Tag: Kyle O’Reilly

NXT TakeOver In Your House live results: Four title matches

Posted on by Parker Klyn

In Your House returns for the second straight year as NXT TakeOver takes place tonight.

The show will be headlined by Karrion Kross defending his NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole in a fatal five-way match. A match between O’Reilly, Dunne, and Gargano was originally supposed to determine Kross’ challenger, but Cole made his return to NXT TV and put a stop to the match. Kross later declared that he wanted to face all four challengers.

Three other title matches are also set for TakeOver: In Your House. Ember Moon will challenge for Raquel Gonzalez’s NXT Women’s Championship, the revived Million Dollar Championship will be on the line in a ladder match between Cameron Grimes and LA Knight, and there will be a winner-take-all six-man tag match with NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed & NXT Tag Team Champions MSK facing Legado del Fantasma.

Mercedes Martinez vs. Xia Li rounds out the TakeOver card. Li is looking to avenge her loss from the 2017 Mae Young Classic.

Todd Pettengill will return as the host of TakeOver: In Your House. The event will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time, with there also being a pre-show starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

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Show Report —

The pre-show featured the typical mix of talking head analysis and promo packages. There was an “earlier today” segment involving participants in the five-way main event.

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Naomi Fox performed a song to open the show. 

Former WWE backstage interviewer Todd Pettengill is the host of the show. He announced the largest gathering of fans yet in the Capitol Wrestling Center.

Winner Take All match for the NXT North American Championship and NXT Tag Team Championships: Bronson Reed (c) & MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) (c) defeated Legado Del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, & Joaquin Wilde) (13:41)

This was good, solid six-man tag action.

Lee and Mendoza started with a rapid-fire exchange. Carter and Wilde were next, with Wilde hitting a nice springboard arm drag. He showboated, however, and received a kick for his trouble. Escobar tagged in and faced off with Carter, but Carter tagged in Reed. Escobar retreated and tagged in Mendoza.

Mendoza used some high flying, but Reed shrugged off a series of clotheslines before leveling Mendoza with one of his own. Reed hit his sit-down splash, but Escobar had blind tagged in and hit a soccer kick. Reed took him down with a crossbody before planting Wilde with a press slam. 

MSK hit frequent tags, with a somersault senton from Lee getting two. Reed hit an assisted senton for two more. The champs continued to dominate Wilde until Escobar finally made a tag. Carter hit an Orihara moonsault out on the floor, but Wilde took Carter out with a dive. Lee and Mendoza hit dives of their own, building to the big man Reed taking everyone out with a tope.

Back in the ring, MSK tried to hit a double team, but Legado del Fantasma pulled Carter out of the ring, allowing Escobar to take Lee out. A top-rope hurricanrana from Escobar got two, as did an assisted 450 from Wilde. Lee finally escaped to Reed for a tag.

Reed ran wild on all of Legado del Fantasma, including a double Samoan drop on Wilde and Mendoza. Reed wanted Escobar to tag in, but Wilde took him out from behind. Escobar tagged in and hit a Michinoku Driver, but Carter broke up the pin. Wilde and Mendoza hit a high low on Carter, but Wes Lee dove in to break up the pin.

Escobar grabbed the belt at ringside but was blindsided with a running splash from Reed, sending him through the barricade at ringside. A Mendoza dive was cut off with a superkick, then MSK hit an assisted blockbuster. Reed pulled the straps down and hit the Tsunami splash to win and retain.

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Kyle O’Reilly was interviewed earlier today, saying “it’s a good day for a fight.” Johnny Gargano and The Way arrived at the same time, goading O’Reilly into a fight and forcing officials and William Regal to break it up.

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A comedy segment aired where Pettengill was trying to cut to a video using a VHS tape. The video recapped Mercedes Martinez defeating Xia Li in the Mae Young Classic four years ago.

Xia Li (w/ Boa) defeated Mercedes Martinez (7:39)

This was maybe the least spectacular match in TakeOver history. It was short, very little happened, and the finish came completely out of nowhere.

Li took the fight to Martinez right away, but Martinez took her down with a backdrop and a fallaway slam. Li dragged Martinez to the floor and pushed her shoulder-first into the ring post. She continued to target Martinez’s shoulder, including with a running dropkick that sent Martinez to the floor.

They traded strikes in the ring, with Li maintaining control with kicks and knees. Martinez came back with a butterfly suplex, but Li regained control with an exploder. Martinez avoided a corner attack and hit a Cliffhanger for two. She followed it up with repeated knees. 

Boa pulled Li out of the ring, preventing further attack. Martinez pushed him aside and countered a running attack with a back body drop on the floor. Back in the ring, a cyclone kick from Li surprised Martinez for the win.

– After the match, Boa threw Li a chair, but when she was about to use it, Martinez kicked her legs out from under her. Martinez grabbed the chair and hit both Boa and Li with it.

Li’s entrance effects showed up and Mei Ying appeared in her throne on the ramp. She and Martinez stared each other down until Ying grabbed Martinez by the neck and tossed her off the ramp into the barricade.

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Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher cut a promo. They said that in 48 hours, they’d show everyone how dangerous they are.

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Before the match, Ted DiBiase discussed the history and legacy of the Million Dollar Championship. He made an entrance and watched the match from ringside.

Million Dollar Championship ladder match: LA Knight defeated Cameron Grimes (19:33)

This was the worst ladder match in TakeOver history.

After a strong lockup, Knight took down Grimes with a shoulder block. Grimes popped up and taunted before outwrestling Knight for a couple sequences. Knight rolled ot the floor and tossed in a ladder before sending Grimes to the floor. He tried to throw the ladder at Grimes, but Grimes avoided it before falling victim to a clothesline.

Knight set a ladder up in the ring and both men climbed it, but Knight sent Grimes to the floor. They fought over a ladder before Knight grabbed another. They had a ladder fight until Grimes booted Knight to the floor. They fought over a ladder yet again, with Grimes getting the advantage by pushing the Knight and the ladder into the barricade. He followed it up with a soccer kick.

Grimes opted to take the fight to Knight on the floor, but Knight sent Grimes into the barricade and smashed him with the ladder. Knight continued to send Grimes into ringside objects until Grimes turned it around. Knight popped up and took Grimes down yet again. I know this report sounds redundant and repetitive, but there was no ebb or flow to the match early on, just unfocused brawling.

Back in the ring, Knight hit a slingshot shoulder block. Grimes countered with a German suplex into a ladder. He tried to follow it up with a ladder attack, but Knight moved out of the way and hit a neckbraker onto a propped-up ladder. That looked terrible.

Grimes tried to make a comeback with right hands, but Knight sent him into a ladder. Knight leaned a ladder against the ropes before propping another one up on the top turnbuckle. Grimes reversed a whip and sent Knight face-first into the latter ladder. He laid in kicks, but Knight pulled Grimes’ hair, sending him hard to the mat. Grimes countered a running attack with a back body drop onto a ladder.

Knight was sent over the top rope onto a ladder bridge. Grimes went after a gold ladder on the stage and brought it to the ring. He climbed it and made it to the belt, but Knight met him at the top. Knight fell off, but was able to push the ladder over, sending Grimes crashing to the mat.

After a long double down, Knight set up more ladders to create a bridge over the ropes. Grimes surprised him with a thrust kick, but Knight hid behind DiBiase’s security, allowing him to take Grimes out. Knight whipped Grimes into a ladder, but Grimes climbed it and then grabbed onto some staging when Knight pushed the ladder away. Grimes then leapt off the staging with a crossbody.

Grimes climbed the gold ladder in the ring. Knight tried to powerbomb him out of the ring, but Grimes turned it into a hurricanrana. Grimes shouted “to the moon!” and nearly reached the championship, but Knight pushed the ladder over, sending Grimes onto the bridge from before. Knight then unhooked the belt to win the championship.

– Knight celebrated with the Million Dollar Man afterwards.

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Pettengill tried to advertise the WWE Shop, but was interrupted by Hit Row. They plugged their new song, “Now You Know.” 

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NXT Women’s Championship: Raquel Gonzalez (c) (w/ Dakota Kai) defeated Ember Moon (12:40)

This was a very good match and a nice showcase for Moon, who is one of the more underrated talents on the roster.

Moon came out firing with strikes, but Gonzalez planted her to the mat on a crossbody attempt. Moon countered the one-armed powerbomb with a hurricanrana, sending Gonzalez into the turnbuckle, but Gonzalez sent Moon into the barricade on a shoulder block. Out on the floor, Gonzalez continued to dominate. 

Back in the ring, Gonzalez maintained control until Moon kicked her way out of a corner attack. She went for a diving codebreaker, but Gonzalez caught it and planted Moon with a sidewalk slam. A twisting Vader bomb followed for two. Moon tried to fight back with strikes before a thrust kick caught Gonzalez under the jaw. Another series of kicks staggered Gonzalez before a forearm finally took the champion down.

Moon hit a Code Red for two. She locked on a modified deathlock until Kai assisted Gonzalez by helping her reach the ropes. Gonzalez and Kai regrouped on the floor, so Moon took the champion out with a tope suicida. Back in the ring, a flatliner from Moon got two.

Kai distracted Moon while the latter climbed the ropes, allowing Gonzalez to take control with a superplex. Gonzalez went for her one-armed powerbomb, but Moon cradled her for two. Gonzalez came back with a big boot for a near fall of her own. She went for an inverted suplex, but Moon turned it into a modified Eclipse.

Moon gained some separation with a jawbreaker and followed it up with a diving Codebreaker. The Eclipse followed, but Kai put Gonzalez’s foot on the ropes. Shotzi Blackheart appeared to chase off Kai, sending her into the staging and bringing her backstage. 

Gonzalez fled to the apron, where Moon climbed the ropes and hit a tornado DDT on the ramp. Moon rolled Gonzalez into the ring, where Gonzalez kicked out at two. She went for another Eclipse, but Gonzalez caught her and hit Snake Eyes in the corner. The one-armed powerbomb followed for the win.

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Another Pettengill comedy segment aired. He was about to play Karate Fighters, and his opponent was Dexter Lumis. Pettengill asked how the women were treating Lumis these days, so Lumis broke the game and smashed Pettengill’s piece in his hand.

