Seeing the cruiserweight champion on the cruiserweight show is a lovely, if rare, sight. The match was nothing much.
Strong tried to open the match by gaining control of the arm, but Feng’s size allowed him to run through the champion. Even against the larger Feng, Strong utilised his wrestling aptitude (and some underhanded tactics) to stay on equal footing. This basic trope made up the meat of the match.
The ending sequence was over almost as soon as it started. A strike rally from Feng resulted in a near fall. From the ground, Strong landed a few kicks, creating separation. The extra space allowed Strong to land the jumping knee, leading to the pin.
Valentina Feroz defeated Erica Yan
This was an enjoyable watch. While not perfect, the match benefited greatly from compelling mat work.
Feroz took the debuting Yan to the mat with arm control immediately following the opening bell. Yan survived, gaining a sustained headlock. Feroz turned the headlock into a throw, taking the match to the mat once more.
Yan avoided an elbow drop; she capitalised by connecting with a series of shoulder tackles. Feroz was able to survive the offence by regaining arm control and securing another takedown. Feroz locked in a leg scissor choke, leading to the submission.
James Drake and Zack Gibson (Grizzled Young Veterans) defeated Ikemen Jiro and Kushida
In another 205 Live oddity, this match featured a storyline. It was a fun outing and a nice change from the typically uneventful main events.
After an animated opening sequence, Jiro and Kushida left their opponents frustrated. Only after a sneaky tag did GYV gain control over their opponents. Gibson and Drake resolved their early frustrations by isolating Jiro, slowly picking him apart.
After a prolonged control segment, Jiro reversed a suplex, allowing him to finally secure the tag, a sequence that left Jiro without a jacket. A four-way brawl broke out in the following moments, a scuffle that left the babyfaces with an advantage. Just as the end was in sight, the music of Diamond Mine and the presence of Creed brothers provided a distraction for GYV. GYV hit ticket to mayhem, leading to the win.
Kushida & Jiro have been feuding with Diamond Mine in NXT. They’re set to face Diamond Mine’s Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) in a tag team match on NXT next Tuesday.
Diamond Mine’s Roderick Strong won the NXT Cruiserweight Championship from Kushida on NXT this September. Strong will face Ru Feng in non-title action on this Friday’s 205 Live.
205 Live airs on Peacock/WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays. Valentina Feroz vs. the debuting Erica Yan is also set for the episode. Yan (Yvonne Yin) was one of three recruits from Asia who joined the WWE Performance Center this July. Feng (Feicheng Wang) was also part of that class.
WWE wrote about Yan when she signed with the company: “Yin is a Chinese athlete who brings experience in CrossFit to the PC. In addition to being a champion indoor rower, Yin placed second in the CrossFit China Open and competed in the Asia CrossFit Championship.”
On tonight’s NXT, Roderick Strong defeated Kushida to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. The finish of the match included interference by all of Strong’s Diamond Mine stablemates.
Kushida had the Hoverboard Lock applied on Strong during the match, but Diamond Mine manager Malcolm Bivens put Strong’s foot on the bottom rope to cause a rope break. While the referee was distracted by Bivens and Hachiman, Julius & Brutus Creed pulled Kushida out of the ring. Ivy Nile then jumped off the steel steps and hit a strike on Kushida.
After the Creed brothers threw Kushida back in the ring, Strong hit a jumping knee strike and End of Heartache to win the Cruiserweight title.
Grayson Waller interrupted Diamond Mine as they were celebrating in the ring after the match. Waller challenged Strong to a Cruiserweight title match on next Tuesday’s NXT, and Bivens accepted on Strong’s behalf after consulting with him.
Waller (formerly known as Matty Wahlberg) joined the WWE Performance Center this April.
Waller has been a regular on 205 Live since making his WWE debut. He’s also been aligned with Drake Maverick in NXT.
Kushida and Strong’s Cruiserweight title match was originally scheduled for last month, but it couldn’t take place then due to Kushida testing positive for COVID-19.
Following last Tuesday’s premiere, the second week of WWE’s “NXT 2.0” revamp takes place tonight.
Tonight’s show will be headlined by Kushida defending his NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Roderick Strong. The match was originally scheduled to take place last month, but Kushida wasn’t able to compete due to testing positive for COVID-19.
A new NXT Champion was crowned last week as Tommaso Ciampa defeated LA Knight, Pete Dunne, and Von Wagner in a four-way match. The debuting Wagner replaced Kyle O’Reilly in the title match after making the save for O’Reilly when he was attacked by Dunne and Ridge Holland earlier in the show.
Bron Breakker made his debut by defeating Knight in last week’s opening match. At the end of the episode, Breakker congratulated Ciampa on his title win. Ciampa also congratulated Breakker on being victorious in his debut, but the two had a tense staredown as Breakker looked at Ciampa’s title belt.
