NXT Primed for St. Louis: Chaos and Controversy Mark Final Show Before Stand & Deliver
The road to NXT Stand & Deliver: St. Louis hit a turbulent final stretch Tuesday night, as the developmental brand delivered a go-home show packed with action and a controversial finish from the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. This Saturday’s event will mark a significant shift for NXT, streaming live on WWE’s YouTube channel – a first for the brand in the United States.
The night saw several competitors solidify their positions heading into the weekend, even as a bizarre refereeing snafu in the Women’s Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match left fans and officials scrambling for answers.
OTM & Santana Score Trios Victory
In a unique pairing, OTM (Lucien Price and Bronco Nima) teamed with TNA World Champion Mike Santana to defeat DarkState (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, and Saquon Shugars) in a trios match. The alliance, while unusual, showcased Santana’s cross-promotional presence and gave OTM a strong win heading into the weekend.
Los Americanos Earn Title Shot
Los Americanos (Bravo Americano and Rayo Americano) earned the right to challenge for the NXT Tag Team Championships, defeating Birthright’s Uriah Connors and Stacks in a No. 1 Contenders Match. The victory sets up a potentially explosive showdown for the titles at a future date.
Parker and Carver Secure Singles Wins
Jaida Parker continued her momentum with a win over Kelani Jordan, while Keanu Carver defeated Jasper Troy in singles competition. Both victories position these athletes as rising stars within the NXT women’s and men’s divisions, respectively.
Controversial Finish Mars Women’s Championship Contender’s Match
The main event, a No. 1 Contender’s Match for the NXT Women’s Championship between AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion Lola Vice and Kendal Grey, ended in utter confusion. According to reports from F4WOnline, Vice locked in a guillotine chokehold, and while Grey attempted to escape, a simultaneous pinfall and tap-out call created a stalemate. One referee signaled a pin, while another on the floor saw a submission.
NXT Head of Creative Shawn Michaels intervened to try and sort out the situation, but the show ultimately concluded without a definitive winner. The fallout from this controversial finish is sure to be a major talking point heading into Stand & Deliver.
LeFleur Vacates Title, Faces Lengthy Recovery
In a somber moment, Elio LeFleur announced he was vacating the Men’s Speed Title due to a torn labrum, an injury that will sideline him for up to six months. The announcement throws the future of the championship into question and represents a significant setback for the rising star.
The chaotic finish to the Women’s Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match and LeFleur’s unfortunate injury have injected a significant amount of uncertainty into the landscape as NXT heads to St. Louis. Will Michaels and WWE officials resolve the controversy surrounding the main event before Saturday?
