WWE has announced a couple of new additions to the lineup for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Pete Dunne vs. Kushida has been announced for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one. At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will defend their titles against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.
In the main event of tonight’s NXT, Dunne and Kushida simultaneously eliminated each other from the battle royal to determine the participants for the Gauntlet Eliminator match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one. Kushida then refused to let go of a Hoverboard Lock that he had Dunne locked in.
There had been a segment earlier on tonight’s NXT where Dunne interrupted an interview with Kushida. Dunne took exception to Kushida calling himself the best technical wrestler in the world last week. Dunne said he already holds that crown and dared Kushida to answer his challenge and try to prove him wrong.
The NXT Women’s Tag Team title match was announced for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver after a challenge that was issued by LeRae & Hartwell tonight. LeRae & Hartwell defeated Gigi Dolin & the debuting Zayda Ramier (formerly known as AQA) on tonight’s show and then challenged Blackheart & Moon to an NXT Women’s Tag Team title match at TakeOver. Blackheart & Moon came out in Blackheart’s tank and accepted the challenge.
Blackheart & Moon defeated LeRae & Hartwell in the semifinals of the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic last month. In the finals, Blackheart & Moon lost to Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez. Kai & Gonzalez later became the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions when they were awarded the titles, but Blackheart & Moon defeated them to win the titles that same night.
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver is taking place on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8. Night one will air live on the USA Network and will also simulcast live on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network everywhere else. Night two will be live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else. Here are the updated cards for the event:
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one —
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defends against Raquel Gonzalez
NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER defends against Tommaso Ciampa
Triple threat match for the vacant NXT Tag Team titles: MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs, The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Gauntlet Eliminator match to determine NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano’s challenger for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two (Leon Ruff, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Bronson Reed, Cameron Grimes, Dexter Lumis, and LA Knight are the Gauntlet Eliminator participants)
Pete Dunne vs. Kushida
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 the winner of the Gauntlet Eliminator match from night one
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
WWE has made four new match announcements for this week’s episode of NXT.
Karrion Kross vs. Oney Lorcan, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin vs. Kushida in a non-title match, NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER vs. Drake Maverick in a non-title match, and Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight have all been added to the card for this Wednesday’s NXT.
Kross vs. Lorcan and Reed vs. Knight were both set up by messages that were sent to NXT general manager William Regal. After Regal announced that the NXT Tag Team titles have been declared vacant due to Burch suffering a separated shoulder, Lorcan sent out a tweet blaming Kross for Burch’s injury. Lorcan told Regal to give him a match against Kross.
Burch suffered the separated shoulder while he and Lorcan were defending their NXT Tag Team titles against Kross & NXT Champion Finn Balor last week. Lorcan & Burch retained after Kross attacked Balor during the match. Right before being attacked by Kross, Balor had hit a dropkick on Lorcan that knocked Scarlett down. Balor is defending his NXT Championship against Kross at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two on Thursday, April 8.
Knight posted a video on Tuesday night telling Regal that he wants a match against Reed. Reed then responded and said he wants the match as well. Reed said Knight stuck his nose in Reed’s business first by costing him a match against Cameron Grimes three weeks ago. This will be the second match that Knight (formerly known as Eli Drake) has had in NXT. On last week’s episode, Knight made his NXT in-ring debut by defeating August Grey.
Devlin vs. Kushida was announced after Kushida answered an open challenge that was issued by Devlin. At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, NXT Cruiserweight Champions Devlin and Santos Escobar are facing off in a title unification match.
WWE uploaded video of an angle on Tuesday where Maverick was looking for Killian Dain and barged into Imperium’s locker room questioning them. WALTER took a weapon out of Maverick’s hands and asked him who he thinks he is. WALTER told Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner that he’ll take care of the problem with Maverick on Wednesday’s NXT.
Last week, WALTER returned to NXT for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. He laid out Tommaso Ciampa on the episode.
