The first episode of 2020 promises to be an exciting one. Filled with unexpected debuts, the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and a stellar main event, this is a can’t miss episode of NXT. That being said let’s get started with the women’s division.
RHEA ADDRESSING THE NXT UNIVERSE TURNS INTO SIX WOMAN TAG MATCH
Rhea Ripley made her way to the ring to talk about winning the NXT Women’s Championship. She was almost immediately interrupted by NXT UK’s Toni Storm. Storm talked about how she would reclaim the NXT UK Women’s Championship this Sunday, before challenging Ripley to a match at World’s Collide for both titles.
As the crowd chanted”Toni Two Belts” Rhea accepted, only to be interrupted by current UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray. This started a trend as one by one Io Shirai, Bianca Belair, and Candice Lerae all demanding a title shot. This sparked a brawl between the six women, quickly leading to a tag-team match.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1215089847146336256
While the majority of the match did not bear much significance, the end helped set Io Shirai apart. Belair tagged herself in as Shirai was on the edge of victory, infuriating Shirai. Io nailed Belair with a dropkick before exiting the match, opening the door for Ripley to nail “The Riptide” for the win.
IMPERIUM MOVES ON IN DUSTY CLASSIC AND AUTIN THEORY PICKS UP A WIN
Imperium squared off with The Forgotten Sons in the opening match for the Dusty Rhode’s Tag Team Classic. This was a much faster pace than we usually see out of these teams. The short time didn’t stop these teams from delivering a good match. Ultimately Imperium picked up the win to move on in the prestigious tournament.
Austin Theory had his second televised match against Joaquin Wilde. Though it was not a squash match, Wilde had very little offense in the match. Theory picked up the win following a dropkick and “The Unproven Cutter” for the pinfall.
THE UNDISPUTED ERA WIN BIG IN CHAMPION VS CHAMPION MATCH
The NXT Tag-Team Champions The Undisputed Era’s Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish faced off against NXT UK Tag Champs Gallus’ Wolfgang and Mark Coffey. The Undisputed Era was in control for the majority of the match, but Gallus battled back every time using their size advantage to take control.
It was Undisputed Era’s dirty tricks that won them the match. A distraction from Fish allowed Adam Cole to blast Wolfgang. O’Reilly and Fish followed up with “The High Low” to pick up the win and advance in the Dusty Classic.
MIA YIM PICKS UP WIN OVER KAYDEN CARTER AND CHELSEA GREEN ATTACKS
Mia Yim faced off aginst the alway impressive Kayden Carter. Carter continues to show why she deserves a bigger spotlight with great athleticism and exciting offense. She was able to look strong against the veteran Yim, controlling the majority of the match. This was not enough, as Yim nailed “Protect Yo Neck” from out of nowhere for the win.
While both women were showing mutual respect, Chelsea Green attacked them from behind. Rob Stone made his way to the ring, promising 2020 would be the year he introduced the Stone brand. Stone then stated that Green was just the beginning.
KEITH LEE BECOME TOP CONTENDER FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Mr. Lee will see you now.#WWENXT @RealKeithLee pic.twitter.com/Gufn94nmPs
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 9, 2020
Damian Priest, Dominik Dijakovic, Cameron Grimes, and Keith Lee met in a number one contender’s match for the NXT North American Championship. From the beginning, Lee was treated like the biggest threat in the match. He was targeted early but battled back using Grimes as a battering ram before delivering a powerbomb.
Power moves and momentum shifts were on full display throughout this contest. It looked like Grimes might pick up the victory nailing Priest with a moonsault and Dijakovic with “The Cave In” on the apron. Just as he was about to nail Lee with a diving “Cave In” Lee countered with a “Grizzly Magnum”. Lee followed up with a “Spirit Bomb” for the three count and the win.
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.
