Tonight, we have the most exciting episode of NXT so far this year. Of course, there is a build towards TakeOver: Orlando (which takes place the night before WrestleMania on April 1st), but we have a match that’s unique for WWE, or even NXT. To main event the evening, we will have the first-ever WWE United Kingdom Championship title defense when Tyler Bate puts his belt on the line against Trent Seven.
The Authors of Pain (w/Paul Ellering) vs. Two Local Wrestlers
Ever since they debuted, The Authors of Pain have been undefeated. They decimated the tag team division, won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic by defeating TM61, and they captured the NXT Tag Team Championships from #DIY at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio last month. Currently, The Authors of Pain and their championships are being pursued by the former two-time tag champs, The Revival.
After barely any effort, the NXT Tag Team Champions hit the Last Chapter to pick up a quick, and almost pointless, victory. Winners: The Authors of Pain
Medical Update
Shinsuke Nakamura injured his knee while defending the NXT Championship at TakeOver: San Antonio, which led to Bobby Roode essentially stealing the victory over the two-time champ. Last week, we learned that the King of Strong Style will not need surgery, and tonight we find out that he is back at the Performance Center getting ready to come back to in-ring action.
Billie Kay & Peyton Royce vs. Liv Morgan & Ember Moon
Last week, Liv Morgan picked up a roll-up victory over Billie Kay after Peyton Royce tried to interfere in the match. Kay and Royce complained to General Manager William Regal, accusing Morgan of cheating and demanding a rematch. William Regal agreed to their demands, and gave them a rematch with one condition: it would be a tag team match, where Morgan could choose her partner. Morgan chose wisely, by picking the undefeated Ember Moon (who defeated Billie Kay in her debut at TakeOver: Brooklyn II).
Billie Kay knocks Ember Moon out to the floor near ringside, making it a two-on-one situation against Morgan. Kay and Royce hit their double team knee strike on Morgan, picking up a swift win. Winners: Billie Kay & Peyton Royce
In-ring Segment
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa come down to the ring and cut a promo demanding their rematch for the NXT Tag Team Championships. Their confidence is boosted since in their unsuccessful title defense in San Antonio, they saw doubt in the eyes of The Authors of Pain. Paul Ellering appears on the stage with Akam and Rezar. Ellering accepts, saying that #DIY will have their rematch in two weeks. Tommaso Ciampa doesn’t want to wait, but they are attacked from behind by The Revival, who scurry to the back before they have to deal with the current champions.
Video Package
Kassius Ohno (known in the independent wrestling scene as Chris Hero) is back in NXT, and we have a brief video package hyping his return. No timetable is given, other than “soon.”
Announcement
William Regal announces that next week, we will have a triple threat match next week to determine the #1 Contender for Asuka’s NXT Women’s Championship. Liv Morgan, Ember Moon, and Peyton Royce will compete for a chance to face the Empress of Tomorrow in two weeks for the gold. The March 1st episode of NXT is jam-packed, with two championship matches already scheduled.
Tyler Bate (c) vs. Trent Seven – WWE United Kingdom Championship
Exactly a month ago, Tyler Bate became the WWE United Kingdom Champion by winning four matches in a two-day tournament, topped off by an incredible match against Pete Dunne. Trent Seven was an early favorite going into the tournament, but he faced a shocking loss to Wolfgang in the second round. Tonight, Seven gets a second chance at the UK Championship when he faces his tag team partner in the team of Moustache Mountain. If you watched the United Kingdom Championship Tournament, you already know you’re in for a treat.
Bate and Seven deliver as expected, but the champion comes out on top after hitting his former mentor with the Tyler Driver ’97. Hopefully we will see more United Kingdom Championship action on NXT in the near future. Winner, and STILL WWE United Kingdom Champion: Tyler Bate
