Raw’s fallout from SummerSlam and build to Payback took place last night.
The night after their WWE Championship match at SummerSlam, Randy Orton hit three punts on Drew McIntyre. McIntyre opened the show after retaining at SummerSlam but was ambushed by Orton and laid out by the first two punts.
Later in the night, Keith Lee made his official Raw debut by confronting Orton. A match between them was interrupted by McIntyre. Orton bailed when McIntyre attacked him, but he then blindsided McIntyre during an interview and hit his third punt of the night. In a storyline injury update, WWE said that doctors feared McIntyre suffered a skull fracture that could be career-ending.
Lee said he wasn’t happy with McIntyre getting involved in his match, but seeing your friend being taken out by ambulance changes things. Lee called McIntyre one of the toughest people he’s ever met and said McIntyre will be okay. He then issued a warning to Orton.
Lee and Orton will face off at Payback this Sunday. SmackDown’s main event for the pay-per-view was also confirmed, with “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defending his Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns in a no holds barred triple threat match.
Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax were confirmed as Sasha Banks & Bayley’s Women’s Tag Team title challengers for Payback. After winning the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam, Asuka faced off with Banks in a lumberjack match for the title last night.
Keith Lee is set for his first pay-per-view match since being called up to Raw.
WWE has announced Lee vs. Orton for this Sunday’s Payback PPV. The match was set up during Lee’s official Raw debut tonight.
Orton facing Lee at Payback means Orton won’t be challenging WWE Champion Drew McIntyre at the PPV. On Raw tonight, Orton hit three punts on McIntyre
McIntyre opened tonight’s Raw after retaining his title against Orton at SummerSlam. He said it’s fine if Orton wants to get into the ring with him again. McIntyre vowed that he’ll do the one thing he didn’t get to do at SummerSlam — hit a Claymore on Orton. Orton then ambushed McIntyre on the stage and laid him out with two punts.
Orton came to the ring later and cut a promo before being interrupted by Lee. The segment set up a match between them for later in the night. As Orton was about to go for an RKO during the match, McIntyre attacked Orton. Orton bailed but later blindsided McIntyre as he was being interviewed backstage. He laid out McIntyre with another punt.
In a storyline injury update, WWE said doctors fear that McIntyre suffered a skull fracture that could be a career-threatening injury. McIntyre was taken out by ambulance as part of the angle. Lee did an interview saying he wasn’t happy with McIntyre interfering in his match, but watching his friend get loaded into an ambulance changes things. Lee said McIntyre is one of the toughest people he’s ever met and is going to be okay. Lee then issued a warning to Orton.
Lee lost the NXT Championship to Karrion Kross at TakeOver XXX this past weekend. On Raw tonight, Lee had new entrance music and wore a sleeveless shirt with his gear.
Here’s the updated lineup for Payback:
Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defending against Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns in a no holds barred triple threat match
Keith Lee vs. Randy Orton
Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Bayley defending against Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
United States Champion Apollo Crews defending against Bobby Lashley
Date: August 24, 2020 Location: Amway Center in Orlando, FL
The Big Takeaway —
Keith Lee debuted to challenge Randy Orton to a match, a match that ended when Orton was about to give him an RKO but Drew McIntyre attacked Orton. McIntyre was previously laid out with two “punts” and Orton ultimately punted him a third time. McIntyre was taken to hospital and they acted as though he has a serious injury. Lee has new music and wrestled in a shirt.
The main event ended in a DQ/no contest (after two earlier matches ended in a DQ) when Retribution attacked Dominik and Rey Mysterio.
Aleister Black turned heel on Kevin Owens.
This was not a good show at all. Read more below.
Show Recap —
There was a huge fireworks display again to start the show in the Thunderdome.
Tonight: Asuka and Sasha Banks will have a Women’s title lumberjack match. Apollo Crews and Bobby Lashley are having an arm-wrestling contest. Dominik and Rey Mysterio will team up against Seth Rollins and Murphy.
On Friday’s Smackdown, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt will have a contract signing for a triple threat Universal title match happening at Payback on Sunday.
Drew McIntyre entered and they aired a video package of his win last night. McIntyre welcomed us to the Thunderdome and asked the fans to give a thumbs up. They did (after a few seconds).
McIntyre said he beat Randy Orton last night because he was hungrier and more determined than him. McIntyre knew that there were people who were desperate and wondered when they would get their next paycheck and said Orton never knew what that felt like. Despite all that, Orton was great, but last night, McIntyre was much better.
McIntyre knew Orton probably wouldn’t let this go so if they ever got in the ring together again, McIntyre would kick his head off.
(They add a crowd murmur regardless of what’s happening so the segments don’t sound dead. Usually, it sounds fine but it was distracting here. It didn’t at all match with McIntyre’s promo.)
McIntyre posed on the stage and, of course, was attacked from by behind by Orton. Orton chucked McIntyre into the video board before pushing him into Gorilla position. Orton raked McIntyre in the eyes before punting him. As officials checked on McIntyre, Orton punted him again. (Fake booing was played over this.) Orton taunted him before leaving.
I don’t want anyone getting kicked in the head but both punts completely missed.
McIntyre struggled to his feet after a break. He brushed off officials and told them he was fine. They didn’t believe him.
There was a Keith Lee video package.
Sarah Schrieber found Nia Jax backstage and asked, “What are you doing here?” Jax thought that was rude. Schreiber mentioned her suspension but Jax said she was reinstated. Jax yelled in her ear that she apologized to Pat Buck. Schrieber was appalled and left.
Shayna Baszler showed up. Baszler compared Jax to Haystacks Calhoun. Jax said she looked like an Addams Family reget. Baszler welcomed her back and left. That’s really what happened.
Jax came out on the stage before the match started.
Bayley took control after Baszler was easily distracted by Banks. Baszler was on the outside but as she went back in the ring, Jax ran down and yanked her out for the DQ. So lame.
They brawled as Banks and Bayley looked on and laughed. That caught Jax’s attention. Baszler saw it took and taunted the champs instead of going after Jax (who also attacked her friend last week). The champs ran off. Baszler and Jax looked at each other knowingly. This was bad.
