Meiko Satomura is getting another shot at Kay Lee Ray’s NXT UK Women’s Championship.
Satomura became the number one contender to KLR’s title by winning a gauntlet match in the main event of this week’s NXT UK episode. Satomura wasn’t originally announced as one of the gauntlet match participants, but she replaced Xia Brookside after an angle where Brookside was attacked backstage by Amale.
Satomura eliminated Jinny and Isla Dawn in the gauntlet match. Dani Luna and Emilia McKenzie were also participants in the match.
After Satomura won the gauntlet match, KLR came out to the ring and had a staredown with her. KLR bowed to Satomura and Satomura bowed back, but KLR laid Satomura out with a superkick when she bowed. KLR said she’s the “Forever Champion” and Satomura isn’t going to do anything about it.
KLR has been NXT UK Women’s Champion since winning the title from Toni Storm at UK TakeOver: Cardiff in August 2019. KLR retained the title against Satomura on an episode of NXT UK this March. That was Satomura’s second match for NXT UK.
Satomura & McKenzie defeated KLR & Dawn in a tag match at NXT UK: Prelude last month. McKenzie pinned Dawn to get the win while Satomura prevented KLR from breaking the pin up.
WWE hasn’t announced when KLR vs. Satomura II will be taking place.
The show opened with a preview of the women’s number one contender’s gauntlet match. Nigel McGuinness stated that Xia Brookside had been injured when she was attacked by Amale last week and Sid Scala was searching for a replacement.
Heritage Cup rules match: Noam Dar defeated Nathan Frazer 2:1 in round five (12:25)
Round One —
They traded holds and mat-wrestled for most of the round. Dar slapped Frazer after the round ended.
Round Two —
After some back and forth and a long backslide spot, Frazer got the first fall with a small package at 0:58 of the round. Frazer took the lead 1-0.
Round Three —
Frazer hit a great dropkick and a running Shooting Star Press as Sha Samuels sauntered down to ringside and kicked Dar’s corner man out of the arena. Dar had the upper hand for most of the round after kicking Frazer from the turnbuckles. Frazer was on the top rope ready to hit a move when the time expired.
Round Four —
Frazer missed a top rope foot stomp early on, then nearly got pinned after an elbow strike. Frazer got a near fall by evading the Nova Roller. Dar applied an ankle lock and Frazer tapped at 1:13 of the round. Dar tied things up at 1-1.
Round Five —
They traded quick pinning attempts early on. Frazer was on the apron and managed to kick off Samuels, who grabbed his leg. Frazer missed a springboard senton and fell victim to the Nova Roller at 0:50 of the round, giving Dar the win 2-1.
Samuels and Dar teased Frazer after the match.
– The clip from last week that set up a future Rampage Brown vs. Wolfgang match aired.
– A video recapped Pretty Deadly winning the NXT UK Tag Team titles. Pretty Deadly said they’ll be on top for a very long time.
– Trent Seven talked to Jack Starz at the UK Performance Center. Sam Gradwell walked up and berated Seven, calling him over the hill and saying he could see through Seven’s “concerned dad act.” Seven decked Gradwell and they were pulled apart, with Gradwell repeatedly calling him an idiot and a stupid man.
Mark Andrews pinned Levi Muir (4:32)
Andrews had new music and gear. The screen also turns black and white and has “Subculture” scrolling at the border of the screen during his entrance. Andrews came out with his Subculture stablemates Dani Luna and Flash Morgan Webster, but they left ringside after the entrance.
Muir used his power early, but Andrews overwhelmed him with speed and hit a standing moonsault. They went back and forth, with Muir getting Andrews in a Torture Rack and hitting a rope-assisted suplex. Andrews hit Stun Dog Millionaire off another suplex attempt, then hit a dive through the ropes. He followed with a top rope Shooting Star Press to the back of a kneeling Muir for the pinfall victory.
– Sid Scala was asked about Xia Brookside’s replacement for tonight. Amale walked up and demanded to be in the match, but Scala said she would not be rewarded for her actions. Scala said Amale would face Brookside once she returns. Amale flipped her lid and berated Scala in French, then stormed off. Scala’s facials here were every bit of William Regal back in the day.
– A video recapped Kenny Williams defeating Amir Jordan in their Loser Leaves NXT UK match last week. They focused on Jordan crying after the match but showed more of what happened backstage with Jordan breaking down and being helped out of the arena
– A graphic plugged A-Kid and Tyler Bate’s Heritage Cup Championship match for next week. A-Kid and Bate then had a sit-down interview with Sid Scala.
