Category: NXT News

WWE NXT live results: O’Reilly vs. Dunne vs. Gargano

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The NXT Championship match for TakeOver: In Your House will become official tonight.

On tonight’s NXT, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, and Johnny Gargano will face off in a triple threat match to determine Karrion Kross’ challenger for TakeOver. The triple threat match will kick off tonight’s show.

Last week, Kross retained the NXT Championship by defeating Finn Balor in a rematch from TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. It was Kross’ first title defense since becoming champion.

The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line tonight. MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) will defend their titles against Legado del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde.

MSK won the then-vacant NXT Tag Team titles by defeating The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) and Mendoza & Wilde in a triple threat match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. Following TakeOver, Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Mendoza & Wilde) picked up a win against Kushida & MSK in a six-man tag match.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show is opening with a triple threat match to determine a number one contender for TakeOver.

Pete Dunne vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Kyle O’Reilly ended in a no contest

Adam Cole ran in to attack everyone, and the match was thrown out. Great match until the run-in, which would seem to set up another match.

The three way dance started with a slugfest. Gargano was sent outside. He jumped back in when O’Reilly was trying to catch Dunne in an armbar. Instead of offense, Gargano was quickly on defense as O’Reilly instead trapped him in an armbar. Dunne kept jumping in to pick the bones while the other two grappled against each other. Lots of cool grappling, and a different psychology that was much more fluid than a usual WWE-style thriple threat.

Tons of spots playing off all three as they fought through a commercial break. Gagrano was out of the ring selling just before the show was set to return from the break. Meanwhile, Dunne was working over O’Reilly. All three face off as the show comes back from commercial. O’Reilly fired up, and he cleaned house.

O’Reilly wtih a diving knee off the apron, but Gargano hit him with a tope. Gargano with two more tope dives through the ropes. Slingshot spear by Gargano for a near fall on O’Reilly. Dunne broke up a backslide competition with several kicks. Dunne with an X-plex on Gargano for a two and a half count. Dunne went to trap O’Reilly in a kimura, but Gargano breaks it up. O’Reilly with a leglock on Gargano, but Dunne is back to break up the hold. 

Gargano countered a Bitter End to deliver a swinging DDT on Dunne. Sending Dunne crashing into O’Reilly like a lawn dart, Gargano gets a near fall on Dunne. The built to all three throwing kicks, hitting big moves, and rocking each other with strikes. Triple down. They arose for a triple sleeper spot. Gargano was caught in a sleeper from O’Reilly, but Dunne rushed in to catch O’Reilly in a sleeper. Gargano comes back in with La Mistica into the Gargano Escape submission finisher. Dunne snapped Gargano’s fingers to break the hold. 

Dunne delivered a Bitter End on Gargano, and Dunne went for a cover. O’Reilly broke the count with a bombs away flying knee drop. Double clothesline on the floor leave O’Reilly and Dunne down at ringside. Suddenly, Adam Cole ran down to ringside with a metal folding chair like he was Balls Mahoney. Cole first hits O’Reilly with the chair, and Cole then hit Dunne with a chair to the back. Cole flings the chair at Gargano’s head.

Cole is wrecking the place, hitting alomst everyone moving at ringside. Officials pour out to break up the melee. Dunne and Cole start brawling, and Cole give Dunne a brainbuster on the floor. Cole delivers a Last Shot to O’Reilly on the floor. Cole measures Gargano in the ring, and Cole delivered another Last Shot. William Regal storms to ringside angry with Cole. Regal was steaming, but Cole had to get one more shot in on O’Reilly. Cole then left ringside, leaving destruction in his wake.

El Legado del Fantasma cut a promo that was a “WWE Network Exclusive,” which is odd. It’s not very exclusive to the WWE Network when it’s also airing on national cable television. Also, WWE Network? That still a thing? I guess outside the United Stated it is, but this is airing live in the US.

LA Knight introduced himself and cut a promo on the way to the ring. 

In a pre-tape skit, Hit Row got into a verbal argument with Drake Maverick. Killian Dain stepped in to get in Swerve’s face. 

Jake Atlas defeated LA Knight

Atlas pinned Knight after a distraction by Cameron Grimes.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase walked to ringside to watch the match, presumably to scout Knight. The match went through a commercial break, with Knight maintaining an advantage. Atlas fired up after the show returned from the break, but Knight soon cut him off. Knight was then cut off himself moments later.

Atlas with a comeback, and as Atlas was getting a near fall out comes Cameron Grimes. DiBiase is joined at ringside by Grimes, who rants and rambles at the Million Dollar Man. Knight tripped up Atlas, only for Grimes to distract Knight. Atlas is able to shove Knight off the turnbuckles, and Knight crotched himself on the top rope. Atlas executed a cartwheel DDT, and he covered Knight for a pinfall.

McKenzie Mitchell interviewed DiBiase backstage after the match. DiBiase said that Knight dropped the ball tonight, but DiBiase bragged on Grimes. Adam Cole appeared again suddenly as he stormed past the camera headed to the ring.

NXT Champion confronts Cole

Cole cut a promo in the ring. Two years ago to the day he became NXT Champion. Cole claimed today to be the real number one cotender. Cole brought up the current NXT Champion, who is Karrion Kross. Cole called him a “meathead,” among other things.

Kross, with Scarlett, interrupted Cole’s promo. Kross confronted Cole face-to-face in the ring. Kross called him a “little man,” and Cole soon responded by calling Kross “overrated.” William Regal was really busy tonight. He came out again to trying to say he knew what Cole was doing. Kross yelled at Regal to shut up. Kross said he wants to face everyone at TakeOver. Kross wants to face the three challengers from the triple threat earlier, and he wants to face Cole too. Looks like a fatal five way title match as the main evetn of TakeOver. 

Candice LeRae was finally back on the show this week. LeRae was with Indi Hartwell for an interview. They are still the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. Hartwell was listening to music via headphones. LeRae took the headphones off Hartwell to ask what was up. Hartwell was listening to 1980s power ballads. Later in the show, Dexter Lumis found the headphones and music player. A tear rolled down his cheek as he listened to the ’80s ballads. 

A vignette hyped the debut of Carmelo Hayes. He vowed to be the next cruiserweight champ. He faces Kushdia tonight in an open challenge.

NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defeated Carmelo Hayes to retain his title

Kushida submitted Hayes using the Hoverboard Lock. 

Hayes with plenty of offense in the first half of the match, which made Hayes look strong. They match went through a commercial break, with Hayes getting a near fall as the show cuts away.

Kushida comes back after the break, but he is soon cut off by Hayes with a springboard in a clothesline of sorts. Hayes with a modified La Mistica for a near fall. 

Kushida fired up with a flurry of his signature offense. Kushida went on to apply the Hoverboard Lock, and Hayes tapped out.

During the previous match, announced officially for TakeOver is Cameron Grimes vs. LA Knight. Also official for TakeOver is the fatal five way for the NXT Championship.

