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The Way came out next on NXT, with Johnny Gargano unable to walk thanks to a broken arm. That's not a typo, that's what they said. Austin Theory and Indi Hartwell carried Gargano to the ring before bringing in a wheelchair. Gargano spoke about his "unfortunate" injury caused by the villainous Kushida. Gargano claimed that it was completely unprovoked, and the Time Splitter was unhinged.
We saw the footage on the tron, while Candice LeRae covered her husband's arm. Gargano explained that he's a power walker, and since he can't swing his arm when he walks anymore, he's unable to walk. Along with that, we all knew how he felt about wheels, so a wheelchair was just another stab in the heart. Unfortunately, Gargano cannot defend his NXT North American Championship on Sunday.
NXT GM Regal came out to address the situation, stating that Gargano was cleared by the NXT medical staff yesterday. Gargano attempted to offer a false X-Ray which Regal easily saw through. Either Austin Theory could be the surrogate for the match with Theory facing Kushida for the belt tonight, or Gargano would have to forfeit the NXT North American Title.
Kushida appeared behind The Way, attacking Theory and proving once and for all that Gargano's arm is completely fine. Candice LeRae was enraged, but held back by Indi Hartwell. Looks like we'll be getting the NXT North American Title bout at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance after all.
NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semi-Final: The Way vs Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon
We joined the match in progress. Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon were on top early, but The Way were able to team up and bring down the Tank Girl of NXT. Candice hit a jackknife pinfall for a two-count before dragging Blackheart to her corner. Indi Hartwell was in next and crushed Moon with a nasty back elbow.
The Way worked over Blackheart's arm, but LeRae lost control of her long-time rival, allowing Moon to enter the match. The former NXT Women's Champoin delivered a nasty striking combination, sending LeRae to her corner. Hartwell tagged in again, but some quick tag team offense left Hartwell nearly down for the three count.
LeRae pulled Moon to the floor and tossed her into the table, allowing The Way to send Moon into her partner with a tight rope walking hurricanrana. Through the break, The Way wore down Ember further. Powerhouse Hartwell hammered Moon, and LeRae tagged in occasionally for some running sentons and leg drops, but ultimately let Hartwell deliver the brunt of the offense.
This led to Moon stunning Hartwell, forcing LeRae to run in for Blackheart's hot tag. Blackheart hit a swing-out kneeling facebuster and a senton on the ropes for a two-count. Moon rocked LeRae with a Detonation Kick, with Blackheart following up for a facebuster to Moon's knees.
Hartwell broke things up again, saving LeRae. She set up Moon on the ropes for an elevated Pixie Moonsault. It wasn't enough for the win, though. LeRae and Hartwell then focused on Blackheart, with Wicked Step Sister and a springboard elbow drop nearly putting Blackheart away. Had Moon not broken it up, they'd be heading to the finals.
Blackheart spiked Hartwell with a DDT, and stunned LeRae with a roundhouse. Moon stunned her with The Eclipse, and Blackheart finished the night with the senton splash onto both members of The Way for the win.
Results: Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon defeated The Way via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: B
Blackheart and Moon have moved onto the finals, and will face Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance. Kai and Gonzalez met their opponents by the trophy, with William Regal making a huge announcement. The winners on Sunday will earn an opportunity at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa cut a promo ahead of their big semi-finals match with former NXT UK Tag Champions The Grizzled Young Veterans. The Psycho Killer stated that "Toothless Timmy and Old Man Ciampa" are going to tear apart GYV tonight and win the trophy at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance.
