Recapping American wrestling since 2013. Not only following the current stuff in WWE, Impact and ROH but also going back in time and doing stuff from back then as well.
Dustin Starr interviews K-Toomer, "The Gift" Ray Sanders and Derrick King at the announce desk to start today's show. As Derrick King says there has not been a Loser Leaves Town in Memphis Wrestling in a long time, K-Toomer steps in, stating his name was mentioned in the challenge. He talks about how he has represented Memphis Wrestling since he showed and how he will send Bullwhip Ballard packing. K-Toomer says this is "street business" now, and that the Kick-Ass Wrestling outlaw collective is getting bloodied and sent home. He says "everybody is gangsta until the real gangsta shows up," and that he is ready to put in the work.
Sinn Bodhi appears at the WrestleCenter with a broken piece of guardrail in his hand.
Sevyn Cruz guests on commentary for the next match.
Gavin White beats Chuck Swann after Jae Pariah tosses an afro pick to Chuck Swann to use as a weapon only for Sevyn Cruz to take it before Swann can. After the match, Jae Pariah has to get between Chuck Swann and Sevyn Cruz in the ring. When that fails, Jae Pariah knocks Sevyn Cruz out with a forearm and attacks him alongside Chuck Swann. All of a sudden, Gavin White returns with a metal garbage can lid and chases Chuck Swann out of the ring.
We see a video package of the major matches and moments of each episode milestone in Memphis Wrestling's history.
Backstage, The L.A. Hustlers (Notorious Bradley and Ruffshot Lamonte) notice Yonko the Mime with a bicycle horn honking the nose of someone in a bear costume.
Big John Dalton retains the Memphis Wrestling Internet Championship against Big Moses after slamming Eli Knox on top of him before hitting a top rope splash on both Moses and Eli Knox.
Backstage, "Miss Ego" Sorinna tells Jake Brewer that she knows who attacked Xya, and that she is not revealing who it is until her posters and her press are both made.
Xya guests on commentary for the next match.
Makkari Kandy beats "Miss Ego" Sorinna by submission.
The Fat Pastor and Chef AMU will be guesting at Memphis Wrestling's Thanksgiving Showdown this Sunday.
Dustin Starr interviews Sinn Bodhi at the announce desk. Sinn Bodhi shows up with a loaded staple gun in each hand as he says he is happy to be in Memphis, Tennessee, and that he does not care who gets in the ring with him as long as he has "a good, weird time."
The L.A. Hustlers (Notorious Bradley and Ruffshot Lamonte) beat The Slaughterhouse (Reverend Ash Taylor, Jagged James, Nasty Nick), Sinn Bodhi, Yonko the Mime, J. Webb, The Super Friends (Wonder Boy and The Shocker) and Tattoo (in a teddy bear costume) in an open challenge after Ruffshot Lamonte is able to pin Nasty Nick with a schoolkid pin.
John Cena heads to the ring to start tonight's show. The WWE John Cena Classic Championship is on a table near a corner as Cena talks about the John Cena Classic again, saying that it will be "an evening of opportunity" as a record-setting amount of NXT Superstars will face the best WWE has to offer. He says that all of the Superstars will have an opportunity at the John Cena Classic Championship, with the fans having the biggest opportunity of all to make their voices heard loud and clear. Cena then focuses on right here, right now and states that the time is now to see who is next. The next inductee to be announced is Charlotte Flair. Charlotte Flair heads to the ring and hugs John Cena, then says that she is her father's daughter and she tends to get emotional just like him. She says she has been trying for ten years to do something in the ring with Cena, and has tried to be part of that magic. She says that her father is at home in Tampa, Florida bawling his eyes out with every TV on in the bar drinking a soda, then says she is trying not to cry because her make-up is fabulous. Charlotte mentions how John Cena met with her backstage at WrestleMania 41 about "what happened in Chicago" and says that she "shit the bed." Cena told her "Stop trying to be perfect" and "Own who you are." She thanks Cena for helping her find her passion again and believing in her, and not looking at her like she was "Ric Flair's kid." She says that she will be excellent in The John Cena Classic and win the championship because she is the greatest champion of all time. Cena says he will go over his team, but he does not care. He says that Charlotte had an easy in into WWE, but she did not have it easy as she had a huge task of reigniting women's wrestling; she just made it look easy. Cena says that when he wanted to win seventeen world titles so he could shake the hand of whoever won eighteen, he was always talking about Charlotte.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio meets with General Manager Nick Aldis and says he knows somebody on SmackDown who could add some fire to Team Mexico. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up and meets with Aldis, and Rey says he has business to take care of before he leaves. Aldis wants to make sure Cody is in a good place and ready to leave everything at Crown Jewel behind him. Cody says that something like what happened sticks with somebody, but he is focused on Survivor Series. Cody says he and the fans have some people in mind and that CM Punk might have a list, and that he might be adding people tonight and Monday. He then says that he wants to revisit the #1 contender conversation after Survivor Series.
