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It's the go-home show for NXT TakeOver: In Your House! The Black & Gold brand has built up an incredible PPV over the past few months, including a huge match between Tommaso Ciampa and Karion Kross.
Still, there was a bit more to build to tonight. We would see two in-depth looks at two championship bouts. The "Prime Target" series focused on both the NXT Championship and NXT Women's Championship.
Also, Drake Maverick's long and difficult road came to an end tonight. Did he walk away with the NXT Cruiserweight Championship? Is his WWE career over? We found out in the main event.
We started the night off with the Poison Pixie herself, Candice LeRae. For weeks now, the Garganos have been targeting the other IT Couple in NXT, Mia Yim and Keith Lee. Tonight, the Yimitless one finally got her hands on LeRae.
Candice LeRae vs Mia Yim
Yim rocked LeRae with a boot to the jaw and a penalty kick to the spine. However, LeRae used the ropes to create some space, ultimately landing a cheap shot that took Yim out of the match.
A few running sentons to the spine hurt Yim, but she was able to counter a chokehold, driving LeRae into the corner. A cannonball senton earned the HBIC a two-count. The two began to trade strikes, leading to Yim nearly knocking LeRae out on the floor.
Yim turned things up a notch with a wheelbarrow swing into the steel barricade. They continued to brawl and couldn't hear the ref's count, leading to a double count-out.
Results: Double count-out.
Following the match, Tegan Nox, Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez broke up the brawl. Afterward, Yim was hit with a dirty shot from LeRae. Gargano rushed out but was chased by Keith Lee, leading to a tag team match between the two couples.
Keith Lee & Mia Yim vs Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae on NXT
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae tried to run away, but Keith Lee ran down Johnny Wrestling. LeRae attempted to choke him out but to no avail on NXT. Lee launched Gargano in the ring, who was met with a dropkick from Mia Yim.
LeRae was dropped with Sole Food while the former NXT Champion refused to get on the apron. 1-2-kick out by LeRae. Yim brutalized LeRae, rocking her with boots to the jaw and washing her face in the corner. Gargano distracted Yim, giving LeRae enough time to stop a tag to Keith Lee.
A dragon suplex spiked LeRae, but Gargano broke up the pin. The NXT North American Champion finally got his hands on Gargano, tearing off his jacket and connecting with some huge shots to the stomach. A running body splash in the corner left Gargano to crumble to the mat. As Lee set up for the Spirit Bomb, Gargano jabbed at his eyes with car keys.
Mia Yim checked on Lee, allowing Candice LeRae to roll her up for the win.
Results: Candice LeRae defeated Mia Yim via pinfall.
Gargano seemingly injured Lee's hand before yanking the NXT North American Championship away, drawing the line in the sand with it.
After the match, Dexter Lumis was asked about the NXT Championship match at TakeOver. He uh...he was asked, but didn't say anything. Instead, he brought out some paper and markers to draw a picture because...yeah I mean, why not?
We saw an interview from earlier in the day with Drake Maverick. The former 205 Live GM was feeling no pressure for his match tonight. If he wins, he's the NXT Cruiserweight Champion. If he loses, it's the worst day of his life. But that's it, no more waiting, no more anticipation. It all ends tonight.
Velveteen Dream vs Adam Cole: NXT Prime Target
We saw Adam Cole awaiting a limo. When it pulled up, Kyle O'Reilly, Roderick Strong, and Bobby Fish celebrated Cole for his year-long reign at the top of NXT. Following that, Velveteen Dream was rollerblading through the city, pointing at places where their history was built. Full Sail, where Cole screwed Dream out of the NXT North American Title. The Performance Center where the Undisputed Era injured Dream.
Cut back to a high-class restaurant where the Undisputed Era continued their celebration. Cole expressed his love for his fellow members and was happy to have taken them on this journey with him. Dream said that he's ready for the 4-on-1 numbers game before giving out some numbers of his own. He's 24-years-old and already a bonafide star.
1-2-3. Dream already pinned Cole in the middle of the ring. Dream is ready for the fight of his life. At NXT TakeOver: In Your House, it's all or nothing for the Vainglorious One. If he loses, he'll never challenge for the NXT Title as long as it's around the waist of Adam Cole.
From there, we saw several personalities talk about this blockbuster match. Sam Roberts, Peter Rosenberg, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, and Pat McAfee were all looking forward to the Backlot Brawl this Sunday.
Dexter Lumis's art piece was a drawing of himself driving a pickup truck with the Undisputed Era tied up in the back. So uh...guess he'll be helping out Dream at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
Tony Nese vs Isaiah "Swerve" Scott in NXT Cruiserweight action
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott took Nese to the mat with a double-leg takedown. Nese escaped to the floor but was bounced around ringside by the man he screwed out of an NXT Cruiserweight Title opportunity. Nese ripped at the mouth of Scott, though, getting some separation.
