[epic music plays]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music stops]
[Vic] A No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal. In all,
25 men from LFG, from Evolve,
from NXT, and yes, even from TNA.
[crowd cheering]
[Elijah] Who wants to rock
with Elijah?
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Over the top rope, both feet must hit the floor.
You are eliminated.
Who will face Oba Femi for the NXT championship at Battleground?
-[Corey] Oh, ho, ho! -[Booker T] Wow!
[Corey] Elijah with an elimination of Charlie Dempsey
and Dempsey asked for help from Myles Borne.
Borne turned the other way.
[Booker T] There's no allies here, guys.
No allies.
[suspenseful music playing]
♪ Say his name and he appears ♪
[Vic] Joe Hendry is here again.
-[Booker T] What the hell? -[Corey] Wow!
[Vic] The door was open to eliminate Trick Williams.
[Corey] Everyone knows the opportunity at handed is a life changer,
is a career changer, and could lead you to the next level.
Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[suspenseful music playing]
-[Corey] Oh! -[Vic] Oh! Knocked into Spears.
Spears over. Borne did it.
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] A stunner on a Tuesday.
[Corey] Talk about a long shot, a dark horse.
Myles Borne with the dropkick of destiny.
At Battleground, Myles can prove, he was going to be a champion.
With a new dog in the house.
Oba, I'm coming for you at Battleground.
[music playing]
-[NXT theme playing] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting 'NXT']
[Myles theme playing]
[Vic] We are kicking things off,
with the No. 1 Contender to the NXT championship.
[Myles theme playing]
[Mike] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the No. 1 Contender to the NXT championship,
No Quarter Catch Crew.
Myles Borne.
[Vic] It's been a big week for Myles Borne.
You can only imagine what's on his mind
entering not only this moment but his championship match at Battleground.
Welcome. At ringside,
Vic Joseph alongside Booker T and Corey Graves.
Book, we know who you picked in that Battle Royal.
But look, you called it the dropkick of destiny.
If I hadn't been seated right here at ringside
and witnessed it with my own eyes, I don't know that I would believe it.
But here we are, a week later, it is the reality of the situation.
Myles Borne is the No. 1 Contender.
[crowd chanting "Myles"]
Last week,
I shocked the damn world.
[crowd chanting]
25 of the toughest men
across NXT, LFG, and Evolve,
and I was the last man standing.
And now I'm going to Battleground.
[crowd cheering]
Now,
I probably wasn't the first pick,
or your second,
maybe not even your third.
But that's okay.
I'm used to this.
We have been dancing around this whole thing for a while now,
but I have a disability.
[crowd clamoring]
I'm partially deaf.
It affects my speech.
It affects the way that I talk.
But let me tell you something.
Last week,
when I eliminated Ethan Page and Shawn Spears.
[crowd cheering]
I heard y'all going crazy.
[crowd cheering]
I don't want to just be known as the deaf kid.
I want to be judged by my ability.
[crowd cheering]
Not by my disability.
[crowd applause]
And that's what everyone with a disability wants to be judged by.
So yeah, Battleground,
I'm the underdog.
I'm facing a dominant champion.
But I'm fighting for all the kids out there who are struggling,
fighting their own fight.
[crowd cheering]
To prove that you too can achieve success.
Oba Femi.
I hope you are listening,
because last week they didn't give me a shot,
but look what happened.
May 25th.
They're not giving me a shot, but I'm ready to shock the world again.
[crowd cheering]
I might be hard of hearing,
but at Battleground I will hear Rome
announce me,
Myles Borne, your new NXT champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Ethan's theme playing]
["With a Smile" by Def Rebel plays]
All right, all right, all right.
Enough with all the sentimental crap.
Myles, you might actually be worse than Ricky Saints.
With all the pandering to these basic civilians.
[crowd booing]
I gave Ricky his reality check.
I'm going to give you yours.
Myles, you won a Battle Royal.
A Battle Royal on a fluke.
A legitimate one-in-a-million chance thing actually came through.
[crowd chanting]
You know what?
They are actually right and I'm very sorry there is no closed caption here so…
let me do you a favor
and say it very slow, so you can read my lips.
You can't beat Oba.
[crowd clamoring]
You're not on his level.
You're not on my level.
Better yet, you know what?
Before you go to Battleground and embarrass yourself,
I got a better idea for you.
You want to prove to these people and yourself
you actually deserve this opportunity at this championship?
Hey, prove it.
Prove it.
Put the contendership on the line tonight against me.
[crowd murmuring]
You know what, Myles?
This is actually the perfect learning opportunity for you.
I mean, you shot me the match with Oba tonight,
because you wanted a bit of advice,
some first-hand knowledge, how to face him, right?
Well, think about it.
What better way to learn than go toe-to-toe with a former NXT champion?
[crowd heckling]
Now, this is going to be the perfect fight camp for ya.
Think about it.
Iron sharpens iron, is what they say.
And you get to silence all your doubters,
especially your biggest one.
[crowd murmuring]
You're right, Charlie.
You're on.
Yeah!
[Ava's theme playing]
I love it. Hey, you're a smart guy.
All right, all right, let's… let's dial back.
Let's dial back a minute.
Now, Miles.
Look, truthfully, I don't know if this is the right move for you right now.
But I also see how confident you are,
and I know how badly you want to prove yourself.
So, I'll allow it.
Tonight you can face Ethan Page with your No. 1 Contendership on the line.
[crowd clamoring]
But…
But that match is scheduled for later,
because right now.
Uh, Charlie,
you actually have some pretty big business on your hand, remember?
Because your match with the NXT champion Oba Femi,
is right now.
[crowd cheering]
-[Oba's theme playing] -["Hands of Fate" by Def Rebel plays]
[Vic] Oh! Book,
let's get this thing fired up on a Tuesday.
[Booker T] That man.
Oh! Yes.
No bread, no water, just mean.
Here we go!
[Vic] Wait a minute, Corey, did I hear this right?
Myles Borne is gonna put up his No. 1 Contendership against Ethan Page?
[Corey] You heard the same things, I did, Vic.
That certainly appears to be the case, per Ava.
The No. 1 Contendership is on the line.
But right now, Charlie Dempsey, had better grit his teeth
because boy, does he have a fight on his hands.
[bell dings]
[Mike] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
On his way to the ring, weighing 310 pounds,
he is the NXT Champion,
Oba Femi!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Well, Charlie was shocked last week
as he's looking across, Booker, at the NXT Champion
-and Oba Femi looks ready to beast. -[bell dings]
[Booker T] I can only wonder what's going through the mind right now
of this young man, because he's in there with The Ruler.
Oba Femi. Oh, yes, man. Big takedown.
[Corey] I don't think anybody likes Charlie Dempsey's odds,
but you can't take away the fact that Dempsey is an absolute technical wizard.
If there's anyone on the roster who can use Oba's size and strength
against the champ, it's Charlie Dempsey.
[Booker T] Corey, I know you're just doing your job,
and I appreciate that, okay? [laughs]
[Vic] But, Booker, Oba can't be really happy
with hearing Dempsey's plans to stretch him a week ago.
That's gonna fire up the champion.
[Booker T] I don't think it fired him up.
I just think it pissed him off a little bit.
[Vic] Oba Femi in control of this match.
Dempsey, though, trying to turn things around.
Is Charlie taking it to the NXT Champion, Oba Femi?
[Booker T] You don't think it's a good strategy
for Charlie Dempsey to test the cardio of the big man?
You don't think that?
[Vic] I see it's one way of looking at it, but again, it's Charlie Dempsey who--
[Corey] Oh, ho-ho-ho!
[Vic] Just able now, trying to take down Oba again.
This time he was. Into another submission.
[Booker T] I call this man, Charlie Dempsey, the precision tactician.
