Halloween Havoc 2026
Date: October 31, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the Halloween night special and it’s going to be quite the big one. In this case we have the NXT Title on the line as Grayson Waller defends against Tony D’Angelo. Other than that, we have the usual multitude of title matches and a big grudge match at least a few grudge matches. Let’s get to it.

The opening video talks about how this is the night to unleash havoc….or be CURSED, by host Danhausen. The card gets the usual rundown as well.

Here is Danhausen, with the Minihausens, to get things going. He thinks there might be some goblins in the crowd but he’s been paid a lot of human monies to be the host of the evening. They’ll spin the wheel but he has also turned some rooms of this building into scare rooms.

Tavion Heights vs. Myles Borne

Weapons Wild match, basically meaning street fight. They slug it out to start and Heights sends him outside, where Borne grabs a kendo stick. A few shots put Heights on the floor as well so he whips out a fire extinguisher out to blast Borne in the face. Borne is rammed into the apron and it’s time for the table. Borne’s chair shot hits the post and Heights throws him down as we take a break.

We come back with Borne Pillmanizing the ankle and chairing him into the corner for the stomping. Back up and Heights throws a trashcan at Borne’s head and pulls out a toolbox. Borne knocks him down and pours out a bag of nuts and bolts but Borne Again is knocked away. That leaves Borne to crash onto the nuts and bolts but he’s fine enough to powerslam Heights onto a chair for two.

A chair to the back knocks Borne into the steps and Heights loads up a Pillmanizing on the ankle. The Conchairto Pillmanizes the ankle and the ankle lock goes on but Borne rolls him into the exposed buckle. They fight up top at the same time and Borne grabs a camera to knock him off the top and through a table. Borne Again onto a trashcan finishes Heights at 14:45.

Rating: B. This was exactly what you would have expected, but at least there were some unique spots for a change. That being said, having Borne land on a bunch of nuts and bolts and then popping right back up was a bit of a stretch, as was some of the other fast recovering. Heights is pretty much done as a singles star for the moment though, as Borne has beaten him time after time.

Tristan Angels and some women go into the scary rooms in the back and Sean Legacy pops up to scare Angels. Then Legacy leaves with the women.

Shiloh Hill and Naraku get in a fight in the back, with some orange mist blinding Naraku. We go to what looks like a tunnel where Naraku is haunted by images and we’ve got a cinematic match. Hill, who was misted as well, wakes up surrounded by Jack-O-Lanterns, and runs off towards them in happiness. To Be Continued.

Zaria vs. Izzi Dame

Non-title. Zaria rolls to the ring in a big ball, which ties into the whole Wicked thing, which continues to be quite the stretch for a reason to see them fight. Dame mocks her some more after the bell and Zaria gives chase to the floor. Back in and Zaria grabs a double leg and hammers away but Dame slips out of a slam. Dame trips her down but a basement superkick is blocked as Dame can’t get anything going. Some whips into the corner have Dame in more trouble so she sends Zaria face first into the buckle instead and we take a break.

We come back with Zaria hitting some clotheslines and a German suplex. Zaria knocks her out of the air and gets two off a fall away slam. Back up and Dame ties her in the Tree Of Woe for a running shoulder. They go up top and Zaria knocks her down, only to miss a moonsault. A middle rope Codebreaker gives Dame two more and they slug it out again.

Dame gets in a chokeslam for two so Zaria hits a spear, only to have various Wicked things pop up around the arena. That’s enough for Dame to get two off a small package, and a Widow’s Peak gets the same. Dame grabs the belt but gets caught with a discus lariat. Zaria picks up the belt and it is quickly kicked into her face to give Dame the pin at 12:56.

Rating: B-. This was a weird one with the stuff from stuff from Zaria’s past being forced into the whole thing. I’m also not clear on why Dame made sure that this wasn’t for the title, as she just won the match and isn’t champion anyway. It’s a weird story, but at least Zaria should be able to come back and win the rematch, which should be the case. I think.

Hank & Tank and Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno have a meeting in front of the Dusty Classic trophy. Both teams are ready to win.

Robert Stone comes up to the Vanity Project and isn’t happy with their interference on NXT. As a result, they’re facing Dragon Lee, Rey Fenix and Chad Gable next week on NXT.

The pre-show hosts talk about hosting things.

Danhausen spins the wheel for the next match, which is a Very Nice, Very Evil match. This means no rules and falls count anywhere. Shocking I tell you.

Zilla Fatu vs. Charlie Dempsey

Anything goes, falls count anywhere and Birthright is here too. They slug it out to start with Dempsey getting the better of things and stomping him down. A gutwrench suplex gives Dempsey two but Fatu is back up with a slam. Dempsey gets pulled into the Tree Of Woe but misses a charge into the corner. Fatu is fine enough to knock Dempsey outside and it’s time to crush Dempsey’s hand in the steps.

That’s broken up by Birthright, who beats Fatu down, only for Fatu to steal a shovel from Lexis King. Fatu holds the team off and we take a break. We come back with Fatu getting two off a DDT and they take turns sending the other into shovels in the ropes. Fatu is dropped onto a piece of barricade in the corner, followed by a ram into the steps. A pumpkin shot misses and takes King out by mistake but Dempsey is fine enough to send Fatu’s hand into the steps a few times.

Back in and Dempsey uses a chain to tie him up in an octopus stretch, which is somehow escaped as well. Fatu gets in a running clothesline and takes out Birthright, followed by a spinebuster to Dempsey. The Triple Z hits a shovel but Fatu is right back to hit it with the second attempt. A Superfly Splash finishes Dempsey at 13:16.

Rating: B. This was a violent match and a good way for Fatu to overcome some odds and beat Birthright again. This should wrap up their feud as he fought through adversity and beat their best star on his own. It was another weapons based match and that’s kind of annoying to see so quickly after the first but the result went the right way.

Shiloh Hill keeps walking through the weird nightmare realm and is impressed by various creepy people/things. One guy looks like a better dressed Tristan Angels and Hill thinks Tatum Paxley would love the spooky woman with her baby. Then he finds a skull room and beats up three monsters before walking through some hallways. More on this later.

We look back at Cruz Montana attacking Dion Lennox and getting arrested as a result. They’re having an unsanctioned match this week on NXT and UFC fighter Michael Chandler has volunteered to be guest referee.

Earlier today, Montana and Lennox sat down, with Montana saying that Lennox has backed him into a corner. Lennox says he has pushed Montana past his breaking point, which was the idea the whole time. He wants the violent Montana so he can prove that he’s different. Montana’s daughter shouldn’t watch on Wednesday, because she’ll just see her daddy with a broken promise. Montana gets up, takes off his sunglasses, and says this is the first time Lennox has made a mistake his parents can’t get him out of. Then Lennox will be a thing of the past, forever. As usual, Montana is on another level when things get personal.

The women’s division is in a room full of mirrors, which Chantel Monroe doesn’t find scary. Then Lizzie Rain jumps her.

We recap the Women’s Title match. Wren Sinclair snuck into a battle royal to win the #1 contendership and now Kelani Jordan wants to stop her for good.

Naraku keeps looking for Shiloh Hill, ignores various creepy images, beats up some…we’ll say people, and talks to an evil king who tells him to look beyond a door.

Women’s Title: Wren Sinclair vs. Kelani Jordan

Sinclair is challenging and takes her down by the arm. It’s too early for the stomping though as Jordan is back up with a Regal Roll. Jordan sends her outside but gets tripped on the apron as we take a break. We come back with Sinclair missing a crossbody and getting kicked in the head. Jordan goes to try to take a bottom turnbuckle pad off before getting two off a standing legdrop.

A northern lights suplex gets two more but Sinclair is back with a butterfly suplex. Sinclair’s high crossbody gets two but Jordan jumps down onto the arm as we take a break. We come back with the two of them hitting stereo faceplants but Jordan is up with a shoulder breaker. The frog splash gives Jordan two and she grabs a Fujiwara armbar on the bad shoulder.

With that broken up, Sinclair grabs a rather spinning faceplant for two before grabbing the Final Wrench. Jordan gets out again and sends the arm into the exposed buckle. That and a 450 give Jordan two more but Sinclair blocks a moonsault with raised boots. Sinclair gets the Final Wrench again and wrenches away but gets rammed into the buckle. Jordan flips back onto her and puts a foot on the rope to retain at 18:40.

Rating: B-. This felt like it should have been a bigger deal, as they just kind of had a long match. There was only so much drama to the whole thing and Jordan winning with a fairly basic method of cheating felt a bit flat. It’s not a bad match by any standards, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.

We go back to the weird place where Naraku and Shiloh Hill find each other. What appears to be a zombie referee shows up and tells them to go so I think we’re having a match?

Shiloh Hill vs. Naraku

They immediately slug it out and go through a wall…and into the arena. The fight goes inside as Booker wants a bell, because even zombies have to follow rules. They both spray mist at each other and Hill’s belly to back neckbreaker finishes at 2:31. Ok then.

Kelani Jordan comes up to see Robert Stone and is told she’ll be defending the Women’s Title on NXT against someone from the main roster. Since it’s Halloween, it’s a mystery.

The pre-show hosts do their thing again. Tatum Paxley says she’s been called a mystery so she’s not sure if she’s the challenger or not.

TLC is coming in December. Cool. I think.

Kam Hendrix meets Danhausen, who thinks they should clone Hendrix and make sports teams to make a bunch of human monies. Danhausen leaves and various people in hazmat suits come in. One of them happens to be EK Prosper, who beats Hendrix down.

Here’s what’s coming on NXT, which again is on Wednesday.

We recap Grayson Waller defending the NXT Title against Tony D’Angelo. Waller returned as a much more serious version of himself and won the title, with former champion D’Angelo earning a shot to get his rematch. Then Waller went to D’Angelo’s house to make things really personal. Granted he didn’t do anything, but he was there.

NXT Title: Grayson Waller vs. Tony D’Angelo

D’Angelo is challenging. The brawl starts fast with D’Angelo getting the better of things and knocking him outside. D’Angelo throws him off of the steps and we take a break. We come back with D’Angelo fighting out of a cravate and muscling him up for a gutwrench suplex. Waller is right back with a neckbreaker over the turnbuckle rod and D’Angelo is in trouble again.

Some forearms in the corner have D’Angelo in more trouble and a leg lariat gets two. Another neckbreaker gives Waller two more and he tied D’Angelo in the Tree Of Woe. An armbar with a neck crank goes on for a bit before D’Angelo is sent outside. That’s fine for D’Angelo, who flapjacks Waller onto the apron.

A DDT onto the steps rocks Waller but he stops to yell at D’Angelo’s family and the comeback is on fast. We take another break and come back again with Waller firing off knees in the ropes. D’Angelo catches him up top with a toss belly to belly superplex. Waller is fine enough to hit a jumping stomp and a middle rope flipping…we’ll say Fameasser gets two.

A spear (or most of one) sends Waller outside again, where Dead To Rites is countered into a cutter through the announcers’ table. Back in and a rolling Stunner is countered into Dead To Rites for two so let’s grab the crowbar. Naturally the referee gets crushed and D’Angelo hits the spear for the visual but unofficial cover. Waller is up with the crowbar shot and the rolling Stunner retains the title at 22:37.

Rating: B+. This was a match that went far better than I was expecting, as the two of them beat on each other rather well until the finish. Waller got the pin to give him the big definitive win over D’Angelo, which puts the latter into a weird place. I can’t imagine D’Angelo going to the main roster, but he has nothing left to do in NXT. Good main event though, as Waller’s career re-invention is remarkable.

