Big Damo, formerly Killian Dain in WWE NXT, made his AEW debut on Friday’s Rampage episode.
Damo lost to Shawn Spears in what was billed ahead of time as Spears vs. “A giant.”
Damo was part of mass releases by WWE in June 2021, after he had been with the company since 2016. Damo was part of the Sanity group in NXT from 2016 to 2018, and the faction got a brief call-up to the SmackDown brand in WWE’s 2018 Superstar Shake-up. Damo returned to the NXT brand in 2019, and finished his WWE tenure as part of that roster.
Damo debuted for NJPW earlier this year, and has remained active on both the international and American independent scenes since leaving NXT. He also appeared for the Control Your Narrative promotion earlier this month, winning both of his bouts for that company.
Damo married WWE wrestler Nikki Cross (Nikki A.S.H.) in a ceremony in January 2019.
Big Damo, formerly Killian Dain in WWE NXT, will make his NJPW debut at Strong Style Evolved.
Damo will take on John Skyler at the show.
Damo’s debut was one of four new matches announced today for the Sunday, March 20 event in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Impact Wrestling’s Josh Alexander will face Karl Fredericks. In tag team action, Juice Robinson and David Finlay will take on JONAH and Shane Haste. Also announced, Kevin Knight will face The DKC, plus Hikuleo will take on Andy Brown.
Strong Style Evolved will be taped for NJPW Strong.
The full lineup:
NJPW Strong Style Evolved, Sunday, March 20 —
US of Jay open challenge: Jay White vs. TBA
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (c) vs. Clark Connors
Jay Lethal vs. Ren Narita
Shane “Swerve” Strickland vs. Blake Christian
Buddy Matthews vs. Yuya Uemura
Mascara Dorada vs. TJP
Rocky Romero & Wheeler Yuta vs. JR Kratos & Black Tiger
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. JONAH & Shane Haste
Eddie Kingston & Fred Rosser vs. Fred Yehi & Daniel Garcia
Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole (Austin Jenkins), Ruby Soho (Dori Prange) and Minoru Suzuki were all unannounced surprises on AEW’s All Out on 9/5 from the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL.
The show may end up historical and certainly felt like it was historic in the building. It felt it just as much if not more watching on television with the announcers soundtrack. In the days that have passed, many have talked about it as the best U.S.-based PPV show in history and it has to be in the discussion. There have been a few better shows judged strictly by match quality, and it’s too soon to ascertain anything long-term of what it means. Short-term it led to Dynamite beating Raw for the first time ever same day in the same week.
But when you consider atmosphere, news value, crowd, announcing match depth and creativity, it’s a hard one to beat.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Big E spoke to Robbie Fox of Barstool Sports about winning the WWE Championship on last night’s episode of Raw. “I have been so grateful because I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a performer, even from three, four years ago, I feel so much more comfortable in so many different ways,” he said (h/t Post Wrestling). So, I’m glad in many ways. Edge texted me and I don’t wanna butcher the text but it was something about, you know, just like the fact that it took so long makes it so much sweeter and he’s right. Sure, it could have been cool to have this championship six, seven years ago, to be world champion, to be WWE Champ. But, to have felt that I’m at a point now where I earned it and I put the work in and it doesn’t feel handed to me makes the journey sweeter honestly. As cliché as it sounds, it’s more enjoyable because it feels like a long time coming.”
There was no post-show match after WWE Raw, with the show ending after Big E won the WWE Championship. A tag match pitting Damian Priest and RKBro against Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles, and Omos had been advertised locally but did not take place.
Matches taped for Main Event this week include Jaxson Ryker vs. Drew Gulak and Humberto Carillo and Angel Garza vs. Lucha House Party.
PWInsider reported that ahead of tonight’s NXT 2.0 launch, the Capitol Wrestling Center name for the WWE Performance Center has been dropped and will simply be referred to as “the home of NXT”. Additionally, they also reported that Kevin Dunn is at tonight’s TV taping.
Big E will be a part of Wednesday’s The Bump.
WWE has trademarked the terms ‘Lash Legend’ and ‘Andre Chase University’.
Adweek has an article about WWE’s success on TikTok, which has surpassed the NBA in followers.
Samoa Joe talked to SportsNet in Canada about the upcoming changes to NXT, as well as his recent release from WWE and return to the NXT brand shortly after.
