Last week on NXT, Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, Alexa Bliss, and American Alpha all picked up victories that will further their NXT careers. On the road to the next TakeOver special, these wins were very crucial.
Tonight’s main event features a rematch from TakeOver: London when Bayley takes on Nia Jax.
Blake & Murphy (w/Alexa Bliss) vs. Austin Aries & Shinsuke Nakamura
Last week, Blake and Murphy interrupted between a conversation between Austin Aries and NXT General Manager William Regal demanding a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championships. William Regal said that in order to consider Blake and Murphy as #1 Contenders, they would have to prove themselves. In order to do so, they would have to face Austin Aries and a partner of his choosing tonight. Aries just happened to choose one of the best Superstars on the roster and the King of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura.
The former NXT Tag Team Champions give it their best shot, but Nakamura dominates the whole match, ending with delivering Kinshasa to Murphy. Winners: Austin Aries & Shinsuke Nakamura
After the match, a frustrated Alexa Bliss walks away from Blake and Murphy and heads to the back. Soon after, Blake follows suit and leaves Murphy dumbfounded all by himself at ringside.
Carmella vs. Peyton Royce
Before the match starts, there is a backstage clip where Carmella says that Enzo Amore, who is out of action due to a concussion, will be back sooner rather than later. Carmella stayed in NXT when her male allies got called up to the main roster, and she has a good opportunity to focus on her singles career. Peyton Royce has been on NXT frequently, but she has not found much success. A win over Carmella could get Royce enough momentum to put her on the map.
Carmella hits an inverted STO and combines it with an inverted triangle choke on Peyton Royce to pick up the victory. Winner (via submission): Carmella
Video Package
We are taken back to a house show in Portland, Oregon where Finn Balor and Samoa Joe brawl which needs the entire NXT locker room to come to the ring to stop them. This caused William Regal to host a press conference on Facebook to announce a match at the next NXT TakeOver special. Finn Balor will challenge Samoa Joe for the NXT Championship, and for the first time ever in NXT, it will be inside a steel cage.
Backstage Segment
Alexa Bliss tells Blake and Murphy her frustrations with their multiple losses, and has decided to stop being their manager, and is now focusing on the NXT Women’s Championship.
Rob Ryzin & Danny Burch vs. Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa debuted as a tag team, and while they have had plenty of singles matches, they are the most effective when they work together. This will not help them in the summer when they compete in the Cruiserweight Classic (formerly known as the Global Cruiserweight Series), which is a singles tournament featuring top Cruiserweight talent across several wrestling promotions.
Ryzin and Burch are making their debut tonight, and like any new face, a win here could be crucial for their momentum.
Well, their momentum is nonexistent. Tommaso Ciampa hits a vicious kick on Rob Ryzin to pick up the victory for himself and Gargano. Winners: Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano
Backstage Segment
William Regal announces that at the next TakeOver special, American Alpha will defend their NXT Tag Team Championship titles against the former champions, The Revival.
Bayley vs. Nia Jax
The last time Bayley and Nia Jax squared off, Bayley was defending the Women’s Championship and was only able to put Jax away by choking her out. Other than Asuka, who defeated Bayley for the Women’s Championship, Nia Jax was the most difficult challenge during Bayley’s title reign. Both of these women are pursing championship gold, and whoever wins this match will be one step closer.
After a leg drop to the back of Bayley’s head, Nia Jax gets a shocking upset by pinning the former Women’s Champion. Winner: Nia Jax
