On this week’s NXT episode, broadcast live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, Ethan Page faced a surprising rematch against Myles Borne, the newly crowned NXT North American Champion. Following Borne’s victory last Tuesday, tensions escalated as Page immediately demanded a rematch, which was granted on the spot by NXT General Manager Robert Stone. The match highlighted Ethan Page’s fierce determination but ultimately ended with Borne retaining his title through underhanded tactics, reinforcing his aggressive new persona.
Myles Borne Responds to Ethan Page’s Challenge
Myles Borne opened the night by addressing the crowd, reflecting on his recent triumph over Ethan Page. Borne acknowledged that Page’s doubt had pushed him to reveal a much darker and more ruthless side, emphasizing his new outlook with his trademark phrase, “Can you hear me now?” Page then entered the ring, claiming credit for transforming Borne’s character and demanding repayment by way of a rematch immediately. Despite the unusual occurrence of a spontaneous match on a night featuring suited officials, Robert Stone approved the contest without delay.
Match Highlights and Controversies
The match commenced with Ethan Page dominating early on, hitting a Confidence Breaker for a near fall. Borne rallied with quick strikes and showed his intensified aggression by removing Page’s shirt and delivering a dropkick. Page, in a desperate move, tried to use his belt as a weapon, initially warned by the referee but ultimately managing to land a belt shot for another close pin attempt. Page’s attire deteriorated throughout, leaving him in his underwear, adding an odd visual tone amidst the high stakes.
Under the cover of referee distractions, Borne used a stolen shoe to strike Page before executing his finishing move, the Borne Again, to secure the pinfall victory in just seven minutes. The win highlighted Borne’s willingness to bend rules to maintain his championship status while showcasing Page’s resilience despite the loss.
DarkState and Tony D’Angelo Confrontation Looming at Venue
Behind the scenes, members of DarkState awaited Tony D’Angelo’s arrival in the NXT parking lot. NXT General Manager Robert Stone intervened, instructing that any altercations between the groups be conducted exclusively inside the WWE Performance Center to avoid unsanctioned brawls outside the venue. This directive sets the stage for a tense buildup it leads into the Vengeance Day Premium Live Event.
Blake Monroe and Jaida Parker Set Up Street Fight Rivalry
Blake Monroe addressed Jaida Parker in the ring, making their Vengeance Day clash official. Monroe claimed that Parker’s interruptions were proof of her significance in NXT and stated,
“This biggest thing a woman can do in NXT is interrupt Blake Monroe.”
Parker quickly responded, asserting her own status without chasing fame, saying,
“the glamor only exists because insecurity does.”
The verbal exchange escalated into a physical brawl, with Parker forcing Monroe to retreat after a hip attack. Their conflict was intensified by the announcement that their upcoming match will be a Street Fight, promising a violent conclusion to their feud.
Wren Sinclair Earns Victory in High-Stakes Speed Match
In a thrilling three-minute Speed match, Wren Sinclair faced Nikkita Lyons with a spot on the line to challenge Thea Hail for the #1 contender’s position against Fallon Henley. Despite Lyons landing a spinning back kick and nearly securing a pin, Sinclair countered in the final seconds, locking in the Final Wrench submission to force a tap out. This impressive victory, considering Lyons’ limited appearances, demonstrates Sinclair’s rising momentum within NXT’s women’s division.
Pre-Taped Segments Enhance Upcoming Vengeance Day Storylines
Two pre-recorded segments enriched the narrative leading to this weekend’s Vengeance Day event. Kelani Jordan was shown training with Shayna Baszler ahead of her NXT Underground match against Lola Vice, with Baszler cautioning Jordan about facing an ex-MMA fighter in a shoot-style contest. Simultaneously, Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame confronted each other in a dark setting associated with The Culling, trading heated words ahead of their North American women’s title clash. Dame criticized Paxley’s flaws, while Paxley vowed to seize the North American Championship from her opponent, promising a compelling showdown.
