Tonight, Bayley defends her NXT Women’s Championship against the #1 contender, and her best friend, Carmella. Will Carmella shock the WWE Universe and defeat Bayley, or will Bayley continue to successfully defend her championship?
Johnny Gargano vs. Baron Corbin
Baron Corbin was the only person to lose the #1 contender’s match a couple of weeks ago against Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe. Corbin should be looking to regain some momentum after losing one of the most important matches of his career, but defeating Johnny Gargano is no easy task. Gargano is a workhorse, and will use his speed and in-ring ability to take it to Corbin, who is about a foot taller than him.
Unfortunately for Gargano, Baron Corbin hits the End of Days for the pinfall. Winner: Baron Corbin
The Hype Bros vs. Corey Hollis & John Skyler
Hollis and Skyler are enhancement talent if I’ve ever seen some. As much as the Hype Bros are over-the-top gimmicky, they have good chemistry together and are decent in the ring. It’s pretty clear that Zack Ryder isn’t ever going to be the face of WWE, considering even his United States title run was because of the fans. Having Ryder be a partner for Mojo Rawley is a good fit for him, and Rawley will gain credibility by teaming up with an established WWE Superstar.
Rawley and Ryder hit the Hype Ryder (a Rough Ryder from the top rope combined with a spinebuster) for the win. Winners: The Hype Bros
Alexa Bliss (w/Blake & Murphy) vs. Cameron
It has been a while since Cameron has been in singles action, and I haven’t missed her one bit, and it’s clear that the NXT audience hasn’t either. She is still really sloppy in the ring, but she has slightly improved. Just a reminder to everybody: When Cameron was a contestant of Tough Enough (back when Stone Cold Steve Austin was the host), she said that her favorite match of all-time was Melina vs. Alicia Fox.
Alexa Bliss hits the Sparkle Splash on Cameron for the win. Winner: Alexa Bliss
Elias Samson vs. Jesse Sorenson
Elias Samson is one of those rare people who I care about less and less the more I see them. I would love for Jesse Sorenson to win this match, and maybe be a regular on NXT. For those who don’t know, Jesse Sorenson competed in TNA, and broke his neck in the middle of a match after his opponent, Zema Ion, botched a moonsault to the outside of the ring. After promising to pay for his medical bills, TNA President Dixie Carter released him instead. After rehabbing, Sorenson is amazingly able to compete.
The NXT audience is chanting for Samson, “The Drifter,” to “Drift away,” and it’s amazing. What’s not amazing, is that Samson hit a pullback swinging neckbreaker and won. Winner: Elias Samson
Bayley vs. Carmella – NXT Women’s Championship
Corey Graves said that this match is Bayley’s greatest challenge since becoming the NXT Women’s Champion. Carmella is a good in-ring competitor, but this cannot be compared to the Iron Man match at NXT TakeOver: Respect that Bayley had with Sasha Banks.
There have been rumors lately of Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady being called up to the main roster, and Carmella would probably join them. Because of the call-up, I would be surprised to see Carmella win the NXT Women’s Championship, but you can never say for sure, especially considering the fact that this is just a rumor.
Carmella and Bayley kept countering each other’s pinning attempts, but Bayley managed to put Carmella. Winner, and still NXT Women’s Champion: Bayley
After the match, Carmella starts heading to the back and gets attacked from behind by Eva Marie and Nia Jax. In a strange turn of events, Asuka comes to the ring to save Carmella from taking any more punishment. Instead of standing up to Asuka, Nia Jax and Eva Marie leave the ring and walk to the back.
Asuka signals to Bayley that she is coming for her NXT Women’s Championship, meaning she might be next in line, and also might be done with her feud with Emma and Dana Brooke.
Next week on NXT, Sami Zayn takes on Samoa Joe to determine the #1 contender for Finn Balor’s NXT Championship.