Post match here is Danhausen to say congratulations on the win, but he has a message from his good friend. Cue CM Punk on the screen, saying he’s tired of Waller running his mouth about him. That’s why this Wednesday, Punk is coming to NXT and challenging Waller for the title. Well then. That’s a big ending.

Overall Rating: B. As usual, they did a great job with the atmosphere and the Halloween feeling (Danhausen as the host was the biggest layup imaginable) but I’m a bit over Spin The Wheel, Make The Deal. It’s almost always some variation of a street fight/hardcore match and that’s not exactly inspiring watching.

Now, that being said, you can absolutely see the next generation rising up here. Look at the list of winners on this show: Borne, Dame, Fatu, Jordan, Hill and Waller. While Waller is the most experienced, this is a new and fresh version of him, with Jordan being the second most established of that list. That’s quite the turnaround and it’s not even factoring in names like Cruz Montana. As usual, NXT does a great job of building stars up in a hurry and it’s taking place again. The future has been built up in a hurry and you can see the positive results. Good show, and a sign of a brighter future.

Results
Myles Borne b. Tavion Heights – Borne Again onto a trashcan
Izzi Dame b. Zaria – Kick to the title to the face
Zilla Fatu b. Charlie Dempsey – Superfly Splash
Kelani Jordan b. Wren Sinclair – Rollup with foot on the rope
Shiloh Hill b. Naraku – Belly to back neckbreaker
Grayson Waller b. Tony D’Angelo – Rolling Stunner

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
Date: October 13, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We are less than three weeks away from Halloween Havoc and the card is starting to come together. Last week saw a disguised Wren Sinclair become the #1 contender for the Women’s Title and this week we’ll name a male counterpart. Tony D’Angelo and Myles Borne are facing off for the right to challenge Grayson Waller in what should be the main event. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at Wren Sinclair, disguised as Lady Shani, winning last week’s #1 contenders battle royal.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Vanity Project vs. Mini Vikingo/Chazz Hall

Non-title and Hall starts with Smokes. They trade some early near falls until Hall just sits on Smokes’ back. Baylor comes in and avoids a rollup before shoving Hall into a forearm from Smokes. A missed splash in the corner allows Vikingo to come in and clean house, leaving Booker impressed. The Project is sent to the floor and get away before the dives can launch. Instead the Project take the other two down and we’re off to an early break.

We come back with Baylor pulling Vikingo away from the corner so Vikingo hits a standing Spanish Fly. Hall and Smokes both come in, with Hall hitting a double Pele. The standing corkscrew moonsault gets two on Smokes so the Project heads to the floor. That means a Sasuke Special from Hall, followed by Vikingo’s 450 to Baylor for a near fall.

Hall comes back in with a jumping knee and everyone is knocked down. Baylor’s suplex is reversed into a hurricanrana and Vikingo’s (I believe) Phoenix 630 hits Smokes with Baylor making a save. A pop up hurricanrana sends the Project into each other but Smokes gets his knees up to block a 450. The reverse DDT/top rope double stomp combination finishes Hall at 12:56.

Rating: B. The Project continues to be good for around here and that’s nice to see. If nothing else you need to have the Tag Team Champions advance like this as they can’t be losing in the round of right, especially to a makeshift team. Vikingo’s high flying is awesome and Hall’s is…well it’s not quite as good but it’s still acceptable enough. Rather nice opener here.

Saquon Shugars says he should be challenging for titles and not looking down at Tristan Angels. Grayson Waller comes in to mock him for not winning but Shugars is ready to prove himself.

Earlier today, Kali Armstrong complained to Robert Stone about last week’s battle royal and got a Reina de Reinas Title shot as a result. It’s that easy?

Tristan Angels vs. Saquon Shugars

Angels throws a sash at him to start and gets armdragged into an armbar for his efforts. The hammerlock is broken up and Angels gets in some hip swiveling, earning himself a faceplant. Shugars elbows him down for a slingshot legdrop and goes back to the arm. Angels is sent outside for a dropkick through the ropes so he grabs a chair to blow off some steam.

We take a break and come back with Angels booting him down for two. A hanging Backstabber gives Angels two more and he grabs the sleeper. Shugars gets up and hits some elbows to the face (nice of him to not just do the standard set of clotheslines) into a spinning faceplant for two. They head outside, where Angels shoves a tornado DDT off and the driving knee finishes Shugars at 11:06.

Rating: C+. It’s weird to see Angels getting a win on TV but it’s something that has to happen at some point. At the same time, seeing Shugars lose is quite the odd moment, as he’s been more prominently featured in recent weeks. The match was fine enough, though the result is quite the surprise.

Tony D’Angelo isn’t impressed with the new Myles Borne, who is trying to come where D’Angelo lives.

The Culling, or in particular Izzi Dame, doesn’t think much of Zaria, who appears to be scared. Eventually Zaria’s mask will slip and we’ll see who is underneath the mask.

Here is Wren Sinclair for a chat. She is the #1 contender and no, she wouldn’t have believed that a few months ago. Last week, she did something that the old her couldn’t do by taking a risk. She’s sorry but also not sorry because it worked! Now she knows she doesn’t have to back down anymore and now she knows what happens when you don’t take chances. She saw how fast her best friend lost her title and she can’t just wait around for things to change.

Yes technically she was suspended but here is Kelani Jordan to interrupt. Jordan says Sinclair’s win shouldn’t count because of the suspension because she didn’t earn anything. Jordan is the standout rather than the handout so no, Sinclair isn’t getting a title shot at Halloween Havoc. Sinclair can’t get anyone to care about her on her own but here is Robert Stone to say that the suspension is suspended. Stone polls the fans on what should happen so the title match is officially on for Halloween Havoc. That was a simple enough way to tie up that loose end and give Sinclair some serious talking time.

Mike Santana is talking to Lizzy Rain when he gets a phone call. He talks about how his story has made him a target but he’ll call the person back after the show. Dion Lennox pops in to jump Santana and grab the phone, saying after next week, Santana will be begging for their help. Vic Joseph clarifies that was Santana’s mother, which I must have missed.

AAA Reina de Reinas Title: La Catalina vs. Kali Armstrong

Armstrong is challenging and is fired up as she runs Catalina over to start. Catalina flying mares her way out of a headlock and grabs a quick rollup for two. Back up and some running shoulders in the corner have Catalina in trouble but she sends Armstrong outside. Armstrong pulls her out of the air though and peels the floor mats. That takes too long as Catalina knocks her down for a running seated senton off the steps.

We take a break and come back with Catalina sending her into the corner for a missile dropkick. Some running clotheslines send Armstrong back to the corner for the running hip attack. Armstrong’s kickout has Catalina stunned and Armstrong is back up with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two of her own. A powerslam plants Catalina but she sidesteps the Kali Connection and sends Armstrong crashing out to the exposed concrete. Back in and Catalina’s running knee retains the title at 10:32.

Rating: B-. Catalina is continuing to build herself up and it’s working fairly well, though the title, along with AAA’s women’s division, only feel so important. That can change with time and it’s working, but it’s going slowly. Armstrong is a physical force but she seems to still be learning, which is something that happens with just about anyone starting so young.

Wren Sinclair comes up to Myles Borne and calls what he did selfish. Borne finds that funny but Kendal Grey is back to announce that she’s officially cleared.

We look behind the scenes at Agent Of Shadows. I can’t believe that isn’t just some parody trailer and it’s a real movie/special. It sounds like something not good enough to make it straight to DVD.

EK Prosper gives Mini Vikingo and Chazz Hall a pep talk but here is the Vanity Project to brag about their win. A six man seems to be set for next week.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Fraxiom vs. Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno

Frazer headlocks Dar to start but can’t get a sunset flip. Dar misses a kick to the head and the threat of an ankle lock sends Frazer bailing over to the rope. Frazer offers him a handshake but Dar tags Moreno instead. Axiom comes in to trade some flips as the pace picks way up. They flip to a standoff so Axiom knocks him down for a quick two. It’s back to Frazer, who is knocked into the corner as everything breaks down. Fraxiom takes them down on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Axiom and Dar knocking each other down, allowing the double tag off to Frazer and Moreno. The pace immediately picks up with Frazer cleaning house, including the super reverse Spanish Fly for two on Moreno. Back up and Moreno tries a dive to the floor, which only hits announcers’ table rather than Axiom. That lets Frazer hit a running basement DDT to give Axiom two on Dar, who is right back with a cross armbreaker on Axiom. Frazer comes over for the save and gets caught in a triangle choke.

That’s broken up so Frazer drops a frog splash for two. Moreno is back in and gets in a shot of his own, leaving all four of them down. Back up and Dar German suplexes Axiom, who catches Moreno on top with an enziguri. The super Spanish Fly looks to set up the Phoenix splash but Dar is back up with an ankle lock. That’s broken up and it’s a superplex into the superkick/brainbuster combination for two on Moreno. Dar elbows Frazer out of the air and a high/low finishes Axiom at 14:24.

Rating: B+. Dang this got awesome in a hurry with both teams working hard, which shouldn’t be a big surprise. These guys all work a fast paced style and they worked well together out there. I was surprised by the result too, as beating Fraxiom means a lot more in NXT. Heck of a match here, with Moreno and Dar getting a win which could help establish them more permanently.

The Wagner Brothers say their goal is to win the Dusty Classic but Birthright come in to mock them. The Brothers aren’t worried, with Charlie Dempsey saying not to worry about what their Spanish meant.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Myles Borne

For the NXT Title shot at Halloween Havoc. D’Angelo wastes no time in snapping off some slams but Borne is back with a Nightmare On Helm Street for two. An overhead belly to belly sends Borne rolling outside so D’Angelo follows, only to be sent into the steps. Back in and a fireman’s carry backbreaker gives Borne two so he goes up, with D’Angelo quickly catching him.

They’re quickly on the floor with D’Angelo loading up the announcers’ table. That sends Borne back inside, where D’Angelo snaps off a spinebuster. D’Angelo takes him back to the floor for a crash onto the steps as we take a break. We come back with Borne dropping a knee for two and snapping a suplex for the same. A hard whip into the corner gets the same but D’Angelo gets mad enough to get in a series of German suplexes.

Borne tries to go up top but gets speared out of the air for two. Borne Again is blocked and D’Angelo powerbombs him for another near fall. Back up and Borne knocks him down again…but gets distracted by a hooded cameraman. That lets D’Angelo hit Dead To Rites for the pin at 12:40 (with Borne almost kicking out).

Rating: B. This was a back and forth match, but it felt like we were just waiting for Heights to get involved in some way. The good thing is that’s not a bad result, as it’s the perfectly logical result with Heights getting to take something away from Borne. Nice main event here, and it sets up D’Angelo’s one on one rematch, which needed to happen. In other words, it’s efficient.

Post match D’Angelo looks at the cameraman as well and of course it’s Tavion Heights, who belly to belly suplexes Borne. Heights puts him through the announcers’ table as well.

Robert Stone finds a message saying “make me the host of Halloween Havoc or YOU ARE CURSED”. Laughter ensues as the lights flicker to end the show. It’s not like there is a better fit and he could probably make Shotzi Blackheart’s outfits work.

Overall Rating: B+. This was the rare wrestling focused show, with the two Dusty Classic matches carrying things and the main event being good enough to hang in there. I liked this quite a bit and while it’s not something that would work every week, it was a good way to spend a Tuesday. The top of Halloween Havoc is all set now and the rest can be filled in over the coming weeks so they should be on schedule. Rather solid effort this week.

