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

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

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

Kelani Jordan vs. Wren Sinclair

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post match respect is shown.

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

Jaida Parker vs. Layla Diggs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Clash In Italy rundown.

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

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

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

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

Charlie Dempsey vs. Shiloh Hill

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Title: Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: May 19, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

Things have been going into a slightly new direction around here, mainly because there are all kinds of fresh names around here. Several of the have hit the ground running and that is a good thing to see. If nothing else, it makes things look like the system is working and hopefully that continues this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Myles Borne/Tony D’Angelo vs. Kam Hendrix/Mason Rook

Hendrix powers Borne down to start but Borne is back up with a dropkick. A powerslam plants Hendrix and it’s off to D’Angelo, who gets to face Rook. Some running splashes in the corner crush D’Angelo, who tries a fisherman’s suplex for some reason. When that doesn’t work in the slightest, Borne comes in for a double suplex to Borne and Hendrix is sent outside as we take a break.

We come back with Hendrix chop blocking Borne and Rook hitting a splash. Rook’s Blue Thunder Bomb gets two but Borne fights out of trouble and brings in D’Angelo. House is cleaned and D’Angelo Cactus Clotheslines Rook out to the floor. Cue Tavion Heights to jump Hendrix, who is knocked into Borne. That allows Rook to Death Valley Driver Borne into the corner. Rook Big Bang Catastrophes Borne and Hendrix gets the pin at 12:06.

Rating: B-. This was a fine enough opener, with Hendrix getting to set himself up as the next challenger for Borne’s title. Well in theory at least, as it could be Rook or Heights, or some combination for the three. As for Rook…I’m not sure yet. He looks like King Kong Bundy with hair, which isn’t a terrible thing, but we’ll have to see what he does with some more time.

Darkstate are ready to get the Tag Team Titles back. Dion Lennox and Saquon Shuggars are still having issues though.

Here is Kelani Jordan, who talks about how much success she has had around here. Now though, she can’t even get a title shot, despite making the champion tap out. This brings out Izzi Dame, who says she should get the next title shot, which brings out Lola Vice, who says Jordan talks a lot and Dame dared to hit her in the back of the head. Next week, it’s Vice vs. Dame, which doesn’t work for Dame, or the interrupting Kendal Grey. Jordan complains about Grey and is promptly hit in the back with a crutch by Wren Sinclair. Dame and Jordan are quickly cleared out so the other three stand tall.

Dorian Van Dux and Sean Legacy are ready to get back on track, but Legacy reveals that they’re facing each other in the Speed tournament next week.

Noam Dar gives Romeo Moreno a pep talk. Moreno wants Dar at ringside tonight and Dar is in.

A bunch of women are watching Natalya on a podcast. Jaida Parker comes in and says she isn’t happy. Layla Diggs isn’t impressed with Parker and the match seems likely.

Romeo Moreno vs. Tristan Angels

Noam Dar is here with Moreno, who gets taken down with a spinning wristlock. Back up and Moreno hits him in the face but gets tied up in the corner. A double stomp and suplex give Angels two and a backbreaker has Moreno in more trouble. Cue Shiloh Hill (with a very tall hat) to distract Angels though and Moreno sends Angels outside for a big dive.

We take a break and come back with Moreno getting two off a missile dropkick. Angels catches him on top though and a Backstabber gets two. That earns Angels another dropkick to the floor, where he pulls Moreno onto the apron. Back in and a driving knee (basically a Stomp but with a knee) finishes Moreno at 8:59.

Rating: C+. The action was fine though I’m not exactly getting Moreno’s appeal. He’s fine, but there’s nothing about him that has made him stand out thus far. At the same time, Angels is a perfectly acceptable snooty heel. It’s a character that has been done forever in wrestling and it should work well for him if he is adequate or better.

Post match Angels says Hill belongs with these horrible fans but Hill thinks he should be named Mr. NXT. Hill puts up a photo of Angels looking rather dressed up, complete with a top hat. Angels is livid and says this won’t ruin his debut, even as Hill laughs a lot.

Lola Vice, Tatum Paxley, Myles Borne and Tony D’Angelo talk about how tough it is to keep their titles. Paxley is off for a title defense, leaving D’Angelo alone. Naraku comes in to say evil can show up at any time.

The Culling studies OTM before their match next week but Izzi Dame interrupts. The rest of the team didn’t see what happened to Dame but Shawn Spears calms things down. Well mostly as Dame doesn’t seem thrilled.

Women’s North American Title: Lizzy Rain vs. Tatum Paxley

Paxley is defending and, after the Big Match Intros, grabs an armdrag to start. A headlock doesn’t get Paxley very far as Rain is up with an armbar. That’s broken up as well and Paxley dropkicks her to the floor, only for Rain to come back in for a dropkick through the ropes. We take a break and come back with the two of them hitting crossbodies for a double down.

They forearm it out and then trade kicks with Rain getting the better of things. Rain’s chops in the corner have Paxley in more trouble but she comes back with a kick to the face. Back in and Paxley bounces out of a German suplex but a rolling kick to the head is blocked. They fight over a backslide, with Paxley swinging it into the Cemetery Drive to retain at 11:40.

Rating: B. They got going near the end and that switch into the Cemetery Drive was great. Paxley is starting to feel it and that’s great to see as she’s gone from just kind of there to a featured attraction. At the same time, Rain had her best match to date thus far and that is a good sign for her future.

Post match Zaria runs in and lays them both out with F5’s.

Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair are in the back and Grey insists that Sinclair isn’t a liability. Robert Stone comes in to say this can’t keep happening but Sinclair says she’ll be cleared next week. Shouldn’t Stone know that already?

Keanu Carver vs. Tate Wilder

Wilder gets sent to the apron and tries a sunset flip, which doesn’t work so well. Carver gives him a backdrop and grabs a sleeper, with Wilder managing to send him outside. A big running flip dive connects to put Carver down again and there’s the moonsault to do it again. Carver is right back up to send him into the post and a toss suplex sends Wilder flying again.

Wilder’s eye is busted open as Carver hammers away but Wilder tells him to bring it. A missile dropkick and Sling Blade put Carver down and Wilder sends him into the post. Wilder’s top rope splash gets two but Carver breaks up the Wilde Ride. A spinebuster finishes for Carver at 5:40.

Rating: B-. Much like the previous match, this got going near the end with Wilder trying to get the momentum going against the monster. That only worked for so long though as Carver eventually caught him. I still like Wilder a good deal and he could go somewhere with a lot more time, but Carver is a monster right now and that could take him somewhere.

Jackson Drake gives the nervous Vanity Project a pep talk but Myka Lockwood comes in to say she has the rest of Darkstate covered. The guys don’t get it but they’ll take it.

Shiloh Hill gets OTM to sign his petition to be Mr. NXT. Birthright on the other hand isn’t so interested. This gets Hill a match with Charlie Dempsey next week.

Kam Hendrix is in the ring for a chat and is rather pleased with beating two champions in his first match. He wants the NXT Title but here is Mason Rook to interrupt. Rook wants credit for the win but Hendrix passes, earning himself a beating. I do like them putting this in the ring for a change, as this would usually be a backstage segment.

We look at some recent NXT Live shows. These people getting house show experience is a good idea.

Tag Team Titles: Darkstate vs. Vanity Project

The Project is defending and get jumped before the start. Lennox hammers on Balor to start but Smokes comes in for the cheap shot. Back up and Lennox hits a clothesline but Shuggars hits a dropkick, even as Lennox was thinking double clothesline. A shot to the throat cuts Shuggars off and it’s back to Baylor, who gets monkey flipped. Smokes gets double teamed down and Darkstate clears the ring as we take a break.

We come back with Shuggars fighting out of trouble and avoiding a charge into the barricade. Shuggars realizes that no one is covering Lennox and the diving tag is on. House is quickly cleaned but Shuggars tags himself back in for a rollup. Everything breaks down and Lennox gives Baylor a slingshot sitout powerbomb for two.

