NXT 7/27/2021: Joe back on Active Roster; Holland Returns; Gonzalez Attacked; Cole Surprised; More!
Here's what's on tap for tonight's NXT:
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan
Samoa Joe addresses the NXT Universe
LA Knight goes golfing with Cameron Grimes
Breakout Tournament - First Round: Carmelo Hayes vs. Josh Briggs
NXT Women's Champion Raquel Gonzalez addresses the NXT Women's Division
Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter vs. Franky Monet & Jessi Kamea
Imperium vs. Hit Row
Bronson Reed vs. Adam Cole
We're in the Capitol Wrestling Center and we open with highlights of what's gone done in recent weeks with Karrion Kross and Samoa Joe including Kross' attack on Regal. Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett, and Beth Phoenix welcome us and ran down what's happening tonight. Reed vs. Cole will main event. We're starting with tag action!
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan
Dunne and Thatcher get the start. Lock up and Thatcher goes after the arm of Dunne. Dunne escapes and takes Thatcher down by the leg. Thatcher is up and we get a test of strength. Thatcher powers Dunne down for a near fall but Dunne bridges out. Dunne escapes goes for the legs again. Thatcher gets free and we have a stand off. Good chain wrestling here to no surprise. Thatcher gets a single leg crab but Dunne escapes. Ciampa gets a tag as does Lorcan. Side head lock by Ciampa. Lorcan backs him into a corner and hits a chop that Ciampa no sells. They trade chops now and Ciampa hits Lorcan with a big knee strike in the ear that sends Lorcan out of the ring. Back in the ring, Thatcher tags back in and targets the left arm. Ciampa gets a tag as they continue to isolate Lorcan. Dunne gets a tag and Ciampa welcomes it. They run the ropes and it's Dunne that takes Ciampa down with a stiff clothesline. Ciampa is back up and snap mares Dunne. Lorcan comes in but Thatcher cuts him off. Ciampa pounds Dunne and Thatcher pounds Lorcan respectively. All four men take the brawl to the outside of the ring. Ciampa and Thatcher are in control as we go to a picture in picture break.
Ciampa and Thatcher isolate Dunne in the ring until Dunne turns things around on Thatcher. Dunne works the joints of Thatcher and keeps him grounded. Thatcher has taken a beating for most of the break.
We come back to Dunne grounding Thatcher. Lorcan gets a tag and lights up Thatcher with a chop while Dunne holds him. Thatcher fires back with an uppercut and they trade shots. "Suplex city" chants for the crowd in favor of Thatcher. Lorcan stops a tag and slaps Thatcher. Thatcher answers with an enziguri. Ciampa and Dunne both tag and Ciampa is on fire!!! Clotheslines in the corner for both men multiple times! Then a double clothesline to both men! Ciampa and Thatcher slap each other to get pumped up. Ciampa turns Lorcan inside out with a clothesline. Dunne catches Ciampa with a German followed by a double stomp. CIAMPA COUNTERS THE BITTER END WITH AN ARM BAR!! Lorcan breaks it. RIDGE HOLLAND TAKES OUT THATCHER ON THE OUTSIDE!! That leaves Ciampa to get double teamed back in the ring. DUNNE HITS CIAMPA WITH THE BITTER END TO GET THE WIN!!! Nice hard hitting opener and we got the return of Holland.
W: Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan via pin @ 12:56
Post match, Holland joins Dunne and Lorcan. They all beat down both Ciampa and Thatcher.
A vignette hypes Carmelo Hayes. He vows to win the tournament.
Samoa Joe just arrived and he's on his way to the ring next!
Hit Row is backstage and they run down Legado del Fantasma before talking about Imperium. They face Imperium later tonight.
Samoa Joe walks to the ring with purpose and puts a table and chair in the ring. Joe sets up the table and chair and has a seat. He puts a contract on the table and grabs a mic. Joe says he can bark about Karrion Kross until he's blue in the face but Kross is too much of a coward to show up. Joe then asks William Regal to join him in the ring. Regal makes his way to the ring with no music and he doesn't look happy. Joe offers Regal the chair but he declines. Joe understands Regal is angry. Joe says what Kross did was wrong and he knows Regal wants to fire Kross tonight! Joe has a better solution in three steps. 1) JOE RESIGNS FROM NXT MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY!! 2) Joe wants reactivated as an active member of the NXT roster. REGAL SIGNS THE PAPER TO REACTIVATE JOE!!! 3) JOE WANTS KROSS AT TAKEOVER FOR THE NXT CHAMPIONSHIP!!! REGAL SIGNS THAT AS WELL!!! IT'S OFFICIAL!! "Thank you Regal" chants from the crowd!
