With his WWE contract set to expire imminently, Johnny Gargano addressed his future on tonight’s NXT before being attacked by Grayson Waller.
“I don’t know what my immediate future holds,” Gargano said. “That’s up in the air right now still. I may do some things here and there. But I do know one thing for sure — and that’s in February I’m going to start the most important job of my life. Because I’m going to be a dad.”
Gargano and Candice LeRae are expected to welcome their first child into the world in February. Gargano said he’s so excited for that because he’s going to love that little guy so much.
The show-closing angle then saw Waller attack Gargano. Waller hit Gargano with a steel chair, sent him into the steel steps with a chair wrapped around his neck, and powerbombed him through the announce table. Waller ended the show by saying this is his house now and not Gargano’s.
Gargano’s contract with WWE is expiring on December 10. It was originally scheduled to be up on December 3, but Gargano signed a short-term extension. Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Pete Dunne & LA Knight lost to Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Tony D’Angelo & Waller in the men’s WarGames match at NXT WarGames on Sunday.
Gargano spoke to the crowd after WarGames and said he would tell them everything that’s going on with his status on this week’s NXT. He began his promo tonight by saying that Shawn Michaels told him that he could go as long as he wants. Gargano said he didn’t think about what he was going to say because he wanted to live in the moment with the fans.
Gargano said the one regret he has over the past six years is that he didn’t enjoy this more. He was always so worried about if what he was doing was good enough. Gargano said the fans deserve wrestling they can be proud of, and he hopes that he’s given them that.
Gargano said he was told at his WWE tryout in 2015 that he would never be in NXT, but — because of William Regal — he was brought back to do a dark match. Gargano credited the fans’ reaction for why WWE brought him back every week after that, and he thanked the fans for helping him live his dream. Gargano said he’s dealt with self-confidence issues his entire life, but the ring is the only place where he’s ever felt important or special.
People have asked Gargano why he’s been in NXT for so long, but it’s because he truly loves it and believes in it. Gargano said his family may be in Cleveland, Ohio, but he also has family in NXT.
Gargano said change is scary, but sometimes it needs to happen. Gargano told the fans the one message he wants to leave them with is that you’ll never fail if you bet on yourself.
The fallout from WarGames takes place on tonight’s NXT.
With their futures in question, all eyes are on Johnny Gargano and Kyle O’Reilly. Gargano spoke to the crowd after WarGames and promised that he would “tell everything” on tonight’s show. Gargano’s contract with WWE is set to expire on December 10.
Team Black & Gold (Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Pete Dunne & LA Knight) lost to Team NXT 2.0 (Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Tony D’Angelo & Grayson Waller) in the men’s WarGames match on Sunday night. Breakker pinned Ciampa to get the win and has his sights set on another shot at Ciampa’s NXT Championship.
O’Reilly’s contract with WWE is also set to expire imminently. He’ll face Von Wagner inside a steel cage tonight. Wagner went to turn against O’Reilly after they lost to NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium at WarGames, but O’Reilly caught Wagner and fought him off.
In Sunday’s women’s WarGames match, Cora Jade, Io Shirai, Raquel Gonzalez & Kay Lee Ray defeated Toxic Attraction (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) & Dakota Kai. Roderick Strong also retained the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Joe Gacy, and Cameron Grimes defeated Duke Hudson in a hair vs. hair match.
Santos Escobar vs. Xyon Quinn is also set for tonight, North American Champion Hayes will face Dexter Lumis in a non-title match, and MSK will meet their shaman. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Show opens with a great music video recapping WarGames and the happenings from this past Sunday. Kicking off the live broadcast is a steel cage grudge match, which stems from a falling out between tag team partners at WarGames.
Von Wagner defeated Kyle O’Reilly in a steel cage match
Wagner pinned O’Reilly after a low blow and a twisting double underhook suplex. Wagner in storyline injured O’Reilly after the match by slamming the cage door in his head.
If O’Reilly is being written off the show, this was certainly was one way to do it. It also gives O’Reilly a reason to return and seek revenge. So it is both a conclusion to a story, and also open-ended in a way if need be. Wagner was clearly a heel by the end either way.
Pretty good thanks to the greatness of Kyle O’Reilly. No escape the cage rules, just pinfall or submission.
O’Reilly jumped Wagner on the entrance ramp before the bell. Wagner soon cut off O’Reilly, but O’Reilly fought back to tie up Wagner on the mat. Wagner again cuts off O’Reilly, and Wagner boots him in the face with a high kick.
O’Reilly is a great technical wrestler, and he used that to counter Wagner. On the other hand, Wagner had power and strength. Wagner used that to powerbomb O’Reilly into the side of the cage. O’Reilly counters into a tornado DDT as the show cuts to a split screen commercial break.
They were trading strikes and such as the show returns from the break. O’Reilly with a beautiful flying knee strike. No escape the cage rules, but O’Reilly climbs the ropes to stomp on Wagner from above. O’Reilly locks in a guillotine, but Wagner manages to power out to give O’Reilly a suplex. Some people in the crowd chant “you still suck,” and I laughed out loud.
Wagner again boots O’Reilly in the face, yet O’Reilly came back to dismantle Wagner with strikes. O’Reilly climbs to the top rope, and Wagner follows him. They fight on the top rope until takes a plunge back down to the mat. O’Reilly then drops a bombs away knee drop on Wagner for a near fall. Crowd chants that it was a three count.
O’Reilly was on fire until Wagner delivers a blatant low blow. Wagner throws O’Reilly into the cage a few times before giving him a twisting double underhook suplex. Wagner then hooks a leg to win via pinfall.
Wagner ties O’Reilly in a tree of woe after the match, and Wagner proceeds to slam the cage door on O’Reilly multiple times. This seems like a way to write O’Reilly off the show, but it also gives him a reason to return seek vengeance.
In plugging Johnny Gargano addressing the “universe” later tonight, a clip aired showing a viral video of Gargano’s post-match promo after WarGames.
Joe Gacy in a pre-tape promo cut a promo about wanting to change the name of 205 Live. A noble cause indeed. Gacy also says that Harlan’s in-ring debut is next week on NXT. Gacy claims they will change the world. Good luck bro.
Diamond Mine confronts Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker is in the ring for a live promo. Breakker with a fiery Steiner-style delivery, proclaims he wants another shot at Tommaso Ciampa and his NXT Championship. Breakker is interrupted by The Diamond Mine and Malcolm Bivens.
Bivens, flanked by The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile, confronts Breakker in the ring. Bivens sings the praises of NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong, and Bivens challenges Breakker to a match next week against Strong. Breakker gladly accepts the challenge, setting up a match next week between Breakker and Strong.
Highlights of MSK’s journey teases the arrival of their shaman.
Brooks Jensen & Josh Briggs defeated The Creed Brothers (Brutus & Julius Creed)
NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium watch the match from a perch above the ring. Grizzled Young Veterans come out during the match to join the commentary team at the announce desk.
The babyface country boys were on fire early on until heat on Jensen. Creed Brothers work over Jensen. As they are mauling Jensen, Grizzled Young Veterans steal the tag rope from the babyface corner, because GYV are for some reason now all of sudden thieving scoundrels.
