The first REAL NXT of 2020!

NXT gets back at it with the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic! Who advances through part one of the opening round?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Toni Storm & Candice LeRae VS Kay Lee Ray, Bianca Belair & Io Shirai; Ripley, Storm & LeRae win.
• Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2020 Opening Round: Imperium VS The Forgotten Sons; Imperium wins and advances to the next round.
• Austin Theory VS Joaquin Wilde; Theory wins.
• Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2020 Opening Round: Gallus VS The Undisputed Era; The Undisputed Era wins and advances to the next round.
• Mia Yim VS Kayden Carter; Yim wins.
• NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Fatal 4 Way: Keith Lee VS Dominik Dijakovic VS Damien Priest VS Cameron Grimes; Lee wins and will challenge Roderick Strong for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Long Live Ripley!

The Riptide dethroned the Queen of Spades, Shayna Baszler! We live in a new era of championships, will there be another new era rising as NXT brings back the tribute to the American Dream?

Rhea Ripley is here!

The NEW NXT Women’s Champion struts out with the title around her waist and a smile on her face as fans chant her name! The young history-maker takes to the ring and takes up a mic as she revels in the cheers of “You Deserve It!” Rhea thinks back on fond memories. Like being in this ring and becoming the NEW Women’s Champion! Like celebrating while being hoisted on the shoulders of the WWE Universe. Memories like those will never ever be forgotten. But wait, is that Toni Storm?! The Lightning From Down Under is here in Full Sail just DAYS from her date in Blackpool! But why?! Toni storms to the ring and has her own mic!

“Rhea, congratulations. I am so proud of you, I honestly am. You deserve this.” But remember that one time Toni beat you? Remember when she beat her twice? See this is what happens; Toni takes back her NXT UK Women’s Championship. And then, Worlds Collide, she becomes a DOUBLE Champion! That is, if Rhea has the guts to accept. Fans do like the idea of “Toni Two Belts!” but Rhea says, “Really, Toni?” Well okay, yeah, Rhea would love to beat Toni back. Challenge accepted! But wait, here comes NXT UK Women’s Champion, KAY LEE RAY! And she tells Toni, “Nobody really believes that, do they?” There’s NO WAY Toni takes the title this Sunday, lt alone make it to Worlds Collide.

Wait, IO SHIRAI makes her entrance?! The Evil Genius bumps KLR to take her mic and then storms the ring to stand in Rhea’s way. Shirai says she is the best in the world, so that title is “MINE!” Okay, now BIANCA BELAIR appears! The EST of NXT skips past KLR to get in the ring. “Girl, uh-uh.” Bianca says she has 2020 vision to see that she is better than Shirai, KLR, and Toni don’t even go here. And she is definitely better than Rhea. Rhea bumps Bianca, but now… CANDICE LERAE makes her way out! Candice joins everyone else and Rhea just wants it to stop! Because obviously, Candice wants to fight, too. Yep. Good, because so does Rhea. And she sucker punches Bianca! A brawl breaks out as Candice goes after Shirai and Toni goes after KLR! Fans are all fired up as all six women fight.

Toni throws KLR out, Rhea headbutts EST out and then Candice chases Shirai! Shirai, KLR and Bianca get out of the way before anyone comes flying in! And the word comes down, we get a SIX WOMAN TAG NOW! And Candice DIVES out onto all three opponents! NXT goes picture in picture as this match gets sorted out!

Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Toni Storm & Candice LeRae VS Kay Lee Ray, Bianca Belair & Io Shirai!

Candice drags Shirai into the ring and hurries after her, for the step-stool senton! Cover, ONE, but Candice tags in Rhea. Candice whips Shirai into Rhea’s boots! Rhea stalks Shirai but KLR tags in. KLR shoves Rhea so Rhea shoves back. KLR pie faces so Rhea grabs that hand! And reels KLR in for a lariat! And another! And then ripcords for the hook kick! KLR drops down but Rhea yanks her up, atomic FACEBUSTER! Tag to Toni and the two drag KLR up. Toni fires off a strike fest then a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Toni drags KLR up but KLR body shots and knees back. Tag to Bianca and KLR and EST combine to double suplex. They hold her up for a second before dropping her hard! Cover, TWO!

