October 10, 2023. Orlando Florida. NXT at WWE Performance Center. Tegan Nox was back in good spirits following her loss to NXT Women's Champion Becky Lynch on Monday Night RAW. Nox showed up at NXT, politely asking #1 Contender Lyra Valkyria to delay her NXT Halloween Havoc Night 1 title match. Nox pointed out she was so close to defeating Lynch, so understandably wanted to ride that momentum into a re-match as soon as possible. Lyra refused, implying Nox was selfish living in "Tegan Land" because she couldn't beat Lynch.
Valkyria has a future title match in the bag. Some extra time to prepare for said huge match never hurts. She should remember she earned a title match, not a guarantee to face Becky Lynch. Having seen how close Nox came to defeating Lynch, it sounds like Lyra is panicked Tegan would succeed the second time. That would mean Lyra wouldn't get to fulfill her lifelong dream of let's face it... losing to her idol Becky Lynch. Quite frankly, Tegan would be doing that disrespectful young lass a favor to prevent her from losing to her idol this early in her career.
Disrespect. Yes, Lyra has in fact shown Tegan disrespect not once but twice. Following her triple threat match victory to earn the title shot, Lyra disrespected Nox by just assuming it would be Lyra versus Lynch at Halloween Havoc. Lyra then disrespected both Nox and the time-honored tradition of respecting those who paved the way for you by refusing to reschedule her title match. So, Lyra will now get to pay a visit to Tegan Land for some "fun and games" on the October 17, 2023 episode of NXT.
October 17, 2023. Orlando, Florida. NXT at WWE Performance Center. Come one. Come all. Come to Tegan Land. See The Welsh Dragon battle the follower of The Morrigan. Prior to her match against Lyra Valkyria, Tegan Nox received an unexpected visitor. Natalya expressed her gratitude for Nox coming to her side against WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Piper Niven & Chelsea Green the previous night on Monday Night RAW. So, she wanted to return the favor and provide Nox moral support at ringside for the night. Tegan took her up on the offer.
The bell rang and this European showdown began with some fine back and forth technique from both women. Nox got a bit sadistic for a sec, grinding a knuckle into Lyra's side as she had her on the canvas. Lyra fought to her feet and inside cradled Nox for one. Nox cut Lyra off at the ropes with a snapmare. Lyra got right back up only to get shoulder blocked back down. The ole run the ropes with leap evasions concluded by Nox flipping over Lyra. Nox ducked a roundhouse kick and smashed Lyra to the canvas with a simple tavern punch.
Valkyria caught Nox with a sunset flip for two that Nox broke with a foot clap to Lyra's head. There was an impressive series of counter pinfall attempts that ended with Tegan pulverizing Lyra with a charging spinning elbow. Lyra cut Nox off at the top rope, tossing her out of the ring, Tegan hitting apron then floor. As Nox got to her feet, Lyra came a charging then swinging between the ropes with her wrecking ball dropkick crashing Nox back to the floor. The action returned to the ring with both women taking each other out going for charging crossbodies.
Celtic violence erupted with both women trading forearm shivers followed by furious slaps. Valkyria caught a slap from Nox as they got to their feet, turning it into a backslide for two. Lyra kept control with some impressive offense including a bridging northern lights suplex. A series of brutal kicks followed by a knee to the face nearly got Lyra a victory. Nox ducked another roundhouse, pushing Lyra to the ropes. Valkyria shot back, caught and tossed in a bridging fallaway slam for two. Sitout gourdbuster. Canonboar. Cover for two.
Lyra caught Nox silly with a step up enzuigiri. Nox was placed on the top rope for a superplex but fought it off with a headbutt. A gourdbuster dropped Lyra from second rope to canvas. The Molly-Go-Round for two. Nox smacked Lyra to the floor with a running PK to the jaw. Tegan followed up with a tumbleweed off the apron. Lyra was tossed back into the ring. Nox covered her for two. And then it happened. Dreadfully. I could hear that annoying Karen's voice and she hadn't yet said a word. Yes... Chelsea Green and Piper Niven had arrived.
Natalya confronted Niven and Green. Tegan made the cardinal mistake leaving the ring to stand by her side, however defied a count out hurrying back into the ring. Lyra came at Nox who did the go-behind into a roll-up. Two count. Nox got up and around, waffled with a finishing roundhouse kick. Lyra Valkyria scored a pinfall victory. I don't know if Niven and Green can be entirely blamed for Nox's loss, however their presence didn't do Tegan any favors. Nox and Natalya brawled with the tag champs to the back. I get that feeling a tag title battle is brewing.
Although certain things I said might reflect otherwise, I'm a fan of Lyra. Just felt she was a tad bit disrespectful toward Tegan these past two weeks. But when the talk was over and the battle began, both women fought like the true warriors they are. It's just a shame Green and Niven had to damper it. I still don't favor Lyra's chances against Becky Lynch, but there was a killer instinct shown by Valkyria following her victory and later in the evening not seen before. Perhaps the next time Tegan and Lyra battle, it could be for the NXT Women's Championship?
Additional Information | Lyra Valkyria defeated Tegan Nox (10:01) on the October 17, 2023 episode of WWE NXT held at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
