A tornado tag match is set to take place on next week’s episode of NXT.
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher will face off with The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) in a tornado tag match on NXT next Tuesday. The match was announced after a challenge that was issued by The Grizzled Young Veterans on tonight’s NXT.
The Grizzled Young Veterans were in action on NXT tonight, facing August Grey & Ikemen Jiro. During the match, Ciampa and Thatcher came out to ringside and watched on from steel chairs. The Grizzled Young Veterans were momentarily distracted but still got the win.
After the match, The Grizzled Young Veterans reiterated that they’re done with Ciampa & Thatcher and are focused on MSK’s NXT Tag Team titles. Ciampa said The Grizzled Young Veterans won’t be getting a title shot unless they go through Ciampa & Thatcher first. Ciampa and Thatcher threw their chairs toward Gibson & Drake.
The Grizzled Young Veterans then challenged Ciampa & Thatcher to a tornado tag match for next week. Ciampa & Thatcher accepted the challenge and went to go after The Grizzled Young Veterans, but Gibson and Drake bailed out of the ring.
Ciampa & Thatcher defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans when they faced off on NXT last month. Two weeks later, interference by The Grizzled Young Veterans led to Ciampa & Thatcher losing a match against Legado del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde.
Next Tuesday’s NXT will be the post-TakeOver: In Your House edition of the show. TakeOver: In Your House is taking place this Sunday.
A new match has been added to the lineup for this week’s NXT.
WWE has announced that Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher will face The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) on NXT this Tuesday night. Both teams have stated that they want to challenge MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) for the NXT Tag Team titles.
On NXT last week, The Grizzled Young Veterans cut a promo calling themselves the leaders that the NXT tag team division needs. Gibson said they’re soon to be recognized as the next NXT Tag Team Champions. Ciampa & Thatcher then interrupted The Grizzled Young Veterans. Ciampa & Thatcher also wanted to challenge MSK for the NXT Tag Team titles. The segment ended with Ciampa & Thatcher attacking Gibson & Drake.
The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ciampa & Thatcher when they faced off in the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinals earlier this year. MSK defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans in the finals of the tournament.
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch had to relinquish the NXT Tag Team titles this March due to Burch suffering a separated shoulder. MSK then defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans and Legado del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde) in a triple threat match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver last month to win the titles.
Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Mendoza & Wilde) defeated Kushida & MSK in the main event of last week’s NXT. Mendoza pinned MSK’s Carter to get the win.
Here’s the updated lineup for this Tuesday’s episode:
Finn Balor returns for the first time since losing the NXT Championship to Karrion Kross at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Street fight: NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
Falls count anywhere match: Leon Ruff vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans
Though their scheduled title defense is off, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch will still be in action on this week’s episode of NXT.
WWE has announced that NXT Tag Team Champions Lorcan & Burch will face Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher in a non-title match on NXT this Wednesday. Lorcan & Burch were originally set to defend their titles against men’s Dusty Classic winners MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) on the episode, but that is unable to take place due to Lee suffering a broken hand.
WWE posted a video on Tuesday night where Lorcan & Burch confronted MSK as they were being interviewed about Lee’s injury. Ciampa then approached Lorcan & Burch and challenged them to a match against him and Thatcher. Lorcan & Burch said they’ll face anyone, but only a select few can get an NXT Tag Team title shot. Ciampa said it would be non-title because giving him and Thatcher a title match would require Lorcan & Burch to have a set of bollocks.
After Thatcher defeated Ciampa in a Fight Pit match, the former rivals became partners as they teamed together in this year’s men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Ciampa & Thatcher made it to the semifinals of the tournament before losing to The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake).
MSK defeated The Grizzled Young Veterans in the men’s Dusty Classic finals at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day last month, but Lee suffered a broken hand during the match. There was a backstage segment where The Grizzled Young Veterans attacked MSK on NXT last week, with it being claimed that Lee suffered his broken hand when The Grizzled Young Veterans used steel chairs in the attack.
This week’s NXT will also feature Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defending their titles against women’s Dusty Classic winners Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez.
The quarterfinals of the 2021 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic are now fully set.
In the tournament’s final opening round match, Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher defeated Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari on Friday’s episode of 205 Live. It was originally announced that Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Desmond Troy would be Nese & Daivari’s first round opponents, but there was an angle on this week’s NXT where Adonis & Troy were taken out of the tournament. Karrion Kross defeated Adonis on NXT and then put Troy in the Kross Jacket.
Ciampa & Thatcher teaming together in the Dusty Classic was set up after they showed mutual respect for each other following their Fight Pit match on this week’s NXT. Thatcher defeated Ciampa in the Fight Pit match.
