
Hello and welcome to our live coverage for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT on the USA Network, and once again it looks to be quite a fun one!
Here’s what’s in store tonight:
- ‘Cage Fight’ between Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher, with Kurt Angle as special guest referee
- Rhea Ripley & Io Shirai vs. Charlotte Flair & Mystery Partner
- Adam Cole to have ‘live negotiation’ with GM William Regal regarding Velveteen Dream
- Drake Maverick vs. Jake Atlas vs. Kushida to determine who faces El Hijo Del Fantasma in the final of the interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament.
All that and more coming up on tonight’s NXT so be sure to keep this page open for updates, results and reactions to the show!
Thatcher Beats Riddle Via TKO
This match was not for everyone but it’s what I personally like in wrestling. It was a largely MMA-style ordeal but with dramatic pro-wrestling elements thrown in to add entertainment.
Thatcher lost some teeth from a kick early on, but was allowed to continue after a doctor had checked on him.
After a few minutes of grappling and hard strikes in the ring, the action was taken to the platform above the ring. It was inevitable wasn’t it, really?
Thatcher tried a butterfly suplex into the ring, but ended up eating a ripcord knee which knocked him down, and Riddle followed up with a big dive. It wasn’t as high a normal cage, but that’s not to take anything away from it at all.
Eventually, Thatcher locked in a choke and Riddle passed out, giving Thatcher the win by TKO. Not too surprising given the reports that Riddle will be moving to SmackDown soon.
Overall, the match wasn’t insanely good, but if you’re a fan of the style, I would recommend watching it if you can.
.@SuperKingofBros has faded. Timothy Thatcher has submitted The #OriginalBro. #WWENXT #FightPit pic.twitter.com/Rmy5SfmJ6F
— WWE (@WWE) May 28, 2020
Kross Has A Message For Ciampa
Depsite Scarlett being a bit of a distraction, Ciampa did pick up the W with the Fairytale Ending.
Kross then came up on the titantron, with the camera very zoomed into his face to make it even more disturbing and spooky dooky.
He just threatens Ciampa and when he’s finished Scarlett looks back at him and smiles.
Up next is the main event, as Kurt Angle is special guest referee for a ‘cage fight’ in the ‘NXT Fight Pit’ next! This could be very awesome indeed.
.@WWEKarrionKross definitely won't be happy about this. 😘#WWENXT @NXTCiampa @Lady_Scarlett13 pic.twitter.com/yO4W56NEXc
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 28, 2020
Daddy's Home
We get a vignette for the tag team of Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan, which was really entertaining. Great to get some more personality from these guys because their matches are sublime.
They meet in a bar and toast to the idea of taking the Tag Team Championship away from Imperium.
Back to the in-ring action, we’ve got Leon Ruff taking on Tommaso Ciampa. Should be an easy Ciampa win as he faces Karrion Kross at TakeOver, who squashed Ruff a couple of weeks ago.
Speaking of which, Scarlett has come down the ramp to get a closer look.
Who wore it better?omit_script=1 #WWENXT @strongstylebrit @_StarDESTROYER pic.twitter.com/ZWgY35boCT
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 28, 2020
NXT Title Match Announced For TakeOver
The first thing wrong with this live negotiation was that it wasn’t live, but to get to the point, Adam Cole asked Regal for a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championship, and then he asked for Velveteen Dream to never step into his business ever again.
Regal disagreed though, and said that Dream will ‘probably’ get another title opportunity against Cole at TakeOver. I’m not sure why the GM would say ‘probably’ when he can just make the decision, but never mind.
Cole was rather angry at this, Regal told him to stop crying like a “baybay”, and finally makes it official. Cole vs Dream for the NXT Title at TakeOver, but says that it will be held in a different setting. Interesting indeed. Could this be another cinematic match?
.@AdamColePro bringing out the 'evil genius' pose. Nice touch. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Bi2OAxM9ra
— WWE on BT Sport (@btsportwwe) May 28, 2020
Flair Steals A Win, Adam Cole Up Next
This atmosphere is SO good. It sounds better than Raw, presumably because they’re a bit more free and don’t have to worry about being as reserved as they would on a Vince show.
In true heel fashion, Flair rolls up Shirai, and with both feet on the ropes, gets the 1-2-3 for the win. This was just after she’d dodged a running attack from Shirai and she accidentally hit Ripley.
Very entertaining match again. This has been a great show so far.
Coming up next, Adam Cole has a live negotiation with William Regal regarding Velveteen Dream. No idea what that means in English, but it’ll probably end up with a match being announced for TakeOver.
.@ImChelseaGreen proved to be an EXCELLENT tag team partner for #TheQueen as The #RobertStoneBrand's high-profile client sacrificed herself so @MsCharlotteWWE could get the win! #WWENXT @RobertStoneWWE pic.twitter.com/QGoSyJMvoi
— WWE (@WWE) May 28, 2020
Flair's Mystery Partner Is...
…not very exciting. It’s Chelsea Green.
The one thing this has done is establish that team as the heel team, because that’s definitely something that hadn’t been made clear so far, especially with Flair being on every WWE show ever for the last few weeks and being in different programs on all of them.
For what it’s worth, I am being a bit sarky, I do like Green a lot. I don’t see why it had to be promoted as a mystery partner, but never mind.
WHAT A WIN FOR THE ROBERT STONE BRAND!@MsCharlotteWWE's tag team partner is none other than @ImChelseaGreen! #WWENXT @RobertStoneWWE pic.twitter.com/7oQPnGTtwN
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 28, 2020
Shenanigans Aplenty
Well there were shenanigans aplenty in this one. Candice LeRae came out and attacked Nox, which distracted the ref, and allowed Kai to help Gonzalez pick up the win.
