NXT: Chase University ‘as we know it’ ends

To NXT’s faithful viewers – from 2.0, to white-and-gold, to silver – Chase University “as we know it” represented the brand’s three-year comeback story. The caricature of a wrestling university, headed by professor Andre Chase, miraculously became consistent underdogs with countless heroic victories to show. Chase looked for one more, putting his university affiliation on the line against Ridge Holland for an NXT Championship match at Deadline. The episode opened with an entire side of fans sporting Chase U t-shirts and signs, ultimately becoming a vehicle for giving Holland an ounce of interest.

Nathan Frazer vs Eddy Thorpe – Iron Survivor Qualifier 

NXT Tag Team Champions Frazer and Axiom argue backstage over differing priorities before Gallus stands behind them menacingly. OTM, Hank Walker and Tank Ledger, Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont, and The Family follow suit around the building like vultures looking for championship gold. Meanwhile, Frazer’s lightning speed doesn’t get old, and the competitors level each other before break. The vultures move ringside as Frazer hits a standing Shooting Star, and No Quarter Catch Crew’s arrival lends Thorpe a top-rope German and a Brainbuster for two. The teams erupt in a brawl that Frazer dives onto, and amidst the chaos, he connects with a Phoenix Splash for victory. Referees spill into the fray, and the tag team division gifts the Performance Center its most energetic opener in some time.

Winner: Nathan Frazer

An uplifting Chase University package follows Andre Chase’s motivational speech towards his students including star pupils Duke Hudson, Thea Hail, and Riley Osborne. “Tonight, I show why Chase University is a staple in the NXT Universe,” Chase says, and the list of feel-good moments back it.

Giulia’s translated package synthesizes her professional wrestling history, ultimately making a statement towards Iron Survivor. Kehlani Jordan watches on, telling Robert Stone and Stevie Turner to make a qualifying match between them official.

Jaida Parker vs Stephanie Vaquer – Iron Survivor Qualifier 

Parker exudes confidence as per usual, but unfortunately the writing’s on the wall. Vaquer isn’t graced with subtitles, but she too looks ahead towards NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez. Booker T mistakenly calls her “Jaida Pinkett” while Vaquer wrestles around her, but Parker connects with a hip drop before break. Parker applies a unique, on-brand submission by squatting over Vaquer’s back, but the latter recuperates with double knees. Parker gets a surprising amount of offense in before Lola Vice appears with a symbolic brick, allowing Vaquer to capitalize with a backbreaker for victory – although she shouldn’t have needed a distraction.

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer

Dion Lennox and Brinley Reece don Oregon State gear in preparation for their mixed tag tonight, and after, Perez shares a rather gloomy vacation that Sol Ruca interrupts on X.

Tony D’Angelo vs Brooks Jensen 

Adriana Rizzo and Shawn Spears take respective corners, the latter “hungry for Italian” in his initiative against the North American Champion. D’Angelo ups the momentum after Jensen’s cold offense, and a spinebuster succinctly gives “The Don” the win. Spears offers a handshake, and Jensen chop-blocks D’Angelo’s previously injured knee. Niko Vance, teased last week, makes no appearance.

Winner: Tony D’Angelo

Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Karmen Petrovic compliment each other’s Washington State gear, and their opponents make a peppy entrance as D’Angelo gets carried back. Lexis King expresses turning a “new leaf” despite losses, and Pro Wrestling Noah’s Yoshiki Inamura respectfully says, “I understand,” with a thumbs up. “NXT is a crazy place,” Inamura says to Josh Briggs as cameras pan to the tag team division brawling. “My kind of crazy!”

Dion Lennox and Brinley Reece vs Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Karmen Petrovic

Adonis and Petrovic flirt by trading blind tags, and in between, the men trade nice dropkicks. Reece is goaded into slapping Adonis and turns into a kick from Petrovich for three. The winners briefly interlock hands, but the love interest still brews.

Winners: Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Karmen Petrovic

Tonight’s public enemy number one, Ridge Holland, is interviewed backstage about his history with Chase University. “Relationships will be destroyed. You made the wrong gamble, Mr. Chase,” he says.

Wren Sinclair vs Zaria – Iron Survivor Qualifier

“This is innovative, this is revolutionary,” Vic Joseph says in an Iron Survivor Challenge highlight package. Zaria’s entrance alone is enough to rightfully intimidate Sinclair, and Heritage Cup Champion Charlie Dempsey tries and fails to motivate her. He provides enough distraction for Sinclair to hit an outside dive, but a spear and an F5 from Zaria puts it away.

Winner: Zaria

Tony D’Angelo and Eddy Thorpe quarrel with Ava, who grants the former a championship defense against Shawn Spears. Thorpe takes offense, not being granted another opportunity after his earlier qualifier flooded with tag wrestlers.

Fatal Influence boasts in-ring about sitting on top of wrestling’s best women’s division. Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley announces an open challenge for next week, immediately cut off by Meta-Four’s Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson and an unpopular Nikkita Lyons. Rizzo blindsides the latter, and another brawl is forced into referee separation. Meanwhile, Tatum Paxley creeps behind Henley, takes her out, and raises the belt high.

Niko Vance arrives to send Shawn Spears the good news, and in the back, Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Karmen Petrovic get close. Lyons comes in to block the energy, leading Adonis to plead, “I didn’t text her!”

The men’s Iron Survivor gets a highlight package, of course capped by Trick Williams’ historic comeback. Ethan Page responds with a smile, confident in qualifying next week. “He won’t,” Axiom says, revealing to Nathan Frazer that he’s his opponent, furthering their frenemy status.

Back in the classroom, Andre Chase apologizes “for absolutely nothing” and gives a signature, vulgar pep talk before tonight’s main event. NXT Champion Trick Williams makes an obligatory entrance, giving Orlando their “whoop that trick” fill.

Ridge Holland vs Andre Chase

The winner advances to Deadline against Williams for the NXT Championship, and if Chase loses, he must disband from Chase University. Amidst a red and black-clad audience, Holland finally isn’t faced with indifference, pitted against NXT’s favorite underdog. Holland takes control and exposes the floor, but Chase counters with a senton, celebrating in the crowd before break. Holland misses a headbutt but stifles Chase’s comeback, thereafter grabbing a steel chair from ringside. The referee removes it as Holland hits a low-blow and The Redeemer, only for Duke Hudson and Thea Hail to make the heroic save.

Holland drives the university MVP through the podium, and Riley Osborne arrives to inadvertently take out both the former and Hail. Like an unstoppable monster, Holland throws Osborne onto the exposed floor before trading blows with the fired-up professor. Orlando stands for a hearty C-H-A-S-E-U stomp barrage and powerbomb from Chase for two. But Holland reverses momentum with The Redeemer for three, shocking the Chase University faithful and killing NXT’s most consistent faction.

Winner: Ridge Holland