NXT looks to continue building its impressive momentum. Outstanding matches from top to bottom, including the Walter vs Kushida main event. Before we get to that, let’s dive into the NXT Cruiserweight Championship match.
LIO RUSH CAPTURES THE NXT CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Drew Gulak looked to defend his Cruiserweight Championship against “The Man of the Hour” Lio Rush. This match was the perfect showcase for the cruiserweight division. It felt like either man could win from out the gate, as almost immediately Rush nailed Gulak with a standing spanish fly. Gulak was not to be outdone reversing a roll-up attempt into a gogopolata/arm-bar variation,
Gulak was able to slow down the pace to favor his mat-based game. “The Man of the Hour” was able to battle back nailing his bottom rope stunner “The Come Up” followed by “The Final Hour” for the pinfall. William Regal came out to place the belt around the new champion’s waist. Gulak grabbed the belt from the NXT commissioner, before handing it back to Rush and shaking his hand. I would not be surprised to see these two face off again soon.
RHEA RIPLEY MAKES A STATEMENT, CAMERON GRIMES CONTINUES WINNING STREAK, AND KILLIAN DAIN MAKES A STATEMENT
Rhea Ripley faced off with Aliyah and completely dominated her submitting Aliyah with an inverted cloverleaf. Ripley immediately demanded a mic to address NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler. While she complimented the champion saying she is the most dominant woman in NXT history, she reminded everyone Shayna has not beaten her.
Cameron Grimes faced off against fellow Breakout Tournament entrant Boa and beat him in seconds with his double foot stomp. It was the post-match that many will be talking about as Killian Dain came out, and completely brutalized Boa. Dain nailed Boa with a Vader bomb before taking him outside and slamming him into the announce table.
ISAIAH SCOTT SHINES IN LOSS TO RODERICK STRONG..DREAM AND CIAMPA MAKE THEIR STATEMENTS
Isaiah Scott faced off with NXT North American Champion Roderick Strong and put the spotlight on him with an incredible effort. Scott used beyond innovative offense nailing a shooting star press after pushing himself off the ropes. Strong had his moments with his variety of backbreakers, but Swerve was the star of the match.
A distraction from the Undisputed Era gave Strong the opportunity he needed to take control of the match and lock Scott in the Stronghold for the submission. Cole tried to put over the Era, but Velveteen Dream quickly interrupted. Dream planted seeds that Strong was a weak link in the group, promising to show that Strong didn’t “measure up” to the champion standards (with the help of photoshop). Tommaso Ciampa made his way to the ring, and The Undisputed Era retreated. Ciampa grabbed a mic, his crutch, and a chair as he sat down saying just three words, “Goldie…daddy’s home.”
WALTER REIGNS SUPREME IN BATTLE OF NXT UNDEFEATED AGAINST KUSHIDA
Kushida vs WALTER was the simple David and Goliath story, but they did a phenominal job putting their spin on it. Kushida utilized a plethora of springboard dropkicks to initially gain control. That would come back to bite him as a slip on the top rope allowed WALTER to take control.
WALTER used what has to be the most brutal chest chops to wear down the Japanese sensation. The rest of the match was strongly back and forth, largely trading submission attempts. Kushida nearly finished off his giant foe with a hoverboard lock on more than one occasion, but “The Ring General” proved that is more than just a nickname. WALTER picked up the hard-fought win with a ripcord lariat, he stood tall with the rest of Imperium to close out 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 on USA Network
