Although the deck was stacked against him, Roderick Strong is still the WWE NXT North American Champion.
Strong successfully retained the title over Keith Lee and Dominik Dijakovic in a Triple Threat match on Wednesday’s episode of WWE NXT in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University on the USA Network.
WWE set up this Triple Threat match on last week’s episode when Lee and Dijakovic were working a Rubber Match. The match ended in a DQ when Strong hit Lee in the head with the title.
Strong was originally slated to defend his title against The Velveteen Dream but plans had to be changed.
It’s been reported that Dream is dealing with a real injury. WWE’s NXT injury report shows that he’s dealing with lumbar pain.
WWE wrote him off of television after The Undisputed Era attacked Dream in the backstage area.
NXT General Manager William Regal later revealed in a backstage interview that as a result of the assault, Dream was no longer be medically able to compete.
Strong beat Dream to become the NXT North American Champion back in September.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott has a chance to move into contention for the NXT North American championship tonight when he faces champion Roderick Strong in a non-title match. The champion will not want to look past Scott but likely also has Velveteen Dream in the back of his mind. Dream made it clear last week that he is gunning to get the title back.
“Will ‘Swerve’ continue to show why he’s one of NXT’s fastest rising Superstars and fast-track himself toward a title opportunity, or will Strong smash his speedy foe’s back into pieces and send a message to The Velveteen Dream?” a WWE press release for the match reads.
NXT Cruiserweight Championship Drew Gulak (c) vs Lio Rush
WALTER vs KUSHIDA
Roderick Strong vs Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
Roderick Strong vs Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
This will be just the second time the two have met in any promotion. The first match between the two took place last month on an NXT live tour. Strong defeated Scott in a match at Minnreg Hall in Largo, Florida on September 5th, 2019.
This will be just Scott’s second match on NXT programming (i.e not including live events). Scott lost in the first round of the NXT Breakout tournament to eventual finalist, Cameron Grimes.
The Velveteen Dream is no longer the WWE NXT North American Champion as he’s been dethroned by Roderick Strong.
The match happened on Wednesday’s episode of NXT in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University that saw Strong beat Dream to win the title. He’s only the fifth champion in the history of the strap.
When this contest between Dream and Strong was first announced, there was speculation regarding Dream’s future as the NXT North American Champion and his status under the NXT banner.
That speculation has only intensified now as typically when an NXT star holds a title for a long period of time then loses it close to the next waves of roster moves, those talents are usually leaving NXT.
Whether that happens and he’s placed on RAW or SmackDown Live remains to be seen.
Dream won the title from Johnny Gargano back on the January 30th episode of the weekly television show of the yellow brand.
Ironically, Dream retained the title in his previous title defense against Pete Dunne and Strong in a triple threat match on the main card of the WWE NXT TakeOver: Toronto II event in Toronto, Ontario at the Scotiabank Arena during SummerSlam weekend in August.
What are your thoughts on Roderick Strong winning the NXT North American Title? Was this the right call by WWE officials?
It’s no secret that Undisputed Era wants to drape themselves in NXT gold. Adam Cole is the current NXT Champion, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly hold the NXT tag team championships, and Roderick Strong has an opportunity to claim the NXT North American Championship on the black-and-gold brand’s debut on USA Network.
Speaking with ComicBook.com, Adam Cole recalled starting Undisputed Era on their path towards NXT domination.
“I think that was just something that I just said at one point where I talked about how I wanted Undisputed Era to have all the gold, and it was something that kind of just stuck, so it’s something that we’ve gone with kind of ever since then,” Cole said. “We’ve been adamant about saying, ‘Undisputed Era needs to get all the championships,’ and it just fits for our group. You know the tagline ‘Shock the system?’ Now, that’s evolved into wanting to have all the championship gold. I just feel like it’s a natural progression for the Undisputed Era and the next thing that we would say that we’re going to do.”
“If We’re Going To Add One Guy, It Needs To Be Roddy”
Cole continued, explaining how Undisputed Era was originally only ever going to be comprised of himself, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish. When Roderick Strong debuted for NXT, however, their mindset changed.
“I remember the three of us talking and saying, ‘Gosh, if we’re going to add one guy, it needs to be Roddy.’ He just fits so incredibly well in the group. I feel like the group was good. The group was really good with the three of us, but I feel like it’s perfect with Roderick in there, just the four of us, the way we play off each other. Many people know the four of us have known each other literally for 10 years. We’re all incredibly close. We talk every single day. We’re legitimate close friends. We travel all the time, so to have him added to the group I really feel like took the group of the Undisputed Era to the next level, for sure.”
