[theme music playing]
[man] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
["Millions from now" playing]
[Vic] The champions arrived earlier today, Hank and Tank.
They defend their gold tonight
against The Culling. Who walks away tag team champions?
On the topic of tag teams,
TNA wrestlers Joe Hendry, Mike Santana are in action
less than two weeks before Slammiversary.
But also tonight, our General Manager Ava and entourage
are ready for the Women's Evolution Summit.
It's the final NXT before Saturday's Great American Bash!
♪ She got some good throat, you know what I'm sayin'? ♪
♪ Been in the kitchen, you know I ain't payin' ♪
♪ You can ask chef, let me know how I pan out ♪
♪ Garage full of food, and I'm gon' pull the Lamb' out ♪
♪ Mm, yeah, you know what I'm sayin'? The handshake I gave you… ♪
[all chanting "NXT"]
[man] This is the revolution.
["Revolution" playing]
[audience cheering]
-Oh, yeah, baby! -[bell ringing]
[Mike] The following contest is a gauntlet match!
Introducing first, from New Orleans, Louisiana,
weighing in at 200 pounds, Ricky Saints!
[Vic] Graves, just how monumental could this gauntlet match be
for Ricky Saints?
[Graves] It's gonna be feast or famine for The Revolution.
When you're talking about endurance, about cardiovascular conditioning,
we're about to see what Ricky Saints is truly made of.
This could be a grueling contest,
but the mean… But the end could justify the means.
[Vic] If Saints wins, he gets a North American Championship match
Saturday at the Great American Bash.
And he gets to pick the stipulation when he would face Ethan Page.
But first and foremost, he's got to survive this Vanity Project gauntlet.
["With A Smile" playing]
[Mike] And his opponents,
accompanied by the NXT North American Champion
All Ego Ethan Page,
The Vanity Project!
[Vic] And Graves, is this man worried about what could happen if Saints wins?
[Graves] Look at the smile
on the face of the NXT North American Champion, Ethan Page, Vic,
and you should answer your own question.
That is not the look of a man who feels anything remotely resembling concern.
In fact, this is the picture of confidence.
[Booker] What up, dawg? Huh? How you doing?
Give it up. Give it up for the man.
Stand up. That's All Ego. Oh, yes!
[Vic] Well, it's nice that you two got a handshake.
The champion decides to ignore me,
but it looks as if Ethan Page will be joining us here on commentary.
Whatever gave you that idea, Vic?
Could it be the chair that I had personally set up for our--
-Oh, you set this up. -You did?
-I did. -Hey, thank you very much.
[Graves] I'm one of the biggest All Ego fans
walking God's green earth.
I'm excited to have you here.
[Booker] Vic, nobody likes you.
[Vic] That's not true.
[Graves] We see Brad Baylor starting things off with Ricky Saints.
-I mentioned cardiovascular condition… -[Booker] Oh!
[Graves] …we know Saints just missed a significant amount of time
with that throat injury.
[Vic] That's true.
[Graves] Curious to see how well he's recovered.
[Vic] A throat injury that was caused by the man joining us here, Ethan Page.
And Ethan, why can't you and Ricky Saints get along?
[Ethan] We've hated each other, I'm sure, for our entire careers.
We've fought in bingo halls, giant arenas,
and here we are in NXT still at each other's throats,
trying to prove who's better. I'm the one with the gold, so that's me.
[Graves] I see what you did. "At each other's throats."
-Brilliant! -[Ethan] Thank you.
[Booker] That's called a medulla oblongata. Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] Nice tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
For Ricky Saints, he's gotta get rid of this matchup quickly.
Because if he beats Brad Baylor, then he would move on
-to the next member of the Vanity Project. -[Ethan] That's a huge if.
[Vic] I don't really think it's a huge if.
[Ethan] It is, 'cause this guy's been spending time
fishing with Cody over July 4th instead of preparing for three men in one match.
-[Vic] What were you doing? -[Graves] That's how Vic
spent his weekend.
[Ethan] I was barbecuing. I'm the champ. I'm not wrestling.
[Vic] And… uh-oh.
-[Graves] Oh, I love that! -[Booker] I like this kid.
-[Vic] And a cover. -[Ethan] Cheer him on!
[Vic] And that almost ended Ricky Saints' championship dream.
[Graves] Champ, what can you tell us about Brad Baylor?
What is so special about this young man?
[Ethan] Just him? Talk about all three guys!
These guys represent something that's dying in professional wrestling.
They're journeymen.
They, over the weekend, were actually wrestling matches.
They were preparing themselves for Ricky Saints.
These three have a very bright future and they remind me a little bit of myself.
[Vic] To that point, Swipe Right is the Wrestling Open Tag Team Champions,
close to 250 days as champions.
But Brad Baylor, 20 years old, sky is the limit, WWE ID talent,
but he's in there with Ricky Saints, a former North American champion,
-looking to win that championship. -[Booker] Oh, baby!
-Oh, yes! -[Ethan] That's it!
[Vic] Baylor into the cover. And a kick out.
[Booker] You can see these guys have been on the expert tutelage
-of this man right here, All Ego. -[Ethan] Thank you.
-[Booker] Big up to you. -Very smart guy. I appreciate that.
[Vic] This would be a huge chance certainly to put their stamp on Evolve.
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] Look, Vanity Project recently won a gauntlet match over Sean Legacy.
-And it's gonna be a big Wednesday… -[Ethan] Oh!
[Vic] …for this trio because Jackson Drake,
the Evolve champion standing to our left,
has a contract signing with Lince Dorado.
But here in the now, it's about Ricky Saints fighting
for a championship opportunity this Saturday at the Great American Bash.
He's gotta beat three men though, here, in a row.
And that is what you're talking about, the difficulties.
It's a fresh opponent every time, no break.
[Graves] Exactly. Every ounce of Ricky Saints' energy will be exhausted
by the end of this one. No doubt about it!
High impact in the corner from the former North American champion.
[Vic] Ethan, does it worry you that Ricky could--
[Booker] Oh, baby! That could be it.
[Vic] Big DDT! Tornado DDT! Stacks him up.
-[Graves] Oh! -[Vic] The first man is eliminated.
-[Mike] Brad Baylor has been eliminated. -[Booker] Bam.
Who do you want? Who do you want? Who do you want?
-Get in there, Ricky. Go! Go! -Go. Go.
-[Ethan] Finish the job! -[Booker] Go, Ricky.
[Vic] Ricky looking to throw that heater right into Saints.
It's Smokes right on top. This is what we're talking about, one after another.
-There is no break for Ricky Saints. -[Booker exclaims]
[Vic] But I'll go back, Ethan, to what I asked you.
Are you worried about the stipulation he could choose?
[Ethan] Ah, let me ask you, a man that's been wrestling for over 18 years,
would he be worried about any stipulation?
I've been in every situation in professional wrestling.
[Graves] Ah, cover here.
[Vic] Hook of the leg. And a near fall.
[Booker] Thought you was a better journalist than that, Vic,
-asking a question like that. -[Vic] Well, it's a great question!
-[Booker] Stupid question. -Is Ricky heading to Atlanta or not?
[crowd booing]
[Vic] Smoke's been in control of this matchup.
One half of Swipe Right, Vanity Project, of course.
-Has won countless matches in the past. -[Coey] Uh-oh.
[Vic] Trying to do it again,
into the cover,
and a kick out by Saints.
Again for Saints, he's already dropped Brad Baylor.
He's now on to his second match here tonight.
[Graves] Take another look at this brutal suplex
-from the ring apron to the floor. -[Booker] Damn. That was…
[Graves] The fact that Smokes recovered at all is impressive.
I see why you like these guys, champ.
[Ethan] They're great. Look at him. He's just beating him right now.
This is awesome!
[Vic] Booker, I think you've said this to me before,
but in terms of Ethan Page and Vanity Project,
how has Saints put a target on his back to the rest of the--
-[Graves] Oh! -[Booker] Oh, baby!
I mean, look, he's an outsider.
And I'm not talking about, Cody boy. He's an outsider.
