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This week's NXT focussed extensively on the fallout from the brutal NXT TakeOver: WarGames featuring many highlights from the yellow brand's most recent pay-per-view event.
But there were some matches as well, as the recent main roster additions Ruby Riot and Sonya Deville had some unfinished business following Deville's deliberate attempt to break Riot's ankle.
And the main event for the evening was the much anticipated match between the WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne and 'Johnny Wrestling' himself, Johnny Gargano in a UK Title match that was sure to be a match of the year contender.
Ruby Riot vs Sonya Deville
Both of the matches shown on the November, 22nd NXT were pre-taped at the WarGames pay-per-view, with the second adjacent ring being unmistakably present during the opening match of the night - Ruby Riot vs Sonya Deville.
Both women had just been called up to the main roster with Deville aligning herself with a returning Paige and Mandy Rose on Monday Night RAW, and Riot leading a separate trio of Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan on SmackDown LIVE, but first they had to end their animosity towards each other.
I was impressed with these two ladies as they started the matchup with a series of chain wrestling manoeuvres and rest-hold counters before Riot took initial control with a series of quick strikes and kicks.
However, Deville regained control with a nasty chopblock to Riot's injured ankle, causing Riot to favour one leg for the remainder of the match-up. Deville used her strength to neutralise a hobbling Riot, until the 'Punk Princess' was able to get an improvised DDT through the ropes to leave both women down.
The finish came when Deville was able to trap Riot in an Ankle Lock on her injured ankle that, by rights, should have ended the match there and then. However, Riot was able to find the ropes and surprised Deville with a Windup Overhead Kick for the victory.
Result: Ruby Riot def. Sonya Deville
Before we get to the highly anticipated match NXT show a couple of video packages highlighting the various matches and results at NXT TakeOver: WarGames focussing on McIntyre losing the title to Andrade "Cien" Almas and Adam Cole picking up the win for The Undisputed ERA in the WarGames match.
Pete Dunne (c) vs Johnny Gargano - WWE UK Title match
I can't be the only one who was incredibly disappointed to find out they weren't going to be airing this match as part of the NXT TakeOver: WarGames pay-per-view, but calmed down when I realised it would be on NXT the following week.
And boy, this was a match that was definitely worth waiting for. Both men were incredibly over as they made their way to the ring for the title match, and the crowd remained red-hot throughout.
Gargano's storyline in NXT is one of the best the company has going at the moment, painting him as arguably the best babyface they currently have on their roster, but there would be no tale of redemption here for Johnny Wrestling as he lost the advantage to Pete Dunne after a series of grappling, getting sent to the apron in the process.
Dunne then grounded Johnny Gargano and displayed his signature join manipulation and painful holds, this allowed Gargano to display his strength and resilience, much to the crowds delight, to fight back into the match. 'The Bruiserweight' truly lived up to his name with some of this painful looking manoeuvres.
There was a huge moment when Dunne prepared to hit The Bitter End, but Gargano managed to reverse it into a DDT for a near-fall, before transitioning into a Head-Scissors takedown and his submission move - The Gargano Escape. However Dunne was able to escape the hold and eventually took Gargano down with his finishing move.
Result: Pete Dunne retained against Johnny Gargano
It's a shame this was a title match really as the only negative was that it was clear that Gargano wasn't going to win the UK Title, especially given his current losing-streak gimmick. Still, this is a top-tier wrestling match that everyone should check out.