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The NXT: Great American Bash TV special was announced for Tuesday, July 6 on USA.

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This week’s NXT lineup:

  • Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. Grizzled Young Veterans in a Tornado Tag Team Match
  • KUSHIDA’s Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge

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NXT Championship Fatal 5-Way: Karrion Kross (c) (w/ Scarlett) defeated Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Pete Dunne (26:25)

This was an insane spotfest from start to finish, with tons of great action. The crowd wasn’t super invested at the start but eventually got into it; however, they’re definitely not into Kross as champion.

While O’Reilly and Cole brawled on the floor, Kross and Dunne faced off in the ring. Dunne peppered him with leg kicks and went for a guillotine, but Kross caught him and hit a Northern Lights suplex. O’Reilly entered the fray and traded with Kross until a high kick gave Kross an opening. O’Reilly countered into a heel hook, which Kross fought out of, hitting a German.

Gargano was next for Kross. He went for the Garga-No Escape before chopping down Kross’s leg and taking him down with a hurricanrana. Kross caught a corner attack and hit an exploder suplex. Cole immediately took advantage by kicking out Kross’s knee and hitting an enziguiri. Dunne pulled Cole out of the ring and trapped him between the apron and the skirt, allowing the entire field to beat him down.

Kross continued to dispatch all four opponents. He hit a double Northern Lights suplex on Dunne and Gargano before a lariat on O’Reilly got two. O’Reilly fought out of a powerbomb and landed muay thai strikes, finally taking Kross down. He laid in knees on Cole before mounting him and going for an armbar. Dunne locked on an armbar on O’Reilly before Gargano tried to get involved. Dunne attacked the fingers of both O’Reilly and Gargano before Kross powerbombed him onto both men.

Cole retreated to the ramp, where Kross wanted a fight. Dunne and Gargano got involved, sending him through the door of the In Your House stage. In the ring, a leg lariat from Cole took down O’Reilly, followed by the ushigoroshi for two. Gargano hit an enziguiri on O’Reilly before propping Cole in the tree of woe over O’Reilly in the corner. Dunne surprised Gargano with a roll-up, but Gargano turned the Bitter End into a DDT before throwing Dunne into the corner with a lawn dart through Cole and O’Reilly for two.

Gargano went for his end of #DIY, but a parade of strikes from Cole, Gargano, Dunne, and O’Reilly led to a quadruple down. O’Reilly caught a Cole thrust kick and applied an ankle lock, but Cole kicked out of it, sending O’Reilly into Kross. Kross sent both O’Reilly and Cole over the barricade before a double-hand powerbomb sent Gargano into the ring apron. He tossed Dunne onto the pile on the outside.

It was just Kross and Gargano in the ring. Kross hit an F-5 for two. Gargano made a comeback with a tornado DDT, using Cole as an assist, before taking out O’Reilly with a tope suicida. He followed it up with a spear on Kross and a diving DDT on Dunne but was met with a superkick from Cole. Gargano avoided the Last Shot and locked on the Garga-No Escape, but Cole fought out and countered a slingshot spear with a thrust kick. Gargano countered the Panama Sunrise into belly-to-back driver for two.

O’Reilly was taken out with stereo kicks from Gargano and Dunne, then Cole and Gargano took out Dunne, then O’Reilly and Gargano took out Cole as O’Reilly covered for two. Kross entered the ring and hit corner clotheslines on all four opponents before eating lariats from everyone. O’Reilly briefly got the upper hand on everyone until Kross took him out with a lariat.

Kross hit German suplexes on everyone. Dunne flipped out of one, allowing everyone to hit kicks to Kross’s head. Cole and O’Reilly paused their rivalry to try to powerbomb Kross through the announce desk, which didn’t break. The four challengers faced off in the ring. Gargano and Dunne hit stereo superkicks, then Dunne and O’Reilly both applied submissions. They dropped their victims and traded strikes, with O’Reilly dropping Dunne with a forearm. Dunne transitioned into a standing kimura before a triangle hold, with Gargano taking them down with a slingshot spear. A ushigoroshi from Cole on O’Reilly got two.

Cole and Dunne exchanged forearms in the ring. Dunne went for his corner backflip, which Cole and Gargano countered with superkicks. Gargano locked both Cole and Dunne in the Garga-No Escape, but O’Reilly broke it up. He and Gargano had a strike exchange, with O’Reilly finishing it with a brainbuster. He climebed to the top but was sent to the floor by Cole, who hit the Panama Sunrise on Gargano, but Dunne pulled him out of the ring and killed him with a brainbuster on the floor.

Kross popped up from the announce desk as Dunne invited him in for a fight. Dunne unleashed on Kross, forcing him to cover up, but Kross hit a German. Dunne hit one of his own, followed by the Bitter End, but Kross kicked out for a great near fall. Dunne immediately locked on a triangle, but the other three broke up the hold.

Dunne dispatched his opponents with kicks before catching a low blow and going for the finger-break spot. Kross broke it up with a double Doomsday Saito. The Kross Jacket followed, but Dunne snapped Kross’s fingers to break out of the hold. Gargano hit One Final Beat on Dunne, but Kross locked on the Kross Jacket on Gargano. Gargano jackknifed over for a cradle for two, but Kross maintained the hold. Cole hit the Last Shot on Kross but was subsequently chopped down by O’Reilly, who hit the diving knee on Kross. Cole broke up the cover with a superkick.

O’Reilly avoided the Last Shot and locked on the heel hook. After a long fight, Kross locked the Kross Jacket on O’Reilly, with the hold still locked on Cole. O’Reilly faded, relinquished the heel hook, and passed out for the referee stoppage as Kross retained.

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An interviewer caught up to William Regal to ask about the events of In Your House. He said he’d been GM for seven years, and he’s never seen so much bedlam. “I think it’s time for a change.” 

Face-off segment, Ted DiBiase announcement set for WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has announced a couple of additions to the lineup for NXT’s TakeOver: In Your House go-home show.

– At Sunday’s TakeOver event, Karrion Kross will defend his NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole in a fatal five-way match. But before that match happens, there will be a face-off segment with Kross and his challengers on this Tuesday’s NXT episode.

A triple threat match between O’Reilly, Dunne, and Gargano on last week’s NXT had originally been set to determine Kross’ challenger for TakeOver: In Your House, but Cole interrupted the match and attacked all three wrestlers. Cole cut a promo on Kross later in the show, which led to Kross confronting Cole. Kross told NXT general manager William Regal that he wanted to face all four of O’Reilly, Dunne, Gargano, and Cole at TakeOver.

– WWE is also hyping that Ted DiBiase will make a “Priceless Announcement” on this Tuesday’s NXT. The announcement comes in advance of Cameron Grimes facing LA Knight at TakeOver: In Your House.

Grimes and Knight have each been vying for DiBiase to choose them as the wrestler to carry on his Million Dollar legacy. A distraction by Grimes on last week’s NXT caused Knight to lose a match against Jake Atlas. When he was interviewed backstage after the match, DiBiase said Knight dropped the ball but Grimes showed that it takes both brains and brawn.

DiBiase’s Million Dollar Championship appears on the poster for TakeOver: In Your House, but WWE has yet to confirm the return of the title or that it’s going to play a part in Grimes and Knight’s match at TakeOver.

Here’s the updated lineup for this Tuesday’s NXT:

  • Face-off with NXT Champion Karrion Kross, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole
  • 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
  • Ted DiBiase makes a “Priceless Announcement”

Adam Cole returns to NXT, fatal five-way title match set for TakeOver

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Adam Cole returning to NXT tonight led to a fatal five-way title match being announced for NXT’s next TakeOver event.

Karrion Kross will defend his NXT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, and Cole in a fatal five-way match at TakeOver: In Your House. The show is taking place on Sunday, June 13.

A triple threat match between O’Reilly, Dunne, and Gargano on tonight’s show was supposed to decide Kross’ challenger for TakeOver, but it ended in a no contest as part of an angle where Cole returned and took out all three wrestlers. A furious William Regal then made his way out with security. Cole hit a superkick on O’Reilly before Regal and security finally got him to go to the back.

Cole appeared again later in the show and said that he wants the NXT Championship back. He called Kross a “big, overrated musclehead” who doesn’t deserve to be in the same ring as him. Kross then came out to the ring and confronted Cole.

Kross said Cole’s motives in getting involved in the triple threat match were understandable. But Kross said that when he signed with NXT, Cole stopped being special. Cole said NXT has done everything in their power to make Kross feel special — but all they have to do to make Cole feel special is ring the bell. Cole said Kross isn’t on his level and anyone who watches pro wrestling knows that. Cole said Kross is just a guy who has his property.

Regal said he could see what Cole was doing and it wasn’t going to work, but Kross told Regal that he wants to face everyone at TakeOver: In Your House. Kross said to give him O’Reilly, Dunne, Gargano, and Cole. Regal agreed to make the match.

This was just the second time Cole has appeared on NXT since losing to O’Reilly in an unsanctioned match at April’s TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. A sit-down interview with Cole aired on the April 27 episode of the show.

Kross won the NXT Championship from Finn Balor at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. He’s made one title defense since then, retaining against Balor in a rematch last week.

WWE NXT live results: O’Reilly vs. Dunne vs. Gargano

Posted on by Chris Aiken

The NXT Championship match for TakeOver: In Your House will become official tonight.

On tonight’s NXT, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, and Johnny Gargano will face off in a triple threat match to determine Karrion Kross’ challenger for TakeOver. The triple threat match will kick off tonight’s show.

Last week, Kross retained the NXT Championship by defeating Finn Balor in a rematch from TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. It was Kross’ first title defense since becoming champion.

The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line tonight. MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) will defend their titles against Legado del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde.

MSK won the then-vacant NXT Tag Team titles by defeating The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) and Mendoza & Wilde in a triple threat match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. Following TakeOver, Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Mendoza & Wilde) picked up a win against Kushida & MSK in a six-man tag match.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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The show is opening with a triple threat match to determine a number one contender for TakeOver.

Pete Dunne vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Kyle O’Reilly ended in a no contest

Adam Cole ran in to attack everyone, and the match was thrown out. Great match until the run-in, which would seem to set up another match.

