This week’s edition of NXT deals with the fallout from the landscape changing match between Gargano and Ciampa last week. This along with “Prince” Balor’s intent on sending a message to WALTER. Live from Winter Park, Florida, this is NXT! Could more be revealed about a potential debut of Karrion Kross? Tick Tick?
Look Closer at a mystery woman and Karrion Kross debut
A video recap is played outlining the highlights of last week’s epic clash between Gargano and Ciampa. However, upon closer inspection, a car is revealed within the outskirts of the venue, which shows two figures. Could this be Scarlet Bordeaux and ‘Killer’ Karrion Kross intently watching Gargano and LeRae leave the premises? More regarding both Bordeaux and Karrion Kross could be revealed.
Finn Balor vs. Fabian Aichner
Aichner is representing Imperium in this matchup as Balor looks to get closer to the UK Champion WALTER. The bell rings in the empty arena and both athletes go back-and-forth, evenly matched up for the starting minutes of this bout. Eichner’s hard-hitting offense is visibly showing on the body of Balor. Aichner goes for a Powerbomb, but Balor escapes and hits a double stomp followed by a Slingblade.
Aichner recovers and throws Balor across the ring. The action spills outside and Fabian goes for a knee to the skull of The Prince against the steel steps, shades of Imperium’s attack on Balor several weeks ago. Balor is able to get out of the way in time and then takes out Barthel, who has been interfering intermittently throughout the match on behalf of his Imperium brother in arms.
Aichner takes advantage of Finn’s shifting focus and throws the Irishman back into the ring, where he then attempts to hit a Moonsault. This proves unsuccessful and Balor retaliates with a dropkick to the corner. Balor goes to the top rope for the Coup De Grace, which he follows up with a 1916 for the pinfall!
Winner: Finn Balor
The Dreams Wait for One Man
Backstage, Velveteen Dream is seen lounging on a couch, seemingly waiting for Adam Cole to arrive.
The Queen Addresses Her Subjects
Charlotte Flair speaks to the NXT audience via a taped video package. She speaks on how good Rhea Ripley is, and is undoubtedly the future. But Flair isn’t going to apologize for her own personal greatness.
Flair says her goal is to conquer the past, present, and future; something that no other Superstar has done. While Io Shirai is the Number One Contender after last week’s ladder match, Charlotte is focusing her attention on Mia Yim. Yim was Flair’s first opponent in NXT, and Flair wants to give her the first metaphorical lottery ticket. Once Flair is done with Yim, Regal can line up any opponent he wants, because Charlotte will go through them all: past, present, and future.
Xia Li vs. Aliyah
This Women’s Division match is an opportunity for Li to dish out revenge to Aliyah, whose attack kept her out of contention for the ladder match to determine the next challenger to Charlotte Flair.
Xia is straight on the offense, chasing Aliyah out and around the ring. The ref attempts to separate to give Aliyah from breathing room, but to no avail.
Ultimately, this one ends in quick fashion with a spinning kick to the back of Aliyah for the 3 count
Winner: Xia Li
Who’s the Third Bro?
A quick cut to the back show’s Matt Riddle on the phone with his partner Pete Dunne. Dunne has lined up a replacement for himself in defending the NXT Tag Team Titles tonight with Riddle, but is keeping it to himself for now.
Akira Tozawa vs. Isaiah Scott
This is a tournament match for the Interem NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Tozawa, a former Cruiserweight Champion, has the experience advantage as both men go toe to toe in the early moments.
Brutal chops are exchanged between the two agile athletes before it is decided a series of holds may fare better for the victory. Tozawa is able to lock in an Octopus Stretch on “SweProWrestlingPost.comrve” Scott, which is transitioned into a Dragon Sleeper. Swerve is able to power out and hits a Brain Buster on Tozawa to buy some time.
Swerve is able to display some of his impressive strength as he deadlifts Tozawa into a Suplex, followed by a House Call to the back of the neck of the former Champion for a 2 count.
Scott leads Tozawa to the corner, but Tozawa regains his senses and fights Scott away, hitting him with a spinning kick to ground him. Tozawa takes to the sky and hits a Senton for the victory and the advancement in the tournament!
