The February 12, 2020 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from the Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University.
The show was headlined by WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole vs. Kushida in a non-title match.
WWE NXT Results (2/12/20)
- Roderick Strong def. Bronson Reed
- Dakota Kai def. Candice LeRae
- Johnny Gargano def. Cameron Grimes
- Lio Rush def. Angel Garza – #1 Contender Match For Cruiserweight Title
- Adam Cole def. Kushida – Non-Title Match
Here are the 4 takeaways from this week’s show:
The Velveteen Dream Starts Feud
The fallout from The Velveteen Dream returning last week started at the top of the show. Right out of the gate, Roderick Strong opened the show by cutting a promo about how he wants an apology from Dream.
This led to Bronson Reed walking out and a singles match was booked. In the end, Strong went over. After the match, Dream appeared on the big screen by cutting a promo about taking something more important to Strong than his career like his family. Dream had a photo of Strong’s wife and son on his leg.
This comes after The Undisputed Era attacked dream last year where they threw Dream off a trailer to write him off of television.
It’s too early to book them on the NXT TakeOver: Portland card but they’ll wrestle on next week’s episode of NXT TV.Â
Dakota Kai vs. Candice LeRae
Dakota Kai vs. Candice LeRae had an interesting rematch. The two stars wrestled several weeks ago.
This was better than their original match. Kai ended up going over. Post-match, Teagan Knox came out and brawled with Kai.
This was done to hype Kai’s match with Knox as LeRae had some history with Knox in the past. In fact, LeRae helped Knox go over Kai a few weeks ago.
This was done to promote Kai vs. Knox in a Street Fight at the NXT TakeOver: Portland event on Sunday, February 16, 2020 in Portland, Oregon at the Moda Center that will air live on the WWE Network.
No. 1 Contender To The NXT Cruiserweight Title
WWE booked Lio Rush vs. Angel Garza to see who would emerge as the No. 1 contender to the NXT Cruiserweight Title on this show.
It was a fun back and forth match that saw Rush go over. Either star would’ve been the right call, which is why this was a good choice of booking by the powers at be.
Rush is a former champ and can work with anyone while Garza, also a former champion, has been pushed heavily not only on NXT but also Monday Night RAW.
He’s appeared on the flagship show of the company for the past two weeks while filling in for United States Champion Andrade, who currently on the sidelines due to him failing WWE’s wellness test policy.
Now, Rush will challenge Jordan Devilin for the NXT Cruiserweight Title next week on NXT TV.
Adam Cole vs. Kushida
WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole vs. Kushida took place in a non-title match.
This came after Cole tweeted earlier in the day that he was in a bad mood and wanted to take out his frustration on Kushida.
This was a nice way to have Cole, who is NXT’s top star, in a non-title match against an opponent who is credible in the eyes of the hardcore and casual fans but at the same time someone that he could beat.
Kushida, who is a great in-ring talent, rubbing elbows with Cole will also put some stock in his value at the same time.
Post-match, Tommaso Ciampa walked down to the ring and had a staredown with Cole to close the show. Ciampa cut a promo earlier in the show about how he would reclaim goldie.
Cole defends the NXT Title against Ciampa in the headliner of NXT TakeOver: Portland this Sunday.