Lennox’s double clothesline puts the champs down and here is the rest of Darkstate, with Myra Lockwood getting in their way. A spinebuster looks to give Lennox two but Shuggars tagged himself in. The top rope elbow gives Shuggars two and Darkstate gets to argue. That’s enough for Smokes to get a small package to retain at 11:33.

Rating: C+. This was an interesting way to go as the Project continues to back their way into wins, which works rather well for them. That’s a good way to go for a basically pretty boy team and it’s going to be fun when someone catches them. Then you have Darkstate and…yeah I’m not sure they’re going to be a thing that much longer. At least not in this form.

Post match all of Darkstate gets in the ring…and beat down Shuggars, apparently siding with Lennox. Shuggars slaps Lennox and is put through the announcers’ table as a result. Well that was one of the ways to go.

Overall Rating: B. This was a better than usual show as they moved a good number of things forward. That’s a good thing to see as it is the kind of show that should get us closer to some big showdowns. I’m still not sold on Rook but the fans certainly seem to like him to start so maybe there’s something to him. Other than that, both Women’s Title pictures are looking interesting and I want to see where those things are going. Nice job here as the new stars are starting to feel like regulars in a hurry.

Results
Kam Hendrix/Mason Rook b. Myles Borne/Tony D’Angelo – Big Bang Catastrophe to Borne
Tristan Angels b. Romeo Moreno – Driving knee
Tatum Paxley b. Lizzy Rain – Cemetery Drive
Keanu Carver b. Tate Wilder – Spinebuster
Vanity Project b. Darkstate – Small package to Shuggars

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: May 12, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re on the way to some big show which I don’t think has been announced yet but you can see some of the stories coming together from here. This includes Tony D’Angelo likely facing Naraku, who is the new big villain on the show. Other than that, it turns out that Keanu Carver is rather smart, which he revealed last week. Let’s get to it.

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

Tatum Paxley/Lizzy Rain vs. Nikkita Lyons/Zaria

Zaria and Rain start things off with Zaria easily shoving her down. A sunset flip doesn’t work for Rain either and Zaria hits a hard clothesline. Paxley comes in and gets to face Lyons, who makes a blind tag. Lyons puts her down but misses a splits splash and everything breaks down. Rain and Paxley hit stereo dropkicks through the ropes and we take a break.

We come back with Rain fighting out of a chinlock but getting caught in a tiger bomb for two. Zaria misses a charge though and it’s back to Rain to make the comeback. Lyons punches her down though and it’s back to Paxley, whose Cemetery Drive is reversed into a spinning kick to the head. That’s enough for Lyons to get over to the rope…and Zaria walks out. Rain comes back in for Thunderstruck for the pin at 9:24.

Rating: C+. Rain seems to be sticking around and while I’m not big on her thus far, she’s at least someone unique enough to stand out and that’s a good start. At the same time, Lyons took the pin here as she should have and I can’t blame Zaria for walking away from her. Paxley can get ready for whomever is next for her, which very well may wind up being Zaria anyway.

Kendal Grey insists that Wren Sinclair isn’t a distraction to her, despite Sinclair’s injury. Lola Vice comes in and Grey is ready to show her that wrestling is better than MMA. Tempers flare.

Naraku vs. Lince Dorado

Naraku starts in on the arm to start and grinds away on a headlock. Dorado slips out and hits a springboard spinning crossbody but gets suplexed into the corner. A hard clothesline puts Dorado down again and we hit the chinlock. Dorado gets up and hits a Golden Rewind, only to get caught in a release fisherman’s suplex. The Abyss (STO/Everything Is Evil) finishes for Naraku at 4:32.

Rating: C. This was a debut and Naraku looked good enough, with Dorado’s offense not getting him very far. It wasn’t exactly a squash but it did what it needed to do, as Naraku looks like he could be a threat to some top stars. He has a long way to go, but at least he started off fairly well.

Post match Naraku says he is pure evil.

EK Prosper is glad to have Tate Wilder and Sean Legacy there to help him. Wilder is still trying to find his spot around here. Dorian Van Dux comes in and is ready to go as well.

Jaida Parker interrupted Natalya’s LFG video earlier today and they got into it again.

EK Prosper/Tate Wilder/Sean Legacy vs. Birthright

Wilder takes Stacks into the corner to start and gives him an armdrag, followed by a dropkick. A shot to the throat allows the tag off to Dempsey, who gets to uppercut Legacy. Prosper comes in for a dropkick and does the same thing to Connors, who crashes out to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Legacy kicking Connors in the corner, allowing Wilder to get the tag. Everything breaks down and Wilder gets caught on top and butterfly superplexed back down.

Prosper makes the save and we get a rather loud NXT chant. Wilder hits a TKO for two more as Stacks makes the save. That means Wilder gets to hit a big running flip dive but looks at Legacy rather than tagging him in. Wilder’s frog splash gets two but Wilder STILL won’t tag. Instead, Wilder misses the Wilde Ride (moonsault), allowing Stacks and Connors to come in with a pair of running boots for the pin at 12:58.

Rating: B. This got wild in the middle and it was rather entertaining, with Wilder getting the chance to stand out. At the same time, it’s interesting to see him not wanting to tag and instead going for everything he could. That’s a curious way to go for him and hopefully it leads to something, as he’s grown on me a lot during his time in Evolve.

Tatum Paxley is so happy with the win earlier tonight that she’ll give Lizzy Rain a title shot next week. Shiloh Hill comes in and says he’s been researching Tristan Angels. Cue Angels, who doesn’t like Hill suggesting he could outclass him.

The Culling wants to get rid of some people, with Izzi Dame focusing on Lola Vice.

Here is Robert Stone to bring in Mason Rook to sign his NXT contract. Rook talks about turning heads around the world, including getting John Cena’s attention. That’s not enough for him though because he’s about to crush people but here is Tony D’Angelo to interrupt. D’Angelo is paying attention to Rook…and here is Kam Hendrix to jump D’Angelo from behind. Rook dives onto them all and then signs his contract as the fans sing about him being big and bad (though it might have been “fat” instead of bad) and something about a hat.

Romeo Moreno praises Noam Dar’s abilities as Dar is ready for his match.

Emily Agard’s newest assignment is to get to know OTM, who are having a cookout. They have some hot dogs and talk to Lucien Price’s brother. Price and his brother had to work to get here and both know how to put in the effort. Apparently Nima plans things out and is also quite the artist. These little vignettes/interviews are a REALLY good idea as they’re letting fans get to know some of these wrestlers who have never had a chance before. That’s great to see and hopefully they keep going.

Jackson Drake vs. Noam Dar

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Drake. Dar chops him away to start but Dar is back with a shove into the ropes. That just earns him a trip to the floor, where Dar hits a running boot as we take a break. We come back with Dar getting crotched on top and Drake adding a handspring cutter.

Dar grabs a suplex though but enziguried into a fireman’s carry gutbuster. They go to a pinfall reversal sequence until Dar gets two off a European Clutch. Back up and they trade forearms until Dar kicks him in the ribs to break up a handspring. Myka Lockwood offers a distraction though and Drake gets in a kick of his own. The 450 finishes Dar at 10:22.

Rating: B-. Drake needed a win like this just for the sake of building himself up a bit. He hasn’t done much on his own since showing up in NXT so a simple win is a good way to go. Dar is still finding his footing after his return and now we get to see what he can do after his long absence. I like him on his own a lot more and hopefully we get to see how it goes for a bit.

Post match here is Darkstate to stare at the Vanity Project but they don’t come to the ring.

Myles Borne comes up to Tavion Heights and talks about a tag match next week. Heights thinks he and Borne will be teaming together but it’s actually with Tony D’Angelo. Heights takes this as Borne thinking he’s not good enough as a partner anymore, even if Borne denies it. Either way, heights storms off.

Back in the arena and Darkstate is in the ring while the Vanity Project is in the aisle. Darkstate want a title shot but get shot down, with Brad Baylor bragging about taking the titles from Darkstate in the first place. That’s fine with Darkstate, because they’ve already gotten the match made. Hold on though, as Darkstate has a huddle and say the team has to get the title back or it might be time for a change. Either way, the Project runs in from behind and are quickly dispatched.

