Tonight’s episode of NXT still featured the recently called up members of the roster, which likely means that they will be sticking around the developmental brand for a while. Meanwhile, a match between Mia Yim and Shayna Baszler took place on this show, and two of NXT’s brightest stars squared off as Dominik Dijakovic faced Keith Lee, and there was a special surprise appearenace for the fans in attendance. Of course, more news on the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament was provided on NXT this week as well. It kicked off with Johnny Gargano coming out.
Johnny Gargano made his way down to the ring fresh off of losing the NXT North American Championship to The Velveteen Dream last week. He said it’s been a challenging week for him. On one hand, he is wrestling on Raw and SmackDowm now, but he also lost his title last week. Despite the crowd chanting “Johnny Failure,” Johnny says he still feels like “Johnny Champion.” He comes to the realization that the only reason he has had success in NXT is because of… Tommaso Ciampa interrupts him and says that Gargano is at his best when they work together. This prompts “#DIY” chants from the fans.
Ciampa brings up that he offered to help him face Velveteen Dream last week, but he chose to wrestle on his own and lost. Ciampa says that Gargano knows now that they need each other. Ciampa then mentions the possibility of teaming up in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. He said that that tournament is where their rise in NXT began, and believes that they can have a moment at NXT Takeover: New York. Ciamoa guaranteed that the pay would leave the event as champions if they reunited for the tournament. After some small hesitation, Gargano shook the NXT Champion’s hand. #DIY is back together and will compete in the Dusty Rhodes tournament!
Ricochet talked about his main roster debut but still has unfinished business in NXT. He and Aleister Black have both had issues with The Undisputed Era. Whether it’s 4-on-2 or 4-on-1, Ricochet is prepared. Since Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish are in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic this year, he and Aleister Black are going to ask NXT General Manager William Regal if they can join the tournament.
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano exit Full Sail University but are caught by Candice LeRae. Ciampa walks away as Gargano tries to explain himself to his wife. LeRae is having none of it and walks away without saying a word.
Aliyah & Vanessa Borne vs. Taynara Conti & Xia Li –
Borne helped Aliyah score a win over Taynara Conti some weeks ago. Now, the two of them have teamed up together to face Conti and Li, the latter of whom is becoming increasingly popular among the Orlando crowd.
Conti catches a boot from Borne and attempts a monkey flip into a pin. Just a two count. Conti hangs off the bottom rope and begins bending Borne’s boot. She then pulls Aliyah off of the ring apron. Back in the ring, Birne starts dishing out some boots to Conti. Up in the corner, Vanessa splashed onto Conti’s back. Aliya is tagged in as they both hit a suplex bridging into a pin. Another near fall for the team.
Aliyah begins working over Conti in a straight jacket in the center of the ring as Borne cheers her on. Conti gets back up but can’t break out of the hold. She does eventually fight Aliyah off though, and she makes the tag over to Xia Li. Li hits some kicks and gets Aliyah down for the count of two. She dodges Aliyah’s offense, but Borne was able to make the tag when Aliyah bounced on the ropes. Together, Aliyah and Borne hit some double team moves before getting the pin on Li.
Winners: Aliyah & Vanessa Borne
The Velveteen Dream was asked about winning the North American Championship outside of Full Sail before The Undisputed Era interrupted him. Adam Cole chastised the cameraman for interviewing Dream and not Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly. Dream says that Cole talks a big game but wonders if he can back it up without the rest of his friends. Dream simply says that he doesn’t have time for Cole, so he leaves, which disgusts The Undisputed Era members.
Cathy Kelley informs fans that William Regal is finalizing the bracket for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Suddenly, Bianca Belair and Io Shirai can be heard having a shouting match. They are eventually separated by the trainers.
Dominik Dijakovic vs. Keith Lee –
Dijakovic is undefeated since debuting on NXT full time. He has looked impressive so far, but so has Keith Lee. It’s hard to say who will walk out of this one. Both men are heavyweights who can move rally fast, so this was definitely an intriguing treat for the evening.
A lockup gets the bout started with each man trying to get the advantage. Lee sends Dijakovic into the ropes, but he Collide right into Lee without going down. Both men display incredible athleticism for men of their size early on. Dijakovic rejects Lee’s polite handshake. Lee catches Dominik who flips Lee, but the man lands right on his feet!
