The July 13, 2021 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center.
WWE NXT Results
- Dakota Kai def. Ember Moon.
- Tyler Rust def. Bobby Fish.
- Sarray def. Gigi Dolin.
- Santos Escobar def. Dexter Lumis.
- Duke Hudson def. Ikemen Jiro
- Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro def. Jessi Kamea & Aliyah.
- Karrion Kross def. Samoa Joe to retain NXT Title
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
Dexter Lumis vs. Santos Escobar
WWE booked Dexter Lumis vs. Santos Escobar. The match ended with Escobar hitting his finisher to Lumis.
This marked Escobar’s first match since Legado del Fantasma lost to NXT Tag Team Champions MSK and former NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed in a “Winners Take All” match at “Takeover: In Your House” on June 13th. Regarding his last singles match, it was the 2 of 3 Falls match on May 11th where he dropped the NXT Cruiserweight Title to Kushida.
After the match, Hit Row came out to address Escobar’s previous promo about them. They talked some trash. However, there was no physical interaction.
Cameron Grimes’ Butler Duties Started
Cameron Grimes’ butler duties for Million Dollar Champion LA Knight began on this show.
Just last week at the Great American Bash special, Knight defended the title against Grimes. As a result of the loss, the stipulation called for Grimes to become butler.
So what happened on this show? Grimes showed up to Knight’s mansion late. Knight demanded that Grimes get a makeover. They trimmed his beard and hair before putting him in a tux and gloves. Knight also had Grimes mow his lawn with a pusher mower. The segments ended with Grimes delegating his duties and ended up by the pool.
Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai
Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai in a singles bout was booked.
Moon defeated Kai by disqualification on NXT’s go-home show for TakeOver: In Your House last month when NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez interfered.
Gonzalez retained her NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Moon at TakeOver: In Your House. Two weeks ago, Io Shirai & Zoey Stark defeated Gonzalez & Kai and Shotzi Blackheart & Moon in a triple threat tag team number one contender’s match.
The match ended with Kai going over. Post-match, Xia Li came out and challenged Gonzalez for the title. A date wasn’t given for the bout.
NXT Breakout Tournament Match
Ikemen Jiro vs. Duke Hudson in an NXT Breakout Tournament Match took place. For those who may not know, Hudson is Brendan Vink’s new WWE in-ring name.
The match saw both stars work hard. Hudson had a strong style to him and dominated the majority of the match as he didn’t let Jiro out of his jacket. Hudson went over to advance to the second round.
Sarray vs. Gigi Dolin
Sarray vs. Gigi Dolin (Priscilla Kelly) in a singles match took place.
On Monday, WWE released a video where Sarray accepted a challenge from Dolin for a match on the show after it was left unknown who Sarray would be facing.
Just two weeks ago, there was a backstage segment where Sarray asked NXT general manager William Regal for a match against Toni Storm and he said he would take it under consideration, but Storm cut a promo stating that Sarray isn’t on her level.
The reason for that match not happening is due to Storm being called up to the main roster and placed on SmackDown.
Sarray and Dolin both made their NXT debuts earlier this year. The match saw Mandy Rose walk out and appear on the stage to watch the action. Sarray went over. Rose never got involved, but intriguing.
NXT Championship Match
NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Johnny Gargano headlined the episode. Samoa Joe was the special guest referee for the bout.
The match saw Kross dominate most of it. Kross was going to use the steel steps, but Joe stopped him. Kross won with his running forearm shot. Joe and Kross had a staredown before Kross choked out Joe.
WWE set up this bout last week during a face-to-face segment after Kross and Gargano brawled throughout the show that took place two weeks ago including an angle where Kross tried to run Gargano over with his car as they fought in the parking lot.
Joe ended up making the save for Gargano as he pulled him aside to avoid being hit.
Kross has been NXT Champion since defeating Finn Balor for the title at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver this April. Since that time, he’s made various title defenses.
He’s also wrestled in dark matches at WWE main roster shows in recent weeks and appeared on Main Event three weeks ago where he beat Shelton Benjamin.
Gargano previously held the title from April 2019 to June 2019.