Tonight, NXT looks forward while also saying goodbye to the most dominant champion in the brand’s history. Somehow, NXT manages to fit in four matches topped by a No Disqualification match between Kassius Ohno and Hideo Itami as well as the farewell for the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka.
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Cezar Bononi
This might seem like a throwaway match to build some momentum for Andrade “Cien” Almas, but there is a story here (believe it or not). A month or so ago, Almas took on Cezar Bononi and was a little too “tranquilo” for his own good, leading to Bononi picking up the biggest win of his career. After that embarrassing loss, Almas aligned himself with Salina Vega, who has lit a fire under him and led Almas to unleash newfound aggression.
Backstage Segment
Last week after Drew McIntyre appeared on the stage to acknowledge Roderick Strong’s victory over Bobby Roode, he was jumped from behind by Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish, and Adam Cole, just like at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III. William Regal addresses this in a video from his office, saying that if the former Ring of Honor competitors want to be a part of NXT, they have to compete in the ring.
Lars Sullivan vs. Three Irrelevant Men
Like Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, and Adam Cole, Lars Sullivan has also been attacking other competitors outside of sanctioned matches. Time and time again, Sullivan has been paired up with a tag team partner who ends up losing the match for him, and Sullivan just assaults him after the match. Since this has happened three times already, William Regal scheduled a 3-on-1 handicap match for the big man.
After Sullivan asks the referee for all three opponents to be in the ring at the same time, he decimates all of them. To no surprise, Sullivan gets an easy win. Winner: Lars Sullivan
Sullivan continues the assault after the match but he is interrupted by No Way Jose. It seemed like the two were going to compete in Brooklyn one week after TakeOver, but Sullivan assaulted Jose from behind, “stopping the largest conga line BK has ever seen.” Jose wants Sullivan to fight him without any cheap shots, but Sullivan leaves Jose laid out in the middle of the ring.
Interviews w/Velveteen Dream & Johnny Gargano
An interviewer for NXT is outside of Asuka’s locker room looking to get the scoop on her vacating the title, but she is interrupted by the Velveteen Dream. He doesn’t say much other than that he saw someone at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn that caught his attention and he looks to speak about that “soon.”
Later, Johnny Gargano is at the WWE Performance Center being interviewed by media when he is interrupted by Tino Sabatelli and Riddick Moss, of all people. They make fun of how his TakeOver: Brooklyn III match ended and tell him to find a new tag team partner because he can’t “cut it” as a singles competitor. Gargano challenges either them to a match next week to prove them wrong.
Sonya Deville vs. Zeda
Fans of the Mae Young Classic may recognize Zeda as one of the two women in the tournament representing China. Zeda lost in the first round, but she had an impressive match against Shayna Baszler, who will face Japan’s Kairi Sane in the live finale.
Speaking of Shayna Baszler, it seems like she is exactly what they are trying to do with Sonya Deville. Baszler is a former UFC competitor and already has transitioned well to the squared circle, giving the “badass” aura that they are trying to deliver with Deville. Time will tell whether or not this works for Deville but for now, it could be better.
To no surprise, Deville picks up a victory here in an MMA-style sprint after a sudden triangle choke. It does seem like even though she has less experience, Zeda is the better wrestler of the two with an MMA background. Winner (via submission): Sonya Deville
Kassius Ohno vs. Hideo Itami – No Disqualification Match
Over the past few months, Hideo Itami has felt that he hasn’t gotten the respect he deserves. Kassius Ohno, his friend at the time, tried to help Itami out in his pursuit to the top but Itami kept getting angrier and angrier, eventually taking out his aggression on Ohno. Last week, Ohno asked for a chance to get his hands on Itami, but this time, with no disqualifications.
Itami tried to counter the rolling elbow with a low blow like their last match, but Ohno catches Itami’s foot. Ohno then hits a low blow of his own to set up for the rolling elbow, finally picking up a victory over his former friend. Winner: Kassius Ohno
Announcement
Next week, Pete Dunne will defend the WWE United Kingdom Championship against Scotland’s Wolfgang. Dunne and Wolfgang teamed up a couple weeks ago to defeat Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate and Trent Seven) and this convinced William Regal to give Wolfgang a shot at the gold. Dunne has held the title since NXT TakeOver: Chicago when he captured the belt from Bate and he has scarcely defended it since.
Asuka Relinquishes the NXT Women’s Championship
After successfully defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Ember Moon, it was revealed that Asuka suffered a collarbone injury and would be vacating her title. The Empress of Tomorrow has held the gold for exactly 523 days, and she has never lost a match since debuting in NXT under two years ago. Now, we find out what happens next with the longest reigning champion of the modern era.
Before announcing the news, Asuka comes down to the ring and says how grateful she is for NXT, where she has grown. She says that no matter where she goes, NXT will always be with her. William Regal calls Asuka one of the greatest champions in WWE (not NXT) history, before announcing that they are negotiating with both Raw General Manager Kurt Angle and SmackDown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan to figure out where she goes next.
