NXT ‣

[Deco90]

What a treat, an NXT & NXT Evolve to review.

I've been looking forward to checking out these shows man and right off the bat - the presentation as always is beautiful and the GFX just make everything pop so nice man!

NXT #468 REVIEW:

- Good opening to the show starting with the 'Megastar' LA Knight - Yeeaaaaahhh! I actually really like Knight giving Cal a new name, and a nick-name to boot. I don't know, 'The Mountain' - Just makes him sound like somebody already. Gives him some importance. The rivalry bubbling along nicely with the Champ-Champ, big Bronson Reed too.

- Nice win for the Way with Gargano & Lumis back on terms again. Hit Row observing the action too.

- Simple segment but effective with 'Big Mami Cool' preparing for her Warriors Way Match. Nice way to just add some anticipation and build up while retracting the story of what Raquel is in this fight with Tian Sha

- Bold from Sterling as he looks to challenge KUSHIDA next week! Don't see him winning but I'm fine with this and maybe it opens up a match slot for KUSHIDA to defend the Title at the PPV should he retain also.

- Big win for Theory overcoming aggressive style of Oney. Honestly, so pumped for this lucky 7 ladder match! Shaping up with great with the entrants and we've got the town hall promo to come too.

- Indi telling the challengers it's going to take more than matching neon hair colors to defeat her and Candice haha!

- I'm liking Nigel as the head honcho of NXT and how he's running the show. Match set for next week and no doubt some hijinx to come from LA Knight to make sure the match doesn't go smoothly as one on one.

- It wasn't looking good for Jiro & Grey, and that came to light with losing to Adonis & Top Dolla. The fall out peaking most of the interest here though with the appearance of Curt Stallion - Interesting!

- Cool segment with Legado seemingly on this rebirth path, returning to their roots in Mexico. Interested to see what this leads too, and where they go from here.

- As expected, KUSHIDA accepting the match and we are on!

- Could we really have a town hall segment without it ending in a brawl? of course not! I did enjoy this though - Man, Joe came across as a savage with his words Haha! Telling O-Reilly to find himself another tag partner to carry him once again was a highlight for me. Good stuff here and it created more excitement for the match to come. Job done.

- I LOVE what you are doing with Bobby Fish Haha! This promo with Grimes was fun.

- Main Event time! That graphic is so nice - One of my favourites that you have done. I've enjoyed how much you have used Tian Sha and what you are doing with the group, because I do feel like it was a missed oppertunity IRL despite what started off pretty good. I like how you set the tone describing how the arena looked, and really capturing that Chinese feel.

Really fun match man! A lot of moving parts with people getting involved but this was expected and needed to be honest. Dakota Kai returning and almost exercising her demons in the form of Mei Ying was a nice touch and ending the show with her and Raquel standing tall in celebration was cool.

Overall; Good show and a super easy read. We are bubbling nicely to High Stakes which I really cannot wait to read. The Lucky 7 match and how you book the Bronson/Knight matches are particularly exciting and interesting to me. Show presentation is always on point and the GFX were beautiful.

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NXT EVOLVE #5 REVIEW:

- Firstly, I dig the colour change of the logo.

- McGuinness blaming the chaos of the lucky 7 town hall on Regals regime Haha!

- First match and it's a BIG test for 'The Mountain' up against Josh Briggs. As expected, it's a win for the newly named Cal Lannister and that's obviously the right call ahead of facing the Champion, Bronson next week on NXT.

- Interesting that you are using Cora alongside Baxter as they were a couple around this time when they both joined NXT. It's also a good way to slowly introduce Cora. I quite like Trey Baxter, and with the Cruiserweight Championship, I feel like he's going to have a place on the show long-term but we will see.

Rust seemingly cutting ties with Bivens is interesting too.

- Good win for Thatcher bouncing back from the Lucky 7 Qualifying loss last week. I loved the finish of him reversing the powerslam into the Fujiwara armbar and securing the win via submission.

- Nice little hype promo for KUSHIDA vs Sterling

- I like the pairing of Grey & Stallion. Very cutting words in regards to Drake & Jiro.

- Welp! A plucky start from Baxter before Dain cuts the fun and games and takes care of business by destroying 'All Heart' with three Vader bombs to really show his dominance. Out comes Thatcher to stop any further damage. LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!

- Enjoyed that segment and what you are doing with Diamond Mine and using someone like Ruas. Good stuff, man.

- Main Event Time! Seeing Carmelo on this show really shows how much talent you have to play with, and is still yet to come from the performance centre without even the need to bring anyone in. Kinda crazy.

Oh wow! I was not expecting that ending! Hayes on course to win the match but Kona seemingly debuting his own faction. The Kona bloodline haha! I'm going to assume it's Solo & Quinn? If so, I'm totally down! Again, I do love how you use and showcases the less obvious characters and get them involved - it's definitely a real booking strength you have.

Overall; Good show again bro! Evolve is such a nice side-show to NXT and just gives you the chance to use some of the newer faces and lesser known talents. It works well and you've got the blend right without totally making it an obvious B-show by keeping it interesting with it's own feuds and such happening on the show.

 

[Looking Glass]

​

• [FEATURED STORY:] Earlier today, WWE posted a digital exclusive featuring the NXT Women's Champion, Raquel González, alongside Mercedes Martinez and Dakota Kai. The champion appeared to be banged up following the brutal Warrior's Way match but that didn't prevent her from celebrating the defeat of Mei Ying and Tian Sha. Raquel thanks Mercedes for keeping Xia Li and Boa at bay and stepping up when no one else in the locker room would. Turning to Dakota - who played a pivotal role in the match result - González says that even through Dakota's eye injury, she is still the toughest, most resilient woman in NXT. The champion exits briefly to grab a water bottle.

"The Brass City Badass" begins to interrogate the New Zealand native. Firstly, she gives kudos to Kai for her part in the match, she then asks how she could tell that it was Ying she was striking with her cane, even with her impaired sense of vision. Kai smirks, turning just enough to come face to face with Mercedes and says that since she and Raquel are so close, she just had a feeling that the person in front of her wasn't her friend. Martinez scoffs that it's just as well that Kai isn't cleared to return to the ring yet, otherwise she might be trying to challenge for the belt.

Returning to the room, González appears optimistic to see the pair interact unaware of Martinez's doubts. Mercedes asks Raquel if she remembers their deal (about her being first in line to compete for the title next). Raquel confirms that she's a woman of her word and says she will speak to Nigel McGuinness about granting a match between the pair. However, before any deal can be done, a knock is heard at the door and the General Manager enters. McGuinness says that he was on his way to congratulate Raquel on her title defence when he overheard the deal being done.

Nigel says that he is the man who makes things official and while he admires Mercedes' tenacity and all her years of hard work on the independent scene, she will have to prove herself if she wants to compete at NXT TakeOver: High Stakes. Outraged, both Martinez and González ask the former ROH Pure Champion to reconsider. McGuinness says that the women's division is on fire right now and he wants to do it justice by featuring top-tier women's wrestling on his show, so next week there'll be two contender matches, with the winners going on to the go-home show to determine who will be going to Vegas. Kai looks silently smug as she listens to the twist of events unfold. An unimpressed Martinez asks who she has to beat first, to which McGuinness confirms the 'resident rock star' and 'trailblazer' of NXT, former UK Women's Champion and Mae Young Classic trophy holder, Toni Storm.

The segment ends with McGuinness wishing Martinez luck as the champion tries to remain positive for her. Kai on the other hand, tries to hide how hilarious she finds the whole affair.

Mercedes Martinez will collide with Toni Storm next Tuesday on NXT. Sarray vs. Franky Monet has also been added to the card. Both winners will face each other the following week for a shot at Raquel González for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: High Stakes.

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• Despite mixed reactions from the fans, backstage officials were pleased with the presentation of Tian Sha and the overall execution of the Warrior's Way match. The stipulation of the match was designed to allow Mei Ying to lose cleanly without having to take the pin, although as of writing there are no solid plans to bring "The Mother" back. Boa and Xia Li are still expected to make appearances, although the stable as a whole may be rested while creative decide which direction to take the stable next (if any).

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• Both Hit Row and The Way (Dexter Lumis and Johnny Gargano) won their qualifying matches to be added to the triple threat tag team match at NXT TakeOver: Hight Stakes. The two teams will now face MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) for the NXT Tag Team titles in Las Vegas. Despite Ashante Adonis and Top Dolla competing in the qualifier match, it was indicated that Hit Row may use a variation of the freebird rule (typically used to allow tag champions to alternate defences between stable members) to allow Swerve Scott to compete at the event.

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• This past week also saw tensions boil over between the Lucky 7 Ladder match competitors (Samoa Joe, Finn Bálor, Kyle O'Reilly, Pete Dunne and Austin Theory). NXT General Manager, Nigel McGuinness, later announced on NXT Evolve that he intended to punish the talents involved for breaking the no-contact rule. While it's likely that a multi-man tag team match will be announced over the next few weeks, there are also rumours that this punishment has been used to introduce a new match could the premium live event.

Next week, Cameron Grimes will look to outsmart "The Infamous" Bobby Fish in the penultimate qualifying match before a final entrant will be determined a last chance fatal four way the following week.

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• The main event of Thursday's NXT Evolve saw Carmelo Hayes defeat "The Finest" Kona Reeves via disqualification following outside interference from two unknown men. Recent episodes have seen Reeves taken issue with Melo after the latter snubbed his offer of an alliance. It now seems that the Hawaiian-born Superstar has exacted his revenge by recruiting two new Superstars to help in Hayes' takedown.

The first figure has been identified as the Performance Center's Daniel Vidot, a former National Rugby League player in Australia. Vidot is of Samoan descent and has previously represented Samoan team between 2013 and 2015 and has been signed with the company since 2018. The second man is recent signee, Joseph Fatu, son of Hall of Famer, Rikishi, and younger brother of Jimmy and Jey Uso (and cousin of WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns). Fatu has been active on the independent scene since 2018 and is seen as a rising star, hence the quick debut. Accordingly to the backstage sheetlist, Vidot will be going by the name Xyon Quinn and Fatu has been named Solo Sikoa.

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• There are discussion of bringing back the NXT Breakout Tournament sometime in the year. The tournament was initially introduced back in 2019 and won by Jordan Myles, who would go on to unsuccessfully challenge Adam Cole for NXT Championship. While Myles would later depart the company, the tournament introduced a number of recognised talents such as Dexter Lumis, Cameron Grimes, Joaquin Wilde and NXT Champion Bronson Reed. While further details are not known, the premise of using the tournament to introduce new talents could mean that we'll see it hosted on NXT Evolve.

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• [THIS PAST WEEK ON NXT UK:]

Blair Davenport def. Xia Brookside: Blair Davenport continued her winning streak by defeating Xia Brookside. Davenport dominated most of the match, showcasing her prowess with a basement dropkick and vicious knee strikes. After the match, Davenport further humiliated Brookside by dropping her head-first onto a symbol in the ring.

Jack Starz & Dave Mastiff def. Danny Jones & Josh Morrell: The new tag team of Jack Starz and Dave Mastiff had an impressive debut, defeating Danny Jones and Josh Morrell. Combining power and speed, Starz and Mastiff overcame their opponents, with Mastiff scoring the pinfall after a running headbutt from Starz and a cannonball.

A-Kid def. Jordan Devlin (in a 30-Minute WWE Iron Man Match): In a heated rivalry, A-Kid triumphed over Jordan Devlin in a 30-minute Iron Man match with a 2-1 score. Devlin initially led with a submission, but A-Kid equalized with an armbar and took the final lead with a verbal submission. Despite Devlin's desperate attempts in the final moments, A-Kid held on for the win.

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UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS ‣

NXT TAKEOVER: HIGH STAKES [TAKEOVER #36] ‣ SUNDAY 22 AUGUST, 2022
SAM'S TOWN HOTEL & GAMBLING HALL ‣ LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

CONFIRMED MATCHES:

CHAMPION vs. 'CHAMPION':
WINNER TAKES ALL MATCH FOR THE NXT, NORTH AMERICAN & MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPIONSHIP
BRONSON REED vs. LA KNIGHT

THE LUCKY 7 LADDER MATCH:
HIGH RISK. HIGH REWARD.
SAMOA JOE vs. FINN BÁLOR vs. KYLE O'REILLY vs. PETE DUNNE vs. AUSTIN THEORY vs. 2 SUPERSTARS TBD

TRIPLE THREAT TAG TEAM MATCH:
FOR THE NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
MSK [NASH CARTER & WES LEE] vs. THE WAY [DEXTER LUMIS & JOHNNY GARGANO]
vs. HIT ROW [ASHANTE ADONIS/SWERVE SCOTT/TOP DOLLA] w/ B-FAB

TAG TEAM MATCH:
FOR THE NXT WOMEN'S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE WAY [CANDICE LERAE & INDI HARTWELL] w/ PERSIA PIROTTA
vs. SHOTZI & TEGAN NOX

​

 

[Looking Glass]

NXT [EPISODE #469] ‣ "WHAT'S NeXT" PREVIEW​

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We are one week away from NXT TakeOver: High Stakes, and tensions between our double NXT Champion, Bronson Reed, and the Million Dollar Champion, LA Knight, continue to soar. Last week, the number contender solidified his alliance with the newly renamed, Cal Lannister, who turned on Reed the week before. The young Superstar's betrayal seems to have woken Aus-Zilla as the champion vented his frustrations on The Mountain, while the Megastar made a getaway.

In response, NXT General Manager, Nigel McGuinness, made a judgment call to allow the double champion to compete against Lannister just days ahead of the premium live event in Las Vegas. While Reed has shown us before that he's not afraid to take on allcomers, will Knight's presence on commentary stack the odds further against the NXT Champion?

Speaking of Nigel McGuinness. If you tuned into NXT Evolve last week, you would have heard the General Manager apologise to the WWE Universe for the altercation that took place between the Lucky 7 Ladder match participants in the town hall meeting. McGuinness has stated that he isn't going to let his roster run riot across NXT like his predecessor, whether you agree with that statement or not, Mr McGuinness has confirmed that he will be addressing the WWE Universe this week and intends to set an example...

The Exclamation Point of NXT, Ari Sterling, has set out to make an impression since his debut back in May. Unlike many number one contenders *cough* LA Knight *cough*....Excuse me. Unlike many number contenders, Sterling has opted to pay respect to the champion, assisting the Time Splitter, Kushida, on more than one occasion. However, respect aside, Sterling had decided there was no time like the present and set the challenge to the champion to fight for the title this Tuesday - a challenge Kushida would accept.

Despite having a target on his back, the NXT Cruiserweight Champion has been dominant in his matches, overcoming the likes of independent talent, Alex Shelley, NXT UK's Jordan Devlin and even Raw Superstars, Mansoor and Mustafa Ali. But will this Tuesday mark the end of Kushida's dominance over the cruiserweight division or will Sterling merely be another number in the champion's winning record?

The Lucky 7 Qualifiers are nearly at an end, with the penultimate match airing on this week's NXT. Since losing the Million Dollar Championship, Cameron Grimes has been trying to fight his back to glory, only to be ridiculed and critiqued by "The Infamous" Bobby Fish. In recent weeks, Fish has seemed to isolate himself from the rest of the NXT locker room with his scathing reviews and general obnoxiousness, pitting himself as a cut above the rest.

Not one to be deterred, Grimes personally requested the opportunity to showcase his skills against the pompous veteran and make him eat humble pie. However, it's not just bragging rights up for grabs in this bout, the winner will join Samoa Joe, Finn Bálor, Kyle O'Reilly, Pete Dunne and Austin Theory, claiming the sixth spot in the Lucky 7 match. So will Grimes be able to hit the jackpot or will he be upstaged by "The Infamous One" yet again?

As confirmed last week, there will be a contact signing for the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship match at NXT TakeOver: High Stakes. United by mutual enemies, Shotzi and Tegan Nox have found some tag team chemistry over recent weeks, culminating in their victory in the contender's gauntlet match - much to the annoyance of Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae.

Don't forget that the reason for the contract signing to take place public was to ensure that the Women's Tag Team champions couldn't pull any stunts ahead of their match, this follows "The Wicked Stepsisters" shifty behaviour as of late. So will all involved be able to sign their names without any conflict or will it end up like so many contract signings before it and devolve into chaos? I guess you'll have to watch to find out.

Mercedes Martinez has found herself an unlikely ally to the NXT Women's Champion, Raquel González, in her pursuit to take out Tian Sha. Having helped the champion to achieve that in last week's brutal Warrior's Way Match, "The Brass City Bruiser" decided it was time to call in her debts and remind "Big Mami Cool" what she was owed. However, Nigel McGuinness had other ideas and reaffirmed that he was the one who was paid to make the matches. In a digital exclusive, the GM announced that there will be two women's matches this week, with each winner entering a number one contender's match on the go-home edition of NXT next week.

Now, just two matches stand in the way of Martinez and a shot at the title but her opponent - Toni Storm - has her own point to prove. Armed with her Mae Young Classic trophy, Storm has positioned herself at the top of the NXT Women's locker room and is demanding the WWE Universe give her the flowers she deserves. With both women jockeying to become the number one contender, who will walk out the better woman?

Since Sarray arrived in NXT, she has both wowed the WWE Universe but found herself on the wrong side of both The Brand and in particular Toni Storm. Now, "The Warrior of the Sun" has an opportunity to contend for the NXT Women's Championship and score some revenge on the CEO of The Brand, Franky Monet. Both of these ladies have managed to remain undefeated in singles competition, making a victory even more essential. However, we've often found things between these competitors spiral out of control due to the taunting and tactics of Monet, Jessi Kamea and Aliyah. With Zoey Stark in her corner, will her friend's presence with a help or a hinderance when she squares off against "The Premiere Blonde".

​

 

[Stojy]

Have finally caught up with everything in here and think you're doing a really good job. The Reed/Knight feud has been built well and the repacking of Cal Lannister has worked well too. Intrigued to see how Nigel lays down the law after everybody in the Lucky 7 match ignored him and fought each other last week. Kushida title reign has been fun so far and I expect it to continue after a win over Sterling, and I'm a fan of the character you've given Bobby Fish in here. Needless to say, hoping he qualifies. Indi and especially Candice not wanting to defend the tag titles has been a solid enough angle, so this contract signing planned works well. It did feel like Martinez should be the next challenger, then these matches got thrown together. I expect her to get through anyway, as she seems like the most interesting challenger due to her current alliance with the champ, unless you're playing long game with that.

Anyway, just some quick rushed thoughts, because you're doing a good job here. Looking forward to the next show, and FINALLY getting to High Stakes. Literally years in the making lol...

 

[Looking Glass]

NXT [EPISODE #469] ‣ TUESDAY 10 AUGUST, 2021
CAPITOL PERFORMANCE CENTER ‣ ORLANDO, FLORIDA​

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​

High Stakes may still be two weeks away, but tonight's episode of NXT proved that the brand was not slowing down on the road to Vegas. Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett introduce us to the show, while various backstage shots are shown, with LA Knight and his protégé, Cal Lannister, pulling up in a flashy-looking car. Meanwhile, it's all business with the NXT and NXT North American Champion, Bronson Reed, who is warming up and looking to take out his frustrations on "The Mountain" later this evening. The cameras cut to a split screen of the NXT Cruiserweight Champion, Kushida, and his number one contender, Ari Sterling, who are both seen confidently walking the halls, one dreaming of extending his dominant reign of the cruiserweight division and the other hoping to claim it for himself in tonight's opening match.

Also to come, Nigel McGuiness will address the WWE Universe following the breakdown of last week's Lucky 7 town hall meeting and the breach of the no-contact rule. Plus, the penultimate spot in the Lucky 7 match would be claimed as Cameron Grimes looked to silence the critiques of "The Infamous" Bobby Fish.

Despite a decisive title defence last week, Raquel González will have no time to rest as McGuinness confirmed that two matches would take place tonight to begin the search for her opponent at Takeover, with the international sensation, Sarray, competing against the calculated and catty Franky Monet, while "Rockstar" Toni Storm would battle González's ally, Mercedes Martinez.

​

But first, keeping with the women's division would be the official contract signing for the NXT Women's Tag Team title match at High Stakes, featuring the challengers, Tegan Nox and Shotzi, and the (reluctantly) defending champions Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell.

