Three members of the NXT roster appeared in dark matches at tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings.
Former NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defeated Toni Storm in a dark match.
Gonzalez dropped the NXT Women’s title to Mandy Rose in a Trick or Street Fight at NXT Halloween Havoc this past Wednesday. Gonzalez had held the Championship since April’s NXT TakeOver Stand and Deliver.
Gonzalez, 30, has been with the company since signing in October 2016. She made her WWE in-ring debut at an NXT house show in January 2017.
The Creed Brothers of NXT’s Diamond Mine also appeared in a dark match, losing to The Viking Raiders.
Brutus Creed and Julius Creed made their in-ring debuts on the September 7 episode of NXT television, a show taped in August. Julius signed with WWE in October 2020, while Brutus signed in February 2021.
Both Creed Brothers have high-level amateur wrestling backgrounds, with Brutus wrestling at Otterbein University and Julius capturing the 2018 ACC heavyweight championship while wrestling at Duke University.
Karrion Kross (real name Kevin Kesar) and Scarlett (Elizabeth Chihaia) are the latest WWE couple to get engaged.
On Thursday, Kross and Scarlett announced their engagement on social media. Scarlett posted a picture of her engagement ring and wrote “Pop the champagne! #Isaidyes @WWEKarrionKross”
Kross and Scarlett began dating prior to their WWE careers. It was confirmed in November 2019 that Scarlett had signed with WWE, while the signing of Kross was announced in February 2020.
Scarlett managed Kross in NXT but hasn’t been accompanying him since he was called up to the main roster. Kross made his Raw debut this July. He lost the NXT Championship to Samoa Joe at NXT TakeOver 36 last month.
Kross defeated John Morrison on the September 6 episode of Raw. The past two weeks, a Kross promo and video package have aired on Raw. Kross was also in action against Ricochet on this week’s Main Event tapings.
Samoa Joe’s return to the ring highlights tonight’s NXT TakeOver 36 card.
Joe will challenge for Karrion Kross’ NXT Championship at tonight’s TakeOver event. It will be the first time Joe has wrestled since February 2020. He had been out of action due to concussion issues.
Former tag team partners Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai will collide in the NXT Women’s Championship match. Kai turned against Gonzalez three weeks ago and laid her out with a kick.
The feud between former Undisputed Era stablemates Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly will culminate as they face off in “The Undisputed Finale.” It will be a two-out-of-three falls match with stipulations chosen by O’Reilly, Cole, and NXT general manager William Regal. The first fall will be a traditional wrestling match. The second will be a street fight. If a third fall is necessary, it will be a steel cage match.
A rematch of one of the best matches of 2020 will take place as WALTER puts his NXT United Kingdom Championship on the line against Ilja Dragunov. Plus, LA Knight will defend the Million Dollar Championship against Cameron Grimes. If Grimes loses, “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase will have to become Knight’s butler.
In the pre-show match, Ridge Holland will take on Trey Baxter. The half-hour pre-show begins at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.
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Pre-show —
Sam Roberts and McKenzie Mitchell were the hosts of the pre-show. We got the usual mix of video packages and promos hyping the main card. Rob Armstrong from BT Sport appeared to discuss WALTER vs. Dragunov.
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Ridge Holland (w/ Pete Dunne) defeated Trey Baxter
This went about a minute. Baxter attacked right away but Holland immediately overpowered him and hit repeated suplexes. Baxter came back with a hip attack and a springboard, but Holland hit a headbutt to maintain control. Holland then hit Northern Grit for the quick win.
– After the match, Holland called out Timothy Thatcher, saying the match was a direct look into Thatcher’s future.
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Main show —
The announce team of Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett, and Beth Phoenix introduced the show.
Million Dollar Championship: Cameron Grimes (w/ Ted DiBiase) defeated LA Knight (c) to win the championship [16:32]
This was a pretty good opener. The crowd was hot for the feud, but some of the work was off.
If Knight wins, Ted DiBiase must become his butler.
Knight got in Grimes’ face and was met with a slap and a knee lift for his trouble. Grimes kept up the offense and went for the Million Dollar Dream, but Knight rolled to the floor. Knight avoided a couple kicks, but the third caught him, allowing Grimes to send him into the barricade. DiBiase whipped Grimes into a dropkick on Knight for the assist.
Back in the ring, Grimes climbed the ropes, but Knight knocked him off to take control. After a short beatdown, Grimes came back with a running crossbody. He countered a corner neckbreaker and went for a hurricanrana, but Knight turned it into a powerbomb for two. Knight then worked over Grimes’ neck before hitting a tilt-a-whirl slam.
Knight went for a springboard, but Grimes moved out of the way. Grimes made his comeback with running forearms and a corner senton. He went for the Million Dollar Dream, but Knight fought out, so Grimes hit a German suplex and a hurricanrana cradle for two. Knight tripped Grimes into the ropes and covered for two. A bulldog and almost a burning hammer followed for another two-count.
They traded hard strikes until Knight sent Grimes to the floor. Grimes skinned the cat and hit his backflip powerslam for a near fall. Knight turned it around and perched Grimes on the top rope, hitting a top rope German for a near fall. Grimes countered the BFT and locked on the Million Dollar Dream. Knight nearly broke the hold with a jackknife cradle, but Grimes wouldn’t let go. After a long fight, Knight sent them both crashing into the ropes to force a break.
Knight went to the floor and picked up the Million Dollar Championship. He brought it into the ring, but Grimes hit a high kick. Out on the floor, DiBiase took Knight down with a right hand and used the belt to distract the official while he locked on the Million Dollar Dream. Back inside, Grimes hit the Cave-In to win the championship.
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NXT Women’s Championshp: Raquel Gonzalez (c) defeated Dakota Kai [12:27]
This was very good. Gonzalez has become quite consistent in title matches and Kai’s one of the best workers on the roster.
Kai used her speed and quickness to avoid Gonzalez’s attacks early on before capitalizing on an opening to lock on a cross armbreaker. Gonzalez fought out and looked for a powerbomb, but Kai hit a scorpion kick and regrouped on the floor.
Back in the ring, Gonzalez hit repeated powerslams. Kai came back with a diving crossbody, but Gonzalez rolled through and dropped her over the ropes. Kai snapped Gonzalez’s arm over the rope and hit a yakuza kick. She rolled Gonzalez back into the ring for two and followed it up with a draping facebreaker for two more.
Gonzalez fired up with a clothesline, a big boot, and a slam. A sidewalk slam set up a twisting Vader bomb for two. Gonzalez went for a powerbomb, but Kai turned it into a flying triangle. Gonzalez tossed Kai into the corner to break. She caught a scorpion kick and hit a powerbomb for two.
