WWE NXT Results (October 16th, 2019): Tommaso Ciampa makes his in-ring return, top Superstar injured
NXT continued to pack its two-hour time slot with some incredible action, including the return of Tommaso Ciampa and a bitter war between Pete Dunne and Damian Priest.
The Undisputed Era were left in a pretty bad spot last week, with all of their contenders getting the best of them in back-to-back segments. Velveteen Dream, specifically, left the NXT North American Champion absolutely embarrassed. The Era looked for revenge on this week's NXT.
Dominic Dijakovic and Keith Lee battled for dominance and a surprising prize tonight. These Black & Gold kaijus have put on three incredible matches over the past year, with the record set at 1-1-1 with one match ending in a double count out. Tonight, they finally looked to find out who was the better big man once and for all.
We kicked off the night with a pretty special opener. Tonight marked the in-ring return of the Psycho Killer, as Tommaso Ciampa looked to make an example out of Angel Garza ahead of a future bout with the NXT Champion Adam Cole. Garza was knocked out backstage last week after insulting Ciampa, leading to Garza demanding the match.
Tommaso Ciampa vs Angel Garza
Ciampa launched Garza into the turnbuckle, then dropped him with a shoulder tackle. The former NXT Champion easily avoided several fast-paced shots, but kicking away a handshake attempt saw Garza level Ciampa with an enziguri. As Ciampa rolled outside, Garza followed with a baseball slide. Ciampa dumped him on the floor and bounced him off the apron and barricade.
Back on the inside, Garza drove Ciampa into the corner to block the Fairy Tale Ending. A dropkick to his knee sent Ciampa outside once again, where he was met with a suicide dive. Garza rolled him in and ascended the ropes, connecting with a picture-perfect missile dropkick.
However, Ciampa rushed Garza after the luchador tore away his tights and threw them at his opponent. After that, he took care of Garza's pants, supposedly destroying it with a running knee in the corner. Garza found himself on the apron, where he was yanked inside for the Willow's Bell DDT.
Results: Tommaso Ciampa defeated Angel Garza via pinfall.
The Undisputed Era emerged following the match to surround Ciampa. However, before they got there, he brought in a chair and his iconic crutch, waiting for one of them to make a move. Instead, though, Kyle O'Reilly tossed a USB to Mauro Ranallo, telling him to check it out. The Era then left as Ciampa stared down Adam Cole.
The USB from O'Reilly showed the Undisputed Era backstage where they left the Velveteen Dream unconscious on top of some broken merchandise in the back. Roderick Strong spat in the face of Dream, revealing that these are the consequences that await anyone who steps to Undisputed Era.
Cole made sure to mention that included none other than Tommaso Ciampa.
One-Two (Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch) vs Imperium (Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel) w/Alexander Wolfe
Aichner trapped Burch in a headlock early, but the Guvnor was able to escape ant tagged in Lorcan for a double shoulder tackle. One-Two worked over Aichner for a bit, but once Burch tagged back in, Aichner launched Lorcan outside and took Burch to Imperium's corner.
Barthel came in and looked good for a moment, but a leaping headbutt from Burch left him nearly unconscious. A dropkick from the second rope sent Barthel back to his corner where Aichner tagged back in. The two were able to leave Burch hanging in the ropes with a double basement dropkick as we cut to commercial break.
Back from the break, Burch leveled Barthel, finally tagging back in the Star Destroyer, who leveled both members of Imperium with a series of running uppercuts. On the outside, he dove over the ropes to take out Aichner and Barthel, the later of whom was dumped back inside for a back suplex/powerbomb combination, giving them a two count.
Lorcan & Burch attempted thair elevated DDT but Barthel broke it up, bringing Barthel and Burch outside while Lorcan and AIchner traded uppercuts. Aichner avoided a running attack in the corner, allowing Barthel to send him into Aichner for a brainbuster.
As Marthel dove onto Burch outside the ring, Aichner hit a double jump moonsault from the apron, only for Lorcan to kick out at two. Barthel tagged in again, but Imperium was lit up by Lorcan's knife edge chops. However, Aichner caught him with a spinebuster, with Barthel following up with a Penalty Kick. The European Bomb finished Lorcan off for good.
Results: Imperium defeated One-Two via pinfall.
Johnny Gargano was asked how he felt about his former best friend Tommaso Ciampa. Though the two seemingly bonded following Gargano's title win at TakeOver: New York earlier this year, Gargano said that there's still some "stuff" to work out there. He won't know exactly how he feels until he sees Ciampa face to face.
Io Shirai vs Kayden Carter
Io Shirai landed on her feet after a running hurricanrana from Carter. Carter managed to roll her up for a near fall, however, leading to a bottom rope springboard dropkick that sent Shirai outside. Carter tried to follow up with a kick on the apron but was caught and dropped on her face instead.
