Yet again, NXT has a championship defended in the main event. Along with the Authors of Pain defending the NXT Tag Team Championships against Heavy Machinery, this week’s episode features a Mae Young Classic qualifying match and a very unexpected debut.
Aleister Black vs. Bobby Fish
It is incredibly out of the blue, but this is Bobby Fish’s first match in NXT. Fish is mostly known for his work in Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling as part of the tag team ReDRagon with Kyle O’Reilly. Fish and O’Reilly have won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships twice, and the Ring of Honor Tag Team Championships three times. Fish has also held the Ring of Honor Television Championship and was ranked #26 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Top 500 Singles Wrestlers of 2016.
Bobby Fish gives Aleister Black a run for his money in his debut, but he cannot topple NXT’s most impressive striker (sorry, Hideo Itami). After a jumping knee strike that leaves Fish limp, Black hits him with the Black Mass spinning heel kick to finish him off. Winner: Aleister Black
Backstage Segments
There is a WWE.com exclusive video (not so exclusive anymore) featuring the backstage fallout from SAnitY’s attack on Kassius Ohno and Hideo Itami from last week. Ohno has seen Itami’s frustration over the past few weeks and he tells Itami that he needs to stop blaming other people for his problems.
There is supposed to be an interview with the Velveteen Dream, but he doesn’t think that the setting is right.
Lastly, there is a “fan video” of SAnitY attacking Drew McIntyre as he was leaving the arena last week. After assaulting McIntyre, Alexander Wolfe says that “Mr. Undefeated’s” time is running out. This leads to Bobby Roode in William Regal’s office. Regal notes that both McIntyre and Killian Dain are undefeated and Roode suggests that the two unbeaten Superstars should face each other. Regal likes the idea and the winner of their match next week will face Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III.
Promo Package
There is an interesting video that promotes the debut of a new tag team called the Street Prophets, compromised of Angelo Dawkins (formerly nicknamed the “Curse of Greatness”) and Montez Ford. It is hard to tell what is going on in the video, but it seems like they try to live a VIP lifestyle.
Vanessa Borne vs. Jayme Hachey – Mae Young Classic Qualifier
After Bianca Belair qualified for the Mae Young Classic a few weeks ago by defeating Aliyah, two new women look to do the same. Vanessa Borne has a background in cheerleading for Arizona Cardinals before being signed by NXT. Jaymey Hachey has a mat wrestling background, qualifying for the state championships in her high school days.
After a swift kick to the chest, Vanessa Borne scoops Jayme Hachey up for a finishing move that looks like a combination between Baron Corbin’s Deep Six and Sami Zayn’s Blue Thunder Bomb. Winner, and NEW Mae Young Classic Entrant: Vanessa Borne
Johnny Gargano’s Return
At NXT TakeOver: Chicago, the show closed with an incredibly shocking moment. #DIY lost to The Authors of Pain in a ladder match, and Tommaso Ciampa decided that he was tired of feeling like an afterthought. Knowing he would be injured for a while, Ciampa made an impact by attacking his partner and sending him crashing through several tables.
Tonight marks Johnny Gargano’s first appearance on NXT since the attack. Gargano says that the WWE Universe and being in the ring are irreplaceable. He never expected Ciampa to turn on him, especially after their incredibly long friendship. He is ready to become Johnny Wrestling, and he walks out with a new entrance theme.
The Authors of Pain (c) vs. Heavy Machinery – NXT Tag Team Championships
Because of how large both teams are, this is quite literally the biggest NXT Tag Team Championship match ever. This is the first time that Akam and Rezar have been the lighter team in the match, but they still have the height advantage.
Heavy Machinery look to take out Akam with a double team called the Compactor, but Rezar rushes into the ring to prevent it. The Authors of Pain then finish up the match with a double team of their own, combining a clothesline and a Russian Leg Sweep. Winners, and STILL NXT Tag Team Champions: The Authors of Pain
After the match, SAnitY shows up to signify that they are looking at capturing the NXT Tag Team Championships.