Kai came back with a hurricanrana driver and a jackknife pin for two. Gonzalez dropped Kai over the ropes from powerbomb position. Gonzalez shrugged off a thrust kick, but Kai hit the Kai-ropractor for a near fall. Kai got in Gonzalez’s face, Gonzalez went for a spinebuster, but Kai fought out and climbed the ropes. She hit a diving double stomp for a near fall.
Gonzalez drove Kai into the corner. They fought on the top rope, where Kai escaped and hit a pump kick. She went for the yakuza kick, but Gonzalez hit a second-rope Chignona bomb for the win.
– After the match, former NXT UK women’s champion Kay Lee Ray’s music played, and she stared down Gonzalez from the ramp.
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NXT UK Championship: Ilja Dragunov defeated WALTER (c) to win the championship (22:03)
This was somehow better than their classic from 2020 and one of the best matches in WWE history.
WALTER hit a quick hip toss, but Dragunov avoided chops and attacked with chops of his own. That fired WALTER up, but Dragunov kept avoiding his attacks to frustrate him. WALTER countered a takedown and laid in grounded knees. Dragunov went for a heel hook but instead opted for a shoulder tackle. WALTER tried to leapfrog on a rope-run, but Dragunov turned it into a slam and hit a side headlock takeover to ground the big man.
There were a few attempts by WALTER to break the hold, but Dragunov wouldn’t relinquish it until being driven into the corner. Dragunov fought back out with forearms and caught a chop, wrestling WALTER back down to the mat. He went for a key lock, but WALTER powered out and perched Dragunov on the top rope. He hit a huge overhand chop, sending Dragunov crashing to the floor.
Out on the floor, WALTER powerbombed Dragunov onto the apron. Back inside, WALTER went for the Gojira Clutch before nailing a German suplex. He turned Dragunov over into a Boston crab before transitioning into an STF. WALTER then snapmared Dragunov over and hit a soccer kick to the back.
They traded forearms and chops in the center of the ring. WALTER locked on the Gojira Clutch and switched to powerbomb position, but Dragunov powered out. Dragunov hit repeated clotheslines, but WALTER turned the Constantine Special into an overhead uranage suplex for two. WALTER continued to dominate and just crushed Dragunov with a boot.
Dragunov fired back with right hands and turned a lariat into a takedown. He laid in knees and backfists to a seated WALTER. WALTER blocked an octopus hold and picked Dragunov up, but Dragunov fought out and caught WALTER with a rising knee. He went for another, but WALTER clotheslined him down twice for two.
WALTER hit an insane chop to Dragunov’s back, but Dragunov fired up and downed WALTER with a clothesline. Dragunov hit a back chop of his own followed by a German suplex. WALTER came back with a chop, Dragunov hit an enziguiri, then Dragunov hit a pumphandle suplex for two.
Dragunov climbed the ropes and hit a diving dropkick, then climbed the opposite corner and landed a top-rope senton. WALTER countered Torpedo Moscow into a sleeper suplex, but Dragunov got up and hit Torpedo Moscow to the back of WALTER’s head. He then hit Torpedo Moscow proper for a good near fall.
Once WALTER got back to his feet, Dragunov laid in repeated chops. He ran into a hard one from his opponent for a surprisingly good near fall. WALTER climbed the ropes, but Dragunov popped up and hit a superplex followed by a missile dropkick for the double down. WALTER hit a shotgun dropkick and a stack powerbomb for another good near fall.
WALTER slapped Dragunov across the face and hit a running knee followed by a powerbomb. He then climbed the ropes and hit a top-rope splash, the same way he won the title from Pete Dunne, but Dragunov kicked out for a great near fall.
The champion laid in ground and pound and went for the Gojira Clutch, but Dragunov flipped out of it and hit a diving headbutt. Dragunov rained down repeated elbows and locked on a sleeper of his own. WALTER climbed the ropes with the sleeper still applied and just jumped down to break it, but Dragunov popped up and laid in more elbows.
Dragunov locked in the sleeper again. WALTER got back to his feet and fell backwards, but Dragunov wouldn’t let go. He laid in desperation strikes and crossfaces and rabbit punches before locking on the sleeper once more for the submission victory.
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Cameron Grimes and Ted DiBiase were asked about Grimes’ victory earlier tonight. Grimes said there’s a man looking down on him who’s proud that he’s the champ. DiBiase called for a big celebration and passed out money. He said Grimes is carrying on the legacy of the Million Dollar Man. Grimes announced the Million Dollar Celebration for this week’s NXT TV.
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Samoa Joe was preparing for his championship match as William Regal walked up. Regal said he’s supposed to stay unbiased, but he wants Joe to know, he wants him to kick Kross’ ass.
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The Undisputed Finale: Kyle O’Reilly defeated Adam Cole (25:32)
This would be the best match on many TakeOvers, but it unfortunately had to follow WALTER vs. Dragunov. These guys killed each other in a completely different way than the previous match. Even so, this was a more than worthy finale to this long, drawn-out feud.
Fall one is a normal singles match, fall two is a Street Fight, and if a third fall is necessary, it will be a Steel Cage match.
They went right at each other at the bell. O’Reilly rebounded Cole between the barricade and the steps, but Cole caught his rival with a kick upon re-entry to the ring. Cole tried to suplex O’Reilly onto the steel steps, but O’Reilly countered it into a brainbuster on the floor.
Back in the ring, O’Reilly hit a front kick and a palm strike for two. He transitioned the mount into an ankle lock, but Cole kicked his way out of it and hit a leaping knee for two. Cole hit an enziguiri, but O’Reilly caught a superkick and hit a discus clothesline for two. O’Reilly went for the diving knee but was caught by a superkick. O’Reilly countered the Panama Sunrise into a cradle for a blazing first fall in 3:29.
Fall two is a Street Fight. Cole fled to the floor, but O’Reilly took him out and propped him on the chair. He placed a trash can over Cole’s head and took Cole out with a running dropkick. Back in the ring, O’Reilly tried to climb the ropes, but Cole immediately nailed a superkick and O’Reilly landed hard on his ribs on the apron. Cole turned the target of his attack to O’Reilly’s midsection.
Cole attacked O’Reilly’s abdomen with a chair. He propped the chair in the corner and taunted O’Reilly, but the latter came back with right hands. O’Reilly couldn’t follow the attack up as he was in too much pain from the midsection attack. Cole tried to whip O’Reilly into the chair, but O’Reilly rolled out to avoid it, inadvertently hitting his rib on the ring post.
Back inside, Cole whacked a kendo stick across O’Reilly’s ribs. He looked to go for the Last Shot, but opted for a kendo stick shot as O’Reilly covered up. Cole then hit a kendo stick-assisted backstabber for two. He locked on a Lockjaw of all things (his girlfriend Britt Baker’s finisher), then used the kendo stick for leverage before voluntarily breaking the hold to inflict more punishment.