Drew McIntyre spoke with Newsday ahead of WWE’s debut at the UBS Arena on November 29.
Matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include Rey Mysterio vs. Kane from the September 15, 2008 edition of Raw and John Morrison vs. Sheamus in a Falls Count Anywhere match from the September 13, 2010 edition of Raw.
Other Wrestling
This week’s AEW Road to Dynamite, which focuses on Adam Cole vs. Frankie Kazarian, Shawn Spears vs. Darby Allin, Bryan Danielson’s plans, and Leyla Hirsch vs. Jade Cargill.
Heels’ fifth episode on Sunday brought in 79,000 viewers, the same number as last week. It brought in 27,000 viewers in the 18-49 demographic.
Jim Davies, a former Stampede Wrestling announcer with Ed Whalen, has passed away.
Big Damo, aka Killian Dain, told Wrestle Zone that he is currently unable to wrestle in the United States due to work visa issues. “I’ve been making sure to be as active as possible and then obviously with the world about to reopen again, touch wood as best I can, then it’ll be a lot easier for me,” he said. “But my main issue is I’m a foreigner living in the USA so there’s still legal hurdles I have to make before I can get anywhere. That could be sorted within a week, it could be sorted within a couple of months and sadly that’s the reality of the situation. I’m here legally, but I won’t be able to work legally just for a little time yet, and that is something that we’re hoping to get sorted ASAP….I’m really excited for what’s next.”
Former co-host of The Bump Evan T. Mack, on his Ringer podcast MackMania, spoke about his departure from WWE. “I’m going through a professional transition,” he said (h/t Post Wrestling). “That’s how I put it and I just wanted to take this moment to reflect on certain situations that happen in life, you know what I’m saying? And the situation that was out of my control and no I’m not jaded and no I’m not bitter, those moments have passed. I’m blessed, I’m fortunate, I have my health, I’m grateful to the man above without getting too philosophical, without getting too religious.”
A look back at all the WWE cuts of the last week, person by person, with the background, what the direction the company is going. We look at where different people would be best served working at next, highlights of their WWE careers, and a lot more about the cuts.
Also in this issue:
A feature on Del Wilkes, known as The Trooper and The Patriot, his drug issues, his multiple arrests, his entire career, his noteworthy college football career, his biggest matches, how he broke in, and days in AWA, Global, All Japan, WCW and WWF, the origin of the idea of The Patriot that few know about, kicking his drug problem, what others have said about it, and his life after wrestling.
A talent move that will be very interesting to watch and long-term repercussions of this move, Great American Bash news, Money in the Bank news, ticket sales for all WWE shows and Breakout Star tournament news
AAA’s biggest show of the year, with a look at the TripleMania lineup, Verano de Escandalo as well, restrictions and angles leading up to the big matches.
This past week’s UFC show with Cyril Gane and Alexander Volkov, the next heavyweight title match, why Gane vs. Derrick Lewis is happening, why it’s a bad idea, plus match-by-match coverage.
All Japan crowning a new Triple Crown champion after Suwama vacated the title due to COVID and the three-way with Jason Lee, Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoagi, the complete All Japan Ota Ward show.
More detail on the ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week, how many different viewers the shows had, DVR numbers and how long the average fan watches.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE on Twitter sent out well wishes to Terry Funk, who confirmed through representatives that he is going through multiple health issues.
Matches taped prior to Raw for this week’s Main Event include Jeff Hardy vs. Veer and Angel Garza vs. Shelton Benjamin.
John Pollock of Post Wrestling reported that WWE is taping the final episode of Raw at the Thunderdome today.
Eva Marie spoke to Bleacher Report about her WWE return. She mentioned that after being signed back in October, there were times where she was slated to come up prior to vignettes airing in May. “There’s always so many things where creatively, story-wise, there were so many [things] where I was going to come back before ‘Mania, and then I wasn’t,” she was quoted as saying. “Timing is everything, and just making sure it made sense. That’s kind of where it was at where I thought I was returning a lot sooner, and then it didn’t make sense. WrestleMania wasn’t the right moment, and right after wasn’t, either. It was just looking for that right little slot to insert the storyline and create it and start it.”
A match between Quinn McKay and Mandy Leon has been set for two weeks from now on ROH television. If McKay wins, she will be entered into the Quest for Gold tournament.
