Will Johnny Wrestling still be NXT North American Champion?

The first ever TWO-TIME NXT North American Champion might only be that for a short time. Can Johnny Gargano break his curse of short reigns?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano VS ???; Leon Ruff wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
• NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Jake Atlas; Escobar wins and retains the title.
• Xia Li VS Raquel Gonzalez; No Contest.
• Candice LeRae VS Toni Storm; LeRae wins.
• Timothy Thatcher VS Dexter Lumis; Thatcher wins.
• NXT Tag Team Championships: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Breezango; Lorcan & Burch win and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE and NXT honor the American armed forces on Veterans Day.

“Today in America, we honor our veterans. We celebrate the boldness of your convictions, and for the future you made possible. We will never forget it was you who stepped forward when we needed you most. We are humbled by your service, and we are forever grateful for your courage.” To these sons, daughters, fathers and mothers. To the brave men and women of the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, and now Space Force, we remember and say, “Thank you.”

NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano VS ???

Johnny Wrestling is already in the ring as he welcomes us to the show! And he welcomes us to Gargano’s Wheel of Challengers! Lalala~! Fans chant “Your Wheel Sucks!” but Gargano says they shouldn’t talk about his wheel like that. Gargano says to respect the wheel! At Halloween Havoc, he made history by becoming the first-ever TWO-TIME North American Champion! The first time, he held the title until his first defense, and lost. That was just bad luck. But the same thing happened with the NXT Championship: “First defense, title go bye-bye. That’s not bad luck, that’s a curse! I’m cursed, I tell ya!”

But tonight, Gargano says with help from a very special friend in the wheel, he will reverse the curse! “With one spin, someone will get the opportunity of a lifetime! And I show the world, where there’s a wheel, there’s a way.” Let’s spin! The! WHEEL~! Gargano tries to get fans to chant that but they’re not really up for that. Gargano spins the wheel, it goes past “Roddy,” Thatcher, Kushida, Kyle, Dream, Cole, Escobar, Ciampa, Priest, Grimes, Bronson, Lumis and Pete, to teeter totter onto Leon Ruff! The wheel is weighted!! “Totally unpredictable!” Gargano is “amazed” that Ruff gets a shot! “Leon Ruff, c’mooooon down~!” Ruff definitely has the opportunity of a lifetime, he’s not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. But will Ruff be used to break the curse?

The bell rings, the fans are on Ruff’s side, but then Gargano fakes Ruff out on the approach. Ruff falls, but Gargano lets him have time to fix his knee pad. But then Gargano KICKS Ruff and throws haymakers instead! Gargano stomps away on Ruff in the corner, lets off at the ref’s count, and then finally takes off his shirt. Gargano drags Ruff up, fireman’s carries, and TOSSES him down! Gargano double guns and mockingly hits a home run. It helps that Ruff is one of the few wrestlers smaller than Gargano… Gargano puts Ruff in a corner, CHOPS him, then mocks the fans rallying for Ruff. Gargano whips corner to corner, Ruff goes up and out to forearm back! Ruff springboards and hops around the corner as he evades Gargano, to then slide under and dropkick back!

Fans fire up with Ruff as he runs corner to corner to hit a big lariat! Ruff springboards but Gargano catches him this time to TOSS him at the steel steps! Ruff clutches a knee as he writhes on the ground but Gargano grins as he goes out to fetch Ruff. Gargano drags Ruff up by his ear, then whips him into the boards! Gargano taunts Ruff, but Damian Priest is glaring at Gargano through the Plexiglas. Gargano puts Ruff in the ring and taunts Priest with the archery stuff. But Priest comes around the barriers and Gargano freaks! Gargano gets in the ring, Ruff rolls him up! TWO!! Gargano gets up to CLOBBER Ruff!

Gargano is angry now, and he drags Ruff to a corner. Gargano tells Priest to watch this as he scoops Ruff, for a LAWN DART! Gargano says that was “So easy!” Ruff flounders as Gargano powers up, but the fans chanting upset him. He runs at Ruff but into a crucifix takedown! Cover, RUFF WINS?!?!

Winner: Leon Ruff, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)

WHAT?! Ruff wins his first title in the WWE!! Even he is shocked! Priest is laughing at Gargano because the curse is still a thing! Priest helps Ruff put the belt on, but it’s a little too big for him… Well they can worry about that later. Will the unlikeliest of underdog champions reach new heights as the new champion?

NXT returns with the backstage celebration for Leon Ruff!

GM William Regal is there to congratulate Ruff. Ruff feels so good! Priest says this is great and all, but he warns Ruff that “Little Johnny” is gonna barge in all pissed and kick Ruff’s ass. So Priest gives Ruff the keys to his Challenger so he can make a getaway! Ruff hurries off and Gargano does barge in. Gargano says this is Priest’s fault, but Regal and refs keep this from turning into a fight. Priest says Gargano IS cursed, because the way he just choked was incredible! Gargano is only angrier now, but Regal warns Gargano to cool off. Gargano tells Regal to do his job! Whose idea was that out there? Priest tells Gargano, “It was YOURS, you idiot!” Gargano says everyone knows he hates wheels! Gargano is in denial, and there was no contract so this has to be reversed! But will the only way to take the title back is to take it back in a match?

NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Jake Atlas!

From one title to another, the Leader of Leader is willing to give his opponent a chance at revenge to also avenge Atlas going after El Legado in the parking lot! And not just last week, but again today, Atlas had a pipe as he jumped Escobar, Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza! But will Escobar have more tricks up his proverbial sleeves to screw Atlas over again?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this increasingly intense feud fires off again!

Atlas says he got Escobar’s henchmen, now it’s his turn. Escobar says he’s already beaten Atlas once, this is just to make a point. Atlas rushes in, Escobar knees and SLAPS him! Escobar waistlocks, Atlas standing switches but Escobar bucks him off. Atlas dodges, things speed up and Atlas dropkicks Escobar down! Escobar bails out but Atlas won’t let off, he goes out to put Escobar right back in! Escobar enziguris right back! Escobar clubs away on Atlas, Atlas hits back but Escobar facelocks. They scrap, Escobar knees then snapmares to hit Atlas with a unique leap frog attack. Atlas holds his neck, that move was as much insult as it was injury, and Escobar kicks Atlas to a corner.

Atlas CHOPS, Escobar CHOPS, and repeat! Escobar clubs Atlas, snapmares him and KICKS him again! Atlas writhes, Escobar drags Atlas up to wrench and kick again. Russian Leg Sweep to a Pluma Blanca! Atlas endures, moves around, Escobar talks trash and throws clubbing forearms. Escobar makes it part crossface but Atlas still endures. Fans rally, Atlas moves around, Escobar clubs him more. Escobar drags Atlas up, CHOPS him again, but Atlas shoves him away. Escobar SLAPS Atlas, whips him to ropes but Atlas tilt-o-whirls, only for Escobar to SLAM him down! Escobar kicks Atlas while he’s down, then kicks him against ropes. “Are you ready for the best?”

Fans rally as Escobar brings Atlas up. Atlas throws body shots but Escobar clubs him to a corner. Escobar throws more forearms, then more kicks. The ref backs Escobar off but Escobar comes back with more stomps and kicks! Fans boo but Escobar stomps Atlas down. Escobar drags Atlas up, Atlas hits back! Escobar clubs Atlas, grins as he looms over Atlas, and then hooks up the arm for a modified chinlock. Atlas endures, fans rally up but Escobar drags Atlas up to throw hands. Atlas counter punches, CHOPS, and more forearms! Atlas fires off in the corner, bumps Escobar off buckles then CHOPS and haymakers more! Atlas CHOPS, puts him in a corner, then fires off more hands! Atlas snapmares Escobar then DECKS him with a right!

Fans fire up with Atlas as he runs, but Escobar puts him on the apron. Atlas bumps Escobar off buckles but Mendoza has a pipe of his own! Atlas jumps the sweep and the ref reprimands, but Atlas MULE KICKS Mendoza, then PENALTY KICKS Atlas! Atlas JAMS Mendoza with the pipe, then SMACKS Wilde with it! They’re not part of the match so that’s okay! But the ref tells Atlas to ditch the pipe before getting back in the ring. Mendoza grabs the pipe and tug-o-wars with Atlas, but Atlas BOOTS him down! Atlas enziguris Escobar, then springboards for a BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Escobar survives and scrambles out of the ring! El Legado regroups as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and the ref EJECTS Wilde and Mendoza! They’re furious but Escobar stomps his frustrations out on Atlas! The ref counts as Escobar digs his boot into Atlas’ neck and chest, the ref has to pull him away. Escobar stomps Atlas and digs his boot in again but he lets off again. Atlas gets up, Escobar KICKS his leg out! Escobar stomps away, the ref counts and Escobar stops at 4 again. Escobar runs in to KNEE Atlas! And then whips him corner to corner, to KNEE him again! Escobar puts Atlas up top, climbs up to join him, then SUPER STEINERS! Escobar keeps going, goes up top again, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Atlas survives and Escobar is stunned!

Escobar SLAPS Atlas, drags him up and whips him to ropes. Atlas ducks and dodges to huricanrana! Escobar flounders into a dropkick! Fans fire up with Atlas as he throws uppercuts and a GERMAN SUPLEX! Atlas aims and ROUNDHOUSES! Cover, TWO! Escobar is still in this but Atlas is still on him with ground ‘n’ pound! Atlas then brings Escobar up, CHOPS him, and CHOPS him again, then goes up the corner! Escobar shoves Atlas down! Atlas narrowly avoids hitting announce desk as he hits the floor! Escobar watches Atlas rise, then builds speed, but Atlas still isn’t up. Escobar slides out instead of dives, and Atlas ROCKS him with a right! Was Atlas suckering him in?!

