Is NXT going to be Rated R?

Even as the Men’s and Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classics continue, the Rated R Superstar and 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble winner, EDGE, will be here!! Is the ultimate opportunist including The Prince in his Road to WrestleMania possibilities?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinals: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter; Kai & Gonzalez win and advance.
• Austin Theory w/ Johnny Gargano VS Leon Ruff; Theory wins.
• Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: El Legado del Fantasma VS Lucha House Party; Legado del Fantasma wins and advances.
• Toni Storm VS Jessi Kamea w/ Aliyah & Robert Stone; Kamea wins, by disqualification.
• NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar VS Curt Stallion; Escobar wins and retains the title.
• Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: The Undisputed Era VS Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher; Ciampa & Thatcher win and advance.

PLAY BY PLAY

Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez head to gorilla.

#CapKota says last week was a breeze, and tonight will be no different! Raquel says, “Next stop: TakeOver.” With that, the Women’s Dusty Rhodes Classic Semifinals begin!

Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinals: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter!

#CobraKai and #BigMamiCool kickoff tonight against KC Squared! But will Dakota and Raquel overlook their opponents and get tripped up this close to TakeOver: Vengeance Day?

The teams sort out and Kacy starts with Kai. They tie up, Kai shoves Kacy down and laughs at her. Kacy shrugs that off, gets back up and ties up with Dakota again. Kacy gets around, headlocks then arm-drags Dakota to a corner and talks smack back. Dakota rushes Kacy, Kacy gets around again to headlock, but Dakota powers Kacy up to the top rope! Dakota pats Kacy’s head before backing off and laughing again. But Kacy leaps to arm-drag again! Tag to Kayden, KC Squared whip, drop toehold, chancery and basement dropkick! Their own take on the Dream Sequence! Cover, TWO! Kayden keeps on Dakota but Dakota shoves her away, then gets her on the rebound with an urenage BACKBREAKER!

Tag to Raquel, she CLUBS Kayden, brings her up and talks smack, only for Kayden to spin and SLAP her! Raquel scowls and KNEES Kayden! Kayden fights off the lift but Raquel CLUBS her! Raquel tries again, gets Kayden up but Kayden slips out to boot back! Kayden hits Dakota, dodges Raquel, but Kacy backs her up against both of them, and it’s a brawl! Raquel and Dakota put KC Squared in opposite corners, but Kayden dodges Raquel to SUPERKICK Dakota! Kayden runs but Raquel sends her out! Raquel wants Kayden to get in but Kayden tells her to make her. It’s a bit of cat ‘n’ mouse, and Kayden suckers Raquel into a basement dropkick!

Raquel bails out, tag to Kacy and she leaps, but Raquel catches her to KNEE then TOSS her in! Kayden and Raquel argue, Raquel goes in to cover, TWO! Raquel drops a big elbow, tags in Dakota, and then Dakota gets a boost for DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Dakota keeps on Kacy, throws hands, but Kacy fights up. Kacy reaches, Dakota throws her down, and then kicks Kacy to a cover, ONE! Dakota grows annoyed, she CLUBS Kacy down, then AX KICKS her! Cover, TWO! Dakota is growing frustrated, Raquel says Kacy isn’t TakeOver material, but Kacy fights up! Dakota CLUBS her and sucker punches Kayden!

Dakota goes back to Kacy with a whip, but Kayden helps her Silly String and huricanrana Dakota away! Hot tags to Kayden and Raquel! Kayden dodges the boot to fire off but Raquel shoves her. Kayden comes back to tilt-o-whirl JAWBREAKER! And a dropkick! Raquel is in a corner, Kayden dropkicks her again! Kayden fires off, Dakota runs in but is sent into Raquel! Kayden UPPERCUTS them both! Kayden fires up, and DROPKICK SPLASHES! Kayden knuckle locks Raquel, goes up and up and FLYING RANAS! Then she springboards for a wheelbarrow to victory roll, BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, ONE!?

Kayden is on the apron, Dakota swipes at her but misses! Kayden mule kicks her away, but Raquel BLASTS Kayden all the way to commentary! Fans boo as NXT goes picture in picture.

Dakota regroups with Raquel and tags in to then fetch Kayden. Dakota stomps Kayden down, drags her up, and puts her in the ring. Cover, TWO! Kayden is still in this but Dakota is on her with a cravat. Dakota grinds Kayden down, Kayden fights her way up, drags Dakota down to a cradle, TWO! Dakota CLOBBERS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Dakota drags Kayden by her hair but Kayden hits back. Dakota CLUBS Kayden, bumps her off buckles, and digs her boot in! Raquel tags in, stomps Kayden, then drags her up to whip her hard into buckles! Kayden bounces off buckles and flops out of the ring, but Raquel goes out to fetch her.

Raquel RAMS Kayden into the boards, then fireman’s carries her up the steps. Raquel dumps Kayden in, clamps onto her, and mockingly holds out Kayden’s hand to Kacy. Kacy barks back but Kayden throws hands. Raquel CLUBS Kayden, tags in Dakota, and then whips Kayden back into the corner, for Dakota to BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Dakota grows annoyed, and she drags Kayden away from Kacy. Dakota pulls on Kayden’s arms, digs a knee in Kayden’s back, but Kayden fights her way up. Dakota puts Kayden in the corner, tags in Raquel, and they mug Kayden as NXT returns to single picture.

