{"id":29285,"date":"2018-10-24T18:52:09","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T22:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=29285"},"modified":"2018-10-24T18:52:32","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T22:52:32","slug":"the-story-so-far-nxt-10-24-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2018\/10\/24\/the-story-so-far-nxt-10-24-18\/","title":{"rendered":"The Story So Far: NXT (10\/24\/18)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Last week\u2019s NXT was a quite pulsating affair with a major title match kicking off the show and a major return ending it. The show was built as a double main event and both matches featured new twists, making for exciting viewing in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Women\u2019s Division<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29325\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29325\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29325\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2018\/10\/022_NXT_09202018sm_10941-94c62cfa0dab5e2c9de49b8f45de653f-e1540397878820.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29325\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Renowned independent wrestler<strong> Britt Baker<\/strong> stood awaiting the arrival of former NXT champion, <strong>Shayna Baszler<\/strong>, in the show\u2019s second match. Baker initially made her WWE main roster TV debut in 2016 in an enhancement match for <strong>Nia Jax<\/strong>. This would be her first NXT TV appearance.<\/p>\n<p>Baszler would make quick work of Baker, working over her left arm like she\u2019s done with so many women before. Baszler would once again twist, step onto and then jump on her opponent\u2019s left arm, causing the referee to intervene and stop the match. Baker was seen visibly howling in agony. The no.1 contender to the NXT women\u2019s title wouldn\u2019t stop there though as she hit one final knee strike on Britt Baker, laying her out in the middle of the ring.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Tag-Team Titles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Roderick Strong and Kyle O\u2019Reilly defended their tag titles in the opening segment of the show. No video promo was aired, the broadcast, after the show\u2019s intro, started straight with the entrances for the War Raiders.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"War Raiders vs. Roderick Strong &amp; Kyle O&#039;Reilly - NXT Tag Team Title Match: WWE NXT, Oct. 17, 2018\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l48bxUVyqks?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The challengers came out to a massive pop from the NXT faithful while Strong and O\u2019Reilly came out with their typical charismatic entrances. Mauro Ranallo with a great introduction, saying \u201cO\u2019Reilly, the Ayatollah of the Air Guitar, the Messiah of the Backbreaker, Roderick Strong\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Duelling \u201cwar raiders\u201d and \u201cundisputed\u201d chants dominated the early goings of the match. Very decent match overall, but nothing on the level of recent TakeOver matches, including Lorcan and Burch\u2019s title shot against the Era in Chicago. O\u2019Reilly and Strong worked over the left leg of Rowe before Hanson got the hot tag. Hanson at one point did an unbelievable bronco buster on Strong.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Undisputed and Unpredictable<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29342\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29342\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29342\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2018\/10\/018_NXT_09202018ca_4229-0665b237fe6e02955ad501faf688ba4b-e1540421523734.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29342\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It seemed as if the end was near after Hanson hit a spinning springboard clothesline on Strong, but Adam Cole came out and stood in the middle of the ring in front of Hanson. The referee didn\u2019t call for the bell as Cole hadn\u2019t done anything yet that would cause a DQ. But an attempted punch from the leader of the Undisputed Era was blocked before Hanson cleaned his clock with a right of his own.<\/p>\n<p>Cole\u2019s intervention gave his stablemates just enough time to recover as O\u2019Reilly locked Rowe in a kneebar on his injured knee while Strong attempted to keep Hanson at bay. However, Hanson would slap Strong down onto his partner to break up the predicament. O\u2019Reilly would then run into the lift-up powerslam finishing manoeuvre of the War Raiders. Hanson would then take out Strong and Cole with a suicide dive out of the ring and now the title looked to be all but won for the War Raiders.<\/p>\n<p>Rowe would lift O\u2019Reilly up in a side slam position, Hanson would go up to the top turnbuckle and deliver a thunderous leg drop on Kyle O\u2019Reilly. However, with Hanson on the pin and Rowe already celebrating beside him, out came Bobby Fish, the almost forgotten fourth member of the Undisputed Era with a steel chair in hand. Fish would smash first Rowe in the back with it and then Hanson with the chair repeatedly. .The Undisputed Era are back to full strength and anyone in their path better beware. An interesting turn of events leading up to NXT War Games in November.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Undisputed ERA&#039;s bold words about the NXT Tag Team Titles: NXT Post-Show, Oct. 17, 2018\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vv9-OrIcmhg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>This Week<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29323\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29323\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29323\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2018\/10\/20181019_MatchGraphic_NXT_Regal-46f217a684121909811a1a1f430e7bf4-e1540397351460.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29323\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>William Regal<\/strong> was announced as having a major announcement next week regarding next month\u2019s NXT TakeOver War Games.