A springboard dropkick from the apron earned Shirai a two-count. Carter rebounded with a crucifix pin attempt. Shirai blocked but was caught in a victory roll that led to a superkick. Another victory roll was blocked, with Shirai taking her overhead with a German suplex.
The top rope moonsault finished off Carter.
Results: Io Shirai defeated Kayden Carter via pinfall.
After the match, Io Shirai tried to force herself into the NXT Women's Championship picture. "Not Rhea, not Bianca," was enough to drag out the former NXT UK Women's Champion. Ripley said after Bianca Belair talked trash about her last week, she'll be shutting her up on the next NXT episode.
However, if Shirai ever speaks her name again, Ripley is ready to silence her as well. Shirai backed up the ramp as Ripley stood the ring, staring into the soul of the Genius of the Sky.
After Killian Dain demolished Boa last week, the fast paced striker is now set to take on the Beast of Belfast.
William Regal revealed to Cathy Kelly that Velveteen Dream will not be able to challenge for the North American Championship next week due to the injuries he suffered earlier tonight. However, Roderick Strong will still defend the North American Championship, and his new #1 contender will be the winner of Dominik Dijakovic and Keith Lee, which takes place next!
#1 Contenders Match for the North American Championship: Keith Lee vs Dominik Dijakovic
The titans of NXT met with a series of shoulder tackles with neither man budging. Dijakovic eventually fell to one knee allowing Lee to bring him up with a straight arm lift, going after his left elbow. Another shoulder tackle left Dijakovic on his back.
Lee followed up with body splashes onto Dijakovic's left arm and picked up a two-count. Dijakovic made it to the ropes, and when the ref admonished Lee for putting on the pressure, he laid out Lee with a big boot. A facebuster and a discus lariat took Lee to the ground for a near fall.
Back on his feet, Lee responded to a chop with a double chest chop and a knee to the gut. Dijakovic blocked a suplex and sent Lee into the corner with an elbow strike. A back elbow set up for a release suplex, dumping Lee on his neck as he was sent overhead. Lee was trapped in a rear chin lock by his longtime rival.
Lee broke away and withstood roaring elbow strikes, hulking up in the process. Dijakovic was taken to the corner where a long boxing combination left him gasping. A running body splash and a running left palm strike allowed Lee to hit a dazed Dijakovic with the Pounce.
Dijakovic escaped a powerbomb attempt and a powerslam thanks to a palm across Lee's throat. The chokebomb earned him a nearfall. At the top of the turnbuckle, Dijakovic set Lee up for a superlex. Lee's overwhelming strength allowed him to break the hold and headbutted Dijakovic, sending him crashing to the mat with a double chop to the chest.
A Frog Splash to Dijakovic's left arm left the big man screaming. Lee nearly drove Dijakovic through the ring with the Spirit Bomb. Luckily for Dijakovic, he bounced near the ropes where he was able to roll outside.
Keith Lee dragged a seemingly broken Dijakovic back inside. A fireman's carry attempt was prevented after a few elbow strikes. Lee rocked him with another strong punch, but when he bounced off the ropes was met with the Cyclone Kick.
Both men made it to their feet where they traded massive body blows. Dijakovic tried to fight out of a suplex attempt, but the freakishly strong Limitless One managed to take him over. Lee went to the corner for a dive, but was cut off by Dijakovic, who rocked him with a superkick.
Dijakovic tried to bring Lee over for Feast Your Eyes, but his arm was too weak. Instead, he picked him up for an Electric Chair Drop, only for Lee to counter with a Poison Rana. Lee dragged Dijakovic up top where he attempted a second rope Spirit Bomb. Before they could finish the match, Roderick Strong rushed the ring, leveling both men with the North American Championship.
Results: No Contest.
Roderick Strong thought he got away with it, escaping without having to defend his title next week. Regal said it was clever, but only made his situation worse. Next week, Lee and Dijakovic will both challenge Strong for the title in a Triple Threat match.
During the break, the Undisputed Era tried to confront William Regal, who simply walked past them as they threw tantrums like children. Next week, Strong finds himself against some monstrous odds.
Matt Riddle vs Bronson Reed
Reed tried to catch Riddle early with a few strikes and a German. Riddle flipped out and delivered some serious running kicks along with the Final Flash and an exploder suplex, setting up for the Penalty Kick. Reed blocked the Broton with his knees and responded with a senton of his own.
Riddle blocked a palm strike and lit up the NXT Breakout Superstar with a few chops of his own. The Bro To Sleep and powerbomb gave Riddle the perfect shot for the Final Flash. Reed kicked out at two.
Riddle went up top for the Brotigo, but Reed countered with a sit-out powerbomb. Riddle escaped a suplex and trapped Reed in a sleeper hold. Reed dumped Riddle over head, but as he rushed into the corner was caught in the BroDerek.
Results: Matt Riddle defeated Bronson Reed via pinfall.