Bianca stomps Toni and taunts Rhea with “Kiss this!” Bianca bumps Toni off buckles and then stomps a mudhole. She backs off at the ref’s count to then bring Toni up for a scoop and slam! Cover, TWO! Bianca keeps her cool as she  stomps Toni back to the corner. Bianca wags a finger then whips Toni corner to corner. Toni reverses, Bianca goes up and over and handsprings to ram in her shoulder! And again! And again! The ref counts and Bianca backs off to flap and taunt about. Bianca throws big forearms on Toni, then brings her away for another scoop. Bianca squats while carrying Toni, but Toni fights free! Tag to Candice and Toni elbows Bianca back! Candice is up top, missile dropkick! Bianca tumbles, KLR tags in, but into haymakers and CHOPS!

Candice backs KLR into the corner with fury! She backs off to run corner to corner, big back elbow! Snapmare and Candice climbs but Shirai distracts. Candice leaps into a SUPERKICK from KLR! Cover, TWO! KLR kicks Candice while she’s down and clubs away. KLR drags Candice over to tag in Shirai, and Shirai mugs Candice. Shirai drags Candice up to whip but Candice reverses, only for Shirai to kick back. Shirai whips and flapjacks! Then basement dropkicks, but she ends up bumping Bianca on the run. Cover, TWO, and Bianca is upset. Shirai stomps Candice and taunts Rhea, then goes back to chinlock Candice. Fans rally up as Candice endures and Candice arm-drags free! Shirai runs Candice over!

Tag to KLR and KLR stomps Candice down. KLR drags Candice up to snapmare and knee her back down, then puts on a grounded cobra twist! Candice endures the stretch and fans rally again. Candice fights up, fights out but KLR throws her by her hair! Candice gets to ropes but KLR chokes her! The ref counts, KLR lets up and then drags Candice back up. Tag to Bianca, and the two mug Candice. Bianca keeps between Candice and her corner, but Candice CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Bianca clubs Candice down with forearms! Cover, TWO! Bianca wraps on a chinlock and thrashes Candice about. Fans rally once again and Candice rolls Bianca up! ONE, and Bianca runs Candice over!

Tag to KLR again, and KLR toys with Candice. KLR drags Candice up and suplexes, but Candice cradle counters, TWO! KLR forearms Candice down! KLR drags Candice into another chinlock. Fans keep rallying but Candice it put in enemy territory. Tag to Bianca and Bianca drags Candice up to club away. Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Bianca keeps on Candice with a neck wrench, and even smears Candice’s face. Candice fights up as fans rally again. Bianca whips, Candice holds ropes and then tosses Bianca out! Candice crawls, but Bianca intercepts just in time! Candice is fingertips away but is tossed and ROCKED! Handspring and tag to KLR, KLR goes up to SWANTON! Cover, but Toni breaks it up! Bianca SPEARS Toni! Rhea dropkicks Bianca! Shirai SHORYUKENS but Candice enziguris! All six women are down but Full Sail is fired up as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Candice is again isolated in enemy territory. KLR taunts Toni and Rhea but fans rally up again. Candice boots KLR and fights out of the corner! KLR fireman’s carries but Candice pops up to POISON-RANA! Bianca tags in and hurries to keep Candice away! Hair biel and then a sucker punch to Rhea! Bianca runs corner to corner but Candice dodges, Bianca knocks Shirai off the apron! KLR tags in but so does Toni! The Storm rallies on KLR! And HEADBUTTS Shirai! KLR elbows out of a waistlock but her enziguri misses, leg trap GERMAN SUPLEX! Toni runs to sliding lariat! Cover, TWO!! KLR lives but Toni keeps her focus. Toni has KLR in a corner and whips her corner to corner, KLR reverses to SUPERKICK!

Tag to Shirai and Shirai runs corner to corner, METEORA! Then underhooks, TIGER BACKBREAKER! Shirai drags Toni into position and heads up top. DESCENT INTO- A tag?! Bianca wants all the glory, she’s the greediest woman in this match! She drags Toni up but Shirai springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK ON BIANCA! Shirai won’t let Bianca take anything from her! Toni tags Rhea, and Rhea BOOTS Bianca!! Cravat knees after knees, then snapmare and basement dropkick! Pump handle, RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea’s team wins!

Winners: Ripley, Storm & LeRae, Ripley pinning

The NXT Women’s Champion leads her team to victory, but she’s far from through with this fight. Candice goes to hand the title to Rhea, but then looks at it herself. She smiles as she hands it back then raises Toni’s and Rhea’s hands in victory. But surely Candice is just as eager to hold gold in 2020 as everyone else. Who is it that challenges Rhea first? And what of TakeOver: Blackpool II this Sunday? Will Storm have the #ShinyShiny back when Worlds Collide?

WWE and NXT wish to help in fighting the Australian bushfires.

