NXT – May 26, 2026: Look, On The Horizon

NXT
Date: May 26, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s title night again as we have the Women’s Title on the line. Lola Vice is set to defend the title against Izzi Dame in what could be a rather engaging showdown. Other than that, NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo has a bunch of people coming after him and that isn’t likely to end well. Let’s get to it.

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

Kelani Jordan vs. Wren Sinclair

Non-title and Kendal Grey is here with Sinclair, who gets jumped before the bell. Sinclair wants to go and the bell rings as the fans give her a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY chant. A dropkick puts Jordan down and a snap suplex puts her into the corner. Jordan boots her in the face to limited avail so Sinclair slaps on a Fujiwara armbar. Jordan fights up and sends her into the corner, where Sinclair gets in a posting. Back in and Sinclair sends her into the ropes but the bad knee gives out, though she’s able to send Jordan outside as we take a break.

We come back with Jordan staying on the leg, including a weird standing Figure Four variation. A half crab in the ropes has Sinclair in more trouble but she fights up with strikes and a suplex. Jordan goes right back to the knee but misses the One Of A Kind. The knee gives out again though and we hit the STF, followed by a Haas Of Pain to make Sinclair tap at 11:21.

Rating: C+. This was a simple story as Sinclair is trying to get back to the ring too soon and Jordan is evil enough to cut her off. It’s a good way to make Jordan feel that much meaner and Sinclair’s comebacks were timed well enough. It also could set up Grey to go after Jordan, which would be a nice fight for both of them.

Tatum Paxley and Lizzy Rain are in the back talking about last week when Shiloh Hill comes in. Tristan Angels interrupts as well and complains about Hill’s petition to become the new Mr. NXT. Angels: “PAPA SHANGO?” He hopes Charlie Dempsey stretches some sense into him tonight.

Here is Darkstate (now with a red X through one of the faces in their logo) for a chat. They brag about their success in other sports, but Saquon Shuggars was just an independent wrestler. They all complain about Shuggars, while the fans sound like they’re having a dueling chant about Shuggars of their own. Lennox says there is no Darkstate without them and now they’re coming after everyone again with their sights on the titles.

Wren Sinclair gets her knee looked at and Lola Vice comes in to check on her. Kali Armstrong comes in to mock them and says she’ll be watching the title match.

Speed Title Tournament First Round: Sean Legacy vs. Dorian Van Dux

Dux starts fast and knocks him outside for a big dive, followed by a posting. Legacy fights back but misses a springboard 450, allowing Dux to knock him down again. Dux goes up but gets hurricanranaed down, followed by a dropkick to knock him out of the air. A kick staggers Legacy but he’s up with a super Spanish Fly to leave them both down as time expires at 3:00.

Rating: C+. As usual, it was fun while it lasted but you can only get so far with a match that only lasts three minutes. Dux is an impressive looking guy who can fly and do the power stuff while Legacy continues to feel like he has potential but rarely actually wins anything. That’s only going to get him so far and he’s just kind of there at the moment.

Post match respect is shown.

Nattie is pleased with Layla Diggs for standing up to Jaida Parker and will be in her corner tonight.

Jaida Parker vs. Layla Diggs

Nattie is here with Diggs, who takes Parker down to start and does a quick dance. Back up and Parker knocks her down without much effort but the Tear Drop misses in the corner. Diggs is right back with an armbar and knocks Parker down again. The moonsault (and Diggs has a great looking one) misses though and Hipnotique connects for Parker. Deja Vu finishes for Parker at 4:03.

Rating: C. Diggs getting some more ring time is good, though she got beaten up pretty easily here which might not be the best sign for her future. What matters the most is that she’s getting in the ring though and hopefully that continues. Parker winning is a good thing too, as she’s certainly someone who could be a breakout star if she gets on a roll.

Birthright isn’t worried about the Speed Title tournament but Fraxiom comes in to mock them a bit.

Video on Tony D’Angelo, who is ready for all comers.

Here is D’Angelo for a chat. There are a lot of people around here going for the title and next week he gets to face Kam Hendrix. D’Angelo is ready for him but for now, he wants Naraku out here face to face. Cue Naraku, who says he’s here to keep D’Angelo’s title safe. D’Angelo isn’t buying that but Naraku says he wants D’Angelo to be champion so they can go to war. Cue Hendrix, who says D’Angelo is running into a buzzsaw next week. D’Angelo says that Hendrix sees the title as a stepping stone to fame and it doesn’t go that easily. Naraku clears Hendrix out.

Tavion Heights and Myles Borne argue a bit over last week, with Heights saying he’ll calm down. Darkstate jumps both of them and leaves them laying.

The Vanity Project runs into Tate Wilder, who is recovering from a motorcycle accident. Wilder is fine enough to challenge Jackson Drake for next week and it seems to be on.

Speed Title Tournament First Round: Nathan Frazer vs. Romeo Moreno

This is the de facto final after the previous match ended in a draw. The fans welcome Frazer back as he runs the ropes rather quickly to start. A running kick connects but Moreno is back with a headlock. That’s broken up so Moreno goes to the rope, where Frazer catches him with a springboard reverse Spanish Fly.

Frazer superkicks him out of the air but Moreno catches him on top with a German superplex. A double knockdown leaves them with a double breather and Moreno sends him outside. Back in and Frazer catches him in a superplex but Moreno rolls him into a small package for the win at 2:58. They certainly had the speed part right and Moreno is getting a chance to do something, which he has needed.

Izzi Dame and Nico Vance are warming up but Shawn Spears is nowhere to be found.

Clash In Italy rundown.

Robert Stone is happy Mason Rook attacked Kam Hendrix but the reality is Hendrix got the win and gets the title shot. Naraku comes in and says Rook needs to stay out of the title match.

OTM comes out for their match but Shawn Spears jumps them with a chair. So much for that.

The women’s locker room clears out to watch the main event. Kali Armstrong says she is going to be watching both titles. Thea Hail says that’s not so easy but Armstrong isn’t impressed.

Shiloh Hill is going over his voters data and thinks he needs more Aussies. Zaria isn’t interested but here is Izzy Rain to jump her from behind.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Shiloh Hill

The rest of Birthright is here with Dempsey, who gets slammed to start. Hill hits a running shoulder and goes after the arm, which doesn’t get him very far. A top rope clothesline and running clothesline put Dempsey on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Dempsey taking him down and working on the arm.

The cross armbreaker is countered into a powerbomb but Dempsey gets in a knockdown of his own for a double breather. Hill is up with an inverted standing moonsault and they knock each other down again. Dempsey tries a butterfly suplex but Hill suplexes him backwards for the pin out of nowhere at 8:44.

Rating: C+. This was a surprise as Hill beat the wrestler with some wrestling. That’s not something that a lot of people get to do and it worked well for him. The idea behind Hill is that he has quite a few surprises up his sleeves and it’s oddly succeeding. I could go for seeing where he can go, and Dempsey getting frustrated by him is a fine way to go as well.

Post match Tristan Angels is here to announce that in two weeks, it’s the Mr. NXT pageant. Oh boy.

Izzi Dame yells at Shawn Spears, who apologizes for the attack on the night of her title match.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Title: Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame

Vice is defending and gets powered into the corner to start, with Dame hitting a rather forceful clothesline. Vice fights back and grabs a rollup into a crossface, which is broken up rather quickly. A running seated senton off the apron hits Dame but Shawn Spears grabs Vice’s boot. The distraction lets Dame hit a Backstabber but here is OTM to go after the Culling.

We take a break and come back with Vice kicking away, setting up a running hip attack in the corner. Dame pops up with a boot to the face and they go to the apron, where Vice is sent into the post a few times. Vice tries to pull her into a cross armbreaker but gets reversed into a Liontamer.

That’s broken up and Vice superkicks her down but the referee gets bumped. They forearm it out with Vice getting the better of things and the spinning back fist gets a very delayed near fall. Dame grabs the title and throws it to Vice, with a big boot sending it into her face. A powerbomb is loaded up but Vice reverses into a guillotine. With that broken up, Vice hits another spinning back fist to retain at 10:56.

Rating: B. This was a good though not great main event, with Dame feeling like a good challenger for Vice to conquer. Dame is big and strong enough to look like a threat and someone who could hurt Vice, which is exactly how she should have been. Nice enough stuff here, as the challengers are lining up for Vice.

Darkstate leaves the arena and promises more chaos next week. As they go, Saquon Shuggars is shown standing on a wall, watching them leave to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show felt more about getting us ready for the next big show, whenever that takes place. You can see the bigger title matches and feuds coming together and we should be seeing some of them taking place in the coming weeks. It’s interesting to see where we go from here, with this being more of a preview than anything else. Good enough show, with bigger stuff on the horizon.

Results
Kelani Jordan b. Wren Sinclair – Haas Of Pain
Dorian Van Dux vs. Sean Legacy went to a time limit draw
Jaida Parker b. Layla Diggs – Deja Vu
Romeo Moreno b. Nathan Frazer – Small package
Shiloh Hill b. Charlie Dempsey – Bridging suplex
Lola Vice b. Izzi Dame – Spinning back fist

 

 

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AAA On FOX – April 4, 2026: Very Entertaining Nothingness (Includes Full Video)

AAA On FOX
Date: April 4, 2026
Location: Show Center Complex, Monterrey, Mexico
Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Corey Graves, Rey Mysterio

We’re finally done with Rey de Reyes and it’s time to start doing something new around here. In this case that means we have some title matches coming up, including new Rey de Reyes El Grande Americano challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Mega Title. That should be enough to carry things for a bit, but hopefully there is some more to keep things interesting. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long Rey de Reyes recap.

Tokyo Bad Boys vs. Lince Dorado/El Mesias/Mecha Wolf

The Boys are Nobu, Takuma and Kento. Dorado offers Nobu a handshake to start and kicks him in the ribs but Nobu is back with a dropkick. The other Boys get in some slaps from the apron and it’s off to Wolf vs. Takuma. Wolf tries to pick up the pace but gets kicked down, with Takuma being rather fired up.

It’s off to Mesias, with JBL sounding rather pleased on commentary. Some triple teaming slows Mesias down and it’s a triple dropkick to make it worse. That’s shrugged off and Mesias clears the ring in a hurry before it’s Kento getting back inside. Mesias and Wolf hit some clotheslines in the corner, setting up Mesias’ powerslam for two. Wolf suplexes him into a kind of snap Jackhammer (commentary isn’t sure what to call it either) for two more.

Dorado gets in on the near falls with a Backstabber before Mesias hits a sliding lariat for another two. A kick to the face just seems to annoy Kento though and he enziguris Mesias to escape. Nobu is back in to strike away and Takuma adds a missile dropkick to put Mesias outside. Back up and Nobu gets double gorilla pressed onto Mesias, followed by a dive and top rope moonsault onto the other two.

