[theme music playing]
[Triple H] Then…
now.
Forever…
together.
[Corey] We are live in New York City.
WWE Roadblock is coming up on Tuesday.
This is a nice piece of hardware
that you're going to try to hold on to at WWE Roadblock.
[Vic] Tonight, who will have a clear path to stand and deliver WrestleMania weekend?
Who can overcome their one final roadblock?
["Outta the way" playing]
♪ Me and you, we ain't the same now ♪
♪ Lions coming out to play now ♪
♪ Opposition out the way now ♪
♪ Outta the way! ♪
♪ You wasn't invited ♪
♪ Say, you come to play ♪
♪ I dare you to try it ♪
♪ You don't want to try me! ♪
♪ You'll step up to my team ♪
♪ Outta the way! ♪
♪ Outta the way ♪
[Corey] Je'Von, get the hell out of here.
[Vic] And like a pack of wolves, here they come!
[Corey] It's a melee in the ring!
Absolute chaos and destruction!
[The Undertaker] I've been watching you for a while now. I'm impressed.
Go out there
and defend your yard.
[Vic] The TNA X-Division champion, Moose, has to take the title from The Ruler.
He has to beat our champion, Oba Femi.
-[Vic] And it's his time now! -[Corey] Look out, guys! Oh!
And Moose right back in.
[Vic and Corey] Fall from grace!
[Corey] The Ruler did as The Undertaker told him to do.
Tonight, Oba defended his yard.
[announcer] The following contest is a champion versus champion
Title for Title match!
[Corey] Winner take all.
Stephanie Vaquer has taken the WWE Universe by storm.
The same can be said for Julia, the reigning NXT Women's Champion.
[Booker T] One will walk out double champion.
That right there is very, very special.
[Vic] And who's in control?
It's the Women's North American Champion.
Looking for that SVB!
[Corey] There it is!
Stephanie Vaquer did what she had to do,
and her name will now live on in history.
[Vic] For NXT, the biggest women's match in our history,
and the NXT women's division now goes through one woman, the Dark Angel!
[Vic] On the heels of that history-making night in New York,
there is the first double Women's Champion in NXT history.
Stephanie Vaquer is here live tonight.
[Corey] Trick Williams is here, he's also ready to enter the unknown,
NXT Underground, to fight, to win, to survive.
Or will it be Williams' opponent, Eddy Thorpe, the King of the Underground?
Who's gonna walk out of our main event victorious here tonight?
There's Ricky Saints, he's here set for his first singles match in NXT.
He goes one-on-one with the Ridge Holland.
All coming your way live tonight
and you can feel the excitement in the air.
And welcome to NXT!
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[Vic] Well, we're kicking off tonight with championship gold on the line.
[female announcer] It's Chelsea Green.
[rock music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Well, there you see the champion flanked by her cabinet.
And, Booker, you got a soft spot for Chelsea Green.
I'm really glad Corey Graves isn't here tonight.
He's on his way back from Monday Night Raw.
I don't know if I can handle you too right now in this moment.
[Booker T] You need to put some respect on Chelsea Green's name.
She's doing what champions do, Vic.
Got the best security in the house.
[Vic] Why is your hand on your heart?
-[Booker T] What are you talking about? -Why are you pledging your allegiance?
[Booker T] Because we're looking at… we're looking at America's finest.
Can you feel me? Can you feel me?
Listen to the people, listen to the people.
They feelin' it. They feelin' it.
-[Vic] Unc. -All the men, all the media
-they lovin' it, except you, except you. -[Vic] Come on, come on. Unc.
[Booker T] Unc. Unc. Say that again.
[surf music playing]
[Vic] Well, there's no doubt,
this is the biggest wave
Sol has ever tried to conquer since joining NXT.
[Booker T] It is like surfing one of those big waves
in Honolulu, Hawaii, the big island.
You ever been there?
-[Vic] I have never been to Hawaii. -You ever seen the waves, man?
This could be the biggest wave of Sol Ruca's young career.
That's what I'm saying.
I was hoping you would catch that.
[Vic] I got what you were saying,
but let's go to our ring announcer, Mike Rome.
[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall…
[crowd] One fall!
…is for the Women's
United States Championship!
Introducing the challenger
from Honolulu, Hawaii,
Sol Ruca!
And her opponent, from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada,
she is the Women's United States Champion,
Chelsea Green!
[Vic] We got a lively NXT Universe here tonight, Book.
[Booker T] Getting excited.
[Vic] This gentleman's got his hand on his heart.
-We got people saluting, standing here. -Of course, you know why?
Because Chelsea Green is in the building, man.
And like I say, the security,
you can't say enough about the security, man.
Like the men in black, but they're the women in black and gray.
-I love it. -[bell dings]
[Vic] Well, let's remember that Sol has pinned the champion.
That has to count for something, Booker, in this matchup.
[Booker T] Yeah, it may give you a little bit of confidence,
but under the bright lights, that's when it means something, Victor.
And I'll tell you right now, Chelsea Green,
she didn't slip on a banana peel and get to this position. Trust me on that.
[crowd chanting]
[Booker T] Those people love it. [continues indistinctly]
Victor, stand up!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Sit down! You gotta…
What are you doing?
We've lost all control out here.
Book, come on!
[Booker T] Salute, man.
Salute.
You need to salute, damn it.
[Vic] I'm trying to get back on track 'cause we're only seven minutes into NXT.
[crowd chanting and clapping in rhythm]
[Booker T] I'm voting. I'm voting, man.
[Vic] Well, look, Chelsea is approaching her first 100 days in office, so to speak.
She's approaching 100 days as Women's United States Champion.
Looking for the hip toss. Ruca would land at her feet.
-X-Factor! -[Booker] Oh, baby!
[Vic] Center of the ring, championship's on the line.
-[Booker] Wait a minute. -For the title!
-Oh! That was close! -And near fall.
You're talking about first ever, Victor. You're talking about history.
You don't slip on a banana peel and do something like that.
That was calculated by Chelsea Green to be in this position at this present time.
[Vic] We've heard the NXT universe tonight.
They are a rowdy bunch this evening.
How will experience play a factor in this matchup?
[Booker] It's definitely going to play a factor in this matchup.
I mean, Sol Ruca, she's just a couple of years in this business,
no doubt, no doubt, give her a lot of credit.
She has a lot of talent.
But right now she's in the big leagues with Chelsea Green.
She's ready for president, damn it!
[Vic] Well, ask not what Chelsea can do for you,
but what you can do for Chelsea Green,
and Green right now in control, saluting and--
-[Booker] Whoa! -Sol Ruca standing!
[Vic] The athleticism on display from the challenger here tonight.
And what a way to kick off NXT. Still to come,
we're going to hear from the first ever double champion
in women's history here in NXT.
What are you wanting to hear from the Dark Angel?
[Booker] I don't want to hear anything. I want to see it.
I want to see her go out there and defend that championship
on a weekly nightly basis, just like Roxanne Perez did.
-That's what I want to see. -[Vic] Oh!
Sol Ruca turning things around in this match.
Of course, Zaria here on the outside, right in front of us,
the cabinet of Alba Fyre and Piper Niven, on the far side of the ring.
-Nice takedown from the challenger. -[Booker] Beautiful.
-And Alba distracting the official! -Here comes security!
[Booker] That's security… security doing their job.
[Vic] No, security is not supposed to stick their nose in the matchup.
And it did help for the moment.
Sol turning back around
and just got her leg clipped
-by Chelsea Green. -[Booker] Yeah!
[Vic] Who is going to walk out of here tonight
Women's United States champion?
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Chelsea!
[Vic] Chelsea Green has been in control of this championship matchup,
and it's been a busy week for Chelsea.
She was driving the pace car this past Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
[Booker] You know why?
Because everybody wants a piece of Chelsea Green right now.
