- 5/26/2025
WWE Battleground is a professional wrestling event produced by WWE, originally established in 2013. It was held annually until 2017 for WWE's main roster before being revived in 2023 as an NXT-exclusive event. The event has featured intense rivalries, high-stakes matches, and unforgettable moments, making it a fan favorite. Initially replacing Over the Limit, Battleground became WWE’s annual July pay-per-view before being discontinued due to changes in WWE’s event structure. In its NXT revival, it continues to showcase rising talent and thrilling action, streamed live on WWE Network and Peacock.
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00:00And his opponent, from Lagos, Nigeria, weighing in at 310 pounds, he is the NXT Champion,
00:20OPA BANNING!
00:51Miles Born is going to need every beat in his heart to win this matchup.
00:56Miles Born is the ultimate underdog in this match.
00:59Can he overcome all the odds in a matchup like this?
01:03And the one thing we cannot question is Miles Born's heart.
01:06We don't know how good this guy really is as well.
01:09Has he been training for a matchup like this with Opa Femi?
01:13Can he go the long haul, get in that deep water and last?
01:16We're going to find out.
01:17Any of you guys surprised that the NQCC isn't ringside for this championship matchup?
01:22No, I think this is the appropriate decision for NQCC to not be here.
01:26Let Miles succeed or fail on his own.
01:29He doesn't have to worry about Charlie Dempsey, he doesn't have to worry about Ren Sinclair,
01:32he's worried about Opa Femi and Opa Femi alone.
01:35And after that look we saw Charlie Dempsey give Miles, it might actually work in Miles' benefit.
01:40Miles actually, he said it man, once he got with NQCC, he got all the training that he needed,
01:45he's ready for this matchup.
01:46And who got him ready for it? Charlie Dempsey.
01:48Give Charlie a lot of credit.
01:50I give Charlie credit for everything that he has put the NQCC through.
01:53But Born, able to land on his feet.
01:56Born tonight not only doing this for himself, the NQCC, but a community that needs a hero.
02:02And Booker, to your point, Miles Born has credited the NQCC,
02:07but he's also maybe outgrown the tutelage if he's able to win the NXT championship tonight.
02:14I wouldn't be thinking that way if I was Miles Born.
02:16How did he get to the dance? It was NQCC that got him prepared for this moment.
02:21It was NQCC who brought it inside that family, inside that home,
02:25and taught him exactly what he needs to know for a matchup like this with Opa Femi.
02:32That dropkick from Miles Born connected, but you just see the power.
02:37Also, and Opa Femi who did not go down easy.
02:40I come to you and ask you, what do you think about the tutelage?
02:43Because sometimes, you have said in the past, you outgrow your scene.
02:46You outgrow your partners.
02:47Well, that's not the case with Miles Born.
02:49Miles Born, essentially brand new for all intents and purposes in this game.
02:54He's got a lot to learn from someone like Charlie Dempsey,
02:56who's been around the world multiple times.
02:58He's a master of many different skill sets.
03:01Miles Born can take what he's learned, hopefully apply it successfully tonight,
03:05but to imply that he's outgrown his coach already is absolute nonsense.
03:10You guys are right that when it comes to Charlie Dempsey,
03:12he does have a blue blood pedigree and a nice enziguri.
03:16Rocking the champion again.
03:18Booker, we certainly are going to learn, though, a lot about Miles Born.
03:22I mean, Miles Born has an opportunity of a lifetime right here.
03:26This is like a lottery ticket.
03:28This is like Apollo Creed calling out Rocky Balboa on Independence Day,
03:34giving this young man a shot at glory.
03:37I love that from Obafemi.
03:39Born continuing to kick, continuing to fight.
03:41Graves, to your point, is someone who is relatively unknown
03:44and maybe a challenge Obafemi hasn't faced.
03:47Look, Oba, everyone he has faced, he's been able to train with,
03:50scout, watch, maneuver, but this is Miles Born,
03:53someone he does not know a lot about.
03:55We don't know a whole lot about Miles Born.
03:57He talked about his heart, but this kid has a lot of ability as well,
04:00and I feel like if Obafemi just loses focus for one moment
04:06or underestimate this kid, that could be his downfall.
04:11I think this is the pace that Obafemi would like slow
04:15and allowing him to just overpower and dissect.
04:21Miles Born punished his opponent.
04:23Into the cover goes the champion.
04:25And now the challenger kicking out at one.
04:28It's not slow, it's deliberate.
04:30Obafemi realizes there's a lot he doesn't know about his challenger,
04:33so Oba not allowing himself to be put in positions
04:37where he's unfamiliar with the situation.
04:39Take your time.
04:40Every movement Oba has made has meant something.
04:47To that, Graves, do you think Oba sees Miles as a threat?
04:51I think Obafemi understands that he is constantly a target
04:54no matter where he goes,
04:56no matter what day of the week it is in the NXT locker room.
04:59Everybody is a threat to Obafemi,
05:01and that's why he's become so adept at turning away challengers.
05:04Nobody thrives against adversity quite like Obafemi.
05:08This past Tuesday, Booker, we saw your guy Jasper Troy
05:12make his presence felt and drop the champion.
05:15You know why? Because Jasper Troy, that monster,
05:18he want a piece of the action,
05:20and right now he's starting right at the top,
05:23just like I taught him.
05:25For Obafemi, who, again, I like the word Graves used,
05:29in this matchup.
05:31In his career since the start of the breakout tournament in 2023,
05:35that was 531 days ago.
05:37He has been champion, whether it's been NXT champion
05:40or North American champion, for 411 of those days.
