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NXT kicked off wand Adam Cole was in the TV control room, reminiscent of the nWo times. The first match of the night was for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Lio Rush (c) vs. Angel Garza - NXT Cruiserweight Championship match
Garza got the early advantage by dropping Rush on the apron and the champ stopped Angel from taking his pants off. Rush went over Garza for a leapfrog but landed throat first on the top rope.
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Garza hit a Superkick as both men went for a punch and fell to the mat. Rush went to hit the ropes for his finisher but Garza grabbed his leg. Garza got Rush up for the Electric Chair but Rush bounced off the ropes for a Springboard Stunner.
Rush went for a top rope splash onto the ring floor but Garza got his knees up. Angel Garza picked up the win with a mere submission headlock.
Result: Angel Garza def. Lio Rush to become the new NXT Cruiserweight Champion
After the big title win, Garza brought his girlfriend out to the ring and proposed to her. She said yes and they celebrated in the ring before we headed for commercials.
Match rating: A
Rate this match here.
Shayna Baszler was in a pre-recorded promo where she said that she had made countless Superstars tap out and the same will happen to Rhea Ripley.
Finn Balor was not happy with William Regal for having to 'prove himself' as he made clear in a backstage segment.
Raul Mendoza vs. Cameron Grimes
Mendoza attacked Grimes as soon as the bell rang and took the momentum early on. Just as Grimes was turning the match in his favor, Kushida appeared at ringside. Distracted, Grimes took a fall and Mendoza got the win,
After the match, Kushida taunted Grimes by stealing his hat and running off backstage.
Result: Raul Mendoza def. Cameron Grimes
Match rating: C
Rate this match here.
Travis Banks vs. Jaxson Ryker
Travis Banks made his debut on NXT against Ryker who dominated early on. Banks found an opening and hit a few dropkicks to gain some momentum. Ryker hit a knee to the face but Banks got a quick victory off an Enzugiri off the top rope.
Result: Travis Banks def. Jaxson Ryker
Match result: C
Rate this match here.
Mia Yim vs. Dakota Kai
Yim was looking to do the most damage to Kai and started off guns blazing. Yim had the upper hand early but Kai fought back and the match was on equal footing soon enough. Yim hit the Cold Blue for a near fall.
Kai hit a sit-up powerbomb and still no pinfall. Kai took a German Suplex. Kai undid the top turnbuckle when the ref wasn't looking before sending Yim throat-fist into the steel and getting the pin.
Result: Dakota Kai def. Mia Yim
Match rating: A
Rate this match here.
After the match, Yim attacked Kai and they ended up backstage in the risky part of the set. Yim sent Kai through a table off a raised platform.
Breezango vs. The Singh Brothers
Breezango had the upper hand early on and took down the Singhs with every chance they got. The Singhs managed to get some momentum, and Breeze outside and then for a double-team move in the ring for a near fall.
Fandango came in and took out the Singh Bros and almost got a fall before Breezango hit a double team finisher on the outside followed by a leg drop in the ring for the win.
Result: Breezango def. The Singh Brothers
Match rating: B
Rate this match here.
We got a small segment about Rhea Ripley that went over her past before her big match against Baszler on December 18th.
Kayden Carter vs. Bianca Belair
Carter took the fight to Belair as the match started but took two Backbreakers.
Kayden Carter vs. Bianca Belair (contd...)
Belair had a submission locked in but Carter broke out before Belair was deadlifting Carter in the ring. Belair hit a spear and then the finisher for the win.
Result: Bianca Belair def. Kayden Carter
Match rating: B
Rate this match here.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Keith Lee vs. Finn Balor
Lee was dominating at the start but Ciampa gained some ground as we returned from commercials. Ciampa hit a double DDTs on the ropes before dropping Balor with the Air Raid Crash on top of Lee.
Keith Lee had Ciampa in the Electric Chair position while Balor was on Ciampa's shoulders and all three men came crashing to the mat. Lee hit a jackhammer on Ciampa but Balor almost pinned Lee. Balor hit the Coup de Grace on Lee before Ciampa picked Lee up for a near fall.
Balor came out in the confusion and got the three-count, winning the match.
Result: Finn Balor def. Tommaso Ciampa & Keith Lee to become the No.1 Contender for the NXT Championship
Match rating: A
Rate this match here.
Episode rating: B
The opening title match and Yim & Kai's grudge match were the highlights of the show. The main event didn't disappoint either.