Nobody likes this guy!
[Vic] And now Saints trying to overcome!
-[Graves] Whoa! -[Vic] Overhead belly-to-belly toss.
-Saints starting to rally. -[Ethan] He'd better be okay.
-[Booker] Nah! -[Vic] Ethan, you look worried.
-Cover. Count! -[Ethan] Don't look at me.
[Vic] Oh. Getting that left shoulder just off the mat.
[Graves] I don't think our North American champion appreciates
you implying that he's nervous, or scared, or frustrated,
or any of these other questions.
[Ethan] Are you looking at me, Ricky? Keep your eyes on the ring, pal.
-Keep your eyes on the ring, pal! -[Jackson] What the hell are you doing?
[Vic] I'll say, when it comes to Ethan Page, you do not lack confidence.
Recently saying the North American title is the most prestigious title
-in all the WWE. -[Ethan] Yeah, it is.
-[Booker] Oh, baby. -[Ethan] Here we go!
[Vic] Smokes almost got Saints.
Saints just able to kick out.
Saints now charging right back in.
-[Graves] Whoa! -[Vic] Inverted atomic drop.
Right through, shoulders down.
Nice hook of the leg. And that's two.
[Mike] Ricky Smokes has been eliminated.
-[Graves] I like that. -[Vic] Ricky just got smoked.
-Finish him. -And now--
Finish him.
Finish him, finish him!
[Vic] Well, now it is the Evolve Champion,
the Carolina Reaper himself,
Jackson Drake.
[Graves] Tell you what I like about this Jackson J…
-Jackson Drake. -[Ethan] Get it right, please.
[Graves] I apologize, I'm tripping on my own tongue.
Vic's got me all flustered out here.
[indistinct conversation]
[Graves] It's Drake's eyes.
The guy's got a creepy, almost 1,000 yard stare.
It's like staring into the eyes of a pit bull.
You're not sure what he's thinking, you just assume it's bad.
It's very hard. When you come to the Carolina Reaper,
that is the look that has made him the evolved champion,
the first one in WWE.
Tomorrow, he's got a contract signing.
But right now it is Ricky Saints trying to chop away.
But this is Ricky Saints' third matchup here tonight.
Going into the cover of that stiff kick to the spine and another kickout.
I can't imagine what Vanity Project would say if they beat Ricky Saints.
[Graves] Technically, Saints' first matchup.
It's his third opponent, such as the nature of a Gauntlet Match,
the stakes incredibly high, but All Ego,
you are now feeling a little bit more confident than a few moments ago. Yeah?
[Page] I mean, he's in full control here.
[Graves] Look at this.
Stomping the crap out of his neck.
Yes, I'm confident.
[Vic] And now… Oh, Booker.
Look at the hand. Look at the hand on the throat.
Ricky Saints quickly had to get that left hand.
It was squeezing almost in that injured area.
[Graves] Bow and arrow submission applied by the technical mastermind,
the Carolina Reaper, is it?
I wouldn't rename myself after a pepper, but regardless,
Drake looks like the real deal,
going down low, taking Saints off his feet,
spinning right back around, kick connected and Ethan said, "Go get it.
Go finish him." And Drake might just do that here tonight.
[Page] Cover, cover, cover.
[Booker T] I like this kid.
[Vic] Is it enough to put Saints away?
Ricky again, able to kickout.
And Ricky just looked right over here at you, Ethan Page,
and there didn't look to be a lot, Booker, behind that glare.
[Booker T] This kid has a hell of a upside.
You know what I like about this?
Ricky Saints, he had to go out here and earn it. He's not like these fans,
"You deserve it."
No, no. You got to earn it tonight, sucka! I love it!
[Vic] Vanity Project's here to impress the man
that they believe will one day run NXT again.
That is Ethan Page.
Page could be looking at his opponent Saturday.
Saints into the cover, another kickout.
And Saints has already defeated Brad Baylor, has already defeated
Ricky Smokes, Swipe Right.
Can he defeat the evolved champion Jackson Drake?
[Page] Not "Can he defeat?" Can he get lucky three times in a row?
[Vic] Enziguri dropping Saints.
[Booker T] Keep the pressure up, kid.
Don't you mess around with this dude.
[Graves] Ricky, trying to overcome the Gauntlet, charging right in…
The sliding knee of some sort.
Saints out of the way, just in time.
But don't take your eyes off of Jackson Drake, the evolved champion.
Drake looked like he was playing possum, baiting in Saints, with a superkick.
Ethan Page, you're starting to smile like I've never seen before.
[Page] Oh, yeah.
[Graves] Swanton! Knees got up!
[Vic] Countered by Saints, Ricky, right now
starting to come back,
starting to rally and in this moment, staring right at you, Ethan Page
looking for the Roshambo.
[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Vic] Saints is headed to Atlanta. -[bell dings]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Ricky Saints.
[Vic] And now the question on everyone's mind,
what will the stipulation be,
come Saturday?
[Graves] This is an incredible effort
by the former North American Champion, Ricky Saints.
First we see a beautiful tornado DDT to take out Brad Baylor.
Ricky Smokes entered the match very, very ready for competition.
Great ring awareness by Saints, able to wrap up Smokes,
and then the icing on the cake, the Roshambo to Jackson Drake.
An opponent that didn't even know it,
Ricky Saints, headed to the Great American Bash,
and he gets to call the stipulation.
Ethan, the ball's in my court.
This Saturday,
Great American Bash for the North American Championship.
I'm gonna dog walk your ass all over Atlanta.
[crowd cheering]
And the best match that I know how, anything goes or falls,
Count Anywhere Match.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Get ready, Falls Count Anywhere.
Page,
Saints,
for the North American title, Saturday,
at The Great American Bash.
So fired up right now.
-I'm so excited for you. -You guys are gonna be so good.
Fatal 4-Way Tag Match at Evolution for the Women's Tag Team titles.
-God, I could just… -I'm so excited.
I'm gonna take care of Izzi on Saturday.
Retain the North American title at Bash
and it's on to Evolution for us to win some tag team gold.
I can just feel it.
Sol, are you even gonna have anything left on Sunday afternoon after Izzi?
If it wasn't for your friend here sparing you
you wouldn't even have to defend against Izzi.
-Oh, really? Is that so? -I guess that's what you get
whenever you mess with Tatum and get in her business.
Lainey, you are the last one to talk about people
sticking their nose in other people's business.
And you've been doing that a lot recently.
-Lani, didn't she just get here? -Yeah, she really did.
Besides, shouldn't you be more worried about Thea Hale?
Thea Hail, please.
We have enough on our plate,
but good luck to whoever's in this Battle Royal.
[crosstalk]
Yeah, Battle Royal, Battle Royal.
That's what I should be in 'cause I'm the future of this division.
What have you done?
Kelani, I have no problem showing you.
All right. Show me then.
Fine.
[Vic] Tensions high before Sunday's Evolution,
but tensions have been high in the NQCC.
If Heights wins, he's out.
Tavion, Charlie Dempsey, next on NXT.
[enthralling instrumental music playing]
[gasps]
Hmm.
[ringing]
Blake, where are you? We're supposed to be training.
Oh, let me guess.
You're at the gym. Oh, and you're wearing a black sports bra,
-black leggings, trainers and-- -No.
Well, actually, yes, but where are you?
Jordynne, I sent my driver.
We are going to have a glamor workout.
And that workout involves a black SUV.
Blake, I can't lift that.
No, no, no. That's my driver. Just go with it.
We're gonna have a glamor workout.
I'm talking nails, hair. Maybe a massage.
You don't know what you've been missing. Ooh.
The Great American Bash is not gonna know what's hit it when The Glamornauts--
Okay, listen, I'll come if you stop whatever it is you're about to say.
You're so funny, JG. See you soon.
Muah!
[chuckles softly]
Ew. You've got to be kidding me.
[Vic] Well, those two team, Saturday in Atlanta,
["Substance Over Style" playing]
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring
representing No Quarter Catch Crew.
First, Charlie Dempsey.
