NXT deals with the fallout from In Your House!

NXT may not be In Your House, but there’s still in-your-face action! Will Thatcher & Ciampa tear the Grizzled Young Veterans apart in a Tornado Tag match? What is William Regal planning to do about the bedlam plaguing the brand?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Imperium VS Breezango; Breezango wins.
• NXT Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge: KUSHIDA VS ???; Kushida wins and retains the title.
• Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter; Gonzalez & Kai win.
• Tornado Tag: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher VS Grizzled Young Veterans; Ciampa & Thatcher win.

PLAY BY PLAY

William Regal heads to the ring.

The NXT General Manager doesn’t even have his music as he makes his entrance. He is given a mic, and fans chant, “Please Don’t Leave!” Regal wants to get something off his chest. Regal’s been here since day one in some form of another, starting with announcing, calling the very first TakeOver… Regal gets emotional as he thinks on how he has watched NXT become “this wonderful, beautiful thing,” and seeing all the competitors coming through here. They started touring the United States, and then going to the UK and Japan and Australia. All these amazing moments, including his hometown of Blackpool where his nieces got to sit and watch with him.

There are a lot of things fans don’t know about, either. Every spare moment has been about making NXT into the place that he and HHH thought about ten years ago. This is the place they wanted to make the place to be. They’ve tried so hard to get everything so right, for the sakes of the wrestlers, the commentary, and of course the fans. The fans took them to San Jose, to Brooklyn, to Houston, to Portland and more. Regal’s finally decided that with the chaos that’s been going on, he’s given everything he can give. Because of all the fans in the audience, and all the competitors and staff and even the fans at home, he can’t give us what we deserve anymore.

Therefore, Regal feels it is time- But Karrion Kross interrupts! The NXT Champion and his femme fatale, Scarlett Bordeaux, go right to the ring in formal wear to talk with Regal directly. “Her and I always knew this day would come. We just didn’t know when. But the moment we heard all that, we had to come out here to see it and feel it for ourselves.” Is Regal crying? Regal is completely pathetic! A week ago, Kross told Regal that he lost control of the roster, and Regal knew it was true. And then at TakeOver, when Kross punched a hole through “The Mount Rushmore of NXT,” Regal knew Kross could control this place through chaos and violence.

And now we’re here. Kross wants Regal to say it! Tell the people that he’s leaving! And then he can walk his ass up the aisle and never come back. Say it! Say that KROSS was RIGHT! SAY IT!! Say KROSS CONQUERS ALL! We ain’t got all night, Mr. Regal. Tick… Tock…” Wait a minute! Is that Samoa Joe?! Fans go nuts as the Samoan Submission Specialist returns to NXT! Joe gets in the ring and stands alongside Regal to stare down Kross! Joe has a mic and he says, “Mr. Regal, I believe you wanted to speak with me.” Regal say she did, just not in this circumstance. But he’s here so why not?

Regal says because he loves NXT so much, he thinks everyone deserves a GM that can hold the position with the integrity and respect that it deserves! Regal wants Joe to be the NEW NXT GM! Fans are fired up for that as Regal says he cannot keep this up any longer. Joe tells Regal that his answer is, “Absolutely not.” He explains that while Regal is weary and worn down, what Joe sees is this: in the seven years Regal has been here, he has scoured the globe and brought the very best talent to NXT, Joe included. For those seven years, Regal transformed this brand, plucked it from obscurity and made it an international phenomenon!

So to be honest, Regal casts a long shadow and has large shoes to fill. Joe cannot accept, but he has an offer. Joe has always understand that eh made Regal’s life hell while he was here, but he always afforded Regal respect. That said, Joe would be more than happy to insure Regal gets the respect he deserves from everybody. Joe is of course staring right at Kross! Fans are fired up, and Regal says, “That’s an interesting idea.” If that is something Joe is willing to do, there are conditions. Joe cannot be a competitor, and he cannot lay a hand on anyone. Kross smirks, but Regal says, “Unless provoked.” The smirk goes away!

Joe says, “Mr. Regal, I accept your offer.” That leaves one more question: What is Kross still doing in the ring? “Tick tock, young champion.” The law has been laid down and fans chant, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Kross and Scarlett leave, but will it only be a matter of time before they cross the line?

The Grizzled Young Veterans speak.

“Thatcher and Ciampa, we heard what you had to say at TakeOver. We heard the insults and we felt the disrespect.” Zack Gibson is from Liverpool, James Drake is from Blackpool, working class areas in North England. They’re used to people looking down their noses at them, dragging their names through the dirt. So tonight, Tornado Tag rules! No tags, no excuses! And they will learn why these two are Grizzled Young Veterans when they get their heads kicked in! But will no one survive when there’s nothing holding these teams back?

Imperium VS Breezango!

Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner are ready to carry out the orders given to them by their Ring General, Walter! Will Prince Pretty & The Lord of the Dance find themselves merely a stepping stone as Imperium takes over the Tag Division?

