[man] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
It's time to put family business to bed.
Tony D'Angelo versus Stacks Lorenzo for the held up NXT Heritage Cup.
You've given me an opportunity to become a two-time Heritage Cup champion.
Now I get to take the Heritage Cup that used to be this and make it mine.
[Vic] Referees distracted, and in comes Luca Crusifino.
Oh!
And Stay Gold Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo.
[Corey] We have a brand-new Heritage Cup champion.
Tony D'Angelo has had enough.
Ricky, Ricky, Ricky, Ricky.
We've been doing this for a while.
[Vic] Apparently, Ethan Page's video didn't work here tonight.
It was a trap.
All egos spoiling Saint's return.
Ethan, I'm sick of this.
You and Ricky are actually required to be in my office next week.
What? For what?
Because you're both the problem, and you're gonna settle it.
[Vic] And now Evans trying to put down Tavion.
Bam!
[Booker] Perfect! He got it!
[Vic] And Javon Evans victorious, and whoa!
Jasper Troy just flattened the Young OG.
Jasper Troy making his presence felt.
[Trick] It's about time y'all put some freaking respect on my name.
-[Vic] Trick retains. -[bell dinging]
I'm the greatest TNA champion of all.
♪ Say his name And he appears ♪
-[Vic] Joe Hendry just appeared. -Trick has made himself very comfortable
showing up in TNA whenever he wants.
So I thought, why not return the favor and I'll show up in NXT whenever I want.
[Vic] Kendri obsessed with bringing the world title back to TNA.
Izzi Dame, Jaida Parker,
Lash Legend, and Jordynne Grace, Fatal Four-Way.
One of these four women will advance to Evolution
and challenge Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women's Championship.
There's Tatum Paxley on the outside. Soul Insider, they're carrying Tatum away.
[Booker] You gotta be kidding me.
[Vic] Oh, my God.
[Booker] Zogadog, wow.
Torture rack, wow.
And Jordynne Grace has done it.
Evolution in Atlanta, I'll finally become the NXT Women's Champion.
♪ A million dollars from now, I won't remember you ♪
[Vic] All the fireworks come early tonight, welcome to NXT.
♪ A million dollars from now I won't remember you ♪
[all chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT!
["Locked In" playing]
[Vic] And what a way to kick off NXT.
[Booker] Look at that man. Oh, look at him, all up.
Chisel carved out of granite.
The boy's looking good. Come on, man.
Stand up, stand up. This is the TNA World Champion.
That man, that man, Trick Williams.
Oh, yes, man, oh, yes.
[laughs]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the TNA World Champion,
Trick Williams.
[Vic] Still going, huh?
-[Booker] That's right. -[Corey] I got good news for you.
[exclaims]
[Vic] You think he'll keep his head set off all night?
[Corey] Dereliction of duty, we just got started.
But the announce table is about to become Trick-N-A.
[Booker] That's right. [laughs]
[Vic] You got a long night ahead of you, you better take a breath.
-Let's talk about it. -[Booker] Yeah, baby. [laughs]
[bell dinging]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing the high rise,
weighing in at 178 pounds, Wes Lee.
[Vic] As the TNA World Champion gets settled in, Graves, how big of a match
is this for someone like Wes Lee?
By someone like Wes Lee, you mean somebody who feels
perpetually overlooked and underrated.
This could be a game-changing, career-altering opportunity for Wes Lee,
who fully understands the assignment tonight.
Wes Lee knows full well what is at his fingertips tonight.
[Vic] It was Wes Lee who told Utrecht Williams he will take care
of his opponent tonight.
[Booker] Show us how you do it on the west side, dog.
[Corey] Trick I gotta ask. I know there's a lot of history between
you and Wes Lee. It seems like it's all water under the bridge.
-You all on the same page now? -You gotta let that go, Corey.
-All right. -It was a long time ago.
[Corey] I've been accused of hanging onto a grudge once in a while.
♪ I believe in Joe Hendry ♪
♪ 'Cause they love him in London And Paris and Tokyo ♪
[announcer] And his opponent from Edinburgh, Scotland
weighing in at 252 pounds.
Joe Hendry.
-[Trick] It's a damn shame. -[Corey] Listen to this place.
Everyone on their feet.
For one third of the main event at TNA Slammiversary.
[Booker] Look at this, look at it.
And as we get ready for this and I see Tricks snarling, Graves,
is Hendry's aggressive nature due to things that have been said to him
-or about him inside that TNA locker room? -Listen, I don't know
if Joe Hendry is aggressive by nature.
I think there's somewhere deep down inside that Hendry does his best to contain.
But what Hendry needs to do tonight and going forward
is let that wild side out.
[Vic] Let's not forget that wild side started to come out
when he attacked you, Trick Williams. He attacked you last week.
[Trick] Hold on one second, Vic. Corey, why is you waving your hand?
[Corey] I was stretching, I got a cramp, I apologize.
-[Trick] Well, you need to fix that. -[Corey] It's a misunderstanding.
Trick, he was waving. He was waving.
All right now.
[Booker] Hey, Corey, did you just call Joe Hendry a little soft?
-Did I hear that? -[Corey] No, no, that must have been
-a producer in your head. -[Booker] Okay, I was just saying.
[Vic] Well, as we get ready to settle in here,
Trick, how are you preparing for the matchup coming up?
TNA Slammiversary, July 20th, yourself, Joe Hendry,
Mike Santana for the TNA World Title.
You do not need to be factored in the decision to lose the TNA World Title.
[Trick] I'm gonna be real, Vic.
What are they doing?
I beat Joe Hendry. I beat Mike Santana.
-They need to prepare. -[Booker] Facts.
-[Trick] I'm the man here. -[Corey] Is there any different trick
for you in preparation knowing you're gonna step across enemy lines?
-You're going into TNA territory. -[Trick] Man, I done been there before.
Look, man, I've been doing this a long time, man.
I've been doing this for two years. Let me put some respect in my name.
And don't get hostile with Corey there, Trick.
Booker, though, I do wanna ask you, if you were a TNA wrestler,
-what would you be saying to Joe Hendry? -[Booker] What would I be saying?
You dropped the damn ball, you let the locker room down,
you let everybody in TNA down. That's what I would be saying.
What would you be saying?
What would you be saying if you was in the damn locker room?
If this guy just walked away and just let everybody,
-what would you be saying? -[Corey] I'd probably just be happy
to be there.
That's why you ain't in the damn locker room.
Just that right there.
Well, it's not as if Hendry hasn't tried. Mike Santana lost to First Class.
We saw what happened to Elijah. And Trick, do you care to comment on
-Hendry's attack to you last week. -[Trick] Look, man, he a sucker.
He a sucker. I mean, what type of man wants to hit a man when he ain't watching?
-Behind his back. -Oh!
If you was really like that, announce yourself.
He always popping up in appearing places. How about he announce himself
and beat somebody up like a man?
[Booker] In other words, he need to tag you
if he gonna pick up on you, right?
-You know what I'm saying? -Tag you in.
-I feel you, dog. -Let's talk about it.
[Corey] Right now, Joe Hendry trying to out-muscle Wes Lee.
Lee, though, trying his best to counter the strength
and doing it with his athleticism. What a way to kick off NXT.
It's holiday weekend. Boom! Big kick.
[Booker] Beautiful there by Wes Lee.
[Vic] And charging right back in comes Wes Lee.
And, Graves, hasn't Lee been someone that has
stood out to you over his time here in NXT.
[Corey] No doubt about it. None more so than in this moment,
drop kicking Hendry into our announce desk.
Listen, Wes Lee has been on the record multiple times about
how hungry he is, about how he wants to be in the main event.
He wants to be the conversation in NXT.
[Trick] Show him how you do it on the west side, though.
-Show him how you do on the west side! -[all exclaiming]
He just got back to the east side, the south side, the north side!
His ass ain't going to the west side!
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] Back on NXT. Joe Hendry, Wes Lee, Trick Williams joining us on commentary.
Trick will defend the TNA world title in a triple threat match
at TNA Slammiversary on July 20th.
As Hendry took his eye off the ball, Wes Lee made him pay!
Thanks to Tyson and Tyriek,
they're on the outside, dressed for success.
[Corey] It wasn't as though Hendry opted to take his eye off the ball, Vic.
Joe realized that Tyson and Tyriek were creeping up on him.
Joe's basically one against three right now.
[Trick] Wes Lee just appeared, didn't he? He just did.
[Vic] He certainly just did.
