Stand & Deliver 2026
Date: April 4, 2026
Location: The Factory At The District, St. Louis, Missouri
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the biggest NXT show of the year and this time around it’s on the road, outside of Orlando. For a bit of a twist, this year’s show is also not taking place over Wrestlemania Weekend, which should give it a bit more focus. There are a few multi challenger title matches taking place this year so let’s get to it.

IMG Credit: WWE

Kickoff Show: Birthright vs. Hank & Tank/Shiloh Hill/EK Prosper/Wren Sinclair

The brawl is on before the bell and Connors is powered into the corner to officially get things going. Tank picks Stacks up and throws him over the top onto the pile at ringside for the big crash. Dempsey comes in to uppercut away on Hank and the rest of the team takes out the other good guys. Hank fights out of that and brings Sinclair in to chop away at Grace. Dempsey has to break up the Final Wrench and the women hit stereo faceplants.

Prosper (the new name for Eli Knight) comes in to clean house but Grace’s distraction causes him to get shoved out to the floor. Sinclair chops away at Dempsey and gives him a suplex as everything breaks down again, with commentary having no clue who is legal. Prosper hits a crazy double springboard moonsault onto the floor, leaving Hank & Tank to crush Dempsey. Hill’s pop up neckbreaker gets the pin at 6:33.

Rating: C+. This was exactly what it needed to be, as they didn’t overstay their welcome but still had a fast paced match to start the night. No one really had time to stand out but Prosper did well in the time he had. The match was a nice little bonus that didn’t hurt anything, which is all you need from a Kickoff Show match.

Here is Shawn Michaels to introduce Sexyy Red as the show’s host.

The opening video looks at St. Louis as the gateway to the west. It turns into a regular look at the card and we’re ready to go.

We recap the Women’s Title match. Jacy Jayne needed a challenger but Kendal Grey and Lola Vice went to a double finish so it’s a triple threat. I’ll take that over Jayne interfering to set up a triple threat like a moron.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Title: Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey vs. Jacy Jayne

Jayne, with Fatal Influence, is defending and Wren Sinclair is here with Grey. Jayne shoves both of them to start but gets sent outside, leaving the other two to grapple. Back in and Jayne rolls them both up for two each with Grey being knocked outside. Everyone gets back inside and it’s a double dropkick to put Vice and Jayne back inside. Jayne pulls Grey outside and sends her into the steps.

Vice hits Jayne with a running seated senton off the apron and takes Jayne back inside. A distraction lets Jayne get in a kick to the back and a backbreaker gets two. Grey is back in so Jayne sends both of them into the corner for a cannonball and Vice is sent outside. Jayne gives Grey a facebuster into a clothesline for two but Vice tries to come back in. That earns her a neckbreaker over the rope to put her outside again, leaving Jayne to kick Grey back down.

Back in and something like a Tower Of Doom doesn’t quite work and it’s Vice up to strike away at Grey. The running hip attacks hit Grey and Jayne but Grey is back with a German suplexes to Grace. The straps come down and Grey snaps off the German suplexes, only for Jayne to knee her down for two more.

Vice drops Jayne for two but gets sent outside, leaving Grey to ankle lock Jayne (as the screen goes black over and over). Back in and the strikes are on with Grey putting Jayne down, only to have Vice put the foot on the rope. Fatal Influence offers a distraction so Sinclair chases them off, leaving Vice to choke Grey, who flips over. With that broken up, Jayne hits a hard shot to knock Grey outside. That allows Vice to hit the spinning backfist to take out Jayne for the pin and the title at 16:16.

Rating: B. This got rolling near the end as they didn’t stop with the intensity and energy. Vice almost had to win here as she had come close so many times without actually getting over the finish line. Grey’s time will come and Jayne very well may be on her way up to the main roster, so this was the right way to go all around.

Evolve’s Kali Armstrong (a powerhouse) is coming to NXT.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Los Americanos vs. Vanity Project

The Project, with Jackson Drake, is defending and El Grande Americano is here with Los Americanos. Bravo armdrags Smokes down to start and fires off some right hands. Rayo tags himself in and Smokes gets crotched on the post. It’s off to Baylor, who gets taken down for some double knees to the ribs.

Bravo is back in to hammer away in the corner but Smokes’ distraction lets Baylor take over for the first time. That doesn’t last long as Bravo escapes for the tag to Rayo, whose top rope moonsault gets two on Baylor. Smokes gets a blind tag though and hits a spear for two of his own, only for Rayo to hit a sunset bomb. Baylor is right back in with a brainbuster onto the knee for two.

That doesn’t last long and it’s Bravo getting the tag for a high crossbody. The spinning torture rack is broken up so Bravo suplexes both of them at once. A spinning hangman’s neckbreaker gets two and Rayo comes in for a Michinoku Driver/dropkick combination. Smokes cuts him off though and the Super Swipe (assisted swinging Rock Bottom) gets two on Rayo. It’s time to go after the mask but Rayo snaps off an X Plex for two. Americano lets Bravo load up the mask but the Project cuts him off with an assisted DDT for a rather near fall.

Smokes unloads Bravo’s mask though and knees Rayo outside. That doesn’t last long as it’s a super hurricanrana into a frog splash for a rather close two and everything breaks down again. Bop and Bang puts Smokes down and the Bigger End hits Baylor. Americano cuts off an interfering Drake on the floor but Baylor hits a flipping dive. Drake gets in a cheap shot to Bravo though and it’s a top rope double stomp/reverse DDT combination to retain at 13:28.

Rating: B-. This wound up being a lot more entertaining than I was expecting, with the Project being able to hang with a more experienced team. The Americano stuff is still such over the top goofiness that it wound up working. I wasn’t buying a title change, but at least they had a good time on the way there.

We look back at the Kickoff Show match.

Shiloh Hill and Tatum Paxley are happy over their recent success. Sexyy Red comes in and Paxley is excited, but Ricky Saints comes in and isn’t impressed.

We recap Zaria vs. Sol Ruca. They were partners but Ruca wound up having a lot more success, despite trying to help Zaria. This led to jealousy and Zaria turned on her, setting up this match, even though the issue continues to be “Zaria never wins anything”.

IMG Credit: WWE

Zaria vs. Sol Ruca

Ruca charges in to jump Zaria and start fast. A basement superkick puts Zaria down but she sends Ruca throat first into the rope. Ruca is sent outside, where she’s able to kick Zaria to the floor. Zaria is right back up with a fireman’s carry drop onto the steps, followed by a backdrop back inside. A superkick knocks Zaria out of the air but she’s right back with a fall away slam for two.

Zaria’s curb stomp gets two but Ruca escapes a choke in the corner. A super hurricanrana sends Zaria flying and they slug it out with Ruca getting the better of things, including some elbows to the face. Ruca’s middle rope dropkick hits Zaria and a clothesline lets them crash out to the floor. Back in and the Sol Snatcher is broken up with a superkick but they go outside onto the steel ramp.

Ruca escapes a chokeslam and Sol Snatches Zaria onto the steel. Zaria gets up so Ruca hits a second Sol Snatcher for two back inside. Another springboard earns Ruca a spear and Zaria grabs the F5 for two more. We pause for a potential reunion but Zaria headbutts her a bunch of times. The fireman’s carry is taken to the middle rope but Ruca hits a super X Factor into another Sol Snatcher for the pin at 13:08.

Rating: B. It was a good fight and Ruca pinned her clean, which is another devastating loss for Zaria. As was the case coming into this, she just hadn’t won anything and that’s not a good sign. I’m not sure what is left for her around here, though Ruca can move up to either the title picture or just on to the main roster. They had a good match, though I’m not sure on the result.

Lola vice is happy with her win and there is going to be a celebration on NXT. Sexyy Red comes in for some dancing.

IMG Credit: WWE

North American Title: Johnny Gargano vs. Myles Borne

Gargano, with Candice LeRae, is challenging. The idea is Gargano is in a horrible rut so he’s back here in an attempt to recapture his old success. The bigger Borne shoves him down to start and works on an early armbar. A running shoulder puts Gargano down and he just lays there (as he’s been doing on Smackdown) but it’s a ruse to hit a dropkick to send Borne outside.

Borne tries to get back inside, where a fired up Gargano clotheslines him outside. An Angle Slam into the post cuts Gargano off and Borne whips him hard into the corner back inside. A powerslam gives Borne two and he bends Gargano’s spine over the knee. Back up and Gargano is able to avoid a charge into the post, setting up the slingshot spear for two. Gargano’s cranking on the arm is broken up though and Borne hammers away with right hands in the corner.

That’s reversed into the Cheeky Nandos kick and a sunset bomb gives Gargano two. Naturally Gargano hits the suicide dive but Borne gives him a super powerslam for two back inside. A dropkick and German suplex rock Gargano, who charges into a Death Valley Driver onto the knee. That sends Gargano out to the ramp, where Borne catches him with a diving clothesline.

Gargano is right back with a DDT and One Final Beat but Borne counters the Gargano Escape into Borne Again for two. Borne’s Boston Crab attempt is countered into a rollup for two and LeRae gets in a cheap shot. The Gargano Escape has the bad arm in trouble but he crawls over to the rope. Another One Final Beat is blocked though and it’s a slingshot Borne Again into Borne Again to retain the title at 14:34.

Rating: B. This was a way to give Borne some more credibility and it worked fine. Borne had to beat a former NXT Champion and main roster star, which he did in a big way. It was nice to have the old Gargano back, even for one night, and I’m not sure where he’s going on Smackdown. Borne gets to move on to his next challenger though, which is what he should be doing.

Post match respect seems to be shown but Dion Lennox runs in to chair Borne down.

Sol Ruca says that was her hardest match yet and now she’s coming after the gold. Izzi Dame comes in to say not so fast and a match seems to be set.

We recap the Women’s North American Title match. Tatum Paxley finally finished the feud with Izzi Dame but Blake Monroe, the former champion, stole the title to set up this fight.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s North American Title: Blake Monroe vs. Tatum Paxley

Monroe is challenging despite coming in with the belt itself. Paxley jumps her to start and hits a knee to the face, followed by a Gory Stretch into a painful looking stretch. That’s broken up and Monroe takes her down to hammer away for a change. Paxley sends her into the corner for a running crossbody to the ribs but Monroe catches her on the top. The anklescissors brings Paxley crashing down, with her shoulder getting banged up in the process.

