With Great American Bash set for June 28, last night’s NXT focused heavily on building that card The show featured the first matches in the Women’s Speed Tournament, a veteran showdown between Nattie and Jaida Parker, and a main event tag match involving NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice, North American Champion Zaria, Kendal Grey, and Kelani Jordan. Let’s dive in!
Zaria Celebrates, Everyone Interrupts
Fresh off winning the NXT Women’s North American Championship, Zaria opened the show by celebrating her first title victory. She spoke about living in Sol Ruca’s shadow and being overlooked while others were viewed as the future of the division. Now, she’s the champion.
Kelani Jordan interrupted to congratulate Zaria before quickly turning the conversation toward herself. Jordan claimed she made the title relevant and complained about Kendal Grey earning an NXT Women’s Championship opportunity after beating her last week.
Grey arrived to remind Jordan that she won the match and will challenge Lola Vice at Great American Bash. Vice then joined the party, exchanged words with everyone involved, and NXT GM Robert Stone eventually made a tag team main event: Vice and Grey vs. Jordan and Zaria.
Nothing revolutionary here, but it accomplished exactly what it needed to.
Women’s Speed Tournament: Izzi Dame vs. Thea Hail
The first tournament match had the usual frantic Speed format with a three-minute time limit.
Thea Hail looked for submissions while Izzi Dame relied on her power game. After avoiding a springboard attack, Dame connected with a running knee to advance.
Winner by pinfall: Izzi Dame
Fast-paced and effective. Dame moves on, while I continue hoping Thea Hail eventually gets a sustained push.
Lola Vice And Kendal Grey Continue To Clash
Backstage, Grey wanted Wren Sinclair at ringside for her title match at Great American Bash, but Wren was focused on the Women’s Speed Championship tournament.
Vice and Grey also continued their uneasy partnership. Grey is focused on becoming champion, while Vice would probably prefer her future challenger stop looking past her.
Nattie vs. Jaida Parker
This felt less like a wrestling match and more like two people who genuinely wanted to punch each other in the face.
Parker and Nattie traded strikes, submissions, and plenty of attitude throughout a physical battle. Parker showed off a more technical side than usual, while Nattie leaned into her veteran heel role and constantly looked for openings.
The closing sequence saw Nattie attack Parker’s knee before locking in the Sharpshooter. Parker reached the ropes once, but Nattie dragged her back to the center of the ring and forced the submission.
Winner by submission: Nattie
I really enjoyed this. Parker continues to improve, and Nattie remains one of the best veterans in wrestling when it comes to elevating younger talent. This feels far from over, which is exactly how it should.
Afterward, Karmen Petrovic and Nikkita Lyons joined Nattie in celebration while Parker was left frustrated.
Women’s Speed Tournament: Arianna Grace vs. Layla Diggs
The second tournament match packed a lot into under three minutes.
Layla Diggs showcased her athleticism with kicks, aerial offense, and a moonsault to the floor. Arianna Grace survived the chaos, played possum late, and stole the victory with an inside cradle.
Winner by pinfall: Arianna Grace
A clever finish and another reminder that Diggs is an impressive athlete, even if the wins are not arriving just yet.
Lola Vice & Kendal Grey vs. Zaria & Kelani Jordan
The main event revolved around two teams that barely tolerated each other.
Jordan and Zaria controlled much of the match by isolating Grey, but Vice eventually got the hot tag and brought the energy level up considerably. The action broke down late with submissions, nearfalls, and all four women getting involved.
The turning point came when Tatum Paxley appeared at ringside and distracted Zaria. Vice capitalized moments later, catching the North American Champion with a spinning back fist to score the victory.
Winners by pinfall: Lola Vice & Kendal Grey
Very enjoyable main event. Grey and Jordan continue to have excellent chemistry, Vice looked strong heading into Great American Bash, and Zaria’s loss was protected by the outside distraction.
After the match, Paxley attacked Zaria at ringside, all but confirming that their rivalry is not finished. Back in the ring, Lola Vice held the NXT Women’s Championship in Kendal Grey’s face before Kelani Jordan got involved. Grey grabbed the title away and accidentally smacked Vice in the face with it.
Grey apologized. Jordan smiled. Vice was left laid out.
That is probably not the image the champion wanted heading into Great American Bash.
Final Thoughts
NXT continued building toward the next PLE with Kendal Grey and Lola Vice’s title match taking shape, Natalya scoring a big win over Jaida Parker, and the Women’s Speed Tournament officially underway. Add Zaria and Tatum Paxley’s ongoing issues, and the women’s division has plenty to keep track of heading into the Great American Bash.
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