was over here. Joe Coffey is in the jacket.
Well, no doubt this man has been fuming thinking about the events of Battleground.
[announcer] And their opponents,
the team of Wes Lee and New Catch Republic,
Tyler Bate and "the Bruiser weight" Pete Dunne.
[Victor] A lot of respect for this duo stepping up and helping out Wes Lee.
[Booker] This is the biggest mistake this New Catch Republic has made to date.
You don't want to cross the Gallus boys. You don't want to get into cross ass
Joe Coffey and Mark and Wolfgang.
-You don't want to do that. -[Victor] Why are you such a hater?
[Booker] Speaking facts. Knowledge.
[Victor] I guess time will tell as this match about begins. Six man.
[Booker] Because I like Tyler Bate, I like Pete Dunne. But, Wes Lee?
Do the greatest North American champion in their history--
-And again, I like these guys… -Talking out of both ends.
Are you with them or you against them?
[Booker] I'm speaking facts here. That's it.
[Victor] So let me ask you this.
You don't believe that Lee deserved
that post match beat down in Las Vegas.
[Booker] If me and my brother got beat but you don't let me catch you.
I don't care if you Starbucks, 7/11, walking down the hall.
Your ass going to get our ass whooping.
[Victor] I've heard you say that to Corey Graves in the past too.
A tag was made. Wolfgang tag again.
[Booker] So that you understand the moments that led…
-Don't everyone look at it two ways. -…the Gallus boys.
[Victor] Ain't able to kick out. Right shoulder up, shoulders down.
One more time and another kick out.
And these two, of course, no strangers at all
actually Gallus no strangers to the No Quarter Catch Crew.
Joe Coffey challenged Pete Dunne for the UK talent.
The first NXT UK takeover in Blackpool. A rich history between all the…
Hey, Tyler!
Rich history between all these superstars in this match.
[Booker] Play a little hard
it's going to catch up sooner or later,
especially in a match up like this.
[Victor] Also want to make for the record, Wes Lee was not pinned
at Battleground.
[Booker] Why you got to bring up stuff like that?
Why is that a stat?
That's not even a stat. Why you going to bring that?
[Victor] I'm not going to argue all night
the show is only 27 minutes in and Pete Dunne right now is in control
looking to bend back and snap the digits of Mark Coffey.
Not gonna be able to drink a pint if your hands are broke.
-[Booker] Referee, come on. -That's not illegal, Booker.
[Victor] You've been in the ring. What are you talking about?
Your facts are way out there today. You need another C4 energy.
I just thought the ref is not gonna do something like that.
[Victor] Okay.
Pete Dunne ripping back.
Oh!
[Booker] All of that is unnecessary.
-That's effective as well. -It is, it's very effective.
[Victor] And this is why I got a lot of respect for these two.
They know exactly what Gallus could do.
They were not going to stand by and watch Wes Lee combat
these three individuals
because the trio of Gallus thrives on chaos
by having the numbers advantage,
which they love by the way.
And they don't have the numbers advantage here tonight.
[Booker] Right about that.
Pete Dunne looking great. Here comes Wes Lee.
Oh, you got cardiac. "Cardiac kid."
[Victor] And Tyler Bate who is legal taking Mark Coffey for the ride
with a little help to get the spinning going.
Lead to the outside.
Incoming.
And round and round Mark Coffey goes. Where does it end? Only Tyler Bate knows.
[Victor] I'm getting dizzy out here.
I think he could have lasted the last 90 minutes
of just spinning around Mark Coffey.
Don't miss a second of the action.
Look who's rocking, look who's rolling. Look who's standing tall.
Back live on NXT as you saw throughout the commercial break,
the Gallus boys indeed have been on top of the action.
Roll through, shoulders down!
Tyler Bate was a half second away from pinning Joe Coffey.
Now he's trying to make a tag and…
[Booker] Not bad.
-[Victor] Just lost. -To that man right there, Joe Coffey.
[Victor] You talk about staying out and minding your own business.
How about a Monday night Raw?
Chad Gable calling out intercontinental champion Sami Zayn
for always sticking his nose in others' business.
[Booker] That's Master Gable to you, I think.
Beautiful!
Gable and Zane meet Saturday in Scotland.
The Clash of the Castle for the IC title…
And almost had a trio.
[Booker] Come on.
[Victor] Pick up a victory here tonight. But if it was not for Pete Dunne.
Take another look. Feel that impact.
As a tag was made. Mark Coffey's back in.
And look at the two on one. Oh, Bate!
[Booker] The referee is losing control of this thing right now, Vic.
I don't like the looks. I don't like the looks of this.
[Victor] This is the moment for Bate.
Trying to crawl. Looking for Pete Dunne.
-Dunne reaching out. Joe Coffey. -[Booker] Oh, yes.
-[Victor] And isolating Tyler Bates. -[Booker] So comfy right there, man.
Always grind it.
[Victor] Oh!
We can agree that Gallus doesn't like a fair fight
as Bate landed on his feet.
And tag. And it's Wes Lee who's legal. And there comes "the Cardiac kid".
Big uppercut rocking Joe. Wolfgang coming in. He got caught.
Wes Lee right now hitting on all cylinders.
[Booker] Wes Lee get a lot of momentum because he's hard to stop. Oh, my God!
[Victor] Hurricanrana with an assist from Wolfgang.
Wolfgang now doing a little do-si-do
and he's getting body. He's getting chopped down.
Look at Wes Lee looking for the DDT.
[Booker] Wes Lee. You got to give this kid a lot of credit.
[Victor] Cover!
-[referee] …two… -[Booker] Oh, wow.
[Victor] Mark Coffey breaking it up. Wes Lee was hitting anything that move.
No pop and bang.
What a right hand for Mark. Bate!
From Dunne.
No, no, no!
[Victor] No, no, no. Yes, yes, yes!
-Snap, snap, snap. -[Booker] Oh, man!
[Victor] Bam!
Joe thought he was going to hit Dunne. Joe with a moonsault. Bate goes flying.
But it's Wes Lee who's legal. Meteora center of the ring into the cover.
-My word! -[Booker] So close.
So, so close.
[Victor] This place just came out of their seat.
Wes Lee now looking to fly.
-[Booker] Oh, man! -He decided to switch direction.