Ciampa & Thatcher will face Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong in the next round of the tournament.
The men’s Dusty Classic quarterfinals will kick off with Kushida & Leon Ruff vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans and MSK vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain taking place on NXT this coming Wednesday. Here’s the full list of quarterfinal matchups for the tournament:
Left side of the bracket —
Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong vs. Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher
Kushida & Leon Ruff vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans
Right side of the bracket —
MSK vs. Drake Maverick & Killian Dain
Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado vs. Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde
In addition to receiving the Dusty Cup, the team that wins the men’s Dusty Classic will get a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
The first round of the men’s Dusty Classic will conclude with Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher facing Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari on Friday’s 205 Live episode. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell will also face Gigi Dolin (Priscilla Kelly) & Cora Jade (Elayna Black) in a women’s Dusty Classic first round match on the show.
Ciampa & Thatcher teaming together in the men’s Dusty Classic was set up after Thatcher defeated Ciampa in their Fight Pit match in the main event of this week’s NXT. Ciampa & Thatcher are replacing Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Desmond Troy in the tournament. There was an angle where Adonis & Troy were taken out of the Dusty Classic after Adonis lost to Karrion Kross on NXT. Kross also put Troy in the Kross Jacket after the match.
The Ciampa & Thatcher vs Nese & Daivari match will decide who advances to face Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong in the men’s Dusty Classic quarterfinals.
Cole & Strong, Kushida & Leon Ruff, and The Grizzled Young Veterans have advanced to the quarterfinals from the left side of the men’s Dusty Classic bracket. MSK, Drake Maverick & Killian Dain, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado, and Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde have advanced from the right side of the bracket.
Along with Zoey Stark (Lacey Ryan), Dolin & Jade are both new WWE signees. Stark is teaming with Marina Shafir against Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in the first round of the women’s Dusty Classic. The team that wins that match will advance to face either LeRae & Hartwell or Dolin & Jade in the semifinals of the tournament.
The women’s Dusty Classic kicked off with Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter upsetting Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez on this week’s NXT. Catanzaro & Carter will face either Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez or Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in the semifinals.
Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher are going from rivals to teammates for the 2021 men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
WWE has announced that Ciampa & Thatcher will fill the open spot in the Dusty Classic that was created by Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Desmond Troy being taken out of the tournament. Ciampa & Thatcher will face Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari in the first round of the Dusty Classic.
In the main event of last night’s NXT, Thatcher defeated Ciampa in a Fight Pit match. The finish of the match was Thatcher submitting Ciampa with a stretch muffler while Ciampa’s other leg was between the cage and ring post.
WWE uploaded two videos after last night’s NXT setting up that Ciampa & Thatcher would be teaming together in the Dusty Classic. As he was being examined after the Fight Pit match, Ciampa learned that Adonis & Troy are out of the Dusty Classic after Karrion Kross defeated Adonis on NXT last night. Kross also put Troy in the Kross Jacket after the match.
Ciampa then went to Thatcher and asked why Thatcher didn’t break his leg when he had the chance to in the Fight Pit. Thatcher responded by saying that he respects Ciampa. Ciampa then told Thatcher he’s heard there’s an open spot in the Dusty Classic.
NXT general manager William Regal posted a tweet today confirming that Ciampa & Thatcher will be teaming together in the tournament: “Well, @NXTCiampa is partially correct. There WAS an opening for the #DustyClassic, but it seems you two have just filled that vacancy… good luck gentlemen. #WWENXT”
Nese & Daivari vs. Adonis & Troy had been set to take place on this Friday’s episode of 205 Live.
Nese & Daivari vs. Ciampa & Thatcher is the last remaining first round match in the men’s Dusty Classic. The winning team will face Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong in the quarterfinals.
Cole & Strong, Kushida & Leon Ruff, and The Grizzled Young Veterans have advanced to the quarterfinals from the left side of the Dusty Classic bracket. MSK, Drake Maverick & Killian Dain, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado, and Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde have advanced from the right side of the bracket. Kushida & Ruff vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans and MSK vs. Maverick & Dain will take place on NXT next Wednesday.
The team that wins the men’s Dusty Classic will get the Dusty Cup and a shot at Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch’s NXT Tag Team titles.
Timothy Thatcher’s Fight Pit record improved to 2-0 last night.
In the second-ever Fight Pit match, Thatcher defeated Tommaso Ciampa in the main event of last night’s NXT. Thatcher also defeated Matt Riddle in the first Fight Pit match in May 2020.
