NXT opened this week with a recap of the last week’s bout between Johnny Gargano and Andrade “Cien” Almas. Gargano lost the match due to Tommaso Ciampa hitting him with a crutch from behind. After losing the match, Gargano was forced to leave NXT.
Yep… it still hurts.#ThankYouJohnny @JohnnyGargano #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/ifQ5W07GIC
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 1, 2018
Velveteen Dream vs. Tyler Bate
Can The #VelveteenDreamExperience withstand former #UKChampion @Tyler_Bate? We're about to find out! @VelveteenWWE #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/HLq9ldoUJt
— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2018
Bate applied a Wrist Lock to start off the match and followed it up with a Dropkick that knocked Dream out of the ring. Dream flipped out on the outside of the ring as NXT went to a commercial break.
When NXT returned, Dream went for a Suplex but Bate escaped. Dream slid under the ropes and out of the ring as Bate approached him. Dream got back in the ring and leveled Tyler with a shoulder tackle.
Dream booted Tyler in the back and then dropped a few knees on his midsection. Dream connected with a Backbreaker for a two count. Velveteen Dream took a break to grind in the ring and then slapped Bate across the face. Dream planted Bate with a Body Slam and dropped an elbow for a two count.
Velveteen Dream applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as the crowd cheered for Bate to get back in the match. Dream broke the hold and dropped three elbows to Bate’s back. Dream climbed to the second rope and delivered a double axehandle to Bate’s back for another two count. Dream locked in a Camel Clutch in the middle of the ring as the crowd continued to pump Bate up.
Tyler fed off their energy and broke the hold. Bate headbutted Dream in the ribs and then booted him in the face. Bate hit an uppercut in the corner and followed it up with a Fisherman’s Suplex for two. Bate lifted Dream up onto his shoulders and spun around a few times before Dream clocked him in the face to break it up.
Dream kicked Bate in the head and launched him towards the ropes but Bate bounced off the top rope with his head and connected with a Clothesline to Dream for a two count. Bate went for the Tyler Driver 97 but Velveteen countered into a Back Body Drop. Bate hit an uppercut but Dream responded with a Spinebuster for another two count.
Bate and Dream traded shots while battling on their knees in the ring. Both Superstars got back to their feet and Bate hit a flurry of uppercuts. Both Superstars connected with a headbutt at the same time and they both crashed to the canvas. Dream made his way to the top rope but Bate hit him with a Dropkick. Bate joined Dream on the top rope but Dream shoved him and Bate fell crotch-first to the top rope. Dream then hit the Purple Rainmaker Elbow Drop for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Velveteen Dream
Take it in, #NXTUniverse. @VelveteenWWE reigned supreme with a huge win over @Tyler_Bate on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/Opri8BWSgw
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 1, 2018
Paul Ellering cut a promo on a staircase about the upcoming Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Ellering stated that the tournament represented the road back to the NXT Tag Team Championships. Akam and Rezar showed up next to Ellering and said that all the other teams will suffer and war is their peace.
Cezar Bononi vs. Adam Cole
NXT Tag Team Champions Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly accompanied Adam Cole to the ring.
You voted him #NXTFutureStar in the #NXTYearEndAwards, and now @cezarbononi_wwe squares off against @AdamColePro NEXT on #WWENXT, only on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/DiCAi9CIj8
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) March 1, 2018
The crowd chanted “Adam Cole!” as the match started. Cole backed into the corner and grabbed a microphone. Cole told Cezar to relax for a minute and noted that Bononi was the 2017 NXT Future Star of the year and asked the crowd to give him an applause. Cole stated that there is only one place that the Future Star of the Year belongs and that is in the Undisputed Era. Fish and O’Reilly hopped up on the ring apron and tossed him an Undisputed shirt. Cole used the distraction to his advantage and punched Bononi in the face.
Cole posed in the ring and Bononi got back up and decked him. Bononi knocked Fish and O’Reilly off the apron and connected with a Michinoku Driver to Cole. Fish and O’Reaily got back on the apron and Cezar became distracted. Cole hit Bononi with a Superkick and followed it up with a knee to the back of his head for the pinfall victory. After the match, Cole beat Cezar down some more and the Undisputed Era stood over Bononi and taunted him.
