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THE WWE LFG PREMIERE EPISODE REPORT

The episode starts off with a hype video for the season and show concept. The Undertaker does the voiceover, welcoming viewers to the “ultimate proving ground.” There are four “Legends” and 16 “Future Greats” - hence “LFG.” The competitors are taking part in the show and process for a chance to win an NXT contract.

Joe Tessitore is then heard, voicing over a video featuring many of the past and current WWE superstars. Tessitore speaks about what it takes to be a WWE superstar. “There’s an ‘it factor’ that can’t be explained. Superstars aren’t born…they are made.” Tessitore briefly talks about the WWE Performance Center and the video transitions to showing the facility. 

Shawn Michaels is shown arriving at the Performance Center. Tessitore talks about how Michaels is in charge of the development program. Teissitore explains that there is a difference between having a contract to train at the Performance Center and having an NXT contract. He says that only the “best of the best” receive NXT contracts despite hundreds of athletes training at the facility. 

Tessitore talks about how the Performance Center has produced many of today’s top stars. And now…WWE is looking to set the bar even higher. With that, the video transitions from highlights of WWE stars and clips of the Performance Center to Shawn Michaels walking to the ring at the Performance Center - exactly like fans see it on NXT every week, just with the LFG logo on the screens. Waiting for him outside of the ring as he approaches are the Legends - Booker T, Mickie James, Bubba Ray Dudley, and The Undertaker.

Shawn Michaels shakes the hand of each Legend and gives The Undertaker a hug. He welcomes them to the Performance Center and tells them that he’s excited to do something they’ve never done before. He wants to pull the curtain back a bit by taking some of the athletes training at the facility, have the legends train them, and see if they have what it takes to earn an NXT contract.

The Undertaker is the first to react and respond - asking what kind of athletes Michaels is talking about. Shawn says that they’ve chosen sixteen of their best and brightest from all walks of life. He talks about how most of them have athletic backgrounds.

Booker T wants to know what skill level the future greats have. Michaels says that some of them have been at the Performance Center for over a year, while others have only been there for about a week. The legends get a bit of a chuckle at that news. “Nothing like a challenge,” The Undertaker says.

Bubba Ray Dudley wants to know how this process is going to work. Shawn Michaels says that each legend will get two men and two women to oversee. It’ll be a competition and the talent who wins (one man and one woman) will get an NXT contract. It won’t just be the athletes who are competing, though - the legends who win will receive the first LFG Championship Title! Mickie James jokes that she’ll be winning her 7th title as Bubba Ray tries to (jokingly) intimidate Booker T.

Shawn Michaels thanks the four legends for taking part in this process and wishes them luck. He says the competition starts tomorrow and, “In case you didn’t know, LFG stands for ‘Let’s fucking go!’”

The next day, the Future Greats are all talking amongst themselves at the Performance Center as Shawn Michaels makes his way into the training center. Michaels lets them know that the goal of the Performance Center is to give them the best training - along with the best mentorship. 

Michaels explains that the future greats will be broken into teams of four, each coached by a WWE Legend. Each week, a legendary coach will be awarded a point if a member of their team is declared a standout. The Future Greats are all competing for a new NXT contract.

Shawn Michaels then introduces the WWE Legends, with each one getting a brief video package of their career and a voiceover by Joe Tessitore. Booker T says that he’s looking for the elite professional wrestler - he wants Shakespeare. He wants the person who wants it the most.

Mickie James can’t wait to see how great the Future Greats really are. Bubba Ray Dudley shakes the hands of Matt Bloom and Terry Taylor. One of the Future Greats extends his hand and Bubba Ray doesn’t shake it. Bubba says that he’ll shake hands when someone deserves it. Brayden “BJ” Ray is the Future Great who didn’t get his hand shaken. Ray gets a talking head moment where he says that the handshaking “isn’t that deep.”

The Undertaker is introduced and wants to know who is playing for second. The Undertaker says that he expects everything from his Future Greats…and then more. They are about to take part in something that is going to change their worlds and life. 

The Future Greats then spend some time in the ring. They run drills as the Legends watch. The Undertaker is shown giving some advice during the drills. Shiloh Hill, a Future Great, has a talking head moment about being terrified of The Undertaker when he was younger. There is then a video package for Hill - covering his time as a college football player and his WWE fandom. He used to watch wrestling with his dad, who unfortunately passed away.

Zena Sterling and Drake Morreaux, both Future Greats, have talking head moments where they discuss how having the cameras and Legends there brings the intensity up some levels. Booker T and Bubba Ray are both shown giving advice to Future Greats.

Anthony Luke, a Future Great, gets a talking head moment. His goal is the main roster and feels that the only person stopping him…is him. He grew up playing football. He also trained in MMA and boxing. He is also engaged to Maxxine Dupree. Booker T is impressed with Luke and tells him to keep up the good work.

Dani Sekelsky, a Future Great, is shown getting advice from Bubba Ray. She gets a talking head moment where she talks about being a cheerleader all her life, including a stint in the NFL.

It is now time for the Future Greats to showcase their skills on the microphone. WWE ring announcer, Alicia Taylor, is helping with this portion of the experiment - bringing in the Future Greats.

Tyra Mae Steele, a Future Great, is up first. She’s an Olympic Gold Medalist for freestyle wrestling. She gives a very basic promo, but shows some charisma after it, which makes the Legends happy.

Jasper Troy, who is tall enough to get into the ring over the top rope, delivers an intense promo. The Legends are impressed.

