Happy Royal Rumble week everyone! I hope everyone is excited for the big event this weekend, but first! A quick NXT pit stop. We’re still in a major transition period with talent seemingly in limbo but some noteworthy things happened last night so let’s break it down.
A clip from last week opened the segment, with Blake Monroe and Nikkita Lyons talking in the locker room. Lyons voiced her support, acknowledging that Monroe has been through a lot, and offered to take on Jaida Parker so Monroe wouldn’t have to. Blake looked genuinely surprised by the gesture before Lyons walked off, framing the match as equal parts protection and statement.
Jaida Parker vs. Nikkita Lyons
The crowd was firmly behind Jaida Parker, while Nikkita Lyons was working her first NXT match in 11 months. Lyons has popped up on Evolve recently, but this was a reintroduction on a bigger stage.
Parker started by grounding Lyons with a side headlock, keeping things tight and physical early. She followed with a heavy clothesline for a two count, establishing control. Lyons fired back with a spin kick to create space, then connected with a split-legged leg drop that finally shifted momentum. A sharp punch and a suplex kept Lyons in control, and a sitout powerbomb earned her a near fall.
Parker regrouped with a clothesline, shoulder tackle, and a spinebuster that swung the match back in her favor. She followed with a hip drop attack in the corner and her high-stepping taunt before sealing things with the Hipnotic running hip attack, followed by a sitout slam reminiscent of a Riptide to secure the pin after about five minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jaida Parker
This was a solid, physical showcase designed to reestablish Parker after her injury layoff. While Lyons has never been everyone’s favorite, she showed enough here to remind people she can still bring something to the table.
Blake Monroe Responds
Blake Monroe was shown seated at home (that was fast), calling Parker’s win impressive, but not glamorous. She promised Parker she’d be seeing her very soon. Parker answered directly into the camera, making it clear Monroe knows exactly where to find her.
Backstage, Tavion Heights spoke with Elio Lefleur and Eli Knight about their strong performances last week. The conversation was interrupted by Lexis King, flanked by Stacks and Arianna Grace. King insulted Heights, claiming he’s squandered every opportunity, and declared that people like himself and Grace have a “birthright” in NXT. Urijah Connors, Fit Finlay’s son, was visible in the background, hinting at a potential group of second-generation wrestlers forming. Arianna leading a stable is a great creative step for her character. She certainly has the chops to make this work, I wonder if they’ll play into Ava’s background too for this storyline. .
The TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions, The Elegance Brand, delivered a video message addressing Sol Ruca and Zaria, who earned a title shot. They dismissed Ruca and Zaria as fake friends, with the Personal Concierge promising they’d be champions “forever,” punctuated by the entire group repeating the word in unison.
Zaria was shown on the phone with Sol Ruca, asking where she was (Rumble appearance?).. Thea Hail approached, and the two traded complaints. Hail insisted she earned her championship, which Zaria questioned. When Hail brought up Sol, Zaria shut that down quickly. Hail took offense at anyone suggesting she didn’t earn her title, and the exchange made it clear a match was imminent.
Thea Hail vs. Zaria
NXT Women’s North American Champion Izzi Dame joined commentary for this one. Zaria immediately used her power, flattening Hail with a back elbow. Hail answered with a dropkick that sent Zaria to the floor, then followed with a suicide dive to keep the pressure on.
Back inside, Zaria drove Hail into the top rope and landed a pump kick before the show cut to break. When action resumed, Zaria controlled the pace with shoulder tackles in the corner and a knee smash. She leapt from the turnbuckle, but Hail countered with a knee attack to Zaria’s left arm, followed by a headbutt and two forearms.
Zaria blocked a follow-up with a sharp elbow, but Hail still managed a neckbreaker for a two count. Hail teased her turnbuckle splash, only for Zaria to catch her and hit a belly-to-back suplex. Hail transitioned into a Kimura Lock, but Zaria powered up, breaking free with a back body drop and then driving Hail down with a Spear.
Hail countered with a DDT, but Zaria answered with a headbutt. Chaos erupted when Tatum Paxley attacked Izzi Dame at commentary. The two spilled into the ring and then tumbled out the opposite side. With Zaria distracted by the commotion, Hail struck with the diva rollup of doom, stealing the win.
Winner by pinfall: Thea Hail
A good match with a deliberately messy finish. The distraction cost Zaria, and Hail took full advantage. Afterwards, Zaria argued with the referee, while commentary suggested Sol Ruca’s presence might have changed the outcome. Hail offered a handshake. Zaria responded by slapping it away.
Fatal Influence made their entrance as Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid stepped onto the apron. When Hail placed a hand on Zaria’s shoulder, Zaria snapped, delivering an F5 to Hail. Henley and Reid promptly exited. It was a heelish moment from Zaria for sure though it did not seem like an official turn. Still, the trajectory feels increasingly clear.
Backstage we get more Hints of a Second-Generation Stable when we see Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey speaking with Charlie Dempsey backstage. Dempsey praised their performance last week but focused on the loss. Wren bristled at the negativity, while Grey confidently stated she could beat Jacy Jayne for the NXT Championship.
After they left, Lexis King, Stacks, and Arianna Grace approached Dempsey. Grace told him, “You’re one of us.” Dempsey looked unsure.
Announced for Next Week on NXT
- TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships: The Elegance Brand vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria
- NXT Women’s North American Championship: Izzi Dame vs. Thea Hail vs. Lola Vice
This episode was pretty good, I’m genuinely excited for Arianna, so I hope something comes out of this teased storyline. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!