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We got a special WWE shop ad featuring NXT Superstar Candice LeRae and Santa Clause. Wait...that wasn't Santa, that was Johnny Gargano! He had us all fooled, even his wife.
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Next up on NXT was a match between two incredible technicians as well as hard-hitting Superstars in Timothy Thatcher and Kushida. Thatcher's Thatch-As-Thatch-Can students were seen in the back watching their mentor's match. Kevin Owens predicted that Kushida would emerge victorious tonight while also stating he'd love to get in the ring with Thatcher.
Before the match started, Tommaso Ciampa walked down the ramp. He wasn't alone, as he had a steel chair in hand. He unfolded it for a special front-row seat to the action. Last week, Ciampa saved August Grey from a nasty injury by Thatcher. Looks like the former NXT Champion is sending a message.
Timothy Thatcher vs Kushida on NXT
Timothy Thatcher started the bout by bringing Kushida to the mat. Kushida and Thatcher both jockeyed for position and traded submission attempts early on. Kushdia escaped an armbar but was planted with a belly-to-belly.
Kushida turned things around and hit the hip toss/basement dropkick combo. Thatcher rolled to the apron where he caught Kushida's handspring double kick, locking the Time Splitter in a high angle single leg Boston crab, leaving Kushida writhing in pain.
Back form the break, Kushida pelted Timothy Thatcher with a series of kicks, but an uppercut left Kushida dazed. Still, he was able to hop onto Thatcher for an attempt at the Hoverboard Lock. Thatcher blocked the hold but was rolled up with a backslide for a two-count. Kushida followed with a series of boots to the face, and again went for the Hoverboard Lock.
Two of NXT's best technicians continued to trade submission holds, leading to Kushida countering an ankle lock with one of his own. Kushida rolled Thatcher up in a pin, but Thatcher countered it with a sleeper with body scissors. Kushdia fought him off, and focused on breaking the arm of the Thatch-As-Thatch-Can master.
Thatcher was distracted by Ciampa, allowing Kushida to drop him with an armbreaker after he ran into the steel ringpost. With blood draining from his nose, Thatcher was rocked with a socker kick o the inside. They traded blows, with Thatcher still getting the best of Kushida with a butterfly suplex.
Again, Ciampa's presence was enough to distract Thatcher, and Kushida locked in the Hoverboard Lock for the win.
Results: Kushida defeated Timothy Thatcher via submission on NXT.
Grade: A
Timothy Thatcher had told Tommaso Ciampa last week that he had no problem with him. After all, one of his lessons was to never start a fight with someone you couldn't beat. Ciampa looked into the camera and said "Do you think he has a problem with me now?" Clearly, Thatcher did.
We got a hype package revolving around that incredible NXT Women's Championship match last week. Rhea Ripley said she didn't like Io Shirai, but she does respect her. Still, what does she do now? Well, tonight she'll address her future on NXT.