The teams sort out and Barthel starts with Tyler Breeze. They tie up, go around, and Barthel puts Breeze on ropes. Barthel arm-drags, has an armlock and wrenches, but Breeze gets a headlock. Barthel chinbars and fish hooks to get a headlock on Breeze. Breeze powers out, Barthel runs him over, then things speed up. Breeze jumps into a CHOP! Barthel kicks low, CLUBS Breeze down, then kicks him to the corner. Barthel spins Breeze around for a back suplex, but Breeze lands on his feet to JAWBREAKER! Tag to Fandango, Breeze whips Barthel into Dango’s dropkick! Fandango is on Barthel but Aichner tags in. Barthel whips and Aichner arm-drags Fandango to an armlock!

Aichner wrenches and jams Fandango’s arm then grinds the shoulder. Fans rally, Dango fights up but Aichner RAMS him into buckles! Aichner CLUBS Fandango, wraps the arm around ropes, but lets off as the ref counts 3. Fandango CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return! Fandango whips Aichner to ropes but Aichner sunset flips! Fandango stays up, punches Aichner then drops a leg! Fandango dumps Aichner out, Barthel goes over, Breeze PLANCAHS but misses! Fandango FLIES in and takes Imperium down! Fans are fired up as Fandango gets Aichner in the ring. Fandango climbs a corner, but Barthel throws Breeze in to distract the ref! Fandango hits Barthel, Aichner trips Fandango!

Fandango falls to the mat, Barthel nods as Imperium has control. Fandango sits up to hit Barthel, then he kicks Aichner! Aichner EuroUppers, Breeze BLASTS Barthel, Fandango knees away on Aichner! Fandango whips and kitchen sink KNEES Aichner down! The fans fire up as NXT goes picture in picture.

Fandango looms over Aichner, gets him up, and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Aichner grits his teeth, Fandango brings him up and whips him, only for Aichner to reverse! Fandango goes up and over but Barthel tags in as Fandango sunset flips! Barthel rains down fists and stomps on Fandango then digs his boots in at the ropes! The ref counts, Barthel lets off, and he lines up a shot to KICK Fandango in the back! Barthel stomps Fandango’s hands, then drags him up to bump him off buckles. Barthel puts Fandango in the ropes, Aichner holds him but the ref reprimands Aichner. Barthel still runs side to side but Breeze KICKS Barthel down!

Barthel protests but Breeze gets away with the cheap shot. Barthel still runs at Fandango to WRECK him with a dropkick! Imperium pose at their corner while the ring count is on Fandango. Fandango stirs at about 5 of 10 but Barthel goes out to fetch him. Barthel puts Fandango on the apron and CLUBS him. Fandango crawls but Barthel stays between him and Breeze. Fandango tries to juke but Barthel CLUBS him back down. Barthel kicks Fandango to the corner, tags Aichner in, and Imperium mugs Fandango. Aichner drags Fandango up to CLUB him back down! Fandango hits back with body shots but Aichner knees him low.

Aichner whips Fandango to a corner, blocks his boot and reels him in for a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Aichner kicks Fandango to keep him from Breeze, and dares him to try for it. Fandango gets up to throw body shots but Aichner shoves him to CLOBBER him with an elbow! Cover, ONE!! Fandango is hanging tough but Aichner clamps on claws into the shoulder nerves! Fandango endures and NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally but Aichner CLUBS Fandango down! Cover, TWO! Aichner taunts Fandango, kicks him around, but Fandango throws body shots again! Aichner CLUBS Fandango more, brings him up and whips him to ropes.

Fandango KICKS back, then runs for the corner! Aichner catches him, and pops him to a SLAP! Tag to Barthel, and Imperium keeps Fandango down to mug him with more stomps. Barthel KICKS Fandango in the back, wraps on a cobra clutch and thrashes him about. Fandango endures, fights up but Barthel ripcords him to a kitchen sink knee! Barthel toys with Fandango, drags him up and snapmares him back to the cobra clutch. Fans rally as Fandango endures all over again. Breeze coaches Fandango but Barthel grinds Fandango down. Fandango fights up, Barthel gives short headbutts, then ripcords again! Fandango makes it a schoolboy! Cover, TWO!

Barthel anchors Fandango’s legs but Fandango kicks him down! Fandango crawls, Barthel clamps on with a camel clutch! Barthel whips Fandango at the corner but Fandango uses that to DECK Aichner! Barthel runs in, Fandango dumps him out! Fandango crawls for his corner and fans fire up! But Barthel comes in from the side to intercept! Fandango BACK DROPS Barthel away! Barthel crawls now, hot tags to Breeze and Aichner! Prince Pretty dodges but hesitates, Aichner CLOBBERS him! Aichner BOOTS Fandango, hauls Breeze up, but Breeze inside cradles! BREEZANGO WINS!!

Winners: Breezango, by pinfall

But Imperium won’t let them get away! Aichner mugs Breeze, Barthel POSTS Fandango! Breeze fights back but Barthel RAMS him into a corner! And feeds him to Aichner’s BOOT! Aichner gets Breeze up, Barthel climbs, EURO BOMB!! Fans boo but this is what Imperium must do! They put their banner over Breeze and strike their pose. Will this be satisfactory for Walter?

A brawl breaks out backstage!

Regal and security keep Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole apart! Their personal animosity has not gone away! Regal through the Unsanctioned match was enough, but now they’ll have a match, straight-up singles match! That match will be at the Great American Bash! But since they’re so fired up, they can choose proxies to fight next week! Kyle’s fine with that but Cole isn’t! Cole wants to end Kyle ASAP! But Kyle gets free and fires off on Cole! Joe gets in as the enforcer and he pushes them apart. Cole pushes Joe, so Joe throws off his jacket to put the COQUINA CLUTCH on Cole!! He makes Cole pass out!