The three way dance started with a slugfest. Gargano was sent outside. He jumped back in when O’Reilly was trying to catch Dunne in an armbar. Instead of offense, Gargano was quickly on defense as O’Reilly instead trapped him in an armbar. Dunne kept jumping in to pick the bones while the other two grappled against each other. Lots of cool grappling, and a different psychology that was much more fluid than a usual WWE-style thriple threat.

Tons of spots playing off all three as they fought through a commercial break. Gagrano was out of the ring selling just before the show was set to return from the break. Meanwhile, Dunne was working over O’Reilly. All three face off as the show comes back from commercial. O’Reilly fired up, and he cleaned house.

O’Reilly wtih a diving knee off the apron, but Gargano hit him with a tope. Gargano with two more tope dives through the ropes. Slingshot spear by Gargano for a near fall on O’Reilly. Dunne broke up a backslide competition with several kicks. Dunne with an X-plex on Gargano for a two and a half count. Dunne went to trap O’Reilly in a kimura, but Gargano breaks it up. O’Reilly with a leglock on Gargano, but Dunne is back to break up the hold. 

Gargano countered a Bitter End to deliver a swinging DDT on Dunne. Sending Dunne crashing into O’Reilly like a lawn dart, Gargano gets a near fall on Dunne. The built to all three throwing kicks, hitting big moves, and rocking each other with strikes. Triple down. They arose for a triple sleeper spot. Gargano was caught in a sleeper from O’Reilly, but Dunne rushed in to catch O’Reilly in a sleeper. Gargano comes back in with La Mistica into the Gargano Escape submission finisher. Dunne snapped Gargano’s fingers to break the hold. 

Dunne delivered a Bitter End on Gargano, and Dunne went for a cover. O’Reilly broke the count with a bombs away flying knee drop. Double clothesline on the floor leave O’Reilly and Dunne down at ringside. Suddenly, Adam Cole ran down to ringside with a metal folding chair like he was Balls Mahoney. Cole first hits O’Reilly with the chair, and Cole then hit Dunne with a chair to the back. Cole flings the chair at Gargano’s head.

Cole is wrecking the place, hitting alomst everyone moving at ringside. Officials pour out to break up the melee. Dunne and Cole start brawling, and Cole give Dunne a brainbuster on the floor. Cole delivers a Last Shot to O’Reilly on the floor. Cole measures Gargano in the ring, and Cole delivered another Last Shot. William Regal storms to ringside angry with Cole. Regal was steaming, but Cole had to get one more shot in on O’Reilly. Cole then left ringside, leaving destruction in his wake.

El Legado del Fantasma cut a promo that was a “WWE Network Exclusive,” which is odd. It’s not very exclusive to the WWE Network when it’s also airing on national cable television. Also, WWE Network? That still a thing? I guess outside the United Stated it is, but this is airing live in the US.

LA Knight introduced himself and cut a promo on the way to the ring. 

In a pre-tape skit, Hit Row got into a verbal argument with Drake Maverick. Killian Dain stepped in to get in Swerve’s face. 

Jake Atlas defeated LA Knight

Atlas pinned Knight after a distraction by Cameron Grimes.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase walked to ringside to watch the match, presumably to scout Knight. The match went through a commercial break, with Knight maintaining an advantage. Atlas fired up after the show returned from the break, but Knight soon cut him off. Knight was then cut off himself moments later.

Atlas with a comeback, and as Atlas was getting a near fall out comes Cameron Grimes. DiBiase is joined at ringside by Grimes, who rants and rambles at the Million Dollar Man. Knight tripped up Atlas, only for Grimes to distract Knight. Atlas is able to shove Knight off the turnbuckles, and Knight crotched himself on the top rope. Atlas executed a cartwheel DDT, and he covered Knight for a pinfall.

McKenzie Mitchell interviewed DiBiase backstage after the match. DiBiase said that Knight dropped the ball tonight, but DiBiase bragged on Grimes. Adam Cole appeared again suddenly as he stormed past the camera headed to the ring.

NXT Champion confronts Cole

Cole cut a promo in the ring. Two years ago to the day he became NXT Champion. Cole claimed today to be the real number one cotender. Cole brought up the current NXT Champion, who is Karrion Kross. Cole called him a “meathead,” among other things.

Kross, with Scarlett, interrupted Cole’s promo. Kross confronted Cole face-to-face in the ring. Kross called him a “little man,” and Cole soon responded by calling Kross “overrated.” William Regal was really busy tonight. He came out again to trying to say he knew what Cole was doing. Kross yelled at Regal to shut up. Kross said he wants to face everyone at TakeOver. Kross wants to face the three challengers from the triple threat earlier, and he wants to face Cole too. Looks like a fatal five way title match as the main evetn of TakeOver. 

Candice LeRae was finally back on the show this week. LeRae was with Indi Hartwell for an interview. They are still the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. Hartwell was listening to music via headphones. LeRae took the headphones off Hartwell to ask what was up. Hartwell was listening to 1980s power ballads. Later in the show, Dexter Lumis found the headphones and music player. A tear rolled down his cheek as he listened to the ’80s ballads. 

A vignette hyped the debut of Carmelo Hayes. He vowed to be the next cruiserweight champ. He faces Kushdia tonight in an open challenge.

NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defeated Carmelo Hayes to retain his title

Kushida submitted Hayes using the Hoverboard Lock. 

Hayes with plenty of offense in the first half of the match, which made Hayes look strong. They match went through a commercial break, with Hayes getting a near fall as the show cuts away.

Kushida comes back after the break, but he is soon cut off by Hayes with a springboard in a clothesline of sorts. Hayes with a modified La Mistica for a near fall. 

Kushida fired up with a flurry of his signature offense. Kushida went on to apply the Hoverboard Lock, and Hayes tapped out.

During the previous match, announced officially for TakeOver is Cameron Grimes vs. LA Knight. Also official for TakeOver is the fatal five way for the NXT Championship.

Franky Monet was in getting her makeup down. She read some tweets that put her over, and Monet said she was just getting started in NXT. Presley was there, too. He was a good boy.

NXT Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell defeated Zoey Stark & Zayda Ramier in a non-title match

Hartwell pinned Ramier to win the match. For the finish, the champs executed a combo called Wicked Savage. It combines a curb stomb by LeRae (which is called a Wicked Stepsister), and a springboard flying elbow drop (similar to Randy Savage without the springboard). Due to technical difficulties I missed most of this match, but things cleared up just in time for the finish.

Mercedes Martinez cut a promo on Xia Li. Martinez mentioned how she defeated Li in the Mae Young Classic. Lools like these two are set for another match very soon.

The Diamond Mine is “opening soon” in NXT.

Ember Moon in a backstage interview cut a promo on Raquel Gonzalez. Moon has a singles match against Dakota Kai next week, and Moon vowed to take the NXT Women’s Championship from Gonzalez at TakeOver.

Poppy returns to NXT next week.

NXT Tag Team Champions MSK (Wes Lee and Nash Carter) defeated Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde with Santos Escobar) to retain their titles

Lee pinned Wilde to retain the titles. Really good match with lots of action, escpially near the finish. 

Mendoza wore a mask that looked like The Lone Ranger, or maybe it was more like a Jimmy Jack Funk mask since this is pro wrestling after all. It might have been a protective mask. Not sure, but he wore it the entire match.

Really good match. They did some cool double team moves, and the flying amongst these guys was a highlight of course. Grizzled Young Veterans came down to ringside briefly during the match. They were not long, because Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher ran down to attack them. They fought the Vets back through the curtain from which they came.

The match went through a commercial break, and the heels were getting heat on Lee as the show returns. Carter came in off a hot tag to run wild. Lee is back in moments later as they run through some double team moves. So much for getting heat on Lee. He looked fresh, even after getting worked over earlier.

While Lee was running wild on Wilde he was unaware that Mendoza was actually the legal man. Mendoza springboarded off the top rope to nail Lee with a missiled dropkick. That led to a near fall for Mendoza.

Lee was sent outside the ring, and he landed at the feet of Santos Escobar. Interfering in the match, Escobar sent Lee crashing into the ring steps. That led to a near fall where Cater jumped in to make a save.

Bronson Reed ran in at ringside to splash Escobar, sandwiching him into the barricade. Mendoza & Wilde were on a roll before this, but Reed’s running down disrtacted them. MSK capitalized with a double team finisher. The Hart Attack/Blockbuster combo on Wilde led to Lee covering him for a pinfall.

O’Reilly vs. Lorcan added to WWE NXT, Dain vs. Wolfe pulled

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

Killian Dain vs. Alexander Wolfe had originally been announced for tonight’s NXT but will no longer be taking place. In a video WWE posted before tonight’s show, Wolfe said he had a stomach bug and couldn’t wrestle Dain tonight. Wolfe’s Imperium stablemates Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner were skeptical about Wolfe’s illness.

Wolfe and Dain were formerly stablemates in SAnitY. On NXT two weeks ago, Wolfe wouldn’t hit Dain with a steel chair when Barthel ordered him to. But Wolfe did stand in Dain’s way when Dain tried to send Barthel into the ring post. Barthel reversed the move and sent Dain into the ring post instead. Barthel & Aichner then hit the Euro Bomb on Drake Maverick and pinned him to win a tag match.

**********

WWE has added another match to the card for tonight’s NXT.

Kyle O’Reilly will face Oney Lorcan on tonight’s episode of NXT. The match was set up by an angle where Lorcan interrupted an interview with O’Reilly as O’Reilly was arriving for tonight’s show. Lorcan said O’Reilly can’t beat Karrion Kross, Finn Balor, or Pete Dunne — and he wouldn’t be able to beat Lorcan one-on-one either. O’Reilly then challenged Lorcan to face him in the ring tonight.

O’Reilly, Balor, and Dunne all interrupted NXT Champion Kross on last week’s NXT. That led to a brawl breaking out. When Kross was the only one left in the ring, NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory ambushed Kross and laid him out.

Kross is facing Theory in a non-title match on NXT tonight. WWE has announced that Kross vs. Theory will open tonight’s show.

This will be the first time Lorcan has wrestled since unsuccessfully challenging for Kushida’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship three weeks ago.

Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’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 Tag Team Champions MSK vs. Breezango
  • Kyle O’Reilly vs. Oney Lorcan
  • Non-title match: NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Austin Theory

WWE NXT video highlights: O’Reilly vs. Grimes, Sarray debuts

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

Kyle O’Reilly appeared on NXT last night and declared that he’s ready to move on from Adam Cole.

After defeating Cole in their unsanctioned match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, O’Reilly returned to NXT television last night and opened the show with a promo. He brought up what’s next for him and mentioned potentially challenging for Karrion Kross’ NXT Championship or Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship.

Cameron Grimes interrupted O’Reilly and wanted to invest in him. That led to O’Reilly dropping Grimes with a punch and a match between them being made for last night’s main event. O’Reilly won with a knee strike from the top rope to Grimes’ back.

Before the main event, O’Reilly had a brief staredown with Kross and Scarlett backstage.

Sarray (formerly known as Sareee) made her NXT debut last night, defeating Zoey Stark. The finishing sequence saw Sarray hit a spinning kick, a forearm strike, and a suplex before pinning Stark.

Sarray and Stark showed respect to each other after the match. Toni Storm then attacked Stark on the ramp until Sarray came to Stark’s aid.

Also on last night’s show, new NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida issued an open challenge, former NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai took part in a sit-down interview, Dexter Lumis faced LA Knight, and more.

More coverage from last night —

WWE NXT video highlights —

Kyle O’Reilly appears, gets interrupted by Cameron Grimes

Sarray arrives ahead of her debut, will face Zoey Stark

Dexter Lumis vs. LA Knight

Leon Ruff is done playing games with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott

Io Shirai sit-down interview

Breezango vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans

Bronson Reed confronts The Way

Sarray vs. Zoey Stark

Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai address Mercedes Martinez, Martinez responds

Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon beat down Candice LeRae

A video package looks at Kushida’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship win

Oney Lorcan answers Kushida’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship open challenge

Imperium vs. Ever-Rise

Kyle O’Reilly vs. Cameron Grimes

NXT fallout: Killian Dain says he isn’t joining Imperium

WWE NXT live results: Kyle O’Reilly appears, Sarray debuts

Posted on by Chris Aiken

NXT’s second episode since moving to Tuesdays takes place tonight.

Kyle O’Reilly will kick off the show by making his first appearance since defeating Adam Cole in their unsanctioned match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. On last week’s NXT, footage was shown of O’Reilly and Cole both being taken out by ambulance following their unsanctioned match. Cole yelled at O’Reilly and threatened him as they were being wheeled into the hospital.

The NXT women’s division will get a new addition as Sarray makes her debut. She’ll be facing Zoey Stark.

Tonight’s show will also feature Dexter Lumis vs. LA Knight, an open challenge issued by new NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida, Breezango vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans, and a special sit-down interview with Io Shirai. This will be Shirai’s first appearance since losing the NXT Women’s Championship to Raquel Gonzalez at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

Kushida answered Santos Escobar’s open challenge last week and defeated him to win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

Kyle O’Reilly is opening the show with an in-ring promo. He sauntered to the ring in street clothes that including a denim jacket, sunglasses and a fedora. Cool as a fan. He ditched the shades and the hat when he started to get serious, but he would put them back by the end  of the segment.

O’Reilly wanted his work in the ring to speak for itself. After defeating Adam Cole, it was time to move on. O’Reilly found that killer instinct he needed. He talked about his next goal, and he begins to mention the NXT Championship. Cameron Grimes interrupted him.

Grimes confronted O’Reilly in the ring, and Grimes wanted to “invest” in O’Reilly. Grimes thought O’Reilly was buying what he was selling, and O’Reilly jokingly played along. O’Reilly said he is cleared to wrestle, and his next opponent was nearby. Of course, it was Grimes, but he was the last to figure it out. O’Reilly decked him, and they have a match later tonight.

Sarray was entering the building when she was met by William Regal. He welcomed her before Zoey Stark approached them. Stark wanted to wrestle Sarray tonight, and Sarray agreed to the bout. They have a match later on.

LA Knight cut a promo making excuses for getting eliminated from the Gauntlet Eliminator. He then insulted Dexter Lumis. Knight and Lumis meet in match up next.

LA Knight defeated Dexter Lumis

Knight pinned Lumis after Lumis was distracted by Indi Hartwell.

Knight was getting his tail kicked when he cut off Lumis before a commercial break. Lumis fought back during the break, but Knight cut him off again. Knight was working over Lumis as the show returned from the break.

Lumis made a comeback, but Knight targeted the back by ramming Lumis into the ring apron. That again cut off Lumis. They were fighting at ringside when Lumis noticed Indi Hartwell at ringside.

Lumis and Hartwell looked longingly into each other’s eyes. Knight hit Lumis with a sneak attack, and then Knight started trying to run game on Hartwell. Lumis jumped over the ropes with a flying ax handle to the floor on Knight. However, Lumis was again distracted by Hartwell. Knight delivered a wacky neckbreaker, and Knight covered Lumis for a pinfall. 

Hartwell and Lumis were about to kiss when The Way came out to pull Hartwell off the ring apron. Austin Theory carried Hartwell away as Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano barked at everyone.

Beth Phoenix interviewed Io Shirai in a pre-tape sit-down at the PC. Shirai in English talked about possibly taking a break. They were interrupted by Presley the Pomeranian as he leapt onto the table. Franky Monet entered the scene apologizing for Presley. She has to be a heel putting the heat on poor Presley like that, because he’s a good boy. 

Monet said it was nice to meet Shirai, and Monet was also thrilled to meet Phoenix. Since Shirai was taking a break, Monet said she wanted to fill her shoes. Monet went on to say her shoes were better anyways. Shirai jumped to her feet and cut a promo on Monet in Japanese. Monet said she didn’t understand. Shirai in English exclaimed, “I like cats!” Shirai then walked off. Monet said somebody must be having a bad day.

Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) defeated Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango)

Gibson pinned Breeze after a Ticket To Mayhem.

Breezango were cosplaying as the Queen’s Guard. This angered the Grizzled Young Veterans. They all fought through a commercial break. James Drake was leaping off the top turnbuckle when the show returned from break, and he sold his knee like it went out on him. The action stopped briefly, but it was dern dirty trick.

With the referee busy tending to Drake, Zack Gibson poked Fandango in the eye. Drake was playing possum like he was Bret Hart, and Drake peppered Fandango. The Vets began to work over Fandango, until a hot tag allowed Tyler Breeze to clean house on the heels. 

Vets soon cut off Breeze. He did bot notice a bling tag, and Breeze was soon caught with a Ticket To Mayhem. Gibson then covered Breeze for a pinfall.

McKenzie Mitchell was trying to interview Indi Hartwell, but they were interrupted by The Way. Bronson Reed then confronted them. This led to Austin Theory saying he was booked in a match against Reed for next week. This skit was more like Saturday Night Live than a wrestling angle. That is good depending on if you like that sort of thing.

After a commercial break, Mitchell was back with another interview. This time it was with an angry Cameron Grimes. He was given an envelope that cheered him up … but not for long. Grimes thought he had the winning bid on a NFT, but  a letter informed him he was instead outbid by Ted DiBiase. Grimes flew into a rage and screamed DiBiase’s name.

Sarray defeated Zoey Stark

Sarray pinned Stark after a Saito suplex. This was very different than most any other match on a WWE show. This was more of a joshi-style match than a WWE bout. It was hard hitting and pretty dang good.

Sarray was pushed like a really big deal. This was a showcase match for Sarray, but Stark did get plenty of offense. Stark first had to escape from a STF, but she came back to work over Sarray.

They traded strikes, and Sarray rocked Stark with dropkicks. That led into a near fall for Sarray with a fisherman’s buster. Stark answered back with a high kick, a suplex, a knee strike, and a two count. 

Stark missed a 450. They traded near falls. Sarray delivered a kick and series of strikes before executing a suplex. Sarray then covered Stark for pinfall.

Toni Storm ran down to attack Stark after the match. Sarray came to Stark’s aid, and Storm backed away.

NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez was interviewed with Dakota Kai by her side. Kai was clearly a heel, but Gonzalez was less heelish. Gonzalez was more of a strong champion ready for a challenge.

Candice LeRae was backstage trying to get Indi Hartwell to focus on something other than Lumis. LeRae was ranting and raving with Hartwell following her. LeRae did not notice when Hartwell stopped following her. LeRae then bumped into the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart. LeRae was cutting a promo on them thinking Hartwell had her back. Hartwell did not. The champs then attacked LeRae. That’s odd tactics for babyfaces, but whatever.

A video packeged hyped Kushida, and then the new NXT Cruiserweight Champion came to the ring for his first title defense. Kushida first cut a promo saying he was issuing an open challenge. Out came Oney Loran to answer the challenge.

NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida defeated Oney Lorcan 

Kushida submitted Lorcan with a Hoverboard Lock. This was fantastic. Legado del Fantasma attacked Kushida after the match.

Last week Kushida not only won the title, but he debuted his new trunks. Yet he still wore boots, even if he ditched the shorts he had worn. This week he also ditched the boots as well. He wrestled barefoot. The announcers speculated it had something to do with Kushida’s MMA background.

They grappled like this was a flashy Pancrase match, but they also did pro wrestling spots. Kushida went for an armbar, but Lorcan escaped. Kushida was clearly in control when the show went to a commercial break.

Lorcan was able to cut off Kushida during the break. Kushida after the break began to fire up into a handspring, but Lorcan hit him with a lariat. Kushida moments later came back with palm strike. More strikes and kicks by Kushida. 

They trade strikes, and Lorcan catches Kushida with a blockbuster. Kushida kicked out a two. Kushida absorbs chops from Lorcan, and Kushida made a comeback as if the chops woke him up. Kushida locked in the Hoverboard Lock, and Lorcan tapped out.

Santos Esobar and Legado del Fantasma attacked Kushdia after the bout was over. NXT Tag Team Champions MSK made a save, and they ran off Legado del Fantasma.

Mercedes Martinez cut a promo calling out Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai. 

Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner with Alexander Wolfe) defeated Ever-Rise (Chase Parker and Matt Martel)

Barthel pinned Parker in dominate fashion. There was some gaga, but this was mostly Imperium looking like killers.