Vignette for Josh Briggs to hype him for the Breakout Tournament.
LA Knight hits the links with Cameron Grimes next!
Earlier today, LA Knight and Cameron Grimes went golfing. Knight has Grimes wash his balls. Knight asks for his driver and Grimes says he is the driver haha. Knight is mad that Grimes doesn't know the different club names. Knight is about to swing and Grimes bets him $1,000 he slices. Reminds me of Caddy Shack! Grimes raises the bet to $5,000! KNIGHT SLICES!! Knight wants Grimes to go get the ball. To be continued I think.
Breakout Tournament - First Round
Carmelo Hayes vs. Josh Briggs
The winner of this faces Duke Hudson in the semi-finals. Briggs with a hard scoop slam to start. Hayes uses his speed to avoid Briggs. Hayes tries a few strikes but no luck there. Hayes spring boards but Briggs catches him in a bear hug. Hayes escapes and rocks Briggs with a pump kick. Hayes beats down Briggs in the corner but Briggs shoves him. Hayes with a drop kick to the knee. Hayes charges but he's back dropped to the outside. Briggs follows him and puts him back in the ring. Hayes with some kicks on the apron followed by a spring board leg drop for a near fall. Front face lock by Hayes now. Briggs fights to his feet but Hayes still has it locked in like a guillotine. Briggs goes back to a knee. Hayes comes off the ropes but Briggs is back up and runs through Hayes as we go to a break.
Back from the break, Briggs has Hayes grounded with a chin lock. Duke Hudson has joined commentary. Hayes fights back but Briggs slams him and splashes him for a near fall. Briggs wants a power bomb but Hayes turns it into a rana that sends Briggs to the corner. Enziguri by Hayes as he builds momentum. Spring board clothesline by Hayes takes Briggs off his feet. Both men are down. Hayes with knees to the face of Briggs. Hayes counters a choke slam and hits double knees to the face!! 1.....2......NO!! Briggs counters a suplex but Hayes hits a pump kick! Hayes runs into a big boot that turns him inside out. BRIGGS CHOKE SLAMS HAYES!!! 1.......2.......NO!!! Briggs misses a boot but then connects with one in the corner. Hayes counters a side walk slam. Hayes goes up and over for a takedown. HAYES GOES TO THE TOP AND HITS A LEG DROP FROM THE TOP TO FINISH BRIGGS!!! Hayes will now face Hudson in the semi-finals. I think Hudson is the best bet there.
W: Carmelo Hayes via pin @ 10:50
Franky Monet was interviewed by McKenzie. She's asks about her relationship with the Robert Stone Brand. Franky mentions challenging for the women's tag titles. Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter interrupt and take offense. That leads to a tag match for later tonight.
Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai address the women's division next!
Back to golfing with Knight and Grimes. Grimes commentates the par 3 and it's hilarious. Knight hits the ball right in the water. Knight makes Grimes go into the water to get the ball. Ted DiBiase rolls up in a golf cart to help out Grimes. DiBiase asks Grimes why he's doing this and Grimes says he's a man of his word. DiBiase says Grimes is a champion and not a butler.
Highlights of Holland's return earlier. He's asked backstage why he attack Thatcher. Holland says Thatcher won't be the last man he smashes.
NXT Women's Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai make their way to the ring. Kai hands Gonzalez a mic. Gonzalez says last week she crushed one of the most feared superstars in the women's division. Gonzalez says she's dominated everyone that has stepped up to the plate. Gonzalez asks who's next and gives up some Spanish. Gonzalez says to keep them coming! Kai on the mic now and says Gonzalez has been dominant ever since she debuted. Kai calls her more dominant than Charlotte Flair, Asuka, and Shayna Baszler. Kai says Gonzalez has beaten everyone in her path. Kai says the NXT women's division is one of the greatest because of one woman!! NXT Takeover is four weeks away and turns to the stage to ask who has what it takes to challenge Gonzalez. Kai says nothing. No one can do it and they've been through so much together. KAI RAISES GONZALEZ'S HAND AND THEN ATTACKS HER!!! KAI HOLDS THE TITLE OVER A FALLEN GONZALEZ!!! Wade Barrett says he knew it all along!!! Gonzalez is almost in tears as she stares down a leaving Kai.