Ciampa will kick off tonight’s show.
We’ll also hear from Fatal Attraction (Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) tonight. Plus, video packages will spotlight Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen and Ikemen Jiro.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Time for week two of NXT 2.0, and the show begins with a recap of last week.
NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa opens the show for his first appearance since winning the title last Tuesday night. Ciampa gets into the ring that is filled with several of the new characters on the NXT television, which includes Bron Breakker, Odyssey Jones, Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs.
Ciampa seems very happy to be NXT Champion, and Goldie is talking to him. Ciampa pauses to listen to Goldie. “I missed you too,” Ciampa says to Goldie.
Ciampa cuts a pep rally promo hyping up NXT 2.0 like he was the team captain, which in essence he is as the brand’s top champion. At the conclusion of his promo, Ciampa declares that NXT is the “A” show, and then he leads the crowd in a chant proclaiming “we…are…N-X-T!”
Cameron Grimes enters the scene. Grimes tells Ciampa that the championship is just the fuel Grimes himself needs for going “TO THE MOON!” Grimes is interrupted by Joe Gacy, but LA Knight is out to interrupt Gacy and the rest of the crew assembled in the ring. Odyssey Jones thankfully tells Knight to shut up.
Another interruption as Pete Dunne and Ridge Holland enter the ring to confront the group in the ring. Dunne looks around at a bunch of “geezers” who are all too scared to throw the first punch. In steps Ciampa to hit Dunne with a punch, causing a domino effect that results in a melee. Huge brawl that was a Gordon Solie Pier Sixer. Ciampa and Breakker clear the ring as the last two standing.
I had a terrible flashback to TNA when the show cut TO THE BACK! Kay Lee Ray, Elektra Lopez, B-Fab and one other woman were involved in a pull-apart brawl. Officials ran in to break up the scuffle.
Breakker grabs a microphone, and he says the audience wants to see this fight continue on. Breakker is the son of Rick, but he sounds like Scott Steiner. Breakker was addressing Dunne and Holland when he yells, “How about you two little bitches grow a set of balls and face me and Ciampa in a tag team match tonight?”
Wild opening to NXT, and up next is a title match.
Roderick Strong (with Diamond Mine) defeated Kushida to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship
Strong pinned Kushida after interference by Diamond Mine. Strong and company cheat to win the title.
Kushida gets the better of Strong in a grappling battle early on. Kushida targets an arm, softing up Strong for a submission. Strong counters a cross armbreaker, yet Kushida continues his attack on the arm. Strong rolls out of the ring to powder out before a commercial break.
Strong apparently recovers to gain the upperhand as the show returns from the break. Kushida is fighting from underneath. Rally by Kushida into a collection of his signature offense. Palm strike by Kushida, but Strong is able to counter a moment later.
Kushida fights back to block a superplex, and Kushida comes off the top with an avalanche shoulder breaker. Strong soon answers back with back breakers. Series of measured strikes by Strong, but Kushida counters while trying to Hoverboard Lock. Strong seems trapped in the submission hold when Malcolm Bivens puts Strong foot the ropes. The referee is alerted to the foot on the ropes, and the hold is broken.
The ref is further distracted by Bivens. The Creed Brothers proceed to pull Kushida out of the ring. Ivy Nile hits Kushida with a strike. The Diamond Mine send Kushida back into the ring to the waiting arms of Strong. A falling backbreaker by Strong, and he covers Kushida for a pinfall. Strong and company steal the NXT Cruiserweight title.
Grayson Waller interrupts the Diamond Mine’s celebration. He challenges Strong to a title match next week on NXT. An angry Bivens consults with Strong, and Bivens accepts the challenge for next Tuesday.
Tony D’Angelo is in another vignette hyping himself as a Mafia figure.
In a different vignette, Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs tell the story of how they met at a bar. They got into a fight, beat the heck out of each other, and they have been close friends ever since. Heartwarming story.
Kay Lee Ray defeated Amari Miller
Miller got an inset promo before the match, but not much else during it. Ray wins handily with a Gory Bomb, and Ray pinned Miller.
Breakker is backstage, and he is pumped up to team with Ciampa. There is still some underlying tension with Ciampa being the champ.
A unnamed mean guy with manners arrived to the building with two women. He opens the door for them, but some geek tries to cut ahead of the women. The mean guy is upset by the geek’s lack of manners, so the mean guy beats up the other guy.
Dante Chen defeated Trey Baxter
Chen wins a very short match. Baxter was looking strong, but Chen came back with a small package. Chen transitions from the cradle into a guillotine choke bomb. Chen then covers Baxter for a three count.
Andrew Chase is doing some sort of upgraded Dean Douglas gimmick. He was teaching a class of students at what he calls “Chase University.” The first lesson was on Oydessey Jones losing in the finals of the Breakout Tournament. A students named Steve asks a question in pointing out that Chase lost to Jones in the semi-finals of the tournament. Chase flips out and starts cursing at the student. Chase throws things around, and he kicks the students out of class.
