The NXT Champion and his likely next challenger will go face-to-face at the NXT Great American Bash.
WWE announced today that NXT Champion Karrion Kross and Johnny Gargano will take part in a face-to-face segment at NXT Great American Bash on Tuesday. NXT authority figure Samoa Joe will also be there to make sure things don’t get out of hand.
Kross told Gargano to leave his family at home for the face-to-face segment. Kross said he’ll leave Scarlett at home as well.
Kross and Gargano brawled throughout this past Tuesday’s NXT episode. As they fought in the parking lot, Kross put Gargano in the Kross Jacket and then tried to run him over with his car. Joe moved Gargano out of the way before Kross could hit him. Joe told Gargano that perhaps Gargano pushed Kross a little too far.
WWE has also announced that Hit Row will host a “Championship Cypher” at the Great American Bash. The segment will be a freestyle rap from Hit Row. It’s in celebration of Hit Row’s Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeating Bronson Reed on this past Tuesday’s NXT to win the North American Championship.
This is the second straight year that WWE has presented a special Great American Bash edition of NXT. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK defend against Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defend against Io Shirai & Zoey Stark
Million Dollar Champion LA Knight defends against Cameron Grimes (if Grimes loses, he has to become Knight’s butler)
NXT Champion Karrion Kross and Johnny Gargano will go face-to-face
In Your House returns for the second straight year as NXT TakeOver takes place tonight.
The show will be headlined by Karrion Kross defending his NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole in a fatal five-way match. A match between O’Reilly, Dunne, and Gargano was originally supposed to determine Kross’ challenger, but Cole made his return to NXT TV and put a stop to the match. Kross later declared that he wanted to face all four challengers.
Three other title matches are also set for TakeOver: In Your House. Ember Moon will challenge for Raquel Gonzalez’s NXT Women’s Championship, the revived Million Dollar Championship will be on the line in a ladder match between Cameron Grimes and LA Knight, and there will be a winner-take-all six-man tag match with NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed & NXT Tag Team Champions MSK facing Legado del Fantasma.
Mercedes Martinez vs. Xia Li rounds out the TakeOver card. Li is looking to avenge her loss from the 2017 Mae Young Classic.
Todd Pettengill will return as the host of TakeOver: In Your House. The event will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time, with there also being a pre-show starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
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Show Report —
The pre-show featured the typical mix of talking head analysis and promo packages. There was an “earlier today” segment involving participants in the five-way main event.
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Naomi Fox performed a song to open the show.
Former WWE backstage interviewer Todd Pettengill is the host of the show. He announced the largest gathering of fans yet in the Capitol Wrestling Center.
Winner Take All match for the NXT North American Championship and NXT Tag Team Championships: Bronson Reed (c) & MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) (c) defeated Legado Del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, & Joaquin Wilde) (13:41)
This was good, solid six-man tag action.
Lee and Mendoza started with a rapid-fire exchange. Carter and Wilde were next, with Wilde hitting a nice springboard arm drag. He showboated, however, and received a kick for his trouble. Escobar tagged in and faced off with Carter, but Carter tagged in Reed. Escobar retreated and tagged in Mendoza.
Mendoza used some high flying, but Reed shrugged off a series of clotheslines before leveling Mendoza with one of his own. Reed hit his sit-down splash, but Escobar had blind tagged in and hit a soccer kick. Reed took him down with a crossbody before planting Wilde with a press slam.
MSK hit frequent tags, with a somersault senton from Lee getting two. Reed hit an assisted senton for two more. The champs continued to dominate Wilde until Escobar finally made a tag. Carter hit an Orihara moonsault out on the floor, but Wilde took Carter out with a dive. Lee and Mendoza hit dives of their own, building to the big man Reed taking everyone out with a tope.
Back in the ring, MSK tried to hit a double team, but Legado del Fantasma pulled Carter out of the ring, allowing Escobar to take Lee out. A top-rope hurricanrana from Escobar got two, as did an assisted 450 from Wilde. Lee finally escaped to Reed for a tag.
Reed ran wild on all of Legado del Fantasma, including a double Samoan drop on Wilde and Mendoza. Reed wanted Escobar to tag in, but Wilde took him out from behind. Escobar tagged in and hit a Michinoku Driver, but Carter broke up the pin. Wilde and Mendoza hit a high low on Carter, but Wes Lee dove in to break up the pin.
Escobar grabbed the belt at ringside but was blindsided with a running splash from Reed, sending him through the barricade at ringside. A Mendoza dive was cut off with a superkick, then MSK hit an assisted blockbuster. Reed pulled the straps down and hit the Tsunami splash to win and retain.
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Kyle O’Reilly was interviewed earlier today, saying “it’s a good day for a fight.” Johnny Gargano and The Way arrived at the same time, goading O’Reilly into a fight and forcing officials and William Regal to break it up.
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A comedy segment aired where Pettengill was trying to cut to a video using a VHS tape. The video recapped Mercedes Martinez defeating Xia Li in the Mae Young Classic four years ago.
Xia Li (w/ Boa) defeated Mercedes Martinez (7:39)
This was maybe the least spectacular match in TakeOver history. It was short, very little happened, and the finish came completely out of nowhere.
Li took the fight to Martinez right away, but Martinez took her down with a backdrop and a fallaway slam. Li dragged Martinez to the floor and pushed her shoulder-first into the ring post. She continued to target Martinez’s shoulder, including with a running dropkick that sent Martinez to the floor.
They traded strikes in the ring, with Li maintaining control with kicks and knees. Martinez came back with a butterfly suplex, but Li regained control with an exploder. Martinez avoided a corner attack and hit a Cliffhanger for two. She followed it up with repeated knees.
Boa pulled Li out of the ring, preventing further attack. Martinez pushed him aside and countered a running attack with a back body drop on the floor. Back in the ring, a cyclone kick from Li surprised Martinez for the win.
– After the match, Boa threw Li a chair, but when she was about to use it, Martinez kicked her legs out from under her. Martinez grabbed the chair and hit both Boa and Li with it.
Li’s entrance effects showed up and Mei Ying appeared in her throne on the ramp. She and Martinez stared each other down until Ying grabbed Martinez by the neck and tossed her off the ramp into the barricade.
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Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher cut a promo. They said that in 48 hours, they’d show everyone how dangerous they are.
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Before the match, Ted DiBiase discussed the history and legacy of the Million Dollar Championship. He made an entrance and watched the match from ringside.
Million Dollar Championship ladder match: LA Knight defeated Cameron Grimes (19:33)
This was the worst ladder match in TakeOver history.
After a strong lockup, Knight took down Grimes with a shoulder block. Grimes popped up and taunted before outwrestling Knight for a couple sequences. Knight rolled ot the floor and tossed in a ladder before sending Grimes to the floor. He tried to throw the ladder at Grimes, but Grimes avoided it before falling victim to a clothesline.
Knight set a ladder up in the ring and both men climbed it, but Knight sent Grimes to the floor. They fought over a ladder before Knight grabbed another. They had a ladder fight until Grimes booted Knight to the floor. They fought over a ladder yet again, with Grimes getting the advantage by pushing the Knight and the ladder into the barricade. He followed it up with a soccer kick.
