WWE NXT
Episode 484
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: December 26, 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
Video
‘Tis the season for title matches.
Intro Video
“Resistance” by Powerflo
Backstage
Heavy Machinery prepare for their tag title match.
Match 1
Fatal Four Way NXT Women’s Title Number One Contender Match
Io Shirai vs Lacey Evans vs Mia Yim vs Bianca Belair
(referee: Tom Castor)
Result: Bianca Belair pins Lacey Evans after the KOD
Time: 9:14
Match Thoughts
Good match. Shirai and Yim formed an alliance early in the match, and that alliance was never really broken. Evans picked her spots, but Belair capitalized on opportunities the best. This was a fast and fun match where anyone could have won (except maybe Evans since we know she’s moving to the main roster).
Match 2
Mitch Taverna vs Jaxson Ryker w/ Steve Cutler, Wesley Blake
(referee: Chris Sharpe)
Result: Jaxson Ryker wins via pinfall with a slingshot powerbomb
Time: 2:05
Match Thoughts
Squash.
Video
A package promo for Velveteen Dream. If you thought year one was something, year two is going to be something else. Dream on.
Backstage
Tommaso Ciampa feels like a broken record sometimes. Sometimes he feels like a man alone in a room talking to a brick wall. Last week was the proof that someone has been listening. Johnny Gargano listened, and Johnny Gargano followed Ciampa’s lead. Gargano pinned the number one contender, so where does that leave him. Ciampa thinks Gargano should get an opportunity at a different title. Maybe the North American Title.
Ciampa says this is what he and Gargano always dreamed about. They dreamed about the day that DIY would take over NXT. At NXT Takeover, they can both leave as champ. The possibilities are endless.
Match 3
NXT Tag Team Title Match
Heavy Machinery vs Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong (NXT Tag Champs)
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: Roderick Strong pins Otis Dozovic after Total Elimination
Time: 11:33
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Heavy Machinery started strong, but once the Undisputed Era started to work together, it became a test of endurance for Knight and Dozovic. Tucker Knight got isolated first, and Roderick Strong completely changed the complexion of the match by dropping Knight from the apron all the way to the floor with a side suplex. Knight never really recovered from that, and he struggled to finally get a tag to Dozovic. Dozovic did well briefly, but with Knight hurt, Dozovic was in a two-on-one situation. Dozovic fought valiently, but Strong and O’Reilly repeatedly pummeled him until it was just too much.
This was a strong showing for Undisputed Era. Heavy Machinery looked good as well, but since we know they’re headed to the main roster, looking extremely tough in a losing effort was the best we could hope for.
Show Impressions
This was a good way to end the year for NXT. Two good matches with title implications are about all I need to thoroughly enjoy a show.
Match of the Night
Tag Title Match
While it might not have been Undisputed Era’s toughest title defense, it was still very fun to watch.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2018-12-26