A couple of debuts took place on this week’s episode of NXT.
– Former NFL player AJ Francis made his debut by aligning with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott on NXT tonight. Francis helped Scott defeat Leon Ruff in a falls count anywhere match.
Ruff and Scott were looking to settle their rivalry in the falls count anywhere match. Near the end of the match, Ruff was about to hit a dive onto Scott from a ladder that was set up near a production area. But Francis appeared, caught Ruff when he jumped off the ladder, and slammed Ruff onto the barricade.
Scott then threw Ruff back into the ring and hit the JML Driver to get the win.
Francis was identified by name on commentary and was called a member of Scott’s entourage. Scott, Francis, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and Briana Brandy went backstage together after Scott’s win. Later in the show, Francis, Adonis, and Brandy were with Scott when he was interviewed backstage as they were leaving the building.
Brandy was also making her NXT TV debut tonight but wasn’t identified by name. She signed with WWE in August 2019 and is also a hip-hop musician.
It was announced in January 2020 that Francis had signed with WWE. He spent time with several NFL teams as a defensive tackle from 2013-2018.
Francis currently stars on WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures, which airs on A&E as part of WWE’s Sunday programming block on the channel.
– Anthony Henry also made his debut on NXT tonight. Henry, who is now using the name Asher Hale, lost to Cameron Grimes on tonight’s show.
Henry is a former EVOLVE Tag Team Champion. He was part of the group of WWE Performance Center signees that was announced this February.
Finn Balor returns to NXT tonight for the first time since losing the NXT Championship at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
At last month’s TakeOver event: Karrion Kross defeated Balor to become NXT Champion. Tonight, Balor will speak on NXT TV for the first time since that loss.
Two stipulation matches are also set for tonight’s show. The NXT Women’s Tag Team titles will be on the line in a street fight as champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, while Leon Ruff and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott will look to settle their rivalry in a falls count anywhere match.
Plus, Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher will face off with The Grizzled Young Veterans. Both teams are looking to be next in line for a shot at MSK’s NXT Tag Team titles. Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde will also likely be in the mix after Legado del Fantasma defeated MSK & NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida in a six-man tag match last week.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated Leon Ruff in a falls count anywhere match
Scott pinned Ruff after interference by AJ Francis, who made a surprise debut during the finish. This appears to be the blow-off to the feud, but the finish was far from clean.
Ruff charged towards Scott when the ball sounded to start the match, but Ruff ate a knee strike. Ruff still fought back, but Scott dropped him again. Ruff eventually countered Scott to set up a tope. Scott caught Ruff on the attempted dive, and Scott sent Ruff crashing into the apron with a Death Valley Driver. Scott whipped Ruff into the barricades, and he slammed Ruff on the metal entrance ramp for a near fall.
A mighty superlex by Scott, and Ruff sold big before another two count. Scott looked to be in complete control as Ruff rolled outside. Ruff with a counter that tied Scott upside down in the ropes, and Scott fell to the floor after taking a dropkick. Ruff looked to make a comeback, but Scott dropped him in mid-air. The brawling on the floor continued, and Scott hurled a toolbox in Ruff’s direction. Ruff dodged the toolbox just before the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
During the break, the fighting spilled into the locker room area. They were fighting on the stage as the show returned from the commercial break. Scott was blinded by a spotlight, and he went flying off the stage. They fought back into the ring. Scott went for another superplex, but Ruff countered into a crucifix bomb. Scott managed to kick out for a near fall. Ruff moments later with a crazy poison rana off the apron, and Scott flipped into a bump on the floor.
Scott with a modified Michinoku Driver to Ruff on the floor. Somehow, Ruff managed to kick out at two. Ruff moved when Scott charged at him, and Scott crashed his knee into the ring steps. Ruff took the toolbox that was hurled at him earlier in the match, and Ruff used the toolbox as weapon to hit Scott in the knee. Ruff then executed a frog splash for a close near fall. Ruff then applied a heel hook, but Scott was able to escape.
Ruff delivered two cutters. The first was in the ring. Scott rolled outside where he took the other cutter on the floor. Ruff climbed a ladder behind some production equipment. He went to leap off the ladder on to Scott, but football player-turned-wrestler AJ Francis stepped in to interfere. Francis caught Ruff on the attempted high cross, and Francis gave Ruff an ushigoroshi using the barricade. Scott followed up with his signature package driver, and he covered Ruff for a three count.
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano, with Austin Theory in tow, barged into William Regal’s office. Regal was meeting with Scarlett at the time. Regal told Gargano he would met with him later. There was some comedy between Theory and Scarlett.
Cameron Grimes defeated Asher Hale
Grimes pinned Hale in a short competitive match. Grimes won convincingly, but Hale got plenty of offense.
Hale with missile dropkick for a near fall at one point. Grimes answered back with counters. Grimes then delivered the Cave In, and he Grimes covered Hale for a pinfall.
Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro were being interviewed backstage when they were interrupted by Franky Monet, who carrying her dog Presley. Monet in a condescending manner she was cheering for Carter and Catanzaro.
Cameron Grimes was celebrating his him when he was met by the tag team of Ever-Rise. Grimes wanted to celebrate, but he told the other two that there was only room for three. Those three were “me, myself and CAMERON GRIMES!” Grimes then cackled befoe saying he was headed to the VIP room.
Thatcher submitted Gibson to win the match. Thatcher hit Gibson with a shoe in the process of winning the bout. Really good match.
Grizzled Young Veterans before the match cut a promo on their opponents and the audience. The entrance of Thatcher & Ciampa interrupted the heel’s speech.
Thatcher & Ciampa were in control when the show went to a commercial break. Drake cut off Thatcher after the break, and the heels began to work over Thatcher. Hot tag to Ciampa, and Ciampa was a house of fire.
Thatcher was left alone with the heels after Ciampa took a bump into the announce desk. Drake also flew threw the ropes with a tope that knocked Ciampa over the desk. Thatcher was being double teamed, but Ciampa was able to make a save. Ciampa also had a shoe that belonged to Wade Barrett, who was the desk doing commentary.
