NXT features the Men’s AND Women’s Tag titles in one night!

There’s a makeover on the horizon, but NXT still shines bright with gold! Will MSK make this night must-see? Will Shirai & Stark stay a team AND champions? Or will both their challengers take those titles into the future?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kay Lee Ray VS Ember Moon; KLR wins.
• Carmelo Hayes VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado del Fantasma; Escobar wins.
• The Creed Brothers w/ The Diamond Mine VS Chuckie Viola & Paxton Averill; The Creed Brothers win.
• NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter; Shirai & Stark win and retain the titles.
• Mei Ying w/ Boa VS ???; Mei Ying wins.
• NXT Tag Team Championships: MSK VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch; MSK wins and retains the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kay Lee Ray VS Ember Moon!

The Scary Queen of Scots and longest reigning women’s champion in recent WWE history finally has her in-ring debut for NXT here in the USA! But the equally decorated former NXT Women’s and Women’s Tag Team Champion wants to make sure KLR doesn’t get an ego about anything. Will the Shenom fire up and rise again? Or will KLR simply start her journey to conquering this half NXT?

The bell rings, Ember steps to KLR and they tie up. Ember headlocks to a takeover but KLR fights to get the headscissor. KLR pushes up to add leverage but Ember claws at the legs. Ember kips free, headlocks again but KLR pulls hair as she works on an escape. KLR powers out, Ember runs her over! Ember grins, runs, but KLR arm-drags. Ember handsprings through to arm-drag back and then dropkick KLR down! Cover, TWO! Ember keeps on KLR with a wrench to the arm, KLR fights up as fans rally. KLR rolls through but Ember gets her for a facelock. KLR throws body shots but Ember HOOK KICKS and whips! Ember runs in but gets buckles, KLR HOTSHOTS the arm!

KLR gets back in to wrench and WRING Ember out into the ring! Ember writhes and clutches her shoulder but KLR talks trash. KLR drags Ember up, Ember throws body shots with the good arm but KLR CLUBS her down. KLR suplexes for a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! KLR stalks Ember to a corner, gets her up and wraps an arm around the ropes. The ref counts so KLR lets off Ember at 4. KLR gets Ember up, steps over to hammerlock the arm and bends fingers! Ember rolls but KLR holds on for an ARMBAR! Ember clasps hands, powers up but KLR pulls the hands apart! Ember hurries to make it a cover, TWO! Ember schoolgirls, TWO!

KLR storms in but into a RANA! Ember rallies with her good arm giving clotheslines! Mule kick to front kick to ENZIGURI! KLR staggers to another corner and Ember grits her teeth. Ember roars, runs and forearm smashes! Ember throws KLR down, hops up top, and leaps for a FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ember gets a CROSSFACE! KLR endures, pries at the hold, but Ember adjusts her grip! KLR still fights, reaches out, but then rolls it back to a cover, TWO! Ember still has the CROSSFACE! Ember wants KLR to quit but KLR refuses! KLR kicks around, reaches out again, grabs at Ember’s foot and uses that for leverage!

KLR gets to a high stack, TWO, and Ember drags KLR into a TRIANGLE CHOKE! KLR endures the shin in her chin and CLUBS away on Ember! Ember lets go and KLR staggers to a corner. Ember snarls and runs in but KLR schoolgirls her into buckles! KLR and Ember are down as fans rally and NXT goes picture in picture.

Ember sits up slowly, KLR storms back over. KLR DECKS Ember with a right, then takes a moment before she digs boots into Ember. The ref reprimands, KLR lets off and Ember comes back to DECK KLR! KLR gets up to BOOT Ember, then stomp her over and over! Ember is defiantly getting up but KLR throws her down! Cover, TWO! KLR grows frustrated but she drags Ember around with a facelock. KLR wants the bad arm and gets it for a double wristlock. Ember endures and fights up, but KLR cranks the partial Kimura. Ember fireman’s carries out of it! KLR sunset flips, TWO! KLR BOOTS Ember back down!

KLR seethes, puts Ember on ropes and then stands on her back! The ref counts, KLR lets off and Ember sputters. KLR kicks at Ember but Ember gets up to ROCK her! KLR ROCKS Ember back, so KLR wrenches and CODE BREAKERS the arm! Ember writhes, KLR grabs at her again and CLUBS her shoulder. KLR pulls the arm way back and adds a leg for a partial Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Ember endures so KLR SPLASHES down on the arm! KLR CLUBS Ember but Ember gets up. Ember throws body shots, rolls KLR up, TWO! Ember Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! KLR gets up to CLOBBER Ember! KLR snarls but Ember kicks at her, so KLR stomps Ember back down.

KLR drags Ember up, hammerlocks the arm for the double wristlock, but Ember fights with body shots. NXT returns to single picture as Ember scoops! KLR slips out to DDT the locked arm! Cover, TWO! Ember survives and that frustrates KLR, so KLR goes back after the arm. Ember throws body shots, KLR whips her to a corner but Ember reverses! KLR hits buckles, Ember inside cradles! TWO, and KLR SLAPS Ember down! Ember gets up and is furious, but KLR SUPERKICKS! Ember sputters but rises again! Ember roars, KLR runs in but is put up top! Ember puts KLR in a Tree of Woe for KOWATA KICKS!