However you can, please help in this firefight by visiting the official Red Cross website.

Tommaso Ciampa speaks.

“Sometimes in live, you’ve just gotta bet on yourself. Quiet all them voices and listen to your instincts.” That’s what he did, and he became NXT Champion. For 238 days, he was “the greatest NXT Champion of all time.” They were the greatest 238 days of his career. “And then it stopped.” His neck broke, he had surgery, and he gave up “Goldie.” There are days when he doesn’t even recognize himself. Adam Cole has held Goldie since, and Ciampa feels empty. Ciampa wants his “life” back. What will Ciampa do to do that in the New Year?

Keith Lee speaks.

“It doesn’t seem to matter how many champions I pin here, somehow, Keith Lee has to prove himself.” That’s fine. Because tonight, Keith will Pounce whoever is in his way out of the way. In 2020, The Limitless One becomes champion!

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2020 Opening Round: Imperium VS The Forgotten Sons!

The tournament begins! Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner are days away from a Ladder Match Fatal 4 Way for the NXT UK Tag Team Champions, but they also want to take over all of the NXT Tag Team Division! Will they begin their international dominance tonight? Or can Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake take advantage of a team with divided attention?

The teams sort out and Blake starts against Aichner. Aichner and Blake tie up and Blake knees low. Tag to Cutler and the Sons double backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Cutler cravats Aichner and tags Blake, the Sons double whip and double elbow Aichner down! Cover, TWO, but Blake looms over Aichner. Blake fireman’s carries but Aichner fights out. Blake gets stuck between ropes, Aichner tags to Barthel, and Imperium meets at the corner with basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Barthel drags Blake up for big European Uppercuts, but Blake counters to a backslide! Barthel swings Blake out but Blake drops him with a DDT! Tags to Aichner and Cutler, and a brawl is on!

Aichner rocks, kicks and uppercuts Cutler! Aichner spins but Cutler dodges to SHOTGUN KNEE! Butterfly backbreaker, cover, TWO! Cutler drags Aichner around by his legs for a Boston Crab! Aichner endures but Barthel runs in! Cutler DECKS Barthel then scoops Aichner. Aichner slips out, tags Barthel, enziguri to back suplex! Cover, TWO! Barthel bumps Cutler on buckles and hoists him up top. Tag to Aichner, but Cutler fights out! Cutler leaps into Aichner’s arms, and Aichner pops him up. Cutler slips out, tags to Blake, Cutler gets dumped out of the ring! Aichner fireman’s carries but Blake yanks off the nose guard! Rolling senton as the ref gets the guard out of the ring, Barthel tags and Blake BOOTS Aichner in the face! Blake LARIATS Barthel!

Blake LIONSAULTS onto knees! Barthel puts Blake up, tosses him to Aichner for the BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Imperium was so close and Barthel is seething! Tag to Aichner and Aichner has Blake, but Cutler drags him out to throw hard into railing! Barthel chases Cutler but gets caught into a fisherman, SUPERKICK and DRIVER! But Aichner springboards to crossbody and break the pin!! Fans are fired up as all four men are down! Teams regroup as Barthel and Blake crawl. Blake and Barthel stand and throw hands! They go back and forth with haymakers, Barthel ROCKS Blake. Blake comes back to CHOP, elbow, and atomic drop! Dropkick but Aichner tags in! SPINE BUSTER and PENALTY KICK! Then, EURO-

NO! Huricanrana, and a dropkick to Barthel! Quebrada and Cutler climbs! But Barthel intercepts with an enziguri! Cutler falls onto Ryker! Aichner rolls Blake up, TWO and Aichner dead lifts Blake! Barthel is up top, EURO-BOMB!! Cover, Imperium wins!!

Winner: Imperium, Aichner pinning; advances to the second round

The Forgotten Sons won’t get to relive fond memories from 2018, they’re out in the first round! Will Imperium use this momentum to win those NXT UK Tag Team Champions? Will Imperium’s takeover of NXT continue?

Backstage interview with Matt Riddle!

The Original Bro teams with Pete Dunne in the Dusty Rhodes Classic, but how did this “unconventional” duo come about? Riddle doesn’t know Dunne that well, but in the spirit of the Dusty Cup, that’s what makes them a perfect team. When Riddle went to talk to Dunne, he just said, “Hey, Pete. I’m a bro, you’re a Bruiserweight, Dusty Cup. Let’s do this.” Pete gave his special shrug, Riddle gave his “bro special” hang loose, and the #Broserweights were born. Will this incredible team mesh together well and go all the way in the Dusty Cup?