Huge chop from Dijakovic, Lee does the same. Elbow drop from Dijakovic. At this point, both men are trying to upstage the other. Dijakovic gets in some uppercuts and punches to take Lee down. Lee fires back with some strikes of his own before bouncing of pf the ropes and shoving Dijakovic to the canvas. Lee fails to block a superkick, and Dominik picks up the 300 pound man and slams him down. Dijakovic goes up to the top rope for a leaping elbow but is met with a big chop. Up he goes for a powerbomb. Nope. That’s not enough to end Dijakovic.
They battle near one of the ring posts in the corner. Lee rests outside until Dijakovic hits a tornado kick to send him down to the ground. On the apron, Dominik hits a moonsault on his opponent. Both men land on the ramp try to make it back to the ring. Unfortunately, they were unable to make it back before the referee’s count of ten.
Winner: Double Count-Out
They aren’t done yet! Both men enter the ring and attempt to keep fighting but are separated by referees. Fans are interested in seeing them continue. After a while, both men exit the ring and make their ways to the back. These two probably are not through with each other just yet.
The bracket for the Dusty Rhodes Teag Team Classic is complete. The final four teams will be Moustache Mountain, #DIY, Aleister Black & Ricochet, and Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch. They join the previously announced teams of Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner, The Forgotten Sons, The Undisputed Era, and The Street Profits.
William Regal tweeted that Bianca Belair and Io Shirai will face each other in two weeks to determine who will challenge Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Takeover: New York.
Up next are the Women’s Tag Team Champions. That’s right! Sasha Banks and Bayley have made a surprise return to NXT! They received a huge ovation from the Full Sail crowd and chants of “Welcome Back.” Afterwards, they talked about returning to NXT. Sasha says that they never forget where they come from and that their journey began in NXT. They talk about their matches together in NXT like the Iron Woman match from years ago. They both want the tag team titles to become the most sought after titles in WWE, and they are willing to accept challengers from NXT. Expect Banks and Bayley to come back and defend their titles against a women’s tag team in NXT soon.
Mia Yim vs, Shayna Baszler –
Yim took on the champion of the women’s division on this night. This is match apthat has been building between the two women for a while. Yim was the clear fan-favorite, but was that enough to earn him what would be her biggest win since joining NXT last year.
After some lockups, it’s actually Yim who gets the advantage. Following a series of punches, Baszler rolls outside to take a breather. Yim dives on the champion and then tries to ram her into the steelmring steps. However, Baszler gets away, insuring Yim’s right leg in the process.
From there, they reenter the ring and Shayna gets right to work on the leg. She attempts to stomp right on it but Yim gets out. It almost looks as if she is too inured to keep competing. Baszler goes right back on it Moments later. Yim just cannot catch a break as she literally screams out in pain. Finally, she tricks Shayna into going into a tornado DDT.
While Baszler is against the ropes, Yim tries to run after her but is too injured. She dares the champion to hit her with a knee strike. Baszler goes for it but Yim ducks. Back up she goes and hits Eat Defeat. The champion is able to kick out of Yim’s finisher. Shayna hits kicks to the chest next, but Yim catches a kick and powerbomb Baszler for a very close near fall. Baszler take over and hits a kick before getting the rear naked choke locked in. Baszler is kicking at the injured leg while the hold is applied. The pain is just too much for Yim who is forced to tap out.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
There is no disputing that win from Baszler. She clearly and decisively made Mia Yim submit on this night. She was also able to do it without the assistance of Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir, neither of whom were ever even seen on this whole show. Baszler held her title high as the show came to a close. A dominant win for the champion before Io Shirai and Bianca Belair fight to become her next challenger in two weeks.
A rather monumental NXT episode is in the books. Not only did Sasha Banks and Bayley return to NXT, but the impossible has happened: #DIY are officially back together again. It will be interesting to see how far they go in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic this year. Just like it will also be intriguing to see if there is a follow up match between the fantastic bout between Keith Lee and Dominik Dijakovic on this show. It looks like the tournament will be kicking off soon, as will the build up to the NXT Takeover: New York event this April. See you NXT Time!
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