by JCH
NXT 20/02/19
We’re in Orlando at the Full Sail Arena, home of the Full Sail Armada and there is a big fight feel. Tonight Johnny Gargano, who has been tearing it up on the Main roster all week takes on the Velveteen Dream for the NXT North American Championship. That will be our main event, but we have a long way to go until we get there.
Aleister Black vs Roderick Strong
With ReDRagon back together it appears that Roddy is replacing Bobby Fish as Adam Cole’s gatekeeper.
This is a world class pate of a starter.
Black flew out of the blocks with a furore of strikes, but Roderick Strong is no walkover. The Messiah of the backbreaker proving himself to be just that as he gained control with a back drop on the steps. Strong continued to go after the back of Black intertwined with loud chops. The focus was working, Black’s back gave out as he went for a power bomb and Roddy hit another big backbreaker.
Strong got away from his back based attack and entered into a striking exchange with Black and this proved to be a mistake. Black, one of the top strikers in the company regained control and came close to victory with a Brainbustaaaaahhhhh, Dangerous.
Roddy learning from his mistakes, realized what he had to do, target the back, and a torture rack throw into the post put him back in charge. Ally Black has the knock out shot though and one Black Mass on the counter attack is all it takes to get the job done.
Post-Match - Kyle O’Reilly runs to the ring and eats a Black Mass. Bobby and Cole take down Black until Ricochet evens the odds and they finish with Black delivering a huge jumping knee to Fish. Black and Ricochet don’t seem to be long for NXT, but they look like they have some business to finish with the Undisputed Era on their way out.
Backstage shenanigans as Shayna and the crew argue with other women in the locker room. Some coaches break it up.
Bianca Belair Promo - Highlighting her success last year and calling out Io Shirai and Kairi Sane
Two weeks’ time - Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Winners take on War Raiders at Takeover. First four teams announced: ReDRagon, Forgotten Sons, Street Profits, European Union. 2nd four to be announced next week. I’m guessing it will be the 1s and 2s, Moustache Mountain, Matt Riddle and Keith Lee and Carillo and Irvin Jr
Mia Yim vs Xia Li.
There is a contrast of experience in this match with the veteran Mia against the relatively inexperienced Xia. Li fresh of a Royal Rumble appearance scares Him early on with some fast-striking attempts that are avoided. Mia decides that striking is not the way to win this and tries to use her strength instead, this works well until she gets caught with a vicious kick. Li is so fast, may be too fast as Yim takes back control with a dropkick.
Yim then foolishly decides to start a striking battle with Li, who shows more exceptional hand and foot speed to take charge. A tornado kick for the first close finish of the match.
Nigel agrees with me and says Yim should try some submissions. Yim avoids a kick off the top and hits Protect Yo Neck for the win.
Nice match. Always like what I’ve seen from Xia Li and as she gains more experiences and rounds off her game to compliment her striking, she will only get better. YIm is a pro. She made Li look good, but ultimately, she had too much for the youngster.
Post-Match - The three horsewomen beat up Yim, Some of the NXT trainees come to Yim’s aid, but they are also fought off. Yim keeps fighting until Shayna boots her head off. The Horsewomen continue to run roughshod over the NXT women’s division.
Backstage Johnny Gargano is warming up for his title match. Candace LeRae comes over to chat. She is angry that Tommy Ciampa is there. He says he’s here if Johnny needs him. Johnny tells Tommy he doesn’t need him.
Clips from a Matt Riddle interview - Talks about the importance of being himself, his feud with Ohno and his hopes for the future. Good snippet into life of the BRO.
Next week Mia Yim vs Shayna Baszler.
Velveteen Dream vs Johnny Gargano - North American Championship.
Here we go guys. Dream’s entrance is so ridiculously over the top. It fits him so well. The confident Gargano struts to the ring singing along to Rebel Heart. This guy is so good at conveying his character and its development over the last year or so is, in my mind, fantastic. Gargano the more acclaimed wrestler decides to keep Dream grounded at the start. He looks in control on the ground until Dream escapes, Johnny rushes in and gets caught with a big Slap to the face.
Tommy Ciampa is shown watching from the upper echelons of the arena. Dream continues to use mind games to draw the ire of Gargano, then takes advantage with a big Slap. Dream’s showmanship is a great skill, but the experience of Gargano ensures it is also a weakness as an unnecessary leap to the top from Dream sees Gargano whip his legs from under him and regain control. Gargano working from the top is interesting, as I think the crowd still like him a bit more than Dream. Mauro Ranallo brings up Baker Mayfield with the most tenuous of links. Have a day off Mauro.
Johnny possibly noticing what I did, acts cockier to try and get the crowd behind Dream. It’s about 50/50. FRG is having none of it. He’s Johnny through and through. Probably has Gargano on the back of his Everton shirt. They have both been doing their homework as they avoid each other’s signature spots and Dream breaks out a big air fameasser to counter the roll up seated kick of Gargano. Next, it’s Gargano’s turn to show some new moves. He counters the Avalanche Death Valley driver with a spinning flatliner from the middle rope and it’s almost enough.
Apron Superkick from Dream who falls in the ring. FRG tells Johnny to ‘hit him with it’. Dream though is again ready and clocks Gargano as he comes in for the slingshot DDT. Johnny hits the tope and throws Dream in the ring, but again Dream is ready for the Slingshot spear this time. Punting Johnny out of the air. The Sister Abigail/Hammerlock DDT thing from Dream looks to have it done, but Gargano is out.
Action is ramped up now. Dream misses the Purple Rainmaker into a Superkick, Nigel thinks it’s over, but Dream kicks out. He wants this. Avalanche Dream Valley Driver finishes it. NO. Gargano kicks out! Dream to the top rope. Gargano rolls out the ring. Dream off the top. Eats a Superkick. Into the steps, Suplex in the ramp. Slingshot DDT 1, 2, 3, Nooooo. Dream kicks out! Crowd is going ballistic.
Dream Superkick, Gargano rebounds back into a huge Lariat. Superkick, Gargano goes for the Garga-No escape, but Dream catches him into a Dream Valley Driver, then another Dream Valley Driver, Purple Rain Maker. It’s done. VELVETEEN DREAM is the new North American Champion. Ciampa shown still watching from the height of the arena. Wry smile and a head shake from Ciampa.
He has been proven right again, this will continue to show Johnny that he needs Ciampa. Will we see DIY together again properly???
Another strong edition of NXT. 3 matches that were all very enjoyable, the Main Event being the strongest, the crowd were really into it. Big Fight Feel. We roll on, on the way to Takeover NYC.
STARS of THE WEEK
1. Johnny Gargano
2. Velveteen Dream
3. Alistair Black
Humberto Carrillo Award
Xia Li - Love her strikes. Pacey and hard. Top job.
Mania Card Prediction
Tommaso Ciampa vs Ricochet vs Johnny Gargano - NXT Title
Shayna Baszler vs Io Shirai vs Kairi Sane vs Bianca Belair - NXT Women’s Title
War Raiders vs Moustache Mountain - NXT Tag Team Titles
Velveteen Dream vs Matt Riddle. - NXT North American Championship
Aleistair Black vs Adam Cole
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