Velveteen Dream vs. No Way Jose
Dream and Jose had a little dance-off before the bell rang. Dream started out in control and beatdown Jose in the corner. Dream took a break to dance in the middle of the ring and it cost him because Jose leveled him with a Clothesline.
Jose connected with a series of chops and then sent him to the mat with a Back Body Drop. Dream charged at Jose but he got out of the way and sent Dream out of the ring. No Way Jose connected with a Crossbody outside the ring as NXT went to a break.
When NXT returned, Dream booted Jose in the face and then draped him across the top rope. Dream connected with a swinging Neckbreaker and then made his way to the top rope. Dream leaped but Jose got his legs up and went for a roll-up but Velveteen Dream kicked out at to.
No Way Jose hit an Arm Drag and a few chops to Dream in the corner. Dream connected with a Dropkick and followed it up with a Death Valley Driver. Dream climbed to the top and hit the Purple Rainmaker Elbow Drop for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Dream grabbed a mic and addressed the crowd. Dream stated that he should sweep the NXT Year End Awards and added that his name was on the tip of everyone’s tongues in the crowd tonight.
Winner: Velveteen Dream
Is @VelveteenWWE destined to sweep the #NXTYearEndAwards? #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/DjRaVCNoSv
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2018
NXT GM William Regal announced that the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will be returning in two weeks. The winners of the tournament will win the Dusty Cup and also be rewarded a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championships at NXT TakeOver.
#WWENXT GM @RealKingRegal has announced the return of The #DustyClassic… and a huge opportunity awaits the winning team! pic.twitter.com/sDpktiwXMv
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2018
Nikki Cross vs. Vanessa Borne
The Atlanta crowd greeted Nikki by chanting her name as Cross beat the hell out of Borne in the corner. Borne battled back and slammed Cross to the mat for a two count. Borne stomped on Cross against the ropes several times but Nikki had a smile on her face the whole time. Brorne connected with a snap Suplex for another two count.
Cross connected with a Crossbody and followed it up with a few forearms. Nikki launched Borne into the corner and connected with a Splash. Nikki climbed to the top and hit another Crossbody. Cross hit The Purge (swinging Neckbreaker) for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Nikki Cross
Statement: MADE in the form of a victory for @NikkiCrossWWE! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/tEeZH3bgg8
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 22, 2018
NXT Championship: Andrade “Cien” Almas (c) vs. Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano came down to the ring with Candice LaRae. If Gargano loses this match, his NXT career is over.
Is this the last time that we will see @JohnnyGargano make his way to the #WWENXT ring? @CandiceLeRae pic.twitter.com/42NvDyma2U
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2018
Almas went for a a couple of roll-ups right away and Gargano rolled out of the ring as NXT went to a break. When NXT returned, Almas connected with an awesome elbow to Gargano’s face. Johnny battled back and Clotheslined Andrade out of the ring. Gargano was going to go for a Suicide Dive but Vega got in the way. Candice sprinted into the ring and leaped the ropes and took her out with a Suicide Dive.
Gargano connected with a Cannonball to Almas outside the ring. Candice and Zelina battled all the way up the entrance ramp and backstage. Back in the ring, Almas had taken control and slammed Johnny on the ring apron for a two count. Gargano hit a chop and sent Andrade to the ring apron. Almas grabbed Gargano’s arm and locked in an Arm Bar while tangled up in the ropes. Almas broke the hold before the referee counted to five.
Almas drove Gargano’s shoulder into the turnbuckle and stomped on his chest a few times as the crowd booed. A “Johnny Wrestling!” chant broke out as Almas thew Gargano to the corner as NXT went to a commercial break.
#NXTChampion @AndradeCienWWE is looking to systematically wear down @JohnnyGargano! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/9Ii1lJY3M6
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 22, 2018
When NXT returned, Andrade had an Arm Bar applied in the center of the ring. Gargano battled to his feet and connected with a boot to the side of the face. Johnny hit a chop and then hopped up to the second rope and connected with a Headscissors. Gargano followed it up with a slingshot Spear.
Andrade and Johnny traded punches in the middle of the ring. Gargano missed with a kick and Almas showed off his strength and hit a Buckle Bomb. Almas followed it up with a running knee in the corner for a two count.
Almas went for the Hammerlock DDT but Gargano blocked it. Almas threw Gargano through the ropes and Johnny hit the ring post shoulder first. Gargano kicked Almas in the face as the two Superstars battled on the ring apron. Almas escaped to the ring and Gargano went for another slingshot Spear but Almas countered into an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring.
Gargano broke the hold by reversing into a roll-up for two. Almas connected with another running knee to the back of Gargano’s head as he was against the turnbuckle. Andrade went for the cover but Gargano kicked out at two.
Almas perched Gargano up on the top rope and went for the Hammerlock DDT but Gargano fought him off. Johnny escaped through the ropes and shoved Almas to the floor. Johnny leaped through the ropes and hit a ridiculous Tornado DDT. Johnny brought Almas back into the ring and hit a Slingshot DDT for two.
Gargano and Almas traded punches while on their knees in the middle of the ring. They both got up while continuing to trade shots. Almas hit a chop but Gargano responded with a Superkick. Andrade went for the elbow but Gargano ducked and Almas hit the referee. Johnny locked in the Gargano Escape but the referee was down. Tommaso Ciampa got in the ring and cracked Gargano in the back with his crutch. Almas then hit the Hammerlock DDT for the pinfall victory. Johnny Gargano’s NXT career is now over.
The crowd chanted “thank you Johnny!” as Gargano and LaRae made their way backstage. Ciampa was then shown and he sarcastically waved goodbye to Gargano as NXT went off the air.
Winner & Still NXT Champion: Andrade “Cien” Almas
No referee…
The re-emergence of @ProjectCiampa…Luck is NOT in @JohnnyGargano's corner tonight. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/a8uW5HZnBS
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2018
THANK YOU JOHNNY! ?????
THANK YOU JOHNNY! ?????
THANK YOU JOHNNY! ?????@JohnnyGargano #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/jkUpbN4BSu— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 22, 2018
#NXTChampion @AndradeCienWWE has defeated @JohnnyGargano once again…
…and #JohnnyWrestling must now LEAVE #WWENXT. pic.twitter.com/XtvDslZbCc
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 22, 2018
