WWE NXT Report – 2/22/2022

– The post-Vengeance Day edition of WWE NXT 2.0 opens up on the USA Network with a video package of highlights from last week’s special episode. We’re live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida as Vic Joseph welcomes us. He’s joined at ringside by Wade Barrett.

– We go right to the ring and out comes NXT Champion Bron Breakker as the sirens go off and Alicia Taylor does the introductions. Fans stand and bark as Breakker hits the ring with the strap on his shoulder.

Bron says Santos Escobar put up a tough fight at Vengeance Day but he proved over his dead body will anyone take the title from him, and he can’t think of a better weekend to try than WrestleMania 38 Weekend. Bron hypes NXT going back on the road for NXT Stand & Deliver. He’s giving the fans a heads up so they can be just as loud there in Dallas as they are here in Orlando. Bron promises he will walk into WrestleMania Weekend as champion, and walk out of Stand & Deliver with the title. As far as tonight’s main event goes… the music interrupts and out comes Dolph Ziggler to boos.

Ziggler congratulates Bron on his first NXT Title defense. Ziggler knows he’s not champion yet, but Bron cannot be giving promises he can’t keep. Ziggler wonders if Bron can make it to Stand & Deliver? Yes he can, but as champion? No, Ziggler doesn’t think so. Ziggler says tonight he will stomp out what’s left of Tommaso Ciampa, then maybe he will carry Bron on his back all the way to Stand & Deliver. Ziggler warns that when he decides the time is right for the title to be his, it will be his. Bron says he owes Ziggler a receipt for superkicking him last week, so why doesn’t Ziggler bring his scrawny little ass to the ring right now.

Ziggler taunts Bron and calls him a hothead, saying it’s in his genes. They continue having words while Ziggler speaks from the entrance-way. Ziggler says Bron gets tonight off, and will be barred from ringside in the main event so he can’t pull any cheap shots or receipts. Ziggler says Bron can just sit in the back and watch Ziggler do what he does better than anyone else in this business. Ziggler drops the mic and walks back to the back as his music hits. Bron looks on.

– We see what happened last week between LA Knight and Grayson Waller.

LA Knight vs. Grayson Waller

We go back to the ring and out comes Grayson Waller with his bodyguard, Sanga. LA Knight is out next to a pop.

The bell rings and Knight charges but Waller immediately goes to the floor, standing next to Sanga and talking trash. Fans chant for Knight. Knight goes out but Waller returns to the ring, taunting Knight. Knight runs back in but Waller retreats back to the floor. Knight chases him back into the ring and levels him with a clothesline. Knight beats Waller around and knees him in the face. Knight launches him in from the apron with a shoulder block. Waller dodges Knight and sends him into the turnbuckles to turn it around.

Waller goes to the second rope but Knight dodges him and he rolls through. Knight counters again and crotches Waller on the top rope, then shakes the rope over and over. Knight decks Waller to send him back to the floor near the announcers. Fans chant for Knight as we go to a picture-in-picture commercial.

Back from the break and Knight is in control at ringside, but he’s distracted by Sanga, which allows Waller to launch Knight into the steel ring steps. Waller brings it back in and covers for a 2 count. Waller with more offense and trash talking while he beats Knight around the ring. Fans chant “asshole!” at Waller now. Waller with a suplex. Waller goes to the second rope and nails a flying elbow drop for a close 2 count.

Fans rally for Knight as Waller continues to work him over, using the middle rope to choke him as the referee warns him. Sanga looks on as Waller levels Knight with a back elbow for another close 2 count. Fans do dueling chants now. Waller scoops Knight to his shoulders and drives him into the mat for another close pin attempt.

Waller goes to the entrance-way, runs and leaps through the ropes but Knight catches him with a big back suplex for a pop. Knight blocks a strike and unloads with lefts and rights. Knight with a flying shoulder tackle, then a big back-drop in the middle of the ring. Knight stomps away in the corner as fans chant along with him and the referee counts.

