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NXT ON USA
AUGUST 19, 2020, 8PM EST
ORLANDO, FLA., AT FULL SAIL LIVE
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY NATE LINDBERG, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentary: Vic Joseph, Beth Phoenix, Mauro Ranallo
Join the “PWT Talks NXT” Dailycast with Nate Lindberg, Tom Stoup, & Doc Bruce to break down the episode:
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[Hour One]
(1) JOHNNY GARGANO (w/Candice LaRae) vs. RIDGE HOLLAND
NXT on USA jumped straight into the action this week, kicking off with Gargano vs. Holland, winner gains entry to the North American Championship Ladder match this weekend at Takeover 30. Gargano & LaRae made their way to the ring first, walking past the two ladders and suspended North American title ringside. Holland came out next, and the match was underway. Gargano started trash talking right away, “Welcome to the Big Leagues!” and “You don’t belong in the same ring as me!”. Holland didn’t take kindly to that, quickly backing Gargano into the corner, and taking him down with a wrist lock, hip toss and shoulder tackle. Gargano escaped out of the ring, Ridge in hot pursuit. Gargano slid back in, and quickly launched himself over the top rope at Holland. Holland caught him, went for a powerslam but Gargano escaped once again, slipping back inside the ropes.
Gargano maintained the upper hand at first, but is met with a european uppercut by Holland. Gargano and Holland fought back and forth, move for move before Holland overtook Gargano once again with a series of strikes to the corner. Irish whip to the opposite corner, and Gargano “Flair Flipped” over the top rope and to the apron. Holland reached under the ropes and dragged Gargano into the ring, looking for a chokehold. Gargano fought out, wrenched Holland’s arm and took Holland to the mat. Holland quickly recovered, and delivered a couple devastating forearms to the spine of Mr. Wrestling. Holland missed a corner move, getting thrown outside the ring. Gargano followed with a Tope Con Hilo, going into the first commercial break.
(Lindberg’s Analysis: So far, this has been a David vs. Goliath of sorts. Gargano is fighting valiantly, but Holland seems to have his number at every turn. This is a fantastic build to the opener tonight, hooked me right in.)
Gargano maintained the upper hand for the majority of the commercial break, shown in picture-in-picture with the advertisements. When we were about 20 seconds away to come back from commerical, Gargano got hit in the face with an elbow by Holland, followed by what looked like a botched tilt-a-whirl slam. Holland spiked Gargano into the mat head first and the ref quickly went to check on him. He stopped Holland from any offense as Gargano looked to be trying to regain some composure. It appeared to be a real injury, until Gargano superkicked Holland and went for the cover. Holland continued his offense, with Gargano attempting to gain the upper hand every step of the way. Gargano went for the Gargano escape, but Holland wouldn’t go down. He followed it up with a superkick, a few clotheslines and then went for a cross body. However, he was met by holland, who checked him clear out of the ring.
The action spilled back into the ring and LaRae grabbed onto Hollands leg, allowing the ref to be distracted long enough for the low blow from Gargano. He followed it up with a One Final Beat before the pinfall.
WINNER: Johnny Gargano in 12:12.
(Lindberg’s Analysis: I had a feeling Gargano was going to weasel his way into a victory, but I didn’t expect him to do it so convincingly. He landed right on the top of his head, and while on replay it looked to be taken safely, at first I audibly cringed. I had Holland pinned to win, after losing his debut match. But, I’m not surprised at all that Gargano is going on to Takeover. He is Mr. Takeover, after all.)
(2) DAKOTA KAI vs. JESSI KAMEA
-Kai made her way to the ring first, followed by her competitor, newcomer Jessi Kamea. Kai immediately took down Kamea as the bell rang. Kai went for a cover early, and Kamea kicked at two. Kai brought Kamea to the middle rope, using it to choke her opponent. Kai then delivered two Face Wash kicks to Kamea in the corner before attempting another cover. Kamea meakly fought back, but was met by a straight jacket submission by Kai. She escaped, and even managed to roll Kai up for a two count. Kamea delivered what looked to be a Superman Punch to Kai in the corner, and covered for two. Kai regained the upper hand and delivered the GTK for the win.
WINNER: Dakota Kai in 3:31
(Lindberg’s Analysis: While this was a good showcase for Kai, allowing her to show off her dominance, I was not overly impressed with Jessi Kamea’s performance. A few botched or mistimed spots were rather noticeable. However, I do see potential there and given some more time to hone her craft, she may surprise me.)