The show opens with a dramatic view of the Capitol Performance Center, the ring is dressed for the official contract signing as a table is set for a sit down between champions and challengers. Malcolm Bivens - who may have recently found himself without any clientele - announces that he has been appointed as the witness to tonight's proceedings as he welcomed first the reigning NXT Women's Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell, who are joined by Persia Pirotta. Bivens then introduces the challengers, Tegan Nox and Shotzi, who ride the TCB Tank out to a pop from the crowd.

Bivens says that this shouldn't take too long and that Mr McGuinness simply wants a simple signature from each competitor. Shotzi and Nox take no time to sign their names on the dotted line, much to the delight of Bivens who tells the champions that time is money. Indi signs her name and looks to her mentor, who hesitates to sign the contract. Bivens says he was warned that LeRae might be difficult and reminds her that Nigel McGuinness has stipulated that if The Way doesn't defend the titles at High Stakes, they will forfeit the belts. Indi nudges "The Wicked Stepsister" trying to convince her to sign but Candice takes the microphone. LeRae says that she feels micromanaged and harassed by the NXT General Manager and would hate for a complaint to jeopardise his position, which she can 'only assume' would be under review. Shotzi fires back that she's tired of the stalling, so it's time to put up or shut up.

As the verbal back-and-forth escalates, Persia suddenly slams Shotzi face-first into the wooden table, leading to a chaotic brawl as both Candice and Bivens hastily retreat. "The Welsh Wonder" takes the fight to Persia, as a bewildered Indi looks on, unsure of how to respond. Hartwell turns to Candice on the outside, who orders her to help Persia out. Indi ultimately helps Persia overpower Tegan, delivering a big boot to take her out.

Persia grabs Shotzi by the green locks and drags her to the turnbuckle while Candice cheers on from the outside (using Malcolm Bivens as a human shield). Persia gestures to the table as Indi hesitantly looks to Candice for approval and gives in to the demands. Persia hits a sit-out powerbomb, planting Shotzi through the table as Indi knocks Nox off the apron, preventing any intervention.

Candice claps ecstatically as Persia returns one-half of the title belts to her. The Way retreats as Bivens climbs back into the ring to check on Shotzi, before noticing that the contract hadn't been signed by Candice LeRae.

​

In a competitive opening bout, Kushida successfully defended his title against "The Exclamation Point" Ari Sterling. The challenger had previously decided to call his shot rather than wait until the premium live event after helping "The Time Splitter" fend off Fabian Aichner and Marchel Barthel of Imperium. Both men, known for their dynamic offense and technical prowess showcased their mutual respect with a pre-match handshake before locking up. Sterling pushed the champion to his limits, using his unorthodox aerial attacks and agility to keep the champion on the defensive. A breath-taking springboard moonsault and a stunning standing Shooting Star Press earned Sterling a near fall but Kushida's resilience kept him in the fight.

Kushida was gradually able to take control, targeting Sterling's arm with precision strikes and submission attempts. Despite Sterling's best efforts, including a flipping leg drop from the ropes. Kushida managed to secure the victory with his patented Hoverboard Lock, leaving "The Exclamation Point" with no other options but to tap. After the bell, Kushida helped Sterling to his feet, offering a handshake, and raising his opponent's hand in a show of respect. Though Sterling fell short, his performance proved he belonged amongst the best in the Cruiserweight division. Meanwhile, Kushida stood tall, continuing his impressive reign with the WWE Universe showing their respect.

The cameras followed Kushida out of the ring in a continuous shot as he made his way back to the Gorilla position, where he was stopped by Nigel McGuinness. The NXT General Manager congratulated the champion on his victory before reminding him that while he honoured Sterling's request for a title match, he still had someone who had been waiting to challenge for the belt. Kushida said he was ready for the challenge, which delighted McGuiness, who responded that he would set up a meeting between them next week.

​

Backstage in the women's locker room, NXT Women's Champion Raquel González stood alongside Mercedes Martinez, her arms crossed as she tried to fire up her fellow powerhouse for her upcoming match against Toni Storm. "Big Mami" reminds Martinez that she was one of the toughest women in the independent scene, and has fought the best of the best. Raquel says she's unsure why Nigel McGuinness decided to exert his authority and override the promised title shot she gave to Mercedes but is still confident that she can take care of business. Before "The Brass City Bruiser" can respond, a tapping noise is heard as the two women turn to see the visually impaired Dakota Kai tapping her walking cane as she enters the room.

Dakota feels her way towards the two women before comforting Mercedes, and asking if a title match between Mercedes and Raquel is even good for the group, adding that she never once expected an NXT Women's title shot from the champion. Mercedes points out that she puts herself second to nobody in the women's locker room, and as Raquel stated, she is one of the toughest women in the industry. Martinez says she will beat Toni Storm, and the week after she will defeat whoever she needs to beat to punch her ticket to Las Vegas for herself. Martinez eyes the NXT Women's title over Raquel's shoulder before leaving, having heard enough from Dakota Kai.

Turning their conversation to last week's main event, Raquel warned Dakota to be careful while she's recovering, telling her she doesn't want her putting herself at risk of any further damage. Kota smiled as she reassured Raquel that she would try not to let the adrenaline get the better of her, but pointed out how beneficial her inadvertent distraction was last week in helping her retain the title. While the champion didn't respond, a look of discomfort was apparent on her face.

Back to the ring, Nigel McGuinness stood in the ring, flanked by a large screen. Arms crossed, he shook his head as footage from last week replayed - the chaotic brawl that erupted between the contenders for the Lucky 7 match, despite the strict no-contact rule that he had laid down. McGuinness said the actions last week were a blatant disrespect and had thrown NXT further into disorder - the very thing he vowed to fix. Nigel shook his head, clearly unimpressed. He had come to restore honour after the anarchy of William Regal's tenure, yet these men had spit in the face of his authority.

However, the NXT crowd loved it. Their cheers and chants made it clear they didn't want order; they wanted violence. So while he warned the WWE Universe that he wouldn't stand for it on NXT Evolve last week - if that's what they wanted, that's what they would get. He announced that next week, a trios tag team match would take place, giving each competitor the chance to unleash their aggression before Takeover, thus ending the no-contact rule.

Before he could continue, Samoa Joe's music hit. The Capitol Center filled with boos as "The Samoan Submission Machine" marched down, mic in hand, unfazed by the audience's reaction. He claimed that no one in NXT understood honour better than him (a call back to his history in Ring of Honor), despite what people thought. But for all the chaos, Nigel had made the right decision. He claims that McGuinness brought him back to NXT to encourage everyone else to step up and he's doing exactly that. Joe warned that now all bets were off, not all of his opponents would make it to High Stakes.

This would bring out Pete Dunne, who made his way to the ring. He didn't buy Joe's self-importance, calling him old news. Dunne said that Joe's return to NXT was 'clickbait' and that if Nigel was looking for someone to carry the brand on their shoulders, then he needn't look any further. Dunne says that the old-timers, who have been lucky enough to qualify need to do themselves a favour and hope they pick the briefcase with the pink slip because once he had taken the NXT Championship from Bronson Reed or LA Knight, there would be no stopping the "King of NXT". He says that he was the one who set everything into motion last week by throwing the first punch and that he wasn't just a participant - he was the spark.

Then, Austin Theory's music hit. Grinning, Theory walked onto the stage mockingly applauding Dunne's speech. He found both Dunne and Joe's bravado amusing, saying that they could puff their chests all they want but neither would be taking him out ahead of High Stakes. Theory says that this opportunity is a milestone in his career, and whatever title opportunity he was able to achieve would help guide him to where he needed to be. Theory says that he knows he's the future of NXT, regardless of how that looked because he had seen the way.

Before he could continue, the crowd popped for Finn Bálor, who wasted no time stepping up and making it clear that he had no problem facing any of them. Bálor said that while he respected Dunne's ambition, he's not even a 'prince' let alone a King, and while there was no doubt of Theory's potential, he first needed to escape the Cult of Gargano and develop a sense of independent thought. Bálor would then turn his attention to Samoa Joe, telling him his card was marked and that he would banish him from NXT, regardless of the outcome of the Lucky 7 match.

As the tension escalated between the men in the ring, another theme would hit - Kyle O'Reilly. The crowd erupted as "Cool Kyle" walked onto the stage, rolling his shoulders a smirking. But unlike Pete Dunne, who had strutted out earlier with arrogance, O'Reilly's confidence was more measured - sharper, like a man who had been through wars and knew he could hang with the best. With a mic in hand, Kyle sauntered down the ramp, eying each man before stepping into the ring. He took a long pause letting the anticipation build. Then he shook his head with an amused chuckle.

Kyle reminded the men in the ring that he had already sent Adam Cole packing, and he would gladly do the same to any of them if that meant he got the chance to hold the NXT Championship. O'Reilly says he has had enough of everyone else getting to inflate their egos and acting like his accomplishments were 'lesser than'. He acknowledges that some of his opponents are battle-tested, while some are hungry for the opportunity, but if everyone in the ring thought they were that guy heading into the Lucky 7, then he was here to remind them otherwise because he was no longer a background character.

With each man staring daggers at each other, the situation teetered on the edge of absolute chaos. Nigel McGuinness could already see where this was headed. He sighed and shook his head, muttering to himself before raising the mic again. This was exactly why he had taken precautions. Exactly why he made the call to someone who could command the ring. Someone who could step in and remind everyone what real dominance looked like.

The arena held its breath.

Then...

WALTER

The NXT UK Champion's theme hit like a gunshot. The entire energy in the building shifted. The moment his imposing frame stepped onto the stage, every man in the ring, some of the toughest, most battle-hardened wrestlers in the company - paused. Joe, who had been smirking moments ago, suddenly found himself adjusting his stance. Bálor's usual confidence became measured, Dunne clenched his jaw, while Austin Theory took half a step back and O'Reilly's smile faltered for a second.

Instead of attacking each other, the six men turned their attention to WALTER. They circled him, analysing, calculating. The instinct to fight hadn't disappeared - it had simply redirected.

But WALTER stood there, unfazed. Unmoving.

His presence alone was enough to make some of the most dangerous men in NXT think twice. And then, one by one, they made the smart decision and backed away. Their animosity is to be continued in next week's trios match,

McGuinness smirked at the sight. He put over WALTER as the true standard of dominance. But WALTER, never one for empty praise, simply took the microphone and delivered a simple, pointed message - High Stakes was around the corner, and if McGuinness truly believed in him as a champion, enough to take all these measures to bring him over from the UK at this time, then where was his match?

The crowd buzzed, knowing a challenge had been issued. Caught off guard but unwilling to back down, Nigel nodded. He promised WALTER a worthy challenge of his own. As the cameras lingered on WALTER, standing alone in the ring while the rest of NXT's elite lingered on the outside, the message was clear - this wasn't just any champion. This was WALTER.

After the break: The build towards the Lucky 7 match continues as "The Infamous" Bobby Fish vs. Cameron Grimes.

​

Back from the break, Zoey Stark is standing beside McKenzie Mitchell, ready for her interview. With the recent NXT Women's Championship contender matches taking place over the next two weeks, McKenzie asks how Zoey felt about being overlooked for an opportunity. Ever the professional Zoey tries to keep her emotions in check. She acknowledged that NXT has a stacked women's division and that competition was fierce. While she respected the process, she couldn't deny feeling disappointed - especially with High Stakes being hosted in her home state. She had been grinding, proving herself every week, yet somehow, her name hadn't been in the conversation. Still, if she couldn't get the chance, she was glad her friend Sarray had. Zoey believed in "The Warrior of the Sun's" talent and was fully behind her in the hunt for the title.

Before she could say any more, Franky Monet strolls into the frame, flanked by Aliyah and Jessi Kamea. With an exaggerated sigh, Franky smirked, clearly unimpressed. She tells Zoey it was no surprise she had been overlooked - after all, how could anyone remember her when she had zero personality and no signature look? Franky, on the other hand, had star power in spades. She was a global attraction, a true world-class competitor who had wrestled all over the planet. While Sarray may have won over the WWE Universe with flashy moves, Franky Monet was the real deal.

Aliyah and Jessi laughed as Franky continued, casually suggesting that Zoey could learn a thing or two from The Brand. Zoey scoffed, making it clear she would never associate with them. But instead of being offended, The Brand burst into laughter. Regaining her composure, Franky leaned in slightly, her tone suddenly shifting to something more serious. She told Zoey to pass a message to her friend Sarray. Then, in flawless Japanese, she issued a cold, menacing threat 0 one that even took Zoey by surprise.

With a satisfied smirk, Franky flipped her hair and led Aliyah and Jessi away, leaving Zoey standing there, seething but also uneasy about Sarray's match later that evening.

​

Elsewhere backstage, Austin Theory paced back and forth, frustration written all over his face about how he was treated by the other Lucky 7 competitors. Austin says that he came out to prove he belonged in the match, but instead, he had been made to look like a joke. Johnny Gargano, watching his protégé unravel, held up his hands in an attempt to calm him down. He reminded Theory to breathe, to not let a little disrespect get under his skin. He had been in NXT long enough to know that talk is cheap and losing his cool wouldn't help.

Meanwhile, Dexter Lumis stood at an easel, silently painting without a care in the world. Gargano, realizing that Theory needed to clear his head, patted him on the back and told him to take five. Frustrated but knowing his mentor was right, Theory sighed and walked off, leaving Johnny Wrestling alone with Lumis.

Just then, Hit Row swaggered into the frame.

Swerve Scott, followed by Top Dolla, Ashante Adonis and B-Fab, smirked as he took in the scene. He asked if there was trouble in paradise, clearly amused by Theory's outburst. Before Gargano could fire back, Swerve shifted gears, offering congratulations on The Way qualifying for the NXT Tag Team Championship match at High Stakes.

Swerve grinned, his confidence undeniable. He made it clear that he couldn't wait to beat both The Way and MSK at High Stakes and leave with the titles. Right on cue, MSK arrived, the NXT Tag Team Champions were not about to let that comment slide. Wes Lee and Nash Carter smirked as they stepped up to Hit Row, reminding them that it wasn't going to be that easy. MSK were champions for a reason. They had taken on the best and always found a way to win.

Tensions built as the three teams exchanged words. Gargano, always the loudest in the room, made sure to get his jabs in, hyping himself and Lumis up as the ones to watch. Meanwhile, Lumis remained silent and focused on his painting.

Suddenly, "The Tortured Artist" turns his easel around, revealing his latest masterpiece. The image depicted the three male members of Hit Row on one side of the ring, with the NXT Tag Team Champions, himself and Gargano on the other. There was a brief pause as everyone took in the painting. Then, MSK grinned and immediately jumped in, agreeing that they could find a way to preview what was to come at High Stakes in trios action next week. Before anyone else could react, Johnny Gargano without hesitation, threw himself into the match, volunteering to represent The Way.

Hit Row exchanged glances, then nodded in approval. B-Fab smirked, calling it Lumis' best work yet. Suggesting he can paint another one after they win the match next week, or better still after they take the titles.

With that, Wes Lee said he would make sure next week's match would happen. As the teams walked off, the camera lingered on Dexter Lumis - calm, collected and completely unbothered, despite being left out of his creation.

With a spot in the Lucky 7 match at High Stakes (and presumably featuring in next week's trios match), Cameron Grimes and Bobby Fish locked up in a highly competitive contest. Grimes, a fan favourite, had earned the respect of the WWE Universe with his heart and determination, while Fish - fully embracing his "Infamous" persona - had spent the past few weeks mocking and critiquing Grimes at every turn. Tonight, he had the chance to prove his superiority in the ring.

From the start, Fish played mind games, mockingly applauding Grimes after every exchange, even at points trying to correct his opponent's technique. After a clean break in the corner, Fish dramatically adjusted an invisible cravat, scoffing at Grimes as if his presence in this match was beneath him.

Grimes, however, wasn't in the mood for games. He exploded with his trademark high-energy offence, rocking Fish with quick arm drags, a running hurricana, and a standing moonsault (the second of the night). Fish was forced to roll to the outside as the crowd roared with Grimes leading a loud "TO THE MOON" chant. Ever the opportunist, "The Infamous One", used the distraction to pull Grimes face-first into the steel steps before rolling him back into the ring.

From there, Fish methodically picked apart Grimes, targeting his legs with brutal shin kicks, a devastating dragon screw, and a relentless kneebar, all while berating him mid-match. He dramatically posed after each successful hold, soaking in the crowd's boos like a stage actor revelling in a monologue.

Grimes fought back, feeding off the crowd's energy He escaped a guillotine choke and mounted a comeback, landing a spinning powerslam, a superkick and a poison rana that left Fish reeling. With momentum on his side, Grimes set up for a Cave-In, but as he ran the ropes, Fish suddenly collapsed to the mat, clutching his knee in agony.

Referee, Tom Castor, hesitated for a moment, checking on Fish - which is exactly what he wanted. As Grimes stepped forward, Fish sprang to life, jabbing a thumb into his eye while the official's view was blocked. Seizing the moment, Fish delivered a vicious roundhouse kick ("The Final Act") to the head of Grimes. From there, he hooked the tights on a roll-up, stealing the three!

As the bell rang, "Swan Lake" was barely audible amongst the boos from the crowd. Fish immediately shot back up to his feet, his "injury" miraculously gone. He bowed theatrically, blowing a smug kiss to the crowd as Grimes recovered, realising he had been played. With the victory, Bobby Fish had qualified for the Lucky 7 match as he sauntered up the ramp, giving patronising applause to Grimes one last time, calling it a "valiant but underwhelming effort".

​

We cut to the interview pit where McKenzie Mitchell is standing with Roderick Strong, whose expression is a mix of frustration and determination after watching the result of the match. With Bobby Fish now qualified for the Lucky 7 match as High Stakes, the focus turned to Strong's journey - one that had hit a roadblock after his failed qualifying attempt weeks ago against Kyle O'Reilly.

Strong admitted that watching Fish win has only fuelled his fire. He wasn't the type to make excuses - he simply needed to be better. He knew what he was capable of, and next week's Last Chance Fatal Four-Way was his shot at proving it. Roddy made it clear that he wasn't content just being 'one of the guys' in NXT. He wanted to stand out, to remind the world that he was one of the best wrestlers on the planet.

Before he could continue, Oney Lorcan walked into the frame, looking agitated. He scoffed at Strong's words shaking his head. Lorcan asked McKenzie where his invite for an interview had disappeared as she shrugged her shoulders. Bluntly, he continued that he was sick and tired of being pushed to the side like he wasn't one of the most dangerous men on the roster. He told Strong he wasn't about to let him, or anyone else, treat this like their redemption story - because if anyone deserved to be in the Lucky 7 match, it was him.

The two men went back and forth. Strong accused Lorcan of playing the victim, reminding him that if he wanted respect, he needed to earn it. Lorcan fired back, saying he didn't need to prove anything to Strong - he would rather punch him in the mouth and take his spot instead.

McKenzie stepped aside as the two men got closer, their tempers flaring. Though no blows were exchanged, the intensity was undeniable. Before things could escalate further, Timothy Thatcher, who would also feature in next week's Last Chance Fatal Four-Way, stepped forward. His presence alone was enough to cause both men to pause.

Thatcher shook his head at the men's bickering. In his usual no-nonsense manner, he told them to save it for next week. Fighting here, in the halls of NXT, wouldn't get them anywhere, but inside the ring, with their backs against the wall, they would have no choice but to prove who was the better man.

Neither man backed down, but they heeded Thatcher's words, exchanging heated glares before walking off in separate directions.

As Thatcher turned to leave himself, the atmosphere took a dark turn.

Killian Dain exploded onto the set like a wrecking ball, blindsiding Thatcher with a brutal attack. Following weeks of mind games, it seemed like "The Beast of Belfast" had been activated. The big man's fury was unmatched as he rag-dolled Thatcher into the equipment crates, then drove him spine-first into the concrete floor. Thatcher groaned in pain, but Dain wasn't finished with his lullaby of woe. He grabbed Thatcher and hurled him into a stack of production boxes, sending them toppling over him.

Chaos erupted as officials and medical personnel rushed in, trying to pry Dain away. Breathing heavily, eyes burning with rage, Dain backed away, his message sent loud and clear. Vic Joseph deemed the event as a completely unprovoked attack, while Wade Barrett speculated that without trying, Thatcher had seemingly found himself the target of a ticking time bomb.

The segment ended with EMTs tending to Thatcher, his position in next week's match now up in the air.