The ref backs Ember off, but Ember jukes past to PENALTY KICK KLR upside her head! KLR flops out of the Tree and Ember fumes. Ember covers, TWO! KLR flounders to a corner but Ember’s locked on. Ember storms over but KLR sends her into buckles! KLR wrenches, facelocks and TORNADO DDTs!! Cover, TWO!! Ember survives again and KLR grows further frustrated. KLR and Ember crawl at each other, the fans fire up, and KLR suplexes. Ember blocks but KLR also counters the suplex. KLR CLUBS Ember, suplexes again but Ember gets her first! Ember TOSSES KLR out of the ring!! Fans fire up as KLR crashes and burns but Ember takes aim.

Ember builds speed and she DIVES! Direct hit on KLR and Ember puts her in the ring! Ember climbs up, KLR ROCKS her first! KLR drags Ember up by her hair to TOSS her to the mat! Ember writhes, KLR climbs up top now, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! KLR is shocked but she’s learning why Ember’s held multiple titles in her career! Fans are fired up for “N X T!” as the two brawl with forearm after forearm! Ember blocks the kick and snarls, as she hooks KLR for a TURBO BACKPACK! Cover, TWO!! Ember thought she could fly like an Eagles but the CWC still says “This is Awesome!” Ember gets up but KLR anchors her foot.

Ember SLAPS then spins to drop down for a cover, TWO! KLR has a sunset, TWO! Ember jackknife bridges, TWO and KLR bridges up! KLR spins Ember, but for a GORY BOMB!! Cover, KLR wins!!

Winner: Kay Lee Ray, by pinfall

Two former champions did battle, and in the end it was the former #ForeverChampion that won out! Can KLR recreate the rise she had in the UK here in the US?

Pete Dunne and the boys talk backstage.

Oney Lorcan is getting in some last pumps with the resistance band while Danny Burch gives him a pep talk. McKenzie then walks in to interview them about their main event match tonight. How are they feeling? Burch is done talking about this! The point is, Burch is back, and now he and Lorcan are gonna win back what they never lost! Holland says that when people step to fellas like them, they get hurt. Dunne says not just to win, but to END MSK. Burch says “one foot in front of the other,” and has McKenzie walk out. But will Burch & Lorcan walk out of their must-see tag title match as the new champions?

NXT returns to Fresco’s.

It seems that for Labor Day weekend, Indi Hartwell chose her favorite Italian restaurant so the ladies of NXT could have her bachelorette party. Candice LeRae walks out with bride-to-be Indi, and from McKenzie to KC Squared to Cora Jade and Amari Miller, all of them applauded. Indi can’t believe Candice pulled this off! Candice can’t either, since Indi doesn’t really have any friends. Huh? Nothing! But here they all are! Yay~! But Amari and Cora talk between themselves. Can anyone believe Indi and Dexter are the ones getting married? Pfft, it’s a wedding in the WWE. This is never actually happening.

Indi calls for a toast. She thanks them all for coming, and McKenzie can “interview” her if she wants. No, McKenzie left the mic at home. But trust her, Indi, you’re doing fine. Indi says she is just so full of love. This means so much to see them all, and especially her best friend of ten years, Persia, “who came all the way from Australia.” Wait, really? No, she’s here cuz Disney World. Indi recalls how Dexter walked into her life, and then stalked his way into her heart. Hmm… Before Dexter, Indi was lost. There was one person who guided Indi, supported her, and made Indi into the woman she is today. Indi thanks that one person for showing her the way: Candice LeRae. Hey, that rhymes.

To Candice! To Candice…? Candice says she’ll be the final toast. This all started- Wait, really? Kacy, Kayden, are you really trying to FlipFlop, TikTok whatever it is right now? Just… Anyway, when this first started, Candice did not approve. Dexter’s… strange. Creepy. Maybe even psychotic and deranged. Indi stops Candice there and gets it, no one is perfect and Candice didn’t like him. Just get to the good stuff. Candice says that now, looking back, she realizes Dexter does really love Indi, and that’s all you can ask for. Here’s to #InDex! To InDex!

Indi and Candice hug, and Candice says Johnny’s the tough nut to crack when it comes to acceptance. Indi says Dexter will just have to crack Johnny’s nuts. Umm… Phrasing… But what is the bachelor party like? Candice “just so happens” to have them GPS tagged so they could find out… Oh, then let’s totally do! Indi and Candice excuse themselves under “emergency wedding stuff,” and the rest of the ladies are just fine with that. Wait, who’s paying the bill, then? And yes, what are Gargano and Dexter up to?

Carmelo Hayes VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado del Fantasma!

Mr. Breakout 2021 has his golden ticket to whatever title he wants! But while teasing his decision, El Hijo del Fantasma’s many minions took offense that he even mentioned the North American Championship. Will this showdown here tonight help Hayes get that much closer to deciding his target?

