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00:00Then.
00:07Now.
00:16Forever.
00:24Together.
00:32The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
00:36Introducing first, the Phoenix, Arizona, Serena Linton!
00:44I got added to my first NXT live event loop.
00:47I am super excited.
00:49An NXT live event loop is where we travel to different cities
00:54and different states to perform in front of different crowds
00:58around the country.
01:00We are going to Knoxville, Nashville, and Birmingham,
01:03and this is such a huge opportunity,
01:06and it's showing me that I'm heading in the right direction.
01:13I'm not on NXT, so some of the fans have no idea who I am,
01:17so this is my introduction to them.
01:20It was a lot of fun to hear the crowd react.
01:26It definitely gave me a lot of confidence.
01:30It made me super excited for the future,
01:32and this experience means that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.
01:36Especially on NXT.
01:49We're out here to be decent. We're here to be great.
01:51I need you to look like you're in control.
01:54If I was Shawn Michaels, you guys would be on NXT tomorrow.
01:57It has to happen now.
01:59We don't have to wait to see who gets called up.
02:01They can go at any point.
02:03The future is indeed now here on LFG.
02:15K.O., Booker.
02:16What's up?
02:17Bubba, good to see you.
02:19Another episode of LFG is upon us,
02:20and I know the talent are excited to get working and get learning.
02:24We've got three matches today.
02:25K.O., you'll have the first one.
02:27Okay.
02:29Friends, PJ Vassa, Serena Linton.
02:32This is a match to continue what we're working on with PJ,
02:36get comfortable being a big body.
02:38Getting in there with your friend
02:39and hitting them a little bit harder is always a little bit easier.
02:42Yeah, sure.
02:42Serena, she's gonna be a babyface today,
02:44so just listen to the people, staying in the fight.
02:48Okay.
02:49Does she have experience as a babyface?
02:51She's been back and forth.
02:53Oh, okay.
02:53She never really dove into either too hard,
02:55but she's learning all sides of it right now.
02:58Okay, cool.
02:59Bubba, you'll have this one.
03:00Jaime Garcia, Braxton Cole.
03:03Braxton's someone you know well.
03:04He's super coachable.
03:06You've worked with him in the past.
03:07Yes.
03:08Gave him the book idea.
03:09You gave him the book idea.
03:11I've challenged him to take ownership in some of these ideas
03:14and come up with some creative stuff to bring it forward
03:16rather than just coming out with a book.
03:18What can he do with that book?
03:20What's he doing now?
03:22Well, we saw him looking at the book earlier.
03:24He's not gonna get disqualified.
03:27Jaime Garcia, finding some grit in his work right now.
03:30That's something that Shawn wanted to see as well.
03:32Everything's just very smooth.
03:33And when he is coming out of the cell,
03:36let me feel like you were in the cell.
03:37You were getting beat up a little bit earlier.
03:39We call it residual selling, abandoning the residual cell.
03:46Gotcha.
03:47Closing out the show, Booker.
03:48Apollo and Elijah.
03:49They're working together.
03:51They had a tag match, but now is their first true test.
03:54Hank and Tank.
03:55NXT veterans, tag team champions.
03:58You find yourself in between two semis, going 80 miles an hour,
04:01sounding a little bit like Hulk, Hulk.
04:05Hank and Tank.
04:06They're right there.
04:07Look at him.
04:08They're on top of the mountain.
04:10This is Elijah's first chance to get in there against a team who is established.
04:15We wanna get a gauge of where Elijah is on the big stage,
04:20and get him in there with people who know what they're doing.
04:23Holyfield.
04:24Holyfield.
04:24This kid.
04:26Money.
04:27Money.
04:27Checks and championships, baby.
04:29Checks and championships.
04:30Direct deposits.
04:322026.
04:33All right, so that's our show this week.
04:35Like I said, I know the talent are excited to get going.
04:37They're over there waiting to talk to all three of you,
04:39so let's have a good one.
04:40Spin it up.
04:41You don't wanna do your LFG on three thing anymore?
04:44He abandoning.
04:45I feel like if I catch you guys off guard with it,
04:48you're gonna go in on it.
04:49You're expecting it right now.
04:58Today, my opponent will be Serena Linton, Miss Spicy.
05:02I think Serena's great.
05:03I think she has all the characteristics to become a star one day.
05:07She is my best friend at the PC,
05:08so I'm very excited for this opportunity.
05:11Hey, guys.
05:13You guys are good friends from what I understand,
05:15and I think that will lead you guys to being pretty physical with each other,
05:19which I think they really want out of both of you.
05:22Miss Spicy's gonna have to bring the spice.
05:24Yeah.
05:25Absolutely.
05:26PJ's a phenomenal performer.
05:28She's very aggressive,
05:29and so it's important for me to know going into this match that I need to match her energy
05:33and match her aggressiveness.
05:35For you as a babyface, I think people really like his defiance.
05:38because even if you're getting your ass kicked, even if you swing but you don't hit her,
05:41or you pie-face her back, like that people can really get behind, you know?
