The Diamond Mine arrived in the show-closing angle of last night’s NXT.
The returning Roderick Strong was revealed as part of Diamond Mine as he attacked NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida at the end of last night’s show. Strong, Tyler Rust, and the debuting Hideki Suzuki appeared together and were wearing Diamond Mine tracksuits. They’re being managed by Malcolm Bivens.
Kushida lost a non-title match to Kyle O’Reilly in the main event of last night’s NXT. A brawl between O’Reilly and Adam Cole then broke out when Cole tried to attack O’Reilly after the match. With Kushida left alone in the ring, he was attacked by Strong. Bivens threw Kushida’s Cruiserweight title belt on top of him after the attack. Bivens declared that this is Diamond Mine.
Weeks of teaser videos had aired leading into the debut of Diamond Mine. They showed unidentified athletes working out at an MMA gym.
Before returning last night, Strong had resigned from NXT in an angle this April. His resignation came after the breakup of Undisputed Era.
Rust hadn’t appeared on NXT since March prior to last night.
Suzuki joined the WWE Performance Center in a coaching role earlier this year. WWE wrote about Suzuki when he signed with the company: “Hideki Suzuki joins the WWE PC’s coaching staff. The Hokkaido, Japan, native trained in catch-as-catch can wrestling at Japan’s Snake Pit under the legendary Billy Robinson before stepping into the ring for Big Japan Pro Wrestling, Wrestle-1 and Zero1, among others. In 2017, Suzuki was named the MVP of Japanese independent wrestling by Samurai TV.”
A triple threat tag team match on next week’s NXT will determine Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell’s challengers for the Great American Bash.
WWE has announced that Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will take place on NXT next Tuesday. The winning team will challenge for LeRae & Hartwell’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles at NXT Great American Bash on Tuesday, July 6.
The number one contender’s match was announced for next week after a brawl between Shirai & Stark, Gonzalez & Kai, and Blackheart & Moon broke out on tonight’s NXT. After Shirai & Stark defeated Aliyah & Jessi Kamea on tonight’s show, there was a confrontation between LeRae & Hartwell and Shirai & Stark. Gonzalez & Kai and Blackheart & Moon then also appeared and argued that they should get the next Women’s Tag Team title shot.
Here’s the full list of what’s been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT:
Number one contender’s match: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon
Mixed tag match: Mercedes Martinez & Jake Atlas vs. Xia Li & Boa
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK will go face-to-face with Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher ahead of their title match at the Great American Bash
During a takeover of WWE NXT’s Instagram stories Tuesday in celebration of Pride Month, former NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm came out as bisexual.
Storm, wearing a hat adorned with rainbow-colored pom poms, said when it was announced that she was taking over NXT’s Instagram for Pride Month, she was asked if she was an ally or a member of the community. She said it was both and that it was a good a time as any to reveal the news.
“I’m bi and it feels good to say it,” she said.
Storm added that she has been comfortable with it for a very long time, but just never really expressed it or found the right time to do so.
In a series of videos, Storm talked about being comfortable with who she is and asked several talents like William Regal, NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and North American Champion Bronson Reed what Pride Month meant to them.
Born Toni Rossall in New Zealand, the 25-year-old started her WWE run in 2017. She won the 2018 Mae Young Classic and the NXT UK Women’s title, holding it for most of 2019 before losing it to Kay Lee Ray. She was part of the 2019 Survivor Series NXT women’s team and was also in the 2020 Royal Rumble. She has been with NXT since October 2020.
A member of the community and an ally. Thank you for sharing this with us, Toni Storm. We couldn’t be more proud. #Pride#PrideMonth#WeAreNXT
The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line at the Great American Bash.
On tonight’s NXT episode, it was announced that MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) will defend their NXT Tag Team titles against Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher at the Great American Bash. The show is taking place on Tuesday, July 6 and is a special episode of NXT.
Ciampa & Thatcher were set up as the top contenders to MSK’s titles by defeating The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) in a tornado tag match in the main event of last week’s NXT.
Ahead of Great American Bash, there will be a face-to-face segment with MSK and Ciampa & Thatcher on NXT next Tuesday.
MSK have been NXT Tag Team Champions since winning the titles in a triple threat match against The Grizzled Young Veterans and Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver this April. The titles were vacant heading into that match.
It was also announced tonight that NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell will defend their titles at the Great American Bash. Io Shirai & Zoey Stark, NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai, and Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will face off in a triple threat tag match on NXT next Tuesday to determine LeRae & Hartwell’s challengers for the Great American Bash.
Here’s the updated Great American Bash card:
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK defend against Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defend against either Io Shirai & Zoey Stark, Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai, or Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon
Roderick Strong returned to NXT tonight as part of the brand’s newest faction.
After several weeks of teaser videos, it was revealed that the Diamond Mine would be opening on tonight’s NXT. The show ended with Strong, Tyler Rust, and Hideki Suzuki appearing in Diamond Mine tracksuits as Strong attacked Kushida. Malcolm Bivens appeared with Strong, Rust, and Suzuki as Diamond Mine’s manager.
Kushida lost to Kyle O’Reilly in the main event of tonight’s NXT. Adam Cole then tried to attack O’Reilly after the match. With the brawl between O’Reilly and Cole leaving Kushida alone in the ring, he was then attacked by Strong. Bivens threw Kushida’s NXT Cruiserweight Champion on top of him after the attack. Bivens declared that this is Diamond Mine.
Tonight was Strong’s first appearance on NXT since an angle where he resigned from the brand this April. Strong handed in his resignation following the implosion of Undisputed Era.
Suzuki is a former star for Big Japan Pro Wrestling. It was announced in April that he had joined the WWE Performance Center as a coach. Tonight was Suzuki’s NXT debut, but he wasn’t identified by name.
Rust’s appearance tonight was the first time he’s been on NXT since March.
The teaser videos leading into Diamond Mine’s debut showed unidentified athletes working out at an MMA gym with phrases like “Pressure Makes Diamonds” appearing on the screen.