Cole taunted O’Reilly, telling him to “stay down,” but O’Reilly fired up with right hands. He couldn’t overcome the pain, leading to a pump kick from Cole, but O’Reilly used a standing switch to hit a German and then a soccer kick through the pain. O’Reilly then dropped Cole’s knee over a chair before hitting a dragon screw into the chair.
O’Reilly charged at Cole, but Cole avoided it and O’Reilly went chest first into the propped-up chair in the corner. Simultaneous pump kicks led to the double down. Cole rolled to the floor and wrapped a chain around his fist, but when he looked up, O’Reilly had done the same. They laid in chain-assisted right hands on each other before a Cole superkick got two.
Out on the ramp, Cole hit a thrust kick on O’Reilly’s midsection. O’Reilly applied a guillotine before tossing his opponent off the ramp into the plexiglass barricade in front of the fans. Cole came back with yet another attack on O’Reilly’s midsection.
Inside the ring, Cole propped up more chairs, but O’Reilly turned it around and hit a ushigoroshi. He went to the top rope, but Cole popped up and dropped him over the propped up chairs in a brutal spot. The Last Shot followed for the pinfall, making it 1-1 at 16:58.
The final fall is a Steel Cage match. Officials came in to check on O’Reilly as the cage lowered, but Cole continued the attack, powerbombing O’Reilly on the announce desk. Cole finally brought O’Reilly back into the ring, and the cage lowered. They took a long time to get going as it seemed like O’Reilly may have been legitimately hurt — Cole only resumed the attack after about 3-4 minutes of rest.
O’Reilly immediately countered an perched Cole between the ropes and the cage. He hit repeated running forearms followed by a diving knee drop as Cole draped over the ropes. O’Reilly missed the diving knee, Cole missed the Last Shot, and O’Reilly hit a Last Shot of his own for two.
Cole hit a low blow, then climbed the cage. O’Reilly popped up and they traded strikes while standing on the top rope, but a hard right hand from Cole sent O’Reilly crashing to the mat. Cole then hit the Panama Sunrise for a good near fall. Cole handcuffed O’Reilly to the top rope and hit repeated superkicks. O’Reilly caught one and locked on a heel hook while still handcuffed, forcing Cole to tap.
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Ilja Dragunov was asked about his victory. He said the “ring general” has fallen.
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Legado del Fantasma called out Hit Row. Escobar began in Spanish. He then said Swerve would find out there’s nobody better than Legado. Mendoza said that this Tuesday, they’d finish the job. Escobar said “He who laughs last, laughs best.” It will be Hit Row vs. Legado del Fantasma this week on NXT.
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Lineup for NXT TV this week:
Hit Row vs. Legado del Fantasma
NXT Breakout Tournament Finals: Odyssey Jones vs. Carmelo Hayes
Cameron Grimes’ Million Dollar Celebration
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NXT Championship: Samoa Joe defeated Karrion Kross (c) to win the championship (12:19)
I’d have to check to be sure, but off the top of my head, this was the shortest NXT TakeOver main event in history. It was well-worked but never got to any sort of next level.
This is Joe’s first match since February of last year. No Scarlett with Kross.
Joe landed a palm strike early, forcing Kross into the corner and peppering him. A back elbow and an enziguiri took Kross down to the mat. Joe kept up the attack with a reverse chop, a soccer kick, and a running senton. Kross answered back with a forearm, but Joe went for the Coquina Clutch, forcing Kross to break at the ropes. Joe wouldn’t break, so Kross hit a Doomsday Saito and a running forearm to the back of Joe’s head.
Out on the floor, Kross sent Joe into the barricade. Back in, Kross kept up the attack until Joe came back with chops. Kross countered another into a second Doomsday Saito before applying an ankle lock. Joe fought out and sent Kross to the floor, following it up with a great tope suicida.
Back in the ring, Kross hit an exploder suplex for two. Joe countered a running attack into a powerslam for two. He then hit a powerbomb for another two-count before turning the kickout directly into an STF. Kross had to fully extend to reach the ropes and force a break.
Kross hit a hammerlock knee strike and a DDT for yet another series of two-counts. Joe finally came back with an overhead throw, giving him some breathing room. Joe laid in strikes and hit a big boot followed by a running senton for two. He locked on the Coquina Clutch in the center of the ring. Kross eventually rolled out of it and locked on for the Kross Jacket.
Joe fired up and finally broke the hold, but Kross hit a forearm to the back of Joe’s head. Joe reversed a clothesline into a uranage and hit a top-rope enziguiri, leaving Kross in perfect position for Joe to hit the Muscle Buster for the surprisingly quick win. Joe is the first three-time NXT champion.
A wild brawl closed last night’s TakeOver 36 go-home edition of NXT.
Before their NXT Championship match on Sunday, Karrion Kross and Samoa Joe met for a face-to-face segment last night. After Joe called him out to the ring, Kross brought security guards down to ringside. Kross said that they were protection for Joe.
Kross got into the ring and told Joe that he was going to drop him real fast at TakeOver. Joe then attacked Kross and the brawl began. Joe sent Kross outside and hit a dive onto him and the security guards. When security pulled Joe away, Kross fought back and threw him into the steel steps.
Joe sent Kross into a piece of plexiglass and over the barricade. Security tried to keep Joe and Kross away from each other, but Kross ran at Joe and tackled him through the barricade before the show went off the air.
The final build to Sunday’s TakeOver event also included a side-by-side interview with NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai, a Prime Target special feature building up Kyle O’Reilly vs. Adam Cole, appearances by NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER and Ilja Dragunov, and Million Dollar Champion LA Knight punching Ted DiBiase and laying out Cameron Grimes.
The final build to TakeOver 36 takes place on tonight’s episode of NXT.
Ahead of their title match at Sunday’s TakeOver event, NXT Champion Karrion Kross and Samoa Joe will meet for a face-to-face segment tonight. NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and her TakeOver challenger Dakota Kai will also issue their last words to one another before Sunday’s title match.
Tonight’s NXT was supposed to feature two title matches, but one of them has been pulled from the show. It was announced this afternoon that NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida isn’t cleared to compete tonight and won’t be having his scheduled match against Roderick Strong. There will instead be a Diamond Mine open challenge.
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK will still defend their titles against Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner tonight.
Plus, the semifinals of the NXT Breakout Tournament will conclude with Duke Hudson facing Carmelo Hayes, Indi Hartwell & Dexter Lumis will team together for a mixed tag team match against Jessi Kamea & Robert Stone, and there will be a Prime Target special feature building up Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly’s match at TakeOver.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show is opening with a talking segment. Is this Raw? At least Malcolm Bivens is doing the talking. He also kept his speech very short. That is unlike Raw, which is a relief.
