Latest news with #NXTVengeanceDay
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AEW Grand Slam and NXT Vengeance Day key takeaways: Toni Storm's star, the criminal underuse of Austin Theory, plus more
It's been a great weekend for professional wrestling, with both AEW and NXT running special shows on separate sides of the globe — AEW Grand Slam in Australia and NXT Vengeance Day in Washington D.C. In addition to seven combined belts being on the line across both events, we were treated to a smattering of grudge matches and several teaser moments designed to whet the appetite for each promotion's upcoming flagship event (AEW Revolution in March and NXT Stand and Deliver in April). What were the biggest takeaways from this veritable wrestling feast? Here are the moments and questions that stood out once the dust settled. Hats off to A-Town Down Under, who brought the house down in an energetic triple threat with NXT Champion Oba Femi — easily the most dominant NXT competitor since Bron Breakker got his WWE call-up. While no one expected the challengers to leave victorious, Austin Theory and Grayson Waller threw absolutely everything at this one, with a procession of hard-hitting and acrobatic spots that made the champ look like a million dollars. The match was a barnstormer. But it also showed how criminally underused these two are at the moment, with just a handful of appearances over the past six months on "WWE SmackDown." Surely it's time we saw more of these two on the big events, either as a duo or as singles competitors? It would be trite to comment on the night-and-day difference from three years ago, when Theory was being presented as a world champion in waiting. But this match left zero room to argue that Theory and Waller aren't getting a raw deal with their current booking. There were some rumblings of discontent on social media that Vengeance Day lacked an appearance from a certain Ricky Starks, the former AEW talent who made a surprise return on this Tuesday's episode of NXT. It's true that we've been left with more questions than answers when it comes to Starks (his WWE ring name hasn't even been revealed yet). But NXT's track record onboarding the likes of Ethan Page and Giulia means I'm willing to trust the process on this one. That said, there is one particular, unavoidable question this stands out on Sunday morning: Is Starks behind the mysterious faction of masked men who launched unprovoked attacks on every (male) NXT champion, including delivering a Shield-esque powerbomb to Oba Femi? Was it a coincidence that three of the four assailants were also left nameless, referred to by Vic Joseph merely as 'PC [WWE Performance Center] athletes'? I suspect the boy from New Orleans may have some backup as he looks to take NXT by storm. I've commented before on how it's become almost obligatory to refer to NXT as 'the best women's division in wrestling' — and that trend is only moving in one direction. Just look at how often the tagline is used by WWE itself these days. As any screenwriter worth their salt will tell you, it's always better to show rather than tell. And luckily the fatal four-way for the NXT Women's Championship did just that, with stellar performances all around and a number of nail-biting close falls that justified its main event billing. With Giulia just over a month into her title run, a successful defense was always the likeliest outcome. But the match served as an excellent victory lap for all four performers — and a potential swan song for Roxanne Perez, whose WWE main roster call-up feels like an absolute lock right now. The surprise appearance of Jordynne Grace afterward — whose staredown with Giulia felt like a teaser for April's NXT Stand and Deliver show — leaves me thinking we'll likely be hearing that whole 'best women's division' accolade for a good few months yet. Given that Jon Moxley vs. Cope is looking like the path for this year's AEW Revolution, Saturday was a reminder of just how much the global wrestling fan base values 'The Rated R Superstar.' Whichever name you know him under, Adam Copeland is probably the closest thing that the wrestling world has to a Tom Hanks figure — e.g. a universally-admired performer whose decades of acclaim haven't dented his reputation for being an all-around decent chap. Hearing the Brisbane crowd belting out 'Metalingus' felt like a genuine goosebumps moment in the best traditions of AEW. But things soured quickly after the match, when the same audience loudly chanted 'bulls***' as Jon Moxley choked Cope into submission. Truth be told, I admire Moxley's creative impulses. But pretending that the crowds haven't lost patience with this Death Riders title run requires Chemical Ali levels of self-deception. If that belt isn't going to Cope when we get to Los Angeles for AEW Revolution, I dread to think what they'll be chanting next. One of the best arcs in wrestling reached its crescendo on Saturday, as Timeless Toni Storm finally got revenge on her long-time tormentor, Mariah May. The Aussie starlet has been an absolute delight on her most recent run and it was great to see her get those well-deserved flowers in front of her countrymen and countrywomen. Between WWE and AEW, we've seen a lot of these 'homecoming' matches in recent years (Gunther in Berlin, Rhea Ripley in Perth, Will Ospreay at Wembley) but this one felt the most emotionally satisfying of the bunch — which is no small feat. But there was no such luck for Storm's countrywoman, Harley Cameron, who failed to win the TBS Women's Championship from the ever-dominant Mercedes Moné in what has to go down as a missed opportunity. It's true that Moné losses only come around once in a blue moon, but Cameron had already pulled off something even rarer: Winning over the fans completely organically with some of the most hilarious segments in AEW history. It would have been a brave move for AEW head honcho Tony Khan, admittedly, but who knows how long he'll have to wait for another opening as brilliant as this one?
