Top 3 NXT performers of the week (22nd August 2018)

After another knockout Takeover: Brooklyn, NXT returned to regularly scheduled programming. While many of the heavy hitters that featured on the Takeover card were given a pass this week, there was still plenty of good wrestling. As traditional with NXT episodes following Takeover shows, most of the show replayed and dissected the events of Takeover, as opposed to new matches and storylines.

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This weeks episode opened with the EST of NXT, Bianca Belair against Deonna Purrazzo. Belair continued her dominant ways and shapes up as a future contender for Kairi Sane's title. She was previously positioned as the No. 1 contender but was withdrawn from the fatal 4 way due to an injury.

The Undisputed Era's Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong then found Richochet in the corridor and a fight between the pair with Pete Dunne standing up for the newly crowned North American champion for next week's NXT.

More clips on Aleister Black's surfaced suggesting that Nikki Cross saw what happened in the attack as the "whodunit" mystery continued.

Finally, a stellar main event between Pete Dunne and Zack Gibson for the WWE UK Championship capped off the episode, which Dunne won with the Bitter End.

A look at the standings so far show the table as follows:

#1 Tommaso Ciampa - 3 points

#2 Johnny Gargano - 3 points

#3 Tyler Bate - 3 Points

#4 Aleister Black - 2 points

#5 Shayna Baszler - 2 points

#6 Kairi Sane

#7 EC3 - 1 point

#8 Keith Lee - 1 point

#9 Roderick Strong

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#3 Bianca Belair

After a short break due to injury, unsure if storyline or actual, the "est" of NXT came back to in-ring action against Deonna Purazzo, one of the women set to compete in the second Mae Young Classic. Belair dominated the match, picking up the victory with a Sit Out Burning Hammer.

Prior to the injury, Belair was on a hot streak with lots of momentum behind her. She was originally positioned in the spot of the number one contender, and it looks like she's set to reclaim that position since returning from injury.

#2 Pete Dunne

Dunne had a great match in the main event of the episode, going up against fellow UK wrestler Zack Gibson.

Dunne brought out the best of his aggressive, athletic fighting style against the Liverpudlian. Dunne worked steadily throughout the match, manipulating his opponent's joints and aggressive strikes and slams.

Dunne would pick up the victory after escaping the Shankly Gates and hitting Dunne's patented Bitter End.

Dunne's grasp on the WWE UK Title has been relatively unchallenged since taking it of Tyler Bate back at Takeover: Chicago, over a year ago.

Dunne will team with NXT North American Champion Riccochet against the Undisputed Era, a team the Bruiserweight already has significant history with.

#1 Zack Gibson

Gibson's ability to both match Dunne's intensity and aggression during the submissions, to his ability to adapt mid-match to counter Dunne's offence.

A lot has already been spoken about Dunne's future potential in the WWE. Gibson just showed that he is well and truly capable of matching the likes of Dunne in the ring. Despite being on the losing end, Gibson's performance against Dunne made the bout the one to watch from the episode.

Gibson is relatively new to NXT, compared to his much-lauded opponent, but shone just as bright as the "Bruiserweight" in their encounter.

Unfortunately, with Dunne already booked to face Undisputed Era in a tag match, it's hard to see where Gibson goes from here.

However, he does seem like another one to watch when the NXT UK program eventually lands.

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