Will Johnny Gargano find a way to stay NXT North American Champion?

The Colossal Bronson Reed, Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling, a steel cage, and the NXT North American Champion! Will Gargano be washed away by a Tsunami?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Toni Storm VS Zoey Stark; Storm wins.
• Cameron Grimes VS Jake Atlas; Atlas wins.
• Alexander Wolfe w/ Imperium VS Killian Dain w/ Drake Maverick; Dain wins.
• El Legado del Fantasma VS Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher; El Legado wins.
• Sarray VS Aliyah w/ The Robert Stone Brand; Sarray wins.
• Hit Row VS Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari; Hit Row wins.
• NXT North American Championship Steel Cage Match: Johnny Gargano VS Bronson Reed; Reed wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Toni Storm VS Zoey Stark!

The Lightning From Down Under couldn’t handle the fact that she got shown up at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, and has been talking down to the “rookie” ever since! But will #ToniTime be canceled in favor of #ZoeyTime?

The bell rings and fans are on Stark’s side. Storm shrugs that off and circles with Stark. They approach, Storm SLAPS Stark, and Stark fires off! Stark stomps and punches away in a corner, Storm shoves but Stark pushes her back into the corner! Stark CLUBS Storm, brings her out and dropkicks her down! Storm bails out, Stark PLANCHAS out onto her! Stark is fired up and so is the Capitol Wrestling Center! Stark puts Storm in the ring, springboards and missile dropkicks Storm right back out! Storm gets up, Stark is on the apron but her kick is blocked! Storm trips Stark and Stark hits her tailbone on the apron! Storm gets Stark up and RAMS her into steel steps!

Fans fire up, Storm runs in and HIP ATTACKS Stark into the steps! The ref goes out to check Stark and Storm says, “That’s what happens!” Storm goes into the ring to soak up the heat, and the ring count is up to 5 of 10! Stark drags herself up, gets in at 8, and Storm is annoyed. Storm kicks Stark around, brings her up just to throw hands, then stomps her to a corner. The ref counts, Storm lets off, then comes back to bring Stark up. Stark throws forearms but Storm snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Storm keeps on Stark with a chinlock, trapping an arm while shifting to a neck wrench. Storm digs elbows into Stark’s head, then brings her up to whip and BOOT Stark down! Cover, TWO!

Storm pushes Stark around, Stark elbows back, but Storm SLAPS her again! Storm bumps Stark off buckles, TOSSES her across the ring, then storms over. Stark kicks back but Storm scoops her for a BACKBREAKER! Storm pushes Stark against her knee, but fans rally as Stark endures the rack. Stark throws body shots, Storm pushes her down to cover, TWO! Storm brings Stark up to ROCK her with a right, but Stark throws body shots! Storm throws EuroUppers, but Stark turns one into a backslide! TWO, and Stark fires off! Storm shoves, Stark returns to ENZIGURI! Both women are down and fans fire up as NXT goes picture in picture!

Stark and Storm stir, slowly stand, and Stark CLOBBERS Storm! Stark starts to rally, she runs corner to corner to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Stark keeps her cool and stomps Storm around. Storm goes to a corner, Stark bumps her off buckles, and then stalks her to another corner for more stomps. Stark CHOPS Storm and Storm drops to her knees! Storm gets up to ATOMIC DROP Stark! Storm throws more EuroUppers, Stark goes to a corner, but Storm snapmares her to a cover, TWO! Storm grows frustrated but Stark CHOPS her! Storm throws Stark out of the ring! Storm shouts at the fans and paces about while the ring count climbs.

Stark gets in at 5 of 10, Storm is frustrated again, but Stark knees her low! Stark trips her up, jackknife covers, TWO! Storm has Stark in a facelock, grinds her down, then shifts to a chinlock. Storm leans on the hold and squeezes tight, but Stark endures. Stark moves around, gets up, but Storm throws her down by her hair! Cover, TWO! Storm drags Stark up to throw more forearms, but Stark gives them back! Storm headbutts, Stark forearms again, but Storm headbutts and kicks! Stark kicks, CHOPS, forearms, but Storm hits back! They brawl, NXT returns to single picture, and fans fire up as Stark gets the edge! Stark fires up, whips, but Storm reverses. Stark dodges, Storm gets buckles, Stark SUPERKICKS!

Stark snapmares Storm, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Storm gets up, Stark keeps moving, BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Stark grows frustrated but the fans rally behind her. Stark waistlocks, Storm fights out with elbows and kicks low. Underhooks, but Stark counters Storm Zero to a RANA! Cover, TWO! SUPERKICK! HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cover, TWO!! Storm survives and Stark is frustrated, but the fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” Stark knees Storm, drags her up, and reels her in for a flip, but Storm lands on her feet! Storm gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Storm reels Stark in, underhooks, and STORM ZERO!! Cover, TWO?!?!

The CWC is thunderous and Storm can’t believe her best shot failed to finish this! Storm paces, drags Stark up and reels her in for a judo hip toss to DDT!?! Cover, Storm wins!!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall

Whatever Storm calls that move, it just struck down the bright new star! Is #ToniTime back on the clock? Wait, the lights go down! “Aw, were you expecting someone else? It’s me, Franky!” Franky Monet and Preston the Pomeranian are here to steal Storm’s thunder by reminding us that next week, Franky has her in-ring debut! Will Monet put her money where her mouth is?