Austin Theory VS Joaquin Wilde!

The former Evolve Champion took Roderick Strong to the limit in just his NXT debut! And now, in just his second match ever, will it be #AllDay every Wednesday? Or are things going to be a little too Wilde for even Theory?

The bell rings and Theory circles with Wilde. They tie up and Wilde waistlocks, but Theory slips out. Wilde headlocks and hits the takedown, but Theory headscissors. Wilde pops out and holds onto the leg as he drags Theory around. Theory tries but can’t kick Wilde away. Wilde air-horns “BUR BUR BUR BURRR” but Theory boots out of the leg lock. Things speed up, Wilde back elbows and wobbles Theory. Wilde throws uppercuts then whips, but Theory reverses. Wilde goes up and over and headscissors Theory down! Fans are divided as Theory gets up. Wilde runs in but gets flapjack’d on the ropes! Theory run in to corner clothesline and go to the apron. Wilde is down, Theory slingshot stomps and fisherman suplexes! Cover, ONE, but Theory keeps his cool.

Theory straitjackets and KICKS Wilde, then clamps on with a cobra clutch. Wilde endures as Theory thrashes him around. Fans rally and duel as Wilde fights his way up. Wilde throws body shots but Theory knees and clubs him back. Theory whips Wilde but Wilde reverses. Theory blocks, pops Wilde up but Wilde punches back! Wilde runs and rallies with lariats! Wilde whips, Theory reverses, but Wilde slips out to swing kick! Wilde goes up, leaps, and hits a huricanrana! Theory bails out but Wilde speeds up, only for Theory to slingshot shotgun dropkick! Theory says “All Day!” as he scoops Wilde, to a HUGE TKO! Cover, Theory wins!

Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall

It wasn’t just in theory, it is proven that Theory can win in NXT! Will Austin be winning #AllDay every day in 2020?

Damien Priest speaks.

“Winning NXT’s first main event of the year? Now that’s how you live in infamy. Becoming North American Champion, ladies, that’s how my name stands the test of time. Hell, that’s how Damien Priest lives forever.” But will he last that long against three fellow contenders?

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2020 Opening Round: Gallus VS The Undisputed Era!

This is a Champions VS Champions match worth of the finals themselves! But we’re getting it now, in the opening rounds! Will it be NXT UK or NXT boasting biggest that their tag team champions beat the other’s?

The tag teams talk trash about their brand being better, but the bell rings and the teams sort out. Wolfgang starts against Kyle O’Reilly, with a corner splash! He wipes out Bobby Fish at the same time! Wolfgang then TOSSES Kyle to the Gallus corner! Kyle fights back and now it’s a brawl! Forearm for forearm but Wolfgang gets the edge. Kyle kicks a leg and runs, but gets run over! Wolfgang puts Kyle in the Gallus corner to tag Mark Coffey, and Mark throws hands. Kyle throws forearms and we have another brawl! Mark ROCKS Kyle but Fish distracts. Kyle attacks from behind with sharp kicks and then tags in Fish.

Fish keeps on Mark with knees then brings him around. Mark powers Fish to a corner to throw hands! Mark then TOSSES Fish! “Our Kingdom!” But Fish kicks a knee out! Mark picks Fish up and back drops him! Tag to Wolfgang and Gallus has Fish on the mat. They double monkey flip Fish to a corner! Wolfgang throws EuroUppers on Fish, then whips him corner to corner. Fish goes up but gets caught. Adam Cole distracts, then Roderick Strong does. Fish uses that opening to attack Wolfgang! Fish tags Kyle and he throws hands all over on Wolfgang. Big knee rocks Wolfie, but he comes back with big hands! Kyle kicks and facelocks but Wolfgang scoop slams! Tag to Mark and Mark CHOPS Kyle to a corner.

Mark whips Kyle corner to corner hard! “OUR KINGDOM!” Mark drags Kyle up to throw forearms then whips corner to corner hard again! Kyle comes back with big knees, but Wolfgang tags in on the whip. Mark kitchen sink knees Kyle and Gallus hits a LEAPING senton on Kyle! Fish runs in but gets a hip toss! Wolfgang corner splashes Kyle then goes to the apron. Fish runs in but gets dumped out. Kyle swings, misses, and Wolfgang clotheslines him down! The Undisputed Era regroups and rush the ring, but Gallus stands in their way. NXT goes to break as the ref maintains order.