And Trick, you have ruffled some feathers here in NXT.
Right, wrong, or different. We've seen how some people have looked at you.
In your opinion, how has the TNA locker room embraced you
-as their champion? -[Trick] Not here to make friends.
I'm here to make money. You don't like me, that's your problem.
[all exclaiming]
[Vic] Cover! What athleticism!
-Cover and a near fall. -[Booker] If I ask a question like that,
you know the rule. Checks and championships, man.
That's what Trick is all about.
He's about making that green, green dollar be!
[Corey] Let's take another look
at what was potentially a huge problem for Joe Hendry.
Beautiful athleticism by Wes Lee, but not enough to finish the job just yet.
Trick, you gotta like what you're seeing now.
[Trick] Man, I love that, man. That's just what we talked about.
Take care of business, West Side.
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] Had quite the staredown with NXT champion Oba Femi
a few weeks back.
Trick, Oba will have his eyes on Jasper Troy-Inamura tonight.
Winner will head to The Great American Bash in Atlanta,
-but a big pump kick from Wes Lee… -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] …rocking Joe Hendry.
[Corey] Caught Hendry right under the jaw. Around we go. Look at this.
[Vic] Uh-oh.
[Corey] Wes Lee wanted a satellite DDT but Hendry put on the brakes.
[Vic] Certainly did. Bang! Suplex, answering right back.
[Booker] Beautiful there by Joe Hendry. Textbook baby.
[Corey] Trick, is there any concern on your side
that maybe the next time you step in the ring against Joe Hendry,
it'll be a different competitor, a more hungry Hendry than before?
[Trick] Yeah, look, if I did it once, I'mma do it again.
He ain't the only one training. I'm working out every single day.
I'm in the gym.
[Vic] Well, pivotal point of this matchup, Wes Lee told you, Trick, last week,
he would take care of Joe Hendry here tonight.
But Hendry, firing back,
trying to keep that momentum going!
Big clothesline.
And Joe Hendry, all fired up.
[Corey] Wow!
Woo!
[Trick] Look at all these sheep in the crowd.
[Booker] He always want to please the fans, man.
That's his biggest problem. That's why he's about 10 pounds lighter right now.
No championship around his waist.
Am I right? Am I right?
-[Trick] I hear you, Unc. I hear you, Unc. -Uh-huh.
[Trick laughs]
[Vic] Looking for the Standing Ovation, hoisting up Lee.
Able to counter, thrown over, and answers back with a right of his own.
-[Booker] Yes. -[Trick] Take that with you.
[Corey] That body shot rocked Hendry.
[crowd member] Let's go, Joe!
[Vic] Lee with a weakened Joe Hendry. Hendry now, hoisting up Lee.
And look at this power!
Pulling out some new tricks ahead of Slammiversary.
-[Trick] Come on, man. -[Vic] Into the cover, hook of the leg.
And, oh!
Yeah, saved by Tyson and Tyriek, with Wes Lee.
[crowd booing]
[Booker] Beautiful awareness there by Wes Lee.
[Vic] Beautiful aware…
What the hell are you watching?
You got tri-focals, you didn't see that?
[Trick] He got back off of.
[Corey] Tyson and Tyriek might be getting a little too close to the action.
[Vic] Wait a minute, it's Mike Santana!
-[Booker] Oh, come on! -[Vic] …Mike Santana!
-[Booker] What the hell is he doing? -[Vic] Santana evening the odds.
Swing and a miss by Wes Lee.
And now Joe Hendry giving Lee a Standing…
-[Corey] Oh, finish it! -[Booker] Oh, hell no!
-Not like this! Not like this! -[crowd] One, two,
-three! -[Trick] Come on, man.
[bell dinging]
["I Believe in Joe Hendry" playing]
[Mike] Here is your winner,
Joe Hendry!
[Vic] Trick, you are not a happy individual at this moment.
Corey, let's take a look. Closing moments of this match.
[Corey] Tyson and Tyriek would rear their heads to take Hendry's attention,
but luckily Mike Santana of TNA would show up and wreck shop,
opening the door
for a little power display from Joe Hendry,
making a believer out of Wes Lee with a Standing Ovation.
And Trick Williams, you better be ready,
because you've got two hungry stars gunning for your gold.
[Vic] Williams staring at the two men
that are looking to put an end to Trick-NA.
I just don't know why you guys did that. I mean, I'm only trying to do good things
and I just… I don't get it. Was I doing something bad?
We were just trying to keep you from doing something that you would regret,
which is what good friends do.
Because for the hundredth time,
you need to keep an eye on her,
-Izzi is not your friend. -I don't get why--
-What the hell was that? -This is exactly what we're talking about.
Why did you two get involved in my match when Tatum was trying to help me?
What are you talking about?
Tatum, look, I know you didn't mean to cost me the match,
and I know your intentions were pure,
and just please believe that I know you did not try to hurt me in any way.
And I may have lost the match,
but I feel like I won your friendship.
I mean, at least I hope I did.
Well, you know what? I'm sick of this.
Tatum, if you wanna fall for her act,
then go right ahead.
Clearly, ZaRuca is already a team.
And I don't know about you, but I feel like we'd make a great one, too.
I think she's right.
[sighs]
[Vic] Well, Sol and Zaria have tried to help Tatum,
but she didn't wanna listen.
Tag team action still to come
here tonight.
And the question has been, can you trust this man?
That is what Tony D needs to answer.
We will hear from Luca Crusifino next.
["The Verdict" playing]
♪ It's all about the business, ah ♪
[Vic] And here comes a man who has some explaining to do.
[Mike] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Luca Crusifino.
[Vic] Booker, can you trust this man?
Honestly, can you trust Luca?
[Booker] I can tell you this,
Crusifino's actions has been untrustworthy, I can say that.
[Corey] I think this guy's a fly in the ointment.
I think this guy belongs chasing ambulances, not here at NXT.
Tony D'Angelo has been questioning my loyalty since Stand and Deliver.
And after last week, I wanna put this to bed.
I wanna put this to rest.
So, Tony, please come out here.
["Strictly Business" playing]
[Vic] Well, that's a mighty bold move.
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa! Everybody, look at this.
My consigliere
is calling me out here.
[indistinct shouting amongst audience]
How the tables have turned, Luca.
Tony, you seem to think that everyone's against you.
Oh, no, you're right.
You're not out to get me.
At least that's not what the last month has said.
See last week, you screwed me
in my Heritage Cup match
and served it on a platter for Stacks.
And then you punched me in the face.
Listen,
as I recall correctly,
you're the one
who hit me in the face first.
Tony, I gave you the respect to listen to you,
now you're gonna listen to me.
[crowd cheering]
You wanna talk about loyalty?
Fine, let's talk about loyalty.
Loyalty is me leaving college
with one year of eligibility at Duquesne University
for a family because you asked me to.
Loyalty is me turning down job offers from top law firms in the country
without hesitation
for a job that I've wanted since I was a child.
I've turned down and given up everything that I've done up to this point
for a chance, Tony, for a chance
to be in the WWE.
And you know…
you know without a doubt
that I have never done a damn thing to doubt you, Tony.
Never.
And you know what that is?
That's loyalty.
["All about Family" playing]
Luca, Luca,
I gotta say,
I wouldn't be standing here, your Heritage Cup champion,
if it wasn't for you. So thank you, man.
Luca, listen to me, this is exactly what I'm talking about.
This stuff right here.
-Hey, Luca-- -Stacks, shut the hell up!
You're not part of this family.
This is between me and Tony.
Yeah, Stacks, this is between me and my consi--
[Corey] Oh!
[crowd gasping]
[Vic] Oh, my God.
How do you like that, huh? How do you like that, punk?
That's what it's about! Me and this guy taking over!
-Me and-- -[crowd exclaiming]
My loyalty lies with Luca Crusifino!
[upbeat music playing]
[Vic] Talk about a turn of events!
Guys, guys, we're left with more questions than answers!
Here on NXT.
Oba Femi, later tonight,
we see Yoshiki Inamura battle Jasper Troy for the opportunity to challenge you
at The Great American Bash for your NXT Championship.
So do you have any predictions or preference on who you face?
Well, I can see why the WWE universe has warmed up to Yoshiki Inamura
in such a short amount of time.
I just want to see if he has the grits and the tenacity to get past Jasper Troy.
'Cause Jasper is very hungry.
And you might think that as a champion,
I just want to see them destroy each other so that the challenge can be easier,
at The Great American Bash, but no, no, no, no! That's not it.