The build to the Great American Bash continues on tonight’s episode of NXT.
A non-title match between Kyle O’Reilly and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida will take place on NXT tonight. O’Reilly chose to face Kushida after NXT general manager William Regal told O’Reilly and Adam Cole last week that they could pick their own opponents for tonight’s show.
As O’Reilly and Cole brawled backstage last week, Regal announced that O’Reilly vs. Cole will take place at NXT Great American Bash on Tuesday, July 6. New NXT authority figure Samoa Joe helped break up the brawl, but Cole pushed him out of the way and kept going after O’Reilly. Joe then choked Cole out with the Coquina Clutch.
Cole hasn’t revealed who he’ll be facing tonight.
Tonight’s show will also feature Franky Monet in action, Hit Row’s Top Dolla & Ashante “Thee” Adonis vs. Ever-Rise, and Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. The Robert Stone Brand’s Aliyah & Jessi Kamea.
Plus, the Diamond Mine will open after several weeks of teaser videos. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show begins with an opening monologue from Adam Cole. He talks about soon facing Kyle O’Reilly at The Great American Bash. Cole mentioned an “assault and attack” by Samoa Joe last week. Cole warned Joe that Cole is the new king of NXT. When he defeats O’Reilly, Cole says he will be called the greatest ever in NXT. Nobody can change his mind.
Cole is interrupted by Carmelo Hayes. Like Cole, Hayes also has a microphone. Hayes said Cole might not know who he his, but Hayes knows who Cole is in NXT. Hayes said he could change Cole’s mind. Cole asked how. Hayes spoofed the John Cena debut where he famously roared “RUTHLESS AGGRESSION” in Kurt Angle’s face. Hayes said this was the “same energy.” Hayes then slapped Cole like Cena did to Angle almost a decade ago.
The match was on from there.
Adam Cole defeated Carmelo Hayes
Cole pinned Hayes after a Panama Sunrise, capping off a fun match.
Hayes showed a lot of fire at the start, but Cole soon cut him off. Hayes fought back to get a two count on Cole. The fight spilled outside the ring, where Cole repeatedly sent Hayes crashing into the barricade. The match went through a picture-in-picture commercial break.
Cole worked over Hayes during the break, and Cole executed an ushigoroshi. That’s too cool of a move for a commercial break, but oh well. There was at least a replay when the show returned from the break.
Cole taunted Hayes, which led into a Hayes firing up. Hayes and Cole traded strilkes before Hayes dropped Cole with a kick. Cole answered back with a kick of his own, and Hayes was seemingly on rubber legs. Somehow, Hayes countered Cole to deliver a cutter.
Small package from Cole nets a two count. Hayes in return gets a near fall after a codebreaker. They kept trading near falls. Cole with a lungblower for two. Hayes superkicked Cole when Cole went for a Panama Sunrise. Hayes springboard off the middle rope, and Cole struck him out of mid-air with a superkick. After a Panama Sunrise, Cole covered Hayes for a clean pinfall.
Let’s talk about it!
Saddle up for a string of talking segments and character development.
Franky Monet was backstage chatting with Jessi Kamea and Aliyah of the Robert Stone Brand. Presley was also there. He’s a good boy. Robert Stone found them. He was looking everywhere for them. Monet went to leave, and she high fived Kamea and Aliyah. Stone went to high five Monet, and Presley snapped at him. Stone shrieked in terror. Bad dog.
Zoey Stark in an interview with McKenzie Mitchell talked about teaming with Io Shirai. Stark was surprised Shirai chose her. Shirai stepped into the frame to say she picked Stark as her partner, but she did not like her. They have a match later tonight against the Robert Stone Brand.
A vignette profiled the new Million Dollar Champion, LA Knight. He cut a promo on Cameron Grimes.
The Way has a new way
Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory came to the ring for a promo. Gargano said it was exciting times, and new management is in town. So we need a new NXT Champion, according to Gargano himself. Gargano said it should be him. He claimed it was “paradise” when he was NXT Champion.
Gargano ranted about being better than Karrion Kross. Then out comes Pete Dunne to confront Gargano. Dunne was flanked by Oney Lorcan, and they both got in the ring to face off with The Way. Dunne said he was clearly the number one contender ahead of Gargano. Dunne also insulted Theory, telling him to shut up.
Theory was ready to snap, but Gargano held him back. Gargano said there is a new way to do things around here. The Way no longer participates in “shenanigans or hijinx,” and they are “law abiding citizens.”
Gargano said to Dunne, “There are rules for a reason, Peter.” Gargano gently put down the microphone, and The Way left peacefully. Or so Gargano thought. He was leaving when Theory turned back around. Theory pointed at Dunne, warning Dunne that Theory was watching him. Dunne in turn snapped Theory’s finger. So much for peace.
Cameron Grimes arrived at the building earlier today. He was handing out money when someone made a smart aleck comment about Ted DiBiase. Grimes smacked him, cackled, and tossed the geek ten dollars for taking the punch.
General Manager William Regal argued with Adam Cole about Samoa Joe. This all seems to build towards Joe vs. Cole. Hopefully, they aren’t just teasing a match. Hope they deliver.
The Way went to see Regal. They were angry at Dunne for snapping Theory’s finger. They wanted Regal to send in Joe. Gargano and Theory wanted Joe to choke out Dunne, and then throw him through a wall. Regal instead booked Gargano & Theory in a match against Dunne & Lorcan. Gargano complained he did not even have his gear on. It’s intricate, and it takes an hour to put on. Regal was having none of it, and he ordered them to get ready. They made it seem like the match was next, but it was not next. Patience, grasshopper.
Io Shirai & Zoey Stark defeated Jessi Kamea & Aliyah (with Robert Stone)
Shirai pinned Kamea to win the match. The bout was more of a backdrop for an angle that followed it.
The NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, strolled out to ringside during the match. After a commercial break, there was a hot tag to Shirai. She ran wild, and she delivered a missile dropkick for a two count on Kamea.
