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We're two weeks away from NXT TakeOver: WarGames, and WWE's Wednesday night brand was in full gear this week, building to the annual event.
The main event featured a ladder match between Pete Dunne and a member of Undisputed Era. The winner would get their advantage in the WarGames match on December 6th.
Tonight, Kevin Owens was the special guest commentator alongside Vic Joseph. The Prize Fighter returned to NXT last year at WarGames to face The Undisputed Era, so it's only fitting that he jump down to the Black & Gold Brand for a day as we inch closer to the next WarGames installment.
It wasn't just commentary that the former Universal Champion would be bringing to Wedneday night. No, Kevin Owens would also bring The KO Show to NXT with the NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff. The new champion bit off more than he could chew last week when he challenged both Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest to a match. No longer wanting to be seen as a joke, what will Ruff have to say to KO tonight?
We kicked the night off with some excellent action between Ember Moon and Candice LeRae, two NXT Superstars on opposite sides at NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
Candice LeRae w/Indi Hartwell vs Ember Moon on NXT
The former NXT Champino was on fire from the word go, forcing LeRae to move to her compatriot Indi Hartwell several times. A distraction set LeRae up for a baseball slide, but Moon countered it into a wheelbarrow facebuster on the table. For good measure, she slapped the taste out of the mouth of Hartwell.
Back in the ring Moon caught LeRae diving off the top for a fallaway slam. Moon rushed to the ramp, trying to leave the match, but Moon put a stop to that plan. LeRae momentarily caught Moon off guard, leading to both women trading pinfall attempts. Moon rocked her with a nasty kick, leaving LeRae looking to Hartwell for support.
Moon's suplex was blocked, though, and LeRae finally turned the match around with a clothesline. Escaping a powerslam, LeRae bounced Moon's head off the mat with a hair pull. Moon did avoid a running hip attack in the corner, giving her the opportunity to hit a leg-trapped exploder suplex. A step-up enziguri in the ropes rocked LeRae for a two-count.
LeRae rolled out again, this time with backup from Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonalez. After catching he rbreath, and some interference from her crew, LeRae was able to knock Moon off the apron with a basement dropkick.
The match slowed down a bit throughout the break, with LeRae locking up Moon in the middle of the ring with a chin lock. LeRae would transition into the Gargano Escape, but Moon countered into a roll-up. LeRae kicked out and kept the hold in place. Moon tried to lift her up, but LeRae turned it into a sleeper hold, bringing The Shenom down to one knee.
Moon finally broke free, and began to fire up with a series of running elbow strikes. a suplex/gordbuster combination dazed LeRae. As moon moved up for The Eclipse, Kai and Gonzalez distracted the referee. Indi Hartwell took The Eclipse for LeRae, allowing The Poison Pixie to hit the Wicked Stepsister on Moon for the win.
Results: Candice LeRae defeated Ember Moon via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: B+
Team LeRae tried to take out Moon, but she moved to the floor before she could take any serious damage. Toni Storm rushed to assist Moon, and it looked like they were going to fight them two-on-four. However, Storm turned on Moon, sending her into the steel steps and into the lions den in the ring. Team LeRae demolished Moon as Storm laughed.
We got a vignette from Legado del Fantasma, with the NXT Cruiserweight Champion and his cronies bragging about their dominance over the cruiserweight division. Everyone that's stepped up so far has fallen to Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, and Joaquin Wilde.
However, Curt "Lonestar" Stallion won a Fatal-5-Way on 205 Live two weeks ago to be crowned the new No. 1 contender to the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Will one of the newest WWE signings be able to accomplish what Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, Jake Atlas and more couldn't?
The Undisputed Era returns to NXT
Las tweek, Finn Balor brought The Undisputed Era back to NXT to wage war against The Kings of NXT. Tonight, Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly, and Roderick Strong strutted to the ring to talk about their opponents at NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
Adam Cole said that Pat McAfee was a coward, which is why he wasn't there tonight. But he had to send a message, which was he's going to make McAfee miserable at WarGames. The Era reminisced about how much fun it was beating down Pat and his squad last week.
