[WWE intro music starts]
[male narrator] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[WWE intro music ends]
[beeping sound]
[salsa music starts]
[Lee] Oba,
every ounce of my focus is on
my North American championship
and getting it back.
[Oba] Wes, at Heatwave, I will crush not only your body,
but I will crush your final dream.
[beeping sound]
[man 1] Sol Ruca will face Kelani Jordan
for the Women's North American Championship.
I am bringing the heat to Toronto.
And leaving as the NXT women's North American champion.
[Jordan] It's up to me to create the importance for this title.
And at NXT Heatwave, Lani's going to make it happen.
[beeping sound]
[Perez] Big problem for you, Lola, is when you step inside the ring with me,
and I put my title on the line,
you're in my world.
[Lola] Roxanne, after I knock you out,
you won't know what world you're in.
[exclaiming] I will become the NXT women's champion.
[salsa music ends]
-[beeping sound] -[rock music starts]
[male announcer 1] Page, Spears, Evans, Williams,
these superstars clash in a massive fatal four-way matchup
for the NXT championship.
♪ Baby we're going to start a fire ♪
Tonight, I will reach the pinnacle.
This is crazy.
Heatwave really about to get bouncy.
There's only room for one of us to be the guy.
That's all ego, baby.
A fatal four-way match, where anything can happen.
But the only thing that will happen,
I'll retain my NXT title.
[male announcer 1] Toronto, prepare for a scorcher!
It's time for NXT Heatwave.
[rock music ends]
[salsa music starts] -[male narrator] And now, WWE presents
NXT Heatwave.
[Vic] It's been long five years
since NXT has had a premium live event in the great white north.
Money in the Bank weekend ends in Toronto tonight.
As lives were changed last night,
careers will be changed in moments.
We welcome you to NXT Heatwave,
where all five NXT championships
will be defended this evening.
And earlier today,
one of the three challengers
in our main event, he arrived.
That being the one and only, Ethan Page.
He was in his Canadian vest.
He looks to capture the NXT championship
in his hometown.
And to be honest, truth be told,
the odds are not in the favor of our champion, Trick Williams.
So the question on everyone's mind is who will leave Heatwave
with the NXT championship?
[salsa music ends]
[Wes Lee's music starts]
[bell ringing]
[male announcer 1] The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is for the NXT
North American Championship!
Introducing first,
Wes Lee!
[Vic] Book, I'm just going to ask.
Was it wise of Wes
to accept the stipulation
that this is his only opportunity against Oba.
[Booker] Vic, you got to go understand, Oba Finley has the gold,
so he makes all the use of it.
If you want a shot,
you got to go capitulate to his rules.
His rules is, you get one shot, man.
One shot, and it's over.
When I say it's over, I mean it's over.
[Vic] Early on, you've hit me with a Scrabble word.
-[Booker] Capitulate? -[Vic] Yes. I was impressed by that.
But for Wes Lee, he does not want to find himself like Seth Rollins,
who cannot challenge Damian Priest for the world title,
as long as Priest is champion.
It truly is all or nothing
for Wes Lee.
Here to kick us off on NXT Heatwave.
[Wes Lee's music ends]
[Oba Femi's music starts]
[groans]
[male announcer 1] And his opponent,
he is the NXT
North American Champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] How special is someone like the North American Champion?
[Booker] No doubt.
Oba Femi, he's a generational talent, Vic.
I don't care if it was 1975
to present day,
or 2050, this dude right here,
he's a star man,
and he's the North American Champion.
-[screams] -[Vic] Six foot six inches,
over 300 pounds.
Wes Lee's giving up 130 pounds
to our massive champion here tonight.
Oba has been nothing short
of an unstoppable machine. But there is no fear in the eyes
of the challenger who looks to reclaim
the North American title, here tonight.
And before this match gets officially underway,
what is it going to take for Lee to win?
-Is Wes really the one to conquer -[music ends]
-the unconquerable? -[Booker] Seriously?
-[Vic] I was asking you. -[Booker] A sledgehammer.
[crowd cheering]
I wonder if he got one of those in his tool bag
because he might need it.
[Vic] He's going to have to pull out tricks, stops,
here tonight for Wes Lee.
[crowd cheering]
Lee, an impressive eight in two on premium live events.
The catch there, though, Book,
is Wes Lee has lost his last two.
[Booker] Wes Lee is on a mission.
Wes Lee lost that championship
due to not anyone pinning his shoulders to the mat.
That's something that he thinks about on a regular basis.
[Vic] Something Williams has to be thinking about.
Fatal four-way, does not need to be pinned,
does not need to be factored
in the decision to lose the NXT championship.
-[Oba groans] -[Vic] Femi at his best,
overpowering, manhandling, the massive frame
of Oba Femi.
And look at Wes Lee,
creating separation, he's going to have to use that speed,
that quickness, going to the body, trying to crack a rib.
-But Oba Femi, not fazed. -[Booker laughs]
[Vic] Oh!
[Booker] It's unfortunate that this is a lightweight
versus a super heavyweight, but that's just part of the business.
Something that this young man is going
to have to overcome.
-[Vic] Swinging for the fences. -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] To no avail, Lee was a tag team competitor.
He was forced to break out on his own. He captured the North American title.
He literally broke his back defending and elevating that championship.
Big roundhouse.
[Booker] Whoa, got caught.
[Vic] Springboard, boom!
Right to the back of the neck.
That's Wes Lee. That's how long he's been in the game.
He didn't sweat it.
-He didn't crack. -[Lee groans]
[Vic] He stayed composed. He struck back.
Speaking of striking,
bouncing back is Lee.
And Lee, this time, gets caught.
And there is that power on display
-[Booker] Yes. -[Vic] by Femi.
[Booker] That monster, man.
You don't want to stay too close
to the body of this big man right here,
because he may be indestructible.
He has that cloak of invincibility right now.
So my thing is, man,
this is going to be a fight tonight.
[Vic] Take a look.
[indistinct]
[Vic] Bam. Big right.
Unbeaten in his NXT career.
Showing you why.
Wes Lee is showing why he doesn't quit.
And I hate to say it, but is Lee's heart too big for his own good?
[Booker] It may be too big,
but that's what makes Wes Lee,
Wes Lee, his heart, man!
What do you call him?
-The Kardiak Kid. -[Vic] Yes.
-[Booker] That's got to do with the heart. -[Vic] Holy--
[Booker] Oh, man!
[crowd cheering]
[Booker] Kardiak.
[indistinct]
[Booker] He's a drunkard.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] A human being,
a grown-ass man
just got tossed, like a small child.
[Booker] God, man!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting]
-[Booker] You got to-- -[Vic] Unbelievable!
[Booker] The strength, the size advantage is going to go to Oba Femi.
The thing is,
this dude is still untapped.
We don't know how far Oba Femi actually goes, Vic.
[Vic] You can say that again. It was Femi who said tonight,
he will crush Lee's dreams.
He will crush Lee's body.
It's hard to argue also,
that there's not this…
aura around Oba Femi as well.
We almost were introduced to Wes Lee.
[Femi] Hey!
This is your greatest North American champ?
This is the greatest-- North America?
[man 1] He's back here!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Oba Femi again,
[groans]
just screaming at you, taking it to Wes-- Holy!
Come on, ref!
The unexposed steel from underneath the ring.
It's just me!
[Vic] Did you see Lee's face?
His nose just bounce off that steel!
I mean, the referee might have to--
[crowd cheering]
[ref] Right there! Come on, Wes!
[Vic] I don't know how Wes Lee gets by.
I am speechless right now.
-This was… nasty. -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] This was gnarly.
Yes!
[crowd] Four!
[Vic] What Oba Femi is putting Wes Lee through
in just the last,
what would it take, three or four minutes?
It's unbelievable!
[Booker] Femi said exactly what he was going to do,
and now he's doing it, Vic.
I mean,
Wes Lee was a great champion, but…
he was a great champion.
-[Vic] I'll tell you-- -[Booker] Oh, wow!
[Vic] Lee being the greatest champion of all time.
He stared right at you and--
And big backbreaker!
And you think about the injured back
to Wes Lee.
What sidelined Wes Lee
for several months?
-Oba Femi knows it. -[Lee] No!
[Vic] He's going to expose it and he wants to hurt Lee tonight.
[Booker] Take nothing away from Lee. He was a great champion,
perhaps, the greatest North American Champion,
but all records are meant to be broken, Vic, all of them.
[Vic] Femi said that his opponent,
Wes Lee, is living in the past.
[crowd cheering]
Femi has been conquering NXT, like he did track and field
in the SEC at Alabama,
as the NXT Universe here, in the Scotiabank Arena
in Toronto is trying to rally Wes Lee,
but that's over 330 pounds,
stepping right on that surgically repaired back.
[Booker] No, no, no. That's adding insult to injury, Vic.
That's what that is.
[Vic] Lee trying to fight.
Look at Lee trying to get back to his feet.
-[thud] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] That didn't last long.
Femi, instead of going for the pin,
instead of ending this, he wants to punish
and beat the hell out of Wes Lee.
[Booker] Just manhandling Wes Lee like a rag doll,
just ripping him.
[Vic] Lee just got folded in half off of one right hand
from Oba.
[Booker] Big shot by Oba.
That was a huge shot, Vic.
[Vic] Michael Cole said he's been impressed with Oba Femi,
and unlike in our main event, there is,
for the champion tonight,
in this matchup, Femi would have no one to blame,
but himself, if he were to lose. But Femi, right now,
is saying light work.
He's just throwing Wes Lee around, like he's having fun,
-[Booker] Ripping him like a rag doll. -[Vic] like this is an appetizer.
[Booker] This is easy work right here for Oba Femi.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] I can feel an uneasy tension, because it's hard
to watch Wes Lee right now, who's trying his best,
because he knows that if he's not victorious,
he can never again challenge
for the North American Championship,
as long as Oba Femi is champion.
[Booker] Can't count Wes Lee out.
You better not count Wes Lee out.
You better not sleep on Wes Lee
because he will pull something out, Vic.
[Vic] I don't sleep on Wes Lee.
When you look at Oba Femi, do you see a kink
in the armor of the champion? Lee can't get thrown across the ring
without his body giving out.
[Booker] We've talked about becoming champion,
how having that championship make you about 30% better having,
like I say, that cloak
-of invincibility. -[Vic] Oh, no.
-[Booker] Here we go. -[Vic] Lee's trapped.
-He can't get his right leg out. -[Booker] This is it.
[Vic] And Femi,
measuring with Lee in his sights,
and Lee just got out of the way!
Or that would've been absolutely disastrous.
-[Vic] Lee now! -[Booker] Oh!
Taking it to the champion.
[Booker] Femi's head just bounced off the steel right there, Vic.
-I don't know if you heard. -[Vic] Can he get Femi over?
Lee trying and Oba…
overmatching, overpowering,
and, oh! Goes over the top.
[crowd cheering]
[Booker] Oh, Wes Lee's going into it.
His trick bag, Vic.
[Lee groans]
[thud]
[Vic] Oh!
-[Femi] Wake up! -[Booker] God man.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] I hate to say it, but that bag just got slapped shut.
[Booker] Like a fly swatter, man.
[Vic] Listen.
-[thud] -[crowd] Oh!
[Booker] Argh!
[Femi] Wake up!
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] Again the official, but again, there's no quit
in Wes Lee,
who maybe has become obsessed with the North American Championship,
which is something that the champion suggested on Tuesday.
-[crowd] This is awesome! [clapping] -[Vic] This is just the start
of NXT Heatwave.
[crowd] This is awesome! [clapping]
[Vic] I don't know how much is behind those punches.
I mean, Booker, another backbreaker
to Wes Lee.
And Lee now
-[Lee groans] -[Vic] just literally getting stretched.
[Booker] You got to be impressed with Femi.
He's pretty much into the game,
but his in-ring prowess, Vic,
is definitely second enough.
[Vic] Wes Lee trying to hang on,
trying to fight,
trying to do anything he can, to get back into this matchup.
Because it has been one-sided,
except for a little bit of a flurry to start from Lee.
[Booker] God, man!
[Vic] Into the cover!
Will it finally be-- And Lee kicked out.
[Booker] Oh, it doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter.
I mean, it's time.
Time is ticking.