Raquel gut wrenches Kayden to the Canadian rack but Kayden sunset flips! Kayden avoids Raquel’s stomp, but Raquel keeps her from Kacy. Kayden KICKS Raquel, Dakota tags in and goes to ax kick, but Kayden dodges! Dakota hurries but Kayden tags in Kacy! Kacy fires off on Dakota with furious fists but Dakota shoves her away! Kacy comes back to A-List Lariat! And then rolls Dakota to RANA! ROLLING AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Dakota bails out and regroups with Raquel but Kacy pursues! Kacy uses Raquel’s back to hop up onto the girder! Kacy goes up higher and higher to then SUPER CROSSBODY! Kacy puts Dakota in as fans are thunderous! Kacy covers, TWO!

Kacy keeps her focus as she drags Dakota up. Kacy throws forearms, tags in Kayden, and KC Squared double whip. Dakota holds ropes, BOOTS Kacy then SCORPION KICKS Kayden! Tag to Raquel and she hauls Kayden up! ASSISTED GO TO KICK! Cover, but Kacy breaks it! Dakota runs in and kicks Kacy, then reels her in for a suplex. Kayden saves Kacy and makes it a DDT on Dakota! Raquel clubs Kayden, scoops her but Kayden slips out to be a sleeper hold! Kayden hammers away, Raquel throws her off, and then runs in, to be tossed out! Kayden trips Raquel up, reels her in through ropes, and hits a HEATSEEKER! Tag to Kacy, GUILLOTINE DROPKICK!

Kacy runs and SPIKE-RANAS Raquel! Fans fire up with Kacy as she goes back up, for the PHOENIX SENTON!! Cover, TWO!?! Raquel survives! Dakota was a second behind, but Kayden drags her out! Dakota whips Kayden into steps! Raquel staggers up, Kacy runs in, but into the DESPERADO BOMB!! Cover, Raquel and Dakota win!

Winners: Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai, by pinfall (advance to the finals)

The captain and Ricky Desperado crush KC Squared, and are waiting on the winners of The Way and Shotzi-Moon! Who meets them in the first-ever Women’s Dusty Cup Finals?

Backstage interview with Toni Storm!

Over the weekend, it was announced that she, Mercedes Martinez and Io Shirai are in a TRIPLE THREAT for the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver! What are her thoughts? Toni says Shirai has been untouchable ever since she entered NXT. At least, untouchable for anyone not named “Toni Storm.” Everyone’s a big fan, Toni had Shirai at her feet, and Toni was holding the belt up. That was just a preview for what we’ll see in a couple weeks. Shirai won’t stop her, “dead weight” Mercedes won’t stop her. Toni is on top of her game and it’ll be on full display in her match tonight.

William Regal talks with Edge backstage!

The NXT General Manager congratulates the Rated R Superstar on winning the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble match, and Edge admires the infamous brass knuckles. But will they soon be discussing Edge wanting to bring the NXT Championship to WrestleMania?

Austin Theory w/ Johnny Gargano VS Leon Ruff!

The Way wants payback in the worst way on the underdog who helped kick them out of the Men’s Dusty Cup! Will Theory be beating up Ruff #AllDay for The Way? Or will Ruff find a way to add insult to injury?

The bell rings, Ruff and Theory circle and fans taunt Theory with “Theory Sucks!” Ruff headlocks Theory but Theory pushes Ruff to a corner. Theory runs in, Ruff dodges, and then Ruff gets a headlock back on! Theory powers up and back suplexes but Ruff lands on his feet! Ruff dodges, comes back, but Theory catches the crossbody! FALL AWAY SLAM, but Ruff lands on his feet again! And dropkicks Theory back! Ruff rolls Theory, kips and kicks! Theory flounders, Ruff runs in but Theory drop toeholds him into buckles! Theory hits a back suplex high and hard! Ruff writhes, Theory drags him up and clubs him to the corner.

Theory keeps on Ruff with a whip corner to corner, and Ruff bounces off buckles to hit the mat! Gargano likes what he sees as Theory drags Ruff up. Ruff elbows back but Theory snap suplexes Ruff hard! Cover, TWO! Theory grows annoyed but fans rally up for Ruff. Theory KICKS Ruff in the ribs, dusts off his boots, then drags Ruff up to choke him on the ropes! The ref counts but Theory crossface CLUBS Ruff! Theory drags Ruff back to stomp him down then talk some trash. Theory drags Ruff up but Ruff throws body shots ,only for Theory to club him again. Ruff keeps throwing hands, Theory brings Ruff up but Ruff fires off hands! Theory shoves Ruff to run him over!