Roderick Strong gets his chance to claim gold when he faces off against current NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream. The two clash on September 18th when NXT debuts on USA Network.
The Velveteen Dream is still the WWE NXT North American Champion.
He retained the title in the latest title defense against Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong in a triple threat match.
As expected, they put on one heck of a match that delivered on the main card of the WWE NXT TakeOver: Toronto II event in Toronto, Ontario at the Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night.
This match was set up when it was revealed by General Manager William Regal that The Velveteen Dream would make his next title defense at this show back on the July 24th episode of NXT TV.
Dream won the title from Johnny Gargano back on the January 30th episode of the weekly television show of the yellow brand. He’s only the fourth champion in the history of the strap.
WWE holds NXT TV tapings on Thursday, August 15th in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University where WWE will have the fallout from this event as well as this match. It will be interesting to see if WWE goes in a different direction.
What are your thoughts on Dream retaining the NXT North American Title? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.
As expected, WWE NXT star Roderick Strong is headed to EVOLVE as he teased over the weekend working two events later this month. WWE confirmed the news by not only announcing his opponents but also revealing the cards for EVOLVE 117 and 118.
He’ll challenge EVOLVE Champion and fellow NXT Superstar Fabian Aichner for the title when he competes in a triple threat match along with Austin Theory at EVOLVE 117 while at the next event, he’s set to take on Darby Allin in a singles match.
EVOLVE 117 goes down on December 15th in Queens, NY while EVOLVE 118 takes place on December 16th in Deer Park, NY. Here are the updated cards:
EVOLVE 117 Card
Kassius Ohno vs. Darby Allin.
EVOLVE Champion Fabian Aichner vs. Austin Theory vs. Roderick Strong – Triple Threat Match
EVOLVE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. JD Drake & Anthony Henry
AR Fox with Ayla & The Skulk vs. Curt Stallion
Josh Briggs vs. Leon Ruff
BSHP KNG vs. Joe Gacy
Harlem Bravado vs. Joe Bailey
EVOLVE 118 Card
EVOLVE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. Harlem Bravado & Austin Theory
EVOLVE Champion Fabian Aichner vs. AR Fox
Roderick Strong vs. Darby Allin
Kassius Ohno vs. Anthony Henry
Priscilla Kelly vs. Shotzi Blackheart
Josh Briggs vs. Adrian Alanis
Joe Gacy vs. Joe Bailey
Curt Stallion vs. Leon Ruff vs. BSHP KING vs. Colby Corino
It appears that yet another WWE NXT star will be working under the EVOLVE banner as Roderick Strong is teasing just that on Twitter.
He noted in a recent account that he could be appearing at the EVOLVE 117 event and teased that he might just end up challenging EVOLVE Champion and WWE NXT superstar Fabian Aichner for the title. He brought up how he has won every title under the WWN banner except for the EVOLVE Title. It should be noted that WWN is the parent company of EVOLVE.
EVOLVE 117 goes down on December 15th in Queens, NY while EVOLVE 118 takes place on December 16th in Deer Park, NY.
Strong wrote the following in his post on his official Twitter account, “Thought of the day- NXT Superstars holding #EVOLVE titles? Well there are no bigger Superstars than the #UndisputedERA and I’ve won just about every @WWNLive title but the #EVOLVE title. So Maybe Dec. 15th I come to La Boom and #ShocktheSystem? #OurERA.”
Thought of the day- NXT Superstars holding #EVOLVE titles? Well there are no bigger Superstars than the #UndisputedERA and I’ve won just about every @WWNLive title but the #EVOLVE title. So Maybe Dec. 15th I come to La Boom and #ShocktheSystem? #OurERA
WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne has begun teasing a feud between the Undisputed Era and his own stable British Strong Style.
Dunne was attacked by his own tag team partner Roderick Strong during last night’s NXT Takeover: New Orleans event. Dunne had hit his signature move the ‘Bitter End’ on NXT Tag Team Champion Kyle O’Reilly and he looked set to win the titles and the coveted Dusty Rhodes Classic trophy…then Strong attacked the ‘Bruiserweight’ and officially aligning himself with the Undisputed Era stable.
Following the event Dunne sent out a tweet with a picture of himself, Tyler Bate and Trent Seven, potentially setting up a huge feud between the two teams.
Would you like to see a BSS vs Undisputed Era feud? Let us know in the comments.