05:45That is nothing short of dominant.
05:48Championship quali athlete right here, Obafemi.
05:51This guy has a bright future.
05:53Right now, he's just in his infancy stages,
05:56and right now he's putting it on miles more.
05:58I'm wondering if the referee might have to have a wherewithal,
06:01understanding and know-how at some point
06:03to make him stop this matchup at some point,
06:06because Obafemi is playing it real serious tonight.
06:09Into the cover, and another kick out.
06:12You heard the WWE Universe that has been in a fever pitch
06:15since the beginning of the night.
06:16I bring up that 2023 breakout tournament, Booker,
06:19because you and I were ringside.
06:20These two met in the first round of that tournament.
06:24They both have come a very long way.
06:26Yeah, and Miles Boyd actually did a hell of a job.
06:29We saw some impressive things from Miles Boyd,
06:32and right now, there again, he has a lottery ticket.
06:35He has a chance to prove that he has what it takes
06:38to work at this level.
06:39Oh!
06:40That goes back to your point, I guess,
06:42from when he arrived in that breakout tournament
06:44to having to be molded by someone like Charlie Dixon.
06:49H-Q-C-C has definitely done a great job with Miles Boyd.
06:53This is a kid, this is a kid who has grown
06:56expeditiously over this last 365 days.
07:00You got to give him a lot of credit for that.
07:02But is he ready, is he ready for this moment?
07:06The answer right now is the moment belongs to Obafemi,
07:10and as we get into maybe an uncomfortable part
07:13of this matchup, as Femi just continues to dominate
07:17Corey, what does Miles need to remember
07:20when you're in deep waters against, well,
07:22an absolute destroyer, but another dropkick
07:24dropped the champion.
07:25I don't know if there's anything that Miles can remember
07:27because he's never really been in this situation.
07:29We know Boyd has the cardio.
07:31When you train with H-Q-C-C, you've got a gas tank on you.
07:34That was the dropkick, the very same dropkick
07:36that propelled Miles Boyd's career to this opportunity.
07:40Boyd, I think the fact sometimes what you don't know
07:43can help you, that's the case for Miles Boyd tonight.
07:45Well, that's the second time he's been able to hit Obafemi
07:48with that dropkick.
07:49Maybe the third time will be the charm,
07:51but again, Oba just planting with another backbreaker,
07:56Miles Boyd, and now just trying to get a submission
08:00to prove a point, to send a message.
08:02He hit Oba with a big shot, that big dropkick,
08:04but I'm going to tell you right now,
08:05he's going to have to do that in concessions.
08:07I mean, I'm talking about in combinations
08:09if you want to try to stop the big man's momentum.
08:13Trying to rally Miles Boyd right now.
08:16Again, the unknown for Boyd,
08:17you can get all the hours in the gym.
08:19Oh!
08:20Good time.
08:22But nothing trains you guys for taking a clothesline like that.
08:26Beautiful.
08:27You know you can get your head taken off like that
08:29at Planet Fitness, I assure you that much.
08:32Obafemi now settling in,
08:34and this is exactly what Boyd wanted to avoid,
08:37letting Oba make this his match.
08:39This is what the ruler does so well, so regularly.
08:42He weathers the early storm, and he makes it his match.
08:46Well, he might have just made a little bit of a mistake there,
08:48and Miles Boyd trying to capitalize.
08:50Going to have to do a little bit more
08:51than what he's doing in this moment,
08:52but it's been effective.
08:53Trying to hold on, trying to squeeze,
08:56trying to wear down the much larger Obafemi,
08:59who's trying to desperately create a little bit of separation,
09:02but closing that space again is the challenger.
09:04Great display of tenacity from the challenger.
09:06Miles Boyd with the sleeper hold applied.
09:08It looks like Oba still has his chin
09:09underneath the forearm of Miles Boyd,
09:11so Miles is able to get the full effect
09:13of this sleeper hold submission,
09:15but this is still going to wear down Oba slowly.
09:18You can see the effects right now of both these men here,
09:22and I wonder, though,
09:23is this where someone like Charlie Dempsey
09:25or Tabion Heights or Ren Sinclair would be helpful to Miles
09:28if they were out there to help coach him up?
09:30Dude, I don't think extra years or anything like that
09:33is going to help Miles right now.
09:35I mean, I don't think he needs any white noise.
09:37I think he just needs to concentrate.
09:38This is a moment.
09:39It's a moment, like I say, of a lifetime for Miles Boyd.
09:42Can he land that one big shot to perhaps change it all?
09:46Whoa!
09:47Oh, Miles acknowledging.
09:48Oh, the third time, that drop kick!
09:50There it is!
09:52The ruler sent spilling to the floor.
09:54The challenger now with an opportunity
09:56to make something happen.
09:57Here comes Miles Boyd!
09:59Oh!
10:00Oh!
10:01Yeah!
10:04Big soup bone right hand right on the jaw of the challenger.
10:08Now the ruler!
10:09Oh, man!
10:10Two knees to the gut!
10:12Into the count!
10:14I don't mean to go one way with it,
10:17but in this matchup, in this juncture,
10:20is this just a little bit too much for Miles Boyd?
10:23Miles Boyd still has breath in his lungs
10:25and a beat in his heart, as you referenced earlier.
10:27Boyd not looking like he's ready to quit.
10:29Ova's trying to force Miles to feel uncomfortable, to suffer,
10:33but it looks like Miles is still able to hang tough somehow.
10:36Trying to get to that bottom rope right now,
10:38trying to crawl.
