WWE NXT
Episode 516
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: July 17, 2019
Event Date: June 12 & 13, 2019
(available on the WWE Network)
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Beth Phoenix
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Intro Video
“All Out Life” by Slipknot
Match 1
Matt Riddle vs Arturo Ruas
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Matt Riddle wins via referee stoppage after a series of strikes
Time: 3:41
Match Thoughts
Good match. This was more of an MMA style match than most any other WWE matches I’ve seen. It was interesting, though I wonder how well this style will be accepted if guys like Riddle and Ruas lean more into this than trying to incorporate this style into a more pro-wrestling way of telling a story.
Ring Area
After the match, Riddle is attacked by a large man in a hoodie. That man is Killian Dain. Dain hits Riddle with sentons before beating him up at ringside. The beating makes its way up to the stage where Dain hits one final senton that breaks a portion of the stage and sends both men crashing through to the floor. Dain walks away as Riddle is attended to by referees.
Backstage
The Street Profits don’t appreciate being disrespected by Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish. Dawkins tells O’Reilly and Fish that if they want a fight, then the Street profits will fight, and they’ll remain the tag champs.
Video
Last Saturday, Mia Yim attacked Marina Shafir in a parking lot.
Match 2
NXT Breakout Tournament First Round Match
Dexter Lumis vs Bronson Reed
(referee: DA Brewer)
Result: Bronson Reed wins via pinfall after a diving splash
Time: 5:52
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. I didn’t really care for what Lumis was doing, but I liked Reed. To me, Lumis seemed more concerned with posing for his serial killer gimmick than wrestling. He’s a strong guy, but he didn’t do much for me in this match. Reed. Was fun to watch though, so hopefully we’ll see more from him.
Backstage
Earlier today, Cathy Kelley asked Tyler Breeze how he is going to bounce back from his loss to Roderick Strong. As he tries to answer, the Forgotten Sons interrupt him. The Sons mock Breeze and say he’s never seen a man like Jaxson Ryker before. Says says he’s seen everything, then he walks away.
Match 3
KUSHIDA vs Apollo Crews
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: KUSHIDA wins via submission with the Sakuraba Lock
Time: 10:45
Match Thoughts
Very good match. KUSHIDA had trouble with Apollo’s size and strength early in the match, but KUSHIDA was steadily working towards his Sakuraba/Hoverboard Lock submission throughout the entire match. This was back and forth, and the two men’s styles matched up really well to give us a very fun match.
Backstage
Earlier today, Cathy Kelley asked Keith Lee what he thinks about his tenure in NXT. Lee thinks about the opportunities he was promised but that passed him by in his first year in NXT. Lee decides to create his own opportunity by taking on Damian Priest.
Ring Area
Adam Cole heads to the ring. Cole talks about his travels on the “Bay Bay Championship Tour.” Cole has showed everyone what a true champion is, and while he’s been gone, the rest of the Undisputed Era has taken care of business. Now that Cole is back, he’s ready to defend his NXT Title. His opponent tonight will be Twan Tucker, one of the men who Johnny Gargano visited when he was champ.
Twan Tucker heads to the ring, but he didn’t come alone. Johnny Gargano runs to the ring and attacks Cole. Gargano chases Cole through the crowd as he continues to beat on the champ. The fight makes its way to the side of the sage where referees separate the two men. Gargano leaps off the stage onto Cole to continue the fight.
They fight into the ring where Gargano kicks Cole and puts him in the Gargano Escape. Gargano eventually releases Cole after four referees try to pry him off.
Show Impressions
This was a pretty good show. Nothing major really happened and the KUSHIDA/Crews match was good, but other than that the show was just entertaining enough.
Match of the Night
KUSHIDA vs Apollo Crews
This was fun. I wonder if Apollo is going to go the route of Tyler Breeze and Killian Dain and return to NXT. I wouldn’t mind that.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2019-07-17