[Booker] That was a hard land to go.
[Victor] But he wiped out the field. And again, look who's standing.
[crowd chanting] NXT!
I don't know if their chant "NXT" or "Go Wes Lee".
As Lee able to roll back through…
-[Booker] That's it, man. -[referee] …two, three!
[bell rings]
[announcer] Here are your winners, Gallus.
[Victor] Talk about grinding good to the last drop.
[Booker] Talking about action personified. What a hell of a match.
[Victor] Joe Coffey and Gallus just grinded out this victory.
Tyler Bate, Dunne. They were bringing it.
Wes Lee was hitting as well.
Take a look right here. Lee, at the last moment.
Serendipity, my friend, was able to wipe out the field.
But in the same moment, he also kind of cost himself the match up.
Bam!
No one to save Wes Lee after getting turned inside out.
[Booker] Good night.
[Victor] And on this night, it is the Gallus boys on top.
You should not put your own…
Come on.
Man.
Michin beating Jaida Parker? Make it make sense.
It don't.
If Gallows and Anderson didn't come out there,
I would have had her ass beat.
And she knows it.
Look, Michin no es Nadie No salimos 'cause we know you had it.
That's on us. We gotta handle that.
It ain't even like that, though.
That's why y'all come out with me
and let me go to the ring by myself because I got this.
But Michin?
Michin want to play like that? Then so be it.
But I promise you, and I promise you I'm a handler
and I'mma run her ass out of NXT.
I know that's right.
-I'm feeling good. -Come on, Brinley.
Keep getting that prematch pump going because we know
that stranger's going to be your ass tonight.
Babe, promise me just one thing, please.
-What? -You going to be careful.
-Duh -Hey. You ain't gotta promise me anything.
I don't know if you've seen it,
but it's something going on with Wendy Choo right now. Strange.
I agree. She's just not the same, man.
I just don't feel that…
Guys, love the concern, but Wendy? She's a freaking sweetheart.
We're gonna go out there and have such a fun time.
It's gonna be a great match.
Oh, can't wait.
-You got that feeling? -I do.
[Brinley] Boys, come on!
["Red Alert" playing]
Oh, what a historic night it was in Las Vegas on Sunday night.
Not just for us, Book, but also for the WWE and for UFC.
Yeah, man, I got a chance to hang out with Jamahal Hill.
He's a big fan, man. Big, big fan.
-You know what a fan is? -Huh?
-You know. -Besides my mom and my wife, probably not.
But he has been watching you his entire life.
I just want to throw that out there.
But let's go back to what happened on Sunday.
It was Sol Ruca with five other women trying to make history.
And for Sol, she certainly put her heart on the line.
I am very nervous and very excited.
I haven't been to Vegas since I was probably like seven or eight.
I used to have gymnastics competitions out here all the time.
So back to my acrobats and tumbling days.
Seven. One.
So it's really nice to be back
and be competing again in a whole different world.
It's such a big day
and I'm so nervous, but I'm so, so excited.
I actually made my gear this time and we went with gold and black.
I wanted it to look like I was wearing a bathing suit
and had jean shorts over it, kind of sticking out gold studs
to make it extra Vegasy I guess.
It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to wear it today.
My first ladder match and my first PLE,
which is…
just so crazy to me because I was injured
like a few months ago and now I'm here.
It's crazy going from not being able to walk
to being in a ladder match.
I didn't think I was going to be here after…
After what I went through, I thought it was going to be a long time coming
until I was back in the ring.
I'm so excited to get out there.
I spent nine months relearning how to walk,
relearning how to run, relearning how to jump.
And this is where it all pays off. And I cannot wait to get out there,
create something new and make a splash.
[Victor] We will crown the first Women's North American champion.
[Booker] That's Sol Ruca?
[Booker] It's getting hot in here.
I'm gonna get emotional. Every time I go out there…
…and have a good match.
It is such a blessing.
Oh!
[Victor] Soul snatcher.
-[Booker] Oh! -[Victor] Another one!
May not be the first ever Women's NXT North American champion.
[Victor] Jordan has made history.
Bummed I didn't come out victorious,
but just can't wait to get back out there
and to chase those titles and to making my way
up to the top of that ladder or top of the NXT women's locker room.
[Victor] We may argue a lot, but one thing we can agree on,
Soul Star is on the rise.
[Booker] I agree.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first accompanied by Edris Enofe
and Malik Blade, Brinley Reece!
[Booker] That was a dynamite drop in there.
-I see why they pay you the big bucks. -[Booker laughs]
As we get ready as the spotlight, Book,
back on the best women's division in wrestling,
[Booker] Brinley Reece.
-I love the heart. -[Victor] And Edris and Malik.
No, no. I mean, they're not working. I'm talking about.
I love the hard work.
I love that mentality.
She need to drop that chicken dinner, you know, real quick, man.
Real quick. Get with a winner, man. Get with a winner.
Drop that chicken dinner.
["Twisted Champion" playing]
[announcer] And her opponent, Wendy Choo.
[Victor] Well, Wendy Choo is certainly
awake in his back.
NXT.
[Booker] Different.
Different Wendy Choo.
[Victor] That is certainly not the same Wendy Choo that we once knew.
[Booker] Still got the pillow.
[Victor] She also has a…
unique stare about her. I don't mean to be a little off.
-[Booker] I like it. -[Victor] Do you like nightmares?
That are living, walking and breathing.
[Booker] I think Wendy Choo right here has a whole lot of potential.
Let's see exactly how this thing play out. Really reset.
We're gonna go out here and have some fun tonight, Vic.
Let's see how much fun is actually gonna be.
-[Victor] I don't actually know. -[Booker] Oh, yeah!
[Victor] Fun and games out the window
with Wendy Choo. And I was gonna ask you,
how long do you think it would take for Choo
to get back in any sort of rhythm.
Coming off of… What the hell?
[Booker] Oh, good night.
They say time off is your worst enemy, but I'm going to tell you right now,
seemed like that time off did Wendy Choo a whole lot of good.
[Victor] Even Blade and Edris are noticing something
a little bit off about Wendy Choo here tonight.
[Booker] Maybe Wendy needs to work with him.
What the…
Oh, man!
[Victor] Wendy Choo back in.
-[Victor] Oh! -See what I'm saying?
