WWE NXT Live Coverage - March 28th, 2023
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Grayson Waller to respond to Johnny Gargano's challenge of an Unsanctioned Match
A Last Chance Triple Threat Match between Indi Hartwell, Ivy Nile, and Sol Ruca determines the final competitor in the NXT Women's Title Match at NXT Stand & Deliver, a Battle Royal decides Wes Lee's fifth and final opponent for the Fatal 5-Way Match for the NXT North American Championship, Grayson Waller responds to Johnny Gargano, and more!
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Your announcers are Booker T and Vic Joseph.
20 man Battle Royal to Determine Final Entrant in the North American Title Match at Stand and Deliver
Elliott is eliminated as soon as the bell rings and he tries to get back into the ring. Drew and Charlie work together but they cannot eliminate Jinder. Chen with chops to Montana and Kemp. Kemp drops Chen on the top rope and Jinder goes after Charlie. Chen is on the apron. Dijak eliminates hen. Quinn head butts Montana into the turnbuckles and Montana is eliminated. Frazer with a series of thrust kicks to eliminate Kemp. Dijak runs into a boot from Jinder. Enofe with a knee off the turnbuckles and Dijak is sent over the top rope by Blade and Enofe but he holds on until JOnes eliminates him with a hip. Dijak pulls Jones under the ropes and then connects with kicks and he sends Jones into the ring steps. Jones is sent back into the ring.
Mahal sends Jones over the top rope for the easy elimination. Blade drops kicks Mahal to the apron and then Mahal sends Enofe to the apron and he rolls back in. Blade is sent to the apron. Jinder is attacked by Malik and Enofe but Crews eliminates Enofe. Blade is also eliminated. SCRYPTS is sent over the top rope to the floor. Crews press slams Bernal to eliminate him. Dabba with a forearm to Crews. Jinder with forearms to Quinn. Hank punches Quinn on the apron and then Quinn is eliminated by Mensah. Jinder kicks Oro and connects with a knee. Drew and Charlie work over Frazer while Mahal connects with knees to Oro.
Oro floats over and Jinder catches him and eliminates Oro. Crews punhes Dempsey in the corner and Hank jumps in to help. Jinder chokes Axiom and sends him over the top rope but Axiom lands on the apron and gets back into the ring. Charlie with a butterfly suplex to Hank. Drew with a forearm to Hank's back. Charlie and Drew kick Hank in the corner. Crews kicks Dabba in the corner and punches him. Jinder goes to the turnbuckles and kicks Axiom. Hank is sent into the ropes by Drew and Charlie but Hank holds on to the ropes. Hank kicks Charlie. Axiom holds on to the ropes to avoid elimination. Hank sends Drew to the apron and applies a sleeper. Drew tries to snap mare Hank over and Charlie eliminates Hank but Drew is also eliminated. Hank and Drew fight to the back. Crews punches Dabba and Crews with a kick. Dabba catches Crews and tosses him over the top rope to the floor.
We are down to Charlie Dempsey, Dabba-Kato, Axiom, Nathan Frazer, and Jinder Mahal.
Frazer with a super kick that sends Jinder to the apron. Frazer and Axiom combine to eliminate Jinder. Frazer with a drop kick off Axiom's back to stagger Dabba and all three men eliminate him. Axiom kicks Charlie and Charlie kicks Frazer. Axiom is caught in a wheelbarrow suplex by Dempsey. Frazer with a missile drop kick. Axiom clotheslines Dempsey to the apron but he does not go to the floor. Axiom and Charlie exchange forearms. Axiom and Charlie go down and Axiom kicks Charlie off the apron to eliminate him.
We are down to the final two with Frazer and Axiom.
They shake hands and then they miss kicks. Axiom with a snap mare to counter a reverse DDT. Frazer with an enzuigiri and Axiom with a springboard arm drag and thrust kick. Frazer with a quebrada into a reverse DDT. Frazer with a punch and Axiom with a forearm. They go back and forth with Frazer gaining the advantage. Axiom blocks a kick and connects with a forearm and a drop kick. Axiom sets for the Golden Ratio but Frazer with a jumping thrust kick. Frazer with a chop in the corner and then he puts Axiom on the turnbuckles. Frazer with a kick. Frazer with a superplex but Axiom escapes a Falcon Arrow. Frazer with a super kick. Frazer skins the cat but Axiom kicks Frazer but Frazer's momentum sends Frazer back into the ring. Axiom eliminates Frazer.
