Top 3 performers on NXT this week (12 December 2018)

WWE NXT had some big match-ups this week, with EC3 going up against the Undisputed Era's Bobby Fish, and Ricochet defending his NXT North American title against a mystery opponent.

Undisputed Era opened the show and headed down to the ring to support Bobby Fish as he was set to face EC3 in their one-on-one encounter. The Era is the most dominant stable NXT has seen since the days of Sanity. Before the match, Adam Cole had some time on the microphone, building up the Era's run in NXT, promising that they will be draped in gold come 2019.

Cole's tirade was cut off by EC3 making his way to the ring. Fish played around with EC3, trying to create distance between the two. EC3 was able to throw Fish around with his power game as he was able to get a hold of the sneaky member of the Undisputed Era.

The first distraction of the match-up allowed Fish to take down the bigger EC3 with a chop-block to EC3's injured knee. Fish would then target the knee with a series of take-downs and submissions.

Fish seemed to get tangled in the ropes, in an unfortunate and cringe worthy botch. EC3 would win with an inside cradle pin for the 3-count. After the bell, the Undisputed Era would beat down EC3, which would bring out Heavy Machinery for the save.

After a short interview with Io Shirai and Dakota Kai requesting a tag team match with Shayna Baszler's 4 horsewoman colleagues, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir, the action returned to the ring, with a rematch from 2 weeks ago featuring The Mighty against Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch.

Burch and Lorcan were the ones who started hot, following the beat down The Mighty gave them after their match, despite Lorcan and Burch picking up the victory. The Mighty had some unbelievable tag team moves, like a corner Superplex Powerbomb, a Powerslam, etc. However, it was Burch and Lorcan who once again picked up the victory after Burch hit a high impact DDT on The Mighty's Nick Miller, and covered him for the pinfall.

Following last week's in-ring confrontation between Johnny Gargano and Aleister Black, a steel cage match between the two was announced for next week's episode. Gargano then delivered a phone recorded promo in the car park again to double down on his delusional face persona. Gargano genuinely plays it as if he is still a fan favourite.

Lacey Evans was announced as the latest participant in the Fatal Four-way to crown Shayna Baszler's next contender. Which led directly to Mia Yim coming down to the ring for her qualifying match to be #1 contender against Reina Gonzalez.

Once again Yim wrestled as the underdog, this time against the bigger Gonzalez. Yim would pick up the win after hitting her "Eat De-feet" finisher to qualify in the 3rd spot for the fatal 4 way in 2 weeks.

Finally, the main event for the evening was an open challenge for Ricochet's NXT North American title. The open challenge was answered by Tyler Breeze on his return to NXT.

The Full Sail audience was shocked to see an alumni of the NXT program return for a shot at the title. The match started with cracking pace, as the two wrestlers swapped back and forth counters.

Ricochet used his aerial based offense effectively against Tyler, and the former Prince Puma looked to seal the match with a Phoenix Splash. Breeze avoided it, while Ricochet managed to land on his feet via his cat-like abilities.

Tyler Breeze came close after hitting a Supermodel Kick, followed by a reverse Rana. Ricochet retained, unsurprisingly, after hitting a high angle Michinoku Driver. The two shook hands in the ring as a sign of respect between the main roster's Breeze and the North American champion, Ricochet.

Here are this week's top performers.

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#3 The Mighty

Following their encounter two weeks ago, it wasn't a surprise that Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan would face the Australian duo again. Following their previous match, it was The Mighty who stood tall, despite Lorcan and Burch picking up the win. However, while Lorcan and Burch picked up the win again, The Mighty were the better performers in the match.

While Burch and Lorcan rely on their hard striking smash-mouth style to power through their bouts, the innovative offense of the two Australians makes them not only exciting, but also entertaining to match in the ring.

During this week's encounter, Shane Thorne hit Oney Lorcan with a Superplex while perched on Nick Miller's shoulders, as well as Nick Miller hitting a Powerslam on Lorcan, with Thorne then using his tag team partner as a stepping stool to hit a Senton on Burch who was propped in the corner.

#2 Tyler Breeze

A surprise answer to Ricochet's open challenge for his NXT North American Championship was former FCW Heavyweight Champion, former NXT wrestler, and current member of the Raw roster, Tyler Breeze.

Breeze hasn't been used on the main roster in a while due to his tag team partner, Fandango, being sidelined with a tear in his left labrum. Despite Breeze's limited in-ring action of late, he was welcomed back to Full Sail by a shocked NXT crowd.

Breeze and Ricochet were given creative control in this week's main event, allowing them both to show off their extensive and impressive move set. Considering Breeze has not been given the chance to show any moves in a while, this match was a stark reminder to many fans that he is an incredible in-ring talent.

The handshake at the end of the contest was a nice touch, despite the fact that Breeze was portraying his old heel persona throughout the contest.

#1 Ricochet

Ricochet seems destined for a bright future in the WWE

Ricochet's open challenge looked to be a great one, given the names available in NXT for him to face. However, the surprise when the challenge was answered by a member of the WWE main roster, Tyler Breeze, added to the great nature of the contest.

Since signing for NXT, Ricochet has faced off against the likes of Adam Cole, Pete Dunne, and Velveteen Dream. He has also faced another main roster superstar in Luke Harper at NXT house shows earlier in the year.

Ricochet seems destined for a bright future in the WWE, and many hope that he can buck the trend of talented wrestlers who excel in NXT but flounder on the main roster.

Back to the main event, as Ricochet and Breeze put on a great back and forth encounter which allowed both wrestlers to show off their move-set. Ricochet's aerial offense and stunning mid-air dodges make his matches a pleasure to watch for those that love a "spot fest".

Unsurprisingly, given that Breeze will return to the main roster with a returning Fandango shortly, Ricochet retained the title, and will carry it forward into next year. He will potentially be a surprise entrant in next year's Royal Rumble. There he could display his wide array of skills on one of WWE's biggest shows of the year.