Grimes opted to take the fight to Knight on the floor, but Knight sent Grimes into the barricade and smashed him with the ladder. Knight continued to send Grimes into ringside objects until Grimes turned it around. Knight popped up and took Grimes down yet again. I know this report sounds redundant and repetitive, but there was no ebb or flow to the match early on, just unfocused brawling.
Back in the ring, Knight hit a slingshot shoulder block. Grimes countered with a German suplex into a ladder. He tried to follow it up with a ladder attack, but Knight moved out of the way and hit a neckbraker onto a propped-up ladder. That looked terrible.
Grimes tried to make a comeback with right hands, but Knight sent him into a ladder. Knight leaned a ladder against the ropes before propping another one up on the top turnbuckle. Grimes reversed a whip and sent Knight face-first into the latter ladder. He laid in kicks, but Knight pulled Grimes’ hair, sending him hard to the mat. Grimes countered a running attack with a back body drop onto a ladder.
Knight was sent over the top rope onto a ladder bridge. Grimes went after a gold ladder on the stage and brought it to the ring. He climbed it and made it to the belt, but Knight met him at the top. Knight fell off, but was able to push the ladder over, sending Grimes crashing to the mat.
After a long double down, Knight set up more ladders to create a bridge over the ropes. Grimes surprised him with a thrust kick, but Knight hid behind DiBiase’s security, allowing him to take Grimes out. Knight whipped Grimes into a ladder, but Grimes climbed it and then grabbed onto some staging when Knight pushed the ladder away. Grimes then leapt off the staging with a crossbody.
Grimes climbed the gold ladder in the ring. Knight tried to powerbomb him out of the ring, but Grimes turned it into a hurricanrana. Grimes shouted “to the moon!” and nearly reached the championship, but Knight pushed the ladder over, sending Grimes onto the bridge from before. Knight then unhooked the belt to win the championship.
– Knight celebrated with the Million Dollar Man afterwards.
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Pettengill tried to advertise the WWE Shop, but was interrupted by Hit Row. They plugged their new song, “Now You Know.”
This was a very good match and a nice showcase for Moon, who is one of the more underrated talents on the roster.
Moon came out firing with strikes, but Gonzalez planted her to the mat on a crossbody attempt. Moon countered the one-armed powerbomb with a hurricanrana, sending Gonzalez into the turnbuckle, but Gonzalez sent Moon into the barricade on a shoulder block. Out on the floor, Gonzalez continued to dominate.
Back in the ring, Gonzalez maintained control until Moon kicked her way out of a corner attack. She went for a diving codebreaker, but Gonzalez caught it and planted Moon with a sidewalk slam. A twisting Vader bomb followed for two. Moon tried to fight back with strikes before a thrust kick caught Gonzalez under the jaw. Another series of kicks staggered Gonzalez before a forearm finally took the champion down.
Moon hit a Code Red for two. She locked on a modified deathlock until Kai assisted Gonzalez by helping her reach the ropes. Gonzalez and Kai regrouped on the floor, so Moon took the champion out with a tope suicida. Back in the ring, a flatliner from Moon got two.
Kai distracted Moon while the latter climbed the ropes, allowing Gonzalez to take control with a superplex. Gonzalez went for her one-armed powerbomb, but Moon cradled her for two. Gonzalez came back with a big boot for a near fall of her own. She went for an inverted suplex, but Moon turned it into a modified Eclipse.
Moon gained some separation with a jawbreaker and followed it up with a diving Codebreaker. The Eclipse followed, but Kai put Gonzalez’s foot on the ropes. Shotzi Blackheart appeared to chase off Kai, sending her into the staging and bringing her backstage.
Gonzalez fled to the apron, where Moon climbed the ropes and hit a tornado DDT on the ramp. Moon rolled Gonzalez into the ring, where Gonzalez kicked out at two. She went for another Eclipse, but Gonzalez caught her and hit Snake Eyes in the corner. The one-armed powerbomb followed for the win.
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Another Pettengill comedy segment aired. He was about to play Karate Fighters, and his opponent was Dexter Lumis. Pettengill asked how the women were treating Lumis these days, so Lumis broke the game and smashed Pettengill’s piece in his hand.
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The NXT: Great American Bash TV special was announced for Tuesday, July 6 on USA.
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This week’s NXT lineup:
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. Grizzled Young Veterans in a Tornado Tag Team Match
KUSHIDA’s Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge
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NXT Championship Fatal 5-Way: Karrion Kross (c) (w/ Scarlett) defeated Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Pete Dunne (26:25)
This was an insane spotfest from start to finish, with tons of great action. The crowd wasn’t super invested at the start but eventually got into it; however, they’re definitely not into Kross as champion.
While O’Reilly and Cole brawled on the floor, Kross and Dunne faced off in the ring. Dunne peppered him with leg kicks and went for a guillotine, but Kross caught him and hit a Northern Lights suplex. O’Reilly entered the fray and traded with Kross until a high kick gave Kross an opening. O’Reilly countered into a heel hook, which Kross fought out of, hitting a German.
Gargano was next for Kross. He went for the Garga-No Escape before chopping down Kross’s leg and taking him down with a hurricanrana. Kross caught a corner attack and hit an exploder suplex. Cole immediately took advantage by kicking out Kross’s knee and hitting an enziguiri. Dunne pulled Cole out of the ring and trapped him between the apron and the skirt, allowing the entire field to beat him down.
Kross continued to dispatch all four opponents. He hit a double Northern Lights suplex on Dunne and Gargano before a lariat on O’Reilly got two. O’Reilly fought out of a powerbomb and landed muay thai strikes, finally taking Kross down. He laid in knees on Cole before mounting him and going for an armbar. Dunne locked on an armbar on O’Reilly before Gargano tried to get involved. Dunne attacked the fingers of both O’Reilly and Gargano before Kross powerbombed him onto both men.
Cole retreated to the ramp, where Kross wanted a fight. Dunne and Gargano got involved, sending him through the door of the In Your House stage. In the ring, a leg lariat from Cole took down O’Reilly, followed by the ushigoroshi for two. Gargano hit an enziguiri on O’Reilly before propping Cole in the tree of woe over O’Reilly in the corner. Dunne surprised Gargano with a roll-up, but Gargano turned the Bitter End into a DDT before throwing Dunne into the corner with a lawn dart through Cole and O’Reilly for two.
Gargano went for his end of #DIY, but a parade of strikes from Cole, Gargano, Dunne, and O’Reilly led to a quadruple down. O’Reilly caught a Cole thrust kick and applied an ankle lock, but Cole kicked out of it, sending O’Reilly into Kross. Kross sent both O’Reilly and Cole over the barricade before a double-hand powerbomb sent Gargano into the ring apron. He tossed Dunne onto the pile on the outside.
It was just Kross and Gargano in the ring. Kross hit an F-5 for two. Gargano made a comeback with a tornado DDT, using Cole as an assist, before taking out O’Reilly with a tope suicida. He followed it up with a spear on Kross and a diving DDT on Dunne but was met with a superkick from Cole. Gargano avoided the Last Shot and locked on the Garga-No Escape, but Cole fought out and countered a slingshot spear with a thrust kick. Gargano countered the Panama Sunrise into belly-to-back driver for two.
