Note: On social media this week, NXT Champion, Samoa Joe, revealed that an injury has forced him to vacate the title. Tonight’s scheduled Fatal 4-Way for Number One Contender status has been amended to be for the championship!
After our new graphics and new theme by Wale, NXT 2.0 goes into promo packages by the participants in tonight’s Fatal 4-Way: Tommaso Ciampa talks of reuniting with “Goldie,” Pete Dunne reminds what he’s been telling us since his returning, and Kyle O’Reilly is itching for a new beginning. It’s when we get to LA Knight telling us whose game it is that he notices an fresh new exuberant face nearby. “Bron Breakker” is looking for opportunities and, completely contrary to common sense, LA Knight decides to give him one.
LA Knight vs Bron Breakker
Now, if you’re not one for reading behind-the-scenes wrestling news, you didn’t get the hint from the sirens that started his entrance theme, and the build, face, and singlet haven’t rung any bells, “Bron Breakker” is Bronson Rechtsteiner, the son of Rick Steiner and nephew of Scott. It shows even more once the bell rings. He hits big clotheslines and a belly-to-belly on LA Knight, who keeps control for most of the match but falls prey to an overhead press into and powerslam! Big debut for the Big Bad Dog-Faced rookie.
Winner: Bron Breakker
In the back, Breakker is congratulated by a number of other NXT 2.0 / Performance Center rookies.
Imperium vs Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen
Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner make their usual, reverent entrance. Breakout Tournament participant, Josh Briggs is accompanied by a pal who is every bit as raw-boned, raucous, and country as he is, Brooks Jensen. (Another legacy wrestler, Brooks is the son of Bull Buchanan.) Them country boys get to scufflin’ on Imperium and make a good accounting of themselves. They look to go for a double team in the corner but Briggs gets taken out on the apron and can’t get tagged in. Jensen skins the cat to the top turnbuckle but gets distracted when he sees his partner down. Aichner hits a double arm suplex from the top.
Winners: Imperium
Hit Row is in the studio, talking about B-Fab and her in-ring NXT debut up next.
B-Fab vs Katrina Cortez
Katrina Cortez is a masked luchadora who tries to go aerial on B-Fab but gets kicked right out of the air. B-Fab does a shout out before giving Cortez a Rude Awakening neckbreaker.
Winner: B-Fab
As B-Fab stands tall, Hit Row brings her a mic to run down Legado del Fantasma in general and Elektra Lopez. That brings out Legado and Lopez says she won’t need a steel pipe to shut B-Fab up this time. B-Fab tells her to bring it but Legado drags her away.
Cameron Grimes, Odyssey Jones, and Johnny Gargano are all dressed in matching, Dexter-esque garb. They’re having champagne and cheerful about the upcoming wedding but Johnny is antsy. Something seems missing. But not anymore! The Way’s prodigal son, Austin Theory, has returned! He wouldn’t miss Indi’s wedding and he’s brought a surprise. You can’t have a wedding without… a Priest! Damian Priest is here and down for the open bar! Johnny tries to explain that Damian isn’t an actual priest to Theory. It doesn’t work but Austin wants the no-look high five anyway. Johnny refuses. This occasion calls for a hug!
In the ring with Samantha Irvin, Carmelo Hayes says that his new status since winning the Breakout Tournament has made him a marked man. That’s why he’s brought in his old pal, Trick Williams. Where he goes, he’s bringing Trick with him to watch his back. Trick is ‘bout it ‘bout it but wants to set Carmelo correct. He says that ‘Melo’s been too humble and that his swagger and his ambition were what got him there. When they exit the ring, Duke Hudson is headed down for a match. Duke tells Carmelo that their meeting in the Breakout Tournament was a fluke. Trick advises Carmelo that he can’t let that slide and the two beat on Hudson, cancelling his match.
In the darkened backstage area, Gigi Dolin and Jacey Jayne tell a hooded Mandy Rose that she looks great and that her new look will change things for the group.
Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter vs Gigi Dolin & Jacey Jayne
Team KC is frustrating Gigi and Jacey. While the match goes on, the picture-in-picture shows Pete Dunne and Ridge Holland beating on Kyle O’Reilly in the locker room until driven off by a tall blonde man. It looks to be a short night when a hooded woman runs down and shoves Kacy off the top turnbuckle. The bell rings for a DQ and it’s a 3-on-1 boot party where the hood comes off to reveal Mandy Rose without her protective mask and sporting newly dark locks.