Theory fireman’s carries Ruff, but Ruff avoids the takeoff to sunset flip! Theory flexes, drags Ruff up, but Ruff victory rolls him, TWO!! Ruff throws more body shots, then forearms! Theory shoves Ruff but Ruff comes back to ROCK Theory! Ruff runs to ROCK Theory again! Mule kick! Ruff hits a basement KNEE! Theory goes to a corner, Gargano coaches him up, and Theory puts Ruff on the apron. Ruff ROCKS Theory, and he avoids Gargano’s swipe to mule kick! Ruff goes up, leaps, missile dropkick! Gargano gets on the apron but Ruff DECKS him! Ruff and Theory run the ropes but DOUBLE SHOULDERS take both men out!

Ruff flops out of the ring, Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell come out to get Gargano out of there. But then Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon attack! Their semifinal match gets a preview and those four brawl to the back! Gargano gets up to see Ruff there. Ruff SMACKS himself, and falls over! It looks like Gargano did it and the ref EJECTS him! Latino Heat would be proud! Ruff laughs at Johnny, then goes back to the ring. Ruff enziguris Theory, springboards around and hits the FLYING CUTTER! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Theory saves himself and Ruff can’t believe it! Ruff aims as Theory goes outside, for a PLANCHA! But Theory catches Ruff and SNAKE EYES to the barriers!

Theory puts Ruff back in, brings him up to the fireman’s carry, A T L! Cover, Theory wins!

Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall

And the #RealSuperstar finds a way, even without Gargano guiding him by the hand! But he isn’t done with Ruff, he drags him up for a second ATL! “What goes up must come down!” Theory proves gravity is real, but he’s about to add on! He grabs the ring bell, only for DEXTER LUMIS to be there! Lumis grabs at Theory, Theory scrambles away, but Lumis ripped out some of Theory’s hair! Will this just be a little bit of what Lumis takes from Theory and The Way as we approach Vengeance Day?

Santos Escobar speaks.

“El Legado del Fantasma is always in control. When there’s business to take care of, we take care of it. When there are people to put down, we put them down.” That is what they will do tonight. Legado shows how powerful they really are. Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza will BURY Lucha House Party once and for all and take their rightful places in the Dusty Cup Semifinals. Then Escobar will “manhandle” Curt Stallion and stop the upstart in his tracks. Tonight, everyone will see that this is Legado’s empire! Their future is bright, but for everyone else, the end is near. Will that be true after the Legado is put in the ring?

NXT hears from Tian Sha.

“She” says that back before the dynasties, the land was ruled by an honorable king. He had two children, an older son and younger daughter. But corrupted by greed, the son killed his father, the king, and took power, ruling with an iron fist and bringing dishonor to the family. The younger daughter lived in fear and fled into exile. In that exile, she found a dragon, and asked it to teach her, give her the strength to restore honor and take back the kingdom. The dragon agreed, at the cost of her soul. She was put through four grueling trials that would “purge her fear” and replace it with power. She would be reborn as a warrior with no weaknesses. And the final thing the dragon taught her was how to ascend to the throne.

The young daughter destroyed her older brother and returned honor to her family. But then, upon taking the throne, she realized she would have to become the one thing she despised. She would have to instill fear in others, and she made the people fear the name, “Tian Sha,” for generations. And now, she has come to NXT!

Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: El Legado del Fantasma VS Lucha House Party!

We heard the Leader of Leaders and “Champion of Champions” speak on behalf of his Technical Assassin and Death From Above, but this is the rebuttal! Will Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik prove Escobar wrong and be the ones to take Wilde & Mendoza out?

The teams sort out, Mendoza starts with Metalik and the two circle. They approach, tie up, and Mendoza waistlocks to snapmare, but Metalik handsprings through. Metalik runs, handsprings over the leg sweep, then RANAS, but Mendoza handsprings, into a dropkick! Fans fire up, Metalik tags in Lince and Lince goes up to get the slingshot boost for the FLYING RANA! Lince keeps moving, QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO! Lince arm-drags Mendoza hard to the armlock but Mendoza endures. Mendoza fights up, pulls on the mask and then knees low! Tag to Wilde but Lince fires off, only for Legado to mug him.

Legado double whip and double SPINEBUSTER, to then split the wishbone! Double basement dropkick sandwich! Wilde covers, TWO! Wilde keeps on Lince, bumps him off buckles, then tags Mendoza. Mendoza fires off with clubbing forearms, then he bumps Lince off buckles. Mendoza throws body shots and CHOPS, but Lince CHOPS back! Mendoza stomps Lince, brings him around and CLUBS him down! Mendoza and Wilde taunt Lince in Spanish but he responds in kind, only for Mendoza to stomp him again. Mendoza brings Lince around, back suplex but Lince sunset flips through to kangaroo kick! Hot tag to Metalik for a springboard crossbody!

Metalik CHOPS Mendoza to a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Mendoza reverses. Metalik goes up the ropes but Mendoza ENZIGURIS him to the floor! Mendoza rolls back, tags Wilde and Wilde DIVES through the corner! Metalik is sent into barriers and NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Metalik fights with Mendoza up top! Mendoza throws body shots but Metalik gives clubbing forearms. Metalik CHOPS Mendoza on the back, stands up and SUPER SUNSET BOMBS! Both men are down, fans rally up, and both men crawl for their corners, hot tags to Wilde and Lince! Lince rallies with big forearms and a dropsault! Lince throws hands, CHOPS, and whips, but Wilde reverses, only for Lince to tilt-o-whirl arm-drag! Lince runs in, but misses in the corner! He still elbows Wilde away then goes up and up and CROSSBODIES! cover, TWO! Wilde lives but Lince clubs him. Wilde jawbreakers, headlocks but Mendoza is still down.