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I don't need mentors anymore': Roxanne Perez has Bayley — and WWE history — in her sights at NXT Vengeance Day
It's a big week for Roxanne Perez. Fresh from her runner-up finish in this year's WWE Royal Rumble, in which she emerged as the match's longest-lasting competitor, 'The Prodigy' heads to Washington D.C. for a four-way title showdown on Saturday at NXT Vengeance Day. If she wins, she will become the first-ever three-time NXT women's champion. Speaking to Uncrowned three days ahead of Vengeance Day, Perez is unwavering in her mission. 'I have absolutely no doubt I'm getting my title back,' she says, flashing a smile that hides any underlying annoyance at being asked the question in the first place. It's true that the 23-year-old Texan has never been short of confidence. But few matches have ever been as personal for Perez, who has a complex relationship (to put it mildly) with the other three women in Saturday's match. In one corner is her old tag-team partner Cora Jade, whose relationship with Perez has been tempestuous in recent years. In another stands Giulia, the current NXT women's champion who in January became the first woman to beat Perez in more than a year. And finally there's Bayley, one of WWE's pioneering Four Horsewomen and Perez's former inspiration who has become the subject of her latest vendetta. For all of Perez's insistence that she will triumph, there's little doubt she's entering her own personal lion's den. But which of the three women would she rather pin? Given the swirling pastiche of history and personal animosity layered within the match, her response is a telling one. 'I would happily pin all three of them, but I feel I have the most to prove to Bayley,' she says, having paused for a couple of beats for the first time in our conversation. 'I want to prove that I'm better than her and that I'm the best woman in the NXT division.' The tough talk is a big step up from two years ago, when a rookie Perez — the youngest breakthrough star in NXT since the days of Paige — described her now-opponent Bayley as her 'big sister' in the wrestling world. Have things really changed that much in that time? The first sign of tensions arose when Perez visited 'WWE Raw' back in January. But what started as a simmer has since turned into a rolling boil on NXT, where Bayley has been appearing sporadically. The feud has now drawn Bayley back into the NXT women's title scene, in pursuit of a prize she last held in 2015. 'I feel I need to put her properly in her place,' says Perez. 'She needs to realize that I don't need mentors anymore.' It's a point that Perez sought to make on Tuesday, when she interrupted Bayley's NXT match wearing the latter's long-discarded 'Hugger' outfit — a distraction that caused Bayley to lose her match to Jade. The head games are deliberate, Perez says with a laugh. 'It's no secret that I was a big 'Hugger' fan growing up. But I know Bayley doesn't love it when people bring the 'Hugger' stuff up, so I used it to play mind games with her. And guess what? She lost.' Perez clearly sees NXT as her territory to defend. But she knows better than anyone that the smart money has long been on her being elevated to the WWE main brands in the near future. Her sizzling performance in 2025's Royal Rumble — which saw her enter at No. 3, survive for more than 67 minutes and eliminate rival Giulia — only fueled speculation that the call to WWE's brightest spotlight is coming. 'Honestly, 'Raw' has always caught my eye since I was a kid,' Perez says. 'It's the brand I'd mention when anyone asked me where I'd go if I ever made it to WWE. I'd love to be on 'SmackDown' too, but 'Raw' has always been in my sights.' It's probably no coincidence that Bayley is there. But Perez has other scores to settle on the red brand as well. A move to 'WWE Raw' would put her within striking distance of Lyra Valkyria, who Perez previously battled for the NXT title. Then there's Kiana James, who defeated Perez in 2023 in a ferocious cage match at NXT Deadline. In the meantime, though, Perez remains part of what is increasingly being referred to (and not just by the WWE) as the best women's division in wrestling. As one of the veterans of the NXT locker room — if one can be such a thing at just 23 — it's emboldening for Perez to see that kind of praise being heaped upon the brand she's worked so hard to lift and support. 'I think it creates even more motivation and drive for everyone there,' she says. 'Our women's division is so diverse — we have D1 athletes going up against women who have been wrestling for years — and everyone is just so hungry. I've said before that I think NXT would go downhill without me, but honestly I think the future is in good hands.' It's high praise for her peers. But for all her admiration for their talents, Perez is keen to remind the likes of Jade, Giulia, and Stephanie Vaquer that she remains their superior. Winning Saturday's match at Vengeance Day isn't just about becoming the first NXT three-time champion, she insists, but getting back the prize that means so much to her. 