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.
Before the next match, Joe Gacy says it was not just brought LVL UP into existance, but the man across the ring from him was with him and Harland when they were breaking barriers and changing a show that was exclusive. He says that this man deserves a chance tonight, and introduces his opponent for tonight: Quincy Elliott, the large man that Joe Gacy challenged in his all-inclusive invitational from November. (Quincy Elliott is formlery independent wrestler Miguel aka M.I.G., and has now been signed to WWE.)
Joe Gacy beats Quincy Elliott following the distraction by Harland.
Ivy Nile beats Kiana James (formerly known as Kayla Inlay) with a modified Dragon Sleeper.
Edris Enofe and Malik Blade beat Jacket Time (KUSHIDA and Ikemen Jiro). Both teams show good sportsman ship after the match.
James Drake beats Xyon Quinn following the distraction from Zack Gibson. After the match, Xyon Quinn tries to get his hands on James Drake only for Gibson to help him out of the ring, and Quinn grabs Gibson and drags him into the ring to plant him into the center of the mat for his efforts.
Elektra Lopez beats Sarray after Sarray inadvertently drop kicks Joaquin Wilde.
Joe Gacy and Harland beat Jacket Time (KUSHIDA and Ikemen Jiro).
At the start of the show, MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) talks about how they debuted in last year's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and won the whole thing, then they head to the ring for the next match after Nash Carter stops Wes Lee from touching the Dusty Cup.
MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) beat Jacket Time (KUSHIDA and Ikemen Jiro) to advance in the men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Backstage, Zoey Stark talks with Io Shirai about her debut last year, but says she will not be able to compete in the women's Dusty Classic due to her injury and tells Shirai to find a new partner. Tiffany Stratton shows up and makes fun of what Zoey Stark is wearing, saying she got it off the clearance rack, then says Shirai will have time to find a new partner once she beats her tonight.
We hear from Cameron Grimes, who says that everyone will so who the bigger, tougher man is between him and Tony D'Angelo. He says he will drop D'Angelo off in Little Italy on the way to the North American Championship.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams are seen entering the arena with tonight's musical guest OllieJayy.
Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza, Elektra Lopez) head to the ring. Escobar says that ever since Bron Breakker showed up, everyone has mocked him for his family and "his poor math skills" only to tell him how special he is and how big of a star he is right now and will become after they wrestle him. Escobar says he is a realist from the start because of his father, then says he and Bron Breakker come from similar upbringings and that Breakker's family does not impress him. Escobar then says he despises Bron Breakker for how fast he got her and how quickly he got his opportunities as well as for winning the NXT Championship before him. Suddenly, Bron Breakker shows up and says Escobar is a great Superstar who happens to be so insecure that he needs a group, then says his family taught him to handle business and tells Escobar to issue the challenge so he can accept it. Escobar tells Breakker he has a huge target on his back for someone who is alone and that things will be done on his time, and that when he is ready, Breakker will know. Legado del Fantasma then leave. Suddenly, Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde got a cheap shot, but Bron Breakker outsmarts and outpowers them.
We see a video package chronicling the feud between Boa and Solo Sikoa.
Solo Sikoa beats Boa in a no-disqualification match after splashing Boa through a table.
We hear from Imperium (Walter, Fabian Aichner, Marcel Barthel) who says that their name stands for success. Walter then says his name is in honor of his grandfather, who introduced him to pro wrestling. He says it is time to leave the past behind and guide Imperium into the future with his own identity. Marcel Barthel says it is time for a new age, and Fabian Aichner says that it will be lead by Walter. Walter then announces that his name is now Gunther.
Duke Hudson beats Guru Raaj. After the match, Dante Chen shows up and says he will give Duke Hudson the respect Hudson did not give him last week, then says "Here I come" and runs at him, starting a brawl that referees have to stop. Hudson hits Chen with a chop block before running away.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Persia Pirotta and Indi Hartwell. Both of them are focused on their match and being champions, and Kay Lee Ray shows up and says there is a lot to being champion and that tonight, they will stake their claims to gold.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza, Elektra Lopez). Wilde says Bron Breakker needs to find out what happens when one disrespects them, and Escobar says Bron Brakker made a big mistake and that Wilde and Mendoza will make him pay. Escobar says Bron Breakker will be facing them two-on-one unless he can find a friend, which is unlikely, and Elektra Lopez mentions Breakker saying he is the first to enter and last to leave. Escobar then says they will have to stay just a little bit longer.