The Fight Pit match can only be won by knockout or submission. Thatcher submitted Ciampa with a stretch muffler while Ciampa’s other leg was between the cage and the ring post.
In a post-NXT video, Ciampa learned that Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Desmond Troy are out of the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Ciampa then went to Thatcher and asked why Thatcher didn’t break his leg when he had the chance to in the Fight Pit. Thatcher responded by saying that he respects Ciampa. Ciampa then told Thatcher that there’s an opening in the Dusty Classic.
The first round of the men’s Dusty Classic continued with Kushida & Leon Ruff defeating NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory and Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado defeating Imperium last night. The women’s Dusty Classic also kicked off with Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter upsetting Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez.
The second-ever Fight Pit match headlines tonight’s episode of NXT.
Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher will face off inside the NXT Fight Pit tonight. The match was originally supposed to happen at NXT New Year’s Evil two weeks ago, but it was postponed due to Thatcher suffering a minor injury.
Thatcher also took part in the first Fight Pit match, defeating Matt Riddle in May of last year.
The inaugural women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic kicks off tonight with Mercedes Martinez & Toni Storm facing Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter in a first round match. The full bracket for the women’s Dusty Classic was revealed earlier today. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, Gigi Dolin (Priscilla Kelly) & Cora Jade (Elayna Black), Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon, Marina Shafir & Zoey Stark (Lacey Ryan), Aliyah & Jessi Kamea, and Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez will also take part in the tournament.
Tonight’s show will also feature two more first round matches in the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Kushida & Leon Ruff will take on NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory. Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner will face Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Beth Phoenix was back ringside at the announce desk alongside Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett.
The is opening with a first round match in the Dusty Classic
Leon Ruff & Kushida defeated Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory to advance in the Dusty Classic
Kushida pinned Gargano in a really good match. Not only do Kushida & Ruff advance to round two of the tournament, but Kushida also scored a clean pinfall on the NXT North American Champion.
After the bout got going, The Way began to work over Kushida. They got heat on him until he fell backwards into his corner, allowing Ruff to make a hot tag. Ruff into the ring with a springbaord missile dropkick and a Tito Santana flying forearm.
Ruff was cleaning house on The Way when Theory caught him in a Torture Rack. He the spun Ruff around and dropped him into a sit-out powerbomb. Ruff kicked out for a near fall as the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial break. Now it was Ruff’s turn to be the babyface in peril.
The Way with some nifty double-team moves on Ruff. He still was able to fake out Theory, and Ruff dropped him with a springboard cutter. That allowed for another hot tag.
Much like Ruff on the earlier hot tag, Kushida came into the ring off the top rope. He hit Gargano with a flying ax handle. Theory tried to make a save, but instead ate a handspring back elbow from Kushida. Gargano was knocked off the apron, and Kushida a moment later caught him with a flying tornando DDT off the apron.
Back in the ring, Kushida went for his armbar. Gargano countered him. Kushida with a counter of his own was able to apply a cross-armbreaker. Theory was able to make a save, breaking the hold.
Theory with a ushigoroshi and a superkick on Kushida, but he still kicked out. Ruff with a save by flying in out of nowhere to counter a double-team. He ran down the top rope, and Ruff dived onto floor. Meanwhile, Kushida is targeting Gargano’s arm.
Kushida in the closing moments dropped Gargano with a punch, and then he hooked him for a suplex. Kushida trapped an arm in a hammerlock postion as he executed a snap suplex. Kushida then bridged up to score a pinfall.
Pete Dunne in a vignette cut a promo on NXT Champion Finn Balor.
Malcolm Bivens was backstage near the office of William Regal. He was there to lobby for Tyler Rust. McKenzie Mitchell was asking Bivens a question when Rust came out of Regal’s office. Rust said he had a match later on with Bronson Reed. Bivens was clearly upset by this, but he tried to make the best of it.
Kross won a quick squash match. Kross twice with a Saito suplex, and then he smacked Adonis in the back of the neck with a forearm smash. Kross then covered Adonis for a pinfall.
Desmond Troy was in the ring checking on Adonis, so Kross choked him out with a Straight Jacket.
A vignette featured MSK. Formerly known as The Rascalz, Nick Carter and Wes Lee are now in NXT. This looked like a fresh act that is unlike any other team in NXT.
Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez cut a promo threatening Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter ahead of their match later on.
Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) defeated Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado) to advance in the Dusty Classic
Dorado pinned Barthel for Lucha House Party to advance into the second round. Fun match.
No entrance for Lucha House Party, but they still won the match.
