NXT Champion Finn Balor and his next challenger Karrion Kross were briefly partners as they teamed up in the main event of last night’s NXT.
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch retained their NXT Tag Team titles by defeating Balor & Kross on last night’s show. During the match, Balor gave Lorcan a shotgun dropkick on the outside that knocked him into Scarlett. Kross then attacked Balor and threw him into the ring, with Lorcan connecting with an uppercut on Balor and pinning him to get the win.
Kross destroyed Lorcan with two Doomsday Saito suplexes after the match and then beat down Balor. Kross put Balor in the Kross Jacket before laying him out with an elbow strike. Scarlett told Balor that everything happens for a reason and he can’t escape fate.
It was confirmed last night that Balor will defend his NXT Championship against Kross at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver next month. A confrontation between Balor and Kross opened last night’s show until they were interrupted by Lorcan and Burch.
Burch suffered a shoulder injury in last night’s main event and didn’t return to the match.
Though not officially announced, Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly, NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzalez, NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER vs. Tommaso Ciampa, and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar vs. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin also look to be planned for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver following last night’s NXT. TakeOver: Stand & Deliver is a two night-event that’s taking place on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8.
Title matches and major announcements highlighted last night’s NXT as the stage for the next TakeOver special started to be set.
NXT Champion Finn Balor and NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai both retained their titles last night. Balor defeated Adam Cole to remain NXT Champion. After Cole was distracted by the returning Kyle O’Reilly appearing at ringside, Balor hit a dive to the outside, a 1916 DDT on the floor, and the Coup de Grace in the ring to get the win.
This was O’Reilly’s first appearance since Cole gave him a brainbuster on the steel steps three weeks ago.
O’Reilly beat down Cole after the match until being stopped by officials. Balor was then confronted by Karrion Kross. As Balor was turning around to see that Kross was behind him, Balor asked Kross what took him so long. Balor and Kross then went face-to-face to close the show.
Shirai retained her title by defeating Toni Storm last night. Shirai then confronted Raquel Gonzalez later in the show and said she wants to face Gonzalez next. Gonzalez told Shirai to be careful what she wishes for.
NXT general manager William Regal kicked off the episode by making two “game-changing announcements.” Regal confirmed that a two-night NXT TakeOver event will be part of WrestleMania 37 week. The event is being called NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. Night one will air live on the USA Network on Wednesday, April 7. On Thursday, April 8, night two will be live on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network everywhere else.
Regal also introduced NXT Women’s Tag Team titles and awarded them to women’s Dusty Classic winners Dakota Kai & Gonzalez. But Kai & Gonzalez’s reign didn’t last through the night. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defeated Kai & Gonzalez to become champions, with Blackheart pinning Kai to get the win.
Big title matches and major announcements are the theme of tonight’s episode of NXT.
NXT’s top two championships will both be on the line tonight. Finn Balor defends his NXT Championship against Adam Cole, while Io Shirai puts her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Toni Storm.
Two “game-changing announcements” will be made by NXT general manager William Regal tonight. One of those announcements figures to be related to the situation with the Women’s Tag Team titles. Last week, Regal and WWE authority figure Adam Pearce were shown arguing after Pearce got involved and helped WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler retain their titles against NXT’s Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez. Regal promised that he would make an announcement that would change the landscape of NXT tonight.
After a ref bump in last week’s Women’s Tag Team title match, Pearce brought a Raw referee out to the ring. And despite Kai not being the legal person, the Raw referee called for the bell when she passed out in Baszler’s Kirifuda Clutch.
Xia Li vs. Kayden Carter is also set for tonight’s show. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with footage of the champions and challengers arriving to the building ahead of the two titles matches later on.
William Regal is in the ring for special announcements.
A video package announced TakeOver: Stand and Deliver is a two-night event during WrestleMania weekend. TakeOver takes place on April 7th and April 8th. Night one airs on USA Network in the current NXT timeslot on Wednesday night. Night two the next night will air exclusively on Peacock at 8pm ET. The logo for TakeOver matches the pirate theme of WrestleMania.
The NXT women’s roster gathered on the top of the stage for the next announcement. A table in the ring with a cloth covering it clearly held what loooked to be title belts. Regal called for Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai to join him in the ring. They won the Dusty Classic, but Regal said they suffered an injustice last week. NXT powers that be made a decision. Kai and Gonzalez are now the first ever NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, and they were awarded a brand new pair of title belts.
Kai & Gonzalez cut a heel promo bragging on themeselves. Gonzalez vowed they would carry the titles for a long time. Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon interrupted them. They wanted to challenge the new champions. So, Regal booked the match for later tonight. That makes three title matches on tonight’s card, and the first one is up next.
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defeated Toni Storm to retain her title
Shirai submitted Storm in a good match. Storm kept tripping up Shirai thrughout the match until Storm herself tripped up by missing a diving headbutt. Shirai then trapped her in a crossface.
Shirai gained an early advantage, and she rocked Storm with strikes. Shirai applied a cobra twist. Moments later, Storm tripped up Shirai on the apron. Storm then sent Shirai crashing into the ring steps. Shirai was down selling as the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
Storm worked over Shirai during the break, but Shirai fired up when the show came back from commercial. Shirai was tripped up again, this time on the top turnbuckle. Storm with a superplex on Shirai.
Shirai came back after backdropping Storm on the apron, and Shirai followed with a moonsault off the top turnbuckle to the floor. Storm was still able to trip up Shiari just a moment later. Storm with a Liger bomb for a two count. Shirai responded with a Liger spot of her own as she hit Storm with a shotei palm strike. Shirai transitioned into applying a crossface, but Storm was able to get a rope break.
