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!