Waller Told He Will Defend in an Open Challenge
WWE NXT opened with a video from earlier in the day. NXT General Manager Robert Stone spoke to Grayson Waller outside the Performance Center. Stone told Waller that Mason Rook had not been medically cleared to compete. Because of that, Waller would still defend his NXT Championship, but in an Open Challenge.
Zaria Retains Women’s North American Championship Against Thea Hail
The first match was for the Women’s North American Championship. Zaria defended her title against Thea Hail. Zaria started strong by sending Hail into the corner and hitting a suplex. She also drove Hail face-first into the top turnbuckle and worked on her midsection. Hail fought back by attacking Zaria’s arm and locking in a cross armbreaker. Zaria escaped and hit a discus lariat on the outside.
Back from a break, Zaria used Hammer and Anvil elbows and a submission hold to wear Hail down. Hail low-bridged Zaria over the top rope and hit a Tornado DDT on the outside. She then hit a crossbody from the top rope, two clotheslines, and a suplex. Hail locked in a Kimura Lock. Zaria escaped by sending Hail face-first into the middle rope. Zaria followed with a spear and an F5 to get the win. Zaria remains the Women’s North American Champion.
Myles Borne Speaks About His Apology and His New Attitude
Myles Borne came to the ring for a promo. He said he meant everything he said in his public apology to Tavion Heights two weeks ago. But when he apologised, he was back to being the man he did not want to be. He thought he could have everything at Heatwave, but he lost his North American Championship and the NXT Tag Team Championships. He remembered Ethan Page telling him he did not have a killer instinct. Borne said there can only be one face at the top of the brand, and it cannot be two people. He said he deserves to be on top and that he did himself a disservice. He had to make a career-defining decision.
Borne also spoke about the fans. He said they tried to make him feel guilty by taking pity on him while pretending to support him. He said fans came to meet and greet to tell him he was an inspiration, but it was really a way for them to feel better about themselves, just like Heights was. Borne said without Heights, he would still be the North American Champion. He told the fans not to feel sorry for him. He said he feels sorry for them. He is done being the bigger person and treating people the way he wants to be treated because it has gotten him nowhere. He said he will now be the real version of himself, and that version will not break.
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Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Mini Vikingo and Starboy Advance
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic continued with a first-round match. BirthRight, with Lexis King, Arianna Grace, and Charlie Dempsey at ringside, faced Chazz “Starboy” Hall and Mini Vikingo. The match was fast-paced and full of high-flying moves. Mini Vikingo and Starboy picked up the win after Mini Vikingo hit a flip off the top rope on Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo.
After the match, BirthRight attacked Mini Vikingo and Starboy. Zilla Fatu ran out to make the save. He hit a pop-up Samoan Drop on Stacks and made it clear he was keeping his eye on Grayson Waller’s Open Challenge for the NXT Championship. A video also aired showing Mike Santana entering the Open Challenge.
Kelani Jordan Addresses Her Title and Gets a New Challenger
NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan came to the ring. She said one of the things she loves about being champion is that she is no longer an afterthought. She addressed the suspended Wren Sinclair. Jordan said she will not be a champion who hands out title matches because no one handed her anything. She said wanting something and earning something are two different things. She will only defend her title against someone who deserves it.
Robert Stone appeared on the entrance ramp. He announced that Jordan’s next challenger would be determined in a 20-Woman Number One Contenders Battle Royal next week. The match will include talent from Raw, SmackDown, AAA, WWE EVOLVE, and TNA Wrestling. Reina Volcan then blindsided Jordan with a clothesline from behind. She hit an elbow drop and declared herself an entrant in the battle royal.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Nathan Frazer and Axiom Advance
DarkState faced Nathan Frazer and Axiom in another first-round match. The match had plenty of action. Frazer and Axiom hit double dropkicks and worked together to keep the pace high. DarkState used their power to control parts of the match, including a Vader Bomb and a submission hold. In the end, Axiom hit a Spanish Fly on Cutler James off the top rope. Frazer then hit a Phoenix Splash on Osiris Griffin off the adjacent top rope to get the win. Frazer and Axiom advanced in the tournament.
Grayson Waller Retains NXT Championship in Open Challenge
Grayson Waller came to the ring for his Open Challenge. Several WWE NXT roster members wanted to answer, but Zilla Fatu and Mike Santana ended up taking each other out. EK Prosper slid into the ring to answer the call. The match was competitive. Prosper hit a moonsault on the outside and a Frog Splash from the top rope. He also hit a shotgun dropkick and a rollup for a near fall. Waller fought back with kicks and a submission hold. He sent Prosper into the exposed part of the top turnbuckle. Waller then hit a Death Valley Driver.
Prosper made a comeback with clotheslines, a thrust kick, a Tornado DDT, and a Michinoku Driver. Waller ran over Prosper with a clothesline on the outside and cleared the announce desk. Prosper hit an Asai moonsault that sent Waller crashing through the announce desk. Then William appeared from outside the ring. He hit a rolling stunner on Prosper, followed by a rolling cutter. Waller covered Prosper for the win. Grayson Waller remains the WWE NXT Champion.
Zilla Fatu Sends a Message to BirthRight
WWE NXT ended with a brief video from Zilla Fatu. He put BirthRight on notice before the show went off the air.