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NXT was action-packed this week, bookended by no DQ matches. The main event saw the NXT Women's Tag Team Champions defend their gold against The Way in a Street Fight. The show opener featured Leon Ruff and Isaiah "Swerve" Scott in a phenomenal Falls Count Anywhere Match.
We saw several champions set up title bouts for next week, though the NXT Champion Karrion Kross wasn't willing to wait around tonight. Kross faced five of NXT's best in a dominant display. New signees Sarray and Zayda Ramier battled in a fantastic match to see which woman would emerge with a 2-0 record in their career.
All that, and so much more. We kicked off the night with the Falls Count Anywhere Match.
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Falls Count Anywhere Match: Leon Ruff vs Isaiah "Swerve" Scott on NXT
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott took his time taking his jacket off, and when the ref rang the bell, suckered Leon Ruff in. As the former NXT North American Champion ran in, Swerve rocked him with a knee to the jaw. Ruff's Crucifix Bomb failed, and Swerve rocked him with a big boot to the face.
A counter to the JML Cutter saw Ruff send Swerve to the floor, but Scott responded with a fireman's carry into the apron.
After driving his face into the steel ramp, Swerve brought Ruff in the ring. At the top, a sky-high superplex took Ruff across the ring and in total agony. Still, Ruff refused to quit in this NXT opener.
Ruff avoided a kick on the apron, hanging Swerve upside down on the ropes and catching him with a flying dropkick to the head. Swerve shook it off and countered a dive off the steps with a big chop to the chest.
During the break, they explored the CWC building as they moved backstage. Swerve launched Ruff into the lockers, leaving NXT's underdog writhing in pain.
Back in the ring, Swerve set up for a deadlift superplex. Ruff escaped and turned it into an avalanche Crucifix Bomb for a two-count. Ruff followed up with a poison rana that sent Swerve off the apron and to the floor. Still, it wasn't enough, as Swerve managed to roll to his stomach before the pinfall.
Swerve managed to catch Ruff with the JML Driver by the barricade, using the plexiglass to set it up. Ruff kicked out and avoided a big knee in the steps. He grabbed a toolbox, cracking the back of Swerve's knee. On the inside, a frog splash gave Ruff a near-fall.
A pair of springboard cutters left Swerve on the wrong side of the barricade. With Scott dazed, Ruff looked to finish it.
However, AJ Francis, one of Swerve's entourage, caught him and tossed him back near the ring. Swerve took advantage, and the JML Driver put Ruff down for good.
Results: Isaiah "Swerve" Scott defeated Leon Ruff via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: A
NXT GM William Regal was talking business with Scarlett when they were interrupted by NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory. While Gargano was trying to get in Regal's face, Theory was distracted by Scarlet's big...nails, apparently.
Asher Hale vs Cameron Grimes on NXT
NXT newcomer Asher Hale lit up Cameron Grimes early in the bout with a series of kicks. Grimes responded with stiff clotheslines and uppercuts, leaving Hale in the corner.
Several times over, Hale seemingly had a surprise victory in his grasp. Grimes, tired of playing around, spiked Hale with a spinout sidewalk slam. The Cave In drove Hale into the mat for the three-count.
Results: Cameron Grimes defeated Asher Hale via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: C
Franky Monet interrupted an interview backstage with NXT's Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter, who were looking to capture the women's tag titles. Money stated that it would take them a long time, but she knew that they could do it. She, and her dog, believed in them.
After the match, Cameron Grimes was celebrating in the locker room. Ever-Rise tried to join in but was shut down by the Thousand Dollar Man. Grimes said that the three of them would celebrate, meaning "Me, myself, and Cameron Grimes!"
Grizzled Young Veterans vs Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher on NXT
Team Dad set their sights on the NXT Tag Team Titles recently, and that meant they had to get through two-time Dusty Cup finalists, the Grizzled Young Veterans.
Tommaso Ciampa dominated James Drake early, and Timothy Thatcher made it look easy when Zack Gibson got in the ring. Thatcher targeted Gibson's right arm, hitting a series of arm breakers and tight arm wrenches. Zack got away from Thatcher's grasp momentarily, going for a heel hook.
Thatcher countered this with a sleeper attempt. Drake tried to break it up, but the boot to the face only angered Toothless Timmy. Thatcher and Ciampa laid out the former NXT UK Tag Champions as we cut to break.
When we returned to NXT, James Drake and Zack Gibson dropped Thatcher with the flatliner/missile dropkick combination. The Veterans worked over the heel of the Thatch-as-Thatch-Can instructor but couldn't keep him away from his partner. Tommaso Ciampa came in like a house on fire, demolishing both of his opponents.