Atlas CHOPS Escobar but Escobar throws him into steps! Escobar stomps Atlas, lets the ring count climb a little, then drags Atlas up and bumps him off steps again! Escobar goes in at 5 of 10 and lets the climb continue. Atlas gets up and in at 8, but Escobar is after him. Atlas HOTSHOTS Escobar away! Atlas gets right back in as Escobar bails out the far side, and DIVES! Not the best take off but he still makes contact with Escobar! Atlas fires himself up to get Escobar back in the ring. Escobar gets up, Atlas victory rolls him, TWO!! Atlas and Escobar stand, Atlas cradles, TWO! Escobar wants Atlas to have mercy, but he suckers Atlas in now and throws him into the ropes!

Atlas staggers, Escobar fireman’s carries, but Atlas fights out! Atlas shoves but Escobar dodges to CALF KICK! Cover, TWO!? Atlas survives and Escobar is furious! Fans are fired up as Escobar says he’ll end this! But Atlas fireman’s carries to ROLLIGN SENTON! And PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Escobar survives the onslaught but Atlas won’t give up! Atlas goes up top, has Escobar near ropes, cartwheel but no DDT! Escobar underhooks, LEGADO FACEBUSTER! Cover, Escobar wins!

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall (still NXT Cruiserweight Champion)

The legacy of Fantasma continues on with the gold, but that was as close as anyone has come to taking the title from him! Will the Leader of Leaders continue to find ways to survive?

Dexter Lumis is drawing a new piece of art.

In a rather cartoony interpretation of the Haunted House of Terror match, Lumis has drawn Cameron Grimes running away from the zombie referee. Pictures are worth a thousand words, but will Grimes have something to say should he see this masterpiece for himself?

Shotzi Blackheart finally responds to Candice LeRae’s actions.

“Candice didn’t just destroy my tank. She destroyed a piece of me. That tank represents who I am. It represents every challenge that I have overcome in life.” It wasn’t just some cool thing she rode to the ring. That tank represents freedom, as well as family she has in the military right now. Family means the world to Shotzi. If not for her family, Shotzi would not be here right now. And Candice wants to say that they’re even? “We’re way past even.” If Candice wants to send her a message, Shotzi fires one right back! “I’m not looking for payback. I’m not looking for revenge. Candice, I’m looking to kick your ass!!” Will Shotzi have a chance to take her shot at the Poisoned Pixie soon enough?

Xia Li VS Raquel Gonzalez!

The Spicy has been rather sour lately. Her letters as delivered by Boa have been from her family, but the exact contents are personal and therefore secret. But what isn’t a secret as that she’s grown desperate to compete and even more desperate to win. But is she trying too desperately going after “Big Mami Cool,” #RickyDesperado?

Wait, speaking of Boa, he comes out instead of Xia. He apologizes and says Xia isn’t here tonight. They can’t have the match. But she’s the one who called Raquel out! Boa apologizes again, but Raquel BOOTS him down! Raquel is the one upset now and she throws Boa right into boards! Boa keeps apologizing but Raquel keeps clubbing and kicking him down! Raquel throws him into MORE boards! Raquel dares him to get up, and Boa manages to get into the ring. Boa crawls but she stalks up behind him, and then BOOTS him back down! Fans are fired up as Raquel says he’s getting what Xia asked for! FISHERMAN BOMB! “Everybody better keep my name out of their mouths!” Raquel storms off, will everyone understand to stay on her good side?

Boa writhes, but something is going on with the lights! A dragon flies around the screen? Boa flounders out of the ring and looks to the ramp. Who is this coming down the ramp? Boa bows to this man but he has a letter for him. He hands the letter over, but then uses black paint to write something on Boa’s hand. And it’s as if Boa can’t open his hand! What does all of this mean?!

Backstage interview with August Grey.

Last week, he went after Timothy Thatcher during Thatch As Thatch Can, but can he expound on why? Absolutely. He did what he did because of what- Thatcher attacks Grey from behind! Thatcher shouts, “Wanna be a big man, huh?!” Grey uses a facelock to drag Grey around but Grey hits back! They brawl near Lumis’ artwork! Thatcher has the guillotine again! He lets Grey go and the refs try to back him off, but Thatcher drags Grey up and throws him into Lumis’ picture! Now Thatcher has Lumis glaring at him! Thatcher says he has no problem with the Tortured Artist, but Lumis might just have a problem with him! Will Thatcher be the one learning a lesson in pain?

Candice LeRae VS Toni Storm!

The Poisoned Pixie may have crushed a part of Shotzi’s heart, but the Lightning From Down Under did win because of that distraction. Will Toni “thank” Candice by getting a win off her, too?

The bell rings and Candice circles with Toni. Fans rally for Toni as she and Candice tie up. Candice headlocks, Toni tries to power out but Candice holds on. Toni tries again and gets free to headlock back. Toni hits a takeover, Candice pushes back but Toni cranks on the hold. Candice rolls to a cover, TWO and Toni still holds on. Candice gets up, Toni shifts to wrench the wrist but Candice rolls. Toni wrangles Candice down, has a grounded armlock but Candice fights up. Toni wrenches Candice again, Candice reaches for ropes but Toni keeps her away. Candice keeps trying, they run around and around and Toni throws Candice down! Candice is furious but fans rally up.