[Vic] What a way to kick off NXT Heatwave. North American Championship
is on the line.
The first of five championship matches here tonight,
to cap off Money in the Bank weekend
in Toronto.
But it's all on the line for Wes Lee,
and you can see right now,
his palms are sweaty,
his knees, they're weak,
his arms, they're heavy.
You know he's been nervous all week long,
but on the surface, Booker,
he looks calm, he looks ready,
But if you're Wes Lee right now, you got to stop dropping bombs.
Start throwing rights
because this might be your final moment.
[crowd cheering]
[Booker] You ain't lying.
[Vic] Lee's got to get that second wind.
Lee, two kicks, right under the jaw.
The knee rocked Oba Femi, as well.
Femi for the first time tonight is stunned.
He's down to a knee and here comes the rights,
-here comes the lefts. -[Lee groans]
Wes Lee's got to let it all out right now.
[Booker] You talked about Lee,
and you said one thing, Vic, his heart.
The one thing about Wes Lee,
he has the biggest heart, perhaps, here in NXT.
And like I say,
he is perhaps the greatest North American Champion
of all time and he's got to prove it
against this one man
because he has one shot at it.
Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] He does, Tornado DDT.
Into the cover
to become a two-time--
[Booker] So close!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Femi right now,
Femi is in a position he has not found himself in very often.
Wes Lee, though,
has been in this position,
-that deep water, that you talk about. -[Booker] Yes.
We've never seen Wes Lee have to dig this deep, Vic.
This is a little different in my estimations.
[Lee groans]
[Vic] And Lee charging right out,
a bit of a dive with the forearm.
Lee trying to do it. What you said he had to do?
-Go into his bag of tricks? -[Booker] Yes.
He's got to get that sledgehammer. Oh, here we go.
[Vic] He's using his body as a human sledgehammer,
as a battering ram of sorts.
And I don't like the look
in Wes Lee's eyes.
[Booker] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Lee getting Femi
back into the ring.
The only place Lee can win the championship
inside the squared circle.
Lee looking to fly the Meteora!
Got caught!
Countered!
[Femi groans]
[Vic] Femi overpowering Lee.
-And now Lee, this time, able to counter. -[Booker] Whoa!
Wow!
-[thud] -[Vic] Oh my!
-[crowd cheering] -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Oh!
[Booker] This kid is unbelievable.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Both superstars shining bright,
here on this Sunday premium live event.
[Booker] Huge appreciation from the crowd. Hell of a matchup here, Vic.
[crowd] NXT! NXT! NXT!
[Vic] Femi got caught one more time.
Wes Lee now is starting to get a little bit of momentum.
Lee right now is not taking his eyes off Oba Femi.
Wes Lee is blocking out the pain,
and this time to the back.
Meteora connects.
[crowd cheering]
[Booker] Going to have to land another big shot.
-Maybe another after that. -[Vic] He knows it.
Lee knows it.
And Lee now feeling the effects of all those backbreakers
of that surgically repaired back, but he's blocking it.
Feel the pain, but what an uppercut!
-Oh, my, he's out. -[Booker] [indistinct]
Wow!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] I don't know how Wes Lee was able to kick out.
-Look at his body just buckle. -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Oba quickly, into that count,
and just getting that left shoulder up.
[Booker] Can Femi capitalize of that, just a loose-like buckle,
from Wes Lee on that top rope.
[crowd] This is awesome! [clapping]
[Vic] What's going through the mind right now
of Oba Femi?
[Booker] Look at Oba Femi. He still looks so fresh, Vic.
He still look like he can go all night long in this ring, man.
[Vic] This man is an absolute monster,
-and now what is Femi thinking? -[Booker laughs]
-[Booker] What do you think? -[Vic] We've seen Femi throw Lee.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] We've seen him try to toss him. What?
Lee trying to fight back.
-Both superstars up high. -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] That big wrist.
[indistinct]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Lee got caught.
-[crowd cheering] -[thud]
[Vic] Powerbomb didn't connect.
Lee was able to reverse it.
Countered in some sort of X factor.
Now picking up some momentum.
Kardiak Kick from the Kardiak Kid.
-[Booker] You got to be kidding. -[Vic] To do it for a second time!
-[Booker] What? -[Vic] Oh!
[Vic] Oh! How?
How?
[crowd cheering]
[Booker] I thought that was champagne wishes
and caviar dreams. I thought it was over, man.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] I don't necessarily know
if he got all the Kardiac Kick that he wanted.
But what I do know,
is Lee is putting his heart on the line.
And now he's putting it all on the line, Book.
[Booker] He's up top. He's in his wheelhouse.
-[Vic] He-- -[Booker] Oh, yes!
-[Booker] Whoa. -[Vic] Holy crap, he did it!
[Booker] What the?
[Vic] Nice counter by Wes Lee.
Femi charging both superstars up and over.
[Booker] No, Wes Lee escaped for a second.
[Vic] Well, you better watch yourself.
Oba getting dangerously close.
Wes Lee, I've seen that look in his eye.
-[crowd cheering] -[groans]
-[Vic] Lee again gets caught. -[Femi groans]
[Vic] Oh!
[Booker] God, man!
Devastating shoulder breaker.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And Oba Femi has had a counter for everything,
and it's been because of pure,
unbridled power.
[ref] Three!
[Vic] I'm at a loss for Wes Lee right now.
Because this man just keeps coming and coming.
He won't stop.
Double stomp to the spine.
But look at Oba Femi.
Same can be said for the champion.
-[Booker] Lee is fighting like-- -[Vic] Hit him again!
-[Booker] It's one shot. Oh no! -[Vic] Kardiak!
[Booker] Looks like his back gave way.
[thud]
[Vic] If it didn't then, he's got to stay in it,
right to the body.
This is that moment we talked about,
for Wes Lee, swinging for the fences.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Looking for that Kardiak Kick for the second time.
Got caught one more time,
and then, again, just gets obliterated.
[Booker] Man!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] I don't know how Oba Femi
still has this sort of strength
in his body.
[crowd cheering]
[Booker] Looks like he's liking this, Vic. Look like he's loving this.
-[Booker] Oh! -[Vic] Oh, wow!
-[Vic] Femi just crushed the spirit-- -[bell ringing]
[Vic] And the soul of Wes Lee.
[Oba Femi's music]
[male announcer 1] Here is your winner, and still,
the NXT North American Champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] The champion knows that he was in for a fight tonight.
Oba Femi and Wes Lee
brought their A-game here.
What a way
to kick off NXT Heatwave tonight.
[music continues]
Back to some of the action. This was the best opportunity
for Wes Lee.
That Kardiak Kick connected.
I don't necessarily know if he got 100% of it,
if it was flushed,
but right here, we both thought
that Wes Lee hit that big splash,
but somehow, the monster that is our North American Champion
was able to catch Lee, and then would catch him one more time
and bam! That Papa Shango esque shoulder breaker,
right here in front of us,
and for the second time,
just tossing another human being,
like a shot put at Alabama.
Not to be outgunned with that fall from grace powerbomb.
-And Oba Femi would retain. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] There's two things that I want to bring up.
First, what is next for Wes Lee?
And who, if anyone,
-[Vic] can conquer Oba Femi? -[Femi] This time, I am champion.
This time, I'm victorious.
This night!
[music continues]
-[Oba Femi's music ends] -[salsa music starts]
[Vic] And she is, of course, very confident,
but this week, we saw her being very emotional,
as she heads into tonight's Championship Showdown
against our NXT Women's Champion,
the prodigy, who doesn't care
about Lola's story or journey.
She wants to prove once again,
that no one is on her level.
On the topic of championships,
from the Women's title
to the Women's North American Championship,
who will stand out here tonight?
Will it be the champion, Kelani Jordan,
or will it be the challenger, Sol Ruca?
[salsa music ends]
[tense music starts]
[Booker] So close,
but still gets so far away,
you got to do it!
[Jordan] All my life, I wanted my name in record books.
But to be written on those pages, I had to work like a champion.
-[Vic] She did it! -[bell ringing]
Kelani Jordan has made history,
as the first Women's North American Champion.
[tense music ends]
[Jordan] All I know is structure.
[female announcer 1] From Boynton Beach--
-[Jordan] A one-track mind, but-- -[female announcer 1] Kelani Jordan!
It's produced results.
Five-time junior Olympic national qualifier,
second overall in the nation on floor,
full ride scholarship to Michigan State University,
three-time MVP, three-time team captain,
nominee for NCAA athlete of the year.
And now,
[sighs]
the first-ever Women's North American Champion.
Pressure comes with being a champion,
especially being the first.
It's up to me to create the importance for this title.
But no one is going to defend this title like Lani.
Being a gymnast,
no accolade can be taken away from me,
but title can be.
Sol Ruca has everything to be a champion.
She's an unparalleled athlete, who deserves this match.
But, like Michael Jordan says,
"Some people want it to happen.
Some wish it would happen and others make it happen."
And at NXT Heatwave,
Lani's going to make it happen.
[crowd cheering]
[motivational music starts]
[Ruca] Growing up, I was never one to play by the rules.
And in gymnastics, there are a lot of those.
Instead, I taught myself almost everything I know
with my own beam, mat, and bars.
I went to the beach and the park,
and I taught myself through trial and error.
I jumped into competing in acrobatics and tumbling,
accepted a scholarship to the University of Oregon,
where I was a multi-acrobatic event national champion.
Fast forward to today,
my thirst for adrenaline
and ability to adapt,
quickly landed me in my new home, right here in NXT.
I was in my element at that ladder match in battleground.
[Vic] Oh!
-[Vic] Sol snatcher. -[Booker] Oh.
[Ruca] I'm not afraid to admit,
I came up short to the better woman that night.
[Vic] Jordan has made history!
-Unbelievable! -[bell ringing]
[Ruca] Like LeBron James says,
"You can't be afraid to fail,
it's the only way you succeed."
While everyone else might talk the talk,
for what they think is their opportunity,
I simply focus on walking the walk.
And snatching a few souls on the way.
Make no mistake.
I'm bringing the heat to Toronto
and leaving
as the NXT Women's North American Champion.
[motivational music ends]
[Sol Ruca's music starts]
[bell ringing]
[male announcer 1] The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is for the NXT
Women's North American Championship.
Introducing first,
Sol Ruca!
[Vic] After what we witnessed
in the opening contest tonight, and what we're about to witness
in moments and throughout the evening,
I feel funny asking this, but…
Do you agree that this match has all the makings
to steal the show,
based on the athleticism
of these two women,
that are about to show up and show out?
[Booker] No doubt. The world is about to see something special.
Two of the brightest stars here in NXT,
and both of them, Ruca and Jordan,
-come from the same cloth, Vic. -[music ends]
[Kelani Jordan's music starts]
[Jordan] Yes, yes.
[male announcer 1] Her opponent,
she is the NXT Women's North American Champion,
Kelani Jordan!
[Vic] Is the champion putting too much pressure on herself?
And I bring that up to you, Booker,
because after winning that title
in a ladder match in Vegas at Battleground,
she said that the prestige
of the Women's North American Championship starts with her.
[Booker] They always say you're not champion
until you defend at least one.
Her first defense
against Michin,
what a competitor,
she went out there and did the damn thing.
Tonight, she's got Sol Ruca.
Oh, who you got your money on, man?
-Who you got your money on? -[Vic] It's tough,
but I'm not going to make any sort of outlandish…
cases for myself for who would this matchup.
-A prediction. That is what you are for. -[Booker] Prognostication.
-Prognostication. -[Vic] Two Scrabble words,
-you've used on me. -[Booker laughs]
[Vic] It's about the Women's North American Championship.
And the champion less than two years in the ring.
[bell ringing]
Both these women
have adapted their athleticism
to the ring with absolute ease.
[Booker] I really believe Sol Ruca could be in the same place
as Kelani Jordan, if it wasn't for that setback,
that left-knee injury.
But I tell you,
she could right all wrongs
here tonight,
in old Canada, man.
[Vic] Speaking of tonight, NXT Heatwave trending number one,
and for good reason after the opening matchup,
carrying it to this matchup. Again, all five NXT championships,
-on the line here tonight. And Sol Ruca, -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] this is that athleticism,
this is that athletic background,
-that both of these two women have. -[Booker] Cut from the same cloth.
