NXT TakeOver: San Antonio took place last Saturday (January 28), and while it was not a card to be too excited about, the show delivered as the developmental brand always does. In non-title competition, Eric Young and Roderick Strong picked up victories over Tye Dillinger and Andrade “Cien” Almas, respectively. Asuka would be the only champion to successfully retain, since #DIY lost the NXT Tag Team Championships to The Authors of Pain, and Bobby Roode defeated an injured Shinsuke Nakamura for the NXT Championship.
Ember Moon vs. Aliyah
Aliyah has been improving slowly but surely over the past few months. She went from obscurity to regularly teaming with Liv Morgan in a short program with Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. Ember Moon helped Aliyah and Morgan briefly, but now that that’s long gone, both of these women need to focus on climbing the ladder. The #1 Contender spot for Asuka’s NXT Women’s Championship is wide open after the Empress of Tomorrow retained in a Fatal Four Way match last week.
Aliyah shows a surprisingly hard striking offense (some of the European uppercuts were as hard hitting as Cesaro’s), but Ember Moon showed why she’s still undefeated. Moon hit her Moon Landing top rope stunning, continuing a months-long undefeated streak. Winner: Ember Moon
Promos
At NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, Eric Young picked up a victory over Tye Dillinger. However, he is still not finished pursuing the Perfect 10 to join his group. Before the two clashed last Saturday, Young made it clear that he was not asking, but he was demanding for Dillinger to join SAnitY. After Young defeated Dillinger, he cut a promo somewhere backstage along with Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain (notably without Nikki Cross, who was put through a table in the Women’s Championship match) saying how he plans to “take.” Assumedly, this could include Dillinger and NXT as a whole.
We switch gears to Dillinger himself, who is being interviewed about his Royal Rumble appearance. After fans clamored for it, and even chanted for it, he entered the Rumble appropriately at the #10 spot, teaming up with Sami Zayn to unsuccessfully eliminate Braun Strowman.
Finally, Asuka, who retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross, Billie Kay, and Peyton Royce, is asked about her match. Asuka says that the match was tough, but that doesn’t matter since she still has the belt. The Empress of Tomorrow is asked about Ember Moon, who announced her intentions to come for the Women’s Championship on the TakeOver: San Antonio pre-show, but Asuka responds, “Ember who?”. Hopefully soon enough, Ember Moon and Asuka will square off.
Tyler Bate vs. Oney Lorcan – Special Attraction Match
This match is being billed as a “Special Attraction Match” because it features a Superstar who isn’t normally on NXT. Tyler Bate, who is only 19 years old, was first introduced to the WWE Universe in the United Kingdom Championship Tournament, where despite injury, he would defeat Pete Dunne in the finals to become the first-ever United Kingdom Champion in WWE history. On top of that, Bate is the second youngest person to ever acquire WWE gold, with the first being Rene Dupree.
Oney Lorcan is a great match for Tyler Bate, but it is the Englishman who comes out on top. Following an impressive airplane spin, Bate puts Lorcan away with the Tyler Driver ’97, the move that won him his championship. Winner: Tyler Bate
Promo
Roderick Strong defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas at TakeOver: San Antonio, and Cathy Kelly asks him for his thoughts following the win. Strong wants to put the NXT Universe on notice, and he says that it’s Roderick Strong vs. the world. Since Day One, Strong’s goal has been to capture the NXT Championship, and he would go through anyone who gets in his way. Andrade “Cien” Almas just happened to be the first person to get in his way.
Video Package
Corey Graves has been booked like crazy recently, going from NXT to Monday Night Raw to 205 Live. Because of the insane schedule, this episode of NXT is his last, and he will be moving to just main roster commentary. Before he is replaced by Nigel McGuiness (who you may have heard on commentary for the UK Championship Tournament), WWE creates a great send-off video package, chronicling his time from FCW to today.
Elias Samson vs. No Way Jose
Last week on NXT, Elias Samson interrupted No Way Jose celebrating a victory over Noah Potjes Kona Reeves. Jose obviously didn’t like this, the told the Drifter that his songs suck. Naturally, this will be settled in the ring.
No Way Jose hits Elias Samson with a pop-up forearm smash, putting the Drifter away to close the show. Winner: No Way Jose