Backstage interview with El Legado del Fantasma.

Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza are here, but where is Santos Escobar? Don’t worry about Escobar, this is about MSK. Legado challenged them to an NXT Tag Team Championship match two weeks ago, they beat and embarrassed them, but when is the title match? Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher walk in and say Legado is looking good. A couple #1 contenders here. But don’t get ahead of yourselves. Last Ciampa checked, MSK didn’t beat him and Thatcher, and Legado sure didn’t, either. Well they can change that tonight. Legado’s beaten everyone else, they might as well add these two to the list.

Thatcher tells Wilde in both Spanish and English, “The cat has no shoes.” What? That makes no sense. It makes perfect sense! Ciampa translates for #ToothlessTimmy by saying, “Challenge accepted.” Will Legado be forced to wait on their tag title aspirations when Thatcher and #OldManCiampa get through with them?

Someone drives up to the CWC in a Rolls-Royce!

It’s Cameron Grimes! He pays Jake Atlas to park this out front for him, but Atlas corrects him. Ted DeBiase took that spot. OH~! Grimes says if they thought that was funny, then it’ll be real funny when he whoops Atlas in the ring! Grimes is on! Oh he’s always on, baby! But will Atlas give Grimes a run for his money tonight?

Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae have a spa day.

The NEW NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions relax. “Look at us now: champions. We deserve this. The titles, the praise, all of it.” And they’re taking care of themselves today, Johnny Gargano will take care of Bronson Reed tonight, this is a great day for The Way. Candice is so right. Just like she is about Dexter Lumis. All he ever does is pop up where she is, and then stares at her. Lumis took the place of one of the masseuses! Dexter’s such a freak, and a loser! The biggest loser. Indi thanks Candice for realizing this. What would she do without Candice? They’re a family, and they have each other’s best interests at heart. And they did this their way. No look high-five! Lumis leaves, will he finally give up on Indi Wrestling?

NXT presents Prime Target: Kross VS Balor, THE REMATCH!

Both men sat down to watch back their match at Stand & Deliver. Balor says he didn’t underestimate Kross, he knew exactly who he was stepping into the ring with. Balor pushed Kross’ buttons on purpose and took advantage of his emotions again and again. Kross admits that Coup de Grace did some real damage, even though he did kick out. Kross couldn’t get the hold right. NXT analyst, Jimmy Smith, says that the problem for Finn Balor was, when the stuff that normally works doesn’t work, he starts wearing down and wondering what he has to do. Kross’ conviction would be his biggest strength. Balor felt all that first hand.

Kross vowed to put his arm through Balor’s head. It’s what you have to do to win. Kill or be killed. And in the end, Kross won because of that killer instinct. Balor says falling down is how you grow. Staying down is how you die. And Balor isn’t dead yet. Pat McAfee says that Tuesday, May 25th, the two-time and REIGNING NXT Champion, Kross, with Scarlett by his side, will battle against Balor again. Kross is a man, who upon arriving, looked like dominance and intimidation personified. And he’s against The Prince, who has been champion everywhere he’s been! NJPW, Raw, SmackDown, NXT. The fact we’re getting this on television is a dream come true.

McAfee says Balor will be champion again after an epic battle. Paul Heyman is surprised they want his opinion on Kross VS Balor. Everyone on SmackDown has an interest, even the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman is known for giving not predictions but spoilers. So here’s a spoiler: Kross VS Balor II is too close to call. Smith says if Balor wins again, that is a redemption story like none other. If he loses again, that’s a tragedy. And Balor isn’t here for tragedies. Balor has proven himself the best, Kross says that’s BS. The rematch is coming, are you ready?

Cameron Grimes VS Jake Atlas!

The Carolina Cash Money Caveman couldn’t get even with the Million Dollar Man, so maybe the muscle of El Monte will make up for that? Grimes says everyone thinks its funny that DeBiase keeps embarrassing him. “But wait ’til you see the REAL Ted DeBiase! Hit it!” Grimes has a video package of DeBiase getting beat, embarrassed, and literally stepping in it. Grimes laughs at DeBiase for once, but fans cheer for the Million Dollar Man. Grimes is upset by that, and he rushes Atlas, only to get a dropkick! Grimes flounders out of the ring, Atlas dares him to get back in. Grimes checks his teeth as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Grimes stomps Atlas to a corner and throws EuroUppers. Atlas hits back, fans rally and duel, Grimes ROCKS then whips Atlas. Atlas kicks back, keeps him in the ring, but Grimes elbows back. Grimes runs into a BOOT, then Atlas goes up and around to arm-drag! GAMANGIRI in a corner, then Atlas goes up top. Grimes stands and Atlas RANAS him down! Cover, TWO! Atlas grits his teeth, grabs at Grimes’ legs but Grimes BOOTS him from below! Grimes gets to ropes, Atlas runs in but Grimes gets him up and over. Atlas shoulders back in, slingshots up and over and builds speed, but into a kitchen sink! Grimes LARIATS, covers, TWO!