Here’s the updated lineup for this week’s NXT:
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Aliyah & Jessi Kamea
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai
Karrion Kross vs. Oney Lorcan
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin vs. Kushida in a non-title match
NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER vs. Drake Maverick in a non-title match
Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight
NXT general manager William Regal will announce a solution for Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly’s issues and will declare the consequences for their recent attacks on each other
Regal will also give an update on the situation with the vacant NXT Tag Team titles
Going into tonight’s go-home edition of NXT, WWE is teasing that one of the matches set for TakeOver: Vengeance Day won’t be taking place.
Austin Theory posted a video on Tuesday night alleging that North American Champion Johnny Gargano is out of his title defense against Kushida at Sunday’s NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day event. Theory said it’s all because of Kushida and Theory will make Kushida pay with an ass whooping on tonight’s episode of NXT.
Gargano defending his North American Championship against Kushida was announced for TakeOver: Vengeance Day on last week’s NXT episode. Gargano went to NXT general manager William Regal’s office after being informed that the match was made, but Kushida was already there. Gargano attacked Kushida, but Kushida got the better of a brawl between them and kicked Gargano’s arm before officials broke the brawl up.
Kushida has pinned Gargano twice in tag matches in recent weeks. Gargano and Theory attacked Kushida and Leon Ruff on NXT two weeks ago before being scared off by Dexter Lumis.
Theory is part of The Way with Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell. LeRae & Hartwell are facing Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in a women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal match on tonight’s NXT. The winning team will advance to face Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in the finals at TakeOver: Vengeance Day.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
Women’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon
Men’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
Men’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Two title matches have been added to the card for NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day.
WWE has confirmed that NXT Champion Finn Balor will defend his title against Pete Dunne at TakeOver: Vengeance Day on Sunday, February 14. Kushida challenging for Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship has also been made official for the show.
Balor and Dunne took part in a segment on NXT tonight that was interrupted by men’s Royal Rumble winner Edge. Edge spoke about how watching NXT helped him find the passion to get his career back after nine years. Edge said he used that passion to win the Royal Rumble — and that allows hin to challenge any champion in the company. He called Balor and Dunne two of the best and said he’d be watching their match at TakeOver.
Edge said that if he hasn’t decided which title he’ll be challenging for at WrestleMania 37 by TakeOver: Vengeance Day — Balor vs. Dunne may cause him to make his choice. Karrion Kross later confronted Edge as he was leaving the building and warned Edge that it’ll be Kross he’s facing after Kross takes the NXT Championship from Balor or Dunne.
Gargano was informed during an interview on NXT tonight that he’ll be defending his North American Championship against Kushida at TakeOver: Vengeance Day. Gargano didn’t believe the news and went to go question NXT general manager William Regal about it, but Kushida was in Regal’s office when Gargano got there. Gargano attacked Kushida, but Kushida got the better of their brawl before it was broken up.
Here’s the updated card for TakeOver: Vengeance Day:
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Pete Dunne
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defends against Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez in a triple threat match
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against Kushida
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.
Two teams have been added to the field for the 2021 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
WWE has announced that Kushida & Leon Ruff and The Bollywood Boyz will be taking part in this year’s men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Here’s the updated list of teams:
Undisputed Era (Adam Cole & Roderick Strong)
Ever-Rise (Chase Parker & Matt Martel)
Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango)
Curt Stallion & August Grey
Killian Dain & Drake Maverick
Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner)
The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas
Kushida & Leon Ruff
The Bollywood Boyz (Samir & Sunil Singh)
Kushida & Ruff first teamed together when they lost to Gargano & Theory on NXT last month. On this week’s New Year’s Evil episode of NXT, Kushida & Shotzi Blackheart defeated Gargano & Candice LeRae in a mixed tag team match.
The Bollywood Boyz are facing Stallion & Grey in a non-tournament match on 205 Live tonight.