Following the match, Riddle and Reed bumped fists.
Taynara vs Tegan Nox
Nox took Taynara down with a pair of roll-ups. A few arm drags frustrated the Brazilian Beauty, allowing Nox to capitalize with a dropkick. Nox held onto the ropes to prevent a roll-up, but a pump kick to the jaw sent her crashing to the outside.
Taynara kicked Nox in her left elbow, leaving the Girl with the Shiniest Wizard shaking some feeling back into it. A few judo throws sent Nox into the ring where she was met by a running double knee strike to the chest. A bridging monkey flip gave Taynara a one-count.
Nox responded with a european uppercut and a chokeslam. In the corner, a running elbow left Taynara dazed. Nox followed up with a diving crossbody and leveled her with the Shiniest Wizard,giving her a well-fought victory in her return to the ring.
Results: Tegan Nox defeated Taynara via pinfall.
Dakota Kai, who recently made her return to NXT, rushed Nox to give her a hug. As they were getting interviewed, Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke strolled down the ring. Baszler said it wouldn't be a good idea to throw her hat in the ring, just ask Kai.
Nox demanded a title shot, but the Queen of Spades said she hasn't earned one yet.
A vignette from Finn Balor revealed what kind of mindset he's in now. Next week, he said, his future will meet his past. Near the end, we heard the faint heartbeat of the demon.
Boa vs Killian Dain
Boa exploded out of his corner with a running boot, followed by a series of high kicks to the chest. A running dropkick left Dain kneeling. Boa continued with a kick to the jaw, sending the big man outside. However, a running crossbody from the Hound of Ulster left the striker broken.
Back inside the ring, a few elbow drops to the sternum weakened Boa's chest. Boa was launched across the ring, bouncing off the turnbuckle back first. Dain picked him up for a suplex and continued the pressure with a chin lock. Boa broke away with some strong punches but a lariat ended all of his momentum.
A senton and a trifecta of Vader Bombs probably could've ended the match. However, Dain wanted to dish out more damage, and trapped his opponent in a modified arm trapped Camel Clutch.
Results: Killian Dain defeated Boa via submission.
As Pete Dunne made his way to the ring for his match, Dain tried to get in his face. Dunne was unconcerned with the Beast of Belfast, snapping his fingers and walking down to the ring.
Pete Dunne vs Damian Priest
Priest took Dunne down with a leaping elbow. Dunne tried to respond with some punches to the mid-section, but Priest's long legs sent him back to the mat. Dunne finally grabbed a hold of Priest's fingers and trapped him on the floor for a stomp to the elbow.
Dunne continued working over the left elbow on the outside, stomping on Priest's arm while on top of the steel steps. Dunne followed him to the apron, stopping a chokeslam with a right forearm strike. Priest booted him off the apron, sending him crashing to the mat. Back inside the ring, a strong right hand left Dunne nearly out cold. We cut to commercial as Priest stood over his barely moving prey.
Priest took Dunne to the corner where he shoved him under the bottom turnbuckle with kicks and stomps. Every time Dunne tried to build momentum, he was met by a kick from the Archer of Infamy. A jumping guillotine was turned into a falcon arrow giving Priest a near fall. Dunne blocked a second falcon arrow, turning it into the X-Plex.
Dunne took Priest to the top where he spiked the big man with a hatch suplex from up high. The Bruiserweight continued to put on the pressure with a series of kicks and punches. A step-up enziguri stunned Priest, and a missile dropkick to the back of the knee left Priest shaking some feeling back into his leg.
Dunne avoided a clothesline, spiking Priest again, this time with a German suplex. Priest rolled outside but was caught by a moonsault to the floor. Back inside, Dunne brought Priest to the mat with a Liger Bomb. Priest kicked out at two.
The big man tried to grab Dunne with a chokeslam, but he countered into an armbar. Priest escaped following a pinfall attempt and stunned Dunne with a kick to the head. The Razor's Edge gave him another near fall. Dunne rolled out where he was met with a somersault senton.
Back inside, though, Dunne escaped a high angle German suplex. However, as he went to the top rope, he was cut off. A rolling roundhouse at the top rope set Dunne up for the super hurricanrana. A chokeslam gave Priest a two-count. Both men made it to their feet where they came to blows, but a massive clothesline took out Dunne.
Dunne countered the Reckoning but couldn't connect with the Bitter End. A series of high kicks to Dunne's head rocked him. The Bruiserweight responded by catching Priest coming off the turnbuckle with an elbow strike. Dunne moved up and went for a moonsault. Priest picked his knees up to block.
A powerbomb was prevented when Dunne caught Priest's fingers. However, as they moved to the corner, the referee was blinded. She needed to move away, allowing Priest to catch him in between the uprights with a low blow. The Reckoning finished Dunne.
Results: Damian Priest defeated Pete Dunne via pinfall.
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