Hill, Hank, and Tank Secure Win Against Vanity Project
The six-man tag team match pitted The Vanity Project against Shiloh Hill alongside Hank and Tank. The Vanity Project seized an early advantage by ambushing their opponents during entrance. Throughout a 13-minute back-and-forth battle, Hill emerged as a standout performer, delivering a spectacular senton from the top rope and a decisive neckbreaker finish on Jackson Drake. The match featured high-energy sequences, including tandem aerial attacks and strategic misdirection, showcasing the chemistry and competitiveness of both teams.
Street Fight Announcement Raises Stakes for Monroe vs. Parker
Following their earlier confrontation, Blake Monroe reappeared to confirm that her upcoming Vengeance Day match against Jaida Parker would be contested under Street Fight rules. This stipulation aims to settle their intense rivalry once and for all. Jaida Parker also returned, needing to be restrained from further physical conflict with Monroe, amplifying anticipation for their brutal encounter.
DarkState Victimized by Tony D’Angelo as Feud Intensifies
Backstage, three members of DarkState discovered Osiris Griffin unconscious after an attack orchestrated by Tony D’Angelo, who is positioning himself as the ultimate threat this weekend. D’Angelo declared his intention to eliminate DarkState entirely at Vengeance Day, escalating their bitter rivalry. Dion Lennox responded by challenging D’Angelo to a match, interpreting it as an unofficial number one contender bout with potential implications for the April Stand & Deliver event. Lennox’s momentary mix-up in speech added a humorous note, referring to “The DarkState takeover” instead of the NXT Takeover, though the outcome seems likely to favor D’Angelo.
Lola Vice’s Injury Adds Drama to Underground Match
Lola Vice, wrestling through a scripted hand injury, consulted a doctor who recommended stepping away from action to prevent permanent damage. Vice, however, insisted on competing against Kelani Jordan at the NXT Underground event, adding an extra layer of storyline tension. This decision frames her upcoming match as one with high personal stakes and possible consequences for her future in NXT.
Sol Ruca Intervenes in Heated NXT Women’s Championship Bout
The main event featured Jacy Jayne defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Zaria, a match born from Zaria’s prior betrayal and injury inflicted upon Sol Ruca, her former teammate. Jayne controlled the early match before Zaria mounted a fierce comeback with high-impact moves including a superplex and multiple German suplexes. The chaotic contest ended abruptly when Sol Ruca stormed the ring, incapacitating both competitors with a double Sol Snatcher, causing the match to be declared a no contest after nearly eleven minutes.
Uncertain Future for NXT Women’s Title After Match Interference
With the unexpected finish in the women’s title match, NXT General Manager Robert Stone promised a decision on the championship’s status before Vengeance Day’s conclusion. The interference from Sol Ruca hints at a potential triple threat scenario for the title, hinting that the storyline will continue to evolve, maintaining suspense around the division’s direction.
Vengeance Day Event Card Confirmed with Multiple High-Profile Matches
The broadcast outlined the updated card for this weekend’s NXT Vengeance Day Premium Live Event, featuring:
- Blake Monroe vs. Jaida Parker – Street Fight
- Tony D’Angelo vs. Dion Lennox
- Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan – NXT Underground Match
- Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley – NXT Women’s North American Championship
- Joe Hendry vs. Ricky Saints – NXT Championship
This card blends intense personal rivalries with title matches, setting the stage for a weekend of high drama and decisive confrontations.
Joe Hendry Disrupts Ricky Saints’ Attempted Performance
Before the show ended, Ricky Saints attempted to lighten the mood with a deliberately poor musical performance titled the Saints “Absolute Experience,” including a parody song mocking Joe Hendry. Hendry abruptly ended the act by revealing himself as a stagehand in the ring, quickly attacking Saints. The skirmish escalated until The Vanity Project intervened, but multiple backstage allies helped Hendry regain control. Despite mixed reactions to this closing segment, it provided a final surge of energy for the evening.
Evaluation of the Episode and Outlook for Vengeance Day
This NXT episode offered a balanced blend of wrestling action and storyline development, providing necessary momentum heading into Vengeance Day. Although the show featured fewer matches compared to last week, the additional focus on angle-building proved effective for setting narrative stakes. While Vengeance Day is regarded as a mid-tier event restricted to the Performance Center, its card contains several matchups with the potential to deliver memorable moments and advance ongoing feuds, keeping fans engaged for the weeks ahead.