Kay Lee Ray, Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta beat Toxic Attraction (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne) in a six-woman tag team match after Kay Lee Ray chases Mandy Rose to the back with her baseball bat.
We hear from Malik Blade and Edris Enofe. Enofe says that if they go all the way in the men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, they will ask out Mandy Rose, saying that nobody gave them a chance in the tournament. Enofe then says that Malik can ask out Mandy while he asks out Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne. Malik mentions Enofe's Instagram, saying it can be a bad influence, and Enofe goes on to say it could be "toxic."
In backstage footage from earlier today, Cora Jade tries to persuade Raquel Gonzalez into teaming with her for the women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but Raquel says she cannot trust her. Cora Jade then tries to hit Raquel Gonzalez with a cheap shot, but Raquel sees it coming and blocks it before telling Cora not to push her.
Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) beat Andre Chase and Bodhi Hayward to advance in the men's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. After the match, Von Wagner shows up and attacks Bodhi Hayward and Andre Chase while Robert Stone watches from the ring apron. Robert Stone then hands Von Wagner a suit jacket, which he puts on. Stone then says that Von Wagner has been reinstated and is under new management.
We hear from Grayson Waller, who says that LA Knight thought he had him dead to right, but his star is brighter than ever and that he has a new insurance policy. He then says he is waiting for Knight, but Sanga will be waiting for him first.
It is announced that Odyssey Jones has underwent surgery for a ruptured patella and that he will be out until at least this fall.
Io Shirai beats Tiffany Stratton.
We hear from Malcolm Bivens, who says Gunther's name should be "DUMBASS" and that this is the beginning of the end for Imperium (Gunther, Fabian Aichner, Marcel Barthel) when The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) win the Dusty Cup and Roderick Strong chops him down. He then says Ivy Nile will stretch Gunther from "here to [his] mother's house" before challenging Imperium to a six-man tag match. The Creed Brothers call Imperium "European pretty boys" and say that they will take them down whenever we want. Roderick Strong says that nobody is better than Diamond Mine.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams introduce OllieJayy, who performs "Make 'Em Fall" in the ring.
We hear from Tony D'Angelo, who says that Cameron Grimes' chirping stops when he busts his face open and that he will have a date with the North American Championship.
Backstage, Tiffany Stratton complains to her father about her match on the phone when she meets Wendy Chu, who says everyone loses to Io Shirai. Stratton responds by smacking the drink out of her hand.
Cameron Grimes beats Tony D'Angelo to earn a shot at the NXT North American Championship after Pete Dunne shows up and smashes D'Angelo's hand with a cricket bat.
Backstage, as Bron Breakker says that Santos Escobar is a numbers guy, Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza) show up and confront Breakker. Tommaso Ciampa shows up and stands alongside Bron Brakker, and Legado del Fantasma run away.
Grayson Waller is seen entering the arena while greeted by a crowd of fans who boo him upon his arrival.
Cameron Grimes beats Duke Hudson in a no-holds-barred match after hitting Hudson with a Cave-In through a chair when Hudson tries to cut Grimes' hair. After the match, Grimes removes Hudson's wig and headgear to reveal that he is bald.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Cora Jade. Cora Jade says he may have unfinished business with Dakota Kai, and she is excited to be medically cleared again. Dakota shows up and says that Raquel Gonzalez finds someone talented, she latches on and has them do all the dirty work. Cora, not interested in Dakota's advice, calls Dakota "mom" and says that when she wins tonight, she will be one step closer to taking the NXT Women's title.
We hear from Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen, who head to a country concert with Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter and have some fun together.
Grayson Waller heads to the ring. Waller states a wise man once said that you can never fail if you bet on yourself, and says he nearly had a tear in his eye last week. He says that wise man overstayed his welcome as he spoke to the fans, and that he did what he said he would do last week. We see Instagram footage of what happened after Grayson Waller attacked Johnny Gargano last week, then Waller says he cemented himself as "The NXT Superstar" before spending his weekend partying with celebrities while the fans complained about him online. He then shows off of tweets, including one from Wade Barrett, then tells Barrett he could not care less what he thinks about him because it is not 2010 before bragging to Vic Joseph about beating up his best friend while he did nothing about it. He tells Vic Joseph to remember that, as it shows what kind of friend he is, then says he does need any of the fans and that all he needs to rise to the top is himself.
MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) and Matt Riddle are in action tonight.