We're going to see a lot of action in this match, here tonight.
[Vic] Starting this fall, Ruca and Jordan will be Big Ten rivals of sorts.
Ruca attended Oregon,
Kelani, Michigan state, there's a lot of of competitive spirit
between these two, who are friends
on the outside.
and they're bringing that friendly competition to Toronto.
[Booker] I got to say a whole lot about Kelani Jordan,
wanting to compete at the highest level. You've got to test yourself.
You've got to know exactly how good you are.
We're going to find out tonight. Wow, beautiful!
[Vic] And, nice!
High crossbody came up a bit short, but still was able to take Ruca down.
Kelani Jordan trying to take full advantage,
but Ruca able to get out. A bit of a standoff
for just one moment, and again, a stalemate,
-here in this matchup. -[Booker] Oh…
Yeah, I love it, man!
[Vic] The Women's North American Championship
will be defended at a premium live event.
And these two,
competed against each other twice,
but they've never competed against each one-on-one.
[Booker] I don't think that's going to help or hurt them.
I don't think they saw this coming,
especially this soon, as well as
for the North American Championship.
[Vic] Good point.
Jordan, oh, nice splits,
back up, looking for the hip-toss.
Ruca able to land. She tries to come back in,
X-Factor was countered
with a unique splash.
A quick kick-out at one.
Take a look at what we're seeing here tonight
between these two.
Round and round you go.
Kelani gets pulled right back in. Hip-toss.
This time she counters into a backslide,
shoulders down, and a near fall.
[Booker] The champion has been looking forward
to this moment here tonight.
-[Booker] Oh, man! -[Vic] Second time,
[Vic] X-Factor found its spot.
Will it bring a title around the waist of Ruca?
-Kick-out by Kelani. -[Booker] Caught, slipping for a second.
[crowd cheering]
[thud]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Take another look at how impressive these women are.
Some of the action
throughout this matchup.
Kelani Jordan has welcomed the pressure
with being the first champion.
But take a look at Sol Ruca right now.
We talk about the athleticism
in this background, everything they've done in college.
You've got to learn what it takes
to get inside the squared circle. And both have learned very fast.
And to prove that point,
take a look at what Ruca is doing
to Kelani Jordan.
[Booker] Sol Ruca just had Kelani Jordan wrapped up like a pretzel,
but it wasn't for a tap out
or anything like that--
-[Vic] She's looking for the tap. -[Booker] Oh!
-[Booker] Surfboard! Surfboard! -[Vic] Bending Kalani's back!
[Vic] We know Sol Ruca is at home,
on a surfboard, and she's looking for the submission.
If Jordan quits,
we're going to crown a new champion here tonight.
-The referee is in great position. Ooh! -[thud]
A nasty landing for Jordan.
Ruca realized she wasn't going to get the submission,
so why continue?
She wants to just punish. She's also here, Booker.
How great friends they are, they train together.
They want to win.
[Booker] It's about the championship.
Sol Ruca wants that championship,
just as bad as Kelani Jordan
wants to hold on to it.
[Vic] Ruca became the number one defeating Arianna Grace.
So we saw win alongside Karmen Petrovic--
[Booker] There it is!
[Vic] To Heatwave earlier.
And now, it's Jordan coming right back
into this matchup.
-Takedown with a hurricanrana of Ruca. -[Booker] Beautiful step up.
[Vic] I keep coming back to it,
as Jordan looking to take a big risk!
-All the way to the outside. -[Booker] Man!
[Vic] These women are not afraid
to take this sort of risks.
And you can see the NXT Universe rising to their feet.
Again, Booker, you've got two hall of fame rings, you've seen it all
in three decades of experience, you've won titles.
Have you ever seen two,
men or women, have you ever seen two superstars
-take to the ring as fast as they have? -[Booker] No. Take this fast.
-Whoa! -[Vic] Into the cover to retain,
-center of the ring. -[Booker] They're young in the game.
Like I said, the experience factor,
you can tell that they've been steady,
especially Kelani Jordan.
She's stepped her game up here tonight, Vic.
[Vic] Bragging over Ruca.
This is maybe that patented split-legged moonsault.
[crowd cheering]
-[Vic] Oh! -[crowd] Oh!
[Booker] Ran into that one.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] They're coming back. Ruca,
from the bottom rope,
springboarding in.
From the middle rope this time,
-catching Kelani. -[Booker] You can tell Jordan
is trying to stay in the middle of that circle,
trying to stay away from those ropes, Vic.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd whistling]
[Vic] Kelani, she's looking around for anything
to grab onto,
to pull herself back to her feet. Deep breath from Sol!
-[Booker] Whoa! -[Vic] What do you call that?
Whatever it was, it was effective,
and it almost brought a title
to Sol Ruca.
Almost putting
the Women's North American Championship
around her waist.
Take a look again,
at, I mean, what are we seeing
between these two? They could steal the show.
[Booker] Sol Ruca is just a year in the game,
and she's so experienced.
Her knowledge is so vast
for somebody just a year in the game.
[Vic] The same can be said for Kelani, who's fighting back.
And in a short time, we've seen why we talk about NXT.
The future is bright,
the future is here,
and these two are showcasing
why the best women's division in all of wrestling
is on Tuesday nights on NXT.
And Kelani Jordan now,
can't look in the eyes of Sol Ruca and see a friend.
She's got to look in the eyes of Ruca and see someone trying to take her title.
[Booker] You're talking about the eyes. Look at the eyes of Jordan.
-She's-- -[Vic] Kelani.
-[Booker] Oh! -[Vic] Poison!
-[Booker] Wow. -[Vic] Poison Rana!
[crowd cheering and clapping]
[Vic] And the NXT Universe, showing their love
for these two.
[ref] [indistinct]
[Vic] What is Jordan thinking?
Moonsault to the outside!
We talk a lot about NXT having such a rich history
here in Canada.
Well, it is continuing here tonight,
and it's continuing right now.
[crowd] NXT! NXT! NXT!
[Jordan groans]
[Vic] Jordan feeling the effects
and you can hear the official starting his count
as the NXT Universe cheer in Toronto.
Capping off Money in the Bank weekend, NXT Women's North American Championship
is on the line.
The referee continues his count,
as Kelani Jordan…
[ref] Seven!
[Vic] got back in the ring.
You've got to think right now
for Kelani Jordan, she doesn't want to win with a count out,
she wants to win inside the squared circle.
She wants to earn this championship defense.
[Booker] That wasn't a smart move.
-You win by any means necessary. -[crowd] Oh!
[Booker] You don't think like that when you're champion.
-Come on, man. -[Vic] To your point
this could come back to hurt Kelani,
right now, as Sol Ruca has turned this matchup around.
-What's Ruca thinking? -[groans]
[Vic] Sol answering right back.
[crowd cheering]
-[ref] Three! -[Vic] I thought I was at a loss for words
after the opening contest.
[ref] Four!
[crowd chanting]
[ref] Five!
[Vic] Referee is at five,
both women just starting to move.
And as we mentioned a second ago,
these women don't want this to end this way.
-[Booker] This match could be over. -[Vic] Seven!
[Booker] This match could be over now.
-I don't know-- -[Vic] Referee's at eight.
-[Booker] What Jordan was thinking. -[Vic] Referee's at nine.
-[Vic] Almost at ten-- -[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] And both women just breaking the count,
and this is going to continue.
[crowd cheering]
[Booker] Really doing things, for Jordan. She's going to learn in the long run
-you don't do things like that. -[Ruca groans]
[Vic] You can say that, but also for Jordan, maybe,
she's little bit ahead of her time. Maybe she's into the future.
Maybe she's thinking two steps ahead. Rolling through and a near fall.
Maybe she's trying to silence the doubters.
Another cover, shoulders down. Ruca with a counter.
Nice counter into a cover and another kick out.
And now both women trying to jockey for position.
Shoulders down for a half second.
-[Booker] Oh! -[Vic] Kelani shifts her weight
into another cover.
Shoulders down and a kick out.
[Jordan groans]
[Vic] I can't even keep up with this.
[Booker] No, right now, Jordan can't keep up with it either.
Oh! That's it!
-[Vic] Powerbomb! -[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] No, no, no.
[crowd cheering]
Sol Ruca showcasing that power,
able to counter some of that athleticism.
And Ruca doesn't look caught up in locker room gossip.
She won't waste her energy.
We've seen her walk out of arguments.
She is focused on this matchup.
Focused on this moment,
as the NXT Universe,
again, rallying these two women.
[crowd] This is awesome! [clapping]
[Vic] Booker, it's hard to argue with them.
And is Sol Ruca looking for a half and half
-from the top rope? -[Booker] No, Ruca's got the right idea,
-by any means necessary. -[Vic] Wait, Ruca's down!
Look where Kelani's at.
Kelani's at home, up top.
Trying to block out that pain!
Oh, and Ruca just got the knees up
-at the last moment. -[Jordan groans]
[Jordan groans]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] What a matchup here tonight,
for the NXT Women's North American Championship.
-Ruca, Jordan, -[Booker] Oh…
[Vic] looking for that Sol Snatcher.
Instead, it was Sol who got smashed.
-[ref] Four… -[Vic] Into the cover,
and a kick out.
-Again, both these women, -[Jordan groans]
[Vic] twelve months in the game.
Kelani Jordan,
has been in the main event spotlight,
has become the first-ever champion
of the Women's North American title.
Sol Ruca, as you mentioned earlier, fought her way back to this position,
earned the number one contendership, and these two
are bringing it here tonight.
Back up on the shoulders, the champion. The challenger,
being able to block.
Kelani's looking for that Poison Rana.
Sol Ruca said, "uh-uh."
And a reverse Alabama Slam in Toronto,
into the top turnbuckle.
[man in crowd] [indistinct]
[Vic] No way.
[crowd cheering]
-[Vic] No way. -[Booker] Oh, yes!
[Vic] Kelani better figure something out and she better figure something out quick.
[crowd cheering]
-[wrestlers scream] -[Vic] These two, teetering.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Oh, my God!
A Poison Rana,
[crowd cheering and clapping]
from up top.
[groans]
Yeah!
[Vic] This is what you've got to do to get some fame.
-[Booker] Capitalize! -[Vic] One of a kind
for Kelani Jordan,
and Kelani stands out,
-[bell ringing] -[Vic] And stands tall!
[Kelani Jordan's music]
[male announcer 1] Here is your winner,
and still and still the NXT Women's North American Champion,
Kelani Jordan!
-[Booker] Wow. -[Vic] Toronto, coming to their feet
for these two women.
Unbelievable.
We said they were not afraid to take any sort of risks.
Kelani Jordan pulled it out tonight.
Take nothing away from Sol Ruca,
-[bell ringing] -[Vic] she brought it as well.
I'm not the general manager,
but if they want to go to round two, Book, sign me up.
[Booker] What a night, what a fight.
The ladies showed up
and showed out, Vic.
[Vic] What a sign of sportsmanship between these two,
as Jordan once again shows
that no one can do it,
like Lani.
[indistinct]
[Jordan's music ends]
Tyson, Tyriek,
we seen what you said in social media.
Do you know where I can't go
about this new generation?
The lack of respect they've got
for those that came before them.
Lads, I've been doing this since you two were four years old.
Yes. It doesn't matter
about how many YouTube subscribers you've got.
See all this trying to be a social media influencer?
-What matters is what you do in the ring. -Nobody cares how high you jump.
Nobody cares how far you can throw.
What counts is the experience
between those ropes, and we are miles ahead of you.
You see all those athletic accolades?
They meant nothing,
when Wolfie slammed you into the steps.
See all the clout you have on all your platforms?
Nothing.
When Mark wrapped a steel chair around your back.
I haven't forgotten what you've done to me.
We'll see you on Tuesday.
[Vic] Well, Booker, earlier tonight
on our countdown to Heatwave,
we had a big tag team matchup with our Canadian duo,
that being Karmen Petrovic and Arianna Grace,
taking on Jazmyn Nyx and Jacy Jayne,
and right there, you saw turnabout was fair play
for the Canadian duo,
who came home and picked up a big victory,
earlier tonight.
Karmen, Arianna, congrats on the win tonight.
I didn't know if this was going to work,
but you guys make a pretty good tag team.
Thank you, Ava.
I'm so glad it worked out.