​

Back in the ring, the next match would prove to be particularly important. Both Franky Monet and Sarray were undefeated in singles action, meaning this match carried even more weight. The winner would move on to face either Toni Storm or Mercedes Martinez on next week's episode of NXT, with the winner of that match challenging Raquel González for the Women's Championship at High Stakes.

As the bell rang, Monet exuded confidence, looking to follow up on the threat she made earlier in the evening. Meanwhile, Sarray remained laser-focused, knowing what was at stake. The early exchanges saw "The Platinum Bonde" use her strength and size advantage, controlling the pace with stiff forearms, snap suplexes, and ground attacks designed to slow Sarray's explosive offence.

However, "The Warrior of the Sun" was known for her resilience and technical precision, and managed to weather the early storm. She countered Franky's power moves with lightning-fast chain wrestling, using deep arm drags and quick dropkicks to keep Monet off balance. A brutal running dropkick to Monet's chest sent her tumbling through the topes, forcing her to regroup on the outside.

As Sarray prepared to build momentum, Aliyah and Jessi Kamea of The Brand made their way to ringside, drawing loud boos from the crowd. History looked as if it was about to repeat itself. Sarray had fallen victim to outside interference before, particularly at the hands of The Brand and their 'collaboration' with Toni Storm. Seeing them here spelt trouble.

Inside the ring, Monet capitalised on the distraction, planting Sarray with a spinebuster and transitioning into a double underhook submission, wrenching at Sarray's shoulders. But the "The Warrior of the Sun" refused to quit. Feeding off the energy of the WWE Universe, she managed to fight her way out, rolling through and cracking Monet with a brutal spinning heel kick.

Just as Sarray looked poised to take control, Aliyah and Jessi jumped onto the apron, creating another distraction. Monet smirked, knowing she had the perfect opening - until a familiar figure stormed down the ramp.

Zoey Stark, wielding a kendo stick, came to Sarray's aid.

Without hesitation, Stark swung for the fences, forcing Aliyah and Jessi to scatter in fear. The chaos at ringside caused Monet to turn her attention away for just a second - a second too long.

Sarray seized the moment. As Monet turned back around, she was met with a vicious running dropkick to the face, crushing her against the ropes. Wasting no time, Sarray hit her Sunray Suplex, briding perfectly into a pin for the three count.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Sarray secured her place in next week's contender match. But before she could celebrate, the mood changed as Toni Storm's music hit.

The self-proclaimed pinnacle of the women's division marched out onto the stage, microphone in hand, dressed in her signature black and red attire. Toni shook her head before pausing, letting the moment simmer before finally raising the microphone.

Toni rolled her eyes as she reluctantly congratulated Sarray on her victory, claiming that she finally got her wish - the biggest match of her career, against none other than Toni Storm next week. Toni acknowledges that she hasn't beaten Mercedes yet, but says that it's as good as confirmed. Toni looks around the crowd and tells them to imagine next week's blockbuster match - the great, Toni Storm versus......?

The fans boo as Toni turns back and looks at Sarray, asking her for her name. Toni made it clear that Sarray may have impressed some people, but she wasn't one of them. In her mind, High Stakes was about the best of the best, and Sarray wasn't the best - she was! She scoffed at the idea that Sarray was even part of the same conversation.

Storm ordered Sarray to go to the back and watch how a world-renowned, award-winning sensation won a match (as she held up her scaled-down Mae Young Classic trophy that had become more of a weapon than an accolade). Toni told Sarray not to place any bets on wrestling at High Stakes, because once she was done with her, she'd be left in the dust where she belonged. Toni then tossed the microphone over her shoulder as she made her way to the ring, while an angered Sarray sharply exited.

​

Following the commercial break, Vic and Wade informed us that Timothy Thatcher had been taken to hospital following the brutal attack by Killian Dain earlier tonight. The status of Thatcher's ability to compete in next week's Last Chance Fatal Four-Way match remains uncertain, with Nigel McGuinness stating that he hopes to have an update later this week. It is then confirmed that Dain has been fined as a result of the attack.

They then announce they have received another tape by the order of Legado Del Fantasma, who we last saw in Mexico entering a mysterious warehouse.

The scene opens with a low, flickering light illuminating the walls of an old industrial warehouse, its architecture eerily familiar to those who knew. The air was thick with history, sweat, and the faint echo of past battles. This was no ordinary place. This was hallowed ground - a battleground where legends were forged and forgotten in the same breath.

Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, and Raul Mendoza stood by a shadowy figure, their expressions unreadable but their posture firm. They had come to reclaim something. But the man before them - draped in shadows, his voice thick with authority - wasn't ready to hand it over.

"You do not walk through these doors and claim this temple as your own," the promoter said, his voice carrying the weight of history. "El Gran Jefe does not deal in entitlement. He deals in sacrifice."

The words hung heavy in the air. Escobar, Wilde and Mendoza exchanged glances, their resolve unshaken. Escobar hadn't brought his men here for handouts. They had come to earn their place.

The figure leaned in slightly, considering them for a long moment before nodding.

"Then prove yourselves."

There's then a sudden cut to chaotic motion - the trials begin.

A montage unfolded, soaked in the unmistakable grit and underground energy of the temple.

Wilde ducked under the wild swings of a masked warrior before launching into a springboard tornillio, taking his opponent down in a whirl of motion.

Mendoza fired off a barrage of stiff kicks, each strike landing like a thunderclap, before hoisting a larger adversary into a snap powerslam onto the unrelenting mat.

Escobar, controlled and methodical, countered a high-flying opponent mid-air with a brutal knee, following it up with a Phantom Driver that cracked the ring beneath them.

The battles were unrelenting. No names were spoken. No need for introductions. Only the test mattered.

Sweat dripped from their brows, their chests heaving but LDF stood victorious. Bodies littered the ring around them, the warriors who had tested them and fallen.

Then - a sound. Footsteps.

Slow. Deliberate.

The camera slowly panned up the iron staircase, revealing only the silhouette of a figure watching from above. A presence. A force.

El Gran Jefe.

Legado Del Fantasma stood tall, their moment of triumph giving way to a new, looming question. They had passed the test, but what came next?

The screen cuts to black. The silence was quickly shattered by a low, guttural rumble reverberating through the silence. It's followed by a low, mechanical hiss that rises in intensity as if something ancient and powerful is awakening. The heartbeat sound pulses once more, and then - silence. The presence lingers.

​

Back in the ring, Toni Storm soaks in boos from the crowd with a grin plastered across her face. She's made it clear, before the match has even started, that was already the next challenger for Raquel González's NXT Women's Championship. Toni had told Sarray earlier that she was untouchable - and tonight she would prove it.

The fans rallied behind Mercedes Martinez, who made her way down the ramp with a determined look in her eyes. After weeks of standing beside the champion and taking on Tian Sha, Mercedes was on a promise that she would be rewarded with a title opportunity. But Nigel McGuinness had intervened, and now she had to face Toni in the ring just to get to a contender's match - a title she believed she earned already. "The Brass City Cruiser" had something to prove tonight, not just to Toni Storm but the whole WWE Universe.

The bell rang, and Toni Storm immediately took the cheap route, delivering a hard slap to Mercedes' face and sending her to the corner. Toni taunted the crowd, her attitude in full swing, but Mercedes wasn't phased. She immediately fired back with a series of stiff punches, a beautiful hip toss, and then an explosive forearm smash. Mercedes took control early on with her power and experience, using clotheslines and suplexes to rattle Toni. The fans were firmly behind Martinez as she worked over "The Rockstar's" chest and back with some strong, calculated strikes.

Toni, frustrated by Mercedes' resilience, eventually took the low road again, raking the eyes of her opponent when referee, Aja Smith, wasn't looking, and using her quick, dirty tactics to shift momentum in her favour. Toni kept Mercedes grounded with knee drops, stomps and elbow strikes to the back of her neck, taunting her along the way - irritated by the fact that Martinez was largely considered a pioneer amongst independent women's wrestling.

Every time Mercedes showed signs of fighting back, Toni was able to shut her down as the match became a showcase of two contrasting styles - Toni's underhanded tactics, against Mercedes' strong, no-nonsense approach. Mercedes managed to fight through the pain, using her technical ability to counter Toni's oncoming attack. But Toni was crafty, at one point, trying to choke Mercedes on the ropes, emphasising her self-importance and disrespect for the rules.

As the tension rose, Mercedes locked in a neck crank submission, trying to wear Toni down and set her up for the Martinez special. But just when it looked like Toni might tap, Dakota Kai stumbled her way down from the back, seemingly disoriented. The fans were confused, but Dakota made her way towards the ring as commentary questioned what she was doing out there. Mercedes would break the hold as she went to check on Dakota, allowing Toni to use the opportunity and grab the Mae Young Classic trophy from ringside.

Sensing a threat, Dakota mistakenly grabbed Mercedes' ankle as Smith rolled out of the ring to try and help her to the back. Toni seized the opportunity to clock Martinez with the trophy before quickly discarding it and hitting the Storm One DDT, driving Mercedes' head hard into the mat.

Toni went for the cover as the referee turned around to see the pinfall, successfully making a three-count.

Toni Storm got back to her feet, triumphant in victory as her hand was raised. The crowd responded with loud boos.

Mercedes Martinez, still stunned from the blow, slowly got to her feet, seething with frustration and disbelief. Dakota Kai, who had tried to help looked deeply regretful as she heard Alicia Taylor announce Toni's name as the winner. She tried to apologise, but Mercedes wasn't in the mood to listen.

Raquel González made her way down the ramp to check on Dakota, offering her support, while a furious Mercedes glared at Toni. The picture for the NXT Women's Championship had taken a sharp turn, and Toni's tactics had moved her one step closer to the title, but it was clear that things were far from over for Mercedes Martinez and Dakota Kai - further still, where would this put the champion?

​

Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel are standing in the dimly lit hallway, deep in discussion when they are interrupted by Bronson Reed, who is heading towards the ring for his upcoming match.

The two members of Imperium exchange glances before turning towards the NXT and NXT North American Champion, their expressions shifting to smug amusement. With a sarcastic smirk, Barthel sarcastically wishes Reed luck, while Aichner chuckled, adding that he might need it against "The Mountain" Cal Lannister.

Reed squares his shoulders, reminding the duo that he didn't win his two championship belts by chuckling backstage and instructs them to step aside in a firm tone. Barthel and Aichner glanced at each other, their smirks lingering, but they didn't move.

"Aus-Zilla" warns them not to make him ask a second time as the tension in the air thickens. Before Imperium could react, a deep commanding voice cut through the silence from just off-camera.

"Step aside."

Aichner and Barthel's expressions immediately shifted. They knew that voice. They knew better than to question it.

WALTER stepped into the frame, his imposing presence demanding respect without a single wasted movement. He locked eyes with Bronson Reed, standing directly in his path.

For a moment, neither man said a word. The tension was palpable as they stood face to face, the two front men of NXT from both sides of the Atlantic, sizing each other up - two immovable forces, two dominant powerhouses, both unwilling to back down. Then, after a beat, "The Ring General" gave a slight nod, and Imperium obeyed and stepped aside.

Reed held WALTER's gaze for another moment, then nodded back before continuing on his way. The camera focused on the NXT UK Champion as he watched the NXT Champion disappear down the hall. Aichner and Barthel glanced up at their leader, but WALTER said nothing - his eyes told the story.

​

Ahead of tonight's main event, Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett preview the action-packed go-home edition of NXT next week:

Hit Row faces Johnny Gargano and NXT Tag Team Champions MSK in a trios match.

Toni Storm vs Sarray in a number one contender's match for the NXT Women's Championship.

Oney Lorcan, Roderick Strong, Cameron Grimes, and Timothy Thatcher (TBC) battle in a Last Chance Fatal Four-Way match for the Lucky 7 match.

Finn Bálor, Austin Theory, and Kyle O'Reilly team up against Samoa Joe, Bobby Fish, and Pete Dunne in a Lucky 7 exhibition trios match.

Kushida and WALTER will both find out who they are defending their titles against for their respective matches at NXT TakeOver: High Stakes.

​

In a chaotic main event, Bronson Reed - holder of both the NXT and NXT North American Championships - faces off against "The Mountain" Cal Lannister, who weeks ago had turned on Reed and aligned with LA Knight. The tension is palpable as "Big" Bronson Reed enters the ring with both his titles proudly displayed and an outpour of love and admiration from the fans. Meanwhile, Lannister, now backed by Knight, looks to prove himself following the betrayal and his 'glow up', courtesy of the "Star Maker".

The match starts with Lannister immediately trying to capitalise on Reed's frustration, using cheap shots to wear down the champion. Reed, however quickly demonstrates his raw power and agility, throwing and slamming "The Mountain" in an impressive feat. He looks completely in control, using his years of experience to outshine the rookie at every turn. Lannister, desperate, resorts to cheap shots, but Reed still fights back with fury.

Throughout the match, LA Knight provides commentary, taunting Reed and berating him as a champion. Knight fully believes that he is the face of NXT and the new people's champion, much to the chagrin of Vic. Knight says that Lannister chose to be on the winning team, and that tonight isn't about winning or losing for Cal but simply dusting the ring rust off Bronson (a jab at trying to undermine Bronson as a fighting champion).

The battle spills to the outside as both men collide with barricades and the steel steps. Lannister tries to gain an advantage by using a steel chair, despite warnings from senior official Jason Ayres. Despite this, Reed counters with a huge Samoan Drop onto the concrete floor. Both men are battered, and the chaos intensifies as Ayres continues his ten-count.

As the match approaches its climax, both competitors are on their feet, but neither can fully gain the upper hand. They trade heavy blows, with Reed powering through Lannister's best shots. Reed manages to return Lannister to the ring and avoid getting counted out himself, a he hits a massive clothesline to keep the up-and-comer down. Climbing the ropes, the double champion looks to the commentary desk, glaring at the Million Dollar Champion as he dives off, connecting with the Tsunami for the three-count victory.

Knight immediately jumps up from his seat and claims the chair that Lannister tried to use earlier. He begins to yell at the referee, campaigning that Reed should be disqualified for using too much aggression. The number one contender demands that Reed be punished for his actions but "The Colossal" is having none of it and begins to stalk his High Stakes opponent.

Knight quickly retreats, reminding Reed that they have a no-contact rule ahead of their match. A furious Reed chases Knight to the back, ignoring calls for him to stop. The cameras follow the two men as Knight tries to throw things down on the floor to stop Reed in his tracks, but the double champion continues the chase. Once in the parking lot, Knight managed to flee in his car, speeding off from the arena just as Reed was inches from catching him.

The show ends with Reed standing in the parking lot, staring down the car as it drives off. The intensity of their upcoming winner-takes-all match at NXT TakeOver: High Stakes continues to rise, with both men hungry for the ultimate victory.

​

---

Taped for NXT Evolve:
Grayson Waller takes on Draco Anthony in singles action
Edris Enofe and Malik Blade team up against the debuting Solo Sikoa and Xyon Quinn, who will be accompanied by Kona Reeves
Amari Miller and Zayda Ramier face Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin
Following 'rave review' (singular) Chase Parker and Matt Martel return with a new episode of Ever-Rise Live, featuring special guests Breezango!
The return of Arturo Ruas' Diamond Mine Invitational - who will step up to face the "Vale Tudo Virtuoso"?


Quick Results:
Kushida def. Ari Sterling via submission to retain the NXT Cruiserweight Championship
Bobby Fish def. Cameron Grimes via pinfall to qualify for the Lucky 7 Match
Sarray def. Franky Monet via pinfall to advance in the NXT Women's Championship Contender Series
Toni Storm def. Mercedes Martinez via pinfall to advance in the NXT Women's Championship Contender Series
Bronson Reed def. Cal Lannister via pinfall in a non-title match


Editors Note:
Still not dead yet. Still trying to make it to the PLE. It's been a while, so trying to dust off the cobwebs, so hopefully this show isn't too splintered in terms of continuity. When will the next show be? Who knows.
​

 

[Jam]

YOU'VE BEEN HIT BY!
YOU'VE BEEN STRUCK BY!
A JAM REVIEW!

Couldn’t think of another phrase for a title, so went with the last one lol.

I enjoy these intro shots that WWE tend to do now and glad that you’ve incorporated them into your shows. Very nice summarization of things to come with the opening as well. Woo! Let’s get this review started.

Bivens working as sort of an assistant GM works for me if you choose to go down that route. But can see this being a one off as a witness to a contract signing. Can already tell some shenanigans is gonna happen. And I was right! Hell yeah for giving Shotzi some lines here but boo for having her take the powerbomb through the table lol. I’m enjoying the dynamic you have going on here with The Way where Indi is acting hesitant. Can see you having Candice force Indi to the sidelines with Persia taking Indi’s reps. Can go two ways – either Persia becomes Candice’s permanent partner or Indi is influenced by Candice and they become quite a strong stable with the three of them.

I like these two, so I have no doubts they would’ve put on a banger of a match. Think it was very cool that Kushida had to go to his submission game to put away Sterling, who kept Kushida on his toes. Nigel having another challenger in mind for Kushida already – I’m intrigued.

Oooh unlikely allies right here. Think it’s only a matter of time until Martinez turns heel on Raquel, which I wouldn’t mind as this would be about as hoss of a battle between the ladies as it can be. Book it, LG!

I was wondering how this town hall meeting would go and I enjoyed it. Everyone had their own things to say, but ultimately, Nigel wanted to come out as the victor, by bringing out Walter. You really put over Walter here with everyone being aware of this man and wanting nothing to do with him – for now. I kinda wish you had someone like Theory try something against Walter, so that we’d see something from Walter, but what we got here was fine too. Walter wants in the Lucky 7 match and well, I don’t think anyone will disagree.

Oh I loved this segment for The Brand. Franky was so good here and having her minions just added to the entire scene. The line about Stark having zero personality was a good one because let’s face it, it’s probably the consensus on her right now. Oh man, Franky dropping a statement with her Japanese was fierce. Loved this segment so much.

LOL @ Lumis and his painting. Nice segment to have these teams interact with one another while also incorporating Theory into. There’s probably more going to happen there but for now, this was about the tag titles. Another awesome segment on the show.

Interesting way to go about things here, LG. I think it definitely protects Grimes here with what Fish pulled out here. But also, I can’t help but think that maybe Fish isn’t as smart as he thinks. Yes, he got the win, but he had to do it through nefarious means. I guess I feel like his new gimmick was leaning towards the Virtuoso way, if that makes sense? I could be overthinking it here, but again, what was written here was enjoyable. I guess I gotta see Fish’s new gimmick played out a bit more to fully understand it.

Another “strong” segment here, heheheh. The last chance fatal 4 way is a huge enough reason for all these competitors to feel confident. It was only a matter of time for one of these things to get physical and I don’t mind that it was this one. You put that many combustible elements together and it was surely going to result in chaos. Interesting point that Thatcher’s spot may be up in the air now after this attack. Something to watch out for in the next coming episodes.

Great win for Sarry here as she needed it more than Franky. Soon enough, I can see Zoey turning on Sarray and then you go in that direction for a bit. I may be overthinking things a bit here again but the transition from Zoey taking care of The Brand then Sarry beating Franky then Toni coming out seemed a bit all over the place, but I’m liking how everything booked so far has been connected one way or another.

Oh wow! This might be the segment of the episode. I’m not even going to comment too much on it as I want people to read it and form an opinion for themselves. But I really enjoyed this. WHAT’S NEXT?!

Second time someone has gone for the eyes! Not saying it’s bad, just pointing it out is all. Oh?! What happened here? Tian Sha maybe got to Dakota?

Another awesome segment here with the two champions. This would be a sight to behold for sure. The subtle nod from Walter, forcing Imperium to move, allowing Bronson to get to his match. My goodness. The imagery and the juxtaposition here is great.

Nice little preview for next week. Always enjoy this as it gets readers hyped for the next episode.

How many nicknames does Bronson Reed have?! lol. Oh no, when Reed made it to the parking lot, I was expecting something bad to happen to him as that’s how things usually go. But leaving it as is was a fine thing to do as well.

Overall, was a fine show to come back to. Nothing really to critique too hard as the show was enjoyable from top to bottom. All in all, it has me wanting to see the High Stakes show even more.

 

[Deco90]

Really happy you've carried this on dude! I know how much you want to get to Hight Stakes, and I sure want to see you get there to so I can read it Haha!

Goes without saying - the presentation is always on POINT. GFX are great too!

