The July 20, 2021 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center.
WWE NXT Results
- Bobby Fish & KUSHIDA def. Diamond Mine
- Franky Monet def. Jacy Jayne.
- Kyle O’Reilly def. Austin Theory.
- Odyssey Jones def. Andre Chase to advance to the Semi Finals of the Breakout Tournament.
- Drake Maverick def. LA Knight.
- NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez def. Xia Li
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
Samoa Joe Reacts
Samoa Joe responded to Karrion Kross’ attack from last week after Kross had successfully retained the NXT Title over Johnny Gargano. Kross choked Joe out with the Kross Jacket.
On Monday’s Raw, Kross made his Raw debut and lost to Jeff Hardy when Hardy pinned Kross while having his feet on the ropes for added leverage. Following the match, Kross was interviewed and said Hardy just made the biggest mistake of his life.
Joe opened the show by calling out Kross with his wrist taped. William Regal stated that Joe cannot be calling out wrestlers. Joe pointed out that he was told he could attack anyone if he was provoked. Joe didn’t want to hear what Regal says and that Kross needs to be put down.
Joe said that Regal can’t control Kross and he is the man to get Kross under control. Regal said Kross is on his way here and all hell won’t break loose because they will handle things peacefully. Joe said tonight will be the end of it because someone is going to sleep.
Later in the show, Joe called out Kross, who appeared on the big screen. He said he can hurt anyone he wants. Kross was seen standing over a downed Regal. Joe chased to the back as Kross left and that’s how the show ended.
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Austin Theory
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Austin Theory in a singles match took place.
There was a backstage segment where Gargano was asked about his loss to NXT Champion Karrion Kross last week. O’Reilly walked up how he heard about what Theory talked about him. O’Reilly challenged him to a match and Theory accepted. O’Reilly told him that he would get his dancing shoes on. Gargano told Theory that he would be on his own tonight.
WWE actually gave these guys plenty of time to work and Theory had various moments of offense, which is surprising. O’Reilly won with his knee lock submission. He wouldn’t let go of it for several seconds after Theory tapped.
Mariachi Musical Madness
Legado del Fantasma hosted “Mariachi Musical Madness” on this show. So what was it?
Santos Escobar told the performers to leave. He said that he was going to give everyone a taste of the best music in the world, but he changed his mind because he wouldn’t lower himself to entertain the fans as they’re not worth it and won’t do the Hit Row thing.
Santos said that he would take the North American Title from Isiah Scott. Hit Row came out and said that they’re trash. Top Dolla did some jokes about how he was as tall as them in the sixth grade. A brawl broke out with Hit Row standing tall.
LA Knight vs. Drake Maverick
Million Dollar Champion LA Knight vs. Drake Maverick took place in a non-title match.
This match was set up when WWE did an angle where Knight and Maverick got into a confrontation in the parking lot prior to the show. Cameron Grimes was in Knight’s corner due to him serving as his butler, which was part of a stipulation that dates back to Grimes losing a Million Dollar Championship match against Knight at NXT Great American Bash two weeks ago
Due to accidental outside interference by Grimes, Knight rolled up Maverick for the win. Post-match, Grimes tried to warn Maverick to get out of the ring, but Knight beat him down. Grimes pushed Knight away.
Knight told Grimes to attack Maverick and while Grimes refused at first, he ended up doing it.
Tag Team Match
Diamond Mine’s Roderick Strong & Tyler Rust vs. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida & Bobby Fish took place.
WWE set up this match last week as with Strong’s help, Rust defeated Fish. Kushida then ran out and chased Diamond Mine off after the match.
The match went long with the typical tag team style until Kushida locked in a kimura on Rust for the win.
Title Match
NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defended her title against Xia Li.
Last week, Gonzalez’s tag team partner Dakota Kai defeated Ember Moon. After the match, Li came out to the ring and confronted Gonzalez because she wanted a title match, which Gonzalez accepted.
The match was the main event of the show. Li chopped Raquel down throughout the match. They did a spot where Raquel did a splash off the top rope and then Li never got up so medical staff checked on her. There was a lot of confusion. They went straight to the finish with Raquel hitting her finisher for the win.
Gonzalez won the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Io Shirai at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver this April. Since that time, she’s successfully defended the title against Mercedes Martinez and then Moon at TakeOver: In Your House last month.