Robert Stone meets Naraku, who gives him a very intense handshake. Stone leaves and runs into Kam Hendrix and Mason Rook, who aren’t happy with the tag match. They’re basically told to get over it, but here is Tate Wilder, who wants a match next week. Keanu Carver comes in to say he wants one too so Stone makes Wilder vs. Carver. Simple enough.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Kali Armstrong wants to scout the women’s division around here. Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair pop up for a staredown. For you non-fans, Grey beat Armstrong to win the Evolve Women’s Title.

Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan

Wren Sinclair is here with Grey. They fight over a lockup to start until Grey double legs her down. The threat of a cross armbreaker sends Jordan bailing over to the ropes. Back up and Jordan misses a charge into the corner, allowing Grey to hit a dropkick. They head out to the apron, where Grey sweeps the legs and hits a slingshot double stomp back inside

The ankle lock is broken up though and Grey is sent outside, with Jordan hitting a dive. An apron 619 gets Grey out of trouble and she hits a big dive to the floor as we take a break. We come back with an exchange of shots to the face leaving both of them down. An overhead belly to belly drops Jordan again and Grey strings together some suplexes. A hurricanrana out of the corner gives Grey two but Jordan is back with a powerbomb for the same.

Grey snatches the ankle but can’t get a cross armbreaker. Back up and a powerslam gives Grey two as we see Izzi Dame attacking Lola Vice backstage. Jordan catches her up top with a super Spanish Fly as Vice and Dame fight to ringside, with Sinclair being knocked down. That’s enough of a distraction for Jordan to knock Grey off the ropes and hit One Of A Kind for the pin at 12:48.

Rating: B. They were going a bit better before the bell but it was nice to see these two getting a chance to showcase themselves. Grey more than hung in there with the established Jordan and already feels like she belongs in this division. That’s hard to do but she’s making it work rather early on in her NXT run.

Post match Grey and Vice argue but Dame takes Vice out to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The most impressive thing that NXT has done in recent weeks is introduce these new stars and turned them into regulars that fast. That’s hard to do and they’ve managed to make it work this well. These new names still have a long way to go, but they’re off to a good start and that is more than I was expecting. That was on display here, as there were a lot of new names on the show and it didn’t feel out of place. It’s far from the days of NXT 2.0 when everyone was just thrown in there with no particular idea. This feels more planned out and that is helping quite a bit.

Results
Lizzy Rain/Tatum Paxley b. Nikkita Lyons/Zaria – Thunderstruck to Lyons
Naraku b. Lince Dorado – Abyss
Birthright b. EK Prosper/Sean Legacy/Tate Wilder – Double boot to Wilder
Jackson Drake b. Noam Dar – 450
Kelani Jordan b. Kendal Grey – One Of A Kind

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

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

NXT
Date: May 5, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We don’t exactly have a big show coming up around here but we do have a bunch of people showing up in a hurry. Last week was one debut after another and that could make for some interesting changes. Hopefully we can find something for them to do though they’re all getting their feet wet. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Tony D’Angelo says he isn’t waiting and charges at Tavion Heights for a quickly broken up brawl.

Jaida Parker vs. Kali Armstrong

They shove each other around to start, followed by an exchange of grappling. Parker gets a chinlock before sending Armstrong outside. That means a ram to send Armstrong into the apron and then being sent back inside. A double clothesline leaves both of them down and we take a break.

We come back with Armstrong sending her into the corner and stopping for some pushups. Armstrong drives in some knees and fires off the shoulders in the corner. The mocking of the high steps just wakes Parker up though and she hits the Tear Drop in the corner. Armstrong snaps off a powerslam to cut that off and the Kali Connection (running shoulder) finishes Parker at 9:57.

Rating: C+. This was about presenting Armstrong as a threat and it worked out rather well. At the same time, it’s a bit annoying to see Parker lose again. She’s turning into the latest star who gets start and stop pushes without getting anywhere. Hopefully that isn’t the case, as she has far too much potential otherwise.

Tony D’Angelo comes in to yell at Robert Stone, saying he wants Tavion Heights tonight. Sure.

Video on Jackson Drake vs. Jasper Troy.

Birthright is not happy with what happened last week. Fit Finlay comes in to say they’re not doing well and William Regal, by phone, says he’s sent Charlie Dempsey back to the Snake Pit before they have a six man tag next week. The team sounds more ready.

We look at not Evil debuting last week. Not Evil says that was a proclamation to Tony D’Angelo and they will battle for the NXT Title. His name is Naraku and he debuts next week.

Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake

The rest of the Vanity Project are here with Drake. Troy fires off some shoulders in the corner to start but gets caught with a jumping enziguri. The Project offers a distraction and Drake hits a top rope Meteora and we take a break. We come back with Drake grabbing a tornado DDT but Troy nips up and gives him a chokeslam. Troy goes outside to yell at the Project though and here is Myka Lockwood to slam him on the floor. Back in and Drake’s 450 connects for the pin at 7:18.

Rating: C+. I for one am shocked that a Shawn Michaels run promotion would have a muscular female woman as a heater for a young, disrespectful team. That being said, sure why not, as it’s an idea that has worked before and it can work again. The Project needed one more person and this is better than some big silent brooding man as the enforcer.

We look back at Tristan Angel’s debut last week. Angels talks about being better than a bunch of people on the roster.

We get a Rhea Ripley Origins video.

Here is Zaria for a chat. She says it feels different around here and for the first time, there is no one holding her back in the women’s division. Now she has a clear path to the Women’s North American Title. That title is what finally woke her up but here is Tatum Paxley to interrupt. Paxley knows how the title came between Zaria and Sol Ruca but that has nothing to do with her.

Cue Lizzy Rain to say she was the talk of the town last week and it’s time to add some heavy metal to the title. Cue Nikkita Lyons, who takes credit for fans caring about Rain. Paxley will fight everyone and the brawl is on with Zaria standing tall. If Zaria is the challenger then fine, but this just made me even less interested in Rain and Lyons.

The Vanity Project meets Evolve’s Romeo Moreno, who isn’t impressed with them. Noam Dar returns and wants to fight Jackson Drake next week. Myka Lockwood shows up to scare Dar a bit but the match seems set. With the Project gone, Moreno says he is a huge Dar fan.

Kam Hendrix jumps Tony D’Angelo.

Post break Robert Stone grabs a headset and shakes up the card because D’Angelo can’t wrestle at the moment.

Mr. Iguana/Lola Vice vs. Culling

The former’s AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line and it’s Izzi Dame/Niko Vance for the Culling. The men start things off, with Iguana being shoved into the ropes. The dead iguana pose has Vance confused but he picks Iguana up in a Gory Stretch. That’s broken up as Vice tags herself in, allowing Dame to come in and kick Iguana in the head. Dame hits a running shoulder in the corner but Vice chops away and grabs a springboard armdrag. Everything breaks down and the Culling are taken down with back to back seated sentons

We take a break and come back with Vance dropping a headbutt for two. A heck of a discus right hand puts Iguana down again and a tilt-a-whirl faceplant gets two. Iguana manages a tornado DDT though and the women come back in as everything breaks down again. Vice’s running hip attack in the corner gets two on Dame and a spinning kick to the head knocks her silly. Vance breaks up the count but Iguana and Vice grab stereo triangle chokes. Both of them are broken up pretty quickly and Dame’s running knee finishes Vice at 11:30.

Rating: B-. Iguana and Vice are a mostly silly team but they still feel important enough that beating them still means something. What matters is that Dame is now primed to get the next title shot and that should work. Dame is a big, strong star who can give Vice a good challenge. That’s how it should have gone and it’s a nice story to set up.

Tavion Heights still wants to fight Tony D’Angelo and Robert Stone comes in to say the match is tonight’s main event. Stone goes over to Zaria, who wants the Women’s North American Title. She’s not happy about being in a tag match next week, but Stone says that’s what she has to do if she wants a title shot.

Jaida Parker is livid about her loss. Nattie comes in to say Parker has gone soft. End of segment.

