Tonight starts the newest round of NXT television tapings, after NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II is in the books. With a lot of NXT’s biggest stars going to the main roster, it is time for the yellow brand to fill the gaps and establish a stronger roster than ever before. This should be pretty easy to do, with NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and the Era of Strong Style.
Tye Dillinger vs. Buddy Murphy
Last week on NXT in the midst of all of the TakeOver: Brooklyn highlights, Tye Dillinger had his first victory in quite some time when he defeated Wesley Blake. Before that victory, Dillinger most recently lost a series against Andrade “Cien” Almas and Shinsuke Nakamura’s NXT television debut. To start a winning streak, Dillinger looks to take on Wesley Blakes on-and-off partner, Buddy Murphy.
The match is pretty back-and-forth, but Tye Dillinger gets the edge and hits the Tye Breaker on Murphy to pick up the victory. Winner: Tye Dillinger
Backstage Segment
Johnny Gargano suffered a minor knee injury at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, when he and Tommaso Ciampa lost the The Revival. Gargano would have to compete four days later in the Cruiserweight Classic, where TJ Perkins would take advantage of the injury to lock in a kneebar. To give us an update, Tommaso Ciampa is being interviewed backstage.
Before Ciampa can say anything, The Revival come from behind and assault Ciampa. The assault heads to the ring, where Ciampa is laid out outside the ring.
Steve Cutler vs. Kenneth Crawford
Both Steve Cutler and Kenneth Crawford are pretty new to NXT, and both of these men have a chance to start a path to Superstardom tonight. Most of the time, Steve Cutler would lose to a more established talent, but now he has the opportunity to break the mold and move up the totem pole. Crawford is relatively unknown as well, and his impressive agility can keep his name in the minds of the NXT Universe and officials.
Kenneth Crawford hits an amazing running Shooting Star Press, but Cutler kicks out. Cutler regains stability and puts Crawford away with a fisherman slam that almost looks like a modified Michinoku Driver. Winner: Steve Cutler
No Way Jose vs. Angelo Dawkins
For someone who considers himself one of the elite talents in NXT, Angelo Dawkins sure does a poor job at proving it. Dawkins loses pretty much every match he has been in, but tonight can change things up. No Way Jose was on an undefeated streak until NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II a couple of weeks ago, where he lost to Austin Aries.
Dawkins keeps his losing streak going after No Way Jose lands a spinning Full Nelson Slam for the pinfall. Winner: No Way Jose
Backstage Segment
Andrade “Cien” Almas starts getting interviewed about his NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II loss, when Austin Aries interrupts everything.
Man, people really cannot get an interview in NXT.
Aries won his match against No Way Jose, but after the match, Hideo Itami showed up and laid Aries out with the Go to Sleep. Aries was automatically pushed out of the spotlight yet again, and he decided to take Almas’s spotlight. Aries talks a big game, but when Almas challenges him to a match next week, he retreats.
Liv Morgan vs. Aliyah
Now with Bayley officially gone from NXT, the women’s division needs some more star power. Liv Morgan has been wrestling for most recent weeks, but has not found much success. Aliyah has not been on NXT television as much, and needs to be impressive in this match to be considered for the Women’s Championship title picture.
Aliyah uses some unique submission offense, but Liv Morgan manages to hit a unique spinning heel kick to put Aliyah away. Winner: Liv Morgan
Backstage Segment
Another interview gets interrupted, making that three for three tonight. No Way Jose starts celebrating his victory earlier tonight, when Bobby Roode shows up and tells Jose, “Nice head.”