Grimes frowns and he digs his knuckles into Atlas’ head. Grimes lets off, Atlas gets to ropes, but Grimes is after him with KICKS in the corner! Grimes stands Atlas up to dig elbows into his chest. Grimes whips corner to corner hard and Atlas bounces off buckles! The ref checks on Atlas, he won’t let this stop here, and Grimes says he’s the man! Grimes gets Atlas up, Atlas elbows him back! Atlas ROCKS Grimes, CHOPS him, but Grimes KICKS back! Atlas blocks a kick, SLAPS Grimes, then whips him to a corner, Grimes reverses, Atlas reverses back and Grimes hits buckles hard! Atlas throws more hands, but Grimes spins and scoops, only for Atlas to slip out, GERMAN SUPLEX!

A limousine pulls up as Grimes ROCKS Atlas! The stretch parks, Atlas gets around Grimes to calf kick and forearm! Atlas spins Grimes for a DISCUS! Cover, TWO!! Grimes survives but Atlas goes up top! Fans rally up, Grimes hurries to go after Atlas but Atlas knocks him back down! Atlas adjusts, but Grimes grabs at him! Atlas goes up and over and returns, into COLLISION COURSE! Grimes shouts, “TO! THE!” DeBiase’s intro interrupts! The Million Dollar Man is live and in person! Atlas springboards to sunset flip, Atlas wins!!

Winner: Jake Atlas, by pinfall

Grimes is furious and DeBiase has the last laugh again! Grimes rushes Atlas but Atlas ROCKS him! Grimes flounders out of the ring, and chases after DeBiase! “Where’d he go?!” Grimes goes outside, sees the super stretch limo, and knocks on the window. DeBiase says, “Not bad, kid. But you’re no Million Dollar Man.” The limo drives away and Grimes curses DeBiase’s name! What will it cost Grimes to finally get one over on Ted DeBiase?

Bronson Reed reflects on his career.

“May 18th, 2007, my very first match. I was excited, nervous, and now 14 years later, May 18th, 2021, the biggest match of my life!” Reed VS Gargano, Steel Cage for the North American Champion. Reed has to go through Austin Theory, but even before that, he had to get through Australia, Japan, the UK, and match after match in NXT. Gargano will not deny Reed his destiny any longer. Reed will walk out of the cage THE NXT North American Champion, go to his wife and say, after 14 years, “We did it!” Will this Colossal Rocky story have its happy ending once and for all?

Arash Markazi interviews Pete Dunne.

Markazi thanks the Bruiserweight for this time. “Now normally, when someone calls out a champion, or someone, it’s one specific person. You called out basically the entire roster. Is there someone in particular you would like to face next?” Dunne says there are different reasons for each one. He beat Kushida, so that’s done, but he could always go for that Cruiserweight title. There’s Walter, the NXT UK Championship, that’s unfinished business. Johnny Gargano, we’ve already seen that and how did that end? Dunne won, so he’ll do it again. And of course, Karrion Kross, obviously Dunne wants THE NXT title, something that’s eluded him.

There was a tinge of “put respect on my name” when Dunne spoke. Is there a sense that he isn’t getting the respect he deserves? He doesn’t really care, to be honest. The body of his work speaks for itself. Find a bad match Dunne has had. He hasn’t. Not even the loses are bad. Everyone leaves different facing him. Describe your style. When Markazi watches Dunne, it’s almost a UFC fight. Obviously there isn’t a cage, but it is aggressive. Where does that come from. Dunne takes inspiration from British wrestling, his own style he’s made over the year in America and Japan, all put together. People like Fit Finlay, but more violent.

How important is the connection he has with the fans? It does bring a different element. Seeing someone react to how he’s bending a finger or joint adds something. But we all know how it hurts to have a finger or arm bent the wrong way. Does Dunne set goes for himself? What does he want to have a year from now? Or even five years? Dunne used to set goals, but now he’s just someone who takes opportunities as they come. At this point, it’s just time to go after the NXT Champion. Dunne conquered the UK, now he’s ready to conquer the US. Markazi thanks Dunne for his time. Will we see the Bruiserweight look to take over NXT prime in the near future?

Alexander Wolfe w/ Imperium VS Killian Dain w/ Drake Maverick!

The Dresden Hatchet Man was not medically cleared before, but he has the greenlight now! Will he and the Belfast Beast be able to settle their differences once and for all?

The bell rings, Wolfe and Dain tie up, Dain waistlocks but Wolfe switches and shoves Dain. Dain throws hands, ROCKS Wolfe, but Wolfe kicks and knees back! Wolfe BOOT Dain, stomps him down and then rains down rights! Wolfe stomps Dain more, gets him up and throws EuroUppers. Wolfe reels Dain in for more EuroUppers, kicks, and back again. Dain just gets mad and he grabs Wolfe for a EuroUpper of his own! And more EuroUppers! Dain throws body shots in a corner, then forearms, Dain whips corner to corner to SPLASH Wolfe, then rams him all the way to the opposite end! Dain CLOBBERS Wolfe and roars!

Imperium gets on the apron, Maverick goes after them but they knock him down! Dain BOOTS Fabian Aichner, but Wolfe GERMAN SUPLEXES Dain! Marcel Barthel says to use the chair. This isn’t about the win but about sending a message! The ref gets the chair, but Wolfe takes it from him! Dain DIVIDES Wolfe, covers, and WINS!

