Tonight’s episode is coming to you live from the WWE Performance Center. With two title matches and the Takeover: Tampa card taking shape, expect this to be an unpredictable episode of NXT. Having said that, let’s dive into this week’s episode of NXT!
KEITH LEE DEFENDS AGAINST CAMERON GRIMES & DAMIAN PRIEST CLOUDS NORTH AMERICAN TITLE PICTURE
Keith Lee looked to continue his dominant run, but first, he’d have to go through “The Technical Savage” Cameron Grimes. Lee’s size advantage didn’t play as much of factor into the match as one would think, as Grimes had a counter for most of Lee’s power-based offense.
Keith retained the title after nailing Grimes with “The Big Bang Catastrophe” for the pinfall. Lee’s celebration was cut short by Damian Priest. Priest blindsided Lee battering him with a nightstick, but thankfully Dominik Dijakovic made the save. Dijakovic went to help Lee and was thanked by Lee with a “Spirit Bomb” to the shock of everyone. It remains to be seen if this was merely a misunderstanding or a change in attitude by Lee. Either way, the NXT North American Champion has no shortage of contenders.
MIA YIM EARNS SPOT IN NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS MATCH BUT RAQUEL GONZALEZ STANDS TALL
Mia Yim and Dakota Kai faced off in the second qualifying match for the Takeover: Tampa ladder match. These two have faced off numerous times in the past, but this time Kai has her bodyguard Raquel Gonzalez at her side.
Each woman had the contest won at different points, Yim with a pin following a powerbomb, but it was broken up by Gonzalez. Kai had Yim in a roll-up as well that would’ve sealed the deal for, however, the referee was distracted trying to send Gonzalez to the back. That would provide the opportunity for Yim to pull off the victory, as she hit a disgruntled Kai with “Protect Ya Neck” to stamp her ticket to Tampa.
A frustrated Gonzalez ambushed Yim, battering “The H.B.I.C.” with clubbing strikes before slamming her to the mat.
CHARLOTTE FLAIR MAKES A STATEMENT
Rhea Ripley made her way to the ring with a microphone in hand, looking to address her upcoming match with Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania. Ripley wasn’t able to say much before Flair interrupted her.
Flair did a great job getting heat from the crowd, before promising to overwhelm the Ripley at Wrestlemania. The two soon came to blows with Flair getting the better. She proceeded to ram Ripley’s knee into the ring post before locking in the “Figure Eight” with Ripley’s legs wrapped around the ring post. The two were soon separated, with Flair ending the segment posing over a prone Ripley.
TEGAN NOX IS HEADING TO TAMPA
The third qualifying match for the NXT Women’s number one contender’s match took place, as Tegan Nox clashed with Deonna Purrazo. Purrazo spent a good portion of the match targetting Nox’s shoulder.
Nox managed to fight her way back into the match-up and nailing Nox Purrazo with “The Shiniest Wizard” for the sudden victory.
VELVETEEN DREAM WANTS A TITLE MATCH & BROSERWEIGHTS RETAIN
The Undisputed Era made their way to the ring, as Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish looked to regain the titles from The Broserweights (Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne). Before the match could start Velveteen Dream’s music hit, and he appeared on the perch in the Performance Center. The Dream made it clear his eyes were set on the NXT Championship and that he never cared about Strong or his family.
Adam Cole responded stating that Dream would never get a shot at his title, he followed up by announcing that next week he would celebrate becoming the longest reigning NXT Champion next week. After Cole and Strong threatened to attack Dream, he made his exit and brought out The Broserweights to start the match.
Early on neither team was able to gain a significant edge, but that all changed after Dunne had tricked the referee into thinking Cole attacked him. Cole and Strong were swiftly banned from ringside, allowing for a more even contest.
It appeared The Undisputed Ea would walk out with the belts, following the interference from Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson). Riddle & Dunne would overcome, wiping out both GYV and Fish at ringside, isolating O’Reilly and nailing him with a “Bro To Sleep/Step Up Enzguri” combo to retain the titles.
JOHNNY GARGANO AND TOMMASO CIAMPA TRY TO END EACH OTHER
Tommaso Ciampa made his way to the ring demanding answers from Johnny Gargano. Gargano appeared on the screen, taunting Ciampa from the conference room in the performance center.
Ciampa charged towards the back, storming Gargano with a barrage of strikes. The two men battled throughout the performance center destroying windows, workout equipment, and anything else they could try to hurt each other went.
The mayhem finally came to an end, after Ciampa planted both Gargano and himself through the announce table following a leaping air raid siren off the perch. The two men were being tended to as the segment came to an end.
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. WWE fan? Check out the WWE Network to fulfill all of your WWE needs!