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida is apparently not cleared to wrestle, so Bivens issues an open challenge for anyone to face Roderick Strong. Ilja Dragunov answered the open challenge, and we have a replacement for Kushida.
Dragunov pinned Strong clean to win. Great match with almost everything from grappling to brawling, and even some bloodshed.
Technical wizardry in the early portion of the match. Dragunov went for a double stomp off the top, rolled through when Strong moved, and then Dragunov dropped Strong with a knee strike. Strong was reeling, but he was able to counter a Constantine Special. Dragunov spilled outside the ring.
Hachiman (Hideki Suzuki) distracted Dragunov, which allowed Strong to smash Dragunov into the ring steps. Strong delivered a backbreaker on the ring apron before the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
Strong was working over Dragunov as the show returned from the break. Dragunov countered Strong to fight back. Grappling battle led into Dragunov going for a trifecta of German suplexes. Strong countered a third as he threw elbows. Dragunov was busted open and bled from a nasty cut above his right eye, but he still managed to pull off a Matrix move. Strong missed a a knee, and Dragunov landed an enzuigiri before suplexing Strong.
Dragunov signaled for his Torpedo Moskau, but Strong countered with a knee strike. Dragunov bounced back to deliver Torpedo Moskau, and he covered Strong for a three count.
Dragunov after the match called out WALTER, but he was apparently not there. Dragunov challenges WALTER for the NXT UK Championship at TakeOver 36 on Sunday.
A “Prime Target” min-doc is up next. Chronicling the feud and history between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly, this Prime Target special feature tells the story leading up to Cole-O’Reilly III. That grudge match takes place at TakeOver this weekend.
Hit Row brawls with Legado del Fantasma
Hit Row comes to the ring for a promo. NXT North American Champion Isaiah “Swerve” Scott was flanked by B-FAB, Top Dolla and Ashante “Thee” Adonis. They are quite angry with Santos Escobar and El Legado del Fantasma.
Escobar appeared on a video screen to interrupt the promo. He was in the parking lot, and he teased giving back the grill he previously stole from Scott. Escobar said he did not trust Scott’s crew, and he dared Scott to come outside. Escobar lured Scott into the parking lot with the promise they could handle things man-to-man. Lots of face-to-face and/or person-to-person stuff on thi show. However, this particular face-to-face was a trap.
Scott stormed out of the building to meet Escobar. Legado del Fantasma surround Scott, and they jumped him. Escobar tried to steal another grill, but the rest of Hit Row ran outside to make a save. A brawl ensued between the factions.
Top Dolla threw someone into a rollup door like he was Kevin Nash flinging Rey Mysterio into the side of a trailer in ’96. B-FAB came out swinging a bat like Sting in ’96, and she hit members of Legado del Fantasma. Hit Row cleaned house on the rudo faction, and Scott took his grill back.
LA Knight earlier in the day paid Josh Briggs a bounty to take out Cameron Grimes.
NXT UK Champion WALTER and Imperium cut a promo ahead of an Imperium tag match later tonight.
Cameron Grimes defeated Josh Briggs
Grimes pinned Briggs in quick match. Ted DiBiase was at ringside doing guest commentary. The match was short, but it led to an angle afterwards.
Grimes wrestled in his butler suit. Briggs was very aggressive, but Grimes countered him at every turn. Grimes delivered a Cave In, and he covered Briggs for a pinfall.
Grimes was in the ring ripping off his butler suit when Knight floored DiBiase with a piunch at ringside. Grimes jumped out of the ring to make a save, and Knight laid out Grimes with his stunner DDT.
Knight talked trash as the segment ended.
Johnnhy Gargano and Candice LeRae were backstage with Indi Hartwell. They were still upset with Hartwell over her relationship with Dexter Lumis. There were some comedy lines, and then Dexter entered stage left. Hartwell and Lumis held hands while wearing matching In-Dex t-shirts. Hartwell paid a pun about sex, and she left with Lumis.
NXT Tag Team Champions Io Shirai and Zoey Stark were being interviewed backstage. Stark still wants to be friends, but Shirai is having none of that. She just wants to defend their titles.
Dexter Lumis & Indi Hartwell defeated Robert Stone & Jessi Kamea (with Franky Monet) in a mixed tag team match
Hartwell choked out Kamea with Silence to win the match.
Stone was not match for Lumis. Monet then tried to interfere by grabbing Lumis’ leg, but Lumis dragged her into the ring instead. The distraction led to nothing, except a commercial break. That was odd.
Kamea was getting heat on Hartwell as the show returned from the break. Hot tag to Lumis, and he pummeled Stone. Both heels at one point each jumped to save the other from taking a pin.
Stone missed a plancha, and he went splat on the floor. Kamea hit Lumis, which caused Hartwell to fire up on Kamea. Hartwell then applied Lumis’ Silience hold to win via submission.
Hartwell talked to Beth Phoenix after the match, and Phoenix gave her something. Turns out it was an engagement ring. Hartwell got down on one knee, and she proposed to Lumis. He said yes. They kissed, and they are engaged. Wow, that was a fast courtship. Congrats are in order I guess.
Malcolm BIvens was mad that McKenzie Mitchell tried to interview Roderick Strong. He told her to take to him instead.
“Exclusive Interview” with Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai were in a segment similar to the old “Face-to-Face” segments on Superstars or Wrestling Challeneg back in the day. Kids today might relate to it by calling it a glorified Zoom call. There was a split screen, and each answered questions while also cutting promos on each other. This builds to their title match on Sunday.
Carmelo Hayes defeated Duke Hudson in a NXT Breakout Tornament semi-final match
Hayes pinned Hudson to win the match. Hayes moves on the tournament final where he faces Odyssey Jones.
Hayes was on a roll when Hudson sent Hayes crashing to the floor. The match went through a commercial break, and Hudson was working over Hayes when the show returned from commercial.
Hayes fought back to return the favor, sending Hudson outside the ring. Hayes jumped over the ropes for a DDT on the apron. They traded strikes until Hayes struck with La Mistica.
Hayes leapt off the top ropes with a flying guillotine legdrop, and Hayes covered Duke for a pinfall.
Jones came out for a face-to-face. Jones and Hayes both vowed to win.
A vignette hyped Jacy Jayne.
Cameron Grimes was in the trainer’s room when Ted DiBiase approached him to say he was sorry. Grimes delivered a pep talk. Grimes ripped off his butler shirt, and yelled he was not a butler. He was a champion! Grimes flipped out while cutting a helluva promo. Great stuff here.
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) defeated Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) to retain their titles
Carter pinned Aichner to win the match. WALTER and Dragunov both ran down to ringside during the match. WALTER and Dragunov brawled after the match.
