Will the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships belong to NXT?

The inaugural Women’s Dusty Cup Winners, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez, challenge Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler for the titles! But will the NXT alumni show they still dominate the black ‘n’ yellow?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa; Lorcan & Burch win.
• Aliyah w/ The Robert Stone Brand VS Ember Moon w/ Shotzi Blackheart; Ember wins.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez; Jax & Baszler win and retain the titles.
• Cameron Grimes VS Bronson Reed; Grimes wins.
• Ever-Rise VS Breezango; No Contest.
• Finn Balor VS Roderick Strong; Balor wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa!

The Kings of NXT are probably thanking the Grizzled Young Veterans for taking out MSK last week, but then kicking themselves for mouthing off. They got in the faces of Wes Lee & Nash Carter, but it was the Professor of Pain & Psycho Killer that got in their faces back. No challengers left their cards open, so the NXT Tag Team Champions have to put up or shut up against “Toothless Timmy” & “Old Man Ciampa.” Will the One Two grow a pair and take it to this dangerous duo?

Ciampa walks to gorilla position and Thatcher finishes a conversation with Imperium’s Marcel Barthel. We’ll learn what that’s about later as Ciampa & Thatcher make their entrance. Thatcher and Burch start, circle, tie up, and Burch is after an arm. Thatcher uses that to get Burch back and hits a headlock takeover. Burch rolls to a cover, ONE, and Thatcher has the keylock. Burch scrambles up, gets around, but Thatcher cranks the arm. They end up on ropes, the ref counts and Thatcher lets go. Burch pushes as he lets off, and the two circle again. They tie up, Burch full nelsons, snapmares Thatcher, but Thatcher slips out to get the arm,

Thatcher grinds the arm, drops down on it, then twists it around. Burch clinches with Thatcher and throws EuroUppers. Thatcher throws EuroUppers back, but both men take a step. Ciampa wants in but Thatcher leaves him hanging to go after Burch again. Thatcher EuroUppers, Burch EuroUppers back, but Thatcher facelocks! Now he tags Ciampa and they mug Burch. Ciampa cravats but Burch powers him to the corner. Oney tags in, gets Ciampa’s arm and wrenches it to an armlock. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, but Oney puts him in a corner. The ref counts, Oney lets off but he CHOPS Ciampa! Ciampa shrugs that off, blocks the next chop to give a CHOP!

Oney EuroUppers, Ciampa CHOPS and forearms, but Oney headlocks. Ciampa tries to power out but Oney pulls beard! Ciampa slips around to a waistlock, Oney bucks him off but runs into a headlock takeover! Oney headscissors, Ciampa kicks free and blocks Oney’s headlock takeover! Ciampa waistlocks, Oney switches but Ciampa elbows out hard! Ciampa outs Oney on the apron and KNEES Him down! Burch run sin but Ciampa hits him first! Ciampa puts Burch out but Burch runs away, only for Thatcher to BLAST him! Oney rolls Ciampa up, TWO! Oney throws more EuroUppers, whips but Ciampa LARIATS Oney! Burch gets on the apron, Ciampa BOOTS him, then tags Thatcher!

Ciampa shoves Oney, pops him up, Thatcher EuroUppers Oney down! Cover, TWO! Thatcher clamps onto Oney, grinds him down with the chinlock, but Oney endures. Oney fights up, Thatcher KNEES him in the back then covers, TWO! Thatcher clamps on again, Oney grabs at Thatcher and fish hooks Thatcher’s mouth! The ref reprimands, Thatcher pushes Oney down, but Oney CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Oney tags Burch, brings Thatcher up, but Thatcher fights them off to Belly2Belly Oney! Burch runs in and CLOBBERS Thatcher! Ciampa and Thatcher regroup as Thatcher clutches his neck! The ref checks on Thatcher and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns, Thatcher is okay to continue but Oney has him down with a Half Crab! Thatcher endures, reaches for his corner, but Oney pulls back on the leg. Thatcher powers up but Oney drag shim away, only for Thatcher to kick him away! Burch tags in but no Full Crab, Thatcher boots him to tag in Ciampa! Ciampa rallies on Burch, then on Oney! Then he clotheslines Burch in a corner, then hits Oney, then back to Burch! Ciampa isn’t slowing down as he hits endless corner clotheslines! Ciampa dodges the One Two to DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Ciampa and he throws hands on Burch in the corner!

Thatcher forces the bad arm to move as he tags in and gives EuroUppers to Burch! Tag back to Ciampa and he CHOPS away on Burch! Tag back to Thatcher and he fires off forearms! Thatcher drags Burch out to HALF HATCH SUPLEX! Thatcher grins as he wraps on the chinlock! Burch flails but Oney boots Thatcher! Thatcher just grins at Oney, and Ciampa BOOTS Oney! Ciampa puts Oney in a chinlock, and both men beat away on the One Two with crossface forearms! Fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” as Thatcher looms over Burch. Thatcher waistlocks, Oney grabs at Burch to save him! The ref reprimands, Burch lets go to elbow Thatcher away!