Kevin Owens asked some guy backstage where Aleister Black’s locker room was. It was around the corner. Owens opened the door and it was completely black inside. Owens acted like he was speaking with Black and asked if he was coming out for the KO Show. Owens left awkwardly. Black closed the door.
KO Show with guest Aleister Black
Owens introduced Black and said they had a common enemy in Seth Rollins. (Black wore an all-black suit with a black bandage over his eye.) Owens asked how he was doing. Black asked him why he doesn’t just show the footage. Owens hesitated before motioning for them to replay what happened with Rollins and Murphy.
As Owens spoke about Rollins, Black fell to a knee and sold like his eye was hurting. Owens called for help. Black suddenly nailed him with a back elbow and a spinning kick to the head. Officials ran in to check on Owens as Black marched off.
Charly Caruso interviewed Banks and Bayley. Banks said she would win her title back tonight and Bayley said they would take care of Baszler and Jax.
Fatal 4-Way: Akira Tozawa defeated Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander and R-Truth to win the 24/7 Championship (1:26)
Truth was the only one who got an entrance. Tozawa won after rolling up Truth. Benjamin beat up ninjas after the match. Tozawa ran away.
Schreiber asked Orton if he cared to comment on why he attacked McIntyre. Orton said yes. He left.
This was an awful first hour.
[Second hour]
Randy Orton promo
Orton said he’s always done what he wants to whomever he wants but that didn’t happen at SummerSlam. He told everyone he would beat McIntyre but he didn’t. McIntyre presented him an opportunity earlier tonight and Orton punted him in the head for it. Orton was pissed that McIntyre offered him a rematch out of pity. Orton called himself the legend killer.
Orton put himself over until Keith Lee interrupted. Lee introduced himself and presented an opportunity for Orton to bask in his glory. Orton smirked. Lee said Orotn was the apex predator and legend killer but Lee was limitless. Lee figured Orton wanted a fight tonight and he was ready right now. Orton fired up before saying, “maybe later.” He left.
Backstage, Caruso interviewed Zelina Vega who was with Angel Garza and Demi Burnett. Vega reiterated that she did not poison anyone. Garza tried to act like getting caught was no big deal. Vega told him to shut up and she left to get ready for her match. Garza invited Burnett to join him at ringside (after she mentioned that she was speaking to Ivar earlier). Garza invited Caruso too, who seemed turned off.
The Street Profits cut a pre-taped promo where they shouted out Kobe Bryant here on 8/24. Red cups dropped from the ceiling again during their entrance.
Ivar sauntered out to ringside two minutes into the match to give Burnett a turkey leg. Burnett left with Ivar. Dawkins was very amused.
Ford battled Garza off the turnbuckles and followed with a rotating frog splash for the pinfall win.
In the back, Jax told Baszler she wasn’t thrilled about teaming with her but she wanted the tag titles. Baszler said she would help her win them if she left her alone. (I mean, it would be hard to leave her alone if they’re the champs.) Jax said she should follow her lead and shoved her. Baszler slapped her. Jax rolled her eyes.
Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair agreed to beat up the IIconics and Vega.
Six-woman tag match: Bianca Belair, Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan defeated Zelina Vega & The IIconics (3:27)
Riott and Morgan were billed as the Riott Squad again. Belair gave Vega a Glam Slam and handspring moonsault but the IIconics broke up the cover so Morgan and Riott got rid of them. Belair clocked Vega with a right hand before hitting KOD for the pinfall win.
Cedric Alexander beat Ricochet in an arm-wrestling contest in the back. Mark Henry showed up and asked for the arm-wrestling apparatus unless Alexander wanted to challenge him first. Alexander declined.
MVP showed up and wondered why Alexander was doing this just moments after losing a chance at the 24/7 title. Ricochet told MVP to leave. MVP wasn’t interested in hearing from the guy who abandoned Alexander last week. MVP made his case again for Alexander to join the Hurt Business.
Arm Wrestling Contest: Bobby Lashley vs. US Champion Apollo Crews
Mark Henry introduced each guy and said he asked the Hurt Business, Mustafa Ali, Alexander and Ricochet to stay in the back.
Lashley said he didn’t need MVP or Benjamin out there. He said he would slam Crews’ hand down and beat him up. He wouldn’t beat him up too badly because he was going to beat him at Payback for the title. Crews said he would beat Lashley at Payback just like he beat MVP. Crews also said he would win the arm-wrestling contest.
They got in position but Lashley backed off to remove his suit jacket. Lashley got in position again as he taunted Henry. Crews stomped Lashley’s foot (which was over the line) and slammed his hand down to win the contest. Henry thought this was fair I guess and announced Crews the winner.
Lashley tried to attack Crews but Crews booted him out of the ring before hitting a flip dive on MVP and Benjamin who were on their way down to the ring. Lashley argued with Henry.
There was a video recap of Dominik vs. Rollins.
Caruso interviewed the Mysterio family. Rey and Angie were proud of Dominik. Rey called Rollins one of the most dangerous “superstars” but Dominik gave him hell. Dominik admitted he was terrified but his family gave him the courage to do it. Rey said Rollins didn’t understand that about family. He said Rollins would have a family one day and he would finally understand. Rey went on for a while before informing Rollins that Dominik was the real future of Raw.
Lana & Natalya segment
Lana and Natalya were in the ring to honour a future hall of famer. Lana put over Natalya as a hall of famer. Natalya said she would get her own HOF ceremony one day because, as they both know, she was the B.O.A.T. (best of all time).
However, they were here tonight to honour Mickie James and retire her. Natalya pointed to a video package she put together of James’ career highlights. It was a blank image and they laughed because James had no highlights. James ran down, shoved Natalya and kicked Lana.
[Third hour]
Raw Underground
Lashley beat up some guy and choked him out. Dolph Ziggler got in the ring to face Lashley and the announcers noted that he had a fight scheduled against Ivar later. Ziggler held his own for a while until Lashley launched him out of the ring into a wall.