NXT Tag Team Champion Bobby Fish was at tonight’s NXT TV tapings but was on crutches after suffering a knee injury at a weekend live event. PWInsider reports that Fish is scheduled to undergo knee surgery later this week in Birmingham, AL.
There’s no word yet on when Fish will be back from the surgery but it was announced at tonight’s tapings that he and partner Kyle O’Reilly will put their titles on the line at “Takeover: New Orleans” during WrestleMania 34 Week.
In a change of plans, perhaps due to the injury, the finals of The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic came down to air on NXT TV instead of Takeover. Roderick Strong and WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne vs. The Authors of Pain was set to begin as the finals but Adam Cole and O’Reilly attacked both teams for the contest. NXT General Manager William Regal then announced a Triple Threat for Takeover with Dunne & Strong vs. The Authors of Pain vs. O’Reilly & Fish with the winners being crowned Dusty Classic winners and NXT Tag Team Champions.
It was also confirmed at the NXT tapings that the Ladder Match to crown the inaugural NXT North American Champion will feature EC3, Adam Cole, Lars Sullivan, Killian Dain, The Velveteen Dream & Ricochet.
Here’s what looks to be the updated card for Takeover, which takes place on Saturday, April 7th from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Stay tuned for more updates & clarifications on the Takeover card.
NXT Title Match
Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
NXT Women’s Title Match
Shayna Baszler vs. Ember Moon
NXT Tag Team Title Match, Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals
Roderick Strong & WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne vs. The Authors of Pain vs. The Undisputed Era
Ladder Match to Crown the First-Ever NXT North American Champion
Ricochet vs. Ethan Carter III vs. Killian Dain vs. Lars Sullivan vs. Adam Cole vs. The Velveteen Dream
NXT tonight was taped during the brand’s stay at Center Stage in Atlanta. The show will feature two championship matches and the return of top contender.
NXT Preview
NXT Women’s Championship Ember Moon (c) vs. Shayna Baszler
At Takeover: Philadelphia, it seems Moon had met her match. Baszler dominated the match by focussing on the injured arm of her opponent. Moon was able to counter a submission attempt into a successful pin attempt, however, retaining her title in the process.
Baszler told NXT reporters that Moon was scared to face her again. This resulted in Moon calling out Baszler and this match being scheduled for tonight.
WWE United Kingdom Championship Pete Dunne (c) vs. Roderick Strong
Strong beat former UK champion, Tyler Bate, in order to earn this match here. He will be attempting to be the first American to win the UK championship, something Dunne will be heavily motivated to stop him from doing.
Aleister Black Returns
We haven’t seen the Dutch striker since he defeated Adam Cole in an Extreme Rules match at Takeover: Philadelphia.
Black has now been victorious over Cole two matches in a row, scored two big victories on the last two Takeover shows, and remains undefeated in NXT.
We should find out what is next for Black tonight.
– During his interview with “Mean” Gene Okerlund on RAW 25 last month, WWE Champion AJ Styes mimicked Hulk Hogan in his promo. Per a report from Sports Illustrated, Styles did not take any heat for the segment as it was completely scripted.
Styles reportedly asked if he could mimic Hogan out of respect as they grew close to one another in TNA. It should also be pointed out that WWE put the clip on their YouTube channel, something they wouldn’t do if there was an issue with Styles’ promo:
– On last night’s episode of NXT Roderick Strong defeated Tyler Bate to become the new No. 1-contender for the WWE UK Championship. That title is currently held by Pete Dunne. Strong and Dunne had a brief encounter after the match backstage which you can check out below:
– Samir Singh recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered during a ringside altercation with Bobby Roode. The incident occurred during Jinder Mahal and Roode’s United States Title Tournament Finals clash. There has been no official word on Singh’s return but the usual timetable for an ACL tear return is around 6-9 months. Singh recently took to Instagram to thank Dr. Jeffrey Dugas after undergoing surgery in Alabama:
WWE finally acknowledged the injury yesterday during SmackDown Live, and also released the following statement:
Samir Singh suffers injury
Samir Singh revealed on Instagram that he recently suffered a torn ACL and will be out of action.
Singh underwent surgery last week and is already rehabilitating for his return to the ring.
Stay tuned to WWE.com and Singh’s social media for more news on his recovery as it becomes available.
