[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[cheering]
[Joseph] The center of the wrestling universe is in Tampa.
Raw tomorrow night. Saturday Night's Main Event 24 hours ago.
And tonight, this city host its first premium live event in 4 years.
Welcome to WWE Battleground.
Earlier today our women's champion, the Dark Angel, Stephanie Vaquer arrived,
prepared to defend the women's title,
and she will do so tonight against the Juggernaut.
We will find out tonight truly who is the best
when these two go one on one.
On the topic of championships, there is Oba Femi.
He will defend the NXT Championship against, well, an unknown.
NQCC's Myles Borne,
who shocked the world earning this championship opportunity.
Can he prove he was born to be champion here tonight?
And the question is, "Do you believe?" Joe Hendry puts the TNA World Championship
on the line for the first time on WWE programming
against that man, Trick Williams.
The question now is who will make history tonight?
And the energy is absolutely electric here in Tampa.
The lines have been drawn.
Who survives? Who will be victorious after Battleground?
[spectators] NXT! NXT!
[narrator] We are no strangers to the fight for survival.
We are no strangers to the need to conquer.
We are no strangers to battle.
Leaders from two companies,
one that should have the home field advantage.
I'm Trick Williams. I'm the face of this brand.
But now…
Trick Williams…
…is just an outcast in his own kingdom.
…is a whiny ****.
[Joseph] For the first time on WWE programming,
the TNA world title will be defended.
This match will be historic because of me.
As fast as your star rose to the top,
it could come crashing back down.
[Joseph] Can Hendry prove to Williams?
Joe Hendry! He is no average Joe.
[narrator] A battle of a destroyed family started by a once-loyal soldier
now threatening an empire.
I'm sick of taking your orders.
[D'Angelo] You made your bed,
and at Battleground, you're gonna lay in it.
I finished the Don once and for all.
There is no bailout! Just me breaking your face.
[narrator] Some have everything to lose, but others battle with everything to gain.
[Borne] I shocked the damn world.
[Joseph] Borne did it!
[Oba] You are the number one contender.
I'm hard of hearing, but I heard them that night.
[Borne] I want to be judged by my ability, not my disability.
So be it.
When you step into the ring with me, your dream will die.
[Borne] I'm ready to shock the world again.
[narrator] A battle for domination between the best in their arena.
Top of the best women's division in professional wrestling.
[Joseph] Grace, Vaquer, for the women's title at Battleground.
[Grace] She escaped with the NXT Women's Championship once…
[Joseph] La Primera establishes dominance once again.
…but at Battleground…
-[Joseph] Beast mode gets engaged. -…there is no escape.
I will show you when you get close to my hell, you will burn.
In flame.
[announcer] And so,
let the battle…
begin.
Welcome to Battleground.
And now WWE presents Battleground.
["Chasing Surf" plays]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest scheduled for one fall,
it's for the NXT Women's
North American Championship.
Introducing first, accompanied by Zaria, from Honolulu, Hawaii,
she is the NXT Women's North American champion,
Sol Ruca!
[Joseph] Oh, what a way to kick off the Battleground,
the first championship match of the night.
And we want to welcome you in ringside,
Vic Joseph alongside two-time WWE Hall of Fame,
none other than Booker T.
And also to my left, that being Corey Graves,
and look, Corey,
careers are gonna be defined. History is gonna be made.
The atmosphere is always. special here in Tampa,
a city where many of us began our WWE journeys
not far down the road on Dale Mabry Highway.
I want to know who's going to take the next step tonight at Battleground
And the ladies kicking this thing off.
This could be a main event, guys, anywhere in the world.
["Out Of This World" plays]
[Rome] And her opponent from Boynton Beach, Florida,
Kelani Jordan!
[Joseph] And, Graves, when it comes to the challenger, has she developed that…
killer instinct?
[Graves] Kelani Jordan has never been a slouch in the ring, if inexperienced,
but what we've seen over the past several months has truly been an evolution
of Kelani Jordan as a competitor.
Booker, I think you'll agree with me.
We've asked to see a little more aggression,
a little bit more of a mean streak
from the first ever North American Women's champion.
I say we got it.
[Booker T] That caterpillar that turned into the butterfly that stings like a bee.
That's Kelani Jordan.
She's grown up so much over this last year.
The first, guys, the first Women's North American champion.
Stand up. Stand up, man.
[Joseph] And, Booker, at this point,
moments ago, Graves,
and I think you'll agree, this is going to set the tone for Battleground tonight.
[Graves] Absolutely. You can feel the energy backstage all day.
Every single match on the card is gonna have a "follow that" mentality.
Every superstar on the roster knows how special tonight is
and how massive each opportunity to compete here in NXT is.
You can see on the face of Sol Ruca,
a little tip of the cap to Zaria on the outside.
Also looks like a little bit of war paint, so to speak here at Battleground.
Sol Ruca taking a page out of Zaria's handbook ready for battle at Battleground.
Look at the athleticism right off of the opening bell.
[Booker T] Oh, yes, I'm loving it.
[Graves] Expect to see a lot more of that misdirection by Sol.
[Joseph] Shoulders down and rolling right back through
as Ruca sidestepping the drop kick
and again both these women know each other so very well.
Long-standing rivalry between these two over the Women's North American title.
Jordan's first defense was against Sol.
It's fitting Sol's first defense is against Kelani.
Both were in that latter match last year at Battleground
where Kelani became the first woman to hold this title.
Both did Stand & Deliver and both again competing here tonight.
[Booker T] Beautiful work.
[Joseph] You can hear the appreciation for these two athletes
throughout the Yuengling Center.
[Booker T] Don't do it. Don't do it.
[Jospeh] Come on, Booker, it's all about sportsmanship.
Again, these two have been through the trenches
and they did get a little shake of the hand and now right back to it,
Sol overpowering Kelani early on and up front.
[Graves] I think it can be all about sportsmanship,
but you can't be afraid to bend the rule here and there.
Take a shortcut, thumb somebody in the eye.
[Joseph] Kelani earned this opportunity by beating Zaria this past Tuesday
-at NXT! -[Graves] Oh, my! Wow!
That's what we need to see out of Jordan.
Is that the killer instinct you both were talking about?
[Joseph] No doubt.
[Booker T] No time for shaking hands right now. This is about competition.
This is about the about the championship.
This is about the North American championship.
[Joseph] Look at this submission, stepping through like demanded last night.
STF applied.
Trying to reach out to that bottom rope, Kelani,
but look, Kelani wants to fight her way through this hold right here right now,
but right now desperation may be setting in
because Sol Ruca has this cinched in deep.
Almost in the center of the ring, shifting weight,
shoulders down and a near fall.
You know, Graves, when you take a look at these two,
are they really starting to set themselves up to be
the foundation of this division?
[Graves] Potentially, and only time will tell.
But both Sol Ruca and Kelani Jordan have got very, very bright,
hopefully long futures in WWE ahead of them.
They could fight forever, as they say.
[Booker T] First of many, many battles, guys.
Letting Kelani think about it.
Sol with a suplex.
Into a moonsault standing-style, cover shifting again!
Counters! Shoulders down, another near fall coming right back in,
flipping over is Sol, center of the ring.
Another near fall. Kelani getting out this time.
She's gonna take down the champion, and the champion just able to wiggle free
at the count of two again.
Back and forth looking for maybe a crucifix.
-[Booker T] Wow. -Sol blocking it though.
Showing that strength. And Ruca…
-[Graves] Oh! -[Joseph] The crucifix bomb!
Whoa, that was close.
Based solely off the opening moments of this contest,
I think this one's gonna come down to which of these two ladies
makes the first mistake, period.
[Booker T] I think Sol Ruca's got a bad strategy right now
'cause I don't think she's gonna outwit Kelani Jordan in this match.
Oh, and there could have been that mistake, Graves, you were alluding to
-and now-- -[Booker T] Oh, baby! Oh, baby!
That could be it!
[Joseph] Hook of the leg! And another near fall.
You know, Booker, how much different is Kelani now opposed to one year ago?
Because again it was at Battleground last year in Vegas.
She wore the gold for the first time.
[Booker T] Like I said, we've watched Kelani Jordan grow up
in the middle of that ring and you know,
like I said, being the first North American champion,
that tells me she's got all the skills.
She's a special, special talent, Victor.
[Joseph] I think something also that's important to remember is…
Nice northern lights with a bridge, shoulders down
and again another kick off by Sol Ruca.
Kelani lost the title at Halloween Havoc.
She faced three different opponents on that night, Booker,
those of course being…
[Booker T] No, I mean, Kelani Jordan, she's… she's one that's gonna fight.
She's gonna stay in the game, and right now she's…
she's doing a hell of a job with Sol Ruca.
I'm wondering if she could become a two-time champion at this young age.
[Joseph] Oh, look at this innovative offense.
Oh! With a little bit of a twist from Kelani.
Kelani now stacking up Sol and another kick out, but now trying to transition.
I don't know, Graves, into maybe a single leg Boston crab?
It seems apparent to me thus far that Kelani Jordan has certainly
done her homework on the champion.
But this is where the inexperience can factor in.
Kelani Jordan is certainly not a submission expert
by any stretch of the imagination.
She's obviously added some new wrinkles to her game, some aggression.
We've seen the crossface chicken wing in the past serve her very well.
Look at the nice half crab.
[Joseph] Sat back, is locked in, but Sol Ruca did a nice job
of keeping the pressure off her lower back.
And now looking at her partner, that being Zaria on the outside,
trying to navigate her way to that bottom rope to break the hold,
and there's Kelani now trying to sit down in this single leg crab,
and this is one way to counter that high flying ability of Sol Ruca.
Ruca's been able to maintain her knee underneath her,
minimizing the pressure.
While this is still painful,
not likely to force the submission, and the champion able to escape
into a jackknife cover goes Jordan.
Shoulders down in another kick out,
and you know some people have said about Sol Ruca, you know,
being a double champion, there's pressure.
Graves, on WWE Speed, have you noticed pressure getting to Sol Ruca?
[Graves] Well, some athletes thrive under pressure, and that's what we've seen
from Sol Ruca thus far in both of her championship reigns, albeit young reins.
Nothing short of impressive.
[Joseph] And to that-- Whoa.
[Booker T] Wow!
[Joseph] Wiggling for a moment, catching her balance is Sol.
Precarious position!
-X factor, X found the spot! -[Booker T] She's out.
If Ruca can make the cover, this one is over,
but Sol Ruca landed almost on her tailbone as well.
-[Booker T] Wow. -[Graves] Listen to this place.
Take another look as Kelani Jordan driven face first into the canvas,
but you were right, Vic, rough landing for the champion at the same time.
[Joseph] You know, Booker, you are someone who knows
just how difficult it is to defend two separate titles.
[Booker T] I mean it's almost impossible to defend two titles.
I mean, the time on the road alone pretty much take that out of the equation.
[Joseph] Back to this position.
This is how we're kicking off Battleground.
Starting to pick up some steam now is Ruca.
Big knee right under the jaw!
Rocking Kelani, and Kelani wisely rolling to the outside.
That was smart because she has been rocked around in this matchup.
[Graves] Smart decision, but Kelani also has to take into account the fact
that Zaria is only a few feet away and you can never take your eyes off of her.
[Joseph] Sol Ruca of course becoming champion after Stephanie Vaquer,
who was a double champion,
relinquished the title for the betterment of the women's division.
Vaquer, Jordynne Grace still to come.
[Graves] Oh, my God. No, no, no, no.
Jordan looking for a Fisherman suplex on the apron.
[Joseph] Countered by Sol for a moment.
-You gotta… -[Graves] Oh!
…imagine Zaria being out there helping Sol in this moment.
[Graves] Ruca showing she's got some dynamite in her fists.
[Joseph] Talk about athleticism. Take a look at Kelani.
Of course the background of Michigan State just rocking though, Ruca to the floor.
-You know, Booker, I would say Kelani has… -[Graves] Look out, guys.
Kelani has shed that little sister stigma.
[Booker T] Oh, baby!
Well, we talked about Kelani Jordan, how much she's grown up.
You can feel it. You can feel it in the air tonight, man.
Kelani Jordan is about to cash in, perhaps become two-time North American champion.
[Joseph] Phil Collins couldn't have said it better than you, Book,
'cause now Kelani could be looking for the knockout blow here against Sol Ruca.
Going… Oh!
-[Graves] Sol said uh-uh. -[Joseph] Said that you-- Certainly did.
Now trying to hoist up another counter, trying to roll through again is Kelani,
but Sol being able to stay one step ahead of--
-[Graves] Oh! -[Joseph] Well, that was innovative.
That was almost like a backstabber of sorts.
[Graves] Modification on the backstabber,
both feet to the spine of the challenger
and Ruca thinking about taking it high risk.
[Booker T] What is she thinking, man?
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God!
[Joseph] The judges give a 10 to Sol Ruca.
And as we've seen in this matchup…
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT!
-[Joseph] I knew this place-- -[Graves] Tampa, let these ladies know.
[Joseph] We knew this place would be rocking.
We always talk about the athleticism. Sol showcasing some power as well,
but a big splash off the top, hook of the leg into the cover to retain,
and another near fall. And that's something--
-[Booker T] No, no, go ahead. -[Joseph] No, you go ahead.
[Booker T] I was just saying Sol Ruca's showing me something, guys,
because in her first title defense, she's doing a hell of a job.
They said you're not a champion until you go out there
and defend that championship-- This is Battleground.
[Joseph] And again, hard to argue, but another thing to point out--
[Graves] Sol trying to take a page out of Zaria's book and paid for it.
[Joseph] Looked like maybe she was trying to enter into the zone of destruction,
didn't work out, and Kelani now.
We've seen her win in the past with that 5 star splash!
and another near…
Cover again! And a kickout.
For a third time! Still not the charm.
Gotta stay focused though, and there's that rage starting to boil out,
that killer instinct we talked about.
[Graves] You have to realize every time the champion is forced to kick out,
Sol is forced to exert energy.
[Joseph] Jordan trying to become a two-time Women's North American champion,
first to do so.
Sol Ruca looking to be successful in her first championship defense.
A lot on the line in this matchup here, Book.
[Booker T] Right now we're in a prone position,
not a great position for both of these ladies.