I want to see…
Oba, tonight, I show you grit.
I show you tenacity.
I'm hungry for the biggest test!
Josh, why don't you tell your boy to be ready?
Because amidst all the chaos, here on NXT, championships changing hands,
there's one constant.
And that is Oba Femi.
Remind yourself, I'm not the hunted.
I am the hunter.
And the bigger name I put down, the more prestigious my reign becomes.
So, I'll be seeing the winner very soon.
You won't be waiting long.
See you at the Bash.
-["King" playing] -♪ My way, my life ♪
[Vic] Massive match-up still to come.
[bell ringing]
[Mike] The following contest is scheduled for one-fall.
Introducing first, from Cincinnati, Ohio,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
Lexis King!
[Vic] This man did a lot of talking last week,
to his opponent here tonight.
The question is,
can Lexis King back it up?
King goes one on one with Myles Borne next!
[Vic] And there is Lexis King,
-who, over the last week… -[speaking indistinctly]
…tried to make a mockery out of the University of Florida
and the Florida Gators there, Tyreak Sapp, George Gumbs Jr.
They are here live tonight,
with the best seat in the house, to see their boy
take on Lexis King.
[upbeat music playing]
[Mike] And his opponent, from Wilmington, North Carolina,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Myles Borne!
Let's go, baby!
[Vic] Borne's certainly not alone tonight has the Florida Gators here with him.
But Graves, these two,
they're different kinds of lone wolves, wouldn't you say?
And I'm asking you because Lexis King last week said
there was a lot of similarities. They had a lone wolf mentality.
Some would say these are two completely different individuals.
[Corey] Some would say that
Lexis King doesn't exactly have both oars in the water.
What I'm curious to see tonight is what Myles Borne truly is capable of,
going forward, since freeing himself of No Quarter Catch Crew.
We've seen flashes of greatness from Myles Borne.
-But can he sustain it? -[bell rings]
This is a big test for Borne.
[Vic] And Booker, I'll come to you with the same thing.
I mean, you've been a big fan of Lexis King.
Do you see any similarities to what King was saying one week ago?
[Booker] Uh, I really can't say, but I can say this.
Cameraman, zoom in on the abs, man!
Lexis King, the star of all television is looking good, oh, yeah!
[Vic] I don't think anybody wants to see any of that.
Borne had people around him. King, though, has always been alone.
Possibly 'cause nobody wants to be around Lexis King.
[Booker] Well, Lexis King, you gotta give this guy a lot of credit.
-Former Heritage Cup champion. -[Vic] Whoa!
[Booker] And in my opinion, one of the best right now.
Holding his own against Myles Borne!
As he does a step-up, look at that beautiful technique.
-Oh, my God! -[Corey] Did you teach that yourself?
-Yes, man! -The step over the back?
-The step over the back! -Classic Booker T strategy.
[Vic] This match-up continuing.
Graves, did you see Byron Saxton sneaking around here all day today?
Trying to get a football signed by the Florida Gators?
[Corey] Less we have to say about Byron Saxton, the better.
The Gator Roll being executed…
-[Booker] I don't like that. -…by Myles Borne.
[Corey] Should add to your repertoire, Book.
[Booker] I don't like that. At all.
My thing is, Myles Borne, this guy's got a lot of talent.
But I'm wondering, was it a mistake stepping away from the NQCC?
[Vic] Certainly right now, doesn't look that way.
Tip of the hat there to Sapp and Gumbs Jr., here front row.
[Corey] Everybody in NXT universe doing the Florida Gator chomp
when half the people here haven't graduated high school.
[Vic] I'll let you defend that later on on social media.
Oh! And right now, big right hand…
from Borne-- Answering right back! What a drop!
[Booker] Did you see that?
[Corey] That was very impressive athleticism
-from Lexis King! -[Booker] You're damn right!
[Corey] What did you call him, Book? The star of all television?
[Booker] Star of all television, man. I'm talking all over the world.
Look at his jawline. Look at the jawline.
He's got-- You can tell he's been working on his body.
And right now, he's working over Myles Borne.
[Vic] I see the jawline. I also see the paint on his face, too.
He's now looking for maybe a suplex!
[all exclaiming]
[Booker] By God, man!
[Vic] Exploding right over, into the cover, hook of the leg!
And a kick-out by Myles Borne.
[Booker] Can you please give Lexis King a little bit of credit?
[Vic] Let me take this through.
You want to give him credit? Here's your chance.
Is Lexis King in position to be giving someone like
the University of Florida Gators or even Myles Borne advice? Advice?
[Booker] Look, a guy that went to the point that this guy has,
winning the Heritage Cup championship, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Yes, I would be taking advice from him. Yes, I would!
[Vic] King charging in. [exclaims]
-Big knife edge-- -[Booker grunts]
[Vic] It certainly though, Graves,
-is a different side of Lexis King! -[all exclaiming]
[Vic] Than we've seen in the past!
We going to dance! We doing it!
[Vic] I'm trying but neither of you are answering my questions!
'Cause you're over talking to him, he's sitting here, trying to answer.
You love the guy! We know!
[Corey] I got this. Let take another look at the tremendous athleticism
-and precision… -[Booker] Yes!
[Corey] …from the star of all television, Lexis King!
-How am I doing, Book? -Not you, too! Not you too!
[Booker] I add to that. Precision tactician.
That's what he is right now, cause he's-- right now--
-[Vic] Say that five times in a row. -[Booker chuckles]
[Vic] Lexis King-- Oh!
He just went up top and now this is starting to turn into a slugfest.
Because these two just do not like each other.
[Corey] Sometimes this is what it takes for Myles.
Just let it get ugly. Start throwing hands.
[Booker] Those are illegal blows there too, by Myles Borne.
-Lucky he just let it go. -[Vic] Oh!
-[all exclaiming] -[Booker] Oh, baby!
[Corey laughs] I like that! I know that Borne didn't!
-[Vic] I bet! -[Booker] You like it?
[Corey] I'm mostly impressed by the fact Lexis King trims his facial hair
with an Etch-A-Sketch but we'll get to that later.
-[Vic] And now, Borne… -[all exclaim]
…trying to fire back, big right hand.
That slap, Graves, may have woken up Myles Borne.
[Corey] No doubt about it. King in all types of trouble right now.
This is the same-- I was saying this is the same Myles Borne
who took Oba Femi, the NXT champion, to the limit not long ago!
[Vic] And still to come, Jasper Troy, Inamura, winner will face Oba Femi
-for the NXT title… -[Booker] Yeah!
[Vic] …at The Great American Bash!
Nice counter, though, by King for a moment.
King, looking for a kick! Got caught!
Borne now maybe going for that Olympic Slam!
High angle drop, center of the ring!
A hook of the leg for the victory, and a near fall!
[Booker] That's not gonna be enough! You can't stop Lexis King that easy, man!
[Vic] Say something nice about Myles Borne!
How can Myles flourish on his own, Book?
-[Booker] No, I said-- -[Corey] Look at King, going to the eyes!
[Booker] Myles Borne is in a perfect position to step out on his own,
-but like I said, leaving NQCC… -[all exclaiming]
…that could have been a mistake because sometimes you need pals.
Sometimes you need buddies in this business.
[Vic] Don't be looking for the coronation. That's funny.
You always tell me it's not about friends, it's championships.
[Booker] I said pals, buddies.
-[Corey exclaims] -[Vic] Big dropkick, though…
[Vic] …from Myles Borne! Under the jaw!
King is wracked! Gators are chomping!
Borne is focused! And bam!
-Dropping Lexis King, center of the ring! -[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-[Vic] And Borne proves… -[bell rings]
…he didn't need the advice.
[upbeat music playing]
[Mike] Here is your winner, Myles Borne!
[Corey] What a win for Myles Borne!
Who continues to build momentum in NXT!
Celebrating with his friends from the Florida Gators.
[Myles] Let's go, baby! Let's go! Come on!
[Corey] Let's take a look at the next-level athleticism of Myles Borne!
Dropkick right on the money!
Boom! Followed up by something of a zig-zag!
-Taking down the star of all television! -[bell rings]
Big win for Myles Borne!
[Vic] And Myles ready to prove that hard work indeed pays off
in NXT!
Let's go!
[distorted music plays]
NXT's been nothing but chaos since DarkState popped up.
We got an NXT superstar as TNA champ.
Now we got a NOAH wrestler gunning for the NXT title?
Man, Hank and Tank did drop, everybody want to put their finger at us?
