9/1 NXT ON USA TV REPORT: Hustwaite’s “alt-perspective” report on Super Tuesday special with fatal four-way ironman match for the NXT Championship

NXT ON USA TV REPORT
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
ORLANDO, FLA., AT FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY MATT HUSTWAITE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Vic Joseph, Beth Phoenix, Wade Barrett

[HOUR ONE]

– An “in memory” graphic for “Bullet” Bob Armstrong was shown, prior to the WWE signature sequence.

– The show opened with a video package recapping Karrion Kross relinquishing the NXT Championship last week. The package included backstage footage of Kross being medically assessed after NXT Takeover XXX. Highlight’s of last week’s episode were shown, with clips of the competitors in the fatal-four way ironman match interspersed with William Regal’s announcement of the match.

– Vic Joseph welcomed viewers to NXT and said tonight had a “big fight feel”

(1) LEGADO DEL FANTASMA vs. BREEZANGO & ISAIAH “SWERVE” SCOTT IN A STREET FIGHT

Wilde flew out of the ring before the bell rang, taking out the face team. All six men brawled outside of the ring and pulled out weapons including a table and ladder. The action made its way to the ring with Scott and Mendoza. The other wrestlers continued to brawl outside. Scott dropkicked Mendoza into a chair that was propped in the corner. Brezze and Wilde fought their way into the ring and Breeze hit a modified codebreaker. Fandango put a ladder over his head and took out the heels with the classic helicopter spin spot. Mendoza took down Fandango but Breeze snuck up behind Mendoza and catapulted Fandango into Mendoza for a very creative low-blow. Scott hit a high knee on Escobar and Fandango pulled a fire extinguisher from under the ring. Tyler Breeze used the fire extinguisher on all three members of Legado Del Fantasma as the show went to commercial. [c]

Back from commercial, Fandango was laid out on top of a smashed table. Scott hit a paydirt on Mendoza, who fled to ringside. Scott followed him and gave Mendoza a stomp. Escobar shoved Scott from behind and sent Scott to the floor. Escobar landed a suicide dive on Scott. Legado Del Fantasma taunted the faces until Imperium ambushed Tyler Breeze. Wilde and Mendoza teamed up with Imperium and continued to beatdown Breeze. Fandango and Scott appeared on top of a forklift that was at ringside and took out everyone in the ring with stereo dives. Breezango took out Imperium, Wilde and Mendoza at ringside and Scott hit a JML Driver on Escobar for the victory.

WINNERS: Breezango & Isaiah “Swerve” Scott at 11:48.

– Beth Pheonix hyped the main event as Johnny Gargano was shown pacing backstage. [c]

(Hustwaite’s Analysis: This was a hectic match, so much so that it was hard to keep up with the play-by-play. It was entertaining though, and the wrestlers didn’t get too cute with the weapons. Escobar continues to impress, even if he is being presented as more of a cowardly heel of late. It seems that we are heading to a three-way title match at some point. By the way, where did the forklift come from?)

– A video package on the Tegan Nox and Candice LeRae feud aired. They individually recapped their tensions to date and both said they wanted to work things out.

(2) CANDICE LERAE vs. KACY CATANZARO (w/ Kayden Carter)

Catanzaro tried for a rollup pin early in the match, but LeRae came back with a back elbow strike. LeRae rolled up Catanzaro but only got a two-count herself. LeRae took Catanzaro down with a snapmare. LeRae hit a blockbuster for a near-fall. Catanzaro mounted a comeback with a series of chops. However, LeRae regained control with a draping neckbreaker and hit a curb-stomp for the pinfall.

WINNER: Candice LeRae at 3:00.

– After the match, LeRae grabbed a microphone and continued her message from the pre-match video. LeRae invited Nox to dinner at her home so they could resolve their differences. [c]

(Hustwaite’s Analysis: I’m hoping this on-location shoot will result in more character development for Nox. She has been a little bit weak on the mic throughout this feud, so perhaps being in a staged environment with Candice LeRae will be a chance to see more from Nox. I like seeing Kacy Catanzaro getting more opportunity to improve on TV, in front of a crowd – albeit the stomping wrestlers. Speaking of the crowd, they were very vocal during LeRae’s promo.)