O’Reilly was taken out with stereo kicks from Gargano and Dunne, then Cole and Gargano took out Dunne, then O’Reilly and Gargano took out Cole as O’Reilly covered for two. Kross entered the ring and hit corner clotheslines on all four opponents before eating lariats from everyone. O’Reilly briefly got the upper hand on everyone until Kross took him out with a lariat.
Kross hit German suplexes on everyone. Dunne flipped out of one, allowing everyone to hit kicks to Kross’s head. Cole and O’Reilly paused their rivalry to try to powerbomb Kross through the announce desk, which didn’t break. The four challengers faced off in the ring. Gargano and Dunne hit stereo superkicks, then Dunne and O’Reilly both applied submissions. They dropped their victims and traded strikes, with O’Reilly dropping Dunne with a forearm. Dunne transitioned into a standing kimura before a triangle hold, with Gargano taking them down with a slingshot spear. A ushigoroshi from Cole on O’Reilly got two.
Cole and Dunne exchanged forearms in the ring. Dunne went for his corner backflip, which Cole and Gargano countered with superkicks. Gargano locked both Cole and Dunne in the Garga-No Escape, but O’Reilly broke it up. He and Gargano had a strike exchange, with O’Reilly finishing it with a brainbuster. He climebed to the top but was sent to the floor by Cole, who hit the Panama Sunrise on Gargano, but Dunne pulled him out of the ring and killed him with a brainbuster on the floor.
Kross popped up from the announce desk as Dunne invited him in for a fight. Dunne unleashed on Kross, forcing him to cover up, but Kross hit a German. Dunne hit one of his own, followed by the Bitter End, but Kross kicked out for a great near fall. Dunne immediately locked on a triangle, but the other three broke up the hold.
Dunne dispatched his opponents with kicks before catching a low blow and going for the finger-break spot. Kross broke it up with a double Doomsday Saito. The Kross Jacket followed, but Dunne snapped Kross’s fingers to break out of the hold. Gargano hit One Final Beat on Dunne, but Kross locked on the Kross Jacket on Gargano. Gargano jackknifed over for a cradle for two, but Kross maintained the hold. Cole hit the Last Shot on Kross but was subsequently chopped down by O’Reilly, who hit the diving knee on Kross. Cole broke up the cover with a superkick.
O’Reilly avoided the Last Shot and locked on the heel hook. After a long fight, Kross locked the Kross Jacket on O’Reilly, with the hold still locked on Cole. O’Reilly faded, relinquished the heel hook, and passed out for the referee stoppage as Kross retained.
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An interviewer caught up to William Regal to ask about the events of In Your House. He said he’d been GM for seven years, and he’s never seen so much bedlam. “I think it’s time for a change.”
WWE has announced a couple of additions to the lineup for NXT’s TakeOver: In Your House go-home show.
– At Sunday’s TakeOver event, Karrion Kross will defend his NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole in a fatal five-way match. But before that match happens, there will be a face-off segment with Kross and his challengers on this Tuesday’s NXT episode.
A triple threat match between O’Reilly, Dunne, and Gargano on last week’s NXT had originally been set to determine Kross’ challenger for TakeOver: In Your House, but Cole interrupted the match and attacked all three wrestlers. Cole cut a promo on Kross later in the show, which led to Kross confronting Cole. Kross told NXT general manager William Regal that he wanted to face all four of O’Reilly, Dunne, Gargano, and Cole at TakeOver.
– WWE is also hyping that Ted DiBiase will make a “Priceless Announcement” on this Tuesday’s NXT. The announcement comes in advance of Cameron Grimes facing LA Knight at TakeOver: In Your House.
Grimes and Knight have each been vying for DiBiase to choose them as the wrestler to carry on his Million Dollar legacy. A distraction by Grimes on last week’s NXT caused Knight to lose a match against Jake Atlas. When he was interviewed backstage after the match, DiBiase said Knight dropped the ball but Grimes showed that it takes both brains and brawn.
DiBiase’s Million Dollar Championship appears on the poster for TakeOver: In Your House, but WWE has yet to confirm the return of the title or that it’s going to play a part in Grimes and Knight’s match at TakeOver.
Here’s the updated lineup for this Tuesday’s NXT:
Face-off with NXT Champion Karrion Kross, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole
Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai
Oney Lorcan vs. Austin Theory
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Killian Dain
Grammy-nominated pop-rock and nu-metal artist Poppy returns to NXT
Adam Cole returning to NXT tonight led to a fatal five-way title match being announced for NXT’s next TakeOver event.
Karrion Kross will defend his NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Cole in a fatal five-way match at TakeOver: In Your House. The show is taking place on Sunday, June 13.
A triple threat match between O’Reilly, Dunne, and Gargano on tonight’s show was supposed to decide Kross’ challenger for TakeOver, but it ended in a no contest as part of an angle where Cole returned and took out all three wrestlers. A furious William Regal then made his way out with security. Cole hit a superkick on O’Reilly before Regal and security finally got him to go to the back.
Cole appeared again later in the show and said that he wants the NXT Championship back. He called Kross a “big, overrated musclehead” who doesn’t deserve to be in the same ring as him. Kross then came out to the ring and confronted Cole.
Kross said Cole’s motives in getting involved in the triple threat match were understandable. But Kross said that when he signed with NXT, Cole stopped being special. Cole said NXT has done everything in their power to make Kross feel special — but all they have to do to make Cole feel special is ring the bell. Cole said Kross isn’t on his level and anyone who watches pro wrestling knows that. Cole said Kross is just a guy who has his property.
Regal said he could see what Cole was doing and it wasn’t going to work, but Kross told Regal that he wants to face everyone at TakeOver: In Your House. Kross said to give him O’Reilly, Dunne, Gargano, and Cole. Regal agreed to make the match.
This was just the second time Cole has appeared on NXT since losing to O’Reilly in an unsanctioned match at April’s TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. A sit-down interview with Cole aired on the April 27 episode of the show.
Kross won the NXT Championship from Finn Balor at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. He’s made one title defense since then, retaining against Balor in a rematch last week.
The NXT Championship match for TakeOver: In Your House will become official tonight.
On tonight’s NXT, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, and Johnny Gargano will face off in a triple threat match to determine Karrion Kross’ challenger for TakeOver. The triple threat match will kick off tonight’s show.
Last week, Kross retained the NXT Championship by defeating Finn Balor in a rematch from TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. It was Kross’ first title defense since becoming champion.
The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line tonight. MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) will defend their titles against Legado del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde.
MSK won the then-vacant NXT Tag Team titles by defeating The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) and Mendoza & Wilde in a triple threat match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. Following TakeOver, Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Mendoza & Wilde) picked up a win against Kushida & MSK in a six-man tag match.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show is opening with a triple threat match to determine a number one contender for TakeOver.
Pete Dunne vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Kyle O’Reilly ended in a no contest
Adam Cole ran in to attack everyone, and the match was thrown out. Great match until the run-in, which would seem to set up another match.