05:47I know that I have to use every ounce of energy and every ounce of my little 5'2 self
05:52to try and take this monster down.
05:55It could be a thing where as soon as the bell rings, you run, you drop kick her,
05:59and like the first one just takes her back to the corner, like holy .
06:02And then you hit a second one.
06:03Yeah.
06:04And then this one, like oh my god, and then you're just all over her,
06:07like it doesn't have to be pretty, you know?
06:08Yeah.
06:09It's like you're overwhelmed, you're not necessarily hurt.
06:12So when you get back up, it's almost like you're stumbling into the corner,
06:15you're not like, you know?
06:17Because if you kick out and then you just crawl to the corner like that,
06:21it's a different feel.
06:23Lao, you look beat up.
06:24But if you get her off and you're just like stumbling, like holy .
06:27And then the next thing's like, oh , here's the thing.
06:29Here's the bulldog.
06:30But no , you.
06:32Boom.
06:32Yeah.
06:33There's ways to hit in safe places where you can hit pretty hard.
06:36On the receiving end, but also when they're on the giving end of the offense,
06:39there's a way to sell for that as well.
06:41I've tried to kind of really let them know it's pretty important that they bring that out.
06:46I don't think she should move after, but if you just catch her and just like you,
06:50and that, you know what I mean?
06:51Oh, and they go, yeah.
06:52It's quicker too.
06:53Yeah.
06:53Okay.
06:54The pacing of the heat that I'm going to be running to executing big matches in my body language,
07:01my aggression, my facials, a lot of it comes down to me.
07:04And Serena just has to be that spit ball of fire, just trying to take down a giant.
07:25The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
07:29Introducing first, the Phoenix, Arizona, Serena Linton.
07:37It certainly brings a different attitude, and it seems like the attitude grows week by week in this woman.
07:45You think that's attitude or you think that's confidence?
07:47I taught her that.
07:49You are the legend here at the announce desk, so I will fall back to whatever you say.
07:54So, yes, the confidence is growing in this woman, but also the same thing to be said for her opponent.
08:02I want that dream, I want that dream, I want that dream, I want that dream.
08:09And her opponent, from Seattle, Washington, P.J. Fusa.
08:19When you talk about confidence, this woman has never lacked any sort of confidence.
08:25She's never had self-doubt.
08:27She's been close to the mountaintop in the past.
08:30She's been fighting for a contract.
08:32She's been fighting here, as all of our superstars do, for the main event spot.
08:38Huge main event coming your way on LFG tonight.
08:40But what a way to kick off the action with the women of Legends and Future Greats here this week
08:45on A&E.
08:55P.J. Fusa and Serena Linton about to lock horns in this matchup.
09:03And watch out for Serena Linton.
09:04I tell you, she has really turned up the volume when it comes to her aggressiveness.
09:08And you can thank her coaches for that.
09:11You can thank KO Kevin Owens.
09:13I thought you said the aggressiveness was confidence.
09:15It's a little of both.
09:17I mean, if you can work it out, the equation to balance yourself, you can end up with quite a
09:20life career here.
09:22Whoa!
09:23Well, just getting caught.
09:25P.J. Fusa, not to cut you off there, JB, just took this matchup in control just like that.
09:30Oh!
09:30A little bit of quickness, though, being shown by Linton getting out of the way.
09:33And, again, these are two women who do know each other so very well.
09:36They've been in the performance center with each other.
09:39They've been in the ring with each other.
09:40This is a rematch of sorts for these two.
09:43But when you take a look at the women that have been here for a long time, that have been
09:49in the ring with each other,
09:50that have been in the same classes, don't you start to get the realization that they start understanding that they
09:56are direct competition for one another into the high cross body or low cross body in a kick out?
10:02Well, that goes back to the debate.
10:03Is this a team sport or is this an individual competition?
10:05Fair.
10:05At the end of the day, you're obviously—oh, look at this.
10:07Some of that gymnastics background from Serena Linton.
10:09At the end of the day, you're fighting for yourself, you're fighting for your career, you're fighting for your family,
10:13your opportunity to get to that NXT roster.
10:15Boom!
10:16But at the same time, it takes a good opponent to get you there.
10:19Well, we've said it time and time again here on this program over the last several weeks that all it
10:25will take is one match, one moment, maybe even one minute to change your life,
10:31change your career.
10:33But with all that being said, and the fact that we've documented how long these two have been on LFG,
10:39how long they have been inside the Performance Center,
10:42don't you start to feel that the pressure is starting to build on their shoulders internally?
10:48Maybe it's their own internal pressure that they need—
10:51Are we looking, Gale?
10:52—they need to take that next step?
10:53It could be a bit more intensity, but the execution's all right, just not a whole lot of emotion.
11:00You know, it's taken years for some, and others have leapfrogged right to the top.
11:04Take a look at our very first episode, and our Kendall Gray winner, who really came in quickly, learned this—
11:12Kurt Angle famously learned this very quickly.
