WWE has made a few announcements for next week’s episode of NXT.
During the main event of tonight’s NXT, it was announced on commentary that “A Very Gargano Christmas” will take place on NXT next Wednesday (December 23). It will feature The Way (NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, and Austin Theory).
Gargano & Theory teamed together to defeat Leon Ruff & Kushida on NXT tonight. Later in the show, Shotzi Blackheart defeated Hartwell by disqualification when Hartwell hit Blackheart with the trophy that Gargano gave LeRae after NXT TakeOver: WarGames. Hartwell and LeRae laid out Blackheart with a Wicked Stepsister stomp after the match.
Team Candice (LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm) defeated Team Shotzi (Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai) in the women’s WarGames match at TakeOver earlier this month. LeRae is out of action after injuring her arm during the match.
A rematch and a return are also set for next Wednesday’s NXT. WWE has announced that Jake Atlas vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott will take place on the show. Bronson Reed will also make his return, appearing on NXT for the first time since October 21.
Atlas defeated Scott on last week’s NXT by reversing a pin attempt. After the match, Scott refused to shake Atlas’ hand.
Scott took part in a backstage interview on tonight’s NXT and was asked about refusing the handshake. Scott said he gets frustrated when he loses and everyone is blowing the handshake out of proportion. Scott went to say that he especially gets frustrated when losing to someone like Atlas. Scott caught himself and said Atlas is a hell of an athlete and deserves to be in NXT. But Scott said he’s been in NXT longer and has been working on his craft longer than Atlas, so losing to someone like Atlas is going to get to him a little bit.
Scott then announced that he just got out of NXT general manager William Regal’s office and they agreed that Scott will face Atlas in a rematch next Wednesday.
WWE has made their first match announcement for next week’s episode of NXT.
Leon Ruff & Kushida will team against NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory on NXT next Wednesday. It was originally said that Ruff would be teaming with Damian Priest next week, but there was an angle on tonight’s NXT where Priest was attacked by the returning Karrion Kross and put through a table.
Ruff’s North American Championship reign came to an end when Gargano defeated Ruff and Priest in a triple threat match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames this past Sunday. Priest looked to be on the verge of winning near the end of the match, but Theory interfered while wearing a Ghostface costume and hit Priest with a lead pipe. After Gargano pinned Ruff to win the North American Championship, Theory unmasked to reveal that the Ghostface was him.
In a segment on tonight’s NXT, Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, and Theory celebrated Gargano and LeRae’s wins from TakeOver: WarGames. Priest went to come out to the ring but was attacked by Kross. Priest had insulted Kross earlier in the show by asking Scarlett if she usually tells Kross to wait in the car while she handles his business. Priest told Scarlett that if Kross wanted to come back and pick a fight, all he had to do was step to Priest like a man.
Gargano and Theory later interrupted an interview with Ruff and taunted him, telling him there’s no way Priest will be ready for their match next Wednesday. Gargano challenged Ruff to face them in a handicap match next week. Kushida then came up to Ruff and offered to team with him in next week’s match.
Johnny Gargano is now a three-time NXT North American Champion.
The unexpected title reign of Leon Ruff came to an end as Gargano defeated Ruff and Damian Priest in a triple threat match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames tonight. Gargano hit One Final Beat and pinned Ruff after getting help from the returning Austin Theory.
Several people wearing Ghostface costumes from the movie “Scream” got involved in tonight’s match and tried to help Gargano. Two groups of people in Ghostface costumes were taken out by Priest hitting dives to the outside. But as Priest was going for The Reckoning on Gargano at the end of the match, another person in a Ghostface costume appeared and hit Priest with a lead pipe. It was revealed to be Theory when he unmasked after Gargano’s win. Theory said it was him all along and celebrated with Gargano after the match.
Gargano had won the North American Championship from Priest at NXT Halloween Havoc this October after interference by someone wearing a Ghostface costume. Gargano tried to break his title defense curse by facing Ruff two weeks after Halloween Havoc, but Ruff won the title after Priest distracted Gargano. Ruff then retained the North American Championship in a rematch against Gargano after Priest punched Ruff so the match would end in a disqualification and Gargano wouldn’t win the title back. Ruff got mad at Priest for treating him like a joke and has been feuding with Gargano and Priest since.
This was the first time Theory has appeared since an angle on the October 21 episode of NXT where Theory said he was quitting after losing two matches to Bronson Reed.
Gargano is the only wrestler who has held the North American Championship multiple times.
WWE has added two new matches to the card for NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
The North American Championship will be on the line at TakeOver: WarGames as Leon Ruff defends his title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest in a triple threat match. Dexter Lumis and Cameron Grimes will also face off in a strap match at TakeOver.
The North American Championship match was announced after Gargano and then Priest interrupted a KO Show segment with Ruff as the guest on NXT tonight. Ruff shockingly won the title on NXT two weeks ago after getting help from Priest distracting Gargano.
Ruff and Gargano faced off in a rematch last week, but the match ended in a disqualification when Priest punched Ruff so Gargano wouldn’t be able to win the title back. Ruff wasn’t happy with Priest treating him like a joke. He slapped Priest and later got the better of a three-way brawl with Gargano and Priest.
Lumis and Grimes have previously faced each other in a Haunted House of Terror match and a blindfold match. Grimes defeated Jake Atlas on NXT tonight, but Lumis appeared after the match and taunted Grimes. Lumis pulled a strap out and threw it toward Grimes.
Here’s the updated card for TakeOver:
WarGames match: Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) vs. Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch)
WarGames match: Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart and three partners to be announced) vs. Team Candice (Candice LeRae; Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm)
NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff defends his title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest in a triple threat match
Two of the top stars in NXT will face off for the NXT Women’s Championship tonight.
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defends her title against Rhea Ripley on tonight’s episode of NXT. Shirai issued the challenge to Ripley two weeks ago, saying Ripley is the one challenge she must face to show that this is her NXT. Ripley accepted and vowed to end this year as champion.
Ripley lost the NXT Women’s Championship to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36. Shirai then became champion by defeating Ripley and Charlotte in a triple threat match at NXT TakeOver: In Your House this June.
After last week’s shocking title change, Johnny Gargano will get his rematch for the NXT North American Championship against Leon Ruff. Gargano tried to break his title defense curse by facing Ruff last week, but Ruff won the North American Championship after Gargano was distracted by Damian Priest.
NXT Champion Finn Balor will appear for the first time since undergoing surgery for a broken jaw last month. Balor will give an update on the future of the NXT Championship.
Plus, Dexter Lumis vs. Cameron Grimes in a blindfold match and Ember Moon & Toni Storm vs. Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez are set for tonight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with new NXT North American Champiob Leon Ruff and a recap of his title win. Ruff came out with the belt before a video package began to tell the story of his journey. Johnny Gargano interrupted Ruff, and Gargano cut a promo on him. He then hit Ruff with a cheap shot before the bell rang to start their title match.
NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff defeated Johnny Gargano via disqualification to retain his title
Ruff retained after interference by Damian Priest led to a DQ.
Gargano got heat on Ruff from the start, but Ruff fought back. He fired up on Gargano. That led to Ruff doing a flip dive over the ropes. Gargano cut him off, and then he twice threw Ruff like a lawn dart into a corner.
Gargano was measuring Ruff for an attack when Damian Priest entered the scene. His presence distracted Gargano, and Ruff rolled him up for a near fall. Ruff missed a senton bomb, and he ate a superkick from Gargano.
