Natalya was the surprise response to Lola Vice’s open challenge on the March 26 episode of NXT.
Vice, who hadn’t wrestled on NXT since early February, issued an open challenge to anyone in the locker room. Most expected Karmen Petrovic to answer as she has been having some discourse with Vice lately. Instead, the veteran Natalya answered. Petrovic did show up late in the match to cheer on Natalya from ringside.
The final moments had Natalya go for the Sharpshooter but couldn’t get it locked in. She then applied an arm bar but Vice was able to escape after getting a near fall of her own. Finally, after a missed round house kick by Vice, Natalya rolled her up for the win.
Natalya and Petrovic celebrated post match.
Elsewhere on NXT, Jazmyn Nyx finally made her in-ring debut. Interesting to note, Nyx has had many matches at house shows but never has appeared on Level Up. Nyx made her way to the ring with Jacy Jayne to face Thea Hail. Solid first showing by Nyx, but in the end, Hail would emerge the victor.
Jayne first had the rest of Chase U banned from ringside. She stole the towel from Andre Chase and tossed it into the ring to signal Hail giving up. But Riley Osborne jumped in the ring and caught the towel before it landed, this prompted the referee to send Chase U to the back.
While the official wasn’t looking, Jayne hopped on the ring apron and came face to face with Hail. Hail emotional said she thought they were friends in which Jayne replied they never were before slapping her. Nyx tried to take advantage with a roll up but Hail kicked out and transferred directly into the Kimura which caused Nyx to tap out. Hail purposefully bent back the arm of Nyx in a way to snap it before letting go.
Jayne enters the ring and went after Hail. Kiana James and Izzi Dame joined Jayne and it was a three on one attack. This is until Fallon Henley and Kelani Jordan entered to make the save. At one point they were playing tug of war with Jayne before she regrouped with James and Dame.
Roxanne Perez will be challenging Lyra Valkyria for the NXT Women’s Championship at Stand & Deliver on day one of WrestleMania XL. Really good video promos were aired for both women.