Could you imagine poor Karmen out there by herself?
The results would have been catastrophic.
But thankfully, I was there
to give the people of Toronto
what they needed.
What?
Arianna, I got the pin.
We're a team. We win together.
Sweetheart, use your eyes.
I believe I was the real MVP tonight,
and unfortunately for you,
this is the last time we're going to be tagging together.
I can't have such an anchor
holding me down.
You want to know who the better one of us is?
I think I know the answer to that.
Well, I don't, and I think it's a good idea.
So how about on Tuesday? Karmen versus Arianna,
and you can figure out who the better one is?
I like that.
Great.
It is so wrong for you
to pit two tag team partners
against each other.
It's sickening.
[salsa music starts]
[Vic] That's the decision, and we'll find out on Tuesday,
when we see that matchup, there's a lot on the challenger's mind.
Will she make that dream phone call
to her mom tonight,
saying that she has become the NXT Women's Champion?
Another superstar looking to win gold,
Toronto's own Ethan Page.
Seventy-five percent chance
that we crown a new NXT champion
in our main event,
tonight at NXT Heatwave.
[salsa music ends]
[Chase U's music starts]
[bell ringing]
[male announcer 1] The following contest,
scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first,
accompanied to the ring by Riley Osborne,
and Thea Hail,
representing Chase University,
Duke Hudson and Andre Chase!
[Vic] This could be a monumental moment
for Chase U and their students, here tonight.
[Booker] We're going to find out. I like this kid, Riley Osborne.
-[Vic] Wait, wait. -[Booker] He's a standup.
[Booker] You don't like him, you like him. You like Riley?
[Booker] I like him.
[Vic] Since when?
[Booker] I just said it.
[Vic] But you didn't say that two weeks ago.
[Booker] I'm saying it now.
-[Vic] Stop riding the fence. -[Booker] I like Riley.
-He's a standup dude. -[screaming]
[Booker] I like him.
[Vic] Well, Riley has been waving the flag,
-no pun intended. -[Booker] Can you hear me?
[Vic] What?
-[Booker] Can you hear me? -[Vic] What?
Riley has been waving the flag when it comes to Ridge Holland,
who you can see is not here,
-[Booker] The red flag. -[Vic] tonight.
♪ Never slow down ♪
[Frazer and Axiom's music starts]
[male announcer 1] Their opponents,
they are the NXT tag team champions,
Axiom
and Nathan Frazer.
[Vic] Let's talk about red flags.
Are the champions ready?
Are they prepared?
Because Frazer's focus has been elsewhere.
Book, he arrived to the building late, two hours ago.
Axiom was preparing
to defend these titles solo,
by himself.
-[Booker] Yeah. -[Vic] No partner, handicap match,
odds against him.
-So you see a red flag there. -[Booker] Axiom has that,
you know, there's no "I" in team.
But Nathan Frazer, it seems like he wants more, man.
This team is totally not focused
at the task at hand.
We could have new tag team champions, here tonight.
[Vic] There might not be an I in team, but there is an m-e.
You told me that.
[Booker] Yes, there is.
[Vic] NXT tag team titles about to be defended.
We saw new WWE tag team champions crowned here
in Toronto Friday on Smackdown.
Pair of NXT pillars,
Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa,
lightning struck twice in Toronto for DIY.
[bell ringing]
I don't know if you heard what Riley said, he's feeling this one.
He feels confident in Chase U.
As the first time ever, the NXT tag team titles have been defended
at Heatwave. You got to go back 1999,
in ECW, the last time tag titles were changed hands
at an event called Heatwave.
Much like in our main event, do you consider the champions
the underdogs in this matchup?
[Booker] Nathan Frazer and Axiom are always going to be underdogs.
They're going to come in undersized.
But these guys have knowledge of that squared circle,
like no other.
Trust me, man.
[Vic] That's hard to argue.
Take a look at the champions. They have defeated AOP.
They've defeated the OC.
They've defeated the D'Angelo family.
So they have been tested
since winning those tag team titles.
[crowd cheering]
Nice counter.
This goes to what you were pointing out when it comes to Axiom, a student.
He knows the ins and outs
of about everything he can get tied up into.
[crowd chanting]
Trying to counter, but Chase, rolling through.
A quick cover one more time.
Chase goes down, cover and out.
And Axiom back to his feet quickly.
Rolls back out. Able to nip.
We got a standoff.
[Booker] Axiom, like I say, he knows every inch of that 20 by 20,
but you can't do it by yourself in a tag team.
He's going to need Frazer to watch his back
at all points in this matchup.
Oh, man!
[Vic] Still trending number one, NXT Heatwave,
we are capping off Money in the Bank weekend, here in Toronto.
It's all about the NXT tag team titles right now.
Nice dropkick
-from Axiom. -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] Cover, another kick out. The only meeting between these teams,
it was the challengers,
who were victorious.
That's something the champions have in the back of their mind.
Another counter, step through, pinning predicament.
Counter by Chase.
Axiom trying to roll in for it again.
The weight shifted by Andre Chase!
Almost brought Chase U the titles for a second time.
[Booker] Vic, wouldn't you want to put an asterisk by that win?
[Vic] You don't remember that match.
[Booker] You would put an asterisk by that win, right?
[Vic] No. A win is a win, Book.
As a fan, if they win, I don't care how they do it.
A win is a victory on a Sunday or Thursday.
[Booker] The Browns ain't winning.
[Vic] We are excited to get to Cleveland, for Summerslam. Browns stadium
in a few weeks.
But in Toronto,
Chase U looking on, and they could bring
the tag team titles back to campus.
You want to talk about the champions. Wouldn't you be annoyed
if you were Axiom?
Frazer's been competing on WWE speed.
He's also challenged Tony D'Angelo for the Heritage Cup.
As Frazer is the legal competitor.
[Booker] I don't really know if annoyed is the right word.
-Ticked off. -[Vic] About the same thing.
-You would be. -[Booker] Yes.
[Vic] You understand why,
as Frazer trying to quicken the pace, something he does well.
But there's your guy, the MVP of Chase U.
[Booker] Yes! He should be the president, as far as I'm concerned.
Look at the big man go!
-Oh, yes! -[Vic] A belly-to-belly overhead toss.
[Booker] Chase U, one of the students.
[Vic] They're all over the place. They travel very well.
And speaking of traveling,
look how far Nathan Frazer went
and then just gets dropped.
We got two right here in front of us.
Thea Hail, Riley Osborne.
They are up in arms.
They are fired up.
[Booker] Yes. We still wonder
if Nathan Frazer is fully focused
on the task at hand here tonight, Vic.
[Vic] Axiom thought he was going to have a two-on-one match.
A handicap match to defend these titles. He was worried.
Frazer showed up, said time and time again,
"nothing to worry about." There's a lot to worry about
for the champ. Cover!
-Count, and a kick out -[Booker] I always say, preparation.
Preparation is the only luck
you're going to have.
[Vic] What would you've done if Ray was late?
[Booker] I'd have fired his ass.
[Vic] Would he work for you?
Under Harvey? Was he on your payroll? I thought he was a tag team partner.
I'll let you think about that. A tag was made,
and Axiom is legal.
Frazer!
These two now, clubbing.
-Chopping down, DDT! -[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] Chase is rocked. Axiom into the cover. Titles on the line.
The champions were a half-second away from retaining.
[Booker] Working like a well-oiled machine.
I don't think the bad blood is coming into play right now.
They're looking pretty good, Vic.
[crowd clapping]
[Chase] Oh!
[Vic] Axiom using his head
literally right there in this moment.
Take a look at what we've talked about.
All five championships being defended.
What a night this has been thus far for NXT.
Axiom rolling right back--
-Whoa! -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] What a clothesline from Axiom.
Andre Chase may think he's teaching class again,
but got his right shoulder up.
[Booker] That clothesline to the back of the neck,
that was almost illegal there.
-[Vic] Take another look. -[Booker] That was an illegal shot.
-[Vic] Rooting for Chase? -[Booker] No.
-[Vic] You're calling it as it is. -[Booker] I'm telling like it is.
[Vic] What are you getting upset about?
[Booker] I'm not.
[Vic] It's illegal in boxing.
It's professional wrestling.
-What a kick! -[Booker] I'll give you that.
-Oh! -[Vic] Half and half.
Frazer's legal. Double superkicks
under the jaw.
Into the cover!
And a kick out.
Near fall.
And Nathan Frazer looking at the official.
I don't think he agrees.
[Booker] Check that shot.
-Is not an illegal shot? -[Vic] It's not boxing.
-[Booker] Is that not illegal? -[Vic] No.
That's like saying that's illegal. It's all fair.
-The titles are on the line. -[Booker] I get it.
Do what is necessary. I'm on that side.
But that right there was blatant.
[Vic] NXT tag team titles on the line.
At this moment, it is the champions who are in control,
here at NXT Heatwave.
It was Nathan Frazer who arrived late tonight.
Axiom probably,
behind that mask, breathing a sigh of relief
about 90 minutes ago. It was about two hours ago.
This was going to be a handicap match. And Nathan Frazer is here.
He is focused.
And he right now got caught.
Just got dropped.
-[Booker] Oh, man. Big shot! -[screams]
[Vic] And what will the side effects be, here in this matchup?
-[Booker] Chase doesn't know-- -[Vic] Chase into a cover!
And Chase,
Frazer might have realized and started scooting away.
Chase's now trying to get to the cover.
And the number one contenders,
who are able to win tag team turmoil,
are closing in on a tag.
And Axiom able to close the door.
When we talk about that turmoil, it caused a bit of turmoil
inside the campus of chase U,
as a nice submission here, applied by Axiom for a half second.
Axiom back up, looking for another submission.
-Trying to snatch the arm. -[Booker] Oh!
[Vic] Chase doing his best to hold on. Shoulders down.
Axiom had to relinquish the hold.
[Booker] Look at Chase. [chuckles]
He's trying to hold his own.
But he's still a step behind.
Still a big step behind.
[Vic] If you're Andre Chase,
you're thinking about the last time Chase U had the tag team titles.
The reign lasted just 21 days.
Chase felt that the team didn't reach its potential.
They may not be able to reach their potential again.
As another counter, another submission.
And look at Axiom.
[Booker] Yes, Andre Chase, Chase U,
they have a chance to be redeemed here tonight,
against the tag team champions,
who has not been on the same page,
but right now, they're looking really good.
[thudding]
[Vic] The wise of Axiom,
to try to drag Andre Chase back to the corner.
And Chase… Oh!
I don't think he realized he sent Axiom into his own corner.
Tag was made.
Frazer's legal and Duke's legal.
[Hudson] Let's go!
[Vic] And Chase U, turning things around,
just like their fortune has turned around recently
to Andre Chase's leadership.
But tonight, the titles could be coming back
[crowd cheering]
because of Duke Hudson.
[crowd cheering]
-[Vic] And Chase U is rolling. -[clapping]
And we talked about it earlier.
Holland is not here at Heatwave.
He was told by Andre Chase to stay back.
Chase U, though, really hasn't lost a step.
[Booker] Man!
[Vic] Axiom got planted.
Frazer saw it.
-He wanted some too, same results. -[Booker] Look at the big man.
The big man is rolling downhill,
like a snowball.
He's getting bigger. Oh, yes!
[Vic] A senton gut buster combo! Will it bring the titles back to Chase U?
And a kick out.
[Booker] Stay on the gas, man.
Stay on the gas.
Don't think about it, big man.
[Vic] I don't want to know what Holland is thinking,
watching exclusively on Peacock.
-But take a look. -[crowd cheering]
Hudson, that's why you say he should be the what?
[Booker] The president.
[Vic] Everything else. He is changing the complexion
of this matchup.
But Nathan Frazer,
using his speed.
The man who moves like a blur,
who strikes like a cobra.
[crowd clapping]
[Vic] His mind is thinking.
[Booker] He's thinking about it. Here we go. Oh, no!
[Vic] He might have thought about it too long.
As now Duke Hudson, big German suplex,
that turned Frazer inside out.
[Booker] What a German suplex by Duke!
[Vic] But now, is Duke taking too much time, Book?
[Booker] Duke ready to take it to the pay window, man.
Here we go!
[Vic] Looking to become two-time NXT Tag Team Champions.
And Frazer countered
at the last possible moment.
