'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE NXT made its debut on USA Network tonight, with hour one airing live on the network from Full Sail University. Hour two of the show aired live on WWE Network, and the two-hour broadcast was filled with action as well as several unexpected moments which have given NXT a new face as it settles into its new home on USA Network.
Let's take a look at five major takeaways from this week's episode of WWE NXT, which included hour one on USA Network.
#5 The Imperium made a major statement on the show
Top stars of the NXT UK brand made a major impact on this week's episode of NXT on both USA Network and the WWE Network, and it looks like the stars of NXT UK might have a future on the NXT brand now that the show is officially airing on USA Network.
During the USA and Network portions of the broadcast, NXT UK stars WALTER, Alexander Wolfe, Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel, collectively known as Imperium, made an appearance on the show and looked to hijack the historic program making its debut on USA Network.
KUSHIDA was supposed to be in singles competition tonight, but before the match could begin, Imperium hit the ring and laid out KUSHIDA's opponent. The attack did not deter KUSHIDA, however, as he hit the ring and issued a major challenge to none other than the WWE NXT UK Champion himself, WALTER. The match is a dream bout of sorts and solidifies the idea that talents from NXT UK will be appearing on NXT going forward.
Also on the show, talents such as Oney Lorcan were in action, confirming speculation that 205 Live talents and storylines will also be featured on NXT now that the show has moved to the USA Network.
#4 A new No.1 contender has been crowned
The USA Network portion of this week's episode of NXT offered fans a glimpse into the impressive women's division on the brand, with Io Shirai, Candice LeRae, Bianca Belair and Mia Yim facing off in a Fatal Four Way #1 contender's match.
The bout was a hard-fought contest which fully displayed the abilities of all the women competing in the bout, but in the end, Candice LeRae emerged victorious and has earned a shot at the NXT Women's Title against the current Champion, Shayna Baszler.
After the match was over, three of the Four Horsewomen of MMA, Jessamyn Duke, Marina Shafir, and the NXT Women's Champion herself, Shayna Baszler, came out and surrounded the new #1 contender. Candice LeRae did not back down and, the segment ended with a staredown between LeRae and The Queen of Spades.
WWE then confirmed that the title match between LeRae and Baszler will take place in two weeks on NXT. At that point, both hours of NXT will be airing live on USA Network, and it will be the first time that NXT will go head-to-head with All Elite Wrestling, which will be debuting on TNT on October 2nd.
#3 Lio Rush made his return to WWE TV
WWE star Lio Rush has been absent from TV throughout the summer, and his status with WWE was the subject of much speculation after he left television due to issues he was reportedly having with the company.
While off TV, Lio Rush has been busy working on other projects, including his music career, but during tonight's episode of WWE NXT, Rush made his surprise return to TV during the WWE Network portion of the show.
Rush faced off against Oney Lorcan in a number one contender's match for Drew Gulak's Cruiserweight Title. During Rush's intro, announcer Mauro Ranallo noted that Rush has been battling some personal issues which kept him off WWE TV, but he seems to have sorted out his problems and is looking to regain his momentum this time on the NXT brand.
The bout between Lorcan and Rush was a fantastic TV bout, and it looks like Lio Rush has not missed a beat since leaving WWE TV a while back. The finish of the bout saw Lio Rush earn the pinfall victory, and he will go on to face Drew Gulak for the Cruiserweight Championship.
#2 The prophecy has come true
The main event of this week's episode of WWE NXT on the USA Network hour of the show saw Roderick Strong challenge Velveteen Dream for the NXT North American Title, and the contest was everything fans would expect from two of NXT's top talents.
The bout was filled with back-and-forth action, and of course featured a healthy amount of interference from Undisputed Era members Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O'Reilly.
The finish of the bout saw Adam Cole hit Velveteen Dream with a Superkick when Dream was perched on the top rope and the referee was not looking, and the move allowed Roderick Strong to put the nail in the coffin in the bout and win the WWE NXT North American Championship for the first time.
With the win, the self-proclaimed "prophecy" has come true, and all members of the Undisputed Era now wear gold, with Adam Cole as the NXT Champion, Roderick Strong the NXT North American Champion, and Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly the NXT Tag Team Champions.
It remains to be seen whether or not Velveteen Dream will get a rematch for the title, but as of this writing, Undisputed Era reigns supreme on the new NXT brand on USA Network.
#1 Matt Riddle, Killian Dain, and the NXT locker room wage war
The main event of this week's episode of WWE NXT on the WWE Network saw Matt Riddle face Killian Dain in a Street Fight. The bout was an absolute war and saw interference from numerous top stars of NXT as the bout continued.
At one point, Riddle and Dain fought all the way to the back and outside area of Full Sail University, where WALTER was seen waiting in the wings. The WWE NXT UK Champion got involved in the bout and attacked Matt Riddle, and the attack prompted the Street Profits to enter the action and attack WALTER. As the match waged on, more NXT talents got involved in the action, and the bout devolved into brawling chaos in the ring. The bout ended in a no-contest after it was clear the carnage would never end.
Honorable mention takeaways from tonight's show include a great shot of Triple H and Shawn Michaels preparing for the premiere of NXT on USA Network before the show went live.
What did you think of tonight's two-part episode of WWE NXT? Let us know in the comment section and be sure to follow SK on Twitter and Facebook!