The announcers offer well wishes to Triple H on his recovery from surgery.
Cameron Grimes defeated Joe Gacy
Grimes pinned Gacy in another short match. Good while it lasted.
Gacy before the match cut a promo while sitting down in a chair inside in the ring. Gacy’s gimmick is he does conflict resolution. He uses his male privilege to get what he wants. He understands that life is not fair. He believes we can achieve unity and tolerance. Gacy says we can also achieve peace in this safe space.
Grimes was on fire until Gacy cut him off. Grimes recovers quickly, but Gacy does a handspring off the ropes into a lariat that levels Grimes. Gacy went to capitalize, but Grimes out of nowhere delivers a Cave In double stomp. Grimes goes on to cover Gacy for a pinfall. Gacy hugs Grimes after the match.
Highlights from the wedding last week. The honeymoon of Dexter Lumis and Indi Hartwell is featured next week on NXT.
Elektra Lopez (with Legado del Fantasma) defeated Anna Scheer
Lopez was a bully in the match, and she won easily after a sit-out powerbomb. Lopez pinned Scheer to win the match.
Santos Escobar in a post-match promo put over Lopez, saying she completes Legado del Fantasma. Lopez then says what she did tonight was just a taste of what she will unleash on B-Fab and the rest of the NXT 2.0 roster. Lopez calls out B-Fab.
The theme music for Hit Row plays in the arena, and the male members of Hit Row walk down the entrance ramp. It was a distraction. B-Fab hit the ring after coming through the crowd, and B-Fab attacks Lopez. They brawl in the ring.
Trey Baxter was backstage, and he was down in the dumps over his loss earlier in the show. His girlfriend, Cora Jade, tries to cheer him up. She kisses him, and he seems to feel better about things.
Franky Monet confronts NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez. Their title match is now scheduled for next week on NXT. Someone named Lash Legend also says she is debuting next Tuesday in a talking segment similar to Piper’s Pit.
Odyssey Jones wins a two-on-one handicap match
Jones won a handicap match very easily. Jones was not match for two men, or at least no match for these two unnamed jobbers. Jones with a splash off the top rope on both before he wins bu pinfall.
Andrew Chase tries to attack Jones after the match. Chase was swinging a chair, but Jones took it from him. Chase then begs off and leaves the ring. Jones stands tall.
Ikemen Jiro is featured in a vignette. Please push this guy. Pretty please.
Toxic Attraction promo
The Toxic Attraction trio is in the ring for a promo. Mandy Rose cuts a heel promo flanked by Gigi Dolan and Jacy Jayne. Jim Valley might be pleased to know that Mandy Rose turned heel beacuse of the fans. Now she and the other two do not give a damn what you think. Behind the beauty is a beast.
Dolan says the pain of her past fuels her aggression. She and Jayne needed purpose, which is where Rose comes in. Together the trio is headed to the top of NXT.
Jayne says Toxic Attraction aren’t just pretty faces. They won’t just sit back and wait for an opportunity. What they want is the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship. Jayne promises an “ass kicking” for the current champs.
The champs, Zoey Stark and Io Shirai, are backstage. Shirai accepts the challenge on behalf of the team. The title match is seemingly set for next week. The champs bicker amongst themselves when Persia Pirotta confronts them. Pirotta says when Indi Hartwell returns from her honeymoon, she wants to regain her tag titles. Seemingly this means Pirotta is Hartwell’s new tag partner.
Three title matches announced for next Tuesday on NXT:
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship: Zoey Stark & Io Shirai defend against Gigi Dolan & Jacy Jayne (with Mandy Rose)
NXT Women’s Championship: Raquel Gonzalez defends against Franky Monet (Robert Stone & Jessi Kamea)
NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Roderick Strong in his first title defense against Garyson Waller
Time for the main event of this week’s episode.
Bron Breakker & NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa defeated Pete Dunne & Ridge Holland
Breakker pinned Holland to win the match for his team. Kyle O’Reilly ran in to interfere in the match, which set up the finish.
Ciampa and Dunne face off to start the match. Next in is Breakker and Holland, and Breakker displays his power by suplexing Holland. Breakker also suplexes Dunne. Team work by Breakker and Ciampa.
Blind tag by the heels allow for Dunne to hit Ciampa with a sneak attack. Dunne targets Ciampa’s hand and arm with joints locks. Comeback by Ciampa, and the fight spills outside. Ciampa posted Holland into the ring steps, and Ciampa slings Dunne across the announce desk.
Ciampa is seemingly in control, until he his blindsided by a spear from Holland, just before the show cuts to its final commercial break. Dunne is stomping on Ciampa as the show returns from the break. Ciampa answers back with kicks of his own, yet Holland soon tags in.