Wilde whips, Lince GOLDEN REWINDS! Lince pushes Wilde to a cover, TWO! Tag to Metalik, Metalik gets a boost from Lince for a FALLING SPLASH! Cover but Mendoza breaks it! Mendoza whips but Metalik reverses to throw Mendoza out hard! Tag to Lince, they go after Wilde and double whip, but Wilde crosses them up and throws them into each other! Wilde knuckle locks Lince, then does the same to Metalik. Wilde goes up to DOUBLE ARABIAN DDT!?! Cover on Lince, TWO!! Lince lives and Wilde can’t believe it! Wilde sees Lince on ropes, storms over but is tossed out! Mendoza runs in but Lince pops him up and out.

Mendoza goes up into a forearm! Metalik comes in, Lince gives him some help, for the SUPER STEINER ONTO WILDE!! Lince goes up and adds his SUPER MOONSAULT! Direct hit and they bump into commentary! Fans are loving this as Lince and Metalik stumble up. Lince puts Wilde in, runs in and SPIKE-RANAS! Cover, TWO!! Lince gets up, Wilde boots him, Mendoza tags in! Wilde tilt-o-whirls on Lince as Mendoza runs, ENZIGURI LEG SWEEP! Cover, Legado wins!!

Winners: El Legado del Fantasma, by pinfall (advance to the semifinals)

So far, Escobar’s prophecy is coming true! But here comes MSK to see their future opponents in person! “Congratulations, Legado!” Are they feeling good? They should be! A victory like that is felt in the gut. But that feeling is going to be taken away when MSK beats the brakes off ’em! MSK is Michael, Legado is Tito! Legado is just in the way of the meteoric rise of Wes Lee and Nash Carter in becoming Dusty Cup champions! It’s so pretty, isn’t it? So Legado better train real hard, because it’ll be MSK all night and all day!

The Kings of NXT arrive again!

Pete Dunne leads the way this time as Danny Burch says it’s Wednesday night! But Dunne’s been rather quiet, what’s on his mind? Wait, Dunne can be quieter than usual? Dunne says he just wants to find Balor. That sounds great! Let’s go get Balor! What will the kings have in mind for The Prince here tonight?

NXT returns as The Kings of NXT head to the ring.

Dunne leads the way again as they walk through the ropes, and he grabs a mic. “I told Finn Balor to his face that I’m not waitin’ anymore! But he didn’t listen. So last week, I delivered the message again and snapped his fingers.” Dunne doesn’t want to be forced to make it any more clear than that. So here comes the NXT Champion! Finn Balor has a mic and tells Dunne, “You say you’re done waiting, but it looks to me like you’re still hiding in line behind them two clowns.” Dunne says he doesn’t hide behind anyone! Balor goes to the ring and stares the three kings down. “Doesn’t look like that to me.” Dunne has his boys back off a bit, and Balor gets in the ring with Dunne.

Dunne says Balor better hold onto the belt tight, because the first chance Dunne gets, it’s his. Well he’s got his chance! TakeOver: Vengeance Day, Balor VS Dunne for the NXT Championship!! But here comes EDGE!! The Men’s Royal Rumble winner is in the Capital Wrestling Center for the first time ever, and everyone is loving it! Well, except maybe Dunne and Balor. Edge has a mic to join the conversation. “This. This feels good. A lot of times in WWE, we put the focus on the E. But here in NXT, the focus is on the second W, and that’s fun.” Edge says for years, he’s watched NXT as a fan, like anyone else.

But he has always seen passion, hunger and fire in the eyes! What people don’t know, and what he’ll tell us is that this show helped Edge find his passion. The passion needed to get his career back after nine YEARS. That passion won the Royal Rumble on Sunday, and now Edge can challenge any champion within the company. Now, Edge looks at Balor and Dunne and sees two of the best. Dunne is so much like a young Edge, both the good and the bad, but that’s what makes them who they are. Edge would’ve shrugged his shoulders at himself, too, kid!

And then with Balor, Edge sees a guy who is operating on an entirely different level. Balor is “in a zone that is special to watch.” So that said, Edge will be watching TakeOver, because Edge has never had the NXT Championship. So no matter who wins at TakeOver, the NXT title is intriguing. And if Edge hasn’t made his choice by then, who knows? This fight could be his choice. Edge has put the Prince AND the Bruiserweight on notice, but will he be targeting them after Vengeance Day?

Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano!

But he interrupts by saying it’s a good thing this new interviewer isn’t McKenzie. McKenzie asks stupid questions. Gargano wants a good journalist for a change. Like Howard Cosell to Muhammad Ali. What’s she got for “the kid?” Her question is, how is The Way feeling after Theory’s match with Leon Ruff? Well Theory showed everyone the way to win a match. And if that freak, Dexter Lumis, keeps messing with Theory, Theory will just have to put him in his place! Then, after the confrontation with Shotzi and Ember, how are Candice and Indi feeling going into their semifinals match next week? The only way that match ends is with Candice & Indi punching a ticket to TakeOver to become the first-ever Women’s Dusty Cup winners! This is going great, too!