The men’s Dusty Classic will kick off with Undisputed Era vs. Breezango and The Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Ever-Rise taking place on NXT next Wednesday (January 13). The team that wins the tournament will receive the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
WWE has also announced that a women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will be held soon.
WWE has made their first match announcement for next week’s episode of NXT.
Leon Ruff & Kushida will team against NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory on NXT next Wednesday. It was originally said that Ruff would be teaming with Damian Priest next week, but there was an angle on tonight’s NXT where Priest was attacked by the returning Karrion Kross and put through a table.
Ruff’s North American Championship reign came to an end when Gargano defeated Ruff and Priest in a triple threat match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames this past Sunday. Priest looked to be on the verge of winning near the end of the match, but Theory interfered while wearing a Ghostface costume and hit Priest with a lead pipe. After Gargano pinned Ruff to win the North American Championship, Theory unmasked to reveal that the Ghostface was him.
In a segment on tonight’s NXT, Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, and Theory celebrated Gargano and LeRae’s wins from TakeOver: WarGames. Priest went to come out to the ring but was attacked by Kross. Priest had insulted Kross earlier in the show by asking Scarlett if she usually tells Kross to wait in the car while she handles his business. Priest told Scarlett that if Kross wanted to come back and pick a fight, all he had to do was step to Priest like a man.
Gargano and Theory later interrupted an interview with Ruff and taunted him, telling him there’s no way Priest will be ready for their match next Wednesday. Gargano challenged Ruff to face them in a handicap match next week. Kushida then came up to Ruff and offered to team with him in next week’s match.
WWE has revealed most of the lineup for tonight’s episode of NXT.
In an email promoting tonight’s show, WWE advertised that the following will take place on NXT tonight:
– A member of Undisputed Era vs. Pete Dunne (w/ Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch) in a ladder match for the WarGames advantage
Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) are facing Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan & Burch) in the men’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on Sunday, December 6. WWE hasn’t revealed which Undisputed Era member will be taking part in tonight’s ladder match.
– The KO Show with NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff
Along with hosting the KO Show segment, Kevin Owens is doing guest commentary for tonight’s NXT. He’s filling in for Wade Barrett on the show.
In a shocking title change, Ruff won the NXT North American Championship from Johnny Gargano on NXT two weeks ago. Ruff got the win after Gargano was distracted by Damian Priest. A rematch between Ruff and Gargano took place on NXT last week, but it ended in a disqualification when Priest punched Ruff so Gargano wouldn’t win the title.
Ruff slapped Priest in the face after being upset about Priest treating him like a joke. Later in the show, Gargano attacked Priest. Ruff then got involved and got the better of a three-way brawl with Gargano and Priest.
– Ember Moon vs. Candice LeRae (w/ Indi Hartwell)
LeRae and three partners will face Shotzi Blackheart and three partners in this year’s women’s WarGames match at TakeOver. Moon & Toni Storm defeated Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez last Wednesday, but LeRae and Indi Hartwell helped Kai and Gonzalez attack Moon and Storm after.
– Kushida vs. Timothy Thatcher
Kushida defeated Arturo Ruas and Thatcher defeated August Grey on NXT last week. Thatcher was confronted by Tommaso Ciampa after his win.
– Rhea Ripley will address the NXT Universe
On last week’s NXT, Io Shirai retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Ripley in the main event. Shirai and Ripley shook hands and hugged after the match.
In storyline, Blackheart got to pick her opponent for this week’s NXT after William Regal liked the job she did hosting Halloween Havoc last Wednesday. Blackheart said she wants a fresh opponent and noted that she’s always been a big fan of Storm.
Blackheart got involved in the Tables, Ladders & Scares match between NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai and Candice LeRae at Halloween Havoc after someone wearing a Scream costume tried to help LeRae win the title. Blackheart laid out the person in the costume and Shirai retained her title. The person in the costume also helped Johnny Gargano win the NXT North American Championship from Damian Priest earlier in the show. Indi Hartwell recently became aligned with LeRae and Gargano.