Oney tags in, he DECKS Ciampa, then EuroUppers Thatcher! Tag back to Burch, they drag Thatcher up, but Thatcher powers out to shove Burch into Oney! Thatcher grabs Oney but Burch grabs Thatcher! Ciampa returns to BOOT Oney, Burch SLAPS Ciampa but Thatcher DECKS Burch! Oney HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES Thatcher and grows as he grabs Thatcher, but Ciampa SLAPS Oney! Thatcher SLAPS, Ciampa KNEES, Oney falls but Burch HEADBUTTS Ciampa! Thatcher BOOTS Burch and all four men are down! Fans are thunderous but Thatcher’s neck and arm are bothering him again!

Burch and Oney regroup, Thatcher crawls for Ciampa, but Imperium stands on the stage? Thatcher glares at them, Ciampa looks over to see them, too. Burch tags in and Oney BLASTS Ciampa! Oney whips Thatcher at Burch, they combine for LONGDON BRIDGE!! Cover, the tag champs win!

Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, by pinfall

What is Imperium even doing out here? Does this have to do with the conversation Barthel had with Thatcher? And if this is how the champs won a non-title match, how will they deal with MSK when the belts are finally on the line?

NXT returns with Roderick Strong in the ring.

He throws down his Undisputed Era dog tags and demands Adam Cole get out to the ring NOW! But on surprise that he won’t. “If any single one of us ever meant a thing to you, just a little bit, please get out here right now!” But instead of Cole, it’s Finn Balor! Balor tells Roddy he needs to learn that Cole won’t come out here for him. Do you think Cole is going to offer Strong an explanation? Strong tells Balor, “I find this really funny. Because the Undisputed Era was doing perfectly fine until you showed up!” In Strong’s mind, this whole thing is Balor’s fault!

Oh is it? Balor tells Strong that this isn’t his fault. The reason the “brotherhood” fell apart is because of the NXT Championship. Balor knows how to get Cole out here. “Next week, Adam Cole VS Finn Balor, for the NXT Championship!” As for Roddy, “You’ll never be a leader. You’ll always be a follower. And until you get a little more greedy and a little more selfish, and until you get a killer instinct like The Prince, you’ll never-” Strong DECKS Balor! Strong fires off fists but Balor gives them back!

Referees hurry out to break this up, as do WWE officials, but Balor says they can do this tonight! Strong wants to, too, but the refs tell them not now. Will the Prince and the Savior of the Backbreaker have it out before Cole comes back for the title?

The Way attends family therapy.

They’re at the Central Florida Psychiatric Center, and only now does Austin Theory think this isn’t Chuck E. Cheese like Johnny Gargano promised. Linda Nicoli is used to more one-on-one sessions, but Johnny says Theory needs his “family” here for support. In fact, this Dexter Lumis problem is affecting all of them. Theory says there is no problem. But that is the problem! Theory was kidnapped and acts like nothing happened! It was a vacation! Theory, sweetie, being locked up somewhere for three days isn’t vacation. Indi says that with the right guy, it could be.

Dr. Nicoli says Theory’s friends- er, family, thinks Theory is just in denial. Did something happen that he’s afraid to tell them about? No, nothing bad happened! It was two dudes hanging out, having a good time! Lumis just needs friends, and it is a cold, hard world. Indi would warm Lumis up. Seriously? And what is she even doing with that pad? What is she writing? It’s private. No it’s not, give it! Give it! Johnny snatches it away and sees Indi wrote in very fancy letters, “Mrs. Indi Wrestling-Lumis!?” Gargano says he gave Indi the name ‘”Wrestling” as a Christmas present! She’s ruined Christmas! This is Theory’s fault, he is making things worse for everyone!

Johnny tells Theory to tell Dr. Nicoli that “that FREAK” Lumis locked him in his basement and drew pictures of him and whatever! Lumis should be in jail! Why is he not in jail!? Tell Johnny why! LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP! Nicoli tells Mr. Gargano that his hostility towards Lumis is unlocking some deep-rooted issues of his own. Oh no no no! Johnny sees what she’s doing! She’s making this about him, when it’s not! This is not for her to therapy on him! Therapy on Lumis! Nicoli tells Johnny to calm down and he only gets angrier as he insists he IS calm! Johnny is always calm! That’s his middle name: Johnny Calm Gargano! But he’s starting to foam at the mouth.

Dr. Nicoli tells Johnny to get out of her office! Johnny says she should get out, this is HIS office now! He’s North American Champion! Nicoli shouts to GET OUT! Johnny says that was very unprofessional. Johnny is left outside, and the therapying continues without him. Will we get to the root of The Way’s problems? Or did it just get sent out into the hall?

Cameron Grimes counts his money.

“What we’re doing here today is we’re starting on the ground floor. If I’m gonna make some changes in this place, we’ve gotta start with that name.” The CWC? No no, we can do much better. The CGA: The Cameron Grimes Auditorium! Is that approved? It’ll get approved. Grimes has money to approve anything. But then William Regal walks over and asks Grimes to get out of the chair. Sorry, Mr. Regal, Grimes is a little busy right now. Regal tells Grimes to stand up, so Grimes does. Regal says Grimes hit a crew member and now there is a lawsuit. Say no more. How much does he want? 100? 200?