Imperium was squashing Ever-Rise, until Killian Dain entered the scene. When Dain appeared at ringside, Aichner was distracted by him. That allowed Parker to roll up Aichner for a two count. Parker paid for it, and he was clobbered. 

Drake Maverick came down to ringside wanting to fight Wolfe, but Dain carried Maverick away. Meanwhile, Parker took a Doomsday upper cut, and Barthel covered him for a pinfall.

Announced for next Tuesday on NXT are two matches. Dakota Kai against Mercedes Martinez in a singles match, and Bronson Reed meets Austin Theory in a stipulation match. If Reed wins, he earns a title match for the NXT North American Championship.

Kyle O’Reilly on his way to the ring was met by NXT Champion Karrio Kross and Scarlett. They all stared at each other. Looks like O’Reilly is being positioned as the next challenger.

Kyle O’Reilly defeated Cameron Grimes

O’Reilly pinned Grimes in a fantastic match. Great wrestling in this match, although it did not have the aura of a main event at first. The action made up for the lack of aura, and it was a really great match nonetheless. 

Lots of nifty chain wrestling, and O’Reilly was seemingly in control. Grimes struck with a German suplex to turn the tide, and the show cut to a commercial break. Grimes targeted the neck, and Grimes was working over O’Reilly as the show returned from the break.

O’Reilly eventually fired up after they traded strikes. O’Reilly went for a heel hook, but Grimes reached the ropes. Grimes fought back, but O’Reilly locked in a submission. O’Reilly then delivered a PK. Grimes still fought back with a spinning slam. 

O’Reilly countered a German suplex with a leglock. They traded more strikes, and Grimes with another near fall. O’Reilly fired up one last time, and he nailed Grimes with Ax and Smash. O’Reilly delivered a brainbuster, and then he climbed the turnbuckles. O’Reilly leapt into a Bobby Eaton flying knee drop, and then he pinned Grimes.

O’Reilly appearance, Sarray’s debut set for next week’s WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Next week’s NXT will feature Kyle O’Reilly’s first appearance since TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

WWE has announced that O’Reilly will be appearing on NXT next Tuesday night. In the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two last week, O’Reilly defeated Adam Cole in an unsanctioned match.

Neither O’Reilly nor Cole appeared live on NXT tonight, but WWE showed footage of what happened in the aftermath of their unsanctioned match. The footage showed Cole being stretchered out and being transported to the hospital by ambulance. The angle also showed O’Reilly collapsing backstage after the match and being taken out by ambulance.

Cole and O’Reilly’s ambulances arrived at the hospital at the same time. As they were being wheeled in, Cole repeatedly yelled at O’Reilly and threatened him.

Tonight’s NXT also included an angle with Cole and O’Reilly’s former Undisputed Era stablemate Roderick Strong. Following the breakup of Undisputed Era, Strong met with NXT general manager William Regal on tonight’s show. Strong handed Regal an envelope and told Regal that he was “done” in NXT. Regal called Strong the ultimate professional and said he’s welcome back in NXT at any time.

Strong’s wife/fellow WWE wrestler Marina Shafir appeared with him during tonight’s meeting.

WWE has also announced that Sarray will make her NXT debut next Tuesday. The 24-year-old Sarray (formerly known as Sareee) is from Tokyo, Japan. World Woman Pro Wrestling Diana, SEAdLINNNG, and Sendai Girls’ Pro Wrestling are among the promotions she’s wrestled for during her career.

Sarray coming to NXT was officially confirmed last month. She was originally supposed to move to the United States and start with WWE in 2020, but that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sarray is using the nickname “The Warrior of the Sun” in NXT.

NXT TakeOver Stand & Deliver night two live results: Cole vs. O’Reilly

Posted on by Parker Klyn

NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver concludes tonight with a double main event.

NXT Champion Finn Balor will put his title on the line against Karrion Kross. Kross, who had to vacate the NXT Championship due to injury just days after winning it last year, is getting the chance to reclaim the title that he never lost.

Former Undisputed Era stablemates Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly will look to settle their issues in an unsanctioned match. In storyline, NXT can’t be held liable for anything Cole and O’Reilly do to each other.

An undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion will also be determined as Jordan Devlin and Santos Escobar face off in a ladder match, Johnny Gargano will defend his NXT North American Championship against Bronson Reed, and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon will put their titles on the line against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.

Tonight’s main card will air live on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be a pre-show starting at 7 p.m. Eastern. On the pre-show, Breezango and Drake Maverick & Killian Dain will face off in a tag team number one contender’s match.

**********

The pre-show featured the standard mix of promos, video packages, and talking head segments. The hosts were Sam Roberts and Jimmy Smith. Smith was excellent, adding a ton of legitimacy and excitement to the broadcast.

Mickie James joined commentary for the pre-show match.

Killian Dain & Drake Maverick defeated Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) to become the #1 contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships

Breezango came to the ring dressed like pirates, matching the theme of this week’s Wrestlemania. Maverick frustrated Fandango by imitating his dancing gimmick, so Dain forcefully tagged himself in, downing Fandango before tagging Maverick back in by tossing him into his opponent. Fandango then took control with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, leading to a long beatdown where Breezango isolated Maverick in their corner.

Maverick flipped out of a suplex and used evasive maneuvers to reach Dain for the hot tag. Dain ran wild on both opponents, taking down Fandango with a running crossbody and a uranage. He followed it up with a slingshot senton before performing a Samoan drop / fallaway slam combination in a cool power spot.

Dain and Maverick set up for a big tag team move, but Breeze ran in to save his partner and dispatch Maverick. Dain fought off the attack and tagged in Maverick, who hit a top-rope hurricanrana on Breeze. Dain then came in and powerbombed his partner onto Breeze for the win.

**********

Rock artist Poppy performed to open the show.

Santos Escobar (c) defeated Jordan Devlin (c) in a ladder match to become the undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion

This was a fun stunt show with some cool stuff, although the story was odd. The fact that both men are heels made it difficult to get into, and Devlin isn’t the type of person who should be working as a scrappy underdog at this point.

Both men were billed as the “NXT Cruiserweight Champion.” They performed a choreographed chain wrestling sequence to start until Devlin planted Escobar with a uranage and a standing moonsault. An Asai moonsault followed, with Devlin inadvertently banging his head on the announce desk on the landing. Devlin pulled out a ladder and smacked Escobar with it.

An early attempt at climbing the ladder from Devlin was foiled by Escobar. Escobar whipped Devlin into a propped-up ladder in the corner, sending Devlin crashing to the floor. He followed it up with a running knee on the outside. Escobar produced another ladder and propped it up against the fencing around the barricade. After re-entering the ring and dispatching Devlin by dropkicking a ladder into him, Escobar kept up the attack with repeated ladder shots.

Escobar climbed for the titles, but Devlin tried to stop him, so Escobar beat him down with repeated stomps. He set up a ladder over the turnbuckle, but Devlin reversed a whip into it with a whip of his own. Escobar popped up and downed his opponent with a dropkick. He tried to launch Devlin into the ladder, but Devling hopped up and almost reached the titles. Escobar pulled Devlin down, which Devlin turned into a DDT. 

The propped-up ladder on the floor came into play when a dive from Escobar thrust Devlin into it. Escobar taunted Devlin until Devlin countered a suplex by dropping Escobar onto a ladder. They had a strike exchange, where Escobar temporarily gained the advantage after a rising knee. Devlin countered the follow-up into a Spanish Fly and a slingshot cutter.

Devlin set up a ladder near the corner, which both men climbed. They traded strikes, with a right hand from Devlin sending Escobar to the mat. Devlin climbed to the top of the ladder and landed a high moonsault on Escobar in a great spot. Devlin nearly reached the championships, but Legado del Fantasma ran out and pushed Devlin off the ladder to the floor before tossing him into the steel steps.

Escobar sent Mendoza and Wilde to the back before climbing to the titles. Devlin stopped the climb by just tossing a ladder into his opponent before setting up the ladder right next to Escobar’s. After a struggle, Devlin hit a Spanish Fly from halfway up the ladder. Devlin nearly reached the titles, but Escobar climbed up and sent Devlin crashing through a ladder to the canvas with a headbutt, which allowed Escobar enough time to grab the titles and retain.

– After the match, Escobar celebrated with his son and Legado del Fantasma.

**********

MSK were interviewed backstage about their tag title victory from night one. They were excited about the championships and said they were ready for Killian Dain and Drake Maverick, who will be their first challengers. They then disagreed on who would win tonight’s two main event matches.

**********

Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon (c) defeated The Way (Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell) to retain the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships

This was a nice, compact match that didn’t overstay its welcome. Hartwell looked strong in there with some really good workers.

Hartwell & LeRae attacked before the bell, and a step-up senton from LeRae got a quick two count. The challengers worked over Blackheart with frequent tags and double team moves. Occasionally Blackheart would get a hope spot, but she’d get cut off every time by The Way. 

An enziguiri finally bought Blackheart enough time to reach Moon for her first tag of the match, five minutes in. She laid in strikes on LeRae, downing her with a strong right hand. Moon set up for the Eclipse, but a distraction from Hartwell allowed LeRae to push Moon down. The Way tried to hit a double team superplex, but that was foiled by Blackheart, leading to a tower of doom spot that got Hartwell a two count on Moon.

The Way continued to work over Moon until she fought off a double team to tag in Blackheart, who entered the match with a crossbody on both opponents. A tiger suplex sent LeRae rolling to the floor, where Blackheart attempted a suicide dive. Blackheart wasn’t caught at all — looked like she went face first into the barricade and the floor. Scary moment.

Moon took out The Way with a dive before tagging in Blackheart for a tandem maneuver for two. LeRae rolled up Blackheart for two and sent Moon to the floor, tagging in Hartwell for a tandem maneuver of their own for two. Blackheart fought out with an enziguiri and hit a double Eclipse on both opponents. The diving senton from Blackheart followed to win and retain.

**********

NCAA champion and Olympic amateur wrestler Gable Steveson was shown in the crowd.

*********

Johnny Gargano (c) (w/ Austin Theory) defeated Bronson Reed to retain the NXT North American Championship

This was a perfect midcard match for TakeOver, stuffed with great in-ring work, a compelling babyface vs. heel dynamic, and some close near falls.