Shirai was cut off, but she was able to tag out. Stark with a missile dropkick of her own. Shirai with a moonsault press, and Shirai covered Kamea for a pinfall.
LeRea & Hartwell got on the apron to confront Shirai & Stark. NXT Champion Raquel Gonzalez and her tag team partner, Dakota Kai, came to ringside. Shirai & Stark were surrounded and under siege. Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart joined the party. A huge brawl started with all the teams fighting in a melee. Samoa Joe led a bunch officials in breakup up the brawl. Joe seen to it that order was restored in the CWC.
A tag team title match was announced for The Great American Bash in two weeks time. MSK defend their NXT Tag Team Championship against Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher at The Bash.
Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory defeated Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan
Gargano pinned Lorcan to win the tag bout. Easily the best match on the show so far by a wide margin, but O’Reilly and Kushida are still yet to go. Karrion Kross would attack Gargano after the match.
Great wrestling at the start, but who are the protagonists here? Not sure, but the grappling itself is really good. Theory’s finger that Dunne injured earlier in the night was an easy target. Dunne & Lorcan slam Theory into edge of the ring apron, and Theory was down selling as the show cut to commercial.
Hot tag to Gargano, and he cleaned house. Maybe he and Theory are now protagonists. They whine and gripe too much for protagonists, but they kick ass in the ring so [insert Toru Yano shrug]. They could be comedic babyfaces I guess.
Near fall after Theory springboarded Spanish Fly. Dunne jumped in to break up the count. Dunne sqaured off with Gargano, leading to a double down. Theory and Lorcan traded chops, and Lorcan struck with a blockbuster.
Dunne again targets the injured finger of Theory. Joint locks gave way to an armbreaker. Gargano made a save to break the hold. Dunne and Gargano go back-and-forth. Dunne & Lorcan double team Gargano. He fought back with a La Mistica counter, but Gargano is nevertheless takes a double powerbomb from Dunne & Lorcan. Theory made a save to break up a pin. In turn, Theory is rocked.
Lorcan looks to strike a prone Theory, but Gargano cut off Lorcan with a superkick out of nowhere. Gargano flew through the ropes to hit Dunne with tope into a tornado DDT. Gargano followed up with One Final Beat, and Gargano covered Lorcan for a three count.
NXT Champion Karrion Kross, wearing a leather jacket that would make Bret Hart jealous, attacked Gargano after the match. Kross in a sneak attack laid out Gargano at ringside.
Kross later was met backstage by Samoa Joe, who let him pass to see Regal in the GM’s office. Joe turned around, and Pete Dunne was staring at him. They glared at each other. And scene.
Announced for next Tuesday on NXT is a triple threat number one contender’s tag team match. This was set up with a huge brawl earlier in the night. Stark & Shirai vs. Kai & Gonzalez vs. Moon & Blackheart is set for next week.
Franky Monet defeated Elektra Lopez
Monet pinned Lopez with the Glam Slam in the encore of Monet’s “world premiere.” This was an enhancement match for Monet, but Lopez was able to get some offense. Monet still won handily.
NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed was being interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell. Reed was interrupted by Hit Row, and they tried to intimidate him.
Ever-Rise in a skit from ealier in the day were about to spray paint the SUV of Hit Row. Ever-Rise were caught red-handed, and they ran away. This was supposed to be comedy I think.
Hit Row (Top Dolla & Ashante “Thee” Adonis) defeated Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel)
Top Dollas pinned Martel to win a squash match.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and B-Fab were at ringside in Hit Row’s corner. Ever-Rise were no match for Top Dolla & Adonis. Although Ever-Rise sent Top Dolla over the ropes with a low bridge, that only served to anger Top Dolla.
Ever-Rise were then squashed, and Martel took a double team finisher that looked nasty. Top Dolla powerbombed Martel while Adonis leapt in the air to deliver a neckbreaker. Never liked that double team move ever since seeing Villano IV break his neck taking a similar combo on WCW Monday Nitro in 1998. It still makes me cringe whenever I see it. Cringed even more seeing the combo here in this match, as it looked brutal.
Scott after the macth laid out Parker with a kick. Hit Row posed over the fallen Ever-Rise.
McKenzie in an interview informed Mercedes Martinez that Martinez was booked next week in a mixed tag match against Xia Li & Boa. Martinez was surprised by the news. She was also surprised by a sneak attack from Xia Li. Making a save was Jake Atlas. Looks like he is the tag team partner for Martinez in the mixed tag next week on NXT. The match was made official after a commercial break.
The battery charging since last week is up to 51%.
Kyle O’Reilly defeated NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida in a non-title match
O’Reilly pinned Kushida with a cradle to end a great match. Possibly better than the tag match in being the best bout on the show. The Diamond Mine debuted after the match to attack Kushida. In addition, Adam Cole tangled with O’Reilly in a post-match pull-apart brawl.
Awesome chain wresting and great grappling in the beginning. The pace soon quickened, but they both collided on a double headbutt. The show cut to a commercial break with both on rubber legs. Kushida recovered quicker, and he began to work over O’Reilly during the picture-in-picture break. O’Reilly countered Kushida, and O’Reilly was briefly in control on offense.
O’Reilly and Kushida were going back-and-forth as the show returned from the commercial break. More great grappling and cool counters. This was really getting good as the intensity picked up. They would trade all sorts of strikes, and they traded holds.
After a brainbuster by O’Reilly and a near fall, there was a double down. Kushida went on to smash O’Reilly’s arm on the ring post. Kushida targeted the arm even further. They fought on the ring apron, and O’Reilly was suplexed on the apron by Kushida.
More counters and strikes, and that led to another double down. Kushida kept attempting a Hoverboard Lock. O’Reilly fought to block it as he tried to roll through. O’Reilly even grabbed ahold of his own trunks to block the submission hold. O’Reilly then caught Kushida in a cradle for the deciding pinfall.
Diamond Mine debut
Cole ran in after the match to brawl with O’Reilly. Not only does that help build towards their match in two weeks, it also got O’Reilly out of the ring for the angle that closed the show.