A-Kid said winning the Heritage Cup showed him he was in control of his life. Bate said the Heritage Cup represented the hold-for-hold British style and was made for him, but A-Kid smiled and said it was his. Bate said it was A-Kid’s for now.
A-Kid said he beat Bate the last time they faced off for the Heritage Cup. Bate replied that A-Kid did, but he seems too sure of himself and this will be where he fails. Bate said A-Kid may be the master of the Heritage Cup rules, but Bate has the experience edge and has big matches under his belt.
A-Kid said he always looked up to Bate and watched at home when Bate won the NXT United Kingdom Championship. A-Kid said Bate was chasing him now, but Bate smiled and asked A-Kid if that was what he believed. He said A-Kid couldn’t see the bigger picture and that Bate was in his own league. They shook hands as Scala told them that may the best man win. This was a great segment.
– Ilja Dragunov will be the guest on Noam Dar’s Supernova Sessions next week.
Number one contender’s gauntlet match: Meiko Satomura won the match over Emilia McKenzie, Dani Luna, Isla Dawn, and Jinny (16:34)
They did not announce who the fifth woman would be before the match.
Dawn and McKenzie started out. Dawn was in control early, but McKenzie came back and hit a spear for a near fall around the three-minute mark. Dawn pinned McKenzie after a bridging Saito suplex at 3:30.
Luna was in next and hit a deadlift suplex on Dawn. Luna hit an exploder and some other offense but crashed into the corner post and got rolled up around 5:30.
Satomura was the surprise replacement for Brookside. Dawn immediately attacked her and they briefly fought at ringside. Satomura came back and started dismantling Dawn. Satomura missed a handspring attack and Dawn kicked her leg and head. Dawn hit two Saito suplexes and got a near fall off a double knee attack. Satomura got an armbar and transitioned into a pinning combination to pin Dawn around 9:45
Jinny (with Joseph Conners) was in as the final participant. She attacked Satomura right away and they went back and forth for a few minutes. They traded submissions and Jinny hit a nice suplex from a seated position to escape. Satomura locked in an STF, but Jinny made the ropes. Satomura had Jinny on her shoulders when Conners got on the apron, but he caught a kick for his trouble. Satomura then pinned Jinny with Scorpion Rising to win the gauntlet.
NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray walked out after the match and got in the ring, posing with her championship. She bowed to Satomura but laid her out with a superkick when Satomura bowed back. KLR screamed at Satomura and posed with the belt as the show faded to black.
Final Thoughts —
Another strong show. Nathan Frazer vs. Noam Dar was very good and fast paced. Dar getting the win tells a nice story of the veteran being able to beat the upstart rookie.
The match with Mark Andrews was mostly there to show off his tweaked gimmick I guess. The sit-down with A-Kid and Bate was fantastic and told a great story of the (maybe a bit too) confident young champion and the calm veteran, who may be a step ahead of him mentally.
The gauntlet match was fine but felt a bit rushed at times. KLR vs. Meiko Satomura will be good, but we already got the match a couple of months ago and I’m not sure where this will lead, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I thought they’d be putting McKenzie over stronger, but maybe they have a longer redemption storyline planned for her and she may eventually face her mentor Satomura for the title if Satomura wins it from KLR.
Next Week —
Heritage Cup Champion A-Kid defends against Tyler Bate
After five months away from WWE television, Bobby Fish made his return on tonight’s episode of NXT.
Kyle O’Reilly defeated Oney Lorcan on tonight’s NXT but was attacked by Pete Dunne and Lorcan after the match. Fish then came to O’Reilly’s aid and fought off Dunne and Lorcan. Fish cleared the ring of Dunne, then O’Reilly dropped Lorcan with a kick.
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.
This was the first time Fish has appeared on WWE TV since Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Fish) defeated Pat McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan & Danny Burch in a WarGames match at TakeOver: WarGames last December. Fish had to undergo triceps surgery following that match.
In the time Fish was out of action, Undisputed Era imploded when Cole turned against O’Reilly at TakeOver: Vengeance Day this February. O’Reilly defeated Cole in an unsanctioned match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month. There was also an angle last month where Strong resigned from NXT following the breakup of Undisputed Era.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott introduced his new group, Hit Row, on tonight’s NXT.
Hit Row consists of Scott, two other men, and one woman. AJ Francis, who has appeared on A&E’s WWE show Most Wanted Treasures, introduced himself as Top Dolla. Brianna Brandy, who signed with WWE in 2019, introduced herself as B-Fab. Rounding out the group is Ashante “Thee” Adonis, who has appeared regularly on 205 Live in the last year and has been aligned with Scott in the past. During the promo introducing the group, Swerve said he was tired of not being himself and wanted to be around people who think like him.