– Back from commercial, Rhea Ripley cut a promo on Mercedes Martinez. Ripley wondered why Martinez couldn’t get it through her thick skull after being powerbombed on to the concrete by Ripley. Ripley challenged Martinez to a steel cage match to settle the score.

(3) BRONSON REED vs. TIMOTHY THATCHER

Thatcher started the match attempting to outwrestle Reed. However, Thatcher couldn’t get the upper hand due to Reed’s size. The match broke down as both wrestlers traded strikes. Thatcher temporarily rocked Reed with a knee, but Reed hit back with a tackle and laid Thatcher out with a punch. Thatcher defensively threw kicks at Reed from his back on the mat. Reed hit a running senton. Reed took out Thatcher with a clothesline that hurt Reed’s arm. Thatcher took advantage and worked over Reed’s arm. Both wrestlers made it back to their feed and Reed laid out Thatcher again with powerful punches. Reed landed a running dive on to Thatcher and followed up with a suicide dive to the outside. Reed tossed Thatcher back in the ring but was blindsided by Austin Theory. Theory hit a bulldog on Reed and tossed him back in the ring. Thatcher tried to lock in the Juji Gatame but Reed resisted. Thatcher eventually locked in an armbar instead and Reed tapped out.

WINNER: Timothy Thatcher at 4:47.

– Adam Cole and Tommaso Ciampa were shown preparing for the fatal-four way ironman match. [c]

(Hustwaite’s Analysis: Bronson Reed continues to get the creative push behind him and it was good to see Timothy Thatcher finally get a much-needed win. Reed vs. Theory should make for a good program that can elevate Reed further. Hopefully, Thatcher can continue to earn some victories to give his character some more credibility.)

– The announcers threw to Mercedes Martinez who already had a response for Rhea Ripley. Martinez accepted Ripley’s challenge and the steel cage match will take place next week.

– As the show approached the top of the hour, the entrances for the fatal-four way ironman match for the NXT Championship took place. [c]

(Hustwaite’s Analysis: As good of a match this will no doubt be, just the entrances alone expose the main event babyface problem NXT has suddenly found themselves in. Finn Balor was the only one that elicited a babyface reaction, and even that was still mixed with boos. It will be interesting to see if there is a turn worked into the story of the match.)

[Hour Two]

(4) FINN BALOR vs. ADAM COLE vs. JOHNNY GARGANO vs. TOMMASO CIAMPA – fatal four-way ironman match for the vacant NXT Championship

The match started out with an all-in brawl as Wade Barrett put over the ironman match on commentary. Gargano and Ciampa were left standing, and Ciampa took Gargano to the apron. Ciampa sent Gargano to the floor with a knee and followed it up with a knee to Balor. Ciampa kept the knee strikes going at ringside, as Balor and Gargano lay up against the barricade. Ciampa turned his attention to Adam Cole with a punch. Balor reappeared and threw Ciampa into the ring steps and Cole into the plexiglass. Ciampa recovered and brought Balor back into the ring. Ciampa worked over Balor with a series of strikes until Cole interfered and threw Ciampa back to ringside. Balor took Cole down and managed a two-count.