Running knee strikes in a corner by Shirai, but she missed on a moonsault press. Toni struck with a Storm Zero for a close near fall, and Shirai kicked out. Storm climbed the turnbuckles for a Harley Race diving headbutt. Shirai rolled out of the way, leaving Storm to crash and burn. Shirai then caught her in a crossface, and Storm tapped out.
NXT Champion Finn Balor was backstage in his dressing room. He cut a promo on Adam Cole. He concluded by saying he defeated Cole to win the title, and he will defeat Cole tionight.
Pete Dunne defeated Jake Atlas
Dunne submitted Atlas in an action-packed match. NXT Tag Team Champions Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan were in Dunne’s corner during the match.
Dunne grounded Atlas early on in the match, but Atlas springboarded into a flurry. Dunne stopped him in his tracks with a kick. Dunne punished Atlas with joint locks. Atlas soon fired up into a comeback.
Atlas peppered Dunne with a series of strikes that led to a standing moonsault. Atlas went of his cartwheel DDT, but Dunne targeted an arm. Atlas crashed into the ring, and the “Bruiserweight” went to work on the arm. Finger break spot and an armbar, and Atlas with his arms trapped behind him had to verbally submit.
Dunne in a post-match promo said he the best techincal wrestler, and he made an open challenege to prove him wrong.
Imperium in a pre-tape promo had a message trying to recruit Timothy Thacther into their stable.
Leon Ruff in a backstage promo cut a promo on Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. Ruff vs. Scott takes place next week.
Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart defeated NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez to win the titles
Blackheart pinned Kai to win the titles. The championship changes hands during its first defense. Kai & Gonzalez were champions for maybe an hour.
Blackheart locked Kai in a Texas cloverleaf very early in the match. Kai escaped with a rope break. Both went for a high kick, leading to a double down before the show cut to commercial. The heel champs worked over Blackheart during the break.
A hot tag after the break led to Moon coming into the match like a house of fire. Moon cleaned house. Blackheart flew through the ropes with a tope suicida. Kai countered Moon moments later, and Gonzalez tagged back into the match.
Double team Go To Kick got the heels a near fall. Gonzalez with a Gory Special on Moon, and then she flipped Moon over into a sit-out powerbomb. That was a cool spot.
Blackheart ran wild on Kai, leading to a close two count. More near falls for the challengers, but Kai kept kicking out. Gonzalez broke up one pinning attempt, and Blackheart used a stunner to create some space. Moon leapt off the top gong for The Eclipse.
Gonzalez blocked Moon’s finisher, and she countered a hurricanrana. Gonzalez was fighting for a powerbomb when Kai collided into them. Gonzalez and Moon went tumbling over the ropes. Blackheart with an O’Connor roll into a bridging pinfall, and the titles change hands.
Adam Cole cut a great promo on Balor ahead of their title match later on.
Xia Li defeated Kayden Carter via disqualification
Kacy Catanzaro interfered to cause the DQ.
Carter got more offense on Carter than anyone else since Li’s character was repackaged. Li soon cut off Carter. Kacy Catanzaro came down ringside walking with on crutches.
An enraged Catanzaro hit Li with the crutch, causing the DQ. Catanzaro kept hitting Li with the crutch. Boa got into the ring, and Catanzaro tried to hit him with the crutch. He took the crutch from her, but Carter nailed him with the other crutch. The supposed babyfaces fled the scene after the attack.
Jordan Devlin was at the airport cutting a promo. He is headed to the United States, and said we will find out once and for all who is the real NXT Cruiserweight Champion. Devlin was champion before Santos Escobar became an interim champ. Looks like a title match is coming soon.
A video package highlighted Zoey Stark and her journey to NXT.
Santos Escobar was upset backstage, and he was complaining to Regal about Devlin.
Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) defeated Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson)
This was more of an angle than a match. MSK caused a distraction that cost Grizzled Young Veterans the bout. MSK came out dressed astronauts, which was teasing they were Breezango. Legado del Fantasma had attacked Breezango last week.
MSK took off their helmets to reveal it was them. That distracted Drake, and Wilder rolled him up for a pinfall. Breezango hit the ring after the match to attack Legado del Fantasma. Breezango danced with MSK after all the heels fled.
Gonzalez & Kai were backstage being interviewed about their loss. Shirai interrupted to challenge Gonzalez for a title match. Shirai challenges a lot of people, which is odd for a champion. Usually they accept challenges instead of issuing challenges, but this does make Shirai look like a fighting champion.
Announced for next week on NXT:
Dexter Lumis vs. Austin Theory
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Leon Ruff
In-ring debut of LA Knight
Also teased for next week is Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa vs. Imperium in a tag match, but that is yet to be made official. Ciampa did mention it on a backstage interview alongside Thatcher.
NXT Champion Finn Balor defeated Adam Cole
Balor pinned Cole after Kyle O’Reilly returned to NXT. O’Reilly attacked Cole after the macth.
Cole was supposedly wearing the same gear he wore when he won his first NXT title.
The match started off hot. Lots of crowd noise pumped in to give it a big fight feel. Counters and reversals led into a standoff. That gave way to a picture-in-picture commercial break. Chain wrestling during the break. Back-and-forth continued after the break.
Eventually, Cole went to work on Balor. Cole targeted Balor’s back. Balor answered back by targeting a leg. Neither held an advantage for long as the fight spilled outside. Balor reversed an attempted suplex to give Cole a suplex on the floor. Both were down selling as the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
Balor targeted Cole’s back during the break, and Balor applied a sharpshooter. They were trading strikes when the show returned from the break. Cole struck with an ushigoroshi brainbuster. Close nearfall.
Cole went for his Panama Sunrise, but Balors counters to deliver a sling blade. Shotgun dropkick by Balor, and he goes for the Coup de Grace. Cole moved out of the way, and then he hit Balor with a superkick. Balor sold his surgically repaired jaw. Cole went for a crossface, and Balor struggled to break free. Cole kept countering Balor to reapply the hold. Eventually, Balor was able to get a rope break.
Cole countered an attempted 1916, and he superkicked Balor in the knee. Pulling down his kneepad, Cole signaled for his Last Shot finisher. He connected with a Last Shot, but Balor kicked out at two-and-a-half. Piped in “this is awesome chants” kind of hurt the moment in my opinion, especially when none of the fans there live in person were chanting or clapping along with the chant.
Cole executed a Panama Sunrise, but Balor kicked out again for another near fall. Cole sold the kickout with a look of disbelief on his face. Balor sent Cole out of the ring, and Cole took a bump on the floor. Cole was trying to get to his feet when Kyle O’Reilly emerged from the shadows. O’Reilly looked haggard, but he glared a hole through Cole.
Balor gave Cole a 1916 on the floor, and he rolled Cole back into the ring. O’Reilly with a stone face stare looked on. Balor delivered a Coup de Grace, and then he covered Cole for a pinfall.
O’Reilly after the macth got into the ring to confront Cole. When begging off didn’t work, Cole went for a low blow. O’Reilly blocked it, and Cole looked scared. O’Reilly attacked Cole, and Cole tried to flee. O’Reilly twice shoved down a referee. The atttack on Cole continued until referees poured out to rinside. They pulled them apart, but O’Reilly was like Stone Cold attacking on Bret Hart on Raw in ’97. He could not be stopped.
Balor was in the ring looking on when he turned around to see Karrion Kross standing in the ring. Kross and Balor had a staredown as the show went off the air.
Ahead of next week’s NXT Championship match, Finn Balor was in action against one of Adam Cole’s former friends last night.
Balor defeated Roderick Strong in non-title action in the main event of last night’s NXT. The match was set up when Balor interrupted Strong earlier in the show. Strong wanted an explanation for why Cole turned against him last week, but Balor came to the ring instead. Balor announced that he’ll be defending his NXT Championship against Cole next Wednesday.
Strong blamed Balor for Undisputed Era’s issues, but Balor said the NXT Championship was the reason their “so-called brotherhood” broke apart. Balor and Strong then brawled after Balor said that Strong will never be a leader and will always be a follower.
Balor and Cole had a staredown when Cole came out to the stage after last night’s main event. WWE also uploaded a post-show video where Balor and Cole had a confrontation in the ring.
The Women’s Tag Team titles were on the line as Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defended against women’s Dusty Classic winners Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez last night. But the match ended in controversy when — after the referee was knocked down when Gonzalez went to give Jax a big boot — WWE authority figure Adam Pearce brought a Raw referee out to the ring. Despite Kai not being the legal person, the referee called for the bell when she passed out in the Kirifuda Clutch.
Following the ending of the Women’s Tag Team title match, NXT general manager William Regal said that he’ll make an announcement that will “change the landscape of NXT” next week.
Another major title match is set for next week’s edition of NXT.
WWE has announced that NXT Champion Finn Balor will defend his title against Adam Cole on NXT next Wednesday. The show will also feature Io Shirai defending her NXT Women’s Championship against Toni Storm.
Balor most recently defended the NXT Championship against Pete Dunne at TakeOver: Vengeance Day last month. When Balor was being beaten down by Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch, and Dunne after the match, Undisputed Era ran out to make the save. But Cole then dropped Balor with a superkick and turned against Kyle O’Reilly in the event’s show-closing angle.
In the weeks since TakeOver: Vengeance Day, Cole laid out Balor two more times and the breakup of Undisputed Era continued. Roderick Strong appeared on tonight’s show and wanted an explanation for why Cole turned against him last week, but Balor instead interrupted Strong. Strong blamed Balor for Undisputed Era’s issues. Balor responded by saying the NXT Championship was the reason that Undisputed Era’s “so-called brotherhood” broke apart. Balor then announced next week’s Balor vs. Cole NXT Championship match.
A brawl between Balor and Strong led to a match between them being announced for tonight’s main event. Balor defeated Strong and then had a staredown with Cole after the match when Cole appeared on the stage.
Balor won the NXT Championship by defeating Cole in September of last year. After the title was vacated by Karrion Kross due to injury, a four-way Iron Man match between Balor, Cole, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa was made to decide the new champion. That ended in a tie between Balor and Cole, setting up the singles match where Balor defeated Cole to win the title.
Next week’s NXT will also feature Xia Li vs. Kayden Carter. Plus, NXT general manager William Regal will make an announcement that will “change the landscape of NXT.” That announcement is related to an angle on tonight’s show where WWE authority figure Adam Pearce helped Raw’s Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler retain the Women’s Tag Team titles against NXT’s Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez.
The implosion of Undisputed Era continued on the TakeOver: Vengeance Day fallout edition of NXT.
Adam Cole laid out Kyle O’Reilly and Finn Balor for the second time this week. Cole got involved in last night’s O’Reilly, Balor & Roderick Strong vs. Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch main event, shoving Balor off the top rope as he was going for the Coup de Grace. Cole then attacked O’Reilly and gave him a brainbuster on the steel steps.
Lorcan went to use Balor’s NXT Championship belt as a weapon but was stopped by Strong. Strong picked up the title belt and seemingly went to give it to Balor, but Balor didn’t realize who it was and gave Strong a Pele kick. Dunne then hit the Bitter End on Balor and pinned him to win the match.
Cole superkicked Balor after the main event and posed with Balor’s NXT Championship.
