Now that the post-TakeOver doldrums are over, NXT is back to being an interesting show. Tonight’s episode builds for the future with Peyton Royce vs. Ruby Riot and Heavy Machinery taking on local opponents. In the main event, former NXT Champion (and current SmackDown Live Superstar) Bobby Roode takes on Roderick Strong.
Opening Segment
Before Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, and Percy Watson can welcome us to the show, the camera shows a dark parking lot with Alexander Wolfe of SAnitY laid out next to a van, alongside another laid out security guard. This could either be the Authors of Pain looking for revenge after SAnitY captured the NXT Tag Team Championships, or Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, and Adam Cole, who have been attacking anyone and everyone since NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III.
In-ring Segment
Drew McIntyre comes down to the ring for the first time since capturing the NXT Championship from Bobby Roode. McIntyre issues an open challenge, saying that anyone who wants the title just has to come down and challenge him to a fight. The first person to answer this challenge is the man that McIntyre faced right before his title match, Roderick Strong.
McIntyre is glad that Strong is stepping up to the plate “like a man,” but he warns the challenger that he should get ready to be knocked down like a man as well.
Peyton Royce (w/Billie Kay) vs. Ruby Riot
Three weeks ago, Ruby Riot defeated Billie Kay in singles action and right after the match, Peyton Royce grabbed a microphone to claim that all Riot proved was that lightning strikes once. If Royce can defeat Riot tonight she might prove herself right, but if not, it is a big blow to the Iconic Duo. Royce did pick up some success last week, however, as she defeated Mae Young Classic competitor Sarah Logan.
Peyton Royce tries to crawl out of the ring, but she grabs the apron as Ruby Riot drags her in. While the referee fixes the apron, Billie Kay lays Riot out with a “Shades of Kay” big boot. Royce then takes advantage to hit the bridging Fisherman Suplex to steal the win, evening up the series against Riot. Winner: Peyton Royce
Announcements
Kassius Ohno tells General Manager William Regal that he is healthy and ready to go (apparently he wasn’t healthy) before requesting for a match. Regal gives Ohno what he wants and Ohno will go head-to-head with his former friend Hideo Itami next week in a No Disqualification Match.
Also next week, William Regal decides to take some action regarding Lars Sullivan attacking his tag team partners. Sullivan will compete in a 3-on-1 handicap match and Sullivan actually smiles as he hears the news.
Yet another match for next week is announced with Andrade “Cien” Almas taking on the man who scored an upset over him several weeks ago, Cezar Bononi.
Heavy Machinery vs. Irrelevant Tag Team
If you see an already established tag team facing a couple of nobodies, there is only one way it is going to go. Heavy Machinery’s peak in NXT was an NXT Tag Team Championship match against The Authors of Pain and this starts getting the momentum going again before they get another title opportunity.
Unsurprisingly, Otis Dozovic and Tucker Knight hit their opponents with the Compactor double team, crushing the other team under 600 pounds. Dozovic pins both members of the opposing duo to pick up the win. Winners: Heavy Machinery
Bobby Roode vs. Roderick Strong
Although Bobby Roode is now a Superstar on SmackDown Live, he still has some unfinished business with NXT. Of course, he has his contractually obligated rematch against Drew McIntyre for the NXT Championship, but first, he is focusing on something a little more personal. During Roderick Strong’s pursuit towards the NXT Championship (which was around Roode’s waist at the time), Roode made sure to insult Strong’s manhood and his family. Since Strong defeated McIntyre by disqualification before TakeOver: Brooklyn III, he has earned his requested match with the former champion.
Strong hits a Falcon Arrow backbreaker then blows Roode a kiss before finishing him off with one more backbreaker. Unfortunately for Strong, this wasn’t for the title, but he finally got revenge on Roode. Winner: Roderick Strong
After the match, Drew McIntyre appears on the stage and nods towards Strong while holding his title up high. As he is doing this, Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, and Adam Cole attack him from behind again before running away from security.