All I'm saying is, everything that's going on around here's
'cause DarkState allows it.
Yeah, we see everything.
This our playground.
And chaos is our game!
So y'all might as well get used to it.
Go ahead, get comfortable.
'Cause if we catch y'all lackin',
there ain't so saving ya, bruh!
'Cause we can slide anywhere,
anyplace, anytime!
Hey, bruh, matter of fact, I think I know who we finna go next.
But y'all don't.
[Thea] I'm a grown-ass woman.
["Take What Is Mine" playing]
♪ I won't ever let me down… ♪
[bell dinging]
[Mike] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
Thea Hail!
[Vic] Seems to be a little extra fired up tonight, Graves.
[Corey] Is that even possible?
This woman has boundless energy.
I suggest yoga, maybe some breathwork.
[Vic] Well, Thea Hail getting ready to take on Lainey Reid, next.
[Vic] Welcome back to NXT.
[Mike] And her opponent, from Gadsden, Alabama,
Lainey Reid!
[Vic] As Booker fans himself to cool himself down,
Graves, how impressed with Reid were you
after she stood toe-to-toe with the NXT Women's Champion Jacy Jayne?
[Corey] It's a fantastic way to introduce yourself to the NXT universe
as Lainey Reid did.
The trouble is she claimed that she was gonna be the one to beat Jacy Jayne
and was unable to do so.
Tonight is of the utmost importance to show the rest of the world
who Lainey Reid truly is.
[Booker] Lainey is looking to become the biggest, the largest in NXT, man.
Oh, yes!
[Vic] I'd ask you to elaborate, but the bell is about to ring,
and we're about to get underway between these two.
And on the topic of Jayne,
she faces Jordynne Grace,
WWE Evolution, for the NXT Women's Championship
in Atlanta, July 13th,
right after The Great American Bash.
Thea Hail, Graves,
is there a part of you that thinks Thea got the short end of the stick?
Remember, she did tap out Jaida Parker.
[Corey] Listen, I understand the frustration of Thea Hail,
who right now is just unloading, it appears as though Thea has had enough.
[Vic] Oh.
[Corey] Maybe she's tired of being overlooked. You're right, Parker,
let's call it what it is, out-strategized, outsmarted Thea.
But right now, Thea on a mission, into the cover.
[Booker] Man!
[Vic] Booker, if you go back to what Graves is saying,
is there sort of a wake-up call of sorts for someone like Thea Hail?
-[Booker] I think it is, because… -[Lainey groans]
[Booker] Right now, Thea Hail, she's her worst enemy.
Right. Now, she had that match won against Jaida Parker.
But you cannot let this business get in the way.
Like, that referee didn't do his job.
He didn't break the hold.
She shouldn't have let the hold go, that was a mistake, a big mistake.
[Vic] She's trying to get over the events of that Evolution eliminator, trying to…
Oh! But instead got dropped face-first by Reid.
Reid followed up with a German suplex.
[Booker] I see something in Lainey Reid. She's got that effect.
She's looking to be a big, big star here.
And Lainey… Look at that. Oh, and a boom! I love it, man.
[Vic] Southern sensation is certainly turning heads
-very quickly here in NXT. -[Booker] You see that? You see that?
You see that deep… that boot right to the snout?
I love it, man!
[Vic] Graves, it's not on the side of your head. [laughs]
[Corey] Got her in the ear, Book.
-[Vic] He's just excited right now. -[Booker] Snout region, snout region.
[Corey] Lainey's got you feeling some kind of way, Book.
[Vic] I told you, he was fanning himself when we started.
Graves, how deep is the NXT women's division
when you truly look at it, all joking aside?
[Corey] I mean, I don't think I can state it adequately enough.
Every time one star goes to Raw or SmackDown,
it seems like three more pop up.
It's a great problem to have, it's a deep women's division,
and it continues to evolve.
[Vic] Lainey Reid now taking her time.
And last week, Booker, it was Reid who said,
Thea gets played like a fiddle.
I'm sure you agree.
[Booker] Not only that. Lainey Reid, she stepped in right off the rip.
Call-out, baby. Call-out to the champs.
And my thing is this. Is this the UFC?
Is this the UFC?
Because I love it, man.
That's what Lainey Reid is all about.
[Vic] When we take a look deeper at Reid
and some of the comments she's made with call-outs, to Booker's point,
Gravey, is Reid right with the things she's said about Hail,
specifically that she hasn't changed one bit since leaving Chase U?
[Corey] Oh, take a look at this power from Reid, wow!
-[Vic] Shoulder breaker… -[Booker] It's over.
[Vic] …executed excellently, into a cover, hook of the leg,
and somehow Thea able to kickout.
[Corey] Back to your question, Vic. I have to agree with Reid,
but I do wanna take another look at this double arm shoulder breaker.
That could have ended it. Credit to Thea Hail for surviving.
But I agree. I've said something similar.
Thea Hail wanted so bad to be, as she put it, a grown-ass woman,
to stand on her own two feet.
And really nothing has changed about her strategy or her approach to the ring.
-[Vic] Oh, Thea Hail, last week also… -[crowd chanting] Let's go, Lainey!
Let's go, Thea!
[Vic] …admitted that adulting is hard,
the locker room is mean, as she's trying to get back into this match.
-[Corey] Who said that? -[Vic] Hail.
-[Corey] A grown woman said that? -[Vic] Yes.
[Corey] I'd just given up.
[Booker] It's a selfish business.
You gotta be thinking about… [indistinct]
Right now, Thea Hail is doing that in this matchup.
But can she continue to do that?
That's the mindset. Stay focused, Thea. Stay focused.
[Vic] And Thea charging right in and trying to turn this matchup around.
Into the cover, another hook of the leg.
And a kickout by Lainey Reid, getting that inside shoulder up.
[Corey] In my opinion, I think,
Thea needs to take what she has,
which is a seemingly endless amount of energy.
She's frenetic, she's frantic.
If she can channel it, focus it,
-use it in bursts, in spurts… -[Vic] Oh.
[Corey] …rather than just nonstop chaos,
it might serve Thea well in the future.
[Vic] Right now, Lainey Reid again,
looking for some high-impact offense, counter by Hail.
-Hail right back in. Could be trying to… -[Booker] Oh, wait a minute.
[Vic] …lock in that Kimura.
[Corey] Is this smart strategy by Lainey? Oh.
[Vic] Taking the feet out, into the cover.
Hey, ref, ref!
Hey, wait a second.
[Corey] Nice job by our official.
-Thea Hail got caught the last time. -[Booker] That was smart.
[Corey] And right from behind, Thea Hail this time rolling up center of the ring.
And… Ooh.
[Vic] Good job by our officiating crew here tonight.
[commentators exclaim]
-[Booker] That's it. -[Vic] My word! But… Hey!
[bell dinging]
What the…
-[Corey] Go ahead, Vic. -[Mike] Here's your winner. Lainey Reid!
[Corey] You were so eager to tattle last time.
Why didn't you get our official's attention?
[Vic] Got to admit, not only was Reid holding the ropes,
it appeared Thea had her hand…
But this is a shocking upset.
[Booker] You're a snitch, man. You know that.
The damn turnbuckle…
That's why they say, "That boy is bouncy."
-He's pretty bouncy. -We know he's bouncy.
But, Tavion, you were so close to beating Je'Von last week.
And selfishly, I'm glad you're still in the group.
Yeah, well, imagine having that face mask on all the time.
Tavion, what Jasper ended up doing to Je'Von,
wasn't that what you were meant to do to him? [clicks tongue]
And you didn't, and look what happened.
You lost. Which just proves my point that you still need more time in the NQCC.
-Does it? -Yes, it does.
I'm not making no excuses. I lost.
Cool. But you know what?
I want the exact deal you offered Myles, a one-on-one match against you.
And if I win, I'm out, dawg.
[scoffs] I don't think you wanna do that, Tavion.
That's gonna be two losses in a row for ya.
-No, I think he does. That's what he said. -Thank you very much, Wren.
I can hear ya. You're right next to me.
Look, Tavion,
you really want that match so bad? Fine.
But here's the thing. When I win,
this conversation we're having,
it's not happening again.
That's also fair.
-It's a good deal. -[mutters]
[heavy metal music playing]
Whoo!
[bell dinging]
[Mike] The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, the team of Zaria
and the NXT Women's North American Champion
Sol Ruca!
[Vic] We can call it any way we want to,
this duo took matters into their own hands
to try and help Tatum last week.
Paxley prefers, though, her new friend.