-What's gonna happen? -[Joseph] What is she thinking?
[Booker T] Oh, baby.
-[Joseph] Oh, my God, not a Poisonrana. -[Booker T] She's not gonna do it.
She's not gonna do it.
[Joseph] Sol able to counter!
Kelani took too much time, Poisonrana.
Spear! She did enter the zone of destruction.
Cover! Count!
Unreal.
[Graves] Take another look first at the splash,
full extension, full impact for Jordan,
not enough to finish the job,
and this is insane impact.
A spear from Sol Ruca borrowing a maneuver
from her friend Zaria, but still not done.
Looking for the Sol Snatcher countered though by Kelani.
[Joseph] Again, these two have had so many battles over the last year,
bringing it to tonight.
Sol now, trying to go up top, take another high risk,
but Kelani able to cut her off at the pass.
I mean, there is nothing, Booker, stopping either of these women.
[Booker T] Yeah, right there Sol Ruca just wasted a little bit too much time,
maybe 1, maybe 2 seconds
and right there Kelani trying to capitalize off it.
-Oh, baby! -[Joseph] Super Spanish Fly!
-Another near fall. -[Booker chuckles] Yeah.
This just shows you the prestige how much, Corey,
this championship means to the locker room and to the two fighting over it.
[Graves] Now you see Zaria on the outside barking orders, perhaps motivation
to the champion Sol Ruca.
Incredible effort thus far by both of these women,
but neither able to pick up the W just yet.
[Joseph] Now you can feel Tampa right now.
I wonder who they're… whose corner they're in,
who are they trying to rally in this moment?
[Graves] We've heard the chant a few times over the years,
both these guys, I think if both these girls would be apropo in this instance.
[Joseph] Counter for counter.
[Graves] Oh, my God, Kelani just dropping bombs.
[Booker T] What I like about Kelani, she will fight you, man.
She will throw hands. I love it, man.
[Joseph] I think that's what it's gonna take at this juncture.
Sol has always said she wants this championship.
She wants to prove herself. She's certainly doing it here.
She's certainly doing it now, fully focused in.
Kelani though able to counter
and then just stomped through, but look where she's at, Graves,
looking for that one of a kind split leg and, hey…
[referee] What are you doing? What are you doing?
[Joseph] Zaria just…
[Graves] Take a hike, Zaria.
[Joseph] Zaria helped her partner, but at what cost?
-[Graves] Sol, keep your head in the game. -[Joseph] Incoming!
Jordan from behind with what could be the dagger that ends Sol's title reign.
And, Booker, did you just feel the momentum shift in this matchup?
[Booker T] I mean the air just seemed to have gone out of the room right now.
And right now Kelani Jordan is in perfect--
[Joseph] Wait, wait!
Countered again, was looking for that Sol Snatcher.
Kelani right now. Nothing will stop Jordan.
She continues to persevere and push through.
She was so happy, she was so excited, elated to be the first champion
to carry that lineage.
She wants to make history one more time here tonight
by becoming the first woman to hold the Women's North American title twice.
But Sol now.
Perched high again.
Going up.
Oh! Sol-freaking-Snatcher from the top!
And Sol secures her first successful defense.
-["Chasing Surf" plays] -[Booker T] Man.
[Rome] Here is your winner,
and still the NXT Women's North American champion
Sol Ruca!
[Joseph] Graves, you are a man of many words,
but the look on your face when we just saw that,
you were speechless.
[Graves] My jaw about hit the table in front of us.
Take another look at Zaria getting caught red-handed.
Her heart may have been in the right place, but she got a one way ticket
back to the locker room as a result.
Sol Ruca took her eye off the prize for just a moment,
but when you are capable of that sort of breathtaking athleticism.
You can afford a mistake from time to time.
What a victory by the champion Sol Ruca.
Absolutely unbelievable
standing O for Sol Ruca, who continues
to roll and ride the wave of momentum as champion here in NXT.
[Joseph] Take a look at who's here.
[Graves] Ava backstage having a chat with Dalys and Chik Tormenta.
Luchadoros from AAA.
You gotta wonder if it's gonna have Worlds Collide implications.
But let's throw it backstage to Sarah Schreiber with a very special guest.
Joining me right now is the standard of TNA, Mike Santana.
Mike, you're taking your first ever WWE Premium live event.
How are you enjoying it?
Sarah, it's taken me 16 years to finally walk through the doors here at the WWE,
so to say I'm having a hell of a time is a definite understatement.
But listen, I've made it very clear that I'm coming after the TNA world title,
so I'm here to watch Joe and Trick throw hands against each other.
And to the WWE universe that don't know who I am…
I'm a loud and proud Boricua from the Bronx, New York, baby.
I don't mince words
and keeping it in a buck has been ingrained in me since day one,
so I'm gonna keep it plain and simple for you.
I'm here because I want the winner of tonight's match.
-I want who's walking out TNA world champ… -Hey, bro. What's this?
Another TNA wrestler where they don't belong?
You know, it's bad enough
we got Joe Hendry here stealing the Main Event spotlight tonight.
Now we got Santana here demanding things.
You know I'm getting real sick and tired of all these outsiders here.
Charlie, you don't know me.
And you're cutting into my interview time, calling me an outsider.
Yeah. What of it?
We all know time is money, so we obviously have a problem.
-Yeah, I think we d-- -Whoa. Charlie. Hang back. I got this.
Respectfully, dawg. I don't see no problem.
I see an opportunity for the both of us.
My boy Myles is getting his with his NXT title match, so if you don't mind,
I want an opportunity with the standard of TNA itself.
-All right. -How's Tuesday sound?
Fire, respect. Unlike your homeboy here.
Get with your management. I'ma get with mine.
-I'll see you in 48 hours. -Come on now.
Truth will ultimately prevail.
But there's pain bringing it to light.
[Rome] The following contest is a six-man tag team match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Izzi Dame, Niko Vance,
Brooks Jensen and Shawn Spears.
The Culling!
[Joseph] Graves, how has Spears continued to scoff The Culling.
[Graves] Shawn Spears finds the weak, finds the injured, finds the wounded.
And infiltrates their psyche completely.
A few months ago, we would have never fathomed the idea that Izzi Dame
would be following Shawn Spears around,
proving herself to be such an invaluable asset to The Culling.
Yet here we are.
Shawn Spears continues to gain power by utilizing the people around him
who are some of the most dangerous in NXT.
[Joseph] What is it you say, Booker, about Shawn Spears?
[Booker T] No, he's definitely the GPS. The navigator.
["Burn This Engine Out" plays]
[Joseph] These guys get lost in their own hotel rooms.
[Booker T] Honk, honk! Oh, yes, man!
And their opponents, the team of Josh Briggs
and the NXT tag team champions,
Hank Walker, Tank Ledger, Hank and Tank!
[Joseph] I'm not even gonna ask Booker this, Graves,
you got to admire our tag team champions for being men of their words,
saying we will have your back.
[Graves] Hank and Tank have certainly lived up to their promise
as pertains to Josh Briggs,
but this could be an instance of the tag team champions involving themselves
in a conflict that they need not.
-[Booker T] There it is. -[Graves] This is Josh Briggs' problem.
Josh Briggs needs to get his head straight.
[Joseph] I'm willing to bet, Booker,
you think that Hank and Tank should mind their own business?
[Booker T] Concerning themselves with business that don't concern them, Vic.
Come on, they're the tag team champions.
They need to be thinking about the tag team championship and who's next.
That's what they should be thinking about. Come on, man.
[Joseph] You got to imagine if The Culling is able to get a victory here tonight,
-they should be in the championship-- -[Booker T] You damn right!
A place that they should not be in, right?
-Who? The Culling shouldn't be-- -[Graves] Wait…
[Booker T] Like I say, this match might put them in that position.
[Joseph] Well, there goes Briggs right out of the gates and you know he is
as angry as we've ever seen him, Corey, and you've known him longer than we have.
[Graves] Listen, Briggs is not in a great headspace right now
and tonight is of the utmost importance.
If Briggs doesn't come out here with a victory or at least a strong showing,
it could be catastrophic for him mentally.
When your head's not right, Book, I think you'll agree with me,
it doesn't matter what your body does.
[Booker T] I agree with you 100%. One thing about the big guy, Josh Briggs,
he's always on top early in the game.
Seems like he loses focus somewhere midway through.
[Joseph] Hank and Tank doing their best right now
as they've tagged into the match…
Let Booker have his thing.
-[Booker T] Honk, honk, honk! -[crowd] Honk, honk!
[Joseph] It's only two, but Vance rolling out of the way and look,
Niko Vance, this is someone
who's had four or five matches in his career
and finds himself on the premium life stage.
[Graves] Niko Vance has a penchant for violence.
There's no doubt about that, but look!
Oh, the humanity!
That was…
And the belly bandits are out in Tampa.
[Graves] Take a look at this. Hank and Tank soaring through the air.
Josh Briggs sacrificing his own body, bringing a little mayhem.
[Joseph] And look, I mean, it has to feel good for Briggs to feel supported.
I mean, you gotta think that, right?
[Graves] I'm sure it feels good, but everyone feels good
when they're supported. Everyone likes to be at home in their bed.
You don't need to worry about support in this game.
You need to worry about who stands on your own two feet.
[Booker T] Can I ask you guys a que… Can you--
-[Joseph] Oh, no! -[Booker T] Oh, my God. Oh, my God, man.
[Joseph] The official's checking…
Did you hear that impact, Graves?
[Graves] Look at this once again.
An absolutely sickening thud. That was cranium meets steel.
[Joseph] Booker, I'm sorry to cut you off from what you were saying
-but that was gnarly. -Back to my question.
Can you trust Briggs? Can you do that?
[Joseph, Booker stammer]
[Booker T] I mean, I don't know why I can do it. Can you trust Josh Briggs?
I don't know, man. I don't think you can.
This guy, he has failed two different partners, come on, man.
We've seen it right here.
[Joseph] Into the cover hook of the leg and a kickout.
This is one man who obviously lost trust in Briggs.
One of the aforementioned partners that Booker just brought up.
Jensen held the United Kingdom tag titles with Briggs.
They were as close as brothers at one point.
Jensen has blamed Briggs time and time again.
And has found a new family with Niko Vance
who right now is in the ring showcasing his skill.
[Booker T] Just think about how close En Amore was
to becoming tag team champions here
and who messed it up?
Josh Briggs. Who messed up? Who could not stay focused?
Who's the one who messed up?
-Come on, man. -[Joseph] I agree with you, Book.
I have nothing to argue.
I mean, no leg to stand on, to be honest,
and you know, you take a look at what happened on the countdown to Battleground.
Both Jensen and Vance thanked--
Shawn Spears, shoulders down!
[Booker T] Oh, baby.
[Joseph] They thanked him for getting them to the premium live stage.
Vance's first premium live event, his 5th televised match.
Jensen's first premium live event
in three years as Shawn Spears checks into the match.
[Booker T] Shawn Spears,
I must say this guy has done a hell of a job with Niko Vance,
Brooks Jensen and Izzi Dames, I mean…
I mean, come on, Brooks Jensen.
He's got a lifetime membership to Supercuts.
Look at the guy, he looks great.
[Joseph] Well, he certainly does, Booker.
You all of a sudden become a fashionista between him and Ricky Saints here on NXT
as Shawn Spears going to work.
[Booker T] I mean, you've seen the $500 shirts. I mean, you see the new attitude.
I mean, come on, he's looking great. He's been in the gym.
He's been training.
And, Booker, he thanked Shawn Spears for that, but it looks like…
Corey brought up a great point earlier.
Yes, I know it's the only kind you make.
Booker seems, you know, it seems Spears thrives off exploiting
the insecurity of others.
[Booker T] I mean, who's insecure here?
Izzi Dame? Izzi Dame right there? She's on the rise.
Niko Vance, a young upstart, a guy who's looking
to be a superstar in this business.
Come on, Brooks Jensen, a guy who was in a dark place.
He might be the only guy. He was in a dark place,
but right now he's seeing the light.
We didn't know much about Niko Vance.
He could have been in a dark place as well, and I mean, Graves,
is that how he formed The Culling? Preying on their weaknesses?
[Booker T] What are you seeing?
[Joseph] To form his own family?
Is that how Shawn Spears put them all together?
-[Graves] Shawn-- -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
Gets his hooks in, gets his claws in early
when these superstars are down on their luck. When they're down and out.
[Booker T] Can we agree on something? Shawn Spears has done a helluva job
-putting this team together. -[Joseph] Tag.
Can we agree on that?
[Joseph] We can agree on that, but it's now Shawn Spears who's paying the price,
as is Niko Vance, and look who's in.
-Tagging in. -[Booker T] Tank Ledger.
[Joseph] And Tank right now moving with a purpose.
[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Joseph] Hank, Tank, Briggs have all bonded over their passion for this brand.
Hank and Tank taking all that advice they've received from teams
over the last several months trying to put it all together,
and Briggs is someone who knows about the highs and the lows.
-Look out. -[Booker T] Oh, cannon ball!
Cannon ball!
[Joseph] He's sweating gravy right now, Graves.
[Graves] I couldn't see because he broke my monitor, derelict.
[Joseph] And whoa, flying through the air.
Tank is unglued.
Showcasing that power, and this goes back to what you said
about being tag team champions, Booker.
Maybe they are thinking two steps ahead. We just don't see it.
Briggs dropping Niko Vance.
[Booker T] Big shot there by the big man.
I love that he's got his focus tonight. Maybe he's in the game here tonight.
[Joseph] All of a sudden he loves him, Graves. Did you hear that?
I'm just-- I'm just making a point.
-I'm making a point. -[Joseph] Stay on one side of the fence.
[Booker T] It's not a fence!
[Graves] I heard nothing fallacious from Booker T. just now.
[Joseph] That's the word of the day.
And that is a double super plex.
They ain't never going to beat me at that one!
Oh, double elbows!
Unbelievable.
I think that was a flying headbutt from Niko Vance.
Excuse me, the action flying around!
Big moonsault from Briggs, who's legal, covering--
Oh, my word, they just broke that up.
[Booker T] Big Josh Briggs with the big moonsault from the heavens.
My God, man!
[Graves] A man that big for all intents and purposes should not be
able to do a maneuver that smoothly like the moonsault from the man of mayhem.