There was also a very scary spot where Blackheart tried what I can only describe as a Coffin Drop to the outside, but landed right on the top of her back, dangerously close to her neck. I genuinely winced.
Hopefully she’s ok. She managed to finish the match so that’s a good sign.
Up next is Shirai & Ripley vs Flair & a mystery partner.
No lie, we just screamed. #WWENXT @ShotziWWE @DakotaKai_WWE @RaquelWWE @TeganNoxWWE_ pic.twitter.com/93pD9CRe6U
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 28, 2020
Shotzi Blackheart In Action
Up next we’ve got a women’s division match with Shotzi Blackheart and Raquel Gonzalez, who is the heavy for Dakota Kai.
There’s definitely something in Blackheart, but driving around a mini tank is all a bit too silly for me. If we get a more serious side of her that could be money.
Speaking of silly, Kai decided to hijack the tank then start attacking it, which led to Tegan Nox running out and attacking her.
And then we hit commercials.
SECURITY!!
(Identity) theft is not a joke, @DakotaKai_WWE. #WWENXT @ShotziWWE pic.twitter.com/gLjQR6p2sS
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 28, 2020
Cruiserweight Final Update
In an update, it turns out my incredible vision was right and Atlas did indeed tap. Maverick was being interviewed about it when Kushida came in.
Kushida, being the lovely man that he is, said he wanted Maverick to be in the title match, to which the former 205 GM said he’d return the favour by giving him first dibs on a match when he wins.
Wholesome stuff, but will it all lead to Kushida costing him and turning? Quite possibly, but I wouldn’t bank on it. There’s definitely a theory that Kushida could end up joining Kushida and the whole kidnapping situation somehow.
"𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 I win the #WWENXT #Cruiserweight Championship, I'm giving you the first shot." #NXTCruiserweight Championship Tournament finalist @WWEMaverick makes a staunch promise to @KUSHIDA_0904. pic.twitter.com/litTot5YkS
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 28, 2020
Johnny Gargano Invitational
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae come out next, and they’ve added lyrics to Gargano’s new heel music, and it’s rather sexy.
Gargano smugly announces his first ever invitational, in which he calls out Adrian Alanis from Evolve.
Complete squash or is this going to be an actual case of Gargano elevating some new faces?
Before I’ve even had chance to submit this update, it was in fact a complete squash and Gargano won in about a minute with the Garga-No Escape.
Is Gargano entertaining as a heel? Absolutely. Should he be a heel? Absolutely not, no.
The segment isn’t finished there though, as Keith Lee and Mia Yim spoof the Gargano dinner parties from the last few weeks.
They have a little bit of fun, and even Tegan Nox gets involved, but then they get down to business, and tell them they’re gonna pay. I’ve said since this started it’ll be a North American Title match at TakeOver.
Step on up @AdrianAlanis76! You're the first contestant in the @JohnnyGargano Invitational!
Johnny is PUMPED! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/WdOmFCAGWT
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 28, 2020
Cruiserweight Final Set Under Controversial Circumstances
Well, under controversial circumstances, Drake Maverick has been crowned victorious, but Kushida isn’t happy about the decision.
Kushida had Atlas in an armbar, but Maverick crawled in and covered Atlas for a pinfall victory. Kushida thought he’d won but the referee raised Maverick’s arm instead.
It was hard to tell, but it kinda looked like Atlas tapped while the ref was counting the pin and he didn’t notice, so this ordeal may be revisited.
Overall though, it was a really fun match, and definitely came across better with the crowd. That’s always bound to happen with matches like these that are based on spots rather than mat-based offence and psychology.
Either way, the final is set, and, unless it changes, it’ll be El Hijo del Fantasma vs Drake Maverick to determine the interim Cruiserweight Champion! No date set, but could happen at TakeOver or the pre-show. Or just on TV at some point.
"It's not about the @JohnnyGargano Way. It's about making YOU PAY!" – @MiaYim
"I support that." – @RealKeithLee
🥂 #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/szwu94Ij0G
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 28, 2020
Cruiserweight Three-Way Opening The Show
We’re opening up with the cruiserweight three-way match with Drake Maverick vs Jake Atlas vs Kushida.
All three guys finished 2-1 in the group so this is a playoff, and the winner will face the other group winner El Hijo del Fantasma in the final for the interim title.
Much like on Raw, they’ve got people in behind plexiglass to add an atmosphere too, which is a great move. Whether they copied it from AEW or not, who cares, it’s much better.
I’d imagine Kushida wins this one, they seem to have been building to him vs Fantasma ever since Fantasma’s debut and with the whole kidnapping angle they’ve been doing, but we’ll see. Maverick would be a feel-good moment for sure!
WELCOME BACK, #WWENXT UNIVERSE!
We missed you. 💛🖤#WeAreNXT pic.twitter.com/CkiR3AiJDz
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 28, 2020
Tonight's Cage Revealed
Tonight’s cage will have a little bit of a different look to it, as it features a platform on the top, very similar to Lions Den matches of the past, and also like MMA fight cages, which is the whole gimmick of this match really.
Gives it a unique and edge hopefully the match will be even better than the last one they had. If it is, we’re probably in for a treat.
Tonight @SuperKingofBros and Timothy Thatcher enter the #WWENXT Fight Pit for a #CageFight with special guest referee, @WWE Hall of Famer, @RealKurtAngle!
See it TONIGHT at 8pm ET on @USA_Network! #WeAreNXT pic.twitter.com/HDlzmBn1cC
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 27, 2020