That's how hot she is!
I also received my executive order reminder
that Green is the longest reigning women's United States champion.
[Booker] Whoa!
I got it out so I met the quota.
[Vic] And that was a hell of a dropkick from the challenger.
But so much has been taken out of that left knee and ankle.
How is Sol Ruca gonna get back into this matchup?
Because it looked like she came off on that drop kick with one leg.
[Booker] She didn't get all on that drop kick and now, that's gonna definitely
enable her to actually get a pinfall or cover or anything right now.
[Vic] Women of SmackDown watching this match up very closely.
Zelina Vega the first name that comes to mind
as she has been trying to navigate her way into the championship picture.
Of course, the Green Administration growing stronger
with the addition of Alba Fyre, who by the way,
say all these nice things about Chelsea Green,
she saved Green's title nearly two weeks ago on SmackDown.
[Booker] You know why, Vic?
Because she's the head of security.
That's what security is for.
Come on, man! Jeez!
[Vic] Well, Sol Ruca not worried about the security at this moment.
Big blind shoulder tackle! But again,
-[Booker exclaiming] -And that goes back to the knee!
[Vic] That goes back to Chelsea Green's game plan
of focusing on the lower body, into the cover and a kick out.
Sol Ruca can't do what has brought Sol Ruca to the dance,
and that's fly around the ring.
That's use her high-risk, daredevil attitude.
[Booker] We're gonna find out tonight
if Sol Ruca is a one trick pony in here with somebody-- See that?
-[Vic] At first, if you don't succeed… -Couldn't get all of it.
[Vic] And that goes back to the experience factor.
Maybe Sol Ruca shouldn't have tried it again.
Maybe she needs to switch her game at this juncture of the matchup
because the women's United States title is on the line.
-[Booker] It's those nerves right now. -Leg gave out.
[Booker] Those butterflies-- Oh my!
-That's it! Beautiful. -[crowd] One! Two!
-[Vic] Not quite. -[Booker exclaiming]
-No! -[Booker] That was resilient.
That was very resilient there by Sol Ruca.
[Vic] Green, of course, won the championship--
Saturday's main event in December,
our next Saturday night's main event will be in Tampa,
along with Battleground, Raw, NXT
all at the Yuengling Center Memorial Day weekend.
But here and right now, Chelsea Green going high-risk
and she's a little bit out of her area.
You don't see Chelsea Green take too many high-risk maneuvers,
and it didn't pay off!
[Booker] That's the high rent district right there.
You gotta stay out of that zone, right there.
-[Vic] What's Sol doing? -Whoa, whoa!
-On one leg! -She's not gonna--
[Vic] On one leg! DDT!
-[Booker] Wow! -With a cartwheel!
-[Vic] Cover! For the title! -[crowd] One! Two!
-Oh, come on! -[Booker] That was bad positioning there
-for Sol Ruca. Sol should have-- -[Vic] Alba Fyre--
-[Vic] Zaria! -[Booker] Whoa!
[Booker] What the hell!
What the hell was that for?
[Vic] And-- Oh! Piper Niven.
What do you mean what was that for?
Security sticking their nose where it doesn't belong.
You concern yourself with business that concerns-- What the--
Damn!
[Vic] And Sol Ruca right now
is really risking it all.
She's only got one leg and it's showing.
[Booker] That Moonsault right there landed perfect.
I don't know if she may have banged that knee up… just a little!
[Vic] Oh, got caught!
And Chelsea Green right now looking for the Unprettier!
Counter! Counter!
-[Booker] Ain't no way. -For the title-- No!
[Vic] Oh, my God. Hey, hey, hey! Come on!
-[Booker] Oh! -Looking to snatch the soul of Green!
But Green going back down low, taking out the knee!
[Booker] She set that up perfectly, Vic.
Set it up perfectly. Oh, goodnight!
-[Vic] Unprettier… -[crowd] One, two, three!
-…and Green survives. -[bell dinging]
["Hot Mess" playing]
[Mike] Here's your winner,
and still
the Women's United States champion,
Chelsea Green!
[Vic] I'm glad you're not saluting
the women's United States champion.
But if not for Alba Fyre,
it may be Sol Ruca that has gold around her waist.
The Unprettier, though, it was a thing of beauty
tonight for Chelsea Green as, like it or not, she retains.
Niven, Fyre.
Who else will pledge their allegiance to the women's United States champion?
Hey, yo, Trick, in a real way,
I see what you're talking about.
Last week, I get the biggest W of my career against Ethan,
and then I get jumped by four people. Like…
I understand what you mean now.
Oh, you understand now?
Hell, yeah. I understand what you mean.
Look, they jumped me, Oba, Fraxiom. Hell, attacked teams like…
But… no one's safe.
All right? This our NXT.
You just don't get it, do you, Je'von?
This ain't no win. This ain't ours. This ain't none of that.
I'm getting back to Oba, and I'm getting back to my NXT title.
-All right, I'm just-- -Just because we got dreads,
we supposed to be friends or something?
Look, dawg, you ain't me. You ain't never gonna be me.
You ain't champ. You ain't never gonna be champ.
Tighten up.
I mean, Je'von, you got to see his point, right?
I mean, come on.
Let's face it, you're never gonna be NXT champ like Trick.
Look who's talking.
And you'll probably never be Heritage Cup Champion, either.
I mean, do look on the bright side. At least you can eat solid food again.
You should be sucking food through a fricking straw.
[groaning]
[Vic] Well, speaking of champions, there is the Dark Angel.
We'll hear from the first ever NXT Women's double champion,
Stephanie Vaquer, next.
[upbeat music playing]
Let's go.
Tonight, we get 'em back for everything they've done to us.
-What're you gonna do to her? -I'm gonna break her face.
-That's what I'm talking about. -You guys ready or what?
We're ready, we're gonna make you proud.
But I was thinking maybe you should stay in the back.
Whoa, stay in the back?
Listen, Luca,
when we wreck The Culling, Spears is gonna be desperate.
He'll do anything to hold on to that title.
We need The Don 100% for his rematch.
I'm thinking 2-3 steps ahead right now.
Just like you taught me, T.
I learned from the best.
Hold on a second, you want me to sit in the back?
Now you're thinking like the underboss, baby, I like it.
See guys listen, if the underboss says it's handled,
it's handled.
Now, I'm good, if you guys are good.
-Yeah T, we're good. -Yeah, we know the game plan.
-We got this. -All right, good.
-Here we go, come on. -Let's get it.
That's what I'm talking about, do it, break her face.
[music playing]
[Mike] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the NXT Women's North American Champion,
and the new NXT Women's Champion,
Stephanie Vaquer.
[Stephanie Vaquer's music playing]
[Vic] You always talk about Roxanne Perez,
but not even the prodigy has done what Stephanie Vaquer has accomplished.
Vaquer made history in New York City,
inside the theater of Madison Square Garden.
We are looking at the first ever NXT Women's Double Champion, The Dark Angel.
I can only imagine what is on her mind here tonight.
[crowd chanting "Stephanie"]
I need to be honest,
this is difficult for me because English is not my first language.
[crowd cheering]
But, wrestling,
wrestling is my first language, and this prove it.
I had the opportunity to go to any promotion,
any brand, but I selected NXT,
because I want to make history and make it in the best
women's division on the planet.
[crowd cheering]
Last week, in New York against one of the best,
I prove why I am La Primera.
[crowd chanting "La Primera"]
Holding…
[crowd continues chanting]
Holding these two titles
makes me the best of the best,
[speaking Spanish]
And now, I'm waiting for my first opponent,
the woman to step into this ring, look me in the eyes,
[speaking Spanish]
[Jordynn Grace's music playing]
[Vic] Oh, Booker! It's the juggernaut!
[Booker] Hold the damn phone!
Stephanie,
let me just start by saying congratulations.