11:14Some pick it up quicker than others, some take a longer time to get there.
11:17The road is paved with bumps and bruises along the way, but to end up on NXT, to end up
11:22on the main roster of SmackDown,
11:24you've got to pay your dues, you've got to put the time in, it doesn't happen easy for anybody.
11:29And I think a lot of the women that are here also look at, you know, the Rhea Ripley's of
11:33the world.
11:33They look at the Liv Morgan's of the world, who just earlier this year was the winner of the Women's
11:38Royal Rumble matchup,
11:39found herself on the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania.
11:43Found herself as a multi-time former champion, as Linton able to kick out.
11:47There are a lot of different women that they can look up to when they go through the Champions Halls.
11:51They see a Bianca Belair. They all strive for that greatness.
11:55Well, those pictures are up there for a reason.
11:56Those pictures are up there to inspire and to show you what's possible.
11:59When you walk the hallowed halls here of the Performance Center,
12:02you can't help but be inspired every direction you look.
12:10The success of somebody you see come in here and rise through the ranks all the way to WrestleMania.
12:15This place is about inspiration and inspiring others.
12:19And for these two women, they are right now as fierce as they get, as focused as they get, as
12:26well.
12:27And oh, that black hole is where Linton just went.
12:30Will it be enough? Hook of the leg and a kick out.
12:33And I say these two because they are so focused on being the best.
12:39They are so focused on putting the right foot forward.
12:42They don't want to be a stepping stone. They don't want to be an afterthought.
12:44They want to go out there and they want to impress.
12:46That Linton right now trying to take down, well, P.J. Vasa had.
12:50Oh, wow. Wait a minute.
12:52She had a different direction she wanted to go, but Linton used that quickness one more time.
13:02Oh, no. Linton again. Second time. Able to get out of the way.
13:05Oh, look out. Serena's to the top. It's dangerous from here.
13:08We've seen this before from the top. Serena Linton.
13:14Mawling around. Hit it to perfection.
13:20Here is your winner, Serena Linton.
13:26Serena Linton almost in self-shock.
13:31I don't know if you'd want to call that an upset, but whatever it was,
13:35it's got to feel good to pick up a victory.
13:38Will that be enough to find herself with a contract?
13:43Huge win for Serena Linton on LFG.
13:51Here is your winner, Serena Linton.
13:58So I thought execution-wise everything was pretty good.
14:01Everything, like, you took everything great, you took everything great.
14:03When you came at the beginning, you were throwing everything at her,
14:07and that was great. You weren't just standing there.
14:09You, like, she took the whole . All that was really working well.
14:12And she was moving with, like, a lot of urgency, which is what she needs, right?
14:16But then you didn't look like you were getting your ass beat,
14:18but you didn't look really overwhelmed either.
14:19You were just kind of, like, almost looked like you were just
14:21kind of going through the motions.
14:23Like, I'm not saying put her through the ring,
14:25but there needs to be more purpose behind it, and then you .
14:28But instead, it was just more, like, boom.
14:31When you first come through the curtain, your presence right away,
14:34but it needs to translate in your work.
14:37It humbles me a little bit because, like, people know,
14:40I talk a lot of .
14:42And, you know, I'm not holding up my end of the bargain.
14:44Like, it's just a wake-up call for me.
14:46It made me want to get back to work.
14:48Very much a learning experience for PJ Vassa, yeah.
14:51I felt like I got to show an aggressive side of Miss Spicy today
14:54as a babyface, and I'm really proud of myself
14:56because I felt on my end that I tried my best to lay everything in
15:00and be super aggressive and say sorry later.
15:03All her shots looked real. She was intense.
15:05She didn't just do the same thing over and over.
15:08Like, I don't think she could be on NXT tomorrow.
15:10She's not quite there yet, but I was pretty impressed
15:13with how she handled today's match for sure.
15:19Hey, guys.
15:21How are you? Hello?
15:22So I believe the book has become effective for you.
15:24Yeah.
15:25Meaning, like, a good part of your act.
15:27So we've seen the book work for you once.
15:29Oh, it's the book!
15:32Oh!
15:33Ah, there we go.
15:34We've seen the book not work for you once, right?
15:38Great job by our official stepping in.
15:43He was going for a low blower, I think.
15:45What if we do something today
15:49where the babyface sees the book coming?
15:54Yeah, that's what we've had.
15:55Okay, great.
15:56We had that with the rolling drop cake.
15:57Great, great, great.
15:59We're all on the same page.
16:00So because you're so smart,
16:02the only way I see you getting mad
16:08is by him frustrating you.
16:10Mm-hmm.
16:11Yes?
16:11I agree.
16:12You know what all the reversals are, right?
16:14So you see him try to go to a top wristlock,
16:17you muscle him back down.
16:18You see him try to go underneath,
16:20you box him out.
16:22But then all of a sudden,
16:22the backflip and reverses you,
16:24and you're like, where did that come from?
16:26And that has to be shown through your movement
16:29and your pantomime,
16:30and most importantly, your facials.
