On this week’s episode of NXT, we have a tightly packed episode with a lot to uncover. Heavy Machinery return to in-ring action, we learn what Roderick Strong has planned next, Hideo Itami squares off with Oney Lorcan, No Way Jose looks to get payback on Killian Dain, and the women’s division gets some development as well.
Heavy Machinery vs. Lars Sullivan & Victor Andrews
The last time Lars Sullivan competed on NXT, he had a completely different name. He was in a tag team match where his partner took the fall, so Sullivan assaulted his partner. Now that he has a new partner, perhaps he could win a tag match now. If not, Victor Andrews might want to escape before Sullivan tries to destroy him.
Heavy Machinery, the team of Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic, was regularly featured for a couple months on NXT before losing TV time for the build for TakeOver: Orlando and TakeOver: Chicago. They combine their impressive size with speed and good tag team combinations, giving them moderate success since debuting.
As soon as Andrews is tagged in, the match turns in Heavy Machinery’s favor. Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic hits Andrews with the Compactor double team for the win. After they celebrate, they yell to the NXT Universe that they are coming after the Authors of Pain and the NXT Tag Team Championships. Winners: Heavy Machinery
As expected, Lars Sullivan picked up a downed Victor Andrews, then he proceeded to constantly beat down the man who cost him a match.
In-ring Segment
Roderick Strong comes down to the ring and addresses the NXT Universe. Strong thanks the fans for letting him tell his story and for accepting him before and after. He is happier than he has ever been in his career, but there is one thing his is still chasing: the NXT Championship. Bobby Roode, the NXT Champion, interrupts Strong and mocks him, fake crying over Strong’s “touching” story.
Roode spends five minutes insulting Strong, saying that he is not “man enough” to win. Before walking away, Roode says to Strong, “good luck, kid.”
Backstage (kind of) Segment
Nikki Cross seems to be on the roof of the NXT arena where she is maniacally ranting to herself, repeatedly saying “let’s play again.” Of course, this is referring to her match next week, where she gets another shot against Asuka and Ruby Riot for the NXT Women’s Championship. Cross then sits down and laughs to herself before to camera cuts away.
Sarah Logan vs. Peyton Royce (w/Billie Kay)
Before this match starts, Tom Phillips announces that Ember Moon is cleared to compete after suffering a shoulder injury that kept her out of TakeOver: Chicago. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay have had a good chunk of success since teaming up, but neither of them has managed to capture the NXT Women’s Championship from Asuka. Sarah Logan is relatively unknown in NXT, but she has years of experience in the independent scene as “Crazy” Mary Dobson.
Sarah Logan almost puts Peyton Royce away with a running knee, but Royce manages to kick out. Royce then puts away Logan with her fisherman suplex for the win. Winner: Peyton Royce
Backstage Segment
There is a brief video of Andrade “Cien” Almas following his loss to Cesar Bononi. Almas is seemingly heading to a party with some women when an unknown woman (Thea Trinidad) approaches him and yells at him in Spanish. She slaps him and the video cuts out.
Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan
Both men in this match could benefit greatly from a victory. Hideo Itami had a ton of momentum when he returned, but he lost at TakeOver: Chicago in an NXT Championship match against Bobby Roode. Oney Lorcan has been putting on great matches for months, but he always comes up on the losing end. Lorcan has lost to Drew McIntyre, Andrade “Cien” Almas, and many more while putting on tremendous performances.
Itami found someone who could strike as hard as he can, so he changed his strategy. Itami faked a knee injury, and while the referee tends to him, he kicks Lorcan’s leg out from under him. Itami hits Lorcan with three consecutive Go to Sleep finishing moves, and Kassius Ohno (a friend of Itami’s) runs to the ring to talk him out of it. Itami shoves Ohno, and Ohno shoves back before Itami heads to the back. The referee decides to throw the match out as a result. Result: No Contest
No Way Jose vs. Killian Dain
Before NXT TakeOver: Orlando, No Way Jose was attacked at WrestleMania Axxess by SAnitY. Jose returned last week to help Roderick Strong and Kassius Ohno to start finally getting revenge on the crazed group. Eric Young trusts Killian Dain enough to remove himself and Alexander Wolfe from ringside.
No Way Jose winds up for the right hook, but Killian Dain counters with a headbutt. Dain then finishes Jose off with the Ulcer Plantation to pick up the dominant win. Winner: Killian Dain