You truly are a trailblazer, and I cannot give you enough credit for that.
But you're not the only one who accomplished something
last week.
I beat Roxanne Perez,
a woman who elevated one of those titles
that you're holding to a completely a different level.
That victory puts me first.
[Booker] Oh baby! Oh baby!
Get up!
[Vic] Whoa, wait, what's she, hey!
What the hell is going on?
See, nah, nah Jordynn,
it don't work like that, baby.
You ain't first in line in anything around here,
because the line starts behind Jaida Parker.
And you noticed me.
Damn.
See, I'm not waitin' until Stand and Deliver to make my point.
Because, I'm taking my own shots.
So, Stephanie, congratulations, baby, I'm very proud of you.
You really did that, did she not?
Did she not?
But baby, do yourself a favor, okay?
Bask in all of your glory.
Hell, enjoy taking your pictures and your personal appearances,
hell, even maximize being a double champ, right?
Right? Because this,
[Jaida chuckles]
this right here?
It ain't gonna last too much longer, baby, because you said whoever comes out here
is your next opponent to look you in your eyes.
And baby, I am standing 10 toes down,
looking you dead in your eyes.
[crowd clapping]
So be careful what you ask for, Steph,
because Jaida Parker will make you reap what you sow.
Quit playing with me.
[music playing]
[Vic] Well, Book, can I get an S-D-Double-Q?
[Booker] Shuckie duckie, quack quack.
[Vic] What a championship matchup that could be.
It's not something but you remember what the Hardy's told us two-weeks ago?
Everything we got, laying it all on the line.
Take it to the extreme, take it to the next level.
Like when we played ball back in the day on that gridiron
and putting our hand in the dirt baby ready?
Yeah, that's right, you ready …?
Because, there's still only two truths in this world. We hit first.
And we hit last, damn it.
Extreme.
[Tank laughs maniacally]
-Extreme! -Extreme!
[speaking indistinctly]
[Vic] Well, Book, we're back live with some Tag-Team action.
-[Booker] Yeah, baby. -[Vic] Briggs, Inamura,
-[Vic] set to compete. -[Booker] Tag-Team action man, here we go.
[Booker] Here we go!
[Vic] You're considered a Tag-Team specialist.
[Booker] Specialist, extraordinaire.
Oh, yes.
[Mike] And their opponents, combining a 595 pounds, Hank Walker, Tank Pleasure.
[Vic] But let's go back. It was two weeks ago
when really things popped off for all four of these superstars.
Extreme!
[Vic] After taking the advice from the Hardy Boyz who are here,
Hank the Tank decided to crank things up from 10 to 11.
That brings us here to tonight and this
and this tag team match between these two teams.
[Booker T] Love it, man. Sometimes, you gotta make your own breaks.
[Vic] And here we go. It's starting to break down.
This is certainly gonna be a hard-hitting matchup
-between these two squads. -[bell rings]
Now, you see Briggs taking…
You know, you try to piece together some of the advice from The Hardys.
I mean, what do Hank and Tank need to figure out then?
[Booker T] No, no, Hank and Tank actually the most improved
tag team over these last 365 days,
taking the advice, taking the initiative,
take the fight right to Briggs and Inamura. Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] You know, we saw everything that happened…
-And Briggs now! -[Booker T] Here we go!
-[Vic] Bringing in the chokeslam! -[Booker T] We goin' home early. Woo!
[Vic] Little extra oomph on that. Into the cover goes Briggs.
And a kick-out. You know, we saw these two teams brawl two weeks ago.
We're gonna head to the unpredictable Underground in our main event.
-Cena-Rhodes yesterday on Raw. -[Booker T] Yeah!
We are certainly speeding down on the road to WrestleMania, baby,
[Booker T] WrestleMania, baby! Everybody gets a little antsy
this time of the season. But for myself, I love it, man.
All the action.
-And in Vegas? In Vegas? -[Vic] The action's getting great now.
I don't know if I'll be able to find you. Into the cover! Hook of the leg!
And another kick-out by Inamura.
You know, what is your Hall of Fame assessment of the tag team division?
Because we are on the road to WrestleMania and Stand & Deliver.
[Booker T] It's great right now. You gotta think about it.
Hardys coming back to the ring here in NXT.
That rumor says everything about this tag team division
and how hot it is right now, baby, just like that chop from Inamura.
[Vic] So, if you break it down further, I mean, how important then is this matchup
for these two teams?
[Booker T] No, if these guys aren't looking at this like
it's the number-one contenders match, they're looking at it the wrong way, man.
Who wins this match puts themselves in line for a tag team title shot!
[Vic] Speaking of the action, NXT hits the road this weekend.
Up and over, though, goes Briggs to the outside.
Hank and Tank now in control, and taking maybe a little bit too much time.
-And I might have misspoke. -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Vic] Oh! Well, they were trying to take things to the extreme.
[Booker T] No, no, no. See, that was some bad advice
they took from The Hardys. You don't wanna be doing that. [laughs]
I like the initiative, but not the extreme part of it.
[Vic] Speaking of The Hardy's, let's go back to last Tuesday,
sold-out theater, Madison Square Garden. What a match it was.
Fraxiom and The Hardy Boyz.
[Booker T] Yeah, we're talking about the title of that show, Roadblock.
Fraxiom definitely ran into a roadblock with The Hardys.
But that's just that experience, that veteran experience,
from The Hardys. That's all it is. Take nothing away from Fraxiom.
[Vic] Even Axiom, who was on WWE Live events in Spain,
battling the World Heavyweight Champion.
That being Gunther, of course. Now, Fraxiom's gonna have to refocus
-and rebound. -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Vic] And are they looking at a potential opponent?
In your opinion, they are. And that is why this matchup is so important.
And Inamura and Josh Briggs are in control,
and right now are controlling the pace and just taking it to--
-[Booker T] Oh, baby! -[Vic] Look, Hank tried to get back up.
He got knocked back down.
Briggs and Inamura, they are working like a well-oiled machine.
[Booker T] Josh Briggs took that trip to the Orient, man.
He found new life. And with Inamura, this guy, let me tell you something,
-he's truly a powerhouse. -[Vic] Into the cover.
-Hook of the leg! -[Booker T] Oh, here we go! Man!
[Vic] Something that's really impressive for all four men that are their size,
and I'm giving credit here to Hank and Tank as well,
but the speed of all four of these men,
the strength, the power, the blend of athleticism.
[Booker T] That's the new life that Josh Briggs has gotten
since, like I said, taking that trip to Japan.
Seems like this is something that he needed.
And right now, he's definitely, definitely motivated like never before.
-[Vic] You talk about that trip to Japan-- -You ain't extreme!
[Vic] Bringing over Inamura. I mean, how important has Briggs been to Inamura
since arriving from Japan?
-[Booker T] No, I mean-- -[Vic] Nice save.
[Booker T] Oh, baby! Oh, baby!
Big shot there by Tank.
And Hank's about to lose his damn mind.
But getting back to your question, very, very, very pivotal
as far as these two to each other, Briggs and Inamura.
But right now, big tag made.
[Vic] And a big right.
And it's Hank now taking out Josh Briggs.
Briggs is gonna need to make a tag to Inamura here before too much longer.
But it's Hank and Tank… Well, maybe not. Inamura just got knocked down.
They say they hit first, they hit last.
-Big bulldog. Whoa, whoa, whoa! -[Booker T] Oh! Oh, God!
-Let me tell you something. -[Vic] Oh, man!
[Booker T] Hank and Tank are truly a threat in this tag team division.
Looking for a big victory here.
[Vic] We were just talking about that speed and athleticism.
-[Booker T] Oh! -[Vic] Boss Man Slam!
-[Booker T] That's it! That's it! -[Vic] Tag.
And look who's back in
[crowd cheering]
Little two-for-one. Hank and Tank are rolling!