But now, it's not Vader time..

Well, it's time, it's time

IT'S REVIEW TIME!!! (Time, time, time)

NXT [EPISODE #469]

- Nice opening! Set the tone of the show to come, while also quickly summarizing the lay of the land here in your NXT

- Enjoyed the opening segment with the contract signing. Could use of Bivens too, not having Nigel here keeps him looking strong as a leader and authoritive figure because of cause it was going to end in a brawl. Candice not signing the contract was a nice switch up though and keeps some intrigue.

- Nice showing for Sterling but KUSHIDA correctly won here. Description of the one camera shot following KUSHIDA up the ramp was a cool visual image and interested to see who is next to face the 'Time Splitter'

- Oh yeah I forgot about Dakota and the mist right? I liked this segment, could description of the vibe in the locker room again helps the reader to paint a picture of the scene in their head - good job.

- McGuinness about to embrace the chaos? Interesting! This segment was GREAT! Samoa Joe, Adam Cole, Finn Balor, Dunne, Kyle O-Reily and then WALTER walks into the place - ABSOLUTELY STACKED! Again the writing for the descriptions was really good and especially for WALTER - You made it sound like Darth Vader had just stepped into the Jedi Council. Excellent.

- I miss McKenzie being on NXT IRL. The Brand looking to insert their dominance. Franky Monet finishing with the Japanese, and sending a message was cool Haha!

- HIIIIITTTT ROOOOWWWWW! Man, I loved them on NXT Haha! Another good segment here - first with Austin Theory and his frustrations. Could be the one to watch at High Stakes! Feels like A-Town has a point to prove! Dexter with the painting and then all the tag teams getting involved was fun.

- Before people were timeless in the wrestling world - they were INFAMOUS! Bobby Fish and his character development has been one of my favourite things about your BTB so far dude. Thumb to the eyes and picking up the win with the 'Final Act' was perfect to keep his momentum going.

- Strong, Lorcan & Thatcher - What a SMASH MOUTH match that would be! Nice segment and it REALLY picked up with the 'Beast of Belfast' coming in and destroying Thatcher! Made him look a.. Well.. BEAST! Haha! Good job!

- BIG win for Sarray! I was fully expecting her to fall to the numbers game once more.

- That Legado segment was CINEMA! Oh I know that temple, and I'm pretty sure I know that man too! EXCITED!

- Tough loss for Mercedes despite a good showing. Toni with the victory!

- Bronson Reed vs WALTER - SIGN! ME! UP! Really cool moment and neither man needed to say anything because you could already picture the scene and feel the tension. Nice little tease for the future, maybe.

- High Stakes looking like an All-Timer! Card is stacked and we still don't know who will be facing KUSHIDA & WALTER

- MAIN EVENT TIME! AUS-ZILLA vs the MOUNTAIN! Good match and the stakes just got higher with High Stakes on the horizon! I'm still so intrigued to see which way you go with this result - because winner takes all seems like a booking nightmare to me despite the super intrigue as a fan and "viewer" Haha! Good showing for Lannister and I liked the ring psychology of Reed who would 9 times out of 10 be the "bigger" man having to use his experience to win here. Good stuff.

Really good show bro! I don't think I've read a bad one from you and I'm so locked in for High Stakes! Next weeks NXT show looks like it's going to be awesome too!

 

[Looking Glass]

NXT EVOLVE [EPISODE #06] ‣ THURSDAY 12 AUGUST, 2021
CAPITOL PERFORMANCE CENTER ‣ ORLANDO, FLORIDA

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​

The show kicks-off with Kevin Patrick and Wade Barrett welcoming the audience, setting the stage for an action-packed night following the fallout from Tuesday’s NXT. A vignette recaps the biggest moments from the latest episode, highlighting the arrival of NXT United Kingdom Champion, WALTER, who made an imposing statement by putting the entire men's locker room on notice.

In the main event, NXT double Champion Bronson Reed took out his frustrations on LA Knight's henchman, Cal Lannister, in a hard-hitting battle, while the NXT Women's Championship Contender Series heated up as both Sarray and Toni Storm secured their places in next week's all-important number one contender’s match. Meanwhile, "The Infamous" Bobby Fish, used underhanded tactics against Cameron Grimes to claim the penultimate spot in the upcoming Lucky 7 match.

Looking ahead to tonight, Arturo Ruas is set to issue another open challenge to the locker room, inviting competitors to test themselves in his Diamond Mine Invitational, a brutal match designed to weed out the weak.

In tag team action, Edris Enofé and Malik Blade aim for their first victory but face a daunting challenge against the debuting team of Solo Sikoa and Xyon Quinn, the dangerous new duo assembled by "The Finest" Kona Reeves. The women’s division will also be on display as Amari Miller and Zayda Ramier—collectively known as A2Z—battle to establish themselves against Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin.

Plus, the spotlight shines on two fresh faces as Draco Anthony makes his debut against Grayson Waller. Also to come, Ever-Rise Live returns with special guests Breezango.

​

The night kicks off with the dominant in-ring debuts of Xyon Quinn and Solo Sikoa, alongside "The Finest" Kona Reeves, as they take on the up-and-coming team of Edris Enofé and Malik Blade. Reeves, is all smiles from the outside as he proudly introduces his new alliance as Kevin Patrick reminds us of their destructive arrival the previous week. Last week's footage is played, showing us how the duo blindsided Carmelo Hayes moment's after his main event win over Reeves. Wade Barrett comments that Melo won the battle but "The Finest" made sure he got the last laugh.

Reeves' allies showcased their raw power, methodically picking apart their opponents. Despite Blade and Enofé's resilience, the combination of Sikoa's brute strength and Quinn's precision proved too much. Enofe found himself isolated after his tag team partner was knocked off the apron by Sikoa, who was fresh off the tag. Xyon Quinn would take advantage of the distraction to hoist Enofé onto his shoulders into an electric chair position as Reeves gestures for Solo to climb the ropes. Seating himself on the second rope, Sikoa would deliver a devastating Samoan Spike to Enofe's throat and Quinn proceed to drop him to the mat with an Electric Chair driver. Reeves revels in the chaos as the fans boo, but this doesn't faze Sikoa who arrogantly makes the cover for the three-count victory.

After the match, the trio stand tall with Reeves rolling Enofé to the outside alongside his tag team partner. Before Dennis Arnell can finish announcing the result, Carmelo Hayes storms the ring looking to get some payback for last week. Barrett says that Hayes has a death wish if he thinks he can take on all three men on his own, but Melo is able to hold his own...at least for a short while before he is ultimately overwhelmed by the numbers.

The crowd pop as Leon Ruff rushes to Hayes' side - Kevin points out that Ruff had participated in the very first match on NXT Evolve, against Hayes, and has since been trying to show his respect for "The Highlight". Ruff also manages to get some shots in before the beatdown intensifies. Reeves tells Sikoa and Quinn to make an example out of Hayes. Officials flood to the ring to stop the newcomers and Reeves doing anymore damage, as a resilient Hayes tries to continue the fight.

The trio retreat up the runway, looking proud of themselves as a wounded Hayes receives a round of applause from the crowd for his courage. He turns, noticing Ruff laid out on the ground and pauses for a moment. He turn turns and pulls the former NXT North American Champion to his feet, patting him on the back as a mark of respect, which Ruff acknowledges. The segment ends with Barrett suggesting that while the two working together was a good first step, they would need to up their numbers if they were about to overcome NXT's new Pacific Order.

​

In a dimply lit, underground gym, Arturo Ruas is shown training for the second Diamond Mine Invitational. The sound of Ruas' fists hitting the heavy punching bags echo throughout the air. As he finishes his sparring session, "The Vale Turo Virtuoso" wipes sweat from his brow, his expression unreadable. Wade Barrett comments that this is the face on a mission. Continuing, he states that the Diamond Mine isn't just a showcase - it's Ruas' proving ground, and tonight he will prove his dominance is absolute.

A video package highlights Killian Dain's "lullaby of woe" since his return to NXT, showcasing his brutal assault on Trey Baxter last week and his shocking ambush on Timothy Thatcher this past Tuesday. Wade Barrett and Kevin Patrick update viewers that Dain has been fined for his actions, and as a result of the attack, Thatcher is no longer medically cleared to compete in the Last Chance Qualifier for the Lucky 7 Match at High Stakes.

Backstage, Cora Jade is tending to boyfriend Trey Baxter, who is nursing bandaged ribs after a gruelling few weeks (against Dain and Ruas). Gigi Dolin interrupts, reminding Cora that they have their first match together on NXT Evolve tonight and says they to be on the same page. When Cora seems distracted, Gigi pulls her aside (out of Baxter's earshot) and emphasises that this match is a big opportunity for both of them and she doesn't want it to be jeopardised. Cora reassures her that she's focused - but as soon as Gigi turns away, she sneaks away to check back on Trey, leaving Gigi looking frustrated and uncertain about their partnership leading into their match.

The camera pans to the ring where Draco Anthony makes his way out to the ring. There's an uncertain reaction given that we have seen nothing of him prior but his infectious energy soon builds some support. Out next, from Sydney, Australia is Grayson Waller, who doesn't seem to shy away from any form of attention. Once in the ring, Waller asks ring announcer, Dennis Arnell, for the microphone as Draco looks to the referee, confused by this unscheduled promo.

"Look at you all, coming out to see me wrestle this nobody. Well, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Grayson Waller, and I'm what you should be looking at when it comes to the future of NXT! No more of these 'good ol' boys' or 'old timers'. I'm here to show you what real talent looks like. And this guy..."

He gestures to Anthony, who much like the crowd, is irritated by his opponent's comments.

"This guy is just another stepping stone, another body to lay down. But it's not all bad news for you Draco, because in years to come, when they're inducting me into the Hall of Fame, you can tell your underachieving grandchildren that you lost your first and only match to me..."

The crowd jeers loudly as Waller smirks, eying Draco with disdain. Anthony doesn't take too kindly to Waller's words and immediately storms over to his opponent and throws a fierce forearm to get a pop from the crowd. Staying on top of his opponent, Anthony follows up with a big clothesline to the corner that send the arrogant Aussie to the mat. The crowd pop again for Anthony's show of aggression, but Waller is quick to regroup as he rolls to the outside and calls for a time out.

The crowd continue to taunt Waller, who begins picking fights through the Plexiglas. Anthony doesn't waste any time and charges through the ropes with a suicide dive, crashing onto Waller on the outside. However, while Anthony has the momentum, Waller proves to be resourceful. Waller pulls himself back to his feet using the apron and accidentally-on-purpose jabbing Anthony in the eye to turn the match in his favour.

With the advantage now on his side, Waller begins to wear Anthony down. He uses rest holds to keep his opponent off balance as the crowd continue to boo his heelish behaviour. Anthony stays alive, fighting back with a couple of hard elbows and a German suplex, but Waller answers with a low blow disguised behind the referee's back, knocking the wind out of Draco Anthony.

Waller, now once again in control continues to slow the pace of the match with a chin lock, all the while telling Anthony to stay down as he tightens his grip. Just as it seems that Draco might be fading, he continues to show his resilience, getting to his feet and breaking free with a series of rapid strikes. Anthony hits a spinning elbow but missed a running splash into the corner. Waller then trips Anthony before hitting a crisp Superkick that leaves him rattled.

Seizing the opportunity, Waller locks in the hits the "Waller Effect" (Swinging Reverse STO) cleanly in the centre of the ring for the three-count.

Waller stands victorious, soaking in the boos from the audience as he rises to his feet. He smirks down at the fallen Draco Anthony, shaking his head as if he were expecting nothing less.

The cameras cut backstage, where Josh Briggs is seen walking down the corridor with purpose. He looks focused and determined as McKenzie Mitchell approaches him with a microphone in hand. McKenzie points out that he came up short to Cal Lannister in his match last week on NXT Evolve, and asks what's next for him. Briggs emphasises that while the defeat hurt, it only drives him harder to prove himself. Briggs states that Evolve is his home (a nod to his history with Gabe Sapolsky's EVOLVE) and his goal isn't just to become a mainstay in NXT and win titles, but to show that he's willing to put in the work.

​

Elsewhere, Carmelo Hayes approaches Leon Ruff, thanking him for the assist earlier in the night but insisting he could have handled Kona Reeves, Xyon Quinn, and Solo Sikoa on his own. Ruff raises an eyebrow, clearly doubting that, but shrugs it off, saying he’s just tired of Reeves acting like he owns the place every time he resurfaces. That’s why he went to Nigel McGuinness and got himself a one-on-one match against Reeves next week, so he can beat him as he did before and wipe the smile from his face.

Hayes questions whether that’s a good idea now that Reeves has backup, especially since this wasn’t about Ruff in the first place. Ruff, slightly taken aback, reminds Hayes that Reeves made it his business the moment he started running his mouth. There’s a brief moment of tension between them before Ruff walks off, leaving Melo looking conflicted.

​

With both teams looking to make their mark in the NXT women’s tag team division, Amari Miller and Zayda Ramier (who refer to themselves as A2Z) take on Gigi Dolin and Cora Jade, who reunite for the first time since their brief run in the Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic earlier in the year. While both teams are babyfaces, Dolin carries a tweener edge, showing visible frustration with Jade’s lack of focus following her earlier concerns for Trey Baxter backstage.
The match kicks off with fast-paced action, as Jade and Ramier start things off with a sequence of arm drags, pin attempts, and counters. A2Z quickly take control, using quick tags and fluid teamwork to wear Jade down. When Jade finally escapes, Dolin enters the match and immediately turns the tide, taking down Miller with a heavy roundhouse kick before dropping Ramier with a half-and-half suplex.

Dolin and Jade try to string together some double-team offense, but miscommunication strikes when Jade accidentally takes out Dolin with a dropkick meant for Miller. Dolin gets frustrated, yelling at Jade to focus, but before they can recover, A2Z seize the opening.

"Miller the Thriller" lands a spinning back heel kick, stunning Dolin in place, as Ramier charges in with a flipping neckbreaker, executing their "Final Flash" finisher. The impact is enough for the 1-2-3, giving A2Z their first win as a team.

After the match, Jade is immediately apologetic, reaching out to Dolin, who sits up, shaking her head. Jade extends her hand, but Dolin shoves it away and storms out of the ring, leaving her partner alone. As A2Z celebrate, Dolin walks up the ramp, visibly frustrated with Jade as a teammate.

​

Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell stands with Ari Sterling, fresh off his loss against Kushida for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Sterling, despite the loss, remains composed and proud of his performance, stating that he proved he belongs on this stage. He acknowledges "The Time Splitter's" talent but believes he put an exclamation mark on the match, showing the WWE Universe exactly what he’s capable of.

McKenzie asks the former number one contender to predict who Kushida might be defending the title against at High Stakes. Before Sterling can answer, Grayson Waller interrupts proceedings, scoffing at the interview. Waller, still riding high from his debut victory earlier in the night, questions why the cameras are focused on talking to someone who can't win a match rather than him, the real star. He boasts about his flawless performance, claiming that while Sterling had his shot and blew it, he’s already making waves.

Sterling takes exception, warning Waller not to get ahead of himself. Waller, unfazed, smugly declares that he’s already ahead—one match in, and he’s proving he’s not just a one-trick pony. He doesn’t just belong in the Cruiserweight Division; he could dominate any division he wants.

Sterling, unimpressed, challenges Waller to put his money where his mouth is, offering him a chance to back up his words in the ring. Waller smirks, brushing it off, saying he doesn’t need to waste his time on someone who couldn’t get the job done. With a cocky grin, he walks off, leaving Sterling shaking his head, clearly fired up.

​

Backstage, Ever-Rise Live is underway, with Chase Parker and Matt Martel in high spirits as they go through their usual segments. They introduce the Word of the Day, which is ‘opportunity’, and emphasize how they plan to reinvent themselves and seize the chances ahead, including their upcoming match against the NXT Tag Team Champions MSK.

They then talk about their latest Ever-Rise merchandise and introduce their special guests for the evening: former NXT Tag Team Champions, Tyler Breeze and Fandango, who had captured the belts nearly a year ago.

Breezango comes out dressed in completely over-the-top, ridiculous outfits—Tyler Breeze wears an over-the-top, sparkly leopard-print jumpsuit, complete with oversized sunglasses and a feather boa, while Fandango dons a bright pink sequined tuxedo with an equally ridiculous, oversized bow tie. The two try to outdo each other with absurd poses and outlandish fashion commentary, fitting their playful personalities.

The two teams begin discussing their shared love of fashion, with Breezango giving Ever-Rise playful advice on improving their look. The light-hearted banter turns into a pose-off, with Breeze and Fandango effortlessly striking their signature poses while Ever-Rise awkwardly attempt to match them. The crowd is enjoying the moment, but the fun is about to take a sharp turn.

Malcolm Bivens interrupts...yet again, strutting onto the set with his usual cocky attitude. He takes a seat between the two teams and sarcastically congratulates them on their adorable little segment, claiming that Ever-Rise has been wasting their time with this nonsense. He turns to Breezango, saying that they’re not the calibre of guests Ever-Rise needs if they want to make a real impact in NXT.

He says Ever-Rise should be in the ring, fighting for their place, instead of spending their time posing and chatting. Martel and Parker laugh off Bivens’ comments, telling him they’re perfectly fine with their current trajectory. They remind him that they’ve repeatedly turned down his offers to work together, and they have no interest in his so-called “help.”

Bivens becomes increasingly needy, stating that without any clients, Nigel McGuinness has threatened to terminate his managerial contract following the chaos that went down in this week's NXT Women's Tag Team Championship contract signing. He turns to Breezango, suggesting that they should join his management team too, as he knows their star power could elevate his reputation.

Tyler Breeze and Fandango take offense to the suggestion, rejecting the idea out of hand. Breeze sarcastically asks Bivens if he thinks he can just swoop in and manage everyone. Fandango, with his usual humour, adds that if Bivens can’t even manage his own career, why would they trust him to manage theirs?

Parker and Martel chime in, insisting that Bivens should stop “living in a fantasy world,” claiming they’ve repeatedly turned him down before and don’t need him, especially with the way he keeps showing up uninvited.

Bivens, finally snaps, and suggests that the two teams should face off in a match next week, saying it would be a "huge opportunity" for both sides. Ever-Rise initially laughs off the suggestion, thinking that it’s an empty offer from someone grasping at straws and say they don't 'need' to face Breezango.

Feeling slighted by the way Ever-Rise laughed off the challenge—accepts the match on the spot. Breeze says that Ever-Rise aren't the only ones trying to get back into the title picture, while Fandango quips that they would just as easily wipe the floor with them in the ring as they did in the pose-off.

Bivens, grinning wildly as if he’s gotten his way, tells Ever-Rise that he’ll be in their corner next week. With that, he exits, leaving Parker and Martel visibly frustratedl. They both exchange a look of uncertainty, realizing they might have gotten more than they bargained for with Bivens’ relentless persistence.

​

Back from the break, a video package shows us how tensions have escalated between August Grey and Curt Stallion and the duo of Ikemen Jiro and Drake Maverick over the past few weeks. What started as Maverick’s attempt to mentor young talent quickly spiralled into chaos, with "Retro AG" growing frustrated at Maverick’s constant involvement. Jiro tried to keep the peace, but Grey eventually snapped, turning on his own tag team partner and aligning himself with the returning Curt Stallion.

Last week, Grey and Stallion addressed the WWE Universe, claiming that Jiro and Maverick were parasites, holding them back from reaching their full potential. They declared themselves “untouchable” before Jiro and Maverick stormed the ring, eager for a fight. However, rather than back up their words, Grey and Stallion quickly escaped, avoiding any confrontation.

Tonight, in a backstage segment, Drake Maverick, alongside "Japan's Most Handsome Superstar" Ikemen Jiro, confirmed that he had spoken with his fellow countryman Nigel McGuinness, who granted them a match against Grey and Stallion next week. Maverick made it clear that they won’t be running anywhere this time, and he and Jiro are more than ready to finally get their hands on them.

The atmosphere in the Capitol Performance Center is electric for the main event as the Diamond Mine cage is set up at the side of the entrance ramp (as opposed to being filmed backstage as it was in its debut). The crowd buzzes with anticipation for the second Diamond Mine Invitational, with Arturo Ruas, the "Brazilian Tiger", looking to go two-for-two. The lights dim as his entrance music hits, and Ruas makes his way down to the ring, confidence radiating from him as he soaks in the crowd’s mixed reaction.