10:40Boyd now maybe just trying to break the grip,
10:42not taking the easy way out,
10:44trying to fight his way free, and Boyd...
10:48Great transition by Ova right into the rear chin lock,
10:51just utilizing Miles' own movement against him,
10:54and now a vice-like grip around the jaw.
10:57And with all that weight of Ova's,
10:59I mean, leaning on the back of Miles Boyd,
11:01it's making it hard for him to breathe as well.
11:03It's exhausting for Miles Boyd,
11:05not to mention the barrage of heavy strikes from the ruler.
11:09The challenger lands on his feet back in the corner.
11:11Whoa!
11:13That could be the shot I was talking about right there, guys.
11:15That could be it, and maybe the moment
11:18is not too big for Miles Boyd.
11:21Maybe this is exactly what Boyd needed,
11:25that window of opportunity you talked about, Booker.
11:27I'll tell you something.
11:28Miles Boyd didn't just come in here to play, guys.
11:30He came here to walk away and the new champion.
11:33I'm gonna tell you right now, he's so close.
11:35He's so close.
11:37Can the kid fight? Can he keep it going?
11:39Here we go.
11:40Boyd told me earlier, you never fear the man who bleeds.
11:43You fear the silent poison of regret.
11:46Wounds heal, but the wound of never daring
11:48will haunt you long after the blood is dry!
11:52And Boyd to fly!
11:54Miles landed his shot here in Tampa.
11:56That shot I was talking about right there.
11:58The kid right now, he could be about to cash in, Nick.
12:03Could this be the coup d'etat?
12:05And he knew he had to get the champion back into the ring.
12:07This may be his first attempt at a singles title,
12:10but Miles Boyd knows what he needs to do.
12:12Chopping down the tree, into the cover,
12:14hook of the leg, and a near fall.
12:16Man!
12:18And you sense the energy, Booker, in here
12:20is starting to shift to Miles Bourne.
12:23Miles already proved that he belonged
12:25at this level already, Vic.
12:27If he wins this matchup right now,
12:29I'm going to tell you, he will shock the world.
12:31He will shock the world.
12:32Boom!
12:33Oh, baby!
12:34Big power slam into the cover for the title and over.
12:37Right shoulder off the mat.
12:39No secret that Miles Bourne has idolized Randy Orton,
12:43and that was a Viper-esque power slam to the ruler.
12:47Lightning quickness, incredible impact,
12:50and almost dethroning the ruler in the process.
12:58Heavy forearms for the job.
12:59Obofemi, Obo's down.
13:01Look at...
13:02Ooh!
13:03Got a little cute.
13:04Maybe not a risk he wanted to take.
13:06And now Obo hoisting up Miles,
13:08and it looks like Miles may be going for the ride, and...
13:11Oh, he countered!
13:14Connected!
13:15Standing!
13:16Moonsault!
13:17Did as well!
13:18Oh, baby!
13:20Got caught!
13:21Got caught!
13:22Got caught!
13:23Massive choke slam to retain,
13:27and Miles gets that left shoulder up.
13:30The heart.
13:31That's the heart Miles Bourne was talking about earlier, guys.
13:34If you go to the start of this matchup,
13:35and you think about when both men came out,
13:38there was a loud ovation for Obofemi,
13:40not so much for Miles Bourne.
13:41It seems to me those here in Tampa are starting to rally
13:44and believe in Miles Bourne here tonight.
13:46The tide is turning right now.
13:47Miles Bourne has the support,
13:49and that sixth man is so important in this business sometimes.
13:53Is this a case of Miles trying to get cute again, Corey?
13:55I think Miles is running on instinct,
13:57perhaps running a little low on his bag of tricks,
13:59trying to figure out whatever he can.
14:00Oh!
14:01That might do it.
14:02Spiked Obofemi with a DDT.
14:05That's what Bourne needed.
14:06Bourne now seeing that the champion is on the back foot.
14:11Miles looking for an exclamation point of sorts
14:16to win the championship.
14:18Able to roll right through,
14:19get right back to his feet,
14:20charge right in,
14:21and fall from grace,
14:22countered.
14:23Hurricanrana.
14:25Shoulders down.
14:26Oh!
14:28And oh!
14:29Obo might be done playing around.
14:31Massive forearm.
14:35Whoa!
14:37No way, no way.
14:40Unbelievable.
14:43Snapping back like a rubber band.
14:45The resiliency of the challenger.
14:49Who just screamed out,
14:51come on, he knows this is that moment.
14:53He's going to do it.
14:54This is his chance.
14:55He's going to do it.
14:56For the championship to conquer.
15:00Hurricanrana.
15:04Obo with a little too much left in the tank.
15:08Impressive as that is.
15:09Look back at the full extension on the splash
15:13from the challenger.
15:14Drowning all the wind out of the lungs of the NXT champion.
15:18But there still remains work to do for Miles Bourne.
15:31This is a questionable decision for the challenger
15:34to stand in trade blows with Obo Femi.
15:37And right into it goes Miles Bourne
15:39and another one from Obo.
15:42Got caught with a clothesline.
15:45Ooh, man.
15:46Took a shot under the jaw.
15:48A lesser man wouldn't be standing.
15:50But that fourth dropkick just dropped the champion.
15:54It's working.
15:56Keep going back to it, Miles.
15:59Slowly but surely.
16:00Charging in and ooh.
16:03Uppercut.
16:05And Obo Femi now.
16:07The ruler wants some insurance.
16:11Looking for that patented fall from grace powerbomb.
16:16One, two, three.
16:19You've got to be kidding me.
16:24Obo shot.
16:26Tampa shot.