Members of Hit Row have previously been seen in vignettes, but officially made their debut at the Capitol Wrestling Center last week. Swerve faced Leon Ruff in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Ruff was about to launch off a platform, but Top Dolla grabbed him before he could land and slammed him on the barricade instead, leading Scott to pick up the win.
WWE had trademarked the term “Hit Row Records” on May 6.
– Finn Balor is getting his rematch against NXT Champion Karrion Kross — but the match won’t be taking place at NXT’s next TakeOver event.
WWE has announced that Kross will defend his NXT Championship against Balor on the Tuesday, May 25 episode of NXT. Kross defeated Balor to win the title at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month.
After Kross defeated Austin Theory in a non-title match on tonight’s NXT, Balor confronted Kross in the ring. Balor told Kross that he doesn’t wait in lines. Balor said he wants his rematch — and Kross said he wants the match just as much as Balor.
Balor, Kyle O’Reilly, and Pete Dunne had all interrupted Kross on last week’s NXT, leading to a brawl breaking out. When Kross was the only person left in the ring, Theory and NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano ambushed Kross and laid him out.
The Kross vs. Balor title rematch is taking place in advance of this year’s NXT TakeOver: In Your House event. It was announced earlier today that TakeOver: In Your House will be held on Sunday, June 13.
– The Tuesday, May 25 episode of NXT will also feature Franky Monet’s WWE in-ring debut. Monet (formerly known as Taya Valkyrie) made her first appearance for NXT four weeks ago. She’s had interactions with NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez, Io Shirai, Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon, and Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro.
The NXT North American Championship will be on the line inside of a steel cage next Tuesday.
WWE has announced that North American Champion Johnny Gargano will defend his title against Bronson Reed in a steel cage match on next Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Reed defeated Gargano’s The Way stablemate Austin Theory two weeks ago to get the title shot.
This will be the second time Reed has challenged Gargano for the North American Championship. Gargano defeated Reed to retain the title at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two last month. At night one, Reed won a number one contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator match to set up the title match for night two.
There was an angle on tonight’s NXT where it was shown that Gargano and Theory had attacked Reed backstage. Reed said Gargano is a dead man. Later in the show, Reed cut a promo where he announced that NXT general manager William Regal had agreed to make next week’s North American title match a steel cage match.
Zoey Stark vs. Toni Storm has also been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT. They’ve been feuding since Stark defeated Storm on the pre-show for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one.
Two title matches are set for tonight’s episode of NXT.
The NXT Women’s Championship will be on the line as Raquel Gonzalez defends against Mercedes Martinez tonight. This will be Gonzalez’s first title defense since winning the NXT Women’s Championship from Io Shirai at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month.
The NXT Cruiserweight Championship will also be up for grabs as Kushida defends against Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match. Four weeks ago, Kushida answered Escobar’s open challenge and defeated him to win the Cruiserweight title. Legado del Fantasma (Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) then defeated Kushida & NXT Tag Team Champions MSK in a six-man tag match on NXT two weeks ago.
MSK will face Breezango in a non-title match on tonight’s show. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Oney Lorcan has also been announced for tonight.
Plus, NXT Champion Karrion Kross will be in action against Austin Theory in a non-title match. That match will open tonight’s episode.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a champion of the brand in a non-title bout.
NXT Champion Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) defeated Austin Theory (with NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano) in a non-title match
Kross won via referee stoppage after annihilating Theory. Finn Balor confronted Kross after the match. Gargano interfered during the match, and Gargano is now set for a title defense next week after an announcement made while this match was still underway.
Kross was dominate from the start as he methodically controlled the pace. Kross slowly pummeled Theory until Gargano caused a distraction by jumping on the apron. Theory raked the Kross’ eyes, temporarily blinding him. Theory capitalized and he began to target Kross.
Theory delivered a fallaway slam on Kross, and Kross hulked up. Kross exploded into a volley of two Saito suplex, and his Doomsday forearm strike. Theory was already out when Kross locked in a choke. The ref then stepped in to stop the match.
During the match, a title bout was announced for next week with Bronson Reed challeneging Johnny Gargano for he North American title. Not sure why they had to announce a mostly unrelated match in the middle of another match that was ongoing, but that’s what they did. There was also a teaser for Kross’ next title defense.