Look at the body language.
[Vic] You both have changed my opinion on this match-up.
[Corey] Booker has changed his tune since the opening bell.
[Vic] I didn't want to say that.
I wasn't going to go into that, but yes, you both, though.
[Booker T] I'm looking at Charlie Dempsey, he came in with a strategy.
Obviously, he's got a game plan.
I like it. I like it a lot.
[Vic] Switching back over, maybe looking for a triangle.
And now it's Oba trying to overpower Dempsey.
Dempsey doing a nice job of keeping that right shoulder off the mat.
Our official in great position.
-The roller. -[Corey] Whoa!
[Vic] Whoa! Whoa! Slithering down the back.
Trying to take down Oba.
And again, at 6'6", over 300 pounds,
overpowering Dempsey, and big [indistinct].
[Booker T] Oh, baby! Oh, baby!
-[Vic] Wow! -[Booker T] Wow!
[Corey] Launched into the lights was Charlie Dempsey.
-But you've got to credit Dempsey. -[Vic] You do.
You want to talk about the landscape of NXT, Graves.
Isn't Myles Borne proof that the landscape is indeed shifting here at NXT?
[Corey] Potentially could be the case.
I mean, every opportunity could be a career-altering opportunity.
Every time you have a chance to step in the ring here in NXT,
it's a chance to attract the eyeballs of the WWE Universe,
to take your career to the next level.
Everyone knows that now.
[Vic] The topic of championships,
Trick, Hendry will sign the TNA title match contract.
First time ever, the TNA world title will be defended on WWE programming.
It happens at Battleground.
And, Booker, how significant is that moment tonight going to be?
[Booker T] It's definitely gonna be a huge moment.
But I gotta go back to this match right now.
I'm looking at Charlie Dempsey and I'm watching his body language.
This dude is really doing some really good work.
I mean, staying this close to this big man for this long,
you got to give him a lot of credit.
[Vic] You talk about Myles Borne here on the outside.
Do you think Charlie doesn't believe in Myles?
Doesn't believe Myles is ready for that NXT Championship match?
[Booker T] Trying to put himself in that match at Battleground,
I'm thinking Charlie Dempsey is thinking about
the two things talk about all the time.
Checks--
-[Corey] Cover, cover… -[Vic] Hook of the leg.
And a kick-out.
[Booker T] Whether he win the match in Battleground or not,
that's a huge check, bro. Trust me, I know.
[Vic] Looking for another submission.
And now, right again in front of Myles Borne.
To the point you both have…
[Booker T] Beautiful work.
[Vic] …brilliantly brought up, Myles Borne is learning some weak spots,
also learning to see how Charlie has taken it to Oba.
What's working and what's not.
[Corey] It's gonna be a very different scenario for Myles.
Charlie Dempsey has a distinct experience advantage
over the Number One Contender.
[Vic] Dempsey got those knees up back to the left elbow of Oba Femi.
Dempsey going right back in--
-[Corey] Wow! Woah! -[Vic] Off the German.
Shoulders down, near fall.
If Charlie Dempsey can pin Oba Femi,
he puts himself in championship contention after Battleground,
and going in for another submission.
[Booker T] This truly is a master class right here from Charlie Dempsey.
Some of the best work I've seen all year.
[Vic] Trying to break the hold, and look, transitions from one arm to the other arm.
If at first you don't succeed, try again.
And that looks like a short scissors.
[Corey] The short-arm scissors is an agonizing position for Oba Femi.
[Vic] Oba trying to navigate his way free,
and again, his hands are grass, though, Booker.
[Booker T] Right now, he's [continues indistinctly]
[Vic] Shoulders down, and instead of just kicking out,
-breaking the hold. -[Booker T] Oh, baby.
-[Vic] Oba powers… -[Booker T] You got to be kidding me.
-[Vic] …Dempsey. -[Booker T] You got to be kidding me.
[Corey] That is scary.
[Vic] Think about Oba Femi, in two years, Breakout Tournament winner,
longest-reigning North American Champion, Iron Survivor, NXT Champion,
doesn't back down, and this has turned into a slugfest.
[Corey] But Charlie Dempsey, not backing down, either.
Exchanging heavy artillery with The Ruler.
Oba gets the upper hand for the moment, Dempsey is reeling.
[Vic] Another big European uppercut, rocking Dempsey.
And now that power, back in display,
chucking Dempsey.
And I just looked up at Myles Borne from the monitor.
It's still unreal to think that Ethan Page
was able to slither his way into a match tonight,
to possibly have an NXT Championship match of his own at Battleground.
[Corey] Look at the bright side, it could be preparation.
Because if Myles Borne becomes NXT Champion at Battleground,
he's going to have a very, very full schedule on his hands.
And now Oba,
-just tossing again, Booker… -[Corey] Woah!
[Vic] …Charlie Dempsey.
[Booker T] I think this might be the beginning of the end right here.
[Vic] You can say that one more time, because this is a fall from grace.
Into the cover goes Oba.
-And Femi with an appetizer… -[bell dings]
…before Battleground.
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[Mike] Here is your winner, the champion,
Oba Femi!
[Corey] The question remains, did Myles Borne learn enough
from Charlie Dempsey's failure to dethrone Oba Femi tonight?
And if he is still Number One Contender come battleground,
-Myles has what it takes to win? -[bell dings]
[Vic] A lot of questions on the plate.
Is Myles looking into his future?
As of now, he faces Oba Femi at Battleground.
Borne puts his Number One Contendership
up against Ethan Page, though, later tonight.
I appreciate you having my back last week.
Absolutely. That's what friends are for, right?
I saw Jaida coming in with another hip attack,
-I couldn't just sit there-- -[indistinct shouting]
[Thea] Oh, Tatum!
-Tatum! Tatum! -Tatum…
What are you doing?
-Tatum, stop! -[shouting indistinctly]
Oh, look, the two new best friends, huh?
[chuckles]
Thea, you say, "This grown-ass woman,"
but you can't do anything alone.
[laughs]
And I have… nothing!
I literally have lost everything and everyone.
I can't take this betrayal anymore.
And you…
You're the worst kind.
She's your friend, yeah?
She's just gonna leave you because that's what friends do, right, Thea Hale?
They just betray you.
Did they just leave you.
Ava!
I think…
["Strictly Business" playing]
[Vic] Paxley's got a lot on her mind these days.
♪ It's all about the business. Ha ♪
[bell dings]
[Mike] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, weighing in at 240 pounds,
The Don of NXT,
Tony D'Angelo!
[yells]
[Vic] Hard to disagree with you, Graves,
but there is a lot on the mind of this man.
It might be good to unleash some anger.
D'Angelo, Wes Lee, next.
Ethan, my man.
Wow. You really are heartless, huh?
It's bad enough I lived rent-free in your head,
but now you had to go and ruin Myles moment as well.
It seems to me that you really do love
raining on people's parade around here, huh?
Oh. I really do, Ricky.
I get immense pleasure in taking people's moments from them.
To be honest, I thought you would have figured that out by now.
I know I said that we'd be picking this up later.
But, Ricky, later is not right now.
There's a championship match at Battleground
that desperately needs all ego in it.
So I can win the championship, and afterwards, restore balance in NXT.
So you can go back to playing second fiddle to me.
[scoffs] And good luck with that.
[Vic] That Number One Contendership match.
Page, Borne, still to come live, tonight.
[Mike] And his opponent,
accompanied by Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe,
weighing in at 178 pounds,
Wes Lee!
[Vic] Well, for Wes Lee and his crew, they are ready to make an impact.
Yo, tonight is going to be the final nail in the coffin
of the once, oh, so powerful D'Angelo Family.
You see, look, my time here at NXT, I have learned that it's all about time.
When to strike and when to make those money moves.
