AAA On FOX
Date: August 22, 2026
Location: Coliseo Centenario, Torreon, Mexico
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield

We’re rapidly approaching TripleMania and the big story continues to be Dominik Mysterio teaming up with El Ojo to deal with El Grande Americano. That could make for some interesting situations between now and the biggest show of the year, but we also have to deal with the new monster coming after the Psycho Circus. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at Los Perros del Mal recruiting Penta to fight with them, saying he needs help against Roman Reigns and the Bloodline (as we continue pretending that anyone but Penta is winning the #1 contenders tournament). Penta isn’t sure, but will face Bronco Nima tonight with his future on the line.

Opening sequence.

Galeno vs. Omos

Dorian Roldan is here with Omos. Galeno forearms away to start and Omos is staggered but knocks Galeno into the corner with ease. A beal out of the corner sends Galeno flying and Omos gives him a slam. Back up and Galeno dropkicks the knee to set up a DDT as the fans are behind him. Galeno’s frog splash only gets one and Omos’ chokeslam gets two. They go outside with Galeno using the steps, which Omos takes away and uses on Galeno. The referee calls what we’ll say is a No DQ at 5:28.

Rating: C+. This was the old WWF idea of a battle of the big men, even if one of them was tiny compared to the other. That’s how you should use someone like Omos, as he doesn’t get in the ring very often and gets to smash through anyone. It worked here, with Galeno doing well in his role as well.

Post match Omos goes to crush Galeno but Rey Mysterio gets in his way. A chokeslam is loaded up but Roldan breaks it up, with Mysterio suspending Omos. That earns Mysterio a shot to the chest as Dominik Mysterio is here to try to calm things down.

Flammer and La Hiedra came in to see Rey Mysterio earlier today, with Flammer saying she’s taking TripleMania off because there is no one left to come after her. Mysterio had another idea: a gauntlet match, with the winner getting the TripleMania title shot. Works for Flammer, but Mysterio wants to talk to Hiedra about something else.

Money Machine vs. LWO vs. Psycho Circus vs. Los Americanos

For a Tag Team Title shot. Del Toro and Rayo trade missed dropkicks to start and it’s off to Wilde, who gets taken down with a backbreaker. A slingshot hilo connects on Wilde so Money Machine comes in to take over on Bravo. The Circus comes in to take over on Oro and it’s everyone getting together to go after Murder Clown. Plata hits a dive to take over and the Machine beats on Bravo in the corner.

Naturally Bravo can suplex both of them at once and it’s back to Rayo with a top rope seated senton. It’s right back to to Dave The clown to clean house, including a big suicide dive to the floor. Murder comes back in for a dive of his own to the floor but of course Bravo is able to give him an airplane spin. The LWO takes the Clowns out and a Phoenix splash hits Rayo, with Bravo diving out of nowhere for the save. A Russian legsweep/top rope clothesline combination finishes Wilde to give Los Americanos the title shot at 12:17.

Rating: B. The match was the usual messy affair that you would have expected but Los Americanos going forward is a good way to go. They’re associated with the hottest star in the promotion so tack them on with another title match. It’s not like any of the other teams really stand out all that much.

We get the weekly press conference from Rey Mysterio, where he reiterates that Omos is suspended and says that Galeno will be out of action due to injuries. Therefore, Damian Priest will be in the final match for the Latin American Title. That’s next Sunday at Ola de Calor.

Penta vs. Bronco Nima

If Penta wins, he’s free but if Nima wins, Penta is in Los Perros del Mal. Nima jumps him from behind to start and throws him inside for the bell. Penta’s mask is tied to the rope but Nima takes too long, allowing Penta to fight back. That means the big running flip dive, only for Nima to come back with a shoulderbreaker for two.

The Mexican Destroyer is blocked so Penta has to settle for a tornado DDT. Penta is right back with a basement superkick and another try at the Mexican Destroyer, which is blocked as well. This time though the counter is countered into a small package to give Penta the pin at 4:58.

Rating: C+. This didn’t have time to go anywhere but Penta isn’t about to lose anytime soon when he is all but guaranteed to get a title shot against Roman Reigns in a few weeks. This wraps up the loose end of Los Perros as Penta is on his way to Mexico City and the biggest match of his career. Nima was just a warm body here and that’s fine.

Post match Los Perros come in and lay Nima out, with Penta just leaving them be. Penta gets in and is offered a shirt but turns the team down. That earns Penta a beating of his own. Rey Fenix and Dragon Lee run in for the save and the challenge is issued for Ola de Calor. Rey Mysterio makes it official to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The more I watch of this show, the more I like it. This was another situation where they started fast and kept going, covering a few things in just over an hour. It remains the easiest show to watch every week and I could go for seeing where it goes in the coming weeks. TripleMania should be a show stealer and that’s exactly what it should be, especially with how well this show has been going as of late.

Results
Omos vs. Galeno went to a double DQ when they both used the steps
Los Americanos b. Money Machine, LWO and Psycho Circus – Russian legsweep/top rope clothesline combination to Wilde
Penta b. Bronco Nima – Small package

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

NXT
Date: August 18, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re rapidly approaching Heatwave and the card has mostly come together. If nothing else, we have the issue of the debuting Zilla Fatu, who showed up last week to interrupt the #1 contenders match. Other than that, we need to find out about the North American and Tag Team Title situation, which should be decided this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at last week’s #1 contenders match, with Zilla Fatu debuting to take out both Cruz Montana and Grayson Waller. That should make Montana #1 contender as Fatu attacked him first but odds are it won’t go that way.

Here is Montana for a chat. Montana immediately calls Fatu out before talking about wanting the NXT Title. Fatu isn’t stopping him but here is Rey Fenix instead. Fenix is ready to defend his AAA Cruiserweight Title next week and he’s glad to see Montana here. Montana says they’ve faced each other before and the ring is Fenix’s, because Montana is going to wait for Fatu in the parking lot (and yes he acknowledges how dangerous it is out there).

EK Prosper vs. Tristan Angels vs. Romeo Moreno vs. La Parka

For a AAA Cruiserweight Title shot next week. Angels and Parka are knocked outside to start and Prosper hits a kick off the apron with Angels making a save. Parka gets to take over on Moreno with a flapjack but Prosper clotheslines Parka instead. Angels is hiptossed to the floor and Moreno hits a dive to the floor, setting up Parka’s moonsault onto the pile as we take a break.

We come back with Angels enziguring Moreno on top, leaving Prosper and Parka to kick it out. Moreno missile dropkicks both of them down and rolls Angels for a suplex. Parka catches Moreno on top with a super Spanish Fly but Prosper frog splashes in for the save. Back up and Parka suplexes Moreno into the corner as Booker tries to say that this is the same Parka from WCW. Prosper is back in to take everyone out, setting up an outstanding moonsault to finish Moreno at 10:27.

Rating: B. This was all action throughout and that’s as good as you can ask for with a match like this. They were going nuts and it’s great to see Prosper getting an actual chance. While I can’t imagine him winning the title, I’ll take him getting a nice win like this and it was a heck of an entertaining match on the way there.

Post match Prosper and Fenix have a staredown, albeit with a handshake.

The Vanity Project offer to take care of the injured Kendal Grey, who wasn’t impressed. Wren Sinclair didn’t think much of them either and the women left with their belts. Myra Lockwood says prove them wrong.

Nattie vs. Thea Hail

Nattie’s cronies and Jaida Parker are here too. Nattie takes her to the mat to start, with Hail quickly escaping. A headlock takeover works a bit better for Nattie but Hail is right back up with a Thesz press. Hail sends her outside for a dive onto the villains and dances with Parker as we take a break. We come back with Nattie breaking up a Kimura attempt but having the discus lariat countered into a backslide. Hail’s running flipping neckbreaker gets two before grabbing the Kimura, which is broken up rather quickly. The Sharpshooter makes Hail tap at 8:27.

Rating: C. This was pretty much every Nattie match, with her usual offense and the Sharpshooter to finish someone else off. I’m sure we’ll get another Parker vs. Nattie match out of this and I have no idea why they’re still fighting. The match wasn’t awful, but it was dull, which tends to be the case with Nattie’s stuff.

Post match Nattie’s friends hold Parker back while Nattie gets another Sharpshooter on Hail.

Lucien Price is going after the Speed Title on his own and Bronco Nima is ok with that.

Speed Title: Lucien Price vs. Lexis King

King is defending with a five minute time limit. Price superkicks him at the bell for two and has to catch King bailing out to the floor. King tries to hide behind Birthright and manages to burn through the first minute but Price catches him with one of those huge chops. Back in and Price cuts him off with another chop so King changes plans with a neck snap across the top rope.

We have two minutes left as King starts kicking away at the chest. That doesn’t go very far as Price plants him down with a minute to go. Birthright offers a distraction though and Price gets taken down behind the referee’s back. The Coronation is enough to retain the title at 4:36.

Rating: C. I’m glad that the title seems to be going away (assuming it follows the path of its Women’s counterpart) as I really don’t see the point in this being its own championship. They have something with the idea of King running around to burn off the clock, but between the tournaments to set up title matches and the title feeling rather low level, it wasn’t working. Odds are it’s done soon, and that’s probably for the best.

Post match Birthright goes after Price again but Bronco Nima runs in for the save.

Here is Grayson Waller for a chat. Waller has been asking people to stop him and now we have Zilla Fatu. He’s not scared of Fatu or the family because he’s from Australia and has been fighting Samoans all his life. Thankfully Fatu has the ankle monitor off and can run free but Waller thinks he’s #1 contender anyway.