Naturally Monroe is right on the shoulder, though she makes sure to shove Paxley around a bit as well. A Crossface has Paxley in more trouble but she’s able to get up for a jumping enziguri. Paxley hits a German suplex into another enziguri, followed by a flipping Fameasser for two. A superkick drops Monroe but Paxley can’t immediately follow up. Instead they kick away at each other from the mat, with Paxley getting the better of things

Paxley puts her on top for a superplex rolled into a suplex but Monroe is right back up. Another suplex cuts Monroe off so she heads to the apron, where she grabs a sunset bomb to Paxley. The comeback is cut off again though and Monroe gets in a belt shot for a rather near fall. Paxley is sent into an exposed turnbuckle and a DDT gives Monroe two. Monroe is shocked but Paxley is right back with the Cemetery Drive for the retaining pin at 13:20.

Rating: B-. Paxley was coming off like a superhero here and it was fun to see her getting to do that for a change. I’m not sure how long she’s going to be on this sort of a roll, but you can’t argue how well it’s going at the moment. The division needs some fresh stars so why not see how far it can go? It’s not like there are several better options at the moment.

Saquon Shuggars isn’t happy with Dion Lennox getting another shot, but things calm down a bit as Lennox has a plan for all of them.

Video on Josh Briggs vs. Keanu Carver vs. Jasper Troy before their triple threat on Tuesday.

Here’s what’s coming on next week’s show.

Tatum Paxley celebrates with her friends. The Vanity Project comes up and doesn’t get it, but Blake Monroe wants to talk to them. They seem to get that.

We recap Joe Hendry defending the NXT Title in a four way. Ricky Saints and Ethan Page are reluctant partners who want the title back, while Tony D’Angelo wants his first title reign. Go.

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title: Joe Hendry vs. Ricky Saints vs. Ethan Page vs. Tony D’Angelo

Hendry is defending and it’s one fall to a finish. After the Big Match Intros, Hendry and D’Angelo clear out the villains to start but they’re right back up. Hendry gets to clean house and drops Page onto D’Angelo for a big crash. The delayed suplex gets two on Saints but Page is back in with a big boot to Hendry.

With D’Angelo on the floor, Page and Saints start double teaming Hendry, meaning we get some double posing. A double suplex drops Hendry again but page and Saints argue over the cover. They get back together to put D’Angelo on the floor again and it’s a TKO to Hendry, with Page and Saints getting a double near fall. Page and Saints try a PowerPlex to Hendry but Page’s top rope splash hits Saints (Page: “SORRY!”).

D’Angelo is back in with a spear but gets knocked back down, leaving all four needing a breather. D’Angelo’s spinebuster drops Hendry but Page and Saints are back up to plant D’Angelo on the floor. That just lets Hendry hit a big dive onto the two of them but the Standing Ovation is broken up back inside. Hendry gets to clean house with fall away slams but D’Angelo is back in with suplexes of his own.

D’Angelo spears Hendry down twice in a row but Saints grabs a chair and takes over. Page doesn’t like this though and the alliance finally breaks down, with Page putting him through the cover of the announcers’ table. D’Angelo spears both of them off the steps and through the table (with the candy flying). Back in and D’Angelo spears Hendry, setting up the spinebuster for the pin and the title at 16:03.

Rating: B. Another fast paced match here, with what was the most logical ending. I’m really not sure I can imagine Hendry staying in NXT that much longer as putting him on the main roster is hardly the craziest idea. If nothing else, it gives the fans someone new to cheer for, while D’Angelo gets his chance to run as a big star. Saints and Page were always going to turn on each other and this was a good enough way to make it happen. Solid main event here, though it never got to that higher level.

D’Angelo celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This was kind of a toned down version of the old Takeovers, with a bunch of good stuff and nothing resembling a bad match. While it didn’t have anything great like you would get in the Takeover days, it felt like a big night and I liked what we got out of the whole thing. This is basically the season finale for NXT and we’ll pick things up again on Tuesday with some fresh blood on top, which could mean some new names on the main roster. That’s what happens in a place like NXT and maybe this was setting up for the future. Or maybe it was just a pretty awesome show.

Results
Hank & Tank/Shiloh Hill/EK Prosper/Wren Sinclair b. Birthright – Belly to back neckbreaker to Dempsey
Lola Vice b. Kendal Grey and Jacy Jayne – Spinning backfist to Jayne
Vanity Project b. Los Americanos – Top rope double stomp/reverse DDT combination to Bravo
Sol Ruca b. Zaria – Sol Snatcher
Myles Borne b. Johnny Gargano – Borne Again
Tatum Paxley b. Blake Monroe – Cemetery Drive
Tony D’Angelo b. Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints and Ethan Page – Spinebuster to Hendry

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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This is a bit of a change to the usual schedule as the show has been moved from its traditional Wrestlemania Weekend spot, which in a way does put more focus on the show. It’s now the biggest wrestling show of the weekend and it gets its of day for a change of pace. The card is still the most important of the year for NXT so hopefully they make it work. Let’s get to it.

IMG Credit: WWE

Kickoff Show: Hank & Tank/Shiloh Hill/EK Prosper/Wren Sinclair vs. Birthright

Prosper is the new name for Eli Knight because wrestling is weird. This is a rare pre-show match featuring a stable which isn’t exactly feeling like the biggest deal but the other side is quite the mixed grouping. For a match that isn’t likely to get much time and mainly be little more than a way to warm up the audience, it should be a fun way to go and that’s all it needs to be.

Since it’s just a Kickoff Show match, I’ll take the good guys to win here, as it is the kind of win that can wake the fans up a bit and watch an annoying heel group take a loss. At the same time, Birthright isn’t exactly doing well thus far, but it kind of fits well with the people on the team. Maybe they’ll win to give them the tiniest bit of momentum, but I’ll go with the heroes to win here.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Vanity Project(c) vs. Los Americanos

This is one of those ideas that makes all the sense in the world and it should be a nice, basic storytelling device. The Project is a team with very little status in NXT, to the point where they literally fell into some wins. That is something that needs to be developed, even if it is a couple of clueless guys who manage to pull off some upsets. Hence how we’ve gotten here.

Los Americanos are here to make the champs look good, which they will do as the Project retains. It’s a simple idea and something that could go rather well, albeit after a fun match. Los Americanos are a joke everyone gets but they can still do well enough in the ring to make this work. Either way, they’re losing to the Project here, as WWE seems to see a lot in the inept champs.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s North American Title: Tatum Paxley(c) vs. Blake Monroe

I’m already not sure which way to go here, as this one really could go either way. Monroe is a former champion but really doesn’t seem to have gotten very far. She’s ok at what she does, but there isn’t much that really makes her stand out. Winning the title back could help that, but I’m not sure what she is supposed to do then. At the same time you have Paxley, who has turned into something of a breakout star.

I’ll go with Paxley to retain here, though I’m not how sure I am about the pick. Ultimately, Paxley feels like she has the bigger upside as she is just now breaking out on her own. Monroe comes off more like someone who is pretty much exactly what you’ll get out of her no matter what, which doesn’t leave much in the way of development. Paxley winning makes more sense, though it’s far from a guarantee.

IMG Credit: WWE

North American Title: Myles Borne(c) vs. Johnny Gargano

This is your Special Guest Star match of the show and there are far worse choices. Borne has really blossomed in the last few months and become one of the more reliable midcard hands in NXT. At the same time, he’s still relatively new as champion and there aren’t many better ways to boost him up than by having him defend the title against the most successful (or at least most prolific) champion in history.

I don’t see any reason to expect a title change here, though there is always the chance that Gargano gets the belt back to boost him up a bit. At the same time, that would be a heck of a demotion for him, even if he hasn’t felt like the biggest star on Smackdown. Borne could get a lot out of the win though and we’ll go with him doing just that, as he should given how well things have been going for him in recent months.

IMG Credit: WWE

Sol Ruca vs. Zaria

Here we have the classic “they were friends and partners but one got jealous” feud, which is something that has worked for years in wrestling and will work well enough for these two. Ultimately though, the problem comes down to one issue: Zaria has never really won anything. Ruca feels like she is on the verge of becoming a much bigger star, but that doesn’t leave much for Zaria to do. That’s where this match comes in.

Unless WWE is just cutting bait on Zaria, she has every reason in the world to win here. Ruca has already won titles and appeared on the main roster. She is more than ready to move on to something bigger. On the other hand you have Zaria, who needs to win SOMETHING and there is no reason to wait on it here. Zaria absolutely needs this one more and I think she’ll get it.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Title: Jacy Jayne(c) vs. Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice

Now we get into the complicated stuff as I could see this one going any way. On one hand you have Vice, who has been built up as a big deal time after time but lost every shot. Then you have Grey, who is pretty clearly in line to become a top star in the division before moving up to do the same thing on the main roster. Finally you have Jayne, who has overcome the odds time after time. So where does that leave us?

While my first instinct is to say that Jayne wins here and shocks the audience again, I think I’ll actually take Vice here. At some point, she needs to actually win a singles title and I’ll go with her finally getting some (non AAA Mixed) gold. It’s the match that I’m the least confident in on the entire card, but Vice needs his one more than the other two. Grey will have her time, but it isn’t going to come here.

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title: Joe Hendry(c) vs. Ricky Saints vs. Ethan Page vs. Tony D’Angelo

Finally we have this one, which in a way feels like a souped up triple threat rather than a four way. Saints and Page are basically functioning as a team, though it feels more like a matter of time before they stab each other in the back. Granted that doesn’t mean they’re going to split up for good, but thinking of them as one person makes things a bit less complicated. It just doesn’t really make me any more sure about who is leaving with the title.

I can’t imagine Saints or Page leaving (as much as I could go for Page regaining the title), so that leaves us with two options. D’Angelo has been hunting for the title and it’s pretty much the only thing that he hasn’t won in NXT. That being said, I just can’t imagine Hendry losing the title here, so I’ll take Hendry to retain, likely pinning Page or Saints, and having a singles showdown with D’Angelo later. I could absolutely see D’Angelo winning here, but I’ll officially say Hendry retains.