Gargano delivered the One Final Beat, and he covered Ruff. Priest came down to ringside, and he pulled Ruff out of the ring to break the count. Priest apologized to Ruff before knocking him out with a forearm smash. Priest striking Ruff led to Gargano being DQ’d, so Ruff retains the title. Gargano was not happy to say the least.
Cameron Grimes was cut a cocky promo ahead of his match tonight.
Dexter Lumis vs. Cameron Grimes in a blindfold match had no finish
Grimes punched the referee, but it was by mistake. So that could be a DQ, or maybe not. Nothing was announced as being official. Your guess is as good as mine.
They put the blindfolds on, which were more like sacks over their heads than a typical blindfold. Grimes was freaking out as he ran into things while bumping around the ring. Lumis just stood like a statue.
Grimes ran into the referee, and he thought it was Lumis. So Grimes decked him, and then he began stomping on the ref. The official was also the zombie Grimes had been terrified of in recent weeks.
Grimes took off his blindfold, and saw it was the referee that he knocked out. He tried for a sneak attack on Lumis, but Lumis sidestepped him. Lumis peppered him with punches, and Lumis also took his blindfold off.
Lumis stalked Grimes when he tried to flee. Lumis threw Grimes into the barricades. Grimes hopped a chainlink fence, and he fled the scene.
Damian Priest was backstage being scolded by William Regal, and Priest said he was just joking around. Leon Ruff interrupted to confront Priest. He asked Priest to his face if Priest thought he was a joke. Priest tried to apologize, but Ruff slapped him across the face. Ruff then stormed off, and Regal told Priest that he deserved the slap.
A video aired announcing NXT TakeOver: WarGames for Sunday, December 6. Shotzi Blackheart and Candice LeRae will captain teams against each other.
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro
LeRae pinned Carter to a win a showcase match for the new heel team.
Heat on Catanzaro until Carter tagged in to clean house on the heels. LeRae eventually got the better of Carter, and then LeRae executed the Wicked Step Sister to score a pinfall.
A vignette hyped the return of Arturo Ruas ahead of his match up next.
Kushida defeated Arturo Ruas
Kushida pinned Ruas in the best match so far. Although that is a low bar, this was still good while it lasted. They grappled and exchanged strikes in a believable manner.
Ruas went for a leg takedown, but Kushida countered by falling backwards and bridging into a pinning combination for a three count. They hyped up Ruas’ return, and then beat him clean. Interesting strategy for getting him over.
Ember Moon & Toni Storm defeated Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez
Storm pinned Kai to wn the match for her team. The babyfaces were attacked after the match by LeRae & Hartwell.
Storm was getting worked over at the start, but she made a comeback on Kai. Moon tagged in, and the babyface team cleared the ring before a commercial break. The heels turned the tide during the break, and Storm was getting worked over again when the show returned from commercial.
Moon ran wild after a hot tag, she nailed Gonzalez with a superkick. Moon then leapt off the second rope to hit a flying codebreaker. Moon went for a cover, but Kai broke up the count. Moments later, Gonzalez mowed down Moon with a high kick.
Heels got heat on Moon until a hot tag brought Storm back into the match. Storm delivered a series of German suplexes, and then a fisherman’s buster for a two count broken up by Gonzalez. Moon came back in to take out Gonzalez. Storm and Kai collided with a double clotheslines, leading to a double down.
Kai and Storm exchanged strikes. The referee became distracted, and Gonzalez posted Storm. Moon saw it happen, and she leapt through the ropes for a tope on Gonzalez. Kai went to drag Storm to the center of the ring, but Storm with a counter that trapped Kai in an inside cradle for the pinfall.
LeRae & Hartwell after the match attacked Moon & Storm. They rolled the babyfaces back into the ring so Kai & Gonzalez could lay them out. This looks to be leading to the women’s War Games match.
Timothy Thatcher defeated August Grey
Thatcher submitted Grey in a short match. Tommaso Ciampa confronted Thatcher after the match.
Grey got in some brief offense at the start, and then Thatcher picked him apart. Thatcher stretched Grey until Grey made a brief comeback. He tired a rope walk into a springboard, but Thatcher cut him down with an uppercut. Thatcher went on to lock in a front facelock, and Grey tapped out.
Thatcher reapplied the submission hold after the bell. Cue Ciampa’s music, and Ciampa came to the ring to confront Thatcher. He had a staredown with Thatcher, who told Ciampa he had no problem with him. Thatcher then backed down, and he left the ring.
In a later interview, Ciampa said he wanted to fight Thatcher.
Gargano Attacks Priest; Ruff Stands Tall
Damian Priest came to the ring for a match, and Johnny Gargano attacked him from behind during Priest’s entrance. They brawled in the ring and around ringside. Leon Ruff ran in, and he seemingly by mistake (in storyline) hit Priest with a dropkick. A tilt-a-whirl headscissors from Ruff then sent Gargano crashing into Priest. Ruff superkicked Gargano.
An angry Priest went after Ruff, but he sidestepped Priest. Ruff dropkicked into each other, and Ruff backdropped Gargano over the ropes on to Priest. Ruff stood tall and held his title belt high overhead. Priest and Grargano both rushed the ring, but Ruff slipped past them.
During a commercial break, Ruff told Regal he would face both Gargano and Priest in a match.
Wade Barrett announced he won’t be doing commentary on next week’s episode. Replacing him for next Wednesday is Kevin Owens on guest commentary.
Boa had not reported to the PC since last week, so William Regal went to Boa’s home to check on him. Through the dark circles around his eyes, Boa warned Regal “she’s coming.”
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defeated Rhea Ripley to retain her title
Shirai pinned Ripley to retain. This was a helluva stiff match, and it was pretty good too.
Ripley was in control at the start. She dominated with her power. Ripley dropped Shirai on the apron, and Shirai took a hard shot. During the picture-in-picture commercial break, Ripley stalled while medical staff checked on Shirai.
Like the NWO arriving to Nirto in the middle of the show, Finn Balor supposedly arrived to the building during this match.
Shirai made a comeback and she fired up on Ripley. Somehow Ripley suffered a cut, and she bled from the ear. Ripley ate a stiff shotgun dropkick, yet she still managed to escape a crossface.
They fought on, and Shirai targeted an arm. Shirai went to work on the arm, including a shoulde breaker spot on the apron. The match went through another picture-and-picture commercial break.
The show returned from the break with Ripley giving Shirai a superplex as the momentum had shifted in the match. Ripley kept selling her shoulder, but she was still in control. Ripley applied her inverted cloverleaf submission hold, and she turned it into a giant swing. Shirai managed to reach the bottom rope to break the hold.
Shirai countered the Rip Tide, and Shirai locked in a cross armbreaker. Ripley got a rope break. Shirai with a Tiger Feint Kick, and then she delivered a missile dropkick for a near fall.
Barrett on commentary said “this entire audience is on the their feet.” Well, the live crowd has no seats. So they sort of have to remain standing during the show. [Insert Toru Yano shrug.]
Shirai missed a moonsault, and Ripley hit her with a lariat for another near fall. Shirai again countered the Rip Tide, and she spiked Ripley with a DDT.
Ripley was on the apron when Shirai went for a sunset flip powerbomb. Ripley tried to block it to no avail. Shirai powerbombed Ripley through an announce desk. Ripley teased a countout, but she managed to break the count.
Soon as Ripley got back into the ring, Shirai came off the top rope with a moonsault. Shriai then covered Ripley for a pinfall to retain the title.
Finn Balor Speaks; Undisputed Era Returns
NXT Champion Finn Balor entered the ring for a promo. He congratulated Shirai on her win, as she has just left the ring. Balor said he broke his jaw in two places. Now he has three plates in his jaw that say he is a “bad son of a…” Before Balor could finish his curse word, Pat McAfee and company interrupted him.