Winner: Axiom
After the match:
Wes Lee joins Axiom in the ring. Dragon Lee comes into the ring to shake hands. Ilja Dragunov and JD McDonagh arrive on opposite sides of the ring to line up the participants in the North American Title Matcch.
Backstage:
Pretty Deadly announce a preview show for Stand and Deliver. They talk about Axiom's performance to earn the final spot in the North American Title Match. They discuss the other four participants. They say the match will be unpredictable. Kit wonders how will Wes retain. Elton picks JD. Kit picks Dragon Lee and says he is a wild card because we don't know anything about him. Kit mentions we will hear more from them.
Backstage:
Tyler Bate is with Andre, Duke, and Thea and Andre says he was impressed with Tyler. Tonight, Tyler will beat Von Wagner to lead them into Stand and Deliver. Tyler says he will win and harness the momentum for the University. Andre asks Duke if he is going and he says he wouldn't miss it for the world.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Brooks talks about how Kiana is answering her messages faster. Brooks asks Kiana about her message. Fallon tells her to tell Brooks. Kiana says what they have is special. Kiana says she feels horrible that they aren't part of Stand and Deliver so if they win their match tonight, they will be in the Tag Title Match on Saturday. Fallon wants to tell Kiana to tell them what she told her but Josh and Brooks are more interested in the tag title opportunity.
Von Wagner (w/ Robert Stone) vs Tyler Bate (w/ Andre Chase, Duke Hudson, and Thea Hail)
Tyler with a side head lock and shoulder tackle but Von does not move. Von with a clothesline and an elbow drop. Von grabs Tyler by the throat and presses Tyler over his head and drops Tyler behind him. Von with a kick to the ribs. Tyler with a sunset flip attempt but Von does not go over. Von misses an elbow drop but does not miss a clothesline. Von with an Irish whip and clotheslines into the corner. Von with Irish whips and a splash into the corner. Von with an Irish whip but he misses a splash when Tyler moves. Tyler with a boot and a running uppercut or three. Tyler with uppercuts in the corner. Von sends Tyler into the turnbuckles but Tyler with a knee lift. Tyler with an uppercut off the turnbuckles followed by a rebound clothesline but Von stays on his feet. Tyler with a jab.
Stone trips Tyler and Tyler sends Stone into the ring. Thea with a Thesz Press to Stone and she kicks him to the floor.
Von with a forearm and Tyler with a flip dive onto Stone. Tyler with a high five and Duke almost cares. Tyler with a rebound clothesline and he goes up top for a twisting swanton for the three count.
Winner: Tyler Bate
After the match:
Joe Gacy and the Schism appear on the ShawnTron with a video package to show how things will be different when they win on Saturday.
Backstage:
Rip says they will save a place for delinquents in the Andre Chase Memorial Detention Hall as we see graphics for Andre, Thea, Tyler, and Duke.
Backstage:
Roxanne Perez walks in the back looking for Shawn Michaels.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back in Shawn Michaels' office and Roxanne Perez enters and he asks how is she doing.
Roxanne says she went to the doctors and she says it was anxiety and dehydration. She is ready to go.
Shawn says he is excited that she is ready to go but her health is most important. He says defending the title in a ladder match is not the best way to come back. Shawn says she can get the next title match.
Roxanne says being champion is the most important thing to her. Saying you want to be champion and being a champion is different. She mentions that she has dealt with anxiety. She wonders if she peaked at 21 and then her anxiety goes insane.
Shawn says she is fine physically but he has concerns about her mentally. He says she has a long career ahead of her. He says there will be more opportunities.
Roxanne says Shawn never had to deal with maybe there is next year. She says she has to confront her anxiety. The only way to win this battle is to climb that ladder to win back the title she never lost. She wants to show that you don't have to be a prisoner.
