Tonight’s NXT is MASSIVE! Witness the return of the Top One Percent, EC3, as well as the real life kaiju battle of The Leviathan and Limitless One!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS The Mighty; Lorcan & Burch win.
• EC3 VS Marcel Barthel; EC3 wins.
• Mia Yim VS Vanessa Borne; Yim wins.
• Keith Lee VS Lars Sullivan; Sullivan wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT is in San Jose!

The San Jose State University Event Center arena plays host to tonight’s great action, perhaps preparing the city for WWE TLC in three weeks.

Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS The Mighty!

The brawlers are back again and ready for a fight! But can the One Two Combo be ready for any tricks Shane Thorne & Nick Miller might have up their sleeves?

The teams sort out and Burch starts with Thorne. Thorne doesn’t take Burch seriously, but he tie sup and Burch gets the wristlock. Burch wrenches and yanks on that arm, then tags in Lorcan. The wristlock is handed off and Lorcan keeps yanking. Tag back to Burch and the wristlock is handed off again. Burch keeps yanking, then tags Lorcan back in. They double wrench and chop Thorne. Thorne grabs Lorcan’s ear and rocks him with a European Uppercut. Thorne then brings Lorcan over and tags in Miller. The Mighty mug Lorcan but Lorcan chops back! Lorcan gets a headlock but Miller powers out. Miller’s hip toss is blocked, but he grabs a leg. Lorcan boots him away but Miller comes back, only to end up in a waistlock.

They trade standing switches and Lorcan rolls back to a cover, TWO! Lorcan gets a Half Crab! Thorne runs in but Burch intercepts him for a crossface! Double submissions on The Mighty! Miller gets a ropebreak so Lorcan has to let go. Burch lets Thorne go, too, and the brawlers dare The Mighty to come back. Miller and Thorne regroup and flank Lorcan. Lorcan hits Thorne but Miller gets him from the other side! Miller back suplexes Lorcan down then rains down rights. Miller drags Lorcan back up and into The Mighty’s corner. He stomps a mudhole into Lorcan then tags in Thorne. Thorne goes up and hits Lorcan with an ax handle to the ribs. He also swipes at Burch, then soaks up the heat. Thorne headbutts Lorcan down then grabs a leg. He tags in Miller, and The Mighty split the wishbone!

Miller hooks Lorcan’s face as part of the neck wrench, but lets up when the ref catches him. Miller goes back for a chinlock but fans rally up. Lorcan feeds off the energy but Miller knees low. Miller clubs Lorcan down then brings him over. Tag to Thorne and The Mighty double Russian leg sweep! Thorne adds a kick, Miller a lariat, Thorne covers, TWO! Thorne dropkicks Lorcan down, then toys with him. Lorcan chops back, then chops again. Thorne uses another EuroUpper to knock Lorcan down, then goes for another neck wrench. Fans rally but Thorne keeps Lorcan down with an even deeper wrench. Lorcan feeds off the fan energy and gets up. He pries his way out and arm-drags Thorne off! Hot tag to Burch! The Governor rallies on The Mighty!

Thorne reverses a whip but gets caught for a flapjack! Miller runs in but into a back drop! Burch rocks Thorne in the corner and rolls him out, for a big missile dropkick! Burch kips up and fans fire up! Tag to Lorcan and they combine on Thorne. Miller gets in and stops that, to shove Lorcan into Burch. Miller tackles Burch out of the ring but Lorcan still has Thorne. Thorne uppercuts and then uppercuts in the corner. Thorne runs again, but into Lorcan’s uppercut! Lorcan runs but into a dropkick! Fans love this match as both men stir. They rally up for “Oney! Oney!” Lorcan gets Thorne with a Half ‘n’ Half! Lorcan also hits Miller, then FLIES onto them both! Fans are thunderous as Lorcan drags Thorne up and in.

Lorcan tags Burch and then back in. They try another combination as Burch shoulders Thorne. Thorne fights out and shoves Burch at Lorcan. Miller tags in and the Mighty grab Lorcan. They lawn dart Lorcan into Burch, then lift Lorcan again. But Burch breaks up Thunder Valley! Lorcan covers Miller, Lorcan & Burch win!!

Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, Lorcan pinning

The One Two Combination gets the one-two-three! But then The Mighty attack! Thorne & Miller are sore losers as they stomp away on Lorcan & Burch. Miller drags Burch up and feeds him to Thorne’s rabbit punch clothesline! Lorcan fights back, only to be beaten down by the numbers game. The Mighty throw Lorcan hard into the post, then drag him back in for another! Fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Miller & Thorne don’t care. They’re the Mighty, and The Mighty Don’t Kneel. But will they pay for their actions in the near future?

NXT Media catches up with Kairi Sane, Io Shirai & Dakota Kai.

Captain Kick and the Genius of the Sky looked to even the odds against Shayna Baszler and the Horsewomen, but it was all for naught. And there is still controversy of a near kick out, but Kairi accepts the referee’s decision. However, she does not accept defeat and is far from through with The Queen of Spades. The reporters ask why Shirai and Kai got involved. It’s pretty obvious given Dakota’s history with Shayna, and now Shayna has Jessamyn and Marina? She’s not going to stand for that. As for Shirai, she and Kairi are best friends since back in Stardom, so of course she’s going to protect her. Shirai and Kairi hug, and it’s clear these three want all three of the Horsewomen. When and where will this epic Six Woman Tag match happen?

EC3 VS Marcel Barthel!

The Top One Percent returns after the vicious attack from The Undisputed Era about a month ago. He got a win that defied the odds against Adam Cole and Bobby Fish made him pay with chair shot after chair shot. Now EC3 looks to get back on track and finally string together #VictoryAfterVictory. But will the second generation German superstar say “NEIN” to EC3?

The bell rings and EC3 circles with Barthel. They tie up and are evenly matched, so EC3 breaks. He likes the challenge as he and Barthel tie up again. EC3 pushes Barthel back again, then they go a third time. Barthel gets around and pushes EC3 now, and declares “NEIN!” Fans echo it as he and EC3 tie up again. EC3 gets around and shoves Barthel this time. EC3 says “ONE!” and then gets a headlock. Barthel tries to power out but EC3 holds on. Barthel pries at the hold but can’t get free. He tries to power out again but EC3 still holds on. Barthel puts EC3 in a corner and EC3 honors the ropebreak. Barthel doesn’t as he swing kicks! EC3 is rocked and Barthel throws hands and stomps.

Barthel sets EC3 sideways to run and dropkick EC3 down! EC3 slumps back into the ring while Barthel poses on the corner. Fans boo and jeer while Barthel scowls. Barthel goes back to EC3 as fans chant “USA! USA!” EC3 shoves Barthel away but his hip toss is blocked. Barthel brings EC3 around for an Air Raid Crash! Cover, TWO! Barthel keeps on EC3 with a chinlock, grinding him down. Fans rally up and EC3 feeds off the energy. EC3 gets up and pries his way out, but Barthel gets a chinbar. EC3 fights against it and whips Barthel into buckles! Barthel staggers into counter punches from EC3. EC3 fires off more haymakers then whips to elbow Barthel down. EC3 scoops slams then has the fans say his name! Big elbow drop! Barthel staggers about into a fireman’s carry, One Percenter neckbreaker! Cover, EC3 wins!

Winner: EC3, by pinfall

The rise of #NX3 begins again now that Ethan Carter III is back! Will he finally turn this into #VictoryAfterVictory and make his way towards championship gold?

EC3 grabs a mic to speak.

“You tried to take me out, but the problem was, you didn’t finish the job.” He makes it clear he’s not calling out all of the Undisputed Era, he just wants Bobby Fish. EC3 warns Fish that he’ll come at him in ways he can’t comprehend. It’s not eye for an eye, it’s an ultimatum that EC3 is coming for Fish’s head, knees and everything in between. EC3 is vindictive, angst driven, and indisputably THE Top One Percent. Will Fish regret ever messing with EC3’s livelihood?

A new force is coming to NXT.

“Struggle. We struggle throughout our lives. Now, we struggle for our lives.” He has been forged by the fires of discipline and inherited his precision. His gaze shows you his history, but now you will #FeastYourEyes. He is Donovan Dijakovic. Who will he have his eyes on once he arrives?

NXT Media caught up to Candice LeRae at the WWE Performance Center.

Is this new side of hers connected to everything that’s happened with her husband, Johnny Gargano? Did Nikki Cross cause this change in her somehow? Candice doesn’t comment, but actions speak louder than words. What will Candice have to “say” the next time she’s in the ring?