There is no tag rope, so Briggs is not legal when he makes a hot tag. The referee refuses to allow Briggs into the match because there is no tag rope. Meanwhile, Jensen counters a Creed and goes into an O’Connor Roll. Briggs is knocked off the apron by this, but no harm to a good ole country boy, especially because his partner won the match. Jensen uses a roll up the win the match via pinfall.
Von Wagner in a backstage interview says WarGames is over, and Kyle O’Reilly is over, but his WarGames has just begun. Whatever that means.
The New Duke Hudson meets Cameron Grimes
The “New” Duke Hudson marches to the ring with a blong wig covering his bald head, and also wearing amateur wrestling head gear. Hudson’s head was shaved bald last Sunday after losing a hair match to Cameron Grimes. Hudson denies it happened at all.
Grimes interrupts Hudson’s promo, and Grimes confronts Hudson in the ring. Great stuff as usual from Grimes, even with crappy creative material to work with in this segment.
Grimes goes on to challenge Hudson to a no holds barred match. Hudson accepts the challenge before trying to hit Grimes with a cheap shot. Grimes counters to pepper Hudson with right hands. Grimes, in street clothes no less, went for a Cave In. Hudson flees, but not before Grimes tries to take off the wig. Hudson still manages to escape. The two meet soon in a no holds barred match.
Dexter Lumis defeated NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes (with Trick Williams) via disqualification in a non-title match
Lumis won by DQ after outside interference by Williams. Long match with a crappy finish. Heck of a payoff for having to sit through it.
The match was apparently supposed to be Lumis against Trick Williams, but Williams in storyline claimed his vision was impaired. So Williams was not cleared to wrestle. Williams acted scared of Lumis throughout the match. Hayes had a bandage on his ribs in the aftermath of WarGames.
Felt like this match went on forever. The match even went through a commercial break. Lumis was fighting back on Hayes as the show returns from the break.
Hayes works a hand, exploiting an injury to Lumis. Eventually, Lumis makes a comeback that led to a near fall. Lumis applies his vice submission hold, but Hayes wiggles his way to the ropes. Williams with outside interference as he decks Lumis with a punch. That broke the submission hold, but it cost Hayes the match. The referee DQ’s Hayes, giving a win to Lumis.
All that time in this long match for a crappy DQ finish. SMDH.
Shaman Bro
In a skit, MSK’s shaman is revealed to be Matt Riddle. He is the “shaman bro,” and Riddle invited MSK into his house. They sat on the floor cross-legged surrounded by candles. MSK tell Riddle about their accomplishments, but MSK wonders if they have peaked. Riddle dismisses this with a bro pep talk.
Riddle says they will climb the mountain again (meaning win the tag team titles), and Riddle says he will be with them every step of the way. Riddle vows to not leave them, but only on one condition. They must show Riddle what is in the mysterious bag, because “sharing is caring, bro.” Riddle looks in the bag, and they all yell “whoa” while the viewers never get to see what is in the bag.
Seems like Riddle is part of the MSK act now. Cool story, bro.
Tensions arise between Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta in a backstage skit. Cameos by Gargano and Lumis, much to the chagrin of Pirotta.
NXT Tag Team Champions Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolan & Jacy Jayne with NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose) defeated Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon in a non-title match
This was a showcase match for Toxic Attraction, but it went much too long like another match on this show. Leon was running wild when she was cut off by Toxic Attraction. Jayne delivers a roaring spin kick, and Jayne scores a pinfall on Leon.
Mandy Rose after the match cuts a promo in the ring, declaring her trio the “baddest bitches in town” who still has all the gold after WarGames. Rose basically issues an open challenge for anyone to “bring it on” in terms of challenging their reign as champions.
Cora Jade interrupts the promo after she was name-dropped by Rose. Jade has her arm in a sling. Jade reminds Rose that she beat her in a match two weeks ago, and Cade also notes her team won their WarGames match.
There was a standoff until Raquel Gonzalez enters the scene for back up. Gonzalez was swinging a chair as she and Jade clear the ring. The heel trio flees the scene.
The Tiffany Stratton characters takes a turn in another direction with the latest vignette. Almost like it is a rib on Bryan Alvarez, the Tiffany character is now involved in gymnastics. She was also on Team USA, but her daddy says she is a solo star. So now she has set her sights on the NXT Women’s Championship.
Tony D’Angelo in a backstage interview with Mckenzie Mitchell when there is a confrontation with Andre Chase. This sets up a match between the two next week on NXT.
Kay Lee Ray runs into Raquel Gonzalez and Cora Jade backstage, and KLR gives her baseball bat to Jade.
Santos Escobar (with Legado del Fantasma) defeated Xyon Quinn
Escobar pinned Quinn after outside interference.
Backstory here involves Elektra Lopez and Quinn teasing a romantic relationship, even as Lopez’s stable is feuding with Quinn. Previously, Quinn declined an offer by Lopez to join the stable, and now Quinn must face a woman’s scorn. She still clearly likes him. It is very Saved By the Bell, if the bell was at ringside during a wrestling match.
Decent enough match. Nothing out of this world, but not bad. They went through a commercial break. They built to a spot where Escobar gave Quinn a Super Frankensteiner off the top. They killed the momentum by taking forever to set it up.
Lopez was down on the mat selling the high spot when Lopez put brass knux on Quinn’s hand, unbeknownst to Quinn. Joaquin Wilde tried to interfere, but Quinn tosses him the knux before knocking him off the apron. The distraction nevertheless allows Escobar to blindside Quinn.
Escobar delivers a Phantom Driver, and he scores a three count over Quinn for tainted victory.
Officially announced for next Tuesday on NXT is no holds barred match between Duke Hudson and Cameron Grimes.
In another match apparently official for next week, Boa in a pre-tape promo called out Edris Enofe. Boa vows to take him out next week.
Johnny Gargano addresses his future
Gargano, who is dressed in street clothes, comes to the ring looking very emotional. Gargano grabs a microphone to address the audience. The crowd in attendance chants “Johnny Wrestling” at him.
Gargano says “Heartbreak [Kid]” says he can go as long as he wants. Gargano makes a joke about running over the timeslot.
Gargano went to say this would not be an eloquent promo, because he did not want to think about what he said. Gargano wants to live in this moment with the audience. He has learned something over the past six years in NXT, and that is he should enjoy these moments more. He was always worried about being good enough, because he wanted to give the audience the best.
Gargano goes on to bring up him getting a tryout where he was told he would never make it to NXT. He was not blessed with the best genetics, but because of William Regal, Gargano was invited back for a match with Apollo Crews. The crowd at Full Sail chanted “Johnny Wrestling” so loud that WWE brought him back every single week even though Gargano was not under contract.
Gargano says the crowd helped him live his dream. Gargano says inside himself is still a shy eight year old chubby wrestling fan. Someone in the crowd at the CWC yells “I’m chubby too.” Absolutely hilarious moment during a serious speech.
Gargano dealt with self-conscious issues his whole life and still deals with it, but one place he feels special in the ring in front of the crowd. Gargano says his family might be in Cleveland, and he gives shout-outs to his mom and dad, and Gargano says he also has family backstage. Gargano names a lot of backstage staff for their help.
These people are like his family, and that will never change. Change can be scary, “but sometimes it needs to happen.” Gargano tells the audience he wants to leave them with one message, “You will never fail if you bet on yourself.”
Gargano says his immediate future is up in the air. He “may do some things here and there.” In February he starts the most important job of his life when he becomes a dad. Gargano says he will love that little guy so much.
As Gargano continues to talk, the crowd noticeably begins to gasp. Grayson Waller from behind sneaks in to hit Gargano with a chair shot to the back. Waller throws Gargano outside the ring, and Waller puts the chair on Gargano’s neck. Wallers rams Gargano into the ring steps, and Waller powerbombs Gargano through the announce desk.
Gargano is laid out as Wallers proclaims this is now his house.
With his future in question, Johnny Gargano will address the situation on this Tuesday’s episode of NXT.
After NXT WarGames went off the air on Sunday, Gargano spoke to the fans in attendance. Gargano said he’s always been an open book with the audience because he’s known them for so long and feels like they’re his family. Gargano said he wants to tell them everything and will tell them everything this Tuesday night.
Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Pete Dunne & LA Knight lost to Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Tony D’Angelo & Grayson Waller in a WarGames match in the main event of Sunday’s show. Breakker pinned Ciampa to get the win.
At WarGames, Gargano’s old “Rebel Heart” theme music made its return. With him and Ciampa reuniting in the match, the two also did some of their old DIY spots from when they were a tag team.
Gargano’s contract with WWE is set to expire on December 10. It was originally going to expire on December 3, but Gargano agreed to a short-term extension.
Gargano and Candice LeRae announced this August that their first child is expected to arrive in February 2022. In September, they revealed that the baby will be a boy.
Kyle O’Reilly’s contract with WWE is set to expire imminently as well. O’Reilly vs. Von Wagner in a steel cage match has been announced for this Tuesday’s NXT. The show will also feature Santos Escobar vs. Xyon Quinn, along with MSK meeting their shaman.
Johnny Gargano’s WWE contract is up very soon, according to a report.
Fightful Select reports that Gargano’s contract is set to expire on December 10, five days after the WWE NXT WarGames pay-per-view. The report states that Gargano’s deal was originally set to expire on December 3, two days before the pay-per-view, but that he agreed to a short-term extension similar to the one that Adam Cole signed when his WWE contract was about to run out before the NXT TakeOver 36 event in August.
Fightful also reports that Gargano and WWE have been engaged in ongoing contract discussions, and that the company speaks highly of Gargano signing the short-term extension while in the middle of a program.
Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Pete Dunne and LA Knight will face Bron Breakker, NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller and Tony D’Angelo in a WarGames match at the WarGames pay-per-view on Sunday, December 5. The match was made official following the show-closing angle on this week’s NXT episode that saw all eight brawling.
A triple threat match for the North American Championship headlines tonight’s episode of NXT.
Carmelo Hayes will put his North American title on the line against Johnny Gargano and Pete Dunne. Hayes challenged Gargano and Dunne to the match after both had emerged as challengers to his title in recent weeks.
Two non-title matches involving champions are also set for tonight. NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa will face Grayson Waller, while NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose will take on Cora Jade.
The women’s WarGames match for NXT WarGames has been revealed, with Rose, Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne & Dakota Kai set to battle Io Shirai, Raquel Gonzalez, Jade, and a partner who has yet to be announced. NXT WarGames is taking place on Sunday, December 5 and will air live on Peacock/WWE Network.
Plus, Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro vs. Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta has been announced for tonight. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Grayson Waller on the house microphone cut off the canned intro. Waller calls himself the fastest rising stars in NXT. He then addresses Tommaso Ciampa, saying Ciampa was not in the intro. Waller says Ciampa is not a superstar like Waller himself. The crowd chants that Ciampa was going to kill him. Waller then heels on the crowd.
Waller went on to bring up John Cena, The Rock and Roman Reigns. Waller says the crowd booed all of those people. Lots of false equivalences by Waller until the entrance of Ciampa interrupts him.
NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa defeated Grayson Waller in a non-title match
Ciampa pinned Waller clean in a match that was fun to watch. Ciampa was clearly the ring general, which is fitting since he is the champ of the brand.
Ciampa was dominating at the start until Waller cuts him off. Waller twice uses a neckbreaker to derail Ciampa’s train of momentum.
Waller spoofs The People’s Elbow, but he misses the actual elbow drop. Ciampa mows down Waller with a series of lariats. Waller is on rubber legs when he is clotheslined over the ropes. Ciampa with more clotheslines at ringside, and Ciampa proceeds to throw Waller over the announce desk.
The match goes through a commercial break. During the break, Wallers cuts off Ciampa with a leg lariat. Ciampa fires up as the show returns from the break. They collide together, and both go down. Ciampa with jumping knee strike, and they both go down again.
Double down led into them trading strikes. Series of counters and reversals at a fast pace, and they trade near falls. They fight for position on the turnbuckles. Ciampa off the middle rope with an avalanche of an Air Raid Crash. Somehow, Waller kicks out.
Waller went back to targeting the neck. Ugly landing on an inverted version of a rolling fireman’s carry slam. Waller leapt off the middle rope with a Randy Savage elbow drop. Tope con giro by Waller as he sails over the top rope, but on the follow-up he is caught with a Widow’s Bell. Ciampa then delivers a Fairy Tale Ending, and Ciampa scores a clean three count on Waller.
LA Knight, who apparently still has beef with Waller, was giving his thoughts on the previous match when Knight is interrupted by Joe Gacy. This is weird. Vinny V is right to skip every Joe Gacy segment. Thank god Cameron Grimes is up next. Well, not quite next in the recap, but a plug says Grimes is coming up next on the show.
An ad featuring Stone Cold once again plugs WrestleMania tickets for two nights being on sale. Good luck with that.
The trio of Toxic Attraction in a promo from earlier in the say is joined by Dakota Kai. They pass what they refer to as someone’s “rage room,” which is littered with broken thins. That someone was Kay Lee Ray, who now has an over the top character that is apparently in a constant state of rage. She now breaks a lot of things. Kay Lee Ray was such a bad ass, and now this crappy gimmick. Hopefully she is such a bad ass that she can rise above this new character.
Hair Match Challenge for NXT War Games
Cameron Grimes came to the ring for a promo sporting noticeably shorter hair cut and a trimmed beard after the angle from last week. Tears roll down his face as Grimes begins telling a story of being a growing up in a small town in North Carolina. He was bullied, and people told him he was not good enough. Grimes showed them he was good enough. Grimes showed them that he “holds it down!” Grimes adds that he even got rich.
Grimes went on to say he kept his long hair and beard to remind himself of the times he had nothing. Grimes says Duke Hudson took all that away from him. Hudson humiliated and embarrassed Grimes. Worse than that, Hudson made Grimes angry!
Grimes called out Hudson, challenging him to come meet him in the ring. Hudson appears on the video screen, turning a great segments into a parody of Monday Night Raw. Hudson ridicules Grimes while Grimes yells at Hudson to come fight.
Grimes calls Hudson “gutless and nutless,” and then Grimes challenges Hudson to hair vs. hair match at NXT War Games. Hudson accepts the challenge. Hudson warns Grimes he will take the rest of his hair, and Hudson displays a ziplock bag containing locks of Grimes hair that Hudson cut off next week.
The match appears official for War Games with Grimes and Hudson meeting in a hair match.
Pete Dunne in a promo looks like he is a killer.
Indi Hartwell dedicates the next match to her kayfabe husband, Dexter Lumis.
A vignette previews the NXT debut of Tiffany Stratton. She is a rich woman that can wrestle.
Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter defeated Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta
Catanzaro pinned Hartwell to win the match.
Catanzaro and Carter enter the CWC through the crowd like they were Diamond Dallas Page on Monday Nitro. They emerge from the people. Cool tandem moves by Carter and Catanzaro. Combine that with their shiny new gear, and they are clearly getting a renewed push.
Heat on Catanzaro. Hartwell is distracted by thoughts about her husband. She is tagged in, but Hartwell gets into the ring very slowly. She lands some offense, but she remains distracted. Combo electric chair into a splash by Catanzaro and Carter, and Catanzaro covers Hartwell for a pinfall.
Santos Escobar (with Legado del Fantasma) defeated Malik Blade
Escobar pinned Blade after a Phantom Driver. While Blade is given some offense, this is a showcase for Escobar. He returns to action in NXT in dominate fashion. Escobar looked like a sure enough superstar in this match, separating himself from much of the NXT roster.
Elektra Lopez cut a promo after the match with a warning for Xyon Quinn. Legado del Fantasma were interrupted by Kyle O’Reilly and Von Wagner. They argue about who gets a shot at the tag team titles. Out comes Imperium, who are the NXT Tag Team Champions. This was a bad Raw segment that dragged on. Just make the tag match already. Anyway, this all sets up the tag title match at War Games. Imperium faces the winners of a match between O’Reilly and Wagner against Legado del Fantasma.
Raquel Gonzalez, Zoey Stark and Io Shirai were arguing among themselves. Cora Jade shuts them down by saying the co-exist thing is boring outdated. Jade notes that Stark is injured, so they need to focus on finding a fourth partner for their War Games match. Meanwhile, Jade declares she is going to kick butt.
Tony D’Angelo cuts a promo talking about the bets being placed for tonight’s main event.
Cora Jade defeated NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose in a non-title match
Jade pinned Rose after a distraction by Kay Lee Ray.
Jade got to shine during the match. The wrestling looked very choreographed. Not the best match in the world, but far from the worst.
Kay Lee Ray came out swinging a bat like she was Casey Jones in a Ninja Turtles reboot. Ray smashed things, which cause a distraction. Jade then rolled up the champion to pin her in a non-title match. Kay Lee Ray smirked in approval.
Later after a commercial break, the babyface War Games team congratulated Jade on her win. Kay Lee Ray entered the scene to say she would be the fourth member of the War Games team. Ray also says she will represent the team in a ladder match next week to determine which team gets the War Games advantage.
LA Knight was entering the CWC for his match against Joe Gacy. Grayson Waller attacks Knight in the aisle, and they have a pull-apart brawl. This looked like a bad spoof of brawls between Mr. Perfect and Shawn Michaels in 1993.
Joe Gacy was left alone in the ring, so he begins to cut a promo. Thankfully, he is interrupted by the entrance of Diamond Mine. Malcolm Bivens tells Gacy to get out of the ring because Ivy Nile has match in the ring up next.
Gacy cuts a dumb promo on NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong, who responds by challenging Gacy to a match at NXT War Games. So another match is official for the War Games card.
MSK are still on the road looking for their shaman. They were pulled over by police in a traffic stop. A cop wanted to look in their mysterious bag, but the cop suddenly left. They search for the shaman continues. This was a dumb skit.
Ivy Nile (with Diamond Mine) defeated Yulisa Leon
Nile submitted Leon in am enhancement match. Leon was mauled by Nile, and Nile used a modified Dragon Sleeper. Nile at one point threw a lariat that might make Stan Hansen blush. She looked like a killer.
Knight and Waller were still brawling backstage, just like Curt and Shawn in ’93 (except not good).
Brooks Jensen & Josh Briggs defeated Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake and Zack Gibson)
Jensen pinned Drake after a high/low combo. Grizzled Young Veterans went from a serious tag team to being a comedy duo.
Briggs and Jensen look like an indie version of the Smoking Gunns, because everything on this show must in some way spoof wresting from the 1990s. Meanwhile, Knight and Waller were still brawling backstage during this match. Once again, just like an angle in ’93.
So apparently the match at NXT War Games between Joe Gacy and Roderick Strong is now a Cruiserweight title match. Okay, so weight limits do not matter.
Announced for next Tuesday on NXT is Kay Lee Ray vs. Dakota Kai in a ladder match. Winner gets the War Games advantage for their team.
NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes (with Trick Williams) defeated Pete Dunne and Johnny Gargano in a triple threat match to retain the title
Hayes retains after interference by Tony D’Angelo. Huge brawl erupts after the match.
This was most likely the best match of the night, but it was the hardest to recap. The action was fast and furious.
Lots of spots involving all three, as well as plenty of highspots. Quick pace throughout the match. Hayes did not look too out of place among the two veterans, but the vets have much more poise. Dunne and Gargano are also excellent pro wrestlers.
Gargano was the clear babyface, and he ran wild before a commercial break. They did not let up much during the break, as the pace remained quick. The show returned from the break with all three down selling on the mat. The pace soon quickens once again.
Some cool spots down the stretch that led to near falls. TTrick Williams tried to interfere, but Gargano thwarts him.
Dunne delivers a Bitter End on Gargano, and Dunne goes for a cover. Tony D’Angelo then runs in to pull Dunne out of the ring, breaking up the pin attempt. D’Angelo sends Dunne crashing into the ring steps. Meanwhile, Hayes leaps off the top rope with a guillotine legdrop on Gargano. Hayes then covers Gargano for a three count.
A huge brawl ensues between the new school and the old school of NXT. Knight and Waller are back out there fighting again. Hayes went to Pillmanize the arm of Gargano, much like Hayes did to Lumis on a previous episode. Tommaso Ciampa makes a save swinging a chair. The babyfaces clear the ring and clean house. Knight is apparently a part of the babyface team.
Bron Breakker enters the scene, and he screams “WAR GAMES” as the brawl erupts again. Breakker is clearly a babyfaces, but he joined the heels in fighting the dudes in the ring. So it looks like new school of NXT against old school. WCW did something similar. So did TNA. It pretty much sucked both times. Nevertheless, there appears to be a men’s War Games match.
Final Thoughts
This show was a mixed bag. There was some good, and there was equally some bad. It was clearly a developmental show, but it nevertheless built up matches for the War Games supercard in a few weeks. Some things on the show were cringe, while other segments were fun to watch. The characters have little depth, much like characters on the main roster. Old tired ideas and concepts were rehashed into a more contemporary form. Some things should stay in the past. Let’s move forward. It is not the ’90s, yet this show felt very much like a ’90s wrestling show at times. I liked the ’90s, but we are in a new century.
Two of NXT’s top stars are set to take part in a dark match at tonight’s SmackDown.
John Pollock of Post Wrestling reported today that Johnny Gargano and Kyle O’Reilly are scheduled for a dark match at tonight’s SmackDown. The show is taking place at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
Gargano and O’Reilly’s contracts with WWE are both set to expire next month.
In NXT, Gargano recently started to feud with North American Champion Carmelo Hayes. Hayes & Trick Williams defeated Gargano & Dexter Lumis in the main event of this week’s NXT episode.
O’Reilly has been part of a tag team with Von Wagner since NXT was rebranded as NXT 2.0. They lost to Legado del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde on NXT this Tuesday.
NXT’s Raquel Gonzalez and The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) appeared in dark matches prior to last week’s SmackDown. Gonzalez defeated Toni Storm, while The Creed Brothers lost to The Viking Raiders.
NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes and Johnny Gargano are set to face off in tag team action.
WWE has announced that Hayes & Trick Williams vs. Gargano & Dexter Lumis will take place on next Tuesday’s episode of NXT. A feud between Hayes and Gargano began when Gargano set his sights on Hayes’ North American title last week.
Hayes won the North American Championship on NXT two weeks ago. After Isaiah “Swerve” Scott retained the title against Santos Escobar, Hayes cashed in his title shot contract and pinned Scott to become North American Champion.
Gargano interrupted Hayes on last week’s NXT, and their segment ended with Gargano and Lumis in possession of Hayes’ North American title belt. Hayes and Williams went to a haunted house on Halloween Havoc tonight to get the belt back from Gargano and Lumis.
WWE has also announced that Cameron Grimes will enter Duke Hudson’s Poker Room on next Tuesday’s NXT, and Tony D’Angelo will appear on Lashing Out with Lash Legend.
NXT’s Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are expecting a baby boy.
In a video Gargano posted on social media on Thursday, it was revealed that he and LeRae’s baby will be a boy. The baby is due to arrive in February 2022. It will be Gargano and LeRae’s first child.
LeRae’s pregnancy was first announced last month.
The gender reveal video includes Gargano joking about the ideas he had for the announcement, including “the stork” and “the prison.” The couple’s dog Pawdme then accidentally pops the gender reveal balloon after Gargano was playing catch with it.
After announcing her pregnancy last month, LeRae said that she wanted to stay on NXT television as long as possible while pregnant. LeRae wrote that she would have to take a step back from the physical side of pro wrestling for a while, but she knew it would be worth it.
Gargano and LeRae appeared on NXT this week as part of Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis’ wedding angle. The segment headlined Tuesday’s launch of “NXT 2.0.”
Johnny Gargano is the latest name in WWE to have their contract expiring soon.
Fightful Select reported this afternoon that Gargano’s contract is set to expire on December 3, 2021. WWE sources told Fightful that Gargano and WWE have not entered negotiations to renew the contract, but WWE is “expected to” in the fall.
Additionally, Fightful reported that this is not a situation akin to Adam Cole and Pete Dunne, where WWE was caught off guard by their contracts expiring soon. The company reportedly has reviewed many of the deals since the situation involving Aleister Black and his 30 day non-compete.
Gargano has been with the WWE since 2015, signing a contract the following year and mainly staying in NXT aside from a brief run on the main roster. He’s a former NXT Champion, North American Champion, and Tag Team Champion.
Kevin Owens is another name whose contract is expiring soon, on January 31, 2022.
Gargano and LeRae began dating during their time as independent wrestlers. They got married in September 2016.
Gargano signed with WWE after debuting for NXT as part of the 2015 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. LeRae took part in the 2017 Mae Young Classic and then signed with WWE in January 2018.
Gargano and LeRae are part of The Way with Indi Hartwell and Austin Theory in NXT. This week’s NXT featured a storyline where Hartwell went on her first date with Dexter Lumis.
LeRae & Hartwell formerly held the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles together. Gargano is a former NXT Champion, NXT North American Champion, and NXT Tag Team Champion. He’s held the North American title three times.
Though Dexter Lumis lost last night’s Love Her or Lose her match, Indi Hartwell and Lumis still got together in the end.
The stipulation of last night’s Johnny Gargano vs. Lumis match was that Hartwell would have to stop pursuing a relationship with Lumis if Gargano won. If Lumis won, he’d be allowed to date Hartwell. Gargano defeated Lumis after hitting One Final Beat.
When Gargano kicked out of a roll-up near the finish of the match, Lumis accidentally knocked Hartwell off the apron. Lumis then went to check on Hartwell. Gargano dove out of the ring and gave Lumis a DDT on the floor. Gargano then threw Lumis back into the ring, hit One Final Beat, and pinned Lumis to get the win.
Hartwell was visibly upset after Lumis lost. She started to head to the back with Gargano and Candice LeRae, but Hartwell then ran back into the ring. She jumped on Lumis and started kissing him. The show ended with Hartwell and Lumis making out.
A Love Her or Lose Her match headlines tonight’s episode of NXT.
Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis will face off in tonight’s main event. If Lumis wins, he’ll be able to date Indi Hartwell. If Gargano wins, Hartwell — who has been infatuated with Lumis for months — will have to stop pursuing a relationship with Lumis.
The first round of the NXT Breakout Tournament will conclude tonight as Trey Baxter faces off with Joe Gacy. Plus, Bobby Fish vs. Roderick Strong, Hit Row (Top Dolla & Ashante “Thee” Adonis) vs. Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde), LA Knight & Cameron Grimes vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans, and the in-ring return of Ridge Holland are set for the episode.
Dakota Kai will also address why she turned against NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez.
Due to a scheduling conflict with the Olympics, NXT will air on Syfy for the second straight week tonight. The show will move back to USA Network next Tuesday.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a tag team grudge match.
Hit Row (Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Top Dolla with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & B-FAB) defeated Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde with Santos Escobar) via disqualification
Santos Escobar interfered by hitting Top Dolla with a chair, causing the DQ. Lame finish, but it led to an angle afterwards.
Like any grudge match, they started with a brawl. After things settled into a tag match, Top Dolla displayed his strength and power. He manhandled Wilde. The tide turned when Esocbar caused a distraction, and a low bridge by Mendoza sent Adonis crashing to the floor.
Legado del Fantasma worked over Adonis through a commercial break, inlcuding quick tags and double team moves. Hot tag to Top Dolla, and he cleaned house. Escobar then smacked Top Dolla with a steel folding chair, and the referee called for a DQ.
Escobar continued his assualt after the match. Escobar hit Top Dolla a few more times with the chair, and then Escobar sent Top Dolla crashing into the steps. Legado del Fantasma turned their attention to Isaiah Scott. They held him while Escobar hit Scott with the chair. Escobar then stole Scott’s grill out of his mouth.
Top Dolla eventually got to his feet, and he was quite angry. B-FAB jumped in to hit Wilde with a chair. Top Dolla struck with a shotgun dropkick on Escobar. Adonis took down Mendoza. Scott also got some revenge as he executed his finisher on Mendoza. The heels soon fled up the ramp, but Escobar still had Scott’s grill.
General Manager William Regal brought a team of security guards to watch over Samoa Joe. Security was supposed to keep Joe and Karrion Kross away from each other until TakeOver. With the history of security teams such as this in pro wrestling, I do not like their chances.
Dexter Lumis was drawing creepy pictures.
A recap of Ridge Holland hyped his in-ring return that was up next.
Ridge Holland (with Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan) defeated Ikemen Jiro
Holland pinned Jiro in a glorified squash.
Jiro was basically fed to the monster that is Holland. Jiro did land some strikes with the help of his sports jacket. Holland countered by shoving Jiro over the top rope, and Jiro crashed to ringside. Holland threw Iro into the barricade, and Holland suplexed him when they got back into the ring. ‘
Then came the most dastardly thing Holland could do, he tore Jiro’s sports jacket. Holland tossed the jacket out of the ring. That almost fired up Jiro, but he was suplexed by Holland instead. Holland ended the match with a powerslam, followed by a three count.
Pete Dunne cut a promo after the match on behalf of Holland. Dunne warned Thatcher that Holland will knock his teeth out. That was not very nice.
Franky Monet was upset that she lost last week in a tag match with Jessi Kamea, and she let Robert Stone and Kamea know about it. Monet blamed Stone’s botched interference for the loss. She said Stone and Kamea are used to being “losers,” but Monet does not even know what that word means. Monet said for this group to work, they have to rebuilt in Monet’s image.
Roderick Strong (with Diamond Mine) defeated Bobby Fish
Strong pinned Fish in a pretty darn good match. This match to me felt like it should be a bigger deal than it was here. Nonetheless, Strong looked … well, strong in winning.
Intense grappling at the outset. As the match went to a picture-in-picture commercial break, Strong was reeling. During the break, Strong gained the upperhand. Fish fought back as the show returned from the break, but Strong struck him down.
Comeback by Fish with a series of kicks. Lots of kicks in fact, including a mule kick. That is a kick that is not done enough in pro wrestling anymore. Bless you Fish. Nevertless, Strong cut off Fish with a backbreaker.
They traded near falls. First Strong got a two count. Fish again came back with a kick, this time a roundhouse that led into a near fall. Fish went for a high risk move off the ropes after being briefly distracted by Diamond Mine, but Fish was instead shoved over the ropes.
Strong with a jumping knee lift, and Strong followed with a falling backbreaker for a pinfall.
Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) defeated LA Knight & Cameron Grimes
Drake pinned Grimes to win the bout after it turned into an impromptu two-on-one handicap match. Knight refused to tag in, leaving Grimes to the wolves. Ted DiBiase came to Grimes’ aid after the match.
Knight made Grimes wrestle in his butler’s outfit, and Knigth also made Grimes start the match. Knight soon tagged in when Grimes had Drake under control. Knight was soon getting his butt kicked, and Knight had to tag out.
Grimes leapt into the ring with a flying crossbody in a butler’s outfit. Blind tag allowed for Drake to waylay Grimes. Heat on Grimes, but he soon created separation. Knight refused to tag in. Grimes was pissed about that. He threw his gloves down in anger, and Grimes took off his coat. He motioned for the GYV to bring it. They brought it, which was a double team.
Grimes made his own comeback. He punted Drake, and he caught Gibson in a running Spanish Fly crossbody for a two count. Grimes signaled for the Cave In, but he was outnumbered. GYV with a double team finisher called the Ticket to Mayhem, and Drake pinne Grimes for the pinfall.
Ted DiBiase walked to ringside after the match, coming to help Grimes. DiBiase told Grimes he had to figure a way out of this situation with Knight.
Dakota Kai in a vignette explained her turn on Raquel Gonzalez. Ever the heel, Kai blamed Gonzalez for being selfish. Of course, Kai is actually being the selfish one.
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae cut a promo saying they what is best for Indi Hartwell. Gargano vowed to end In-Dex for good.
Announced for next week on NXT is face-to-face between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly mediated by William Regal.
Trey Baxter defeated Joe Gacy to advance in the NXT Breakout Tournament
Baxter pinned Gacy clean to win the match. Baxter moves on to the semifinals against Odyssey Jones.
Baxter with a 450 foot stomp before scoring the pinfall. Really good match, albeit short.
Next came a wacky skit with Io Shirai and Zoey Stark. They went together to a sushi restaurant. Shirai ordered in Japanese. Stark in English said she would have what Shirai ordered. The food came and it looked like squid. Stark was very unsure, but she tried to play it off. She acted like she was eating the food, but Stark spat it into napkicks and threw it on the floor. Stark ate too much wasabi, and it was spicy. Shirai hugged the waitress after she brought them the bill. Stark went for a hug, but Shirai pushed her away and gave her the bill.
Indi Hartwell was lovestruck ahead of the main event.
NXT Champion Karrion Kross stormed into the CWC, calling out Samoa Joe. Out comes Joe as security tried to hold him back. They were no match for an enraged Samoa Joe. He tossed them aside and stormed into the ring. The security team bunmped and fed into the ring as Joe dismantled them one-by-one. He chocked one dude out, and Joe glared a hole through a camera. Joe let out a primal yell before leaving the ring.
A “Prime Target” video package hyped the upcoming title match with WALTER defending the NXT UK Championship agiainst Ilja Dragunov at TakeOver 36. Gerat stuff.
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida said he would give Roderick Strong a shot at the title.
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez “breaks her silence” next week on NXT. Also announced for the show is Ember Moon vs. Sarray in a first time match. In additon, Ilja Dragunov will be in the CWC. Plus, already announced for next week is face-to-face with Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly.
Johnny Gargano defeated Dexter Lumis in a “Love Her or Lose Her” match
Gargano pinned Lumis, but Lumis and Hartwell got together in the end. Go figure. That is reneging on stipulation in record time.
Indi Hartwell came out to ringside during the match. Lumis went underneath the ring at one piont. Hartwell went under the ring after him. Candice LeRae came ringside. She and Gargano dragged Hartwell out from under the ring. Hartwell was also holding on to Lumis, so he was dragged out also. An enchanted moment broken up by a Gargano punt to Lumis’ ribs.
The match went through a picture-in-picture commercial break. Meanwhile, Gargano retrieved his headband that had fallen off earlier in the match. Gargano also dashed a hope spot from Lumis.
Comeback by Lumis after the show returned from the break. Bump and feed by Gargano, and Lumis was on fire. Gargano cut him off, and he executed a tope suicida. Lumis countered a slingshot spear, and Lumis used a slingshot Falcon Arrow.
Lumis leapt off the top rope, but no water in the pool. Lumis ate a superkick for a near fall. Gargano was soon countered, and he was down prone on the mat. Lumis signaled to Hartwell that he was going for an elbow drop off the top rope. Gargano rolled out of the way, and Lumis missed a springboard flying elbow.
Gargano applied his crossface submission finisher, but Lumis got a rope break. Hartwell got on the apron, distracting Gargano. Lumis with a school boy roll-up for two. When Gargano kicked out, that sent Lumis crashing into Hartwell. She was knocked off the apron into the arms of LeRae. Lumis went outside the ring to check on Hartwell, and Gargano caught Lumis with a swinging DDT on the floor. Gargano followed up with One Final Beat, and Gargano covered Lumis for a pinfall.
Gargano and LeRae tried to make Hartwell leave with them. Hartwell turned away from them, and she dashed into the ring. Hartwell tackled Lumis with a Thesz press, and then she and Lumis embraced with a kiss. Ol’ Lou never did that after when he did a press. Hartwell and Lumis made out for awhile. And they all lived happily ever after … at least until next week.
A “Love Her or Lose Her match” will headline next week’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis will face off on NXT next Tuesday. The stipulation is that, if Lumis wins, he’ll be able to date Indi Hartwell. If Gargano wins, Hartwell has to stop pursuing a relationship with Lumis.
