The January 29, 2020 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from the Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University.Â
The show was headlined by The Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle in Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals.
WWE NXT Results (1/29/20)
- Finn Balor def. Trent Seven
- Shotzi Blackheart def. Deonna Purrazzo
- Dominik Dijakovic def. Damian Priest
- Tegan Nox defeated Dakota Kai
- Kayden Carter def. Chelsea Green
- Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle def. Grizzled Young Veterans
Here are the 6 takeaways from this week’s show:
Finn Balor Stands Tall
Former NXT Champion Finn Balor was in action when he took on Trent Seven in a singles match.
WWE actually gave Seven some offense and rightfully so as he’s a heck of a worker. However, just like he should have, Balor went over in the end of a hard-hitting affair.
WWE set up this contest after Balor attacked Seven in a parking lot after Saturday’s Worlds Collide show in Houston, Texas. At this show, Balor beat Ilja Dragunov in a singles match while Seven and Tyler Bate lost to DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa).
Balor will take on Gargano at the NXT TakeOver: Portland event next month.
Keith Lee Sets Up Match
NXT North American Champion Keith Lee came out to the ring for a promo. This led to Damien Priest and Dominik Dijakovic walking out to the ring to make their case for a title shot.
However, Dijakovic and Priest started talking trash about each other which led to Lee walking to the back and a match being booked. An odd start to a match.
It turns out that Dijakovic ended up winning the match with his finisher in a back and forth affair.
Thus, it appears that WWE has set up a potential challenge for Lee going forward with the outcome of this match. This isn’t a fresh feud as the two have feuded in recent months and worked several multiple man matches in that time.
Adam Cole’s TakeOver: Portland Challenger Named
WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole will have an opponent at the next special for the NXT brand.
This episode saw the confirmation of Cole making his next title defense at the NXT TakeOver: Portland event on Sunday, February 16, 2020 in Portland, Oregon at the Moda Center that will air on the WWE Network. This was set up when Tommaso Ciampa attacked Cole in the ring where he put him through a table and signed a contract in his own blood.
Cole has been on top of the division for quite some time and it will be interesting to see whether WWE finally pulls the trigger on a title change.
The company has been building up to this match for months and rightfully so as it’s the biggest match that WWE can make right now. It also sets up a potential feel-good moment for Ciampa, who never lost the title but rather had to vacate it due to him being sidelined after getting neck surgery.
Tegan Nox vs. Dakota KaiÂ
The fight was on as Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai battled in a singles match.
These ladies put in hard work and delivered a pretty good match. It ended when Knox went over with some outside help by Candice LeRae, who has also wrestled Kai in the past.
This match came after NXT TakeOver: WarGames III event when Rhea Ripley, Mia Yim, Tegan Nox & Candice LeRae beat Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Io Shirai & Kay Lee Ray to win the WarGames match.
There was a heel turn during the match as Kai attacked Nox in the holding cell, which marked her heel turn.
Time will tell whether WWE books these two stars in a gimmick type match.
Chelsea Green Makes In-Ring Debut
Former Impact Wrestling star Chelsea Green made her television in-ring debut when she took on Kayden Carter.
As expected, Green got the majority of the offense but ultimately lost to Carter. This was an odd outcome as most fans expect for Green to win her matches considering she’s being hyped as a top free agent and has a manager. Perhaps WWE doesn’t have an opponent for her next.
Green is still managed by Robert Stone, who was Robbie E in Impact Wrestling. This comes a few days after she worked the Women’s Royal Rumble Match where she was quickly eliminated.
Green resurfaced in NXT last June and eventually made her debut on television late last year after being sidelined due to a broken wrist that resulted in her getting surgery.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals
The 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is in the books.
On this show, The Grizzled Young Veterans took on Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle in the finals of the tournament to honor the legendary pro wrestler. This was a fun match to watch and one that I thought was better than my original expectations.
In the end, it was Riddle and Dunne who won the match. They will challenge The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly) for the NXT Tag Team Titles at NXT TakeOver: Portland.
The dynamic of Riddle and Dunne continues to be an interesting watch. Now, where Dunne and Riddle go from here is the next question and something to look out for going forward. Whether they become the new champs or split off in a separate program.
Having The Grizzled Young Veterans in this contest also brought up their drawing ability, which will be something to keep an eye on as time goes by.
While this year’s tournament may not have had the star power that previous year’s did, it was fun to watch.
