NXT is making its Denver debut in a big way.
This year’s No Mercy event brings World Wrestling Entertainment’s development brand to Ball Arena on Sept. 1 — and all five championships are on the line in the Mile High City.
While episodes of “Raw” and “SmackDown” have broadcast live here over the years, this is the first major WWE show to come to Colorado since July 23, 2003. That’s when the Vengeance pay-per-view took place live from the then-Pepsi Center, capped off by Kurt Angle defeating The Big Show and Brock Lesnar in a no-disqualification triple-threat match.
Here’s a look at what you need to know:
How to watch
Date: Sunday, Sept. 1
Time: 5 p.m.
Place: Ball Arena in Denver
TV: Peacock
Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster.com, starting at $43.30.
Main card
Wes Lee vs. Zachary Wentz
Singles match
How we got here: Lee and Wentz had one of NXT’s longest-running tag team championship reigns — a 202-day reign in 2021. Lee climbed his way up the singles rankings after Wentz (then known as Carter Nash) was let go from the WWE in 2022. With Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling now having a working agreement with NXT, Wentz made his return. After a short reunion, Lee recently turned on him, saying he’s better than Wentz now.
Who should win: Lee.
Lee absolutely blossomed in his singles career, especially his run as North American champion in 2023. However, a major back surgery stymied his rising star. Now a bad guy, Lee defeating his former partner should give him momentum moving forward.
Who will win: Lee.
Oba Femi (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo
NXT North American Championship
Singles match
Who should win: D’Angelo.
Femi has been a star since making his debut, but “The Don of NXT” has been on the cusp of stardom for months. This may be the hardest choice on the card, but we’re picking D’Angelo because he needs a run with a singles title.
Who will win: D’Angelo.
Kelani Jordan (c) vs. Wendy Choo
NXT Women’s North American Championship
Singles match
How we got here: Jordan became the inaugural NXT Women’s North American Champion after winning a six-women ladder match at “Battleground” in June. Choo had been feuding with Jordan over the last month.
Who should win: Jordan.
Jordan won the title in June. It barely feels like she’s had a run with the belt. She shouldn’t lose it yet.
Who will win: Jordan.
Chase University (Andre Chase and Ridge Holland) (c) vs. Nathan Frazer and Axiom
NXT Tag Team Championship
Tag-team match
Who should win: Chase U.
They just won the tag titles two weeks ago. Surely they can’t drop it this fast, right? Right?
Who will win: Chase U.
Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Jaida Parker
NXT Women’s Championship
Singles match
How we got here: Perez defeated previous champion Lyra Valkyria (who has since been promoted to the Raw roster) in January for the belt, her second reign as champion.Parker earned the title shot after winning a six-women gauntlet on the Aug. 20 episode of NXT.
Who should win: Perez.
Perez is one of just three women who have had two reigns as NXT Women’s Champion, joining WWE stars Charlotte Flair and Shayna Baszler. And while Parker has impressed since her debut, she shouldn’t take down Perez and be the titleholder. Not yet anyways. Especially when rumors are swirling of an international star who may soon be making her debut.
Who will win: Perez.
Ethan Page (c) vs. Joe Hendry
NXT Championship
Singles match
Trick Williams is the guest referee
How we got here: Hendry — who’s quickly become one of the hottest wrestlers in NXT, as well as Total Nonstop Action — earned a title shot after winning a triple-threat match on the Aug. 20 episode of NXT. He challenges Page, who defeated Trick Williams for the belt in a fatal four-way match at Heatwave in July.
Who should win: Hendry.
An active TNA wrestling holding a WWE belt? I believe in Joe Hendry (clap, clap). The crooning TNA wrestler is on fire. Strike while the iron’s hot.
Who will win: Hendry.