McAfee said Balor is in their house now, and McAfee continued to brag about all of the people in NXT they took out since Balor was away. McAfee and his heel faction surrounded Balor, and McAfee told Balor to hand over the title.
Balor said when the cat is away the mice will play. The cat is back, and look what he dragged in…
Undisputed Era made a surprise return, and they were in full force. Adam Cole was back alongside Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish & Roderick Strong. They rushed the ring for a melee with McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch.
Cole laid out McAfee with a kick at ringside. The brawling continued as the show went off the air. Looks like they’ll settle this in War Games.
A shocking title change took place on last night’s NXT.
With the help of Damian Priest, Leon Ruff defeated Johnny Gargano last night to win the NXT North American Championship. Ruff got the win with a crucifix bomb after Gargano was distracted by Priest.
In storyline, Gargano was looking to break his title defense curse by facing an easy opponent. Gargano’s “Wheel of Challengers” that decided his opponent had Ruff’s name written over one of the spots and was made so it would land on Ruff’s name.
Priest celebrated with Ruff on the stage as Gargano was furious and in shock about his loss. Priest tried to put the North American title around Ruff’s waist, but it fell off due to Ruff being too small.
Gargano had won the North American title from Priest at Halloween Havoc two weeks ago after getting help from interference by someone wearing a Scream costume. That person was revealed to be Indi Hartwell last night.
Ruff, who is a former EVOLVE Tag Team Champion, has been making frequent appearances on WWE television since March. He was officially announced as a new Performance Center signee last month.
Two other title matches also took place on last night’s show. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defended their NXT Tag Team titles against former champions Breezango in the main event. Santos Escobar also put his NXT Cruiserweight Championship on the line against Jake Atlas.
A shocking title change opened tonight’s episode of NXT.
Leon Ruff defeated Johnny Gargano on tonight’s show to win the NXT North American Championship. Ruff got help from Gargano being distracted by Damian Priest.
In storyline, Gargano was looking to break his curse of never being able to successfully defend a title. He had promised that he would be facing a “worthy opponent” tonight. Gargano opened the show in the ring with the “Wheel of Challengers.” It had Ruff’s name written over one of the spots and was made so it would land on Ruff’s name.
Gargano was distracted by Priest appearing in the crowd during the match. That allowed Ruff to hit a crucifix bomb and pin Gargano to win the title.
As Gargano looked on in disbelief, Priest celebrated with Ruff on the stage. Priest put the North American title around Ruff’s waist, but it fell off due to Ruff being too small.
There was a segment after the match where Ruff was being interviewed backstage. Priest told Ruff that Gargano is going to be pissed and try to kick his ass, so Priest told Ruff to take the black Challenger that was outside. Gargano then came looking for Ruff. Gargano shoved Priest and had to be stopped by officials. Gargano asked whose stupid idea tonight’s title match was — and Priest pointed out that it was Gargano’s.
Gargano became NXT North American Champion by winning the title from Priest in a Devil’s Playground match at Halloween Havoc two weeks ago. The stipulation was determined by Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal. Gargano won after getting help via interference from someone wearing a Scream costume. The person in the costume was presumably Indi Hartwell.
Ruff is a former EVOLVE Tag Team Champion and was officially introduced as a WWE signee when last month’s Performance Center class was unveiled. Ruff has made several appearances on WWE television since March.
Three title matches will be taking place on tonight’s episode of NXT.
Johnny Gargano has vowed to break his title defense curse and successfully defend the NXT North American Championship tonight. Gargano promised to face a “worthy opponent” that will be determined by the Wheel of Challengers.
The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line as Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defend against Breezango. Breezango are getting their rematch for the titles after losing them to Lorcan & Burch three weeks ago. Lorcan & Burch aligned with Pat McAfee and got help from him to win the titles. McAfee, Lorcan, Burch & Pete Dunne are now calling themselves the Kings of NXT.
Santos Escobar defends his NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Jak
e Atlas. Atlas has been out for vengeance against Legado del Fantasma since Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde cost him a non-title match against Escobar two weeks ago.
After Candice LeRae got involved in her match last week, Toni Storm will face LeRae tonight. Storm defeated Shotzi Blackheart last Wednesday after Blackheart was distracted by LeRae appearing on the video screen. LeRae then destroyed Blackheart’s tank.
Plus, Raquel Gonzalez vs. Xia Li is set for tonight’s show. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a Veteran’s Day video.
Gargano opened the show in the ring. He revealed a wheel of challengers, telling people in the crowd to “respect the wheel”. He admitted that the first time he won and defended the title, he lost. But then he became NXT Champion. He eventually spun the wheel and somehow, it landed on a spot with “Leon Ruff” written hastily on white paper. And thus, the match began.
Leon Ruff defeated Johnny Gargano to win the NXT North American title
This was kind of a squash match (until the finish) but Ruff looked good in the spots he was given. This was far more about Damien Priest and Gargano.
Gargano dominated early, chopping Ruff in the corner. Ruff avoided a charge, switched positions around the turnbuckles and dropped Gargano with a dropkick. Gargano regained heat by throwing Ruff off the apron into the steel steps.
Gargano continued the assault outside the ring, throwing Ruff into the cage containing the crowd nearby. Damien Priest then appeared. Gargano initially mocked Priest, but when Priest emerged outside of the cage area, Gargano re-entered the ring.
Ruff tried to gain on this by rolling up Gargano, but Gargano kicked out. Gargano instead lawn-darted Ruff in the corner. He mocked Priest long enough for Ruff to counter with a crucifix bomb to pin Gargano and in the title. Yes, Leon Ruff has won the title.
Gargano was stunned by this development, to say the least. Ruff put the championship around his waist to celebrate, but as the referee held his hand up, the belt fell down, as you see, he’s very skinny.
Leon Ruff was being interviewed when Damien Priest came up to him and told him to take the black Challenger outside. Ruff exited as Gargano came in pissed and had to be restrained. Gargano acted like he never came up with the wheel stipulation in the first place.
In a WWE Network exclusive, Jake Atlas said he was tired of the numbers game. He got out of his car and attacked Legando del Fantasma with a pipe.
Santos Escobar defeated Jake Atlas to retain the NXT Cruiserweight title
This was perfectly fine, but nothing overwhelmingly great. A really good TV title match. There were a lot of things I liked about Atlas that seem lost in translation when going into the WWE Universe, and I will leave it at that.
Escobar controlled early. Atlas made a comeback. One of Legando del Fantasma tried to use the crowbar while Atlas was on the apron, but Atlas fended off both men. He got a nearfall with a springboard blockbuster.
Back from commercial, Escobar was back on offense as Legado del Fantasma tripped up Atlas during the break, and were thrown out. Escobar propped up Atlas and hit a hurricanrana off the top rope, followed by a frog splash. Atlas made a comeback, hitting a hurricanrana of his own. Escaobar, however, got heat back after pushing Atlas off the top rope and into the announcer’s table ringside. Escobar then threw Atlas into the steel steps.
Atlas came back with a dive, then followed in the ring with a rollup for a near fall. Escobar dropped Atlas into the middle rope then cut him off with a superkick. Atlas came back and tried for the cartwheel DDT, but Santos blocked it, double hooked the arms and drove Atlas face first into his knee, pinning Atlas to retain the championship.
Dexter Lumis was shown completing a drawing of Cameron Grimes running away from a zombie referee while Raquel Gonzalez was walking to the ring.