Gargano appeared on the apron but was sent back to the floor by a Balor kick. Cole took advantage of the distraction and slammed Balor to the mat. Gargano hit the ring again and this time was able to mount some offense, putting the boots to Balor and Cole. Balor took a powder at ringside as Gargano continued to work over Cole. Gargano kicked Cole in the elbow and taunted Cole with the Undisputed Era pose. Cole came back with an axe handle and neckbreaker on Gargano. Balor tried to jump Cole but Cole was ready and locked in a sleeper. Balor escaped the hold and took out Cole with a flying forearm. Ciampa was back in the ring and took an elbow drop from Balor for a two-count as the program went to commercial. [c]

Back from commercial, an on-screen graphic showed that no pinfalls occurred during the commercial break. Cole tried to get Gargano up into a fireman’s carry but Gargano slipped out. Cole maintained control with a pump kick. Cole could only manage a two-count after a neckbreaker. All four wrestlers were back in the ring and threw kicks at each other. Cole went to the top rope but was crotched by Ciampa. Balor pounced on Cole in the corner and attacked until Ciampa took both Balor and Cole out with a tower of doom spot. Gargano took out Ciampa in the corner and tried to pin Balor and Cole, but could only manage two-counts. Balor hit Gargano with a 1916 for a nearfall. Balor hit the shotgun dropkick and attempted a Coup de Grace on Gargano, which Gargano avoided. Ciampa hit an Air Raid Crash on Balor for a nearfall as the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial. [c]

While in commercial, Cole got a nearfall on Ciampa after a backstabber.

(Hustwaite’s Analysis: I think Kelly Wells and myself will have earned one of the Quarter Pounder burgers in the McDonald’s advertisement, after keeping up with the action in this match. Wild, fast-paced stuff which I look forward to sitting back and watching again after finishing this report.)

Back in single-screen action, Ciampa and Gargano were tossed aside by Cole and Balor. A Bullet Club reunion of sorts was teased, as Cole held up a “Too Sweet” to Balor. However, Balor didn’t take the offer and threw Cole to the outside. Balor hit both Gargano and Cole with a Shotgun Dropkick. Balor went to the top rope and scored with a Coup de Grace for a pinfall on Cole.

FINN BALOR (one pinfall) pinned ADAM COLE (no pinfalls) at 24:00

Balor went right back to work as the show went to another picture-in-picture commercial. [c]

(Hustwaite’s Analysis: This match is living up to expectations so far, and the crowd has really warmed up. I’m surprised it took this long to get the first fall, but I’m not complaining.)

Vic Joseph freaked out on commentary as Ciampa teased the catapult under the ring to Cole. However, Balor interfered and broke up the move. Ciampa hit Balor with a Widow’s Bell and Fairytale Ending. Gargano came in out of nowhere and threw Ciampa to the floor. Gargano pinned Balor to get his first fall.

JOHNNY GARGANO (one pinfall) pinned FINN BALOR (one pinfall) at 31:45

Cole hit Ciampa with a Shining Wizard for a nearfall. Ciampa and Cole went back and forth with knees and kicks. Balor came back and landed a Sling Blade on Cole. Cole recovered and started dishing out superkicks, before scoring with a Panama Sunrise on Gargano for a pinfall.

ADAM COLE (one pinfall) pinned JOHNNY GARGANO (no pinfalls) at 33:45

Ciampa tried for a quick pin on Gargano to score his first pinfall, but Gargano kicked out at two. Ciampa hung Balor and Cole on the ropes and hit a double Widow’s Bell. Ciampa hit a Fairy Tale Ending on Cole for his first pinfall.

TOMASSO CIAMPA (one pinfall) pinned ADAM COLE (one pinfall) at 35:40

All four wrestlers took a moment to recover in the corners of the ring. The wrestlers all brawled with each other again, but in a far more fatigued fashion than earlier in the match. Ciampa sent Gargano to the outside and started to brawl with Balor. Gargano went back and forth with Cole at ringside as Balor and Ciampa laid each other our with concurrent clothelines. Ciampa recovered first and tried to pin Balor, who kicked out. Ciampa tried again but Balor continued to kick out. Ciampa decided to inflict more punishment on Balor and kneed him against the turnbuckle. Cole tried to get involved, but he was knocked down by Ciampa who then played to the booing crowd. Cole came back and fought with Ciampa on the apron. Cole hit Ciampa with a boot that sent Ciampa back into the ring. Cole and Ciampa ended up on the top rope and Cole avoided an Air Raid Crash. Cole took Ciampa down from the top rope with a kick and the show went to a picture-in-picture commercial. [c]

