Heading back to Orlando from Atlanta, Jordynne Grace is no longer Blake Monroe’s “muscle muffin” after the latter interfered in the NXT Women’s Championship match at Evolution on Sunday. Reigning NXT Women’s Champion Jayne, “the most beatable champ in NXT history” as Corey Graves describes, opens the show with Fatal Influence.
With a decreasingly hoarse voice, she stakes her claim at TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich at Slammiversary this Sunday. Slamovich arrives, and both vow to become double champion before Women’s Speed and Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca shines up her own two belts. Along with Zaria, the six women begin brawling, setting up NXT’s favorite – a go-home show multi-person match.
“Part One: Birth of The Don” evokes a Stockholm syndrome type of nostalgia, recapping Tony D’Angelo’s formative years in NXT 2.0. Later, the “Family Business” triple threat between himself, “Stacks” and Luca Crusifino ties up one of the rainbow era’s last creations.
Mike Santana, Joe Hendry and Trick Williams vs Darkstate
The triple-threat competitors in Slammiversary’s TNA Championship match get hearty receptions, not just in juxtaposition to Darkstate. Santana immediately dives onto the faction, but Osiris Griffin drops TNA Champion Williams with a lariat before break. Santana sets Hendry up for a comeback, the action breaks loose, and the challengers unite to clock Williams. They hit stereo dives before TNA’s The System jump the ring to “TNA” chants, ending the match in a disqualification. Fandango, Curt Hawkins and Eddie Edwards are not the faction that comes to mind when “the system” intro shocks NXT.
Winners: N/A
“Part Two: Enter The Underboss” introduces the bond between D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, leading to NXT Tag Team Championship reigns. This is “Two Dimes” erasure.
Kali Armstrong (c) vs Karmen Petrovic – Evolve Women’s Championship
Footage from earlier shows Evolve Women’s Champion Armstrong boasting to Ariana Grace and Petrovic, and the latter requests a match from Ava. Before break, Jordynne Grace is seen entering the Performance Center, and she disrupts the match shortly after. Within a minute, Armstrong made a better impression than WWE LFG winner Tyra Mae Steele, who promptly appeared on Evolve after her NXT debut.
Winner: N/A
Robert Stone and Stevie Turner try diffusing Grace before a 50s-esque package plays on-screen. In her bathtub, Blake Monroe invites everyone to her singles debut in Houston next week; “Then you’ll see the difference between me and you,” she says. Grace slams Stone, showing more fire than her NXT run has allowed.
WWE LFG’s Team Undertaker stage discourse on Undertaker’s appearance next week in Houston as TNA Champion Williams walks through. Drake Morreaux attempts to step up, and Undertaker conveniently calls Shiloh Hill thereafter.
WWE LFG’s first winner Jasper Troy meets with Ava, who chastises him for attacking Ricky Saints at Great American Bash. She makes the match official for Houston, and Troy promises to make him “bend the knee.”
“Part Three: Rise & Fall of The Family” brings in Luca Crusifino and Adriana Rizzo, quickly diverting into dissension. “I have to destroy the family I created… this is the final ride!” D’Angelo says.
Lash Legend, who had a breakout showing in the Evolution battle royal, says she’ll meet either Jayne or Slamovich in Houston. Jaida Parker interrupts, saying she’ll do the same to either Slammiversary victor.
Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo vs Luca Crusifino vs Tony D’Angelo – Family Business
“Stacks” enters without his Heritage Cup Championship, which D’Angelo threw over a bridge to sleep with the fishes at Great American Bash. “Stacks” tries grabbing the crowbar early, and the three trade momentum in a scrappy way. D’Angelo biels Crusifino into “Stacks” after break and hits a double German suplex for two. Crusifino completes the Tower of Doom and eventually hits an inadvertent Shatter Machine with “Stacks” for two. They tangle over the crowbar before D’Angelo spears “Stacks” into the ringside podium to a standing ovation. “The Don” slams Crusifino into the announce desk and hits Forgetta Bout It on “Stacks” for the three in an explosive end to The Family. D’Angelo leaves his don hat behind – main-roster bound or future-endeavor bound?
Winner: Tony D’Angelo
Wren Sinclair tries justifying throwing the towel in for Tavion Heights against Charlie Dempsey, but they put differences aside for her match against Blake Monroe in her home state next week.
Josh Briggs speaks in-ring to drowning boos, saying partner Yoshiki Inamura squandered his opportunity against Oba Femi at Great American Bash. “Turn his mic off,” fans chant before NXT Champion Femi interrupts, claiming Briggs’ jealousy ruined the validity of his win. Inamura gets in between, standing his ground by vowing to win with honor. The three begin a pull-apart brawl, moments after Briggs demands a triple threat match next week.
North American Champion Ethan Page gets patriotic for both Canada and the United States as a true spokesman of North America. With green-screen fireworks behind, Page announces a celebration set for Houston.
Ricky Saints is interviewed after Page hit Ego’s Edge off the stage at Great American Bash. He sets sights on Jasper Troy, looking to avenge his loss next week. Plus, The Undertaker will come face-to-face with TNA Champion Williams after his altercation with Team Undertaker.
Fatal Influence vs Zaria, Sol Ruca and Masha Slamovich
Backstage, The Culling peek in on Slamovich, Ruca and Zaria’s preparation for tonight’s main event. Izzi Dame consoles Tatum Paxley for their loss at Evolution, and the latter says she’s got an idea regarding Women’s North American Champion Ruca. Cameras catch Lexis King sitting ringside with noise-canceling headphones, so hopefully he enjoys the show. Orlando enjoys hitting the wave, and Ava eventually kicks King out of the stands like an annoying security guard. After commercial, Zaria and Slamovich make consecutive comebacks, the TNA Knockouts and NXT Women’s Champion preview Slammiversary, and the teams trade maneuvers. Za-Ruca stifle The Culling’s arrival, and they fend them off with NXT Tag Team Champions Hank Walker and Tank Ledger. Meanwhile, Slamovich hits a driver on Jayne, pinning her outnumbered before Slammiversary.
