• 2 months ago
Transcript
00:00Hey, Lainey.
00:05Hey, Dani, what's up?
00:07I know we haven't gotten to know each other that much since I've been on
00:09the sidelines.
00:10But I've been watching your matches and I gotta admit, you've impressed me.
00:14And this daredevil is looking for the next step on the comeback trail.
00:16So what do you say I dare you to a match?
00:19What about this Friday level up you and me?
00:22Wow, I would be honored.
00:25Actually, you're not the only one looking for a win around here.
00:29Sweet tea, I'll see you there.
00:30Bless her heart.
00:38Coming up, the comeback story of the Daredevil, Dani Palmer, rolls on as she
00:42looks for a big test against the sassy modern day Southern Belle, Lainey Reed.
00:46That is next.
00:47Welcome back to Level Up.
00:55The calling contest is scheduled for one fall.
01:00Introducing first, Lainey Reed.
01:05Well, it's time to put a little salve in your mouth, as the modern day
01:09Southern Belle has accepted the challenge and
01:12looks for a huge momentum building win.
01:15Well, Lainey Reed is like the real life version of the Southern Belle.
01:18She's got a lot of power, she's got a lot of speed, she's got a lot of
01:22Lainey Reed is like the real life version of Steel Magnolia.
01:25She's got that Southern charm that could melt the heart of the Grinch.
01:29But make no mistake about it.
01:31As you mentioned, Blake, she'll put that salve in your mouth.
01:34She will knock you silly if she needs to.
01:37One thing to point out, Byron, early on, not all smiles for Lainey Reed tonight.
01:40We'll get into that in just a second.
01:43But here comes the Daredevil.
01:45And her opponent, Dani Palmer.
01:53Look at that entrance right there.
01:55In her second official match back after a lengthy absence due to double hip
01:59surgery, the Daredevil looking to step up in the NXT Women's Division and
02:02certainly prove her worth.
02:03Yeah, it's truly a miracle that Dani Palmer is able to step back into an NXT
02:07ring, at one point having to relearn how to walk,
02:10even doubting whether or not that would even happen.
02:12And that is one of the most serious injuries you could ever experience.
02:17Double hip surgery for a lifelong gymnast.
02:20Good on Dani Palmer for making her way back.
02:22Can you see that big smile on Dani's face?
02:23Certainly excited to be back in the ring.
02:25And we've talked about her support system throughout her rehab process.
02:28Byron, how much does that light really keep one going?
02:31I should tell you, it saved her mentally and emotionally.
02:34Because there were so many moments where Dani Palmer just felt like she could not
02:37go on, that her dream was over to be an NXT superstar.
02:42Of course, we said Dani Palmer in last year's Women's Breakout Tournament.
02:45Lainey Reed looking to step up right here.
02:47How big of an opportunity to step up for
02:49Lainey Reed to the Daredevil's return?
02:51Well, it's an interesting opportunity.
02:52We saw what Dani Palmer said to Lainey Reed.
02:54Said, hey, I've been watching you.
02:56I think you're extremely talented.
02:58I would love to have a match with you.
02:59The question is, what's the motivation behind that for Dani Palmer?
03:03Going to the cover.
03:04And look at Dani there, testing that knee early.
03:07The hips rather.
03:08And Dani Palmer on the attack.
03:11On one end, you think, okay, Dani Palmer just wants some good competition.
03:15She truly does see something in Lainey Reed, or playing devil's advocate here.
03:20Maybe Dani Palmer wants her first win back since double hip surgery.
03:25And believes that perhaps Lainey Reed might be an easier option.
03:29Nice curtsy, by the way.
03:30As Lainey Reed showing off that sass right now, looking to take advantage.
03:35Look at Dani Palmer now, coming back the other way.
03:37Look at this sequence.
03:39And Lainey Reed sent right through the middle ropes.
03:42I can't say it enough.
03:43Dani Palmer is a walking miracle, after what she's been through.
03:47Look at Dani here, moving very light on her feet.
03:49My God, you hear the thud.
03:52And that dragon screw leg whip right on the apron bar.
03:54That's the hardest part of the ring.
03:55It certainly is.
03:57And Lainey Reed knows it.
03:59Minimal padding or protection right there.
04:00You see some aggression really coming out now of Lainey Reed.
04:03It's like Lainey Reed is snapped.
04:05Southern charm has gone extinct.
04:08Lainey Reed is on the attack.
04:09And Lainey Reed targeting that left hamstring, it looks like, of Dani Palmer.
04:14And talked about Lainey Reed in action.
04:16Speaking of tests, we've seen her against the likes of Wendy Chu, Jada Parker.
04:20Lainey has already been in the ring with some of the best in the NXT women's division.
