WWE NXT
Episode 529
#WWENXT
Original Air Date: October 9, 2019
Event Date: October 9, 2019
(aired live on USA)
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Beth Phoenix
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Video
Last week, Finn Balor and Tommaso Ciampa both returned to NXT and confronted Adam Cole.
Match 1
NXT Cruiserweight Title Match
Lio Rush vs Drew Gulak (Cruiserweight Champ)
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Lio Rush wins via pinfall after the Final Hour
Time: 8:06 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Rush, naturally, started quickly as both men immediately came together in the middle o the ring as the match started. Rush continued to use his quick offense to overwhelm Gulak, but Gulak managed to slow the match down after the opening rush. Gulak did well on the mat, but he seemed to think he needed to reach outside of his normal arsenal at times. Gulak attempted some moves up on the turnbuckles to varying effect, but that also opened the door for Rush to come back into the lead. This was a fun match, and it completes a welcome return to action for Lio Rush.
Ring Area
After the match, William Regal presents Rush with the Cruiserweight Title. Gulak gets back into the ring and interrupts the proceedings. Gulak takes the title and stares at Rush for a few seconds. He then thrusts the title towards Rush. Gulak shakes Rush’s hand and walks away.
Backstage
KUSHIDA warms up for his match with Breezango.
Backstage
Walter prepares for his match as the rest of Imperium looks on.
Video
A look at Finn Balor.
Video
A brief chronicle of Tegan Nox’s struggles to return from injury.
Backstage
Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai smile.
Match 2
Rhea Ripley vs Aliyah w/ Vanessa Borne
(referee: DA Brewer)
Result: Rhea Ripley wins via submission with a modified reverse scorpion deathlock
Time: 1:22
Match Thoughts
Squash. Rhea looked incredibly strong tossing Aliyah around in the finish of the match.
Ring Area
After the match. Ripley says there is no doubt that Shayna Baszler is the most dominant NXT Women’s Champ in history, but Rhea is coming for her.
Ring Area
Breezango heads to the ring in a new “hot construction worker” gimmick. They’re prepared to face Ever-Rise, but Jaxson Ryker walks out carrying both unconscious members of Ever-Rise. Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake join their forgotten brother, and a new match is made.
Match 3
Breezango vs Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake w/ Jaxson Ryker
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Steve Cutler pins Fandango after a tandem reverse DDT (Blake) and diving stomp (Cutler)
Time: 3:40
Match Thoughts
Breezango wasn’t ready for this match. The trio of the Forgotten Sons dominated the match. This was hardly a fair fight (the referee even saw Ryker’s attacks at ringside and did nothing). As a match, it was completely one-sided. This felt like it was more for storytelling purposes than for it to be a good match.
Video
Keith Lee will give Dominik Dijakovic no choice but to bask in his glory.
Match 4
Boa vs Cameron Grimes
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Cameron Grimes wins via pinfall after a double stomp
Time: 0:10
Match Thoughts
A one-move squash. I can’t say I’m entertained with how they’re currently building up Grimes. I like him fine, but these instant squashes are boring.
Ring Area
After the match, Grimes slides out of the ring as Killian Dain enters. Dain stares at Grimes as he walks away. With Grimes gone, Dain attacks Boa and hits him with two Vader bombs. Dain then takes Boa and slams him on the commentary table.
Video
Damian Priest (sort of) explains why he attacked Pete Dunne.
Backstage
The rest of Undisputed Era pumps up Roderick Strong before he heads to the ring.
Match 5
Roderick Strong (NA Champ) vs Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: Roderick Strong wins via submission with the Strong Hold
Time: 8:23 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Strong seemed to take Swerve lightly at first, and Swerve made him pay for it. Swerve had some extremely lengthy strings of offense late in the match. Strong was just getting beaten up with no real comeback. The Undisputed Era made their presence known, and even though they didn’t get involved, their arrival signaled a switch in the action. This was a very good match for Swerve. Really, it was good for both men, but it definitely helped Swerve look very strong against a current champ.
Ring Area
After the match, the rest of Undisputed Era gets in the ring to celebrate with Strong. Cole gets on the mic and talks about people coming to NXT and trying to prove something by taking on the Undisputed Era. Defeating the Undisputed Era is a dream that is never going to happen.
With the word “dream” spoken, The Velveteen Dream arrives. From the balcony, Dream shows a picture of Strong posing “nude” with the North American Title. Dream says that in his next match with Strong, Strong will find out that he just doesn’t measure up. The picture on the screen changes, showing a tiny blurred out spot where the North American Title was previously covering Strong’s crotch.
As Roddy yells up at Dream, Tommaso Ciampa comes out and slowly walks to the ring. the Undisputed Era leaves the ring. Ciampa sits down in the ring and tells Goldie that “daddy’s home.”
Video
A look at the buildup to the match between Walter and KUSHIDA later tonight.
Backstage
Cathy Kelley waits for Tommaso Ciampa to get a word from him, but Angel Garza wants Cathy’s time instead. Kelley walks past Garza. Garza is astounded that Kelley would rather talk to Ciampa than to him. Ciampa knocks Garza down and walks away.
Match 6
Dakota Kai vs Bianca Belair
(referee: DA Brewer)
Result: Bianca Belair wins via pinfall after the KOD
Time: 6:42 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Belair came into the match confident as always, but some early kicks from Kai made Belair take the match more seriously. This was a good back and forth fight, though it felt like Belair’s match to lose. Kai brought the kicks, but it felt like Belair could win at almost any moment if she could just string together a few big moves.
Ring Area
After the match, Bianca Belair says that if Rhea Ripley wants to chase Shayna Baszler, then Ripley has to go through Belair first.
Video
Dominik Dijakovic knows Keith Lee’s limits.
Video
A brief look at the longest reigning NXT Champ and the first-ever Universal Champ, Finn Balor.
Video
Pete Dunne understands why Damian Priest attacked him, but he won’t let Priest make a name on him.
Match 7
KUSHIDA vs Walter (UK Champ)
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: Walter wins via pinfall after a ripcord lariat
Time: 13:18 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Great match! Walter overpowered KUSHIDA at first, but Walter’s advantages were largely kept at bay by KUSHIDA’s smart and relentless attacks. KUSHIDA made this feel like a title match, and he forced Walter to adjust to KUSHIDA’s varied mat wrestling and high flying. Walter was in serious trouble a few times throughout the match, and it really felt like Walter might lose even well before the finish. This was a ton of fun to watch, and I’d love to see it again.
Show Impressions
I liked this show. I think the middle portions bogged down somewhat with three matches in a row that were pretty much squashes, but the opening match and the final three matches built up to a very good finish to the night.
Match of the Night
KUSHIDA vs Walter
I thought the Crusierweight Title match might win the night for me, but tonight’s main event was great!
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2019-10-09