Welcome back to another Tuesday night inside the NXT arena, and with Battleground just days away, things are getting tighter than a guillotine lock. On May 21st, we got major movement on the womens championship front: a new #1 contender was crowned, alliances were tested, and one champ may want to double-check whos really in her corner. Lets get into it.
Things kicked off with a sharp, moody vignette from Jordynne Grace. With Giulia gone, the TNA legend made it clearthere are no distractions left. Shes laser-focused on Stephanie Vaquer and her NXT Womens Championship. Grace noted their shared past as dominant forces in their respective territories, but warned that while Stephanie escaped with the title once, she wont do it twice.
Meanwhile, Lola Vice tried some pre-match bonding with Stephanie backstage. It didnt go over well with Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne, who couldnt pass up a chance to bickerand yes, it spiraled into a match. Shocking.
Lola Vice vs. Fallon Henley
Things started clean enoughcollar-and-elbow tie-up, some jostling for control, and a slick takedown from Lola before Fallon rocked her with a right hand in the corner. Vice answered back with sharp kicks, but Henley caught one and grounded her. That led to a tight shoulder submission from Lola, grinding Fallon down as Jacy chirped from ringside like she was getting paid by the insult.
Fallon escaped and delivered a takedown of her own, then a nasty throat thrust and a headlock. Lola tried a rana, but Fallon reversed momentum and sent her flying to the outside. Then came the turning pointVice ate a nasty kick while tangled in the ropes, but just as Fallon gained momentum, Jacys antics became a full-blown factor.
We came back from break to Fallon hitting a facebuster and second-rope blockbuster, nearly closing it out. But Jacys mouth got her involved at the worst possible time. Lola reversed a waistlock, sent Fallon crashing into Jayne, and followed with a brutal backfist for the win.
Winner: Lola Vice
In a thoughtful sit-down interview with Kelly Kincaid, Stephanie Vaquer walked through her long journey from WWE tryout reject in 2018 to NXT Womens Champion today. Japan hardened her, Mexico shaped her, and Rey Mysterio inspired her. The message was clear: shes earned every inch of her rise, and shes not letting Jordynne take it lightly.
Kelani Jordan vs. Zaria
This match had real stakeswinner gets Sol Ruca at Battleground for the North American Title. Kelani and Zaria wrestled like it.
Zaria opened with back-to-back German suplexes and corner beatdowns, but Kelani used her speed to swing momentum: a dive to the outside, a high crossbody, and a slick springboard rana. Zaria shrugged it off and launched Kelani into the barricade with a power slam off the apron as we hit commercial.
Post-break, Kelani fired up with a DDT and dropkick combo, tried for a Tornado DDTblocked. Second attempt? Nailed it. Still just two. She went up top for the 450, but Zaria rolled. Back-and-forth counters led to Zarias backpack cannonball in the corner and a pump kick on the apron that should have sealed it.
But then came Sol Ruca.
As Zaria prepped the finish, Sol tried to help by holding Kelani. That backfired. Kelani dropkicked Zaria into Sol, dodged another attempt, and cradled Zaria for the three-count.
Winner: Kelani Jordan
With the card locked im, heres what we know heading into Sunday:
Jacy and Fallon may have unresolved business, Jaida Parker is clearly making enemies (and enjoying it), and Thea Hail and Tatum Paxley are warming up to one another. Meanwhile, Fatal Influence was conspicuously seems to be running its course.
Let me know what stood out to you in the commentsand if you think Kelani has a real shot at dethroning Sol. Battleground promises fireworks. Whether anyone walks away unscathed is a whole other story.
