[opening theme music playing]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
-[crowd cheering] -[upbeat music playing]
[Vic] Welcome to NXT!
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT!
-["Glamour is Forever" playing] -♪ Glamour is forever ♪
[bell rings]
[Mike] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from London, England,
Blake Monroe!
[Vic] Well, Graves, it didn't take long
for this woman to turn friends into enemies.
[Corey] We know very, very well what this business is about.
Correct me if I'm mistaken, Booker T.
[Vic] Oh, you're not walking it every week.
-[Corey] Checks and championships… -[Booker] Oh, yes!
[Corey] …both of which the Glamorous One is poised to collect many of,
because she's only looking out for number one.
["Out Of This World" playing]
-[Vic] You guys make nice, Book? -[Booker] Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] Looked like she was staring a hole through you.
[Booker] You saw that huh?
[Vic] That magnetism.
[Mike] And her opponent, from Boynton Beach, Florida,
Kelani Jordan!
[Vic] Well, Kelani Jordan making her way right into the ring…
-[bell rings] -…and Graves,
this is truly a chance for Kelani to finally stand out,
but in a different way.
Nice dropkick. Right on the button.
[Corey] We're about to see what Kelani Jordan truly brings to the table.
A bit more grit than we're used to seeing coming out of the gate.
-Strong cross body, into the cover! -[Vic] And a kick out by Monroe.
[Vic] You know, Booker, how much has Kelani grown up in recent months?
[Booker] Vic, it's interesting man. She has an eye for this business.
And a little bit of gold, man.
That's all it takes to motivate you, man.
[Vic] NXT Universe is fired up here tonight
And they're certainly rallying behind Kelani Jordan.
What a way to open up NXT here.
Not only one, two championship matches this evening,
and charging right back in comes Kelani.
And Booker, are you happy to see a more determined, less bubbly side of Kelani?
Let me tell you something.
When you come in the WWE, just like so many have, you just happy to be here.
But after a minute, you realize you've got to get on the ball, man.
-You got to-- Oh, yeah! -[Vic exclaims]
[Booker] Just like that, right there.
Just like Blake.
[Corey] Absolutely right, Booker.
We talk all the time about the state of the NXT Women's division.
Perhaps the best women's division in the business.
You're not gonna get many opportunities.
You've got to scratch and claw.
There's only so much spotlight to go around.
And you've got Blake Monroe, who showed up and in a matter of weeks,
stole most of the spotlight for herself.
That resonates throughout the locker room.
[Vic] Well, for Blake Monroe, she said last week,
Kelani finally found her personality.
That's quite the dig, Booker, towards someone
who is as energetic as Jordan, who just gets planted here,
as Blake makes her think about it!
-[Booker] Oh, baby! Oh, yes! -[Vic] And a nasty sidewalk slam!
[Booker] Let me tell you something. Kelani Jordan, she came here and she…
-[Vic] Ooh! -[Booker] …showed what she was about.
-[Booker] Oh, hold on a second. -[Vic] Cover.
[Vic] A hand right across the face as Jordan kicks out at two.
[Booker] Back to my point, becoming the first
North American champion, she's proved that she is among the elite.
Now it's not about getting there.
It's about staying there, baby.
[Vic] Well, NXT has already begun.
NXT Universe fired up and…
well, someone just arrived.
Maybe Jacy Jayne, the double champ.
-Maybe she's finally made her way-- -I don't know--
[Vic] Because you always have the scoop!
[Booker] I didn't see. What do you think, I am a psychic?
[Vic] Yeah, sometimes. I mean…
[Corey] You think Booker is part of some kind of conspiracy, Vic?
[Vic] He's 100% bizarre. Yeah, I definitely agree with that.
As back to the action, ducking the clothesline,
-Blake coming in! -[Booker] Oh, baby!
[Vic] Nice sling blade.
And she just gets meaner and nastier as every week goes on.
And do you think she was born with it?
-Or is it… -[Booker] Atta girl.
[Booker] The Glamour Girl!
Oh, yes!
[Corey] It's gonna be a long night, Joseph! Buckle up!
[Vic] Can you two focus on the action?
Because Blake Monroe taking it right now to Kelani Jordan.
This, of course, is after what happened last week.
And Booker, is Monroe going to regret her recent ugliness?
Cost Jordynne Grace the Championship at Evolution,
-what she did last week? -[Booker] She might. She might.
But the thing is, Blake Monroe came in with the right idea
of putting everybody in that locker room
and letting everybody know that she's here for a reason.
-And that is championships, baby. -[Vic] Well, Graves,
[Vic] I just mentioned about, you know, Jordynne Grace.
-I was thinking about Jacy Jayne… -[Booker] Oh, man!
-…as the double champion. -Wow!
This is a big week for Jayne as she defends
her TNA Knockouts title on Thursday.
But one of these two, could they be next in line
with a win tonight for the NXT Women's championship?
[Corey] Absolutely a possibility!
Fantastic offense by Jordan!
[Vic] Off the stunner, into the cover! And a kick-out.
[Booker] It's a modified stunner. What was the name of it?
You know all the names.
[Vic] You know. You're the one who has a great submission list,
you told me once upon a time,
-I never remember you doing a submission. -[Booker] Dead lock? Armbar?
[Vic] This is a single leg Boston Crab, and Blake Monroe right now,
trying to get to the bottom of the rope,
and does, to break the hold.
[Corey] To answer your previous question, Vic,
right now, there is so much parity within the women's division.
-It could go either way. -[Booker] Oh, wow!
[Corey] One win could be all it takes,
or it could be one step in the right direction
to establishing momentum and earning a title opportunity.
[Vic] Graves, a year ago Kelani was a champion,
which Booker brought up.
I mean, how does she get back into contention?
[Corey and Vic exclaim]
-[Vic] Nice angle slam. -[Booker] Just like that!
[Vic] Is this going to be enough?
Into the cover, and you saw that forearm go right across the face,
much like Monroe did to Kelani earlier.
[Corey] It looks to me thus far that Kelani Jordan
is certainly on the right track to making the climb back up,
to the top of the mountain, and the top turnbuckle!
-Jordan acquiring the target! -[Vic] Oh!
[Corey] A headbutt! Lights out!
-[Booker] Wow! -[Vic] Right under the jaw!
-[Vic] And big, big knee! -[Corey exclaims]
-[crowd] One! Two! -[Vic] And Kelani
just getting that left shoulder out.
We're seeing some resiliency out of Jordan.
[Booker] Yeah, resilient. But has the damage been done here?
Monroe right now
-looking to put the hammer down! -[upbeat music playing]
-Whoa! -[Corey] Wait a second!
[Vic] Monroe looks like she's seen a ghost!
Grace is here!
That was Jordan Grace who arrived!
Neck brace and all!
Where the--
Blake Monroe hightailing it out!
We still got a match going on!
[Corey] Can you blame Monroe?
I mean, she's got a maniac trying to run her down!
[Vic] Well, the match is still continuing.
-Guys, look up at the official! -[roars]
[Vic] Jordynne Grace beside herself!
No one can stop Jordynne right now, but the referee's at eight.
[crowd and referee] Nine! Ten!
-[Vic] Monroe on the run! -[bell rings]
And Jordan is victorious.
[Mike] Here is your winner, as a result of a count-out,
-Kelani Jordan! -["Out Of This World" playing]
[Vic] Quite the way to start an unpredictable Tuesday night.
-We got this. -Yeah, me too, dawg.
But we just don't talk about it, the feeling will go away.
Hey, boys, just checking in. How are we feeling?
We're freaking out.
But we're gonna be all right. We've got this tag title match tonight.
Mr. Chase, be honest with us.
What are our chances?
Honestly,
about one in a million.
I'm sorry. These matches are tough. It's…
So you're saying there's a chance?
I mean, with your support, anything's possible, right?
-Yeah. -You've got our back.
There's no way we're gonna disappoint you.
Thanks! We're winning this thing.
-Let's go! -Come on! Get out there.
-Let's go! -Yeah, I got your back.
-["Accomplished" playing] -[bell rings]
[Mike] The following contest scheduled for one fall,
is for the NXT tag team championship!
Introducing first, representing Chase University,
Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon!
[Vic] We are set for the first championship match of the night.