Reed surprised Gargano early on by matching his athleticism before overpowering him with an overhead press into a fallaway slam. Gargano stretched Reed’s arm over the rope and went for a slingshot spear, but it wasn’t enough to take Reed down. Reed chopped Gargano down to the mat before Gargano came back with a chop block and a running forearm.

Gargano sent Reed to the floor and tried to follow it up with a plancha, but Reed caught him out of midair. Gargano escaped the grip of the challenger and thrust him into the corner of the announce desk. In the ring, Reed went for his seated splash, but Gargano rolled out of the way and landed a diving crossbody, which only got a one count.

The ribs of Reed were the target of Gargano during his beatdown. Reed started his comeback by turning a Gargano dive into a powerslam. He hit repeated forearms and a corner splash before planting Gargano with a chokeslam. Reed had a nice power spot where he went for a vertical suplex, Gargano tried to knee his way out of it, but Reed maintained control to turn it into a Death Valley driver.

Gargano managed to tie Reed up in the corner, taking control with an enziguiri and a backstabber. He landed a thrust kick on Reed’s midsection, but Reed countered the follow-up into a vertical suplex. Reed hoisted Gargano up into the electric chair, which Gargano turned into a reverse hurricanrana. Gargano then applied the Garga-No Escape.

Eventually, Reed reached the ropes to break the hold. Gargano attempted the One Final Beat, but Reed caught him and tossed Gargano back into the ring with a huge Splash Mountain. Gargano rolled out of the way of the Bullfrog Splash and landed his half of #DIY for two. He tried it again, but Reed caught the kick and fought back with a headbutt and a short-arm lariat. 

Reed climbed the ropes for the Bullfrog Splash, but Theory distracted him, giving Gargano the chance to stop the dive. Gargano then attempted a top-rope hurricanrana, which didn’t come together correctly — it looked like Reed was supposed to catch Gargano, but he slipped. Reed hit a powerbomb, but when he went for the cover, Theory put Gargano’s foot on the ropes.

Out on the floor, Reed got in Theory’s face before catching a Gargano dive and sending him into Theory. Theory then took a bullet for Gargano as Reed hit a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Reed countered the One Final Beat into a slam for two. He tried to follow it up with a powerbomb, but Gargano rolled out of it and landed repeated thrust kicks. Reed came back with a kick of his own, but missed a top-rope moonsault.

Gargano hit a One Final Beat and then a second to retain the championship.

**********

Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett) defeated Finn Bálor (c) to win the NXT Championship

Despite starting a bit slow, this built to a nice finish and was Kross’s best performance yet in NXT. 

Neither man established an advantage for the first few minutes. Kross fired up with power moves until Bálor moved out of the way of a corner attack, forcing Kross shoulder-first into the ring post. Bálor then made Kross’s injured shoulder and arm the target of his attack.

Kross tried to power his way out of an armbar, but Bálor turned it into almost an arm-trap flatliner. Forcing Kross into the corner, the champion nailed Kross with a heel kick. Kross collapsed from the pain, in a clear callback to Bálor’s match with Kyle O’Reilly.

After that, Bálor altered his strategy, instead opting to target Kross’s midsection. Kross fired up and called for his finisher, but Bálor countered it with repeated shotgun dropkicks. Bálor went to the top rope and hit the Coup de Grace, but Kross kicked out at two, Kross then immediately applied a rear naked choke, which Bálor rolled out of with a stomp for good measure.

The champion applied a grounded abdominal stretch. Scarlett implored Kross to reach the ropes, and he finally did, crushing Bálor with a second Doomsday Saito. Two running forearm smashes were enough for Kross to pin Bálor and win the championship.

**********

Santos Escobar, flanked by Legado del Fantasma, was interviewed about his title win. He said LDF are family and called himself the emperor of lucha libre.

**********

The ring was filled with security ahead of the main event, trying to keep the two apart.

Kyle O’Reilly defeated Adam Cole in an Unsanctioned Match

This match went 40 minutes. Some will say that’s too long or that it jumped the shark, but I loved the wacky melodrama. These two absolutely killed each other in one of the most brutal WWE matches in history.

Right off the bat they traded strikes. O’Reilly sent Cole to the floor then immediately followed it up with a plancha. He applied an armbar at ringside, which Cole fought out of. O’Reilly downed Cole with a double-leg and sent him face-first into the barricade. He propped Cole up on a chair and laid in kicks, but Cole went for a piledriver, which O’Reilly fought out of. 

Back in the ring, O’Reilly used the ropes to assist on a guillotine, but Cole shoved O’Reilly onto the apron and back to the floor. Cole produced a half-dozen chairs and attacked O’Reilly with one. He targeted O’Reilly’s back, hitting a neckbreaker onto a chair. O’Reilly eventually fought back, going for a kimura, but Cole countered with a ushigoroshi for two.

Cole continued his beatdown until a knee lift from O’Reilly bought him some time. O’Reilly went for a knee bar, but Cole was able to roll to the floor. As Cole regrouped on a chair, O’Reilly landed a diving dropkick. O’Reilly chucked a chair into Cole’s face for two before grabbing a chain. Cole stopped whatever O’Reilly was planning to use the chain for with a draping neckbreaker for two.

The chain that O’Reilly brought into the match was tied around the top rope by Cole. The two fought over the chain, with O’Reilly winning the battle with a forearm. O’Reilly landed chain-assisted Kawada kicks, but Cole countered with a chain-assisted figure four leglock. O’Reilly reversed the pressure, then they landed simultaneous knockout strikes for the double down.

They exchanged more strikes, but Cole countered running offense with a clothesline using the chain. Cole then hit a chain-assisted backstabber for two before propping up two chairs. They each tried to send each other into the chairs, with Cole attacking with a German suplex and a shining wizard for two. 

Cole moved to the floor and tried to suplex O’Reilly onto the steel steps. O’Reilly countered and applied a guillotine before crushing Cole with a knee strike. It looked as if O’Reilly was about to suplex Cole into the steps, but he hesitated as the announcers discussed his inner turmoil. Cole tried to take advantage of the hesitation, but O’Reilly had it scouted.

They exchanged forearms on the announce table until O’Reilly crushed Cole with a brainbuster. The table did not even buckle. Cole retreated to the broadcast area and smashed a monitor over O’Reilly’s head. He searched under the ring and found a toolbox, removing a wrench from the box. Cole appeared to try to stab O’Reilly with it, but O’Reilly fought him off. Cole then grabbed a tire iron, but O’Reilly took him out and hit a rebound lariat.

O’Reilly used the chain to apply an armbar and then a triangle choke. Cole rapidly faded, but grabbed the tire iron and struck O’Reilly across the ribs with it to break the hold. The two then set up chairs in the middle of the ring and exchanged strikes. O’Reilly looked to gain the advantage until a low blow sent him to the mat. Cole followed it up with a great superkick for two.

Cole grabbed a chair and wrapped it around O’Reilly’s head. He was about to Pillmanize O’Reilly until a referee implored him to stop. Cole crushed the official with a right hand and then hit Panama Sunrise, but the official couldn’t make the count. Cole berated the unconscious official as O’Reilly rolled to the ramp, where Cole threw another chair into his face.

O’Reilly rolled to the floor, where Cole repeatedly sent him into the ringside fencing. It looked like Cole was setting up for something dastardly, but O’Reilly locked on a jumping guillotine. Cole drove O’Reilly into the stage, sending them crashing through it. He then kicked out the side of the stage, pulling O’Reilly through it. 

Both men were bloodied from the bump through the stage, Cole on his hand and O’Reilly on his back. Cole crushed O’Reilly with a brainbuster onto the steel steps. He rolled O’Reilly into the ring and covered, but O’Reilly barely got his shoulder up at two.

Cole pulled down the knee pad and went for the Last Shot, but O’Reilly collapsed to the mat before he could hit it. O’Reilly avoided another try and locked on a kneebar on both legs, but Cole fought out of it with a right hand using a chain. Cole went for Panama Sunrise, but O’Reilly countered into a Death Valley driver and a soccer kick. O’Reilly then hit a Last Shot of his own for a fantastic near fall.

O’Reilly wrapped a chair around Cole’s ankle and set up for a diving stomp, but Cole popped up and smacked him with the chair. Cole propped O’Reilly in the corner and berated him by saying he was always better than him, so O’Reilly sent him to the mat with a low blow. O’Reilly then wrapped a chain around his knee and hit a diving knee drop to finally pick up the win.

– Cole was stretchered off after the match. 

WWE NXT video highlights: Adam Cole-Kyle O’Reilly contract signing

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

In the main event segment of last night’s NXT, Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly made their match for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver official.

After weeks of the former Undisputed Era stablemates attacking each other and getting into altercations, NXT general manager William Regal ordered Cole and O’Reilly to appear last night. Regal presented them with a solution to their issues: a contract for an unsanctioned match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two. The match only became official when Cole and O’Reilly signed the contract and acknowledged that NXT isn’t responsible for what they do to each other.

The unsanctioned stipulation is also due to O’Reilly not being medically cleared to compete in storyline. He was given a brainbuster on the steel steps by Cole last month.

During the contract signing, Cole spoke about watching O’Reilly unsuccessfully challenge for the NXT Championship twice and then try to get Finn Balor to join Undisputed Era. Cole insulted O’Reilly by saying that, deep down in his core, O’Reilly is nothing more than a lapdog. Cole said O’Reilly is comfortable sitting on the sidelines and being a sidekick. Cole called himself the greatest NXT Champion there’s ever been and said he’s nothing like O’Reilly.

Cole also claimed that O’Reilly never would have made it to WWE without him.

O’Reilly said that he’s grown up and has started to take accountability for his actions, but Cole is still the same asshole he was when Undisputed Era came to NXT. O’Reilly said he sold his soul for Undisputed Era and now wants it back. He said that, for the first time in four years, he’ll sleep like a baby after he defeats Cole at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

Last night’s NXT ended with Cole and O’Reilly being kept apart by officials after signing the contract for TakeOver. In a post-show angle, O’Reilly called Cole back out and wanted to have their match immediately. Cole took out two officials and punched Regal as he unsuccessfully tried to get to O’Reilly. 

