Dexter Lumis claimed the second spot in the North American Title Ladder Match at NXT TakeOver XXX with a Triple Threat Match win against Timothy Thatcher and Finn Bálor. Elsewhere, NXT Champion Keith Lee responded to Karrion Kross and received a grave ultimatum in return, NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai & Tegan Nox scored a win over Candice LeRae & Dakota Kai, and The Undisputed ERA targeted Imperium.
Highlights | Exclusive: Cameron Grimes
WWE NXT results, July 29, 2020
NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai & Tegan Nox def. Candice LeRae & Dakota Kai
Dakota Kai ambushed Io Shirai for the second time in three weeks, this time to kick off NXT while Shirai was making her entrance, and the scene quickly devolved into disarray with the other two competitors joining them for a melee before the action officially started. Kai and Candice LeRae worked well together early on, isolating Tegan Nox until Shirai lit up the ring and her opponents with her athleticism. The Captain of Team Kick responded by deftly spoiling a potential moonsault attempt. Kai forcibly tagged in LeRae, largely leaving The Poison Pixie to fend for herself, which ended with a pinfall loss after Shirai's moonsault.
Johnny Gargano def. Roderick Strong
Johnny Gargano and Roderick Strong, two of NXT's proudest and most skilled Superstars, tactfully battled for bragging rights after coming up short in last week's Triple Threat Match won by Bronson Reed. The technical wrestling clinic featured both men demonstrating the depths of their repertoires, with Strong avoiding dire straits by rolling out of the Gargano Escape. He had no answer for Gargano's increased intensity on the outside, though, as Johnny Wrestling repeatedly smashed Strong into the ring post and plexiglass before planting him with the One Final Beat DDT for the victory.
Mercedes Martinez def. Shotzi Blackheart
If one match is any indication, Mercedes Martinez's decision to sign with The Robert Stone Brand appears to be a smart one. Martinez impressed against Shotzi Blackheart, slamming her with an innovative, modified Air Raid Crash for the win, much to the delight of Stone and Aliyah.
Keith Lee called out Karrion Kross
NXT Champion Keith Lee, still clearly upset by what transpired last week, issued a fiery address to Karrion Kross. What he got instead was Cameron Grimes, who picked an inopportune time to step to The Limitless One, and he felt Lee's wrath. However, Kross answered with a message of his own, issuing a stern ultimatum to Lee demanding the NXT Title opportunity he's seeking.
NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium def. Ever-Rise
Imperium made quick work of Ever-Rise, putting them down after hitting the European Bomb on Chase Parker. But before they could soak in their victory, they were savagely ambushed by Undisputed ERA, who made it clear they still consider themselves to be NXT's most dominant faction.
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott def. Jake Atlas
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott prevailed in this fast-paced encounter with a win over Jake Atlas that was crucial for NXT Cruiserweight Championship positioning. "Swerve" fought off Atlas' patented cartwheel DDT before blasting him with the House Call on the outside of the ring and dropping him with the JML Driver.
Dexter Lumis def. Timothy Thatcher and Finn Bálor in a Triple Threat Match to earn a spot in the North American Title Ladder Match at TakeOver XXX
Dexter Lumis wowed from the get-go, dazzling even his opponents early when he landed on his feet following a senton over the top rope. The matchup between The Tortured Artist, Finn Bálor and Timothy Thatcher presented three unique styles and created a frenzied conclusion. Lumis masterfully countered Thatcher's double underhook into the Kata Gatame before being splattered by Bálor's Coup de Grace, though the "Professor of Pain" would break up The Prince's ensuing pin attempt and lock him in a grapevine ankle lock. But Lumis swooped in, taking advantage of Thatcher's blind spot by locking him in the Kata Gatame to win by technical submission before Bálor could wriggle free from Thatcher and break it up.
Bálor, Lumis and Thatcher battle for North American Title opportunity
Bronson Reed has already punched his ticket to the North American Championship Ladder Match at TakeOver XXX. Which Superstar will be the next to join him?
The Triple Threat Match Series continues Wednesday night with another spot in that bout on the line, and this one will be decided between Finn Bálor, Dexter Lumis and Timothy Thatcher.
One of the few things missing from Bálor’s long list of accolades is an NXT North American Title reign, which he’s laser-focused on rectifying. The Prince has been a one-man wrecking crew since returning to the black-and-gold brand, likely making him a strong favorite should he advance to TakeOver — where he knows a thing or two about winning a Ladder Match.