Back inside the ring, a running elbow leveled Scott. The Premier Athlete launched Swerve hard into the corner, damaging the sternum. He followed up with body scissors, further damaging the ribs. Scott was able to stand up and turn it into a deadlift brainbuster, spiking Nese.
After getting dumped over the ropes, a boot to the jaw softened up Nese. Scott launched him shoulder first into the steps, much like when Nese did the same to ruin Scott's match against Gallagher.
A kick and running European uppercut laid out Nese. However, before Scott could hit the diving uppercut, Jack Gallagher entered the ring area, distracting Scott.
Nese rocked Swerve with a rolling uppercut and set up for the Sunset Driver. however, Scott rolled through, distraction and all, and managed to defeat Nese.
Results: Isaiah "Swerve" Scott defeated Tony Nese via pinfall.
Grade: B-
With that, Swerve could very well find himself in contention for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Next up was a Triple Threat tag team match to determine Imperium's next challengers for the NXT Tag Team Championships. Undisputed Era and One-Two were already selected for the bout. However, their opponents were a huge surprise, as it was Tyler Breeze and the returning Fandango!
NXT Tag Team Title No.1 Contenders Triple Threat Match: Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish & Roderick Strong) vs One-Two (Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch) vs Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango)
Danny Burch and Tyler Breeze dominated Bobby Fish early on. A spinebuster and a headbutt sent Fish to the mat.
Strong rushed in, getting caught with a sky-high spinebuster from Breeze. After the Era was sent out, Breeze and Burch came to blows. Eventually, Fandango and Lorcan leaped in, leading to a standoff as we cut to commercial.
Back from the break, and Strong was getting demolished by both Breeze and Burch in the corner. A Supermodel Kick from Breeze knocked Strong down, but as he turned around was met by a missile dropkick from the Guvnor.
Strong managed to send Breeze into Burch before spiking prince Pretty with a uranage backbreaker. Fish tagged in, leading to the Undisputed Era dissecting Breeze in their corner. All the while, they were able to keep Burch down on the outside.
Burch eventually broke through, taking on both UE members while Fandango finally tagged in. A pair of powerslams dropped UE, and a tornado DDT and Falcon Arrow nearly put away Strong. Lorcan was in next, lighting up UE and Fandango with a series of running uppercuts. A double running blockbuster took out the three-time tag team champions.
Fandango managed to cut off Lorcan, dumping him on top of UE and Breeze on the outside. As he set up for a dive, Burch launched him overhead instead. Back int he ring, Breeze rocked Burch with a Supermodel Kick.
The Undisputed Era took over momentarily but was distracted by Dexter Lumis in the crowd. As Burch and Lorcan were outside with Strong, Breeze connected with the Beauty Shot on Fish. Fandango followed up with the Last Dance, sending Breezango to #1 contenders status.
Results: Breezango won the NXT Tag Team No.1 Contenders match.
Grade: A
Following the match, Imperium showed up on the ramp. However, they were soon followed by Indus Sher with Malcolm Bivens. The champions seemed afraid of the latest addition to the division.
We saw a recap of Chelsea Green firing Robert Stone last week on NXT. Over the week, Robert Stone had claimed that the brand was fine, though judging from his looks...that was hard to believe.
Speaking of the Robert Stone Brand, one competitor that wanted to represent him, Aliyah, was up next.
Aliyah vs Santana Garrett on NXT
Aliyah immediately dropped Garrett with a hangman's backbreaker. After a series of rights, she looked to get the pin. As Garrett kicked out, Robert Stone emerged from the back in support of Aliyah.
Aliyah dropped Garrett with a yakuza kick in the corner, but could only get that near fall. Garrett fought out of Aliyah's grasp, driving her spine first into the turnbuckle. Aliyah slapped Garrett, but was met with one that knocked the taste out of her mouth.
Following a top rope hand stand takeover, Garrett put Aliyah away with a handspring rebound moonsault for the win.
Results: Santana Garrett picked up a huge win over Aliyah on NXT.
Grade: C+
Io Shirai vs Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair: NXT Prime Target
Io Shirai stated that she didn't need anyone. She loves being alone, because it makes her stronger. Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley should be afraid of her and what she's capable of. The Joshi Judas will be the next NXT Women's Champion.
We cut to Rhea Ripley back at her house, waking up at 5:30 AM to make her breakfast before going to work out. Sheh looked back at 2019 where she was at the top of the women's division. however, in 2020, everything fell apart. She's ready to turn her career back on the right track.