Tyson, Tyriek and I have been patiently waiting long enough,
and now, it's time for The High Ryze
to ascend to the top of NXT.
[Booker T] Talk about somebody that's grown up, man.
Like I said, back to my point, Rumble,
young man, Rumble. Oh, yes!
[Joseph] Graves, how can Tony even be focused on anything right now?
[Graves] Listen, I don't even understand why Tony's out here competing,
the guy's got a lot on his plate, even more on his mind.
And he's dealing with a high-caliber athlete like Wes Lee.
This is not a smart decision for Tony D'Angelo.
[Joseph] Booker, you and I have seen a lot of matches from Tony D'Angelo.
A lot of matches from Wes Lee.
I don't think you would have trouble agreeing with me here.
They are two of the most decorated champions in NXT history.
Both Tag Team Champions both North American Champions.
Tony, Heritage Cup Champion, Lee won the Dusty Cup.
Neither of them, though, have ever held the NXT title.
My question, Book, who is closer to checking that NXT title off their list?
Maybe after Battleground.
[Booker T] You gotta wonder, because Tony D
has definitely got to be in a certain place in his head right now
because things aren't going right for him,
but on the other hand, this young man, Wes Lee,
the mentorship he's been putting down
as well as the in-ring acumen, he's been awesome.
You got to give it to him.
[Joseph] I like what you said about Tony D'Angelo.
Back to you, Graves, look, there is no Rizzo.
We haven't heard from Luca since he went to the desert.
Well, as you know, there's no more underboss in the life of The Don.
[Graves] That's got to be difficult for D'Angelo
to focus on much of anything right now,
let alone, being able to defeat someone as talented as Wes Lee.
Not to mention Wes Lee's got backup on the outside of the ring.
The High Ryze looking to stack W's to build a foundation.
[Joseph] I love what Graves just said, because when I look at it,
how does Tony have to recalculate his strategy in each match,
-knowing that he doesn't have backup? -[Booker T] Let me tell you right now,
Tony D needs to understand he has a target on his back.
I wouldn't be surprised--
[all exclaiming]
I wouldn't be surprised if Stacks did put a hit on him.
[Joseph] Look at these uppercuts coming from The Don.
Look at the bright side, this is an opportunity for The Don
to unleash some aggression, some pent up anger, some frustration.
I'm just learning right now from the desk of our general manager.
This one is official, Tatum Paxley, Thea Hail.
But what a matchup we have here right now.
[Booker T] Wes Lee, right there just took a big shot.
But I feel like he's luring Tony D in
to drop the boom on him.
I've seen some… No.
[Joseph] Tony D just drop the boom wham and the bam on Wes Lee.
[Booker T] Gotta be slipping right there.
[Joseph] Graves, you were right.
Maybe that pent up frustration, maybe this match is good for The Don.
[Graves] If D'Angelo is able to channel his frustration,
not let it get the best of him.
Took his eye off the ball there for just a moment, and it didn't backfire.
But that's playing with fire.
[Joseph] You got to wonder… Hey!
We've seen Tyson and Tyriek now stick their nose in this matchup,
-and it hasn't stopped The Don. -[Booker T] …talking about?
[Joseph] What do you mean? Did you not see what happened?
Look at the monitor. What are you doing? Where's your glasses?
…respect me in my ring!
Fly pelican fly.
[Joseph] Uh-oh!
-Just sent Lee into… -You're good. We got you.
[Joseph] …into Tyson and Tyriek, who caught their mentor,
their friend, Wes Lee.
D'Angelo wiping out the field.
And it's The Don, who, right now is standing tall on NXT.
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] Wes Lee has taken control of this matchup.
So, Book, when it comes to Wes Lee, you love what he's done
as a mentor to Tyriek and Tyson, collectively known now as High Ryze,
[Booker T] I mean, you go back… Oh! Wow, good shot there.
Go back a couple of weeks ago, Wes Lee versus Inamura,
that was a job that he could have easy relegated to Tyson or Tyriek.
But he said, "No. Let me go out here and show you guys
how to do the job and how to get the job done."
That's what this man is all about.
You lost your family and you're about to lose your Donship.
The next Don will be Channing "Stacks" Lor--
[crowd cheering]
[Booker T] Oh… Did you hear that?
-[Joseph] Booker was right. -[Booker T] Did you hear it?
[Joseph] I heard it, I don't necessarily believe it.
But that just fired up Tony D'Angelo.
Graves is almost stunned here, sitting next to me
as Wes Lee lifelessly falls to the floor.
[Graves] I think Wes got a little overconfident.
He started talking before the job was finished and it fired up The Don.
And you got to wonder,
Was it Stacks who Wes Lee was talking to last week on the phone?
[crowd exclaims]
[Graves] Tyson and Tyriek taken out by D'Angelo.
[Joseph] D'Angelo is seeing Red.
There's no way to second guess it now.
Tony D'Angelo has to be looking and seeing Stacks
and everybody that's walking around the ring.
But Lee from behind, rolling up, shoulders down, feet on the rope
and still able to power out was D'Angelo.
[Graves] Wes Lee tried to steal this one superkick
right under the chin of Tony D.
The Don is reeling.
[Joseph] Lee got caught, overhead belly-the-belly.
[crowd exclaims]
[Graves] But did The Don empty the tank with that last effort?
Was that all D'Angelo had left?
[Joseph] Think about everything that Tony has been going through physically
in this matchup, mentally, emotionally over the last several weeks,
dating all the way back to WrestleMania Saturday
and Stand & Deliver to put all that in perspective,
to come out swinging, to fight not only for himself
but for whatever the family he may have left.
[Booker T] He's definitely fighting a good fight right now.
Give him a lot of credit.
But like you said, you got to wonder what Tony D's head is.
Is he just fighting on adrenaline? Is that it?
[Joseph] Graves, you said it time and time again.
Adrenaline will make a man do crazy things.
[Graves] That's what we're seeing before our very eyes.
The Don fighting through the pain, channeling all of his anger,
all of his frustration on Wes Lee.
[Joseph] And another powerslam from D'Angelo.
Into the cover, hook of the leg.
Wes Lee showing you the resiliency
that has made him a champion here in NXT before
and one day will make him a champion again.
But for Tony D'Angelo, it is not about championships.
Staring a hole through Wes Lee.
[Graves] Maybe that's the problem, Vic.
It should be about checks and championships all the time.
Not your family, not your friends. Not who you ride down the road with.
-Big kick by Wes Lee. -[Joseph] Dropping D'Angelo.
-[Booker T] How many times? -[Vic] You say it all the time, Booker.
I know. But now it's Wes Lee looking for the Kardiak Kick!
He got speared falling into the cover but D'Angelo got up.
D'Angelo wants to send a message--
-[Stacks] Hey, T. -[Joseph] Holy!
[Stacks] T.
Look familiar?
Yeah, it does.
Course I know where the Rizzo safehouse is.
[Stacks chuckles]
[Joseph] Tony D'Angelo caught off guard. Kardiak Kick.
I can't believe Stacks and what he just said. Into the cover.
We still got a match going on. And Wes Lee…
[bell dings]
[Stacks] You and I have known each other for a long time.
Put a lot of people in the safehouse with you…
[Rome] Here is your winner, Wes Lee…
You always told me, "Think like The Don." Well, now I am.
I think I'm gonna go pay Rizzo a visit.
[Graves] Lee, off the distraction. Just pinned Tony D'Angelo--
[Joseph] Did you hear what Stacks just said, Graves?
D'Angelo feels the same way.
Well, there is the NXT Women's Champion.
As we try to remain focused on what's going on.
We will hear from the Dark Angel, live, next.
-[Price] From the mud we rose… -[Nima] Mm-hmm.
From the dirt and the pain.
We ain't just a storm, we're the thunder and rain.
