The action is ramping up as NXT get closer to its next TakeOver special in Philadelphia. Tonight’s episode features a battle between Mae Young Classic competitors, matches featuring Kassius Ohno and Lio Rush, and the main event where Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly defend their NXT Tag Team Championships.
Shayna Baszler vs. Dakota Kai
This match stems from a video on WWE.com a couple weeks ago. Dakota Kai was helping out a student in the WWE Performance Center with submissions when Shayna Baszler decided to jump in. Baszler decided to join in to help the upstart know “how it feels” and instead, decided to lock in a choke for real.
Kai and Baszler were both successful competitors in the Mae Young Classic. Kai advanced to the quarterfinals only to lose to the winner, Kairi Sane. Baszler advanced all the way to the finals where, of course, Sane would win.
While Kai is face down on the mat, Baszler kicks her elbow in such a way where it seemingly snaps something in Kai’s arm. The referee immediately stops the match and officials enter the ring to check on her. While medical officials are in the ring, Baszler locks in a choke until NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon enters the ring, forcing Baszler to retreat. Winner (via referee’s decision): Shayna Baszler
Kassius Ohno vs. Raul Mendoza
Like most of his new run in NXT, Kassius Ohno is trying to build momentum towards an NXT Championship opportunity. Ohno has taken on a ton of opponents over the past couple months, from Lars Sullivan to Fabian Aichner to Johnny Gargano. Tonight he takes on a member of the inaugural Cruiserweight Classic, Raul Mendoza.
While Mendoza is reeling on the ropes, Ohno jumps at him from behind and hits the back of his neck with the High Tention Elbow strike. Winner: Kassius Ohno
Interview w/Johnny Gargano
At NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, Johnny Gargano is scheduled to challenge Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship. He is being interviewed about his big match when he is interrupted by the Velveteen Dream. Dream calls him lucky for defeating “a guy named” Kassius Ohno and Aleister Black to earn the opportunity. Velveteen Dream also wants Gargano to thank him because Gargano was given Dream’s spot in the tournament when he had to back out.
Announcement
Next week, The Street Profits will take on the Authors of Pain in a #1 Contender’s Match to determine who will be the new challengers for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Lio Rush vs. Lars Sullivan
A couple months ago, Lio Rush debuted in NXT when he faced Aleister Black. The incredibly impressive high-flyer is destined for big things in WWE, but a tweet poking fun at Emma’s release seemingly kept him off of television for a while. Rush looks to get back on track, but he will have a very tough time doing that against the much, much larger Lars Sullivan.
The ongoing battle of speed vs. strength concluded with strength as the victor. Rush uses a ton of innovative offense, but it can’t stop the freight train of a man that is Sullivan. After whipping Rush into the turnbuckles, Sullivan ends the match with the Freak Accident. Winner: Lars Sullivan
Sullivan picks up a microphone and says that all opponents he has faced have fallen except for one: Killian Dain. Sullivan finds this to be a new challenge and sends the SAnitY member a warning. Before Sullivan leaves, he picks Rush back up and hits him with another Freak Accident but this time, it is delivered from the second rope.
Backstage Assault
Before the Undisputed ERA defends their NXT Tag Team Championships against SAnitY tonight, they are seen backstage attacking the leader of the unstable group, Eric Young.
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly (c) (w/Adam Cole) vs. Alexander Wolfe & Killian Dain – NXT Tag Team Championships
Before the match starts, Adam Cole starts cutting a promo when Nikki Cross tries to get to the ring and attack the Undisputed ERA. Unfortunately for her, two referees get in her way and stop her. William Regal shows up to tell them that even though SAnitY might not be ready to challenge for the gold, they are still defending their titles tonight.
This is when Roderick Strong comes out. Strong offers to find a partner to challenge Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly for the gold. He doesn’t even have to go the back since Aleister Black joins him immediately.
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly (c) (w/Adam Cole) vs. Aleister Black & Roderick Strong – NXT Tag Team Championships
Whoever wins this match will defend the gold against the winner of the Street Profits vs. The Authors of Pain next week at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.
Adam Cole pisses off Aleister Black and baits him to walking through the crowd, leaving Roderick Strong alone. In the 2-on-1 situation, the Undisputed ERA easily takes care of Strong. Winners, and STILL NXT Tag Team Champions: Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly
After the match, Cole attacks Black and the trio assaults him in the middle of the ring.
Announcement
Before the show goes off the air, William Regal announces that Adam Cole’s match against Aleister Black at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia will be an Extreme Rules match.