The fans approve of the Boys, including Nobu suplexing Mesias for two more. Mesias is back with a double spear and a powerbomb to Takuma but Kento gets in a clothesline. Dorado hits a double Golden Rewind and a big flipping dive, leaving Mesias to Downward Spiral Takuma for the pin at 11:12.

Rating: B. Mesias was like a big statue who happened to be able to move a bit, though he looked so much different than anyone else out there that it made up for his mobility issues. The other guys were flying all over the place, with the Boys showing off some great speed and athleticism. This was all about getting in as much stuff as they could and it worked better than I would have bet on. Good stuff.

Earlier this week, Nathan Frazer was trying to learn Spanish to come to the show. Axiom came in and it turns out they’re on different teams tonight. They seem cool with it though.

Reina de Reinas: Sussy Love vs. Flammer

Flammer is defending and, after the Big Match Intros, throws her down with ease. Love cuts off a kick so Flammer hits her in the face in a change of pace. Flammer gets tied in the ropes so Love hits a quick springboard elbow. With Flammer on the floor, Love tries to pull her back in by the hair, which doesn’t quite work as Flammer gets in a neck snap. Back in and Flammer grabs a camel clutch but Love is back up with some crossbodies. A German suplex connects for Love and a middle rope moonsault gets two. Flammer is right back with a Codebreaker though and a running dropkick against the ropes retains the title at 4:08.

Rating: C+. They only had so much time here and while I was expecting Love to potentially steal the title right before Flammer’s big celebration, that wasn’t exactly the case. Instead this was Flammer shutting Love down and winning in pretty dominant fashion. Love wasn’t bad, but that wasn’t the point of a match like this one.

Video on Penta agreeing to defend the Intercontinental Title against El Hijo del Vikingo.

Penta talks about all of the changes that have taken place over the last year, which have mainly centered around WWE buying AAA. He loves being a part of the rise of a Mexican wrestling company but would love to see his brother win some gold of his own. The only way to pay the fans back for believing in him is to defend the Intercontinental Title in Mexico and he’s ready to do it against Vikingo. Catchphrases ensue.

Nathan Frazer/Charlie Dempsey/Tristan Angels vs. Elio LeFleur/Dorian Van Dux/Axiom

Angels and Dux (pronounced Dukes) are from Evolve and this is UK vs. Europe. Dempsey and Axiom start things off with Axiom taking him down to work on the arms. That’s reversed into quite the variety of arm cranking from Dempsey, who gets reversed into an Octopus. Dempsey makes the rope so Axiom grabs a suplex to send it off to Frazer for the big partner showdown.

We don’t actually get the fight as Angels tags himself in and gets taken down by Dux’s hurricanrana. LeFleur dives in to take Angels down again but Frazer flips over him in the corner. Frazer and LeFleur trade some flips until Frazer scores with a dropkick. Angels comes in for a suplex and stomps LeFleur out of the corner. Dempsey comes in for two off a wheelbarrow suplex but LeFleur pulls Frazer out of the air with a neckbreaker (nicely done).

A rolling tag brings in the rather muscular Dux to clean house, with a cutter getting two on Angels. Dempsey butterfly superplexes Dux for two, with LeFleur’s diving splash making the save. NOW we get the Fraxiom battle, with Frazer hitting a superkick, only for Axiom to superkick his moonsault out of the air.

Frazer kicks him down again and goes up, where Axiom is waiting with a super Spanish Fly. Angels makes the save and everything breaks down with a parade of knockdowns to leave everyone down. Dux throws Axiom over the top onto Frazer and Dempsey, leaving LeFleur to give Angels a headscissors driver for the pin at 11:54.

Rating: B+. Take two teams, let them go nuts for about twelve minutes. That’s exactly as this was advertised and then it wound up going well. I had a great time with this, which went all over the place and even gave us the teased Fraxiom fight. What matters the most is having everyone get in some stuff and show off, which is what we got here. I want to see more of the people I hadn’t seen much before and that’s a rather nice bonus to the entertaining action.

Flammer promises a big celebration next week to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. It was a total throwaway show with pretty much nothing going on as far as plot points, but dang it was fun with the action we got instead. This was all about the two six man tags, with Flammer’s match being entertaining as well. It’s absolutely not a show that you need to see, but dang it’s a fun sit for under an hour.

Results
Lince Dorado/El Mesias/Mecha Wolf b. Tokyo Bad Boys – Downward Spiral to Takuma
Flammer b. Sussy Love – Running dropkick against the ropes
Elio LeFleur/Dorian Van Dux/Axiom b. Nathan Frazer/Charlie Dempsey/Tristan Angels – Headscissor driver to Angels

 

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NXT – March 17, 2026: Road Trip With A Purpose

NXT
Date: March 17, 2026
Location: 713 Music Hall, Houston, Texas
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re on the road for a change and there is a lot going on this week. First of all, it’s Booker T. Appreciation Night, which sounds like a way for Keanu Carver to get involved. We also have a steel cage match for the Women’s North American Title as Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame are likely blowing off their feud. Let’s get to it.

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

NXT, Zaria, Sol Ruca, Jacy Jayne, Fatal Influence

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Title: Sol Ruca vs. Zaria vs. Jacy Jayne

Jayne, with Fatal Influence, is defending and steps back while the other two stare each other down. That doesn’t last long as Jayne superkicks Zaria but gets backslided to give Ruca two. Zaria is back up to choke Ruca in the corner but Jayne catches Zaria with a Codebreaker. Ruca’s top rope splash to break it up and get two, with Zaria pulling Jayne outside.

Ruca tries a dive but gets caught in the ropes, thankfully not breaking her neck on the mostly fine landing. Fatal Influence sends Zaria and Ruca into the steps though and we take a break with the champ and company posing. We come back with Ruca hitting a springboard double high crossbody but Zaria is up to kick Jayne in the face. Ruca dropkicks Zaria but Jayne is up to take both of them down. Zaria’s spear hits Jayne so Ruca spears Zaria, who is back up to crotch Ruca on top.

Jayne goes after Ruca on top so Zaria gives them a double German superplex to leave everyone down. Zaria F5’s Jayne for two, with Ruca having to make a save. Another F5 is countered into an X Factor and Zaria is knocked outside. The Sol Snatcher drops Jayne but Zaria pulls Ruca outside for an F5. Zaria throws Ruca back in but gets pulled outside by Fatal Influence, allowing Jayne to steal the pin at 10:48.

Rating: B-. They were getting somewhere with the match and I do like the ending, which is at least a bit of a twist on the steal the pin triple threat finish. I was expecting Zaria to get the title here and defend it against Ruca at Stand & Deliver, but that match could take place without the title involved. Nice opener here, with Jayne getting to brag about surviving as champion against two big challengers.

Kendal Grey fires up Wren Sinclair when the Birthright comes in. Sinclair asks Charlie Dempsey what happened and gets blown off. Lola Vice comes in to praise both of them and says she’s winning the Women’s Title at Stand & Deliver.

Here is Ricky Saints for a chat, plus a slip on the ropes during his entrance. Saints talks about how he slipped but he didn’t fall. Last week, he and Ethan Page got a win over Myles Borne and Joe Hendry. They’re a great team and luckily for the tag division, they’re focused on singles gold. Page is going to be a two time North American Champion and Saints is getting his NXT Title back.

Cue Page, who sees things a bit different, but here is Hendry to interrupt. Hendry agrees that Page pinned him, which Saints couldn’t do, even if it involved smashing Hendry’s face into the title. Maybe Page and Saints should fight again like they did at Stand & Deliver to decide this. A fight is teased but they go after Hendry, who cleans house. Cue Tony D’Angelo to wreck everyone though and stand tall.

William Regal and Fit Finlay tell Birthright to win the tag team tournament when Robert Stone comes in. Regal thinks Stone should be the permanent GM and he’ll talk to Shawn Michaels about it.

Vanity Project vs. Los Americanos

Rayo works on Smokes’ arm to start and it’s off to Bravo, who punches him in the face. The rest of the Project runs in to clear the ring and do some dancing, only for the Americanos to come back in and clean house. Grande hits a dive of his own and it’s time to dance. The Project comes back in to take over on Rayo and we take a break. We come back with Rayo still in trouble, with Drake grabbing an abdominal stretch. Drake tries Three Amigos but gets tossed down, allowing Grande to get the tag.

Grande comes in with a double Blockbuster and it’s back to Rayo so he and Bravo can put on cowboy hats and hit some dives. Drake is back with a step up flip dive of his own, followed by a Burning Hammer for two on Grande. A dropkick from Baylor sets up Drake’s 450 for two more but Grande Americanos up. Drake is right there with a rollup but the referee catches Baylor cheating and breaks it up. A quick distraction lets Grande load up the mask and after a top rope headbutt/Russian legsweep combination, the running headbutt gives Grande the pin on Smokes at 12:43.

Rating: C+. The whole Los Americanos thing is a great example of a story that sounds like a death sentence but the people involved have absolutely ran with the thing. That’s way better than I was expecting and I’m starting to have way too much fun with whatever they do. The Project continues to be in way over their heads, but that’s a classic wrestling trope that can work very well for them today.

Sean Legacy is injured so Elio LeFleur will take his place in the tag tournament, teaming with Eli Knight. That’s fine with Robert, but here is Sol Ruca to say she wants to face Zaria next week. Stone seems to approve but looks worried.

Vic Joseph and company are in the ring for Booker T. Appreciation Night. After a nice introduction, Booker gets up from his desk to his entrance music and greets what I’m guessing are some of his family and students. We get a rather nice video on Booker’s career, with various legends, current stars and Joseph commentating on how great he has been to them over the years.

Back in the arena and Booker is in tears, as the people in the ring are indeed his students and family. Joseph presents Booker with a plaque and Booker talks about how he’s been doing this for thirty five years….and here is Keanu Carver to interrupt. He doesn’t want Booker to have a celebration and beats up the students. Cue Jasper Troy to go after Carver and knock him out of the ring. With Carver gone, the locker room comes out and praises Booker, who says someone needs to take control because this shouldn’t be happening in his city.

NXT, Women's Speed Title, Fallon Henley, Fatal Influence, Wren Sinclair

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Speed Title: Wren Sinclair vs. Fallon Henley

Henley is defending with a five minute time limit. Sinclair starts fast with an early rollup for two. Another rollup gets two and Sinclair starts going after the arms. Henley breaks that up but is favoring her taped up shoulder. A suplex gives Sinclair two and she tries the double arm crank again. Instead Henley sends her outside but a kick from the apron is shoved away. Back in and a spinning faceplant drops Sinclair again as we have two minutes left. They trade rollups for two each but the Final Wrench goes out on of nowhere to make Sinclair champion at 3:39.

Rating: C+. This is the kind of move I can go for with the title, as Sinclair can bring her kind of weird charisma to the belt. She’s a talented star and if this is where she fits in, that’s a fine enough result. At the same time you have Henley, who has put together a nice career around here, but I’m not sure what is next for her, as she’s still just kind of there most of the time.