Physical dominate into a cover.
[Booker] This would have happens when you come with purpose,
when you got your game.
[Victor] I'll say it a different way. She's…
slithering around the ring, but she is fighting with…
malicious intent tonight.
[Booker] Purpose, Vic. This is a different Wendy Choo.
And I'm going to tell you right now,
this right here is going to do a lot of good
working her way up the ladder here in this division.
[Victor] This is a big match for Reece, not just for herself,
but also to prove a point
that she could show Edris and show Malik
what positive energy can do.
Let's see exactly what that positive…
[Victor] Big scoop slam!
[Booker] …she's looking real good. Like I said, I like Brinley Reece.
She's got a work hard mentality. But right now she just got caught.
-[Booker] Man! Wendy Choo. -[Victor] Off the clothesline.
And now Wendy Choo, center of the ring, locking in a submission.
Referee's in position.
[Booker] Do your job, ref!
Do your job. Do your job, ref!
Had a wherewithal. You better stop it.
-[bell rings] -[Victor] And the official
calls for the bell to put Reece to sleep.
[announcer] Here is your winner, Wendy Choo.
[Victor] Shivers go up your spine.
[Booker] How you like this new Wendy Choo?
-It freaks me out. -Look at this.
[Booker] Look at this. Oh, man!
[Booker] Good night, Brinley Reece.
[Victor] And they're the… Finally a tap out.
As you mentioned, put to sleep by Wendy Choo and Edris, Malik.
-Freaked out, but welcome back. -[Booker laughs]
[Victor] From your slumber, Wendy Choo.
Well, let's go back for Ethan Page
because it was after the show last Tuesday.
He obviously has made more enemies than friends.
That is Oro Mensah, who was put in the cross hairs
of Ethan Page, along with Noam Dar
and in turn, Oro Mensah did the same.
Mensah has attacked Ethan Page at every turn,
even brought the fight to Ethan Page
all over the country, including Las Vegas.
And this was last Saturday,
the night before Battleground inside the UFC Apex.
But this is what happened after the championship match up,
the main event of Battleground.
It was Oro Mensah once again getting his hands
and beating down Ethan Page.
Oro Mensah not playing around with "All Ego."
And we're certainly seeing a new side.
You talk about Wendy Choo, a new side of Oro Mensah.
And because of everything we just saw,
because of everything I just said.
Due to Mensah's actions,
our general manager, Ava, had no choice but, as you can see,
to ban Oro Mensah from the building here tonight.
You also gotta wonder what else could happen to Oro Mensah
if he does not listen to Avery.
[Booker] Take the time off.
[Victor] We talked about that main event.
There is our NXT champion, fresh off his first successful defense.
Trick Williams in the building. He's live next.
I've been standing by, hoping to get a word
from the fashionably late
NXT Women's champion.
Hurry up, Byron, and ask. I don't have time for this.
Very well. Roxanne, tonight you are scheduled to deliver
the state of the women's division address.
Can you give us an idea of what that might entail?
That's right, Byron.
You saw my match of the night at Battleground.
I was put in an impossible situation against one of the most dominant women
in wrestling today. And here I stand still,
your NXT Women's champion.
So, yeah, tonight I'll be addressing
where I'll be taking this woman's division in the next…
Hey, Roxanne. What's going on?
Here to just say congrats on the title win,
and Ava was just wondering
What are you gonna be talking about tonight?
Aw, is she?
Robert I had to find out who my Battleground opponent was
when everybody else did.
So why don't you go and tell your little boss
that she can wait to see what I have to say,
just like I did.
[Victor] Oh, wait a second, Book. We knew we were gonna see a champion.
The WWE Champion is here.
["Kingdom" playing]
Show some respect for this young man, Cody Rhodes.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the undisputed
WWE champion,
"the American Nightmare,"
Cody Rhodes!
[Victor] It was nine years ago today.
We lost "the American Dream," Dusty Rhodes.
Booker, I ran into Cody earlier.
He said when he walked in the door, he felt the presence of his father.
When he looked at the roster, he knows his dad would be proud.
He wanted to come here today to be part of this atmosphere,
to feel the passion,
because there is nothing like the NXT universe.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody!
It's magical here, isn't it?
Certainly, it's well known that there is a magic right here at NXT.
And perhaps I needed to be here today, perhaps I needed to feel said magic
as I head towards Scotland, towards Clash at the Castle,
towards a WWE Championship defense
against A.J. Styles.
[crowd booing]
A.J. Styles has been a lot of things.
He was the IWGP Heavyweight Champion,
was the NWA World's Heavyweight Champion.
He was WWE Champion. He was PWI's Wrestler of the Decade.
But for sure, one thing that you can add to that list
after this Saturday is that A.J. Styles
is going to look at all of Scotland.
He is going to look at our referee,
and he's going to look me in the eyes and he is going to say,
I…
quit.
["Locked In" playing]
-[Booker] Aha. -[crowd] Whoop that Trick!
-[Booker] What? -[crowd] Whoop that Trick!
-[Booker] Yeah! -[crowd] Whoop that Trick!
-[Booker] Aha. -[crowd] Whoop that Trick!
[Booker] I like it. Oh, yeah, man.
-[crowd] Whoop that Trick! -[Booker] Oh, yeah, man.
-[Booker] Well, we talk about moments. -[Booker laughs]
[Victor] What a moment…
this is going to be for Trick Williams,
our NXT champion.
To be in the ring,
to share the ring
with Cody Rhodes, the undisputed WWE Champion.
-[Booker] Look at his shoes. Bad day! -[Trick] Yo, yo, yo.
Hey, first thing first.
We got Cody Rhodes in NXT. Everybody make some noise.
[crowd cheering]
Now, Cody, I was on my way to the ring,
I see you on your way.
So out of respect,
I had to hold up and let you do your thing.
Now,
Cody,
I feel like
we've had similar journeys.
With all due respect,
you at the top of the game
and I'm doing my thing as well.
We both champions,
but I feel like we both had huge mountains to climb.
We both had chips on our shoulder to get right here where we are today.
And I guess what I'm trying to say is
now that we got our championships,
now that we're on the other side of the mountain,
everything feels different now.
I mean, instead of having something to chase,
instead of having something that we've been wanting for so long,
we got it now.
And now people are attacking us.
