Last week on NXT, there managed to be four good matches packed into an hour-long episode. To start the night, former NXT Tag Team Champions Blake & Murphy were defeated by the unlikely, but highly talented, team of Austin Aries and Shinsuke Nakamura. This loss would lead to Alexa Bliss ending her time as the manager of Blake and Murphy. Following tag team action, Carmella would go on to defeat Peyton Royce in an impressive victory. After Carmella’s victory and a tag team victory for Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, Nia Jax got a big upset when she defeated Bayley in the main event.
Opening Segment
NXT General Manager William Regal announces that Bayley is unable to compete for the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver, so there will be a triple threat match tonight. In the main event, Alexa Bliss will take on Carmella and Nia Jax to determine the #1 Contender to Asuka’s Women’s Championship.
Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa vs. TM61 (Shane Thorne & Nick Miller)
Last week, Gargano and Ciampa defeated Rob Ryzin and Danny Burch in impressive tag team action, but tonight they face a debuting team. The recently signed team, TM61, is one of the hottest tag teams in the world (according to Corey Graves and Tom Philips) who got their start in Australia and had great success in Japan.
After a vicious running knee from Tommaso Ciampa, Ciampa tags in “Johnny Wrestling” for a running knee/superkick combination on Shane Thorne for the victory. Winners: Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
In-ring Segment
Austin Aries comes down to the ring to air some his frustrations about NXT. Austin Aries is one of the biggest name to sign with WWE this year, but as Aries said himself, timing is everything. When Aries debuted, he was overshadowed by the King of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura. Aries says that it is a matter of time before he will become NXT Champion, then Nakamura comes to ring and pretty much says the same thing. Following each Superstar laying their claims for the gold, William Regal appears and schedules a match. At TakeOver on June 8, Austin Aries will face Shinsuke Nakamura.
No Way Jose vs. Jonathan Ortagun
No Way Jose has made quite the impact since his debut a few weeks ago. He vitalizes the NXT audience with his dancing before, during, and after his matches. His move set is simple, but he is an entertaining enough character outside of that to get over with the crowd. He has made such an impact that on May 14, fellow NXT Superstars called it “No Way Day” and essentially made it a No Way Jose Appreciation Day on social media. If this is his impact after only a couple of matches, there are big things ahead for No Way Jose.
After a vicious right hand from the corner, No Way Jose hits a modified full nelson on Ortagun for the victory, continuing his undefeated streak. After the match, No Way Jose dances all the way to the back, including with Tom Philips and Corey Graves. Winner: No Way Jose
Corey Graves announces that next week, he will host an exclusive interview with Samoa Joe and Finn Balor before they face each other in a steel cage for the NXT Championship. Also, Austin Aries will take on “The Drifter,” Elias Samson on his way to facing Nakamura at TakeOver.
Carmella vs. Alexa Bliss va. Nia Jax – #1 Contender’s Match (NXT Women’s Championship)
Whoever wins this match will take on Asuka at TakeOver on June 8, and the #1 Contender will have an incredible opportunity to end Asuka’s undefeated streak and take home their first championship title. All three of these women have had multiple victories over the past several weeks, so they all have plenty of momentum going into this match.
After preventing Carmella from locking in the triangle choke, Nia Jax hits an atomic leg drop on the Princess of Staten Island for the victory. Winner, and NEW #1 contender: Nia Jax