The MFTs (Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa) vs. Bakusai (Shinsuke Nakamura and Kiyoki)
WWE Tag Team Championships ends in a no contest after Nakamura is attacked by The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik). After the match, The War Raiders also beat up The MFT's and Kiyoki, and lay both teams out after hitting Ragnarok on Nakamura.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Finn Balor. Finn Balor says Gunther may call himself "The Ring General," but all he sees is a whiny bully who cowers away when someone steps up to him. He says that Gunther will get no smoke and mirrors or ghosts of the past and that he will get "the real Finn Balor" as he finds out what is on the outside is a lot less frightening that what is on the inside.
Damien Priest beats Axiom. After the match, Nathan Frazer checks on Axiom, but Damian Priest takes him South of Heaven.
Backstage, John Cena is met by Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, Lainey Reid). Jacy Jayne says Cena is wasting a spot in the John Cena Classic on Charlotte Flair, and Lainey Reid says Cena does not see the talent in front of him. Fallon tells him to put some thought into something instead of just his name. Jayne says that if Cena used his brain and paid attention instead of showing up whenever he wanted, he would realize that not having them in the Classic would be the biggest mistake he ever made since ruining wrestling. Cena agrees that this is the type of ruthless aggression the John Cena Classic needs, and invites them to the John Cena Classic.
Sami Zayn, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae head to the ring. Sami says there are "some bitch-ass haters" in the building tonight, then looks to see who is here to ride or die with "The Last Real Good Guy." Sami then says that a lot of things that were wrong were finally made right in Crown Jewel and that it was a matter of respect, and mentions how Roman Reigns gave him the respect that he needed and demanded. He states that he got Roman Reigns to acknowledge him, and if Reigns shows him that respect, then that is the bare minimum that he expects from everyone else. All of a sudden, Kevin Owens shows up and heads to the ring. Owens reminds Sami of who he is talking to, then says that he is glad that Sami got to right some wrongs in the last few months, as he can relate and he has some wrongs to right as well. He says that one of them was punching CM Punk in the chain and beating him. He says that for the last 25 years, he has told anyone who will listen that Sami is one of the best that ever did, and that Sami deserves everything he has, including the respect of the fans and his peers. Owens states that Sami's detractors are not as good on their best day as Sami is at his worst, then tells Sami that he makes an excellent WWE Champion and that he is proud of him. Sami says that means the world to him, but Owens states that he is not done. Owens then states that seventeen months of his career were taken from him, and that all he wanted was to return, as without wrestling, he does not know who he is. He also wanted to know that his "ride or die fans," including his family, wanted to see him wrestle again, and he almost had his chance to wrestle for the WWE Championship in his hometown only for Sami to take it away. Owens shoves Sami, then says that to right that wrong, he needs to take the title from WWE Championship from him. Gargano takes the microphone and says this was the worst year of his life, and that the only person who showed him the respect he deserved was Sami. As Gargano says that Sami promised him a title shot, Owens shoves Gargano after telling him he had one the moment he decided to stand up, then gets in Sami's face. Gargano attacks Owens, who then gets slapped by Candice. Sami then lets Gargano tee of on Owens as he leaves the ring. Gargano attacks Owens, who then gets slapped by Candice. Sami then lets Gargano tee of on Owens as he leaves the ring. Owens soon hits Gargano with a Stunner, then tells Sami his title reign is on borrowed time and that he will be ending it. Owens then tosses Gargano out of the ring.
Backstage, CM Punk is met by "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Punk asks Cody if he is seeing "the sad state of affairs here," and Cody says it will always be like this with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. All of a sudden, Rey Mysterio shows up and introduces the newest member of Team Mexico: Rey Fenix. All of a sudden, Rey Mysterio shows up and introduces the newest member of Team Mexico: Rey Fenix. Fenix says it is an honor to step in the ring for Team Mexico, then says he is doing this for Mexico and his family for the love of lucha libre. Punk asks Cody if he has a plan for recruiting, Cody says he has a plan, then Punk hands him a list with some suggestions on it.
Charlotte Flair beats Jacy Jayne. During the match, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid show up, but so do Tatum Paxley and Alexa Bliss. Near the end of the match, Alexa and Tatum brawl with Fallon and Lainey when they get involved, and "Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab soon join in, as does Jade Cargill. All of a sudden, Stephanie Vaquer shows up and beats down Michin and Lainey, then distracts Jacy so that Charlotte can hit Natural Selection for the win. After the match, Charlotte, Tatum, Alexa, Bayley and Vaquer declare a WarGames match.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Bayley, Tatum Paxley, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and Stephanie Vaquer. Vaquer says that Charlotte gave her the call and she could not say no, and Charlotte tells Jade Cargill "You'd better be ready, sister."
Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring. Tiffany says everything looks better on her. She says some people need a boyfriend or a General Manager to make themselves feel better, but she only needed a briefcase. As she dedicates her title victory to "[her] ex-BFF" Chelsea Green, Chelsea shows up and heads to the ring. Chelsea takes this as them never truly being friends and Tiffany faking everything, then asks "Why Crown Jewel? Why me?" before realizing that Tiffany wanted to steal her moment. She then says she will sleep soundly knowing she will go down in history as Crown Jewel Champion while Tiffany Stratton goes down as a thief. Chelsea wants her ring back, but Tiffany says Chelsea stole her moment at SummerSlam. Tiffany also states that Chelsea got too comfortable being in the conversation and says she is below even everybody else, then drops the ring in front of Chelsea and tells her "Enjoy the rest of your career in catering, bitch!" Chelsea smacks Tiffany, then takes the Crown Jewel Championship ring back only for Tiffany to attack her from behind and knock her out with the ring on.
Backstage, Paige meets with Chelsea Green, as does Blake Monroe, who tells Chelsea to smile because it happen before saying that it shouldn't have, and that she is championship material and Chelsea is not. Paige asks Blake how many world championships she has won. Blake says her best years are ahead of her, then asks Paige if she can say the same.
Gunther beats Finn Balor. During the match, Finn Balor misses the Coup de Grace, and Gunther shoves Finn Balor into senior referee Charles Robinson before kicking Finn Balor low and hitting the powerbomb for the win.
Backstage, "The Hollywood Hunk" Ryan Nemeth tells Director of Authority Santino Marella to do something about "all the wrongdoers" in TNA, and demands justice. Santino puts him and "The Wanted Man" Nic Nemeth against Syx (Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Shaw) and the team of Matt Hardy and Moose with the tag team titles on the line at Destination X.
Backstage, Daria Rae is met by Brian Johnson, who tells her that the Board of Directors is concerned about her actions last week. Daria tries to butter Brian up, then brings up Santino's actions from last week and says that Santino is creating a hostile workplace. Daria Rae also brings up Indi Hartwell, saying she cannot trust Indi to not be disrespectful towards her on commentary. Brian says that as long as there is no physicality, he has no need to get involved. Daria and Brian then watch the next match backstage.
Indi Hartwell guests on commentary for the next match.
Apex ("The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Serrano) beat The King Bees (Charity King and Danni Bee).
We hear from Syx (Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Shaw), who brag about laying out Jeff Hardy and Moose and how they will take the TNA World Tag Team Championships at Destination X.
Backstage, we hear from Jason Hotch, who says that he is glad that Mustafa Ali is off his back and that he stands as a focused and fighting champion. He feels like he is on the run of his life and could go against anyone and everyone. Expressions and AJ Francis show up, and Expressions says that if Hotch faces Francis, his reign will come to an end. Francis says that he is happy that Hotch is in the World X Cup, but says that he is the best representative for TNA. He then states that Hotch has something he wants - the International Championship - and he always gets what he wants.
Moose beats Samuel Shaw by disqualification after Shaw hits Moose with a metal folding chair introduced into the match by Joseph Sawyer. After the match, Syx (Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Shaw) are about to lay Moose out with the chair when Matt Hardy shows up and fights them off with a pipe.
Backstage, M by Elegance wants everything to be perfect for her magazine cover reveal. She says it will just be her on the cover. Heather by Elegance oversees this, but M says she is a champion and Heather is not. She also says that Heather is bringing down The Elegance Brand, and wants her to make sure that either the magazine cover reveal is perfect or make sure she wins the women's Ultimate X Match.
As per the TNA Injury Report: Amazing Red is out of action after suffering head and neck injuries from last week's main event. Eddie Edwards is experiencing lower back issues following his match with Bear Bronson, but he is medically cleared to compete and will continue to be monitored. Jeff Hardy is out of action following the Slaughterhouse Syx Match and will continue to recover.
Backstage, "The Wanted Man" Nic Nemeth is not happy with the Triple Threat tag team match with the tag team titles on the line. Director of Authority Santino Marella has enough of the disrespect from Nic, and tells him that if he loses against Elijah tonight, Elijah gets his contractually obligated World title shot.
Mustafa Ali beats Frankie Kazarian with a roll-up after pushing Avery Styles, who is not cleared to compete following an ankle injury, causing Avery to go after Mustafa and Kazarian to stop Avery from costing him the match.