[Joseph] It has been a battle since the beginning.
Even for our opening,
of course last WWE Battleground here in Tampa was 2014.
-[Booker T] Double tag. -[Joseph] All these men
are looking to hit their opponent, make them feel like they're back in 2014,
including that spinning heel kick from Jensen.
[Graves] Got hit right in the bread basket.
Impressive athleticism from Jensen.
[Joseph] Oh, big straight… That kick way to the bridge of the nose.
Tag was made. Niko Vance is now legal.
And, Graves, there's a lot to like about Niko Vance.
[Graves] Not as a human being.
The guy's detestable, but he's a very, very talented athlete.
[Joseph] Look at Briggs.
Briggs for a second… and Spears!
Not often we see Spears leave his feet.
Niko Vance though still just being able to hold Tank into that dominator
off the double stomp. Into the cover.
[Booker T] Beautiful work.
What… What the hell!
[Graves] I don't know about that count, ref.
[Booker T] The referee might have made a bad call right there, guys.
[Joseph] Oh, Izzi Dame not happy with Felix Fernandez.
The official in this moment.
As this matchup continuing to roll on.
[Graves] The official has the best view in the house.
-[Booker T] Uh-huh. -[Graves] Got to trust his discretion.
[Joseph] There's been bodies flying around this entire match.
Who's to say, you know, we, of course, as Graves just said,
don't have the best vantage as our officials do,
but again, now things starting to break down one more time
and Tank sending Jensen for the ride.
[Joseph] Swinging to miss, tag was made.
[Graves] I don't think Jensen realized
that Briggs is the legal superstar for his team.
[Joseph] It's gonna be Briggs and Jensen who are still the legal competitors
in this matchup.
-[Hank] Tank! -[Tank] Hank!
-[Spears exclaims] -[crowd gasps]
[Joseph] We're back to their football days, wiping out Spears.
[Booker T] Can't win it out there though, guys.
[Graves] Well, Briggs is the legal superstar.
He is in the center of the ring and he is trying to drag his former partner,
his former friend, his former brother…
into the ring.
It's good providing level of catharsis.
-Big splash. -[Graves] Briggs needs desperately.
[Joseph] Hey, Graves, sometimes we see Briggs go for a cover there.
He decided not to.
I think he went to inflict some damage as he goes after Niko Vance.
[Graves] I don't think Briggs is thinking straight.
[Joseph] Wait a minute. Our official…
[Graves] A boot from Izzi Dame.
[Joseph] The referee didn't see what happened.
-Another cover… -[crowd] One, two…
-[Graves] Briggs just able to kick out. -[Dame exclaims]
[Joseph] Izzi Dame always seems to be the mastermind somehow, someway as…
-Oh, no one there. -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
Briggs closed line.
[Booker T grunts] That could be… What? He didn't cover him again.
[groans]
[Joseph] Looking up, looking to make a tag.
In comes Hank.
Niko Vance back up and off. Things are getting out of hand.
Another tag was made. It is now Tank that is legal.
[Graves] Out-of-hand to wildly inappropriate.
-[Joseph] Hit first, hit last. -[crowd chanting]
[Joseph] High-impact offense from the champs.
[crowd] One, two, three! [cheers]
-[Joseph] And they overcome The Culling… -[bell dings]
…here tonight.
[Graves] Wow.
[Rome] Here are your winners, the team of Josh Briggs
and the NXT Tag Team Champions, Hank and Tank!
[Joseph] Spears said Briggs was a prisoner of self-sabotage,
but tonight The Culling couldn't close the door.
[Graves] It had to feel good
for Josh Briggs and the NXT Tag Team champions,
as we look at some of the high-impact closing moments,
vicious double-team mid-ring crushes Brooks Jensen.
And the beginning of the end
-for Hank, Tank, and Josh Briggs. -[crowd] One, two, three!
[Graves] What a win.
[Joseph] One has to imagine what The Culling…
is going to be thinking about now after what just happened…
here tonight at Battleground.
[Joseph] Did you see the Tag Team Champion…
[Graves] Wait. Niko Vance from behind just dragged Briggs out of the way.
[Joseph] Oh, The Culling's not done.
[Graves] This is what The Culling was thinking about. Revenge.
[crowd booing]
[Graves] Spears, Vance, Jensen teeing off on the victors.
[Joseph] Like a pack of… What did he say?
He just told Izzi Dame to bring him a steel chair.
-[Booker T] Yeah. -Wait, just 'cause you lose the match,
you end up doing this?
[Booker T] It's about the reckoning.
[Joseph] What does that have to do with anything?
-[Booker T] It's about punishment, pain. -[Graves] Guys. Guys!
[Joseph exclaims] Graves!
[Graves] Inamura is here.
[Joseph] He is here!
[Graves] I thought Inamura's excursion was over.
[Joseph] To the shock and awe of The Culling, Inamura
-with a chair. -[Booker T] What the hell?
-[Joseph] What do you mean? -[Booker T] The hell?
[Joseph] Inamura, Briggs, Hank, Tank.
-[Booker T] Thought he was in Japan. -[Joseph] What a moment.
I feel bad for Jensen for at least a half second.
-And a little bit of payback for Briggs. -[crowd cheers]
Inamura is back.
Briggs has to be rejoicing.
One thing for sure, there's a lot of bellies at Battleground.
[Graves] That's your takeaway? Bellies?
-[Joseph] And some rejoicing. -[Briggs exclaiming]
It's good to see a smile on the face of Josh Briggs.
-[all exclaim] -[crowd cheers]
Inamura returning to NXT and surprising everyone,
but with me right now is Ethan Page.
Ethan, ahead of your NXT North American Championship match on Tuesday
against Ricky Saints, can you explain to us--
Sarah, I really don't care what questions you have.
Ricky Saints. [chuckles]
Everybody here seems to believe with their heart
that you are the coolest guy in NXT.
Sarah, I hate to break it to you and everybody watching,
but that's all external.
None of that's real.
It's just for show.
All the confidence, the charisma,
that silver tongue, the way he dresses, yeah.
'Cause on the inside…
On the inside, Ricky Saints,
one of the most insecure human beings I have ever met.
I mean, how else do you explain making such poor decisions based on emotion?
Why? 'Cause you got pressed a little bit,
challenged a little bit, put in a corner, Ricky?
And now here we are on Tuesday,
Ethan Page gets a shot at the North American Championship.
Ricky, you have followed every single footstep I have taken
for the last three months since you showed up in NXT.
Well, that path you've been following, it ends on Tuesday…
Hello, Ethan.
[sighs] …when I become, boss, the new North American Champion,
so please have my side plates ready.
[scoffs] Well, we'll see.
But, Ethan, what I actually came here to tell you
is that because of the mess you and Ricky created,
you two are actually gonna kick off the show on Tuesday.
Oh, no, no, no, this is actually fantastic because the longer this goes,
I promise you, the worse it's gonna get for Ricky.
Ethan, stop talking. I wasn't done.
What I was going to continue saying was that whoever wins
the North American title match on Tuesday
will defend it on Saturday, June 7th at Worlds Collide.
Good luck.
Thanks, boss.
["Strictly Business" playing]
♪ It's all about family ♪
[crowd cheers]
♪ It's all about the business, huh? ♪
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 240 pounds,
The Don of NXT,
Tony D'Angelo.
[Joseph] Corey, how difficult is it going to be
for The Don to keep his composure in this fight?
[Graves] We'd have to imagine that The Don is seeing red right now,
but that's exactly what Stacks wants the Don to be seeing.
Stacks can get under the skin, inside the head of Tony D'Angelo.
We may leave here with a new Don of NXT.
[Joseph] D'Angelo said, "The worst thing about betrayal,
it never comes from your enemy."
[crowd clamoring, cheering]
[rock music playing]
[Rome] And his opponent, from Albany, New York,
weighing in at 206 pounds, The Underboss,
Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
[Joseph] You just saw him step on and over the D'Angelo Family crest.
I… I still just don't understand or even want to believe
that Stacks betrayed his family.
[Booker T] You don't have to like it.
You don't have to believe it, but you do have to accept it, Vic.
And I may be guilty of playing devil's advocate here,
but obviously Stacks was closer to the situation than we will ever be.
Stacks understood the life that the family led better than you and I ever will.
Obviously The Underboss felt that something had to change
and forced his hand to take The Don out.
[Joseph] And he did force that hand, Booker, by betraying Tony D,
the family at Stand & Deliver.
Crusifino's missing, Rizzo into hiding.
I just…
-[Booker T] Vic. Vic. Vic. -[Joseph] We have seen these guys though,
the loyalty between the two, Booker.
[Booker T] Was it betrayal or was it something that just had to happen?
-That's the question. -[Graves] And it's fair. It's fair.
And this is The Don, his former Underboss,
one of the most personal grudge matches in recent memory here in NXT.
The Don has not taken his eyes
-off of Lorenzo. -[bell dings]
And we've seen The Don stand up for what's right, doesn't cut corners.
Remember how he refused to use brass knuckles?
Booker, do you think if given a chance tonight…
You're weak.
[crowd chanting] Tony! Tony!
[speaking indistinctly]
[Joseph] …if given the chance tonight, that Don is gonna go to a dark side?
[Booker T] Oh, baby, here we go.
Let me tell you something.
I had a chance to talk to Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo
inside the Hall of Fame just yesterday.
He told me he came in to Stand & Deliver…
-[Joseph] Oh! -[Booker T] …playing,
and Tony D could not pull the trigger.
Is Tony D soft?
Is Tony D still the man to run this group?
I don't know. That's the question.
[Joseph] Stacks is the one who declared war.
There's been the five families of New York, they've had their issues--
the Corleones, the Sopranos, the D'Angelos as well.
And it was Tony D'Angelo who said, "If you want the big seat,
come and take it, Stacks."
[grunting]
[Graves] Stacks absolutely gonna have to fight for the seat, so to speak.
Right now, The Don all over the former Underboss,
[Joseph] D'Angelo, Lorenzo, closer than brothers during their entire lives,
-from the streets… -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Joseph] …to earning their stripes on the docks to NXT.
And again, Booker, remember it was Stacks who got The Don out of jail,
who came up with the plan.
[Booker T] Let me tell you something.
That's when you can see the cracks warming back then.
I'm gonna tell you, that's when Tony D lost his mojo.
Some people… some people, not me, say Tony D may have talked
-to get out a little soon. -[Joseph] Whoa!
-Oh, now you're just spreading fake news. -[Booker T] I could be wrong.
-I'm just saying. -[Joseph] There's Tony D
flying right back in. And look, Corey hinted to this,
and he has talked about it, but to you, Booker,
did you see the tensions escalating then between these two
if you want to go all the way back to then?
[Booker T] No. That's when it all started, I think.
-[Stacks grunting] -[ref] Come on. Let's go.
[Booker T] I think that's when it all started.
I mean, Tony D was a man inside, and he had The Underboss…
I wouldn't even call him The Underboss. I'm calling him The Boss now.
-[Joseph] Whoa! -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Joseph] Yeah, well, The Boss didn't like his landing from The Don.
[Booker T] That was gnarly. Gnarly landing there by Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
Give him that respect, guys. Give him that respect.
[Joseph] Why do you respect him when he's getting his ass kicked
right here in front of us?
The Don came to fight in this matchup.
The Don was ready since the beginning,
and there went, rib first, Stacks into the side of the ring.
[Booker T] Question is, is The Don fighting on emotion.
All emotion right here. That could be a bad thing.
That could be a bad thing, Victor.
[Joseph] I'll ask you what I asked Corey
when The Don was making his way to the ring.
How difficult do you think it's gonna be for him to keep his composure?
He seems pretty composed right now.
[Booker T] He looked very, very confident.
But I would say that's a lot of false bravado
to have a lot of false confidence, but right now he's looking real good.
I give him a lot of credit.
-All you had to do is listen to me. -[groaning]
That's all you had to do, is listen, you mother--
-Get up. -[person 2] Get up!
-[person 3] Come on, man! -[crowd clamoring]
[Joseph] …boiling to the surface, Graves.
Oh!
-[grunting] -[Graves] This is what I'm talking about.
You were talking about how composed The Don was.
The Don took his eye off the prize for just a moment and Stacks made him pay.
That could be a recurring theme in this one.
[Joseph] And Stacks, again, drop kick into the ribs, Booker.
I think the point of those steel steps
just went into the lower rib cage of the Don.
[Booker T] See that? The Don, he's still trying to talk some sense
into Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
But Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, he's about pulling the trigger.
He's about taking over this crew and taking it to another level.
I like that man.
[Joseph] Well, D'Angelo criticized Lorenzo for making impulsive decisions
like the brawl with DarkState,
said that he didn't consult The Don.
Stacks was taking things into his own hands
because, as Lorenzo said, Tony D'Angelo is soft.
-[Graves] Here's the thing. -That's what he said.
[Graves] If you want to maintain any sort of control in this industry,
look at Shawn Spears and The Culling.
-You got The Don and The family. -[Booker T] There it is.
[Graves] You make a lot of promises,
but after a while, if you don't keep your promises,
the people you're trying to keep control of are gonna get tired of it.
Maybe the success wasn't enough for Stacks.
[Booker T] Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, that's what I call him.
I mean, he had the right idea. He had the right idea.
Take the fight to DarkState.
You can't sit back and wait on somebody like DarkState to make the first move.
You can't do that.
[Joseph] Well, guys, you both didn't seem to me
that you understand why Lorenzo felt undermined.
[Booker T] Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
Give him… Give him his damn credit, man.
This guy's the boss.
-This guy's taking over. -[Joseph] He's not the boss.
-He's not The Don. -[Booker T] Give him his credit, please.
[Joseph] What credit, Booker? He hasn't beaten the man.
He's The Underboss. Oh!
Yes, he has gotten this fight, but he's not in the big seat.
He's not in the big chair.
He's into the cover. He hooks a leg and a kickout from The Don.
[Booker T] See? That's the same thing he's feeling from Tony D,
no respect, no respect.
You can't even call the guy by his full name.
That's exactly what I'm talking about.
[Joseph] If I sat here and said "Channing 'Stacks' Lorenzo" for every move he did,
we wouldn't be able to talk through the whole damn match, Book.