This brings out NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo, who is fine with taking Waller out next. Cue Cruz Montana who never found Fatu but he remembers taking Waller out last week. Montana is willing to take out all three of them one after another but here is Robert Stone to make a triple threat title match. He’ll deal with Fatu when he gets here. Not wild on the triple threat, but Waller stealing the title is an interesting option.

Shiloh Hill and Lizzy Rain talk about next week’s AAA Cruiserweight Title match and think EK Prosper has a good chance. Rain isn’t happy with Kali Armstrong but Myles Borne interrupts. He gets right to the point: if Hill beats Jackson Drake tonight, he can have a North American Title shot at Heatwave. Hill certainly approves. Booker: “Champions don’t do that!” Uh, he did something very similar for Rick Martel in 1998.

Robert Stone talks to Zilla Fatu on the phone and he’ll be there in thirty minutes. With that out of the way, Stone finds Keanu Carver in his office and wants in the NXT Title picture. He’s willing to earn it, but for now he wants STONE TO DRINK THE COFFEE HE MADE HIM AND IS SHOUTING ABOUT IT UNTIL STONE DRINKS THE COFFEE. Kam Hendrix comes in and Carver leaves in a huff.

Kendal Grey/Wren Sinclair vs. Kelani Jordan/Kali Armstrong

Sinclair and Jordan start things off with Sinclair hitting a dropkick and getting to front facelock Armstrong. Grey comes in for a front facelock of her own but it’s back to Jordan for a superkick. Everything breaks down and the villains are dropkicked to the floor, with Sinclair hitting a big dive.

We take a break and come back with Sinclair fighting out of trouble and bringing Grey back in to clean house. Everything breaks down, with Grey firing off the German suplexes. Armstrong breaks up an ankle lock but whipping Grey into the corner, banging up her bad ear in the process. Sinclair comes back in to take over on Jordan, who grabs a slingshot cutter. Armstrong tags herself back in and is quickly caught in the Final Wrench. That’s broken up and Grey is kicked ear first into the steps. The powerslam and Kali Connection finish Sinclair at 10:31.

Rating: B-. This was a nice tag match as Armstrong gets to run through a champion in the process. I would assume that the title will be gone after Heatwave and again, that’s probably the best for everyone. If nothing else, Jordan and Grey only got to do so much here, which you would think would have been a good chance to build towards their title match. There’s still time, but it would have made more sense here.

Saquon Shuggars and Dion Lennox have a sitdown interview (in separate locations) where they argue a lot and we’re getting a weaponized steel cage match next week. They basically didn’t stop insulting each other for the few minutes they were on screen, with Lennox promising to win before leaving.

Shiloh Hill vs. Jackson Drake

For a North American Title shot at Heatwave and the Vanity Project is here with Drake. They fight over wrist control to start as Booker says that Drake is in his FAVE FIVE! Hokey smoke it’s still a thing!!! Hill fireman’s carries him into a right hand to the face but Drake sends Hill outside for the cheap shots from the Project.

We take a break and come back with Hill fighting out of a front facelock, meaning it’s a discus lariat to drop Drake. A standing flip dive gives Hill two more so the Project interferes again, only to get ejected. That takes too long so Hill dives onto them but the referee gets taken down back inside. Cue Naraku to mist Hill, meaning Drake can hit a 450 for the pin at 11:06.

Rating: B-. This is a good example of two people who are up and comers but still getting a featured spot. It might not be a big main event to end a show but it’s a bigger spot than they usually have. You need to bring people along like this and they did well here, with Hill getting to move on Naraku in an upgrade for him as well.

Zaria is ready to unify the Women’s Speed and Women’s North American Titles at Heatwave but Kali Armstrong comes in. Armstrong calls Zaria a “red headed heifer” and gets a match with her next week, with the Heatwave Title match becoming a triple threat if Armstrong wins. That was quick and to the point.

We look at CM Punk at a recent NXT house show. That’s quite the get.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Robert Stone is in the ring and brings in Zilla Fatu to sign his contract. Fatu greets commentary and here is Tony D’Angelo to watch from the platform. Fatu is glad to be in the biggest wrestling company in the world and we get an UMAGA (Fatu’s father) chant. He’s here to show us that he’s not another……I’m going to assume he was going for “nepo baby” but it certainly sounded like he said “nympho baby”.

Last week he made some people mad and that’s going to keep happening. Cue Grayson Waller and Cruz Montana, but Stone says that the contract makes Fatu’s first NXT match a title match. Heatwave is officially a four way for the title and Fatu signs. A lot of yelling ends the show. Given how things have been going, that pretty much had to happen.

Overall Rating: B. Well Fatu felt like a star (though he was basically in a 1999 Rock cosplay) and the title match for Heatwave makes sense, especially with everywhere you could go after. Other than that, some stuff was moved forward, including tightening up the big card and doing some things for next week. I’m interested in where the NXT Title picture is going though and that’s the best possible result. Another good show this week.

Results
EK Prosper b. Tristan Angels, La Parka and Romeo Moreno – Moonsault to Moreno
Nattie b. Thea Hail – Sharpshooter
Lexis King b. Lucien Price – Coronation
Kelani Jordan/Kali Armstrong b. Kendal Grey/Wren Sinclair – Kali Connection to Sinclair
Jackson Drake b. Shiloh Hill – 450

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AAA On FOX
Date: August 15, 2026
Location: Coliseo Centenario, Torreon, Mexico
Commentators: Rey Mysterio, Corey Graves, John Bradshaw Layfield

We’re rapidly approaching TripleMania and a bunch of the roads lead to El Grande Americano vs. Dominik Mysterio. That’s not all we’ll be seeing on the show though and more of the card will need to be built up. Last week saw Psycho Clown attacked by some weird guy, which almost has to tie into the attacks on the Psycho Circus. We might get some more of that here so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at last week’s interview with Dominik Mysterio, who talked about how he didn’t join Los Perros del Mal but turned on El Grande Americano for suggesting that he did. Now he’s with El Ojo, and Americano is going to need some help to beat Mysterio at TripleMania.

Wrestlers are arriving and it’s El Grande Americano getting in a fight with Dominik Mysterio, which spills into the ring. Rey Mysterio tries to break it up and Dominik gets in a low blow. The Mysterios argue and Dominik bails. Americano says his issue with Dominik is about people comparing him to various lucha libre legends. That will never happen, because those legends gave to wrestling but Dominik always takes. At TripleMania, the title returns home for all of the Mexican legends when the belt comes to Americano. As usual, Americano is awesome at these promos and I want to see him win.

Cruiserweight Title: Rey Fenix vs. Noisy Boy

Fenix is defending and we get a hand slap to start. They run the ropes rather quickly to start with Boy being sent outside. The places are switched and Fenix is dropkicked to the floor, setting up the big dive. Back in and Fenix’s kicks don’t do much good as Boy snaps off a running headscissors.

Fenix is right back up with the rope walk kick to the head and a high crossbody. Boy grabs a cool springboard spinning cutter for two of his own but Fenix is back with a nasty Fenix Driver for the same. The Mexican MuscleBuster is broken up so it’s a springboard poisonrana to give Boy two more. A handspring moonsault gets the same but Boy misses a moonsault. That’s enough for the Mexican MuscleBuster to retain at 5:51.

Rating: B. As usual, this was about taking two talented high fliers and putting them in the ring to go nuts for a few minutes. I could have gone for a few more minutes, as Boy was getting rather impressive with some of the things he was doing. It felt more like a way really give him a chance and that worked out well. Rather good stuff here.

Here is Penta (who greets his brother Fenix on the way to the ring) for a chat. He’s here to talk about one person and that is Roman Reigns. The reality is that Reigns has never faced him and Penta has fought for everything. He’s never needed a family or a faction to accomplish his goals so he’s going to win the tournament and then show Reigns what Penta really is.

Cue Los Perros del Mal and Rey Mysterio knows this isn’t good. Commentary points out that Penta is a former member of Los Perros del Mal…and Penta hugs them. Daga welcomes Penta back and explains how things happened back in 2012. But then they lost Perro Aguayo Jr. and now Daga wants to know what Penta meant about not needing a family.

More than ever, Penta needs a family because Reigns isn’t just a man. If they go together, it could all work, because this is about Mexico vs. them. Reigns respects power and there is power in numbers. Penta is offered the shirt and says he’ll think about it, with Daga saying he has until the end of the night. They hurried through this but it still worked.

Raw World Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: La Parka vs. Psycho Clown

They trade armdrags to start and it’s time for Parka to dance. The taped up Clown kicks Parka in the corner and shrugs off a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Clown is quickly suplexed into the corner but comes right back with a sunset flip for two. Parka misses a charge and crashes out to the floor, naturally setting up the suicide dive. Back in and the super Spanish Fly so Clown is right back with a Canadian Destroyer to take over again.

Parka dropkicks him into the corner and the turnbuckle pad is taken off, only for Parka to grab a rolling cutter. The referee actually does his job by trying to put it into the corner, where he is quickly crushed. That means the Psycho Driver gets no count so Clown takes off the first layer of his mask…and the lights go out. It’s the big guy from last week who wrecks Clown again and sends him into the barricade and post, with Parka not seeing what happened. The Bone Breaker finishes Clown at 9:08.

Rating: C+. They kind of had to have the attacker come in again here, as there was pretty much no reason to have him show up last week and then not again this week. Parka is a popular star and probably better known to the Raw audience so he makes for a better option in the tournament. The main point here was the big attack again though and the story could get more interesting when we find out some details.

Post match Parka checks on Clown and waves medics down to help.

Penta is considering the shirt when Los Perros del Mal come in. Penta says he respects everything that the shirt and the team mean to him but he’s not sure. If he does this, he wants to make sure there is no dead weight, which doesn’t please Bronco Nima. They agree to face off next week, with Penta’s future in the team on the line. Penta hits the catchphrase, with the fans approving to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This show was focused and to the point, with a title match, a tournament match and a bunch of attention on the bigger stories. It was such an easy show to watch and I want to see more from pretty much everything they did this week. This was a rather good show and one of the better they’ve done in a bit. Heck of a job here.

