WWE NXT
Episode 498
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: March 27, 2019
Event Date: March 13, 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
Video
Tonight, Ricochet and Aleister Black will face The Forgotten Sons in the finals of the Dusty Classic.
Intro Video
“Resistance” by Powerflo
Ring Area
Adam Cole heads to the ring. Cole asks Johnny Gargano to come down to the ring so he can see in person what he’s in store for at Takeover: New York. Gargano heads to the ring.
The crowd does a dueling chant for Cole and Gargano for what seems like an hour. Cole says he doesn’t need anyone’s support. Gargano says he likes the “Johnny Wrestling” chant. Gargano also wants to hear the one million reasons Cole has for why he’s going to win. Gargano doesn’t let Cole speak. Instead, Gargano continues, saying that Cole will in for the fight of his life at Takeover.
Cole wonders if he’s supposed to be intimidated. He reminds Gargano that he hasn’t won many of his Takeover matches. Cole, on the other hand, has had many great moments at Takeovers. Cole thinks it’s fitting that he’ll be returning to Barclays Center when he beats Gargano and finally becomes the NXT champ.
Gargano says he didn’t get the red carpet treatment like Cole did. Gargano was told “no” in his first tryout. He was told he wasn’t good enough, and he’s heard that repeatedly for fifteen years. Gargano has fought for every chance he’s gotten. He talks about competing in NXT for months without even having a contract. Johnny fights for everyone who has ever been told hat their dream won’t come true. He has earned everything he’s ever gotten. NXT is his life, and he will finally become NXT Champ in New York.
As Cole leaves, he tells Gargano that he can fight all he wants, but Cole will be leaving as champ. Why? Because the NXT Title match will be undisputed (as he says this, Strong, O’Reilly, and Fish come out to the stage).
Match 1
Vanessa Borne & Aliyah vs Lacey Lane & Kacy Catanzaro
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Lane and Catanzaro win via DQ when Baszler and Duke attack
Time: 2:52
Match Thoughts
This was barely a match. It was really just getting started when Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir entered the ring and attacked Catanzaro and Lane (Aliyah and Brone wisely left the ring area when they first saw Baszler and her friends come out).
Ring Area
After the match, Shayna Baszler attempts to put Catanzaro in the Kirifuda Clutch. Kacy avoids it for a moment, but she gets cought by Baszler. Baszler puts Catanzaro to sleep.
Match 2
Matt Riddle vs Kona Reeves
(referee: DA Brewer)
Result: Matt Riddle wins via submission with the Bromission
Time: 3:51
Match Thoughts
Good match. It was short, but Riddle looked good. I like the way he moves and transitions in matches. Also, despite a distraction from Velveteen Dream being carried out to the stage on a couch, Riddle was able to stay focused.
Ring Area
After the match, Velveteen Dream announces Matt Riddle as the winner of the match and the man who gets to face the Dream at Takeover: New York. Riddle walks over to Dream who is still lounging on his couch. Dream offers Riddle a drink from his chalice. Riddle takes it, but he throws the chalice away. Riddle tells Dream he’ll see him in New York, then Riddle walks away. Dream isn’t happy about Riddle tossing his chalice away.
Match 3
Dusty Rhodes Classic Final Match
Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake w/ Jaxson Ryker vs Ricochet & Aleister Black
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Ricochet pins Wesley Blake after the 630 senton
Time: 14:26
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Ricochet and Black started strong as usual, but Blake and Cutler were able to put together some good counters and tandem moves to keep themselves in the fight. It was a close match heading into the final few minutes, but Jaxson Ryker got caught helping his teammates which completely changed the tone of the match. This was fun, and it was a nice finish to the tournament.
Ring Area
After the match, the War Raiders head down to the ring to get face to face with the winners of the Dusty Classic.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. There was some nice buildup for Takeover, and the main event was very good.
Match of the Night
Forgotten Sons vs Ricochet & Aleister Black
Even if I wanted other teams to win throughout the tournament, I was happy with this final match.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2019-03-27