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Last week, Adam Cole narrowly escaped with his NXT Championship in hand. Thanks to distractions from both the Undisputed Era and Dexter Lumis, the Panama City Playboy was able to overcome Velveteen Dream. Still, that left us with more questions. Dream's clearly not finished with Cole, right? Also, what's up with Dexter Lumis and his obsession with the Vainglorious One?
Tonight's NXT was an action-packed one, as always. Multiple Cruiserweight Tournament matches, Finn Balor vs Cameron Grimes, the return of Rhea Ripley, and a special announcement from D-Generation X.
We kicked off the night with the BroserWeights 2.0. Matt Riddle and Tim Thatcher put their tag team titles on the line against the invading force, Imperium. Two weeks ago, Imperium ruined the Newly Bros Show. Tonight, Riddle and Thatcher aimed to continue to prove that their new Broship is strong.
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) vs The BroserWeights (Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher)
Timothy Thatcher locked up with Marcel Barthel, quickly gaining the advantage and working over the left arm. A hammerlock with a knee on the neck cranked out the second-generation Superstar. Barthel continued to escape Thatcher's holds, attempting to change tactics into a more ground and pound match.
Thatcher was not the one to try this with, as he easily maintained the upper hand. Eventually, Fabian Aichner tagged in, attempting to overpower Thatcher as Barthel yanked Matt Riddle off the apron. Riddle overcame Barthel and tagged in, but ran right into a shoulder tackle.
Aichner attempted a pop-up Samoan Drop but it was countered into a choke. He dumped Riddle on his head with a judo through, but Riddle responded with an exploder suplex. Barthel tagged in again, but also took an exploder.
Riddle's Broton was countered, allowing the tandem of Imperium to take over as we cut to commercial break.
As we returned, Aichner lost his grip on Riddle, but prevented a tag, instead driving Riddle into the corner. The double basement dropkick combination earned Barthel a two-count. Riddle fought off Aichner and Barthel, slowly making his way to Thatcher. Barthel was able to prevent it for nearly a minute, holding back the Original Stallion for quite some time.
Riddle turned one of Barthel's attacks into a monkey flip, which was impressive, but ultimately sent Thatcher to the floor. Thatcher took that as an insult, leaving Riddle at the hands of Imperium.
Thatcher left Riddle by himself as Imperium set up for the European Bomb. Riddle fought out, though, rocking Aichner with the Bro 2 Sleep and Barthel with a Final Flash knee strike. However, they were able to eventually connect with the European Bomb, thus crowning new NXT Tag Team Champions.
Results: Imperium defeated the Broserweights via pinfall.
Grade: B-
Not cool, bro. Not cool.
Backstage, Timothy Thatcher was asked about his betrayal of Matt Riddle on NXT. He stated that he wanted to be a tag champion, but couldn't handle the game shows and all the "bro" moments. Riddle rushed in leading to a short brawl before they were torn apart by officials.
Tegan Nox vs Indi Hartwell
Hartwell took the fight to Tegan Nox, stomping her out in the corner. She kept up the aggression, clobbering her with double ax handles and forearms. A sidewalk slam earned her a near fall.
Nox responded with a chokeslam, catching Hartwell off a springboard maneuver and driving her into the middle of the mat. She avoided an attack in the corner and rocked Hartwell with a running European uppercut and yakuza kick. The cannonboar senton and top rope cross body set up for the Shiniest Wizard, taking out Indi Hartwell in an impressive fashion.
Results: Tegan Nox defeated Indi Hartwell via pinfall.
Grade: C-
Rhea Ripley cut a promo on Charlotte Flair, claiming that they'd only just begun. When it comes to Io Shirai, if she needed to beat it into the Joshi Judas that the Nightmare was the rightful #1 contender to the NXT Women's Championship, then so be it.
As far as Ripley is concerned, that NXT Women's Championship still belongs to her.
Matt Riddle chatted with William Regal and was given a match with Timothy Thatcher later tonight on NXT. Thatcher caught Riddle with a cheap shot, driving his forearm in his face before cracking him with a computer monitor.
Interim NXT Cruiserweight Tournament: Tony Nese (0-2) vs Jake Atlas (1-1)
Tony Nese, whose only joy tonight was to possibly spoil the opportunity Jake Atlas had, was caught off-guard by the speed of his opponent. However, Nese was able to get his hands on Atlas, draping him throat first across the top rope.
