NXT is full to the brim!

Rhea Ripley returns, the NXT Tag Team Championships are on the line, and Triple H returns with a major announcement, all in one night!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Tag Team Championships: Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher VS Imperium; Imperium wins and become the new NXT Tag Team Champions.
• Tegan Nox VS Indi Hartwell; Nox wins.
• Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Group A: Tony Nese VS Jake Atlas; Atlas wins.
• Finn Balor VS Cameron Grimes; Grimes wins.
• Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Group B: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Jack Gallagher; Gallagher wins.
• Aliyah VS Kayden Carter; Carter wins.
• Matt Riddle VS Timothy Thatcher; Riddle wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT Tag Team Championships: Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher VS Imperium!

Bro… Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner ruined the Newly-Bro Show and want to end the young friendship of Stallion Riddle and Stallion Tim! Will their plans be what’s ruined instead?

The teams are introduced and the belts are raised. Thatcher starts with Barthel at the bell. They tie up, go around, and Thatcher shifts to a half nelson and then hammerlock. Thatcher drags Barthel to the mat and grabs the other arm for a cover, TWO! Barthel gets a facelock but Thatcher slips right out to have the hammerlock again. Thatcher digs his knee in but Barthel rolls and headscissors back. Barthel squeezes tight but Thatcher rolls him over. Thatcher pops out, has the legs and the chin for the Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! Barthel rolls off but Thatcher keeps on him with a facelock. Barthel trips Thatcher up and the two fight for control. Barthel tries ground ‘n’ pound but Thatcher SLAPS back! The two lock up legs and headstand for just a moment before Thatcher rolls it over. Thatcher gives slapping ground ‘n’ pound, then goes after the arm! Barthel gets the ropebreak with his legs and Thatcher lets go.

Aichner tags in before Thatcher whips Barthel. Barthel reverses and ducks and Aichner arm-drags Thatcher down. Thatcher fights his way up but Barthel goes after Riddle! Riddle is ready and fires off forearms and CHOPS! Riddle clobbers Barthel against the barriers while Aichner CLUBS Thatcher! Aichner waistlock slams and facelocks Thatcher. Thatcher fights up, wrenches out and Riddle tags in. Riddle gets Aichner in a headlock but Aichner powers out. Aichner runs Riddle over, things speed up, and Aichner catches Riddle into a fireman’s carry. But Riddle slips to a sleeper hold, only for Aichner to throw him off. Aichner runs into a gut wrench suplex! Barthel tags in but runs into a BROSPLODER! Penalty Kick! Riddle rocks Aichner off the apron then drops a Broton onto knees! Tag to Aichner and Imperium hits Riddle with a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Imperium has control as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Aichner has Riddle down with a high keylock sleeper hold. Riddle fights his way up and fights back, but Aichner shoves. Riddle kicks back but Aichner catches his leap! Aichner rams Riddle into the corner and tags in Barthel. Imperium meets at the corner with dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Thatcher coaches Riddle up but Barthel talks trash while throwing down forearms. Tag to Aichner and Aichner stomps Riddle down. Riddle chops back but Aichner just stomps him more. Aichner hammers away and digs a boot into Riddle’s neck! The ref backs Aichner off but Aichner drags Riddle up. Tag to Barthel but Riddle fights back! Riddle KNEES Aichner down but Barthel runs in to intercept. Riddle back drops, Barthel sunset flips but Riddle rolls out. Riddle misses the Final Flash and Barthel waistlocks. Riddle elbows Barthel away, but Barthel grabs the trunks. Riddle ROUNDHOUSES Barthel down!

Thatcher reaches out, but Barthel brings Riddle back around. Riddle monkey flips Barthel, but into Thatcher! A miscalculation from The Bro and his bro is down! Thatcher gets up with a grimace, and he leaves Riddle?! Riddle didn’t mean to do it, but that was the last straw for Thatcher. Aichner tags in and Riddle is all alone! Imperium smiles as they finish Riddle off with the EURO- NO! Riddle powers out and hits BRO TO SLEEP! Barthel leaps into FINAL FLASH! Aichner escapes the bomb and Barthel tags in. SPINE BUSTER and PENALTY KICK! Then Imperium resets, EURO BOMB!! Cover, Imperium wins!!