'The NXT Women's Championship was the first singles title I ever won in the WWE,' she says, her eyes glowing slightly at the memory. 'It was the thing that proved that all the hard work was worth it — all those hurdles I went through, all those five-hour bus rides to get to shows. Now it's time to get it back.' And if that means destroying the woman who inspired her to take all those long bus rides in the first place? As far as 'The Prodigy' is concerned, then so be it.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Women's Championship Match At NXT Vengeance Day Becomes A Fatal Four-Way, Updated Card
Giulia's title defense this weekend at NXT Vengeance Day just got a lot more dangerous. During the opening contest of tonight's episode of WWE NXT, a distraction from Roxanne Perez (wearing Bayley's old-school ring attire) led to Cora Jade picking up a huge win over Bayley. This led to NXT General Manager Ava announcing that the triple threat match for the Women's Championship at Vengeance Day is now a fatal four-way with Cora Jade being added to the match. Here is the updated card for NXT Vengeance Day: NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Austin Theory vs. Grayson Waller NXT Women's Championship: Giulia (c) vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Bayley vs. Cora Jade NXT Women's North American Championship: Fallon Henley (c) vs. Stephanie Vaquer Ethan Page vs. Je'Von Evans NXT premium live events typically have five matches, so expect one more match announcement tonight. WrestleZone will have live coverage of Vengeance Day this Saturday evening. READ MORE: Mystery 'Vengeance Day' Teaser Airs On WWE NXT What do you make of this addition to the NXT Women's Title match? Which match are you most looking forward to this Saturday night at NXT Vengeance Day? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below. The post Women's Championship Match At NXT Vengeance Day Becomes A Fatal Four-Way, Updated Card appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bayley To Play In NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
WWE's Bayley will play in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on February 14th. The NBA announced the news on social media. Bayley will play on Team Rice, which also includes Matt Barnes, Chris Brickley, AP Dhillon, Druski, Walker Hayes, Shelby McEwen, Terrell Owens, Shaboozey, Oliver Stark, and Kayla Thornton. Kai Cenat, who attended WWE Royal Rumble and appeared on the go-home edition of WWE RAW, will be on the opposing team, which will be coached by Barry Bonds and 2 Chainz. The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game will come the day before NXT Vengeance Day. There, Bayley will challenge for the NXT Women's Championship. The former WWE Women's Champion recently shared her thoughts on WWE's partnership with TNA while speaking with Adrian Hernandez of Unlikely at the WWE 2K25's Hands-On Event. 'Dude, not even two years ago—this is nuts,' Bayley said. 'We're in this relationship with TNA. We have all these talented women in NXT. People are coming from all around the world to be a part of this because it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.' Bayley said. 'The crazy thing about the Royal Rumble this year is that we have a good problem. We have too many women. Compared to the first year, when we needed to bring in Legends and NXT talent to fill out the match. Now we're in a place where we have too many talented women. And it's just beautiful to see. 'When they announced the TNA partnership, I texted Hunter immediately and said, 'Sign me up, dude.' He was like, 'Oh, okay, hold your horses.' You know, they've got a system, they've got to go through the process. But being in NXT and working with a lot of these newer girls, I'm excited to just keep learning from different people.' RELATED: The post Bayley To Play In NBA All-Star Celebrity Game appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE NXT Ends With Cryptic ‘WWE Transmission' Teaser For NXT Vengeance Day
The January 28th episode of WWE NXT ended with a cryptic tease for NXT Vengeance Day. In the main event of Tuesday's show, Bianca Belair and Naomi defeated Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to retain the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. The broadcast was interrupted by what appeared to be a test card, and it read, 'WWE transmission'. The text 'NXT Vengeance Day' then appeared in the teaser, so it seems like some kind of surprise is in store for the premium live event. WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available. RELATED: The post WWE NXT Ends With Cryptic 'WWE Transmission' Teaser For NXT Vengeance Day appeared first on Wrestlezone.