Nese continued to batter Atlas with strong strikes, seemingly punishing Atlas for the loss that the Premier Athlete suffered against Drake Maverick last week. Atlas escaped a German suplex attempt, rocking Nese with a rolling elbow. Nese responded with one of his own but was met with a pump kick to the jaw.
A German suplex and step-up enziguri gave Atlas a two-count. A leaping neckbreaker left the former Cruiserweight Champion down on the mat as Atlas moved to the top. Nese caught him climbing with the rolling uppercut.
Both men traded strikes at the top, with Atlas getting the better of Nese with a roundhouse to the leg, sending Nese tumbling to the mat. The Rainbow DDT planted Nese headfirst, giving Atlas the win and advancing him to 2-1 in the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament.
Results: Jake Atlas defeated Tony Nese via pinfall.
Grade: C+
Nese ended his run in the tournament without a single win.
Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly, Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong connected on a zoom (probably) call. The Undisputed Era were happy to reunite, even if it was through the good ol' interweb. While they were happy for Adam Cole, Roddy and Kyle were trying to figure out who would handle Dexter Lumis on NXT.
On the count of three, all four members of Undisputed Era named the man who would take out Lumis. It was a unanimous, and Undisputed decision. Roderick Strong.
We saw another vignette for Karion Kross and Scarlett on NXT, this time with Kross explaining why "terrible people do terrible things." They're not here to shock a system or save anyone. It's time to wake up from the dream, or you stay asleep forever. Tommaso Ciampa was the first, and we know he's not the last. Just like the Psycho Killer, anyone that is unfortunate to meet Kross will Fall and Pray.
A vignette played of Dakota Kai, with the Captain of Team Kick explaining why she turned on Tegan Nox all those months ago and why she's currently working alongside Raquel Gonzalez.
Backstage, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott was interviewed about this upcoming match with Jack Gallagher. If he loses, he's out. However, Swerve wasn't shaken. After all, he was able to take out one of the favorites in the tournament, El Hijo del Fantasma. Jack Gallagher will be no different. In fact, according to Scott, if you went through the tournament and couldn't manage one win, you probably should leave the business for good.
Triple H and Shawn Michaels were backstage, repping the DX gear and music, along with Road Dogg, taking over for William Regal who couldn't be at NXT tonight. Tomorrow is the 25th Anniversary of the first In Your House PPV, which gave HHH a brilliant idea. On June 7th, we'll get NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
Finn Balor vs Cameron Grimes
Cameron Grimes rushed in for an early Cave In. Finn Balor saw it coming, easily avoiding it and taking the fight to Grimes. After a few blows to the body, Balor trapped Grimes with a side headlock.
A penalty kick rolled Grimes into the corner. Grimes responded with a mat slam, taking the former NXT Champion down to rain down elbow shots to the back. Grimes rolled Balor up with the sunset flip, but Balor rolled out for a dropkick to the face. The sling blade was countered, and Grimes planted him with a swinging sidewalk slam for a near fall.
Grimes doubled Balor over with a kitchen sink knee lift. Nasty clotheslines, haymakers and more left Balor dazed. Grimes followed up with a slap to the jaw. It seemed to wake Balor up, who took Grimes down with a double leg takedown and a leaping double stomp to the chest.
Balor crushed Grimes' head into the apron, following up with a penalty kick that nearly sent his head into the stands. As Balor looked on, Damian Priest emerged.
Though he was able to cut the Archer of Infamy off before he could take him out, Priest would still manage to get his pound of flesh. Balor sent Grimes inside and was taken out with Priest's night stick while the ref had his back turned.
Grimes followed up with the Cave In, giving him an incredible upset victory over the Prince.
Results: Cameron Grimes defeated Finn Balor via pinfall.
Grade: A-
Following the match, Damian Priest drove Balor's face into a chair with the Reckoning. He then revealed that he was, in fact, the man who attacked Balor three weeks ago on NXT.
Next up was the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament bout between Jack Gallagher and Isaiah "Swerve" Scott. Tony Nese ran in and drove him shoulder first into the steel steps, apparently taking umbrage at Scott's comments about quitting wrestling if someone can't win a match in the tournament.
Interim NXT Cruiserweight Tournament: Jack Gallagher (0-2) vs Isaiah "Swerve" Scott (1-1)
Gallagher rocked Scott with the Gentleman's Dropkick, but Scott put his foot on the ropes. The former Gentleman battered Scott, pelting him with knees and elbows while trapping him in various submission holds.
