WWE NXT
Episode 491
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: February 6, 2019
Event Date: January 30, 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
Ring Area
Johnny Gargano heads to the ring with his newly won North American Title. Gagano is happy. His journey in NXT has been validated by winning the North American Championship. Johnny Wrestling is back.
Tommaso Ciampa comes out to the stage and walks toward ringside. Ciampa is here to celebrate Gargano’s moment. He is proud of Gargano for following the champ’s lead. The two of them own the world. This is their moment. Gargano says this isn’t their moment. Gargano says the NA Title proves that he has never needed Tommaso Ciampa.
Velveteen Dream comes out to the stage. Dream says tonight isn’t about Gargano or Ciampa. Tonight is about the man who stole Takeover: Phoenix by just showing up. As the winner of the World’s Collide Tournament, Dream has his choice of a championship match. Ciampa gets in Dream’s face. Dream tells Ciampa to back up. Dream is done with Ciampa.
Entering the ring, Dream tells Gargano that he chooses him and the North American Title. Gargano tells Dream about the weekend he had when he won the title and then competed in the Royal Rumble. Gargano feels dangerous, and he accepts Dream’s challenge. Dream wonders when the face each other, will Dream be facing Johnny Champion or Johnny Jackass.
Gargano leaves the ring. He looks at Ciampa, and Ciampa just walks away.
Outside the Venue
Earlier today, Drew Gulak arrived at Full Sail.
Match 1
Jaxson Ryker w/ Steve Cutler, Wesley Blake vs Mansoor
(referee: DA Brewer)
Result: Jaxson Ryker wins via pinfall after a sitout chokeslam
Time: 1:31
Match Thoughts
Squash. Jaxson looked strong, but he only did a few moves.
Ring Area
After the match, Ryker attacks Mansoor again. Cutler and Blake back Ryker off and get him to leave the ring.
Backstage
Cathy Kelley wants to get a word with Ricochet, but Adam Cole (with Strong, Fish, and O’Reilly) has some words instead. Cole calls Ricochet a “one trick pony,” and Ricochet doesn’t appreciate that. Cole also says that Ricochet is in the back of the line for the North American Title. Ricochet reminds Cole that he beat Cole for the NA Title, and he suggests that they have a match next week. Cole is looking forward to it.
Match 2
Drew Gulak vs Eric Bugenhagen
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Drew Gulak wins via submission with the GuLock
Time: 2:39
Match Thoughts
Bugenhagen definitely made a big impression with his theatrics, but Gulak made short work of him in this match. I’d be interested to see Bugenhagen wrestle seriously, but tonight was Gulak’s night. This was good for Gulak. It showed his no-nonsense approach and how dangerous his holds can be.
Ring Area
After the match, Drew Gulak says he is unimpressed with the competition that NXT has given him. As the best submission specialist in WWE, he expected a lot more. Matt Riddle comes out to the stage. Riddle suggests that Gulak get out of the ring and NXT, otherwise Riddle is going to make Gulak tap out. Gulak suggests that Riddle should come down to the ring and make him leave. Riddle heads to the ring.
Match 3
Drew Gulak vs Matt Riddle
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Matt Riddle wins via submission with the Bromission
Time: 9:25
Match Thoughts
Great match. As expected, there was a lot of mat and chain wrestling. As the match went on, both men began to hit some big strikes and kicks. This was a pretty brutal match, and it was great! I especially loved the finish.
Ring Area
After the match, Gulak offers his hand to Riddle. The men shake hands and Gulak leaves the ring.
Backstage
Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir prepare for battle.
Match 4
Io Shirai & Kairi Sane & Bianca Belair vs Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir & Shayna Baszler (NXT Women’s Champ)
(referee: Tom Castor)
Result: Io Shirai pins Shayna Baszler after a diving moonsault
Time: 9:23
Match Thoughts
Good match. The team of Duke, Shafir, and Baszler did manage to control much of the match by isolating Kairi Sane, and that led to a fun final few minutes once some tags were made. Belair initially seemed into being partners with Shirai and Sane, but towards the end of the match, Belair definitely wanted to get a pinfall over Baszler herself. Belair kind of did her own thing at the end, and even when the match was over, she didn’t seem too impressed with Shirai and Sane. Shirai and Sane were a ton of fun as always though.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. The first match wasn’t much of anything other than development for Ryker, but the Gulak/Riddle stuff and the main event were very entertaining. I also liked how the opening segment set up what wil be a good match between Dream and Gargano while still maintaining that weird tension between Gargano and Ciampa.
Match of the Night
Drew Gulak vs Matt Riddle
I hope to see more of Gulak on 205 Live. This was great.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2019-02-06