Hank & Tank vs. Darkstate

The rest of Darkstate is here with…uh, Darkstate. James elbows Hank in the face to start and it’s off to Tank to grind away on a headlock. Griffin comes in and gets caught in the wrong corner but comes right back with a delayed vertical suplex. A running bulldog out of the corner gets Tank out of trouble as everything breaks down. Darkstate knocks them down on the floor and Dion Lennox grabs a chair, which Saquon Shuggars takes away. The argument ensues and we take a break.

We come back with Tank fighting out of a chinlock but getting caught with a gutbuster. Griffin sends him back into the corner but Tank escapes a gutwrench and brings Hank in to clean house. A double tackle gets two on James, who is back with a spinning backbreaker. The Vader Bomb gets two, with Hank having to make the save. Hank is slammed on the floor and the diving Tank is pulled out of the air for the same result. Back in and an assisted spinning powerbomb finishes Hank at 12:00.

Rating: B-. Oddly enough this wound up being a pretty hot match, with Darkstate finally getting a win to stop their losing streak for the time being. The fact that Lennox wasn’t involved with the result isn’t the best sign for his future, but the team needed to be shaken up. Hank & Tank continue to exist and that’s about as much as I can think of them most of the time.

Kelani Jordan mocks Lola Vice and says she’s coming for the title too. Kendal Grey comes in to say she’s coming after Jordan, who isn’t worried.

Commentary…has tech issues and we can’t hear anything they say. A production worker comes in to try to fix it and we go to a video instead.

New correspondent Emily Agard gets to meet Keanu Carver on her first assignment. He doesn’t want to talk so they put the camera down…which films them anyway. Carver says he’s here to get paid and comments don’t help him take care of people counting on him. He’s told Robert Stone to give him a chance or cut him. Carver knows they’re still filming him so she can ask one last question on the record.

Agard asks about Carver knowing the symbol of war given to Tony D’Angelo last week. Carver says he played college football…but he paid attention in class too. Carver: “The thing about me that y’all don’t know is that I’m smart as s*** for real.” Well that’s a different way to present someone. I like it though, as Carver has been presented as this big brute but having a brain with that kind of force is interesting.

Hey the audio is better.

Backlash rundown.

Shiloh Hill is walking around in the dark and he’s happy about beating Ricky Saints last week. He also finds Tristan Angels to be a bit ridiculous and hopes he’s allergic to sheep.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Tavion Heights vs. Tony D’Angelo

Non-title. Heights wrestles him down to start and they trade waistlocks. A fireman’s carry faceplant drops D’Angelo and he realizes the amateur stuff isn’t going to work here. Instead D’Angelo hits a John Cena Throwback for two but gets driven into the corner for a beating. Heights throws him down with a suplex but D’Angelo is up for a shove off the top as we take a break.

We come back with D’Angelo fighting out of a chinlock, only for Heights to gutwrench suplex him for two. A pretty impressive top rope splash gives Heights two…and makes D’Angelo Hulk Up. Some German suplexes put Heights down but his capture suplex gets two more. Forget About It gives D’Angelo two of his own and they forearm it out. A spear drops puts Heights down again but he’s back up with his spinning belly to belly. Cue Kam Hendrix for a distraction so Heights beats him up, with Myles Borne running in to give Hendrix a running flip dive. They brawl off and D’Angelo chokeslams Heights for the pin at 10:22.

Rating: B-. They got rolling near the end here and were trading one big shot after another. The Hendrix and Bourne stuff didn’t really help, but D’Angelo gets to beat someone on the way to his next big challenger. That could be a few people, though Naraku seems likely. Heights still feels like he has potential, but this came off more as him just being someone for D’Angelo to beat.

Post match respect is shown but the big guy from last week runs in again and lays them both out. He introduces himself as Mason Rook and says he has arrived.

Overall Rating: B. This was the follow up to last week’s show with all of the people debuting and this week seemed to be more about them pairing off and getting settled into their new spots. That’s good to see and it’s something that has to happen around here, as it’s the nature of NXT. The wrestling was more good than bad and the show accomplished enough so I’ll call it a good show.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Jaida Parker – Kali Connection
Jackson Drake b. Jasper Troy – 450
Culling b. Mr. Iguana/Lola Vice – Running knee to Vice
Darkstate b. Hank & Tank – Assisted spinning powerbomb to Hank
Tony D’Angelo b. Tavion Heights – Chokeslam

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: April 7, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with Stand & Deliver and that means it’s time to start getting ready for…whatever the next big show is going to be. The big story coming out of the show is Tony D’Angelo defeated Joe Hendry for the NXT Title. In addition, Lola Vice is the new Women’s Champion. Let’s get to it.

Here is Stand & Deliver if you need a recap.

Stand & Deliver recap.

Here is Tony D’Angelo to get things going. A lot of the fans have been with him since the beginning. He has gone from a boy to a man around here and now he is the only Grand Slam Champion in NXT history. Some of the decisions he has made haven’t been the best but there isn’t a man around here who can take the title from him.

Cue Joe Hendry, who agrees that D’Angelo was the better man. That was just one night though but would it have been the same in a one on one match? Cue Ethan Page to blame Ricky Saints for his loss, which brings out Saints to say the same thing. D’Angelo is ready to go again but here is Darkstate to go after all four of them. We take a break and come back with the fighting having been broken up and Robert Stone making the eight man tag.

Sol Ruca vs. Izzi Dame

Dame has the rest of the Culling with her. Dame powers her into the corner to start but gets taken down with a snapmare. Ruca hits a standing moonsault but Dame is right back with a running clothesline. Some shoulders in the corner have Ruca in more trouble, at least until she grabs an X Factor. A dropkick puts Dame outside and a spinning springboard dive takes her out again.

We take a break and come back with Ruca hitting a springboard flipping clothesline to leave both of them down. Ruca wins an exchange of strikes, followed by a missile dropkick. Dame is able to shove her off the top though and a super Codebreaker gets two. Back up and Ruca knocks her outside, only to miss a moonsault…and get speared by Zaria. Ruca is sent back inside for Dame Over to give Dame the pin at 10:38.

Rating: B-. This worked well enough while it lasted but Zaria vs. Ruca continuing isn’t the most appealing idea. Ruca beat her clean on Saturday and it’s just making Zaria feel whiny to continue the feud. At the same time, I can go for Dame getting more of a push, as she could fit into the title picture rather nicely.

The Vanity Project come into Robert Stone’s office when Blake Monroe (scheduled to meet with Stone) comes in. The Project gives her a fake Women’s North American Title and Stone gives her a mixed tag later tonight.

The injured Elio LeFleur meets with Dorian Van Duks and EK Prosper, saying he wants one of them to win the Speed Title. Duks is ready to go, but so is Prosper.

Keanu Carver vs. Jasper Troy vs. Josh Briggs

It’s a brawl to start with Briggs sending Carver into the post and out to the floor. Briggs takes over but Carver is back in, with Briggs giving him a splash. Carver knocks both of them down, with a clothesline getting two on Briggs. Troy gets beaten up on the floor but Briggs drops both of them as we take a break.

We come back with Carver slugging away at both of them and powerslamming Briggs for two. A spinebuster drops Troy for two and Carver stomps on Briggs in the corner. Troy fights up and chokeslams Carver before covering Briggs for two more. Briggs drops Troy over the top for a big crash, leaving Briggs to kick Carver in the face. A Pounce sends Troy to the floor and another puts Briggs down. The Jackhammer gives Carver the pin at 12:56.

Rating: B-. This was pretty much exactly as advertised, with all three powerhouses beating each other up until one of them got the pin. It was a fine match, though it never really did anything to make it stand out. Carver is being treated as a new force around here so it’s good to see him get a win. If nothing else it seems like he might be in for a big beatdown on Booker T., which would feel like an important deal.

Shiloh Hill and Tatum Paxley are ready for their mixed tag. They also talk about raccoons. Ricky Saints comes in to call them weird but they don’t seem to care.

