Live NXT July 8th Discussion Thread: The Great American Bash - Part 2 - The Greatest Great American Bash

[Dale]

NXT Champion Adam Cole faces North American Champion Keith Lee in a Winner Take All Match
The stakes will be at an all-time high when NXT Champion Adam Cole meets North American Champion Keith Lee in a Winner Take All Match on Wednesday, July 8, as The Great American Bash continues on NXT.

Already the longest-reigning NXT Champion ever, Cole can perhaps solidify his claim as the black-and-gold brand’s greatest champion if he defeats Lee. The list of opponents toppled by The Panama City Playboy during his year-plus reign reads like a who’s who of NXT Superstardom: Johnny Gargano, Finn Bálor, Tommaso Ciampa, Matt Riddle and more.

But Lee may represent Cole’s biggest challenge — literally and figuratively.

The Limitless Superstar first had to overcome Gargano and Bálor in a daunting Triple Threat Match to retain his title and get here. And as he has done so often, Lee took care of business against the two former NXT Champions. Lee’s reign has been among the most distinguished in the history of the North American Title, including victories over Damian Priest, Dominik Dijakovic and Cameron Grimes. A win over Cole would launch Lee’s star to even greater heights.

Who will leave their mark as the first double champion in NXT history?

Mia Yim takes on Candice LeRae in a Street Fight at The Great American Bash
For weeks, tensions between Mia Yim and Candice LeRae have escalated not only in the ring, but all around the WWE Performance Center. It’s only appropriate they’ll look to settle things in a Street Fight at The Great American Bash.

LeRae took aim at Yim as her first target since her unleashing her new, unapologetic demeanor. Envious of the opportunities The HBIC received at what LeRae said was her expense, The Poison Pixie ridiculed Yim for “dropping the ball.”

Yim added fuel to the fire when she eliminated LeRae from the Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match for an opportunity to challenge NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai.

Their mutual contempt reached a boiling point in a backstage brawl, and it wasn’t the first time they’ve tussled behind the curtain.

Now, with Street Fight rules where anything goes, what will these two bitter rivals have in store for each other?

Drake Maverick and Breezango face Legado del Fantasma in a Six-Man Tag Team Match
Drake Maverick has tried to step to NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar and Legado del Fantasma by himself with a perilous result every time. Can he flip the script now that he has some reinforcements on his side?

Maverick will link up with Breezango to take on Escobar, Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza in a Six-Man Tag Team Match this Wednesday night at The Great American Bash.

Despite being slammed through a table with an elevated Phantom Driver the last time he confronted Legado del Fantasma, Maverick did so again last week, and again, things began to play out familiarly with the numbers game.

That all changed when Tyler Breeze & Fandango burst onto the scene and cleared house.

Now that he has joined forces with Breezango and is longer at a three-on-one disadvantage, can Maverick finally get retribution against Escobar?

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott to face Johnny Gargano
After a heated confrontation, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Johnny Gargano will look to settle their issue in the ring this Wednesday night at NXT’s Great American Bash.

Gargano was with wife Candice LeRae for a backstage interview following her loss in last week’s Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match, but the situation quickly devolved into a pull-apart brawl between LeRae and Mia Yim, who are set for a Street Fight.

Also present was “Swerve,” whose attempt to break up the brouhaha was met with scorn from Gargano. Soon, the two men were involved in their own dustup as well.

The veteran Johnny Wrestling will likely look to teach Scott a thing or too, but he shouldn’t discount his opponent. After an impressive showing in the NXT Cruiserweight Title Tournament, “Swerve” has been reeling off victories left and right on 205 Live. Can he obtain what would be the biggest feather in his cap with a win over Gargano?

Also an appearance from Mercedes Martinez​

 

[Chris]

Bruh what a card tbh

 

[Dale]

Bruh what a card tbh

Honestly I felt like this was pretty weak outside those top 2 matches

 

[Hoss]

Tbh other than the main event I can't say this entices me much.

Good to see Swerve made it on the show though.

 

[Chris]

Swerve/Gargano gonna steal the show

Also Breezango and Drake are a dream team

 

[Cwalker]

There are a lot of people on this card that I like personally. Gargano, Breeze, Mia Yim, Cole, Lee. But this is definitely a one match show. And it sucks cause I think there’s obviously gonna be a Dusty finish(pun intended)

 

[Dale]

Robert 'Ratings' Stone is also apparently unveiling a new client tonight.

 

[Sabretooth]

Not really sure why they’re combining the titles but ok. I wonder if the winner is gonna defend them separately or if it’s just gonna become one championship.

 

[Chris]

Not really sure why they’re combining the titles but ok. I wonder if the winner is gonna defend them separately or if it’s just gonna become one championship.

If I had to guess, I'd say defend separately and whoever wins will most likely lose the title they're defending tonight first and continue the reign tonight longer, which I'd also assume is most likely going to be Keith Lee.

However, it wouldn't surprise me too much if they unified them.

 

[Sabretooth]

I wonder why they’re so high on Keith Lee now

 

[Chris]

I wonder why they’re so high on Keith Lee now

Don't really care what the reason is personally since I've been wanting this push for months.

 

[Sabretooth]

Don't really care what the reason is personally since I've been wanting this push for months.

true as have I.

 

[Chris]

It's pretty obvious WWE is showcasing some of their black talent more lately, but I think they've been fairly natural with it and nothing seems all that forced so I'm cool with it. Apollo had started his push before George Floyd's death if I remember right and Lashley/MVP had definitely started their stuff by then. How much they've been showcased since is probably higher due to the political climate, but like I said earlier it doesn't really feel forced to me.

Same with Keith Lee if he wins tonight, shit it's been a long time coming

 

[Cwalker]

I wonder why they’re so high on Keith Lee now

He’s awesome

 

[Chris]

He’s awesome

Only reason that matters to me