So I guess what I'm trying to ask you is
how do you deal with all this?
How do you deal with
going from being the hunter to being the hunted, right?
How do you deal with the fact
that on the other side of that wall right there,
all of our peers are watching you, watching me,
and they're not going, "Oh, man, go get them, Trick"?
No, they are judging you.
They are thinking that they can wear that better than you.
They are thinking that they can wear this better than me.
But…
one thing to keep in mind, champ,
is even though
we've conquered certain mountains,
there's always another mountain that you can climb.
[crowd] Oh!
But…
I don't want to get ahead of ourselves here.
I actually…
[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick!
I actually have been granted the authority,
Ava has granted me the authority
to let you know who your next challenger is going to be.
The next challenger for your championship
will be decided on NXT
next week in a 25 man over the top Battle Royal.
[crowd cheering]
And you may know some of them,
but some of them might be from different locker rooms.
[crowd screams in awe]
Trick Williams,
champ.
Good luck, my friend.
Whoa, whoa! Hold on, Cody.
There's one more thing I gotta ask you,
and it's very, very serious.
We're fourth of July right around the corner.
On behalf of all my people,
we all want to know,
are you coming to the cookout?
[crowd cheering]
Y'all want Cody to come to the cookout?
[crowd] Yes!
[crowd] Yes! Yes!
Yes! Yes!
Yes, I am coming to the cookout.
-Yes. Yes. -[crowd celebrates]
Thank you, man!.
Play Cody Rhodes music.
[Victor] But, Booker, before the cookout, 25 men will compete.
One challenger will emerge. But did you hear what Cody said?
"You may know some."
"Some may be coming from other locker rooms."
What a Battle Royal next week to determine the number one contender
for the NXT championship.
Don't do it, kid. Don't do it.
-Hey, how about you try to own me? -Own you? How about you?
[Victor] This is what happened last week.
We remember this fight that broke out.
These two were going toe to toe.
This is after Josh Briggs was dropped by Shawn Spears.
He almost came legitimately right into our lap.
This was a fight that broke out.
You and I were looking at each other like, "What the hell is going on?"
These two wanted to take it to each other.
It wasn't official. It wasn't sanctioned.
It wasn't planned to happen. But Je'Von Evans showed up, showed out,
-taking it to Shawn Spears. -[Booker] Wow!
[Victor] And in a moment he seemed to at least silence Spears last week.
And last week brings us to tonight because in our main event,
Je'Von Evans looks to bounce Shawn Spears back to reality.
It's Evans. It's Spears.
One on one, live in our main event of NXT.
Excuse me. Dante Chen,
tonight your rivalry with Lexis King comes to a head in a Singapore Cane match.
What can we expect?
Sarah? I'm ready.
Lexis King can dismiss my two victories,
but tonight I will leave my lasting imprint on him
when I tattoo his body with cane shots.
My Singaporean spirit will teach him discipline.
Tonight, I end our rivalry on my terms.
Dante Chen takes on Lexis King in a Singapore Cane match.
Next.
Let's talk about Kelani. History maker! Oh, my God.
I can't believe she won. I'm so happy for her.
Oh, hi, Wendy. Congrats on your win. It's so nice to finally meet you.
My name is Carly Bright, I'm one of the newest…
Oh. Am…
Okay.
Guys, did I say something?
[Victor] Well, Booker, the future is here.
The 2024 NIL class. Jeremy Cody from Miami.
Carlos Aviles from the Ohio State.
Jaiden Fields from Georgia. Darci Kahn from Howard.
Sirena Linton from Arkansas and Abby Jacobs from South Alabama.
NXT Universe, this is your NIL class of 2024.
["King" playing]
They're gonna have front row seats for what do you call?
[Booker] The TV star. The star of all television.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest
is a single fall Cane match!
Introducing firsts…
[Victor] What?
-Did you hear this? -[Booker] What a cheap shot.
[Victor] That is a cheap shot. Dante Chen.
-[Booker] What a… -[Victor] these two…
[Booker] What a rat move.
Whoa!
Swing and a miss.
King trying to get the hell out of that.
Dante Chen wants to fight.
-Referee finally rings the bell. -[bell rings]
And this one is official. Singapore Cane match…
[Booker] You condone that?
[Victor] That's a Singapore Cane match.
if you get your hands on a Singapore Cane on a kendo stick, it's legal.
A cane, the tool of choice tonight.
[Booker] You know that's not what I'm talking about.
-What are you talking about? -I'm talking about…
back jumping on Lexis King.
[Booker] You don't do that.
Oh, yeah!
There you go, baby.
[Victor] They had to be physically separated
last week, it was King who proclaimed that this ends tonight.
[Booker] Look, man, Dante Chen is not on the level of Lexis King
and you know it.
Can Chen make it three in a row?
It was King who was not amused by the crowd
or the locker room and their support of Dante Chen.
But, look, I gotta ask you, when it comes to the Singapore Cane,
what does one of those canes feel like when it snaps off your skin.
[Booker] It's a hot, burning sensation, Vic,
that I don't wish on my worst enemy. Not even you, Vic. Not even you.
[Victor] Oh, and Dante Chen,
lucky enough, was able to just get out and dodge being back dropped
on all those Singapore…
[Booker] Oh, yes! Break the noise, Lexis.
Break the noise.
[Victor] We saw a vicious side of King a few weeks ago.
Remember when he brutalized
Chen right in front of us at the announce desk?
-Into the cover. -One, two…
[Booker] Because we all know, Vic.
We all know that Chen's victory was a fluke. We know that.
[Victor] What are you…? So you're still buying the fluke?
-Of course I am! -Booker, he lost not once, but twice.
-And that was right to Chen's throat. -Yes!
-[Victor] And it's all legal. -[Booker] Aha! Aha!
Making all those collect calls back home, talking about that fluke victory.
Now it's time to pay the bill, son.
Oh, King showed a dark side.
Not just about a party all the time. Look at King right now.
That cane right across the cheekbone
-of Chen. -[Booker] Yes. I love it, man.
-[Victor] Now, Chen… -[Booker] I love it.
[Victor] Chen came out swinging right from the gate.
[Booker] Came out and stole a man from the back.
Is what I saw. It was a rat tactic.
Oh! You say one thing, I'll say another. And there's another.