Knight whips Waller face-first into the turnbuckles, then hits the inverted neckbreaker for another pop. Sanga reaches up from the floor and holds Waller’s arm to prevent Knight from dropping Waller with the BFT. They tangle and Waller ends up using a handful of tights on a roll-up to get the win out of nowhere.

Winner: Grayson Waller

– After the bell, Waller stands tall as his music hits but Knight attacks him and unloads. Sanga runs in to make the save but Knight drops him with the BFT. Knight then drops Waller with another BFT as fans cheer him on. Fans chant for Knight as he makes his exit.

– We see footage from earlier today with Dakota Kai looking for Wendy Choo backstage. She finds Choo asleep and asks why she didn’t tell her they’re in the Dusty Classic together. Choo needs her afternoon sleep. She says she didn’t tell Kai but she told the imaginary friend she’s always talking to. Kai says her track record isn’t so good with friends, but Choo interrupts and says Kai hasn’t had her as a partner yet. Choo skips away and says she will see Kai later. Kai talks to herself, confused about why Choo would choose her.

– Vic and Wade hype the 2022 Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

– We see Toxic Attraction (NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne) headed to the Toxic Lounge to watch the beginning of the Dusty Classic. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we see footage from earlier of Cora Jade and Raquel Gonzalez training for the Dusty Classic. Jade says she’s sore as they’ve been training with the program Gonzalez had for them, but now they’re trying something new. Jade has brought them to a ropes course in the trees. Gonzalez is a little worried about the final zip line across the field but Jade hypes her up and she accomplishes it. Gonzalez thanks Jade for helping her conquer her fear of heights. They’re ready for the Dusty Classic now.

– McKenzie Mitchell is with Toxic Attraction (NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne) in their Toxic Lounge up above the crowd. They will be in this lounge to watch all tournament matches. They crack jokes on Cora Jade and Raquel Gonzalez, then they talk trash about Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray.

NXT Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round Match: Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray vs. Lash Legend and Amari Miller

We go back to the ring and out comes Io Shirai for the first match in the 2022 Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. Io Shirai is out next and they head to the ring together as fans chant. Lash Legend and Amari Miller are already waiting in the ring.

Shirai starts off with Legend and they lock up. Shirai blocks a slam but Legend levels her with a shoulder. They have words in the middle of the ring now. Legend grabs Shirai by her hair and talks some trash. Shirai blocks a move and nails a hurricanrana, sending Legend into position for the 619. Shirai nails the 619 and then springboards in from the apron but misses.

Legend works her over with forearms. Shirai decks her and goes to the top for the missile dropkick and a kip-up. Legend goes to the corner to re-group. Miller tags herself in and Legend isn’t thrilled. Shirai and Miller go at it with Shirai getting the upperhand and planting Miller face-first into the mat. KLR tags in and they double team Miller for a 2 count. KLR works on Miller’s arm and chops her. Miller blocks a suplex and rolls KLR up for a 2 count.

Miller comes right back with a kick to the head. Legend tags in and flattens KLR with a big boot. KLR superkicks Legend and hits her KLR Bomb. Shirai tags in as KLR goes to the top and flies to take Legend back down. KLR then knocks Miller off the apron. Shirai also goes to the top and hits her signature moonsault on Legend for the pin to win and advance.

Winners: Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray

– After the match, Shirai and KLR celebrate as the music hits. They will now face the winners of Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley vs. Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro. Toxic Attraction taunts Shirai and KLR from their lounge.

– McKenzie is backstage with Dante Chen now. He has some words for Duke Hudson, and says Duke thinks he’s a big shot for trying to end Chen’s career when he knew Chen had a family emergency, but Chen is here now and he will get his vengeance. Chen talks some more before walking off, and says Duke will have a hard time sweeping Persia Pirotta off her feet when he doesn’t have any legs to stand on. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Brooks Jensen is with Josh Briggs backstage. Briggs says they’re going to get Jensen back in the game by recording a video for one of these dating apps. Briggs films Jensen but he’s not doing very good and seems to be too nervous.