And his opponent, Tavion Heights.
[Vic] But these two could be teaming no more.
That's because if Tavion Heights wins, he is out of the NQCC
and I just want to get this out right now, Graves.
Tavion should not hang his head
after last week's match with Je'Von Evans.
[Graves] You took the words right out of my mouth.
If nothing else, it should have provided some important momentum
prior to this match for Tavion Heights,
who really showed the world what he is capable of.
I think the sky truly is the limit for this young man.
He just needs to get out of the clutches of Charlie Dempsey.
[Vic] Do you agree with that, Book? He needs to get out from underneath?
[Booker T] I don't think this is about NQCC.
I think it's about Tavion Heights proving that he's a competitive man,
a single competitor, a future champion, man.
[Vic] Tavion Heights wearing that mask of…
Due to an injury in which he sustained in training with Charlie Dempsey.
[Graves] I don't disagree with you at all
that Tavion Heights has an incredibly bright future,
but I do wonder what the value is for Tavion Heights to Charlie Dempsey.
Why wouldn't Charlie watch his young prodigy
grow and blossom and become a single star?
It's like, "Is Charlie Dempsey getting dues paid to him?"
[Booker T] I don't think that's it.
I think Charlie wants the best for these guys.
But you know how it is.
You got to learn a hard lesson when you got a trainer like Charlie Dempsey.
He's not gonna give you anything.
You got to earn it, man. We talked about that earlier.
[Vic] Tavion wants the same opportunity that Myles Borne received.
If he wins, he's out of the NQCC.
And of course, we just learned of the stipulation for the North American title
Great American Bash,
Booker, what does that event mean to you? The Great American Bash.
[Booker T] The first thing I think about is Dusty Rhodes, man.
Being back in WCW that was the staple event
and the Great American Bash actually are four-in-one.
I just want to put that out there, guys.
-[Graves] I thought you were six-in-one. -[Booker T] Four-in-one.
-I'm sure. -[Vic] It changes every year.
We'll talk about it off-air.
But Graves, there's no doubt in your mind.
Tavion Heights can succeed in the WWE with or without Charlie Dempsey,
who, right now, has a very deep submission line.
[Graves] I agree wholeheartedly.
It seems to me like it's harder to get out of a contract with
the No Quarter Catch Crew than it is to get out of a Planet Fitness membership.
It's absolutely exhausting.
Look at this, nice takedown by Dempsey.
Got this cravat cinched in deep.
Control the head and the body will follow.
I kind of side with Graves on this, but I think--
-Oh! -[Vic] That was gnarly.
You know, can blossom on his own. If Tavion wins then,
what's left for Charlie Dempsey?
[Booker T] I mean, Charlie Dempsey, he's a two-time Heritage Cup winner.
He's a grappler, some may call it a shooter.
if you understand what I'm saying. This guy's got an upside,
he's only 28 years old, it's championship.
What do we say all the time? Jackson what?
-[all] Championship. -That is.
[Vic] And listen, I don't mean any disrespect
to anything I'm saying to Charlie Dempsey.
I think Charlie Dempsey as well has a very bright future.
He just ripped off that mask and just slapped Tavion Heights.
He just snapped.
All right.
[Graves] I think Dempsey's head might have caught the bottom rope.
Tavion just laying it in.
[Vic] Tavion becoming unglued in this moment.
Big jumping clothesline.
[Graves] I think Dempsey may have unintentionally unleashed the beast
within Tavion Heights,
a man with athleticism gifted by the gods.
[Vic] The Olympic Kid right now, I said it.
Ooh, I don't know if that was a headbutt or not, both men down.
Who walks out victorious?
Can Tavion get out of the NQCC?
NQCC battling it out, Tavion Heights wins,
he is out of the No Quarter Catch Crew.
And now looking for a cross face chicken wing is Charlie Dempsey.
[Graves] Dempsey unable to lock his fingers.
[Vic] Oh, the strength again with a little extra gut wrench style
just delivered by Tavion Heights.
And Heights is certainly showing us
how bad he wants out of the NQCC, how much he wants to grow on his own
to both your points throughout this matchup.
[Booker T] Oh, beautiful hip block right there.
Tavion Heights, he has all the tools to be champion.
I mean, the thing is, can he stay focused in this match and get this win?
-Uh-oh. -This right here, this is the beginning
for Tavion Heights.
And Heights is in there, as Booker mentioned,
the former Heritage Cup champion, the second man
to hold that cup multiple times. Our new champion is stacked,
so my understanding is the family will have a sit down tonight.
But right now we got another sort of family squabble in Graves.
That's now two times we've seen these two men
gnarly landings from ring to the floor.
[Graves] Obviously, Charlie Dempsey is more proficient inside of the ropes
with his experience advantage. But I agree with the NXT Universe,
this has been awesome.
-They can fight all night for all I care. -I don't know if I'm the only one
seeing this, Booker, but is Wren Sinclair almost pleading with these two guys?
[Booker T] Oh, my God, man.
[grunting]
Charlie just told Wren to get the hell out of the way.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Vic] That may prove to be the turning point in this matchup.
Now Charlie Dempsey smells blood.
-Now Charlie Dempsey is in his wheelhouse. -[Booker T] Guys, this just turned into
something different for Charlie Dempsey.
This is not just about competition anymore with this guy.
And I hate to go back to what we saw in the break, Graves,
but you gotta think about that hip that hit the steel and--
[Booker T] Trying to break it.
Look at the bend, single leg crab and the pain is shooting through
the body of Tavion Heights.
How bad does Heights want out of the NQCC?
He's gonna have to dig somewhere where many men don't have a place to go.
[Booker T] This is not a test anymore like I was talking about.
Right now, Charlie Dempsey is trying to hurt,
he's trying to maim this kid, Tavion Heights. And I don't like it.
But then why would you do that to a student?
Why would you wanna do this to someone who's been tutoring?
Like I said, the light bulb just went off, man.
The script just got flipped. I don't know what's happening.
[Vic] Listen, at the end of the day, Charlie Dempsey knows how to hurt people.
Tavion Heights wanted this matchup. He's gotta suffer the consequences.
Maybe Dempsey was waiting for the opening to exploit him.
That's what Charlie has found, and that's what Charlie does best,
perhaps better than anybody.
[Vic] Reaching back out, and look at the ankle,
the way it's bending right now.
And one more time, the human body not supposed
to bend this way with that knee into the back,
into the spine, that forearm under the jaw.
Tavion right now not gonna quit, not gonna take.
What the hell is Wren Sinclair doing?
[bell dinging]
[Booker T] Great move, guys, great move.
[announcer] Here is your winner, Charlie Dempsey.
[Graves] I don't get it. I don't get it.
I'm not gonna question Wren Sinclair,
but Tavion Heights can't be happy about this.
[imperceptible]
I bet it tastes good because we are focused.
We are dialed. We are like Joey Chestnut staring at a Trey Glizzy's boat.
And tonight, we are sending The Culling back to whatever boiler room
they crawled out of. 'Cause there's no sneak attacks.
-[inhales, exhales] -There's no steel chairs.
Lexi, shut it!
It's just me, you, The Culling, and a head on head collision.
-Come on now. -Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[exclaims]
I know y'all focused right now, but I need to see y'all fired up tonight.
-Yeah. -The Culling, they tried to lay y'all out,
just like how Jasper did to me, but guess what I did again?
-What'd you do? -I got my look back.
Look back.
So tonight, y'all gonna get y'all look back.
-Look back, all right, all right. -So I need to see that.
-[inhales, grunts] -Bouncing!
[all] Bouncing! Bouncing! Bouncing! Bouncing!
[all grunting]
Get off him! What are you doing? What are you doing?
-Come on… -[all clamoring]
[all speaking indistinctly]
[Booker T] That's that boy. Oh, yes.
♪ Blass 89-9-9-9 ♪
♪ Santana, what′s good? Ayo, it's that Born Nasty ♪
♪ The rotten apple don′t fall far from the wicked tree ♪
♪ Put depression out it's misery ♪
♪ It lives in me, but I fight 'cause the light at the end of the tunnel
♪ Will deliver peace ♪
[announcer] The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from the Bronx, New York,
weighing in at 230 pounds.