The Hurt Business threw some other guy in the ring and Lashley hit him with a weak-looking kick to the arm which somehow knocked the guy out.
Keith Lee defeated Randy Orton via DQ (4:48)
Lee has new generic theme music and he wrestled in a sleeveless shirt.
Early in the match, Lee leaped over Orton and used a shoulder tackle. Orton backed into the corner and acted surprised. Moments later, Lee caught an Orton punch and gave him an overhead suplex without leaving his feet. Orton gained control after posting Lee. Orton applied a chinlock but Lee got to his feet with Orton still on his back and followed with a crossbody.
Lee used a body block with knocked Orton out of the ring. Lee slid Orton in the ring but made the mistake of trying to get in over the middle rope, so Orton gave him a draping DDT.
Orton set up for an RKO when McIntyre yanked him out of the ring for the DQ. McIntyre chased after Orton who managed to escape. McIntyre was pissed. Lee disappeared.
An extremely underwhelming debut to say the very least.
They recapped the Reigns return and plugged Smackdown/Payback.
McIntyre told Caruso he was happy for his friend but he didn’t need Keith fighting his battles. He was pissed that Orton tried to end his career. McIntyre looked into the camera and was about to say something when Orton suddenly attacked him from behind (which was well done). Orton punted him again. A million officials who all happened to be nearby ran in to stop Orton from doing more. Orton yelled that the title was his.
Caruso was outside of the trainer’s room after a break with an update on McIntyre. Caruso overheard that he could have a skull fracture or bleeding in the brain which could be career-threatening — or worse. She’d have an update later.
Lumberjack Match: Asuka defeated Sasha Banks (w/Smackdown Champion Bayley) to retain the Raw Women’s Championship (7:48)
Pretty much all of the women who have been featured on the show so far surrounded the ring, excluding Nia Jax. Banks fell out of the ring which led to the babyfaces faces off with the heels. Baszler stepped in front of the babyfaces to stare down Bayley as they went to break 42 seconds into this championship match.
Banks was randomly in control after the break. Bayley punched Asuka in the midsection and none of the other women did anything about it. Banks tried a dive but Asuka ducked and she took out the Riott Squad instead.
Asuka knocked down Banks and went after Bayley who hid behind the other women. Asuka knocked down a few of them but Banks attacked her from behind. Banks used a frog splash for two.
Bayley grabbed a chair but Baszler took her out. This distracted Banks so Asuka put her in the Asuka Lock for the submission win.
An ambulance carried McIntyre away. Caruso interviewed Lee nearby. He said McIntyre was one of the toughest men he knew and would be ok. He can’t say the same for Orton.
Raw Underground
Lashley beat the crap out of Cedric Alexander until MVP forced him to stop.
Ivar knocked down Lashley so the Hurt Business swarmed him until Erik tried to save. The teams brawled and the Hurt Business got the better of it. Lashley submitted Ivar in the chaos.
The Hurt Business stood tall. Shane said that was all for tonight. So they didn’t do the advertised Ziggler/Ivar match. Not that it matters.
Dominik & Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins & Murphy ended in a no contest or DQ (approx. 10:10)
Dominik and Rey entered first. They attacked Rollins and Murphy as they entered (before the match began). The heels got the better of this even though they’re the ones who got attacked. The match started when Murphy and Dominik were in the ring (the ref checked with Dominik first).
Dominik dumped Murphy from the ring as Rey chucked Rollins into the corner of the barricade (which was not shown by the director). Rollins bailed from the ring so Dominik took out him and Murphy with a dive off the top.
During commercials, Rollins made a blind tag and gave Rey a backbreaker. Rollins gave Rey a gutbuster after the break. Rey dropkicked Murphy off the apron before giving Rollins a bulldog.
Rey gave Murphy an enziguri and made the hot tag to Dominik who gave Murphy clotheslines and springboard crossbody for two. Dominik used a leg scissors takedown and tilt-a-whirl DDT but Rollins broke up the cover. Murphy chop-blocked Dominik but he managed to tag in Rey.
Rey went for a 619 on Rollins but Murphy had made a blind tag. Rey dropped Murphy over the middle rope and tagged in Dominik. They gave Murphy a double 619.
The lights started to go out as Dominik set up for a frog splash which caused him to hesitate. Rollins shoved him off the top.
Retribution showed up in the ring. Rollins bailed.
Rey tried to protect Dominik but Retribution beat them both up. (The match was about 10 minutes long. The bell didn’t ring when Retribution attacked.)
Retribution laid out the Mysterios as loud booing played over the speakers. Rollins and Murphy were shown watching from the stage.
After losing the NXT Championship at TakeOver XXX, a call-up to the main roster is what’s next for Keith Lee.
WWE announced tonight that Lee will appear on Monday’s post-SummerSlam episode of Raw. The announcement was made via a hype video that aired during SummerSlam.
After the video aired, Triple H posted a tweet congratulating Lee: “Let the #Limitless era of #WWERaw begin… Congratulations @RealKeithLee! #WeAreNXT”
Lee lost the NXT Championship to Karrion Kross in the main event of TakeOver XXX on Saturday night. Lee had been NXT Champion since defeating Adam Cole in a winner-take-all title vs. title match at Great American Bash night two last month. After winning that match, Lee vacated the NXT North American Championship.
At last year’s Survivor Series pay-per-view, Lee was part of Team NXT in the Raw vs. SmackDown vs. NXT men’s elimination match. He made it to the end of that match before being defeated by Roman Reigns. Lee was also an entrant in this year’s Royal Rumble and went face-to-face with Brock Lesnar before being eliminated by him.
WWE presents its 30th TakeOver special as NXT TakeOver XXX takes place tonight.
The show will feature three title matches, the in-ring debut of former All-Pro punter Pat McAfee, and more.
NXT Champion Keith Lee will put his title on the line against Karrion Kross. It will be the first time Lee has appeared since the angle where he was hit in the face with a fireball two weeks ago. For Kross, this will be his second TakeOver match. He defeated Tommaso Ciampa at TakeOver: In Your House this June.