-After the match, Kai grabbed a mic and called out Io Shirai. She said that Shirai must be out of her mind for saying what she said about Kai. She said she’s not afraid of Shirai and that Shirai is focused on Kai’s past, while Kai is focused on the future – her NXT Women’s Title Reign. She said its going to feel great kicking Shirai in the face over, and over, and over, and over, seemingly looking to repeat that line for the rest of the show, when Shirai’s music hit. Shirai rushed Kai, took her down and delivered a flurry of punches. The brawl spilled out of the ring, with Shirai maintaining the upper hand until Raquel Gonzales emerged from backstage and delivered a Big Boot to Shirai. Raquel dragged Shirai to the ring, all while she and Kai mocked Shirai. Raquel then delivered a massive powerbomb to Shirai as she and Kai victoriously walked back stage.
(Lindberg’s Analysis: Ahhh, so that’s where Raquel has been the last few weeks. Speculation on her disappearance has run wild on PWT Talks NXT, and serving as Kai’s bodyguard continues to be her trajectory. Perfectly fine by me, as I was thoroughly enjoying the duo’s on screen chemistry.)
-Backstage, Tegan Nox was being asked about what LaRae said about her last week. Tegan said it hurt since they used to be friends but since it’s she that always is blamed for friendships imploding, she wanted to make things right with Candice however possible.
-After a commercial break, they returned to a Balor hype video. Balor started by saying that he had earned his spot while Dream keeps getting chances. He didn’t deny Dream’s talent, but he won’t be able to overcome the Prince. Finn Over.
(3) LEGADO DEL FANTASMA vs. BREEZANGO & ISAIAH “SWERVE” SCOTT
The Cruiserweight champion and his cohorts made their way to the ring first, followed by Breezango. No flashy entrance from Breezango tonight as they walked to the ring with a purpose. Swerve walked out next, as he and his team mates stood tall in the ring. Escobar, Wilde & Mendoza taunting them from outside the ring.
The bell rang, and all six men immediately began brawling. No legal men were named until the match was already 30 seconds underway. Fandango and Mendoza started things off proper, with Fandango taking it to Mendoza in the corner. Mendoza managed to wrangle Fandango into his corner, tagged Wilde, who then immediately fell to Fandango. Fandango and Tyler Breeze traded a series of tags, allowing them to effectively take turns attacking Wilde. All six men then involved themselves in another brawl as Breezango and Swerve stood tall going into the commercial break.
Back from Commercial, Escobar provided a distraction allowing Wilde to throw Fandango out of the ring. Legado del Fantasma triple teamed Fandango, before Mendoza legally tagged in and continued the assault on Fandango for the next two minutes. Mendoza whipped Fandango into his corner, and the triple team assault continued. Wilde and Mendoza attacked Swerve and Breeze, allowing them to continue to assault Fandango. Swerve eventually made the hot tag and took out all three members of Legado del Fantasma.
(Lindberg’s Analysis: I’m so very in love with the idea that Swerve may have Escobar’s number. As of now, Swerve is the only member of the WWE roster to hold a victory over Escobar)
Swerve went for a top rope cross body on Escobar, the other legal man, but was met with a knee to the face from Escobar. The Cruiserweight Champion locked in a hammerlock, but was reversed by Swerve into a pin attempt. The ref claimed that Swerve was not legal, Breeze was, and would not count. Mendoza and Wilde double teamed Swerve, and Breeze came in fired up to take care of Wilde and Mendoza. He went after Escobar, who was standing on the apron, but was met with a hangman for his efforts. Escobar followed that up with a Phantom Driver for the pinfall.
WINNERS: Legado del Fantasma in 10:00
-Legado del Fantasma stood tall over their opponents as the finish was replayed a handful of times, as we then cut to the parking lot where Pat McAfee and former NFL teammates were arriving at the building.
[Hour Two]
-Back from commercial, a NXT Tag Team #1 contender match was announced for next week. Legado del Fantasma vs. Danny Birch & Oney Lorcan vs. Breezango .