Toni wrenches again, Candice spins through to wrench back. Candice laughs at Toni but Toni spins through to wrench and wrench and wrangle Candice down! Candice is again frustrated but she fights her way up. Toni has the arm but Candice jawbreakers then wrenches to a wristlock! Toni spins through, bridges back and handsprings around but Candice throws her down by her hair! Cover, ONE, but Candice clubs away on Toni’s back! Candice looms over Toni, brings her up to a headlock and then hits a takeover. Fans rally as Toni works her way up. Candice clubs Toni again but Toni blocks the suplex. Toni snap suplexes Candice instead! Toni runs, sees the back drop coming so she changes direct to dropkick Candice down!

Candice gets up into an atomic drop and CHOP! Toni brings Candice up, Candice shoves her away but Toni BOOTS Candice down! Candice bails out so Toni pursues. Fans rally as Toni runs in, but her hip attack only gets steel steps! Candice gets away into the ring as NXT goes picture in picture.

The ring count climbs but Candice goes out to fetch Toni. Candice puts Toni back in, has her in a corner, and stomps away! The ref counts, Candice lets off in annoyance, but she smirks as she comes back to ram into Toni! Candice goes corner to corner to back body block Toni down! Toni crawls at ropes, Candice SLAPS her, but that just makes her mad! Candice bumps Toni off buckles then goes corner to corner again, but Toni dodges and CLOBBERS Candice! Cover, TWO! Toni goes after Candice but Candice elbows her down! Cover, TWO! Candice keeps on Toni with a chinlock and digs a knee into Toni’s back.

Toni endures, Candice traps an arm but Toni fights her way up. Candice throws Toni down by the chinbar, then covers, TWO! Candice grows annoyed as she stalks Toni to ropes. Candice kicks Toni, stomps her, then chokes her on the ropes! The ref counts, Candice lets off, then stalks Toni to a corner. Candice snapmares Toni and neck snaps her down! Cover, TWO! Candice drags Toni back into the chinlock with the knee in the back. Toni endures, fights up, and throws elbows! Toni is free, she scoops Candice to slam her down! Cover, TWO! Toni drags Candice up but Candice jawbreakers back! And it’s back to the chinlock!

Toni endures again as NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally, Toni fights up but Candice hits a BACKSTABBER! Candice hurries to ropes for a LIONSAULT but she FLOPS as Toni moves! Toni HEADBUTTS Candice but they both go down! Fans fire up as a standing count begins. Both women slowly stir, they sit up at 5 but stand at 7! Candice heads after Toni but Toni ROCKS her first! Toni blocks a kick to spin Candice for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Candice ends up in a corner, Toni runs in to HIP ATTACK! Toni keeps moving, SLIDING D at the ropes! And then a sliding LARIAT right after! Fisherman, PERFECT PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Candice survives and Toni grows frustrated.

Fans rally and Toni goes to a corner. Toni climbs up top, Candice trips her up and SLAPS her! Candice climbs up to join Toni, but Toni denies Ms. LeRae’s Wild Ride! To then LEG DROP, but misses as Candice moves! Basement BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Candice is losing her cool while fans fire up more! Candice glares at Toni, grabs the legs but Toni boots her away! Toni runs in at the corner again but is sent into buckles! Roll up, but her feet are on the ropes! Candice wins!!

Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall

Toni isn’t letting that stand and she goes after Candice with clubbing forearms! But wait, Ghost Face returns! They brawl with Toni and it’s 2v1! They stomp Toni down, but Shotzi is here! She tackles Candice down! Ghost Face goes after Shotzi but gets a KNEE for it! Shotzi goes after Candice but Ghost Face BOOTS Shotzi down! Candice tells Ghost Face to bring Shotzi up. WICKED STEP SISTER! And Ghost Face takes off HER mask because it’s been INDI HARTWELL all along! The Impressive Indi is following #TheJohnnyGarganoWay! Will Shotzi now have to get even with her on top of Candice to avenge her tank?

Breezango speaks.

“Five years, man.” It took Fandango and Tyler Breeze five years, but they finally became champions in WWE. And they worked way too hard to have it stolen by Pat McAfee! He’s not even really part of NXT! McAfee isn’t a wrestler, he doesn’t understand what they do. Tonight won’t be the fun loving Breezango. They did it once, they’ll do it again. The rematch will make them the two-time NXT Tag Team Champions! Will Prince Pretty and the Lord of the Dance dethrone the new Kings of NXT?

Timothy Thatcher VS Dexter Lumis!

The encounter earlier tonight is exactly why this match is happening! Will the Professor of Pain pay for ruining the Tortured Artist’s portrait of Cameron Grimes? Or will Lumis learn the art of Thatch As Thatch Can?