Ciampa with the JJ Dillion assist, he tossed the shoe in the ring. Thatcher waffled Gibson with the shoe, and Thatcher followed up by applying an arm bar. Gibson soon tapped out.
Johnny Gargano was backstage pestering William Regal again. Regal was having none of it. They did some comedy.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott left the building with his new stable that was only referred to as his “crew.”
Challengers, the champ, and a sneak attack
NXT Champion Karrion Kross and Scarlett entered the CWC for a in-ring promo. He went on to challenge Austin Theory to a match next week on NXT. Kross’ promo was interrupted Kyle O’Reilly, who is still doing the Kool Kyle thing. He was wearing an Easy E t-shirt, which is pretty cool in my book. O’Reilly confronted Kross, and O’Reilly was about to challenge Kross when they were interrupted by Pete Dunne.
Dunne cut a promo on both O’Reilly and Kross. Dunne claimed to be the baddest man in NXT, and he dared them to prove him wromg. Cue Finn Balor, who entered the scene. Balor stormed to the ring, and he went to hit Kross. A brawl between erupted between all four. Kross was left standing in the ring as security poured out. One security dude took a Saito suplex from Kross. Just when the segment seemed over, Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory jump into the ring for a sneak attack.
Gargano and Theory jumped Kross, but he fought them off. Yet, Kross was outnumbered, and the numnbers soon caught up with him. Gargano and Theory with stereo superkicks on Kross, and he was laid out. The heels left him laying in the ring. Kross meets Theory in a singles match next Tuesday.
The Way then fled the scene, and they jumped in a waiting car like they were Earl Hebner in Montreal. Away they sped.
Sarray defeated Zayda Raimer
Sarray pinned Raimer in a short competitive match.
Sarray fought from underneath, dropped Raimer on her head with suplex, and then Sarray covered her for a pinfall.
WALTER via Zoom was giving Imperium a pep talk. WALTER is even intimidating in video form.
A teaser hyped the Diamond Mine.
Zoey Stark was having a staredown with Toni Storm in the backstage area. Stark won the staredown I guess, becuase Storm walked away. Dang, Storm can’t even win a staring context, much less a match these days. What gives? She at least gets a promo later in the show.
LA Knight defeated Jake Atlas
Knight pinned Atlas in what was a showcase match for Knight. Atlas is so much better than the nonexistent push he is getting at the moment. Then there’s LA Knight. Bless his heart.
Knight cut a promo on his way to the ring. Atlas rallied after being pummeled early on in the match. Knight soon cut him off again. Atlas with a few counters, but Knight struck with a headlock DDT. Knight then covered Atlas for a pinfall.
Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell were in their locker room preparing for their title challenge later tonight. Dexter Lumis appeared in a window holding flowers. Hartwell did not see him, but LeRae did. She closed the blinds on the window, keeping Hartwell from seeing Lumis.
Toni Storm cut a heel promo on Zoey Stark. Storm said he brought Stark into the business, and she will take her right out.
El Legado del Fantasma was in the ring ring for a promo. Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde want a title match against NXT Tag Team Champions MSK. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida appeared on the video screen to challenge Santos Escobar to the title match.
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Mercedes Martinez on a split-screen debated ahead of their title match next week.
Franky Monet’s dog, Presley, apparently pooped in Shotzi Blackheart’s tank.
Cameron Grimes arrived at a night club, but a very tall bouncer would not let Grimes into the club. Grimes insisted he was headed to the VIP room. The bouncer said the club was booked for a private party. Grimes continued to pester the bouncer when a limousine arrived at the club. The limo was adorned with golden dollar sign on the hood. Out of the limo stepped Ted DiBiase. The Million Dollar Man remarked not to rent a booth when you can buy the whole club. DiBiase concluded by saying everybody has a price for the Million Dollar Man. Grimes was angry that remark wasn’t even funny.
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart in a street fight to win the titles
LeRae pinned Blackheart to win the straps. There were some wild and crazy bumps in this match. They beat the heck out of each other.
During their entrance, the champs were cosplaying as Freddie Krueger from Nightmare On Elm Street and Jason from Friday the 13th.
The match began with brawling, and weapons were soon in play. Tables, chairs and trash cans were littered around ringside. The champs began to double team Hartwell. LeRae was eventually able to make a save. LeRae went for a baseball slide, but she was instead sandwiched between two trash can lids.
Hartwell’s turn to make a save, and she cleaned house. Hartwell then four chairs at ringside, which ironically were used on her. Moon smashed Hartwell into the chairs. Blackheart added another chair, placing it on top of the other four. The heels sat Blackheart in the fifth chair, and the champs were going for a dive. LeRae saved Hartwell by shooting the champs with a fire extinguisher.
During a picture-in-picture commercial break, Hartwell set up a ladder bridge at ringside. Meanwhille, LeRae propped table in the corner of the ring. LeRae also wedged a chair between the top and middle rope, but LeRae ate the chair when the show returned from the break. The champs with a comeback after the break.
Blackheart jumped off the top rope to deliver a senton with LeRae on the ladder bridge. They both crashed to the floor. In the ring, Moon gave Hartwell an Alabama slam into the table propped in the corner. The table barely break, and Hartwell took a hard bump into the table. Moments later, Hartwell had enought fight to kick a ladder into Moon & Blackheart.
A ladder was propped on the ropes, and Blackheart was placed on it. LeRae then did a moonsault quebrada onto the ladder with an assist from Hartwell. Moon took a spinebuster on a ladder. Blackheart and Hartwell were brawling near the announce desk, and Blackheart shattered a coffee mug on Hartwell. Blackheart then climbed a truss that was part of the set, and Blacheart leapt off with a splash to put Hartwell through the announce desk.
Hartwell with a springboard flying elbow drop to the outside, and in doing so she put Moon through a table. Meanwhile, LeRae gave Blacheart the Wicked Stepsister on a chair. LeRae then pinned Blackheart to win the titles.
A new match has been added to the lineup for this week’s NXT.
WWE has announced that Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher will face The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) on NXT this Tuesday night. Both teams have stated that they want to challenge MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) for the NXT Tag Team titles.