Results
Vanity Project b. Mini Vikingo/Chazz Hall – Reverse DDT/top rope double stomp combination to Hall
Tristan Angels b. Saquon Shugars – Driving knee
La Catalina b. Kali Armstrong – Running knee
Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno b. Axiom – High/low to Axiom
Tony D’Angelo b. Myles Borne – Dead To Rites

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

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

Worlds Collide 2026
Date: September 30, 2026
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Corey Graves, John Bradshaw Layfield

Here we have a special, which was certainly not designed to mess with the AEW pay per view taking place at the same time. It’s WWE/NXT/AAA getting together for a special combined show, with CM Punk and some other guest stars involved. We also have a Reina de Reinas Title match as Roxanne Perez gets a shot at new champion La Catalina. Let’s get to it.

Mascarita Sagrada/Mr. Iguana/Adelicious/La Parka vs. Vanity Project/Mini Abismo Negro

Iguana, and Yesca, scares Smokes away so it’s off to Adelicious to roll Lockwood up for a quick two. Lockwood is right back up with a flipping fall away slam for two, which has JBL rather pleased. Adelicious is able to snap off a headscissors and Iguana comes back in for a spinning DDT to Baylor. Parka and Sagrada get in some running shots in the corner so Smokes comes back in, with Parka suplexing Smokes and Baylor at once.

That means it’s time for Parka to dance and then flip away from Smokes out of the corner, only to get clotheslined out to the floor. The villains get in a bunch of stomping on the floor and it’s Baylor coming back in for some gyrating of his own. Abismo’s running shot in the corner gets two and Smokes’ slingshot spear cuts Parka down for two. A flapjack finally gets Parka out of trouble and Iguana comes in to clean house.

That includes a springboard headscissors and it’s off to Sagrada (JBL: “I’ve always wanted to buy a mini!”). The suicide dive hurricanrana takes Abismo down on the floor but Sagrada runs into Lockwood back inside. Adelicious has to save Sagrada from a gorilla press and then dives onto Lockwood on the floor. Iguana and Parka hit dives of their own and Sagrada does his rather spinning headscissors into a small package to pin Abismo at 12:09.

Rating: B-. This is the signature kind of fast paced opening match that always works in AAA. Let them fly around and pop the crowd, which is exactly what you should be doing here. You get a bunch of people on the card and they get to do stuff without being out there too long. Fun opener, which was the goal here.

Corey Graves pays a quick tribute to Pac, who was his tag partner in NXT. That one still hurts.

Jack Cartwheel vs. Dragon Lee

They go with the grappling to start and flip away from each other without much effort. Cartwheel seems to win a flipping contest (the four straight standing cartwheels are hard to top) and headscissors him out to the floor. That means the Sasuke Special can connect with Lee, who is right back in with a slingshot dropkick in the corner.

Cartwheel is sent to the apron and tries some kind of a kick but gets knocked to the floor instead. Back in and Cartwheel flips out of a German suplex but is lifted up into a powerbomb for two. A running hurricanrana to the floor doesn’t work as Cartwheel sticks the landing, with Lee being rather stunned.

They slug it out on the outside and they go back inside, where Cartwheel hits a clothesline to the floor. Lee is fine enough to superkick him over the barricade but Cartwheel is back up with a Spanish Fly inside. Cartwheel fights out of the Styles Clash and grabs a poisonrana but a Black Arrow (in an amazing coincidence) hits raised knees. Operation Dragon finishes for Lee at 8:58.

Rating: B. You knew why this was on the card and it went exactly as you would have expected. This was two smaller, impressive high fliers being sent out there to do a bunch of crazy things. As usual that worked very well and it wouldn’t have been a AAA show without a match like this one. Lee is on fire right now and I could go for seeing more of him in the near future.

We look at Omos taking out Rey Mysterio at TripleMania, leaving Mysterio in a neck brace.

Fatal Influence vs. Las Toxicas

Non-title. Jacy Jayne and La Maravilla are here too, with JBL absolutely losing his mind at the entrances. Hiedra and Henley start things off with Hiedra sending her straight into the corner. It’s quickly off to Reid, who avoids a charge in the corner, allowing Flammer and Henley to come in instead. Henley gets double crotched against the post and Hiedra gets two off la majistral.

Everything breaks down and Hiedra hits both of them with some running hip attacks in the corner. Jayne offers a distraction, which just lets Flammer come in with a double high crossbody. Another Jayne distraction lets Reid get in a faceplant and a flapjack into a running Blockbuster gets two.

The chinlock doesn’t last long and Hiedra avoids some charges, allowing Flammer to get the hot tag. A suicide dive hits Reid but Henley is back in with a sliding German suplex. Reid’s moonsault gets two with Hiedra making the save. Flammer gets in a big running dropkick in the ropes but Hiedra is legal so there’s no count. Hiedra comes in and is immediately rolled up to give Reid the pin at 10:13.

Rating: C+. This was fine for a women’s tag match and a way to get more women on the card. That’s a good idea in this case, as the AAA women’s division has been hit and miss a lot of the time. WWE’s division isn’t much better but it has more star power and Fatal Influence have been doing well in their few months on the main roster.

Axiom vs. Mini Vikingo vs. Je’Von Evans vs. EK Prosper

The idea is that there’s one from each brand. They circle each other to start until Vikingo hits Evans in the face. Vikingo and Prosper are sent outside, leaving Evans to flip away from Axiom. Prosper is back in to take over on Evans until Vikingo is back in with a corkscrew high crossbody. Vikingo’s dive takes out Prosper for two and Fraxiom small packages Vikingo for two more.

The other two get back inside but Axiom and Evans are sent outside for a huge springboard moonsault from Prosper. Back in and Prosper gives Vikingo a super hurricanrana in to a frog splash for two. Evans and Axiom are back in for some rollups before Evans starts to take over.

The big dive to the floor hits Axiom and Vikingo gets two off a crucifix driver. Axiom and Evans get two each off super Spanish Flies before Evans hits him with a running knee. Prosper is back in to knee Vikingo for two and Evans gives Axiom an OG Cutter. That means Prosper can hit his great moonsault but Vikingo is in with a shooting star. The Phoenix 630 (geez) gives Vikingo the pin on Axiom at 12:40.

Rating: B. Of course this was good and it’s smart to have Vikingo, the AAA star, get his big win here. It was all action from beginning to end and everyone looked great. I was surprised that Evans didn’t win as he’s the biggest star of the match and currently firmly in the Raw midcard. Vikingo is clearly a big project though and him getting the win is a good move. More awesome high flying here.

Reina de Reinas Title: Roxanne Perez vs. La Catalina

Catalina is defending and grabs a headlock to start. That’s reversed into some quick rollups for two each before Perez gets in a rather cocky slap. That just earns her a spinning slam and elbow for two but Perez is back up for some forearms to the back. They head outside with Catalina being sent into the steps, followed by a kick to the face back inside.

A flipping kick to the head gives Perez two and she grabs a sleeper. That’s broken up and Perez misses a charge into the corner, setting up Catalina’s missile dropkick. Back up and they forearm it out with Catalina taking over off an exchange of running uppercuts. Perez knocks her down but a springboard moonsault hits raised knees.

Catalina’s Gory Bomb is countered into an armdrag and Perez faceplants her into the crossface. That’s escaped and Catalina gets in a running hip attack against the ropes. Perez sends her outside and hits a suicide dive but can’t get Pop Rox. Instead Catalina grabs a flipping backslide to retain at 12:43.

Rating: B-. This was a good win for Catalina and that’s why the match was put together. Perez is a star with some status and having Catalina beat her makes the still new title reign feel that much more legitimate. The match was back and forth as well, with Perez feeling like a threat to take the title.

Post match Perez lays her out and poses with the belt.

Los Perros del Mal vs. Penta/Rey Fenix

Penta has been dealing with Los Perros and now has his brother to help. Fenix and Berto start things off with Fenix trying to roll around and an exchange of near falls get two each. Penta and Daga come in and Fenix help take over. Everything breaks down and some stereo basement superkicks hit Berto, as does an elevated splash to Berto. Penta and Daga strike it out until Penta chases him on the floor, right into a cheap shot.

Back in and Penta quickly gets over to Fenix but Karmen Petrovic cuts off a dive so Berto can come in and work on the leg. A tag attempt is cut off and it’s back to Daga to stomp away in the corner. Fenix manages a pop up hurricanrana though and…well actually doesn’t tag, instead hitting a frog splash.

Now it’s back to Penta to hurricanrana Berto before Fenix comes back in, with his handspring cutter being blocked. Daga brainbusters Fenix for two and a running forearm gets the same. Back up and Fenix hits a rolling cutter into Penta’s running Mexican Destroyer to Berto, sending him outside. Petrovic gets on the apron for a distraction though and Daga goes low for the DQ at 15:17.

Rating: B. This was the second biggest match on the show and feels like it could become part of a big feud. It could be interesting to see who Penta and Fenix get to help them against Los Perros as they’re rather outnumbered at the moment. The ending definitely suggests that there is more coming and it was nice to see Los Perros avoid another big loss.

Post match the rest of Los Perros come in but Fenix and Penta clear them out.

We look at El Grande Americano winning the Mega Title at TripleMania with help from Rey Mysterio.

Omos/Judgment Day vs. CM Punk/El Grande Americano/Rey Mysterio

Before the match, Dorian Roldan rants about Omos and Dominik Mysterio, with the fans not approving. Punk even goes old school with the Straightedge Society mask and is of course over like free (non-alcoholic) beer in a frat house. To really mix it up though, we go old school with This Fire Burns, which is a great flashback. Americano starts with McDonagh…but they both tag in their respective Mysterio.

Rey hammers away and grabs a headscissors, allowing Punk to work on the arm. McDonagh comes in and gets his arm cranked as well but actually gets Punk in a wristlock. That’s broken up and Punk shoulders him down and gets a catapult to send McDonagh into the corner. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker allows the tag to Americano for quite the reaction. Some impressive flipping sets up a hammerlock, with McDonagh getting a headlock but Americano headstands his way out.

Back up and McDonagh drives him into the corner for the tag off to Dominik. Americano stomps Dominik right back and gets two off a running kick to the face. Rey comes back in and tries the 619 to Dominik, who rolls away so McDonagh can take over. That doesn’t last long either as it’s right back to Americano, who is knocked down as well. Omos comes back in and elbows away in the corner before handing it off to Dominik. Americano’s fingers are bitten before McDonagh gets to rip at the mask.

A Blockbuster gets Americano out of trouble and we get what I’m guessing is some mistiming, as Americano basically has to freeze in place rather than tagging. It doesn’t make much sense anyway as Americano gets over for the tag a few seconds later and it’s a string of running knees to Judgment Day in the corner.

Omos teases coming in but gets the rope kicked into him, which is quickly shrugged off. Omos is back in so all three good guys get together to knock him outside again. Some dives have Omos in trouble but Dominik tries Three Amigos on Rey. The third is broken up and Dominik has to escape the GTS attempt. Instead it’s a double 619 to Judgment Day and Americano headbutts Dominik. The GTS finishes McDonagh at 20:04.

Rating: B-. It was a big time six man tag and more of a fun match than a good one, which is fine for a main event like this one. The match was a question of whom was going to pin McDonagh, as there’s no way you pin the giant and Dominik doesn’t need to lose any of his heat. This was a good time and how the show should have ended.

