5 things WWE NXT got right this week: Karrion Kross takes out Samoa Joe; Former champions return

#2. Johnny Gargano and Karrion Kross had a great contest on WWE NXT

.@SamoaJoe wasn't kidding when he said he would take this role seriously. #WWENXT #NXTTitle @WWEKarrionKross @Lady_Scarlett13 @JohnnyGargano pic.twitter.com/3sGk17KAZ0

— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2021

The final match of the night saw Karrion Kross defend his WWE NXT Championship against Johnny Gargano. Samoa Joe was announced as the special referee for the match and immediately told the champion to follow the rules during the contest. Meanwhile, Gargano promised Joe that he’d follow the rules.

However, Johnny Wrestling attacked Kross before the bell. Joe was forced to call for the bell and get the match started. The Herald of Doomsday vented his frustration by taking the fight outside the ring and slamming Gargano around.

The challenger sent Kross into the barricade and then hit the One Final Beat. The NXT Champion made a comeback and planted his opponent with a series of suplexes.

Johnny Wrestling locked in the Gargano Escape, but Kross countered it into a Kross Jacket. Gargano barely made the ropes, and The Samoan Submission Machine had to pull Kross off of him.

Outside the ring, Joe stopped Kross from smashing Gargano with the steel steps. The argument between the two allowed Gargano to gain the upper hand.

Late in the match, Kross hit Gargano with some powerbombs before delivering the Doomsday Saito. He ended Gargano’s hopes with an elbow to the back of the head.

The match was great and gave Gargano a chance to shine against a larger opponent. Kross was never going to lose, but Gargano did take the NXT Champion to the edge.

Nothing but ❤️from @JohnnyGargano. #WWENXT #NXTTitle @WWEKarrionKross pic.twitter.com/qWhM0ysZGQ

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 14, 2021

The addition of Joe to the match gave it a different dimension. It will be good to see who steps up to Kross next.