WWE opened the June 30 episode of NXT with a shocking backstage assault that immediately changed the advertised card.
What was scheduled to be a championship bout never reached the ring after a visiting titleholder was found injured before the show could properly get underway.
The angle came after reports surfaced that AAA Latin American Champion El Hijo del Vikingo had suffered an injury earlier in the day while rehearsing his scheduled title defense against EK Prosper, leaving fans wondering how WWE would address the sudden change.
El Hijo del Vikingo attack forces WWE NXT match change
The show began with new NXT Women’s Champion Kendal Grey celebrating her title victory before the cameras rushed backstage. There, El Hijo del Vikingo was shown clutching his injured knee while Keanu Carver stood over him holding a steel pipe.
NXT General Manager Robert Stone and officials quickly intervened as medics were called to assist the AAA champion. The attack also led to Vikingo’s advertised AAA Latin American Championship defense against EK Prosper being canceled before the opening bell could ring.
Following the commercial break, Stone confronted Carver, who claimed the attack happened because he had been denied a title opportunity. Stone reminded him that Prosper had fairly earned the championship match by defeating Carver the previous week. Instead of letting the issue slide, Stone booked Carver against Prosper later that night. It was hardly a golden opportunity for Carver — more like a steel-pipe dream gone wrong.
Prosper later admitted he had prepared to face Vikingo. He outlined his frustration with the last-minute change. Nevertheless, Tate Wilder encouraged him to focus on settling his score with Carver instead.
Their replacement match proved hard-hitting from start to finish. Just when Carver appeared to seize control, Tank Ledger unexpectedly interfered in the bout. Ledger sent him through the LED barricade while the referee checked on Prosper. After Carver barely beat the count, Prosper capitalized with a Busaiku knee. He finished the contest with a diving moonsault for the victory.
While WWE has not announced any disciplinary action against Carver, the backstage assault effectively removed Vikingo from television after the reported injury and reshaped the night’s plans.
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