Finn Balor after the match appeared behind Kross. They went face-to-face, and Balor said he doesn’t wait in lines. He wanted a title shot, and Kross said he wanted the match much like Balor does. Looks like these to are headed for a return match.
Earlier in the day, Leon Ruff and William Regal got into a heated argument in Regal’s office. Ruff wanted to comepte tonight, but Regal would not clear him to wrestle. Ruff yelled at Regal, and Regal yelled back.
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) defeated Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) in a non-title match
Carter pinned Breeze in a fun babyface match.
The great stuff began earlier on. Just before a commercial break, they did a spot that involved the referee doing a drop down and a leapfrog. This match was so fun. Lee was doing flips after the show returned from the break. Fandango cut him, and Fandango used a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Carter jumped in to break up the pin.
MSK with a series of double teams moves for a two count on Breeze. Fandango with a spear broke up the pin. A brawl erupted, and the champs were rocked by superkicks. Carter went on to springboard out of the ring with a moonsault to the outside.
The champ execute their Hart Attack/Blockbuster combo, and Carter covered Breeze for a pinfall. Breezango shook hands with MSK after the match in a show of sportsmanship.
Johnny Gargano did a comedy skit where he barged into William Regal’s office. The bit ended with Gargano breaking Regal’s pencil.
Todd Pettengill will host NXT TakeOver: In Your House on June 13th streaming live on Peacock.
Ever-Rise made a cameo plugging their talk show.
Leon Ruff attacks Pete Dunne
Dunne first cut a promo in the ring. He called out Karrion Kross for ducking him. Dunne vowed to become the champion, and he issued an open challenge for anyone to prove him wrong. Leon Ruff out of nowhere stormed the ring to attack Dunne.
Wade Barrett on commentary noted Ruff was not medically cleared, but Vic Jospeh claimed Regal could not stop Ruff from answering an open challenge. What? So, Ruff is not cleared to wrestle, but he can wrestle in an open challenge. Whatever.
Pete Dunne defeated Leon Ruff
Dunne won via ref stoppage, which was the second time such finish was used on the show. Much like the other bout, the winner was dominate throughout much of the match.
Dunne targeted the joints, and he was dominating Ruff when Ruff struck with a hurricanrana. Dunne quickly shut down the hope spot, and Dunne went back to joint manipulation.
Ruff fired up into a comeback. He hit Dunne with a missile dropkick, and he soon went flying again. This time Dunne cut him down with a forearm. Dunne with a triangle, and he rained down elbows on Ruff until the ref stopped the match.
Dunne after the bell again attacked Ruff, and Dunne snapped Ruff’s fingers.
El Legado del Fantasma cut a promo on Kushida agead of the cruiserweight title match tonight. Kushida defends the NXT Cruiserweight title against Santos Escobar later on.
The “world premiere” of Franky Monet is in two weeks time on NXT. The announcers plugged it as a debut, but Monet has already debuted. Maybe this is a debut in the actual CWC arena. Presley the Pomeranian will also be there. He’s a good boy.
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez (with Dakota Kai) defeated Mercedes Martinez to retain her title
Gonzalez pinned Martinez clean to retain the championship. Hard-hitting match.
The brawled at the start, and the fight quickly spilled outside. The brawling continued as the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial break. Not long after the break, Martinez had Gonzalez trapped in the ropes. Martinez with a draping and twisting neckbreaker on Gonzalez. Mercedes followed that with a spear on the apron.
The champion was reeling, but she still kicked out at two. They traded strikes. A powerbomb into a hotshot that cut off Martinez, but Martinez also kicked out at two. They traded more strikes amd near falls.
Martinez countered Gonzalez when Gonzalez went for her finisher. Martinez then delivered a running knee strike, and a suplex for another two count. Gonzalez fired up with a boot to the face, and Gonzalez with her signature powerbomb on Martinez. Gonzalez went on to cover Martinez for a three count.
Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory apparently attacked Bronson Reed backstage at the CWC. Security ordered The Way to leave the building.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott arrived with his new faction. Scott was flanked by AJ Francis, Ashante “Thee” Adonis and B Fab. The name of the new crew is Hit Row. They all seem to have a musical background. Francis even freestyled during his part of the promo. Great introdcution for Hit Row.
Cameron Grimes in a skit arrived at an auction for a house. Grimes wondered why the auctioneer talked so fast. Grimes is outbid by Ted DiBiase, and Grimes is very upset. He rants and raves about DiBiase. Grimes calls out DiBiase, he tells Grimes everybody has a price for the Million Dollar Man. But DiBiase said Grimes is no Million Dollar Man.