Mike Santana!
[Vic] TNA wrestler Mike Santana, back in an NXT ring.
This is a young man who has captured the attention and imagination
of not only TNA, but the WWE Universe as well,
with his sporadic performances here in NXT.
♪ Bring your best and I bring the beast Off the leash, fangs need flesh ♪
♪ Trophies display scars on my chest ♪
♪ My heart rests when the war is over Each day, I feel closer to the stars ♪
♪ How could I not keep going? ♪
♪ We already came this far Park my emotions ♪
♪ Know it's normal but pain And I keep the cordial ♪
♪ So if you would love me… ♪
♪ Say his name and he appears ♪
♪ I believe in Joe Hendry
♪ I believe in Joe Hendry ♪
♪ 'Cause they love him in London and Paris and Tokyo ♪
[announcer] And his tag team partner, from Edinburgh, Scotland,
he's 252 pounds of pure motivation,
Joe Hendry.
[Vic] Graves in one breath, you talk about a man who wears his heart on his sleeve
in Mike Santana.
But no one, no one can question the heart of this man, Joe Hendry.
The question truly is though, Corey, who can be the savior of TNA?
But you can take your pick, could it be Joe Hendry?
Sure, could it be Mike Santana? Possibly, but do you know who's gonna say nobody?
Trick Williams, the TNA champion. Because Trick has no intention
of giving up that gold at the No Matter Who Challenge.
[Booker T] That's right. Hey, y'all didn't check out the look of Joe Hendry.
Seems like he's lost that confidence since he doesn't have that championship
around his waist. This is a different guy,
-this is a different guy. -[Vic] Well, it will be Joe Hendry.
Mike Santana and Trick Williams…
at Slammiversary, triple threat match
for the TNA World title.
[Booker T] I do like Mike Santana.
[The High Ryze theme playing]
[announcer] And their opponents, accompanied by Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont,
Tyriek Igwe, The High Ryze.
[Vic] Tonight, Santana and Hendry have Tyson and Tyriek.
[indistinct]
You're always talking about people finding their own way.
-[Booker T] Yes. -[Vic] So then why has High Ryze decided
-to stick their nose in TNA business? -You know why?
You know why? Because they're looking for a piece of the action, right?
That's what it's all about. You want some, you get some,
sometimes you gotta take some.
-Oh, yes. -Well, it was Wes Lee who decided to try
-and help Trick Williams. -[Booker T] What up, Wes?
-What up, Wes? -He ignored you, by the way.
You ain't got no friends. That's what you would tell me right now
-if that happened. -He focused right there.
Well, starting things off here is Joe Hendry,
and it was this past Thursday, Mike Santana vowed to bring
the world title back to TNA.
Came to the aid of Joe Hendry last week.
But again, partners tonight.
At Slammiversary, they'll fight for the TNA Championship.
[Graves] Which means tonight is a partnership of necessity
and nothing more. I don't think
Hendry really cares about Mike Santana or vice versa.
Do you know who does care about one another?
High Ryze, including Wes Lee on the outside.
And now as we learn,
Trick Williams cares about High Ryze and Wes Lee.
-[Booker T] Preach. -[Vic] Tag made. Mike Santana in the ring.
And, Booker, what would a win do for High Ryze?
[Booker T] I mean, come on, Joe Hendry, he's a popular guy.
Mike Santana, he's a very, very popular guy.
You beat these guys, you put yourself right in that picture, man.
Look at Mike, he's not your typical NIL guy.
He will roll you, man, if he catches you
-hanging out at the… -[Vic] Oh.
And look at the strength…
-of Joe Hendry. -[Booker T] Oh, my God.
[Graves] That is a lot of man to throw that far.
[Vic] TNA standing tall at this moment.
Joe Hendry trying to get back into this matchup.
Goes up, goes around, another near fall.
Hendry, Mike Santana from TNA here tonight.
Nice takedown. Into the cover, another near fall.
-Going up against Tyson, Tyriek, and-- -[Graves] Oh, man.
[Vic] That was a deep cleaner. Cover.
And Hendry this time able to kick out.
This is all because Wes Lee
said he was gonna take care of Joe Hendry.
Trick Williams is watching close.
And gotta wonder that Trick is watching close right now
as Tyson and Tyriek again, taking it to Joe Hendry.
-[Graves] A lot of man crashing-- -[Vic] And another cheap shot.
-[Booker T] You're doing a helluva job. -[Vic] A moonsault. Cover. Kick out.
-[Booker T] Hell of a job. -Come on!
-[Vic] Can you focus on the match? -[Booker T] Look at this.
[Vic] Tyriek Igwe now,
front face lock applied. And look who is here.
The Dungeon Dolls, Natalya and Maxxine Dupri.
Let's not forget, still to come
here tonight, our general manager Ava
will sit down and have
a WWE Evolution--
-[Graves] I like this. -[Booker T] Wait a minute.
[Graves] This guillotine is cinched in deep.
[Booker T] Hendry's in trouble, man.
-[Vic] Joe Hendry is starting to fade. -[Booker T] Referee's gotta stop it.
-[Vic] Igwe's in great position. -[Booker T] Do your job, ref.
[Graves] Igwe squeezing the life out of Joe Hendry.
[Vic] Look at Mike Santana trying to reach in.
Joe Hendry, like he does time and time again,
making believers out of the universe.
Big suplex. And it's almost like, Graves,
he's taking some deep breaths.
-'Cause I don't know how he was breathing. -[Graves] I agree wholeheartedly.
Tyriek Igwe had that front face lock guillotine
cinched in for quite some time. And here comes Santana.
[Vic] Tag was made, Santana now legal.
[Booker T] People love this guy right here.
[Vic] There's a good reason why. Everything he represents,
what he fights for. His family at home.
He wants to become champion. He wants to be the savior of TNA.
He's looking to rally here right now in this matchup for his team.
-Coming around-- -[Booker T] Oh, baby.
[Vic] Tyson Dupont, driven face-first. Here goes Igwe.
-Get some! -[Santana screams]
-[Vic] Santana fired up. -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Mike Santana looking to fly! Oh!
Running on adrenaline and not much more.
Santana hanging tough in this fight.
And he's doing this not just for himself,
not just to show those in TNA, but also, as now he gets into the cover,
hooks the leg. Igwe breaking things up.
It's also letting Trick Williams know what he's in store.
What Joe Hendry, what he's in store, come July 20th
at Slammiversary for the TNA World Title.
Charging in, no one home!
Now he crashes into the floor.
-[Booker T] What the hell? -[Vic] Joe Hendry!
[chuckles]
Get ready, Graves.
-Oh no! -[Graves] Going for Spin The Block,
-but Dupont had him scouted. -[Booker T] Beautiful!
[Vic] Countered one time.
Swing and a miss. Turned right back around.
-[Graves] Ooh! -[Vic] A little extra.
-And now Mike Santana… -[Booker T] He's feeling it!
[Vic] Say that again.
-Santana, looking to-- -[Graves] Wes Lee.
[Vic] Hey! That's Trick Williams!
[Graves] That's TNA Champion Trick Williams.
[Vic] Just wiped out Joe Hendry.
-Yuo all right, Graves? -[Graves] Almost caught a pick in the eye.
[Vic] Face-first goes Tyson Dupont. Spinning The Block.
Right into the face of Trick Williams.
-[Booker T] Get him, Trick. -[Vic] Big victory.
["The Return Of The Realest" playing]
-[Vic] And Trick with the Trick Kick. -[Booker T] Yes.
[Vic] Wiping out Santana.
And Joe Hendry, who just tasted steel seconds ago,
getting back into the fight. But there comes Wes Lee.
And of course, it's Wes Lee who's been making business decisions
collaborating with Trick Williams.
[Booker T] Yeah, baby! This is about NXT right here.
This is about NXT. Show 'em, dog!