Mat wrestling at the start, until the lucahdores went to the air. Metalik did a swan dive off the shoulders of Dorado. Imperium fought back with high impact moves. Lucha House Party fired up again, but Dorado was caught on a dive. Aichner then smashed him into the ring apron, and Dorado took a scoop slam on the floor before a commercial break.
After the break, Dorado created separation with a tornado DDT. That led to a hot tag where Metalik flew into the ring with a flying crossbody. He then walked down the top rope, and Metalik springboarded into a hurricanrana. A double sprinboard into a quebrada netted Metalik a close two count.
Metalik was soon cut off, and Imperium with a spike DDT on him. Dorado jumped in to make a save. Lucha House Party with a combo made up of a missile dropkick/Code Red for a near fall. Another save, but by the heels this time.
Lucha House Party dropped with stereo power moves. Lucha House Party still came back with more flying moves. That led into Metalik doing an Asai moonsault off the top rope to the floor. Dorado was looking at the carnage on the floor when he was hit from behind by Barthel. Roll-up for a two count. Dorado answered back with a superkick. He followed with a shooting star press, and Dorado covered Barthel for a pinfall.
Lucha House Party in the next round meets El Legado del Fantasma.
Alexander Wolfe appeared after the match, which got the attention of Imperium. No follow-up though. The announcers threw to a weigh-in with Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher. They had a pull-apart scrum.
Beth Phoenix in a speech introducing the Women’s Dusty Classic.
Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro defeated Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez to advance in the Women’s Dusty Classic
Catanzaro fought from underneath to pin Storm. The babyfaces also had help from the returning NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai. She attacked Martinez at ringside.
Heat on Catanzaro before a commercial break. Kaycen Carter after the break with a hot tag. Everybody jumps in the fray. The smoke cleared, and Storm punished Carter with a half crab.
Io Shirai ran in and she threw Martinez over the announce table. Storm was distracted, and she was outnumbered with Martinez out selling. Catanzaro with a multiple rotation dive, and she crashed down on top of Carter. Catanzaro then covered Storm for the pinfall.
Catanzaro & Carter were pumped up in a post-match interview backstage after the match.
William Regal and Finn Balor had a meeting that seemed straight out of The Sopranos. Balor needs a tag team partner. Regal said to keep your enemies close.
Reed pinned Rust after the Tsunami. Rust got in some offense, but Reed otherwise dominated the match.
Finn Balor was backstage saying some people around here owe him a favor. This is like an episode of The Sopranos.
After a commercial break, Balor was seen going into the Undisputed Era locker room. He confronted Kyle O’Reilly and asked if was in. O’Reilly said he was in. It’s a deal. Balor and O’Reilly will team next week against Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan.
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar was cutting a promo about being the champ, and he began to explain what a true champion is. He put himself over all the other champs in NXT. Escobar kept putting himself over until changing the subject to Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza. That brought out Lucha House Party for a Gordon Solie Pier Sixer.
They were brawling when Curt Stallion ran in to helo even the odds for Lucha House Party. This might have something to do with 205 Live. Yes, that show still exists. I know, it’s hard for me to believe too. I hear it’s good so somebody somewhere watches it.
Stallion challenges Escobar for the Cruiserweight title next week on NXT.
Also announced for next week is Dusty Classic quarterfinal matches. Those bouts include Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Ruff & Kushida. Also, MSK meets Drake Maverick & Killian Dain in another tournament match. Besides tourney matches, the other tag match for next week is Balor & O’Reilly vs. Burch & Lorcan.
Timothy Thatcher defeated Tommaso Ciampa in the Fight Pit
Thatcher repeated as winner of a Fight Pit match. He submitted Ciampa in a match that was much different than the first Fight Pit.
The match started with them on the platform above the Fight Pit. This was basically a scaffold match for the first few minutes. They both dropped down into the pit during a picture-in-picture commercial break.
They took turns working over each other’s shoulder. Ciampa whipped Thatcher into the side of the cage. Thatcher answered back with suplex, and he went back to targeting an arm. He snapped Ciampa’s fingers.
Ciampa fought back, but Thatcher applied a rear naked choke. Thatcher with a low blow to break the hold. The referees was down on all fours as Ciampa dragged Thatcher over him for a draping DDT.
They traded strikes in the closing minutes. Ciampa rammed Thatcher’s head into the cage, and then Ciampa executed the Fairytale Ending. Ciampa applied a sleeper, but Thatcher countered by ramming Ciampa’s head into the cage.
They were figting in a corner when Ciampa’s leg became trapped in the cage. With Ciampa hanging upside down, Thatcher applied a modified stretch muffler with Ciampa’s leg still trapped in the ropes. Ciampa tapped out.
WWE has set a new date for Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher’s Fight Pit match.