Winner: Killian Dain, by pinfall

Dian and Maverick regroup and celebrate the win! Wolfe hesitated, does this have to do with his past with Dain? Imperium helps Wolfe up to his feet, and assure him it’ll be alright. Wolfe strikes the Imperium pose, but Imperium strikes him down! Barthel & Aichner stomp and kick Wolfe, then drag him up for the EUROBOMB!! Failure is not an option in Imperium, but will this only hurt their global expansion plans?

Backstage interview with Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai.

McKenzie congratulates the NXT Women’s Champion on defeating Mercedes Martinez last week, but what about the altercation in the trainer’s room later? Mack, they have Twitter accounts, they saw the comments. Yeah, Mack! Stop trying to start things! Raquel won like she said she would, and has no problem in respecting Mercedes. Dakota, on the other hand, would’ve kicked Mercedes’ head off. Agree to disagree. They’re friends, they do that, but they are going after the tag titles again! The Way may-

Whoa, tag titles? Ever-Rise is here, and they say that everyone knows Shotzi & Ember are first in line. Here’s the thing. You don’t need to be greedy! Raquel is a champ, definitely. Dakota, not so much. Wait, who are these two? Ever-Rise! The best team ever! And cohosts of the smash hit Saturday morning social media show, Ever-Rise Live! Sign pops in outta somewhere. Never seen it. What?! Do they have a problem? Wanna take a swing? Sounds like she wants to. She DOES! She SLAMS Matt Marthel off his feet and he spills his coffee! Chase Parker helps him back up and explains he got sucker punched. Is the mug okay? Which one?

El Legado del Fantasma VS Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher!

Speaking of tag titles, MSK has the men’s titles, and that means targets on their back! But before either Wilde & Mendoza or Ciampa & Thatcher can go after them, they’re going to go after each other! Will Legado learn that #OldManCiampa and #ToothlessDoubleT have different definitions for “blood and tradition?”

The teams sort out, Wilde and Ciampa start, and Wilde rushes in but misses wide right. Ciampa and Wilde circle, approach, and Wilde dodges to do a dance. But then Wilde bails out and leads Ciampa on a cat ‘n’ mouse game. Ciampa dodges the elbow drop, drags Wilde back out and whips him hard into the boards! Wilde writhes, Ciampa claps and pats himself on the back. Ciampa waves to Mendoza, puts Wilde in and headlocks. Wilde powers out, Ciampa runs him over! Cover, ONE! Ciampa gets Wilde in a facelock and grinds him down. Ciampa floats to a headlock, cranks back, but Wilde endures.

Wilde fights up, Ciampa cranks the headlock, and then wrenches to tag Thatcher. Ciampa hands off Wilde to Thatcher’s cravat, and Thatcher throws close-range shoulders. Wilde powers Thatcher to a corner, Mendoza tags in but Thatcher swats Legado away. Thatcher and Mendoza tie up, Thatcher headlocks and hits a trip to an ARMBAR! Mendoza fights, Thatcher shifts to a short arm scissor to a double wristlock. Mendoza fights up, gets the ropes, but Thatcher tags Ciampa. Ciampa and Thatcher mug Mendoza, Ciampa CHOPS Mendoza off his feet then goes from headlock to headscissors. Mendoza flails around, Ciampa CHOPS him, covers, TWO!

Ciampa bumps Mendoza off buckles, wrenches, and whips him corner to corner. Ciampa runs in to forearm smash! Ciampa whips the other way, runs but into a boot! Mendoza stomps Ciampa, rains down rights over and over, then spits the blood in his mouth. Mendoza lets off and Ciampa BOOTS him! Tag to Thatcher, he cravats. Mendoza endures, is still spitting blood from the mouth, but Thatcher shifts to a cording hold. Mendoza claws Thatcher’s face, headlocks back, but Thatcher pops out the back to have the armlock. Thatcher grinds Mendoza, chinbars, the ref checks Mendoza’s mouth and nose, but Mendoza refuses to stop. Mendoza wrenches, knees low and headlocks.

Thatcher powers out, Mendoza slides under and dropkicks legs out! Mendoza just shrugs off the bad nose to KICK and KICK! Thatcher blocks a kick, and twists the foot in an ANKLE LOCK! Thatcher grins but Wilde grabs at Mendoza. Thatcher drags them both in! Ciampa gets Wilde for an ANKLE LOCK! Legado endures double holds, but they both roll to victory roll! The ref refuses to count, this isn’t tornado rules! Mendoza somersault ENZIGURIS, Wilde JAWBREAKERS! Ciampa CLOBBERS Wilde, Mendoza ENZIGURIS Ciampa! Thatcher returns to ENZIGURI Mendoza! Fans are fired up, all four men are down and Thatcher checks his own arm as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Ciampa is unleashing endless corner clotheslines on Legado! Mendoza, Wilde, and back again, Ciampa is not slowing down! Fans are fired up as he tops this off at at least a dozen! Ciampa dodges the double to give a DOUBLE LARIAT! Legado falls out of the ring, Thatcher is fired up for Ciampa as he gets Mendoza. Wilde saves Mendoza from Willow’s Bell but Ciampa DECKS Wilde! Mendoza attacks Ciampa, stomps him down and tags Wilde back in. Legado double whip, double SPINEBUSTER, and then split the wishbone before a basement dropkick sandwich! Cover, TWO! Ciampa is showing why he’s a former NXT Tag Team Champion and top NXT Champion!

