The April 1, 2020 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from the Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University.
The show was headlined by a Triple Threat Match for the NXT North American Title with Keith Lee defending against Damian Priest and Dominik Dijakovic.
WWE NXT Results (4/1)
- The Velveteen Dream def. Bobby Fish
- Dexter Lumis def. Jake Atlas
- Dakota Kai def. Shotzi Blackheart, Deonna Purrazzo, Xia Li, Aliyah and Kayden Carter
- KUSHIDA def. Joaquin Wilde
- NXT North American Champion Keith Lee def. Damian Priest & Dominik Dijakovic
Here are the 4 takeaways from this week’s NXT show:
Second Chance Gauntlet Match
WWE held a Second Chance Gauntlet Match in order to determine who will get the final spot for the six-woman Ladder Match.
The Gauntlet featured Aliyah, Kayden Carter, Deonna Purrazzo, Shotzi Blackheart, Dakota Kai, and Xia Li. As seen in the contest, Kai ended up going over.
Other competitors in the Ladder Match include Io Shirai, Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green, Mia Yim, and Tegan Nox. The winner of the match will become the new #1 contender to the NXT Women’s Championship, which is currently held by Rhea Ripley.
The new #1 contender will earn a future title shot in a match that will take place after WrestleMania 36 due to Ripley defending the title against Charlotte Flair at this show.
Dexter Lumis Is Back
Dexter Lumis, formerly known as Samuel Shaw, took on Jake Atlas in a singles match which marked the second contest of the night.
Lumis went over in the contest. This marked the television debut for Atlas.
Lumis was under contract with TNA (now known as Impact Wrestling) from 2010 – 2015 where he won the Gut Check competition.
He was announced as part of the Performance Center recruits by the WWE that started training at the facility in Orlando, Florida back in March 2019.
Trevor Lee, 3.0, Elliott Sexton, Nick Comoroto, Rachael Ellering, Karen Q, Jonah Rock, Ricardo Miller and Omari Palmer were also part of this class.
This comes a week after a vignette aired promoting Lumis’ return was aired on the program.
Lumis competed in a tournament named NXT Breakout Tournament last July. This marked his TV debut but he lost in the first round of the tournament to Bronson Reed.
The Velveteen Dream vs. Bobby Fish
The Velveteen Dream vs. Bobby Fish in a singles match is in the books as the match took place on this show.
It was a fine match but not as good as Dream’s bout with Roderick Strong that also took place on NXT TV. Dream went over in the contest.
Since Dream came back from being on the shelf with an injury, he hasn’t found his groove that he was in regarding his in-ring work for whatever reason. Perhaps, he’s not 100%.
Either way, he makes up for that with his character and promo work, which has always been fanatic.
Clearly, WWE is building up to Dream challenging NXT Champion Adam Cole for the strap. When that exactly happens is up in the air due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
NXT North American Title Match
A Triple Threat for the NXT North American Title with Keith Lee defending against Damian Priest and Dominik Dijakovic took place. This was the biggest match on the show.
As seen in the match, Lee went over in his latest successful title defense. This was the right call.
Not only due to Lee still having somewhat of a short reign thus far but no titles should change hands in front of no fans in attendance.
WWE has been building up this match involving these stars for a few months now. Lee has had his good share of matches with both stars within this time. Also, Priest and Dijakovic have battled as well.
Perhaps, WWE will move forward with Lee feuding with someone else following this match considering that they don’t have anything to back up as to why they should get another crack at the men’s secondary title on the NXT brand.