The six-man tag match had been set up during last night’s opening segment. O’Reilly demanded an explanation from Cole, but Cole didn’t come out to the ring. Strong and Balor appeared, with Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch then attacking O’Reilly, Strong, and Balor.
Ahead of their title match at Sunday’s TakeOver: Vengeance Day event, NXT Champion Finn Balor and Pete Dunne are set to meet face-to-face.
WWE has announced that Balor and Dunne will take part in a face-to-face segment on tonight’s TakeOver: Vengeance Day go-home edition of NXT. Balor and Dunne were interrupted by men’s Royal Rumble winner Edge on last week’s NXT, with Edge teasing that he could challenge for the NXT Championship at WrestleMania 37. Edge spoke about how NXT inspired him to return to the ring after he was forced to retire in 2011 and said that — if he hasn’t decided by TakeOver — Balor vs. Dunne could make his WrestleMania decision for him.
WWE has also made a couple of additional announcements for tonight’s NXT. Xia Li will be in action on the show, but her opponent hasn’t been announced. Karrion Kross and Scarlett will also appear tonight.
On last week’s NXT, a video aired explaining the origin story of Tian Sha and its leader Mei Ying. Li and Boa are part of Tian Sha with Ying.
After Santos Escobar had mentioned Kross’ name in a promo, Escobar received a tarot card as a warning from Kross and Scarlett two weeks ago. Scarlett then watched on as Escobar retained his NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Curt Stallion last Wednesday. Kross laid out Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde after the match and confronted Escobar.
Kross also confronted Edge last week as Edge was leaving the building. Kross warned Edge that if he decides to challenge for the NXT Championship, it will be Kross who he’s facing after Kross defeats Balor or Dunne to win the title.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
Men’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
Men’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Women’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon
Face-to-face segment with NXT Champion Finn Balor and Pete Dunne
Two title matches have been added to the card for NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day.
WWE has confirmed that NXT Champion Finn Balor will defend his title against Pete Dunne at TakeOver: Vengeance Day on Sunday, February 14. Kushida challenging for Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship has also been made official for the show.
Balor and Dunne took part in a segment on NXT tonight that was interrupted by men’s Royal Rumble winner Edge. Edge spoke about how watching NXT helped him find the passion to get his career back after nine years. Edge said he used that passion to win the Royal Rumble — and that allows hin to challenge any champion in the company. He called Balor and Dunne two of the best and said he’d be watching their match at TakeOver.
Edge said that if he hasn’t decided which title he’ll be challenging for at WrestleMania 37 by TakeOver: Vengeance Day — Balor vs. Dunne may cause him to make his choice. Karrion Kross later confronted Edge as he was leaving the building and warned Edge that it’ll be Kross he’s facing after Kross takes the NXT Championship from Balor or Dunne.
Gargano was informed during an interview on NXT tonight that he’ll be defending his North American Championship against Kushida at TakeOver: Vengeance Day. Gargano didn’t believe the news and went to go question NXT general manager William Regal about it, but Kushida was in Regal’s office when Gargano got there. Gargano attacked Kushida, but Kushida got the better of their brawl before it was broken up.
Here’s the updated card for TakeOver: Vengeance Day:
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Pete Dunne
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defends against Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez in a triple threat match
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against Kushida
NXT Champion Finn Balor & Kyle O’Reilly teamed up on last night’s episode of NXT.
Balor & O’Reilly defeated NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch in a non-title match in last night’s main event. Pete Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch attacked Balor and O’Reilly after the match, with Dunne snapping Balor’s fingers. Adam Cole and Roderick Strong ran down to make the save, then Balor found himself side-by-side with Undisputed Era as they stared down Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch.
Balor defending his NXT Championship against Dunne appears to be the direction for NXT’s next TakeOver special on Sunday, February 14. The build to a possible Women’s title match at that event also continued with Toni Storm, NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai, and Mercedes Martinez taking part in a three-way brawl last night.
The quarterfinals of the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic began with MSK defeating Drake Maverick & Killian Dain and The Grizzled Young Veterans defeating Kushida & Leon Ruff. NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory attacked Kushida and Ruff after their loss until being scared off by Dexter Lumis.
Plus, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez booked their spot in the women’s Dusty Classic semifinals by defeating Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in a first round match last night.
NXT Champion Finn Balor has enlisted the help of his most recent title challenger for tonight’s episode of NXT.
Balor & Kyle O’Reilly will team up against NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch in a non-title match. On NXT two weeks ago, O’Reilly and Undisputed Era came to Balor’s aid after he was attacked by Pete Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch. Balor then helped O’Reilly when he was attacked by Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch later in the night.
Balor went to NXT general manager William Regal last week and said he wants to face Dunne, but he knows the game Dunne is playing. Balor wanted to face Lorcan & Burch first, but Regal told Balor he would have to find a partner. After initially saying he only has enemies now, Balor said there were some people around here who owed him a favor. Balor went to Undisputed Era and asked if O’Reilly was in to team with him. O’Reilly agreed.
The quarterfinals of the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will kick off with Kushida & Leon Ruff vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans and MSK vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain taking place tonight. The first round of the women’s Dusty Classic will continue with Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez vs. Aliyah & Jessi Kamea.
Plus, Santos Escobar will defend his NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Curt Stallion. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a Dusty Classic tournament match.
MSK (Nash Carter & Wes Lee) defeated Drake Maverick & Killian Dain to advance in the Dusty Classic tournament
Carter pinned Maverick, and MSK advances to the semifinals.
As the match got going, MSK cut off Maverick and kept him in their corner. Quicks tags and teamwork by MSK. Hot tag to Dain, and he cleaned house. Teamwork by Maverick & Dain with double-team moves. Nearfall broken up by Lee.