Wilde clamps onto Ciampa with a chinlock, Mendoza tags in and Legado mugs Ciampa. Mendoza throws hands, CHOPS Ciampa in a corner, then fires off SLAPS! Ciampa gives those SLAPS back, Mendoza knees low and BITES Ciampa’s forehead! Mendoza wants blood, but he runs corner to corner to RAM into Ciampa! Mendoza goes again, but Ciampa dodges and Mendoza POSTS himself! Ciampa tags in Thatcher! Thatcher gets Mendoza for a Belly2Belly! Wilde runs in, for a Belly2Belly! Thatcher DECKS Mendoza, gets him up and throws EuroUppers! Thatcher reels Mendoza into a HALF HATCH SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!

Thatcher bumps Mendoza off buckles, fires off more EuroUppers, then tags in Ciampa. Ciampa fires off forearms and CHOPS, and then steps back to tag in Thatcher. Thatcher grins as he brings Mendoza up for more forearms! Tag to Ciampa, they get Mendoza up to EuroUpper, KNEE, and DOUBLE CHOP! Mendoza drops to his knees, Ciampa runs to PSYCHO KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa gets Mendoza up, wrenches and whips, but Mendoza goes up and out and GAMANGIRIS back! Mendoza leaps in up and over, Ciampa CHOPS! Mendoza kicks, CHOPS, but runs into a forearm! Ciampa whips, Mendoza reverses but Ciampa ROCKS him! Underhooks but no Fairy Tail Ending!

Mendoza back drops, Ciampa sunset flips, but Mendoza rolls through to SHINING WIZARD! Ciampa gets to a corner, Mendoza runs in and corner clotheslines while tagging Wilde! Wilde snap suplexes Ciampa, tags Mendoza back in, and Legado hits the hip toss splash! Mendoza adds a LIONSAULT! Cover, Thatcher breaks it! Thatcher fires forearms on Mendoza but Mendoza knocks him off the apron! Mendoza stomps Ciampa, tags Wilde, and Legado coordinates! Thatcher trips Mendoza up and throws EuroUppers! Wilde FLIES and takes Thatcher out! Ciampa gets Wilde for WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, Mendoza dropkicks it outta nowhere!!

The CWC is thunderous as Thatcher goes after Mendoza. But The Grizzled Young Veterans pop in outta nowhere! They gut wrench Ciampa and give him an APRON TICKET TO RIDE!! The GYV feed Ciampa to Legado! Wilde gets Ciampa up, Mendoza runs, GAMANGIRI LEG SWEEP! Cover, El Legado wins!

Winners: El Legado del Fantasma, by pinfall

GYV are satisfied with how they screwed over the grizzled old veterans, and now Legado has cleared their path to the titles! Will Legado finally take over the tag division?

Backstage interview with Bobby Fish.

McKenzie welcomes him back and congratulates him on his recovery from injury. But she does have to bring up how he came to help his former tag partner, Kyle O’Reilly. Fish apologizes but this is where he must cut her off. Last week had very little to do with Kyle and everything to do with Dunne and Oney. “Those two gentlemen, they put me out at WarGames. Triceps surgery. It’s a long recovery. Long enough that it put me on the sidelines to watch along with the rest of the world as The UE imploded.” Fish is back, and that means there is a debt to be paid, and he can’t think of a better place to start than with Pete Dunne.

Dunne walks around claiming he’s the match-up here no one wants. That’s funny to Fish, because that’s the only match he wants! Dunne started this at WarGames! Now he and Fish have unfinished business, so Fish calls Dunne out! Next week, Dunne better show up, because Fish vows to finish this!

The Way’s spa day continues.

Indi and Candice feel great. But they’re informed that Candice’s credit card has been declined. That can’t be right. Run it again. There’s no way it can be, Candice is a tag team champion now. They already tried running it a few times, and even contacted the company. There was an “unpaid expense.” Austin… He does this all the time, like with pizzas and stuff. No, it said it was a purchase made three weeks ago at a local florist. Does that ring a bell? Uh… No… Did anyone buy any flowers, chocolates, or other things? Nope, Candice has no idea- Wait, three weeks ago. Wasn’t that when Shotzi & Ember got all those gifts from Lumis? Or was it from Candice?!

Candice avoids the question but Indi puts it together for herself. Lumis still loves Indi Wrestling~! She runs off excitedly and Candice is at a loss for words. Shippers rejoice, for #InDex LIVES!

Johnny Gargano speaks.

“Bronson Reed, tonight, inside of a Steel Cage, I show you you are NOT on Johnny Gargano’s level!” Gargano is THE top champion on this brand, and he did something no one has been able to do: He left Karrion Kross laying! It doesn’t matter how big you are, or what hype you have! Austin, who beats the unbeatable? Gargano does! Who stops the unstoppable? Gargano does! And tonight, inside that cage, Gargano will show us all why he is UNTOUCHABLE! But will things really go Gargano’s way?