Overall Thoughts

This show has the potential to be quite the success, though there isn’t a match on the card that feels must see. The good thing is that it very well could be a case of the sum of its parts being better than the individual pieces, and we could be in for a solid night. It’s an experiment which could go rather well and I’m curious to see what NXT can do with this kind of a chance to shine on its own.

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: March 31, 2026
Location: Infosys Theater At Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the last show before Stand & Deliver and most of the card is set. The NXT Title will be defended in a four way, but we still need to have challengers for the Tag Team and Women’s Titles. Those will be decided tonight and maybe we’ll get another match or two added as well. Let’s get to it.

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

Darkstate vs. OTM/Mike Santana

Santana is the TNA World Champion and the fans rather like him as the hometown boy. Shuggars knocks Santana off the apron to start before Nima gets caught in the wrong corner. That’s fine with Nima, who powers Lennox into the corner for the tag off to Price. Lennox is caught in the corner as well and it’s off to Santana, with the fans being right behind him.

Some right hands keep Shuggars in trouble but Griffin gets the tag, allowing him to take over on Price. That doesn’t last long as it’s back to Nima, who hits a running crotch attack in the ropes to Lennox and Shuggars. A DDT gets Lennox out of trouble as the back and forth continues and we take a break.

We come back with Nina still down but suplexing Shuggars. It’s back to Price to pick up the pace and clean house but the numbers game catches up with him. Price is fine enough to get over to Santana for the tag, meaning it’s a frog splash for two on Lennox. Everything breaks down until Santana is left alone to roll Shuggars up for two. Spin The Block (discus lariat) sets up In The Mud to finish Shuggars at 10:14.

Rating: B-. Perfectly nice opener and it’s a good sign for Santana that he came off like a big guest star. Maybe it was because he was in front of the right crowd, but the fans were into him and that could continue for a long time. If nothing else, it’s nice to see OTM actually maintain some momentum for a little while, which hasn’t been the case before.

Myles Borne talks about how far he has coming in the last year and thanks Ethan Page for giving him the edge that made him champion. He’s ready to retain the North American Title and wants Johnny Wrestling to show up. Johnny Gargano comes in and says Johnny Takeover is still somewhere inside of him. If that comes out, he’ll eat Borne alive. It isn’t personal between them, but that title is personal to him. For the first time in two months, he won’t lay down and die because he will stand and deliver. This was a thrown together match and they’re doing what they can to make it work.

Wren Sinclair gives Kendal Grey a pep talk.

Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Los Americanos vs. Birthright

The Americanos jump them on the floor to start fast and it’s Bravo atomic dropping Connors. A dropkick puts him down again and Connors gets crotched on the post. Rayo adds a backbreaker and Bravo slingshots in with a hilo onto the knees. Stacks comes in and goes outside to dance with Arianna Grace but Bravo takes Stacks down and dances with her instead. Grace isn’t pleased and they go back inside, where Connors gives Rayo a springboard Stunner.

We take a break and come back with Connors and Rayo slugging it out until Rayo X Plexes him down. Bravo comes back in to beat up both of them, including the spinning torture rack to Stacks. Grace offers a distraction though and Lexis King gets in a cane shot to give Stacks two. Cue Shiloh Hill to get rid of the rest of Birthright and it’s a super hurricanrana into a frog splash for two on Stacks as Connors makes the save. Cue El Grande Americano so the Americanos can load up their masks. Bravo’s flying headbutt pins Connors at 10:43.

Rating: B-. Another good tag match here, with Los Americanos getting the title shot that works well for them. The good thing is that they can give the Vanity Project a nice win on Saturday and boost them up. If nothing else, Los Americanos are working with their simple cheating style and the fans are buying it. I’m not sure how long it can go, but it’s working at the moment.

Darkstate is mad about the loss and Dion Lennox is going to get them back on track at Stand & Deliver.

Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan

Jordan slaps her in the face to start so Parker unloads with right hands in the corner. Parker throws her out to the floor but Jordan gets in a ram to the steps as we take a break. We come back with Parker falling back onto her to break up a choke. Parker shoves her out to the floor before bringing Jordan back inside for some shoulders.

Jordan’s pump kick hits Parker’s banged up shoulder (after it went into the steps) and a crucifix gives Jordan two. Parker is able to catch her on top though and it’s a release German superplex to bring Jordan crashing down. The Hipnotique sets up Deja Vu to give Parker the pin at 9:36.

Rating: C+. The important part here is that Parker won, which hasn’t been the case very often. She has charisma, a good look and the athleticism. If she can put all of that together, she could be quite the star. It seems like she’s getting close to pulling that off, but there is still a pretty long way to go. At least she won here though.

The Vanity Project offer to escort Blake Monroe to her locker room but she’s ready for her closeup.

Here is Robert Stone to host a four way contract signing for the NXT Title, featuring Tony D’Angelo, Ricky Saints, Ethan Page and champion Joe Hendry. Page and Saints insist that the other go first but Hendry takes the contract and signs first instead. Hendry can’t wait to see which one stabs the other in the back first because they both want the title so badly

They’re passionate about the title but he’s passionate about NXT and being in New York City tonight. He’s ready to leave the world believing but Saints says Hendry should forget about this friendship. Saints is going to set the world right by becoming a two time champion and he signs. Page talks about selling himself short by focusing on being the greatest North American Champion so he should get his title back and signs as well.

D’Angelo speaks for the first time by shouting ENOUGH and talks about how he’s done these sitdowns before. Saints and Page have both gotten a chance and failed. As for Hendry, D’Angelo has no issues with him, but he wants the title. D’Angelo is the only one who isn’t an outsider (he signs) and promises to run them all over like a freight train. With that out of the way, D’Angelo tells Stone to get out of the ring and the fight starts. Saints and Hendry are put through the tables, leaving the other two to brawl until it’s broken up by security.

Keanu Carver vs. Jasper Troy

Josh Briggs is guest referee. Carver jumps Troy on the floor to start and sends him into the steps but they get inside for the opening bell. Troy hits a running splash in the corner but Carter knocks him down and chokes with his boot. Carver goes outside to yell at Booker before grabbing a fan, which has Briggs breaking it up. More yelling at Booker ensues, allowing Troy to hit a chokeslam through the announcers’ table.

Somehow that isn’t a DQ so Troy takes him back inside for a swinging Boss Man Slam for a rather near fall. Troy shoves Briggs, who boots him in the face as a result. Carver is back up with a Pounce into a running powerslam (good for him for changing from that weird spinning slam thing he was doing in Evolve) for the pin at 2:24. They packed a lot into this but the main thing is Carver looked like a beast, which is a good sign for his future.

Post match Booker is ticked and Carver insist that Briggs raise his hand. Briggs does indeed do so, but then drops Carver with a hard clothesline. If this leads to a three way hoss fight, I’ve heard far worse ideas.

Sean Legacy and Elio LeFleur are banged up as Hank & Tank want to get rid of Birthright. LeFleur has some bad news though: he has torn tendons and will be out of action for six months, meaning the Speed Title is vacated. LeFleur wants Eli Knight to enter the tournament to crown a new champion, which is cool with Knight. Wren Sinclair comes in to offer condolences but Shiloh Hill comes in to laugh a lot. He has an idea.

Here is Tatum Paxley for a chat. She loved getting to pull Blake Monroe by the hair last week, but she also gave Monroe an ultimatum. Monroe comes out with the title, saying she never lost it in the first place. Now she can’t just give it back but Paxley is willing to give Monroe her biggest spotlight. They can have their title match at Stand & Deliver and Monroe is in. She’s not giving the title back yet though, because Paxley is nothing like her. Paxley isn’t happy with that the fight is on, though Monroe escapes with the title.

Robert Stone makes a ten person tag for the Stand & Deliver Kickoff Show. Keanu Carver comes in and yells so Stone makes a triple threat for next week. Hold on though as Kelani Jordan has laid out Jaida Parker.

We get a video on the rise and fall of Sol Ruca and Zaria. They were friends, but only Ruca had success as a singles star. People started putting thoughts of doubt in Zaria’s head but Ruca kept trying to help her. Zaria finally turned on her after one more loss and blamed Ruca for everything. Now it’s time for their big fight.

Fatal Influence is waiting to see who will be challenging Jacy Jayne next, though Izzi Dame seems interested.

Stand & Deliver rundown.

Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey

For the Women’s Title match on Saturday and Wren Sinclair is here with Grey. Vice wrestles her down to start and grabs a headlock, which is quickly reversed as well. Neither can get a cross armbreaker so Vice starts firing off the kicks in the corner. There’s the running hip attack, followed by a running seated senton off the apron to drop Grey again as we take a break.

We come back with Grey snapping off a German suplex and taking down the straps. The cross armbreaker still doesn’t work though and Vice grabs a choke. That’s broken up as well so Vice hits a spinning backfist to send her outside. Cue Fatal Influence for a distraction and Vice misses a running hip attack, which only hits steps.

Back in and Grey gets kicked out of the air for two but gets in a spinning elbow for a near fall of her own. Vice’s kick is reversed into an ankle lock, which is reversed with a rollup. Grey leg dives her but gets pulled into a guillotine. That’s reversed with a northern lights suplex for the pin at 13:28…but another referee comes out to say Grey tapped first. Uh oh.

Rating: B-. And there’s how they get out of having one of these two lose. That makes sense as Grey seems to be the next big project and Vince has lost enough already. While I do like that we didn’t get the beyond tired “heel runs in and jumps both challengers”, it’s still setting up another triple threat. These things feel so played out, but you almost have to expect them these days.

Shawn Michaels comes out to mediate, even though the slow motion replay shows that Grey tapped WAY before the three.

Overall Rating: B. This is the kind of show that NXT needed, as I’m a lot more interested in Stand & Deliver than I was coming into this week. They built up some of the matches that were already set and then added in a few more. I want to see Saturday’s show and hopefully that means they have something good as we head into their biggest night of the year.

