In a thrilling twist of fate on this week’s episode of WWE NXT, the numbers game got flipped faster than a pancake at a Sunday brunch. The duo of Tatum Paxley and a newly-returned Gigi Dolan faced Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx, but let’s just say, the drama backstage made the match feel like an appetizer.
Before the bout even began, Paxley reassured Dolan not to sweat it when it came to the numbers game. “I’ve got another friend,” she declared, ominously setting the stage for what was about to go down. Enter Shawn Spears, professional interrupter, who decided his opinion was needed in their little pep talk. (Unclear if Spears was lost, or if his new gimmick is being the guy who photobombs emotional moments.)
When the match got underway, things took a wild turn. Jazmyn Nyx distracted the referee—because what’s a wrestling match without some classic referee shenanigans? Meanwhile, Fallon Henley, the Women’s North American Champion, made her presence known by shoving Paxley off the top rope like a high school bully stealing lunch money. Jayne capitalized with a spinning right hand that could knock the glitter off a disco ball, securing the pin and the win for Fatal Influence.
But wait, there’s more! Fatal Influence wasn’t satisfied with just a win; they decided to deliver a post-match beatdown for good measure. Just as it seemed all hope was lost for Paxley and Dolan, the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted, and Shotzi’s music hit. Cue the heroic sprint to the ring, complete with dramatic knee brace. The recently healed Shotzi cleared the ring, reminding everyone that recovery isn’t just for injuries—it’s for epic comebacks, too.
Shotzi’s return comes after a months-long hiatus following a brutal ACL injury during a title challenge against Lyra Valkyria in February. Turns out, she used her time off wisely, not only rehabbing her knee but also getting some much-needed back treatment in Mexico, because why settle for one medical miracle when you can have two?
The takeaway? NXT just got a whole lot more chaotic, and Shotzi’s knee brace isn’t just functional—it’s a badge of honor in the unpredictable world of wrestling.