[Vic] This is about NXT, Book, just as much as it's about Trick-NA.
[Booker T] Yes!
[Vic] Trick Shot, as Williams drops the competition.
[Tyriek] You shouldn't have played around. You shouldn't have played around.
[Vic] And Saturday afternoon in Atlanta,
pen will go to paper
with the official TNA Slammiversary
Championship contract signing.
It's all going down at the Great American Bash.
Are you ready for some human demolition derby?
Jasper Troy takes on Inamura with an NXT title match
at the Great American Bash on the line.
[Graves] I hope they reinforced the ring for this one.
[Vic] There is that warrior spirit.
Who is heading to Atlanta? Who's gonna face Oba Femi?
Yoshiki!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Vic] Inamura is headed to the Great American Bash
to step up and challenge The Ruler.
[speaking Japanese] You can do it! You can take the belt!
Use everything you've got to get it!
Give us dreams!
[speaking Japanese] Inamura, good luck in your NXT title match!
[Ulka Sasaki speaking Japanese] Beat Oba Femi
and bring the belt back to Noah!
[speaking Japanese] I believe Inamura can do it! Good luck Inamura!
[speaking Japanese] Let's bring the belt back to Noah.
And have a title match between the two of us!
[in Japanese] You can be a champion!
[in English] You become champion. You are champion. Yeah!
[Vic] With the support of legends you just heard from,
there is the number one contender. And Josh Briggs.
They're here. What's on their mind? You're gonna find out next.
Hey, y'all thought "Ain't nobody safe" was just a catchphrase?
Man, hell no. That's what we live by.
Any place, anytime. And that includes TNA.
Matt Cardona found out real quick what happens when them lights go out.
[Saquon] Yeah, we spread out TNA.
But that ain't the only thing we scheming on.
We got our hands in every cookie jar.
So, TNA, we're gonna see y'all real soon.
But don't think it's sweet over on this side either.
Hey, fellas, I think we should take a real close look
at that tag title match tonight.
I just hope Hank and Tank are feeling a little better
after that mysterious attack the other week.
Man, all these people think they know everything, huh, cuddy?
-[Cutler] That's right. -They say the eyes don't lie, right?
I mean, that may be so. But don't think for a second that it can't be lied to.
Seeing is believing. Was it true?
-Or was it just an illusion? -Damn right, Big Os.
Hey, bro. Keep your head on a swivel.
Don't nobody know when, where, or how DarkState's gonna strike.
But what you do know is…
[Saquon] That when DarkState strike,
ain't nobody safe.
[Vic] Well, wherever DarkState goes,
destruction follows.
[shouting] Yeah!
[ring announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome
Josh Briggs
and Yoshiki Inamura!
[Vic] I mean, Graves, it's hard not to be fired up
if you're Inamura after what we just heard from several legends,
including WWE Hall of Famer, The Great Muta.
[Graves] Great Muta, Naomichi Marufuji, IYO SKY.
Certainly lots of support behind the challenger
for Oba Femi's NXT Championship this Saturday at Great American Bash.
I cannot wait to watch these two heavy hitters throw down.
[Vic] Inamura said he came back to NXT
for a championship.
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[ring announcer] And the NXT Champion,
Oba Femi!
[Vic] And, Booker, in order to win a championship,
he's got to defeat that man, The Ruler.
[Booker T] No, very, very intimidating.
No bread. No water.
Just meat! Oh, yeah, fam!
["Hands of Fate" playing]
[Vic] Cannot wait for these two to clash, Saturday, in Atlanta.
[crowd chanting] Oba! Oba!
Oba.
You wanted to see if I was worthy,
if I had grit.
I beat Jasper Troy.
Just like I beat Trick Williams.
You will be my greatest challenge,
but I am ready.
[crowd cheering]
These people support me.
Briggs supports me.
My friends and my family back in Japan support me.
Now, I must make them proud.
[crowd cheering]
At the Great American Bash,
I will fight with honor.
And I will become
the new NXT Champion!
[crowd cheering]
Oh, no. Oh, no. [chuckles]
At least you have the support of the fans
and your family and your friends like Josh.
So, maybe…
maybe they'll be the ones left to pick up the pieces when I beat you.
Because you talk about honor, fighting for honor.
Well, this Saturday, why don't you ask yourself, can you lose with honor?
Because when it's all said and done, my friend, the truth will prevail.
You are not worthy enough to take this title from me.
[crowd jeering]
Inamura is being polite.
But, brother, did you see what he did to Jasper Troy last week?
Come on, let's be real. Let's be real here.
He beat him easier than you did.
He's gonna do the same exact thing that he did to Jasper,
-to The Ruler. -[crowd booing]
What Inamura is too honorable to say
is that at the Bash, he's gonna beat your ass.
Yeah.
Look…
Look, he is a man of honor. But, brother…
I am not.
I am not done talking.
Listen.
I am not a man of honor.
I am a man of mayhem,
and I promise I will do every single thing in my power
to make sure that he leaves Saturday as the NXT Champion,
because this is our only chance.
Josh, it's not your fight.
This is not your fight.
Yoshi, why don't you tell your friend to get out my face before I break his face?
[Vic] Well, Josh Briggs going right at Oba.
He had heard enough and… Ooh!
Oba outnumbered two to one.
Briggs has had enough. The Man of Mayhem…
Briggs sent crashing to the outside!
Just got rocked, just got dropped.
Here come Yoshiki Inamura!
And we're getting a little taste of what's gonna happen on Saturday.
[Graves] I think Inamura better check his honor at the door.
[Vic] But you see Yoshi saying, "Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
He put his hands out 'cause he wants to do this with honor.
But it seems everything right now is breaking down.
These two meet Saturday.
[upbeat instrumental music]
Yeah, no. Blake, I need to focus.
So, I'm gonna Uber back and I'll see you at Bash, okay?
No, no, no! Hold on, my muscle muffin.
Look, you train your body all the time.
Let's treat you.
And if you think about it, this is like training, you know?
Recovery. Self-care.
[gasps] Glamor.
Please give it a go.
-Fine. -[gasps]
[squeals]
[upbeat instrumental music]
[gasps]
Way to make it your own.
Are you gonna start yet?
You're like a rescued dog in a Dior store.
Muscles and me-time can coexist, JG.
Get…
[upbeat instrumental music continues]
Look, Blake, this isn't my vibe, clearly.
But it is.
You need to think of your self-esteem as… as something you lift,
You have to if you wanna be champ.
And we've got to get that title off Jacy Jayne, one way or another.
[sighs] I have been chasing the NXT Women's Championship for a while,
and I can't lie, I do kind of like this.
See? Life of the glamor for one day,
and you look like a champ.
Maybe you're not so bad, but isn't this kind of what I always look like?
[Blake] Sure.
But isn't this way more fun?
Okay, fair.
First, we beat Fatal Influence at Bash,
then I beat Jacy at Evolution.
Thanks for this.
[Blake sighs]
[Vic] Could be a major weekend for Jordynne Grace,
and it starts this Saturday in Atlanta.
["Out Of This World" playing]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Boynton Beach, Florida,
Kelani Jordan!
[Vic] Well, we saw Kelani and her opponent arguing earlier in the locker room.
The Standout and Lainey Reid,
they're gonna go one-on-one.
It's live, it's next, right here on NXT.
[Vic] And we are set for competition.
Lainey Reid, the Southern Sensation,
going one-on-one… Whoa! Against Kelani Jordan.
And Kelani going into a cover. And a quick kick-out.
Both these women are set to compete tonight.
Obviously, Sunday at Evolution,
they'll be part of the Evolution Battle Royal,
where the winner will receive a championship opportunity
at Clash in Paris that takes place next month.
And just how big is that, Corey, to the entire women's locker room?
[Graves] Well, the opportunity truly can't be overstated.
The entire event, last time Evolution took place, made history.
This time, the women are set to take the bar and raise it even higher.
And that's talking Raw, SmackDown, NXT. All the best women in the business
with the opportunity to know that all eyes are on them now.
Now, what they do with it, that's up to them.
