Will NXT #BaskInHisGlory or #LiveForever?

Keith Lee defends his NXT North American Championship against Damien Priest! Plus, Charlotte Flair and Mia Yim go 1v1 for the first time in five years!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Group B: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS El Hijo del Fantasma; Swerve wins.
• Candice LeRae w/ Johnny Gargano VS Kacy Catanzaro; LeRae wins.
• Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim; Flair wins.
• Dexter Lumis VS Shane Thorne; Lumis wins.
• Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Group A: Drake Maverick VS Tony Nese; Maverick wins.
• NXT North American Championship: Keith Lee VS Damian Priest; Lee wins and retains the NXT North American Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Group B: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS El Hijo del Fantasma!

The round robin continues into round two as Beth Phoenix and Mauro Ranallo return to commentary! Swerve fell to Akira Tozawa but there are still two more matches to rebound. Will he be able to recover against the Son of the Phantom?

The bell rings and Fantasma circles with Swerve. They approach and tie up to go around. Fantasma wheelbarrows to a takedown, cover, TWO! Fantasma says he was close but Swerve grits his teeth. The two go again, and Fantasma shoots in to waistlock and slam! He spins to La Magistrol, TWO! Swerve is frustrated already but Fantasma eggs him on. They go again, Fantasma sweeps and covers, ONE! Swerve sweeps and covers, ONE! Fantasma sweeps but Swerve is right up to headscissors! Fantasma comes back but gets a flurry of strikes! Swerve dropkicks Fantasma out and now he dares Fantasma to bring it. Fantasma stays out but Swerve goes to the apron. Swerve kicks but Fantasma gets clear. Fantasma avoids the moonsault and Swerve smirks. Swerve runs at Fantasma but Fantasma blocks to enziguri! Fantasma gives a nod to the title belt before he puts Swerve in the ring.

Fantasma kicks Swerve to a corner then CHOPS! He goes corner to corner but Swerve puts Fantasma up top. Swerve CHOPS Fantasma then hops up, to SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Fantasma survives and Swerve is frustrated again. Swerve looms over Fantasma and drags him into some ground ‘n’ pound. Swerve works to get a half nelson but Fantasma resists the lift. Fantasma blocks by grabbing his own leg, but Swerve clubs him on the back. Fantasma fights free but Swerve shoves. Fantasma goes up and over and dodges to huricanrana back! Swerve bails out, but Fantasma slides. Swerve dodges, goes back to the apron and BOOTS Fantasma down! The ref starts a ring count while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Swerve grinds Fantasma down with an armlock. Fantasma endures as Swerve stands over his head while cranking the hold. Swerve shifts around to have a hammerlock but Fantasma powers his way up. Fantasma grabs at hair but the two end up on the ropes. Fantasma throws Swerve out but Swerve goes up top fast. Swerve leaps for a super sunset flip! Fantasma slips out to basement dropkick! Both men go to opposite corners. Fantasma runs corner to corner and hits double knees! Then he CHOPS Swerve before he hoists Swerve up top. Fantasma throws hands then climbs up top. Fantasma hits a SUPER STEINER of his own! But Fantasma doesn’t cover, he goes up top on his own. He leaps, for a FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and shocks Fantasma! Fantasma drags Swerve up but Swerve pushes him away. Swerve CHOPS but Fantasma CHOPS back!

Both men brawl with CHOPS and forearms! Fantasma gets an edge but Swerve ROCKS him in return! Both men are down but Swerve drags Fantasma around by the leg. He rolls and dead lifts Fantasma to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fantasma flops out of the ring but Swerve builds speed. Swerve FLIES, but has to land on his feet out of the Fosbury Flop. Swerve stands to get the HELL’S ARROW TOPE! Direct hit at the ramp! Both men flounder back to the ring but Fantasma has Swerve’s wrist. He reels Swerve in for a fireman’s but Swerve slips out. Fantasma arm-drags but Swerve reverses and wrenches to a crucifix cover! Swerve wins!!

Winner: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, by pinfall (moves up to 1-1; Fantasma falls to 1-1)

And with that, Swerve is back in the game! He and Fantasma are tied, and now it will come down to the final round! Who will take Group B as their own?

On-stage interview with Swerve.