Results
OTM/Mike Santana b. Darkstate – In The Mud to Shuggars
Los Americanos b. Birthright – Loaded flying headbutt to Connors
Jaida Parker b. Kelani Jordan – Deja Vu
Keanu Carver b. Jasper Troy – Running powerslam
Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice went to a double fall

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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Rey de Reyes 2026 Night Two
Date: March 21, 2026
Location: Auditorio GNP Seguros, Puebla, Mexico
Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Rey Mysterio, Corey Graves

We’re back to another part of this show and this time it’s about some gold rather than a really big sword. The Tag Team Titles are on the line as Psycho Clown and Pagano are defending against the War Raiders. Other than that, we have a mixed six person tag, which should be a lot of fun. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video talks about iron sharpening iron and the iron will you need in this ring. We also look back at last week and look forward to this week.

Money Machine/La Hiedra vs. Lola Vice/Mr. Iguana/Rey Fenix

Fenix and Oro start things off with a run of the ropes, as Fenix keeps leapfrogging him. Oro gets sent back into his corner so Vice is in to hit Hiedra in the head. Iguana comes in to take over on Money Machine but the stuffed iguana is intercepted. A backbreaker/spinning top rope splash combination hits Iguana and they stop to beat up the stuffed version.

It’s off to Vice to send Hiedra into the corner for the running hip attack as everything breaks down. Hiedra is back up with a Stunner into a hip attack of her own, followed by a Downward Spiral. She makes the mistake of going to yell at Iguana though and gets caught in a double swinging faceplant. It’s back to Fenix to clean house with the rapid fire kicks, plus a super inverted Spanish Fly for two on Oro. Vice dives onto Hiedra and Iguana hits a big dive off the top to the floor. The Fenix Driver finishes Oro at 9:41.

Rating: B-. This was the fun opener that I was expecting as Vice and Iguana are a blast together, with the others more than pulling their weight. Fenix was in there as well to add all of the high flying stuff and that’s always worth a look. Good stuff here, with the fans digging what they were getting.

Post match Chelsea Green pops up to say she never lost her Mixed Tag Team Title, so acknowledge her as your champion. Anything involving more Green is a good thing.

We recap the Tag Team Title match, with the War Raiders showing up but Pagano and Psycho Clown not being ready to roll over for them.

Tag Team Titles: War Raiders vs. Pagano/Psycho Clown

The Raiders are challenging. It’s a brawl to start with the Raiders taking Clown out. Pagano manages to fight back and gets an Air Raid Crash to Erik but gets knocked off the top. Ivar crushes Pagano against the steps and hammers away back inside. Erik’s big knee gets two and Erik slams Ivar onto Pagano for two more. Pagano kicks his way out of the corner though and it’s back to Clown, who is healthy enough to start fighting back.

Everything breaks down and Clown hits a running dive to take out Erik on the floor. Back in and Clown gets knocked into the wrong corner, with Ivar being driven into his face. Pagano comes in again to make the save and it’s a missile dropkick into an Emerald Flosion for two on Erik. Pagano and Erik strike it out until Ivar is back in with a spinning kick to the face.

The Doomsault connects, with Clown having to dive off the top for the save. Everyone pulls themselves up and Clown pulls off his mask to reveal a red version. The champs win a slugout and Pagano hits a top rope legdrop for two. Back up and Pagano accidentally elbows Clown, only to have them go after the Raiders instead of each other. The double brawl is on and the referee is shoved down, which is a double DQ at 13:29.

Rating: B. This was exactly the kind of fight you would have expected from these teams and that was great to see. It’s a good example of not trying to overthink things, as this was about two big power teams beating the daylights out of each other. I like the ending as well, as that could set up a big physical rematch down the line.

Post match the brawl is on again and they grab chairs and kendo sticks to make it better. Security breaks it up.

El Ojo is trying to regroup after last week, with Dorian Roldan on the phone with his mom. After getting her out of the way, Roldan has to convince El Hijo del Vikingo that he should focus on winning the Intercontinental Title.

It’s time for the presentation of the sword to El Grande Americano. With the Roldans in the ring, 2010 winner Chessman, 2015 winner Texano Jr., and 1999 winner Cibernetico come out with their big swords. Now it’s time for this year’s winner, El Grande Americano, with JBL hating him all the way to the ring.

Americano greets everyone and thanks the fans for everything before praising the three previous winners. He talks about the respect he has for lucha libre and thanks Marisela Pena, as well as the fans. It’s about carrying the pride of Mexico and it isn’t about where you were born, because the pride of Mexico is about the culture.

Cue Dominik Mysterio (JBL approves) to actually shake hands and suggest that they have the title match right now. Americano chases Mysterio off but here is the Original El Grande Americano to jump Americano from behind. The beating is on with Americano being sent into various things and Original ripping at the mask. Los Americanos run in for the save but Original steals the sword to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. This was a heck of a show with two good matches and a big angle to wrap it up. As has been the case since it started airing weekly, AAA is an easy show to watch and the English commentary has helped it a lot. This was a rather good show and it flew by, which is always nice to see. Heck of a show here and I want to see what happens next week.

Results
Rey Fenix/Mr. Iguana/Lola Vice b. Money Machine/La Hiedra – Fenix Driver to Oro
War Raiders vs. Pagano/Psycho Clown went to a double DQ when both teams shoved the referee

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vanity Project vs. Los Americanos

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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AAA On FOX
Date: February 28, 2026
Location: Showcenter Complex, Monterrey, Mexico
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield

We’re getting really close to Rey de Reyes and that means there is time for another qualifying match. That’s what we’ll be getting this week and the lineup is, uh, something. Other than that, odds are we get some more on El Hijo de Vikingo vs. Dominik Mysterio so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s Mega Title contract signing, which resulted in a fight between the two Grande Americanos.

Here is Extra Crispy El Grande Americano to get things going, with commentary arguing over which one is the original. The fans are certainly happy to have him back and he talks about how happy he is to be here with his people in Monterrey. We need to talk about that shorty fraud, who stole his name and can’t even speak Spanish. This is Mexico and he wants to find out if the impostor can speak it at all.

We go to the back, where Pimpinela Escarlata goes to the Original’s locker room. Original speaks some horrible Spanish while Escarlata offers him food with cheese, which he doesn’t seem to understand. Escarlata goes into the locker room to call him a fake and gets beaten down. Grande Americano, the one in the ring, doesn’t seem pleased.

We look back at TJP losing to Laredo Kid last week but beating him down after the match.

Jack Cartwheel vs. Dragon Lee

For a Cruiserweight Title shot. They go with the grappling to start, with JBL saying they remind him of the Acolytes back in the day. Lee avoids an early moonsault but gets kicked into the ropes. A kick to the ribs cuts Cartwheel off but he’s back with a crucifix bomb for two. Cartwheel tries something from the apron and gets kicked to the floor, setting up a running flip dive.

Back in and Lee charges into a Spanish Fly for two but Lee flips him into a sitout powerbomb for the same. Cartwheel is right back with a poisonrana and a springboard phoenix splash for two. Lee gets up for a Styles Clash and two of his own, followed by the top rope double stomp. Operation Dragon finishes Cartwheel at 8:18.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of simple formula of taking two guys and fly through the match with the two of them going nuts. It’s the kind of high flying, fast paced match that is always going to work and they got to look good in the time they had. Lee is someone who has been pretty regularly presented by WWE so a title change isn’t the craziest concept.

Post match Lee says he can win the title but here is TJP to interrupt saying that won’t be easy. Laredo Kid comes out and goes after TJP but hits Lee by mistake. The brawl is on, with Jack Cartwheel getting back into things and standing tall with the title.

A doctor gives an update on Pimpinela Escarlata and it doesn’t sound good.

El Ojo doesn’t seem on the same page over Omos winning Rey de Reyes and El Hijo de Vikingo winning the Mega Title because they would have to face each other. Dorian Roldan says this is part of a big plan.

Pimpinela Escarlata is being taken away in an ambulance and asks El Grade Americano to take his place. FOR MEXICO.

Rey de Reyes Qualifying Match: Ethan Page vs. Omos vs. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. El Grande Americano

Non-title and Page freaks out over Americano being in the match. He goes out and sits in the front row so Omos tells the other two to bring it. Things are indeed brought and are promptly shrugged off with giant power. Americano’s armbar is broken up with a slam and now Page comes in to offer a partnership with Omos. That lasts about ten seconds before Omos kicks him in the face and shrugs off a double suplex attempt.

Wagner is whipped hard into the corner and a side slam drops Americano. A big boot gets two on Wagner and Page makes the save, which he immediately regrets. Omos picks up the two masked men and boots Page at the same time before leaving all of them down at once. Page goes outside again so Omos gives…well he follows him and cuts off Americano’s dive.

Wagner hits a dive of his own to stagger Omos and some triple teaming actually knocks him down. Back in and Wagner’s frog splash hits Page and Americano at the same time for two. Page and Wagner slug it out with Page getting the better of things and going for the mask. Americano is back up to take over on Page, with a middle rope clothesline connecting.

Omos is back in (JBL: “Eat him Omos! Eat him!”) so Americano goes after him, only to get kind of grazed with a right hand. Wagner and Americano get together to throw Omos outside before slugging it out in the middle. A Death Valley Driver plants Wagner and Page grabs the cover for two. Back up and the Wagner Driver hits Page, with Santos Escobar popping up to pull the referee.

Escobar and Wagner brawl off, leaving Page and Americano to fight on the apron to quite the reaction. Omos is back to grab both of them by the throat but here are Los Americanos to handcuff Omos to the post in a smart move. Back in and Americano gets the weird camel clutch to make Page tap but the referee got bumped somewhere in there.

Cue the Original El Grande Americano with Pimpinela Escarlata’s hat. That’s enough of a distraction for Page to grab a powerbomb for two on Americano. The Original grabs a chair but La Parka runs in to take it away and beat Original with it instead. Back in and Americano’s running headbutt catches Page for the pin at 18:02.

Rating: B+. Well dang that wound up being awesome. This was an Attitude Era style melee with everyone going nuts and all kinds of people getting involved. That can go in a variety of ways but it was very entertaining stuff here, with things going as wild and insane as you would want. The fans were with it the entire time too and I had a great time with this whole thing.

Overall Rating: B. Every week, this show becomes more and more entertaining as it is different enough from what WWE is doing despite WWE stars showing up here. The main event was a lot of fun and Rey de Reyes is looking rather good as a result. Hopefully AAA goes nuts again with the big pay per view, which could be a blast if they keep up this pace.