The bell rings and Hayes circles with Escobar. They tie up, Escobar powers Hayes to ropes but lets off fast while smirking and shaking his head. Hayes shrugs that off and circles with Escobar again. They tie up, Escobar wrenches to then throw Hayes down for a facelock. Escobar SLAPS Hayes on the back and then offers him a chance to leave without getting hurt. Hayes says no no, they’re finishing this. They tie up, Hayes gets an arm and wrenches through to a wristlock. Escobar reaches for ropes but Hayes keeps him from them. They roll together and Hayes keeps the wristlock! Escobar fights but Hayes throws him down! Escobar gets up but Hayes arm-drags him away!

Hayes asks what’s up, and things speed up! Hayes RANANS Escobar out of the ring! Escobar seethes and now Hayes offers him a chance to leave. Escobar rushes back in, Hayes runs and tilt-o-whirls but Escobar SLAMS him down! SPLASH to Hayes’ back, then Escobar hammers away with fists! Escobar says if Hayes isn’t taking the easy out, then here’s the hard way! Escobar gets Hayes up, CLUBS him at ropes then brings him down to stomp that back! Escobar KICKS Hayes’ arm, digs his knee into Hayes at the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Hayes sputters, Escobar stomps Hayes’ legs. Escobar whistles before he DDTs Hayes down! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO!

Escobar rains down rights on Hayes, then gets him to a corner. Escobar CHOPS, then CLUBS Hayes on his back. Escobar whips corner to corner, Hayes manages to go up and over and around to then speed things up. Escobar waistlocks, Hayes switches and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Hayes handsprings through to SUPERKICK Escobar down! Hayes drags Escobar up, throws forearms, then whips him to ropes. Escobar reverses, Hayes rolls off the back and PUMP KICKS! Hayes snarls as Escobar is on the apron. Slingshot but Escobar slips into the ring! Escobar runs to BLAST Hayes off the apron! Hayes hits the announce desk and Legado laughs at him as we go to break.

NXT returns and Escobar has Hayes down in the ring. Escobar drags Hayes to center to stomp him in the stomach, then has the legs to turn him for a LION TAMER! Hayes endures and tries to get free but Escobar lets off to drop knees into the back. Cover, TWO! Escobar is frustrated so he drops a leg! Escobar gets Hayes up, whips him to a corner and then runs corner to corner. BIG clothesline, and Escobar keeps Hayes up to clothesline again! Escobar back elbows, takes his time walking the ring, and then he runs corner to corner again for DOUBLE KNEES! Hayes wobbles but Escobar puts him up top, then CHOPS!

Hayes reaches for hair but Escobar throws hands! Escobar goes up, whistles and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO!! Hayes is still in this but Escobar covers again, TWO! Escobar clamps onto the arm but Hayes resists. Escobar throws elbows in, traps the arm, but Hayes fights. Escobar still puts on the CROSSFACE! Hayes endures, claws at the grip, but Escobar just CLUBS him again. Escobar lets Hayes go to bring him up and RAM him point blank in the stomach! Hayes falls out of the ring, Escobar goes out and brings him over to bump off steel steps! Hayes keeps trying but Escobar ROCKS him! Escobar has the legs and turns Hayes on the steps for another BOSTON CRAB!

The ref counts for the ring count, Escobar lets off at 5 of 10 and puts Hayes in at 8. Escobar grins as he gloats, then covers, TWO! Hayes refuses to quit but Escobar drags him up to put him on ropes. Escobar stands on Hayes to choke him, while talking trash on Swerve! But Hayes trips Escobar up to ENZIGUR, and SPRINGBOARD IMPLODING LEG DROP! Escobar bails out before a cover but Hayes is right after him! Hayes bounces Escobar off the desk! Then Hayes puts Escobar in, hurries to build speed, SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE! Hayes keeps moving, BASEMENT PUMP KNEE! Hayes gets Escobar back up, suplex to a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!!

Fans are thunderous as the Breakout star has the former Cruiserweight Champion on the mat. Hayes goes to the apron, springboards but into a KNEE from Escobar! Fireman’s carry, pop but CODE BREAKER from Hayes!! Hayes runs, tilt-o-whirl and FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Escobar survives but Hayes hurries after. Escobar’s on the apron, so Hayes slingshots to APRON DDT! Legado furiously distracts the ref so that ELEKTRA can scoop and SLAM Hayes onto the ramp! Lopez puts her jacket back on as Hayes drags himself into the ring, PHANTOM DRIVER from Escobar! Cover, Escobar wins!

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall

El Legado is growing into una familia, and now Escobar has a clear path after Swerve. But will Isaiah Scott and Hit Row have something to say about all that?

NXT hears from Malcolm Bivens.

“The Creed Brothers are world class athletes, national champions!” Brutus was undefeated and placed number one in the NCAA tournament, and his brother Julius placed in the Olympic Trials in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. “These are the two newest members of Diamond Mine, and you have the opportunity to witness history.” NXT will see these two make their in-ring debuts. #DiamondMineForever. Roderick Strong welcomes them to the team and tells them the real work begins. Will Brutus & Julius follow the creed of Diamond Mine, victory through pressure?

Backstage interview with William Regal.