-[Booker] What a move! -[Vic] And Axiom's legal.
Axiom to the top.
-[thud] -Hurricanrana, taking down Hudson.
[Axiom] Go!
[Vic] Hudson in front of us.
Oh, Andre Chase
from Frazer.
Duke wiped out by Axiom.
No rest…
[crowd cheering]
for the champs!
[tapping]
Everybody wiped out,
but what sort of effects to Axiom?
You couldn't see it, you were spun around.
Axiom started shaking some feeling back into his hands.
[Booker] Where are we, Vic?
[crowd] NXT! NXT!
[Vic] Frog splash connects.
Champs now moving quickly.
Frazer's legal.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Is this going to be enough?
[crowd] Two!
-[Vic] Oh, man. -[Booker] Man!
-[Vic] Thea Hail thought she got expelled. -[Hail screams]
[Vic] Osborne beside himself.
[Booker] Frazer looks perplexed right now.
Can't do that. Oh!
[Vic] Wouldn't you,
after what just happened to Duke Hudson?
Laying it on the line.
Body and soul.
Oh, Axiom got caught. I believe a tag was made.
I think Frazer is the legal superstar.
[thud]
Frazer was able to tag the back of Axiom's leg.
-Counter through the ura nage. -[Booker] Beautiful!
[wrestlers groan]
[Vic] Frazer created a bit of separation.
I can't find Andre Chase anywhere. Duke Hudson is staggering.
[Booker] Look at Frazer. A lot of creativity. Oh!
He got caught.
[Vic] Looking for a little Stratusfaction.
[Hail screams]
[Vic] And if he wants some satisfaction,
he's got to put Frazer away!
-And big offense! -[Hail screams]
-[Vic] High impact for the titles. -[Booker] Yes.
[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] Chase here in front of us.
Beside himself.
What a tag team contest.
[Booker] Nathan Frazer kicked out
at the last second there.
He's more prepared than we thought he was, Vic.
[Vic] You say that again.
[crowd] This is awesome! [clapping]
[Vic] Can lightning strike twice
-[Hail screams] -[Vic] for Chase U?
Andre Chase,
finally back into this matchup.
Back into this fight.
Tag was made. Hudson's legal.
[wrestlers groan]
[Vic] A lot has been taken out of all four
-of these competitors. -[ref] Look out!
-[Hail] Come on! -[Vic] Now Duke Hudson.
A man his size doesn't go,
leave his feet very often.
[Booker] Yes, but he's left to do it all by himself,
-[Hudson] Oh! -[Booker] here again.
-Where is Andre Chase? -[Hail] Come on!
[Booker] Where is he?
-[Vic] Springboard. -[thud]
[Vic] Missile dropkick right into the chest
of the MVP.
Axiom made the tag.
Champions now, as you pointed out,
got together a little late here today.
But they are certainly on the same page right now.
-[Booker] Like two-- -[Vic] Watch out, referee.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] I don't know where Chase is.
Duke Hudson just shoved Frazer off.
Chase is left somewhere lying.
-[Vic] Hudson's left by himself. -[Booker] Tag was made.
[Vic] We've seen this before from the champions.
Axiom looking for Phoenix.
Splash.
[Booker] You got to be kidding me. Wow!
[Vic] Connected with the Spanish fly into the Phoenix splash.
Chase able to break it with a Canadian driver.
[Booker] What the hell was that? Wow!
[Vic] We knew the playbook from the champions because we've seen it.
We've sat here and watched them win match after match.
[Booker] What was that, Vic?
[Vic] That was Andre Chase knowing the same playbook that we did.
He wasn't just laying out like you thought.
He was waiting because he had it scouted.
-[Booker] Was he playing possum? -[Vic] He knew what was going to happen.
-[Booker] Was he playing possum, Vic? -[Vic] Chase U now can do it.
Titles are on the line.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Vic] Andre Chase made the tag.
Axiom is back in.
These four are going to have to lay it out.
They're going to have to leave it all right here, right now.
Andre Chase, who's the one who has turned the fortune around
for Chase University, is the one who had everything scouted,
has been going to class, has been taking his team to school for this moment,
has been preparing them to become two-time champions.
Can he dig deep tonight?
[Chase screams]
[Booker] Who wants it most? Who wants it most, Vic?
[Vic] Look, Frazer just bailed out his partner for a half second,
for a moment.
There again is Andre, staying one step ahead of the champions.
And again!
[Booker] Here it is.
It's coming into play, Vic.
-That could be it. -[Vic] Duke took out Frazer.
Chase took out Axiom.
[crowd cheers]
[Vic] Unbelievable.
Andre Chase could have everything he once scouted,
but you don't know the heart of someone.
[crowd chanting] NXT!
-[Book] Vic. -[Vic] Book.
[Book] Axiom just saved the Tag Team Championships for now.
[Vic] Yes, Andre Chase, Russian leg sweep,
and now he's looking for all the proud members.
-Give me a C. -[crowd yells] C!
-H. -[crowd yells] H!
-A. -[crowd yells] A!
-S. -[crowd yells] S!
-E. -[crowd yells] E!
-U. -[crowd yells] U!
-What's that spell? -[crowd yells] Chase U!
[Vic] You asked where the students were, Book?
They're all around us, here in Toronto.
They're trying to rally the challengers.
Chase, high crossbody.
[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] He got all of it.
Frazer just able to save the titles.
He wasn't here earlier, he was certainly on time right there.
[Booker] Yes, you got to always rely on your partner.
I'm going to tell you right now, Frazer was there in the nick of time.
-Double underhook-- Floating over. -[Booker] Oh, beautiful.
Frazer's legal.
Frazer flying in, Chase able to run right underneath.
Frazer able to roll through, and Chase, now, can you say something nice?
He has been bringing it out, he's the MVP right now, in this match.
[Booker] Andre Chase has been holding us for tonight,
but Tag Team champions are working together right now.
Here we go.
[all] Oh!
-[Booker] Right on the ear, man. -[Vic] Watch out.
Hudson's wiped out off the combination offense.
Axiom measuring Chase for the golden ratio.
[Booker] Got all of it.
[Vic] The golden ratio, into the cover, keeps the gold with the champions.
[bell rings]
[Frazer and Axiom's theme]
[Booker] Wow.
[male announcer] Here are your winners,
and still the NXT Tag Team champions,
Nathan Frazer and Axiom.
[Vic] Now, some may be questioning Andre Chase 's decision
about Ridge Holland, who is not here tonight,
but what an absolutely amazing Tag Team matchup.
First it was Axiom, who hit that Spanish fly,
followed up by the Phoenix splash from Nathan Frazer.
We've seen it time and time again work out for this duo.
It didn't work o tonight, because Andre Chase, the teacher himself,
knew exactly what was happening.
For a good portion of this matchup,
he was able to stay one step ahead of the champions.
Numerous occasions, it was so close for Chase U
to becoming two-time Tag Team champions.
It was the champions who were able to pull it together
when they needed to do it the most.
It was Frazer who wiped out Duke Hudson,
and then, the golden moment. Bam!
Golden ratio under the jaw
for the NXT Tag Team champions to retain their titles here in Toronto.
While the champions did make it tougher on themselves than it needed to be,
I'm sure they're going to have a lot to discuss on their flight home.
[WWE: Strike Force by Def Rebel playing]
-Wes Lee, can I please get a word? -For what?
I lost. Plain and simple.
This night was supposed to be me regaining my North American Championship.
I failed.
I traveled the world.
I made the best friends, won Tag Team gold,
and even had one of the best singles runs of all time.
Tonight was supposed to culminate with me regaining my crown
as the King of the West Side.
Holding my North American Championship.
I failed.
Oba Femi was a better man tonight.
Period, point blank.
But…
I'm at a loss for words.
Look, I'm sorry.
I need some time to figure out what's next.
Look, I'll see you all on Tuesday.
Booker, it's one of your favorite events, and I know why.
-Your record at the Great American Bash. -7 to 1, baby.
-How did you forget about that? -7 to 1.
The Great American Bash coming to you Tuesday after SummerSlam,
it is August 6th on Sci-Fi,
but a good question to ask ourselves,
who will be the NXT champion
when we get to the Great American Bash on Sci-Fi
because there you see one of the challengers.
Tonight, is the 20-year-old sensation, Je'Von Evans,
ready to main event, his first premium live event ever.
You know the nerves right now.
Going up, and they're going down.
There is someone who is even steel, the manipulative Shawn Spears,
also getting ready for our main event.
Who walks out tonight NXT champion?
There's been a lot of talk between these two women.
Will Lola Vice start to become the greatest crossover MMA athlete,
or will Roxanne Perez knock down another contender
and prove that there is no one on her level?
[suspense music]
[Roxanne] And still your NXT Women's champion,
"The Prodigy" Roxanne Perez.
I proved to everyone that there truly is levels to this.
No one in this world is on mine.
Whoever you put in line for me, I'm always going to find a way to win.
Because there is not one woman that can take this title away from me.
[music]
[male announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Lola Vice.
The clock is ticking, Roxanne.
[in Spanish]
[Vic] Vice on top.
Hammer fist after hammer fist.
These fists don't lie.
["Bow Down" by Alibi Music playing]
I saw the way you were looking at my championship last week.
Yes, I was. I'm going to knock out every woman
that gets in the way of me and this opportunity.
Are you ready to bring this heat?
[music]
[Roxanne] I've been watching your every move, Lola.
Within a few months, you built a bigger name for yourself in NXT
than you did in Bellator.
We're not in the underground.
This isn't an MMA fight, which means you're in my world.
Ask Natalya, ask Jordan Grace, ask Lyra Valkyria
why at 22 years old, I'm already a two-time NXT Women's champion.
Roxanne, we all know your story.
You used to take the bus to go to Booker's.
I was a fighter before I was even born.
My mother was pregnant with me during her black belt test.
I then went on and became a fourth-degree master in taekwondo.
At 20, I was already fighting in Madison Square Garden.
My mother will be watching me.
I can't wait to call her and tell her I did it.
[in Spanish]
Lola, every single woman in that locker room
wants to make that same phone call.
When you step inside the ring with me, those phone calls are never made.
I'm not giving up my title,
not to you, not to anybody in that damn locker room.
[Lola] You don't have to give it to me, Roxanne.
I'm going to take it from you.
When I rip that title off your arm,
I will become the first Cuban-American NXT Women's champion.
[music]
[crowd cheers]
[Lola Vice's theme]
[Vic] It was Lola Vice who said earlier she left the tears in Orlando,
that this was the biggest fight of her career.
Lola Vice is here to do one thing.
Knock out Roxanne Perez.
[Booker] That was the story of Lola Vice.
Let me tell you right now, what a motivating factor.
If anybody heard that story up there,
if you're not heartfelt,
you're not a human being.
Go ahead.
[Vic] I was going to say you can hear the reaction
from the NXT Universe here in Toronto.
Because Lola Vice put her heart out there.
It was a side of Lola Vice we've never seen, we've never heard.
There's plenty of supporters here tonight that want her to make that phone call.
[Roxanne Perez's theme]
[Vic] To do so, she's got to defeat Roxanne Perez.
Both women believe that there's no one on their level, Book.
This certainly is the ultimate showdown in the NXT Women's Division.
[Booker] Roxanne Perez gave Lola Vice her flowers, man.
She said she's one of the greatest in MMA.
This is professional wrestling.
Now you are in my world.
"The Prodigy" Roxanne Perez's world.
[Vic] We're here at Money in the Bank weekend in Toronto.
You see the championship that is around the waist of Roxanne Perez.
You go back 24 hours ago
to the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Iyo Aky, Lyra Valkyria,
and Tiffany Stratton, who we now call Miss Money in the Bank.
You know what all three have in common, except for that match last night?
[Booker] What's that?
[Vic] All three have been the NXT Women's champion.
[Booker] Nobody better than this one right here, though, Vic.
[bell rings]
[male announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Women's Championship.
Introducing the challenger, Lola Vice.
[crowd cheers]
Her opponent,
she is the NXT Women's champion,
Roxanne Perez.
[Vic] Both challenger and champion have fought
to get to this very moment in time.
Vice didn't take the traditional route like Perez, but both have a fan base.
Both have their fan bases on the edge of their seats.
All their supporters.