Dante Chen vs. Duke Hudson

We go back to the ring and out comes Duke Hudson. Dante Chen suddenly attacks from behind and beats him towards the ring.

Chen brings Duke into the ring and the bell rings as Chen rocks him in the corner. Hudson tries to fight back but Chen trips him, drags his legs to the edge of the apron and slams them into the apron. Chen pulls Hudson over to the ring post and wraps his legs around them. Chen keeps working on the legs until Duke pulls him shoulder-first into the ring post.

Chen comes in and unloads with strikes. Chen with a pump kick and a flying forearm. Chen with a neckbreaker and a splash into the corner. Chen kicks Duke in the gut and drops him with a DDT for a close 2 count. Chen continues to dominate, mounting Duke in the corner with right hands as fans count along.

Duke knocks Chen away and then charges with a big running boot as fans start booing him. Duke hits the big Razor’s Edge powerbomb in the middle of the ring for the pin to win.

Winner: Duke Hudson

– After the bell, Duke quickly hits Chen while he’s down as the referee yells at him. Duke stands tall as his music hits and we go to replays.

– We see Trick Williams and NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes walking backstage.

– The announcers lead us to a Black History Month video that shows WWE Hall of Famer Booker T visiting kids at For Oak Cliff in the Dallas area. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and out comes NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams to the ring. Hayes takes the mic and reminds us how he doesn’t shoot when he misses. He really don’t, bro, it’s crazy.

Hayes says tonight is a Mella-Bration but before they get started, he’s got to talk his talk. Hayes said he’d have Match of the Night last week, and he did, he said he’s beat Cameron Grimes, and he’s still champion, he said he’s steal the show, and he did. Hayes looks at Trick to stop his ad-libs and he does. Hayes goes on talking himself up and says anyone can get it – in the ring, on the mic or on the bird app, Twitter. Trick brings up NXT Stand & Deliver but the music interrupts and out comes Pete Dunne to a big pop.

Dunne asks Hayes what he’s on about? Hayes says he’s beaten everyone, but he hasn’t defeated Dunne. Dunne says to be fair, Hayes is The A Champion and he doesn’t think the absolute best should be sitting on the sidelines during WrestleMania Season. Hayes sees what Dunne is trying to do, but he can’t make everyone famous. Dunne says if Hayes doesn’t miss when he shoots, then prove it next week, one-on-one against The BruiserWeight. Trick interrupts and says no means no, Dunne doesn’t get a chance.

Hayes calls him “Skeet Dunne” and says The A Champion has never backed down from a fight,, and never will. Trick goes on about how Hayes will beat Dunne next week just like he did Grimes last week. Grimes suddenly rushes the ring out of nowhere and attacks Trick and Hayes, sending them to the floor. Fans chant “to the moon!” as Grimes looks on at Hayes and Trick recovering at ringside. We go to commercial.

Trick Williams vs. Cameron Grimes

Back from the break and Trick Williams is going at it with Cameron Grimes. Grimes gets the upperhand and sends Trick to the floor, where he re-groups with NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes. Trick comes back in but Grimes stays on him for another close 2 count. Fans do dueling chants as Grimes takes Trick into the turnbuckles face-first. Hayes and Grimes have some words.

Trick kicks Grimes and punches him in the gut, then delivers a big uppercut. Trick with a flying clothesline to drop Grimes. Trick stomps away in the middle of the ring now. Trick with a clothesline in the corner. Trick with a big powerslam in the middle of the ring and some showing off. Trick goes on and covers for another 2 count. Trick grounds Grimes with a headlock now as fans rally.