16:27The heart right there, this kid.
16:29You cannot question Miles Bourne's heart, man.
16:32He said he may not have the strength advantage,
16:34the height advantage,
16:36but you couldn't question his heart.
16:38No one's questioning it now in this moment.
16:41Miles Bourne removing all doubt that he does indeed belong.
16:45Here comes Obo once again.
16:48Full speed ahead.
16:50Just battering the challenger.
16:54Third one point for Obo.
16:57And another near fall.
17:01What is left in the, ooh.
17:04That might be all that is left.
17:06D-Cleaner right there, man.
17:09Of the challenger.
17:12Somehow, some way though,
17:14Miles pulling himself back up.
17:17And Obo Femi now just tossing another human life.
17:24Fall from grace a second time.
17:30And not to be outdone,
17:33the ruler ruling the ring once more.
17:40Obo retains.
17:43Here is your winner,
17:45and still the NXT champion,
17:51Obo Femi.
17:55Can't take anything away
17:57from the challenger though here tonight.
18:00Miles Bourne certainly tested the limits of the ruler,
18:03but Obo Femi with another reminder
18:06for the entire WWE universe.
18:11Of just why he is the ruler.
18:14Of why he is arguably the most dominant champion
18:17in the game today.
18:19No one thrives under the bright lights
18:22quite like Obo Femi.
18:25Well, the future is still bright
18:28for the challenger here tonight.
18:31Miles Bourne, who gave it his all.
18:35But here at Battleground,
18:37the reign of the ruler continues
18:41in NXT.
18:47A nod of approval from the ruler.
18:50This isn't the last we've heard of Miles Bourne.
18:57What's up, WWE universe?
18:59Guess what?
19:00SummerSlam, MetLife, two nights,
19:03and I will finally be hopeless.
19:07And nobody better try me.
19:10WWE SummerSlam, a two-night event at MetLife Stadium.
19:14Two-day combo tickets on sale now.
19:16Scan the code to get yours today.
19:19We're gonna turn up!
19:36SummerSlam are bringing the classics back.
19:42The Great American Bash.
19:44It's getting hot in here, man.
19:46Saturday night's main event.
19:48And in history-making all-women spectacle Evolution.
19:53Three massive shows.
19:55One unforgettable weekend.
19:58Combo tickets on sale Wednesday with pre-sale Tuesday.
20:03Three massive shows.
20:05One epic weekend coming to Atlanta, Georgia this July.
20:09The Great American Bash.
20:10And Saturday night's main event on Saturday, July the 12th.
20:13And in history-making all-women spectacle Evolution
20:16on Sunday, July 13th.
20:18Combo tickets for Saturday night's main event in Evolution
20:21go on sale Wednesday with a special pre-sale this Tuesday.
20:25Visit wwe.com slash events for more information.
20:33But that is in Atlanta.
20:34We are live tonight in Tampa.
20:36Raw in 24 hours.
20:38And what a weekend it has been here for the WWE.
20:42What a night it has been thus far here at Battleground.
20:46Wait, what?
20:47There's a camera!
20:48Cut to the camera!
20:49Go!
21:02What?
21:08Hey, Seth!
21:09Jesse!
21:10Come on!
21:23An absolute melee backstage.
21:25I don't even know what.
21:26There was so much chaos, I have no idea what to think about what we just saw.
21:29Well, we're trying to resettle in because we don't know what we just witnessed at Graves Point.
21:33It was a fight!
21:34It certainly was a fight. What a night it has been here in Tampa.
21:37But let's talk about what's going to happen this Tuesday live on NXT.
21:42These two had to be separated even earlier tonight as well.
21:46Our general manager Abel wants this issue over.
21:49Sainz wants to beat the ego out of Ethan and turn the page on his revolution.
21:54North American title is on the line. 48 hours on NXT.
21:58We're talking about this young man during the last matchup with Oboe Femi.
22:03The LFG Season 1 winner Jasper Troy makes his single debut on NXT this Tuesday.
22:11Not only that coming your way this Tuesday, she's emotional.
22:15Some say she's unstable. She is Tatum Paxley.
22:18She looks to strike back against Jada Parker.
22:21These two go one-on-one Tuesday on NXT.
22:25And Miles Bourne's NQCC stablemate Tavion Heights issued the challenge.
22:31TNA wrestler Mike Santana has answered it.
22:34It is official. Santana versus Heights. One-on-one Tuesday night.
22:40On the topic of TNA, it is time for history. First time ever the TNA world title is defended on WWE programming.
22:49Will Joe Hendry receive a standing ovation?
22:52Or will Trick Williams prove that Hendry is just an average Joe?
23:02What does it mean to be TNA champion?
23:06For most of us, it was a launching pad.
23:09If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best. And here I am, TNA champion!
23:16For some of us, a career resurgence.
23:20But for the last 23 years, the TNA champion has been the embodiment of this underdog promotion.
23:27And in those two decades, no title holder has carried the TNA brand quite like the current champion.
23:37Say his name and he appears. I believe in Joe Hendry.
23:44Joe Hendry, the Scottish-born champion who has made us all believe, not just in him, but in TNA wrestling.
23:55As champion, Hendry has led a resurgence for this company.
24:01Joe Hendry is here in NXT.
24:05Sellout crowds.
24:06Do you believe in Joe Hendry?
24:12Viral moments.
24:15Moment of the night.
24:17I believe in Joe Hendry.
24:20The TNA champion is here.
24:23And even surprise appearances at WrestleMania.
24:26I believe in Joe Hendry.
24:29He has left an indelible impact on the entire landscape of professional wrestling.