– Hideo Itami will be taking on former NXT Superstar Roderick Strong in the first round of the new WWE 205 Live tournament. The tournament will last up to WrestleMania 34 where a new Cruiserweight Champion will be crowned. Itami took to Twitter to comment on his match-up with Strong:
It is MY turn. I’m going to get this opportunity.#205Live#Cruiserweight championship tournament.
As noted before, Rockstar Spud (now renamed Drake Maverick) made his WWE debut during the latest episode of 205 Live and was announced as the new General Manager of the show.
The first thing Maverick did after being named the GM of the Cruiserweight Exclusive Show was to announce a 16 Men Cruiserweight Championship Tournament concluding at WrestleMania 34.
Interestingly, one of the participants announced for the tournament is none other than the Former ROH World Champion and current NXT Star Roderick Strong.
Strong will be making his 205 Live debut next week and he will be competing in a first-round match of the tournament against fellow former NXT Star Hideo Itami.
No word yet on if this is the main roster call-up of Roderick or if the company is just using him to fill the spots in the tournament but things should become clearer after his debut next week.
Tyler Bate will face Roderick Strong next week on NXT to determine the #1 contender for Pete Dunne’s U.K. Championship. The match between Strong and Bate will be taped this Saturday before NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.
“Bate gave Dunne the fight of his life last month in a U.K. Title Match but came up short of regaining the championship. A win against Strong would put the English prodigy back on track for another showdown with his familiar foe and potentially a second reign as U.K. Champion.
The veteran Strong, in contrast, is still in search of his first championship since joining WWE. If he were to advance past Bate and dethrone The BruiserWeight, The Messiah of the Backbreaker would not only accomplish that goal, but he would make history as the first American to win the U.K. Title.”
Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate have already had some classic matches in NXT. Last year at NXT TakeOVer: Chicago, Pete Dunne connected with the Bitter End on Tyler Bate to become the new U.K. Champion. WWE recently uploaded the entire match called by Nigel McGuinness and Jim Ross on YouTube.
NXT this week was taped from Full Sail University, and featured an NXT championship match between Roderick Strong and Bobby Roode. Additionally, the show featured Kassius Ohno and Hideo Itami teaming up to take on members of Sanity.
At one point it appeared Roderick Strong had become the new NXT champion, but that is not how the night would finish.
1. Kassius Ohno & Hideo Itami vs. Killian Dain & Alexander Wolfe (Sanity)
Both Ohno and Itami have been on losing streaks recently. Ohno lost to Aleister Black and Itami lost to Bobby Roode in an NXT championship match.
Things didn’t go well for the pair in their first tag match together either.
Ohno could be heard calling for a tag frequently, but Itami wasn’t able to get to his corner.
Sanity on the other hand, worked as a well-oiled machine.
Dain hit Itami with a running cross-body for the pin. Another loss for both Itami and Ohno.
Winners: Sanity
In the back Ruby Riot told Ember Moon it was her time to get a shot at Asuka’s title.
Drew McIntyre got a video package and was interviewed in the back. He basically just said he’s coming for the NXT title.
They aired a video package on Ciampa and Gargano, and it was announced that Gargano will return from injury next week.
The Iconic Duo were being interviewed when cameras caught Andrade “Cien” Almas arguing with Thea Trinidad in the background.
Highlights of Bianca Blair defeating Aliyah in a Mae Young Classic qualifying match were shown.
2. NXT Championship Match Bobby Roode vs. Roderick Strong
The story of this match was Roderick Strong having his whole family in the front row, watching as he attempts to achieve his dream.
Roode worked Strong’s knee for most of the match.
Strong kicked out of the Glorious DDT!
After battling back, Strong hit the “Strong Breaker” and looked as though he got the pin.
The ref’s hand counted 3 and everyone celebrated as though Strong had won, only Roode had one leg under the bottom rope.
Strong and his wife (Marina “the SuperNova from Moldova” Shafir) hugged and celebrated like he was champ, but the ref finally told him the match was still on.
Roode knocked Strong into the barricade right in front of his family. With Marina calling him a cheater, he gave Strong a DDT on the floor, then another in the ring and pinned him.
Only 2 segments have been announced for NXT tonight, but both play heavily into what will happen at NXT: Takeover Brooklyn III. The next Takeover event takes place August 19th, the night before SummerSlam 2017.
Segments Announced for Tonight
Bobby Roode will defend the NXT championship against Roderick Strong in the main event.
Roode made some slide remarks towards Strong and his new family backstage recently, starting the conflict between the two.
Strong had previously lost a #1 contenders match to Hideo Itami in April.
