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Three of NXT's championships were defended last week as we saw two shocking returns in the form of Finn Balor and Tommaso Ciampa. Tonight, the Cruiserweight title was on the line, while The North American Champion and the UK Champion showed up for non-title action.
Walter battled the Time Splitter, Kushida, in tonight's main event. The Ring General and the rest of Imperium were stunned by Kushida a few weeks back after attacking his ring opponent for the night. Kushida hoped to send Walter and the rest of his group back to NXT UK where they belonged. It was a brawl of the undefeated tonight.
Roderick Strong stole the North American Championship from the Velveteen Dream on NXT's USA Network debut, thanks to the interference from the Undisputed Era. Tonight, an NXT Breakout Star, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, had a chance to launch himself into title contention with a win over the Messiah of the Backbreaker.
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We kicked off tonight's festivities, however, with the Cruiserweight Championship. Drew Gulak has been one of the most dominant Cruiserweight Champions that the company has seen since the revival of the title, putting his name along the likes of Buddy Murphy and Cedric Alexander.
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Men like Tony Nese, Humberto Carrillo, and Oney Lorcan have all fallen to the catch as catch can mat wrestler. However, tonight, Lio Rush had an opportunity to prove many people wrong.
Tonight was about second chances for the Man of the Hour. Could he finally achieve success in the WWE, or would the Philadelphia Stretcher put an end to his dream?
NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match: Lio Rush vs Drew Gulak (c)
Gulak rushed in early with a dropkick, but Rush was able to avoid a running dropkick, sending the champion on his spine with a running Spanish Fly. Outside the ring, an Asai Moonsault took Gulak to the ground.
Back inside the ring, Gulak caught Rush leaping over the ropes, tossing him across the ring. In the corner, a running clothesline gave the champion a near fall. Rush attempted to roll-up Gulak only for the Philadelphia Stretcher to roll him over, catching him in an armbar.
Rush broke away but was caught with a mean right hand, setting up for another roll-up from Gulak, who after the breakup continued to target the challenger's arm. Both men traded chops, with the bigger man winning the battle and dropping Rush with a body slam. Gulak took Rush up top, but the Man of the Hour blocked a superplex attempt. However, Gulak leapt back up for a kick to the head, sending Rush crashing down on top of a cameraman on the outside.
Gulak sat in one of the corners as the referee began the ten count. Rush barely made it back in, and turned around into a devastating second rope diving clothesline. Gulak continued to batter the 24-year-old piece of gold, cutting off any and all comebacks with some brutal strikes.
Rush fought out of a rear chin lock and pelted Gulak with a series of punches, then sent him into the corner for a running crossbody. A tilt-a-whirl DDT earned him a two-count. Rush reigned down a series of kicks on the champ's chest, but Gulak was able to block the final one, and though his toss landed Rush on his feet, Gulak nearly decapitated him thanks to a stiff clothesline.
Gulak was rolled up once again, but broke out. As Rush looked for the Come Up Stunner, Gulak caught him and trapped him in the Gu-Lock. Rush escaped and locked in his own version of the Dragon Sleeper, but Gulak was easily able to break away. A Cyclone Crash nearly retained the belt for Gulak, but he failed to hook the correct leg in the pin, allowing Rush to reach the ropes.
Going up top again, Rush forced Gulak down to the mat. The Final Hour Frog Splash connected, and the Come Up left Gulak nearly out cold in the middle of the ring. Another Final Hour finally ended the reign of Gulak, earning Rush his first championship in the WWE.
Results: Lio Rush defeated Drew Gulak via pinfall.
Following the match, William Regal came down to the ring to place the title around Rush's waist. Gulak re-entered the ring, yanking the title away from the NXT General Manager. However, it was only to show the new champion respect, handing it off to him and shaking his hand. Regal then officially crowned Rush champion.
Rhea Ripley vs Aliyah w/Vanessa Bourne
Ripley shoves Aliyah across the ring into the corner, terrifying her opponent. AN attempt at a sleeper hold was easily quelled, with Ripley slamming her on the mat and battering her with a series of short-arm lariats followed by a standing dropkick.
Ripley tore Aliyah's legs apart with a deadlift modified Figure-4, then spun her around the ring before slamming her face first. With the hold still locked in and the torque only getting worse, Aliyah tapped out.
Results: Rhea Ripley defeated Aliyah via submission.
Ripley took a microphone after the match to let the Queen of Spades know that she's coming for the NXT Women's Championship. Shayna Baszler has forced all of her previous challengers to tap, nap, or snap, but the last time she was in the ring with the former UK Women's Champion, she had to get bailed out by her two cronies.
As if Tyler Breeze and Fandango weren't strange enough, in the best way of course, they outdid themselves with this week's entrance. Two women walked out in hard hats while we heard construction going on. As the lights came up, Breezango were seen in hard hats and protective vests, apparently showing off their new look.
Breezango were set to face off against Ever-Rise, but Jaxson Ryker brought out their unconscious bodies instead. The Forgotten Sons' music hit, with Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler making their way to the ring.
