The show kicked off with The Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole BAY-BAY!
Cole cut a promo as he stood next to the NXT Championship in the ring. Cole called out the man that he will face for that title at Takeover: New York on April 5, Johnny Gargano. The Full Sail crowd was split down the middle as both men faced off.
Cole cut off the crowd and yelled that he didn’t need their support. Gargano however said that he loves the Johnny Wrestling chants and that brought the crowd roaring back once again.
Gargano wanted to know what Adam Cole meant when he claimed he had a “million reasons” why he was going to beat Johnny at Takeover. But Cole was silent as Johnny continued to talk, even though the crowd kept chanting all the way through the promo.
For anyone who's considered chanting #JohnnyFailure… boy, has @JohnnyGargano got a message for you. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/GlaLM9ZZpr
— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2019
Cole reminded Gargano that his Takeover record was not great and that maybe the nickname should be “Johnny Participation.” Cole wanted to know what Gargano did to even deserve a title opportunity. Gargano then told his story, from getting a “no” at his tryout in 2015, to his partnership with Tommaso Ciampa.
Gargano said he fights for everyone that’s ever been told no and that he earned everything he has in NXT. He then told Cole that he wasn’t handed a top spot with a “group of cronies” to get his spot. Johnny Westling said that at Takeover, he will finally become NXT champion.
But just when fans thought the promo was over, Adam Cole decided to rip on Gargano, calling his story a “Lifetime movie.” He said that will beat Johnny at Takeover and that brought out The Undisputed Era, who will obviously be Cole’s back-up on April 5.
A video rewind from last week’s NXT was shown, reminding fans of the moment The Forgotten Sons jumped Aleister Black and Ricochet.
ALIYAH AND VANESSA BORNE VS. LACEY LANE AND KACY CATANZARO
Lane and Borne started off the match and the advantage switched back and forth between the two. Lane showed some impressive top rope work early but lost momentum as a result. Aliyah and Borne took over, making quick tags and keeping Lane in their corner.
Yep. She's not messing around tonight. @QoSBaszler #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/E4dyCs4FNK
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 28, 2019
Lane took the heat for the match and she just couldn’t get back to her feet. But the match was soon interrupted by Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke, who cleared the ing. Baszler went after Kacy, but Kacy fought back. However it was all for nothing as Baszler cinched in the Kirifuda Clutch. This match is over.
MATCH RESULT: NO DECISION
Shayna stormed the announcer’s desk and roared that this kind of thing will keep happening as long as the champ is being mistreated.
MATT RIDDLE VS. KONA REEVES
Riddle was out first, followed by Reeves. The match was extremely fast-paced from the jump, with the momentum going back and forth between the two men. But before this match could really get underway, The Velveteen Dream interrupted.
The North American champion caused such a disruption that Reeves nearly got the pin on Riddle. But Matt came back and grabbed Reeves in the Bromission, forcing Kona to tap out. But The Dream’s mind games were just beginning.
Dream was seated on a furry couch drinking from a golden chalice, flanked by two beautiful women, when Riddle approached him after the match. Riddle drank from Dream’s cup and tossed it aside. He told Dream that he would see him at Takeover: New York.
Mood when you're a winner. #WWENXT. pic.twitter.com/5blRGvxlMI
— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2019
The upcoming April 3 match between Kairi Sane and Bianca Belair is previewed next.
WESLEY BLAKE AND STEVE CUTLER, THE FORGOTTEN SONS VS. RICOCHET AND ALEISTER BLACK, DUSTY RHODES TAG TEAM CLASSIC TOURNAMENT FINAL
The Forgotten Sons were out first, followed by Ricochet and then Aleister Black. This one started off quick, with The Forgotten Sons coming out strong. But Ric and Black soon began to show off, taking the fight straight to Black and Cutler.
Ricochet nailed a dive over the top rope onto the floor, brining the Full Sail crowd alive. Ric then took full control of the match, as The Forgotten Sons tried to fight back. But Jaxson Ryker interfered behind the referee’s back, putting Ricochet down on the mat.
This gave Blake and Cutler the full advantage and the duo took over in the match. But Ricochet kept fighting back and finally made the hot tog to Aleister Black. Black came in with a flurry of offense, rocking The Sons back on their heels. