Despite the fact that there was a special NXT episode following NXT Takeover: Chicago, this was the first real NXT TV episode since the event. We are keen to see how this new season of NXT plays out, until the next Takeover. Let’s dive straight into the action, shall we?
The episode began with a brand new theme song. As the announcers spoke about returning to Full Sail University, we saw Tommaso Ciampa on crutches, coming to the ring.
Tommaso Ciampa took centre stage and spoke about how, when he suffered a legitimate injury, people thought of dream partners for Johnny Gargano to face The Authors of Pain in a ladder match at NXT Takeover: Chicago. He also mentioned how he knew he was genuinely injured during the match and that Gargano would have replaced Ciampa because of the same reason.
Ciampa worked himself into a frenzy and delivered a great promo. He said that Takeover Chicago was supposed to be a moment for #DIY and the fans, but it was his moment. He ended with the proclamation that he is professional wrestling, whether the fans like it or not.
We saw a promo package for Danny Burch, who was set to face the WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne, later during the event. Returning from commercial, we saw NXT Champion Bobby Roode talking about his ‘glorious’ celebrations, and how we were not invited to be a part of it. He would see us next week though, in the next NXT episode.
Pete Dunne vs. Danny Burch (non-title match)
The crowd was hot from the get-go, chanting ‘Bruiserweight’ from the stands. There was a lot of grappling in the early part of this match, with Dunne working on Burch’s wrist and Burch reversing it with a leg takedown, into a chin lock. Burch attacked Dunne's fingers next, much to the amusement of the crowd. The match quickly devolved into a slap fest with shoulder takedowns, although Burch could not lock a crossface in. We saw Dunne assume control with a shot to the head as we went into a commercial break soon after.
We came back from commercial to see Pete Dunne in control of Burch digging his knuckles into Burch's head. Burch regained control with a missile dropkick. The two men exchanged a flurry of offence culminating in an exploder suplex from Burch. A hard shot and near fall followed as Dunne kicked out in time.
Another headbutt and near fall followed. Pete Dunne gained the advantage with a snap suplex, but Burch kicked out of the X-Plex. Both men traded impressive offence until Burch hit a massive DDT off the ring ropes. Even that could not pin Dunne. Dunne ultimately hit the Bitter End and put an end to the threat known as Danny Burch.
Pete Dunne def. Danny Burch
Dunne then cut a promo ridiculing Tyler Bate and saying that the United Kingdom brand truly started with him. We saw Kayla Braxton backstage with The Velveteen Dream who complained that the ambience was not perfect for an interview.
We came back from commercial to see a promo for the Authors of Pain that proclaimed that the Book of Dominance had opened.
Andrade Cien Almas vs. Cezar Bononi
While Bononi was even bigger than Almas, who is no slouch himself, Almas attacked him early and took him out with the double knees immediately. A stiff shot to Bononi’s chest followed, but Bononi seized the advantage with some punches, kicks and a neckbreaker. Almas regained control and retaliated with some hard knees, and while it looked like he would deliver a hard knee in the corner, Andrade delivered a hard slap to Bononi’s face. Almas picked up Bonani for a suplex, but the jobber then rolled him into a pin.
Cezar Bonani def. Andrade Cien Almas
While Almas seemed furious at first, he calmed down and walked out of the arena unconcerned. We saw Billie Kay and Peyton Royce in a backstage segment with Ember Moon where she was seemingly cleared for action soon after. We saw Hideo Itami lose his temper in the babyface locker room following his loss to Bobby Roode at NXT Takeover: Chicago. While initially hinting at going heel, he seemed to turn face soon after by shaking hands with Kassius Ohno.
Roderick Strong & Kassius Ohno vs SAnitY
Eric Young and Roderick Strong started off the proceedings with some hard punches and chops. With his trademark agility, Roddy delivered a backbreaker, and Eric Young retreated while Wolfe tagged himself in. Wolfe was felled by a drop kick from Strong, as Ohno tagged himself in. Ohno had the early advantage, but a shot by Wolfe reversed the same.
Eric Young tagged himself in, as Ohno and Young traded holds. Ohno seized the advantage, but Killian Dain grabbed his feet when the referee was distracted, giving Strong the upper hand at that point. Wolfe and Young then double teamed Ohno, even though he avoided the near falls. After many hard shots, Wolfe dumped Ohno outside the ring. While the referee was distracted, Killian Dain struck again.
We returned from the break to see Young put Ohno in a chin lock. Frequent tags followed, and Ohno couldn’t make the hot tag. Ohno tried to mount a comeback, but Wolfe regained the advantage. Eric Young was tagged in, and he delivered a vicious neckbreaker. Ohno somehow made the hot tag, and Roddy mounted a big comeback.
His offence also included an Angle Slam. Wolfe kicked out of a near fall, and Young delivered a leaping neckbreaker on Roddy. A bunch of shots followed as Young invited Dain to get involved. Lo and behold, No Way Jose was back. Thanks to him, Roddy delivered his signature backbreaker finisher and picked up the big win.
Roderick Strong and Kassius Ohno def. SAnitY
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