A video package was shown of Candice LeRae destroying Shotzi Blackheart’s tank. Blackheart said she wasn’t looking for payback or revenge, she was looking to kick Candice’s ass.
Gonzalez came out to the ring, but when it was time for Xia Li to come out, Boa arrived instead. Boa told Gonzalez that Li would not be able to wrestle her. Gonzalez was pissed and kicked Boa straight up in the temple. She threw him around ringside before throwing him back into the ring and delivering a big boot and a one-armed powerbomb.
The lights then went out and an image of a Chinese dragon appeared. An old guy came to the ring and delivered Boa a note. He then put black marking on his hand before leaving. Boa sold his hand like the marking had some sort of power on him.
August Grey was about to explain why he confronted Timothy Thatcher last week when Thatcher jumped him and applied a front facelock. He then threw Grey into Lumis’ drawing. Lumis stared at him.
Candice LeRae defeated Toni Storm
This was one of the better matches of the night. There was some good wrestling, save for the cheap finish.
Things started off with some chain wrestling. Storm held on and applied an armbar. Storm continued to build up momentum until she went for a running hip toss, but instead went into the steel steps, giving an opening to LeRae.
Back from break, Storm cut off LeRae as both tried to recover. Storm hit a fisherman’s suplex, She went to the top rope, but LeRae met her there and went for a twisting neckbreaker, but didn’t catch her. Storm countered with a legdrop off the top rope, but LeRae dodged. LeRae tripped Storm into the turnbuckle then rolled her up, pinning her using the ropes for leverage.
Storm attacked LeRae after the match when the Scream person came out and helped her assault Storm. Blackheart came out to even the odds, but the Scream person laid her out with a kick. The Scream person then took off the Scream mask, revealing….Indi Hartwell. Hartwell and LeRae posed in the ring, cementing her alliance.
Breezango said it would not be fun Breezango coming out. Breeze promised they would regain the titles.
Timothy Thatcher defeated Dexter Lumis
This was fine. I was expecting a lot worse, but it was just your typical WWE TV match.
Lumis immediately took down Thatcher with a Thesz press as Thatcher recovered on the outside. Lumis gained control, putting Thatcher in a submission. He then laid out Thatcher with a spinebuster, but favored his arm after. He hit a dropkick and sent Thatcher to the floor. Thatcher regained control outside of the ring, but Lumis started to make a comeback until Thatcher shoved Lumis bad arm first into the post.
Back from commercial, Lumis cut off Thatcher and went to the top rope slowly. Thatcher cut him off with a European uppercut, but Lumis shoved him off and hit a swanton bomb. Thatcher shoved Lumis into Cameron Grimes, who was on the apron, then rolled him up for the win.
Grimes jumped Lumis after the match, but Lumis rose and stared down Grimes. He went for the attack, but Grimes cut him off and choked him with a burlap sack. He then connected with a knee into the corner. Lumis tried to fight back with a chair, but ended up sitting in it as Grimes laid him out with a double foot stomp. Grimes told Lumis that he wasn’t scared of him.
Gargano told William Regal he had calmed down and wanted to reverse the results. Regal told him no. Gargano was mad and said it was a goof, a joke. Regal said the decision stood and Leon Ruff is the new North American champion. Gargano didn’t like hearing that.
Ciampa promo. He mentioned that he has been in this business for 16 years and remembers being trained by the likes of Harley Race and Killer Kowalski. He said times have certainly changed, and everyone is talking. Bark enough and people begin to feel to their bite. He never thought he would be the last of a dying breed, but this culture, the 2020 locker room culture, is going to change. Ciampa is that change.
They aired a Prime Target segment covering the rivalry between Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley. That match will take place next week.
Pat McAfee. Pete Dunne, Danny Burch, and Oney Lorcan came out. McAfree put over Pete Dunne attacking Roderick Strong and Killian Dain. He talked about getting text messages from Tom Brady and others as he headed to Florida, thinking about what he was going to say. He buried the announce team and finished the promo by saying “let’s do this”. He’s really great in this role.
Cameron Grimes was elated about laying out Dexter Lumis. He said he was afraid of him, but then he covered him up Lumis’ creepy eyes. He said he was going somewhere where he’s gotta be, very happy about his actions.
NXT Champion Finn Balor, who has been out with an injured jaw, will appear on next week’s show.
Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan defeated Breezango to retain the NXT Tag Team titles
Good main event. The McAfee stable act immediately has some good main event level presence. After months of feeling forgotten, the tag team division in NXT seems to be shaping up.
Burch and Lorcan immediately started by taking Breezango outside of the ring to the floor. Fandango manages to get the upper hand on Burch as he tagged in Breeze. He hit a snap suplex and tagged in Lorcan, who was taken to the corner and worked over by Breezango. Burch was thrown into McAfee, who was at the announcer’s table, as they headed to the break.
Burch worked over Breeze while commercials ran. McAfee was at ringside as Breezango regained control. Fandango went for a sunset flip powerbomb on Lorcan, but when McAfee tried to catch the referee’s attention, Drake Maverick came in and laid out Lorcan, letting Fandango hit the top rope leg drop for a nearfall.
Dunne came in and sent McAfee into the ring so he could send Breeze off the apron. Burch it tagged in, which Fandango didn’t see. Burch headbutted Fandango, allowing him to be set up for an elevated DDT, giving the win to the champions.
Everyone came in to celebrate, but Drake Maverick came in for the attack. He was quickly cut off as Dunne lifted him up and slammed him on the announcer’s table. Breezango came in for the save, but were both cut off. They set it up so McAfee could connect with a running knee into the face of Breeze, who was propped up on the announcers table. The show ended with McAfee adjusting the camera to show what was left of Breezango and Maverick.
A new North American Champion was crowned at NXT Halloween Havoc tonight.
With the help of an unidentified person wearing a Scream costume, Johnny Gargano defeated Damian Priest in a Devil’s Playground match at Halloween Havoc to win the NXT North American Championship. The stipulation of the match was determined by Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal. It was a no disqualification, no countout, falls count anywhere match.
Priest was going for The Reckoning on a platform when the person in the Scream costume appeared and hit Priest with a steel pipe. Gargano then gave Priest a DDT. The person in the Scream costume handed Gargano a cement tombstone, with Gargano using it as a weapon and knocking Priest off the platform. Gargano then pinned Priest to win the North American Championship.
The person in the Scream costume appeared again during tonight’s Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae NXT Women’s Championship match, but Shotzi Blackheart laid them out and Shirai retained her title. LeRae recently became aligned with Indi Hartwell.
Priest had been North American Champion since winning the then-vacant title in a five-way ladder match at NXT TakeOver XXX this August.
This is Gargano’s second reign with the North American Championship. He’s the first wrestler to hold the title twice.
For the first time in 20 years, Halloween Havoc makes its return tonight.
Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal will decide the stipulations for tonight’s title matches. NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai is defending her title against Candice LeRae, while LeRae’s husband Johnny Gargano is challenging Damian Priest for the NXT North American Championship.
Shotzi Blackheart is the host of tonight’s show. Coal miner’s glove on a pole match, blindfold match, casket match, Chamber of Horrors, biker’s chain match, buried alive match, devil’s playground match, boiler room brawl, Shotzi’s choice, weapons wild match, trick or street fight, and TLS match are the stipulation options on the wheel.
Three other matches have also been announced for tonight. Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez will collide as they face off on tonight’s show, Dexter Lumis and Cameron Grimes will meet in a Haunted House of Terror match, and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar will take on Jake Atlas in a non-title match.
