This week’s NXT is mostly focused around the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and the battle royal to determine the number one contender for the NXT Women’s Championship. With Worlds Collide right around the corner though, don’t be surprised if we see a few surprises. With that said, let’s take a look at what happened this week on NXT.
MATT RIDDLE & PETE DUNNE SHOW IMPRESSIVE CHEMISTRY IN FIRST ROUND WIN
Former NXT UK Tag Team Champions Mark Andrews and “Flash” Morgan Webster faced new tandem Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle. This match was incredible! Riddle and Dunne looked like they’ve been teaming together for years, while Webster and Andrews got to show they are a tag team to watch.
Mark Andrews was particularly impressive, battling back multiple times with an impressive babyface fire. It would be the newly formed “Broserweights” that would be victorious, following a “Bitter End”/Jumping Knee combination.
DIY REUNITES
Tommaso Ciampa came out to address The Undisputed Era’s attack on Keith Lee earlier in the show. Ciampa talked about how the Era had a hitlist, so did he with Adam Cole at the top. The Undisputed Era came out shortly to attack and overwhelm Ciampa.
Ciampa held his own for a bit, but the numbers game was too much. This brought out former tag-team partner Johnny Gargano running in to make the save for his partner. The two fought off The Undisputed Era before hitting Bobby Fish with their old tandem finisher. The two had a brief moment of respect before the segment ended.
ZACK GIBSON AND JAMES DRAKE UPSET TIME SPLITTERS
Kushida and Alex Shelley gave fans the long-awaited Time Splitters reunion fans have been begging for, they had an ideal opponent in talented team The Grizzled Young Veterans. Shelley and Kushida still meshed well together after all these years.
The fan favorites nailed much of their signature offense but were cut off by Gibson and Drake at every turn. Just as it looked like fans would get the ending they were hoping for, Gibson forced Kushida off the to rope. From there they hit “Ticket to Mayhem” to score the shocking win.
ISAIAH SCOTT SECURES CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE SHOT
Even @AngelGarzaWwe is impressed by THIS.
WOW. #WWENXT @itsLioRush @itsLioRush pic.twitter.com/zsDWUh56Bw
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 16, 2020
Lio Rush, Tyler Breeze, and Isaiah Scott took to the ring to determine the number one contender for the Cruiserweight Championship. They did well to highlight each competitor. Scott has a diverse and unique offense that few can imitate. Rush was a human pinball the way he was able to throw himself around the ring, particularly with some brutal dives to Breeze on the outside.
In case it wasn't obvious, you REALLY can't blink when it comes to the NXT #Cruiserweight Division! #WWENXT @itsLioRush @swerveconfident @MmmGorgeous pic.twitter.com/A53aNmHvpa
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 16, 2020
Tyler was not able to match his opponents in high flying, but he nailed some hard kicks and played the veteran role well. Scott picked up the win after hitting the “JML Driver” on Breeze for the pin.
BIANCA BELAIR WINS IN BATTLE ROYAL FULL OF SURPRISES
The crowd popped for this match before it even started, as the fans were treated to the return of Kacy Catanzaro and the debut of Mercedes Martinez. Shayna Baszler also made her first appearance since losing the Women’s Championship to Rhea Ripley, and Tegan Nox finally made her return after Dakota Kai’s betrayal.
While it took a little bit for the match to get going, it picked up when it got down to the final five. Nox took it to Baszler, Bianca Belair, and Io Shirai before Kai interfered and eliminated her from the match-up. The first true surprise elimination followed shortly, as Shotzi Blackheart threw Baszler out to the surprise of everyone.
Belair tossed out Blackheart, making it just her and Shirai. The two fought hard with each woman coming close, but Belair’s power ultimately proved the difference. Belair celebrated in the ring as the show closed and Shirai watched with anger.
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.