Post match the bad guys are back up to fight back but the lights go out…and it’s Oba Femi here for the save (ok that’s a better ending). Judgment Day bails and we get the Femi vs. Omos showdown. Omos shoves him and is immediately clotheslined over the top. Femi celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. What you had here was basically a big commercial for AAA, as you had all kinds of high flying and some big names in the main event. That’s in addition to the title defense and the tag match, which should set up a rematch. It’s not a must see show, but it’s rather entertaining and felt like a AAA focused event with some guest stars. This show did its job and that’s more than enough.

Results
Mr. Iguana/Mascarita Sagrada/Adelicious/La Parka b. Vanity Project/Mini Abismo Negro – Small package to Mini Abismo Negro
Dragon Lee b. Jack Cartwheel – Operation Dragon
Fatal Influence b. Las Toxicas – Rollup to Hiedra
Mini Vikingo b. Axiom, Je’Von Evans and EK Prosper – Phoenix 630 to Axiom
La Catalina b. Roxanne Perez – Flipping backslide
Penta/Rey Fenix b. Los Perros del Mal via DQ when Daga hit Penta low
CM Punk/Rey Mysterio/El Grande Americano b. Judgment Day/Omos – GTS to McDonagh

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
Date: September 29, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s time for an NXT Title shot…but it’s not the one that was planned. Mason Rook was the scheduled challenger for the NXT Title shot but is not medically cleared, meaning that Grayson Waller will defend the title in an open challenge. Other than that, the Dusty Cup continues its first round matches so let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Adrian Neville. He was one of the original NXT stars.

We see Robert Stone telling Grayson Waller about Mason Rook being swapped out of the NXT Title match in exchange for an open challenge. He’s not happy, but he’s in.

Women’s North American Title: Zaria vs. Thea Hail

Hail is challenging and immediately goes for the Kimura, with Booker calling her a “one trick pony”. That’s broken up and Hail is tossed down a few times, followed by the hard shoulders in the corner. Hail can’t get a sunset flip but can get a quickly broken Fujiwara armbar. An armdrag and dropkick work a bit better with Zaria rolling out to the floor. The suicide dive is elbowed (and elbowed hard) out of the air though and Hail is in trouble as we take a break.

We come back with Hail striking away until a headbutt knocks her down. Hail is able to send her outside for a suicide dive and a high crossbody connects back inside. A World’s Strongest Slam looks to set up the springboard backsplash but Zaria is up with a suplex. The spear is countered into a Kimura and Zaria is in trouble until she kicks Hail into the ropes. Another spear and the F5 retain the title at 9:19.

Rating: C+. Zaria gets another win as she should, as it’s a good idea to pile up victories over various challengers. At the same time, I have no idea where Hail is supposed to go. It feels like she is trying to come up with something to make her stuck but it often comes off like she’s cosplaying as a wrestler and just doing whatever she thinks a wrestler should do. If that doesn’t change, she’s not likely going to get much better.

Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno are with Los Wagners and seem happy about their efforts in the Dusty Classic. Fraxiom comes in to say they’re coming for Dar and Moreno. Los Wagners are ready too but the Vanity Project comes in to brag about being the #1 seed for a reason.

Here is Myles Borne for a chat. He says he had no master plan for Tavion Heights but he never wanted it to be a team. All Borne wanted was to be his own man but then they won the Tag Team Titles. Borne thought he could have it all and then he lost both the Tag Team and North American Tag Team Titles on the same day. Ethan Page told him to have his killer instinct though, because there can only be one face of the brand.

So was he going to be one half or be the star he should be? That’s why he smashed Heights’ ankle, even though he was only being himself. People only liked him because they felt sorry for him for being the deaf guy. He was the one who made Heights a champion and he feels sorry for everyone here. Yeah he might be the deaf guy but you’re all here watching him. Sure you might not be able to understand him but he’s going to show you instead. He knows we’re not deaf so hear him when he says this: go to h***. Not bad at all here, as Borne sold the story well.

Lizzy Rain is in Robert Stone’s office and is going to get some good news tonight. Mini Vikingo and Chazz Hall come in and are told they should do well in the Dusty Classic.

Grayson Waller is ready for anyone in the open challenge.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Birthright vs. Mini Vikingo/Chazz Hall

Vikingo grabs an early rollup but gets slammed down by a rather cocky Connors. Back up and Vikingo flips away from Birthright, allowing Hall to come in and clean house with the kicks. Birthright is sent outside for the stereo dives but get caught and whipped into metal things as we take a break.

We come back with Connors coming off the top to crush Hall for two but Hall gets in a double Pele. Vikingo gets to come in and pick up the pace, including a tornado DDT to Connors. Everything breaks down and Vikingo is sent crashing outside and Stacks drops a top rope headbutt to Hall.

Vikingo makes the save off the top and everyone is down. Back up and they strike it out until Vikingo’s crucifix bomb sends Connors out to the floor. Hall starts firing off the kicks and Vikingo dives onto Connors. A victory roll gives Hall two and he tornado DDTs Stacks, allowing Vikingo to hit a….we’ll say Phoenix Swanton for the pin at 12:13.

Rating: B. Vikingo and Hall are probably just a team being thrown together so we can have some high fliers in the tournament but they did that rather well. They’re two smaller guys who can do some incredible looking stuff in the air. Have them beat up a couple of goofs like Birthright and then lose to a bigger team.

Post match Birthright goes after Vikingo and Hall but Zilla Fatu runs in for the save. Fatu says he’s tired of dealing with Birthright so he’s going to take them out one by one. That’s for later though, because he’s going to take the open challenge and win the NXT Title tonight.

We get a special sitdown interview with Cruz Montana, who is ready to answer the open challenge too. He recently dropped his daughter off at school and was so glad that she has a better life than he had. The reality is he didn’t get to go to school very often because he had to help his mom raise four kids.

Yes she was a drug dealer but she wasn’t proud of it and had to do things she didn’t want in order to take care of her family. Then there is his father, who was told at 12 that he would be blind by the time he was 25. His father drowned in his demons and wasn’t there all the time but he was there to hear Montana say that his father’s presence was the greatest present. Montana would go on to have his own struggles and he had to tell his daughter that he was a drug addict and an alcoholic.

Then he went to rehab and got clean and now he’s a story of going from the bottom to the top. He wants Dion Lennox to understand that his past is his superpower and he’ll finish this. As usual, Montana talking about his past and his family is great stuff and it worked very well again here. You can tell this means the world to him and you want to see him succeed.

Zaria goes into the locker room and finds a bunch of stuff mocking her appearance in Wicked. She insists she’s not that person anymore.

Here is Kelani Jordan for a chat. She’s glad to not be the afterthought anymore and now that we’re on the way to Halloween Havoc, she isn’t sure who her next challenger will be. Everyone is either gone or not very good and while she hasn’t been a champion very long, she has cleared the division out.

She’s not going to be like Grayson Waller with his open challenges because no one has handed her anything. Instead she’ll wait for a proper challenger, but it won’t matter how long it takes. Robert Stone comes out to interrupt and next week it’s a battle royal for a title shot, with challengers from various promotions, including TNA. Cue Reina Vulcan to jump her from behind, saying she’s in the battle royal.

Naraku wants to answer the open challenge but Saquon Shuggars comes in to say the same thing. Instead Robert Stone gives him Tristan Angels in two weeks. Shuggars thinks Naraku is evil.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Darkstate vs. Fraxiom

Axiom and Griffin start things off and it’s Frazer coming in for some rapid fire dropkicks. The right hands in the corner have Griffin in trouble but Frazer is knocked down rather quickly. James comes in to take over but Frazer flips off of the ropes and gets in an enziguri. That’s enough for the tag off to Axiom and everything breaks down in a hurry. Darkstate runs both of them over and a spinning backbreaker has Axiom down as we take a break.

We come back with Axiom still in trouble but he avoids a charge into the post. Frazer gets the tag and strikes away at Griffin in the corner, followed by a big running flip dive onto James. Fraxiom’s double missile dropkick gets two on Griffin, who pops back up with a torture rack neckbreaker for two on Axiom. Griffin is cleared out and the super Spanish Fly hits Cutler into the Phoenix splash to give Frazer the pin at 10:48.

Rating: B-. It’s nice to see Fraxiom get to showcase themselves as they’re one of the most successful teams in NXT history and they got to look good again here. If nothing else, they’re not exactly getting much TV time on the main roster so let them get a bit reheated around here. Darkstate losing is hardly a surprise, as that’s kind of their thing.

Kendal Grey is still in therapy and says that wrestling is all she does. She tried to learn Spanish and playing the guitar which didn’t go well. The therapist asks if the lack of balance is what has gotten her here but Grey doesn’t know how to stop. She’s asked what happens if working harder isn’t enough, which she says is a good question. These segments have been, shall we say not great.

We look back at Zaria’s annoyance at the Wicked dress.

Izzi Dame comes in to see Robert Stone and laughs about the dress. She’s in the battle royal next week….and Zaria is too.

NXT Title: Grayson Waller vs. ???

Waller is defending against….well we’ll find that out in a second, as first he says that he’s here at work, unlike Mason Rook. He doesn’t care who is coming out to face him and the first person in the ring gets the shot. We see different groups of people trying to get to the ring and they brawl into the aisle. Zilla Fatu gets out in front of them but stands there until Cruz Montana gets in as well for the brawl. They both stop the other from getting in the ring and then get jumped. As Waller watches, EK Prosper sneaks in from behind and is in the ring for the opening bell and the title shot.

Prosper hits a springboard missile dropkick and Waller slides to the floor for a moonsault from the apron. Waller is down on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Prosper reversing a suplex into a rollup for two. A victory roll gives Prosper two more but Waller gets in a knockdown of his own. The cravate holds Prosper down, followed by an electric chair suplex for two.

Prosper gets back with a Stundog Millionaire but is knocked out to the apron. Waller gets the pad off of the turnbuckle rod and drops Prosper throat first across the steel as we take a break. We come back with Waller grinding away on a chinlock until Prosper fights his way up. Prosper hits a superkick but his super hurricanrana is broken up. Waller takes too long going up as well though and gets hurricanranaed back down.

A Michinoku Driver gives Prosper two, with Waller getting in a running stomp for the same. Prosper is sent outside for a running clothesline but gets in a superkick to put Waller onto the table. A great looking Asai moonsault puts Waller through the table and a top rope Rough Ryder gets two back inside. Prosper’s knee is hurt though and Waller hits a pair of rolling Stunners to retain at 20:34.

Rating: B+. Yeah this was really good and a heck of a main event. Prosper is a great underdog and someone who can make you believe that he could pull off the miracle title win. At the same time, sweet goodness what in the world has happened to Waller? The guy was a goof for years and now he’s having one impressive performance after another. This was a great match and I was digging it the whole way, especially that outstanding Asai moonsault.

Zilla Fatu says they don’t want to see him win and he blames Birthright for not getting the title shot. I’d think it was more standing at ringside instead of getting in the ring but that’s just me. Anyway he promises to CENSORED Lexis King up next week.

Overall Rating: B. That main event was more than good enough and the tournament matches were fine. I’m not overly thrilled with the Dusty Classic thus far but this week’s matches worked. You also had the really strong Montana promo and Borne’s promo was more than good enough. Solid show here, with Waller’s improvements deserving all of the praise.

