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NXT TakeOver: In Your House was a rounding success, with five stellar match-ups worthy of a pay-per-view setting. However, at the end of the night, NXT General Manager William Regal alluded to an upsetting announcement stemming from how chaotic his brand had gotten. We'd see that open the show.
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Our main event was a grudge match between two of the most vicious tag teams in NXT. The Grizzled Young Veterans aim to rid themselves of Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher once and for all.
All of that, plus Raquel González's return to tag team action as she and Dakota Kai took on Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro in a phenomenal match. The NXT Cruiserweight Championship was also on the line as Kushida continued his open challenge.
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NXT General Manager William Regal makes a huge announcement
William Regal went through his path on the black and gold brand, leading from his time at the announcer's desk where he called the first NXT TakeOver event, to running the show. He'd seen the brand grow because of all of the hard work behind the scenes and in the ring.
As he went down memory lane, he began to shed some tears. Regal said that any moment not spent with his family was used to make NXT the place wrestlers would want to be. From San Jose to Brooklyn, to Houston, to Portland, and everywhere else around the world, Regal said that he'd given the NXT fans everything he could give them.
Simply put, William Regal didn't feel he could give the faithful followers what they deserved. Before he could finish, NXT Champion Karrion Kross and Scarlett interrupted. Kross said that they always knew "this day" would come, and had to come out to see Regal's retirement for themselves. Kross teased Regal for crying, calling him pathetic.
Kross said the GM knew Kross was right when he said Regal had lost control, and at TakeOver: In Your House, he saw that Karrion could control this entire brand through chaos. He demanded Regal tell the fans that he was right, and to leave and never come back.
Samoa Joe returns to NXT
At that point, Samoa Joe appeared. Kross looked like he'd seen a ghost, as Joe feared no man, and casually strolled to the ring to stare down the champion. Regal said that NXT deserved a general manager that could hold the position and demand the respect of the roster. He offered the job to Joe.
However, the former NXT Champion declined, stating that Regal had done a fantastic job running this brand. Plucking NXT from obscurity, Regal made it an international phenomenon, and he had shoes to fill that Joe just couldn't fit. As far as respect went, Joe vowed to make sure Regal would get what he deserved from everyone, Kross included.
While Regal liked the idea, there were some stipulations.
- Joe could not compete
- Joe could not lay his hands on a competitor unless provoked.
That last line put a look of fear on Karrion Kross's face, and Joe followed up by demanding him to leave the ring. Kross backed down, and was ushered out by the fans chanting "Hey hey hey, goodbye."
With Joe here, the chaos comes to an end.
The Grizzled Young Veterans were set up for a tornado tag team match on NXT tonight. Zack Gibson and James Drake cut a promo on their opponents, Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher, stating that there would be no excuses when they lost tonight.
Breezango vs Imperium on NXT
Tyler Breeze locked up with Marcel Barthel as Breezango hoped to knock off the team they'd defeated for the NXT Tag Team Titles last summer. Fandango tagged in but was taken down when Fabian Aichner caught him with an arm drag, holding onto that arm and wearing down his opponent.
Breeze hit Barthel with a dive, but it didn't waiver Imperium, who teamed up to knock Fandango off the top rope. Throughout the break, Imperium battered Fandango while Breeze was forced to watch on the opposite side of the ring.
Barthel choked out Fandango, but lost control and was nearly rolled up for a three-count. Fandango kicked free of Barthel's grasp, finally getting to Breeze after sending both of his opponents to the floor. After a back drop, Fandango tagged out and Breeze ran in.
Unfortunately, the momentum that seemed to be on Breeze's side was short-lived as he was decapitated with a lariat from Aichner. Still, Breeze countered a suplex into an inside cradle for a surprise victory.
Results: Breezango defeated Imperium on NXT via pinfall.
Grade: B-
After the match, Imperium attacked Breezango, sending Fandango to the floor and planting Breeze with the European Bomb.
Backstage on NXT, Samoa Joe made his presence felt when breaking up a brawl between Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly. Cole shoved Joe, which was a poor decision, as the Samoan Submission Machine quickly put him to sleep with the Coquina Clutch.
