WWE NXT
Episode 535
Original Air Date: November 20, 2019
Event Date: November 20, 2019
(aired live on USA)
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, Beth Phoenix
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Backstage
William Regal waits outside a door. The door opens and Becky Lynch emerges. Regal smiles as lynch walks past him and heads out to the ring area.
Ring Area
The RAW Women’s Champ, Becky Lynch, heads to the ring. She’s says it’s been a while, but she’s here in NXT to kick someone’s ass. Lynch talks about Bayley, saying she’s destroyed all her Bayley Buddies except for the one with blue hair who is holding her back. Lynch then moves on to Shayna Baszler, saying she doesn’t need to hide in the shadows and behind her friends like Shayna does. Becky invites Shayna to the ring, but Rhea Ripley comes out instead.
Ripley walks up to The Man and wants to know if she has a set of balls.
Match 1
Becky Lynch (RAW Women’s Champ) vs Rhea Ripley
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: the match ends in a No Contest when Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir attack both competitors
Time: 5:51 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was a good match, but unfortunately, like most of the big matches these past few weeks, interference cut it short. Baszler, Duke, and Shafir attacked both Lynch and Ripley, so this ended up being buildup for both WarGames and the champ vs champ vs champ match at Survivor Series. It’s too bad we didn’t get a real match here. This could have been really good (and what we did see was fun).
Ring Area
After the match, Baszler, Duke, and Shafir continue to attack Lynch and Ripley. Duke and Shafir hold up Ripley for an attack from Baszler, but Lynch kicks Baszler out of the ring. Lynch and Ripley then take down Duke and Shafir. Lynch and Ripley stand tall in the ring together as the segment ends.
Outside the Venue
The Revival shows up at Full Sail.
Video
A look at the NXT UK Women’s Champ, Kay Lee Ray.
Ring Area
Kona Reeves heads to the ring for a match. As he gets to ringside, Reeves is dropkicked by Ricochet. As Ricochet stands in the ring, Reeves’s scheduled opponent, Matt Riddle, heads to the ring.
Match 2
Ricochet vs Matt Riddle
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Matt Riddle wins via pinfall with a crucifix pin
Time: 3:46
Match Thoughts
Good match, but it was kept very short because I expect there’s a lot to get to on tonight’s episode. The action was a ton of fun. I just wish it was lounger. At least the attempted interference from Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura didn’t turn the finish into a DQ or No Contest.
Ring Area
Immediately after the match, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura rush into the ring. Cesaro and Nakamura get a quick advantage, but Ricochet and Riddle fight back. Ricochet dives off the ropes and over the barricade into the crowd area to take down Cesaro. Nakamura sets up Riddle for Kinshasa in the ring, but Roderick Strong attacks Nakamura before he can strike. Riddle quickly kicks Strong in the head then Balor runs in and attacks Riddle. Riddle and Balor brawl until a knee strike from Riddle sends Balor out to the floor.
Video
A look at the feud between Killian Dain, Pete Dunne, and Damian Priest. They’ll have a triple threat match at WarGames for a title shot against Adam Cole at Survivor Series.
Backstage
Adam Cole watches as Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly warm up.
Match 3
The Revival vs Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly (NXT Tag Champs)
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
Result: Kyle O’Reilly pins Scott Dawson after Total Elimination
Time: 17:58 (2 breaks)
Match Thoughts
Great match! This was a masterclass of tag team wrestling. It was like The Revival had never left NXT. Both teams played to their incredible strengths as tag teams, and that made for an extremely entertaining match. Plus, there was absolutely no interference from anyone from any brand. It was great!
Outside the Venue
The Forgotten Sons and the Viking Raiders scuffle while security tries to keep them apart.
Video
A look at the buildup for the women’s WarGames match set to “I Disagree” from Poppy.
