This week, NXT focuses on finishing the card for NXT TakeOver: New Orleans while also showcasing the semifinals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Highlights include the first appearances of EC3 and Ricochet, as well as SAnitY vs. Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne in the main event.
Tommaso Ciampa Confronts William Regal
After being sneak attacked by Johnny Gargano last week, Tommaso Ciampa confronts NXT General Manager William Regal to do something about it. Regal sets up a match for NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Ciampa will take on Gargano in an “Unsanctioned Match,” which essentially has no rules. If Gargano wins, he is reinstated in NXT. If he loses, he is banished from NXT forever. This will undoubtedly be incredible, but the stipulation sounds eerily similar to what is going on with Daniel Bryan on SmackDown Live.
William Regal Makes a Huge Announcement
After his confrontation with Tommaso Ciampa, William Regal heads to the ring to announce the NXT North American Championship. This is going to act as the “measuring stick” for those in this continent. As he goes into detail, he is interrupted by EC3. EC3 was in the crowd at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, but this is his first official appearance as an NXT Superstar. EC3 was formerly in WWE as Derrick Bateman before reinventing himself as Ethan Carter III. Since his full name references a TNA executive, WWE is keeping it shortened.
EC3 goes on thinking that the title will just be awarded to him, but he is assured that no one is handed anything in NXT. He will, however, get to compete at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans for the new title against five other Superstars in a ladder match. EC3 doesn’t flinch and instead remains confident to prove that he is the “top 1% of this industry.”
Ember Moon and Shayna Baszler Brawl
TM61 are being interviewed in the WWE Performance Center when Shayna Baszler is seen brawling with Ember Moon in the background. The brawl gets out of hand quick, but those training quickly swoop in to pull them apart. In New Orleans, Baszler challenges Moon for the NXT Women’s Championship.
The Street Profits vs. The Authors of Pain (w/Paul Ellering) – Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (Round Two)
For the second time this year, the Street Profits go head-to-head with the Authors of Pain. The first time, Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford saw their undefeated streak end. This time, the winner heads to the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Montez Ford is at ringside taunting Paul Ellering while Angelo Dawkins is getting double-teamed inside the ring. Before Ford knows it, the match is over thanks to the Final Chapter. Winners: The Authors of Pain | Eliminated: The Street Profits
Lars Sullivan vs. John Silver
After weeks of being away from the ring, Lars Sullivan returns to destroy an irrelevant wrestler. Sullivan completely destroys his opponent before finishing him off with the Freak Accident. Next week, Sullivan takes on Killian Dain. Winner: Lars Sullivan
Competitors for North American Title Ladder Match Announced
In the ladder match for the North American Championship, EC3 will take on Adam Cole, Velveteen Dream, Killian Dain, Lars Sullivan, and Ricochet (also known as Prince Puma in Lucha Underground).
Andrade “Cien” Almas Assaults Aleister Black
As soon as Aleister Black arrives at the arena, Andrade “Cien” Almas assaults him. The attack goes through the backstage area and ends in the center of the ring, where Almas taunts him with the NXT Championship.
SAnitY vs. Roderick Strong & Pete Dunne – Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (Round Two)
Last week, Roderick Strong shocked the NXT Universe by getting a spot in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with his mystery partner, United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne.
Roderick Strong sends Alexander Wolfe out of the ring with the End of Heartbreak, then he and Pete Dunne double-team Eric Young to secure the win. The move on to face the winners of the previous Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, the Authors of Pain. Winners: Roderick Strong & Pete Dunne | Eliminated: SAnitY