The Diamind Mine attacked Kushida in the debut of the new faction. The stable consists of Roderick Strong, Tyler Rust, and the debuting Hideki Suzuki. Strong laid out Kushida, and the new faction stood over Kushida. Malcolm Bivens is apparently managing The Diamond Mine. He picked up the Cruiserweight Championship belt, and held it for Strong to gaze at. The Diamond Mine is here, and they already have their sights set on a title.
Overall, this was pretty good episode of NXT. Nothing but clean finishes, which is refreshing on a WWE show. The episode then ends with a cliffhanger, building intrigue for next week.
In this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that the reason NXT entrances have been shorter lately is thanks to a suggestion from trainer and WWE Hall-of-Famer Shawn Michaels.
During the time they were head-to-head against NXT, Michaels suggested to Paul Levesque that longer ring entrances could be causing viewers to flip to AEW. Even though they are no longer head-to-head with Dynamite, they are still going with shorter entrances so they have more TV time for in-ring action and other storylines.
Meltzer added that a story going around NXT is that it was actually Michaels’ wife, Rebecca, who made the suggestion to her husband about the entrance length.
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As first reported by Fightful and discussed in this week’s newsletter, former MLW manager and on-screen personality Salina de la Renta (Natalie Class) was seen at the Performance Center last week and appears to be WWE-bound. Meltzer said WWE had interest in her while she was in MLW.
Her MLW run concluded on the Fusion season finale in May when Cesar Duran (the former Dario Cueto in Lucha Underground) sacrificed her as part of his on-screen debut with the company.
A triple threat match will headline next week’s NXT UK episode.
WWE has announced that Joe Coffey vs. Rampage Brown vs. Ilja Dragunov will take place on NXT UK next Thursday. It’s being billed as a match between three people who are trying to prove that they’re the toughest wrestler on the brand.
On NXT UK two weeks ago, Coffey defeated Brown to even their record against each other in NXT UK at 1-1. Coffey and Brown then shook hands and Brown signaled that he wanted a third match against Coffey. But Dragunov then came out to the stage and stared them both down.
This week’s NXT UK featured a segment with Coffey, Brown, and Dragunov sitting down and talking ahead of their triple threat match next week. Coffey and Brown wanted to know why Dragunov got involved in their business. Dragunov said Coffey and Brown think NXT UK is their playground, but there are other people there — especially him.
Coffey, Brown, and Dragunov also discussed having similar upbringings in Glasgow, Leeds, and Russia.
On commentary, it was said that Coffey, Brown, and Dragunov all have title aspirations. All three wrestlers have previously unsuccessfully challenged for WALTER’s NXT United Kingdom Championship.
Teoman vs. Oliver Carter is also set for next Thursday’s NXT UK.
Gradwell cut a promo on his way to the ring about Wolfgang being the “big bad wolf” and not being afraid of him.
Wolfgang displayed his power early and kept Gradwell under control Gradwell came back and worked over Wolfgang’s shoulder and eventually slapped him, which led to Wolfgang throwing him to ringside. Gradwell rolled back in and Wolfgang flipped over the top rope from the apron, hitting a big spear to gain the pinfall victory. He also got a cut above his left eye at some point during the match.
— Backstage, Kenny Williams said the best thing about everyone thinking you’re a scumbag is you can stop acting like you aren’t one.
— A number of women from NXT and NXT UK talked about Meiko Satomura winning the title last week. Raquel Gonzalez, Ember Moon, Dakota Kai, Xia Brookside, Amale and Beth Phoenix all gave thoughts with everyone except Amale praising her. She said Satomura robbed her of her opportunity to become champion, so she would take the title off her. Gonzalez said that she hoped at Survivor Series, it would be NXT vs. NXT UK and she could face Satomura. Good luck with that idea.
— Mark Andrews was giving Flash Morgan Webster and Dani Luna a pep talk backstage when Jinny and Joseph Conners walked up and started talking trash. Pretty Deadly then walked by and said they couldn’t wait to do commentary on the match later tonight.
Kenny Williams defeated Danny Jones (4:13)
Jones used his size and strength advantage to keep Williams at bay, but Williams pulled him into the ropes from the outside, double foot stomped his back and stretched the rules a little to keep the advantage. Jones briefly ran wild, but Williams took out his knee and hit Bad Luck (the headlock driver) for the pinfall victory.
– Ilja Dragunov vs. Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey in a triple threat match was announced for next week. The three of them were sitting down at a table, discussing the match. They asked Dragunov why he would get involved in their history and he said it was because they thought NXT UK was their playground but there were others there, including him. He said they talked about violence, but he was violence. Coffey asked him if he left a piece of himself in the ring when he faced WALTER. They talked about their similar upbringing in working class places like Glasgow, Leeds and Russia. They all talked over each other in the end and decided to find out who the toughest was among them. This was a really good segment.
— Mark Coffey talked about Wolfgang being one up right now on him and needing an opponent. He went to annoy Sha Samuels who was trying to solve a crossword puzzle in a newspaper. Samuels took the bait and called him out for a fight so that match should happen soon.
Supernova Sessions with guest Jordan Devlin
Dar introduced his first ever t-shirt, now available on WWEShop.com. Dar and Devlin hugged and Dar complimented him on his outfit and style and gifted him a shirt. Dar asked about Devlin’s endeavors in the U.S. and Devlin said Dar had been there, done that and they both were now back on NXT UK because the U.S. sucked. Dar said that Devlin had not lost but rather been robbed of the Cruiserweight title.
Dar then gifted Devlin time to make his own exclusive statement. Devlin put the whole NXT UK roster on notice. saying if they wanted to test themselves, just go backstage, find the biggest dressing room, and call him out.
— A video showed Teoman beating Ashton Smith leading to Teoman vs. Oliver Carter next week.