MSK cuts off Dain and they look to capitalize, but Dain hulked up. Dain shoved Lee off the turnbuckles, and Lee tumbles to the floor before a the show goes to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
Maverick & Dain work over Lee during the commercial break. They were still in control when the show returned from the break. Hot tag to Carter, and he was on fire. MSK with their assisted standing moonsault. Carter with an Asai moonsault to the floor.
Lee rolled up by Maverick for a two count, and Maverick soon eats a back elbow. Tag to Carter and MSK execute their Hart Attack/Blockbuster combo. Carter then covered Maverick for a pinfall.
The NXT Tag Team Champions arrived at the building. Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan are in the main event later on tonight.
Curt Stallion had a sit-down interview conducted by McKenzie Mitchell. Stallion talked about making towns from West Texas to Chicago. I saw him in some of those Texas towns. He talked about seeing shooting stars and following that stardom, or something like that. He will get a rocket strapped to his back, and the “Lone Star” will become a Superstar.
Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai defeated Jessi Kamea & Aliyah (with Robert Stone) to advance in the Women’s Dusty Classic
Gonzalez pinned Kamea in this first round match. Gonzalez & Kai move on to the quarterfinals.
Aliyah tried to match-up with Gonzalez, but she soon tagged it. Kamea soon found herself tied up by Gonzalez in a Gory Special. Kamea escaped to fire up on Gonzalez, but Kai caused a distraction. Kai tagged in, but Kamea soon scoop slammed her. Kai was reeling after teamwork by The Robert Stone Brand.
Aliyah went for a baseball slide, but Gonzalez pulled Kai to safety. Aliyah then ran into a high kick from Gonzalez. Power moves by Gonzalez for a near fall. Kai with a face wash for a two count. Assisted double stomp by Kai for another two count.
Kai caught with a swinging DDT, allowing Aliyah to tag out. Kamea jumped into the ring, but she ran right into a lariat from Gonzalez. Kamea then took a chokeslam bomb by Gonzalez, and Gonzalez covered her for a pinfall.
Rust won via submission. The match was mostly all Rust, except when he became distracted by his own manager. Rust quickly came back with a Rings of Saturn to submit someone possibly named Rios.
Bivens took a selfie after the match.
Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake and Zack Gibson) defeated Leon Ruff & Kushida to advance in the Dusty Classic
Drake pinned Ruff, and Grizzled Young Veterans advacne to the semifinals.
The Vets had an early advantage, but Kushida & Ruff soon fired up into a series of double-team moves. Drake & Gibson were reeling as the show went to a commercial break.
Heat on Ruff after the break as The Vets kept him from making a tag. Finally, Ruff was able to tag out. Kushida flew into the ring off a hot tag, and he was on fire. The Vets traded places, and Kushida tied up Gibson too.
Kushida cut off, and he takes a Doomsday Device! Kushida managed to kick out for a near fall. Handspring back elbow takes down The Vets.
Ruff flew into action with with springboard missile. He then sailed through the ropes with a tope suicida. Ruff launched himself off the turnbuckles for flip dive to the floor. However, Ruff missed a swanton bomb.
Ruff takes a Ticket To Mayhem, and Drake covered Ruff for a pinfall.
Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory attacked Kushida & Ruff after the match. The Way jumped them, and Kushida was laid out by Gargano. Dexter Lumis appeared at ringside, and that frightened Theory.
Curt Stallion was supposedly attacked backstage. William Regal asked him what happened, and Stallion blamed El Legado del Fantasma. The match for the NXT Cruiserweight title is now off. Champion Santos Escobar was being interviewed backstage when Regal confronted him. Regal said Esobar will defend against Stallion next week, and if Stallion is attacked again there will be “serious consequences” for the rudos.
Toni Storm during an in-ring promo talked about NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai. Storm wanted to become the first person to win the Women’s Dusty Cup, but Shirai took that from her (when Shirai attacked her in a match last week). Stormed vowed revenge, and she also is looking to become the champion.
Shirai came to the ring to confront Storm. Shirai said she will fight her anywhere, and Shirai said she did not like Storm. They started to brawl, and Shirai knocked Storm out of the ring. Mercedes Martinez in a sneak attack jumped Shirai. Martinez with a tree slam, but Shirai made a comeback with springboard missile dropkick.
The brawling continued, and Storm delivered several hip attacks on Shirai. She grapped the belt, and Storm posed with it while Shirai was down selling.
A vignette focused on Imperium.
Undisputed Era were interviewed backstage about their tournament tag match next week. Adam Cole & Roderick Strong were very confident they will defeat Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher.
Bronson Reed defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
Reed pinned Scott after a splash off the top.
Scott very aggressive at the start until he was tripped up on the apron. Reed flew through the ropes with a tope suicida before a commercial break. Impressive. Somehow, Scott was in control when the show returned from the break. Miraculous.
Reed soon swatted away Scott as he blocked Scott’s attempted flatliner. Reed with a Death Valley Driver, but Scott managed to kick out.
Scott cut off Reed when he climbed the turnbuckles. Scott fell backwards with an avalanche shoulder breaker on Reed. Scott with a 450 splash for a near fall.
Reed hulked up and dropped Scott with a headbutt. Superfly Splash off the top rope, and Reed covered Scott for the pinfall.
Tommaso Ciampa was cutting a promo when Timothy Thatcher pulled up a chair beside him. They vowed to defeat Undisputed Era next week in a Dusty Classic tournament match.
NXT Champion Finn Balor & Kyle O’Reilly defeated NXT Tag Team Champions Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan in a non-title match
O’Reilly submitted Burch to win the match. A brawl erupted after the match when Pete Dunne showed up.
