The No Mercy premium live event on September 1, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, featured a highly anticipated NXT Championship match between Joe Hendry and Ethan Page. However, what truly stole the show was the involvement of Trick Williams as the special guest referee, adding a layer of intrigue and drama to an already electrifying encounter.
Earlier in the evening, Trick Williams promised Joe Hendry that he would officiate the match fairly, but with a twist. Williams made it clear that if Hendry managed to defeat Page and claim the NXT Championship, Williams would want the first shot at the title. This announcement set the stage for a match filled with tension, as fans were left wondering if Trick would truly maintain his impartiality throughout the bout.
MAIN EVENT : NXT Championship on the line : Ethan Page vs Joe Hendry Special Guest Referee Trick Williams start now #NXTNoMercy pic.twitter.com/cVZqM0EYwU
— FabiShow (@fabien_fichaux) September 2, 2024
As the match got underway, Trick Williams appeared committed to calling it right down the middle, much to the surprise of some in the audience who suspected he might show favoritism. The action in the ring was intense, with Hendry and Page exchanging a series of hard-hitting moves, each looking to gain the upper hand. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, fully engrossed in the back-and-forth battle for the championship.
The turning point of the match came when Ethan Page inadvertently collided with Joe Hendry, sending both men crashing into Trick Williams. The impact knocked Trick out of the ring, leaving him momentarily incapacitated. With the original referee out of commission, a second official hurried down to the ring to take over the officiating duties. As the substitute referee began to count a pinfall for Ethan Page, Trick Williams, having recovered, slid back into the ring and forcefully stopped the count. He was determined to maintain his control as the official referee for the match.
Ethan Page, visibly frustrated by Trick’s intervention, tried to argue his case. In a fit of anger, he threw a punch at Trick, who deftly dodged it. Unfortunately for Page, his punch landed squarely on the second referee, knocking him out of the ring. Taking advantage of the chaos, Page resorted to underhanded tactics, delivering a low blow to Hendry while Trick’s attention was momentarily diverted. With Hendry down, Page executed his finishing move, the Ego’s Edge, and Trick had no choice but to count the pinfall, leading to Ethan Page retaining his NXT Championship.
The drama didn’t end there. As fans were still processing the controversial conclusion to the match, Pete Dunne made a surprise appearance. With a look of determination, Dunne stormed the ring and blindsided Trick Williams, delivering a brutal assault that left Trick lying on the mat. The show closed with Dunne standing tall over a fallen Williams, adding yet another layer of complexity to the night’s events.
#WWENXT Champion Ethan Page vs. Joe Hendry with Trick Williams as the Special Guest Referee #NXTNoMercy pic.twitter.com/oGzV60S0WT
— WrestlingAl (@Wrestling_Al2) September 2, 2024
Trick Williams’ role as the special guest referee undeniably added a unique dynamic to the championship match. His involvement created a sense of unpredictability, keeping the audience guessing about his true intentions. Ultimately, Williams’ actions played a significant part in the outcome, and the post-match attack by Pete Dunne only served to heighten the drama, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the fallout from No Mercy.
Key Points;
i. Trick Williams’ Promise: Before the match, Trick Williams promised to officiate fairly as the special guest referee but hinted at wanting a title shot if Joe Hendry won.
ii. Intense Championship Battle: The NXT Championship match between Joe Hendry and Ethan Page was highly competitive, with both wrestlers delivering powerful moves and fighting fiercely for the win.
iii. Referee Chaos: A collision in the ring knocked Trick Williams out temporarily, allowing a second referee to step in and nearly count a pinfall for Page, only for Trick to intervene.
iv. Controversial Finish: After Page accidentally knocked out the second referee, he used a low blow and his finisher, the Ego’s Edge, to pin Hendry while Trick Williams reluctantly counted the three, allowing Page to retain his title.
v. Post-Match Attack: The night ended with Pete Dunne ambushing Trick Williams, adding a surprise twist and setting up further storyline developments for future NXT events.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