Ricky Saints and Ethan Page complain about the attack but Robert Stone isn’t overly impressed. Page suggests that Tony D’Angelo face Saints next week, with Stone making the match. I can go with two heels trying to work together and also trying to screw each other over.

Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Birthright vs. Hank & Tank

The rest of Birthright is here too. Birthright jumps them to start but Hank & Tank fight back to clear Connors out. A superplex is broken up though and Connors slingshots in with a hilo for tow on Hank. The beating doesn’t last long as Hank ducks under a right hand to bring in Tank, who quickly cleans house.

Tank even flips off the apron and goes over to quickly acknowledge Booker. Back in and a superplex into a Swanton hits Stacks, with Connors making a quick save. Stacks charges into a swinging Boss Man Slam but Lexis King comes in for a distraction. That’s enough for Connors to get a blind tag but Hank & Tank take out Stacks anyway. Connors is right there with a rollup to steal the pin on Hank at 4:34.

Rating: C+. That’s the kind of a win that William Regal would approve of as they slipped in at the last second and won. Birthright feels like a strong candidate to win the tournament and that’s a lot more than some of the members have been doing to date. It’s not exactly a revolutionary idea but it’s a lot better than sitting around in the lower midcard with nothing to do.

Joe Hendry wants Tony D’Angelo next week but Robert Stone says he’s taken. Hendry wants the match at some point but we cut over to OTM brawling with Darkstate, the latter of whom use the numbers game to take over.

Thea Hail gives Tatum Paxley a pep talk. With Paxley gone, Kelani Jordan comes in to mock Hail, with Jaida Parker coming in to stand up for her.

Jacy Jayne is rather excited and Fallon Henley isn’t overly pleased with having to help Jayne take care of Kendal Grey.

Myles Borne wants a new #1 contender so Robert Stone makes a gauntlet eliminator to find a new one next week. He isn’t sure who is involved yet but Birthright comes in to say they want in on this.

Women’s North American Title: Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley

Dame is challenging inside a cage and jumps Paxley before she can even get inside. A suplex drops Paxley on the floor and Dame slams the door on her. Dame throws her inside and grabs a chair and now we get the opening bell. Paxley ducks a chair shot and strikes away, leaving Dame panicking. Dame tries to escape so Paxley follows her up for a trade of rams into the cage. They do that a few times, check to make sure the other is ready, and ram each other into the cage at the same time for a crash down.

We take a break and come back with Dame in trouble and Paxley going up, with Dame catching her on top. Dame’s right hands just make Paxley smile but Dame superplexes her back down for the big crash. Paxley is back up with a Whisper In The Wind for two and they glare at each other from the mat. Dame sends her into the cage but Paxley flips out of a Codebreaker, only to get powerbombed for two. The chair to the back has Paxley in trouble and Dame powerbombs her against the cage. Another powerbomb is countered into a sunset bomb onto the chair though and the Cemetery Drive retains the title at 11:48.

Rating: B-. That’s how this should have gone, with Paxley getting to beat Dame one on one, despite the cheating before the match even started. It made for a feel good moment and Paxley continues her rather great run as of late. The fans love her and she actually wins the rivalry with Dame, which is a lot more than I was expecting. This felt important and that’s quite the trick for the lower level title.

Post match Paxley celebrates on the ramp…and a trap door opens, with Blake Monroe pulling her down. Monroe holds up the title to end the show. Makes sense and that’s a good Stand & Deliver match.

Overall Rating: C+. The wrestling wasn’t anything great here, but they did a good job of making me more interested in what they seem to be planning for Stand & Deliver. The show is in two and a half weeks so it’s time to start actually announcing some stuff, which should be coming up in the next few weeks. Not a must see show here, but you can see the pieces starting to come together.

Results
Jacy Jayne b. Zaria and Sol Ruca – F5 to Ruca
Los Americanos b. Vanity Project – Running headbutt to Smokes
Wren Sinclair b. Fallon Henley – Final Wrench
Birthright b. Hank & Tank – Rollup to Hank

 

 

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

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NXT – March 10, 2026: Take The Stand

NXT
Date: March 10, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with Vengeance Day and that means we are on the way to Stand & Deliver. That is the biggest event of the year for NXT and it should be interesting to see what they have in store for the night. With less than a month to go, they need to start things in a hurry so let’s get to it.

Here is Vengeance Day if you need a recap.

Long Vengeance Day recap.

Here is Tatum Paxley, fresh off winning the Women’s North American Title, to get things going. For the longest time, she felt like she was doing everything wrong but she kept winding up alone. On Saturday, she won this title because of the people here. They made her want to keep going and now she has the confidence that she belongs here. She won the Women’s Title for the Culling but she won this for the people.

Cue Izzi Dame (Paxley: “Ugh GO AWAY!”) to interrupt and we see a highlight package of Paxley’s failures over the years. Dame calls Paxley painfully fake and a weirdo outcast because this is all just another mask. Eventually, that unlovable girl will come out again and Dame wants her title back. Cue the Culling for a distraction and Dame hits a powerbomb.

Ricky Saints and Ethan Page are upset over Vengeance Day, with Saints saying they’re both naked now. Page doesn’t like that visual but they’re ready to get a win in tonight’s tag match against Joe Hendry and Myles Borne. Then it’s off to Stand & Deliver to become two times champions.

Jasper Troy vs. Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight

Troy starts fast by throwing them both around, including pulling Knight out of the air. A chokeslam drops Knight onto Legacy but Knight gets a boot up in the corner. Some superkicks stagger Troy though, with a double shot putting him on the floor. Cue Keanu Carver to chokeslam Troy through the announcers’ table and yell at Booker T. as we take a break.

We come back with Knight dropkicking Legacy to the floor for one heck of a dive. Back in and a step up moonsault gets two on Legacy, who is right back with a reverse sitout gordbuster for two of his own. Shambles is broken up but Legacy dropkicks Troy through the ropes. Troy gets back up to run the two of them over, including a chokeslam to Legacy. A double Samoan drop connects, though Troy’s ribs are banged up. Legacy has to make a save and Knight breaks up the Black Hole Slam. A 450 from Legacy into a heck of a moonsault from Knight means a double pin on Troy at 12:06.

Rating: B. This was a blast with pretty much nonstop action throughout. Troy felt like a monster who is on a collision course with Carver, which should be a heck of a hoss fight. At the same time, Knight looked like a star out there with those dives, which he made to look effortless. Legacy finally gets a win, though he can’t even get that on his own, which isn’t a great sign. Still though, really fun match here.

Booker is ticked at the result because that’s not how it works.

Tatum Paxley recruits Shiloh Hill to help her find the Culling. Hill grabs a lug wrench and we’re ready to go.

Lexis King and company don’t like that it has come to this, but Uriah Connors’ dad (Fit Finlay) made a call and “they’re on the way”.

NXT, William Regal, Fit Finlay, Urian Connors, Lexis King, Tavion Heights, Charlie Dempsey

IMG Credit: WWE

Lexis King/Uriah Connors vs. Charlie Dempsey/Tavion Heights

Stacks and Arianna Grace are here too. Connors and Dempsey go with the grappling to start with Connors flipping over him without much trouble. Dempsey takes him to the mat for a leglock and it’s off to Heights for a gutwrench suplex. A blind tag brings Dempsey back in for a running knee to King so Connors makes a surprise tag of his own to jump Dempsey.

That’s broken up and Heights is back in for the belly to belly, with King making the save this time. Everything breaks down and they all wind up on the floor…and here are Fit Finlay and William Regal to stare. That’s enough for Dempsey to suplex Heights on the floor and send him back inside for the Coronation and the pin at 4:39.

Rating: C+. This was a case where there might as well have been a big neon countdown clock to Dempsey turning on Heights as they all but guaranteed that would be happening when the match was made. That’s not a bad thing whatsoever, as it’s the logical path for the story to take. If nothing else, Regal and Finlay making a cameo makes the team feel a bit more legitimate, which they’ve been needing.

Post match Dempsey poses with the villains.

The Culling goes to leave but their car is on blocks, with Shiloh Hill walking away holding the lug wrench. He hands it to Robert Stone and the Culling is livid.

Here is Tony D’Angelo for a chat. When he returned to NXT, he said he had two missions and the first one ended at Vengeance Day, when he finished Darkstate. They are now what he was before: broken and searching for answers. D’Angelo has buried that version of himself and now it is time for him to win the NXT Title. He has no issues with Joe Hendry, but if he has to break Hendry’s face, so be it. This is personal, because Hendry has what D’Angelo wants. That’s the simplest way to go and this worked fine.

Sol Ruca and Lola Vice praise each other and want to face off for the NXT Title at Stand & Deliver.

Myles Borne asks Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey if they have seen Joe Hendry. They take him over to a refrigerator, where they say his name and find…a cake? Hendry pops up and says he and Borne need to talk strategy. Sinclair goes to leave and Grey….is using her hand to devour that cake.

NXT, Sol Ruca, Lainey Reid, Fatal Influence

IMG Credit: WWE

Sol Ruca vs. Lainey Reid

The rest of Fatal Influence is here with Reid. Ruca wrestles her down to the mat to start and works on the arm. A headlock keeps Reid in early trouble and Ruca takes her down for the surfing on the back. Ruca faceplants her and then pulls her outside for a dive, only for Jacy Jayne to get in a cheap shot. Reid gets in a double stomp to the back of the head and we take a break.

We come back with Ruca dropkicking her into the corner but Reid manages a springboard Stunner for two. An electric chair drop plants Reid and Ruca elbows her in the face a bunch of times. Reid grabs a sitout powerbomb for two but Ruca hits an X Factor. Something like a spinning Beach Break gets two but the Sol Snatcher is broken up. A crucifix bomb sends Ruca into the corner, where she avoids a running knee. The Sol Snatcher finishes Reid at 12:58.

Rating: C+. This was a rare lengthy Reid match, which worked out well enough. At the same time, it seems that we could, or at least should, be on the way towards winning the Women’s Title. If nothing else, a showdown with Zaria has to come sooner or later, so why not at Stand & Deliver?

Elio LeFleur talks to Robert Stone about Eli Knight or Sean Legacy getting a title shot. Stone isn’t sure what to do when the Vanity Project comes in. They want a big match for Stand & Deliver but Legacy wants to fight them next.

Blake Monroe wants a big match at Stand & Deliver. Tatum Paxley comes in looking for Izzi Dame and leaves, with Monroe saying she wants her Women’s North American Title back.

NXT, Women's Speed Title Tournament, Wren Sinclair, Thea Hail

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Speed Title #1 Contender Tournament Final: Wren Sinclair vs. Thea Hail

Hail dropkicks her down at the bell but it’s way too early for the Kimura. They trade running shots to the head for two and go outside with less than two minutes to go. Back in and Hail misses a high crossbody but grabs the Kimura. Sinclair is right back with the Final Wrench for the submission at 1:55.

Robert Stone talks to the tag division and we’ll be having a tournament to crown new #1 contenders. Darkstate wants their rematch without the tournament and here is OTM to brawl with them.