-The Undisputed Era made their way to the ring to confront Pat McAfee and his cohorts. They called for McAfee to come to the ring, but they entered from behind the announce desk. A ringside worker handed McAfee a mic and he greeted the Undisputed Era. He acknowledged the three men he brought with him as backup, but did not mention them by name. McAfee went to recall the events of two weeks ago when he punted Cole in the head. He dressed Cole down, telling him that it only took him one swing of his foot to knock out the longest reigning NXT Champion. He made Cole look amatuer. He cut down not only every member of U.E., but the fans at home as well. He said that on Saturday, Cole will be left unconscious after throwing a temper tantrum during their match. McAfee then said that Cole would need to explain to the entire wrestling world how he lost to an outsider. But McAfee said that he an elite athlete and that at the end of the day all that anyone will hear is “Boom”, and he pointed to himself like Cole does, while throwing the mic at Cole.
-Security rushed the ring as McAfee and Cole rushed one another. Cole took them all out as McAfee cowered in the corner with fear in his eyes. McAfee’s lackey’s joined him, as O”Reilly, Fish and Strong stook by Cole. Cole approached McAfee and said “This Saturday at Takeover, I’m gonna make you my B****.” before turning and walking out of the ring with the rest of his faction.
(Lindberg’s Analysis: I think McAfee did a decent job cutting an empassioned and delusioned promo against Cole. For someone who isn’t professionally trained in pro-wrestling, he certainly cut a better promo than a few members of the roster that I can think of. I’m still not sure why we are supposed to necessarily care about this feud, but I’m trying to remain optimistic. This is a more ‘main roster’ type angle than we are used to seeing on NXT, but I’m remaining hopeful that it will be executed well come Takeover this Saturday.)
(3) ALIYAH & MERCEDES MARTINEZ (w/ Robert Stone) vs. SHOTZI BLACKHEART & RHEA RIPLEY
Rhea Ripley and Mercedes Martinez kicked this match off, but Aliyah quickly tagged in as Ripley pummeled Martinez. Shotzi tagged in and maintained the advantage over Aliyah with a flurry of moves, including a Jeff Hardy style leg drop. Aliyah grabbed Shotzi by the hair and pulled her to the mat, allowing her to tag Martinez in as we cut to commercial.
Back from Commercial, Shotzi and Aliyah were the legal competitors, but Martinez tagged in almost immediately. She took Shotzi to the mat before choking her on the middle rope. Martinez covered Shotzi for two before putting her into a modified anaconda vice. Shotzi squirmed out, but Martinez caught her with a butterfly suplex into another cover for two. Shotzi finally was able to make the hot tag to Ripley as Martinez made her way to Aliyah. Ripley took Aliyah down with a series of clothes lines into an electric chair drop for two when Martinez broke up the pin. Shotzi took care of Martinez and Ripley delivered a Rip Tide to Aliyah. Robert Stone caused a distraction, allowing Aliyah to tag Martinez in. Ripley and Martinez fought to the outside, an d Ripley powerbombed Martinez to the concrete outside the barricades. Shotzi landed a senton on Aliyah for the pin.
WINNERS: Shotzi Blackheart & Rhea Ripley in 9:53.
(Lindberg’s Analysis: Shotzi and Rhea was a tag team that I never knew I wanted. Their personalities worked very well together, and while they didn’t necessarily operate as a veteran team may, their charisma made up for it. I continue to be high on every single person involved in this angle, Robert Stone included. Each week they go out and prove themselves that much more. I thought starting the match with the Rhea and Martinez tease, considered a dream match by some, was a great way to kick it off. That’s a singles battle that I personally cannot wait for.
-Back from commercial, a preview of the NXT Championship feud between Karrion Kross and Keith Lee was shown. It started with Keith Lee’s victory over Cole at the Great American Bash, complete with the visual of Lee holding both the NXT and North American Championships. Karrion Kross and a series of visuals of volanos, clocks and hourglasses where shown with Kross repeating “Tick Tock, Mr. Lee”. Highlights of Lee and Kross’s recent feuds were then set to music, including Kross’s destruction of Dijakovic and Lee failing to save him. We were then shown the contract signing, and the fireball that singed the corneas of Lee.
(5) FINN BALOR vs. VELVETEEN DREAM
Finn Balor made his way to the ring, followed by Dream as we kicked off the second “Last Chance” match to enter the NXT North American Championship ladder match this Saturday at Takeover 30. The bell rang, and the two locked horns with Balor utilizing a headlock takedown to keep Dream on the mat. Balor rolled Dream into a cover for two. Dream then fired up against Balor, and Balor countered. Dream then said “Screw it”, and left the ring as we cut to commercial.
Picture in Picture during commercial, Balor went to attack Dream outside the ring and Dream was able to get the upper hand, sending Balor into the barricade. Dream and Balor fought their way back into the squared circle, with Dream on the offensive for most of the commercial break.