NXT returns and Wolfgang fights out of Kyle’s armlock. Fans rally and duel as Wolfgang reaches for Mark but forearms Kyle. Kyle wrenches and tags out to Fish, who sucker punches Mark! Wolfgang fights off reDRagon together! They double whip and double KICK him down! Cover, TWO! Fish argues with the ref but drags Wolfgang around to drop knees on the arm. Fish drags Gallus up by his hair and then headlocks. Wolfgang endures as Fish throws crossface forearms. Fish wraps on a sleeper hold but Wolfgang fights his way up. Wolfgang throws Fish off his back but Fish tags out to Kyle. Kyle runs into a sidewalk slam! Cover but Fish breaks it! Wolfgang shoves Fish out of the ring but Kyle grabs the legs. Wolfgang pushes him away, but Kyle heel hooks! And Fish trips up Mark!

Mark DECKS Fish back, Wolfgang rolls but Kyle swipes at Mark. Mark evades and Kyle turns around for Wolfgang to LARIAT him down! Hot tag to Mark! Mark rallies on Kyle with big shoulder blocks! Big corner uppercut and clotheslines, then the POLISH HAMMER! Fish runs in to get another back drop! Mark decks Cole! Half nelson SLAM for Kyle! Cover, TWO!! Mark drags Kyle up and around to suplex but Kyle slips out. Mark blocks a kick but Kyle gives knees. Tag to Fish and reDRagon mugs Mark. Double kicks! Cover, TWO! Mark toughs it out and Fish grows frustrated. Fish drags Mark over to the corner for big knees. Tag to Kyle and Kyle runs in to forearm. Fish adds a knee, the Kyle kicks. Fish runs in but is put on the apron. Mark dodges Kyle and the BOOT hits Fish! BACK SUPLEX!

Tag to Wolfgang and Gallus goes after Kyle, catapult SAMOAN DROP! Cover, but Fish breaks it again! Fans cheer and duel as the teams regroup. Gallus and reDRagon glare at each other and a brawl breaks out again! They all go back and forth with forearms, trading partners, and then reDRagon isolates a leg of Wolfgang’s to kick! Mark decks Fish, Kyle ROCKS Mark! Wolfgang BOOTS Kyle and the Undisputed Era regroups again. Mark runs and Wolfgang gives him a lift to FLY! They wipe out all but Fish, and Fish distracts the ref! Kyle drop toeholds Wolfgang into Cole’s enziguri! Tag to Fish and reDRagon TOTAL ANNIHILATION! Cover, Undisputed Era wins!

Winners: The Undisputed Era, Fish pinning; advance to the second round

Huge assists to the other two members of this group #DrapedInGold, but now the Undisputed Era takes another step closer to their second Dusty Cup in 3 years! Will 2020 be just as Undisputed as 2019? Will Gallus be able to rebound and retain their NXT UK Tag titles in Blackpool?

Johnny Gargano is back!

Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling made sure Finn Balor knew before the holidays that he was coming for payback! And Gargano is here tonight to speak to that. “I’ve been waiting a very long time to get a live microphone to talk about The Prince, Finn Balor.” To Balor, Gargano won’t take away what he helped build in NXT. Balor put NXT on the map, and Gargano won’t take anything away from that, or what he did to Gargano. Gargano missed a TakeOver, and nothing can change that. But that’s the past. What does Balor like to say? His future is his past? Well his past is right here, “because you didn’t finish the job on the ramp!” How about Balor retrace his steps back to Gargano?

Balor says everyone else is soft and he is the flag-bearer of NXT. Gargano remembers back in 2016, when Balor got that call to move on, and he couldn’t wait to drop that flag and get the hell outta Full Sail. Gargano got that call back in August. The big difference between them, Gargano stayed! Gargano said he loves Full Sail, and meant it! Fans duel over Gargano, and Gargano promises he has more. “Finn, while you left and you went off and you decided to play Mr. Extraordinary Man that does extraordinary things,” Johnny picked up that banner, threw the map away and put NXT on a rocket ship to fly it into outer space! Finn abandoned NXT and “WE took it to new heights without you!” Finn was left behind, and that ate him alive!

But here comes The Prince now! Balor applauds Gargano, “What a promo! Congratulations!” Maybe he should be Johnny Promo, since it’s the only thing he’s cleared for. Yes, he cost Balor the NXT Championship. Keep smiling now, Gargano, because Balor could slap it right off him. But this is Balor’s chessboard, and he was right: Gargano is soft! So quit crying about TakeOver. If Gargano wants his moment, they’ll throw down in Portland. If Gargano makes it, that is. Balor takes aim at Gargano. Will it go down in Stumptown? Or will Balor look to cut down Gargano long before then?