♪ This is not for the block ♪
♪ This is for people Trying to think out of the box ♪
Our strengths and our struggles ain't something you hear about is failure.
♪ This is for my fans Trying to get ends to meet ♪
So, yeah, the return of Lucien and I can only mean sink or swim
for the entire tag team division. [speaks in Spanish]
[in English] 'Cause we ain't guards and we ain't saving no lives.
♪ Dark clouds keep coming like a curse Or a hex ♪
OTM 'bout to pull all them under.
♪ Real hustlers don't fly, stay invested ♪
♪ Seen guys stick their spots And resurrected ♪
-To every team that can hear my voice… -Let 'em know.
Listen carefully, once we're back in that ring, it's the end of your game.
♪ Get in before all y'all Get out the box ♪
[crowd cheering]
[electricity crackling]
["Bury Me" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the NXT Women's Champion.
Stephanie Vaquer.
[Booker T] That's right.
Stand up!
[Joseph] The Dark Angel is here on NXT.
[crowd chanting "That's our queen"]
[crowd continues cheering]
[crowd chanting] La Primera!
Last week, Jordynne become the number one contender
for my NXT Women's Championship at Battleground.
I have respect for Jordynne's journey.
She was of the top of TNA.
And now TNA.
And now she wants to ascend the top of NXT.
[speaking Spanish]
[crowd cheering]
["The Chosen" by Def Rebel plays]
[Corey, in English] How's this for an interruption?
Jacy Jayne on the left, Fallon Henley on the right.
Fatal Influence is in the house.
Gosh, it must be nice to be on top of the world.
I mean, everyone and their mom loves Stephanie Vaquer.
Am I right, guys?
[crowd cheering]
Hell, you've been on top ever since you got here.
You truly are one of a kind.
But you see, that's exactly what's going to make
your downfall that much sweeter.
And sure, you were the infamous double champion,
the NXT women's North American champion.
But you and Fallon must both know what a great feeling it is
to win that championship.
Me? [scoffs]
I can't relate.
But since you did pin Fallon
and beat her to win the North American Championship--
She did.
She also beat Giulia to become the NXT women's champion.
So, what's your point, Jacy?
My point is I don't think this is going to last much longer.
-Well, I agree with you there. -Yeah.
You see, NXT is Fatal Influence's world,
a world that you definitely don't belong in.
And just think about it.
How ironic would it be if Fatal Influence were the ones
to take the NXT Women's Championship off your hands?
[sirens]
[Vic] Looks like the party just got bigger.
["Thicc Mama Pump" playing]
[Vic] There is the number one contender to the NXT Women's Championship.
Jacy, Fallon, you two can't even get out of each other's way.
So how are you out here talking about the NXT Women's Championship?
I am not here to save the day.
I am here to protect my investment, my opportunity.
I am not your investment.
Oh!
You see what I mean?
I have destroyed friendships
and in the process, I flipped this division upside down.
-And Fatal Influence is gonna-- -Well, that was the past, Jacy.
That was the past.
Right. Right, the past.
What I was trying to say is you both have collected stamps on your passports.
Sure, awesome, whatever.
But while you were touring the globe,
we were here in NXT holding this women's division down.
And now we are the ones that deserve to be at the top of it.
And although we usually don't like newbies,
I will say at least Stephanie has taken her opportunities
and made them worth it.
Jordynne failed last time and she will fail again.
Stephanie, a lot of growth can be made in a year.
I will beat you at Battleground and become NXT women's champion,
and nothing, especially not Fatal Influence,
is going to stop me.
So if I can take care of you two again tonight, I will.
And as for you, Stephanie,
I'm gonna make 100% sure that you make it to Tampa in one piece.
Listen, it doesn't matter who walks out of Battleground with that title.
They'll be ripe for the taking
and Fatal Influence will be the ones to do it.
[Vic] A lot of truth coming from Fatal Influence
as the women's division heats up.
Grace-Vaquer for the NXT women's title at Battleground.
-Charlie, you okay? -Yeah.
You are clearly in no shape to be ringside for my match.
No, come on, let's go.
-Oh! -Come on, dawg.
Listen, bro, I got this.
Y'all get Charlie to medical.
-I'm gonna go take care of business. -Yeah, you are.
Beat his ass, bro.
No one's taking the title match from me.
See you, Myles.
Tyra, Zena, congratulations.
You both should be very proud of yourself.
You have earned the right to stand here.
You both have earned the right to compete this Sunday night in the finals of LFG.
Not just compete, but compete in the mecca,
wrestle in the mecca, wrestle in New York City,
in Madison Square Garden.
But only one of you gets that NXT contract.
Only one of you gets the opportunity to fight, wrestle, compete,
entertain in what I consider the best women's division
in the entire wrestling business.
And I'm sure the boss will back me up.
That one of you…
One of you is going to have a giant bullseye on your back.
Look at you two, fighting it out to see who is going to make an impact.
Cute.
Good luck lasting in our locker room.
[screaming] Stop!
I promise you, if you even think about coming for my spot,
I'm going to make the both of you wish you were on another season of LFG.
-[scoffs] -Exactly.
-It's embarrassing. -Very.
Well, whoever wins Sunday,
it looks like you got your work cut out for you.
[man] Tony D, Tony D--
-Can we get a-- -Shut up, follow me.
Get in the car now.
Get in the car.
Come on, let's go.
-Where are we going? -Go to the safe house.
-We need to get Rizz now. -Got it.
Gotta move your ass. Let's go. Let's go!
[Vic] Don racing against time.
Well, there is the number one contender as of now.
["With a Smile" playing]
[Vic] 'Cause it could be this man in a matter of moments.
[Mike] And his opponent, from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
"All Ego" Ethan Page.
[Vic] Myles Borne earned the opportunity
-to challenge for the NXT championship. -[bell dings]
He is putting that on the line here tonight right now against Ethan Page.
Graves, is Borne brave or a little misguided tonight?
[Corey] Listen, I think Myles Borne is doing what he has to do.
This is classic All Ego.
Ethan Page slithered his way into this opportunity
to potentially become number one contender.
If Myles Borne wants to be taken seriously
as number one contender, as potentially the next NXT champion,
you can't pick and choose your battles.
You have to be ready to fight, you have to stand on your own two feet
without someone watching your back all the time.
That's what Borne is looking to do tonight.
[Vic] Booker, do you agree with Charlie and kind of with what Graves just said
that facing a former champion would be good for Myles Borne?
[Booker T] One thing I do agree with what Charlie Dempsey said,
iron sharpens iron.
So, this could be a great position for the young man.
But I must tell you. This is going to be Myles Borne's toughest test to date.
[Vic] And I would say this, Graves.
You gotta credit Charlie Dempsey to a certain point
for wanting to push his teammates.
-[Corey] Absolutely. -[Vic] Which is Myles Borne.
[Corey] Like Booker said, repeating what Charlie said,
iron sharpens iron.
Perhaps, Charlie Dempsey knows of a few holes in the game of Myles Borne
that maybe you and I don't see. Charlie trains with Myles.
Charlie knows him inside and out.
We're about to find out what Charlie knows that we don't.
[Vic] I don't mean to change subjects here on you guys,
but I'm a little worried for Rizzo right now
with everything going on with The Don.
[Corey] This is certainly an ugly situation.
You can see the panic in the eyes of The Don.
Let's see how this all unfolds.
But right now, it's about who'll enter Battleground
as the number-one contender to Oba Femi's championship.
Nice reversal by Borne.
[Vic] Again, Borne outlasted 24 others to become the number-one contender
for the NXT Championship last week. Actually eliminated
Ethan Page and Shawn Spears in the end.
And back to what you both already said,
what more, though, does Borne need to prove?
Not only to Dempsey, but does he have to prove something to himself?