Zoey Stark and Toni Storm cut promos on each other in a vignette. They meet in a rematch next week on NXT. Stark won their prior encounter in an upset.
Kyle O’Reilly defeated Oney Lorcan (with Pete Dunne)
O’Reilly pinned Lorcan in a fun match while it lasted. This match was set up after an angle earlier in the day involving a fight in the parking lot. Bobby Fish made a surprise return to make a save after the match.
Great grappling in the early moments. The grappling soon gave way to strikes. Dunne at ringside distracted O’Reilly, which allowed Lorcan to hit O’Reilly with a sneak attack. The show went to a commercial break with O’Reilly down selling the sneak attack.
O’Reilly after the break soon made a comeback, and dropped Lorcan with a brainbuster. O’Reilly finished the match with a Bobby Eaton flying knee drop, and O’Reilly covered Lorcan for a pinfall.
Bobby Fish returned to NXT while making a save after the match. Lorcan and Dunne attacked O’Reilly after the bell. Fish ran down to even the odds. The former tag partners reunited to clean house one more time.
O’Reilly told Fish it was good to see him back, but O’Reilly told Fish he was doing his own thing. Fish said he understood that, and Fish went on to say he was his own scores to settle. Fish says he will see him when he sees him. They left on friendly terms.
A wacky video package showed The Way as superheroes. Cut to a serious promo from Bronson Reed, and Reed announces that he will challenge Gargano for the NXT North Amercian title in a cage match next week on NXT.
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defeated Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match to retain the title
Kushida won after winning two straight falls. He dropped the first fall, but came back to win the next two. Great match to close the show.
Early on there was brawling at ringside whe Legado del Fantasma tried to interfere. MSK ran down to counter the interference, and the referee ejected both teams from ringside. Meanwhile, Kushida leapt off the top turnnuckle into a flip dive on Escobar.
Escobar was in control when the show returned from the break, after Kushida had wiped out on another dive. Escobar targeted Kushida’s back with a single leg crab and La Tapatia. Kushida fought back, but Escobar continued to work him over.
An avalanche into a sunset flip allowed for Kushida to get a two count. That led into Kushida making a comeback with a handspring back elbow and a cartwheel dropkick. Escobar quickly cut him off, and Escobar executed the Phantom Driver. Escobar then covered Kushida to win the first fall.
The second fall lasted seconds. Kushida locked in a cross armbreaker, and Escobar tapped out to end the second fall. The falls were even as the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
The fighting spilled outside the ring as the show returned from the break. Kushida kept targeting an arm, but Escobar snapped Kushida on the top rope. Escobar followed with a torpedo tope suicida through the ropes.
Kushida fought back to drop a flying knee on Escobar, which targeted the already injured arm from earlier. Kushida dropped Escobar with a shoulder breaker on the floor. Back in the ring, Escobar countered an attempted armbar by using a small package to get a two count.
They traded near falls until a double down. They got up and ended up fighting on the top turnbuckle. Kushida flipped off with a Spanish Fly into the Hoverboard Lock. Escobar was able to reach the bottom rope to break the hold.
Kushida suplexed Escobar into the turnbuckles, and Kushdia went to suplex him again. Kushida did so, but this time he trapped both of Escobar’s arms. Kushida then bridged into a cover for a three count to win the deciding fall. Kushida retained after winning two straight falls.
Killian Dain vs. Alexander Wolfe had originally been announced for tonight’s NXT but will no longer be taking place. In a video WWE posted before tonight’s show, Wolfe said he had a stomach bug and couldn’t wrestle Dain tonight. Wolfe’s Imperium stablemates Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner were skeptical about Wolfe’s illness.
Wolfe and Dain were formerly stablemates in SAnitY. On NXT two weeks ago, Wolfe wouldn’t hit Dain with a steel chair when Barthel ordered him to. But Wolfe did stand in Dain’s way when Dain tried to send Barthel into the ring post. Barthel reversed the move and sent Dain into the ring post instead. Barthel & Aichner then hit the Euro Bomb on Drake Maverick and pinned him to win a tag match.
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WWE has added another match to the card for tonight’s NXT.
Kyle O’Reilly will face Oney Lorcan on tonight’s episode of NXT. The match was set up by an angle where Lorcan interrupted an interview with O’Reilly as O’Reilly was arriving for tonight’s show. Lorcan said O’Reilly can’t beat Karrion Kross, Finn Balor, or Pete Dunne — and he wouldn’t be able to beat Lorcan one-on-one either. O’Reilly then challenged Lorcan to face him in the ring tonight.
