This week’s WWE NXT had direct fireback from Heatwave last week, with several storylines set up and furthered at that special episode. The card started off strong with a steel cage match before going on to deliver several other matches and segments. NXT is now effectively on the fast track to the next PLE, No Mercy.
As usual, this week’s NXT delivered some great action for wrestling fans but the top two stories coming out of the show were the start of the NXT Global Heritage Invitational tournament, as well as the new NXT Women’s championship contender being determined.
The NXT For Global Heritage Invitational Tournament Gets Underway With Two Matches
The NXT Global Heritage Invitational tournament got underway with a classic US vs. UK match-up from Group A as Charlie Dempsey went up against Butch. Now a member of the SmackDown roster in The Brawling Brutes stable, Butch finds himself back in NXT with a chance to dominate like never before. Butch had several accomplishments in WWE NXT but the NXT Global Heritage Invitational Cup is one that has eluded the ‘Bruiserweight.’
With Noam Dar and the rest of Meta-Four watching on, Butch and Dempsey started off trading shots before making submission attempts on each other. The two matched each other up but Butch hit a Bitter End to get the victory and score two points for himself.
The other invitational match saw Group B’s Joe Coffey and Nathan Frazer lock up for the chance to start off strong with a win. The two had a back-and-forth match-up but Frazer learned the hard way that high risk does not always mean high rewards as missed Phoenix Splash opens the door for Coffey to execute a Best for the Bells and inevitably get the victory.
Secondary Topic [NXT Women’s Title Contender]
Four of the top wrestlers in the women’s division were set to clash in fatal four-way action, all in an effort to determine the next one to challenge for the gold of the women’s division. Gigi Dolin, Roxanne Perez, Blair Davenport, and Kiana James all had their motivations to come out on top in this match-up and be next in line for a title opportunity.
This was a hard-hitting and fast-paced match as all four wrestlers looked to gain the advantage and outsmart all three other opponents. There were several close moments but, with two other opponents, the wrestlers had to keep their heads on a swivel at all times. They had major moments and put on a stellar showcase for wrestling fans right from the first bell until the closing moments.
Kiana James had perfect timing as she managed to capitalize on the chaos and secure the victory. NXT Women’s Champion, Tiffany Stratton, soon joined her in the ring to have a face-off with her new number-one contender. When these two clash, it will be an exciting moment as the two have never met in one-on-one action and will certainly be looking to outdo their adversary.
Elsewhere on the card, The Creed Brothers have been reinstated to NXT as they overcame the odds to defeat The Dyad in their steel cage match. In a second match-up, Dijak delivered a Cyclone Boot to get the win, now having two wins over Eddy Thorpe. Lola Vice and Elektra Lopez worked in tandem to pick up the victory over Kelani Jordan and Dana Brooke.
Tyler Bate hopes to use the NXT Global Heritage Invitational to add another chapter to his story with Butch. Thea Hail seems to be drifting further away from Chase U, seemingly influenced by Jacy Jayne. NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes continues to have a target on him as several adversaries carefully keep themselves in the title picture.
There is still just over a month until the WWE NXT roster makes the trip to Bakersfield, California for the PLE, and several match-ups could be determined along the way to NXT No Mercy on Saturday, September 30.
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