21:02
(synth rock music plays) Come on, Myles! Let's go! You know what time it is, baby! Go show the world, man! It is a golden opportunity. For this man in this moment, and there you saw for a moment Charlie Dempsey didn't acknowledge. Myles Borne, we'll touch on that in a little bit, but Graves, when it comes to Myles Borne, are you starting to see a different side? Is the confidence starting to grow? We're about to find out how confident Myles Borne truly is, but this is a young man who refuses to let his disability define him.
He has made a life, made a career out of defying odds in every aspect of his life. It could lead him to the top of the mountain tonight, but there is a massive, massive roadblock standing in his way. Myles soaking in every single moment. Here as he competes for his first singles championship. On a premium live event here in NXT. (crowd cheers) Myles Borne has reached this opportunity by sort of flying under the radar. He's kind of playing with house money, so to speak.
Myles Borne is coming into this match with not the highest of expectations from the NXT Universe. Which could spell trouble for this man. (drums banging) (vocal chanting) There he is, Booker. The NXT. Champion. You guys talk about the Myles Borne story. It's a great story. But this man, Oba Femi, The Ruler, he ain't trying to hear that!
The only thing this man is thinking about right now at this moment is no bread. No water. Just meat! Oh yes, man! That's the NXT. Champion. There you see the stats for Oba Femi. This is his sixth championship defense. What! Say it again! Sixth championship defense. Yeah! And no one has won more championship matches than Oba since the start of 2024. Let's go up to our ring announcer. Mike Rome.
(bell rings) The following contest, scheduled for one fall. One fall! Is for the NXT Championship! Introducing the challenger. From Wilmington, North Carolina, weighing in at 220 pounds, representing No Quarter Catch Crew! Myles Borne! (crowd cheers and boos) Come on! And his opponent, from Lagos, Nigeria, weighing in at 310 pounds! He is the NXT Champion!
Oba Femi! (crowd cheers and barks) It is all about the NXT championship. Myles Borne, who beat Ethan Page on NXT, biggest singles win of his career at that time, shocked the universe by winning a battle royal to become number one contender. Can he shock the world again? (bell rings) Myles Borne, Booker, is going to need every beat in his heart to win this matchup.
Myles Borne is the ultimate underdog in this match, can he overcome all the odds in a matchup like this, and the one thing we cannot question is Myles Borne's heart. We don't know how good this guy really is as well. Has he been training for a matchup like this with Oba Femi? Can he go to long haul, get in that deep water, and last? We're gonna find out. Well, any of you guys surprised that the NQCC isn't ringside for this championship matchup? No, I think this is the appropriate decision for NQCC to not be here.
Let Myles succeed or fail on his own. He doesn't have to worry about Charlie Dempsey, he doesn't have to worry about Wren Sinclair. He's worried about Oba Femi, and Oba Femi alone. And after that look we saw Charlie Dempsey give Myles, it might actually work in Myles' benefit. Myles, actually he said it, man. Once he got with NQCC he got all the training that he needed. Whoa. He's ready for this matchup. And who got him ready for it? Charlie Dempsey.
Give Charlie a lot of credit. I give Charlie credit for everything that he has put the NQCC through, but Borne. Able to land on his feet. Borne tonight not only doing this for himself, the NQCC, but a community that needs a hero. And Booker, to your point, Myles Borne has credited the NQCC. But he's also maybe outgrown the tutelage if he's able to win the NXT championship tonight? Look, I wouldn't be thinking that way if I was Myles Borne. How did he get to the dance? It was NQCC that got him prepared for this moment.
It was NQCC who brought him inside of that family, inside that home, and told him exactly what he needs to know for a matchup like this with Oba Femi. (crowd applauds) That dropkick from Myles Borne connected, but you just see the power. Also in Oba Femi who did not go down. Did you see that? And Graves, I come to you and ask you, what do you think about the tutelage? 'Cause sometimes you have said in the past you outgrow your scene, you outgrow your partner.