Ricky Saints/Ethan Page/Tony D’Angelo/Joe Hendry vs. Darkstate

D’Angelo jumps Shuggars to start but gets in trouble in the wrong corner. Lennox comes in and gets driven away, only for Page to steal the tag from Hendry. Page is rammed into Saints, which counts as a tag as well. Saints is taken into the wrong corner but fights out in a hurry, allowing the tag off to Hendry.

A delayed suplex drops James for two and it’s back to Saints for a Fameasser and a near fall. Page and Saints get back together for a double backdrop but D’Angelo gets back in for a change. Lennox actually runs D’Angelo over and we take a break. We come back with Hendry in trouble, with a double suplex getting two. The neck crank keeps Hendry down and he gets swung into a backbreaker.

A running Vader Bomb gives James two but cue Myles Borne to go after Lennox (who attacked him on Saturday). Everything breaks down and Saints dives off the apron with a forearm to James. Hendry hits a big dive and D’Angelo adds a spinebuster to Shuggars. Page tags himself in though and boots D’Angelo in the face. The twisted Grin finishes Shuggars at 15:00.

Rating: B. They had a lot of things going on once here and they managed to make it into a good match. Page stealing the pin in the end and attacking D’Angelo might make him the first challenger for the title. Other than that you probably have Bourne vs. Lennox coming up, which should go well for both of them. Nice job here.

Post match D’Angelo lays Page out.

Jaida Parker is sick of people like Kelani Jordan. They got in a fight at the Performance Center and almost got in another in the parking lot. Parker is ready for her again next week.

Speed Title Tournament First Round: Lexis King vs. Chazz Hall

Hall is freshly debuted on Evolve and is better known as Starboy Charlie. The rest of Birthright is here with King, who charges at him to start fast. That doesn’t get him very far and the Coronation doesn’t work. A standing Sliced Bread gives Hall two and he sends King outside for the big cartwheel dive. Back in and Hall’s shooting star’s press hits raised feet, setting up the Coronation to give King the pin at 2:06. I’m not sure why you would want a newcomer like Hall to lose so soon.

Myles Borne and Tony D’Angelo glare at each other a bit but Robert Stone comes in. D’Angelo wants Ethan Page, which works for Stone. Keanu Carver comes in for the staredown with D’Angelo.

We get a clip of the new Shawn Michaels documentary.

Shiloh Hill/Tatum Paxley vs. Jackson Drake/Blake Monroe

The rest of the Vanity Project is here too. Paxley and Monroe compare belts before the match until Monroe gets shoved down. Monroe is back up with a tackle but Paxley cranks on her arm. Drake comes in to miss an enziguri on Hill and some forearms to the chest have Drake in trouble. A top rope clothesline gives Hill two but Monroe doesn’t want to tag. Hill tags in though and Monroe has to come back in, where the Cemetery Drive is broken up.

Paxley and Hill grab stereo surfboards, both are which are escaped and the villains head outside. We take a break and come back with Hill giving Drake a running shoulder. A belly to back suplex is broken up though and it’s a double shot from behind to put Hill down. Hill easily fights out though and it’s back to Paxley, with Monroe realizing she’s in trouble. The Project offers a distraction so Hill hits a flip dive but the distraction lets Monroe avoid the 450. Drake offers a distraction and it’s the Glamour Shot to pin Paxley at 11:17.

Rating: C+. This is another case of a feud seemingly wrapping up at Stand & Deliver but it keeps going here anyway. I’m not sure what the thinking is behind doing that over and over, but there should be enough names to come after Paxley’s title without going to such a quick rematch. Hill and Paxley did have some chemistry together though and that could work for a bit going forward.

Robert Stone announces that for the next two weeks, it’s NXT Revenge. In the first week, Tony D’Angelo defends against Ethan Page and in week two, it’s Zaria vs. Sol Ruca in a Last Woman Standing match. Hopefully Maya Inca Boy makes one of the cards.

Kali Armstrong is coming (at Revenge).

We look back at the eight man tag and the post match brawl.

Here is Lola Vice for her first chat as Women’s Champion. She’s proud to be the first Cuban American WWE Champion and thought she was ready the second she walked in the door. The reality is she got humbled fast and now she knows she wasn’t ready. Now the reality is she’s undeniable and she knows what it means to have to earn something…and here is Fatal Influence.

Jacy Jayne tells her to enjoy this time because she’s ready to become a three time champion. Jayne says she lost on a technicality and gets annoyed at the fans booing her. Robert Stone comes out to make the match for next week but Fatal Influence jumps Vice from behind. Vice fights them off to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. I’m not sure what to think of this show, as it really made Stand & Deliver feel like a rest stop for Revenge rather than the biggest show of the year. What we got here was an ok show which felt like it was telling us to watch for the big show over the next two weeks. That’s a really weird way to go and I hope it doesn’t continue in this style, as it brings the major events way down.

Results
Izzi Dame b. Sol Ruca – Sitout powerbomb
Keanu Carver b. Josh Briggs and Jasper Troy – Jackhammer to Briggs
Joe Hendry/Ethan Page/Ricky Saints/Tony D’Angelo b. Darkstate – Twisted Grin to Shuggars
Lexis King b. Chazz Hall – Coronation
Blake Monroe/Jackson Drake b. Shiloh Hill/Tatum Paxley – Glamour Shot to Paxley

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

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

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

Blake Monroe vs. Jaida Parker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tony D’Angelo vs. Dion Lennox

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

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

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

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

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

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

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

NXT Title: Ricky Saints vs. Joe Hendry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hendry celebrates as the villains leave to end the show.

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

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

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

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

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

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Joe Hendry vs. Jackson Drake

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Darkstate vs. OTM

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

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

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

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

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

Jaida Parker vs. Nikkita Lyons

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne

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

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

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

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

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

Tavion Heights vs. Lexis King

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

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

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

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

Zaria vs. Thea Hail

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title Qualifying Match: Keanu Carver vs. Andre Chase

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

And then everything changed. The big story of the first show of the year is all of the callups, which have left a bunch of open spots on the NXT roster. Those are likely going to be filled by Evolve stars, meaning things are going to be changing around here. This includes Oba Femi vacating the NXT Title and that is going to have to be addressed. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a New Year’s Evil recap.

IMG Credit: WWE

Ava is in the ring with the NXT Title and the roster around the ring. She says there is no better moment than right now but here is Ricky Saints to interrupt. Saints takes credit for running a lot of people around NXT but sees some future champions around the ring. He’s ready to get the championship right now…though that isn’t happening. Instead, it’s going to be a six way ladder match on February 3 for the title. Well happy birthday to me. Qualifying matches start next week and the brawl is on, with Evolve’s Keanu Carver coming in to wreck people, including tossing them around.

Post break Ava is on the phone with someone, who will be here tonight. Someone who looks like Tony D’Angelo walks behind her as Robert Stone says Blake Monroe has something to say tonight.

Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice

Jordan dropkicks her off the apron before the bell but gets knocked out of the air back inside. They slug it out on the mat as the bell rings with Jordan rolling her up for two. Vice is back up with knees to the ribs and pulls her into something like a triangle choke, which is broken with a grab of the arm. They head outside with Vice being kicked into the announcers’ table and we take a break.

We come back with Vice winning a strike out but Jordan rolls outside before the hip attack can connect in the corner. Jordan kicks her down and gets two off a frog splash but One Of A Kind is countered into a triangle choke. A spinning Angle Slam drops Vice again and Jordan rolls her up. The referee catches the hand on the ropes (not so much the one on the tights), allowing Vice to hit the spinning backfist for the pin at 11:16.

Rating: C+. These two are suddenly some of the more established names in the division and it felt like a big enough deal to have them facing off. Either one of them winning was fine, though Vice is the one who shouldn’t be losing again. Jordan needs something else to do, even if she’s fitting into the heel role rather well.

Tavion Heights is ready to win the Speed Title, but Jasper Troy disagrees.