Joe lets Cole go and shouts, “When he wakes up, you tell him Mr. Regal expects his decision!” Day one on the job and Joe’s making an impact! Will Cole have someone in mind to fight on his behalf? Or will he even remember what day it is?

Something is charging.

It is at 1%. What happens when it hits 100?

Santos Escobar speaks.

“Bronson Reed. What happened at TakeOver: In Your House was a tragedy.” He had the North American Championship in his hands and saw his reflection in it. “It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen in my life.” But then Reed had to go and do it, huh? Not just squish him, but put him through a wall! No one does that to Santos Escobar! Reed revealed a weakness. We all know that that’s all Reed could’ve done to put him down. Escobar is coming for Reed 1v1, and will pick him up, just like he did at TakeOver, and then gravity will do the rest. Escobar will snatch the title and make that reflection a reality as the next North American Champion!

NXT Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge: KUSHIDA VS ???

The Time Splitter is still a fighting champion, and a highly sought after free agent has answered the call! Tre Baxter is all heart, proving he is the best, most innovative wrestler on the indies. This isn’t just a nickname or a catchphrase, it is a way of life, but will even #AllHeart run out of time?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the debut is worth the hype!

Kushida and Baxter circle, tie up, and Kushida wrenches an arm. Baxter handsprings and breaks free then dodges Kushida’s leg pick. They go again, Kushida gets the leg this time, then trips Baxter to get a toehold. Kushida twists but Baxter rolls with it, only for Kushida to facelock and gator roll. Kushida floats all over Baxter, pushes him to a cover, ONE! Baxter backs off to catch his breath and the two go again. They feel out the grapple, Kushida still goes for a leg, then he trips Baxter again. Baxter gets up, steps over and victory rolls, TWO! Kushida gets up into a headlock from Baxter!

Baxter grinds Kushida down, but Kushida fights up and powers out. Kushida drops, Baxter handsprings then ducks and feints to roll Kushida up! ONE, and Kushida gets an arm! Baxter shoves him away, goes Matrix to then get around and redirect for a RANA! Kushida gets to a corner to cool off and fans fire up. Baxter runs corner to corner but is put on the apron. Baxter GAMANGIRIS, then springboards for a FLYING ELBOW! Kushida bails out but Baxter builds speed, to fake him out and superhero land! Kushida gets in to whip but Baxter springboards to whip Kushida back. Kushida holds ropes and BOOTS Baxter. Baxter gets Kushida’s legs, Kushida kicks and rebound ax kicks!

Kushida drags Baxter to the apron, but Baxter kicks the leg! Baxter builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit with the Fosbury Flop and CWC is fired up for “NXT! NXT!” Wait, is that Kyle O’Reilly at the ramp? Is Kyle scouting for a proxy? Kushida and Baxter catch their breath and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Kyle paces as Baxter grinds Kushida in a chinlock. Kushida fights up as fans rally, and Kushida wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida stomps but Baxter blocks! Baxter kips up and steps over for a WHEEL KICK! RVD would be proud! Kushida ducks the Penalty Kick and avoids the standing moonsault to atomic drop and whip Baxter to a corner. Kushida runs in to SHOTEI! Kushida whips Baxter and hip tosses, then handspring basement dropkicks! Fans fire up with Kushida as he runs, but Baxter avoids the kick! Baxter dodges again but Kushida ENZIGURIS! Baxter wobbles and Kushida whips him, but Baxter reverses.

Kushida handsprings, Baxter dodges to then handspring and NEURALIZER! Cedric Alexander would be impressed, too! Kyle seems to like what he sees as both men are down. A standing count begins, Kushida sits up at 3 and looks for Baxter. Kushida gets up at 5, Baxter follows. Kushida throws a forearm, Baxter gives it back, and we have a brawl! Kushida KICKS away on the arm but Baxter fires off fast hands! Baxter fires up but spins into the FAST BALL! Kushida runs, into a STANDING SPANISH FLY!?! Baxter hurries to a corner, springboards and 450 SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and Baxter can’t believe it!

Kushida gets to a corner, Baxter storms over to throw forearms. Baxter hoists Kushida up top and climbs up but Kushida is after the arm! Baxter grits his teeth but Kushida elbows him over and over! Kushida has the wristlock, for a SUPER KIMURA DDT?! PENALTY KICK to the arm! And then a takedown to the HOVERBOARD!! Baxter taps, Kushida wins!

Winner: Kushida, by submission (still NXT Cruiserweight Champion)

Baxter was indeed #AllHeart, but the arm couldn’t withstand the pain! Kushida retains and remains the champion, but has Kyle found his proxy? Kyle gets in the ring and applauds Baxter’s efforts. Kyle also tells Kushida he isn’t here to accept an Open Challenge. Instead, he’s issuing his own. Kyle wants to fight the best and so does Kushida. So what does he say? Kushida accepts! Kyle VS Kushida, non-title but surely one for the ages, next week!!

Backstage interview with Franky Monet.

Franky Monet requested this time for a huge announcement. She and Presley the Pomeranian just to make the people happy. And what the people want is more Monet. So she is so proud to announce that next week will be the “Encore Performance” of Monet’s world premiere! Who will join Monet in the must-see sequel?

