WIth just two episodes left until War Games and Survivor Series, the hype around NXT is at an all-time high. Between the NXT Cruiserweight Championship match, the battle for the edge in the first women’s War Games match, and the possibility of Raw and SmackDown invading this is the most unpredictable WWE has been in some time. With all that said, let’s not wait any longer to dive in.
LIO RUSH RETAINS IN AN ENTERTAINING MATCH, BUT A CONTROVERSIAL FINISH
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Lio Rush looked to defend against standout Angel Garza in a match built on Garza’s disrespectful nature. The two kicked off with a fairly competitive back and forth before Garza exited the ring. He made his way into the crowd doing his usual tearaway pants routing, only he did it right in front of Rush’s wife and kids.
N N N
X X X
T T T
!!!!!!!!!!!@AngelGarzaWwe #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/0tZeKwci15— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 14, 2019
This lit a fire in Rush as he dove to the outside nailing Garza with a suicide dive. It was a well built contest feeling like either man could win, but ultimately “The Man of the Hour” retained his title. Rush nailed Garza with “The Final Hour” for the three count, but it wasn’t a clean win as Garza clearly had his foot on the rope. Garza immediately protested the loss, and Rush walked to the back raising his title high in the air.
BALOR MAKES HIS PRESENCE FELT, LEE SCORES A BIG WIN, AND DIJAKOVIC IS GOING TO WAR
Finn Balor made his way to the ring to ask one question, what happened to the NXT he built? He ran down the roster claiming they were nothing but boys and they are ruining the brand he made. After insulting Johnny Gargano for not showing his face since Balor attacked him, he went to address Matt Riddle.
You thought @SuperKingOfBros was gonna stand by and listen to this, @FinnBalor?
Nah, bro. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/BYUpvoSSz5
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 14, 2019
This was interrupted when Riddle ran to the ring gaining retribution for Balor’s attack last week. Balor quickly retreated to the stands, as Riddle taunted him. The Undisputed Era made their way to the ring looking to attack Riddle, but Tommaso Ciampa and Keith Lee ran in for the save. A brief verbal altercation set up Keith Lee vs Roderick Strong.
Lee and Strong had a strong back and forth match. Unfortunately for them, it was overshadowed by two big developments. The first is Finn Balor assaulting Matt Riddle ringside again, briefly distracting Lee allowing Strong to gain control. That was short-lived as Lee soon picked up the pinfall, but was the victim of an Undisputed Era attack. Tommaso Ciampa did his best to fight them off, but was overwhelmed.
Wherever Team Undisputed is, Team @NXTCiampa isn't far behind. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/tEDIWUd8bJ
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 14, 2019
Enter Dominik Dijakovic, who ran in like a man on fire laying waste to The Undisputed Era. After clearing the ring Dijakovic pleaded with Ciampa to give him a spot in War Games. Ciampa’s response, a nod and a handshake followed by a similar seal of approval from rival Keith Lee.
PETE DUNNE VS KILLIAN DAIN…IS STOPPED BY DAMIAN PRIEST
Pete Dunne and Killian Dain looked to go to war, after weeks of exchanging attacks. This was not meant to be, as Damian Priest assaulted Dain while he was making his entrance. Dunne ran at Priest brawling with the significantly bigger man, but holding his own. Dain soon joined the fray, and security slowly followed.
But… THAT'S A SECURITY GUARD.
These three are out. of. control. #WWENXT@ArcherOfInfamy @PeteDunneYxB @KillianDain pic.twitter.com/62TQYnkmGT
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 14, 2019
The three men chaotically brawled at ringside looking to gain an edge. Priest cleared out most of security with a crucifix toss, and temporarily knocked off his rivals with an impressive senton. The segment ended with security finally gaining control as the show headed to break.
IO SHIRAI GAINS THE EDGE FOR TEAM BASZLER, KAY LEE RAY DEBUTS AND BAYLEY MAKES A STATEMENT
Mysterious assaults plagued both War Games teams throughout the night, but they did not deter Io Shirai or Mia Yim from their high stakes match. These two women laid it all on the line in this match, nailing each other with brutal shots. Yim was badly busted open when Shirai nailed the ladder she was holding, just a little too high, with a dropkick.
It looked like Shirai would gain a certain victory, but Yim battled temporarily regaining control of the match. Dakota Kai made her way to the ring to back up Yim, and it looked like her intervention would bring Yim the victory. That was until the shocking NXT debut of NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray. Ray blindsided Kai, before pushing Yim off the top of the ladder in the third hardest to watch spot of the night. Shirai climbed the ladder shortly after to claim the win for her team.
She's got @MiaYim's back, AND @shirai_io's attention.@DakotaKai_WWE just got caught in the middle of this INSANE #LadderMatch! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/V14jYIrUem
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 14, 2019
Bianca Belair made her way to the ring celebrating with her teammate, before Shayna Baszler made her way to the entrance. She looked to Ray nodding in approval and giving a thumbs up as Team Baszler was complete. That moment of admiration for Shayna was short-lived, as Bayley attacked her from behind. The SmackDown Women’s Champion stared with disgust at Baszler, but retreated when Shirai, Belair, and Ray ran to make the save. The show closed as Baszler laid on the ground, with Bayley finally gaining an edge heading into Survivor Series.
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. Be sure to catch all of the NXT action via the WWE Network.