We hear from Malcolm Bivens, who says that Diamond Mine is about big money matches, and that it does not get bigger than Roderick Strong vs. Bron Breakker. He says that he cannot wait to see Strong put Breakker in his place. Strong says that tonight, Diamond Mine will divide and conquer.
It's time for Lashing Out With Lash Legend. Tonight's guests are Jacket Time (KUSHIDA and Ikemen Jiro). Suddenly, the woman with the pillow and the eye cover walks by, then we see a brief video of Jacket Time in slow motion, then Jacket Time mention their secret to looking good: Style Strong. On the subject of Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake), KUSHIDA says that they attacked him and Ikemen Jiro, then he and Jiro say that this week, they will strike back.
Ivy Nile beats Amari Miller by submission.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Xyon Quinn, who says "Game on" to Elektra Lopez after seeing the game she plays. Suddenly, Robert Stone shows up after Quinn leaves, and says that he is sick and tired of being disrespected and that he will be taken seriously. Von Wagner then suddenly shows up and says that he smashed one person last week and that it will continue, and that anyone who has a problem with it can say it to his face.
We hear from Joe Gacy and Harland. Joe Gacy tells Harland that it is time, and not to be afraid of who he is.
Matt Riddle looks through MSK's (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) bag and finds one Airpod, a baseball bat, a traffic cone and John Cena's United States Championship. He says that these things are weighing down their lives and that they must clear their minds to become tag team champions again. When MSK ask how they can do that, Riddle pulls a scooter out of the bag and says that to find what you are looking for, you must sometimes dig deep. MSK also find two more scooters in the bag, then they ride off.
Westside Gunn is seen in the front row before the next match.
Harland quickly beats Guru Raaj. After the match, Joe Gacy asks Harland if he feels better. Harland shakes his head no, then slams Guru Raaj's head into the mat before Joe Gacy stops him while multiple referees tell Harland to stop.
Backstage, LA Knight says that Grayson Waller only thinks he is special for his actions from last week, then tells someone to tell Waller that he is looking for him.
Mandy Rose guests on commentary for the next match after a brief encounter with Cora Jade at ringside.
Backstage, Joe Gacy and Harland are being escorted out down a stairway. Harland grabs a man - who happens to be The Brian Kendrick - and throws him down the stairs, and everyone else has to check on him.
Cora Jade beats Dakota Kai with a schoolkid pin after the referee takes Dakota Kai's shovel away from her. After the match, Dakota Kai attacks Cora Jade and grabs the shovel, but Raquel Gonzalez shows up and chases after Dakota Kai. Suddenly, Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin show up, and Mandy Rose attacks Cora from behind.
Backstage, Grayson Waller is met by Tiffany Stratton, who tells her that her dad says he is a terrible person. Io Shirai also shows up and gives Grayson Waller an earful, then leaves.
Outside of the arena, multiple referees are holding back Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai.
Westside Gunn is seen in the front row before the next match.
Tony D'Angelo beats Andre Chase. After the match, D'Angelo quotes Tony Bennett, saying he has the world on a string, and that since he got here, he has backed up everything he said he would do. As he says that he made good on smacking Pete Dunne in his mouth, Dunne shows up. Dunne says that D'Angelo likes to talk for someone without a track records, then gets in the ring and threatens to beat him up. D'Angelo stops Dunne by making fun of his face before showing him his mouthguard. Dunne says he is here to fight, not to talk, but D'Angelo says he has business to attend to and that they can settle things next week. He pretends to leave, but when he goes for the cheap shot, Dunne breaks his fingers. When D'Angelo goes for Dunne's mouthpiece, Dunne gets to it first, smashes the display case with his boot, then puts the mouthguard on.
Backstage, Grayson Waller meets with Bron Breakker, who tells him to leave the locker room, as he is no longer welcome there. Grayson Waller says real stars have their own locker room and leaves.
The Brian Kendrick - who was choke slammed by Harland earlier - is checked on in the trainer's room.
Boa beats Edris Enofe.
We hear from Raquel Gonzalez, who says that while she sees their friendship as a positive, she needs to end Dakota Kai. She then says it will end like it started: in a street fight.
Backstage, Grayson Waller leaves in LA Knight's sports car (with Tiffany Stratton, whose dad hates Waller), then it is revealed that Knight has been attacked.
Jacket Time (KUSHIDA and Ikemen Jiro) beats Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) following the distraction from The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed).
Backstage, Malcolm Bivens and Roderick Strong are met by Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams, who wish Strong luck. Bivens tells Carmelo is the one needing luck. Meanwhile, Trick finds a picture of himself and Dexter Lumis drawn by Lumis himself.