We're gonna have a tag team match between all four of these women,
next on NXT.
The NXT locker room lives in fear of Oba Femi.
He's dominant,
he's invincible, he's a titan.
But did he look that way when he was in the ring with me?
The NXT Champion barely survived.
And now I'm only one match away from the rematch that I want.
And I know Oba, he rooting for Inamura,
because he knows what's waitin' at the Bash
if I get my hand raised tonight.
Inamura, I'm goin' through you.
And, Oba Femi, you may be backed by destiny,
but your destiny is mine.
♪ Truth will ultimately prevail ♪
♪ But there is pain bringing it to light ♪
["Truth And Pain" playing]
[Mike] And their opponents, the team of Tatum Paxley
and The Culling's Izzi Dame!
[Vic] I'm not one for conspiracies, but all signs are pointing to The Culling
taking out the NXT Tag Team Champions Hank and Tank last week.
But we also saw Tatum Paxley get carried away
by ZaRuca last week,
and to try and help Tatum Paxley.
So, Graves, I toss it to you. Who do you think is more trustworthy?
Izzi Dame, or Sol Ruca and--
[Corey] I don't know if trustworthy is the word I would use,
but let's talk about The Culling.
Let's be honest, they prey on the weak and the broken.
That's where Tatum Paxley is, that's where she belongs.
And while we're at it, and to be perfectly honest,
I don't know if I trust anything about Zaria.
To me, she's just riding the coattails of Sol Ruca,
and for some reason, she's trying to convince Sol that they're best friends.
But trust me, trust me, mark my words,
somewhere down the line, we're gonna be talking about,
"How didn't we see this coming?"
Zaria is gonna stick it to Sol Ruca.
[Vic] You ever have a conversation with Zaria?
[Corey] Nope.
[Vic] Then, where are you jumping to conclu…
Whoa, and wait a minute.
[indistinct arguing]
Zaria and Sol. And Izzi coming and sticking up for her…
well, I guess, her friend, however you wanna call it.
But there's some of that teamwork there, Graves, from ZaRuca.
[Corey] I never said they weren't an effective team,
I just said you couldn't trust them.
[Vic] Well, they got a very strong bond, and stronger, don't you think, though,
since Sol's win over the…
for the Women's North American Title,
or do you think it's because Zaria has eyes on that championship?
[Corey] Uh, yeah! Let's take another look at this exchange right here,
this fantastic teamwork as it was.
But you're 100% right, Vic,
keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.
Zaria looks at that North American Championship some kind of way.
[Booker] You ain't lying.
There's a method to the madness, man, with Zaria.
I feel the same way, man. You can't trust her.
-DTA. DTA. -[Corey] Great minds, Book. Great minds.
[Vic] Still to come, we will hear from the number-one contender
to the NXT Women's Championship,
-Jordynne Grace. -[Corey] Oh!
Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame working extremely well together.
[Vic] And that is also hard to argue, Izzi Dame bringing, of sorts,
some dollars to Tatum Paxley in the last weeks.
[Corey] It was a peace offering, Vic. It's like when you hand out…
It's like when you hand out candy to the people around ringside
-so they cheer for you. -[Vic] That's 100% why I do it,
as Izzi Dame's still in control of this matchup.
Tagging right back in, Tatum Paxley. And as I was mentioning,
the NXT Women's Championship to be defended at Evolution.
First Evolution in seven years. The champion, the last time…
As floating over is the champion, into a kickout.
The champion was Kairi Sane. She did not leave Evolution
NXT Women's Champion on that night.
We will find out if Jacy Jayne can leave champion
coming up in Atlanta. But Sol Ruca, in control now, of Tatum Paxley.
And gotta wonder what Sol, what Zaria's thinking in this match.
They don't wanna hurt Tatum Paxley. They're trying to help Tatum Paxley.
[Booker] Tatum Paxley's looking for a friend,
and I think she's found one in Izzi Dame,
and Izzi Dame has just found somebody that she use at the end of the day.
So, everybody gets what they want. I like it. I like the agreement.
[Vic] Paxley able to kick out.
You know, Booker, though, why would Tatum
choose evil over good?
[Booker] You know, I wouldn't say it's evil.
[Corey] Good and evil are subjective.
[Booker] I don't think that's what it is.
[Corey] You're telling she has great intentions, Izzi Dame,
someone who tore The Family apart,
someone who was able to manipulate a situation against Shawn Spears
in the North American Championship several months ago?
[Vic] I see a woman who lent a helping hand
as you so eloquently put it, to someone who was down on their luck,
someone who needed a little help, a little motivation.
Izzi Dame into the cover, hooks the leg.
And above all else, I think Izzi Dame understands what this game is all about.
Booker, can you help me out?
[Booker] I mean, you put that great.
I mean, that was a great soliloquy that you just put out right there.
[Vic] Can you spell soliloquy?
[Corey] He used it properly, so it doesn't matter.
-[Vic] Graves is good. -[Booker] Exactly!
[Vic] Graves can sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves.
[Corey] Ketchup popsicle?
[Vic] And now, big right hand from Sol, firing right back on Izzi,
who fires back in her own right. And it's almost as if these…
-[Corey] Oh! -[Vic] …these women are fighting over
Tatum Paxley, who just made a tag. I don't think Zaria realized.
[Corey] No, no, no!
[Vic] They're trying to fight to save her, to help her!
-[Booker] Oh, beautiful! Tatum Paxley! -[Vic] Crossbody! And a kickout!
[Corey] Listen, you know what Sol Ruca needs to be concerned about?
The North American Championship.
You know what Zaria needs to be concerned about?
How to take the North American Championship
or how to put herself in the NXT Women's Title picture.
Crossbody, a thing of beauty from Tatum Paxley,
who is wildly talented in the small instances
when she gets her head right.
[Vic] Well, as we also focus in on this, too, Booker,
regardless of personal feelings
as she just was tagged out of the matchup,
Izzi Dame has certainly dominated the field since she joined the company.
[Booker] Yeah, Izzi Dame, we'll call her the leader.
[Vic] Oh!
[Booker] She's been making all the power plays,
and if she can get a win tonight, definitely,
definitely that will be a big checkmark, let's just say that.
[Vic] X marks the spot. Dame to the outside.
-Tatum getting hoisted up. -[Booker] Oh, baby!
-I don't like this. -[Vic] And Zaria…
[Booker] Surfboard! Surfboard! Surfboard!
-[Vic] One more time. -[Booker] Surfboard!
[Vic] Third time's the charm! And right down on Izzi Dame!
And, now, look at the power of Zaria,
just tossing out Tatum onto Izzi!
Za-Ruca standing tall here on NXT!
[Corey] Don't say that again, Book.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Zaria, Sol Ruca, been in control up until this moment.
And… Oh!
Tatum Paxley, Izzi Dame, making their presence known,
making it felt, as Spears, Niko Vance on the outside, cheering on Tatum.
Booker, what do you think the rest of The Culling thinks of Tatum?
[Booker] I think they're thinking she's the right person for the job.
Tatum Paxley could be the newest member of The Culling, especially like I said,
if we get a victory tonight. Everything's lovely, man!
[Vic] Spears, Vance, the insurance policy on the outside.
Zaria able to get out the way for a moment,
trying to showcase that power.
Nice counter by Tatum. And Tatum with a nice dropkick. Wow!
[Corey] And think about what the addition of Paxley could mean for The Culling.
We see them grow stronger
They're switching pieces in and out to maximize their effectiveness.
Look at this! This is tremendous teamwork.
-[Booker] Beautiful teamwork. -[Vic] Diabolical!
So, you agree with what Booker said, that The Culling has only gotten stronger
in recent weeks. Short-arm clothesline. Hook of the leg. And near fall.
[Corey] When you find a way to appeal to the broken, to the weakened,
and you can unite them and you can use the things that broke them
to strengthen them, you are creating a very, very dangerous group of humans.
[Booker] Beautiful soliloquy.
[Vic] We're not playing Scrabble, Book. You don't get more points to use it twice.
Izzi gifted some dolls to Tatum, Graves. And to your point, that's all it takes,
putting Tatum's heart back together.
-That's what I was-- -[Corey] It's symbolic.
Oh! The dolls were symbolic.
[Vic] Yeah, that was symbolic, too.
[Corey] It'd be like if I bought you your favorite honey
'cause we didn't have a great show. Look at Tatum Paxley.
[Booker] Oh, baby! Oh, baby!
Shooting the half. Hook of the leg. Will it be enough?