But moving on from that, Monet talks with Jessi Kamea & Aliyah. She saw the special bonus match from TakeOver, in which they lost against Zoey Stark & Sarray. She thought they had it won, until Robert Stone got involved. Speaking of, Stone walks in and asks what’s up. Monet says hi and two-facedly tells him that the girls should’ve listened to him more and they would’ve had it. Great minds think alike. Okay, see you all later. She’s great, isn’t she? Yeah. But is she making a play to break up the Robert Stone Brand?

Mercedes Martinez watches TakeOver back.

Specifically, she relives Mei Ying throwing her off the ramp and into boards with one hand. Yeah, she felt the wrath of Tian Sha. But she said before that she is the wrong person to mess with it. She isn’t going anywhere. If Boa wants to step up, he’ll feel the steel again. And Xia Li made it 1-1. Any time she wants the tiebreaker, Mercedes is ready. And Mei Ying won’t have a chance to get up out of her chair, because Mercedes will knock her right out of it! Is Mean Ms. Mercedes biting off more than she can chew with Tian Sha?

Ted DeBiase is here!

The Million Dollar Man heads to the ring, the Million Dollar Championship waiting for him. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” TakeOver showed us someone worthy of being the next Million Dollar Champion. DeBiase cues up a highlight video package of LA Knight. The self-made man made himself the winner at TakeOver. Whose game is it? L A Knight’s. And Knight rolls up in a brand new Corvette, smokes a cigar as he makes his entrance both into the building and to ringside, and joins DeBiase in the ring. Knight tells, “Teddyyy~! Let me talk…” Knight stops himself and gets serious for a moment. He needs a second as he wants to actually talk to Ted DeBiase.

“It’s not often in life that we get to meet our heroes. In this business, it’s even more rare that you get to meet your heroes, and then share the ring with them.” For Knight to make it to that place, and then said hero says he could be the one to carry on the legacy, Knight can’t describe what he’s thinking or feeling. When DeBiase told him and Grimes to literally climb the ladder of success, Knight took that very seriously. Knight can’t lie, he’s all banged up, but to be standing here with DeBiase and that belt, it was 100% worth it. Knight just needed to say that. Because when Knight grew up watching wrestling with his dad, DeBiase was always on their screen.

Fans want Cameron Grimes but Knight says the kids in the neighborhood all wrestled in the backyard, and someone was always Ted DeBiase. Knight had the action figure and the championship belt. Knight wants DeBiase to understand that him as a fixture of Knight’s childhood is an understatement. Knight admits he needed DeBiase and this belt so that Knight could express his gratitude and appreciation. DeBiase and Knight shake hands and DeBiase says Knight earned this. Knight wants to be 100% serious, this is the greatest moment in his career. And it would be the greatest honor to be officially crowned Million Dollar Champion. DeBiase would be happy to.

DeBiase fetches the belt from its briefcase, brings it over to Knight, and puts it on his shoulder. They shake hands again, DeBiase pats Knight on the shoulder and officially calls him the NEW Million Dollar Champion! The Million Dollar Laugh and the pyro go off, and fans duel over Knight and Grimes. Knight understands the fans have their favorite, but having this belt on his shoulder is beyond description. Knight’s learned so much just the last few weeks. Again, DeBiase was a fixture in Knight’s life. Knight has everything that he’s ever wanted, but he’s going to drop what he doesn’t need. Knight DECKS DeBiase!!!

And then Knight BLASTS the guards, throws the podium, and snatches up the belt! Knight says what was DeBiase’s is now his! Knight is the ONE TRUE MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPION! Fans boo as Knight throws off his jacket to stomp DeBiase down! But here comes Grimes! Grimes CLOBBERS Knight and rallies on him with more clotheslines! Grimes clotheslines Knight out of the ring and throws his jacket at him! Grimes checks on DeBiase while Knight gets away with the title. Fans are fired up for the Carolina Cash Money Caveman, will Grimes get Million Dollar Revenge?

Backstage interview with Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai.

They have a tag team match coming up, but McKenzie asks, after the grueling TakeOver defense, why is Raquel competing again so soon? Raquel says that Ember Moon learned the hard way what it means to face her. But also, someone pass on the word to Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell. The Way can hold onto those titles real tight, because there’s unfinished business. Raquel’s pal, Dakota, wants gold, and Raquel isn’t satisfied with one title. Tonight, they take care of Lil’ Kacy and Lil’ Kayden, then they move on to being two-time tag champions. Big Mami Cool & Cobra Kai head out, will they show no mercy to KC Squared?

The batter continues to charge.

It is now at 11%.

NXT returns as Dakota & Raquel head for gorilla.

And there waiting are Shotzi & Ember! Regal and Samoa Joe are already holding them back to keep this from getting out of hand, and the NXT Women’s Champion and her insurance policy go to the ring.

Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter!

Taking over one division isn’t enough for Ricky Desperado, she wants it all! Will she and Dakota crush KC and KC to go after The Way? Or will that arrogance cost them against two of the most agile and resilient superstars in NXT today?