Cody Rhodes, when asked about WWE continuing to use The Great American Bash name, responded on Twitter: “Business is business. They have the rights to many of Dusty’s greatest creations. My hope is that they do them justice and I will never be bitter about his legacy being honored and a whole new generation seeing he was a genius w/lasting concepts.”
Don West on Twitter regarding his recent brain lymphoma diagnosis: “I know that I am going through a tough deal but seeing all of your well wishes has boosted my spirit tremendously. Thank you to everyone for your support and your prayers and your kindness and I am going to beat this cancer so that I can go on the air again.”
On the All Night Long podcast, the former Killian Dain revealed that both he and Drake Maverick tested positive for COVID during their run as a tag team, causing he, his wife Nikki Cross, and Maverick to isolate. “There was a period where we were supposed to do something with the Undisputed ERA. We did one little thing with them, but boom. I have COVID,” he recalled. “I don’t even have symptoms. That takes [Nikki Cross] off TV, she was doing a thing with Bayley. She didn’t get [COVID-19], but she had to isolate.”
Shota Umino, who has been out of action during the course of the pandemic, will make his in-ring return to RevPro on July 18 when he faces Dan Moloney.
The NWA released a video called Race To The Chase, highlighting their upcoming show at the Chase Park Plaza.
Cezar Bononi will make his GCW debut on the second night of GCW Homecoming on July 25.
Regarding trademarks, Matt Cardona has filed to trademark the term “Major Bendies.” Ruby Riott, who is now going under the name Ruby Soho, has filed to trademark “The Runaway.” The former Vanessa Borne has trademarked “The Fetish,” and Lady Frost has filed to trademark her in-ring name.
Chris Adonis spoke to Metro on drawing the ire of Hardcore Holly early in his WWE career.
Wrestle Zone spoke to Chuck Palumbo on his new YouTube series and his run as a professional wrestler.
Danhausen is the guest on this week’s Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette.
Before this week’s NXT went on the air, WWE uploaded a video where Drake Maverick got into a confrontation with Hit Row. Dain stepped in and told Scott that if he has a problem with Maverick, he has a problem with Dain too. That angle also aired on this week’s NXT.
Scott’s Hit Row group formed on NXT last month. It also includes Top Dolla, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and B-Fab. Top Dolla (AJ Francis) and B-Fab (Briana Brandy) made their NXT TV debuts as part of the group.
Hit Row cut a promo on NXT last week stating that it’s time for them to go after gold. They mentioned the NXT Championship, NXT North American Championship, NXT Tag Team titles, and NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Next Tuesday’s NXT is the go-home show for TakeOver: In Your House. Here’s the updated lineup for the episode:
Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai
Oney Lorcan vs. Austin Theory
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Killian Dain
Grammy-nominated pop-rock and nu-metal artist Poppy returns to NXT
Three matches have been added to the card for next week’s NXT episode.
– The NXT Cruiserweight Championship will be on the line as Kushida defends against Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match on NXT next Tuesday. Kushida became champion by answering Escobar’s open challenge three weeks ago and defeating him to win the title.
On last week’s NXT, Legado del Fantasma (Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) defeated Kushida & NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) in a six-man tag match. That match was set up when MSK saved Kushida from an attack by Legado del Fantasma the previous week. The attack happened after Kushida issued his own open challenge and defeated Oney Lorcan to retain the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
– NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Austin Theory in a non-title match is also set for next Tuesday’s NXT. It will be the first time Kross has wrestled since winning the NXT Championship from Finn Balor at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month.
Theory and NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano laid out Kross on NXT tonight. Gargano and Theory tried to meet with NXT general manager William Regal earlier in the show, but they couldn’t because Scarlett was in Regal’s office when they got there. Gargano called himself the number one champion in NXT. After an interaction between Theory and Scarlett during the segment, Regal later informed Theory that Scarlett made sure that Theory will be facing Kross next week.
Kross cut a promo on tonight’s show but was interrupted by a line of potential challengers. Kyle O’Reilly first appeared, followed by Pete Dunne and Balor. After a brawl broke out, Gargano and Theory ambushed Kross when he was the only one left in the ring. Kross tried to fight them off, but Gargano and Theory gave Kross stereo superkicks. Gargano then laid out Kross by hitting him with the North American title belt.
Gargano and Theory were shown leaving the building immediately after laying out Kross.