Storm returned to WWE television at TakeOver 31 last month and confronted Shirai. Storm defeated Aliyah on NXT three weeks ago.
Dexter Lumis defeated Grimes in a Haunted House of Terror match at Halloween Havoc last week. WWE is hyping that Kushida is looking to extend his recent winning streak.
Tommaso Ciampa, Kushida, and Velveteen Dream are set to face off on NXT this week.
WWE has announced that a triple threat match between Ciampa, Kushida, and Dream will take place on NXT this Wednesday night. This is the second match that’s been announced for the episode. Breezango will also defend their NXT Tag Team titles against Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish on the show.
Kushida defeated Dream at NXT TakeOver 31 earlier this month and showed off his new vicious side by attacking Dream both before and after the match. WWE put out a storyline injury update after the match saying that Dream suffered a fractured wrist but was “medically cleared as tolerated.”
On the post-TakeOver 31 edition of NXT, a singles match between Kushida and Ciampa was interrupted by Dream. Ciampa won by disqualification when Dream went to hit Kushida but accidentally struck Ciampa instead.
A video aired on NXT last week where Ciampa rewatched Dream’s interference in his match against Kushida. Ciampa issued a warning to Dream, declaring that “he’s dead.”
WWE has revealed the opening segment and first match for this week’s TakeOver 31 fallout edition of NXT.
After making her return to the brand at TakeOver 31, Ember Moon will kick off this Wednesday’s NXT. WWE has also announced that Kushida vs. Tommaso Ciampa will take place on the episode. The announcement of the match noted that it’s scheduled as the first bout on NXT TV this week.
Moon returned to NXT after Io Shirai retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Candice LeRae at Sunday’s TakeOver event. Moon was revealed to be the former champion who WWE had been hyping was returning to NXT to take what’s theirs.
Following two weeks of vignettes airing on NXT TV, another began to play after Shirai’s title defense at TakeOver. Moon rode to the Performance Center on a motorcycle, entered the building, and stood on the stage. Moon then took her helmet off, revealing that the former champion was her. She smiled at Shirai but didn’t say anything.
Moon wasn’t the only returning wrestler to confront Shirai at TakeOver. After the title match but before Moon’s appearance, former NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm appeared on the video screen. Storm announced that she’s coming to NXT and said she’ll be seeing Shirai around.
Kushida defeated Velveteen Dream at TakeOver 31. He showed off his more vicious demeanor against Dream, including attacking Dream after the match was over. Ciampa wasn’t in action at TakeOver but defeated Jake Atlas on NXT two weeks ago.
The card for NXT TakeOver 31 is now up to four announced matches.
WWE announced today that Kushida vs. Velveteen Dream will take place at TakeOver 31. Interference by Dream led to Kushida being eliminated from the gauntlet eliminator match on this week’s episode of NXT.
Dream returned to NXT television last month as part of a triple threat qualifying match for the North American title ladder match at TakeOver XXX. Cameron Grimes won that qualifier by hitting his Cave In double stomp on Kushida as Kushida had Dream in the Hoverboard Lock. Dream then attacked Kushida after the match.
Earlier this month, Kushida returned to NXT TV and attacked Dream. Kushida also defeated Austin Theory on NXT last week.
This will be the first TakeOver match that Kushida has ever had. It will be the second TakeOver match Dream has had since returning to NXT TV last month. Triple H said Dream’s absence was because of a car accident that he was involved in and wasn’t due to allegations made against him during the #SpeakingOut movement.
TakeOver 31 is taking place on Sunday, October 4. Here’s the updated lineup for the show:
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Kyle O’Reilly
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defends against Candice LeRae
NXT North American Champion Damian Priest defends against Johnny Gargano
The next challengers for the NXT Championship and NXT Women’s Championship will be determined on tonight’s “Takeoff to Takeover” episode of NXT.