Kayden and Kai start, tie up, and Kai puts Kayden in a corner. The ref counts, Kai lets off and Kayden comes back. Kayden waistlocks, trips Kai then handsprings over. Kai ducks the buzzsaw, guards for the mule kick, but Kayden was just faking her out. Kayden pats Kai on the head, then gets her arm! Kayden wrenches, tags to Kacy, and they whip Kai to ropes for a double drop toehold! Kai sputters as KC Square goes to the apron, for a DOUBLE BOOT SANDWICH! Cover, TWO! Kacy keeps on Kai with a facelock, Kayden tags back in, and KC Square whip to drop toehold, and Chancery to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Kai gets away, Raquel tags in and she grins as she towers over Kayden. Kayden avoids the boot to headlock but Raquel powers out. Kayden gets around Raquel but Raquel pulls hair to reel Kayden in for a TWO HAND TOSS! Kayden dodges in the corner, then swings around the clothesline to an IRON OCTOPUS! Raquel endures and powers free, but Kayden sunset flips! Raquel drags Kayden up but Kayden hits a JAWBREAKER! Kayden dropkicks Raquel to the corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Tag to Kacy but Raquel shoves Kayden. Kacy sneaks up, Raquel grabs her first and whips her at Kayden! KC Squared dosido and Kacy slides to trip Raquel up! Kayden BOOTS, and Kacy climbs on!

Raquel turns the rana into a toss but Kacy lands, ducks, dodges, and SILLY STRINGS with Kayden! Dakota tags in but Kacy slides under the kick. Kai avoids the forward handspring but Kacy just handsprings back to headscissor! Kai bails out, Kacy aims and TORNILLOS! Raquel runs over to help Kai but Kacy tags Kayden! KC Squared work together, Kayden goes up and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Dakota and Raquel, KC Squared is fired up as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Raquel grinds Kacy in a backbreaker rack. Kacy endures, even as Raquel bends her way back! Raquel flips Kacy over and drags her up to whip her to a corner. Tag to Kai and she runs side to side to BOOT WASH Kacy! Kai drags Kacy to a cover, TWO! Kayden is relieved but Kai drags Kacy up to bump off buckles. Tag to Raquel, she runs in and SPLASHES Kacy! Raquel scoops Kacy for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Kacy avoids the elbow drop and hotshots from the apron! Kai tags back in and runs to BOOT Kacy off the apron! Kai goes out to get Kacy up, but Kacy whips Kai into the apron! Kacy gets in the ring, hurries over, but Kai keeps her from Kayden!

Kacy BOOTS Kai, and hot tags Kayden! The Spitfire rallies on Kai, sees Raquel get up and dropkicks her down! Kayden fires off on Kai to put her in the same corner with Raquel! Kayden runs to forearm smash them both! Kayden keeps moving, and she hits a DROPKICK SPLASH COMBO! Kayden whips, Kai reverses but Kayden wheelbarrows and victory rolls to a mule KICK! Kayden builds speed to BOOT WASH Kai in return! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives but Kayden keeps her cool. Kayden gets Kai up but Kai SCORPION KICKS! Tag to Raquel and she drags Kayden around to whip to a corner. Raquel runs in but into a boot!

Kayden climbs, leaps, but into a fireman’s carry! And a swinging SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kayden proves her resilience but Raquel is furious! Raquel dead lifts Kayden to the Canadian Rack, tag to Kai! GORY BOMB CODE BREAKER COMBO!! Cover, Kacy breaks it in time!! Kai is furious and runs in, but into Kayden’s boot! Kayden elbows and WRECKS Raquel! But Kai throws Kayden down by her hair! Kai gets Kayden up, whips her to ropes, but Kayden holds ropes to boot back. Kacy tags in, sneaks a shoulder in, they table top Kai to then wheelbarrow back suplex SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Kai gets out of the way as Raquel runs in, but Kacy baits her into Kayden’s KICK!

Raquel still grabs Kayden, but Kacy dropkicks Raquel out of the ring! Tag, and Kayden cartwheels to mule KICK Raquel! Kacy RANAS Raquel into the apron! Kai runs into a HEEL KICK! Kayden gets Kai up, tags Kacy and Kacy climbs! KC Squared for the 450 SPLASH NECKBREAKER?!?! Cover, Raquel drags Kacy out to THROW her into barriers! Kayden runs but into a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP into barriers! Raquel flounders but Kacy climbs back up. Kai KICKS Kacy first, for a DRAPING GO TO KICK!! Cover, Kai & Gonzalez win!

Winners: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez, by pinfall

The combination of KC Squared is strong, but #CapKota and Big Mami Cool are stronger! Will they make their way to a shot at the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships?

Ever-Rise review their TakeOver Pre-Preshow.

They were trying to do something nice for the community, and Hit Row has to go and ruin things. Top Dolla and Ashante Thee Adonis are “a couple of tough guys” for beating up a little dollhouse! But what Matt Marthel wants to know if “Dollar King” was looking for a box of donuts. Chase Parker says if Hit Row wants to do that to the TakeOver Pre-Preshow, go after Ever-Rise and that’s it, NO SIR! Ever-Rise rebuilds! Look at… Well, it isn’t really good as new, but it’s here! So when you come knocking on someone’s door, be ready for an answer. Ding dong! Ever-Rise Rules! Will they get to take the fight to Hit Row soon enough?

The battery is still charging.

It is now at 21%.

The Great American Bash is back, baby!

