NXT returned tonight with a brand new episode hyping up the upcoming NXT Takeover: Phoenix show. This show featured a match between Keith Lee and Kassius Ohno in the main event, and it also featured the returns of some other orosming NXT talents. To kick off tonight’s episode, fan-favorite team and EVOLVE Tag Team Championships The Street Profits followed through on their promise from last week to return to the ring. They were on the hunt for a dominant win, and they took on the Metro Brothers in this night.
The Street Profits vs. Chris & JC Metro –
The Metro Brothers were back on this night to take on Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. The Profits promised last week to open doors in 2019, so this was pretty much a slam dunk for them. Ford shoves Metro down and took him out with a dropkick right away. Tag to Dawkins, and he sent Metro down with a slam. JC tried to wipe him out with a slap, but that was a big mistake. Angelo sent him down.
Ford took a moment to laugh at the pain his opponents were in. Dawkins made the tag to Ford who hit JC with a frog splash to get the win. Afterwards, they celebrated in the crowd eventually went to leave. Suddenly, The Forgotten Sons attacked them. Jaxson Ryker, Wesley Blake, and Steve Cutler laid waste to both Profits as the crowd chanted “we forgot you.” The three of them left the arena with The Street Profits still laying in the ring.
Winners: The Street Profits
Matt Riddle was asked if he would support Keith Lee when he wrestled Kassius Ohno in the main event. Riddle said that he isn’t medically cleared, so he’ll be staying in the back. He just hopes Lee will save a little bit of Kassius for himself.
Backstage, Aleister Black appeared for a promo. He says tha days of Takeover: Phoenix are at hand. He promised to absolve Tommaso Ciampa of his sins during the show. He wants to take back what’s his, but floated out the idea of competing early.
Bianca Belair came down to the ring as the crowd chanted “undefeated.” She said that she sent Nikki Cross packing last week and will make 2019 her year. She said that Shayna Baszler may have the Horsewomen behind her, but she will still win the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Takeover: Phoenix because she is undefeated. Baszler comes out next with Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir. Shayna calls Bianca the strongest and biggest in the PC, but not the smartest. She’s going to tear Belair’s arms off at Takeover. Bianca was disgusted by the mere suggestion of losing the match. Shayna said Belair is just like everyone else and she’ll change her vocabulary from “un-def-ea-ted” to “ov-er-ra-ted.” That was it for Bianca. She struck Belair and then made her way to the back as the Horsewomen stood in the ring in anger.
Adrian Jaoude vs. Dominik Dijakovic –
Feast your eyes on Dominik Dijakovic. The new member of the NXT TV roster was back again this week to take on Brazilian martial artist Adrian Jaoude. Jaoude started the match off and tried to take Dijakovic down. Dominik towered over Jaoude, so he had to get the big man to his level. He was able to do so for a little while until Dominik was finally able to counter him.
He gets Jaoude in the corner of the ring at last and fished out some shots. He then impressively threw Adrian all the way to the other side of the ring. Jaoude tried to punch Dominik in the stomach, but it was no use. He grabbed Dijakovic’s leg and went for a knee bar, still no effect.
Dominik then hit a big boot before getting Jaoude up for the Feast Your Eyes. He hits the move and sends his opponent way down to the canvas to get the duke. Much like Bianca Belair, Dijakovic is undefeated in NXT so far. NXT announcer Percy Watson said that Dominik isn’t just another big man and he is poised to break out this year.
Winner: Dominik Dijakovic
The War Raiders appeared in a forest somewhere in full viking regalia to discuss their upcoming Takeover match with The Undisputed Era. They praised the group for running the NXT tag team division, but they said that their match in Phoenix will mark the beginning of a new era. Rowe and Hanson burned Undisputed Era chairs (Undisputed Chairas?) and other UE merchandise. They said that they will win the NXT Tag Team Championships and that is undisputed.
A video recapping the entirety of NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool was shown. Finn Balor appearing to face Jordan Devlin, Toni Storm winning the NXT UK Women’s Championship, Pete Dunne retaining the NXT UK Championship, and the surprise debut of WALTER was all covered.