Grimes looks to mount a comes back but Trick levels him with a spin kick for another close 2 count. Trick mounts Grimes with right hands, then goes to work on the arm while keeping him down. Fans rally for Grimes now. Grimes fights up and out of a sloppy submission, then goes to work on Trick. Grimes with a running shot in the corner for a pop. Grimes goes back to the top but has to land on his feet as Trick moves. Trick with a big boot to the face. Grimes with a leaping right hand. They trade more offense until Grimes nails a big side-slam for a close 2 count in the middle of the ring. Fans rally for Grimes and chant “to the moon!” as he charges but Hayes helps Trick to the floor.

Grimes misses a Cave-In off the apron to the floor. Grimes comes back and ends up superkicking Trick at ringside after Hayes tried to assist Trick. Grimes brings it back in and nails a flying splash from the top. Grimes gets another “to the moon!” chant from the crowd and nails the Cave-In for the pin to win.

Winner: Cameron Grimes

– After the match, Grimes stands tall as the music hits. We go to replays. Grimes looks on as Hayes helps Trick to the back.

– We get another look at Josh Briggs recording Brooks Jensen’s video for a dating app, but he’s still fumbling his words and he still can’t get Kayden Carter off his mind. He asks Briggs to stop recording.

– Tommaso Ciampa is backstage working out when NXT Champion Bron Breakker walks in. Bron thanks Ciampa for helping him get rid of Dolph Ziggler last week, and says he will be out there to watch tonight’s match. Ciampa kind of ignores him and keeps lifting his weights. Bron says to each his own and turns to leave. Ciampa says the way he sees it, they are at 1-1 right now but he needs to know who the better man is. They stare each other down. Bron says he’s looking forward to the rubber match. Breakker walks off and Ciampa goes back to working out.

– We get a brief vignette from Nikkita Lyons. She will be debuting next. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we get a video for Andre Chase University. Andre Chase is in his classroom now. Today’s lesson is about a phrase coined in 1913, one that has been instrumental in his success – intestinal fortitude. Michael, a student, asks what that means and Chase calls him a dumbass, explaining that this means to have balls. Chase goes on about how he’s called out Von Wagner but Robert Stone said they will do it on his own terms, and this is an example of having no intestinal fortitude. Another student asks what Chase will do in the ring because Wagner is a big guy. Chase yells at him and gets hyped up with Bodhi Hayward. Chase thanks Bodhi and kicks the other guy out of the classroom.

Nikkita Lyons vs. Kayla Inlay

We go back tot he ring and out comes Nikkita Lyons. She previously wrestled twice on WWE 205 Live, but this is her NXT 2.0 debut. Kayla Inlay is already waiting in the ring.

The bell rings and they lock up. Inlay goes to work on the arm but Lyons aggressively turns it around, working on Inlay’s arm. Fans rally as Inlay tries to break free. Lyons launches her across the ring with ease. Lyons plays to the crowd and they chant “Nikkita!” now. Lyons goes back to twisting Inlay’s arm up. Inlay reverses it but Lyons sends her away, selling the hurt arm. They lock up again and Inlay goes behind, trash talking Lyons. Lyons turns around and levels Inlay in the mouth.

Lyons with another arm lock as fans chant her name, keeping Inlay down by her arm. Lyons with a big shoulder block. Lyons runs the ropes, rolls under Inlay, then hits a big hip toss. Lyons with a running right hand in the corner. Inlay grinds Lyons’ face across the top rope as the referee counts and fans boo. Inlay with knees to the gut now, putting Lyons down on one knee in the corner.

Inlay with shoulder thrusts in the corner now as the referee warns her. Lyons jumps over Inlay in the corner and rolls her for a 2 count. Lyons with a big right to the face to drop Inlay. Lyons with big knee strikes. Lyons drops Inlay with a punch to the gut. Lyons yells out and poses for a pop. Lyons with big kicks to the knees, then a kick to the face to put Inlay back down. Lyons with a running forearm into the corner again.