Franky Monet was in getting her makeup down. She read some tweets that put her over, and Monet said she was just getting started in NXT. Presley was there, too. He was a good boy.

NXT Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Zoey Stark & Zayda Ramier in a non-title match

Hartwell pinned Ramier to win the match. For the finish, the champs executed a combo called Wicked Savage. It combines a curb stomb by LeRae (which is called a Wicked Stepsister), and a springboard flying elbow drop (similar to Randy Savage without the springboard). Due to technical difficulties I missed most of this match, but things cleared up just in time for the finish.

Mercedes Martinez cut a promo on Xia Li. Martinez mentioned how she defeated Li in the Mae Young Classic. Lools like these two are set for another match very soon.

The Diamond Mine is “opening soon” in NXT.

Ember Moon in a backstage interview cut a promo on Raquel Gonzalez. Moon has a singles match against Dakota Kai next week, and Moon vowed to take the NXT Women’s Championship from Gonzalez at TakeOver.

Poppy returns to NXT next week.

NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee and Nash Carter) defeated Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde with Santos Escobar) to retain their titles

Lee pinned Wilde to retain the titles. Really good match with lots of action, escpially near the finish. 

Mendoza wore a mask that looked like The Lone Ranger, or maybe it was more like a Jimmy Jack Funk mask since this is pro wrestling after all. It might have been a protective mask. Not sure, but he wore it the entire match.

Really good match. They did some cool double team moves, and the flying amongst these guys was a highlight of course. Grizzled Young Veterans came down to ringside briefly during the match. They were not long, because Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher ran down to attack them. They fought the Vets back through the curtain from which they came.

The match went through a commercial break, and the heels were getting heat on Lee as the show returns. Carter came in off a hot tag to run wild. Lee is back in moments later as they run through some double team moves. So much for getting heat on Lee. He looked fresh, even after getting worked over earlier.

While Lee was running wild on Wilde he was unaware that Mendoza was actually the legal man. Mendoza springboarded off the top rope to nail Lee with a missiled dropkick. That led to a near fall for Mendoza.

Lee was sent outside the ring, and he landed at the feet of Santos Escobar. Interfering in the match, Escobar sent Lee crashing into the ring steps. That led to a near fall where Cater jumped in to make a save.

Bronson Reed ran in at ringside to splash Escobar, sandwiching him into the barricade. Mendoza & Wilde were on a roll before this, but Reed’s running down disrtacted them. MSK capitalized with a double team finisher. The Hart Attack/Blockbuster combo on Wilde led to Lee covering him for a pinfall.

Date set for KLR vs. Meiko Satomura NXT UK Women’s title rematch

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Kay Lee Ray and Meiko Satomura’s Women’s Championship rematch will air on NXT UK in two weeks.

WWE has announced that KLR will defend her NXT UK Women’s Championship against Satomura on the Thursday, June 10 episode of NXT UK. Satomura won a gauntlet match on NXT UK two weeks ago to again become the number one contender to KLR’s title.

The gauntlet match that Satomura won also featured Jinny, Isla Dawn, Dani Luna, and Emilia McKenzie. In a post-match angle, KLR laid out Satomura with a superkick. KLR had come out to the ring after the match to have a staredown with Satomura. KLR then bowed to Satomura. When Satomura bowed back, KLR gave her the superkick.

A video aired on NXT UK today hyping up the KLR-Satomura rematch. KLR said she’s very proud of her previous match against Satomura and said Satomura gained her respect, but KLR didn’t become NXT UK Women’s Champion by holding hands and making friends. KLR said she’s lost friends because of how she’s acted — and it was worth it. Satomura said she stopped respecting KLR when KLR gave her that superkick two weeks ago. KLR said she’s the “Forever Champion” and vowed that no one will take her title from her.

In what was Satomura’s second match for NXT UK, KLR defeated Satomura in March to retain the NXT UK Women’s Championship. That’s the only match Satomura has lost since joining NXT UK.

Satomura & McKenzie defeated KLR & Dawn in a tag team match at NXT UK: Prelude last month. McKenzie pinned Dawn to get the win while Satomura prevented KLR from breaking it up.

As of today, KLR has been NXT UK Women’s Champion for 635 days. She defeated Toni Storm for the title at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff in August 2019.

The NXT UK episode that airs next Thursday (June 3) will feature Ilja Dragunov vs. Noam Dar and Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey.

WWE NXT viewership steady, 18-49 rating down despite title match

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Image: WWE. Source: PWTorch.

Tuesday night’s episode of NXT averaged 698,000 viewers on the USA Network, essentially the same number as the last two weeks where the show averaged 700,000 and 697,000 viewers respectively.

This week’s NXT was headlined by NXT Champion Karrion Kross defending his title against Finn Balor in a rematch from TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. The episode drew a 0.13 rating in the 18-49 demo, down 13.3 percent from last week. It’s expected that going against the NBA playoffs took a bite out of what NXT would have drawn otherwise.

Compared to its 10-week average prior to moving to Tuesdays, NXT’s viewership was up 4.3 percent. NXT’s 10-week average in the 18-49 demo prior to the move was a 0.17, so this week’s demo rating was down 23.5 percent from that.

Year-over-year, NXT was down 4.5 percent in viewership despite the fact that the show aired on Wednesday opposite AEW Dynamite at this time last year. Even worse, the 18-49 demo rating was down 31.6 percent year-over-year.

WWE NXT video highlights: Kross vs. Balor NXT title rematch

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

In the main event of last night’s NXT, Finn Balor fell short in his NXT Championship rematch against Karrion Kross.

Kross retained the NXT Championship by making Balor pass out in the Kross Jacket. It was Kross’ first title defense since winning the NXT Championship from Balor at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver next month.

Kross’ next title defense will be against either Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, or Johnny Gargano. It was announced last night that O’Reilly, Dunne, and Gargano will face off in a triple threat match on NXT next week, with the winner challenging for Kross’ NXT Championship at TakeOver: In Your House on Sunday, June 13.

Dunne was in action last night and defeated the returning Bobby Fish. Plus, Franky Monet made her NXT in-ring debut, Ted DiBiase and Cameron Grimes met for their “Million Dollar Face-Off,” Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai took on Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart, and more.

More coverage from last night —

WWE NXT video highlights —

Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs. Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart

Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher and Grizzled Young Veterans promos

Bobby Fish vs. Pete Dunne

It’s time for Hit Row to go gold

Mercedes Martinez vs. Zayda Ramier

Ted DiBiase-Cameron Grimes Million Dollar Face-Off

Indi Hartwell searches for Dexter Lumis

Franky Monet makes her in-ring debut against Cora Jade

WALTER gives an order to Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner

Legado del Fantasma interrupt Bronson Reed

Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor for the NXT Championship

NXT fallout: There’s no one on the planet who has a shot at taking Karrion Kross’ title

NXT fallout: Franky Monet came to NXT to put the rest of the women’s division on notice

WWE NXT live results: Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor II

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor II headlines tonight’s episode of NXT.