A gauntlet eliminator match on tonight’s show will determine the challenger for Finn Balor’s NXT Championship at NXT’s October 4 TakeOver special. Kushida, Cameron Grimes, Kyle O’Reilly, Timothy Thatcher, and Bronson Reed are the participants for the gauntlet eliminator.
The gauntlet eliminator will start with two wrestlers in the ring, then another wrestler will enter every four minutes. The only way to be eliminated is via pinfall or submission.
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai’s TakeOver challenger will be decided by a number one contender’s battle royal tonight. Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, Shotzi Blackheart, Aliyah, Kayden Carter, Indi Hartwell, Xia Li, and Kacy Catanzaro have been announced as entrants for the battle royal.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Jake Atlas is also set for tonight. After he was destroyed by Ciampa last month, Atlas confronted Ciampa on last week’s show. Ciampa later ambushed Atlas in the parking lot until being stopped by officials and O’Reilly.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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In an angle from “moments ago”, Candice LeRae attacked Tegan Nox with a lead pipe. Nox injured her knee, as LeRae continued to attack her. This presumably takes Nox out of the battle royal that opens the show.
Candice LeRae won a battle royal to become number one contender
LeRae won the battle royal last elminating Shotzi Blackheart. LeRae goes on to TakeOver to challenge Io Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship
A subplot of the battle royal was a contest between Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez to see who could eliminate the most wrestlers. In another subplot, Kacy Catanzaro used her Ninja Warrior skills to do the Kofi Kingston gimmick of not letting her feet touch the floor. Her tag team partner, Kayden Carter, helped her get back into the ring.
Ripley and Gonzalez eventually squared off. Gonzalez got Ripley in an electric chair, and both tumbled over the ropes to eliminate each other. The announcers noted Dakota Kai was left without her insurance policy. Kai was among the final five along with Candice LeRae, Shotzi Blackheart, Indi Hartwell,and Catanzaro.
Catanzaro elimated Hartwell, leaving only four. An alliance between Kai and LeRae eliminated Catanzaro. Blackheart soon thereafter threw Kai over the top rope to eliminate her. The final two were LeRae and Blackheart.
Blackheart climbed to the top rope, and LeRae cut her off trying to throw her out. They fought on the apron in a corner, where LeRae fell on to the ring steps. Her feet had yet to touch the floor, but Blackheart kicked and stomped on her. LeRae took a bump on the steps. She monkey flipped Blackheart off the steps to the floor, eliminating her and winning the match.
LeRae’s husband, Johnny Gargano, celebrated in the ring with LeRae after the match.
With Gargano in the ring, cut to backstage for an interview with NXT North American Champion Damian Priest. He faces Gargano in a title match at TakeOver. He addressed that an his match later on against Austin Theory. Priest said Theory’s record does not reflect how good he really is, but Priest added that it sucks to be him because his slide continues tonight. Priest then concluded the interview by hitting on Sarah Schreiber.
In a wacky skit, William Regal was trying to figure out the next tag team challengers. Fandango was dressed as Sherlock Holmes. Why? He was a detective, not a matchmaker.
Tommaso Ciampa defeated Jake Atlas
Ciampa pinned Atlas, and Ciampa looked like a killer in doing so in this good match.
Atlas got to shine early on until Ciampa cut him off. Atlas made a comeback, and the fighting spilled outside. Atlas with an Asai moonsault to the floor, and then a blockbuster in the ring netted him a two count. Ciampa blocked the cartwheel DDT finisher, and then draped Atlas in the ropes.
Ciampa spiked Atlas with Widow’s Bell. Instead of covering Atlas, Ciampa broke the count and began slapping Atlas. Ciampa berated Atlas, and he executed a Fairy Tale Ending before scoring the pinfall.
A great vignette profiled Ridge Holland.
Hyping the gauntlet eliminator and its competitors was the focus of a music video from recording artist Corey Taylor’s solo project.
Burch pinned Mendoza to win this wild card tag match.