The three way dance started with a slugfest. Gargano was sent outside. He jumped back in when O’Reilly was trying to catch Dunne in an armbar. Instead of offense, Gargano was quickly on defense as O’Reilly instead trapped him in an armbar. Dunne kept jumping in to pick the bones while the other two grappled against each other. Lots of cool grappling, and a different psychology that was much more fluid than a usual WWE-style thriple threat.
Tons of spots playing off all three as they fought through a commercial break. Gagrano was out of the ring selling just before the show was set to return from the break. Meanwhile, Dunne was working over O’Reilly. All three face off as the show comes back from commercial. O’Reilly fired up, and he cleaned house.
O’Reilly wtih a diving knee off the apron, but Gargano hit him with a tope. Gargano with two more tope dives through the ropes. Slingshot spear by Gargano for a near fall on O’Reilly. Dunne broke up a backslide competition with several kicks. Dunne with an X-plex on Gargano for a two and a half count. Dunne went to trap O’Reilly in a kimura, but Gargano breaks it up. O’Reilly with a leglock on Gargano, but Dunne is back to break up the hold.
Gargano countered a Bitter End to deliver a swinging DDT on Dunne. Sending Dunne crashing into O’Reilly like a lawn dart, Gargano gets a near fall on Dunne. The built to all three throwing kicks, hitting big moves, and rocking each other with strikes. Triple down. They arose for a triple sleeper spot. Gargano was caught in a sleeper from O’Reilly, but Dunne rushed in to catch O’Reilly in a sleeper. Gargano comes back in with La Mistica into the Gargano Escape submission finisher. Dunne snapped Gargano’s fingers to break the hold.
Dunne delivered a Bitter End on Gargano, and Dunne went for a cover. O’Reilly broke the count with a bombs away flying knee drop. Double clothesline on the floor leave O’Reilly and Dunne down at ringside. Suddenly, Adam Cole ran down to ringside with a metal folding chair like he was Balls Mahoney. Cole first hits O’Reilly with the chair, and Cole then hit Dunne with a chair to the back. Cole flings the chair at Gargano’s head.
Cole is wrecking the place, hitting alomst everyone moving at ringside. Officials pour out to break up the melee. Dunne and Cole start brawling, and Cole give Dunne a brainbuster on the floor. Cole delivers a Last Shot to O’Reilly on the floor. Cole measures Gargano in the ring, and Cole delivered another Last Shot. William Regal storms to ringside angry with Cole. Regal was steaming, but Cole had to get one more shot in on O’Reilly. Cole then left ringside, leaving destruction in his wake.
El Legado del Fantasma cut a promo that was a “WWE Network Exclusive,” which is odd. It’s not very exclusive to the WWE Network when it’s also airing on national cable television. Also, WWE Network? That still a thing? I guess outside the United Stated it is, but this is airing live in the US.
LA Knight introduced himself and cut a promo on the way to the ring.
In a pre-tape skit, Hit Row got into a verbal argument with Drake Maverick. Killian Dain stepped in to get in Swerve’s face.
Jake Atlas defeated LA Knight
Atlas pinned Knight after a distraction by Cameron Grimes.
“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase walked to ringside to watch the match, presumably to scout Knight. The match went through a commercial break, with Knight maintaining an advantage. Atlas fired up after the show returned from the break, but Knight soon cut him off. Knight was then cut off himself moments later.
Atlas with a comeback, and as Atlas was getting a near fall out comes Cameron Grimes. DiBiase is joined at ringside by Grimes, who rants and rambles at the Million Dollar Man. Knight tripped up Atlas, only for Grimes to distract Knight. Atlas is able to shove Knight off the turnbuckles, and Knight crotched himself on the top rope. Atlas executed a cartwheel DDT, and he covered Knight for a pinfall.
McKenzie Mitchell interviewed DiBiase backstage after the match. DiBiase said that Knight dropped the ball tonight, but DiBiase bragged on Grimes. Adam Cole appeared again suddenly as he stormed past the camera headed to the ring.
NXT Champion confronts Cole
Cole cut a promo in the ring. Two years ago to the day he became NXT Champion. Cole claimed today to be the real number one cotender. Cole brought up the current NXT Champion, who is Karrion Kross. Cole called him a “meathead,” among other things.
Kross, with Scarlett, interrupted Cole’s promo. Kross confronted Cole face-to-face in the ring. Kross called him a “little man,” and Cole soon responded by calling Kross “overrated.” William Regal was really busy tonight. He came out again to trying to say he knew what Cole was doing. Kross yelled at Regal to shut up. Kross said he wants to face everyone at TakeOver. Kross wants to face the three challengers from the triple threat earlier, and he wants to face Cole too. Looks like a fatal five way title match as the main evetn of TakeOver.
Candice LeRae was finally back on the show this week. LeRae was with Indi Hartwell for an interview. They are still the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. Hartwell was listening to music via headphones. LeRae took the headphones off Hartwell to ask what was up. Hartwell was listening to 1980s power ballads. Later in the show, Dexter Lumis found the headphones and music player. A tear rolled down his cheek as he listened to the ’80s ballads.
A vignette hyped the debut of Carmelo Hayes. He vowed to be the next cruiserweight champ. He faces Kushdia tonight in an open challenge.
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defeated Carmelo Hayes to retain his title
Kushida submitted Hayes using the Hoverboard Lock.
Hayes with plenty of offense in the first half of the match, which made Hayes look strong. They match went through a commercial break, with Hayes getting a near fall as the show cuts away.
Kushida comes back after the break, but he is soon cut off by Hayes with a springboard in a clothesline of sorts. Hayes with a modified La Mistica for a near fall.
Kushida fired up with a flurry of his signature offense. Kushida went on to apply the Hoverboard Lock, and Hayes tapped out.
During the previous match, announced officially for TakeOver is Cameron Grimes vs. LA Knight. Also official for TakeOver is the fatal five way for the NXT Championship.
Franky Monet was in getting her makeup down. She read some tweets that put her over, and Monet said she was just getting started in NXT. Presley was there, too. He was a good boy.
NXT Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Zoey Stark & Zayda Ramier in a non-title match
Hartwell pinned Ramier to win the match. For the finish, the champs executed a combo called Wicked Savage. It combines a curb stomb by LeRae (which is called a Wicked Stepsister), and a springboard flying elbow drop (similar to Randy Savage without the springboard). Due to technical difficulties I missed most of this match, but things cleared up just in time for the finish.
Mercedes Martinez cut a promo on Xia Li. Martinez mentioned how she defeated Li in the Mae Young Classic. Lools like these two are set for another match very soon.
The Diamond Mine is “opening soon” in NXT.
Ember Moon in a backstage interview cut a promo on Raquel Gonzalez. Moon has a singles match against Dakota Kai next week, and Moon vowed to take the NXT Women’s Championship from Gonzalez at TakeOver.
Poppy returns to NXT next week.
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee and Nash Carter) defeated Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde with Santos Escobar) to retain their titles
Lee pinned Wilde to retain the titles. Really good match with lots of action, escpially near the finish.
