NXT – September 11, 2019: Please Don’t Go?
IMG Credit: WWE
NXT
Date: September 11, 2019
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Beth Phoenix, Nigel McGuinness
This is where things wrap up for the old era of NXT, with the show moving over to the USA Network next week (for half of it at least as the second half will be airing on the WWE Network for the first two weeks). We’re going out with a champion in action as Shayna Baszler faces Rhea Ripley in a non-title match. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Rhea Ripley arrives.
Opening sequence.
Damien Priest vs. Boa
Boa tells Priest to run the ropes so Priest knocks him into the corner with raw power. The toss Falcon Arrow sends Boa flying and a discus clothesline cuts off the comeback bid. The cyclone kick and the Reckoning finish Boa at 2:32. Total squash.
Here’s Johnny Gargano to a hero’s welcome, meaning we have to pause for a very long JOHNNY WRESTLING chant. Johnny has heard all of the rumors and everyone is wondering what the future holds for him. The last time he was in this ring, he got knocked cold and woke up to an arena chanting THANK YOU JOHNNY. They built this arena together and Gargano has been around for a long time. He has seen a lot of people coming and going and he has made his decision on his future.
Cue Shane Thorn to interrupt though because he’s sick of Johnny Time. This place is going to be better without him so take a bow and take a walk. Gargano goes to leave but says he isn’t going anywhere and knocks Shane down. Johnny writes NXT and does the NWO 4 Life sign to a roar. That’s probably the best thing for him as he would be banished to nothing on Raw or Smackdown.
Video on the Forgotten Sons.
Pete Dunne vs. Angel Garza
Garza holds up his hand to Dunne before realizing that is a very bad idea. Hold on as Garza….doesn’t get to take off his pants as Dunne pulls him down by the leg. Dunne goes for the fingers but misses the stomp on the arm. Garza offers another handshake but manages to sucker Dunne to the floor. With that out of the way, GARZA CAN TAKE OFF HIS PANTS!
Dunne drops him with a forearm so Garza hits him right back to leave Dunne on the floor. That just earns Garza some chops to the chest and an enziguri in the corner. A big kick to the head gets two on Garza, who rolls Dunne up for the same. Dunne gets caught in the corner for a running dropkick to the leg but Dunne is back with a nasty kick to the head. Garza kicks him in the ribs and tries a moonsault, which is caught in the triangle choke. The finger snap finishes Garza at 8:03.
Rating: C+. This is the kind of match that you almost never see from Dunne as he is so well known for the big epics instead of a regular TV match. Dunne looked rather good, but it’s a weird spot for him to be in as he’s such a big star coming out of NXT UK. Garza got in some offense here and certainly didn’t get squashed, so he probably is in line for a nice spot around here.
The Street Profits are proud of being in Madison Square Garden this past Monday. It’s not the same without the Tag Team Titles though, meaning the challenge is on for next week on USA.
Raul Mendoza vs. Cameron Grimes
Mendoza starts fast with La Majistral for two and a hurricanrana but Grimes dropkicks him out to the floor. Back in and the armbar goes on but Mendoza is back up with an enziguri in the corner. A rope walk dropkick into a running shooting star press gives Mendoza two. Mendoza heads up but has to bail out of the Phoenix splash, allowing Grimes to hit his standing double stomp for the pin at 3:50.
Rating: C. Grimes is someone who did nothing for me in TNA so it’s nice to see what he can do elsewhere. This wasn’t a great match by any stretch but I’ve gotten more out of him here than I ever did elsewhere. Mendoza continues to be one of the most guaranteed completely acceptable performances around here and someone who gets in a good deal on almost every match he has. If they ever need to push him, it wouldn’t be much of a jump whatsoever.
Candice LeRae complains to William Regal about Io Shirai being rewarded for everything she does. Regal agrees and makes next week’s #1 contenders match a four way. If Ripley wins tonight, it might be a five way.
Video on Dakota Kai.
Next week: Strong vs. Dream for the North American Title and Matt Riddle vs. Killian Dain in a street fight.
Rhea Ripley vs. Shayna Baszler
Non-title. Baszler takes her to the ropes to start so Ripley trips her for the early surprise. A standing armbar works a bit better for Baszler until Ripley slams her down for the break. Ripley misses a big boot though and Baszler kicks the leg to tie it in the ropes. Baszler grabs the Kirifuda Clutch in the corner so it’s broken in a hurry, allowing Ripley to dropkick her off the top. Ripley follows her out for an electric chair drop onto the steps. Cue the Horsewomen for a distraction so Baszler can get in a knee. A chair is tossed in but Ripley takes it away and hits Baszler for the DQ at 5:27.
Rating: C+. You can probably pencil in a title match either on USA or at Takeover: WarGames and that’s a good way to go. Baszler has cleaned out the division at this point so bringing in some fresh talent is far from a bad idea. I wouldn’t be shocked if next week’s match became a five way with Ripley winning just to get things to the point faster. Ripley looked like a monster here and is more than ready to at least challenge for the title.
Post match it’s a big staredown.
The Undisputed Era takes credit for NXT moving to USA and promises to fulfill the prophecy next week. Strong says he’ll take the North American Title to end the show.
Overall Rating: C+. This was a bit of an odd show as it was much more of a commercial for next week than anything else and in that regard, it worked well. As a show of its own it was nothing of note with only the main event match having any storyline advancement. I’m almost scared of what is going to happen in the next few weeks but there is nothing that can be done about it at this point. Hopefully it still works, because I would hate to lose one of the best weekly shows ever.
Results
Damien Priest b. Boa – Reckoning
Pete Dunne b. Angel Garza – Finger snap
Cameron Grimes b. Raul Mendoza – Standing double stomp
Shayna Baszler b. Rhea Ripley via DQ when Ripley used a chair
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