-That's what I'm trying to understand. -[Booker T] Go ahead.
[Corey] I was gonna say, Borne needs to prove to himself
and to the NXT fans the WWE Universe as a whole.
He may believe in himself, but the world doesn't yet.
[Booker T] He needs to prove first, get past this match against Ethan Page,
because he's dealing with a true veteran of the game.
A guy that showed up here in NXT with a purpose,
and that purpose was to become champion, and he did it faster than anybody.
[Corey] You're right. Page has accomplished that,
which is why Ava was eager to sign this matchup.
Ethan Page as a former NXT Champion. With Battleground on the horizon,
you want a star in that position.
You want somebody to step to the plate who could knock off Oba.
[Vic] It's been a busy night.
Our general manager has been at work, and we're understanding that, again,
this is breaking news from the desk of our general manager
after what we witnessed moments ago.
We're gonna have a tag team match later on tonight here at NXT.
But this is about becoming the number-one contender at Battleground.
And you said, Ethan Page did it faster than anyone.
No, Ricky Saints came to NXT and won a championship faster than anyone.
So, I come to you and I go, "Book,
was Ricky Saints right with what he said about Page earlier? That he's selfish?"
[Booker T] Let me tell you, Page is the kinda guy we talk about all the time.
We said earlier about checks and championships.
This guy is about making history, creating a legacy in this business.
And do I agree with anything Ricky Saints say?
No, I don't! I do not, I'mma tell you that right now.
[Vic] Myles Borne continuing to fight in this match,
fighting for everybody, as we heard earlier. It feels different.
-Who has a disability? -[Corey] Listen.
Myles Borne has an opportunity not only tonight, but if he gets by here,
Battleground could be one of the most inspirational tales in WWE history.
But Borne needs to fight like he is right now,
because if tonight goes up in smoke,
he may never sniff another championship opportunity in NXT, Book.
[Vic] Like you say, championship opportunities
just don't grow on trees.
[Booker T] It's a great story, Myles Borne, but like Corey said,
he has to go out there and win because nobody mobs,
nobody mobs a beaten champion.
You gotta go out there and win, and that's what Borne looking to do.
I like him. He's got a lotta talent.
[Vic] But even you gotta agree, Borne isn't thinking about the Battleground yet,
because he's gotta be focused on the man he just rocked,
Ethan Page!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Precarious position for both Superstars.
Page looking for the superplex.
Can he lock it in?
Myles Borne going for the ride!
And, again, back down to the lower back.
Page, like a snake, slithering into the cover. And a near fall.
Page, a half second away from becoming the new number-one contender.
And Page smelling the blood in the water, going right back to the Boston Crab,
right back to the lower back. And Borne, again, trying to roll through.
Myles fighting free.
[Booker T] This match tells me a lot about this man, Myles Borne.
He's a young kid, but he's definitely destined for greatness.
-I can see it. -[Vic] And as this match is going on,
I think back, Graves, to what Ethan Page said,
and I have trouble agreeing with him.
that Myles Borne isn't championship material.
[Corey] Listen, that's a fair opinion if you're "All Ego" Ethan Page,
because Ethan Page has walked the walk.
Myles has yet to have that opportunity.
But at the end of the day, Myles earned this.
He outlasted 24 other Superstars in a Battle Royal last week.
Ethan Page doesn't have to like it, but he's got to respect it.
And right now, Borne is showing the world that he earned it,
that he deserves the opportunity,
that he's gonna fight for it!
[Vic] And Page was one of the last to be eliminated. And whoa!
Hoisting him up! And Myles Borne, right now,
stringing together some offense. Into the cover.
And another near fall.
[Corey] Borne has to stand his ground tonight to make it to Battleground.
He cannot let All Ego swoop in and steal the opportunity that he earned.
It's happened a million times in this business.
[Booker T] I'll tell you, that would mess up the psyche of this young man
if he loses this opportunity to go into Battleground.
[Corey] And once you start to spiral, it's tough to stop.
[Vic] Looking for another elbow. Finally able to break that waist lock.
Swinging wildly. Did not connect.
Page, as well. And coming back in… Oh!
He blocked the dropkick!
Ethan Page blocked the dropkick. Into the cover.
And I've never seen a dropkick countered that way.
[Booker T] He caught the young man on that floating reel.
Myles Borne could be reeling right now, guys. This could be it.
[Vic] Page has Borne on the back foot, certainly.
And on a night where Myles Borne came in all smiles,
Ethan Page could steal that smile from Borne
and have himself another championship opportunity.
Page swinging away.
What is on the mind now of All Ego?
[Corey] Battleground, Oba Femi, the NXT Championship.
All Ego so close, he can taste it right now.
[Vic] Looking for another powerslam, this time from way up high.
Borne sensing it, realizing he's in danger,
fighting his way free.
Borne now with the upper hand.
Looking down and… Oh!
Big clothesline connected.
Borne with a bit of a slip. A lot has been taken out of Borne in this matchup.
Focusing that… Oh.
Didn't connect, and Page making Borne pay.
[Booker T] Scouted! Scouted!
[Vic] Looking for maybe the Ego's Edge.
Borne able to slip down the back. Coming right back in.
Another counter by Ethan Page.
And Page now looking for Twisted Grin. Countered.
Coming back in. And that time, the dropkick connected!
Borne into the cover! The count!
-Myles did it again! -[bell ringing]
Wow!
[announcer] Here's your winner, Myles Borne!
[Vic] Judge that man by his ability, not his disability.
He has spent his life proving people wrong,
and can he do it again against Oba Femi
for the NXT Title at Battleground?
[crowd cheering]
Hey, bro, you're too big of a star
to be worried about that Evolve talent from the indies.
Hey, worry about your pickup lines and forget what I'm doing, all right?
There you go.
Hey, bro, I'm "Thee" Adonis, but she calls me Papi.
The rizz is natural, playboy.
By the way, didn't you main event Stand & Deliver?
-Hell, yeah. -Them indie boys don't deserve your time,
I'm trying to tell you.
Bro, you might be cool playing big-timer, but I don't forget where I came from.
-All right? The indie scene got some dogs. -Oh, yeah?
And Sean Legacy is one of 'em.
Man, I ain't trying to hear all that.
But, honestly, I'll smoke both of y'all, for real, for real.
-Smoke? Smoke? -I'd like to see that.
Yeah, that's right. I'd like to see that.
You know, unlike Ethan,
I'm not one to cut somebody down and stop them from an opportunity.
So, how about this?
How about I go talk to Ava, and the winner
can maybe see me on the other side of Battleground. Hmm.
Now, that's something worth entertaining.
[Vic] Let's go back to earlier tonight.
Come on, Tony.
You and I have known each other for a long time.
Put a lot of people in this safe house for you.
You always told me, "Think like The Don."
Well, now I am.
Think I'm gonna go pay Rizzo a visit. [chuckles]
[D'Angelo] Listen, go get the rest of the boys, all right?
You got it, boss.
[D'Angelo] Rizz!
Rizz!
[grunting]
-Wrong move, D. [chuckles] -[groans]
[grunts]
As your underboss, I studied you.
I know every move you're gonna make.
Now look at you.
A desperate don with no family, no best friend, no direction.
-Son of a… -[both grunting]
Tony.
You're not the only one here with stroke.
I…
I humiliated you at Stand & Deliver by choice.
Look at me.
At Battleground,
I finished The Don and put an end to The D'Angelo Family once and for all!
-["Take What Is Mine" playing] -[crowd cheering]
-["Eyes Of The Reaper" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And her opponent, from Dallas, Texas,
Tatum Paxley!
[Corey] If we learned anything from The Don earlier tonight…
when your head's not in the right place, the ring's a bad place to be.
[Tatum Paxley's music playing]
[Vic] I gotta agree with what Corey just said, Book.