Sarray VS Aliyah w/ The Robert Stone Brand!

The Warrior of the Sun is still shining, and her future is bright! Will she blind #BornBougie with her bright smile and fiery intensity?

The bell rings and Sarray offers a handshake, but Aliyah just kicks her down! Aliyah fires off hands, drags Sarray up and whips her to ropes. Sarray reverses, gets around and arm-drags! And again! And then basement dropkicks Aliyah down! Fans fire up with Sarray as she runs but Jessi Kamea swipes at her! Aliyah attacks, fires forearms and uppercuts! Aliyah whips and CLOBBERS Sarray! Cover, TWO as Sarray goes Matrix! But Aliyah throws Sarray down by her hair! Aliyah gets Sarray up to throw her again! Aliyah runs corner to corner to BOOT her down! Cover, TWO! Aliyah sighs and smiles as she gets Sarray back up. Sarray ROCKS Aliyah, Aliyah hits back!

The two brawl, Sarray HEEL KICKS and covers, TWO! Sarray gets Aliyah up for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Aliyah staggers up as Sarray climbs, missile dropkick! Fans fire up with Sarray again and she runs to basement dropkick Aliyah against ropes! And then T-BONE SUPLEX!! Cover, Sarray wins!

Winner: Sarray, by pinfall

The Warrior of the Sun just burned Aliyah to a crisp! Will it only be a matter of time before Sarray shines with gold around her waist?

Shotzi & Ember speak.

“Indi, Candice, you hussies are already looking past us, but this is far from over! And Dakota and Raquel, you think you can just skip the line? But don’t forget who took the titles off you in the first place. Even a well-oiled machine needs a little bit of fine tuning. But it’s time to get gritty. It’s time to get wild!” Shotzi & Ember are stripping this down to get back on track and #TCB with Ember’s Law! Shotzi howls to the Moon, will these two hunt down the champions and take back what was theirs?

The Diamond Mine is coming.

Will NXT be ready for these diamonds in the rough?

Hit Row VS Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari!

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and “B-Fab” Briana Brandy accompany their boys to the ring, and are ready to hit the top of the charts in NXT. Will #PremierDinero will look like chump change against Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Top Dolla?

Adonis and Nese start, they know each other from 205 Live. The bell rings and he fires off on the Premier Athlete! Adonis whips, Nese stops himself in the corner and elbows back. Nese goes up and leaps over, then things speed up. Nese runs into a FLAPJACK! Adonis kips up, tags Dolla, and Dolla drags Nese up with a one-arm TOSS! Daivari tags in but gets BODIED! Dolla gets Nese back up to pop him up! Daivari runs but into a scoop! “Who hotta than Top Dolla?!” WASTELAND POWERSLAM COMBO! “Not NADA!” Dolla drags Daivari up, reels him in for a short-arm LARIAT, and then drags him back up to tag in Adonis.

Adonis talks trash, slaps Daivari around, and then gets Daivari up, but Daivari forearms and CHOPS on repeat! Adonis reverses the whip to AirDROP Daivari in the head! Adonis fires off forearms on the mat, gets Daivari in a corner, but Dolla tags in before the ref counts 5! Adonis keeps firing off on Daivari, Dolla pushes him aside, Nese gets in to get the LONG KISS GOODNIGHT! The superkick floors Nese, Dolla keeps Adonis contained, so he can SPLASH Daivari in a corner! Fireman’s carry, throw to a NECKBREAKER! Cover, Hit Row wins!

Winners: Hit Row, by pinfall

Adonis and Dolla dominated the 205 Live OG, and then Dolla has B put ’em on notice! “B-Fab knows you be mad. Just another on the hit list.” They’re taking shots, taking spots, and doing ’em like connect the dots! They’re hot, and heat rises. Tonight’s main event, two competitors going for the North American title in a cage. Swerve doesn’t care who wins, just know he’ll be going after who shines in the end. And if you didn’t know, now you know! Will Gargano and Reed have to worry about who’s coming for them on the other side?

Backstage interview with William Regal.

Tonight’s main event is moments away, but he has updates on the other divisions. He isn’t quite happy with how they got there, but El Legado del Fantasma are the #1 contenders to the NXT Tag Team Champions. They will face MSK in two weeks for the titles! There are a lot of opportunities in NXT, and the greatest women’s division in the world is only getting more heated. Regal wants to see who is ready to step up to Raquel Gonzalez. There are also a lot of new faces in the Cruiserweight Division, and he wants to see who wants after Kushida more. And when it comes to the NXT Women’s Tag Division, we will see a rematch of Dakota & Raquel VS Shotzi & Ember next week!

Big moves in all divisions, what will the landscape look like on the road to In Your House 2021?

BREAKING NEWS for next week!

After weeks and weeks of Grimes being a step behind the Million Dollar Man, the two high rollers will finally have a face-off! A MILLION DOLLAR Face-Off, that is! What will that even look like?!

NXT North American Championship Steel Cage Match: Johnny Gargano VS Bronson Reed!

The cage is ready, and so are the two men that are stepping inside! The Way’s “fearless” leader and the Colossal Auszilla face off once again for this title, and it will finally be 1v1! Will there be no way Gargano survives with his reign still intact?

