This week’s episode of NXT is right after NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. While most post-TakeOver episodes tend to only feature highlights and barely anything else, NXT keeps the foot on the gas for a seemingly tame episode. First, Nikki Cross returns to action to face Mae Young Classic competitor Lacey Evans. Then, there is the long-awaited return of TM61 to face The Ealy Brother. The main event features a first-time clash between Roderick Strong and Tyler Bate to determine who will be the next man to challenge Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship.
Nikki Cross vs. Lacey Evans
A couple weeks ago, Lacey Evans made her return to the ring and defeated Aliyah. After her victory, Evans took to the mic and ran down the rest of the women’s division, saying that she was the only real example of a lady. She specifically mentioned Nikki Cross of SAnitY, who is known for being erratic and the least orthodox of the entire WWE.
This is Cross’ first time to shine in a while and she takes full advantage of it. Cross almost completely dominates Evans before hitting a fisherman swinging neckbreaker (essentially Elias’ Drift Away, so she might need a new finisher) for the win. Winner: Nikki Cross
TM61 vs. The Ealy Brothers
For the first time in a long time, TM61 (Nick Miller and Shane Thorne) are back competing in an NXT ring. The highly acclaimed Australian Duo last competed in 2016 when they were pursuing the NXT Tag Team Championships, held then by the Authors of Pain. Their last high-profile match was for the titles with Hall of Fame manager Paul Ellering suspended above the ring in a shark cage.
The Ealy Brothers are pretty much only on NXT television when they are putting over another team, but there is potential. Gabriel and Uriel Ealy look exactly the same (they are identical twins, after all), so they can pull off Twin Magic, as made famous by the Bella Twins and the Usos. This gives them an advantage as they can essentially always keep the fresh man in as long as the referee is not looking.
Thorne and Miller look like they have not missed a step, using incredible technique, fast-paced action, and tag team wrestling strategy to easily take care of the Ealy Brothers. They pick up one of the Ealy brothers and swing him down full force to hit Thunder Valley, picking up an important win in their return. Winners: TM61
Roderick Strong vs. Tyler Bate – #1 Contender’s Match (WWE United Kingdom Championship)
Now that NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia is in the books, NXT can acknowledge the WWE United Kingdom Championship again. For the first time ever, Roderick Strong goes up against Tyler Bate and it is for the chance to challenge Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship. If Roderick Strong wins and goes on to defeat Dunne, he will be the first American to hold the UK Title.
Tyler Bate, the first-ever WWE United Kingdom Champion, is looking to regain the title after a phenomenal trilogy of matches with Dunne last year (The UK Championship Tournament finals, NXT TakeOver: Chicago, and NXT Television in December). Dunne has successfully defended the belt twice against Bate, as well as the likes of Trent Seven and Gentleman Jack Gallagher.
As well as pursuing the UK Championship, both Roderick Strong and Tyler Bate are part of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, which was announced this week by the new 205 Live General Manager, Drake Maverick (formerly Rockstar Spud on Impact Wrestling). Bate competed against TJP this week but came up short thanks to some underhanded tactics from the Cruiserweight Classic winner. Strong has his tournament match next week where he takes on former NXT Superstar Hideo Itami.
Strong targets Bate’s back throughout the entire match and it works in his favor when Bate is unable to attempt the Tyler Driver ’97. Strong follows through with an array of hard-hitting strikes and slams, finishing off the former champion with a release suplex backbreaker. This is yet another Bate match that garners “This is awesome!” chants, but Bate still ends up on the losing side. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Roderick Strong