Fatal Influence doesn’t like being reminded about their title matches next week. Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey come up to say they’re coming for the titles.

The Culling is leaving and Tatum Paxley jumps Izzi Dame. Security breaks it up so Robert Stone comes in to make the title rematch next week. In a cage.

Post break, Robert Stone hypes up the Houston show and announces that the tag tournament starts next week, but after that mess, OTM and Darkstate are not included. The Vanity Project comes in to thank Stone for the next week off, but Stone puts them in a six man against the Americanos.

Vic Joseph stands up at the desk and says he and Booker T. were only supposed to be a team for three months, but they’ve been going for over three years. Next week in Booker’s hometown of Houston, it is Booker T. Appreciation Night. Booker seems surprised.

Ethan Page/Ricky Saints vs. Myles Borne/Joe Hendry

Of note: Page and Saints have been standing in the ring for about ten minutes counting other segments and breaks. Hendry headlocks Page down to start and drops him again with a running shoulder. Borne comes in for a dropkick as Hendry has Page up in a suplex. It’s off to Saints, who takes over on Borne without much trouble. Borne is back with a swinging fisherman’s suplex but Page boots him in the face. Page tells Saints to throw in the title but Saints throws it too far, just like Page did on Saturday.

We take a break and come back with Borne still in trouble. Borne breaks out but Saints is there to pull Hendry off the apron. Saints and Page go old school with a PowerPlex for two but Borne is right back up for the tag to Hendry. House is quickly cleaned until Hendry and Saints hit clotheslines. Page throws in a title, which is quickly taken away, allowing Hendry to grab a rollup for two. Saints hits the spear but Page tags himself in, meaning it’s time to argue. Page is back up with the Twisted Grin onto the title to pin Hendry at 11:13.

Rating: B-. This was another match that went with a pretty obvious plan, as the ending sets up Page for a title shot at Stand & Deliver. After his pretty incredible North American Title reign, that makes all the sense in the world. Throw in Saints coming for the North American Title, they should be good to go for the top two men’s title matches. Not bad for one main event.

We get one more rundown of next week’s big show.

Saints and Page post, though Saints seems to realize that Page did what he couldn’t. Joseph: “Saints just realized that Page did what he couldn’t do.” Yeah that.

Overall Rating: B. There was good action and they took a lot of steps towards setting up Stand & Deliver. That’s what they needed to do here and it worked out well, though there is still a good deal of time left to fill on the way. For now though, they’re off to a good start and the opening triple threat, odd ending aside, was quite fun. Good show this week, which tends to be the case around here.

Results
Sean Legacy and Eli Knight b. Jasper Troy – Double pin
Lexis King/Uriah Connors b. Charlie Dempsey/Tavion Heights – Coronation to Heights
Sol Ruca b. Lainey Reid – Sol Snatcher
Wren Sinclair b. Thea Hail – Final Wrench
Ethan Page/Ricky Saints b. Myles Borne/Joe Hendry – Twisted Grin onto the title to Hendry

 

 

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Vengeance Day 2026: And Now, The Big Stuff

Vengeance Day 2026
Date: March 7, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s another special event in NXT and that should make for some interesting moments. The main event is NXT Champion Joe Hendry defending against Ricky Saints, but we also have a street fight and the return of NXT Underground. The card has been put together pretty well and hopefully it lives up to the hype. Let’s get to it.

The opening video talks about how everything can change with one look. Tonight, it’s all about vengeance. So shouldn’t it be Vengeance Night? Each match gets its usual look.

Blake Monroe vs. Jaida Parker

Street fight. They slap it out to start and go out to the floor with Parker taking over. A table is loaded up but Parker takes too long, meaning she has to block a double arm DDT. The table is set up some more, only for Monroe to come back with some umbrella shots. The table leads are folded back, meaning the crowd…oh you know what they’re saying. Back in and Monroe loads up a chair in the ropes, only for Parker to drop her onto it face first.

They go back to the floor, where the Hipnotique hits the steps to give a rather angry looking Monroe an opening. Back in and Monroe grabs a kendo stick around the throat for something like a Skull Crushing Finale and a near fall. Parker fights up and slugs away but Monroe grabs her arm and uses it to send Parker face first into the buckle. A running hip attack crushes a chair into Parker in the Tree Of Woe for two, followed by a right hand with…something wrapped around Monroe’s fist.

Monroe uses the stick to grab a crossface, which is broken up rather quickly and Parker is mad. She hammers away with the kendo stick and a Blockbuster sends Monroe out to the floor. Monroe gets in a trashcan lid shot and sets up the table before grabbing a brick. Since picking up a brick takes too long, Monroe gets chaired in the ribs and sent on the table.

That means Parker can hit a middle rope Tear Drop through the table, followed by a Hipnotique for two back inside. Parker gets sent through a kendo stick though and Monroe’s knee to the chest gets two. It’s time to pour out a bag of a bunch of diamonds, with a super hurricanrana driving Parker into the pile. The Glamour Shot onto the diamonds finishes Parker at 13:00.

Rating: B-. Pretty standard street fight here, though I was expecting Parker to win as she is red hot at the moment. At the same time, Monroe certainly needed a win here as she has kind of been floundering. I’m assuming this is the end of their feud, and that could be interesting for both of them, though I’m not sure where they’re going from here.

Ricky Saints asks Ethan Page where he was to help against Joe Hendry last week. Page is sorry but he just lost the North American Title. Eventually Page agrees to help him tonight, but Page seems interested in getting the NXT Title himself.

Darkstate jumps Tony D’Angelo in the parking lot…but it’s not the real D’Angelo. Instead he pops up from behind and jumps them with a crowbar as we’re ready to start.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Dion Lennox

They start fighting in the parking lot, with Lennox being sent through a windshield. The fight goes inside with D’Angelo being smart enough to lock the rest of Darkstate outside. D’Angelo punches a hole in the restroom door but manages to knock a chair out of Lennox’s hand. Darkstate is back though, with D’Angelo and security fighting them off. Lennox almost crushes D’Angelo with a cabinet and they go back to slugging away. D’Angelo drags him back outside where Darkstate is back too.

Lennox loads up a big crowbar shot but OTM and a bunch of the locker room shows up to really get rid of them. D’Angelo tackles Lennox through a wall and they’re FINALLY in the arena. They get inside and sure let’s ring the opening bell. That means another slugout until D’Angelo is sent into the middle buckle. A big boot misses but Lennox is able to choke away on the ropes anyway. Lennox spinebusters him for two but D’Angelo is right back with a release German suplex.

The torture rack neckbreaker and a clothesline put Lennox on the floor, where he fights back again. Lennox can’t manage to crush D’Angelo’s ankle with the steps so he throws D’Angelo over the barricade instead. That doesn’t last long as Lennox superplexes him off said barricade and through the announcers’ table for a big crash. Booker: “Man.” Back in and a slingshot powerbomb gives Lennox two more but D’Angelo cuts him in half with a spear. The big spinebuster finishes for D’Angelo at 7:09.

Rating: B. Well, it certainly felt like a fight, though it’s one of those weird cases where the brawl before the match itself almost got more time. The other thing is that Lennox still doesn’t feel like a big deal. Granted he was more the last option than anything else, as D’Angelo absolutely ran through Darkstate like they weren’t even there. That’s not an awful way to go, though it pretty much ends Darkstate’s experiment as a team that matters. To be fair, they never quite clicked anyway so maybe that’s for the best.

We recap Tatum Paxley challenging Izzi Dame for the Women’s North American Title. They were friends and Paxley won the Women’s Title, only for Dame to turn on her, leaving Paxley betrayed yet again. Then Dame stole the Women’s North American Title (a chainsaw was involved), so Paxley is coming for revenge and the title.

Women’s North American Title: Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame

Dame, with the Culling, is defending. Paxley jumps at her and hammers away, setting up a sleeper. With that broken up, Paxley dropkicks her outside and followed with some forearms up against the barricade. A flip dive off the steps takes Dame down again but she drops Paxley face first onto the steps. Paxley is right back with a jumping elbow back inside and hammers away in the corner.

The Cemetery Drive is broke up so Paxley grabs some rollups, only to get hit with a hard clothesline. Dame kicks her in the face and stomps away, followed by a basement dropkick. Some Irish whips with knees to the ribs connect for Dame (it worked for Val Venis in No Mercy and it’ll work for her here) and a choke in the corner gets two. The abdominal stretch goes on but Paxley reverses into one of her own. That’s quickly broken up so Paxley goes with the forearms, only to get backbreakered.

Dame grabs a Liontamer (with Shawn Spears coaching her on how to make it work), which is reversed into a Boston crab to send Dame over to the ropes. Back up and a superkick rocks Dame, followed by a German suplex to put her down again. A flipping ax kick gives Paxley two but Dame catches her on top. Dame’s superplex is broken up but she avoids a 450, allowing Dame to hit something like a Claymore for two. They forearm it out until Dame hits a Sky High.

Now the 450 (with Paxley’s knees hitting the mat a bit too early) connects for two but the Cemetery Drive is blocked. Dame kicks her in the head and a flipping belly to back suplex into a cutter plants Paxley for two. That leaves Dame rather distraught on the apron, where Paxley gives her a sunset bomb to the floor (which only looks so great because it’s rather hard to land something like that in one motion).

Paxley sends her inside but stops for a staredown with the Culling, allowing Dame to come back with a Sky High of her own for two. Dame’s gutwrench powerbomb is countered into a hurricanrana for two of her own so Spears gets on the apron. Paxley rams them together though and a rollup gets two. Dame’s Codebreaker is countered with a backflip and a rolling Liger kick knocks Dame silly. The Cemetery Drive gives Paxley the pin and the title at 15:35.

Rating: B. That’s exactly how the match should have ended, with Paxley standing up to Dame and beating her clean to win the feud. They had a good match and it got a lot of time, as Dame felt that she should have won through power and athleticism but Paxley stayed in there with pure heart. That’s a great story with the right ending and it’s easy to cheer for someone like Paxley.

OTM didn’t attack Darkstate for Tony D’Angelo’s sake but they appreciate what he’s doing. They’re coming for Darkstate and then the Tag Team Titles.

Here is Robert Stone, who brings out Fatal Influence for a chat. Jacy Jayne promises to walk into Stand & Deliver as Women’s Champion. That’s interesting because she remembers being called a transitional champion not too long ago, but now those voices are a lot more quiet. There were times where she got a bit paranoid because she thought she would be released.

Last year, she was happy to just get in a tag match on the Stand & Deliver Kickoff Show. Now she’s coming in as a dominant champion and she should main event the show. Next year, she can headline Wrestlemania against whomever their precious champion is then. Jayne brags about having Zaria beaten but cue Zaria (in a Sol’s Ex shirt), who blames her loss on Sol Ruca. Fallon Henley doesn’t want to hear this because Zaria can only blame her own jealousy for her issues.