Who will carry this division after tonight?
The issues between these two go back to February at Vengeance Day.
[bell rings]
When Lola failed to execute her breakout contract.
It also cost Perez the championship on that night.
Perez had to wait until the biggest Stand & Deliver of all time
to regain her Women's title.
[Booker] Man, I got goosebumps right now, Vic, watching these two.
Oh, wow.
This is serious tonight, man.
[Vic] Perez right now showing no fear and trying to get into the head,
trying to get into the mind of Lola Vice, maybe trying to frustrate the challenger,
who once became the greatest crossover MMA athlete of all time.
Will Vice's greatness, though, come at the expense of Perez?
[Booker] Come on. You're talking about one of the best.
Roxanne Perez, she started this when she was 16 years old,
the youngest reality of Wrestling champion in its history.
-Now looking to make moves-- -[Vic] Looking for the armbar!
-[Vic] Oh, shifting and a kick out. -[Booker] Beautiful.
Roxanne Perez scouted that one right there.
You can tell she's been working on that move.
She's seen it coming.
[Vic] Still trending number one, NXT Heatwave, here in Toronto,
capping off Money in the Bank weekend.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Lola!
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Roxy!
[Vic] Nice takedown. This is what we talk about, Book,
the loyal fan bases both these women have, very vocal here in Toronto.
Look at the knees, look at the striking ability from Lola Vice.
She had a deep dig in Tuesday to Perez, but it was a fair question.
Who's the real prodigy?
[Booker] Come on. Taking nothing away from Lola,
she's been competing since she was a itty bitty girl,
and she talked about being in Madison Square Garden, but like--
[Vic] Oh, she was looking for that knockout for that backfist.
[Booker] Beautiful there. Again, Roxanne Perez, she scouted it.
That's why she's The Prodigy, Vic. She saw it coming.
[Vic] Perez is about to be sent from Toronto
back to Laredo with that backfist.
From the apron, Lola Vice wiping out Perez.
Look, we learned why Lola Vice is so determined when she fights.
She fights for her family.
She had to turn to fighting to help her sick mother.
Her will to win is only matched by her mother's will to survive,
and if that fist would have connected,
Lola Vice would have been calling her mom to tell her she was champion.
[Booker] Oh, you see that right there?
That right there is Roxanne Perez, one step ahead of Lola Vice.
Like I said, Lola Vice, she's been very, very impressive.
Breakout Tournament winner 2023,
beating Kelani Jordan tells me she's very, very experienced.
[Vic] Well, you know what? There's no doubt.
You take a look at Perez.
It's hard to argue that Perez is not the most decorated woman ever in NXT.
NXT Women's Tag Team champion.
[Booker] Keep going, keep going.
[Vic] First-ever Breakout Tournament winner. Iron Survivor winner.
[Booker] What else?
[Vic] Beat three women to be the NXT Women's champion two times,
but she's going in against someone who is so driven, who is so focused.
-[Booker] And determined. -[Vic] Like Lola.
[Booker] That's the question.
[Vic] Cover by Perez, hook of the leg, and Vice able to kick out.
This NXT Universe, right now, they are getting very loud.
[Booker] That's what it is.
[Vic] They are split between these two women,
and one will walk out with the title.
One of them will walk out leading this division.
Look at Lola Vice. Vice right now, right after another,
just beating down, wearing down the NXT Women's champion.
It's Vice who's looking for the knockout, into the cover.
Shoulders down and a half second away.
Vice looking for another strike and, oh! Ripping at the hair was Perez.
I will say this also about Roxanne Perez.
[Booker] Please, please do.
[Vic] She defended this brand in an unprecedented match at Battleground.
-[Lola screaming] -[referee counting]
Listening to the official, breaking the rules.
Not breaking, I should say, bending them to work towards her favor.
[Booker] Roxanne Perez have stepped up her game,
so she's start thinking about one thing, me.
Me winning the championship back,
getting that championship back that she never lost.
Right now, Perez-- And we talk about it being on another level, man.
Here we go, here we go. Whoa, beautiful work.
[Vic] Russian leg sweep, float over cover.
Title on the line, the challenger kicking out.
Both have gotten the better of each other at times,
but as Vice put it, when Perez was dropped, she woke up without her title.
[Booker] Yes, you're talking about old stuff right now.
Roxanne Perez, no wasted motions.
She's looking beautiful here tonight.
[Vic] It's also something to note right now, Book,
that Roxanne Perez, she is keeping Lola Vice grounded.
You talk to Perez and you hear her talking to the media,
she has been working on her counter strikes
because she knows the dangers of Lola Vice and that backfist,
but the champion has not abandoned what brought her to the dance
because she has been very mindful of Lola.
[Booker] No taking nothing away from Vice, but this is truly Roxanne Perez's world.
Like I say, since she was 16 years old, she has been working on her craft--
- Here we go. Beautiful work by Roxanne. -[Vic] Lola's down one more time.
[Vic] Look how quick Vice was able to pop back up,
and she pops up, she squares up.
She centers herself and these are those quick feet, these are those strikes.
[Booker] Yeah!
That's what I'm talking about right here,
you don't want to waste any time like this right here with Perez.
[Vic] As impressive as Perez has been in the last year,
you have to agree that Lola Vice in the last three or four months,
has been equally impressive.
She has certainly changed things around since February.
Into the back, into the cover,
and Perez able to get that right shoulder just off the mat.
[Booker] Lola Vice has that winning mentality, Vic.
She's not about friends or anything like that.
It's about winning on a regular basis.
Whoa, so close, so close.
[Vic] Perez was one second away from winning,
but going right back to the body.
Take a look at how fast Perez buckled,
how fast she fell from one punch to the gut.
[Booker] That's what I'm talking about, these fast hands by Perez.
Oh, got caught with a shot.
[Vic] Vice says her fists don't lie, and Perez right now--
Oh! Got caught waiting for that uppercut and could be going to sleep.
Able to use a little bit of momentum rolling through, shoulders down.
Vice having to relinquish the hold to continue this matchup,
as Perez charging back in, trying to counter, and she got caught.
She's trapped now, Book. Perez is trapped.
-Body scissors cinched in. Squeezing away. -[Booker] Roxanne, you got to move.
Beautiful right there. Referee, do your damn job.
Do your damn job, ref.
[Vic] Perez, talk about the underground. This isn't like Vegas.
This isn't just trying to knock out or put someone to sleep.
This is a traditional matchup, and that is what Roxanne--
-[Booker] Oh! -[Vic] No, no, no.
[Lola screaming]
[referee] Roxanne, come on. What are you doing?
[Vic] What she's doing, ref,
is taking advantage of the situation just like you would want her to.
[Booker] Let me tell you something.
Look here, there's no love-loss here or anything,
it's about holding on to your championship.
It's not about playing game or being nice in this situation.
Do what you do. Oh, yes, man.
[Vic] I tried to get a look at Lola Vice's face.
She is in obvious pain for obvious reasons.
As into the cover, back to the live action to retain the title,
Vice able to kick out.
[Booker] A lot of anguish, Vic, as well as she's in dire straits right now.
Roxanne Perez laying it on, and laying it on thick.
[Vic] Think about this again, Booker.
It was Lola Vice who went for that backfist.
She missed, but now is the best part of Lola Vice's game
being systematically dissecting from her playbook,
as into another cover, into a kick out.
[Booker] We're going to find out. [Vic] She may have a broken hand or wrist.
[Booker] We're going to find out here real quick how tough she really is.
She talked about being a competitor since she was a little girl.
Now, she can compete at the highest level with the best in NXT, Roxanne Perez.
[Vic] I asked you earlier today:
would Perez try to target the inexperience of Lola Vice?
I wouldn't say that that was inexperience that cost Vice,
but right now, Roxanne Perez, the veteran who's been around,
who was under your tutelage, knows exactly what to do.
There's a bull's eye on the body, take advantage of it,
and at the same time, you're taking out the best ability for Lola Vice to win,
that backfist, and Lola Vice knows it.
[Booker] She's got feet, though. She's still got those quick feet.
Whoa!
[Vic] There's that foot again. Trying to swing.
There just wasn't a lot on that right hand.
Perez trying to take down Lola Vice.
If you think about it too, think about that crossface submission
that Roxanne Perez has, that she's been utilizing.
Nice belly-to-back suplex, turning the challenger inside out.
-[Booker] Wow. -[Vic] The challenger is in trouble.
[Booker] I don't think it's the inexperience of Lola Vice,
I think it's just the ring generalship of this young lady right here,
Roxanne Perez, two-time Women's champion.
That's what it is, man. Whoa!
[Vic] Looks like a chance. Now, again, trying to lock in.
Is that a triangle she's trying to lock in? She's only got one arm, Book.
Shifting the weight, shoulders down one more time.
Again, just with one arm for Lola Vice.
Backfist got caught from Perez.
Lola able to catch it, and delivered one.
She finally was able to connect,
knocked Perez out all the way to the floor, but quickly, look at Lola.
She went right to that injured arm.
-Yes. She still used it, but I don't know if she got all of it.
[Vic] Think about this too, Book, if that hand's broke, that wrist is broke,
if she can fight through that pain, she won't even feel it.
You said a sledgehammer earlier, Lola Vice will have a sledgehammer.
-She won't feel it. -[Booker] I'm going to tell you right now.
The pain is obviously unbearable, Vic.
She's favoring it like-- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Vic] Cover, so close, and then goes back to being a ring general,
Perez, so close to that bottom rope.
Didn't even have to use any energy to put her foot up.
There was that backfist.
Even at 70%, it knocked Perez all the way out.
[Booker] Yes, but look at the pain and the anguish and Lola Vice's eyes, Vic.
You can tell, you can tell.
[Vic] Lola Vice can't do the simplest thing as even push her body up.
She can't put any weight on that right arm, and now, she's having
to fight with her left hand.
She's only got one arm in this matchup.
[Lola moaning]
[Vic] Right back to the injury goes Perez.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Lola!
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Roxy!
[Vic] Oh, no, no, no, Booker.
[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] You have told me this is a different side of Perez,
but there's even something more evil
coming out in the Women's champion tonight.
[Booker] Look, Roxanne, not only did she just take out the hand,
now, she's looking to take out that shoulder
and finish this thing and finish it in quick-- Whoa!
[Vic] She's looking for Pop Rox , it was countered.
She didn't go for the backfist,
but you said the feet still work, and they certainly do.
[Booker] Educated feet, Vic.
[Vic] Turning right around, and those strikes are just as effective.
Lola letting Roxanne think about it.
Perez pleading her case, looking for that knockout, and blocked again.
Perez into Pop Rox .
[crowd screaming]
Just like that.
[Booker] Whoa, you got to be kidding me.
You got to be kidding me.
[Roxy screaming]
[Vic] Perez can't believe it.
You said we would find out a lot about Lola Vice,
we certainly are, Booker, right here and right now.
[Booker] Toughness, tenacity all of that we're going to find out here tonight.
[Roxy] Out of my way.
[crowd screaming]
[Vic] This is a lot of frustration boiling out of Roxanne.
[Booker] This is a different Roxanne, Vic, this is different, man.
You will never be champion!
[Vic] Booker.
Perez.
Looking for Pop Rox .
The table didn't even break.
[Booker] Be smart, Roxanne.
[Vic] The official might want to count this match out.
-Be smart here.
[crowd chanting] Holy shit!
[Vic] Perez getting Vice back in.
Into the cover off the second Pop Rox and it didn't do it.
It didn't do it, Book.
This is what happens when you're fighting for your family,
but look at Perez, she went for the crossface
and wisely, she realized the injured arm and she's going for the crossface
on that injured shoulder, on that right arm,
trying to break the will, break the spirit of the champion.
-[Booker] She's going to make her tap. -[Vic] Is Lola going to tap?
She's got to go think about her mom and family.
That bottom rope is so damn close. Lola reaching out.
[Booker] So far away, but so far away, Vic.
[Vic] Look at Perez. Perez rolling right back through, right back up.
-[Vic] Pop Rox again. -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] Not to be outdone for the fourth time.
Perez said, forget four, add one more.
Looking for the fifth.
[crowd counts]
[Booker] Man.
[bell rings]
[Perez's theme]
[male announcer] Here is your winner
and still the NXT Women's champion, Roxanne Perez.