24:35Oh, my God!
24:39Trick Williams, NXT's franchise player.
24:43I started my WWE career with nothing but NXT.
24:48Trick Williams, NXT's franchise player.
24:52I started my WWE career with nothing but ambition.
24:56I came with a work ethic and a good attitude.
24:59From the rookie to the main event.
25:01The leader of the Whoop-That era.
25:03Six-foot-three, 135 pounds.
25:06I'm a grand industrial star, man.
25:08Let's talk about it.
25:10Trick knows exactly what it's like to carry the weight of a brand as a champion.
25:15He's done it twice for NXT.
25:17That's all it is, and that's all it's gonna be.
25:20I may not have the NXT title, but I'm still the man.
25:24And now Trick looks to make history and become the new face of TNA wrestling.
25:33Tonight, we make a new moment in history.
25:36For the first time ever, the TNA Championship will be defended at a WWE premium live event.
25:44You did this to yourself, Joe.
25:46I'm gonna take what means the most to you, and that's that TNA title.
25:49I'm defending this against TNA wrestlers, NXT superstars, and I'm putting them down.
25:55You are a social media sensation.
25:58Trick Williams is bigger than NXT.
26:00I'm bigger than TNA, and I'm a Hollywood trick.
26:03You used to be somebody that these people could get behind.
26:07You used to be someone that could leave that locker room.
26:10Truth is, Trick Williams is a whiny bitch.
26:14I'm gonna take your fame, I'm gonna take your title, and I'm gonna take your brand.
26:18When the dust finally settles at Battleground, who will be the face of TNA?
26:27Well, there is Carlos Silva.
26:29He is the president of TNA Wrestling.
26:31He is ringside to witness this historic main event here tonight for the TNA World Championship at WWE Battleground.
26:42Uh-huh.
26:44Uh-huh.
26:46That's right.
26:48That man.
26:50Oh, yeah, man.
26:52Uh-huh.
26:54Uh-huh.
26:56Uh-huh.
26:58Uh-huh.
27:00Uh-huh.
27:02Uh-huh.
27:04Uh-huh.
27:06Uh-huh.
27:08Uh-huh.
27:10That man.
27:12Oh, yeah, man.
27:14That's Trick.
27:16Look at him.
27:18Call it, not a granny.
27:20That man.
27:22Oh, yeah, man.
27:24Oh, yeah, man.
27:26That's Trick.
27:28Well, Book, does Trick have the home field advantage here at Battleground?
27:32Listen to him.
27:34Listen to the people.
27:36They love him.
27:39That smile is about to get turned upside down because Trick Wiggins is about to walk out and do TNA Championship.
27:49I'm talking about three-time world title around his waist.
27:53Oh, give it to him, man.
27:55Give it to him, too.
27:57NXT Championship, TNA Championship.
27:59Give him the world, dog.
28:01I'm not going to give him anything.
28:03He's going to have to earn it here at Battleground.
28:07There he is.
28:08You see him just throw it up, huh?
28:10You see him throw it up?
28:12You see that?
28:15Huh, huh.
28:20It's that dog in him.
28:22That's that dog.
28:25Wow.
28:49You guys don't seem too excited.
28:51Well, I was allowing the WWE Universe, who in unison are standing on their feet.
28:57This is why I asked you about a home field advantage.
28:59I see a couple of them.
29:00Because it seems just like those that were trying to whoop that Trick are channing, we believe.
29:06Pointing over here at Carlos Silva.
29:09Joe Hendry knows how important this is.
29:12That might be the understatement of the millennium.
29:15Joe Hendry has the weight of an entire company on his shoulder right now in the form of the TNA Championship.
29:22And he's got it.
29:23He's got it.
29:24He's got it.
29:25He's got it.
29:26He's got it.
29:27He's got it.
29:28He's got it.
29:29He's got it.
29:30He's got it.
29:31He's got it.
29:32He's got it.
29:33How in the world he's doing right now in the form of the TNA Championship?
29:35How in the world do you expect Joe Hendry to go back to TNA if he somehow lets that gold
29:42slip through his fingers to a WWE Superstar?
29:46That is career suicide.
29:48Let's go up to Mike Rohm.
29:52The following contest, scheduled for one fall...
29:57is for the TNA World Championship.
30:07Introducing the challenger
30:11from Columbia, South Carolina,
30:14weighing in at 240 pounds,
30:19Trin Williams.
30:27And his opponent from Edinburgh, Scotland,
30:37weighing in at 252 pounds,
30:42a pure motivation,
30:45he is the TNA World Champion,
30:50Joe Hendry.
30:57Hardy Boyz, Moose, recent TNA champions
31:02that were successful against WWE superstars.
31:10But piggybacking off of what you just said, Graves,
31:13take away the individuals for a moment.
31:15Describe the magnitude of this matchup
31:18in the world of professional wrestling.
31:21This could completely change the landscape of the industry.
31:24To my point, Joe Hendry is the face of TNA right now.
31:28A right that he won by defeating a former WWE superstar
31:32known here as Dolph Ziggler.
31:33Now Nick Nimitz there.
31:35Hendry has what it takes, but listen to this place.
31:38This place is starting to rock.
31:41Yeah.
31:46Because the Graves point booker,
31:48everyone that is in this building
31:50knows the magnitude of this moment.
31:53Just like the WBA, the WBC, the IBF,
31:57this is a major title, man.
31:58This is a major championship right here.
32:00The TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
32:03Give it up, man.
32:05Well, Hendry, a little bit of momentum
32:06coming into this matchup.