["Burn This Engine Out" playing]
[Mike] And their opponents,
they are the NXT Tag Team champions,
Hank Walker, Tank Ledger,
Hank and Tank!
[Vic] Well, Graves, let's talk about the champions.
Are they too easy going, so to speak?
Listen, I have made my jokes at the expense
of Hank and Tank from time to time.
But the truth is, once the bell rings, these two guys are for real.
They are legitimate. They're bona fide.
They are tough and they prove week after week.
[Booker] Tell it like it is.
[Vic] Booker, I come to you, and are the champions getting complacent?
[Booker] Complacent?
This tag team match started back at Stand & Deliver.
Versus Axiom and Nathan Frazer.
And just continued from that point on.
These guys are getting better and better and better.
That's just my opinion. That's just me.
[Vic] It's hard to disagree with you.
This is their fourth defense of the championships,
including defending the title down at Reality of Wrestling.
[Booker T] That's where the spark started, man.
That's where the flame was lit at Reality of Wrestling.
I always say, Sherri Martel was… And he's legitimate.
-[Graves exclaims] -[Booker T] Wait a minute. Here we go.
[Graves] Connors out of the gate with a superkick. Oh, and another!
[crosstalk]
[Joseph] We might have new champions. And a kickout. Wow!
I mean, this is a big opportunity for Chase U.
Gold could be headed back to the campus of Chase University.
And who will be the tag team champions
when NXT heads to Philadelphia in two weeks?
Nice combination offense.
One more time for the three… And another near fall.
[Booker T] Oh, baby! He can take Connors off guard here early, guys.
[Graves] I am reluctantly going to give credit where it's due.
An incredible flurry of tandem offense from Chase U right off the opening bell.
[Joseph] Book, to Corey's point, Booker,
shouldn't Kale and Connors be looking up to Andre Chase
for his tag-team brilliance?
[Booker T] Look, I'm not gonna go that far or anything like that,
-but I'll tell you right now… -[thwack]
I like Connors and Dixon, man.
-These guys got the right idea… -[commentators exclaim]
[Joseph] That was a good idea. Got booted right in the side of the ear.
Connors might not like what he sees because Big Man flying through the air.
Tank is legal. Into the cover, hook of the leg and just able to kick out.
I mean, this has been a hard-hitting affair out of the gate.
[Graves] I am not seeing anything even remotely resembling complacency
out of Hank and Tank, Vic.
And remember how this match came to be,
Hank and Tank offered the title opportunity to Chase U.
They want to be fighting champions.
Maybe they don't have the level of competition they desire,
but they want to fight, they want to be in the mix all the time.
[Joseph] But that complacency goes back to Je'Von Evans
saying, "Let's see some fire out of you guys."
"Let's see you guys have something that is down in those bellies,"
so to speak, that comes out at you and wants to fight.
[Graves] No disrespect to the young OG,
but Hank and Tank are wearing gold in the ring. Where's his?
-[Joseph] That's a very good point. -[Graves] The only kind I make.
[Graves] Look at that!
[Joseph] Right now, taking it to… Right from behind, look who's legal,
looking to steal it, and another near fall.
[crosstalk]
[Joseph] As I mentioned, the first championship match of the night,
Tatum Paxley has a chance to win gold back to The Culling, in our main event.
Now, the topic of The Culling,
I got to wonder if Hank and Tank are thinking of future challengers
-'cause they may not survive tonight. -[crowd cheering]
That's Kale Dixon, whose used to championships,
over 50 Division-1 athletic scholarships were offered to this man.
Three different Major League Baseball teams reached out
before he joined the WWE.
He said earlier he was a runner-up in the College World Series.
He doesn't want that feeling again.
Looking to fly, able to roll right through. Tag was made.
[Graves] Here comes Hank.
Uh-oh.
-[all exclaim] -[Booker T] Big time.
[Joseph] Hank, remember, is the legal man for his team, Tank right now.
And counters with a safe, paid the price.
But that sacrifice might have just opened the door for Chase U.
[Graves] Dixon… Oh, counter roll.
[Joseph] Uh-oh!
[Booker T] Uh-uh. Don't set it down.
[Joseph] Jigsaw.
[Joseph] Into the cover.
-The champions… -[Booker T] That it…
[Joseph] The referee says his shoulder just got up.
[Graves] He even had Tank playing defense.
[Joseph] And I wonder if…
if Hank and Tank… If when Tank went to make the save,
might have kicked the shoulder up.
But look right now, champions wasted no time.
They realize this is the moment.
[Graves] Keep your feet on the gas pedals.
[Booker T] Oh, baby! Oh, yes!
[Joseph] And there may be no saving Kale Dixon now.
-[Booker T] Double up, double up. -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Joseph] And the champions retain. -[bell dings]
[Booker T] What a fight.
[Rome] Here are your winners and still
-the NXT tag team champions… -[Joseph] Wow!
[Rome] …Hank and Tank.
[Joseph] A testament to hard work.
A former security guard, an NIL athlete.
No cutting corners, as you said, not complacent, putting their full…
["Chaos" playing]
Oh, not now.
-[Booker T] Hold the phone. -[Joseph] Where are they?
[Graves] They're everywhere.
No one is safe.
DarkState is on the scene.
[Joseph] But why now?
[Booker T] Fight! Fight! Fight, guys.
[Graves] It's a damn melee.
Chaos and destruction.
[Joseph] Graves, Chase just got clipped.
[Graves] Courtesy of DarkState.
[Booker T] It ain't over.
[Joseph] Tank just got dropped.
DarkState has now placed a dark cloud over the tag team division.
Last week, obviously did not go as planned.
-Yeah. -Lash, she's taken care of.
-Yeah. -But Jaida…
-she's still coming after this. -Okay.
Not to mention Masha and Ash By Elegance from TNA, coming for that title.
-Don't remind me-- -Hello, Jacy.
I have been personally sent here to give you a message
that this week will be the last week you are the TNA knockouts champion.
You see, the beautiful, the gorgeous and stunning
Miss Ash By Elegance is gonna beat you for that title this Thursday.
I'm just here to polish up that title and make it nice and shiny.
-[scoffs] -Ooh!
-Don't touch my title. -[Nyx] Excuse you.
-Get out. Out! -Goodbye.
Oh, yeah, speaking of,
-isn't that Jazmyn's job anyways? -[scoffs]
That's a great point, Lainey. You're right.
Jazmyn, go shine them up nice for me.
Make it nice and shiny.
[both chuckle]
[crowd cheering]
-Tavion! -Myles, my dawg.
-Hey, congrats on that W man. -Appreciate you.
-I'm proud of you. -I'm proud of you.
-Hey, time for you to go make an impact. -I already know, bro. You know me.
I got my sights locked in on something, dawg.
You put me on game, bro. In the meantime,
go shut up that hater, bro. He be slipping way too much hate.
Way too much. I'll see you on the outside.
I'll see you, G boss. Stay up.
I didn't actually play the champion,
and I don't know, that's a really big part of--
Tatum, listen to me.
I believe in you, okay?
The Culling believes in you.
-Do you hear me? -That's right.
If you beat Sol tonight, you won't have to worry
about fitting in with anyone ever again.
Because you're gonna fit into history books.
This is your moment, Tatum.
Okay. Okay, I'm gonna make you proud.
Yes! Yes! I can do it. I know I can do it. I can do it…
Another championship main event still to come here tonight at NXT.
And how about the personal concierge of TNA?
Just putting Jacy Jayne on notice for this Thursday's Knockout Championship.
I thought that was the turtle guy from the Six Flags commercials?
No, it certainly was not. What are you laughing at?
-You thought that was funny? -That was good.
We're going to move on now.
Let's go back to something that happened on social media, courtesy of Thea Hail.
Hi, everybody. Welcome back to Chaotic Coffee Adventures.
Today we're going to Baldwin Perk.
Reminds me of Friends in here.
Something Nia Jax doesn't have. Who said that?
Chairs are very difficult to move.
[sighs softly] Reminds me of somebody.
So beautiful.
Imagine if Nia Jax was beautiful on the inside.
A little bitter, like Nia Jax.
[man] Why do you keep talking about Nia Jax?
Because I just don't like her. She walks into NXT
like she owns the place, interferes in people's matches
and then goes, "Somebody can find out." [bleep] What you find out.