Backstage, we hear from The System (Eddie Edwards, Alisha Edwards, Brian Myers, Bear Bronson, Cedric Alexander). Eddie says there is no demise of The System and they are back as a family. Myers and Bronson say that they are back and hungrier than ever, and Cedric says he will reclaim the X-Division Championship at Destination X.
We revisit The Righteous (Vincent and Dutch) turning on Harley Hudson to allow Xia Brookside into their ranks, then he see Xia Brookside proclaim that The Righteous are coming.
We see Leon Slater and Trey Miguel's journeys leading up to their TNA World Championship match at Destination X.
Backstage, John Skyler cannot stop thinking about Mila Moore.
"The Wanted Man" Nic Nemeth beats Elijah to preserve his contractually obligated World Championship rematch after shoving the referee to the side to hit a low blow and a second Danger Zone.
We see Harley Hudson and Taryn Terrell at the dollhouse. This time around, Mila Moore joins them.
Backstage, we hear from Triangle of Madness ("The Toxic Spider" Thekla, Julia Hart, Skye Blue). They were forced to watch as Julia Hart was forced to surrender, but they loved it, as the payback will be so much worse. Skye Blue says that she is the one Queen Aminata will have to worry about when she takes her title and her heart. Julia Hart says everyone in tonight's TBS Championship will feel what she did.
The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) and "Jungle" Jack Perry beat The Don Callis Family ("The Jet" Kevin Knight, "The Machine" Brian Cage, El Clon) in a trios match.
Backstage, Lexy Nair interviews The Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne and Lena Kross), who brag about what they did in Blood and Guts and how they will put the women's division through even more pain.
Backstage, Lexy Nair interviews The Young Bucks and "Jungle" Jack Perry. Perry says Samoa Joe owes him something, and he is coming for his rematch. Matt says Jake Doyle and Mark Davis may have taken The Young Bucks, but they have remembered who they are. Nick says there is nobody in this business who outperforms them in big matches, and at Full Gear, they will still be tag team champions.
Wardlow beats Nick Comoroto. After the match, Griff Garrison and Aaron Solo try to save Comoroto from being powerbombed only to be attacked by Mark Davis and Jake Doyle. Garrison, Solo and Comoroto all get powerbombed.
Backstage, Lexy Nair interviews Hyan and Maya World. Maya World wants the TBS Championship, but tonight is about Hyan, who has been grinding for years for a moment like this. Hyan says she has showed up, done the work and taken nothing for granted, and she will show up, show out and show why she should be TBS Champion. Maya World wants the first shot at the title when Hyan wins it.
El Sky Team (Mistico and Mascara Dorada) retain the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championships against The Swirl ("Vanilla Baby" Blake Christian and "Big Shotty" Lee Johnson) with a La Magistral Cradle from Mistico to Lee Johnson. After the match, Nick Wayne interrupts El Sky Team's celebration to announce that he is "mogging" everybody right now and that he beat Chris Jericho twice.
Queen Aminata retains the TBS Championship against Skye Blue and Hyan in a three-way match. After the match, Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. shows up and confronts Queen Aminata, but it is a distraction to allow Persephone to attack Aminata from behind. Maya World runs into the ring, and Persephone and Britt Baker retreat.
In previously unseen footage from after last Wednesday, Will Ospreay tells Adam Copeland that everyone on their team knew what they getting into and that they were not going to submit or surrender. Copeland tells Ospreay he does not anybody to go through what he did with his neck, and if nobody can get that, then AEW is not the place for him. He leaves, and everyone else in the room (Will Ospreay, Steve Borden, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson) is upset.
