Folks, let’s talk about loyalty. Some people have it, some people pretend they have it, and some people wait until AFTER you’ve won a Steel Cage Match to stab you in the back. Enter: Izzi Dame.
Last night, Tony D’Angelo—a man who knows a thing or two about “family values”—defended his NXT North American Championship in a brutal Steel Cage Match against Ridge Holland. And let me tell you, it was not a clean fight.
- There was violence.
- There was steel.
- There was a crowbar—because of course there was.
D’Angelo technically won the match, thanks to the timely (and slightly illegal) assistance of Izzi Dame, who handed him the crowbar that sealed the deal. But just when The Don thought his business associates were still in order, Dame turned around and CLOCKED HIM with the North American Title.
Incredible. Unbelievable. Shakespearean betrayal.
And if that wasn’t bad enough? Shawn Spears, Niko Vance, and Brooks Jensen then pounced on the defenseless champion. Dame joined their villainous group on the spot. She was never really part of The Family—just a very patient snake in the grass.
So where does this leave Tony? Still the North American Champion, yes. But with a very, very big problem on his hands.
Oh, and let’s not forget—D’Angelo isn’t some flash-in-the-pan champ. He’s held this title since October, when he defeated Oba Femi. He’s also a former Heritage Cup winner and an NXT Tag Team Champion. This man has built an empire.
But now? The empire has a few cracks.
And that’s not good for business.