How about I make you find out, actually? How would that be?
I don't want that coffee anymore.
I paid for this coffee.
["Suck My Exhaust" playing]
[Joseph] She might need a little bit more caffeine tonight.
[Graves] I would say absolutely not.
-[crowd cheering] -[bell dings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Wilmington, North Carolina,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Myles Borne.
[Joseph] Guys, we've heard this story.
I had a chance to sit with him again last week.
Graves, just how inspirational is Myles Borne?
[Graves] Listen, I think Myles Borne is an incredibly talented young man.
He's got a very bright future.
But Borne wanted out of the NQCC so bad.
He got the opportunity he so desired.
Now the question is, what does Myles Borne do with it?
[crowd cheering]
["King" playing]
[mixed cheers]
[Rome] And his opponent from Cincinnati, Ohio,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
Lexis King.
[Joseph] We've heard the story for Myles Borne.
We've seen the reaction on social media.
We've seen how people have come up to him from the locker room.
Graves, why in the world wouldn't someone like Lexis King
just believe Myles Borne?
Why does he keep calling him a phony?
[Graves] Listen, what I've learned in my time here in NXT
is that Lexis King is approximately as sharp as a marble.
The guy's got a lot of talent from bell-to-bell,
but not necessarily a lot happening between the ears.
-If you get my drift. -[Booker T] I don't know about that.
We're talking about the star of all television.
We're talking about an Internet sensation.
Guy got millions of followers. I believe in Lexis King.
Let me tell you, Myles Borne…
The guy will lie to get an advantage. Anybody…
That's the nature of the business, right?
[Corey] Do you have a different internet in Houston?
[Vic] Yeah, what follower count do you have
where you got millions of followers?
[Booker T] I got millions of followers, man.
Stepped into NXT, we know that. We know that.
[Vic] What pretext are you living in right now?
[Booker T] You guys are not nice.
[Vic] Nice headlock takeover by King.
You need to have Graves try…
[Booker T] Look at his body.
He looks great. Look at the abs.
[Vic] …down. He'll be given two minutes.
He will talk your ear off. And look, Myles Borne defeated King
last month leading to this match.
[Booker T] Why you talking about old stuff?
[Vic] I'm not, I'm bringing up facts.
Let's go back though, before the break.
Did you hear Jacy Jayne said Jazmyn Nyx's job to shine her titles?
[Booker T] Well, I mean, come on. She's a rookie.
That's what rookies do, right?
-Have you played sports before? -[Vic] Yes, you're on one today.
A little lore for you.
Once upon a time, a very young-- Whoa, cover here by Borne.
[Corey] A leg and a kickout.
[Vic] A very young Corey Graves actually carried King, Booker,
-from ringside. -[Corey] Oh, boy.
[Booker T] Kimura.
-[Vic] Pay your dues. -[Booker T] Pay your dues.
[Corey] At one point, Booker fell through the stage and I got yelled at for it.
-Oh! -[Vic] Crossbody into the cover!
Is this one going to be enough and a nearfall.
[Corey] I think Vic wants to eat fish in a car or something.
That counts.
[Vic] I had a fish under my seat for two weeks.
-[Booker T] Good to see… -[Vic] I did see it.
I thought you were about to say did you see that medulla oblongata
[Corey] Did you see that? Ushigoroshi by Borne.
Into the cover. Hooks the leg.
-[Vic] What did you just say? -[Corey] I said Ushigoroshi.
[Vic] That was a good move.
Myles Borne pulling out some new tricks.
Booker, why would Myles lie about his condition?
How are you gonna defend Lexis King?
Why would Myles Borne lie about his condition?
[Booker T] To take advantage of the situation.
I mean, do we know Myles Borne?
-[Corey] Oh! -[Booker T] Do we really know this--
[Vic] Yes. Why would he lie about it?
-Stopped by King. -[Booker T] Why would he lie about it?
[Vic] He spoke about his life.
He's had overwhelming support all over social media
as Lexis King is hearing it from the NXT universe.
King going to the top.
Looking down. Maybe taking a little too much time.
-And what a dropkick. -[Booker T] Here's a dropkick.
I tell you, I like everything about Myles Borne.
[Vic] Into the cover, hook of the leg.
[Booker T] I don't want him to use this as a crutch or anything like that.
I don't want him to believe in himself because he has a disability
or anything like that…
[Vic] Wait a minute. One more time.
Myles charging… oh!
[Booker T] That's what I'm talking about.
[Corey] Great closing speed by Lexis King.
[Vic] Going through the kitchen sink from Lexis King.
And now, is King gonna take to the air?
Whoa, he certainly did.
Myles stopping on the dime.
Up, over, wiping King out.
Who is walking out tonight victorious on NXT?
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Desperation by Borne…
but King refusing to relent even from the outside.
Bringing the fight. Oh, no, no. Oh!
[Booker T] Yes, man.
[Vic] Shoulder first went Borne.
Can you hear King just screaming?
This is a man who just loves to stir up trouble.
[Booker T] What you talking about?
He's taking care of business.
He's doing his job right there.
-[Vic] Uh-oh. -[Corey] Oh, no, no, no.
-Oh, God! -[Vic] Come on!
Referee, check on Myles.
Let's take another look at this vicious stomp from King.
Right on the ear of Borne
whose skull was sandwiched between King's boot and the steel ring stairs.
Book, you think the referee might have to save Borne from himself here?
[Booker T] He may have to… If he knew how to…
Maybe stop this thing because right now, Borne is in real trouble, man.
Oh!
[Vic] From Myles Borne's past, he is not a quitter.
He's not going to stop. Into another cover.
Hook of the leg and another kickout.
You can just see it.
Myles Borne, Graves, is in pain.
He's in trouble right now.
[Corey] You ever had the cartilage smashed in your ear,
you have an understanding of how miserable and painful it is.
You can't focus on anything else.
And look at King getting interesting.
[Booker T] What you expect Lexis King to do here, guys?
He's going to take advantage of the situation.
[Corey] Right in the ground.
[Vic] Dragging Borne right out of the corner.
Another cover.
Just getting the right shoulder up was Myles Borne.
In this state, how much more
does Borne have in him in this matchup?
[Corey] Lexis King looks like he is intent on finding out.
He delivers his kicks across the bridge of Myles Borne's nose.
Gotta respect the effort of Lexis King thus far.
The man is on a mission.
Oh, got caught.
Snap powerstorm by Borne.
[Booker T] Didn't get all of it, though.
[Vic] He certainly didn't get enough of the rotation,
but he got enough now to pull himself back to his feet.
Critical point in the matchup for Myles.
Answer that, one clothesline. Booker, Myles, he's only got one arm right now.
It's only the right.
[Booker T] Yeah but his bell's still ringing it seems like.
He's still clutching at that right ear.
[Corey] Beautiful release, belly to belly suplex by Borne.
[Vic] Borne getting right back up. Coming in.
Another snap suplex.
Borne back to his feet.
And Borne trying to pull the knee pad down.
Now trying to inflict his own damage to Lexis King.
Right on the temple, perhaps the ear of King.
A little bit of payback.
And then Myles with the front again.
Connected. Cover.
[Booker T] No way. No way.
[bell dings]
[Vic] Big victory for Borne.
[Corey] Wow.
[announcer] Here is your winner, Myles Borne.
[Vic] Able to overcome everything
throughout this matchup, Graves,
was Myles Borne.
[Corey] Lexis King brought his A-game and then some,
showing the world how ruthless he can be.
But the tenacity of Myles Borne would be the game changer here.
Borne again, driving King neck first into the canvas.
And another big win as Myles Borne continues to stack wins
and build momentum on NXT.
Hey. Five up and five got put down.
And poor Hank and Tank always one step behind Darkstate.
Two weeks ago, do you think it was an accident?
Do you think The Calling jumped you?
Man, psych. That was us.
-That's what I call calculated chaos. -Is y'all surprised?
Mystery solved.
We don't ask for nothing, fool.
We hit at whoever and we been hit at for that tag title.
Yeah, we've been on your ass for a while now.
Right up your butt.
And i promise you're gonna stay right there until you just can't handle us.
Hey, our territory has been marked. Gold is in reach.