Results
Dragon Lee b. Jack Cartwheel – Operation Dragon
El Grande Americano b. Ethan Page, Omos and Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. – Running headbutt to Page

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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Monday Night Raw
Date: February 16, 2026
Location: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re less than two weeks away from the Elimination Chamber and that means it is time to continue the qualification process. Other than that, CM Punk is having some issues with Finn Balor, who is going to be challenging him for the World Title at Elimination Chamber, which happens to be in Punk’s hometown of Chicago. Let’s get to it.

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

Here are the Usos to get things going but the Vision cut them off. Logan Paul brags about selling the most valuable Pokemon card in the world last night for $16 million. Paul insults the city and Heyman asks for some footage from last week, which saw the masked man attack the team and get chased off. Cue Adam Pearce to say we can go talk about this backstage in his office but Austin Theory yells about how he was supposed to have won his qualifying match last week.

Heyman wants Bronson Reed in the Chamber and Pearce gives him a qualifying match next week but here is LA Knight to interrupt. Knight gets to the point by praying that Reed gets into the Chamber so he can kick Reed over and over. After everything Reed put him through….Paul: “You mean like the car he put you through???” Knight doesn’t want them to leave and if the Usos (oh yeah they’re still in the crowd) are interested, a six man sounds interesting. The match is official for right now.

Usos/LA Knight vs. Vision

We’re joined in progress with Paul in the corner so Knight can stomp away. A kick to the face lets Paul get away for the tag to Theory but Jimmy is right in to start on the arm. The Usos elbow Theory down for two and it’s back to Knight, who gets taken into the wrong corner. Paul drops an elbow for two and the villains take turns beating on Knight, including Reed hitting a running splash.

We take a break and come back with Reed’s backsplash getting two and Jimmy having to make a save. Another backsplash misses though and Jey comes in to clean house. Everything breaks down and Reed drives Knight through the barricade. Paul knocks Jey down for two but Jey is back with a superkick. A double superkick gets two on Paul with Reed making the save. Reed’s big dive to the floor takes out the Usos and it’s the big right hand to Jimmy. The Tsunami finishes for Reed at 12:14.

Rating: B-. This is the kind of thing that you need to do every so often to keep the Vision looking strong. The team is supposed to be a big deal and they need to beat some top names every so often. If nothing else, there is always the chance that we get the Vision going after the Tag Team Titles, which isn’t a bad idea either.

Post match Paul brags about the win but the Masked Man runs in to knock him cold with a Stomp before running through the crowd.

Adam Pearce is shown a crate, which says DELIVER TO WWE, DO NOT OPEN UNTIL 2/28/26. Pearce’s name isn’t on it so he wants it sent to Smackdown. Los Americanos pop up (with the minions listening to the crate) while the main one isn’t happy with the Original Grande Americano getting an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Grande wants the Intercontinental Title, so Pearce gives him a chance tonight to get a title shot. That works for everyone, including the exasperated Pearce. The crate is certainly intriguing and could go in a lot of directions.

Asuka, Bayley and Nattie are ready for their qualifying match.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Asuka vs. Bayley vs. Nattie

Nattie is sent outside to start and Bayley’s basement clothesline hits Asuka, who is up before the cover. Back in and Nattie strikes away at Asuka, who kicks her in the head. Bayley’s sunset bomb into the corner sends Asuka outside, where Nattie catapults Bayley into the post and we take a break.

We come back with Bayley tying Nattie in the Tree Of Woe for the running elbow. Bayley pulls Asuka off the top for two and the three of them forearm it out from their knees. Nattie is sent outside, leaving Bayley to drop a top rope elbow for two on Asuka. Back in and Nattie powerbombs Asuka for two, setting up the Sharpshooter. Bayley breaks that up with a running knee but gets pulled into the Asuka Lock for the tap at 10:18.

Rating: C+. Asuka winning is fine as Nattie is already feeling like someone who is just kind of here as well. The Chamber is something that can have a bunch of people thrown in and while Asuka doesn’t feel like a real threat to win, she does add some credibility. As for Bayley….I have no idea where she goes from here and that isn’t a good thing.

Post match Maxxine Dupri runs in to beat down Nattie but they’re held apart.

Adam Pearce offers Oba Femi a Raw contract, which has Femi intrigued. He’d like some time to think about it, which is fine with Pearce. As Femi goes to leave, he runs into Rusev and sneering ensues.

IMG Credit: WWE

We get a sitdown interview with Michael Cole talking to Liv Morgan but Dominik Mysterio joins in. Morgan talks about going to Wrestlemania but Stephanie Vaquer comes in as well. Vaquer rants in Spanish and Mysterio replies in Spanish as well. Vaquer seems to say that her belt is the one that matters the most and then leaves. Morgan cries and leaves with Mysterio without saying anything of note. That’s interesting, as Morgan vs. Vaquer seems to be a legitimate option.

Here is CM Punk for a chat. Apparently the office is not happy with him right now because he is jeopardizing the main event of Wrestlemania. Sports franchise can qualify for the postseason but it doesn’t mean they can skip regular season games. A few weeks ago, Finn Balor got a World Title shot and he lost, but now he has earned another shot with the beating that comes with it. Punk wants to be a fighting champion because he is the best in the world…and here is Balor to interrupt.

Cue Dominik Mysterio and the returning JD McDonagh so Punk knows he’s in trouble. Balor says it’s ok though because they’re not here for a fight. Balor talks about training with the best wrestlers around the world to be the best in the world. He showed up on Raw and beat Roman Reigns on his first night so the best in the world is staring at Punk. At Elimination Chamber, he isn’t jeopardizing the main event of Wrestlemania, because he’s making it better. Punk talks about Balor being the best in the world….or how he used to be the best.

There was no Judgment Day around him when he was wrestling around the world because Balor used to mean something. Judgment Day is dragging Balor down to their level. Mysterio has two titles that he never defends and McDongah’s head is so big he needs help getting in the ring. Fans: “BOBBLEHEAD!” Punk: “I’ll allow it.”

Punk says he’s going to do something stupid and turns his back on the team, with Balor holding the other two back. With no violence, Punk says Balor doesn’t need the two of them to prove himself. Punk walks out and throws the mic at Balor, who looks confused. This was hammering the point home pretty clear, and I could go with Balor getting a singles push as a good guy for a change.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are both ready for the Elimination Chamber and are ready to keep their Women’s Tag Team Titles on the way. They want Nia Jax and Lash Legend as well. The Kabuki Warriors come in though, with Kairi Sane saying it’s over because Asuka is in the Chamber. They’ll make sure Ripley and Sky (the latter of whom still has to qualify) don’t win, with Asuka yelling about how the two of them aren’t ready for the Chamber.

El Grande Americano vs. ???

Los Americans are here with El Grande and the opponent is…Penta. Yeah that works. Penta blocks a chop to start and they chop it out until a heck of a superkick rocks Grande. A Backstabber puts him down again but they clothesline each other for a double down. We take a break and come back with Grande escaping the Penta Driver and grabbing the modified camel clutch.

That’s broken up and Grande hits a Death Valley Driver for two. Grande goes up but gets pulled into the Penta Driver for a rather near fall. The running headbutt connects for two and Rayo gets up for a distraction, meaning the dancing Bravo can offer the steel plate. Hold on though as someone pulls Bravo underneath the ring and the Original El Grande Americano comes out from underneath the ring to take out Los Americanos. The springboard Canadian Destroyer finishes Grande at 7:57.

Rating: B-. Penta was a good choice for the title shot as he’s had a history of going after the Intercontinental Title so it’s certainly not stretching thing much. On the other hand, the question is where the mask vs. mask match is going to take place between the Americanos. That very well could be a Wrestlemania match, but putting it on Elimination Chamber makes sense as well. Either way, it’s something that could go well, as it’s certainly a big story at the moment.

Post match Penta and the Original show respect. Penta leaves and the Original beats up Grande, including the Rolling Chaos Theory. Original goes for the mask but Los Americanos make the save.

Raquel Rodriguez offers to take Liv Morgan somewhere to calm her down a bit. That leaves JD McDonagh to ask what Finn Balor is doing. Dominik Mysterio is ignored as Balor and McDonagh have an intense debate (not quite an argument) about McDonagh helping, but Balor wants to do it on his own. The two of them leave and Mysterio says he still has a match tonight.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is AJ Lee for a chat. Last week, she became the #1 contender to the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Becky Lynch showed her that this is serious business by smashing Lee’s face into the post. Lee hasn’t had a singles match in over ten years and things looked different back then. There was one pink butterfly title to fight over and Lee made that title matter by fighting for it.

There is a women’s division before her and after her and that is her gift to everyone. She still wants to face the division of today but for now, it’s just Lynch. Lee gave her a ten year head start and Lynch still hasn’t caught up. For now, Lee is ready to move into Wrestlemania with the title. She’s ready to give Lynch a beating right now though so here is Lynch (or Becky Boo Boo as Lee calls her) to interrupt.

Lynch laughs at the idea of Lee winning a title and says it’s more about Lee getting the retirement match that she never deserved. Lee’s real gift was leaving WWE, because Lynch has spent ten years making history while Lee has been making comic books. After Elimination Chamber, Lee can dictate a new comic book (from her full body cast) about their fight and maybe that one will sell. Lee offers her the first swing but Lynch can’t bring herself to do it. She knows the game that Lee is playing and leaves, saying she doesn’t fight in Memphis. Good stuff here, as Lee can bring the intensity when she needs to.

Adam Pearce runs into the Vision, with Austin Theory yelling at Pearce for not dealing with the Masked Man. Paul Heyman wants the Masked Man stopped, but Pearce says the Masked Man is a problem for Pearce too. Bronson Reed says he’s ready to solve the problem for the team. No problem.

Video on AJ Styles…who is getting a special tribute next week. That sounds like a Hall Of Fame announcement.

Gunther, Je’Von Evans and Dominik Mysterio are ready for their qualifying match.

