NXT Takes Over Memorial Day Weekend With Battleground
NXT will present Battleground this Sunday in Tampa, FL, during Memorial Day weekend. This will be the third NXT Premium Live Event of the year and will feature a crossover match between the two most popular stars of the NXT and TNA brands. A battle between two of the top free agents that the WWE signed in 2024, and a match between two leaders of a divided family. The battle lines have been drawn, but who will emerge in the aftermath? Let’s break down the card.
Josh Briggs, Hank, and Tank vs The Culling- Six-Man Tag Team Match
Josh Briggs has been trying to find himself ever since his tag team partner, Yoshiki Inamura, went back to Japan. Briggs has been doubting himself and his abilities, which plays right into Shawn Spears’ hands. The former North American Champion defeated Briggs on the May 20th edition of NXT with the help of the Culling. Briggs suffered a three-on-one beatdown before the NXT Tag Team Champions made the save for Briggs. Now, a six-man tag team match is set for Battleground. Can Briggs overcome his shortcomings against a group that has his numbers, or will the Culling get their second biggest win in NXT?
Sol Ruca vs Kelani Jordan- NXT Women’s North American Championship Match
In what will be a rematch from last year’s Heatwave PLE, these two stars will look to run back that fantastic match in Tampa this Sunday. This time, the roles are reversed; Kelani Jordan is the challenger and Sol Ruca is the champion. Jordan earned this opportunity by beating Ruca’s tag team partner, Zaria, in one-on-one action. A plan she devised to get an opportunity to win the Women’s North American title back. This is Ruca’s first title defense on a PLE, and she has shown that she is one Sol Snatcher away from claiming victory. Both Jordan and Ruca have great chemistry with each other, so fans should expect another great match between these two at Battleground.
Tony D’Angelo vs Stacks
The two leaders of the D’Angelo family will go to war at Battleground. At Stand and Deliver, Stacks betrayed Tony D’Angelo in their six-man tag team match against DarkState. He believes that the Don of NXT should not be leading the family anymore and wants to take the mantle of “The Don.” D’Angelo will not let that stand and is looking to teach the “Underboss” a lesson in respect and knowing your place in the totem pole. Fans have not seen the other members of the Family, Luca Crusifino and Adriana Rizzo, in weeks. Could Stacks have something to do with their disappearance? They could show up on Sunday, but no matter who wins, the Family will not be the same afterwards.
Stephanie Vaquer vs Jordynne Grace- NXT Women’s Championship Match
A matchup of two of the top free agents in 2024 will finally collide under the WWE banner. Both Stephanie Vaquer and Jordynne Grace have dominated outside of WWE, and both came to NXT to become the NXT Women’s Champion. Vaquer reached that goal first and has since defended her championship against all challengers. La Primera’s athleticism will match up against the physicality of Grace in an electric showdown that could steal the show. Vaquer’s popularity continues to soar and reach new heights, making her the favorite to retain her championship. However, the former TNA Knockouts Champion does pose a risk to end the champion’s reign and halt her momentum. Since the callups and releases of several stars in the NXT Women’s Division, the winner of this match will look to be the face of that division for a long time.
Oba Femi vs Myles Borne- NXT Championship Match
Myles Borne pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NXT history by winning the number one contender’s battle royal. Now, it looks like WWE officials are going to give Bourne a bit of a push to see if he can become a star on his own, or will he be relegated back to the midcard scene with the No Quarter Catch Crew? He is facing a formidable challenge in the NXT Champion, Oba Femi. Femi has held the title since January and has been a dominant champion. Borne is the underdog in this matchup, and the WWE is using his disability, he is partially deaf, as a rallying cry to build up support for him. Borne knows that no one believes that he can win, even members of the NQCC; however, that is still not gonna stop him from believing he can. This should be a good match where Borne can look good, but Femi should ultimately retain his championship. His reign has been too good for him to drop it now.
Joe Hendry vs Trick Williams- TNA Championship Match
For the first time, the TNA Championship will be defended on a WWE PLE. Joe Hendry and Trick Williams have been going after each other since the post-WrestleMania episode of NXT. Williams wanted another opportunity at Femi’s NXT Championship, but was interrupted by Hendry, who wanted his shot at Femi. Since then, Williams has shown up on TNA television and has laid Hendry out. The Prestigious One has since shown up in NXT looking to take Williams down. Trick Willy claims that Hendry took an opportunity away from him, and now he wants to take away the most important thing that Hendry has, the TNA Championship. Now, these two stars will face each other at Battleground in a match that, if Williams wins, could change the future of both brands.
