Here's your Fight Size update following WWE NXT on May 16, 2023.
- Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo were talking business at their restaurant of choice. Two officers showed up and told D’Angelo to come to the police station because he was being investigated for some criminal acts.
- Dabba-Kato shared his thoughts on the WWE Draft and stated that he wasn’t going anywhere, as he has plenty left to accomplish.
- Schism (Joe Gacy, Jagger Reid, Rip Fowler, and Ava) attacked Wes Lee and Tyler Bate backstage, and Gacy left Lee with a warning about his friendship with Bate. Later on, Bate was being checked on in the trainer’s room, and Lee went to the ring to deliver a message. He said Bate was his friend, and if Gacy wanted a title shot, he just had to ask. Gacy appeared and challenged Lee to a match at NXT Battleground. Bate came out and said Gacy has a receipt coming for him. He then said he wanted a shot at the title, though he wouldn’t let the championship get in the way of his friendship. Lee said he would put the title on the line against both Gacy and Bate at NXT Battleground.
Looks like we may be getting a Triple Threat Match for the North American Championship at #NXTBattleground...
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
...but @WesLee_WWE may have more questions than answers --#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/rRiUjy0Wo0
- Cora Jade defeated Fallon Henley in the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament to advance to the semi-finals.
.@CoraJadeWWE had a game plan, and she executed.
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
Jade beats @FallonHenleyWWE to advance in the NXT Women's Championship Tournament!#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/pVxuIEHx9U
- The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) faced The Dyad (Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler). Ivy Nile stopped Ava from interfering, and the Creed Brothers scored the win. After the match, the Creed Brothers challenged Gallus to a title bout at NXT Battleground.
EVERYTHING coming up #DiamondMine --#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/7WgQUTa2Vh
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
- Thea Hail and Kiana James got into a heated confrontation, and they agreed to face off in a match, where James emerged victorious.
- Ilja Dragunov confronted Dijak, who said there’s not a man alive that he can’t break. Draguov invited him to try. Later in the show, Dragunov was shown, and he had clearly been beaten up. Dijak asked him if he had enough, and the former NXT Champion said, “Not even close.” Towards the end of NXT, Dragunov continued to persevere, and he told Dijak that he was still standing/.
- NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes, alongside Trick Williams, discussed his upcoming match with Bron Breakker at NXT Battleground. Hayes called out Breakker, but he was instead answered by Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey. The two teams went back and forth, as Hayes made fun of the way fans chanted “Willy Wonka” at Dempsey. Williams threw down the gauntlet for a tag team match, and the two teams brawled. The two duos faced off in a tag team match. In the end, Hayes pinned Dempsey for the win.
.@Carmelo_WWE and @_trickwilliams are rolling ------#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/ea6sySdxo0
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
- Breaker appeared on the video screen and revealed that he made a pit stop, as he was at Hayes’ barber shop. He told Hayes he’d be at the arena soon to finish what he started.
WOW ------@bronbreakkerwwe took a trip to @Carmelo_WWE and @_trickwilliams' barbershop...#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/gX4yCzyuWW
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
- Noam Dar hosted the Supernova Sessions, and Dragon Lee was his guest. Dar insulted Lee, and Lee noted that he didn’t show people respect. Lee stated that he was proud of his heritage, and Dar stated that he was proud of his Heritage Cup. Lee challenged him to a match for the Heritage Cup. Dar highlighted the complexities of a Rounds Match. Nathan Frazer interrupted and called Dar a fraud. Frazer said the Heritage Cup had to be defended. Lee named NXT Battleground as the place for the match.
.@NoamDar vs. @dragonlee95 for the NXT Heritage Cup at #NXTBattleground?!
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
LET'S GO!!!!@WWEFrazer #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/BMX6MEDcn2
- Noam Dar bumped into Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson backstage. Legend noted that there were plenty of talk shows on NXT, but hers was the only one that really mattered.
"I'm sorry, Miss Jackson, but I'm for real." --@lashlegendwwe and @JakaraWWE don't seem to be fans of @NoamDar. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/YiJz1X0w4P
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
- Hank Walker and Tank Ledger were approached by Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen backstage. The former NXT UK Tag Team Champions praised Walker and Ledger. They agreed to go drinking. Ledger then realized that he and Walker had to face each other in a match to get closer.
- Axiom made it clear that he's not afraid of Dabba-Kato.
- Von Wagner stood up for Mr. Stone, who told him that there’s a superstar inside of him.
- Roxanne Perez defeated Jacy Jayne in the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament.
The semifinals are set!
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 17, 2023
Who will book their spot to #NXTBattleground NEXT WEEK on #WWENXT? pic.twitter.com/p1BssawR2l
- Gigi Dolin attacked Jacy Jayne after her match with Perez.
#GigiDolin is not done with @jacyjaynewwe quite yet! ------#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/u3weVCSQSc
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
- Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams came to the ring, ready for a showdown with Bron Breakker. The former champion came out with plenty of security guards. Hayes told Breakker to blame himself for losing the title, and he wouldn’t take the gold at NXT Battleground. Breakker said the title didn’t really interest him, as he was focused on humiliating Hayes in his hometown. Hayes made it clear that he would beak Breakker and build his dynasty. Breakker vowed to end the dynasty before it began. Hayes dove onto the security guards and took the fight to Breakker. They brawled as NXT came to a close.
These two can't stand each other!
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
It's going to be an absolute war at #NXTBattleground! ------@Carmelo_WWE @bronbreakkerwwe #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/BLT4CWnnU9
- In a WWE Digital Exclusive, Roxanne Perez commented on her win and looked ahead to the semi-finals of the NXT Women's Championship Tournament.
EXCLUSIVE: After a statement victory over @jacyjaynewwe, @roxanne_wwe is ready to become a two-time NXT Women's Champion. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/B0ynGCKq2s
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2023
- Check out the card for next week's episode of WWE NXT here.
Catch up on our coverage of the May 16 episode of WWE NXT here. For a full review, check out our post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.