However, just as Ruas is preparing for his opponent, the unexpected happens: Kyle O’Reilly’s music hits. The crowd erupts in excitement at the sight of O'Reilly, one of the most technical and dangerous competitors in NXT. The tension in the air is palpable as O'Reilly steps out, ready to face Ruas. Wade Barrett asks if entering such a claustrophobic and combative match is a good idea for a man, who is heading into a big trios match next week, followed by the Lucky 7 match, where both his title aspirations and career are on the line.

But before O’Reilly can even step into the cage, the lights suddenly flicker, and Samoa Joe rushes out from the back, blindsiding O'Reilly with a brutal attack. Kevin Patrick reminds us that this is all legal after Nigel McGuinness terminated the no-contact rule ahead of High Stakes. The crowd boos heavily as Joe unleashes a vicious assault on O'Reilly, knocking him down with a series of hard strikes. O'Reilly, reeling from the attack, is unable to defend himself against the onslaught.

Ruas, standing in the ring, simply watches, a smirk crossing his face as he observes Joe’s destruction of O’Reilly. He steps back, seemingly unconcerned by the chaos unfolding in front of him. O'Reilly is unable to fight back as Joe continues to lay into him, and security is forced to rush out to escort Joe to the back.

With O’Reilly on the mat, clearly hurt, Ruas grabs a microphone and calls for a referee to officially declare the match a non-contest. He raises his arms in victory and declares himself the winner by forfeit. The crowd boos loudly, but Ruas continues to bask in the moment, knowing he’s continued his winning streak in the Diamond Mine without even having to fight.

Wade Barrett and Kevin Patrick on commentary put over the shocking turn of events, emphasizing that the competition for the Diamond Mine has only gotten fiercer with O'Reilly’s sudden arrival, though no one could have anticipated Joe's brutal attack.

Finn Bálor and Austin Theory rush down to ringside, coming to O'Reilly’s aid. They help him to his feet, but it’s clear that O'Reilly is in pain after Joe’s brutal assault. The crowd continues to chant as O'Reilly glares at Ruas from a distance, still seething with anger. Wade Barrett questions whether it's a wide decision to help a future opponent out in this predicament, but Patrick counters that the upcoming trios match represents an opportunity to win bragging rights ahead of the Premium Live Event. He also points out that Bálor in particular has an axe to grind with "The Samoan Submission Machine".

At that moment, Arturo Ruas decides to take things further. With a gleeful expression on his face, he strides over to the live interview pit set up near the entrance ramp. As the lights dim and all eyes focus on him, Ruas holds the microphone to his lips, ready to address the WWE Universe.

After declaring himself the winner again, he accuses Kyle O'Reilly of never having any intention to challenge him, and of only wanting to use this as an opportunity for attention. Ruas pauses, looking pleased with himself as the crowd boos louder, clearly not happy with his words.

At this point, "Cool Kyle" isn't feeling too cool as he begins to stir, clearly angered by Ruas’s comments. O'Reilly, with help from Finn Bálor and Austin Theory, begins to stand up, but he’s clearly injured, still wincing from the attack by Joe. His eyes lock onto Ruas, who stands in the interview pit, looking down at him with an arrogant smile.

O'Reilly’s frustration boils over, and he motions to rush toward Ruas, but Bálor and Theory hold him back, trying to calm him down. The situation is tense, and the crowd can feel the anger emanating from both men.

As Samoa Joe is escorted out of the building by security, Ruas stands tall, still basking in his self-proclaimed victory. O'Reilly, held back by his allies(?), glares at him from the ramp.

With Ruas smirking at his own perceived victory, commentary promote next week’s upcoming trios match, featuring Bálor, Theory, and O'Reilly against Samoa Joe, Bobby Fish, and Pete Dunne. It’s clear that the tension between these men is far from over.

The camera fades as Ruas raises his arms in triumph, soaking in the boos, while O'Reilly continues to glare back at him, now being helped away by his team. The crowd’s jeers intensify as the segment comes to a close, setting the stage for future battles that are sure to escalate.

​

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Quick Results:
Solo Sikoa and Xyon Quinn def. Edris Enofé and Malik Blade via pinfall
Grayson Waller def. Draco Anthony via pinfall
A2Z (Amari Miller and Zayda Ramier) def. Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin via pinfall
Arturo Ruas vs. Kyle O'Reilly was thrown out due to outside interference
​

 

[Looking Glass]

​

• [FEATURED STORY:] The wrestling world is buzzing with one of the biggest rumours in years: CM Punk is expected to sign with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). While nothing has been officially confirmed, multiple sources indicate that the former WWE Champion has already put pen to paper and will be making his return to the squared circle sooner rather than later.

In recent weeks, AEW has been dropping some not-so-subtle hints about Punk's arrival, any speculation has reached a fever pitch. The biggest clue? AEW President Tony Khan booking the United Center in Chicago for AEW Rampage: The First Dance on Friday 20th August. The moment that show was announced, fans knew something big was coming - and the name on everyone's lips was Punk.

Even this past week on Dynamite, Darby Allin cut a promo stating: "Even if you're the best in the world, you've been warned."

Behind the scenes, sources close to AEW have indicated that Punk's deal is already done, with discussions going back several months. Fightful Select first broke the news that Punk was in serious talks with AEW, and now, with just days to go before Rampage in Chicago, no one is even pretending to deny it.

it's been more than seven years since Punk infamously walked on of WWE, leaving behind a legacy of revellion and frustration with the industry. He's been vocal about his issues with WWE, calling their medical practices into question and famously quitting on his wedding day. After a short-lived MMA career and a few acting gigs, Punk had seemingly closed the door on professional wrestling - until now.

If he does show up in AEW, it instantly changes the game. AEW would have its biggest signing yet, proving that they can land one of the most sought-after names in wrestling history. Punk's presence would surely bring eyes to the product, with many waiting for his return to the ring. Additionally, it would set up dream match scenarios with many AEW talents.

So unless something dramatic changes in the next few days, expect CM Punk to walk out to a deafening pop this Friday night. If he does, wrestling may never be the same again.

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​

• In a surprising turn of events this past week, NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER made a special appearance on NXT, marking his first major involvement in the brand since the onset of the pandemic. "The Ring General" appeared in two significant segments that left fans buzzing about what's to come at NXT TakeOver: High Stakes.

The first of WALTER's appearances saw him heralded by Nigel McGuinness as a demonstration of how a true champion should carry themselves. This appeared to be the 'punishment' the NXT General Manager had alluded to previously, wanting to teach the Lucky 7 match participants a lesson in respect and decorum. WALTER, with his signature intensity and imposing presence, wasted no time in making his intentions clear. Standing tall in the ring, he demanded at match of his own at High Stakes, challenging McGuinness to put his money where is mouth was and include him if he was held in such high regard.

While it remains unclear who WALTER's challenger will be, sources close to the situation indicate that Ilja Dragunov, who he has been feuding with on NXT UK television, could make a surprise appearance. However, the possibility remains that an NXT talent may step up to the challenge - especially if travel restrictions prevent Dragnov from making it to Nevada, something that has only begun to ease. The unpredictability of travel due to global restrictions has kept many international talents from appearing on the NXT brand.

But that's not all! Later in the evening, NXT Champ-Champ, Bronson Reed found himself blocked by Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel, who seemed intent on getting a reaction out of "The Colossal". Just as the situation appeared to escalate, WALTER made his second appearance of the night. The NXT UK Champion instructed his Imperium stablemates to step aside as he exchanged a brief but intense stare-down with the NXT Champion, hinting at a potential collision in the future.

With both men set to defend their titles at High Stakes, TakeOver is shaping up to be one of the most unpreditable events in recent memory. Stay tuned as more details unfold over the coming week.

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• Speaking of NXT TakOver: High Stakes, this past week's episode of NXT saw significant developments regarding the Lucky 7 match and other key storylines:

"The Infamous" Bobby Fish used his veteran prowess (and some questionable tactics) to defeat Cameron Grimes and earn his spot in the coveted match, joining Austin Theory, Finn Bálor, Kyle O'Reilly, Pete Dunne, and Samoa Joe. The final participant will be determined through a Last Chance Qualifier featuring Grimes, Roderick Strong, and Oney Lorcan, all of whom previously fell short in their initial qualifying matches.

As confirmed on NXT Evolve, Timothy Thatcher has been withdrawn from the Last Chance Qualifier on medical grounds, following a backstage assault by Killian Dain.

This week's go-home edition of NXT will pit the current Lucky 7 participant against each other in trios action, with tensions riding high after Samoa Joe made his presence felt on NXT Evolve's main event, featuring Kyle O'Reilly.

The path to the NXT Women's Championship has narrowed, with Toni Storm and Sarray emerging as the final contenders in their respective matches. These two rivals are set to clash, with the victor earning the right to challenge Raquel González at High Stakes.

This past week on NXT, reigning NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida successfully defended his title against Ari Sterling. In recent weeks Nigel McGuinness has teased a mystery opponent to challenge the unstoppable "Time Splitter". It has now been confirmed that Kushida's challenger will be revealed on this week's episode, adding intrigue to the Cruiserweight division ahead of the next defence at High Stakes.

While no new matches has been oficially confirmed, there is speculation that the kick-off show may feature bout from the NXT Evolve brand.

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• In recent weeks, Legado del Fantasma has captivated the NXT audience with a series of on-location "discovery" segments. The latest installment featured Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, and Raul Mendoza entering a mysterious warehouse in search of the enigmatic El Gran Jefe, who challenged them to prove themselves. After overcoming several unnamed luchadores, the segment concluded with an ominous silhouette and a soundbite reminiscent of Lucha Underground, sparking widespread speculation among fans.

While WWE has not acquired the now-defunct Lucha Underground promotion, talents from the defunct promotion have previously been permitted to use their personas elsewhere. Escobar, formerly performed under the name King Cuerno from 2014 up until its closure in 2018. The mysterious El Gran Jefe's identity remains undisclosed, but fans are abuzz with theories, notably the potential involvement of Dario Cueto. Cueto was a central character known for orchestrating violence and chaos to deliver the most exciting matches. However, whether he will make an appearance on NXT television remains to be see as Luis Fernandez-Gil has made several appearances on Major League Wrestling (MLW) since May, using the moniker Cesar Duran.

According to backstage sources, WWE officials are reportedly pleased with the positive reception these segments have garnered, noting the buzz and increased viewer engagement. As Legado del Fantasma's journey progresses, fans eagerly await the revelation of El Gran Jefe and the potential impact on NXT's landscape. Whether this leads to the introduction of a new character or the return of a familiar face from wrestling lore, the anticipation continues to build.

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• Despite experiencing her first defeat since joining NXT, Franky Monet continues to earn high praise from backstage officials for her exceptional character work and in-ring performance. Monet, who debuted on the April 13, 1 episode of NXT, had maintained an impressive winning streak until her recent loss this past week against Sarray, in which her own numbers game caught up with her after Zoey Stark interfered to fend off The Brand, Jessi Kamea and Aliyah. This setback, however, has not diminished the confidence that WWE management has in her potential.

Insiders report that Monet's seamless transition into the NXT roster and her ability to engage the audience have solidified her status as a standout talent. Her dynamic presence and commitment to evolving her persona have been particularly noted as strengths that could propel her to greater prominence within the brand.

As Monet continues to refine her in-ring style and character, expectations are high for her trajectory in NXT. Backstage officials remain optimistic about the future of "The Premier Blonde", anticipating that her blend of charisma and athleticism will lead to significant opportunities and success within the organisation.

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• This past week, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair shocked fans by appearing at AAA's Triplemanía XXIX in Mexico City. Flair accompanied his future son-in-law, Andrade El Idolo, to the ring for Andrade's AAA Mega Championship match against Kenny Omega. During the bout, Flair engaged in the action, delivering his signature chops and even locking Omega's manager, Konnan, in a figure-four leg lock. This marked "The Nature Boy's" first wrestling appearance since his WWE release earlier in August. Notably, Andrade had also been released by the company in March earlier this year after requesting his release from the company.

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• Speaking of Kenny Omega, in a recent candid interview, the AEW World Champion discussed his tenure in WWE's developmental system, revealing that the environment led him to question his passion for professional wrestling. "The Cleaner" described the experience as creatively stifling, noting that any attempt to showcase his personality was often undermined. He recounted instances where innovative moves were criticized without constructive feedback, leading to frustration and a sense of being "mindf--ked." This atmosphere caused him to lose confidence in the developmental system, ultimately prompting his departure from WWE.

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• Finally, the inaugural episode of AEW Rampage premiered on August 13, 2021, delivering a monumental title change. In the opening match, Christian Cage challenged Kenny Omega for the Impact World Championship. After a hard-fought battle, the former World Heavyweight Champion emerged victorious, securing the title and marking a significant milestone in his career. This victory set the stage for their upcoming AEW World Championship match at All Out.

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• [THIS PAST WEEK ON NXT UK:]

Wolfgang def. Flash Morgan Webster: Wolfgang secured a victory over Flash Morgan Webster with a decisive spear.

Amale def. Nina Samuels: "The French Hope" defeated Nina Samuels, showcasing her dominance in the women's division.

Noam Dar def Mark Andrews in Heritage Cup No. 1 Contender's Tournament Quarterfinal Match: In a closely contested bout, Noam Dar triumphed over Mark Andrews with a 2-1 victory in the fifth round, advancing in the tournament.

Assistant to the General Manager, Sid Scala, announced that in two weeks, Rampage Brown and Joe Coffey will face each other in a match that can only be won by knockout or submission.

Backstage, Isla Dawn was seen awkwardly stalking Dani Luna, hinting at a potential future confrontation.

The duo of Trent Seven and NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion, Tyler Bate (collectively known as Moustache Mountain) discussed their path toward the NXT Tag Team Championship, aiming to secure a Triple Crown for Bate.

Finally, it was revealed that in two weeks, Jinny will face Aoife Valkyrie in a No Disqualification Match, with Joseph Conners set to be locked in a cage at ringside, a stipulation that did not sit well with Jinny.

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UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS ‣

NXT TAKEOVER: HIGH STAKES [TAKEOVER #36] ‣ SUNDAY 22 AUGUST, 2022
SAM'S TOWN HOTEL & GAMBLING HALL ‣ LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

CONFIRMED MATCHES:

CHAMPION vs. 'CHAMPION':
WINNER TAKES ALL MATCH FOR THE NXT, NORTH AMERICAN & MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPIONSHIP
BRONSON REED vs. LA KNIGHT

THE LUCKY 7 LADDER MATCH:
HIGH RISK. HIGH REWARD.
SAMOA JOE vs. FINN BÁLOR vs. KYLE O'REILLY vs. PETE DUNNE vs. AUSTIN THEORY vs. BOBBY FISH vs. THE WINNER OF THE LAST CHANCE QUALIFIER

TRIPLE THREAT TAG TEAM MATCH:
FOR THE NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
MSK [NASH CARTER & WES LEE] vs. THE WAY [DEXTER LUMIS & JOHNNY GARGANO]
vs. HIT ROW [ASHANTE ADONIS/SWERVE SCOTT/TOP DOLLA] w/ B-FAB

TAG TEAM MATCH:
FOR THE NXT WOMEN'S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE WAY [CANDICE LERAE & INDI HARTWELL] w/ PERSIA PIROTTA
vs. SHOTZI & TEGAN NOX

SINGLES MATCH:
FOR THE NXT UNITED KINGDOM CHAMPIONSHIP
WALTER vs. TBA


SINGLES MATCH:
FOR THE NXT CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
KUSHIDA vs. TBA


SINGLES MATCH:
FOR THE NXT WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
RAQUEL GONZÁLEZ vs. EITHER SARRAY OR TONI STORM



​

 

[Looking Glass]

NXT [EPISODE #470] ‣ "WHAT'S NeXT" PREVIEW​

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"Welcome back to What’s NeXT, your official preview for this week’s edition of NXT! We are just days away from NXT TakeOver: High Stakes, but first, we have one last stop before we get to Las Vegas!"
​

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"After weeks of back-and-forth, mind games, and all-out chaos, this Tuesday, NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion, Bronson Reed, and Million Dollar Champion, LA Knight, will finally meet face-to-face in an official NXT Press Conference, just days before their Winner Takes All showdown at High Stakes. But there’s one important catch—the no-contact rule is still in effect until their championship match in Las Vegas."

"And you better believe LA Knight has been making the most of it. Knight firmly believes that he is the real champion the WWE Universe deserves, and he has been vocal in his disapproval of Bronson Reed’s rise to the top. In Knight’s mind, Reed never should have even been in contention for the NXT Championship at End of the Line, and now, he sees it as his mission to erase the champion from the history books."

"But Knight also wants to be seen as a leader, claiming that his Million Dollar Dream Matches have been about building new stars and giving back to the future of NXT. But was this really about elevating new talent, or just a smokescreen to protect his Million Dollar Championship from true threats?"

"Bronson Reed, meanwhile, isn’t interested in talking—he prefers to do all of his speaking inside the ring. But with the no-contact rule keeping him from getting his hands on LA Knight, Reed has had nowhere to direct his frustration—until last week when he faced "The Star Maker's" latest project Cal Lannister. "The Colossal" tore through "The Mountain", proving that it doesn’t matter who stands in his way—he will not be stopped."

"But this Tuesday, there won’t be avalanche splashes or powerbombs—only words. With the no-contact rule still in place, will Reed be able to keep his cool as Knight takes his final shots before TakeOver? Or will this press conference push Reed over the edge, playing right into Knight’s hands?"

"One thing is for certain—this press conference won’t end quietly."

The road to High Stakes has been filled with twists and turns, but this Tuesday, six of the men vying for the Lucky 7 briefcases will finally have the chance to settle some scores before the stakes get even higher in Las Vegas!

Last week, Samoa Joe made a shocking appearance during the Diamond Mine Invitational on NXT Evolve, ambushing Kyle O’Reilly before he could step inside the cage. With the no-contact rule now a thing of the past, Joe wasted no time making a statement—but he may have just painted a target on his back in the process!

Joe’s actions have already put him on the wrong side of Kyle O’Reilly, but let’s not forget—he’s also got Finn Bálor breathing down his neck! "The Prince" has unfinished business with Joe, and this Tuesday, he’ll finally get the chance to stand across the ring from him before TakeOver! But they won’t be alone. This Tuesday, O’Reilly and Bálor will join forces with one of NXT’s fastest-rising stars, Austin Theory, to take on Samoa Joe, "The Infamous" Bobby Fish, and Pete Dunne!

With six of NXT’s best all in one match, the question isn’t who will win—it’s who will make the biggest impact before High Stakes? Can O’Reilly and Bálor keep their emotions in check long enough to work as a team? Will Austin Theory prove he belongs in the same ring as these seasoned competitors? Or will Joe, Fish, and Dunne play foul to get bragging rights ahead of Sunday night's Premium Live Event? With championship aspirations and personal vendettas all in the mix, one thing is for certain—this is going to be a battle you don’t want to miss!

Sticking with the Lucky 7 match. Last week, we learned that Timothy Thatcher is officially out of the Lucky 7 Match at TakeOver, after a brutal attack by Killian Dain. That means the final spot in this career-changing match, and we’ll find out who will claim it, when Oney Lorcan, Roderick Strong, and Cameron Grimes square off in a Last Chance Qualifier! With an opportunity as massive as this, you can guarantee that all three men will be fighting tooth and nail for a chance at one the Lucky 7 briefcases!

Tension and animosity been brewing for weeks, and now it’s time to settle the score! This Tuesday, Toni Storm goes one-on-one with Sarray, with a championship opportunity at High Stakes on the line!"

We all know that Toni Storm has never been shy about speaking her mind, and she’s made it clear that she doesn’t believe Sarray belongs in the ring with her. But "The Warrior of the Sun" has other plans—she’s been on fire since arriving in NXT, and this is her biggest opportunity yet!

Will "The Headliner's" experience prove to be too much? Or will Sarray humble her foe punch her ticket to a championship match against Raquel González in Las Vegas?

Last Tuesday, the entire WWE Universe was stunned when NXT United Kingdom Champion, WALTER, arrived on U.S. soil and made his presence felt. And he didn’t waste any time. Marching straight to Nigel McGuinness, "The Ring General" did what he does best—demand competition.