The NXT Championship will be on the line as Kross and Balor face off in a rematch from TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. This will be Kross’ first title defense since defeating Balor to win the championship.

Tonight’s show will also feature the “world premiere” of Franky Monet as the former Taya Valkyrie makes her NXT in-ring debut. Monet first appeared on NXT five weeks ago. Her opponent for tonight hasn’t been announced.

With both teams wanting a shot at Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will take on Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai tonight. Bobby Fish will also return to in-ring action for the first time since December as he looks to get revenge on Pete Dunne. Fish had to undergo triceps surgery after December’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

The feud between Cameron Grimes and Ted DiBiase will continue as they meet for the “Million Dollar Face-Off.”

Plus, we’ll hear from new NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed. Reed defeated Johnny Gargano in a steel cage match last week to win the North American title.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show opened with a canned intro hyping the main event championship match. The former champion meets the current champ in a return bout that headlines the show.

The announce team of Vic Joseph, Beth Phoenix and Wade Barrett welcome viewers to the show, and they offer a rundown of tonight’s card. They throw to the opening match, which is a women’s tag team bout.

Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart defeated NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai

Moon pinned Kai to win the match. Gonzalez defending against Moon looks like potential direction. Good opener for this show as well.

Gonzalez began the match with power moves on Moon, but Moon fought back to frustate the champ with counters and two counts. Cat-and-mouse until Kai tagged in, and the heels began to work over Moon. Blackheart tagged in, and she ran wild on Kai. The babyfaces were soon in control. Blackheart applied a Texas cloverleaf, and Gonzalez saved her partner.

The match went through some commercials, and Moon was cleaning house when the show returned from break. Kai caused a distraction that allowed Gonzalez to boot Moon in the face. The heels went back to working over Moon. Blackeart jumped in to make a save at one point, and then Moon made a hot tag.

Blackheart with a go to sleep facebuster for a near fall on Kai. Gonzalez saved Kai from a Doomsday Device, and Gonzalez jumped in again to save Kai by freeing her from a leglock/crossface combo applied by Moon. Gonzalez went for her signature chokeslam, but Moon countered into a stunner.

Moon & Blackheart then executed a double team combo where Moon suplexed Kai into a Dominator while Blackheart swooped in to deliver a cutter. Moon went on to cover Kai for a pinfall.

Gonzalez attacked Blackheart & Moon after the match, and she laid them both out. Upon ordering Kai to make Moon watch the attack, Gonzalez powerbombed Blackheart into the barricade and the ring post. Gonzalez then dropped Blackheart throat first on the barricade. Looks like Moon is a potential challenger for Gonzalez, and now there is an added layer of a grudge match.

Pete Dunne (with Oney Lorcan) defeated Bobby Fish 

Dunne pinned Fish after delivering The Bitter End. Great match. Lorcan attacked Fish afterwards for a post-match beat down.

Fish showed a lot of fire at the start, yet Dunne baited him into taking a cheap shot. They grappled on the mat, and Dunne stomped Fish in the face. Dunne then began to target an arm. Fish reverses to work Dunne’s arm. Fish booted Dunne out of the ring just before the show cut to a commercial break. 

Dunne was again targeting Fish’s arm when the show returned from the break. Fish fired up, and he caugth Dunne in a sleeper. Dunne with joint manipulation to break the sleeper. Dropping a knee on Fish’s previously injured arm, Dunne looked vicious. Dunne followed Fish when Fish rolled outside. At ringside, Fish smashed Dunne into the barricade.

Fish got back into the ring, only for him to walk into an enzuigiri. Fish answered back with an exploder into the ropes, which led to a near fall on Dunne. They traded knee strikes, and Dunne buckled over in a corner. Taking a page out of Bret Hart’s playbook, Dunne was playing possum. Dunne exploded into a flurry of offense, but Fish cut him off to get another two count.

Dunne snapped Fish’s fingers while attempting to apply an arm bar. Fish still managed to roll through apply his own joint lock. Dunne countered for The Bitter End, and Dunne covered Fish for a three count.

Lorcan jumped a prone Fish after the match. Lorcan beat him down, and then he tried to re-injury Fish’s weakened arm. Officials poured out to break up the beatdown. Lorcan got more for cheap shot in by kicking Fish, but Fish got back to his feet to glare at Lorcan as he and Dunne backed away.

Mercedes Martinez was cutting a promo about working her way back up the ladder, as she wants another title shot. Boa was spying on her like a creep, so maybe Martinez meets Xia Lee in a match soon. 

Hit Row in a pre-tape vignette cut promos in a really cool segment. This could easily become a hot new act in WWE.

Mercedes Martinez defeated Zayda Ramier

Martinez pinned Ramier in an enhancement match. Afterwards came an angle setting up Xia Lee against Martinez.

Ramier got some offense, but not for long. Martinez pressed slammed Ramier off the top rope, hit her with a knee strike, and Martinez then dropped her with an Air Raid Crash. 1…2…3. 

The arena lights turned red, and the ring filled with smoke. The lights then turned blue, and Martinez had a mark written on her hand. Spooky stuff similar to what Scooby Doo and the gang might investigate. Quick, to the Mystery Machine! Might even flash the Bat signal too. Couldn’t hurt.

Cameron Grimes and Ted DiBiase in a “Million Dollar Face-Off” 

Grimes asked DiBiase “why?” Why has DiBiase been embarrassing him? Grimes told DiBiase he looked up to him, and Grimes learned people would like him if he had money. Grimes sadly said to never meet your idols.

DiBiase responded by saying he really like Grimes. They have a lot more in common than they might think, according to DiBiase. He put Grimes through hell because he saw a little bit of himself in Grimes. DiBiase said he was here because he was looking for that one individual to basically embodies The Million Dollar Man. 

DiBiase went on to say Grimes has lost his focus since becoming rich. LA Knight interrupted them for one of those LA Knight promos, if you like that sort of thing. Knight wanted to DiBiase to pick him as a protege. 

Grimes finally had enough of Knight. Grimes ordered Knight out of the ring, or Grimes threatened to kick his ass to … the … moon. Knight responded by laying out Grimes, and he left the ring. 

Dibiase stood over a fallen Grimes and said, “Kid, you’re just never going to get it.” DiBiase cackled with his signature over-the-top laugh.

Indi Hartwell was backstage looking for Dexster Lumis. She interrupted Ever-Rise, and one of them wanted to fight her. This was supposed to be comedy I think. Drake Maverick told Hartwell he saw Lumis last in a room, and Maverick pointed to the room. Hartwell went into the room, and there were a bunch of drawings supposedly drawn by Lumis. He was heartbroken apparently. Hartwell was in turn upset. This courtship was cut at first, but it has become kind of weird. Regardless, to each their own. 

