Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on NXT today…

Sadly, Samoa Joe is injured and must relinquish the title. But that opening gives rise to a NEW NXT Champion! Oh, and there’s a wedding tonight!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• LA Knight VS Bron Breakker; Breakker wins.
• Imperium VS Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen; Imperium wins.
• B-Fab w/ Hit Row VS Katrina Cortez; B-Fab wins.
• Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter VS Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin w/ Mandy Rose; Catanzaro & Carter win, by disqualification.
• Six Woman Tag: Sarray, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter VS Mandy Rose, Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin; Rose, Jayne & Dolin win.
• Ridge Holland VS Drake Maverick w/ Grayson Waller; Holland wins.
• The Creed Brothers w/ The Diamond Mine VS ???; The Creed Brothers win.
• Vacant NXT Championship Fatal 4 Way: Tommaso Ciampa VS LA Knight VS Kyle O’Reilly Von Wagner VS Pete Dunne; Ciampa wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT “2.0” hears from tonight’s top contenders.

“It’s a new look, new feel, new faces, but one thing remains the same. Tommaso Ciampa is, was and forever will be Mr. NXT.” Tonight, the greatest love story in sports entertainment history gets another chapter: Ciampa x Goldie, 2.0. But Pete Dunne says he’s been telling us since the beginning that he IS the baddest man in NXT. Tonight, he vows to prove it. It doesn’t matter how many geezers they line up in front of him, he will put them down! The Bruiserweight WILL be NXT Champion!

Kyle O’Reilly says this is the opportunity everyone strives for. And NXT 2.0 has arrived. He will be in the ring with three of the very best, and he is one match away from the biggest goal 16 years in the making. Kyle O’Reilly, NXT Champion? About damn time. But for LA Knight, he talks to ya, saying how Samoa Joe conveniently got injured. If it’s real, it’s to his manhood, because Joe knew looking into LA Knight’s eyes would lose him the title. But now three men are stuck in that same spot! Who’s game is it? LA Knight’s game! But then Knight turns around and bumps into the new guy. Well, giddy as a schoolgirl, isn’t he? What does he want?

This is Bron Breakker and this is NXT 2.0! He wants a chance to prove himself! Well yeah but this is the LA Knight Show. Tonight, Knight becomes champion. But in a couple of minutes, go out to the ring and get excited for your music. Then Knight can bust the brakes off the cross-eyed halfwit! Will Knight really win a last minute warm-up before he faces three of NXT’s toughest and meanest?

LA Knight VS Bron Breakker!

The Megastar is so confident in himself, he’s doing double duty! But is his ego already writing a check his body can’t cash before the golden main event?

The bell rings, the two circle and fans duel already. Knight kicks, JABS and CLUBS Bron before he bumps him off buckles. Knight stomps, throws hands and then whips Bron corner to corner. Bron comes back to CLOBBER Knight! Bron headlocks, grinds the hold, but Knight throws body shots. Knight powers out but Bron runs him over again! Bron snarls, things speed up and Bron is ready for the drop down to waistlock and dead lift to SLAM Knight down! Then another lift and SLAM! Knight gets to a corner and is a bit surprised. They go again, Bron lifts but Knight elbows free. Knight whips, Bron reverses but Knight kicks back to then CLOBBER Bron!

Fans boo Knight but he grins as he paces around. Knight gets Bron up to throw haymakers. Knight stomps Bron at the ropes, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Knight lets off, he hears the fans rallying for Bron and Bron throws body shots. Knight knees Bron low, whips him to a corner, but Bron reverses. Bron runs in but misses, Knight hit a NECKBREAKER! Knight grins again and fans boo more. Knight taunts the fans, stomps Bron around, then puts Bron on ropes to choke him! The ref counts, Knight lets off and stands Bron up. Bron shoves Knight then elbows him away. Bron is in a corner, Knight runs in but misses. Bron runs to rally with shoulder tackles!

Bron fires up, dodges to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up as Bron calls his shot. Bron brings Knight around but Knight ROCKS Bron! Knight fires off clubbing hands, spins Bron to a cravat KNEE, then runs in, into a choke grip! Bron trophy lifts Knight and carries him, to a POWERSLAM! Cover, BRON WINS!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

The debut is big time for Bron! He beats the big mouthed Megastar, could he already be in line for some gold in this new era?

Bron is congratulated by the NXT roster.

A lot of other young stars, like Josh Briggs and Xyon Quinn, are happy to see another young star take it to a veteran like LA Knight. Will this be just the first of many great moments for Bron Breakker?

Imperium VS Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen!

Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner are ready to keep things going in the new era, but big mean Briggs has found someone he actually gets along with! Will the mat still be sacred? Or will the bar be raised on the way to the bar?