O’Reilly, Balor, and Dunne all interrupted NXT Champion Kross on last week’s NXT. That led to a brawl breaking out. When Kross was the only one left in the ring, NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory ambushed Kross and laid him out.
Kross is facing Theory in a non-title match on NXT tonight. WWE has announced that Kross vs. Theory will open tonight’s show.
This will be the first time Lorcan has wrestled since unsuccessfully challenging for Kushida’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship three weeks ago.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defends against Mercedes Martinez
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defends against Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match
Non-title match: NXT Tag Team Champions MSK vs. Breezango
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Oney Lorcan
Non-title match: NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Austin Theory
WWE has announced that NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) will face Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) in a non-title match on tonight’s episode of NXT.
On NXT two weeks ago, MSK & NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida lost a six-man tag match to Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde). Kushida is defending his Cruiserweight title against Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match on tonight’s NXT.
Mendoza pinned Carter to win the six-man tag match. On last week’s show, Mendoza & Wilde cut a promo saying that they want a title match against MSK.
MSK have been NXT Tag Team Champions since defeating The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) and Mendoza & Wilde in a triple threat match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month. The titles were vacant going into that match.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defends against Mercedes Martinez
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defends against Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match
Non-title match: NXT Tag Team Champions MSK vs. Breezango
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Oney Lorcan
Non-title match: NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Austin Theory
NXT TakeOver: In Your House is returning next month.
WWE announced on Tuesday that NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021 will take place on Sunday, June 13. The announcement was made on Barstool Sports’ Rasslin” with Brandon F. Walker podcast.
“From inside the CWC to your house … Sunday, June 13th, #NXTTakeOver: In Your House is LIVE on @peacockTV! @WWENetwork @WWENXT #WeAreNXT,” Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted.
This will be the second straight year that NXT has held a TakeOver: In Your House event. Last June’s TakeOver: In Your House was NXT’s first TakeOver event following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first time WWE has used the In Your House name for a show since 1999.
Last year’s TakeOver: In Your House was headlined by Io Shirai defeating Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match to win the NXT Women’s Championship.
1990s WWF broadcaster Todd Pettengill will be the host of TakeOver: In Your House. He was also involved in last year’s TakeOver: In Your House event.
WWE has announced when NXT UK’s first-ever gauntlet match will be taking place.
On next Thursday’s NXT UK episode, five women will face off in a gauntlet match. The winner will become the number one contender to Kay Lee Ray’s NXT UK Women’s Championship.
Isla Dawn, Jinny, Xia Brookside, Emilia McKenzie, and Dani Luna have been announced as the participants for the gauntlet match. There was an angle on this week’s NXT UK episode where video was shown of Brookside being attacked backstage by Amale. It was questioned whether or not Brookside will be able to compete next week. Amale was furious that she wasn’t included in the gauntlet match.
The gauntlet match was announced last week but a date for it wasn’t given at the time. KLR said none of the gauntlet participants are good enough to defeat her.
KLR calls herself the “Forever Champion.” She’s held the NXT UK Women’s Championship since defeating Toni Storm for the title at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff in August 2019. In her most recent title defense, KLR defeated Meiko Satomura this March.
Noam Dar vs. Nathan Frazer (formerly known as Ben Carter) in a Heritage Cup rules match is also set for next Thursday’s episode of NXT UK. The match was set up during Frazer’s appearance on Dar’s Supernova Sessions talk show on this week’s NXT UK.
During the Supernova Sessions segment, Frazer spoke about how he came to NXT UK to learn the traditional British style of wrestling. Frazer said he’s blended that into his current style to become a more complete performer. Dar’s co-host Sha Samuels called Frazer a fraud and said he isn’t a true British wrestler. Dar said Frazer wouldn’t last a minute in the ring with him — nevermind six three-minute rounds in a Heritage Cup rules match. Frazer asked if that was a challenge. Dar told Frazer not to get ahead of himself, but Samuels accepted the match on behalf of Dar.
On the NXT UK episode that airs in two weeks, Heritage Cup Champion A-Kid will defend his title against Tyler Bate.
This week’s show, taped at London’s BT Sports Studios, featured a no DQ, loser leaves NXT UK match between two former tag team partners.
Ilja Dragunov vs. Dave Mastiff ended in a no contest due to a ref stoppage (1:35)
They traded some blows with Dragunov trying to get Mastiff up for a German suplex. He then connected with an elbow to Mastiff’s face which may have legit broken his nose (later confirmed on commentary). Dragunov clamped on a sleeper and Mastiff fell backward with him, but looked rocked with blood gushing out of his nose. The referee called for the bell, threw up the X sign, and a doctor checked out Mastiff. The announcers said they would try to get more from both men later.