Franky Monet defeated Cora Jade

Monet (formerly Taya Valkyrie) in her WWE in-ring debut pinned Jade in an enhancement match. Monet was able to get in her “Wera Loca” catchphrase during the match. She ran through most of her signature moves, and Monet looked dominate.

Jade got some offense, but Monet soon cut her off. Monet won with a version of the Glam Slam, which is basically a chicken wing into a sit-out facebuster.

Grizzled Young Veterans cut a promo on Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa, after Ciampa & Thatcher cut a promo on them earlier in the show. Ciampa & Thatcher cut the better promo on this night. The two teams meet soon in a rubber match.

NXT UK Champion WALTER addressed the remaining members of Imperium as if WALTER was the evil Emperor from Star Wars. WALTER looked more sinister than the Emperor as he dressed down Imperium.

Legado del Fantasma confronts NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed 

Bronson Reed is the new North American champ, and he came down to the ring for his first promo as the new title holder.

Reed began by saying it took him 14 years to get to this moment. Not just a climb up the mountain, but falling down just to get back up. Falling yet again, but keep getting up. It was not an easy road to the North American title. Now that he has the title, good luck to anyone trying to take it. Reed had a mountain, but he says his challengers have a “colossal mountain to climb.”

Out comes Santos Escobar and Legado del Fantasma to interrupt Reed. Escobar said he cannot relate to Reed because Escobar himself was born a champion. Escobar went on to say the North American title caught his eye. 

Escobar wants a title match against Reed. There was a joke about Canada, which seemed rather missplaced in an otherwise serious segment. Escobar got on the ring apron to further berate Reed. Legado del Fantasma was seemingly about to jump Reed when NXT Tag Team Champions MSK ran down to even the odds. Escobar and his charges fled. This segment needed Teddy Long to make it a tag team match. Luckily we still have William Regal.

NXT GM William Regal announced a thriple threat number one contender’s match for next Tueday on NXT. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Pete Dunne vs. Johnny Gargano is set for next week. The winner faces the NXT Champion. 

Also announced for next week is a tag team title bout with MSK defending against Ledado del Fantasma.

NXT Champion Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) defeated Finn Balor to reatin his title

Kross put Balor to sleep to end a pretty great match. 

Balor started strong, and Kross powdered just before the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break. Kross gained control after the break. Balor countered Kross, and Balor targeted Kross’ back. Kross fought back and turned the tables.

Kross bieled Balor across the ring, and then Kross began to suplex him. Balor countered a second suplex to apply a crossface. Balor exploded into a double stomp, yet Kross struck back with a cheap shot.

Balor trapped Kross in the ring skirt, and then Balor landed a PK before the show cut to another picture-in-picture commercial break. Kross was mounting a comeback after the show came back from the break. They traded strikes. Balor with a sling blade, but Kross kicked out at one. Kross then hopped to his feet like a man possessed by something or other. 

Balor leapt into a double stomp, but Kross was able to counter Balor. Fighting the Kross Jacket, Balor found himself trapped in Kross’s sleeper hold. Balor was able to escape, and he rolled outside. Kross sent Balor crashing into the barricade, and Kross gave Balor a Razor’s Edge into the barricade. 

Upon a sudden burst of fire, Balor made a comeback. Balor flew over the ropes with a tope con giro. Kross no sold the dive, and he powerbombed Balor onto the announce desk. That further damaged the back Kross targeted earlier on in the match. Balor would not go down without a fight. He fought back to deliver another double stomp. Balor then went for the Coup de Grace, but Kross rolled out of the way.

Kross with a German suplex followed by a Saito suplex. Kross signaled for his finisher, but Balor countered for a two count. Balor applied a cobra twist, but Kross freed himself. Balor in turn countered Kross. Balor applied a sleeper. Kross tried to escape, yet Balor transitioned to catch Kross in a triangle. Kross with a deadlift powerbombed Balor. 

Balor displayed fighting spirit as Kross struck with his signature forearm smash. Kross then stomped on Balor, and Kross locked in the sleeper. The referee checked Balor before stopped the match, and the champion retains his title.

Tyler Bate wins NXT UK Heritage Cup Championship

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Tyler Bate is the second-ever NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion.

In the main event of this week’s NXT UK episode, Bate defeated A-Kid to win the Heritage Cup Championship. After the match went to its sixth and final round without any falls being scored, Bate pinned A-Kid with just over two minutes left to get the win.

A-Kid hit a superkick on Bate and then went to pin him while he was dazed, but Bate reversed into a pinning combination to win the Heritage Cup Championship. A-Kid was disappointed in his loss but showed respect to Bate by presenting the Heritage Cup to him after the match and clapping for him.

Bate celebrated with his Moustache Mountain tag team partner Trent Seven as the show went off the air. A-Kid had defeated Seven in the finals of NXT UK’s Heritage Cup tournament last November to become the inaugural Heritage Cup Champion.

As Seven considered throwing in the towel, Bate survived an armbar that A-Kid had him locked in at the end of round five. In the break between rounds, Bate had Seven promise that he wouldn’t throw in the towel.

Bate and A-Kid had a 1-1 record against each other in NXT UK going into today’s match. Bate defeated A-Kid in February 2020, while A-Kid retained the Heritage Cup against Bate last December. Bate has been A-Kid’s friend and on-screen mentor in NXT UK.

A-Kid tweeted after losing the Heritage Cup: “We all need good stories to get through the hard times. This is the end of a beautiful story for me. The Heritage Cup’s future is in good hands. It’s time to think about what’s next for me… #NoPasaras”

This is the third title that Bate has held in his WWE career. He’s also a former NXT United Kingdom Champion and a former NXT Tag Team Champion.

NXT UK results: A-Kid vs. Tyler Bate Heritage Cup title match

Posted on by Markus Gronemann

This week’s show featured a long built-up match between Heritage Cup Champion A-Kid and Tyler Bate.

Rampage Brown pinned Wolfgang (6:20)

Brown floored Wolfgang early with a dropkick before Wolfgang floored him in return. Wolfgang missed a splash into the corner, fell over the top, and then got kicked to ringside for good measure. They brawled on the outside, but Wolfgang came back with a backbreaker once they got back inside. Wolfgang hit a splash onto Brown’s back as he was bent over, but Brown came back with a samoan drop. Wolfgang hit a huge uranage for a near fall. They went back and forth until Brown hit a hard lariat and followed up with the doctor bomb for the win.

— Ashton Smith was working out at the Performance Center and was being congratulated on becoming a father. Teoman walked up and congratulated him as well and said that family was the most important thing in life. He asked about Oliver Carter (who wasn’t there) and said he was family too. He left and Smith looked confused.

— Aoife Valkyrie was training in the woods. She said she lost, but if you learn from your loss, it isn’t really a loss. She has been looking inward for so long and now, she can finally fly.

— Rampage Brown was walking backstage and was asked about his injuries. He met up with Gallus and Joe Coffey said they had unfinished business, but he would let Brown heal up and find him when he was ready.

