WWE NXT
Episode 488
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: January 23, 2018
Event Date: January 2, 2019
(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
Outside the Venue
A few moments ago, Ricochet arrived at the venue.
Ring Area
Velveteen Dream heads to the ring. The Dream has a sparkle in his eye and something in his sights tonight. He’s looking at the North American Title. Dream continues, but the Undisputed Era interrupts.
Adam Cole and Bobby Fish head to the ring. Cole says that 2019 is the year of Undisputed Era. Soon, very very soon, Cole and Fish will have gold around their waists. Dream can continue to dream on. Fish tells Dream he should be ashamed for getting people’s hopes up. Dream needs to learn to live in reality.
Dream disputes Fish’s claim. Fish and Cole attack, but Dream escapes unharmed.
Video
Buildup for the women’s title match between Baszler and Belair at Takeover: Phoenix.
Match 1
Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan vs Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Oney Lorcan pins Fabian Aichner with a schoolboy
Time: 4:48
Match Thoughts
Very god match. This was practically a tornado tag match. Both teams took the fight to the other team, and the pace was extremely high throughout. Everyone hit really hard, and everyone got hit really hard. Aichner stood out with his combination of strength and flying, but all four men looked great. I think this match should happen again.
Video
Buildup for the NXT Title match between Tommaso Ciampa and Aleister Black.
Match 2
Tanea Brooks & Amber Nova vs Io Shirai & Kairi Sane
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Kairi Sane pins Tanea Brooks after an assisted elbow drop (Sane) and an assisted moonsault (Shirai)
Time: 2:52
Match Thoughts
This was a complete squash, but it was fun to see Sane and Shirai teaming up.
Outside the Venue
Moments ago, Kairi Sane and Io Shirai said they are best friends, and they are going to take care of business as a tag team. Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir walk up and tells Sane and Shirai to enjoy themselves while they can.
Match 3
Velveteen Dream vs Bobby Fish w/ Adam Cole
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Velveteen Dream wins via pinfall after the Purple Rainmaker
Time: 8:30
Match Thoughts
Good match. Dream not only had to contend with Bobby Fish, but Adam Cole was a repeated nuisance at ringside. The match was good, and the last few minutes were particularly interesting. The counters and drama towards the end of the match were fun.
Outside the Venue
Johnny Gargano walks towards Full Sail.
Ring Area
Ricochet heads to the ring. He says Johnny Gargano showed the world his true colors as a liar in 2018, and he’s no different now. Ricochet also showed his true colors in 2018 when he won the North American Championship. Johnny Gargano heads to the ring.
Gargano says if this were 2018, he would probably rush the ring. But in 2019, Gargano always has a plan. Apparently that plan is to walk to the ring and attack Ricochet, because that’s what he does. Ricochet fights off Gargano, but Tommaso Ciampa attacks Ricochet from behind. Gargano looks at Ciampa, then Gargano attacks Ricochet at ringside.
Ciampa watches the brawl, but as he does he is attacked by Aleister Black. Black beats on Ciampa until Gargano enters the ring and attacks Black. Ciampa and Gargano look at each other again, then they each attack their own opponents at Takeover.
After the brawls are done, Ciampa and Gargano each leave the ring. They stare at each other as they slowly walk up the ramp. On the stage, Ciampa holds his hand out to Gargano. Before Gargano can react, Candice LeRae stops Johnny and backs him of the stage.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. It didn’t feel particularly important, but it was still fun to watch. It felt like it was planting seeds for the most part.
Match of the Night
Velveteen Dream vs Bobby Fish
I liked the opening tag match a lot too, but there was more to the main event. I liked the brief buildup to it as well.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2019-01-23