Results
Zaria b. Thea Hail – F5
Mini Vikingo/Chazz Hall b. Birthright – Phoenix Swanton to Stacks
Fraxiom b. Darkstate – Phoenix splash to James
Grayson Waller b. EK Prosper – Rolling Stunner

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
Date: September 22, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s tournament time again and in this case that is in the form of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The tournament is back after a few years away and we get started tonight. Other than that, Mason Rook is the new #1 contender to the NXT Title and that could be something. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a video from Cody Rhodes talking about the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. There will be teams from all parts of WWE and Rhodes will be here to present the cup to the winners.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Los Americanos vs. Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno

Rayo flips away from Dar’s wristlock to start and it’s off to Bravo to slug away at Moreno. Dar comes back in for a quick running kick to Rayo’s chest so Rayo grabs a front facelock. That’s reversed into a guillotine so Bravo slams Moreno onto them for the break. Los Americanos clear the ring and get in some dancing as we take a break.

We come back with Moreno still in trouble as Bravo comes in again. That doesn’t go well for the two of them though as Moreno dives over for the tag back to Dar. Everything breaks down and Bravo gets to airplane spin both of them at once. Some kicks have Dar in trouble but Moreno superkicks Bravo out of the air. The Bitter End gets two on Moreno, with Dar having to make the save.

Moreno gets kicked out to the floor where Rayo gives him a moonsault but Dar kneebars Bravo. That’s escaped as well though and it’s a German suplex to leave both of them down. Moreno is back up but dives into a forearm, leaving Rayo to hit a top rope splash for two more. A Russian legsweep is broken up and Moreno runs the ropes to pull Bravo down in a crash. That means a high/low finishes Bravo at 13:27.

Rating: B. These guys were working hard and I wasn’t sure who was going to win until the end, which is a nice feeling. I’m not sure about having Los Americanos going out in the first round but at least they went out in a hard hitting match. Dar and Moreno are a team who might not be the most interesting but at least they’re doing well in the ring.

We look at Mason Rook becoming #1 contender last week.

Kendal Grey goes to a sports psychologist (who we don’t see) and talks about how bad things have been. She’s not happy with sitting on the sideline and just existing and has no idea when she’ll be back in the ring. She was injured in college but had another season. That’s not the case here and the psychologist asks her what it means if she can’t compete. Grey has no idea.

Kali Armstrong vs. Skylar Raye

Grey’s gear has pinstripes and Armstrong knocks her into the corner for the heavy right hands to start. Back up and Raye dropkicks her to the floor, with Armstrong running back in for a clothesline. Raye gets in a rollup and they trade some near falls until Armstrong snaps off a powerslam. We take a break and come back with Raye hitting a Backstabber.

A tornado DDT and frog splash give Raye two, with Armstrong coming back with the spinebuster. The Kali Connection hits the referee…and here is Reina Vulcan to lay both of them out. Raye lands on Armstrong after a torture rack slam and the referee is back to count the fluke pin at 9:33.

Rating: C+. Raye was working hard and you can see why NXT would want to push her as a prospect. She won on a fluke but it’s better than losing outright, while Armstrong gets to have a hoss fight against Vulcan. Raye still has a long way to go, but she has the charisma and look to be good to a nice start.

Shiloh Hill and Saquon Shuggars are in Robert Stone’s office and talk about wanting to blind Tristan Angels and Naraku. Stone reminds them where they are and they’ll deal with this later.

Earlier today, Wren Sinclair was meeting some fans and got ejected because she’s still suspended.

La Catalina/Thea Hail vs. Kelani Jordan/Zaria

Hail rolls Jordan up to start and it’s off to Catalina for a running hip attack against the ropes. Catalina hits a dive onto both of them with Hail adding a springboard trust fall. We take a break and come back with Hail escaping Zaria’s suplex. That’s not enough for a tag as it’s back to Jordan for a Lionsault.

The abdominal stretch has Hail in more trouble so she slips out and beats up both villains without much trouble. Jordan is back up to cut off the tag though and Zaria’s spear gets two. A kick to the head is enough to get Hail out of trouble and Catalina comes in to clean house. The running hip attacks connect in the corner and it’s back to Hail, who reverses the F5 into a rollup for the pin on Zaria at 9:39.

Rating: C+. I get that NXT wants to keep trying with Hail, but this was more a case of “it’s that time again”. She’s lost so many times over the years and it’s hard to buy that this run is going to be any different. Other than that, Catalina is fine enough as a guest star, though hopefully another title isn’t floating around here full time.

Dorian Van Dux is injured but insists he can go in the six man tag tonight. EK Prosper seems to be ready to take his place, though Van Dux isn’t thrilled.

Here is Cruz Montana for a chat. He has made his intentions clear because he wants the NXT Title, but he hasn’t been stacking those wins. Then again, he hasn’t been stacking losses either, so he wants the next NXT Title shot. Cue Darkstate, with Dion Lennox mocking Montana’s lack of success. Montana is ready to fight right now so Lennox gets in the ring on his own.

Lennox talks about Montana being a star in TNA but this is a bigger stage. Last week, Montana talked about EK Prosper being the future around here. Is it because he and Montana both used to eat dirt? Montana laughs off the idea of that being the big issue, because Lennox may have athleticism but Montana runs circles around him in the ring and on this microphone. The reality is Montana earned his way here and didn’t have to go to any tryout. Montana isn’t worried about Lennox….who asks if Montana’s mother was a drug dealer.

NOW it’s more serious and Lennox talks about his athletic past but doesn’t get why the fans boo him. Is it because Montana was a drug addict? Montana had to become someone, but Lennox has been someone his whole life. The brawl is on, which it could have been after the line about his mother, but this was the kind of segment where I wanted to see Montana beat the daylights out of him so well done.

Mason Rook is in Robert Stone’s office when Hank & Tank come in. They give Rook a pep talk before he leaves, with Hank & Tank then thanking Stone for putting them in the Dusty Classic.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Creed Brothers vs. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins

Presley has been out of action for a good while with an injury. The Creeds jump them from behind to start fast with Presley slipping out of a double spinebuster. A running clothesline takes Brutus down and Presley gives him another clothesline, landing on the floor before Brutus goes over. Back in and Brutus takes over with a hard whip into the corner but Presley is quickly over for the tag off to Riggins to clean house. The Brutus Ball hits Julius by mistake but he’s right back up with a German suplex. The double spinebuster finishes Presley at 3:36.

Rating: B-. Presley and Riggins might not be the best and most polished wrestlers in the world but they’re good as big guys who can brawl. That’s all they need to be and it plays to their strengths well. At the same time, the Creeds are here to wreck people with their suplexes and try to rebuild their statuses, which is going to be quite the process.

We look back at Myles Borne officially turning on Tavion Heights (again) last week.

Sean Legacy/EK Prosper/Zilla Fatu vs. Birthright

Legacy and Stacks run the ropes to start with Legacy getting in a springboard armdrag. It’s off to Connors and Prosper to trade flips and dives until Fatu comes in to slam King, who manages a quick dropkick. Fatu shrugs that off and takes out both King and Connors as everything breaks down. The big triple dives connect on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Prosper and Stacks striking it out until Prosper grabs a super hurricanrana. A running knee gives Prosper two as King makes the save and everything breaks down. Fatu hits a suicide dive to the floor but Prosper gets caught in an assisted sitout powerbomb.

Connors comes back in with a springboard Stunner to keep Prosper in trouble for all of three seconds before it’s back to Fatu. King’s superkick just ticks Fatu off even more and he sends Connors into the corner for the running Umaga Attack. Prosper tags himself in but the referee doesn’t see it. Instead he sees Legacy tag himself in for a springboard 450, which hits raised knees to give Connors the pin at 11:03.

Rating: B-. This has been the latest instance of Legacy being thrown out there to lose, which has been the case for a good while now. At the same time, that makes sense as I’m not really seeing his upside at this point. Fatu got to look dominant while he was in there before his partners messed up, which is a good way to keep him looking strong.

Post match King gets in Fatu’s face and has to be saved by Birthright.

Zaria is ticked off and ready to defend her title against Thea Hail next week. Izzi Dame comes in to throw up a clip of Zaria seemingly acting in a high school version of Wicked. Shockingly enough, this has Zaria upset and she leaves. Ok then.

Here are Grayson Waller and Mason Rook for a chat to wrap up the show. Waller talks about how he’s here to make this title important by defending it against the best. At the moment, that is Rook, who is also the hungriest around here. Waller admits that they’ve both come around the world to follow their dreams but while he can run a marathon, Rook runs to get his DoorDash.

Waller: “He’s big, he’s bad, and Mason when I look at you, it makes me sad.” Yes Rook is a great athlete for his size but he’s soft. Rook won’t be able to keep up with him, but for now, Waller wants to have some fun and hands Rook the microphone. Waller: “Don’t eat it, it’s not a drumstick.”

Rook isn’t an idiot and isn’t going to go insult for insult with Waller. We hear about how Waller didn’t make it on the main roster but the reality is that Rook isn’t here because he failed elsewhere. He’s here because he’s the best big man in the business and Waller’s mic skills won’t save him when Rook’s hands are around his throat next week. Rook did well here, though dang his look is holding him back.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was trying but they were in a rough place. There are only so many stars around here that I would want to see and they were only able to do so much to make the show interesting. It’s certainly not a bad show, but it’s not overly interesting with a lot of people they have. That could change with time, though they have a lot of work to do.

Results
Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno b. Los Americanos – High/low to Bravo
Skylar Raye b. Kali Armstrong – Powerslam
Thea Hail/La Catalina b. Kelani Jordan/Zaria – Rollup to Zaria
Creed Brothers b. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins – Double spinebuster to Presley
Birthright b. Sean Legacy/Zilla Fatu/EK Prosper – Knees to Legacy’s ribs

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
Date: September 15, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re still about a month and a half away from Halloween Havoc but the big story this week is crowning a new #1 contender. Last week, Mason Rook, Tony D’Angelo and Saquon Shuggars won a six man tag so this week they’re facing each other for the next title shot. That’s in addition to everything else going on around here so let’s get to it.

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

Lizzy Rain vs. Kali Armstrong

Armstrong slams her a few times to start but Rain is right back with a release fisherman’s suplex for two. Rain takes her down by the arm and gets two off a basement spinwheel kick. Back up and Armstrong misses a charge into the post and Rain dropkicks her through the ropes as we take a break.

We come back with Armstrong getting two off a spinebuster to leave both of them down. Back up and Armstrong dances a bit, only to get kicked in the face. A Stunner is blocked but Armstrong gets caught with a cutter for two instead. Thunderstruck is cut off with a slam but the Kali Connection is cut off by Rain’s flying headbutt. Another Thunderstruck misses and now the Kali Connection finishes Rain at 9:52.

Rating: C+. Armstrong getting a win is good to see as she knows how to do the powerhouse style. It worked well here and that Kali Connection is a heck of a move, just because of how forceful of an impact it has. Rain continues to be there and not doing much, though she has more than enough charisma to keep giving her a chance.

Post match LFG winner Skyler Raye runs in to jump Armstrong and they’re separated.

Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux are getting ready for the Tag Team Titles but Birthright comes in to say the titles are theirs.

Cruz Montana is in Robert Stone’s office to talk about last week’s six man tag. EK Prosper came in to say that loss was his fault, which Montana respects. The Vanity Project comes in and the argument is on, with Stone making the match for later tonight.

Darkstate vs. Dorian Van Dux/Sean Legacy

James suplexes Legacy to start but gets dropkicked away. A basement dropkick has James down again and Legacy gives him an armdrag. Back up and James grabs a scary reverse suplex with Legacy landing on his face. Dux comes in to strike Griffin down and a double belly to back suplex does it again. Griffin is fine enough to suplex both of them at the same time but Darkstate is sent outside. The double dives are broken up with Legacy and Dux are planted down as we take a break.