IMG Credit: WWE

Speed Title: Tavion Heights vs. Jasper Troy

Troy is defending and shrugs off Heights’ wrestling attempts to start. Some splashes have Heights rolling outside about a minute in and Troy gets to hammer away back inside. Heights fights out of a seated abdominal stretch and grabs a suplex for two. The comeback has Troy staggered but he grabs a Black Hole Slam for the retaining pin at 4:09.

Rating: C. As usual, there is only so much to see in a Speed Title match, though at least they’re letting Troy get a few wins. He hasn’t been around long enough to reach that level yet so this is what he needs to do. Keeping the matches short is smart too, though it would be nice to not see Heights loose so often.

Post match Lexis King runs in to lay Heights out.

Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey get in an argument with Sol Ruca and Zaria over who should face Jacy Jayne next. The four of them go into Ava’s office, where Fatal Influence is waiting. Ava has talked to Santino Marella, and an NXT team is getting a Knockouts Tag Team Title shot. Next week, it’s a triple threat #1 contenders match. Arguing ensues.

Lexis King talks to Chase U, who says that was a teachable moment in what not to do. Stacks comes in to praise King, with Chase U leaving.

Myles Borne really wants one of the qualifying matches for the ladder match and Robert Stone will talk to Ava for him.

Video on Elio LeFleur, the French luchador, who is coming soon.

Ethan Page asks Ava about the NXT Title qualifying match but she says he’s not in one. She’ll change her mind but it would cost him the North American Title. Page brags about his success, with Ava agreeing….before saying he’s defending against Elio LeFleur next week.

Here is Blake Monroe for a chat. Last week, she was ready to get the Women’s North American Title back but instead, she attacked Thea Hail. Everything was changed like she was the problem, but the reality is that someone as talented as she is always gets the narrative changed.

No one compares to her and everything she does has everyone in a frenzy. There are all kinds of stars…and Jaida Parker is back to interrupt. The fans go absolutely nuts for her and the brawl is on in a hurry. Parker sends her into the corner, high steps a bit, and Hipnotiques her to the floor. Parker continues to have all of the potential imaginable.

Shiloh Hill talks about bringing a bunch of flying squirrels into his house. Oh and he wants the TNA International Title.

Video on Darkstate, who brag about their dominance and insist that no one is safe. Does that include Darkstate? Would they beat themselves up? They might want to clarify that.

TNA International Title: Stacks vs. Shiloh Hill

Stacks, with Arianna Grace, is defending. Hill jumps him to start but gets sent into the corner but Stacks fights back. Stacks misses a charge into the corner and the armbar goes on. An elbow sends Stacks outside, where Grace saves him from being sent into the barricade. Hill hits the flipping dive off the apron and we take a break.

We come back with Stacks running him over for two more but Hill pulls him into a tilt-a-whirl for a double down. Hill takes the tooth out and it’s time to start the real comeback. A release butterfly slam gives Hill two more but Stacks is back with a fireman’s carry gutbuster for the same. Hill is back up and goes outside to put his arm around Grace ala Shawn Michaels. Back in and Hill grabs a small package but Grace kicks it over to give Stacks the pin at 10:36.

Rating: B-. I wasn’t expecting much coming into this but it worked rather well. It was nice to see Stacks getting to do something, though I’m not wild on what he does in the ring. At the same time, having another midcard title around here doesn’t do much good and hopefully it winds up back in TNA sooner than later.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Izzi Dame, with the Culling, for a chat. She welcomes us to the new reality of the division but she won’t give us the same tired story about stumbling into success. This was all calculation and outsmarting everyone else. What did you think she was going to do with that loss last week?

The Culling has always been about getting rid of the worst and that is what she did. We hear about some people coming for the title but Dame isn’t interested in any of them. If you come for the title, you’re walking into a trap…and here is Tatum Paxley for the brawl, with Dame running.

Ricky Saints has cooled off and is already in the ladder match and doesn’t even have to win a qualifying match. He mentions Shiloh Hill getting a qualifying match, which doesn’t sit well with Stacks. Lexis King comes up to Stacks and says they should talk.

Tatum Paxley has been ejected from the building.

The Vanity Project is officially part of the NXT roster and they’re ready to win.

Keanu Carver doesn’t want to talk.

IMG Credit: WWE

Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox

Anything goes and OTM/Darkstate are here too. They fight over a lockup to start with Hendry getting the better of things and sending Lennox outside. Lennox fights back and gets two off a backbreaker, meaning he can go up. Hendry is right there with a superplex to bring him back down and we take a break.

We come back with Hendry fighting out of a chinlock but getting sent into the corner a few times. Saquon Shugars puts a chair in the corner so of course Lennox goes into it instead. OTM throws Hendry some brass knuckles for a right hand and a near fall so Darkstate throws in a kendo stick. Lennox beats on Hendry, who gets the stick for a beating of his own. The Standing Ovation gets two, with Darkstate making the save.

OTM and the rest of Darkstate get into it and they all brawl to the back. That means a table can be set up in the corner, while Lennox spinebusters Hendry onto a chair. Hendry shrugs it off and hits a Standing Ovation for two of his own. A spear sends Hendry through the table in the corner…and Tony D’Angelo cuts off Lennox’s chair shot. D’Angelo lays out Lennox and then does the same to Hendry, though he lays Hendry on top for the win at 13:20.

Rating: B-. Well, it certainly wasn’t boring and I’m curious about what they’re going to do with D’Angelo. Granted I’m also scared that they’re going to screw him up, but I’ll take the interest over nothing. Lennox still doesn’t quite feel like a main event star, but at least he’s getting some time in prominent spots.

Post match Ava sends security in so D’Angelo beats them up to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. It’s an understatement to say that we’re in a transitional period around here and that is going to be the case for a good while. With so many people moving here and there, you’re going to see a lot of changes taking place. That’s going to make things tricky, but it’s the kind of thing that has to happen in a place designed to help people get out of here. I’m curious to see what happens, though more than a bit worried about there it might be going.

Results
Lola Vice b. Kelani Jordan – Spinning backfist
Jasper Troy b. Tavion Heights – Black Hole Slam
Stacks b. Shiloh Hill – Small package
Joe Hendry b. Dion Lennox – Spinebuster

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

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

NXT
Date: November 4, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re coming up on the New York City shows, which are going to be all about titles. That means it’s time to get ready for the shows, including getting some title matches set. Ricky Saints is already having to deal with Trick Williams and has a Last Man Standing match set for the NXT Title. Let’s get to it.

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

Lola Vice/The Culling vs. Fatal Influence

Paxley and Jayne forearm it out to start before it’s off to Vice for a cross armbreaker to Reid. That’s broken up rather quickly and it’s back to Paxley, who gets kicked in the back of the head. Vice comes back in and kicks Henley down for two as everything breaks down. Paxley and Vice hit running hip attacks in the corner and dance a bit, though Dame isn’t interested in joining in as we take a break.

We come back with Fatal Influence going after Vice, with Jayne’s running knee getting two. Vice fights up and brings Paxley in to clean house. Paxley misses a 450 though and Reid gets in a cheap shot. Dame makes the save and everything breaks down again. Paxley is almost shoved into Dame but stops herself, only for Dame to shove her down and take the Rolling Encore to give Jayne the pin at 10:37.

Rating: C+. This continues the question of whether or not Dame really is Paxley’s friend and that makes for some interesting developments down the line. Other than that, it seems that that Fatal Influence isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, as I’m now curious to see just where it goes. In other words, nice job in one match.

Earlier today, El Grande Americano wasn’t happy with not having his own locker room and picked up Josh Briggs’ bag. Briggs came in and challenged him to a regular match, with Americano accepting.

Lei Ying Lee is ticked off at Kelani Jordan for hitting Jordynne Grace with the title last week. Prepare for the title.

Kendal Grey is happy with beating Lash Legend when Kelani Jordan interrupted. Jordan tells Grey and her friends to listen to what she’s about to say.

Here is Kelani Jordan for a chat. She doesn’t understand why people are booing her when they cheer Dominik Mysterio to do the same. Yeah she took her chance to win the Knockouts Title and gets booed, while Lola Vice goes to AAA every week and gets cheered. The women who are jealous of her are the women who can’t keep up with her in the ring. Like Jordynne Grace!