It seems like you're just trying to wiggle your way into the family somehow.
-Personal, professional podcaster for him. -[Booker T] Not doing that.
[Joseph] You gonna be their coach all the time?
[Booker T] Just giving his credit.
[Graves] All I know is, Vic, you better watch your tongue,
you might end up wearing cement shoes, all right?
-[Joseph] Oh, you would like that, I bet. -[Graves] …too far from here.
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] As Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo with a beautiful submission right now,
a body scissors, Book.
You know a lot about putting on a body scissors.
[Booker T] Beautiful, beautiful move.
Right now, Tony D may tap because the squeeze…
the squeeze right there is incredible by Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
[Joseph] Well, as we look at this, Graves, you know as well as anybody,
Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo is not afraid to get his hands dirty.
[Graves] Well, what we're seeing right now is a very successful strategy
being employed by Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
The Don is in trouble. He's like a constrictor right now.
Every time The Don exhales,
Stacks locks those legs a little bit tighter,
trying to squeeze the breath out of Tony.
[Joseph] This now turned into, maybe, a slugfest.
And The Don right now swinging away.
[Graves] Going right back to those injured ribs,
which again went into the point of the steel steps,
and that has been the focal point for Lorenzo here in these last few moments.
And coming in… Oh!
-[Joseph] Right back to the bread basket. -[Graves] Oh, body shot!
[Booker T] Big shot, baby. That's what I'm saying.
He's gonna go for that kill shot right now.
It's a bull's-eye on those floating ribs.
And right now, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo is looking to lower the bull.
-Oh, yes! -[Joseph] Cement shoes
-in the center of the ring. -[crowd] One, two…
[Joseph] And The Don able to fight out,
able to kick out and look.
[Graves] Look at the malice in the eyes of Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo
as we look again at his knee being driven down right at the base of The Don's skull.
Very nearly ended this one.
[Joseph] Every trader is motivated by either money…
-[grunts] -That's what Don looks like.
[Joseph] …ego…
[referee] Hey, off his hair. Off his hair, Stacks.
-[Stacks grunts] -[D'Angelo yelps]
-[Joseph] …or ideology. -[referee] Get him in.
-[Joseph] And it doesn't seem… -[D'Angelo screams]
[referee] Get him away from there. Come on. One… two…
…like Stacks sees eye to eye with D'Angelo anymore.
Both men had the same idea throughout this matchup,
but Tony D'Angelo now starting to fight back.
[Booker T] Tony D's not gonna quit. He's got a lot of fight in-- Oh, baby!
Oh, baby!
[Joseph] You remember the ankle earlier in the matchup, Graves,
when Stacks came over the top rope?
He just grabbed that left ankle once again.
That might be something to keep our eye on.
[Graves] Could be.
[crowd chanting, clapping]
[Joseph] We are live in Tampa here for Battleground,
and this is a battle between two former family members,
Tony D'Angelo, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
Let's not forget it was Lorenzo who lured D'Angelo into a trap.
He threatened Rizzo. He brutally attacked Tony with a crowbar.
D'Angelo remembers every single moment of the last several weeks.
They're gonna let Tony D know who the real boss is, man.
-Spine Buster! -[Booker speaks indistinctly] …man.
Big Spine Buster!
Tony D looks like he's sucking it up, blocking out all the pain.
He's still holding on to those ribs though, Book.
It's a short rib right there, that floating with the cartilage.
You know what they say about a man who can't breathe, right, Book?
He can't fight.
D'Angelo doing his best to try to fight and Stacks tried this earlier.
And Tony D'Angelo throwing some body shots.
Big, heavy upper cuts to the ribs of Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
He was decleating Lorenzo.
[crowd cheering]
Graves, you said it's hard for him to breathe, it's hard for him to move.
I mean, you gotta wonder too,
at what point does, maybe, Sacks
really start focusing in and can…
Again, Lorenzo raises another kick right to the ribs,
continuing to punish that part of the body.
And you know, Tony's not gonna stop fighting in this matchup.
-Whoa! -Self-preservation.
Another miss and this again.
D'Angelo, with all the pain, trying to block out, trying to hoist up,
trying to overpower!
-[Booker T] Good, God! -Bridge.
-It… Ooh! -Whoa!
That was close.
So close.
It's got to be disheartening for Tony D'Angelo to fight through the pain,
to summon all the power you've got left to deliver a picture perfect German Suplex
and have Stacks still survive.
[Booker T] Look at the look in the eyes of Tony D'Angelo right here, guys.
Yeah, Booker, does he look soft to you right now?
I mean, the guy doesn't look soft. He looks like he's--
-Oh, got caught. Got caught. -Whoa, whoa, whoa.
And look at these elbows. One after another from Stacks.
Triangle right there.
Just lock it in. Stacks, just lock it in.
[Joseph speaks indistinctly] …now. Oh, my.
Again, fighting through the pain. Power Bomb!
-[Booker T groans] -So much taken out of The Don.
And instead of going for the cover, he pounces on top of his former underboss.
Gonna cost him. The emotions running too high.
The Don's seeing red. He's not thinking straight.
Why did he stop?
What's Tony doing?
You can't feel bad.
At the end of the day, these guys grew up together.
They were a family.
Maybe it's an attack of the conscience for Tony D'Angelo.
Book, are we talking about the loyalty between these two,
-but, I mean, this… Why stop now? -[Booker T] Maybe,
Tony feel like he could beat some sense into him,
but he doesn't want to go that far.
Maybe that's it.
[crowd chanting] Tony! Tony!
You were weak. I knew it.
Stacks just told Tony, "You were weak. I knew it."
And again he called him soft several times…
That he lost faith in the way Tony could carry the family
And weakness being shown, being exploited now by Lorenzo.
Spine first went The Don.
[Booker T] Question was just answered, my guys.
Will Tony D finish the job? He wouldn't finish the job.
He would not get the job done.
-And… Oh! -Oh!
Brutal impact,
-spine first into the steel… -[Booker T] Man!
-Stacks… The Don with some daylight. -You can say that again.
Running right through Stacks
and again now, this time, forget about it!
Cover!
And… Oh!
Oh, yeah…
-Whoa. -I gotta give credit to Stacks
on that exchange.
Being able to kick out, especially after what we just witnessed.
Him going spine first into the steel.
It's more than just a match, guys.
Who walks away here is gonna be truly the boss of this family.
Could have been the final kiss… And, oh, the ribs.
I think Tony was looking to launch, as we've seen so many times,
Stacks over the top.
He just couldn't do it.
-…is damaged. -His body may be starting to give way.
Stacks now making the climb to the top turnbuckle.
Target acquired.
Has The Don in his sights.
Here comes Lorenzo.
-Oh! -That's gotta do it.
[Booker T] Man!
[Graves] And falling, and maybe fading,
to the outside is Tony D'Angelo.
[Booker T] Do your job, ref.
-Do your job. -[Joseph] Hold on.
What's…
Oh, Booker, you… you remember this?
Stacks looking for that ace up his sleeve,
looking for his trusty crowbar
-he always hid. -What the fu…
[crowd chanting] We want tables!
[Joseph] But one step ahead of the underboss, was The Don.
[Booker T] What the hell?
What the hell went wrong with the plan?
[Joseph] The Don showing why…
Bam! Big Spear!
He's in the big seat.
He's in the chair.
Always has a plan.
But again, so much taken out
and now just raining down fists.
And I don't think The Don is gonna stop now.
No, but the official might want to get in there and think about stopping this.
Oh, come on.
[Booker T] Come on, ref.
All you gotta do is listen, Stacks.
-[Stacks grunts] -Come on, let's go.
Watch his hands. Away from the ropes. Don't you…
Sorry, I made a mistake.
I'm sorry.
Please.
You made your bed.
-[Stacks groaning] -[referee exclaims]
-Come on! -[Stacks grunts]
[Joseph] And now you lie in it!
Tony, not to be fooled, The Don to the underboss.
Big, massive spine buster.
Luca Crucifino? Oh, this dude was neck deep in the desert.
I don't know what you're doing here, but you gotta get away.
Oh! Just like it, stand and deliver!
The referee didn't see it. He was just as shocked at Luca.
And now looking for the final blow, not like this.
One, two, three!
[bell rings]
Here is the winner, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
Call him the boss.
Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
Take a look at this thunderous spinebuster delivered by Tony D'Angelo moments prior
to the stunning return of Luca Crucifino,
the conciliri for the family which opened the door for Stacks
to deliver a low blow and a bicycle knee
to the back of the skull of the Don.
One, two, three!
Tonight it's D'Angelo, who looks to be sleeping with the fishes.
Family turmoil continuing.
For the D'Angelos.
Well, there is Trick Williams looking to show the world here
tonight at Battleground that his opponent, the TNA world champion Henry,
is just an average Joe.
Main event still to come.
Well, in moments, two women with similar paths,
both with the desire to be champion, will compete for the NXT women's title.
We find out who is the best tonight at Battleground.
Graves, I asked you this.
When this woman faced Giulia. Is it now or never for Jordynne Grace?
You have to look at any opportunity in NXT's women's division as now or never,
because the division continues to evolve.
It continues to grow, and it continues to get better and better and better.
So while nobody may be forcing Jordynne Grace to realize this is now or never,
it could be the reality.
The situation, but that's not a situation unique to Jordynne Grace.
That's the case with every woman on this extremely stacked roster.
It's a place of history, of course, in this very building.
1995, Shawn Michaels was the first person
to win the Royal Rumble from the first position.
One of these two women will try and make history here tonight.
Will history continue for Stephanie Vaquer
or will Jordynne Grace start to build her own legacy?
Graves, how has the Dark Angel redefined the women's division you just spoke about?
Vaquer has led by example.
Stephanie said she wanted to be a fighting champion.
She became double champion.
She's still the NXT women's champion, and Stephanie Vaquer is raising the bar
for the entire industry, night after night after night.
Well, look, a front row seat.
Two women you mentioned earlier, longstanding history.
Chia Tormenta and Dalis from AAA Luchadoros.
AAA, as I mentioned earlier, perhaps potential implications for
the world's collide event.
And you got to imagine that those two women
don't believe Stephanie Vaquer is the number one luchadora in the world.
I guarantee you they take exception with Vaquer referring to herself as La Premera.
They might want to rethink that.
All right, I'm just saying, I'm just saying.
Let's get ready for the NXT women's title to be defended.
We go up to Mike Rome.
The following contest scheduled for one fall.
Is for the NXT Women's Championship!
Introducing the Challenger,
from Austin, Texas,
Jordynne Grace.
And her opponent from San Fernando, Chile,
she is the NXT Women's Champion,
Stephanie Vaquer!
[Graves] NXT WWE universe.
Has been loud and rowdy all night long.
And they continue to be vocal.
Both these women want to be at the top of the best women's division
in professional wrestling.
Only one will.
And, Booker, it's hard to argue that Stephanie Vaquer
hasn't backed up everything she said since making her WWE in ring debut last summer.
[Booker T] Look, Stephanie Vaquer took the most direct route to the top.
Double champ, double champ.
The only one-- The only one that ever did it.
She's a very, very extraordinary talent, Vic.
-[Joseph] Now you see a little of the… -[Booker T] Oh.
[Joseph] …technical ability.
And, Graves, you are one who always tells me about strategies.
How you look at both athletes that are in the ring differently.
Do you see this as a power versus technical ability
-sort of matchup? -[Graves] Absolutely.
I would suggest both of these women sort of live in their wheelhouses.
Jordynne Grace brings next-level power to every match she competes in.
Vaquer, as we're seeing right before our eyes, is a technical wizard.
Stephanie can really do it all.
[Joseph] But is-is Stephanie starting to stretch herself a little bit too thin?
If you think about going to Monday Night Raw,
-still the NXT obligation. -[Graves] No,
I think this is the case of riding the hot hand.
[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Graves] Vaquer is firing on all cylinders right now.
The onus is on her to continue that momentum.
Jordynne Grace needs to stop the Dark Angel. Oh.
Stephanie Vaquer,
who represents NXT with pride wherever she goes.
[Graves] And I'll tell you what I noticed in the opening moments of this matchup,
is how much time Jordynne Grace is spending looking around the arena.
Almost as if she's humbled
by the atmosphere here in the Yuengling Center.
Will she crumble under the moment, or will she become a diamond?
[Booker T] No, I don't see it that way.
Jordynne Grace, she's been to the top.
And right now she's here at NXT to conquer NXT.
And right now she's in the ring to do it with Stephanie Vaquer.
If she could beat Stephanie Vaquer,
that puts her at the top of the food chain, man.
The top of the food chain.
[Joseph] Well, you know, Booker, I want to take something you just said.
You talked about Jordynne Grace being to the top,
and right now a little back and forth between these two,
but Stephanie Vaquer said it best.
Grace has been to the top of some brand--
-Shoulders down in a near fall… -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Joseph] …right back in now crucifix style,
shoulders down, another kick out. Grace shifting one more time.
And these two obviously have done a lot of film study.
And here we see a nice little bend, but not breaking
is Jordynne Grace.
Grace has been champion all over the world, something you just pointed out.
-[Booker T] Yes. -[Joseph] Stephanie Vaquer said,
"Yeah, you've dominated other brands. I've dominated continents."
[Booker T] I mean, you know, I mean,
of course there's a little bit of respect there,
but this is about competition.
This is about being the best.
Stephanie Vaquer,
she came all the way across the water for this championship,
and she's not gonna let anybody take it away from her.
[Joseph] Healthy show of respect from those here in attendance.
And, you know, Vaquer called Grace her toughest challenge, Corey.
Is that an insight to the mind of what Jordynne Grace is thinking?
You talk about the atmosphere, but it's also the opponent.
[Graves] Well, listen, I have no reason to doubt Stephanie Vaquer's assessment.
If she says Jordynne Grace is her toughest challenge,
then we might as well start treating Jordynne Grace
as Vaquer's toughest challenge.
[Joseph] You think about all the times that Vaquer has been up in this ring.
-All the moment she's… -[Booker T] Oh, wow!
[Joseph] Around and another near-fall. She's been champion all of 2025.
Nothing short of dominant. Nice suplex from Vaquer.
Talking about healthy respect, Booker.
You still think that there's a healthy respect between these two?
