NXT has been on a roll ever since Takeover: Orlando, with a brand new look and several fresh new faces. This week continued the trend with a pretty good show. Here’s a brief summary of the events of the night. Read on for all the action and highlights from this episode of NXT!
NXT began with an introduction to the show, the knowledge that NXT Takeover: Chicago is just two weeks away, and a glimpse of the events through the night, including a match between Hideo Itami and Kona Reeves as well as the 15-Woman Battle Royal. SAnitY’s music hit and we saw Killian Dain approach the ring with Eric Young to take on Danny Burch.
Danny Burch vs. Killian Dain
Surprisingly, only Eric Young accompanied Killian Dain to the ring. The two men locked up, and Dain overpowered Burch quite easily, no selling his offence. Dain dropped Burch from the turnbuckle and then clubbed his chest with thumping blows.
After no selling more of Burch’s offence, Dain delivered a massive Senton Bomb. Four elbow drops followed. Burch retaliated with a drop kick, some uppercuts, and even a headbutt, but a charging Dain delivered a dropkick to turn the tide immediately. The Beast picked up a decisive victory with The Ulster Planation, his finisher, for the pin.
Killian Dain def. Danny Burch.
As Eric Young spoke cryptic words to Killian Dain, we saw Hideo Itami arriving at the arena just before going into commercial. We returned to see a promo for ‘The Velveteen Dream’.
Heavy Machinery vs. Hector Kunsman and Ricardo Watts
Heavy Machinery weighs over 650 pounds, whereas the enhancement talent did not even get an entrance, so it’s easy to guess who won the match. Otis Dozovic delivered a shoulder tackle and then a massive suplex that looked devastating. Tucker Knight was tagged in and a double headbutt followed. Kunsman was picked up from the apron and flung halfway across the ring.
Then he was squashed in the middle of the two men and flung halfway across the ring by Tucker Knight. Dozovic lifted both men up and then Knight leapt on his back in a Lou Thesz press, flattening the two of them. Heavy Machinery then picked up the win.
Heavy Machinery def. Hector Kunsman and Ricardo Watts
Heavy Machinery cut a promo about ‘steaks and weights’ and challenged The Authors of Pain, saying that they were getting hungry, and it was about time that they ate. DIY responded in a promo soon after, where they said that they were owed a rematch and the line started behind them.
Kona Reeves vs. Hideo Itami
Kona Reeves attacked Itami much before the bell rang, taking the offence to him. The bell rang, and Reeves tried to pin Itami twice to no avail. After some hard stomps to the back of Itami, Reeves began talking trash. The mocking incensed Itami who got up and slapped Reeves in the face. Two clotheslines and some blistering kicks followed.Itami then hit a dropkick in the corner and a GTS to make short work of Reeves.
Hideo Itami def. Kona Reeves
Who is Roderick Strong? Part 2
We then got the second edition of ‘Who is Roderick Strong?’, a series that began last week. We met the woman he’s engaged to, MMA fighter Marina Shafir of the Four Horsewomen. We caught a glimpse of his days in ROH, and how he thinks he can make a difference. We even got a glimpse of how thankful Strong is that he’s living his dreams. It was a touching and compelling segment indeed.
This segment ended in William Regal’s office, where NXT Champion Bobby Roode was present. Regal said he was going to announce Roode’s Number 1 contender for Takeover: Chicago while the ‘Glorious’ one tried to weasel out of it by saying in a roundabout way that Itami had to earn his shot. Regal said he agreed with Roode and announced a Number 1 Contenders match for next week. Roderick Strong vs. Hideo Itami.
Battle Royal (To determine the #1 contender for NXT Women's Championship)
An interesting point to note was that three women made their NXT debuts in this match- Candice, Bianca Blair and Victoria Gonzalez.
It was time for the main event. We saw the women make their way to the ring, one by one. We saw a promotional message for Aleister Black's return, the week after. More women came in, and Ember Moon was the final contestant for the prize. Victoria Gonzalez, one of the largest superstars in the ring, seized the advantage early and went after Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. The women all got tied up on the ropes with the crowd chanting for Candice LeRae, who was also a part of the match. Several women escaped being dumped out in the initial stages of the match, and there was no elimination for a while. We went into commercial at this point.
After coming back from break, we found out that Billie and Peyton had eliminated Victoria Gonzalez. The Iconic Duo survived another elimination attempt and saved themselves in time. Aliyah joined the fray by disposing of Rachel Evers. Liv Morgan eliminated another wrestler while Billie and Peyton eliminated four participants. Billie Kay then eliminated Candice LeRae to an overwhelming shower of boos. Aliyah was eliminated by Nikki Cross, and the crowd surprisingly thanked her for it. Ruby Riot narrowly escaped, while Nikki Cross eliminated Liv Morgan to much applause. Ember Moon then eliminated both Billie Kay and Peyton Royce immediately.
This left only Ember Moon, Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross in the ring. At this [oint, Asuka came in and took all four women out, one by one. The referee declared the bout a ‘no contest’, after the shocking interference by the Women’s Champion. William Regal came out and declared that there would be a Fatal Four Way match at NXT Takeover: Chicago, for the NXT Women's Championship.
Result: No contest
This concludes another recap of yet another exciting and nail-biting NXT episode! See you next week, for yet more action.
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An interesting point to note was that three women made their NXT debuts in this match- Candice, Bianca Blair and Victoria Gonzalez.
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