And while WALTER’s dominance is undeniable, the question remains—who is ready to step up? This Tuesday, we will finally learn who will be challenging the longest-reigning champion in modern WWE history at TakeOver: High Stakes.
Nigel McGuinness has promised that he would find a worthy challenger, but who will have the guts to step inside the ring with the UK Champion? And more importantly—will WALTER approve of Nigel’s selection, or will he take matters into his own hands?

For weeks, the NXT Cruiserweight Championship picture has been surrounded in mystery. With Ari Sterling boldly calling his shot and falling short, the question remained—who would step in to challenge Kushida at High Stakes?

This Tuesday, we finally get our answer.

Kushida has been a fighting champion since winning the title in April meaning that by next week, his reign will have surpassed 125 days as the Cruiserweight Champion. He has turned back every challenger who has stepped up—but is his time running out?

Who has been waiting in the wings, biding their time for the perfect moment to strike? Will this mystery opponent fall like so many before them, or is Kushida’s championship reign nearing its end?

The "Time Splitter" will find out this Tuesday, when his next challenger is revealed ahead of TakeOver.

Since their arrival in NXT, Hit Row has been unbeatable in trios tag team action. Whether it’s in the ring or on the mic, Swerve Scott, Top Dolla, and Ashante Adonis have dominated the competition. But this Tuesday, they face their toughest challenge yet when they take on the NXT Tag Team Champions, MSK, and Johnny Gargano!

On paper, MSK and Gargano seem like the perfect team. The high-energy champions and "Johnny Wrestling" himself should be an unstoppable combination. But let’s not forget—the real question isn’t whether they can win, it’s whether they can even coexist

With Gargano and Dexter Lumis also challenging for the bets at High Stakes, can Johnny put aside his own championship ambitions for one night and work with MSK? Or will the champions find themselves battling not just Hit Row, but also their own partner? Meanwhile, will Hit Row continue their unstoppable trios run and head into High Stakes with all the momentum?

Last week, we saw absolute chaos unfold during the contract signing for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship Match at High Stakes. And at the centre of it? Persia Pirotta.

"For weeks, Persia has been at the side of Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell, learning from The Way as they've feuded with No.1 Contenders Tegan Nox and Shotzi, but now—she has to prove that she belongs. After Candice and Nigel McGuinness’ recent war of words and shenanigans, Nigel was ready to strip The Way of the titles, but LeRae was as difficult as ever.

But in a rare turn of events, it was "The Poison Pixie" herself who volunteered Persia Pirotta for this match, saying that it was time to test whether Persia has truly learned ‘The Way’ after weeks of observation.

The question is—will Persia rise to the challenge and prove her loyalty to the champions? Or has LeRae set her up for failure, just days before The Way’s biggest title defense yet?
​

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That’s all for this edition of What’s NeXT! The final stop before TakeOver: High Stakes is shaping up to be an unmissable night, so be sure to tune in this Tuesday for all the action. I’m McKenzie Mitchell, and I’ll see you on NXT!​

 

[Stojy]

Glad to have this back mate and go home show looks like it'll be a good one. I'm most excited for Sarray/Storm, Persia getting some spotlight and finding out Kushida's next challenger. Looking forward to it.

 

[Deco90]

Firstly, really well done with picking this back up dude. I know it's not easy after a little bit of time.

Quick thoughts and Mini review for NXT EVOLVE [EPISODE #06]

- Graphics & presentation as always is on point

- I had totally forgot about the Samoan / Polynesian stable you had created. Really excited to see where this goes, especially now seeing what Solo has gone on to become. Good win for the group and the aftermath with Carmelo & Ruff was cool too.

- Nice vignette with Ruas and I really like what you are doing with him. Said it numerous times but it's definitely a strength of yours to utilise people that never really got much showing IRL and doing something different with them.

- Nice promo and victory for Grayson! Seeing him and the likes of Carmelo on this show, Solo too! Wow, you've got so much talent to play with and help shape.

- Nice segment and nod back to Evolve's history with Briggs here. See how he bounces back from the loss to Cal

- A2Z? I like that - was these two an IRL team? Can't remember if so. Friction with Cora & Gigi - let see where that goes

- Haha! Got the Grayson character down to a tee. I liked this exchange with Sterling

- Ever-Rise Live! Straight away the mental visuals for Breezango is GREAT Haha! Not looking good for Mr Bivens! I sense he has a plan, or perhaps a team up his sleeve..

- Oh Snap! Was not expecting Kyle O'Reilly to answer the Diamond Mine Invitational but I like the booking here, and the match no longer going ahead and putting some focus on the High Stakes match and the next NXT episode while giving Ruas something to brag about as his winning streak continues lol

Good show! I like that while NXT does bleed into Evolve - that Evolve is used to showcase some other talents and I think you have the balance really nice without Evolve feeling like a B-Show that's skippable.

 

[Looking Glass]

NXT [EPISODE #470] ‣ TUESDAY 17 AUGUST, 2021
CAPITOL PERFORMANCE CENTER ‣ ORLANDO, FLORIDA

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The final NXT before TakeOver: High Stakes kicks off with an electric atmosphere inside the Capitol Performance Center, as the WWE Universe buzzes with anticipation just days away from the biggest event of the summer. Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett emphasise the high stakes of the night, with champions and challengers making their final statements before heading to Las Vegas.

The night’s action will feature a high-profile six-man tag team match, pitting the Lucky 7 competitors against each other in a preview of the chaos to come at TakeOver. Additionally, Hit Row, still unbeaten in trios action, will face the reigning NXT Tag Team Champions MSK and their unpredictable partner, Johnny Gargano of The Way—a matchup that raises serious questions about whether the champions and Gargano can coexist just days before they collide.

Elsewhere, Toni Storm and Sarray will settle their rivalry in a number one contender’s match, to determine who will go on go face "Big Mami" Raquel González for the NXT Women's Championship in Vegas, while Persia Pirotta steps into the ring in a Proving Ground Match. The night will also see the official reveal of WALTER’s challenger for the NXT UK Championship and Kushida’s next opponent for the Cruiserweight title.

And in the night’s most explosive segment, Bronson Reed and LA Knight will come face-to-face for a heated press conference, just days before their Winner Takes All clash at TakeOver. With the no-contact rule still in place, tensions are expected to reach a boiling point.

With every match and segment shaping the landscape of High Stakes, the stage is set for a night full of final statements, last chances, and unanswered questions.

​

We begin the night answering the question of who will get the final spot in the Lucky 7 Match, as three determined competitors step into the ring, each desperate to secure their place at TakeOver: High Stakes. Originally a fatal four-way, the match was thrown into uncertainty after Killian Dain’s brutal attack on Timothy Thatcher ruled him out of competition. With one fewer opponent in the mix, the odds improve for the remaining men, but unpredictability looms over the contest—each competitor has already failed to qualify once, and none can afford to squander this opportunity again.

First to enter is Roderick Strong, stepping onto the stage to a warm ovation from the crowd. His expression remains unreadable, his focus locked on the ring. Still adjusting to life after the Undisputed Era, he carries the weight of expectation, knowing that both Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish have already secured their places in the Lucky 7 Match. Determined not to be left behind, he marches down the ramp, rolling his wrists and stretching against the ropes as he readies himself for the battle ahead.

The atmosphere shifts as Oney Lorcan storms onto the stage, met with resounding boos. His usual scowl is even more intense, his fists clenched at his sides as he stomps toward the ring. "The Boston Bruiser" has spent weeks demanding to be taken seriously as a singles competitor, and now, with the field down to three men, he sees this as his best chance to prove himself. He ignores the jeers from the crowd, sliding under the bottom rope and pacing aggressively, throwing stiff shadow punches in anticipation.

A moment later, Cameron Grimes bursts onto the stage, greeted by a thunderous reaction. Ever the showman, he throws his arms wide, hyping up the crowd as he points toward the TakeOver: High Stakes logo above the ring. But behind the bravado, there is a clear intensity in his eyes—after a bitter feud with LA Knight, weeks of misfortune, and public ridicule from "The Infamous" Bobby Fish, he knows that this could be his turning point. Slapping hands with a few fans, he struts down the ramp before rolling into the ring, bouncing on his heels as he flashes a grin at his opponents.

With all three men inside, referee, Daryl Sharma, signals for the bell, and the match explodes into action.

Lorcan wastes no time, charging straight at Strong and battering him with a flurry of rapid-fire European uppercuts. Strong retaliates with a knee strike, but before he can build momentum, Grimes launches himself into the mix, springboarding off the ropes to take down both men with a corkscrew crossbody. He quickly scrambles into a cover on Lorcan, but Lorcan kicks out at two.

Strong regains his footing and immediately grounds Grimes with a fireman’s carry gutbuster, rolling him aside before turning his attention to Lorcan. The two men trade blows in the centre of the ring, Lorcan’s stiff strikes rocking Strong before he whips him into the corner. Lorcan follows up with a running blockbuster, scoring the first major near-fall of the match.

With momentum shifting, Lorcan attempts to hoist Strong up for a half-and-half suplex, but Strong counters, flipping mid-air and landing on his feet before delivering a devastating jumping knee strike to Lorcan’s jaw. Just as Strong moves in for the cover, Grimes cuts him off with a PK-style kick to the head, sending Strong rolling to the outside.

With Strong temporarily out of action, Lorcan corners Grimes, punishing him with a relentless series of knife-edge chops. Grimes fights back, landing a collision course counter for a near-fall. Sensing an opportunity, he signals for the Cave-In, waiting for Lorcan to rise, but before he can connect, Strong suddenly snatches him out of mid-air, hoisting him onto his shoulders and planting him with the End of Heartache.

Just as Strong moves in for the pin, Lorcan drags him away at the last second, preventing the three-count. Strong struggles back to his feet, but Lorcan sends him crashing through the ropes with a brutal European uppercut, before following up with a half-and-half suplex on the outside, sending Strong headfirst into the steel steps. The crowd gasps as Strong lies motionless, seemingly out of the match.

Back inside, Lorcan turns his attention back to Grimes, who remains flat on his back in the centre of the ring. He yanks Grimes up, looking to finish him off with another half-and-half suplex, but just as he lifts him, Grimes suddenly shifts his weight, rolling through into a deep inside cradle. Daryl Sharma slides in to make the count —one, two, three!

Grimes immediately scrambles to his feet, hands on his head in shock as the crowd erupts in cheers. He looks to the referee for confirmation before throwing his arms into the air, his luck finally turning at the most crucial moment. Lorcan sits on the mat, wide-eyed in disbelief, realising how close he came to securing his TakeOver spot. Outside, Strong stirs against the barricade, shaking his head in frustration as another opportunity slips through his fingers.

Backstage, the camera cuts to "The Infamous One" himself, watching the result unfold on a monitor ahead of his own trios match later this evening. Arms crossed, Fish shakes his head slowly, unimpressed that Grimes has found his way into the Lucky 7 Match.

With the final competitor now confirmed, Grimes heads to High Stakes with a golden opportunity, but whether he can defy the odds or prove Bobby Fish right remains to be seen.

​

Returning from the commercial break, McKenzie Mitchell stands in the backstage interview area, reminding the audience of Killian Dain’s brutal attack on Timothy Thatcher last week. Footage plays of Dain blindsiding Thatcher, the impact of the assault evident as McKenzie shifts to her guest.

Thatcher, sporting clear signs of injury—bruising along his jaw, his shoulder bandaged, and a subtle but noticeable limp—stands with arms crossed, his frustration palpable. He has not been medically cleared to compete, and McKenzie wastes no time addressing the situation. She asks for Thatcher’s thoughts on watching Cameron Grimes secure the final spot in the Lucky 7 Match, a match Thatcher had once envisioned himself in.

Thatcher, his voice laced with irritation, acknowledges that he has yearned for an opportunity to prove himself as a main event player in NXT. After months of fighting his way up the ranks, that chance was within his grasp—until "The Beast of Belfast" ripped it away from him. The mere mention of Dain’s name makes Thatcher’s fists clench, his frustration bleeding through his usual stoic demeanour.

Despite his injuries, Thatcher makes it clear—he won’t be kept down. He refuses to let this be the end of the story. Dain has picked a fight with the wrong man, and while Thatcher may no longer have a shot at one of the Lucky 7 briefcase, he will find his own form of compensation—by beating the hell out of Dain.

McKenzie, looking slightly concerned, points out that Dain isn’t here tonight, having been fined and suspended for his actions. She questions whether Thatcher is even in any condition to fight and asks if it's wise to provoke a man who isn’t present to respond.

Thatcher scoffs at the notion, shaking his head. An ambush, an attack that cost him the biggest match of his career, and all Dain gets is a fine and seven days at home with his feet up? That isn’t justice in Thatcher’s eyes. He doesn’t care about suspensions or pay docks—he wants Dain in the ring toe end the Lullaby of Woe.

Whether he has to sign a waiver or fight Dain in the streets of Vegas, Thatcher vows to get his justice at High Stakes. Looking straight into the camera, he issues a final warning: Dain can enjoy his time off because Thatcher will be waiting for him—by hook or by crook.

With that, Thatcher storms off, leaving McKenzie momentarily speechless as the camera lingers on the intensity in his eyes. The message is clear—suspension or not, this war is far from over.

The focus shifts back to the ring, where NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida stands, the title slung over his shoulder. The crowd welcomes him warmly, and he takes a moment to soak in the atmosphere before turning his attention to the camera.

Vic Joseph reminds the audience of Kushida’s dominant reign, highlighting how, in his 125 days as champion, he has turned back challengers from Raw, NXT UK, and NXT itself. The commentary team reflects on his growing legacy, recalling his successful defences against Mustafa Ali and Mansoor, two of Raw’s most exciting prospects; Jordan Devlin, the NXT UK standout who had vowed to reclaim the championship; Alex Shelley, his former mentor whose experience was not enough to dethrone him; and Ari Sterling, Carmelo Hayes and Trey Baxter, three up-and-coming high-flyers who fell to the champion’s relentless technical precision.

With each victory recounted, the question lingers—who is left to challenge Kushida? "The Time Splitter" has proven himself against every type of opponent, cementing his place as one of the most well-rounded Cruiserweight Champions in recent history. Standing in the ring, Kushida lifts a microphone and, in a rare moment, directly addresses the NXT Universe. With TakeOver: High Stakes just days away, he knows there is a target on his back. He welcomes any challenge and asks for Nigel McGuinness' hand-selected opponent

The arena buzzes in anticipation as he lowers the microphone, scanning the entrance ramp. For several moments, silence hangs in the air. Then, suddenly, familiar music blares through the speakers.

The NXT Universe erupts as Tommaso Ciampa steps onto the stage!

Ciampa's return sends shockwaves through the crowd, as this is the first time he has been seen in months. Ciampa had disappeared from NXT in June, leaving fans questioning whether he would return at all. Now, standing at the top of the ramp, his presence alone shifts the intensity inside the arena.

The initial cheers begin to fade into confusion as Ciampa does not acknowledge the crowd. He does not raise his arms or react to the noise. Instead, his focus is locked on the man in the ring. With slow, deliberate steps, he marches down the ramp, his eyes fixed on Kushida.

The Cruiserweight Champion does not back down. Instead, he steps forward and extends a hand, offering a show of respect. He welcomes the challenge, ready to fight with honour and competition at its core. Ciampa stares at the handshake, then looks up at Kushida. For a moment, it seems as though he is considering the offer.

Then, without warning, Ciampa attacks. A shocked Wade Barrett states that "The Sicilian Psychopath" has been awakened, and he does not like to be kept waiting.

A vicious forearm strike drops Kushida where he stands, the crowd gasping in shock. The champion stumbles back, disoriented, but before he can recover, Ciampa grabs him by the hair and pulls him forward. In one swift, calculated motion, he spikes him face-first into the mat with a brutal Willow’s Bell DDT off the middle rope.

Boos begin to rain down as Ciampa kneels beside the fallen champion. His face twists into something darker, something colder than before. He isn’t done. He stands, lifts Kushida up again, and without hesitation, drives him into the mat with the Fairytale Ending.

Silence fills the arena for a moment before the booing grows louder. Ciampa remains crouched beside Kushida, his smirk faint but unmistakable. "The Blackheart" has returned, and this is not the same man who left NXT in June. This is someone with an agenda. Someone with a purpose.

Kushida lies motionless, his championship resting inches from his fingertips. Ciampa slowly reaches down, dragging the title toward him. He grips it in his hands, his fingers running across the gold plate, his expression unreadable. After a lingering moment, he places it back onto Kushida’s chest—a message sent loud and clear.

As Ciampa rises, the boos continue to rain down. He stands over the fallen champion, his eyes locked on the belt that he has now claimed as his target.

The segment ends with referees making their way out to check on the Cruiserweight Champion, while a hyper-focused Ciampa makes his way to the back, ignoring the boos of the crowd. Vic says that he has not seen the champion look this vulnerable in a very long time - if ever! Barrett applauds the selection of the General Manager, noting that Ciampa is back and looking to add another title to his resumé and judging from what we've seen tonight, that is a very real possibility.

Before the show cuts to commercial on the image of Kushida sprawled out on the mat, the Cruiserweight Championship beside him, while Ciampa looks down, his twisted smirk a promise of what is to come at High Stakes.

​

Before the show cuts to commercial, Tegan Nox and Shotzi are seen walking through the backstage area, their expressions focused as they prepare for their upcoming NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship match at TakeOver: High Stakes. Shotzi clenches her back, still showing signs of hurt following last week's attack at the hands of Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta (on Candice LeRae's orders).

As they turn a corner, they come to a sudden stop, noticing Dakota Kai standing off to the side, mumbling to herself.

Dakota, usually composed, looks uneasy. Her body language is anxious, and she is muttering under her breath, seemingly lost in thought. Tegan and Shotzi exchange reluctant glances before cautiously approaching. Despite their past issues with Kai, the scene in front of them feels different—she is not the usual defiant, confident competitor they’ve clashed with before.

Tegan, hesitant but curious, asks if Dakota is okay.

Kai barely looks up, her voice quiet but full of frustration. She admits that she messed up big time last week, costing Mercedes Martinez her match against Toni Storm in the Number One Contender Series. She says that Raquel González has now asked her to stay out of tonight's final round, and it’s eating her up inside. She insists that all she wanted to do was be a good friend, but it feels like everything she does backfires.

Shotzi raises an eyebrow, clearly unsure whether to buy into Dakota’s sincerity. Tegan remains cautious, arms crossed as she listens. There is an awkward silence before Dakota hesitates, then asks in a small voice, “Am I a good person?”

Shotzi snorts, tilting her head. “You’re probably asking the wrong crowd.”

Dakota winces but doesn’t lash out. Instead, she lowers her head, taking a deep breath before offering an unexpected, heartfelt apology. She admits that ever since she was blinded, her life has changed completely. While she can’t see physically, she claims her perspective has shifted. She isn’t looking for sympathy, but she wants them to know that she sees things differently now.

The tension lingers in the air before Dakota forces a small, hopeful smile and tells Tegan and Shotzi that she genuinely wishes them good luck at TakeOver. She says she wishes she had that opportunity, but the only thing she can do now is support from afar.

Tegan and Shotzi, though still unsure about her sincerity, exchange looks before awkwardly accepting the apology. Neither of them is fully convinced, but for the first time in a long time, Dakota Kai seems genuinely vulnerable.

As they continue on their way, the camera lingers on Dakota, who still looks uncertain. Up next, Persia Pirotta will be in action, which Nox and Shotzi will surely have a keen interest in.

The show then cuts to commercial.

​

As the show returns from commercial, Heather Chambers (also known as 'Heather Reckless' on the independent circuits) stands in the ring, waiting for her opponent. The commentary team replays last week’s chaotic contract signing, where Persia Pirotta and Indi Hartwell ambushed the number one contenders Shotzi and Tegan Nox, culminating in Shotzi being driven through a table. Wade Barrett takes the opportunity to defend The Way’s actions, explaining that Candice LeRae has ordered this match not only to appease Nigel McGuinness, but to test Persia’s loyalty and see if she has truly embraced The Way.

Vic Joseph reminds the audience that Pirotta has only had one previous match in NXT, a swift defeat at the hands of Xia Li, raising questions about whether she is ready for the big stage. Barrett immediately brushes this off, insisting that Persia has since learned under the guidance of her long-time friend, Indi Hartwell, and the "Wicked Stepmother" herself, Candice LeRae.