Just…
brutal shot.
And I don't know if we can get a shot of Dante Chen's back
as into another cover, another count.
And somehow Chen showing toughness, being able to kick out.
But the welts, even right there on the back of King,
They are…
-[cane cracking] -[Dante screams in pain]
Wanted you to hear that
because the battle these two are having,
scars are being put on their bodies.
[Booker] No man leads a match like this unscathed, Vic.
That's just part of the game.
And what I like about Lexis, he's man enough.
That's what I like about this game.
[crowd] Dante! Dante!
NXT universe trying their best to help Dante Chen.
I just look up from the monitor.
I don't know if you can do it as well. Look at the throat of Dante Chen.
It is bright, bright red.
And Chen turning things around on King,
trying to wear down Lexis King.
And King able to slither his way free. Nice counter, I must admit.
-And now… -[Booker] Oh!
[Booker] Bye bye.
[Victor] Into the cover…
[Booker] Oh, what the…
[Victor] Can you start giving Dante Chen some credit?
Dante Chen now is just getting abused.
-Maybe he should have just stayed… -Brutalized!
[Booker] Maybe he should have just stayed down.
[Victor] This is an aggressive side of Lexis King
unlike anything we've ever seen before from this man.
-And now what the hell is he doing? -He's about to take him down.
[Victor] What Is his demonic mind dreamed up for this match?
[Booker] Love it.
Oh, yes!
[Victor] Oh, this has been a hard hitting affair
as Chen now… Whoa!
Like King getting a taste of his own medicine.
Look at the body.
Bruised, bleeding, welts.
Dante Chen, though, he's not done yet.
It's his turn now!
[Booker] Oh, man. That brings back bad, bad memories, man.
[Victor] What the heck? Get out of the way, Book.
There's stuff breaking right over our heads.
And he got another one.
Oh, I think that caught King in the jaw.
Lot of music being played right now. Dante Chen.
Chen to make it three in a row.
[Booker] Man, doesn't work like that.
[Victor] I can't get over, Book.
[crowd chanting] NXT!
Look at the wounds on Dante Chen.
-But kids got something up his sleeve. -You mentioned that.
You mentioned that every time that Singapore Cane hits your skin,
-it's a burning sensation. -Yes.
I lost count of how many times these two have just been beaten,
brutalizing and battering the other. And Dante Chan not done yet.
-[Victor] Right to the throat of King. -You got to be kidding.
[Victor] King may never talk again.
We're officially outside.
And there are Singapore Canes again all over the place.
It's a Singapore Cane match. The cane, the tool of choice.
[Booker] Oh, I must say, Dante Chan is ringing it here tonight, Vic.
Oh, yes. Oh, yes!
Man, this kid's a fighter.
-Man, I love Lexis King. -[Victor] Wait a minute.
-To the throat. -[Booker] The scepter.
[Victor] With a cane.
[Booker] Oh, that's the scepter. Oh, yes, man!
[Victor] Lexis King.
Now looking to finally…
Rock, goodbye. Rock, goodbye, baby.
[Victor] Dante Chen.
One, two…
[Victor] Oh, I'm sure Lexis King…
-[bell rings] -[Victor] is proud of himself.
[announcer] Here is your winner, Lexis King.
[Booker] TV Star.
Lexis King.
[Victor] I mentioned to you, Book, that the Singapore Cane
was the tool of choice here tonight.
And we saw these two light each other up.
Just vicious side of both these men.
The welts were forming from the beginning.
But right there, and that was after, by the way,
Lexis King used that cane
-…to gain the advantage. -[Booker] Whatever works.
Whatever works, Vic. Whatever works.
-What happened to me? -You're fine.
That's the person I came to see. Wanted to give you something.
[gasps]
Dashing.
[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've 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.
-Thank you. -Give it to us.
Give it to us. Let's go.
Next time Jaida wants to bring a weapon into the match,
our ass whoping's gonna be real intentional.
However, W's goes rewarded in NXT.
And Ava over here is… Guess who's the first challenger
for Kelani's North American Championship?
Oh, that ain't too sweet. I don't know what is.
I don't even have to worry about four other competitors.
It's just gonna be one on one.
And even though I'm a part of a group, I'm a singular woman. I'm the HBIC.
HBIC about to be the new Women's North America champion.
See? A.J.'s gonna win the WWE Championship of the Clash.
And you sweet Michin, you get a taste of the gold.
Gold!
What a night we've had here. And you just heard from Michin
and everything going on and everything that's going on tonight.
-Don't. -What's going on?
Don't pay attention to the…
We don't have security.
Somebody needs to secure this.
Security just handled it.
We're live right now.
As I mentioned, still, Roxanne Perez
and her state of the women's division address
still to come tonight,
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Tavion Heights.
["Let the Good Times Roll" playing]
And his opponent, Eddy Thorpe!
Various superstars LA Knight and Bayley join Cony Rhodes, CM Punk, Liv Morgan,
Rhea Ripley, and WWE legend Hulk Hogan at Fanatics Fest New York City
this August 16th through 18th at the Javits Center in New York City.
Tickets for the ultimate event for all sports fans and collectors
are available now at fanaticsfest.com
[Booker] So glad to see Eddy Thorpe back in action, Vic.
-Yes, yes. -[Victor] Again.
Expect the unexpected. We're at NXT.
Let's refocus on the task at hand.
You see Tavion Heights, Eddy Thorpe.
Thorpe, though, as tough as they come,
seems more ready than ever to manifest his destiny, so to speak.
[Booker] Yes, indeed. In my estimation, he is the king of the underground.
We got a hell of a match up here tonight
with Tavion Heights. Let's see how you can match up.
[Victor] Look at Heights.
I don't know if you want to try to grapple with someone like Tavion Heights.
He's an interesting star that has all the tools,
some of the coaches have said he just needs…
needs to figure out how to apply it.
[Booker] It's always going back to his base.
One thing I love about this kid, once he figures this game out,
he's going to be hell on wheels.
[Victor] Six foot three, over 220 pounds.
Tavion Heights, a bronze medalist,
2020 gold medalist at the Pan American Games,
represented the USA… Oh!
…in the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
But Eddy Thorpe doesn't give a damn about that right now.
Because we've seen Thorpe compete in strap matches,
victorious in two NXT Underground matches.