This was supposed to be the brainchild of Fandango. Again, why? The announcers tried, but even they could not explain the convoluted logic.They laughed about it. The gimmick seems to be if a wild card team wins, in the actual teams those two represent will then square off in another tag match to determine the number one contenders.
Strong was knocked off the apron at one point, so Burch was unable to tag out. Strong made a blind tag, and he cleaned house. He gave Aichner an Olympic Slam, but Mendoza broke up the pinning attempt.
Burch with a draping cutter on Mendoza to score the pinfall. So, Burch & his normal tag partner, Oney Lorcan, move on to face Strong & Bobby Fish to determine number one contenders.
Theory was being interviewed backstage when Gargano approached him. Gargano encouraged Theory to soften up Priest ahead of his title defense while also talking down to him.
NXT North American Champion Damian Priest defeated Austin Theory in a non-title match
Priest pinned Theory in a good match.
Priest walked the top rope before springboarding into a flying crossbody. Moments later Priest hit a ripcord knee strike, and followed with a leaping flatliner. Priest was knocked off the apron before a commercial break.
Theory was firing up as the show returned from the break. Thoery grounded Priest, but only momentarily. Priest hulked up and mowed down Theory. Priest with a Falcon Arrow for a two count.
Theory cut off Priest, and he used a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. The fight spilled outside where Priest gave Theory a Razor’s Edge on the ring apron. Back in the ring, Priest delivered The Reckoning to score the pinfall.
Gargano ran in after the match to lay out Priest with a superkick.
A cryptic vignette that looked too much like Retribution hyped something for “10.4.20”, which is the date of the next TakeOver.
Another vignette featured Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. He wants a rematch with Santos Escobar for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Ridge Holland defeated Antonio De Luca
Holland pinned De Luca in a squash match. Holland looked like a monster.
De Luca was running the ropes when Holland sent him flying with a Monty Brown pounce…period. Holland followed with a few suplexes, and De Luca fought back. That only served to anger Holland, and he clobbered De Luca with headbutts. Holland then executed the Northern Grit befoer covering De Luca for the pinfall.
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai was being interviewed backstage when LeRae and Gargano confronted her. Gargano got in her face and berated her. Damian Priest stepped in to lay out Gargano with a punch. Referees poured in to break up the ruckus.
Announced for next week on NXT is Shotzi Blackheart vs. Dakota Kai.
And now it’s time for the main event of the evening…
Kyle O’Reilly won the Gauntlet Eliminator to become number one contender
O’Reilly and Kushida started the gauntlet with a grappling clinic. Their battle was intensifying when time expired and Bronson Reed joined the match as the third entrant.
Reed ragdolled and splashed both O’Reilly and Kushida. He lifted both on his shoulders going for a double fireman’s carry. Kushida escaped to break it up.
O’Reilly went to apply an armbar on Kushida, and Reed went to break that up. When he did, O’Reilly grapevined Reed’s leg to catch him in a submission hold. Kushida with a standing moonsalt to break the hold, and Kushida went for the Hoverboard Lock. Reed put a stop to that before splashing O’Reilly with a senton.
O’Reilly and Reed were fighting on a turnbuckle when Kushida hit them both with a handspring. O’Reilly took a bump off the apron, and the referee was asking if he could continue. Behind the ref’s back, Velveteen Dream ran in to give Kushida a DVD. Reed came off the top rope with a splash to pin Kushida.
Bronson Reed eliminated Kushida via pinfall
Timothy Thatcher was the next entrant, but he was knocked off the apron before the show cut to commercial. When the show returned from the break, the clock ticked under five seconds as the last entrant joined the match.
A fresh Cameron Grimes came into the match with a flying crossbody on Reed. Grimes ran wild until Thatcher cut him off. Everybody in for a parade of high spots. All four men ended up down on the mat.
Reed with a slingshot sent Grimes over the ropes into a dive on Thatcher and O’Reilly. Reed with a DVD on Thatcher for a near fall. Reed with a powerbomb for a two count on O’Reilly.