IMG Credit: WWE

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Je’Von Evans vs. Gunther vs. Dominik Mysterio

Non-title. Mysterio takes his time getting in so Evans goes after Gunther, who throws him down without much trouble. Mysterio tries to go after Evans, earning a heck of a glare from Gunther. Evans fires off some dropkicks but gets pulled into a Boston crab. That’s broken up by Mysterio, who gets chopped into next week by Gunther. Evans is back up but gets taken down by a chop, leaving Gunther to send Mysterio hard into the barricade.

That works so well that Gunther does it again but Evans is back up with a heck of a dive to drop Gunther. We take a break and come back with Gunther down and Mysterio putting the ring bell hammer on the steps. The 619 is loaded up but Gunther pulls Mysterio into the sleeper. That’s broken up but Evans punches Mysterio into the corner. Evans plants Mysterio but has to fight out of Gunther’s sleeper.

A hurricanrana gives Evans two so Gunther just drops him with a clothesline. The powerbomb gets two on Evans and Gunther chops Mysterio down again. Evans kicks Mysterio down and drops Gunther with a running knee for two. The sleeper to Evans is broken up but the OG Cutter is countered into said sleeper. Mysterio breaks it up with a frog splash but the 619 is dropped with a hard clothesline.

The hammer is grabbed so Gunther sleepers Mysterio, which is broken up from a sleeper by Evans. That’s broken up and Gunther grabs the hammer, but here is Dragon Lee with a bell shot to put Gunther down. Mysterio hits the 619 to Evans but misses the frog splash. The OG Cutter sends Evans to the Chamber at 14:32.

Rating: B. I liked this one a good bit, though I could have gone without the champion taking a pin. Granted they didn’t have much of another option in this match as Gunther certainly can’t take a pin here. Either way, it’s interesting to see Evans getting this kind of a chance, as he could be quite the spectacle in the Chamber, which is a big start for someone still so new.

Overall Rating: B. This is around the time where things need to get serious and that is working out pretty well. You can see some of the bigger stories coming together with the Chamber next week and Wrestlemania in about two months. This show had good action but the focus was more on the talking to back it up. I had some hope for the future after this show and that is a great thing at the right time. There’s a long way to go before Wrestlemania, but at least they’re off to a nice start from this point.

Results
Vision b. Usos/LA Knight – Tsunami to Jimmy
Asuka b. Bayley and Nattie – Asuka Lock to Bayley
Penta b. El Grande Americano – Springboard Canadian Destroyer
Je’Von Evans b. Gunther and Dominik Mysterio – OG Cutter to Mysterio

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

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

AAA On Fox
Date: February 14, 2026
Location: Auditorio José María Arteaga, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico
Commentators: Corey Graves, John Bradshaw Layfield, Rey Mysterio

We continue the road towards King Of Kings and the qualifying for the namesake match continues. That’s in addition to El Hijo de Vikingo getting ready to challenge Dominik Mysterio for the Mega Title. This show has been a breeze to watch in its early weeks and it would be great to see that continue. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Jack Cartwheel vs. La Parka

Cartwheel cartwheels around to start and Parka loses his sleeves, though his arms have bones on them as well (that’s great). A running crucifix bomb plants Parka and he rolls outside, where Cartwheel busts out a space flying tiger drop for the big crash. Back in and Parka gets two off a Michinoku Driver but Cartwheel snaps off a poisonrana. A Red Arrow misses though and Cartwheel gets suplexed into the corner. Cartwheel rolls outside so Parka nails a suicide dive, followed by the Thriller for the pin at 3:59.

Rating: B-. I was surprised at the length of the match as I was expecting this to be a good bit longer. They crammed in a bunch of stuff into just about four minutes and that’s great to see. Cartwheel was hyped up as a big deal, but given that Parka was in the Royal Rumble, it’s no surprise that he got a showcase here. Fun match either way though.

Post match Parka brings in a kid for some dancing. Works around the world.

We look back at El Ojo destroying Mini Vikingo.

Mini Vikingo is in the hospital, with his mother by his side. He says his heart hurts the worst, because he tried to honor Vikingo and this is what happened. He’s so glad his mother is here with him, though his mother finds a note saying “SEE YOU SOON!” from El Hijo de Vikingo. Unfortunately she doesn’t show it to him. This was so over the top that it was great, especially getting to see Omos wreck him again.

Santos Escobar doesn’t like people dancing around here and is ready to put El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. on trial, with Escobar as judge, jury and executioner, say at King Of Kings.

Las Toxicas vs. Faby Apache/Jessy Jackson/Adelicious

Apache charges at Maravilla to start and grabs a flipping backslide for two. It’s off to Adelicious, who gets hit in the face and Hiedra comes in for a backbreaker. Jackson comes in for some running knees in the corner but a distraction lets Flammer come in and the villains take over. A kick to the face in the corner puts Jackson outside but she manages a double clothesline. Adelicious comes back in with a double missile dropkick and a 450 gets two, with Hiedra making the save. Everything breaks down and Flammer’s basement dropkick pins Adelicious at 3:42.

Rating: C. Another quick and to the point match here as the regular trio gets to smash through a makeshift team. If nothing else, Flammer, the Reina de Reinas champion, getting a win is a good way to go as you want to remind people that the champions are indeed good. Not much to see here, but they were moving while they were in there.

The Original Grande Americano declares that he is the real version and accuses SOMEONE of impersonating him for the last six months. That impostor even SANG SONGS in Spanish to pretend to be him. Don’t worry though as he’ll win the Rey de Reyes tournament and then the Mega Title.

We look back at Panic Clown being attacked a few weeks ago.

The Psycho Circus and Pagano want to keep their eyes out tonight and then go see Panic, but one of them (Dave I believe) has forgotten something in the locker room.

We look at the rather intense rivalry between Abismo Negro and Fiscal, who meet next week.

Money Machine vs. War Raiders vs. Los Americanos

For a Tag Team Title shot against Pagano/Psycho Clown (on Spanish commentary) at Rey de Reyes. Bravo armdrags Plata down to start and stops to dances so Oro comes in, earning a beating of his own. The Raiders aren’t having this and clears the ring, including dropping Oro for two. Money Machine gets back in to take over on Erik but Ivar takes both of them out. Los Americanos are in to jump Ivar, but the Raiders pull the two of them out of the air.

That means a toss to send the two of them into each other for quite the crash but Money Machine dives in to dropkick the Raiders down again. The Raiders catch the diving Money Machine and toss them into each other as well though, leaving the Raiders to go after Rayo inside. The Bronco Buster misses for Ivar though and Bravo comes back in to slug away at Money Machine.

Rayo’s middle rope moonsault clears out a bunch of people on the floor and Bravo actually slams Ivar back inside. Stereo diving headbutts get two on Ivar but Money Machine is back in to take over. A suicide dive hits Ivar and a second takes Erik out but Los Americanos double headbutt Oro. The Raiders make the save though and a belly to back suplex/top rope splash finishes Plata at 9:27.

Rating: B. They went with the fast paced, exciting style here and that worked well. The Raiders were a smart addition as you can always use a team with a power brawling style. It helps that they already have a reputation as former champions in WWE to add some star power. The other teams were rather good as well, as they were flying around to confused the Raiders, making for a hot main event.

Post match the champs get in the ring for the staredown with the Raiders, but here is Murder Clown to wave Psycho and Pagano to the back. Dave the Clown has been attacked and is taken away in an ambulance to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The best sign is that these shows seem to be starting to bring in some more AAA stars rather than just having the WWE guest stars. That makes sense to a certain extent, but eventually you need to stick with what this show is supposed to be about. They made it work again this week, with a completely entertaining show, even without most of the bigger names. Hopefully they can continue that trend, as it’s a good thing to see.

Results
La Parka b. Jack Cartwheel – Thriller
Las Toxicas b. Faby Apache/Jessy Jackson/Adelicious – Basement dropkick to Adelicious
War Raiders b. Money Machine and Los Americanos – Belly to back suplex/top rope splash combination to Plata

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: February 9, 2026
Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

The road to Elimination Chamber continues here as we have some more qualifying matches for the namesake matches. That isn’t going to be enough to fill out the card though and that means we should be getting some more things being set up. The Tag Team Titles are on the line as well so let’s get to it.

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

CM Punk is in the back and AJ Lee happens to be here as well. Becky Lynch sees them and is not pleased.

We start with some less than good news: Bron Breakker has suffered an injury and undergone surgery, which will leave him out of action indefinitely.

Here is a ticked off Becky Lynch for a chat. She’s tired of the disrespect…and here is AJ Lee to interrupt. Lynch doesn’t like Lee being here to support Maxxine Dupri and insults her EYEBROWS before calling her a little chihuahua who keeps barking and ruining Lynch’s life. Lee thinks that’s a tad dramatic before going into a list of the things that she’s done to Lynch, including a bunch of defeats. Lee: “That’s water under the bridge.” Lynch: “THERE IS NO WATER AND THERE IS NO BRIDGE!!!”

Lynch starts to lose it (Lee’s eyes bugging out is hilarious) and issues a challenge for Elimination Chamber where she can spill Lee’s blood. Lee: “BECKY! I knew you liked me!” She thinks that since she beats Lynch, she should be #1 contender but that’s a big NO from Lynch. Lee: “No title, no match.” She teases leaving and Lynch begrudgingly agrees to make this a title shot. Lynch says if Lee thinks she was held down by the man before, she has no idea what this will be like. This was really good, as Lynch sold the heck out of losing it over Lee, who strung her along every step of the way.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Usos vs. Alpha Academy

The Usos are defending and Tozawa knocks Jey down into an early chinlock. That’s broken up and Jey drives him into the corner so Jimmy can come in. Tozawa fights out of the corner and gets in a hurricanrana, followed by a spinning kick to the head for two. Everything breaks down and the Usos are sent to the floor, with Tozawa being thrown onto them as we take a break.

We come back with Tozawa getting in a DDT to spike Jey (who thankfully seems ok), allowing the tag off to Otis. House is quickly cleaned but the Caterpillar is cut off with a superkick. Jimmy comes back in for the double superkick. Otis runs the champs over with a double clothesline. Everything breaks down and Tozawa’s top rope backsplash gets two on Jimmy. Otis is sent shoulder first into the post before missing a charge. A double spear drops Otis and the 1D retains the titles at 10:01.