More coverage from last night —

WWE NXT video highlights —

Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai

Roderick Strong says Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole can both go to hell

Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight

Karrion Kross vs. Oney Lorcan

Finn Balor confronts Karrion Kross

William Regal reveals how Johnny Gargano’s TakeOver challenger will be decided

WALTER vs. Drake Maverick, Tommaso Ciampa challenges WALTER to a title match

Pete Dunne is ready to dominate in next week’s battle royal

Blackheart & Moon vs. Aliyah & Martinez for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell want the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles

Jordan Devlin vs. Kushida, HBK reveals stipulation for Devlin vs. Escobar unification match

Adam Cole-Kyle O’Reilly contract signing

NXT fallout: Adam Cole punches William Regal

NXT fallout: Io Shirai doesn’t regret challenging Raquel Gonzalez for TakeOver

NXT fallout: Jordan Devlin isn’t concerned about facing Santos Escobar in a ladder match

NXT fallout: Mercedes Martinez ruined Robert Stone’s night

NXT fallout: LA Knight vows to win next week’s battle royal

NXT fallout: Kacy Catanzaro is cleared to return, Catanzaro & Kayden Carter call out Xia Li

Adam Cole to face Kyle O’Reilly in NXT TakeOver unsanctioned match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former Undisputed Era stablemates Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly will clash in an unsanctioned match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

It was announced on tonight’s NXT that Cole will face O’Reilly in an unsanctioned match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two. The match will be the co-main event of that night’s card.

Going into tonight’s NXT, it was announced that NXT general manager William Regal would address Cole and O’Reilly’s recent actions. Since Cole turned against O’Reilly at TakeOver: Vengeance Day last month, they’ve each attacked each other and have gotten into multiple altercations. There was an angle on last week’s NXT where police got involved after O’Reilly tried to run Cole off the road. WWE also uploaded video earlier this week of Cole confronting O’Reilly while O’Reilly was taking part in a jiu-jitsu training session.

Regal told Cole and O’Reilly tonight that things between them have gotten out of control. Regal said he’s not going to let them embarrass this company. Regal then presented them with a solution for the situation — a contract for an unsanctioned match at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

In storyline, the unsanctioned stipulation was needed due to O’Reilly still not being cleared to compete after Cole gave him a brainbuster on the steel steps last month. It was said that the match only became official when Cole and O’Reilly signed the contract and acknowledged that NXT isn’t responsible for anything that happens to them.

Tonight’s NXT ended with Cole and O’Reilly being kept apart by officials after they signed the contract for their unsanctioned match. Cole said he turned against Undisputed Era because he realized that the group was holding him back. Cole said that, deep down in his core, O’Reilly is nothing more than a lapdog. Cole said O’Reilly is comfortable sitting on the sidelines and being a sidekick. Cole called himself the greatest NXT Champion there’s ever been and said he’s nothing like O’Reilly.

Cole said Undisputed Era was never about friendship or a brotherhood — it was about being the best. Cole claimed that O’Reilly never would have made it to WWE without him.

O’Reilly said that while he’s grown up and has started to be accountable for his actions, Cole is still the same asshole that he was when Undisputed Era came to NXT. O’Reilly said he sold his soul for the Undisputed Era and now wants it back. O’Reilly said that, for the first time in four years, he’ll sleep like a baby after defeating Cole at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

Here are the updated cards for TakeOver:

TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one (airing live on the USA Network on Wednesday, April 7) —

  • 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 (a 12-man battle royal on next week’s NXT will determine the six participants for the Gauntlet Eliminator match)

TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two (airing live on Peacock in the United States/WWE Network everywhere else on Thursday, April 8) —

  • 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

WWE NXT live results: Regal addresses Cole and O’Reilly

Posted on by Chris Aiken

On tonight’s NXT, Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly will face the consequences for their recent actions.

Undisputed Era imploded when Cole turned against O’Reilly at TakeOver: Vengeance Day last month. They’ve since attacked each other and have gotten into multiple altercations. Last week, there was an angle where police got involved when O’Reilly tried to run Cole off the road. WWE also posted video yesterday of Cole and O’Reilly brawling after Cole confronted O’Reilly at a jiu-jitsu training session.

NXT general manager William Regal has demanded that Cole and O’Reilly appear tonight. They’ll face the consequences for their actions and Regal will attempt to find a solution for their issues.

Regal will also address the situation with the NXT Tag Team titles tonight. The titles have been declared vacant after Danny Burch suffered a separated shoulder in last week’s main event. Burch & Oney Lorcan retained their titles against NXT Champion Finn Balor & Karrion Kross after Kross attacked Balor during the match. Balor is defending his NXT Championship against Kross at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two on Thursday, April 8.

Kross and Lorcan will face off on tonight’s show.

Five other matches have also been announced for tonight. They are: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Aliyah & Mercedes Martinez for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles, NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai, 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.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

*********

The show is opening with a women’s tag team match.

Announced as the main event for night one of TakeOver: Stand and Deliver is Io Shirai defending her NXT Women’s Championship against challenger Raquel Gonzalez.

Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez defeated Zoey Stark & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai

Gonzalez pinned Stark in a good tag match. The focus was on getting heat on Gonzalez ahead of her challenging Shirai for the title.

Stark started the match against Gonzalez, and Stark began an flurry of offense. Gonzalez cut her off with a lariat. Kai tagged in, and Stark fired up of her. Shirai runs through some sequences with Kai. Shirai with several two counts on Kai. Stark back to also get a two count on Kai.

Gonzalez with a fireman’s carry slam on Stark dropped her into a falling kick from Kai. The show went to a picture-in-picture commercial break. Lots of action during the break as Stark fought back. The heels still began to work her over.

Hot tag to Shirai as the show returned from the commercial break. Gonzalez and Shirai were in the ring together for the first time in the match. Shirai was running wild, and she hit Gonzalez with a Tiger Feint Kick. Shirai followed with a missile dropkick, and Stark flew off the top rope with another. Stark also with a plancho to the outside. Stark cleaned house on the floor, and Shirai leapt off the top rope into a moonsault on the floor.

Stark went on to miss a 450 splash, and Gonzalez cut her off. Gonzalez lifted Stark into the air and held her, and then Gonzalez booted Shirai off the apron. Gonzalez powerbombed Stark, and then she pinned her. 

Gonzalez and Kai attacked Shirai after the match. Gonzalez chokeslammed Shirai on the announce desk. Shirai landed hard, and she sold big. 

Strong says O’Reilly and Cole can “go to hell”

Footage aired of Adam Cole invading the gym where Kyle O’Reilly trains in BJJ. Cole and O’Reilly brawled before Cole was kicked out of the place.

O’Reilly in an interview with McKenzie Mitchell was interrupted by Roderick Strong. He told O’Reilly that “we” need to kick Cole’s ass. O’Reilly said he appreciated that, but there is no “us” anymore. This is between Cole and O’Reilly. Strong responded by saying they both could “go to hell.”

LA Knight cut a promo on Bronson Reed before the next match. Knight was Reed went through his locker. 

Jordan Devlin, with a NXT Cruiserweight Championship belt draped over his shoulder, cut a promo on Kushida ahead of their match later on tonight.

Bronson Reed defeated LA Knight

Reed pinned Knight clean. In the immortal words of Vinny V, “It was a match.”

Knight got into Reed’s face at the start of the match. Knight then began to repeatedly poke Reed in the forehead. Of course, Reed did not appreciate that very much, so Reed began to pummel Knight.

Reed was in complete control until Knight turned the tide. Knight paused to talk trash as the show cut to a commercial break. Knight was working over Reed as the show returned from the break. 

Reed was hulking up into a comeback when Knight caught him with a neckbreaker. Knight ran into a back elbow, and Reed started a comeback. Reed mowed down Knight, and Knight was planted by a chokeslam. Reed was tripped up and crotched when he tried climbing the turnbuckles. Reed still managed to shove Knight off the top, and Reed followed with a tsunami splash. Reed then pinned Knight clean as a sheet.

A video package sponsored by a cellphone company hyped NXT UK Champion WALTER. Also, he is in action tonight! Horray!

Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) vs. Oney Lorcan

Kross looked strong as he pinned Lorcan.

Lorcan was fighting mad, and he showed a lot of fire. However, Kross is a killer. He threw Lorcan out to the floor, and Kross stalked him. Lorcan fought back, and he fired up on Kross. Not for long, as Kross cut him off with a lariat from hell.

The match went through a commercial break, and Kross ended it soon thereafter. Lorcan got one more rally. Kross posted himself into a ring post, and Lorcan targeted the arm. Lorcan with a series of chops and a flurry of uppercuts. Kross soon booted him in the face to end the rally.

Kross with a running uppercut from behind, and he covered Lorcan for a pinfall.

Kross after the match cut a promo on NXT Champion Finn Balor. That broght out Balor to respond. Balor confronted Kross in the ring. Great stuff here in building to TakeOver. The segment ended with staredown in the ring.

Gauntlet eliminator announcement

William Regal announced a battle royal for next week on NXT, which will determine who challenges NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano. The last six wrestlers in a 12-man battle royal will meet the following week in a six-man gauntlet eliminator. The order in which the last six in the battle royal are thrown out determines their order in the gaunlet. The winner of the gauntlet eliminator faces Gargano on night two of TakeOver: Stand and Deliver.

Kushida in Japanese cut a promo on Jordan Devlin ahead of their match later on.

NXT UK Champion WALTER (with Imperium) vs. Drake Maverick in a non-title match

WALTER quickly squashed Maverick, and he won via referee stoppage. Maverick charged in, and WALTER easily struck him down. WALTER powerbombed Maverick, and WALTER then sat back on a half crab. The ref stepped in to stop the match.

Tommaso Ciampa confronted WALTER after the match. Ciampa challenged WALTER to a title match at TakeOver. WALTER shook his head and went to leave. Ciampa went to attack him, but Imperium ganged up on Ciampa. Imperium held Ciampa for an Andre/Hogan moment where WALTER ripped off Ciampa’s necklace. Ciampa was then beaten down and WALTER accepted the challenge for a title match at TakeOver.

Pete Dunne cut a promo about the battle royal next week. He vowed to win and go on to capture the North Amerian title.