[Booker] Go ahead, Vic, go ahead with your diatribe,
go ahead and talk about how good Roxanne Perez is.
Go ahead and say to the world she is truly The Prodigy, Vic.
Go ahead and tell it like it is. I know you want to say it.
Do it. Do it now. Do it, Vic.
[Vic] I don't need to. You just did.
Roxanne Perez, she brought a fight and so did Lola Vice,
and this was the first Pop Rox in this matchup,
but Lola Vice would not stay down.
Roxanne came right out here in front of us.
She damaged the injured arm throughout this matchup.
She focused on the body part that would do the most damage.
That backfist. That was three. There was a fourth,
but this was an unprecedented big Pop Rox in this matchup
to finally put away Lola Vice
and retain the NXT Women's Championship.
[Booker] That didn't feel too bad, did it?
[Vic] I've never taken anything away from Roxanne Perez.
I take nothing away from the challenger here tonight,
but who can get on the level of our NXT Women's champion,
"The Prodigy" Roxanne Perez?
Another 4th of July, Independence Day
to celebrate my heritage, American heritage.
Rock and roll, brother.
Mötley Crüe, Metallica, real music,
not that beep boop robot bull crap that you listen to Eddy Thorpe.
Some real heritage, and speaking of heritage,
you know who's got a lot of heritage on the line? Is that Tony D'Angelo.
Lexus King is going to take it and claim it for his own
this Tuesday on NXT because it's going to be
the King versus the Don for the Heritage Cup.
[chuckles]
That's good.
I was in my garden this morning watering all my fruits and vegetables and basil,
and I get a call from my consigliere, Luca Gustavino.
He says, "Hey, Don, watch this video."
I look at the video and it's Lexus King
talking about this romance with him and Eddy Thorpe.
I don't know.
Then he starts talking about me,
talking about taking away my Italian Heritage Cup,
and he's talking about this like it's going to be easy.
Lexus, I don't know who you think you are.
I don't know what you've been watching, but I'm the Don of NXT.
And if you think this is just going to be a walk in the park,
I'm insulted.
You want to match on Tuesday? Sure.
Ava set it up.
Because when I get in that ring,
I'm going to smack that fake-ass beard right off of your face, you understand me?
Then I'm going to come right back to my garden and water my basil plant.
[Vic] As you just heard, the challenge was thrown out and it was accepted.
It'll be the Don versus the King for the NXT Heritage Cup.
It's going down live this Tuesday on NXT.
Also on Tuesday, partners no more.
Who will prove to be better?
They were victorious on Countdown to Heatwave together,
but only one will win when Petrovic beats Grace on NXT this Tuesday on USA.
Speaking of Tag Team Competition,
there's two more Tag Team matches that will take place,
both heated rivalries that need to be settled
and they will be come Tuesday on NXT.
After what happened to start the night, the question is what is next for Wes Lee?
The Cardiac Kid will address the NXT Universe live on Tuesday.
Right now, the question is who will be champion in 48 hours?
The odds are in favor of the challengers.
Trick Williams does not need to be factored
in the decision to lose his title.
Can Trick overcome the odds in this massive main event?
[crowd cheers]
[Trick Williams] I talked about this, I dreamt about this.
We all wanted this.
[male announcer] Trick Williams is your new NXT champion.
[Vic] This is a new era led by Trick Williams.
[Trick] We're going to call this the Whoop That Era.
[crowd chanting] Whoop That Trick!
Trick Williams, champ.
The next challenger for your championship will be decided
in a 25-Man over-the-top Battle Royal.
[Vic] Who's headed to the NXT Championship match?
Yo, this is crazy.
[Vic] The Young OG riding the wave of momentum.
Evans is going to Heatwave.
I've never even left the country before.
I got to go get a passport for this.
There's me and you for that title, my boy.
Come on, now, at Heatwave.
Wrong.
Bro.
I'm still in the Battle Royal. It's still happening right now.
I was never eliminated.
[Vic] Oro going right at Ethan Page.
[Vic] He hated on The Young OG for winning that Battle Royal,
said it's null avoid, it doesn't count.
Ethan Page has defeated the number one contender.
Now we're back on track.
We got a new number one contender. That's the way I see it.
I am coming for that NXT title.
I've been building a reputation for a long time around the world.
Now I'm exactly where I need to be.
[Shawn Spears] I was the guy who pinned Je'Von first.
[Vic] Shawn Spears calling his shot.
I already put down Je'Von Evans and I was the first man
to pin Trick Williams since he became champion.
[Vic] An absolutely stunned NXT Universe.
Spears just beat the NXT champion.
Je'Von won the Battle Royal.
Ethan beat Je'Von.
All right, here's what I'm going to do.
Everyone has compelling cases, so Heatwave, NXT Championship,
Fatal 4-Way.
A Fatal 4-Way match where anything can happen.
It's my biggest test yet.
Three challengers, The Young OG…
[Vic] Everybody's going to know that that boy's--
[crowd yells]
It's all love, but I'm coming after them.
Goofy-ass Spears.
It happens Toronto, Canada, I will reach the pinnacle.
And all talk, Ethan Page.
There's only room for one of us to be the guy.
That's All Ego, baby
My back has always been against the wall,
but when it comes to this NXT title, I come through every single time.
The only thing that will happen is I'm retaining my NXT title.
Toronto, you already know what we going to do.
[crowd chanting] Whoop That Trick!
[Je'Von Evans' theme, "Who Want It" playing]
Yeah!
It's tonight, baby.
[Vic] Booker, you can understand the nerves.
This is the first premium live event for Je'Von Evans.
Three months, Booker, three months since his debut
and he's in the main event of that premium live event.
[Booker] I know exactly how this young man feels.
I remember my first PLE, Wargames. I remember it vividly.
I had nothing to lose,
but everything, and when I say everything, I mean everything to win,
so I know what this young man is feeling right now, Vic.
[Vic] This is not a normal matchup for the NXT title.
No disqualification or count out.
Every man for himself.
Williams does not need to be factored in the decision to lose his title.
[Shawn Spears' theme, "Truth and Pain playing]
[Vic] Shawn Spears has never held a title at NXT.
He returned several months ago.
Now, he returns home.
How does the Chase for gold, Booker, fuel a competitor like Shawn Spears?
[Booker] You say he's never won an NXT championship.
-Right? -[Vic] Right.
[Booker] That's just a testament to this man's will and determination,
the diabolical, but to get driven still, Shawn Spears, could be his night.
This could be his night, Vic.
This could be it.
[Vic] Spears is someone who tries to talk and manipulate with his words.
There is one thing that he said that no one can take away from him,
he was the first to pin Trick since Williams became champion.
[Booker] He definitely has a case,
first to pin this young man standing across from him as well, Je'Von Evans.
[Vic] If he pins Je'Von Evans, Trick Williams loses his title.
[Booker] He'll be the champ.
[Ethan Page's theme, "With A Smile" playing]
[Vic] Well, this is a man who talks about his reputation.
This is a man who is so egotistical,
he created his own company here in Toronto,
Alpha-1, so he could become a champion.
It's the man who returns home, and again, filling his ego.
[Booker] Vic, I got to say it.
There's something about this guy right here.
""All ego" Ethan Page.
Will he walk away tonight as the new NXT champion?
El gran campeón.
[Vic] It's been nearly a decade since the NXT title was defended
under these rules on a premium live event.
2021, the last time the NXT title was defended in a Fatal 4-Way.
[Trick Williams' theme, "Locked In"]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Whoop That Trick!
[Booker] What? What?
Yes.
Uh-huh.
I like it.
Oh, yes, man.
-That's what I'm talking about. -[Booker] Oh, yes, man. That's Trick.
That's the champ right there, Vic.
Uh-huh.
I like it.
Whoa, whoa, check out the tights.
Check out the tights.
Oh, a little Harlem Heat action.
-[crowd cheers] -[Booker laughs]
[Vic] Booker, it's been an incredible journey and story.
He knows that the odds are against him.
During his media scrum this week, this is a quote from Trick Williams.
"These are the moments when I shine to show what I'm made of."
The time is now, Fatal 4-Way for the NXT Championship.
[Booker] Give it up for him.
He rose up out the shadows, Vic, and now he's the NXT champion.
The odds are against him.
But now, we get a chance to see
what Trick Williams is truly all about.
[bell rings]
[male announcer] The following contest
is a Fatal 4-Way match for the NXT championship.
[crowd cheers]
[male announcer] Introducing the challengers.
First, Je'Von Evans.
[crowd cheers]
[male announcer] Next, Shawn Spears.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Trick!
[male announcer] And last,
""All Ego " Ethan Page.
[crowd cheers]
[male announcer] And their opponent,
he is the NXT champion,
Trick Williams.
[crowd cheers]
[Vic] 25% chance Trick survives.
[crowd chanting] Whoop That Trick!
[Vic] All about it.
[bell rings]
[Booker] If I can give Mike a little advice,
he's the reigning and defending, Trick Williams.
[Vic] Now, you want to be a ring announcer?
[Booker] I'm just saying, give him his props.
[Vic] Starting to circle each other. We talked about just three months ago.
Oh, yes. Well, of course, Ethan Page just wants to take the easy road.
Wants everyone else to do the fighting.
Oh, Je'Von Evans.
I was just about to say, for Evans, we talked about three months ago.
Debuting now to the main event.
It's even crazier to think that he turned 20 years old just two months ago.
[Booker] As well as he's in the ring with somewhat of a mentor,
somebody he looks up to, Trick Williams.
How is that going to play out here in this matchup? I'm wondering, Vic.
[Vic] Well, look at Trick Williams now. He's got to keep his emotions in check.
Both he and Je'Von Evans have been called out by Ethan Page
and by Shawn Spears for letting their emotions get the better of them.
[Booker] No, man!
Big shot there right in front of us by--
Oh, yes, All Ego.
[Vic] No count out, no disqualification.
Everything is legal.
Only way to win, pinfall, submission, in the ring.
You can do better than that?
[Vic] Now, what is it? What sort of competition is this?
It's every man for himself.
[Booker] One-upmanship, Vic.
-You've got a problem with me? -Get your ass in there.
You think a give a rat's ass about these people, Shawn?
[Shawn] Let's find out.
[Vic] Finally. Let's go.
Let's see these two swing.
[Booker] You don't see nobody running, do you? Do you?
[Vic] I see a lot of talking.
[crowd chanting] Page!
[Vic] Page. Spears.
For Shawn Spears, if he could become champion,
-I can't imagine what he would say. -[Booker] Oh, yes.
[Vic] Well, yes, both men, same idea.
Cut corners. Exactly.
Neither wants to get in the ring and throw hands.
[Booker] You can't trust anybody.
[Vic] I hear what you're saying. I get it.
It's a great move. Great strategy.
[Vic] Spears taking out Williams. There comes Je'Von Evans.
Getting bouncy!
As Williams, catapulted into a neckbreaker.
[Booker] Talking about working together right now.
[crowd clapping]
-Oh, yes.
[Vic] This is a moment Evans, has dreamed about
since his grandmother introduced him to wrestling.
He had a picture of his grandmother in his locker today.
He said he feels her spirit with him tonight
as he's getting ready for this championship matchup,
as he was getting ready for his first premium live event.
Into the cover. Shoulders down.
A quick kick out by Williams.
That boy getting bouncy one more time.
-[Booker] Oh, yes. -[Vic] Another kick out by Trick.
[Booker] I never spoke about it, Vic.
He has a chance to become the youngest NXT champion in history.
-How big is that, Vic? -[Vic] It's huge. It's off the charts.
Is The Young OG living up to the hype as he rolls back through.
Shoulders down. He kicked out.
[Booker] If he wins the championship,
he won't be The Young OG, he'll be the OG of NXT.
[Shawn] Hey. That was close as hell.
[Vic] Evans letting Trick know I was this close.
Since the night began, still trending number one, NXT Heatwave.
This is our main event, a matchup where Trick Williams,
the champion who just took down Evans,
doesn't need to be factored in the decision to lose his title.
Big body slam by Trick, and the champion now is rolling.
[Booker] That's called getting bouncy.
[Vic] I wanted to ask you this as we're getting ready,
but the action is so back and forth.
Is Trick going to have to play more defense than normal tonight?
[Booker] Trick has a 25% chance of winning this match.
