We’re down to the final few NXT shows of 2018. Despite this, the excitement continues as some direction for NXT Takeover: Phoenix has become clear. On this show, a lot was established for some upcoming editions of the program. Also, this show featured Ricochet putting the North American Championship in the line against a surprise visitor that longtime NXT fans will be familiar with. That match closed out tonight’s broadcast, but it began with beloved NXT Superstar EC3 finally making his televised in-ring return.
The Undisputed Era came down to the ring for a promo. Adam Cole says the holidays have come early for them since Fish will be beating EC3 tonight. He says the The Undisputed Era is the epicenter of NXT, and that all of the brand revolves around them. Cole predicted that all four members of the group will become champions in 2019. EC3 emerged on the stage for his match.
Bobby Fish vs. EC3 –
This match comes after Fish attacked EC3 a couple weeks back. EC3 hasn’t competed on NXT television ever since, but he had the chance to get some vengeance on this night. Of course, Fish was in good company as the rest of The Undisputed Era stood by his side outside of the ring during the match.
Mind games early on from Fish who quickly scurries outside of the ring while EC3 decides to wait. Strikes to Fish once he finally comes back in. Fish tried to take him down, but EC3 was much too large. EC3 slammed Fish down and clothes,knee him right out of the ring. EC3 came down to the ring furious and he kept that anger during the early stages of this bout.
EC3 gets Bobby back in the ring and wears him down. Following some chops in the corner of the ring from EC3, Fish took advantage by chopping the knee of the “Top One Percenter.” EC3 clutched his knee as Fish continued to work on it and weaken his opponent. Fish dishes out an exploder suplex for a two-count. EC3 then hit a vertical suplex and a body slam on Fish.
The Undisputed Era tried to get involved by standing in the ring apron, but EC3 took them out. Following a surprise pin from EC3, Fish and the rest of the gang immediately attacked him. However, Otis Dozovic and Tucker Knight ran down to even the odds. They stopped Kyle O’Reilly from leaving the ring, which allowed EC3 to hit him with the One Percenter. Dozovic then executed The Worm before O’Reilly and The Undisputed Era went to the back.
Winner: EC3
Dakota Kai and Io Shirai were interviewed outside of Full Sail, and they both said that they refused to be attacked by Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir. Since they are both friends, they are sticking by each other’s sides. The two of them challenged Duke and Shafir to a tag team match for next week’s show.
The Mighty vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch –
This one starts off hot as Lorcan dives outside of the ring onto Nick Miller. Lorcan then tried to lock in a single leg Boston Crab on Shane Thorne, but zmiller breaks up the move. Lorcan stays in the ring and gets to work on Lorcan. Danny Burch came in next and showed off some strong style shots on both members of the Australian team.
Lorcan is tagged in next, and he heads up tho the top turnbuckle, The Mighty take out Burch and stop Lorcan from leaping off the turnbuckle. Thorne gives Oney a superplex, then he and Miller get some shots in on him. The Mighty actually put up a great fight against both men for a while, but they were not able to put away Lorcan or Burch.
With Burch recovering in the ring apron, Lorcan had to fight both Mighty members off by himself, a double DDT did the trick. Oney then slapped around both me before sending Miller outside of the ring. Once that was taken care of, all Lorcan had to do was tag in Burch and hit an impact DDT to win.
Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch
Last week’s angle wherein Tommaso Ciampa pitted Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano against each other was shown. They both said that they would face each other in a steel cage, and sure enough, Black vs. Gargano in a cage will be the main event of NXT next week,
Outside of Full Sail, Gargano tells Aleister that he has not been absolved because he didn’t sin. Gargano said that his goal is to win the NXT Championship just as the fans and children all over the world want to see him do. Johnny simply says that Black got in his way, and that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gargano has no problem facing Black in a steel cage, and he vowed to end Black next Wednesday.
Dominik Dijakovic says he will fight and die for his family. He will make his official debut in next week’s show.
Shayna Baszler tells Cathy Kelley that the winner of the upcoming women’s Fatal 4-Way match will end up losing the championship match against her, and will also take home a hospital bill. Meanwhile, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir simply laugh off Dakota Kai and Io Shirai’s challenge from earlier. The two of them accepted their request for a tag team match down the line.