Mendoza wore a mask that looked like The Lone Ranger, or maybe it was more like a Jimmy Jack Funk mask since this is pro wrestling after all. It might have been a protective mask. Not sure, but he wore it the entire match.
Really good match. They did some cool double team moves, and the flying amongst these guys was a highlight of course. Grizzled Young Veterans came down to ringside briefly during the match. They were not long, because Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher ran down to attack them. They fought the Vets back through the curtain from which they came.
The match went through a commercial break, and the heels were getting heat on Lee as the show returns. Carter came in off a hot tag to run wild. Lee is back in moments later as they run through some double team moves. So much for getting heat on Lee. He looked fresh, even after getting worked over earlier.
While Lee was running wild on Wilde he was unaware that Mendoza was actually the legal man. Mendoza springboarded off the top rope to nail Lee with a missiled dropkick. That led to a near fall for Mendoza.
Lee was sent outside the ring, and he landed at the feet of Santos Escobar. Interfering in the match, Escobar sent Lee crashing into the ring steps. That led to a near fall where Cater jumped in to make a save.
Bronson Reed ran in at ringside to splash Escobar, sandwiching him into the barricade. Mendoza & Wilde were on a roll before this, but Reed’s running down disrtacted them. MSK capitalized with a double team finisher. The Hart Attack/Blockbuster combo on Wilde led to Lee covering him for a pinfall.
The North American Championship will be on the line inside of a steel cage on tonight’s NXT.
Tonight’s show will be headlined by Johnny Gargano defending his NXT North American Championship against Bronson Reed in a steel cage match. Reed is getting another shot at the title after unsuccessfully challenging Gargano at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two last month. Reed had to win a number one contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator match on night one to earn that title shot.
Zoey Stark and Toni Storm will also face off in a grudge match tonight. In an upset, Stark defeated Storm on the pre-show for night one of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase will make an appearance live at the Capitol Wrestling Center as he continues his feud with Cameron Grimes. DiBiase has appeared in videos each of the last three weeks and has used his wealth to upstage Grimes.
Sports writer and radio host Arash Markazi will conduct an interview with Pete Dunne tonight. Plus, there will be a Prime Target special feature building up next week’s Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor NXT Championship match.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a grudge match.
Toni Storm defeated Zoey Stark
Storm pinned Stark clean with a wicked finisher. Really good opener.
Their faces told the story before the bell. Stark with a look of determination on her face, while Storm wore a snarl. Strom slapped Stark across her face just after the bell sounds. Stark responds with a flurry of offense that leads to a plancha. Stroms again bails out of the ring after taking a missile dropkick from Stark. Storm proceeds to trip up Stark, and she pulls her off the apron. Storm with a hip attack sandwiched Stark into the ring steps.
Storm takes her time working over Stark, seemingly easily in control. Stark is still able to kick out, but she was clearly in peril. She fought back, countering Storm with a backslide for two. Stark with a kick knocks Storm off her feet, leading to a double down as the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break. Storm bumped and fed throughout the break, yet she managed to cut off Stark.
Stark fought back as the show returned from the break. Cool counter where Stark blocked a Storm Zero with a hurricanrana. Strom then countered Stark, and Storm rocked Stark with a German suplex. Storm Zero for a nearfall. Then came a wild move. Not sure what it was, or even how to describe it. It was wicked. Storm then covered Stark for a pinfall.
Franky Monet, holding her dog Presley, came out on stage after the match for some reason. Guess she was a heel stealing the spotlight. Monet debuts in the ring next week on NXT.
Cameron Grimes arrived to the building in his fancy car. Jake Atlas and some other guys were poking fun at Grimes. He chirped back at Atlas, and Grimes got in his face. They have a match later.
A great video package hyped Finn Balor vs. Karrion Kross ahead of their title match where the former champion challenges the current champ. They watched footage of their previous encounter, where Kross captured the NXT Championship after pinning Balor clean. Their title rematch is set for next week on NXT. Pat McAfee and Paul Heyman even weighed in on the upcoming championship bout. The match is being built as “Balor vs. Kross II.”
Jake Atlas defeated Cameron Grimes
Atlas pinned Grimes after Ted DiBiase distracted Grimes. This was more of an angle than a match, but the match itself was good enough nonetheless.
Before the match, Grimes cut a promo on Ted DiBiase. Grimes threw to retro footage of the DiBiase losing the Million Dollar Championship to Virgil. Grimes laughed out loud, but he grew angry as “DiBiase” chants were piped into the CWC. The live crowd clapped along and chanted as well. Grimes was livid.
Grimes tried to attack Atlas at the outset, but Atlas sent him crashing out of the ring. Grimes flopped around on the floor like a fish out of water, and he sold his jaw as the show cut to a commercial break.
Able to cut off Atlas after the show returned from the break, Grimes got a near fall. Grimes began working over Atlas, but Atlas soon fought back. They went back and forth while a split screen showed a white limousine arriving to the building. The limo was emblazoned with a golden dollar sign. Meanwhile in the ring, Grimes is turned inside out with a lariat, and Atlas gets a close near fall.
Atlas tried to high risk move, and Grimes was able to counter him moments later with a running Spanish Fly. Suddenly, the Million Dollar Man’s theme song blared over the loud speakers. Out walked Ted DiBiase. A distracted Grimes was rolled up for a pinfall. DiBiase did his signature over the top laugh at the expense of Grimes.
Grimes ran out of the ring. He was chasing down DiBiase, and Grimes ran outside to DiBiase’s limo. He pretended a limo door would not open, but it clearly was unlocked. Grimes sold it big anyway. DiBiase rolled down in the window tol tell Grimes he did good, but Grimes was no Million Dollar Man. DiBiase chackled, and the limo sped away to leave Grimes hanging in the parking lot.
Arash Markazi sat down with Pete Dunne for a pre-taped interview. Dunne was great here. He looked like a superstar, but he wasn’t too over the top. Dunne put himself over as a top contender, and he ain’t wrong.
Dain pinned Wolfe in a short match after illegal tactics backfired on Imperium. The heels turned on Wolfe after the match.
Dain was a powerhouse at the start, until Barthel jumped onto the apron. Maverick got on the apron to even the odds, and Maverick was then sent flying off the apron. Dain knocked Barthel off the apron in retaliation, but the distraction allowed Wolfe to give Dain a German suplex.
Barthel slid a folding chair into the ring, and he ordered Wolfe to hit Dain with the chair. The referee tried to step in, and he pleaded for someone to come get the chair. Sounds like a job for a referee. Didn’t matter in the end, as Dain delivered a spear. Dain then covered Wolfe for a pinfall to end a short match.
Very displeased after the match, Imperium turned on Wolfe. Barthel and Aichner attacked Wolfe. They jumped him, and beat him down to leave him laid out on the mat in a heap. The announcers sold it like Wolfe may be kicked out of Imperium for not towing the line.
Ever-Rise in a comedy bit interrupted an interview with NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai. Gonzalez went on to slap Matt Martel across the face. He sold it big, and he spilled his coffee. This was supposed to be funny I guess. The humor was lost on me.