We come back with everything breaking down and Legacy cleaning house on the floor. Dux’s springboard spinning crossbody gets two on James, who is right back up with an iconoclasm. Legacy is back up with a couple of dives and Dux hits a moonsault to the floor. Cue Dion Lennox to jump Dux though, allowing James and Griffin to hit an assisted toss powerbomb for the pin at 11:36.

Rating: C+. I still do not get the appeal of Legacy and Dux as a team. Dux is a nice powerhouse but Legacy doesn’t do much for me at all. Darkstate continues to be an ok enough team but the division as a whole still doesn’t feel like it has any really good teams throughout. This match didn’t do much to change that feeling.

Post match here is Birthright to say they are tired of disrespect and start by beating on Legacy and Dux. Cue Zilla Fatu for the save, with Legacy and Dux getting back up to help clear the ring.

Mason Rook is ready to have another biggest win of his career to get the #1 contendership.

Earlier tonight, Grayson Waller started running on a treadmill and he’s still going.

Robert Stone asks Skylar Raye what that was about but here is Myles Borne, who wants to apologize to Tavion Heights.

Zaria’s arm is bruised but she’s medically cleared. Izzy Dame comes in to mock her for getting injured by Thea Hail.

Here is Myles Borne to call out Tavion Heights for a face to face apology. Heights joins him in the ring and says Borne crossed the line. Borne says he jumped the gun and acted out of fear just after he lost his two titles. He does clearly apologize but Heights says his back is still sore after he got stabbed.

Heights says he’s not sure if they can fix this but Borne brings up Heights doing something similar to him before. Then they got back together and won the Tag Team Titles. Borne wants to start over fresh and Heights finally agrees to forgive him. They hug and yes Borne does lay him out, including Pillmanizing Heights’ ankle. Nice job here, as they dragged it out before the attack.

Kendal Grey, with Wren Sinclair, goes to a medical clinic to get an update on her ear issue. She doesn’t have a concussion but she needs to rest and see a sports psychologist. This doesn’t sit well with her.

Cruz Montana/EK Prosper vs. Vanity Project

Non-title. Baylor grabs a front facelock on Prosper to start but Prosper trips him down and gets two off a dropkick. Montana comes in and shrugs off Smokes’ shoulder as everything breaks down, with the Project quickly being sent to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Montana in trouble and getting caught with a dropkick Hart Attack for two. Smokes grabs the chinlock but Montana is back up with a Death Valley Driver.

Prosper comes back in with a missile dropkick and it’s time to clean house. A top rope Blockbuster gets two on Baylor and a running knee drops Smokes. Montana pops Prosper up to the top for a hurricanrana….almost into a powerbomb from Montana, who only made a bit of contact. A pair of dives hit the Project but here is Jackson Drake to kick Montana in the face. That’s good for an ejection but Smokes uses the distraction to backslide Prosper, with Baylor assisting, for the pin at 11:52.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure what they’re doing with Montana at the moment but at least he’s getting to do something while being treated like a big star. At the same time, Prosper is already feeling like someone with all kinds of potential and that’s great to see. The Project is getting better as well, though they still feel like they are overachieving for the most part, which is kind of the point.

Saquon Shuggars is ready to win tonight but Tristan Angels comes in to mock a bunch of people, including Zilla Fatu and Shuggars himself. Shuggars doesn’t seem to care.

Here is Kelani Jordan for a chat. She doesn’t want to be a champion who just posts certain pictures of herself on Instagram or hides from title defenses. That’s why she defended her title last week and then debuted on Raw in Mexico City while Wren Sinclair got suspended. This brings out AAA Reina de Reinas Champion La Catalina, who brags about her win and is ready to bring NXT to a new level.

This brings out Zaria, who wants her name in a discussion of dominant champions. Thea Hail joins them to say she can hang with anyone in the ring and has made Zaria tap out. The brawl is on with the villains quickly being dispatched. Hail just feels like she’s begging us to believe her and that’s not good.

Tony D’Angelo is ready for the triple threat tonight and knows Saquon Shuggars from the Darkstate days and Mason Rook, who debuted by attacking him.

Grayson Waller is still running.

Shiloh Hill is studying the colors of the mists and even tests some on himself. Then raccoons start talking to him.

Robert Stone announces the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The Creed Brothers come in to say they’re winning it again.

We look at Stephanie Vaquer winning the Raw Women’s Title in Chile.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Saquon Shuggars vs. Tony D’Angelo vs. Mason Rook

For a future NXT Title shot. Shuggars tries to go after the two of them but gets clotheslined out to the floor. Rook is sent outside as well, leaving Shuggars to beat up D’Angelo. Back in and Rook snaps off some slams, setting up a double backsplash. D’Angelo gets up again and rolls some German suplexes on Shuggars.

A German suplex to both of them lets D’Angelo get two on Rook, who pops up to the top. That means a Tower Of Doom and everyone is down as Grayson Waller gets off the treadmill as we take a break. We come back with Rook getting two off a splash and Shuggars being the only one standing. A slingshot legdrop gets two on Rook, with D’Angelo Jackhammering Rook for two more.

Shuggars kicks D’Angelo down, earning himself a suplex into the corner. Shuggars goes up top and gets superplexed into Rook’s sitout powerbomb for two, with D’Angelo making the save. Rook and D’Angelo slug it out but Shuggars is back up with a top rope splash to D’Angelo, with Tristan Angels running in to pull the referee out. Shuggars dives onto Angels as D’Angelo’s back gives out while trying to pick Rook up. That means a Blue Thunder Bomb and top rope splash to give Rook the pin at 14:06.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure on the result but then again I’ve yet to get the appeal of Rook. At the end of the day, he’s a fresh name getting the chance to go after the title in what should be a big time TV main event. That’s all this needed to be, though the match was pretty much just a standard triple threat.

Post match Grayson Waller runs out to stare at Rook. So was there really any point in having him on the treadmill for hours?

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show about setting things up for the future, with the tag division and NXT Title picture getting a lot of attention. There was nothing here that you really needed to see though, which is the kind of show that has to happen every so often. Then again there is a long time before Halloween Havoc so they have time to get things ready. Perfectly fine show, but the bigger stuff is coming in the next few weeks.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Lizzy Rain – Kali Connection
Darkstate b. Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux – Assisted toss powerbomb to Van Dux
Varsity Project b. Cruz Montana/EK Prosper – Backslide with assist from Baylor
Mason Rook b. Tony D’Angelo and Saquon Shuggars – Top rope splash to D’Angelo

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
Date: September 8, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We have a long way to go before Halloween Havoc and in this case there is a big match taking place tonight, with a title on the line. Kelani Jordan is defending the Women’s Title against Jaida Parker in what should be quite the athletic match. In addition, a bunch of people are coming for Grayson Waller and we have a six man tag to determine next week’s triple threat to crown a new #1 contender. Let’s get to it.

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

Wren Sinclair and Jaida Parker say they’ll be handling things tonight.

Women’s Title: Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan

Parker is challenging and we get the MISS PARKER chants, which she certainly seems to appreciate. A running shoulder puts Jordan down to start and Parker dances a bit. Back up and Jordan knocks her down as well, meaning Jordan gets in a dance of her own. That earns her a heck of a slap from Parker so Jordan sends her into the corner for the stomping. A running hurricanrana is countered into a sitout powerbomb to give Parker two and we take a break.

We come back with Parker breaking up a super Spanish Fly and hitting a middle rope Rough Ryder. Parker fires off some clotheslines and gets two off a Blockbuster and Falcon Arrow. The Rings Of Saturn are broken up and Jordan avoids a charge, allowing her to hit a springboard legdrop. Parker gets sent outside for an Asai moonsault but manages to avoid a 450. A Samoan drop (ahuh) gives Parker two but she misses a charge, with Jordan rolling her into the corner. One Of A Kind retains the title at 9:50.

Rating: B. You could tell they have both come a long way here and that’s a great sign for their futures. Jordan is learning to use her incredible athleticism like a wrestler and Parker is getting more comfortable in the ring, with the crowd reactions making her feel like a star. I liked this a lot and Parker isn’t overly hurt by losing to a more established name.

Post match Wren Sinclair runs in to shove the referee down and beat on Jordan with the kendo stick.

Yesterday, Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar came in to see Robert Stone, wanting revenge on the Creed Brothers. Stone is in, even as Moreno reminded me of Tito Santana with the eyeglasses for some reason.

Myles Borne isn’t sure if he did the right thing with Tavion Heights because he believes Heights saying he wasn’t going to turn on Borne.

Heights isn’t sure what to do but he’s dealing with his North American Title shot tonight first.

Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno vs. Creed Brothers

Moreno and Julius start things off and for some reason Moreno tries to wrestle with him, which is rather ineffective. Brutus comes in, with Julius suplexing Moreno into a backbreaker but it’s off to Dar for stereo submission attempts. Julius powers out without much effort but the Creeds are sent outside. A moonsault to the floor takes them out again and a running dropkick sends Julius into the steps as we take a break.

We come back with Brutus hammering on Dar and Julius sends him flying off a fall away slam. Dar finally avoids a knee though and Moreno comes back in to start the fired up comeback. Moreno’s big dive takes out the Creeds but Julius powerbombs Moreno out of the air back inside. The Brutus Ball is broken up and Dar elbows Julius down, only for Brutus to dive off the top for the save. Dar is sent outside and it’s a double spinebuster to give Brutus the pin on Moreno at 12:15.

Rating: B-. This got going and it’s good to see the Creeds back doing something. They might just be a team who fit better around here and some more seasoning might help them out a lot. Moreno and Dar are starting to gel together a bit better, but this should be a good start towards getting some life into the tag division. That’s a good thing too and the Creeds are a nice addition.

Birthright isn’t happy with Zilla Fatu when William Regal and Fit Finlay come in. Regal says he has a history with Fatu’s father “Youmanga” (there it is) and demands that they either get Fatu on the team or take him out tonight.

Wren Sinclair rants to Robert Stone about Kelani Jordan but Stone suspends her for the earlier attack.

Here is Charlie Dempsey, who has kept his head down and mouth shut for six years around here. He’s always been more substance over style and he’s never sold out to “play the game” around here. Birthright was formed to show what he can do but Birthright has been treated like a fool for far too long. He’s tired of being treated like a joke because NXT is a place more interested in turning failed football players into wrestlers.

That brings him to Zilla Fatu, who has something the team wants. The offer is on the table and here is Fatu to interfere and yes he has a chip on his table because of his father. He appreciates the invitation but he’s not just one of them. It’s a big NO from him so here is the rest of Birthright to lay Fatu out, including putting him through the announcers’ table. And now Birthright is going to be destroyed in abundance.

Naraku warns Shiloh Hill to stop worrying about the mist or feel all of the colors and their pain.

Saquon Shuggars talks strategy with Tony D’Angelo and Mason Rook, but they might not be on the same page. Tristan Angels comes in to say he would be a better teammate and doesn’t think much of Shuggars.

North American Title: Tavion Heights vs. Jackson Drake

Drake, with the Vanity Project, is defending. Heights muscles him up for a backdrop to start and gets in a slam as Joseph brings up Midnight and Big T. As my mind tries to get around those two being mentioned on WWE TV, Heights takes the Project out on the floor but gets sent outside again by Drake. We take a break and come back with Drake dealing with a bad ankle and taking his boot off. Naturally Heights goes to the ankle lock but Drake crawls out to the floor. Drake gets in a posting to take over but can’t even stand.