Tonight, Pete Dunne would face a member of The Undisputed Era. Who would it be, though? Well, it would be none other than Kyle O'Reilly, the man responsible for putting NXT Champion Finn Balor on the shelf. Tonight, The Bruiserweight faces an angry Kyle O'Reilly, and at WarGames they're taking the Kings of NXT through absolute hell.
Backstage, Candice LeRae officially brought Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez in for her WarGames team.
However, Indi Hartwell wouldn't be the fourth member. It would be, in fact, former NXT UK Champion Toni Storm.
We got a special WWE shop ad featuring NXT Superstar Candice LeRae and Santa Clause. Wait...that wasn't Santa, that was Johnny Gargano! He had us all fooled, even his wife.
Next up on NXT was a match between two incredible technicians as well as hard-hitting Superstars in Timothy Thatcher and Kushida. Thatcher's Thatch-As-Thatch-Can students were seen in the back watching their mentor's match. Kevin Owens predicted that Kushida would emerge victorious tonight while also stating he'd love to get in the ring with Thatcher.
Before the match started, Tommaso Ciampa walked down the ramp. He wasn't alone, as he had a steel chair in hand. He unfolded it for a special front-row seat to the action. Last week, Ciampa saved August Grey from a nasty injury by Thatcher. Looks like the former NXT Champion is sending a message.
Timothy Thatcher vs Kushida on NXT
Timothy Thatcher started the bout by bringing Kushida to the mat. Kushida and Thatcher both jockeyed for position and traded submission attempts early on. Kushdia escaped an armbar but was planted with a belly-to-belly.
Kushida turned things around and hit the hip toss/basement dropkick combo. Thatcher rolled to the apron where he caught Kushida's handspring double kick, locking the Time Splitter in a high angle single leg Boston crab, leaving Kushida writhing in pain.
Back form the break, Kushida pelted Timothy Thatcher with a series of kicks, but an uppercut left Kushida dazed. Still, he was able to hop onto Thatcher for an attempt at the Hoverboard Lock. Thatcher blocked the hold but was rolled up with a backslide for a two-count. Kushida followed with a series of boots to the face, and again went for the Hoverboard Lock.
Two of NXT's best technicians continued to trade submission holds, leading to Kushida countering an ankle lock with one of his own. Kushida rolled Thatcher up in a pin, but Thatcher countered it with a sleeper with body scissors. Kushdia fought him off, and focused on breaking the arm of the Thatch-As-Thatch-Can master.
Thatcher was distracted by Ciampa, allowing Kushida to drop him with an armbreaker after he ran into the steel ringpost. With blood draining from his nose, Thatcher was rocked with a socker kick o the inside. They traded blows, with Thatcher still getting the best of Kushida with a butterfly suplex.
Again, Ciampa's presence was enough to distract Thatcher, and Kushida locked in the Hoverboard Lock for the win.
Results: Kushida defeated Timothy Thatcher via submission on NXT.
Grade: A
Timothy Thatcher had told Tommaso Ciampa last week that he had no problem with him. After all, one of his lessons was to never start a fight with someone you couldn't beat. Ciampa looked into the camera and said "Do you think he has a problem with me now?" Clearly, Thatcher did.
We got a hype package revolving around that incredible NXT Women's Championship match last week. Rhea Ripley said she didn't like Io Shirai, but she does respect her. Still, what does she do now? Well, tonight she'll address her future on NXT.
Pete Dunne spoke about Kyle O'Reilly backstage, saying that what he did to NXT Champion Finn Balor was impressive. However, if the Bruiserweight was in his position, he'd be out for two years. The Undisputed Era has never lost a WarGames advantage match, but tonight that changes.
