Credit: Mike Bessler
After the introductory fanfare and recaps subside, we head down to ringside.
Well, not so fast… William Regal announces the next NXT special will air live on February 11. Heading into that, they’ll be holding a tournament for the top contendership to the NXT title. Also, Sasha and Charlotte will lock up tonight. Let’s get it on.
Sami Zayn goes at Tye Dillinger before the bell even rings. He pummels Tye and tosses him out of the ring. Then Sami grabs a mic and calls out Owens. Regal comes out instead and tells Zayn to get a hold of himself but Sami says he’s not wrestling another match until he gets a shot at Owens. After some discussion, Regal books Sami to face Kevin Owens on February 11th. Write that down on your calendars, true believers!
During the break, Regal tells us that next week there will be a contract signing between Owens and Zayn. We all know how that will end up.
Curtis Axel vs. Finn Balor
Finn takes an Orton-sized stroll to the ring and eventually things get underway. Axel tries to get the early advantage but Balor tosses him out and then hits him with a dive out on the floor. Finn goes back at Axel again in the ring and Curtis gets some distance between them. He gets on top with a clothesline to the back and Balor ends up on the canvas. Axel stays in control for a lengthy stretch, keeping Balor in check with a good deal of mat work. Finn tries to turn it around and Axel smacks him down with a big kick off the ropes. Curtis misses with a double ax-handle off the top and Finn nails him with a Pele kick, followed by the sling blade. A huge dropkick lays out Axel in the corner, hits the coup de grace and covers for the win.
Result: Finn Balor defeats Curtis Axel via pinfall. With that, Balor advances in the Number One Contender’s Tournament.
Backstage, Sasha says she’ll beat Charlotte for the strap tonight. We’ll see soon enough. After a break, Bull Dempsey say’s he’ll beat Boron Corbin next week. Their rematch will also be part of the tournament.
Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks – NXT Women’s Championship
The ladies get in each other’s faces before they lock up. Sasha gets tossed but roars back and the ladies grapple around the ring and on the mat. They end up rolling outside and Becky tries to get involved but Charlotte clotheslines her out of commission. Back in the ring, the competitors battle more until Becky comes in to prompt the DQ.
Result: Charlotte defeats Sasha via DQ.
Post-match, Becky and Sasha whoop up on Charlotte and Bayley comes in for the safe. With the bad girls on the run, Bayley picks up Charlotte’s title and stares lovingly at it. Charlotte jerks it away and Bayley scoops her up for a big slam. Looks like she wants that title. William Regal emerges and says that at NXT Takeover, Charlotte will defend the title in a fatal four-way against Bayley, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks.
Vaudevillains vs. Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake
Aiden starts out against Murphy and gets control quickly. He tags in and out with Gotch a number of times, retaining the advantage. English works Murphy on the mat as Blake looks on. Blake eventually gets to tag in and cleans house. He puts English down with a powerslam but English stays in the match. Aiden gets cracked in the head from the outside by Murphy during a scrum at the ropes and Blake covers for the upset win.
Result: Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake defeat the vaudevillians via pinfall.
Backstage, Murphy and Blake cut a promo saying their win wasn’t an upset and it wasn’t a fluke. Apparently, it’s their year. They call out the Lucha Dragons for a shot at the title.
Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze
Itami gets a warm welcome as Breeze sprawls out on the ropes. Tyler gets Hideo in a headlock to get things moving but Itami shakes him off and almost KO’s him with a roundhouse kick. Breeze comes back with some footwork of his own but he can’t control Itami. Hideo levels him with a big ol’ kick to the chest and works him into the corner for a big chop. Breeze gets free and dumps Itami outside, following him out to administer some punishment and roll Hideo back inside. Breeze stomps on Hideo to soften him up and then gets him in a submission hold on the mat. He delivers a neckbreaker but that doesn’t put Itami out of action just yet. Breeze administers a deep-rear chin lock but can’t hold on to it as Hideo powers up and out. After an offensive flurry, tries to punctuate his comeback with a flying clothesline but he only gets a near-fall for his trouble. The same result follows a fisherman’s suplex by Itami. Breeze lands the supermodel kick out of nowhere and covers, but he only gets a near-fall as well. He puts Itami on the top rope and Hideo struggles free but Breeze puts him back down with a modified crucifix into a slam. Somehow, Itami kicks out again. Tyler comes unglued and taunts Itami, who comes back with a storm of strikes and kicks, finally putting away Breeze for the pinfall.
Result: Hideo Itami defeats Tyler Breeze via pinfall.
The announce team reviews the #1 Contender’s Tournament brackets, noting that Balor and Itami have now advanced. Next week, Adrian Neville faces Tyson Kidd and Baron Corbin takes on Bull Dempsey.