– Plus, Killian Dain vs. Alexander Wolfe will take place on NXT next Tuesday. Wolfe’s Imperium stablemates Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner defeated Drake Maverick & Dain on NXT last week. Aichner & Barthel hit the Euro Bomb on Maverick to get the win after Barthel had sent Dain into the ring post.
Going into last week’s tag match, Maverick was worried that Dain was going to turn against him and join Imperium. There was a moment during the match where Barthel ordered Wolfe to hit Dain with a steel chair. Wolfe, who was formerly a member of SAnitY with Dain, went to hit Dain with the chair but ultimately couldn’t do it. But Wolfe stood in Dain’s way when Dain tried to send Barthel into the ring post. That gave Barthel time to reverse the move and lay out Dain instead.
Here’s the updated lineup for next Tuesday’s NXT:
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defends against Mercedes Martinez
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defends against Santos Escobar in a two-out-of-three falls match
Non-title match: NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Austin Theory
Two tag team matches have been added to tonight’s episode of NXT.
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will be in action tonight as they face The Robert Stone Brand’s Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in a non-title match. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will also take on Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner on tonight’s show.
WWE uploaded an interview with Robert Stone, Aliyah, and Kamea ahead of tonight’s NXT. Stone vowed that Aliyah & Kamea would defeat Blackheart & Moon and become the official number one contenders to the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. Aliyah said she and Kamea can’t wait to show the world that they can defeat Blackheart & Moon twice.
Indi Hartwell said on last week’s NXT that William Regal had agreed to give her and Candice LeRae a shot at Blackheart & Moon’s NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, but when Hartwell & LeRae will be getting their title shot wasn’t announced.
Barthel & Aichner defeated Ever-Rise on NXT last week. After being attacked by Imperium earlier this month, Dain came out to ringside and confronted Imperium’s Alexander Wolfe during Barthel & Aichner’s match against Ever-Rise. But when Maverick then ran out and went to fight with Wolfe, Dain carried Maverick away. Dain and Maverick argued in a post-show video and Maverick asked Dain if he was going to join Imperium. Dain told Maverick no and walked away.
Dain and Wolfe were formerly stablemates in SAnitY.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
Sit-down interview with Adam Cole
Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory (if Reed wins, he gets a future shot at Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship)
Mercedes Martinez vs. Dakota Kai
Kushida & MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Aliyah & Jessi Kamea
Drake Maverick & Killian Dain vs. Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian AIchner)
New number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team titles were decided on tonight’s TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two pre-show.
Killian Dain & Drake Maverick defeated Breezango to become number one contenders on tonight’s pre-show. WWE has not announced when Dain & Maverick will be getting their shot at MSK’s NXT Tag Team titles.
Maverick pinned Tyler Breeze in tonight’s match after hitting a top rope hurricanrana and being powerbombed onto Breeze by Dain.
MSK’s Wes Lee & Nash Carter claimed the vacant NXT Tag Team titles yesterday on night one of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, defeating Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) and Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde). The titles had been held previously by Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan, but were vacated after Burch suffered a shoulder injury on the March 17 episode of NXT. William Regal announced that the titles were officially vacated in a tweet on March 23.
Breezango are former NXT Tag Team champs themselves, having held the title from August 2020 to October 2020.
A number one contender’s match is set for tonight’s NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver pre-show.
WWE has announced that Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will take place on tonight’s TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two pre-show. The winner will get a shot at the NXT Tag Team titles, but WWE hasn’t revealed when that title match will be taking place.
At night one of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) and Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) in a triple threat match to win the NXT Tag Team titles. The NXT Tag Team titles were vacant going into that match. Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan had to relinquish the titles last month after Burch suffered a separated shoulder.
On their way to winning this year’s men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, MSK defeated Maverick & Dain in the second round of the tournament.
The TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two pre-show will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern time tonight. The pre-show will air live on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else, along with airing on WWE’s social media platforms. Tonight’s main card is airing live on Peacock in the U.S. and the WWE Network elsewhere. It will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Here’s the updated card for tonight’s show:
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two —
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Karrion Kross
Unsanctioned match: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Ladder match to determine undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion: Jordan Devlin vs. Santos Escobar
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against Bronson Reed
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
Tag team number one contender’s match: Breezango vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain (pre-show)
Two teams that took part in this year’s men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic are set for action on Wednesday’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will take place on this week’s NXT episode. It will be the first time each team has wrestled since their respective losses in the Dusty Classic.
