WWE News: Unexpected title change at latest NXT TV Tapings

What’s the story?

WWE NXT’s latest round of TV tapings had a host of newsworthy moments and the most prominent of the lot was a surprising title change. Velveteen Dream defeated Johnny Gargano to become the new North American Champion.

Scoop #48: The New NXT North American Champion, The Velveteen Dream pic.twitter.com/i1daPkrghv

— Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) January 31, 2019

In case you didn’t know…

Dream won the finals of the Worlds Collide Tournament against Tyler Bate, the tapings of which took place during Royal Rumble Axxess on January 26 and 27th, 2019. The 2-day tournament will air on the WWE Network on February 2nd, 2019 and would have 15 top talents from NXT, NXT UK and 205 Live competing in a series of matches.

Scoop #49: During Dream’s Celebration, Gargano attack’s him pic.twitter.com/bVIp3YoxSu

— Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) January 31, 2019

The Velveteen Boyhood Dream HAS COME TRUE! @VelveteenWWE is my champion. #NXTFSLive pic.twitter.com/rosiWebwd5

— Kyle (@FLWrestlingFan) January 31, 2019

The winner was promised a guaranteed shot at any of the titles in NXT, NXT UK and 205 Live. Dream was initially expected to choose to go after the NXT Championship, but changed his mind and challenged Gargano at the TV tapings.

The heart of the matter

The match had an incredible sequence to finish with as Velveteen realized his boyhood dream of winning a title in the WWE after he hit Gargano with two Dream Valley Drivers followed by the Purple Rainmaker.

His celebrations were cut short, though, as Gargano attacked the new champ and ran away with the title. The show came to a close with Gargano and Ciampa raising the NXT and NXT North American titles while standing on the stage. It should be noted that Gargano, who isn’t the NXT North American Champion anymore, had a glance at Ciampa’s NXT title before the tapings ended. This could have been a teaser for a possible Gargano-Ciampa programme for the NXT title for NXT Takeover: New York.

Another interesting thing to note is that the finish of the match was shot a second time when Gargano came back to attack Dream. Gargano avoided the Purple Rainmaker and went on tap Dream out. He left with the title and the live crowd was left confused as to what had happened. This may have just been WWE screwing with the live fans and nothing more.

What’s next?

Gargano’s title reign may have ended in premature fashion but it paves the way for a final showdown against Ciampa. As for Dream, the crowd’s reaction to his title win itself shows how valuable he is and why making him the champ was the right decision.