32:08He and Elijah picked up a win over a trick in Kazarian
32:10that happened this past Friday at TNA Under Siege.
32:15We have to look at both sides of the coin.
32:17As catastrophic as this could potentially be for Joe Hendry,
32:20if Joe Hendry does succeed in defending his gold tonight
32:23behind enemy lines on the WWE PLE.
32:27Think of what that does, not only for Hendry's career,
32:29but TNA as a whole.
32:31That's going to be the company on the names of people's lips.
32:34Joe Hendry right now coming out firing, as you heard,
32:37250 pounds of pure motivation.
32:41You can't beat.
32:43This is a man who is in the Royal Rumble,
32:45a man who competed at WrestleMania.
32:47At No Mercy last fall was the first TNA wrestler
32:50to challenge for the NXT title.
32:51And think about that motivation.
32:53Think about those accomplishments of Joe Hendry
32:56that are driving Trick Williams,
32:57because Trick believes he should be that man.
33:00Trick believes he should have been at WrestleMania this year.
33:03Trick believes that the world should be talking about him,
33:06not a guy who works for the other company.
33:08Well, Graves, I think, though, that Hendry has proven
33:10he is no average wrestler.
33:12Look, I'm not going to argue with you on that point.
33:14I'm a big fan of Joe Hendry. I think Joe Hendry's incredible.
33:18Everything has come his way.
33:19But you can be very, very motivated
33:21by watching somebody else succeed where you should be.
33:24We've been receiving a lot of high praise from AJ Styles,
33:28as we heard moments ago, making Trick think.
33:32Trick is no small man.
33:35Trick Williams deceptively large.
33:37Cover here by Hendry.
33:39Fight along the line, and Williams kicking out.
33:41Guys, we're about two minutes in,
33:43and these guys right now are running hard
33:46and heavy in this matchup.
33:47How long will it last like this? That's the question.
33:49It'll last until one man's shoulders are down for three.
33:51They tap out, or they get counted out.
33:53Booker, what is it, though,
33:54about Joe Hendry that has captured the world?
33:57I think he's just the common man.
33:59I mean, he's the guy who started this business the hard way
34:02on the independent circuit, grinded.
34:05And a guy like that, you got to give him a lot of credit.
34:07Came all the way here to the States from Scotland
34:09to take over the Unknock America.
34:11You got to give him that.
34:13He's the TNA world heavyweight champion.
34:16Graves, I saw you talking to Joe Hendry earlier
34:18about some of his background.
34:19Yeah, Joe Hendry possesses a black belt in judo
34:22and actually left his pro wrestling career aside
34:27to pursue amateur wrestling, freestyle, and Greco,
34:31British senior national champion in freestyle wrestling.
34:35That is incredible to take a hiatus from this game
34:38to go all the way up.
34:40Yeah, you just saw the far away slam,
34:42and now mocking Joe Hendry.
34:46Oh, and Hendry not going to like that.
34:48Got caught, oh!
34:50Just like that, is this over?
34:51A bookend and a kick out.
34:53Man, beautiful bookend as well.
34:54Precision timing, I've been working with him on that.
34:58Well, Booker, how has Hendry's confidence grown
35:00since April the 20th?
35:02That, of course, is WrestleMania.
35:05No, you got to give Joe Hendry a hell of a lot of credit
35:09for coming into WrestleMania on short notice,
35:12going in there, taking on one of the all-time greats
35:15in Randy Orton, just came up a little bit hard.
35:18Look at Shortman.
35:19Oh, oh, oh, fall away off the ropes!
35:22Is this gonna be enough to retain here at Tampa?
35:25And a near fall for Joe Hendry,
35:27who won the TNA world title at Genesis in January.
35:30Been a banner 2025, as we've already covered,
35:33126 days as champion.
35:36Loves to remind Trick Williams
35:38that he was on WrestleMania.
35:40He competed on the grandest stage of them all,
35:43and also took Trick Williams' Royal Rumble spot,
35:46which is something you alluded to earlier,
35:48shoulders down and a kick out.
35:49Well, it's certainly something worth bragging about
35:51if you're Joe Hendry, shoulders down yet again,
35:54but it's also a potentially great motivator
35:56for Trick Williams to be the one to knock him off.
35:59Another cover.
36:00Joe Hendry right now showing you
36:02the amateur background he has.
36:04And what we just saw was Trick using the skills
36:07and the tools that he possesses.
36:09Trick Williams is a long competitor.
36:11He can hit you from far away.
36:12You don't have to be in close quarters with Trick.
36:14Hendry thrives there.
36:16Hendry wants to keep it tight, keep it close,
36:18but Trick won't allow that to happen.
36:20You're playing off his length,
36:21because he's 6'4", 6'5".
36:23His frame, yes, his physical frame.
36:25You're talking about pump kicks.
36:26I mean, Booker, you used an ax kick as well.
36:28I mean, there's a lot of truth
36:29to what Graves just brought up.
36:31Look at the truth, Williams.
36:32I mean, you talk about his background.
36:34Truth is not, you know, your typical wrestler
36:37or anything like that.
36:38He's a fighter. He's a street fighter.
36:39And he's just going to go out there
36:40and rely on his instincts and his instincts alone.
36:43That's what's taking him this far, guys.
36:45When you talk about the amateur background judo
36:47and whatnot, if it breaks down
36:49into just a straight street fight,
36:51do you still give the nod to Hendry?
36:53I don't know. I mean, I would never bet
36:54against Trick Williams in any sort of circumstance
36:56where hands are being thrown.
36:58Case in point right there.
36:59Trick knows what he's doing.