Adam Cole is backstage and says everyone is comparing themselves to Cole lately. He talks about Bronson Reed trying to use him as a rebound. Cole says there's a reason Reed lost the NXT North American Championship. Cole doesn't care about Reed's 14 year journey and vows to send him down the mountain tonight.
Earlier today, Io Shirai was training by herself. Zoey Stark approaches her and says she doesn't need to train alone because they're partners. Shirai says she doesn't like her but Stark tries to convince her. Shirai walks off.
Mandy Rose is talking to Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne backstage. Mandy tells the camera man to get out of here.
Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter vs. Franky Monet & Jessi Kamea w/ Robert Stone
Carter and Kamea start it. "Let's go Franky" chants from the crowd. Carter controls early and hits a drop kick. Tag to Catanzaro who picks up the pace with her high flying offense. Carter tags back in and a roll up gets a near fall. Kamea turns it around and Monet tags in. She misses a clothesline and eats a kick from Carter followed by a back elbow. Monet stops that with a DDT! Monet sends Carter across the ring into the corner. Double knees by Monet! Kamea tags back in and splashes Carter in the corner. Near fall for Kamea before tagging Monet back in. Monet is in control of Carter. Carter is sent into the corner but knocks Kamea off the apron. Monet mounts and pummels Carter. Stone gets on the apron and it distracts Monet. Catanzaro gets a tag and CARTER HOLDS MONET AND CATANZARO FINISHES MONET WITH A 450!! I'm surprised Monet already took a loss to be honest.
W: Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter via pin @ 3:30
Post match, Monet is pissed and gets in the face of Stone.
Wade Barrett has a sit down interview with Roderick Strong. Barret says Strong left when the Undisputed Era imploded. Barrett wants to know how he got in touch with Malcolm Bivens. Bivens made the call to Strong and reminded him exactly who he is. Bivens says Strong isn't a #4, 3, or 2. Bivens calls Strong a #1. Bivens says not even Regal could bring Strong back to NXT but he could. They talk about challenging Kushida for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Barrett says Bobby Fish is in the way. Strong vows to finish Bobby Fish next week and then it'll be over between them.
A video package hypes WALTER vs. Dragunov for Takeover 36.
Highlights of Dakota Kai attacking Raquel Gonzalez. Kai is leaving the building when they try to get an interview. She runs out of the building.
Imperium vs. Hit Row
Ashante "Thee" Adonis and Top Dolla are representing Hit Row here. Barthel and Adonis are starting as the crowd chants "Hit Row". Barthel controls early but runs into a nice drop kick from Adonis. Barthel shoots him in the air and hits a chop. Barthel takes control and Aichner with a blind tag. Aichner lifts Adonis but Adonis gets free. Aichner shoves him but Adonis hits a neck breaker. Front face lock by Adonis and he pounds the back of Aichner. Adonis with knee strikes. Aichner sends him to the corner and hits a clothesline. Jaw breaker by Adonis allows him to tag Top Dolla. Aichner escapes for a minute but Top Dolla hits a jumping knee! Top Dolla lifts Aichner and Adonis hits a drop kick! Near fall for Adonis. Aichner counters a neck breaker and hits a back suplex. Barthel tags back in and sends Adonis to the corner. Barthel hits the ropes but B-FAB distracts. Adonis takes control and hits a spine buster!!! Near fall there. Hit Row is in control as we go to a commercial.