Thorpe has acknowledged
he needs to make the most of every opportunity
as he goes into the cover and a quick kick out.
And that's a wise approach for Eddy Thorpe at this juncture,
-at this stage of the game. -[Booker] It is, indeed.
Keep that hammer down.
But I'm tell you, Tavion Heights, this kid just needs to get
a little dirt on him.
He just need to, like I say, be in the game for a minute.
Understand what's going on. Oh, here we go!
-[Victor] What an overhead. -[Booker] Beautiful!
[Victor] Belly to belly!
What I'm saying right here, wasting a whole lot of time.
You don't want to do that with someone like Eddy Thorpe.
Tavion Heights. Sending Thorpe to new heights
with that belly to belly suplex.
And it was in the men's breakout tournament, was Heights.
These are two driven individuals when they step into the ring.
You talked about Heights a second ago, Booker.
I mean, what's the mystic ingredient then as you sit here?
[Booker] He's a college athlete, right?
He's used to playing by the rules, right?
He needs to forget all that. He needs to be reprogrammed.
I'm talking about deprogrammed and reprogrammed.
Send him to reality of wrestling.
[Victor] Nice plug. As now Heights hoisting up Eddy Thorpe.
And Heights. This would be a major statement victory.
But look at Thorpe trying to bounce back in this match.
In his career, you've heard his words over the last several weeks.
He knows he needs to bring it.
But he just got planted
-by Tavion. -Yes, that's what I'm talking about.
[Booker] Tavion, like I say, don't waste no time with somebody like Eddy Thorpe.
[Victor] Look at the strength. Tavion heights like a machine.
[Booker] You better cover him, son.
[Victor] Into the cover, deep hook of the leg…
And a kick out by Thorpe.
[Booker] Look at Tavion heist right now.
[Victor] Another look.
[Booker] He's thinking a little bit too much instead of reacting.
[Victor] But those are the instincts that he needs to learn.
Going back to what the coaches said of learning how to apply the craft,
-learning how to apply what he naturally… -[Booker] Beautiful!
[Victor] Like we're seeing right now. This is that Olympic background
from the Olympic kid
who now almost looks like he's got a dragon sleeper locked in.
[Booker] Right now Eddy Thorpe is a little shook.
[Victor] Trying to dig in right now is Heights.
And it was Eddy Thorpe who's acknowledged he needs a burst of motivation.
This is truly maybe in his mind, now or never for Eddy Thorpe.
[Booker] Eddy's been in this position before.
This is nothing, you know, new for Eddy.
He's no stranger to these positions right here, Vic.
[Victor] Big right hand.
Thorpe answering back.
Eddy Thorpe trying to show and remind everyone
just how dangerous he is in the ring.
Not just with the stripes that are on display at this moment,
but some have called him a mat technician.
-Look at the combination. German suplex! -[Booker] Oh, beautiful.
Like I say, you get the cross ass for this young man right here,
and you could be in trouble.
[Victor] Thorpe coming in hard, big elbow.
Eddy Thorpe more focused than ever,
driving Tavion Heights into the mat.
-One, two, three. -Strong statement
-made by Eddy Thorpe. -[bell rings]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Eddy Thorpe!
[Booker] Let's see that draw dance real quick, Eddy, give me some.
[Victor] I think Eddy Thorpe is all business.
[Booker] Oh, there he is.
[Victor] Everything right now flowing through the veins of Eddy Thorpe.
Everything he's talked about, everything he's endured,
everything he wants to represent.
With a victory here tonight, Eddy Thorpe back on the warpath at NXT.
I gotta say, that Heights kid, it's pretty impressive.
Myles,
go get him. Bring him here.
What do you mean, go get him? I'm not picking him up.
-What do you mean? -Myles, go get him.
-Go get him. -I got it. Wouldn't say it twice.
There's strength in numbers. Maybe we could use a new member.
I don't know, man. I don't think we need any new members.
We could barely figure you out, huh? What you thinking?
Oh, is that right, Damon? Huh? You think you're funny, do you?
Cause if we're sharing with the class,
I don't think you should have dropped two straight to Tony D
and failed to win back the Heritage Cup.
But you did, didn't you?
And now look where we are. So don't you dare question me, right?
Myles!
Myles, go get Tavion.
Bring him here. Capiche?
Yeah, I got it. Whatever you need me, I got it.
[Victor] A lot on the mind of Charlie Dempsey,
but this superstar has done a lot of talking to the locker room.
But there'll be no sneak attacks tonight from Shawn Spears
as he's face to face, one on one, with Je'Von Evans.
This match up is next live right here on NXT.
["Red Alert" playing]
But here we are, back in Orlando, still dealing with Roxanne.
Speaking of Roxanne, I saw her arriving earlier,
and I tried to get a word to find out what she's gonna talk about tonight.
I'm sorry, she wouldn't tell me anything.
I mean, she's pretty unpredictable,
so I can only imagine what she has to say tonight.
I just feel bad because I know she's giving you a hard time,
and I thought maybe she would…
Hello, Ava. Milord Mr. Stone.
Did I just hear you two talking about Roxanne?
Because I just happened to be in the locker room
and overheard Roxanne talking about how she plans on calling you out
for an apology tonight.
Wow. She thinks I…? You know what?
Good thing she doesn't get paid for thinking.
But, Stevie, you know?
That's actually really helpful. So, thanks. I really appreciate that.
Sorry, guys. I gotta take this.
-Would you mind if I have the room? -Of course.
Hello?
["Who Want It" playing]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
introducing first, Je'Von Evans!
[Victor] Book, is this the biggest test…
…in the career…
…of Evans?
[Booker] No doubt. The biggest test for this young man,
because Shawn Spears, man, he's a player, man.
And the thing is, we don't know the metric
to the madness of Spears.
We really don't.
["Truth and Pain" playing]
[announcer] And his opponent, Shawn Spears!
[Victor] You just never know who will show up at NXT.
And remember when Shawn Spears reappeared.
Since then, he's done nothing but wreak havoc.
He attacked Josh Briggs with a chair last week.
Briggs wasn't even able to compete,
which led to the brawl between these two men
that went all over,
including right here in front of us, including in the locker room,
including in the entrance.
-There is some bad blood that is brewed… -[bell rings]
very quickly between these two!
