Welcome everyone to another edition of NXT on CW! On the heels of the ECW-centric show that took place last week, honoring the historic past, now it’s time to once again lock eyes on the future. And that future starts with NXT.
Vic Joseph and Booker T opened the show, highlighting some of the, highlights from last week’s “sold out” show. It utilized the old ECW TV filter, which was fun. But then it was time for the ladies to once again prove themselves to be the true highlight of NXT.
Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson vs. Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia
These four women are going to headline WrestleMania’s for years to come but, tonight, they’re headlining this packed NXT show. All four women made their entrance, with PIP promos happening during the entrances.
Legend and Giulia started the match. At first, it looked like there would be a test of strength between the two, but Legend raised her arm higher, mocking Giulia’s height…or lack thereof. Giulia hit Legend with a pump kick, but she didn’t sell it and then hit Giulia with a pump kick of her own. Legend tagged in Jackson, and the two women hit Giulia with stereo dropkicks. Jackson attempted various pin attempts on Giulia, but Giulia countered it into a crucifix pinning attempt. Jackson kicked out, and then hit a missile dropkick for a two-count.
Jackson attempted a fireman’s carry, which Giulia countered into her octopus hold. Giulia tagged in Vaquer, who hit a 619 (where is Vaquer from again? Shouldn’t we be calling it her area code? Does Chile have area codes?). Following that, Vaquer and Giulia nailed a double elbow drop, which resulted in a two count. Vaquer then hit a sliding leg drop, and her leg scissors-into-face-plant maneuver.
Legend tagged in and lifted both of her opponents into her front rack. Then Jackson tagged in and jumped off of Legend to cross body both Giulia and Vaquer at ringside!
As is the rule, we cut to commercial break. Coming back, Legend and Jackson were double-teaming Vaquer but Vaquer eventually jumped over Jackson to tag in Giulia with the hot tag! Giula took on all-comers and attempted her La Mistica, which Legend reversed, which Giulia reversed into a Code Red. Giulia continued the onslaught (love wrestling commentary cliches,) and hit a snap suplex for the two-count. Vaquer tagged back in and she and her partner hit stereo, tandem kicks, followed by a back suplex.
Vaquer hit the codebreaker on Legend, while Giulia hit her with a Shotgun dropkick from the apron. Jackson tagged in and Vaquer nailed her with a package shoulder breaker, and then she and Giulia followed that up with a Double Kamigoye for the win!
Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia defeated Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend
After the match, Blake Howard interviewed Vaquer and Giulia and asked what fans could expect from the two in Minneapolis. Giulia, channeling her inner-Matt Hardy (we all have one), said “I knew this day would come.” Vaquer responded, saying “See you at Deadline.”
A video explaining the rules of the Iron Survivor Match aired. It includes point systems and a lot of other things that are still hard to understand, but that’s okay because the matches themselves will be incredible.
Speaking of incredible, Sol Ruca made her entrance for the first Iron Survivor Qualifying Match of the evening.
Sol Ruca vs. Cora Jade
Cora Jade came out next, with another PIP promo playing during her entrance.
And…it was less incredible than originally anticipated. This match was more of a squash match for Sol Ruca, who pretty much dominated the entire bout, with brief attempts at offense from Cora Jade. Eventually, Ruca hit her Sol Snatcher (Sol Snatcher? I barely knew ‘er!) finisher (which is such a cool move) for the win!
Sol Ruca defeated Cora Jade to advance to the Iron Survivor Challenge match at NXT Deadline
After the match, we cut to backstage where Je’Von Evans and Cedric Alexander were talking strategy. They said they were locked in and ready for their respective matches. The camera then focused on Dion Lennox, who was chatting up Karmen Petrovic. But then Brinley Reece said she couldn’t stop talking about Ashante Thee Adonis. Say his name and he’ll appear, and that’s just what Adonis did. Like passing period in middle school, Adonis asked why Karmen was hitting on his friend. Lennox said that he’s not Ashante’s friend. And the ladies suggested that the two team up next week.
Backstage (again…or still?…) NXT GM Ava was holding court with a bunch of wrestlers. She said that she was looking for a team to step up to Nathan Frazier and Axiom. She named all of the different teams in the room, who then began to argue amongst themselves. Ava said she likes the energy, but they have to show, not tell…
FORESHADOWING!
Next up was Cedric Alexander taking on Wes Lee in another Iron Survivor Qualifying Match.
Cedric Alexander vs Wes Lee
This is going to be a very fast-paced match, so apologies if the description doesn’t properly convey the match. Just go watch it yourself. Seriously.
Lee and Alexender traded moves at the beginning of the match, starting out with a bit of chain wrestling. Eventually, Lee cartwheeled out of a submission attempt and held Alexander in a wristlock.
