NXT has gotten into the habit of packing a ton of action into a one-hour long episode, and this week is no different. There are three matches to help build Drew McIntyre, the Authors of Pain, and the Velveteen Dream. On top of that, there’s the main event where Asuka will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot.
Drew McIntyre vs. Rob Ryzin
Rob Ryzin has been featured on NXT a few times, but he has not, well, won a match. It is the complete opposite story for Drew McIntyre. McIntyre has been turned up to eleven, winning hard-hitting affairs against the likes of Oney Lorcan and Andrade “Cien” Almas.
Ryzin gets in some offense, but it pretty much in McIntyre’s favor for the entire match. After knocking Ryzin off of the top turnbuckle, McIntyre knocks Ryzin out in the center of the ring with a running kick to the jaw. Winner: Drew McIntyre
Video Packages
Aleister Black has been away from NXT for a few weeks, but there is a video package to keep him in the minds of the NXT Universe. There is no timetable for his return, but there are highlights of his incredible striking ability and his impressive performances.
Later in the night, there is another video package, this time focusing on Sonya Deville. Formerly known as Daria Berenato, Deville has a background in MMA and says that she was born to beat people up. Deville returns to the ring next week.
The Authors of Pain vs. An Unknown Team
Ever since they debuted, The Authors of Pain have been dominant. In fact, they haven’t even lost a match. Most recently, they successfully defended their NXT Tag Team Championships against Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, formerly known as #DIY. Tonight, they face a team comprised of two men with no names.
Rezar bulldozes one member of the enemy team before spending the rest of the match at ringside talking to Paul Ellering. Akam takes control and dominates the entire match by himself. After Akam picks up the victory, Rezar comes back to the ring and they knock out their opponents with the Super Collider. Winners: The Authors of Pain
Paul Ellering grabs a microphone to address Heavy Machinery. Ellering says that in the next chapter in the Book of Pain, Otis Dozovic and Tucker Knight are not even important enough to make a footnote. Heavy Machinery then interrupts Ellering for a staredown with the NXT Tag Team Champions, and Ellering directs the Authors of Pain to head to the back before any confrontation.
Raul Mendoza vs. Velveteen Dream
After losing in the first round of the Cruiserweight Classic, it is nice to see Raul Mendoza back in a WWE ring. He faces Velveteen Dream (formerly Patrick Clark), who debuted one week after TakeOver: Chicago. Apart from his strangely flamboyant personality, he is fairly strong and impressively agile.
Following a cartwheel Death Valley Driver, the Velveteen Dream puts Raul Mendoza away with a diving elbow drop. Just like his performance in the Cruiserweight Classic, Raul Mendoza impressed the fans in attendance with his agility and maneuverability through the ropes. Winner: Velveteen Dream
Announcements
In an interview, Kassius Ohno announces a huge match for next week when he takes on Aleister Black. Also next week, Ember Moon will return from injury in a match against Peyton Royce.
Asuka (c) vs. Nikki Cross vs. Ruby Riot – NXT Women’s Championship (Elimination Match)
Asuka, Nikki Cross, and Ruby Riot are back at it for the NXT Women’s Championship, but this time there is a slight variation for this match. The match at TakeOver: Chicago was a standard triple threat match, with one fall deciding the victor. However, this is an elimination match where all other competitors must take a fall to determine a victor. Asuka has never taken a fall in NXT, so Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross are going to have to work together to defeat the Empress of Tomorrow.
After a swinging neckbreaker from the top turnbuckle, Nikki Cross cradles Ruby Riot for the pinfall and the first elimination of the match. Eliminated: Ruby Riot
Cross and Asuka battle towards the backstage area and the referee calls the match off. Cross dives onto Asuka sending her through a table, and both women are motionless until the show ends. Result: No Contest
