TNA Champion Joe Hendry returns to the WWE Performance Center after Trick Williams attacked him at TNA Rebellion on Sunday. “We believe” chants follow rare, unanimous boos towards Williams. But instead of his appearance, Darkstate jumps Hendry four-on-one. Although Darkstate attacked Williams this month, “we believe” nobody when it comes to their allegiances.
Footage from earlier shows NXT General Manager Ava welcoming back WWE Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky, who is joined by “The Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace for tonight’s tag team match. They face Roxanne Perez and Giulia, two of Monday Night Raw’s newest additions set to shake up the brand.
Lexis King vs Ricky Saints (c) – North American Championship
King lost the Heritage Cup Championship to its rightful owner Noam Dar last week and jumpstarts tonight’s opener. Saints recuperates, turning both men and women rabid to “Ricky Strokes” chants, and the champion accepts the odd compliment. King controls after break, but Saints comes back with a tornado DDT and Rochambeau for three. Interestingly, no “Tony fumbled” chants are directed at King.
Winner: Ricky Saints
Shawn Spears advises The Culling members to learn from their failures in a vignette. “I’m here for you all,” he says. “So, I want you to rise up and seize control.” Spears is actually an inspiring leader, just very eerie.
After betrayal by “Stacks” at Stand & Deliver, Tony D’Angelo enters the ring alone – met by five miscellaneous Italians on the apron. He retells manufactured stories of loyalty when “Stacks” appears on-screen, saying he’s sick of taking D’Angelo’s orders. Paid-off security guards fail to take D’Angelo out, and “Stacks’” first attempt at donning is already foiled.
Meta-Four is back after Noam Dar’s 11-month hiatus, but unfortunately, Lash Legend suggests going their separate ways. They group-hug and separate to Orlando’s disappointment, who seem to realize the four will be less successful solo.
Karmen Petrovic vs Sol Ruca
Earlier, Ashante “Thee” Adonis got Petrovic this match, but the latter argued she wasn’t ready. Adonis said “we” have a championship match to prepare for if victorious against the new Women’s North American Champion Ruca, who ultimately scores the win with Sol Snatcher. A defeated Petrovic kicks Adonis in the head, but surely NXT’s favorite toxic relationship doesn’t end there.
Winner: Sol Ruca
“Whoop that trick” chants mix in with jeers for Trick Williams. While in Hollywood to attack Joe Hendry, Williams mentions his debut for “All American” on The CW. “You’re local talent,” Williams says, comparing himself to The Rock and John Cena. A non-intimidating Ava tries reprimanding Williams and announces a 25-man battle royal next week to determine NXT Champion Oba Femi’s new challenger.
NXT Champion Femi reacts to the battle-royal announcement backstage, saying that he’ll retain at Battleground regardless of the opponent. The Undertaker steps in, saying it’s the champion’s yard… for now. Shiloh Hill, Anthony Luke and Jasper Troy of WWE LFG appear behind him, and Femi “looks forward to the challenge.”
Hank Walker and Tank Ledger (c) vs Yoshiki Inamura and Josh Briggs – NXT Tag Team Championships
Former NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom have just debuted on Smackdown, and the NXT tag team division is left with the remnants. The hosses move with fluidity, and Briggs’ big boot sends them into break. Inamura gets a two-count with a bridged German, Briggs halts the “honk honk” and chokeslams Ledger. Inamura follows with a frog splash, Walker breaks the count, and the former inadvertently boots his partner. The champions capitalize with their double-team slam, retaining in their first defense.
Winners: Hank Walker and Tank Ledger
Myles Borne chats with Tavion Heights about the battle royal that will include Evolve, TNA and LFG wrestlers. Heights says Charlie Dempsey is pissed about Borne teaming with Je’Von Evans, and the former is hesitant to break out.
Chase University is back in session, and Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors arrive late. Andre Chase’s signature curses return, but the original spark doesn’t.
Kehlani Jordan chastises Sol Ruca for not defending the Women’s North American Championship tonight, and Zaria contends she needs to beat her first. In the trainer’s room, Joe Hendry hopes to get his hands on Darkstate, and the NXT Tag Team Champions have his back.
Roxanne Perez and Giulia vs Jordynne Grace and Iyo Sky
Earlier backstage, Giulia and Perez finally acknowledge their new pairing on Monday Night Raw. “You were right,” Giulia says. “[Together we’re] unstoppable,” Perez responds. Commentary nods to former NXT UK Women’s Champion Meiko Satomura’s retirement, and the superteam of Grace and Sky dominate the early goings. Newly heel Giulia reverses momentum with an eye rake, and Sky comes back with a springboard missile dropkick. After picture-in-picture, Grace receives the hot tag with a double German, and Sky attempts the finishing moonsault. Perez halts it with a hurricanrana and an Asai Moonsault, and Grace and Giulia brawl across the floor. Sky and Perez trade pinfalls and reversals, and the WWE Women’s World Champion hits the moonsault for victory.
Winner: Iyo Sky and Jordynne Grace
NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer asks Ava who her next opponent is, and the general manager pits Grace and Giulia together in a number-one contenders match next week. Also announced for next week: Hendry, Hank and Tank versus Darkstate.