Io Shirai won the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: In Your House and will defend against Dakota Kai tonight. Due to interference by the Robert Stone Brand’s Mercedes Martinez, Kai defeated Rhea Ripley two weeks ago to become the number one contender to Shirai’s title. Raquel Gonzalez then made her return last week and laid out Shirai.
A new North American Champion will be crowned as Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Cameron Grimes, Johnny Gargano, and Velveteen Dream face off in a ladder match. The North American Championship was vacated by Lee after he defeated Adam Cole in their winner-take-all title vs. title match at Great American Bash night two last month.
McAfee will debut against Cole and Finn Balor will take on Timothy Thatcher. There will also be a pre-show number one contender’s triple threat tag match with Legado del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde facing Breezango and Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch.
The pre-show begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. The main card will then start at 7 p.m. Eastern.
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NXT TakeOver XXX pre-show
Triple threat number one contender’s tag match: Breezango defeated Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch and Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
This was all action once the bell sounded. Fandango power bombed Wilde to the floor onto all the wrestlers early on. He and Oney Lorcan got into it back in the ring. Mendoza did a wild-looking springboard tornillo to the floor moments later.
WIlde landed a 450 splash for a close two-count on Tyler Breeze but both teams broke up the count. He took out Lorcan with a superkick next for the sudden win. They’ve now earned a shot at Imperium for the NXT tag titles.
**********
Finn Balor defeated Timothy Thatcher
Balor stormed at Thatcher just as the bell rang. The two traded strikes and traded holds in the center of the mat. Thatcher laid in some stiff forearms, then took Balor down with a single-leg and started working over Balor’s left foot and ankle. Thatcher would sometimes cover Balor’s nose or face while he held him in submission holds; this is a real catch technique used to cause discomfort and cause the opponent to give up his position. This technique is widely considered “dirty” in modern grappling.
Thatcher transitioned to a double-wrist lock submisson before again moving to a front chancery. Balor was able to slip away from Thatcher and put him down with a basement dropkick. Once Balor landed a Pelé kick, both sold their exhaustion for a minute.
Balor planted Thatcher with a reverse U-crusher for two. He then missed Coup de Grace off the top rope and sold his injured knee, the same one Thatcher worked over for much of this match. Thatcher noticed and locked on a single-leg crab before Balor grabbed the bottom rope. Thatcher followed up with an Inoki-style gamengiri kick and a German suplex. Balor rallied back and cinched in a stepover facelock, but Thatcher reversed it into an ankle lock. Balor rolled out of the hold and landed a standing double-stomp, then finally landed Coup de Grace followed by 1916 for the clean win. This was Balor’s twelfth win in NXT. Great match.
Damian Priest beat Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Cameron Grimes, Johnny Gargano and Velveteen Dream Ladder to win the vacant NXT North American Championship
This was a car crash match with all action and crazy spots. Priest attacked Dream at bell. Bronson Reed wore Bam Bam Bigelow-inspired ring gear with flames.
Cameron Grimes did the Jean Claude Van Damme split across two ladders at one point before falling to the mat.
Priest later did a springboard kick that tripped Dream off ladder, which was pretty creative. Grimes did Spanish fly to Gargano on the floor. Big Bronson Reed did tope suicida.
Candace LeRae interfered late in the match on behalf of her husband, Gargano. She grabbed Grimes off a ladder, then beat on him a bit before Gargano took him out with a ladder. LeRae then grabbed Gargao’s hand and then climbed to the top rop and frankensteiner’d Grimes onto the floor.
When LeRae interfered again, Bronson splashed Gargano with LeRae on his back. Very GIF-able moment.
Grimes later got his hand on the belt but Dream knocked him off the ladder. Dream did his pose on the ladder, grazed the belt, realized the belt was right above him, then tried to grab it. Priest knocked Dream off, then chokeslammed Reed off the ladder. Gargano and Grimes did a modified version of the 1999 Jerry Lynn vs RVD sunset flip power bomb spot, but here they did it onto a ladder from atop another ladder. Looked brutal.
Reed knocked Dream off a ladder and he flew into the crowd and went through two tables. It looked cool but it was so obviously a planned spot. He disappeared from the match after this.
As Gargano went to grab the North American title, Damian Priest reappeared and took Gargano out and grabbed the belt for himself, winning the match.
Adam Cole defeated Pat McAfee
McAfee cut a good promo before the match. His football player buds accompanied him to the ring.
Cole locked on a side headlock early on. McAfee did a good job as a hee herel. He didn’t look like a natural in the ring, but he definitely wasn’t bad, either.
McAfee rolled to the floor and said he was a better human than Cole. Him and the football dudes taunted Cole. Undisputed Era showed up and the eight or nine guys jaw-jacked at each other while McAfee ran to the top rope and did a flip dive onto everyone.
Cole sold like Ricky Morton for McAfee as the NFL player worked Cole over mid-ring for a few minutes. It’s weird when commentary mentions that Cole’s been wrestling for 18 years, and then gets leveled up by a football player in his first match.
McAfee did a perfect-looking backflip off the top rope, landed on his feet, then ran up the ropes and superplex’d Cole.
McAfee went to kick a prone Cole in the head, but Cole moved and McAfee, the NFL punter, kicked the steel steps instead. Cole went after McAfee’s leg next and locked on a figure-four until McAfee grabbed the ropes for a break. McAfee then used a kick low blow behind the ref’s back, which allowed him to “punt” Cole in the head; Cole sold it brilliantly. Very close two-count on this one.
McAfee dove off the top rope but Cole caught him flush with a superkick, then landed the Panama Sunrise for the win.
Io Shirai deafeted Dakota Kai (w/ Reina Gonzalez) to retain the NXT Women’s title
Shirai tackled Kai at the bell and started pummeling her. She tried a handspring elbow early on but looked to slip and land on her head, a slight botch, but she no-sold it and kept moving.
Gonzalez distracted Shirai early and allowed Kai to gain some leverage. She locked in an armbar as Shirai was entangled in the ropes on the apron.