El Legado del Fantasma (Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza) defeated Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa
Mendoza pinned Ciampa after outside interference by Grizzled Young Veterans. Third match in a row on this show without a clean finish.
Mendoza had his lip busted open, and he worked the majority of the match for his team. Ciampa & Thatcher looked dominate in the early stages of the bout. Stereo spots as Thacther & Ciampa both applied ankle locks, and Legado del Fantasma with a stereo near fall using victory rolls to counter the ankle locks.
Mendoza was rocked by an elbow from Ciampa befoe a commercial break. The announce team later said Mendoza was cleared to continue during the break, after medical staff checked on him. After some commercials, Ciampa was cleaning house when the show returned from the break. He was on fire, but Legado del Fantasma with a double team.
Heat on Ciampa, which led to a hot tag. Thatcher’s turn to clean house. He and Ciampa pummeled Mendoza. He fought back, and the heels soon regained the advantage. Thatcher jumped in to make a save. Wilde with a flip dive after Thatcher made another save. Ciampa deliverd a Widow’s Bell, and Ciampa covered Mendoza for a count of two and three quarters. Mendoza dove in at the last moment to break up the pin.
Continuing a trend on this show of outside interference, Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) ran down to ringside. They jumped Ciampa and then rolled him back into the ring. Legado del Fantasma with a double team finisher, and Mendoza scored a pinfall on Ciampa.
Bobby Fish in a backstage interview called out Pete Dunne. Fish challenged Dunne to a match next week.
Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell were enjoying a spa day when LeRae was informed her credit card was declined. Apparently, there was an unpaid expense on the card from a florist. The employee at the spa was able to obtain these details from the credit card company. Seems like a privacy violation, but the bigger scandal here was a charge for a florist. Hartwell quickly got suspicious, but that suspicion did not lead to anger. Instead, Hartwell exclaimed in excitement this means Dexter Lumis still loves her.
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano cut a serious promo on Bronson Reed ahead of their title match later on in a cage.
Sarray defeated Aliyah (with Robert Stone & Jessi Kamea)
Sarray pinned Aliyah clean. The streak on this show of distractions and interference was over with this match. Sarray won in dominate fashion. Aliyah got some offense early on, but Sarray with a comeback ran wild. Following a missile dropkick, Sarray suplexed Aliyah on her head for a pinfall.
Hit Row (Ashante Thee Adonis & Top Dolla with B-Fab & Isaiah “Swerve” Scott) defeated Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
Top Dolla pinned Daivari to win a showcase match for the Hit Row.
Nese & Daivari bumped like crazy, making Hit Row look like a million bucks. Top Dolla picked up them both for a double fallaway slam. Adonis with an Okada dropkick on Daivari. Top Dolla with a FU into a brainbuster, and then Top Dolla covered Daivari for a pinfall.
Hit Row cut a promo after the match.
NXT General Manager William Regal announced Legado del Fantasma will challenge MSK for the NXT Tag Team Championship in two weeks time on NXT. In a title bout Regal also announced for next week on NXT, Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart will challenge Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell in a return match for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship. That makes two title matches for next week.
Balor vs. Kross for the NXT Championship headlines next Tuesday on NXT. In addition, Ted DiBiase is back on NXT for a “Million Dollar Face Off” next week with Cameron Grimes. Also, Franky Monet in a “world premiere” debuts in an NXT ring next Tuesday on NXT.
Bronson Reed defeated NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano in a cage match to win the title
Reed pinned Gargano to win the championship in a really good cage match.
Gargano rushed to escape out of the cage door as the bell rang. Reed stopped his exit, and began to mow down Gargano. Reed repeatedly threw Gargano into the chainlink. Gargano dodged a charge, and he went for his signature slingshot. However, Gargano’s feet became caught up in the cage, allowing Reed to give Gargano a draping DDT.
Gargano springboarded off the top rope for a moonsault on Reed. Moments later, Reed caught Gargano on another springboard, and Reed planted Gargano with a Death Valley Driver. Reed was tripped up, and he crotched himself on the top rope just before the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
Reed made a comeback after the commercial break, and he dropped Gargano off the ropes with an avalanche Samoan Drop. Gargano answered back with a super powerbomb on Reed off the top rope.
Austin Theory was at ringside, and he reached inside the cage to give Gargano a hand. Theory tried to help Gargano escape the cage. Reed in turn grabs Gargano by the feet for a human tug-o-war with Gargano. Thoery went for the Terry Gordy spot where he slams the cage door on the babyface. Reed turned the proverbial tables, and he slammed the cage door in Theory’s face.
Double down leads into the closing minutes. Reed countered One Final Beat, and he went crawling for the door. Theory this time was successful doing the Gordy spot, and he slammed the cage door on Reed’s head. Gargano delivers One Final Beat, but Reed kicked out.
Gargano attempts to climb over Reed and the cage, but Gargano instead takes a super powerbomb. Theory again interferes by climbing the cage, but Reed swats him away. Reed in closes the cage door, and Gargano cannot escape. Reed follows with tsunami splash, and he covers Gargano for a three count. And new…
Reed wins the tile to become the new NXT North American Champion.
The NXT North American Championship will be on the line inside of a steel cage next Tuesday.
WWE has announced that North American Champion Johnny Gargano will defend his title against Bronson Reed in a steel cage match on next Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Reed defeated Gargano’s The Way stablemate Austin Theory two weeks ago to get the title shot.
This will be the second time Reed has challenged Gargano for the North American Championship. Gargano defeated Reed to retain the title at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two last month. At night one, Reed won a number one contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator match to set up the title match for night two.
There was an angle on tonight’s NXT where it was shown that Gargano and Theory had attacked Reed backstage. Reed said Gargano is a dead man. Later in the show, Reed cut a promo where he announced that NXT general manager William Regal had agreed to make next week’s North American title match a steel cage match.
Zoey Stark vs. Toni Storm has also been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT. They’ve been feuding since Stark defeated Storm on the pre-show for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one.
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano has his challenger for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two.
Gargano will defend his North American title against Bronson Reed at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two tomorrow (Thursday, April 8). Reed challenging for Gargano’s title was confirmed when he won the number one contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one tonight.
Reed won the Gauntlet Eliminator match by last eliminating Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. Cameron Grimes, LA Knight, Dexter Lumis, and Leon Ruff were the other participants in the gauntlet. Reed also eliminated Knight during the match.
After the Gauntlet Eliminator match, Gargano came out to the stage and exchanged words with Reed.
Gargano is a three-time NXT North American Champion. His current reign with the title began when he defeated Ruff and Damian Priest in a triple threat match at TakeOver; WarGames last December.
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two is airing live on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network elsewhere. The main card will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be a pre-show starting at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Here’s the updated lineup for night two of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver:
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Karrion Kross
Unsanctioned match: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Ladder match to determine undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion: Jordan Devlin vs. Santos Escobar
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against Bronson Reed
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
North American Champion Johnny Gargano is set for non-title action on this week’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that a non-title match with Gargano facing Dexter Lumis will take place on NXT this Wednesday night. Gargano retained his North American Championship against Kushida at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day earlier this month, but Austin Theory was abducted by Lumis as The Way (Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, and Theory) were coming out to the ring.