Results
Rey Fenix b. Noisy Boy – Mexican MuscleBuster
La Parka b. Psycho Clown – Bone Breaker

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

NXT
Date: August 4, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We have less than a month before Heatwave but this week’s show is big enough, as we have Lola Vice challenging Kendal Grey for the Women’s Title in the NXT Underground. Other than that, Tony D’Angelo is having issues with both Cruz Montana and Grayson Waller. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

In Memory Of Dory Funk Jr.

Opening recap, looking at the NXT Title picture.

Jaida Parker/Thea Hail vs. Nikkita Lyons/Karmen Petrovic

Nattie is here with the latter. Lyons mocks Parker’s high stepping as Parker works on Petrovic’s arm to start. Hail comes in and gets taken into the wrong corner, allowing Lyons to grab a top wristlock. Everything breaks down and Parker/Hail clear the ring, only for Nattie to get in a cheap shot on Hail. Back in and a Pearl River Plunge gives Lyons two on Hail and we take a break.

We come back with Hail trying to fight her way out of trouble but Lyons pulls her away again. As usual, the diving tag goes through a few seconds later and Parker comes in to chop Petrovic into the corner. Lyons has to offer a distraction and Petrovic gets in a Sling Blade, followed by a Hart Attack for two. Hail and Petrovic slug it out on the floor as Parker hits the Tear Drop on Lyons. Hail’s middle rope backsplash gets the pin at 9:20.

Rating: B. This got rolling near the end and they did something to set up the likely Hail vs. Lyons Evolve Women’s Title match (which was already teased). Parker gets to annoy Nattie again before we get closer to what should be their final blowoff. They did a good job of keeping the action going here and it wound up being a strong opener.

Post match Nattie comes in for the beatdown but Parker and Hail fight back to clear them out.

Tavion Heights is nervous about the Tag Team Title match but Myles Borne says they have this.

We look at Oba Femi beating Brock Lesnar in the Cell and the fallout, with Femi thanking Lesnar and Lesnar retiring.

Here is NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo for a chat. D’Angelo isn’t happy with Grayson Waller insulting the NXT Title and wanting to use NXT as a stepping stone. As for Cruz Montana…and here is Waller. He’s not wanting to see Montana come through the crowd so he and D’Angelo can talk about respect but D’Angelo wants Waller to come down here. D’Angelo brings up teaming up with Waller in WarGames, with Waller being the only member of the team to not become champion.

Waller says he didn’t know D’Angelo had lost his testicles along with his family. This brings out Montana, who says D’Angelo didn’t call Waller out here. Montana has been in Waller’s place before but he proved himself in the ring rather than on a microphone. Montana isn’t about to become another statistic on the blocks he still lives on.

Waller wants to know how many times Montana is going to tell the same exact story. Montana says Waller is only fighting for himself, but when you have people depending on you, it makes you a man. D’Angelo tells them to have a #1 contenders match and he’ll face them at Heatwave. Pretty simple and to the point here.

We look at Lola Vice and Kendal Grey going to a draw back in March.

Wren Sinclair is nervous about her match and Kendal Grey gives her a bit of a pep talk.

Women’s Speed Title: Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair

Only Sinclair is defending, with a five minute time limit, and she gets a Women’s North American Title shot if she wins. Zaria powers her into the corner to start but Sinclair is back with a quick rollup. A headscissors takes Zaria down but she’s fine enough to pull Sinclair off the ropes. Some shots to the neck set up some elbows to Sinclair and Zaria kicks her right in the head.

They knock each other down as we have two minutes left. Back up and Sinclair gets in a few shots of her own, only to get stomped out of the corner with a minute to go. Sinclair’s rollup gets two and she grabs a suplex but Zaria rolls through a high crossbody. They crash out to the floor though and time expires at 5:00.

Rating: C+. I’m still not wild on these titles but they were moving well out there with both of them selling the time limit. Sinclair gets to face Zaria again in a regular match and that should be a nice change of pace. Nice enough job here, with the tie serving as a better ending than one of them taking a fall.

Post match Zaria gives her a quick F5.

Bronco Nima apologizes to Lucien Price about getting distracted last week and everything seems ok. Price says Nima has his backup plan and Price will find his own. Birthright comes in for some insults and Price challenges Lexis King to a match. Price thinks he’s found his own backup plan.

Grayson Waller runs into Kelani Jordan, who likes what he’s been saying. Mason Rook comes in and doesn’t think much of Waller. A challenge is issued but Kam Hendrix runs into jump Rook, setting up a brawl.

Tag Team Titles: Vanity Project vs. Myles Borne/Tavion Heights

The Project, with their associates, is defending. Heights shoves Smokes away to start and it’s off to Borne for an Angle Slam. Baylor gets dropkicked down too and it’s back to Heights, who gets sent into Smokes in the corner. That means a rollup can get a quick two and we take a break.

We come back with Borne rolling Baylor up for two more but getting kicked down. Borne gets stomped in the corner for two but flips out of a double belly to back suplex. The diving tag brings in Heights to destroy both champions and a dropkick/sitout powerbomb combination (cool) gets two on Smokes. A dropkick version of a Hart Attack puts Borne down for two more as everything beaks down. Borne and Heights grab stereo powerslams so the other members of the Project offer a distraction, earning them a double ejection. Borne Again hits Smokes and Heights spinning belly to belly gives us new champions at 10:48.

Rating: B-. That’s a bit of a surprise as I was expecting the Project to retain, as it feels like a somewhat out of nowhere title change. At the same time, the Project were hardly some top level, unstoppable team so Borne and Heights being the ones to finally catch them isn’t a bad thing. I’m curious about where it’s going, though another double champion is less than thrilling as it’s just been done too often.

We look at Lola Vice winning the Women’s Title at Stand & Deliver in a triple threat with Kendal Grey involved (but not taking the fall).

The Vanity Project is walking through the back when Myra Lockwood seems to think something of Keanu Carver.

The Culling surrounds Lizzy Rain but Shawn Spears comes in with a chair to cut it off. They’re having a tag match next week. Rain doesn’t trust Spears and warns him that she’ll turn on him if given a reason. Spears: “Smart girl.”

Keanu Carver vs. EK Prosper

Carver throws him down to start so Prosper picks up the pace and kicks him in the face. A top rope moonsault, with Prosper jumping from the mat to the top rope, hits Carver for two before low bridging him out to the floor. Prosper dropkicks him over the announcers’ table and gets in a double stomp to the back.

We take a break and come back with Prosper fighting out of a chinlock and hitting a springboard moonsault. A Swanton Blockbuster (ok then) gives Prosper two but Carver powerbombs him for the same. Prosper gets in a Shining Wizard and tries a moonsault, only to have to bail out to avoid some raised boots. Carver pulls him into a small package out of nowhere for the pin at 10:40.

Rating: B-. Years ago, Big E. tweeted something to the effect of “when you look like me, people don’t expect you to be that smart”. That’s basically Carver in a nutshell, as his thing seems to be that he throws in a bunch of surprises every so often and it’s kind of working. I can go for having him do something other than just running through the same tropes you see every time with a monster and I’m curious about what he does next.

Dion Lennox isn’t happy with Darkstate’s win last week because Saquon Shuggars is still walking around. They’ll take care of that next week.

We look at Kendal Grey beating Lola Vice for the Women’s Title at the Great American Bash. Vice praised her but wasn’t done so it was a challenge for the rematch in the Underground.

Shiloh Hill has a facial fracture so he’ll be out of action for a bit. He can’t train either so he’s been researching wrestling trivia. Hill finds it interesting that there is no footage or witnesses or ANYTHING about Pat Patterson’s Intercontinental Title win in Rio de Janeiro. Oh and the poison mist that Asuka and Tajiri and such use? It originated in Texas. Hill is one of the most unique characters in NXT and I could go for him having a bunch of trivia going forward.

We get a tribute to Dory Funk Jr.

Cruz Montana comes up to Robert Stone, who confirms the #1 contenders match next week with Montana facing Grayson Waller. That works for Montana but Tristan Angels interrupts. Angels doesn’t like someone new being around here but Montana points out that he’s been here a bunch of times and Angels has only been here for three months. Point to Montana.

Women’s Title: Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey

Grey is defending in the Underground, meaning no ropes on the ring and knockout/submission/referee stoppage only to win. Vice tries an early choke but Grey picks the leg and ties it up, with the two of them rolling over to the edge of the ring. They head outside with Vice being rammed into the steps but a charging Grey is sent into them face first. Grey’s ear is busted open and we take a break.

We come back with Grey’s head taped up but grabbing a German suplex anyway. Vice knees her to the floor but a kick to the ribs is countered with an ankle lock. That’s broken up as well and Vice wins a strike out, only for Hank and Tank to shove Grey back inside for a spinning elbow. Vice gets in a rear naked choke but Grey gets up, leaving Vice to elbow the referee down by mistake. Grey is choked out but there’s no referee so Wren Sinclair wakes Grey up. The cross armbreaker retains the title at 10:31.

Rating: B-. This is a unique kind of match and the taped up head made it feel even more like Grey had to survive a bunch. It’s not a case where they hated each other but rather proving that Grey was the better woman, which makes for a great ending. I can’t imagine Vice being around NXT much longer, as there isn’t anything for her to do around here.

Post match the two of them hug and show respect to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This felt like the show to wrap up a few things, including the ending with Grey and Vice. With that out of the way, it’s time to get ready for the Heatwave build, which should be enough time. I liked the show well enough and it covered a fair few stories. Not a great show, but as usual with the good NXTs, it did what was needed.

