Tatum Paxley Betrayed by The Culling, Loses Title on Night 1 of NXT Gold Rush

Tatum Paxley shocked everyone by winning the NXT Women’s Championship at Halloween Havoc. She defeated an amazing opponent in Jacy Jayne, making tons of fans happy in the process.

After four years in NXT, she finally held gold for the first time. However, after a match with Lola Vice the following week, the Culling took issue with Paxley as champion. She wanted to give out challenges to everyone, but Izzi Dame warned her against that.

Jayne came out and challenged her to a rematch at NXT Gold Rush. Paxley accepted in defiance of Dame and the rest of the Culling’s advice. Would she retain the title, or would her carefree attitude cost her at Madison Square Garden?

Betrayal Costs Paxley Her Title at Gold Rush

For Paxley, this match meant a lot to her. After years of dedication and hard work, she was finally champion. She was also fighting for her friends, the Culling. Dame, Niko Vance, and Shawn Spears took her in and became her friends. Thanking them several times, both before and after her win, meant that they really inspired her to do good. On the other side, Jayne really wanted her title back.

After kicking out Jazmyn Nyx, she and Fallon Henley found a new member of Fatal Influence in Lainey Reid. Winning would help out the group, as well as encourage Henley and Reid to win their matches next week.

The match started with both groups on the sidelines. They were both there to cheer their stablemates on, as well as run interference when necessary. Lots of close pinfalls happened, as well as the factions providing necessary offense for Jayne and Paxley. Tired of the pinfalls, Jayne ordered Reid to grab the title.

When that happened, Dame attacked her, sending the title into the ring. Jayne picked it up, but was unable to use it, with the referee catching her. Paxley quickly pinned her, but got thrown out of the ring.

That’s when her path got blocked by Spears and Vance. The roadblock allowed Dame to deliver a kick to her. She got thrown back into the ring and got pinned with Rolling Encore. That allowed Jayne to become a two-time NXT Women’s Champion. Paxley lay in the ring, obviously shocked for many reasons. She lost the title that she worked so hard for. Her friends, whom she trusted, betrayed her. Luckily, Deadline is coming up in two weeks.