With the next NXT TakeOver special being the day before SummerSlam in August, there is plenty of time to build up Superstars and create must-see matches for another special in Brooklyn. With tonight’s episode of NXT being in the middle of the road, how will tonight shape each division NXT has to offer?
Alexa Bliss vs. Carmella
Both of these very talented women have had similar paths in their NXT careers. Alexa Bliss managed former Tag Team Champions, Blake and Murphy. Carmella aligned herself with Enzo Amore and Big Cass, who had multiple NXT Championship opportunities. They both have changed to a solo career focus, with each Superstar failing to capture the NXT Women’s Championship from the champion at the time, Bayley.
The most recent similarity between Bliss and Carmella is that they both competed in the same triple threat match to determine the #1 Contender for the Women’s Championship. Nia Jax would end up winning the match, and even though both Bliss and Carmella lost, Carmella was the one who was pinned.
To end a very impressive match between two competitors who are overlooked, Alexa Bliss gets the better of Carmella and hits Twisted Bliss (formerly known as the Sparkle Splash). Winner: Alexa Bliss
Backstage Segment
Shinsuke Nakamura is talking to the camera about his match in two weeks with Finn Balor. Of course Nakamura wants to pursue the NXT Championship, but he knows that he has to prepare by facing one of the best, Finn Balor (or as Nakamura calls him, the icon of NXT). He promises to give everyone something “sensational” when he faces Balor.
We switch gears to Bayley getting interviewed, and the former NXT Women’s Champion says that she is pursuing another NXT Women’s Championship title shot. Bayley is interrupted by Alexa Bliss, who claims that she is more qualified to be the #1 Contender. All things hint toward both Superstars squaring off in a #1 Contender’s match (even though Bayley should be able to cash in her rematch clause from when she lost the title to Asuka).
Noah Potjes vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Apparently, the last time we saw Potjes in action was last month, when he lost to No Way Jose. Tonight he squares of against another newer face to the NXT roster, Andrade “Cien” Almas. Almas has been on a roll as of late, picking up multiple victories over Tye Dillinger while displaying an impressively fluid aerial move set.
Potjes gives his best effort, but Almas is just a little too much. Almas hits the running knees into a seated Potjes in the corner, and gets the pinfall victory to keep his winning streak alive. Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas
Backstage Segment
Austin Aries is being interviewed backstage, and he is furious about how the Full Sail University crowd (that gets worse and worse as time goes on) constantly cheers someone like No Way Jose, but boos Aries. Aries has had a very successful career across the globe, and No Way Jose has just started his career. Since the fans boo Aries, the self-professed Greatest Man Who Ever Lived is determined to give the fans something they will not like.
Finn Balor gives his take on how important his match against Shinsuke Nakamura in a couple weeks. Balor goes into their friendship, saying that outside of wrestling that they are really good friends. There is nothing personal going into this match, and according to Balor (and any wrestling fan on the planet, for that matter), this is going to be “something special.”
Before the next segment, Corey Graves confirms that Bayley will face Alexa Bliss, but it is noticeably not a #1 Contender’s match.
The Hype Bros vs. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
Gargano and Ciampa have found surprising success over the last month as a tag team that has peaked with a non-title victory over the current NXT Tag Team Champions, The Revival. These wins do a great job for Gargano and Ciampa as they head into the inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Classic, which starts two weeks from now right after NXT.
The Hype Bros have barely teamed recently, which might be because of Zack Ryder’s post-Intercontinental Championship title run on the main roster. Now that Ryder and Rawley are back as a tandem, a win over Gargano and Ciampa could make this team stand out in a competitive NXT tag team division.
Tommaso Ciampa interrupts the Broski Boot, leading to Ciampa and Gargano kicking Ryder in the head at the same time. Ciampa covers a knocked out Ryder for the win. Winners: Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
Johnny Gargano grabs a microphone and says that they deserve an NXT Tag Team Championship opportunity since they defeated the Revival a few weeks ago. He is interrupted by American Alpha, who lost the Tag Team Championships to The Revival at NXT TakeOver: The End. American Alpha (like Bayley) deserve the title shot because of the traditional rematch clause for losing a championship.
The Revival come out to the stage to decide what happens when the true authority, NXT General Manager William Regal, comes out to settle everything. Next week, The Revival will defend the Tag Team Championship against American Alpha in a 2-out-of-3 falls match, which is sure to be phenomenal.
After the segment seems to end, the Authors of Pain ambush American Alpha, and lay them out in the middle of the ring. When the assault ends, Paul Ellering motions them to the stage and they stand tall to end NXT.