The NXT General Manager has an announcement in regards to the title picture. It has been two weeks since Samoa Joe won the title for a third-time, and he is always going to be a fighting champion. Next week, we find out who the #1 contender will be: Tommaso Ciampa, Kyle O’Reilly, LA Knight and Pete Dunne compete in a FATAL 4 WAY! That is huge, but who comes out proving they are worthy of challenging the Samoan Submission Machine?

The Creed Brothers w/ The Diamond Mine VS Chuckie Viola & Paxton Averill!

We know the credentials and the physically imposing figures Brutus & Julius cut as they enter the ring, but now it is time to back up all the talk! Will they make Bivens, Strong and #Hachiman proud with their first match in NXT?

The teams sort out, Brutus starts with Paxton and the two circle. Paxton rushes in but Brutus throws him right down then gets him to a corner. Brutus hits a BIG EuroUpper but Paxton throws hands! Brutus scoops and THROWS Paxton out of the ring! Brutus goes out after Paxton but Chuckie V is in his way. Brutus SHOVES Viola down to get at Paxton! Brutus puts Paxton in, Viola tags in but gets caught for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Julius wants in, his brother and him slap each other and that counts! Brutus whips Viola into Julius’ fireman’s carry takedown! Then Julius whips Viola back so Brutus can hit a fireman’s carry takedown!

Viola writhes, clutches a leg, but he still kicks Julius away! Viola throws big forearms but Julius RAMS Viola into a corner! Julius reels Viola in for a HUGE Half Hatch suplex! Julius is fired up and shouts, “I LOVE THIS!” Julius gets Viola up for a clinch and POWERSLAM! Julius sees Paxton reaching out so he THROWS Paxton in! Brutus gets in, he scoops Paxton while Julius scoops Viola. They RAM their opponents into each other, before they SLAM both men down! Julius drags Viola up and shoots in to RUNNING SPINEBUSTER, to BASEMENT LARIAT!! Cover, the Creed Brothers win!

Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall

Brutus leaves Paxton alone, and who knows what he did to Paxton on the outside. Bivens is happy, Strong and Hachiman are proud, but will the Diamond Mine be bringing in a lot of gold soon enough?

Backstage interview with Ember Moon.

After that loss to Kay Lee Ray, it just seems things haven’t been going her way lately. More like three months. Lost the tag titles, lost her tag partner, and lost all the matches in between. Ember is getting tired. She knows this happens in everyone’s career, where you have to dig down deep and find that inner self… But KLR woke Ember up. Ember doesn’t want to feel like this anymore. Ember knows what she has to do, so stay tuned and see. Will there be another evolution of the Shenom on the horizon?

Hit Row speaks.

Swerve is laughing, actually. He can’t even be mad, because he should’ve seen this coming. From breaking a guitar on Escobar’s back to Hit Row hitting Legado in the parking lot, Swerve should’ve known Escobar would come back with something. Swerve just couldn’t put his finger on it, until it happened. But that’s alright, because Legado is never catching Hit Row slipping again ever. The joke is now on them! Top Dolla finds it funny, since the luchadors said in Espanol an old Mexican saying, he who laughs last, laughs best. Well Hit Row ain’t laughing! There’s a saying from Dolla’s nana, “A hard head makes a soft ass.” So that’s why Dolla draped them all on him like a poncho!

Adonis says that Legado got busted like a $10 piñata, so they should count their blessings. Time to apply some real pressure. And then, the nerve of just adding in some chica to go after the baddest chick! #FACTS. B-Fab tells “Senorita Secret Sauce” that she doesn’t know who she is, but she should know that hitting B-Fab with a pipe is not how to say hello. But when they really meet, B-Fab will make her big mad cuz y’see, they have una problema, they have a problem. And if you didn’t know, NOW you know. Will Lopez comprende after these two throw down?

NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter!

On one side, two champions work together as a team, nothing more and nothing less. On the other, two friends became a team and are hoping to become even more than just influencers. Will the Genius of the Sky and the #SinCitySoldier make their own highlight reel out of KC Squared? Or will Kacy & Kayden have even more reason to dance and have fun once they get the gold?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see what makes for stronger bonds!

Starting off are Stark and Kacy and the fans rally up. The two circle, feel things out, then Kacy dodges to drop toehold. Stark stays up, Kacy headlocks, but Stark powers up. Kacy thrashes the hold, Stark powers out this time but Kacy dodges again. Stark also dodges, shoves but Kacy handsprings and headscissors! Stark also handsprings and wags her finger. Fans rally up for Shirai and Shirai herself wants in. Stark and Kacy both tag out, Kayden now circles with the former NXT Women’s Champion. They tie up as fans fire up, and Kayden headlocks. Shirai powers out, things speed up, Shirai hurdles but Kayden handsprings.

Things keep going, now Shirai handsprings then comes back to headscissor Kayden! Kayden handsprings through and Shirai kips up. Shirai shrugs, she has to give credit to the opponents. But then Stark wants to tag back in and Shirai says no! “I don’t need your help!” Stark sighs, but then Kayden dropkicks Shirai down! Cover, TWO! Kayden clamps onto an arm, Shirai fights up but Kayden grinds her down. Fans rally as Shirai endures, and Kayden even digs an elbow into the shoulder. Shirai fights up, throws body shots, Kayden cranks the arm. Kacy tags in, the wristlock is handed off and now Kacy grinds Shirai’s shoulder.