And look at Spears, right out the gate.
[Booker] This kid Shawn Spears, he knows every trick in the book, man.
He has a vast knowledge of this game.
This kid Evans better watch his back, man.
[Victor] Evans ain't backing down.
And what do you contribute to the rise of the young OG?
[Booker] He smart, he's special, he's what I call extraordinary.
But right now, he's in what I call a fight.
Oh, yes, man!
[Victor] You can say that one more time because we talked about the return.
How have Spears motives changed since he's comeback to NXT?
[Booker] And I think he still has the same motives.
That's to unlock their cracking here in NXT.
What is that? What that may be, we're gonna find out.
[Victor] Only Shawn Spears knows.
Je'Von Evans now looking right in and…
[Booker] Oh, yeah!
[Victor] I wanna ask you this. Does Evans have a ceiling?
[Booker] Truly, there is no ceiling for this Young man.
And if it is, he will jump right through it.
That's how high this kid can fly.
[Victor] He's not going to do any jumping
when he's on his back after getting dropped
throat first over the top rope by Shawn Spears.
And you had already brought up that as a veteran, he knows…
the tricks to the trade inside that ring.
[Booker] Ain't that what I said?
[Victor] It is, that's why I gave you credit for.
You've been fighting…
I like Vegas Booker way more than I like Orlando Booker.
-[Booker laughs] -Maybe I'm going to like Toronto Booker
a little bit more at our next premium live event,
Money in the Bank Weekend in Toronto, July 7.
[Booker] Right now, Shawn Spears is
putting the hammer down.
[Victor] Je'Von Evans not liking what's going on right now.
And when it comes to Spears, would you agree that Shawn has a unique…
[Booker] Let me tell you something.
If there was a dark cloud,
it would be hanging right over Shawn Spears, man.
-[Booker] Trust me on that. -[Victor] Evans did not like that.
I think Evans is a little ticked off right now.
[Booker] That's what I like about this kid. He's a fighter.
He's a fighter. Not only can he fly,
[screaming]
[Victor] Wants to finish.
But he can fight. You want me to finish that?
-I got just what I do. I pick you up. -I got caught in the moment right there.
That's all.
[Victor] Well, Je'Von Evans just caught Shawn Spears
and then followed up with a nice drop kick.
[Booker] Beautiful drop kick.
Evans, who says he likes to get bouncy, he just loves to fly through the air,
throw caution to the wind. And it's Evans right now who's in control.
Spears has no idea where Evans is at. Don't miss a second of the action.
Je'Von Evans taking it to Shawn Spears.
[Victor] This has been a very physical match up
as Evans just able to kick out.
As you saw throughout the commercial break,
Shawn Spears, Booker, has taken it to Je'Von Evans
in many unique ways.
[Booker] Getting a little bouncy himself. That's what I'm thinking.
[Victor] And now a single leg crab.
And you got to imagine after what we just witnessed,
the back is on fire of Evans.
And you can't fly, you can't bounce when you're on the mat.
[Booker] This is that vast knowledge I was talking about
with Shawn Spears knowing every trick of the trade.
Right now, this young man at 20 years old, finds himself in dire straits.
[Victor] Young OG trying his best to get to that bottom rope.
He's got to break this hold.
You can see the pain on his face.
And out of desperation, break the hold.
[Booker] That was a desperate move by the young man.
[Victor] Come on!
Spears using every second of that five count.
Yeah, I know what you're going to say, Book.
[Booker] You got five seconds…
[Victor] So wait a minute.
[Booker] Don't look at it any other way. All right?
[Victor] So wait a minute. It was okay for Shawn Spears to…
-Yes! -do that,
but it wasn't okay for Dante Chen to get the jump on Lexis King earlier.
[Booker] It was a rat move with Dante Chen did.
This was within the boundaries of a match, Vic.
I've been there many, many times.
-[Victor] Spears was… -[Booker] Breaking this kid down.
Look at Evans, though.
Evans defied back to his feet and again, Shawn's…
-[Booker] Oh, wow. -[Victor] Roundhouse!
[Victor] Big!
-[Booker] Wow! -[Victor] Sit down.
I almost was going to say a sit down power bomb.
But Evans almost instinctively out of desperation,
just tried to get a little bit of separation from Shawn Spears.
-[crowd chanting] NXT! -And the NXT universe.
[Booker] What's different about this young OG
he's got a high upside.
[Victor] Coming up in a matter of moments, Roxanne Perez
will be center of the ring.
Wonder what's on the mind of the NXT women's champion,
but on the mind of Je'Von Evans is silencing, is beating,
is pinning or submitting.
Bam! Shawn Spears here tonight.
[Booker] I'm talking about this kid, this kid special, Vic.
[Victor] Evan saw his mentor earlier,
that being Trick Williams in the center of the ring
with Cody Rhodes.
Trick Williams is gonna determine his number one contender next week in a…
…In a Battle Royal.
But Shawn Spears put the brakes on, almost baited Evans in.
[Booker] It was a perfect, perfect move.
[Victor] And now coming in the hard way.
Oh, he caught Evans!
In a big DDT from the top.
Cover. And Evans just able to kick out.
And Evans has shown us a lot about his grit.
First half super kick buckled his knees
and then that DDT left him laying.
We thought for a three, but the young OG was able to kick out.
[Booker] He's got a heart as big as Texas, but that could be his detriment, Vic,
trust me on that. This kid Spears, he's going for it.
[Victor] But now he's looking for that C4. Evans had it scouted.
Fell, is able to roll through, shoulders down.
-Wow! -Able to kick out.
Look at Evans though, bouncing to the top!
We saw that cutter last week, but just getting out of dock.
[Booker] What a veteran move by Shawn Spears.
Just created that space, Vic.
[Victor] Booker, that space just got closed.
This is what Evans does. He puts his foot on the gas.
What's he thinking now?
-[Victor] From the barricade! -[Booker] Wow!
[Booker] This gets unbelievable.
[Victor] That's why Je'Von Evans is one of the fastest rising stars in NXT.
[Victor] Oh!
[Booker] Back up, Vic. Pack it up.
[Victor] What's Evans thinking?
Evans!
No!
God, Book.
Evans just went off the corner, the exposed announce desk.