The heels work over Ciampa, but he counters Holland to give Holland a suplex. Hot tag to Breakker, who runs wild. Breakker exploded in the ring into a flurry of power moves and supexes. Breakker applies a camel clutch on Dunne, but Dunne is able to escape the hold by targeting Breakker’s finger.
Finger break spot as Dunne stomped on Breakker’s hand. The heels are back in control when Ciampa jumps in to break up a pinning attempt. Ciampa and Dunne echange strikes in the ring despite not being the legal men.
Holland gives Ciampa an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, and then Breakker gives Dunne an overhead belly-to-belly. Breakker and Holland face off like two bulls colliding in the ring. They hit each other with lariats, but neither sell it. Gorilla Monsoon would surely have called this the unstoppable force against immovable object. Double down after both clothesline the other.
The heels tried to use a club, but Ciampa jumped in to make a save. Nevertheless, Ciampa is soon knocked out of the ring. Breakker went to press slam Dunne, but Holland rakes the eyes.
Kyle O’Reilly ran down to ringside. O’Reilly grabbed the club, and he hit Holland with Holland’s own club. O’Reilly rolled Holland back into the ring for the finish. Meanwhile, Ciampa gives Dunne a Willow’s Bell. Breakker with a gorilla press into a powerslam on Holland, and Breakker covers Holland for a three count.
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida has revealed that COVID-19 was the reason why his scheduled title defense against Roderick Strong couldn’t take place last month.
In an Instagram video today, Kushida stated that he tested positive for COVID-19 three weeks ago. Kushida was supposed to defend his NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Strong on the August 17 episode of NXT.
Kushida said he and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, but he and his family are feeling better now.
“Three weeks ago, I was not available for my title match on NXT TV. I tested positive for COVID-19. My family also tested positive. Thankfully, everyone is okay,” Kushida said.
“My wife and I are fully vaccinated, but we still got the virus. Fortunately, the vaccine has given us some immunity, but we experienced some symptoms. We had very low energy and I lost my sense of smell and taste. We are recovering — everyone is feeling better now. The pandemic isn’t over. Please stay safe. I will see you in the ring soon. Thank you for your time.”
Strong’s manager Malcolm Bivens has been calling Strong the uncrowned NXT Cruiserweight Champion since that title match against Kushida had to be postponed.
One of the title matches that was scheduled for tonight’s NXT will no longer be taking place.
NXT general manager William Regal announced this afternoon that NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida isn’t cleared to compete on tonight’s show. Kushida was supposed to defend his title against Roderick Strong tonight. There will instead be a Diamond Mine open challenge to kick off the episode.
“Unfortunately after a medical examination, officials learned @KUSHIDA_0904 is not cleared to compete tonight,” Regal wrote. “When I informed @Malcolmvelli and @roderickstrong, they expressed Roderick’s desire to compete. Therefore, #WWENXT will begin with a #DiamondMine open challenge.”
Tonight’s episode of NXT was being billed as “Title Tuesday.” The show will feature an NXT Tag Team title match with MSK defending against Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner.
Tonight’s NXT is the go-home show for TakeOver 36. The TakeOver event is taking place this Sunday.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s show:
NXT Tag Team Champions MSK defend against Imperium
NXT Breakout Tournament semifinal match: Duke Hudson vs. Carmelo Hayes
Face-to-face segment with NXT Champion Karrion Kross and Samoa Joe
Mixed tag team match: Indi Hartwell & Dexter Lumis vs. Jessi Kamea & Robert Stone
Interview with NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai
Prime Target special feature: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
205 Live aired this week following another batch of cuts from WWE, leaving 205 Live’s already thin roster even slimmer. Two of the individuals cut (Leon Ruff and Ari Sterling) were featured on tonight’s episode.
Why this show even exists, I couldn’t tell you. In the past, it was a kind of purgatory pretending to be NXT’s extra half-hour, where people toiled indefinitely, working out the duration of their contract. Now that Titan has moved away from talent hoarding, this is just thirty minutes of random guys who might or might not be under 205 pounds without any semblance of purpose.
Leon Ruff defeated Grayson Waller
Leon Ruff’s release was revealed less than an hour before this match aired.
In his last match, Ruff was dominated for most of its duration. In the end, he powered through and pulled off an unexpected win.
Waller used his size to gain an early advantage. Waller took his time, dropping Ruff with move after move. After minutes of domination, Waller sent Ruff to the outside, where the command continued.
Ruff connected with a dive as Waller argued with the referee, but Waller regained momentum moments later. Ruff fought free again, only for Waller to dodge a dive before Ruff could connect with anything significant.
Waller connected with his cutter for a convincing near fall. He then lifted Ruff for the Argentine backbreaker, but Ruff reversed, connecting with a surprise crucifix driver. Waller failed to kick out of the pin that followed, leaving Ruff with a surprise victory.
