WWE NXT aired live from Full Sail University tonight. Both hours of NXT will be moving to the USA Network starting next week. Here are 5 takeaways from the show:
Keith Lee Defeated Dominik Dijakovic In A Great Match
Keith Lee squared off with Dominik Dijakovic in the first match on this week’s episode of NXT. Lee dominated the match early and leveled Dijakovic with a shoulder tackle. Lee went for a Suplex but Dijakovic broke it up with a knee strike. Keith shrugged it off and hit Dijakovic with a headbutt. Dijakovic connected with a Chokeslam onto the ring apron as NXT went to a commercial break.
When NXT returned, Lee was back in control and slammed Dominik to the canvas. Keith knocked Dominik to the outside and flipped onto him. Back in the ring, Lee connected with a ridiculous Moonsault off the second rope for a near fall.
Dijakovic and Lee battled on the turnbuckle and Dominik connected with a Canadian Destroyer for a two count. The crowd chanted “holy sh*t!” as Dijakovic hit a Moonsault of his own for a two count. Lee deadlifted Dijakovic and planted him with a Jackhammer for the pinfall victory.
The commentary team pointed out that the series is now tied 1-1. Lee and Dijakovic work incredibly well together and I am already looking forward to their next match.
Dakota Kai Made Her Return
Dakota Kai made her return tonight and got a great reaction from the crowd. Kai battled Taynara on tonight’s show. Taynara started trash-talking Kai and got a kick to the face from Dakota.
Kai climbed to the top rope but Taynara tripped her up. Taynara connected with a kick to the back of Kai’s head for a near fall. Kai battled back with a flurry of kicks and followed it up with the Facewash Kick in the corner. Dakota then hit the GTK for the pinfall victory.
Matt Riddle Will Face Adam Cole Next Week For The NXT Championship
Matt Riddle and Killian Dain once again battled in a Street Fight tonight on the show. NXT GM William Regal announced that the winner of this match will get the opportunity to face Adam Cole for the NXT Championship.
Riddle and Dain traded shots to start the match off. Dain sent Riddle out of the ring but Matt got right back in and took Killian down. Both superstars got back up and had a staredown as the crowd cheered.
Killian lifted Riddle up in the Fireman’s Carry but Matt escaped and hit a kick to the face. Riddle connected with a German Suplex and went for the cover but Killian was able to kick out at two. Dain rolled out of the ring but Riddle chased after him and hit a forearm to the face as NXT went to a commercial break.
When NXT returned, Riddle was still in control and hit an Exploder Suplex in the ring. Riddle followed it up with two Brotons and then a Penalty Kick for a near fall. Dain slammed Riddle to the canvas and connected with a Senton.
Dain followed it up with a Powerbomb and then an Elbow Drop for a two count. Riddle planted Killian with an Alabama Slam and a Moonsault for another near fall. Killian Dain knocked Riddle out of the ring and hit him with a Suicide Dive as the crowd chanted “NXT!”.
Killian Dain threw a steel chair at Riddle and then hit him in the midsection with it. The action spilled into the crowd as Dain and Riddle traded shots. Riddle connected with three kicks to the chest and Killian fell to the floor. Matt then returned the favor and threw a chair at Dain. Killian then hit Riddle with a Crossbody that sent both superstars through a clearly gimmicked wall as NXT went to a break.
Riddle hit Dain with a Broton through a table as NXT returned from the break. Back in the ring, Riddle grabbed a chair but turned around into a Crossbody from Killian. Dain hit three Vader Bombs in a row and went for the cover but Riddle kicked out at two.
Killian placed the chair on top of Riddle and hit it with a kendo stick. Dain made his way back to the second rope but Riddle got up and hit Killian with the chair. Riddle followed it up with a Powerbomb and then a knee to the face for a two count.
Matt Riddle placed the chair on top of Killian and hit it with the kendo stick. Riddle hit Dain with the kendo stick once again and then went for the Bromission but Dain blocked it. Dain and Riddle traded shots but Matt locked in an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring and Killian tapped out.
NXT Champion Adam Cole made his way down to the ring with the title. Cole told Riddle that he isn’t in his league and he will never be the NXT Champion. Riddle locked Cole in an Arm Bar and Cole tapped out. Undisputed Era rushed the ring but Riddle was able to escape to end the first hour of NXT.
Riddle and Dain put on a solid Street Fight and the right superstar won. Riddle versus Adam Cole is a great main event next week when NXT goes to two hours on the USA Network.
Rhea Ripley Picked Up A Win
Rhea Ripley faced Kayden Carter tonight on NXT. Carter connected with a DDT to start things off but Rhea responded with a massive Dropkick of her own. Ripley went for the cover but Kayden kicked out at two.
Ripley beat Carter down in the corner and connected with a Vertical Suplex for a near fall. Rhea unloaded a few forearms to Carter’s face and stood over her. Ripley went for a kick but Kayden dodged it and rolled up Ripley for a two count.
Carter hit a Hurricanrana and followed it up with a kick to the face for a near fall. Rhea battled back and planted Carter with the Riptide for the pinfall victory.
Walter Attacked Kushida
Imperium (Alexander Wolfe, Marcel Barthel, and Fabian Aichner) faced Kushida and Breezango in the main event of this week’s NXT.
Aichner and Kushida started things off and Fabian beat him down in the corner. Kushida battled back with a Hip Toss and then a Dropkick for a two count. Wolfe tagged in and connected with a German Suplex for a near fall.
Fandango tagged in and leveled Alexander with a Dropkick. Tyler Breeze tagged in and hit a Suplex and followed it up with a Leg Drop for a two count. Imperium battled back and isolated Tyler Breeze in the ring.
Aichner and Barthel tied up Breeze in the Tree of Woe and hit him with Stereo Dropkicks. Aichner planted Tyler with a Back Body Drop for a near fall and tagged Barthel back into the match.
Breeze finally battled back and sent Barthel out of the ring. Marcel got back into the ring before Tyler could tag out and brought him back to Imperium’s corner. Aichner tagged in and Tyler connected with an Enziguri.
Fandango tagged in and lit up Wolfe’s chest with a couple of chops. Fandango did the same to Aichner and planted him with a Falcon Arrow. Fandango connected with a DDT on Wolfe and then launched Marcel to the outside. Fandango flipped onto Imperium outside the ring and Kushida tagged in.
Kushida locked in an Arm Breaker but it was broken up and then a brawl broke out. Kushida rolled up Barthel for the victory and celebrated on the entrance ramp. Walter showed up and leveled Kushida with a boot to the face. Imperium then posed on the entrance ramp to close the show.
NXT was another solid show tonight but the first hour was far more entertaining. Next week’s episode is setting up to be a huge show with multiple title matches. NXT is going all out to try and counterprogram the debut of AEW Dynamite on TNT.