Plus, Pat McAfee will make an appearance after returning to NXT last week and helping Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch win the NXT Tag Team titles.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a look at the impressive Halloween set design, and Shotzi Blackheart was screaming on the stage. She made sparks fly with a metal grinder, and then a rock guitarist started shredding on a guitar.
The guitar solo became the entrance theme for NXT North American Champion Damian Priest. He was in the ring, which had orange ropes for this speical episode.
An inflatable jack-o-lantern was on the stage for Johnny Gargano’s entrance. He sliced it open, and it began to deflate. Not a fan of Halloween I guess.
Blackheart spun the giant wheel on the stage, and the wheel landed on a “Devil’s Playground Match”. The stipulation is essentially a no DQ falls count anywhere match
Johnny Gargano defeated Damian Priest in a Devil’s Playground Match to win the NXT North American Championship
Gargano pinned Priest to win the title after interference by someone in a Scream costume.
Priest began to pummel Gargano at the start, and he whipped Gargano into a corner. Priest followed with Stinger splashes, and he also was wearing Mechanix gloves like Sting used to wear as his Crow persona.
Gargano eventually managed to cut off Priest, and Gargano sent him crashing into the ring steps. Gargano pulled out a kendo stick from underneath the ring, and Priest grabbed a baton. They faced off with weapons before a commercial break.
The brawling continued through the break. Priest picked up the ring steps, and he hit Gargano with the steps. Gargano tried to crawling up the ramp to escape, but Priest wrapped him up in the deflated jack-o-lantern.
As the show returned from commercial, Gargano leapt off the stage into a senton on Priest. Gargano hit Priest with a kendo stick as the brawl moved back into the ring. Gargano went for a kick, and Priest clubbed him in the leg with a banton. Priest then gave Gargano a sit-out chokeslam for a near fall.
Gargano caught Priest with a kick, but Gargano sold his leg. He went for a tope, but Priest grabbed him by the throat. Gargano countered a chokeslam, and he sent Priest into the chainlink fencing around ringside.
Gargano with sliced bread on the ring steps for a near fall. Priest went on to counter Gargano, and Priest suplexed Gargano onto the announce desk. They brawled near the Halloween set. A mannequin scared Gargano, allowing Priest to gain an advantage. They brawled backstage, and Gargano rammed Priest into a roll-up door.
Gargano dumped trash on Priest, and the he put the trash can over Priest’s head. Gargano followed by sandwiching Priest with a cart. The show cut to commercial with Gargano in control. During the break, Gargano used a crowbar to apply the Gargano Escape. Priest teased tapping, so I guess submissions count anywhere along with falls counting anywhere.
After the break, Gargano climbed onto the stage that held the wheel gimmick. Priest connected when he flung a trash can at Gargano. Moments later, Gargano countered Priest to deliver a superkick. Gargano repeatedly hit Priest with a metal trash can. Priest came back with a kick, and then kicked the trash can into Gargano’s face like a Van Daminator.
Someone in a Scream costume from behind hit Priest with a metal pipe. Gargano with a DDT to Priest on the stage. The person in the Scream costume handed Gargano a tombstone, and Gargano hit Priest with it. The tombstone shattered, and Priest fell off the stage. Gargano then pinned Priest to win the title.
Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett were at ringside on commentary. Joseph was dressed as Waldo from Where’s Waldo. Barrett said he dressed as his favorite superstar, Bad News Barrett. He said he had some bad news for Joseph, and Barrett declared himself the winner of the costume contest.
Pete Dunne returns to join up with Pat McAfee
McAfee came to the ring to cut promo. He was flanked by new NXT Tag Team Champions — Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch. McAfee buried the fans before talking about Adam Cole. He was upset about losing to Cole.
McAfee claimed he was unable to come back and “handle” Cole because McAfee had other media projects. So McAfee said he gave Ridge Holland a Mercedes for attacking Cole. After Holland was injured, McAfee said he tried to recruit Burch & Lorcan. They turned him down until they lost to Undisputed Era, and then they came back to make a deal to align with McAfee.
Kyle O’Reilly interrupted them, and he marched towards the ring. Pete Dunne made a surprise return to presumably have O’Reilly’s back. Dunne had two chair. He gave one to O’Reilly. They squared off with McAfee’s squad. Dunne then turned on O’Reilly, and he hit him with a chair. Dunne is seemingly aligned with McAfee and company.
The heels beat down O’Reilly. Burch & Lorcan gave him a draping DDT on a chair, and the heels stood over O’Reilly.
Cameron Grimes was upset and scared to get in a van. The vechile was supposed to take him to the Haunted House of Terror. Grimes wanted to ride shotgun, but a zombie was in the seat. That scared Grimes. Michael Hayes popped out of the van as “Badstreet USA” played over the speakers. Grimes reluctantly got into the van, and it sped away.
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Esobar defeated Jake Atlas in a non-title match
Esobar pinned Atlas with help from henchmen at ringside. Two matches so far, and both ended after outside interference. This cruiserweight match was also rushed, and it was very short. Just as it got going, it ended.
Esobar wore a Phantom costume, simialr to what Rey Mysterio wore in his classic match against Eddie Guerrero at Halloween Havoc in 1997. Escobar also had half of his face painted like a sugar mask to commemorate Dia de Muertos.
Atlas was in trouble at the outset, but he soon made a comeback. He got some near falls on Escobar, and Atlas executed a handstand DDT. He went to cover Escobar, but Escobar’s henchmen put his feet on the rope to break the count. Atlas responded by doing a running flip dive on to Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde.
Mendoza put on what was seemingly a loaded mask, and he gave Atlas a headbutt. After Atlas was rolled back into the ring, and Escobar delivered his new finisher. Escobar then covered Atlas for a pinfall.
Cameron Grimes vs. Dexter Lumis in a Haunted House of Terroris “to be continued”
This was like a B-level horror movie, except with no finish. At least not yet.
The van from earlier arrived at a haunted house, and a frightened Grimes climbed out. Grimes tried to act tough, he kept getting scared. Lumis was seen lurking around as Grimes wandered around the house.
Grimes approached a referee to ask about the rules. The ref spooked him, and Lumis then appeared out of nowhere. Grimes was able to escspe his clutches, and Grimes ran away.
Lumis stalked Grimes like a horror movie villian. Grimes locked himself in a bathroom, and he saw the silhouette of a naked women taking a shower. Suddenly, Grimes felt very romantic. He took off his vest and went to get into the shower with the woman. She was a zombie that jumped out at him. He fled in fear.
Grimes ran around saying he was done. He wanted out of the house when Lumis grabbed him from behind. They brawled for a bit before Grimes was able to again escape the clutches of Lumis.
Grimes grabbed a weapon from the ktichen, but he was overtaken by more zombies. He ran to the van, and he got in. Lumis was in the van, which scared Grimes. A freaked out Grimes ran away into the darkness. To be continued…
Rhea Ripley defeated Raquel Gonzalez
Ripley pinned Gonzalez for the first clean finish on the show. Ripley looked strong, as did Gonzalez until she dropped the fall.
They exchanged strikes and slaps. Slugfest from the start, until Gonzalez began to stomp Ripley. Gonzalez would not leave her feet at first, even as Ripley hit her with some clotheslines. They mirrored each other several times.
Ripley eventually hit Gonzalez with a dropkick that sent her out of ther ring. Ripley followed with a wrecking ball dropkick, and then a somersault senton off the apron. Gonzalez soon countered Ripley, and she powerbombed Ripley into the chainlink fencing.
The show cut to a commercial break with Gonzalez in control. Gonzalez was applying a Gory Special as the show returned from break. Ripley fought back for a hope spot. Gonzalez cut her off for a two count.