Mia Yim VS Vanessa Borne!

The Head Baddie in Charge may not have won the Mae Young Classic, and she may not have stopped The EST’s Un-De-Fea-Ted streak, but she’s not going to be kept down in this Women’s Division. Will she show the vivacious “Vision” of NXT what she’s made of?

The bell rings and fans fire up for California girl, Mia. Vanessa tunes it out, but she does accept Mia’s handshake. Only to SLAP Mia right after! Mia glares at Vanessa but Vanessa uses the ropes for safety. Vanessa tries a sucker punch but gets arm drags instead. Mia gets a hat trick and then puts on an armlock. Vanessa gets up and around to throw Mia down by her hair. Vanessa trash talks but Mia trips her up to throw hands! Mia pursues as Vanessa crawls away. Vanessa grabs the apron skirt as Mia drags her back in. The ref gets distracted putting the skirt back and Vanessa claws Mia’s eyes! Vanessa stomps a mudhole into Mia at the corner, then throws hands. She stops at 4, but comes back to bump Mia off buckles.

Fans rally for Mia but Vanessa tunes them out again. Vanessa runs to give Mia a bronco buster to the back! And then she wraps Mia in a headscissor! Vanessa hammers away with her forearm, but lets up at 4 again. She still trash talks Mia but Mia swipes at her. Vanessa clubs Mia down then brings her up for a spinning suplex! Cover, TWO! Vanessa keeps her cool as she pulls Mia back in a camel clutch. Mia endures as Vanessa grinds in her chin. Fans rally and Mia feeds off the energy. Vanessa knocks Mia down with a saddle squat! Fans boo as Vanessa brings Mia up again. Mia takes that slap and turns it into an armbar! Vanessa scrambles to a ropebreak and Mia lets her go.

Mia walks back over but Vanessa sends her into buckles! Vanessa runs in but Mia goes up and over, to get the Tarantula! Mia lets go at 4, then roundhouses Vanessa down. She boots and dropkicks Vanessa, too, then runs in for a shotgun dropkick! Vanessa’s in the corner, Mia runs in for a helluva kick. Mia reels Vanessa in and feeds her Sole Food! Cover, Mia wins!

Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall

The Blasian Baddie gets a big win on NXT TV! With the Women’s Division being so fierce, will this victory go a long way for Mia to go from Head Baddie to Champion Baddie in Charge?

War Raiders won WarGames, but at a price.

All eight men who battled inside the steel are battered and bruised, but perhaps Ray Rowe & Hanson got the worst of it. NXT medics check them over, and will have updates on the Raiders’ condition in the going weeks. Will Rowe & Hanson be able to continue the war against The Undisputed Era in pursuit of those NXT Tag Team Championships?

Tommaso Ciampa speaks.

“Before I left, I told you when I returned to NXT, I would be the most dangerous SOB in the history of this company.” Ciampa told us that all he needed was one opportunity to win the title. He told us that Ciampa is the greatest sports entertainer of all time. Next week, when “Goldy” and Ciampa return, he expects the entire audience to do “one simple thing”: #FollowMyLead. The Psycho Killer still reigns, but who will fall in line behind him? And who will stand against him in pursuit of that title?

Keith Lee VS Lars Sullivan!

Move aside Godzilla and King Kong, take a break Pacific Rim, this is the giant monster battle we’ve all been waiting for! Will the Leviathan prove there is a limit to the Limitless One’s power? Or will Lars simply #BaskinHisGlory?

The bell rings and Lars shoves Lee. Lee shoves Lars back, a rare thing for the Rocky Mountain Monster. Lars runs and collides with Lee, but Lee barely budges. Lee wags his finger at Lars, and the two giants get face to face. Lars runs and collides shoulders again. Lee staggers back, but Lee rebounds to collide with Lars! Lars goes back and rebounds, Lee leaps but into Lars’ arms! Lars powers Lee to a corner and rams in his shoulder! He rocks Lee with a right, then says “You’ve got nothing. This is Lars Sullivan Territory.” But Lee powers Lars’ choke grip off, to rock him with a left! Lee backs Lars down with haymaker after haymaker. Lee runs but Lars clobbers him, and Lee falls! This is a first for Lee in NXT, too!