Don Callis and "The Protostar" Kyle Fletcher heads to the ring to start tonight's show. They are soon joined by Will Ospreay. Fletcher says it has been two years since he and Ospreay have had a one-on-one conversation, when he stood in the ring in the same building they are in tonight and shaved his head, and that so much has happened since then. He mentions Ospreay getting married, getting neck surgery, and coming back to win the AEW World Championship, then says he himself has won the TNT Championship twice, the Trios Championships and the International Championship. Fletcher calls Ospreay the catalyst for this path and thanks him, admitting it was not possible because of Ospreay. Ospreay admits this was not the encounter he expected, especially after next week, and that he has kept his eye on Fletcher, too. Ospreay admits that he is proud of Fletcher and hopes that Fletcher can say the same for him, but Fletcher tells Ospreay that he would not change a thing and he would attack him like he did again. Fletcher mentions Ospreay's spinal fusion surgery and going after Jon Moxley for retribution when he knew it was him who broke his neck in the first place when he dropped him on his neck multiple times in multiple ways. Fletcher then demands that Ospreay credit him as the one who broke his neck, and Ospreay admits that Fletcher was responsible for the most excruciating ten months of his life when he wrestled with one arm. Ospreay still cannot figure out how he did this, and states that he did not want to let anyone down after being seven months into the first year of his AEW contract, and that he only got through it because of the opening beats of his entrance theme and fan support. He even states that when they were in Australia, the fans were cheering him over Fletcher, and thanks to them, he had to fight like his life was on the line and prove to the wrestling world that "we run this shit." Ospreay also calls the "Ospreay, Ospreay" part of the bridge - which Fletcher cut off - a call to arms, as he is fighting for legacy, then reminds Fletcher that he has beaten him twice and he is 100% again and operating on a level no one can replicate. He asks Fletcher if he wants to face him after what he has recently accomplished, especially at All In and in Clockwork Carnage, then plays a clip from his All In entrance where he encountered Fletcher and Mark Davis. Ospreay asks Fletcher what he felt at that moment, and Fletcher says he felt absolutely nothing. Ospreay tells Fletcher that he is a bad liar, and says that Fletcher and Davis felt regret and wanted to be ringside with him. Fletcher goes off and says he felt jealous, as the man he hated most achieved his dream and the fairytale he wanted his entire life. He then states that jealous feeling did not last long, because when he realized what was going to happen, he knew he would be the man to take it all away. Fletcher says he knew he would be the man who would take Ospreay's crowning achievement for himself, but Ospreay says that Fletcher is still lying and that they could have put their differences aside and fight for the greatest title in all of wrestling, and deep down, he knows Fletcher still loves him. Fletcher accuses Ospreay of manipulating his words and that everyone will realize that he is a master manipulator just like he and Davis did, especially his wife and son, and if his son does not, he and Davis will make sure his son does. Fletcher says that at Full Gear, there is only hatred, and he is going to take everything from Will Ospreay. Ospreay tells Fletcher that he has improved dramatically and is one of the best wrestlers in AEW right now, but they do not stand on equal footing. He says that they have wrestled six times, with him winning five and Fletcher winning once two years ago, and that the killer instinct he had to show Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega will now be pointed at Fletcher. He tells Fletcher he will pull the trigger, the lights will go out on Fletcher, and he will stand over him with the AEW World Championship, for when it comes to the two of them, he will always have the high ground. As Ospreay tells Fletcher that he is on another level, Fletcher slaps him in the face, and Ospreay simply finishes his sentence while Fletcher tries and fails to get under his skin.
The New Level (Kofi and "Awesome" Austin Creed) vs. Brodido (Brody King and Bandido) ends with both teams fighting outside of the ring, security getting involved to restore order, and Kofi putting Brody through a table near the ramp with a cross body.
AEW acknowledges Veterans Day in the United States.
In backstage footage from after last Wednesday, Renee Paquette interviews Wrathlander (Harley Cameron and Kris Statlander) and The Brawling Birds (Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor). The Brawling Birds give Wrathlander a few weeks' rest for their tag team title match, but Wrathlander want to fight as they mock The Brawling Birds.
David Finlay beats Orange Cassidy after throwing a metal folding chair into the ring to distract referee Bryce Remsburg so that he can hit Orange with his shillelagh, which Orange shoved under the ring skirt before the beginning of the match. After the match, Remsburg reluctantly raises Finlay's hand after he sees the shillelagh, then Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong get in the ring to confront Finlay and The Gunns. As Remsburg helps Orange out of the ring, but Clark Connors shows up out of nowhere and hits Orange with a Spear.
Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews Andrade el Idolo. Andrade says being National Champion meant everything to him, especially when he came back to make history, then says that when one door closes, another opens, and he can see a much bigger door. He promises to become the first-ever Latino AEW World Champion.
Dynamite will air on Thanksgiving eve, and Collision will air the following night on Thanksgiving.
Backstage, Lexy Nair interviews Stokely Hathaway. After it is announced that the winners of the best-of-five series will compete for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, Stokely says that The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) and FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) respect each other, but respect does not pay bills; only wins and titles do. He proclaims that FTR will become four-time tag team champions.
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. guests on commentary for the next match.
Persephone beats Gypsy Mac. After the match, Persephone insists that Queen Aminata stole the TBS Championship from her.
Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews "Hangman" Adam Page. Hangman says he has fought with Swerve Strickland for three years and has come to understand him more than anyone on this earth, and knowing Swerve, he genuinely thought everything was behind him. He calls Texas Death Match the most dangerous thing one can do in one's entire career, as there is no knowing if one will ever walk again. He says the Trios titles will be on the line, but it is about something more for Swerve. Hangman admits that it is not the fear of Texas Death, but the lack of understanding about it. Brodido (Brody King and Bandido) show up, and Hangman states that they want and need Texas Death, and he will cast aside any hesitation and walk with them into the mouth of Hell. Brody King says he understands Hangman's hesitation, but for years, hate was his worth, but Bandido showed him a different way to talk. He gets to be his old self and be at peace with the atrocities he will commit, for he believes in violence. Bandido says that Swerve Strickland and The New Level (Kofi and "Awesome" Austin Creed) will meet their fate.
The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) beat FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) in Match 5 of the best-of-five series to win the best-of-five series and become #1 contenders for the AEW World Tag Team Championships after Shelley plays possum during a Shatter Machine and kicks Cash away so he can pin Dax with a Sunset Flip in the middle of the ring. After the match, both teams shake hands.
Tommaso Ciampa retains the AEW National Championship against "Speedball" Mike Bailey. After the match, the lights glow red, and a metronome can be seen. Ilja Dragunov makes his way to the ring, and Ciampa refuses to let Dragunov steal his spotlight. Dragunov points at the video screen. Ciampa will defend the National Championship against Dragunov at Full Gear. Dragunov offers to shake Ciampa's hand, but Ciampa flips him off and leaves.
Grayson Waller shows up to start tonight's show, mocking CM Punk's entrance before entering the ring. He is surprised by how he not only beat CM Punk next week, but by how he made the NXT Championship important again. As for what is next, Waller brags about beating Tony D'Angelo and CM Punk as well as what he is done in NXT before declaring himself "best in the world." Waller says that nobody in WWE can touch him, and pleads for someone who can beat him to properly challenge him. Suddenly, Shiloh Hill shows up. Shiloh mentions Waller's recent comments about him and tells Waller that he has been watching him closely, then wants to know who Waller was intending to piss off when he called the men's division "soft." Shiloh says he cares about NXT and that he has wrestled more matches than anyone in WWE this year, and says that Waller should have known better than to talk trash without expecting repercussions. Waller declares that Shiloh is not a coward and has said what he said to his face, but declares that he is not ready before leaving the ring. All of a sudden, Waller is attacked from behind by Mason Rook, who has not been seen in some time. Mason Rook overpowers Waller by slamming him into the corner, then Shiloh Hill and Mason Rook have a brief staredown.
We hear from EK Prosper and Kam Hendrix backstage before their match. Hendrix is not happy about not being in the John Cena Classic and says he will cook against Prosper, while Prosper says that he is going to show how to knock Hendrix's lights out.
In backstage footage from earlier, John Cena meets with Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno and invites them both to the John Cena Classic. Backstage, The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes, Jackson Drake, Myka Lockwood) are angry that they are not in the John Cena Classic. Myka Lockwood says that if they are pissed, they should do something about it.
EK Prosper beats Kam Hendrix. After the match, Kam Hendrix snaps and starts throwing things everywhere at ringside to the point that two referees have to calm him down.
On this week's NXT Focus, we see Myles Borne at the balcony, which is really a bridge, where Tony D'Angelo is. Tony D'Angelo says he is done thinking and that he is coming back to go to work.
Backstage, The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes, Jackson Drake, Myka Lockwood) attack Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno.
Izzi Dame beats Wren Sinclair after Sinclair's back gives out while going for an Alabama Slam. After the match, Zaria rushes into the ring and Spears Izzi before hitting her with an F5.
In backstage footage from earlier, John Cena invites Kelani Jordan to the John Cena Classic.
Backstage, Blake Howard interviews Zilla Fatu, who looks forward to the John Cena Classic as well as winning the NXT Championship, and says that he will call his shot and call out Grayson Waller at the end of the night.
Kelani Jordan is in the ring. She talks about how she beat Paige last week, then says that nobody should be surprised because she is a future Hall of Famer and a John Cena Classic invitee. She says that as a stand-out, opportunities are bound to come her way, and that she has been held to a higher standard compared to everyone else here and that the rules are different for her at the cost of being the best. Kelani says that she will do what a stand-out is expected to do: rest. She says she has put the title on the line in back-to-back defenses and that she will be back in the John Cena Classic, then Kendal Grey shows up. Kendal announces that she is officially back and that Kelani will have to give her the championship rematch she never got. Kelani says she has beaten her and Wren Sinclair and has bigger things to worry about, but Kendal says Kelani is still champion because she never got her rematch. General Manager Robert Stone shows up and makes the championship rematch official for next week.
Tony D'Angelo shows up to the Performance Center. Myles Borne gets his attention, saying he knew he would find D'Angelo here.
Backstage, General Manager Robert Stone finds out that Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno are out and unable to compete tonight, then The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes, Jackson Drake) shows up and mocks the situation. Robert Stone tells The Vanity Project that they will still be defending the NXT Tag Team Championships and that their match is coming up soon.
