It’s head to head night for the first time in quite some time for regular TV programming and NXT has pulled out all the stops tonight. Let’s take a look at the happenings.
Cody Rhodes is out first to talk about his big announcements. First up, the men’s Breakout tournament will take place after the women’s is complete. Next, the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is returning. Finally, he’s the GM for the night.
Ilja Dragunov, who apparently is the birthday boy, is out next to chat with Cody. He’s quickly interrupted by DumbDumb and Rhea. A match is set between Dom and Dragunov, with LA Knight as the special referee, for later in the show.
Roxanne Perez vs. Asuka
Perez puts up a good fight in this short match and shows she can hang with main roster talents like the Empress, but Asuka comes out the winner following the Tajiri Buzzsaw.
Winners: Asuka
Post match, Asuka shows respect to Perez, who’s soon after attacked by Kiana James. Shotzi shows up to chase off the poop disturbor.
Various hype segments follow up but they’re inconsequential.
Tyler Bate/Butch/Ridge Holland vs. Gallus (Pub Rules Match)
This is basically a No DQ Match with pub-themed devices like pool cues and darts. The latter… ouch!
The heroes finish things off with a nice Triple Powerbomb. If Butch and Ridge weren’t main roster jokes this would’ve meant more.
This, by the way, puts the main roster up 2-0 over NXT’ers. Let’s keep this count going.
Winners: The good guy British lads
We get hype for Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria next, including an interview with McKenzie Mitchell that is interrupted by Tegan Nox.
John Cena is out next and hypes up the crowd before throwing out the We Are NXT catchphrase. Bron Breakker interrupts. The two go back and forth and end up with some physicality.
Cody Rhodes talks with the tag champs next. Could’ve done without this segment if I’m being honest.
Baron Corbin is with McKenzie Mitchell next, taunting Dragunov until the camera cuts away for LA Knight’s arrival.
Ilja Dragunov vs. Dom Mysterio (NXT Championship Match, Special Referee LA Knight)
Chop fest mid match is the biggest highlight as Dragunov puts on a clinic. Dom has some good spots and good potential, but J-Day at this point is doing more harm than good.
Speaking of the devils, Finn Balor and JD McDonagh come out. They’re fended off by Knight. Torpedo Moscow by Dragunov finishes this match off.
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
Post match, Corbin threatens, only to be beaten to the punch (or kick) by Dijak. The prospect of Dragunov vs. Dijak is VERY appealing.
Cena huddles with Carmelo Hayes next and Trick Williams joins in. Good spot here.
Elsewhere, Paul Heyman talks with Ava, and Jade Cargill arrives to see Shawn Michaels.
Still elsewhere, Corbin meets up with Rhodes. Corbin will face Dijak next week, with the winner meeting the winner of Breakker vs. Hayes to determine the next contender to Dragunov.
Lola Vice vs. Dani Palmer (Breakout Tournament Match)
Very short match here, not a lot of opportunity to show off much in the arsenal for either woman. Lola, as expected, picks up the duke with a spinning hook kick to finish things off.
Winner: Lola Vice
To Chase U we go next and Thea Hail and Jacy Jayne are now both in the classes. I’m tiring of this overplayed camp.
Elsewhere, Bron and Heyman huddle.
Elsewhere, we get a Brian Pillman Jr. promo with a twist as he abandons his lineage and chooses the last name King instead in a show of resentment to his dad. VERY different bulid but has all sorts of logic behind it.
Carmelo Hayes (w/John Cena) vs. Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman)
Usual stuff from these forever rivals. Cena and a surprise appearance by Solo Sikoa make the interaction a bit different but the result is the same – Melo goes over, and Bron really needs to get up to the main roster. Maybe he joins The Bloodline after this tease?
Winner: Carmelo Hayes
Post match, Undertaker comes out on his ride and, after a short interaction with Breakker, puts him out with a Chokeslam. It really felt like this was Breakkers swan song with the Black and Gold.
Until next time, Stay Classy.