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29322\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29322\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29322\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2018\/10\/20181019_MatchGraphic_NXT_Mia_Aliyah-5e2e27774f9316dce0a18984cf39f7d7-e1540397377394.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29322\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Also, Mae Young Classic&#8217;s <strong>Mia Yim<\/strong> (a former IMPACT Knockout Champion as Jade) will be making her NXT television debut in a bout against Aliyah.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Main Event<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Nikki Cross was shown backstage at the start of the show, ferociously writing \u2018EST\u2019 on pieces of paper while also shouting out the initials, clearly focused on Bianca BelAir. However, seconds later she transformed and went into a trance of sorts. Standing up, she starts saying \u201cI know, I know\u201d repeatedly. NXT GM William Regal was interviewed in his office and asked about Nikki Cross\u2019 knowledge on the Aleister Black incident. Regal said he didn\u2019t know whether Cross was lying or telling the truth because who knows what Nikki knows. Regal did however state that Aleister Black was returning soon and that he planned to have a conversation with Nikki Cross after her match with Bianca BelAir.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29327\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29327\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29327\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2018\/10\/NXT_09202018ca_5277-aea9ef5e4defd100a62631c5d12a4643-e1540397915421.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29327\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Cross vs BelAir was a highly-anticipated rematch, especially after their last match ended with Nikki throwing herself and the still undefeated Bianca off the stage. Nikki Cross was at her deranged best here, starting the match with a running crossbody on BelAir.<\/p>\n<p>The two women had a very decent match for an NXT main event. Cross kicking out of the BelAir bomb induced a terrific facial expression from Bianca who could not believe that Nikki was still in it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29326\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29326\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29326\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2018\/10\/040_NXT_09202018sm_6506-f3673003abe37636319bba8acc6d9867-e1540397938100.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29326\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018NXT\u2019 chants would ring out in the Full Sail arena as NXT\u2019s Twisted Sister would mount a comeback against the \u2018EST\u2019. Bianca would show some exceptional strength deep into the match, lifting Nikki up into the air and doing squats while holding Cross above head.<\/p>\n<p>The ring and both competitors would be covered in glitter throughout the match in a throwback to Alexa Bliss\u2019 NXT sparkles and glitter gimmick at the developmental brand. The glitter actually came from Bianca\u2019s ring-attire which seemed to have been glazed in abundance with glitter for some reason.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Black Returns<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The match would see its end after Cross would deliver a superplex to BelAir from the top rope. As Nikki looked to crawl over for the cover, the lights would go out in the Full Sail arena. Seconds later, the initial guitar-part of Aleister Black\u2019s entrance music would play out for a moment before stopping. The lights would come back on and Aleister Black had returned. Sat in the ring in his typical cross-legged pose, he had replaced Bianca BelAir who had mysteriously disappeared from the ring. Nikki Cross was still on the ground, facing the entrance ramp and as she slowly turned back and saw Aleister Black sitting in the ring, a sick smile came across her face.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Aleister Black makes shocking return during Nikki Cross vs. Bianca Belair: WWE NXT, Oct. 17, 2018\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qncYlV-Qwag?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Nikki Cross would start rolling around the ring as the crowd chanted \u2018Nikki\u2019s got a secret\u2019. However, one raised hand from Aleister Black would stop Nikki Cross from moving. She seemed to have been hypnotised by Black and his presence. Black beckoned to her with his finger to come closer. And then, in a very Lord Voldemort-esque whisper, Black spoke to her saying \u201ctell me\u201d. The fun and games were over. Nikki Cross eerily crawled closer and whispered something in Aleister\u2019s ear only for him to hear. His face would contort and twist into an expression of ultimate rage. Nikki would slip out of the ring to avoid Black\u2019s wrath. Black would stand up, visibly shaking with fury, as NXT went off the air.<\/p>\n<p>An absolutely enthralling end to the episode. At the start of the broadcast, you could\u2019ve bene forgiven for wondering why a high-stakes NXT tag-team title match was starting the show instead of maineventing ahead of a grudge match between Nikki Cross and Bianca BelAir. However, the climax to the Cross-BelAir match made perfect sense of everything. If you thought last week\u2019s NXT was good, this one was one of the best of the year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last week\u2019s NXT was a quite pulsating affair with a major title match kicking off the show and a major return ending it. The show was built as a double main event and both matches featured new twists, making for exciting viewing in the coming weeks. Women\u2019s Division Renowned independent wrestler Britt Baker stood awaiting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2709,"featured_media":29324,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5,3],"tags":[433,762,116,1791],"class_list":["post-29285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-nxt","category-wwe-universe","tag-aleister-black","tag-nikki-cross","tag-nxt","tag-undisputed-era"],"modified_by":"Jamie Greer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2709"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29285"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29285\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}