Regal says he can take care of the settlement, the problem is Grimes. Oh, well okay. Regal wants money, but Grimes has #KissMuhGrits money. And everybody has a price. Regal says he has no idea what that means, but he has a contract for a match with Grimes’ name on it. It will be Grimes VS BRONSON REED! Grimes says it’ll just be easier to give him money. DAMN YOU, TED DEBIASE! Will Grimes’ greed cost him against the Colossal Bronson Reed?

BREAKING NEWS: It’s OFFICIAL!

For next week’s episode of NXT, the NXT Championship IS on the line as Finn Balor defends against Adam Cole! But tonight, Balor VS Strong IS happening! Will Balor end up with a nice sweep of the former Undisputed Era members?

Aliyah w/ The Robert Stone Brand VS Ember Moon w/ Shotzi Blackheart!

While Robert Stone himself deals with some PTTSD, Post Tank Trauma Stress Disorder, the Bougie from the Six will have to deal with the Evolved Shenom! Will Ember be howling to the moon as she #TCB, takes care o’ business?

The bell rings, Ember and Aliyah circle, fans rally and duel as the two tie up. Aliyah wristlocks, Ember handsprings and wrenches to an elbow breaker. Ember whips but Aliyah goes up an dover, only for the arm-drag to be blocked! Ember arm-drags Aliyah, then again, then chases her to the ropes. The ref backs Ember off, Stone coaches Aliyah up but Ember headlocks. Aliyah gets a headlock of her own, Ember powers up and out, but Aliyah runs her over. Aliyah fires up and talks some smack, but things speed up and Ember trips her up. Aliyah comes back to ROCK Ember, but Ember just scowls.

Aliyah taunts Ember but Ember gives her a free shot. Aliyah takes Ember up on the offer, but gets caught to a SLAM! Ember drags Aliyah up, wrenches an arm, but Aliyah throws forearms! Ember hits back, whips Aliyah but Aliyah dodges, only for Ember to tackle her! They both fall out of the ring, Ember scowls again as she shoves Aliyah back in. Stone makes an offer to Ember but Shotzi storms over and Stone hides behind Jessi Kamea! Aliyah LEAPS, but Ember catches her! Aliya slips off the scoop and puts Ember in the ring but Ember KICKS back! And then BOOTS Aliyah from the apron! Ember puts Aliyah in the ring, covers, TWO!

Ember keeps on Aliyah in the corner but Aliyah throws her into buckles! Aliyah runs in to BOOT her down! Cover, TWO!! Ember survives, Stone coaches Aliyah to keep on her, and Aliyah throws a knee into Ember’s back. Aliyah clamps on with a chinlock, Ember endures, fans rally and Shotzi coaches Ember now. Ember fights up, pries free and arm-drags Aliyah away! Aliyah comes back into a headscissor! Ember rallies with clotheslines, a mule kick and then a SHOTGUN dropkick! Ember roars, fans fire up and Aliyah runs into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Ember climbs up top, Aliyah trips Ember up! Aliyah climbs up, Ember resists and fights back!

Ember hits Aliyah with a GOURD BUSTER! Stone distracts the ref, Kamea goes after Ember but Ember BOOTS her down! Shotzi comes around to LEAP and CLOBBER the Stone Brand! ECLIPSE for Aliyah! Cover, Ember wins!

Winner: Ember Moon, by pinfall

And just like that, Ember’s Law takes effect! Will Ember and Shotzi continue to watch each other’s backs and take over the NXT Women’s Division together?

Backstage interview with Ciampa & Thatcher.

What exactly happened with Imperium showing up during their match? Thatcher says we all come from somewhere, and we all have a past. Imperium keeps throwing Thatcher’s in his face. And Ciampa says the past IS the past, and that’s it. We done here? Ciampa and Thatcher head out, but will the past come to haunt them all the same?

NXT profiles the coming collision of Io Shirai and Toni Storm!

“If anybody knows how good Io Shirai is,” it’s Toni Storm. She’s competed with and against Shirai all over the world. But what scares Shirai the most is that she knows how great Storm is! Shirai has put down every champion and challenger, except Storm. Shirai says she is NOT scared of Toni Storm. She respects her as an athlete, but doesn’t like her as a person. Storm stands in the way of Shirai being seen as THE greatest NXT Women’s Champion in history. Storm says next week, the reign of Shirai ends, and #ToniTime begins. Shirai says her toughest challenge is coming, but at the end we will hear, “And still NXT Women’s Champion…!”

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez!

The Irresistible Force and Queen of Spades have been dominant tag team champions on Raw and SmackDown, but they’re returning to NXT to complete the sweep! Will they be rolling on the Road to WrestleMania? Or will these titles take a detour into the black ‘n’ yellow and ride with the first-ever Women’s Dusty Cup winners?

The introductions are made, the titles are raised, and this battle that brings up the past and cements the future begins!