[Vic] Very good point. And, Booker, how excited are you for this weekend?
Blake Monroe's NXT in-ring debut, Saturday, at the Great American Bash.
[Booker T] Oh, my God, man! Can't wait to see Blake Monroe
get in the middle of that square. So, highly anticipated.
Highly anticipated, man.
[Vic] We've seen those glamor workouts. Our Women's Summit still to come.
But Lainey Reid, right now, is taking apart Kelani Jordan.
This was kind of stepping off that argument, Graves, as we saw earlier,
-where Lainey Reid's starting to really… -[Graves] Oh, I like this.
[Vic] …set the tone for herself in the locker room.
[Graves] Unique offense by Lainey Reid.
Looking to cause further damage to the knee of Kelani Jordan,
which is a great strategy because we know how athletic Jordan is
and how often she's in the air or on the ropes.
You take out a leg, it changes her game plan entirely.
-[Vic] Booker-- -[Graves] Inside cradle!
[Vic] shoulders down. And a kick-out.
Wanna get your honest assessment on the Southern Sensation.
[Booker T] Lainey Reid, you can look and tell she's gonna be a big, big star.
She's gonna be the biggest, the largest Superstar, perhaps,
in that locker room. She's got a lot of talent.
Oh, beautiful spinebuster!
[Vic] into the cover to put away Kelani. And Jordan just able to kick out.
But look at that. Right into a single leg crab.
Nice! Whoa. What?
There's Zelina Vega. I just mentioned the Women's Summit still to come.
Zelina Vega has arrived.
And, again, Corey, like you mentioned, Raw, SmackDown, NXT,
all part of that Evolution Battle Royal.
[Graves] An opportunity in the Battle Royal to head to Clash in Paris
for a golden opportunity.
And Lainey Reid, right now, sitting down with that Boston Crab,
had big win last week over Thea Hail.
Granted, she was able to grab the ropes.
Right now, looking for a submission victory over Kelani Jordan.
[Booker T] Oh, man.
-[Vic] That was a unique counter. -[Booker T] Very unique.
And as you take a look at this match-up, Graves, a win would help someone's case
for even being entered into the Evolution Battle Royal
if you're talking about these two competitors specifically.
[Graves] Absolutely. But think about it even beyond Evolution,
beyond the Battle Royal,
what this means for the NXT Women's Division.
You've got Kelani Jordan, first ever NXT Women's North American Champion.
We know how successful Kelani has been,
but you've got stars like Lainey Reid nipping at your heels.
No matter how much success you find here in NXT,
there's always someone coming to push you,
and you either step up your game or you get pushed out of the way.
[Vic] Kelani trying to rally in this match.
We've felt the tension in the women's locker room all week long.
And, you know, Booker, we've talked about Evolution in the past.
Corey, I want to ask you when it comes to the gravity of Evolution,
among the locker room here in NXT,
do they truly understand this moment Sunday?
[Graves] I honestly don't know if a few of the younger superstars,
the rookies, perhaps, really do understand
the magnitude of the opportunity at hand this coming Sunday.
But they'll find out in short order when the world is watching
the women of WWE do what they do best.
[Booker T] That's one thing about being young, Corey.
I mean, you got to go out there and throw everything out there,
not gonna leave anything in that ring because you're trying to prove something.
That's what I like about it.
[Vic] A counter by Kelani Jordan right now.
Kelani trying to answer, and, oh, Lainey Reid this time.
[Graves] I got to be honest, gentlemen.
I am surprised by what we've seen from Laney Reid thus far.
Jordan's barely been able to get out of the gate since the opening bell.
[Vic] Oh, look, Book, you gave Lainey Reid a lot of credit
when she took Jacy Jayne to the limit.
[Booker T] No, that was a call out. Like I said, like in the UFC.
Lainey Reid is here for a reason, man.
She's here to make a statement, and tonight, a big win over Kelani Jordan,
that does wonders for the career. Oh, man, big shot.
[Vic] There certainly is no self-doubt in Lainey Reid,
but there's also no doubt in the mind of Kelani Jordan.
-Jordan, right now… -[Booker T] Oh, wow!
[Vic] One Of A Kind split-legged moonsault off a twist!
-[bell dings] -[Vic] And Kelani stands out tonight.
[announcer] Here is your winner, Kelani Jordan!
[Vic] Wow! Wow! Wow!
[Graves] Say it one more time with me, Vic.
[Vic] Wow!
[Graves] From a standing position on the middle rope,
into the One Of A Kind moonsault.
Hell of an effort tonight for Kelani Jordan,
who definitely understands the assignment--
-What the-- -[Vic] That's Thea Hail!
And we talked about, last week,
Lainey Reid held the ropes to get one over on Thea.
We're gonna need some help!
[Graves] Thea Hail hasn't had the best luck lately.
But she needs to figure something out quick.
[Vic] We said it earlier, with Evolution lurking, tensions running high.
[indistinct shouting]
-I feel a lot better. -[mutters] You're not all right.
-I will be. -No, no.
-Come on-- -Je'Von!
[Je'Von groans]
-[grunting] -[man 1] Hey, break it up, break it up!
-Break it up, hey, hey. -[man 2] Hey, hey, come on!
[man 1] Break it up! Get him out of here! Get him out of here!
[clamoring]
[narrator] Time for tonight's "NXT Spotlight."
[tense music plays]
Hey, hey. Sit down.
All three of youse.
-Riz, what's this all about? -Think I was gonna stay in hiding forever?
Tucked away, watching while Rome burns?
Should've burned, considering the way Tony was leading everything.
Hey, enough. I called this final sit down.
I knew if I told you guys what this was about, none of you would show up.
You're not wrong.
As I was in the safe house, I watched all three of you
lose focus on everything the family has accomplished in NXT.
Tony, Stacks…
you guys created a legacy.
Bringing in me, bringing in Luca,
all the good times at the restaurant,
taking people to the bridge, to the wood shop.
The championships, the family.
And you guys destroyed it all.
-Take it easy, Riz. -[Adriana] Tony.
Remember when we were in Vegas, and I talked to you about sitting down
with everyone to resolve this?
But you didn't want to do that. No. Now look at--
Riz, you really think that calling us here was gonna bring this family back together?
-I did. -No.
[Adriana] But there's no saving this.
So there's one last piece of family business.
Yeah. What's that?
Before I get into it, let me say this…
Stacks, every time you hear "Underboss," you think you deserve better.
Luca, every time you sign a document, you wonder if Tony has your best interest.
And even if there was a point to saving all this, Tony,
you're always gonna wonder if someone's gonna stab you in the back.
Once trust is broken,
doubt creeps in.
And it just doesn't work.
If I left you guys to this, we'd never see the end of it.
So I did what I had to do,
and I talked to Ava,
and got you guys a Triple Threat next week.
Now, this is WWE.
I can't guarantee if your paths will cross again,
but as far as family business is concerned,
this is the final battle.
You know what? I think you guys are setting me up.
[chuckles]
-What are you laughing at you? -You know, this is hilarious.
The rat thinks he's getting set up.
That's typical rat behavior.
I agree with you. You're the one who turned on this family in the first place.
-I turned? [scoffs] -Who is talking right now?
Mr. I Want To Go On My Own And Do My Own Thing?
As far as I'm concerned, you two are in the same boat.
Listen, I grew bigger than this family, and you three couldn't take it.
Especially you.
I'm the Heritage Cup Champion right now. I'm bigger than all of you.
And next week, I'm gonna prove it again.
You know, I hate you.
-I hate you. -[Tony] I really do.
You know what? You two should split the cup in half.
I'm not splitting it.
I give it a week before you lose that cup.
Tony, for me to do anything at NXT, I need to get the hell away from him
and I need to step out of your shadow.
Look, I get it.
It seems like you guys are both happy in your situations right now. Okay?
Good talk, Riz. It's over.
Que sera, sera.
I'm done here.
Me too.
[chairs scratching floor]
[tense music plays]
Tony, don't let me catch you by yourself.
