NXT this week features a lot of up-and-comers topped off by a huge main event. Heavy Machinery is in action, Lacey Evans returns to the ring, and Roderick Strong faces Fabian Aichner. In the main event, the Street Profits face the Authors of Pain to determine who will face the Undisputed ERA for the NXT Tag Team Championships at TakeOver: Philadelphia.
Heavy Machinery vs. Tino Sabatelli & Riddick Moss
Other than just building momentum in the tag team division, this match started because of an unusual segment in the Full Sail University parking lot. Tino Sabatelli parked his unspecified nice car over multiple spots, so Otis Dozovic decided to try and move it himself (by picking it up, not by driving it).
Regardless of Heavy Machinery having a previous NXT Tag Team Championship opportunity, these teams are pretty much in the same boat. They need every win they can get to climb up the ladder. The competition is pretty stiff with SAnitY, The Undisputed ERA (current tag champs), Street Profits, the Authors of Pain, and the returning TM61.
With the referee out of optimal position, Riddick Moss rolls up Dozovic while using the ropes for leverage, stealing a victory. At this point, this is the only way this team will win anything. Winners: Tino Sabatelli & Riddick Moss
Roderick Strong vs. Fabian Aichner
Fabian Aichner and Roderick Strong have similar paths in NXT. Aichner came into the brand and had to prove himself through in-ring work, which he has done time and time again. Aichner has almost defeated Johnny Gargano, Kassius Ohno, and NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas, just to name a few. Strong joined NXT with independent wrestling fame, but his relatively average character had to rely on strong in-ring performances that led him to an NXT Championship match.
Aichner attempts a springboard attack, but Strong counters it into a backbreaker. Strong then follows the backbreaker up with his own version of the Liontamer, forcing Aichner to tap out. Perhaps Strong has found a second finisher to add to his arsenal. Winner (via submission): Roderick Strong
After the match, Strong cuts the exact same vague promo that Lars Sullivan did last week. Strong uses Sullivan’s words against him and calls him out. Since Sullivan called out Killian Dain last week, perhaps a triple threat match is on the way.
Aliyah vs. Lacey Evans
This match continues the trend of featuring competitors that need every win they can get. Aliyah has been a mainstay on NXT for the past couple years but has not gotten much of anywhere. Lacey Evans debuted on NXT a couple years ago, but her shining moment was an impressive performance in the inaugural Mae Young Classic.
Aliyah and Evans are still on their way to being on the same level as the top of the division, but they are certainly improving. Aliyah attempts to attack Evans in the corner when she counters with a right hook. The hook hits harder than even Evans expects, so she goes for the cover and wins. Winner: Lacey Evans
Evans starts cutting a promo calling for William Regal to remove all of the “societal trash” from the women’s division. As she goes on, Shayna Baszler appears from behind her. Baszler walks past her and locks in a choke on the downed Aliyah until Ember Moon shows up to send her retreating again. Moon is playing right into Baszler’s game and she challenges the Queen of Spades to a fight. Baszler says she will only fight at NXT TakeOver: Philadephia for the NXT Women’s Championship, and Moon obliges.
Announcement
After inexplicably being absent from NXT television for months, No Way Jose announces that the “conga line” will return next week. This probably also means that he is going to have a match.
Johnny Gargano Promo
In a backstage segment, Zelina Vega tries to convince William Regal that Johnny Gargano will be humiliated by Andrade “Cien” Almas. Vega wants Gargano to put his championship opportunity on the line against Velveteen Dream and Gargano comes to the ring to respond. He is tired of being doubted by everybody and he will jump through extra hoops just to prove that “Johnny Wrestling” is not a fluke.
Street Profits vs. The Authors of Pain (w/Paul Ellering) – #1 Contender’s Match (NXT Tag Team Championships)
The Undisputed ERA needs new opponents to defend their NXT Tag Team Championships against and this match will decide who fills the gap. In one corner are the Street Profits, who are the hottest up-and-comers with likable personalities and an undefeated record. The other corner hosts the Authors of Pain, who were undefeated for over a year in NXT and who have already held gold.
The Street Profits have a shining moment of hope, but Akam and Rezar get back on track quickly. The Authors of Pain hit the Super Collider followed by the Last Chapter, putting them away and getting one step closer to a second tag title run. Winners, and NEW #1 Contenders: The Authors of Pain