Nothing to take away from these two women that're getting ready to battle, but,
Tony D'Angelo's head is not in the right place and Stacks knows it.
[Booker T] No, Stacks is one step ahead right now.
[Vic] As we look into, peer into this ring,
Tatum Paxley has certainly had herself a few
good cries, and, I mean, does your heart even go out to Tatum Paxley,
or is it just business as usual?
[Corey] Well listen, it's understandable, Paxley's had a lot of
unfortunate circumstances around her and her career recently.
It's a sad turn of events, but that's the situation.
She's left to stand on her own two feet.
We're about to see how she fares.
[Vic] Well, Thea Hail just walked into the hallway, got yelled at, into the cover,
and a kick out, has led
to this match-up, looking for a submission,
Thea Hail says she is here to take what's hers.
And it starts maybe again here tonight,
Paxley shifting weight, shoulders down, and a kick out.
Still to come, TNA Championship contract signing, here on NXT.
As this match-up continuing, the pace starting to pick up, Thea Hail! Oh.
-[Corey] Oh my god! -[Vic] Just got kicked,
square in the gut.
[Booker T] Mean and nasty right there, by Tatum Paxley.
[Vic] Well Booker, Thea, maybe shouldn't have walked through that door.
[Booker T] Tell you somethin', Thea Hail's got her hands full right now with Tatum.
[audience cheering]
-[Vic] You can say that again. -[Corey] This woman is disturbed.
[Vic] She has lost friends,
Lost a team-mate, watching her best friend fly high on RAW, congratulations,
by the way, Lyra Valkyria defending that Women's Intercontinental Championship
against Becky Lynch at Backlash
As Thea Hail, still in control of this match-up.
Well, there is Jaida Parker,
getting a good look at this match
and into the cover, off the enzuigiri, and a kick out, that's
because Thea Hail stuck her nose in business where it didn't belong,
Book, I'm sure you scoffed at Thea helping Karmen.
[Booker T] You finally beginning to learn something right here, Victor, right, huh?
[Vic] I've heard you say, into the ring, shoulders down and another near fall.
This match-up between these two women, of course,
Graves, I start to think about the women's division
because after Battleground the question becomes who'll step up
for the Championship picture?
[Corey] That's a question I can't answer in this moment
because, again, we talk at great length about how stacked the roster is right now
how wide open it is for all intents and purposes.
-[Vic] And, oh! -[Booker T] Oh baby!
-[Vic] There we go! -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Vic] Cover off that innovative offense
and another near fall
[crying]
Where are my friends?
Where are my friends!
-[Vic] Is she screaming, Graves? -[Corey] I don't know, I can't hear.
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] You couldn't see her with her mouth open? Are you not watching the monitor?
[Corey] You're wearing the same headset I do, all I hear is your mouth flapping.
-[Booker T] Exactly. -[Vic] So now you're on the same page,
[Vic] interesting, it's cute.
Big headbutt though by Paxley who comes back in
And another nice counter, this time by Thea Hail
Hail, oh! right down onto that elbow
of Tatum Paxley and for Thea Hail right now, Book,
she knows a thing or two about heartbreak, think about Chase U.
[Booker T] What are you talking about, let me tell you somethin'
I feel like Thea Hail is growing right here before out very eyes.
[Booker T] I'm not one for quitting school or anything like that
but the hell with Chase U.
[screaming]
[all cheering]
[all groaning]
[Vic] Paxley looking to maybe pick up a victory here against Thea Hail.
Front face lock countered
and now look at Thea.
Thea who's used that kimura to win so many matches
in the early part of her career
since her return, looking for another submission
and this time Tatum, very close to that bottom rope.
[Booker T] Also spent a little time at NQCC fight club as well, and,
I'mma tell you right now, did her a hell of a lot of good.
[Vic] What are you talking about? Thea Hail has certainly learned a thing or two,
so has Paxley, shoulders down.
Near fall, and Tatum certainly has grown, and to your point
has probably grown even more since leaving Chase University.
-There's the 51-50. -[Booker T] Oh baby!
[Vic] Nice takedown for Thea.
And, Thea, one more time, trying to lock in the kimura.
Cinched in the center of the ring, Tatum may be looking to tap far away,
nowhere to go for Paxley
Thea continuing to squeeze, weird look on the face,
[Corey] Yeah, she's going to the eye.
[Vic] Well, Tatum, yes, and--
[bell rings continuously]
[Corey] Paxley's lost it, she's trying to take Thea's eye.
[Mike] … as a result of a disqualification, Thea Hail.
[Vic] Paxley, certainly, Graves to your point,
she's lost it, she's come unglued.
[Corey] She's trying to rip the eye out of Thea Hail.
[crowd chanting "Thea, Thea"]
Yeah, we're going to need more than one official down here.
[Tatum screaming]
[Vic] What the hell's gotten into Tatum Paxley?
Stupid.
See, Thea, that's exactly what you get when you try to play Captain Save-her-hood
Hey, have you seen Sol or Za--
I know you lyin'
Oh, uh-uh, I'm not listening to any of y'all.
Y'all are just like Thea Hail.
Anyways,
Zaria, what the hell was that last week, spearing me through a barricade?
You threatened, or are you just jealous that Sol caught me?
Look, Kelani, I didn't know that was going to happen, but,
-Jealous is a bit-- -Wait, what're you talking about?
We don't need to apologize to her.
Kelani, I pinned you 1-2-3.
[bleep] all you want,
spear through the barricade or not,
we run it back, the results don't change.
Let's run it back then, next week, and when I beat you,
I get a shot at Sol's North American title at Battleground.
-Yeah, right. -Fine by me.
-Why're you looking at me like that? -What do you mean?
[both speak inaudibly]
[Vic] Well, this is going to be a huge moment.
It's on the horizon, Trick, Hendry, are going to sit down, and sign the contract,
for the TNA championship match.
Thank you both for being here for this historic Battleground contract signing.
For the first time, on a WWE-PLE,
the TNA world championship is going to be on the line.
A brand that just celebrated 23-years.
And, a title, that's been held by the likes of
AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, LA Knight, and Bubba Ray Dudley.
It all happens at Battleground.
[Trick] You did this to yourself, Joe.
You took my opportunity, and what meant the most to me.
So, you know what Imma do?
Imma take what means the most to you.
And that's, that TNA title.
You shoulda stayed in that sweet spot.
Where you was gettin' your flowers, where you was the man, at TNA.
But, next Sunday, we're going to Battleground.
And that's my house.
[Joe] Well,
if anyone should know about breaking out, taking risks, having the confidence
to do more, to be more, it's you.
But, somewhere along the way, you forgot about that.
Instead…
about what you deserve, or what you should have handed to you.
Randy Orton handed you a 3-minute ass whoopin' then.
I don't care who did what.
Security is right outside that door, do not make me call them in here.
Sit down, both of you, and sign this.
Look, TNA is the hottest it's been in years,
that's because, every morning, I wake up,
and, my goal is to make this the biggest brand it can possibly be,
and that means me as the champion.
I'm defending this against TNA wrestlers, NXT superstars, and I'm putting them down.
Do you understand that, next Sunday,
the TNA world-championship will be on the line
on a WWE-PLE.
Do you understand how big that is?
Of course, of course I know, Joe, because I'm in the match.
This match will be historic because of me.
And there's something you need to realize, Joe,
you are a social media sensation.
Trick Williams is bigger than NXT,
I'm bigger than TNA, hell, I'm bigger than both of them combined.
Damnit, I'm Hollywood Trick.
And I don't have to tear you down or mess with what you believe
because the truth is every man has his 15 minutes of fame.
except Trick Williams.
And next Sunday,
Imma take your fame.
Imma take your title.
Then Imma take your brand.
