NXT 7/22/2020: William Regal makes HUGE Announcement; Dijakovic vs. Kross!
Here's what's on tap for the show:
William Regal to make a major announcement
Dominik Dijakovic vs. Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett
Dexter Lumis vs. Killian Dain
Shotzi Blackheart vs. Aliyah w/ Robert Stone
We kick off tonight's show with William Regal talking about Keith Lee's win over Adam Cole. Keith Lee has requested time to speak to the NXT Universe. He knows how hard each NXT superstar works. He talks about the opportunities he has had and made the most of. He may be limitless but he doesn't want to limit anyone else. At this time, he says he will RELINQUISH the NXT North American championship. He says it wasn't easy but he wants to give as many people as a possible a chance. William Regal then says that was a noble act and we will now have a series of triple threat matches starting tonight and the winners will advance to a ladder match at NXT Takeover XXX on August 22nd to crown a new champion.
Dexter Lumis vs. Killian Dain
Early on in the match Killian Dain can't seem to figure out the unorthodox Lumis. Dain finally takes Lumis out on the outside and and beats on him around the ringside area. Back in the ring, Dain is in control as we head to a split screen commercial. Dain beats on Lumis all throughout the commercial break.. Back from the break, Dain is still control and takes Lumis down with a couple kicks but then Dain runs into a spine buster. Lumis takes Dain down with a Lou Thesz press and begins building momentum. Lumis misses a senton which allows Dain to deliver a cannon ball in the corner followed by a power bomb and senton for a near fall. Both men fight on the top turnbuckle and Lumis pushes him off and hits a senton. LUMIS LOCKS IN SILENT!! DAIN TRIES TO FIGHT IT BUT HE CAN'T AND HE'S OUT @ 10:32!!
Roderick Strong is interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell about his opportunity in a triple threat qualifying match tonight. He says he can put the Undisputed Era back on track. Bronson Reed interrupts and says UE has had plenty of chances and Keith Lee gave up the title to give new people a chance. Johnny Gargano interrupts and says he's the face of the brand and will be a two time champion. Bronson Reed says he's going all out tonight.
Highlights of Io Shirai successfully defending her NXT Women's championship against Tegan Nox and getting attacked by Dakota Kai. Kai says it felt good kicking Shirai and for Shirai to bring the title when she comes for her.
Ever-Rise vs. Breezango
Breezango comes out to the old Mountie theme. They come out dressed as the Quebecers from the mid 1990s and it's great. It makes for a good laugh. All Breezango early. Breeze gets attack from behind and Ever-Rise double team him on the outside. Breeze finally takes Fandango and he runs wild on the heels. Fandango hits a Mountie dive to the outside taking out Ever-Rise. Back in the ring, a DOUBLE SUPER KICK AND THAT FINISHES IT @ 3:31!! Good squash for Breezango. It was short and entertaining.
Tom Phillips recaps Regal's announcement. He says Roderick Strong vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed is a qualifying triple threat tonight and he talks about Dominik Dijakovic vs. Karrion Kross.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews Dominik Dijakovic and he says he's fresh tonight unlike last week when he was attacked. He's ready for Karrion Kross tonight.
NXT Women's champion Io Shirai tweets that she'll see Dakota Kai next week.
Aliyah w/ Robert Stone vs. Shotzi Blackheart
Shotzi runs into the steps with her tank when Stone is standing on them. He'll probably have PTSD from it. Shotzi attacks to start with right hands and takes Aliyah down. Senton by Shotzi but then she misses another one allowing Aliyah to take control. Aliyah drives Shotzi face first into the canvas and beats her down in the corner. Aliyah hits a couple nice suplexes and then locks in a camel clutch. Shotzi escapes and uses a roll up for a near fall. Shotzi turns up the offense and builds some momentum. Shotzi gets another near fall after a belly to back suplex. Aliyah tries a roll up using the ropes for an advantage but the ref catches her! STONE GETS ON THE APRON AND SHOTZI TAKES HIM OUT WITH A KICK!! SHOTZI GOES TO THE TOP AND HITS A DIVING SENTON FOR THE WIN @ 4:40!! A good win for Shotzi. SHOTZI RUNS OVER STONE AGAIN WITH THE TANK!! STONE SELLS IT AGAIN LIKE IT'S MURDER!! MERCEDES MARTINEZ IS HERE!! SHE ATTACKS SHOTZI!!! Mercedes stares at Robert Stone and Aliyah while walking away.
The triple threat between Roderick Strong, Johnny Gargano and Bronson Reed is next!
Isiah "Swerve" Scott promo backstage and he says he's coming for Santos Escobar's NXT Cruiserweight championship since he was the only one to beat him in the tournament.