Congratulations on a critical win in the tournament. “I told you!” Swerve has all the respect for Fantasma. They know each other from before the WWE, but Swerve has told us that he needs this more than anyone else. When the game is on the line, give the ball to Swerve. He just has one more to go to make the Cruiserweight Division into Swerve’s House.

NXT hears from Dominik Dijakovic.

Johnny Gargano is playing the victim, but Dijakovic isn’t sure what Gargano’s the victim of. Gargano wants to remake NXT in his image? That sounds awful. He wants to “revolt against the establishment,” but that establishment is what put him on 46 THOUSAND TakeOvers. Dijakovic’s family taught him to respect those who create and define him. The Garganos don’t want to do that. They rambled on and on about everything, but he never once mentioned how he’d back up his words. Dijakovic wants Gargano to back up those big words by taking on a big guy like him.

NXT shares what happened during commercials.

Fantasma was giving his own thoughts on the match with Swerve when the golden luchadors tried to strike again! Fantasma again ran them off, but this is starting to get out of hand! When and where will these mysterious masked men try again?

Candice LeRae w/ Johnny Gargano VS Kacy Catanzaro!

The #PintSizedPixie is now the Pint-Sized POISON of NXT! And Mr. Wrestling is hyping up the smartest and most thoughtful woman in the world. She steps in the spotlight she deserves, as Johnny puts it. Will Johnny’s favorite wrestler finally make her mark on the NXT Women’s Division?

The bell rings and Candice circles with KC. They tie up, and Candice pushes KC to a corner. The ref calls for the break and KC circles with Candice again. Candice calls for a test of strength, and the two lock up.  Candice powers KC back but KC bridges. KC keeps her shoulders up but Candice sweeps legs. KC kips up and arm-drags Candice away! KC waistlocks and O’Conner rolls, then handsprings to headscissor Candice away! Candice dodges in the corner to snapmare and neck snap! KC gets to the apron and shoulders in. KC sweeps the legs then slingshot sentons! Cover, TWO! KC drop toeholds, and then leaps for a corkscrew splash, only to land on knees! Candice pushes KC over for a cover, ONE! Candice grows frustrated but she drags KC up. She scoops KC for a sidewalk slam! Cover, TOW! Candice keeps on KC with a chinlock. Candice leans on KC but KC endures.

KC fights up but Candice throws her down! Candice drags KC away to cover, TWO! Candice gets KC in another chinlock and digs her knee into KC’s back. KC fights her way up but Candice whips. KC wheelbarrows but Candice throws her down! Gargano applauds while Candice puts on his hold. But KC rolls Candice up, TWO! Candice CLOBBERS KC with an elbow! Candice is mad now, and she CHOPS KC, then ROCKS her with a forearm! She fires off furious strikes in the corner! Candice lets up at 4 but rolls and clubs KC back down! Candice hooks the legs up in a deathlock, to then surfboard STOMP KC down! Cover, Candice wins!

Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall

The “Wicked Stepsister” gives the poisonous Candice her first win in a long time. But that’s not good enough for her, she puts on the GargaNO Escape! She tortures KC, and Gargano adores it! Will this twisted fairy tale have a happy ending for Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling?

Damian Priest speaks.

“It’s almost time. My moment has arrived.” Keith must be hurting after what Priest did to him. Must be hard to take a deep breath. But the running is over. Priest finally gets to finish what he started months ago. And when the night is over, Keith will be basking in the glory of the NEW North American Champion.

NXT returns to Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher on stage.

Riddle says there has been a lot of criticism on the WWE for putting random guys together in a tag team. But Riddle and Pete Dunne are a legit team, because they won the Dusty Rhodes Classic, and then won the NXT Tag Team Championships. But Riddle and Thatcher are a real team, too. Riddle knows Thatcher like the back of his hand. If he knew the back of his hand for two weeks. But they will prove to everyone why they’re the best tag team, on the first ever episode off. THE NEWLY-BROS SHOW! What? Thatcher has no idea what’s going on as Tom Philips introduces Byron Saxton as the host of this “show.” Riddle and Thatcher take a seat, and Byron introduces them both. Legend has it, Thatcher once pulled a man’s eye out of its socket. Canned audience laughter. Is that true? Yeah. Well okay! And then Byron talks to Riddle. Riddle loves hearing the sounds of the ocean in a seashell, and loves Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain.