The teams sort out, Jensen starts with Aichner and the two tie up. Aichner waistlocks, Jensen elbows free and fires off hands. Jensen whips, Aichner reverses and blocks Jensen’s boot to reel him in for a LARIAT! Aichner brings Jensen up to CLUB him on the back. Aichner CLUBS Jensen again, whips him to ropes but Jensen rolls off his back! Aichner dodges Jensen but not the POWERSLAM! Jensen is fired up, he brings Aichner over and Briggs tags in. The good ol’ boys double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER Aichner down! Briggs fires up, fans boo a bit as Aichner whips. Tag to Barthel and he arm-drags Briggs! Barthel wrenches, clamps onto the arm, but Briggs endures.

Briggs powers up, Barthel whips him but Briggs CLUBS and HEADBUTTS! Briggs scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM, to a STANDING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Barthel gets to a corner, Briggs runs in and blocks a boot but Barthel breaks free to KICK, CHOPS and CLUB Briggs! Briggs resists the butterfly suplex so Barthel snapmares and PENALTY KICKS! Fans cheer the Impeccable German as he puts Briggs in the ropes. Tag to Aichner, Imperium coordinates and DOUBLE DROPKICKS in the corner! Barthel and Aichner pose at the corner and fans fire up for their efficiency! Aichner gets Briggs up but Briggs hits a BIG back suplex first! Hot tag to Jensen!

Jensen rallies on Aichner, scoops him and spins for a SLAM! Jensen scoops again for a BACKBREAKER to a swing and SLAM! Barthel gets in but Briggs DECKS him! Jensen clotheslines Barthel out then gets Aichner. Barthel trips Briggs off the apron to deny the tag, then he RAMS Briggs into the steps! Aichner resists Jensen’s suplex to scoop but Jensen slips out to roll up! TWO, and Jensen CLOBBERS Aichner with an elbow! Jensen goes to a corner, skins the cat to the top rope, but Barthel is on the apron! The ref stops him but Aichner is up top, SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, Imperium wins!

Winners: Imperium, by pinfall

Aichner and Barthel were once again an efficient and dominant machine! Will they soon find their way back towards the NXT Tag Team Championships?

Hit Row speaks.

Ashante Thee Adonis asks, “Have you ever heard, ‘If you got it, flaunt it’?” Well, B-Fab’s got it, and if you’re looking for the best, stop looking. This is the illest and the realest, this is new money, this is authentic, and all y’all are just gimmicks. This is B-Fab, and the B stands for “beautiful.” Swerve says that he knew B-Fab had something special the second she caught his eye. When the rest of NXT saw it, it got real spooky. But tonight, for 2.0, B-Fab will make you big mad. Now Queen B is the baddest, #FACTS, but not just cuz how she looks. She’s the baddest cuz she’s trained with the baddest! Olympic gold medalists and world champions!

B-Fab herself says that while she can spit lines, the time for talking is over. “Let’s do this.” #SayLess. Will B-Fab bring down the house in her in-ring debut?

B-Fab w/ Hit Row VS Katrina Cortez!

The leading lady of Swerve’s House is ready to show everyone, and she means everyone (including Elektra Lopez of Legado del Fantasma) that she isn’t just a pretty face and a sharp tongue. Will Cortez be the first to sample what is behind those words?

The bell rings and B-Fab dodges Cortez’s takedown to sweep the legs. B-Fab throws forearms to put Cortez in the corner then stomps away with big wind ups! B-Fab turns Cortez around with a chinlock but Cortez throws elbows. B-Fab goes for a half straitjacket but Cortez throws elbows. So B-Fab throws Cortez! B-Fab rushes in but Cortez kicks and forearms her back! Cortez boots, hops up and leaps, into a BOOT from B-Fab! B-Fab drags Cortez up, reels her in and shouts, “Big Mad!” before her RUDE AWAKENING! Cover, B-Fab wins!

Winner: B-Fab, by pinfall

B-Fab gets the mic and says, “They thought because B-Fab wasn’t in the ring that she couldn’t do this? Oh no no no no no! We all do this.” So Senorita Secret Sauce, you were so quick to put your nose where it didn’t belong, and drank the Kool-Aid before knowing the flavor. And now this “Familia” del Legado- Heads to the ring! Lopez says, “Hey, hey, callete, idiota!” AKA shut up, girl! Elektra Lopez is talking now. Well B-Fab wants her to speak up. Lopez says no one learned their lesson before. But they can go again. Yes, please! Well this time, Lopez wont’ need a pipe to shut that yappy little mouth.

Oh~! B-Fab would love to see Lopez work without the tools. Hell, they could do this now! Santos Escobar wants Lopez to stand down but Hit Row dares her to do something. Lopez stands down, and B-Fab says Escobar just saved Lopez’s life. The tension is mounting, but what happens when it explodes inside the ring?

