Booker T and Vic are at the announcers’ table, and the very handsome Mike Rome is taking care of ring announcing duties.
Joe Hendry, who won the ladder match last week, for the NXT Men’s Title, is set to address the Universe. Joe is now defending the NXT title against Jackson Drake, BUT Vanity Project is at ringside. Vanity Project just got busted by the ref for interfering in the match and were tossed. Jackson’s inexperience, along with showing his frustrations, did not help him. Now it’s Ricky Saints going after Joe.
**MAIN EVENT — #1 Contenders Match: ZaRuca (Zaria & Sol Ruca) vs. WrenQCC (Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey). There is a stipulation — the person who scores the pinfall is the wrestler who will face Jacey Jade for the NXT Women’s Title. (If there is a title change, you know that Jacey is getting a call-up to the big dance) The Ref’s Call: A “forced” tag is the ultimate drama. Zaria didn’t want to tag out; she just couldn’t stay on her feet. Sol’s Choice: Instead of helping her partner up, she took the opening. That’s a clear sign she’s putting her own title ambitions over the “Family” she and Zaria built.
The Outcome: Sol Ruca goes to the title match, and Zaria is left in the ring with nothing but a loss and a sore back.
**MATCH 1 — Grudge Match: Jaida Parker vs. Blake Monroe. This one is personal after their recent parking lot brawls. This will get nasty. Jaida has this as long as she stays true to herself. ended in a double countout, they still went after each other, taking out the refs along the way. There is no way out. The Brawl Tally: Casualties: 1 Referee “(RIP to his dignity)”. Result: No winner, but Jaida definitely won the “mental” battle by not backing down.
**MATCH 2 — Speed Tournament Semi-Final: Josh Briggs vs. Eli Knight. — Blink, or you will miss this match. Briggs has the power, but Knight has that explosive speed—it’s the classic “unstoppable force vs. immovable object” but at 100mph. 54 seconds left, Eli Knight gets the win.
Tag Team Action: Hank & Tank vs. Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes (The Vanity Project). have a lot of momentum coming over from WWE EVOLVE, and they’ve already been cozying up to Ethan Page. They aren’t just here to wrestle; they’re here to take over. Hank and Tank had better watch their backs. Vanity Project steals the win.
Chase U Update: We’ll see if Uriah Connors (his Dad is Fit Finley) has officially left Chase U to follow Lexis King after their interaction last week. He’s got that “fighting spirit” in his blood, but seeing him follow Lexis King and Stacks last week suggests he’s looking for a different kind of education than Andre Chase provides. If he officially joins King’s new stable, Chase U is going to be in shambles.
The “Ethan Page Mood — The Contrast: While Ethan is losing titles in AAA to “comedy” acts, his new allies in The Vanity Project are walking into NXT today with their chests puffed out. The Tension: Does Ethan take his frustrations out on Hank & Tank tomorrow? Or does he try to use the Vanity Project to “restore his honour”?
The “I Believe” Factor: With Joe Hendry (the guy who basically started the “viral comedy” wave in NXT) as the new champion, Ethan losing to Mr Iguana is just salt in the wound.
State of the Union Brawl.
The Trigger: Darkstate were in the ring doing their usual “we own this place” routine when The Culling (Shawn Spears, Niko Vance, and Izzi Dame) showed up. Spears claiming “we’re coming for the tag titles”, is a huge shift in the power dynamic.
The Crowd Factor: OTM being in the audience meant Darkstate was already surrounded. Then you add Hank and Tank coming down the ramp, and it’s a complete 360-degree ambush.
The Tony D Factor: The best part? Tony D’Angelo is showing up and taking out Darkstate himself. It proves that despite everything that’s happened to The Family, he’s still the “Don” of NXT.
My boy Shiloh Hill is taking on Ethan Page for the North American Title next week.
Fox Den Sports 