Cedric Alexander, too, proved that he could tumble out of submissions, which is exactly what he did. Alexander then backdropped Lee onto the ring apron, and hit some punches. Alexander continues his striking assault. Alexander attempted to flip out of the ring, but his foot hit the top rope which caused him to tumble a bit. The two wrestlers sold the move, however, as we went to commercial break.
Back from break, Lee attempted his Cardiac Kick, but Alexander dropkicked him out of the air. Alexander continued to gain the advantage, hitting a big knee and his Shotgun Dropkick. Alexander hit Lee with a Book End/Rock Bottom on the apron, followed by a Slingshot Paydirt for a two-count. Lee recovered, though, and hit a short-arm superkick, followed by the Cardiac Kick, which resulted in a two-count of his own.
Alexander recovered and eventually hit a Michinoku Driver, but because the referee was trying to fix a previously messed with turnbuckle, he didn’t see the pinfall attempt. The crowd, for their part, chanted that the ref sucked. LOL. Lee hit a drop toehold onto the exposed turnbuckle, followed by his Meteora, for the 1-2-3.
Wes Lee defeated Cedric Alexander
Seriously, just watch the match yourself. Words don’t do it justice. Neither do words do justice to when Tony D’Angelo is eating pasta. While he was eating his ‘pascetti, one of his goons informed him that he “took care of business at the docks.” As in, like, murdered somebody? Did he just admit to murdering a man? We’ll never know, because then Shawn Spears arrived and said he wanted to go after the North American Championship. Brooks Jensen stood silently behind Spears, as the former Ty Dillinger talked about how the title has motivated Tony’s family, and how he thinks he could use it to motivate, too.
Tony D said that it took him three years…THREE YEARS…to get to where he’s at. Spears said that he was actually requesting a match for Brooks. Tony D asked why Brooks listens to Spears, and Spears had to hold him back.
Spears and Brooks left, and got into a murder van, driven by somebody named “Nico.” Spears said “That’s how you handle a boss,” and asked Nico if he agreed. Nico did agree. And then the van drove away.
Following that segment, another backstage segment aired, with Byron Saxton interviewing Kelani Jordan. Kelani said she was ready to face all three members of Fatal Influence, which caused Jacy Jayne and Jasmyn Nix to show up and talk smack. After they left, Jordan said that it was “on sight” for the two of them.
NXT Champion Trick Williams entered the chat (IE arena) to speak to all of his fans.
Trick said that Philly went crazy last week, which reminded him of everything that’s been crazy lately, ever since he won Iron Survivor last year. Trick was, presumably, set to call out Ridge Holland but, before he could, Andre Chase came out.
Chase said he didn’t have any beef with Trick, but that he does have a modicum of beef with Holland, which Trick said he understood. Trick said that no matter what Holland did, Chase landed on his feet. Trick said that he’s never actually met Chase face-to-face, but he told the crowd to give him a round of applause for everything he’s done lately. Trick said Chase has done almost everything, but not quite. Then he looked at his NXT Championship.
Ridge Holland then came out and said he’s moved on from Chase. He silenced the EC F’N W Arena last week when he pinned Trick’s ass (and his shoulders!) and he said that Trick now knows that he is the biggest threat to his title.
Chase cut in and said that, in the words of Christian, he wants one…more…match and if he gets it, he’ll put Chase U on the line. Holland said he didn’t care, because Chase already gambled the University, and then got it back anyway. Holland says he only cares about the title.
Trick Williams, ever the problem-solver, said that he was going to go talk with Ava. He’s going to suggest a Number One Contender’s Match between Ridge Holland and Andre Chase. Holland said that if Chase loses, Chase U has to disband. Which was kind of the opposite of what he said just a few minutes ago, but whatever.
Chase said he’s on and that next week, he’s going to give Ridge Holland an Andre Chase University ass whoopin’. Holland tried attacking Chase but Trick intervened and hit a Book End. The two then stomped a mudhole in Holland as the segment ended.
A hype video for Jaida Parker aired, in which she said that she was going to win the Iron Survivor.
Following that, Nikkita Lyons made her entrance, still with her nun chucks.
Nikkita Lyons vs. Adriana Rizzo
Another short, but sweet match for the ladies. Rizzo attempted a sunset flip at the beginning of the match, but Lyons lifter her up. The two then traded blows, with Rizzo hitting a dropkick on Lyons into the turnbuckle. Lyons clubbed her back and then put Rizzo in a full nelson. Lyons continued her full nelson into a slam on the turnbuckle, followed by a Full Nelson Slam.
Lyons continued to dominate, and apply the full nelson often. Rizzo attempted to rally and hit Lyons with a series of forearms. She hit Lyons with a crossbody block, followed by a Lou Thesz Press into a forearm combination (think Steve Austin).
Rizzo ascended the top rope and tried to hit a top rope Lou Thesz Press, but was hit with a superkick from Lyons, who followed it up with a Vader Bomb for the win.
Nikkita Lyons defeated Adriana Rizzo
After the match, Rizzo hit Lyons with a crowbar. It should have been with her own nun chucks.