Since then he’s defeated Eric Young at a Takeover event and teamed up with Kassius Ohno to defeat members of Sanity.
Kassius Ohno and Hideo Itami, who have been having their disagreements ever since Itami lost an NXT title match to Bobby Roode, team up tonight as well.
Ohno and Itami will take on members of Sanity in a tag team match. I’m sure they will get along just fine.
Last week, Itami tried to tell Ohno to brush off his loss to Aleister Black, but Ohno may not have been as receptive as he would like.
NXT Champion Bobby Roode will defend his title against Roderick Strong on the July 5th episode of NXT. WWE.com posted the following:
NXT Champion Bobby Roode will defend his title in a huge head-to-head showdown against Roderick Strong on the July 5 episode of NXT.
The Glorious One’s rivalry with Strong has intensified rapidly, with tensions reaching their boiling point on June 21 when a photo shoot erupted into a brawl between Roode and Strong.
This came after the titleholder and Strong had a war of words two weeks prior on NXT. Strong bared his soul to the NXT Universe, opening up about his journey into fatherhood and his desire to become NXT Champion, only to be met with ridicule and disrespect from Roode, who verbally tore down Strong’s title aspirations.
Following their backstage photoshoot throw down, the heated foes will now settle their differences inside the squared circle with NXT’s most prized possession on the line. Don’t miss this epic NXT Title contest on Wednesday, July 5, at 8/7 C, on the award-winning WWE Network.
WWE released a video earlier today of Roode and Strong getting into a fight before tonight’s episode of NXT.
Enzo Amore continues to taunt Conor McGregor
Monday on RAW, Big Cass was revealed to be the one that was attacking Enzo Amore backstage. Cass accused Enzo of using his mouth to write checks that his ass cannot cash. That message apparently didn’t get through to Enzo as he continues to take shots at Conor McGregor on social media. Here is the original tweet that Enzo sent out to McGregor on June 16th:
.@TheNotoriousMMA , you talk s*** and Floyd is going to knock it out of you. And if he doesn’t, I will.
We start off this week’s episode by getting an update on Ember Moon’s injury. She confirmed that she will no longer be in the NXT women’s match at Takeover: Chicago. Asuka will now be defending against only Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross.
1. Aleister Black vs. Cezar Bononi
This match was a minute and a half of innovative striking from Black, capped off with the Fade to Black for the win. He then did his ominous cross-legged sitting pose in the ring.
This was the WWE Network debut for Bononi. The 30 year-old Brazilian began his pro career in Brazil from 2014-15, until being signed by WWE and starting on the NXT live tour in 2016. Winner: Aleister Black
Aleister Black the Cruiserweight?
NXT is certainly building Black up to be a big star, but his destination might be 205 Live as opposed to the main roster. WWE even teased the idea of a Black vs. Neville feud sometime in the future. They posted this on Instagram yesterday:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BT7AzmKAGuS/
2. Team DIY vs. the Gifted Athletes (Riddick Moss & Tito Sabbatelli)
Both Sabbatelli & Moss are former NFL players with no indy experience before starting with NXT in 2015. They made their WWE Network debut in September as part of the Dusty Rhodes Classic. They also lost a match to the Revival last December. After this loss they are now 0-3.
For the most part this was a showcase match for DIY. They picked up the win after double running knees to a seated Moss. Winners: Team DIY
After the match William Regal came out and was about to award Team DIY with the next title shot, but Paul Ellering and the Authors of Pain interrupted. Despite the interruption, Regal announced Team DIY will challenge the Authors of Pain in a ladder match at Takeover.
Kassius Ohno is interviewed backstage. He’s interrupted by Andrade “Cien” Almas. Ohno challenged him to a match next week and Almas accepted.
UK Championship Match Announcement: Commentary announced that Tyler Bate will defend the UK Championship at NXT Takeover: Chicago against Pete Dunne.
3. NXT Championship #1 Contenders Match Roderick Strong vs. Hideo Itami
Heading into this match there were reasons to believe either could win. While an Itami and Roode program has already been teased, they’ve also been airing background videos on Roderick Strong for the last two weeks.
The finish of the match came when both guys countered each others finishers, but then Itami hit a running boot and a hesitation dropkick in the corner, followed by the GTS for the win. The story presented was that Itami was the better wrestler on this night, but Strong refused to quit. Winner: Hideo Itami (will face Bobby Roode at Takeover)
While not shown on the Network, Sanity attacked Roderick Strong after the match.