— Tyler Bate and Jack Starz were training at the Performance Center while Dave Mastiff was giving an interview. He felt fine and training went well. He then talked to Bate and Starz. Bate told Starz he had been impressive the last few weeks and wanted to give him a shot at the Heritage Cup. Starz said he didn’t think he deserved it, but Bate said he did and the offer was there. Mastiff then told Starz not to turn down opportunities like this as Starz mulled it over.
Nathan Frazer defeated Rohan Raja (6:51)
This was Raja’s first match back after his arm injury at the hands of Teoman a few weeks ago.
Raja used his size early, but Frazer hit a slingblade to take him down. Raja came back with a Black Hole Slam and threw Carter into the turnbuckles, staying on offense. Frazer came back with a neckbreaker and missed a moonsault, but landed on his feet to hit a standing moonsault that hit its mark. Raja caught him in a triangle next and transitioned into an armbar but Frazer escaped. Raja scored a close near fall with a pop-up powerbomb. Frazer hit a twisting suplex for a near fall of his own. After some more back and forth, Frazer hit a frog splash for the victory.
After the match, Frazer looked to shake hands with Raja when Teoman’s eye symbol briefly appeared on the screen. Raja then left.
— Jordan Devlin went into his locker room when he found A-Kid there drinking coffee. He told A-Kid it was his coffee machine and to get his backpack and his cup and leave. He noted A-Kid had lost his cup to which A-Kid said Devlin had lost something himself. Devlin wanted A-Kid to leave and A-Kid replied that if he wanted him to leave, he would have to make him. Jordan stormed off, calling for Sid Scala.
Subculture (Dani Luna & Flash Morgan Webster) defeated Jinny & Joseph Conners in a mixed tag team match (8:11)
Pretty Deadly were on commentary again for this match.
The men started with Conners gaining the upper hand early, but Webster came back and tagged Luna. Luna hit a suplex on Jinny and assisted Webster on a moonsault onto Conners. Jinny got back in and beat down Luna, working her over for a few minutes.
Luna came back with a number of suplexes before tagging out. Webster briefly ran wild before once more having Luna assist him on a somersault plancha to the outside. Luna threw Jinny around some more before leveling her with a clothesline. Jinny actually hit Webster with an elbow, but Luna slapped her and threw Conners out of the ring. Jinny caught her with a DDT for a near fall before the men got back in.
Jinny once more interfered before Luna stalked her at ringside. Jinny got in the ring as Webster and Conners were battling on the top rope. Jinny went to distract the referee which backfired as Luna powerbombed Conners off the top, allowing Webster to hit a 630 senton for the pin and the win.
Pretty Deadly provoked Subculture from the commentary position, possibly leading to a title match down the line.
Final Thoughts:
This was a fun show that had two good matches in Frazer vs. Raja and Subculture vs. Jinny & Conners. The opener was hard hitting and the Williams match was fine, but both are not really worth going out of your way to see.
The Devlin promo was good and his eventual battle vs. A-Kid should be tremendous.
I really like the NXT UK way of doing sit-down interviews where people actually discuss their matches instead of getting into brawls and the Dragunov/Rampage/Coffey match should be a great mean guys match.
The rest of the show was mostly build up, so expect Satomura vs. Amale and Pretty Deadly vs. Subculture down the line. I guess the winner of the triple threat may get WALTER eventually, but I could also see Jordan Devlin getting a shot down the line.
Next week:
Teoman vs. Oliver Carter
Ilja Dragunov vs. Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey in a triple threat
Samoa Joe returned to NXT last night and is now working as an authority figure on the brand.
Going into last night’s show, general manager William Regal had teased that change was coming to NXT. Regal opened the show last night and emotionally detailed his history with NXT. Regal said that — with all the chaos that has been going on — he doesn’t think he’s capable of giving the fans, competitors, and staff what they deserve anymore.
Regal was then interrupted by NXT Champion Karrion Kross. Kross called Regal pathetic and wanted him to admit that Kross was right when Kross said Regal had lost control of NXT. Kross said Regal knew that Kross could control NXT through chaos and violence. Kross also wanted Regal to say he’s leaving NXT and never coming back.
Joe then made his return by confronting Kross. Regal revealed that he wanted Joe to take over for him as general manager, but Joe declined the offer. Joe praised Regal’s work as GM and said he wanted to instead work alongside Regal to make sure that Regal receives the respect he deserves.
Regal was open to the idea but had two conditions. The first was that Joe won’t be able to be a competitor in NXT. The second was that Joe can’t put his hands on anyone — unless he’s provoked. Joe accepted the conditions and asked Kross what he was still doing in the ring.
Joe’s first night in his new role also included him helping break up a backstage brawl between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. When Cole pushed Joe out of the way and tried to continue the brawl, Joe put Cole in the Coquina Clutch and choked him out.
Regal was interviewed at the end of the episode and was asked how he thought Joe’s first night on the job went. Regal said he thinks things are going to look a little different around here. Joe called it night one of many.
This was Joe’s return to WWE after being released by the company this April. Joe had been a color commentator on Raw prior to his release. Due to concussion issues, Joe hasn’t wrestled since February 2020.
The Diamond Mine will be revealed on NXT next Tuesday.
At the end of a video that aired on NXT tonight, it was announced that the Diamond Mine will be “opening next week.” Vignettes teasing the opening of the Diamond Mine have been airing since April, but few details have been revealed about what Diamond Mine is. The teasers have shown unidentified athletes working out at an MMA gym with phrases like “Pressure Makes Diamonds” appearing on the screen.
The following matches have also been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT:
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Kushida
Adam Cole in action
Franky Monet’s second match in NXT
Hit Row (Top Dolla & Ashante “Thee” Adonis) vs. Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel)
In storyline, O’Reilly and Cole are choosing their own opponents for next week’s NXT. O’Reilly chose Kushida as his opponent, while Cole hasn’t revealed who he’ll be facing. Cole vs. O’Reilly is set for NXT Great American Bash on Tuesday, July 6.
WWE also hasn’t announced who Monet will be facing next Tuesday.