Robert Stone in a pre-skit skit bribed Mercedes Martinez to be Aliyah tag team partner for a title match tonight.

A video package advertising a cellphone company featured highlights of Shotzi Blackheart.

NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano confronted Willian Regal backstage about the earlier announcement. Gargano was very upset. Regal couldn’t believe Gargano wore the title belt everywhere. This was funny.

NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart defeated Mercedes Martinez & Aliyah to retain their titles

Moon pinned Aliyah after an Eclipse. Heat on Blackheart. Hot tag to Moon for the finish. The champs looked strong.

Cameron Grimes pulled up a chair next to Roderick Strong in the locker room. Grimes tried to empathize with Strong, and Grimes said he was taking it just as bad as Strong. Grimes said Undisputed Era does not have to end like this. Grimes offered to buy the intellectual property. Strong punched him the face. Grimes sold big and hollered at Strong that was not how to handle business.

Moon & Blackheart were challenged to a title match by Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.

Jordan Devlin defeated Kushida

Devlin pinned Kushida after interference by Legado del Fantasma. Good match with an even better angle afterwards.

Grappling and sequences built to Devlin doing an Asai moonsault to the floor. The show cut a picture-in-picture commercial break. The continued to fight through the break. Kusida eventually made a comeback with a flurry of offense.

Devlin a few times blocked Kushida from applying his signature armbar. Devlin caught Kushida with a slingshot cutter for a near fall. Santos Escobar and Legado del Fantasma walked on stage to distract Devlin. Kushdia with a superplex on Devlin, and Kushida floated over for another suplex. Kushida then transitioned into a cross armbreaker. Devlin got his foot on the rope to break the hold, but Rauk Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde pulled Devlin out of the ring.

Kushida knocked Wilde and Mendoza off the apron with a handspring kick. Kushida now had his back to Devlin, who used an O’Connor roll set up pinning Kushida with a bridging cradle.

An upset Kushida after the match wiped out Wilde and Mendoza with a flip dive out of the ring. Kushida did another running flip dive off the stage onto Mendoza and Wilde. Meanwhile, the two Cruiserweight champions confronted each other in the ring.

HBK sets up a ladder match

Escobar and Devlin met face-to-face with each holding their version of the Cruiserweight title belt. Suddenly, Shawn Michael’s theme song blared over the speakers, and out comes HBK. 

Michaels pulled a ladder from underneath the ring, and he slid the ladder into the ring between Devlin and Escobar. They each held up their title as they faced off. Looks like the Cruiserweight title bout at TakeOver is now a ladder match.

O’Reilly vs. Cole set for TakeOver

Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole were seated across from each other at a table. They were glaring holes through each other as William Regal began to rant at them. Regal said the situation between O’Reilly and Cole was gotten out of hand. Regal screamed that they “got the bloody police involved!” Regal said he would not let them embarass the company so many people worked hard to create.

Regal revealed he had a contract for the co-main event on the second night of TakeOver. Regal said if they signed the contract then NXT is not responsible for what happens in the match. So I guess its unsanctioned, or lights out, or something like that. 

Cole talked about having a revelation. Cole said Undisputed Era was holding him back. He went on to say O’Reilly made him realize that. Cole said he bought into “B.S” about Undisputed Era being a brotherhood. Cole was also angry O’Reilly wanted Balor to joing UE. Cole called O’Reilly a “lap dog” as he proceeded to bury O’Reilly with his words.

Cole said O’Reilly should thank him. Cole put himself over as the driving force behind UE. Cole signed the contract, and slid it to O’Reilly. 

O’Reilly talked about UE showing up in NXT to make a statement. He likened them to pit bulls. O’Reilly said he grew up and developed accountability. You look a man in the eye when you kick his teeth in. No more sneak attacks. No more B.S.

O’Reilly said since they came to NXT they became better wrestlers, better champions, and better superstars. However, only one of them became a better person. O’Reilly said Cole is the same “asshole” that walked in to NXT three-and-a-half years ago.

O’Reilly sold his soul for Undisputed Era, and O’Reilly wants his soul back. According to O’Reilly, Cole sold out his friends. O’Reilly said he is going to beat Cole, and then finally be able to sleep at night. O’Reilly finished signing the contract, and he threw the pen at Cole. They both lunged at each other, but they were held back. Tremendous closing angle.

WWE NXT video highlights: O’Reilly returns, Kross confronts Balor

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

Title matches and major announcements highlighted last night’s NXT as the stage for the next TakeOver special started to be set.

NXT Champion Finn Balor and NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai both retained their titles last night. Balor defeated Adam Cole to remain NXT Champion. After Cole was distracted by the returning Kyle O’Reilly appearing at ringside, Balor hit a dive to the outside, a 1916 DDT on the floor, and the Coup de Grace in the ring to get the win.

This was O’Reilly’s first appearance since Cole gave him a brainbuster on the steel steps three weeks ago.

O’Reilly beat down Cole after the match until being stopped by officials. Balor was then confronted by Karrion Kross. As Balor was turning around to see that Kross was behind him, Balor asked Kross what took him so long. Balor and Kross then went face-to-face to close the show.

Shirai retained her title by defeating Toni Storm last night. Shirai then confronted Raquel Gonzalez later in the show and said she wants to face Gonzalez next. Gonzalez told Shirai to be careful what she wishes for.

NXT general manager William Regal kicked off the episode by making two “game-changing announcements.” Regal confirmed that a two-night NXT TakeOver event will be part of WrestleMania 37 week. The event is being called NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. Night one will air live on the USA Network on Wednesday, April 7. On Thursday, April 8, night two will be live on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network everywhere else.

Regal also introduced NXT Women’s Tag Team titles and awarded them to women’s Dusty Classic winners Dakota Kai & Gonzalez. But Kai & Gonzalez’s reign didn’t last through the night. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defeated Kai & Gonzalez to become champions, with Blackheart pinning Kai to get the win.

More coverage from last night —

WWE NXT video highlights —

William Regal awards NXT Women’s Tag Team titles to Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez

Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm for the NXT Women’s Championship

Bronson Reed interrupts LA Knight’s interview

Pete Dunne vs. Jake Atlas

Imperium make an offer to Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa

Kai & Gonzalez vs. Blackheart & Moon for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles

Johnny Gargano riles up Austin Theory ahead of Theory facing Dexter Lumis next week

Kayden Carter vs. Xia Li

Jordan Devlin will appear on NXT next week

There is no limit to Zoey Stark

The Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Legado Del Fantasma

Io Shirai wants to face Raquel Gonzalez next

Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole for the NXT Championship

Kyle O’Reilly returns, Karrion Kross confronts Finn Balor

NXT fallout: Blackheart & Moon react to their NXT Women’s Tag Team title win

NXT fallout: Blackheart & Moon have their first NXT Women’s Tag Team title photoshoot

Kyle O’Reilly posts update following WWE NXT injury angle

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

Following an injury angle on last night’s NXT, Kyle O’Reilly has sent out a couple of tweets furthering his storyline with Adam Cole.

“Thanks everyone for checking in, your love and support truly means the World. I was placed on a stretcher last night out of concern for my neck after receiving a brainbuster on the steps. Thankfully I can move around somewhat OK today but I may need some time to heal,” O’Reilly tweeted. “As much as that hurt and sucked last night, the betrayal was worse. Coming back from this stronger and with a thirst for revenge. Best served cold.”

O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & NXT Champion Finn Balor lost to Pete Dunne & NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch in the main event of last night’s NXT. Cole got involved in the match, shoving Balor off the top rope as he was going for the Coup de Grace. Cole then hit a pump kick on O’Reilly and gave him a brainbuster on the steel steps. Cole hit a superkick on Balor after the match and posed with Balor’s NXT Championship.

Concern about O’Reilly’s condition started to spread online for a period of time last night after a fan posted a picture of O’Reilly being stretchered out after the show and speculated that O’Reilly (who has Type 1 diabetes) had suffered a seizure. Fox Sports’ Ryan Satin reported that it was just part of a storyline and there was no intent to make it look like O’Reilly had suffered a seizure. Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez confirmed on Wrestling Observer Radio that O’Reilly did not have a seizure.

Cole attacking O’Reilly last night continued the storyline of Undisputed Era imploding, which began when Cole laid out O’Reilly at Sunday’s TakeOver: Vengeance Day event. Cole superkicked O’Reilly when O’Reilly was furious at Cole for laying out Balor after Undisputed Era had saved Balor from Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch. Strong has tried to keep the peace between Cole and O’Reilly.

Cole tweeted after last night’s NXT: “What needed to be done.”

WWE NXT video highlights: TakeOver Vengeance Day fallout

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

The implosion of Undisputed Era continued on the TakeOver: Vengeance Day fallout edition of NXT.

Adam Cole laid out Kyle O’Reilly and Finn Balor for the second time this week. Cole got involved in last night’s O’Reilly, Balor & Roderick Strong vs. Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch main event, shoving Balor off the top rope as he was going for the Coup de Grace. Cole then attacked O’Reilly and gave him a brainbuster on the steel steps.

Lorcan went to use Balor’s NXT Championship belt as a weapon but was stopped by Strong. Strong picked up the title belt and seemingly went to give it to Balor, but Balor didn’t realize who it was and gave Strong a Pele kick. Dunne then hit the Bitter End on Balor and pinned him to win the match.

Cole superkicked Balor after the main event and posed with Balor’s NXT Championship.

The six-man tag match had been set up during last night’s opening segment. O’Reilly demanded an explanation from Cole, but Cole didn’t come out to the ring. Strong and Balor appeared, with Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch then attacking O’Reilly, Strong, and Balor.

More coverage from last night —

WWE NXT video highlights —

Kyle O’Reilly kicks off the show, demands an explanation from Adam Cole

Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell

Pat McAfee was right about Adam Cole

Bronson Reed is more than ready for his shot at the NXT North American Championship

Leon Ruff vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott

Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter vs. Aliyah & Jessi Kamea

Dusty Classic trophy presentation, Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler appear

Cameron Grimes music video

Kushida vs. Tyler Rust

LA Knight is going to claim his perch at the top of NXT

Zoey Stark makes her NXT debut

Karrion Kross and Scarlett send a warning to Santos Escobar

Finn Balor, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong vs. Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch

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