Shirai throws body shots but Kacy whips her to a corner. Kacy runs in but Shirai dodges. Shirai blocks Kacy’s boot, wraps the legs around the ropes and then ROCKS Kacy with a forearm. Shirai runs to hit a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! The ref checks on Kacy as she clutches her face, and then Stark tags in. Stark and Shirai argue a little but are in control as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Stark keeps Kacy grounded with a motorcycle stretch and knee in the back. Kacy endures, fights up and fans rally and duel. Kacy knees low, throws hands, but Stark knees back. Stark gets Kacy up, scoops but Kacy slips out. Kacy reaches but Stark keeps her from Kayden! Back suplex but Kacy resists, and Kayden tags in! Kacy gets away, Kayden runs in and she BULLDOGS Stark! Shirai jumps in but Kayden ROCKS her first, then sends Stark into her! Kayden runs in to EuroUpper them both! Kayden fires up, runs corner to corner and DROP-SPLASHES the champs! Fans fire up s Kayden goes to the ropes, springboards to wheelbarrow and victory roll, SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!

Kayden keeps fired up and dares Stark to get up. Stark sits up, Kayden kicks but misses. Stark blocks the return to spin and HEEL KICK Kayden! Shirai tags herself in and Kayden is on the ropes, 619!! Shirai hops over Kacy’s sweep to then PENALTY KICK her down! Shirai climbs, Kayden stands, BIG missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Shirai drags Kayden over, pushes her around, then clamps on for another cover. TWO, but Shirai gets a CROSSFACE! Kayden endures, moves around, fans rally and duel and Stark tries to give Shirai advice. Shirai scowls but she maybe takes it as she cranks back. Kayden still endures so Shirai lets her go and pushes her around.

Shirai whips Kayden to ropes, to DECK Kayden with a forearm! Shirai digs a heel into Kayden’s chest, then lets off as the ref counts. Shirai CLUBS Kayden, CLUBS her again, then boots her down. Kayden sits up so Shirai fires off forearm after forearm! Shirai whips Kayden to ropes but Kayden holds them. Shirai runs in, Kayden boots her away! Kacy tags in and stays hidden, Kayden moves as Shirai runs in so Kacy can shoulder her! Shirai staggers and Kayden table tops her! KC Squared combine for a wheelbarrow to back suplex SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Shirai survives, Kacy brings Shirai around and Kayden tags in. Kayden fireman’s carries, Shirai fights free to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Kayden ends up in the corner and Shirai powers up. Shirai runs in, SHINKANSEN! And Stark tags herself in! Shirai is annoyed but Stark makes sure Kayden can’t get away, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Kayden lives and Stark is annoyed but she drags her back up to whip back in. Kayden hits Shirai on the way in, then Stark runs in only to miss and hit Shirai! Shirai goes down, Stark realizes what happened, but she turns around into a kick and hammerlock to BLADERUNNER! Kayden thinks about it, tags Kacy, and the two combine again! They’re up top in an Electric Chair for a SUPER SPLASH!! Cover, Shirai springboards and missile dropkicks Kayden onto the pin!!

Fans are thunderous as Shirai keeps this going for her title reign’s sake! Kacy gets Stark up but Stark KICKS Kacy’s leg! Stark runs, SLIDING BOOT!! Cover, TWO!! “This is Awesome!” as Stark gets Kacy up for a back suplex, GO TO STARK! Tag to Shirai and she goes up top, OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Shirai & Stark win!!

Winners: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)

The champions may not be friends, but they’re still a team and still on top! Will there be any stopping them as they- Wait, whoa! Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne and… Is Mandy Rose copying Sheamus with that facemask? But anyway, they all CLOBBER KC Squared! Mandy RAMS Kayden into the titantron! Then they all stomp away on Kacy! The Rose and her buds show their thorns once again, are they going to target the tag titles next?

Kyle O’Reilly speaks.

“So the last 12 months of my career have been… challenging, to say the least. I mean, you go from the heartbreak of losing championship matches to the turmoil of my best friend stabbing me in the back.” But Kyle looks back to TakeOver 36, and how he closed a chapter in his career and in his life. It was freeing, yeah, not giving a damn anymore. Now he can think and feel and do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter what it takes, who is footing the bill, or who comes to his birthday parties, because the endgame for Kyle is THE NXT Championship and Samoa Joe. “And it’s not about the physical title that he wears around his waist or whatever. It’s about what that title represents, it’s about being the best!” Kyle got over one obsession at TakeOver. Next week, he gets to begin another.

NXT now shares footage of the bachelor party.

Dexter and Gargano are in a limousine together, and somehow Dexter is friends with Odyssey Jones and Drake Maverick. But Gargano is most confused by how that zombie ref from way back when is still here. And where are they going? Who is paying for this, too? Or the wedding! Not gonna be Gargano! Nope! Not one red cent for- Watch out now! Grimes says it’s time to take this party TO~ THE~ MOON~! Jones is fired up, and Maverick tries to be fired up, and Zombie Ref does his best to say, “Moon…!” Gargano asks what Grimes is doing here, but Grimes is handing out hundies! Didn’t Grimes hate Dexter? And wasn’t Dexter terrorizing him for months?!