Winner: Akira Tozawa
Tegan Nox vs. Raquel Gonzalez w/Dakota Kai
This match has been in the making ever since Gonzalez cost Nox multiple victories against Kai; first at Takeover and then in a steel cage a couple of weeks later.
Nox tries to have Kai banished from ringside but to no avail. Gonzalez immediately on the offense with a brawling style that Nox has a hard time getting past.
Clubbing blow after clubbing blow is hit on Tegan, and Dakota even joins in on the fun with a cheapshot to Nox while the referee isn’t looking. However, karma arrives in the form of Shotzi Blackheart; who takes out Kai to distract Gonzalez. It works, and Tegan Nox is able to roll up Gonzalez for the 3 count!
Winner: Tegan Nox
Bask in His Glory
A video package is shown to highlight Keith Lee and his journey through the world of wrestling.
Dexter Lumis vs. Tehuti Miles
This match is short and sweet. After a slight flurry of offence from Miles, Lumis shuts him down via the Anaconda Vice for the submission victory.
Winner: Dexter Lumis
The Dream Misspeaks
Velveteen has left his backstage area, seemingly done with waiting for Cole. Cole messages from his home, saying that the Dream (or anyone for that matter) doesn’t deserve a shot at the NXT Championship.
Velveteen is now seen at a lectern that has been set up near the entrance ramp. Dream goes on to list the accomplishments of Adam Cole and admits he may very well be the greatest NXT Champion of all time. No sooner are the words out of his mouth when Finn Balor approaches from behind.
He lets Dream know that he takes offense to Adam Cole being considered the greatest NXT Champion. He tells Dream to watch his mouth or next week he may find himself lined up for a date with The Prince.
It is announced that Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox will face Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez next week in a tag match.
In addition, Malcolm Bivens is shown with Indus Sher. He puts NXT on notice, saying that it doesn’t matter who wins the NXT Titles tonight. Indus Sher will take them when they are ready.
Undisputed Era vs. Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher (c) for the NXT Tag Team Championships
As Matt Riddle makes his way out, Pete Dunne is shown via video message saying that it breaks his heart he can’t be there to defend the Titles with Riddle. However, he has gotten a suitable replacement, a man that is the toughest that Dunne has ever been in the ring with: Timothy Thatcher. Thatcher enters the arena and makes his way to the ring with Riddle to kick off the main event of the evening.
Riddle and Fish start off the match. the grappling of both men is utilized in the early stages. Fish attempts multiple covers on Riddle but can’t get him to stay down for the pin. UE turns the tables and begin double-teaming Riddle who is turning bright red from the punishment inflicted. Several Snap Suplexes are administered to Riddle, who is desperate to get to his corner to tag in Thatcher. Riddle is finally able to hit a Fisherman Suplex on Fish. Riddle gets close, Fish tags in Strong to block, but Riddle kicks Strong and finally makes the hot tag!
Thatcher is fired up in his NXT debut. He hits both UE members with Belly to Belly Suplexes, then follows it up with a dropkick and an attempted Armbar on Strong. Strong is able to get to the ropes to force the break.
Bobby Fish enters illegally to hit Thatcher, then makes the tag and UE begins the double team on Timothy. Riddle is able to take down Fish with a knee so Thatcher can lock in the armbar on Strong, which he does for the submission and the successful defense of the Championships!
Winners and STILL Champions: Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher
….Is Karrion Kross Debut coming?
The Bell Tolls for Ciampa (Karrion Kross debut)
The final segment of NXT sees Ciampa in a backstage area. He is speaking directly to Gargano through the camera lens when he says that he is finished. He promised that after last week he would be done with Gargano and LeRae, no matter what the outcome.
So Ciampa tells Gargano he wins. In fact, the better man won last week. Ciampa is about to continue his train of thought, but it is derailed by an unseen force that pulls Ciampa into the shadows!
Ciampa is thrown to the ground along with the camera, which picks up the black leather boot of a woman standing over his lifeless body. Karrion Kross then comes into the frame and positions his head to Ciampa’s, uttering two simple words: Tick Tock.
It is the debut of Karrion Kross. Karrion Kross was formerly known as Killer Kross.
