Chris King checks in with his takes for the January 15th edition of WWE NXT, featuring two Dusty Classic tag matches, and a women’s battle royal!

We have a huge night prepared for tonight with a number-one contender’s battle royal for Rhea Ripley’s NXT Women’s Championship, and we continue with the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament!

Is The Undisputed Era ready to bask in the glory of Keith Lee? Not quite, as all four members systematically attacked the big man until Tommaso Ciampa made the save.

Pete Dunne & Matt Riddle vs. Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

In the unlikeliest of tag team partners, Dunne and Riddle gelled together quite nicely. Webster and Andrews brought their high-octane and high-flying maneuvers to the table as they impressed the Full Sail crowd. Morgan beautifully countered a jackhammer into a roll-up for a long near-fall. Andrews got his clock cleaned in mid-air by Dunne and the finish was a hard-hitting Bitter End/Final Flash combo.

Daddy’s Home as Ciampa declared that he wants Goldie and “His Life” back but The UE has other plans. Not so fast boys, because DIY is back together and cleaning house.

KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. Zack Gibson & James Drake
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

I was very excited to see Shelley’s NXT debut and it was incredible. He and KUSHIDA are a well-oiled machine as they brought the fight to The Grizzled Young Veterans. There was a ton of high-octane action until the heels regained control of the match. Gibson and Drake executed a hangman’s neckbreaker/superkick combo that looked deadly. They finished things off and punched their tickets to round two with a decisive victory!

Lio Rush vs. Tyler Breeze vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
For A Spot In The World’s Collide Cruiserweight Championship Fatal 4-Way

Oh my goodness words won’t do this incredible match justice. Just imagine watching three of the hungriest superstars that were willing to do whatever it takes to get a shot at the Cruiserweight title. Breeze, Swerve, and Rush delivered a five-star classic. Who’s house, Swerve’s House!” What a huge victory for the young up-and-comer!

Before we get to our main event, DIY officially reunited to battle Mustache Mountain at World’s Collide. Lee also obliterated security and members of UE. Lee is laser-focused on winning the North American Championship!

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal

Katy Catanzaro made her return, as well as Mercedes Martinez, is officially on the black and gold brand. Shayna Baszler shocked Full Sail with her entrance in the fold. I believe Baszler had the most eliminations during the match. She and Martinez had a fun standoff and slugfest. Tegan Nox was singlehandedly taking out everyone in her path until Dakota Kai knocked her off the top rope and eliminated her. Shotzi Blackheart shocked the world when she eliminated Baszler. Io Shirai and Bianca Belair were the final two women.

Both superstars engaged in a battle of strength and fortitude. It appeared as though “The Genius Of The Sky” was about to win the whole thing until “The EST Of NXT” military pressed her over the top rope! It will be Ripley vs. Belair at TakeOver: Portland! This match was another testament to how well-rounded the NXT women’s division is at the moment with so many incredibly talented athletes. Overall, it was another great episode of NXT and that makes me happy.