[Booker T] Cover him! Cover him, damn it!
[Vic] Oh, Hank… wiping out Inamura.
Back into the ring, the legal Superstar is Hank.
And he couldn't get the three. That left shoulder just got off the mat.
[Booker T] There was Hank freaking.
I mean, he took out Inamura, but he took himself out, as well.
[Vic] Well, you see Hank looking over at Tank, and Tank looking at Hank,
and they're saying, "Take it to the extreme."
Briggs is laid out.
Hank and Tank looking to fly.
-Oh, on the near side… -[Booker T grunts]
[Vic] On the near side of your screen, Hank got wiped out.
-[Booker T] Big time! -[Vic] Tank crashed and burned. Tag!
Tag was made. Inamura is legal.
-There's the speed, the power of Briggs. -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Vic] And now, Inamura set to fly
with a big, monstrous splash!
And a statement victory for Briggs and Inamura tonight!
[announcer] Here are your winners, the team of
Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura!
[Vic] Booker, every day that passes,
the anxiety of the uncertainty begins to rise
-within everyone in the locker room. -[Booker T] Man!
[Vic] You gotta take risks.
[Booker T] Yeah, but you gotta stay inside your comfort zone, as well.
You don't wanna step outside of that, because this is what can happen. Oh, God!
[Vic] Dangerous combination from Briggs and Inamura.
But they are all smiles here tonight.
For Hank and Tank,
they're still trying to figure it out.
["Journey Ahead" playing]
But in the topic of tag team action,
we're getting set for six-person tag team action.
There you see The Family who are gonna get their hands on this trio,
Dame, Niko, Jensen. It's next.
[indistinct chatter]
You about to take off, too?
No.
You know, Ridge,
-we actually got some stuff in common. -Oh?
Seems like no matter what we do,
no matter how hard we try, they don't accept us.
But you know what? Screw 'em.
Every single one of 'em.
You know, Eddy, I like your attitude.
And you're right.
They're bringing this shiny new toy, Ricky Saints, in off the street,
when I've put in years to this company and been shafted, left, right and center,
when you've put in years to this company.
You know what it is, too?
Saint is a sports entertainer, just like Trick Williams.
[chuckles] Well…
I'm going to deal with my sports entertainer tonight.
Just make sure you
-deal with yours. -You bet.
[Vic] Saints, Holland still to come.
And also Thorpe, Trick Williams battle.
They fight inside NXT Underground in our main event.
["All About Family" playing]
[bell dings]
[Mike] The following is a six-person mixed tag team match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing the D'Angelo Family,
Adriana Rizzo, Luca Crusifino
and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo!
[Vic] For The Family,
this has a lot to do with betrayal, animosity.
There has been venom spewed--
And no.
♪ Truth will ultimately prevail ♪
["Truth And Pain" playing]
♪ There is pain bringing it to light ♪
[Mike] And their opponents, accompanied to ring
by the NXT North American Champion, Shawn Spears, representing The Culling.
Izzi Dame, Niko Vance
and Brooks--
[Vic] Well, this didn't take long, Booker, to break down.
I've talked about the animosity.
I've talked about the venom.
And I was getting ready to say there is no Tony D'Angel.
The Don not out here at ringside.
That was a decision that was made
-by The Underboss. -[bell dings]
[Booker] Is this the plan?
I this the plan right here? Taking the fight to The Culling.
Right off the bat. Is this the plan?
[Vic] It seems to be working right now.
It's the women fight the women, men fight the men.
And Rizzo has been waiting to get her hands on Izzi Dame.
Because it was Izzi Dame who pulled the strings
to get The Don inside a steel cage with Shawn Spears,
and then stab The Family in the back.
[Booker] Very cunning is Izzi Dame.
[Vic] Now it's Jensen and it's The Underboss.
And has The Underboss truly handled business, as The Don said.
[Booker] Right now, Stacks is trying to stack a few bodies for his own sake.
If you feel what I'm saying.
But, no, Stacks, did he make the right move?
That's the question.
[Vic] There is The Underboss taking a look at the action.
And look, Book, you've been part of some factions.
nWo. I mean, you were saluting Chelsea Green earlier tonight.
Made me remember G.I. Bro and Misfits In Action.
I mean, The Don staying behind.
Was that the right suggestion by The Underboss?
[Booker] You just made me think about Major Gunns, man.
That's what you made me think about.
-But no-- -[Vic] Can you focus?
[Booker laughs] No, leaving The Don in the back,
that was the decision made by The Don, more so than anything.
I think he'd want to see exactly
what Stacks can do out here on his own, man.
[Vic] Well, we're talking Major Gunns.
A major distraction from Niko Vance.
Izzi Dame drops Rizzo and is now talking some smack back over to The Family.
[Booker] Man, I'm going to tell you right now.
Shawn Spears got his squad on point here tonight.
[Vic] And you wonder what The Don, Tony D'Angelo's
really thinking at this moment.
Certainly he wants another opportunity at Shawn Spears
to regain that North American Championship.
as The Underboss, trying to take care of business
not only out of the ring, but inside the ring.
[Booker] Shawn Spears, so calculative--
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] Oh, baby!
I call him the GPS, man.
All you got to do is just put in the coordinates,
and he will get you there, man.
[Vic] Turning right around, Jensen going to go flying.
And this is the time of year The Family always seems to put it together.
Last year, The Don challenged for the NXT title at Stand & Deliver.
The year prior, Tony D was able to beat Tommaso Ciampa
over WrestleMania weekend.
Tony, by the way, the pillar of a certain area in this brand's history.
And once again, The Family is lighting up the skies here in NXT.
-[Booker] A totally different style. -[Vic] Booker, look!
-[Booker] Oh, man! -[Vic] Izzi Dame…
coming out of nowhere, but Rizzo able to survive.
She's standing.
And she's not standing anymore. She's flying.
Things breaking down.
Which family is going to stand tall tonight on NXT?
This is the real family!
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT!
[Vic] And, Booker, what a match this has been.
Six-person tag team action.
Niko Vance back in.
That is not a man you want to meet in a back alley.
[Booker] The Culling right now, they're grinding, man, they're grinding.
Like a well-oiled machine right there.
Everything-- Oh!
-[Vic] Ooh! -[Booker] That was hot.
That was hot.
Too tight. Too tight for you, man!
Oh, yes!
[Vic] Put a little Cholula Green on that.
[Booker] A little hot sauce, man.
[Vic] I hate to steal your catchphrases, but that one applied there.
And look at this. Tag team tandem offense.
[Booker] What? What?
[Vic] Have you ever seen anything like that?
And then a big--
[Booker] You got to be kidding me.
[Vic] And he stole your move?
[Booker] No, no, no. I give him that. I give him that.
If anything works for you, you use it, man.
Take it and make it your own.
I love this kid.
[Vic] Luca Crusifino could have sensed Channing had a breakdown.
[Booker] Wow!
You see that scissor kick?
[Vic] Saw that scissor kick. You teach him that?
[Booker] It's text book.
[Vic] And oh! Izzi Dame.
[Booker] Textbook.
[Vic] Izzi Dame right to the side of the face.
And the official didn't see what happened.
Into the cover, and a near fall.
Brooks Jensen, your college student,
was able to distract the official for a moment.
[Booker] Great work there by Brooks.
That's what I'm talking about. That's what I'm talking about.
Shawn Spears has guided his team
in here to almost victory.
We're close. We're real close right now.
And my question is, what would a loss do for The Family right now?
What would a loss do?
[Vic] What would a loss do for The Culling?
Because Spears has built this family to get him to where he is now.
[Booker] Right now, he's coming off a big win.
What would another big loss do for The Family?
It could definitely implode from the inside.
Trust me, man.
[Vic] I can't argue. It certainly would be demoralizing.
[Booker] Devastating. Devastating is the word you're looking for.