And when the lights go out, ain't a damn thing safe.
Especially them titles.
-Hey, bro. -Yes, sir.
I think we're not done yet.
-We are never done. -Come on.
[Vic] After hearing that, Ava's going to need more security.
Quickly.
["Take What Is Mine" playing]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Thea Hail!
♪ This is the start of my destiny ♪
♪ I know… ♪
♪ You are the puppet, I hold the strings ♪
♪ Welcome to my legacy ♪
♪ I hope you see ♪
♪ That this is all part of the plan ♪
♪ You are the fantasy what I see ♪
[Vic] We saw, we heard what Thea had to say.
She may be regretting just that.
At least it was reported as perhaps her final words.
Because here comes trouble.
["Not Like Most Girls" playing]
[announcer] And her opponent
from San Diego, California, Nia Jax!
[Vic] Graves, just how dominant is Nia Jax?
[Corey] I could sit here all night
for the rest of the broadcast and then some,
telling you how powerful, how dominant,
how dangerous Nia Jax can be.
But I think, in a matter of seconds, she's going to be all too happy
to remind the world at the expense of poor Thea Hail.
[Vic] She's certainly reminding the NXT universe of something.
Last match on NXT, 2021
when she was defending the WWE women's tag team title.
Her last singles match in NXT,
you've got to go back to 2016 when she faced Asuka.
[Corey] Listen, I think Thea Hail should be regretting her decision already.
Coming out of the gate strong.
I admire the effort but let's be perfectly honest.
This may be the dumbest decision
Thea Hail has made in her young life.
[Vic] Booker, no doubt this would be the biggest win of Hail's career.
[Booker T] It would be momentous, man.
It would be the biggest win of her career but let me tell you.
I hope she's not thinking about it like that.
I hope she's thinking about survival.
[Corey] I've got a great idea.
Why don't you go to the zoo and pick a fight with a tiger?
You have the same chances as Thea Hail right now.
[Vic] Those aren't very good chances. And right now, we are reminded
that the Women's North American title
will be defeated in our main event as Thea Hail--
[Booker T] A cover-- There you go.
[Vic] Referee couldn't even get down for a one count before
Nia was able to overpower Thea Hail.
Charging right back in.
I don't know if the suplex was the best idea.
It's like saying what she did on--
[Booker T] Oh, baby.
Good night.
[Vic] We saw on her IG she wanted to step up.
But I don't know if she even knew what she was getting herself into?
The first mistake Thea Hale made was going on social media
and calling out Nia Jax.
The second mistake she made was showing up for the match tonight.
Anything else from here on out is on Thea's shoulders alone.
[Booker T] Nia's here for the reckoning, man.
Nia's here to put this locker room on dogs.
You don't think she slipped on a banana peel and showed up here, do you?
-[Corey] No, I don't. -She just made a wrong turn
and ended up on Full Sail, do you? No, she's here to create pain, havoc,
-chaos, baby! -[Corey] I don't want to agree with you,
I have to. She's here to make an example out of anyone.
And everyone. Look at this,
it's like a million dollar smile on her wrecking ball.
Nia Jax just imposing her will on Thea Hale.
[Vic] Look, Nia Jax doesn't care if you're on NXT,
Evolve, Raw, SmackDown, hell, even TNA.
She is not gonna let anyone talk down to her without a fight.
[Booker T] Now just showing up and dropping laughs,
you gotta wonder, was that personal or was it business?
You gotta wonder, you gotta wonder.
Nia Jax is having her way with ease here against Thea Hale,
and almost getting uncomfortable to watch, because Nia Jax is in absolute control.
[all cheering]
Nia Jax is continuing to control Thea Hale,
a former Women's Champion, former Queen of the Ring.
And right now, this is akin to pulling the wings off of a fly.
Nia Jax is having the time of her life, just making Thea Hale suffer.
But the NXT Universe coming to life behind Hale.
-[Booker T] Oh, baby. -And just when Thea starts
to get some momentum, it gets slam shot by Nia Jax.
Count to 20.
-Oh. -What?
[Vic] Hey, hey, that left shoulder got up, there's still some fight in Thea Hale.
And going back to last week, as we've talked about it,
Booker, you get why Nia dropped the Bougie Bullet.
[Booker T] Yo, let me tell you something, like I said, you don't know
if it was business, but I think it's a little bit--
-Bam! -Oh! Just like that, a little burst.
Drop the bomb!
I loved it.
[Vic] Nia Jax is dangerous when she wakes up in the morning.
The last thing Jax needs is more motivation to inflict punishment
on anyone, no matter who you are.
Thea is just the unlucky soul who made the mistake of calling
Nia Jax out publicly.
Well, we saw what Nia Jax did last week.
We heard what Nia Jax had to say, issuing that--
-Uh-oh! -Open statement to everyone,
it was Thea Hale who answered it this week.
And now Thea Hale trying to overcome the odds here tonight,
trying to get around for the DDT.
Got countered on the shoulders of Nia Jax. Thea able to slip down the back door.
Nia, though, overpowering Thea one more time.
Thea, and--
[Booker T] Oh, man.
Just can't get out of the grip
from the strength of Nia Jax.
[Booker T] She's in the drop zone. No, no.
[Corey] Thea out of the way just in time.
Once again, Nia proves to be her own worst enemy.
Got a little overzealous and paid for it.
I don't know how many more lives Thea Hale could have left in this matchup,
big right hand. Trying to fight right back up,
Thea Hale swinging away.
[screams]
And Thea knows it, she's gotta bring it now, she's got to empty the tank here
against Nia Jax.
Another clothesline, she hit Nia and she went down.
[Booker T] Just gotta keep chopping, just gotta keep chopping here.
[Vic] Coming back in second time. DDT.
-No way. -[Corey] Into the cover, into the cover.
[Vic] And we were so close to a massive upset,
a massive statement victory for Thea Hale.
Keep going, Thea.
Right down on the Jax. Another cover.
-Another kick out. -[screams]
Right now, guys.
[Vic] I mean, Booker, this is the best opportunity for Thea to put Nia away.
Cover again.
[Corey] Another kick out of Thea. Can't get frustrated.
You gotta know if Thea Hale has an image.
That one big shot, that one big shot… Could this be it?
[Vic] She might be going for broke and taking a little too much time.
And, oh, nasty landing for Thea.
Charging in comes Nia repeatedly, pouncing on Thea.
-And now setting up as Nia Jax. -[Booker T] Oh, baby.
[Vic] The Annihilator.
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[bell dinging] -Jax dominant in her NXT return.
[Corey] Here is your winner, Nia Jax. You're the man with the words.
[Vic] I think Dominant was a well way to describe that victory.
[Corey] I think Dominant may have been the understatement of the night.
This was pure annihilation.
Pun heavily intended, ripping Thea Hale off the ropes,
delivering an Annihilator.
And Jax would have counted to 25.
Thea ain't getting up after that.
I understand right now Kelly Kincaid standing by.
Nia Jax.
Last week you cost Lash Legend her match against Fallon Henley.
And tonight I have--
I impose my will, because any ring I step into is mine.
Lash Legend, you're not gonna make a name off of my back.
I'm a former champion, honey.
I beat champions, legends, Hall of Famers.
-What the heck have you done? -[audience exclaiming]
You think you're the most dominant woman in--
[audience exclaiming]
Nia! Nia!
You want to call yourself the irresistible force?
Well, guess what? You about to find out real quick
that force breaks under when my pre--
-[Booker T] Oh! -[Vic] She didn't even wanna finish
-the statement. -Oh, yeah.
Lash Legend swinging away, Nia Jax, referees,
-Security, they're all coming out. -Let them fight.
Who is the most dominant? These two are on a collision course.
[crowd chanting] Let them fight, let them fight, let them fight!
As we try to calm back down, and there is our champion,
we will hear from Oba Femi next.
We gotta get more security out here.
Ava, listen, I already know what you're gonna say, all right?
Jordynne, I wasn't even gonna yell at you.
I just wanted to talk to you about Heat Wave, okay?
I know I'm still wearing the brace, but I'm going to be cleared.
Exactly, and that's why Heat Wave, It'll be you and Blake Monroe one on one.
