The next WWE NXT PLE is Great American Bash, taking place this Sunday, June 28, so the June 23 episode of NXT had one job: finalize the tension, lock in the matches, and give everyone one last push before the weekend.
Wren Sinclair, Tavion Heights & Kendal Grey Backstage
Tavion Heights was backstage with Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair, his fellow NQCC member, but he was clearly not in the mood for advice. Heights vented about having nothing while Wren has a title, Borne has a title, and Charlie Dempsey is now in BirthRight. He stormed off frustrated, leaving Wren to deal with the vibes. Healthy group communication? Surely incoming.
Kendal Grey then walked in to speak with her best friend Wren, who revealed she was cleared to compete again. Grey was focused on preparing for her contract signing with Lola Vice, while the two also casually discussed having cake later. Honestly, priorities.
Lola Vice And Kendal Grey Sign For Great American Bash
Backstage, NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice and Kendal Grey sat down with NXT GM Robert Stone moderating their contract signing.
Vice called them crossover athletes, but said Grey crumbles under pressure. Grey admitted she has failed before, but promised that will not happen at Great American Bash. She said she needs to win, plans to raise the bar, and believes everyone wants to see what she can do as NXT Women’s Champion. Grey signed the contract.
Vice fired back by saying Grey has not done anything she has not already done. She said people will still talk about Grey, but Vice knows what it means to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Vice promised to beat Grey, retain her title, and teach her to humble herself. She added that Grey can push the division forward when Vice is done — but Vice is not done yet.
This was a solid final statement from both women. Grey came across determined, while Vice carried herself like a champion who still believes the division runs through her.
Zaria Challenges Tatum Paxley
NXT Women’s North American Champion Zaria addressed her issues with Tatum Paxley, pointing out that both of them once existed in the shadows of others. Paxley became champion, but Zaria won the title at Paxley’s expense.
Zaria claimed Paxley is addicted to pain and offered her a rematch at Great American Bash so she can beat her again and let Paxley “revel in that pain forever.”
Simple, sharp, and very Zaria. The rematch is set with enough personal bite to make it feel like more than just a title defense.
NXT Women’s Speed Tournament Match: Arianna Grace vs. Izzi Dame
Arianna Grace came to the ring with Stacks, Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King, and Uriah Connors, while Izzi Dame had Shawn Spears and Niko Vance in her corner. The match had a three-minute time limit, with the winner earning a Women’s Speed Title match against Wren Sinclair at Great American Bash.
Dame controlled portions of the match with power, including a boot to the face and a Sky High sitout spinebuster. Grace fought back with a senton, a pump kick, and a running elbow smash, keeping the pace quick under the time limit.
The finish came when Spears tried to direct Dame from ringside. Dame slapped his hand away, lost focus, and Grace caught her with an inside cradle for the win at 2:18.
I like Arianna Grace a lot, and I do think she could bring some fun character moments if she wins the tournament. That said, the finish was a little weak. Apparently, a poorly timed Shawn Spears interaction was all it took to cost Izzi the match. Wrestling friendships remain a workplace hazard.
Winner: Arianna Grace
Still, it served a purpose. Later in the main event, The Culling kicked Shawn Spears out, with Izzi Dame coming across as the group’s new leader. After the match, Dame stared down Spears in frustration while he apologized. Wren Sinclair then came out with the Women’s Speed Title and stared down Grace.
Jaida Parker Is Not Okay
Backstage, Karmen Petrovic and Nikkita Lyons watched as Natalya bragged about her win over Jaida Parker last week. Natalya also received a Guinness World Record for the most submissions on WWE TV.
Jaida then walked in looking visibly upset. Petrovic and Lyons mocked her a bit, but Parker did not engage. After they left, OTM checked on Jaida, who admitted she was not alright before walking away. OTM said she would be okay and that she would get through it.
This was a quieter segment, but it worked. Jaida did not need a big speech here. Her silence said enough.
Final Thoughts
Last week the women’s division was the focal point of the entire show while this week fleshed out more of the men’s storylines heading into the PLE this weekend. Nothing ground breaking happened but you need weeks like this too. Sound off in the comments below!
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