Stars and stripes, bruises and blood, get ready for it on Tuesday, July 6th! And as already stated, O’Reilly VS Cole will happen one more time, in a straight-up singles match! But with Kyle having called out Kushida for next week’s proxy tune-up, who will Cole choose to one-up his former friend?

Io Shirai heads to the ring!

The Evil Genius is back again after making her return confronting Candice LeRae on Poppy’s behalf. Shirai gets a mic to say, “I’m back!” And she feels good. She says in Japanese that we must’ve missed her, right? And her next target is- Well, she’s on her way out! Candice interrupts and tells Shirai that a lot has changed since she’s been gone. For example and most importantly, Candice is no longer an uncrowned champion. And since Shirai is not unbeatable anymore, she’s back to the bottom. Shirai has to earn opportunities now. And there is something that hasn’t changed, actually. Candice still can’t stand her.

And unfortunately for Shirai, she picked the wrong time to mess with her. Candice takes off the belt but INDI attacks from behind! The Way mugs Shirai, but Shirai fights back! She BOOTS Candice, puts Indi on ropes, and dials it up! 619!! Candice gets up and anchors Shirai’s springboard for Indi to BOOT Shirai in return! The Way gets Shirai up to RAM her into the apron, and then Candice hammers away on Shirai while Indi clears off the desk. Candice drags Shirai up and over to put her on the desk, and then has Indi to go up for that Impressive Elbow Drop. Indi does as told, but here comes Zoey Stark! Stark tackles Indi and rains down fists!

Candice gets in, Stark rallies on both champions! BOOT for Candice, HEEL KICK for Indi! Shirai returns, she springboards to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! The Way gets away and fans fire up with Shirai! The Genius has an ally in the Rising Star(k), but will they make The Way go away?

Backstage interview with Regal and Samoa Joe.

McKenzie asks about the order being restored. How has the night panned out for them? Regal wants to tell McKenzie something, but then cameras cut away to see Ciampa & Thatcher head for gorilla. MSK has popcorn and lets them know that they’ll be watching the main event very closely. Lee & Carter have their popcorn, do you? Oh wait, Thatcher takes Carter’s bucket to have it for himself. Rude. Will things be even worse for Gibson & Drake in a matter of moments?

The Diamond Mine is coming.

Achieve success though pain. This is the key. Pressure makes diamonds, but who is going to shine next week?

Backstage interview with Regal and Samoa Joe for real now.

Continuing where they left off, Regal’s thoughts on tonight are that- The Way comes in to cheer for Joe. Gargano and Theory never knock, do they? Theory knocks and Gargano says this is great! Thanks for being here, Joe! Joe choking out Cole was great, by the way. Joe is what this brand has needed! Regal lost complete control. Gargano broke a pencil and Regal went “cuckoo bananas.” But now with Joe, this is so good Theory, tell him how great it is. Theory raises his fist and nods and Gargano tells him they’re not doing the Diesel cosplay anymore. Joe asks Gargano to do him a big favor. Anything, man! What is it? Get out. Okay, great talk. See you guys around!

Regal tells Joe this is what he was talking about. But then Pete Dunne walks in! Dunne and Joe stare down but Regal asks them to keep it civil. Will the Bruiserweight have something to say to the Samoan Submission Specialist? Or is this icy silence more than enough?

Tornado Tag: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher VS Grizzled Young Veterans!

NXT returns and GYV make their entrance. They have mics but Ciampa and Thatcher won’t give them time to talk! The brawl is on, Old Man Ciampa and Toothless Timmy put Gibson and Drake in the ring, and now the match is on!

The brawling continues, Ciampa and Thatcher have GYV in the corners and are stomping mudholes into them! Ciampa lets off, Thatcher follows, and they whip GYV into each other! Thatcher drags Drake up, Ciampa sits Gibson up, and they hammer away with dueling forearms! Then they trade partners! Then they go for DOUBLE ARMBARS! Gibson and Drake scramble, Drake gets the ropebreak but it doesn’t matter! There’s nothing stopping this but a pin or a tap-out! GYV bail out, Ciampa & Thatcher chase after, but GYV turn the tables! GYV mug Ciampa & Thatcher, and they throw Thatcher out so they can focus on Ciampa.

Drake throws forearms, Gibson throws forearms, but Ciampa CHOPS back! Drake shoves, Ciampa ducks the double clothesline to give DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES! Ciampa runs to give endless clotheslines to GYV, but GYV drop, dropkick and basement dropkick! Thatcher returns but gets MAYHEM IN MOTION! Fans boo as GYV high-five and Ciampa bails out. GYV goes out and fire forearms on Ciampa & Thatcher., Drake bumps Ciampa off barriers, Gibson RAMS Thatcher into other barriers! Then they trade and Gibson throws EuroUppers on Ciampa while Drake clubs Thatcher. Drake puts Thatcher in the ring and brings him up for more forearms.

Thatcher whips Drake, Drake tumbles up and out but Thatcher counter punches for a SLEEPER! Drake flails, Gibson gets in and KNEES Thatcher in the back! Ciampa gets in to get Gibson in a SLEEPER! Gibson snapmares free, throat chops Ciampa, but Thatcher choke grips! Drake chop blocks a leg! Gibson BOOTS and Drake STOMPS Thatcher down! GYV trade again and Drake throws hands on Gibson while Gibson CLUBS Thatcher. Ciampa is thrown out so GYV can focus on Thatcher. Gibson gets Thatcher up, but Thatcher blocks the suplex. Drake goes out to RAM Ciampa into barriers! Then Drake joins Gibson for a BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!