Current NXT star Roderick Strong and fiancee Marina “the SuperNova from Moldova” Shafir are now the proud parents of a baby boy. WWE congratulated the couple on Twitter earlier today.
The SuperNova from Moldova was the nickname given to MMA fighter, Marina Shafir. The 29-year old was also a member of Ronda Rousey’s “4 Horsewoman” stable that trained out of the Arizona Fight Club in Glendale. Current indy wrestler Shayna Baszler and Jessamyn Duke being the other 2 non-Ronda Rousey members of the group.
Like most other members of the stable, her MMA career is assumed to be over following a string of losses. After going 5-0 as an amateur, and then winning her first pro bout, Shafir was knocked out in just seconds her last two fights. She hasn’t fought in close to 2 years.
Ring of Honor have announced that 3-time ROH Champion Adam Cole will be defending his title against Dalton Castle at the Supercard of Honor event on April 1st. ROH released the following press release for the match:
“When Dalton Castle arrived in ROH for the 2015 Top Prospect Tournament, he immediately turned heads with his flamboyance and unorthodox style.
Since then, “The Party Peacock” has not only proved to be one of the most entertaining performers on the roster, but also one of the toughest and most skilled.
With The Boys by his side, the crowd-pleasing Castle has steadily climbed the ranks in ROH, and now he could be on the verge of becoming ROH World Champion.
At the monumental Supercard of Honor XI in Lakeland, Fla., on Saturday, April 1, Castle will receive his first shot at the ROH World Title, which is currently held by the only three-time champion, Adam Cole.
Whether it’s Cole or someone else who enters Supercard of Honor as ROH World Champion, they would be wise not to underestimate Castle, who has scored victories over the likes of Roderick Strong, Colt Cabana and Japanese legend Jushin “Thunder” Liger in singles matches.
The last time Castle and Cole were in the ring together, it was Castle who got his hand raised in victory. On a recent episode of “Ring of Honor Wrestling,” the team of Castle and reDRagon defeated Bullet Club’s Cole and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) in a six-man tag match.“
The Wrestling Observer has revealed which NXT Superstars are in the “Terry Taylor Class” at the WWE Performance Center, which is the class that grooms wrestlers currently being considered for somewhat imminent call-ups to the main roster.
The main class features NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, Tag Team Champions DIY, Kassius Ohno, the injured Hideo Itami, TM-61, Tye Dillinger, Elias Samson, Alexander Wolfe and Andrade Almas.
The second group, which aren’t considered for near imminent call-ups but will be moved to the next class when top talents get called up, are Oney Lorcan, Roderick Strong, The Revival, The Authors of Pain, Riddick Moss, Tino Sabbatelli, Wesley Blake, Buddy Murphy, Dan Matha, Aleister Black and Killian Dain.
The Observer notes that Bobby Roode has a different contract and does not train at the WWE PC, which means he would not be in the class. This also likely applies for Samoa Joe, Austin Aries and Eric Young.
Next Wednesday’s NXT episode will feature Bobby Roode vs. Tye Dillinger vs. Andrade Almas vs. Roderick Strong in a Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match to crown a new #1 contender to NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura.
The winner of the Fatal 4 Way will get his championship shot at TakeOver: Orlando during Royal Rumble weekend.
Tonight’s NXT show saw the four Superstars win qualifying matches to advance to next week – Roode defeated Oney Lorcan, Strong defeated Elias Samson, Dillinger defeated Eric Young by DQ and Almas defeated No Way Jose. Here are post-match reactions from Almas and Strong:
A series of #1 contender qualifying matches have been announced by NXT GM William Regal. The winners of the matches will compete in a Fatal 4 Way to crown a new #1 contender to NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. The Fatal 4 Way winner will then get their title shot at TakeOver: San Antonio during Rumble weekend next month.
The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter provided the following updates out of NXT involving Tough Enough winner Josh Bredl, Roderick Strong and Hideo Itami:
– Josh Bredl has been out of the ring due to months of suffering from a severe concussion. There is currently no timeframe for his return.
– Roderick Strong impressed WWE officials last week at his first NXT TV tapings. The former ROH Champion was revealed to be Austin Aries’ mystery partner in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The duo advanced to the second round and have to be considered one of the favorites to win the whole thing.
– Hideo Itami will thankfully not need neck surgery his injury earlier this month at a live event. He was forced to pull out of the Dusty Classic and won’t be cleared in time for NXT Takeover: Toronto during Survivor Series weekend. He’ll miss around 2 months of action, while surgery would have kept him out at least 6 months.