The May 18, 2021 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center.
WWE NXT Results
- Toni Storm def. Zoey Stark.
- Jake Atlas def. Cameron Grimes
- Killian Dain def. Alexander Wolfe.
- Legado del Fantasma def. Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa
- Sarray def. Aliyah
- Hit Row (Top Dolla & Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis) def. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari.
- Bronson Reed def. Johnny Gargano to win North American Title
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
Killian Dain vs. Alexander Wolfe in a singles match took place.
Three weeks ago on NXT, Imperium stablemates Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner defeated Drake Maverick & Dain when Aichner & Barthel hit the Euro Bomb on Maverick to get the win
Going into the match, Maverick made it known that he was worried that Dain was going to turn against him and join Imperium, which was teased in the match, but didn’t happen. Wolfe was formerly a member of SAnitY with Dain.
This latest match saw them work a short bout. The finish saw Wolfe try to bring a chair into the match, but Dain speared him for the win. Post-match, Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner attacked Wolfe.
Pete Dunne Interview
Sports writer and radio host Arash Markazi interviewed Pete Dunne. Two weeks ago, Dunne was one of three wrestlers (Kyle O’Reilly and Finn Balor) who interrupted NXT Champion Karrion Kross.
This is where Dunne said that he’s already proven he can beat Kushida and that’s a title he could win. He said he has history with WALTER and could go after the NXT UK Title. The North American Title with Johnny Gargan is an option, but he’s only been in the ring with him once and he hit him with the Bitter Ending. He said he wants the NXT Title and Karrion Kross has it.
Dunne doesn’t care about respect from his peers as his work speaks for itself and even if he drops a loss, he changes his opponents forever. He said he doesn’t set goals anymore, but if he wants to do one thing and that’s the NXT Title because he’s already dominated the NXT UK scene, so he wants to dominate the American scene.
Singles Match
Toni Storm vs. Zoey Stark took place in a singles match.
The bout kicked off the show and was a fun back and forth bout. At one point, Stark kicked out of the Storm Zero, which was a big near fall. In the end, Storm went over with her finisher.
The last few months have made fans question what WWE is doing with Storm. It appears she is going in the right direction now.
Also, post-match, Franky Monet appeared on the stage and had a staredown with Storm. It was announced Monet will make her in-ring debut next week.
Ted DiBiase Sr. Appearance
Ted DiBiase Sr. was booked to appear for another segment with Cameron Grimes.
The past three weeks have seen segments with “The Million Dollar Man” and Grimes, but this marked the first time the WWE Hall of Famer was in the building.
DiBiase is involved in a storyline where he’s used his wealth to repeatedly upstage Grimes. Just last week, DiBiase outbid Grimes at an auction to buy a mansion in Orlando, Florida. Of course, Grimes’ character became wealthy after investing in GameStop stock and purchasing Dogecoin earlier this year.
On this episode, Grimes aired a video package of embarrassing moments throughout the career of DiBiase. Grimes then worked a match with Jake Atlas. The finish saw Ted come out to the stage to distract Grimes, who got pinned by Atlas for the win.
Post-match, Grimes chased Ted out to his limo and Ted mocked him before driving off again.
Steel Cage Match
Bronson Reed got his title shot from NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano in a steel cage match on this show and rightfully so, WWE saved this for the main event.
The match was good with Gargano getting the majority of the offense. They did a powerbomb spot off the top rope. At one point, Austin Theory tried to pull Gargano out of the ring only to fail.
Theory closed the door on Reed, but he pushed Theory off the steps. There was a near fall with Theory hitting Reed in the head with the door and Gargano connecting with a spring board DDT. Reed did hit a powerbomb of his own off the top rope. Reed won it with a splash off the top rope.
Reed defeated Gargano’s The Way stablemate Austin Theory three weeks ago to set up this match. Of course, Reed and Gargano have history as Gargano defeated Reed to retain the title at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two last month.