Dexter Lumis’ groomsmen are getting dressed.

They’re all wearing the same black long sleeves, gray slacks and black gloves Lumis likes to wear. But not only are they excited for the wedding, they’re excited for the main event! Who does everyone think will win? Cameron Grimes’ money is on Kyle. But what about Johnny Gargano? He doesn’t really care. Tonight is going ot be perfect, except for one thing. Wait, who is that knocking on their door? Gargano opens it up and… AUSTIN THEORY IS BACK! The prodigal son has returned! He wasn’t going to miss the wedding! And he brought someone else. Can’t have a wedding without a priest! DAMIAN PRIEST is back for tonight! No, he’s not really a priest, Theory.

Yeah, sorry, bro. But he’s here to party! Open bar, right? Yep! All on Grimes! Nice. Oh hey! Look at this! Gargano says not now. He HUGS Theory instead! Now that’s nice to see! Will this be the one pro-wrestling wedding that doesn’t get ruined?

Carmelo Hayes heads to the ring!

The 2021 Breakout Tournament winner, and his friend Trick Williams, are here, the contract folder in hand. Has Hayes chosen what title he’s after? We find out, after the break.

NXT returns and Samantha Irvin formally introduces Carmelo. Fans cheer for “MELO! MELO!” but Hayes wants to get to it. Three weeks ago, he won the Breakout Tournament. Life is great, he’s got the juice, but now he’s got a target on his back. Moving forward into this 2.0, no one’s catching Melo off guard. He looked around and realized, this is just a numbers game. So he called up his boy and said, “Yo, Trick, are you ’bout it?” Trick says, “Oh I’m ’bout it ’bout it!” So from now one, as long as Hayes has the contract, wherever they go, Trick goes. Whenever Hayes eats, Trick eats. Whenever Hayes gets put on, Trick gets put on.

Trick says he’s here for two reasons: he was born with the gift of the gab, and with the gift of the jab, so that’s why his punchlines hit heavy. Trick tells Melo that he’s proud of him. Hayes is the new golden child of NXT. But uh, he’s got a bone to pick with him. Hayes walks his walk and talks his talk. When Melo shoots, he don’t miss. But who is this new humble Melo? He ain’t ever been humble! Do they look humble? NOPE. Back in the day, they were quick to call a bum a bootlicker, because they can strap up the boots and make the ring talk, they #BoutItBoutIt. Hayes nods and seems to understand what Trick is saying.

They shake hands, and Hayes says Trick is right. No more holding back! It’s too hard to be this good and this humble. This contract is a guaranteed title on his waist! Hayes is the golden child! He is NXT’s CHOSEN ONE! When Melo shoots, he don’t miss. And if Hayes passes, Trick will receive. That’s all it is, that’s all it’s gon’ be! Will these two look to take over NXT as a dynamic duo? But as they leave, Duke Hudson makes his way out? Hudson tells Hayes that he got lucky in the tournament, but it won’t happen again. Hudson pushes past them to go to the ring, but Trick says this is what he means! No more of it! Trick gets in to CYCLONE BOOT Hudson down, then  stomps away!

Trick wants Hayes to join in, and he does! They stomp away on Hudson, then drag him up to set him up for Hayes SPRINGBOARD SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up for this harder, meaner Melo! Will this be what helps the “golden child” get gold?

Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin speak.

“Wow. Mandy Rose, you look… amazing!” “That old you was never the real you. This is the real Mandy.” New chapter in NXT, a new Mandy Rose. And what a night for it to happen! These three head to the ring, what makeover has Mandy gone through to match NXT 2.0?

Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter VS Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin w/ Mandy Rose!

KC Squared didn’t much care for masked Mandy and her new gal pals attacking them from behind, so now it’s time to attack head on! Will this be a highlight reel for the TikTok views? Or will they feel the thorns from Rose and her buds?

NXT returns as Gigi & Jacy make their entrance. KC Squared wants at them already but the ref keeps them back. Teams sort out, Gigi starts with Kayden. Gigi rushes in but Kayden dodges to DECK Jacy, then she DECKS Gigi! Kayden rains down forearms, Kacy intercepts Jacy with a SHOTGUN dropkick! Kayden drags Gigi up to CLUB her, then whips her to the corner. Kayden runs in to splash, tag to Kacy. Kayden runs and dropkicks Gigi down, then Kacy gets in to SOMERSAULT AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and duel, Gigi shoves but Kacy rebounds to tilt-o-whirl. Gigi stays up but Kacy makes the crucifix into an octopus!