Kushida defeated Ari Sterling
Ari Sterling’s release was also revealed less than an hour before this match aired. Sterling is a highly talented athlete who had yet to wet his feet in WWE.
In his last match, Sterling put on an athletic showcase as he is so prone to do. The match opened with both men on equal footing. Sterling sent Kushida outside, but Kushida dodged the moon sauce. Kushida connected with a dropkick to the knee, opening the limb up for further attack.
Sterling avoided further punishment by gaining control with knee strikes. A flipping leg drop allowed Sterling to take Kushida to the mat. Kushida escaped the body scissors by reapplying pressure to the injured knee.
With both men on the top rope, Sterling connected with a rana. Sterling missed a double foot stomp allowing Kushida to dropkick the once more. Kushida maintained his control and locked in the hoverboard lock, forcing Sterling to tap.
While his time in Titan was short, I’m sure Alex Zayne will make it. He’s too talented not to.
The build to the Great American Bash continues on tonight’s episode of NXT.
A non-title match between Kyle O’Reilly and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida will take place on NXT tonight. O’Reilly chose to face Kushida after NXT general manager William Regal told O’Reilly and Adam Cole last week that they could pick their own opponents for tonight’s show.
As O’Reilly and Cole brawled backstage last week, Regal announced that O’Reilly vs. Cole will take place at NXT Great American Bash on Tuesday, July 6. New NXT authority figure Samoa Joe helped break up the brawl, but Cole pushed him out of the way and kept going after O’Reilly. Joe then choked Cole out with the Coquina Clutch.
Cole hasn’t revealed who he’ll be facing tonight.
Tonight’s show will also feature Franky Monet in action, Hit Row’s Top Dolla & Ashante “Thee” Adonis vs. Ever-Rise, and Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. The Robert Stone Brand’s Aliyah & Jessi Kamea.
Plus, the Diamond Mine will open after several weeks of teaser videos. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show begins with an opening monologue from Adam Cole. He talks about soon facing Kyle O’Reilly at The Great American Bash. Cole mentioned an “assault and attack” by Samoa Joe last week. Cole warned Joe that Cole is the new king of NXT. When he defeats O’Reilly, Cole says he will be called the greatest ever in NXT. Nobody can change his mind.
Cole is interrupted by Carmelo Hayes. Like Cole, Hayes also has a microphone. Hayes said Cole might not know who he his, but Hayes knows who Cole is in NXT. Hayes said he could change Cole’s mind. Cole asked how. Hayes spoofed the John Cena debut where he famously roared “RUTHLESS AGGRESSION” in Kurt Angle’s face. Hayes said this was the “same energy.” Hayes then slapped Cole like Cena did to Angle almost a decade ago.
The match was on from there.
Adam Cole defeated Carmelo Hayes
Cole pinned Hayes after a Panama Sunrise, capping off a fun match.
Hayes showed a lot of fire at the start, but Cole soon cut him off. Hayes fought back to get a two count on Cole. The fight spilled outside the ring, where Cole repeatedly sent Hayes crashing into the barricade. The match went through a picture-in-picture commercial break.
Cole worked over Hayes during the break, and Cole executed an ushigoroshi. That’s too cool of a move for a commercial break, but oh well. There was at least a replay when the show returned from the break.
Cole taunted Hayes, which led into a Hayes firing up. Hayes and Cole traded strilkes before Hayes dropped Cole with a kick. Cole answered back with a kick of his own, and Hayes was seemingly on rubber legs. Somehow, Hayes countered Cole to deliver a cutter.
Small package from Cole nets a two count. Hayes in return gets a near fall after a codebreaker. They kept trading near falls. Cole with a lungblower for two. Hayes superkicked Cole when Cole went for a Panama Sunrise. Hayes springboard off the middle rope, and Cole struck him out of mid-air with a superkick. After a Panama Sunrise, Cole covered Hayes for a clean pinfall.
Let’s talk about it!
Saddle up for a string of talking segments and character development.
Franky Monet was backstage chatting with Jessi Kamea and Aliyah of the Robert Stone Brand. Presley was also there. He’s a good boy. Robert Stone found them. He was looking everywhere for them. Monet went to leave, and she high fived Kamea and Aliyah. Stone went to high five Monet, and Presley snapped at him. Stone shrieked in terror. Bad dog.
Zoey Stark in an interview with McKenzie Mitchell talked about teaming with Io Shirai. Stark was surprised Shirai chose her. Shirai stepped into the frame to say she picked Stark as her partner, but she did not like her. They have a match later tonight against the Robert Stone Brand.
A vignette profiled the new Million Dollar Champion, LA Knight. He cut a promo on Cameron Grimes.