The Grizzled Young Veterans made it to the finals of the men’s Dusty Classic but lost to MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day earlier this month. Gibson & Drake defeated Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel), Kushida & Leon Ruff, and Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher in the first three rounds of the tournament.
Maverick & Dain defeated Curt Stallion & August Grey in the first round of the Dusty Classic but lost to MSK in the quarterfinals.
This was the second straight year that The Grizzled Young Veterans lost in the Dusty Classic finals. Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne defeated Gibson & Drake to win the 2020 tournament.
Here’s the updated lineup for this week’s NXT:
After turning against Kyle O’Reilly and attacking NXT Champion Finn Balor, Adam Cole will explain his actions
Non-title no DQ match: Karrion Kross vs. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar
Non-title match: NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano vs. Dexter Lumis
Xia Li vs. Kacy Catanzaro
The Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Gigi Dolin & Cora Jade
205 Live’s first women’s match began with a typical tag team open; a headlock and a pair of quick tags. Jade gained control over LeRae. LeRae took advantage following a Hartwell distraction. Hartwell tagged into the match, landed a sidewalk slam, and tagged LeRae back in.
Jade rocked LeRae with a forearm and secured the hot tag. Hartwell tagged in only to be on the receiving end of Dolin’s leg kicks punctuated with a punt. Jade then rejoined the match, but Hartwell immediately retook control.
LeRae, now legal, and Jade traded back and forth rollups. Jade’s last kick out sent LeRae crashing into her own corner, allowing Hartwell to tag back in. Hartwell then dropped Jade with a spinning sidewalk slam and pinned her.
This was a wholly ordinary match. It was entirely by the numbers with nothing special going on, but seeing as it only exists to further the tournament, it could have been worse.
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
Thatcher started the match by taking Daivari straight to the mat. After being contorted in one hundred ways, Daivari managed to tag Nese into the match; Thatcher then took Nese straight to the mat. Ciampa tagged in and continued the ground work on Nese.
Nese forced Ciampa into his corner, and with aid from Daivari, took the advantage for his team. A quick takedown left Ciampa tied up against the turnbuckle post; Daivari relentlessly whipped the legs of Ciampa into the metal beam. A Daivari figure-four leglock in the middle of the ring left Ciampa in deep water.
Daivari lost control of the legs, which allowed Ciampa to gain a quick tag. Nese tried to maintain control for his team, but Thatcher hit the ring with ferocity. Suplexes and uppercuts left both of his opponents downed, but eventually, the numbers proved to be too much. Nese connected with a running hotshot followed by a moonsault. Daivari then hit the Persian splash for a near fall.
Following the kick out, Thatcher reached the corner for a tag. Ciampa then took on both of his opponents, just as Thatcher did moments prior, and again the numbers proved to be too much. This time things played out differently; however, as Thatcher joined in even the odds. After a quick locking of eyes and a look of understanding between Ciampa and Thatcher, Ciampa hit Willow’s Bell on Nese and pinned him in the middle of the ring.
This was a strong match. It played well off of everyone’s strengths and came together under a nice bow.
The quarterfinals of the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will kick off on NXT next week.
WWE has announced that the next round of the men’s Dusty Classic will begin with MSK vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain and The Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Kushida & Leon Ruff taking place on NXT next Wednesday. Kushida & Ruff advanced in the tournament by defeating NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory in a first round match on NXT tonight.
MSK and The Grizzled Young Veterans both won first round matches on last week’s NXT, while Maverick & Dain advanced by winning a first round match on last Friday’s 205 Live. MSK made their debut by defeating Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas, The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ever-Rise, and Maverick & Dain defeated Curt Stallion & August Grey.
MSK were formerly known as The Rascalz. Dezmond Xavier’s new in-ring name is Wes Lee and Zachary Wentz is now Nash Carter.
There’s still one first round match remaining in the men’s Dusty Classic. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari vs. Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Desmond Troy had been announced for this week’s 205 Live, but it was said that Adonis isn’t cleared to compete in the match after losing to Karrion Kross on NXT tonight. Kross also put Troy in the Kross Jacket after that match.