Amale pinned Xia Brookside (4:40)

Amale attacked Brookside two weeks ago, taking her out of the women’s no. 1 contender gauntlet match.

Brookside attacked Amale right away and beat her down. Amale managed to pull her out of the ring and rammed her both into the apron and the barricades. Amale beat Brookside down, but she eventually came back with headscissors and a neckbreaker for a near fall. Amale hit a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall of her own. She then yanked Brookside off the second turnbuckle and hit a version of a fisherman’s spinebuster for the pin and the win.

— Nathan Frazer confronted Sha Samuels in a break room and challenged him for a match next week which Samuels accepted.

— A video recapped Meiko Satomura’s win in the gauntlet match last week and Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray’s subsequent attack. There were clips of Satomura backstage, asking what was up with that kick and telling KLR that she will not be forgiven.

Supernova Sessions with Ilja Dragunov

Dar told Dragunov that his set was a safe space for him to discuss his anger issues. He transformed it into a spa with relaxing music and videos of waterfalls. He had a nice, custom made bathrobe for himself, but gave Dragunov a children’s version with dinosaurs which Dragunov said he would take home to his son. Dar said he wanted to learn about where Dragunov’s issues started and that it must have been when he lost to WALTER. Dragunov said that he lost something more in that match, but he had changed and had his feelings under control now.

Dar egged him on more and presented him with a stuffed animal, Lenny the dog. He told Dragunov to pet Lenny’s head and count to ten if he knew how and get to his happy place. Dragunov called Dar a clown and the show his circus. He said his place on the roster was violence and told Dar he could hurt him really, really bad. It looks like there will be a match between them down the line. Dragunov came back after leaving and took the dog from Dar.

— Sam Gradwell stormed into Sid Scala’s office and complained about NXT UK being an unsafe working environment after getting punched by Trent Seven last week. He demanded a match and Scala said he would talk to Johnny Saint about it. Scala later announced Dar vs. Dragunov and Joe Coffey vs. Rampage Brown as taking place in two weeks.

Tyler Bate (w/ Trent Seven) beat A-Kid 1-0 in round six to win the NXT Heritage Cup title (18:58)

This was conducted under Heritage Cup rules.

Round 1:

They went back and forth and hold for hold in the first round in what was mostly a feeling out process.

Round 2:

They traded submissions for most of the round with neither man getting the firm advantage. They had some excellent technical exchanges.

Round 3:

They traded counters early on until A-Kid hit a vicious elbow strike on a downed Bate. Bate, in turn, punched him and A-Kid fell out of the ring. They had a striking exchange and both men tumbled out of the ring seconds before the round concluded.

Round 4:

Bate attacked right away, but A-Kid came back with an upward dropkick from the mat. They traded pinfall attempts and Bate got A-Kid up for the airplane spin. A-Kid countered into a sleeper and then hit a running kick for a near fall. He got the sleeper back on, but Bate backed him into the corner. Bate went for a suplex, but A-Kid turned it into a guillotine. Bate turned that into a suplex and went for a cover, but time ran out mid count.

Round 5:

Bate tried pinning A-Kid off a roman knuckle lock. A-Kid jumped to the top rope and Bate caught him for a bridging german suplex. Bate hit the Tyler Driver ’97, but A-Kid kicked out. Bate went for a corkscrew plancha from the top, but A-Kid caught him in an armbar. Bate escaped with punches, but got locked in an omoplata but he couldn’t lock it fully in. He finally got it, but time ran out once more.

During the break, Bate made Seven promise not to throw in the towel.

Round 6:

As the match had no falls up to this point, if any of the two competitors were to score a fall in this round, that person would be the winner. If the round concluded without a fall, the match would be ruled a draw.

Bate hit the springboard clothesline early and went for the Tyler Driver ’97, but A-Kid hit a huricanrana for a near fall. Bate missed a rolling kapa kick and A-Kid missed a running soccer kick. Bate hit a punch, but A-Kid managed to hit a superkick and went to roll Bate up, but Bate spun out of the hold. He then sat down and hooked A-Kid’s legs for a pinning combination and got the pin at 0:58 of the round to win the Heritage Cup title.

A-Kid handed Bate the Cup and congratulated him. Bate then celebrated with Seven as A-Kid slowly walked to the back.

Final Thoughts:

This was a fun show, The main event was outstanding and showcased two of the best pure young wrestling talents in the world  Go out of your way to watch it.

The Brown-Wolfgang match mainly built to Brown-Joe Coffey and Amale beating Brookside hopefully kicks off a more prominent role for the talented Amale. Dar is a lot of fun as the host of his show and Dragunov as the straight man played off well on him.

Next week:

  • Nathan Frazer vs. Sha Samuels

In two weeks:

  • Ilja Dragunov vs. Noam Dar
  • Joe Coffey vs. Rampage Brown

Eight NXT on-air talent released by WWE

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Six wrestlers and two referees in NXT have been released by WWE.

Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Kavita Devi, Jessamyn Duke, Ezra Judge, Skyler Story, Vanessa Borne, Alexander Wolfe, and referees Drake Wuertz and Jake Clemons have been released from the company. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful was the first to report the cuts, and more are expected.

Wuertz had been a referee for the NXT brand since 2014, and had been seen as recently as this week’s episode of NXT. Wolfe signed with WWE in 2015. He also appeared on last night’s NXT, where he was laid out by members of Imperium after they turned on him. Devi had been training at the WWE Performance Center since 2017, Duke since 2018, Judge since 2019, and Borne since 2016. Story, who previously worked under the name Brandi Lauren in EVOLVE, had started with the company in October.

Fightful additionally reported that Wuertz had “nuclear heat brought on by himself” for the better part of a year. He had to be warned about attending events without a mask and not being vaccinated, and was known for loudly criticizing wrestlers for getting vaccinations or even flu shots. Additonally, there was an incident last year where he stormed out of a Triple H speech prior to the In Your House event. Wuertz left after Triple H mentioned that “(paraphrasing) that all people, races, genders, and religions were welocmed,” with Wuertz becoming upset once relgiion was mentioned.

Wuertz has made controversial statements in recent weeks, most recently at a Seminole County Public School Board meeting back on May 11. In his statement to the board, Wuertz argued that wearing masks in schools assists predators who “wish to prey upon our children”. At a Semionle County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Zoom wearing NXT attire earlier this month, he argued against the mask mandate in the county, saying that “child sex traffickers love COVID masks.”

Prior to signing with WWE as a referee, Wuertz wrestled regularly in CZW under the name Drake Younger.

WWE NXT video highlights: Bronson Reed wins North American title

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

By defeating Johnny Gargano on last night’s NXT, Bronson Reed became a champion for the first time in his WWE career.