Shawn says he wants to meet with the doctors. He says she has the right to defend the championship and she is in the match.
Shawn tells Roxanne she is going to give him a nervous breakdown.
Valentina Feroz vs Elektra Lopez
Lopez with a knee to the midsection and an Irish whip followed by a back elbow. Lopez tries to send Feroz into the turnbuckles but she blocks it. Feroz with kicks but Lopez blocks a kick and connects with a leg sweep. Lopez sends Feroz face first into the mat. Lopez with an ankle lock and an elbow drop to the leg. Lopez misses an elbow drop and Feroz gets a near fall. Lopez misses an elbow in the corner and Feroz with judo throws and a take down. Feroz gets a near fall. Feroz goes to the turnbuckles and goes for a cross body but Lopez catches Feroz and hits Electra Shock for the three count.
Winner: Elektra Lopez
Backstage:
We go to Eddy Thorpe and he says he will conquer this territory and everything in it.
Eddy Thorpe vs Myles Borne
They lock up and Myles with a wrist lock. Eddy with a reversal. Myles with an arm drag into an arm bar. Myles with a shoulder tackle but Eddy with a cross body. Myles with a drop kick. Eddy with a chop and forearm. Eddy kicks Myles away but Myles with punches and an uppercut. Myles with a back elbow. Myles with punches. Myles blocks a hip toss and he hits a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Myles with a rear chin lock. Eddy with forearms and a back heel kick and a Pele Kick. Eddy with a Yakuza Kick and a biel. Eddy with a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Eddy with a front face lock but Myles with a waist lock and a kick. Eddy with a Saito suplex and a swinging neck breaker for the three count.
Winner: Eddy Thorpe
After the match:
Eddy says he is coming for everything.
Backstage:
We return to Pretty Deadly. They talk about Eddy's debut. Kit mentions the Gargano/Waller match and how it is more than personal. They say Johnny has to do everything to get revenge on Waller. Kit wonders if Waller will sign the contract. Elton brings up the brutality of a match. Kit says he would do it but only to defend Elton's honor. Elton says Kit is brave.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
Gallus are with McKenzie and she asks them about the possibility of a Fatal Four Way Match. Mark says you are saying why, but why not. The other two teams made a good case. If Brooks and Josh win tonight, the more the merrier. She asks if they are confident they will retain on Saturday. Wolfgang says you don't need that much riliing up. The odds don't matter. Mark says the other teams will find out the hard way about Gallus Boys on Top.
Last Chance Match for a Spot in the Women's Ladder Match at Stand and Deliver
Sol Ruca vs Indi Hartwell vs Ivy Nile
Indi goes after Ivy and Indi punches Sol. Ivy with a rollup on Sol for a near fall. Sol with a slam to Ivy but Ivy kicks Sol to Indi for a rollup and a near fall. Sol sends Indi over the top rope to the floor. Ivy misses a Superman punch and Sol drop kicks Ivy to the floor. Sol goes to the turnbuckles for a moonsault onto Indi and Ivy. Sol gets a near fall on Indi. Sol lands on her feet on a hip toss and Sol with a kick. Ivy with a head scissors to Sol followed by a kick to Indi and Sol. Ivy with a near fall on Sol. Ivy with a cross arm breaker, but Indi breaks it up with an elbow drop and Indi gets a near fall. Sol breaks up a cover by Indi. Indi with an uppercut in the ropes but she misses a boot. Sol with a springboard splash to Indi for a near fall.
Ivy with a sunset flip on Sol for a near fall. Ivy with a forearm for a near fall. Ivy with a head scissors attempt on Sol but Sol blocks it and hits a thrust kick. Sol with a handspring splash on Ivy but misses one on Indi. Indi with a spinebuster for a near fall. Ivy with a kick to Indi. Ivy with the Dragon Sleeper but Sol with Sol Snatcher on Ivy. Indi kicks Sol to the floor and Indi with a forearm to the back of the head for a three count on Ivy.