The Nese & Daivari vs. Adonis & Troy winner was set to face Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong in the quarterfinals. WWE uploaded a post-NXT video tonight where — after their Fight Pit match against each other — Tommaso Ciampa told Timothy Thatcher that he’s heard there’s an opening in the Dusty Classic
Cole & Strong, Kushida & Ruff, and The Grizzled Young Veterans have advanced to the quarterfinals from the left side of the bracket. MSK, Maverick & Dain, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado, and Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde have advanced from the right side of the bracket. The team that wins the tournament will get the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
Next Wednesday’s NXT will also feature NXT Champion Finn Balor & Kyle O’Reilly facing Lorcan & Burch in a non-title match and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar defending his title against Curt Stallion.
The first round of the Dusty Classic will continue with Killian Dain & Drake Maverick vs. Curt Stallion & August Grey and The Bollywood Boyz (Samir & Sunil Singh) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) airing on 205 Live this Friday night. 205 Live premieres on the WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays.
It had been announced last week that some of the first round of the Dusty Classic would be held on 205 Live.
The Dusty Classic kicked off with three matches taking place on this week’s NXT. Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong defeated Breezango, the debuting MSK defeated Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas, and The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ever-Rise. MSK were formerly known as The Rascalz’s Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz.
The full bracket for the Dusty Classic was unveiled on Wednesday. The team that wins the tournament will receive the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line in a street fight this coming Wednesday night.
WWE has announced that NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch will defend their titles against Killian Dain & Drake Maverick in a street fight on Wednesday’s NXT. Both teams were part of a four-way brawl on the most recent episode of NXT.
Lorcan & Burch accompanied Pete Dunne to the ring for his match against Kyle O’Reilly on NXT this week. O’Reilly was accompanied by Adam Cole & Roderick Strong. But before the bell rang, Dain & Maverick attacked Lorcan & Burch and a brawl broke out. Cole & Strong and Breezango also got involved and the four teams brawled to the back.
Pat McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan & Burch interrupted a match between Dain & Maverick and Ever-Rise on NXT last month. Dain ended up having a car door slammed into his head by Dunne. Dain lost to Dunne on NXT last week after being distracted by Lorcan & Burch attacking Maverick at ringside.
Lorcan & Burch have been NXT Tag Team Champions since aligning with McAfee and winning the titles from Breezango on the October 21 episode of NXT.
For this coming Wednesday’s show, WWE has also announced that NXT Champion Finn Balor and O’Reilly will “both take a special look back” at their title match from TakeOver 31. Balor retained against O’Reilly in that match but broke his jaw in two places. O’Reilly defeated Dunne on NXT this week to become the number one contender to the NXT Championship. O’Reilly will challenge Balor for the title at NXT New Year’s Evil on Wednesday, January 6.
Here’s the updated lineup for Wednesday’s NXT:
A Very Gargano Christmas
NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defend against Killian Dain & Drake Maverick in a street fight
NXT Champion Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly look back at their title match from TakeOver 31
Coming out of Halloween Havoc, two matches are set for next week’s episode of NXT.
WWE announced tonight that Tommaso Ciampa vs. Velveteen Dream and Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai will take place on NXT next Wednesday. Promos by Ciampa and Moon building up their matches for next week aired on Halloween Havoc tonight.
Ciampa has been feuding with Dream since Dream interrupted his match against Kushida earlier this month and accidentally hit Ciampa. Kushida defeated Ciampa and Dream in a triple threat match on NXT last week. After Dream hit Ciampa with the cast on his arm, Kushida gave Ciampa a German suplex and pinned him to get the win.
In his promo on tonight’s NXT, Ciampa spoke about taking back what fate took away from him and getting back to the top of NXT. Ciampa said that starts with Dream. Ciampa called Dream a 25-year-old prodigy who can’t seem to get out of his own way. Ciampa said if you hit him with a cast once, shame on you. If you hit him with a cast twice, you’re a dead man.
Moon defeated Jessi Kamea on NXT last week but was attacked by Kai after. Moon had previously teamed with Rhea Ripley to defeat Kai & Raquel Gonzalez. Moon pinned Kai in that tag match after hitting her with The Eclipse.
Moon said during her promo on NXT tonight that Kai stepping up is exactly what she wanted. When Moon left NXT, Kai was afraid of her own shadow. But Moon said Kai is now one of the best in the world. Moon said Kai has a pretty sick kick, but she isn’t going to like this receipt.