04:22And this is a necessary adjustment Lainey Reed had to make in her game.
04:26She has said it herself, a lot of people mistake my kindness for weakness.
04:30They take me seriously because I try to be there for everyone.
04:35But this is a Lainey Reed we have not seen.
04:37And I'm liking it.
04:38I was just gonna say, Byron, a total different attitude here from Lainey Reed.
04:41Into the cover, hooks that outside leg.
04:44And only gets two right there.
04:45And of course, Reed's always talked about how important it is for
04:48her to stick to her Southern values or manners or grace or charm.
04:51Is she deviating from that right here?
04:52Well, you can have Southern values, but you're still inside the ring competing.
04:55Like, your objective is to beat your opponent.
04:57You can have sweet tea after the match, but you wanna get that one, two, three first.
05:01And again, target- Or submission.
05:03Targeting that left hamstring there of Dani Palmer.
05:05I certainly would not wanna be around Lainey Reed when that sweet tea runs out.
05:09Here we go.
05:11Down goes Palmer into the cover.
05:12Hooks the outside leg, and Dani hangs on.
05:14Well, look, if Dani Palmer thought this was gonna be a breeze,
05:17this was gonna be an easy W, I think she's regretting that decision right now.
05:21Cuz I don't even think she anticipated this version of Lainey Reed.
05:26Lainey Reed, for the last several months,
05:27has flown somewhat under the radar in the NXT Women's Division.
05:29This would be a major breakthrough opportunity here.
05:32Sometimes that's what you want.
05:34This is gonna put a lot of pressure on those hips, Byron.
05:36Right in the center of the ring, got that half crab cinched in.
05:40And really targeting that left leg and hamstring of Dani Palmer.
05:43Very focused attack from Lainey Reed.
05:45Look at Dani fight here, Byron.
05:46Palmer is trying to will herself to the bottom rope to break this hold.
05:52Can she make it?
05:54Just like Palmer willed herself back from injury,
05:55looking to stay alive in this matchup here.
05:57Wise adjustment by Lainey Reed.
06:00Veteran-like maneuver by Lainey to bring Dani Palmer right back to the center of
06:02the ring.
06:03Dani Palmer with the counter here.
06:08Rolls her up, and only gets two.
06:11Can't account for that athletic creativity that Dani Palmer brings to
06:14the equation.
06:15The backslide, shoulders are down.
06:18And Dani Palmer here on essentially one leg.
06:21And Byron Palmer seem to have fully regained her confidence from match two to
06:24match one.
06:26But you see right here that left leg being a bit compromised.
06:29A little strappiness now from Dani Palmer.
06:33And from the southpaw side, look at Dani Palmer starting to cook.
06:37No longer about being pretty, it's about taking Lainey Reed off her feet,
06:42and that's what Dani Palmer is doing.
06:44And Dani, she's always been about faith, all of her risks.
06:50And right now, look at a pay one off right here.
06:53See now, I question if this is a wise decision on one leg.
06:58Dani Palmer trying to get some blood flowing that left leg from the top.
07:02But is there any challenge?
07:03The daredevil doesn't want to take on, and believe in faith.
07:09And Dani, right on the cusp.
07:13Let's take another look, sky high, right through the air with the frog splash.
07:17Dani Palmer embedded her emotions and
07:19her fearless attitude to look over that frog splash, but it still wasn't enough.
07:23And Lainey Reed lying in the cut.
07:25Waiting just for Dani Palmer to come in, innovative offense.
07:28What was that?
07:28And referee Gary Wilson says it's only two.
07:33What a match we are witnessing here.
07:35You're seeing how bad both these ladies want it.
07:39As Lainey Reed, looking to go right back to the attack here.
07:42Almost an Ivy Niles dragon sleeper.
07:46Lainey Reed showing us some maneuvers we have not seen in her arsenal before.
07:50Digging deep into the playbook.
07:51That right hip appears to be okay of Dani Palmer.
07:54Dani's gonna try this one more time.
07:56One more time to the top floor.
07:59Will the second time be the charm here, Byron?
08:02She's up, and twisting right through the air.
08:05Believe in faith, and believe in victory for Dani Palmer.
08:08Here is your winner, Dani Palmer.
08:17What an emotional victory for Dani Palmer.
08:20A much deserved standing O by the NXT Universe.
08:26What a performance by Dani Palmer.
08:28And hey, what an effort by Lainey Reed.
08:31Indeed, pushing the limit by Lainey Reed.
08:32And Dani Palmer, just like in a rehab process, Byron, does not give up.
08:36Believes in faith, believes in her support system.
08:38And comes off the top with a huge victory.
08:40And welcome back, Dani Palmer.
08:43As earlier today, our colleagues