Look, I know she's put you through a lot over the past couple weeks,
and I'm supposed to be unbiased, but…
especially after what she did last week
on behalf of me and a lot of other women,
I think she deserves to get her ass kicked.
-You can count on it. -All right.
[Vic] Well, that is a huge announcement for our next Premium Live event,
Heat Wave!
["Hands of Fate" playing]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the NXT Champion,
Oba Femi.
[Vic] Booker, there's that man.
[Booker T] That man, Oba Femi.
No bread, no water, just me.
Let's hear what the champ had to say here tonight, guys.
[Vic] What is on the mind of the ruler,
the destroyer, the NXT Champion, Oba Femi?
[crowd chanting] Oba! Oba! Ooh! Ob!
Two weeks ago in Houston,
Yoshiki Inamura and Josh Briggs threw every single thing
they had at me to try to take this title.
They failed miserably.
So now for over 200 days, I have carried this NXT Championship.
Two hundred days, I've carried this brand.
So here we are again, we're asking the same question we asked last time.
Who is going to step up? Who is going to challenge?
Who is going to come and face the ruler?
Who is worthy enough to take this title from me?
But the unfortunate answer is that no one is.
Because NXT is supposed to be the brand built for the future.
Superstars of tomorrow slated to many big PLEs
like SummerSlam and Royal Rumble.
But I look at this division now,
the future is not looking very bright.
Because I beat them all. I stopped them all.
I've destroyed them all.
Because the names change, but the result remains the same.
["Locked In" playing]
[Booker T and Vic exclaiming]
-[Booker T] That's right. -Hey, yo, cut the music.
Oba Femi, Oba Femi,
the one who refers to himself as the big dog.
I ain't gonna lie, I ain't delusional, you are a big dog.
But one thing for sure, two things for certain,
anyone who watches NXT knows
that Trick Williams is the biggest dog NXT has to offer.
Let's talk about it.
Trick…
you come in here week after week, singing your own praises
every single time.
[Trick] Ooh, yeah.
So, are you trying this hard to convince them,
or are you trying this hard to convince yourself?
No, forget that, Oba. Forget that. I'm trying to convince you.
When you think about TNA, you think about Trick-NA.
When you think about NXT, you think about me.
Damn it, I'm the man carrying two brands. Let's talk about it!
Okay, yes, yes, yes!
Let's talk, like he says. Let's talk about it.
-[crowd cheering] -Okay.
Let's talk about it.
You say you're the one carrying two brands,
yet here I am with this.
And, Trick, let's not forget, 'cause I will always remind you,
you could never beat me.
[crowd cheering]
I knew you were gonna say that. Okay. Okay.
But the great thing is,
I thought about that.
A couple of weeks ago, I looked you in your eyes,
then I looked at that title,
then I thought to myself, "Hmm.
Why not me?
Why can't I be the man to officially carry two brands?"
'Cause I ain't the same man that you saw a few months ago.
Damn it, I am a self-made superstar!
I made myself, him!
Oba, you keep looking around,
you keep searching for the man who's gonna take you off this mountain.
Look no further.
I am that man.
-["Who Want It" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Je'Von] Yeah!
Hey, turn it off! Turn it off! Turn it off! Turn it off! Turn it off!
Hey, hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Hold on!
Quiet down. Quiet down.
Trick, I ain't gonna lie…
your ass goofy as hell, boy.
-[crowd laughing] -Why are you… [laughs]
Why are you annoying?
You know what? [laughs]
I'm out here trying to go after the biggest dog in the yard,
which is, honestly…
Oba Femi.
And you out here trying to make this all about yourself, saying,
"Oh, well, I'm trying to go after the NXT Championship."
Which is crazy to me, 'cause your ass can barely defend the TNA Championship.
[crowd exclaims]
So, how is that gonna work?
Young OG, if I said this once, I've said it a thousand times,
and I'll say it again tonight.
Mind your business while grown folk talking!
All right, All right. That's fine.
So, I'm going to leave you guys to sort this out for yourself.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Let's make this about Trick.
'Cause I say, me and you throw their hands, and whoever wins
gets to face Oba for the NXT Championship.
Yes, yes, yes!
-Yeah! You like that? -You know what?
-You know what? I love that! -Yeah.
As a matter of fact, they can have that match tonight,
-right here, right now! -[crowd cheering]
-Hell yeah! -Hell no! Stop clapping, goofies!
[crowd booing]
Not in front of all these undeserving people.
You wishy-washy fans wish that you could get Trick Williams for free.
-[jeering continues] -Oh, shit!
I say we get it in two weeks, in a nice city like Philadelphia
who knows something about champions.
I'm not waiting two weeks.
Speaking of champions, Philly,
I'm the biggest champion coming to your city.
And we can make it happen there.
["Moose" playing]
[Vic] Wait just a moment!
The System's Moose from TNA is back in NXT!
[Booker T] Uh-huh! Oh, yeah!
This has just picked up.
Look at that power walk.
That man.
Oh, yeah! I'm loving this.
♪ Moose! Moose! ♪
♪ Moose! ♪
This is NXT.
♪ Moose! ♪
Trick James.
Tricky Williams.
Trick-NA.
Allow me to snap you back to reality…
[crowd cheering]
…because in ten days, at TNA's Emergence,
you have a date with the face of the franchise.
[crowd cheering]
And after I take that TNA World Championship off your waist,
the one name that's gonna be synonymous
to whooping that trick is…
-[crowd] Moose! -[Trick] Oh, y'all so cheap.
And, Oba,
don't for one second think I forgot about Roadblock.
["Chaos" playing]
-[Corey] Not again. -[Vic] They're back!
[Corey] DarkState said they weren't waiting.
[Vic] Whoa, they came from the left! They came from the left!
[Booker T] Oh, yes, baby!
[Vic] They don't give a damn who you are, what brand you're on,
if you're a champion,
they are here to seek and destroy!
But look who's fighting back, guys.
[Corey] Trick Williams, Oba Femi, Je'Von, and Moose
staving off DarkState!
-[Vic] I think Oba just threw a body! -[Booker T] Good day!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] We said, "Expect the unexpected!"
Channing.
Hey, it's just Stacks.
Oh, stop it. You don't have to play games with me.
Anyways, I just came to check on you.
-Check on me? -Yeah.
For the slap?
I'm gonna be all right.
-Inamura's gonna pay-- -[screaming]
Stop it! Whoa, whoa!
Hey, hey, hey!
[screaming continues]
Look, I know you miss Tavion. So do I.
But on the bright side, there's more Wren-C QT.
-What? -Wren-Charles Quality Time!
-That's all I need, isn't it? -Yeah.
Look, I'm just too good of a coach.
I trained Myles and Tavion too well. It's my own fault.
Well, we need to find something else to cheer you up.
Look, just let me be sad. How about that?
Do you wanna know what always cheers me up?
No, I don't actually.
♪ Say his name and he appears ♪
Wren--
♪ I believe in Joe Hendry ♪
Stop. He's not gonna show up, so stop, all right?
♪ Say his name and he appears ♪
♪ I believe in Joe Hendry ♪
[claps]
It is great to be back on NXT. Thank you, Wren.
But what's up with sourpuss here?
Look, if I wasn't miserable before, I certainly am now.
Joe, you're the last thing NXT needs.
Why are you even here?
Look, I know why you're upset.
-Oh, yeah? Why's that? -You feel left out. But don't worry.
I got this just for you.
Check this out.
Sorry, it's a little cold.
Oh, great. It is cold.
Look forward to wearing it… never.
Charlie, don't be rude.
You know what you are, Joe? You always try to be viral.
You know where viral comes from? It comes from "virus,"
'cause that's what you are, a disease, an infection.
He's not actually a doctor. He just watches a lot of Grey's Anatomy.
But, honestly, I think the only thing nowadays
that cheers Charles up is wrestling
Well, why don't we cheer Charles up with a wrestling match
-next week? -Wouldn't that be great?
Sourpuss accepts.
Are you gonna go tell Ava? Great.
It's like looking in a mirror.
Do you mind if I get a photo?
-No problem. -Awesome.
[Vic] Looks like Wren, Book, is a believer.
[Booker T] Yeah.
["Bad Boy" playing]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Tokyo, Japan, weighing in at 242 pounds
Yoshiki Ina--
-[Vic and Corey exclaim] -[Booker T] Oh, yeah!