Moving on, Byron talks the rules of this game show. Now gentlemen, or bros, the rules are pretty simple. Byron will ask a question, one writes their answer on the whiteboard, the other verbally guesses the answer. They start with Riddle. What did Riddle have for breakfast? Thatcher’s just confused as to what’s going on here. He has no idea! “No idea, bro!” Correct! Huh. “Bro, I don’t even know what I had. I usually wake, the wife bakes, and she’s a really good cook. … What were we talking about?” Well good thing Riddle isn’t competing tonight. But now, what is Thatcher’s favorite TV show? Thatcher doesn’t even have a TV. Really? Yes. Then has he ever considered buying one? Well if the price is right. “The Price is Right!” Wow!

But if Thatcher doesn’t own a TV, does that mean he’s never Netflix & Chill’d? Thatcher doesn’t need Netflix to “chill.” Aww yeah, now that’s a stallion right there! Right? Well, Byron probably doesn’t know. Well thanks for that, Riddle. But on to the third question! Thatcher, as a pro-wrestler, where is the craziest place that he’s done it? Obviously in a ring. But there was one time where he had a Triple Threat in a laundromat. “3 sum on a washer.” Uncanny! Riddle’s mind went straight to the gutter. But the universe has big plans for them, bro. It’s destiny. Byron senses a lot of chemistry here. So you know what that means? Time to play for the big money! This is the SPEED ROUND~! Nah, bro, speed’s not really Riddle’s thing.

But speaking of speed, Imperium attacks fast and furious! Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner attack Thatcher & Riddle! They apparently aren’t fans of fun game shows. They RAM Riddle into railing and then beat him up even more! And back suplex him up and OVER the railing onto the floor!! Riddle is wrecked but Thatcher comes back for revenge! Thatcher throws Aichner into the ring and clubs away! Barthel runs in but gets clubbing hands, too! But the 2v1 is too much for Thatcher! They beat him down then drag him to a corner. Barthel climbs up and Aichner lifts Thatcher, EUROBOMB!! Imperium talks trash to Thatcher while bringing the NXT Tag Team Championship belts into the ring. Will they be the first to challenge the “Newly-Bros” for those titles?

WWE continues to team with Make-A-Wish!

When we come together, the power of a wish is realized. But help them make more wishes come true by donating to the cause.

Adam Cole speaks.

“Per General Manager, William Regal, it looks like next week, we’re going to get The Velveteen Dream VS Adam Cole for my NXT Championship.” The fact is, Cole is the reality, and Dream is an Experience no one ever wanted. Dream does NOT deserve this shot, but this is what Cole will do. Cole will show up, show out and leave as the longest reigning NXT Champion of all time. The Dream will end and there is nothing Velveteen can do about it. And that is Undisputed.

Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim!

Five years ago, they were not the Queen or Head Baddie in Charge we know today. They have grown stronger, faster, tougher, sharper and better following their own paths. Charlotte says this match is to “thank” Mia for that match, but Mia wants to prove she’s not just a “good hand.” Will Mia refuse to bow down and start a one-woman uprising against The Queen?

The bell rings and the two circle. Charlotte grins as she and Mia tie up. Charlotte powers Mia to a corner but the ref counts. The break is clean and Charlotte still grins. Mia and Charlotte circle and tie up again. Charlotte headlocks and grinds Mia down, but Mia powers up. Mia can’t power out as Charlotte holds tight, and Charlotte eggs her own. Charlotte knees low then CHOPS! And CHOPS! Mia falls and Charlotte circles her. Charlotte brings Mia up to whip, but Mia reveres. Charlotte tumbles out then shoulders in hard. She slingshots to roll Mia, TWO! Mia dodges the boot and JABS! Mia kicks and knees and back kicks to PELE! Charlotte staggers, Mia CANNONBALLS! Mia steps in to tornado DDT! Cover, TWO! Mia keeps focus as she stalks Charlotte. She waistlocks but Charlotte elbows out hard. Charlotte throws haymakers and has control again.