Kacy pulls on Gigi’s arms, and we see Kyle O’Reilly preparing backstage. Wait, Pete Dunne & Ridge Holland ATTACK Kyle! They see an opening now that Knight already lost, so they’re mugging Kyle! One of the other wrestlers hears what’s going on and rushes in to run Dunne and Holland off. Back in the ring, Gigi fights up but Kacy arm-drags her away! Jacy tags in, Kacy dodges to kick away! Kacy whips, Jacy reverses but Kacy holds ropes. Tag to Kayden, BOOT for Jacy then a GAMANGIRI! Kayden brings Jacy up, tags Kacy back in, but here comes MANDY! Mandy Rose trips Kacy and mugs Kayden!

Winners: Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter, by disqualification

The beatdown continues 3v2, and Mandy pulls off the beanie to show her true colors. But here comes SARRAY! Sarray DECKS Gigi, fires off on Jacy and throws her out, then goes after Mandy! Mandy runs before she gets hit in the face again, but Sarray regroups with KC Squared. Sarray and KC Squared dare Team Mandy to do something, but NXT goes to break!

Six Woman Tag: Sarray, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter VS Mandy Rose, Jacy Jayne & Gigi Dolin!

Holla holla, player! NXT returns and Gigi is all over Kayden. But Kayden arm-drags free, to tag to Sarray! Sarray dodges and HEEL KICKS Gigi, then DECKS Jacy and Mandy! Fans fire up with the Warrior of the Sun as she goes up top. Gigi stands, Sarray leaps to missile dropkick! Sarray fires up more and she PERFECT PLEXES! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Sarray bumps Gigi off buckles. Sarray goes corner to corner to dropkick! Tag to Kayden, she tags Kacy and brings Gigi around. Whip and trip to a basement dropkick! Kacy slingshot sentons! Cover, TWO! Jacy and Mandy distract but Kacy swipes at them. Kacy turns around, into Gigi’s ROUNDHOUSE!

Tag to Mandy and she stomps away on Kacy! The ref counts, Mandy puts Kacy on ropes and chokes her! The ref counts, Mandy yanks the rope to snap Kacy down. Mandy bumps Kacy off buckles, RAMS her in, then rams her shoulder in! Jacy tag sin and elbows Kacy, then tag to Gigi. Jacy feeds Kacy to Gigi’s clothesline! Cover, TWO! Gigi puts Kacy on the ropes and fish hooks her face! The ref counts, Gigi lets off but Jacy BOOTS Kacy down! Kayden protests but Gigi gets Kacy up to whip her into the corner. Tag to Mandy, she throws hands on Kacy. Mandy brings Kacy up for a scoop and holds her with one arm before she SLAMS her down! Cover, TWO!

Mandy grins as she brings Kacy into body scissors! Kacy endures the squeeze, fans rally up, and Kacy pushes back to get a cover! TWO, but Mandy lets Kacy go. Kacy throws body shots and forearms, but Mandy shoves her. Kacy jumps but Mandy catches her for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Mandy kips up and storms after Kacy to put her back in the corner. Tag to Jacy and she CHOPS Kacy! Jacy snap suplexes, runs and back sentons! Cover, TWO! Jacy grows frustrated but she drags Kacy away to the corner. Tag to Mandy and she taunts little Kacy. Scoop but Kacy slips out to slip under, but Mandy gets a foot! Kacy BOOTS Mandy, tag to Kayden!

Kayden rallies on Mandy and team, throws big forearms and then a waistlock., Mandy elbows free but Kayden comes back to dropkick! Team Mandy is all lined up, BIG forearm smash! Kady then DROPKICK SPLASHES Jacy and Mandy! Kayden whips, Mandy reverse but Kayden wheelbarrows to the SUPERKICK! Cover, but Jacy BOOTS Kayden down! Kacy BOOTS Jacy! Gigi whips Kacy out hard! Sarray DROPKICKS Gigi! Fans fire up again as Sarray eggs Mandy on! Mandy fires off forearms in payback for her face! Whip and wheelbarrow to FACEBUSTER! But Kayden BUZZSAWS Mandy! Cover, TWO!! The Rose survives being mowed down and “THIS IS AWESOME!”

Kayden waistlocks, Mandy fights free and O’Conner Rolls. Kayden bucks that, dodges Jacy, but Mandy shoves Kayden into ropes! KNEE FROM A ROSE! Cover, Team Mandy wins!

Winners: Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne, by pinfall

The real influencer in Mandy Rose has led her young cohorts to victory! Will they continue to grow and climb the ranks in the NXT Women’s Division?

Indi Hartwell has her wedding dress on.

Cora Jade and Persia say she looks great and Candice LeRae tells Cora to take off her beanie. It’s not appropriate for the wedding. Now things are perfect. But will they stay that way for much longer?

Backstage interview with William Regal.