[Booker T] I mean… [stutters] …there's respect, Vic,
but, I mean, true respect,
that's something that's earned many, many years later
down the road when their when their career is over with.
Right now, it's about, it's about competition.
Oh, baby. Are we gonna see it? Are we gonna see it?
[Joseph] A great decision by Jordynne Grace.
-A great counter. -Brilliant.
-And there's that power. -Brilliant.
There's the power…
[Graves chuckles] Give us some sound effects now, Book.
[Joseph] I'm not talking about that one.
Jordynne Grace just burned a hole in Booker,
as she's trying to put her fist right through the champion,
so that she can finally achieve her destiny.
[Graves] Jordynne can't afford to waste any time here.
Utilize these valuable moments.
And just continuing to inflict punishment on the Dark Angel.
Vaquer is in trouble.
[Joseph] But Jordynne knows,
she has to get Stephanie Vaquer back into the ring.
It's the only way she can win the NXT Women's Championship
here tonight at Battleground in Tampa.
Hell of a counter, into the cover. Will it be enough? And a near-fall.
[Graves] You okay over there, Book? You need a cold shower or something?
[Booker T] No, I mean, come on, man. Come on. What the hell was that all about?
[Graves] What do you mean what the hell is it about?
-Grace pointed-- That was a great counter. -[Joseph] It was brilliant.
It was astoundingly brilliant.
That was maybe the most impressive thing I've seen from Jordynne Grace thus far.
I mean that from a great place.
[Booker T] What's she got against me? What's she got against me?
[Joseph] It's got nothing to do with you, but she hears what you say every week.
She's trying to prove a point to you, prove a point to the world,
and prove a point to Stephanie Vaquer right now.
And the back of Vaquer, Graves, went right off of our monitors.
This again is sound strategy by the challenger,
who's continuing to hold the hole.
[Graves] I love this.
Utilize the full five seconds allotted by the official.
I like what we're seeing on Jordynne Grace.
She obviously understands the assignment tonight.
She's not going to let this opportunity slip through her fingers.
But think about what we just saw in the last match
with Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo and Tony D'Angelo.
The ribs.
-How much any damage… -[Joseph] Oh, yeah.
…to your core can affect every aspect of your offense and defense in this ring.
[Joseph] You know, Booker,
There's something else important to bring up here.
Corey wasn't here last year, but at this same event,
it was Jordynne Grace who crossed the line,
challenged Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Championship.
Graves couldn't-- or excuse me-- Grace couldn't get it done on that night.
Graves, does that add any more fuel to her fire tonight?
[Graves] Listen, I think every time that Jordynne Grace--
-Oh, my goodness! -[Joseph] Oh, man!
[Vaquer shouts]
[Graves] Every time she's ever come up short-- which isn't frequent in her career
she uti-- she's a master at utilizing failure as fuel.
Learning from it, getting better at it, improving your game each and every night,
'cause that's what it takes.
[Booker T] I mean, Jordynne Grace, she's a multi-time Woman TNA Champion.
Right now she's here to capture the NXT Champion.
I'm sure she's got her sights on Raw and SmackDown as well,
but it starts right here tonight against Stephanie Vaquer.
[Joseph] And the Juggernaut with a big slam looking for-- Oh!
Was looking for that Vader Bomb. Out of the corner.
Vaquer, though, able to roll out of the way.
They say if the devil is showing aces, be careful how you play your hand.
That might be very important for Jordynne Grace,
as we go through the deep waters of this matchup.
Has watched Vaquer closely for years.
One of the athletes she wanted to face when she chose NXT--
-[Booker T] Oh, baby! -But right now Vaquer turning the tables.
Referee in great spot, great position.
And Vaquer right now flying through the air with a high Crossbody.
And seemingly that momentum shift
has come right back into the way of the champion.
Eat Defeat puts Grace on Dream Street, and then following in with a Clothesline.
[Booker T] Stephanie is digging real deep right now,
showing why she became double champion here in NXT so quickly.
Another woman Jordynne Grace wanted to face was Giulia,
whom she defeated for this opportunity. The Meteora.
Double knees connect.
And Stephanie Vaquer right now
almost in cruise control in this championship match.
[Booker T] Oh, baby. [shouts] Are we gon' see it?
Here we go. Huh!
-Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! -Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!
Ah, yeah!
[Joseph] Now I think he needs a cold shower. Cover by Vaquer!
-[Booker T] Here we go! Here we go! -[Joseph] Title on the line! To retain.
And the challenger just able to kick out.
Jordynne Grace, though, has to be feeling the heat right now.
There's something she's got to be remembering at this moment.
Not like that, Booker.
Lola, Jada, even Sol and Kelani, who started the night--
There are plenty of women from around the world, or Evolve, or even AAA
that would love a championship opportunity.
-[Booker T] Whoa. -They'll be looking for that SVB.
And it gets countered again for the moment.
And Grace right now trying to fight through.
[Booker T] Too much power there from Jordynne Grace.
Still got so much left in the tank.
We just getting started, guys. I'm feeling with this matchup.
[Joseph] Stephanie Vaquer has been a barrier-breaker since she arrived.
Right now, able to create a little bit of separation.
But right now Jordynne Grace has to find almost
a-a different zone she's gotta enter in this match.
And Grace, showcasing her own athleticism
and then, whoa!
Well, there's that Juggernaut mentality, Graves, of the challenger.
[Graves] Big Spinebuster by Jordynne Grace.
[Joseph] Trying to follow up now.
-Oh! -Oh!
Sit-down style with the Powerbomb for the title.
-Ooh. -[Booker T] Wow.
[Joseph] And that look on Jordynne's face,
I don't want to call it desperation, Graves, but is that frustration?
Or is she seemingly feeling this match slip through her hands?
[Graves] Potentially be both.
I mean, Jordynne Grace has thrown everything she's had
so far that Vaquer had not been able to solve the champion.
But this is not the point in the match to doubt yourself.
This is not the point in the match to give up and quit.
Jordynne Grace needs to figure out how to soldier forward.
[Joseph] One more time.
Almost looking like she's getting ready to enter into beast mode.
Big Clothesline, following up.
Ooh.
Oh, Booker, I asked this to Graves. I'll ask you.
Is this a crucial moment for Jordynne Grace in her career?
[Booker T] This is the most crucial moment in Jordynne Grace's career.
A loss tonight, Vic, could definitely do something to Jordynne Grace's confidence.
[Graves] Oh, God.
[Joseph] DDT connected.
Vaquer now, looking to retain.
Almost able to get it done but that right shoulder just off the mat.
[Booker T] When you talk about taking on Roxanne Perez
and coming so close.
And now being in this moment here again, just-just with inside a year later.
Come on, man.
[Joseph] Look, between these two women,
as we're entering maybe a crucial juncture of this matchup, Graves.
There are a lot of similarities, but also a lot of differences.
Grace said there are more similarities even than she cared to admit,
when she takes a look at the champion.
Doing a nice job of overpowering
Stephanie Vaquer in this moment.
And whoa!
[referee] Let her back inside.
[Joseph] You know, Booker, you've sat ringside with me,
and you called a lot of Stephanie Vaquer matches since she arrived.
-Is she being pushed to a new limit here? -Let me tell you something.
This is Stephanie Vaquer's toughest test to date.
Bar none here t--
You hear that? Jordynne says she wants it more.
[Joseph] Well, she's gonna have to prove it.
And Jordynne Grace looking to prove just that from the top.
[Booker T] Double up! Double Up!
Oh, baby!
[crowd] One, two--
[Joseph] Not quite yet.
Graves, take a look.
[Graves] Incredible power from the challenger.
Superplex immediately followed by a jackhammer from Jordynne Grace.
The Juggernaut came within an eyelash
-of becoming the new NXT Women's champion. -[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[crowd clapping rhythmically]
[crowd] This is awesome! This is awesome!
[crowd clapping rhythmically]
[Joseph] Grace now going to the well once again. Looking to overpower the champion.
[Graves] Oh, sh…
[Joseph] Float over and near fall again.
So much taken out of both these athletes, both these superstars
-is now just shocking. -[Graves] Desperation.
It was desperation by Vaquer, pulling the challenger down
into a… Almost a body triangle for the moment, realizing that--
[commentators] Oh!
[Joseph] And now, could Vaquer… SVB countered!
Able to land on her feet was Grace. Swing and a miss.
Wildly though was Vaquer… Now entering beast mode!
-Counter though, by Vaquer! -[Booker T] Beautiful counter.
[Joseph] Center of the ring, still not enough to keep the challenger down.
Right back in. Uh-oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] Certainly had to enter a new version of beast mode.
Vaquer, though…
And… Whoa!
Is it enough? Another kick out.
I don't know what it's gonna take, Booker, to keep the other one down.
-[Booker T] Talk about the strength of… -[Joseph] Oof.
…Jordynne Grace in there.
-[Joseph] Combination of-- -[Booker T] Technical prowess
of Stephanie Vaquer. Right now…
They're matching each other right now tit for tat.
[Joseph] Graves and I, at the beginning, were talking about
power versus technical ability
at this juncture of the matchup.
As much as we've seen both these women and what they put themselves through…
[Booker T] Didn't I tell you a little while ago
it seemed like we was just getting started?
This match, guys. This match could go all night long.
[Joseph] Whoa.
It certainly could, but Jordynne Grace has--
-[Booker T] Oh! -[Joseph] Oh!
You wanna rethink that statement, Book? 'Cause that could be the end.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Graves] And the cameras didn't see it,
but there was a massive grin on the face of the champion for the moment.
Feel this.
Launched right through the barricade.
And it was an almost instantaneous…
How the expression on the champion's face changed.
Realizing she has daylight, realizing the challenger is hurt badly.
This could be the champ's opportunity to retain.
[Joseph] In trouble is Grace. SVB connects square to the back.
-And that's all it's goi-- -[crowd] One, two, thr--
-[Booker T] Oh! -[crowd exclaiming, cheering]
[Booker T] Heart, will, determination right there by Jordynne Grace.
[Jospeh] What about the look on Vaquer's face now, Graves?
[Graves] The complete opposite of moments ago.
Now something resembling panic in the eyes of the NXT Women's champion.
Almost the same look Jordynne Grace had earlier
when I called it desperation, and now Vaquer…
Trying to cinch in a second SVB,
countered, though, by the strength of Jordynne Grace.
That power overcoming the technical ability of the champion.
And if this breaks down into a slugfest right now,
you gotta give the advantage to Grace.
[Booker T] I mean, she's got the more power.
I mean, but you got…
You can't take nothing away from Stephanie Vaquer.
She's a hell of a champion.
-[crowd exclaims] -[Joseph] What a back fist.
[Booker T chuckles] Yeah.
[Graves] I think Vaquer's only standing because the turnbuckles are there.
Somehow able to roll right through.
Presence of mind… And a nasty Dragon Screw out of the corner.
And Vaquer now could be systematically dissecting her opponent.
These two have laid it all on the line.
Where's Vaquer going?
We don't see Stephanie leave her feet too often.
[Joseph] Are you kidding me?
We see how talented Vaquer is on the ropes quite frequently.
She's utilized the Spinal Tap to great effect many times.
-Yeah, very now and again. -So much so, Jordynne knows--
She knows she has it coming.
[Graves] She knows she has to pull it out in certain situations.
She knows when she needs a little bit extra,
she has to go to the top.
It's not often she does.
And looking back is Vaquer.
-[Joseph] Oh, to your point, Graves… -[Booker T] Drop--
[Joseph] Needs a little bit extra!
-Hallowed be thy name… -[crowd] One, two, three!
…to retain.
[Rome] Here is your winner,
and still the NXT Women's Champion,
Stephanie Vaquer!
[Graves] What a match.
What a defense for Stephanie Vaquer.
The Spiral Tap, which she has utilized to great effect numerous times
in high pressure situations.
Perhaps the most well-rounded athlete in the game today.
What a win for Stephanie Vaquer
over a very, very credible, very game-challenger in Jordynne Grace.
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] Well, on this night, in Tampa,
Stephanie Vaquer once again proves
she's the measuring stick of women's wrestling.
Forever a target, La Primera.
For the first time on WWE programming,
the TNA World Championship will be defended.
Hendry, Williams in our main event here tonight.
Sarah Schreiber, again though, is standing by.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the NXT North American Champion Ricky Saints.
[Saints] This is the revolution.
["Revolution" playing]
[Joseph] Booker, the revolution has come to Battleground.
[Booker T] What you say is, "Check him out."
He's looking good. He's looking debonair. I mean, I… I like the outfit this week.
-I like the outfit. Uh, uh, Gravy. Gravy. -[Graves] Yes, sir?
[Booker T] Is that one of those outfits you was talking about?
Looking like a million bucks.
[Graves] week after week, every time The Revolution arrives,
he does it in style.
A man who has captivated NXT in short order, Ricky Saints,
-at Battleground. -[Booker T chuckling]
[Graves] There's got to be a lot on his mind
after what we heard from our general manager, Ava,
as it pertains to the title in which he holds…
And the man that he will face next for his North American Championship.
Ricky, we heard from Ethan Page that he believes he's got you
exactly where he wants you ahead of your title defense,
and Ava announced that that will kick off Tuesday night's show.
Listen.
Ethan likes to believe that he is this genius mastermind, and yes, he is smart,
but Ethan is more like the guy that you always see at the party.
You do not know why he is there.
Nobody invited him, nobody wants to hear from him.
Hey, dawg, nobody wants you here.
And I seem to be his new favorite obsession.
And I thought after I beat him at Stand & Deliver
that we would move on, but nah.
It seems like old Ricky stays on his mind 24/7.
So, the way that I see it is that I put this championship title on the line,
not because I was rattled, Sarah,
but because I knew that his greed wouldn't let an opportunity like this slip away.
Point blank.
I am tired of you, Ethan Page. That's it.
So if that means that I gotta show up and start the show next Tuesday
and defend the North American Championship and whip your ass?
Then hey, baby, let's dance.
[crowd cheering]
Well, Ricky, I know you're laser focused on Ethan Page,
but Ava also said the NXT North American title
will be defended at Worlds Collide.
[stammers] Listen, I'm not shy.
Unlike Ethan, if anybody wants a piece of Ricky, then you can come and get it,
and… and if you don't mind, I-I wanna… Here.