And a near fall.
[Booker] Beautiful somersault leg drop!
[Vic] For Tatum Paxley, partners, friends have left her in the past.
Some unexpected, maybe. I look at it the other way.
Maybe, just maybe, she found a true friend, Booker, in Izzi Dame.
[Booker] Let me tell you right now, Tatum Paxley has a lot of talent,
and I think The Culling can really, truly, hone in on that talent
and get the best of Tatum Paxley out in the middle of that ring.
-That's how I'm thinking. -[Corey] You got a lot of experience.
Think of the value inside the mind of Shawn Spears.
This is a man who's been there, done that, around the world,
tasted success, sulked in failure.
-Hook of the leg! -[Vic] Off the enzuigiri.
[Corey] Spears is a wealth of knowledge.
And when you take these people, again, who for all intents and purposes,
are in a dark spot in their life,
Spears has figured out how to…
Maybe "manipulate" is the right word, to build them back up.
[Booker] You know what I call him, right? The GPS.
Just put in the information,
just log in your coordinations, and he will get you there.
Yes, baby! Oh, yes!
Coordinates, that's what I meant to say.
[Vic] Who the hell uses a GPS? You use maps now these days.
-You got a TomTom in your car? -[Booker] I got Waze.
-[Corey laughing] Oh! -[Booker] Yes.
[Vic] Well, right now, Tatum Paxley finding ways to continue this matchup.
And for The Culling, a tag was made. Izzi Dame back in.
-And this tag… Oh! -[Booker] Wow!
[Corey] Tried to get the knees up just in time!
[Vic] Oh, tag! And in comes the Women's North American Champion,
who's finding her own ways to turn the tables in this matchup.
[Booker] Just in the nick of time, too, because Zaria was killing it.
[Vic] Little Home Alone action here, taking down, running right back around.
-Dropkick right to the face. In control. -[Corey] Wow!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Izzi running and… Oh!
A tag was made. That's a…
new tag for Zaria, who was just able to get out of the matchup,
but nonetheless, working like a well-oiled machine.
[Corey] Sol Ruca just needed a solid base to launch that attack.
Zaria now has Izzi scooped up.
[Booker] Oh, double-up tag team action right here.
Going for the big… This could be the coup d'état.
Oh, man!
[Vic] With a little extra twist.
Into the cover goes Zaria, who is legal for her team.
And running up the back, breaking it up was Tatum!
This is a new side of Paxley we've never seen before.
And I hate to admit it, up until now,
it's because of Izzi Dame and The Culling.
[Booker] Tatum Paxley has so much talent.
It's just about honing that talent and bringing it out.
Right now, Zaria going for… Oh, no!
[Vic] Codebreaker by Izzi. And you know Izzi, right now…
[Corey] Izzi looking for Tatum, there's no Tatum!
[Booker] Where is she?
[Vic] What do you mean? You saw her get dropped a second ago. As Sol Ruca,
she is legal. Up over. Lands on her feet. And…
Oh, unique offense right to the spine. Oh!
Tatum just saved Izzi! Zaria just speared Sol!
That's not what Zaria's intentions were!
[Corey] Are you sure about that?
[Vic] Tatum has just shown her true colors.
Who's she sided with.
[Corey] She's crazy like a fox, Vic. That's what this is.
[Vic] She's crazy.
-She's conniving-- -[Corey] She's not crazy.
-She's crazy like a fox. -[Booker] Oh, baby.
[Vic] And she could be part of The Culling, sit-down style.
And Izzi just pinned the Women's North American Champion.
["Truth And Pain" playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners, Tatum Paxley
and Izzi Dame!
[Vic] Take a look at this.
[Corey] A sight to behold for sure.
Tatum Paxley shoving Izzi Dame out of Zaria's path.
Zaria takes out Sol Ruca.
And as Zaria tried to reconcile what just happened,
Paxley takes care of business on the outside.
Izzi Dame with a sky high power bomb on the inside.
Nothing will bond the new team faster than a big-time win.
[Vic] Sol Ruca looking up in heartbreak
with the warm embrace of Izzi and Tatum and The Culling.
[crowd cheering]
You know, if you guys wanted my honest opinion, I would tell you that
Ethan is like the last person that you should align yourself with,
but anyways…
-Okay. -Great advice.
…what I was going to say is, I would love
-if we could have a civil conversation-- -Ain't nothing civil about this.
This is gonna be man to man.
And I damn sure don't need the peanut gallery here.
I want my rematch.
Okay. First of all,
a smidge of respect for The Vanity Project.
Also, these boys are literally only here to help you.
Just in case you step out of line and I have to send you back to the hospital,
they're here to protect you.
Now, as far as this… [chuckles]
…rematch goes, Ricky, please keep up with the times.
All Ego Ethan Page is the North American Champion.
The greatest North American to hold it.
And going forward, I will be dictating every single thing
about this championship on my terms.
Oh, wow. Your terms, huh?
Just like every championship that you've earned here?
-Hundos. -Hundos.
Hundos.
Yeah. Hundos.
Now, I am a fighting champion and in a fantastic mood,
so, I'm gonna give you an opportunity.
You can earn a shot at this championship,
if and only if you survive The Vanity Project gauntlet.
-A gauntlet? Oh, okay. -Wait, Ethan.
-Ethan, you can't… -You okay?
You can't do the…
Sorry. Ethan, you can't do that to Ricky.
-[all laughing] -[Ava] Jackson.
I like these guys, man.
No. Real cute, Slim Jim.
But I don't mind playing this little game of yours,
'cause, in fact, when I beat the gauntlet,
I get to dictate the stipulation for my rematch.
-I love that. -Okay,
-let's not get ahead of ourselves here. -No.
Sorry, champ. That is a done deal.
Next week, it will be Ricky Saints versus The Vanity Project
in The Vanity Project gauntlet match.
-Perfect. -Perfect.
-Great. -All right.
-We got him, though. -Easy.
-Yeah. For sure. -Hundos.
I'm not worried. You're gonna crush this. I want you in this. This is my boys.
[fanfare playing]
After reflecting on last week,
Uriah, you made me realize
that it might be time for this old dog
to learn some new tricks.
So…
I want to apologize.
Tough love is the only way that I know.
But if it wasn't for you two,
I would have never reopened Chase University.
Hell, when I heard Kale call out for me the day that I emptied out my classroom,
in my darkest of days,
I felt a glimmer of hope.
And I don't want to lose sight of that.
So, Kale, next week, I got you a singles match.
-Oh. Let's go. -Hey!
-Heck yeah. -And while I know my methods
aren't for everyone,
I do want to be better.
If you boys will allow it.
Mr. Chase, thank you.
Apology accepted.
Come on.
-Bring it in. -A hug?
-Bring it in. Give it. -Wow.
Hey, Mr. Chase, it's never too late to grow.
It's breaking those toxic patterns, you know what I mean?
Kale, Uriah and I will be out there with you.
Just promise that you'll listen to me
and that you'll use what you've learned over the past few weeks
to show them that you are…
Can I say it? Is that toxic?
I mean, 100% you can say it. Just with, you know? And not at.
Okay. And show them that you are [bleep] Chase U tough!
-Boom! Yes! -[all cheering]
You know, guys, I can only hope that Kale and Uriah finally smarten up
and break free from Chase U because it's a sinking ship.
It's a giant anchor.
I'd ask Booker, but I already know what his answer would be.
But right now, we understand that Kelly Kincaid is standing by
with TNA wrestlers Joe Hendry and Mike Santana.
Joe Hendry, we started the night off with a bang.
You scored a victory over Wes Lee with surprise help
from one of your opponents at Slammiversary.
You, Mike Santana.
Mike, I appreciate you coming out and helping to take care
-of The High Ryze, but-- -Listen, Joe. Check it.
You and I are throwing hands in two and a half weeks at Slammiversary.
But the reality is that we're united when it comes to
defending TNA against guys like Trick and High Ryze.
Well, from the desk of our GM Ava,
you two will be teaming up next week to take on High Ryze.
Kelly, I don't think I'm gonna get the invite
the invite to the Santana barbecue anytime soon.
You know what? That doesn't matter. We're completely different people,
but we do have one thing in common.
And that's a quest to bring back
the TNA World Championship back to TNA.
Well, as much as I believe,
don't get too excited, that Joe's a cornball,
he reps TNA to the max.
But let me make something real clear to you, Joe.
I'm gonna be the one that's bringing the TNA World title back home
where it belongs.
So get ready for Slammiversary.