Instead he elbows away, only for Heights to grab the ankle again. That’s broken up as well and a backdrop puts Drake down. Granted it doesn’t last long though, as Drake is back up with a bridging German suplex for two. They head to the apron where Heights gets in a nasty German suplex and they go back inside. This time the ankle lock is broken up and Drake knees him in the head. The 450 retains the title at 11:42.

Rating: C. I liked the idea here, but Drake having a bad ankle and seemingly being fine for the most part didn’t work. I can live with a jumping knee, but someone with a bad ankle shouldn’t be firing off a 450. Heights losing clean when he seems to be setting up for a feud with Myles Borne isn’t the best sign and I don’t quite get this one.

Post match Heights gets up and here is Myles Borne to stare at him. And that’s it.

Cruz Montana, EK Prosper and Keanu Carver have their own issues before the six man but Robert Stone comes in to calm them down a bit.

Here is Zaria for a chat. There has always been something or someone holding her back from winning gold. Now she has gotten rid of those things and look at where she is now. She left Heatwave with two titles above her head and now she’ll show how dominant she can be.

This brings out Izzi Dame, who doesn’t buy what Zaria is saying. Thea Hail comes out to say the same but Dame isn’t listening to what Hail says. Zaria says Hail is only here because of what Jaida Parker told her to do. Hail says she has a real friend and asks when Zaria will get over Sol Ruca. The fight is on and Hail makes her tap to the Kimura.

Myles Borne is annoyed about Tavion Heights so Hank & Tank tell him to give Heights a better apology, with Borne saying he’ll do it next week.

Birthright brings Zilla Fatu’s shirt to William Regal and Fit Finlay, who approve of their actions. The Vanity Project comes in but Regal says Birthright is coming for their titles. This brings in more teams, all of whom want the titles. They were doing the revolving door of challengers here but backstage.

Kali Armstrong isn’t happy that Thea Hail is coming for the Women’s North American Title. Lizzie rain comes in to tell her to do something about Hail herself and they have to be held apart.

Mason Rook/Saquon Shuggars/Tony D’Angelo vs. Cruz Montana/EK Prosper/Keanu Carver

The winning team moves on to a triple threat next week for an NXT Title shot at Grayson Waller, on commentary. It’s a brawl to start with Prosper and Shuggars being left alone to get us going. Carver is quickly in and gets crucifixed for two but gets to sent Rook flying for two of his own. Santana comes in to chop away at Rook, who kicks him in the head in the corner.

A double rolling Buck Fifty drops Rook and D’Angelo for two on the latter and it’s off to Prosper. D’Angelo spinebusters Prosper and Shuggars hits a running shot to the back as everything breaks down. Prosper’s super hurricanrana is cut off but his partners throw him back up top so Shuggars can get hurricanranaed down for two.

We take a break and come back with Shuggars kicking his way out of trouble but Montana isn’t about to allow the tag. Naturally Rook gets the tag almost immediately, with Montana rolling him up for two. A double superplex brings Rook crashing down so Prosper’s frog splash can connect for two more.

Rook fights out of trouble rather quickly and brings D’Angelo back in to clean house. Santana clotheslines Carver to the floor by mistake and D’Angelo spears Prosper, followed by the spinebuster. Rook tags himself in and picks up D’Angelo for a double Cannonball into Prosper in the corner. Waller approves as Rook pins Prosper at 12:20.

Rating: B. It was a fast moving tag match with the less likely team winning in an interesting move. The good thing is the result sets up both next week’s #1 contender match and the other team can do some things on their own. They didn’t stop with the action here and it made sense as they were fighting for a prize, which tends to do a lot better most of the time.

Post match Carver and Montana brawl as the winning team argues, leaving Waller to pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a good mixture of action and building up things for the future. We’re still over a month and a half away from Halloween Havoc, which likely makes this a build towards something other than the big event. That should work well, especially if the younger stars continue to move up the ladder as well as they have in recent weeks. Better than usual show here, save for Drake’s lack of ankle problems.

Results
Kelani Jordan b. Jaida Parker – One Of A Kind
Creed Brothers b. Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno – Double spinebuster to Moreno
Jackson Drake b. Tavion Heights – 450
Mason Rook/Saquon Shuggars/Tony D’Angelo b. Cruz Montana/EK Prosper/Keanu Carver – Double Cannonball to Prosper

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

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

NXT
Date: September 1, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with Heatwave and a lot of things have changed. There are a bunch of new champions, including Grayson Waller winning the NXT Title. That’s in addition to new Tag Team, Women’s and North American Champions. We’ve got a lot of things to cover on the way to next month’s Halloween Havoc so let’s get to it.

Here is Heatwave if you need a recap.

Long Heatwave recap.

Here is Zilla Fatu for a chat. Fatu: “HELLO!” Things did not go well for him at Heatwave but he’s not ready to give up. This brings out Tristan Angels, who doesn’t want to hear Fatu go on about Heatwave. These people have the attention of fruit flies and there is no need to put them through this over and over. Fatu isn’t even the main one in his own family but he says he’s ready to beat Angels up in front of his family here in Orlando. So Fatu is a good guy. Huh.

EK Prosper and Saquon Shuggars get in an argument in Robert Stone’s office and both want to be in line for an NXT Title shot. Keanu Carver comes in to want to same thing and asks Stone what he’s going to do.

Naraku says Shiloh Hill has done research on the mist but he doesn’t understand it.

Myles Borne doesn’t regret striking out at Heatwave. Yes he turned at Tavion Heights because he knew Heights was going to turn on him. So he turned on Heights first. Well yeah. It’s certainly a smart idea and makes sense here.

Shiloh Hill vs. Naraku

Hill wrestles him down to start but gets chopped up against the ropes. A cravate doesn’t work for Naraku as Hill is back up with a flying shoulder. Back up and Naraku shoves him off the top and loads up the announcers’ table as we take a break. We come back with Naraku missing a charge into the corner and getting planted down for the inverted Swanton. Naraku is back with a sitout fireman’s carry slam before they clothesline each other. With nothing else working, Naraku sprays the mist into his hand and, after teasing spitting it in Hill’s eyes, rubs it in his face. Into The Abyss finishes Hill at 9:44.

Rating: B-. There is a very good chance that this isn’t going to be finishing here and it could be interesting to see Hill trying to get his revenge. Hill’s random ranting about the mist a few weeks ago turning into a feud is certainly unique and I’ll take that over doing the same thing you see from everyone else. The match wasn’t bad either, but it’s the story that has me more intrigued here.

Romeo Moreno, Noam Dar, Dorian Van Dux and Sean Legacy argue over the future of the tag team division.

Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno vs. Dorian Van Dux/Sean Legacy

Well that’s good timing. Legacy and Moreno take turns flipping over each other to start until Legacy armdrags him into a dropkick. Moreno comes in to strike away at Dux, who gives him such a hard clothesline that Legacy’s jaw drops. Dux charges into a boot in the corner though and everything breaks down with Dar and Moreno grabbing stereo ankle locks. Those are broken up and they go outside with Legacy and Dux getting in powerbomb backbreakers as we take a break.

We come back with Moreno missing a moonsault, allowing Dux to come back in. Dux’s moonsault doesn’t miss and Dar has to dive in for the save. Dar comes in to kick away at Legacy and European clutches him for two. Everything breaks down again and Moreno gives Dux a super Death Valley Driver but Legacy powerbombs Dar onto Moreno to leave everyone down.

Dux Asai moonsaults onto Moreno and Legacy, with Legacy getting caught in a hanging cutter with a top rope double stomp to his back. Dar accidentally elbows Moreno though and walks into an AA from Legacy and Dux adds a top rope splash. Legacy’s springboard 450 hits raised knees though and Dar gets the pin at 11:37.

Rating: B. This got going in the middle and that’s enough to make the whole thing a good match. It’s a match designed around having a bunch of action and maybe Dar and Moreno can get into the title hunt. They’re doing well enough as a team and the Vanity Project need some challengers to start their title reign. Fun match here.

Post match the Creed Brothers run in and wreck both teams. Well it’s not like they have anything else going on on the main roster.

Zaria retires the Women’s Speed Title, which has Robert Stone officially retiring the men’s version as well. Birthright isn’t happy and are ready to take the power back into their hands. With the team gone, Cruz Montana comes in to ask for an NXT Title shot. Keanu Carver comes in to say it’s bad to be Stone right now.

Here is new Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan for a chat. She brags about winning the Women’s Title but she doesn’t need the YOU DESERVE IT chants, because she earned it. Jordan praises Kendal Grey, but if Grey was so great, what does it make Jordan when she beat Grey? The reality is that Grey was in over her head at Heatwave and she got sent into the turnbuckle.

When the ear heals up, she can come get a title rematch but for now, let’s talk about how great Jordan really is. No one does it like her but here is Jaida Parker to interrupt. She won at Heatwave too and that makes her championship material. Parker has beaten her before so let’s run it back tonight. Jordan says Parker is always talking and the match can happen…but we’ll do it next week.

Thea Hail vs. Nikkita Lyons

Lyons’ Evolve Women’s Title isn’t on the line. Hail takes her straight down and goes after the arm but gets catapulted throat first into the middle rope. The reverse chinlock has Hail in trouble but she pops up for a running flipping neckbreaker. Lyons punches her back down for two and she breaks up a quick Kimura attempt. The Vader Bomb misses though and the Hail Mary gives Hail the pin at 3:17.

Rating: C. Well I wasn’t expecting that. Hail winning a match clean is hard to fathom these days but it should at least move her into the Evolve Women’s Title picture. Granted she was already there in the first place but it’s better than nothing. The ending was clean here and that’s been missing for Hail for a long time now.

Kendal Grey is suffering from vertigo. I hope that’s not a legitimate issue as that stuff can wreck you.

Mason Rook vs. Kam Hendrix

Rook jumps him in the aisle to start fast and they head inside, with Rook missing a charge in the corner. Hendrix stomps away and gets two off a backsplash before they both miss clotheslines. Crossbodies connect at the same time though and they’re both down. Rook is back up with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two so Hendrix is back up with a Showtime Kick. The turnbuckle pad is taken off but Rook crushes him into the steel. A sitout fireman’s carry bomb finishes Hendrix at 4:36.

Rating: C+. Rook gets a win and moves up the ladder a bit, though it’s probably only going to mean so much as Hendrix doesn’t mean the most right now. The two of them both need something to do and it could be interesting to see what they do in the next few weeks. Hendrix continues to feel like he could be something, but that’s not going to matter if he keeps losing.

Tavion Heights is annoyed at the loss at Heatwave but above that, he feels betrayed. The Vanity Project comes in to mock him but Heights wants to face Jackson Drake for the North American Title. Drake doesn’t seem thrilled.

Zilla Fatu vs. Tristan Angels

Angels backs into the corner to start so Fatu knocks him into a different corner for the running splash. Back up and Angels is sent outside, with the suicide dive knocking him over the announcers’ table. The fans rather approve but Fatu gets crotched on top to cut off the cheers. We take a break and come back with Fatu getting ticked off and sending Angels into various turnbuckles. A release Rock Bottom into a backsplash gets two but Fatu misses a charge. Angels’ Backstabber gets two but he misses an enziguri in the corner. The Triple Z (running Samoan Spike) finishes Angels at 9:30.

Rating: C+. Well Fatu is already easy to like and feels more natural as a good guy than he did in his earlier weeks. It’s a different way to go and he has the charisma to back it up so let’s see what he can do. Beating Angels is good enough and the Triple Z is a cool looking finisher. Not bad for a singles debut.