Well that's not the case with Myles Borne. Ahh! Essentially brand new, for all intents and purposes, in this game. He's got a lot to learn from someone like Charlie Dempsey who's been around the world multiple times. He's a master of many different skill sets. Myles Borne can take what he's learned, hopefully apply it successfully tonight, But to imply that he's outgrown his coach already is absolute nonsense. Well, you guys are right that when it comes to Charlie Dempsey, he does have a blue blood pedigree, and a nice enzuigiri rocking the champion again.
Booker, we certainly are going to learn though a lot about Myles Borne. I mean Myles Borne has an opportunity of a lifetime right here. This is like a lottery ticket. This is like Apollo Creed calling out Rocky Balboa, on Independence Day, giving this young man a shot at glory! I love that from Oba Femi. Borne continuing to kick, continuing to fight. Graves, to your point, is someone who is relatively unknown and maybe a challenge Oba Femi hasn't faced, 'cause look, Oba, everyone he has faced he's been able to train with, scout,
watch, maneuver, but this is Myles Borne. Someone he does not know a lot about. We don't know a whole lot about Myles Borne. He talked about his heart, but this kid has a lot of ability as well, and I feel like if Oba Femi, if Oba Femi just lose focus for one moment or underestimate this kid, that could be his downfall. I think this is the pace that Oba Femi would like. Slow, and allowing him to just overpower. And dissect Myles Borne. Punish his opponent. Into the cover goes the champion and the challenger kicking out at one.
It's not slow, it's deliberate. Oba Femi realizes there's a lot he doesn't know about his challenger, so Oba not allowing himself to be put in positions where he's unfamiliar with the situation. There it is right there. Take your time. Every movement Oba has made has meant something. I'm still here! (crowd chants "Oba") To that, Graves, do you think Oba sees Myles as a threat? I think Oba Femi understands that he is constantly a target no matter where he goes, no matter what day of the week it is in the NXT locker room.
Everybody is a threat to Oba Femi. Which is why he's become so adept at turning away challengers. Nobody thrives against adversity quite like Oba Femi. Well this past Tuesday, Booker, we saw your guy, Jasper Troy, make his presence felt and drop the champion. You know why? 'Cause Jasper Troy, that monster, he want a piece of the action. And right now he's starting right at the top! Just like I taught him!
You know, for Oba Femi who, again, I like the word Graves used, the deliberate style in this matchup. In his career since the start of the Breakout Tournament in 2023, that was 531 days ago, he has been champion, whether it's been NXT champion, or North American champion, for 411 of those days. That is nothing short of dominant. Championship quality athlete right here, Oba Femi. This guy has a bright future. Right now he's just in his infancy stages, and right now he's putting it on Myles Borne. I'm wondering if the referee might have to have the wherewithal, understanding, and knowhow
at some point to maybe stop this matchup at some point because Oba is playing it real serious tonight. Into the cover, and another kickout. You heard the WWE Universe, it has been in a fever pitch since the beginning of the night. I bring up that 2023 Breakout Tournament, Booker, 'cause you and I were ringside. These two met in the first round of that tournament. They both have come a very long way. Yeah, and Myles Borne actually did a hell of a job.
We saw some impressive things from Myles Borne. And right now, there again, he has a lottery ticket. He has a chance to prove that he has what it takes to work at this level. That goes back to your point I guess from when he arrived in that Breakout Tournament to having to be molded by someone like Charlie Dempsey. And NQCC has definitely done a great job with Myles Borne. This is a kid. This is a kid who has grown exponentially over this last 365 days. You gotta give him a lot of credit for that. But is he ready? Is he ready for this moment?
The answer right now is the moment belongs to Oba Femi. And as we get into maybe an uncomfortable part of this matchup as Femi just continues to dominate, Corey. What does Myles need to remember when you're in deep waters against, well, an absolute destroyer, but another dropkick dropped the champion! I don't know if there's anything that Myles can remember because he's never really been in this situation. We know Borne has the cardio. When you train with NQCC, you've got a gas tank on you. That was the dropkick, the very same dropkick
that propelled Myles Borne's career to this opportunity. I think the fact sometimes what you don't know can help you. That's the case for Myles Borne tonight. Well that's the second time he's been able to hit Oba Femi with that dropkick. Maybe the third time will be the charm, but again, Oba. Just planting with another backbreaker. Myles Borne, and now just trying to get his submission, to prove a point, to send a message.