That job is fit for one man.
And you're looking at him.
Either way, Slammiversary is right around the corner.
But first, the Great American Bash,
which will play host to the contract signing
for the TNA World Championship between these two men and Trick Williams.
Back to you, Vic.
You got this. I believe in you.
You're gonna be the one to beat Oba Femi. You're gonna dethrone The Ruler
-at the Great American Bash. -Yeah.
I got it. [speaking foreign language]
All right, let's go, brother. Let's--
I got this.
Uh, good luck, man. I believe in you. You can do it.
["Evil Challenger" playing]
[Vic] Well, we are settled in
for what is going to be a fight.
[bell dinging]
[announcer] The following is the NXT Championship
number one contenders match.
Introducing first,
weighing in at 340 pounds,
he is the winner of season one of LFG,
Jasper Troy!
[Vic] Troy takes on Inamura with an NXT title match
at the Great American Bash on the line, next.
-Oh, Izzi, we did it. We did it. -Incredible victory tonight, ladies.
Tatum, you are starting to look like one of the family out there.
-You are. -Really?
-I saw the chemistry developing. -See?
-It was good to see. -Oh, thank you, guys.
-Ava. -Ladies, congrats on your win tonight.
You guys are clicking pretty fast as a tag team.
It's easy to do when you know a friend has your back.
And I love that for you.
Izzi, I came here to tell you that because you pinned Sol tonight,
you will face her for the Women's North American Title
-at the Great American Bash. -Yes!
-Izzi, that is incredible! -It is incredible.
-It's about damn time. -Yes, it is.
Tatum, I couldn't have done this without you.
[indistinct shouting]
Come on, we get jumped from behind last week,
and the only evidence is a black steel chair.
[indistinct shouting]
I know my new friends would never do something like that.
And if you two are so big and bad, why don't you put those titles
-on the line next week? -How convenient!
You got it. You hit first, we're damn sure gonna hit last.
[indistinct shouting]
All right, all right. All right, listen, if you guys are fine with that,
you're gonna put the titles on the line next week.
-Okay. -See you there!
[indistinct shouting]
Those tag tiles are mine! Come on! Come on!
[indistinct shouting continues]
[Vic] Look, guys, there is never a dull moment
for our general manager.
["Bad Boy" playing]
[announcer] And his opponent, weighing 242 pounds,
Yoshiki Inamura.
[Vic] Corey, are you ready for this?
Some Human Demolition Derby.
[Corey] I hope they reinforced
the ring for this one because these are two heavy hitters.
Yoshiki Inamura, who was bold enough to step up in the face of Oba Femi,
and say, "I want a shot at The Ruler."
Unfortunately for Yoshiki,
Jasper Troy believes he has unfinished business as well.
This one's too close to call.
[Vic] Look at the eyes on Jasper Troy.
[Booker] You know what he's thinking?
"This is the biggest meal I'm about to eat."
That's what he's thinking.
[Vic] You know, we've heard from his coach on LFG, it's Booker T.
Corey, I want to get your thoughts.
How scary truly can Troy be?
[Corey] I think the sky is the limit, and beyond, to use a cliché.
Jasper Troy with terrifying athleticism cover.
For a man of his size.
And, Booker, correct me if I'm wrong, I don't think I'm out of line
by saying Jasper Troy reminds me of someone you're familiar with
-from your TNA days, the monster Abyss. -[Booker] Yes.
[Corey] But sort of a modern era, faster, maybe even a little bit bigger.
[Booker] You look at this guy, Jasper Troy, he's 6'5", 300 pounds.
And that's down from 330, that tells me this dude is serious, man.
[Vic] Troy doing another cover of the leg. And a kick-out.
[audience member] Come on!
[Vic] You know, Booker, kind of, touched on it earlier.
I mean, just think about what Jasper Troy did to Oba Femi on their first meeting.
What he could do to Oba Femi at The Great American Bash.
I mean, it's downright scary.
And, Booker, are you still even questioning Inamura's thought process
after the last several weeks?
[Booker] Damn right. I'm wondering what the hell is he thinking
getting in the ring with this monster, Jasper Troy.
And let me tell you right now, Jasper, it's about bills,
it's about putting food on the table, which makes this dude very dangerous.
[Corey] It's about honor for Yoshiki Inamura,
who wants to go back someday to Japan with a story to be proud of,
with a list of accolades a mile long.
And trust me, Booker, you know, Inamura has a sumo background.
Yoshiki's no stranger to mixing it up with some heavy hitters.
Heavy dudes like Jasper Troy.
Look at this. That is fighting spirit. That's what this is about.
[Vic] And it was Inamura who went back to Japan,
only to realize the things he missed.
As he, right now, is taking it to Troy.
Big elbow to the chest.
Into the cover to get into The Great American Bash.
And a kick-out.
He missed his tag-team partner, this brand, the passion of the fans.
He wants to pay them back by becoming the NXT champion in Atlanta.
[Corey] Listen, Yoshiki Inamura able to settle in now.
Strategize a little bit better after weathering the early storm of Jasper Troy.
[Vic] And speaking of the NXT champion, there you see Oba Femi looking on.
He will face one of these two men in Atlanta at The Great American Bash.
And he's going to have to be ready for two absolute powerhouses,
as Inamura in control.
[Corey] We saw several weeks ago,
Oba Femi just barely getting past Jasper Troy.
Oba has yet to mix it up properly with Yoshiki Inamura.
And Inamura right now, nothing fancy.
Side headlock, just trying to wear down Jasper Troy.
And this is where that sumo power, that background of Inamura plays in.
He can wear you down. He's incredibly powerful.
You ever seen a sumo train, Vic?
-[Vic] I have not. -[Corey] It's unbelievable.
I had the honor of being invited to a dojo many years back in Japan.
And you wanna talk about some intense, powerful training.
These guys, I mean, some of them were strong enough to flip cars.
-That's no exaggeration. -[Booker] Let me tell you,
Inamura is just hanging on for dear life right now.
Trying to buy some time. That's the way I see it.
I don't know what the hell you're talking about, Graves.
[Vic] Graves is--
-This is what you were alluding to. -[Corey] Just watch and learn, my friend.
-Jasper's not taking the bait. -[Vic] Yeah, and there goes Inamura.
-[Corey] There we go! -[Vic] Inamura coming back in.
-[Corey] Oh, no! -[Vic] Big sidewalk slam.
[Booker] This is America. We ain't in Japan.
-This ain't no sumo match. -[Vic] The cover. Kicking away.
[Vic] It's all about the American dream.
And one of these men may be heading to The Great American Bash
to achieve that dream, becoming the NXT champion.
[Corey] Well, listen, they got monsters in Japan, too, Booker.
-Think about it, Godzilla… -[Vic and Booker] Whoa!
…Giant Bernard.
As Inamura looking down in control.
Who is headed to Atlanta? Who is gonna face Oba Femi?
[commentators exclaiming]
[Booker] Got all of it.
[Vic] Oba Femi said he would relish a fight with someone
who shares his warrior spirit.
And these two certainly fit the bill, Graves.
[Corey] This is incredible physicality on both sides.
Here comes Troy.
-Big splash. -[Vic] Sending a message.
[Booker] You ain't gotta worry about this dude right here, this monster.
You ain't gotta worry about him pulling the trigger.
Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] Third time, will it be the charm? Looking for a three.
And a kick-out.
Not quite yet.
Inamura still with some fight left.
Booker, is Troy the first man you've seen put doubt in the mind of Oba Femi?
[Booker] Yeah, I mean, because he stands, you know, 6'5",
and he goes toe-to-toe with a man like Oba Femi.
Oba has to know that he's beatable. He's beatable. He's been there before.
And this man, this man, Jasper Troy, can stop him at the gate.
[Vic] Jasper Troy told the universe the day he signed his contract…
Into the cover. Another hook of the leg.
…that he would make an impact.
And, Graves, this man has not lied.
[Corey] No doubt about it. Jasper Troy called his shot.
And he's delivered everything just short of becoming NXT champion.
And as we've been talking about through the duration of this match,
Troy pushed The Ruler to his limit.
We thought, on multiple occasions,
we were gonna have a new kingpin in NXT named Jasper Troy.
[Vic] And if you even go back to last week,
he dropped Inamura,
he got back in the face of Oba Femi and said,
"We are not done."
As now, Jasper Troy may be looking for an abdominal stretch of sorts.
Inamura doing a nice job in trying to counter.
Round and round they go. Inamura finally breaks the hold
and gets a little bit of separation.
