WWE NXT; Full Sail University
1) Tommaso Ciampa vs Angel Garza
This is Tommaso Ciampa’s welcome back match to WWE NXT after coming back from injury. One of my favorite wrestlers in all of WWE NXT is Ciampa, as I followed his work when he wrestled in Philadelphia under Ring of Honor. This match derives from last week when Angel Garza was smack talking Ciampa in Spanish. Ciampa knocked out Garza and then said: “he had no idea” when asked what Garza may have said to him. Early in the match, Garza got some offense in on Ciampa but spent too much time pandering to the WWE NXT audience. Tommaso Ciampa took over on offense, connecting with the Willow’s Bell for the pin.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
After the match, the Undisputed Era made an entrance to the ring so Kyle O’Reilly could drop off a USB drive to the announcers’ table. Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Roderick Strong surrounded the ring as Tommaso Ciampa remained seated in his steel chair, gripping his crutch by his side. The Undisputed Era retreat up the entrance ramp, continuing to talk trash to Ciampa. The USB drive contained a video of the Velveteen Dream being laid out backstage by the Undisputed Era after his shots fired towards Strong last week.
2) Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan vs Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel)
Much of this match was dominated upfront by Imperium. Oney Loran fought mostly for his team in the inside of the ring while Danny Burch was separated from the outside of the ring. Fabian Aichner flies around the ring with grace, connecting with a Double Springboard Moonsault. Lorcan would kick out of the pin. The finish sees Imperium connect with a double team Diving European Uppercut/Powerbomb double team on Lorcan for the pin.
Winners: Imperium
3) Io Shirai vs Kayden Carter
This was a match meant to showcase Io Shirai, who hit a devastating Release German Suplex on Kayden Carter before connecting with a Moonsault from the top rope for the pinfall.
Winner: Io Shirai
Io Shirai calls out Rhea Ripley afterward who shows up without hesitation. Ripley warns Shirai to keep her name out of her mouth. Some unhinged, crazy screaming in Japanese continues at Ripley from Shirai as she exits the ring.
Commissioner William Regal is backstage with Roderick Strong. He informs that while Velveteen Dream is unable to compete for the NXT North American Championship next week, the winner of Keith Lee versus Dominik Dijakovic will become the number one contender.
4) Keith Lee vs Dominik Dijakovic
This match is to determine the number one contender for the NXT North American Championship. Just to note, this is now the fourth meeting between these two on NXT TV and each time, it is a treat to watch. Keith Lee shows off his amazing athleticism, hitting a Poisonrana on Dominik Dijakovic. Before the match comes to an abrupt end, Dijakovic has Lee in a precarious position on the top rope. Roderick Strong runs in and hits Lee across the head with the NXT North American Championship.
Winner by Disqualification: Keith Lee
After the match, Commissioner William Regal informs Roderick Strong that due to his interference to stop the outcome of the match, Strong will defend his NXT North American Championship against both Keith Lee and Dominik Dijakovic in a triple threat match next week on WWE NXT.
5) Matt Riddle vs Bronson Reed
Jump starting the match, Matt Riddle hits two Flash Knees on Bronson Reed early, but Reed doesn’t go down. Riddle impresses with his strength in this match, delivering a Powerbomb to Reed. On the offensive, Riddle goes for a Broton Bomb, but Reed gets the knees up. Reed hits a Senton Bomb of his own. The heavy artillery is unleashed as Riddle connects with the Bro To Sleep and the Bro Derek for the win. A show of respect with a handshake after the match as the both did before the match.
Winner: Matt Riddle
6) Taynara vs Tegan Nox
This is Tegan Nox’s return match to NXT from her knee injury. Nox controls the majority of the match, finishing Taynara off in a rapid-fire sequence of a Chokeslam, a Senton Bomb in the corner, a Diving Crossbody from the top rope, and pinning after The Shiniest Wizard.
Winner: Tegan Nox
Tegan Nox’s teammate, Dakota Kai comes ringside to celebrate with her. That celebration is cut off quickly by the appearance of Shayna Baszler and the MMA Horsewomen. Baszler tells Nox she “hasn’t earned a title shot,” “come back when she’s done something worth talking about,” and she’s “running out of limbs to rehab.” It’s hard to argue with Baszler’s short promo on Nox.
7) Boa vs Killian Dain
This match is building off of last week when Boa was pinned immediately by Cameron Grimes. Killian Dain entered the ring after that match last week and beat down Boa. In this match, Boa took on the early offense with quick strikes, but Dain assumed control using his power. Dain punishes Boa with three Vader Bombs before tapping Boa in the Cu Chulainn’s Wrath submission.
Winner: Killian Dain
Killian Dain made his way back up the entrance ramp as Pete Dunne was making his entrance to the ring for the main event match of WWE NXT. Dain and Dunne get face to face at the entrance ramp when Dunne does the Finger Wishbone to Dain as he walks down to the ring. It was pretty awesome to see coming from Dunne before his match with Damian Priest.
8) Main Event: Pete Dunne vs Damian Priest
Pete Dunne begins the match, targeting the left arm of Damian Priest with his signature Arm Stomps. On commentary, Mauro Raunallo has a great line stating, “it’s hard to shoot a bow and arrow with broken fingers” about the “Archer of Infamy.” Dunne seems like he is cruising on Priest with a succession of stomps, but Priest counters with a few kicks of his own. Priest hits a Crucifix Powerbomb and the South of Heaven on Dunne, but Dunne would kick out of the pin. After trading counters on strikes and finishing moves, Dunne floors Priest with a snug forearm.
Back to their feet, Damian Priest gets Pete Dunne in a position where the referee’s view is obscured to get away with kicking Dunne below the belt. Taking advantage, Priest connects with The Reckoning for the pinfall.
Winner: Damian Priest
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