It was announced tonight that Ciampa and Thatcher will face off in a Fight Pit match on NXT next Wednesday. The match was originally supposed to take place at NXT New Year’s Evil last week, but it was postponed due to Thatcher suffering a minor injury.
On tonight’s NXT, it was announced that Thatcher has been cleared to compete and the Fight Pit match will take place next week. Wade Barrett conducted an interview with Ciampa and Thatcher on tonight’s show.
This will be the second-ever Fight Pit match in NXT history. Thatcher was also involved in the first Fight Pit match, defeating Matt Riddle in May 2020.
Next week’s NXT will also feature first round matches in both the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Here’s what’s been announced for the episode:
Fight Pit match: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez vs. Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: Kushida & Leon Ruff vs. NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match: Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) vs. Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado
Storm & Martinez vs. Catanzaro & Carter will be the first match in the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
The men’s Dusty Classic kicked off tonight with Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole & Roderick Strong defeating Breezango, the debuting MSK (formerly known as The Rascalz’s Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) defeating Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Jake Atlas, and The Grizzled Young Veterans defeating Ever-Rise.
One of the matches originally scheduled for tonight’s NXT New Year’s Evil event has been postponed.
Ahead of tonight’s show, WWE announced that Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher’s Fight Pit match will no longer be taking place at New Year’s Evil. It was noted that Thatcher suffered a minor injury and isn’t able to compete tonight.
NXT general manager William Regal said Thatcher should be back to action soon and the Fight Pit match will happen as soon as he heals.
WWE had stopped promoting the Fight Pit match for tonight prior to the postponement being officially announced.
When it takes place, Ciampa vs. Thatcher will be the second-ever Fight Pit match in NXT history. The first Fight Pit match took place in May 2020 and featured Thatcher defeating Matt Riddle. Kurt Angle was the special guest referee for that match.
New Year’s Evil is airing on the USA Network at 8 p.m. Eastern time tonight. The episode will be “presented with fewer interruptions and more action.” Here’s the updated lineup for the show:
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Kyle O’Reilly
Karrion Kross vs. Damian Priest
Last Woman Standing match: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar defends against Gran Metalik
The second-ever NXT Fight Pit match will take place at New Year’s Evil.
On tonight’s episode of NXT, WWE announced that Tommaso Ciampa will face Timothy Thatcher in a Fight Pit match at New Year’s Evil. Thatcher was also involved in the first Fight Pit match, defeating Matt Riddle this May. Kurt Angle was the special guest referee for Thatcher vs. Riddle.
Ciampa defeated Thatcher in their match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames earlier this month. Thatcher cut a promo on tonight’s show and said he did the courtesy of asking Ciampa for another fight, but Ciampa walked away from him and showed him no respect. Thatcher said he was going to take liberties against Leon Ruff later in the episode. Thatcher said that if Ciampa is the man he says he is, he’ll come and fight Thatcher.
Ruff got a surprise win by pinning Thatcher with a cradle as Thatcher was going for a submission. Thatcher beat down Ruff after the match, but Ciampa ran out to make the save. Ciampa laid out Thatcher with the Willow’s Bell DDT and then told Thatcher that — if he wants a fight — Ciampa will see him in the Fight Pit.
New Year’s Evil is the first NXT episode of 2021. It’s taking place on Wednesday, January 6.
Here’s the updated New Year’s Evil lineup:
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Kyle O’Reilly
Karrion Kross vs. Damian Priest
Last Woman Standing match: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez
Fight Pit match: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher
WWE has rounded out the card for NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
It was announced on tonight’s episode of NXT that Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher will take place at TakeOver: WarGames this Sunday. This is the fifth match that’s been confirmed for the event.
Ciampa first confronted Thatcher on NXT two weeks ago, but Thatcher said he had no problem with Ciampa and backed away. The confrontation came after Thatcher defeated August Grey and then attacked him following the match.
Ciampa then brought out a chair and sat at ringside for Thatcher’s match against Kushida last week. Thatcher was distracted by Ciampa, leading to Kushida getting the win by submitting Thatcher with the Hoverboard Lock. Ciampa looked into the camera and said that maybe Thatcher has a problem with him now.
On tonight’s NXT, Thatcher presented a Thatch-as-Thatch-can session in the ring. The subject of the session was dealing with distractions. Ciampa appeared and Thatcher again insisted that he has no problem with Ciampa. Ciampa called Thatcher a disappointment. Thatcher said he wasn’t going to be goaded by Ciampa, but he then took Ciampa down. Ciampa fought back and dropped Thatcher with a punch, but Thatcher’s student started brawling with Ciampa. Thatcher took advantage of that by attacking Ciampa and putting him to sleep.