Inlay looks to turn it around but she can’t get Lyons up for a German. Lyons reverses and hits a big German suplex of her own. Lyons bounces around as fans cheer her on. Lyons nails a big spinning roundhouse kick and then drops a split over Inlay in the middle of the ring for the pin to win.

Winner: Nikkita Lyons

– After the match, Lyons stands tall as the music hits and fans cheer her on. We go to replays. Lyons looks on as fans cheer.

– Persia Pirotta is backstage with Duke Hudson. She gives him props for his win over Dante Chen and says she watched every bit of the match. Duke grabs her for an aggressive kiss. Indi Hartwell walks in, says they are gross and asks what they are doing. Persia says she’s got to go, and she walks off embarrassed. Duke says Indi used to love it but she says that was a long time ago. Duke says it doesn’t have to be a long time ago. Indi turns around and sees Dexter Lumis standing there with his head down, listening to their conversation. Dexter is hurt. Indi screams and tells Dexter this isn’t what it looks like. He leaves and she chases after him after expressing how much she hates Hudson.

– Still to come, The Creed Brothers celebrate their Dusty Classic win. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Robert Stone is backstage with Von Wagner. Stone goes on about how dumb Andre Chase is for challenging Von. Stone previously gave Chase an out but he won’t do that next week because Chase will have to file for permanent disability after their match. Chase says this is Von Wagner’s world… and Wagner says Chase is just living in it.

– We go back to the ring and out comes The Diamond Mine – The Creed Brothers, Brutus Creed and Julius Creed, with Malcolm Bivens. The Creed Brothers are here to celebrate their 2022 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic win, and we see the Dusty Cup trophy on display in the ring.

Bivens takes the mic and goes on about how The Creed Brothers are better than NXT Tag Team Champions Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner of Imperium, and how they aren’t true fighting champions because they haven’t defended in weeks. Bivens goes on ripping into Imperium, and gets Gunther’s name wrong by calling him Gunner, but the music interrupts and out comes Gunther, Aichner and Barthel. Gunther corrects Bivens for saying his name wrong, and says Bivens will not talk about Imperium this way, they will show respect. Aichner says Bivens will show Gunther respect. Barthel doesn’t care if The Creeds won the Dusty Cup, they will never win the titles from them. Gunther delivers a similar line.

Imperium enters the ring now but The Creed Brothers attack them. Barthel and Aichner tumble to the floor with Brutus and Julius to keep the brawl going. Gunther enters the ring and stalks Bivens into the corner, and grabs him. Solo Sikoa rushes the ring but Gunther senses this and swings back. Solo keeps fighting and ends up dropping Gunther in the middle of the ring. Bivens looks on from the corner, terrified, but now he’s smiling at Solo, who stands over Gunther and talks more trash. Bivens gives Solo a reluctant thumbs up.

– Brooks Jensen is still backstage trying to film his dating app profile video with the help of Josh Briggs. Fallon Henley walks in, takes a profile photo for Jensen and says she will send it to him to make setting up his profile easier. Fallon walks out and apparently Briggs is interested in her now. Briggs admits he’s entertained by Jensen’s failing love life.

– Dolph Ziggler is backstage warming up. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and McKenzie is with Joe Gacy and Harland in the back. She shows us some security camera footage from earlier at the WWE Performance Center. The footage shows Harland and Gacy approaching Draco Anthony in the gym, late at night while he was all alone, and Draco shoves Gacy. Gacy says he and Draco had a difference in opinion, but Draco is an athletic piece of clay athletic piece of clay that can be molded by the right person. Gacy says as you can tell by the footage, Harland and Draco were on opposite sides of he conversation but they will resolve things in the ring next week, and after the match Draco will realize how it’s far better to be surrounded by friends rather than being alone. Gacy thanks McKenzie for her time as they walk off.

NXT Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round Match: Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley vs. Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter

We go back to the ring another quarterfinals match in the Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic as Ivy Nile is in the ring with Tatum Paxley, a prospect for The Diamond Mine. We see Toxic Attraction looking on from their Toxic Lounge. Out next comes Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro.