Winner: Indi Hartwell
After the match:
Zoey Stark appears in the crowd. We also see Lyra Valkyria, Gigi Dolin, and Tiffany Stratton. We also see Roxanne Perez on the HBalKony with the title belt.
Backstage:
We go to Kit and Elton on a ladder as they talk about the women's title match. Which of the six women will win the title. Kit asks Elton who will win. Elton says he had an Epiphany. There is only one woman with the star power for the City of Angels. The third best dressed superstar in NXT, Tiffany Stratton.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Grayson Waller says Johnny is getting closer to what he wants. Grayson says he is on his way to the building. He tells Johnny to tune in because you have no idea what he will say.
Bron says this match is destiny. The youngest main event in Wrestlemania history. They came into the company in the same class. Two alpha male. Carmelo says Bron doesn't know what it is like to be King.
Hayes says this has been a different training camp. He is doing all aspects. He is hitting the ropes harder. He works out and then he parties, but he is focused on this match. He will celebrate when he is finished and when he is champion. This is far from done.
Bron says it is funny because he has been in the gym and not going to the gym or partying. He does weights 2 1/2 hours a day. He is in the ring 2 1/2 hours a day. He says people think the matches are won in the ring or in the gym, but he thinks they are won in the film room. He says Carmelo is going to try to get him into his game. Bron says he has been into 'deep water' so much he is used to it. This brand means everything to him. He says he respects every champion before him. Bron says he is the most dominant champion of all time.
Carmelo says he will take some of that weight off your shoulders when I knock your head off and I take the crown from you.
Bron says this will be a bit more special.
Carmelo says Bron doesn't want it the way he wants it.
Bron says when he SteinerLines Hayes in the center of the ring, he won't know where he is.
Hayes says he will take everything from Bron.
We go to commercial.
Hank Walker vs Drew Gulak (w/ Charlie Dempsey)
Hank charges at Drew and Drew moves. Drew with a side head lock. Hank with punches and a back elbow. Hank with a clothesline and back body drop. Hank with a roll through into a cross arm breaker but Drew counters into a Camel Clutch. Hank with a Camel Clutch of his own. Drew with a stretch muffler but Hank escapes. Hank with a stretch muffler of his own. Drew with a single leg and he applies a single leg crab. Hank counters with one of his own. Drew gets to the ropes and drops Hank on the top rope. Drew with a neck breaker and a series of knee drops. Drew with an Irish whip and a clothesline into the corner. Drew with a Northern Lariat. Drew goes to the turnbuckles and he connects with a clothesline for a near fall.
Drew with a crossface but Hank escapes. Drew with a rear chin lock. Hank powers out of the hold and Hank with punches. Hank with a Thesz Press and punches. Hank with Irish whips and splashes. Hank sends Drew face first to the mat. Hank with a running shoulder tackle for a near fall. Drew returns to the crossface. Hank escapes and he gets Drew in a cross arm breaker. Drew gets to the ropes to force a break by Hank. Dempsey with a forearm to the back and Drew with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Drew Gulak
Backstage:
We go to Kit and Elton in the Gallus bar. Elton says the tag titles will be contested in a Triple Threat Match. Elton says he cannot stand the Creeds, but they have more personality than a dirty bar rag. Gallus are the champs. Tony D'Angelo and Stacks. What if they win? Elton says Briggs and Jensen can make it a four way. What if they win and KIana and Fallon retain. Elton calls it a Fairy Tale Ending. Kit says there are always a witch or witches in a fairy tale. Elton says this can be a show of heartbreak and tragedy.
We go to commercial.
Channing Lorenzo and Tony D'Angelo vs Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen
If Josh and Brooks can win, they will be added to the Tag Title Match at Stand and Deliver Match
Brooks and Lorenzo start things off and Brooks with a rollup for a near fall. Lorenzo with a side head lock and Brooks gets another near fall. Brooks with a waist lock and rollup for a near fall. Brooks with a hip toss but Lorenzo kicks Brooks and follows with a slam. Brooks with a head lock take down for a near fall. Lorenzo with a head scissors. Brooks with a take down and Josh tags in and hits a shoulder tackle. Tony tags in and Tony with a waist lock take down and a second one. Josh with a shoulder tackle and a forearm to the back. Tony punches Josh and Lorenzo tags in and he punches Josh followed by a knee lift from Tony and a shoulder tackle from Lorenzo for a near fall.