Grimes says the Million Dollar Man taught him that with enough money, you can solve any problem! So Grimes is using his millions to make sure this bachelor party and the #InDex wedding happen! And for Lumis himself, Grimes offers a truce. Lumis accepts it! Party time, boys! They get to the Go Karts and Grimes declares this the Dexter Lumis Bachelor Party 500 Grand Prix! The top prize is 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS! “Start your engines!” Everyone is fired up but Jones chops Maverick a little hard. And away we go~! Candice and Indi spy from inside an old Volkswagen bug as Gargano does his best to be the first across the finish line! Lumis bumps into Zombie Ref and Gargano takes the win!

And then, they move on to Axecelsior, the ax throwing range! But a quick question, anyone already have experience with an ax? The group looks around, and of course focuses on Lumis. He raises his hand to confirm he has used axes before. The boys take turns, Jones getting on the board but outside of the target. Lumis takes his turn and… BULL’S EYE! Gargano… struggles. Lumis pats Gargano on the shoulder and shows him proper tomahawk throwing technique. It works! Gargano and Lumis have a thumbs up together, and Maverick wants to try the trampolines. Aw, look at that lil’ Rockstar. Grimes best $10,000 that Jones can’t send Maverick to the moon! DEAL!

Maverick is worried as Jones comes jumping in! ODYSSEY POUNCE! Maverick goes flipping and flying, but not quite to the moon. And last but not least, LASER TAG! Team Green VS Team Dex! Or Team Johnny, but fine. GO TIME! Pew pew, tuck ‘n’ roll! Lumis, no, uppercuts aren’t allowed! But Gargano still tags that guy out so he’s not complaining. Jones takes out targets, Lumis chokes out a guy! Another easy one for Johnny. One guy thinks he’s safe, until Lumis brings out the RAG! He’s alive, right? Yeah, just unconscious. And now he’s out! The last guy is flanked by the entire team, so he quits. Fair game, PEW PEW. Total party kill~! Gargano says he’s owed 10 thous.

Gargano high fives everyone, but hesitates to high-five with Lumis. The others can’t believe he’s still not trusting Lumis. Zombie Ref actually talks and says, “He’s not that bad, eh.” Wait, he’s Canadian? But then Jones nudges Gargano and the high-five is complete! Gargano may have lost a son when Austin Theory ran away, but perhaps… He’s found a new son in Lumis? Indi jumps in and is so happy that Lumis finally cracked Johnny’s nut! Huh? Phrasing, Indi. Wait, were the girls spying on them? W-What? No…! But hey! Gargano and Lumis did a high-five! Yeah, they did. Bring it in, family! “Guys. Let’s go have a wedding!” Lumis… SMILES!?

Boa meets with Mei Ying.

“It’s time.” Tian Sha is ready to move out, but who will feel the wrath of the immortal empress?

Franky Monet talks with Jessi Kamea backstage.

Has Jessi seen the cheesy wedding invitations for the #InDex wedding? Ugh, it’s all anyone can talk about. Bet that wedding dress is gonna be super tacky. Yeah, not even a designer one. Robert Stone walks in and has huge news. Okay, don’t breathe on them, and button up more. Okay, sorry, but listen. He just came from Regal’s office and… #SuitManStone made sure to get this right. Next week, Monet VS Gonzalez… FOR THE TITLE. OMG really?! Next week? Does everyone understand how big this is for their brand? Screw InDex, they’ll be talking about the NEW NXT Women’s Champion! Monet is ready to get that gold, but will Bougie Bad be heartbroken by Big Mami Cool?

Mei Ying w/ Boa VS Virginia Ferry!

The dark and fearsome leader of Tian Sha finally steps into the ring herself! Will Ferry not fair very well at all? Or for all that long, either?

The bell rings and Ferry makes the first move, but Mei Ying throat chops her right away! Then wraps on a SLEEPER! Ferry JAWBREAKERS free, but Mei Ying stays up and BOOTS Ferry down! Mei Ying drags Ferry up, shoves her then THROAT CHOPS again! Ferry gasps and sputters as she stands, into Mei Ying’s HANDSPRING FOREARM! Mei Ying isn’t done here, either! She waits for Ferry to stand, choke grips and she just squeezes the life out of Ferry! It’s also a cover, Mei Ying wins!!

Winner: Mei Ying, by pinfall

That could’ve easily been a submission win, too! Will this ferocious, merciless dominance soon make it’s way to the very top of NXT?

LA Knight speaks while cruising in his car.

“It’s championship season! Which for me is all year round, so let me talk to you.” By now, we all know about the news, and there’s going to be a #1 contender’s match! Three superstars and one megastar! NXT faithful say, “No, not LA Knight! He’s a jerk~!” Quit the crying and bellyaching because here’s the thing. You’ll be doing a whole lot more crying and aching as Knight smacks around three favorites to become the contender. Then Joe has to look into Knight’s eyes and see that time is up. Who’s game is it? YEAH, L A Knight’s game! “See you soon, Joe.”

Tommaso Ciampa speaks.