Winners: Imperium, by pinfall (NEW NXT Tag Team Champions)

The Newly-Bros breaking up at the worst possible time allows Barthel & Aichner to take away the gold! Will Riddle ever get his Bruiserweight back to get a rematch?

Backstage interview with Timothy Thatcher.

Why did he walk out on Matt Riddle in the middle of their match? Thatcher says that all Riddle had to do was knock ’em out, so that he could tap ’em out. Instead, Riddle wants to do game shows, kick off his flip-flops, be all “Bro…” Thatcher wants to be a champion, but not with this hot mess. But Riddle comes by to ask what that was about. Thatcher shoves Riddle, Riddle pushes back, and it’s a BRAWL! Referees and security rush in to put a stop to it but clearly tensions are running high. When will we see Riddle and Thatcher have it out in the ring?

Tegan Nox VS Indi Hartwell!

The girl with the Shiniest Wizard is back, looking to move past her own tag team implosion with Dakota Kai. Will she be able to kick it up a notch and head for the top?

The bell rings and Tegan ties up with Indi. Indi pushes Tegan back and Indi is immediately not impressed. They tie up again and Indi throws Tegan down. Tegan gets up, gets around, but Indi blocks the arm-drag. Indi throws Tegan down by her hair then stomps her around. Indi taunts Tegan and throws haymakers. Cover, TWO, and Tegan scrambles to ropes. Indi drags Tegan up but Tegan rolls. Indi denies the sunset flip with slaps and stomps, then drags Tegan up just to club her down. Tegan is getting mad but Indi stomps away on her in the corner. The ref counts and Indi lets off before bringing Tegan up. Tegan throws body shots but Indi clubs back. Tegan kicks but Indi clubs again. Indi whips and scoops for a sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Indi keeps her cool as she brings Tegan back up. Indi whips Tegan corner to corner then runs in, but into an elbow! Tegan dumps Indi to the apron but walks into the shoulder.

Indi springboards, but into the choke grip! CHOKE SLAM! Tegan staggers back but aims at Indi. She brings Indi up to CHOP and CHOP and throw forearms. Indi reverses the whip but Tegan goes up and over to uppercut! Tegan enziguris then sweeps the legs. Tegan goes corner to corner to CANNONBALL! Indi rolls but Tegan climbs, for a flying crossbody! Tegan hits the SHINIEST WIZARD! Cover, Tegan wins!

Winner: Tegan Nox, by pinfall

Indi wasn’t impressed at first, but surely Tegan just left her mark! Will NXT’s Captain Marvel have a marvelous rise towards the title?

NXT hears from Rhea Ripley.

“Yeah, WrestleMania didn’t go as I planned.” And Rhea hasn’t rested much since. The thought of Charlotte Flair walking around with her NXT Women’s Championship sickens Rhea. Io Shirai put up a great fight last week, but in the end, she couldn’t get the job done. The person that will bring the title back to NXT is Rhea. Even if Rhea has to beat that into Io herself! Rhea isn’t done with Charlotte, but as the saying Charlotte’s old man used to say goes, “We’ve only just begun.” Charlotte’s title belongs to Rhea. When will we get to see the Queen and the Riptide have a WrestleMania rematch?

Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.

The Bro finishes up a video call with Mr. William Regal, and he is very thankful and happy. What did Regal have to say? He made a match for Riddle VS Thatcher later tonight. And unlike Stallion Pete, Thatcher’s just a stupid- Oh no! Thatcher blindsides Riddle! A referee hurries over to tell Thatcher to back off, but Thatcher uses a spare television screen to SMASH Riddle down! Thatcher says he’ll see Riddle later tonight, but did he just make sure that won’t be the case?

Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Group A: Tony Nese VS Jake Atlas!

The round robin tournament enters its final round before THE final match! Will the Premier Athlete play spoiler tonight? Or will he be unable to stop Atlas’ journey towards the title?

Before the match, Byron Saxton interviews Atlas, reminding him that it all comes down to this match. What are his final thoughts? This is do or die for Atlas. Atlas needs to defeat a former Cruiserweight Champion to even have a shot. And as the biggest Drake Maverick fan, Atlas hopes Maverick beats Kushida to force the tie. But he can’t think that far ahead. He just has to handle business.

The bell rings and Nese circles with Atlas. They tie up, Nese gets a takedown but Atlas counters to a chinlock. Nese fights up but Atlas wrenches the arm. Nese powers Atlas to ropes but the ref calls for the break. Nese headlocks instead, but Atlas reverses to one of his own. Nese back suplexes but Atlas lands on his feet, only to run into a mule kick and knee lift! Nese adds the roundhouse but Atlas jumps the sweep. Atlas kicks but Nese avoids that, and the standing moonsault! Nese goes to trip Atlas but Atlas cartwheels over it. Atlas tells Nese to stop, and he take a bow. Nese throat chops back! Nese brings Atlas around for the bulldog hotshot! He goes back in to ground ‘n’ pound but the ref backs him off. Atlas pushes Nese but Nese kicks low. Nese clubs Atlas on the back then toys with him. Atlas throws body shots but Nese CHOPS! Nese stomps away on Atlas then brings him out for a big suplex! Cover, TWO!

Nese keeps on Atlas with a facelock and even traps on arm in the hold. Atlas endures the grind and fights his way up. Nese cranks on Atlas harder then knees low. Nese catches Atlas’ kick then slips under to get the waistlock but Atlas elbows out. Atlas ROCKS Nese with that forearm, but Nese ROCKS Atlas back! Atlas grits his teeth to BOOT Nese down! And hit a SNAP GERMAN! Basement enziguri! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives but he scurries away. Atlas walks over into a CHOP! Nese pushes Atlas into a corner and grinds in forearms. Nese whips, slips under and pump handles, but Atlas fights free! Atlas hits a leaping neckbreaker! Atlas grits his teeth again and goes up top. Nese SHORYUKENS! Nese CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS until Atlas is dangling over the edge! Then he stomps away between the romps! The ref backs Nese off but Nese comes back to put Atlas on the apron.

Nese hops up top and toys with Atlas, but Atlas CLUBS back! And CLUBS and CLUBS! And sweeps the legs! Nese bounces off buckles on his way down! Atlas climbs up, handsprings on the ropes for the DDT!! Cover, Atlas wins!!

Winner: Jake Atlas, by pinfall (moves up to 2-1; Nese drops to 0-3)

Somewhere over the rainbow is Atlas’ chance at the championship! But now, it’s all about Kushida VS Drake Maverick next week! Can the ultimate underdog force a three-way tie in Group A?

NXT shares Adam Cole’s video call with Kyle O’Reilly.

The best buds miss seeing each other, because it feels like it’s forever. But how has the movie role been going for Kyle? Unbelievable! He sets the stage: “The world’s greatest athlete” in Kyle, Daniel Day-Lews, Devito, a bit of a buddy comedy meets Ghostbusters meets Titanic. It’s all so amazing. Kyle yells at someone about his latte, and then Bobby Fish joins the call! The Infamous One misses his pals, the OG3 Undisputed Era. Wait, Roderick Strong joins the call! Strong has his FitBit! Sweet! Kyle looks so different with that beard. Yeah, he’s like Tom Hanks in Castaway. But seriously, Kyle loves what the rest of the Undisputed Era is doing on NXT, such as destroying Velveteen Dream’s dreams. Cole “embarrassed the crap” out of him. Dream is a joke! But speaking of embarrassing, what Dexter Lumis tried to do to Roddy and Bobby, pff. Who even is that guy? What is his problem? Someone needs to take care of this guy.