On NXT last week, The Grizzled Young Veterans cut a promo calling themselves the leaders that the NXT tag team division needs. Gibson said they’re soon to be recognized as the next NXT Tag Team Champions. Ciampa & Thatcher then interrupted The Grizzled Young Veterans. Ciampa & Thatcher also wanted to challenge MSK for the NXT Tag Team titles. The segment ended with Ciampa & Thatcher attacking Gibson & Drake.
The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ciampa & Thatcher when they faced off in the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinals earlier this year. MSK defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans in the finals of the tournament.
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch had to relinquish the NXT Tag Team titles this March due to Burch suffering a separated shoulder. MSK then defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans and Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) in a triple threat match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month to win the titles.
Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Mendoza & Wilde) defeated Kushida & MSK in the main event of last week’s NXT. Mendoza pinned MSK’s Carter to get the win.
Here’s the updated lineup for this Tuesday’s episode:
Finn Balor returns for the first time since losing the NXT Championship to Karrion Kross at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Street fight: NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
Falls count anywhere match: Leon Ruff vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans
After being postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NXT UK TakeOver: Dublin has now been canceled.
WWE issued a statement on Friday confirming that NXT UK TakeOver: Dublin has been canceled. The event was first listed as canceled by Ticketmaster and 3Arena Dublin earlier on Friday. For those who had purchased tickets, refunds will be available from the point of purchase.
NXT UK TakeOver: Dublin had most recently been scheduled to take place at 3Arena Dublin on Sunday, June 20. Prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was originally set to be held in April 2020. It was first postponed to October 2020 and then June 2021 before being canceled.
Following a hiatus due to the pandemic, NXT UK returned with new episodes last September. Episodes are taped at BT Sport Studios in London, England with no fans in attendance.
NXT UK has yet to hold a TakeOver event since returning from hiatus. Earlier this month, a special episode titled “NXT UK: Prelude” aired during WrestleMania 37 week. It was headlined by WALTER defeating Rampage Brown to retain the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
A date has been set for A-Kid and Tyler Bate’s Heritage Cup Championship match.
WWE has announced that A-Kid will defend his Heritage Cup Championship against Bate on the Thursday, May 20 episode of NXT UK. Bate became the number one contender to the Heritage Cup Championship by defeating Noam Dar in a Heritage Cup rules match at NXT UK: Prelude earlier this month.
This will be the second time Bate has challenged A-Kid for the Heritage Cup Championship. Last December, A-Kid defeated Bate to retain the title. A-Kid pinned Bate in the sixth and final round to win by two falls to one.
Bate has been friends with A-Kid and his on-screen mentor. In a promo that aired on NXT UK this week, A-Kid said Bate is someone he’s always looked up to — but it’s also very special to know that he doesn’t have to look up to Bate anymore. He just has to look Bate in the eyes and wrestle him.
A-Kid and Bate each have a win against each other in NXT UK. Bate defeated A-Kid on an NXT UK episode that aired in February 2020
A-Kid became the inaugural Heritage Cup Champion by defeating Bate’s Moustache Mountain tag team partner Trent Seven in the finals of a tournament last November. A-Kid has had two title defenses since becoming champion, retaining against Bate and Sha Samuels.
– A gauntlet match will decide the next challenger for Kay Lee Ray’s NXT UK Women’s Championship.
On this week’s NXT UK episode, it was announced that there will be a five-woman gauntlet match to determine KLR’s next challenger. When the gauntlet match will be taking place wasn’t announced.
Jinny, Isla Dawn, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna, and Emilia McKenzie will be the participants in the gauntlet match. It will be the first gauntlet match in NXT UK history.
KLR, who calls herself the “Forever Champion,” has held the NXT UK Women’s Championship since defeating Toni Storm for the title at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff in August 2019. KLR most recently retained the title by defeating Meiko Satomura this March.
– For next Thursday’s NXT UK, WWE has announced two matches that will be taking place on the show. Former tag team partners Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams will face off in a no disqualification, Loser Leaves NXT UK match. Ilja Dragunov vs. Dave Mastiff is also set for the episode.
Also on next week’s NXT UK, Nathan Frazer will be the guest on Noam Dar’s Supernova Sessions talk show. Nathan Frazer is Ben Carter’s WWE in-ring name.
This week’s show featured Aoife Valkyrie and Meiko Satomura in a fantastic match with the “Final Boss” ending Valkyrie’s 14-month winning streak.
Teoman defeated Rohan Raja (6:02)
Raja is the former Gursinder Singh who wrestled in the Desi Hit Squad in Impact in 2018-19. He was born in the UK, raised in Australia, and trained under Lance Storm, starting out around 2015. Other than Impact, he mostly wrestled in Canadian indies, where he won a number of championship, and in Australia.
Raja quickly backed Teoman into the ropes, but got slapped hard for his troubles. He came back with an armdrag and a bridging pin, later slapping Teoman back and demanding respect. Teoman took him down and started pounding him.
Teoman repeatedly asked, “Who do you think you are?” in German as he kept slapping him. Raja came back with a running crossbody for another two count. He later hit a dropkick and a pop-up powerbomb for consecutive near falls. Teoman came back with an attack to the knee and a jumping DDT off the middle turnbuckle.
Teoman locked in a crossface and Raja almost made the ropes before Teoman rolled them both back into the center of the ring. Raja did not tap as he had promised, but tried to break the hold by throwing his upper body backwards while his arm still was trapped. There was an audible cracking/ripping sound that either was real or added in post-production. Raja screamed in pain and the referee stopped the match seconds later.
As the doctor and referee checked on him, Teoman cut a promo, saying “I don’t know if you are stupid or brave but you can see the eye is watching.”
— Mark Andrews, Flash Morgan Webster and Dani Luna (it appears their new name is Subculture) were shown in a cool video in South Wales, hanging out in what apparently was their old stomping grounds. Andrews was skateboarding, Luna trained, and they all talked about what the various subcultures they were part of in their youth taught them.
— Ilja Dragunov sat backstage and was asked how he felt. Dave Mastiff walked up and talked about Dragunov’s temper and challenged him to a match in “the spirit of competition” which was accepted.
