Now that the post-TakeOver episode of NXT is out of the way, episodes should be more interesting for the next couple months. Tonight, we hear from Tommaso Ciampa about his attack on Johnny Gargano, Pete Dunne competes against Danny Burch, and Eric Young tries to get some retribution on Roderick Strong.
Opening Segment
Right after the new intro video ends, we see Tommaso Ciampa slowly walking down to the ring while using crutches for assistance. Before NXT TakeOver: Chicago, Ciampa suffered an injury so fans started speculating who could fill his spot in the NXT Tag Team Championship Ladder Match. Ciampa knew he was ready to compete, however, and he was offended how quickly fans were ready to put someone else in his place.
During the ladder match at TakeOver: Chicago, Tommaso Ciampa felt a “pop” in his knee, immediately realizing he was injured and that he was going to be out for quite some time. He assumed that Johnny Gargano would replace him just as easily as the fans did, so he assaulted his best friend to make sure that the fans remembered him.
Ciampa skips the recovery story to give the NXT Universe a warning: when he gets back, he is going to be the “most dangerous son of a bitch” in NXT.
Pete Dunne vs. Danny Burch
At TakeOver: Chicago, Pete Dunne defeated Tyler Bate in an incredible match to become the new, and second, WWE United Kingdom Champion. Dunne has been set for success since the United Kingdom Championship tournament, where he advanced to the finals by taking cheap shots before his matches.
Danny Burch has been regularly featured on WWE television this year, but he has come up short on pretty much every occasion. Burch has mainly been used to make up and coming NXT Superstars look good, and in his only match in the UK Championship tournament, it ended by referee’s decision after he was busted open.
After Dunne throws Burch into the turnbuckle with a German suplex, the Bruiserweight finishes him off with the Bitter End. While Burch lost, it was by far his best match on WWE television. Winner: Pete Dunne
Interview
There is supposed to be an interview with Velveteen Dream, who debuted last week. He decides not to do the interview because the “ambiance” is not right.
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Cesar Bononi
Over the past few weeks, Andrade “Cien” Almas has not been himself in the ring. He has had all of the aggression and talent as he always has, but he can’t seem to get results. He lost to Aleister Black at TakeOver: Orlando and Drew McIntyre a couple weeks later. Almas’ descent led to him being left off of the card for TakeOver: Chicago.
Almas lifts Cesar Bononi up for a suplex, but Bononi counters it into a roll-up. In a shock to the NXT Universe, Bononi manages to get the pinfall victory. After his loss, Almas has a bit of a tantrum, but then he calms himself down and laughs it off as he walks to the back. Winner: Cesar Bononi
Announcement
In two weeks, there will be an NXT Women’s Championship rematch. Asuka will defend her title against Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross for the second time, but this time, it’s an elimination match.
Roderick Strong & Kassius Ohno vs. Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe (w/Killian Dain)
At NXT TakeOver: Chicago, Roderick Strong became the first person to defeat Eric Young in one-on-one action since he joined SAnitY. While some fans (myself included) may have hoped that Strong would move on to bigger and better things, Young and company were not done with the master of the backbreaker.
Killian Dain gives SAnitY the numbers game advantage and it seems like Strong and Ohno are going to lose. That is, however, until No Way Jose returns for the first time since WrestleMania weekend to take out Dain. This gives Strong the chance to hit Young with his signature release suplex backbreaker to get the win. Winners: Roderick Strong & Kassius Ohno