Kyle gets an idea: throw a name up on who should take Lumis out. On three… RODDY! They all agreed! Time to break Lumis’ back. Great minds think alike. Dream and Lumis will be moved out of the way and then the Undisputed Era can run roughshod on NXT all over again. And that is Undisputed. Throw up the UE! But when will we see all four of them back in the ring again?

NXT hears Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux.

“The world is always tirelessly searching for answers. The question is, motives, explanations, great certainty as to why terrible people do terrible things.” They are not here to shock the system. They are not here to save you from your black hearts. Tick tock. They are the reckoning. “It’s time to wake up from the dream, before you stand asleep forever.” Tommaso Ciampa was just the first. #FallAndPray.

NXT takes a closer look at Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez.

Dakota says she cared “way too much about what the fans thought of me, what people backstage thought of me.” Her injury made her realize something had to change. More times or not, she’d have to stop her own rehab session just so she could be part of filming Tegan’s. “They” didn’t care about Dakota. So when Dakota returned, being in the shadow of others, that moment told Dakota it was time for a change. Her attack on Tegan was just the beginning. “It felt good.” Tegan wanted revenge in Portland, but that was Dakota’s stage. Dakota’s career went to a new level with Raquel’s appearance. Raquel is all muscle, and the new dominant force in NXT. But more importantly, she’s the only woman Dakota can truly trust.

Raquel says she and Dakota share a common bond. They both know what it is to be outcasts. Be warned: they’re in the hurt business, and business is going to be good. Who will be first to feel the hurt from #CobraKai and the Daughter of the Desperado?

Backstage interview with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott.

Swerve’s match against Jack Gallagher is also a “win or go home” scenario. What will it take for him to stay in this tournament? “Confidence.” Swerve has a lot of it. The way he’s been moving in the ring has been so smooth and innovative, he feels untouchable. Fantasma found that out real quick. Fantasma thought he was going to run through this division, but then Swerve stopped that. Now the task at hand is Gallagher, but we know how that’s going to go. Swerve isn’t someone who isn’t going to get even a single win. If he couldn’t get a single win, he’d quit wrestling all together. Swerve excuses himself to protect the house. Whose house? Swerve’s house.

Degeneration X takes over NXT!

Triple H and Shawn Michaels are backstage in the production area to inform us that GM William Regal could not be here in person. But the announcement set for tonight needed to be made, so they’re here to give it. Hopefully this goes better than that HHH XXV celebration a couple weeks ago. But funny to mention that. Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the very first WWE In Your House PPV. Whoa! Road Dogg shows up! He heard them say In Your House, and brings up how he had a match on that event against Razor Ramon. And HBK had a match against Jeff Jarrett. HHH had a match, didn’t he? HHH doesn’t recall, because he lost. But that’s beside the point. What’s important now is that the 25th anniversary of In Your House is coming, and a lot of people are stuck spending time in their houses. So it all makes sense that right now, NXT does something about that.

So on June 7th, it will be NXT TakeOver: IN YOUR HOUSE! The brand that delivers will deliver once again! And if you aren’t down with that, they’ve got two words for ya! PIG CRAP! That’s what happened! HHH got his faced shoved in pig crap and it was all in his beard. HHH has cameras cut away, but the big news is that TakeOver is going to be In Your House! With just a month away, who will we see earn a spot on this special 25th anniversary celebration?

Finn Balor VS Cameron Grimes!

The Prince knows there’s a snake slithering in the locker room, but he’s going to worry about the weasel in front of him first. Will the Carolina Caveman be able to Cave-In before Balor can hit his Coup de Grace?