Gargano gets in Reed’s face before the bell, Reed shoves him down for it! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this battle of gold and steel closes out NXT!

Gargano hurries for the door! Reed drags Gargano back, and Theory can only watch as Reed gets Gargano up and TOSSES him into a corner! Reed runs in, Gargano boots him, then climbs the wall! Reed drags Gargano back down, throws hands, then whips him corner to corner. Gargano goes up and over and rolls away, but Reed blocks the door! Gargano goes up a wall, Reed drags him back down and scoops. Gargano slips out, shoves Reed but Reed blocks the wall bump! Reed elbows Gargano away, Reed runs through a clotheslines and then BODIES Gargano! Gargano flounders, Reed drags him up, and TOSSES him into the steel! Gargano scrapes down and writhes in pain!

Reed looms over Gargano, gets him back up and TOSSES him into more steel! Gargano flounders, Reed looms over him and fans are loving this! Reed gets Gargano back up, scoops him, and LAWN DARTS him into steel! Gargano checks his face, the fans are loving this, and Reed drags him up between steel and ropes. Reed then joins him in that gap, to PRESS him against the ropes! Gargano feels like cheese being grated! Reed then steps through ropes, runs, but Gargano drops! Reed hits just steel! Gargano takes aim, slingshots, but his spear is stopped by the steel being too close! Gargano is stuck, Reed drags him up, DRAPING DDT!

Gargano flounders and fans fire up. Reed drags Gargano up, suplexes him, but Gargano slips out to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Gargano hurries to the wall, climbs up, and MOONSAULTS Reed down! Gargano rains down rights, Theory fires up, and Gargano crawls back to walls. Gargano climbs, Reed yanks him back and has a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives, reminding us why he was NXT’s first Triple Crown! Reed climbs a corner, Theory is there to distract him! Gargano SUPERKICKS a leg out! Reed gets crotched as NXT goes picture in picture!

Gargano climbs up, and bounces the ropes to mess with Reed’s King Gidorah! Gargano SUPERKICKS Reed off the ropes! Reed flounders, Gargano throws hands, then has Reed in a corner! Gargano climbs, throws down hands over and over, then climbs over Reed to get up. Reed grabs at Gargano’s feet to anchor him! Reed brings Gargano down, Gargano kicks and stomps him back! Gargano hops down and runs in to back body block Reed into buckles! Reed ends up between ropes and steel while Gargano gloats. Gargano dribbles Reed’s head off steel over and over, then runs side to side, but Reed ROCKS him! Reed steps through ropes, but Gargano kicks the rope!

Reed flops over, Gargano gets his legs, and he STOMPS right on Reed’s kaiju! No disqualifications in a cage match! Gargano covers, TWO! Gargano throws down hands, Reed shoves him away! Gargano puts Reed on ropes and chokes him! Again, no disqualifications, so Gargano can hold this way past 5! Gargano lets off at about 11, then DECKS Reed. Gargano throws more hands on Reed, but Reed hits back. They brawl, NXT returns to single picture and fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” as Gargano and Theory coordinate to SANDWICH Reed through steel! Cover, TWO!! Gargano is frustrated, so he just climbs a wall. Gargano leaps, but into a POWERSLAM!

Reed slaps himself to get back in this. Gargano turns around, Reed DECKS him! And again! Atomic drop and a COLOSSAL CATAPULT into the steel!! Gargano flounders, Theory panics, and Reed fireman’s carries Gargano to climb a corner with him! Theory shouts to Gargano, Gargano fights, but Reed hits a SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Reed crawls but Gargano rolls away to avoid a cover! Reed keeps crawling, pushes Gargano over and gets that cover, TWO!! Gargano may have saved himself with those extra seconds! Reed gets up, climbs up a wall of the cage, but Gargano goes after his feet! Reed clubs Gargano, Gargano CLUBS the leg!

Gargano climbs up, dribbles Reed off steel again, and then springboards to SUNSET POWERBOMB!! Fans are thunderous and Theory is relieved as Gargano drags himself to cover Reed! TWO!!! Reed is showing he has superhuman endurance, just like Gargano! Gargano crawls to the door, Theory opens it and reaches for Gargano, but the ref reprimands him. Reed anchors Gargano! Theory and Reed play tug o’ war with Gargano! Theory lets go and Reed SITS DOWN on Gargano! Reed goes for the door, but Theory slams it shut! Reed shoves the door and sends Theory swinging into the side of the cage!! Theory is down, but Gargano SUPERKICKS Reed!

Reed ROCKS Gargano! Reed reels Gargano in, lifts, but Gargano fights the bomb by grabbing steel! Gargano hops back to POISON-RANA!! Both men are down, the door is open and the CWC fans are electric! Gargano goes to a wall of the cage, climbs up, but Reed crawls after him. Gargano changes his idea, slingshot, but no final beat as Reed SLAMS Gargano into steel! Reed goes to the door! Gargano is so far away, but Theory SLAMS the door on Reed’s head!! Gargano leaps, TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Gargano can’t believe Reed survives! Gargano goes to a corner while Reed sits up in a daze, and Gargano climbs!