Breezango vs The Forgotten Sons w/Jaxson Ryker
Breeze started off the match, stunning Cutler with a series of punches. However, an Unprettier attempt was thwarted when Blake attempted to enter the ring. Cutler took over with a double underhook backbreaker.
Blake tagged in and was sent onto Breeze's back by Cutler, who then tagged back in for a double backbreaker. Breeze finally managed to make it to his corner, tagging in his partner just as Blake got back inside. Fandango battered the former Tag Team Champion with strong strikes and took him over with a snap powerslam followed by a Falcon Arrow.
The Fashion Faux Pas was stopped when Cutler yanked Breeze off the ropes. Breeze got back to his corner as Fandango bounced Blake off the mat with a sunset flip powerbomb. However, Ryker yanked Breeze out and sent him into the ring post, allowing the Sons to take over and send Fandango and his partner to the back following the Lost and the Damned.
Results: The Forgotten Sons defeated Breezango via pinfall.
A Keith Lee vignette played, with the Limitless One looking to finish off Dominik Dijakovic once and for all. The titans of NXT will battle one more time next week.
Boa vs Cameron Grimes
Boa was the victim of another quick leaping double foot stomp courtesy of Cameron Grimes.
Results: Cameron Grimes defeated Boa via pinfall.
Grimes immediately rushed away from the ring as Killian Dain ran in. It seemed that Dain was chasing Grimes off, but he was just looking for fresh meat of any kind. The Hound of Ulster battered Boa, crashing onto his sternum with a Vader Bomb.
He then dragged his victim to the announcer's desk where he slammed him on top, leaving him there for all to see.
We got another vignette, this time for Damian Priest. The Archer of Infamy attacked Pete Dunne following his match with Danny Burch last week. Priest said that the reason he attacked the Bruiserweight was to surround himself in even more bright lights. Thanks to Dunne, he's one step closer to infamy.
Roderick Strong vs Isaiah "Swerve" Scott
Strong and Scott wrapped up with Scott taking the North American Champion to the mat. Strong gained control, escaping Scott's legs and leaping in for a side headlock. They both stood up, and Strong exclaimed that Scott was in "his house."
Swerve responded with a leaping high kick to the jaw. A gourdbuster was followed by a rope-assisted cartwheel splash. Strong got back on top after kicking out, taking his opponent up for a body slam. Scott escaped and sent Strong overhead with a headscissors. A nasty dropkick to Strong's jaw earned Scott a near fall.
Both men made it to their feet again and traded kicks and chops. Strong finally took over after a few loud chops and a backbreaker. A leaping knee prevented a comeback from Scott, and Strong caught him rolling in for another backbreaker.
Scott came back with a few right hands, but again was planted across Strong's knee with a third backbreaker, leaving Scott grasping at his spine on the mat. Strong trapped him in an abdominal stretch, and when Swerve tried to break free, kneed him square in the jaw.
A picture perfect dropkick earned Strong another nearfall. Scott fought away from Strong's grasp with a few kicks to the jaw and a sneaky right hand to the jaw. Strong was stunned, falling to the mat. As he got up, he was met by a few clotheslines and a kneeling jawbreaker. As strong sat in the middle of the mat, he was hit with a second rope elbow to the back of the neck.
Strong was hung up in the ropes thanks to a kick to the knees, allowing Scott to hit a superkick and plant him with a heightened Implant DDT. Strong kicked out at two. The Undisputed Era came out here to motivate their partner. A German suplex, flatliner and leaping kick to the jaw gave Scott yet another nearfall.
Scott battled Strong who was left on the apron, tripping him up and hitting a superkick, leaving Strong hanging outside. A leaping double foot stomp would've earned him the win, but as he rolled the champ back inside, the Era distracted Scott. Strong caught him with a leaping knee and a high speed Yakuza Kick. The End of Heartache set up the Stronghold, forcing Scott to tap out.
Results: Roderick Strong defeated Isaiah "Swerve" Scott via submission.
Adam Cole and the rest of the Era rolled into the ring to celebrate. Cole gave Swerve props, claiming that he was great, but not as great as the North American Champion. Cole then called out the NXT locker room, including the returning Finn Balor and Tommaso Ciampa, stating that it was a dream if they thought they could take any of the gold from the Undisputed Era.
The Velveteen Dream heard "dream" and took over. From a stage to the side of the ring, Dream appeared and challenged Roderick Strong for the NXT North American Championship. Dream showed a picture that Strong took with the belt, Shawn Michaels Playgirl style.
Dream said that once he strips Strong of the belt in two weeks time, the rest of the world will see how the Messiah of the Backbreaker just doesn't measure up. The belt was taken off the picture to reveal a...small surprise for the Full Sail Audience.
At this point, Tommaso Ciampa's music hit. Ciampa dragged a crutch to ringside with him, and grabbed a chair from the audience for good measure. The Undisputed Era bailed the ring as the former champion entered. Ciampa set up the chair to take a seat and picked up a microphone.
In just a few words, Ciampa left the entire Undisputed Era writhing with anger. "Goldie, Daddy's home." Cole and the rest of the group backed up the stage while Ciampa stared a hole through the Panama City Playboy.