Results
Jaida Parker/Thea Hail b. Nikkita Lyons/Karmen Petrovic – Middle rope backsplash to Lyons
Wren Sinclair vs. Zaria went to a time limit draw
Myles Borne/Tavion Heights b. Vanity Project – Spinning belly to belly to Smokes
Keanu Carver b. EK Prosper – Small package
Kendal Grey b. Lola Vice – Cross armbreaker

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NXT LVL Up
Date: August 2, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

The show is changing in a good way as there is actual continuity week to week. Maybe not for every match, but I can go for two people arguing one week and wrestling the next. It’s certainly better than just having a one off match with no particular rhyme or reason and is long overdue. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Tatum Paxley vs. Tyra Mae Steele

Steele easily wrestles her down to start and grabs a waistlock with Paxley having to go to the ropes for the break. A rollup out of the corner gives Steele two but Paxley gets in a knockdown, setting up an elbow to the back. Paxley’s jumping enziguri gets two and it’s time to crank on the arm. That’s switched into a triangle choke but Steele reverses into a sitout powerbomb for the break. Steele hits something like a Pounce and tries a fireman’s carry, only to have Paxley slip out and grab the Psycho Trap for the pin at 4:35.

Rating: C+. Steele continues to feel like she could be something with a good bit more time and experience, but her starting point is rather high in the first place. Getting her feet wet here is fine, but once she gets more of the hang of this, WWE very well might have something with her. The charisma along with the wrestling skill should be enough to carry her a long way and WWE seems to get that this early.

Shiloh Hill is ready for Riley Osborne. He has a plan, which involves three versions of hitting Osborne.

Riley Osborne vs. Shiloh Hill

Osborne grabs a hammerlock to start but Hill reverses into one of his own. Some leg trips don’t get Osborne very far so Hill is back up with a hard clothesline. The chinlock goes on for all of a few seconds before Osborne fights up but Hill drops him again. The double arm crank is broken up and Osborne gets two off a small package. Hill kicks him into the corner, with Osborne coming out with a dropkick. The shooting star press gives Osborne the pin at 5:37.

Rating: C+. Hill still feels like someone who could wind up being a player with enough experience and some fine tuning. He’s been getting more and more time around here and while he hasn’t won much, there is certainly something to him. Osborne is still one of the smoother stars around here and this worked well enough.

An unnamed man says he’s been having issues in recent weeks and asks OTM (I believe, as they’re shown from the back) to help him.

Malik Blade vs. Bronco Nima

Edris Enofe and Lucien Price are here too. Nima powers him down to start but misses a big boot, allowing Blade to kick away. Blade grabs a headlock but Nima is right back up with a standing stomp to take over. A right hand knocks Blade out to the floor and Nima takes him back inside to hammer away in the corner.

Nima plants him with a fireman’s carry flapjack for a delayed two and we hit the neck crank. Blade fights up and hits a running forearm into a running Blockbuster, setting up a high crossbody for two. Blade goes up but Price offers a distraction, allowing Nima to slam him down, only to have Blade reverse into a small package for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: B-. I liked the ending here as I don’t think I’ve ever seen that one done before. Blade and Enofe aren’t exactly on fire in the division but they can still do well enough in the ring to get by. Nima and Price aren’t doing that much better but I could go for seeing more from them. Good match here and one of the better around here in a bit.

Overall Rating: C+. It really is amazing how much better this show has been in the last few weeks. Just adding in a bit more effort and work to the show is an improvement as it makes the show feel that much more interesting. The wrestling itself was fine but there was enough stuff going on that I wanted to see more, which is a very nice feeling to have for a change. Nice show, with the chance that it could get better going forward.

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NXT LVL Up
Date: June 14, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Byron Saxton

We’re done with Battleground and that means absolutely nothing when it comes to this show. NXT is starting to do some interesting things but LVL Up continues to chug along with its usual middle of the show shows and I have no reason to believe that is going to change this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

D’Angelo Family vs. Shiloh Hill/Jasper Troy

Riz is here with the Family. The rather large Troy throws Stacks around to start so it’s off to Crusifino to grab an armbar on Hill. Crusifino cranks on the arm before dropping him ribs first across the top. Hill fights up and grabs a headlock of all things before Stacks comes in with a middle rope shoulder.

Everything breaks down and a double dropkick hits Troy. Stacks tries a rollup on Hill but Troy comes in off a blind tag and hits a big side slam. A splash in the corner crushes Stacks and Troy shoves him into another corner. Hill’s belly to back suplex drops Stacks again but he gets over to Crusifino for the rather necessary tag. Everything breaks down again and a Shatter Machine finishes Hill at 5:53.

Rating: C. The match saw the Family having to fight back against a new power team but you could see that Hill and Troy are still learning. They didn’t look overly confident at times and made some odd decisions. The potential is there, but if they are this new into their careers, things could be far worse.

Kendal Grey is ready for Izzi Dame because it’s a great opportunity.

Kendal Grey vs. Izzi Dame

Dame powers her into the corner to start but Grey is back with a fireman’s carry into an armbar. Back up and the much bigger Dame sends her hard into the corner before starting in on Grey’s arm to even up the limb damage. Dame sends her hard over the corner and out to the floor, followed by a seated armbar back inside. Back up and Dame tries a backdrop but Grey reverses into a backslide for the fluke pin at 4:21.

Rating: C. Sure why not. Grey is one of the many new women around here who have little to make them stand out so maybe this can help her a bit. At the end of the day, it is hard to find something that makes them feel unique and giving someone a win might be the kind of a boost that she needs. Or it means nothing whatsoever because this is LVL Up.

Post match (yes there is a post match) Dame jumps her but Carlee Bright makes the save.

Andre Chase vs. Lucien Price

Ridge Holland and Bronco Nima are here too. Chase strikes away at the legs to start but the much bigger Price (in his first ever singles match) runs him over. Back up and Chase kicks him out of the corner, setting up a middle rope hurricanrana to the floor. There’s the big flip dive from the apron but Chase has to hold Holland back.

That lets Price drop him back first onto the apron and a backbreaker keeps Chase in trouble back inside. A release Rock Bottom plants Chase and Price hits a rather hard clothesline in the corner. Chase fights out of a chinlock and strikes away, setting up the Russian legsweep and the spelling stomps. Back up and Chase runs into a nice superkick for two but Price misses a charge into the post. A high crossbody finishes for Chase at 5:48.

Rating: B-. I liked this one more than I was expecting as Chase doesn’t get to have many singles matches. The thing that continues to amaze me is how far he has taken what should have been a rather silly, short term gimmick. Price looked good as a powerhouse show got outsmarted by the intelligent veteran and it worked well on both sides.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was one of the better that they have presented in a good while around here, with Chase and Price having a solid mach (at least for around here) and what could be at least a small angle after the women’s match. I had a nice time with this and it’s nice to have this be something other than filler for once.

Results
D’Angelo Family b. Shiloh Hill/Jasper Troy – Shatter Machine to Hill
Kendal Grey b. Izzi Dame – Backslide
Andre Chase b. Lucien Price – High crossbody

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No Mercy 2023
Date: September 30, 2023
Location: Mechanics Bank Arena, Bakersfield, California
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

NXT is back on the road this week and the card is looking rather stacked. The two big matches this time around will see Becky Lynch defending the Women’s Title against Tiffany Stratton in an Extreme Rules match, plus Ilja Dragunov challenging Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Title. That should be enough to make this work so let’s get to it.

Pre-Show: Kelani Jordan vs. Blair Davenport

Davenport grabs a headlock to start but Jordan snaps off a hurricanrana into a dropkick. Back up and Davenport grabs a slam and we hit a reverse chinlock. A Boston crab sends Jordan over to the ropes but she’s back up with the forearms to really wake up the crowd. Jordan grabs a springboard cutter for a double knockdown and an elbow puts Davenport down again. A sleeper has Davenport in more trouble but a ram into the corner breaks it up. Jordan’s split legged moonsault hits raised knees, allowing Davenport to hit a middle rope double stomp to the back. Something close to a Falcon Arrow finishes for Davenport at 6:35.

Rating: C. This was a nice showcase for Jordan, but the only way she was going to pull this off was with Gigi Dolin interfering. Jordan is someone who has potential to go somewhere once she gets some experience and develops a bit but we’re a long way from there. Davenport is still one of the bigger villains in the division, but she needs to get into a bigger feud sooner or later.

Post match Gigi Dolin runs in to go after Davenport.

The opening video sees someone putting a No Mercy cartridge into an N64 and a modernized version of the game’s intro. We get a character select screen (Complete with a dig diggity dig, dig diggity dog!) and most of the matches are selected and shown on the match screens ala the original game. This was AMAZING.

Bron Breakker vs. Baron Corbin

Breakker comes out with a dog head costume on for something that might have sounded better on paper. Corbin on the other hand comes out on a motorcycle. Breakker hits the big running flip dive to the floor and the brawl is on before the bell. They fight into the crowd with Corbin getting the better of things until Breakker knocks him back to ringside.

We pause for Breakker to beat up some cameramen, allowing Corbin to get in a few shots of his own. Corbin’ backsplash hits the announcers’ table by mistake though and they finally go inside. The bell rings and Breakker hammers away as we have no commentary for some reason. Corbin hits a middle rope clothesline and some forearms on the mat as they’re going with the slugout. Breakker powers him into the corner though and runs the corner for the super hurricanrana.

The gorilla press powerslam gets two but Corbin tells him to bring it and hammers away. The Recliner sends Corbin over to the ropes and he’s back with Deep Six for two. They slug it out again until Breakker hits a hard clothesline. The fight heads outside again and Corbin sends him through the announcers’ table to quite the positive response. Breakker pops back up with a spear and they head back inside….where Mr. Stone pops up for a distraction. That’s enough for Corbin to grab the End of Days for the pin at 9:35.