Thanks, but the last question is, what is his reaction to the news from Regal’s office that Gargano will defend his NXT North American Championship at TakeOver, against Kushida? She said the K-WORD!! Who is she again?! Does she work here?! Is she new here? Is she just some crazy lady who got back here and spreads lies?! They’re going to see Regal and sort this out. Cameraman, you, too! We’re going to see this new girl get fired! But will Gargano be disappointed to hear the truth?

NXT returns and Gargano says he doesn’t care if it’s her first day, she’s either fired or “getting put in crazy people jail.” Gargano knocks on Regal’s door but Kushida answers! And Kushida asks if Gargano has an appointment. Gargano says the North American Champion doesn’t need an appointment. Kushida says he does because Regal is very busy. Really? Fine. Gargano will come back later. Then he sucker punches Kushida! They brawl, Kushida throws Gargano into a wall, then clubs him, then throws him through a door! Then Kushida PENALTY KICKS Gargano’s arm! Regal and security reprimand Kushida but the damage is done! Will the Time Splitter still go for gold on Vengeance Day?

Toni Storm VS Jessi Kamea w/ Aliyah & Robert Stone!

The Lightning From Down Under promised to show her full power tonight, and she’s going after the newest client of the Robert Stone Brand! Will Toni Time have a good time tonight?

The bell rings, Toni and Jessi tie up and Toni knees low then ROCKS Jessi with a forearm! Toni whips Jessi to ropes to snap her off, then BOOTS her down! Jessi scrambles, Toni runs and hits a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Toni looms over Jessi, waistlocks, but Jessi elbows free! Jessi fireman’s carries but Toni holds ropes, so Jessi throws her to the top buckle! Then KICKS Toni down! Cover, TWO! Jessi drags Toni up, whips her to ropes, but Toni reverses to CHOP Jessi, then waistlock. Jessi bucks the O’Conner roll away, then hits a basement calf kick! But wait, Mercedes gets in and she talks trash to Toni! Jessi goes after Mercedes first but Mercedes hits back!

Winner: Jessi Kamea, by disqualification

Mercedes cost Toni the match so now Toni is going after her! They brawl while the Robert Stone Brand regroups and has Jessi leave it at this. But here comes Shirai! We’re going to get a continuation from last week! Toni GERMAN SUPLEXES Mercedes, rains down fists, but Shirai perches on the top rope to watch her opponents fight. Mercedes gets up, Toni HEADBUTTS her! Both women fall, and Shirai adjusts on the top rope, to ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and both contenders are down! Will the Evil Genius have a plan to use Toni and Mercedes against each other to her benefit?

Curt Stallion speaks.

“On the 205th episode of 205 Live, I went out there and I won a Fatal 5 Way match for a future opportunity at the Cruiserweight Championship.” And tonight is the absolute biggest moment Stallion has had not just in his career, but in life. All the work and time put in, not just here in the WWE but to be in this position, against a guy like Escobar. Escobar has been running, but Stallion has him cornered. Place your bets as the Lonestar makes Texas proud.

Cameron Grimes is on his way back!

“Cameron Grimes, always at the right place at the right time!” Will it be Grime Time once again as the Carolina Caveman makes his return to NXT next week?

NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar w/ Legado del Fantasma VS Curt Stallion!

The Leader of Leaders has delayed this match long enough! No sneak attacks or dirty tricks this time, he has to put up or shut up! Will Stallion make sure it’s the latter and then finally ride off into the sunset with the gold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this fight a long time coming finally happens!

Stallion dares Escobar to do something but Escobar doesn’t take “rookie” Stallion seriously. Escobar and Stallion circle, tie up, and go around the ropes. Stallion has Escobar in the corner but lets off as the ref counts. They circle and tie up again, and Escobar powers Stallion to ropes to knee and CLUB him! Stallion CHOPS, Escobar CLUBS away and even fires off Kowata Kicks! Stallion gets away but he’s just pissed! Stallion CHOPS but Escobar DECKS him! Escobar stomps Stallion then drags him around to stomp him more. Escobar drags Stallion up, puts him in a corner, then cravats to grind him down.

Stallion endures, throws body shots but Escobar snapmares him to a seated cobra twist! Escobar twists Stallion’s wrists and puts on a keylock as he talks trash. Stallion endures, fights up, but Escobar whips Stallion and things speed up, for Escobar to dropkick Stallion down! Cover, TWO! Stallion is still in this, and Scarlett Bordeaux is watching from the perch! Escobar keeps on Stallion with a keylock, but Stallion fights up, only for Escobar to dragon sleeper. Stallion flails, swats at Escobar, but Escobar shifts to go after the arm again. Escobar puts Stallion in a corner and CHOPS him! Escobar whips corner to corner and runs in to double knee!