The Way has a new way
Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory came to the ring for a promo. Gargano said it was exciting times, and new management is in town. So we need a new NXT Champion, according to Gargano himself. Gargano said it should be him. He claimed it was “paradise” when he was NXT Champion.
Gargano ranted about being better than Karrion Kross. Then out comes Pete Dunne to confront Gargano. Dunne was flanked by Oney Lorcan, and they both got in the ring to face off with The Way. Dunne said he was clearly the number one contender ahead of Gargano. Dunne also insulted Theory, telling him to shut up.
Theory was ready to snap, but Gargano held him back. Gargano said there is a new way to do things around here. The Way no longer participates in “shenanigans or hijinx,” and they are “law abiding citizens.”
Gargano said to Dunne, “There are rules for a reason, Peter.” Gargano gently put down the microphone, and The Way left peacefully. Or so Gargano thought. He was leaving when Theory turned back around. Theory pointed at Dunne, warning Dunne that Theory was watching him. Dunne in turn snapped Theory’s finger. So much for peace.
Cameron Grimes arrived at the building earlier today. He was handing out money when someone made a smart aleck comment about Ted DiBiase. Grimes smacked him, cackled, and tossed the geek ten dollars for taking the punch.
General Manager William Regal argued with Adam Cole about Samoa Joe. This all seems to build towards Joe vs. Cole. Hopefully, they aren’t just teasing a match. Hope they deliver.
The Way went to see Regal. They were angry at Dunne for snapping Theory’s finger. They wanted Regal to send in Joe. Gargano and Theory wanted Joe to choke out Dunne, and then throw him through a wall. Regal instead booked Gargano & Theory in a match against Dunne & Lorcan. Gargano complained he did not even have his gear on. It’s intricate, and it takes an hour to put on. Regal was having none of it, and he ordered them to get ready. They made it seem like the match was next, but it was not next. Patience, grasshopper.
Io Shirai & Zoey Stark defeated Jessi Kamea & Aliyah (with Robert Stone)
Shirai pinned Kamea to win the match. The bout was more of a backdrop for an angle that followed it.
The NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, strolled out to ringside during the match. After a commercial break, there was a hot tag to Shirai. She ran wild, and she delivered a missile dropkick for a two count on Kamea.
Shirai was cut off, but she was able to tag out. Stark with a missile dropkick of her own. Shirai with a moonsault press, and Shirai covered Kamea for a pinfall.
LeRea & Hartwell got on the apron to confront Shirai & Stark. NXT Champion Raquel Gonzalez and her tag team partner, Dakota Kai, came to ringside. Shirai & Stark were surrounded and under siege. Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart joined the party. A huge brawl started with all the teams fighting in a melee. Samoa Joe led a bunch officials in breakup up the brawl. Joe seen to it that order was restored in the CWC.
A tag team title match was announced for The Great American Bash in two weeks time. MSK defend their NXT Tag Team Championship against Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher at The Bash.
Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory defeated Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan
Gargano pinned Lorcan to win the tag bout. Easily the best match on the show so far by a wide margin, but O’Reilly and Kushida are still yet to go. Karrion Kross would attack Gargano after the match.
Great wrestling at the start, but who are the protagonists here? Not sure, but the grappling itself is really good. Theory’s finger that Dunne injured earlier in the night was an easy target. Dunne & Lorcan slam Theory into edge of the ring apron, and Theory was down selling as the show cut to commercial.
Hot tag to Gargano, and he cleaned house. Maybe he and Theory are now protagonists. They whine and gripe too much for protagonists, but they kick ass in the ring so [insert Toru Yano shrug]. They could be comedic babyfaces I guess.
Near fall after Theory springboarded Spanish Fly. Dunne jumped in to break up the count. Dunne sqaured off with Gargano, leading to a double down. Theory and Lorcan traded chops, and Lorcan struck with a blockbuster.
Dunne again targets the injured finger of Theory. Joint locks gave way to an armbreaker. Gargano made a save to break the hold. Dunne and Gargano go back-and-forth. Dunne & Lorcan double team Gargano. He fought back with a La Mistica counter, but Gargano is nevertheless takes a double powerbomb from Dunne & Lorcan. Theory made a save to break up a pin. In turn, Theory is rocked.
Lorcan looks to strike a prone Theory, but Gargano cut off Lorcan with a superkick out of nowhere. Gargano flew through the ropes to hit Dunne with tope into a tornado DDT. Gargano followed up with One Final Beat, and Gargano covered Lorcan for a three count.
NXT Champion Karrion Kross, wearing a leather jacket that would make Bret Hart jealous, attacked Gargano after the match. Kross in a sneak attack laid out Gargano at ringside.
Kross later was met backstage by Samoa Joe, who let him pass to see Regal in the GM’s office. Joe turned around, and Pete Dunne was staring at him. They glared at each other. And scene.