The KO Show invades NXT
Kevin Owens took the ring to bring out his very special guest, NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff. KO was excited to speak to one of the hottest rising stars in NXT tonight and wanted to give him an opportunity to tell the WWE Universe his story. With that, he gave Ruff free reign to say what he wanted.
While talking about his huge upset win, KO played the video of the belt falling off of Ruff, but said not to worry as the same thing happened to him when he won the NXT Championship. Ruff said that this title was a "yes for every no" he's gotten. He's happy to be an inspiration.
Owens said that he knows how hard it is to get to this level, and that Leon Ruff should be proud of what he's accomplished so far. While KO agreed, he said that Ruff needed to say what he's saying with conviction. Ruff got pumped up by Owens' words, and bragged about beating Johnny Gargano twice.
KO facepalmed, as he knew that the second someone's name is said on his show, that person comes to the ring. Almost on queue, Gargano rushed to the ring, calling Leon Ruff a child. Kevin Owens got Johnny Gargano his own chair. Gargano thanked him, then threw it over the ropes. KO knows his folks.
Owens got another chair, and when Gargano asked who it was for, Owens said that it was just a prediction. Of course, the second Gargano complained about Damian Priest costing him the NXT North American Championship, the Archer of Infamy came out. Kevin Owens is really good at this.
Speaking of which, Owens offered Priest a chair, and the former champion politely declined. Owens muttered to himself "I don't know why I always grab these stupid chairs." Gargano showed Leon Ruff, claiming that he was a chump. Priest stopped them from fighting, and looked to get his rematch.
Owens said he wished that Teddy Long was here, because he'd come out and turn this into a Triple Threat match. While NXT didn't have Teddy Long, they did have NXT GM William Regal.
Regal made it official, stating that Leon Ruff would defend his NXT North American Championship against Gargano and Priest at WarGames before ending his statement with, "playa." William Regal is great.
Jake Atlas vs Cameron Grimes on NXT
Cameron Grimes hoped to move on from his NXT feud with Dexter Lumis by taking out Jake Atlas. A high angle back suplex spiked Atlas on his neck. Atlas managed to turn things around, though, with a jackknife cover for a two-count. A German suplex planted Grimes, and Atlas followed with a forearm for another two-count.
Of course, Cameron grimes drove Atlas into the mat with the Cave In. Thanks for coming Jake, but nothing will stop Cameron Grimes from going straight to the moon.
Results: Cameron Grimes defeated Jake Atlas via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: C-
While Grimes was celebrating, Dexter Lumis snuck up on him. The Tortured Artist of NXT appeared with a bag in his hand before pointing to the screen, giving the NXT Universe highlights of their House of Horrors match, along with some of Lumis's own personal sketches.
It wasn't a hood, however, that Lumis had. It was a black bag containing a strap. It would appear that Dexter Lumis laid down a challenge for Cameron Grimes at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. Grimes declined, but it wasn't his decision, of course.
Next up, Rhea Ripley would reveal what's next for her in NXT...that is if NXT is where The Nightmare plans on staying. With rumors swirling that the former NXT and NXT UK Women's Champion could be moving to RAW or SmackDown, hopefully Ripley will give us a real answer tonight.
Cameron Grimes was trying to leave NXT before William Regal caught him. Regal revealed that the Strap Match between Grimes and Dexter Lumis would be taking place at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, much to the chagrin of Grimes.
Rhea Ripley addresses her future in NXT
Rhea Ripley started off her announcement by saying that Io Shirai was one of the toughest women she'd ever been in the ring with. As far as what's next for The Mosh Pit Kid, she first needed to address the hug from last week. It wasn't a send-off, it was about the respect of Io Shirai.
Ripley is here to stay, and she's here to focus on the NXT Women's Championship. She was cut off by Candice LeRae, who was accompanied by Toni Storm. LeRae said that Ripley is all talk, but Candice can talk the talk and walk the walk. Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai came out with an unconscious Io Shirai.