In storyline, Hartwell has been infatuated with Lumis for months. She proposed the “Love Her or Lose Her match” during a backstage segment with Gargano and Candice LeRae on tonight’s NXT. Gargano and LeRae were upset after Hartwell received a drawing from Lumis as a gift. The drawing had Lumis included as part of The Way with Hartwell, Gargano, and LeRae.
Next Tuesday’s NXT will again air on Syfy due to a scheduling conflict with the Olympics. NXT will then move back to USA Network the following week.
Here’s the full list of what’s been announced for next week’s NXT:
Love Her or Lose Her match: Johnny Gargano vs. Dexter Lumis
NXT Breakout tournament first-round match: Trey Baxter vs. Joe Gacy
Bobby Fish vs. Roderick Strong
Hit Row (Top Dolla & Ashante “Thee” Adonis) vs. Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
With Samoa Joe as the special guest referee, the NXT Championship will be on the line tonight.
Tonight’s NXT will be headlined by Karrion Kross and Johnny Gargano facing off for the NXT Championship. Joe, who returned to NXT as an authority figure last month, will try to keep order as the referee.
This will be Kross’ third title defense since becoming NXT Champion. After winning the title from Finn Balor at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Kross defeated Balor in a rematch this May. Kross then retained against Kyle O’Reilly, Adam Cole, Pete Dunne, and Gargano in a fatal five-way match at TakeOver: In Your House in June.
The 2021 NXT Breakout Tournament will also begin on tonight’s episode. Ikemen Jiro will take on Duke Hudson in a first-round match. Duke Hudson is Brendan Vink’s new WWE in-ring name.
Plus, Sarray vs. Gigi Dolin, Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai, Dexter Lumis vs. Santos Escobar, and Bobby Fish vs. Tyler Rust are set for tonight. Cameron Grimes’ butler duties will also begin after he lost to Million Dollar Champion LA Knight at NXT Great American Bash last week.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show is opening with a singles match in the women’s division.
Dakota Kai (with NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez) defeated Ember Moon
Kai pinned Moon clean, giving Kai a strong win. Moon lost her tag team partner to the main roster, and now she lost a match here. Hopefully better days are ahead for her. Kai looks to be getting a push, but an angle after the match immediately took the focus off Kai and put it on Gonzalez.
Moon started off strong until Kai cut her off. Kai went on to ground Moon for a short while. Moon soon thereafter came back with a flurry that began with a slight botch. They quickly recovered as the fighting spilled outside. Moon flew through the ropes with a tope suicida, and moments later a dropkick by Moon from the apron knocked down Kai. From there the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
During the break on the little picture in the corner came a big spot. Moon was posted, and then Kai capitalized by ramming Moon into the ring post a second time. There was at least a replay of the big spot when the show returned from the break.
Kai was working over Moon until she hulked up. Moon on fire during her comeback. Two count after a delayed springboard crossbody from Moon. Kai fought back with a kick, and she pulled Moon off the top rope at one point. Face wash by Kai, and then she used a move that started out like a Slop Drop but ended like a Bladerunner. Two count for Kai, and they traded near falls. Moon with a Super Frankensteiner for two.
For the finish, Kai executed a Go To Kick with Moon draped over the top rope. Kai then covered Moon for a pinfall.
The lights went out and then out comes Xia Li. She marched to the ring with a purpose as she confronted Gonzalez. Li is soon challenging Gonzalez for her championship, so they had a staredown. Li then left as quickly as she came. This was odd. Totally scooped all of Kai’s heat.
Part one of Cameron Grimes as the butler featured LA Knight making Grimes get a makeover. Knight made Grimes sit down for a trim of his beard and long hair. Knight then made Grimes dress in a suit. Knight was trolling Grimes. However, the joke was on Knight, because Grimes said he looked great.
Malcolm Bivens was with the Diamond Mine for a pre-tape promo. This built up a match later on between Tyler Rust and Bobby Fish. The promo was uploaded the YouTube earlier today. The tease was for Roderick Strong vs. Fish, but they’ll seemingly get to that soon enough.
Tyler Rust (with Diamond Mine) defeated Bobby Fish
Rust pinned Fish to get a big win for the up-and-comer. Though the match was short, Rust looked strong in winning even if he needed help from Roderick Strong. Pretty lame finish if you ask me. Sets up a tag team match next week, though.
Fish was fighting back after Rust had him Fish reeling. Fish came back with an exploder suplex into the ropes. Strong jumped on the apron to cause a distraction. That allowed for a sneak attack by Rust with a chop block on Fish. Rust then nailed Fish with a Yoshihiro Tajiri buzzsaw kick, and Rust covered Fish for a three count.
The Diamond Mine (consisting of Rust, Strong, Bivens and Hideki Suzuki) surrounded Fish after the match. They were closing in when NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida ran down to back up Fish. The Diamiond Mine backed down and left the ring. This seems to set up some sort of tag team match.
NXT Champion Karrion Kross was warming up for his title match. Samoa Joe, dressed in a referee shirt, was giving Kross instructions. Joe concluded by telling Kross to obey his command at all times. Joe asked Kross if he hurt him. Kross kept hitting a punch bag, ignoring Joe. So Joe got in his attention by kicking the bag, and getting in Kross’ face. Kross warned Joe not to cost him the match. Joe said he took that as a “yes” from Kross.
Sarray defeated Gigi Dolin
Sarray pinned Dolin as Mandy Rose watched the match from the stage.
This match was set up by an angle that was a “WWE Network Exclusive.” Great way to remind American viewers we no longer have the Network. It’s Peacock or nothing. Leave the memories alone. *Sigh*
Dolin was formerly known as Priscilla Kelly before joining the NXT brand.
They were having a really good match when Mandy Rose walked onto the stage. Rose watched from the top of the entrance ramp as Sarray and Dolin beat the heck out of each other. This was probably the most competitive match Sarray has wrestled in on television.
They went back-and-forth, and they traded near falls throughout the match. Sarray also went for several submission holds. Sarray with a stiff dropkick, and a high angle suplex for the fininsh. Sarray then covered Dolin for a pinfall.
Santos Escobar (with Legado del Fantasma) defeated Dexter Lumis
Escibar pinned Lumis after interference by Legado del Fantasma
Lumis frightened Escobar by trying to pull Escobar underneath the ring. Lumis then popped out from under the ring, wich scared Esobar. The show then went to a commercial break. When the show returned, Escobar was no longer fearfull. Instead, he was getting heat on Lumis. Escobar’s fear lasted almost the length of a commercial break.
Escobar went for a trifecta of suplexes like Eddie Guerrero, but Lumis countered the third attempt. After Lumis hulks up on Escobar, Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde interfere to save Escobar. Wilde booted Lumis, and Escobar executed a Phantom Driver. Escobar then covered Lumis for a pinfall.
The new NXT North American Champion, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, and Hit Row confronted Escobar and Legado del Fantasma after the match. They all had words and traded barbs.
Indi Hartwell came out to Lumis’ ai. She tried to carry Lumis away like Lumis had done for her last week. Beth Phoenix earlier in the show had basically told Hartwell to make a move on Lumis. Hartwell dropped Lumis as she was carrying him. They looked into each other’s eyes, and they were about to kiss when Candice LeRae ran down. LeRae ruined the romantic moment, and she made Hartwell leave. What a party pooper.