Lars drags Lee up, scoops him but Lee slips out. Lee shoves Lars and things speed up, Lee tackles Lars with a crossbody! Cover, ONE!! Lars gets to a corner but Lee runs in. Lars puts Lee on the apron but Lee slingshots in, into a knee! Fans are stunned as Lars powers Lee to a corner again. Lars clubs Lee in the chest, then whips him corner to corner. Lars tackles Lee again, then hauls him up for an atomic toss! Cover, ONE!! Lee shakes his head no, but Lars sliding lariats him down. Lars hops up and falls for the headbutt! Cover, TWO! Lee grits his teeth but fans rally up for him. Lars looms over Lee, seemingly unimpressed. He throws in clobbering crossface forearms, then drags Lee up for a chinlock. Lee endures the squeeze while fans rally up again.

Lee stands but Lars clubs him back down. Lars brings Lee up and around for a clubbing clothesline! He sits Lee up for a modified chinlock. Fans rally up and Lee powers up to bump Lars off buckles. Lars holds on with an iron clad grip. Lee tries again and breaks free! But Lars goes for the hold again! Lee moves back but Lars sends him into buckles, then hits a big corner splash! Lars goes corner to corner, but Lee goes up and over! Lars hits the post, shaking the ring! Fans rally and Lee feeds off the energy. Lars staggers over but Lee counter punches him. Lee gives body shots, then a spinning haymaker! Lars staggers away but Lee runs in. Lars puts him on the apron again, but Lee bumps him off buckles. Lee slingshots for a splash! Cover, TWO!! This battle of behemoths still isn’t over!

Lee throws hands on Lars but Lars gets up. Lars grits his teeth and it starts to worry Lee. Lars clubs Lee, but Lee also gets up. Lee double hand chops Lars! Lars throws clobbering forearms, then runs, but into the POUNCE! Lee sends Lars out of the ring, then slingshots out for a corkscrew plancha!! Lee puts Lars back in, covers, TWO!! Fans are thunderous as Lee climbs up now. MOONSAULT! But he misses! Lars hurries up, and grabs Lee, FREAK ACCIDENT!! Cover, Lars wins!!

Winner: Lars Sullivan, by pinfall

The insanity of superhuman ability was on display throughout this entire match, but NXT is still #LarsSullivanTerritory! Lars Sullivan is still making his move to the main roster, will this win over the Limitless One mean there’s no limit for Lars in WWE?

My Thoughts:

A really fun episode of NXT right here for very little advertised about it. Lorcan & Burch VS The Mighty was a great tag team opener, as many NXT tag team matches usually are. In another timeline of NXT, this could’ve been some kind of NXT Tag Team #1 contenders or even championship match. At one point, The Mighty looked poised for their own title push but then teams like The Undisputed Era and War Raiders came along. Even so, these two teams are keeping the tag team midcard strong and surely one of them will move up towards the titles eventually. Especially if The War Raiders are now in doubt given injuries from WarGames. I would hope Rowe & Hanson aren’t in that bad of shape and can still challenge Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong on the road to TakeOver: Phoenix.

EC3 had a great return match tonight, which was thanks to how talented Marcel Barthel is. EC3 wants after Bobby Fish alone but I doubt he’ll get just Bobby Fish. Chances are if the War Raiders are still good to go, they can back EC3 up against Roderick Strong & reDRagon for a night. Then with Mia VS Vanessa, Vanessa looked good in a loss and Mia looked great in a win. However, like many other women in NXT, they have to wait behind the feud between Shayna and her Horsewomen VS Team Stardom. And that match, by the way, will be amazing! It will give Jessamyn and Marina a great debut moment, and time to shine against such experienced opponents. I would think that the Faces win that to get back at the Horsewomen for the pair of screw jobs they got Kairi with.

Then Lee VS Lars was incredible. They’re both huge and strong, and Lee can move like he’s Seth Rollins or something. But what was most surprising was that Lars won! I thought with Lars going to the main roster, Lee was going to win and send Lars on his way. His real farewell match might be either another match with Lee or challenging for a title. Lars really is getting a great push as he makes his transition, given the known endorsement from Brock Lesnar and more than likely heavy favor from Vince McMahon. I just hope Lars goes to SmackDown instead of Raw.

My Score: 8.5/10