Henley helped Jayne win the Women’s Title but that’s never thrown in her face. Lainey Reid has helped Jayne keep the title so maybe it’s time for Zaria to blame herself. Cue Sol Ruca to interrupt, with threats of snatching souls. She knows how Jayne and Zaria operate and is coming for the Women’s Title. Stone makes a triple threat title match between Zaria, Ruca and Jayne for the upcoming Houston show. Ruca gets triple teamed by Fatal Influence, with Zaria pulling them off. Zaria can’t F5 Jayne but Ruca is in with a Sol Snatcher to Zaria, only to get laid out by Reid. This was a long thing to set up one match in a few weeks.

Lexis King and company ask Charlie Dempsey for an answer and it’s going to be a no. King says it’s time for Dempsey to finally embrace his destiny and the team walks off. Tavion Heights is tired of this and wants a one night NQCC reunion to take them out. Dempsey is in.

We recap Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan in NXT Underground. They both have extensive backgrounds in other sports and Jordan eventually won the TNA Knockouts Title. Vice kicked her out of the locker room, though it’s ok for Vice to go to AAA. That’s not ok with Jordan and they kept arguing over gymnastics vs. MMA. Vice knocked her out but Jordan injured Vice’s hand and actually beat her by submission. Tonight, it’s a much bigger fight in NXT Underground.

Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

No ropes, wrestlers around the ring, and knockout/submission only to win (it’s basically MMA without judges), with Vice coming in with a bad hand. They go to the mat to start with Vice firing off some left (non injured) hands. Jordan gets smart by going after the hand and ramming it into the post. A release northern lights suplex drops Vice onto her hand again and Jordan stomps down onto it as well. Jordan takes the glove off the bad hand and wraps it around the post again as Vice is in big trouble.

Vice manages to send Jordan face first into the post and some strikes rock Jordan for a change. There’s a German suplex to send Jordan flying and Vice kicks her onto a pile of wrestlers at ringside. Vice goes after the lumberjacks, allowing Jordan to hit a superkick. Hold on though as Jordan goes over to yell at Vice’s father, which is never a good idea. That’s enough for Vice to catch her with one heck of a spinning backfist for the knockout at 6:40.

Rating: C+. I never know how to rate these things as they’re so different than usual matches. It told a good story with the hand being hurt but Vice fighting through the pain and using the hand to knock Jordan out cold. The finish looked great as anyone scoring that kind of a knockout is a great way to go. Awesome finish and Vice looked like a killer in the end.

Stand & Deliver is coming to St. Louis on April 4, two weeks before Wrestlemania Weekend.

Jacy Jayne is panicking over the triple threat so Lainey Reid offers to take out Sol Ruca. Works for Jayne.

We recap Ricky Saints challenging Joe Hendry for the NXT Title. Hendry won the vacant title in a ladder match and Saints is livid, as he doesn’t think Hendry is a true main eventer. They’ve been brawling ever since and it’s time for the title match.

NXT Title: Ricky Saints vs. Joe Hendry

Hendry is defending. Saints slaps away at Hendry’s back to start, earning himself a beating out to the floor. Back in and Saints knocks Hendry into the ropes, with Hendry’s ankle getting tied up. That lets Saints kick him out of the ropes before taking Hendry back inside to keep up the beating. Hendry fights back and grabs a delayed vertical suplex for two before spinning out a suplex attempt.

A neckbreaker puts Saints down but he gets in a shot of his own and tries the strutting Old School. That takes too long as well and Hendry kicks him down for the crotching. They head outside, with Saints sending him hard into the steps for the big crash. Saints’ neckbreaker and a shot to the shoulder gets two and we’re off to the chinlock. With that broken up, Saints hammers away in the corner and sends Hendry outside for an ax handle from the apron.

A belly to back suplex gives Saints two and a slingshot rollup of all things gets the same. Saints puts him in the corner for a running basement dropkick and the kickout has the frustration mounting. The fall away slam and nip up let Saints do the mocking pose, but that’s enough for Hendry to pop up with a spear. Hendry’s fall away slam sends Saints flying and Hendry gets to spin around.

Saints’ hurricanrana is countered into a powerbomb for two and now it’s Hendry’s turn to be frustrated. Saints slugs his way up and grabs an Air Raid Crash for two, followed by the crossface. Hendry rolls around enough that Saints has to settle for a guillotine choke and Hendry is on trouble. That doesn’t last long as he powers up and tries a fireman’s carry. That’s broken up as well and Saints scores with a superkick, only to walk into an AA for two. Saints is sat up top for a super fall away slam for two and Hendry is running out of ideas.

Back up and Saints manages a jumping knee into a hammerlock DDT for two of his own. Cue Ethan Page to pick up the title, which distracts Saints enough that Hendry gets two off a rollup. Saints spears him down for two more so Page throws the title in, with the referee taking it away. A low blow and springboard tornado DDT drop Hendry for another near fall so a ticked off Saints just hammers on him. The referee almost gets bumped and Hendry gets in a low blow of his own, allowing the Standing Ovation to retain the title at 16:18.

Rating: B. These guys were trading bombs here and having Page out there made it feel that much more likely that Saints might actually steal the title. At the same time, it lets Hendry get in a big time title defense, which should help make him feel like a more legitimate champion. At the same time, Page feels all but guaranteed for the Stand & Deliver title shot, where we really could see him get the title back. Solid main event here, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

Hendry celebrates as the villains leave to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was another solid show with a bunch of grudge matches, some of which happened to have titles on the line. That’s the point of a show like this, as a bunch of the feuds are cleared out on the way to Stand & Deliver next month. That is the clear big goal from here and this did a good job of getting things ready. Nice work here, as NXT is starting to find itself, as it has to do so often.

Results
Blake Monroe b. Jaida Parker – Glamour Shot onto a pile of diamonds
Tony D’Angelo b. Dion Lennox – Spinebuster
Tatum Paxley b. Izzi Dame – Cemetery Drive
Lola Vice b. Kelani Jordan via knockout
Joe Hendry b. Ricky Saints – Standing Ovation

 

 

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NXT – March 3, 2026: Days Before The Day

NXT
Date: March 3, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

It’s time for the last show before Vengeance Day and the pay per view card has mostly been set. Odds are this is going to be a show about furthering the stories that have already been set up, which is what a go home show is supposed to be. That’s in addition to the Women’s Title being on the line so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap, featuring last week’s three title changes and Zaria turning on Sol Ruca.

Here is Myles Borne for his championship celebration (complete with the classic red strap on the belt). He heard that announcement loud and clear but he’s not here to talk about his sob story because we’ve all been there. Instead, he wants to thank his biggest hater for doubting him: Ethan Page. All that did was unleash a demon inside of Borne, and can you hear him now?

Cue Page, who heard the thank you from Borne, meaning it’s time for a thank you. Page had one bad night but he’s had quite a few great nights. Borne is down for the rematch but here is Robert Stone to cut it off. Actually never mind as we’re getting a referee so the match is on right now.

North American Title: Myles Borne vs. Ethan Page

Borne is defending and they’re both in suits. They start the brawl fast with the shirts being ripped open as they go outside. Borne drives him over the announcers’ table for a big crash and we take a break. We come back with Borne hitting a dropkick and Page pulling out something for a cheap shot and a near fall. Page loses his pants and gets caught in an ankle lock. That’s broken up as Page loses a shoe, which Borne uses for a cheap shot, setting up Borne Again to retain at 7:04.

Rating: C+. The best thing I can say about this is that it was different, which made things more interesting in this case. I wasn’t exactly expecting them to have the match in street clothes but it’s better than doing the same stuff over and over again. Borne gets to put Page behind him and while another match is possible for Vengeance Day, this very well may be it for the feud.

Zaria doesn’t want to talk about what happened last week.

Darkstate is waiting for Tony D’Angelo in the parking lot but Robert Stone says they have to go inside. As they leave, D’Angelo arrives and pulls a crowbar out of his trunk.

Here is a ticked off Blake Monroe for a chat. She was expecting to feel rage and anger when Jaida Parker kept costing her things. The reality is Parker needs her and all Parker has done is confirm Monroe’s value. People love to obsess over her and Parker is someone who is obsessed with emotions. The fastest way to relevancy is to come after Monroe, which is why Monroe is going to take care of Parker at Vengeance Day.

Cue Parker, who needs to slap the taste out of Monroe’s mouth. The Glamour is insecure, which isn’t the case with Parker. Monroe has been a supporting character all her life and the reality is she needs Parker. At Vengeance Day, Parker is going to prove that Monroe is soft. If you take away the glamour, all you have is a mediocre b****. The brawl is on with Monroe being cleared out.

The Vanity Project apologizes to not being there for Ethan page but Ricky Saints tells them to worry about the Evolve Title match tomorrow night. The Project leaves and Saints is off to prep as well. Page is annoyed but understanding.

Sean Legacy congratulates Elio LeFleur on his Speed Title win. Jasper Troy comes in to say he wants a triple threat rematch next week.

Women’s Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Wren Sinclair vs. Nikkita Lyons

Kendal Grey is here with Sinclair. Lyons fires off the kicks to start but Sinclair is back with a shot to the ribs. Lyons’ release fisherman’s suplex gets two so Sinclair chops away, setting up a running clothesline. A dropkick puts Lyons on the floor but she’s back in with a great looking spinning kick to the face. Lyons is sent shoulder first into the post though and a Final Wrench (Cattle Mutilation) makes her tap at 2:56.

Joe Hendry congratulates Myles Borne on his win last week, though he says listening to Ricky Saints makes him wish he was deaf too. Borne teases being annoyed by they’re fine.

Kelani Jordan is training for NXT Underground with Shayna Baszler.

We get a sitdown interview with Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame, complete with the dollhouse. Paxley brings up winning the Women’s Title but Dame talks about stealing the title. Dame blames Paxley for losing everyone because she is pathetic and incapable of being fixed. Paxley promises to win on Saturday and prove that she was never meant to be played with. She leaves, with Dame breaking the dollhouse.

Vanity Project vs. Hank & Tank/Shiloh Hill

The Project gets jumped in the aisle to start fast and we take a break before the opening bell. We come back joined in progress and Drake in trouble in the corner. Hill’s running shoulder puts him down again but Smokes comes in to take over in the corner. Cue Keanu Carver to yell at Booker T., saying keep his name out of his mouth.

Smokes gets sent into Tank’s exposed stomach and the good guys clear the ring to quite the positive reception. Baylor comes in off a blind tag and it’s back to Drake for a knee drop. That’s shrugged off and it’s back to Tank as everything breaks down again. Tank gets pulled to the floor though and crushed with the steps as we take a break.

We come back with Tank making a diving tag to Hill so he can take the tooth out. A double backsplash gets two and it’s back to Drake, who gives Hank something close to a Burning Hammer. Drake gets dropped with a Boss Man Slam and Hank & Tank hit stereo dives on the floor. Hill’s pop up neckbreaker gets the pin at 12:36.