The bell rings and Lumis rushes Thatcher for a Thesz Press! Lumis rains down fast hands but Thatcher gets free, only for Lumis to DECK him with an uppercut! Thatcher bails out to refocus but Lumis just waits for him to return. The ring count climbs, Thatcher gets in but Lumis avoids the shoot after the leg. Thatcher tries again, he does get a leg but Lumis steps over to get a chinlock! Thatcher slips out the back, ends up in a clinch with Lumis, but Thatcher throws a EuroUpper of his own! Thatcher gets a leg, trips Lumis but Lumis boots him away. The two stand off and fans fire up.

Lumis and Thatcher circle, tie up, and Lumis waistlocks to drag Thatcher down. Thatcher throws Lumis over his shoulder to lateral press then get a leg. Lumis tries to grab Thatcher’s chin but Thatcher twists the ankle! Lumis endures, Thatcher shifts to throw knees into ribs! Thatcher facelocks but fans rally for Lumis. Lumis fights up, throws body shots but Thatcher comes back to clinch and belly2belly! Lumis just slithers right back at Thatcher! Thatcher shakes off his fear to facelock Lumis! Lumis endures, throws body shots,and powers Thatcher to ropes. Thatcher lets off long enough to EuroUpper again!

Thatcher knees low and hard then goes after the ankle again! Lumis endures as Thatcher uses his own leg as a point of torque and twist! Thatcher wants a Calf Crusher but Lumis reaches back to grab Thatcher in a chinlock! Thatcher slips out the back to then get the legs for a lace, Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Lumis endures being stretched, and he pries free by pulling a finger! Lumis throws forearms then fish hooks Thatcher to give him crossface forearms! Thatcher scrambles away but Lumis stalks behind him. Lumis stomps and uppercuts in the corner, then headlocks to bring Thatcher out. Lumis shoves Thatcher and SPINE BUSTERS back! Lumis clutches his own arm, he may have suffered double-edged damage somewhere in there.

Fans rally as Lumis shakes his arm out. Thatcher gets up but Lumis dropkicks him down! Lumis brings Thatcher up, both men grab at each other’s ears! Lumis knees low, whips Thatcher up and out of the ring, and takes a moment to shake out the bad arm. Thatcher crawls on the outside but Lumis goes out after him. Thatcher kicks low and throws another EuroUpper! The ring count is 6 as Thatcher throws a forearm. Thatcher goes into the ring just to refresh the count, and he CLUBS Lumis down from behind! Thatcher throws another EuroUpper but Lumis knees and clubs and uppercuts in return! But Thatcher POSTS Lumis to stop him! Lumis holds the bad arm as Thatcher stalks him now. The proverbial tables may have turned as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Thatcher is after Lumis’ bad arm. Lumis endures and fans rally up as he clasps his hands. Lumis fights up, but Thatcher shifts to throw another EuroUpper! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Lumis is still in this but Thatcher covers again, TWO! Another cover, ONE! Thatcher goes after the bad arm again and with a double wristlock! Thatcher digs his knee into Lumis’ head and he cranks on the arm! Lumis endures, moves around, but Thatcher shifts to a hammerlock then gets the other arm. Thatcher shoots the half, TWO, but he still holds onto the arms! Thatcher KNEES Lumis in the ribs! Lumis pushes Thatcher but Thatcher SLAMS the bad arm! Lumis punches but Thatcher stomps him down!

Thatcher looms over Lumis, drags him up and underhooks again. Lumis resists the suplex, slips out and knees low! Lumis back suplexes high and hard! Then kips up! To jump and drop a leg! Fans fire up as Lumis gets his bad arm working. Lumis throws haymaker after haymaker and uppercut! Thatcher goes to a corner but Lumis corner clotheslines and bulldogs! Lumis goes to the top rope while Thatcher is dazed. Thatcher gets up to hit Lumis first! Thatcher climbs up, Lumis fights back, Thatcher clubs Lumis but Lumis resists. Lumis throws body shots, sends Thatcher down, but Thatcher is right back up! Into the ARM TRIANGLE! Thatcher fights out of Silence but is again sent down! Lumis adjusts and leaps, for a SWANTON!

Lumis tears off his shirt as fans fire up! Lumis stalks Thatcher, catches him for the clinch again, but Thatcher endures. Lumis sees CAMERON GRIMES coming, and shoves Thatcher into him! Down goes Grimes, Lumis catches Thatcher, but Thatcher turns it around into a FUJIWARA! Then a chicken wing to ghost pin, Thatcher wins!

Winner: Timothy Thatcher, by pinfall

Grimes still costs Lumis after all! And then goes after him! Grimes rains down right hands and thrashes about. Grimes throws his vest off but Lumis sits up! Lumis ROCKS Grimes with an uppercut then throws him to the apron. Grimes hotshots the bad arm! And then CLOBBERS Lumis! Grimes has a burlap sack and puts it around Lumis’ head! “Now whatta ya gonna do?!” Grimes throws Lumis out, Lumis can’t see what’s going on, and Grimes BOOTS him down! Grimes dares Lumis to look him in the eyes now, then throws big forearm shots! Lumis grabs a chair and takes a wild swing! Grimes avoids that and BOOTS Lumis down again!