Charlotte CLUBS Mia on the back then whips her to ropes. Mia holds those ropes all Spider-Man, then baits Charlotte in. She sends Charlotte out, but runs into a forearm! Charlotte catches her breath while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Charlotte drags Mia up to throw her back out. Charlotte waits for Mia but Mia is in quick. Charlotte stomps away on Mia at he ropes! She stops at the ref’s count, to bend Mia back against the ropes! The ref counts and Charlotte lets up at 4. Charlotte puts Mia in a corner to CHOP again! Mia staggers away but Charlotte keeps after her. Charlotte wraps Mia’s arm on the ropes and pulls! She taunts Mia while slapping her around. Then she CLUBS Mia down again! Charlotte drags Mia up and whips her to ropes. Mia swings into a back suplex but lands on her feet! Mia staggers around but boots Charlotte back! Then knees! Mia goes up and catches Charlotte in the TARANTULA! The ref counts but Mia lets up at 4. Mia reels Charlotte in but Charlotte pulls hair! Charlotte elbows Mia down to the mat then takes a moment to catch her breath.

Charlotte taunts Mia as she kicks her around. “Bow down!” Mia hits back but Charlotte stomps her harder for that. Charlotte drags Mia up, but Mia counter punches! Mia forearms away but Charlotte shoves. Mia dodges to wrench and feed Charlotte SOLE FOOD! But she runs into Charlotte’s backbreaker and buckle shot! Charlotte has Mia int he drop zone and heads up top. But Mia trips her to the mat! CODE BLUE!! Cover, TWO!! Mia’s best moves aren’t enough and she can’t believe it! But she just keeps on Charlotte with kicks! This is her “welcome back” to NXT! Mia runs, but her code breaker is blocked! Charlotte has a FULL BOSTON CRAB! Charlotte says she MADE NXT! Mia endures, drags herself towards ropes but powers out of the hold! Cover, TOW! BOOT!! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives but Charlotte is smiling!

Charlotte drags Mia around, has the leg, but Mia cradle counters! TWO, and Mia grabs Charlotte for an STO! Mia keeps going, wrap the arm, but no knee smash! Figure Four to FIGURE EIGHT!! Mia taps, Charlotte wins!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission

The HBIC didn’t bow down, so she got knocked down! But The Queen may see now that this NXT is tougher than she thought. And braver, too, because here comes Io Shirai! The Evil Genius is the #1 Contender and wants to make sure Charlotte knows that right away. Shirai talks trash in Japanese, and then says in English, “Next week, you are MINE!” The NXT Women’s Championship match is happening already! Will Shirai take Charlotte’s crown away already?

NXT, “We gave you fair warning.”

Scarlet says the reckoning is undeniable. You can’t stop what is unstoppable. And next week, time is up. The clock stops. Tick tock. Karrion Kross is making his in-ring debut next week!!

Kayden Carter is with Kacy Catanzaro backstage.

KC is being checked over by one of the medical trainers after what Candice did to her. What is the medical update after that match? It’s mostly her neck, but the evaluation isn’t over. Candice and Johnny come by to warn them. This is a new NXT, so get used to it. Will the other superstars listen to this ultimatum?

Finn Balor will return to NXT!

After the incident backstage last week, The Prince is FURIOUS that he could not have his #1 Contender’s match against Velveteen Dream. He will return to expose the culprit and confront them! Who attacked Balor? And for what reason?

Dexter Lumis VS Shane Thorne!

The eerie and sadistic superstar has only gotten stranger the more we’ve seen of him. He seems obsessed with the Undisputed Era and helped Velveteen Dream to defeat them. But can he focus on The Worst with that thousand yard stare?

The bell rings and Thorne is wary of Lumis. Lumis barely moves, he just stares. Thorne rushes Lumis, dodges the clothesline and CHOPS him! Lumis shrugs it off but Thorne throws forearms. Lumis just whips Thorne and swings again. Thorne dodges but Lumis hits a Thesz Press! Lumis hammers away but lets Thorne up to uppercut! Thorne staggers around but Lumis is on him in the corner. Lumis pushes and punches Thorne but the ref backs him off. Lumis goes back but Thorne pulls him into buckles! Thorne kicks and clubs Lumis in the back, then digs Lumis’ face into the ropes! Thorne lets up to hop up and drag Lumis in. He leaps for the tornado but Lumis powers him off the DDT! Throne goes flying! Lumis DECKS Thorne back down! And then he scoops but Thorne rakes eyes! Thorne throws hands, forearms, and an uppercut! But Lumis clamps on with a choke grip!