Rating: B. I was dreading this match coming in because the Academy have been nothing for so long, but at the time, it’s not like there is a better option out there right now. The Raw tag division has been nothing for a long time so having a random tag match wind up being good is a nice surprise. They desperately need some fresh teams, but that could take a long time to get going, especially given WWE’s history.

Post match respect is shown but the Usos are asked what’s next for them. Jimmy wants Jey to qualify for the Elimination Chamber and get the World Title back.

We look back at CM Punk and Roman Reigns’ face to face showdown last week, with their Wrestlemania title match being set up.

Here is Judgment Day for a chat. Liv Morgan has something to say but first, Dominik Mysterio has some flowers for her. Morgan says that’s what should be done for Valentine’s Day and he’ll get his gift from her later. She knows that whomever she faces at Wrestlemania will lose, so here is Stephanie Vaquer to interrupt.

Vaquer says Morgan talks too much and switches to Spanish, with Morgan asking for a translation. Mysterio doesn’t think he should translate but responds in Spanish on Morgan’s behalf. Morgan asks what he said, with Vaquer saying “he said he’s a little b****.” More arguing ensues and Morgan insults her in Spanish, earning Mysterio a slap from Vaquer. Morgan getting all excited over the Spanish was a great touch and this opened the door of Morgan picking Vaquer a bit wider.

Rhea Ripley, Ivy Nile and Lyra Valkyria are ready for their Elimination Chamber qualifying match.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Rhea Ripley vs. Ivy Nile vs. Lyra Valkyria

Ripley sends Nile flying to start so Valkyria is right there to get two off a small package. Back in and Nile German suplexes both of them, with everyone heading outside. Valkyria snaps off a hurricanrana and we take a break. We come back with Nile getting caught in the Tree of Woe while the other two fight on top. Nile sits up and grabs a German suplex for the Tower Of Doom.

Back up and Ripley kicks away at Nile until Valkyria gets a quick two off a rollup. A Steiner Bulldog is loaded up but Ripley drops Valkyria down for a faceplant instead. Nile German suplexes Ripley and covers Valkyria for two more. Valkyria’s DDT to Ripley gives Nile another two as this has been about stealing covers at every possibility. Ripley saves Valkyria from a seated dragon sleeper but gets knocked outside. Nightwing connects, with Ripley making the save, setting up Riptide for the pin on Valkyria at 9:30.

Rating: B. Nile got something of a standout performance here, which has not been the case for a long time. At the same time, it was nice to see Ripley getting back to what made her a star in the first place. Fun match here, with everyone trying to steal a pin and keeping things moving until the finish.

The sore Dominik Mysterio is in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match last week but also has to defend the Intercontinental Title. For now though, Mysterio has to calm Finn Balor down, but Balor wants the World Title. Mysterio thinks Balor’s window might be closed, but Balor says he’s tired of being an afterthought. He thought they were supposed to be family and leaves.

Michael Cole is in the ring to introduce CM Punk but Finn Balor interrupts and grabs the mic. Balor knows that Punk is hurt but everyone is talking about Punk vs. Roman Reigns. Balor had Punk beat and he’s tired of being pushed around. He wants Punk for the title at Elimination Chamber but here is Adam Pearce, who says we’re not doing things like this. Pearce tells Balor that the title is spoken for so forget about this or get out of here.

Cue a ticked off CM Punk, who says Balor is the first thought instead of an afterthought. Punk thinks Balor deserves a beating instead of a title shot so get off the announcers’ table and come get it. Balor wants the title on the line so Punk says let’s do it. Pearce says no, but Punk says give him the match he wants or Punk will spend the rest of the show beating Balor up around the arena. Pearce says the match is on…at Elimination Chamber, taking a lot of the air out of the arena.

With all that out of the way, Punk is ready for the scheduled interview, with Cole asking what Punk is doing by jeopardizing his Wrestlemania main event. Punk says he isn’t jeopardizing anything, because he is trying to build things up. He is trying to get one step better every day and he knows this is a risky way to go.

These people deserve this but he knows it could end anywhere in any city in front of any crowd, but he’s confident enough to know “that s*** ain’t gonna happen.” The only way Wrestlemania ends is with his hand raised and the ring announcer saying AND STILL World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk. Good stuff here from Punk, though that match with Balor is about as dead in the water as you can get. At the same time, Punk got to show what a master of the microphone he is here, as he was basically directing the whole segment with his words.

Adam Pearce makes sure Finn Balor is out of the building but here is the Vision to interrupt him. Paul Heyman underestimated Pearce because he kept pushing Bron Breakker, who injured himself lifting and had to undergo major surgery. Pearce stands up and says he knows Breakker is one of the keys to the future of WWE (Heyman: “Agreed.”).

He wants Breakker back more than anyone but we need to focus on the now, including Austin Theory’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Pearce also tells the Vision to stay out of the match, and that’s a threat. Heyman: “There it is.” Logan Paul asks Pearce what he’ll do if the team interferes, but that’s a rhetorical question.

Nattie vs. Maxxine Dupri

Yes it’s officially Nattie and Dupri gets her in the ankle lock in about ten seconds. That’s broken up so Dupri knocks her outside for another ankle lock. Nattie kicks her into the steps for the break and gets in a hard posting as well. Dupri gets dropped onto the announcers’ table and pummeled down for the double countout at 1:35. If this was the big change for Nattie, it’s about exactly what I would have expected from her.

Post match Nattie gets the Sharpshooter on the table. AJ Lee runs out for the save but Becky Lynch is here to post Lee, as a person who is snapping tends to do.

LA Knight is ready to qualify for the Elimination Chamber and wants to take the chance away from Austin Theory.

Los Americanos vs. Je’Von Evans/???

Evans’ mystery partner is…the Original El Grande Americano. Well who else was it going to be? Ron Bass? Rayo jumps Evans to start and gets dropkicked for his early efforts. A springboard hurricanrana takes Bravo down as well but Evans is sent outside. That earns the Americanos a top rope double clothesline from the Original.

We take a break and come back with Original coming in to start firing off suplexes. Rayo headbutts Evans but gets kicked in the face by Original. The regular El Grande Americano shoves the Original off the top so Bravo goes up. A dive (after Original has already moved) is cuttered out of the air and Original’s top rope headbutt gets the pin at 7:45.

Rating: C+. The dive into the cutter was such awesome timing that it makes up for how dump Bravo looked for jumping in the first place, which is rather impressive. The Americano stuff is awesome, especially considering it’s totally different down in AAA. Odds are this is setting up a mask vs. mask match and it could be rather good given how talented these two really are.

Post match both Americanos try to go after the masks but neither get anywhere.

Penta, Austin Theory and LA Knight are ready for the Elimination Chamber.

We look at Gunther’s celebration last week and beatdown of Dragon Lee from last week.

Gunther is annoyed at being told he has an Elimination Chamber qualifying match last week because he already knows that. His road to Wrestlemania should have started when he beat Bill Goldberg but the result will be the same, because he’ll leave Wrestlemania as the new WWE Champion. Of note: Gunther had a very nice looking watch.

IMG Credit: WWE

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Penta vs. Austin Theory vs. LA Knight

Paul Heyman is here with Theory, who is taken into the corner to start for the slingshot dropkick. Knight’s running knee rocks Theory again and a double clothesline puts him on the floor. Penta takes over on Knight and sends him outside, only to get dropkicked by the returning Theory. A ram into the steps has Penta in trouble and we take a break.

We come back with Knight slugging away at Theory, who gives Penta a brainbuster for two. Theory kicks Penta down for two more but Knight is back in with a running clothesline to put Theory on the floor. That means Knight can send both of them into the announcers’ table but Theory is able to trip Knight into the turnbuckle. Penta is back up with the Backstabber out of the corner to Theory, with Knight making the save.

They go up top for a Tower Of Doom to give Theory two on Knight, meaning frustration is setting in. Knight knocks Theory down and hits the top rope elbow but here is the Vision for a distraction. The Tsunami crushes Knight so Adam Pearce runs out with security to get rid of Bronson Reed. Penta gets sent onto the announcers’ table but the masked man is back with a superkick and Stomp to Theory. Back in and the BFT finishes Theory at 13:42.

Rating: B-. I’m rather over seeing triple threat qualifying matches for anything, but at least they had a good match here. Knight getting the revenge on the Vision and moving on to the Chamber is a good way for him to go, as he’s still one of the most popular stars in the company. Go with what the fans want, as Knight getting the title later this year would not be a crazy way to go.

Knight promises more for the Vision and Pearce glares at Heyman to end the show.

The show is dedicated to Jim Shank, a longstanding member of the production team who passed away earlier today.

Overall Rating: B. They had a solid show here as we shift away from the Royal Rumble to the Elimination Chamber. The qualifying matches were both good and you can see a lot of the pieces on this side coming together. I’m not wild on seeing Punk vs. Balor again, especially after how the previous match ended and what is set for Wrestlemania, but at least it should be quality. Nice show this week, and hopefully they can keep up the interest going into the pay per view.

Results
Usos b. Alpha Academy – 1D to Otis
Rhea Ripley b. Ivy Nile and Lyra Valkyria – Riptide to Valkyria
Nattie vs. Maxxine Dupri went to a double countout
Original El Grande Americano/Je’Von Evans b. Los Americanos – Top rope headbutt to Bravo
LA Knight b. Penta and Austin Theory – BFT to Theory

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: January 26, 2026
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re coming up on the Royal Rumble this weekend, though you might not have noticed it as the build for the show has only been so strong. Maybe it was due to this past weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, but the show hasn’t felt overly important and is lacking some focus. Hopefully they fix that up tonight as they’re out of time. Let’s get to it.

Here is Saturday Night’s Main Event if you need a recap.

Here is AJ Styles to welcome us to the show. There is a man backstage who says that is the last time he’ll get to say that and his name is Gunther. That isn’t how Styles sees it going though, because while this is going to be the year that he retires, there is a lot that he still wants to do. He wants to wrestle some people one more time and he wants to be World Champion one more time.

Gunther might be good, but he isn’t phenomenal and here is CM Punk to interrupt. Punk talks about how they have known each other for twenty years and have been everywhere from friends to rivals, but now they have respect between each other. Punk isn’t sure about Styles putting everything on the line in WWE, which Styles thinks means Punk doesn’t think he can win.