Rating: B-. They had an energetic match here with some people who have been having some issues in recent weeks. The Project has fit in well around here thus far, even with their less than strong in-ring abilities. That’s the entire point of the team though and it’s working out well, as it’s fun to see them get beaten up.

Blake Monroe pops up on the announcers’ table, swearing to end it with Jaida Parker at Vengeance Day…in a street fight. Parker runs out and they both have to be held back.

Osiris Griffin has been attacked and Dion Lennox is going to call out Tony D’Angelo.

Lola Vice is told she still needs time to have her hand heal and she needs time off. She won’t do it, despite warnings that it could get worse, even permanently.

Here is Dion Lennox to call Tony D’Angelo out. D’Angelo pops up in the crowd, saying that Darkstate took out a dangerous man but a more dangerous man is here. The challenge is on for Vengeance Day but Lennox wants it in the parking lot. D’Angelo is in.

Jacy Jayne thinks Sol Ruca is here for the main event. The rest of Fatal Influence understands their assignment: get Jayne to Stand & Deliver.

Myles Borne thanks the No Quarter Catch Crew for their help, who say they’re spinning their wheels. Lexis King and company come in to tell Charlie Dempsey that the clock is ticking, with Tavion Heights not being happy about Dempsey even considering this.

Women’s Title: Zaria vs. Jacy Jayne

Jayne, with Fatal Influence, is defending. Zaria looks at the seconds to start and gets jumped from behind. That’s shrugged off and Zaria chokes in the corner, with Jayne rolling out to the floor. Jayne sends her into the steps and we take an early break. We come back with Zaria hitting a superplex to leave both of them down.

Zaria’s running elbows in the corner set up a suplex and clothesline for two as frustration sets in. Jayne is back with a running knee for two of her own but the Rolling Encore is cut off with a spear. Back up and the Rolling Encore drops Jayne and here is Sol Ruca to take out Fatal Influence. Ruca comes in and hits a double Sol Snatcher for the double DQ at 10:50.

Rating: B-. This was a question of when Ruca was going to interfere rather than would she debut, which is ok as it makes sense for the story they’re telling. The triple threat title match is set for either this weekend or next week, and that’s a good way to go. If nothing else, Jayne retaining the title is nice to see, as it seems a bit too soon for her to lose the belt.

The fans aren’t sure about that and sing something, even as Ruca belt shots Reid’s hands.

Vengeance Day rundown.

Robert Stone talks about…something involving the Women’s Title that I can’t understand as the feed screws up.

Here is Ricky Saints for his Experience. He’s a musician, actor and wrestler so he’s here to one up Joe Hendry’s concerts. The first song isn’t exactly great music and involves lyrics about how he believes in himself. Ah apparently that was just mocking Hendry’s style so he requests a stagehand give him a chair. Saints sings a similar song before needing his mic fixed, allowing him to sing about how you should NOT believe in Hendry.

Actually he needs an entirely new guitar so here is one…as held by Hendry himself. The Vanity Project runs in for the beatdown so here is Myles Borne for the quick save. The champions pose to end the show. This wasn’t a great segment as we got the joke pretty fast, but the closing brawl was good.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling was just ok here, but the important part was having the focus on Vengeance Day. What matters the most is that the card is set and has been built up well, which should make for a good event. I’m not sure how well it’s going to go, but they’ve laid the groundwork and that’s a good sign. NXT is still in a transitional phase and now we get to see how well that has gone with their first big test, which they very well could pass.

Results
Myles Borne b. Ethan Page – Borne Again
Wren Sinclair b. Nikkita Lyons – Final Wrench
Hank & Tank/Shiloh Hill b. Vanity Project – Pop up neckbreaker to Drake
Zaria vs. Jacy Jayne went to a double DQ when Sol Ruca interfered

 

 

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NXT – February 3, 2026: 38 Special

NXT
Date: February 3, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s time for a new champion as we have a lot to cover this week. In addition to the seven way ladder match for the vacant NXT Title, Ava has announced that she is done with NXT, meaning we’re going to need a new boss around here. There aren’t many obvious candidates for the job, though one does tend to stand out. Let’s get to it.

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

Shawn Michaels names Robert Stone as the new Interim GM. Yeah that’s the most logical choice.

The opening video looks at the history of the NXT Title and what it can mean for someone’s career, both here and beyond. Tonight, another name is added to the list.

Women’s North American Title: Izzi Dame vs. Thea Hail vs. Lola Vice

Dame is defending and they trade some early rollups for two each. With Dame sent outside, Vice pulls Hail into a triangle choke but Dame is back in for the save. Not that it’s important though, as we see go split screen to see Ricky Saints arriving. Thanks for that one. Anyway, Hail and Vice hit dives to the floor and Hail bites the title to send us to a break.

We come back with Vice getting caught in a middle rope G9 but she pops up to strike away. Hail and Dame get hip attacked in the corner but Hail makes the clothesline comeback. That’s not what matters though, as instead we need to see Joe Hendry warming up. Hail’s springboard backsplash lands in a choke but she’s right back with the Kimura to Vice. That’s broken up and it’s DDT to plant Dame. Cue Kelani Jordan to crush Vice’s hand with a ladder, leaving Dame to get caught in the Kimura. That’s reversed into a sitout gutwrench powerbomb to retain Dame’s title at 11:46.

Rating: C+. They were flying through this as well as they could and it’s nice to see Dame getting another win. At the same time, it’s sad to see Hail’s accidental push erased, as she’s right back to what she was before. The fans were behind her because she won something, so now let’s have her lose all over again. At least Dame is starting to become something a bit better though, as she certainly has potential.

Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair praise Sol Ruca for her Royal Rumble performance, but Zaria interrupts. As usual, they’re having tensions and Zaria says she needs the win tonight, for herself.

Earlier today, Chase U was complaining about not getting opportunities but Arianna Grace, Stacks and Lexis King interrupted to mock them. A match was set up for tonight.

Here is Tony D’Angelo for his big explanation. D’Angelo hasn’t been here for seven months and he could explain the two reasons he left and call it a day, but he has a lot to say. He talks about the things he’s done here, and about a year ago he was a happy man, with his family around him. Then that was taken from him and it meant he needed to learn to stand on his own.

Darkstate ruined his life and now he needs to remember who he is. Then he came back and had people wondering what he was doing. He’s coming for Darkstate and it’s about punishment, because he’s going to take everything from them. The second reason: you’ll find out when he’s done with Darkstate. That’s a nice explanation and at least he has a simple target to start.

Shiloh Hill gives a quick rundown of his competition tonight.

Jasper Troy doesn’t care who he faces next for his Speed Title.

Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Elio LeFleur vs. Charlie Dempsey

They hit stereo crossbodies at the same time and LeFleur gets two off a backslide. A suplex swinging neckbreaker gets the same but Dempsey is back with a tabletop suplex for two. Dempsey breaks up a springboard as we have less than a minute to go. LeFleur knocks him down again but gets wheelbarrow suplexed for two more. Back up and LeFleur grabs a weird reverse headscissors driver for the quick pin at 2:52. Cool finisher.

Joe Hendry isn’t going to let bruised ribs stop him from winning the NXT Title. He hasn’t had a title in seven months and it’s time for him to accomplish his goals around here.

We look at the NXT stars, both past and present, in the Royal Rumble.

TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Zaria/Sol Ruca vs. Elegance Brand

The Brand is defending. Zaria decides to start with M but it’s quickly off to Ruca for a standing moonsault. M drives her into the corner though and Heather comes in, only to get suplexed down. Zaria isn’t interested in a Mega Powers elbow (makes sense as this is the anniversary of their split on Main Event II) and gets distracted on the top, allowing the Brand to take over as we take a break.

We come back with Heather slowly hammering on Zaria, who fights up…but won’t tag. That lets M hit a Codebreaker for two as Sean Legacy is putting his vest on. Whoa man. Zaria fights up and this time Ruca tags herself in to clean house as the pace picks up. The fans would rather do the Wave as M misses a moonsault. Zaria tags herself back in and that means it’s time for some shoving with Ruca. A double spear drops the champs but the Sol Snatcher accidentally takes Zaria out. The top rope backsplash onto an elevated Zaria retains the titles at 11:26.

Rating: C+. The match was fine, but this was about Zaria and Ruca arguing again which seems to be what should be the last straw. They’ve teased breaking up so many times now that they need to get on with it already. Maybe that even means that Zaria gets two win a match already, which might be nice for a change.

Ethan Page talks to the Vanity Project, telling Jackson Drake to finish the job.

Before the show, Blake Monroe attacked Jaida Parker in the parking lot in front of the fans.

Chase U vs. Stacks/Lexis King

Connors dropkicks Stacks down to start and it’s off to Dixon for an armbar. Dixon has to flip around to get out of trouble and it’s off to Connors to start the rather quick comeback. King sends Connors into the corner as everything breaks down. Dixon comes back in to clean house but the moonsault hits raised boots. The Coronation gives King the pin at 3:38.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t much to see and that shouldn’t be a surprise. The New Chase U are just completely nothing, which is a shame as Andre Chase was red hot for a bit. In this case now though, there’s nothing to what he’s doing and he’s little more than a person who happens to exist. I don’t see that changing anytime soon, or far off, though and that’s kind of saddening.

Post match Connors walks out on Chase U. Probably a smart move.

Here is Fatal Influence for a chat. Jacy Jayne talks about killing it in the Royal Rumble but then Sol Ruca snuck up on her and eliminated her. Jayne complains about Ruca going viral all the time so it’s her time to kill the hype. Cue Zaria to say Ruca has had all kinds of opportunities handed to her so it’s time for Zaria to make her own chance. Jayne laughs it off, saying everyone loves Ruca but they just tolerate Zaria.

Cue Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair to interrupt, with Grey saying she knows she can beat Grey. They argue over who should get the shot so here is Ruca, who accuses Zaria of sneaking around on her. Zaria gets on her for going to the Rumble on her own. Cue Robert Stone to make Zaria/Ruca vs. Sinclair/Grey next week and whomever gets the pin gets the title shot in three weeks.

Kelani Jordan broke Lola Vice’s hand so she can’t knock anyone else out. There’s a logic to that.

Lexis King and company (now with Uriah Connors) interrupt Charlie Dempsey and seem to offer him a spot on the team. Dempsey doesn’t give an answer.

NXT Title: Ricky Saints vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Jackson Drake vs. Keanu Carver vs. Sean Legacy vs. Shiloh Hill

Ladder match for the vacant title. It’s a brawl to start with Carver getting the better of things until a backdrop sends him onto the ladder. Saints is back in to spear Hendry but Hendry is back up with some ladder shots. Drake is up to go for the title but Hendry cuts that off rather quickly. Hendry’s dive takes out the pile at ringside and we take a break.

We come back with Carver wrecking people on the floor until Legacy hits a dive of his own. Drake and Legacy go up top and fight on the ladder so here is Hill with two pieces of a broken ladder as stilts. Carver breaks that up until Lennox springboards in for a Doomsday Device. Lennox drops Saints onto the ladder but gets his climb cut off. Drake sends Carver outside and then flip dives onto the pile as we take another break.