Lizzy Rain beats Chantel Monroe after referee Chip Danning catches Chantel Monroe using the ropes for leverage during a pinfall attempt.
Backstage, Blake Howard interviews Mason Rook, who says that he has worked to return ahead of schedule and he is back where he left off in taking the NXT Championship. He says that Grayson Waller will not escape him, that Shiloh Hill has made his intentions clear, and that he will pay attention to what Zilla Fatu has to say tonight.
Backstage, Blake Howard interviews Kam Hendrix, who says that he is the best athlete in before saying that Tony D'Angelo had his time and that it is his time now. D'Angelo tells Hendrix to close his mouth before he closes it for him. Hendrix attacks D'Angelo, and members of the locker room have to break up the brawl. Myles Borne is seen watching near the door.
The Vanity Project's (Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes) new opponents are Hank Walker and Tank Ledger, who attack The Vanity Project from out of nowhere.
The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes) retains the NXT Tag Team Championships against Hank Walker and Tank Ledger after Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno show up to fight The Vanity Project, which ends up costing Hank and Tank the match. After the match, Hank, Tank, Noam and Moreno all have to be held back by security.
In footage from last Wednesday, Rey Fenix and Chag Gable are in the locker room with Saquon Shugars and Sean Legacy. Tristan Angels shows up and confronts Legacy for ruining his night, and Legacy makes fun of Tristan's manhood.
Backstage, Chantel Monroe mocks Layla Biggs and Thea Hail for being "losers" and also mocks Thea's hair loss.
Zilla Fatu heads to the ring. Zilla says that his time is now, and he thanks the fans for their support. He says that he wants to enter the John Cena Classic as NXT Champion, but when he calls out Grayson Waller, DarkState shows up. Zilla makes fun of DarkState for getting beaten up by 946, but Dion Lennox says he took Cruz Montana over the edge like he said he would and that he will do the same to Zilla Fatu. Zilla says that will not happen, but Lennox laughs and says that Zilla will never be ready for a championship, as he is just like Cruz Montana and he will throw it all away. Cutler James says that NXT is not safe because of them, and Lennox says "The Main One" is the main target. Birthright shows up, and Lexis King calls DarkState irrelevant. He and Charlie Dempsey say that Birthright are the top dogs in NXT, and Dempsey says they have no problem showing it. Zilla suddenly introduces his own back-up: Perros del Mal (Daga, Angelo, Berto, Karem Petrovic) from AAA. Zilla slides out of the ring before all three factions brawl with each other to end the show while officials try to restore order.
Je'Von Evans and Penta head to the ring to start tonight's show. As they celebrate being the new World Tag Team Champions, they are suddenly attacked by Bron Breakker. Breakker then takes the microphone and demands Oba Femi get in the ring so they can fight right here, right now. Oba Femi shows up, runs to the ring, and brawls with Breakker before quickly overpowering him. Oba Femi says that if Bron Breakker wants him tonight, he has him.
Oba Femi beats Bron Breakker by disqualification after he is attacked by Austin Theory and Logan Paul. After the match, Je'Von Evans and Penta run to the ring, and The Vision (Breakker, Logan, Theory, Maxxine Dupri) retreat.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Iyo Sky. Iyo Sky refuses to reveal who her partner is, as her secret will be a big advantage. She cannot wait to see The Judgment Day's (Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez) faces when they surprise them, and she is confident that they can beat Roxanne and Raquel tonight.
Outside of the arena, Jaida Parker knocks on the back of a van to give the all clear to the rest of 946 (Royce Keys, Bronco Nima, Lucien Price, Carmelo Hayes, Cruz Montana).
"All Ego" Ethan Page heads to the ring with an entourage of four women. Ethan says that winning the Intercontinental Championship was "inevitable," and that while Chad Gable was great, he was not a great champion and was "just a man" as he mocks his redemption tour and his family. He states that the Intercontinental Championship now has a real man holding it, then Gable shows up and enters the ring. The entourage leaves the ring before Gable congratulates Ethan for beating him fair and square. Gable then brings up Ethan mentioning his family, and says that even as champion, Ethan is an asshole. Suddenly, Big Cass shows up and says if it were him, Ethan would not be Intercontinental Champion. He says that if anyone deserves the first shot at the title, it is him, not Gable. Suddenly, Rey Fenix shows up and says that he beat Ethan last time he was on Raw, and that he is the only person deserving of a title shot. Ethan says that all three men are making great points as he mocks all of them, then tells them all to debate among themselves, run it up the ladder, and he will handle it then. General Manager Adam Pearce shows up, agrees with Ethan, and makes a Triple Threat #1 Contender's Match official right now.