It is announced that Cora Jade has reinjured her shoulder, that LA Knight has suffered multiple injuries and that The Brian Kendrick is already at the hospital.
Bron Breakker beats Roderick Strong. After the match, Tommaso Ciampa shows up and hits Breakker with Willow's Bell on the NXT Championship. Afterwards, Ciampa tells Breakker that while he won the battle at WarGames, the NXT Championship is the war.
Before the next match, Julius Creed says that this Sunday at WarGames, Roderick Strong will show Joe Gacy there is no such thing as participation trophies in Diamond Mine, and that as for tonight, they will show Jacket Time no matter how talented they are or how much the fans cheer for them, it will not exceed their will to win. Brutus Creed says Diamond Mine is home to some of the world-class athletes who are disciplined and win championships, and that Jacket Time's (KUSHIDA and Ikemen Jiro) time is over.
The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) beat Jacket Time (KUSHIDA and Ikemen Jiro).
Tony D'Angelo beats Dexter Lumis after bringing Lumis' artist's easel to the ring, causing the ref to take it out of the ring and allowing D'Angelo to thumb Lumis in the eye. After the match, Carmelo Anthony and Trick Williams attack Dexter Lumis from behind, then trap his right hand in a chair so Carmelo can stomp the chair from the top rope. Johnny Gargano chases Carmelo and Trick away, but the damage is done.
We see footage from during the commercial break of Dexter Lumis being helped to the back. Johnny Gargano is then in the ring, and he calls Carmelo Hayes out for screwing with his family and threatens to kick his teeth down his throat. As he calls out Carmelo Hayes, Pete Dunne shows up and tells Gargano not to worm his way into a title match, as he is the #1 contender for the North American Championship. Gargano says he would not have done it without his help, then Carmelo and Trick Williams show up. Carmelo and Trick are on a nearby balcony, where Trick makes fun of Pete Dunne and Johnny Gargano for wanting Carmelo in a match. Gargano calls Trick the guy who carries Carmelo's bag, and Carmelo says Dunne and Gargano would not be relevant without him. Dunne tells Carmelo to shut up, as he has a win and more experience. Carmelo says he can take them both on with the North American Championship on the line, much to the chagrin of Trick, next week. As Carmelo says he does not miss, Dunne says he missed last week, and Gargano says Carmelo has only been here six months while he has been here for five years and he is "absolutely can't miss" much like Carmelo's challenge.
Backstage, Malcolm Bivens says that Diamond Mine will show why they dominate tonight when Joe Gacy shows up admiring how Diamond Mine is united under one roof. Malcolm Bivens tells him that tryouts are next week and hands him his business card, and Joe Gacy thanks Bivens for the opportunity.
We see a vignette for LA Knight, who says that even without the trappings of stardom and fame, he is still a "100% megastar," and while he is not NXT Champion yet, he is the uncrowned champion. He then mentions Grayson Waller, saying that a door was opened for him at his expense despite having traveled up and down the road and put in the time, and that he will have to beat the breaks off of him.
Odyssey Jones and Jacket Time (KUSHIDA and Ikemen Jiro) beat Diamond Mine (Roderick Strong, Julius Creed, Brutus Creed).
Backstage, Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) call their nan to celebrate becoming NXT Tag Team Champions (even though they are holding the NXT Women's Tag Team Champions) in an attempt for one of them to get their nan's inheritance.
We see MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) at the airport. They find out that they have to get through security, and somehow manage to get through it. Wes Lee somehow gets a separate flight, and when they meet back together, Wes Lee says he met a master of tag team wrestling on his plane.
Xyon Quinn beats Andre Chase. After the match, Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza attack Xyon Quinn, but when Quinn fends them off, he is attacked from behind by Santos Escobar. The three of them gang up on Quinn, and Elektra Lopez tells Quinn that no one says no to her. Escobar then drives Quinn onto a steel plate on the floor.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Raquel Gonzalez, who says she has not slept well since Halloween Havoc and that the NXT Women's Championship was a part of her until Dakota Kai ripped it all away from her. She says that she will deal with Mandy Rose later, and that tonight, she will beat Dakota Kai, who has been jealous of her success and will be buried with the shovel she hit her with.