I'ma go ahead and take over this right quick.
This, right here, means that I am an ambassador.
This, right here, means that the revolution will always be televised.
So at Worlds Collide,
if that means I gotta do it against the best that AAA has to offer,
-hell, if I gotta go to Tijuana… -[crowd exclaiming]
…if I gotta go to Monterrey--
-[Graves] All Ego! -[Joseph] It's Ethan Page!
Page said earlier he wanted to get his hands on Ricky Saints,
and these two need to be separated, Booker.
Come on!
-[Graves] Our general manager has a lot… -Come on!
…on her plate.
Come on.
[Graves] We talk about a battleground, we talk about battle lines being drawn.
-They have been. -[Joseph] All right, look out. Look out.
-[Booker T] Well, damn! -[Graves exclaims]
[Graves] Saints just sacrificed himself to take out…
-Come on! Come on! -…All Ego once more.
-You want this? Come on! -[Graves] Ava needs to settle this.
-[Saints] If you want it, Come on! -[Graves] And it will be settled.
Will the revolution continue or will Page's ego grow more out of control?
We're gonna find out to kick off things Tuesday.
Tuesday! Tuesday!
[Joseph] The NXT title will be on the line.
Myles Borne fighting for those that need a hero.
Does this Cinderella story continue or does The Destroyer end the fairy tale?
["Suck My Exhaust" plays]
Come on, Myles! Let's go!
You know what time it is, man. Let's go to work!
[Joseph] It is a golden opportunity.
For this mo… For this man in this moment, and… and there you saw for a moment
Charlie Dempsey didn't acknowledge
Myles Borne, we'll touch on that in a little bit,
but, Graves, when it comes to Myles Borne,
are you starting to see a different side?
Is the confidence starting to grow?
[Graves] We're about to find out how confident Myles Borne truly is,
but this is a young man who refuses to let his disability define him.
He has made a life, made a career,
out of defying odds in every aspect of his life.
It could lead him to the top of the mountain tonight,
but there is a massive, massive roadblock standing in his way.
Myles soaking in every single moment.
Here, as he competes for his first singles championship.
On a premium live event, here in NXT.
[Joseph] Myles Borne has reached this opportunity
by sort of flying under the radar.
He's kind of playing with house money, so to speak.
Myles Borne is coming into this match
with not the highest of expectations from the NXT universe,
which could spell trouble for this man.
["Hands of Fate" plays]
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] There he is, Booker,
-the NXT champion. -[Booker T chuckles]
You guys talk about the Myles Borne story.
It's a great story, but this man, Oba Femi,
The Ruler, he ain't trying to hear that.
The only thing this man is thinking about right now,
at this moment, is no bread.
No water.
Just me!
Oh, yes, man. That's the NXT champion.
[Joseph] There you see the stats for Obafemi.
This is his sixth championship defense.
[Booker T] What? Say it again.
Sixth championship defense.
[Booker T] Yeah!
[Joseph] And no one has won more championship matches than Oba
since the start of 2024.
Let's go up to our ring announcer, Mike Rome.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest, scheduled for one fall.
[crowd] One fall!
Is for
the NXT Championship!
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger from Wilmington, North Carolina.
Weighing in at 220 pounds.
Representing No Quarter Catch Crew.
Myles Borne!
Come on! Come on!
And his opponent from Lagos, Nigeria.
Weighing in at 310 pounds.
He is the NXT Champion
-Oba Femi! -[exclaims]
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] It is all about the NXT Championship.
Myles Borne, who beat Ethan Page on NXT.
Biggest singles win of his career, at that time, shocked the universe
by winning a Battle Royal to become number one contender.
-Can he shock the world again? -[bell rings]
[Joseph] Myles Borne, Booker,
is going to need every beat in his heart to win this matchup.
[Booker T] Hey, Miles Borne is the ultimate underdog in this match.
Can he overcome… [stammers] …all the odds in a matchup like this?
And the one thing we cannot question is Myles Borne's heart.
We don't know how good this guy really is as well… [stammers]
…has he been training for a matchup like this with Oba Femi?
Can't he go the long haul, get in that deep water and last.
-We're gonna find out. -[Joseph stammers]
Any of you guys surprised that the NQCC isn't ringside
for this championship matchup?
[Graves] No, I think this is the appropriate decision for NQCC…
-[Booker T] It is. -…to not be here.
Let Myles succeed or fail on his own.
Have to worry about Charlie Dempsey,
he doesn't have to worry about Wren Sinclair.
[Graves] He's worried about Oba Femi, and Oba Femi alone.
[Joseph] And after that look we saw Charlie Dempsey give Myles,
it might actually work in Myles' benefit.
[Booker T] Myles actually, he said it, man,
uh, like once he got with NQCC, he got all the training that he needed.
-[Graves] Whoa. -He's ready for this matchup
and who got him ready for it? Charlie Dempsey.
Give Charlie a lot of credit.
[Joseph] I give Charlie credit for everything that he has put…
-[Graves] Whoa! -…the NCCQ through.
-But Borne able to land on his feet. -[Booker T] Oh, yeah!
[Joseph] Borne doing this for himself,
the NQCC, but a community that needs a hero.
And, Booker, to your point, Myles Borne has credited the NQCC.
But he's also maybe outgrown the tutelage,
if he's able to win the NXT championship tonight.
[Booker T] I… I wouldn't be thinking that way if I was Myles Borne.
How did he get to the dance? It was NQCC
that got him prepared for this moment.
It was in NQCC who brought him inside…
-[Joseph] Whoa! -…of that family, inside that home,
-and taught him exactly… -There's that dropkick!
…what he needs to know for a matchup like this with Oba Femi.
[Joseph] That drop pick from Myles Borne connected,
but you just see the power…
Also, an Obafemi who did not go down.
And, Graves, I come to you and ask you,
what… what do you think about the tutelage?
'Cause sometimes, you have said in the past,
you outgrow your scene, you outgrow your partner.
[Graves] Well, that's not the case with Myles Borne. Myles Borne…
-[Booker T exclaims] -[Graves] Essentially brand new,
for all intents and purposes, in this game.
He's got a lot to learn from someone like Charlie Dempsey,
who's been around the world multiple times.
He's a master of many different skill sets.
Myles Borne can take what he's learned, hopefully apply it successfully tonight,
but to imply that he's outgrown his coach already is absolute nonsense.
[Joseph] Well, you guys are right that when it comes to Charlie Dempsey,
he does have a blue blood pedigree. And a nice Enzuigiri.
Rocking the champion again.
Booker, we certainly are going to learn, though, a lot about Miles Borne.
[Booker T] I mean, Myles Borne has a…
-[Joseph grunts] -…opportunity of a lifetime right here.
This is like, uh, a lottery ticket.
This is like Apollo Creed calling out Rocky Balboa on Independence Day,
giving this young man a shot at glory.
I love that from over Oba Femi.
[Joseph] Borne continuing to kick, continuing to fight.
Graves, to your point, is someone who is relatively unknown
and maybe a challenge Oba Femi hasn't faced…
'Cause, look Oba, everyone he has faced
he's been able to train with, scout, watch maneuver, but this is Myles Borne.
Someone he does not know a lot about.
[Booker T] We don't know a whole lot about Myles Borne.
He talked about his heart but this kid has a lot of ability as well,
and I feel like if Oba Femi…
if Oba Femi just lose focus for one moment
or underestimate this kid, that could be his downfall.
[Joseph] I think this is the pace that Obafemi would like.
Slow and allowing him to just overpower.
[Booker T grunts]
-[Joseph] And dissect Myles Borne… -[Borne groans]
…punish his opponent.
In to the cover goes the champion
-and the challenger kicking out at one. -[Graves] It's not slow, it's deliberate.
Oba Femi realizes there's a lot he doesn't know about his challenger,
so Oba not allowing himself
to be put in positions where he's unfamiliar with the situation.
-[Booker T] There it is. -[Graves] Take your time.
Every move… Every movement Oba has made has meant something.
[Oba] I'm still here.
[crowd chanting] Oba!
[Joseph] To that… Graves, do you think Oba sees Myles as a threat?
-[Borne groans] -[Graves] I think Oba Femi understands
that he is constantly a target no matter where he goes,
no matter what day of the week it is in the NXT locker room.
Everybody is a threat to Oba Femi
which is why he's become so adept at turning away challengers.
Nobody thrives against adversity quite like Oba Femi.
[Joseph] Well, this past Tuesday, Booker, we saw your guy Jasper Troy
-make his presence felt and… -[Booker T] You know why?
-…and the champion. -You know why?
'Cause Jasper Troy, that monster, he want a piece of the action,
and right now he's starting right at the top, just like I taught him.
[Joseph] You know, for Obafemi, who…
Again, I like the word Graves used,
-a deliberate style in this matchup. -[Booker T grunts]
[Joseph] In his career since the start of the Breakout Tournament
-in 2023… -[Booker T] Wow.
[Joseph] That was 531 days ago.
He has been champion, whether it's been NXT Champion
or North American Champion, for 411 of those days.
That is nothing short of dominant.
[Booker T] Championship quality athlete right here, Oba Femi.
This guy has a bright future.
Right now, he's just… he's just in his infancy stages and…
and right now he's putting it on Myles Borne.
I'm wondering if the referee might have to have the wherewithal, understanding
and know-how, at some point, to maybe stop this matchup at some point
because Oba is playing it… Playing it real serious.
[Joseph] Into the cover, and--
-[Booker T exclaims] -[Joseph] No, kick out.
You heard the WWE universe
that has been at a fever pitch since the beginning of the night.
I bring up that 2023 Breakout Tournament, Booker, because you and I were ringside.
These two met in the first round of that tournament.
They both have come a very long way.
[Booker T] Yeah, and Myles Borne actually did a hell of a job.
We saw some impressive, impressive things from Myles Borne,
and right now, there again, he has a lottery ticket.
He has a chance to prove that he has what it takes to work at this level.
[Joseph] Oh.
That goes back to your point, I guess,
from when he arrived in that Breakout Tournament,
to having to be molded by someone like
Charlie Dempsey.
-Because you're not ready. -[Booker T] Charlie Dempsey…
The NQCC has definitely done a great job with Myles Borne.
Th-his is a kid.
This is a kid who has grown expeditiously over this last 365 days.
You gotta give him a lot of credit for that.
But is he ready? Is he ready for this moment?
[Joseph] And the answer right now is the moment belongs to Oba Femi.
And as we get into maybe an uncomfortable part
of this match of his, Femi just continues to dominate, Corey.
What does Myles need to remember when you're in deep waters against,
-an absolute destroyer? -[Booker T] Oh!
[Joseph] But another dropkick dropped the champion.
[Graves] I don't know if there's anything that Miles can remember
because he's never really been in this situation.
We know Borne has the cardio.
When you train with NQCC, you've got a gas tank on you.
That was the drop kick. The very Same dropkick
that propelled Myles Borne's career to this opportunity.
Borne, I think the fact… Sometimes what you don't know can help ya,
That's the case for Myles Borne tonight.
[Joseph] Well, that's the second time he's been able to hit Oba Femi
with that dropkick.
Maybe the third time will be the charm, but again Oba
just planning, with another backbreaker… Myles Borne,
and now just trying to get a submission to prove a point, to send a message.
[Booker T] Yeah, yeah…
Big shot, that big dropkick, but I'm gonna tell you right now,
he's gonna have to do that in… in concession.
I mean, I'm talking about in combinations
if you wanna try to stop the big man's momentum.
[Joseph] Trying to rally, Myles Borne, right now.
Again, the unknown for Borne.
You can get all the hours in the gym.
-[Graves] Oh! -[Booker T] Good night.
[Joseph] But nothing trains you guys for taking a clothesline like that.
[Booker T] Beautiful.
[Joseph] You're not gonna get your head taken off like that at Planet Fitness,
I assure you that much.
[Graves] Oba Femi now settling in,
and this is exactly what Borne wanted to avoid,
letting Oba make this his match.
This is what the ruler does so well, so regularly.
-[Joseph] Ooh, whoa! -[Graves] He weathers the early storm
and he makes it his match.
[Joseph] He might have just made a little bit of a mistake there
and Myles Borne trying to capitalize.
Gonna have to do a little bit more than what he's doing in this moment,
but it's been effective.
Trying to hold on, trying to squeeze,
trying to wear down the much larger Oba Femi
who's trying to desperately create a little bit of separation,
but closing that space again is the challenger.
[Graves] Great display of tenacity from the challenger.
Myles Borne with the sleeper hold applied.
It looks like Oba still has his chin underneath the forearm of Myles Borne,
so Myles isn't able to get the full effect of this sleeper hold submission,
because this is still going to wear down Oba slowly.
[Joseph] You can see the effects right now of both these men here,
and I wonder though,
is this where someone like Charlie Dempsey or Tavion Heights or Wren Sinclair
would be helpful to Myles if they were out there to help coach him up?
[Booker T] You know, I don't think, uh, extra years or anything like that,
um, is gonna help Myles right now.
I mean, I don't think he needs any white noise.
I think he just needs to concentrate. This is a moment.
It's a moment, like I said, of a lifetime for Myles Borne.
Can he land that one big shot to…
-[Joseph] Oh, God. -[Graves] Whoa, whoa.
[Joseph] Myles acknowledged it.
Oh, the third time, that dropkick.
[Booker T] There it is.
[Joseph] The ruler sent spilling to the floor,
the challenger now with an opportunity to make something happen.
Here comes Myles Borne. [chuckles]
[Booker T] Yeah.
[Joseph] Big soup bone, right hand, right on the jaw of the challenger.
-Now the ruler -[Graves] Oh, man!
Two knees to the gut.
Into the count and--
I don't mean to go one way with it.
But in this matchup in this juncture,
is this just a little bit too much for Myles Borne?
Myles Borne still has breath in his lungs
and a beat in his heart, as you referenced earlier.
Borne not looking like he's ready to quit.
Oba's trying to force Myles to feel uncomfortable, to suffer,
but it looks like Myles is still able to hang tough somehow.
Trying to get to that bottom rope right now, trying to crawl.
Borne now maybe just trying to break the grip, not taking the easy way out,
trying to fight his way free, and Borne…
[Graves] Great transition by Oba right into the rear chin lock,
just utilizing Myles' own movement against him,
and now it's a vice-like grip around the jaw.