37:00Oh, baby!
37:01Modified ax kick right there.
37:03Beautiful.
37:04Didn't learn that from you too, Book?
37:05Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
37:07What?
37:09Oh, my.
37:12Give it to him. Give it to him.
37:15Oh, give it to him, baby.
37:17Oh, yeah!
37:19I told you it'd be broken.
37:21I told you. I told you.
37:24Oh, what the heck?
37:25Book just got caught in a rock bottom
37:28covered by Hendry to retain in a near fall.
37:32Hey, Book.
37:35I'm going to give you the Joe Hendry stare
37:36for the duration of this one
37:38after we watch Trick Williams humiliate you
37:41in front of all of Tampa, Florida,
37:44and nearly cost himself a game-changing opportunity.
37:48One more team! One more team!
37:51They're chanting, we believe, we believe here in Tampa.
37:55Well, I don't believe, damn it.
37:58And Trick dropping Joe Hendry, and, you know,
38:00all joking aside, another big kick from Trick.
38:03I mean, do either of you believe
38:05that Trick wants the championship
38:06so he can represent TNA?
38:08Not just that.
38:10He wants to rub it in TNA's face.
38:13Here we go. Here we go.
38:15Ah!
38:17Think about this, Book.
38:18We talk week after week after week
38:20about this business being about checks
38:22and about championships.
38:23Trick Williams could potentially double dip
38:26not only as an NXT superstar,
38:27but head to TNA twice the paycheck.
38:31It's about long, green ducats in this business.
38:34And right now, Trick Williams is about to cash in.
38:37Here we go, baby.
38:39And true trick.
38:41Hendry rolls through.
38:42Great display of power.
38:43No way. There's no way he can do that.
38:45Hell yes, there is. No way.
38:46250 pounds of pure mind.
38:49What the hell?
38:52Wow. Big power move from Hendry.
38:55Into a cover.
38:56And another near fall for Joe Hendry right now.
39:00I wonder what's going through his mind.
39:01And it's important to note, too, about Trick Williams.
39:03A year ago, Booker, it was Trick
39:05who was against an outsider coming to NXT
39:08at this very event, Ethan Page.
39:10Now he's the outsider trying to become
39:12the first active WWE superstar to win a TNA championship.
39:16I think we got to give it up for Trick Williams.
39:18I mean, and who better?
39:19Who better to be in this position
39:21other than Trick Williams, a two-time NXT champion?
39:25That's the guy right there.
39:27The guy who has won the North American championship.
39:30He, who better?
39:31Who better than this guy right here?
39:33You said it. Six foot four.
39:35Chiseled, carved out of granite.
39:37With a, with a, with an inch deep, like no other.
39:40Here we go. Let me get out the way.
39:42Well, I also want to bring up the point
39:43that our official out here, checking on Joe Hendry,
39:46is not in the ring with the standard 10 count.
39:48He does not want to see a match of this magnitude
39:51end via a count out.
39:52Referee should not be interfering
39:54in this matchup right now.
39:56At this time, guys.
39:57Don't put your stripes on, Buck.
39:59Why don't you jump in there and show them how it's done?
40:02You can stack the deck in Trick's favor even further.
40:04I'm not doing that.
40:05I mean, if he's hurt, call the match.
40:07If he's hurt, throw the eggs up.
40:09Well, Trick once again, mocking Joe Hendry.
40:12Not just mocking a man.
40:14Not just mocking a champion.
40:16Mocking an entire company.
40:18A company in which their president,
40:19Carlos Silva, is sitting right here watching this.
40:22Watching right now, Joe Hendry
40:24trying to get the hell beat out of him.
40:26That's what he's watching.
40:28I think he's probably worried that
40:29Chet Lemon and Black Snow may reunite.
40:33Trick Williams right now, looking for a big swing.
40:36Oh, baby!
40:37Covered, covered, Trick!
40:39And a near fall.
40:42Come on, Trick.
40:43We are so close.
40:43I think right now, you got to imagine
40:47what those, and you're the one who brought it up,
40:49and you brought it up a few times,
40:50the locker rooms.
40:51Not just of TNA, but the locker room here in NXT.
40:54The reactions, what they're feeling right now.
40:56Listen, I'll be honest with you.
40:57If Trick Williams dethrones the TNA champion
40:59and brings it to NXT,
41:00Trick Williams deserves whatever he wants.
41:02He wants a bust?
41:03Great.
41:04He wants his own locker room?
41:04Absolutely.
41:05This is a game-changing opportunity on both sides.
41:08Positively for Trick Williams.
41:10Potentially very negative for Joe Hendry.
41:14Just, you can hear with every move,
41:16Joe Hendry right now in pain.
41:18It goes back to those steel steps,
41:20his body bouncing off them,
41:22and now getting bounced, getting dropped.
41:24Neck breaker.
41:25Cover him!
41:26Title on the line, and Trick,
41:28not able quite to get the three.
41:30There is still a lot of fight left.
41:32Yeah, but you can sense right now
41:33that Trick is closing in on a victory, guys.
41:36I'm feeling it.
41:37Seems like, it seems like Joe Hendry is fading
41:40here in these deep waters, guys.
41:43Don't count Hendry out just yet.
41:45Making it back to a vertical base in this front face.
41:48Locked out, great move by Trick.
41:50Looking for the body scissors, weighing Hendry down.
41:53Goes back to what you're talking about with the length,
41:55with the body size.
41:56Trick Williams now able to squeeze the air
41:59out of Joe Hendry.
42:04Tampa not ready to send Joe Hendry home just yet,
42:07and this motivation machine somehow back up.