Regal said we'd get a No Holds Barred match between Cole and O'Reilly at Great American Bash. However, next week we'll see them in the ring as they'd choose their own opponents during the night.
Santos Escobar sends a message to Bronson Reed
The NXT North American and Tag Team Championships were just out of reach for Legado Del Fantasma. Santos Escobar vowed that the next time they faced off, he'd drop Reed with a Phantom Driver just like he did at TakeOver: In Your House.
NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match: Trey Baxter vs Kushida (c)
The NXT Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge continued, as Kushida hoped to highlight the division as much as he could as champion. His opponent tonight? Trey Baxter (formerly known as Blake Christian) and Baxter had Kushida's number early on.
Trey managed to stay ahead of Kushida with some blinding speed, and rocked the champ with a springboard clothesline. Kushida broke away from Baxter for a moment but was hit by a dive from Trey, taking both men to the floor.
Kyle O'Reilly, scouting for an opponent, came out to check on Kushida.
Back from a commercial break, the NXT Cruiserweight Champion caught Baxter with the hip toss/dropkick combination. However, Baxter responded with a Cedric Alexander style Neuralizer, turning Kushida inside out. Baxter followed with a running Spanish Fly and a springboard 450 Splash, but Kushida kicked out.
Kushida began to work over his opponent's left arm, catching Baxter with a series of kicks. With a quick Hoverboard Lock, Baxter had no choice but to tap out to the NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
Results: Kushida defeated Trey Baxter via submission on NXT.
Grade: B+
Kyle O'Reilly stepped into the ring after the match and challenged Kushida to a match next week. Kushida accepted, giving us a fantastic bout to look forward to in seven days time.
Franky Monet was seen trying to recruit Jesse Kamea and Aliyah, stating that they needed to stop listening to Robert Stone. They seemed to be into the idea, meaning that Monet may be hiring her own muscle going forward.
At NXT TakeOver: In Your House, Mercedes Martinez lost to Xia Li and felt the wrath of Mei Ying. Mercedes sent a message to Tian Sha tonight, saying that she'd beat down Boa anytime and that she and Xia were now tied at one win apiece. As far as Mei Ying, she wouldn't get a chance to attack Mercedes the next time they saw each other.
The NXT Million Dollar Champion Coronation
Ted Dibiase and his security came to the ring, ready to present LA Knight with the Million Dollar Championship. At NXT TakeOver: In Your House, Knight sent Grimes crashing through a ladder to obtain the gold, and it was time to finally hand him the keys to the Million Dollar Legacy.
Knight wanted to talk to Dibiase, letting him know that he was one of his heroes growing up. His neck and back are banged up, but to be standing in the ring with a legend like Dibiase right now, and to be the new owner of the Million Dollar Championship? It was all worth it.
Knight continued to praise the WWE Hall Of Famer while the crowd chanted for Cameron Grimes. Knight expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Dibiase and thanked him for everything, calling this the greatest moment in his career.
Dibiase was ecstatic to hand his legacy to someone like Knight and placed the gold on his shoulder crowning him the NXT Million Dollar Champion. They both did the classic Million Dollar laugh, but as the pyro went off, Knight had something else to say.
"Now that I've got everything I've ever wanted," said Knight, "it's time to drop what I don't need."
Knight attacked Dibiase and his security, stomping out the legend. Cameron Grimes made the save and launched Knight to the floor before checking on his hero.
Knight better be careful getting back to his car. That NXT parking lot is dangerous.
Prior to the next NXT match, Raquel González and Dakota Kai were kept apart from Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon by William Regal and Samoa Joe. At TakeOver, Moon lost her shot at González's NXT Women's Championship thanks to constant interference by Kai. Clearly, they weren't finished with one another.
Raquel González and Dakota Kai vs Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter on NXT
Dakota Kai was taken down by Kayden and Kacy, with a drop-toe hold/basement dropkick combination sending her to her corner. The NXT Women's Champion was in next, and Raquel González was caught in an octopus stretch by Carter. The champ broke away but Carter took her to the corner with a dropkick. More teamwork from the two chopped González down.
