Regardless of what you may have been told by either company, it’s no secret that tonight is truly the official start of the “Wednesday Night Wars.” The Black and Gold Brand came prepared with a night of phenomenal matches, stellar video packages, and a few aces up the sleeve.
The NXT Season Premiere opens with a pretty epic video package showcasing the NXT superstars as the narration states, “From now on WE are the most exclusive brand of combat in the world. If you’ve been looking for something more … Welcome home.”
NXT Championship Match: Matt Riddle (BROOOO) vs. Adam Cole (BAY BAY)
BRO! It’s the “Wednesday Night Wars” and we’re kicking this thing off with an NXT Title Match. Will the “Bro-phecy” come true? Last time Cole and Riddle faced off on an episode of NXT it was absolutely insane. This bout was no different as Riddle (who I’ve been tough on) has really become a top tier NXT talent. The King of Bros striking offense and selling during this match were nothing short of amazing. Riddle got most of the early offense in this one with a trifecta of gut-wrench suplexes, grapples, and more kicks than FIFA.
Cole picked his spots and reversed a fireman’s carry into a mid-air backstabber like I’ve never seen before. Again, someone give this guy a job at a car dealership because Riddle’s selling was spectacular. Other bright spots included a kick out after a Panama Sunrise, and a second Panama Sunrise attempt reversed into a Bro To Sleep. Riddle continued with a Floating Bro moonsault, but it wasn’t enough to get the pin fall. Shortly thereafter, Cole hits a second Panama Sunrise and goes for the Last Shot. The challenger reverses it into the Bro-mission but Cole escapes. Riddle tries a few more arm submissions but the leader of the Undisputed Era escapes again. Cole hits a big strike with his arm cast and quickly hits the Last shot to retain his NXT Title. What a match!!
Before Cole can celebrate his big win, none other than FINN BALOR approaches the ring. The Full Sail crowd goes absolutely bonkers with chants of “Welcome Back” and other things that should keep the FCC busy. Finn approaches Cole and says,”As of now, Finn Balor IS N-X-T!” Mic Drop.
I’m cool with it, as this is the first of several big reveals throughout the show. I did expect Finn to return this weekend at Hell in a Cell to join the OC or perhaps challenge the fiend. That being said, Finn’s usage on the red and blue brands has been questionable at best since his injury, so I say welcome home Finn.
The Velveteen Dream Experience
The Velveteen Dream who is usually fantastic cuts a promo in his purple haze. He essentially calls out Roddy Strong on the stage, but this promo didn’t really do anything for me. Short and sweet.
Io Shirai vs. Mia Yim
I’ve said it many time before, but Io Shirai’s transformation to a heel has been absolutely seemless. I’ve never seen a transition in the world of wrestling so flawlessly executed. Mia gets most of the early offense on Io. Shirai stops Yim’s momentum with a Dragon Screw and targets Yim’s Legs. Yim hits and impressive double knee strike after walking on her hands. Io makes a cocky cover that doesn’t get the job done. Yim rallies with Daniel Bryan esque Yes kicks, but Shirai almost takes it with a dragonrana pin. Io hits Rey’s patented 619 and hits an amazing springboard missile dropkick for another near fall. Yim eventually hits a Code Blue out of nowhere and Io barely escapes. Yim hits a suicide dive to the outside. Once back in the ring (and after the commercial) Shirai hits a superplex but can’t make the cover. Yim tries to recover, but a kick to the head and a moonsault cement the win for the Genius of the Sky.
Someone called in a few personal favors because Kevin Nash and Scott Hall are in the audience tonight!!
A Tegan Nox video package plays highlighting her unfortunate injury in the Mae Young Classic, but showcases her upcoming return to the ring.
Johnny Gargano vs. Shane Thorne
Finally, the heart and soul of NXT, Johnny Gargano is in action on the USA Network. Gargano attacks Thorne with a few pinning combinations early. Gargano takes it to his opponent and hits a suicide dive on Thorne. He hits a slingshot spear for the nearfall and attempts to the hit the slingshot DDT. Thorne reverses and eventually hits a big time power-bomb for a near upset! Thorne is in control. Johnny Wrestling takes a beating but hits a reverse-rana and hits the DIY superkick for the win! Great showing by Gargano and I’m excited to see what’s next for him.