42:10Look at this power from the TNA champion!
42:14Joe Hendry not ready to go home.
42:17Joe Hendry right now is breathing deep, though.
42:19So is Trick Williams.
42:22This is those proverbial deep waters, Booker,
42:24you've been bringing up tonight.
42:25There were no deep waters, and right now I must say
42:28that was very impressive by Joe Hendry
42:31to pull off that suplex right there from that position.
42:33But looking at this scene right now,
42:35how much does Hendry have left in the tank?
42:38The same question must be asked of Trick Williams.
42:41This is where champions prove their mettle.
42:43Well, for Joe Hendry, he's been counted out
42:44so many times throughout his career.
42:46When he was overseas, before he got to TNA,
42:48even when he was in TNA, nobody said anything
42:51like he has done would ever happen
42:54to somebody from the outside.
42:56But he's showing you right now.
42:57Don't stop.
42:59Keep believing.
43:00Big fallaway slam.
43:02Don't accept imitations.
43:19Tampa's starting to believe.
43:21Hendry, they'll be looking for the standing ovation.
43:24Oh!
43:25Oh, yeah!
43:27Swung Miss Wally with that kick one more time.
43:29Hendry, though, catch, release, standing ovation
43:34to retain the TNA world title!
43:38And Trick using those long limbs yet again
43:43to keep this match alive.
43:44How smart is that?
43:45Brilliant ring awareness by Trick Williams.
43:51You just gotta wonder now, for Joe Hendry.
43:54This is the first time I've seen something
43:56resembling frustration on the face of the TNA champion.
43:59Is doubt creeping into the mind of Joe Hendry?
44:08What's Hendry thinking?
44:10What's he?
44:11Adjusting it.
44:12Is he looking?
44:13You don't think.
44:15And Trick, oh!
44:16Got him!
44:17Perfect!
44:19Will you say that one more time?
44:21Joe took a little bit too much time,
44:22but wait a minute,
44:23that might have been a fatal mistake, though.
44:25Trick got a little overzealous
44:26and sent crashing to the outside.
44:28Hendry with a moment to recover, to compose himself.
44:32TNA world champion.
44:33Oh, no!
44:35And that's the second time Joe Hendry
44:38has met those steel steps.
44:39Yet again, Hendry took just a fraction
44:41of a second too long.
44:43This could be the end of Joe Hendry.
44:46Trick now.
44:51Just driving the champion.
44:53Man!
44:54Doesn't matter what you want to call it,
44:55I've said it before.
44:56Yuranagi, bookend, rock bottom.
44:59That could be the end of Joe Hendry.
45:02Trick Williams now in control,
45:04looking for that trick shot.
45:05He connected, under the jaw,
45:07falls into the cover, hook of the leg,
45:09and no, no, no, no, no, no!
45:11People are believing in Tampa.
45:13People are believing all over the world
45:15that the TNA world champion
45:17still has some fight left in him.
45:19Trick realizing he's got to find something else.
45:21He needs to kick it into that next gear,
45:23take it to the next level.
45:25Hendry is still down, perhaps still woozy,
45:29after the first trick shot from Williams.
45:31Well, think about the trick kick.
45:32Think about going through this table.
45:33Think about not one, but two times
45:35going into the steel steps.
45:38Trick, you've got to earn it first.
45:41What's Trick doing now, Book?
45:43By any means necessary, Dolph.
45:46He can't get disqualified, Booker.
45:48If he hits him, he doesn't win the championship.
45:51Hendry from behind!
45:52Shoulders down, shoulders down!
45:54Title out of line, and a kick out from Trick.
45:57Here we go, another standing O.
45:59Trying to hit a second time.
46:01Thumb to the eye, though.
46:02Rake of the face of the champion.
46:04And now Hendry.
46:05Oh, face first!
46:06Face first on the TNA world title!
46:09And the official's got to let that go.
46:10That was incidental, but the title was on the ground.
46:13One on a second, trick shot!
46:15That time, under the jaw!
46:17Into the cover!
46:18Oh, my God!
46:24What?
46:25Here is your winner,
46:27and the new
46:30TNA world champion,
46:35Trick Williams!
46:40History has been made.
46:44This moment will live on forever.
46:49The game has changed.
46:56What happened here tonight will echo through eternity.
47:00Go, Hendry!
47:03Go, Hendry!
47:05Go, Hendry!
47:07Graves, I am absolutely
47:10stunned right now.
47:12How can you not be?
47:13Here's where Trick first introduced the championship
47:16to the matchup.
47:18He did not have the opportunity to utilize it.
47:20Hendry almost capitalized.
47:23Within a fraction of a second,
47:25it would have been a successful retention.
47:27Looking for the standing O.
47:28Trick goes to the eye.
47:31Brilliant move.
47:32Williams drives Joe Hendry face first
47:35onto the TNA championship.
47:37How poetic.
47:39Another trick shot from Williams.
47:42And new.
47:44These repercussions will be felt industry-wide
47:49from this moment forward.
47:51Congratulations, Trick Williams.
47:56The lineage of the TNA title has shifted.
48:00The winners get a right history.
48:02And on this battleground,
48:04the history maker is Trick Williams.
48:07Trick has just flipped this partnership on its head.
48:11The unthinkable has happened.
48:13A WWE NXT superstar is the TNA world champion.
48:18What does this mean for NXT?
48:20Live on Tuesday, Stephanie Viqueira
48:22will defend the women's title,
48:23and Trick will be live on NXT as TNA world champion.
48:30NXT, NXT, NXT, NXT, NXT.
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