16:32Come on up.
16:33Boom.
16:33Right there.
16:34Bang.
16:34And take a good snap back bump.
16:36Lock it in.
16:37Any time I get the chance to work with Bubba
16:39is a chance that I'm grateful for
16:41because he shows me and tells me
16:43what the psychology's like,
16:45the emotions that I'm trying to get out of the crowd.
16:47And those are the things that I want to be really good at.
16:49And for a cutoff spot,
16:51we can use something really big for a cutoff spot.
16:54Yeah.
16:54You take a bump or whatever.
16:57You're stunned and on your feet.
16:58Oh!
16:59You go to the top rope,
17:01go over, catch him,
17:03give him the big flare bump off the top.
17:06Haven't seen that done here.
17:08I like the flare one because it's huge.
17:12Bubba put his spin on it
17:13and just let us know why he would do things a certain way.
17:17Slow it down.
17:18Take your time.
17:19Also, I've been doing this for eight years now.
17:22So I'm no stranger to wrestling.
17:24I love it.
17:24I have my unique own style that I think that that's what brought me here.
17:27Maybe it can be finish my combat,
17:30go up, trying to whip, go for the suplex,
17:35but bomb hits the ball away.
17:37Oh, I'm selling, selling.
17:38He's going to go for the book.
17:40Drama, drama, drama with the rap.
17:44Easy.
17:45Out of nowhere.
17:46I got you.
17:47Three, two, one.
18:02The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
18:05Introducing first from Golfstown, New Hampshire,
18:08winged at 240 pounds,
18:10Braxton Cole.
18:14Well, here's someone who considers himself
18:17the most educated individual in the Performance Center.
18:21Yeah.
18:22And I think the fact that he comes out with the
18:27set piece of literature illustrates the fact that reading is important.
18:32Yeah, that's fair.
18:33Obviously.
18:35But at the same time,
18:36I'm wondering if there's something a little more behind this.
18:38And I think we've heard earlier from Bubba,
18:42Bubba Ray Dudley, our legend watching over this matchup,
18:45giving advice on, you know,
18:47specifically how to work this into what we're seeing inside the ring.
18:54How that plays out.
18:56We will see.
18:59Oh, we've also seen him.
19:00Whoa, whoa, whoa.
19:01Apparently he wants, uh...
19:06All right, all right, all right, all right.
19:08Oh, wow, Vic.
19:09We've never seen Braxton pick up a mic before.
19:11What's he gonna say?
19:15If you guys all could shut up.
19:20My name is Braxton Cole, the PhD of WWE.
19:26And today, I give you guys the privilege of me reading
19:31my favorite passage from my favorite book,
19:36Privilege Without Apologies by Wendell Kengzinting.
19:47Oh, I can read.
19:50While the modern world villainizes success,
19:54it is important to...
19:58You wanted to hear him read?
19:59I was ready to hear this.
20:00Get out, go, go, go, go, go, fire up.
20:04And his opponent, from Madrid Spain,
20:08weighing at 205 pounds, Jaime Garcia.
20:14Dangly Garcia is ready for action.
20:18What a one-on-one matchup this is gonna be.
20:20Garcia high flyer we've seen here on LFG.
20:22the Spaniard getting ready to maybe take Braxton Cole to school.
20:28And, yes, the fun was intended.
20:29I like what we're seeing here.
20:31And, obviously, the crowd is involved as well
20:33to connect with the audience.
20:35Especially on an entrance like that,
20:36you're obviously connecting on a level that brings interest.
20:40They want to see you succeed.
20:41They want to be part of your operation and your success.
20:44Certainly, Jaime Garcia looking to take out Braxton Cole in this
20:48and leapfrog him right to the top.
20:51You see, looking for a place on the NXT roster.
20:53That's the goal.
20:54Now, this kind of goes back to the opening contest
20:55when you talked about is this a team sport or is it not?
20:58I mean, everyone in here, obviously, is in it for themselves.
21:01They all know that while they are in the ring,
21:04while they may have a tag team partner,
21:05they also want to stand out on their own.
21:07And Garcia has been able to do that time and time again
21:10from what we've seen.
21:11And for Braxton Cole, he just seems to irritate people.
21:15Well, everybody's got their own special talents, right?
21:19Braxton Cole has found his, I think.
21:22Now, for Braxton Cole, we've also seen him not afraid to cut corners
21:26here on LFG.
21:27Or when we've seen him in the Performance Center working out.
21:33Well, don't let the book fool you.
21:35You can't judge a book by its cover.
21:37In his case, he's an incredible athlete.
21:40He's showcasing you exactly what he's been learning,
21:43and he is applying the education he has received
21:45at the Performance Center here on LFG.
21:49Nerd! Nerd! Nerd! Nerd! Nerd! Nerd! Nerd!
21:54Call him a nerd.
21:55He's got to get under his skin a little bit.
21:57Got to get in his head.
21:58Nerd! Nerd! Nerd!
22:01Now, we've seen this unique style of offensive.