"All Ego" Ethan Page guests on commentary for the next match.
Rey Fenix beats Chad Gable and Big Cass in a WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 contender's match after Fenix hits Cass with a top rope splash so that he can pin Gable for the win and the title shot. After the match, 946 (Royce Keys, Bronco Nima, Lucien Price, Carmelo Hayes, Cruz Montana, Jaida Parker) suddenly storm the ring from out of the crowd and attack all three men in the match. Royce Keys then warns Roman Reigns that this could be his family unless he shows up tonight and acknowledges him.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Cody talks about his victory against Randy Orton at Crown Jewel, and while he did not have to punt Orton in the head to win, he admits that he did not like it; instead, he loved it. He then says that since this business is now in the rear view mirror, he then mentions the Traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series Match between Team USA and Team Mexico. Cody says that as captain of Team USA, he welcomes Team Mexico captain Rey Mysterio to the ring. Rey says he wants to put together the best of Mexico versus the best of the USA and cannot think of a better captain to represent when they throw down, then says they have the opportunity to pick four more members, which will not be easy. Cody calls Rey the greatest luchador of all time and says that he knows Rey will put together a banner team, and promises to do the same himself. Suddenly, JD McDonagh and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio show up. Dominik is slighted by Cody's recent comment and cannot believe that Rey is not only Team Mexico's captain, but cheating on his mom with "some old hag." Dominik then says he will join the team as captain so Rey can go back to AAA where he belongs. Rey tells Dominik that is not happening, and Dominik says that while Rey has always been an idiot, Cody is a man with vision, and Cody needs him as an asset to beat Team Mexico. Cody makes it clear he does not want Dominik, either, and Dominik wants to know who is better than him when CM Punk suddenly shows up and heads to the ring. Punk admits he has taken some big losses recently, including on last week's SmackDown, then says he wants to get back in title contention. Punk then offers to be Cody's first team, which irritates Dominik, who says he deserves to be on the team. JD McDonagh then shoves Punk, and Punk responds by kicking McDonagh in the gut before Cody and Rey help finish the job by putting Dominik and McDonagh away.
Bayley beats "Michin" Mia Yim. After the match, B-Fab attacks Bayley while Jade Cargill also shows up and directs traffic. Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley show up, but so does Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, Lainey Reid). Charlotte, Alexa and Tatum are outnumbered, and Cargill hits Charlotte with Jaded in the ring. Jade Cargill then shakes hands with Jacy Jayne.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio congratulates Penta on winning the World Tag Team Championships with Je'Von Evans, then says that Team Mexico would not be complete without him. Penta accepts Rey's invitation to join Team Mexico.
Iyo Sky's tag team partner for the next match is Becky Lynch.
Iyo Sky and Becky Lynch beat The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez). After the match, Becky says that she and Liv want to be done with each other, but this cannot be done unless they have a fair fight. Becky then challenges Liv to put the Women's World Championship on the line in a one-on-one match unless she is "the greatest coward of all time."
Backstage, The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez, JD McDonagh, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio)are approached by General Manager Adam Pearce. Pearce states that Liv Morgan will defend the Women's World Championship against Becky Lynch at Survivor Series, and that Iyo Sky will be facing Raquel Rodriguez for the Women's Intercontinental Championship next week.
Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes tells Je'Von Evans that he will stay in touch, then leaves before Penta shows up. Je'Von says he will be joining Team USA, and Penta tells Je'Von he will be in Team Mexico. Je'Von says he will not hold back, and Penta looks foward to the Survivor Series Match.
Roman Reigns heads to the ring. Roman calls out Royce Keys, and Royce Keys comes out through the crowd to head to the ring. Royce respects Reigns for being a man of his word and coming out to face him, then says that he is not a man of his own word and that he did not show up alone. Roman asks Royce if he thought he came alone. As the rest of 946 (Bronco Nima, Lucien Price, Carmelo Hayes, Cruz Montana. Jaida Parker) head to the ring through the crowd, 946's van is on fire outside of the arena, and The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso), Solo Sikoa and a returning Jacob Fatu, who has not been seen since he was hit by a car by Jaida Parker, are near it. Roman Reigns fends off 946, but as soon as the numbers game takes over, The Usos, Solo and Jacob show up and evens everything up. Royce Keys attacks Roman Reigns from behind only for Jacob Fatu to overpower everyone in 946. Jacob then puts Carmelo Hayes through the announce table with a splash from the top rope, and 946 retreat. Roman says that if Royce challenges him, he will challenge Royce, and he challenges 946 to a WarGames Match against The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, "Main Event" Jey Uso, Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa) at Survivor Series.