Imperium began working over Carter as they settled into the match. Lee was able to tag in, and he and Carter ran wild for a moment. That led into stereo topes, but Imperium caught them. Imperium then executed stereo suplexes on the floor. The show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break with Imperium in control.
Lee was rocked with a lariat as the show returned from the break. Imperium proverbially cut the ring in half, and they targeted Lee. Great teamwork by Imperium. Exploder in a corner by Barthel to Lee, leading into a close near fall.
Hot tag to Carter, and Carter is a house of fire. Soon thereafter, WALTER appeared at ringside. He distracted the referee, allowing Imperium to regain the advantage. Imperium was going for their finisher when Dragunov ran down to attack WALTER. The distraction caused the Imperium finisher to fail. MSK struck with their Hart Attack/Blockbuster combo on Aichner, and Carter cradled him for a three count.
WALTER attacked Dragunov after the match. He was pummeling him when MSK tried to make a save. WALTER laid them both out, but during the seconds Dragunov was able to recover. He fired up on WALTER.
With the help of Imperium, WALTER chopped down Dragunov. WALTER stood over him, and then WALTER also choked him out just becasuse he can.
Ridge Holland (alongside Pete Dunne) cut a promo on Timothy Thacther. Holland meets Thatcher in a match next Tuesday on NXT.
Annoncers with a hard sell for TakeOver as they run down the card for Sunday.
Samoa Joe and Karrion Kross go face-to-face
Joe was out first with fire in his eyes. Joe grabbed the house microphone, and he addressed NXT Champion Karion Kross. Joe was looking forward to the face-to-face, but Joe then realized it was pointless. Joe says he is “simply a man who is here to hurt you.” The live crowd in unison chanted “Joe is gonna kill you.”
Joe says to “tuck your clock in your back pocket” before calling Kross out. Joe said to “stroll your ass down here, young champion!”
Kross entered stage left, and he stood on at the top of the entrance ramp. Joe still does not get it, accoriding to Kross. This is not about them, it “is about the future of this brand.”
Kross was delivering his lines while the crowd chants a question: “Where is Scarlett?” Good question, crowd. Kross did not address it, though. Kross instead called a secruity team to the ring. Kross claimed it was not for protection from Joe. Rather, security was there to protect Joe from Kross.
Kross told Joe he was going to drop Joe “real fast” at TakeOver. Joe snapped, and he attacked Kross. Security tried to break it up the brawl, but they of course failed to do so. Joe then leapt through the ropes with a tope suicida that knocked down Kross and the security team like bowling pins.
Joe beat up Kross around ringside, but security pulled Joe off. Kross then jumped a defenseless Joe, and Kross went to suplex Joe onto the announce desk. Joe countered Kross, and Joe was back to pummeling him around ringside as someone in the crowd shrieks in terror. It was a Gordon Solie Pier Sixer all around the CWC.
Security again pulled Joe off of Kross, but Kross charged at Joe nonetheless. They crashed through the barricade, and they fell to the floor in a heap as the show faded to black.
WWE later reported Ilja Dragunov received eight stitches to close the cut above his right eye.
One title match was confirmed for TakeOver 36 on last night’s NXT, while another was set up as a friendship imploded.
It was announced last night that Samoa Joe will return to the ring at TakeOver 36, challenging for Karrion Kross’ NXT Championship. After weeks of issues with Kross, Joe agreed to a three-step deal with NXT general manager William Regal last night. Joe resigned from his position as NXT management, re-joined the NXT roster, and Kross vs. Joe was made official for TakeOver.
A title match between NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai was also set up for TakeOver 36 last night. Kai turned against Gonzalez on last night’s show, laying her out with a kick following a segment where Gonzalez and Kai addressed the NXT women’s division.
On tonight’s episode of NXT, it was announced that Joe will challenge for Karrion Kross’ NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver 36. The show is taking place on Sunday, August 22.
After being released by WWE this April, Joe returned to NXT as an on-screen authority figure in June. He’s worked as an enforcer alongside general manager William Regal. But, after weeks of escalating issues between him and Kross, there was a segment where Joe resigned as NXT management tonight.
Joe’s resignation was a three-step process. The first step was him resigning as management, the second was him being reinstated to the NXT roster, and the third step was Joe getting an NXT Championship match against Kross at TakeOver 36. Regal signed the paperwork to make all three steps official.
Two weeks ago, Kross choked out Joe after Joe was the special guest referee for his NXT Championship defense against Johnny Gargano. There was then an angle where Kross sent a message to Joe last week, with it being revealed that Kross had laid out Regal.
TakeOver 36 will be the first time Joe has wrestled since February 2020. He’s been out of action due to concussion issues. Before being released in April, Joe was working as a color commentator on Raw.
Joe also has a behind-the-scenes role in NXT as part of the talent scouting department.
Kross has appeared on Raw each of the past two weeks. He made his debut on last week’s show, losing to Jeff Hardy. Kross then defeated Keith Lee on Raw this Monday.
TakeOver 36 is taking place the day after WWE’s SummerSlam pay-per-view. Here’s the updated TakeOver card:
NXT Champion Karrion Kross defends against Samoa Joe
NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER defends against Ilja Dragunov
After more than a year away from the ring, Samoa Joe is making his return.
It was set up at Wednesday night’s NXT television tapings that Joe will challenge Karrion Kross for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver 36 next month. The TakeOver event is taking place on Sunday, August 22.
There was an in-ring segment at Wednesday’s tapings where Joe offered NXT general manager William Regal his resignation as an NXT authority figure so that he could face Kross at TakeOver. Regal, who wanted to fire Kross during the segment, agreed to Joe’s deal and signed the paperwork.
Last night’s NXT ended with an angle where it was shown that Kross had laid out Regal. The attack on Regal was Kross sending a message to Joe. The previous week, Kross choked out Joe after Joe was the special guest referee for Kross’ NXT Championship defense against Johnny Gargano.
Joe hasn’t wrestled since February 2020 due to concussion issues. He was working as a color commentator for Raw until being released by WWE in this April’s roster cuts. Joe returned as an on-screen authority figure for NXT this June. He’s also working in the talent scouting department in NXT.
On Fox Sports’ Out of Character with Ryan Satin podcast in June, Joe was asked if he’s still working toward a return to the ring. “Absolutely,” Joe said. “We’ll just say yes. We’ll leave it at that.” Joe named Kross, Pete Dunne, WALTER, Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly, and Bronson Reed as opponents that he would like to face in NXT.
Kross made his Raw debut this Monday, losing a non-title match against Jeff Hardy. Hardy pinned Kross while having his feet on the ropes for extra leverage.
NXT Champion Karrion Kross sent a message to Samoa Joe by laying out William Regal last night.