The one time I try to do things by myself…
Well, guys, it seems that--
I was going to say, after all this time,
the D'Angelo family finally implodes in a Triple Threat match
right here, final battle.
I got to ask you, Booker, who's in the right, who's in the wrong?
-Is Tony wrong? Is Stacks? -I can't answer that. I really can't.
[Jasper] I'm done with Je'Von Evans!
You hear me? I'm done with Je'Von Evans!
Ava, you know what to do.
Make the match at the Great American Bash a Triple Threat for the NXT Title!
[distant clamoring]
-[Graves] There's Je'Von. -[Vic] Here comes the young OG!
After what we saw earlier, Evans is pissed, Evans is fired up!
[Booker T] Fight just broke out.
[Graves] A shot to the ribs drops Je'Von Evans.
[Vic] Oh! A shot right back just dropped Jasper Troy to the outside.
[indistinct shouting]
-[Graves] Je'Von is a man possessed! -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Vic] And we're gonna need more security out here,
'cause Je'Von is trying to give him a piece of Jasper Troy.
-[man] Get him out of here. -What'd I tell you?
Get those damn hands on me, bruh!
-♪ Who want it? ♪ -♪ I want the world ♪
♪ Now they running 'Bout to kick down the door ♪
♪ Bring 'em all one by one in Started from the bottom ♪
Hi. [chuckles]
-Welcome, Tatum. -It's good to have you.
Oh, this place is incredible!
I feel right at home here.
-Our home is now your home, Tatum. -[giggles] You guys are the best.
We're no better than you are. And thanks to you,
the guys have a chance to bring home the Tag Team Titles.
Damn right we do.
And it's gonna happen.
I've put Hank & Tank down once…
and I plan to do it again.
They're going to regret saying that we attacked them last week,
and if it was us, they would know!
-I'll stop at nothing to make them feel-- -Easy, Niko. Easy.
In due time, the truth will come to light,
but for now, we'll reap the benefits of their assumptions.
All right?
So, for now, we stay level-headed with our eye focused on the one goal.
Spears is right.
Tonight, you two will win the Tag Team Titles,
and on Saturday, I'll win the Women's North American Championship.
[giggles] That's right. And then, all my new best friends
will have new gold championships to match the color of their hearts.
Because The Culling always prevails.
[Vic] The NXT tag team championships are on the line, next.
[upbeat music playing]
What a match-up this is going to be tonight.
[bell dings]
[ring announcer] The following contest
is scheduled for one fall is for the NXT--
-[Vic] Whoa! -[Booker T] Fight!
[Graves] Hank and Tank bringing the thunder to the challengers
-before the bell has even rung. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] I don't even know if I necessarily heard a bell,
but finally, we are officially underway.
And, look, dark cloud, Booker,
can certainly hang over the tag team division
if The Culling puts gold around their waist.
[Booker T] Oh, man, you're talking about it.
That would be to say the least.
But right now, Hank and Tank, The Belly Boys…
Let me tell you something. These guys beat Axiom.
And Nathan Frazer…
That tells you these guys are ready, man.
[Vic] Graves, you believe the champions have been locked in tonight.
[Graves] I think Hank and Tank understand they are under fire.
There's a massive threat challenging their NXT tag team championships,
hence the start before the match even began.
Hank and Tank know they are in trouble.
[Booker T] So many people think Hank and Tank are beatable.
Let me tell you something,
these guys have grown to become a great tag team.
[Graves] I have been impressed, Booker, as many have,
by the physical abilities of Hank and Tank.
At the end of the day, these guys probably both have more fingers than brain cells.
They have been effective but the fairytale has to end.
[Vic] The championship on the line right now.
Hank and Tank on the outside
because The Culling's only gotten stronger since the arrival of Tatum Paxley.
And, Booker, I just ask this: will the champions have fire
that they have been missing at times.
[Booker T] Whoa!
[Vic] The Great American Bash last year,
these guys were kind of the de facto hosts, if you will…
[Booker T] Nobody thought these guys would have the success they've had.
Let me tell you something. I was one of them.
-I didn't believe. -[Vic] Cover, cover.
Too late. No, you certainly did not.
[Booker T] These guys have grown as a tag team.
I don't think it is about anything
other than being out there and being successful
and giving the fans exactly what they want every week.
I love these guys.
[Vic] Graves, what are you looking for out of the champions
who, of course, won gold WrestleMania weekend at Stand & Deliver?
[Graves] I am curious to see if they can out-strategize The Culling.
When it comes to Niko Vance and Shawn Spears,
you got two bodies, but essentially one mind.
The Culling are locked in as far as chemistry goes.
One mission.
[Vic] Nice neckbreaker off the tag.
It is Shawn Spears, who is now former North American champ
who would love to become tag team champion-- Only one count.
[Graves] I think Hank and Tank might need to show their challengers--
Whoa, there is Ivy Nile of American Made.
[Vic] Ivy Nile has arrived.
We have seen Maxxine, Nattie, Zelina Vega.
The Evolution women's summit still to come live here on NXT.
Graves, as you were saying.
[Graves] Hank and Tank need to show The Culling something new.
We know Shawn Spears studies, he strategizes,
he pours over the opposition
for sometimes days, if not weeks, before a match-up.
We know Spears has a plan tonight.
Hank and Tank need to throw him off his game.
[Vic] …message certainly sent earlier.
To think Niko and Spears tonight,
Izzi could be the Women's North American champion
Saturday afternoon in Atlanta.
It could also be a big weekend for Izzi at The Great American Bash.
Her opponent will team with Zaria at WWE Evolution
for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
so you start to wonder if Izzi will have some sort of inside track
with the mind games and manipulation she has learned courtesy of Shawn Spears.
Hank and Tank have taken over this match-up.
Swung the momentum right back into their corner.
And look at Tank.
Set time.
Hank looking to fly.
[Booker T] Honk Honk! It's the Honk right there.
[Vic] Able to get out of the way.
And right now-- Whoa! Izzi and Tank.
Back it up, ladies. Back it up, let's go! Back it up.
[Vic] Book, are you all right?
Booker?
[Graves] Booker is down!
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] NXT tag team title on the line.
Hank and Tank, the champions.
Spears, Niko Vance, the challengers.
-Over the top. -[Booker T] Wow.
[Vic] All hell broke loose behind the break.
Booker got knocked down, the table is in disarray.
The championship hanging in the balance right now.
We've been questioning ourselves, Booker, would Hank and Tank have the fire,
they better find it now.
[Booker T] Hank and Tank doing a hell of a job right now.
Looking to get that.
Here we go, baby.
[Vic] Spears, Hank, big uppercut.
And Hank right now rocking and rolling.
Atomic drop.
A little old school.
Whoa, flying through the air with a shoulder-- Wait a minute.
[Booker T] Look out, baby!
[Vic] It wasn't pretty,
but that was a tank flying through the air.
[Graves] Nobody's ever confused Tank with anything pretty.
Kick was blocked. Cartwheel.
[Booker T] Oh, got caught with the kick.
[Vic] Spears, a second one this time, gets into the corner.
Tag was made. Niko Vance is legal.
Fans to the top. Championship on the line.
Flying headbutt connected.
[Booker T] You've got to be kidding me! You've got to be kidding me!
[Vic] Four!
[Vic] Just breaking up the count was Hank.
Half a second, if not less.
Izzi dame in disbelief.
This is for the NXT tag team championships.
[Booker T] Here come the… Here he comes.
[Vic] Shawn Spears got countered, got hoisted,
and he heard Shawn Spears yelling for Tatum.
Tatum distracting the official.
Izzi with a boot.
Spears with an impaler.
DDT.
They are going to steal the titles.
Oh, man!
Not quite yet.
[Graves] That was supposed to seal the deal.
You know that was the trick play The Culling had drawn up
in case of emergency and it did not do the job.
[Vic] That's Sol Ruca,
who's gonna face Izzi at The Great American Bash
for the Women's North American title.
There's Zaria, trying to carry away what they once considered a friend.
And Tatum Paxley.
But, Graves, the match is still continuing.