We come back with Hill cutting off Legacy’s climb and clearing out everyone else. Rather than climbing, he crushes Carver with a ladder on the floor, as do the rest of the competitors, who throw ladders onto Carver. A ladder is bridged into the standing ladder inside and Legacy springboard 450s Drake onto the bridged ladder. Legacy and Lennox go up top but Hill and Drake are back with a ladder of their own.

Hendry makes the save but Carver is up with his own ladder to wreck people, including a Pounce to send Legacy through a wall. Carver goes up but Saints is right there to shove him off, through a ladder bridged at ringside. Back in and Hendry and Saints go up to fight over the title, only for Hendry to knock him off and through another ladder. That’s enough for Hendry to win the title at 22:41.

Rating: B+. There were a lot of people here and quite a bit going on, but they still had a rather entertaining and energetic match. It felt like they were all trying to get the title, with the group beatdown of Carver making sense. Hendry winning is a good way to go, as the fans love him and that’s what NXT could use right now. It’s a case where NXT is going with someone the fans care about and are running with him. Now just find a good challenger and they should be fine.

Hendry celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a case where you had a lot going on, but the ladder match was the part that mattered the most. It carried the show that much higher, with the secondary story of Ruca and Zaria finally falling apart going the rest of the way. We’re clearly still in a time of transition around here with Hendry as the champion and Robert Stone as the new boss. Hopefully they can make it work, as starting from almost scratch is quite the test. At least they did well with their big show this week.

Results
Izzi Dame b. Thea Hail and Lola Vice – Sitout gutwrench powerbomb to Hail
Elio LeFleur b. Charlie Dempsey – Reverse hurricanrana driver
Elegance Brand b. Zaria/Sol Ruca – Top rope backsplash to Zaria
Stacks/Lexis King b. Chase U – Coronation to Connors
Joe Hendry b. Shiloh Hill, Keanu Carver, Sean Legacy, Dion Lennox, Jackson Drake and Ricky Saints – Hendry pulled down the title

 

 

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NXT – January 27, 2026: Get Us There Already

NXT
Date: January 27, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the week before the big show and that means we have more qualifying matches for the six way ladder match for the vacant NXT Title. Other than that, the Tag Team Titles are on the line as Darkstate defends against OTM. That should be enough to carry us to next week’s big card so let’s get to it.

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

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Joe Hendry vs. Jackson Drake

Non-title and….non-match as the Vanity Project has attacked Hendry in the back. Ava pops up to say she has to deal with Tony D’Angelo and they’ll shuffle the schedule.

NXT, OTM, Darkstate

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Darkstate vs. OTM

Darkstate is defending and Shuggars is trying to get his gear on as the match starts. Price and Griffin have a big staredown with Nima coming in for some double slams to clear the ring. Back in and Price sends Shuggars into the corner but Three Amigos are broken up. OTM clears the ring and we take an early break.

We come back with Nima in trouble as Shuggars grabs a spinning toehold. Griffin and Nima hit stereo crossbodies and it’s back to Price, who Rock Bottoms Shuggars onto Griffin for two. Cue the Vanity Project for a distraction though and Price gets rolled up to retain the titles at 11:10.

Rating: B-. Good enough here, though Darkstate is only so interesting as champions. It feels like they’re just kind of there and the big impact that they had earlier in the run is gone. They’re far from bad, but they need to do something else to stand out. The same is true of OTM, who just feel like they’re kind of floating around from match to match.

Post match the brawl is on with Chase U and the Culling getting into things. The Culling lays out Darkstate.

Nikkita Lyons agrees to face Jaida Parker so Blake Monroe doesn’t have to. Singing is involved.

Jaida Parker vs. Nikkita Lyons

Parker works on the arm to start and grabs a headlock as the fans are rather approving. Lyons is back up with a spinning kick to the face and some dancing. A faceplant sets up the neck crank but Parker is up with some clotheslines. The Tear Drop in the corner and the Hipnotique sets up a kind of abdominal stretch slam (better than the Hipnotique) to give Parker the pin at 4:54.

Rating: C. Not much to see in the match, but Parker being treated as someone serious is a good thing to see. The fans love her and she has the charisma to make it work. If she can turn that into something in the ring, she’ll be a star in a hurry. NXT needs some replacements and she very well could be one of the better ones.

Post match Blake Monroe (in a different outfit than before) says she’ll see Parker soon.

Tavion Heights gives Eli Knight and Elio LeFleur a pep talk but Arianna Grace, Stacks and Lexis King interrupt. They don’t think much of Heights and a match between King and Heights seems likely.

TNA’s The Elegance brand is ready for Sol Ruca and Zaria.

Zaria isn’t happy that Ruca isn’t here yet but Thea Hail comes in. They argue about being handed title shots and a match seems likely.

Ethan Page wants Myles Borne to be ruthless instead of righteous tonight. Borne says mind his own business and Ricky Saints, who comes in as well, can shut up too.

Vanity Project comes up to see Ava and says she can’t prove they attacked Joe Hendry. Ava says she can’t but there is a spot in the ladder match and Jackson Drake is in, but if Hendry is cleared, he’s in too.

NXT, Myles Borne, Dion Lennox

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne

Borne grabs a headlock to start and they go to the mat with Lennox getting caught in a headscissors. Lennox is up with some rollups for two each but Borne is back up with some running elbows in the corner. A running clothesline puts Borne on the floor, where he fights back with a whip into the steps as Ethan Page comes out to watch as we take a break. We come back with Borne fighting back until Lennox grabs a rollup, though the referee catches him cheating. Page throws Borne a belt but the referee takes it away (it didn’t seem like Borne was going to use it), allowing Lennox to hit a Michinoku Driver for the win at 10:42.

Rating: C+. I still like Borne, though I’m worried they might turn him evil. He’s the definition of someone who would make for a good overcoming the odds story so hopefully that’s the direction they’re taking instead. If nothing else, having him take the title from Page would be a nice result. As for Lennox…uh…can I talk about Borne some more?

Post match Page tells Borne that he has to listen so Borne drops him.

Tony D’Angelo comes in to Ava’s office, where Ricky Saints is warning her about Keanu Carver. Saints leaves and D’Angelo asks Ava why she bailed him out. Apparently NXT needs him and she wants to know if he’s in or out. He’ll make his intentions clear next week, but he’s not the same D’Angelo. Ava warns him not to interfere in the ladder match.

Andre Chase isn’t happy with Chase U getting involved in the fight earlier but now he has to go get ready for his match. Lexis King comes in, asks if Uriah Connors’ father is proud of him, and rides his throne into the arena.

Tavion Heights vs. Lexis King

Heights suplexes him for two in the first ten seconds before starting in on the ribs. King manages to send him outside for a ram into the barricade as Stacks and Arianna grace come out to watch. Heights gets in another suplex back inside, only to miss a clothesline and fall back out to the floor. He comes up favoring his arm and misses a slingshot shoulders back inside. King grabs the Coronation for the pin at 3:49.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what is next for either of these two as they feel like they are pretty much just kind of there. Neither feels like they are moving up the list in the slightest and that isn’t a great sign. Hopefully they find something new to do, as both of them could do more than they are currently handling.

Post match King poses with Stacks and Grace, saying that was just the beginning. Granted his promo is cut off but at least it’s something.

We get a special feature called NXT Origins, featuring a look at Finn Balor’s time in NXT. I’ve heard worse ideas.

Zaria vs. Thea Hail

Izzi Dame is on commentary. Hail’s headlock doesn’t last long as Zaria powers her into a fireman’s carry. That’s broken up and Hail sends her outside for a suicide dive. A clothesline drops Hail back inside and we take a break. We come back with Zaria’s choke out of the corner being broken up and Hail running her over for two. The springboard backsplash is pulled out of the air but she gets the Kimura to keep Zaria in trouble. That’s broken up with a backdrop and Zaria hits a spear but the F5 is countered into a DDT. Cue Tatum Paxley to go after Dame and the distraction lets Hail grab a rollup for the pin at 9:16.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure what to make of Zaria but it’s starting to get less and less interesting. She’s a powerhouse and can do that well enough, but it only works so well if she keeps losing match after match. Then again it could (and likely is) leading to a feud with Ruca, which is about as good of an option as she has right now.

Post match here is Fatal Influence, with Zaria laying Hail out with an F5.

Charlie Dempsey was impressed by Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey, except for their loss. Grey is distracted by not being Jacy Jayne but Stacks and company come up to say Dempsey is one of them. Dempsey is confused, as he should be.

NXT, Andre Chase, Keanu Carver

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Keanu Carver vs. Andre Chase

Chase goes right at him to start but gets powered into the corner. Carver knocks him outside and then into the ropes back inside. A suplex gives Carver two but Chase fights back with some shots to the head. The high crossbody gives Chase two and they head outside, with Chase tackling him over the announcers’ table. Carver gets back up for a hard slam onto the announcers’ table. Back in and the spinning powerslam gives Carver the pin at 4:01.

Rating: C+. Chase was trying out there and he did what he could, but there is only so much offense to be found against this kind of a monster. It made for a nice debut for Carver, who feels like something to be reckoned with in the near future. While I can’t imagine him winning the title, I could imagine him smashing through a lot of people and that’s a good idea.

Post match Carver wrecks him again, including stomping Chase’s injured face into the steps.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Keanu Carver grabs the mic and says if anyone has a problem with him wrecking everyone, come do something about it. We cut to the back, where Shiloh Hill and Dion Lennox are heading to the ring.

Post break, Jackson Drake, Lennox, Hill, Sean Legacy and Carver are in the ring, with Hill saying all that just fired him up even more. Lennox doesn’t want to hear that trash talk because Darkstate knows how to take things. Legacy says this is the biggest opportunity of his life and he’ll take chances, which is why Drake thinks Legacy will choke. Cue Ricky Saints with a ladder, which he climbs before addressing everyone else. He is the rose who has come up from the concrete jungle but Carver is sick of talking so the fight is on. Cue Joe Hendry to join the fight but Carver powerslams him down.

One more rundown of next week’s show wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C+. This was the kind of show that you need to have every so often, as this was all about setting things up for next week’s really big event. It might not make for the best card but it is something that has to be done. They made it work well enough here, though you might be better off just waiting for next week instead of wasting your time here.

Results
Darkstate b. OTM – Rollup to Price
Jaida Parker b. Nikkita Lyons – Abdominal stretch slam
Dion Lennox b. Myles Borne – Michinoku Driver
Lexis King b. Tavion Heights – Coronation
Thea Hail b. Zaria – Rollup
Keanu Carver b. Andre Chase – Spinning powerslam

 

 

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Evolve – January 14, 2026: Technically Perfect

Evolve
Date: January 14, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Things are changing in a hurry around here and it’s rather interesting to see where they are all going. With a bunch of Evolve names now officially part of NXT, some changes are going to need to be made around here. That could be a good thing, but it’s definitely a thing of some description. Let’s get to it.

