The November 13, 2019 episode of WWE NXT aired live from Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University. Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
Lio Rush Defends NXT Cruiserweight Title
Lio Rush was back in action and with the NXT Cruiserweight Championship on the line as he made his latest title defense against Angel Garza.
This served as the opening match of the night and what a way to kick things off.
Rush successfully retained the NXT Cruiserweight Title in this contest but there was more positive to come out of the match for Garza, who showed that he can hang with the best in NXT.
These two put on exactly what a cruiserweight match should be. Rush is doing a good job of filling the role of the Cruiserweight Champion.
Although WWE did a good job of building up this match, the importance of the title is lacking as the influence of 205 Live and cruiserweight wrestlers have yet to be showcased in NXT as many fans have wanted to see.
WWE set up this contest on last week’s show when Garza became #1 contender to the WWE NXT Cruiserweight Title as he beat Tony Neese in the second hour of the show.
Finn Balor Brawls With Matt Riddle
Finn Balor walked to the ring about 37-minutes into the program for another promo to address where he stands with The OC and The Undisputed Era after his actions over the last few weeks.
Balor questioned what happened to NXT and the pro wrestling business as he used to be proud of NXT but now thinks it’s a joke. He said that Johnny Gargano is still sore from something that happened three weeks.
He thinks little boys moved in and crying on social media when they get hurt. Balor said that Matt Riddle got hit last week and hasn’t been seen since. This led to Riddle running out to the ring where he attacked Balor, which led to a brawl. Later in the show, Balor laid out Riddle.
WWE confirmed on WWE Backstage this week that Johnny Gargano is dealing with a neck injury that resulted in him being pulled from in-ring action. Thus, that means the likelihood of him wrestling Balor at NXT TakeOver: WarGames III was put to an end.
Riddle was slated to take part in the men’s WarGames match at this upcoming event. WWE later announced that Riddle was pulled from the contest to fight Balor at TakeOver.
Keith Lee Battles Roderick Strong
WWE set up Roderick Strong vs. Keith Lee right after a brawl between Matt Riddle and Finn Balor.
It happened as Lee joined Tommaso Ciampa and Riddle in the ring as The Undisputed Era surrounded the ring. Lee and Strong exchanged words. As seen in the contest, Lee went over.
It was a fine match but one that seemed to have a bigger story left to be told, which is the case.
WWE has already announced that The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, RStrong & Kyle O’Reilly) vs. Ciampa, Riddle, Lee, and a talent to be announced would take place will take place in the WarGames match at the NXT TakeOver: WarGames III event on Saturday, November 23, 2019 in Rosemont, Illinois at the Allstate Arena.
WWE officials need to keep in mind how many times they want to do saves with various talents in order to build up programs surrounding both TakeOver and Survivor Series.
We’ve seen these types of angles not just every week on NXT television but also Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown.
Mia Yim & Io Shirai Clash In Ladder Match
WWE had Mia Yim and Io Shirai battle it out in the always dangerous ladder match in order to see which team would have the advantage come the night of NXT TakeOver: WarGames III.
As seen in the match, Shirai went over. It’s not often outside of the yearly women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match that we see these types of gimmick matches feature women. It’s even rarer for them to happen under the NXT banner.
With that said, it was a nice change and a fun match that further built up this program.
The finish saw NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray push Yim off the ladder to send her crashing through a ladder and help Io win the match. As a result, Team Baszler will have an advantage in the upcoming match.
Rhea Ripley, Mia Yim, Tegan Nox & Candice LeRae vs. Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, and a talent to be revealed will take place in the Women’s WarGames Match at this show on Saturday, November 23, 2019 in Rosemont, Illinois at the Allstate Arena.
Bayley Appears
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley made a surprise appearance.
She did so at the end of the show after the ladder match between Mia Yim and Io Shirai, which ended up serving as the main event.
NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler walked out to the entrance ramp to celebrate with Shirai and Kay Lee Ray. However, Bayley ran out and sent her crashing face-first into the NXT Women’s Title. This closed the entertaining show.
The angle was done to promote the upcoming Triple Threat Match at Survivor Series on Sunday, November 24, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois at the Allstate Arena.
This contest will see Bayley take on Baszler and WWE RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch in a non-title match.
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