Velveteen Dream Challenged Johnny Gargano
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano kicked off NXT to dueling chants of “Johnny Champion!” and “Johnny sucks!”. Gargano stated that Johnny Champion has a nice ring to it and told the crowd that we were validated when he captured the title at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix.
Johnny added that he is proud to say that Johnny Wrestling is back. NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp. Ciampa said that he wasn’t out here to take away from Johnny’s moment, he was out here to celebrate his moment.
Tommaso stated that Gargano followed his lead and said that they own the world. Ciampa claimed that this is our moment and Gargano shut it down. Johnny claimed that he will never need Tommaso Ciampa.
Velveteen Dream came down to the entrance ramp and claimed that he stole NXT TakeOver: Phoenix by simply just showing up. Dream boasted about winning the World’s Collide tournament and that he has earned a shot at an NXT title of his choosing.
Dream told Ciampa that he was over him and got inside the ring with Gargano. Velveteen challenged Gargano as the crowd chanted “take his title!”. Johnny bragged about putting on a match of the year at NXT TakeOver while Dream was sitting in the crowd. Dream called Gargano “Johnny Jackass” and got in his face. Gargano backed down and retreated up the entrance ramp. It was later announced that Gargano will defend his title against Velveteen Dream in two weeks.
Sorry, @JohnnyGargano & @ProjectCiampa, The #WorldsCollide Tournament winner @VelveteenWWE is here and TONIGHT is about the #DREAM! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/NmWV35up5C
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2019
Jaxson Ryker Dominated
Mansoor faced Jaxson Ryker from The Forgotten Sons tonight on NXT. Cutler and Blake were ringside for the match. Ryker dominated the match and connected with a Chokeslam Powerbomb for the quick pinfall victory. After the match, Ryker hit Monsoor with a second Chokeslam Powerbomb.
MESSAGE SENT! @JaxsonRykerWWE makes sure the #ForgottenSons are #ForgottenNoMore! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/NqLhts7wYr
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2019
Eric Bugenhagen Made His Debut, Riddle Defeated Drew Gulak
Drew Gulak squared off against Eric Bugenhagen. Eric played the air guitar for a bit and showed off his majestic singing voice before Gulak leveled him with a Dropkick. Bugenhagen applied the Abdominal Stretch and pretended to play the guitar on Gulak. Gulak broke the hold and planted Bugenhagen with a Suplex. Drew applied the Gulock for the submission victory.
Ladies and Gentlemen I give you BUGENHAGEN! NXT’s next big star! pic.twitter.com/utLPRlr268
— Mr. Extra (@WWEMrExtra) January 31, 2019
After the match, Gulak called himself the best submission specialist in WWE. Gulak called Bugenhagen “Ben Stiller from Dodgeball” and said he wants a real challenge. Matt Riddle interrupted and Gulak told Riddle to take his flipflops off and make his day.
Riddle and Gulak went back and forth start off the match. Drew hit Riddle with a Dropkick and applied a submission hold in the middle of the ring. Riddle broke free and planted Gulak with a Suplex. The chanted “let’s go bro!” as Riddle slowly made his way back to his feet.
Matt tried to kick Gulak but Drew caught him and sent him to the canvas with a Dragon Screw. Riddle got up and hit a German Suplex but Gulak immediately locked in an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring. Riddle broke free and traded shots with Gulak. Riddle deadlifted Gulak and planted him with a Powerbomb for a near fall. Riddle followed it up with the Bromission for the submission victory. After the match, Gulak and Riddle shook hands in the ring.
Even across brands… game recognize game.@DrewGulak @SuperKingOfBros #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/qxwaXY5e6b
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2019
Io Shirai Pinned The NXT Women’s Champion
Bianca Belair, Kairi Sane & Io Shirai battled Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir in the main event of this week’s NXT. Baszler and Belair started off the match. Shayna quickly tagged in Duke and Bianca slammed her to the mat.
Belair tagged in Sane and lifted Kairi above her head. Bianca dropped Sane on top for Duke for a near fall. Jessamyn battled back and drove Kairi to the corner. Shafir tagged in and Sane beat her down with a flurry of strikes.
Shafir took back control and tagged in Duke. Jessamyn taunted Kairi as she beat her down int he corner of the ring. Shayna tagged back in and taunted Belair before hitting Sane with an elbow to her back.
Marina tagged in as the crowd got behind Sane. Duke tagged in again and Kairi sent her out of the ring. Sane finally was able to tag in Io Shirai. Io hit Baszler with a Dropkick and then punched Shafir in the face. Io followed that up with Double Knees to Baszler and Shafir.
Io connected with a springboard Dropkick on Shayna for a two count. Sane tagged back in and climbed to the top rope. Kairi connected with the Insane Elbow on Baszler and went for the cover but Marina broke it up at two.
Bianca tagged herself in and went right after Shayna. Belair hit Baszler with the K.O.D. but Duke and Shafir broke up the cover. Io knocked them both out of the ring and Sane took them out with a Crossbody off the top rope. Io tagged in and hit Baszler with a springboard Moonsault for the pinfall victory. After the match, Bianca Belair forced a smile and celebrated with her teammates.
.@shirai_io amazing as ever! ?
?? https://t.co/ePt5TzD6sU pic.twitter.com/W1kNtA0KAc
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 7, 2019
Well, how would YOU feel if you just pinned the #WWENXT #WomensChampion?
What a win for #SkyPirates @shirai_io @KairiSaneWWE & @BiancaBelairWWE! pic.twitter.com/1KWasJpY2o
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2019
Announced for next week’s episode of NXT:
- Ricochet vs. Adam Cole
Two former NXT #NorthAmericanChampions will be in action NEXT WEEK when @KingRicochet & @AdamColePro battle on #WWENXT! ? pic.twitter.com/GV18SVjX3Z
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) February 7, 2019