The rivalry between former Undisputed Era stablemates Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly will continue at the Great American Bash.
It was announced tonight that Cole vs. O’Reilly will take place at NXT Great American Bash on Tuesday, July 6. The event is a special episode of NXT television.
On tonight’s NXT, there was a backstage brawl between Cole and O’Reilly that had to be broken up by officials. NXT general manager William Regal announced that O’Reilly and Cole will go one-on-one at the Great American Bash. Regal also said that O’Reilly and Cole could pick their own opponents for next week’s NXT episode.
It will be O’Reilly vs. Kushida on NXT next Tuesday after O’Reilly chose Kushida as his opponent. Cole hasn’t revealed who he’ll be facing next week.
When Cole pushed new NXT authority figure Samoa Joe out of the way and went to keep brawling with O’Reilly, Joe choked out Cole with the Coquina Clutch
At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver this April, O’Reilly defeated Cole in an unsanctioned match. Cole and O’Reilly were then both involved in the fatal five-way match at TakeOver: In Your House this past Sunday. Karrion Kross defeated O’Reilly, Cole, Pete Dunne, and Johnny Gargano to retain the NXT Championship. As O’Reilly had Cole in a submission, Kross put the Kross Jacket on O’Reilly. O’Reilly passed out and Kross retained his title.
This will be the second straight year that NXT has presented a Great American Bash event. Cole vs. O’Reilly is the first match that’s been announced for this year’s show.
Blake Christian, going under the name Trey Baxter, made his NXT debut tonight.
Baxter accepted the open challenge that Kushida held on tonight’s NXT for the Cruiserweight title. Although he put on a competitive back and forth contest, Kushida retained the title after submitting Baxter with the kimura. The two shook hands after the match.
Christian signed with WWE earlier this year. Right before signing with WWE, he had been wrestling regularly for New Japan Pro Wrestling as part of their NJPW Strong roster. He had competed in a qualifying match for this year’s 2021 New Japan Cup but lost to Chris Dickinson. He had also started to appear for Impact Wrestling, losing a triple threat revolver match that Josh Alexander ultimately won back at Impact’s No Surrender event in February.
Prior to signing with WWE, Baxter also competed in various independent promotions such as Game Changer Wrestling, Black Label Pro, and Warrior Wrestling.
Samoa Joe has returned to NXT as an enforcer-like authority figure working alongside general manager William Regal.
Joe made his return to NXT on tonight’s TakeOver: In Your House fallout edition of the show, appearing on WWE television for the first time since being released by the company this April. In storyline, Regal wanted Joe to take over for him as general manager. But Joe declined that offer and said he would instead be happy to work with Regal and ensure that Regal receives the respect that he deserves.
Sunday’s TakeOver: In Your House event had ended with Regal saying that he thinks it’s time for a change. Regal said he’s been NXT GM for seven years and has never seen this much bedlam. NXT Champion Karrion Kross had accused Regal of losing control of NXT leading into TakeOver. There were also multiple brawls that took place on the day of the event..
Regal opened tonight’s NXT and emotionally detailed his history with the brand. Regal said that with the chaos that’s been going on, he doesn’t think he’s capable of giving the fans, competitors, and staff what they deserve.
Regal was then interrupted by Kross and Scarlett. Kross called Regal pathetic and asked if he was crying. Kross wanted Regal to tell everyone that he was right. He also wanted Regal to say that he was leaving NXT and never coming back. Kross said that he could control NXT through chaos and violence.
Joe then made his return. He declined Regal’s offer to become general manager and praised the work Regal has done in the job. After saying that he would work with Regal instead, Regal called it an interesting idea. But Regal had two conditions. The first was that Joe wouldn’t be able to be a competitor in NXT. The second was that Joe wouldn’t be able to lay a hand on anyone — unless he’s provoked.
Joe accepted those conditions and asked Kross what he was still doing in the ring. Joe and Kross then went face-to-face. “Tick tock, young champ,” Joe said to Kross.
Later on tonight’s show, Joe helped break up a brawl between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. When Cole pushed Joe and kept going after O’Reilly, Joe choked out Cole with the Coquina Clutch.
Before being released in April, Joe had been a color commentator on Raw. He hasn’t wrestled since February 2020 due to concussion issues.
Change could be coming to NXT starting with tonight’s TakeOver: In Your House fallout episode.
At the end of Sunday’s TakeOver event, NXT general manager William Regal said he thinks it’s “time for a change.” Regal said he’s been GM for seven years and has never seen this much bedlam. Regal called it complete madness.
In the lead-up to TakeOver, NXT Champion Karrion Kross accused Regal of having lost control of NXT. There were also multiple brawls that broke out on the day of TakeOver.
Tonight, Regal will address the future of NXT.
Kross retained his NXT Championship by defeating Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole in a fatal five-way match in the main event of TakeOver.
Raquel Gonzalez also retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Ember Moon at TakeOver, NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed & NXT Tag Team Champions MSK won a winner-take-all six-man tag match against Legado del Fantasma, LA Knight defeated Cameron Grimes in a ladder match to become the new Million Dollar Champion, and Xia Li defeated Mercedes Martinez before Martinez got into a confrontation with Mei Ying.
On tonight’s show, Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher will face The Grizzled Young Veterans in a tornado tag match. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida will also issue an open challenge, Gonzalez & Dakota Kai will take on Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro, Imperium will face Breezango, Io Shirai will appear, and there will be a Million Dollar Coronation for Knight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a canned intro recapping TakeOver: In Your House from this past Sunday.
William Regal is kicking off the show with a serious look on his face. Seemingly holding back tears, an emotional Regal talked about being in NXT since the beginning. He did commentary. and called the first TakeOver. Trying to maintain his composure, Regal fought back tears as he talks of NXT success over the years.
Regal went on to mention the shows overseas, including his hometown in Blackpool where his nieces sat with him at a show. Regal was tearing up, but he composed himself enough to keep going. He thanked the fans for NXT being able to travel around the country.
