Leading up to No Mercy on September 1, a six-women gauntlet eliminator will determine the next challenger for NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez. One competitor, rookie Karmen Petrovich, learns about NXT’s parking lot the hard way, opening tonight’s episode with an assault by Izzi Dame. But that’s not stopping a heroic celebration for Orlando’s favorite college – and it’s not UCF.
The new NXT Tag Team Champions Chase University rally in-ring to “Chase U” and “you deserve it” chants like a good-faith, red-clad version of the Spirit Squad. The group thanks Ridge Holland when sore losers Nathan Frazer and Axiom interrupt, and the former reiterates his newfound fulfillment. Duke Hudson and Riley Osborne offer up a No Mercy title rematch if the opposition wins, stripping off their tearaway pants to begin tonight’s opener.
Duke Hudson and Riley Osborne vs Nathan Frazer and Axiom
Chase University’s best mix of size and speed showcases just that before break, and 6’5 Hudson makes a comeback with a Stratusfaction and Bossman Slam thereafter. Osborne connects with an assisted cutter, but Frazer reverses momentum with an inverted Spanish Fly. Axiom finishes off the superkick-brainbuster combo for three, and the combo of them and Chase University heads to No Mercy for another surefire banger.
Winners: Nathan Frazer and Axiom
Ava, Stevie Turner and Robert Stone discuss replacing an injured Karmen Petrovich, and the general manager says Izzi Dame won’t be rewarded for bad behavior. The substitution is instead Brinley Reece, who talks shop with opponents Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair in the lower, lower midcard locker room.
Wendy Choo vs Lola Vice
Commentary discusses how “dangerous” Choo can become, and meanwhile, the wait for Giulia, Delta, and Stephanie Vaquer continues. She dominates the majority of the match until Vice recuperates with repeated kicks and a hip attack for two. Women’s North American Champion Kehlani Jordan inexplicably enters the ring for Choo, but Vice inadvertently backfists her. Choo capitalizes with a loaded pillow for victory, and Jordan challenges her at No Mercy before using it herself and finding the belt inside.
Winner: Wendy Choo
Wes Lee is interviewed about his triple threat tonight, not impressed about his outsider opponents Pete Dunne and Joe Hendry. In a unique split screen, Hendry is interviewed too, clapping back at Lee’s betrayal of The Rascalz. “Tonight, I’m gonna make a believer out of myself,” Hendry concludes.
A promo package from Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne criticizes the college athletes of NXT, although they aren’t exactly indy standouts. The trio’s existence is more nonsensical alongside collegiate soccer player Jazmyn Nyx, who names themselves the Fatal Influence.
Gauntlet Eliminator
Six competitors who haven’t received an NXT Women’s Championship match fight for a shot against Roxanne Perez at No Mercy. Sol Ruca and No Quarter Catch Crew’s Wren Sinclair commence in refreshing chain wrestling, and the latter ironically cinches a Surfboard Stretch. The D’Angelo Family’s Adriana Rizzo enters thereafter, running through the opposition until Ruca delivers a sick spinning powerbomb for the elimination. Brinley Reece appears during picture-in-picture, and Kendal Grey gets her one-minute shine by eliminating the former. Ruca reverses with a more apropos Surfboard and outside dive, and final entrant Jaida Parker throws her over the barricade.
She eliminates Grey with moxie, Sinclair rolls her up, and Ruca snatches an unbelievable Sol Snatcher for the penultimate pin. Things get awkward, but Parker quickly recovers with a hip attack for three, heading to No Mercy accompanied by “Miss Parker” chants. OTM joins Parker in-ring for an interview, and the challenger confidently says she’s “got next.” Perez watches the monitor at a reasonable angle.
Winner: Jaida Parker
NXT Champion Ethan Page’s interview is cut off by Pete Dunne, who promises to break his fingers and ego after winning tonight’s triple threat. Welcome back, Bruiserweight!
Hank Walker and Tank Ledger vs The Good Brothers
Walker and Ledger are bold for donning jorts and sports jerseys, but they opposingly look like your local electricians. Ledger makes an energetic comeback, Walker foils the Magic Killer and hits an assisted powerslam for three. Vic Joseph hypes up the upset, but they’re the fourth young team The Good Brothers have lost to.
Winners: Hank Walker and Tank Ledger
Edris Enofe and Malik Enofe tell Shawn Spears that he’s poisoned a vulnerable Brooks Jensen. Spears goads them about friend Brinley Reece, and referees are forced to separate the two-on-one brawl; Spears is found laughing as Jensen makes the late save.
No Quarter Catch Crew enters the ring, and new Heritage Cup Champion Charlie Dempsey quotes Lou Thesz and Billy Robinson. Wren Sinclair continues interrupting for unfunny comic relief until North American Champion Oba Femi actually crashes the ceremony. The D’Angelo Family appears next, but former Heritage Cup Champion Tony D’Angelo instead eyes Femi while the goons handle Dempsey and Myles Borne. “The Don” delivers a huge spinebuster with ease, and the No Mercy message is sent to a floored Femi.
Dion Lennox steals all of Ashonte “Thee” Adonis’ girls, and Je’Von Evans watches on in amazement. Sinclair asks him to watch the Heritage Cup as Gallus strolls in, dissing his “flipping and bouncing stuff.” Cedric Alexander comes to Evans’ side after the 20-year-old smartly turns down a Gallus pub run.
Dion Lennox vs Ashante “Thee” Adonis
“This kid’s got rizz,” old man Booker T says about Adonis. Lennox turns up with an impressive biel and shows potential past the Clark Kent gimmick. Adonis reverses momentum with a thumb to the eye, tunes up the band, and delivers a superkick that was likely hand-passed by the backstage chef.
Winner: Ashante “Thee” Adonis
Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend walk past Lexis King shining his throne, and he exudes negative aura before stepping away. Oro Mensah comes in right after, holding Meta-Four together strong.
Wes Lee vs Pete Dunne vs Joe Hendry
The winner advances to No Mercy against NXT Champion Ethan Page, who joins the commentary booth alongside fanclub president Booker T. Hendry makes Orlando believe, diving onto the opposition before break and hitting a double fallaway slam thereafter. Dunne comes back with double joint manipulation, Lee pulls away with dives, and Page drags out the referee after Hendry’s finishing slam. Hendry plants Lee on the announce desk as Page holds back the second referee, allowing Dunne to capitalize with Bitter End. But in comes Trick Williams with Trick Shot, and the original referee counts the three to send Hendry to No Mercy.
Winner: Joe Hendry
Never trust the NXT lower third, because Zach Wentz of The Rascalz jumps the barricade to attack former friend Lee. The two battle in a pull-apart brawl at show’s end, beefing up No Mercy even further on September 1.
NXT 8/20/24
Orlando, FL
X really is a bubble, because the Joe Hendry movement is alive and well. The final moments of tonight’s episode sold No Mercy, adding three headlining bouts to a previously underwhelming card. X also says the NXT women’s division is carrying the brand, but the plethora of uninteresting rookies demonstrates otherwise.
