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We're onto the second night of WWE NXT tapings following the incredibly emotional conclusion to the NXT tapings on February 1st, 2018. There were three title matches, a top NXT Superstar leaving, a new tag team debuting and the return of the Dusty Rhodes Classic tournament was announced, which starts tonight!
So without further ado, here are the opening rounds of the 2018 Dusty Rhodes Classic, and the last three episodes of NXT we'll see before another set of tapings takes place in March, leading up to the next TakeOver n April. (Full credit to FL Wrestling Fan for the excellent coverage).
February 28th Episode
Kassius Ohno def. John Skyler
Nikki Cross def. Vanessa Borne - This match was a retape from yesterday's match because Borne debuted a dominatrix gimmick, carrying a whip to the ring, and licked Cross' ear during the match. These were deemed not-PG, so the match had to be retaped.
Adam Cole def. Cezar Bononi
The Velveteen Dream def. Tyler Bate
Shayna Baszler Def. Kairi Sane - Baszler reportedly received incredibly loud boos from the crowd when she tapped Sane. Baszler then cuts a promo from the announce table saying the next time she sees Ember Moon, she will either take the title or take a limb.
Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega cut an in-ring promo. They verbally attack Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, with Vega calling Candice out for milking off of her man's success, whilst she creates her man's.
Aleister Black and Killian Dain interrupt the promo, but Dain lays out Aleister Black to end the show. Looks like their match will be a #1 Contender's match for Almas's title.
March 7th Episode
Ricochet def. Fabian Aichner - What a way to start an episode taping. Ricochet wins with a ridiculous 630 Splash.
William Regal announces that the first three rounds of the Dusty Rhodes Classic would happen tonight (I think he meant matches, three rounds is basically the whole tournament).
The Authors of Pain def. The Mighty - Dusty Rhodes Classic, first round match - rematch of the last Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals match. The Mighty reportedly got a great crowd reaction, even if they didn't win.
Bianca Belair def. Local worker
Tomasso Ciampa enters the ring to cut a promo, but has 'Roman Reigns on the RAW after WrestleMania 33' heat and can't get a word out because the boos are so loud. After about five or six minutes of standing there he rips up a Johnny Gargano sign from the crowd.
Aleister Black def. Killian Dain - #1 Contender's match for the NXT Title - Aleister Black pins Killian Dain after Black Mass, meaning we're probably getting Andrade "Cien" Almas vs Aleister Black at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.
March 14th Episode
Street Profits def. Heavy Machinery - Dusty Rhodes Classic, first round match - As an aside, it seems that this year the Dusty Rhodes Classic is an eight team tournament, with all first round matches happening tonight.
Tomasso Ciampa attempts to cut another in-ring promo, but the NXT crowd at Center Stage all hold up Johnny Gargano signs, in what is a pretty incredible visual. Ciampa is definitely getting super-heat. The fans start throwing the scrunched up signs at Ciampa and he leaves again without saying a word.
Dakota Kai def. Lacey Evans - Dakota Kai 'upsets' Evans with a Schoolboy, Shayna Baszler comes out and tries to break Kai's arm again. Ember Moon makes the save and the title rematch at New Orleans is made official.
Afterwards, Moon and Baszler brawl in the ring with Baszler getting the upper hand and attempting to break Ember Moon's arm. However Dakota Kai returns the favour by running in and hitting Baszler with one hell of a kick.
SAnitY def. Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss - Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli tease more dissension.
Pete Dunne (c) def. Adam Cole via DQ - UK Championship Match - What the hell NXT? You put on a great unexpected match like this and you have Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish interfere.
After the match, The Undisputed ERA beat down Pete Dunne until Roderick Strong makes the save. Strong tries to shake Pete Dunne's hand after TUE clear off, but Dunne's having none of it.
Contract signing between Almas and Black for TakeOver is happening with Regal in the ring. Vega goes out for Almas as he isn't there. Black moves the table and sits on the ring floor so that he and Vega would be on the same level. Vega wallops him and Black tells her he didn't come alone. Candice LeRae runs in and attacks Vega.
