By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
NXT TV Taping
Atlanta, Georgia at Center Stage
Report by Dot Net readers Brian Oglesby and Matt H
Episode One
1. The Street Profits beat Raul Mendoza and Fabian Aichner. One of the losing team members was busted open hard way from what appeared to be his mouth.
The Undisputed Era entered for a Tag Title Match. Sanity attacked from behind and a brawl broke out. Security came out to break it up. William Regal came out to announce a six-man tornado tag main event.
2. Heavy Machinery defeated Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli. Lots of “Tino Sucks” chants. Tino attempted a pinfall with his feet on the ropes, but the ref caught it. While Sabbatelli argued with the referee, Heavy Machinery gained the upper hand and hit their finisher for the win.
Johnny Gargano came out and cut a promo talking about his match at Takeover. He said title or no title, he earned the respect of the fans and proved he’s Johnny Wrestling. It was a night he’d never forget, but he’d also never forget a crutch to the back. He faced the camera and said he’s coming after Tommaso Ciampa. Gargano was interrupted by Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelena Vega. Vega called Gargano a loser. Candice LeRae came out and shoved Vega down. Gargano asked for one more title match and said he would leave NXT if he doesn’t win.
3. Bianca Belair beat a local wrestler. The local wrestler was not introduced.
4. “Sanity” Eric Young, Killian Dain, and Alexander Wolfe defeated “Undisputed Era” Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly in a Tornado Tag. So much action all around. Tables, chairs, and kendo sticks. Four guys brawled down one stairwell in the crowd and reappeared in another. The crowd stayed hot.
Episode Two
1. TM-61 defeated a pair of local wrestlers. There was a brief break before the match to change the mats. The locals were not introduced by the ring announcers.
2. Pete Dunne defeated Roderick Strong to retain the WWE UK Championship. A very good match. Dueling chants from the fans.
Aleister Black came to the ring to cut a promo. He said he wants the NXT Championship. He was interrupted by Killian Dain, who said that Black’s path to the title would have to go through chaos. Black responded that Dane would fade to black.
3. Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women’s Championship ended in a DQ. While Bayszler had Moon’s arm in a submission through the guardrail bars, Kaire Sane interfered and fought off Baszler, who was beating on Moon’s injured arm outside of the ring.
Episode Three
1. Velveteen Dream beat No Way Jose. NXT chants are were going again before the match.
2. Nikki Cross beat Vanessa Borne.
3. “The Forgotten Sons” Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake defeated two local wrestlers. The locals were not introduced to the live crowd. The match had go away heat and the fans chanted “We Want War Machine” and “Delete”.
4. Andrade “Cien” Almas (w/Zelina Vega) defeated Johnny Gargano to retain the NXT Championship. Candice LaRae came out and fought Vega to the back. Following a ref bump, Tommaso Ciampa showed up and hit Gargano with a crutch. Almas hit his finisher and won the match.
After the match, Gargano received a standing ovation after the march and got a loud “Thank You Johnny” chant. LaRae returned and embraced her husband. William Regal raised Gargano’s hand, but Ciampa reappeared in the crowd and waved goodbye at Gargano. Gargano and Ciampa stared down across the way.
Gargano cut a promo from the stage talking about how NXT has the best wrestling in the world. “That’s not how this show is ending,” Gargano said. “I’m gonna go in the crowd and celebrate one last time.” Some of the post match might have been a dark segment since the announcers were gone by this point. This concluded the taping.
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Johnny Gargano, next Cruiserweight Champ?
I could see Gargano as a CW champion one day, but I hope it’s not for awhile. He really needs to have a proper feud with Ciampa before they close the book on his NXT career. Hopefully they’ll have a few more twists and turns planned.