22:05And for Garcia, this would be a massive victory
22:09if he's able to pull it off.
22:10I always think something interesting
22:11about Performance Center athletes
22:13that come here from outside the United States
22:17is they're leaving everything they know behind.
22:20They're leaving their lifestyle, their country,
22:22their family, their friends, all for an opportunity,
22:25all for a dream.
22:26And when you lose that part of your life
22:29for another part of your life,
22:30you're going to put everything you have into achieving that goal
22:33and the reason you left it all behind in the first place.
22:35Yeah, you know, we all don't know what it's like.
22:38And you talk to Garcia, he is doing this for his family.
22:41He's doing this for those that he isn't just trying to impress,
22:44he's trying to get a better life for.
22:47He wants them to be so proud of him.
22:48Back home right now is Braxton Cole right on top of his opponent.
22:56Third time, not the charm.
22:58I mean, talk about that.
22:59What a European uppercut that was.
23:01That is what we call a de-cleater.
23:03Well, certainly as a man delivering that European uppercut
23:08to a true European.
23:13What's he looking at?
23:15I don't know if he's looking at the WWE Universe or if he's
23:25going.
23:26We're going to talk about some intellectual offense right now
23:28from Garcia.
23:30You're so right.
23:32Once Garcia gets the momentum going,
23:34that's a freight train that's hard to stop.
23:36And certainly we've seen many, many incredible moments
23:39from Jaime Garcia.
23:41And he's looking to fire up that engine again.
23:48Oh, the pace starting to quicken.
23:50And that is exactly where Garcia likes it.
23:52Now hoisting Cole up, showing some strength into the cover.
23:57Hooks the outside leg in just a two count.
24:02Come on, you can't fire up while you're sitting on your ass.
24:04Take him off!
24:09Take him off!
24:11Take him off!
24:12Take him off!
24:12Take him off!
24:13Take him off!
24:13Do you see Garcia crack his neck maybe back into place?
24:16And it might have just been popped right back out.
24:19Nice X-Plex from Cole, who is going and finally had his hands
24:23on that book.
24:24What's the title of the book?
24:26Yeah, you said you wanted to read it.
24:28Now obviously you weren't that interested in it.
24:30The official-
24:31Oh!
24:32Turn the page!
24:33Talk about turnabouts fair play.
24:37Here is your winner, Jaime Garcia!
24:42Well, unfortunately for Rax and Cole, his book was hardcover.
24:46And it was a hardcover delivered to the face.
24:48Oh, maybe Garcia will have a little late-night reading of his own
24:51as he celebrates his victory on LFG.
25:00All right, guys, I liked your beginning, you know, with the book.
25:05My favorite book, Privilege Without Apologies.
25:10I think you can sound more arrogant than whiny.
25:15It was a good first effort, don't get me wrong, but we're gonna work on that arrogance.
25:20And then I never got the impression that you were frustrated or mad.
25:24And frustration was the word that we were going for.
25:27Because he's doing things that you didn't see coming first.
25:30Remember, you're the smartest guy.
25:32You have to kick that bottom row for whatever it is to show me frustration.
25:38Something.
25:39Whatever it is.
25:40Throw a tantrum.
25:41Yeah!
25:42Yeah, things like that.
25:44I was just trying to show it, like, here.
25:46Use your whole body.
25:47Be so over the top.
25:48I thought it was good in the sense that I learned, but, like, there's some that I up that, looking
25:55back at it, now I'm like, damn, like...
25:58That side does exist in me.
26:00I do have that arrogant side.
26:02But I just need to learn how to embody that and really just, like, not give a what anybody says
26:09or anyone does when I'm in that persona.
26:12I got the impression from you tonight that if you don't hear noise or reaction, you get nervous.
26:21There's a lot of movement for no reason.
26:24Almost like you might be working for spots and reactions.
26:29Don't do that.
26:30Don't do that.
26:31Tell the story.
26:32I want to see fire in your face.
26:34I want to see fists.
26:35And then I want you to take the movement that we talked about and apply it the right way.
26:40I get what everything that Bubba says, and that's maybe why it hurts me.
26:45I'm just, I'm happy I'm here.
26:47I'm in the WWE.
26:48That's insane.
26:49I'm a kid from Spain.
26:51But maybe that's why it breaks me like, I've done so much to get here.
26:56These little things, like, should not happen again.
27:04Booyah!
27:04What up, guys?
27:05What's up?
27:05How y'all doing?
27:06Yes, sir.
27:06Good.
27:07How we doing?
27:08Y'all know I'm working with y'all today, right?
27:10Let's do it, thanks.
27:11Let's do it, thanks.
27:11That they are.
27:12Hank and Tank.
27:13Yeah, buddy.
27:14Yeah, buddy.
27:15We're Hank and Tank.
27:16Hank Walker and Tank Ledger.
27:17More commonly known as the bodacious belly boys of NXT.
27:22We have seen LFG up close in person.
27:24It's amazing to see how quickly all of the talent begins developing.
