The Lone Wolf returns against Hayes at NXT Gold Rush Week Two

NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes defended against “The Lone Wolf” Baron Corbin, who brought back the original entrance music, lighting and gear in place of his off-putting gym shorts. Like rapper Drake, the champion’s got a lot of enemies as WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley appeared on the show with a message from The Judgment Day leader Finn Balor – who faced Hayes in his Monday Night Raw debut last night.

Thea Hail vs Tiffany Stratton (c) – NXT Women’s Championship 

19-year-old Hail is metaphorically carrying the Chase University flag high, alongside MVP Duke Hudson, as a pepped-up underdog. Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey join ringside in an even opening before picture-in-picture, and Hail makes a comeback thereafter with school spirit Chase-U stomps. To her disapproval, Gulak and Dempsey provide illegal help, and Stratton taps out to a Kimura Lock while the referee is distracted. The champion capitalizes with a roll up to retain the NXT Women’s Championship, but young Hail looked like a graduate in there. 

Winner: Tiffany Stratton

Gulak and Dempsey attack Hudson before Andre Chase makes a heroic return. Everybody is standing for the professor, back into NXT’s dark horse collection of storylines that is Chase University.

A vignette from Ilja Dragunov explains what “unbesiegbar” means, basically an invincible tolerance for pain and violence.

Footage from last week shows rookie Kelani Jordan rooting for an injured Dana Brooke. The one Dana Brooke fan in Orlando has been found.

Malik Blade and Edris Enofe vs Gallus (c) – NXT Tag Team Championships

The challengers are presumably being fed to Gallus, but the overlooked Blade and Enofe deserve their temporary spotlight. Meanwhile, Gallus is down a cornerman after Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo kidnapped Joe Coffey last week for ratting on Tony D’Angelo, and they’re flattened preceding break. Monday Night Raw’s Humberto and Angel spectate on the podium as Enofe slips on the back of Mark Coffey, and Booker T outright states that their momentum is lost. As Wolfgang is tied in the ropes, “Stacks” appears and inadvertently takes out Enofe as Gallus capitalizes with their double-team finisher for victory. He was “aiming for Mark… or was he?” questions commentary.

Winners: Gallus

Meta-Four is interviewed backstage, but Noam Dar isn’t over losing his NXT Heritage Cup Championship. Contrarily, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson boast about their own victory, and Oro Mensah says their faction is “united as one.”

Ava Raine conducts a family intervention between Schism, where Rip Fowler and Jagger Reed finally reveal losing their faith in Joe Gacy. The latter loses his temper with valid defense until Diamond Mine interrupts, vowing to protect NXT from a 

“cancerous” faction. Gacy proposes a “loser leaves NXT” tag team match, which is a winning situation for either duo primed for the main roster.

Lucien Price and Bronco Nima recall playing football in the streets before signing to different colleges. “We didn’t come to NXT to play. We came to dominate!” they say in a vignette.

Hank Walker, Tank Ledger, Scrypts, and Axiom react to the video before Nathan Frazer walks in with the Heritage Cup. Axiom, secretly the inaugural champion, is “drawn to it.”

Trick Williams pep talks Carmelo Hayes before WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley walks in with a threat from Finn Balor, offended with Trick-Melo gang interfering in Judgment Day business. 

Dragon Lee vs Nathan Frazer (c) – NXT Heritage Cup Championship

Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon accompany each corner respectively between the six three-minute rounds, and Axiom arrives to spectate early on. Scrypts walks him away as Lee and Frazer impress with incredible agility for an even opening round. Frazer’s trademark lightning speed leads to a quick sunset-flip reversal to grant him the first pinfall. They trade intense outside dives, and Lee gains a fall with a smooth powerbomb. Orlando is standing in round five after some amazing sequences and nearfalls, but Frazer gets a questionable roll-up pin for victory in a great showing for the two competitors.

Winner: Nathan Frazer

A gritty recap of RAW Underground makes it seem more than bearable, and a package shows Gable Steveson’s training session with Eddy Thorpe. The latter faces Steveson’s brother Damon Kemp next week, which surely isn’t a scheme against Thorpe.

Mustafa Ali walks in on Wes Lee and apologizes for his referee shenanigans, and Tyler Bate proposes a rematch. However, Ali wants a match and Bate suggests being the special guest referee this time.

Von Wagner walks out on Mr. Stone after still struggling with the scarred baby photos, so progress is stifled once again.

Kiana James vs Gigi Dolin

Dolin is not in her element without weapons or a partner to tag, which has been proven match after match. The bout goes through picture-in-picture before James tries using her loaded purse, but Dolin reverses with a crucifix bomb for victory. James uses the purse after all in a post-match assault, emptying orange and blue cans of paint in a mocking display of art and self-expression.

Winner: Gigi Dolin

Tony D’Angelo dons an orange jumpsuit as Joe Coffey joins his visitation list. “Stacks sold you out!” reveals Coffey, sliding him an audio recording of “The Underboss” saying that there’s “a new don on the streets.” Bestowing a deserved honor for a shocking revelation, Booker T grants this segment the “shucky ducky quack quack” moment of the night.

Gen Z storylines enter the mix as Roxanne Perez’ Snapchat video is interrupted by Blair Davenport; they go one-on-one next week.

Jacy Jayne talks trash about Lyra Valkyria to miscellaneous roster members until the latter socks her with a right hand. Rhea Ripley stands over her saying, “You kinda deserved it. Lyra’s a badass.”

The Dyad questions the audacity of Joe Gacy to put their NXT careers on the line, but Ava Raine assures they have a plan.

Baron Corbin vs Carmelo Hayes (c) – NXT Championship 

“The Lone Wolf” is back with his original NXT theme song, lighting and gear – towering over the champion but floored before picture-in-picture. Corbin turns Hayes upside down with a big boot and looks devious as ever surrounded by jeers from Orlando. Hayes comes back with signature springboard offense and powers out of big maneuvers, but Corbin slams him atop the announce desk. The challenger hits a whirlwind of a Deep Six, but Hayes recuperates with Nothing But Net for the pinfall victory.

Winner: Carmelo Hayes

Bron Breakker storms out of Shawn Michaels office: “You and everyone else will find out next week!”