Rating: B. That was certainly an odd way to go, as I wouldn’t have bet on Breakker losing here. Then again I wouldn’t have bet on Corbin being treated as a good guy pretty much ever in WWE. As for the match, this was about two big, strong people hitting each other really hard until one of them couldn’t get up anymore. Granted it took some assistance for Corbin to put him away, but it was a heck of a fight.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams want to leave with their own titles tonight.

North American Title: Dominik Mysterio vs. Trick Williams

Mysterio is defending and Dragon Lee is guest referee. A dropkick before the bell gives Mysterio a fast two so it’s already time to yell at Lee. Williams follows him to the floor and throws him back inside as the fans want Mami. Back in and Mysterio kicks the rope for a low blow, followed by a dropkick to send Williams outside again. The chinlock doesn’t last long back inside so Mysterio snaps Williams throat first across the top.

Williams fights up though and a double clothesline leaves them both down. Mysterio hits the 619 but a superkick hits Lee by mistake. A neckbreaker drops Williams as another referee runs in for the near fall. Back up and Mysterio hits the other referee as well, followed by a crossbody to take Williams outside. Williams gets posted but avoids the frog splash, setting up a knee to drive the belt into Mysterio’s face. Lee counts the pin to give Williams the title at 9:40.

Rating: C+. This was one of those matches with all kinds of things going on, which will likely set up a rematch. What matters is giving Williams the big push as he has seemed to be ready for the chance. It’s an interesting way to go and now we get to see what he can do with the chance. Good for them for trying something with someone new, though I’m surprised that Mysterio lost here instead of on Raw.

We look at the dinner to set up the four way Tag Team Title match.

Joe Gacy tells Ava that the Schism is done and now he has to find his own way.

Tag Team Titles: Tony D’Angelo/Stacks vs. Bronco Nima/Lucien Price vs. Creed Brothers vs. Humberto Carrillo/Angel Garza

D’Angelo and Stacks are defending and it’s one fall to a finish. Scrypts is here with Nima and Price, who come to the ring on a bicycle and tricycle. The champs have a bunch of the family here for the entrance and we’re ready to go. They waste no time in going to the big brawl and commentary is already feeling sorry for the referee. Brutus hits the big dive to the floor to take some people out, only to get chopped back inside.

D’Angelo comes in and gets chopped by Garza and Carrillo but we pause as D’Angelo’s knee gives out. It’s off to Stacks for a running uppercut as D’Angelo is taken out. Stacks gets dropped by a high/low and a Gory Bomb/slingshot flipping cutter combination gives Carrillo two. Price comes in for a chinlock but Stacks fights up and gets over to Brutus for the tag. Brutus cleans house and ankle locks Garza as Julius suplexes everyone in sight.

Carrillo makes the save and we get the big staredown as D’Angelo comes back to the ring. The Creeds and the champs take the other four up top for a quadruple superplex and everyone is down again. Nima and Price are back up to clean house again and a power up powerslam gets two on D’Angelo. Garza and Carrillo are back in with some dropkicks but Brutus sends them to the floor for the springboard Brutus Ball. That leaves Price to get caught in Bada Boom Bada Bing to retain the titles at 12:05.

Rating: B-. This was fun as they had everyone get in there and go nuts at various times, with D’Angelo coming back in for the big moment later on making a cool moment. You also had the Creeds getting to show just how awesome they can be and it was all over the place for about twelve minutes. It was a bit messy for the most part, but that’s exactly how it should have gone.

We see the vignette from NXT of someone watching the Cincinnati Bengals and WCW, but he also watches various second generation wrestlers.

Carmelo Hayes is VERY proud of Trick Williams.

We recap Butch winning the Global Heritage Invitational to earn a Heritage Cup shot.

Heritage Cup: Butch vs. Noam Dar

Butch, with Tyler Bate, is challenging and Meta Four is here with Dar. Round one begins with the two of them going to the mat but neither can get much of an advantage. Back up and Dar doesn’t seem overly confident, with Butch pulling him down by the arm to make it worse. Butch cranks on the fingers and arm until the round ends, but Dar gets in a cheap shot after the bell.

Round two begins with Dar going after the arm and firing off a kick to the chest. Butch isn’t having that and scores with his own kicks in the corner. Another shot to the arm cuts Dar down again and Butch hits the ten forearms to the chest. The Meta Four offer a distraction though, allowing Oro Mensah to get in a cheap shot. Dar steals the pin and the fall at 2:30 of the round and 6:30 overall.

Round three begins with Dar hammering away but Butch backflips out of a German suplex attempt. Dar rolls to the floor so Butch moonsaults down onto him for the big crash. Back in and Dar kicks another moonsault out of the air but the Nova Roller misses. Butch hits the Bitter End for the pin to tie it up at 1:58 of the round and 9:10 overall.

Round four opens with Butch going after the arm and grabbing the cross armbreaker. That’s reversed into a triangle choke but Butch stacks it up for two and the break. Dar gets in another shot of his own, only to get pulled into Butch’s triangle choke. The clock runs out though and Dar survives without tapping.

Round five begins with both of them banged up but Butch unloads with chops to take over. The Bitter End is broken up and Dar hits him in the face for two. Butch catches him up top with a superplex and another near fall. Dar heads to the apron and grabs a brainbuster for a heck of a near fall and the fans get back into it. Butch snaps the finger as the round ends.

Round six (the final round) begins with Butch striking away but Mensah offers a distraction. The Nova Roller gives Dar two as Bate goes after the Meta Four. Butch hits a Tyler Driver 97 for two of his own but Dar pulls him into the kneebar. That’s reversed into the Bitter End for another near fall so the cross armbreaker goes on. Cue Gallus to go after Bate, allowing Joe Coffey to come in and hit Butch with All The Best For The Belles. Dar retains at 2:34 of the round and 18:51 overall.

Rating: B-. The action was good but egads we just spent a month on a tournament to find Dar, who has been champion for the better part of ever, a new challenger and never mind, as Dar retains anyway. He’s good at what he does but it’s ok to let him drop the title for a bit. The action was high quality as you would expect, but it’s really hard to stay interested in Dar’s title reign continuing.

We recap Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Title. Hayes retained over Dragunov at the Great American Bash but Trick Williams used a chair. Now Hayes needs to know he can win on his own.

NXT Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes

Hayes is defending and has a special entrance with banners falling, featuring the name of everyone he’s beaten to retain the title. After the Big Match Intros, Dragunov sends him into the corner and strikes away to take over fast. Hayes gets in a few shots of his own but the springboard elbow misses. Instead Dragunov scores with the 61Line for the knockdown, setting up a backsplash for two.

Dragunov grabs a front facelock to keep Hayes in trouble, with a knee to the head knocking him silly again. The strike off goes to Dragunov but Hayes sends him into the corner and unloads with chops. Hayes knocks him down again but can’t follow up, meaning it’s time for a breather. Back up and they trade more strikes until Hayes nails a step up enziguri to drop Dragunov again.

A springboard bulldog (originally a DDT but Hayes changed it in mid-air after realizing it wasn’t going to work for a nice save) gives Hayes two but Dragunov is back up with some rolling German suplexes. The Constantine Special misses for Dragunov and Hayes grabs a spinning faceplant for two. Hayes unloads with stomps to the head until Dragunov slips out and hits a running knee.

Dragunov scores with a powerbomb and loads up Coast To Coast. Hayes tries to Codebreaker him out of the air but leaves it a bit short, allowing Dragunov to Death Valley Driver him into the corner. Now the Coast To Coast can connect for two and an H Bomb gets two more.

The middle rope H Bomb gives Dragunov another near fall and he’s stunned off the kickout. Torpedo Moscow cut off with a superkick to give Hayes a breather and they head to the apron. Hayes cutters him to the floor for the big crash and they head back inside, where Dragunov knocks him out of the air. A super H Bomb gives Dragunov the pin and the title at 21:07.

Rating: A-. This one pretty much blew their first match away and was two guys beating the fire out of each other. Dragunov is the more rugged brawler who dominated Hayes to start but Hayes eventually got into it with the speed and athleticism. It was a heck of a match, probably Hayes’ best ever, but it was time for Dragunov to get the big win.

Respect is shown post match.

Video on the Women’s Breakout Tournament.

We recap Tiffany Stratton challenging Becky Lynch for the Women’s Title. Lynch took the title from her but Stratton kept attacking the new champ. As a result, it’s Extreme Rules for the title.

Women’s Title: Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton

Lynch is defending and this is Extreme Rules. We get a look back at Lynch’s NXT career before she comes out with a shopping cart of weapons. They fight into the crowd (featuring a heck of a No Mercy sign modeled after the N64 game with modern stars) with Lynch getting the better of things until a forearm to the face slows her down. Lynch hits her with some kind of a necklace (from a fan) and Stratton is knocked back down the steps.

They get back to ringside where Stratton kendo sticks her down to take over. A basement dropkick gets two for Stratton so she grabs the toolbox. Stratton whips out a rather large wrench before switching to a hammer. Both of them miss a big swing and the hammer falls out to the floor. Stratton grabs a sidewalk slam for two but Lynch sends her into the corner. The Bexploder lets Lynch go up top for a missile dropkick and Stratton rolls outside. That’s fine with Lynch, who puts her in the shopping cart for a ram into the steps.

Back in and Lynch pours out a bunch of Barbies, with Stratton being dropped onto them for two. Stratton is back up with one heck of a trashcan lid shot to the head, followed by a non-lid shot to the ribs. A spinebuster onto the trashcan gives Stratton two but she takes a long time throwing in a bunch of chairs. Lynch fights back but gets powerbombed onto the steps. That doesn’t seem to matter very much as Lynch fights up and grabs a table, only to get knocked down again.