27:28And that gets Hank and I firing up.
27:29So we're excited.
27:31We're excited to get a little bit more global tonight with Apollo Crews and Elijah.
27:34How do y'all feel about this thing?
27:36How do y'all feel about this tag match?
27:37Excited, man.
27:38Fired up.
27:39Excited.
27:39Let's rock and roll.
27:39Yeah.
27:40What's the ultimate goal in this match?
27:44Tell the story?
27:46Bob.
27:47We're showing.
27:48Bob.
27:50We got a new tag team forming together.
27:53You're close.
27:53Coming together.
27:53You're close.
27:54Everybody know you guys.
27:56We gotta get the people to know him.
27:59So important to do that.
28:02Thank you, Tank.
28:02I love the energy that the belly boys, the belly boys bring to the table.
28:07Now they're gonna get a chance to, you know, see how far we can bring Elijah Holyfield.
28:12That's the one thing I need you guys to have in your head.
28:16Thinking about how we get Elijah over in this match.
28:20Let's think about that.
28:21We winning tonight, all right?
28:22All right, now.
28:23All right.
28:24All right.
28:25Let's try.
28:26Chuckie, Chuckie.
28:27Quack, quack.
28:28All right.
28:29Kill those cameras.
28:30We good.
28:44Hank and Tank, they were at my first trial.
28:46From seeing them at a trial, teaching me how to do a forward roll, to now being in
28:50the ring with them.
28:50It just shows how fast, you know, this thing goes along.
28:53I think big thing in professional wrestling is learning from the people who've gone before.
28:57All we do are standing on the shoulder tops of giants and getting the opportunity for
29:01Elijah to tag with Apollo Crews is like sitting under the learning tree of Isaac Newton.
29:06You know what I mean?
29:06You're gonna just soak up so much freaking knowledge.
29:09Also how grateful we are to get in the ring with Apollo as well.
29:12He's a pro's pro and someone we aspire to be like.
29:15What would you open this spot?
29:17You exchange headlock takeovers, bro?
29:18The idea was I was about to give him one rack and it was gonna be almost like a mutual
29:22break of life.
29:23I know it.
29:24I trust me.
29:25But that's like doing this right here.
29:28I don't see if you push me.
29:29Mm-hmm.
29:31That's what that's like.
29:32I need somebody to be one up there.
29:34Yes, sir.
29:34And when you make that off track mean something, but you still don't do anything but register.
29:39Make something out of nothing.
29:41All right.
29:41Man, I love working with Booker, man.
29:43He has such a unique way of going about things.
29:45And I think I can understand the way he explains things very well.
29:53Do me a favor on that right there, too.
29:55I don't know if you've been told this before, but just your posture right there.
29:59Chill it.
30:00Elijah Holyfield went to give Hank Walker a slam.
30:04The body language of Hank Walker screamed to me, you know, we gotta fix that.
30:09The most important thing about taking a body slam is called getting light.
30:13You know, we need to think about shifting gravity.
30:15I just need you to get your right toe from the bottom to the top as far as it can
30:21go.
30:22Make sure that right toe you press off it and you kick it up to the top.
30:26Do that for me real quick.
30:27Hey.
30:27They got ready to do it.
30:29I screamed out, right toe, right toe.
30:34Hey.
30:39Hey, man.
30:40They don't put him at Carmel Ledger for nothing.
30:42I never heard of it before, but when he tried it, he went up like a feather.
30:46You're right toe.
30:47That's the only thing you need to think about.
30:49Even guys like Hank and Tank, as advanced as they are, they're still learning.
30:54You don't learn those little tricks to the trade unless you're taught it.
30:57Trust me, I was taught that.
30:59Always a pleasure.
31:00Appreciate you, boys.
31:04The doors are open and the crowd eagerly awaits tonight's main event as Elijah Holyfield prepares
31:10for his biggest test yet.
31:15A lot of responsibility falling on you in this match.
31:18Yes, sir.
31:18You're kind of out there, now it's the sink or the swim.
31:20Yes, sir.
31:20All right?
31:21Yes, sir.
31:21Keep your head on straight.
31:23Think about all the little that we've talked about.
31:25All the little stuff.
31:26Let's get this done.
31:26You already know.
31:27All right.
31:31Well, it is the moment we have been waiting for.
31:34The time is now.
31:36It's our main event this week on Legends and Future Greats.
31:40I'm Vic Joseph, of course, with Jeremy Boras, JB.
31:44And JB, our main event this week comes to us from our tag team division.
31:48Really looking forward to this one.
31:49On one end, you have a former tag team champions in Hank and Tank taking on a team that's formed
31:55here on this show and has excelled here all the way to the top, the main event on LFG.
32:00Will it be enough to get to that next level?
32:02We're going to find out.
32:03Tag team action about to get underway.
32:20The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
32:26Introducing first, Hank Walker, Tank Ledger, Hank, and Tank.
32:33JB, put your shirt down, put your jacket back on.
32:36We don't need your belly hanging out either.