The bell rings and Grimes tries for Cave-In right away! But Balor easily avoids it to CHOP Grimes to a corner. Grimes powers Balor across the way to ram in, but Balor knees back. Balor bumps Grimes off buckles then throws body shots. Balor snapmares to a chinlock and he thrashes Grimes about. Grimes endures and claws at Balor but Balor holds on. Grimes tries to power out but Balor still holds on. They go around as Grimes keeps clawing. Grimes gets out and has an armlock. He digs his fingers into Balor’s face but Balor fights up to trip Grimes. Balor stomps Grimes down then Penalty Kicks him for good measure. Balor CHOPS then whips Grimes corner to corner. Grimes avoids the chop to waistlock and slam Balor down! Grimes falls on Balor over and over then hammers away.

Grimes claws at Balor’s face again but the ref backs him off. Grimes brings Balor up to roundhouse him back down! He chokes Balor at the ropes but the ref counts. Grimes lets up at 4 to whip. Balor reverses, Grimes sunset flips but Balor slips out to basement dropkick! Balor wants a Slingblade but Grimes blocks. Balor blocks Grimes’ lift and underhooks, but Grimes powers up to swing and SLAM Balor down! Cover, TWO! Grimes is in shock but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Grimes grinds Balor into the mat with the chinlock. Grimes cranks back in a half camel clutch and shouts, “This is what you wanted, Balor!” Balor fights his way up and the two go around. Grimes wrangles Balor back down and grinds his forearm into Balor’s face. Balor fights up to forearm free but Grimes whips and hits a kitchen sink knee! Cover, TWO! Grimes keeps on Balor with another armlock and a wrench. Balor forearms free again, and keeps on Grimes with those forearms. Grimes turns things around to whip Balor hard into buckles! Grimes glares at Balor and stands on Balor’s head. He steps away at the ref’s count but stalks up behind Balor for forearm shots. Grimes pushes Balor into buckles then rams his shoulder in. He whips corner to corner again, but Balor BOOTS back! Balor runs into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Grimes keeps his cool but he also keeps talking trash. He CLUBS Balor down and is feeling confident now. But Balor trips him to DOUBLE STOMP him down!

Balor KICKS and stomps away at the ropes but the ref backs him off. Grimes bails out and drags Balor out to join him, but Balor bumps him off the apron. Balor stomps on Grimes’ head over and over, then stops at the count of 4. Balor lines up the shot to PENALTY KICK Grimes down! But wait! Is that Damian Priest? Is he the snake Balor talked of? Balor decks Damian and SLINGBLADES Grimes! Balor puts Grimes in the ring at the count of 6 and leaves Priest behind. But then Priest uses his night stick to CLUB Balor on the back! CAVE-IN!! Cover, Grimes wins!!

Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall

The Archer of Infamy just helped the technical savage get a win on Balor!! Grimes takes his hat and runs off into the night, but now Priest goes after Balor directly. Priest slides a chair into the ring and then looms over Balor. Priest drags Balor up, RECKONING onto the chair!! Priest grabs the chair takes a seat on Balor’s neck! The Archer of Infamy wants to #LiveForever, so why not take out NXT’s Prince? Priest just didn’t realize he’d enjoy it so much. Just like he did three weeks ago. The snake reveals himself! Priest wants to annihilate the Prince, but will Balor have something to say about that?

Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Group B: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Jack Gallagher!

Swerve lost to Akira Tozawa but won against El Hijo del Fantasma. The gentleman turned jackal, meanwhile, has yet to win once. Will Gallagher end up in the same boat as the winless Nese? Or will Gallagher be Swerve’s spoiler?

But before the match, Nese attacks Swerve! He sends Swerve into steel steps! Nese clearly heard Swerve’s words about being winless and all that, and points to the Cruiserweight Championship as he angrily retorts, “You’ll never have this!” Gallagher is very confused that Nese did this now, but he isn’t going to complain, either. Swerve gets up and in the ring and wants to have this match. The bell rings, and Gallagher hits the JACKAL DROPKICK! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Swerve saves himself but Gallagher wants after him. Gallagher goes out and brings Swerve around to enziguri the back! And again! The ref reprimands and Gallagher goes in to cover, TWO! Gallagher drags Swerve up to whip and kitchen sink knee! Cover, TWO! Swerve winces but Gallagher shows no mercy. Gallagher drags Swerve by his legs to stomp the ribs. Gallagher clamps onto Swerve with a seated stretch, but Swerve still endures.