Winners: Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter
Sarray, the woman who dropkicked Mandy into the mask comes out to make the save and we end up making a match.
Kacy Catanzaro, Kayden Carter, & Sarray vs Gigi Dolin, Jacey Jayne, and Mandy Rose
The familiarity plays to Rose Garden’s advantage (yeah, that’s what I’m calling them) and Mandy closes out the match with a running pump knee on Kayden Carter.
Winners: Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, and Jacey Jayne.
Indi Hartwell and her bridesmaids are preparing for the later nuptials.
William Regal, still commissioner of NXT, reveals that Kyle O’Reilly is not medically cleared to compete after the attack by Holland and Dunne. Taking his place will be the man who saved him from further injury, Von Wagner (Cal Bloom, son of Wayne Bloom.)
Ridge Holland vs Drake Maverick
Drake Maverick is accompanied by Grayson Waller and makes his entrance during commercial break. This is a squash match for Drake to fly around and bump like crazy. This reinforces for us that Ridge is a big scary man. The match does its job and Holland ends it with a big headbutt and the Northern Grit driver.
Winner: Ridge Holland
McKenzie Mitchell is with Tommaso Ciampa. The Blackheart says that everyone is fighting for a spot in NXT but he has his sight set higher: Goldie.
A vignette plays for Tony D’Angelo. Tony comes from a “well-connected family” in Chicago. He was a Greco-Roman All-American but he sees that the money is in professional wrestling (He said it! He said the words!) so he’s coming to NXT.
The Creed Brothers vs Dan Jarmon & Trevor Skelly
All of Diamond Mine is on the ramp, The Creed Brothers, Roderick Strong, Hachiman, Malcom Bivens, and a new female member draped in thick gauge chains. Brutus Creed manhandles both opponents, including a gut wrench powerbomb to bounce one off the ropes and then using one as a blunt object to beat the other. Julius tags in for an exploder-type suplex and then his “unnecessary clothesline.”
Winners: The Creed Brothers
After the match, Malcom Bivens talks up the newest addition to Diamond Mine, Titan Games alum, Ivy Nile. With a diamond shaved into her head, she flexes her lean and compact physique to prove his point. You know who’s not impressed? Kushida! He comes out to get the ball rolling on his recently postponed match vs Roderick Strong. Bivens makes it for next week.
In some inter-brand continuity, Vic Joseph asks Beth Phoenix how Edge is recovering after his latest run-in with Seth Rollins. Beth says that he’s recovering and that it’s all she wishes to talk about it.
Main Event of NXT 2.0 LA Knight vs Von Wagner vs Pete Dunne vs Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT Championship
Ciampa comes out last. The bell rings and it’s bedlam which seems to be LA Knight’s game. Von Wagner isn’t used to watching his back and never gets momentum despite his size advantage. Lots of big spots, including Pete Dunne introducing the rookie to his small joint manipulation, Ciampa diving onto all three opponents on the outside, and LA Knight hitting his bounding superplex on Pete Dunne. In the end, everyone gets their finisher off but the pins get broken up. Tommaso tosses out Wagner after the rookie hits a butterfly inversion slam on LA Knight. Fairy Tale Ending and The Blackheart is a two-time champ.
Winner and new NXT Champion: Tommaso Ciampa
Ciampa is handed the belt and stands tall as the fans howl their approval.
Non Wrestling Main Event of NXT 2.0: The wrestling ring is converted into a wedding “ring” with NXT Superstars as guests and the wedding party. Johnny Gargano walks Indi Hartwell into the ring and has a nervous energy while giving her away. Austin Theory was entrusted with the rings but delegated that to Ikeman Jiro who has them in his amazing technicolor dream jacket. Indi goes on to say her own vows about how Dexter comes off as a creepy stalker but she loves him. Dexter is invited to say something. When he’s silent (as is his way,) the preacher is incredulous and says as much. This annoys Dexter who chokes him out. It’s proposed that William Regal continue the ceremony but Beth Phoenix steps up. She figured something like this might happen so she got ordained as an officiant online.
