WWE NXT Results
January 21, 2015
Taped at Full Sail University
Report by Justin James, PWTorch contributor

[Q1] Pre-credits video recaps Kevin Owens's NXT history with Sami Zayn and Zayn's retention of the title. Even in replays that victory is amazing.

William Regal then has a promo from behind his desk. He announces that the next NXT special is going to be on February 11. That seems a bit sooner than I would expect. Regal books a #1 contender tournament starting tonight. He also books Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks for the NXT Women's Championship tonight due to the outcome of last week's tag team match.

The announcers are Jason Albert, Corey Graves, and Rich Brennan.

Sami Zayn opens to show to face an Tye Dillenger. Zayn just rushes the ring and destroys the opponent without a bell even ringing. Totally out of character for him. Graves is bewildered, Albert says that Zayn is just angry at Kevin Owens. Zayn gets a mic and screams for Owens to get to the ring. Zayn has never looked angry before.

Regal comes out in a snit. He says this isn't the Sami Zayn he knows and that Zayn needs to get a handle on himself. Zayn refuses to wrestle anyone other than Owens and demands Owens. Regal says that he will not allow someone to just come out, ambush people, and use that as a path to get championship match. He says that Owens may get a championship match but he has to earn it, he can't get it just by pushing Zayn. Zayn is willing to settle for a non-title match as long as he gets his hands on Zayn. He says he respects Regal and will do whatever Regal wants to face Owens. Regal thinks about it. he books Zayn against Owens at Takeover. Zayn seems satisfied and leaves the ring.

[ J.J.'s Reax: Just superb. Great use of Regal to emphasize that Zayn isn't the kind of person to just assault opponents, it sets up a huge match for Takeover in a few weeks, and Zayn really showed how fired up he was. Outstanding mic work from Regal and Zayn. ]

"During the break" interview with Regal. Regal says that there will be an in-ring contract signing next week between Zayn and Owens. Regal is still clearly worked up from him encounter with Zayn, emphasizing his emotional state.

Finn Balor is out to face Curtis Axel in the first match of the tournament. He's got his own t-shirt already. I bet they are selling like crazy at FSU.

1 - FINN BALOR vs. CURTIS AXEL - #1 Contender Tournament match

The larger Axel pushes Balor to the ropes. Dropkick sends Axel to the outside, and a big flip dive takes him down on the ramp. Axel hides in the ropes to get his wind, then kicks Balor's knee. Forearm to the back of Balor's head gets two.

[Q2] Axel grinds away on Balor. Balor to his feet but he takes a knee to the face. Axel whiffs a double ace handle from the top. Balor with offense. Pele kick, Slin blade, dropkick in the corner, and the Coup de Grace (top-rope double foot stomp).

WINNER: Finn Balor in 4:00. Fine match. Axel looked more motivated than usual. The ending felt a bit abrupt, though.

The rest of the tournament bracket is shown. In round two, it's Adrian Neville vs. Tyson Kidd, winner to face Finn Balor. On the other half there is Hideo Itami against Tyler Breeze (tonight) and Baron Corbin vs. Bull Dempsey. All of these matches could go either way, though it would be likely to see Kidd go over Neville. But, past NXT tournaments have shown that you can't call them in advance.

Sasha Banks doesn't let Devin Taylor ask her a question and vows to beat Charlotte for the title. Banks just gets better and better on the mic.

Bull Dempsey with a promo saying that he missed his chance to beat Baron Corbin last week, but he will do it next week in the tournament. Strong, short, and to the point.

Banks and Lynch are out for the Women's Championship match. Why isn't this the main event? Charlotte continues to fine-tune her appearance with a haircut and maybe different make-up.

2 - CHARLOTTE vs. SASHA BANKS (w/Becky Lynch) - NXT Women's Championship match

The jaw until Banks pushes Charlotte. Charlotte loses her mind at that. Charlotte takes Banks to the mat while maintaining the collar and elbow, then Banks does the same. They keep locking up. Covers for one from both while retaining the hold. They go through the ropes and finally get pulled apart. Lynch tries to interfere and eats a big clothesline. Back in the ring, Banks walks into a bodyslam. Knees to her face gets two.

Banks reverses a whip into a Thesz Press, then Charlotte returns the favor. Lynch comes into the ring and draws a DQ.

WINNER: Charlotte in 2:30 via DQ.

Post-match, Bayley makes the save to a big reception. Bayley picks up the belt and rubs it until Charlotte yanks it from her hands. Bayley looks furious and nails Charlotte with the Bayley to Belly from behind. Big big pop from the crowd. Bayley exits the ring, and Regal's music hits. He books Charlotte against Bayley for the title at Takeover... then adds Lynch and Banks to it as well to make it a Fatal-Four Way. Lynch and Banks argue over who is going to raise whose hand as they go up the ramp.

[ J.J.'s Reax: Not to sound snide, but the entire women's division save Carmella and Ole Blue Pants are in that match now. All the same, it's a satisfying conclusion to the multi-month feuding over the title. ]

[Q3] Backstage, a new interviewer asks to speak to Kevin Owens. Owens is surly. Owens says that whatever he wants to say to Zayn, he'll do it next week at the contract signing.

The Vaudevillains are out. They are facing Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake.

3 - BUDDY MURPHY & WESLEY BLAKE vs. THE VAUDEVILLAINS (AIDEN ENGLISH & SIMON GOTCH)

Murphy and English lock up. Murphy gets brought to the corner. They keep Murphy isolated and work him over with basic offense. Blake is able to tag in and he's on fire. He clears Gotch, springboard crossbody, powerslam forces Gotch to break up the cover. Murphy gets sent outside but while the ref is dealing with Gotch, a kick from Murphy knocks out English so Blake gets the win.

WINNERS: Wesley Blake & Buddy Murphy in 4:00. I loved the offense from Blake and Murphy. They are so fast for guys their sizes, and they have a good look, with a non-goofy gimmick.

Selfie video from Tyler Breeze vowing to become the NXT champion, which will allow him to divide the world between super good looking people and uggos.

Backstage, the new interviewer talks to Murphy and Blake. They don't let it be called an upset. They say they will challenge the Lucha Dragons next week for the Tag Team titles. Not sure if one win after countless losses qualifies them for a title match.

4 - HIDEO ITAMI vs. TYLER BREEZE - #1 Contender Tournament match

Breeze ducks and early attempt at a big kick from Itami. Breeze ducks another kick, and then another. Breeze hides behind the ref and then kicks Itami to get the edge. Itami finally gets a knee into Breeze's middle, then a Shining Wizard. Breeze is reeling. Breeze sells pain after a chop but it's a trick to lure Itami in. Albert reminds us that Breeze has beaten Zayn in the past to become the #1 contender to the title.

[Q4] Breeze beats on Itami in the corner. Breeze slows the match down. Neckbreaker gets two for Breeze.

[ Break ]

Breeze still has Itami grounded with a chinlock. Rich Brennan announces that the Lucha Dragons have agreed to a title match with Blake and Murphy next week. Hitami gets to his feet. Tornado DDT into the ropes, then a big clothesline off the top gets a nearfall for Itami. Breeze avoids a kick then gets his boots up to stop Itami. Breeze tries a powerbomb, but Itami blocks and hits a big knee to the face, fisherman suplex for a nearfall. Graves puts Breeze over for being tough. Good back-and-forth in the corner.

Itami runs into the Supermodel Kick for a very close nearfall. Breeze gets to his feet first and assaults Itami in the corner. Breeze plants itami on the turnbuckle but Itami keeps him from going up top. Breeze catches Itami's followup kick and lands one of his own, wraps Itami up for a unique cover and Itami barely doesn't kick out. Breeze screams at Itami as he beats him down. Itami fires up and fights back. Each kick sends Breeze into the air, a masterful selling job. Dropkick, dropkick, win.

WINNER: Hideo Itami in 11:03. Really good match here, easily Itami's best singles match on NXT. Breeze was the right opponent in the ring and he has more than enough credibility for the hard-fought victory to benefit Itami. Breeze does so many of the little things right and makes himself and his opponent look great.

Final Reax: Really good episode here, laying the groundwork for an outstanding Takeover in a few weeks. Looking forward to a one-on-one match between Neville and Kidd next week, and hopefully a longer match between Dempsey and Corbin.

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