Drake found himself in the wrong corner as Ciampa and Thatcher took turns wailing on him. Thatcher looked for the single-leg Boston Crab, but couldn't lock it in. Gibson tagged in and was immediately taken to the mat with a belly-to-belly suplex. Former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa joined the fray, leading to a four-man brawl.
Ciampa and Drake fell to the floor, leaving Gibson and Thatcher battering one another with European uppercuts and chops. Thatcher and Gibson traded pinfall attempts before Thatcher managed to force a submission with a Fujiwara Armbar. Thatcher, though, used Wade Barrett's shoe, who inadvertently lost his shoe during the match, before locking the armbar in.
Results: Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa defeated Grizzled Young Veterans via submission on NXT.
Grade: A
Backstage, Austin Theory and Johnny Gargano were looking to bust down William Regal's door. Gargano was still trying to get his match with Bronson Reed cancelled, but it was a no-go.
Not only that, but Theory would face Karrion Kross next week on NXT. Don't mess with Scarlett, eh?
In the opening match, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott defeated Leon Ruff. Backstage on NXT, he was seen with his entourage. A camera caught up to him, and Swerve looked back to simply say "I told y'all I was gonna beat Leon Ruff tonight, and I did."
That you did, Swerve. That you did.
NXT Champion Karrion Kross addresses the locker room
The NXT Champion came to the ring with Scarlett and looked back to the week he won the gold. Karrion Kross said that he told the locker room to step up and fight, but nobody had taken him up on that offer. Kross was tired of waiting. Next week, he'd divebomb Austin Theory on his head.
Kyle O'Reilly stepped up, and Cool Kyle showed no fear. The elite air guitarist of NXT made it simple. He was here to tell the champion, to his face, that he wasn't afraid.
More than anything, he needed this match and knew it was something Kross was hoping for. Before they could finish their spat, former NXT UK Champion Pete Dunne entered the conversation.
The Bruiserweight considered himself the best in NXT and wanted to prove it once and for all by winning the gold. The Prince, Finn Balor, made his return to the Black and Gold Brand.
All three men attacked Karrion Kross, but the NXT Champion was able to fight them all off with ease. Balor, O'Reilly, and Dunne were taken to the floor while Kross sent a message, dropping a security guard with the Doomsday Saito.
Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory followed but met the same fate as the rest. An exploder dumped Theory on his head, and Kross looked to finish off the NXT North American Champion.
However, a series of superkicks stunned Kross, and a shot from Gargano's belt knocked him out cold. Gargano and Theory found...The Way...to conquer Karrion Kross.
Zayda Ramier vs Sarray on NXT
NXT saw the debut of several new additions to the women's roster as of late. Two impressive new superstars, Sarray and Zayda Ramier, picked up huge wins in their first matches. Tonight, they faced off in an exciting match-up.
Zayda Ramier and Sarray traded shots before Ramier caught Sarray with an STF. The Japanese star barely got to the ropes and rocked Zayda with a series of kicks and a whiplash-like spinebuster.
The Muta Lock was locked in, but Ramier made it to the ropes. A flying dropkick in the ropes nearly took Ramier's head off.
Sarray looked for her second NXT victory with a bridging fisherman's suplex, but couldn't secure the win. A missile dropkick took Ramier down, and another running dropkick left her in line for another kick on the ropes.
Ramier avoided this one, leaving Sarray landing on her head. Sarray would pick up the win after a German suplex and sleeper suplex followup.
Results: Sarray defeated Zayda Ramier via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: B+
Imperium was seen talking to NXT UK Champion WALTER via Zoom. WALTER seemed to be chewing out Alexander Wolfe, and the Axman suddenly stood up and walked away. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel were a bit taken back.
We got another short vignette of the Diamond Mine. Who, or what, is the Diamond Mine referring to?
Backstage on NXT, Sarray and Zayda Ramier were thanking each other for the great contest. Toni Storm tried to barge in, but she was cut off by Zoey Stark. After Storm left, Stark joined Ramier and Sarray.
Jake Atlas vs LA Knight on NXT
LA Knight verbally trashed Jake Atlas before the match, which only fired up the phenomenal high-flyer. Atlas took Knight to the mat with a series of arm drags.
Atlas sent Knight to the floor, but the suicide dive was countered with a big forearm to the head. A slingshot shoulder tackle took Atlas down, but Atlas avoided a running knee drop and lit up the Namer of Dummies.
A shortcut allowed Knight to regain control and composure. Though Atlas rocked him with a few kicks, the rolling roundhouse was ducked, and Knight dropped him with the BFT.
