Last week on NXT, we saw a huge dream match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Finn Balor. In a competitive bout, the King of Strong Style came out on top and defeated the “Icon” of NXT. Tonight, there are three huge matches in store. NXT Champion Samoa Joe faces the returning veteran Rhyno, Bayley has a rematch against Nia Jax, and American Alpha will take on the Authors of Pain.
Rhyno vs. Samoa Joe
Last week on NXT, The Man Beast Rhyno returned out of nowhere, and was setting on getting to the top of NXT. He realized that in order to get to the top, he needs to take out the NXT Champion. During his return, Rhyno was ready to fight right then. Samoa Joe, however, took the strategic maneuver and waited a week so he could face Rhyno on his own time.
Samoa Joe counters Rhyno’s attempt at the Gore, and after several strikes to the head, Samoa Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch to put away the seasoned veteran. Winner (via submission): Samoa Joe
Backstage Segment
Because of the match later tonight between Nia Jax and Bayley, NXT Women’s Champion Asuka is asked who she would rather defend her Women’s Championship against. In a slight surprise, Asuka does not have a preference. Instead, she wants to face both of them.
American Alpha vs. The Authors of Pain
Before the match starts, the Authors of Pain attack Chad Gable and Jason Jordan at the entrance ramp. Like at NXT TakeOver: The End, The Authors of Pain are not interested in competing in a match. Instead, they want to make a statement by laying waste to the former NXT Tag Team Champions.
Jordan and Gable are being helped by the officials, and they manage to get enough strength to storm the ring and send the Authors of Pain out of the ring. After both teams settle down, the match gets underway.
American Alpha (quite literally) tosses The Authors of Pain around for most of the match, but the newcomers get the advantage and take out Jordan and Gable outside the ring. With Jason Jordan out of the picture, The Authors of Pain hit a Russian Leg Sweep/Running Clothesline combination to pin Chad Gable and put the former champions away. Winners: The Authors of Pain
Patrick Clark vs. Austin Aries
Patrick Clark is making his NXT debut sporting surprisingly patriotic pants. It has the stars and stripes, a bald eagle, and Clark’s face airbrushed onto a pant leg. What is (actually) important to note about Patrick Clark is that he one of the runners up for the last season of WWE Tough Enough.
The last time we saw Austin Aries, No Way Jose was trying to cheer him up. Aries and Jose would dance all around the arena, and Aries would turn on his dance partner. Aries would assault No Way Jose, and leave him laid out near the announce table.
Austin Aries locks in the Last Chancery on Patrick Clark, and Clark immediately taps out. Winner (via submission): Austin Aries
After the match, No Way Jose runs down to the ring and assaults the self-professed Greatest Man Who Ever Lived. Jose gets enough shots in on Aries to force Aries to retreat.
Nia Jax vs. Bayley
A couple months ago, Nia Jax (who got drafted to Raw last night) and Bayley (who had not gotten drafted at all) squared off in what could be considered a surprising victory for Jax. During their match, Nia Jax would injure Bayley and leave NXT’s top female star out of action for several weeks. Bayley returned to action a couple weeks ago, and feels ready to redeem herself against Jax.
This match could be a risky move for Bayley. She defeated Jax during her run with the Women’s Championship, but Jax is way more dominant now than she was then. If Bayley was broken (so to speak) by Nia Jax during their last encounter, there is a chance that Bayley could get injured again tonight.
Nia Jax takes too much time gloating on the second turnbuckle, and Bayley takes advantage by hitting a Bayley-to-Belly out of nowhere to put Jax away. Winner: Bayley
