“Wherever I go, controversy follows,” said Ridge Holland during tonight’s NXT. Hoping to instill that, Bubba Ray Dudley and now Eric Bischoff have been called upon to help elevate Holland to main-event status before his NXT Championship match at Deadline on December 6. Last week, even fan-favorite Chase University was disbanded by Holland, who bursted through a Chase U flag to open the episode. “I told you so. Deadline – I’ll be seeing you.” he said towards Trick Williams before graciously dropping the mic.

Ethan Page vs Axiom – Iron Survivor Qualifier

If NXT Tag Team Champion Axiom joins partner Nathan Frazer in the field against Wes Lee and Je’Von Evans, this year’s Iron Survivor Challenge will have lightning action. He hurricanranas Page into the announce desk and sullies his offense with a Spanish Fly and armbar. Page powerbombs out of it and methodically retains control, but Axiom wakes Orlando up with an Avalanche Spanish Fly. The former hits a turnbuckle backbreaker before another break (NXT openers don’t typically last multiple segments), and Axiom comes back with a backflip DDT. Page connects with a backbreaker, Axiom hits a top-rope hurricanrana and attempts a Golden Ratio before running into a clothesline.

Page gets the victory and is interviewed in-ring, acknowledging that he’s “the last guy anybody wanted to qualify.” Frazer interrupts and boasts about his signature speed, and the victor claims that Axiom is the “driving force” of the tag team. Frazer is goaded into disagreeing as Lee arrives, freshly cut without dreads to “who are you” chants. Evans appears next, but the tag team division spills out into a habitual brawl.

Winner: Ethan Page

 

Ashante “Thee” Adonis admits there’s “something there” with Karmen Petrovic to Nikkita Lyons, and the latter tells her he wants a “grown woman.” Petrovic says she’s done – at least for this week’s episode. 

Wren Sinclair vs Lola Vice

In the locker room, Stephanie Vaquer and Vice speak Spanish over their common enemy Jaida Parker, and Sinclair suggests not getting involved. The small disagreement apparently justifies a match tonight. Sinclair and cornerman Charlie Dempsey sport familiar maroon as she shows off technical prowess, but a backfist from Vice quickly puts it away. “Very soon, you and I are going Underground,” Vice says towards Parker.

Winner: Lola Vice

 

Tatum Paxley’s dollhouse playtime is interrupted by Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx in support of Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley. But after Paxley’s comment about the past, an anonymous hand conveniently picks up the Gigi Dolin-like doll.

Shawn Spears vs Tony D’Angelo (c) – North American Championship

In respective backstage areas, D’Angelo assures Adriana Rizzo his knee is fine and Spears commends Brooks Jensen for instigating this match. The champion starts hot, but Spears strategically targets the injured left knee before break. D’Angelo comes back with a superplex, and meanwhile the tag team division is still brawling in the parking lot 25 minutes later. Spears cinches a Figure Four until the rope break, D’Angelo hits a spear, and after a series of near-falls, connects with a spinebuster for victory. D’Angelo fights off Jensen and Spears’ post-match assault, but Niko Vance at last appears with a lariat. The tag team division brawls on, demolishing one unfortunate person’s car in particular.

Winner: Tony D’Angelo

 

Andre Chase melancholically packs away his university belongings, leaving his blue-walled room behind. “Hey, Mr. Chase!” a voice calls out before cutting to black.

Kehlani Jordan vs Giulia – Iron Survivor Qualifier

Rookie Jordan keeps up with Giulia’s chain wrestling and near-falls, and a very even opening segment ends with a staredown – that’s a new one. Jordan connects with an outside dive and follows with a comeback, sidesteps Giulia’s missile dropkick attempt and goes for a moonsault. But Giulia catches it with an arm triangle, Jordan powerbombs out of it, and NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez watches the monitors. After a close near-fall, Giulia recuperates with a knee strike and driver for three, expectedly heading to Deadline in a deceivingly equal match.

Winner: Giulia

 

NXT General Manager Ava grants the Iron Survivor qualifier losers a second shot in fatal four-way matches next week. Eddy Thorpe complains about his interference, and Lexis King thanks her for the opportunity. She tells Axiom and Nathan Frazer that next week’s tag team battle royal will decide their opponents at Deadline. Assuming he’ll requalify, Axiom complains about double duty but Frazer isn’t so confident in his partner. Thorpe tries pleading his case again, but another tag team brawl inadvertently sends a door into Ava – leading Shawn Michaels himself to press the former into the wall.

NXT Champion Trick Williams enters the ring, giving Orlando their “whoop that trick” fill. He credits people like #DIY, Bron Breakker, “even Carmelo Hayes,” and Chase University for building up NXT and aptly says it’ll die if Ridge Holland wins at Deadline. The challenger appears saying, “Wherever I go, controversy follows me,” which cues Eric Bischoff onto the screen. Bischoff announces he’ll be at NXT next week, promising to hoist tensions even higher.

Charlie Dempsey and Wren Sinclair catch up with a beaten-up Tavion Heights and Myles Borne, and the No Quarter Catch Crew leader informs her of her second chance next week – which she takes with uncertainty.

X-Pac tweets out, “Next week’s NXT show looks too good to miss. I’m coming to Orlando to watch it live!”

Tatum Paxley vs Fallon Henley (c) – Women’s North American Championship

“Her friends are dolls, and she wants to bring a championship back to her friends,” Vic Joseph says about Paxley. Distraction from Fatal Influence gives Henley control for far too long, but Paxley eventually makes a comeback with a corner crossbody. The challenger kicks out a suplex, counters a Blockbuster, and connects with a 450 Splash for two. She scouts Jacy Jayne’s interference, but a Famouser from Henley helps her retain. A three-on-one attack ensues, and as teased, Gigi Dolin makes the save against Jayne in particular. Paxley has found someone else to match her freak.

Winner: Tatum Paxley

 

NXT 11/26/24
2.5

Orlando, FL

The Chase University split was not hit hard enough, especially considering a hint of hope has already been presented a week later. What also didn’t hit hard was the majority of tonight’s matches, but Jordan versus Giulia was a surprise standout.