Announced for next Tuesday on NXT is a triple threat number one contender’s tag team match. This was set up with a huge brawl earlier in the night. Stark & Shirai vs. Kai & Gonzalez vs. Moon & Blackheart is set for next week.
Franky Monet defeated Elektra Lopez
Monet pinned Lopez with the Glam Slam in the encore of Monet’s “world premiere.” This was an enhancement match for Monet, but Lopez was able to get some offense. Monet still won handily.
NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed was being interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell. Reed was interrupted by Hit Row, and they tried to intimidate him.
Ever-Rise in a skit from ealier in the day were about to spray paint the SUV of Hit Row. Ever-Rise were caught red-handed, and they ran away. This was supposed to be comedy I think.
Hit Row (Top Dolla & Ashante “Thee” Adonis) defeated Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel)
Top Dollas pinned Martel to win a squash match.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and B-Fab were at ringside in Hit Row’s corner. Ever-Rise were no match for Top Dolla & Adonis. Although Ever-Rise sent Top Dolla over the ropes with a low bridge, that only served to anger Top Dolla.
Ever-Rise were then squashed, and Martel took a double team finisher that looked nasty. Top Dolla powerbombed Martel while Adonis leapt in the air to deliver a neckbreaker. Never liked that double team move ever since seeing Villano IV break his neck taking a similar combo on WCW Monday Nitro in 1998. It still makes me cringe whenever I see it. Cringed even more seeing the combo here in this match, as it looked brutal.
Scott after the macth laid out Parker with a kick. Hit Row posed over the fallen Ever-Rise.
McKenzie in an interview informed Mercedes Martinez that Martinez was booked next week in a mixed tag match against Xia Li & Boa. Martinez was surprised by the news. She was also surprised by a sneak attack from Xia Li. Making a save was Jake Atlas. Looks like he is the tag team partner for Martinez in the mixed tag next week on NXT. The match was made official after a commercial break.
The battery charging since last week is up to 51%.
Kyle O’Reilly defeated NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida in a non-title match
O’Reilly pinned Kushida with a cradle to end a great match. Possibly better than the tag match in being the best bout on the show. The Diamond Mine debuted after the match to attack Kushida. In addition, Adam Cole tangled with O’Reilly in a post-match pull-apart brawl.
Awesome chain wresting and great grappling in the beginning. The pace soon quickened, but they both collided on a double headbutt. The show cut to a commercial break with both on rubber legs. Kushida recovered quicker, and he began to work over O’Reilly during the picture-in-picture break. O’Reilly countered Kushida, and O’Reilly was briefly in control on offense.
O’Reilly and Kushida were going back-and-forth as the show returned from the commercial break. More great grappling and cool counters. This was really getting good as the intensity picked up. They would trade all sorts of strikes, and they traded holds.
After a brainbuster by O’Reilly and a near fall, there was a double down. Kushida went on to smash O’Reilly’s arm on the ring post. Kushida targeted the arm even further. They fought on the ring apron, and O’Reilly was suplexed on the apron by Kushida.
More counters and strikes, and that led to another double down. Kushida kept attempting a Hoverboard Lock. O’Reilly fought to block it as he tried to roll through. O’Reilly even grabbed ahold of his own trunks to block the submission hold. O’Reilly then caught Kushida in a cradle for the deciding pinfall.
Diamond Mine debut
Cole ran in after the match to brawl with O’Reilly. Not only does that help build towards their match in two weeks, it also got O’Reilly out of the ring for the angle that closed the show.
The Diamind Mine attacked Kushida in the debut of the new faction. The stable consists of Roderick Strong, Tyler Rust, and the debuting Hideki Suzuki. Strong laid out Kushida, and the new faction stood over Kushida. Malcolm Bivens is apparently managing The Diamond Mine. He picked up the Cruiserweight Championship belt, and held it for Strong to gaze at. The Diamond Mine is here, and they already have their sights set on a title.
Overall, this was pretty good episode of NXT. Nothing but clean finishes, which is refreshing on a WWE show. The episode then ends with a cliffhanger, building intrigue for next week.
Blake Christian, going under the name Trey Baxter, made his NXT debut tonight.
Baxter accepted the open challenge that Kushida held on tonight’s NXT for the Cruiserweight title. Although he put on a competitive back and forth contest, Kushida retained the title after submitting Baxter with the kimura. The two shook hands after the match.
Christian signed with WWE earlier this year. Right before signing with WWE, he had been wrestling regularly for New Japan Pro Wrestling as part of their NJPW Strong roster. He had competed in a qualifying match for this year’s 2021 New Japan Cup but lost to Chris Dickinson. He had also started to appear for Impact Wrestling, losing a triple threat revolver match that Josh Alexander ultimately won back at Impact’s No Surrender event in February.
Prior to signing with WWE, Baxter also competed in various independent promotions such as Game Changer Wrestling, Black Label Pro, and Warrior Wrestling.