Lacey Evans has been named by NXT General Manager William Regal as the second participant in the women’s Fatal 4-Way match. Evans defeated Xia Li at an NXT live event to earn her spot in the match. She and Bianca Belair are the only two women confirmed for the match as of now.
Mia Yim vs. Reina Gonzalez –
Both of these women impressed the Full Sail crowd during the Mae Young Classic earlier this year, but they faced off in a singles match on this show. Gonzalez had the size advantage as she towered over the recent NXT signee. They started the action off with a lockup.
Gonzalez tried to lock Yim in a bear hug, but Yim took over and tried to wear down the bigger woman with a guillotine. Reina used some basic strikes and big boots to keep Mia down. She went for multiple pins, but couldn’t end the match, which made her progressively more angry. Gonzalez once again tried to wear down Mia, but Yim dragged her down to the mat.
Yim hit Gonzalez with chops and looked to get her down. After a few more punches and chops, Mia hit Eat Defeat to get the win, which also allowed her to qualify for the Fatal 4-Way match. Yim, Evans, and Belair are all confirmed for the match now, and the fourth and final woman is expected to be determined soon.
Winner: Mia Yim
Aleister Black appears in a dark room as creepy music plays in the background,. He says that people have been wanting to know how he feels about his steel cage match with Johnny Gargano next week. Black may not feel much, but he vowed to make Gargano feel every ounce of pain imaginable during their match.
Shafir & Duke will officially make their NXT in-ring debuts in one week for a match against Dakota Kai & Io Shirai,
Tyler Breeze vs. Ricochet for the North American Championship –
You read that correctly! Tyler Breeze accepted Ricochet’s open challenge for the North American Championship. This is Breeze’s first match kn NXT television in years, so of course, Breeze received a warm reception from the fans in Full Sail, who greeted him with “welcome back” chants.
Following some dueling chants, the two wrestlers got to work. Breeze posed on the turnbuckle before Ricochet grabbed him and locked him in a headlock. They went back and fourth until Ricochet dropkicked him out of the ring. Back in the ring, Breeze locked in a single leg crab until Ricochet got to the ropes. Ricochet clotheslined him as Breeze took a moment to recover. Ricochet went for a dive, but stopped himself as Breeze moved out of the way. He tried to leap on to Tyler, but the champion was met with a superkick.
Breeze connected with some boots and then placed Ricochet on the top of one of the ring posts in the corner. Ricochet hopped down and dropkicked Breeze down to the canvas. Ricochet managed to throw Breeze down on the ropes and hit a 619. He followed that up with a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Ricochet then tries a Phoenix Splash, but Breeze dodges that one just in time.
Now the two of them begin trading shots in the center of the ring, but both of them end up sending each other down. More punches as they made their way back to their feet. Ricochet and Breeze each tried to his suplexes, but they went able to muster up the strength to hit the move. Suddenly, Tyler hit the Supermodel Kick followed by a reverse hurricanrana for a close two-count.
Both men were evenly matched and trading moves. Fantastic athleticism was on display here. Breeze did all that he could to hang with the champion, but ultimately, Ricochet was able to hit a Mizonoko Driver to put and end to the match and retain his North American Championship.
Winner: Ricochet
Ricochet and Breeze both shook hands as the episode came to a close. It’s unclear if Breeze will be sticking around in NXT for the foreseeable future, but the announcers did mention that Tyler was never able to win a championship during his original NXT run. Maybe Breeze can contend (and possibly even win) an NXT title of some sort until his Breezango partner, Fandango, is ready to return to the ring from his injury. For right now though, Ricochet is still the North American titleholder, and he may very well continue to hold on to that championship for a while.
As for the rest of the show, it’s clear that the rivalry between EC3, Heavy Machinery, and The Undisputed Era is far from over. Next week week’s show will also feature Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir competing on NXT programming for the first time ever, and Dominik Dijakovic makes his debut as a full time member of the show. The fourth woman in the women’s Fatal 4-Way match for a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship could also be revealed during next Wednesday’s show. All of that plus what promises to be an outstanding steel cage match between Johnny Gargano and Aleister Black will be coming soon. I’ll see you NXT time!