[Vic] Well, Stacks, his opponent tonight, just came flying from the locker room,
wasting no time.
And our official, Adrian Butler, trying to get these two in the ring.
[Corey] This is what it's gonna take to succeed these days in NXT.
You gotta be ruthless. You gotta be vicious.
[Vic] Gotta call your own shots like Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo's
-trying to do at the expense of Inamura. -[Booker T] I love it!
[Vic] Trying to get some control,
trying to get both competitors to their feet.
-Bell! -[bell rings]
[Vic] Stacks. Yoshiki Inamura.
And, Graves, was Stacks right, though, last week, that no family lasts forever?
[Corey] I hope that's truly where Stacks' head is, because that's what it's about,
doing things on your own.
Running knee, into the cover!
Stacks tried, he did the best he could as a member of The D'Angelo Family.
-Where did it him, Vic? Got him nowhere. -[Vic] Nowhere.
[Corey] Got his Heritage Cup chucked in the river.
Stacks has to stand on his own two feet, make his own name.
And it could begin tonight against a world-class,
top-caliber star like Yoshiki Inamura.
[Vic] But why does Stacks feel he needs to give opinions to others like Yoshiki?
He didn't just mind his own business, as you would say.
[Booker T] He's a boss, man.
[Vic] How is he a boss? He lost to Tony D'Angelo in a triple threat.
[Booker T] Come on, that's what bosses… Don't try to correct me.
That's what bosses do.
[Vic] I'm not trying to correct you, I'm stating facts.
Right now, Stack's in control of Yoshiki Inamura.
And Yoshiki certainly showed more fire last week,
which led to this matchup. Inamura, of course, who returned to NXT
-'cause of the NXT Universe's passion. -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Vic] And nice counterweight. Into a cover.
And a kick-out.
Came back also for his brother, Briggs.
And it was Briggs who had a vicious boot
at the Great American Bash after a triple threat.
[Corey] You just answered your own question.
Wow! What a forearm by Stacks.
This game is about checks and championships,
not about family, not about brothers,
sisters, aunts, uncles, in-laws, it doesn't matter.
It's about what you do from bell to bell.
How much money you can make and how many titles you can win.
[Booker] You talking about brother, Inamura
is finding out the hard way that you cannot trust anyone in this business.
[Vic] Stacks now just mocking Yoshiki Inamura from the top rope perch.
Uh-oh! Mock him at your own peril.
And now Yoshiki, who, remember, got jumped from behind before the bell
finally has his feet underneath him, weathered the early storm.
-And now he's unleashing! -[Booker] Oh, baby!
Sumo style!
[Booker] Oh, yeah! Big shot.
[Corey] E. Honda, like that 100-hand slap.
[Vic] Look at this combination.
Stacks hasn't won any of that, get out there, young man.
-[Booker] That's right… -[Vic] Oh, baby!
[Booker] Buy you some time.
[Vic] Stacks trying to get the hell out of Dodge.
[Booker] Inamura is up…
[Vic] I said he was showing more fire.
… outside and, oh, that's one way to counter anything.
Stacks. He's also not in a good mood.
…punk. Who do you think you are?
-Who do you think you are? -[referee] Two!
[Corey laughing] He might have just slapped him back to the D'Angelo family.
What are you doing? What's your problem? You gave him…
-Oh, that's got to be a… -[Vic] Added grace to it.
You, get back in the ring.
You, get out of here!
[Vic] The referee is showing some discretion in this moment.
[Corey] … from behind! Turn around Yoshiki.
[Vic] Josh Briggs!
Just like at the Great American Bash.
Dropping Inamura, the official didn't see it and Stacks
is going to slither away with a victory.
[Mike] Here is your winner,
Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo!
[Vic] In the words of Booker T,
what the hell?
[Booker cackles]
[Corey] I don't know that I've ever seen Arianna gloat quite like that.
Well, there is the North American Champion, Ethan Page.
We hear from this Canadian hero, next.
Ladies and gentlemen, today marks the 70th day
as the greatest North American Champion of all time.
And last week, last week was a pure demonstration
in the Canadian standard of excellence.
[crowd booing]
Now I would like to give credit where credit is due.
Even with that vile reptilian sock
and his best effort, Santino Marella was just not able to get the job done.
But,
a positive note.
Santino Marella is still Canadian, and that makes him better than all of you.
[crowd booing]
But he is just Canadian, not the greatest
North American alive, like me.
[crowd chanting] Shut the hell up!
Now, in the pantheon of great Canadians, you've got men like Alexander Graham Bell.
You've got men like Wayne Gretzky, you've got men like the best
there was Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
But at the top of that list in the number one spot
is the greatest Canadian of all time.
All ego,
Ethan Page.
[crowd booing]
Hold on. Let me open this thing up so you can see how beautiful it is.
So.
Before your Champion decides which continent I will devour next,
I'd like to celebrate last week.
I would like to ask all of you to respectfully stand as your Champion
sings the Canadian national anthem.
-[Corey] Come on, fellas-- -[Vic] Graves, sit down.
Sit…
What…
[Corey] We're really doing this?
[sings off key] Oh, Canada…
[music playing]
[Tavion] Evening.
-[Vic] Whoa! -[Tavion] Evening.
You can chill with all of that.
Didn't nobody tune into NXT tonight to hear what sounds like a Canadian goose
dying.
Hey, I see you out here.
You repping your country.
That's cool, bro.
I can respect that.
As matter of fact, I can relate
because I represented Team USA
at the Olympic Games myself.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] USA! USA!
But the difference between me and you, Ethan,
is you're out here acting like you're on some kind of a pedestal.
When in reality, seems like to me, you need to be knocked off that maple leaf
sucking perch you're standing on.
Now, it's true.
It's true.
I just broke out of NQCC.
But I know it's time for me to break out on the scene here at NXT.
And, you know, just as well as I know, Ethan, I'm a weapon in human form.
And now, you see, I just got to figure out
where I'm gonna direct all this pent up energy, dawg.
And unfortunately,
that's looking like you.
Whoa, whoa, no, no.
Listen, Tavion, I will give you credit.
You just crawled your way out of NQCC.
So please do me a favor.
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes!
Learn how to walk, then learn how to run before you try and
[crowd] Shut the hell up, Ethan!
dance with all ego, buddy.
You think you're funny, Ethan, huh? You got dance moves?
Well, guess what, buddy?
You got another thing coming.
Whoa, I've got nothing with you.
Pledge your allegiance to Chelsea Green.
-[Vic] Oh, my God. -[Corey] Oh, no.
[Vic] Oh, my God, guys, you got to stand up now!
-[Corey] I don't have to stand up. -[Vic] Hands on your hearts.
-[Corey] What are you do-- -[Vic] Hurry up!
[Corey] Put your hand down!
I haven't seen you sweat this much. Are you all right?
-[Vic] Well, proud patriots. -[Corey] Stop saluting!
Tavion, was it?
How dare you
of all people, interrupt the greatest North American
to ever hold the North American Championship?
This man inspires millions of Canucks daily.
That, my friend, is Canadian for Canadians
if you didn't know.
I heard that one time he fought off a moose and the moose apologized.
You know what they say.
The best American heroes come from Canada.
[crowd booing]
Anyways, T, moral of the story,
is that Ethan Page is the model Canadian, second only to moi.
That's French Canadian for "me", if you didn't know.
Spoiler alert.
Your first ever, longest reigning, most dangerous United States
Women's Champion is a proud Canadian.
[crowd cheering]
And I came out here to support my countrymen
and sing the national anthem until you, rude,
ignorant American ruined it.
You're so cute when you're angry, T.
[crowd] That's too much!
I would say it's a good thing that I have my secret hervice here to protect me.
But let's be honest.
Even a low life, trashy American like yourself
would never have the balls to hit a woman like me.
Nah. You're right.
I wouldn't.
[Corey] Tavion Heights just struck a man with glasses.
I'll find the woman who will.
[Vic] And I'm sure he will.
Tavion Heights means business.
[Corey] This xenophobia is unacceptable.
So anyways, I cannot believe she ran out the ring like that.
Honestly, she's lucky that she ran away.
That's okay. You looked good out there, Kelani.
