WWE NXT
Episode 449
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: May 16, 2018
Event Date: May 9, 2018
(available on the WWE Network)
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Kayla Braxton
Intro Video
“Resistance” by Powerflo
Ring Area
Johnny Gargano’s music plays, but Tommaso Ciampa comes out to the stage. Ciampa heads to the ring saying that Gargano might have won the battle, but Ciampa always wins the war. That’s why Gargano is at home wearing a neck brace. He says that Johnny Wrestling is gone.
Candice LeRae heads to the ring. She takes the mic from Ciampa and asks him who he is. She doesn’t recognize what Ciampa has become. Why is he so obsessed with destroying her and Gargano’s lives? She’s done with Ciampa. And though Gargano’s future is uncertain, Ciampa will have to live with knowing that Gargano is better than him.
Ciampa says Gargano isn’t half the man he is. That’s why he sent his wife to confront Ciampa. He says LeRae is more of a man than Gargano. Ciampa continues to talk, so LeRae slaps him. Ciampa laughs and leaves the ring.
Match 1
Brandi Lauren vs Lacey Evans
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Lacey Evans wins via pinfall after a Woman’s Right
Time: 1:23
Match Thoughts
Squash. Evans hit a nice moonsault though.
Ring Area
As Lacey Evans makes her way up to the stage, Kairi Sane attacks her. Kairi takes Evans back to the ring and sets her up for an elbow drop, but Evans rolls out of the ring and escapes.
Outside the Venue
Aleister Black isn’t worries about Velveteen Dream, and he would welcome a challenge from Ricochet.
Outside the Venue
Dakota Kai answers some questions, but she doesn’t know what’s going on with Nikki Cross. Cross shows up and has some questions for Kai. Cross grabs Kai by the hair and laughs before walking away.
Match 2
Velveteen Dream vs Ricochet
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: the match ends in a No Contest when Lars Sullivan attacks
Time: 3:43
Match Thoughts
This was great up until it was cut short. It’s not a surprise that they would delay a full Dream/Ricochet match. That sounds more like a Takeover match anyway, and, considering what we saw here, it could be a great one.
Ring Area
Lars Sullivan continues his attack after the match. Sullivan stands tall as the segment ends.
Match 3
Raul Mendoza vs Kona Reeves
(referee: Tom Castor)
Result: Kona Reeves wins via pinfall with the Hawaiian Drop
Time: 3:47
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. Mendoza put up a nice fight and looked good in the match, but it was no surprise who the winner would be. I think Mendoza helped make Reeves look good here.
Backstage
Cathy Kelley tries to get a word from Ricochet outside of William Regal’s office. Dream walks up. He wants to speak to Regal too, because they both want Lars Sullivan. Dream and Ricochet enter William Regal’s office together.
Backstage
Earlier today, Heavy Machinery were talking about food. TM61 laugh at Tucker and Otis, so Heavy Machinery challenges TM61 to a match next week.
Match 4
Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan & Pete Dunne (UK Champ) vs Adam Cole (NA Champ) & Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly (NXT Tag Champs)
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Danny Burch pins Kyle O’Reilly after a tandem wheelbarrow DDT (with Lorcan)
Time: 11:24
Match Thoughts
Great match. The big story going in seemed to be Dunne versus Strong which they teased in the match, but the story transitioned nicely into also being about Lorcan and Burch challenging the tag champs. Everyone looked great here, with Burch and Lorcan putting on a great show towards the end of the match. This one match got me excited for a lot of possibilities.
Show Impressions
The earlier matches were all meant to build on something (either a character or a feud), but the main event was worth the wait. I’m not into the Sullivan versus Dream and Ricochet thing, but other than that I liked the show.
Match of the Night
Six Man Tag
Easily the best match of the night and possibly the match of the week.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2018-05-16