Great grappling and mat wrestling from the outset. Back-and-forth action with quick tags by both teams. Burch & Lorcan took a powder as the show went to a picture-in-picture commerial break. The action didn’t let up, even during a smaller split-screen.
Burch & Lorcan began to get heat on O’Reilly. They looked to target his injured jaw. Balor came in to clean house, but he was soon trapped in a corner. Balor suffered a shoulder breaker done by Lorcan. The heel tag champs worked over the singles champion.
Balor was eventually able to create separation. Hot tag to O’Reilly, and he mowed down the heels with kicks. Burch tried to fight back. He went up to the middle rope, and Burch leapt off into a missile dropkick. O’Reilly caught him upon impact, and O’Reilly had him trapped in a heel hook. Burch tapped out.
Normally the champions losing a non-title match would set up a tag title bout. Maybe not here, as the focus was more on an upcoming singles title match.
Pete Dunne hit the ring to brawl with Balor. Lorcan & Burch helped to jump Balor. O’Reilly tried to make a save, but the numbers were too great to overcome. Dunne knocked down Balor with a cheap shot. Dunne also snapped Balor’s fingers.
Adam Cole & Roderick Strong ran in to make a save, and the heels fled the ring. Dunne, Lorcan & Burch had a staredown with Undisputed Era as the show went off the air.
Next week’s NXT will feature NXT Champion Finn Balor teaming up with his most recent title challenger.
On tonight’s NXT, it was announced that Balor & Kyle O’Reilly will face NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch in a non-title match next Wednesday.
Pete Dunne, Lorcan & Burch confronted Balor on NXT last week. Dunne said Balor told him to get in line for a title shot, but he’s not waiting anymore. Dunne, Lorcan & Burch attacked Balor until O’Reilly and then the rest of Undisputed Era ran out to make the save. Dunne, Lorcan & Burch also attacked O’Reilly at ringside during last week’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong vs. Breezango main event. Balor tried to get involved and fight off Dunne, Lorcan & Burch, but he and O’Reilly were both laid out.
Balor went to NXT general manager William Regal on tonight’s show and said he wants to face Dunne, but he knows the game Dunne is playing. Balor asked Regal to let him start with Lorcan & Burch. Regal responded by telling Balor that he wasn’t going to let him face Lorcan & Burch on his own. Balor said he doesn’t have friends anymore — all he has is enemies. Regal reminded Balor of the old saying to keep your enemies closer.
Balor later went to Undisputed Era and asked O’Reilly if he’s in to team with him next week. O’Reilly agreed and the match was made official.
Balor retained his NXT Championship against O’Reilly at both TakeOver 31 in October and New Year’s Evil earlier this month.
Here’s what’s been announced for next week’s NXT:
Non-title match: NXT Champion Finn Balor & Kyle O’Reilly vs. NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar defends against Curt Stallion
NXT kicks off 2021 tonight with a special episode.
A rematch of NXT’s 2020 Match of the Year headlines New Year’s Evil as Finn Balor defends the NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly tonight. At TakeOver 31 in October, Balor retained his title against O’Reilly but suffered a broken jaw in the process. Tonight will be Balor’s first match since undergoing surgery for that injury.
Karrion Kross vs. Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez in a Last Woman Standing match, Santos Escobar vs. Gran Metalik for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, and the return of Xia Li and Boa are also set for tonight.
Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher were originally set to face off in a Fight Pit match on tonight’s show, but WWE has announced that the match has been postponed due to Thatcher suffering a minor injury. WWE said Thatcher is expected to return soon and the Fight Pit match will happen as soon as he heals.
New Year’s Evil is being hosted by Dexter Lumis and will be presented “with fewer interruptions and more action.” Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with Dexter Lumis walking into the Capital Wrestling Center soundstage. He is the host, but he said nothing. He turned on the house lights on and off, and then he saw this lever. So he pulled the lever, and the arena was magically filled with lights and a crowd. Lumis was also known wearing a sports coat.
Kross pinned Priest clean, but Kross fought almost to the very end. The match was commercial free, and they got plenty of time. This a PPV caliber match. Might even fit on a G1 card.
Priest sold his ribs during the match, and Kross worked over them over.
Kross blocked the Razor’s Edge and a chokeslam, but Priest came back with a springboard flip dive over the ropes to the floor. Priest delivered South of Heaven, but Krosss kicked out. Kross cut him off going to back to work on the ribs.
The fight went back outside the ring, and Priest was slammed on the ring steps. They squared off again. Priest told Kross he was still standing, so Kross gave him a Saito suplex. Then Kross with a knockout blow to the back of the head, and Kross covered Priest for a pinfall.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic begins next week on NXT.
The Undisputed Era team of Adam Cole & Roderick Strong were interviewed about the tournament. They face Breezango in a first round tag match. Cole put over their accomplishments, and said they fulfilled the golden prophecy. Cole went on to say they would do it again in 2021.
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar (with Legado del Fantasma) defeated Gran Metalik (with Lince Dorado) to retain his title
Escobar pinned Metalik clean in a fun match. Metalik is so underrated. He was arguably the best flyer in the world when WWE hired him several years ago. He remains great.
Metalik got to show what a great high flyer he still is, and that led to an Asai moonsauklt for a near fall. There was a botched spot before a commercial break. Heat on Metalik through the break.
Escobar applied la tapatia as the show returned from commercial. Metalik made a comeback, and he fleww over the ropes with a tope con giro. Metalik with a springboard into a body press for a two count.
Metalik went for another springboard, and Escobar met him with a knee strike in mid-air. Escobar followed with a tope through the ropes. Metalik still kicked out at two.
Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde went to interfere, and Dorado flew in to make a save. Nevertheless, Metalik was tripped up. Escobar a moment later with the Phantom Driver, and he scored a pinfall.