Thatcher was then interviewed backstage and was asked if he set up Ciampa. Thatcher claimed that he didn’t know his student was going to do that and said he was impressed by his student taking initiative. Thatcher said Ciampa learned about distractions tonight — and Sunday at TakeOver he’ll learn about respect.
Here’s the updated card for TakeOver: WarGames:
WarGames match: Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) vs. Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch)
WarGames match: Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai) vs. Team Candice (Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm)
NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff defends his title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest in a triple threat match
WWE has revealed most of the lineup for tonight’s episode of NXT.
In an email promoting tonight’s show, WWE advertised that the following will take place on NXT tonight:
– A member of Undisputed Era vs. Pete Dunne (w/ Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch) in a ladder match for the WarGames advantage
Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) are facing Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan & Burch) in the men’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on Sunday, December 6. WWE hasn’t revealed which Undisputed Era member will be taking part in tonight’s ladder match.
– The KO Show with NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff
Along with hosting the KO Show segment, Kevin Owens is doing guest commentary for tonight’s NXT. He’s filling in for Wade Barrett on the show.
In a shocking title change, Ruff won the NXT North American Championship from Johnny Gargano on NXT two weeks ago. Ruff got the win after Gargano was distracted by Damian Priest. A rematch between Ruff and Gargano took place on NXT last week, but it ended in a disqualification when Priest punched Ruff so Gargano wouldn’t win the title.
Ruff slapped Priest in the face after being upset about Priest treating him like a joke. Later in the show, Gargano attacked Priest. Ruff then got involved and got the better of a three-way brawl with Gargano and Priest.
– Ember Moon vs. Candice LeRae (w/ Indi Hartwell)
LeRae and three partners will face Shotzi Blackheart and three partners in this year’s women’s WarGames match at TakeOver. Moon & Toni Storm defeated Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez last Wednesday, but LeRae and Indi Hartwell helped Kai and Gonzalez attack Moon and Storm after.
– Kushida vs. Timothy Thatcher
Kushida defeated Arturo Ruas and Thatcher defeated August Grey on NXT last week. Thatcher was confronted by Tommaso Ciampa after his win.
– Rhea Ripley will address the NXT Universe
On last week’s NXT, Io Shirai retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Ripley in the main event. Shirai and Ripley shook hands and hugged after the match.
The next challengers for the NXT Championship and NXT Women’s Championship will be determined on tonight’s “Takeoff to Takeover” episode of NXT.
A gauntlet eliminator match on tonight’s show will determine the challenger for Finn Balor’s NXT Championship at NXT’s October 4 TakeOver special. Kushida, Cameron Grimes, Kyle O’Reilly, Timothy Thatcher, and Bronson Reed are the participants for the gauntlet eliminator.
The gauntlet eliminator will start with two wrestlers in the ring, then another wrestler will enter every four minutes. The only way to be eliminated is via pinfall or submission.
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai’s TakeOver challenger will be decided by a number one contender’s battle royal tonight. Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, Shotzi Blackheart, Aliyah, Kayden Carter, Indi Hartwell, Xia Li, and Kacy Catanzaro have been announced as entrants for the battle royal.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Jake Atlas is also set for tonight. After he was destroyed by Ciampa last month, Atlas confronted Ciampa on last week’s show. Ciampa later ambushed Atlas in the parking lot until being stopped by officials and O’Reilly.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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In an angle from “moments ago”, Candice LeRae attacked Tegan Nox with a lead pipe. Nox injured her knee, as LeRae continued to attack her. This presumably takes Nox out of the battle royal that opens the show.
Candice LeRae won a battle royal to become number one contender
LeRae won the battle royal last elminating Shotzi Blackheart. LeRae goes on to TakeOver to challenge Io Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship
A subplot of the battle royal was a contest between Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez to see who could eliminate the most wrestlers. In another subplot, Kacy Catanzaro used her Ninja Warrior skills to do the Kofi Kingston gimmick of not letting her feet touch the floor. Her tag team partner, Kayden Carter, helped her get back into the ring.
Ripley and Gonzalez eventually squared off. Gonzalez got Ripley in an electric chair, and both tumbled over the ropes to eliminate each other. The announcers noted Dakota Kai was left without her insurance policy. Kai was among the final five along with Candice LeRae, Shotzi Blackheart, Indi Hartwell,and Catanzaro.
Catanzaro elimated Hartwell, leaving only four. An alliance between Kai and LeRae eliminated Catanzaro. Blackheart soon thereafter threw Kai over the top rope to eliminate her. The final two were LeRae and Blackheart.