Ripley created separation with a backdrop, and Ripley made a comeback. Ripley with a dropkick for a near fall as she fired up. She applied her inverted cloverleaf submission hold, but Ripley sold her back that was worked over earlier in the match. Ripley had to let go.
Gonzalez delivered a Tour of the Islands, and Ripley kicked out at two. They fought on the turnbuckles, and Gonzalez sent Ripley crashing to the mat with a avalanche overhead suplex. Ripley again kicked out for a near fall.
Ripley countered Gonzalez with a flying headscissors, and Ripley followed with the Rip Tide. She then covered Gonzalez for a pinfall.
Cameron Grimes was seen running down the road. He was apparently headed for the Capital Wrestling Center.
Drake Maverick was backstage dressed as Hollywood Hulk Hogan. He was flexing and such when McKenzie Mitchell approached him for an interview. Maverick began by saying “Let me tell you something Mean Gene.” Mitchell told him she was not Mean Gene. Maverick broke character, took off his sunglasses, and he asked her if she could just play along. It’s Halloween after all.
Someone entered the scene dressed as The Giant (Big Show) from WCW. He was joined by someone else dressed as The Yeti. They sandwiched Maverick to recreate the infamous finish of Halloween Havoc in 1995. Killian Dain entered through a curtain dressed as The Shockmaster. The Yeti and Giant fled.
Maverick was upset that Dain did not trip like The Shockmaster. Dain said he moved the cord. Maverick told him he was no fun, and Maverick put on the helmet Dain was wearing. Maverick then tripped and fell. That was the joke.
The Conclusion of the Haunted House of Terror
Grimes finally made his way back to the CWC. He got back into the arena, and he collapsed out of exhaustion. He fell into a makeshift graveyard. Grimes soon realized he was in a graveyard, and he freaked out. A zombie woman crawled out from a grave, and Grimes freaked out even more. Another zombie crawled out, and Grimes fled to the ring.
Lumis got into the ring to surprise Grimes, and Lumis began to pummel him. Lumis dropped Grimes with a running bulldog, and a spinebuster. The ring was surrounded in a fog of smoke.
Grimes begged off as several zombies crawled into the ring. Lumis press slammed a zombie on to Grimes, and Lumis choked out Grimes. Lumis left teh ring as the zombies crawled around a lifeless Grimes. A graphic reading “The End” flashed across the screen.
Tommaso Ciampa in a pre-tape promo said he did not recognize NXT anymore. He was upset with a culture where everyone acted as if they are owed something. People want “my turn”.
Ciampa said everybody wants to blame someone else. Glass ceilings, brass rings, and such. Ciampa said he was never handed anything. He earned it, and for a time Ciampa was NXT. He wants to take it back, and it all begins with Velveteen Dream.
Ciampa called Dream a prodigy that keeps getting in his own way. Ciampa went on to call him a “dead man”.
Announced for next week on NXT is Ciampa vs. Dream. Also set for next Wednesday is Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai.
Recording artist Poppy did a live version of Io Shirai’s entrance theme, and Poppy escorted Shirai to the ring.
Shotzi Blackheart was back for Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal. She spun the wheel, and it landed on a “Tables, Ladders, and Scares.”
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defeated Candice LeRae in a Tables, Ladders, and Scares Match to retain her title
Shirai retained in a wild match with some crazy bumps.
LeRae at the outset attacked Shirai, and LeRae then went to drag a table out from underneath the ring. There was a bag on the table. LeRae opened the bag, and she was frightened by its contents. Inside were mannequin parts that were made to look bloody. Shirai chased LeRae around ringside, and she hit her with a mannequin arm.
As Shirai was chasing her, LeRae sent Shirai crashing into a ladder with a drop toehold. Shirai reversed a whip to post LeRae. They fought on top of the announce desk, and LeRae hit Shirai with a laptop.
LeRae set up a ladder bridge between the ring and the announce desk. Shirai soon cut her off, and Shirai delivered running knees to sandwich LeRae into the ring steps. Shirai put several chairs into the ring. She created a pile of chairs, which is right out of EVIL’s playbook.
The show cut to a commercial break. Meanwhile, Shirai set up a table at ringside. That is out of Sabu’s playbook.
Shirai was getting another table when LeRae went to cut her off. Shirai fought back, and she delivered a missile dropkick in the ring. Shirai went back outside the ring to finish setting up a second table at ringside.
As the show returned from the commercial break, they were fighting to climb a ladder set up in the ring. LeRae propped a ladder in a corner. Shirai dropped her with a palm strike, and Shirai with backbreaker that placed LeRae onto a pile of chairs.
Shirai missed a moonsault, and she smashed into the pile of chairs. LeRae peppered Shirai with chair shots. Shirai reversed LeRae, and she suplexed LeRae onto an unfolded chair. That looked like very painful.
LeRae moved out of the way when Shirai came charging towards her, and Shirai crashed into the ladder propped in the corner. When LeRae went to climb the turnbuckles, Shirai tripped her up. LeRae fell over the top rope, draped in a corner.
Shirai trapped LeRae’s leg in a chair, and then she used a dragon screw with the leg still caught in the chair. LeRae sold big as she clutched her leg, but she avoided a Tiger Feint Kick. LeRae then hit Shirai in the back with a chair. LeRae off the apron with Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride to sent her and Shirai crashing through the two tables set up at ringside.
The mystery person in the Scream costume came to ringside. The masked person carried LeRae up the ladder looking for her to retrieve the title belt. Shotzi Blackheart ran in to make a save. She got the person wearing the Scream costume into an electric chair (the move, not the one Abdullah the Butcher was placed in back in the day). Blackheart fell backwards, and the masked person took a bump onto the pile of chairs.
LeRae was still on top of the ladder. She finally woke up as Shirai set up another ladder next to the other. They were fighting on top of the ladder when LeRae raked Shirai’s eyes. Shirai took a bump off the ladder, but she recovered enough to tip over the other ladder. LeRae went over the ropes and crashed through the ladder bridge set up at ringside. Shirai then climbed a ladder to pull down the title belt, and Shirai won the match. That was a helluva stunt show.
WWE has made their first match announcements for NXT Halloween Havoc.
Halloween Havoc is taking place on Wednesday, October 28. Candice LeRae will challenge for Io Shirai’s NXT Women’s Championship on the episode, while LeRae’s husband Johnny Gargano will challenge Damian Priest for the NXT North American Championship. Both of those are rematches from NXT TakeOver 31. This time, those two matches are going to have stipulations that will be determined by “Spin the Wheel, Make a Deal.”
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez has also been announced for the Halloween Havoc episode.
LeRae became the number one contender to the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Shotzi Blackheart on NXT tonight. LeRae got the win after using brass knuckles to strike Blackheart. The brass knuckles were given to LeRae by Indi Hartwell. An alliance between LeRae and Hartwell first started to be revealed last week, with Hartwell sending LeRae and Gargano a new TV that came with a USB drive showing all of the times Hartwell helped LeRae during a number one contender’s battle royal last month.
NXT General Manager William Regal was interviewed on tonight’s show after the LeRae vs. Blackheart match. Regal said he wasn’t happy with the finish of the match, but the referee’s decision is final. Regal said he’s thinking of upping the stakes for Shirai vs. LeRae.
Priest retained his North American title against Dexter Lumis in the main event of tonight’s NXT. After the match, Gargano attacked Priest with a steel chair. Blackheart, who will be the host of Halloween Havoc, then announced the return of “Spin the Wheel, Make a Deal” to determine the stipulations for Shirai vs. LeRae and Priest vs. Gargano.