The NXT General Manager takes this moment to address something. The attack by Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne has made Kyle O’Reilly unable to compete tonight. But the Fatal 4 Way is still going to be a Fatal 4 Way, with the substitute being the superstar who saved Kyle: Von Wagner. Wagner is being thrown right into the fire, but can he withstand the pressure?

Ridge Holland VS ???

Northern Grit already got in on the action helping the Bruiserweight improve his odds in tonight’s main event. But who will get all of Holland’s brawn and brutality in the ring?

NXT returns and it turns out, Rockstar Spud drew the short straw! Maybe this is why he wasn’t in the dressing room with the other groomsmen… Will Drake Maverick still be able to make it to the #InDex wedding tonight?

The bell rings and Maverick goes for a leg. Holland pries him right off to CLUB him down. Holland dead lifts Maverick for a BACKBREAKER, then an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Grayson Waller is in Maverick’s corner and is coaching him up, but it isn’t helping as Holland DECKS Maverick! Holland hauls Maverick up, reels him in and CLOBBERS him! Holland looms over Maverick, drags him up and fans rally even as the crossface forearms come in! Maverick refuses to quit but Holland drags him back up by his neck. Maverick throws hands, SLAPS Holland, but that only upsets him more! Holland CLOBBERS Maverick, then seethes as he stalks behind him.

Maverick drags himself up the ropes, but Holland HEADBUTTS, to the NORTHERN GRIT!! Cover, Holland wins!

Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall

Waller checks on Maverick as Holland gets his hat. Will Holland look to wreak more havoc before the night is done?

Backstage interview with Tommaso Ciampa.

After learning the changes to the match, can Ciampa define “NXT 2.0” after the overall changes? Define NXT 2.0? Apparently it’s chaos, young hungry stars shooting their shots, the Do It Yourself mentality. Ciampa’s been there. But tonight isn’t about any of them. It is about the reason we’re all here: THE NXT Championship. When you think of that title and Ciampa, you think Goldie. And when you think of Goldie, you think if Ciampa and the title. Ciampa has waited 908 DAYS. Tonight, Ciampa gets redemption.

NXT hears from a new arrival.

“I was born and raised on the streets of Chicago. And I come from a long line of businessmen. My family has interests in waste management, the fish market, the meat market, you name it.” But this man found success in his own way: wrestling at University of Buffalo. He was even named All American for the Greco-Roman style. His family smartened him up. There’s no real money in amateur wrestling. But the real money is in professional wrestling, and in NXT. Tony D’Angelo is coming soon!

The Creed Brothers w/ The Diamond Mine VS ???

Julius & Brutus were brutal in their debut, and they look to repeat that performance. Will they forge their legacy under the continued guidance of the Savior of the Backbreaker?

NXT returns and Dan Jarmon & Trevor Skelly are the team stepping up to the Creed Brothers. Brutus starts with Jarmon and the two tie up. Brutus gets a leg, takes Jarmon down to a facelock and gator roll. Brutus then stands Jarmon up to RAM him into ropes! Brutus lets off to CLUB Jarmon down, then he fires up and slaps Jarmon around. Jarmon fires up, throws hands, but Brutus grabs him to SHOVE him out of the ring! Brutus glares at Skelly as he goes out to fetch Jarmon. Brutus TRIPS Skelly just because he can, and then he shoves Jarmon in. Brutus drags Jarmon up to a fireman’s carry, then DEATH VALLEY DRIVES him into Skelly!

Julius comes in without a tag, he scoops Skelly as Brutus scoops Jarmon. SCOOP SLAM SANDWICH! Skelly flops out of the ring, Brutus gut wrench gator rolls to get Jarmon up, GUT WRENCH BOMB to the ropes! The brothers slap each other as the tag, and Julius drags Jarmon up for a GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Julius makes Jarmon tag Skelly! Then he TOSSES Skelly into the ring! Skelly hits back with haymakers and a dropkick! The one weakness in the Creed game is strikes! Brutus chuckles but Julius says, “I LOVE THIS!” Julius tosses Skelly to ropes, catches him on the rebound and hits an EXPLODER!

Julius then gets up and under Skelly for the RUNNING SPINEBUSTER, to SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, the Creed Brothers win!

Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall

And they throw out Skelly to make room for their fight team! Malcolm Bivens, Roderick Strong and Hideki Suzuki are all proud of their brutes, and Bivens gets on the mic. “The Creed Brothers just proved that they can destroy any human being with two legs. You may walk in this ring, but you’ll be carried out. This is the most dominant groups of athletes in sports entertainment.” So then allow Bivens to introduce us to their newest recruit, Ivy Nile. No one is more determined than Ivy, no one works harder, and he wants her to show off the body. Ivy flexes, and Bivens says she hasn’t had carbs since 2005!

