The March 25, 2020 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University.
The show was headlined by Matt Riddle vs. Roderick Strong in a singles match. Here are the 6 takeaways from this week’s show:
WWE NXT Results (3/25)
- Tyler Breeze def. Austin Theory
- Killian Dain def. Tehuti Miles
- Cameron Grimes def. Tony Nese
- Io Shirai def. Aliyah – Ladder Match Qualifying Match
- Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch def. Shane Thorne and Brendan Vink
- Candice LeRae def. Kayden Carter
- Matt Riddle def. Roderick Strong
Qualifying Matches
Aliyah vs. Xia Li and Candice LeRae vs. Kayden Carter in qualifying matches for the Ladder Match to determine a new #1 contender for the NXT Women’s Title took place on this show.
Li was attacked backstage and replaced by Io Shirai, who went over on Aliyah while LeRae went over Carter. Chelsea Green, Mia Yim, and Tegan Nox have already secured spots in the bout.
This match was slated to take place at the NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay special on WrestleMania 36 weekend. However, that event was canceled. Now, this Ladder Match is slated to take place on an upcoming episode of NXT TV.
NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley will make her next title defense against Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36.
Thus, the winner of this match will face the new #1 contender down the line at a date that has yet to be announced.
Matt Riddle vs. Roderick Strong
Matt Riddle vs. Roderick Strong in a singles bout was the biggest match on the card of this interesting show.
It was exactly what you would expect to see in a hard-hitting affair. This seemed to be and played out as a match with two top names that could deliver a fine match. Riddle won the match.
It appeared that WWE is building up to a rematch between The Undisputed Era and Riddle & Strong for the NXT Tag Team Titles.
While it won’t take place at NXT TakeOver: Tampa, don’t be surprised to see it play out on NXT television.Â
After the match, two unknown stars managed by Malcolm Bivens came out and attacked Riddle.
Adam Cole Sends Message
WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole had a special message for fans on this show. He cut a promo from his phone while poolside on vacation.
He talked about while poolside, he had been thinking about his altercation with the Velveteen Dream and how it got him flustered but then he was thinking why he would ever be flustered.
Cole then listed off his accomplishments in WWE from being the first-ever North American Champion, the first winner of the WarGames Match in NXT, and now the longest-reigning NXT Champion.
Cole stated that Dream hasn’t done anything to earn a shot at him or his title. However, The Undisputed Era wants a shot at the experience and vowed that Dream would suffer a loss to Bobby Fish when they wrestle.
Tyler Breeze vs. Austin Theory
WWE didn’t waste any time in getting to in-ring competition with Tyler Breeze vs. Austin Theory in a singles match.
After a few graphics hyping what was on the show, we went straight to the match. Just like with RAW and SmackDown, WWE had the hard camera showing the entrance ramp in the background.
This comes after the low rated edition of NXT which featured no live matches but rather three video packages last week.
As seen on the show, Breeze ended up going over, which some could see as an interesting move considering Breeze hasn’t been used in a prominent role since Fandango was sidelined due to injury.
It was a fine opener with both guys shining. Theory is still someone to keep your eye on but he’s still missing something that’s keeping him from being a main time player.
Feuding Three Ways
The continuation of the ongoing program between NXT North American Champion Keith Lee, Damien Priest and Donovan Dijak took place on this show.
It all started with Lee apologizing to Dijak for thinking that he was the one who attacked him two weeks ago, which led to Lee laying him out at the time. Dijak claimed that Lee took the food off the plate of his family.
This led to Priest coming out to the ring and saying that his eyes are on the prize which is the North American Title. He said that his name will live forever but he needs the title to do so.
Lee said that them fighting over the title doesn’t matter because the champion is standing right here. Priest tried to attack them but Lee and Dijac fought him off. Dijak took them both out with an outside dive.
With NXT TakeOver: Tampa being off, it’s just a matter of time before a three-way is booked.
Triple H Addresses Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa had to answer to Triple H. In the final segment of the show, Triple H began to cut a promo about this feud before Ciampa came out.
Ciampa told Triple H to bring out Gargano and that everything has been said that needs to be said. Triple H told them that there will be no physicality. Gargano said that he doesn’t understand why he was fined when Ciampa started the brawl two weeks ago. He refused to get into the ring.
Triple H said that he’s the reason that both of them are still here because William Regal wanted to fire them. Triple H stated that he gets their beef but it needs to end.
He said that it should end on the biggest stage in the world. Gargano said it should’ve ended last year but Ciampa broke his neck. Gargano said in two weeks, they can finish it once and for all. Triple H said that he will find an empty building and a referee there to say it’s over.
When this is over then it’s over. One will walk out and one will leave. Triple H said that if their feud continues after this match then both of them will be gone from NXT.
At the end of the segment, there was a teaser video for the arrival of Killer Kross.