The main event of last night’s show saw Reed defeat Gargano in a steel cage match to win the NXT North American Championship. After overcoming interference by Gargano’s The Way stablemate Austin Theory, Reed hit two top rope splashes on Gargano to get the win. Reed refused to win by exiting the door, instead choosing to hit his Tsunami splash on Gargano after the first splash.

In a post-show speech, Reed thanked all of the fans who come to NXT, the people at the commentary desk, everyone in the back, and everyone who has believed in him. Reed also thanked his wife, who joined him in the ring for the speech. Reed said his wife supporting him for the past 14 years is the reason that he’s able to live his dream and is now the new North American Champion. Reed declared that the Colossal Era of NXT has begun.

 Paul “Triple H” Levesque posted a picture with Reed after last night’s show and congratulated him on his North American title win: “You don’t always see the struggles or the setbacks but tonight we saw a 14 year journey punctuated by @bronsonreedwwe becoming the NEW #NXTNATitle Champion. Congratulations to the #COLOSSAL!!! #AndNew #ThePoint #WWENXT”

More coverage from last night —

WWE NXT video highlights —

Zoey Stark vs. Toni Storm

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell’s spa day

Prime Target: Kross vs. Balor II

Jake Atlas vs. Cameron Grimes, Ted DiBiase appears

Arash Markazi interviews Pete Dunne

Killian Dain vs. Alexander Wolfe

Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai can disagree and still be friends

Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. Legado del Fantasma

Bobby Fish challenges Pete Dunne to face him next week

Sarray vs. Aliyah

Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon are ready to get back on track

Hit Row vs. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari

Steel cage match: Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed for the NXT North American title

NXT fallout: Bronson Reed gives a post-show speech

NXT fallout: Bronson Reed’s North American title win represents 14 years of hard work

NXT fallout: Cameron Grimes attacks August Grey for taunting him

NXT fallout: Drake Maverick claims that he always had faith in Killian Dain

WWE NXT Tag Team title match set for June 1

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Legado del Fantasma are next in line for a shot at MSK’s NXT Tag Team titles.

NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) will defend their titles against Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) on the Tuesday, June 1 episode of NXT. The announcement was made by NXT general manager William Regal after Mendoza & Wilde defeated Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher on NXT tonight.

Regal said he’s not quite happy with how Mendoza & Wilde got there, but they’re now the number one contenders to MSK’s NXT Tag team titles. Mendoza & Wilde defeated Ciampa & Thatcher after The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) interfered and attacked Ciampa while the referee’s attention was turned away.

Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Mendoza & Wilde) defeated Kushida & MSK in a six-man tag match on NXT three weeks ago. Mendoza pinned Carter to get the win.

MSK became NXT Tag Team Champions by defeating Gibson & Drake and Mendoza & Wilde in a triple threat match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month. Lee pinned Gibson to win the match. The NXT Tag Team titles were vacant going into that match after Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch had to relinquish them due to Burch suffering a separated shoulder.

MSK have made one title defense since becoming NXT Tag Team Champions. They retained against Drake Maverick & Killian Dain.

Two matches, ‘Million Dollar Face-Off’ added to next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has announced a few additions to the lineup for next week’s NXT.

Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will face NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai in a tag team match on NXT next Tuesday. The show will also feature Bobby Fish’s return to in-ring action as he faces Pete Dunne.

Plus, there will be a “Million Dollar Face-Off” segment with Cameron Grimes and “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase on NXT next Tuesday. DiBiase distracted Grimes tonight and caused him to lose a match against Jake Atlas. DiBiase had appeared in videos each of the past three weeks where he used his wealth to upstage Grimes.

Blackheart & Moon and Gonzalez & Kai are looking to get the first shot at Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. Gonzalez & Kai were the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, but they lost the titles to Blackheart & Moon on the same night that the titles were introduced. LeRae & Hartwell became NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions by defeating Blackheart & Moon in a street fight two weeks ago.

Gonzalez retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Mercedes Martinez on NXT last week. In a post-show video, Gonzalez went to Martinez and told Martinez that she respects her. Kai appeared to be angry that Gonzalez did that. Gonzalez and Kai accused interviewer McKenzie Mitchell of trying to start things when she asked them about it tonight. Kai said they can agree or disagree and still be friends.

Next week will be the first time Fish has wrestled since undergoing triceps surgery following the WarGames match where Undisputed Era defeated Pat McAfee, Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch at TakeOver: WarGames last December.

Fish returned to NXT TV last week and saved Kyle O’Reilly from an attack by Dunne and Lorcan. O’Reilly thanked Fish for saving him, but he told Fish that he’s doing his own thing now. Fish said he has his own scores to settle too and will see O’Reilly when he sees him. Fish was interviewed on NXT tonight and said last week had little to do with O’Reilly and everything to do with getting revenge on Dunne and Lorcan for injuring him.

When asked about his goals during an interview on tonight’s NXT, Dunne said it’s time for him to go after the NXT Championship.

Here’s the updated lineup for next Tuesday’s NXT:

  • NXT Champion Karrion Kross defends against Finn Balor
  • Franky Monet’s in-ring debut
  • Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai
  • Bobby Fish vs. Pete Dunne
  • Cameron Grimes-Ted DiBiase Million Dollar Face-Off

Bronson Reed wins North American title on WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new North American Champion was crowned in the main event of this week’s NXT.

In a steel cage match, Bronson Reed defeated Johnny Gargano on NXT tonight to win the NXT North American Championship. After overcoming interference by Austin Theory, Reed hit two top rope splashes on Gargano to win the North American title. Reed refused to win the match by walking out of the door after the first splash and instead chose to hit his Tsunami splash on Gargano to get the pin.

The NXT North American Championship is the first title that Reed has held in WWE. Reed (formerly known as Jonah Rock) joined the WWE Performance Center in February 2019.

This was the second time that Reed had challenged Gargano for the NXT North American Championship. After winning a number one contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one last month, Reed lost a title match to Gargano at night two. Reed getting another title shot was set up when he defeated Gargano’s The Way stablemate Theory on NXT three weeks ago.

This was Gargano’s third reign with the North American Championship. He had been champion since defeating Leon Ruff and Damian Priest in a triple threat match at TakeOver: WarGames last December.

Reed said on tonight’s NXT that today was the 14-year anniversary of him making his in-ring debut. Reed’s wife joined him in the ring as he gave a speech after tonight’s show went off the air.

WWE NXT live results: North American title steel cage match

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The North American Championship will be on the line inside of a steel cage on tonight’s NXT.

Tonight’s show will be headlined by Johnny Gargano defending his NXT North American Championship against Bronson Reed in a steel cage match. Reed is getting another shot at the title after unsuccessfully challenging Gargano at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two last month. Reed had to win a number one contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator match on night one to earn that title shot.

Zoey Stark and Toni Storm will also face off in a grudge match tonight. In an upset, Stark defeated Storm on the pre-show for night one of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase will make an appearance live at the Capitol Wrestling Center as he continues his feud with Cameron Grimes. DiBiase has appeared in videos each of the last three weeks and has used his wealth to upstage Grimes.