Back in single-screen mode and Balor was in complete control with a series of chops to all three opponents. Balor turned his focus to Ciampa, applying a half-crab submission. Ciampa escaped, but Balor maintained momentum with a Sling Blade followed by a Shotgun Dropkick. Balor went up to for the Coup de Grace, which Ciampa managed to roll away from. Gargano and Cole teamed up to take out Balor, who went to ringside. Gargano landed a suicide dive onto Ciampa, and then returned to the ring to take out Cole with a second suicide dive. Gargano tried to hit a third suicide dive onto Balor, who blocked the move. Gargano managed to hit a tornado DDT on Balor and the show went to another picture-in-picture commercial. [c]

Cole hit a pair of superkicks on Gargano. Cole missed a Last Shot attempt and Gargano locked in a GargaNo Escape. Ciampa interfered to prevent the submission and dragged both Gargano and Cole to the outside. Ciampa kept control over his three opponents and threw Balor into the plexiglass. Still at ringside, Ciampa hit Cole with a suplex and threw Gargano into the plexiglass. Ciampa made good on his earlier attempt at an under-ring catapult, with Gargano falling victim to the move.

Back in the ring, Ciampa went for a pin attempt on Gargano but Cole interfered to break it up. Ciampa tried again to pin Gargano but this time Balor interfered. Ciampa disposed of Cole and Balor but was surprised by Gargano with a small package for a nearfall. With one minute to go, Ciampa hit Gargano with an Air Raid Crash from the top rope. Before he could make the cover, Balor flew in out of nowhere with a Coup de Grace and pinned Ciampa.

FINN BALOR (two pinfalls) pinned TOMASSO CIAMPA (one pinfall) at 58:00

As the announcers put over the likelihood of Finn winning the NXT Championship, Cole landed a Last Shot and scored the pin just as the on-screen clock hit 0:00.

ADAM COLE (two pinfalls) pinned FINN BALOR (two pinfalls) at 58:25

WINNERS: Adam Cole and Finn Balor with two falls each

As the crowd chanted for Cole and Balor to fight on, William Regal entered the ring and announced that Cole and Balor would face each other for the NXT Championship next week on “Super Tuesday II”. The match would be one fall and “sudden death”.

(Hustwaite’s Analysis: Maybe it’s because expectations were so high, but the match was a little underwhelming. It was still very good, and all four wrestlers gave 100%, but the even playing field for the majority of the match didn’t provide as much drama as a chase down for falls would have. Not to mention that it feels somewhat deflating to invest 60 minutes (or 35 seconds short as it would actually be) in a match and ultimately get no winner. It’s understandable to want a hook for another preempted show next week, but considering the way the title had to be vacated it would have been nice to have had a definitive outcome to move forward with. All that said, the action was good and the pretaped show meant the finishing sequence could be timed perfectly.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: By NXT standards this was a good but not great show. However, in the context of the other mainstream wrestling products out there at the moment, this was a very good show. It actually felt more like a “part 1” of a bigger show, so it will be worth factoring that in when watching Super Tuesday II next week. With another loaded show next week, it will be interesting to see who gets featured outside of the women’s cage match and the NXT Championship match. Bronson Reed and Timothy Thatcher both need their stories to continue developing, but there are still plenty of other wrestlers who have been somewhat quiet since Takeover XXX that need to be injected back into the show. It’s understandable though, as plans had to be changed on a dime due to Karrion Kross’ injury. Hopefully we’ll see some clearer definition of who are the top faces and heels after next week, because that will become more problematic for NXT as the weeks go on.

Make sure to check out Kelly Wells’ report for his perspective on this show, and lookout for a special Tuesday edition of PWT Talks with Kelly and Tom Stoup recapping all the action. You can find me on Twitter at @mattyhuss.