He hit Oba with a big shot, that big dropkick, but I'mma tell you right now, he's gonna have to do that in concessions, I mean I'm talking about in combinations, if you want to try to stop the big man's momentum. Trying to rally Myles Borne right now. Again, the unknown for Borne. You can get all the hours in the gym! Oh-ho-ho! Goodnight! But nothing trains you, guys, for taking a clothesline like that. Beautiful! You're not gonna get your head taken off like that at Planet Fitness, I assure you that much. I told you he wasn't ready.
Oba Femi now settling in, and this is exactly what Borne wanted to avoid. Letting Oba make this his match. This is what The Ruler does so well so regularly. He weathers the early storm. And he makes it his match. Well he might have just made a little bit of a mistake there and Myles Borne trying to capitalize. Gonna have to do a little bit more than what he's doing in this moment, but it's been effective. Trying to hold on, trying to squeeze, trying to wear down the much larger Oba Femi who's trying to desperately create a little bit of separation,
but closing that space again is the challenger. Great display of tenacity from the challenger. Myles Borne with the sleeper hold applied. It looks like Oba still has his chin underneath the forearm of Myles Borne, so Myles isn't able to get the full effect of this sleeper hold submission. But this is still gonna wear down Oba slowly. You can see the effects right now on both these men here, and I wonder though, is this where someone like Charlie Dempsey or Tavion Heights or Wren Sinclair would be helpful to Myles if they were out there to help coach him up?
I don't think extra ears or anything like that is gonna help Myles right now. I mean, I don't think he needs any white noise. I think he just needs to concentrate. This is a moment. This is a moment, like I said, of a lifetime for Myles Borne. Can he land that one big shot to perhaps change - Whoa! Oh god, oh! Myles acknowledging, oh, the third time that dropkick! There it is! The Ruler sent spilling to the floor. The challenger now with an opportunity to make something happen.
Here comes Myles Borne! Oh! Oh-ho-ho! (laughs) Yeah! Big soup bone right hand right on the jaw of the challenger. Now The Ruler! Oh man, two knees to the gut! Into the count and. I don't mean to go one way with it. But in this matchup, in this juncture, is this just a little bit too much for Myles Borne? Myles Borne still has breath in his lungs and a beat in his heart as you referenced earlier. Borne not looking like he's ready to quit.
Oba's trying to force Myles to feel uncomfortable, to suffer, but it looks like Myles is still able to hang tough somehow. Trying to get to that bottom rope right now. Trying to crawl. Borne now maybe just trying to break the grip. Not taking the easy way out. Trying to fight his way free, and Borne. Great transition by Oba right into the rear chinlock. Just utilizing Myles' own movement against him. And now there's a vice-like grip around the jaw. And with all that weight of Oba Femi
leaning on the back of Myles Borne, it's making it hard for him to breathe as well. Exhausting. It's exhausting for Myles Borne. Not to mention the barrage of heavy strikes from The Ruler. The challenger lands on his feet, back to the corner. Oh! That could be the shot I was talking about right there, guys! That could be it, and maybe the moment. Is not too big for Myles Borne. Maybe this is exactly what Borne needed. That window of opportunity you talked about, Booker.
I'll tell you something, Myles Borne didn't just come in here to play, guys. He came here to walk away and the new champion. I'mma tell you right now, he's so close. Can the kid fight? Can he keep it going? Here we go! Borne told me earlier you never fear the man who bleeds. You fear the silent poison of regret. Wounds heal, but the wound of never daring will haunt you long after the blood is dry! And Borne to fly!
Myles landing his shot here at Tampa! That shot I was talking about right there. The kid right now, he could be about the cash in, Vic! Could this be the coup d'etat? He knew he had to get the champion back into the ring. This may be his first attempt at a singles title, but Myles Borne knows what he needs to do. Cover him! Chopping down the tree, into the cover, hook of the leg, and a near fall. Man! And you sense the energy, Booker, in here is starting to shift to Myles Borne.