With what he called “chaos” lately, Regal says he has given everything he could give. Regal went on to say he is not capable of giving the audience or the staff what they deserve. Suddenly, NXT Champion Karrion Kross’ theme song blared over the speakers. Kross and Scarlett interrupted Regal’s speech to confront him in the ring.
Kross said he and Scarlett knew this day would come, but they didn’t know when. Kross proceeded to bully Regal, and he asked Regal if he was crying. For that Kross called him “completely pathetic.” Kross knew Regal was losing control of NXT. Kross said he “punched a whole through the Mount Rushmore of NXT,” and Regal knew Kross could control NXT through violence and chaos. What?
Kross wanted Regal to say it. Tell these people you are leaving, then “walk your ass up that aisle and never come back.” Kross ordered Regal to say Kross was right. “Say Kross conquers all!”
Enter Samoa Joe
The first few bars of Samoa Joe’s theme song rang throughout the CWC, and business was about to pick up. Kross stared in disbelief. Joe, wearing a fly blue suit, confronted Kross in the ring as the crowd chanted “Joe… Joe… Joe!”
Joe said Regal wanted to speak with him. Regal responded by saying he wanted Regal to be the new General Manager of NXT. Joe answered “absolutely not,” and he explained why. Joe said Regal brought the best talent to NXT. Joe said Regal made NXT and international phenomenon in the seven years Regal ran the promotion.
Glaring a hole through Kross, Joe said he would make sure everybody respected Regal. Joe was apparently wanting to work with Regal to help him. Regal said that was interesting, but there were conditions. Joe could not be a comepetitor, and he “cannot lay a hand on anyone,” Regal said before adding, “unless provoked.” Joe said he accepted the conditions.
Joe got in the face of Kross asked what he was still doing in this ring. “Tick tock, young champion,” Joe said to Kross. The champion left the ring, and the crowd in the CWC sang the “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” song as Kross and Scarlett leave.
Grizzled Young Veterans cut a promo on Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher ahead of their tornado tag match.
Breeze pinned Aichner with a small package. Imperium then jumped Breeze after the bell.
The match was rolling along, and Breeze missed a plancha. Fandango then went flying over the ropes with tope con giro. Imperium with a distraction was able to trip up Fandango, but Fandango fought back.
The match went through a commercial break, and Imperium was getting heat on Fandango when the show returned from the break. Hot tag to Breeze, but he was soon mowed down by a lariat from Aicher. Breeze was still able to trap Aichner in a small package for a three count.
Imperium attack Breeze after the bell. They lay him out, and they “bury” him under an Imperium banner flag.
Samoa Joe chokes out Adam Cole in backstage angle
To the back! Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly were having a pull apart brawl. Regal yelled at them they could settle this at The Great American Bash. Cole and O’Reilly still tied up again in a brawl. Samoa Joe stepped in to separate them. Cole shoved Joe aside, which apparently is provocation. Joe took off his suit jacket, and he proceeded to choke out Cole. Joe left them limp on the concrete. Joe said to tell Cole when he wakes up that Regal expects his decision.
Kushida defeated Trey Baxter for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship
Kushida submitted Baxter with a Hoverboard Lock. Why do people debut on WWE TV only to lose?
Trey Baxter is the WWE name for “All Heart” Blake Christian. He was able to keep the “All Heart” nickname. Tonight he debuted on NXT to answer Kushida’s open challenge. A vignette before the match hyped his debut. He looked cool. Too bad he lost.
They built to Baxter doing a Fosbury Flop to the outside. Kyle O’Reilly walked down to ringside as the show cut to commercial. Kushida with a comeback after the break, but Baxter cut him off with a cool flip into a kick.
They traded strikes, and Baxter is rocked by a right hand. Bazter still managed to catch Kushida in a running Spanish Fly. Baxter sprinboarded into a 450 splash for a close near fall. O’Reilly nodded seemingly in approval.
Kushida caught Baxter in a Kimura while both were perched on the ropes. Kushida then leapt off the ropes to deliver an avalanche shoulder breaker. Following up with a punt to the shoulder, Kushida applied the Hoverboard Lock. Baxter tapped out.
O’Reilly challenged Kushida after the match to a bout next week on NXT. Kushida accepted the challenge, so the match is set for next Tuesday.
Franky Monet in a backstage interview said next week would be the encore performance of her world premiere. Presley was also there. He’s such a good boy.
LA Knight turns on Ted DiBiase during Million Dollar Coronation
Ted DiBiase entered the CWC soundstage. The Million Dollar Championship belt was on display in the ring. DiBiase threw to a hype video featuring LA Knight. Arriving to the building in a fancy sports car, Knight sauntered to the ring with a cigar in his mouth.
Knight wanted to talk, and the crowd booed him. Knight told DiBiase that not often in life you can meet your heroes, much less share the ring with them. Knight can barely describe what he is feeling now that he carrying on DiBiase’s legacy. Knight is banged up, but it means the world to him being here. Had had DiBiase’s action figure, and came with the belt. Now Knight has the title.
Knight told DiBiase it would be an honor if DiBiase crowned him the new Million Dollar Champion. DiBiase said he would be glad to, and he draped the belt over Knight’s shoulder. They shook hands and pyro went off. DiBiase did his signature laugh.
Taking the Million Dollar Championship belt off his shoulder, Knight look down at it in his hands. Now that he has everything he wanted, Knight said he “it’s time to drop what I don’t need.” Knight then decked DiBiase with a punch. The right hand dropped DiBiase. Knight went to leave, but he turned back to attack DiBiase once again. Knight stomped and kicked DiBiase.
Knight was putting the boots to DiBiase when Cameron Grimes ran down to make a save. Grimes cleaned house and cleared the ring of Knight. Grimes screamed at Knight that he had crossed a line.
In a backstage interview, NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and her tag team partner, Dakota Kai, indicated they were after a shot at the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship. After a commercial break, Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart confronted Gonzalez & Kai near Gorilla Position. Samoa Joe and William Regal tried to keep the teams apart. In between was a teaser with the icon of a charging cellphone battery.