Shirai came back with a hard jumping palm strike. After some mean-looking stomps, Kai, came back and went for her running yakuza kick in the corner, but Shirai slipped away. Kai countered with a school boy pin that planted Shirai into the bottom turnbuckle.
Kai accidentally took the referee out with her running yakuza kick in the corner, knocking him out. Shirai capitalized and threw Kai over with a German suplex, then stuck a picture-perfect moonsault, but no referee. Reina Gonzalez came into the ring and took Shirai out and draped her over Shirai, then woke the ref up, but again, another close call.
Shirai used a beautiful triangle moonsault to the floor to take both Kai and Gonzalez, then used another moonsault inside the ring to put Kai away clean and retain the NXT women’s title.
Gonzalez flattened Shirai after the bell, but before she do much damage, Rhea Ripley ran to the ring. Her and Gonzalez had a staredown, which probably would have gotten a good reaction with a live crowd. Rpley hung around on the entrance ramp and stared daggers at Shirai while the champ celebrated inside the ring.
NXT Championship match: Keith Lee (c) vs. Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett Bourdeaux)
This match also started without a tieup; Lee bulldozed Kross with a sudden shoulderblock out of the corner. This had a great feel to it. Kross and Lee complement each other surprisingly well, but once you see them in the ring together it makes total sense. Kross’ offense looks authentic and painful, even with the massive Lee. He worked over Lee’s arm and wrist with a variety of joint locks. Kross looks natural when he transitions from hold to hold, which made his work feel more realistic.
Lee tried mounting a comeback, but Kross rolled him back into a cross armlock. Lee held him off and was able to cradle Kross into a school boy pin for two. Kross didn’t let go of the armlock, so Lee deadlifted Kross, then power bombed him.
Lee made a comeback and floored Kross with a forearm. Lee’s punches looked really ginger in this compared with Kross.
Kross landed a high roundhouse kick and DDT for two. Lee fought back and used a vertical suplex on Kross for a two-count of his own.
Towards the end, of the match, they traded big lariats, with Lee and Kross both going down for a few moments before final throes. Kross spiked Lee with a backdrop driver suplex and Lee went up in the air like he was 190 lbs.
Kross locked in the Kross Jacket submission next but Lee survived, and again made it to the ropes.
Lee used the Spirit Bomb for two, but Kross was finally able to put Lee away with an avalanche backdrop suplex from the second rope for the clean win.
Karrion Kross is your new NXT Champion. Scarlett Bourdeux jumped in the ring and celebrated the win with Kross. They posed with the belt before TakeOver XXX faded to black.
Final thoughts:
Balor vs. Thatcher and the main event were the show’s highlights, though all of tonight’s bouts were better than average. Like in June, this edition of TakeOver would have been so much better in front of a live audience.
The NXT Championship match was confirmed for TakeOver XXX last night — but Keith Lee was hit in the face with a fireball in the process.
After Karrion Kross defeated Danny Burch in the opening match of last night’s NXT, Lee came down to the ring with a contract in his hand. Lee said he offered for Kross to earn his title shot, but Kross didn’t want to do that. Lee said he instead pleaded with William Regal and promised that he wouldn’t put his hands on Kross until TakeOver if Regal made the match.
Scarlett took the contract, Kross signed it, and she then slid it back into the ring. When Lee opened the contract, a fireball came out of it and hit him.
Lee was transported to the hospital by ambulance as part of the angle. An update was provided later in the show, with it being said that Lee vowed that Kross would be a dead man at TakeOver.
Last night’s NXT was headlined by a TakeOver qualifying match. Cameron Grimes defeated Kushida and the returning Velveteen Dream, becoming the third wrestler to qualify for the ladder match for the vacant NXT North American Championship at TakeOver.
Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, and Grimes have qualified for the ladder match. The final two wrestlers for it will be confirmed with two second chance qualifying matches on next week’s go-home show for TakeOver. It will be Johnny Gargano vs. Ridge Holland and Finn Balor vs. Velveteen Dream.
The NXT Championship match is now official for TakeOver XXX.
NXT Champion Keith Lee will defend his title against Karrion Kross at the Saturday, August 22 TakeOver special. That was made official on tonight’s NXT, which also featured an angle where Lee was hit in the face with a fireball.
Kross warned Lee last month that everyone would suffer unless Lee gave him a title shot. Lee accepted the challenge, telling Kross to pick the time and place. But NXT general manager William Regal said he wouldn’t be bullied into making championship matches and told Kross that title shots had to be earned. Kross then sent a message to Lee and Regal last week by causing destruction backstage.
Kross laid out Danny Burch during that destruction, setting up a match between them on NXT tonight. Lee came down to the ring with a contract in his hand after Kross got the win. Kross and Scarlett left the ring when Lee came out. Lee got on the microphone and said he wasn’t surprised. Lee said he offered for Kross to earn his title shot, but Kross didn’t want to do that. Lee said he instead pleaded with Regal and promised that he wouldn’t put his hands on Kross until TakeOver if Regal made the match.
Scarlett took the contract, Kross signed it, and she then slid it back into the ring. When Lee opened the contract, a fireball came out of it and hit him in the face.
Lee was taken to the hospital as part of the fireball angle. Later in the show, it was said that Lee vowed that Kross would be a dead man at TakeOver.
Lee has been NXT Champion since defeating Adam Cole for the title at Great American Bash night two last month. This will be the second time that Kross has wrestled at a TakeOver special. He made his TakeOver debut by defeating Tommaso Ciampa at TakeOver: In Your House in June.
Here’s the updated card for TakeOver XXX:
NXT Champion Keith Lee defending against Karrion Kross
Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defending against Dakota Kai
Ladder match for the vacant NXT North American Championship (Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Cameron Grimes, and two more wrestlers will take part in the match)
Two more matches have been confirmed for this coming Wednesday’s episode of NXT.
WWE announced today that NXT Champion Keith Lee vs. Cameron Grimes in a non-title match and Bronson Reed vs. Shane Thorne are set for Wednesday’s NXT. Dakota Kai vs. Rhea Ripley in a number one contender’s match, Damian Priest vs. Ridge Holland vs. Oney Lorcan in a TakeOver qualifying match, and Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) defending their NXT Tag Team titles against the Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish) have also been announced for the episode.