Spears back into the ring. He smells the blood.
Hoists up Evans, C4.
Evans is out. Spears into the cover.
-And this is the biggest victory… -[bell rings]
…since Shawn Spears returned.
[announcer] Here is your winner, Shawn Spears.
[Victor] A huge statement made tonight.
By Spears.
We talk about the flying, the bounciness, the aerial insanity of Je'Von Evans.
But one too many risks here tonight.
Again, the point of the announce desk
went right into the stomach, right into the ribs.
Spears finished things off with that C4.
And on one hand,
while that is the biggest victory since his return,
Spears also just deflated the bounce of Evans.
How will Shawn Spears now use this victory to his advantage?
When was that?
It looks to me like you boys had some fun in Las Vegas,
didn't you, Nathan? Look at this.
Nathan, Nathan, come on, cheer up, man. You beat the O.C. at Battleground.
-You should be celebrating. -Mate, I can't celebrate anymore.
Of course you can.
Hey, look at these guys, huh? The party animals, the Vegas boys.
[laughing] Look, I gotta be honest,
I didn't think you boys had all that in you.
Oh, yeah, we're full of surprises, man.
Right. You know, I'm still riding a high of defending my Heritage Cup last week.
But you know what?
I think these gents could use a little history lesson
in the heritage of this cup, huh? What you say?
You're not about to lecture us about British wrestling, are you?
Yeah, I think you'll find my name is on that cup.
Dude, my best friend won that. And you.
Hey. What you looking at?
Look at me. What are you doing?
Hey, we're still attacking champs, man.
-Yeah, for now. -Take it easy. Take these.
We'll give him a lesson later. Come on.
Bro, we still attacking champs, right?
Yeah, dude. Yeah, yeah. I just, you know…
-I missed that cup. -Well, focus then.
You don't think I can pull double duty. I can defend both at the same time.
[Victor] Interesting conversation.
Bu there is Roxanne Perez, who made history on Sunday.
In moments, the NXT Women's champion
delivers her state of the women's division. Next.
You run the Royal Rumble and you got yours.
Next week in the Battle Royal, I get mine.
I believe it.
Whoa, whoa! I'm in this thing next week, too.
You don't want to wish me good luck, Cody?
The King is going to win the Battle Royal.
Is that right?
Seems like you guys are…
in a good place.
[Victor] WWE champion Cody Rhodes made this official earlier.
One golden opportunity.
What did he mean by other locker rooms?
It's an over the top rope Battle Royal
determined the new number one contender for the NXT
championship that takes place next Tuesday.
And also Kelani Jordan will have her first defense
of the NXT Women's North American Championship when she meets Michin.
It's high stakes next week live on NXT.
["All Fall Down" playing]
Speaking of champions.
[announcer] Please welcome the NXT
Women's champion, Roxanne Perez.
[Victor] Only imagine what is on her mind
as she gets ready to deliver the state
of the women's division address.
And still
your NXT Women's champion, "the Prodigy" Roxanne Perez.
Here I stand at the top of the greatest women's division
in all of wrestling today.
And I told you guys that I was gonna protect this title.
But not only did do that.
At Battleground, I proved to everyone that there truly is levels to this
and no one in this world is on mine.
But it's okay. It's okay.
Don't feel the need to thank me all at once
for making sure that this championship stays in NXT.
You all are just finding out what I've always known.
But there is one woman
who does need to come out here and thank me.
So, Ava, why don't you come on out here?
I don't think you want to make the champ wait.
[Victor] Heard what Stevie Turner had to say earlier.
Oh, Roxanne. I had a feeling that this would happen.
And I'm assuming that you want me to congratulate you
for your victory this past Sunday, so congratulations.
But I'm not exactly sure what you want me to thank you for,
because I think that this is just part of being a great champion.
I mean, come on, you know that it's not about what you say,
it's about what you do.
It's about who you defend your title against,
who you defeat, how you carry yourself.
And you know what, Roxanne? I am more than happy.
Of course, Ava.
That's why you're just the perfect GM, right?
You always find a way to make it all about you.
But get this.
Whoever…
you arrange for me, whoever you put in line for me,
I'm always gonna find a way to win.
Because there is not one woman that can take this title away from me.
["One of a Kind" playing]
[Victor] Look who it is, Book.
Jazmyn.
Are my ears deceiving me or is Roxanne taking credit for the entire
women's locker room right now?
-That's what it sounded like. -Yeah, it does, right?
Roxanne,
ever since you won that NXT Women's Championship,
it seems like you lost your sweet and innocent personality.
And you damn sure lost your memory,
because long before you ever signed your contract here,
I was one of the main reasons
people tuned in every single week to NXT.
Before your little breakout tournament win and all your championships,
you couldn't even reference the NXT women's division
without talking about Jacy Jayne.
Roxy.
Maybe the past few weeks have made you forget
that the biggest threats to your title
are the ones under this roof.
Okay, so this is where the line starts?
[high pitched scream]
[Lash] Hold up. Wait a minute.
Slow down there, bad girl and Robin.
While Jacy was out getting her beak fixed
and Jazmyn trying to be a wannabe Kim K lookalike,
Meta Four was actually making headlines
and creating moments every single week, okay?
That's right. And with my girl Lash
being inches away from becoming North American champ
and bringing more gold to Meta Four,
I mean, we were gonna target Kelani.
But since you wanna go around and try to take credit for what we doing.
Sweetie, it's on sight.
I know. That's right,
["Te lo rompo" playing]
Girls, hold on.
First of all, Roxanne,
you can't talk about Battleground
without talking about my Underground match.
We get it. You proved you're different.
But so did I. These fists don't lie.
It's only a matter of time before it's…
Espérate un momentico.
I know that look.
You all want what Roxanne has,
but Roxanne's on another level.
Honestly, a level only I'm at.
So this conversation now is only between the champion and the future champion.
Why don't you shake your happy ass at the back of the line?
-[Victor] Oh. -[Booker] Oh, here we go, Vic.
Say that again, bro.
[Booker] Shucky ducky quack quack!
[Victor] What's going through the mind of Ava now?
Ava looking up as everyone,
and I mean everyone getting tossed to the side.
Break up the AC.
Things are heating up in the women's division here at NXT.
Subtitles: Ed Boon up in the women's division here at NXT.