Coal miner’s glove on a pole match, blindfold match, casket match, Chamber of Horrors, biker’s chain match, buried alive match, devil’s playground match, boiler room brawl, Shotzi’s choice, weapons wild match, trick or street fight, and TLS match were the stipulation options listed on the wheel.
Ripley vs. Gonzalez was announced for Halloween Havoc after a challenge that was issued by Gonzalez tonight. Ripley accepted the challenge and tried to brawl with Gonzalez, but they were kept apart by officials. Ripley vs. Gonzalez is being billed as a matchup of the biggest and baddest women in NXT.
Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano will both be in singles action tonight. LeRae will face Shotzi Blackheart, while Gargano will take on Austin Theory. The winner of LeRae vs. Blackheart will challenge Io Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Halloween Havoc on Wednesday, October 28.
It’s also been announced that Toni Storm will be in action on NXT tonight. Her opponent hasn’t been revealed.
This will be Storm’s first match since March. She made an appearance on the video screen at NXT TakeOver 31 earlier this month and declared that she’s coming to NXT.
LeRae and Blackheart were the final two wrestlers in a number one contender’s battle royal on NXT three weeks ago. LeRae won and went on to unsuccessfully challenge for Shirai’s title at TakeOver 31. Shirai was confronted by both Storm and Ember Moon after that match.
Blackheart has been announced as the host of the NXT Halloween Havoc episode. She’s defeated Dakota Kai and Xia Li over the past two weeks. Last month, Blackheart impressed against Shirai in non-title action but Shirai won the match.
Gargano vs. Theory was announced via a video WWE uploaded earlier today. Theory did an interview where he said Gargano has been running around and saying Theory is the reason he lost to NXT North American Champion Damian Priest at TakeOver 31. Theory said he talked to William Regal and Gargano vs. Theory is set for tonight.
Tonight’s NXT will also feature Priest vs. Dexter Lumis for the North American Championship, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch vs. Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish to determine the number one contenders to Breezango’s NXT Tag Team titles, and a sit-down interview with Ember Moon.
Priest became the North American Champion by winning the then-vacant title in a five-way ladder match at TakeOver XXX last month. Priest and Gargano were the two wrestlers reaching for the title at the end of the match. Priest kicked Gargano down and then retrieved the title.
Priest made his first defense of the North American title when he retained against Timothy Thatcher in the main event of last week’s NXT. In a video that aired on last week’s show, Gargano insulted Priest and Thatcher. Gargano and Candice LeRae said they’re both coming after championship gold.
Two more title matches will be made official for TakeOver on tonight’s episode of NXT. Kushida, Cameron Grimes, Kyle O’Reilly, Thatcher, and Bronson Reed will face off in a gauntlet eliminator match to determine NXT Champion Finn Balor’s challenger for the TakeOver special. There will also be a number one contender’s battle royal to decide Io Shirai’s challenger. Rhea Ripley, LeRae, Tegan Nox, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, Shotzi Blackheart, Aliyah, Kayden Carter, Indi Hartwell, Xia Li, and Kacy Catanzaro have been announced as entrants for the battle royal.
Last night’s four-way 60-minute Iron Man match to crown a new NXT Champion ended in a two-way tie.
Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Finn Balor, and Adam Cole faced off in the Iron Man match and all had won one fall heading into the final minute. Ciampa hit an Air Raid Crash from the middle rope on Gargano, but Balor then flew in with a Coup de Grace to pin Ciampa and take the lead with less than 20 seconds left.
Balor appeared to have the match won, but Cole hit him with a Last Shot and pinned him just before time expired.
William Regal then came to the ring and declared that Balor and Cole will face off in a one-fall-to-a-finish singles match next week. The winner will become the new NXT Champion.
Next week’s NXT is airing on Tuesday again due to the NHL playoffs. The episode is being called Super Tuesday part two and will also feature a steel cage match between Rhea Ripley and Mercedes Martinez.
The NXT Championship will be up for grabs in a four-way 60-minute Iron Man match on tonight’s special Tuesday edition of NXT.
Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Finn Balor, and Adam Cole will face off in the Iron Man match for the vacant NXT Championship. The match was announced by William Regal last week after Karrion Kross had to vacate the title due to injury. Just days earlier, Kross defeated Keith Lee in the main event of TakeOver XXX to win the NXT Championship but suffered a separated shoulder in the process.
Regal said that Gargano, Ciampa, Balor, and Cole were chosen because they’re all former NXT Champions. Ciampa returned to NXT television last week and destroyed Jake Atlas.
Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) will face off with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Breezango in a six-man street fight tonight. Timothy Thatcher vs. Bronson Reed is also set for the show.
NXT will also air on Tuesday next week due to the NHL playoffs.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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A memorial graphic honoring “Bullet” Bob Armstrong opened the show.
Wade Barrett once again joined Vic Joseph in Full Sail at the broadcast booth for commentary. Beth Phoenix remotely also provided commenatry.
“Super Tuesday” then began with a six-man street fight.
Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) & Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defeated El Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Scott pinned Escobar to win the match for his team. At one point the babyfaces did dives off of a forklift. Some of this was good, but I have already watched plenty of hardcore matches like this in the ’90s. At least this match had a fun forklift spot. The most extreme spots happend during the commercial break. Go figure.
The rudo trio wore street clothes, while the babyfaces wore their wrestling gear. Swerve did wear a t-shirt, though.
The rudos attacked before the bell, and a huge brawl erupted around ringside. Weapons like chairs, trash cans, and tables came into play. Rudos dominated in the beginning, but the babyface trio soon made a comeback.
Eventually the fighting entered into the ring. They were all having a serious brawl until the rudos were sprayed with a fire extinguisher. That is always a silly spot, which was made even more silly by the babyfaces dancing before the show cut its first commercial break. No picture-in-picture.
Some crazy spots happened during the break that were replayed when the show returned. The rudo trio did a triple Van Terminator with Breeze stuffed into a trash can. Fandango also went through a table.
Less brawling and more high spots down the stretch. Escobar did his signature Fantasma tope.
Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner of Imperium suddenly ran down to attack Breeze & Fandango. Imperium lost the NXT Tag Team Championship to Breezango in a match last week. El Legado del Fantasma joined Imperium in attacking Breeze.
Out of nowhere a forklift arrives at ringside. Fandango and Scott stood on a wooden pallet riding on the forks, and they were lifted high above the ring. Both did a flip dive into the ring off the forklift onto a pile of bodies. Breezango then did dives of their own.
Scott with a modified Michinoku Driver (similar to Escobar’s Phantom Driver) on Escobar to score the pinfall.
LeRae pinned Catanzaro in a short, but fairly good, match. LeRae won with a leglock/curb stomp combo. LeRae cut a promo after the match.
Catanzaro got to shine at the outset. LeRae cut her off with a neckbreaker. Cantanzaro rolled outside the ring, and Carter came to her aid. The announcers on commentary debated the benefit of having a friend at ringside. My Spidey senses detect a possible heel turn among those friends down the line.
They traded near falls before LeRae began to work over Catanzaro. Soon thereafter Catanzaro with a comeback got another near fall. LeRae cut her off to tie up Catanzaro and give her a curb stomp (not Seth’s move). LeRae then covered Catanzaro for the pinfall.
LeRae in her post-match promo talked about Tegan Nox. She heeled on the crowd for booing her, claiming she was being sincere. LeRae invited Nox to dinner at her house so they can settle their differences.
Remember when Nox was in that skit delivering pizzas? Maybe she can bring a pizza as a gift. As a guest never arrived empty handed. Be courteous. Just some advice.