The winner of Kai vs. Ripley will challenge for Io Shirai’s NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver XXX on Saturday, August 22.
Priest, Holland, or Lorcan will become the next wrestler to qualify for the five-man ladder match for the vacant North American Championship that’s taking place at TakeOver. Reed and Dexter Lumis are the first two participants who have qualified.
In his TakeOver qualifier, Reed defeated Johnny Gargano and Roderick Strong in a triple threat match.
WWE uploaded a post-show interview with Grimes after this week’s NXT where he vowed to teach Lee a lesson about respect. There was a segment on this week’s show where Lee called out Karrion Kross but Grimes appeared instead and got laid out by Lee.
Though Lee told Kross to name the time and place for them to face each other, NXT general manager William Regal said later in the show that he won’t be bullied into making title matches. Regal said title shots have to be earned.
WWE has made a couple of announcements for this week’s episode of NXT.
NXT general manager William Regal tweeted tonight that NXT Champion Keith Lee will make an appearance on this Wednesday’s show and respond to Karrion Kross’ actions from last week. Regal also announced that new Robert Stone brand member Mercedes Martinez will be in action against Shotzi Blackheart on the episode.
The build to an eventual Lee vs. Kross NXT title match continued when Kross defeated Dominik Dijakovic in last week’s main event. The finish of the match was Lee watching on as Kross locked Dijakovic in the Kross Jacket. Prior to that, Kross put Dijakovic’s head between the ring and the steel steps and then kicked the steps into Dijakovic’s head. Lee came out to ringside as Kross was hitting strikes on a defenseless Dijakovic, but Dijakovic pleaded with him not to stop the match.
Lee checked on Dijakovic after last week’s main event and had a staredown with Kross.
There was a segment three weeks ago where Blackheart declined to join the Robert Stone Brand and then ran over Stone’s ankle with her mini tank. Blackheart defeated Robert Stone Brand member Aliyah on NXT last week. She ran over Stone’s ankle again after the match, but Martinez then attacked her.
Martinez was officially confirmed as the newest member of the Robert Stone Brand later in last week’s show. She told Stone that she needs someone who can handle everything outside of the ring so she can focus on hurting people inside of it.
A triple threat match between Finn Balor, Timothy Thatcher, and Dexter Lumis is also set for this week’s NXT. The winner will qualify for the five-man ladder match for the vacant NXT North American Championship at TakeOver XXX. Bronson Reed has already qualified for the ladder match.
TakeOver XXX is taking place on Saturday, August 22.
With a major announcement hyped for the show, tonight’s episode of NXT opened with Keith Lee revealing that he’s vacated the North American Championship.
The explanation for Lee vacating the title was that he doesn’t want to limit the roster’s opportunities and wants to make sure they all get the same opportunities he had. Lee defeated Adam Cole in their winner-take-all title vs. title match two weeks ago to win the NXT Championship and retain the NXT North American Championship.
Lee vowed that he’ll defend the NXT Championship as much as possible.
Lee said he wants as many people as possible to get a chance to win the North American title. William Regal then announced that the new champion will be crowned in a ladder match at TakeOver XXX on Saturday, August 22. There will be a series of triple threat matches to decide the participants for the ladder match.
Johnny Gargano vs. Roderick Strong vs. Bronson Reed is the first of those triple threat matches. It’s taking place on NXT tonight.
NXT TakeOver XXX is being held on the Saturday of SummerSlam weekend. The special was originally supposed to be TakeOver: Boston.
Lee had held the North American title since winning it from Strong in January.
Newly crowned double champion Keith Lee is set to make an appearance on this week’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that Lee will “address the NXT Universe” on NXT this Wednesday. Lee defeated Adam Cole in the main event of Great American Bash night two last week, winning the NXT Championship and retaining the NXT North American Championship.
WWE.com wrote about Lee’s segment for this week’s show:
Keith Lee will be on NXT tomorrow night to usher in NXT’s Limitless era.
Lee made history last week, closing out The Great American Bash by ending Adam Cole’s record-breaking NXT Championship reign. He adds NXT’s top prize to his mantle alongside the North American Title and is now the black-and-gold brand’s first double champion.
Now with two titles to his name, Lee is certain to face an extraordinarily long list of challengers. And might it include Karrion Kross?
Kross and Scarlett were seen looking on during Lee’s victory celebration. Given Kross’ path of destruction and his willingness to take on anyone, might he have Lee and his newly won NXT Title in his sights?
Don’t miss what the new NXT Champion has to say tomorrow night at 8/7 C on USA Network!
Two matches have also been announced for this week’s NXT. Io Shirai will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Tegan Nox, while Damian Priest will face off with Cameron Grimes.
Nox became the number one contender to Shirai’s title by defeating Dakota Kai, Mia Yim, and Candice LeRae in a fatal four-way elimination match at Great American Bash night one two weeks ago.
Priest vs. Grimes is a rematch from last month, where Grimes defeated Priest after an angle where he apparently attacked Priest in the parking lot before the show.
The final night of NXT’s Great American Bash was headlined by a winner-take-all title vs. title match.
Keith Lee defeated Adam Cole, ending the longest NXT Championship reign in history. Lee is now a double champion and holds the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship.
Cole hit his second Last Shot of the match near the finish. He then went for the Panama Sunrise, but Lee gave him a Spirit Bomb. Lee then hit the Big Bang Catastrophe to get the win.
Lee celebrated in the ring to close the episode. It was also shown that Karrion Kross and Scarlett were watching on as Lee celebrated.
Night two of the Great American Bash also featured Mia Yim vs. Candice LeRae in a street fight, Johnny Gargano vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Bronson Reed vs. Tony Nese, Legado del Fantasma vs. Drake Maverick & Breezango, and Mercedes Martinez returning to television against Santana Garrett.
Keith Lee has ended Adam Cole’s year-plus long title reign and is now a double champion.