Cameron Grimes speaks.

“Tonight’s the night that I’ve dreamed about every night up until this night!” Tonight is the night Grimes gets the opportunity he deserves way more than anyone else! One Cave-In and he’ll be the #1 contender. Just one. But will Grimes be the one facing Roderick Strong in the future?

Kushida’s mystery partner is revealed!

Joining him in this year’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is… indie sensation extraordinaire, ALEX SHELLEY!! The Time Splitters reunite under NXT as part of next week’s opening round finale! Will they get through the Grizzled Young Veterans, Zack Gibson & James Drake?

Mia Yim VS Kayden Carter!

The Head Baddie in Charge is back in action after her crash landing with Dakota Kai. Will she be able to bounce back against the Florida native hungry to make a breakthrough?

The bell rings and Mia circles with KC. They tie up, Mia shoves KC but they circle again. KC goes for the wrist but Mia blocks so KC pushes her. The two test kicks, dodge and counter each other, and fans like the exchange. The two go again, Mia blocks a roll up to bring KC up. Mia whips, KC crucifix but Mia throws her down. Mia runs KC over then speeds things up. KC follows and bumps but neither falls. So KC CHOPS! KC wristlocks and goes up to hop, hop and arm-drag! Then dropkick! Cover, TWO! Mia grits her teeth but KC is on her with a whip. Mia blocks and whips back but KC dodges and huricanranas, only to be blocked! Mia brings KC up for a SIT-OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO!

Mia keeps her cool as she gives KC swift kicks. KC sits back up but Mia keeps kicking, then basement dropkicks her down! Cover, TWO and Mia grows a little frustrated. Mia brings KC around to lace the legs and Bow ‘n’ Arrow! KC endures, pops out to cover, TWO! KC is up, Mia gets around, SAIDO! Bridging cover, TWO! Mia grows further frustrated and she goes at KC. Mia CHOPS KC in the corner then whips her corner to corner. KC dodges Mia’s boot to then ROCK her with a right! And CHOPS! KC fires off more forearms and then sweeps the legs. KC runs and BOOT WASHES Mia’s face! Mia staggers into Victory Roll and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! KC is close but not quite there!

KC hurries to a corner, climbs up and leaps, into PROTECT YA NECK! Cover, Mia wins!

Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall

Mia made KC eat da feet and she gets da win! Mia shows respect to KC by helping her up and giving her a friendly hug. But someone who doesn’t show respect is CHELSEA GREEN! She attacks them both at once, and says “Hush.” And from the stage applauds… Robbie Stone! And he has a mic to say that “2020 is the year that the Robert Stone Brand takes over NXT.” Stone says this starts with the hottest, and he means hottest free agent signing yet, Chelsea Green! The Hot Mess is ready to mess up anyone and everyone in the NXT Women’s Division. Will she mess up Mia’s plans of becoming champion in the New Year?

Dominik Dijakovic speaks.

“Nine months ago, I promised my family the North American Championship. Tonight, I’ve got three obstacles in my way. Not that it matters.” This match is a formality in his eyes. “The world is going to feast their eyes on its next North American Champion.”

Tommaso Ciampa speaks again.

“So it is written, so it is said,” Cole fulfilled the Undisputed Prophecy and took the title to heights not even Ciampa feels he could have. But the legacy is tainted because Cole had Ciampa’s title HANDED to him! And Cole learned what it is to go to war with Ciampa. When the time comes that it’s just Cole, “and the champ!” Cole either gives Goldie back, or Ciampa takes that shot for the title he never lost! Cole needs to solidify a legacy, but Ciampa is taking his life back. Because he doesn’t know who he is, or what he is, without it.

HUGE news for the NXT Women’s Championship!

A #1 Contender’s Battle Royal will be held to determine Rhea Ripley’s next challenger! Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Vanessa Borne, Kayden Carter, Mia Yim, Santana Garrett, Xia Li, and even newcomers Chelsea Green and Shotzi Blackheart, all get an opportunity in this match! Who will be the last woman in the ring preparing for a fight with the Mosh Pit Kid?

NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Fatal 4 Way: Keith Lee VS Dominik Dijakovic VS Damien Priest VS Cameron Grimes!

Limitless. Colossus. Infamous. Savage. These are the words that describe the four men fighting for a shot at the Undisputed Era’s Savior of the Backbreaker. But who will get to call themselves “challenger” after tonight?