Bivens continues to brag on Nile’s behalf: She runs 10 miles before breakfast, and was the star of NBC’s Titan Games! “Ivy Nile exemplifies what Diamond Mine is all about.” They shake on it, but here comes KUSHIDA! “You talk, you talk, you talk talk talk talk talk talk! You talk TOO MUCH!” If Roddy is ready, so is Kushida! Bivens says okay, so let’s make it for next week for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship! We have one week before that big money fight, but who cashes in on that winner’s paycheck?

Dexter Lumis is in his tuxedo.

It is a sparkling gold and black, and Lumis takes a moment to comb his mustache. Will he be ready for the biggest night of his life?

Vacant NXT Championship Fatal 4 Way: Tommaso Ciampa VS LA Knight VS Kyle O’Reilly Von Wagner VS Pete Dunne!

With the Megastar getting beat to open the night and one man taken out by a backstage attack, are the odds in favor of the Psycho Killer and the Bruiserweight? Who will prove they’re not just the baddest man in NXT, but become the NEW NXT Champion?

NXT returns and Knight has recovered enough to make it to the ring. Von makes his entrance next, going from nobody to a contender all in his television debut! But last but certainly not least, Mr. NXT, Tommaso Ciampa, makes his way to the ring! The bell rings and hands start flying! Knight goes after Von, Ciampa is after Dunne! Fans fire up as Von DECKS Knight then waits for Ciampa to stop stomping Dunne. Ciampa shoves Von, Von shoves back! Dunne DECKS Ciampa, Von DECKS Dunne! Knight rolls Von up, TWO! Knight kicks low to DDT! Knight BOOTS Ciampa, elbows Ciampa and scoop SLAMS Ciampa down!

Knight back elbows Von, brings him around and whips. Von reverses to elbow Knight down! Knight staggers up into a BIG back suplex! But Dunne gets Von’s arm and wrenches to pull the fingers! Dunne bends the elbow and STOMPS the arm! Ciampa and Dunne stare down and fans fire up again. Dunne shrugs and the hands start flying again! Dunne wrenches, wristlocks, bends the fingers and the arm, then digs his forearm into Ciampa’s face. Ciampa avoids the stomp to forearm and back hand! Snapmare and a trapped arm for CLUBBING forearms! Knight chinlocks Ciampa, but Ciampa gets around to clothesline Knight out of the ring!

Dunne whips Ciampa and things speed up. Dunne hurdles, drops and CLOBBERS Ciampa! Ciampa sits up in a daze as Dunne shrugs again. Dunne goes after the arm, hammerlocks and traps it to then pull the other arm. Dunne bends the fingers but Von BOOTS Dunne down! Von gets Dunne up but Dunne CHOPS away on him! Von ROCKS Dunne but Dunne ENZIGURIS! Von roars to CLOBBER Dunne! Knight returns but swings into Von’s LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Von towers over Knight as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Knight grinds Ciampa down with a chinlock. Von and Dunne are down on the outside but fans rally up. Ciampa fights up, throws body shots and elbows but Knight knees low. Knight shoves but Ciampa KICKS Knight! Ciampa KICKS Dunne, fires off CHOPS on them both, then big haymakers! Ciampa blocks Dunne’s kick, then ducks the enziguri, and it hits Knight! Ciampa throws more forearms, then runs to start up endless clotheslines on Knight and Dunne! Back and forth, but then he dodges both Dunne and Knight to DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! Fans are thunderous but here comes Von! Ciampa dodges, kicks and reels him in, but Von powers up to back drop!

Dunne STOMPS Von’s hands to then BUZZSAW! BUZZSAW for Ciampa! BFT from Knight to Dunne! Cover but Von breaks it! Knight is shocked but Von reels him in. Knight kicks back, BFT for Von! Ciampa schoolboys Knight into the ropes, WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, Dunne drags Knight out! Ciampa sees all his targets outside, he builds speed and TORNILLOS out onto them all! Ciampa goes to Goldie on her pedestal, and he grins as he looks into the reflection. Ciampa puts Dunne in, runs in and PSYCHO KNEES Dunne at the ropes! Underhooks, but Dunne resists the Fairy Tale Ending! Dunne has the hands, the fingers, and SNAPS them!

Dunne pump handles for a BITTER END! But Knight throws Dunne out! Knight sees Von, Von reels him in for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Von was so close and yet so far from the biggest debut in NXT history! Dunne returns, Von is right after him! Ciampa is after Von, too, and the veterans pinball the young gun a moment. But Dunne and Ciampa end up in opposite corners. They shrug, then DOUBLE FOREARM SMASH Von! Ciampa and Dunne stare down and fans are thunderous as they throw forearms! Ciampa gets the edge, but Dunne brags Ciampa’s beard to SLAP him! Ciampa KNEES, then runs, into a SNAP GERMAN!

