To kick off the week, Monday Night Raw was the official start of the brand split. Because of this, there have been several NXT Superstars who have been called up to the main roster. This includes Eva Marie, Alexa Bliss, Finn Balor (who is main eventing SummerSlam), American Alpha, Nia Jax, Carmella, and Mojo Rawley. With several top NXT stars (and Mojo Rawley) leaving the developmental brand, NXT needs to fill the gaps. How will tonight’s episode build the roster and move forward towards NXT TakeOver: Back to Brooklyn?
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Wesley Blake
Two weeks ago, Shinsuke Nakamura defeated the “icon” of NXT, Finn Balor. In his pursuit of the NXT Championship, Nakamura felt that he needed to defeat Balor in order to prepare himself for an NXT Championship opportunity. The King of Strong Style feels that he is the rightful #1 Contender, even though it has not been confirmed yet.
Wesley Blake is a former NXT Tag Team Champion, along with Buddy Murphy, when they were managed by Alexa Bliss. Blake has not been successful recently, and a win over Nakamura, who is undefeated, would be huge for his career.
Nakamura gets the better of Blake, and hits him with Kinshasa (Corey Graves’s yell included) for the win. Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
After the match, NXT General Manager William Regal appears at the stage to announce the main event of NXT TakeOver: Back to Brooklyn. Headlining the show will be Samoa Joe defending the NXT Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura.
Billie Kay vs. Santana Garrett
Santana Garrett has has some experience wrestling for NXT, but has not seen many (or any) victories. Billie Kay is another Superstar who is new to the WWE Universe, but she did make her Smackdown debut in a loss to Dana Brooke several weeks ago.
This match will help start to lay the groundwork for the future of NXT Women’s Division. With four women drafted to the main roster and Bayley getting called up at any given time, NXT could use more solid female talent on their roster.
Billie Kay takes advantage of a stunned Santana Garrett and hits her with a running big boot for the victory. Winner: Billie Kay
TM61 vs. Adrian Nails & Rob Ryzin
Shane Thorne and Nick Miller (TM61) joined the NXT roster recently after making waves wrestling in Australia. Nails and Ryzin have not been making waves anywhere.
Thorne and Miller hit Thunder Valley on Adrian Nails to pick up a solid victory. Winners: TM61
A video package announces that Hideo Itami will return to action next week!
No Way Jose vs. Steve Cutler
No Way Jose was attacked by Austin Aries several weeks ago after Jose tried to cheer him up throught the power of dance. Since then, Aries and Jose have had unfinished business.
Cutler hits Jose enough times forcing Jose to snap. No Way Jose then proceeds to destroy Cutler, finishing the match with a Full Nelson Slam for the victory. Winner: No Way Jose
After the match, No Way Jose grabs a microphone and warns Austin Aries that he has been underestimated. Aries thinks of Jose as just a dancing, fun-loving guy, but No Way Jose has a serious mean side that could get Aries hurt is he is not careful.
Buddy Murphy vs. Kota Ibushi
Since Wesley Blake tried to get the better of Shinsuke Nakamura, Buddy Murphy has decided to 1-up his former partner. In order to show that he is better than Blake, Buddy Murphy challenged one of the hardest hitting wrestlers around, Kota Ibushi.
Kota Ibushi was first introduced to WWE fans through the Cruiserweight Classic, where he had an impressive victory over Sean Maluta to advance to the second round. Hopefully this match is not the only time we see Kota Ibushi in NXT. If Ibushi signs with WWE, he will join Nakamura, Asuka, and Hideo Itami as the big Japanese stars in NXT.
Buddy Murphy almost puts Ibushi away, but Ibushi hits Murphy with an emphatic sit-out powerbomb for an impressive victory. Winner: Kota Ibushi
Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode will also be in action next week!