Scott escaped Gallagher's grasp and set up for a deadlift German suplex. However, he couldn't get Gallagher up due to all the damage he'd taken. Gallagher looked for another Gentleman's Dropkick, but Scott avoided, rocking him with the House Call.
Swerve connected with a series of roundhouse kicks to the chest of Gallagher. As Scott set up for a running discus clothesline, Gallagher leapt onto him, trapping him in the guillotine. The body scissors were locked in as well.
Scott escaped the hold, but fell to Gallagher's rolling forearm strike and tasted defeat on NXT.
Results: Jack Gallagher defeated Isaiah "Swerve" Scott via pinfall.
Grade: C+
Kayden Carter vs Aliyah
Carter took Aliyah down early on in their match on NXT, getting a good grip on the left ankle. Aliyah shook out the inverted Figure-4 but was rolled up with an O'Connor roll. Aliyah kicked out and was met with a springboard dropkick immediately.
Aliyah responded by trapping Carter in the corner for a series of kicks to the back of the head. As Aliyah continued to punish Carter, Robert Stone emerged from backstage, apparently scouting talent.
Aliyah's need to impress Stone allowed Carter to yank Aliyah off the top rope, rocking her with a superkick. The Indian Deathlock forced Aliyah to submit, much to the chagrin of Robert Stone.
Results: Kayden Carter defeated Aliyah via submission.
Grade: C
We were invited to another lovely dinner at House Gargano. Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano rewatched Johnny Wrestling's match with Dominik Dijakovic last week on NXT. Gargano stared into the camera, stating that if anyone speaks their names, there will be consequences.
LeRae joined in on Gargano's strangely terrifying threats. In black and white tones, LeRae stated that Kacy Catanzaro was an example. As far as the rest of the women's locker room, nobody deserves an NXT Women's Championship match, especially Mia Yim.
Gargano and LeRae seem to have set their sights on the other It couple in NXT, Keith Lee and Mia Yim.
Timothy Thatcher vs Matt Riddle
Matt Riddle didn't even show off on his way to the ring on NXT. The hurt was too real. As the bell rang, he rushed Timothy Thatcher, leading to both men trading blows before Thatcher took Riddle to the ground. Riddle managed to stand up, escaping the grasp of Thatcher.
Riddle rolled Thatcher to the ground with a snapmare takedown. The two mat grapplers battled for the mount, leading to Riddle getting off a few shots. Thatcher managed to roll through for a modified armbar.
The two men made it back to their feet where Riddle caught Thatcher with a fake roundhouse, allowing him to hit one off the temple of his former tag team partner. Thatcher crumbled to the floor on the outside as Riddle fired up.
Back inside, Riddle set up for a gutwrench suplex, but Thatcher stomped his foot, allowing him to escape and take the King of Bros back to the mat. Riddle fought out of the ankle lock with a kick to the jaw. Standing back up, Riddle hammered Thatcher with a series of strikes. The Final Flash knee strike missed at first, but after withstanding a German suplex, finally connected
Still, Thatcher stomped on the toes as he went for a German suplex, taking Riddle down with some strikes of his own. On the mat, Riddle managed to catch Thatcher with an armbar. As he moved into a triangle choke, Thatcher made it to the ropes. Thatcher hammered the sternum of Riddle with knee strikes before setting up for the armbar.
Riddle blocked, setting up a pinfall. Thatcher broke out, going back to the armbar again. Riddle countered again, turning it into a sit-out deadlift powerbomb. Thatcher kicked out and after surviving a striking combination, trapped Riddle in an ankle lock.
Riddle escaped, but was met with a leaping enziguri. Riddle withstood the pain once again, dropping Thatcher with the Bro 2 Sleep. Riddle moved up for the Floating Bro, but Thatcher escaped. The Fujiwara armbar was locked in.
Riddle escaped and powerbombed Thatcher again. As he screamed "You're not my Bro" Riddle was caught in the armbar again. Thatcher transitioned to an ankle lock, but Riddle was able to roll up Thatcher, escaping with a win on NXT.
Results: Matt Riddle defeated Timothy Thatcher via pinfall.
Grade: A
Timothy Thatcher attacked Matt Riddle after the match, dropping him with a flatliner before tearing his shoulder apart with the Fujiwara armbar. Riddle screamed and tapped as NXT came to an end.
Episode Rating: A
Thatcher and Riddle stole the spotlight with their incredible main event match. We cannot wait to see how things will shape up for NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