The arena lights dim slightly as Persia Pirotta makes her entrance, flanked by the NXT Women's Tag Team Champions. Persia looks far more composed than in her previous outing, standing tall as she enters the ring, a confident smirk on her face. LeRae claps approvingly from ringside, reinforcing her belief that Persia is ready for bigger things, despite her initial scepticism.

As the bell rings, Persia immediately overpowers Heather, grabbing her by the wrist and yanking her across the ring like a rag doll. Heather scrambles to her feet, only for Persia to scoop her up effortlessly and plant her with a hard body slam, followed by a forceful shove into the corner. Persia charges forward with a crushing avalanche splash, leaving Heather reeling as she stumbles out of the turnbuckle.

Persia doesn’t let up, dragging Heather to the centre of the ring before lifting her high into a delayed vertical suplex, stalling just long enough to showcase her strength before driving Heather into the mat with a thunderous impact. Heather winces in pain as Persia looms over her, briefly glancing at Candice at ringside, who nods in approval.

Heather, sensing an opening, desperately tries to fight back, landing a quick series of forearm strikes to Persia’s midsection. She follows up with a dropkick to the knee, forcing Persia to stagger. With a sudden burst of energy, Heather rushes toward the ropes, looking to capitalise—but Candice slams her hands against the mat, barking orders to Indi.

Indi hesitates for a moment, looking slightly conflicted as she watches Heather regain momentum. Candice, unimpressed, grabs Indi’s wrist and demands she interfere, insisting that Persia must learn The Way. Indi steps forward but doesn’t immediately act, the moment of indecision creating a brief tension.

Before Indi can make a decision, Persia takes full advantage. She levels Heather with a big boot, nearly knocking her out cold. Without wasting any time, Persia lifts Heather onto her shoulders, displaying raw power before planting her with a devastating fireman’s carry into a sit-out spinebuster for the three-count.

Candice claps approvingly from ringside as Persia rises, smirking. Indi, however, looks somewhat conflicted, her hesitation still lingering despite having obeyed Candice's orders the previous week.

As Persia, Candice, and Indi stand together in the ring, Tegan Nox and Shotzi appear at the top of the ramp, watching the scene unfold. The two challengers for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships stand firm, arms crossed, making it clear that they are far from intimidated.

Tegan Nox and Shotzi storm down the ramp, their frustration evident. The challengers for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships waste no time as they march toward Persia, Indi Hartwell, and Candice LeRae, who stand their ground.

Tegan and Shotzi make it clear that they aren’t here for games. They have seen the tweets circulating online, pointing out that Candice never actually signed the contract for the title match at TakeOver: High Stakes. Tegan, arms crossed, states that they are not about to be duped out of their championship opportunity on Sunday.

Shotzi, stepping in closer, warns that they want to hear the truth straight from the horse’s mouth. She makes it clear that if they don’t like the answer, they won’t be responsible for their actions. The crowd roars in approval as Shotzi and Tegan move in.

Before Candice can respond, Indi and Persia step forward, trying to block the challengers from getting any closer. This quickly escalates into a brawl on the entrance ramp, with Tegan and Shotzi getting the upper hand. Persia is rocked by a headbutt from Nox, sending her stumbling back, while Shotzi lands a jumping enzuigiri on Indi, knocking her down.

Candice finds herself alone, backing up as Tegan and Shotzi surround her. The crowd cheers in anticipation, waiting for the inevitable retaliation. But before they can lay a hand on her, Candice throws up her hands, a look of sheer exasperation on her face.

Then, in a moment that leaves the arena stunned, Candice blurts out a shocking revelation—she’s pregnant!

The crowd gasps. Tegan and Shotzi freeze in place, their hands hovering mid-air, stunned into silence. Even Persia and Indi, still recovering, look momentarily caught off guard. The tension shifts entirely as confusion washes over the challengers, unsure how to process what they’ve just heard.

Before anyone can react further, an equally shocked Johnny Gargano sprints onto the stage, sliding between Candice and the challengers, his arms outstretched protectively. His face is a mix of panic and over-the-top excitement, alternating between glaring at Shotzi and Tegan and pointing at Candice as if making sure everyone acknowledges what just happened.

Tegan and Shotzi, still trying to process the situation, exchange confused glances. The fight, the anger—it all suddenly feels incredibly awkward.

Candice, standing behind Johnny, smirks as she adjusts her posture, subtly stepping back. The challengers take a cautious step away, unsure whether this is a ploy or the truth. Meanwhile, Gargano continues to act as a human shield, waving his arms and yelling, “Stay back! This is a happy family moment!”

The tension lingers, but it’s clear that the challengers have lost their momentum. With the situation now completely turned on its head, Tegan and Shotzi shake their heads, clearly still skeptical but unable to act in the moment.

As The Way regroups, the camera zooms in on Candice’s smirk, her expression unreadable. Is this genuine, or has Candice LeRae just found the ultimate way to manipulate her way out of defending the titles at High Stakes?

As Nox and Shotzi slowly retreat, the unanswered question looms over the match—will the championship bout even go ahead as planned?

Vic Joseph reminds the audience that tonight will see the long-awaited finale of the NXT Women’s Championship Contender Series, where Toni Storm and Sarray will go one-on-one for the right to challenge Raquel González at TakeOver: High Stakes. Wade Barrett adds that Hit Row will take on the reigning NXT Tag Team Champions MSK and Johnny Gargano in a trios match, a preview of the chaos coming at TakeOver when all three teams battle for the gold.

Vic confirms that in just moments, Nigel McGuinness will officially reveal who will challenge WALTER for the NXT United Kingdom Championship, following the Austrian’s shocking arrival last week. With WALTER holding the title for over two years, McGuinness has promised a worthy challenger will step up to face The Ring General at TakeOver.
Barrett then promote the crucial bragging rights bout between six of the Lucky 7 entrants. Cameron Grimes, who qualified earlier in the evening will now get to cast an eye over his opponents as Samoa Joe, Bobby Fish, and Pete Dunne take on the team of Kyle O'Reilly, Finn Bálor, and Austin Theory.

Vic wraps up by reminding fans that the Winner Takes All press conference between Bronson Reed and LA Knight will close the show, with just days remaining before their championship showdown in Las Vegas.

​

A split-screen graphic appears on-screen, signalling that Toni Storm and Sarray have both recorded pre-match promos ahead of tonight’s main event. The screen first cuts to "The Warrior of the Sun", who is seated calmly in front of a backdrop of her country’s flag. Her promo is translated for the audience.

Sarray speaks with heartfelt sincerity, saying that wrestling is her passion, and it has been her dream since she was a young girl. She reflects on her journey, explaining how she fought her way up through the ranks in Japan, earning her reputation through grit, discipline, and respect. When the call came from WWE, she was honoured, but she admits she was also terrified. She came to America not knowing anyone, not speaking the language well, and unsure if she would fit in.

Despite those fears, she says she has found her place in NXT, made great friends like Zoey Stark, and most importantly, earned the love of the WWE Universe. But while she cherishes these things, she did not come to NXT just to make friends—she came to be a champion.

Her face hardens slightly as she addresses Toni Storm’s words from last week. She says she does not understand why Toni claims not to know who she is, because she knows exactly who Toni is. Sarray respects what Toni has accomplished in Japan and all around the world, but she does not respect her ego. If this is the role Toni wants to play—the arrogant superstar who looks down on everyone beneath her—then she will take her down, just as she took down Franky Monet last week.

The feed then shifts to Toni Storm, seated in a dimly lit studio, her expression smug as she leans back in her chair, dressed in her signature leather jacket. The cocky confidence in her voice is undeniable as she slowly claps, applauding Sarray for making it into the biggest match of her career. She calls this Sarray’s personal dream match, because she knows deep down, Sarray looks up to her as an idol.

Toni smirks, saying there’s an old saying—“Never meet your idols, because they will always disappoint you.” And tonight, Sarray is about to be very, very disappointed.

Storm tilts her head, her tone dripping with disdain as she says she isn’t in NXT to make friends, to fit in, or to earn the crowd’s love—she has enough fans as it is. That’s the difference between her and the likes of Sarray and even Raquel González—both of them care too much about what people think. Both of them are too entertained by making friends, while she holds herself above it all.

Toni runs a hand through her hair, smirking once again. She reminds everyone that there’s a reason they call her "The Headliner." While Sarray wants to prove herself and play the respectful underdog, Toni is already a superstar, and tonight, she will prove exactly why. She warns Raquel González to watch closely, because in a matter of days, she will be coming for her NXT Women’s Championship.

With that final statement, the screen fades to black as the hype builds for the match later in the night.

As the show returns from commercial, Nigel McGuinness stands in the centre of the ring, microphone in hand, looking somewhat exasperated. He surveys the audience before shaking his head slightly, acknowledging that tonight has already spiralled into unexpected chaos, particularly with Tommaso Ciampa’s shocking attack on Kushida earlier in the night. He sighs, saying that while things have been getting out of hand, he’s here to restore some order, beginning with a bit of housekeeping.

McGuinness confirms that after speaking with NXT’s medical team, Kushida has been cleared to compete and will defend his NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Tommaso Ciampa at TakeOver: High Stakes. The crowd buzzes at the announcement, knowing full well that the match will be a hard-hitting encounter.

He continues by addressing a matter of professionalism and controversy, referring to Candice LeRae’s shocking revelation earlier tonight and the ongoing accusations she has made in recent weeks regarding her treatment. Given the seriousness of the situation, he reveals that he has coordinated with NXT HR to find a viable solution, one that acknowledges both the concerns Candice has raised and the reality of NXT Women's Tag Team Championship match at the premium live event. However, this is not news he intends to deliver over the microphone—he will prefer to give it in person.

After handling the necessary business, McGuinness straightens his tie, regaining his composure as he shifts the focus to the next order of business. He takes a deep breath before formally introducing WALTER, saying that if there’s any man who can remind this roster of what class and honour look like, it is "The Ring General" himself.

A moment later, the arena is filled with the powerful, commanding sound of WALTER’s entrance theme as the NXT United Kingdom Champion makes his way down the ramp, flanked by Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel of Imperium. The crowd reacts with a mix of awe and apprehension, fully aware of the champion’s reputation for brutality.

WALTER steps into the ring, towering over McGuinness as he adjusts his championship across his shoulder. Aichner and Barthel stand slightly behind him, hands clasped behind their backs, expressions stoic.

McGuinness begins to speak, but WALTER quickly raises a hand, cutting him off before he can continue. The NXT United Kingdom Champion states bluntly that he isn’t here for talk. He was promised a challenger, and he isn’t interested in speeches or ceremony—he wants to know who he will destroy at High Stakes.

McGuinness nods, acknowledging WALTER’s direct nature. He explains that there were many options considered for this challenge, as facing WALTER is not an opportunity to be handed out lightly. However, in the end, his decision was heavily influenced by one man—Johnny Saint, the NXT UK General Manager himself.

At the mention of Johnny Saint’s name, WALTER’s expression shifts slightly. He crosses his arms, unimpressed, as McGuinness continues. Saint made it very clear that there is only one man who is worthy, one man who has fought and bled for this opportunity, and one man who has unfinished business with "The Ring General".

A tense silence falls over the arena as the crowd waits in anticipation.

Then—a familiar theme hits.

The NXT Universe erupts as Ilja Dragunov steps onto the stage.

WALTER’s jaw tightens as Ilja marches down the ramp, his gaze locked on the champion, his intensity burning through the screen. The last time these two met, they tore each other apart in one of the most brutal matches in NXT UK history, with WALTER narrowly escaping with his title. Now, Dragunov stands before him once again—battle-worn, hungry, and ready for war.

Ilja enters the ring without hesitation, stepping right up to WALTER, getting in his face. The Ring General doesn’t move, doesn’t blink, doesn’t step back. The two men stand eye to eye, neither one flinching as the tension in the building reaches its peak

The crowd explodes again, but WALTER and Dragunov don’t react. They remain frozen in place, locked in an unspoken challenge. Aichner and Barthel remain tense on the outside, watching for any sudden movements.

WALTER, still unreadable, finally lifts the NXT United Kingdom Championship, holding it between them. Dragunov, however, does not look at the title. He keeps his eyes locked on WALTER. He doesn’t care about the gold—he only cares about fighting the man holding it.

A small smirk tugs at the corner of WALTER’s mouth. Dragunov steps even closer, the intensity in his stare unwavering.

For a moment, it seems like things may explode right then and there—but McGuinness steps forward one last time, cautioning both men. His voice is steady but knowing.

"You wanted a worthy challenger, WALTER?"

The tension lingers, the air thick with anticipation. WALTER doesn’t flinch. Dragunov doesn’t move. Aichner and Barthel begin to circle like sharks but without even looking, the United Kingdom Champion holds his hand up to halt them. WALTER instead takes a step forward.

The screen fades to black, the image of WALTER and Dragunov standing nose to nose the last thing the audience sees.

The war is set. The battle is coming. Las Vegas, Nevada will be their battlefield.

​

Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell stands with Kyle O'Reilly, who looks far from his usual laid-back self. His face is marked with intensity, still carrying the effects of Samoa Joe’s attack last week on NXT Evolve when he attempted to answer Arturo Ruas’ Diamond Mine Invitational. The footage plays on-screen, showing how O’Reilly was moments away from stepping into the cage before Joe blindsided him, taking full advantage of the no-contact rule being abolished.

McKenzie asks Kyle about his mindset heading into tonight’s six-man tag team match as well as the Lucky 7 Match at High Stakes.

O'Reilly exhales sharply before turning to the camera, his tone carrying a dangerous edge. He acknowledges that Samoa Joe is a machine, a destroyer, and a man with a long list of victims. But Joe needs to think twice about coming after him, because people who mess with Kyle O’Reilly tend to disappear.

His voice drops slightly as he lets the words sink in, a clear reference to Adam Cole, who is now gone from NXT after losing their brutal Loser Leaves Town Three Strikes Match at End of the Line.

Kyle smirks slightly before reminding Joe that in the Lucky 7 Match, the stakes are at their highest. One of those briefcases doesn’t hold a title shot. It holds the Joker. The pink slip. If Joe isn’t careful, he might find himself with more than just another victim—he might find himself out of a job.

McKenzie presses Kyle on whether last week’s attack has thrown him off his game, but O’Reilly shakes his head, saying that he had planned to tune up for Sunday last week. Instead, he’ll give the WWE Universe a preview of what’s to come tonight.

Before Kyle can continue, Finn Bálor walks into the frame, arms crossed as he looks his tag team partner up and down. There’s tension between them—they’ve been on opposite sides before, and they’ll be against each other at High Stakes.

Bálor doesn’t sugar coat things. He says that this weekend, they’ll be against each other, and if things were different, he might have left Kyle to the wolves last week. But if there’s one thing he hates more than being rivals, it’s Samoa Joe.

Bálor gets in closer, his tone low and serious. He needs O’Reilly at his best tonight, because if he’s going to go to war, he doesn’t want dead weight beside him.

Kyle smirks, sensing the challenge, and without missing a beat, he tells Bálor that he’s more than happy to put their differences aside for a common enemy tonight. They share a nod of mutual respect—temporary allies with the same goal: making Joe pay.

With their partnership for the night confirmed, the screen fades out.

As the camera transitions from the backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly and Finn Bálor, the show moves to the next match of the night—a trios tag team match featuring Hit Row taking on the team of MSK and Johnny Gargano.

However, before the competitors make their entrances, a pre-recorded vignette airs, featuring MSK attempting to teach Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis how to prepare for a match—the MSK way.

A pre-recorded vignette airs, showing MSK attempting to teach Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis how to prepare for a match—the MSK way. With boundless energy, Wes Lee and Nash Carter try to instil their unique philosophy of hype and positivity, leading Gargano through an unconventional training routine. He begrudgingly goes along with it, participating in their high-energy trust exercises, awkward dance routines, and an overly complicated secret handshake. Lumis remains entirely unresponsive throughout, barely acknowledging any of it before silently walking away. Gargano throws his hands up in frustration, muttering that he can’t believe he agreed to this, before resigning himself to focus on winning the match.

Back in the arena, MSK’s music hits, and the reigning NXT Tag Team Champions make their way to the ring, hyped up after their chaotic “match prep.” Johnny Gargano follows, looking equal parts amused and exhausted, shaking his head at their antics.

As Gargano steps onto the ramp, the crowd erupts into loud “YOU’RE THE DADDY!” chants, reacting to Candice LeRae’s pregnancy reveal earlier in the night.

Gargano pauses mid-step, caught completely off-guard. He glances around, laughs in disbelief, and mouths, “Seriously?” before continuing down the ramp, shaking his head with a smirk. MSK, realizing what’s happening, start chanting along with the crowd just to mess with him, much to Gargano’s frustration.

At ringside, Dexter Lumis stands expressionless, watching on as Gargano mutters something about needing a new set of teammates.

Hit Row’s music hits, and Swerve Scott leads Top Dolla and Ashante Adonis down the ramp, followed by B-Fab at ringside. Their confidence is undeniable, their presence dominating. Swerve locks eyes with Gargano, making it clear that tonight is about sending a message.

The match starts at a blistering pace, as Wes Lee and Adonis open with a showcase of agility and precision. They exchange fast-paced counters, dodging and flipping around each other, with MSK briefly gaining control through their rapid-fire offense.

The tide turns when Top Dolla tags in, immediately overpowering Nash Carter. He catches Carter mid-air on a crossbody attempt and effortlessly presses him overhead, walking him around the ring before dumping him onto Gargano outside the ring.

With Gargano distracted, Swerve and Adonis isolate Carter in their corner, cutting off the ring and keeping him grounded. Top Dolla ragdolls Carter with a huge spinning side slam, before tagging Swerve back in to hit a springboard elbow drop for a near fall.

Gargano finally gets the hot tag and enters with a fury, taking down both Adonis and Swerve with a slingshot spear and a fast combination of superkicks. The crowd erupts again with another “YOU’RE THE DADDY!” chant, and this time, Gargano stops mid-move, yelling out loud, “I KNOW!”, getting a huge laugh from the audience.

As MSK rally back, Gargano sets up for One Final Beat on Swerve, but his arm gives out—a result of Swerve’s earlier targeting. Swerve immediately capitalizes, landing a House Call kick before hoisting him up for the JML Driver. With one final devastating drop, Swerve pins Gargano for the three-count.

Hit Row celebrate in the ring, victorious, while MSK and Gargano regroup. Gargano sits up, holding the back of his head, still processing what just happened. MSK attempt to hype up the crowd, acting like it was just an unfortunate loss, but Gargano isn’t laughing.

He turns to MSK, his frustration evident, as he questions why they were so reckless with their tags and high-risk moves. Wes Lee and Nash Carter don’t back down, pointing out that they’re the 12-1 tag team champions for a reason and that Gargano tagging himself in and trying to slow things down threw off their rhythm.

MSK insist that they’re a winning team, and that Gargano was the weak link tonight. Gargano, annoyed, claps sarcastically, muttering inaudibly.

Both sides stand face-to-face, tempers flaring, as the tension is undeniable. At ringside, Dexter Lumis watches everything unfold without reacting.

As the arguing continues, Gargano suddenly turns on his heel and walks away, shaking his head. MSK, still frustrated, mockingly wave him off, making it clear they feel no guilt over how the match ended.

The camera lingers on the growing fracture between Gargano and MSK, teasing further issues heading into High Stakes.

​

Backstage, Pete Dunne is seen tightening his wrist wraps, standing in front of a mirror, his expression unreadable as he prepares for the night’s main event. His focus is broken as Samoa Joe enters the frame, the atmosphere instantly shifting with tension.

Dunne smirks, mocking the idea that Joe considers himself an unstoppable force, but Joe remains unfazed, reminding Dunne that every so-called king eventually falls. Dunne, ever defiant, tells Joe that he’s sent plenty of so-called legends packing, and he wouldn’t hesitate to do the same to him.

Joe steps closer, his voice laced with quiet menace as he warns Dunne that he doesn’t need to talk about his dominance—his actions have already spoken for him. The two seem on the verge of a physical altercation before "The Infamous" Bobby Fish steps in between them, raising a hand to defuse the situation.

With his usual smug confidence, Fish reminds them that their battle can wait—tonight, they need to focus on sending a message to their opponents in the main event. Joe smirks, backing off slightly, but his eyes remain locked on Dunne, promising that this isn’t over. Dunne, never one to back down, simply chuckles, muttering that it’ll be him who finishes this first.