Dakota and Shayna begin and then Nia tags in. Nia and Dakota circle, they tie up, and Nia throws Dakota right down. Dakota gets up and in a corner but Nia TOSSES her across the way! Nia runs in to SPLASH Dakota, then tags Shayna back in. Shayna mugs Dakota, drags Dakota up again and bumps her off buckles. Shayna runs in, fakes Dakota out, and then pats her head. Shayna still sees the scared Dakota, and then she waistlocks Dakota to SLAM her! Shayna twists Dakota’s arm, hammerlocks it, and wants to repeat history! Dakota knows that and gets away to SLAP Shayna!

Shayna rushes in but is put in a corner. She dodges, but Dakota elbows back! Dakota goes up and over and rolls Shayna, ONE! Dakota arm-drags Shayna around, then hits a flying-mare! Shayna blocks the kick, trips Dakota up, and drags her up to throw her out! Raquel check son Dakota, Nia and Shayna storm over but the ref wants them to keep this in the ring. Tensions rise as NXT goes picture in picture.

Dakota and Raquel go to their corner, Shayna and Nia go to theirs, and Dakota tags Raquel. Raquel stares down Shayna, they both talk some trash, and Raquel shoves Shayna. Shayna smirks as she ROCKS Raquel with a right! Shayna goes for a leg, Raquel pries her off but Shayna switches. Raquel switches, and throws Shayna around! Shayna goes after the arm, Raquel resists the wrench, but Shayna twists the wrist. Raquel scoops Shayna and Dakota tags in before the SLAM! Dakota gets a boost for DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Dakota keeps on Shayna but Shayna fires off furious strikes! Shayna drags Dakota up for a gut wrench SLAM! Cover, TWO!

Shayna keeps on Dakota’s arm with a keylock and drags her away. Nia tags in, they mug Dakota, and Nia drags Dakota around to shove her down! Dakota crawls, Nia stalks her and chokes her on the ropes! The ref counts, Nia lets off at 4, but then Nia taunts Raquel with a tag to Dakota before she CLUBS Dakota down. Nia drags Dakota up, tags Shayna, and they mug Dakota again. Shayna snapmares Dakota, KICKS her in the back, then covers, TWO! Shayna drags Dakota up with the keylock again, and Dakota endures as Shayna pulls on the arm. Dakota fights up as Raquel and fans rally, and she hits a jawbreaker! Hot tag to Raquel!

Big Mami Cool puts Shayna in a corner and stomps away! Then she clamps onto the arms, throws knees, and CLUBS Shayna! NXT returns to single picture as Dakota tags back in. Raquel whips Shayna in and Dakota BOOT WASHES her down! Shayna bails out, Dakota goes to the apron and kicks, but Shayna catches it to trip and YANKS Dakota down! Shayna drags Dakota back into the ring, drags her around and stomps away on the leg! Dakota clutches her knee, Nia tags in and Nia drags Dakota around to a STRETCH MUFFLER! Dakota can only endure as Nia swings her around! Nia swings harder but Dakota sunset flips! Nia stays up, drags Dakota back up and HEADBUTTS her!

Dakota flounders, Nia brings her around and gets the STRETCH MUFFLER again! She swings Dakota into buckles! Nia drags Dakota to a cover, TWO! Nia is annoyed as Dakota gets to a corner. Dakota boots back, hops up, and leaps, into Nia’s arms! Shayna tags in, Nia pops Dakota up as Shayna DECKS Raquel! Nia SLAMS Dakota down, Shayna KNEES Dakota further down! Cover, but Raquel breaks it! Shayna is frustrated but she drags Dakota up to whip her to the corner. Dakota SCORPION KICKS Nia and BOOTS her down! Dakota dodges Shayna, hobbles, but Shayna gets the leg to bring her back. Dakota mule kicks then SUPERKICKS Shayna!

Fans fire up for Dakota as she crawls to the corner, hot tag to Raquel! And Raquel DRPOKCIKS and CLOBERS Shayna! She scoops and FALL AWAY SLAMS Shayna, to then scoop her for ANOTHER FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel runs in to SPLASH Shayna, fire off elbows, then scoop her again. SWINGING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Shayna sits up in a daze but Raquel drags her back up. Raquel wants the fisherman but Shayna knees free! Tag to Nia and the female titans meet! Fans fire up as Nia shoves, but Raquel throws forearms! They brawl, Nia ROCKS Raquel, but runs into only buckles! Raquel RAMS into Nia over and over, boots her, then ROCKS Shayna!

Nia CLOBBERS Raquel, tags Shayna and Shayna KNEES Raquel down! Cover, TWO! Shayna gets the sleeper! Raquel fights up, and throws Shayna off to BOOT her down! Tag back to Dakota, they coordinate on Shayna, ASSISTED GO TO KICK! Cover, but Nia breaks it! Raquel gets in to brawl with Nia more, but Nia clotheslines Raquel out! Nia exits, leaving Dakota and Shayna alone in the ring. Dakota drags Shayna up, fireman’s carries, but the bad leg gives up! She still dodges Shayna, tries again, and GO TO- NO! Shayna catches the leg, drags Dakota into the KIRAFUDA! Dakota rolls back to a cover, TWO!! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!!!