Ciampa flops out of the ring, Dunne snarls and goes to the corner, but Knight springs right up! SUPERPLEX!! But VON gets in, and he reels Knight in for the BUTTERFLY SLAM! Cover, KNEE from Ciampa breaks it! Ciampa gets Knight, reel shim in, FAIRY TALE ENDING! Cover, Ciampa wins!!

Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall (NEW NXT Champion)

After 908 DAYS, Goldie is coming home to Daddy Ciampa! The old man is back on top of the mountain, but will he be ready for all that’s coming his way?

The ring becomes a wedding altar!

It’s time! After a whirlwind love affair, time to tie the knot. The other superstars of NXT are the honored guests of The Way, from Ember Moon, Zoey Stark and Io Shirai to even the Grizzled Young Veterans. Though, Zack Gibson and James Drake both think this “dodgy” wedding is not going to go. “It’s gonna be utter carnage.” The guests go to their seats as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns once more, Lumis and his groomsmen are already in the ring. The organ begins to play, the guests stand at attention, and Gargano walks Indi down the aisle a bit awkwardly. They go up the steps and into the ring, and Indi is already emotional seeing all of her friends and peers here. The fans cheer and the priest allows everyone to be seated. “Dearly beloved. We’re gathered here tonight to join Dexter Gaylord Lumis and Indi Ophelia Hartwell in holy matrimony. Who gives this woman away?” Johnny Gargano, the first NXT Triple Crown- No, Johnny, this is Indi’s night, just get to it. Right, right. John Gargano gives away Indi. Better.

And who has the rings? Gargano keeps asking Indi if she’s sure about this and Candice has him stop. The ringbearer is… Theory? They’re in a ring, silly! Yes, but do you have the rings?! Huh? It’s JIRO~! Ikemen Jiro opens his orange jacket, that has grapefruits and apples printed on it, and tada! Ring box. Wait you gave the rings to him!? They’re friends?! Yep! Okay, okay, at least the rings are here. Keep the wedding going, folks. Before the ceremony continues, if there is anyone here who believes these two cannot lawfully be wed, speak now or forever hold your piece. Uh… Almost everyone wants to raise their hands, but then Lumis threatens them with a hatchet. Gargano says serves them all right!

So moving on… Indi may now share her vows. “Dexter Gaylord Lumis, you’re misunderstood by so many people. While many people see you as a creep, I see you as my cuddly teddy bear.” Aww…? “Some people see you as a stalker, but what I see is a caring man with a well-groomed mustache, tight clothes, and who never takes his eyes off me.” Indi finds it sweet that he keeps following her around, watching her every move. When they call him a freak, she says “Damn right he’s a freak!” Wink wink. Lumis gives a knowing nod. “Dexter’s MY freak!” Indi remembers when he snuck into her room late at night when Johnny and Candice-

Lumis cuts Indi off by covering the mic there. Johnny and Candice are shocked to hear this! When is she talking about?! Lumis shakes his head. He’s so cute when he’s flustered. But he never loses staring contests, he keeps Indi safe, and understands her as she understands him. She can’t wait to spend the rest of their lives together. Indi loves Dexter! Now, Dexter may share his vows. Shh, shh! Is he going to speak?! He gives a thumbs up. Is that it? No words? His beautiful bride poured her heart out and he has nothing to say? Maybe this is just nerves. The priest checks with Lumis, and is put in the SILENCE CLUTCH!! Lumis, you can’t finish a wedding without a priest!!

Unless… Johnny?! No, REGAL! Regal is ordained or something, right? Even Zombie Ref agrees! No wait, BETH PHOENIX steps up! She finds the last page of the priest’s script and then says hi. Um so she figured something like this would happen, and she got ordained as a minister just in case! Well that’s convenient! Anyway, Beth says just cut to the chase! “Did somebody Andre Chase?” NO, ANDRE! No one says your name ever! Chase says this is a teachable- Odyssey Jones gets Chase with the double shoulder claws! Chase lets this continue and Jones gives a thumbs up to Lumis. Beth asks Johnny for the rings. Right, the rings.

Johnny opens the box, Indi and Lumis take a ring each, and Beth says, “Indi Hartwell. Do you take Dexter to be your wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death… preferably of natural causes, not from an axe, do you part?” Indi says, “I do!” The ring is on Lumis’ finger and now Beth asks Dexter the same. Dexter stares and Beth says that’s a yes! But then he covers Beth’s mic! “I… do.” YAY~! He spoke AND he is marrying Indi! Beth says by the power invested in her by FreeOnlineOrdainment.com (probably not real?) she pronounces them husband and wife! Kiss the bride! They kiss, and everyone celebrates the first successful wedding in pro-wrestling history!!

