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Another week, another great episode of NXT! While RAW and SmackDown constantly struggles to put up engaging episodes, the Black and Gold brand of WWE has had a habit of delivering every week, and the same was the case tonight as well.
NXT this week saw a huge announcement being made by Keith Lee and NXT General Manager William Regal, who also officially announced the 30th edition of TakeOver, which will feature a huge match for a top championship. The show was filled with some amazing matches right from the beginning!
One notable absentee tonight was the NXT Women's Champion, Io Shirai who was blindsided by Dakota Kai last week. The two are set to confront each other next week. Also, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott has his eyes set on the NXT Cruiserweight Champion, Santos Escobar.
With that, let's dive straight into "5 Points to note" from this week's episode of NXT. Be sure to comment down and let me know your thoughts on the current NXT product!
#5 Keith Lee and his huge announcement on NXT
There was a lot of hype going into this week's episode of NXT. As announced by NXT's official Twitter account, the NXT General Manager was going to make a "huge announcement". Later, a tweet from William Regal led to the fans wondering whether he will be stepping down as the general manager of the Black and Gold brand.
Thankfully, nothing as such happened. But the announcement was indeed a huge one as NXT Double Champion, Keith Lee and NXT General Manager William Regal kicked-off the show. The Limitless One then made the blockbuster announcement as he relinquished his North American Championship stating that he wants others to have the same opportunity that he had.
I think it was a good decision to take the title off Keith Lee. With the depth in NXT's roster, having a double champion only decreases the chances of other talents to get their opportunity to shine. There was also the fear of the North American title losing its credibility with the Superstars focusing on the NXT Championship instead.
William Regal also had a great idea in mind to determine the next North American Champion.
#4 North American Championship match announced for NXT TakeOver XXX
With Keith Lee relinquishing his North American Championship, NXT General Manager William Regal announced a huge match for the vacant North American title at the upcoming TakeOver XXX, which is scheduled to take place on August 22, 2020.
As revealed, there will be a series of Triple Threat matches on NXT with the winners advancing to TakeOver XXX where they will compete for the vacant North American Championship in a ladder match. It's a great throwback to the inaugural North American Championship multi-men ladder match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans which was won by Adam Cole.
The first Triple Threat qualifying match took place this week on NXT between Bronson Reed, Johnny Gargano, and Roderick Strong. Surprisingly, it was Bronson Reed who came out victorious after a great back and forth match. Reed has indeed lately impressed with his amazing matches and it is to be seen whether he gets pushed all the way to a North American title reign.
The empty bracket graphic after the match suggested that there will be four more men to advance and compete for the North American Championship at NXT TakeOver XXX in a ladder match. Could this next Superstar be one of them?
#3 Dexter Lumis continues to dominate on NXT
Dexter Lumis has one of the most intriguing gimmicks on NXT currently. The aura of mystery around him makes for some great segments and moments, as we've witnessed recently. This week on NXT, Dexter Lumis took on Killian Dain. It was last week when Dain threatened Robert Stone to get him a match with Lumis. The two had a great high-paced match, but it was Lumis who came out on top.
Dexter Lumis is set to compete in a huge match next week on NXT. Finn Balor appeared in a backstage promo and announced his intentions to win the NXT North American Championship. With that, he will be competing in a triple threat match against Dexter Lumis and Timothy Thatcher with the winner qualifying for the ladder match at NXT TakeOver XXX. That should be a great match!
#2 Mercedes Martinez joins the Robert Stone brand on NXT
Robert Stone is the R-Truth of NXT! Two weeks ago on NXT, Shotzi Blackheart was approached by Robert Stone and Aliyah, who tried to persuade her to join them. Not only did the "tank girl" of NXT refuse the offer, but she also drove her tank over Stone's ankle.
Last week on NXT, Robert Stone and Aliyah cost Shotzi Blackheart her match against Indy Hartwell. On tonight's NXT, Shotzi took on Aliyah and while Robert Stone tried his best to cost her another match, the Resident Wldchild of NXT proved to be too good for the Robert Stone brand. She even went on to crush Robert's second ankle with her tank after the match.
Just when it looked like the feud might be done, boom! Mercedes Martinez came out of nowhere and took out Shotzi Blackheart. Later on the show in a backstage segment, Martinez approached Robert Stone and told him that she needs someone to handle her work outside the ring as she destroys everyone inside it. With that, Mercedez Martinez is part of the Robert Stone brand. Wow!
But beware, as she threatened Stone to not overstep his bounds or else she'll break both his legs permanently.
#1 A massive confrontation between Karrion Kross and NXT Champion Keith Lee
The main event of tonight's episode of NXT saw Karrion Kross take on Dominik Dijakovic. The match was set after Kross attacked Dijakovic backstage last week after the latter's match against Keith Lee.
A great back-and-forth match initially, turned into absolute destruction of Dijakovic as Karrion Kross unleashed his fury on him. This led to the NXT Champion Keith Lee coming out, concerned about his friend Dominik Dijakovic's safety. Lee asked him to quit, but he refused, saying it's on him.
The match ended with Karrion Kross choking out Dijakovic while looking straight into the eyes of the NXT Champion. What a way to send a message!
The two had a staredown to close this week's episode of NXT, as the referees and medical team came out to check on a passed-out Dijakovic.
All signs point towards Keith Lee vs Karrion Kross at NXT TakeOver XXX, and what a match that would be. Though I'm really not sure who will walk out as the champion as both these NXT Superstars have been unstoppable in the last few months. But I'm looking forward to it.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