An open challenge for the NXT Cruiserweight title will take place Tuesday on NXT.
It was announced on tonight’s NXT TakeOver: In Your House that Kushida will defend the NXT Cruiserweight title in an open challenge match. Kushida has issued these open challenges since winning the title, defeating the likes of Oney Lorcan and Carmelo Hayes, who Kushida defeated two weeks ago on NXT.
Kushida won the Cruiserweight title after accepting an open challenge, defeating then champion Santos Escobar back on April 13. Kushida defeated Escobar in a rematch on the May 11th edition of NXT, winning a two out of three falls match.
Also announced for Tuesday is a tag team tornado match, where the team of Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher will take on Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake and Zack Gibson). The two teams have feuded in recent weeks, with the match being announced on last week’s episode of NXT.
Carmelo Hayes wanted to make his NXT debut a memorable one, answering Cruiserweight Champion Kushida’s open challenge Tuesday.
After a competitive match, Hayes eventually succumbed to the Hoverboard Lock, giving Kushida his second successful title defense.
The 26-year-old Hayes was formerly known on the indies as Christian Casanova and signed a WWE developmental deal in February. He was part of the largest-ever Performance Center class announced that same month and was previously seen on TV as a unnamed security team member.
Hayes hung with Kushida the entire match, but the beginning of the end came when he ate a right hand as he sprung off the ropes. Kushida followed with a soccer kick and then the submission for the win, showing respect by shaking Hayes’ hand afterward.
William Regal recently said that new cruiserweights were coming to NXT. Kushida had won the title in an open challenge in April, defeating then-champion Santos Escobar.
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
After winning the NXT Cruiserweight Championship in an open challenge, Kushida is set to issue one of his own.
Kushida posted a tweet today announcing that he’ll be issuing an open challenge on tonight’s episode of NXT: “Tonight, I’m repaying the favor. I’m issuing an open challenge for MY Cruiserweight Title @WWENXT.” It had already been announced that a championship celebration with Kushida would be taking place on tonight’s episode.
Last week, Kushida answered Santos Escobar’s open challenge and defeated him to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. This is the first title Kushida has held since signing with WWE in 2019.
Escobar had become the undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion by defeating Jordan Devlin in a ladder match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver earlier this month. After Kushida’s title win, Devlin confronted him backstage. Devlin told Kushida that he has to go home for a little while but will be coming for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship when he returns.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
Kyle O’Reilly makes his first appearance since defeating Adam Cole in their unsanctioned match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Sarray debuts
Dexter Lumis vs. LA Knight
New NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida will issue an open challenge
A championship celebration has been added to the lineup for this week’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that a championship celebration with new NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida will take place on NXT this Tuesday night. Kushida answered Santos Escobar’s open challenge on last week’s NXT and defeated him to win the Cruiserweight Championship.
This is the first title that Kushida has held since signing with WWE in 2019. He’s a former six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in NJPW.
Escobar had defeated Jordan Devlin in a ladder match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver earlier this month to become the undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion. After Kushida’s title win last week, Devlin confronted Kushida backstage. Devlin called himself the best wrestler in the world under 205 pounds and said Kushida is lucky that Devlin has to go home for a little while — but he’ll be back and he’ll be coming for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Kushida told NXT general manager William Regal that he’ll face Devlin anytime.
This week’s NXT will be the show’s second episode since moving to Tuesday nights. Here’s the updated lineup for the show:
Kyle O’Reilly makes his first appearance since defeating Adam Cole in their unsanctioned match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Sarray debuts
Dexter Lumis vs. LA Knight
New NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida’s championship celebration
A new Cruiserweight Champion was crowned on the TakeOver: Stand & Deliver fallout edition of NXT.
On NXT tonight, Kushida answered Santos Escobar’s open challenge and defeated Escobar to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Escobar was going for the Phantom Driver near the end of the match, but Kushida turned it into a pinning attempt. They traded two counts, then Kushida pinned Escobar to win the title.
This is the first title that Kushida has held since joining WWE in 2019. During his NJPW career, Kushida was IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion six times.
Going into tonight’s show, Escobar was the undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion after defeating Jordan Devlin in their ladder match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two last Thursday. Escobar and Devlin had both claimed to be the rightful NXT Cruiserweight Champion leading into that match.
Kushida was also in action at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. He lost to Pete Dunne on night one of the event.
As NXT general manager William Regal was congratulating Kushida backstage after his title win tonight, Devlin walked up and confronted Kushida. Devlin said Kushida might have beaten Escobar, but Devlin is the best wrestler in the world under 205 pounds. Devlin said Kushida is lucky that Devlin has to go home for a little while — but he’ll be back and will be coming for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Kushida told Regal that he’ll face Devlin anytime.
Devlin defeated Kushida when they faced off on NXT three weeks ago.