Grimes takes the chair, sits it up, and makes Lumis take a seat. Grimes then runs to CAVE-IN Lumis off the chair!! Grimes says he ain’t scare of Lumis anymore. But that’s easy to say when dealing with someone who’s already been through a fight. Will Grimes still have courage when he has to face his fear head on?

Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.

Gargano is hesitant outside of William Regal’s office. Gargano says he has cooled off, so now he is here to calmly talk with Mr. Regal about what happened. He knocks on the door, Regal answers, and Gargano says he is calm and cool. Gargano wants Regal to know that the match with Ruff should be thrown out, even reversed. It’s the right thing to do. But it was Gargano’s idea to have that match, so Regal has to let it stand. “Are you freakin’ kidding me?!” So much for calm and cool. Gargano admits he RIGGED the wheel! “It was a joke! A goof! I’m still the North American Champion! Everybody knows that!” No, the decision stands. The curse lives on and Ruff is the champion. Gargano loses what was left of his cool, but will he have no choice but to accept the consequences of his actions?

Tommaso Ciampa speaks.

“I am approaching 16 years in this industry. And over that time, I’ve come across some tough guys. Hell, I still remember early in my career training with guys like Killer Kowalski and Harley Race.” But if you want to talk about tough men, the funny thing about Killer and Harley was that they never told you how tough they were. “They didn’t have to. You just knew. But times have certainly changed.” Ciampa looks around and apparently, everyone’s tough. Don’t believe him? Just ask them. Everyone here has no problem telling you how tough they are. But maybe that’s just the world we live in. “Complain, and get rewarded. Bark loud enough for long enough and people being to fear your bite. Actions, without consequence.”

Maybe Ciampa’s just old school. He never thought he’d be the last of a dying breed. But he told us a couple week sago and he’ll tell us again now. “This culture, this 2020 locker room,” it’s going to change. Ciampa will be that change.

NXT presents Prime Target: Shirai VS Ripley!

“Walking into Raymond James Stadium feels like a lifetime ago” for the Aussie Nightmare. She was genuinely excited, going into WrestleMania at just 23 years old and as THE NXT Women’s Champion. It was supposed to be the biggest night of her life with 80+ THOUSAND people. But then we all know what happened: pandemic means lockdown, and that means no crowd, no energy, no emotion. And in the end, no title. Charlotte Flair took the title from her and was Queen of NXT once more.

Two months later, NXT was In Your House, and Io Shirai was our champion! “When you are a disciplined champion, you do not have emotions. You do not have setbacks. You do not have failure.” Shirai does not look back. “Every challenger has learned. Every opponent has realized.” Shirai stops momentum cold. She beats the best because she IS the best. Rhea, it took you some time to recover from WrestleMania. But Shirai isn’t afraid of nightmares.

“Everyone thought that that loss would define me. Everyone thought that I was a quitter. Rhea Ripley doesn’t quit!” She took out Mercedes Martinez, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, but now it’s time for Shirai. Shirai thinks Rhea is emotional but who cares what she thinks? Rhea’s trainers now she is more determined and focused and even more confident. Shirai is a special talent, but when the lights are on and it’s time to perform, “there ain’t nobody ****ing better” than Rhea. Shirai says Rhea will hit that “same emotional low again when I defeat you!” But Rhea says in one week, she takes that title back, whether Shirai likes it or not! We finally see Evil Genius VS Mosh Pit Kid 1v1 next week!

Pat McAfee and the Kings of NXT are here!

He and Pete Dunne accompany Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan to the ring in preparation for the tag title main event! Undisputed Era fans boo the hardest but these four shrug that off, especially after what they did to Killian Dain last week. McAfee says “that was absolutely gorgeous to relive. And for the past two weeks, I think it should be recognized that Pete Dunne has been an absolutely TERROR to this brand!” Chair to the back of Kyle O’Reilly! Front door to “big hairy Irish bastard’s face!” This is the best four man group in the history of pro-wrestling!

As McAfee was in his private jet, flying down to the “hell hole” that is Orlando, Florida, getting tweets from Tom Brady while learning McAfee’s business is now worth $150 MILLION, he almost died because they’re in the middle of a Tropical Storm. Dat sum bish turned sideways but he made it! So what was he going to tell “the dumbest community on the internet, the wrestling community,” tonight? It’s that they don’t deserve to watch “the greatest tag team on the planet” beat the hell out of Breezango while McAfee dominates commentary next to “stupid Slim Reaper,” Vic Joseph, and Bad News Barrett! “This is the greatest night in NXT history because we’re here!” McAfee does as he says, and the main event goes down after the break.

NXT Media catches up with Cameron Grimes.

