Carmelo Hayes joined ringside to support Trick Williams, but he kept getting in the way. He caused a referee bump that saved Ilja Dragunov from a three-count.

At the end, Trick ran right into a Torpedo Moscow that sealed the champion's win.

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WHY, MELO, WHY?!?!<a href="">#VengeanceDay</a> <a href="">

Afterward, Melo attacked Trick's knee and laid out a Trick Melo Gang shirt on his friend.

This was phenomenal drama undercut by some messy booking down the stretch. Both men leaned into this bloody brutal battle that is by far the best performance of Trick's career. The way they played the crowd made for a special atmosphere.

Dragunov leaned into a heel role, though Melo's involvement at ringside distracted from that dynamic. The story of the match was a bit too much about him rather than the competitors, especially sold in the closing stretch.

The result was a shock, even with the aftermath. The crowd was ready for Trick to complete his storied rise, but he fell just short. Dragunov's next title defense is likely to be overshadowed by the aftermath of Melo and Trick falling out.

The signs were too clear for Melo to stay face. No one else could have been the one to lay out Trick, and this was the right moment for the turn.

Melo vs. Trick is the money program for Stand & Deliver on WrestleMania weekend.

Dragunov def. Trick by pinfall to retain the NXT Championship.

Notable Moments

  • Trick's busted lip from the opener reopened early on.
  • The Mad Dragon enjoyed taunting Melo at ringside as he suplexed Trick on the floor. Later, Dragunov sent Melo into Trick's knee on the steel steps.
  • Trick countered the H Bomb with a First 48, and Melo went wild cheering at ringside.
  • The crowd was completely behind Trick in a way it had not been heard for much of the night.
  • Trick pulled out an H-Bomb of his own for a near-fall. He went for the bicycle knee but stumbled on his injured knee. This allowed Dragunov to hit a pair of H-Bombs including one diving for a shocking near-fall.
  • The crowd went wild as Trick hit a discus knee for a close near-fall.
  • After the beatdown, Melo blamed the fans for what he did to Trick.