Results: LA Knight defeated Jake Atlas via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: C
The Way was backstage getting ready for their NXT Women's Tag Title Match tonight. Dexter Lumis left a present for Indi Hartwell in the locker room, but Candice LeRae hid it.
Lumis appeared in a doorway, only for LeRae to close the blinds. Luckily for LeRae, Hartwell saw none of it.
Legado Del Fantasma target three NXT Champions
Former NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar and Legado Del Fantasma were in the ring next.
Escobar vowed to once again rise to the top of NXT, and Legado Del Fantasma challenged MSK for their gold.
Santos Escobar said the measure of a man is not what he can do for himself, but what he does for his brothers, and wanted the best for Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza.
Before he could continue, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida appeared on the screen to challenge Escobar to a match next week.
The leader of LDF happily accepted. Will Legado Del Fantasma soon be draped in gold?
Raquel Gonzalez and Mercedes Martinez engage in war of words on NXT
Beth Phoenix spoke to NXT Women's Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Mercedes Martinez ahead of their title bout next week.
Gonzalez said she'd be able to dominate Martinez thanks to her sheer brute force. Martinez claimed that she had a lot to prove next week.
She wasn't afraid of Raquel Gonzalez, something that most of the NXT women's locker room couldn't say.
Martinez's many paths and sacrifices in the wrestling business are what paved the way for Gonzalez's success in NXT.
Gonzalez was molded after the blueprint that Martinez created. Gonzalez agreed that Martinez set the bar, but the NXT Women's Champion raised it higher than Martinez ever could.
The NXT Women's Tag Team Champions were preparing to take the tank to war when they found a dog sitting in the driver's seat. Shotzi Blackheart was smitten, but that soon faded when they saw what the dog left for them in the tank.
Cameron Grimes attempted to get into the VIP room of a club near the CWC. However, the entire club was bought by the Million Dollar Man. Grimes, again, was outbid by Ted Dibiase.
NXT Women's Tag Team Title Match: The Way (Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell) vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart (c) in a Street Fight
The NXT Women's Tag Champions came to the ring decked out in special horror movie gear. Shotzi Blackheart was wearing a carved-up version of Freddy Krueger's classic sweater while Ember Moon was sporting a Jason Voorhees mask.
Before the introductions began, these four attacked each other, starting off the NXT main event in full gear.
Moon paired off with Candice LeRae while Blackheart focused on Indi Hartwell. The champs drove LeRae into the barricade, leaving Hartwell in a two-on-one situation.
With a trash can in the ring, Moon and Blackheart were looking to dish out some serious punishment. With it draped over Hartwell's head, stereo dropkicks crushed Indi under the steel can.
LeRae broke the pin up, sending the champions to the floor. As Hartwell recovered, Candice missed a baseball slide on the floor and was met in the middle with a pair of trash can lids to the head.
Hartwell set up a series of chairs, looking to suplex Blackheart through them. Instead, Moon caught her with a facebuster onto the steel pile. They set up Hartwell on top of the chairs, but Blackheart's dive was stopped when LeRae blinded the champions with a fire extinguisher.
During the break, LeRae and Hartwell set up a table in the corner. Moon failed to come out on top of a two-on-one beatdown. Blackheart managed to make a save, allowing the NXT Women's Tag Champions to hit an enziguiri/leaping senton combination on both challengers.
As Blackheart caught Hartwell in a Figure-4 Necklock in the corner, Moon launched a chair at Hartwell's face. Hartwell managed to save LeRae from a dominator/facebuster combination. The champs seemed to have everything in control.
With LeRae set up on a ladder between the ring and barricade, Blackheart dove off the top for her Senton Splash.
The ladder didn't completely break, leaving both women in agony on the floor. Moon drove Indi into a table with a spinebuster, but like the ladder, it also didn't break.
Hartwell kicked out and hoofed a ladder into the champions. With Blackheart placed on a ladder, Hartwell held it up for NXT's Poison Pixie's springboard moonsault. Moon broke the pin up.
Hartwell drove Blackheart into the barricade before clearing off the table. Blackheart stunned her with a coffee mug and climbed a truss near the table. Hartwell couldn't get out of the way and was driven through the table with a crossbody from on high.
Back inside, Moon planted LeRae with a sit-out powerbomb, nearly retaining the NXT Women's Tag Titles.
LeRae blocked the Eclipse and sent Blackheart into her partner. With Moon left on a table on the floor, Hartwell rolled in for a springboard elbow drop through the wood.
Back inside, LeRae hit the Wicked Step Sister on a steel chair. With that, The Way finally captured the NXT Tag Titles.
Results: The Way defeated Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: B-