Kay Lee Ray in-ring segment
Sid Scala was in the ring and introduced Kay Lee Ray, the longest reigning NXT UK Women’s champion. She said what Scala said was good, but not good enough. She said she was the longest reigning Women’s champion in all of WWE and rattled off a list of all the women she defeated during her reign. She asked Scala what he actually wanted from her.
Scala said the women’s division in NXT UK was stronger than ever and that he and Johnny Saint had decided to book the top five women (Jinny, Isla Dawn, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna, Emilia McKenzie) in a gauntlet match with the winner becoming the new number one contender. KLR said that none of them would be able to beat the Forever Champion.
— A video on Pretty Deadly and their various media appearances and interviews with a number of media outlets aired.
— Heritage Cup champion A-Kid talked about his upcoming match in three weeks with Tyler Bate as they aired clips of their previous two matches which they split. He said he was glad he did not have to look up to Bate anymore, but could look him in the eye and wrestle him. He would find a way to beat him again. On a trivia note, he also called himself the first Spain-born WWE superstar which is wrong. Kane also was born in the country due to his father being stationed there in the Air Force at the time.
Sha Samuels defeated Levi Muir (4:00)
Muir shoved Samuels into the corner off a lock-up. Samuels kneed him in the gut and punched him in the mouth. Muir got a two count off a running crossbody, but the East End Butcher quickly came back. Samuels worked over Muir’s left shoulder and went for the Butcher’s Hook, but Muir escaped. He got Samuels up for a torture rack, but Samuels escaped with some dirty tactics. Samuels then hit a spinebuster for the pinfall victory.
— Trent Seven was at the UK Performance Center and talked about being one of the founding fathers of NXT UK. Sam Gradwell walked up and took offense, pointing out that he had signed the exact same contract for the exact same money (the original UK Championship Tournament in Blackpool in 2017) that Seven did. He said that the fans may put Seven on a pedestal, but that Seven was not on his.
Meiko Satomura defeated Aoife Valkyrie (11:23)
Valkyrie respectfully bowed to begin the match. Satomura started things off with a kick to the hamstring. She caught a kick by Valkyrie and smashed her with a forearm. Satomura kept dominating with a couple of armbars and wristlocks. Valkyrie came back off a test of strength and took Satomura down with a wristlock of her own, transitioning into a crucifix pin for a near fall.
Satomura came back with kicks and an armbar, but Valkyrie transitioned into a pin attempt to break the hold. She hit an enzuigiri that sent Satomura to ringside before Valkyrie hit her with a kick through the ropes. Valkyrie locked in a butterfly submission using her thighs that had Satomura screaming in pain before she reached the ropes with her feet.
Satomura managed to get a toe hold on, transitioning into a modified reverse figure four that had Valkyrie shuffling for the ropes. Satomura flipped Valkyrie backward onto her face, leveling her with a head kick for a close near fall. Satomura missed a kick and was hit with a Pele kick. Valkyrie went to the top for her diving axe kick and Satomura followed her up, but got power bombed off the ropes. Valkyrie missed a step-up enzuigiri and was hit with a Saito suplex.
Satomura went for Scorpion Rising, but Valkyrie stopped her and hit a moonsault off the second turnbuckle for another near fall. She went for the diving axe kick again, but Satomura moved out of the way and hit a DDT in retaliation followed by a handspring knee drop. Valkyrie powered back up, but got stopped with a double axehandle and another handspring knee drop. Satomura hit another kick, followed by Scorpion Rising for the pinfall that ended Valkyrie’s undefeated streak.
Satomura helped her up, shook her hand, and bowed to her in a show of respect.
— A really cool video with Symbiosis (Eddie Dennis, Primate and T-Bone) aired. They were behind a chain link fence and Primate said he was built on the battlefield. T-Bone said he had once been an unstoppable force but lost his way. Dennis said every soldier needs a leader and some men need a familiar face to remind them who they were. He said his mind may be a machine, but these bodies were his ammunition. He concluded by saying symbiotic in nature, Symbiosis in name.
— A superb video hyped up the no DQ, loser leaves NXT UK match between Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams. It told their history together and had both men talking in sit-down interviews, vowing to end the other one’s career.
Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang) defeated Symbiosis (Eddie Dennis, Primate and T-Bone) (9:27)
Dennis and Joe Coffey started, but Dennis immediately tagged in Primate. He hit Coffey with strikes and then tagged Primate who kept up the punching. Eventually, Dennis tagged in but quickly got overwhelmed. Mark Coffey and Wolfgang all took turns beating down Dennis as well. Primate blind tagged in and got to work on Joe Coffey once more. Primate was in next and hit a springboard double axehandle.
Dennis tagged back in and hit a black hole slam on Coffey for a near fall. Symbiosis used quick tags to keep Coffey under control for a few minutes. Dennis went for the Severed Bridge but Coffey escaped and hit the double jump reverse bodypress off the top before both men crawled to their respective corners. They both managed to tag out and Wolfgang ran wild on T-Bone next.
They both tagged out and it was Mark Coffey and Primate in next. Primate hit a lariat to the back and Symbiosis used quick tags once more. T-Bone and Primate hit a power slam/flying headbutt combo, but Joe Coffey made the save. Gallus quickly tagged in and out and eventually, Joe Coffey hit the Glasgow Sendoff and All the Best for the Bells on Primate for the pin and the win.
Final Thoughts:
This was a fun show with no dull moments as the video packages and angles really made the show fun to watch. Raja looked good in his debut and injuring himself rather than tapping out which led to a ref stoppage was a unique finish rarely seen these days.
The gauntlet leading up to the Women’s title match is a nice idea with the only reasonable outcome being McKenzie winning (and maybe avenging her loss to Isla Dawn along the way) as KLR vs. McKenzie is the only matchup we haven’t seen already. McKenzie is the only woman KLR has not yet beat.
Satomura vs. Valkyrie was fantastic and made Valkyrie look like a star by being able to hang with a legend. The loss doesn’t hurt her and she is no longer burdened by the undefeated streak. I could see her as Women’s champion down the line, but she would also look good on NXT in the U.S.. I’m not sure how her gimmick translates to the main roster though.