Blackheart climbed to the top rope, and LeRae cut her off trying to throw her out. They fought on the apron in a corner, where LeRae fell on to the ring steps. Her feet had yet to touch the floor, but Blackheart kicked and stomped on her. LeRae took a bump on the steps. She monkey flipped Blackheart off the steps to the floor, eliminating her and winning the match.
LeRae’s husband, Johnny Gargano, celebrated in the ring with LeRae after the match.
With Gargano in the ring, cut to backstage for an interview with NXT North American Champion Damian Priest. He faces Gargano in a title match at TakeOver. He addressed that an his match later on against Austin Theory. Priest said Theory’s record does not reflect how good he really is, but Priest added that it sucks to be him because his slide continues tonight. Priest then concluded the interview by hitting on Sarah Schreiber.
In a wacky skit, William Regal was trying to figure out the next tag team challengers. Fandango was dressed as Sherlock Holmes. Why? He was a detective, not a matchmaker.
Tommaso Ciampa defeated Jake Atlas
Ciampa pinned Atlas, and Ciampa looked like a killer in doing so in this good match.
Atlas got to shine early on until Ciampa cut him off. Atlas made a comeback, and the fighting spilled outside. Atlas with an Asai moonsault to the floor, and then a blockbuster in the ring netted him a two count. Ciampa blocked the cartwheel DDT finisher, and then draped Atlas in the ropes.
Ciampa spiked Atlas with Widow’s Bell. Instead of covering Atlas, Ciampa broke the count and began slapping Atlas. Ciampa berated Atlas, and he executed a Fairy Tale Ending before scoring the pinfall.
A great vignette profiled Ridge Holland.
Hyping the gauntlet eliminator and its competitors was the focus of a music video from recording artist Corey Taylor’s solo project.
Burch pinned Mendoza to win this wild card tag match.
This was supposed to be the brainchild of Fandango. Again, why? The announcers tried, but even they could not explain the convoluted logic.They laughed about it. The gimmick seems to be if a wild card team wins, in the actual teams those two represent will then square off in another tag match to determine the number one contenders.
Strong was knocked off the apron at one point, so Burch was unable to tag out. Strong made a blind tag, and he cleaned house. He gave Aichner an Olympic Slam, but Mendoza broke up the pinning attempt.
Burch with a draping cutter on Mendoza to score the pinfall. So, Burch & his normal tag partner, Oney Lorcan, move on to face Strong & Bobby Fish to determine number one contenders.
Theory was being interviewed backstage when Gargano approached him. Gargano encouraged Theory to soften up Priest ahead of his title defense while also talking down to him.
NXT North American Champion Damian Priest defeated Austin Theory in a non-title match
Priest pinned Theory in a good match.
Priest walked the top rope before springboarding into a flying crossbody. Moments later Priest hit a ripcord knee strike, and followed with a leaping flatliner. Priest was knocked off the apron before a commercial break.
Theory was firing up as the show returned from the break. Thoery grounded Priest, but only momentarily. Priest hulked up and mowed down Theory. Priest with a Falcon Arrow for a two count.
Theory cut off Priest, and he used a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. The fight spilled outside where Priest gave Theory a Razor’s Edge on the ring apron. Back in the ring, Priest delivered The Reckoning to score the pinfall.
Gargano ran in after the match to lay out Priest with a superkick.
A cryptic vignette that looked too much like Retribution hyped something for “10.4.20”, which is the date of the next TakeOver.
Another vignette featured Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. He wants a rematch with Santos Escobar for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Ridge Holland defeated Antonio De Luca
Holland pinned De Luca in a squash match. Holland looked like a monster.
De Luca was running the ropes when Holland sent him flying with a Monty Brown pounce…period. Holland followed with a few suplexes, and De Luca fought back. That only served to anger Holland, and he clobbered De Luca with headbutts. Holland then executed the Northern Grit befoer covering De Luca for the pinfall.
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai was being interviewed backstage when LeRae and Gargano confronted her. Gargano got in her face and berated her. Damian Priest stepped in to lay out Gargano with a punch. Referees poured in to break up the ruckus.
Announced for next week on NXT is Shotzi Blackheart vs. Dakota Kai.
And now it’s time for the main event of the evening…
Kyle O’Reilly won the Gauntlet Eliminator to become number one contender
O’Reilly and Kushida started the gauntlet with a grappling clinic. Their battle was intensifying when time expired and Bronson Reed joined the match as the third entrant.
Reed ragdolled and splashed both O’Reilly and Kushida. He lifted both on his shoulders going for a double fireman’s carry. Kushida escaped to break it up.