The bell rings and Carter starts off with Paxley. Paxley overpowers and sends her to the mat. Carter ducks a kick and shows off some to taunt Paxley. Carter tangles and hits a big basement dropkick. Catanzaro tags in and keeps control for a close 2 count.

Paxley mounts some offense and gets Catanzaro on her shoulders. Nile tags in for the big double team off Paxley’s shoulders as Ivy nailed a big right hand. Nile dominates Catanzaro and sends her into the corner. Paxley tags back in and works Catanzaro over. Nile tags back in and nails an elbow drop off the second rope for a 2 count. Fans do dueling chants as Nile stops Catanzaro from tagging.

Nile gets kicked away and in comes Carter off a hot tag. Carter unloads on Nile and knocks Paxley off the apron with a Rear View. Carter unloads on Nile for a close 2 count. Nile counters Carter and drops her with a kick to the head. Paxley tags back in and they double team Carter.

Paxley follows up with a moonsault but Catanzaro breaks the pin up. Catanzaro sends Nile to the floor and dropkicks her through the ropes. Carter works on Paxley and superkicks her. Carter holds Paxley as Catanzaro nails a 450 from the top for the pin to win and advance.

Winners: Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter

– After the match, Catanzaro and Carter stand tall as the music hits. We go to replays as they head to the back while Toxic Attraction shakes their heads from their lounge. We come back to the ring and Nile attacks Paxley as fans chant “Ivy!” now, putting her in a Dragon Sleeper. Roderick Strong calls Ivy off from ringside and she releases the hold instead of slamming her. Nile pulls Paxley to ringside and wants to put her away but she trades a look with Strong and lets Paxley down. Strong and Nile leave together, representing The Diamond Mine.

– McKenzie is backstage with Solo Sikoa now. He told us he would pick a fight with the biggest and baddest dude, and he took that dude, Gunther, out tonight. Solo says next week Gunther will find out what he’s all about and he will kick his ass in the ring. Bivens walks up and clarifies that he almost had Gunther, but he thanks Solo for helping him out anyway. Bivens hypes Solo up for next week’s match and says he’s got the juice now. Solo says he did that to Gunther for himself, not for Bivens. Solo walks off.

#1 Contender’s Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Tommaso Ciampa

We go back to the ring for tonight’s main event and out comes Dolph Ziggler. The winner of this match will become the new #1 contender to NXT Champion Bron Breakker for a future title shot. Ziggler hits the ring to pose in the corner as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and LA Knight is cutting a promo backstage. He says he has to give Grayson Waller credit for getting the win earlier. He says just when he thought he had Waller, Waller outsmarted him. Knight goes on and says he took out Waller and Sanga after the match, and it’s only a matter of time until he finishes Waller. The announcers hype next week’s NXT 2.0 episode. We go back to the ring and out comes Tommaso Ciampa while Ziggler waits. Fans sing Ciampa’s theme song as he enters the ring and stares Ziggler down.

The bell rings and they go at it. They trade shots, offense and counters early on. Ziggler blocks an early Fairy Tale Ending. Ziggler with a quick shot to the face to take control. Ziggler goes on and lands a neckbreaker for a 2 count. Ziggler grounds Ciampa with a headlock in the middle of the ring now. Ciampa tries to power up but Ziggler claws at his eyes as the referee warns him and fans boo. Ziggler with a gut punch in the corner. Ziggler grinds Ciampa’s face over the top rope, then puts him back down on the mat for another submission. Ciampa gets free and the offense picks up. Ciampa with two big clotheslines as he unloads on Ziggler. Ciampa drops Ziggler for a pop. Ciampa with a big running chop in the corner.