The main event was a fun six-men mean guys match. Symbiosis are a decent team with Dennis being the brain behind the brutes, but I don’t really see them make it past the midcard any time soon.
Next week:
Amir Jordan vs. Kenny Williams no DQ, loser leaves NXT UK match
On last night’s NXT, Adam Cole made his first appearance since the aftermath of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Cole took part in a sit-down interview with sports writer and radio host Arash Markazi on last night’s show. Cole claimed that Kyle O’Reilly got lucky in their unsanctioned match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver and isn’t ready for the main event spot. Cole said he knows O’Reilly isn’t sure if he’s ready to be in the main event or ready to be NXT Champion. Cole said the reason O’Reilly is feeling those insecurities is because they’re very real.
Cole vowed that as long as he’s in NXT, O’Reilly will never take his spot.
Cole was then asked about the NXT Championship picture. Cole said NXT Champion Karrion Kross is good, but he doesn’t know if Kross is great yet. Cole brought up the separated shoulder that Kross suffered when he won the NXT Championship for the first time last year. Cole questioned whether the injury was a freak mistake or a sign that Kross isn’t ready. Cole said that — if and when he decides he wants to go after the NXT Championship — the clock will be ticking for Kross.
When asked what’s next for him, Cole said it’s no one else’s business and refused to answer. Cole said he’s carried NXT and is pissed off that people think O’Reilly is going to replace him. Cole said that — no matter where he ends up — he’s going to be the best damn Adam Cole that anyone has ever seen.
As Cole’s interview ended, O’Reilly was shown watching it on a television screen and shaking his head in disgust.
– “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase made an appearance on tonight’s NXT and interacted with Cameron Grimes.
There was a segment on tonight’s show where Grimes went to a jewelry store and tried to buy the most expensive watch in the city. After Grimes purchased a watch from the store, DiBiase appeared next to Grimes and told him it’s not a bad watch — but it’s not a million dollar watch. DiBiase showed Grimes his own watch and laughed in Grimes’ face.
Grimes’ character became extravagantly wealthy after investing in GameStop stock and purchasing Dogecoin. DiBiase had been referenced on NXT last week when Grimes said he attempted to buy an NFT of NBA player Ja Morant, but DiBiase came in and outbid him after the auction was over.
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 said during an appearance on Booker T’s Hall of Fame podcast earlier this month that he was scheduled to go to the WWE Performance Center to do something involving Grimes: “As a matter of fact, I’m supposed to go down to the developmental center pretty soon. I think I’m gonna do something with that new guy, their new money guy, Cameron Grimes or something. I’m gonna have a little feud with him.”
– A teaser for “Diamond Mine” also aired on tonight’s NXT. The teaser showed footage of unidentified athletes working out at an MMA gym. “Thrive. Achieve. Succeed,” “Push Beyond, “Pressure Makes Diamonds,” “Pressure is Pleasure,” “Train. Perform. Become,” and “Fight. Win. Repeat” appeared on the screen during the teaser:
WWE had filed a trademark for “Diamond Mine” in December. This was the first teaser using the Diamond Mine name.
Raquel Gonzalez has a date and an opponent for her first NXT Women’s Championship defense.
Gonzalez will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Mercedes Martinez on NXT in two weeks (Tuesday, May 11). The match was announced after Gonzalez beat down Martinez on tonight’s NXT.
Martinez faced Gonzalez’s tag team partner Dakota Kai on tonight’s NXT, but the match ended in a disqualification when Gonzalez attacked Martinez. Gonzalez was at ringside during the match and got into a confrontation with Martinez. Gonzalez went to hit Martinez, but Martinez moved out of the way and punched Gonzalez. Martinez then went back into the ring, but Gonzalez attacked her to cause the DQ.
Gonzalez then beat down Martinez and laid her out by launching her head-first into the plexiglass surrounding the ringside area.
After Martinez had called out Gonzalez, Kai responded last week and told Martinez that she wouldn’t be getting a title shot. Martinez called Gonzalez a lapdog and said she would take out Kai so that nothing would be standing in the way of her challenging for Gonzalez’s title.
Gonzalez defeated Io Shirai in the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one earlier this month to win the NXT Women’s Championship.
The next challenger for Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship was also confirmed on NXT tonight. As a result of Bronson Reed defeating Austin Theory, Reed will be getting another shot at Gargano’s North American title. WWE hasn’t announced when that title match will be taking place.
Next week’s episode of NXT will feature Finn Balor’s first appearance since losing the NXT Championship.
WWE has announced that Balor will make his return to NXT next Tuesday. Balor will speak on the show for the first time since Karrion Kross defeated him to win the NXT Championship at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two earlier this month.
“Viva Mexico! Recharged, refreshed & refocused. Next Tuesday, Finn is back,” Balor wrote on social media.
Prior to losing the title to Kross, Balor had been NXT Champion since September of last year. Balor defeated Adam Cole to win the then-vacant title after Kross had to relinquish the championship due to injury. Kross won the NXT Championship from Keith Lee at TakeOver XXX last August but suffered a separated shoulder during the match.
Two stipulation matches have also been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT. The NXT Women’s Tag Team titles will be on the line as champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon face Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell in a street fight. Rivals Leon Ruff and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott will also face off in a falls count anywhere match.
Adam Cole returns to NXT tonight and will take part in a sit-down interview.
It will be the first time Cole has spoken since the aftermath of losing to Kyle O’Reilly in their unsanctioned match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. In footage that was shown of the aftermath of the match, Cole yelled at O’Reilly and threatened him as they were being wheeled into the hospital. O’Reilly appeared last week and said he’s done with Cole.
Cole’s sit-down interview will be conducted by sports writer and radio host Arash Markazi.
A match with title implications will take place as Bronson Reed faces Austin Theory tonight. If Reed wins, he’ll get another shot at Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship. Gargano retained against Reed at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver after Reed won a number one contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator match the previous night.
Mercedes Martinez is looking to be the first challenger for new NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez. Tonight, Martinez will take on Gonzalez’s tag team partner Dakota Kai.