A vignette hyped Mercedes Martinez. She cut a promo on NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai. Martinez attacked Shirai on a previous episode.
Xia Li defeated Katrina Cortez
Li pinned Cortez in an enhancement match. Li was a new entrance alongside Boa and the mysterious figure that trained them.
Cortez wore a lucha-style mask, but she used a full name. That is odd. Anyway, this was a showcase match for Li.
Li showcased her kicks, and she tried to look like a killer. Li with jumping knee strike, and then a high kick to score the pinfall.
Raquel Gonzalez defeated Rhea Ripley in a Last Women Standing match
They started with slugfest so it at least looked like a grudge match. Gonzalez talked some trash about them never being friends. They could have talked about that detail earlier than last week. They’ve only been feuding more months.
They brawled on the floor. Handcuffs came into play, and Ripled cuffed Gonzalez to the chainlink fence. Gonzalez ripped the chainlink apart, and she started hitting Ripley with the handcuffs.
Ripley tried to use the hammer used to the ring bell, but Gonzalez blocked her. Ripley was backdropped on the announce desk, and she took an ugly bump. The table broke, and Gonzalez piled chairs and other debris on top of Ripley so she could not beat the ten count. Nonetheless, Ripley crawled out from underneath the debris to break the count.
The match went through a commercial break. Snoop Dogg was in a beer commercial during the break, and he tonight was a featured attraction on that other wrestling show.
Ripley was booted off the stage after a commercial break. Gonzalez berated her, and Ripley fought back. They went through a glass door that shattered.
Ripley did a swanton bomb to put Gonzalez througha table. Suddenly, Dakota Kai ran in out of nowhere to attack Ripley with a kendo stick. Ripley fired up, and she beat up Kai. Ripley then shoved Kai into a locker, and she put a rolling case in front of the locker. Kai was trapped there.
Ripley applied her inverted scorpion while on the stage. Gonzalez countered to sent Ripley crashing into a video board on the stage. Ripley and Gonzalez seemingly tried to recreated the infamous bump with Shane McMahon and Kurt Angle, and Gonzalez suplexed Ripley into the video board.
They concluded with a stunt. Gonzalez chokeslammed Ripley through a gimmicked section of the stage. Gonzalez was able to break the count, but Ripley was unable to answer the ten count. Gonzalez was awarded the match. Ripley did a stretcher job.
The Way had a police excort the building in a motorcade.
NXT North Amercian Champion Johnny Gargano was celebrating the breaking of his curse. He was joined by his wife, Candice LeRae, and their cohorts, Austin Theory and Indi Hartwell.
LeRae gave Gargano a plaque. Theory and Hartwell has a present too. They unveiled a picture they supposedly drew of the stable. Gargano announced he and Theory would be a team in the Dusty Classic.
Shotzi Blackheart in her tank interrupted their celebration. Theory went out to confront, but he was shot in the groin by a the tank. Blackheart then went to attack LeRae and Hartwell. Blackheart cleared the ring, and Kushida came out to watch her back.
Dexter Lumis rang the bell, implying this is now an impromptu tag match. Teddy Long had far better announcements. At least he spoke. Lumis never said a word.
Shotzi Blackheart & Kushida defeated Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano
Kushida pinned the North American Champion, so maybe we get a title match between the two soon.
LeRae & Gargano were in street clothes. Kushida was mostly in street clothes, but that is his gear now. Blackheart was dressed in her wrestling gear.
The match went through a commercial break, and LeRae got heat on Blackheart. Kushida in off a hot tag, and he ran wild.
They traded submission holds, and all four did some combo spots.
Kushida knocked Gargano off the apron, and he held the ropes open so Blackheart could do dive to the outside on LeRae.
Theory interfered by tripped up Kushida, amd Theory paid for it. Kushida went on to pin Gargano.
The bext TakeOver was announced for February 14th, which is also Valentine’s Day.
Also announced is the Women’s Dusty Classic that is coming soon.
NXT Champion Finn Balor defeated Kyle O’Reilly to retain his title
Balor submitted O’Reilly in a really great match. Maybe not better than their match a few months ago, but it was still good.
They started with grappling and mat work. They traded moves and holds. They built up to exchanging strikes. From there the pace began to quicken.
The intensity began to pick up. There was a double down after O’Reilly landed a PK, but he skidded outside the ring after hitting the kick.
O’Reilly worked an arm, and Balor worked a jaw and the face of O’Reilly.
O’Reilly with leglock submissions tried to tie up Balor, but Balor escaped by nailing O’Reilly in the jaw.
Balor with a reverse DDT, and he transitioned into applying a crossface on the injured face. O’Reilly escaped the hold.
O’Reilly was trying to rally, and Balor stoppe the momemtum with a sling blade. Balor followed with a double stomp and a shotgun dropkick. Balor went to the top rope for the Coup de Grace, but O’Reilly tripped him up.
Balor took a superplex and a brainbuster, and then O’Reilly caught him in an armbar. Balor managed to get a rope break. Balor was somehow cut open on his face, and he bled.
Balor hit O’Reilly with a kick to his liver. O’Reilly sold big, and then Balor trapped him in a cobra twist. O’Reilly soon tapped out.
A look at the death, unique lives and careers of Jon Huber and Danny Hodge is the focus of what is the best issue of the Observer in more than a decade.
Details surrounding the Huber health crisis and death, words from his wife, how he got started in wrestling, my own personal thoughts regarding my interaction with him, his leaving WWE for AEW, his WWE run with The Wyatt Family, what were the plans for the Bludgeon Brothers to imitate and how it fell through, the match that changes his WWE focus, the background of his big decision, what match was scheduled for him that fell through, how his AEW term played out with his biggest matches, why the death became such a huge news story, the story behind and coverage of the tribute show and more.