Gargano is already at the top, but Reed grabs his feet! Gargano kicks at Reed, Reed climbs up, and Gargano throws hands on Reed! Gargano climbs to step on Reed, but Reed gets Gargano for a COLOSSAL POWERBOMB!! CWC is rumbling with “NXT! THIS IS AWESOME! NXT!” Reed stands first, he climbs a wall, but Theory again gets involved! Reed swipes at him, Gargano climbs up now, and now it is a handicap cage match! Reed DECKS Gargano, BOPS Theory, and finishes climbing! Gargano sees the door, Reed sees Gargano, SPRINGBOARD TSUNAMI!?! Reed doesn’t want the door, he slams it shut! ANOTHER TSUNAMI!! Cover, Reed wins!!!

Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)

That was an epic! Fourteen years to the day of Reed’s wrestling debut, and he is a champion in the WWE! Will Reed prove he is the king of kaiju now that he has gold around his waist?

My Thoughts:

An awesome episode and so much is being set up on the road to TakeOver: In Your House 2021. A brief hype package helps bring us right into Storm VS Stark rematch, and that was like a TakeOver match in itself. Stark won last time, it makes sense Storm wins this time, and we’re definitely getting a tiebreaker at the next TakeOver. Storm’s new move is unique, I wonder what it’ll be called. The spa day for Indi & Candice was an interesting way for Indi to find out about the trick Candice played. Though her being happy that Lumis was still her guy canceling out the anger she had for Candice seemed a little too easy. I suppose it’ll take more than that to break up The Way.

While Ever-Rise said it was being greedy, it makes a lot of sense for Raquel & Dakota to go after the tag belts since their reign was literally just minutes long. Raquel & Dakota VS Shotzi & Ember to name contenders to The Way is going to be a very good match, but Raquel having a title to defend surely means she and Dakota lose. Then we get Shotzi & Ember VS The Way rematch at TakeOver, and maybe in something even bigger than a Street Fight so that it’ll feel a bit more definitive. Though, that was a pretty extreme match already, so I’m not sure how they could go harder, unless they make it elimination or Falls Count Anywhere. Actually, I hope they do that.

Sarray VS Aliyah was alright, but of course Sarray wins. She’ll be growing stronger in the background of the title scene but will certainly get her shot once Raquel’s had a few defenses under her belt. Grimes getting so upset with DeBiase that he picks a fight with someone else is great, and I love that DeBiase showed up to the CWC to distract Grimes. The Million Dollar Face-Off is probably not a match, but maybe some kind of showdown in regards to their possessions and wealth. Maybe this sets up the match of Grimes VS the million dollar proxy, maybe as something big for the go-home to TakeOver.

Legado VS Ciampa & Thatcher as an unofficial contender’s match was great stuff, even with the scare of Mendoza’s nose and Thatcher’s left arm. But I should’ve guessed GYV would get involved and screw Ciampa & Thatcher over. MSK VS Legado in two weeks, Ciampa & Thatcher VS GYV at some point, all great stuff, and maybe the winners of each meet at TakeOver. I feel like if we get MSK VS Ciampa & Thatcher at TakeOver, that could be the make-or-break moment for Ciampa & Thatcher as a team. Maybe Thatcher joins Imperium after all now that they’ve kicked out Wolfe? And maybe Wolfe joins Dain & Maverick in a weird SAnitY offshoot?

Hit Row had a good match, though I’m curious as to Adonis just suddenly having all this aggression when he wasn’t that way at all as a solo act. Maybe Swerve being the smooth operator of the group means Adonis has to be the opposite now to contrast. Adonis and Top Dolla are going to be very good tag team already, they had good chemistry here, and Swerve stakes his claim to the North American Championship already. I can’t be sure if B-Fab is going to stay manager or will try to get in the ring, but she’s coming into her role very well so I think she’ll be fine either way. Hit Row could even take on Legado in a Six Man Tag, and works with the history between Swerve and Escobar.

Prime Target: Kross VS Balor II was good, but not quite on the level I would’ve expected. Granted, they probably didn’t have time to do on-location shots like for other Prime Targets. But the match is definitely going to be TakeOver worthy, and I feel like Kross will win out since this second reign is meant to make up for the ill-fated first. Balor won’t be as hurt as Jimmy Smith’s part of Prime Target makes it seem. I think Balor should consider all his options the way Pete Dunne is. Fish is calling Dunne out but I’m thinking Dunne gets this win, even if it’s just because Oney gets involved. Dunne mentioned all but the tag titles, so Balor should think the same. Balor VS Kushida, Balor VS Walter, and maybe even Balor VS Reed at some point.

And of course, Gargano VS Reed was a great cage match. NXT always finds ways to make these cage matches work while RawDown struggles. With Reed’s promo looking back to his first match ever, of course he wins tonight. Reed has definitely worked hard and earned this moment, and maybe this frees Gargano up to get into another title hunt. THE NXT Championship makes the most sense, especially with Gargano bragging he did what no one has in knocking Kross down. But I would love if Gargano wanted the Cruiserweight Championship. Gargano VS Kushida would be an awesome match, Gargano was in the Cruiserweight Classic, aka the other CWC, and if Gargano won that belt, he’d be NXT’s first-ever GRAND SLAM CHAMPION, something he has definitely earned the right to be.

My Score: 9.3/10