Winner: Adam Cole
The #UndisputedERA's @AdamColePro STANDS TALL with #WWENXT #TagTeamChampions @KORcombat & @TheBobbyFish by his side! pic.twitter.com/7lHNjq1FYc
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 1, 2018
Street Profits interviewed each other about who they thought were going to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They both picked the Street Profits to win the tournament. The Dusty Rhodes Classic will kick off next week with Authors of Pain versus TM61.
BEHOLD: The 2018 #DustyClassic bracket! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/v676Jwxlp1
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 1, 2018
Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler
#MaeYoungClassic winner @KairiSaneWWE is out to silence @QoSBaszler once and for all TONIGHT on #WWENXT, only on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/l6ZCRcDmph
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) March 1, 2018
Baszler shoved Sane in the face to start off the match. Sane got pissed off and hit a couple of jabs before Shayna knocked her to the mat with a shoulder tackle. The crowd chanted “Kairi!” as Baszler applied a Headlock.
Sane battled free and threw Shayna into the corner. Sane climbed to the top and leaped over Baszler. Sane rolled up Shanya for two and then Baszler beat the hell out of Sane with a series of kicks. Baszler went for the cover but Sane kicked out at two as NXT went to a commercial break.
When NXT returned, Baszler was still in control and was focusing her attack on Sane’s left arm. Baszler connected with a running knee and then booted her in the back for a two count. Baszler locked in a Wrist Lock as Sane screamed in pain. Kairi countered into a roll-up for a two count.
Shayna missed with a knee and Sane unloaded a couple of chops in the corner. Sane connected with a Spear and both Superstars fell to the canvas. Sane geared herself up in the corner and hit a sliding forearm. Sane quickly climbed to the top and delivered an elbow to Shayna’s face for two.
Baszler clubbed Sane across the back and went for a Suplex but Sane broke free and dropped Shayna with a spinning punch. Sane climbed to the top but Baszler caught her and locked in the Kirifuda Clutch for the submission victory. After the match, Baszler approached the announce table and called Ember Moon out. Baszler stated that she is either leaving their next match with Ember’s title or a limb.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
THIS is the scene after a victory for @QoSBaszler over @KairiSaneWWE! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/cytbxDnWX7
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 1, 2018
NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas and his business associate Zelina Vega came down to the ring. Vega introduced Almas as “the greatest champion in NXT history”. Vega poked fun at Gargano bringing his family to TakeOver only to watch him lose. Vega boasted about Almas being 4-0 against Gargano.
The crowd chanted “clean sweep!” as Vega said that Andrade doesn’t care about their respect. Vega stated that she doesn’t feed off of her man’s success, she creates it. Almas grabbed the mic and laughed at Gargano losing to him again last week. Almas joked about making Johnny Wrestling become Johnny Jobless. Almas raised the title and circled the ring as the crowd booed.
Aleister Black’s music hit as Vega and Almas were at the top of the entrance ramp. Black walked up the stairs in the crowd through a cloud of smoke and entered the ring. Aleister got in the ring with a microphone and stared at Almas for a moment. The crowd chanted “Aleister!” and Killian Dain’s music hit. Dain got into the ring with Black and stared him down. Dain shouted “you’re in my path!” at Black and a brawl broke out. Aleister missed with Black Mass and Dain leveled him with a Crossbody. Almas and Vega left the entrance ramp with smiles on their faces as Dain posed over Black as NXT went off the air.
Just when @AndradeCienWWE and @Zelina_VegaWWE are getting comfortable… @WWEAleister shows up! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/UGvWRBfEIO
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 1, 2018
It was then announced on social media that Aleister Black will face Killian Dain next week on NXT.
BREAKING: @WWEAleister and @KillianDain are set to go one-on-one NEXT WEEK on #WWENXT, only on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/aMGkqbe2Uo
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 1, 2018