Swerve fights his way up and breaks free with body shots. Swerve goes to suplex but Gallagher throws body shots of his own. Gallagher swings but Swerve fires back. Swerve blocks the kick, trips Gallagher and rolls him to a dead lift! Gallagher breaks free and runs, but misses the corner to corner dropkick! Swerve goes corner to corner, for the HOUSE CALL! Cover, TWO!! Gallagher survives and Swerve grits his teeth, but Swerve is far from through. Swerve KICKS Gallagher in the chest tattoo. And again! Swerve brings Gallagher up and runs, but into Gallagher’s leaping guillotine! Gallagher drags Swerve down with the body scissors and shouts for the ref to check Swerve. Swerve keeps moving, keeps fighting, and powers back up. Swerve powers Gallagher into a suplex, but Gallagher breaks free! ROLLING ELBOW! Cover, Gallagher wins!!

Winner: Jack Gallagher, by pinfall (moves up to 1-2; Swerve drops to 1-2)

Gallagher says “Thank you very much!” as he keeps from being winless in his own run. Swerve has been taken out of the running, too, leaving Group B all to the winner of Tozawa VS Fantasma!

Aliyah VS Kayden Carter!

The Bougie helped the Robert Stone Brand withstand the spice last week, but will they return the favor as Aliyah takes on the fiery Filipina?

The bell rings and Aliyah rushes KC for a takedown. Aliyah turns KC over but KC gets up and trips Aliyah up. KC has the leg but Aliyah kicks her away. KC gets the leg again and hooks it up for a deathlock, but Aliyah pushes her away. Aliyah kips up in a huff and argues with KC. They start pushing, but KC dodges the punch to waistlock and O’Conner Roll. TWO and KC springboard dropkicks! Cover, ONE, and Aliyah scurries away. KC runs in but Aliyah puts her on the ropes to kick away on the back! Aliyah is a bougie banshee as she SLAMS KC down. Cover, TWO! Aliyah keeps on KC with a BIG hip toss! Aliyah throws forearms from all sides then shouts at the ref to back off. Aliyah cools off but KC dodges and stomps her back! KC backs off to run in, but Aliyah boots her back! Aliyah storms over to choke KC on the ropes. Robert Stone appears and seems to like what he sees. Aliyah goes back to KC but KC cradle counters! TWO and Aliyah dropkicks KC down!

Aliyah goes to the corner to show off for Stone. She goes up even higher but KC trips her up! KC throws forearms and CHOPS then whips. Aliyah reveres but KC wheelbarrows and victory rolls to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! KC drags Aliyah into the deathlock and TWISTS! Aliyah taps, KC wins!

Winner: Kayden Carter, by submission

Robert Stone didn’t like that. Aliyah hurries after Stone and grabs his sleeve, but he politely has her let go. Will Aliyah get another chance to impress the hottest rising stable? Or has she missed her one shot?

NXT has dinner with the Garganos.

Weeks ago, Johnny and Candice realized what they had to do to fix NXT. And now look at them! Candice stomped a hole into “a freakin’ ninja,” Kacy Catanzaro. Johnny took out the 7′ 8″, 385 pound Dijagoofavic! They watch replays of their matches, such as Gargano’s chop block. “What a stud!” Candice married a stud! If that colossal goof took Keith Lee to the limit, what does that say about Keith Lee? Gargano thinks it says Keith is just another flavor of the month. But Dijakovic learned a very valuable lesson: If you say Gargano’s name, there will be consequences; If you stick your nose in the business of the Garganos, you will find out that it is their way or none.