The NXT Cruiserweight and Tag Team champions will team up as Kushida & MSK face Legado Del Fantasma in a six-man tag match. MSK saved Kushida from Legado Del Fantasma last week. Two weeks ago, Kushida answered Santos Escobar’s open challenge and defeated him to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Plus, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will take on Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in non-title action and Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will face Imperium.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show is opening with the NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez in the corner of her friend and tag partner, Dakota Kai, for a match against a possible contender for the title.
The dynamic now between Kai and Gonzalez is similar to Shawn Michaels and Diesel in 1994. That duo eventually split. Will Gonzalez and Kai soon split?
Mercedes Martinez defeated Dakota Kai (with Raquel Gonzalez) via disqualification
Gonzalez interfered for the DQ, and she beat up Martinez after the match.
Martinez is such a badass. She was in complete control at the start, until Kai countered with a DDT. Kai then began to work over Martinez. Not sure who is supposed to be the protagonist here, but it is really clear by the end of the mactch.
Martinez regained the advantage, but Kai cut her off before the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial break. Martinez was fighting back when the show returned from the break. Kai with a nearfall after a codebreaker. Soon Martinez made a comeback.
Trifecta of double underhook suplexes by Martinez, and Kai was sent outside. Martinez went out after her, but she met Gonzalez instead. Martinez blocked a punch from Gonzalez, and Martinez hit her with a forearm. Martinez then got back in the ring to drop Kai with a knee strike.
Martinez had Kai in a fireman’s carry when Gonzalez got into the ring. Gonzalez kicked Martinez for the DQ. Gonzalez then attacked Martinez after the match, and she smashed her into the ring post. Martinez was also sent crashing into the barricade, and she was laid out.
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart. Flowers arrived for the champs. Franky Monet, with her dog Presley, interrupted to say somebody has a crush on the champs. Monet read the card, which said the flowers were from Dexter Lumis. Moon said she was married, so these flowers must be for Blackheart. Shotzi begged off too. She wanted no part of it either. Monet smirked and left.
The auto insurance commercials with Ric Flair makes the ad breaks fun.
Cameron Grimes arrives at a jewelry store. He was looking to buy a nice gift for myself. He bit into a coin thinking it was gold, but it was chocolate. Grimes hopes they don’t try to sell him a chocolate watch, because he heard this was the place to get the best watches. To be continued…
Grizzled Young Veterans were in the ring dressed in suits. They cut a promo on NXT Tag Team Champions MSK. Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher interrupted the promo. Ciampa challenged Grizzled Young Veterans to a match, after he and Thatcher confronted them in the ring. Thatcher started chanting something about a shoe, which I’m assuiming is a British chant of some sort. Ciampa took his boot off, and he assaulted Grizzled Young Verterans with his own shoe. Thatcher joined in attacking them, and these two teams will likely have a match soon.
Drake Maverick was worried, but Killian Dain tried to ease his mind by quoting a Goerge Michael song. You got to have faith.
Toni Storm cut an in-ring promo saying Zoey Stark should thank her for making Stark famous. Storm basically threatened to end Stark’s career, and Storm was going to use the “rookie” in the next match as an example.
Zayda Ramier defeated Toni Storm
Ramier upest Storm after a distraction by Zoey Stark, and Ramier executed a shooting star press.
Storm ragdolled Ramier, and Storm toyed with her. Storm was about to use her finisher in the middle of the ring. Instead, Strom wanted to sent a greater message. She placed Ramier on the turnbuckle, and looked to set up an avalanche version of her finisher.
Zoey Stark came down to ringside, causing a distraction. That allowed Ramier to shove Storm off the turnbuckles. Ramier then executed a shooting star press to score the upset pinfall.
LA Knight cut a promo on Dexter Lumis, and he also talked about Indi Hartwell. Knight thinks Hartwell has the hots for him. After Knight walked away, Ever-Rise then popped on the screen talking about their internet talk show. They had coffee cups. I think this was supposed to be funny, but cannot confirm.
Bronson Reed defeated Austin Theory (with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell)
Reed pinned Theory after gaga involving Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis.
Reed and his power moves were too much for Theory at first. Gargano at ringside hit Reed with a cheap shot superkick, and Reed was rammed into the ring steps. Reed was in peril as the show went to a commercial break.
Theory was working over Reed when the show returned from the break. Reed eventually hulked up, and he madhandled Theory during a comeback. Theory was still able to cut him off to deliver a blockbuster for a two count. They went on to trade near falls.
After a double down in the ring, Dexter Lumis walked down to ringside. Gargano & LeRae freaked out. Hartwell at first acted like she didn’t want to see Lumis. She walked away from him, and Lumis followed her around the ring.
Hartwell rolled into the ring, and Lumis got on the apron. They looked in each other eyes. Hartwell told Lumis he talked too much, which is funny because Lumis never speaks on camera. Lumis saved Hartwell by taking a proverbial bullet for her. With Theory charging towards them, Lumis took the bullet and bumped off the apron.
Reed ended the match after a tsunami splash, and he covered Theory for a pinfall. Reed now has his sights set on NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano. Meanwhile, Lumis glared across the ring at Gargano.
After a commercial break, The Way was huddling backstage. LeRae put all the heat for what happened on Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart, which explains the wacky skit with flowers earlier in the show. LeRae said that Blackheart & Moon were trying to steal Hartwell’s man. It should also be noted, LeRae & Hartwell have an upcoming match challenging Moon & Blackheart for the tag titles.
Finn Balor is vactioning in Mexico, but he will be back next week.
Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner with Alexander Wolfe) defeated Drake Maverick & Killian Dain
Aichner pinned Maverick in a match with layers.
The story heading into the match was Maverick feeling uneasy. Maverick thought Dain was going to turn on him since Imperium have courted Dain in recent weeks.
Heat on Maverick as Imperium cut the ring in half, keeping Maverick from tagging out. Poor Maverick even lost the buttons on his jeans. Dain was knocked off the apron, and he was not in the corner when Maverick was finally able to tag. Maverick looked heartbroken, probably thinking Dain had turned on him.