González was in serious trouble, forcing her to tag out to Kai, who struggled to keep up with Kacy Catanzaro. NXT's Ninja Warrior tossed her to the floor with a headscissor takedown and followed with a corkscrew press. Carter hit Kai and González with a crossbody to the floor, heading into the break with a huge stack of momentum.
Kai took over during the break, but couldn't prevent Kayden Carter from tagging in and firing upon her. A spinning back kick rocked Kai, and Carter followed up with a basement dropkick that nearly sent Kai through the bottom ropes.
Kai kicked out and tagged in the champ. González planted Carter with the tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam before bringing Kai back in for a Gory Bomb/Codebreaker combination.
Catanzaro managed to tag in and flip over Carter for a splash onto Kai. Carter and Catanzaro sent González to the floor and set their sights on Kai. A neck breaker/450 splash would've ended it, but González broke up the pin.
Back in the ring, Kai was able to put Catanzaro down with the Go To Kick.
Results: Dakota Kai defeated Kacy Catanzaro via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: B+
Io Shirai speaks to the NXT Universe
The former NXT Women's Champion said that she's back and felt good. Io Shirai was here to announce her next target, but before she could get to that she was interrupted by her longtime rival Candice LeRae.
The NXT Women's Tag Team Champion said that things had changed, and Shirai needed to understand that she was a completely different beast. Indi Hartwell joined her in attacking Shirai as the two looked to drive the Genius of the Sky through a table.
Zoey Stark ran in before they could finish the job, flooring both of the champions with a series of strong kicks. Shirai followed up with a springboard dropkick that sent them to the floor.
The Way ran into William Regal and Samoa Joe backstage, with Johnny Gargano saying that Joe was exactly what this place needed. However, he insulted Regal, leading to Joe forcing him to leave the office before things broke down.
As soon as The Way left, Pete Dunne entered the office. The Bruiserweight and Samoa Joe stared each other down as we cut to the main event.
NXT Tornado Tag Team Match: Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher vs The Grizzled Young Veterans
Team Dad took the former NXT UK Champions to the mat immediately, battering them and locking in various submissions. Grizzled Young Veterans were able to break away and force them to chase around the ring, attacking Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher as soon as they got back in the ring.
Ciampa delivered a double clothesline, but GYV responded with a leg trip/basement dropkick. Thatcher got to the apron only to be knocked off by Drake. GYV kept their opponents apart, and any time Thatcher got back in the ring, he was taken out with cheap chop blocks to the leg.
Ciampa managed to drop Drake face first on the apron and send Gibson to the floor. The former NXT Champion was on fire, and set both of his opponents up in chairs by the barricade, rocking them with a flying knee. Ciampa and Thatcher took turns battering Grizzled Young Veterans with a series of running uppercuts and clotheslines.
GYV turned things around during the break, sending Ciampa into the plexiglass and focusing on Timothy Thatcher. NXT's Thatch-as-Thatch-Can instructor did his best in a two-on-one situation, but was dropped with a flatliner/missile dropkick combination. Drake locked in a Koji Clutch only for Ciampa to recover and blast both him and Gibson.
Ciampa escaped a Doomsday Device attempt and dropped Drake with a Bret's rope Air Raid Crash for a near fall. Ciampa and Drake battled on the apron, with the GYV member getting the best of NXT's Psycho Killer. Gibson pulled him off the apron for Drake to hit a suicide dive Doomsday Device.
In the ring, Thatcher took Gibson down for a heel hook, but Gibson fought back to his feet. GYV dropped Thatcher with an elevated backstabber, but Ciampa made it back in, again, just in time to break it up.
GYV set up the protector from the announcer's desk as a ramp, slamming Ciampa onto it. Drake kept Thatcher in the ring as Gibson tried to piledrive Ciampa through the table, but NXT's Blackheart countered with the Air Raid Crash. Back in the ring, Thatcher and Ciampa took turns slapping the taste out of Drake's mouth.
The Fairy Tale Ending planted Drake, and he was forced to tap to the ankle lock (Thatcher) and armbar (Ciampa).
Results: Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher defeated Grizzled Young Veterans via submission on NXT.
Grade: A+
We cut to the parking lot to see McKenzie interviewing the NXT General Manager and his new associate Samoa Joe. They agreed that night one went off swimingly, and they couldn't wait for more.