But Johnny, don’t forget Candice had a match, too. Of course not! He had the best seats in the house to a five star classic! But the undeserved rewards keep being dished out. Mia Yim got to go toe-to-toe with Charlotte Flair on the same night Candice was given Kacy Catanzaro. Kacy is not a ninja, or a warrior. She is American, though. But what she really is, is an example. That is what Candice and Johnny will do to every undeserving imbecile! That is an example Mia should take heed of. Because time and time again, Mia has lost, yet she gets opportunity after opportunity. Why!? Because she panders to fans? Candice refuses to be that pathetic. They don’t deserve anything. But just look at the company Mia keeps. She’s dating someone more concerned with everyone basking~ in his glory~, which is an awful song in the Garganos’ opinion, than being champion.

Johnny lived that live, rode that ride and knows what it’s like. The chants, the cheers, the adulation. Everyone loves you, until they don’t. The glory Keith wants doesn’t exist. It’s just a catchphrase to get fans on his side. But it doesn’t last, and you’re left feeling empty, hopeless and helpless. The fans are leeches that bleed you dry, then move on to the next. Keith may be the biggest and strongest physically, but not mentally or emotionally. But The Johnny Gargano Way is about giving people what they deserve. Candice wants to show Keith and Mia what glory really looks like. And then everyone will have to bask in that.

NXT makes it official!

Rhea Ripley said she’d beat some sense into Io Shirai, and now she’ll get her chance! The Mosh Pit Kid and the Evil Genius will go 1v1 next week! Will this match go a long way to determining Charlotte Flair’s In Your House challenger?

Matt Riddle VS Timothy Thatcher!

Newly-Bros no more, and all because of differences in personality! Will Riddle knock Thatcher out before Thatcher makes Riddle tap out?

The bell rings and Riddle goes right at Thatcher with strikes! Thatcher gets a leg and trips Riddle up to go for ground ‘n’ pound! Riddle pushes him away and gives kicks back! The two go around again and clinch. They fight for control but Thatcher gets the takedown! Riddle gets out of the mount fast but Thatcher floats on him. Riddle dumps Thatcher down to rain rights. Thatcher moves but Riddle gives kicks. Thatcher gets a leg again but Riddle gets ropes. The ref backs Thatcher off and the fighters reset. Riddle and Thatcher feel it out and clinch again. Riddle gets the arm-drag takedown to a headlock, but Thatcher slips out and turns it around. They’re in the ropes so Thatcher lets off but Riddle comes right back! Riddle gets a takedown and hits where he can. Thatcher does the same, but Riddle shifts to get around back! Riddle half nelsons and knees Thatcher in the ribs! Riddle grabs the arm and wants the double wristlock but Thatcher resists.

They go around, Thatcher gets a cover, ONE but Thatcher has the arm! Thatcher digs his knuckles into ribs and cranks on the shoulder, but Riddle moves. Thatcher has the facelock again, but Riddle fights his way up to throw knees. Riddle kicks, fakes Thatcher out to ROUNDHOUSE! Riddle is enraged as Thatcher bails out and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Thatcher has a standing toehold. Riddle fights back but Thatcher cranks on the ankle. Riddle hammers Thatcher’s leg so Thatcher drops on Riddle. Thatcher clamps onto the leg again and cranks the ankle! Riddle endures, kicks with his other leg, and then CHOPS away with slapping palm strikes. BOOT but the knee misses! Thatcher hits a German Suplex, but Riddle roars back for a FINAL FLASH! Riddle waistlocks but Thatcher stomps the toes! Thatcher ROCKS Riddle with that EuroUpper! And he RAMS his knees into Riddle’s back! Thatcher digs his knee into the spine as he clamps on with a chinlock. Riddle endures the modified camel clutch and fights up, but Thatcher clubs away. Riddle still powers up to the Alabama lift, but Thatcher sunset flips. But Riddle drops to get the triangle hold! Thatcher sits up to make it a cover on Riddle, ONE! Riddle holds on but Thatcher gets a ropebreak! Riddle lets go but the damage has been done.