32:38But it is a rarity to see NXT superstars here on LFG.
32:42It shows you the status of this show, how meaningful these main events are,
32:47because Hank and Tank know they could be seeing the future in the ring with them tonight.
32:51Well, they certainly could be.
32:52And in fact, the fact that they are in the ring now, former NXT tag team champions here on LFG.
32:57And this show is about testing the future and putting them to work.
33:02We're going to find out how a tag team that could very well be amongst Hank and Tank in the
33:07ranks of the tag team division
33:08and NXT will fare here this week on LFG.
33:15This is a battle for power.
33:17I'm the man of the hour.
33:19It's here to eat or devour.
33:21Be a hero or coward.
33:22You got to conquer all to get to the top of the tower.
33:26This is when I take some-
33:41And their opponents, the team of Elijah Holyfield and Apollo Crews.
33:54WWE Universe on their feet for this main event.
33:58This certainly has a big fight feel.
34:01One that I don't know we've ever felt outside of a finals here on LFG.
34:11I want to ask you a serious question here.
34:13This is not a knock on someone like Apollo Crews, someone who we've documented on this program,
34:17but has Elijah Holyfield brought out a new side of Apollo Crews?
34:23Absolutely.
34:25The fact that this man is one of the most intense individuals you'll ever see.
34:32Beautiful work. Beautiful work.
34:35This is sportsmanship.
34:38It's been inspirational to Apollo Crews, has really brought out a different side of Apollo Crews,
34:44and especially when you can attach or you vibe or you jive with somebody that's really on the same page
34:49as you
34:50in your career along the way.
34:52Apollo Crews sees a younger version of himself, a hungry version of himself.
34:56I think something that's interesting is as we've watched Apollo for whether it's been a mentor at the Performance Center,
35:04whether it's been in singles competition against his tag team partner here tonight,
35:07his style has switched a little bit in the ring, and I think it's because he has seen himself in
35:13Holyfield.
35:13He's also seeing what the future holds and how he can better himself,
35:18and I do think that that has a lot to do with Holyfield and what these two bring out of
35:23each other.
35:23They bring out the absolute best.
35:25Yeah, that's no question about it.
35:27Every tag team has an origin story in the case of Apollo Crews and Elijah Holyfield.
35:32It all started when Apollo Crews was watching Elijah Holyfield on this program and said,
35:37there's something interesting about Elijah Holyfield.
35:40And look, the same we said for Hank and Tank is Hank has made the tag.
35:43Hank was a security guard at the Performance Center, turned into a WWE superstar.
35:47You know, his tag team partner, that being Tank, was an NIL athlete, played defensive tackle at Northwestern,
35:53so they brought out the best in each other.
35:57And abs versus bellies, what do you want to call that one, JB?
36:00I'll tell you what, that's an interesting opportunity for Elijah Holyfield.
36:05Ooh, he just ripped down that left arm.
36:08Of course, surgically repaired, coming back after eight, nine months on the sidelines.
36:13But it will be interesting to think about this.
36:16Will Holyfield listen to Apollo Crews?
36:19Because Crews has been trying to better Holyfield, trying to teach Holyfield along the way.
36:25And it's going to be interesting because we've seen the teaching, so to speak.
36:29Can it be applied?
36:30But right now, Holyfield not worried about listening, he's worried about surviving.
36:33As from the left arm, now over to the right arm.
36:36And obviously, you work on the right arm, you start taking away that punching power of Holyfield.
36:41Tag made Apollo legal.
36:49Apollo and Elijah are gelling together as a tag team, and now Apollo in.
36:57You've seen the trust grow between the two.
36:59I mean, look, you've got to have a deeper scoop on these two.
37:02Are they living together? Are they training together?
37:04What's the deep intel here, JB?
37:07Well, throw some other intel your way, and that's the fact that not only has
37:10Elijah Holyfield benefited greatly from the knowledge put on by Apollo Crews,
37:15but let's not forget Booker T.
37:16The entire ride has been there with him.
37:19We saw the training to get into this matchup today.
37:21What Booker's offered as far as his advice.
37:24I dare say Elijah Holyfield has some great, great mentors.
37:29Cover, off the elbow, hook of the leg.
37:31And you know, that's a great one.
37:32Then you think about not only who here in the WWE, you think about, you know, his family.
37:37And the mentors he has there.
37:39And everything that he has grown up, the pedigree that he is, the athlete that he is.
37:45Continuing that ground and pound offense.
37:47Misses though on the elbow, ever so slightly.
37:50And that could be a little mistake that could cost them in the long run.
37:53Big right hand from the outside by Hank Walker.
37:56Well, Elijah Holyfield will tell you himself.
37:59You know, the name, obviously, the pedigree.
38:00That'll get your attention.
38:01It's up to him now to carve a name for himself in this industry and not rely on the name
38:06of his father.
38:14Oh, look, Apollo tagged himself in.
38:17But Hank was able to make his way over to Tank.
38:18Tank with a shot on Holyfield right back in on Apollo Crews.