After being choked out by Kross last week, Joe opened last night’s NXT by attempting to call out Kross. Regal came down to the ring and told Joe that he can’t be doing this. Joe reminded Regal that their agreement was that Joe could get physically involved if he was provoked. Regal claimed that Joe wasn’t acting as NXT management last week, he was acting as a referee.
Regal told Joe that Kross was on his way to the building and Joe had to solve the problem peacefully. Joe promised Regal that last night would be the end of it — but Joe couldn’t guarantee that it would end peacefully. Joe promised that someone would be going to sleep.
Joe waited for Kross to arrive throughout last night’s show. After Raquel Gonzalez retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Xia Li in the main event, Joe came back out to the ring and called Kross out.
But Kross instead appeared on the video screen. He warned Joe that this is his world now. Kross said the NXT Championship means he can go wherever he wants, he can do whatever he wants, and he can hurt whoever he wants. Kross then revealed that he had laid out Regal.
Kross asked if Joe still feels like he’s in control. Joe went to chase after Kross, but Kross sped away before Joe could get there.
Kross’ Raw debut from the previous night was mentioned during the opening segment of last night’s NXT. Joe said Regal had no control over Kross and asked if Regal knew anything about Kross’ field trip to Raw. Kross lost to Jeff Hardy on Monday.
WWE has made several new announcements for tonight’s episode of NXT.
Following the end of last week’s show, Samoa Joe will respond to NXT Champion Karrion Kross tonight. Joe was the special guest referee for last week’s Kross vs. Johnny Gargano NXT Championship match. After Kross retained his title, he choked Joe out with the Kross Jacket.
Kross made his Raw debut last night and lost to Jeff Hardy. The finish of the match was Hardy pinning Kross while having his feet on the ropes for added leverage. Kross was interviewed after the match and said Hardy just made the biggest mistake of his life.
Four matches have also been added to tonight’s NXT. Odyssey Jones will face Andre Chase (Harlem Bravado) in the first round of the NXT Breakout Tournament, Kyle O’Reilly will take on Austin Theory, LA Knight will face Drake Maverick, and Franky Monet will be in action.
The Knight vs. Maverick match was set up by an angle where they got into a confrontation in the parking lot prior to tonight’s show. As a stipulation of Cameron Grimes losing a Million Dollar Championship match against Knight at NXT Great American Bash two weeks ago, Grimes is currently serving as Knight’s butler. Grimes will be in Knight’s corner tonight.
Plus, WWE has announced that Legado del Fantasma will host “Mariachi Musical Madness” on NXT tonight. Legado del Fantasma are feuding with Hit Row.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s show:
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defends against Xia Li
Samoa Joe responds to Karrion Kross’ attack
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida & Bobby Fish vs. Diamond Mine’s Roderick Strong & Tyler Rust
NXT Breakout tournament first round match: Odyssey Jones vs. Andre Chase
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Austin Theory
Non-title match: Million Dollar Champion LA Knight vs. Drake Maverick
Franky Monet in action
Legado del Fantasma host “Mariachi Musical Madness”
NXT Champion Karrion Kross made his WWE Raw debut on tonight’s show.
Kross faced Jeff Hardy in a singles match, a bout won by Hardy. Kross’s Raw debut also came minus his longtime valet Scarlett.
During the match, Hardy missed his Swanton Bomb finisher. Kross backed Hardy into the corner and attempted to climb the ropes. Hardy then hit a powerbomb off the second rope. Hardy then used a jackknife cover with his feet on the ropes to pin Kross.
Kross was interviewed in the ring following his loss. He stated that Hardy had just made the biggest mistake of his life. To close the segment, Kross said that “everyone will fall and pray.”
Kross’s main roster debut came on the June 24 episode of Main Event, where he defeated Shelton Benjamin. Kross also worked dark matches for WWE in June, facing Dolph Ziggler and Slapjack at SmackDown tapings. He would also face Cesaro and Drew Gulak in dark matches in July.
Kross’s WWE signing was announced in February 2020. He would go on to make his NXT debut in April 2020. Kross went on to claim the NXT title for the first time at NXT TakeOver: XXX in August 2020. His first title reign lasted just four days, as he suffered a shoulder injury at TakeOver and was forced to vacate the title.
Kross would return to NXT in December 2020. His second NXT title reign began on April 8, 2021 when he defeated Finn Balor on night two of NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver. He most recently defended the NXT title on last week’s episode, defeating Johnny Gargano.
After retaining his NXT Championship against Johnny Gargano, Karrion Kross attacked Samoa Joe in the main event angle of last night’s NXT.
Joe was the special guest referee for the Kross vs. Gargano NXT Championship match. Tasked with keeping order in the match, Joe had to stop Kross from breaking the rules multiple times. When Kross refused to let go of the Kross Jacket as Gargano got to the ropes during the match, Joe had to pull Kross off Gargano. Joe and Kross then went face-to-face.
Kross tried to use the steel steps as a weapon, but Joe pulled them out of Kross’ hands and again went face-to-face with him. Gargano gave Kross a DDT on the floor and then hit One Final Beat in the ring, but Kross kicked out. Kross then hit a forearm to the back of Gargano’s head, three powerbombs, a Doomsday Saito, and another forearm to the back of the head before pinning Gargano to retain his title.
Kross and Joe exchanged words after Joe raised Kross’ hand following the match. When Joe went to leave the ring, Kross put him in the Kross Jacket and choked him out.
Samoa Joe was attacked following tonight’s NXT main event by Karrion Kross.
Kross successfully defended the NXT title against Johnny Gargano in the main event of tonight’s show. Kross mouthed off at Joe after Joe gave him the title back. When Joe turned his back away from Kross, he responded by grabbing him in a choke hold, sending both to the floor. Joe passed out as Kross stood tall to end the program.
Joe returned to NXT on June 15 after Kross suggested that William Regal announce his retirement while Regal was giving a promo announcing a new change on NXT. Joe came out instead. Regal proposed giving Joe the role of GM, but Joe refused, instead suggesting he become an enforcer due to all the brawls taking place on NXT programming. Regal accepted, saying that while Joe can break things up, he can’t attack anyone unless physically provoked.
Originally released by WWE on April 15, Joe has since been re-signed to NXT. He has been out of action since February of 2020 due to a concussion suffered during a commercial shoot.
With Samoa Joe as the special guest referee, the NXT Championship will be on the line tonight.
Tonight’s NXT will be headlined by Karrion Kross and Johnny Gargano facing off for the NXT Championship. Joe, who returned to NXT as an authority figure last month, will try to keep order as the referee.