Triple Threat Match to Qualify for the NXT North American Championship Ladder Match at NXT Takeover XXX
Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed vs. Roderick Strong
Gargano bails right away and Reed takes down Strong. Strong goes to the outside where he argues with Gargano. Gargano and Strong tease an alliance but it doesn't happen. Reed is in control early over powering the other two as we go to a commercial. Back from the break, Reed looks to hit a suicide dive but he's kicked in the face and both Gargano and Strong turn their attention to the big man. They take turns beating Reed down in the corner but he briefly fights back. Reed over powers them until Gargano catapults Strong into Reed's groin. Gargano hits a sling shot spear on Strong. Gargano takes out Reed with a dive but back in the ring, Strong hits a nice back breaker on Gargano. Reed is back in take out both men. Reed military presses Gargano but Strong chop blocks Reed. OLYMPIC SLAM ON REED BY STRONG!! GARGANO THROWS STRONG OUT OF THE RING but only gets a near fall on Reed!! Lots of action by all three men and Reed takes out Gargano and Strong on the outside with a suicide dive of his own!! We go to a commercial.
Back from break, the heels are delivering chops to Reed but Reed is getting pissed. Reed picks up both men in a fireman's carry and Samoan drops them both for a near fall!! Reed works on Strong but Gargano attacks. All three men are fighting in the corner. Reed has Gargano on his shoulders but GARGANO COUNTERS WITH A REVERSE RANA!! Knee strike by Strong!! Strong covers Reed but super kick by Gargano!! GARGANO POWER BOMBS REED FROM THE APRON TO THE FLOOR WITH A KNEE STRIKE ASSIST FROM STRONG!!! Strong and Gargano battle in the ring. Both men trade multiple counters. Gargano long darts Strong into the turnbuckle but misses a super kick! Enziguri and FINAL BEAT DDT BY GARGANO ON STRONG!! 1...2...BROKEN UP BY A REED SPLASH!! REED COVERS STRONG FOR THE WIN @ 20:51!! REED ADVANCES TO HIS FIRST EVER TAKEOVER!!!
We see highlights of the history between Timothy Thatcher and Oney Lorcan. They have a match next!
Timothy Thatcher vs. Oney Lorcan
They lock up to begin and go straight to the mat. Both men counter each other as they try to out lock one another in different submission holds. Thatcher finally nails Lorcan with an open palm strike and they trade blows. Thatcher gets a near fall before going back to a submission. Suplex by Thatcher before continuing to mat wrestle. Thatcher locks a bow and arrow in and then gets a near fall. Thatcher hits a few strikes gaining another near fall. Lorcan fights back with upper cuts! They fight to the outside where Lorcan sends Thatcher into the ring post shoulder first as we go to a commercial. Back from the break, Thatcher is beating on Lorcan. Lorcan gains the advantage and works on the damaged shoulder from the ring post. Lorcan locks in a Fujiwara arm bar! A page out of Thatcher's book but Thatcher fish hooks Lorcan forcing the break! A half and half suplex by Lorcan gets a near fall. Thatcher's chest is really red from Lorcan chops. Lorcan goes for Kimura type submission on the injured shoulder but THATCHER TURNS IT INTO A PIN WITH A HANDFUL OF TIGHTS FOR THE WIN @ 13:06!! Good match between these two hard hitters. Thatcher gets another win but Lorcan looks good as he had Thatcher beat until Thatcher shifted his weight and used the tights for leverage.
McKenzie interviews Robert Stone and Aliyah but Stone doesn't want to talk because he's in so much pain from being run over again!! Mercedes Martinez is here and she wants someone to take care of all her outside crap so she fan focus on hurting people. He claims to be her man. She claims she will break both his legs if he messes this up. Stone welcomes her to the Robert Stone Brand!! Main event is next!
Finn Balor promo and he says he doesn't need opportunities but he'll take it and he's taking the NXT North American championship. He says he'll beat Dexter Lumis and Timothy Thatcher next week! Balor says their push hits the ceiling.
Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett vs. Dominik Dijakovic
They have a stare down and then lock up with neither man getting an advantage. Tie up again and Dijakovic allows a clean break but Kross attacks! Dijakovic fires back and knocks Kross out of the ring. Dijakovic follows and they brawl outside. Kross looks for a punch and hits the plexiglass when Dijakovic moves. Back in the ring, Kross catches a charging Dijakovic with a boot and then spikes him with a DDT as we go to a split screen commercial. All during the break, Kross wears down Dijakovic with a head lock and other submission holds. Kross hits the Doomsday Saio but Dijakovic fights back. Dijakovic hits a Falcon Arrow and a sit out choke slam and gets a near fall! Kross goes to the outside and Dijakovic flips out onto him! Kross gets back up and send Dijakovic into the steps and smashes his head behind the steps! KROSS KICKS THE STEPS INTO DIJAKOVIC'S HEAD!! Dijakovic isn't moving!! Kross breaks the count and goes to get him. Kross puts him back in the ring. Kross mounts Dijakovic and delivers forearms to the face. HERE COMES KEITH LEE!! He's seen enough!! Kross sees Lee and keeps hitting Dijakovic. Dijakovic tells the ref not to stop it. More forearm shots!! This is hard for Lee to watch as Dijakovic crawls towards Lee! KROSS CHOKES OUT DIJAKOVIC @ 13:31!! Lee gets in the ring and Kross lets go of the hold. Lee checks on Dijakovic as Kross and Scarlett leave. Lee and Kross have a stare down to end the show!
Next Week:
Triple Threat Qualifying Match for the NXT North American Championship Takeover Ladder Match: Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher vs. Dexter Lumis