Welcome everyone to Full Sail University in sunny Orlando, Florida, for the black-and-gold brand grabbing the brass ring on route to Survivor Series! In recent weeks, we’ve seen Adam Cole defeat Daniel Bryan 1-2-3 in the middle of the ring, Shayna Baszler take out Bayley, and Imperium dismantling Heavy Machinery. But, after The OC came in to plow through Undisputed Era (seemingly with Finn Balor’s approval) last week, how safe is home base for NXT tonight?
Angel Garza vs Lio Rush (c) for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
I had fears for both of these men in the past, Garza continuing active schedule with shoulder issues and Lio Rush tripping over his own mouth on social media. Having them both in the ring together for a title is huge win for them and for me as a fan. This was PPV worthy to say the least and, at times, I had flashbacks to old Monday Nitros when you could see Chris Jericho vs Juventud Guerrera or Psicosis vs Eddie Guerrero or Rey Mysterio vs [Title Vacant] on any given week. That was the level of “go” these two had in this match.
It’s cringey to hear (and definitely to say) but Angel Garza really does elicit memories of Eddie Guerrero. He’s got a natural fluidity that comes from being raised in a multigenerational wrestling family and a gift for body language with pantomime you can see from the cheap seats. When he does his “pants off” routine directly in front of Lio’s family, you instantly give the heat he’s looking for. Some huge moments including both men kicking out the other’s finisher and a moonsault powerslam that could have ended any match anywhere. Ultimately, Lio retains with The Final Hour.
Winner and STILL champion… Lio Rush!
Outside the arena, producers and other staff are scrambling to attend to Teagan Nox, clutching her shoulder, and Rhea Ripley who has been laid out cold! Are RAW or Smackdown here? Beth Phoenix thinks it could be their War Games rivals on Team Baszler and we recap the tear that The Queen of Spades has been on, terrorizing all three brands.
Xia Li vs Aliyah (w/ Vanessa Bourne)
It’s been some time since I’ve seen Aliyah in the ring but her improvement is duly noted. The bougie gimmick she’s sporting is helping too as, if there’s anything that can frustrate male and female demographics, it’s a pretty girl who doth believe her excrement emits no odor. Xia Li has the striking and strength/power advantage, though, so she’s in survival mode for most of the match. Lil’ Al ducks a roundhouse kick but gets caught directly on the nose with the follow up. After Aliyah is pinned, trainers come out to help Borne tend to her bleeding beak.
Winner… Xia LI!
In a short video package, Killian Dain lets us know that he’s about as happy with Pete Dunne pulling his finger-breaking routine on him as I’d imagine Marty Scurll is. Difference is, Killian Dain can do something about it and face The Bruiserweight later tonight.
The Full Sail faithful have a loud but mixed reaction to newly-returned NXT son, Finn Bálor. If anyone is expecting an apology or explanation for his recent actions, they’re sorely disappointed. Finn is disgusted by what NXT has become, belittling the injured “Heart of NXT” by asking what all the fuss was about for the injured Johnny Gargano who Finn laid out with a Pelé kick three weeks ago. When he gets to Matt Riddle, though, he’s met by The King of Bros, himself who cracks him with multiple high kicks as they brawl in and out of the ring. When Finn’s knocked over the guardrails into the audience, he starts to retreat. Cue the boom because The Undisputed Era’s music plays and they’re out tell Riddle he’s caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. They surround the ring but Tammaso Ciampa and Keith Lee come to lend riddle a hand! A war of words takes place and, suddenly, we’ve got a match!
Keith Lee vs Roderick Strong
When Keith Lee first signed up with NXT, I had some concerns. As impressive as his aerial talents are, a lot of it seemed needless on the independent scene and I thought he’d lose some of the fan support when he inevitably dialed it back. If anything, it has been a godsend because he has really upped his game as a big man stylist. He gets babyface heat against Roderick Strong throughout the match despite showing off his power constantly. That is no mean feat, folks. Hulk Hogan. Tony Atlas. The list of who has pulled that off is very short.
Roddy gets a “Mama Mia!” chant out the crowd with a superplex on the 300 pounder but can’t get a three count. Undisputed Era comes out but are intercepted by Ciampa and Riddle. Bálor jumps in to take out Matt Riddle against the ring steps. Strong almost steals it with an Angle Slam during the chaos but Keith Lee kicks out and avoids a running dropkick to hit an AA for the non-title win.
Your winner… Keith Lee!
Undisputed Era go to work picking the bones of Keith Lee and Tommaso Ciampa but an unlikely savior appears. All 6’7” of Dominik Dijakovic come down to the ring and he cleans house on the champions! He gets in Ciampa’s face and insists on a spot on his team at War Games. The Blackheart agrees but Dominik turns around directly into the gaze of his rival, Keith Lee. They shake on an uncomfortable but solid truce.
Our announcers tell us that there is more chaos outside the arena and the camera cuts to Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir laid out on the sidewalk like discarded cigarette butts. Just a few yards away, their future opponent, Candice LeRae, is out cold and being attended to by new signee, Scarlett Bordeaux, in some Clueless cosplay. Triple H is out to make some sense of it all.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs Bronson Reed
Reed is an inch or so shorter than his opponent but the big Australian outweighs “Swerve” by about a buck-and-a-half. It’s a respectful contest to start but Bronson has to get physical to make up for the elusive Scott’s agility. Headbutts, a sit-down splash, and throwing him clear out of the ring are all fair game. Swerve gets the win after a reverse jump kick rings Bronson’s bell. After the three count, the two share another handshake in good sportsmanship.
Your winner… Isaiah “Swerve” Scott!
No word on who is behind the attacks (an overlooked Dakota Kai, maybe?) but the match has been made: Matt Riddle is off of Team Ciampa and replaced by Dominik Dijakovic because he and Finn Bálor are going one-on-one that night!
A video package lets us know that The Forgotten Sons are still around to be savages… in case you’ve… you know… forgotten.
Killian Dain vs Pete Dunn
This one never ever gets to the bell. Dain and Dunne go at it at ringside and, as security moves in the separate them, Damian Priest gets his pound of flesh from both of them! He grabs a security guard and pulls him into the ring only to crucifix power bomb him onto Killian Dain, Pete Dunne, and those still trying to break them up. They’re still fighting as they start to stand but Priest dives through the ropes with a dropkick and walks off laughing.
Result: No Contest
Mia Yim vs Io Shirai in a ladder match to determine advantage at War Games
The ladder stays out of play throughout the beginning of the match but Io plays the alligator game with Mia trapped inside of it until a second ladder is needed. Mia teaches Shirai to Protect Ya Neck (like Inspectah Deck!) but she recovers as Mia picks up the ladder. The Genius of the Sky springboard dropkicks the ladder right into Mia Yim’s face and she’s opened up the hard way! Blood is pouring out of a gash and it’s a bad day for the noses of the ladies in NXT! Dakota Kai comes out to help Mia Yim but she’s taken out by NXT UK champion Kay Lee Ray! Kay Lee tips the ladder as Mia Yim is at the top and comes crashing down! Io Shirai makes it to the briefcase and that plot thickens like a Yorkshire Pudding!
Your winner… Io Shirai!
Shayna Baszler comes out to congratulate her teammates but Bayley is in the house! She cracks Baszler in the back with a chair before driving her face first onto her own NXT Women’s Championship belt! Was she behind the other attacks? We won’t find out because the ex-hugger is off and running.
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