This will be Kross’ third title defense since becoming NXT Champion. After winning the title from Finn Balor at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Kross defeated Balor in a rematch this May. Kross then retained against Kyle O’Reilly, Adam Cole, Pete Dunne, and Gargano in a fatal five-way match at TakeOver: In Your House in June.
The 2021 NXT Breakout Tournament will also begin on tonight’s episode. Ikemen Jiro will take on Duke Hudson in a first-round match. Duke Hudson is Brendan Vink’s new WWE in-ring name.
Plus, Sarray vs. Gigi Dolin, Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai, Dexter Lumis vs. Santos Escobar, and Bobby Fish vs. Tyler Rust are set for tonight. Cameron Grimes’ butler duties will also begin after he lost to Million Dollar Champion LA Knight at NXT Great American Bash last week.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show is opening with a singles match in the women’s division.
Dakota Kai (with NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez) defeated Ember Moon
Kai pinned Moon clean, giving Kai a strong win. Moon lost her tag team partner to the main roster, and now she lost a match here. Hopefully better days are ahead for her. Kai looks to be getting a push, but an angle after the match immediately took the focus off Kai and put it on Gonzalez.
Moon started off strong until Kai cut her off. Kai went on to ground Moon for a short while. Moon soon thereafter came back with a flurry that began with a slight botch. They quickly recovered as the fighting spilled outside. Moon flew through the ropes with a tope suicida, and moments later a dropkick by Moon from the apron knocked down Kai. From there the show cut to a picture-in-picture commercial break.
During the break on the little picture in the corner came a big spot. Moon was posted, and then Kai capitalized by ramming Moon into the ring post a second time. There was at least a replay of the big spot when the show returned from the break.
Kai was working over Moon until she hulked up. Moon on fire during her comeback. Two count after a delayed springboard crossbody from Moon. Kai fought back with a kick, and she pulled Moon off the top rope at one point. Face wash by Kai, and then she used a move that started out like a Slop Drop but ended like a Bladerunner. Two count for Kai, and they traded near falls. Moon with a Super Frankensteiner for two.
For the finish, Kai executed a Go To Kick with Moon draped over the top rope. Kai then covered Moon for a pinfall.
The lights went out and then out comes Xia Li. She marched to the ring with a purpose as she confronted Gonzalez. Li is soon challenging Gonzalez for her championship, so they had a staredown. Li then left as quickly as she came. This was odd. Totally scooped all of Kai’s heat.
Part one of Cameron Grimes as the butler featured LA Knight making Grimes get a makeover. Knight made Grimes sit down for a trim of his beard and long hair. Knight then made Grimes dress in a suit. Knight was trolling Grimes. However, the joke was on Knight, because Grimes said he looked great.
Malcolm Bivens was with the Diamond Mine for a pre-tape promo. This built up a match later on between Tyler Rust and Bobby Fish. The promo was uploaded the YouTube earlier today. The tease was for Roderick Strong vs. Fish, but they’ll seemingly get to that soon enough.
Tyler Rust (with Diamond Mine) defeated Bobby Fish
Rust pinned Fish to get a big win for the up-and-comer. Though the match was short, Rust looked strong in winning even if he needed help from Roderick Strong. Pretty lame finish if you ask me. Sets up a tag team match next week, though.
Fish was fighting back after Rust had him Fish reeling. Fish came back with an exploder suplex into the ropes. Strong jumped on the apron to cause a distraction. That allowed for a sneak attack by Rust with a chop block on Fish. Rust then nailed Fish with a Yoshihiro Tajiri buzzsaw kick, and Rust covered Fish for a three count.
The Diamond Mine (consisting of Rust, Strong, Bivens and Hideki Suzuki) surrounded Fish after the match. They were closing in when NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida ran down to back up Fish. The Diamiond Mine backed down and left the ring. This seems to set up some sort of tag team match.
NXT Champion Karrion Kross was warming up for his title match. Samoa Joe, dressed in a referee shirt, was giving Kross instructions. Joe concluded by telling Kross to obey his command at all times. Joe asked Kross if he hurt him. Kross kept hitting a punch bag, ignoring Joe. So Joe got in his attention by kicking the bag, and getting in Kross’ face. Kross warned Joe not to cost him the match. Joe said he took that as a “yes” from Kross.
Sarray defeated Gigi Dolin
Sarray pinned Dolin as Mandy Rose watched the match from the stage.
This match was set up by an angle that was a “WWE Network Exclusive.” Great way to remind American viewers we no longer have the Network. It’s Peacock or nothing. Leave the memories alone. *Sigh*
Dolin was formerly known as Priscilla Kelly before joining the NXT brand.
They were having a really good match when Mandy Rose walked onto the stage. Rose watched from the top of the entrance ramp as Sarray and Dolin beat the heck out of each other. This was probably the most competitive match Sarray has wrestled in on television.
They went back-and-forth, and they traded near falls throughout the match. Sarray also went for several submission holds. Sarray with a stiff dropkick, and a high angle suplex for the fininsh. Sarray then covered Dolin for a pinfall.
Santos Escobar (with Legado del Fantasma) defeated Dexter Lumis
Escibar pinned Lumis after interference by Legado del Fantasma
Lumis frightened Escobar by trying to pull Escobar underneath the ring. Lumis then popped out from under the ring, wich scared Esobar. The show then went to a commercial break. When the show returned, Escobar was no longer fearfull. Instead, he was getting heat on Lumis. Escobar’s fear lasted almost the length of a commercial break.
Escobar went for a trifecta of suplexes like Eddie Guerrero, but Lumis countered the third attempt. After Lumis hulks up on Escobar, Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde interfere to save Escobar. Wilde booted Lumis, and Escobar executed a Phantom Driver. Escobar then covered Lumis for a pinfall.
The new NXT North American Champion, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, and Hit Row confronted Escobar and Legado del Fantasma after the match. They all had words and traded barbs.
Indi Hartwell came out to Lumis’ ai. She tried to carry Lumis away like Lumis had done for her last week. Beth Phoenix earlier in the show had basically told Hartwell to make a move on Lumis. Hartwell dropped Lumis as she was carrying him. They looked into each other’s eyes, and they were about to kiss when Candice LeRae ran down. LeRae ruined the romantic moment, and she made Hartwell leave. What a party pooper.
Duke Hudson defeated Ikemen Jiro in a first round match in the NXT Breakout Tournament
Hudson pinned Jiro to win the first match in the 2021 Breakout tourney.
The wrong guy won in this match. Jiro is awesome! He totally should have won. Hudson was okay I guess. He looked dominate at times, but whatever. The wrong guy won.
Jiro wore a colorful sports jacket during the whole match. He used a tarantula at one point. That was in honor of Tajiri, who trained Jiro. That is second Tajiri reference I am able to make in this here recap. That makes me smile. Tajiri is awesome. So is Jiro. Did I mentiion the wrong guy won this match?