That’s not what Punk meant, but it’s a huge gamble and if it goes badly, they can never face each other in a WWE ring. Styles knows Punk isn’t trying to be disrespectful but that’s how it’s coming off, especially since Styles knows he can beat him. The challenge is thrown out for tonight, with Punk thinking they should just have it be for the title. It seems to be on.

Saturday Night’s Main Event recap.

Stephanie Vaquer/Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan/Roxanne Perez/Raquel Rodriguez

That’s a stacked lineup. Perez and Sky start things off with Sky getting taken into the corner for some stomping from Morgan. Rodriguez adds a string of elbows but it’s off to Vaquer to fight back. A legdrop gets two on Morgan but it’s too early for the SVB. The Devil’s Kiss doesn’t get very far as Rodriguez makes the save and we take an early break.

We come back with Perez’s double springboard moonsault getting two on Vaquer. Back up and a shot to the face cuts Perez off, only for Morgan to pull Ripley off the apron. The distracted Ripley gets sent into the steps but Vaquer backbreakers her way out of trouble. Sky comes in (as a woman can be heard saying “excuse me”) and house is cleaned, including a hard kick to Perez. The Bullet Train sets up a butterfly backbreaker to put Perez down but Morgan is back in for a double Russian legsweep on Sky.

Oblivion doesn’t work and Sky kicks her way over to Ripley for the big tag. A Razor’s Edge sends Morgan into Perez but Riptide is broken up. Morgan hits a springboard tornado DDT to drop Ripley as everything breaks down. Vaquer escapes the Tejana Bomb and hits a big dive onto Rodriguez on the floor. That leaves Ripley to block Oblivion but Perez tags herself in. Sky missile dropkicks Perez and Riptide finishes Perez at 12:55.

Rating: B. They had a pretty action packed match here with most of the big stars in the women’s division in one match. That’s a nice way to go, with Ripley getting the win to pop the crowd. I’m not sure where it goes from here, though at least Ripley and Sky already have challengers set and Vaquer vs. Rodriguez is all but set.

We look back at Finn Balor vs. CM Punk from last week.

Balor comes up to Punk in the back and says Punk was part of the most memorable night of his career. He thanks Punk for last week, but Punk says it takes two to tango. Punk isn’t the best in the world unless he beats the best in the world and there aren’t many people left like them in WWE. Balor should think about what he wants his legacy to be. If he wants to be champion again, maybe he should ditch Judgment Day, because hanging around Dominik Mysterio isn’t helping things. If Balor wants another shot, win the Rumble and come see him in Vegas. Balor is thinking about things.

There’s a HHH version of WWE2K26.

Here is the Vision for a chat. After overcoming the booing fans, Paul Heyman says they are here to boost the star power on this show, even in this second class city. Heyman introduces everyone on the team and we go through some of the issues the Vision has been having with Adam Pearce as of late. Cue Pearce, with Heyman asking the crowd to boo him and flip him off.

Pearce apologizes and Bron Breakker’s suspension is officially lifted and he’s in the Rumble. Pearce: “What else do you need?” Heyman offers a handshake and Pearce praises him before putting the rest of the Vision in the Rumble as well (Heyman is VERY confused). As for Austin Theory, he might have won last week if not for brass knuckles so tonight, he gets to face Rey Mysterio one on one. And we’ll do that right now.

Rey Mysterio vs. Austin Theory

Penta and Dragon Lee are here with Mysterio. We’re joined in progress after a break with Theory running him over with a hard elbow to the mask. Theory knocks him down again and we hit the chinlock, with Mysterio getting up rather quickly. Mysterio fights up and sends him to the floor, where Penta and Lee have to be chased away. That lets Mysterio drop Theory again and we take a break.

We come back with Mysterio in trouble but he avoids a charge in the corner. Theory punches a springboard out of the air and Ataxia gets two. Mysterio gets in a knockdown of his own and it’s time for the seconds to get in a fight on the floor. That’s broken up but Theory gets in a Stomp for the pin at 9:12. I’m not sure but it looked like Mysterio was banged up there at the end.

Rating: C+. It wasn’t bad and I do like Theory getting some wins. If they want to get rid of his negative reputation, this is the kind of thing that he needs to do. They need to keep it up though and that’s always the tricky part. For now though, they’re at least going in the right direction. Now hopefully Mysterio isn’t actually hurt.

Post match the Vision wrecks everyone, including a big spear to Penta.

IMG Credit: WWE

Natalya explains that she’s crushing Maxxine Dupri and implies she wants Becky Lynch’s title. I’d settle for just not having to listen to Natalya talk.

Raquel Rodriguez is screaming for Stephanie Vaquer but Bayley and Lyra Valkyria get annoyed at her for being loud. Vaquer comes in for the brawl.

Roman Reigns is back at the Royal Rumble.

Earlier today, Michael Cole had a sitdown interview with Gunther, who says there is nothing for him to gain with just beating Styles again. Now he has something to gain, as he can end Styles’ career. Styles wanted one more moment, but now the moment he’s going to give the fans is seeing him give up in his final match. He’s getting rid of all these old timers….and just how long is Cole going to keep chasing one more moment? Gunther could end him right now but he wants Cole there at the Royal Rumble to announce the end of Styles’ career. Gunther as the half charming/half menacing villain is a good way to go.

Video on CM Punk vs. AJ Styles.

Adam Pearce is happy about a phone call when Finn Balor comes in to declare for the Royal Rumble. Pearce says the Rumble is full but Balor says this isn’t over. Balor leaves and runs into Liv Morgan, who wants to know what is up with Balor and CM Punk. Last week Punk treated Balor like a participation trophy and the Judgment Day is his real family. Balor says this isn’t so straightforward.

IMG Credit: WWE

Alpha Academy vs. Los Americanos vs. Creed Brothers vs. New Day

For a future Tag Team Title shot so Jey Uso is here while Grayson Waller is here with New Day. Bravo takes over on Kingston’s arm to start and Rayo comes in for a double shoulder. Tozawa comes in to fight back but Brutus’ Brutus Ball wipes out the pile. Otis is sent into the steps and we take an early break. We come back with Woods sending Tozawa into the corner and dropping Kingston onto him for two.

Cole can’t remember which Americano is which so Graves tells him “Rayo Red, Bravo Blue. I’m the Miss Rachel of luchadors out here.” Bravo comes in for the spinning torture rack and Cole thinks that reminds him of someone. Otis comes in to clean house, including the Caterpillar for two on Brutus. Tozawa adds a double DDT and a German suplex as the fans are starting to get pleased with this. Waller crotches Tozawa on top but Otis is back up to wreck people. Tozawa’s top rope backsplash finishes Julius at 10:42.

Rating: C. Well, we couldn’t get a top level team winning so we’ll go with the comedy goofs instead. The tag division has been flaming death for months now and this is the best they can do? The match was another mess with so many people out there that you can only get so much out of any of them. It’s an ok enough match, but my goodness how is this the best possible result?

Becky Lynch mocks Jackie Redmond’s Toronto Maple Leafs jacket and talks about Natalya attacking Mid Maxxine. The same thing happened to her with Loser Lyra but now Lynch is in the Royal Rumble so she’s going on to win. The Kabuki Warriors come in and say they’re in the Rumble, but Lynch blames Asuka for the loss at WarGames. They’ll see each other in the Rumble.

Je’Von Evans comes up to AJ Styles and says he’d love to see him on the retirement tour. Styles likes that idea but Evans doesn’t seem certain it’s happening. At least Evans seems ok after last week.

Stephanie Vaquer requests a fight with Raquel Rodriguez so Adam Pearce grants it for next week.

Royal Rumble rundown.

The Vision plans for the Royal Rumble and talk about how one of them should be their focus. Logan Paul thinks it should be Bron Breakker and the team agrees. Good talk.

Oba Femi is official for the Royal Ruble. Well that makes sense.

Raw World Title: CM Punk vs. AJ Styles

Punk is defending. Feeling out process to start and Styles has to escape a GTS attempt, with Punk having to get out of a Calf Crusher as well. Punk bails away before resetting things a bit, only to get knocked outside in a hurry. A sliding knee connects for Styles and we take a break.

We come back with Punk hitting the running knee in the corner, setting up the running bulldog. A Shining Wizard gives Punk two and he strikes away but the GTS is countered into the fireman’s carry neckbreaker. Styles takes him up top but the superplex is broken up. Punk gets the Anaconda Vice but it’s broken up pretty quickly.

Another Shining Wizard is countered into a failed Styles Clash attempt and they head outside. Punk grabs a GTS on the floor and they both make it back inside at nine. The Styles Clash connects for two and they need a breather. Back up and they strike it out until Styles hits a Pele Kick. Another Styles Clash is countered into a GTS attempt…and Finn Balor runs in to dropkick Punk for the DQ at 18:10.

Rating: B+. It was rather good and they did a nice job with the surprise ending as I was expecting Gunther instead. They had to do something like this with the ending as a title change seemed unlikely, though Styles losing here didn’t make sense either. Odds are this sets up Balor vs. Punk at the Rumble, which is a good enough match, if you ignore Punk beating him last week. Either way, very good match here, which was somehow their first singles match in over twenty years.

Balor beats Punk up with some running dropkicks against the barricade and a pair of Coup de Graces to end the show. The fans don’t care much, and that’s not overly surprising as we’ve already seen Punk vs. Balor. This wasn’t much of a reason to see it again.

Overall Rating: C. The more I think about the ending to the main event, the less I like it. The whole thing feels rushed together, which is pretty much how the whole Rumble build has felt. Maybe it was due to having two big shows in eight days or maybe it’s due to the Rumbles feeling wide open, but this Saturday’s show doesn’t feel huge. This week’s show was designed to make it feel better and while that worked to an extent, it really wasn’t a strong episode. It’s not bad and the main event is good, but dang the Rumble needed more than this.

Results
Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky/Stephanie Vaquer b. Liv Morgan/Roxanne Perez/Raquel Rodriguez – Riptide to Perez
Austin Theory b. Rey Mysterio – Stomp
Alpha Academy b. Los Americanos, New Day and Creed Brothers – Top rope backsplash to Julius
CM Punk b. AJ Styles via DQ when Finn Balor interfered

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