Fallon and Kiana are in LOCKER ROOM watching TV and Fallon tells Kiana that she is going to tell Brooks. Kiana chases Fallon out of the room.
Back in the ring, Lorenzo with a reverse chin lock. Tony tags in and Brooks tags in. Josh and Brooks with clotheslines and then they slide to the floor and punch Tony and Lorenzo. Brooks works on the shoulder and applies an arm bar. Josh tags in and they hit a double shoulder tackle. Josh gets a near fall. Josh with an arm bar. Brooks tags in and continues to work on the arm. Tony escapes and tags in Lorenzo. Brooks with an arm drag to Lorenzo into an arm bar. Lorenzo with punches and a back elbow. Tony tags in and hits a clothesline from the apron. Tony kicks Brooks while Fallon and Kiana join everyone at ringside.
Tony with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Tony with an Irish whip and Lorenzo tags in and applies a reverse chin lock. Brooks with forearms but he cannot make the tag. Lorenzo with a back breaker and a Northern Lariat. Tony tags in and he applies a front face lock. Tony with punches to Brooks. Tony with an Irish whip and Lorenzo tags in. Lorenzo goes up top and he hits an elbow drop after Tony hits a back breaker. Lorenzo with an arm bar and chin bar. Brooks and Lorenzo bump heads and both men are down. Josh tags in and he punches Lorenzo and Tony. Josh with a boot to Tony and a side slam to Lorenzo. Josh tags in Brooks and Josh gets Lorenzo up for a heel kick off the turnbuckles that is broken up by Tony.
Josh and Tony exchange forearms. Josh misses a boot and gets crotched on the ropes. Tony tags in and they hit a double back drop driver for the three count.
Winners: Channing Lorenzo and Tony D'Angelo
After the match:
Fallon tells Brooks that Kiana has something to tell him. Kiana says she has something to say but she would rather show him. Kiana kisses Brooks. Grayson Waller walks in the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Vic runs through the card for Saturday morning/afternoon.
Security surrounds the ring for the contract signing to make sure that Johnny Gargano is not here.
Grayson Waller makes his way to the announce table to get the contract.
Waller takes the contract and he says whatever happens in this match, he wants to do it in front of Vic. Whatever happens is Vic's fault.
Waller tells security to watch his back because Gargano can come from anywhere.
Waller says he can't believe it. Grayson Waller versus Johnny Gargano at Stand and Deliver. He says it doesn't matter when he is on because he is the real main event. Two years ago, he was trying to stand out in front of this new wave of NXT Talent. Waller says he tried to work with you idiots. Then came War Games. He was considered the fourth best member of the team at War Games but he put his body on the line to get his viral moment and his launchpad to super stardom. Waller says he was wrong.
After War Games, all people would talk about is Johnny Wrestling. Two nights later, you walked to this ring and the people couldn't wait to hear what you were saying. Since you kiss his ass so much, Shawn MIchaels gave you all the time you wanted. It took me 30 seconds. I hit my mark and took it. Waller calls Johnny the biggest mark. Waller says he hit Johnny with a chair and went into the stratusphere. Gargano talked about betting on yourself and no one has bet on themselves more in the last fifteen months than him.
Waller says he has the best big match star in NXT begging him for a match at Stand and Deliver. You have done it all Johnny. You are Mr. NXT. Waller says just like your idol, Mr. Wrestlemania Shawn Michaels, you are going to lose at Stand and Deliver. You bleed black and gold? I bleed green. I used you to put myself on the map.
Johnny Gargano's music plays and Waller looks for Johnny.
Gargano comes from behind as a camera man.
Gargano punches Waller and Waller punches back. Security separates them but we know how well that works. Johnny and Waller get free. Gargano goes after Waller and they fight over the ring steps and on the floor. Waller get away from his security pack to go after Johnny. It is Johnny's turn for his security to stop doing their job.
We go to credits.