Demoralizing is the word you're looking for right now.
[Vic] That's the word I just used.
So you heard me say it, which is why you thought of it.
And now it's Stacks who has to think of a way
to get out of this hold from Niko Vance.
Vance really trying to hold on for dear life,
and finally creating a little bit of separation
was The Underboss.
Trying one more time to kick his way free.
Because Stacks desperately needs to get out.
Jensen made the tag.
[Booker] Oh, baby!
He's moving quickly with purpose, with purpose.
Up to the top rope.
Oh! So close.
[Vic] But not close enough.
And here is the moment now…
for Stacks. And hey!
[Booker] Was the tag made?
[Vic] I don't think a tag was made.
[Booker] I didn't see a tag made.
[Vic] You going in there and tell them that's illegal.
See what happens to you.
The tag was just made.
And in comes Luca.
The legal beagle swinging away.
Oh!
[Booker] He's got a hell of a future.
I'm going to tell you that right now.
Oh, yes, Crusifino.
Right now paying all the bills. Paying all the bills.
[Vic] He is hitting with purpose.
He has seen what The Don has had to go through.
What his family has had to go through.
He wants payback in the worst way, and he essentially right now
is taking on The Culling by himself.
-Bam! -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Cover, count,
and Izzi Dame will break it up.
[Vic] And Rizzo back in!
I don't know how they're gonna to keep these two super…
Right here …
Trying to call out Jensen half and half turning Vance inside
out right back in shatter machine!
[Booker] Got all of it.
[Vic] And a little bit more. And there's The Don.
He's happy. He sees the family getting ready for a big, big--
[man] Hey, Tony.
It's those four rogue athletes.
Come on, …
[Vic] And the family is realizing what is happening to the Don.
And there's nothing they can do. This match up continuing.
I'm absolutely stunned.
The NXT universe absolutely shocked, and Stacks dropped to the outside.
Luca planted inside the middle of the ring, and The Culling
[bell dinging]
steal this six-person tag.
[Mike] Here are your winners,
The Culling!
[Vic] I don't even know what to say.
I don't even want to say demoralizing.
I don't want to use another descriptor because the family was distracted.
They had everything coming up their way.
And then those four rogue performance athletes,
jumping, attacking blindsiding like we've seen them do.
Taking out Tony D'Angelo.
That is what the family was witnessing.
The match would continue Shawn Spears.
He didn't care what was going on in the back.
He wanted results.
And that is exactly what Niko Vance got him tonight.
[Vic] The Culling.
Victorious, but what the hell is going on in the back?
Tony needs some help.
Steph as first women's double champion,
you said you wanted a challenge and you got it. Next week,
you and Jada Parker for your NXT title.
Being the best of the best women's division--
[Fallon] Hi Ava!
-Remember me? -Unfortunately, yes.
When is my championship rematch?
Fallon. We talk about this every week, almost every day--
And I'm gonna keep bringing it up every time I see you, Ava.
Because why haven't I gotten it yet? I deserve my rematch.
-We've talked-- -Give her the rematch.
Perfect. You hear that?
And I want it next week.
Next week's not gonna work, she already has a match against Jada.
I mean, not my problem.
She wants to be double champion, right, La Primera?
Fallon, you already know I am La Primera.
Oh, do I?
Then you have no problem facing me after your match with Jada.
-Done. -Done?
You hear that? She gave me what I wanted.
I get the second match, I finally get what I want.
Enough, door's over there.
Don't let it hit you on the way out.
Anyways, two title matches next week.
It's a big night for you.
[bell dinging]
[Mike] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Ashante 'Thee' Adonis,
Karmen Petrovic!
[Vic] She's gold blooded.
She's a black belt.
She's a superstar who Booker is ready to get back
onto her winning ways.
That is Karmen Petrovic.
Along with her man, Ashante Adonis.
Is she going to be able to get back on her winning ways
because she takes on your self proclaimed rock star.
[Booker] Daba dab doo.
-[Vic] Next. -[Booker] Yes!
[Vic] Let's go back moments ago, this happened during
the six-person tag team match of Tony D'Angelo,
who was staying in the back, was watching
when he was attacked.
Come on, …
Nobody's safe.
We been trying to tell y'all
[Tony whimpering]
We've been trying to tell you.
Ain't nobody safe.
Come on, move!
That's how we do.
[Vic] Well, you see the aftermath and the message was certainly sent.
No one is safe.
[Mike] and her opponent, representing Fatal Influence, Jacy Jayne!
[Vic] Booker, let's go back to last month.
And the reason we're having this match-up.
Because it was Karmen Petrovic who picked up a big victory.
Only to have Fatal Influence not only arrive on the scene
to wipe her out, but also do damage
to Ashante.
They have evil intentions.
They are the goddesses of hostility.
-And for your "rock star"-- -[Booker] The rock star!
Baby!
[Vic] She's looking to play a tune here tonight.
[Booker] Yes, indeed. Did you get your ticket?
Did you get your ticket, man, or what?
'Cause this is a sellout here tonight. And you know why?
Because Jacy Jayne is in the building.
Let's talk about Karmen Petrovic.
[Vic] She really has come into her own since she and Ashante became an item.
She went on the the longest winning streak of her career.
Not only that, she's had championship opportunities.
[Booker] You know why she's got a man.
She don't want any of these women near him, so she's been focused.
She has no friends, Vic. That's what it is.
She's focused on the task ahead.
I love that, I love that.
I thought we were going to get a clean break.
You think again when it comes to Jacy Jayne and, of course--
What are you talking about? That was a clean break.
What are you talking about? She didn't back up and let Karmen…
-[Booker] She didn't have to! -[Vic] She kicked her in the stomach.
[Booker] Okay. Okay.
[Vic] Nice fireman's roll through.
Referee trying to get out of the way and Petrovic charging right in,
going into the cover hook of the leg and a kick out.
You know, I talk about Karmen Petrovic being the best version of herself.
The same can be said for the man on the outside
that being Ashante 'Thee' Adonis, who's looking on,
recently enrolled back into college getting a biology degree,
said that he and Karmen got good bed chem,
and that's bringing out the best in each other.
[Booker] You know what? I like everything about Ashante Adonis,
but I kinda feel sorry for Karmen Petrovic because the dude, he's a player.
-He's gonna leave her. -[Vic] Stop it. Cover, hook of the leg,
went for the win and a kick out.
Why you gotta say something like that?
[Booker] Papa was a rolling stone, wherever he laid his hat
was his home.
That's that man.
Ashante Adonis, man.
Pheromones.
[Vic] You're out here just giving love advice to everybody, huh?
Where were you around Valentine's Day for half the roster here?
A big kick to the stomach.
I want to get back to Fallon Henley, who's here on the outside
because she's going to be all smiles.
Of course, she has a championship opportunity
to try to regain her Women's North American title.
[Booker] Can you imagine, Stephanie Vaquer is going to have to do double duty?
[Vic] I can't believe that.
[Booker] That right there, that's something different.
That's special. Can she do it? That's the question.
[Vic] Ms. Parker has to be happy as well.
And look, Book, let's give you your credit.
At one point, you were the WCW United States and World Champion.
Do you ever remember having to defend
two championships in one night against two different opponents?
[Booker] It's gonna be the hardest night of Stephanie Vaquer's career.
But I can tell you right now,
if she could beat those two ladies,
it's the beginning of clearing out the division,
and I love it, moving up to the main roster.
That's what it's all about.
I get it, I get it Vic.
[Vic] Know that, the Shing Shing Squad right now, not liking what they're seeing
because it has been all Jacy Jane for the last few moments.
Into the cover, hook of the leg and another near fall.
You know, we've talked about this all night.
How crucial are these matches as we inch closer to standing liver?
We know Jacy Jayne wants to get back.
On WrestleMania weekend.
