May 13ths edition of NXT continued laying the groundwork for Battleground, and true to recent form, we closed the night with a tense, action-heavy tag match featuring the NXT Womens Champion and her #1 contender on the same side. But before we get to the main event, there was a little bit of mess along the way lets dive in!
We opened with Tatum Paxley already on the edge, storming through the halls and accusing Thea Hail (alongside Karmen) of needing backup to function. Thea, trying to hold it together, got hit with a truth bombs from Tatum about her inability to maintain friendships, and then Paxley bolted off in search of Ava.
In the ring, Stephanie Vaquer officially acknowledged Jordynne Grace as her challenger for Battleground. Respect was shown at least until Fatal Influence showed up to collect their screen time. Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne oozed passive-aggression, praising Vaquer while lining up to take her down.
Jacy, ever the opportunist, pointed out that Vaquer took Fallons NA title that went over well. Jordynne Grace interrupted, not to play peacemaker, but to make it clear shes not letting anyone mess with her title shot. She and Vaquer exchanged tense words, with Grace promising this version of her isnt the one who failed last time. Vaquer wasnt buying it. Fatal Influence stayed loud and smug. We had ourselves a main event locked.
Backstage segment with the NXT womens locker room. As everyone bickered, Izzi, Nikkita, Lash, and Lola added a layer of future threat.
Thea Hail vs. Tatum Paxley
Thea tried to get answers mid-grapple, which is rarely a productive tactic, and Tatum made her regret it. Kicks, short-arm strikes, and a headbutt later, Thea was reeling. But she rallied with a moonsault, clotheslines, and even a 5150 into a Kimura that had Tatum panicking.
Then came the eye gouge, Tatum clawed at Theas face, prompting the ref to call it off. A frustrated Hail got the win, but nothing felt resolved.
Winner: Thea Hail by Disqualification
Backstage, Jaida offered a smug thats what you get before Kelani Jordan confronted Zaria about last weeks spear through the barricade. Sol Ruca looked like she was hearing this for the first time (?), and Zaria coolly agreed to a rematch. If Kelani wins, she gets Sol at Battleground for the North American Championship.
Jordynne Grace & Stephanie Vaquer vs. Fatal Influence
Jordynne and Fallon started with hard grappling, leading to a classic tag yourself in moment from Vaquer, who landed a crossbody and some tightrope chops. But the champs momentum didnt last Fallon crotched her on the top rope, and Jacy tagged in for a coordinated beatdown.
Vaquer nearly stole it with roll-ups and even hit a codebreaker once she shook the cobwebs. But Fatal Influence was in sync, pulling Grace off the apron and wiping out both opponents with dives heading into the break.
Back from commercial, Vaquer absorbed a lariat and a pump kick, but countered with a wicked superkick through the ropes and finally got the hot tag.
Enter Jordynne Grace hitting suplexes like she was dealing cards at a casino one after the other. She bulldozed through both Jacy and Fallon, even stacking them up for tandem offense. Jacy tried to rally, but took a spinebuster. Fallon tried to counter, but got met with a DVD.
Things briefly got chaotic: a Tower of Doom tease, superkicks flying, Vaquer taking a double-team shot meant for Grace. But the #1 contender shook it off, cleared house, and sealed the win with the Juggernaut Driver.
Winners: Jordynne Grace & Stephanie Vaquer
Post-match, Grace locked eyes on Vaquers title. No words needed.
May 13ths NXT was another cog turning toward Battleground. Jordynne and Vaquer barely coexisted tonight. Fatal Influence nearly stole the show. And somethings cooking over in the North American Title scene, lets see what happens with Zaria vs. next week.