Thatcher has quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous men in NXT. From taking down Matt Riddle in the first-ever NXT Fight Pit to a pair of wins over Oney Lorcan, Thatcher has proven that his mat acumen is as strong as anyone else’s in WWE.
Meanwhile, the wildcard in the equation may be the enigmatic Lumis. The NXT Universe still has no idea what makes The “Tortured Artist” tick, but that may not matter given his unassailable abilities inside the squared circle and his wins over Roderick Strong and Killian Dain in recent weeks.
Be sure to tune in at 8/7 C this Wednesday night on USA Network to find out who’s going to TakeOver XXX!
Shirai and Nox kick off NXT tonight against Kai and LeRae
Rivals will collide in tag team action to open NXT tonight, as NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai joins forces with Tegan Nox against Dakota Kai & Candice LeRae, as announced by NXT General Manager William Regal.
The Genius of the Sky finds herself in an interesting position, counting on her most recent opponent for backup. Nox pushed the champion to her limit in their title tilt two weeks ago, but Shirai prevailed before eating a surprise boot to the face from Kai.
While Shirai and Nox won each other’s respect after their grueling war, they have no experience working together. Meanwhile, Kai and LeRae have the advantage of teaming together last month at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
But while The Captain of Team Kick hasn’t been shy about her desire to win the NXT Women’s Title, LeRae covets Shirai’s gold as well. Can they focus their efforts together, or will their championship aspirations disrupt their alliance? Will Shirai gain retribution for Nox’s ambush? Find out tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network!
Johnny Gargano and Roderick Strong take their issue to the ring
Johnny Gargano and Roderick Strong may not have gotten the opportunity they were seeking, but they will have a chance to take out their frustrations on each other when they face off this Wednesday night on NXT at 8/7 C on USA Network.
Their spat began last week during a backstage confrontation with Bronson Reed prior to their Triple Threat Match for a spot in the North American Title Ladder Match at NXT TakeOver XXX. Neither Gargano nor Strong advanced, as Reed won after flattening Strong (and Gargano’s hand) with a top-rope splash after Johnny Wrestling spiked Strong with a One Final Beat DDT.
The two former NXT North American Champions weren’t finished with each other, though, and they escalated tensions on social media.
NXT General Manager William Regal took notice, making a one-on-one match.
The NXT Universe figures to be in for a treat with a battle between two of the black-and-gold brand’s best technicians, but who will come out on top?
Shotzi Blackheart aims for retribution against Robert Stone’s newest client
Is Shotzi Blackheart ready for Mercedes Martinez to enter the ball pit?
After defeating Robert Stone’s client Aliyah last week on NXT and subsequently smashing Stone’s good leg with her tank, Blackheart was met with a vicious boot to the face courtesy of Mercedes Martinez.
The reason for the attack? Martinez wanted to join The Robert Stone Brand right on sight, to which the involuntarily seated Stone enthusiastically agreed.
It now seems Martinez’s first item of business as a member of the brand is to take out Blackheart for good.
Don’t miss this explosive match on NXT this Wednesday at 8/7 C on USA Network!
Imperium returns to action tonight
The era of Imperium continues as the NXT Tag Team Champions return to action tonight on the black-and-gold brand.
Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel dispatched their last challenge from Breezango in a chaotic tag team match that saw Indus Sher and Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan create a brawl outside the ring. Will one of those tandems step up to the titleholders, or will a new force emerge within the division?
Find out on NXT, tonight at 8/7 C on USA!
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott and Jake Atlas collide in pivotal Cruiserweight matchup
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott made a very good point on the most recent edition of WWE 205 Live: He is the only Superstar to defeat Santos Escobar since the leader of Legado del Fantasma debuted in WWE.
Granted it was when Escobar was competing as El Hijo del Fantasma and before he recruited Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza to watch his back, but “Swerve” nevertheless made quite the impression in the seesaw battle and is targeting a title bout with the NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
He’ll have a chance to strengthen his case tonight on NXT when he clashes with Jake Atlas, who came just one win away from competing for the NXT Cruiserweight Title during a recent eight-man tournament to determine a new champion, though he was defeated by Drake Maverick in a Triple Threat Match that also included Kushida. Now, Atlas is looking to reenter the title picture.
Which Superstar will claim a pivotal victory? Find out on NXT tonight at 8/7 C!