The iconic figure of Danny Hodge with what should be a movie script, covering growing up in a small town known for wrestling, his unique childhood, his developing his legendary grip strength, his unbelievable credentials as a wrestler, MMA, street fights, the auto accident that ended his career, his biggest pro wrestling matches, his boxing career and why people will talk about him as his records every year going forward.
Also in this issue:
Preview the Wrestle Kingdom shows this week, covering the matches and the stories behind the matches, as well as how the restrictions have changed things.
Update the Royal Rumble including a gimmick match being talked about, new WWE show, top 25 WWE matches of the year, U.K. and Canadian ratings as well as where pro wrestling ranks in sports ratings, market value of WWE as well as the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.
2020 Wrestling Observer Awards ballot.
Television stations that carried wrestling and MMA in 2020 and how they did, and how wrestling did in comparison with the station’s usual programming.
Detailed look at the television business, looking at stats not available elsewhere to get the deepest read into how shows are doing, what categories are doing well and how shows compare with previous weeks and one year ago.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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Finn Balor defended Goldberg and other WWE legends returning this past Monday in an interview with Metro UK. “Doesn’t bother me at all,” he said. “I believe that everyone has a place in this business, and if you’re on the show, you’re on the show for a reason. If you’re on the show once a year, if you’re on the show every night, that’s down to everybody’s individual circumstance. Those guys have carved out their legacy and proven over the years that they belong on the show. Whether it’s for one night or it’s every night, that doesn’t affect me and it shouldn’t affect anyone else.”
Balor also spoke to Sports Illustrated on his recovery from his jaw injury that took place at NXT TakeOver 31 back in October.
Fightful Select is reporting that the Karate Man vs. Ethan Page match that was announced for Hard to Kill was taped during the November tapings. Page’s contract with the company has expired and has left.
ROH has added a free match to their YouTube page featuring Brodie Lee teaming with Delirious to take on Kenny King and Rhett Titus from ROH Bound by Hate 2008.
Edge responded to an ELP tweet that highlighted his Edge-inspired gear for Wrestle Kingdom 15. “Very cool, although I’m biased,” Edge wrote. “Keep crushin it man.”
The latest Aces High column has Hiroshi Tanahashi’s thoughts on Riki Choshu returning to NJPW in 2004.
Demente Animation Studio and Masked Republic have signed a production pact that will allow them to collaborate on Lucha Libre related content.
The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line in a street fight this coming Wednesday night.
WWE has announced that NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch will defend their titles against Killian Dain & Drake Maverick in a street fight on Wednesday’s NXT. Both teams were part of a four-way brawl on the most recent episode of NXT.
Lorcan & Burch accompanied Pete Dunne to the ring for his match against Kyle O’Reilly on NXT this week. O’Reilly was accompanied by Adam Cole & Roderick Strong. But before the bell rang, Dain & Maverick attacked Lorcan & Burch and a brawl broke out. Cole & Strong and Breezango also got involved and the four teams brawled to the back.
Pat McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan & Burch interrupted a match between Dain & Maverick and Ever-Rise on NXT last month. Dain ended up having a car door slammed into his head by Dunne. Dain lost to Dunne on NXT last week after being distracted by Lorcan & Burch attacking Maverick at ringside.
Lorcan & Burch have been NXT Tag Team Champions since aligning with McAfee and winning the titles from Breezango on the October 21 episode of NXT.
For this coming Wednesday’s show, WWE has also announced that NXT Champion Finn Balor and O’Reilly will “both take a special look back” at their title match from TakeOver 31. Balor retained against O’Reilly in that match but broke his jaw in two places. O’Reilly defeated Dunne on NXT this week to become the number one contender to the NXT Championship. O’Reilly will challenge Balor for the title at NXT New Year’s Evil on Wednesday, January 6.
Here’s the updated lineup for Wednesday’s NXT:
A Very Gargano Christmas
NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defend against Killian Dain & Drake Maverick in a street fight
NXT Champion Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly look back at their title match from TakeOver 31
Kyle O’Reilly is getting another shot at Finn Balor’s NXT Championship.
O’Reilly defeated Pete Dunne on tonight’s episode of NXT to become the number one contender to Balor’s title. O’Reilly will challenge Balor for the NXT Championship at New Year’s Evil on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
Near the finish of tonight’s match, Dunne snapped O’Reilly’s fingers and went to hit the Bitter End on the apron. But O’Reilly reversed and suplexed Dunne to the floor. O’Reilly then threw Dunne into the ring and hit a knee strike from the top rope to get the win.
O’Reilly was accompanied by Adam Cole & Roderick Strong for tonight’s match and Dunne was accompanied by NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch. Killian Dain & Drake Maverick attacked Lorcan & Burch before the bell rang, then Breezango got involved and Lorcan & Burch, Cole & Strong, Dain & Maverick, and Breezango brawled to the back.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted after O’Reilly vs Dunne: “Unbelievable match. From start to finish @KORCombat and @PeteDunneYxB tore the house down. Ready to see #BalorOReilly2 for the #NXTTItle at #NXTNYE … THIS IS #WWENXT!!!! #WeAreNXT”
O’Reilly also challenged Balor for the NXT Championship in the main event of TakeOver 31 this October. Balor retained his title but suffered a broken jaw in the process. Balor broke his jaw in two places and has yet to wrestle since undergoing surgery for the injury.
New Year’s Evil is the first NXT episode of 2021. It’s being hosted by Dexter Lumis and will air live on the USA Network at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Here’s what’s been announced for the show thus far:
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends his title against Kyle O’Reilly