WWE followed up on the abduction angle with The Way looking for Theory on NXT last Wednesday. A white van was shown arriving during LeRae & Hartwell’s match against Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon on the episode. Gargano went outside and approached the van and then returned with Theory, which led to Moon pinning Hartwell as she was distracted. In a post-show interview, Theory said he thought he was on vacation for three days during the time that he was abducted.
Here’s the updated lineup for this week’s NXT:
After turning against Kyle O’Reilly and attacking NXT Champion Finn Balor, Adam Cole explains his actions
No DQ match: Karrion Kross vs. Santos Escobar
Non-title match: NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano vs. Dexter Lumis
Going into tonight’s go-home edition of NXT, WWE is teasing that one of the matches set for TakeOver: Vengeance Day won’t be taking place.
Austin Theory posted a video on Tuesday night alleging that North American Champion Johnny Gargano is out of his title defense against Kushida at Sunday’s NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day event. Theory said it’s all because of Kushida and Theory will make Kushida pay with an ass whooping on tonight’s episode of NXT.
Gargano defending his North American Championship against Kushida was announced for TakeOver: Vengeance Day on last week’s NXT episode. Gargano went to NXT general manager William Regal’s office after being informed that the match was made, but Kushida was already there. Gargano attacked Kushida, but Kushida got the better of a brawl between them and kicked Gargano’s arm before officials broke the brawl up.
Kushida has pinned Gargano twice in tag matches in recent weeks. Gargano and Theory attacked Kushida and Leon Ruff on NXT two weeks ago before being scared off by Dexter Lumis.
Theory is part of The Way with Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell. LeRae & Hartwell are facing Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in a women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal match on tonight’s NXT. The winning team will advance to face Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in the finals at TakeOver: Vengeance Day.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
Women’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon
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)
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
Two new matches have been added to the lineup for tonight’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae will take place on NXT tonight. NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano (w/ Austin Theory) will also face Dexter Lumis in a non-title match on tonight’s show.
Lumis was the host of NXT New Year’s Evil last Wednesday. After Blackheart and Kushida interrupted a celebration for Gargano breaking his title defense curse, Lumis made a mixed tag team match where Kushida & Blackheart defeated Gargano & LeRae.
Gargano broke his title defense curse by retaining the North American Championship against Leon Ruff on NXT two weeks ago.
Blackheart and LeRae were the captains for the women’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames last month. LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm defeated Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai.
Here’s the updated list of announced matches for tonight’s NXT:
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: Undisputed Era (Adam Cole & Roderick Strong vs. Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango)
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel) vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas vs. MSK
Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae
Non-title match: NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano (w/ Austin Theory) vs. Dexter Lumis
MSK is a new tag team debuting in the Dusty Classic. WWE hasn’t revealed who MSK are.
Johnny Gargano broke his title defense curse on the final NXT episode of 2020.
Gargano was finally able to retain a championship as he defeated Leon Ruff in last night’s main event. For the finish, Ruff got sent face-first into the top turnbuckle and Gargano then hit One Final Beat to retain the NXT North American title.
Last night’s show also featured the announcement of the 2020 NXT year-end awards and the final build to next Wednesday’s New Year’s Evil episode. Ahead of their rematch at New Year’s Evil, Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly’s NXT Championship match from TakeOver 31 won NXT Match of the Year. Io Shirai won NXT Overall Competitor of the Year and NXT Female Competitor of the Year, while Adam Cole won NXT Male Competitor of the Year.
The Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado) made an appearance on last night’s show. They interrupted a promo by Legado Del Fantasma and then defeated Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde in a tag team match. It was later announced that Metalik will challenge for Santos Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship at New Year’s Evil.
NXT closes out 2020 tonight with a North American title match, Roderick Strong vs. Pete Dunne, and the announcement of the 2020 year-end awards.
Johnny Gargano will once again attempt to break his title defense curse as he defends the NXT North American Championship against Leon Ruff tonight. The match was announced after Ruff got a surprise win against Timothy Thatcher last week.
Dunne attacked Strong at ringside during last week’s Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream main event. He laid out Strong by hitting the Bitter End on the apron.
Last Wednesday, WWE opened up fan voting to help determine the winners of Breakout Star of the Year, Rivalry of the Year, Tag Team of the Year, Male Competitor of the Year, Female Competitor of the Year, Event of the Year, Future Star, and Match of the Year. NXT and NXT UK are both represented in the nominees.
Plus, Bronson Reed vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott will kick off tonight’s show, Mercedes Martinez will return to action after attacking NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai last week, Breezango take on The Grizzled Young Veterans, and there will be a special look at the history between Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez ahead of their Last Woman Standing match at New Year’s Evil next Wednesday.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a graphic honoring the memory of Jon Huber.
Kicking off the episode is a singles match.
Bronson Reed defeate Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
Reed pinned Scott clean after a splash off the top rope they’re calling “The Tsunami.”
Scott in the early moments tried to use his quickness, but Reed mowed him over. Reed leapt off the apron with a flying shoulder tackle on the floor. Scott turned the tide moments later, and he did a crotch chop like it was 1997.
Scott targeted a knee, and he got a near fall after a flatliner. He began to work the leg, but Reed was able to counter with sit-down splash. Reed made a comeback, and he chokeslammed Scott for a near fall.
Reed soon ended the bout with a flying splash off the top, and he covered Scott for the pinfall.
NXT Breakout Star of the Year — Shotzi Blackheart
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano was leading The Way into the building. They were cocky, until Gargano saw a black cat crossing his path. He feared that was bad luck.
The Vets tried working over Breeze, untill Fandango tagged in. Breezango then with some double-team offense. Gibson still almost stole a pin on Breeze.
Fandango jumped off part a lighting grid into a flying body press before the show cut to a commercial break. The Vets got heat on Fandango after the break as they worked him over.
Breeze in off a hot tag, but is smashed by the Vets. Fandango tried to make a save, but he was shoved into the ring steps. That furthered injured the leg the heels had worked over.
Outnumbered two-to-one, Breeze soon took a Ticket To Mayhem. Gibson then covered him to score the pinfall.
Ever-Rise after the match acted like they wanted to storm the ring, but they were geeks. Referee Aja Smith was holding them back until she got tired of their crap. She left, and no one was left to hold them back. They quickly begged off.
During the match, the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic was announced as returning in two weeks!
NXT Tag Team of the Year — Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish)
Xia Li & Boa return next week.
Mercedes Martinez defeated Valentina Feroz
Martinez pinned Feroz in a showcase match. Martinez looked like a badass. Probably because she is one.
Martinez ragdolled Feroz, and she dominated the match. She talked trash, and she slapped her around. Martinez concluded with an Air Raid Crash, and then she scored the pinfall.
NXT Female Competitor of the Year — Io Shirai
NXT Make Competitor of the Year — Adam Cole
Next up is a grude match.
Pete Dunne defeated Roderick Strong
Dunne pinned Strong clean after a great bout.
They began with fisticuffs like a grudge match is supposed to start. No lock-ups. They locked horns instead. The bout was intense when it began.
