WWE NXT
Episode 503
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: April 24, 2019
Event Date: April 10, 2019
(available on the WWE Network)
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Video
Tonight, NXT Champ Johnny Gargano returns to action as he takes on Roderick Strong.
Intro Video
“All Out Life” by Slipknot
Match 1
Jaxson Ryker w/ Wesley Blake, Steve Cutler vs Humberto Carrillo
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Humberto Carrillo wins via DQ when Jaxson Ryker continues to attack Carrillo outside the ring
Time: 2:59
Match Thoughts
This was pretty good, but it was also pretty short. Carrillo started very strong, then Ryker took over. The fight became a one-sided beating as Ryker took the fight outside the ring and into the crowd. The referee eventually had to stop the match since Ryker continued to get further and further away from the ring.
Ring Area
After the match, Ryker continues to beat up Carrillo. Quickly, Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan run out and fight back against the Forgotten Sons. A brief brawl ends in a standoff and Burch and Lorcan wield chairs and the Forgotten Sons stand back. Ryker wants to fight some more, but Blake and Cutler hold him back.
Backstage
Adam Cole is asked some questions during a photo shoot. Cole seems frustrated that Roderick Strong is facing Gargano tonight instead of himself.
Matt Riddle, waiting his turn to take some photos, thinks Cole is funny. Riddle thinks it’s hilarious how jealous Cole is. Cole gets angry, so Riddle asks Cole what he’s going to do about it. Cole has better things to do, so he leaves. With Cole gone, Riddle poses.
Match 2
Aliyah & Vanessa Borne vs Candice LeRae & Kacy Catanzaro
(referee: Tom Castor)
Result: Candice LeRae pins Vanessa Borne after a springboard moonsault
Time: 4:26
Match Thoughts
This was a fun match. Catanzaro started for her team, and she showed off her unique set of skills with a strong start. Catanzaro began to get overwhelmed by Borne and Aliyah’s teamwork, but a tag to Candice LeRae changed the momentum of the match. This was simple, but it was a good tag match for everyone involved.
Backstage
Cathy Kelley asks Io Shirai about Shayna Baszler’s attack last week. Shirai begins to say she will get revenge, but Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke attack her from behind. Baszler comes in and puts Shirai down.
Video
A brief look at KUSHIDA including clips of his NXT contract signing.
Backstage
William Regal is incredibly excited to have KUSHIDA in NXT. Kassius Ohno walks into Regal’s office. Ohno congratulates Regal on signing KUSHIDA. Ohno suggests that maybe he should have a match with KUSHIDA. Regal thinks that’s an excellent idea, so the match will happen next week.
Match 3
Street Profits vs War Raiders (NXT Tag Champs)
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Rowe pins Montez Ford after Thor’s Hammer
Time: 5:45
Match Thoughts
Very good match! The Street Profits had a great plan of attack that started before the opening bell. The Street Profits nearly won this match in seconds, and I would’ve been fine with that. However, after a fantastic start for Ford and Dawkins, the War Raiders used their size and strength to slow the match to a halt and take over control. The Street Profits fought exceptionally well, and Ford in particular stood out, but the champs are hard to beat when the odds are even. I really enjoyed this match and hope it’s a sign of good things to come for the Street Profits.
Backstage
The Undisputed Era talks about stuff.
Backstage
Johnny Gargano prepares for his match.
Backstage
Mia Yim says Shayna Baszler seems unstoppable. However, Yim learned a lot about herself and Shayna during their match against each other, and she thinks she deserves another chance to stop the unstoppable champ.
Match 4
Johnny Gargano (NXT Champ) vs Roderick Strong
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: Johnny Gargano wins via pinfall after a slingshot DDT (and an inadvertent kick from Adam Cole)
Time: 13:38
Match Thoughts
Very good match. I knew this would be a good match between these two guys, and they didn’t disappoint. In the last few minutes, Adam Cole came to the ring followed by Fish and O’Reilly. That stated some shenanigans that also involved Matt Riddle coming down to try to even the odds a bit for Gargano. The stuff towards the end of the match made the finish in the ring more of a storyline finish than anything else, but it was still interesting and well done.
Ring Area
After the match, Matt Riddle and Johnny Gargano leave. The Undisputed Era discusses things in the ring for a moment until Strong leaves. Strong seems like he’s okay with everyone, but he walks ahead of everyone else as the Undisputed Era leaves the ring area.
Show Impressions
This was a very good show. I quite enjoyed everything tonight, especially the second half of the show.
Match of the Night
Street Proifits vs War Raiders
I think the surprising and exciting actions of the Street Profits helped make this my favorite match of the night. I really enjoyed the main event as well, but the story-based miscommunication and distraction-laced finish left me feeling like I would rewatch the tag match before the main event.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2019-04-24