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

Team PC arrives and are ready to take over.

The Vanity Project arrives and runs into Aaron Rourke, Cappuccino Jones and Eli Knight. They argue a bit and a six man tag is set for later.

Opening sequence.

Video on the Women’s Title match, with Kendal Grey being ready to face the monsters PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. PJ Vasa vs. Kali Armstrong,

Grey, with Wren Sinclair, is defending and Karmen Petrovic is in the VIP section. Vasa powers both of them into the corner to start so Grey slides between her legs to pick up the pace. Some running dropkicks stagger Vasa and a double dropkick sends her outside. That leaves Grey to suplex Armstrong and then kick the returning Vasa back outside. Armstrong spears Grey but gets speared by Vasa, who stands tall as we take a break.

We come back with Vasa cleaning house, including booting Grey down while holding Armstrong in a fireman’s carry. Grey gets the ankle lock on Vasa but Armstrong makes the save. Armstrong drops Vasa with the powerslam and loads up the Kali Connection, only for Grey to springboard in with Shades Of Grey to retain at 5:08.

Rating: B-. Well it was eventful while it lasted, but I was expecting a far longer match than what we got here. At the same time, I was expecting Grey to lose here as it’s pretty clear that she’s getting elevated in the near future. That being said, her holding the title even longer isn’t a bad thing and she got a solid win here.

Post match Petrovic doesn’t think much of Armstrong, who wants to put the sword, uh, somewhere.

Trill London talks about his time in the NFL and is ready to leave you wondering who he is.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Charlie Dempsey

Shockingly enough they go to the grappling to start, with Dempsey getting a cravate, which is broken up without much trouble. A knee to the arm has Dempsey in trouble and Thatcher knocks him outside as we take an early break. We come back with Thatcher still on the arm until Dempsey takes the leg down to switch control. Dempsey ties up the leg and then goes with something close to an STF.

A gutwrench suplex drops Thatcher again and it’s back to the legbar. With that broken up, Dempsey just cranks on the leg for a change. Back up and Thatcher just hits him in the face, which is quite the logical comeback. Dempsey gets something like a dragon screw legwhip but Thatcher pulls him into a Fujiwara armbar.

That’s rolled into a leglock, which is reversed into a cross armbreaker as this is a technical clinic. Dempsey knocks him to the floor and matches Thatcher with a shot to the face back inside. A bridging butterfly suplex (nice) gets two on Thatcher, as does a bridging German suplex. Dempsey switches over to a Fujiwara armbar for the tap at 13:10.

Rating: B. This was a lot of fun as you can tell both of them know this style very well. Dempsey winning is of course the right call as Thatcher is just there to make others look good. That’s what he did here and it came in a rather entertaining match. This isn’t something that works all the time, but when you see this style every so often, it’s pretty awesome.

Video on Harlem Lewis.

Vanity Project vs. Eli Knight/Cappuccino Jones/Aaron Rourke

Rourke frustrates Baylor to start and it’s quickly off to Jones for a nice dropkick. Knight comes in and gets headlocked by Drake but comes back with a nice leg lariat. The villains are cleared out to the floor and, after a quick spank from Rourke, Knight hits a big flip dive over the top. Baylor gets in a jumping knee to the face though and we take a break. We come back with Knight in trouble, including Drake raking his back.

A fisherman’s suplex gives Drake two and he knocks Rourke and Jones off the apron. The villains take turns beating Knight up in the corner, with a variety of stomps. Knight manages a high crossbody and that’s enough for the tag off to Jones. Everything breaks down and Rourke hits Eat Defeat on Smokes. The Decaffinator takes Baylor down but Smokes shoves Jones off the top. Drake comes back in with the Unaliving to pin Jones at 9:40.

Rating: C+. Pretty standard six man tag here with Drake getting to look like a star in the end. That’s a good thing, as Baylor and Smokes aren’t exactly must see stuff in the ring. I can see why they make for good background people, but that only gets you so far once the bell rings. At the same time, Knight got to showcase himself well here, but it was only for so long.

Post match Team PC comes out, with Kam Hendrix saying they’re running Evolve in two weeks. That’s not when Hendrix wants his title match though, because that’s going to be Drake vs. Carver, Riggins and Presley in a handicap match. Then Hendrix will get his title match the next week. That’s rather brilliant.

Tate Wilder is in the back and says he feels like he’s walking this road alone.

Overall Rating: B-. I still love the way this show is put together, as it feels like every show is designed to keep things moving. This show had a variety of different stuff going on and I wanted to see all of it. That’s not something you often see and the differences make it stand out that much more. Good stuff here, and they kept things moving for the future as well. Nice work, as is almost always the case.

Results
Kendal Grey b. PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong – Springboard Shades Of Grey to Armstrong
Charlie Dempsey b. Timothy Thatcher – Fujiwara armbar
Vanity Project b. Cappuccino Jones/Eli Knight/Aaron Rourke – Unaliving to Jones

 

 

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Evolve – January 7, 2026: The New Cast

Evolve
Date: January 7, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

It’s time to get back to Evolve as it hasn’t been around for the last few weeks. In this case we even have a bit title match, with Sean Legacy challenging Jackson Drake for the Evolve Title. It could be quite the interesting time, as several NXT departures mean that some names could be on their way out of Evolve. Let’s get to it.

Here is the most recent show if you need a recap.

Sean Legacy talks about the things that he did in 2025, which was a great year. But it was also LAST year and now he needs to start doing something bigger this year. And what happens to Evolve if he doesn’t win the title? Uh, about the same thing that has been happening for months now?

Opening sequence.

WWE, Evolve, Karmen Petrovic, Laynie Luck

IMG Credit: WWE

Karmen Petrovic vs. Laynie Luck

Luck has been a regular on the independent circuit for the better part of ever and recently won the Women’s ID Title. They trade takedowns to start, with Luck cartwheeling out of a wristlock. Petrovic takes her down into an armbar and drives her into the corner, where Luck gets in an elbow to the face. Luck grabs a suplex and ties Petrovic in the Tree Of Woe, only to miss a charge. A top rope Sling Blade and Eat Defeat rock Luck, who is back with a tilt-a-whirl slam for two. Petrovic shrugs that off and hits a quick Petrifier for the win at 3:35.

Rating: C+. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Luck over the years so it’s very nice to see her getting this kind of a chance. I’m not sure what she’s going to do with it, but she’s absolutely a success story after all those years. Petrovic still needs to step it up a bit, as she’s just kind of the same person she’s been for a long time now.

The Vanity Project isn’t worried about Sean Legacy but run into a bunch of the ID guys. They aren’t impressed with the Project either but cooler heads prevail.

We recap Chantel Monroe vs. Wendy Choo. Monroe called her a freak so Choo cost her a title match, causing Monroe to interrupt Choo’s therapy session. Therefore, it’s time to fight.

WWE, Evolve, Wendy Choo, Kendal Grey, Chantel Monroe

IMG Credit: WWE

Chantel Monroe vs. Wendy Choo

No DQ and Choo jumps her from behind during the entrances. Monroe fights back and grabs the weapons as the bell rings. Choo fights back without much trouble and puts Monroe in the trashcan for a running dropkick. The table is brought out and we take an early break.

We come back with Monroe beating her down with a chair, which is wedged in the corner. Choo fights up and of course sends Monroe into the chair (it’s a law), followed by a chair to the back. The Dirt Nap goes…well mostly on, but Monroe grabs some hairspray to blind her way out. A top rope Meteora onto a trashcan gives Monroe two and a DDT onto the chair gets the same. The table is set up but Choo is back with her own hairspray shot. Monroe catches her on top and yells a lot, only to get caught in a Dirt Nap on the ropes. A super full nelson slam sends Monroe through the table for the win at 7:27.

Rating: B-. The ending looked really good and it was cool to see the two of them beating the fire out of each other for a bit. I had a good time with this as Monroe has come a long way since her debut. At the same time, Choo has become far easier to watch now that she has dropped the whole weird evil stuff.

Post match Choo says she wants to show the new her. There is a triple threat for the Women’s Title next week and she wants the winner. Kendal Grey comes out to say she’ll beat Choo again. Choo says Grey can’t beat the new her.

Trill London sees the world differently but he was good enough to play for the Miami Dolphins. Now he’s here to see how he can evolve in the ring. Enjoy the show.

Kam Hendrix says it’s going to be a privilege to see him for the next twenty years. If charisma was water, you would need a life jacket right now.

Arianna Grace and Nikkita Lyons interrupt and mock Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday for doing Tik Tok videos. They’re suddenly best friends.

Video on Jackson Drake.

Evolve Title: Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake

Legacy, with a bad shoulder, is challenging and chops away in the corner to start. They seem to mess up a bit in the corner and after what might have been a camera edit, Legacy sends him into the corner to put Drake down. A running chop in the corner drops Drake and a jumping stomp to the back gives Legacy two.

We take a break and come back with Legacy stomping away and sending Drake outside. The slingshot dive connects for Legacy but Drake posts him, with the bad shoulder getting banged up. Back in and Drake slowly works on the arm but Legacy tries a sunset flip. That earns him a moonsault knees to the ribs for two as Legacy is in trouble. The Lethal In-Jacksion is blocked though and we take another break.

We come back with Legacy splashing Drake for two and avoiding a high crossbody. Legacy plants him down for two more but Shambles is cut off with an arm snap over the rope. Back up and a Spanish Fly gives Legacy two but the arm gives out on an STF attempt. A crossface has Legacy in more trouble and Drake switches into a triangle choke for some elbows to the head. Legacy powerbombs his way to freedom but Drake hits one heck of an Unaliving, followed by another to the back of the head to retain at 14:29.

Rating: B. That almost has to be it for Legacy around here, as there is nothing left for him to do. He came in as what seemed to be the big prospect and it kind of stayed that way without ever accomplishing anything. Drake has started to stand out a bit more and it should be a big deal when someone finally beats him for that title.

Post match Kam Hendrix and company come out to threaten Drake but Harlem Lewis is back, immediately scaring Drake to death. Lewis gets in the ring and says he doesn’t care about PC or ID (amen), because he only cares about the title. He wants someone to step to him…but the Vanity Project leaves in a smart move.

Timothy Thatcher runs into Charlie Dempsey and asks Dempsey to respect his decision. Dempsey wants to prove himself, but Thatcher says you can do that every time you get in the ring. One more insult from Dempsey is FINALLY enough to get Thatcher to agree to the match to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The thing I like about Evolve is that it feels like the shows have been thought out in advance. We’re back from a few weeks away and they returned with some fresh ideas and names. That’s a great sign and I’m curious to see where some of these things go. I like the ideas that they’re presenting here and hopefully it keeps living up to the hype.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Laynie Luck – Petrifier
Wendy Choo b. Chantel Monroe – Super full nelson slam through a table
Jackson Drake b. Sean Legacy – Unaliving to the back of the head

 

 

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