As part of WWE’s takeover of Tampa, Florida, this month, NXT Battleground heads to the Yuengling Center on May 25. To determine NXT Champion Oba Femi’s next challenger, tonight’s battle royal will feature competitors from NXT, LFG, Evolve and TNA. Opening the show, TNA’s Zach Wentz walks by familiar face Wes Lee enroute to the Performance Center. And in the first match, NXT Tag Team Champions Hank Walker and Tank Ledger team with TNA Champion Joe Hendry via the wide-open prohibited portal.
Joe Hendry, Hank Walker and Tank Ledger vs Darkstate
Footage from TNA iMPACT! last week shows Trick Williams attacking Hendry mid-match. The interpromotional trio hit Hendry’s signature pose before Darkstate jumpstarts, and his comeback offense gets posterboy reactions. After break, Saquon Shugars illegally pushes Walker off the top rope, and the Darkstate heels capitalize on the white-meat babyfaces. Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox especially impress with powerhouse intensity, Ledger receives the hot tag, and Hendry hits a fallaway slam on Cutler James. Williams arrives to brawl with Hendry into oblivion, letting Darkstate hit a three-on-one slam on Ledger for victory.
Winners: Darkstate
In the locker room, Karmen Petrovic and Thea Hail bond over going solo when Jaida Parker steps in, respectively calling them soft and annoying. “Since you wanna act all froggy, your ass better jump,” Parker tells Petrovic. Afterwards, Shiloh Hill and Chris Island from WWE LFG, Sean Legacy and a returning Timothy Thatcher from WWE Evolve prepare for tonight’s battle royal.
Charlie Dempsey tells Myles Borne and Tavion Heights that tonight’s battle royal is for the collective success of No Quarter Catch Crew. Borne, however, quietly has hopes of breaking out.
Kehlani Jordan vs Zaria
Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca accompanies Zaria, who muscles over her opponent. Jordan hits a twisting leg drop and steel-step hurricanrana before break, and Zaria comes back with a spear thereafter. The David-Goliath story dynamically plays throughout until Zaria spears her through the barricade. The Aussie follows with an F5 for victory, embracing with her Za-Ruca partner in-ring. Conveniently, cameras then cut to WWE’s takeover of Perth, Australia, coming in October 2025 for Smackdown, Crown Jewel and RAW.
Winner: Zaria
Wes Lee mocks Tony D’Angelo’s family situation, and “The Don” mentions his similar betrayal of Zach Wentz. D’Angelo tells him to take a shot, but Lee backs down to prepare for the proceeding battle royal.
Lola Vice has faith in NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer to defend at Battleground against either Giulia or Jordynne Grace. “I will be waiting on the other side for my opportunity,” Vice says.
No. 1 Contenders’ Battle Royal
The winner of tonight’s battle royal, featuring competitors from LFG, Evolve and TNA, faces Oba Femi for the NXT Championship at Battleground. Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans and Ethan Page get individual entrances before a familiar guitar chord strums. TNA’s Elijah, formerly known as Elias, receives a hearty welcome home. “Who wants to walk with Elijah?” he says. Chris Island and Lexis King are eliminated immediately, and meanwhile, Ashante “Thee” Adonis loiters ringside. Myles Borne lets Charlie Demsey get dumped, Yoshiki Inamura pounces out Brad Baylor, and Shiloh Hill eliminates Adonis after a confident moment of shine.
After picture-in-picture, Page throws out Timothy Thatcher, Niko Vance sacrifices himself for Shawn Spears, and Williams kicks out underdog Hill of LFG. Brooks Jensen and Tyriek Igwe fall to a double elimination, Ridge Holland knocks out Tavion Heights, and Inmaura inadvertently pounces out partner Josh Briggs. Lee and Wentz, former Rascalz brethren, square off throughout until Page eliminates the latter preceding break.
Inamura and Holland slap meat before Williams dumps both out. In comes Joe Hendry to return the favor, and Elijah capitalizes with an elimination – soon to be dumped by Spears. Evans and Evolve’s Sean Legacy trade lighting maneuvers to a standing ovation until Page eliminates the latter. The final four comes down to Page, Spears, Evans and Borne to “this is awesome” chants. Borne hits consecutive vintage powerslams, and Evans hits a springboard cutter on him. He attempts another, but Spears and Page catch and release Evans for another elimination. Page double-crosses Spears, allowing Borne to hit a signature dropkick for a double elimination and upset win. Orlando stands in celebration alongside Heights and Wren Sinclair of No Quarter Catch Crew, sans leader Dempsey. “There’s a new dog in town!” Borne says.
Winner: Myles Borne
Jordynne Grace is interviewed backstage, planning to defeat Giulia tonight. Izzi Dame and Lash Legend interrupt, comically towering over her, but Grace offers to face both afterwards.
Jaida Parker vs Karmen Petrovic
Orlando loves “Miss Parker,” and Petrovic is there too. Parker hits a hip drop and neckbreaker before Petrovic makes a cold comeback. Parker connects with Hipnotic for the win and continues the beatdown post-match. Thea Hail attempts to make the save, ultimately eating a Hipnotic herself.
Winner: Jaida Parker
NXT General Manager Ava tries reprimanding TNA Champion Joe Hendry and makes him versus Trick Williams official for Battleground. For the first time, the TNA Championship will be defended on a WWE PLE.
An OTM vignette highlights Bronco Nima and Lucien Price, hidden in the shadows of Parker. After, Wes Lee talks about someone – presumably Tony D’Angelo – taking the bait on a phone call. “Everyman’s got a price,” he says.
Behind him, Yoshiki Inamura tells Josh Briggs he’s going back to Japan. “I wish I could have been a better partner for you. Goodbye, my friend,” Inamura says. In comes The Culling, in particular Briggs’ former partner Brooks Jensen. “Maybe the problem has always been you,” Jensen says.
Charlie Dempsey says Myles Borne won the battle royal for the good of No Quarter Catch Crew and plans on facing Oba Femi himself. The NXT Champion Femi walks in, and Borne throws Dempsey to him next week.
Chase University is back and worse than ever. Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon gift Andre Chase a red quarter-zip and tracksuit, looking like Vector from “Despicable Me.”
Giulia vs Jordynne Grace
The winner of tonight’s main event faces Stephanie Vaquer for the NXT Women’s Championship at Battleground. Commentary compares the NXT Women’s Championship to a golden key to success with the roster making considerable time on Monday Night Raw. Grace suplexes Giulia, who misinterprets a front bump and freakishly lands on her head to Orlando’s terrified silence. The match continues, although Corey Graves says, “The lights are on, but nobody’s home.” Giulia lands a ringside neckbreaker on Grace before break, and the competitors trade right hands thereafter. Grace hits a scary spike Michinoku Driver to another stunned silence, in particular from Graves and Booker T. She follows with a superplex and Jackhammer for two, and Orlando begins siding with Giulia. The latter pops up with fighting spirit, but Grace drives her down for victory.
