'%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)
This week's episode of NXT boasted an epic double main event as Nikki Cross finally got her hands on Bianca Belair after the two women's first match ended in a double count-out and Undisputed Era would defend their NXT Tag Team Championships against War Raiders after weeks of ducking arguably their toughest opponents to date.
Undisputed Era vs War Raiders - NXT Tag Team Championship match
Roderick Strong and Kyle O'Reilly came to the ring alone to take on The War Raiders for the first time as this huge match kicked off this week's episode of NXT.
Roderick Strong and Raymond Rowe exchanged blows early before Kyle O'Reilly tagged in and was taken down by the much bigger Hanson. The strength advantage was something that came into play numerous times throughout the match with Rowe and Hanson swatting away the smaller Champions and even using Strong as a batting ram on O'Reilly at one point.
Strong found an advantage by attacking the left knee of Rowe on the apron behind the referee's back which was the opening that O'Reilly needed to use his striking background to break down this weakness.
Strong and O'Reilly alienated Rowe from his partner for much of the match as they wore down the big guy, but they were unable to secure anything more than a two count. O'Reilly concentrated his attack on the injured knee of Rowe locking in a number of submissions including a dragon screw leg whip and managed to take the bigger guy down with his unique exchange of strikes.
Rowe delivered an STO from the corner to create some distance and finally, the tag was made to Hanson who threw the two smaller men around the ring as though they weighed nothing at all.
A backbreaker into a powerbomb wasn't enough to seal the victory for The War Raiders, but the big men continued to push forward and looked to be closing in until Adam Cole ran into the ring but the official allowed the match to continue since Cole was unable to interfere.
Rowe's injured leg gave way and O'Reilly was able to deliver a step up knee before an Olympic Slam which almost secured the win for the Champions. O'Reilly was then the victim of a powerslam before Hanson took out Cole and Strong but Bobby Fish made his return to the ring with a chair and attacked War Raiders to help his team retain the titles.
Winners via disqualification - War Raiders
After the match, Nikki Cross was shown backstage screaming "I know" ahead of her match with Bianca Belair.
Shayna Baszler vs Britt Baker
Britt Baker made her debut in NXT's women's division, but her career as a dentist could come in handy as she took on former MMA star Shayna Baszler.
Baszler went for the left arm from the start of the match with the fireman's carry takeover before she singled out her arm and began to work the muscles. Baszler then stamped on the arm in the same way that she took out Dakota Kai a few months ago and the bell was then rung for the end o the match before help was called for Baker.
The medical staff came into the ring to help the newcomer who was seemingly struggling with some torn ligaments.
Winner via referee's stoppage: Shayna Baszler
After the match, Baszler launched more of an attack on Baker in order to send a message to Kairi Sane ahead of their match next weekend at Evolution.
Backstage, William Regal confirmed that he would be taking to Nikki Cross following her match so that he could find out what she knows about the Alister Black situation, but he also revealed that Black would be making his return to WWE very soon.
Oney Lorcan and Danny Birch vs Rocky and Bing
Oney Lorcan and Danny Birch returned to action against the unknown team of Rocky and Bing and it was Bing who stole the headlines in the opening exchanges. The two men seemingly used the element of surprise over their opponents, since they were an unknown entity in NXT, but this didn't last very long.
Lorcan managed to reverse the Full Nelson and tagged in Birch who delivered a missile dropkick. After throwing Bing out of the ring, Lorcan and Birch delivered the Implant DDT to pick up the win over their latest challengers.
Winners: Oney Lorcan and Danny Birch
With NXT Takeover: War Games on the horizon, these wins will definitely put these two men on General Manager William Regal's radar and hopefully, they will be given the Tag Team Championship shot they deserve.
Bianca Belair vs Nikki Cross
Nikki Cross and Bianca Belair collided after weeks of pushing for another match following their first encounter a few weeks ago, but once again Belair was seemingly caught off guard by Cross who threw herself at The EST to start the match.
The two women seemingly picked up where they left off a few months ago with Nikki throwing Belair into the steel steps before trying to end the match early. A fallaway slam allowed The EST of NXT to finally gain some momentum but once again it appears as though Belair was confused by the psychotic Scot.
Belair showed off her athleticism with a standing moonsault to the back of Cross, which was the body part that she had been working, but this wasn't enough to keep Cross down. The elevated double chicken wing lead to a victory roll but it wasn't enough for Cross to hand Belair her first defeat in NXT.
The Belair Bomb was seemingly Belair's last grasp at a win but Cross was able to kick out just on instinct after she sustained a large amount of abuse from the EST. The Military press was countered into a sleeper by Cross before she delivered a Death Drop DDT for a near fall of her own.
Belair's hair came into play as she whipped it across Cross' midsection, but this wasn't enough to keep Nikki down since she jumped up to deliver a Superplex.
The match was confirmed as a no contest
The lights went down in the arena and Aleister Black was then in the ring with Nikki Cross, the Scot then rolled around the ring in front of Black, who beckoned for her to come closer before he asked who attacked him. Nikki then whispered something to the formerNXT Champion and he was then overcome with anger as she exited the ring.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