The same people who booed Grace are now up in arms about Jordan cheating. She’s sitting out at Gold Rush because no one, including Lei Ying Lee, is worthy of her time. Call her disloyal all you want, because you’ll still call her champion. Best promo she’s ever had here, mainly because it didn’t sound completely scripted.

OTM is back to chase everything but Chase U comes in to say they want a fight. Andre Chase comes in to calm them down, saying going after OTM isn’t a good idea.

Josh Briggs vs. El Grande Americano

Non-title and Rayo/Bravo are here too. Briggs shoulders him down to start as the fans are WAY behind Americano here. Americano pops up and grabs an armbar, including a handstand into a hammerlock to an even more positive reaction. Back up and a big boot drops Americano as Jasper Troy is in the crowd.

We take a break and come back with Americano getting tied in the Tree Of Woe but the lackeys cut off an unmasking attempt. Americano is back up with some chops and a Blockbuster to send Briggs outside. The dive connects and the fans approve, though Briggs’ big forearm cuts that off. Cue Tavion Heights for a distraction, allowing the lackeys to hit Briggs with a double Backstabber. Americano cranks on Briggs’ back for the tap at 10:51.

Rating: C. The reaction to Americano was rather interesting as the fans were all over everything that he was doing. It should at least make things more interesting when he has to defend against Troy (who did nothing here), as the heel vs. heel setup was going to be weird. They should be able to make it work, though this match wasn’t anything worth seeing.

Ava tells Kelani Jordan that she’ll be defending the title at Gold Rush. Tyra Mae Steele comes up to take issue with Jordan and gets a match tonight.

Myles Borne wants Ricky Saints to save him a piece of Trick Williams. Works for Saints.

Chelsea Green and Ethan Page have won the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles.

We get a split screen interview with Trick Williams and Ricky Saints. Williams says Saints can’t handle the pressure as champion but Saints brings up beating Williams at Halloween Havoc. That messed with Williams, who can’t handle being in second place. Saints says Williams has had one foot in and one foot out of NXT since Saints got here because he views it as a security blanket.

On the other hand, Saints winning the title is the culmination of him working hard while Williams takes everything for granted. Williams says Saints thinks like a fan and the title belongs to a real star. They’re ready to fight right now and the brawl is on, with Williams getting in a pipe shot to put him down.

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

Sol Ruca and Kendal Grey are here too. They trade early rollups to start until Zaria gets two off a backbreaker. Sinclair goes for the arm, including a Black Widow. That’s broken up so it’s time to start on the leg but Zaria is back up with some running clotheslines. We have less than a minute left and Zaria powers out, setting up the spear. An F5 gives Zaria the win at 2:30.

Kelani Jordan vs. Tyra Mae Steele

Non-title. They roll around to start with Steele powering out of an armbar. An exchange of cartwheels leaves Jordan a bit shaken up so she grabs the rope for an early near fall. A surfboard has Jordan in trouble but she’s able to post Steele’s arm. Said arm is cranked over the rope and the armbar goes on back inside. Back up and Steele hits a kind of reverse Angle Slam for two but Jordan casually slams her down. One Of A Kind finishes Steele at 4:54.

Rating: C+. Steele is an interesting case as she is absolutely a prospect, but she needs to build up some experience. This wasn’t exactly a great match, but she was able to stick to her strengths and keep getting her feet wet. I’m curious to see where she’s going, even if there was no reason for her to be a major threat to Jordan yet.

Post match Santino Marella pops up on screen to announce that Jordan is defending the title at Gold Rush against Jordynne Grace and Lei Ying Lee. Jordan is not pleased.

Sol Ruca is almost cleared to get back in the ring but she wants to have her rematch at Gold Rush. Unfortunately it’s uncertain if she’ll be ready in time, but here is Fatal Influence to interrupt. Jacy Jayne wants her rematch at Gold Rush as well, with the argument ensuing. Ava has other things to take care of though and leaves.

Je’Von Evans vs. Saquon Shugars

The rest of Darkstate is here too and Evans hits a big dive to take Shugars out before the bell. Shugars grabs a headlock inside and counters a hurricanrana into an atomic drop (that was cool). A backbreaker gives Shugars two and then a backbreaker gives Shugars two. Evans gets knocked into the corner but sends Shugars outside for a big dive. Darkstate offers a distraction though and Shugars knees him into the barricade as we take a break.

We come back with Evans kicking his way out of trouble but Shugars gives him a suplex. The basement dropkick gives Shugars two but some slaps to the face just annoy Evans. A rather snappy German suplex puts Shugars down and Evans sends him outside for the big dive. Back in and a spinning kick to the head gives Evans two but Shugars catches him in a torture rack. That’s flipped into a faceplant, only for Evans to come back with a pair of cutters. Evans deals with a quick distraction and hits the spinning top rope splash for the pin at 13:33

Rating: B. Evans has turned into one of the more reliable stars around here and it’s interesting to see what he does week to week. At the same time, Shugars got to do well enough in one of his first singles match. Evans and Leon Slater are likely going to get the Tag Team Title shot at Gold Rush so this was a fine way to keep things moving.

Blake Monroe wants her first title defense in New York but Ava says if Sol Ruca is available, she gets the shot. Monroe is off for an interview with her better half next week.

Tatum Paxley apologizes to Izzi Dame for the loss but Dame tells her to slow down and avoid the mistakes, because they want the title around for a long time. Paxley understands but has one more thing to do next week first.

Here are Chelsea Green and Ethan Page for their big celebration. Page knows that everyone hates them because they say something and then do it. Like when they promised to win the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles and then did it, as they knew they would. Green brags about their success as well and Page is ready to defend the titles. They’re ready to celebrate, including with a giant cake.

Green wishes Joe Hendry would appear so they both get ready to jump him as he comes out of the cake. Cue Hendry through the entrance, saying the direct approach can be best. Hendry wants the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles so here is Thea Hail, out of the cake (and wish her own Hendry style song) to be his partner. Page and Green get caked to end the show. The fake out with the cake was great and a match like this writes itself.

Overall Rating: C+. Well I’m more interested in seeing Gold Rush than I was before so things are starting to go in the right direction. What matters the most is getting the fans ready for the show and this week did a nice job of setting that up. The wrestling itself was fine enough, though it’s the show to get you to watch the really big show, which means it is likely to only be so important. Overall fine, but not exactly worth a look this time.

Results
Fatal Influence b. Culling/Lola Vice – Rolling Encore to Dame
El Grande Americano b. Josh Briggs – Back crank
Zaria b. Wren Sinclair – F5
Kelani Jordan b. Tyra Mae Steele – One Of A Kind
Je’Von Evans b. Saquon Shugars – Spinning top rope splash

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

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NXT
Date: October 28, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with Halloween Havoc and there are a few new champions. Darkstate got the Tag Team Titles back from the Hardys while Blake Monroe and Tatum Paxley both won their first singles titles in NXT. We are less than a month away from the two week Gold Rush specials so let’s get to it.

Here is Halloween Havoc if you need a recap.

Long Halloween Havoc recap.

Trick Williams storms the production area and yells about the video playing of the title match from Halloween Havoc. He goes from the back to the arena, yelling at various people along the ring. Williams gets in the ring, saying he’s been running things around here for years. He would beat Ricky Saints 99 times out of 100 so get him his title shot. Cue Ava with security to say he just flat out lost. Williams lists off his resume and is ready to keep going but here is Saints for the pull apart brawl.

Video on Axiom vs. Jasper Troy.

Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Axiom vs. Jasper Troy

Axiom dropkicks him in the leg and kicks away to start, which earns him quite the glare from Troy. Some more shots to the leg just annoy Troy, who grabs a backbreaker, followed by a clothesline to the back of the head. Axiom’s dragon screw legwhip over the rope sets up a missile dropkick and they’re both down.

We have a minute left as Axiom hits a jumping knee but gets flatted with a standing body block. The Black Hole Slam is countered into a sleeper, which is reversed into a World’s Strongest Slam. Now the Black Hole Slam can finish Axiom at 2:55. Could have been worse, though Troy vs. El Grande Americano is…something.