Throne breaks free and dropkicks Lumis to a corner! Thorne runs in to hit a big calf kick! Lumis is down but Thorne keeps going to CANNONBALL! Thorne is fired up as he takes aim. He runs in but gets a SPINE BUSTER! Lumis looms over Thorne, drags him up by his hair, and then reels him in, for the SIDE EFFECT! ARM TRIANGLE! Thorne flails and kicks but the katagatami is TIGHT! Thorne fades and fades, he’s out! Lumis wins!

Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission

The Worst just got the worst treatment of his life! Lumis cradles and comforts his fallen prey. Will Lumis continue to make victims of the NXT locker room?

NXT has a Tweet from Jordan Devlin.

“Been watching the #nxtINTERIMcruiserweight Championship tourney & I’ve gotta say, some great heart on display. Lads fighting for their professional lives. Who will be crowned the ultimate sham? Who’s gonna want the REAL Cruiserweight Champ to sign their replica title?” The Irish Ace does not mince words! Will no one in this tournament measure up to Devlin?

NXT shares footage from after last week’s episode.

Jake Atlas beat Drake Maverick in the first round of said tournament, but didn’t want him to feel so low. Atlas says he still believes in Maverick, and still thinks he’s great. When he looks into Maverick’s eyes, Atlas knows he feels the same. Maverick thanks Atlas for those words. But will those words of encouragement help Maverick get that critical first win?

Keith Lee speaks.

“Damian Priest. You took your best short, bruised my larynx.” Priest is right, Lee isn’t 100%. But Priest likes to say he will #LiveForever. That he likes to live in infamy. “So, too, will the beating that I give you.” Is the Limitless One going to make Priest regret ever targeting his title?

Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Group A: Drake Maverick VS Tony Nese!

The former GM of 205 Live and the former NXT Cruiserweight Champion both lost in the opening round. One man is going to go 0-2 and be all but eliminated from the running. Can Maverick not only win to keep his title chances alive, but win to keep his WWE career alive? Or will the Premier Athlete walk all over that for his own ambitions?

The bell rings and Maverick ties up with Nese. Nese throws him down and flexes on him. Maverick doesn’t care about that, he goes after the leg, then the waistlock and headlock. He wrenches Nese but Nese ROCKS him with that left! Maverick is furious as he gets back up, but that jaw is stinging. Nese says Maverick has to do better than that. Nese then powers Maverick to the corner and fires off with fury! The ref backs him off, but Nese gets around him to stomp and hammer away! Maverick sputters and writhes in the corner as Nese backs off. Maverick refuses to let this stop him, and he gets up on the apron. Nese waits for him to get in the ring, then snapmares him for a Penalty Kick! Maverick screams in pain but he refuses to stop here. Nese mocks Maverick, “I thought you were fighting for your life here.”

Nese stalks Maverick to a corner then drags him up. Maverick throws body shots but Nese CLUBS him down. Nese scoops and slams Maverick hard! He toys with Maverick and continues to mock him. Nese taunts Maverick’s story, but Maverick fires more body shots! Nese throat chops and the ref reprimands him. He drags Maverick up for the running bulldog hotshot! Maverick is gasping while Nese vows this tournament is already his. The ref checks on Maverick’s neck while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Nese grinds Maverick down with a chinlock. Maverick sits up but Nese wrangles him back down. Nese keeps taunting Maverick as he grinds Maverick down. Maverick fights his way up and gets to his feet. They go around, Nese snapmares and KICKS Maverick again! Maverick grits his teeth and Nese mocks his pain. “Are you gonna cry?” Maverick crawls and Nese says people love watching Maverick cry. Nese SLAPS Maverick away from the corner. Maverick sits up and seethes and Nese mocks his anger. Nese throws Maverick into buckles, but the rage is building! Maverick glares at Nese, and he throws off the armbands! Maverick fires off with fury! He hammers away in the corner but the ref backs him off. Maverick basement dropkicks! Nese powers Maverick to the top rope but Maverick boots back! Maverick leaps to missile dropkick!