We're back with Imperium in control of Adonis. Spine buster/kick to the face combo by Imperium. Imperium goes for the European Bomb but Adonis counters. Barthel prevents Adonis from making a tag by locking in an ankle lock. Adonis is pulled to the Imperium corner and Aichner tags in. The beat down of Adonis continues. Rib breaker by Aichner to Adonis gets a near fall. Barthel tags back in and Adonis tries to fight back but no luck. Double underhook suplex by Barthel gets a near fall. Barthel wrenches back on a chin lock but Adonis is able to send him to the outside. Aichner charges but Adonis low bridges him. Top Dolla finally gets the tag as did Aichner. Top Dolla with a big knee lift to Barthel. Top Dolla squashes Aichner in the corner then side walk slams him. Top Dolla drop a jumping elbow on Aichner!! 1.....2......Barthel saves it. Barthel is sent out of the ring. Adonis tags back in. LEGADO DEL FANTASMA IS HERE!!! TOP DOLLA IS DISTRACTED BY THEM. IMPERIUM FINISHES ADONIS WITH THE EUROPEAN BOMB!!! Imperium got to look good with the win and it continued the Hit Row/Legado rivalry.
W: Imperium via pin @ 12:25
Post match, LEGADO ATTACKS HIT ROW!! Swerve finally chases of Legado with a chair.
The Way is backstage. Gargano gets blamed for Theory running off. A package is delivered. Indi opens it and its a picture from Dexter Lumis. He drew a picture of The Way but with Lumis in place of Theory. Indi proposes a match between Lumis and Gargano. If Lumis wins, Indi is allowed to see him but if Gargano wins, her and Lumis are done.
Reed is backstage warming up for the main event. It's next!
Back to golf! Grizzled Young Veterans are also on the course and asks what the hold up is. Grimes tells them not to disrespect Knight just because he hit it in the water and he owes Grimes $10,000. GYV make a bet with Knight/Grimes about who can make the next shot. Grimes accepts on Knight's behalf. Knight misses. GRIMES HITS KNIGHT ON HIS BACK SWING BUT MAKES A HOLE IN ONE!!! THAT'S $20,000 FOR GRIMES!! Grimes turns around and see Knight down and asks what GYV did to him. Grimes chases GYV and proclaims his love for golf!
Bronson Reed vs. Adam Cole
Cole with a go behind to begin but Reed just tosses him away. Cole goes to a side head lock but Reed sends him into the ropes. Shoulder block by Reed. Cole goes low on Reed and focuses on the leg. Off the ropes they go and Reed swats Cole in mid air. Reed military presses Cole and then hits an elbow drop. Cole is sent hard into the corner. Cole tries a sunset flip but Reed just sits on him. Cole rolls to the apron and Reed takes him to the corner. They battle to the top rope. Cole blocks a superplex and tries a sunset flip bomb but Reed blocks. Cole hits a super kick to the back of the knee as we go to a picture in picture break.
During the break, the action spills to the outside where Cole is in control. He breaks the count to continue the punishment. Back in the ring, Cole works on the knee of Reed in the corner. Cole continues to work on the knee of Reed through the duration of the break.
We're back with Cole still in control focusing on Reed's knee. Reed begins to battle back and runs through Cole. Senton by Reed gets a near fall. Cole counters a suplex and hits an enziguri. Cole wants a suplex but Reed counters into one of his own. Near fall for Reed. Cole escapes a power bomb and both men trade blows. Reed charges into a running kick by Cole!! 1......2.....NO!!! Cole hits a pump kick and another but Reed wants more! Reed blocks a super kick and chops Cole. Reed with multiple chops in the corner! The ref backs Reed up and Cole super kicks the knee!! COLE HITS PANAMA SUNRISE!!!! 1.......2.......NO!!!!! Cole sets up for the Last Shot but Reed with a clothesline. REED POWER BOMBS COLE!!! Reed goes up to the top rope. Reed misses the Tsunami Splash and COLE HITS A SUPER KICK!!! LAST SHOT BY COLE FINISHES IT!!!! Enjoyable match and a good showing for Reed. The right man gets the win here.
W: Adam Cole via pin @ 11:16
Post match, Cole celebrates in the aisle way and O'REILLY ATTACKS COLE WITH A CHAIR!!! O'REILLY BRAIN BUSTERS COLE ON THE STEPS!!!! Just like Cole did to him months ago!! O'Reilly stands over Cole to end the show.
Next Week:
Bobby Fish vs. Roderick Strong w/ Diamond Mine
Love Her or Lose Her Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Dexter Lumis
Breakout Tournament - First Round: Joe Gacy vs. Trey Baxter
Hit Row vs. Legado del Fantasma
Thanks for taking the time to read this!! If you enjoy what you've read, don't hesitate to follow our Facebook page and get updates when new content is posted! Also, any comments or feedback is greatly appreciated!