We begin with a recap of how the Women's tournament is shaping up and we are told that we will see both semi-finals in this episode!
DAKOTA KAI v RHEA RIPLEY
It's an Australasian affair here with Kiwi Kai against Aussie Ripley. Dakota is loved by the crowd, Rhea is despised. Who is coming out on top? Ripley has the size advantage... will that prove the difference?
It is a rematch of the original Mae Young Classic where Kai won in their second round match... but this is a very different Rhea Ripley!
- Rhea Ripley offers a knuckle lock to begin. Kai bravely accepts, but loses easily.
- Ripley forces Kai onto the turnbuckle and taps her head. Someone was watching Eddie Dennis last week!
- Kai doesn't appreciate that cockiness and kicks her square in the face!
- She follows up with two pinning combinations for 2. Ripley looks mad.
- Kai sidesteps Ripley's dropkick attempt and lands her own!
- STIFF penalty kick and double stomp from Kai!
- Just a one count??!
- Ripley rolls out of the ring to regroup.
- Kai hits two savage kicks to the chest of Ripley on the outside... but she's STILL standing!
- High angle flapjack by Ripley. That will turn the tide!
- Ripley takes control now with vicious hits.
- Kai attempts to fight back, but the stronger Ripley grounds and pounds. That doesn't look fun.
- Ripley stands on Kai and flaunts her guns. BOO.
- Kai counters a suplex into a pin for 2.
- CLOVERLEAF WITH THE ARMS by Ripley! Boy is she strong.
- A flurry of forearms and Kai is rolling now... dropkicking Ripley into the corner and landing a facewash.
- Face first drop on the apron by Ripley, who tells the crowd to SHUT UP.
- You really think you're gonna beat me again? Screams Ripley to Kai.
- Kai attempts the chiropractor but it gets reversed.
- Ripley attempts the riptide but that gets reversed too!
- Head kicks by Kai but Ripley ducks the final one...
- RIPTIDE!
- RHEA RIPLEY WINS!
- Ripley kicks Kai out of the ring in a final show of disrespect.
- What a great match to kick off the show. The crowd are willing anyone who takes on Ripley to win, because she is such a dominant heel, but thus far she keeps on winning. She now advances to the final!
SID SCALA INTERVIEW
We see Sid Scala coming out of Johnny Saint's office and he tells him good luck. Radzi asks him what it was about... he says "I'm not medically cleared yet, but when I am - I'm going to go one on one with Joe Coffey".
- Well, it was nice knowing you, Sid!
JORDAN DEVLIN INTERVIEW
Jordan is asked about calling out Pete Dunne... Last time you saw me, I didn't just beat Ligero, I destroyed Ligero, so you are damn right I am calling out Pete Dunne. He's been champion for over a year but he's been taking on pathetic types like Tyler Bate and Mark Andrews who aren't vicious enough to get the job done. When I beat Pete Dunne there will be changes around here... starting with the name of this show. It will be NXT Ireland... featuring the UK.
- That was brilliant. Now the pointing to the emerald flag makes sense! Ireland are super underrepresented so far in terms of the roster - will we see more OTT guys called up soon?
FLASH MORGAN WEBSTER & MARK ANDREWS v SAXON HUXLEY & JOSEPH CONNERS
- Webster impresses to begin with running rings around Huxley with a top rope hurricanrana
- Webster and Andrews hit stereo splashes on Conners. Nice!
- Stomp 182 by Andrews.
- Huxley provides the distraction, but Conners can't take advantage so Huxley blind tags and hits a variation of the Lou Thesz press!
- Big bodyslam on Andrews and then he tags Conners.
- Commentary say Conners is happy to stab anyone in the back...
- Huxley continues to slow Andrews down with strikes and submissions.
- Conners with some good ring awareness, cutting the ring in half to match his ear.
- Hot tag to Webster!
- Massive knee to Conners!
- Rude boy block!
- Pinball wizard to Conners on the outside!
- Webster is on fire and the crowd responds, chanting his name.
- Flash goes for the crossbody, but Huxley catches him and dumps him on his face.
- Huxley elects to not tag Conners...
- Flash tags in Andrews
- SHOOTING STAR PRESS!
- ANDREWS & FLASH WIN!
- Post match Conners clubs Huxley with punches.
- He finishes his assault with his Don't Look Down finisher.
- You're a sinner chant from the crowd.
- That was a great tag match with a lot of story involved. Webster and Andrews were on the same page throughout whereas Huxley and Conners were not. It paid off with the match result and the post-match assault. Great stuff. We even got an Oscar Wilde quote from Nigel McGuinness - "A true man will stab you from the front."
BOMBER DAVE MASTIFF v TYSON T-BONE
This is going to be my kind of hoss fun!
- T-Bone begins by evading Mastiff and jabbing him in the ribs and face.
- Tyson tries to shoulder barge Mastiff but is left on his arse. Bomber laughs at him.
- T-Bone isn't having that and shortcuts his way to getting on top.
- Tyson tries to ground Mastiff with a neck twist, using his beard to add to the pain!
- More right hands from T-Bone
- T-Bone attempts a sunset flip but Mastiff SITS on him. Nope!
- Running crossbody from Mastiff! Will somebody think of T-Bone's ribs!
- Elbows to the jaw of Tyson! This is STIFF.
- Release German suplex by Mastiff!
- CANNONBALL!
- DAVE MASTIFF WINS!
- That is entirely different to anything on this show and was very entertaining. Less a wrestling match and more a fight. Mastiff remains undefeated on these tapings!
TONI STORM v JINNY
These two have had a prolonged feud on PROGRESS and will surely put on another great match...
- The pair grapple to begin - with neither woman able to maintain control.
- The grappling continues for quite some time with commentary calling the action cautious. Nigel McGuinness adds it shows the respect that each of them have for each other in terms of their ability in the ring.
- STF applied by Storm!
- Jinny reaches the rope.
- Japanese arm drag into the corner by Jinny.
- Jinny irish whips Storm, who crumples to the floor...
- Jinny stamps away at Storm.
- Armbar and chinlock combo from Jinny.
- Both are now on their knees and trading forearms.
- Snap German suplex from Toni Storm!
- Hip attack into the fishermans suplex for 2.
- Facebuster off the second rope!
- Storm kicks out!
- Ripcord rolling thunder kick!
- Storm wisely rolls towards the ropes, so when she is pinned she can get her foot on the rope.
- Snap German suplex!
- STORM ZERO!
- TONI STORM WINS!
- Post match Toni Storm is congratulated by Johnny Saint only for her opponent in the final Rhea Ripley to come out and push her. Johnny Saint stops Storm from reacting as we close the show.
- Jinny was so close to winning here. Storm kicked out of the facebuster and had to use the rope after the ripcord. Storm wins the match though with her Storm Zero - a move that so far no one has kicked out of on this brand.
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