Stratton manages to lose Lynch as she sets up the table though, allowing Lynch to spray her with a fire extinguisher. Lynch whips out a barbed wire baseball bat but drops it before she can, uh, kill her. Stratton manages a hurricanrana and a double handspring elbow sends Lynch through the barricade.

With Lynch on the table, Stratton hits a Swanton to…actually not break the table in a nasty looking landing. Another Swanton connects for two back inside so Lynch rolls outside, only to miss a moonsault. The Manhandle Slam on the floor plants Stratton for two and Lynch is rather shocked. Stratton Regal rolls her onto the chairs but misses the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. The Manhandle Slam onto the chairs retains Lynch’s title at 20:20.

Rating: A-. Well that was awesome, as they beat the absolute fire out of each other. Stratton is so far beyond what she should be able to do at this level of experience and it’s not like losing to Lynch is some career killer. Lynch might not be what she was before but she can still more than bring it on the big stage. Great match here and one of Lynch’s best in a long time.

Lynch knows she was in a war.

Carmelo Hayes apologizes to Trick Williams for not getting to be double champs. Williams hugs him to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. Those last two matches more than carried the show and made it more than worth a look. The opener was good too and the rest of the matches were good enough. This felt like it was following the old Takeover formula and while it wasn’t quite up to that level, the two main events were both great and this was a heck of a show. NXT has absolutely found itself and if they can keep that going, Halloween Havoc and Deadline should both be rather awesome.

Results
Blair Davenport b. Kelani Jordan – Falcon Arrow
Baron Corbin b. Bron Breakker – End Of Days
Trick Williams b. Dominik Mysterio – Jumping knee into the title belt to the face
Tony D’Angelo/Stacks b. Bronco Nima/Lucien Price, Creed Brothers and Humberto Carrillo/Angel Garza – Bada Boom Bada Bing to Price
Noam Dar b. Butch 2-1
Ilja Dragunov b. Carmelo Hayes – Super H Bomb
Becky Lynch b. Tiffany Stratton – Manhandle Slam onto a pile of chairs

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NXT is back on the road as they head to California for No Mercy. This is the kind of thing that makes NXT feel like such a bigger deal as it is such a bigger stage than that little studio in Florida. The card happens to be stacked and it’s one of the better looking NXT cards that I have seen in a good while. That has been the case before but they have some more work to do. Let’s get to it.

Pre-Show: Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan

This was announced after NXT went off the air this week so there isn’t much of a build here. That being said, Davenport has been a monster heel in recent weeks and Jordan is someone who had been looking up to Dana Brooke before Brooke’s release. In other words, there isn’t much of a reason to believe this is going to be overly competitive, but there might be one reason to believe otherwise.

I’m going to go with what should be the obvious pick in Davenport, but I can’t shake the feeling that Gigi Dolin will interfere to cost Davenport the win in a big embarrassment. Dolin vs. Davenport has been set up for a long time now and it would be interesting to see Dolin get one back on Davenport after she attacked Dolin earlier this week. I’ll go with Davenport here, but a Dolin inspired upset wouldn’t shock me.

Bron Breakker vs. Baron Corbin

Sometimes you need to let two power guys beat the fire out of each other and that is what we are going to be seeing here. These two got the big go home segment to end this week’s NXT as they literally went through a wall during their fight. Corbin can do rather well when he is given the chance and having a fired up Breakker could do just that. Breakker could use the win too and I think you know where this is going.

There is no reason to buy Corbin winning here so I’ll take Breakker getting another big win over a stronger name. Breakker has been kind of floating for the last few weeks but having him beat Corbin up for a little while, survive some big moves and then win is a smart way to go. It might even be a fun match on the way there, but Breakker wins here, as there isn’t much of a reason for anything else to happen.

Tag Team Titles: Tony D’Angelo/Stacks(c) vs. Lucien Price/Bronco Nima vs. Creed Brothers vs. Humberto Carrillo/Angel Garza

As is the case with most title matches, this was set up through a nice Italian dinner. The tag division has started a nice little rebuild, but at the end of the day, the Creed Brothers feel like they’re that much better than anyone else. I’m not sure if that’s going to be enough to get them to win the titles though, as it’s hard to fathom the Creeds being in NXT that much longer.

For now, I’ll take the champions retaining, though there is a case to be made for giving the titles to anyone but the Creeds. Carrillo and Garza are a more experienced team and need something to make them feel more special, while Price and Nima could get a heck of a rub by winning the titles so soon into their run. The good thing with a four way is that you still have contenders coming out of the match as only one team gets beaten, and we’ll say the champs get to do said beating here.

Heritage Cup: Noam Dar(c) vs. Butch

This is the result of a nearly month long tournament to crown a new #1 contender and that makes things interesting. It’s kind of hard to imagine Butch coming up short after that long. The problem here could be having Tyler Bate in Butch’s corner, which feels like a way to set up some kind of screwy finish. At the same time, it’s hard to imagine it’s hard to imagine having another main roster star winning an NXT title.

That being said, having a tournament go on that long with Butch winning, only to lose here and keep the title on Dar doesn’t make a ton of sense. Dar has been either champion or right there next to it for months now and I don’t see the need to keep it on him. Butch has been needing a win to get himself back up and I’ll say he wins here, though I have quite the feeling that I’m wrong on this one.

North American Title: Dominik Mysterio(c) vs. Trick Williams

So this one is a bit more interesting as you have Williams replacing the suddenly released Mustafa Ali. Williams has felt like someone who is being groomed for the next big step up the ladder, with a Carmelo Hayes match feeling like it’s on the horizon. That being said, it would be a big deal to take the title from Mysterio, who is quite the big deal in his own right on the main roster.

I can’t imagine Mysterio losing here so we’ll go with him retaining the title. Williams is someone who could become a big deal rather quickly but Mysterio losing the title so soon doesn’t feel right. At the same time, Mysterio losing the title without Rhea Ripley being involved doesn’t feel right. Mysterio retains here, likely with some interference to keep Williams looking strong.

Women’s Title: Becky Lynch(c) vs. Tiffany Stratton

This is Extreme Rules and a rematch from earlier this month when Lynch took the title from Stratton. That makes things all the more interesting, as Lynch already has everything on Monday Night Raw and she isn’t going to be the champion long term. At the same time though, I’m not sure I can imagine her losing the title here. Stratton feels like she is going to be a big star, but I’m not sure we’re at that point yet.

I’m not feeling overly strong on this one, but I’ll take Lynch to retain here. Stratton certainly has a lot of the tools needed to step up sooner than later, but beating Lynch is one heck of an upgrade. There’s a chance that Stratton wins here, though I’ll go with Lynch retaining after a better fight than the previous edition. Lynch goes over here, but after getting quite the test from Stratton.

NXT Title: Carmelo Hayes(c) vs. Ilja Dragunov

This is a rematch from Hayes beating Dragunov at the Great American Bash where Dragunov was sent into a chair. That makes the question whether or not Hayes can win on his own here, and we could be in for a heck of a fight. Dragunov knows how to bring up the emotion with some outstanding near falls and selling the pain he’s going through, which should be the case again here. I’m just not sure how it’s going to end and that’s confusing.

I’ll go with….geez I guess Hayes here, as it doesn’t feel like he’s ready to lose the title here, but dang it’s hard to imagine Dragunov losing another big match. Hayes needs to win here to prove that he’s the big star and he has Williams waiting on him sooner or later. That match doesn’t necessarily need to be for the title, but for now we’ll say the title stays with Hayes after a better match than their first showdown.

Overall Thoughts

The more I look at this card, the better it’s looking. NXT has figured itself out in recent months and that has made it a good show to see again. Now they need to figure out how to make the big shows work, but the pieces are all there to have a successful night. I’m excited about this show and that’s a nice feeling to have, though having it actually be a good show is what matters most.

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NXT
Date: September 26, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s a big night as this is the go home show for this weekend’s No Mercy event. That means we need a new #1 contender to the Heritage Cup, with Butch and Joe Coffey facing off for the title shot. Other than that, we’ll get the final push towards everything on Saturday, which should be good. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Global Heritage Invitational Finals: Butch vs. Joe Coffey

The winner gets a Heritage Cup Title shot at Noam Dar (watching from a box with the Meta Four) and the rest of Gallus is here with Coffey. Butch takes him to the mat with a headlock to start before starting in on the arm. The stomp to the arm sets up a Fujiwara armbar but a Wolfgang distraction lets Coffey fight back. Butch flips out of a belly to back suplex and Gallus is ejected as we take a break.

Back with Butch working on the arm but Coffey knocks him down again. A German suplex drops Butch again but he’s back with an enziguri. Coffey stays up for a discus lariat to leave them both down. Coffey’s running headbutt sends Butch into the corner and All The Best For The Bells gets two. Butch is sent outside where he avoids a charge, sending Coffey into the steps. Back in and the Bitter End finishes for Butch at 12:41.

Rating: B. Butch is the better choice here as Coffey vs. Dar isn’t exactly a marquee matchup. There is always the chance of Butch winning the title and having him lose after winning this big, elaborate tournament would be a letdown. It’s still fun to watch Butch pick someone apart too and that is exactly what we got here in a good enough tournament final.

Dominik Mysterio, with a black eye, isn’t happy with having to defend against the winner of tonight’s triple threat on Saturday. First Adam Pearce is after him and now it’s Shawn Michaels.

Tony D’Angelo and Stacks are at their dinner and waiting on other tag teams to show up for their dinner. Los Lotharios are here first and get checked for weapons before they get to sit down. Angel Garza isn’t sure about the foot but they’re here for the titles anyway. Other teams are on the way.