Dain rushed into the ring, and he cleaned house on Imperium. Dain was running wild, but he was booted in the face on the outside. Barthel ordered Wolfe at ringside to hit Dain with a chair, but Wolfe couldn’t do it. Barthel got in Wolfe’s face, and they were interrupted by a flying Maverick as he leapt through the ropes.
Wolfe stood between Dain and the ring post when Dain was attempting to post Barthel. Dain instead was the one who ate the ring post. Back in the ring, Imperium double teamed Maverick. The Doomsday uppercut led to Aichner covering Maverick for a pinfall.
Pete Dunne cut a fantastic promo, and he is looking for a championship.
Cameron Grimes was still in the jewelry store looking at watches. Grimes was admiring the watch he picked out. A familiar voice from my childhood told Grimes that was a nice watch, but it wasn’t a million dollar watch. Ted DiBiase then showed Grimes a million dollar watch. DiBiase did his million dollar laugh at Grimes expense.
NXT Tag Team Champions Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart rode to the ring in Shotzi’s tank. They were there for a match against Jessi Kamea & Aliyah, but they were attacked before it could start. Just as someone was giving them more gifts, Moon & Blackheart were attacked by LeRae & Hartwell. They beat up the champs with fruit and cake. Kamea & Aliyah grabbed the tag titles and celebrated like they won.
Sit-down with Adam Cole
Arash Markazi sat down with Cole poolside for an interview. Though they were at the pool, both wore suits. Cole was on the phone, and he scoffs when Markazi told Cole they were waiting on him.
Markazi asked about Cole’s recover after his match against Kyle O’Reilly. Cole said he could feel better, but even he is still better hurt than the entire roster. Cole went on to say he decided to break up Undisputed Era, and he didn’t want to carry them any more.
Cole talked about people thinking O’Reilly is now a top star. Cole said O’Reilly is not ready for the main event. As long as Cole is in NXT, Cole said O’Reilly is not taking his spot.
Cole spoke about Karrion Kross as the NXT Champion. Cole of course thinks he is better. Cole ended the interview by scolding Markazi for being unprofessional. Cut to a shot of O’Reilly watching the interview and shaking his head in digust.
A vignette hyped the arrival of what looks like it could be a new stable or faction. There was footage from a MMA gym and a logo for the Diamond Mine. This for sure look very different from the Diamond Exchange led by DDP back in the day.
Two matches annunced for next Tuesday.
Street Fight: NXT Tag Team Champions Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell for the titles
Falls Count Anywhere: Leon Ruff vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) defeated NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) & NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida
Mendoza pinned Carter to win the match after the rudo team took out all of the babyfaces.
Kushida wore his new trunks again, but he wasn’t barefoot like last week. Tonight Kushida had on wrestling boots. Quick tags between him and MSK as the match began. Wilde & Mendoza with a double team attack briefly turned the tide. The babyfaces soon ran wild again, and the heels were reeling as the show cut to a commercial break.
Rudos get heat on Carter, until a hot tag is made. Kushida ran wild after tagging in, and he cleaned house on the rudos. MSK with stereo dives through the ropes.
The rudos fought back. Esobar powerbombed Kushida thrugh the announce desk. Lee was shoved off the top rope. Carter went to check on Kushida, and Carter was booted in the face. He was then sent crashing into the ring steps. Both Carter and Kushida were laid out at ringside, leaving Lee alone in the ring.
Lee was doing flips when he dropkicked in mid-air. Lee was by himself against the three rudos. Triple team after quicks tags by the rudos, and Lee was in peril. Cool double team moves by Wide & Mendoza for a near fall.
Lee was able to thwart the double team attack. Lee then moved so Escobar could crash and burn on an attempted splash. Lee tagged Carter for the second hot tag of the match. Carter was running wild, but he was quickly cut off. Kushida tried to make a save, but he was given a Phatom Driver by Esobar. Double team finisher on Carter, and Mendoza covered him for a pinfall.
Legedo del Fantasma held all of the titles overhead as they stood over the champions.
Two tag team matches have been added to tonight’s episode of NXT.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will be in action tonight as they face The Robert Stone Brand’s Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in a non-title match. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will also take on Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner on tonight’s show.
WWE uploaded an interview with Robert Stone, Aliyah, and Kamea ahead of tonight’s NXT. Stone vowed that Aliyah & Kamea would defeat Blackheart & Moon and become the official number one contenders to the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. Aliyah said she and Kamea can’t wait to show the world that they can defeat Blackheart & Moon twice.
Indi Hartwell said on last week’s NXT that William Regal had agreed to give her and Candice LeRae a shot at Blackheart & Moon’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, but when Hartwell & LeRae will be getting their title shot wasn’t announced.
Barthel & Aichner defeated Ever-Rise on NXT last week. After being attacked by Imperium earlier this month, Dain came out to ringside and confronted Imperium’s Alexander Wolfe during Barthel & Aichner’s match against Ever-Rise. But when Maverick then ran out and went to fight with Wolfe, Dain carried Maverick away. Dain and Maverick argued in a post-show video and Maverick asked Dain if he was going to join Imperium. Dain told Maverick no and walked away.
Dain and Wolfe were formerly stablemates in SAnitY.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
Sit-down interview with Adam Cole
Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory (if Reed wins, he gets a future shot at Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship)
Mercedes Martinez vs. Dakota Kai
Kushida & MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Aliyah & Jessi Kamea
Drake Maverick & Killian Dain vs. Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian AIchner)
On Tuesday’s episode of NXT, Adam Cole will make his first appearance since the aftermath of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
WWE has announced that a sit-down interview with Cole will take place on Tuesday’s NXT. The interview will be conducted by sports writer and radio host Arash Markazi.
In the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two earlier this month, Kyle O’Reilly defeated his former Undisputed Era stablemate Cole in an unsanctioned match. Footage of O’Reilly and Cole being taken to the hospital by ambulance was then shown on the post-TakeOver edition of NXT. Cole yelled at O’Reilly and threatened him as they were being wheeled into the hospital.