Dakota fades, fights, gets a second wind, and drags herself and Shayna! Nia distracts but the ref deals with her quickly, and she sees the tag to Raquel! Raquel stomps Shayna, BOOTS Nia, but the ref ends up a casualty! Nia drags Raquel out to RAM her into the apron! Raquel RAMS Nia over the announce desk!! They’re both out and now Dakota really IS alone with Shayna! Fans rally up as Dakota and Shayna stir. KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Dakota flails, but wait, is that Adam Pearce?! He throws a new ref in to watch this action! Dakota is OUT, the champions win!

Winners: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax, by submission (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)

Wait, wait, wait! While yes, Dakota did pass out in the submission, Raquel was the legal superstar! Plus, the Raw backstage official, Adam Pearce, and a Raw referee should NOT be making decisions on NXT! What will WWE management as a whole have to say about this?

We return to The Way’s family therapy.

Dr. Nicoli’s understanding is that Lumis has had his eye on Theory for some time. Does he have an idea why? Lumis probably just gets lonely and could use a friend. Indi would be Lumis’ friend. With benefits. Candice gets a text, then says that Lumis doesn’t want friends, he wants victims. Look at Roderick Strong, Bobby Fish, Cameron Grimes. The list goes on and on. Theory does get why Candice doesn’t like Lumis. He can be a bit weird at times. Indi likes when things get weird. And Lumis did choke Gargano out. Don’t remind her. Another text and, “It friggin’ sucked. My thr-” er uh, Johnny’s throat is still sore!

Another text. “We’re talking about a guy who chops people’s arms off, kidnaps,” are we taking friggin’ crazy pills?! Wait, these texts are from Johnny! No they’re not! Yes they are, he’s eavesdropping and has his phone! He was ordering from Uber Eats… Dr. Nicoli now kicks Candice out for being Johnny’s proxy, and kicks Indi out for her increasingly disturbing comments. Johnny will tag in then. No, he’s still banned. Aw man, c’mon! So no Uber Eats? But now with one-on-one time, Dr. Nicoli wants Theory to know this is a safe space. He trusts her, right? Right. Now, what really happened on those three days with Dexter Lumis? TO BE CONTINUED!

LA Knight is backstage!

LA Knight is in NXT and he is doing it his way, on his time! That time… is after the break!

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott is back in the music studio.

He’s back to working on beats and has friends listen to it. Great stuff! Swerve then talks to us and says, “You wanna talk about life opportunities?” It’s funny how Leon Ruff used to just “luck up,” trip, fall into the ring, and end up with the North American Championship. But Swerve has to grind, claw, scratch just to get nothing. Leon thinks this is funny, like a fantasy world or a prep school or something! This is N X T! This is C W C! This is Swerve’s House. Swerve is hunting for opportunities, but Ruff is in his way, so Ruff is going to get handled. “You don’t wanna go to war with somebody who cares less than you do.” And Swerve is dangerous, savage, and different. “And I just don’t care anymore.”

LA Knight heads to the ring!

The fans cheer for the newest signee to the brand, and Knight gets the mic to say, “I have waited entirely too long to step into this very ring, stare straight down the barrel and say, ‘Lemme talk to ya!'” But they don’t understand. He isn’t going to talk childhood dreams. As far as he is concerned, this isn’t a dream. No, this is business! HIS business! And his business involves whipping ass every time someone else walks through these ropes. So you want to talk TakeOver? A one man revolution just rolled in the door and changed the game! You might say, “That guy’s the Tom Brady of Wrestling!” No, Brady wishes he was half the man that is L A Knight!

But like ol’ Tommy, Knight didn’t come in a first round draft pick! He isn’t here as “The guy.” But you bet your bottom dollar that this is the guy setting trends and records! Knight looks around the landscape of NXT, from Johnny Garganos to Kyle O’Reillys to Adam Coles and Finn Balors. Every single one has a fancy kick, flip, dive. Knight is inviting them to bring that to his front door. He isn’t greeting them with flash or pizzazz. He’ll just beat the hell out of you! Knight puts it like this: “I didn’t come here to do anything fancy.”

You may not like the way he does it, but Knight gets the job done! He is the last of a dying breed! Already you’ve got people going, “LA Knight might be the greatest NXT Superstar of all time!” And Knight agrees! But when it comes time for coronation, don’t call him the GOAT. That’s overplayed, overused, thrown around like confetti. Call him one thing that sets him apart and makes him stand head and shoulders above the rest. You just call him LA KNIGHT! Whose game is it? Knight’s! And that’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life!

Cameron Grimes VS Bronson Reed!

The Carolina Caveman still has his #GameStonks and is going #ToTheMoon, but will he be brought back down to Earth the hard way by Colossal Bronson?