— Xia Brookside talked about what it would mean to win the upcoming five woman gauntlet and eventually, the women’s title from Kay Lee Ray.
— Sid Scala was backstage with Kenny Williams and explained the possible ramifications for tonight’s main event. Williams said he knew as he asked for the stipulation and seemed unworried.
— A cool Stevie Turner video aired where she once again called herself four-dimensional.
— Dragunov was asked about his match with Mastiff. He said Mastiff wanted to help him, but his actions have consequences and things would finally have to change.
— Mark Coffey and Wolfgang were playing ball backstage. Rampage Brown approached and asked about Joe Coffey, who wasn’t there. Wolfgang said he was there and Brown said that he was looking for a fight, so he’ll do.
— Isla Dawn talked about wanting to beat Kay Lee Ray and that all she had to sacrifice was her soul. Well, she comes across as scarier than Alexa Bliss.
Supernova Sessions with Nathan Frazer
Noam Dar and Sha Samuels hosted. They thought Frazer was someone new and were disappointed when it was the former Ben Carter who has been on the show before. Once again, Frazer explained the name change. Samuels then got in his face and said he wasn’t a real British wrestler. Dar said he couldn’t last a minute with him, let alone six three-minute rounds under Heritage Cup rules. Frazer asked if this was a challenge and Samuels blurted out that Dar accepts. Dar wasn’t happy, but it seems the match is on.
— Jinny talked about the gauntlet and said she was born for greatness.
— Scala was with Amir Jordan who looked concerned but said he still wanted the match.
— Another cool video on the Subculture (Mark Andrews, Flash Morgan Webster & Dani Luna) aired. They invited people from all subcultures to join them.
— Tyler Bate and Heritage Cup Champion A-Kid watched and analyzed their previous encounters. They talked about how they progressed and how each man would beat the other when they face off next.
— Dani Luna talked about the gauntlet and wanting to face Kay Lee Ray. She said she was more experienced now and the strongest woman in the match.
Trent Seven defeated Saxon Huxley (6:01)
Huxley dominated early, including hitting a nice looking Thesz Press. He threw Seven to ringside and hit an elbow off the apron. Seven briefly came back with a DDT, but Sam Gradwell appeared on the screen and berated him. After losing control of the match, Seven regained it and eventually hit the snapdragon suplex and Seven Star Lariat for the pinfall victory.
— Emilia McKenzie talked about being the youngest competitor in the gauntlet, but when she finally becomes NXT UK Women’s champion, it will prove that she is the best women’s wrestler in the UK.
— A clip from “moments ago” showed Amale beating down Brookside backstage as a ton of referees ran in to break things up. Brookside looked like she was knocked out and Amale was screaming, furious to have been overlooked for the gauntlet match.
Kenny Williams defeated Amir Jordan in a no DQ, loser leaves NXT UK match (13:52)
They traded offense early with Williams constantly working over Jordan’s heavily taped shoulder. They ended up outside and Williams further attacked Jordan with a chair and then slid a toolbox into the ring. Williams had Jordan in a tree of woe position, set up a chair, grabbed a wrench, and trash talked him. Jordan managed to grab the wrench and wrestle it away from Williams as he attacked. Williams removed the padding from the ringside area and threw Jordan into the barrier.
They brawled near the entrance area and Jordan drove a shipping/flight case into Williams who retaliated moments later by spraying a fire extinguisher into Jordan’s face followed by throwing him through a table. Williams removed a turnbuckle pad and eventually rammed Jordan into it, followed by a wheelbarrow facebuster for a near fall.
They fought above, and then on, the exposed area on the floor and Jordan eventually back suplexed Williams on the concrete. Back in the ring, he hit a top rope somersault senton on Williams for another near fall. He set up a chair and repeatedly slammed Williams’ head into it. Jordan got on the top rope, but Williams threw a chair at him. Jordan threw it back and hit Williams in the head who collapsed into the ropes which sent Jordan off the turnbuckle.
Williams then hit a headlock driver onto the chair for the pinfall victory, meaning Jordan must leave NXT UK. Jordan was left in the ring crying before he slowly walked to the back.
Final Thoughts:
This was a decent show with a heavy emphasis on video packages, especially to get over next week’s women’s gauntlet match. The video with A-Kid and Tyler Bate was tremendous with them analyzing their previous matches and even making their first match, a throwaway five minute affair, seem relevant to how they got to this point.