(Lindberg’s Analysis: I think this is a great way to reintroduce Dream. His character can very naturally swing either heel or face and after his feud with Strong months ago before injury, he came out of that looking like a heel. Foreshadowing, perhaps? Regardless, he also has heat on him after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced. They have since been dismissed by the WWE as a non-issue, but the way that the issue was handled compared to other wrestlers during the #SpeakingOut movement has left a sour taste in the mouths of many. Turning him heel allows for Dream to harness that negative energy from real life situations, build off of his last feud with Strong, and reinvent himself once more.)
Back from Commerical, Dream continued his offensive against Balor until Balor was able to fight back and chop the knees of Dream to take him down. Balor applied a leg submission, forcing Dreams shoulders to the mat, forcing a count for two. Dream managed to get out of the submission, but Balor immediately locked in a modified cloverleaf until Dream was able to escape via rope break.
Balor continued to attack the legs and hips of Dream, trying to keep his opponent grounded. Balor locked in another hold, but Dream countered into an arm lock, wrenching it in. The two maanged to get back to their feet, and Dream delivered a bicycle kick into a cover for two. Dream went for 10-punches in the corner, seductively thrusting his hips into Balor’s face. He landed all ten, but then Balor then fired back with a series of strikes and kicks. Dream lept up to the middle rope and flew back into Balor with a double axe handle into a cover. Balor rolled out, and was able to throw Dream outside the ring between the two ladders and North American Championship ringside. Cameron Grimes made his way down the ramp, claiming that the belt hanging from the ceiling was his, as they cut to commercial.
Back from Commercial, Cameron Grimes had climbed the ladder and grabbed the North American Championship, as the match continued in the ring. Grimes longingly looked at the belt, holding it like the prize that it is, claiming that he will win it this Saturday.
Dream and Balor traded blows before an uppercut from Dream took Balor to the mat. Dream went up to the top rope for some sort of aerial move, but Balor knocked him down, trapping him into a tree of woe in the corner. He delivered strikes and kicks before picking Dream up and whipping him into the opposite corner. Dream was sent over the top rope and landed on the floor next to the ladder that Grimes was sitting atop of. Balor climbed the ladder to challenge Grimes, but Dream got him in an electric chair and slammed him to the apron. They fought back into the ring, teased the 1916, Dream DDT, and the Dream Valley Driver before Balor exploded into the double kick to Dream in the corner. Grimes distracted Balor as he climbed to the top to deliver the Coup de Gras, and was met with a superplex from Dream, but he couldn’t quite make the cover. Gargano made his way down to the ring, and pushed Grimes off of the ladder. The ref broke Grimes fall, as Grimes stood in the middle of the ring between Dream and Balor who then made short work of Grimes. Balor hit the slingblade, Dream countered with a superkick as they both fell to the mat.
Gargano picked up the vacant North American title as Damian Priest and Bronson Reed emerged from the back and attacked Gargano. Priest then grabbed the belt, held it up a little, and then threw it at Reed to distract him before attacking him. Balor then Tope con Hilo’d to Priest and Reed, taking them out. Thatcher emerged from the back, attacking Balor and threw him to a waiting Dream in the ring. Dream hit the Dream Valley Driver followed by the Rainmaker for the pin. Dream is going to Takeover.
WINNER: Velveteen Dream in 20:26
(Lindberg’s Analysis: What a match! This a-typical heel vs. heel contest played out with Gargano taking on the sympathetic role on occasion. Gargano can take the loss here, as he and Candice are bonafide stars already. Sure, they haven’t won any major battles lately. But, I think the way they carry themselves and that they are portrayed keeps them strong. Dream has been off TV for awhile and the character change to heel warrants a big win like this)
-After the match, Gargano celebrated by holding the North American championship up high overhead. Cameron Grimes superkicked him, Priest Chokeslammed him, Reed clotheslined Priest and then Death Valley Driver’d Dream, leaving Reed holding the North American Championship as we faded to black.
(Overall Analysis: A solid show from top to bottom that tied up a few loose ends before Takeover, and opened a few new cans of worms. The big questions are, will Pat McAfee overcome Adam Cole? Can Keith Lee overcome Kross and retain his NXT Title? Will Kai win her first championship? We shall see as time goes on. But, I think this was a pretty solid go-home show for what looks to be a packed Takeover 30)
Velveteen beat Finn, not The Wednesday Knight. It did get confusing at the end there!