Booker… on the line.
Hank and Tank.
[Booker T] Here come The Belly Boys!
[Vic] Spears and Vance. All hell is starting to break loose.
And again, this is for the title.
Ooh! Big clothesline.
And I think you can get ready, Booker,
for what you do in your car at a red light.
[Booker T] Here we go, baby. Honk Honk!
Oh, yeah!
[Vic] Spears sacrificed himself for Niko Vance.
Vance taken out by the champions.
Spears turns right back around and The Belly Boys.
Into the cover.
[crowd counting down]
-Hank and Tank retain the titles. -[bell ringing]
[music playing]
[ring announcer] Here are your winners,
and still the NXT tag team champions,
Hank and Tank!
[Vic] To steal a quote from Booker T,
"What a night, what a fight."
[Graves] You see the closing moments,
Zaria again with a casual kidnapping of Tatum Paxley.
Shawn Spears willingly takes the bullet for his teammate
which ultimately led to the demise
of The Culling's tag team championship dreams.
What an effort by Hank and Tank.
And still…
[Vic] Let's now turn our attention to Saturday's Great American Bash
because Izzi Dame will now look to turn The Culling's fortunes around on Saturday.
She will challenge Sol Ruca
for the Women's North American Championship
at The Great American Bash.
But on the topic of championships, Booker,
how about this human demolition derby?
[Booker T] No bread, no water, just meat.
[Vic] That's all you got to say for that one.
[Graves] As we saw earlier, after surviving a gauntlet,
Ricky Saints earned not only the title opportunity,
but to choose the stipulation.
Falls Count Anywhere for the NXT North American gold at The Bash.
[Vic] There's three men, one championship in Atlanta.
It'll be the TNA Championship Slammiversary contract,
it will be signed for the Triple Threat match
on July 20th pen to paper, live, Saturday at The Great American Bash.
[Graves] And Jasper Troy has spent all afternoon
tormenting the young OG Je'Von Evans which has just been made official.
Evans goes one-on-one with Troy this Saturday.
[Vic] Saturday afternoon, it will be glamorous,
as Blake Monroe will team with Jordynne Grace
who, 24 hours later, will face Jacy Jayne
for the NXT Women's title Evolution.
But before that, Fatal Influence will look to build momentum in Atlanta
and it all starts Saturday at The Great American Bash.
And speaking of this weekend, there is the general manager Ava.
It is time for the NXT Women's Evolution summit live next.
This is your moment.
Are you ready? Everything okay?
Mr. Chase, I can't. My blood pressure is through the roof.
I literally… I can't. I just can't.
-What? -Mentally, I am not prepared.
My arm, I can barely feel it.
Kale, you've got to be kidding me. We've been over this.
I don't know what to do.
Please don't make me go out there. I cannot feel my arm.
-Uriah, stop pumping. -What's that?
-Stop pumping! -Oh! My bad.
-Oh. Appreciate it. Yes. -Mr. Chase…
Please, please don't make me go out there.
I can't do this. I'm freaking out.
Look at me.
Okay, okay.
-You don't have to do this. -[sighs]
Kale, don't worry about tonight.
We'll just figure this out together, okay?
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chase.
[panting]
You're good. Just breathe. Just breathe.
[Vic] Right now, our general manager Ava is standing by.
October 28, 2018.
The first Women's Evolution.
[crowd cheering]
I was in high school at the time and I remember watching,
just thinking how amazing it would be to be part of something so monumental.
Iyo Sky was in the finals of the Mae Young Classic
and now she's a Women's World Champion.
[crowd cheering]
Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch
put on an undeniable Last Woman Standing match.
And a history maker in her own right,
Nikki Bella was in the main event.
All of those women
continue to push women's wrestling forward
in everything that they do.
And as the first female GM in NXT history--
[crowd cheering]
I'm so proud
that NXT is going to be all over Evolution.
Zaria and Sol Ruca
have an opportunity to become the Women's Tag Champions.
[crowd cheering]
Jordynne Grace will take on Jacy Jayne
for her NXT Women's Championship.
And six women from NXT will represent us in the Battle Royal.
[crowd cheering]
With a chance to move on
to the Clash in Paris for a title opportunity.
And those six women are…
Jaida Parker…
[crowd cheering]
Lola Vice…
Kelani Jordan…
Lash Legend…
Izzi Dame…
And Tatum Paxley.
[crowd cheering]
And those women with that opportunity on the line
will show everyone why not only does NXT always step up,
but we always show out.
[crowd cheering]
We have the most stacked and the deepest women's division in the world.
And NXT is the land of opportunity--
[rock music playing]
Um… I'm sorry, Ava, hi.
Remember me? Your NXT Women's Champion.
-I just talked about you. -Right. Right.
To be honest with you, I think it is really weird
that you keep talking about everyone else
when my match and my women's championship
are gonna be the highlights of Evolution.
In fact, you don't even need to talk about the Women's Battle Royal.
And when you stand out here talking about the NXT Women's Division,
you're really just talking about Jacy Jayne.
Not your sentimental favorites,
TNA tourists, and certainly not your flash in the pan--
[rock music playing]
Jacy Jayne running her mouth again.
Let's all act surprised.
Evolution is a groundbreaking event but you don't make it special.
It is about the women who paved the way for us.
And when I take that NXT Women's title from you,
I'm gonna be the one steering this division into the future.
[hip-hop music playing]
Oh, see, I love this. I love this.
Y'all two can keep it going because this is supposed to be a gift for me.
You can keep fighting over that NXT Women's Championship.
But as for me…
Lash Legend, the Boujee Bully,
you best believe I'm going to be the talk of Evolution
when I go on and win the Women's Battle Royal
in my hometown, Hotlanta.
And then, go on to Clash in Paris
and finally win a women's championship title.
[rock music playing]
[Vic] Welcome back to NXT to The Dark Angel!
[Booker T] Oh, yeah!
It's amazing to be back.
[crowd chanting "Stephanie"]
[Vic] You okay, Book?
[Booker T] I'm good.
Jacy, Jacy, Jacy…
You are the NXT Champion now.
I respect that.
You beat me.
But on Sunday, Jordynne is getting the victory,
just like I will at Battle Royal
to become the new champion.
[rock music playing]
Hold on, hold on.
I know you girlies are not out here discussing women's history
without mentioning the BOAT,
the low-key legend, Natalya.
[crowd cheering]
Now, listen, Paris might be the fashion capital of the world
but it's also where one of us will be crowned
the new WWE Women's Champion.
Maxxine, you are so sweet.
We did not come to play, we came to win.
At Evolution, we will be the last two women in the Battle Royal locked in.
Me and you until the very end.
Hey now, hey now, hey now. Hold on, hold on!
Y'all ain't the only one that want the opportunity.
Look around.
This entire women's division in the WWE is stacked.
But y'all can go ahead and keep that same energy
because Jaida Parker's going to step in Battleground at Evolution
and be on point.
And I'm gonna throw all y'all little asses off the top rope while I am doing it!
And then, I will make my way to Clash in Paris,
get me a little title.
I might bring it back here to defend it.
Or I might defend it up there.
But either way, baby, in Atlanta,
best believe it is my time.
[Booker T] Oh, yeah! Fight!
[Graves] It is popping off at the Evolution summit!
[Vic] All these women trying to prove a point.
It is chaos tonight.
I don't necessarily think this is what our general manager had in mind
when they wanted to have the Evolution summit.
[Graves] This is exactly what we can look forward to this Sunday at Evolution.
[Vic] Look who is just looking on with a smile on their face.
-Are you okay, Book? -[Booker T] I am loving this, man.
[Graves] It is chaos, it is madness, it is insanity!
Talk about all the women from Raw, SmackDown, NXT,
who will have an opportunity to make history,
to give themselves a championship opportunity
as Jacy Jayne will be defending her title
against Jordynne Grace, who are right here in front of us.
Get your popcorn ready.
We take over Atlanta this weekend.
It ends with Evolution
and it starts with The Great American Bash!
[crowd cheering] h The Great American Bash!