[Joseph] And with all that weight of Oba Femi
leaning on the back of Myles Borne, it's making it hard for him to breathe.
[Graves] It's exhausting for Myles Borne,
not to mention the barrage of heavy strikes from the ruler.
The challenger lands on his feet, back to the corner.
[Booker T] Oh, that could be the shadow I was talking about right there, guys.
[Joseph] That could be it. It may be the moment
is not too big for Myles Borne.
Maybe this is exactly what Borne needed,
that window of opportunity you talked about, Booker.
[Booker T] Tell you something, Myles Borne didn't just come in here
to play you guys, he came here to walk away and the new champion.
I'm gonna tell you right now, he's so close. He's so close.
Can the kid fight? Can he keep it going? Here we go.
Borne told me earlier, "You never fear the man who bleeds.
You fear the silent poison of regret.
Wounds heal, but the wound of never daring will haunt you"…
-[Booker T] Oh, baby! -[Joseph] …"long after the body is dry."
Born to fly.
Myles landing his shot here in Tampa.
[Booker T] The shot I was talking about right there.
The kid right now, he-- he could be-- he could be about to cash in, Vic.
Could this be the coup d'état?
[Joseph] He knew he had to get the champion back into the ring.
This may be his first attempt at a singles title,
but Myles Borne knows what he needs to do.
-[Booker T] Cover him! -[Joseph] Chopping down the tree,
into the cover, hook of the leg, in a near fall.
[Booker T] Man!
And you sense the energy, Booker, in here is starting to shift to Myles Borne.
[Booker T] Myles already proved that he belonged at this level already, Vic.
If he wins this matchup right now, I'ma tell you he will shock the world.
-He will shock the-- -[Joseph] Oh!
[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Joseph] The power slam, into the cover, for the title on Oba.
[Graves] Right shoulder off the mat.
No secret that Myles Borne has idolized Randy Orton,
and that was a Viper-esque power slam to the ruler.
Lightning quickness, incredible impact,
and almost dethroning the ruler in the process.
Heavy forearms to the jaw. Oba Femi, Oba's down.
-[Joseph] Look at-- -[Graves] Ooh. Got a little cute.
[Joseph] And maybe not a risk he wanted to take.
And now Oba hoisting up Myles.
It looks like Myles may be going for the ride…
[Graves] Oh, he countered. Double's up.
[Joseph] Connected. Standing moonsault did as well.
-Oh, I spoke too soon. -[Booker T] Oh, baby.
-Got caught, got caught. -[Joseph] Bad planning.
Massive chokeslam.
-[crowd] One, two… -[Joseph] To retain it…
Myles gets that left shoulder up.
[Booker T] The heart,
that's the heart Myles Borne was talking about earlier, guys.
[Joseph] If you go to the start of this match
and you think about when both men came out,
There was a loud ovation for Oba Femi, not so much for Myles Borne.
It seems to me those here in Tampa are starting to rally
and believe in Myles Borne here tonight.
[Booker T] The tide is turning right now, Myles Borne is…
has the support, and that sixth man is so important in this business sometimes.
[Joseph] Is this a case of Myles trying to get cute again, Corey?
[Graves] I think Myles is running on instinct,
perhaps running a little low on his bag-of-tricks,
trying to figure out whatever he can, almost desperate.
That might do it. Spiked Oba Femi with a DDT.
That's what Borne needed.
Borne now, seeing that the champion is on the back foot.
Myles, looking for an exclamation point of sorts
to win the championship,
Able to roll right through, get right back to his feet, charge right in
and fall from grace, counter.
Hurricanrana, shoulders down.
[Booker T, Joseph] Oh.
[Graves] And, ooh-- Oba might be done playing around, massive forearm.
And whoa.
[Joseph] No way, no way.
Unbelievable! Snapping back like a rubber band, the resiliency of the challenger.
[Borne] Come on!
[Joseph] Who just screamed out, "Come on," he knows this is that moment.
[Booker T] He's gonna do it.
[Joseph] This is his chance…
[Booker T] He's gonna do it.
[Joseph] …for the championship to conquer the conqueror…
-[sighs] -[Booker T] Wow.
Oba with a little too much left in the tank.
Impressive as that is, look back at the full extension on the splash
from the challenger,
driving all the wind out of the lungs of the NXT champion, but…
There still remains work to do for Myles Borne.
Oba… man.
Come on.
[Graves] This is a questionable decision
for the challenger to stand and trade blows with Oba Femi.
[Joseph] And right into it goes Myles Borne, and another one from Oba.
Got caught with a clothesline.
[Booker T] Ooh, bad.
[Joseph] Myles just took a shot under the jaw.
A lesser man wouldn't be standing…
but that 4th drop-kick just dropped the champion.
[Booker T] It's working.
Keep going back to it, Myles,
[Joseph] Slowly but surely charging in.
And, oh, uppercut.
And Oba Femi now.
[Graves] The ruler wants some insurance.
Looking for that patented fall from grace, power bomb.
[crowd] One, two…
-[Joseph] You've got to be kidding me. -[Booker T] What?
Oba's shocked.
Tampa's shocked.
[Booker T] The heart right there of this kid.
You cannot question Myles Borne's heart, man.
[Joseph] He said he may not have the strength advantage,
the height advantage, but you couldn't question his heart.
No one's questioning it now in this moment.
[Graves] Myles Borne removing all doubt that he does indeed belong.
Here comes Oba once again,
full speed ahead, just battering the challenger.
-[Joseph] Third one… -[Graves] Whoa, whoa!
Go, go, he's gonna do it.
[Joseph] …down in another near fall.
[groans]
What is left?
In the… Ooh!
[Graves] Well, that might be all that is left.
[Booker T] The cleaner right there, man.
[Joseph] Of the challenger.
Somehow, someway though, Myles pulling himself back up.
And Oba Femi now
just tossing another human life.
[Booker T] Meat.
[Joseph] Fall from grace a second time.
And not to be outdone.
The ruler ruling the ring once more.
[Booker T] This is it, guys.
[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Joseph] Oba retains. -[bell rings]
[Rome] Here is you winner
and still the NXT champion,
Oba Femi!
[Joseph] Can't take anything away from the challenger though here tonight.
[Graves] Myles Borne certainly tested the limits of the ruler,
but Oba Femi with another reminder for the entire WWE universe.
Of just why he is the ruler,
of why he is arguably the most dominant champion in the game today.
No one thrives under the bright lights quite like Oba Femi.
[Joseph] Well, the future is still bright for the challenger here tonight.
Myles Borne, who gave it his all.
But here at Battleground,
the reign of the ruler continues
in NXT.
There's a nod of approval from the ruler.
This isn't the last we've heard of Myles Borne.
We are live tonight in Tampa, Raw in 24 hours,
and what a weekend it has been here for the WWE.
What a night it has been thus far here at Battleground,
and wait, what?
Well, if there's a camera, cut to the camera. Go.
[speaking Spanish]
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
-[speaking Spanish] -What's going on?
Move!
Hey, Steph!
[clamoring]
[shouting]
An absolute melee backstage.
I don't even know what-- There was so much chaos.
I have no idea what to think about what we just saw.
Well, we're trying to resettle in
'cause we don't know what we just witnessed, to Graves' point.
-What a night. -There's a fight.
It certainly was a fight. What a night it has been here in Tampa.
But let's talk about what's going to happen this Tuesday live on NXT.
These two had to be separated even earlier tonight as well.
Our general manager Ava wants this issue over.
Saints wants to beat the ego out of Ethan and turn the page on his revolution.
North American title is on the line on NXT.
We were talking about this young man during the last matchup with Oba Femi.
The LFG season one winner Jasper Troy
makes his singles debut on NXT this Tuesday.
Not only that, coming your way this Tuesday:
she's emotional, some say she's unstable, she is Tatum Paxley.
She looks to strike back against Jaida Parker.
These two go one-on-one on NXT.
[Graves] And Myles Borne's NQCC stablemate Tavion Heights
issued the challenge, TNA wrestler Mike Santana has answered it.
It is official.
Santana versus Heights, one-on-one, Tuesday night.
[Joseph] On the topic of TNA, it is time for history.
First time ever the TNA world title is defended on WWE programming.
Will Joe Hendry receive a standing ovation,
or will Trick Williams prove that Hendry is just an average Joe?
[Joseph] Well, there is Carlos Silva. He is the president of TNA Wrestling.
He is ringside to witness this historic Main Event here tonight
for the TNA World Championship at WWE Battleground.
["Locked In" playing]
-[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick! -[Booker T] Uh-huh.
-[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick! -[Booker T] That's right.
-[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick! -[Booker T] That man. Oh, yeah, man.
-[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick! -[Booker T] Oh, yeah, man.
-[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick! -[Booker T] That's Trick. Look at it.
[Booker T] Chiseled.
-Carved outta granite. -[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick!
-[Booker T] That man. Oh, yeah, man. -[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick!
Oh, yeah, man.
-[crowd chanting] Whoop that trick! -[Booker T] That's Trick.
[Joseph] Well, Book, does Trick have the home field advantage…
-[Booker T] Listen to 'em. Listen to 'em. -…here at Battleground?
Listen to the people. They love him.
They love him.
And we talking about the TNA president.
That smile is about to get turned upside down
because Trick Williams is about to walk out their new TNA champion…
I'm talking about three-time world title around his waist.
I'll give it to him, man.
Give it to him too, the NXT championship, TNA championship.
Give him the world, dawg.
[Joseph] No one's gonna give him anything.
He's gonna have to earn it here at Battleground.
[Booker T] I hear you.
You see him just throw it up, huh? You see him throw it up? You see that?
[barks]
[inaudible]
[Booker T] That's that dog in him. That's that dog.
♪ Say his name and he appears ♪
♪ I believe in Joe Hendry ♪
♪ 'Cause they love him in London And Paris and Tokyo ♪
♪ America, Scotland And Canada and Mexico ♪
♪ They say, "I believe in Joe Hendry ♪
♪ I believe in Joe Hendry" ♪
[Booker T] You guys don't seem too excited.
[Joseph] Well, I was allowing the WWE universe,
who in unison are standing on their feet.
This is why I asked you about a home field advantage
because it seems just like those that were chanting, "Whoop that trick,"
are chanting, "We believe."
♪ Wave your hands From side to side and say ♪
♪ "Oh, I believe in Joe Hendry ♪
♪ And Joe Hendry is so prestigious" ♪
[Joseph] Pointing over here at Carlos Silva.
Joe Hendry knows how important this is.
[Graves] That might be the understatement of the millennium.
Joe Hendry has the weight of an entire company on his shoulder right now
in the form of the TNA Championship.
How in the world do you expect Joe Hendry to go back to TNA
if he somehow lets that gold slip through his fingers to a WWE superstar?
That is career suicide.
-[Joseph] Let's go up to Mike Rome. -[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall…
[crowd] One fall!
…is for
the TNA World Championship!
Introducing the challenger from Columbia, South Carolina,
weighing in at 240 pounds:
Trick Williams!
[crowd chanting] Whoop that Trick!
And his opponent,
from Edinburgh, Scotland.
Weighing in at 252 pounds
of pure motivation,
he is
the TNA World Champion,
Joe Hendry!
[Graves] Hardy Boys, Moose, recent TNA champions
that were successful against WWE superstars.
[crowd chanting] We love you! We love you!
[Joseph] But piggybacking off of what you just said, Graves,
take away the individuals for a moment.
Describe the magnitude of this matchup in the world of professional wrestling.
[Graves] This could completely change the landscape of the industry.
To my point, Joe Hendry is the face of TNA right now, a right that he won
by defeating a former WWE superstar known here as Dolph Ziggler.
Now Nick Memeth there.
Hendry has what it takes, but listen to this place.
-[crowd cheering] -[Joseph] This place is starting to rock.
[Booker T] Yeah!
[Joseph] Because to Grave's point, Booker,
everyone that is in this building knows the magnitude of this moment.
[Booker T] Now this is just like the WBA, the WBC, uh, the IBF,
this is a major title, man.
This is a major championship right here, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
Give it up, man.
[Joseph] Hendry had little bit of momentum coming into this matchup.
He and Elijah picked up a win over Trick and Kazarian.
That happened this past Friday at TNA Under Siege.
[Graves] We have to look at both sides of the coin.
As catastrophic as this could potentially be for Joe Hendry,
if Joe Hendry does succeed in defending his gold tonight,
behind enemy lines, on a WWE PLE.
Think of what that does not only for Hendry's career, but TNA as a whole.
That's gonna be the company
-on the names of people's lips. -[Joseph] Oh!
[Graves] Well, Joe Hendry right now coming out firing.
As you heard, 250 pounds of pure--
-[Booker T] Dead air! You're kidding me! -[Graves, Joseph exclaim]
[Joseph] This is a man who was in the Royal Rumble.
A man who competed at WrestleMania,
at No Mercy last fall was the first TNA wrestler to challenge for the NXT title.
[Graves] And think about that motivation.
Think about those accomplishments
of Joe Hendry that are driving Trick Williams,
because Trick believes he should be that man.
Trick believes he should have been at WrestleMania this year.
Trick believes that the world should be talking about him,
not a guy who works for the other company.
[Joseph] Well, Graves, I think though that Hendry has proven he is no average joe.
[Graves] You're not… I don't… I'm not gonna argue with you on that point.
I'm a big fan of Joe Hendry. I think Joe Hendry's incredible.
I think he deserves everything that's come his way, but you can be very,
very motivated by watching somebody else succeed where you should be.
[Joseph] Even received a lot of high praise from AJ Styles,
as we heard moments ago.
Making Trick… Thinking… Trick is no small man.
-Ooh! -[Booker T] Man!
[Graves] Trick Williams, deceptively large.
-Cover here by Hendry -[Joseph stammers] …on the line.
And Williams kicking out.
[Booker T] Guys, we're about 2 minutes in and these guys, right now,
are running hard and heavy in this matchup.
How long will it last like this? That's the question.
[Graves] Well, it lasts till one man's shoulders down for three,
they tap out or they get counted out.
Booker, what is it though about Joe Hendry that has captured the world?
[Booker T] I think he's just the common man.