Dunne began to work over Strong, but Strong fought back. He suplexed Dunne over a barricade before the show cut to commercial. Dunne during the break blocked a superplex, and he leapt off the middle rope with a double stomp on Strong’s hands.
Dunne continued to work over Strong after the break. Strong soon made a comeback, and he rallied into a flurry of offense. However, Strong missed a wrecking ball dropkick, and Dunne posted him into the ring steps. Nevertheless, Strong countered a Bitter End. Strong then gave Dunne a full nelson slam on the apron.
The fight returned to the ring, and Strong tried to continue his rally. Dunne caught him in a triangle. Strong powered out with a deadlift powerbomb Dunne for a near fall.
Dunne tried again for the triangle. There was a struggle as Strong tried to pull away. Dunne snapped Strong’s fingers, and Dunne followed with The Bitter End for a pinfall.
NXT Match of the Year — Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly from TakeOver 31 on October 4th
William Regal was going to present the awards to the two winners, but NXT Champion Finn Balor had other ideas. He took the award plaque and said he would present it to O’Reilly. Balor then went to the ring.
Balor began to cut a promo when Kyle O’Reilly interrupted him. O’Reilly came out to confront Cole face-to-face in the ring.
O’Reilly went to pick up his plaque. Balor told him he deserved it, but Balor said he himself did not need it. Balor had the championship instead. He also doesn’t need a trophy to remind him of their match. Balor has three steal plates in his jaw that remind him every single day. Balor went on to say the only thing that trophy is good for is gather dust.
O’Reilly said the trophy did mean something to him. It is proof he is a top guy in NXT, but he is not going to carry it around. It is participation award, and O’Reilly said he has been participating for 15 years. He is done with that. O’Reilly wants the title.
O’Reilly went on to cut a fiery promo vowing to take home the NXT Championship. Balor replied he was going to make O’Reilly suffer. O’Reilly broke his jaw last time, so next time Balor is going to make him pay. Balor said something that was bleeped.
They were suddenly interrupted by Scarlett & Karrion Kross. Scarlett said the tittle belongs to them. No matter who wins, the winner’s fate is sealed. Kross warned that doomsday is here.
Damian Priest confronted Kross on the stage. Priest got in his face and said this how you step to a man, and then Priest clobbered Kross. A brawl erupted on the stage. The brawling continued around the set, and they did the Mankind-HBK spot from Mind Games. They crashed through a table before the show faded to a commercial.
After the break was a featurette documenting the feud between Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez.
El Legado Del Fantasma came to the ring for a promo. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar said they had a great year. He called Undisputed Era winning tag team of the year a sham. He went on to say no can touch him as Cruiserweight Champion. In 2021 the success will continue.
Escobar was interuppted by Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik from Lucha House Party. The two teams brawled with each other, which led to an impromptu match.
The technicos got to shine, but the rudos soon got heat on Dorado. Metalik cleaned house after hot tag. Dorado with a flying body press, but a pinning attempt was broken up.
Metalik with a hurricanrana off the apron sends Wilde to the floor. Dorado gives Mendoza a poison rana. Metalik then walked the top rope, and he leapt into a flying elbow drop. Metalik then covered Mendoza for the pinfall.
NXT Future Star of the Year — Austin Theory
The Way was with Theory to present him with his plaque. Theory slipped up and said the word “curse” in front of Gargano, and Gargano flipped out. He threw Theory’s bottle of protein powder across the room. It shattered a mirror. More bad luck for Johnny Wrestling. He felt doomed as he went to the ring, but then he walked under a ladder as he stormed off.
NXT Rivalry of the Year — Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee
Overall Competitor of the Year — Io Shirai
And now for the main event of the evening…
NXT Champion Johnny Gargano defeated Leon Ruff to retain his title
Gargano pinned Ruff to win the match and end the curse.
Ruff with counters and reversals had Gargano on the ropes in the early portion of the match. The story being that the curse was weighing on Gargano’s mind.
After being thrown outside, Ruff was reeling when Gargano tried to throw him into the barricades. Ruff instead leapt onto the chainlink barricade like a spider. He jumped from the barricade to the ring steps, and then back to the barricade like Spider-Man. He then kicked Gargano in the face, and jumped into a hurricanrana on the floor.
Theory at ringside caused a distraction, and Gargano cut off Ruff. Gargano with tope suicida, and then he sent Ruff crashing into the ring steps. The show then cut to its final commercial break.
Gargano was in control throughout the break. Ruff tried to fire up after the show returned from the break, but Gargano dashed the hope spot. Ruff soon countered Gargano, and he hit Gargano with a kick.
Ruff rallied into a comeback. He fired up on Gargano, and Ruff delivered a hanging neckbreaker. A moment later he followed with a German suplex. Ruff with a cannonball in a corner for a near fall. However, Ruff ran into a superkick.
Gargano threw Ruff into the corner like a lawn dart, and then another superkick for a near fall. They traded counters. Gargano with a lariat and a powerbomb. Ruff kicked out, but he became caught in the Gargano Escape. Ruff crawled over to get a rope break.
Ruff flew off the apron to nail Gargano with a flying cutter on the floor. Following up with a frog splash, Ruff went for a cover. Gargano managed to kicked out. They were fighting on the turnbuckle, when Gargano dropped Ruff into a snake eyes of sorts.
Gargano executed One Final Beat, and he covered Ruff for the pinfall. The curse is broken. Gargano retains.
Two matches have been announced for the final NXT episode of 2020.
WWE has announced that Johnny Gargano will defend his North American Championship against Leon Ruff on NXT next Wednesday (December 30). Roderick Strong vs. Pete Dunne is also set for the episode.
With help from Austin Theory, Gargano regained the North American Championship by defeating Ruff and Damian Priest in a triple threat match at TakeOver: WarGames earlier this month. Gargano had lost the title to Ruff in November. In storyline, Gargano was trying to break his title defense curse by facing Ruff. Ruff got the win after a distraction by Priest.
Next week’s Gargano vs. Ruff match will be the first title defense of Gargano’s current North American title reign. He’s a three-time North American Champion.
Ruff got another surprise win on NXT tonight when he pinned Timothy Thatcher with a cradle as Thatcher was going for a submission. Thatcher had promised to take liberties with Ruff and told Tommaso Ciampa to come and fight him. Thatcher attacked Ruff after the match until Ciampa made the save.
Gargano & Theory defeated Ruff & Kushida in a tag team match on last week’s NXT. Theory pinned Ruff in that match. The Way (Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, and Theory) didn’t appear in person on this week’s show, but they were featured in multiple “A Very Gargano Christmas” segments.
After losing to Kyle O’Reilly last week in a match to decide NXT Champion Finn Balor’s challenger for New Year’s Evil, Dunne attacked Strong at ringside during the Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream main event on tonight’s NXT. Dunne laid out Strong by hitting the Bitter End on the apron.
Next week’s NXT will also include the announcement of the 2020 NXT year-end awards. Plus, the episode will feature the final build to NXT New Year’s Evil. New Year’s Evil is taking place on Wednesday, January 6.
