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The penultimate episode of NXT in 2018 boasted the steel cage match between Johnny Gargano and former NXT Champion Aleister Black. Both men have history since they put on a fantastic show back at NXT Takeover: War Games in a match that stemmed from the fact that Black was attacked by Gargano in the parking lot of NXT so that he could face Tommaso Ciampa in a one on one match in Brooklyn back in the summer.
It was the end of a feud that defined NXT for most of the summer and the WWE Universe were fully unaware of the treat that awaited them.
Io Shirai and Dakota Kai vs Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke
There was a lot of history between these four women, dating all the way back to Takeover: War Games, but finally Kai and Shirai got their wish when they stepped in a tag team match against one-half of the four Horsewomen Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke.
Kai showcased what was seen as a new attitude throughout the match as she took the fight to Duke, but the heels used nefarious tactics to switch match into their favor, which was where the alienation of Kai began and the two women continued to tag in and out and keep Kai away from her partner.
Kai finally made her way to Shirai after a beautiful overhead kick to Duke, which allowed The Japanese star to clear house and deliver an impressive springboard dropkick followed by a moonsault. Kai disposed of Duke whilst Shirai picked up the pin over Marina Shafir in what was seen as a huge upset in the NXT Women's Division.
Winners: Io Shirai and Dakota Kai
Backstage Matt Riddle stated that he can't blame Kassius Ohno for attacking him since he needed to have all the advantages he could get since he was knocked out in seven seconds on their first outing. He then went on to dare Ohno to step back in the ring with him so that he could do the same again.
Aaron Mackey vs Dominik Dijakovic
After weeks of Dominik Dijakovic's debut on NXT being teased, finally, the NXT Universe was given a glimpse of the man who could be seen as the future of the developmental brand and Aaron Mackey had no idea what awaited him.
The match started with a vicious body shot followed by a number of blows to the face that was topped off with a thunderous clothesline. The newcomer then sent Mackey across the ring from a suplex and began the beatdown in the corner.
Dijakovic manhandled Mackey throughout the match before screaming that the audience should "feast their eyes" before delivering a torture rack into a vicious knee. It was quite the debut for the man who could now become the new beast of NXT.
Winner: Dominik Dijakovic
Following the match, it was announced that Io Shirai had been added to the women's fatal four-way match next week to determine Shayna Baszler's next challenger.
Heavy Machinery vs Unnamed enhancement talents
Heavy Machinery haven't lost a match in six months and ahead of their match against Undisputed Era for the Tag Team Championships next week, the two stars were given an easy outing this week as they destroyed their local competitors easily as Tucker Knight ran back and forth bouncing his opponent against the ring post.
Undisputed Era decided to get a closer look at the match as the four men appeared at the top of the ramp, which seemed to spur on Heavy Machinery even more as they tried to send a message to the group to show them what awaits them next week when they step in the ring with the most dominant team in developmental.
Winners: Heavy Machinery
Next week Heavy Machinery challenge for the NXT Tag Team Championships knowing full well that a call-up to the main roster is now on the horizon.
Johnny Gargano vs Aleister Black - Steel Cage Match
The rivalry that has defined NXT over the past few months finally came to an end this week on NXT as Johnny Gargano and Aleister Black collided inside a steel cage. The two men didn't even make it into the cage before the brawl began on the outside, which meant that the match didn't take place for a long time until the officials finally managed to force the two men to step inside.
Gargano tried to instantly climb the cage but was pulled back down by Black, before the duo finally began to trade shots. Johnny Wrestling pushed Black to the limit inside the cage as he lit him up with chops in the corner before Black avoided a number of strikes before delivering a stunning moonsault off the top rope.
Both men felt the side of the cage and realized how unforgiving the steel that surrounded them really was, but it was Black to climbed the cage and was prepared to jump to the outside and win but opted to jump back inside and continue the beatdown on Gargano. Black perhaps regretted this in hindsight since the former NXT Champion then became the victim of a vicious powerbomb from the top rope.
Gargano made his way over to the door and Black almost knocked him through the door with a knee strike, but luckily he was able to pull him back in. Gargano looked to pick up the win off The Gargano Escape, but Black refused to give up. The two men then slugged it out on the roof of the cage, before they were able to make it to the top rope and Gargano looked for a neckbreaker from the top rope by Black held on.
Black finally delivered Black Mass but was unable to equalize because of the beating he had received. Gargano made his way to the top of the cage, whilst Black crawled to the door, but Ciampa appeared and sent the door crashing into the face of Black. Gargano climbed back into the ring and delivered the DIY kick with his former partner before picking up the victory.
Winner: Johnny Gargano