Nese flounders to ropes but Maverick is on him with the SLICED- No! Nese slips out to ELBOW! Nese reels Maverick in, to German Suplex him into buckles! Maverick clutches his neck, Nese brings down the knee pad, and he digs his knee into Maverick. Nese runs side to side, but Maverick dodges! The Premier Knee only gets buckles! Maverick cravats and runs up the buckles, for the CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Maverick was so close and yet so far! But he won’t stop here, he heads up top! Maverick is ready to risk it all, and he leaps! The Macho Elbow MISSES! Is his arm broken!? Nese hops up top now, but Maverick uses the bad arm to trip Nese up! Maverick fights through the pain to climb up top. Maverick brings Nese in, SUPER BULLDOG!! Cover, Maverick wins!!

Winner: Drake Maverick, by pinfall (moves up to 1-1; Nese drops to 0-2)

Maverick’s chances still live! Albeit, it is an outside chance, but can he make it happen?

In-ring interview with Maverick.

A crucial first win that is so, so sweet! Maverick vowed to do it, and he did doubt himself, but he did it! Now it’s just him against Kushida! You heard of the Wolf of Wall Street? Call Maverick the Wolf of NXT! “I’m not frickin’ leaving yet!!” He loves this and lives this! He isn’t leaving until he is NXT Cruiserweight Champion! Devlin says it’s all a sham, but will Maverick make a believer out of him?

NXT announces three BIG matches!

First, the NXT Women’s Championship is officially on the line! Will Io Shirai dethrone the Queen in their first-ever encounter? Second, Gargano has accepted Dominik Dijakovic’s challenge! Will Johnny Wrestling #FeastHisEyes on a defeat? And last but far from least, THE NXT Championship will be defended! Will Adam Cole end the Experience once and for all in this #UndisputedDream match?

NXT North American Championship: Keith Lee VS Damian Priest!

The Archer of Infamy has accused the Limitless One of avoiding those he knows he cannot beat. That goes back to Priest’s first main event match being a win over Lee long before Lee had the title. Priest aims to put a limit on Keith, but will he hit the mark? Or will even he #BaskInHisGlory?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this grudge match a long time coming finally begins!

Priest and Lee circle and Priest gives testing kicks. Lee shrugs them off and swings a back hand. Priest ducks but Lee reels him in. Priest elbows free and dodges Lee, but Lee rolls and crossbodies! Lee stalks Priest to a corner but Priest elbows back. Priest goes up and leaps, into Lee’s forearm! Priest flounders about but Lee is on him with a waistlock. Lee brings Priest away from ropes but Priest elbows back. Priest hesitates and Lee clotheslines him out of the ring! Lee pursues but Priest hops the railing! Lee grabs him and drags him back, but Priest sucker punches him. Lee ROCKS Priest right over the railing! The ref wants this to return to the ring but Lee has to pursue Priest. Lee military presses and TOSSES Priest back to the ring from the crowd area! Luckily there were no fans, they might have been in the way.

Lee stalks up behind Priest and pushes him into the ring. Priest gasps and gets back out, and manages to elbow Lee. He goes to bump Lee on steps, but Lee blocks! Lee glares as he throws body shots. Lee wants to powerbomb but Priest powers away. Priest is at the railing, and Lee runs in, only to get railing! Lee has crashed down and Priest grins as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Priest has Lee in a chinlock. Lee endures and fights his way to his feet. Lee pries the hold apart but Priest knees him hard in the back. Priest clubs Lee to a corner, then runs in corner to corner. He hits the big back elbow, then drags Lee out for a suplex. Lee is too much for Priest and Lee knees low. Lee dead lifts Priest, but Priest slips out to hit a stiff neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Priest rains down right hands and elbows to make Lee pay. Priest drags Lee back up and wants to try again. He gets Lee up but not over! Lee powers Priest away but Priest bobs ‘n’ weaves to ear clap and BOOT! Lee stays up, and he POUNCES Priest to buckles! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Priest gets back to the corner and uses ropes to stand. Lee crawls before he stands, and he counter punches Priest. Lee elbows and forearms, then pops Priest up for a HUGE SPINE BUSTER!

Priest flounders out of the ring but Lee TORNILLO PESCADOS!! Lee drags Priest up and into the ring to cover, TWO!! Priest survives and gets to a corner. Lee corner splashes then runs and runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Priest still lives! Lee shakes out the cobwebs and looms over Priest. Priest slowly drags himself up but Lee reels him in. Lee lifts but Priest hammers free. Priest ROCKS Lee with a right, then again! Lee is still on his feet but Priest choke grips! Lee just glares and grips Priest! Lee lifts but Priest slips away! Priest BOOTS back, then kicks the punch away to rolling elbow! He ducks Lee’s counter attack to kick and kick and swing a big haymaker! Lee gets under that, but Priest avoids the counter again, to ROCK Lee with an uppercut! Priest kicks and choke grip,s but Lee breaks free. Priest kicks again, to hit the FALCON ARROW!! But he can’t make the cover as Lee rolls to the apron!