Thatcher comes back to KNEE Riddle down! And again! And again! Thatcher climbs on for a slapping ground ‘n’ pound, and he wants his own armbar! Riddle resists, shifts, and makes it a cover! TWO, and Thatcher keeps pulling on the arm. Riddle shifts again but ends up in a triangle. Riddle powers up to POWERBOMB!! Both men are down but Thatcher grabs at Riddle. The two men throw shots and uppercuts! Thatcher SLAPS away on Riddle’s face, but swings into Riddle’s PELE! But Thatcher catches the foot for an ANKLE LOCK! Riddle turns, but Thatcher just turns him back over! Thatcher has the Ankle Lock on the other foot, but Riddle pushes him away! Thatcher comes back to GAMANGURI! But Riddle fireman’s carries for BRO TO SLEEP! Riddle has to crawl over but he doesn’t cover. He climbs up top, for FLOATING BRO onto knees! Thatcher has the FUJIWARA! Riddle endures as Thatcher cranks back harder!

Riddle rolls and powerbombs! “You’re not my bro!” But Thatcher grabs the arm again! Riddle rolls again, but Thatcher gets a KNEEBAR! Riddle hammers Thatcher and kicks with the free leg! They roll around, Riddle hammers Thatcher where he can, but Thatcher boots and kicks Riddle in return. Riddle powers up and around to get a cover! RIDDLE WINS!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

Thatcher can’t believe it! Riddle outsmarts him, but Thatcher CLOBBERS Riddle! And RAMS his arm into the buckles, then hits an armbreaker DDT! FUJIWARA! NOW Riddle taps, but it doesn’t matter! Thatcher lets Riddle go, only to clamp on again! Riddle screams in pain and futilely taps out! Thatcher glares at the camera to let the whole world know what he’s about! Does Pete Dunne regret teaming up his Bro with this ruthless animal?

My Thoughts:

A great episode with a lot of unexpected developments. First, I almost thought the announcement was going to be a bad thing, but then realized there’s no way it’d be that on a WWE TV program. I am glad to hear we’re getting a TakeOver event even during the Empty Arena Era, and I’m really excited to see it’s inspired by the classic In Your House series. I don’t think there’d be anything particularly different about this TakeOver just because it celebrates In Your House, but I do hope they go big for it. Rhea VS Shirai being next week, I wonder if something happens where there isn’t a clean winner. As I said before, the best thing would be an NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat. That way Charlotte can lose without being part of the decision, and hopefully we get Shirai as champion. And I hope we get the Mixed Tag Match of Johnny & Candice VS Keith & Mia at TakeOver, that’s going to be incredible.

I was surprised we learned who Balor’s attacker was so soon. Damian Priest moving on to Balor is pretty great, like a title match in itself. This is the second time Grimes benefits from Priest attacking someone, I think. Priest and Balor is definitely a TakeOver worthy match and I’m intrigued to see where the build goes. I also like where the build for Robert Stone Brand is going, in that Aliyah lost. Aliyah growing desperate to join the brand might make for some good material, and then she and Chelsea Green can become a tag team to FINALLY get NXT in the mix for the Women’s Tag Team Championships. The NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament had great matches tonight. Atlas winning to then put pressure on Drake Maverick makes for a great story going into next week, and I just knew Nese was going to attack after Swerve said what he said. Nese VS Swerve will be a good holdover story while the Cruiserweight Championship situation sorts itself out.

The developments in the NXT Tag Team Division are really great. It is a bummer that Thatcher and Riddle broke up, but that main event we got was incredible. Obviously this story continues since Riddle gets a quick pin win and Thatcher destroys him right after. That is going to make for a great TakeOver match, and I would love if Pete Dunne could make an appearance somehow. Dunne going after Thatcher for turning on Riddle would be an interesting part of the story. And then as I touched on with NXT UK, Imperium was surely meant to become NXT UK Tag Team Champions before all the pandemic lockdowns, so getting these NXT Tag Team Championships was like compensation. I am not sure who Imperium faces at TakeOver, but I’m sure whatever match we get will be incredible.

My Score: 9.1/10