Match 4
Kay Lee Ray (NXT UK Women’s Champ) vs Dakota Kai
(referee: DA Brewer)
Result: Kay Lee Ray wins via pinfall after a Gory bomb
Time: 5:38
Match Thoughts
Good match. It felt like Kai had a lot to prove in this match after being left out of WarGames, and she started of very strong. Kai unleashed an assault on KLR that almost got Kai a quick won. KLR survived though, and the two women went on to have a nice back and forth battle. There were some big slams from KLR and some rough kicks from Kai. This was a good match from both women.
Ring Area
After the match, Carmella moonwalks on the apron while Kay Lee Ray looks confused. From behind, Dana Brooke, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville attack both KLR and Dakota Kai. Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, Rhea Ripley, Tegan Nox, Candice LeRae, and Mia Yim run in to help KLR and Kai. Then Sarah Logan and Kairi Sane from RAW run in to join the fight.
After Kairi hits Tegan Nox with the Insane Elbow, Kairi and Io Shirai come face to face in the center of the ring. Meanwhile, Nikki Cross from SmackDown has joined the brawl at ringside and is smashing everyone with a garbage can lid. Nikki rolls into the ring and clears everyone else out to the floor.
Backstage
Tommaso Ciampa and Keith Lee watch Dominik Dijakovik kick and smash the air.
Match 5
Viking Raiders (RAW Tag Champs) vs Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake w/ Jaxson Ryker
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Erik pins Steve Cutler after the Viking Experience
Time: 8:44 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. The Forgotten Sons put up a surprisingly good fight against the Raiders, but the RAW tag champs were dominant throughout a good portion of the match. Still, there were some nice tag moves from Cutler and Blake, and they made good opponents for Erik and Ivar.
Ring Area
From the balcony, Cathy Kelley talks about the triple threat match between Dunn, Dain, and Priest to determine a contender for Cole’s NXT Title at Survivor Series.
Video
Adam Cole talks about defending his title at Survivor Series. Cole says the run he’s on cannot be stopped.
Backstage
Adam Cole paces in front of the rest of Undisputed Era.
Video
A look at the history (and the rules) of WarGames in NXT.
Match 6
Ladder Match
Dominik Dijakovic vs Adam Cole (NXT Champ)
(referees: Drake Wuertz, DA Brewer, Darryl Sharma, Jessika Carr; stipulation: the winner’s team will get the entry advantage at WarGames)
Result: Adam Cole wins after knocking Dijakovic off the ladder and onto another ladder
Time: 8:00 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. It felt somewhat short for a ladder match, but it was quite good regardless. Both men took some rough-looking falls, but Cole was the smarter man tonight. Cole’s plan of attack paid off throughout the match, and it was a lot of fun to watch.
Ring Area
After the match, the rest of Undisputed Era comes out to join Adam Cole. Members of the SmackDown roster (Cesaro, Nakamura, and The Revival) block their path down the ramp though. From the stage behind Strong, Fish, and O’Reilly come the Viking Raiders, The Street Profits, and Zack Ryder from RAW. Naturally, a brawl breaks out on the ramp. As everyone fights, Bronson Reed and Breezango join the fray.
Back in the ring, Drew McIntyre slides in and hits Dijakovic with the Claymore Kick. Keith Lee hits McIntyre with a sit-out powerbomb. Ivar gets into the ring, but instead of attacking Lee, Ivar and Lee dive out onto everyone at ringside. Adam Cole is left alone in the ring, but Seth Rollins joins him and kicks Cole in the face. Rollins prepares to stomp Cole, but Tommaso Ciampa comes out and slowly walks to the ring. Before entering the ring, Ciampa takes the time to hit Cole with a running knee strike. Ciampa then enters the ring where he and Rollins brawl until the show goes off the air.
Show Impressions
This was a very entertaining show. All of the “surprise” appearances became less and less surprising as the night went on, but they were still fun. I’m really glad that a lot of the RAW and SmackDown arrivals didn’t affect too many of the match outcomes (which is a huge difference from the fun but frustrating episode of RAW this past Monday).
Match of the Night
Undisputed Era vs The Revival
I loved it.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2019-11-20