In a match where both of their titles were on the line, Lee defeated Cole in the main event of Great American Bash night two to win the NXT Championship and retain the NXT North American Championship. This is the first time Lee has held the NXT Championship. He’s been North American Champion since defeating Roderick Strong for the title in January.
The finishing sequence saw Cole hit his second Last Shot of the match. But instead of going for the pin, he climbed the ropes and went for the Panama Sunrise. Lee countered and hit a Spirit Bomb on Cole. He then hit the Big Bang Catastrophe to win the winner-take-all match.
Lee celebrated in the ring to close the show. It was shown that Karrion Kross and Scarlett were watching on during the celebration.
It was noted on commentary that Lee is the first person in NXT history to hold two singles titles at the same time.
Cole had been NXT Champion since winning the title from Johnny Gargano at TakeOver: XXV in June 2019.
The result of Cole vs. Lee had been spoiled by a now-deleted photo of Lee celebrating in the ring that was posted on Instagram by NXT’s Saurav when the match was taped last week.
A winner-take-all title vs. title match headlines night two of NXT’s Great American Bash tonight.
NXT Champion Adam Cole and NXT North American Champion Keith Lee will face off in tonight’s main event with both of their titles on the line. Cole has been NXT Champion for more than a year, while Lee has held the North American title since January. He was confirmed as Cole’s opponent for tonight’s show by retaining the North American title against Finn Balor and Johnny Gargano in a triple threat match two weeks ago.
Mia Yim vs. Candice LeRae in a street fight, Gargano vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, and Legado del Fantasma (NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) vs. Drake Maverick & Breezango are also set for tonight’s show.
Plus, Mercedes Martinez will make an appearance. WWE has been hyping her reintroduction with videos over the past few weeks.
Robert Stone has also hyped that he’ll be revealing a “HUGE new signing” to the Robert Stone Brand tonight.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with a grudge match from the women’s division.
Candice LeRae defeated Mia Yim in a street fight
LeRae pinned Yim in a WWE-style brawl with weapons that had a few nods at old school ECW. Both were dressed in street clothes. Yim attacked LeRae on the stage during LeRae’s entrance. They fought to the bring where Yim pulled weapons out from underneath the ring. There were the usual WWE tropes like kendo sticks, chairs, and trash cans. They proceeded to trade strikes with the kendo sticks. Yim momemts later introduced a table into the match.
They fought in the ring, and then the fight spilled outside to the floor. They posted each other, and they left ringside to brawl around the building. LeRae blinded Yim with a fire extinguisher, and then tried to suplex her off a stage through a table. Yim blocked the suplex, and then she threw a dropkick. LeRae with a Nestea Plunge through a table just before the show cut a picture-in-picture commercial break.
There were back in the ring when the show returned from break. The brawling continued in a ring littered with weapons. LeRae threw even more chairs in the ring than there already was beforehand. She also bridged a table on the top rope. Yim fought back and dropped LeRae with a kick. A double down turned into a comeback for Yim when she fired up on LeRae. Yim put a trash can over the head of LeRae, and then she kicked it. She also did a rolling cannonball into the trash can.
Yim reached into a pocket to retrieve some brass knuckles. LeRae blocked the knux with some chair shots. She buried Yim in a pile of chairs. She climbed on top of the table she had earlier bridged on the top rope. Yim cut her off, and then Yim also got on the table. LeRae was able to take the brass knux away from Yim, and LeRae hit her with the knux. LeRae hooked Yim for Mister Toad’s Wild Ride off the table on to the pile of chairs. LeRae then covered Yim for the pinfall.
LeRae and Yim stayed down selling as the show went to commercial. LeRae rolled out of the ring, and Yim saved some face as she was able to get to her feet and walk out of the ring.
Bronson Reed defeated Tony Nese
Reed pinned Nese in a match that was set up during an angle from last week where Reed made a save to run off Nese. It was a decent match, but it seemed like filler programming.
Reed gained an early advantage until Nese trapped him in the apron skirt. Nese capitalized as he began working over Reed. Nese continued his onslaught, but Reed soon was fighting back. Reed was manhandling Nese, when Nese was able to snap Reed’s neck on the top rope. Nese followed with a Super Crazy springboard moonsault for a two count.
For the finish, Reed mowed Nese down with a lariat. Reed then jumped off the top rope with a splash, and he covered Nese for the pinfall.
A vignette highlighted the return of Mercedes Martinez.
Robert Stone was backstage saying we were about to witness history. Stone got angry at Shotzi Blackheart becasue she did not want to join the Robert Stone Brand. He threw his cup of coffee over his shoulder. Much to his chagrin, Killian Dain was hit with the coffee cup. He was very upset by this so grabbed Stone by the lapels and threw him into a cart. Blackheart then ran over Stone’s leg with her mini-tank. Stone screamed in pain. I guess this was done for comedy.
Undisputed Era arrived to the building, and Kyle O’Reilly was with them.
Johnny Gargano defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
Gargano pinned Swerve in a good match. Much like the previous match on the show, this match was also set up in an angle last week. The difference was this match was announced ahead of time, albeit only yesterday via social media. And it was all already taped last week. [Insert Toru Yano shrug.]
The match began with grappling on the mat before the pace quickened into more intricate spots. They built to a Fosbury Flop by Swerve before a commercial break.
The show returned from break with Gargano in control, and Swerve soon cut him off. A pop-up flatliner by Swerve netted a two count. They traded near falls as Gargano hit Swerve with a spear for another two count.
They were trading strikes and kicks when Swerve caught Gargano with the House Call. That led into a double down. Gargano was soon able to apply a STF. Swerve escaped the hold, but after a tilt-a-whirl a moment later saw Gargano go for his submission finisher. Swerve again escaped, and Swerve then executed a falcon arrow for a near fall.
Swerve went for a double stomp off the turnbuckles to the floor, but Gargano avoided it. He posted Swerve, and then gave him a poison rana on the floor. That led to Gargano slingshotting into the ring for his signature DDT, and Gargano covered Swerve for the pifall.
