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Johnny Gargano w/Austin Theory vs Dexter Lumis on NXT
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano tore Dexter Lumis's drawing, infuriating him and sending him into a rage. Gargano struggled to get out of the gate, partly due to Lumis's unorthodox offense.
The Tortured Artist of NXT crawled forward, putting a stop to Johnny Gargano's rolling heel kick by purely putting fear into Gargano's heart. Gargano found Lumis at the top rope, but Lumis escaped a superplex spot and sent Johnny Wrestling to the mat with some headbutts. The Swanton Bomb missed, as Gargano rolled to the corner to catch his breath.
A distraction from Austin Theory allowed Gargano to hit the slingshot spear, cutting the big man down. However, all it took was a Double A Spinebuster for Lumis to get back in the match. A series of strong rights dazed Gargano, and a clothesline/bulldog combo off the corner drove Gargano to the mat.
The self-proclaimed Mr. NXT was dropped with a rebound suplex and a nip-up leg drop. Gargano escaped The Silence twice, catching Lumis with a crucifix pin the second go-round for a near fall. A pair of superkicks rocked Lumis, but it wasn't enough. Another distraction from Theory set Lumis up for One Final Beat, but he caught Gargano leaping with a big right hand.
A second attempt left Gargano caught, and Lumis locked in Silence. Theory again tried to get involved, this time getting trapped in Silence. Theory was quickly out, but Gargano took advantage and pulled im down with a schoolboy.
Results: Johnny Gargano defeated Austin Theory via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: B
Lumis locked in Silence again on the former EVOLVE Champion, but it was broken up by Gargano. As Gargano grabbed a chair, he was stopped by Kushida. The Time Splitter trapped Gargano with The Hoverboard Lock while Lumis choked out Theory with Silence.
Backstage, McKenzie checked in with Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan, and Danny Burch. Dunne said that Kyle O'Reilly and The Undisputed Era put themselves in their business with Finn Balor, so it's time to send a message.
Wade Barrett speaks to Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa
Last week, Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher were supposed to face off in the Fight Pit, however, Thatcher was injured prior to the bout. Thatcher said that he wasn't cleared last week, but he's cleared now. Thatcher is undefeated in this match, holding a victory in the only match with the stipulation so far.
Tommaso Ciampa said that as a wrestler Thatcher is tough as nails, but is a garbage coach, something that's angered Ciampa since the Thatch-as-Thatch classes began on NXT. Thatcher said that he's a different man in the Fight Pit than he is anywhere else, and Ciampa is just wondering at this point if he's still got it or not.
Next week this hellacious brawl between two of NXT's toughest competitors will finally take place.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
