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This week's episode of NXT primarily focussed on the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. Imperium took on Lucha House Party in one of the first-round matches while The Way (Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory) squared off against Kushida and Leon Ruff in the other one.
The Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament also kicked-off on this week's NXT, with Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter taking on Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez in the inaugural match.
Apart from this, the main event of this week's NXT saw Timothy Thatcher taking on Tommaso Ciampa in a brutal Fight Pit match that concluded with an incredible and memorable spot.
That said, let's discuss all the major developments from this week's NXT that has gotten the WWE Universe talking. Do share your favorite moments from this episode in the comments section below.
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#5 Timothy Thatcher wins the Fight Pit match after a grueling battle with Tommaso Ciampa on NXT
In the main event of this week's NXT, the highly-anticipated Fight Pit match between Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa took place. It was originally scheduled to take place on NXT New Year's Evil a couple of weeks ago but was postponed.
The first-ever Fight Pit match took place between Thatcher and Riddle last year on NXT. It was the former EVOLVE Champion who emerged as the winner in that bout as he forced The Original Bro to submit.
The match featured several spots. Both Superstars started by brawling on top of the structure with both Ciampa and Thatcher looking to get the upper hand. The match kicked into overdrive once both men were down in the ring.
The spot where Ciampa used the referee's back to deliver a Willow's Bell to Thatcher was quite creative and unique. However, it was the ending that was absolutely brilliant. Thatcher trapped Ciampa's one leg in the steel structure, while he applied the Stretch Muffler on the other to force the former NXT Champion to tap out.
Post-match, the two men showed each other respect subtly. Thatcher needed this win desperately, and it seems that his NXT career is back on track. While Ciampa has nothing more to achieve on NXT, an alliance with Thatcher can make them a force to reckoned with in the tag division.
#4 Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter pull off a shocker over Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez on NXT
The Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic was officially inaugurated by NXT GM William Regal and former Women's champion Beth Phoenix. The latter recounted some of the greatest female Superstars in NXT history.
We got the first match of the tournament shortly after, with the team of Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro locking horns with Mercedes Martinez and Toni Storm. It was a fun back and forth bout that put the spotlight on Catanzaro and Carter who are two of the most underrated performers in the NXT women's division.
While there were no reservations regarding how talented these two women are in the ring, virtually nobody expected the duo to come up victorious. If this result indicates the direction this tournament is heading in, that is giving a push to underused talents, it's a great decision by the NXT management.
The interference from NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai, that cost Storm and Martinez the match, was surprising. Post-match, a backstage brawl broke out between Shirai and Storm, which further escalated the tension. The NXT Women's Champion is now staring at both Storm and Martinez coming for her title. Also, this may cause a strain in Storm and Martinez's alliance as they seem to have the same end goal.
#3 Kushida and Leon Ruff advance to the quarterfinals of Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic on NXT
In the opening match of this week's NXT, the team of Kushida and Leon Ruff took on The Way, consisting of North American Champion Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory. After a terrific tag team battle, Kushida and Ruff advanced to the quarterfinals after the former executed a Tiger Suplex on the champion to secure the victory.
Kushida getting the better of Gargano, further legitimizes his challenge for the title. On the other hand, it was great for Ruff not to be lost in the shuffle, as everyone thought he would after losing his title to Gargano. He stood apart in the match with his aerial offense.
In the quarterfinals, Kushida and Ruff would be facing last year's finalists, Grizzled Young Veterans, who advanced after defeating Ever-Rise on last week's NXT. While that match is bound to be great, Grizzled Young Veterans would probably advance to the semi-finals, considering Kushida is tangling with Gargano and doesn't need this trophy at this point.
#2 Lucha House Party advances to the quarterfinals of Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic on NXT
In the other Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament match on this week's NXT, the former NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium took on RAW's Lucha House Party. The bout was a fantastic blend of two varying wrestling styles. While Lucha House Party used their high-flying offense, Imperium's ground-based work provided a stunning contrast. As a result, the match was easily the best of the night, with a surprising result.
With Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik are currently involved in the RAW Tag Team Championship picture, not many predicted them to go over, with most of them believing Imperium's path is clear here. While they are continued to be booked poorly on the Red brand even after having a victory over the RAW Tag Team Champions, their booking in NXT has given them a great deal to work with. No matter how many memorable performances they produce on NXT, it needs to have some sort of impact on their standing on RAW.
As for Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner, it's disappointing to see them go from being the champions to losing in the first round in a matter of months. However, the post-match appearance of Alexander Wolfe suggests the stable might be in for a shake-up that could help them find their lost momentum.
#1 NXT Champion Finn Balor forms an alliance with Undisputed Era to take down The Kings of NXT
After last week's development, where Pete Dunne and the NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch attacked Finn Balor and Undisputed Era, the NXT Champion has finally decided to align with his old foes. After Balor asked NXT General Manager William Regal that he wants to face Lorcan and Burch next week, the GM told him to find a partner if he wants to have the match.
As a result, Balor made his way to Undisputed Era and asked his arch-rival, Kyle O'Reilly, to join him. Now that they are aligned for next week's match, the doors have opened for Reilly's impending heel turn. If not, there's not much mileage in this story, as we have already seen a version of it during the build-up to NXT: WarGames, barring Balor's inclusion.
Also, it wouldn't be a great decision to have the two get a win over the NXT Tag Team Champions, as it would undermine those titles and create the assumption of the single titles being superior to the tag ones.