Lee staggers around the corner, but Priest keeps his eyes on him. Priest runs and FLIES over the corner!! Direct hit into railing! Priest drags Lee up and back into the ring. He hurries up to the top rope, takes aim and leaps, for the FLYING HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO!! Lee still lives and Priest can’t believe it! But Priest wants to end it, and dares Lee to stand. Lee manages to stand, and he HEADBUTTS Priest away! Priest ends up on the apron, but he dodges Lee to ROUNDHOUSE! Priest heads back up, but Lee ROCKS him back! Lee climbs up now, drags Priest up to join him, and DEAD LIFT SUPERPLEXES!! Cover, TWO!?! Priest survives again! Both men slowly rise but Lee brings Priest in. Priest uppercuts, forearms and CYCLONE KICKS! Priest choke grips, lifts, SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!?! Priest is furious!! And he grows desperate, as he grabs both the North American Championship and his baton! The title is confiscated but that’s a decoy! Priest aims at Lee, but Lee blocks the shot!! Priest says that’s impossible! Lee stands up and says, “No. I am limitless.”

Priest tries again, Lee ducks the attack and GRIZZLY MAGNUMS! Lee hands the baton to the ref, powerbomb lifts Priest, for the SPIRIT BOMB! But not once, but TWICE!! Cover, Lee wins!!

Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

Priest was proven wrong! He could not keep Lee down, and now he is one of the defeated. With Lee still champion, will NXT forever #BaskInHisGlory?

My Thoughts:

Another great episode, but with a lot of things going as expected. No offense to Mia, but of course Charlotte was winning that match. It was pretty good, but now we get Charlotte VS Shirai and that is going to be killer. In fact, next week’s episode is going to be incredible with both the Women’s Championship and top title on the line. Gargano VS Dijakovic should be good, and we’re also getting Karrion Kross’s in-ring debut. Balor revealing his attacker is going to be a great twist for his story, and whichever way they go with it is going to be good. Lumis gets another good win, I wonder if it was him. The Newly-Bros show was so odd, and would’ve probably been just as awkward with fans in attendance. Imperium’s attack was a nice way to wrap that segment up, and deepens the NXT Tag Team Championship story. The NXT Tag Division has always risen to the occasion, so maybe a Triple Threat or bigger gives us something to really get excited about.

Both Cruiserweight matches were great. Swerve VS Fantasma was great, and Swerve now having the direct tiebreaker over Fantasma is going to be pivotal to determining Group B’s finalist. Fantasma’s story is also clearly with these mysterious luchadors, but I’m hoping they don’t stumble when it comes to revealing the motivations behind all this. And as I said last week, Maverick’s story in the vacuum of kayfabe is going perfectly. He spoils Nese’s chances and is on the verge of success. But I’m thinking Kushida has to crush Maverick’s dream in order for us to see Kushida VS Swerve in the finals, as I’ve predicted since 205 Live’s Cruiserweight 5v5. I would think the story still ends with Maverick getting a new contract, even if that flies in the face of the real releases going on right now. Devlin’s tweet was a great little bit, too. Can’t wait for the “undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Championship” match to happen.

Candice’s new Heel persona has a good showing against Catanzaro. It’s a shame they didn’t really try that hard with the “pint-sized pixie” nickname, because it would’ve given her new “pint-sized poison” nickname more sting. But clearly they’ve borrowed the fairy tale motif from Ciampa with that and the name of Candice’s new finisher. I feel like NXT is actually doing something WWE normally doesn’t: we’re going to be having feuds of all Heels. Whether it’s Charlotte or Shirai, I’m not sure either counts as a Face, even against Heel Candice. And I rather like that. And last but not least, Keith Lee VS Damian Priest was incredible! Another great match from Lee, because I don’t think it’s possible for him to have bad ones. It feels like Lee has cleared out contenders, but perhaps Killian Dain comes back around, as they haven’t had a match with each other just yet.

My Score: 9.1/10