O’Reilly appeared on NXT earlier this week and said he’s done with Cole. O’Reilly mentioned potentially going after Karrion Kross’ NXT Championship or Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship. Cameron Grimes then interrupted O’Reilly and had a business proposal for him. The segment ended with O’Reilly dropping Grimes with a punch.
O’Reilly defeated Grimes in the main event of this past Tuesday’s NXT. O’Reilly had a brief staredown backstage with Kross and Scarlett as he was making his entrance for the match.
Markazi has formerly worked for the LA Times, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated. He also appeared on the pre-shows for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Here’s the updated lineup for Tuesday’s NXT.
Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory (if Reed wins, he gets a future shot at Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship)
Mercedes Martinez vs. Dakota Kai
Kushida & MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Coffey punched Dennis out of the ring and attacked him at ringside. Back in the ring, Dennis escaped through the ropes to stop another barrage by Coffey. Dennis came back with a judo throw and kravate. Coffey eventually escaped with a slam, but missed the Glasgow Sendoff into the corner.
Dennis caught a body press by Coffey and hit a slam for a near fall. They traded strikes and Coffey hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, followed by a running shoulder block and an elbow drop for another two count. Dennis caught Coffey on the turnbuckles, then hit the Severed Bridge for a another close near fall.
Coffey came back with a spinebuster and a Boston Crab. T-Bone and Primate ran in and distracted the referee, but Coffey disposed of them. Gallus ran out to brawl with T-Bone and Primate.
Back in the ring, Coffey hit the double-jump reverse body press, Glasgow Sendoff and All the Best for the Bells to pin Dennis.
Coffey got attacked immediately by Primate and T-Bone, but the rest of Gallus made the save and sent Dennis and his thugs packing.
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Ilja Dragunov sat at a laptop and watched clips of his match with WALTER, getting an incredulous look on his face as the match progressed. He then watched clips of his matches with Jack Starz, Sam Gradwell and others and how he would snap whenever he got chopped in the neck. His eyes grew bigger as he watched, before the screen faded to black.
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Gallus were excited as they came backstage. Joe Coffey encountered Rampage Brown and told him he’d watched him and WALTER and it was tough, as he’d been there himself. He reminded Brown that he had promised him a rematch and told him to give him a call.
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Sam Gradwell defeated “Bomber” Dave Mastiff (04:54)
Mastiff quickly backed Gradwell into the ropes and called him a “Yogurt”. They traded hammerlocks, before Gradwell got smacked in the mouth. Mastiff hit a judo roll over Gradwell, then followed with a fireman’s carry roll. Gradwell came back with a knee strike with his knee brace, hurting Mastiff’s back.
Mastiff eventually hit a running crossbody but couldn’t hit his cannonball senton into the corner because of his injured back.
Gradwell seized the opportunity, impressively hoisted Mastiff on his shoulders and hit a Falcon Arrow for the win.
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Aoife Valkyrie walked through a city at night and talked about this being her opportunity. She will face Meiko Satomura next week.
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A video profiled Emilia McKenzie.
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Jinny (w/Joseph Conners) defeated Dani Luna (04:03)
Dani took Jinny down with a waistlock takedown right away. Jinny slapped her, then escaped through the ropes and attacked Dani from behind when she turned away.
Jinny locked on an Iron Octopus but Luna powered out. Jinny locked it on once more from a seated position, but Luna lifted her up and threw her. Luna hit two consecutive rolling gutwrench suplexes, then followed up with another suplex.
They traded strikes and slaps and Dani followed with a running clothesline. Conners got on the apron, which distracted Luna and allowed Jinny to hit a kick to the knee, rolling Liger kick and pin Dani with a La Magistral cradle.
After the match, Jinny stomped away at Dani and locked her in a modified STF as Conners screamed into her face. Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster ran out to make the save.
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Sid Scala was asked about the Amir Jordan-Kenny Williams main event from last week when Jordan stormed in and demanded a rematch.
Scala said that Williams was willing to give him a rematch under no DQ rules, but only under the condition that the loser will leave NXT UK.
Jordan was taken aback, but eventually signed the contract and said that nobody would be taking this away from him.
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A video aired on newcomer Rohan Raja (Tony Gill, the former Gursinder Singh of the Desi Hit Squad in Impact in 2018/19), who said he was 6’1″, British born, Australian raised, Canadian trained (by Lance Storm, nonetheless). He said he would make his NXT UK debut next week against Teoman.
He said Teoman had been making people tap out but that he does not quit and Teoman would have to bring his A game.
Teoman replied to Raja’s promo, saying he would die for his family and protect them with honor, respect and fear. He reiterated that he was the “Babo” (boss) Teoman.
Dar and Bate started the match. Bate had the early advantage with arm drags before Dar managed to tag in Samuels, who wanted Seven. Seven quickly hit a clothesline and leg drop. Bate was back in and hit a somersault senton, then worked over Samuels’ arm before Dar tagged back in.
Bate had Dar up for the airplane spin, but Samuels blind tagged back in and attacked Bate, who eventually tagged Seven. Dar and Samuels quickly tagged in and out and worked over Seven for several minutes. Seven finally hit a DDT and snap dragon suplex on Dar before finally making the hot tag.
Bate ran wild and hit an exploder on Samuels. Bate hit a Seven-assisted power bomb on Samuels and went for a bridging pin, but the referee was distracted and Samuels eventually kicked out. Samuels hit a spinebuster on Bate off a slingshot lariat. Seven and Bate hit subsequent dives on both Dar and Samuels.
Bate then hit a double foot stomp of the top into a Burning Hammer by Seven on Samuels and pinned him.
Final thoughts —
A decent show with a good main event.
Dennis vs. Coffey lead to the inevitable six-men tag, which should be a fun, hard-hitting brawl next week.
Jinny vs. Dani Luna also progressed the storyline and we should get some sort of mixed tag team match out of it soon.
Sam Gradwell picked up his first proper win since returning, and looked good in doing so.
The main event was a small redemption story for Trent Seven, who I still suspect will turn on or challenge Tyler Bate if/when he wins the Heritage Cup from A-Kid.
I like how they had short promos building up next week’s Rohan Raja vs. Teoman match, which felt like watching Superstars or Wrestling Challenge when I was a kid.