Ciampa with a right hand as a “this is awesome!” chant starts up for no reason. Ziggler has a Zig-Zag blocked. Ciampa comes right back and sends Ziggler through the ropes to the floor. Ciampa stays on him and connects with a knee to the face, putting Ziggler back down at ringside, face-down on the ground. Ciampa sits up on the apron and applauds himself and fans agree. We go to a picture-in-picture break.

Back from the break and Ziggler has Ciampa grounded. Ciampa fights out of a hold and they trade more strikes. Ciampa ends up dropping Ziggler in the corner with a big clothesline but Ziggler still kicks out. They fight back to their feet, trading right hands. Ziggler kicks Ciampa but Ciampa unloads with punches, dropping Ziggler in the corner and then stomping away as the referee warns him.

Ciampa charges again but Ziggler dropkicks him. Ciampa rocks Ziggler with a big right hand but Ziggler comes back with the Fame-Asser for a close 2 count. Fans chant “NXT!” now. Ziggler cranks up for Sweet Chin Music but Ciampa rocks him. Ciampa then powerbombs Ziggler over his knees for a close 2 count. Ciampa gets right back up and drops his knee pad, yelling at Ziggler to get back up. Ciampa with the running knee to the jaw. Ziggler gets his foot on the bottom rope just in time to break the count. Fans chant “fight forever!” now. Ciampa drops a knee over Ziggler’s leg, sending him down on the floor at ringside. Ciampa looks to powerbomb Ziggler on the announce table but Ziggler counters, rams him back into the ring post, then drops him with a Zig-Zag on the floor.

The referee counts while they’re both down at ringside now. Ziggler brings Ciampa back in right at the 9 count. They’re back in the ring but slow to get back up. Ciampa dodges a superkick and goes for the Fairy Tale Ending but his left arm is hurt. Ziggler takes advantage and rolls Ciampa for 2. Ziggler gets on Ciampa’s back and drops him into a Sleeper hold now. Ciampa starts to fade as fans rally for him. The referee checks on Ciampa as Ziggler tightens the hold. Ciampa finally powers up with Ziggler on his back. Ciampa then drops back and slams Ziggler, holding him down for a close 2 count.

Fans chant “holy shit!” now as we go to 10:05pm. Ciampa goes to the apron and Ziggler follows. Ciampa with a big chop. Ziggler with a big right hand. They trade strikes on the apron now. Ciampa unloads with chops and then a boot to the face, still out on the apron. Ciampa scoops Ziggler for an Air Raid Crash on the edge of the apron. They both tumble to the floor to another “holy shit!” chant from the crowd.

Ciampa struggles to bring Ziggler back in. Ciampa rolls back in while the referee is checking on Ziggler. A man in black, apparently a camera man, runs over and decks Ciampa from behind with a camera while he’s trying to roll back into the ring. Ziggler gets back up to his feet and levels Ciampa with a superkick for the pin to win and become the new #1 contender.

Winner and New #1 Contender to NXT Champion Bron Breakker: Dolph Ziggler

– After the match, Ziggler is shocked, as are the fans. Ciampa is laid out while the referee checks on him. The camera man unmasks and it’s Robert Roode. Ziggler’s music plays as The Dirty Dawgs celebrate in the ring. They then double team Ciampa and start stomping away on him. NXT Champion Bron Breakker rushes the ring and saves Ciampa. He unloads and clears the ring of Roode and Ziggler. Bron takes the mic and proposes a tag team match for next week. Fans pop. Bron says if Ziggler and Roode can find their balls, they can fight right now. He drops the mic and waits for a fight as a “NXT”! chant starts up. Roode and Ziggler hesitate but then rush the ring and a brawl breaks out as Ciampa gets back to his feet. Ciampa chases Roode around the ring and catches him for a brawl as officials try to separate them. Breakker fights with Ziggler in the ring as officials try to break them up. Ziggler tumbles out of the ring to get away from Breakker. Ziggler runs over and helps Roode with Ciampa now. Bron reaches from the ring to help Ciampa as officials try to restore order. NXT goes off the air.

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