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai defeated Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro
Kai pinned Catanzaro to win the match.
Heat on Catanzaro as the match went through a commercial break. Hot tag to Carter, and she ran wild with a flurry of offense. Carter was soon cut off by Gonzalez, and a sidewalk slam by Gonzalez led to a two count.
Doube team by Kai & Gonzalez, and another near fall. This time Catanzaro jumped in to break up the count. Catanzaro & Carter with double team moves on Kai. They concluded with Carter giving Kai a neckbreaker as Catanzaro flipped into a 450 splash. Catanzaro then covered Kai for a near fall where Gonzalez dragged Catanzaro out of the ring to break the count. Gonzalez also smashed Carter into the barricade.
Kai with a drapping GTS on Catanzaro, and Kai covered her for a pinfall.
Ever-Rise cut a promo on Hit Row. I guess this was supposed to be comedy and serious at the same time. It was neither.
Cole vs. O’Reilly was officially announced for The Great American Bash on July 6th.
Announced for next week on NXT is O’Reilly vs. Kushida (presuambly in a non-title match). Adam Cole is also “in action” next Tuesday.
Candice LeRae confronts Io Shirai
During an in-ring promo, Io Shirai was about to talk about her next target when she was interrupted by Candice LeRae. According to LeRae, a lot has changed in NXT since Shirai was last here. Shirai rolled her eyes when LeRae said she was no longer an uncrowned champion. LeRae is, of course, one-half of the NXT Tag Team Champions.
LeRae said one thing that has not changed is LeRae still cannot stand her. LeRae said Shirai picked the wrong time to screw with her. Indi Hartwell in sneak attack jumped Shirai, and LeRae soon joined in. They were attacking Shirai when Shirai fired up on them. Shirai gave Hartwell a Tiger Feint Kick, and Shirai went to follow up with a springboard. LeRae blocked Shirai’s attempt, and LeRae pulled Shirai off the apron.
The attack on Shirai continued with Hartwell clearing off an announce desk. LeRae put Shirai on the desk, and LeRae ordered Hartwell to give Shirai an elbow drop. Zoey Stark ran in to make a save. Stark brawled with LeRae and Hartwell, and Stark sent The Way packing as they fled the scene. Looks like a tag team match is coming soon. Babyface saves seem to be a theme tonight.
Cut to outside the building where McKenzie Mitchell interviews William Regal and Samoa Joe as they are leaving the CWC. Mitchell remarks that “it seems like order is being restored in NXT.” What show is she watching? There was a wild brawl moments ago. There were even brawls throughout the night. A legend was assaulted in an unprovoked attack. There is chaos everywhere. And why are Regal and Joe leaving before the show is over? Who’s running things when they leave? Not only do we not get answers to those questions, we get no answers at all! None. No explanation. Regal began to speak, and the director cut away to Ciampa & Thatcher heading to the ring. What in the flying heck was that?
After a commercial break, Mitchell was back with Joe and Regal. Now they were back inside the building. Regal was about to speak when he was interrupted by Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory. Imagine that, heels interrupting someone on this show. Has to be a first.
Gargano thanked Joe for being in NXT, and Gargano said it was good Joe was here. Joe asked Gargano if he could do him a favor, and Gargano said sure. Joe said very sternly, Get out!” Gargano left without any further incident. Pete Dunne then entered the scene, and he had a staredown with Joe.
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher defeated Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake and Zack Gibson) in a tornado tag match
Drake tapped out after a double team submission. Easily the best match on the show.
They started by brawling during the ring introductions when Thatcher & Ciampa attacked Grizzled Young Veterans. Drake & Gibson still had their jackets on when Ciampa & Thatcher applied arm bar submission holds. Grizzled Young Veterans escaped the holds. They took their jackets off, and they turned the tables on Ciampa & Thatcher.
Wild brawling with everybody jumping in and out of the action. Grizzled Young Veterans looked to gain an advantage. They double teamed Thatcher. Drake & Gibson began to work him over, but Ciampa is soon back in the ring to clean house. The fight spilled out to the floor, and Ciampa was wrecking shop on Grizzled Young Veterans.
Thatcher soon joined in the fun as he and Ciampa delivered a series of charging uppercuts. The fighting continues through a commercial break, and the bedlam goes on. Grizzled Young Veterans were again double teaming Thatcher after the break.
Thatcher was trapped in a submission hold, but Ciampa jumped in to break it up. Ciampa was then double teamed, and Grizzled Young Veterans set up for a Doomsday Device. It was Thatcher turn to make a save, which allowed Ciampa to exdecute a Super Air Raid Crash for a near fall.
One highspot might have gone awry. Gibson was on the floor with Ciampa in an electric chair. Drake with dive through the ropes on Ciampa, and Ciamp sold like he was out. Drake screamed out in pain like he hurt something.
Drake was able to get back into the match moments later, and Drake made a save to break up a pinning attempt. Ciampa also jumped in to break up a pin. Grizzled Young Veterans looked to put Ciampa through the announce desk. They propped the table’s particle board cover on the desk, and they slammed Ciampa through the particle board.
The Vets went to put Ciampa through a table, but Drake had to get back into the ring to fight with Thatcher. Ciampa countered Gibson, and Ciampa dropped Gibson on the desk with an Air Raid Crash. The desk did not fold up on impact.
Drake was yelling at Ciampa to get back into the ring. Unbeknownst to Drake, Thatcher was stalking him. Double team chops by Thatcher & Ciampa. Fairy Tale Ending by Ciampa, and Thatcher applied an ankle lock. Ciampa also jumped on Drake to apply an armbar at the same time. Drake tapped out.
To the back! McKenzie Mitchell is again trying to interview Samoa Joe and William Regal. They stuck around for the end of the show after all. “I think things are going to be a little different around here,” Regal said. “Night one of many,” Joe said. “Shall we?” Then they left. Turn off the lights on your way out, kids. See y’all next week.