Johnny Gargano vs. Humberto Carrillo –
205 Live’s newest cruiserweight has at least one more challenge left in NXT: facing Nohnny Gargano. They traded wrist,locks and moved fast in order to out-maneuver the other. Carrillo stood up to Johnny and had an answer for all that Gargano had. Gargano even scurried outside the ring to driver for a bit early on. Carrillo went for a dive next, but Gargano surprise him with a slingshot spear.
Johnny got a two-count on Carrillo, then applied an abdominal stretch. In the corner, Carrillo dodged a kick, was sent into the ropes, and hit a back elbow on “Johnny Wrestling.” He splashed onto Johnny, then came back into the ring and hit a standing moonsault for a two count.
Carrillo then tried to hit a moonsault from the top rope, but Gargano got his knees up. That’s why they call it high-risk, folks. Johnny hit a superkick, and then a slingshot DDT to get a victory. Afterwards, he walked up to a nearby camera and called out Ricochet. He said that if the North American Champion wants respect, he should show up and confront him next week.
Winner: Johnny Gargano
NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa appears backstage next. If Aleister Black is right and Ciampa is the puppet master, then Black is the perfect gullible puppet. Ciampa denied Black’s request for an earlier match, so this one won’t be taking place until a Takeover. He told Aleister to be careful what he wishes for.
The Velveteen Dream cut a promo backstage next and talked about what he has done since joining NXT in 2017. He brought up the fact that several legends have praised his work lately and had vowed to make 2019 unforgettable. The Dream will be back on NXT next week.
Kassius Ohno vs. Keith Lee –
Kassius Ohno and Matt Riddle have unfinished business, especially after Ohno attacked Riddle after a match a few weeks ago. That rematch will likely be going down in Phoenix, but for now, Ohno will take on Riddle’s great friend, Keith Lee in the main event for the evening.
Lee stalked a Kassius around the ring and eventually caught him. He tried to lift Ohno up, but Ohno slid out. Into the ropes Ohno goes, but he’s smarter than to run back forward. Kassius rolled out of the ring and made a run towards the announce table area. Lee joined Ohno outside, Kassius then tried to go back in and kick him upon reentering. Keith Lee caught his foot and made Ohno eat the canvas.
Ohno took over following s kick to the corner. He gave a few more boots to the face of Lee. Ohno landed a senton splash for a near fall. He began to wear down Keith in the center of the ring. The Full Sail crowd begged Lee to get back up and desperately helped him get back to his feet with claps of encouragement. Ohno got Lee against the ropes and tried to give him an Irish Whip, but the big man wouldn’t budge.
Kassius stretched Lee’s arms back once more and hit another senton. Finally, Lee got back on his feet and hit some hard punches. He launched Kassius across the ring and gave him a slingshot DDT. Ohno tried to surprise him with a right, but Lee caught him. Lee ran and dodged the rolling elbow, then shoved Ohno down hard.
Suddenly, Ohno pushed Lee into the referee, which took the official out for a moment. With the ref down, Kassius took advantage and hit Lee with a low blow. The official woke up just in time to count the three count for the in-ring veteran.
Winner: Kassius Ohno
Almost immediately after the bell rung, Matt Riddle stormed down to the ring. Referees prevented the two of them from getting physical. Kassius then decided that had had enough, so he walked back on the stage. Riddle comforted Keith Lee in the middle of the ring as the show came to a close. No match between these two has been set for NXT Takeover: Phoenix yet, but it almost seems like a guarantee the Ohno vs. Riddle III will be booked some time between this week and the show on the 26th.
NXT Takeover: Phoenix is shaping up to be another guaranteed home run for the NXT brand. Shayna Baszler and Bianca Belair should be a fresh match, and Ciampa vs. Black and Ricochet vs. Gargano are two matches that one just can’t go wrong with. On this show, the buildup for the Takeover feuds continued. Humberto Carrillo also had an impressive showing for himself if this truly is his final match in NXT. Next week, will be the final episode of NXT before the brand takes over Phoenix, Arizona, so this will be essential viewing as it will put the finishing touches on all of the top matches. I’ll see you NXT time!