The bell rings, Reed is confused as to how Grimes is just throwing his money around. Grimes tries to pay Reed off to skip this match, but Reed DECKS him! Grimes goes at Reed but Reed lifts him up. Grimes slips off to KICK away, but Reed blocks the whip! Reed whips, catches Grimes, then throws him out of the ring! Grimes hurries up and shoulders into Reed, then slingshot sunset flips! Reed stays up to SIT on Grimes! Cover, TWO!! Grimes sputters as he gets out of the ring and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns as Reed RAMS Grimes into barriers, then puts him back in the ring. Grimes gets up to ROCK Reed, but Reed pushes him away. Grimes ENZIGURIS, then waistlocks, only for Reed to buck him away. Things speed up, and Reed runs into a COLLISION COURSE!! Cover, TWO!! Reed survives and Grimes can’t believe it! But it is hard to believe Grimes even hit that move! Grimes drags Reed around and rains down rights, then lefts. Reed pushes Grimes away, fans rally and duel, and Grimes KNEES Reed down! Grimes clamps on with a chinlock, Reed endures and powers up. Grimes KNEES Reed back down! Grimes STOMPS Reed’s hand! And KICKS him in the chest!

Grimes KICKS Reed more, but Reed just gets mad. Reed shoves Grimes, Grimes KICKS again, but Reed eggs him on! Grimes KICKS, but Reed gets up! Reed SWATS the kick, CHOPS Grimes and rallies with clobbering forearms! Reed whips then CLOBBERS Grimes with a full body attack! Grimes flounders to a corner, fans rally for Reed as he runs corner to corner, and he SPLASHES! Reed gets Grimes up but Grimes fights the choke slam to SUPER FOREARM! Reed CLOBBERS Grimes again! Fans fire up for Reed as he stalks Grimes to ropes. Reed drags Grimes, Grimes kicks Reed away then boots from the corner! Grimes is on the apron but Reed is still up!

Grimes says he’s done! He gets his hat, but Reed DIVES?!?! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans lose their minds at that Colossal Tope Suicida! Reed drags Grimes off the floor and into the ring. Reed storms up the steps, but LA Knight returns to return Grimes’ hat to him? That’s odd. Knight goes after Reed and HOTSHOTS him!! Grimes hurries to hit the CAVEIN!! Cover, Grimes wins!!

Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall

The rich get richer, but what is Knight up top with Reed? Does Knight think he can topple the mountain of a man before climbing the NXT mountain?

William Regal is spotted talking with Adam Pearce backstage.

We can’t hear what they’re saying but it is clear Pearce is trying to explain himself to the NXT General Manager.

Backstage interview with Kayden Carter.

We know that last week, Xia Li decimated Kacy Catanzaro’s leg, and Kacy herself posted on social media about the partial LCL tear. Kayden says it sucks, and pisses her off, to see her best friend hurt and out of action. We don’t know when Kacy will be back, but Kayden no longer gives a DAMN about Xia Li! Xia took Kacy out, so Kayden will take Xia out! What happened last week hasn’t scared Kayden off, all Kayden sees is fear! Next week, Xia can come get it! Will KC avenge KC against the sharpened blade forged by Tian Sha?

We again return to The Way’s therapy session.

Are we finally going to learn the truth of what happened for those three days Theory was missing? Theory says it was a great time, really. He was in a really small room, with the windows boarded up, and it was great. Theory got to watch cartoons and each “so much cereal like the whole day.” Lumis is rly just a nice guy. Nicoli asks if Theory really thinks Lumis is nice. Yeah, absolutely! Then does Theory know why Lumis brought him back? Honestly, no. Nicoli says she’s actually spoken with Lumis in preparation for this session. Really!? Lumis talks?! Oh, on the contrary. Lumis couldn’t stop talking to her. What’d he say?

The truth is… Lumis couldn’t wait to get rid of Theory. Lumis said Theory was, “The most obnoxious person he’s ever been around.” Theory’s eating habits are unsightly, his fashion sense is atrocious, and Lumis was rather disgusted by Theory’s infatuation with cutting shirts up so he can show off his “mediocre abdominal section.” Theory cries! He runs out of the room and Johnny asks what the hell just happened! Nicoli is a MONSTER! The Way leaves and Johnny is going to give Nicoli a piece of is mind! Theory still cries, Indi and Candice get him away, and Johnny says Nicoli did great! The bit about kicking him out worked like a charm! She earned every penny! Oh, hold on, need to keep a $100. “Arcade money.” Johnny says they ARE going to Chuck E. Cheese now! Nicoli says they’re all still idiots.

Ever-Rise VS Breezango!

Chase Parker & Matt Marthel take a break from #EverRiseLive and #BollyRise with the Singh Brothers to take on the fashionable former NXT Tag Team Champions! Tyler Breeze & Fandango return as astronauts, only to get MUGGED by El Legado del Fantasma?! Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde toss Breezango down the ramp and then continue to mug them! Ever-Rise has a laugh as Fandango is RAMMED into barriers, and then Breeze gets POSTED crotch first! But Legado isn’t done here, they chase Ever-Rise out of the ring! Parker & Marthel want them to take it easy, but then SANTOS ESCOBAR attacks!

