As part of WWE’s purge of NXT’s revered women’s division, Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne captured the NXT Women’s Championship from Stephanie Vaquer last week in a shock victory. Vaquer then immediately signed with Monday Night Raw, entered the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match and squared off with division giant Rhea Ripley. NXT filled the large gap tonight with “Glamourous” Mariah May, the free agent rumored to have signed with WWE for months. Aiming for Jayne, did May start her epilogue or her new beginning?
“Young OG” Je’Von Evans and Laredo Kid opened the show in-ring, but North American Champion Ethan Page quickly interrupted. He announced that Rey Fenix is stuck on a plane, wished he could tap dance on former champion Ricky Saints and complained about future challenger Sean Legacy. The latter appeared and plugged tomorrow’s Evolve Championship match, prompting The Vanity Project to pop out. In three pink polos, they were booted out of the ring as Evans, Kid and Legacy hit triple outside dives before officials separated them. With Fenix in the air, Legacy could thank the age-old wrestling advice: always bring your gear.
To nobody’s surprise, in part due to WWE spoiling the surprise, El Hijo Del Vikingo recently defeated Alberto El Patron to become the new AAA Mega Champion. He appeared in the crowd tonight ahead of defending at Worlds Collide against Chad Gable, who hopes to be as successful as El Grande Americano.
Chase University vs Darkstate
If Chase University isn’t already dead, they will be after facing Darkstate. “We want Truth” and “what’s up” chants start for the 53-year-old veteran at the developmental show. Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon give it the old college try, pun intended, but the assisted powerbomb from Darkstate puts it away.
Winners: Darkstate
NXT General Manager Ava announces a four-on-four match between The Vanity Project and Page versus Evans, Kid, Legacy and a returning Dragon Lee. After, TNA Champion Trick Williams is interviewed backstage, mocking Boricua opponent Mike Santana.
Footage from earlier this week shows WWE LFG winner Tyra Mae Steele’s introduction to Arianna Grace. “Nobody likes a bragger, especially a tacky one,” Grace says about Steele’s Olympic medals.
Charlie Dempsey vs Myles Borne – Rounds Match
The No Quarter Catch Crew members enter together, accompanied by Wren Sinclair and Tavion Heights respectively; if Borne wins, he gets to leave the group. In a round of raw catch wrestling, Borne sneaks a roll-up pin before picture-in-picture. They draw in the second round, but Dempsey knees him after the bell. More “what’s up” chants ring over Dempsey’s Regal-plex pinfall in round three, they trade nearfalls in round four, and Borne scores with a signature dropkick in round five. Borne extends a hand that Dempsey declines, and Heights is a little too happy about the demise of NQCC.
Winner: Myles Borne
Backstage, Izzi Dame floors Brooks Jensen with a steel chair. “If you’re not committed to The Culling, you’re out.” That’s a point-blank way to write someone off.
Tyra Mae Steele vs Arianna Grace
How will Steele’s NXT debut compare to men’s WWE LFG winner Jasper Troy? Commentary does the “she just wants to have fun” cliche, but Steele shows out with powerful suplexes. A simple German gains the win, and the match comes and goes.
Winner: Tyra Mae Steele
TNA’s Mike Santana is interviewed backstage, saying he doesn’t have time to savor main-eventing an NXT show. Santana vows to fight for all of TNA, his culture and his daughter tonight.
After a shock victory over Stephanie Vaquer, new NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne enters the ring with Fatal Influence. Over drowning boos, Jayne calls out NXT fans for their lack of support the last four years. Lainey Reid interrupts from the crowd, Lola Vice appears next, and Jordynne Grace follows. Jaida Parker, Kehlani Jordan and Lash Legend stake their claims, and a blindside attack from Thea Hail cues a brawl. The lights dim, and Mariah May is spotlighted on the podium to persistent cheers. “The best women’s division in the world just got a lot more glamorous,” May says.
In turn, WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kali Armstrong challenges her roster to step up in the locker room. After, Vic Joseph announces that Ricky Saints has been diagnosed with a laryngeal contusion. Page brags about taking Saints’ larynx and Evans’ smile, encouraging The Vanity Project to take Laredo Kid and Dragon Lee’s masks.
Je’Von Evans, Laredo Kid, Sean Legacy and Dragon Lee vs Ethan Page and The Vanity Project
AAA’s Aero Star, Octagon Jr. and Mr. Iguana sit ringside ahead of their match against LWO at Worlds Collide. “Once Brad Baylor hits puberty, he could be a dangerous superstar,” Corey Graves says about the Evolve wrestler. Jackson Drake starts in-ring; he and Legacy compete against Edris Enofe and Keanu Carver to become the first WWE Evolve Champion tomorrow. Even in a miscellaneous babyface team, LWO’s Lee is shown up by teammates Evans and Legacy. After break, Lee receives the hot tag, and Kid crashes and burns on a dive. Legacy survives Page’s powerslam pin, Evans sticks his landing, and Kid redeems himself with a moonsault. Lee delivers a double stomp and pins Baylor for victory, but this is surely just a taste of Worlds Collide’s chaos.
Winners: Je’Von Evans, Laredo Kid, Sean Legacy and Dragon Lee
NXT Champion Oba Femi squares up with Jasper Troy, and Robert Stone timidly holds their contract. “This is the first time you’ve had to look up at a man you’re facing,” Troy says. They battle for the NXT Championship next week.
NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca and Zaria try consoling Tatum Paxley before Izzi Dame steps in. “You’ve seen what I do to people who cross me – who aren’t true friends. I purge them,” Dame says.
Tony D’Angelo meets with Luca Crusifino, who announces he got them a tag team match against High Ryze next week. D’Angelo takes issue with going above the family, but Crusifino admits they aren’t a family anymore.
Mike Santana vs Trick Williams
Entering through the crowd, Santana fist-bumps Elijah, who challenges the winner of tonight’s main event at TNA Against All Odds on Friday. “Whoop that trick” chants are finally mixed with boos, as NXT fans fight for the integrity of TNA. They’re firmly behind Santana, who wrestles with undeniable passion, and the challenger connects with a tope con hilo before break. Williams controls with a Trick Kick and leg lariat, but Santana fires up with a superkick and DVD. The latter hits the Rolling Buck Fifty and a 450 splash to “beat that Trick” chants, but the former grabs the bottom rope. Williams bails and smashes Elijah’s guitar while AJ Francis chokeslams Santana on the announce desk. “They may be flopping dollars they may regret,” Vic Joseph says. Williams hits Trick Shot for the victory, retaining the TNA Championship as Francis and KC Navarro celebrate.
Winner: Trick Williams