Trick Williams vs. Joe Gacy

Ava is here with Gacy. Williams shoulders him down to start and scores with a dropkick. Gacy gets in a shot of his own and unloads with forearms on the mat. The chinlock goes on but Williams is right back up. A leg lariat puts Gacy down but he slips out of a slam and hits a corner elbow. The Upside Down is broken up though and Williams hits a running knee for the clean pin at 2:27. That’s an upset, especially at that speed.

Post match Williams says he’s behind Carmelo Hayes, but Hayes already has his title. Now Williams wants his own.

Blair Davenport doesn’t like Gigi Dolin jumping her from behind. She’s coming for her.

Chase U is worried about Thea Hail when they run into Jacy Jayne. They ask about Thea, who pops in with her new outfit. She’s happy with the new her but Chase U isn’t impressed. Jayne promises more.

Josh Briggs vs. Baron Corbin

Brooks Jensen and Fallon Henley are here too. They brawl to the floor to start with Briggs getting the better of things. Back in and Corbin hits a big boot to take over and hammers away. Briggs gets in a few shots but runs into End Of Days for the pin at 2:58.

Post match Corbin calls out Bron Breakker for No Mercy. Cue Breakker and the brawl is on with security breaking it up.

Trick Williams goes into Shawn Michaels’ office.

Long video on Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton, with Stratton saying she’s already sick of Lynch.

Lucien Price/Bronco Nima vs. Tank Ledger/Hank Walker

Ledger takes Nima into the corner to start and Ledger adds some running shots of his own. A slingshot splash gets two on Nima but he comes back with a heck of hook kick to the head. Price comes in for a running crotch attack on the rope but Ledger gets the tag and cleans house. Everything breaks down and the assisted Alabama Slam finishes Ledger at 2:48.

Blair Davenport jumps Gigi Dolin in her locker room.

Back to the dinner and Los Lotharios want the Tag Team Titles. The Creed Brothers come in and Brutus is already hungry. The Creeds make Mafia and Godfather references but some more people are coming.

Tyler Bate and Axiom are friends but they’re willing to fight for a title shot tonight. Trick Williams comes in to say the triple threat is now a four way. They’re cool with that.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Dijak

Strap match. They’re tied together and Dijak goes straight to the floor, with Thorpe diving onto him for the big crash. A middle rope dropkick takes Dijak down again but he knocks Thorpe into the corner to start the beating. Thorpe is sent outside for a crash and we take an early break.

Back with Thorpe slugging his way out of trouble and hitting a Cactus Clothesline. Dijak is fine enough to hit a chokeslam onto the apron and whips Thorpe into the barricade, where his family is watching. As his family is scared of what they’re seeing, Thorpe fights up and strikes away with the strap back inside, setting up a top rope elbow for the pin at 10:03.

Rating: C. As a normal match this was pretty good but as a strap match, it was nothing. Other than a few whippings, the strap meant nothing here and could have been completely dropped without missing much. Thorpe winning is a good moment for him and it should end their feud. Dijak continues to lose big matches, but at least he’s getting the chance.

Post match Dijak jumps Thorpe again as I guess this isn’t over. Thorpe is tied in the Tree of Woe for a whipping.

Blair Davenport interrupts an update on Gigi Dolin and warns Dolin to think twice about messing with her.

Dani Palmer vs. Thea Hail

Hail is basically dressed like Jacy Jayne (who is here as well), so Booker T. talks about Hannah Montana. Hail takes her down for a splash to the arm and the wristlock goes on. The Fujiwara armbar goes on but Palmer reverses into a rollup for two. Palmer drops her and goes up, only to miss the corkscrew moonsault. Hail grabs the Kimura for the tap at 2:10 to continue a string of short matches tonight.

Trick Williams comes up to Carmelo Hayes, who keeps texting while Williams talks about what he’s done tonight.

Barn Corbin and Bron Breakker get in another fight in the back.

Dragon Lee vs. Axiom vs. Trick Williams vs. Tyler Bate

For a North American Title shot at No Mercy. Williams gets knocked to the floor to start and Bate hits a big dive to take him out again. That leaves Lee to charge into Axiom’s elbow to the face, followed by a dropkick for a bonus. Axiom goes after the pile on the floor and Lee dives onto everyone. Back in and we get a three way submission, with only Axiom not in danger. Bate figures that out and breaks it up, leaving everyone free. Williams starts cleaning house (the fans approve), including a double flapjack to Bate and Axiom.

We take a break and come back with Axiom taking Bate down for two but Lee makes the save. Lee hits some corner dropkicks and a sitout powerbomb gets two on Bate. Williams clears out Axiom and hits a double Rock Bottom for two each on Bate and Lee. Bate is back up and airplane spins Lee and giant swings Axiom at the same time (of course he can) but Williams is back in and everyone is knocked down for a breather.

Lee knocks Axiom down again with a superkick and goes up top but Axiom catches him on top with a super Spanish Fly. The fans are VERY impressed but Williams comes back in. Lee headbutts Williams….and falls to the floor, leaving Williams to fall on Axiom for the pin at 10:42.

Rating: B. At some point you have to pull the trigger on someone new and that is what they did here with Williams. It makes things that much more interesting and I could go for seeing what he does against Mysterio. Williams has come a long, long way but at some point Lee and Axiom need to win something of their own. They’re both too good and getting such strong reactions that they almost have to try something with them. For now though, I’ll take Williams going to No Mercy.

Bronco Nima and Lucien Price, with Scrypts, arrive at the dinner and the champs make fun of Scrypts. Insults ensue and the four way title match is made.

Dominik Mysterio is ready for Trick Williams when Dragon Lee jumps him.

Carmelo Hayes is on his way to the ring when Trick Williams pops up. Hayes is proud of him and they’re both ready to win at No Mercy.

An unseen man is watching television, including the Cincinnati Bengals and WCW. Gee I wonder who that could be.

No Mercy rundown.

Here are Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes for the contract signing, with Dragunov almost hyperventilating over the sight for the belt. Hayes says there’s nothing left to say to each other so let’s just sign the deal. Dragunov talks about how Hayes is always in the wrong place at the wrong time, with Hayes saying it’s just like Dragunov at the Great American Bash.

Dragunov says Hayes took his best shot at the Bash and missed, which is why he needed the chair. Hayes talks about how being the champion isn’t about enduring pain but rather being undeniable and Him. He says that he’s different than everyone Dragunov has faced, like Wes Lee, Oro Mensah or….Trick Williams.

Dragunov knows Hayes just slipped up and signs the contract before saying Hayes can’t do anything at No Mercy. If Hayes wants to pus him to new limits, Hayes will find something he won’t forget for the rest of his life. Hayes signs as well and says the title is bigger than the two of them. He’s a beacon of hope for people who look like him. Dragunov can be champion, but he can’t do it better than Hayes.

One more thing: Dragon Lee will be guest referee for Dominik Mysterio vs. Trick Williams at No Mercy.

Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker are still fighting in the parking lot. A car is opened and Breakker’s spear hits the open door, allowing Corbin to unload on him. Breakker shrugs off a low blow and grabs a choke as the fight heads inside. They crash through the wall of Shawn Michaels’ office and security finally breaks it up to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show had one major job and that was to get me interested in No Mercy. With the show over, I’m a lot more interested in Saturday’s show than I was coming in and that makes this a big success. There were enough good matches here (along with some short ones) to get me interested and now if they can do well with a pretty stacked card, we should be in for a heck of a Saturday. Pretty awesome go home show here and I’m more into a show I didn’t care much about coming in.

Results
Butch b. Joe Coffey – Bitter End
Trick Williams b. Joe Gacy – Jumping knee
Baron Corbin b. Josh Briggs – End Of Days
Lucien Price/Bronco Nima b. Tank Ledger/Hank Walker – Assisted Alabama Slam to Ledger
Eddy Thorpe b. Dijak – Top rope elbow
Thea Hail b. Dani Palmer – Fujiwara armbar
Trick Williams b. Dragon Lee, Axiom and Tyler Bate – Williams fell on Axiom

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AND

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NXT
Date: September 19, 2023
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

The big story around here is Becky Lynch winning the Women’s Title over Tiffany Stratton last week. Lynch has already taken the title to Raw and it is feeling like a big deal because of the star power she brings to it. Other than that, we have about a week and a half before No Mercy and it’s time to build things up. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Becky Lynch winning the NXT Women’s Title last week.

Here is Lynch to get things going. She is glad to be here and is ready to face everyone in that women’s locker room, sending her into a list of most of the locker room, rhyming her way through the whole thing. As for Tiffany Stratton, Tiffy Time is over! The fans chant BECKY TIME (Becky approves) but here is Stratton to interrupt. The rematch is going to happen and she wants it at No Mercy on September 30.

Lynch is cool with that, but the result is going to be the same. Becky has seen people with rockets strapped to her back before but this NXT has the same feel as when she was there in the first place. After ten years, Becky still wants it more than Stratton does. Lynch thinks Stratton wants to go word for word with the Man, but how about the go punch for punch instead. The fight is on with Kiana James running in for the save. Stratton grabs a chair, which Becky takes away and clears the ring.

Tony D’Angelo and Stacks are looking over potential opponents but opt to eat instead.

Ilja Dragunov is ready for Carmelo Hayes for No Mercy and he’ll be watching tonight. Becky Lynch comes in and is ready to face Tiffany Stratton and Kiana James 2-1 tonight.

The Meta Four are watching in their lounge and are doing a Matrix impression for some reason.

Dominik Mysterio comes up to Trick Williams and seems to try to put a wedge between Williams and Carmelo Hayes. Williams doesn’t seem to fall for it.