Post match Birthright comes out to interrupt and offers Fatu a spot on the team. He’s got a long line of family members to deal with so how long until he’s the Main One? Fatu says no and superkicks Lexis King before leaving to avoid the beating.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Robert Stone introduces new NXT Champion Grayson Waller for a chat. Waller mocks the fans for thinking that someone else was going to win on Sunday. He makes fun of Vic Joseph for freaking out over Waller’s win, but why was he surprised? Waller is a star who has main evented Raw and Smackdown and won a title at Wrestlemania. Now he’s thanking everyone who got him here, which is just himself. He’ll get back to Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis when he has time but for now, who is coming to knock him off his pedestal?

The fans want Cruz Montana and Waller agrees that he’s good. Waller: “But just TNA good.” He wants someone to step up to him so here is Saquon Shuggars of all people. Waller doesn’t seem impressed but here is Cruz Montana to interrupt as well. Montana says that Waller may not be ready but he sure is, only for EK Prosper to interrupt. Before that can go anywhere, Mason Rook says let’s see how tough Waller is.

Tony D’Angelo joins in but Robert Stone says we’re not doing this (despite us already doing this). Keanu Carver comes out and says make a six man tag next week, with the winners in a triple threat #1 contenders match the week after. Stone points out that there are only five people so Carver goes less than subtle with his recommendation for a sixth entrant.

Stone gets the idea and makes the match, with Carver sliding in to go after Waller. The champ leaves so the other six fight to end the show. I like the idea, though having so many people coming after the champion, including some new faces, was an amusing way to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show did a good job of following up on the pay per view, with a bunch of champions receiving challengers right out of the gate. I like what we’re getting around here at the moment, with Fatu already feeling like he could be something in the near future. They still need to make these ideas work, but it’s a good sign coming off the big summer show.

Results
Naraku b. Shiloh Hill – Into The Abyss
Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno b. Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux – Rollup to Legacy
Thea Hail b. Nikkita Lyons – Hail Mary
Mason Rook b. Kam Hendrix – Sitout fireman’s carry bomb
Zilla Fatu b. Tristan Angels – Triple Z

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
Date: August 25, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the last show before Heatwave and the big story coming out of last week is that the main event will now be a four way for the NXT Title. That should be more than interesting enough, though we still have something to cover tonight. In this case, that’s a weaponized cage match between Saquon Shuggars and Dion Lennox, which should hopefully be it for those two. Let’s get to it.

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

Dion Lennox vs. Saquon Shuggars

In a weaponized cage. Shuggars gets in second and Lennox pelts a trashcan at him to start fast. The slugout is on with Shuggars taking him down but getting upkicked in the face. Lennox chairs him down (or mollywopped according to Booker) and sends him crashing into the cage. The belt whipping has Shuggars down again but he gets in a trashcan shot for a breather.

A dropkick sends the trashcan into Lennox for two and it’s time to load up some chairs. Lennox breaks that up and puts the chairs on top of each other (one on the ground and one with legs sticking up) to slam Shuggars onto them for a rather nasty crash. We take a break and come back with Shuggars knocking something into Lennox’s face and sending him into the cage.

Lennox is whipped into a kendo stick in the corner and face first onto a chair for two but comes back with a spinebuster onto the trashcan. Shuggars whips out the trusty bat though and knocks a chair out of his hands but Lennox gets in a shot to the leg. The table is set up and Lennox takes him to the top, where Shuggars fights back until his knee gives out. Shuggars is fine enough to put a trashcan over Lennox and superkick him through the table (which just kind of collapsed underneath Lennox). That and a high crossbody off of the cage finish for Shuggars at 16:49.

Rating: C+. On one hand, it did feel like a big blowoff to their feud, but at the same time, Shuggars’ selling of the knee was almost non-existent at the end. That brought things down, as did the issue of this feud not being so interesting. It’s just been kind of there and while it’s been ok, it’s nothing that has felt big or important. Not a bad match at all, but it came at (likely/hopefully) the end of a less than thrilling story.

NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo thinks his opponents have forgotten who he’s facing. He’s the man who put Oba Femi down in the first place. We hear about how everyone is coming for the title and he’ll beat them all to keep it. Not a bad promo here.

Earlier today, the Vanity Project went bowling to talk about how they’re better than Myles Borne/Tavion Heights. They brag about their greatness and it turns out that they’re only ok at bowling.

Here is Nattie to call out Jaida Parker. She’s here in NXT to fight Parker because she sees potential in Parker, but it’s wasted potential. Look what happened when Parker lost a few times. Nattie knocked her on her a** and turned her into something else. This brings out Parker, who says she took a loss hard but now Nattie has turned her into the real Parker. They’re ready to fight at Heatwave and it’s going to be a submission match. Oh and they called each other b****, so you know it’s personal.

Kam Hendrix vs. Keanu Carver

Carver starts fast with a small package and knocks him down without much trouble. Hendrix gets in a clothesline and kicks Carver into a chinlock, with the fans being on Carver’s side. The Showtime Kick gives Hendrix one and he chops Carver in the back, which is as dumb as it sounds. Some nasty German suplexes drop Hendrix and a Pounce sends him to the floor. Cue Mason Rook for a crossbody, meaning a fisherman’s suplex can finish Hendrix at 3:37.

Rating: C. Carver continues to be oddly fascinating, as he has the whole “I’m smarter than you think” deal, which is working rather well. Who was expecting him to get a pin with a fisherman’s suplex? At the same time, Hendrix continues to not have the best luck around here and that’s not going to work out for him in the long run. Hopefully he can change it around as I still see something in him.

Kelani Jordan talks about how wrestlers come here from other sports but she was the first to be offered a contract. She didn’t need Evolve or a famous last name and she won titles in her first shot. Now she’s going to do it again with the Women’s Title.

Zilla Fatu talks about his father being Umaga and now he’s carrying his legacy as a blessing and a burden. After mocking the “nympho baby” line from last week, he talks about being ready to take the NXT Title and make a real splash. That’s why he’s called the Main One. His charisma continues to be rather impressive.

Zaria vs. Kali Armstrong

Non-title but if Armstrong wins, she’s added to Sunday’s title match. Armstrong’s headlock doesn’t go anywhere so they trade running shoulders. It’s off to a test of strength, with Zaria taking her down but Armstrong is right back with a clothesline to the floor. The dive to the outside connects and we take an early break.

We come back with Armstrong’s top rope superplex leaving both of them down. Armstrong counters a charge into a powerbomb for two but gets pump kicked down. A discus lariat gives Zaria two and the fans are rather behind her. The Kali Connection is cut off with a spear so Zaria loads up the F5, which is countered into a rollup to give Armstrong the pin at 9:11.

Rating: B-. This was the power match and it went as it should have, as there was little reason to set up the stipulation and then have Zaria win. I’m never wild on a champion getting pinned like this, but there is a chance she winds up with a bigger win on Sunday. Or she chokes in another big match and gets nothing out of it, which is always an option when Zaria is involved.

Kendal Grey introduces the trainer to a NASCAR driver but the trainer is worried about Grey’s ear. She’s cleared, but Wren Sinclair comes in to worry as well. The driver gets them to breathe.

Birthright vs. Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno/Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux

Dar and Dempsey go technical to start with the former getting two off a backslide. Dux comes in and gets taken into the corner for a double stomp from King. That’s shrugged off and it’s off to Legacy to put King down for two of his own. Connors comes in and gets his ankle locked, as does King. Everything breaks down and Dar and Moreno cut off suicide dives with stereo crossbodies in a cool spot. Connors kicks Moreno down on the floor though and we take a break.

We come back with Moreno still in trouble and the numbers game making it worse. Moreno dives over them though and brings in Dux to clean house. Everything breaks down and Dux hits a big dive to the floor, leaving Legacy to hit his 450 for two as King makes the save. Connors has to break up a cross armbreaker with a Swanton and it’s the parade of big knockdowns. Moreno hits a huge dive to the floor but Dempsey grabs the reverse fisherman’s suplex to pin Dar at 11:31.

Rating: B. This was good just because it went insane and everyone was flying around and going all over the place. You don’t get that very often in an eight man tag and it was a heck of an entertaining spectacle. Moreno and Dux are still better in these short bursts and they were used well here. Very fun match.

Robert Stone asks Keanu Carver about the interference but Carver says a win is a win. Shiloh Hill comes in and wants to face Naraku but goes into an explanation of why the red mist did less damage. Stone shrugs it off and makes the match for next week.

AAA Cruiserweight Title: EK Prosper vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix is defending. Prosper rolls him up to start and rolls away from an armdrag attempt. Fenix’s springboard armdrag works a bit better so Prosper dropkicks him out to the floor. The big moonsault connects for Prosper and we take a break. We come back with Fenix winning a strike off but Prosper reverses what looked to be a tiger bomb into a faceplant.

Fenix sends him into the ropes for the rope walk kick to the face though and a frog splash gets two. Prosper fights back and sends him into the ropes, only to get caught with a handspring cutter. The Mexican MuscleBuster is blocked and Prosper is back up with a super hurricanrana. The great moonsault misses though and Fenix gets the Mexican MuscleBuster to retain at 11:07.

Rating: B-. This worked well enough, though it was a bit harder to get into after seeing the big parade of dives in the previous match. Prosper has turned into a nice prospect around here and it’s cool to see him fire off that moonsault. Fenix wasn’t about to lose on his way to the #1 contenders match against Penta next week but at least it was a good high flying match.

Myles Borne and Tavion Heights meet another NASCAR driver and are going to be at his race this Friday. The two of them are trying to figure out strategy for Borne wrestling two matches on Sunday. Hank & Tank come in and seem to want the titles. Right now though, the champs are worried about Heatwave.

Heatwave rundown.

It’s time for the Heatwave Summit, which seems to be about the big title matches. Therefore, here are Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair to get things going. Grey talks about coming a long way in the last year and is ready to face Kelani Jordan. She gets in a jab about Liv Morgan not defending her title that often and tells Jordan to not miss.

This brings out Jordan, who says she put the target on Grey’s back but Sinclair promises a WrenQCC, which means a Championship Celebration, in her home state. This brings out Zaria to say she’s unifying the titles but Kali Armstrong joins them to say she’s beaten “both of ya’ll delusional heffers”. Now it’s Grayson Waller interrupting, saying the women are great to look at and hard to listen to. After Heatwave, he’s all anyone will be talking about but here is Tony D’Angelo to say that he’s not sure which version of Waller this is, but he’ll still be a disappointment.

Cruz Montana joins us in the crowd to say he likes the chaos around here and while the others are here to talk, he wants to throw hands. The big brawl is on and here is Zilla Fatu for the big dive to the floor. Grey, Sinclair and Fatu stand tall with various titles to end the show. This was about all you could do with so many matches to cover and I’ll take getting it all together over doing this multiple times.

Overall Rating: B. This show was designed to get me more interested in the big event on Sunday and it did just that. The best thing here is that they had a mixture of good action and build to the show, which is hard to do in the same night. The cage match was the big feature here and if that means the feud is over, I’m all for it. Another good show this week, but Sunday is what really matters.

Results
Saquon Shuggars b. Dion Lennox – High crossbody off of the cage
Keanu Carver b. Kam Hendrix – Fisherman’s suplex
Kali Armstrong b. Zaria – Rollup
Birthright b. Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno/Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux – Reverse fisherman’s suplex to Dar
Rey Fenix b. EK Prosper – Mexican MuscleBuster

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nattie vs. Thea Hail

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

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

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

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

Speed Title: Lucien Price vs. Lexis King

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shiloh Hill vs. Jackson Drake

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

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

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

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

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

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

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