Roderick Strong has come within inches of winning the NXT Title, and tonight The Messiah of the Backbreaker gets another chance at NXT’s top prize when he becomes the first Superstar to challenge NXT Champion Drew McIntyre. Plus, Aleister Black faces newcomer Lio Rush, Kairi Sane makes her NXT debut and Ruby Riot answers the challenge of The Iconic Duo.
NXT Champion Drew McIntyre may be embroiled in a war with the unruly Undisputed ERA, but that doesn’t mean the big Scot’s obligations as champion are taking a break.
Rather, McIntyre makes his very first NXT Title defense tonight against against one of the top threats in the yellow-and-black brand, Roderick Strong.
McIntyre and Strong clashed once before, on the Aug. 16 edition of NXT, but that wild, back-and-forth encounter ended without a winner when Bobby Roode inserted himself into the proceedings and attacked both Superstars. Since then, McIntyre completed his climb to the top of the NXT mountain, while Strong — never taking his eye off the goal of becoming champion — tenaciously fought his way back into contention by defeating in the Glorious One in a grudge match in August.
Which Superstar will stand tall with the championship in hand when the dust settles? Don’t miss out when this huge NXT Title Match streams tonight, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network.
The undefeated Aleister Black looks to continue his winning ways tonight when he steps back into action against one of NXT’s most highly touted new signees, Lio Rush, exclusively on WWE Network.
The match marks the debut appearance of the 22-year-old Rush, a world-traveled high-flyer who made waves in September when it was revealed that he’d be joining the ranks of the WWE Performance Center.
For Black, meanwhile, tonight’s bout represents his first time back at Full Sail University since breaking his silence two weeks ago to declare his intention of going after the NXT Title. That address, however, was cut short by the provocative Velveteen Dream, who seemed intent on getting under the skin of the normally unshakable Dutch destroyer. Can Black put Velveteen Dream’s distraction behind him as he gets set to lock horns with “The Man of the Hour” Lio Rush tonight on NXT?
Three weeks removed from Nikki Cross’ shocking (and unsolicited) assist of Ruby Riot against The Iconic Duo, Riot doesn’t seem to have any better understanding of what motivated the unpredictable SAnitY member to align herself with Riot in the first place.
Yet, with Peyton Royce & Billie Kay having challenged Riot & Cross to a rematch, this much is clear: Riot still doesn’t consider Cross a friend. In fact, in responding to The Iconic Duo’s challenge, Riot went so far as to warn Cross to stay out her way as she tries to take care of the duo that has tormented her for weeks.
Whether it’s pride, stubbornness or just plain smart logic that’s driving Riot’s attitude toward Cross, there’s no telling whether Riot’s words will have much of an effect on the unstable Superstar. Will Cross heed Riot’s wishes and steer clear of the action? Find out tonight, exclusively on WWE Network.
With her winning performance in the Mae Young Classic having already earned her an opportunity to vie for the vacant NXT Women’s Title at TakeOver: Houston, Kairi Sane now prepares to cross a new milestone in her career: Her debut on NXT TV.
Though Sane’s opponents for TakeOver’s Fatal 4-Way Match will be decided via qualifying matches in the coming weeks, The Pirate Princess will no doubt look to send an emphatic statement to all would-be contenders with her maiden voyage in NXT competition.
Watch the Mae Young Classic Champion do battle tonight on WWE NXT at 8/7 C.
He is. Triple H won't put up with any of that nonsense so I hope Rush has learned his lesson.isn't Lio Rush the gut who no sold a table bump from a ladder?
KICK HIS FUCKING HEAD OFF!!!He is. Triple H won't put up with any of that nonsense so I hope Rush has learned his lesson.