Escobar RAMS Marthel into barriers, fires off fists on Parker and kicks him down! Escobar RAMS Parker into steel steps, then bounces Parker’s head off them over and over! El Legado stands together in the ring, Escobar gets a mic, and cools off before saying, “Do not mistake last week’s events for weakness!” If you do, what happened just now will happen to you! The NXT Cruiserweight Champion tries to save face, but is the clock still ticking on his reign?

Backstage interview with William Regal.

It would seem he and Raw/SmackDown’s Adam Pearce had a heated conversation, but can he offer any clarification on what about? Regal says because of what happened in tonight’s Women’s Tag Team Championship match, he will have an announcement next week that will change the landscape of NXT! Whoa, that definitely sounds big. What will this news be?

Finn Balor VS Roderick Strong!

The Prince has beaten Kyle O’Reilly a couple times, and is set to face Adam Cole once again! But will he get through the Savior of the Backbreaker to check off one more man from the team that was the Undisputed Era?

The bell rings and Strong ties right up with Balor! They go around, end up on ropes but move away from them, Balor waistlocks and drags Strong down. Cover, ONE, Strong turns that around to a cover, ONE! Balor facelocks, shifts to a chinlock but Strong snapmares him over to chinlock back. Balor fights up, Strong ROCKS him then CHOPS him in the corner! Balor trips Strong, covers, ONE, but Balor facelocks again. Strong fights up, Balor moves around to throw Strong over but Strong makes armbar into high stack cover! ONE, and Balor tries a triangle but Strong shifts to get free and goes for legs! Balor trips Strong and gets a headlock!

Strong fights as fans rally up. They stand, Strong pries free of the headlock to half nelson. Balor fights that off to crucifix takedown, TWO! Balor is back to the chinlock and then goes after the arm. Strong endures, Balor pulls on the arm more, but Strong fights up. Balor shifts to a cobra clutch and he grinds Strong down. Strong endures, moves around, but Balor wrangles him back to the mat! Fans rally, Strong pushes Balor’s face and fights up, and Strong puts Balor in the corner. Balor holds on, Strong rams him into buckles, then pries the hold away to arm-drag Balor hard! Balor gets up into a HALF NELSON BACKBREAKER!

NXT goes picture in picture while Balor and Strong catch their breath and steady themselves. Strong stomps Balor down, CLUBS him at ropes, then has him in the ropes to bend him back! The ref counts, Strong kicks Balor in the back as he lets off, but comes back to CHOP! Strong stomps, backs off, but then comes back with forearms. Balor kicks back, Strong CHOPS and knees low, then whips him to ropes. Balor reverses, Strong sunset flips but Balor rolls through to basement dropkick! Fans rally as Balor snapmares Strong and clamps onto the arm again. Balor grinds Strong down, cranks the arm to a hammerlock, but Strong endures as he moves around.

Balor hooks the arm up, traps it and SNAP LOCKS it! Strong goes to ropes to shake out the bad arm but Balor storms over. Strong CHOPS, Balor is after the arm again! Balor wrangles Strong back down, clamps onto the arm and grinds the shoulder. Strong endures, NXT returns to single picture and he powers Balor to a corner. Balor holds on, Strong knee slow and bumps Balor off buckles! Strong CHOPS Balor, bumps him off more buckles, then throws forearms! Strong throws more forearms and CHOPS, but Balor wrenches the bad arm to WRING Strong out! Strong writhes and flounders but Balor seethes as he KICKS Strong down!

Balor stomps Strong at ropes, lets off as the ref counts, and he looms over Strong. Balor brings him up to crank the arm, grind it down and twist it again. Strong endures but Balor yanks it! And again! And again! Balor stands to hook the arm up, and SNAP LOCKS it! Strong goes to the apron for shelter but Balor is right after him. Balor drags Strong up, throws uppercuts to the arm, and he clamps onto the shoulder again. Strong endures, fights up and fans rally as he fights back up. Strong scoops and SLAMS Balor with the good arm! Both men are down and fans fire up more! Strong stands, CLUBS Balor, and knees low!

Strong CLUBS, knees, CLUBS, repeat! Strong drags Balor back up, for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Balor endures, Strong and Balor slowly rise. Strong runs at the corner but Balor dodges the knee to arm-drag! Balor drags Strong around, ANACONDA VICE!! Strong flails, kicks, reaches, and gets a ropebreak with a foot! The ref counts, Balor lets go at 4, maybe 4.9! Balor grimaces as he gets up and see Strong in the corner. Balor CHOPS him, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to CHOP again! And then Balor whips Strong the other way to CHOP him again! Balor reminds Strong he’s in here with the champ! He whips Strong again but Strong comes back to CLOBBER him!

Fans fire up as Strong sputters and gets up. Strong throws forearms and CHOPS on Balor, then scoops him for an atomic SLAM! Fans are thunderous, Balor gets up and Strong runs to forearm smash side to side, over and over! Balor wobbles, Strong gets him for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Then the underhooks for a TIGER DRIVER! High stack cover, TWO!! Balor and Strong are slowly stirring as fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” Strong stands first but Balor follows. Strong runs but into a SLINGBLADE! Balor goes to a corner, runs and shotguns, into the catch! Strong works to turn Balor, for the STRONG HOLD! Balor endures as Strong digs his knee in!