[Booker] Great action right there from Inamura
just to keep his feet moving.
[audience chanting] Yoshiki! Yoshiki!
[Corey] I'm gonna be honest, maybe I overestimated Inamura
because Inamura is looking like he's in a world of trouble right now.
And he desperately needs a few moments to recompose himself.
[Vic] I don't necessarily think you're wrong, Graves,
but I think that also just goes to the power that Jasper Troy possesses.
[Corey] I agree with that. Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Maybe I am wrong. Here comes Inamura, teeing off on the big man.
[Vic] There is that warrior spirit.
One more shot.
But Jasper Troy rising up like someone out of a horror movie.
Coming right back in.
And this is where that demolition derby is starting to come out.
Whoa!
Bam! Big Boss Man slam.
Into the cover. And Inamura.
Jasper Troy was so close.
Take another look at just how close.
[Corey] Around we go. Nearly put through the center of the ring.
You called it Boss Man slam, I would have gone "black hole."
Either way, almost the end of Yoshiki Inamura.
[Booker] Inamura took that on his teeth right there.
The big man is gonna follow him.
-Oh! -[Corey] Another splash. Didn't work out.
Inamura with the knees up.
Inamura now.
[Corey] Here we go, the sumo-style strikes.
[Vic] Graves, as you would say, target has been acquired.
-And unleashing fury is Inamura. -[referee] Come on, out of that corner.
[Vic] Oh!
-[Corey] Little extra. -[Vic] And Inamura right now
showing even another page in his own playbook.
-Showing another layer, if you will. -[Corey] Oh, baby!
[Booker] You gotta be kidding me. He can't do it. No way.
-He just did. Wow. -[Vic] Big slam from Inamura.
It's all about becoming the number one contender to the NXT Championship.
Round and round they go.
-[Corey] Wow! -[Vic] Inamura, again,
overpowering Jasper Troy.
[Corey] Booker, you gotta start believing, man.
[Booker] I'm impressed. I'm impressed with Inamura right now.
He's going on top for that bomb.
He's gonna try dropping on the big man.
[Vic] We've seen this before in the past.
-[Corey] Nailed it! -[Vic] Oh, Yoshiki!
-[audience] Three! -[bell dinging]
[announcer] Here's your winner,
and the new number one contender to the NXT Championship,
Yoshiki Inamura!
[Corey] Inamura is headed to The Great American Bash.
We weren't certain that Inamura had what it took
to knock-out the powerhouse Jasper Troy.
Well, Yoshiki Inamura was all to eager to prove us all wrong.
Massive splash from the top.
And Yoshiki Inamura has earned the right
to step up and challenge The Ruler.
[Vic] Because it is now official.
Inamura is headed to Atlanta to face that man,
Oba Femi, for the NXT Championship.
It's going down Saturday afternoon, July 12th,
at The Great American Bash.
[Corey] Guys, look behind Jasper!
-[Booker] What the hell is he doing? -[Corey] The Young OG.
[Vic] Je'Von Evans just bounced Jasper Troy.
But it's all about the NXT Championship at The Great American Bash.
-Me and you, my friend. -Yes! Yeah! Yeah!
[Vic] And on the topic of Atlanta,
ahead of her NXT women's title match at Evolution,
we will hear from the number one contender herself, Jordynne Grace,
next on NXT.
[Vic] Well, next week, gold will be on the line,
as Hank and Tank defend their titles against the team
they believe attacked them, Spears, Vance of The Culling.
NXT tag team championships on the line live next week right here on NXT.
[Corey] And the former North American champion
Ricky Saints certainly has his hands full,
as "All Ego" Ethan Page continues to try to make Saints' life hell.
Ricky Saints battles The Vanity Project in a Gauntlet Match.
[Vic] Not to be outdone, an unlikely combo of sorts will team,
as TNA wrestlers Joe Hendry and Mike Santana will meet The High Ryze.
There will be high stakes next week live on NXT.
[Corey] And Tavion Heights with talent blessed by the gods
will go one-on-one with Charlie Dempsey
but if Tavion Heights is victorious,
he follows in the footsteps of Myles Borne and leaves No Quarter Catch Crew.
♪ It's not over until I win ♪
[hard rock music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the No. 1 contender to the NXT women's championship
Jordynne Grace.
[Vic] Guys, are we looking at the next face
of the NXT women's division?
[Corey] If you ask Jordynne Grace, the answer is "absolutely."
Grace knows what it feels like to carry a women's division on her back
prior to arriving in NXT.
But all that matters is what happens in Atlanta at Evolution.
I wanted to come out here tonight
and be completely honest.
Getting to this point is the hardest thing that I've ever had to do.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
But last week reminded me of something.
It reminded me that I thrive under pressure.
And the bigger the battle, the bigger the win.
So now, I'm about to walk into Evolution, a historic Premium Live Event,
not just for WWE, but for women's wrestling.
And this time, I'm not watching from the sidelines,
I'm a part of it.
I'm going to make history alongside the best women's wrestlers in the world.
But for the sake of complete honesty,
I have to be something that I'm honestly terrified of being…
and that's vulnerable.
[person] What?
Because I've been thinking a lot lately, asking myself,
"Am I actually good enough to be here?"
[crowd cheering] Yeah!
[crowd chanting] Yes, you are. Yes, you are.
"Do I really belong in the WWE?"
[crowd cheering, whistling]
And a lot of you know my journey.
You know that I didn't grow up saying
that I was born to be a WWE Superstar.
[sighs]
But I did everything I had to do in order to get here.
I became someone that they couldn't ignore.
So at Evolution, I'm gonna beat Jacy Jayne and remind myself of exactly who I am.
-Because I may not have been born for th… -[music starts playing]
[mouthing] Of course. Of course.
["WWE: The Chosen (Fatal Influence)" playing]
All right, Jordynne.
Are you done with this incredibly pitiful sob story of yours yet?
But, I mean, congratulations on making it
the absolute highlight of your entire career.
And I know, I know, I am fully aware that you can bench-press more than me.
But you can't carry…
in fact, you'll never carry this division the way I will.
But by all means, continue flexing your muscles
and hoping that one day a championship will just magically fall into your arms.
But I can promise you, it won't be my NXT women's championship
and it damn sure won't be at Evolution.
Because everyone wants to keep saying I am the most beatable champion in history
but unfortunately for all of you, and all you idiots,
I'm at the top of my game.
[crowd booing]
Yeah, you can all keep crying about it.
Keep crying about it while I keep winning.
And while I'm on the subject, it reminds me,
you and Blake Monroe, you seem to be cut from the same cloth.
You think you can just walk up in here
and everyone's gonna bow down at your feet.
But luckily for you,
Fatal Influence will always be here to remind you exactly where you stand.
Quick reality check, honey.
-At Evolution… -All right, Jacy, why don't you just
-do everyone here a favor… -I'm not done talking.
-…and shut up. -[crowd cheering]
-You shocked the world… -Back up. Get away from me.
…when you won NXT women's championship.
Damn right. 'Cause I'm the best. I shocked them. You're right.
But I'm not gonna surprise anybody when I beat you.
At Evolution, I'm gonna become the NXT women's…
[Vic] Oh! Izzi Dame heard enough.
Jordynne Grace looking to stand her ground.
[Vic] Jazmyn Nyx doing the right thing getting out to dodge.
Certainly a numbers advantage now for Fatal Influence
against the No. 1 contender for Jacy Jayne's women's championship
[Corey] Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne delivering a message.
-She's here! -Oh, you want some?
[Vic] Blake Monroe… The Glamorous One.
She was attacked in the same way two weeks ago here on NXT.
[Booker] Oh, yes.
[Vic] Blake Monroe getting her some right now.
[pop music playing]
But for Jordynne Grace, all the pressure is on her back
when she faces Jacy Jayne for the NXT women's championship.
Ladies. All right. Clearly there's a lot…
-Look what they did… -All right, all right. Jacy, Jacy…
-Jacy, calm down. -This is absolutely outrageous.
-Are you gonna do something? -And listen to what I have to say.
Oh, I'm waiting!
What I was going to say is, look, clearly you want something done
about Jordynne and Blake.
And luckily for you, yours truly is already two steps ahead.
-Thank God. -Thank you.
So, at The Great American Bash, it will be Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne
against the team of Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] What an unbelievable decision just made by our general manager.
Running… run it back.
Has a fatal blow just been delivered
to the confidence of Fatal Influence?
We will find out at The Great American Bash. by our general manager.