Escobar brings Stallion up and hits a BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, ONE?! Escobar mounts for the keylock, and he smirks at Scarlett. Stallion endures but Escobar jabs him. Escobar drags Stallion up and around, but Stallion throws forearms. Escobar hits Stallion back, but Stallion jawbreakers! Stallion runs but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Escobar smirks, he lets his hair down and still stares Scarlett down, but Stallion rolls him up! TWO!! Stallion clotheslines Escobar out of the ring! Fans rally for Stallion while Escobar is flustered and NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Escobar has Stallion down at the ramp and is talking trash. The ref wants this to get back in the ring while Escobar says this is where Stallion belongs. Escobar puts Stallion in the ring at the count of 5 of 10, covers, TWO! Escobar smirks as he sits Stallion up and twists one of his arms around behind to the hammerlock. Escobar rams knees into Stallion, puts him up top and clubs away. Escobar brings Stallion out for a MUSCLE BUSTER! Escobar mocks Kross and Scarlett before he covers, TWO! Escobar clubs away on Stallion, and then puts on a deep Half Crab! Stallion endures, crawls and claws forward, but Escobar shifts to an STF!

Escobar keeps moving around and has an arm for a half straitjacket modification! Stallion still endures, fans rally up now, and Scarlett is still staring Escobar down. Escobar KNEES Stallion in the side as he holds onto a leg and arm. Stallion endures this modified surfboard, so Escobar lets go to kick away on Stallion’s side! Stallion gets to a corner, Escobar drags him up and throws forearms. Escobar fireman’s carries Stallion but Stallion fights free with elbows! Stallion dodges Escobar in the corner to fire off forearms, but Escobar knees him back! Escobar throws a forearm, whips Stallion corner to corner, but Stallion dodges again! GERMAN SUPLEX and a ROLLING ELBOW!

Stallion starts to rally with big hands and he ROCKS Escobar! Escobar sits in the corner, bails out, but Stallion DIVES! Direct hit and they go to barriers! Stallion puts Escobar in, climbs up top, and leaps for a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Another try, TWO! Escobar survives but Stallion sees him going to a corner, and hits a basement dropkick! Then the stomps, to the DD- NO! Escobar OVERHEAD suplexes Stallion into buckles! Fans duel as Escobar covers, TWO! Stallion is still in this but Escobar is frustrated. Escobar brings Stallion up, but Stallion mule kicks, knees and HEADBUTTS! Stallion CALF KICKS back!

Stallion is down, Escobar brings him up to fireman’s carry, PHANTOM DRIVER! But he’s not done there, LEGADO BUSTER! Cover, Escobar wins!

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

Legado dominates the night, but Scarlett is still sinister and stoic from where she watches the celebration. Wait, Kross is storming down the ramp! He BOOTS Mendoza, scoops and TOSSES Wilde, then drags Mendoza back up to gut wrench and TOSS into barriers! Escobar sees he’s alone with Kross, but doesn’t seem to sweat the apocalypse before him. Kross gets in the ring, and says they have a problem. The solution: time. A double-edged sword. All that will give Escobar is time to think on the inevitable. Now run along. Escobar doesn’t like being talked down to, but the clock is ticking. What happens when time is up?

NXT Media catches Edge as he heads out.

After a fist bump with Bronson Reed, Edge goes to the parking lot, and the reporter asks if Edge has made any decisions yet. No, not yet. But even if he had, he wouldn’t say. But then Kross storms over and says Edge has a very big decision to make. That will be a moment Edge will have to live with for the rest of his life. Kross hopes Edge chooses wisely, and not emotionally. Because in the end, it won’t be Pete Dunne or Finn Balor going to WrestleMania. It’ll be Kross, having taken back the title he never lost. Time tells all, even for the ultimate opportunist. Sounds scary.

But with words like that, they can be motivating. They could motivate Edge to come back to NXT, and maybe Kross wouldn’t like that. Will Mr. Doomsday be the one regretting the decisions he’s made, should the Rated R Superstar want to go from red to black ‘n’ gold?

Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: The Undisputed Era VS Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher!

Adam Cole and Roderick Strong is the one combination in the Era that hasn’t put their names to a tag team achievement. The Psycho Killer and the Professor of Pain put their combination together out of respect, but also curiosity. Which combination proves itself superior and then head for the semifinals?

The teams sort out and Ciampa starts with Cole, a very familiar match-up. They circle, tie up, and Ciampa powers Cole to a corner. Ciampa gets up on Cole but the ref reprimands, and Ciampa lets off with a pat on Cole’s shoulder. Cole shrugs that off, ties up with Ciampa again, and Ciampa headlocks. Cole powers out but Ciampa runs him over! Ciampa speeds things up, Cole stays low but Ciampa hits a headlock and takeover! Cole pushes with his forearm, gets a headscissor but Ciampa pops free. Cole fireman’s carries but Ciampa slips off and rolls him, ONE! Ciampa wants the double underhooks but Cole trips him and jackknifes, TWO!

Ciampa headlocks, Cole powers up but Ciampa holds tight! Ciampa grinds Cole down, Cole endures and fights against the hold again, but Ciampa hooks the leg. Cole gets up and throws body shots to power out. Ciampa ducks the boot, waistlocks but Cole bucks the roll. Ciampa avoids the shining wizard, blocks the superkick, but Cole avoids Ciampa’s knee! Fans cheer the stand-off of these old rivals! Ciampa claps for Cole but Cole and Ciampa each tag out to Strong and Thatcher! The Savior of the Backbreaker ties up with the Professor, they go around and Strong waistlocks but Thatcher gets an arm!