Angel Garza tried to show up Tommaso Ciampa backstage, talking trash in Spanish only to be knocked out cold by the Blackhearted One. When asked what Garza said, Ciampa said, "I have no idea."
Dakota Kai vs Bianca Belair
Belair overpowered Kai with ease, catching the Captain of Team Kick as she attempted to leap over the turnbuckle. Kai escaped and took her down via leg trip, following up with a penalty kick and a running double stomp. Belair rolled outside where she was met by a vicious kick off the apron.
Back inside, Belair launched Kai face-first into the turnbuckle with an alley-oop of sorts. A huge running shoulder block turned Kai inside out. Kai was picked up for a body slam, with Belair putting in a few squats before dropping her on the mat.
Kai rolled Belair up, getting a near fall. Belair responded with a tilt-a-whirl gutbuster as we cut to commercial.
Back from the break, Kai delivered a series of kicks to Belair, finishing up with a running dropkick that sent Belair into the ropes. Kai slid outside and tripped her up, bringing her head around for a pump kick. Back inside, an axe kick left Belair crawling towards the corner. A base running big boot in the corner gave her a near fall.
Belair was nearly sent out the ring with a massive double knee strike to the chest. Again, the Est. of NXT kicked out. Belair dodged another strike and planted Kai with the Glam Slam followed by a Shooting Star Press. Kai kicked out.
Kai escaped a powerbomb, rolling Belair up again. Belair kicked out but was trapped in a rolling crucifix pin. Belair was met by a step up boot as she broke away, but avoided a second one for the K.O.D.
Results: Bianca Belair defeated Dakota Kai via pinfall.
Following the bout, Belair took a mic to throw her hat in the ring for a shot at Shayna Baszler and the NXT Women's Championship.
Next week, Dijakovic and Lee battle to determine who's the best big man in NXT. Dijakovic said that he knows how to handle Lee, and their climactic brawl next week will prove once and for all why he's the true beast of the Black & Gold Brand.
Pete Dunne revealed in a vignette that he expected challenges in his return to NXT. However, the Archer of Infamy was quite a surprise. Next week, though, he'll look to put down Damian Priest, and asked how it's possible to shoot a bow & arrow with broken fingers.
Lio Rush was seen celebrating his title win backstage. Next week, we'll see what's in store for the Man of the Hour and who's next in line for a title shot.
Kushida vs Walter
Walter withstood a storm of kicks from Kushida and draped him across the top rope. However, Walter simply tapped his head, showing that he wasn't taking this too seriously. Kushida rushed back in only to be taken down with a headlock. Kushida escaped, proving that he's the master of technical wrestling tonight.
Kushida tapped Walter's head then chopped him across the chest. Walter rushed him, leading to Kushida dropping the ropes, sending him outside where he was met by a series of dropkicks keeping him off the apron. We cut to commercial as Walter walked to the ramp, frustrated.
Back from the break, Kushida slipped on the top ropes as he went for a springboard maneuver, allowing Walter to level him with a heavy big boot. Walter continued his onslaught, tying Kushida up in the ropes and bearing down on his chest with a handful of chest cracking chops. He brought Kushida back to his feet, turning him over for a slap that saw Kushida crashing to the mat.
However, Kushida countered a powerbomb attempt, spiking the UK Champion with a DDT. As he found himself on the apron, he connected with an enziguri, then went up top where he hit Walter with a leaping ax handle. A judo toss sent Walter to the ground for a dropkick to the chin. Walter rolled outside where he was left in No Man's Land as we saw Kushida attempt the sunset flip powerbomb.
Walter held on and stomped on Kushida's head, driving it into the apron. He yanked Kushida up to the apron where the two men traded chops. Kushda dodged one of Walter's and we saw the big man's bear paw like hand break off the ring post. Kushida followed up with a rolling DDT to the ground below.
Both men got back inside before the ten count. After a few kicks, Kushida trapped Walter in the Hoverboard Lock. Walter stood up and brought Kushida up with a suplex attempt. Kushida landed on his feet but was caught in a sleeper hold.
Kushida made it to the ropes and rolled Walter up with the O'Connor Roll. Walter broke out but was trapped in an armbar. However, he overpowered the Time Splitter, turning it into a pinfall attempt. Walter was met by an elbow and kick to the jaw but responded with a massive big boot. A German suplex and pumphandle suplex gave him yet another near fall.
Walter found himself at the top of the turnbuckle where he was trapped in another Hoverboard Lock. Kushida took him from the top with a rolling armbar, then locked it in once again. Walter squirmed his way to the ropes as Kushida was pelting his head with kicks, forcing the Super Jr. to break the hold.
The big man was battered by more knife edge chops and kicks, but he escaped a third Hoverboard Lock, launching Kushida into the corner with a shotgun dropkick. The powerbomb wasn't enough, as Kushida kicked out just in the nick of time.
However, Walter's pure brute strength was just too much to bear. A short-arm clothesline finally took him out, ending his undefeated streak as Walter's grew.
Results: Walter defeated Kushida via pinfall.