I mean, he's a guy who started this business the hard way.
On the independent circuit… Grinding.
And a guy like that, you gotta give him a lot of credit.
Came all the way here to the States from Scotland
to take over the, uh… North America.
You gotta give him that, and now he's the TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
[Joseph] Graves, I saw you talking to Joe Hendry earlier
about some of his background.
[Graves] Yeah, Joe Hendry possesses a black belt in judo,
and actually left his pro wrestling career aside to pursue amateur wrestling.
Freestyle and Greco.
British Senior National Champion
-in freestyle wrestling. -[Joseph] Crazy.
[Graves] That is incredible.
To take a hiatus from this game to go--
[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Joseph] Yeah, you just saw the Fallaway Slam
and now mocking Joe Hendry.
Oh, and Hendry not gonna like that. Got caught though… Oh!
-Just like that, is this over? -[crowd] One, two--
-A Bookend and a kick out. -[Booker T] Beautiful Bookend as well.
Precision timing. I've been working with him on that.
[Joseph] Well, Booker, how has Hendry's confidence grown since April the 20th?
That of course is WrestleMania.
[Booker T] No, you gotta give Joe Hendry a hell of a lot of credit
coming into WrestleMania on short notice,
going in there taking on one of the all-time greats in Randy Orton.
-Just came up a little bit… little bit short. -[Joseph] Uh-oh!
-[Booker T] Oh! -[Joseph] Uh-oh, Fallaway off the ropes.
Cover and will it be to retain…
-[Booker T] Wait a minute! -…here in Tampa?
And a near fall for Joe Hendry, who won the TNA World Title at Genesis in January.
Been a banner 2025, as we've already covered.
One hundred twenty-six days as champion.
Loves to remind Trick Williams that he was on WrestleMania.
He competed on the grandest stage of them all
and, also, took Trick Williams' Royal Rumble spot,
which is something you alluded to earlier.
Shoulders down in a kick out.
[Graves] Well, it's certainly something worth bragging about if you're Joe Hendry.
[stammers] Shoulders down yet again,
but it's also a potentially great motivator for Trick Williams.
To be the one to knock him off.
-[Joseph] Another cover. -[crowd] One, two--
[Joseph] And Joe Henry, right now, showing you the, uh…
-[Booker T] Oh! -…amateur's background he has.
-And what we just saw was Trick using… -[Joseph] Wow.
…the skills and the tools that he possesses.
Trick Williams is a long competitor.
He can hit you from far away.
You don't have to be in close quarters with Trick.
Hendry thrives there.
Hendry wants to keep it tight, keep it close,
but Trick won't allow that to happen.
[Joseph] Well, see, you're playing off his length because he's 6'4", 6'5".
-His frame? Yes… -[Joseph] Yeah.
-…his physical frame? -You're talking about Pump Kicks.
I mean, Booker, there's… You use an Axe Kick as well.
I mean, there's a lot of truth to what Graves just brought up.
[Booker T] I'm looking at Trick Williams, I mean… [stammers]
…you talk about his background.
Trick is not, you know, your… your typical wrestler or anything like that.
He's a fighter.
He's a street fighter, and he's gonna go out there…
-[Joseph] Oh. -…and rely on his instincts
and his instincts alone.
That's what's taken him this far, guys.
[Joseph] Well, you talk about the amateur background, judo and whatnot.
If it breaks down into just a straight street fight,
-do you still give the nod to Hendry? -[Graves] I don't know.
I mean, I would never bet against Trick Williams
in any sort of circumstance where hands are being thrown.
Case in point right there. Trick knows what--
[Booker T] Oh, baby!
Modified Axe Kick right there. Beautiful.
[Joseph] He learn that from you too, Book?
-[Booker T] You know, we've been working-- -[Joseph] Wait, wait, wait. What?
-[crowd cheering] -[Booker T] See that?
Uh-huh. Give it to him. Give it to him.
Uh, give it to him, baby.
[chuckles] Oh, yeah!
I told you we've been working. I told you. I told you.
-Uh, well, damn. -[Joseph] Trick will lose…
Trick just got clocked
-[Booker T] What the heck! -…with a Rock Bottom!
Cover by Hendry to retain!
-And a near fall. -[Graves] Hey, Book?
I'm gonna give you the Joe Hendry stare for the duration of this one,
after we watch Trick Williams humiliate you
in front of all of Tampa, Florida.
And nearly cost himself a game-changing opportunity.
-[crowd] Booker T! Booker T! -[Booker T stammers]
[Joseph] And they're chanting, "We believe, we believe,"
here in Tampa.
[Booker T] Well, I don't believe, damn it.
[Joseph] And Trick dropping Joe Hendry,
and, you know, all joking aside…
-[Booker T] There you go, baby. -…another big kick from Trick.
[Joseph] I mean, do either of you two believe
that Trick wants the championship so he can represent TNA?
[Booker T] Not just… Not just that, he wants to… he wants to rub it
-in TNA's face. -[Joseph] Oof. Cover.
-[Booker T] Here we go, here we… -[Joseph] Cover.
[Booker T exclaims]
[Joseph] Think about this, Book. We talk week, after week, after week
about this business being about checks and about championships.
Trick Williams could potentially double dip,
not only as an NXT superstar
-but head to TNA. -[Booker T] Can you imagine?
-Twice the paycheck. -[Booker T] Man, I'm talking to you.
It's about long, green ducats in this business,
and right now Trick Williams is about to cash in.
Here we go, baby.
[Joseph] A tr… Oh, Trick!
Hendry rolls through, great display of power.
-[Booker T] There's no way he can do this. -The TNA Champion.
-Hell yes, there is! -[Booker T] No way!
[Joseph] Two hundred fifty pounds of pure motivation.
[Booker T] What the hell?
[Joseph] Wow! Big power move from Hendry into a cover,
and another near fall.
Joe Hendry right now.
Gotta wonder what's going through his mind,
and it's important to note too, about Trick Williams.
A year ago, Booker, it was Trick
who was against an outsider coming to NXT, at this very event. Ethan Page.
Now he's the outsider
trying to become the first active WWE superstar
to win a TNA championship.
[Booker T] I think you gotta give it up for Trick Williams.
I mean, and who better?
Who better to be in this position, other than Trick Williams?
A two-time NXT Champion.
-That's the guy right there. -[Joseph] Wow, man.
[Booker T] The guy who has won the North American Championship.
He… Who better?
who better than… than this guy right here?
You said it, 6'4", chiseled, carved out of granite.
With a… With a instinct, uh, like no other.
Here we go. Let me get out the way.
[Joseph] I also want to bring up the point that our official here,
checking on Joe Hendry, is not in the ring with the standard 10 count.
He does not want to see a match…
-Referees should not be doing that. -…of this magnitude end via count out.
Referees should not be interfering in this matchup right now,
at this time, guys.
[Joseph] Go put your stripes on, Book.
Why don't you jump in there and show them how it's done?
You can stack the deck in Trick's favor even further.
[Booker T] I'm not doing that. I mean, if he's hurt, call the match.
If he's hurt, throw the X up.
[Joseph] Well, Trick once again mocking Joe Hendry.
Not just mocking a man, not just mocking a champion,
-mocking an entire company… -[Graves] Ah!
…a company in which…
Their president, Carlos Silva,
is sitting right here watching this, Booker.
[Booker T] You're right. He's watching, right now,
Joe Hendry, get the hell beat out of him.
That's what he's watching.
[Joseph] I think he's probably worried
that Chet Lemon and Black Snow may reunite.
-[Graves] Okay. -Trick Williams right now
-looking for a big Swing Breaker. -[Booker T] Oh, baby. Cover him!
-Into the cover. -[Booker T] Cover him quick!
And a near fall.
[Booker T] Come on, Trick, we are so close.
I think right now, you got to imagine,
what those… And you're the one who brought it up
and you brought it up a few times,
the locker rooms, not just of TNA, but the locker room here in NXT.
The reactions,
-what they're feeling right now. -[Graves] I'll be honest with you.
If Trick Williams dethrones the TNA champion and brings it to NXT,
Trick Williams deserves whatever he wants. He wants a bus?
Great. He wants his own locker room?
Absolutely.
This is a game changing opportunity on both sides.
Positively, for Trick Williams,
Potentially very negative for Joe Hendry.
[Hendry grunts]
[Graves] You just… You can hear with every move
Joe Hendry right now in pain.
It goes back to those steel steps, his body bouncing off them,
and now getting bounced!
Getting dropped! Neck Breaker!
-[Booker T] Cover him! -Title on the line.
And Trick not able quite to get the three.
There is still a lot of fight left.
Yeah, but you can sense right now that Trick is closing in on a victory, guys.
I'm feeling… It seems like… it seems like Joe Hendry
is fading here in these deep waters, guys.
Don't count Hendry out just yet.
Making it back to a vertical base in this Front Face.
-Lock on. Great move… -Oh, no.
…by Trick looking for the body scissors, weighing Hendry down.
Goes back to what you're talking about with the length, with the body size.
Trick Williams now able to squeeze the air out of Joe Hendry.
[crowd chanting] We believe! We believe!
Tampa not ready to send Joe Henry home just yet,
and this motivation machine somehow back up.
Look at this power from the TNA Champion!
-Wow. -Joe Hendry not ready to go home.
Joe Hendry now is breathing deep though, so is Trick Williams.
This is those, uh, proverbial deep waters, Booker, you've been bringing up tonight.
Yeah, we're in those deep waters, and right now,
I must, say that was very impressive
by Joe Hendry to pull off that suplex right there from that position.
But looking at this scene right now,
how much does Hendry have left in the tank?
The same question must be asked of Trick Williams.
This is where champions prove their mettle.
Well, for Joe Hendry, he's been counted out so many times throughout his career.
When he was overseas, before he got to TNA,
even when he was in TNA, nobody said anything like he has done
would ever happen to somebody from the outside,
but he's showing you right now.
Don't stop, keep believing.
Big Fallaway Slam!
Don't accept imitations.
[crowd cheering]
-[crowd clapping] -[crow chanting] We believe!
[Joseph] Tampa's startin' to believe.
Hendry gonna be looking for the standing ovation.
Trick!
-Oh! -[Booker T chuckles] Oh, yeah!
Swung, missed wildly with that kick one more time.
Hendry though, catch, release, Standing Ovation!
-To retain… -The TNA World Title!
And Trick using those long limbs yet again
-to keep this match alive. -That's smart. How smart was that?
That was brilliant ring awareness by Trick Williams.
It to… [stammers, clears throat]
…you just gotta wonder now, for Joe Hendry--
[Joseph] This is the first time I've seen something resembling frustration
on the face of the TNA champion.
Is doubt creeping into the mind of Joe Hendry?
[Graves] What… What's Henry thinking?
-We're gonna adjustment the… -What's he--
-Is he looking? You don't think. -No.
-And Trick-- -[commentators] Oh!
-Got him! -Perfect!
[Joseph] Well, you can say that one more time.
Joe took a little bit too much time, but wait a minute,
that might have been a fatal mistake though.
[Graves] Trick got a little overzealous and sent crashing to the outside.
Hendry with a moment to recover, to compose himself.
-[Joseph] TNA World Championship. -[Graves] Oh!
[Joseph] Oh, no! And that's the second time Joe Hendry
has met those steel steps
[Graves] And yet again Hendry took just a fraction of a second too long.
This could be the end of Joe Hendry!
Trick now…
[crowd exclaims]
-[Graves] Just driving the champion. -[Booker T] Man!
[Graves] Doesn't matter what you want to call it, I've said it before.
Uranage, Bookend, Rock Bottom.
That could be the end of Joe Hendry.
Trick Williams now in control, looking for that Trick Shot.
-He connected-- -[Booker T] Cover him!
[Graves] Falls into the cover, hook of the leg.
And no, no, no!
-People are believing in Tampa! -[Booker T] What the hell!
People believing all over the world that the TNA World Champion
still has some fight left in him.
Trick realizing he's got to find something else.
He needs to kick it into that next gear, take it to the next level.
Hendry is still down, perhaps still woozy after the first Trick Shot from Williams.
[Joseph] Think about the Trick Kick. Think about going through this table.
Think about not one but two times, going into the steels steps, and…
[Graves] Trick, you gotta earn it first.
[Joseph] Yeah, what are you… What's Trick doing now, Book?
[Booker T] By any means necessary, dog.
[Joseph] He can't get disqualified, Booker.
If he hits him, he doesn't win the championship.
-[referee] You can't use this! -Come on, man.
Hendry from behind!
[Graves] Shoulders down, shoulders down, title on the line
and a kick out from Trick.
[Joseph] Here we go, another Standing O.
[Graves] Trying to hit a second time… Thumb to the eye though.
Rake in the face of the champion.
And now Hendry--
-Oh, God! -Oh, face first on the TNA World Title.
[Graves] And the officials gonna let that go.
That was incidental. The title was on the ground.
Hold on a second. Trick Shot!
That time, under the jaw!
-Into the cover! -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Graves] Oh, my… -[Booker exclaims]
God!
[crowd cheering]
-[Graves] What? -[Rome] Here is your winner,
and the new
TNA World Champion
Trick Williams!
[Graves] History has been made. This moment forever will live on forever.
The game has changed!
[Joseph] What happened here tonight will echo through eternity.
[crowd chanting] Whoop that Trick!
[Joseph] Graves,
-I am absolutely stunned right now. -[Graves] How can you not be?
Here's where Trick first introduced the championship to the matchup.
He did not have the opportunity to utilize it.
Hendry almost capitalized within a fraction of a second.
It would have been a successful retention.
Looking for the Standing O. Trick goes to the eyes.
Brilliant move.
Williams drives Joe Hendry face first onto the TNA Championship.
How poetic.
Another Trick Shot from Williams.
And… New.
These repercussions will be felt industry-wide
from this moment forward.
Congratulations, Trick Williams.
The lineage of the TNA title has shifted.
Winners get to write history
and on this battleground, the history maker is Trick Williams.
Trick has just flipped this partnership on its head.
The unthinkable has happened.
A WWE NXT superstar is the TNA world champion.
What does this mean for NXT?
Live on Tuesday, Stephanie Vaquer will defend the Women's Title,
and Trick will be live on NXT as TNA World Champion. en's Title,