38:21And right now, one half of the former NXT Tag Team Champions rocking and rolling.
38:26Big atomic drop.
38:28Springboard.
38:29Big shoulder tackle out of the corner.
38:30And the champs starting to find their groove.
38:36We talked about Booker T.
38:37Booker T has also mentioned that Hank and Tank, their time in Japan,
38:41has helped them grow into the superstars they are now.
38:44Certainly has.
38:44And you see the confidence in Hank and Tank.
38:46And it's been an evolution of sorts.
38:48Cover one.
38:49Apollo Crews, right place, right time to break that up.
38:52And right now, all four men in the ring.
38:55Things starting to break down.
38:56Big pump kick from Crews.
38:58Oh, nasty back elbow.
38:59Combination offense.
39:01Wow.
39:02From the former Northwestern defensive lineman,
39:05who just got a spinebuster delivered from him.
39:11I should say, to him, from Holyfield,
39:15who's looking for that knockout.
39:16Power!
39:17Oh!
39:19Caught Hank.
39:20Not Tank.
39:21Tank from behind.
39:22And the former champs pick up the win.
39:26Here are your winners.
39:27Hank and Tank!
39:31Holyfield obviously frustrated in defeat.
39:36Well, Tank can celebrate.
39:39Hank might not wake up till next week here on LFG.
39:43Maybe chalk that up to experience, or in fact, maybe inexperience.
39:47Let's take a look at what happens.
39:50Hank and Tank, who are starting to find that groove.
39:53As I said, Apollo Crews would break things up.
39:55This matchup would continue.
39:57Then you'd start to have things break down.
39:59There was a big uppercut.
40:01Was looking for Tank.
40:02Found Hank.
40:03Tank was legal.
40:05And Tank, former tag team champion,
40:08was able to pick up the victory for his team.
40:10But there is lessons in defeat.
40:12We'll see what lessons are learned for Elijah Holyfield,
40:17as he's obviously frustrated.
40:19But tonight on LFG, Hank and Tank pick up the win.
40:31What's up, boys?
40:32Thank you, thank you.
40:33Cool finish.
40:34Very cool finish.
40:35Very cool finish.
40:36Very cool finish.
40:37Thank you.
40:38Everything worked good except the loss.
40:40That's part of the game, right?
40:41But Elijah did great.
40:42Oh, good.
40:42Very good.
40:43Thanks.
40:44Cool coach.
40:45Hey.
40:45How you feeling?
40:46Good, good, good, good.
40:48I thought it was good.
40:49The one guy who really performed and did it in the game,
40:53I must say it was Elijah Holyfield.
40:56He went out there and he remembered everything.
40:58More than mistakes, of course.
41:00There are always gonna be mistakes,
41:01but Elijah Holyfield passed the test that we needed him to pass.
41:07So I definitely commend Hank and Tank as well as Apollo
41:10for going out there and understanding what the task at hand was.
41:13Being on LFG puts in perspective how fast time in this business goes.
41:17Let's pause for a second.
41:18We're casually dropping Booker T's name like he's another fellow co-worker.
41:22He's not for the people at home.
41:24It's humbling.
41:25It's exciting.
41:26And Elijah was just absolutely the chair on top.
41:28He kicked ass all day.
41:29Boys, thank you.
41:30That was fun.
41:30Thank you.
41:31That was super fun.
41:31Thank you.
41:33So fast.
41:34God, leave.
41:35Time flies and you're having fun, bro.
41:37Hopefully the set will look good on the knockout.
41:42I started my best friend getting pieced up by taking a bullet for me.
41:46I think it was a pretty successful night.
41:47I walked out there, had a grown man's belly in my face
41:50because I was slapping my belly in.
41:51Belly boys are on LFG and it was an honor.
41:53Oh, and getting a separate ring with Apollo again, like a true vet of business like that.
41:57Pros, pros.
41:57Really kind of get in there and learn something, you know?
41:59Yeah.
41:59Learn something new every time.
42:00And I feel like hopefully we brought a little bit of that to Elijah.
42:03Yeah.
42:03You got it.
42:03It was a great spot.
42:04Thank you boys.
42:05Thank you.
42:07Thank you Apollo so much.
42:08We went out there and executed what we were supposed to.
42:10But with me it's always, I'm trying to get on to the next thing and be better.
42:15When you want to learn and you're working your ass off and you are doing the things that you need
42:19to do, the rest is going to follow.
42:21The crowd already loves him.
42:22He comes out there chanting Holyfield.
42:24And the more they see him, the more they get used to him, the more they're going to love him.
42:28Oh man, it's a blessing.
42:29It means that some people think, you know, I have the ability to go out there and hang with them.
42:32And hopefully I show that I can.
42:35And hopefully they keep giving me opportunities.
42:37I'm going to take everyone that gives to me.
42:39He looked like he belonged in the match.
42:42And 2026 could be a breakout year for Elijah Holyfield.
42:45Yeah.
42:47Yeah.
42:52Yeah.
42:53Yeah.
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