Duke Hudson defeated Ikemen Jiro in a first round match in the NXT Breakout Tournament
Hudson pinned Jiro to win the first match in the 2021 Breakout tourney.
The wrong guy won in this match. Jiro is awesome! He totally should have won. Hudson was okay I guess. He looked dominate at times, but whatever. The wrong guy won.
Jiro wore a colorful sports jacket during the whole match. He used a tarantula at one point. That was in honor of Tajiri, who trained Jiro. That is second Tajiri reference I am able to make in this here recap. That makes me smile. Tajiri is awesome. So is Jiro. Did I mentiion the wrong guy won this match?
Jiro countered a Razor’s Edge to get a final rally. Jiro with an Asai moonsault off the top rope. Hudson with a counter and a Winds of Change finisher. 1…2…3.
Pete Dunne had a backstage confrontation with Timothy Thatcher. Tommaso Cimpa suddenly ran in to attack Dunne. There was a pull-apart brawl because seemingly every NXT episode these days needs at least one pull-apart.
Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro defeated Jessi Kamea & Aliyah (w/ Robert Stone)
Catanzaro pinned Aliyah to win the match. Carter with a neckbreaker just as Catanzaro delivered a 450 splash for a wicked finisher.
The match was a precursor to to angle that followed it. Robert Stone helped Aliyah off the mat, but she shoved him away. Aliyah pushed Stone away. She yelled at him that she has done more for Stone than anyone. Aliyah slapped Stone, and she beat him up. Aliyah punted Stone, and she left the ring with the crowd chanting her name.
Franky Monet came to ringside, and Kamea left with her. The Robert Stone Brand appears to be a dead brand.
In a comedy skit, Samoa Joe gave instruction to Johnny Gargano ahead of the title match. Joe also had another backstage staredown with Pete Dunne.
In part two of Cameron Grimes as LA Knight’s butler, the joke was again on Knight. Grimes paid a kid to do Grimes’ choirs. Knight insulted the kid and told him to leave, so the kid kicked Grimes in the knee. He had it coming, that’s for sure. Knight then took a bump into the pool. Funny stuff.
Adam Cole during an in-ring promo said “I told you so.” Cole proved he was better than Kyle O’Reilly by beating O’Reilly at The Great American Bash. Cole ran down O’Reilly, but Cole said he was tired of talking about O’Reilly. Cole wanted to talk about Samoa Joe, and Cole went on to basically threaten Joe.
Cole was nobody was man enough to face him, and out comes Bronson Reed. He told Cole that Cole was a master of mind games, but Reed said he was nothing to lose. Reed said all eyes were on him and his next move. Reed said Cole is NXT’s golden boy, and he is Reed’s golden opportunity. Cole went superkick Reed, but Reed caught Cole’s leg. Reed went for a lariat, but Cole ducked the clothesline. Reed then splashed Cole, and Cole bailed out of the ring.
Samoa Joe, still dressed in his referee gear, came down to ringside. He glared at Cole, and they had a brief staredown.
Announced for next Tuesday on NXT:
Kushida & Bobby Fish vs. Roderick Strong & Tyler Rust
Xia LI challenges Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship
Franky Monet was backstage with Jessi Kamea and a disheveled Robert Stone. Mandy Rose confronted them. Rose quipped, “Looks like the Robert Stone Brand is under new management.”
NXT Champion Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) defeated Johnny Gargano to reatin his title with Samoa Joe as special referee
Kross pinned Gargano to retain the title. Joe got involved at times, but only as a referee. Kross in a sneak attack choked out Joe after the match.
Gargano attacked Kross before the bell to no avail. Kross fought off Gargano, and Kross suplexed him. Gargano countered Kross, and Gargano did a senton off the apron. Kross no sold, and he mowed down Gargano.
Gargano sidestepped a charge, and Kross crashed into the ring steps. Kross shook that off quickly, and he gave Gargano a tree slam into the announce desk. Gargano’s back hit the edge of the desk, and that looked very painful.
The match went through a picture-in-picture commercial break, and Gargano was pummeled during the ads. Gargano comeback after the break, leading to a two count after a slingshot spear by Gargano. Tope suicida from Gargano, and the crowd chanted his name.
Kross cut off Gargano, and Kross delivered more suplexes. Gargano was still able to counter Kross, but Kross mowed him down again. Yet, Gargano managed another counter with a DDT for a near fall.
Gargano took a chokeslam, but he came back with a superkick. Kross countered La Mistica to attempt a Kross Jacket submission hold. Gargano instead used a counter to apply the Gargano Escape crossface. Kross powered out, did an airplane spin, and Kross appied his sleeper hold finisher. Gargano managed to get a rope break, but Kross refused to break the hold. Joe pulled Kross off of Gargano. Joe and Kross got face-to-face, but Kross walked away from Joe. Kross instead punished Gargano some more.
Kross grabbed Gargano by the throat, and he repeatedly slammed Gargano into the barricade. Kross picked up a section of the ring steps, seemingly looking to smash Gargano. Joe blocked Kross from using the steps. Gargano then was able to DDT Kross on the floor.
Gargano went for his slingshot DDT, but Kross kicked out at two. Kross nailed Gargano with a strike, and Kross several times powerbombed Gargano. A Saito suplex, and Gargano was on rubber legs. Kross again clubbed Gargano with a strike from behind, and Kross covered Gargano for a pinfall.
Kross and Joe has another staredown after the match. Joe turned to walk away and leave the ring as Scarlett held back the champ. Soon as Joe’s back was turned, Kross leapt into action. Kross choked out Joe, while Kross screamed at Joe that Joe brought this on himself.
Samoa Joe will be the special guest referee as Karrion Kross and Johnny Gargano face off for the NXT Championship.
With Joe as the special guest referee, Kross will defend his NXT Championship against Gargano on next Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Joe returned to NXT as an authority figure last month, working alongside general manager William Regal as Regal’s enforcer.
The title match was announced during a face-to-face segment with Kross and Gargano on tonight’s Great American Bash edition of NXT. The face-to-face segment was made for tonight after Kross and Gargano brawled throughout last week’s NXT. That included an angle where Kross tried to run Gargano over with his car as they fought in the parking lot. Joe pulled Gargano out of the way but said that Gargano perhaps pushed Kross a little too far.
Kross has been NXT Champion since defeating Finn Balor for the title at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver this April. He’s successfully defended the title twice since then. In his first defense, Kross defeated Balor in an NXT Championship rematch in May. Kross then retained the title by defeating Kyle O’Reilly, Adam Cole, Pete Dunne, and Gargano in a fatal five-way match at TakeOver: In Your House in June.
Kross has wrestled in dark matches at WWE main roster shows in recent weeks. He also made an appearance on WWE Main Event two weeks ago and defeated Shelton Benjamin.
Gargano will be looking to become a two-time NXT Champion. He previously held the title from April 2019 to June 2019.
Here’s the full list of what’s been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT:
NXT Champion Karrion Kross defends against Johnny Gargano (Samoa Joe will be the special guest referee)
NXT Breakout Tournament first-round match: Ikemen Jiro vs. Duke Hudson
Sarray in action
The Breakout Tournament is kicking off on next week’s NXT. Duke Hudson is Brendan Vink’s new WWE in-ring name.