Trick, enough.
Appreciate you, Ava.
[pen scribbling]
[Joe] Well,
no one is more confident than Trick Williams.
Let's talk about it.
It's on the outside though.
Yes, you main evented Stand and Deliver,
back-to-back years. So?
Maybe this isn't the biggest match of your career.
But it is the most important…
because you're at a crossroads.
There's no pathway for you back to the NXT Championship.
And after I beat you for this,
well, then the TNA world title goes away as well.
And then, the number one superstar has no pathway to gold.
And that's when the doubt creeps in and you find out
that as fast as your star rose to the top,
it can come crashing back down.
So if anyone is going to find out what it's like
for their 15 minutes of fame to expire,
it's Trick Williams.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
[Tank] What's going on, Briggs? What's up, bro?
Are you guys good?
Yeah. I thought we were having a bad week,
losing to Dark State and all that.
But honestly, we're feeling for you, man.
You lost your partner and your best friend.
I didn't want Inamura to leave.
That was my brother. He took care of me when I was in Japan.
You guys know how happy I was when he came to NXT.
Look, I got pissed off because we kept losing and losing and losing.
But… I…
I just wish I didn't push him away.
Well, look, whatever you need, Hank Tank got you both, bro.
-For real. -Thanks, guys.
Oh, man, of course.
You don't appreciate what you have until it's gone.
Well, maybe if you did appreciate things, Josh,
your best friend would still be here.
Bro, I'm not trying to hear it from you right now.
I'm talking about Brooks.
Not, um, Inamura.
Him, too.
It happens a lot to you.
Hey-- Spears, not the time, man.
Briggs, when it comes to relationships, you're a cancer.
And we should probably change that before it consumes you,
and you have no choice but to explode.
Bro, I have a lot on my mind right now.
I don't need your wisdom.
But I do got a really good idea on how to clear my head.
Both of you texted me like, 50 times separately.
-Mmm-hmm. Yep. -So what's going on?
Ava, Chase U is back in full force,
and it's time to get the ball rollin', you know what I'm saying?
-I fear that I don't. -Look, Ava,
what he's trying to say is we don't care who our opponents are,
where they're from, what they do.
What we're trying to do is put Chase University back on the map.
-Trouble! -You know what?
I think you guys are ready.
Next week, you can have your debut tag team match.
Oh! [exclaiming]
-That easy? -That easy. Consider it done.
-We just had to talk to her. -That was awesome.
-Thank you-- Mr. Chase. -[Chase] There you are.
Mr. Chase, love the fit. It's serving.
Thank you very much. So what's going on?
We just got first ever tag match, next Tuesday!
-That's what I'm talking about! -Yeah!
-Uh, who are our opponents? -Uh, a returning OTM.
Guys, what the [bleep]!
["The Chosen" playing]
["Thicc Mama Pump" playing]
[announcer] And their opponents, first, from Austin, Texas,
Jordynne Grace!
[Vic] Graves, we heard from the number one contender earlier.
Should Jordynne Grace care this much about her opponent's safety?
[Corey] I understand Jordynne Grace wanting to, as she put it,
protect her investment.
Jordynne has scratched and clawed to get to the point where she has finally
earned a one on one opportunity for the NXT Women's Championship.
She doesn't want to let anything get in the way of that,
particularly not Fatal Influence.
[Vic] Well, in Tampa at Battleground, she will have the opportunity
to call herself NXT Women's Champion
when she goes one on one with her partner here tonight.
[crowd cheering]
["Bury Me" playing]
[announcer] And her tag team partner from San Fernando, Chile,
she is the NXT Women's Champion,
Stephanie Vaquer!
[Vic] Booker and I have had the opportunity--
[Booker T] Calm down, man!
-[Vic] You're telling us? -[Booker T] Calm down!
[Vic] Telling us to calm down?
Have you not heard yourself?
He was looking at us and said, "Calm down, calm down."
-[Corey] I think Booker was looking out-- -[Booker T] Please. Please, guys.
[Vic] I'll just skip over to Graves.
Graves, in your five months here on NXT,
what has stood out the most about the NXT Women's Champion?
[Corey] The fact that Stephanie Vaquer has never backed down from a challenge.
In fact, she rarely bats an eyelash.
It's like Stephanie was custom-built for this industry,
which is why she sits atop the best women's divi-- division in the game.
[crowd chanting] La Primera! La Primera!
[Vic] Booker, why are you fanning yourself?
[Booker T] Hey, man, it's hot in here.
-[Vic] I agree. -[bell ringing]
It's all in my system. You feel me?
[Vic] Well, look, it is not uncommon for opponents to team,
but Booker, how awkward, truly, is it?
[Booker T] It is truly awkward. Sometimes, you know, there's a method to the madness.
You gotta go out there and work together because, like I said, there is a paycheck
at the end of the day, but we wonder how this is going to play out.
[Vic] Tensions certainly did rise earlier when, Graves, as you put it,
Vaquer looked Jordynne Grace in the eye and said, "I am not your investment."
But a big clubbing clothesline by Grace, followed by another.
And she's just looking around, and looking right at the champion.
[Corey] Jordynne looking back at her partner.
Now is not the time to get cute.
Great move. Tag made from the outside, by the Dark Angel.
[Vic] That's certainly one way
to come into the ring, with a high cross body.
And the champion now is legal.
And if we've learned nothing else about Stephanie Vaquer,
it's that she never needs additional motivation.
This woman shows up to work her heart out night after night.
Look at this athleticism!
-[all exclaim] -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Vic] And just got chopped by Fallon Henley.
You can never discount Fallon Henley,
a former North American champion in her own right.
Jacy Jayne and Fallon have run things around here for quite some time.
I saw Roxanne Perez, Giulia on RAW, in the main event last night.
the women's division main event yet again here in the WWE.
[Corey exclaims]
And Booker, you know, maybe Fatal Influence
should focus on winning, not whining.
[Booker T] I can tell you this.
-Ever since Fallon Henley lost that… -[Vic] Into the cover off the suplex!
[Booker T] …lost that North American championship,
there's been a little bit of friction, a little bit of friction, a little bit.
But I think they can get it back with a win tonight.
Let me tell you, right all wrongs with a victory.
[Vic] Going around, this time Vaquer into the cover.
And a kick-out very close, over to Fallon Henley,
coming right back, counter of her own.
As Vaquer, shoulders down now one more time.
Another kick out and-- Whoa! Spinning around!
Maybe trying to get a little bit of a bridge!
And another near fall.
You can see tensions running high in this match-up, guys.
All four of these women with a point to prove.
[crowd cheering]
Now it should be you, Booker, calming it down a little.
Shut you out. Look, you're about to,
you're about to rise up.
[Booker stammers] That is…
[Vic] It's Vaquer. Tag was made.
Fallon Henley now is legal.
[Corey] Looks all hot and bothered no one's getting their skull crushed.
-[all exclaim] -[Corey] Super kick by Jacy Jayne!
Right under the chin.
[Vic] Fallon Henley, though, the legal superstar for her team,
and the referee should step in here.
Gotta get one member of Fatal Influence outta the ring!
-[Booker T] You get five seconds! -Hasn't even started counting! Uh-oh!
[Vic] We had a bit of a slip, just taking down Jayne.
Coming right back in, hit a code breaker into a senton.
Vaquer in control.
[Corey] Our official understands the magnitude of the situation.
-The tensions are running extremely high. -[Booker T] See?
[Corey] Giving a little leeway to the superstars.
[Vic] What did I see?
[Booker T] Jordynne Grace just short-sided Stephanie Vaquer right there.
[Vic] Her hand's out for the tag. What do you mean?
[Booker T] She short-sided her. I just saw it.
[Vic] No time to make fun of her height.
And-- Oh!