Grimes seems he got the upper hand on Lumis. Yes, that’s right! He figured it out! “Listen. I ain’t afraid o’ no ghosts, or ghouls, or zombies. But I tell you what, I am man enough to say I was afraid of Dexter Lumis.” It’s those dark, creepy eyes. But then Grimes covered those eyes up and he caved him in! Now you know what’s gonna happen. Grimes has got to get going, TO~ THE~ MOON~!

Finn Balor will return!

Next week, the Prince is back to let us all know how his recovery is going! Will Balor still be our NXT Champion?

NXT Tag Team Championships: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Breezango!

NXT returns once again, and just as Fandango and Breeze said, they are all business! And no, that doesn’t mean they’re Fashion Stock Brokers or Fashion Salesmen. No, they are simply two men who want payback on the One Two who sold out to side with Pat McAfee! Will the BritAm Brawlers learn they’re not the only ones have fought long and hard to finally be at the top?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and what could be the last chance for Breeze and Fandango starts now!

The teams sort out and Lorcan and Burch rush Breezango! The brawl is on, Burch stomps Breeze down and Lorcan goes after Dango! The brawling continues outside, Lorcan throws EuroUppers and Burch throws haymakers! Lorcan CHOPS Fandango, Burch keeps on Breeze. Fandango back drops out of the powerbomb! Breeze gets some space to then trip Burch and catapult him into boards! Breeze and Fandango have turned things around and they put Burch in the ring. Fandango keeps on Burch with haymakers and CHOPS! Fandango throws more haymakers, more CHOPS, and then jabs away in the corner! Fandango clubs Burch down, tags Breeze, and Breezango mug Burch in the corner.

Breeze stomps a fashionable mudhole but lets off as the ref counts. Breeze keeps on Burch with a snap suplex! Cover, ONE, but Breeze clinches only for Burch to knee low. Burch headlocks and brings Breeze to the corner, tag to Lorcan. They mug Breeze, Lorcan throws EuroUppers but Breeze blocks a suplex to ram Lorcan into the corner! Tag to Fandango and he clobbers Lorcan! Fandango throws a EuroUpper of his own, then whips Lorcan to ropes to elbow him down! Fandango drags Lorcan to a corner and suplexes, but Lorcan blocks to knee low. Lorcan elbows, tags Burch and they mug Fandango. Burch throws EuroUpper, but Fandango blocks bump to give haymakers and CHOPS!

Fandango brings Burch, hoists him onto the ropes to hang him out to dry, and tags Breeze in. BOOT SANDWICH! Down goes Burch and McAfee grows frustrated. McAfee asks the ref what the heck, but Breeze is after Burch on the outside. Burch scrambles away, Breeze pursues but Lorcan runs in. Breeze avoids Lorcan’s elbow but it hits Fandango! Breeze SUPER MODEL KICKS Lorcan down, then throws Burch at the feet of McAfee! Dunne steps up but the ref keeps him back as NXT goes picture in picture!

McAfee checks his teeth even though he really only came close to toppling over in his chair. Burch slowly gets up but Breeze is on him first. Breeze puts Burch in the ring, but then Dunne swipes while the ref is checking on Burch! Burch CLOBBERS Breeze then bumps him off buckles! Burch stomps a furious mudhole in, then tags Lorcan. They drag Breeze up, double wrench and double CHOP, and McAfee has gotten off commentary to be in his guys’ corner with Dunne. Lorcan brings Breeze up and around to scoop and backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Lorcan drags Breeze away, whips him to a corner hard, then tags in Burch. Burch paces around Breeze, then slaps Breeze around. Burch brings Breeze up to DECK him!

Burch sucker punches Fandango but the ref has to keep Fandango back! Burch bring Breeze up, snap suplexes him down, then drops knees! Tag to Lorcan, Lorcan brings Breeze around to a Boston Crab! Breeze endures as Lorcan sits deep! Breeze fights his way towards ropes and gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Lorcan lets go at 4 and tags in Burch. Fans rally as NXT returns to single picture and Burch drags Breeze up. Breeze trips Burch and catapults him into buckles! Breeze crawls to the corner, hot tags to Fandango and Lorcan! Fandango dodges Lorcan, rocks Burch and rallies on Lorcan! Fandango hip tosses Burch to a neckbreaker! And then CHOPS away on Lorcan!

Fandango whips but Lorcan reverses, only for Fandango to knee smash! Lorcan dodges one lariat but not the second! FALCON ARROW! Cover, Burch breaks it! Breeze SUPER MODEL KICKS Burch down! Then he PLANCHAS, but Dunne saves Burch! McAfee laughs at “STUPID!” Breeze but Fandango FLIES to take out Burch and Dunne! Fans are fired up and McAfee is shocked! Fandango gets back in, climbs up top, but Lorcan trips him up! Lorcan climbs up top, brings Fandango up, but Fandango resists the superplex! Fandango clubs Lorcan, adjusts and sunset flips, but McAfee gets on the apron! McAfee mocks the Fandango dance, but that just distracts the ref from seeing Drake Maverick run in and ENZIGURI Lorcan! He avenges Dain as Fandango BOMBS Lorcan!