Balor powers his way around, but Strong drags him from ropes! Balor twists but Strong counters the body scissors to a cover! TWO!! Strong fireman’s carries for a GUT BUST- DOUBLE STOMPS!! Balor turns things around on Strong and both men are down again! Fans are electric, “This is Awesome!” as Balor gets up to fire off on Strong! Strong kicks back, enziguris, but Balor PELES! Strong comes back but leaps into the ELBOW DROP DDT! Balor grits his teeth, takes aim and SHOTGUNS Strong into buckles! Strong is in the drop zone, Balor goes up top and he hits the COUP DE GRACE! Balor keeps going, for 1916!! Cover, Balor wins!!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall

The NXT Champion stands tall, even after a strong showing from Roderick Strong! But with only a week to rest, will the Prince really be ready to defend his throne against Adam Cole BAYBAY? Speaking of which, Cole finally shows up and stands on the stage. Balor takes aim at Cole, but will Cole take back that title?

My Thoughts:

Another great episode for NXT with a lot of really strong progress towards not just WrestleMania season but what appears to be a stacked episode next week. Counter programming AEW’s post PPV episode on 3/10? Maybe, but great material is great material, and we got a really good video package for Storm VS Shirai which can go either way. I feel like it’d be great story if Shirai gets back that loss from the Mae Young Classic, but Storm taking the title would be big shock value that could really set things up for the Mania TakeOver, and the reported change that NXT’s are moving to Tuesdays permanently with the coming of hockey season.

Now, I feel like NXTuesdays would be a strange announcement for Regal to have next week, but there could be something big in store given how we saw Adam Pearce more or less interfere with the Women’s Tag Team Championship match. That match was a lot of fun, and for a moment it just felt like they were putting too much on Raquel and making Dakota look like the weak link. Pearce overstepping his boundaries might imply that with NXT being seen more and more as part of the “main roster,” Regal might no longer be General Manager. Pearce and even Sonya Deville could start stepping in to integrate them into stories, such as with the Women’s Tag Division, and that would be a bummer of an announcement.

We didn’t get a lot of the explanation video on setting up Thatcher & Ciampa VS Oney & Danny, but I guess that’s what social media is supposed to be for. It felt a bit sloppy to also throw in Imperium onto it, but I suppose the Heel tag champs had to win without weakening Ciampa & Thatcher too much. Imperium sure is getting involved in trying to tear other tag teams apart. I like the idea of them recruiting Dain, but I guess they’re trying to get in Thatcher’s head about how Imperium beat Thatcher & Riddle when they were the substitute Broserweights. I don’t know if I want another team being the reason Ciampa & Thatcher split, that should just be old fashioned bitterness between tag partners. But if we get a slobber knocker out of Ciampa & Thatcher VS Barthel & Aichner like tonight’s match, that much I’ll accept.

Ember VS Aliyah was alright as a match but it was mostly just a rebound win. Ember and Shotzi can definitely still work as a tag team, maybe build up and come back around to the titles post Mania, once things with Raquel & Dakota settle, as well as Naomi & Lana. Kayden had a good promo setting things up with Xia Li, and I hope Kayden forces Tian Sha to step up and have a match of her own. Escobar and El Legado beating up two random teams is very much the bullies throwing a fit when they get bullied by someone they can’t bully. I really wish Stallion had won that title thanks to Kross, and I really hope NXT/205 Live finds someone to win the title off Escobar already. If only we could have Worlds Collide and Devlin could just be the undisputed Cruiserweight Champion…

Swerve had a good promo to further his feud with Ruff, and LA Knight had a decent promo to put everyone on notice. I like that not everyone is the indie/high-flying style, but it’s starting to get annoying when someone has to talk down that style and act like they’re better for slugging it out. Just shut up and slug it out then! Knight also interfering in Grimes VS Reed was an interesting move, but maybe Knight sees Reed building momentum towards the North American Championship and thinks he can use that to his own advantage. If Knight beats Reed, maybe he gets his title shot first.

The Way and their therapy session was an amazing set of segments. Johnny continues to thrive as this over the top sitcom/drama dad, Theory does so well as the goofy, dopey one, and while “Indi <3 Lumis” is still a weird choice, she was doing pretty good with those side comments. The plot twist was perfect, Gargano is trying to turn Theory against Lumis in such a great switch on our expectations of things. Maybe Theory has been telling us the truth on him getting to just binge watch cartoons and guzzle down cereal, and it’ll be up to Lumis to break The Way’s hold on Theory in a further subversion of all the tropes and expectations.

And the Undisputed Break-up story is still a great part of the show, though Strong seems to have difficulty verbally conveying the emotions of it compared to Kyle and Cole. Balor making the title match for next week and then giving us a title worthy match tonight was great stuff. Strong has new solo gear and everything else already, I can’t wait to see what Kyle and Fish will have for theirs. Cole will certainly keep a lot of the UE packaging, just without the CFOS logo they came up with for the group. Balor VS Cole is already going to be a great match just on saying it, NXT is definitely going to pick up speed towards WrestleMania.

My Score: 9.4/10