The Great American Bash was a hot event headlined by the heavily talked-about Ilja Dragunov versus Carmelo Hayes match – as well as Gable Steveson’s debut for different reasons. But the show opened with new NXT Tag Team Champions in Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, who are ambushed by Gallus in the WWE Performance Center parking lot at the beginning of tonight’s episode.
Jacy Jayne vs Lyra Valkyria
Jayne steals a commentary headset, vowing to continue what she started at The Great American Bash, and jumpstarts the match before picture-in-picture. Valkyria makes a comeback preceding some solid back-and-forth, scales the ropes, and connects with a splash for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Lyra Valkyria
NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams discuss their win until the latter teases an undesirable split. “I just gotta be my own man,” says Williams, wanting to confront Ilja Dragunov personally. Afterwards, The D’Angelo Family is interviewed in the trainer’s room, and “The Don” plans on making “a call” to deal with Gallus.
The most hated NXT wrestler behind Gable Steveson, North American Champion Dominik Mysterio, enters the ring alongside Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley before Dragon Lee interrupts. The masked man sticks up for Rey Mysterio, insults “Dirty Dom’s” cajones, and challenges him to a match next week. Rey appears on the titantron to announce being ringside next Tuesday, adding to the ongoing main roster synergy.
Wes Lee storms the locker room with a losing streak on his mind, and Carmelo Hayes tells him to “calm the hell down.” In comes counterfeit Heritage Cup Champion Noam Dar and “Main Man” Oro Mensah to add insult to injury before an abrupt pull-apart.
Uncharacteristically quiet Thea Hail is interviewed about her loss Sunday until Baron Corbin interrupts, but Andre Chase steps in between. “You can tighten your big-boy dress pants and do something about it if you want,” goads Corbin.
Eddy Thorpe vs Dijak
Thorpe falls victim to another generic new entrance theme, disrupting his vibe just when it had gained steam. He powers through Dijak’s chokeslam and carries out his unique-style offense, but the big man targets the left shoulder and connects with a spinning boot for three.
Winner: Dijak
Dana Brooke claims to have gone “to a really dark place” against Cora Jade, thanks to hate comments on the internet. She tells Kehlani Jordan to find her “killer instinct,” maybe leading to something more than an uninteresting main-roster call down.
Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz vs Elektra Lopez and Lola Vice
The best Latina tag team in NXT will be decided tonight, although both bring different flavors to the table. Leon makes a comeback with her former powerlifting background, but it’s the impressive spinning kicks of Vice that earn the victory.
Winners: Elektra Lopez and Lola Vice
Gen Z wrestling is in full force as NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton’s promo comes in the form of a get-ready-with-me TikTok video. She plans on celebrating defeating Thea Hail – after finishing her makeup montage.
Wes Lee and Carmelo Hayes vs Noam Dar and Oro Mensah
Legitimately the two greatest former North American Champions in the lineage team up in an altogether personality-filled matchup. Accompanied by Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend, while the Meta-Four have had a lackluster beginning, Dar’s in-ring return should signal an immediate improvement. Hayes and Lee work together with their signature agility, but the NXT Champion takes the bullet with the latter’s Kardiac Kick. Dar capitalizes for the much-needed pinfall victory, and the Meta-Four is back on track.
Winners: Noam Dar and Oro Mensah
Bron Breakker speaks on absolutely obliterating Von Wagner with a spear last week. He degrades Wagner’s father – although he, of all people, is in no position to talk about upstanding fathers.
Another masked man in Axiom sticks up for Rey Mysterio, and “Dirty Dom” mistakes him for Dragon Lee. Mustafa Ali barges in, and both are eyeing the North American Championship.
Baron Corbin vs Andre Chase
Corbin destroys the Chase University professor as a dejected Thea Hail and Duke Hudson watch ringside. Orlando chants to “throw the towel” and give Chase a taste of his medicine, but he recuperates with his C-H-A-S-E-U stomps. Corbin cinches a single-leg Boston, and Hail actually throws in the towel, but the referee doesn’t see it. Nevertheless, Corbin hits End of Days and gains the pinfall victory regardless.
Winner: Baron Corbin
A package of Roxanne Perez’ homecoming showcases interviews from her family and win against Blair Davenport at The Great American Bash. After, the mystery partner of The D’Angelo Family enters the parking lot, and Vic Joseph questions who it is. “Why the hell do you think I know?” responds Booker T.
The Meta-Four celebrate their victory before Tyler Bate interrupts, creating an NXT Heritage Cup Championship match for himself next week. But who’s the real NXT Heritage Cup Champion? Noam Dar or Nathan Frazer?
Schism conducts an interrogation of their faceless cult members, seeking out the painfully obvious insubordinates. One of them is Ikemen Jiro for the quick gag, but The Creed Brothers outsmart Schism by appearing on the tron on green-screen vacation. Joe Gacy issues out a worldwide order to find the Creed Brothers and bring them to Orlando – where they certainly are not at presently.
Gallus vs Tony D’Angelo, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, and Santos Escobar
Escobar apparently puts the months of NXT faction warfare behind him, and the mafia and cartel unite for tonight’s main event. Gallus is in control proceeding break, looking naked without the NXT Tag Team Championships around them, but Escobar makes a comeback before the action breaks loose. The Family hits Bada Boom Bada Bing for the victory, and the NXT tag-team division is in good hands if Gallus departs from the title picture.
Winners: Tony D’Angelo, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, and Santos Escobar
The lower-third signals, but a vignette from Ilja Dragunov sends a last-minute threat to Trick Williams after costing him the NXT Championship. “Next week, my retribution begins, and I won’t stop until you are entirely terminated,” says the frightening, literally red-eyed unbesiegbar one.
NXT 8/1/23
Orlando, FL
A fine follow-up to The Great American Bash, but Carmelo Hayes’ championship run is not being done favors with another face-versus-face feud.
