NXT
airdate: May 10th, 2017
Full Sail University
Ember Moon out of NXT: Chicago
We start off this week’s episode by getting an update on Ember Moon’s injury. She confirmed that she will no longer be in the NXT women’s match at Takeover: Chicago. Asuka will now be defending against only Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross.
1. Aleister Black vs. Cezar Bononi
This match was a minute and a half of innovative striking from Black, capped off with the Fade to Black for the win. He then did his ominous cross-legged sitting pose in the ring.
This was the WWE Network debut for Bononi. The 30 year-old Brazilian began his pro career in Brazil from 2014-15, until being signed by WWE and starting on the NXT live tour in 2016.
Winner: Aleister Black
Aleister Black the Cruiserweight?Â
NXT is certainly building Black up to be a big star, but his destination might be 205 Live as opposed to the main roster. WWE even teased the idea of a Black vs. Neville feud sometime in the future. They posted this on Instagram yesterday:
2. Team DIY vs. the Gifted Athletes (Riddick Moss & Tito Sabbatelli)
Both Sabbatelli & Moss are former NFL players with no indy experience before starting with NXT in 2015. They made their WWE Network debut in September as part of the Dusty Rhodes Classic. They also lost a match to the Revival last December. After this loss they are now 0-3.
For the most part this was a showcase match for DIY. They picked up the win after double running knees to a seated Moss.
Winners: Team DIY
- After the match William Regal came out and was about to award Team DIY with the next title shot, but Paul Ellering and the Authors of Pain interrupted. Despite the interruption, Regal announced Team DIY will challenge the Authors of Pain in a ladder match at Takeover.Â
- Kassius Ohno is interviewed backstage. He’s interrupted by Andrade “Cien” Almas. Ohno challenged him to a match next week and Almas accepted.Â
- UK Championship Match Announcement:Â Commentary announced that Tyler Bate will defend the UK Championship at NXT Takeover: Chicago against Pete Dunne.Â
3. NXT Championship #1 Contenders Match
Roderick Strong vs. Hideo Itami
Heading into this match there were reasons to believe either could win. While an Itami and Roode program has already been teased, they’ve also been airing background videos on Roderick Strong for the last two weeks.
The finish of the match came when both guys countered each others finishers, but then Itami hit a running boot and a hesitation dropkick in the corner, followed by the GTS for the win. The story presented was that Itami was the better wrestler on this night, but Strong refused to quit.
Winner: Hideo Itami (will face Bobby Roode at Takeover)
While not shown on the Network, Sanity attacked Roderick Strong after the match.