Ava is with Sol Ruca and Zaria. Ruca has to decide if the Speed Title is vacated or if someone can defend it in her absence. Ruca thinks for a second and vacates the title, which doesn’t leave Zaria very happy. A tournament starts next week.

Here is the Culling for Tatum Paxley’s first comments as the Women’s Champion. Halloween Havoc was the greatest night of her night and she can’t believe she is here. Yeah she can be a bit too much at times but if this creepy little weirdo can be Women’s Champion, anyone can do it. She wants to be a fighting champion who gives anyone a shot, but Izzi Dame doesn’t think that’s a great idea.

It’s been a long road here for Paxley, so is she sure she should defend it so soon? She should make people earn their shot and offers the Culling to help her choose…but Paxley wants to defend the title tonight. Paxley unveils a wheel of potential challengers (Shawn Spears points out that Dame’s name isn’t on it) and tonight Lola Vice is getting the shot. Dame does not seem pleased. They’re not being subtle with this and that’s ok.

Trick Williams is looking for Ricky Saints.

Kendal Grey is ready for Lash Legend and Wren Sinclair gives her a pep talk. Sinclair is invited to the ring with her, which pleases her quite a bit.

Evolve Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Lash Legend

Grey, with Wren Sinclair, is defending. The much bigger Legend powers her around to start so Grey (a former amateur wrestler) goes for the leg. That earns her a swinging sleeper from Legend, who shoves Grey outside with one arm. Back in and Grey’s crucifix is blocked, as is a slingshot double stomp. Legend shoves Grey out to the floor and a pump kick drops her again.

We take a break and come back with Legend forearming her down for two. Grey kicks her down for a needed breather and slips out of a chokeslam attempt. A German suplex drops Legend again and now the slingshot double stomp sends her outside. Back in and Grey’s high crossbody is pulled out of the air and Legend drops her onto the ropes. A boot misses though and Shades Of Grey (jumping Downward Spiral) retains the title at 10:50.

Rating: B-. They have something with Grey and they know it, which is why you’re seeing something like this take place. Grey is young, talented and has some charisma. She also played a great underdog here and it was fun to see her fight back against the monster in Legend. Let her do this occasionally and let her rise up the ranks. Nice job here.

Myles Borne is ready for Tavion Heights and they’ll be brothers no matter what.

A fishing Heights says Borne is his brother, but sometimes brothers fight. Heights has something to prove.

Lola Vice congratulates Tatum Paxley on winning the Women’s Title and is thrilled with getting her shot. Vice promises to take the title, but Paxley is ready to fight. Izzi Dame comes in and thinks this isn’t a good idea.

Myles Borne vs. Tavion Heights

Respect is shown to start things off and they lock up. Heights goes with some grappling to start but Borne is back with a headlock. They flip around to a standoff until Borne gets a rollup, though Heights is in the ropes. A headlock takeover puts Borne down but he reverses into one of his own. That’s broken up and Heights flips over him, setting up a running clothesline for two.

We take a break and come back with Borne getting two off a middle rope moonsault press as Josh Briggs has joined commentary. Heights grabs the ankle lock, which is broken up rather quickly. Briggs offers a distraction so Borne can take both of them out with a dive. Back in and Borne Again is blocked so Heights tries the spinning belly to belly, which is reversed into a small package to give Borne the pin at 10:07.

Rating: C+. They kind of had to do something to prevent one of them from losing clean, with Briggs only doing so much at the end. The good thing is that Briggs can now go after Heights (if not Borne as well), as it’s not like either of them have anything else going on at the moment. Either way, there is a good chance that one of them will get a shot against Ethan Page one day, perhaps at Gold Rush.

Post match respect is shown, but Briggs pulls Heights to the floor for the brawl. Borne…just stands there, as Trick Williams runs in and chairs him in the back. Williams calls out Ricky Saints, who comes in for another brawl.

Chelsea Green, with Kay Lee Ray, is in the back with Ethan Page. They’re ready to win the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles and Page wants Green to put together security. Green is still looking for a replacement agent, saying she has gone to London, and Paris and Tokyo. Thea Hail in the background: “I believe in Joe Hendry!” And Hendry pops out of a trashcan to say that they might be celebrating early. Then Hail wheels the trashcan, and Hendry, away. I’ve heard of far worse ideas.

Women’s Title: Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice

Paxley, with the Culling, is defending. Vice headlocks her to start but Paxley reverses into one of her own. Back up and Vice chops away, setting up a springboard armdrag. Paxley works on the arm as we go split screen to see Fatal Influence coming inside. Vice fights up but here is Fatal Influence to jump Izzi Dame on the floor. Fatal Influence gets on the apron as Vice and Paxley go back to back, with the ensuing brawl drawing the double DQ at 3:57.

Rating: C. This was more of an angle than a match, which opens up some other issues. You can have Paxley defending against Fatal Influence, along with Izzi Dame lurking around not being happy about what Paxley is doing. Yeah Paxley probably mainly won the title because of the Halloween season, but she’s off to a nice start as champion so maybe there’s something to this.

Blake Monroe is in a bath and plugs Maybelline before bragging about winning the Women’s North American Title. Her first title defense will be in New York City at Gold Rush.

Earlier today, NXT Anonymous saw Je’Von Evans talking to Leon Slater about what has happened tonight. They talk about the Tag Team Titles but Slater has to go talk to Santino Marella. Darkstate comes in and threatens Evans, with a tease of a title match.

Sol Ruca and Zaria are asked about the Women’s North American Title, with Zaria saying she’s entering the Speed tournament to win in Ruca’s honor. Fatal Influence pops in with Jacy Jayne saying she’s getting her title back.

We recap the Trick Williams/Ricky Saints issues.

TNA Knockouts Title: Jordynne Grace vs. Kelani Jordan

Grace is challenging and grabs a headlock to start. Back up and Jordan picks up the pace with a few flips and spins. Jordan sends her into the ropes for a neck snap, setting up a Lionsault, which grazes Grace’s arm on the way down. Grace is sent knee first into the steps and we take a break. We come back with Grace hitting a reverse Alabama Slam but favoring her knee. They strike it out with Grace getting the better of things, including some slams.

Jordan goes after the knee, only for Grace to come back with a spinning spinebuster for two. The Juggernaut Driver is blocked and Jordan is back with a split legged handspring Stunner for two of her own. Grace drops her again but the knee gives out on the Vader Bomb attempt.

Back up and a powerbomb gives Grace two, as does Jordan’s rollup. They go up top with Jordan hitting a super Spanish Fly….and here are Trick Williams and Ricky Saints to brawl into the arena. Jordan loads up the belt shot but throws it down, leaving Grace to grab a rolling German suplex for two. Williams and Saints brawl in the ring and NOW Jordan uses the belt shot to retain at 12:29.

Rating: B-. Egads Grace’s fall continues and I’m not sure where that is going to stop. At some point she needs to win something, as everything that made her feel special coming into NXT feels long gone. It’s like she’s just trying to find something to do and it’s not like there are all kinds of people just like her. Jordan going heel is the right move, as it might help give her something of a personality, which she certainly needs.

Post match Williams and Saints keep brawling, with Saints spearing him through a wooden wall. Cue Ava to say that it’s a Last Man Standing match for the title in two weeks.

Overall Rating: B-. A lot of this show felt like fallout from Halloween Havoc, though the Saints vs. Williams feud continuing is a bit much. Maybe they just don’t think they have time to set up someone new, but it doesn’t feel like the most thrilling match. On the other hand, it does feel like there are some bright spots on the horizon, with names like Borne and Grey having my attention. Not a great show, but they’re getting ready for the bigger stuff in the next few weeks.

Results
Jasper Troy b. Axiom – Black Hole Slam
Kendal Grey b. Lash Legend – Shades Of Grey
Myles Borne b. Tavion Heights – Small package
Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice went to a double DQ when Fatal Influence interfered
Kelani Jordan b. Jordynne Grace – Belt shot

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