[Booker] Which I mean stand to deliver, but like you said,
WrestleMania season man.
Everybody right now is chopping at the bit.
And I always said television time is what is what.
Worth is waiting all.
[inaudible]
You're learning something Vic.
I like it.
[Vic] Trying to pick up a victory here.
Interesting enough, it was her and Fallon Henley
who were on opposite sides last year at Stan and Liver.
And what a difference certainly a year makes here on NXT
[Booker] Jacy Jayne is definitely trying to get back in power man.
That's what it's all about.
[both] Oh!
[Vic] Double clothesline, both women with the same thought process.
And what is Adonis?
Do Adonis has a steel chair?
And remember, Adonis was taken out by a steel chair, last month.
[Booker] Wow, wow, wow.
[crowd murmuring]
[referee] What are you doing?
-Yo! Come on. -Hit her
[Vic] Felix Fernandez, the official warning
Come on.
[Vic] Karmen Petrovic I mean, you want to win or
[Booker] What about win--
[Vic] You want payback.
[thuds]
[Booker] Wow!
[referee] Put that away. Come on.
[Vic] There's Petrovic, Petrovic wants to do this the right way.
If she wants to earn this victory.
She is not an athlete who tries to cut any sort of corners.
[Booker] Didn't I tell you Ashante Adonis.
He's a bad influence.
Hong Kong. My bedroom
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] Oh! beautiful timing.
[Vic] There is that rolling encore from the corner,
and the concert is over tonight for Petrovic.
[Booker] Jacy he left the building.
[announcer] Here's you winner Jacy Jane.
[Vic] Well, she's still in the ring, Booker.
But I understand what you're trying to say.
Yes, big victory.
For Jacy Jane
Let's go back to some of the action in this match.
This is the turning point.
You said he's a bad influence.
He tried to get a little bit of payback.
It certainly didn't help bam that rolling encore from Jane.
-[Vic] Sealed the deal here tonight. -[bell rings]
And for Petrovic and Adonis, not on the same page this evening.
As Jacy follows up on their fatal mistake here tonight.
[Jacy theme playing]
Everything we did, everything the Hardy boyz said man,
We were extreme, right?
So extreme.
I think we did it wrong.
We must have
because we got advice from one of the best
tag teams in the world and we still came up short.
I don't know what to do anymore, Hank.
Maybe we should need more advice, man.
Maybe we should need to talk to teams that are on the level.
We want to get, you know. You know I mean.
Listen these two? Look, man, it doesn't necessarily matter
what information you get from a legendary tag team.
If you ain't got it.
You just ain't got it.
Look, stick to what you're good at.
And by the looks of it, that eating contest.
Eating contest really really?
Go, go, go. Let him get back.
Welcome.
To the revolution.
-[crowd cheering] -[Ricky theme playing]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Weighing in at 200 pounds.
Ricky Saints.
[Vic] Well, we are certainly in for an experience here in moments.
Ricky Saenz set for his first singles match, here in NXT.
It's live and it's next on NXT.
[crowd cheering]
[music playing]
Look Next week my NXT Women's title match
against Stephanie Vaquer is set.
See, I done told y'all I am done.
Waiting around because it is stand and deliver season.
And that new girl, Jordynne Grace done messed around and found out
nobody that gets in my way of me getting what I want
and what I want is to walk into Las Vegas.
I stand and deliver as the NXT Women's champion,
and next week we're not shooting dice.
We're not playing no cards and we're damn sure not spinning no wheels.
Weak are getting a new NXT women's champion
and you're looking right at her.
Clock it.
[Ricky theme playing]
[Vic] It's the NXT singles one on one in ring debut of Ricky Saenz,
[Ridge theme playing]
[announcer] And his opponent.
From Yorkshire is weighing in at 253 pounds.
Ridge Holland.
[Vic] It's safe to say Ridge is not impressed.
With the hottest free agent in recent memory.
He is getting right in the face of Saints.
And let's not forget earlier tonight,
talking to Eddy Thorpe, they were talking about
sports entertainers, talking about wrestlers,
talking about the path they have taken.
It was Ridge Holland, who said he will take care
of his sports entertainer here tonight.
[Booker] Ridge Holland has a golden opportunity here to break Ricky Saints.
To hurt possibly Maine, Ricky Saints like I know he can.
Like he's done before.
Right here tonight.
Stop this train right on the tracks right now.
I love it, man.
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] There's no doubt who the NXT Universe is behind.
And a big right firing back now is Saints.
And Saints now,
picking up the offensive aggression in this matchup, but just got caught.
Got hoisted, slips down the back,
duck in a clothesline right back in Dropkick.
Right on the but.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Into post.
[Booker] Right there, he's reading his own press clip.
I don't like that too much.
What's wrong with Ridge?
And Ridge oh!
The original stoop to any level to get any sort.
Of advantage in a matchup.
[Booker] Same stick his eyes off the ball for one second
and he's always talking about why people so angry here,
in NXT because it's about checks and championships.
That's why we're mad, damn it.
[Vic] Oh! Kick out.
Saints in this matchup.
Now just trying to get back to a vertical base
because Ridge Holland is right on top of
his opponent, Holland, who comes in tonight,
winner of seven of his last 10 matches,
declared he was going to take care of Saints here tonight,
while they fight it out, I actually want to go back.
To something that happened moments ago.
[thuds]
In this match, up is off the suplex, into the cover and another near fall.
You know, Saints best offensive onslaught in this match up
came right here.
And with that dropkick.
But it was Ridge Holland was able to slam the door shut.
On Saints momentum.
Up over Saints now trying to take Holland down.
Shoulders are down in another near fall,
but I want to go back to the tag team division.
And what advice would you have?
For a team like Hank and Tank.
Hank and Tank, all they need to do is just stay the course, man.
It's all about reps.
It's all about trying to fuel that playbook.
It's all about trying to fuel that toolbox.
I mean, they got all the talent. Well, I said it,
most improved tag team of the year.
[Vic] Still a huge main event still to come.
There is Trick Williams getting in a mindset…
[Booker T] Look at the eyes.
[Vic] …of survival, as we're going to head into NXT Underground,
in our main event here live tonight on NXT.
But Ridge Holland slowly, methodically
trying to take apart Ricky Saints here tonight,
and Saints right back in having to leave his feet.
And Saints now, we'll see if he can string together some offense.
And it's hard not to gravitate towards Ricky Saints. I just got to say it.
[Booker T] The kid has a lot of charisma.
…that magnetic charm. I mean, he has all of that.
I'm gonna tell you right now,
none of that means nothing to somebody like Ridge Holland.
Somebody who has felt slighted, to the least here in NXT.
A guy who's not getting a fanfare like somebody like Ricky Saints,
who just walked in the damn door. Come on, man.
[Vic] How about that?
The inverted backbreaker. And now focusing in
on the small of the back of Ricky Saints is Ridge Holland.
Holland, whose power certainly would be a difference maker in this matchup.
And I hear what you're saying, Book.
But I think what you're also trying to say is Ridge Holland
is envious of Saints, and he doesn't get--
[Booker T] Who wouldn't be?
Ricky Saints was a free agent for about ten minutes before he got signed.
He came here with a lot of fanfare.
Don't you think Ridge Holland should feel some kind of way about that?
After being here, putting in the damn work. Vic, come on.
[Vic] For Ridge Holland,
someone who talked about all the work he has put in.
He should kind of tip the cap, so to speak, to Ricky Saints.
As Saints goes, up over… Did you see his lower back just smack?
[Booker T] That was on purpose right there.
Ridge Holland is a monster.
[Vic] Well, Saints able to get back into this matchup.
It is all Ridge Holland who is in control on NXT.
Saints has not been able to get out of the blocks in this matchup,
and it has been all Ridge Holland.