Thanks, girl. I mean, I guess a win is a win.
But Blake is Jordynne's problem now.
What a fantastic, career-making count-out win
you got there, Kelani.
I bet she also thinks that makes her a contender for my NXT Women's championship.
Why don't you two follow in Blake's footsteps and run away?
From who?
Let me guess, the most dysfunctional team in the locker room.
Oh, you mean the same team that beat you for that North American Championship?
-Well, one of us did. -Exactly. Exactly.
-What's going on? -Finally. And nothing.
Just two delusional women reaching for things that they'll never have.
-[laughing] -Of course they are.
How dare you to step to Jacy, the double champion,
-the leader of the Women's Division… -That's right.
…and her sidekick?
While I was out shining the titles, I was talking to Ava
and I got you two a Tag Team Match next week.
-What? -Huh?
Yeah, I guess I'll hit her up and let her know I found your opponents.
-Thanks, Jaz. -What?
-See you next week. -Did she just call me a sidekick?
-Yep, she did. -What is going--
Izzi or Niko, or that creep Spears, I will handle it.
You just focus on Tatum. I've got the rest.
You're hyped up like you're about to have a match.
-Yeah, well, I don't want Tatum-- -[clattering]
[indistinct shouting]
-Sick of you! -[both grunting]
-[security] Hey! -[indistinct shouting]
No! Get off of me!
-I'm sick of you! -What are you doing?
What are-- Listen! If you two want each other so bad, fine!
You two, one-on-one, next week. This is done.
-Good! 'Cause I'm tired of you! -[indistinct shouting]
-No, you're not. I'm gonna get my-- -No, no.
I'm sorry. Why the hell are you so quiet?
-You know he don't want that smoke. -He always runs for a fight.
-No, but-- -All right, all four of you are in here.
-Why? -Please, give me a match with those guys.
Okay. Okay. All right. Here's what's gonna happen.
In Philly in two weeks, Trick and Je'Von, you two are gonna go one-on-one.
-Winner gets Oba at Heatwave. -[laughs]
-That's fair. -Perfect.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but why are we waiting two weeks to, like…
Because, next week, all four of you are gonna take on Darkstate in an 8-man tag.
-[knock on door] -Come in!
-We want Darkstate next week! -Oh, God, okay, all right!
No, no, we have Darkstate next week.
No. This is the last time they attack without retaliation. This can't fly, boss!
Yeah, you know what? They started it, we're gonna finish it!
Hey! Here's what you're gonna do.
At Heatwave, you can have two members of Darkstate,
the challenge for those titles.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a show to run,
so everybody out.
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
-[arguing indistinctly] -Good day. Good day.
Ricky Saints, you have had quite the crazy run since your debut in February.
You won the North American title, then, unfortunately, you were injured,
and now it seems like Jasper Troy really has it out for you.
So, do you feel like you have a target on your back?
Absolutely, absolutely.
I came into NXT actually with a target on my back
because of the hype that I had behind my name.
And rightfully so. I earned all of that.
But I also wanted to point out too, it's not just the target.
It's about jealousy as well.
Somebody like Ethan Page, who is jealous of who I am and what I've done.
And then you have somebody like Jasper Troy
that is trying to get to where I'm at.
So, to be kind of in between these two, yes, absolutely.
A target is… It's more than that, you know?
But it also kind of shows me that there are different agendas,
but the same goal for people.
Can you elaborate on that a little bit?
Let's take Ethan Page, for example.
Eighteen years of experience.
He understands that NXT is where he needs to be
to get to where he wants to go.
And so, to do that, he has a plan.
To do that, he will do anything to get there.
You could say that he is, what, desperate.
But then, on the flip side, you've got Jasper Troy. He's young, he's angry.
He has all this rage, but he's inexperienced.
He doesn't really understand what his plan is yet.
-He is just kind of making his way. Right? -Mm.
So it's kind of like a paradox, because you can't prepare yourself for that.
And you find that frustrating?
No.
Everyone is striving to be on a Monday night or a Friday night.
Ricky is already going to be doing that.
And I'm gonna be doing that in the most absolute way.
But on my road to that,
I definitely want to be NXT Champion.
And right now, Jasper Troy is in my way.
And last time you saw me, Jasper Troy beat me by a countout, yes.
But what you didn't see is the reserved part of Ricky,
the part I've been kind of holding back.
And I want everyone here to understand one thing, this promise.
Jasper Troy, in two weeks in Philadelphia, I'm promising you this.
If you thought Houston was just an easy thing for you,
oh, my man, it gets way worse for you.
Because I'm absolutely guaranteeing
things ain't gonna end up how they did before.
Well, uh, Ricky, I wish you all of the luck in the world.
-Thank you. -And thank you for your time today.
[Vic] It looks like the Revolution is headed to Philadelphia,
but this from the desk of our general manager,
Last Legend will go one-on-one with Nia Jax.
What a showdown!
This is going to be live next week here on NXT.
[Corey] And we're gonna want to reinforce the ring for this one.
Per our general manager, Ava,
Darkstate will battle the team of Oba Femi, Trick Williams,
Je'Von Evans and TNA Wrestling Moose in an 8-man Tag Team Match.
[Vic] And after everything that has happened here tonight,
Jazmyn Nyx did indeed find Fatal Influence a Tag Team Match for next week.
Kelani Jordan will team with Lola Vice
to face double champion Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley
live next Tuesday here on NXT.
Double champion, that is if Jacy Jayne can survive this Thursday.
But it is Main Event time now on NXT.
[music playing]
[Vic] And as Tatum Paxley makes her way to the ring
with the rest of Culling following behind her,
can Paxley bring them gold once more?
Women's North American Championship on the line
in our Main Event, live, next.
We're going to return to the City of Brotherly Love
when NXT comes to the Met, Philadelphia on August 19.
♪ A million dollars from now I won't remember you ♪
[Vic] On that night, we will find out who is heading to WWE Heatwave
to face Oba Femi for the NXT Championship.
Will it be Je'Von Evans, or will it be the TNT Champion Trick Williams?
No. 1 Contender's Match live two weeks from tonight.
[Corey] And we heard from Ricky Saints moments ago,
he is bringing the Revolution to the city of Brotherly Love.
But standing in Saint's way, the monstrous Jasper Troy.
It's going down in Philadelphia, two weeks, right here on NXT.
["Chasing Surf" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[cheers]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Let's go up to our ring announcer Mike Rome.
[bell dings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall…
[crowd] One fall!
…is for the NXT Women's
North American Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger, representing The Culling,
Tatum Paxley!
[crowd cheering, chanting] Tatum! Tatum!
And her opponent,
she is the NXT Women's North American champion,
Sol Ruca!
[Vic] Booker, you and I have talked about this.
But, Graves, I want to come to you, because it's been a very busy summer…
[crowd chanting] Sol! Sol!
[Vic] …for Sol Ruca. Do you believe that she's, and I hate to say it,
maybe taking on too much?
[Corey] There have been moments where I fear
that might be the case for Sol Ruca,
but I also think she may be that rare type of competitor who thrives under pressure,
and the more pressure Sol Ruca can find, the better she gets.
This is a woman who meets the moment every time the bell rings,
and is showing no signs of slowing down.
[Vic] Interesting stat, coming into this match-up,
Sol Ruca, this year, fourth most wins at 14 in the WWE.
She's trailing Jey Uso, LA Knight and Stephanie Vaquer.
Booker, what is the strategy for Sol Ruca
here tonight against a former, well, friend in Tatum Paxley?
[Booker T] I can tell you what the strategy is, but Sol Ruca better not--
-[Vic] Cover! -[Booker T] Hold on.
Better not have one lapse of focus in this match-up tonight,
because this could be a major, major upset, guys.
[crowd chanting, clapping rhythmically] Tatum two-face! Tatum two-face!
[Vic] Sol Ruca, 107 days as champion.
[Corey] And this unique submission being executed by Paxley.
[Vic] Paxley doing a nice job also
keeping her shoulders off the mat. Great job by--
-[Booker T] Wait a minute, guys. -[Vic] I spoke too soon.
Getting her shoulders up that time. Big right hand
from the champion, who's trying to turn things right around
into a submission maybe of her own.
