NXT opens with footage from Monday, as Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley puts over Dominik Mysterio’s mullet. Conversely, the following footage of Rey Mysterio puts over Dragon Lee as “the future of lucha libre,” as the latter faces “Dirty Dom” in tonight’s main event for the North American Championship with the legend in his corner.
Axiom vs Mustafa Ali
While being sidelined with a feud against Scrypts, Axiom’s incredible agility escapes again, dominating over Ali. Lucien Price and Bronco Nima accompany Scrypts ringside as Ali matches his opponent’s athletic offense, but the trio thankfully retreats from the calculated back-and-forth. Axiom hits consecutive twisting DDTs before Ali snatches at his mask and sends him plummeting to the floor, capitalizing with a 450 Splash for victory. However impressive Axiom was, Ali more so proved that he can deliver without shenanigans – calling his shot at the North American Championship
Winner: Mustafa Ali
Miscellaneous men are laid waste by Schism, who threaten to locate the Creed Brothers out in hiding. Wherever they are, it evidently isn’t the main roster just yet.
Kehlani Jordan vs Blair Davenport
Jordan calls out Davenport in an Instagram post after Dana Brooke insinuates finding a killer instinct. The former utilizes her gymnastics background to ultimately taste defeat with a double stomp and knee strike by Davenport, who is chased around by Brooke wielding a belt. Brooke almost attacks her protege, garnering the most intriguing, lightly, reaction she’s had in this stint.
Winner: Blair Davenport
Von Wagner speaks for himself over Mr. Stone, telling Bron Breakker that his trash talk is nothing new. His new catchphrase?… “your ass is gonna get tabled.”
Noam Dar (c) vs Tyler Bate – Heritage Cup Championship
The match is announced specifically “for Noam Dar’s Heritage Cup Championship” as he technically never lost the real one – only on behalf of “Main Man” Oro Mensah. The two with Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend form Meta-Four, a potential-filled faction finally on track following Dar’s injury. After an even opening round, Bate is left recuperating on his own but gains an advantage regardless with Tyler Driver 98 preceding picture-in-picture.
The “champion” is saved by the bell in round three but serves smooth strikes and submissions thereafter, and Bate taps via kneebar next round. Mensah provides a distraction, but Bate fights through, rolling up Dar to win his own counterfeit championship. One step forward, two steps back for Meta-Four and one of NXT’s most underrated competitors in Dar.
Winner: Tyler Bate
Tank Ledger and Hank Walker are approached by Schism demanding to find the Creed Brothers, but the faceless army attack the innocent Golden Retriever boys.
Ilja Dragunov promises pain for Trick Williams, and meanwhile, Dijak and Wes Lee crowd Carmelo Hayes’ locker room. The former rivals square off, and Dijak blindsides Lee before officials get there.
Williams dives into the deep end feuding with “Mad Dragon” as his first official singles rivalry. Dragunov blames him for losing the NXT Championship match at Great American Bash, but Williams offers his own match to prove that “Trick Willy ain’t no sidekick.” The bout is set for NXT Heatwave where maniacal Dragunov insists that William’s “career will die.”
Drew Gulak and Willy Wonka – or Charlie Dempsey, rather – are interviewed about opponents Tank Ledger and Hank Walker not being medically cleared. Damon Kemp interrupts, who is then interrupted himself by Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs who challenge the former duo.
Rey Mysterio commends Roxanne Perez before consoling a starstruck Thea Hail, who asks if he still loves Dominik Mysterio. “I just hope that one day he will understand and realize who his real family is,” says Mysterio. Andre Chase and Duke Hudson walk in, shunned by Hail for throwing in the towel.
Bron Breakker vs Von Wagner
“Give me a break,” Breakker simply says to Wagner’s threat of getting “tabled” in a preceding interview. Breakker is an undeniable future superstar who feels like a super senior in this environment, running through Wagner with an intense lariat. The bigger man fires up before getting obliterated by the best spear in wrestling, and Breakker wins decisively by pinfall. He attempts a post-match assault on Mr. Stone before Wagner steps in, delivering on his promise and powerbombing Breakker through the announce desk – and Vic Joseph’s candy stash goes flying.
Winner: Bron Breakker
A much-needed vignette for Eddy Thorpe explains his Native heritage, channeling his ancestry to overcome his toughest challenge in Dijak.
Lyra Valkyria interrupts playtime with Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio to suggest “Mami” stay out of the North American Championship match tonight like previous times.
NXT Tag Team Champions The D’Angelo Family are asked about the Creed Brothers by Schism, but the champs stand their ground. The Dyad eye the belts, and a potential matchup is in store.
Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen vs Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey
Fallon Henley and Myles Borne accompany their respective corners until the latter is chewed out for not having Gulak’s water. “Make sure you have water next time… he’s a student, he’s green!” argues Booker T on commentary. Dempsey cinches an armbar over “Willy Wonka” chants and a described “regal approach to the game” by Vic Joseph before Jensen makes a comeback, but Damon Kemp interferes while the referee is distracted. Dempsey capitalizes with a full-nelson suplex, beginning what appears to be an interesting faction if Borne and others join along.
Winners: Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey
Dana Brooke loses her cool over Kehlani Jordan and “negative comments” on social media. Brooke plans on showing Jordan “killer instinct” next week against Blair Davenport, as if it was ever apparent.
Ivy Nile vs Kiana James
James uses her purse as a decoy, taking control preceding picture-in-picture. In the crosshairs of Schism’s crusade, the masked followers surround the ring as the former Diamond Mine member makes a comeback – but James picks up the victory regardless. Schism hounds Nile, but Tony D’Angelo and “Stacks” run in with crowbars making the save.
Winner: Kiana James
The Humberto Carillo and Angel Garza split is hampered by corny text bubbles and phony cinematography as they type about their grandfather’s legacy – Garza even sheds a muted tear.
Meta-Four asks for their property back from counterfeit Heritage Cup Champion Tyler Bate. “Oh my gosh, it’s literally just like the Spider-Man meme,” says long-haired, bearded, British Heritage Cup Champion Nathan Frazer. Bate gives back the property under conditions that Dar and Frazer settle it at Heatwave, knowing that the latter owes him one.
In a backstage interview, NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton talks about her wardrobe and continues to make the title an afterthought.
Everybody has messages for Trick Williams – first Wes Lee, followed by Damon Kemp, Charlie Dempsey and Drew Gulak. They offer training against Ilja Dragunov, but Williams doesn’t want help from “oompa loompas.” Myles Borne shows up too, although he’s a few seconds late.
Dragon Lee vs Dominik Mysterio (c) – North American Championship
Rey Mysterio receives a warm welcome from Orlando, touching heads with multiple masked fans at ringside before introducing Lee. Dominik takes control during picture-in-picture, eventually connecting with Three Amigos in honor of his allegedly false father. Lee makes a comeback with a bullet-like dive and a double stomp for two, but Dominik recuperates with a 619. The latter kicks out of a powerbomb before Ripley throws in the North American Championship belt, while Rey inadvertently creates a distraction for the Women’s World Championship to be utilized instead. Dominik remains champion – not without Ripley’s continued help, but Lyra Valkyria makes her retreat at show’s end.
Winner: Dominik Mysterio
NXT 8/8/23
Orlando, FL
In the words of Gordon Ramsey, “finally… some good f- food.” The entire lineup delivered, unlike NXT’s habitual usage of filler matches, and storylines progressed with various points of intrigue across the card.