Zena Sterling goes with a “ditzy blonde” promo. The Legends aren’t thrilled with it, but The Undertaker sees some potential with her athleticism.

Leigh Laurel is up next and delivers an intense promo, which impresses the Legends.

Drake Morreaux cuts a promo that ties in his Louisiana roots.

Chris Island delivers a promo that the Legends do not believe.

Elijah Holyfield is next. He has only been at the Performance Center for one week and is, of course, Evander Holyfield’s son. He delivers an intense promo. Bubba Ray gives advice about using his last name a little bit just to get his foot in the door.

Shiloh Hill delivers a promo that Mickie kind of likes. Booker T wants to see more. Hill cuts him off and cuts a promo on Booker T, which the Legends enjoy. Bubba Ray wants to see Hill bring it all together.

Troy Yearwood has a lot of the records at the Performance Center in the weight room. His promo, though, leaves the Legends wanting more. Booker T and Bubba Ray didn’t believe him at all. Mickie James sees potential in Yearwood, though. Matt Bloom pulls Yearwood aside after and gives him some advice.

Quick looks are shown of the following promos: Dani Sekelsky, Anthony Luke, Bayley Humphrey, Tatyanna Dumas, and Penina Tuilaepa. The Legends seem pleased with them.

Brayden “BJ” Ray, the person Bubba Ray wouldn’t shake hands with, is up next. Booker T doesn’t believe Ray actually cut a promo. He makes Ray cut another promo on Bubba Ray. Ray works in the handshake moment and the Legends are happier. Bully Ray wants to know what changed between the two promos. Ray says that the second promo was real - that he was upset about the lack of handshake. Bubba Ray starts to rip into Ray and Ray gives him attitude. Ray is dismissed, but is called back by The Undertaker. The Undertaker tells Ray that he is risking his entire future by being a smartass. Ray doesn’t back down much from the attitude. When he leaves, though, the Legends agree that Ray has a ton of talent, but clearly bothers people.

Sirena Linton, who has been in the Performance Center for one week, is up next. Her promo covers how her father was deported when she was sixteen. Bubba Ray dives into the deportation moment more after her promo. As she starts to cry, Bubba Ray asks her what he just did for her. Linton says that he brought out emotion.

It is now time for the WWE Legends to pick four Future Greats to wrestle in a match tonight. The female match will be Dani Sekelsky vs. Tyra Mae Steele. The male match will be Shiloh Hill vs. Anthony Luke. The top male and female after the match will get to choose their mentor.

Terry Taylor and Fit Finley are shown getting the competitors ready for their matches.

Alicia Taylor announces the wrestlers as they make their way to the ring. Vic Joseph and Jeremy Borash are on commentary. The Legends, Shawn Michaels, and Matt Bloom are looking on. The Future Greats are also watching.

Shiloh Hill vs. Anthony Luke

They lock up and Anthony Luke grabs a headlock. He brings Shiloh Hill down, but Hill powers up. Hill sends Luke to the ropes, but Luke hits a tackle for a two count. Hill sends Luke to the ropes again and hits a tackle. Hill hits an arm drag. Hill whips Luke into the corner and charges with his shoulder.

Hill hits Luke with a powerslam and takes the advantage. Luke works a chinlock. Hill gets out of it with a jawbreaker. Hill ducks a clothesline and hits a crossbody. Luke rolls through and puts his feet on the ropes to get the win!

Winner: Anthony Luke

After the match, Shawn Michaels talks to Shiloh Hill and Anthony Luke. He reminds them that it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about connecting. Booker T gives his thoughts - he feels that Anthony Luke stood out a bit more. Mickie James talks about how she knew who the heel was during the entrances, but not during the match. She picks Shiloh Heel. 

Bubba Ray tells Anthony Luke that Anthony Luke reminded him a little bit of The Rock and gives him the win. The Undertaker liked what he saw from both men, but picks Anthony Luke.

Dani Sekelsky vs. Tyra Mae Steele

They lock up and Tyra Mae Steele pushes Dani Sekelsky down quickly. Steele uses some of her amateur wrestling to gain the advantage, but Sekelsky is able to grab an arm and crank it. Sekelsky hits an arm drag and continues working the arm.

Steele is able to switch control and hits a slam for a two count. Steele starts to kick at Sekelsky’s leg and then drives her head into the turnbuckle. Sekelsky blocks another turnbuckle smash and hits a sunset flip from the second rope for a two count.

Steele gains control back, though, and slaps on a chinlock. Sekelsky works out of it and trips up Steele. Sekelsky hits a slam and goes to the second rope. She misses a crossbody. Steele hits a German Suplex for the win!

Winner: Tyra Mae Steele

After the match, it’s time for the Legends’ thoughts and picks. Booker T thought Sekelsky was in total control and picks her. Mickie James agrees with Booker T about Sekelsky, but picks Steele. Bubba Ray wants to know who is going to command the spotlight the most. By just a little bit, he picks Steele. The Undertaker was happy with both performances, but picks Steele.

After an emotional moment in the back filled with happy tears, Steele calls someone for advice on who to pick as their mentor.

It is now time for the Future Greats to pick their mentor. Tyra Mae Steele says that she called her husband, who recommended The Undertaker. Steele reveals that she is going to listen to her husband and she does, indeed, pick The Undertaker.

Anthony Luke says that it’s an honor to be in front of all the legends, but he picks Booker T due to stylistic reasons. Alicia Taylor tells Anthony Luke to prove that he’s actually practiced doing the Spin-a-roonie, which he does.

A sneak peak into the rest of the season is shown as the episode comes to a close.

 

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