WWE NXT
Episode 527
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: September 25, 2019
Event Date: September 25, 2019
(first hour aired live on USA, second hour aired live on the WWE Network)
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Beth Phoenix
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Video
Last week, NXT had its premiere on the USA network.
Ring Area
The Undisputed Era holds up all their gold as the look over Full Sail Arena.
Match 1
Keith Lee vs Dominik Dijakovic
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Keith Lee wins via pinfall after a fireman’s carry dropped into a powerslam
Time: 9:14 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Great match. These guys know how big they are, but they don’t care. There were dives, flips, and more power moves than any person should be able to handle. This wasn’t the fastest match, but it was loads of fun to watch. I could watch Lee versus Dijakovic over and over again and still not get tired of it.
Backstage
Matt Riddle warms up for his match tonight.
Video
The Street Profits are looking forward to reclaiming the NXT Tag Titles next week.
Match 2
Dakota Kai vs Taynara
(referee: DA Brewer)
Result: Dakota Kai wins via pinfall after GTK (Go To Kick)
Time: 2:43
Match Thoughts
This was fun. Taynara dominated the first part of the match with a lot of kicks, and that helped make Dakota’s series of kicks later in the match feel even more satisfying. This was a good return match for Kai.
Ring Area
Cathy Kelley announces that William Regal has announced that three members of Imperium will face KUSHIDA and two partners of his choosing in hour two of tonight’s show.
Outside the Venue
Killian Dain sits alone before his match.
Match 3
NXT Title Number One Contender Street Fight
Matt Riddle vs Killian Dain
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: Matt Riddle wins via submission with a Fujiwara arm bar
Time: 12:57 (2 breaks)
Match Thoughts
Great match. Riddle and Dain were in a fight, and that fight made its way all around the ringside area. It was violent and at times brutal, and it was highly entertaining. Riddle looked like he was trying to destroy Dain, but Dain did his best to fight back. Dain had some segments where he dominated the match and hurt Riddle, but Riddle kept fighting as hard as he could the entire time. I was very happy with this.
Ring Area
After the match, Adam Cole heads down to the ring. Cole shows off his NXT Title to the winner of the match, but he gets attacked for his efforts. The rest of Undisputed Era quickly runs down to the ring to save Cole, and the new number one contender escapes unscathed.
Match 4
Rhea Ripley vs Kayden Carter
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Rhea Ripley wins via pinfall after Riptide
Time: 2:38
Match Thoughts
Good match. This was an exhibition for Ripley, but Carter had a good showing. Carter (previously known as Lacey Lane) is very agile and maybe flips more then is necessary, but she’s fun to watch. Ripley was dominant tonight though.
Match 5
Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan vs Ever-Rise
(referee: DA Brewer)
Result: Oney Lorcan pins Chase Parker after an assisted hanging DDT
Time: 6:26
Match Thoughts
Good match. Parker and Martel got a lot of offense in this match, and their dirty tricks helped make them look like formidable opponents. However, Burch and Lorcan were able to dominate large sections of the match with their brawling style. This was a good match for both teams. Lorcan and Burch had a strong performance, and Ever-Rise showed that they have potential to do more in the future.
Ring Area
Deonna Purrazzo and Chelsea Green are in the crowd.
Backstage
KUSHIDA prepares or his match.
Match 6
Cameron Grimes vs Raul Mendoza
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Cameron Grimes wins via pinfall after a leaping double stomp
Time: 7:26
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Mendoza looked great tonight, and he seemed to surprise Grimes throughout the entire match. Mendoza had a stronger performance than Grimes, but Grimes is apparently only ever one move away from a win. Grimes didn’t look bad, but Mendoza was throwing out tons of great moves and a lot of smart wrestling.
Backstage
Imperium discusses their upcoming match.
Match 7
KUSHIDA & Breezango vs Alexander Wolfe & Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: KUSHIDA pins Marcel Barthel with a bridging O’Connor Roll
Time: 11:09
Match Thoughts
Very good match. KUSHIDA and Breezango make a super fun team. They started strong, but Imperium managed to isolate and utterly dominate Tyler Breeze for a very long time in the middle of the match. Fandango got a tag, and the match started to break down. This was fun from bell to bell.
Ring Area
After the match, KUSHIDA walks up the ramp only to be met by a boot from Walter. KUSHIDA goes down, and the entirety of Imperium poses above him.
Show Impressions
This was an entertaining show. The live aspect definitely makes the shows feel more important and exciting. I also like the balance of big matches and upcoming talent development so far. The two hours seem to work well. I assume the show will feel a little different when they go to two full hours on USA. For now with the show split between USA and the WWE Network, the bigger main event has been placed in the middle of the show. I kind of like that feeling though, so hopefully they’ll still keep a big match at the end of each hour.
Match of the Night
Matt Riddle vs Killian Dain
This was a tough decision between this match and Lee versus Dijakovic. Both were great, and both deserve to be the match of the night.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2019-09-25