Jiro countered a Razor’s Edge to get a final rally. Jiro with an Asai moonsault off the top rope. Hudson with a counter and a Winds of Change finisher. 1…2…3.
Pete Dunne had a backstage confrontation with Timothy Thatcher. Tommaso Cimpa suddenly ran in to attack Dunne. There was a pull-apart brawl because seemingly every NXT episode these days needs at least one pull-apart.
Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro defeated Jessi Kamea & Aliyah (w/ Robert Stone)
Catanzaro pinned Aliyah to win the match. Carter with a neckbreaker just as Catanzaro delivered a 450 splash for a wicked finisher.
The match was a precursor to to angle that followed it. Robert Stone helped Aliyah off the mat, but she shoved him away. Aliyah pushed Stone away. She yelled at him that she has done more for Stone than anyone. Aliyah slapped Stone, and she beat him up. Aliyah punted Stone, and she left the ring with the crowd chanting her name.
Franky Monet came to ringside, and Kamea left with her. The Robert Stone Brand appears to be a dead brand.
In a comedy skit, Samoa Joe gave instruction to Johnny Gargano ahead of the title match. Joe also had another backstage staredown with Pete Dunne.
In part two of Cameron Grimes as LA Knight’s butler, the joke was again on Knight. Grimes paid a kid to do Grimes’ choirs. Knight insulted the kid and told him to leave, so the kid kicked Grimes in the knee. He had it coming, that’s for sure. Knight then took a bump into the pool. Funny stuff.
Adam Cole during an in-ring promo said “I told you so.” Cole proved he was better than Kyle O’Reilly by beating O’Reilly at The Great American Bash. Cole ran down O’Reilly, but Cole said he was tired of talking about O’Reilly. Cole wanted to talk about Samoa Joe, and Cole went on to basically threaten Joe.
Cole was nobody was man enough to face him, and out comes Bronson Reed. He told Cole that Cole was a master of mind games, but Reed said he was nothing to lose. Reed said all eyes were on him and his next move. Reed said Cole is NXT’s golden boy, and he is Reed’s golden opportunity. Cole went superkick Reed, but Reed caught Cole’s leg. Reed went for a lariat, but Cole ducked the clothesline. Reed then splashed Cole, and Cole bailed out of the ring.
Samoa Joe, still dressed in his referee gear, came down to ringside. He glared at Cole, and they had a brief staredown.
Announced for next Tuesday on NXT:
Kushida & Bobby Fish vs. Roderick Strong & Tyler Rust
Xia LI challenges Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship
Franky Monet was backstage with Jessi Kamea and a disheveled Robert Stone. Mandy Rose confronted them. Rose quipped, “Looks like the Robert Stone Brand is under new management.”
NXT Champion Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) defeated Johnny Gargano to reatin his title with Samoa Joe as special referee
Kross pinned Gargano to retain the title. Joe got involved at times, but only as a referee. Kross in a sneak attack choked out Joe after the match.
Gargano attacked Kross before the bell to no avail. Kross fought off Gargano, and Kross suplexed him. Gargano countered Kross, and Gargano did a senton off the apron. Kross no sold, and he mowed down Gargano.
Gargano sidestepped a charge, and Kross crashed into the ring steps. Kross shook that off quickly, and he gave Gargano a tree slam into the announce desk. Gargano’s back hit the edge of the desk, and that looked very painful.
The match went through a picture-in-picture commercial break, and Gargano was pummeled during the ads. Gargano comeback after the break, leading to a two count after a slingshot spear by Gargano. Tope suicida from Gargano, and the crowd chanted his name.
Kross cut off Gargano, and Kross delivered more suplexes. Gargano was still able to counter Kross, but Kross mowed him down again. Yet, Gargano managed another counter with a DDT for a near fall.
Gargano took a chokeslam, but he came back with a superkick. Kross countered La Mistica to attempt a Kross Jacket submission hold. Gargano instead used a counter to apply the Gargano Escape crossface. Kross powered out, did an airplane spin, and Kross appied his sleeper hold finisher. Gargano managed to get a rope break, but Kross refused to break the hold. Joe pulled Kross off of Gargano. Joe and Kross got face-to-face, but Kross walked away from Joe. Kross instead punished Gargano some more.
Kross grabbed Gargano by the throat, and he repeatedly slammed Gargano into the barricade. Kross picked up a section of the ring steps, seemingly looking to smash Gargano. Joe blocked Kross from using the steps. Gargano then was able to DDT Kross on the floor.
Gargano went for his slingshot DDT, but Kross kicked out at two. Kross nailed Gargano with a strike, and Kross several times powerbombed Gargano. A Saito suplex, and Gargano was on rubber legs. Kross again clubbed Gargano with a strike from behind, and Kross covered Gargano for a pinfall.
Kross and Joe has another staredown after the match. Joe turned to walk away and leave the ring as Scarlett held back the champ. Soon as Joe’s back was turned, Kross leapt into action. Kross choked out Joe, while Kross screamed at Joe that Joe brought this on himself.
Samoa Joe will be the special guest referee as Karrion Kross and Johnny Gargano face off for the NXT Championship.
With Joe as the special guest referee, Kross will defend his NXT Championship against Gargano on next Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Joe returned to NXT as an authority figure last month, working alongside general manager William Regal as Regal’s enforcer.
The title match was announced during a face-to-face segment with Kross and Gargano on tonight’s Great American Bash edition of NXT. The face-to-face segment was made for tonight after Kross and Gargano brawled throughout last week’s NXT. That included an angle where Kross tried to run Gargano over with his car as they fought in the parking lot. Joe pulled Gargano out of the way but said that Gargano perhaps pushed Kross a little too far.
Kross has been NXT Champion since defeating Finn Balor for the title at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver this April. He’s successfully defended the title twice since then. In his first defense, Kross defeated Balor in an NXT Championship rematch in May. Kross then retained the title by defeating Kyle O’Reilly, Adam Cole, Pete Dunne, and Gargano in a fatal five-way match at TakeOver: In Your House in June.
Kross has wrestled in dark matches at WWE main roster shows in recent weeks. He also made an appearance on WWE Main Event two weeks ago and defeated Shelton Benjamin.
Gargano will be looking to become a two-time NXT Champion. He previously held the title from April 2019 to June 2019.
Here’s the full list of what’s been announced for next Tuesday’s NXT:
NXT Champion Karrion Kross defends against Johnny Gargano (Samoa Joe will be the special guest referee)
NXT Breakout Tournament first-round match: Ikemen Jiro vs. Duke Hudson
Sarray in action
The Breakout Tournament is kicking off on next week’s NXT. Duke Hudson is Brendan Vink’s new WWE in-ring name.