He has to have eyes in the back of his head, just like--
-Here we go. -[Vic] There's Spears with a steel chair.
-[Booker] Exactly what I'm talking about. -[Vic] Again, it's legal.
That's one way to even the odds.
If you're Trick Williams, a couple of sidekicks.
[Booker] Beautiful sidekicks. I've seen that before.
[Vic] Trick proved he was no longer a sidekick when he beat Carmelo Hayes,
had the biggest stand of all time.
Then he became champion, and he's here tonight,
hitting everything that move, taking down everybody,
all three competitors, all three challengers.
Trick, two for one.
[Booker] I love that.
Trick looks very composed here tonight in this matchup, Vic.
Oh!
[Vic] Trick was just able to get out of the way.
Trick Williams who would love to just put an end to this match.
[Booker] Right. There it is. Let's go home. Oh, man.
[Vic] Evans able to kick out.
[Booker] Need to put a little more sauce on that little chalula green next time.
[Vic] I got to agree with what you said,
Trick Williams doesn't give a damn about the stats.
He doesn't give a damn about the math.
He has come out determined.
There has been a different look in the eye of the champion
because of the odds that are against him.
[Booker] We're going to find out a lot about Trick Williams tonight.
This boy, his tenacity, is a testament of fortitude in a match like this.
Here we go.
[Vic] Again, another two-for-one for Ethan Page.
Cody Rhodes, our WWE champion, made the Battle Royal
to determine the number one contender,
and it was Je'Von Evans, not Ethan Page, who won.
It was Page who protested, then defeated Evans,
and it was a bunch of chaos that led to this matchup.
As we're sitting here, Ava made a hell of a decision for our main event.
[Booker] None of that matters because, right now,
Ethan Page is in a matchup for the NXT Championship.
He has a 25% chance, just like everybody else.
Oh, man.
[Vic] Trick up. Big powerslam by Page.
Into the cover, hook of the leg, and Evans, right shoulder up.
Ethan Page right now, is the one standing,
and this is at the type of pace that Page likes.
Slow and methodical.
[Booker] It's something about this kid, Ethan Page,
I can't quite put my finger on it.
It's like the wind, you can feel it, but you can't touch it,
but you know it's there. That's Ethan Page. Ouch!
[Vic] That was Shawn Spears, who's not interested in the past.
He's looking towards the future, and when you hear him speak,
he certainly knows how to spin the narrative
as he's trying to capture the NXT title.
Now, Je'Von Evans, getting into the fray.
Evans.
[Booker] Oh, wait a minute.
[Vic] Look at this.
Evans is up.
Spears is caught.
Page is flying.
Unlikely allies, bodies are flying.
[Booker] Double pin, double pin!
[Vic] Both superstars, what would have happened with a double pin?
[Booker] I don't know. I can't answer that.
[Vic] Referee's discretion, as you see,
those here in the Scotiabank Arena have been loud.
They've been on their feet all night long.
This is our main event, and it almost ended with that double pin.
[crowd cheers]
It looks like we're revisiting Las Vegas, Book.
Ethan Page, who came into this company unsigned,
attacking Noam Dar, then took out Trick Williams.
Williams hasn't forgotten.
[Booker screams]
-[Vic] What the hell? -[Booker] It's legal.
-[Vic] It is legal. -[Booker] It's legal.
-Oh, damn it, Shawn Spears. Swinging for the fences.
[Vic and Booker cheer]
[crowd cheers]
[Vic] Spears said this week on the past,
"Failure will never overtake someone
if their determination to succeed is strong enough."
What the hell is going through the diabolical mind of Shawn Spears?
Trick Williams I necessarily would say he'd be saving Je'Von Evans,
but there's every man for themselves.
-[Book] Big shot by Trick Williams. -[Vic] Oh, you can say that again.
-[Book] But opportunity-- -[Vic] Now it's Evans perched up.
-[Booker] Yes! -[Vic] C4 into the chair, into the corner.
Spears crawls into the cover.
Williams just got that right shoulder up.
[Booker] It was close right there. Williams tries to coming out of that.
[Vic] Did you hear that?
Did you feel that?
Shawn Spears so close to holding a championship
he has so desperately wanted to hold.
[Booker] Shawn Spears is going for broke right now, Vic.
You can feel it, you can sense it, and he's so close, so close, Vic.
[Vic] Looking for it one more time.
Evans able to hop right back up.
Nice super kick, and again,
all four of these men in this matchup, in this main event.
It's Je'Von Evans, the youngest of them all.
[Booker] He's quick.
[Vic] 20 years old.
No matter how damn quick you are, that'll stop anybody,
but look at the bodies that are laid out.
[crowd cheers]
It's all for the NXT Championship.
Someone believes they are the champion.
Of these four men, who will get to their feet first?
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
-[Vic] You hear the NXT Universe? -[Booker] Yes, man.
[Vic] What a weekend it has been in Toronto.
[Booker] Who's going to get that second wind?
[Vic] What a matchup this has been.
Trick, Trick, Trick.
-[Booker] Here we go again. -[Vic] You said it.
You said it. There's no disqualifications.
It's all legal.
Oh, and Page doing his best.
[Booker] Taste the cold steel, Vic.
[Vic] I'm sure it didn't taste very good, but take another look.
Ethan Page looking for that Ego's Edge.
Trick knew it.
How do you think that tasted and felt, Book?
[Page] You're Ego, right?
[Vic] Page is talking-- Evans. Holy--
-Through the-- -[Book] What the--
-[Vic] Holy! -[Booker] You got to be kidding me.
[crowd chanting] Holy shit!
[Vic] I'm glad they're saying it.
Je'Von Evans, how far did he jump?
[Booker] Wow.
-Look, I just looked at Evans.
Evans didn't want to do that to Trick Williams.
Evans didn't want to do that to his friend.
Je'Von Evans wants to be the damn champion at 20 years old.
Evans is getting back into the ring.
He's got Spears in a precarious position.
Spears up to the top. Evans is going to join him.
Evans right now over the top. Evans got caught.
[Booker] He's caught.
[Vic] Spears with a C4, looking for the three.
Page, Page into the cover.
[Booker] You've got to be kidding me. Whoa!
[Vic] I can't believe what we are seeing from these four.
[Booker] Ethan Page almost capitalized, Vic, he was so close.
[crowd cheers]
[Vic] Ethan Page just wants to feed his own ego,
and he's enjoying every second of this.
Williams hasn't moved since going through the barricade.
[Booker] You think that's what it's about for Ethan Page?
It's about the NXT Championship.
-[Vic] You're right. -[Booker] It's not about ego.
[Vic] Page is up, and so is Shawn Spears.
This is the main event of the NXT Heatwave.
[Booker grunts]
NXT Championship on the line, Fatal 4-Way.
All three challengers in the ring,
and finally, the champion is back to his feet.
He's trying to make one hell of an impact.
No! Nasty spill to the outside.
[Booker] Bad, gnarly, gnarly spill.
[Vic] Talk about gnarly.
From the top.
[Booker] Young OG! Young OG about to catalyze.
[Vic] He's bouncing all over the arena.
[Booker] That's it. We got a new champ.
-[Vic] Cover, count. -[Booker] We got a new champ.
[Vic] Oh, man, Trick just saved his title.
[Booker laughs] You got to be kidding me.
[Vic] You just saved it, Trick, that was so close.
[Booker] Unbelievable.
[Vic] Bam!
By the time Page got to his feet, he didn't know what the hell hit him.
Now look who it's come down to.
[fighters arguing]
[Vic] Evans got to do what you got to do until you get what you came for.
Trick Williams is fighting for his title,
Evans is fighting for his future, fighting for history.
Oh! Nice kick by Williams.
Evans answering right back.
-[Booker] Beautiful work. -[Vic] Pump kick didn't connect.
Evans got caught.
Both men with the same mindset.
[Booker] What a match we have here tonight.
[Vic] What a main event.
[crowd chanting] Whoop That Trick!
[Vic] Je'Von Evans is looking at us.
[Booker] Look at the eyes. Look at the eyes of that man.
-[Vic] Evans is looking at us, Booker. -[Booker] Look at the eyes, Vic.
[Vic] Je'Von Evans-- Oh!
Well, he had some intentions in his mind.
Trick William right out here in front of us and
Shawn Spears somehow back to his-- What the?
What's Spears thinking?
[Booker] He's thinking about something.
[Vic] We talk about risks.
This is quite the risk from Shawn Spears.
[Booker] He's not going to do that.
-[Vic] Yes, he's not going to do this. -[Booker] He's thinking about it.
[Vic] This might take Spears out of the match.
The tension building here in Toronto.
[Booker] Just goes to show you what that title means to these men, Vic.
Oh, I don't like this at all.
[Vic] Remember, it was Spears who called out Evans for his age.
[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] Age is just a number when you can do things that Evans can do.
[Booker] Wow! Look at this, cover there.
-[Vic] Cover. -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] Again, playing defense is Trick Williams.
[Booker] He's got to have eyes in the back of his head tonight.
[Vic] He doesn't have to be factored, Book.
This is why I asked you earlier.
Is he going to be on the defense more than being on the offense?
Book.
Booker.
Book, Trick didn't have a choice. Yes, that's his friend,
but now the mathematical odds we've been talking about
have just increased for the champion.
[Booker] Vic, just broke that kid in half right there.
He had to do it.
[crowd chanting] Rest in peace!
[Vic] Look, Trick's trying to fire himself back up.
Trick's trying to refocus.
Trick right now, with Shawn Spears in his sights.
Spears just took a half step backwards.
[Booker] Oh…
[Vic] He was able to sidestep the Trick shot.
-[Booker] Oh, this is it. -[Vic] To lock in the sharpshooter.
Somewhere Bret Hart is smiling.
Can Shawn Spears get Trick Williams to tap to the sharpshooter in Canada?
Ethan Page, though, going to break up all that real quick,
but Ethan Page, is it going to pay off for Page?
[Booker] Trying to capitalize. Oh, that could be it.
[Vic] Ego's Edge. Got all of it.
Cover, and there's Je'Von Evans breaking up the count.
I don't know how the hell Evans is even moving.
[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] We talked about Evans and the rib injury he sustained several weeks ago.
That certainly has had to have gotten reaggravated
after bouncing off the table, and, right now, Ethan Page is pissed off.
Ethan Page is angry.
Ethan Page mean streak is coming out.
[Booker] He's losing his cool, Vic. I don't like that.
[Vic] Remember, it was Ethan Page who was talking about Trick
and Je'Von needing to keep their emotions in check.
One more time another's Ego's Edge.
Spears saving things for a moment.
[all] Oh!
[Vic] Trick shot.
Trick shot wiped out Evans, Trick shot to Page.
-[Booker] Oh. What the-- -[Vic] What?
[bell rings]
[Vic] What the hell?
[Ethan Page's theme]
[male announcer] Here is your winner
and the new NXT champion,
"All Ego" Ethan Page.
[Vic] What the hell?
[Booker] Didn't I tell you? There's something about him.
[Vic] Trick Williams right here in front of us is pissed.
Trick Williams is beside himself right now and rightfully so.
I'm just as stunned as the rest of the NXT Universe.
We talked about this matchup.
Both those men proved why they're in it.
Je'Von Evans went to broke,
he was able to stay in this matchup, he risked it all, Booker.
At 20 years old, the future is bright, no doubt about it.
When you're able to pull off feats of athleticism like this,
this man is the innovator of aerial insanity.
He was this close to becoming champion,
but it was Trick Williams who was playing defense all night long.
He knew what the odds were.
He had to do things he didn't want to do
and right here, the Ego's Edge hit for Ethan Page.
Trick Williams got some help from his boy
to continue this matchup, to keep it going,
but for Trick Williams, the Trick shot connected.
It wiped out Evans, he hit another one on Ethan Page, who fell into the cover.
Spears from behind, and Trick Williams just couldn't get to break up the cover.
It's not like Shawn Spears wanted Trick to lose.
It's just what the hell happened.
Williams is heartbroken right now.
Trick Williams is beside himself right now.
Shawn Spears is defeated,
and I can only imagine the Ego now
with Ethan Page
because that is the new face right there, of NXT.
Subtitles: María Virginia Conte & Valeria LoZito 't get to break up the cover.