The last episode before NXT makes it’s move to the USA Network, and did they make it count! With a jam-packed episode including Breakout Tournament standouts Cameron Grimes and Angel Garza, former NXT UK Champion Pete Dunne, and for the main event Rhea Ripley vs Shayna Baszler. Let’s not waste any more time, and dive right into this NXT Recap.
The NXT Recap (9/11/19)
THE ARCHER OF INFAMY CONTINUES TO HIT THE TARGET IN VICTORY OVER BOA
Damien Priest was faced with a different challenge this week in NXT newcomer Boa. Early on Priest was dominant, and took little damage from Boa. Priest’s overconfidence almost cost him as Boa landed a brief flurry that had Damien on the ropes.
The Archer of infamy ultimately took home the win after a vicious discuss clothesline halted Boa’s momentum, and was quickly followed up by The Reckoning. Damian continues to impress in his brief squash matches, and I can’t wait to see the role he plays in the move to the USA Network.
JOHNNY GARGANO IS NXT
Johnny Gargano made his way to ring, making an announcement we all assumed would be a move to the main roster. Full Sail was filled with Johnny Wrestling chants, showing their admiration for the soon to be departing wrestler. Gargano had to stop them, joking he had told production he wouldn’t take that much time.
He continued on talking about how much work he had put into NXT, and how the brand would be nothing without the fans. Just as he was about to announce his decision Shane Thorne made his way to the ring. Thorne continued to voice his frustration with others getting the spotlight, and insisted that NXT would be fine without Johnny wrestling.
Gargano feigned leaving the ring before stating that he is NXT, and he’s not going anywhere followed by laying out Thorne with a superkick. While going in I suspected Gargano would be staying in NXT, but the emotion Gargano displayed had me pulled in. This is the right decision as shown here Gargano is still NXTY’s biggest babyface.
THE BRUISERWEIGHT TAPS OUT BREAKOUT STANDOUT ANGEL GARZA
Angel Garza faced off against his toughest competition so far in former NXT UK Champion Pete Dunne, and he almost pulled off the upset. Garza had control for the majority of the match using stiffer than usual strikes, and his signature ariel offense. Dunne was game all throughout utilizing a series of hard hitting kicks to the head of his opponent.
Ultimately Garza’s arrogance would do him in, as he paused to pose for the ground before attempting a moonsault. It gave Dunne the time he needed to recover and counter Garza into a triangle armbar for the submission.
CAMERON GRIMES BRUTAL OFFENSE GETS HIM THE WIN AGAINST RAUL MENDOZA
Cameron Grimes looks to build off his impressive showing in the Breakout Tournament, and Raul Mendoza looked to take that momentum for himself. Mendoza had control for the majority of the match with his unorthodox offense including a rolling cradle and standing shooting star press.
Grimes being the opportunist rolled out of the way of Mendoza’s Phoenix splash, and nailing the Standing Double Stomp for the win.
RIPLEY TAKES THE LOSS, BUT MAKES A STATEMENT
Rhea Ripley dominated her match with Shayna Baszler! The Queen of Spades had her moments, but it was largely Ripley using her strength advantage to control the NXT Women’s Champion. Baszler did threaten with a few chokes, but Rhea powered out every time.
Just as it looked like Ripley would put her stamp on the impending victory, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke came to ringside for the distraction. Baszler nailed the UK export with a knee before asking Duke to hand her a chair. She lined up Ripley ready to blast her with the foreign object, but Ripley grabbed the chair from Baszler before blasting the champion drawing the DQ. Ripley continued to egg the Horsewomen on from the ring before sitting in the chair and taunting them to close the show.
So ends this week’s NXT recap stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. And make sure to watch NXT every week on the WWE Network or check out NXT when it moves to USA Network