Jacy Jayne pulling down Grace. Vaquer couldn't make the tag.
-Answering back was the Juggernaut. -[Corey] Oh!
[Vic] Fallon Henley, though, just dropped an Archangel.
[Booker T] The pro! The pro going to work.
[Vic] And now just dropped Jordynne Grace.
Fatal Influence taking over this match-up.
Fallon Henley pleading her case for a moment.
Just saw that spot open up, and then from the outside, to the inside!
Fatal influence rolling in this match-up.
[whooping]
[Vic] Fatal Influence almost in cruise control at this moment.
Jordynne Grace on the other side, trying to rally her partner.
Or her investment, as she called it.
The woman she'll meet at Battleground.
That's the NXT Women's Champion, Stephanie Vaquer!
Who just got dropped!
Into the cover, and a near fall.
[Booker T] And caught slipping right there by the rock star,
Jacy Jayne, looking for the coup d'etat!
-[Vic] Out of the way, just in time! -[all exclaim]
-[Vic] Brogue kick to the face! -[Booker T] Beautiful!
[Vic] And Jacy Jayne with a point to prove tonight.
As she said earlier,
she doesn't know much about singles championships.
But if she can beat Stephanie Vaquer,
if she could be the one to pin, bam, the Women's Champion
on the other side of Battleground, she needs to be in the conversation.
[Booker T] Who built this damn house? You're looking at her right here.
Jacy Jayne. Give her some credit, man!
[Vic] I just said if she won and pinned the Champion,
-she should be in championship contention. -[Booker T] Give her credit!
[Vic] What do you want me to say, Booker? As right now, Vaquer…
-[Booker T] Oh! -[Vic] Oh, my word!
What do you want to say about Jacy Jayne right now?
[Booker T] I think she's done.
-[crowd clapping rhythmically] -[Booker T] It's a big moment for Jacy.
[Corey] This could be a big moment for Vaquer,
who has a long way to go to tag her partner, Jordynne Grace.
[Vic] It could be a big moment in the match-up if Grace
is able to get back into the squared circle.
Reaching out, trying to make the tag, able to do it.
In comes Fallon Henley, in comes The Juggernaut.
And after we heard from Vaquer and Grace,
we see that there's a healthy respect between champion and challenger.
And Jordynne Grace, turning into a one-woman wrecking crew.
-[yelling] -[Booker T] Mm!
[Vic] Grace, who beat Giulia last week to become the number one contender,
is picking up where she left off in the the Main Event again this week.
[Corey] Talk about a spinebuster.
[Vic] Following it up, bam!
Jordynne Grace, right now, following it up with a big forearm into the face,
falling into the cover-- And Jacy Jayne,
I mean, she just was able to break that up.
And I mean, that was close.
Looking at Vaquer on the far side of the ring,
hasn't even pulled herself to her feet.
Grace, now, has to realize, maybe for the next few minutes,
she's going to be going at this by herself,
and I think that's just what she likes,
having Vaquer on the outside, as you pointed out earlier, Graves.
The Champion on the outside,
she's still guaranteeing herself an opportunity at Battleground.
[Corey] What is Fallon Henley looking for here? Fantastic!
[Vic] Suplex out of the corner.
Grace looked up for the monitor. She, right now, has pain etched on her face.
Fallon Henley looking for the victory.
And no one can question the moxie or the confidence of Fatal Influence.
[Booker T] Fatal Influence looking real good,
but the question is, can they pull it off?
This is a pivotal, pivotal match here for both.
[Corey] Vaquer has reentered the chat.
All four women now throwing hands mid-ring.
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker T] Yes!
-[Vic exclaiming] -[Corey] Another big dropkick!
Vaquer got rocked.
[Vic] Taking out the body which fell into a DDT.
Another super kick.
[Booker T] Fatal Influence on top of their game here tonight.
[Corey] Chemistry is the difference maker in this instance.
Fatal Influence are a team.
[Vic] And you also have to say, they called their shot earlier tonight
and they're making the most of it.
-[commentators exclaim] -[Corey] Jordynne took the bullet!
-[Vic] Grace sacrificed herself! -[Booker T] That's it.
-[Vic] Into the cover, and a kick-out. -[Corey] Wow!
[Vic] Grace said Vaquer was the investment.
She's trying to protect Stephanie, she wants that Championship Match,
but, man, she is throwing herself, literally, to the wolves.
Big kick on the outside, rocking the Champion.
[Corey] Vaquer is hurt.
Jacy Jayne knows that Fallon Henley looking to capitalize.
Mid-ring with Jordynne Grace in position!
[Vic] Able to counter for the moment is Grace.
Big bead-butt takes down Fallon, back fist just rocked Jayne.
And now, entering into beast mode!
-[yells] -[crowd] One, two, three!
[Vic] Fatal Influence suffers the fatal blow.
-[yelling] -[Booker T] Man!
[announcer] Here are your winners, the team of
the NXT Women's Champion, Stephanie Vaquer,
and Jordynne Grace!
["Thicc Mama Pump" playing]
[Vic] She said she was going to protect her investment,
and she certainly did that, did The Juggernaut.
But it was Vaquer who proclaimed,
"When an unstoppable force meets the devil, the devil will always win."
[crowd chanting] Gracie! Gracie!
[referee speaking indistinctly]
[Vic] Graves, let's go back to some of the action in this match-up.
[Corey] It was fast, it was furious, it was heavy-hitting.
Fatal Influence, throwing caution to the wind to obtain the advantage.
Fallon Henley even taking it high-risk,
understanding that the stakes were extremely high for both teams.
But as a Fatal Influence…
Here we take another look at Jordynne Grace
taking the bullet for the Champion,
pushing Vaquer out of harm's way, keeping the match-up alive.
And then, The Juggernaut would unleash beast mode
at the expense of Jacy Jayne.
And still the number one contender
with her sights set on her tag partner's gold.
[Vic] Well, let's gear up for what's going to take place in Tampa,
as the NXT Women's Championship will be on the line.
Grace, Vaquer battle for the NXT Women's Title.
[Corey] And how about the ultimate betrayal?
The Underboss wants to become The Don.
Tony D'Angelo goes one-on-one with Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
"Personal" is an understatement, in Tampa.
This is the Main Event before we get to next week.
Oba Femi, The Ruler, defends his NXT Title and his kingdom
against the underdog, Miles Borne of No Quarter Catch Crew.
[Vic] Miles Borne, who tonight, was able to hold on.
[Corey] How about this for history?
For the first time ever, the TNA Championship
will be defended on a WWE premium live event.
TNA champ, Joe Hendry looks to try to make a believer out of Trick Williams.
[Vic] Well, get ready, Tampa.
[imperceptible]
[Vic] You don't want to miss The Dark Angel
defending against The Juggernaut.
It's the NXT Women's Championship on the line at Battleground,
and I don't believe there will be many friends
after what takes place in Tampa.
So we should soak in this moment as we have--
Whoa, what's going on? Apparently, something's going on in the locker room.
[splutters] Excuse me, it's outside.
-[objects smashing] -[referee] Hey! What's going on?
-Ricky! Hey, Ricky! -[referee] Hey, that's enough!
I told you! I told you we'd pick this up later, Ricky!
-[referee] Hey, stop. -It's later.
-Let's go. -Get out of here. That's enough.
-[groans] Oh, God! -You okay? Keep breathing.
Hey, we need some medical over here! We need some help!
[Vic] Page said he wasn't done yet with Ricky Saints.
But as we focus on those two, we refocus on these two.
Who will come out of Battleground on top of the best Women's Division in the world?
Can the Dark Angel retain,
or can The Juggernaut do what she said she came here to do,
be the best woman in the world and be the NXT Women's Champion?
[crowd chanting] Gracie!
[crowd cheering] Gracie!