Rhea Ripley in a fiery promo challenged Mercedes Martinez to a cage match.
Timothy Thatcher defeated Bronson Reed
Thatcher submitted Reed with the Fujiwara armbar after interference from Austin Theory. This was pretty dang good until the run-in. That was already done earlier on the show. Very unoriginal part of an otherwise good match.
Reed was a monster, but Thatcher targeted an arm. Reed fought back to drop Thatcher with a stiff-looking forearm. Moments later Reed did a dive through the ropes for a tope to the outside.
Theory ran down for a sneak attack on Reed. Theory jumped Reed, and then he rolled him back in the ring. Thatcher barred the arm, and Reed tapped out to the Fujiwara armbar.
Mercedes Martinez accepted Ripley’s challenge, so a cage match between the two is official for next Tuesday on NXT.
Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole vs. Finn Balor vs. Tommaso Ciamp in an iron man match for the vacant NXT Championship ended in a tie
Balor and Cole tie with two falls each
Great match with an infuriating finish. After a whole hour the matched ends with a tie. No sudden death like WrestleMania XII. Instead this builds to a singles match next week for the title.
Cole against Balor to decide the new NXT Champion in a singles match, or at least that is the idea. They already baited and switched on a new champion, so maybe we get a winner next week. I won’t guarantee anything. I hope that it requires less notes than this long match, but I wrote a lot of notes so here goes for what it’s worth.
Did I mention there was a tie? A freaking TIE! After an hour of build up, we get a tie. FFS. SMH.
Ciampa cleaned house early on. He sent Balor crashing into the guardrail, knocking the barricade down. Ciampa kept going around the ring kicking butt. Balor cut him off, and those two soon sqaured off in the ring.
Cole threw Ciampa outside the ring, and Cole went to jump Balor. Instead, Balor went to work on Cole. Gargano soon rushed into the ring to cut off Balor with a sneak attack. Gargano went on to target Cole’s arm.
Cole made a comeback as he fired up on Gargano. Cole then set his sights on Balor. Soon Balor was making a comeback as he ran wild on everyone.
Lots of neckbreakers in this match, and also variations of neckbreakers. Fifteen minutes into the match and no falls scored by anyone, but they had some near falls.
A parade of high spots led to quadruple down. That transitioned into a Tower of Doom superplex spot with Cole, Ciampa and Balor. Gargano sneaked up behind Ciampa to crotch him on the ringpost.
Balor countered a tilt-a-whirl to give Gargano the 1916 for a near fall. Balor went for his Coup de Grace, but Gargano rolled out of the way. Ciampa then caught Balor to deliver an Air Raid Crash for a two count.
The show cut a picture-in-picture commercial break as the action continued in the ring. Cole pulled down a knee pad and set up for The Last Shot on Ciampa. He instead ate a superkick from Gargano, and then was caught in the Gargano Escape. Ciampa at the same time then caught Balor in an armbar submission hold.
Cole and Balor squared off when the show returned from break. Cole offered a too sweet, and Balor gave him a too sweet in return. Cole tried to talk Balor into them each fighting someone else. Balor agreed at first, but he instead threw Cole out of the ring. Cole landed outside on Gargano. Balor followed with a tope con giro on both of them.
Balor ran around the ring to hit Ciampa with a shotgun dropkick that sent Ciampa crashing into the timekeeper’s table. Balor also dropkicked Ciampa on the floor. He then leapt off the top rope with the Coup de Grace on Cole, and Balor covered Cole to score a pinfall.
Balor was the first to score a fall, and he took the lead on the scoreboard at about 25 minutes into the match.
Balor kept cleaning house as the show cut to another picture-in-picture commercial break. Ciampa cut off Balor during the break. Cole went for a Panama Sunrise, but Ciampa countered to deliver Project Ciampa. Balor broke up the pin. Project Ciampa on Gargano, and Balor again broke up the pin. Now it was Balor’s turn as he took Project Ciampa, but Balor kicked out on a pinning attempt. This all took place in inset box during a commercial break, and it was arguably the best sequences in the match. Go figure.
When the show returned from break, Ciampa was attempted to catapult Cole like he did to Jake Atlas in an angle last week. Balor flew through the ropes with a wrecking ball to save Cole. Ciampa executed the Willow’s Bell draping DDT on Balor, and then gave Balor the Fairy Tale Ending. Gargano rushed into the ring to throw Ciampa out of the ring, and Gargano stole a pinfall on Gargano.
Gargano and Balor were then tied at one fall apiece with less than 30 minutes remaining in the match.
Cole with a Last Shot on Ciampa, but he kicked out. Ciampa answred back seconds later with a Western Lariat. Cole went on to superkick Ciampa and everyone else. Cole with a Panama Sunrise on Gargano to score a pinfall.
Cole, Gargano, and Balor each have scored one fall apiece at this point with 25 minutes remaining in the match. Ciampa with a goose egg so far, but not for long.
Ciampa with a double Willow’s Bell on Gargano and Cole at the same time. Ciampa then delivered the Fairy Tale Ending on Cole, and he covered him for a pinfall.
All four were tied at one fall with just over 20 minutes left to go.
The match turned into a slugfest for a few minutes, leading to a stalemate quadruple down. Ciampa got to his feet and started to wreck shop on everyone.
Cole took out Ciampa’s knee with a superkick before another picture-in-picture commercial break. Cole applied the figure-four leglock during the break. Balor broke up the hold, and then Balor applied his own version of the figure-four on Ciampa. Cole back in to break up the hold, and he attempted applyhing his own version again. Ciampa countered with an inside cradle for a two count. Cole kicked out, and he then applied a figure-four.
Gargano broke it up to apply the Gargano Escape on Ciampa before the show returned from break. Balor started throwing chops like Wahoo McDaniel. He went to give Ciampa an Irish whip, and Ciampa buckled selling his knee. Balor targeted the leg.
Balor missed a Coup de Grace, and he walked into stereo superkicks. Less than ten minutes remained in the match as Gargano twice flew through the ropes with a tope. Gargano went for a third tope, but Balor blocked it. They teased a 1916 on the floor, which was a callback to a spot that legitimately injured Gargano in the past. This time it was Balor’s turn as Gargano countered him to deliver a tornado DDT on the floor.
The show cut to its final commercial break as Gargano was trying to drag Balor into the ring. Cole cut him off, and Cole with an ushigoroshi for a two count.
Cole missed a Last Shot as the show returned from break, and he was trapped in a Gargano Escape. The hold was broken up.
Ciampa with the same catapult spot he gave Atlas last week. This time it was Gargano taking it. Ciampa was trying to finish things when Gargano caught him in small package for a two count.
Under two minutes remaining and Ciampa was in control. Under a minute and Ciampa with avalanche Air Raid Crash on Gargano. Upon them landing, Balor flew in with a double stomp on Ciampa to score a pinfall as the clock ticked below 20 seconds. Balor is up by a fall with seconds to go.
With under 10 seconds remaining, Cole hit Balor with a Last Shot to score a pinfall as time expired. Cole and Balor tie with two falls each. After all that we get a tie finish.
William Regal came to the ring to make an impromptu announcement. He held the NXT title while saying next week Cole and Balor meet in a singles match to decide the next champion. Regal said “one fall to a finish”, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
A whole hour just for a freaking tie. Feels like Ralphie in A Christmas Story when he waits so long to finally get his Little Orphan Annie decoder ring, only to find out it was just a crummy commercial.
Be sure to drink your Ovaltine. We’ll see ya’ next week.