Thatcher grits what teeth he has as Drake goes to the apron, Ciampa trips Drake up, gets i and shoves Gibson to ROCK him! Ciampa runs to clothesline Gibson and himself out of the ring! Then Ciampa goes back for Drake to give him endless clotheslines! KNEE for Gibson, then Ciampa goes out to RAM Drake into the timekeeper’s area! Ciampa gets Gibson up to throw him onto Drake! Fans are thunderous as Ciampa goes running in for a DOUBLE PSYCHO KNEE!! Ciampa puts Drake in the ring, goes for Gibson and puts him in, too, and then regroups with Thatcher. They fire each other up with SLAPS, and then Thatcher EuroUppers Drake! Ciampa forearms Gibson, and repeat!

Fans are rallying as the EuroUppers and corner clotheslines keep going! Thatcher and Ciampa are fired up as NXT goes picture in picture!

Ciampa and Thatcher stalk GYV to the ramp. Ciampa stomps Gibson’s fingers and Thatcher gets Drake up in a facelock. Ciampa ROCKS Gibson, but Drake RAMS Thatcher into steel steps! Drake helps Gibson but he just gets a CHOP for it! Gibson EuroUppers Thatcher but Thatcher pulls ears! Thatcher ROCKS Gibson, Ciampa RAMS Drake into barriers, then Thatcher TOSSES Gibson into boards! GYV are floundering around, Ciampa RAMS Drake into more barriers! Gibson forearms but Thatcher EuroUppers! Thatcher digs Gibson’s face into the steel fencing! Ciampa stomps Gibson down so Thatcher can run and RAM Drake into more barriers!

Ciampa CHOPS Gibson, Thatcher cravats Drake for a neck wrench. Gibson RAMS Ciampa into the announce desk! And then RAMS him into barriers! Drake fights free and knocks Thatcher down. Drake puts Thatcher in the ring, covers, ONE!! Thatcher snarls but Drake looms over him as Gibson RAMS Ciampa into barriers! Drake clamps onto Thatcher with a neck wrench then CLUBS Thatcher down. Gibson joins in and GYV mug Thatcher. Gibson grinds Thatcher down with an underhook so that Drake can jam his knee into Thatcher’s ribs! GYV pace around, Thatcher kicks Drake from below but Gibson CLUBS Thatcher down.

GYV taunt and mug Thatcher more while Ciampa is still down on the outside. NXT returns to single picture and Thatcher fires off EuroUppers on GYV! But Drake clinches, Gibson MISSILE DROPKICKS for the COMPLETE SHOT! Drake has a KOJI KLUTCH! Gibson taunts Thatcher but that just pisses him off. Thatcher grabs at Gibson but Gibson stomps him! Ciampa CLOBBERS Gibson from behind! Ciampa stomps Drake until he lets Thatcher go! Then he stomps him more! Fans are electric as Ciampa CLUBS and CHOPS Gibson! Gibson rakes Ciampa’s eyes! Thatcher clinches Gibson for a Belly2Belly! Thatcher gets back up but Drake runs in, only for Thatcher to ENZIGURI!

Thatcher glares at Gibson, waistlocks, but Ciampa runs in and Gibson dodges! Ciampa BOOTS Thatcher! GYV clinch and ENZIGURI Ciampa! Gibson has Ciampa in the Electric Chair, Drake goes up, but Ciampa fights! Ciampa ROCKS Drake, Thatcher gets Gibson with a knee! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX for Gibson, SUPER AIR RAID CRASH for Drake!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Thatcher keeps Gibson down with a grovit but Gibson dumps him out! Ciampa KNEES Gibson down and sees Drake going to the apron. Ciampa follows Drake out there, CHOPS him, but Drake CHOPS back! Ciampa CHOPS again, Drake CHOPS! Ciampa eggs Drake on as the CHOP fight continues!

Ciampa BOOTS Drake, fires up and fireman’s carries! Drake fights free, Gibson joins in and they have Ciampa in the Electric Chair! Drake builds speed and DIVES for the TOPE DOOMSDAY!! The ref checks on Ciampa while Drake is slow to getting up. Gibson goes after Thatcher, they both pull on each other’s ears! EuroUppers start flying back and forth, over and over! Thatcher gets the edge, Gibson wobbles, and Thatcher keeps throwing EuroUppers! Gibson gives some back, and catches Thatcher to a backslide! Thatcher rolls through to trip Gibson up! Gibson turns around to drag Thatcher down! Thatcher avoids Shankly Gates to go for the chicken wing!

Gibson moves, Thatcher wants the wristlock but Gibson puts him in a corner! GRIT YOUR TEETH!! Drake rocks Thatcher with that dropkick, and Gibson gets Thatcher up. GYV coordinate, POWERBOMB BACKSTABBER!! Cover, Ciampa breaks it up!? Ciampa returns and the CWC is volcanic! Drake and Gibson mug Ciampa against the announce desk, but Thatcher crawls his way over. Drake tells fans to shut it as he clears off the desk. The desk hood becomes a ramp, Gibson BACK SUPLEXES Ciampa through it! Drake mockingly asks Ciampa how he liked that, and Gibson gets Ciampa back up. They put Ciampa on the desk, and Drake DECKS Thatcher!