A great video package set up Tegan Nox challenging Io Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship, and that title match was announced for next week on NXT.
El Legado del Fantasma (NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) defeated Drake Maverick and Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango)
Escobar pinned Maverick to win the match. The match was good for what it was, but this did not feel special. It gave the new heel trio a win, though.
Breezango spoofed them being luchadores for their entrance as they wore masks and jumped around. I guess it was supposed to be funny, but it just seemed folish. It certainly didn’t make me want to take them seriously. Maverick on the other hand had a look of determination on his face.
Mendoza & Wilde wore matching gear, and Escobar wore similar gear. They all wore armbands because that is something heel factions do in WWE ever since Nexus. Undisputed Era does it too. Escobar’s armband was a different color because he is the boss.
The heel trio worked over Breeze. A hot tag later and Fandango was cleaning house. Fandango press-slammed Maverick over his head and threw him outside onto the heels. Fandango springboarded into a flip dive. Fandango got up selling his knee, and then his knee was rammed into the ring steps. The heels got heat on Fandango, and they at first didn’t work the leg all that much. They eventually got around to targeting the leg.
Maverick ran wild after a hot tag. He was a house of fire as he exploded on Escobar. However, Escobar was able to crotch him on a turnbuckle. Escobar then gave him the Phantom Driver, and he covered him for the pinfall.
Mercedes Martinez defeated Santana Garrett
Martinez pinned Garrett, and Martinez looked very strong in doing so.
Martinez had a badass new ring entrance. She looked like a superstar. Martinez wasted no time in clubbing Garrett as the match began. Garrett fought back briefly as she applied a cobra twist. Garrett also did a handspring back elbow, but Martinez no sold and mowed her down with a high kick.
Martinez with ground and pound as she pummeled Garrett. Martinez dashed a hope spot before delivering the fisherman’s buster suplex, and then she pinned Garrett.
A vignette focused on the rivalry between Cameron Grimes and Damian Priest. A match between the two is official of next week.
NXT North American Champion Keith Lee defeated NXT Champion Adam Cole in a winner-take-all title-for-title match to become double champion
Lee pinned Cole to become the first person to hold both male singles titles in NXT at the same time. This was a one match show, and this one match did deliver. It was pretty dang great. Lee was put over like a superstar.
They started with a methodical pace. Cole was cocky, and Lee soon shut him up. Cole begged off, but he baited Lee into following him outside the ring. Cole sidestepped, and Lee smashed into the guardrail and plexiglass partition.
Cole went to work on Lee. Cole got cocky again as he started to taunt Lee. That soon angered Lee, but Cole dashed a hop spot. Cole went back to work as he called Lee a “nobody”, and Cole claimed Lee “can’t win the big one.” Lee soon hulked up and peppered Cole with punches.
Lee with a huge powerslam for a near fall. Cole cut him off when he tripped up Lee in the ropes. Cole with a backstabber on Lee looked to regain the advantage. Lee cut him off, and Lee deadlifted him into a superplex for a big pop from the planted crowd.
Cole fought back, only for Lee to give him a pop-up powerbomb. Lee went for a cover, and Cole was able to barely get a rope break with one finger on the bottom rope. Cole ate a pounce, and then took a chokeslam of sorts. Yet, Cole still managed to kick out.
Lee with a moonsault press for another two count. Cole escaped the Big Bang Catastrophe, and he hit a superkick. Lee hulked up. Cole hit him with another. Lee hulked up even greater. Cole took out Lee’s legs with superkicks, and Cole followed with The Last Shot. Lee kicked out to fight on.
Cole measured Lee for another Last Shot, but Cole instead took a nasty bump when Lee caught him with a lariat. Cole somehow managed to recover, and he executed the Panama Sunrise. Lee kicked out again, and Cole was in disbelief.
Cole threw several superkicks at Lee, and Lee still kicked out yet again. Cole pulled down his kneepad, and he delivered a Last Shot with the exposed kneecap. Cole then climbed on the turnbuckles seemingly going for another Panama Sunrise. Lee blocked it to give Cole a Spirit Bomb, and then the Big Bang Catastrophe for the pinfall.
Lee celebrated with both championship belts as confetti rained down around him. Karrion Kross & Scarlett were shown watching from above. They have their sights set on the new champion.
Tim Brooks, best known as “Killer” Tim Brooks, who wrestled full time around the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan from 1970 through 1989, passed away today at the age of 72.
Brooks had been battling cancer for several years that was known to be terminal.
He was from Waxahachie, TX, and spent most of his career wrestling out of the Dallas office. His original stardom came while working for The Sheik in Michigan where he held the NWA World tag team titles twice with Ben Justice and once with Abdullah The Butcher. He was also a regular mid-level heel during the heyday of World Class Championship Wrestling when it was syndicated nationally.
As Bad News Brooks, he was the regular tag team partner of Roddy Piper in Oregon. It was Buddy Rose & Ed Wiskoski’s (aka Col. DeBeers) attack on Brooks when he was scheduled to leave the territory that led to Piper’s babyface turn that was one of the hottest business periods in the history of the Pacific Northwest.
Brooks was also a good friend of Bruiser Brody. In 1985, Brody had his last match in All Japan before he was to leave for New Japan. He turned a match against Olympic wrestlers Riki Choshu and Yoshiaki Yatsu into a fight, noting that he would not have done so if he didn’t have confidence in Brooks as his partner and backup.
In 1986, he got a major push in Montreal as Brody’s brother (Big Buster Brody) with the idea he was insane.
He was also part of a key angle in Georgia when he defeated Paul Orndorff to win the National heavyweight title in 1983, “selling” the belt to Larry Zbyszko. NWA President Bob Geigel was part of the angle when he stripped Zbyszko of the title who ruled that you can’t sell a championship.
Brooks continued to wrestle on independent shows through 1997 in Texas and opened the North American Wrestling Alliance training school, promoting shows in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
He trained a number of wrestlers with the biggest names being the original Awesome Kong (a male wrestler who was a Texas star) and current WWE star Keith Lee who honored him on Twitter.