The main event was a good street fight and had the right outcome as Williams probably has more upside to the brand than Jordan. I could have seen Williams “graduating” to NXT, but it seems he will be with the UK brand for the time being. Time will tell what the future has in store for Jordan.
Seven vs. Huxley was just there, but will build to a future Seven/Gradwell match. The accident in the Dragunov/Mastiff match was unfortunate, but they incorporated it into Dragunov’s story nicely.
Next week:
NXT UK Women’s title no. 1 contender gauntlet: Isla Dawn vs. Jinny vs. Xia Brookside vs. Emilia McKenzie vs. Dani Luna
New NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions were crowned in the main event of last night’s NXT episode.
The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in a street fight to win the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. For both LeRae & Hartwell, this is their first title win in WWE.
After Hartwell took Moon out with a springboard elbow drop through a table on the outside, LeRae gave Blackheart a Wicked Stepsister stomp on a steel chair to get the win.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted after last night’s main event: “Broken tables, snapped ladders, fire extinguishers, one HELL OF A STREET FIGHT and NEW #WWENXT Women’s Tag Team Champions!!! @indi_hartwell @CandiceLeRae”
LeRae & Hartwell are the third team to hold the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles since they were introduced this March. Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez became the inaugural champions when they were awarded the titles, but Kai & Gonzalez lost the titles to Blackheart & Moon that same night.
Three matches have been added to the card for next week’s NXT episode.
– The NXT Cruiserweight Championship will be on the line as Kushida defends against Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match on NXT next Tuesday. Kushida became champion by answering Escobar’s open challenge three weeks ago and defeating him to win the title.
On last week’s NXT, Legado del Fantasma (Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) defeated Kushida & NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) in a six-man tag match. That match was set up when MSK saved Kushida from an attack by Legado del Fantasma the previous week. The attack happened after Kushida issued his own open challenge and defeated Oney Lorcan to retain the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
– NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Austin Theory in a non-title match is also set for next Tuesday’s NXT. It will be the first time Kross has wrestled since winning the NXT Championship from Finn Balor at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month.
Theory and NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano laid out Kross on NXT tonight. Gargano and Theory tried to meet with NXT general manager William Regal earlier in the show, but they couldn’t because Scarlett was in Regal’s office when they got there. Gargano called himself the number one champion in NXT. After an interaction between Theory and Scarlett during the segment, Regal later informed Theory that Scarlett made sure that Theory will be facing Kross next week.
Kross cut a promo on tonight’s show but was interrupted by a line of potential challengers. Kyle O’Reilly first appeared, followed by Pete Dunne and Balor. After a brawl broke out, Gargano and Theory ambushed Kross when he was the only one left in the ring. Kross tried to fight them off, but Gargano and Theory gave Kross stereo superkicks. Gargano then laid out Kross by hitting him with the North American title belt.
Gargano and Theory were shown leaving the building immediately after laying out Kross.
– Plus, Killian Dain vs. Alexander Wolfe will take place on NXT next Tuesday. Wolfe’s Imperium stablemates Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner defeated Drake Maverick & Dain on NXT last week. Aichner & Barthel hit the Euro Bomb on Maverick to get the win after Barthel had sent Dain into the ring post.
Going into last week’s tag match, Maverick was worried that Dain was going to turn against him and join Imperium. There was a moment during the match where Barthel ordered Wolfe to hit Dain with a steel chair. Wolfe, who was formerly a member of SAnitY with Dain, went to hit Dain with the chair but ultimately couldn’t do it. But Wolfe stood in Dain’s way when Dain tried to send Barthel into the ring post. That gave Barthel time to reverse the move and lay out Dain instead.
Here’s the updated lineup for next Tuesday’s NXT:
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defends against Mercedes Martinez
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defends against Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match
Non-title match: NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Austin Theory
New NXT Women’s Tag Team champions were crowned in the main event of tonight’s NXT.
The Way (Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae) captured the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, defeating Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart to win the titles for the first time. It was under street fight rules with tons of weapons used, including Blackheart jumping off a ledge into a table. However, LeRae picked up the win for her team, pinning Blackheart after a foot stomp into a steel chair.
This marks the end of Moon and Blackheart’s run with the titles. They held the titles for 55 days, defeating inaugural champions Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez on the March 10 edition of NXT.
Moon and Blackheart challenged The Way after a match between them and the team of Aliyah and Jessi Kamea ended before it could even begin, with The Way attacked Moon and Blackheart before the match began, leading to tonight’s street fight.
The other members of The Way, Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory, left the arena before the main event after attacking Karrion Kross earlier in the show.