Duke Hudson and Cameron Grimes are at a poker table in the middle of the ring. Duke Hudson says luck is for losers like Cameron Grimes and that he will make Grimes his bitch tonight. Cameron Grimes says Duke Hudson is nervous and "sweating like Shaq at the free throw line," then says everyone was telling Duke that he got played last week. The poker game starts. Grimes has King and Three of Spades, while Duke has two fives. The pot is raised to $2000 and the community cards are Five, Jack and Ten, all of Hearts. Grimes raises $2,000. Duke raises $4,000. Grimes calls. The pot is now at $10,000, and the turn card is a Queen of Spades. Grimes raises $2,000 again. Duke Hudson is nervous and demands silence as he makes his decision. He calls. The pot is at $18,000. The river card is a Seven of Hearts. Grimes tells Duke that he has everything to make himself a big-time player, but drops the ball when it counts. He says now is the chance to show how big his balls are, and goes all in. Grimes then asks Duke if his balls are raisins or cantaloupes as Duke is about to make a decision, and this causes a "raisins" chant. Duke is unnerved by Grimes' smile, thinking he has a flush. He then says he will not get him again, then folds despite having a 100% chance of winning. Duke then finds out that Grimes did not have a flush at all. Duke then kicks Cameron Grimes in the face and proceeds to beat him up before powerbombing him through the poker table. Duke then reaches underneath the ring and finds a toolbox. He entertains the idea of using a hammer, but then finds a pair of scissors and cuts Cameron Grimes' bear and hair until referees stop him.
Backstage, Kyle O'Reilly talks with Von Wagner about his appearance on SmackDown, then the both of them concentrate on handling business tonight.
Von Wagner and Kyle O'Reilly beat Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen. Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel) is seen watching the match from backstage. After the match, Imperium admits Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner, but are still not on their level and have a better chance of getting jobs as security guards than they do beating them for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Backstage, Indi Hartwall is concerned about Dexter Lumis having to head to a local medical facility, and Persia Pirotta tells her to be with Lumis despite their match being next.
It's time for Lashing Out With Lash Legend. As she talks about Kay Lee Ray interrupting Toxic Attraction's (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne) celebration last week, Grayson Waller shows up and talks about LA Knight saying he has yet to pay his dues in NXT and did not travel up and down the roads for a hot dog and a handshake. He says that the battle for wins and losses is dead and replaced with social media interactions, then says the game is his now, not LA Knight's.
Persia Pirotta beats Gabby Stephens and Jenna Levy in a two-on-one handicap match. (Gabby Stephens is Kaci Lennox, while Jenny Levy is Valentina Rossi, who has been seen on AEW Dark and AEW Dark Elevation.) Robert Stone is seen cheering for Persia after the match.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Dakota Kai. Dakota says she has been lost since her last match against Raquel Gonzalez, and she must get rid of the past by beating Raquel. As Toxic Attraction (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne) shows up and Mandy Rose says it ends tonights, Dakota says Mandy owes her twice. Grizzled Young Veterans show up and return the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships to Toxic Attraction while lying about what happened to the belts.
Backstage, we hear from Tommaso Ciampa, who talks about what he has done for the last two months and says that while he has integrity, the rest of the locker room lacks it. He then decides to head to the ring.
We see footage of Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter at a music festival as the two of them say they are hoping to bring the music festival feeling to NXT.
Tommaso Ciampa shows up. He talks about how Carmelo Anthony tries to convince himself he is holding the top championship in NXT when he is not, and says Carmelo will not take a shot in his direction because he will "shoot a damn airball" if he does. He then focuses on "little bitch ass" Grayson Waller acting entitled because he did not have to work on the indies. As he mentions Tony D'Angelo, Bron Breakker shows up. Bron Breakker says Tommaso Ciampa cannot stand that there is a new crop of talent, then say it means nothing to him and that Ciampa should be worried about him or else he will run through him and take the NXT Championship. Ciampa tells Bron that he had his chance at Halloween Havoc and came up short, and tells him he has less than a 33 1/3% chance of taking the title from him and says he is "just a puppy" while he is NXT Champion. Bron Breakker then leaves.
USA Olympic gold metalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock is seen in the front row.
Raquel Gonzalez beats Dakota Kai by disqualification after she is attacked from behind by Toxic Attraction (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne). After the match, Dakota Kai joins in on Toxic Attraction's attack on Raquel. Cora Jade shows up to fight everyone, but the numbers game takes over. Suddenly, Zoey Stark shows up on crutches, then Io Shirai arrives and takes everyone out with one of Stark's crutches. Cora Jade, Raquel Gonzalez and Io Shrai fend off Dakota Kai and Toxic Attraction, then Io Shirai says "War Games!"