Lumis picks Indi up and she gives a thumbs up. But watching backstage is Ciampa. Bron walks over and congratulates the champ. Ciampa thanks him, and congratulates Bron on his first win in NXT. They shake hands, but Bron is of course eyeing Goldie at the same time. New faces, new look, but same old story. Will Ciampa be ready for all those targeting his title?

My Thoughts:

Let me just say now, I do not care for Team Vince insisting this be called “NXT 2.0,” just to make a point that they’re doing stuff with it now. It’s asinine to say the least. I also don’t understand the choice of the random color patterns, trying to keep this from being the black ‘n’ gold brand. The color scheme wasn’t the problem, Vince, IT’S YOU. That said, a lot of confusing ideas happened just to make it obvious this is the new regime. Also, presentation wise, with camera angles and bright lights, and again the color barf everywhere, this was like them trying to make NXT a throwback to the 80’s when it didn’t need to be.

Also, no explanation as to why the NXT Women’s Championship match that was clearly scheduled last week did NOT happen tonight? Not even something humorous like Franky Monet not being ready from a bougie, superficial standpoint? If they were going to cancel things, find good ways to do it instead of suddenly doing it because no one in management gives a crap! Vince can’t seem to help himself, no matter what he does. Two title matches and the wedding segment would’ve really bumped things up a notch, because sadly, this “2.0” thing needed it. Yes, B-Fab gets a win in her first match but of course she was going to. Then Hit Row and Legado have an awkward version of an unscripted promo where they talk over each other, but I am still hoping to see a real match from B-Fab VS Lopez.

We still got some good stuff from the sequence of women’s tag matches tonight. KC Squared VS Gigi & Jacy was good, but Mandy’s makeover was a bit overhyped. No more bleach blonde, now she’s natural brunette, but I was honestly expecting scary make-up. But I guess going from glam to street tough is fine, not that it really fits in with Gigi or Jacy. It should still be glam with the fishnets and darker colors, like grays and silvers. Maybe she was just waiting for her new ring gear? Sarray and KC Squared not winning was a bit of a surprise, though. But I suppose with Shirai & Stark as Face tag champs and Raquel Gonzalez being Face top champ, we need some Heels to build up and here’s a trio already.

Bron Breakker (son of Rick Steiner) got a big debut tonight, taking advantage of Knight’s arrogance and then having a moment at the end of the night very reminiscent of John Cena shaking hands with then champion Undertaker. Vince’s NXT is clearly going to have big things planned for him just on that, I just hope Bron can keep up with those expectations. At the same time, I do find it interesting that Hayes is having an attitude change and now a friend to help him out. Trick did a very good job in his promo, even if that “gift of gab and gift of jab” line feels like it was dug up from somewhere. I almost feel like Hayes is going to find a way to turn his Breakout Tournament into a tag title shot for him and Trick, just on the virtue of everything else being spoken for.

The Creed Brothers had another strong showing against random goobers, and it’s good to see Diamond Mine is expanding into the women’s division, but the big news is that we’re finally getting Kushida VS Strong. That match could go either way, but something makes me think Strong has his Diamond Mine help him win. Kushida can call for a rematch as NXT heads for some big event, maybe a Halloween Havoc 2 which won’t be as fun without Shotzi. Unless Shotzi gets to come back for a guest spot like Damian Priest did. For calling it “2.0” and changing all its aesthetics, if Vince decides NXT can have alumni return, that much will help this transition.

In regards to Samoa Joe’s injury, hopefully it isn’t as serious as his previous because Joe deserves to see through all that talk of legacy and prestige for NXT, even if Joe is more what we think of as a HHH kind of guy. The Fatal 4 Way we got after Kyle was kayfabe removed was still good because it still had Ciampa and Dunne, but I will say that Von Wagner did a good job and got to look good in his first match. Von’s been waiting a long time in NXT security so this is great for him, but maybe he settles down into the North American Championship scene for a bit. Ciampa winning is a great choice, as he has been a major part of NXT for a long time.

And of course, the wedding! For one, I’m surprised they went through without giving us kayfabe chaos and pandemonium. The comedy aspect was about as good as could happen in a scripted scene happening live and in one take. Chase probably didn’t need to have his moment, it was a bad name pun, but fans did love Odyssey stepping up to shut Chase up, and so did I. Lumis choking out the minister was telegraphed by how the minister was getting upset on Indi’s behalf, and I was really hoping for Damian or Regal to step up, but of course it was Beth. She’s been the #InDex superfan since day one, so it was only right that she get a part to play. Hooray for kayfabe love conquering all, and further history was made by the wedding having a happy ending.

My Score: 8.5/10