With the final NXT Women’s Championship Contender Series match set to determine who will challenge Raquel González at High Stakes, both Toni Storm and Sarray enter the ring with starkly different attitudes. Sarray, still undefeated in singles competition, carries a look of quiet determination, eager to silence Storm’s arrogance. Toni Storm, ever the self-proclaimed “Headliner,” struts to the ring with an air of unshakable confidence, soaking in the moment as if her victory is already guaranteed.

The bell rings, and Toni immediately toys with Sarray, offering a lazy handshake before snatching her hand away with a smug smirk. Sarray, unfazed, fires off a stiff forearm strike to Storm’s jaw, stunning her. Storm stumbles back, wide-eyed, before retaliating with a wild swing—only for Sarray to duck and explode into a dropkick, sending Storm tumbling outside. Fired up, Sarray charges and lands a baseball slide dropkick, driving Storm into the barricade. Storm winces in pain but quickly regroups, grabbing Sarray mid-charge and swinging her viciously into the steel steps, shifting the match in her favour.

Now in control, Storm methodically targets Sarray’s back, slamming her into the ring apron and then delivering a delayed suplex on the floor. She arrogantly tosses Sarray back into the ring and continues her dominance, driving repeated knees into Sarray’s spine before locking in a modified crossface, wrenching back viciously. Sarray fights through the pain, clawing her way toward the ropes. Just before she can reach them, Storm transitions into a snap German suplex, folding Sarray in half. She covers—but Sarray kicks out at two.

Frustrated, Storm decides to put an exclamation mark on the match. Sliding to the outside, she grabs her Mae Young Classic trophy, hoisting it above her head like a weapon. Referee Aja Smith immediately intervenes, warning Storm, before forcibly taking the trophy away. As Aja turns to place the trophy outside, Storm, seizing the distraction, goes for a blatant low blow kick to Sarray—but Sarray catches Storm’s leg just in time!

The crowd erupts as Sarray, furious, twists Storm’s foot and flips her onto her back, before launching a brutal basement dropkick directly to Storm’s face! Storm scrambles to her feet, dazed, only to be caught with a picture-perfect bridging German suplex. The referee turns back in time to count—one… two… Storm barely kicks out!

Sarray, sensing victory, backs into the corner, calling for her signature Sunray Dropkick. She charges—but Storm rolls out of the way at the last second! Sarray crashes into the turnbuckle, dazed from the impact, as Storm drags herself up using the ropes. Seeing her opening, Storm quickly traps Sarray in a roll up, but instead of a clean pin, she places her feet on the middle rope for leverage!

Aja Smith doesn’t see it—one… two… three!

The crowd boos loudly as Storm immediately rolls out of the ring, arms raised in mock triumph. Sarray sits up, eyes wide with shock and frustration, realizing she has just suffered her first loss in NXT due to Storm’s underhanded tactics.

As Storm celebrates outside the ring, Raquel González’s music hits, and the NXT Women’s Champion makes her way down the ramp. But she’s not alone—Mercedes Martinez follows closely behind her. The two imposing women step onto the apron, staring down Storm, who remains unfazed, resting casually against the barricade with a smug grin.

Raquel steps forward and, with an almost begrudging nod, congratulates Storm on her victory. But her tone shifts as she warns that once their match is over at High Stakes, Storm won’t be the headliner anymore—she’ll be old news.

Storm chuckles, adjusting her leather jacket before stepping closer to the ropes. She smirks at González, leaning in as she mockingly responds, "Once I’m done with you, Raquel, you'll be asking Dakota to guide you around."

The crowd gasps at the cold threat as Raquel’s expression hardens, clenching her fists in barely-contained fury. Storm, pleased with herself, slowly backs up the ramp, confidently tossing her sunglasses into the crowd before disappearing behind the curtain.

In the ring, Sarray is still recovering. The camera lingers on Raquel’s intense stare toward the ramp, the tension for TakeOver: High Stakes now fully set.

Elsewhere, Austin Theory tries to warm up for his match, but his focus is elsewhere. Feeling left out, he mutters about Kyle O’Reilly and Finn Bálor ignoring him all night, clearly in his own head. Meanwhile, Johnny Gargano is torn between emotions, frustrated over his loss earlier in the night but beaming with excitement over Candice LeRae’s pregnancy.

Across the room, Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta put the pieces together, realising that Candice’s reluctance to defend the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships stemmed from her pregnancy. Candice confirms this but insists that she is still “the forever champion” because no one compares to The Way.

Before they can react, Nigel McGuinness enters, formally congratulating Candice but quickly shifting the conversation. He informs them that since she won’t be medically cleared, The Way must either vacate the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships or defend them at High Stakes. He even suggests that Shotzi and Tegan Nox could be named champions by default.

Candice, furious, accuses Nigel of discrimination, but he calmly counters that titleholders must be able to defend their championships and that she failed to communicate this major development. Johnny steps in, trying to smooth things over, insisting that the family needs time to figure out a plan.

Nigel gives them until Sunday at High Stakes to make their decision before leaving. Indi and Persia look uncertain, Austin remains lost in his own world, and Candice is seething at the idea of giving up the titles. Johnny, caught between joy and frustration, lets out a long sigh—The Way has a decision to make.

With High Stakes just days away, six of the seven men set to compete in the Lucky 7 Ladder Match enter this all-important trios match. The tension is palpable, as alliances are tenuous at best, and every man wants momentum heading into the chaotic showdown on Sunday.

The first to enter is Austin Theory, bouncing onto the stage with boundless energy, though a hint of uncertainty lingers in his movements. He looks around, searching for his teammates, but as he reaches the ring, there’s a noticeable lack of acknowledgment from the crowd, a stark contrast to his usual self-assured arrogance.

Kyle O’Reilly follows, walking down the ramp with his usual laser focus, shaking out his wrists and cracking his neck. His eyes dart toward Theory, but he doesn’t acknowledge him—he’s only focused on the fight ahead.

Finally, "The Prince" Finn Bálor steps onto the stage, his presence commanding as he surveys the crowd. The audience roars in approval as he makes his way to the ring, his expression unreadable. He glances at Theory and O’Reilly but remains silent, rolling his shoulders as he perches in the corner.

There’s an awkward tension as their team stands together but completely disconnected.

The mood shifts as "The Infamous" Bobby Fish’s music hits. The veteran enters with a slow, deliberate strut, his robe flowing as he smirks condescendingly toward the ring. He basks in the moment as if it’s a grand production, a masterclass in his own brilliance.

Pete Dunne follows, his knuckles already wrapped, his jaw clenched. He barely acknowledges Fish, his focus entirely on the ring as he stomps down the ramp, his fingers flexing as if already imagining snapping someone’s limbs.

Finally, Samoa Joe’s music hits, and the crowd erupts. "The Samoan Submission Machine" marches toward the ring with an aura of pure dominance. He climbs onto the apron, his cold eyes sweeping across his partners before settling on the opposite team.

With all six men in the ring, Eddie Orengo, for the bell.

O’Reilly and Dunne start things off, engaging in a brutal technical exchange—O’Reilly’s chain wrestling versus Dunne’s sadistic joint manipulation. Dunne wrenches O’Reilly’s fingers apart, but O’Reilly counters with a sweeping leg kick, knocking Dunne onto his back.

Dunne quickly recovers, responding with a violent slap to the face, and O’Reilly fires back with a stiff forearm, leading to an exchange of vicious strikes. O’Reilly drags Dunne to the corner and tags in Bálor, who immediately dropkicks Dunne’s knee and hits a running basement dropkick for a two-count.

"The Infamous One" tags in to slow the pace, taking Bálor down and methodically targeting his leg. He wrenches at the knee, hitting a dragon screw leg whip before transitioning into a knee bar. Bálor grimaces, reaching for the ropes, but Fish rolls through and locks it in tighter.

The pain is evident, but Bálor manages to crawl toward his corner, reaching for Theory. Theory eagerly tags himself in and bursts into the ring with explosive offense, dropping Fish with a standing dropkick followed by a high-impact blockbuster.

Fish stumbles to his feet, and Theory lifts him for A-Town Down—but Fish counters, slipping behind and driving Theory shoulder-first into the turnbuckle.

This gives Joe the opportunity to tag in, and the crowd roars as he flattens Theory with a massive running elbow. Joe follows up with a brutal uranage and a senton, covering for a near fall before Theory barely kicks out.

O’Reilly re-enters, bringing the fight to Joe, lighting him up with rapid knee strikes and kicks. Joe absorbs them and floors O’Reilly with a massive big boot. Dunne tags in, continuing the assault, stomping O’Reilly’s hand and wrenching his wrist into a cruel angle.

Bálor makes a hot tag, launching into the ring with a sling blade on Dunne, then hitting a shotgun dropkick into the corner. But when he climbs for Coup de Grâce, Fish sneaks onto the apron and shoves him off, sending Bálor crashing to the mat.

Theory sees this and rushes in to argue with O’Reilly, who had been calling for the tag. O’Reilly shoves Theory back, clearly frustrated, allowing Joe to catch Theory with a lariat.

Bálor manages to fight out of Joe’s Coquina Clutch by running up the ropes and flipping over. He lands a desperation Pele Kick before crawling to his corner. O’Reilly extends his hand, but Theory, desperate to prove himself, tags himself in before O’Reilly can.

Theory charges into the ring, nailing a springboard rolling dropkick on Dunne before hitting a blue thunder bomb on Fish. Fired up, Theory turns to Bálor and pumps himself up, calling for A-Town Down on Joe.

But Bálor, still recovering, mistakes Theory’s positioning and shoves him away, thinking he was about to attack O’Reilly. Theory, confused, shoves Bálor back in frustration.

The moment of hesitation allows Joe to recover—he blasts Theory with a massive clothesline. Dunne rushes in and plants Bálor with the Bitter End, sending him rolling out of the ring. Fish knocks O’Reilly off the apron with a flying knee.

Joe hoists up Theory, tosses him into the ropes, and drills him with a Muscle Buster for the three count.

The moment the bell rings, things completely unravel. As Joe gets to his feet, Dunne immediately strikes him from behind, sending Joe stumbling forward. Fish, relishing in their victory, laughs—until Dunne elbows him square in the jaw.

Meanwhile, outside the ring, Bálor and O’Reilly continue arguing, both blaming each other for the miscommunication. Theory, still groggy, sits up inside the ring looking completely lost.

As Joe gets back to his feet, he and Dunne go nose-to-nose, eyes burning with fury. Fish, catching his breath, shoves Dunne, who shoves him back. Suddenly, Joe throws the first punch, and all three explode into a fight.

At the same time, O’Reilly finally snaps, shoving Bálor as Theory jumps between them, trying to play peacemaker. It doesn’t last long as Bálor decks Theory in the heat of the moment, sending him sprawling to the mat.

As the security and officials scramble to separate the absolute chaos, the camera cuts to the entrance ramp—where suddenly, Cameron Grimes’ music hits!

The crowd erupts as Grimes struts onto the stage, dressed in a fine suit, cowboy hat tilted, and a massive grin across his face. In one hand, he casually holds a golden, custom-made ladder—his own personal statement heading into TakeOver.

As bodies continue flying in the ring, Grimes laughs hysterically, clapping his hands as he watches his future opponents completely self-destruct. He takes out a microphone from his jacket and sarcastically yells:

"Oh, y’all keep at it! Don’t mind me! Just enjoyin’ the best seat in the house!"

He then slowly begins setting up his golden ladder on the ramp, climbing a few steps before taking a seat comfortably on the rung, leaning back as if relaxing in a lawn chair.

Security barely contains the war in the ring, but the camera lingers on Grimes looking completely relaxed, confidently stroking his beard before pointing up toward the briefcases hanging above the ring.

With a massive smirk, he declares: “See y’all Sunday!”

The shot fades to black with Grimes laughing to himself atop the ladder, while everyone else remains locked in pure chaos below him.

​

Back from commercial, Zoey Stark consoles Sarray, who is visibly upset following her loss to Toni Storm. Zoey reassures her that one setback doesn’t define her and that she’ll come back stronger.

Before Sarray can respond, Aliyah and Jessi Kamea of The Brand approach, smug as ever. Aliyah hands Zoey an envelope, prompting her to ask what it is. With a knowing smirk, Aliyah tells her that Franky Monet has personally invited her to "sit with us" on NXT Evolve.

Zoey looks confused as Aliyah and Jessi walk away, laughing to themselves, clearly enjoying the mystery. Sarray shrugs, just as uncertain, while Zoey studies the envelope, debating whether she even wants to entertain The Brand’s offer.

The scene is drenched in atmosphere and tension, as Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, and Raul Mendoza are led into a dark, luxurious office, unmistakably resembling the headquarters of a kingpin. Ornate wooden furniture, shelves lined with gold and artifacts, and a massive desk facing away from them create an unsettling aura of power.
At the far end of the room, sitting in a high-backed chair, silhouetted against the dim glow of a stained-glass window, is El Gran Jefe.

The man in the shadows speaks, his voice smooth yet dangerous, calculated yet laced with ambition.

"You came seeking your roots. Seeking your legacy. But legacy is not inherited, Santos… it is taken."

Escobar steps forward, standing tall despite the overwhelming weight of the moment. He reminds the unseen figure that his father—El Fantasma—was a legend, a traditional luchador who inspired an entire generation.

A chuckle echoes through the room.

"Yes… and where did that legacy get you?"

Escobar’s jaw clenches. Wilde and Mendoza shift uneasily.

"You didn’t become anyone until you took off the mask."

A long silence.

The voice grows sharper, more commanding. "You, Santos—you lived in the shadow of your father until you let go of his face. Joaquin, Raul—you were nobodies, meandering, waiting for fate to intervene. And it did. Legado del Fantasma gave you direction. It made you something. But then you lost yourselves. You let arrogance, complacency, and failure define you."

Escobar holds his ground, but there’s a flicker of something—self-doubt, or perhaps realisation. Escobar says that they have proven what they are capable of, they took on the best in the Temple and beat them all.

"The temple has power. We could run it together. We could make it mean something again."

El Gran Jefe’s chair moves slightly, shifting just enough to hint at intrigue.

But then… laughter.

Not loud, not mocking—but bitter, knowing, as if he’s heard this idea before.

"The temple has power? No, Santos. The temple is a prison."

The laughter fades, replaced by a sense of deep frustration.

"You believe you can rule it? I have ruled it. I have fed it. I have kept it alive while the world forgot it. And do you know what I have gained?"

El Gran Jefe leans forward slightly. Though his face remains unseen, his presence grows heavier, more suffocating.

"You came here to reconnect. But I will send you back reborn. If you let me."

A golden glimmer flashes as a small intricately designed object slides across the desk toward Escobar—a medallion, an ancient key to power.

"I will give you the Gift of the Gods. And the gold you seek will be yours."

Mendoza and Wilde glance at Escobar, waiting for his response.

For a moment, Santos says nothing. His fingers hover over the medallion, but he doesn’t pick it up. Instead, he lifts his gaze, his expression firm.

"You’ve been in the shadows for too long, Gran Jefe."

The chair shifts slightly. The air in the room grows thick with unspoken tension.

Escobar smirks.

"Come back with us to America. Let’s show the world what you can really do."

There’s a beat of silence. Then, soft laughter.

"You always were a bold one, Santos."

The camera slowly zooms in on the medallion sitting on the desk. The tension lingers—El Gran Jefe has not yet agreed, but the seed has been planted.

Then, the camera pans toward the corner of the office, where an old, worn-out newspaper clipping rests on a shelf. The headline is barely readable… but one word stands out—“DEAD.”

Once more, the screen cuts to black. The silence was quickly shattered by a low, guttural rumble reverberating through the silence. It's followed by a low, mechanical hiss that rises in intensity as if something ancient and powerful is awakening. The heartbeat sound pulses once more, and then - silence.

​

Finally ahead of their clash this Sunday, NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion, Bronson Reed, and Million Dollar Champion, LA Knight, meet for a final confrontation before their historic Winner Takes All match.

The setting is a private press conference, away from the live crowd, giving the moment a serious, high-stakes atmosphere. A long table sits between the two champions, microphones in front of them, with a massive NXT High Stakes backdrop looming behind.

Knight arrives first, with his protégé Cal Lannister, who carries a locked briefcase. He wears his trademark sunglasses, oozing confidence as he leans back in his chair, acting as if this whole thing is beneath him. Reed arrives next, carrying both of his championships, his expression all business as he takes his seat across from Knight.

The conference begins with a moderator introducing the stakes—on Sunday, all three championships will be unified under one undisputed champion.

Knight immediately interrupts before the first question is even asked, smirking as he one again declares himself "The New People's Champion." He plays up the idea that the fans have been longing for a true megastar, a real icon, and that after High Stakes, they’ll have one.

Reed, unimpressed, leans forward and asks flatly, “Since when did the people choose you?” Knight scoffs, waving off the remark and brushing an imaginary speck of dust from his shoulder.

Knight continues, boasting that he is a "fighting champion" compared to Reed, claiming that while Reed has been hoarding his titles, he’s been out here "making stars." He talks about his Million Dollar Dream matches, calling them opportunities he generously handed out to the future of NXT.

Reed raises an eyebrow. "Who?"

Knight stiffens for just a second, but before he can respond, Lannister subtly shifts in his seat, clearly unnerved.

Seeing the moment slip, Knight quickly regains his bravado, loudly proclaiming that after Sunday, Reed will have no choice but to acknowledge him not just as "The Mega Star" but as the one true Mega Champion.

With a grand gesture, Knight signals to Lannister, who places the briefcase on the table and unlocks it. The room tenses as Knight unveils his custom championship—the "NXT Mega Championship."

The belt is an over-the-top, gold-plated monstrosity, engraved with the words "Mega Champion" across the centre plate, complete with gaudy embellishments that scream excess. Knight holds it high, smirking as he says this is what a real championship looks like—one fitting for a man of his status.

Reed’s expression darkens. He slowly stands, his grip tightening on his titles.

Knight grins, adjusting his sunglasses. "Oh, big man wants to do something about it? That’s cute, but you know the rule—no contact."

Reed steps around the table, his massive frame towering over Knight and Lannister. Knight, for all his bravado, starts shifting slightly in his chair, gripping his new championship tighter.

Without breaking eye contact, Reed grabs the Mega Championship straight from Knight’s hands. Knight’s jaw drops in outrage as Reed turns the belt over in his hands, inspecting it. Then, with an amused smirk, he casually tosses it over his shoulder, letting it crash to the floor behind him.

Knight springs to his feet, furious, but Lannister steps between them, placing a hand on his chest to hold him back.

Reed leans in slightly, locking eyes with Knight. "I’ll see you in Vegas."

Without another word, Reed turns and walks off, leaving Knight fuming. The camera lingers on the fallen Mega Championship, lying discarded on the floor—a symbol of Knight’s delusions of grandeur and Reed’s utter disregard for his opponent’s arrogance.

With High Stakes just days away, the final stop on the road to Vegas has only added to the chaos. Tempers have flared, alliances have shattered, and every competitor has made their intentions clear. Titles will be unified, contracts will be claimed, and champions will be tested like never before.

The stakes have never been higher. Now, there’s nothing left but to fight. This Sunday, fate will be decided, and NXT will never be the same again.

​

---

Taped for NXT Evolve:
Drake Maverick and Ikemen Jiro versus "The Untouchables" August Grey & Curt Stallion

A rematch between "The Finest" Kona Reeves and Leon Ruff

As orchestrated by Malcom Bivens, Ever-Rise battles Breezango

Josh Briggs is back in action against Damon Kemp


Quick Results:
Cameron Grimes def. Roderick Strong and Oney Lorcan via pinfall to qualify for the Lucky 7 Match

Persia Pirotta def. Heather Chambers via pinfall

Hit Row (Ashante Adonis, Swerve Scott & Top Dolla) def. Johnny Gargano and MSK (Nash Carter & Wes Lee) via pinfall

Toni Storm def. Sarray via pinfall to win the NXT Women's Championship Contender Series

Pete Dunne, Samoa Joe & "The Infamous" Bobby Fish def. Austin Theory, Finn Bálor & Kyle O'Reilly via pinfall


Editors Note:
Thank you to those who have stuck with this. This one is a bit bloated, but I wanted to try and get the story-telling across on the go-home show rather than make the PLE larger. Congratulations if you've made it this far.​