And, Booker, in regards to Ruca and Tatum as friends,
is she getting a true lesson in DTA?
[Booker T] Don't trust anyone. That's what it's all about. Let me tell you right now.
-[Vic] Whoa. -[Booker T] The odds
are in the favor of Tatum Paxley
with The Culling being out here. That's just my opinion.
[Vic] Well, the wave's starting to go here with Sol Ruca,
who's been riding a wave of momentum
-since she arrived in-- -[Corey] Bam!
[Vic] Big dropkick. Wow.
And Ruca now measuring, charging.
Nice counter there by the challenger.
Paxley… Ooh, able to block it once. And now, Sol looking on.
-And, oh! X marks the spot. -[Booker T] Perfect.
-Perfect precision. -[Vic] Why not go for the cover, Graves?
And Shawn Spears.
And look. Zaria.
The Culling, though, outnumbering Zaria on the outside.
Really? Really? Get your ass out of my face. How about that?
[Vic] Wait, wait, wait, wait, watch Sol. Sol just wiped out The Culling.
Can Sol remain champion?
-Who's walking out with the title? -[crowd chanting "NXT"]
[Vic] Sol Ruca's done her best to weather the storm.
Tatum Paxley's been able to stay on top of the champion for the most part.
And, Booker, you know as well as I do, Tatum Paxley has been obsessed
with two things over the last year, friendships and championships.
-Into the cover, hook of the leg. -[Booker T] Oh, baby.
[Vic] She came damn close to putting gold around her waist.
What a match this has been, Graves, and it's been all Tatum Paxley.
[Corey] Sol Ruca understanding the assignment,
leaving it all on the outside of the ring, taking out The Culling.
But Paxley would capitalize
with a neckbreaker across the middle rope,
which actually I believe
might have affected Ruca's lower back worse than her neck.
Either way, very dangerous, very effective from the challenger.
[Vic] Paxley, who pinned Zaria in Houston…
And last week, Izzi brought up a fair point
that Tatum didn't pin the champion.
Nonetheless, Izzi Dame who was stunned in the moment,
it is what it is.
She is here showing support with the rest of The Culling,
because gold could be coming back home, courtesy of Tatum Paxley.
And you just see the look
-of pain on the face of the champion. -[Booker T] That's what I'm talking about.
Tatum Paxley right there, she's very unorthodox.
Right here, got Sol Ruca
-in a bad position. -[Vic] The champion,
trying her best to counter.
[Corey] Paxley, unable to hook the leg of the champion in that submission,
which is what allowed Sol to escape and perhaps
-turn the tides in this one. -[Vic] Whoa.
That DDT counter, with a nice cartwheel.
And this is what you were talking about, Graves, just the ability
to have a counter for a counter, with just natural, God-given athleticism.
[Corey] Sol Ruca brings to the table night after night.
-Big time kick by the champion. -[Vic] Nice combination offense.
Who will be champion in Philadelphia in two weeks on August 19th?
Or for that matter, our next premium live event, WWE Heatwave
in Lowell on August the 24th.
Right now, it looks like it's going to be Sol Ruca
charging right back through.
-Bam! Superkick under the jaw. -[Booker T] Wow.
[Vic] Paxley's rocked.
Tatum coming back in.
Big, rude-awakening-type neckbreaker from Sol.
And Ruca now, measuring the challenger.
Bam! Charging in.
Hoisting up.
-[Corey] Oh! -[Vic] Backpack style.
-Is it going to be enough? -[Booker T] Oh, baby.
[Vic] Kick-out by Tatum Paxley, as this matchup--
-[Corey] Oh! -[Vic] Big knee.
[Corey] There was some heat behind that one.
[Booker T] What a combination by Sol Ruca, guys.
[Vic] Ruca continues to add wrinkles to her repertoire,
as we talk about all the time, folks, how important it is.
-But so has Paxley. -[Booker T] Wow.
[Vic] Tatum Paxley used the apron to help her step up into that Enzugiri.
-And now, Moonsault with a twist. -[Corey] Wow.
-Oh, my goodness. -[Vic] Into the cover.
For the title. And another near fall.
Whisper in the Wind-esque.
-Tatum Paxley… -[Corey] Izzi's beside herself.
[Booker T] Well, Tatum's pushing Sol Ruca to the limit tonight, guys.
-[crowd chanting] This is awesome. -[Booker T] Yes it is.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome. This is awesome.
[Vic] This is your main event
for the women's North American title.
Izzi Dame, The culling out here,
trying to rally behind Tatum Paxley to bring gold
back to The Culling. Sol Ruca, the champion,
hoping to make it to day 108 as champion,
with Zaria here supporting her.
And both women now in a precarious position.
And I don't know if you guys saw that. Tatum just had a grin on her face.
Tatum trying to hoist up Sol.
The champion able to block.
What's on the mind now of Sol Ruca?
[Booker T] We're in the high-risk district.
-Oh, yes, baby. -[Vic] Big powerbomb. Wow.
[Corey] Gnarly landing for Paxley,
high across her shoulders and the base of her neck.
[Vic] That could spell the beginning of the end for the challenger.
Look at the champion, looking over to Zaria.
She could be maybe entering the Zone of Destruction.
Look for a spear, no one there.
-Champion, into the post. -[Booker T] Could be it, guys.
[Vic] Challenger, rolling over the champion!
And another near fall.
[Booker T] Paxley so close to manufacturing the win here, man.
So close to a victory.
[Vic] Paxley, so close. Right now, hoisting up and--
-[Corey] Wow. -[Vic] Counter, counter, counter.
-And a near fall again. -[Corey] Wow.
[Vic] Counter for counter. Kick catches Paxley.
Challenger just fell, champion rising back to her feet.
What does Sol Ruca have left in her bag of tricks to retain
the Women's North American title?
Able to land on her feet, coming right back in.
It wasn't a full spear, though, Graves. It was a mini one, still effective.
[Corey] Driving all the breath out of the challenger.
Tatum Paxley, Capoeira style kick again
from Sol Ruca.
To the outside effortlessly. Here comes the champion.
[Vic and Booker T] Oh.
[Vic] Fatigue may be settling in.
Sol Ruca, though, was able to catch herself at the last moment
and pop right back up.
[Corey] That freakish athleticism possessed by the champion,
the ability to think on her feet, in the air, mid-maneuver.
[Vic] And if at first you don't succeed,
-you try and try again. But-- -[Corey] Oh.
[Vic] Tatum Paxley with a counter.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
-No, no, no, no, no! -[Corey] Whoa!
[Vic] I don't know if that was a counter or a neckbreaker.
But damn it, it was effective.
-Paxley, though, can't get into the cover. -[Booker T] Beautiful.
[Vic] So much taken out of the challenger. She can't roll over into the cover.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome. This is awesome.
[Corey] What's happened is some sort of disagreement within The Culling
between Spears and Izzi. There's chaos. An the ref…
What the hell? That's Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
[Vic] And I think Tatum Paxley just looked at Izzi Dame,
shaking her head, thanking her for the doll.
And on the outside, you said it, Lashley, what the hell is going on?
[Corey] There's no time for dolls.
Big… Oh, security's getting dropped.
We still got a championship match.
Tatum might have the ultimate equalizer.
[commentators exclaiming]
[Vic] Through the barricade. Back in the ring.
Sol Snatcher! Sol Snatcher!
And Ruca just snatched another soul.
["Chasing Surf" playing]
[announcer] Here's your winner, and still
the NXT Women's North American Champion,
Sol Ruca.
[Vic] I can't get over what has happened here tonight.
[Corey] Certainly a lot to digest, Vic, but the reality of the situation
and all that matters is the result.
And still,
Sol Ruca, after surviving a brutal neckbreaker off the top.
And then all hell broke loose.
Lash Legend puts Nia Jax through the barricade
ahead of their collision.
Sol Snatcher from the North American Champion.
Boom. So nice. Let's watch it twice.
Hook of the leg.
And Sol Ruca retains.
[Vic] And that last look, Shawn Spears was beside himself.
So close
to that championship
was Tatum Paxley.
But in the end, as you mentioned,
Sol Ruca survives.
This night belongs to our Women's North American Champion,
as Sol Ruca continues to ride the wave of momentum
in NXT. uca continues to ride the wave of momentum