Just before a commercial break, Reed leapt through the ropes for a tope suicida on to a pile of bodies. When Reed later did a powerslam, the announcers said it was a tribute to Road Warrior Animal. Reed also did some cool combos.
Reed missed a flying splash when Thatcher rolled out of the way. In the meantime, O’Reilly jumped off the top rope with a Bobby Eaton flying kneedrop on Reed. O’Reilly then covered Reed for a pinfall.
Kyle O’Reilly eliminated Bronson Reed via pinfall
O’Reilly had no time to celebrate the elimination as Thatcher grapped his leg to apply an ankle lock. O’Reilly countered to apply his own ankle lock on Thatcher, who also countered looking to apply an armbar.
O’Reilly wereThatcher exchanging strikes when Grimes sneaked in to give O’Reilly a German suplex. Grimes was given a belly-to-belly suplex from Thatcher.
Thatcher was applying a sleeper hold on O’Reilly when Grimes tried to run in with a kick. O’Reilly trapped his leg and applied an ankle lock, so Thatcher had O’Reilly while O’Reilly had Grimes. This is a variation on a three-way spot popularized by Sabu, Terry Funk and Shane Douglas at ECW’s The Night the Line Was Crossed in 1994.
O’Reilly squared off with Thatcher as they traded strikes. This was great stuff. Thatcher kicked out of a backslide, but a second later he was rolled up with a schoolboy by O’Reilly for a three count.
Kyle O’Reilly eliminated Timothy Thatcher via pinfall
Grimes rushed in to hit O’Reilly with the Cave In. O’Reilly got his foot on the rope to break the count, but Grimes started celebrating like he won. The ref broke the bad news to him.
Grimes started talking trash about Adam Cole, and O’Reilly fired up on him. As they ran the ropes, Grimes with a one-man running Spanish Fly for a great near fall. There was an Ax & Smash spot but this time not among teammates. O’Reilly with the Ax, and Grimes answered back with Smash.
O’Reilly softened up Grimes’s knee with a dragon screw. Moments later when Grimes went for the Cave In, O’Reilly dodged. Grimes’ knee buckled, and O’Reilly barred the leg to submitt Grimes.
Kyle O’Reilly eliminated Cameron Grimes via submission to win the match
O’Reilly now goes on to TakeOver to challenge Finn Balor for the NXT Championship. Unidsputed Era memebrs Cole, Fish and Strong joined O’Reilly in the ring to celebrate.
Kushida is the first confirmed name for NXT’s gauntlet eliminator match.
WWE announced today that Kushida will take part in the first-ever gauntlet eliminator match on NXT next Wednesday. It will be a five-man match where the winner will go on to challenge Finn Balor for the NXT Championship at TakeOver on Sunday, October 4.
The rules of the gauntlet eliminator match are:
Two wrestlers will start in the ring.
Every four minutes, another wrestler will enter.
The only way to be eliminated is via pinfall or submission.
The last man standing will become the number one contender to the NXT Championship and challenge Balor for the title at TakeOver.
On this week’s NXT, Kushida defeated Austin Theory after answering Theory’s open challenge. Kushida attacked Velveteen Dream on NXT last week to get revenge for a previous beatdown.
Kushida tweeted about potentially challenging Balor: “You may not remember, but 10 years have passed since I first fought you. The time has finally come. I am merciless, I’ve removed the limiter. @FinnBalor I’ll definitely stand in front of you. See you at takeover. @WWENXT”
Balor then responded to Kushida: “I like you Kushida, good luck in the gauntlet, i hope you win. So I can beat you again.. like I did 10 years ago,9 years ago, 8 years ago, 7 years ago, 6 years ago etc etc”
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai’s challenger for TakeOver will also be confirmed on next Wednesday’s NXT. Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, Shotzi Blackheart, Aliyah, Kayden Carter, Indi Hartwell, Xia Li, and Kacy Catanzaro are featured on the match graphic for the battle royal.
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.
