2/21 NXT PRIMER (Spoiler-free): Andrade Cien Almas defends against Johnny Gargano, No Way Jose vs. Velveteen Dream, Cross vs. Borne

NXT PREVIEW
FEBRUARY 21, 2018
TAPED IN ATLANTA, GA. AT CENTRE STAGE
AIRED ON WWE NETWORK
REPORT BY JOEY GALIZIA, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

ANNOUNCED BY WWE…

• Andrade Cien Almas vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT Championship. Johnny Gargano’s career is on the line.
• No Way Jose and Velveteen Dream collide.
• Nikki Cross takes on Vanessa Borne.

“IV”

The tale of Johnny Gargano may very well come to an end tonight. That’s because Zelina Vega, the infamous manager/valet for Andrade Cien Almas, has pushed Johnny Wrestling towards putting his career on the line for one more crack at the NXT Championship. This will be the fourth time Almas and Gargano have wrestled since the yellow and black brand’s most recent outing at the Barclay’s Center, and only a few weeks after the classic they put on in Philadelphia. At that show Gargano’s former best friend Tommasso Ciampa savagely attacked him with a crutch moments before the show was to go off the air. His wife Candice LeRae had to witness the entire ordeal. Andrade must be feeling pretty calm. He’s 3-0 against the former DIY member, and despite the assistance of Zelina, he was able to defeat Gargano all on his own when the time came for it. Can Johnny keep his focus on Almas and become the next NXT Champion? Will this be the last we see of Johnny Wrestling? WILL THE PSYCHO KILLER PLAY A PART IN TONIGHT’S DRAMA? Guess you’ll have to tune in to find out.

“ALL THE BEST”

-In the women’s division, Ember Moon still reigns supreme as the NXT Champion. However, for the second time she barely escaped the clutches of Shayna Baszler, this time thanks to the aide of Kairi Sane. The pirate princess is still enraged that Shayna assaulted her from behind almost two months ago, and ran in to help the champ and cause a DQ finish. What this means for Moon’s next challenger at New Orleans is uncertain, but Shayna will very well have the right to ask for a rematch. Perhaps Kairi gets added also? Don’t forget about the wildcard Nikki Cross. The Scottish lass takes on the Performance Center’s Vanessa Borne in singles action tonight, and looks to extend her winning streak and enter the title picture.

-Speaking of wildcards. The charismatic Velveteen Dream will be entering the Fiesta this evening as he battles No Way Jose. Dream is fresh off an impressive victory of Kassius Ohno and looks to build on his star power. Don’t count Jose out though, the dude may know how to dance, but he knows how to hurt as well. This should be fun.

-Undisputed ERA may still be the NXT Tag Champions, but SANITY scored a recent W over them in tornado tag action. Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe are still owed a rematch against O’Reilly and Fish since they dropped the belts in the last taping. When that rematch occurs is still up in the air.

-The rest of the division will be focused on the Dusty Rhodes Classic. A returning TM61 could be an early favorite, but don’t write off Heavy Machinery or the Street Profits just yet. Also don’t forget about the Authors of Pain. Ellering’s boys don’t seem to be traveling up to the main roster just yet. It’s almost as if they are preparing for a certain MACHINE OF WAR.

As always spoilers are already out, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be tuning in. Career vs. Title. You watching? #teamJOHNNY

NOW CATCH UP ON LAST WEEK’S TV REPORT: 2/14 NXT TV Report: Ember Moon vs. Baszler, Dunne vs. Strong, TM61 in action, Aleister Black, Velveteen Dream