Strong resists the crank, wrenches back, and drags Thatcher down to a hammerlock. Thatcher moves around, uses his own head to push against Strong, and slips around. Strong hits a headlock takeover, Thatcher gets the headscissors and holds tight! Thatcher also gets an arm, then uses leverage to crank on the neck! Thatcher SMACKS Strong in the ribs, hammerlocks to a cover, ONE and Strong holds Thatcher off with knuckle locks. Strong hooks a leg with a leg, drags Thatcher over, then floats to get a facelock. Thatcher slips out to go for an arm, but Strong resists so Thatcher ROCKS him with a EuroUpper! Strong CHOPS back! Thatcher EuroUppers, Strong dropkicks!

Tag to Cole, the UE mug Thatcher with stomps, then forearms! Cole keeps Thatcher in the Undisputed Corner and tags Strong in. Strong rams into Thatcher but Thatcher turns things around! Thatcher has a facelock but Strong pushes, but that ironically helps Thatcher. Thatcher shifts Strong around to a sleeper, but Ciampa tags in. Ciampa and Thatcher mug Strong, Ciampa CHOPS Strong to snapmare him. Ciampa drives a knee into Strong’s back, then wrenches and whips him to ropes for a BIG elbow! Strong flounders but Ciampa ROCKS him to the corner. Tag to Thatcher, they mug Strong more, and Thatcher scoops Strong to SLAM him! Elbow drop and a cover, ONE!!

Thatcher keeps on Strong with a chinlock, bumps Strong off buckles and then stomps away! The ref counts but Thatcher tags Ciampa. Ciampa stomps away on Strong, lets off as the ref counts, and then waves to Cole. Cole talks trash, Ciampa goes back to Strong and Strong BOOTS Ciampa! Strong elbows Thatcher, fires off on Ciampa, then slips away! Thatcher tags in but Cole backs Strong up and we have a stare down. Fans rally up, and it’s a brawl as NXT goes picture in picture!

Thatcher and Cole throw hands while Ciampa and Strong do the same! Cole and Thatcher tumble out, Ciampa whips Strong but Strong CLOBBERS Ciampa! The ref gets Thatcher and Cole to stop, but Strong goes after Ciampa with forearms! Ciampa flounders from corner to ropes, but Strong is on him to set him up and CHOP! Strong brings Ciampa around to RAM into a corner, and then again! Strong hoists Ciampa up top, climbs up, but he has to BOOT Thatcher away first. Strong brings Ciampa up but Thatcher anchors Ciampa’s foot! Strong BOOTS Thatcher again, then he CHOPS Ciampa off the top! Strong climbs up, brings Ciampa back up, but Ciampa HOTSHOTS Strong!

Ciampa claps and pats himself on the back before going in to CLOBBER Strong! Ciampa taunts Cole, stomps Strong, then brings Strong away to tag in Thatcher. Thatcher and Ciampa mug Strong again, and Thatcher SLAMS Strong’s foot into the mat! Thatcher wraps onto Strong with a chinlock and grinds him down. Strong fights but Thatcher pulls Strong’s nose! Thatcher keeps Strong down with another chinlock as NXT returns to single picture.

Fans rally, Strong endures, but Thatcher knees Strong in the side! Thatcher ties up Strong’s legs and pulls him into the Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! Strong endures, but Thatcher makes it a cover, TWO! Thatcher facelocks, drags Strong over and tags in Ciampa. They mug Strong more, Ciampa CHOPS Strong but Strong CHOPS back! Ciampa CHOPS, Strong CHOPS, repeat! It’s a CHOP fight until they shift to forearms! Ciampa shoves Strong and DECKS him! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Ciampa drags Strong over, tags Thatcher in then Ciampa anchors Strong’s leg and Thatcher KNEES Strong in the side! Thatcher smiles as he ground ‘n’ pounds with slapping haymakers!

Thatcher shifts, he has the arm but Strong resists the armbar with clasped hands. Strong moves around, Thatcher shifts to a facelock, then chinlock. Strong gets to ropes, Thatcher lets off at 4, but then Strong dumps Thatcher out! Thatcher still gets the sleeper over the ropes! Thatcher climbs to make it a HANGMAN’S SLEEPER! The ref counts, Thatcher lets go at 4, and Strong fights back! They brawl as they go up the corner, Strong throws forearms from all sides, then adjusts to SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and writhing but the fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” Strong and Thatcher crawl, hot tags to Ciampa and Cole!

Cole rallies on Ciampa, BOOT! BOOT for Thatcher! Cole gets around Ciampa to BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Cole seethes but he brings Ciampa up to a fireman’s carry. Ciampa fights free, Cole hits back and gets around again to waistlock. Ciampa standing switches but Cole breaks free to PELE! Cole brings Ciampa in, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives and Cole is frustrated. Cole goes to the corner, hops up, leaps, but into a back drop! Cole makes the sunrise a sunset flip, TWO! Cole trips Ciampa, spins through but no figure four! Tag to Thatcher and he storms over, but Cole trips him up! Cole gets the Figure Four after all! Strong intercepts Ciampa, STRONG HOLD!