Drake goes into the ring to stomp Thatcher over and over! Drake gives Gibson the green light, but Ciampa gives Gibson an AIR RAID CRASH onto the desk! The desk didn’t break but Ciampa might’ve broken Gibson! The Psycho Killer hobbles over, but Drake needs to worry about the Professor of Pain! Thatcher turns Drake around to SLAP him! Ciampa SLAPS Drake, and they DOUBLE SLAP! ASSISTED FAIRY TALE ENDING!! And the ANKLE LOCK WITH FUJIWARA!!! Drake taps, Ciampa & Thatcher win!!

Winners: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher, by submission

The friendship isn’t fake, and the win is just as real! Will these two takeover the tag division and make the Must See Kids into former champions?

Backstage interview with Regal and Samoa Joe, take three.

McKenzie asks Regal what his thoughts are on Joe being back in NXT. Things are going to be a little different around here. Joe says that this is simply night one of many. They head out, having reestablished the natural order. But how long will it last?

My Thoughts:

An awesome follow-up episode to TakeOver! And only four matches! But even though we opened with a promo, it was an amazing moment right from the start. Regal did great with the emotion, and in kayfabe, he was definitely considering stepping down. Kross is getting great Heel heat being a jerk to the beloved NXT GM, and then SAMOA FREAKIN’ JOE is back!! Reports said he was back at the Performance Center, aka the Capital Wrestling Center, and was going to be back in NXT, and being Regal’s enforcer is a great move. Joe settling the fighting between Kyle and Cole with the sleeper hold was awesome, as was his interactions with Gargano and Dunne.

Speaking of which, Kyle VS Cole II at Great American Bash is going to be awesome, too. I kinda wish they put “Loser Leaves NXT” on it but that’d make it obvious Cole would lose to finally move on. I also like this “pick your poison” proxy stuff, with each guy choosing who they face before then. Kushida VS Baxter was a great Cruiserweight title match, and a great way for Baxter to debut, but I wish the 205 Live roster would get more chances. Kyle choosing Kushida for his match next week was a cool choice, and I would think #CoolKyle wins. Cole could choose just about anyone at this point, and I’m not sure what he goes for. Will he try to face someone strong to prove he’s stronger than Kyle? Or will he go for someone he looks down on in an attempt to get a squash? I’m leaning towards the latter.

The charging battery is interesting. We haven’t even gotten anyone from the Diamond Mine, and we’re getting a teaser for someone or something new? This has to mean a lot of call-ups are happening through the WWE Draft, and that is going to suck for said call-ups, except for those going to SmackDown. But maybe only slightly. Babatunde became Dabba-Kato became Commander Azeez, and Piper Niven was treated like an absolute unknown. But griping about Vince not caring about continuity is for other articles. Diamond Mine is finally coming next week, NXT is getting a lot of factions to fill the gap of the Undisputed Era and that much is cool.

Imperium losing to Breezango was quite the surprise, but I suppose Walter’s orders were to eliminate Breezango, not necessarily win. Breezango might come back for revenge but maybe Imperium lurks on the outside of the tag title scene. Ever-Rise calling out Hit Row was good, that match will be a lot of fun. Escobar had a good promo to call Reed out, and of course their 1v1 is coming. I bet that will be at the Great American Bash, and it will be a great North American Championship. Franky Monet making moves on the Robert Stone Brand is interesting, and a purely female faction could be great for NXT, too.

We got a good promo from Mercedes calling out Tian Sha as a whole. Shirai, Candice, Indi and Stark had a good segment. It was a good detail that Shirai wanted to call Candice out, and for The Way to turn things around on her. Stark makes a good ally for Shirai to take on The Way on Poppy’s behalf, and that could go either way. Gonzalez & Kai VS KC Squared was an excellent tag match, especially for KC Squared to show their stuff. But in the end, it makes sense the NXT Women’s Champion and her friend/sidekick would win. They’ve still got beef with Ember & Shotzi and they want the tag titles back, we could get quite the tag team showdown at Great American Bash.

The “crowning” of Knight with DeBiase was another great segment. Knight did a great job working a shoot, because I totally believe that Knight and his group of friends grew up watching and loving the Million Dollar Man’s time in WWE and all those iconic wrestlers from then. And then I just knew Knight would turn on DeBiase right there, it felt so clear. Grimes gets to be even more Face coming to the rescue, and I hope the Great American Bash has a rematch, and whether or not Grimes wins there, that win is coming and Grimes will be vindicated. The CWC loves Grimes, they are going to love when Grimes finally gets the belt and so am I.

That Tornado Tag was an awesome main event, very much bordering on TakeOver level, and it was great for Ciampa & Thatcher to win. They surely get next against MSK with MSK showing they were watching backstage, but I wouldn’t mind Ciampa & Thatcher still having to earn a shot in another killer match, perhaps with Legado or Imperium. Great American Bash should definitely try to be pseudo-TakeOver to keep NXT going through the Summer, since there is also the return to touring for RawDown and even AEW going all out on the road to All Out 2021.

My Score: 9.3/10