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It was another Thatch-As-Thatch-Can class with Timothy Thatcher on NXT tonight. Tonight's lesson focused on distraction, something that Thatcher dealt with last week in his loss to Kushida. Tommaso Ciampa appeared in the ring, and claimed he wasn't here to learn, he was here to teach. Class is in session.
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Thatcher claimed he didn't have a problem with the former NXT Champion, leading to Ciampa goading in by calling him a disappointment. Ciampa escaped Thatcher's grasp and rocked him with a strong right, but Thatcher's student blindsided him. Thatcher was able to choke out the Psycho Killer with ease at that point, teaching Ciampa a very valuable lesson about...surprisingly...distractions.
A female WWE star said her life is in danger. Details HERE
Backstage, Timothy Thatcher was asked if that was all planned. He was glowing, stating that he had no idea he was going to do that. What we saw was a student that actually learns, and he was quite proud. On Sunday, Ciampa will have the chance to learn another lesson...respect.
Ladder Match: Raquel Gonzalez vs Shotzi Blackheart on NXT
Shotzi Blackheart attempted to chop down the tree-like legs of Raquel Gonzalez. The monster of Team LeRae fought off the flurry and locked in a modified Torture Rack before dumping Blackheart to the floor. Gonzalez brought a ladder closer to the ring but was halted by Blackheart.
Gonzalez attempted to make a big impact on the NXT Go-Home show, looking to lawn dart Blackheart into the ladder. Blackheart escaped, sending Gonzalez into the steel instead. A wrecking ball dropkick sent the ladder into her opponent's face.
Blackheart tried to bring the ladder in the ring, but Gonzalez was easily and quickly able to recover, slamming Blackheart's spine first on the ladder. Blackheart locked in a sleeper, leading Gonzalez to crush her into every part of the ring she could. Eventually, a spine shattering crash in the ring post broke the hold.
Gonzalez and Blackheart continued to fight on the floor, sending one another into the steps, ladder, and barricade. Blackheart even surprised Gonzalez with a Coffin Drop, but it wasn't enough to put Gonzalez down. Dakota Kai's greatest weapon shrugged off every bit of offense Blackheart could dish out.
Blackheart attempted to hit a sliced bread off the apron, but Gonzalez instead whipped her face-first into the side of the ring. A shot with the steel steps to the face seemingly knocked Blackheart out cold. Gonzalez took the ladder in, but as she began to climb, She was cut off by her opposing team's captain.
The Tank Girl of NXT somehow managed to take Gonzalez off the top of the ladder, but both women were left splattered on the mat below. Gonzalez struggled to get up in the corner but found herself right in front of a ladder. Blackheart hit a cannonball senton in the corner, nearly snapping Gonzalez in half.
Blackheart followed that with a diving senton to the floor, crushing Gonzalez. Team LeRae rushed down, as did Team Blackheart, trying to keep each one of their team members safe. The distraction allowed Indy Hartwell to set up a ladder. Gonzalez blasted Blackheart with a clothesline and climbed up the ladder.
At that point, the NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai launched herself onto Gonzalez, locking in a sleeper hold. Gonzalez shook her off, but Shirai managed to send her to the floor along with Team LeRae and Team Blackheart, minus Shotzi.
As Shirai took them all out with a moonsault, Shotzi Blackheart climbed up the ladder to secure the briefcase. At NXT TakeOver: WarGames, Team Blackheart will have the advantage.
Results: Shotzi Blackheart defeated Raquel Gonzalez on NXT.
Grade: B
Io Shirai is the fourth member of Team Blackheart. They'll go to war against Team LeRae at NXT TakeOver this Sunday.