Backstage, Riley, Duke, and Thea accosted Andre Chase and asked why he put them on the line in his match against Ridge Holland. Chase said that he took a chance on the three of them, and he’s not going to let anything break them up. He said he’s never had a chance at the NXT title and he wants to rise to the highest of highs, and take Chase U with him. Chase left, leaving Duke and Riley looking forlorn. So, they’re definitely going to turn on him next week, yeah?
A promo for Zaria aired, in which she said that some say she’s a mystery. Did you know evolution is a mystery as well? Zaria said that where she’s standing, there’s no mystery. She is a fearless force, ready to rip and tear her way to the top. She said that, after Deadline, there will be no mystery as to who Zaria is.
Je’Von Evans vs Lexis King
Both men entered the ring and immediately began the match with a series of rest holds and wrist locks. Evans rolled up King for a quick two-count, and King did the same. Both men traded rapid-fire pin attempts and then broke it up, as the crowd cheered them on. Evans landed a springboard short-arm huracanrana on King, followed by a Suicide Dive.
King dodged the dive, and used his own head to stop Evans dead in his tracks. Problem was, said head made direct contact with Evan’s…mid-section. Evans sold the “low blow” while the crowd chastised King, chanting “That’s not legal.” LOL. And though King did, technically, low blow Evans, he refused to take advantage of it. Cut to commercial.
Back from the break, and King had the advantage. Evans gained it back, however, and hit a rolling stunner-turned-suplex on King. He then hit a slingshot crossbody for a good near-fall. King moved out of the way of a moonsault attempt but was hit with a superkick by Evans, for a two-count.
The two men traded blows and Evans gained the advantage again with a kick, followed by a frog splash for another two-count. King recovered and hit a Backstabber and fisherman slam for a two-count of his own. Trying to keep the advantage, King attempted to finish Evans off but got hit with another superkick, followed by a corkscrew splash, which gave Evans the win.
Je’Von Evans defeated Lexis King
Evans asked King for a handshake, which King refused…only because he wanted to hug him instead. The two hugged it out as we cut backstage to Nathan Frazer and Axiom.
Frazer said he got a chance at the Iron Survivor match, and that upset Axiom, who was annoyed that Frazer was attempting singles gold. His point was that the two should focus on tag-teaming. Frazer blew him off, and said he wanted some tips from Axiom about how to win. While those two bickered, Luca, Stacks, and OTM entered the fray and began bickering themselves.
Various plugs for next week’s show and a football game that I don’t care about aired next, followed by a shot of King entering his locker room, looking frustrated. Hank, Tank, and Chen told King he had a good match, which transitioned into Gallus appearing to argue with Hank and Tank.
Fallon Henley and Kelani Jordan made their respective entrances for the Women’s North American Championship match.
Fallon Henley (with Jasmyn Nyx and Jacy Jayne) vs. Kelani Jordan for the NXT Women’s North American Championship
The two women began the match with a collar-elbow-tie-up, which saw Henley back into the ropes for a rope break. Henley then hit Jordan with a big chop, which pissed off Jordan and the two women began talking smack in each others’ faces. Jordan dragged Henley’s arm with, uhm, an arm drag, but Henley dodged a dropkick and charged Jordan into the corner. Jordan nailed a dropkick to send Henley to ringside.
Jordan tried a plancha, but it Henley dodged it and then slammed Jordan’s head into the announce table. Jordan got out of it and performed a backflip, nailing Henley with the backs of her boots into the commercial break.
A PIP showed the various tag teams from the earlier segment brawling with each other. FORESHADOWING! Jordan had Henley down on the mat, and hit a rolling shooting star press. Henley recovered and hit Jordan with a Blockbuster, followed by her spinning flatliner for a two-count. Both women ascended the top rope, and Jordan hit Henley with a Super Spanish Fly for another two-count.
Jordan attempted a 450 Splash, but Henley dodged and tried a leg scissors rollup, which Jordan kicked out of. Jordan regained control, hitting an Angle Slam, followed by her “One of a King” maneuver. Nyx got involved in the match and received a superkick for her troubles. Jacy Jayne also got involved, hitting Jordan in the face while the referee was distracted. Henley hit her Fame-Asser on Jordan for the win.
Fallon Henley defeated Kelani Jordan to retain the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Following the match, Lucien Price and Bronco Nima came out and bullied Vic Joseph, stealing his headset and calling out any other NXT teams. A bunch of them came out, many of whom have names I don’t know, and everybody brawled to close the show.
Another women-heavy NXT show, and that’s not a bad thing. While some of the matches were glorified squash matches, the opening and closing matches were the show-stealers, and Wes Lee vs. Cedric Alexander and Je’Von Evans vs. Lexis King were very good as well! Thanks for following your instincts and joining us tonight (that’s my attempt at a catchphrase)! We’ll see you next week.