NXT returns as Dijakovic and Grimes are in the ring. Keith Lee makes his entrance, and it is time to #BaskInHisGlory! The bell rings and fans sing and all four men stare down from a corner each. Grimes is annoyed with the singing and he tells them to shut up. Grimes talks trash to his opponents, but thinks different about Keith. Keith tosses Grimes into a corner! Dijakovic throws Priest! The rivals stare down but then run at Grimes and Priest, only to get boots. The boots are blocked, Grimes and Priest are sent at each other. Priest dodges the Cave-In but wants the Reckoning! Grimes boots Lee and Priest elbows Dijakovic before Grimes snapmares free. But now Dijakovic torture racks Grimes and Lee fireman’s carries Priest! Priest and Grimes fight free, Lee HEADBUTTS Priest and Dijakovic DECKS Grimes!

Dijakovic and Lee face off again and fans fire up. Dijakovic kicks but Lee blocks and shoves. Dijakovic dodges Lee but Lee hurdles over Dijakovic! Dijakovic stops himself using ropes, but Lee blocks his boot again. Lee and Dijakovic trade blocks and dodges, and fans are loving this! Even they have to respect each other after that one. But then Priest and Grimes attack from behind! They beat down the fan favorites with stomps and forearms! Priest watches Grimes just fire off on Dijakovic, then DECKS him for himself! Priest stomps everyone then throws hands on Dijakovic. Priest whips corner to corner and hits a corner back elbow! Priest whips Dijakovic but he counters to kick and elbow! Then, “TIME TO FLY!” Dijakovic THROWS Priest AT LEE! But then Lee catches Priest! Lee swings Priest around to hit Grimes! And Dijakovic! And then he BOMBS Priest onto Dijakovic!

Fans are thunderous for “Keith Lee! Keith Lee!” as he covers Priest, TWO! Priest bails out and Lee sees everyone else is outside. Fans sing again as Lee decides to go out and join them. Grimes attacks Lee with boots, and Dijakovic joins in. They mug Lee on the outside with clubbing forearms and big stomps. They drag Lee up for more shots, and CHOPS him against the railing! Lee staggers but stays standing. If anything, he’s powering up! Lee throws Grimes into railing and elbows Dijakovic! Priest is poised to leap but Lee was ready! Priest backs off for Grimes to go after Lee again. Then Priest FLIES to bowl everyone over! All four men are down as NXT goes picture in picture!

The referee checks on the four but they’re all okay to continue. Priest drags himself to the ring and gets up. Priest fetches Grimes into the ring and stalks him to a corner. Priest runs but misses the elbow, Grimes dropkicks Priest down! Cover, ONE, but Grimes keeps on Priest with a neck wrench. Grimes rakes Priest’s eyes then kicks him in the back. Grimes throws uppercuts and CHOPS, then whips Priest. Priest reverses but Grimes kicks back. Grimes runs into a back elbow! Priest swings but Grimes dodges to crossbody himself and Priest out hard! Meanwhile, Dijakovic puts Lee in and stalks up behind him. Dijakovic stomps Lee down then brings him up for uppercuts of his own. Dijakovic back elbows in the corner, throws forearms, then reels Lee in. “TIME TO FLY!” But Lee is too big and strong for that!

Dijakovic keeps trying but Lee keeps resisting. Grimes and Priest brawl on the outside as Dijakovic keeps trying. Lee overpowers Dijakovic to headbutt and GRIZZLY MAGNUM! Priest snake eyes Grimes on the apron! NXT returns to single picture as Lee and Priest stare down. Priest hops up and rocks Lee, then climbs up. But Lee headbutts Priest down! Priest wobbles on the apron but Lee headbutts him again! Lee climbs up and drags Priest up to join him. He dead lift SUPERPLEXES Priest!! Priest rolls away but Dijakovic MOONSAULTS onto Lee! Cover, TWO!! Grimes slithers in and takes aim, but Dijakovic choke grips him. Grimes fights out to super forearm and SUPERKICK! Then ROUNDHOUSE! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!

All four men are down again and fans fire up. Grimes rises first and drags Priest into the ring. Grimes then climbs up from the outside, Priest UPPERCUTS! Priest hits another, then cyclone KICKS Grimes! Priest climbs up to join Grimes, SUPER STEINER and Lee catches Grimes! To swing him up into powerbomb position! But Dijakovic BOOTS Priest down then kicks Lee low. Dijakovic takes Grimes in the torture rack, FEAST YOUR EYES! Lee POUNCES Dijakovic OUT of the ring!! Priest roundhouses and RECKONING on Lee!! Cover, Dijakovic BOOTS Priest off! Fans are thunderous with “MAMMA MIA!” and “NXT! NXT!”