The former NXT Women's Champion, knowing what was coming, slipped through three of her attackers to boot Raquel Gonzalez. Back in the ring, she managed to put up a great fight at a four-on-one disadvantage. However, she was held by Storm, Kai, and LeRae long enough for Gonzalez to nearly decapitate her.
Ripley was repeatedly launched into the ring posts, leaving her possibly injured. Team LeRae moved back to the ramp, bragging and celebrating as the two top stars in the division were laid out.
Then on NXT, Xia Li and Boa were shoved into a black SUV and driven to an undisclosed location where they met their "Master." Inside a storage unit, they were placed in front of a hooded figure where they begged for forgiveness. They asked for one final chance and promised that they'd win this time.
The figure waved her hand, and the master marked them both. We saw a flash of the eyes of whoever was in charge before the sound of a sword rang out. Will we be getting another new member to the NXT roster?
The Grizzled Young Vets return to NXT
Ever-Rise was set for a match but were blindsided by James Drake and Zack Gibson, the latter of whom said that they were back to be declared NXT's Number One. In almost no time at all, NXT's tag team division has reloaded.
What will The Kings of NXT have to say about the return of The Grizzled Young Vets?
The Gargano's rushed Indi Hartwell to the hospital, and a look inside their vehicle showed another ghostface in the back. There were two? And if so, who is under the mask this time?
Kyle O'Reilly vs Pete Dunne in a ladder match on NXT
Kyle O'Reilly and Pete Dunne didn't wait for the bell, and rushed each other as we cut to break. When we returned, O'Reilly had driven Dunne into the barricade before bringing out a ladder. As O'Reilly brought it in to climb, Pete Dunne rushed the ring, knocking O'Reilly to the floor.
Dunne placed the ladder on top of O'Reilly, but he escaped, pulling Dunne's knee through the hole of the ladder for a dragon screw. A knee bar was locked in with dunne screaming in agony. Dunne struggled to move, but was able to get back to his feet and launch O'Reilly into a ladder with a powerbomb.
O'Reilly continued to attack the leg, hanging Dunne's knee in the ropes while on the apron. O'Reilly rushed him for another kick, bu t Dunne blocked for a suplex through a ladder on the floor. Throughout the final break, Dunne and O'Reilly slowly made it back inside, with Dunne trapping O'Reilly's hand in a ladder for a stomp.
Repeatedly slamming the steel into O'Reilly's hand, it looked like O'Reilly may head into WarGames with a serious injury. As Dunne brought in a chair, O'Reilly kicked it into Dunne's face. Countering a Bitter End attempt, O'Reilly took out Dunne with a guillotine. As Dunne slowly got back to his knees, a running knee to the jaw connected.
O'Reilly followed up with a brainbuster on the ladder. An ankle lock was locked in, but Dunne shoved O'Reilly off into the ladder. Still, O'Reilly ducked an enziguri, leaving Dunne with two injured legs. They locked arms in between a standing ladder, yanking one another into the steel repeatedly. Dunne launched it into O'Reilly's face, but O'Reilly caught it, sending it right into Dunne's skull. As Dunne fell, the ladder fell down on his knee.
Both competitors threw bombs at this point, just hoping to take each other out, leading to a clothesline that turned Dunne completely inside out. As they both moved up the ladder, O'Reilly sent Dunne spiraling off onto another ladder in the corner. O'Reilly crawled up as quick as he could, but a masked man ran in to knock him off the ladder and right to the floor.
Pete Dunne rushed in to take advantage, grabbing the briefcase and securing the man advantage at NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
Results: Pete Dunne defeated Kyle O'Reilly on NXT.
Grade: A+
The Undisputed Era have officially lost their first NXT WarGames advantage match. Smart money would be on Pat McAfee being the masked man, but we never found out who the culprit was. Is there a fifth man in the Kings of NXT?
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