Global Heritage Invitational Group A: Tyler Bate vs. Butch

Butch needs a pin or submission to advance while Bate advances on anything else. Butch works on the arm to start but Bate headscissors his way out of trouble. Bop and Bang is broken up with a shot to the face and Bate is rather serious. Bate hammers him into the corner and the referee has to back it up. A delayed superplex drops Butch again (with a close up camera shot being a rather nice touch) and we take a break.

Back with Butch knocking him down and firing off forearms on the mat. Bate flips away though and hits a running shooting star to the back for some unique offense. The Tyler Driver 97 is pulled into a triangle choke but Bate powers him up into a Death Valley Driver for two. Butch grabs the Tyler Driver 97 for two, followed by Bate’s Bitter End for the same. We have less than a minute to go as Bate’s Spiral Tap hits raised knees. The Bitter End gives Butch two so he loads it up again, only to piledrive Bate down for the pin instead at 11:48.

Rating: B. These two just work well together and seeing them in the same ring brings back some memories of their classics. This might not have been at that level but it was a rather good TV match and the ending took me by surprise as they were heavily teasing the draw. Heck of a match here and it’s nice to see Butch having some success.

Group A Standings
Butch – 2-0-1, 5 points, 0 matches remaining
Tyler Bate – 2-1-0, 4 points, 0 matches remaining
Axiom – 0-1-1, 1 point, 1 match remaining
Charlie Dempsey – 0-2-0, 0 points, 1 match remaining

Earlier this week, Jacy Jayne took Thea Hail shopping for some new clothes. A lot of leather is included and Jayne is impressed. We don’t see the final outfit, which is revealed next week.

Global Heritage Invitational Group B: Duke Hudson vs. Joe Coffey

Hudson needs a win to for a three way tie with Coffey and Nathan Frazer while Coffey advances with a win or a draw. Andre Chase and the rest of Gallus are here too. They trade shoulders to start with Hudson getting the better of things, setting up a running hurricanrana. Coffey is back up and runs him over, setting up a missile dropkick. All The Best For The Bells is loaded up but Hudson rolls him up for the pin at 3:48.

Rating: C. The match didn’t have time to go very far but the important thing here is we have a three way tie for the win. Odds are that sets up a triple threat at some point and we’ll have someone facing Butch, as this is a rather complicated way to set up a #1 contender for a specialty midcard title. For now though, I’ll take Hudson getting a win, which doesn’t happen often enough.

Group B Standings
Nathan Frazer – 2-1-0, 4 points, 0 matches remaining
Joe Coffey – 2-1-0, 4 points, 0 matches remaining
Duke Hudson – 2-1-0, 4 points, 0 matches remaining
Akira Tozawa – 0-3-0, 0 points, 0 matches remaining

Nathan Frazer is very happy with the result and can’t wait for the triple threat match next week. Actually it’s tonight, so he bolts off to get ready.

Mr. Stone has said that Von Wagner is “not good”.

Roxanne Perez vs. Lola Vice

Elektra Lopez is here with Vice. They go to the mat to start but Perez chops her in the chest and runs the rope. That’s broken up and Perez’s arm comes down hard to give Vice a target. Vice pulls her into something like a Yes Lock without the crossface. Perez fights up and hits a running dropkick into the corner, followed by the raining of the forearms. Vice goes for the arm again but Perez stacks her up with a rollup for the pin at 4:13.

Rating: C+. This was better than I was expecting as Vice was working with the submission stuff and made Perez work here. Vice is way too new to be able to beat Perez but she got close enough here and it made for a nice surprise. Now give Vice a push in the Breakout Tournament and see where it goes.

Eddy Thorpe is mad at Dijak for hurting his sacred tree so we’ll have a strap match.

Roxanne Perez, with the bad arm, comes in to see Becky Lynch and talks about not having people walk all over her anymore. Perez offers to be her partner in the main event but Lynch turns her down because of the arm injury. That’s cool with Perez.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Dominik Mysterio

Non-title. Ilja Dragunov is on commentary as Hayes sends Mysterio to the floor to start. Hayes blocks being sent into the steps and takes it back inside. The 619 is broken up as Hayes hits a superkick into a spinning faceplant. We take a break and come back with Hayes hitting a suplex cutter to put them both down. Mysterio fights back and puts Hayes down, only to miss the frog splash. They go outside where both are sent into Dragunov, though Mysterio slaps him to make it worse. Dragunov comes in and jumps them both for the double DQ at 8:32.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time here, especially with almost half of it being spent in the break. What mattered here was getting Dragunov involved, as he and Hayes are getting a lot more personal in a hurry. The match could absolutely deliver, as Hayes and Mysterio did here fairly well.

Post match the brawl is on but Dominik pulls Hayes in the way of the Torpedo Moscow. Dragon Lee comes in to superkick Mysterio and holds up the North American Title.

Trick Williams isn’t happy with what happened but here is Schism to talk to him about loneliness. Williams tells them to get out of here, but Joe Gacy asks why Carmelo Hayes doesn’t think much of him.

Duke Hudson isn’t sure he can win the triple threat but Andre Chase dubs him the Spoiler along with being the MVP in quite the pep talk.

There is a dice game going on outside for a very big stack of cash, with Bronco Nima and Lucien Price (thankfully with name plates) and Scrypts (unfortunately still here) cleaning up.

Hank Walker and Tank Ledger are ready to get into the Tag Team Title picture.

Global Heritage Invitational Group B: Nathan Frazer vs. Joe Coffey vs. Duke Hudson

No time limit. Frazer starts fast and Hudson is knocked down into the corner. Coffey jumps Frazer but gets knocked to the floor, leaving Hudson to faceplant Frazer for two. Frazer sends both of them to the floor for the big dive to take them out again. Back in and Hudson hits a release Rock Bottom out of the corner to plant Frazer but Coffey gives him one heck of a crotching against the post as we take a break.

We come back with Coffey knocking Hudson off the apron but getting rolled up by Frazer for two. Hudson grabs a rollup for two more on Coffey (it worked earlier), followed by the Boss Man Slam for the same. Frazer superkicks Hudson and hits a reverse DDT to Coffey/a regular DDT to Hudson. Coffey’s diving headbutt to the chest is cut off by a superkick but Hudson sends Frazer flying with a release German suplex. Hudson boots Coffey down and sends him to the floor but Frazer runs Hudson over. The phoenix splash connects but Coffey breaks it up and hits All The Best For The Bells to finish Hudson at 12:20.

Rating: B-. They kept things moving here, though having Coffey lose in his first match and then come back to win the second more or less made it feel like filler and nothing more. Coffey vs. Butch should be an interesting match, though it feels like it should be for the title itself rather than a title shot a few days later. Frazer got in his flying and Hudson felt like he was hanging in there, but Coffey was presented as the monster throughout the tournament so having him advance isn’t a big shock.

Butch comes in for the staredown.

Mustafa Ali is mad that Dragon Lee is getting a North American Title shot next week. Ali: “HOW DOES ANY OF THIS MAKE SENSE???” He is going to mess things up on Raw.

Tiffany Stratton and Kiana James are ready to work together against Becky Lynch.

Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen argue with Fallon Henley over Myles Borne’s betrayal last week. Baron Corbin comes in to mock them so Briggs stands up to him. Oddly, no match is made.

Carmelo Hayes doesn’t like Ilja Dragunov being so cocky. Next week, he’ll so Dragunov where he stands.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton/Kiana James

Stratton and James jump her from behind in the aisle but cue Lyra Valkyria for the save and we seem to have a new match.

Becky Lynch/Lyra Valkyria vs. Tiffany Stratton/Kiana James

We get the opening bell and Lynch rams James’ head into the buckle over and over. Stratton comes in and gets taken down by Valkyria so Lynch can add a running legdrop. Lynch’s running faceplant drops James for two and the villains are sent outside for a pair of dropkicks through the ropes as we take a break.

Back with James taking Lynch down and grabbing the chinlock. Stratton comes in but misses a handspring elbow, allowing Valkyria to get the tag and clean house. A bridging northern lights suplex gets two on James, with Stratton making the save. Everything breaks down and Lynch/Valkyria hit stereo middle rope legdrops as the villains hanging in the ropes.

Stratton breaks up Valkyria’s springboard though and James adds a powerbomb. Stratton’s Swanton gets two with Lynch making the save and hitting a springboard missile dropkick on James. The same double DDT that Nathan Frazer hit earlier takes James and Stratton down, leaving Valkyria to hit a top rope splash for the pin on James at 11:20.

Rating: B. This took some time to get going but they got to a higher level in the end. Valkyria makes sense as the backup for Lynch as she has been put into some pretty high profile spots in recent weeks. Granted she needs to actually win something to help pay that off, but maybe that comes in the form of taking the title from Lynch.

Post match Stratton chairs Lynch down. Lynch makes their No Mercy match Extreme Rules to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. I’ve said it many times now but dang I love it when this show knocks out a bunch of stuff they need to cover in one show. That was on full display here, with stuff being made for No Mercy and stuff that was already made being re-enforced. This show knows how to use the time they have, though there were some moments that felt like they were just there to make the show go longer. The good was more than good enough though and it was another positive week on the way to Bakersfield.

Results
Butch b. Tyler Bate – Pumphandle driver
Duke Hudson b. Joe Coffey – Rollup
Roxanne Perez b. Lola Vice – Rollup
Carmelo Hayes vs. Dominik Mysterio went to a double disqualification when Ilja Dragunov interfered
Joe Coffey b. Nathan Frazer and Duke Hudson – All The Best For The Bells to Hudson
Becky Lynch/Lyra Valkyria b. Kiana James/Tiffany Stratton – Top rope splash to James

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.