Dijakovic gets back into the ring, leaving Lee and Grimes behind. “This is Awesome!” as Dijakovic dodges Priest. Priest dodges Dijakovic to kick and kick and kick, but Dijakovic SUPERKICKS him back! Dijakovic fires off strikes, but Priest ROCKS with a right! They both BOOT each other down! Priest and Dijakovic slowly rise, and they both choke grip the other! They both stand up, but Lee rises from the abyss! To chop and DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM them both!! Fans are fired up with Lee as both Dijakovic and Priest bail out! Fans sing again and Lee likes that. Lee runs to build speed, but Grimes SPANISH FLIES!! Cover, TWO!?! Grimes is shocked he didn’t just shock everyone else! Grimes aims, but Priest returns. Grimes ROUNDHOUSES Priest, then gets clear so that Dijakovic’s cyclone BOOT hits Priest!

Grimes boots Dijakovic and leaps up to MOONSAULT onto Priest! Grimes gets up as Dijakovic is on the apron, CAVE-IN!! Fans are firing up as Grimes climbs up again. Grimes aims at Lee, Lee staggers over, SUPER- MAGNUM! Lee chops the Cave-In away and then brings Grimes back up. But Grimes forearms and ROUNDHOUSES! Another super forearm, then Grimes runs, into the POP-UP SPIRIT BOMB!! Cover, Lee wins!!

Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall; NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship

Incredible! All four men put so much into this fight, but in the end, no one has more than the Limitless One! Lee has his shot at Strong, will Strong #BaskInHisGlory? Will the Undisputed Era stop being #DrapedInGold?

My Thoughts:

An AMAZING episode for NXT to truly start their 2020! Almost nothing was filler, and almost everything was top notch. I love the NXT Women’s Championship story that’s developing. Rhea is the top champion that everyone wants after, but a lot of this indicates that Shayna and the Horsewomen might be moving on from NXT at some point, as I didn’t see Shayna in the coming contender’s battle royal. Unless she and the Horsewomen wreck it, that is. But the Six Woman Tag that opened was great, and I love that they’re already teasing the Champion VS Champion match at Worlds Collide. I don’t think one woman will actually hold both belts simultaneously a la Becky Two Belts, but it’s good to at least put it out there.

Yim VS Carter was alright, perhaps a bit rusty or hesitant. But in the end, it was to facilitate Chelsea Green’s NXT TV debut since she hadn’t actually had it yet. Robbie E starting his NXT career as “Robert Stone,” a manager type, is a good move. He talks of it being a brand, aka a stable, so I am curious to see who else he has as “clients.” Theory VS Wilde was good, but obviously not on the level of Theory VS Strong. Theory is already a great talent, and he’s young so he’ll have a great career ahead of him. The promos for Ciampa were great, the promos between Balor and Gargano were great, I feel like DIY sweeps in Portland.

The Dusty Rhodes Classic matches tonight were both incredible! Imperium VS Forgotten Sons was very fast and very good, but naturally Imperium wins. Gallus VS Undisputed Era was great, too, but it’s a little disappointing that reDRagon needed Cole and Strong to help cheat. It’s typical, but not sure if it helps reDRagon at all. It does keep Gallus strong, though, in that they didn’t lose clean. I sense Imperium could be on the rise between both brands. Blackpool is going to be a great TakeOver, especially this Ladder match, but I’m thinking Imperium could take those titles and then roll into Worlds Collide for that 8 Man Tag. As for the Dusty Cup itself, I could also see Imperium VS Undisputed Era as the finals to be a preview of Worlds Collide. At the same time, the #Broserweights and the TIME SPLITTERS are great contenders. I am so excited to see Alex Shelley be in NXT, even if it’s a limited time. Though, I would hope this is so that Time Splitters as a team can add a tag title shot to their resume.

All of the contenders tonight had great promos, and the Fatal 4 Way itself was AMAZING. Grimes really went above and beyond as the smallest man in the match, mostly because the other three are towering titans. Everyone looked great, but it just felt right that Keith Lee got this win. Lee VS Strong isn’t waiting for Portland, so this will make for an AMAZING title match on TV. I can’t be sure, but I feel like this could also be the time when Lee finally gets himself a title and the Undisputed Era loses one. Adversity and tension is how you keep the Undisputed Era’s story going, and it’d be great if Lee got to be the thing that starts that.

My Score: 9.2/10