Sports writer and radio host Arash Markazi will conduct an interview with Pete Dunne tonight. Plus, there will be a Prime Target special feature building up next week’s Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor NXT Championship match.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show opened with a grudge match.

Toni Storm defeated Zoey Stark

Storm pinned Stark clean with a wicked finisher. Really good opener. 

Their faces told the story before the bell. Stark with a look of determination on her face, while Storm wore a snarl. Strom slapped Stark across her face just after the bell sounds. Stark responds with a flurry of offense that leads to a plancha. Stroms again bails out of the ring after taking a missile dropkick from Stark. Storm proceeds to trip up Stark, and she pulls her off the apron. Storm with a hip attack sandwiched Stark into the ring steps. 

Storm takes her time working over Stark, seemingly easily in control. Stark is still able to kick out, but she was clearly in peril. She fought back, countering Storm with a backslide for two. Stark with a kick knocks Storm off her feet, leading to a double down as the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break. Storm bumped and fed throughout the break, yet she managed to cut off Stark. 

Stark fought back as the show returned from the break. Cool counter where Stark blocked a Storm Zero with a hurricanrana. Strom then countered Stark, and Storm rocked Stark with a German suplex. Storm Zero for a nearfall. Then came a wild move. Not sure what it was, or even how to describe it. It was wicked. Storm then covered Stark for a pinfall.

Franky Monet, holding her dog Presley, came out on stage after the match for some reason. Guess she was a heel stealing the spotlight. Monet debuts in the ring next week on NXT.

Cameron Grimes arrived to the building in his fancy car. Jake Atlas and some other guys were poking fun at Grimes. He chirped back at Atlas, and Grimes got in his face. They have a match later.

A great video package hyped Finn Balor vs. Karrion Kross ahead of their title match where the former champion challenges the current champ. They watched footage of their previous encounter, where Kross captured the NXT Championship after pinning Balor clean. Their title rematch is set for next week on NXT. Pat McAfee and Paul Heyman even weighed in on the upcoming championship bout. The match is being built as “Balor vs. Kross II.” 

Jake Atlas defeated Cameron Grimes

Atlas pinned Grimes after Ted DiBiase distracted Grimes. This was more of an angle than a match, but the match itself was good enough nonetheless. 

Before the match, Grimes cut a promo on Ted DiBiase. Grimes threw to retro footage of the DiBiase losing the Million Dollar Championship to Virgil. Grimes laughed out loud, but he grew angry as “DiBiase” chants were piped into the CWC. The live crowd clapped along and chanted as well. Grimes was livid. 

Grimes tried to attack Atlas at the outset, but Atlas sent him crashing out of the ring. Grimes flopped around on the floor like a fish out of water, and he sold his jaw as the show cut to a commercial break.

Able to cut off Atlas after the show returned from the break, Grimes got a near fall. Grimes began working over Atlas, but Atlas soon fought back. They went back and forth while a split screen showed a white limousine arriving to the building. The limo was emblazoned with a golden dollar sign. Meanwhile in the ring, Grimes is turned inside out with a lariat, and Atlas gets a close near fall. 

Atlas tried to high risk move, and Grimes was able to counter him moments later with a running Spanish Fly. Suddenly, the Million Dollar Man’s theme song blared over the loud speakers. Out walked Ted DiBiase. A distracted Grimes was rolled up for a pinfall. DiBiase did his signature over the top laugh at the expense of Grimes. 

Grimes ran out of the ring. He was chasing down DiBiase, and Grimes ran outside to DiBiase’s limo. He pretended a limo door would not open, but it clearly was unlocked. Grimes sold it big anyway. DiBiase rolled down in the window tol tell Grimes he did good, but Grimes was no Million Dollar Man. DiBiase chackled, and the limo sped away to leave Grimes hanging in the parking lot. 

Arash Markazi sat down with Pete Dunne for a pre-taped interview. Dunne was great here. He looked like a superstar, but he wasn’t too over the top. Dunne put himself over as a top contender, and he ain’t wrong.

Killian Dain (with Drake Maverick) defeated Alexander Wolfe (with Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner)

Dain pinned Wolfe in a short match after illegal tactics backfired on Imperium. The heels turned on Wolfe after the match.

Dain was a powerhouse at the start, until Barthel jumped onto the apron. Maverick got on the apron to even the odds, and Maverick was then sent flying off the apron. Dain knocked Barthel off the apron in retaliation, but the distraction allowed Wolfe to give Dain a German suplex. 

Barthel slid a folding chair into the ring, and he ordered Wolfe to hit Dain with the chair. The referee tried to step in, and he pleaded for someone to come get the chair. Sounds like a job for a referee. Didn’t matter in the end, as Dain delivered a spear. Dain then covered Wolfe for a pinfall to end a short match.

Very displeased after the match, Imperium turned on Wolfe. Barthel and Aichner attacked Wolfe. They jumped him, and beat him down to leave him laid out on the mat in a heap. The announcers sold it like Wolfe may be kicked out of Imperium for not towing the line.

Ever-Rise in a comedy bit interrupted an interview with NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai. Gonzalez went on to slap Matt Martel across the face. He sold it big, and he spilled his coffee. This was supposed to be funny I guess. The humor was lost on me.

El Legado del Fantasma (Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza) defeated Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa 

Mendoza pinned Ciampa after outside interference by Grizzled Young Veterans. Third match in a row on this show without a clean finish. 

Mendoza had his lip busted open, and he worked the majority of the match for his team. Ciampa & Thatcher looked dominate in the early stages of the bout. Stereo spots as Thacther & Ciampa both applied ankle locks, and Legado del Fantasma with a stereo near fall using victory rolls to counter the ankle locks.

Mendoza was rocked by an elbow from Ciampa befoe a commercial break. The announce team later said Mendoza was cleared to continue during the break, after medical staff checked on him. After some commercials, Ciampa was cleaning house when the show returned from the break. He was on fire, but Legado del Fantasma with a double team.

Heat on Ciampa, which led to a hot tag. Thatcher’s turn to clean house. He and Ciampa pummeled Mendoza. He fought back, and the heels soon regained the advantage. Thatcher jumped in to make a save. Wilde with a flip dive after Thatcher made another save. Ciampa deliverd a Widow’s Bell, and Ciampa covered Mendoza for a count of two and three quarters. Mendoza dove in at the last moment to break up the pin.

Continuing a trend on this show of outside interference, Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) ran down to ringside. They jumped Ciampa and then rolled him back into the ring. Legado del Fantasma with a double team finisher, and Mendoza scored a pinfall on Ciampa.

Bobby Fish in a backstage interview called out Pete Dunne. Fish challenged Dunne to a match next week.

Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell were enjoying a spa day when LeRae was informed her credit card was declined. Apparently, there was an unpaid expense on the card from a florist. The employee at the spa was able to obtain these details from the credit card company. Seems like a privacy violation, but the bigger scandal here was a charge for a florist. Hartwell quickly got suspicious, but that suspicion did not lead to anger. Instead, Hartwell exclaimed in excitement this means Dexter Lumis still loves her.

NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano cut a serious promo on Bronson Reed ahead of their title match later on in a cage. 

Sarray defeated Aliyah (with Robert Stone & Jessi Kamea)

Sarray pinned Aliyah clean. The streak on this show of distractions and interference was over with this match. Sarray won in dominate fashion. Aliyah got some offense early on, but Sarray with a comeback ran wild. Following a missile dropkick, Sarray suplexed Aliyah on her head for a pinfall.

Hit Row (Ashante Thee Adonis & Top Dolla with B-Fab & Isaiah “Swerve” Scott) defeated Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari

Top Dolla pinned Daivari to win a showcase match for the Hit Row. 

Nese & Daivari bumped like crazy, making Hit Row look like a million bucks. Top Dolla picked up them both for a double fallaway slam. Adonis with an Okada dropkick on Daivari. Top Dolla with a FU into a brainbuster, and then Top Dolla covered Daivari for a pinfall.

Hit Row cut a promo after the match.

NXT General Manager William Regal announced Legado del Fantasma will challenge MSK for the NXT Tag Team Championship in two weeks time on NXT. In a title bout Regal also announced for next week on NXT, Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart will challenge Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell in a return match for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship. That makes two title matches for next week.

Balor vs. Kross for the NXT Championship headlines next Tuesday on NXT. In addition, Ted DiBiase is back on NXT for a “Million Dollar Face Off” next week with Cameron Grimes. Also, Franky Monet in a “world premiere” debuts in an NXT ring next Tuesday on NXT.

Bronson Reed defeated NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano in a cage match to win the title

Reed pinned Gargano to win the championship in a really good cage match.

Gargano rushed to escape out of the cage door as the bell rang. Reed stopped his exit, and began to mow down Gargano. Reed repeatedly threw Gargano into the chainlink. Gargano dodged a charge, and he went for his signature slingshot. However, Gargano’s feet became caught up in the cage, allowing Reed to give Gargano a draping DDT.

Gargano springboarded off the top rope for a moonsault on Reed. Moments later, Reed caught Gargano on another springboard, and Reed planted Gargano with a Death Valley Driver. Reed was tripped up, and he crotched himself on the top rope just before the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break. 

Reed made a comeback after the commercial break, and he dropped Gargano off the ropes with an avalanche Samoan Drop. Gargano answered back with a super powerbomb on Reed off the top rope.

Austin Theory was at ringside, and he reached inside the cage to give Gargano a hand. Theory tried to help Gargano escape the cage. Reed in turn grabs Gargano by the feet for a human tug-o-war with Gargano. Thoery went for the Terry Gordy spot where he slams the cage door on the babyface. Reed turned the proverbial tables, and he slammed the cage door in Theory’s face.

Double down leads into the closing minutes. Reed countered One Final Beat, and he went crawling for the door. Theory this time was successful doing the Gordy spot, and he slammed the cage door on Reed’s head. Gargano delivers One Final Beat, but Reed kicked out.

Gargano attempts to climb over Reed and the cage, but Gargano instead takes a super powerbomb. Theory again interferes by climbing the cage, but Reed swats him away. Reed in closes the cage door, and Gargano cannot escape. Reed follows with tsunami splash, and he covers Gargano for a three count. And new…

Reed wins the tile to become the new NXT North American Champion.

Pete Dunne interview announced for WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

An interview segment has been added to the lineup for this week’s episode of NXT.

Sports writer and radio host Arash Markazi posted a tweet today announcing that he’ll be conducting a one-on-one interview with Pete Dunne on this Tuesday’s NXT. Markazi also appeared on the pre-show panel for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month and later conducted a sit-down interview with Adam Cole on the April 27 episode of NXT.

“JUST CONFIRMED: Tomorrow night I will sit down with one of the biggest Superstars in @WWENXT. My exclusive one-on-one interview with the Bruiserweight, @PeteDunneYxB, will be on #WWENXT,” Markazi wrote.

On NXT two weeks ago, Dunne was one of three wrestlers who interrupted NXT Champion Karrion Kross. Kyle O’Reilly, Dunne, and Finn Balor all interrupted Kross, which led to a brawl breaking out.

It was announced on NXT last week that Kross will defend his NXT Championship against Balor on the Tuesday, May 25 episode of NXT. Dunne later cut a promo where he accused Kross of ducking him. Dunne called himself the baddest man in NXT and said the NXT Championship will soon be his. Dunne then defeated Leon Ruff after Ruff answered his open challenge.

O’Reilly defeated Oney Lorcan on last week’s NXT but was attacked by Dunne and Lorcan after the match. The returning Bobby Fish then made the save for O’Reilly. O’Reilly thanked Fish for helping him, but he told Fish that he’s doing his own thing now. Fish said he has his own scores to settle too and will see O’Reilly when he sees him.

Here’s the updated lineup for this Tuesday’s NXT:

  • Steel cage match: NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against Bronson Reed
  • Zoey Stark vs. Toni Storm
  • “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase appears live at the Capitol Wrestling Center
  • Arash Markazi interviews Pete Dunne

Ted DiBiase to appear in person on WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After appearing in videos each of the past three weeks, “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase is set to make his first in-person appearance on NXT.

DiBiase has announced that he’ll be appearing live at the Capitol Wrestling Center on Tuesday’s episode of NXT. DiBiase is involved in a storyline where he’s used his wealth to repeatedly upstage Cameron Grimes.

On NXT last week, a video aired where DiBiase outbid Grimes at an auction to buy a mansion in Orlando, Florida. DiBiase tweeted a video today where he said the best part about buying property in Orlando is that it’s just a short limousine ride away from the Capitol Wrestling Center. DiBiase said he’ll see Grimes on Tuesday’s NXT.

Grimes responded to DiBiase’s announcement: “Great now my weekend is ruined! I’m going to be pouting on jetskis in the keys!”

Grimes’ character became extravagantly wealthy earlier this year after investing in GameStop stock and purchasing Dogecoin. In February, Grimes tried to copy DiBiase’s bit where he offers someone money to dribble a basketball and then kicks the ball away. After he failed to replicate the bit multiple times, Grimes got frustrated and said DiBiase isn’t smarter than him.

DiBiase has since outbid Grimes for an NFT of NBA player Ja Morant, upstaged Grimes by showing off a more expensive watch after Grimes tried to buy the most expensive one in the city, bought out a club that Grimes was trying to get a VIP booth at, and outbid him for the mansion.

Here’s the updated lineup for Tuesday’s NXT:

  • Steel cage match: NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against Bronson Reed
  • Zoey Stark vs. Toni Storm
  • Ted DiBiase appears