“Last week, I talked about motivation. How a motivated Ciampa is a scary Ciampa. I was motivated to avenge Toothless Timmy’s injury, motivated to whoop Ridge Holland’s ass, and that’s exactly what I did.” Now, Ciampa’s motivation shifts. He has two goals in the coming match. One is Dunne. Ciampa isn’t blind and he can see who is calling the shots in the group. The game Dunne is playing does not have a pretty ending. If Dunne wants to “slay the dragon,” chop off the head. Two is something that’s been a long time coming. “But the greatest things in life are always worth the waiting for.” That goal… is Goldie. Ciampa storms off, will he get back what he cherishes most?

NXT Tag Team Championships: MSK VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch!

Nash Carter & Wes Lee went to Mr. Regal and simply wanted things to be fair in the tag division. They knew as well as anyone that the One Two never truly lost these titles and had yet to get their chance. This is that chance, and both Northern Grit and the Bruiserweight want their boys to make this a brutal return to the top. Will Lorcan & Burch take advantage of MSK’s kindness? Or will things stay the way their are: MSK All Night and All Day?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team shines and which team gets shiners!

Carter and Burch start, slowly circle, and fans chant, “Welcome Back!” for the Gov’nah. Burch and Carter feel things out, tie up and go around. Burch puts Carter in a corner but Carter fights back to put Burch in the corner. They go around and around, Burch digs a shoulder in but the ref counts. Burch lets off and the CWC is fired up. The two reset, tie up, and Burch gets an arm for a wristlock. Burch YANKS the arm, wrenches and reels Carter in for a headlock and takeover. Carter fights up but Burch throws palm strikes! Carter still gets to his feet, powers out of the headlock and things speed up.

Burch comes back but Carter goes Matrix. Carter dropkicks legs out then basement dropkicks Burch down! Carter fires up but Burch headbutts low! Tag to Lorcan, and he takes the handoff to wrench Carter’s arm. Oney grinds that arm, wrenches again then ROCKS Carter with a EuroUpper! Back suplex, Carter land son his feet and Lee tags in! MSK fires off on Lorcan, KICK to ENZIGURI to DOUBLE STOMP! Lee covers but Oney scrambles away! Lee still shoots the half, ONE! Lee facelocks to keep Oney down, but Oney fights up. Fans rally and duel, Carter tags in and Lee snapmares for Carter’s slingshot senton! Cover, ONE!

Oney RAMS Carter into the corner, Burch tags in but Carter fights back! Burch CLUBS Carter from behind! Burch gets Carter up to throw EuroUppers! Burch throws more EuroUppers, tags to Oney and they double wrench to a double CHOP! Burch tags back in and he double whips Carter with Oney. Carter ducks, springboards and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES! Direct hit, Carter runs in to uppercut in the corner! Lee tags in, he and Carter coordinate, RAILGUN DROPKICK! Burch bails out and MSK fires up as NXT goes picture in picture.

MSK dares the One Two to come back but they cool off first. Burch finally gets back in, he and Carter circle, and they tie up. They go around, Carter arm-drags Burch down to get a cording hold on the mat. Burch moves around, Carter holds on and wrenches! Burch knees low, throws EuroUppers then whips Carter to a corner. Carter reverses, runs in but only gets buckles! Then Burch LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Burch seethes as he paces around Carter. Tag to Oney, they mug Carter and Oney EuroUppers Carter down! Oney puts Carter in a corner and CHOPS! Then he reels Carter in to EuroUpper! And whip hard into the corner! Carter bounces off buckles, Burch tags in.

Burch drags Carter up, snap suplexes, then covers. TWO, but Burch keeps on Carter with a chinbar. Burch thrashes Carter around, grinds him down, but Carter endures. NXT returns to single picture, Carter fights up but Burch throws him down! Burch cranks on the chinlock as he bridges, but Carter still endures as fans rally and duel. Carter fights up, throws body shots and elbows, but Burch brings him around! Burch ducks the enziguri, hauls Carter back up and then hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Tag to Oney, he keeps between Carter and Lee while egging Carter on. Oney CHOPS Carter, dares him to do something more, so Carter throws hands.

Oney CHOPS and still eggs Carter on! Carter forearms, Oney EuroUppers! Carter fires up and fires off, but Oney knees low! SNAP SUPLEX, to a ground ‘n’ pound! Oney fires up but fans boo as he talks trash to Lee. Oney drags Carter away, tags in Burch and they mug Carter again. Burch ROCKS Carter with a right, tags Oney back in and fans rally up. Carter crawls along ropes but Oney ROCKS him with a EuroUpper! Tag to Burch, they mug and double whip Carter but he holds ropes. Carter sends Oney out, Burch rams low! Burch whips, Carter reverses and JUMP KNEES! Both men are down, Burch grabs at Carter first and keeps him down while going to his own corner.