And really, as you mentioned, Book, the air has been taken out
of the NXT Universe as a Full Nelson being applied right now,
and maybe looking for a Full Nelson Bomb,
Saints goes under… [indistinct] Covered here.
[Booker T] If Starks had grabbed the bottom rope,
he might have got three count.
[Vic] He's not a man who's gonna cheat.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Vic] Ricky Saints, the man who's going to come in here,
and he's going to earn everything
[Booker T] What are you talking about?
If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying in this business.
How many times have I had to say this to you?
Come on, to be back in the locker room right now,
taking a shower, getting ready to catch a plane to the next town.
[Vic] I thought you said it was about checks and championships.
-[Booker T] That too. -[Vic] That's four things in, Book.
That's part of. Champagne wishes, caviar dreams, add that too.
[Vic] You've got a bingo list at home.
Put a marker down… Big right hand, though, by Saints
who just rocked Ridge Holland.
Now it's Saints who's trying to go marching in here tonight,
goes up, goes around and gets dropped one more time.
The air out of Saints' lungs and somehow he's able to kick out.
[Booker T] Ricky Saints is going to have to hit Ridge Holland
with a shot, a big shot that's gonna have to separate him from his senses,
and I don't think he's gonna be able to do that.
[Vic] Talk about getting knocked from your senses.
We're going to head to the Underground.
Still to come in our main event, there is Eddy Thorpe,
who is mentally preparing to enter the Underground once again, here on NXT.
But it's Saints, it's Holland going one-on-one tonight,
[Booker T] I actually said "separated" from his senses, separated.
[Vic] It's called a "connection." I was trying to connect the dots.
Don't start coming at me after you're stealing my words
to make your own point earlier tonight.
The point, though being proved here by Ridge Holland.
He doesn't want sports entertainers.
He wants wrestlers. He wants people that respects the journey he's been on.
Much like Eddy Thorpe, who's been to…
[Booker T] He's talking about paying your dues.
You don't just walk in the door, and next thing you know,
you're getting title shots around here. Ricky Saints asked the question.
He asked, "Why are people so mad?" I told you, man, it's about winning.
It's about going out there. and taking what you want here in NXT.
[Vic] You've been in many different locker rooms.
So then tell me why the locker room doesn't accept someone like Ridge Holland?
-He says he's an outsider. -[Booker T] He is. He's a nomad.
He's the guy that's going out there and he's hurt a lot of people,
and the thing is, he's done it on purpose.
Of course, Does he feel good about it? Perhaps not.
After the fact that in the moment, this guy is very dangerous.
[Vic] He's not going to like the effects
or feeling good after that big back drop.
And now it's against Saints who's trying to rally late in this matchup.
[Booker T] Can he hit him with a big shot? Wow!
That's a big shot. That was one big shot.
But that guy's gonna need a whole lot more to keep this big monster down.
[Vic] You can say that again, and you see the pain
on the face of Saints, the lower back and… Oh!
[Booker T] Wicked. Wicked neckbreaker right there.
[Vic] You can say that again. A little shake, rattle and roll.
As Saints… There's so much taken out of him,
he can't get back to his feet.
Ridge Holland right here in front of us.
Certainly not at…
[Booker T] That was hot. That was hot, Saints. Oh! Play it in, son.
[Vic] I think he's listening to you, Book.
I think, Booker, you just fired up Ricky Saints.
Because if you looked in the eyes of that man,
the fun and games, the smile is gone. He knows he's got to fight now.
[Booker T] No plan, no job. Just vicious.
This is the biggest night of Ricky Saints' career, here in the NXT.
No doubt. He needs to win right here, Vic.
[Vic] This is a matchup that also Ridge Holland can't afford to lose.
-As now, both men-- -[Booker T] But wait.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Vic] Teetering, precarious position, so to speak.
Saints, feeding off the energy of the NXT Universe, goes right around,
and able to drop Holland.
This is that moment now.
Missed cue by Ridge. Big kick.
Right back up. Oh, Saints,
looking to get a little extra on that DDT.
-[Booker T] I love it. -[Vic] Tornado style.
Back up, back in.
Saints looking around hoisting up, dropping Holland. Cover.
[crowd] One, two, three.
-[crowd cheering] -[bell dings]
[Vic] And a huge victory for Saints.
[ring announcer] Here is your winner, Ricky Saints.
[Vic] So much taken out of that lower back,
he couldn't get all of his Rochambeau.
But indeed here tonight, the Saints answered the call,
stood toe-to-toe with Ridge Holland.
Proved what he's made of.
Proved what he's got in the tank.
And we are indeed, we are witnessing the revolution here in NXT.
And for that man, the stock continues to rise and continues to soar
for Ricky Saints.
Well, while we're all excited for WrestleMania week,
coming up in moments, we head to the dangerous Underground of NXT.
Who will win? Who will survive?
Williams, Thorpe, next.
Let's go back to earlier tonight, Tony D'Angelo
was watching the family and was attacked
by these four world performance center athletes.
And it's safe to say, no one is safe.
Excuse me, excuse me, guys, guys, you just attacked another NXT superstar.
Everybody wanna know what we got to say, right?
Everybody wanna know what we all about.
So I'll tell you like this, we heard that here in NXT, you gotta earn your spot.
And that makes us sick, the whole we are NXT bull.
Nah, waiting around got us nowhere.
Look, the four of us aren't built to sit on the sidelines.
What you see here, four game changers, four difference makers.
We saw the landscape of NXT, and that don't work for us.
We're restructuring, remodeling, reshaping it the way that we want it.
Hey, Big O, I'm making it real, real simple for y'all, G.
When Dark State strikes, ain't nobody safe.
And the chaos is finna continue. And we made our statement.
-Do we make our statement tonight? -Do we?
I feel like we ain't really, I feel like they don't get it yet.
All right, let's go do it then. I feel like--
-Come on now. Let's go, baby. -I feel like we don't get it yet.
Oh, baby, we got four wild dogs, man.
What do you do with a wild dog? You gotta put it down, man.
You better do it. You better do it quick, trust me.
-I heard what they said. -They dangerous, they dangerous.
You can say that again. My head's on a swivel, as should everybody's be here
in NXT, because no one is safe.
As for next week, I mean, it's been quite a night here
this week, but we found out earlier, and it's certainly official.
We will kick off the night. Next week was Stephanie Vaquer defending.
the NXT Women's Championship against Jaida Parker.
The Dark Angel showing no fear, not only in the face of Jaida Parker,
but she will also defend her women's North American title
in the main event against Fallon Henley. Henley, finally gets her rematch,
and the first female double champion,
Stephanie Vaquer in NXT's history, is gonna be pulling double duty.
Two championship matches live next Tuesday here on NXT.
But on the topic of championships, another championship will also be
on the line because this has been made official.
Lexis King will face the young OG, Je'Von Evans,
after their altercation earlier. Who will walk out
with the Heritage Cup Championship on a golden edition of NXT.
And I understand right now, Kelly Kincaid is standing by.
Congratulations on your first singles victory here at NXT.
Oh, thank you, thank you very much.
As you know, it is stand and deliver season,
so every win counts, every moment matters.
And I am going to deliver on every single promise
that I stated when I first got here.
And that also begins with me bringing an entirely new revolution
-straight to-- -Kelly, leave.
Oh, I guess the interview's over now, huh? Thanks, guys.
Let me guess, y'all don't care for outsiders either, huh?
Saints, this revolution that you talk about is happening right before your eyes.
-What we did to the D'Angelo family. -Ah.
It took four guys to put out Tony.
Saints, you have the confidence of a much, much larger man.
I'll give it to you.
Your charisma and star power are some of the best in the world.
But it just doesn't seem you measure up.
You shouldn't be laughing and you need to get your eyes checked, sweetheart.
One thing about Ricky Saints is that I always measure up in the right places.
