Last week’s episode of NXT featured the television debuts of Austin Aries and Shinsuke Nakamura. Tonight, we have three big matches scheduled. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady return to NXT for one match against the NXT Tag Team Champions, American Alpha. Apollo Crews is also returning to NXT for a match against Samoa Joe. Along with three NXT returns, we will see the debut of No Way Jose.
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs. American Alpha
Enzo Amore and Big Cass are the longest tenured tag team in NXT history, but they have never gotten a chance to face American Alpha before being called up to main roster, so there is a friendly challenge tonight (They also never became the Tag Team Champions while in NXT). American Alpha has grown quite a bit since forming as a tag team last year, going from tentative partners to becoming very effective NXT Tag Team Champions, after defeating The Revival at NXT TakeOver: Dallas. Enzo and Big Cass have quite the opportunity on the main roster at Payback, where they will take on the Vaudevillains in the finals of the #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament.
After a vicious spear in the corner to Enzo Amore, Jason Jordan tags in Chad Gable to hit Grand Amplitude (launching back suplex) to pick up the victory. Winners: American Alpha
Alexander Wolfe vs. No Way Jose
This is the debut match for No Way Jose, whose debut has been promoted for the last few weeks. He is definitely an entertaining wrestler, with a lot of dancing and vocalization involved in his in-ring performance. His move set so far is pretty simple, but there is plenty of time to determine his skill in the ring.
After a big right hand from the corner on Alexander Wolfe, No Way Jose picks up the victory in his debut match. Winner: No Way Jose
Backstage Segment
NXT General Manager William Regal approaches “The Drifter,” Elias Samson, to inform him of his next opponent. Next week, Samson will take on NXT’s latest, and biggest, signee, Shinsuke Nakamura.
Nia Jax vs. Deonna Purrazzo
Nia Jax has been treading water in NXT since she faced Bayley at NXT TakeOver: London, and tonight could get her NXT career back on track. Purrazzo has faced several women over the last few months, but has yet to end up on the winning side of her matches.
Nia Jax hits an emphatic leg drop of Purrazzo to pick up the win, and keep Purrazzo’s losing streak going. Winner: Nia Jax
Tom Philips announces another match for next week: NXT Women’s Champion Asuka will take on Eva Marie.
Apollo Crews vs. Samoa Joe
Over the last few weeks, the career paths of Crews and Joe have been very different. Samoa Joe was in the main event at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, where he unsuccessfully challenged Finn Balor for the NXT Championship. Apollo Crews, on the other hand, was not even featured in Dallas, but he was called up to the main roster one night after WrestleMania 32. Ever since Crews made the switch to Raw and Smackdown, he has been undefeated.
Even though Apollo Crews has not lost in the past few weeks, it doesn’t mean that Samoa Joe will be an easy opponent. Other than his loss to Finn Balor in Dallas, Joe has been incredibly dominant since he has been on his “war path.”
Samoa Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch on Apollo Crews to put him away, and make a statement towards Finn Balor. Winner (via submission): Samoa Joe
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