Welcome to WrestlePurists’ Coverage of the October 10th Episode of WWE NXT
Cody Rhodes Announcement
Cody comes out to an absolutely raucous crowd. The crowd chants “yeet.” Cody obliges. He says he never thought he’d be in an NXT ring but that it feels right. He says he spent a lot of time in Florida. He says he indeed has “announcements.” He says at the conclusion of the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament that they will have a men’s version of the tournament. He also announces the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. He then announces that he is the special guest general manager for tonight’s show!
Out comes Ilja Dragunov. Ilja apologizes for interruptung but says he couldn’t help but welcome Cody to NXT. He says he simply wanted to meet the man who is willing to suffer for the WWE Universe. He really puts over Cody here. He says that he wants to do the same thing that Cody has done. Out comes Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley.
Dom says that the NXT Universe is here to see him. The crowd chants “you suck.” He says Ilja doesn’t compare to him. He says the Judgement Day is always leaving Cody laying. Ilja says that nobody wants to hear his voice. He says his father used to work at a prison and that he knows exactly how to turn a barking dog into a sweet little puppy. Dom challenges Ilja to a match for the NXT Championship tonight. Cody asks if Dom is willing to put the NXT North American Title on the line. Rhea says no. Ilja calls tonight a day of celebration. He tells Rhea that he is gonna smash her boy. Cody makes the match official. Dominik Mysterio vs Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Championship! He then announces the special guest referee is going to be LA Knight!! Let’s gooo!!
This was an awesome way to kick off a HUGE show.
Footage of John Cena arriving earlier is shown.
We see the entire roster of NXT camped out in front of a TV watching the show as we get a live report from Kelly Kincaid.
Asuka Defeats Roxanne Perez
Before the match begins, out comes Shotzi Blackheart who joins commentary.
Asuka gave a lot to Perez here. This match was obviously meant to elevate Perez, and Asuka did a very good job doing just that. After some back and forth, Asuka wins via pinfall after a handful of roundhouse kicks.
After the match, Kiana James comes into the ring to attack a vulnerable Roxanne Perez but Shotzi jumps in and takes her out.
Footage of Paul Heyman’s arrival is shown.
In the locker room we see Gallus getting absolutely hyped up for their match. We then see Tyler Bate, Butch and Ridge Holland in a separate locker room also getting ready.
Pub Rules Match: Tyler Bate, Butch & Ridge Holland Defeats Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang)
As Bate, Holland and Butch are coming down, they are jumped by Gallus and the match begins.
This was straight crazy from the get-go with plenty of hardcore action and high octane offense. Definitely a PLE type of effort from these gentlemen. This was a hell of a time. The match ends with Joe Coffey falling victim to a triple powerbomb through a table.
We then see a video package highlighting the upcoming NXT Women’s Championship Match at Halloween Havoc between Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch. This was very good stuff. I like the backstory between these two, having taken similar paths to where they are now.
We the head backstage to Mackenzie Mitchell interviewing Lyra Valkyria. Tegan Nox comes in and tells her that she isn’t ready to face Becky for the belt. Lyra says she isn’t going to let anyone stand in the way of facing her idol at Halloween Havoc.
John Cena In Ring Promo
Cena says that they are making history tonight. He calls NXT a beautiful place. He says him being there is long overdue. He says we are all Raw, we are all SmackDown and we are all NXT. He puts over Carmelo Hayes and says it was an easy decision to come tonight and be in his corner. Out comes Bron Breakker.
Bron thanks Cena for coming. He says it’s a big night for NXT. He says the people didn’t come to see Cena, but they came to see him. He says that Hayes doesn’t have a chance, even with Cena in his corner. Cena tells him that he lacks respect. He calls this a teachable moment. He then wishes him good luck and reaches out his hand. Instead, Bron punches him and goes for a spear but Cena dodges. Cena puts up Bron for the AA, but Bron wiggles out of it and retreats. This was a solid segment that set the stage for tonight’s main event.
Backstage we see Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo run into Cody Rhodes. They have an idea for finding the next challenger for their tag titles. Tony pitches a 10 team over the top battle royal match. Cody thinks it’s a good idea and we now have a “Bada Bing Battle Royal” booked for next week. Incredible.
Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Baron Corbin. Corbin starts to call out Ilja Dragunov. He says that Ilja is ducking him. The interview is cut short as it is interrupted by LA Knight’s music. Yeah.
NXT Championship Match: Ilja Dragunov Defeats Dominik Mysterio (LA Knight Special Guest Referee)
LA Knight wearing his typical vest over a referee shirt was absolutely popping me the entire match. We had non stop “yeah” chants throughout which was just fantastic. The crowd was incredible tonight as a whole. This was another PPV effort, as Ilja and Dom really laid it in. This was a very very good match. Finn Balor and JD McDonagh try to interfere but LA Knight knocks them both out of the ring. Trick Williams runs in to stop Rhea from interfering as well and Ilja is able to secure the victory. Might have been a little overbooked at the end there, but still a lot of fun.
After the match, Baron Corbin’s music hits, as he comes out to the ring, Dijak comes out of nowhere and lays out Ilja. He then walks over to Baron and tells him “he’s mine.”
In the locker room we see John Cena and Carmelo Hayes discussing tonight’s match. In comes Trick Williams who introduces himself. Hayes apologizes for not being their last week for Trick when he lost. Trick tells him not to worry about it. Carmelo says he’s going to get his title back and Trick will get his back too. Melo leaves the room and Trick asks Cena when he knew when it was his time. Cena says “lets talk.” The two leave the room together.
An NXT Anonymous video from earlier shows Paul Heyman talking to Ava Raine.
We then see Jade Cargill arrive as she is welcomed by Shawn Michaels.
We come back from commercial to Baron Corbin confronting Cody Rhodes. He demands Cody book a match at Halloween Havoc between he and Ilja for the title. Cody says instead, that Baron will fight Dijak and the winner of Melo and Bron next week to determine the number one contender.
We then see Dom and Rhea interacting with some of the NXT roster. They have a little conversation with Nathan Frazer before taking off.
NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament Match: Lola Vice Defeats Dani Palmer
This was a fine first round match. Lola Vice wins via pinfall after hitting a spin kick outta nowhere.
We then head to Chase U. Jacy Jayne has come with Thea Hail and she starts to brew up some trouble. Andre Chase eventually loses his cool. Jacy tells him that she has good news, that Chase and Duke Hudson will be in next week’s tag team battle royal. A little pretape here that did some good business.
We then see Paul Heyman in Bron Breakker’s locker room. Paul says he used to work with his father and uncle. He says he can see him as a future WrestleMania main eventer. He says the only thing that stands in his way is Carmelo Hayes. Bron says is doesn’t matter who it is, that he is going to smash them. Bron leaves and Paul calls Roman Reigns! It’s time for the main event folks.
We see the CRT television vignette but it’s finally revealed to be Brian Pillman Jr. He says that he doesn’t have fond memories of his father. He says because of this that he’s forced to wrestle. He wants when people see his face to not see his dad but actually see him. He then says his name is “King.” Not sure what this means but a pretty good promo.
Next week see Asuka backstage as various talent from the women’s roster are introducing themselves one at a time. Eventually Tiffany Stratton comes in and offers to assist Asuka if she needs it.
Carmelo Hayes Defeats Bron Breakker
Heyman starts off by introducing Bron as Badass Bron Breakker and really puts some mustard on it. This was textbook Heyman. It was so surreal seeing John Cena pacing back and forth in front of this NXT crowd.
This was very physical and highly entertaining main event.
Soloa Sikoa came out, but Cena fought him out of the arena. Paul Heyman follows. Inside the ring, Melo is able to take advantage and wins the match by pinfall. After the match, Bron spears Melo. He then grabs a mic and says he’s the only badass in NXT. Cue the gong! American Badass hits the speakers and out comes The Undertaker!! Bron and Taker stand face to face. Bron calls him an old timer. Taker says he’s been watching him for a long time and says that one day he will be a special talent. He says that isn’t today. He then punches and chokeskams Bron in the middle of the ring. Taker tells him that there is always a bigger and badder person waiting around the corner and that he just met the baddest of all.
Final Thoughts
The WWE promised a big night and they no doubt delivered. What a special show. This is absolutely the right formula for NXT. Bring the pros in, and let the young talent learn from and work with different veterans every week. The energy and vibe during this episode was unlike anything we have seen from this brand in a few years. I truly hope they keep this up, and we really see some big time investment into the product.