Myles already proved that he belonged at this level already, Vic. If he wins this matchup right now, I'mma tell you, it would shock the world. He would shock the - Boom! Oh, baby! Big powerslam! Into the cover, for the title, and Oba. Right shoulder off the mat. It's no secret that Myles Borne has idolized Randy Orton, and that was a Viper-esque powerslam to The Ruler. Lightning quickness, incredible impact. And almost dethroning The Ruler in the process. (crowd chants "RKO") Heavy forearms to the jaw of Oba Femi.
Oba's down! Lookit, ooh. Got a little cute. Maybe not a risk he wanted to take. And now Oba hoisting up Myles. It looks like Myles may be going for the ride and. But he countered! Double stomp! Connected! Standing moonsault did as well. Ooh, I spoke too soon. Aww, baby! Got caught! Got planted. Massive chokeslam. To retain, and Myles gets that left shoulder up. The heart. That's the heart Myles Borne was talking about earlier, guys! If you go to the start of this matchup and you think about when both men came out.
There was a loud ovation for Oba Femi. Not so much for Myles Borne. It seems to me those here in Tampa are starting to rally and believe in Myles Borne here tonight. The tide is turning right now. Myles Borne has the support, and that sixth man is so important in this business sometimes. Is this a case of Myles trying to get cute again, Corey? I think Myles is running on instinct. Perhaps running a little low on his bag of tricks trying to figure out whatever he can.
Almost desperate! That might do it! Spiked Oba Femi with a DDT! That's what Borne needed! Borne now. Seeing that the champion is on the back foot. Myles. Looking for an exclamation point of sorts. To win the championship! Able to roll right through, get right back to his feet, charge right in, and Fall From Grace countered! Hurricarana! Shoulders down! One, two! Whoa! Oh! And, ooh, Oba might be done playing around. Massive forearm. And, whoa!
No way, no way! Unbelievable! Snapping back like a rubber band. The resiliency of the challenger. Come on! Who just screamed out, "Come on." He knows this is that moment. Kid's gonna do it. This is his chance! Kid's gonna do it. For the championship! To conquer the conqueror! One, two! Wow! Oba with a little too much left in the tank. Impressive as that is, look back at the full extension on the splash from the challenger.
Driving all the wind out of the lungs of the NXT champion, but there still remains work to do for Myles Borne. (crowd chants "NXT") Come on, show me. This is a questionable decision for the challenger to stand and trade blows with Oba Femi. Right into it goes Myles Borne and another one from Oba. Got caught with a clothesline. Ooh! Man! Myles just took a shot under the jaw. A lesser man wouldn't be standing. But that fourth dropkick just dropped the champion!
(crowd cheers) It's working! Keep going back to it, Myles! Slowly but surely. Charging in, and ooh. Uppercut. And Oba Femi now. The Ruler wants some insurance. Looking for that patented Fall from Grace powerbomb. One, two! You've got to be kidding me! What! Oba's shocked! Tampa's shocked! The heart right there of this kid. You cannot question Myles Borne's heart, man! He said he may not have the strength advantage.
The height advantage. But you couldn't question his heart. No one's questioning it now in this moment. Miles Borne removing all doubt. That he does indeed belong. Here comes Oba once again. Full speed ahead. Just battering the challenger. Third one, Borne from behind! He's gonna do it! Shoulders down and another near fall. What is left in the, ooh. That might be all that is left. Decleater right there, man! Of the challenger.
Somehow, some way though, Myles pulling himself back up. And Oba Femi now. Just tossing another human life. Meat! Fall From Grace a second time. And not to be outdone. The Ruler. Ruling the ring once more. This is it, guys. One, two, three! Oba retains. (bell rings) (drums banging) Here is your winner, and still the NXT Champion! Oba Femi! Can't take anything away from the challenger though here tonight. Myles Borne certainly tested the limits of The Ruler, but Oba Femi with another reminder for the entire WWE Universe. Of just why he is The Ruler.
Of why he is arguably the most dominant champion in the game today. No one thrives under the bright lights quite like Oba Femi. Well the future is still bright for the challenger here tonight. Myles Borne, who gave it his all. But here at Battleground, the reign of The Ruler. Continues. In NXT.
And a nod of approval from The Ruler. This isn't the last we've heard of Myles Borne.
