NXT TakeOver: Chicago is only a little over two weeks away, so NXT has to be full steam ahead until its next big event. None of the title matches have been decided, and the roster just started to find itself a couple weeks ago. Tonight should help the progress of TakeOver: Chicago’s card, with Hideo Itami returning to action and a #1 Contender’s Battle Royal for the NXT Women’s Championship.
Killian Dain (w/SAnitY) vs. Danny Burch
Danny Burch returns to NXT to try to find some success. Burch is a good wrestler, but he has not picked up a ton of wins on WWE television. Burch lost in the first round of the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament as well as in a singles match a couple weeks ago against Andrade “Cien” Almas. Before Burch joins the weekly United Kingdom Championship show coming to the WWE Network, he hopes to score an upset victory over Killian Dain.
Burch gets a couple strikes in, but Dain quickly takes over, hitting the England native with the Ulcer Plantation (what a name). Winner: Killian Dain
Heavy Machinery vs. Irrelevant Tag Team
After being away for a few weeks, Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic are back to continue climbing the ladder in the Tag Team Division. They are an impressive combination of speed, strength, and size, and they have only dominated their matches so far.
Heavy Machinery starts attacking both of their opponents at the same time, including hitting their leapfrog/World’s Strongest Slam combination on both of them simultaneously. After their unsurprisingly dominant win, Tucker Knight grabs a microphone saying that he and Otis Dozovic are ready to take on the top guys, The Authors of Pain. Winners: Heavy Machinery
Kona Reeves vs. Hideo Itami
Just last week, Kona Reeves was in action against Aleister Black. Reeves would end up losing the match, so he attacks Hideo Itami before their match starts tonight. Itami is able to get back to his feet and start the match, but Reeves definitely gave himself the advantage here. Itami returned a few weeks ago when he attacked Bobby Roode to hint at his pursuit for the NXT Championship.
Reeves has a good start, but Itami is able to quickly turn it around with several hard strikes. After hitting Reeves with a hesitation dropkick in the bottom turnbuckle, he finishes the match with the Go to Sleep. Winner: Hideo Itami
“Who is Roderick Strong?” Part II
Last week, we saw the first video in a series to help the WWE Universe learn about who Roderick Strong is, where Strong opened up about his childhood and personal backstory. This week, we learn about Strong’s life as a husband and a father, as well as his journey from the independent wrestling circuit to Ring of Honor to NXT.
Lacey Evans vs. Billie Kay vs. Peyton Royce vs. Ember Moon vs. Nikki Cross vs. Liv Morgan vs. Ruby Riot vs. more – #1 Contender’s Battle Royal (NXT Women’s Championship)
Ember Moon challenged Asuka for the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: Orlando, but she came up short when Asuka used dirty tactics to pick up the win. Now with no #1 Contender, a Battle Royal featuring the entire Women’s Division (and then some) will find the new challenger. Some notable participants in this match include Candice LeRae, Sarah Bridges (formerly known as Crazy Mary Dobson), and Rachel Evans (aka Rachel Ellering).
Elimination Order: Rachel Evers, Sarah Bridges, Lacey Evans, Sonya Deville (formerly known as Daria Berenato), Kimber Lee, Candice LeRae, Aliyah, Liv Morgan, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce
Ruby Riot, Nikki Cross, and Ember Moon are battling it out for a #1 Contender’s spot when Asuka interferes and causes a No Contest. The Empress of Tomorrow throws Ember Moon outside the ring, which seems to have injured Moon’s shoulder. She then proceeds to knock out Riot and Cross with swift kicks in the middle of the ring. After yelling, “Nobody is ready for Asuka,” the NXT Women’s Champion runs to the back. Result: No Contest
William Regal, obviously disapproving of Asuka’s actions, creates a match for NXT TakeOver: Chicago. Since there was no clear winner, all three of the remaining women will challenge Asuka for the NXT Women’s Championship in a Fatal Four-Way Match.