Charlotte Flair was at the Performance Center training for the Triple Threat Match. Flair reminded everyone that she's a homegrown NXT talent. Her first title opponent, Natalya, along with Peter Rosenberg spoke about how important NXT was to her and vice versa. NXT is home to the Queen.
Rhea Ripley knows that WrestleMania was her opportunity to get her dream match and prove herself to the WWE Universe. However, Flair put a stop to her meteoric rise.
Sam Roberts talked about how important Io Shirai was in NXT. Every time she enters the arena, all eyes are on her. Peter Rosenberg likened her to AJ Styles, and Natalya considered her one of the greatest wrestlers on the planet.
Pat McAfee predicted that Shirai is walking out of NXT Takeover: In Your House as the new NXT Women's Champion.
Cameron Grimes vs Bronson Reed on NXT
Cameron Grimes tried to chop Bronson Reed, but it only angered the big fella. Big clubbing blows set up an atomic drop and a bionic elbow, followed by a Gorilla Press Slam and a running senton.
Grimes managed to separate himself from Reed with a boot to the face. He rocked Reed with a leaping elbow, but a Thesz Press crushed Grimes. A hip attack in the corner sent Grimes to the floor.
After all that, Grimes managed to pull out another win out of nowhere with the Cave In when he avoided a big splash from the big man.
Results: Cameron Grimes defeated Bronson Reed via pinfall.
Grade: C-
Cameron Grimes has built up a pretty good record so far on NXT, all thanks to that surprising Cave In. After the match, Karion Kross appeared in the ring, scaring him off. A Doomsday Saito spiked Reed on the mat.
Kross sent a message to Ciampa. "This Sunday. Special. Tick tock." NXT TakeOver: In Your House could spell doomsday for the Psycho Killer.
Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals: El Hijo del Fantasma vs Drake Maverick
El Hijo del Fantasma shook the hand of Drake Maverick before quickly turning it into a roll-up on NXT. Maverick kicked out just in time, checking with the ref to make sure it was two. Maverick wrestled Fantasma to the mat, taking the wrist for a hammerlock.
Fantasma fought back to his feet, leading to a tie-up. Maverick was rolled over with an arm drag takedown into an armbar. A monkey flip sent Maverick on his back, but he came back in with a roll-up, nearly getting the win.
Maverick bounced off the ropes, ducking a clothesline and sending Fantasma to the floor with a tilt-a-whirl headscissor takedown. He followed that with a rolling senton off the apron.
Back from the break, Maverick sent Fantasma to the floor again with a missile dropkick. Fantasma popped him up for a sit-out powerbomb on the floor, slamming Maverick right on the NXT In Your House Logo. On the inside, Maverick kicked out at two.
Fantasma bounced Maverick off the ropes for a few shots to the spine before locking in the Romero Special. Fantasma took him over for the pin, but Maverick was near the ropes. A backdrop driver spiked Maverick, but again he kicked out.
Maverick found himself in the corner and avoided a running knee, countering with a boot to the face as Fantasma was on the second turnbuckle. However, Fantasma countered another dropkick with a Boston Crab. Maverick crawled to the ropes, breaking the hold.
Fantasma was in disbelief at Maverick's will and dropped him with another sit-out powerbomb. Again, Maverick kicked out. Fantasma continued to work over the spine but was nearly turned inside out with a clothesline out of the corner. Maverick took Fantasma to the turnbuckle, battering him with a series of right hands.
A wheelbarrow bulldog dropped Fantasma face first. Maverick followed up with a diving elbow drop, but only got a two-count. A jawbreaker stunned Maverick, and a spinebuster planted him firmly on the mat.
Still, when Fantasma moved up top, Maverick rushed in, crotching him on the top turnbuckle. Both men battled at the top, leading to them falling off following some headbutts. The kidnappers rushed the ring but were sent away by Maverick. As he rolled back in, Fantasma rocked Maverick with a superkick.
The Phantom Driver spelled the end of Maverick's underdog run on NXT.
Results: El Hijo Del Fantasma defeated Drake Maverick and is the new Interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
Fantasma celebrated and left the ring with the title draped around his shoulder. Maverick sat in the middle of the ring, tearing up following that heartbreaking defeat. The NXT crowd cheered for Maverick, who stared into the camera and thanked all his fans for their support over the years and, especially, over the past few months.
After the match, Triple H came out and shook Maverick's hand before offering him a new contract on NXT. All he had to do was a sign on the dotted line.
Maverick has now re-signed with WWE, and will undoubtedly be back in the NXT Cruiserweight Championship picture sooner rather than later.
Episode Rating: A
Tonight's NXT will always be remembered for Drake Maverick being re-signed and being a part of the Black & Gold brand. He truly deserved it and we would like to welcome him back to WWE!
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