The Undisputed Era has dual submissions, but Ciampa powers Strong away to CLOBBER Cole! Ciampa saves Thatcher and the teams regroup. Cole tags Strong, Strong fireman’s carries Thatcher but Thatcher slips out to shove Strong into Cole! Thatcher wants the arm, drags Strong down but Strong rolls him! TWO, and Thatcher SLAPS Strong down! Thatcher drags Strong up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag to Ciampa and Ciampa takes over to GERMAN SUPLEX, too! Tag back to Thatcher and he dead lifts Strong. Ciampa tags in, GERMAN SUPLEX turns Strong inside out, PSYCHO KNEE! Cover, Thatcher intercepts Cole, but TWO!! Strong still survives!

Thatcher throws Coles out and goes back to his corner. Ciampa cools off, drags Strong up and reel shim in. Ciampa clubs away on Strong’s back from all sides, then double underhooks! But no Fairytale Ending, OLYMPIC SLAM instead! Hot tag to Cole and he SUPERKICKS Thatcher! Cole aims at Ciampa, Strong joins in, SUPERKICK STRONG KNEE COMBO! Cover, TWO!?!? Ciampa survives and the Undisputed Era is shocked! Cole tags Strong, they drag Ciampa up and coordinate, END OF HEARTACHE, but Thatcher drags Cole out! Thatcher blocks the kick, EuroUppers Cole, then hurries to get Strong!

Thatcher BLASTS Cole again, but Strong KNEES Thatcher, into a BARRIER BACKBREAKER! Strong gets in, but into WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, Ciampa & Thatcher win!!

Winners: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher, by pinfal (advance to the semifinals)

The gritty gladiators are the ones to #ShockTheSystem and they take out the UE! But will they make it to TakeOver with their next opponents being Grizzled Young Veterans? For that matter, Zack Gibson and James Drake walk out to make sure Ciampa and Thatcher understand who they’re up against! And then a brawl breaks out!! Referees and Regal hurry to stop this, but there won’t be any stopping it next week!

My Thoughts:

A great episode of NXT as we draw closer to the newly renamed TakeOver event. I like that NXT is bringing back old school WWE titles in their own way. Vengeance Day is an interesting choice but they got a pretty good logo out of it. We got a lot of stuff put together for it, too, namely the three top singles titles. Dunne calling out Balor, Balor giving Dunne the match because he wants it just as much, and Edge teasing that NXT is a choice was all great stuff. Kross making sure Edge was aware he could be champion by Mania time was also a good move, because there could be a match on TV of Kross VS winner from Vengeance Day. But as cool as it’d be for Edge to go for a title he’s never, ever had, pretty sure Edge is choosing one of the other titles.

The Women’s Championship Triple Threat is set but the segment plugging it was only alright. Mercedes costing Toni her match was pretty good, and Shirai getting them both was a nice touch, but I think we were all pretty sold on the match from last week’s huge brawl. Kushida VS Gargano was obviously the move, and could go either way given just how great Gargano is as both sore loser and sore winner. The Way had really good stuff tonight, and it works out for Theory that he wins even after all the shenanigans. Theory VS Lumis, Hair VS Hair for TakeOver? Sounds good to me. Cameron Grimes is also on his way back, will he look to cost Lumis?

I like that we got lore on Tian Sha, the mysterious mastermind behind Xia Li’s and Boa’s transformations. Maybe now Tian Sha (Karen Q) will start getting back in the ring. If Xia Li is this dangerous as her student, I can’t wait to see how powerful they make Tian Sha herself. We got good promos from Escobar and Stallion, but I feel bad for Stallion’s great run from 205 Live being turned into the transition for Escobar VS Kross. If Kross is feuding with Escobar, but it literally can’t be for the title because Kross is 265 pounds, why not cost Escobar the title so Stallion can carry it for bit and freshen things up? I feel like that’d be great story on Stallion’s end, where he only got the title because Kross and Scarlett interfered.

All the Dusty Cup matches tonight were great. Dakota & Raquel VS KC Squared was a really good opener for the night, and that match could’ve gone either way, but it makes sense for Dakota & Raquel to take it. There’s a lot that can happen with them in the finals because they have history with both teams on the other side. I would think the Faces win, so that Shotzi and Ember can get back for the loss at WarGames while making history, but sometimes a Heel VS Heel sounds fun. Legado wins mostly to prove Escobar right, but also so that MSK can be the Faces to their Heels. Not really sure MSK had the best promo there, but they’ll find their footing in that department.

Thatcher & Ciampa VS Undisputed Era was the best match tonight, and the former is really making it work as a team. They got over the dysfunction in the first round and are smooth in the second round. Their quick scuffle with GYV at the end was a nice touch, too, for what could be the best match in the tournament so far. The result with Thatcher & Ciampa VS GYV will go a long way to determining the other side, MSK VS Legado, but I like all the combinations possible.

My Score: 9.4/10