O’Reilly went to apply an armbar on Kushida, and Reed went to break that up. When he did, O’Reilly grapevined Reed’s leg to catch him in a submission hold. Kushida with a standing moonsalt to break the hold, and Kushida went for the Hoverboard Lock. Reed put a stop to that before splashing O’Reilly with a senton.
O’Reilly and Reed were fighting on a turnbuckle when Kushida hit them both with a handspring. O’Reilly took a bump off the apron, and the referee was asking if he could continue. Behind the ref’s back, Velveteen Dream ran in to give Kushida a DVD. Reed came off the top rope with a splash to pin Kushida.
Bronson Reed eliminated Kushida via pinfall
Timothy Thatcher was the next entrant, but he was knocked off the apron before the show cut to commercial. When the show returned from the break, the clock ticked under five seconds as the last entrant joined the match.
A fresh Cameron Grimes came into the match with a flying crossbody on Reed. Grimes ran wild until Thatcher cut him off. Everybody in for a parade of high spots. All four men ended up down on the mat.
Reed with a slingshot sent Grimes over the ropes into a dive on Thatcher and O’Reilly. Reed with a DVD on Thatcher for a near fall. Reed with a powerbomb for a two count on O’Reilly.
Just before a commercial break, Reed leapt through the ropes for a tope suicida on to a pile of bodies. When Reed later did a powerslam, the announcers said it was a tribute to Road Warrior Animal. Reed also did some cool combos.
Reed missed a flying splash when Thatcher rolled out of the way. In the meantime, O’Reilly jumped off the top rope with a Bobby Eaton flying kneedrop on Reed. O’Reilly then covered Reed for a pinfall.
Kyle O’Reilly eliminated Bronson Reed via pinfall
O’Reilly had no time to celebrate the elimination as Thatcher grapped his leg to apply an ankle lock. O’Reilly countered to apply his own ankle lock on Thatcher, who also countered looking to apply an armbar.
O’Reilly wereThatcher exchanging strikes when Grimes sneaked in to give O’Reilly a German suplex. Grimes was given a belly-to-belly suplex from Thatcher.
Thatcher was applying a sleeper hold on O’Reilly when Grimes tried to run in with a kick. O’Reilly trapped his leg and applied an ankle lock, so Thatcher had O’Reilly while O’Reilly had Grimes. This is a variation on a three-way spot popularized by Sabu, Terry Funk and Shane Douglas at ECW’s The Night the Line Was Crossed in 1994.
O’Reilly squared off with Thatcher as they traded strikes. This was great stuff. Thatcher kicked out of a backslide, but a second later he was rolled up with a schoolboy by O’Reilly for a three count.
Kyle O’Reilly eliminated Timothy Thatcher via pinfall
Grimes rushed in to hit O’Reilly with the Cave In. O’Reilly got his foot on the rope to break the count, but Grimes started celebrating like he won. The ref broke the bad news to him.
Grimes started talking trash about Adam Cole, and O’Reilly fired up on him. As they ran the ropes, Grimes with a one-man running Spanish Fly for a great near fall. There was an Ax & Smash spot but this time not among teammates. O’Reilly with the Ax, and Grimes answered back with Smash.
O’Reilly softened up Grimes’s knee with a dragon screw. Moments later when Grimes went for the Cave In, O’Reilly dodged. Grimes’ knee buckled, and O’Reilly barred the leg to submitt Grimes.
Kyle O’Reilly eliminated Cameron Grimes via submission to win the match
O’Reilly now goes on to TakeOver to challenge Finn Balor for the NXT Championship. Unidsputed Era memebrs Cole, Fish and Strong joined O’Reilly in the ring to celebrate.
The fourth participant in the upcoming NXT gauntlet eliminator match has been announced.
Timothy Thatcher has been added to the match. He joins Kushida, Kyle O’Reilly, and Cameron Grimes in a match where the winner will get the next shot at Finn Balor for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver on October 4. The match will feature five participants, with one yet to be announced.
The rules of this match are as follows:
Two wrestlers start in the ring.
Every four minutes, another wrestler will enter the match.
Eliminations occur via pinfall or submission.
The last person standing in the match will be the new number one contender.
NXT this Wednesday will also feature a women’s battle royal, with the winner facing Io Shirai at TakeOver. Participants announced include Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, Shotzi Blackheart, Aliyah, Kayden Carter, Indi Hartwell, Xia Li, and Kacy Catanzaro.
Tommaso Ciampa will also face Jake Atlas in a singles match following an attack several weeks ago that led to Atlas being stretchered out.