The ref sees Maverick, McAfee runs over but Maverick CANNONBALLS onto him!! Fandango is up top, FLYING LEG DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Lorcan survives and Dunne CLOBBERS Maverick! The Bruiserweight looms over Maverick while Breezango and the One Two regroup. Dunne throws McAfee into the ring as another distraction to the ref! Dunne CLOBBERS Breeze!! Hot tag to Burch, Fandango CHOPS Lorcan but Burch HEADBUTTS Fandango! Then, LONDON BRIDGE! Cover, Lorcan and Burch win!!

Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)

The Kings of NXT use their numbers to keep the gold! But Maverick returns to LEAP in and clobber Burch! But now he’s still outnumbered! They mug him 3v1 because McAfee is just directing things! They throw Maverick out and he bounces off the announce desk. But then Dunn X-PLEXES Maverick onto it! But Fandango LEAPS and takes down Lorcan! Dunne and Burch go after him, then Lorcan returns for another 3v1 mugging! Dunne throws Fandango across the desk! Breeze returns and leaps in! That’s still a 3v1 situation! The Kings of NXT bring Breeze up to toss him onto the desk! “That’s what we do!”

The referee tries to stop this but Dunne, Lorcan and Burch set Breeze up, for McAfee’s FIELD GOAL! “It’s good!” Fans boo but McAfee gives the champions their belts. Only McAfee applauds what his group is doing. “You’re looking at the greatest four man group in wresting history! We’ll do this forever if we want to!” They’re great, everyone else sucks, cheers.

My Thoughts:

A great NXT here, and studded with gold! Opening with the NXT North American Championship was great, but I will say, I was expecting something a bit different. Perhaps Ghost Face would be the one given the match, and then they parody Finger Poke of Doom and Gargano gets the easy win. Plus, Ghost Face would reveal themselves and it’d be like Austin Theory or something. Instead, a rigged wheel, a cocky Gargano getting what he deserves and Leon Ruff officially going down as a champion in NXT was a way better move. I didn’t think they’d do that when it was Ruff, but that’s what makes it even better. Gargano is great as this current Heel iteration, certainly his best work from a comedic standpoint, and I have a feeling he’ll have to get through Priest to get at Ruff.

Meanwhile, it seems NXT did go through with Indi Hartwell being Ghost Face as far as Candice’s side of things works. Shotzi had a very strong promo, Candice VS Toni was a strong match, and Candice winning with cheating surely means Toni continues to have a part in this story. I still think there were two different people posing as Ghost Face for Halloween Havoc as a nod to Scream, but many times in wrestling, ideas are scrapped for reasons we may never truly know. Candice and Indi VS Toni and Shotzi is going to be a lot of fun, but it’d mean even more if WWE would put those WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on all shows, regardless of who is holding them.

We didn’t get Raquel VS Xia, and I suppose it really is for story reasons or else various dirt sheets and news groups would be talking about COVID concerns returning. This thing with the dragon and the mysterious old man is an interesting move. It was also fun to see Raquel beating up Boa all around ringside. Prime Target was pretty good, but not quite on the usual level. It’s also odd that they’d do one for something that isn’t TakeOver. Shirai VS Ripley next week is going to be amazing, and could again be very indicative of someone possibly going to Raw or SmackDown. And if that’s true, I feel like things lean more towards Shirai retaining. Rhea has already done so much between both NXT and NXT UK, I think Rhea needs to start blazing her trail on Raw to give Asuka some fresh competition.

The Cruiserweight Championship match caught me by surprise but it was a pretty good one. A much better match, and clearly it shows that Atlas is getting better in all parts of pro-wrestling. It is still early for him so he wasn’t going to win, and at least it wasn’t another dirty win for Escobar. I’m still hoping it’s Escobar VS Devlin to crown an undisputed Cruiserweight Champion, because I don’t see anyone else in the current division stepping up and dethroning either man. Good to hear that we’ll be hearing from Balor, I hope it’s good news. Ciampa has a good promo about toughness, so I wonder if we’re getting Balor VS Ciampa sooner rather than later.

Thatcher going after Grey only to end up in a match with Lumis was good, and their match was great, even with Grimes getting involved. Grimes’ logic of essentially blindfolding Lumis was pretty good, too. I wonder if they use that as part of the rematch from Halloween Havoc. Breezango have a good promo, and their match with Lorcan and Burch was a great main event. I’m glad Maverick got to join in as an attempt at revenge for what they did to Dain. I actually would’ve thought it’d be great if it did help Breezango win, but I suppose the comeuppance for “The Kings of NXT” has to come solely at the hands of the Undisputed Era. But a Six Man of Dunne, Lorcan & Burch VS Maverick & Breezango definitely has to happen, along with Dain coming back for revenge. That foursome can hold their own for a moment, but then we can see the triumphant return of the UE, and that is how we get to McAfee shouting, “WarGames?!”

My Score: 9/10