'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This week gave us another big episode of NXT. The show was headlined by the NXT Championship match between Roderick Strong and Drew McIntyre. The show also featured to NXT debuts, one of which, didn't go so well.
Bille Kay and Peyton Royce vs Ruby Riot
It looked like the Iconic duo would have Ruby Riot in a handicap match once again this week. Riot coped with the numbers disadvantage well early on and showed off her strength with a couple of powerslams. Royce then reverses an attempted turnbuckle slam from Riot and slams her into the mat.
The heels rotate tags and take control when Nikki Cross appears once again. She got up on the apron and reached out for the tag as Royce locked in a Chin Lock. Riot finally tagged Nikki Cross in begrudgingly.
Cross came in with a crazed look on her face and cleaned house. She hit a Scorpion Death Drop for the nearfall. Billie Kay looked to lock in a Rear Headlock but Riot made a blind tag and hit a double dropkick.
Riot then had Kay isolated and hit her with the Pele Kick for the win.
Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross def. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce (via pinfall)
We get a short intervirew with Zelina Vega right before she was about to enter Full Sail. She’s confident that Andrade will take care of Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: War Games. She added that Andrade had made Gargano relevant again and another win over Gargano would be Andrade’s next step before a shot at the NXT Championship.
Lio Rush vs Aliester Black
Lio Rush came out next to make his in-ring NXT debut against Aleister Black but it wasn’t meant to be. Velveteen Dream took Lio out from behind as Black was making his entrance before walking away, all the while telling Black to remember his name.
Match never started
Kairi Sane vs Aliyah
Another in-ring NXT debut came next and this match actually started unlike the last one. MYC winner Kairi Sane came out to face Aliyah.
Kairi had the upper hand from almost the beginning, hitting Aliyah with a massive right hand after a cagey start. Aliyah hit a backbreaker to give herself a window of hope but it barely made a dent.
Kairi hit back with a spear out of nowhere for a 2-count. Sane followed it up with a flurry of strikes and kicks before setting Aliyah up in the corner.
Kairi did he trademark plank walk and followed it up with a spear in the corner followed by a running low forearm in the same corner. Kairi then headed to the top rope and hit an insane elbow for the 3-count.
Kairi Sane def. Aliyah (via pinfall)
Drew McIntyre vs Roderick Strong (for the NXT Championship)
The main-event was up next and it didn’t disappoint. McIntyre had the clear power advantage as the match began, taking Roddy down a number of times. Roddy is on the receiving end till the first break in the action.
When we came back from commercial, Roddy was finally mounting some offense. McIntyre was soon back in, his size advantage clearly playing a big part in the match. He took Strong down for a 1-count.
The action soon spilled to ringside as Strong hit a thunderous backbreaker on the steel steps. Strong followed it up with another backbreaker inside the ring before going for the cover and getting a nearfall. Following a brief resurgence from McIntyre, Strong countered a dropkick to take McIntyre down again and then looks for a Fireman’s Carry.
McIntyre finally turned the tables and hit a big boot before following it up with an Alabama Slam. McIntyre follows it up by catching Roddy and hitting a Spinebuster. The two continue to go back and forth and Roddy manages to barely reach the ropes on tie, including a Celtic Cross.
We then headed to ringside for the final segment as McItyre powerbombed Strong into the ringpost. He then tolled Strong back into the ring and waited to set up the Claymore Kick. One kick later, McIntyre had retained his title.
Drew McIntyre def. Roderick Strong (via pinfall)