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Candice LeRae vs. Shayna Baszler
Candice takes the fight to the champion immediately. She even knocks Baszler out of the ring and hits an impressive springboard cross-body. LeRae goes for a top rope attack but Bazler knocks her off the top rope to the outside. Baszler throws the challenger into the steel ring steps and taunts her. Baszler crushes Candice’s left arm against the ring steps. The Queen of Spades continues to target the arm. Candice hits a running ddt on the apron to turn the tables. Candice hits a super impressive trifecta of suicide dives, something I’ve been waiting to see on TV. (A spot we saw from the Toms River house show) LeRae climbs to the top rope but Baszler hits a suplex from the top. Both women are down. Shayna locks in the Kirifuda Clutch after the commercial break, but LeRae reverses into a Kirifuda Clutch submission of her own! Eventually LeRae hit an amazing jumping swinging neckbreaker off the top! Candice hits an Unprettier and a sprinboard moonsault, but is caught by Baszler. Baszler locks in the submission again and LeRae eventually taps. Great match by both of these women, but I wish it had been just a little bit longer!
Pete Dunn vs. Danny Burch
This match was all technique, if that’s your cup of tea. The constant reversals turned into one strike after another. Headbutts, closed fists, and kick aplenty in this one. As expected as soon as Dunne starts to work the fingers, the tide turns. Dunne quickly hits the Bitter End for the win.
Post-match the lights go out and Damien Priest (fka Punishment Martinez) lays out the former UK Champion.
Up next on the NXT Season Premiere, Wale serves as the hype man as the Street Profits make their way to the ring for the NXT Tag Team Title Match. The crowd is into it and have been amazing all night. I am however, surprised that the Tag Title match is the closer. These guys always deliver, so it’s a safe play. Ford shows his speed and jumping ability right out of the gate until he is slowed by the O’Relly’s technical prowess. The tandem offense of the Undisputed Era is too much for Montez Ford who has been in the ring for way too long. Ford hits a Rock Bottom, but Fish knocks Dawkins off the apron so no tag can be made.
The Undisputed Era hit a wheelbarrow suplex of sorts but Ford somehow kicks out. The story of this match is Ford surviving and somehow being able to make a tag. Ford finally uses his agility to jump his way to Angelo Dawkins. Dawkins gets the hot tag and takes on both Fish and O’Reilly. Breaking a few rules, the Undisputed Era are able to regain control and work Dawkins’ leg. Dawkins escapes and tags in his partner. Ford hits a Frog Splash to no avail. The Undisputed Era try to take their ball and go home but Ford gives Riochet a run for his money with an AMAZING jump over the corner turnbuckle to the outside. Grab your Air-SICK-ness bags because the amount of height this guy gets is incredible. Unfortunately Roddy gets involved in the match, allowing his partners to hit the high low to retain.
Classic Undisputed Era win. As Adam Cole makes his way down the ring, a familiar face, nay, beard make’s it’s long awaited return to NXT.
Tomasso Ciampa returns as many of us had predicted!! Ciampa circles Cole and his former love Goldie (The NXT Title) with a stare down to end the night.
After three title matches and a few surprise returns, it’s safe to say that NXT gave us a scaled down version of a Takeover caliber show tonight with The NXT Season Premiere. The NXT Season Premiere stuck to the script and didn’t get cute and/or take any shots at other brands. After showcasing most of its A-Talent, the black and gold brand stayed the course tonight. And that’s exactly what has made this brand what is today. All of these superstars who have always fought with a chip on their shoulder really brought it tonight. They showed us, as they do week in and week out that the future is here and now.
 NXT Season Premiere saw a ton of surpises, great matches, a red hot crowd, and logical storytelling -- simply the best wrestling going.){kind=link}