WWE NXT
Episode 481
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: December 5, 2018
Event Date: November 28, 2018
(available on the WWE Network)
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Ring Announcer: Kayla Braxton
Intro Video
“Resistance” by Powerflo
Match 1
Matt Riddle vs Punishment Martinez
(referee: DA Brewer)
Result: Matt Riddle wins via submission with the Bromission
Time: 3:08
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. It was very short, but it was an alright debut for Punishment Martinez (and an alright exhibition for Riddle). I wasnt a fan of Martinez in ROH, but maybe things will be different in NXT. This match didn’t indicate that they would be, but hopefully I’ll like him more here in NXT.
Ring Area
After the match, Matt Riddle celebrates as he walks up the ramp. Riddle turns to face the crowd, unaware that Kassius Ohno has come out to the stage. Riddle turns around and takes an elbow to the face. Riddle goes down, and Ohno walks away.
Video
A highlight reels of Ricochet.
Outside the Venue
Ricochet didn’t come to NXT just to be a highlight reel, he came here to win. He says he’s done well so far, but he wants to issue an open challenge next week.
Video
Heavy Machinery works out. They also say that they’ve gotten better as a team over the last year. With that in mind, they want a shot at the tag titles.
Match 2
Humberto Carrillo & Raul Mendoza vs Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake w/ Jaxson Ryker
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Steve Cutler pins Humberto Carrillo after a tandem inverted DDT (Blake) and diving stomp (Cutler)
Time: 4:50
Match Thoughts
Good match. I’m thoroughly enjoying the team of Carrillo and Mendoza. They do a lot of fun things in the ring, and they work very, very well together. The Forgotten Sons aren’t bad either. This match had some nice flying by Carrillo and Mendoza, and some fairly brutal brawling from the Forgotten Sons.
Backstage
Cathy Kelley asks Velveteen Dream, “what’s next?” Dream says everyone is still talking about Dream, so he feels like he’s a winner (despite losing to Ciampa). But what’s next? What’s next is Velveteen Dream leaving his interview.
Backstage
The Undisputed Era is looking forward to next week. Bobby Fish issues a warning to EC3. Undisputed Era are sharks, and they’ve already bitten EC3 once. Strong and O’Reilly wonder if there are any tag teams that can compete with them. Cole says this is their era, and that is undisputed.
Match 3
Dakota Kai vs Shayna Baszler (NXT Women’s Champ) w/ Jessamyn Duke, Marina Shafir
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Shayna Baszler wins via submission with the Kirifuda Clutch
Time: 6:04
Match Thoughts
Very good match. I think this was easily the best Kai/Baszler match. Basler took Kai lightly at first and even went for the stomp that previously put Kai out of action, but Kai surprised Baszler with many, many kicks. It was an uphill battle for Kai, but she looked very good against the champ. In another few months it might even feel like Kai could beat Baszler. They got kind of close to that feeling tonight.
Ring Area
After the match, Shafir, Duke, and Baszler stomp Kai. Io Shirai runs down and clears Duke and Shafir from the ring. Baszler tries to fight Shirai, but Shirai knocks Baszler into the corner. Kai goes for a running face wash, but Shafir and Duke pull Baszler out of the ring before Kai can connect. Duke, Shafir, and Bazler walk away.
Video
A promo for Dijakovic. Feast your eyes.
Ring Area
Tommaso Ciampa heads to the ring. Ciampa says he is once again the MVP of NXT after Takeover. He turned the Dream into a nightmare, but the people still don’t believe in Ciampa. Ciampa says his NXT title reign will go down in history as the greatest title reign. Aleister Black interrupts and heads to the ring.
Aleister Black says he absolved Johnny Gargano of his sins at Takeover, sins that Ciampa created. Black says Ciampa isn’t really a champ. Black only sees sin, sin that Black will absolve when he invokes his rematch clause at Takeover: Phoenix. Johnny Gargano interrupts and heads to the ring.
Gargano says Black is getting ahead of himself. Gargano isn’t finished with Black, and it’s only over when Gargano says it’s over.
Ciampa loves “Johnny Bad Ass.” Ciampa knows that Gargano can’t let things go once he’s fixated, and Gargano is fixated on Black right now. Ciampa thinks Gargano and Black should have been in a cage at WarGames. That’s how Ciampa would want to finish this, in a cage. Black and Gargano seem to like that idea, and so does the crowd.
Gargano issues the challenge. Black begins to get angry. He says he showed Gargano mercy at Takeover, but he will fight Gargano anywhere. Gargano continues to talk. Black goes for a kick, but Gargano evades and ducks out of the ring. Black kicks Ciampa instead. Gargano walks up the ramp as the show ends.
Show Impressions
This was a very entertaining show. The matches were good, and the final segment was very exciting. Ciampa, Gargano, and Black are great at everything.
Match of the Night
Dakota Kai vs Shayna Baszler
I’d watch this again. I really enjoyed it, and I like what it says about the NXT women’s division.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2018-12-05