Hot tags to Oney and Lee! Lee rallies on Oney with big forearms and hammering fists! Burch gets in but Lee BOOTS him out! Lee headbutts, KICKS and shoves Oney to dropkick him to a corner! Lee goes corner to corner to FOREARM SMASH! HEEL KICK! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Lee gets Oney up, Oney JAWBREAKERS! Lee comes back with a ROBINSON SPECIAL! Tag to Carter, he and Lee coordinate, PUSH-SAULT! Cover, Burch breaks it! Lee rushes in and throws Burch out! Oney bails out on the other end, Lee DIVES to take out Burch! Carter aims at Oney, MOONSAULT from the corner! MSK fires up and the CWC duels harder!

Carter puts Oney in, climbs up top again, SWANTON ONTO KNEES! Oney gets up to KNEE Lee off the apron, then he CHOP BLOCKS Carter’s leg! ANKLE LOCK!! Carter endures as Oney twists his foot! Burch intercepts Lee into a CROSSFACE!! MSK endures dual submissions and the fans are thunderous! Carter rolls to send Oney into Burch! All four men are down and “This is Awesome!” Holland and Dunne aren’t as convinced as they watch ringside. The four men rise and approach. Burch HEADBUTTS Lee, Carter KNEES Burch! Oney CHOPS Carter and then CHOPS him again! CHOP and then run corner to corner for a back elbow! Oney keeps going but Carter HIP TOSSES him into buckles! SUPERKICK for Burch!

Tag to Lee, fans fire up with MSK as they get Oney up, MUST-SEE BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, MSK wins!!

Winners: MSK, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)

Time to put some respect on the names! Carter & Lee prove themselves against the former champions and stand tall as Holland and Dunne look on. Will MSK continue to reign with this level of excitement? As for Dunne and Holland… Holland HEADBUTTS Burch down! Oney doesn’t understand, but then he sees he’s alone. Dunne shrugs and BUZZSAWS Oney down! Dunne stomps away on Oney, then feeds him to Holland’s scoop! ROUNDHOUSE and NORTHERN GRIT!! Fans tell Dunne & Holland “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but they just shrug it off. But as Oney stirs and Burch checks on him, Holland gets Burch up to DECK him with a hard right!

Dunne and Holland leave it at this, having sent a message: there is no room for failure or weakness in their world. Will everyone get that message soon enough?

My Thoughts:

Another great episode for NXT, and we can only hope and perhaps pray that this isn’t the last great episode. For one, everything in the bachelorette-bachelor skits was great. We got more of that The Way brand “twisted sitcom” humor that also helped give some personality to newer female superstars, Cora Jade and Amari Miller. Plus, we had that great twist with Zombie Ref. But if anything happens to “ruin” the wedding, it needs to be Austin Theory making a return to say HE is the only “son” of The Way. Theory should be angry that no one trusted him about Lumis to start, and in a twist, he isn’t going to go after Lumis but he goes after JOHNNY. Theory VS Johnny, The Way family dysfunction and all that, that’s perhaps the best way “New” NXT can keep this going in a compromise of how this brand was and how Vince is making it be.

KLR VS Ember was a great opener, and while KLR of course wins because she’s making the move to NXT USA, Ember had a very good promo to spin that around to perhaps another new form. I do like that she touched on Shotzi being taken away, that is still a lame move on WWE’s part but whatever. I’m certainly intrigued to see if Ember goes back to full Prophecy of Flame with a twist, or has yet another fresh idea all her own that they’re letting her go with. Escobar VS Hayes was also a great match, but naturally Escobar wins thanks to interference. Lopez being the one was a great little twist on that, though. And Hit Row has a good promo, and I look forward to Lopez VS B-Fab.

The Women’s Tag Team Championship match was great stuff, with KC Squared showing off some great moves overall, and there was good dysfunction character work with Shirai and Stark. The champs retain because they’re going to keep being tested just on the level of how well they can stick together as a team. Mandy leading Gigi and Jacy in beating down KC Squared was a pretty good surprise, but that mask Mandy is wearing looks really doofy compared to Sheamus’ mask. And Monet getting her title shot next week is of course to make the makeover episode of NXT big, so that (at least for now) the only change to NXT will be cosmetic.

Mei Ying won obviously, but I don’t think the fans really cared that much. Maybe like me, they were all hoping she was going to get in the ring way sooner, but now without Xia Li, it just isn’t as good. Sometimes you can have too slow of a slow burn, and this is probably that. Meanwhile, Diamond Mine is finally speeding things up. They should’ve done more with Tyler Rust, and unfortunately Arturo Ruas and Marina Shafir were cut before they could join up, but the Creed Brothers definitely defied my expectations. They’ve got the fire and charisma but also the deadpan angry faces to fit right in with Roddy Strong in that team, Diamond Mine can still be something.

We got great news about the NXT title #1 contenders match, and we got good promos from O’Reilly, Knight and Ciampa. But with the stare downs between Joe and Dunne we’ve gotten a few times, that has to be the match we get. Especially with how things went in the main event. MSK VS Oney & Burch was great stuff, and while I figured MSK was going to win, I did not see Oney & Burch being kicked out of Dunne’s group so soon. So much for WarGames with those four and any other four. But at the same time, this puts Dunne & Holland on this higher level of being Heels that I certainly feel Holland needed for himself. Dunne can go after Joe, Holland can go after the winner of Escobar VS Swerve, those two can become a British version of the Two Man Power Trip if “new” NXT sees it that way.

My Score: 9/10