[all cheering]
[grunts]
["Let The Good Times Roll" playing]
You got no catchphrase for that one?
[Booker T laughs]
Well, we are getting ready to enter in to the dangerous,
the unpredictable NXT Underground.
This is where someone like Eddy Thorpe has thrived.
-Yes. -He is undefeated in this matchup.
He calls himself the king of the underground.
-As well he should. -Well, the king defends his territory
-There he is. -here tonight.
Thorpe, Williams, and NXT Underground next.
This is not a video game. This is real life for Eddy Thorpe.
And this is NXT Underground.
There you see some superstars standing around the ring.
You may see some familiar faces, stars of WWE evolve.
But here tonight,
they're getting a close and personal look inside the underground.
["Locked In" playing]
What?
Yeah!
Uh-huh.
I like it.
Oh, yeah, man.
Some have questioned, is Trick ready to enter this environment?
Remember what he did to Cale Dixon. It's a new attitude.
-It's a new vibe for Trick Williams. -Uh-huh.
And this match, this fight, unlike anything we're used to,
here's the rules. of NXT Underground when it comes to what these two men
are about to go through here live on NXT.
And they're pretty simple. No counts, no pinfalls.
You only win by knocking your opponent out or making him tap.
Here we go. Let's go up to Mike Rome.
-[bell dinging] -Yeah!
[announcer] The following is
an NXT Underground
match!
In this match, the only way to win is by knockout or submission.
Introducing first, from Reno, Nevada,
weighing in at 223 pounds,
Eddy Thorpe!
Thorpe, undefeated in this fight, the king of the underground.
And his opponent, from Columbia, South Carolina,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
Trick Williams!
This matchup's so dangerous, so unpredictable.
The last men's underground match was nearly two years ago, in 2023.
And you gotta admire the courage of both these men, as here we go,
fight is underway, Book.
I like that strap match. I don't think Trick Williams
will underestimate Eddy Thorpe's ability inside the underground.
-No, man. -This robbery dates back to last year,
blindsided attacks.
Verbal altercations, battles over the NXT Championship.
It certainly ends here tonight.
And early on in this matchup, it's Eddy Thorpe
who seems to be in prime position.
But we know this is gonna be a fight,
and the referee there is only there for one reason,
to see a snap or to see you get knocked out.
[Booker T] Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed.
Right now the action is getting hot and heavy and we are already moving--
Looking toward the furniture.
[Vic] And again, everything takes place,
and look, these men and women from Evolve…
-getting out of the way. -[Booker T] Here we go.
[Vic] And Trick Williams evolving right in front of our eyes.
[Booker T] Yes. Look at the eyes.
[Vic] And Trick now…
Is Trick starting to find out really who he is?
[Booker T] Trick's finding that mindset that he's gonna go in there,
you know, thinking he's in the kill zone.
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker T] Oh, yes, man!
-Big shot. -[Vic] You can say that again.
Trick Williams wanted everyone to get the hell out of the way.
And Williams charging in, but no one there.
And I just heard the thud of Trick Williams' body.
[Booker T] Trick's going all out right now.
He knows exactly what this needs in the Underground.
It means by any means necessary, you've got to win, man.
[Vic] You can see the energy,
it has been up all night long here from the NXT Universe.
Some are on their feet, everyone looking through their phone,
they want to capture this moment.
Eddy Thorpe asked the official
to check after that jumping knee on Trick Williams.
Williams is still in this fight.
Again, knockout, submission and looking for the knockout right now,
-it's Eddy Thorpe! -[crowd cheering]
Feel the impact.
[Booker T] Beautiful work by Eddy Thorpe.
Beautiful work.
[Vic] This is our main event, we are inside NXT Underground.
Earlier tonight, Thorpe said he would take care of his sports entertainer.
Ridge Holland didn't do it earlier against Ricky Saints.
Can Eddy Thorpe do it here and now?
Thorpe could be closing in on a big victory
and what a win it would be.
Think about the time of year. Stand and Deliver season.
Road to Wrestlemania, head into Las Vegas.
And he might be headed to the dentist, Eddy Thorpe after that big right hand.
Big body slam by Trick Williams.
[Booker T] Eddy took a big shot,
but I must say, this is Eddy's comfort zone,
he's been here many, many times before.
They don't call him the king of the Underground for nothing.
Trust me on that. Oh, beautiful.
[Vic] And now for that submission. It is knockout or submission,
the only way to win this match-up.
[Vic] Got Trick Williams down.
[Booker T] Exactly what I'm talking about.
[Vic] Eddy Thorpe now, almost with a triangle locked in.
And is he going to get Trick Williams to tap?
What must be going through the body of Trick Williams?
Trick trying to overcome, overpower and he's able to break the hold.
[Booker T] Didn't get all of him.
[Vic] Cinched in is Eddy Thorpe.
That wasn't a tap, this match continuing.
Eddy Thorpe holding one arm
and is just squeezing the life out of Trick.
[Booker T] This is Eddy's comfort zone.
Eddy knows exactly the ring position.
Oh! Got caught.
[Vic] You said any means necessary.
Trick just needed to get some sort of advantage,
just needed to get away from Eddy Thorpe.
[Booker T] A little relief to pain on that shoulder right there,
definitely has to be excruciating.
[Vic] Back in. Whoa. No one connects.
Oh, my word!
Trick Shot and Trick right now.
Like a shark in water smelling blood. Thorpe down, hammer fist.
The referee is right there, he's got to stop it.
-[bell ringing] -We got ourselves a knockout!
[crowd cheering]
[music playing]
Holy crap!
[ring announcer] Winner by TKO,
Trick Williams!
[Vic] Not just a KO, that was a TKO.
From Trick to Thorpe.
Wait a minute. Hold on a second.
-Cut the music. -[music stops]
Eddy Thorpe, you better learn how to squabble.
Now that we are getting ready for Stand and Deliver season.
Oba, bring your punk ass out here.
Hold on. Make sure you got my title.
-[music resumes] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Expect the unexpected.
Booker, you are taking a deep breath right now.
This has been a hellacious night.
[Booker T] Always expect the unexpected here at NXT.
Is this what you want?
[Vic] Oba walking and talking,
and now we might see some hands get thrown.
[Booker T] I love it.
[Vic] Everyone standing.
Oh. Booker, Booker… Oh, no.
They said they were not safe, and wait--
That's Je'Von Evans. Hey! That's Je'Von Evans.
Oba and Trick. The fight is on!
Je'Von jumping in. All hell is breaking loose!
[Booker T] Damn! [indistinct]
[Vic] This is pandemonium!
We need more bodies out here, Booker.
[Booker T] No, no. Let the bodies hit the floor, man!
Let the bodies hit the floor. This is a fight.
[Vic] Those four rogue men,
they're making their way closer and closer to ringside.
Oba and Trick cannot not be separated.
Je'Von just hit a cutter on the NXT champion.
And look around, these four, known as Dark State,
have wreaked absolute havoc.
Created nothing but chaos.
[music continues playing]
And no one listened to Je'Von Evans' warning.
Je'Von Evans came here to warn these two ready for a fight.
In the end, he was pushed, he was provoked,
and then he dropped the NXT champion, Oba Femi.
So when it comes to no one listening to Evans…
The NXT champion didn't listen, nor did Trick Williams.
But next week,
Stephanie Vaquer will defend not just one of her titles,
but both of her titles.
The Women's Championship against Jaida Parker,
to kick off the night.
And in our main event,
it'll be the Women's North American title against Fallon Henley.
Our first ever women's double champion pulling double duty live.
But I'm worried about what's happening right now
with these four men, Dark State, looking on.
No one listened to Je'Von Evans,
not the champion, not Trick Williams.
But I ask you this right now, to everyone watching around the world,
does Je'Von Evans, does The Young OG,
does he have your attention now?
[music continues] attention now?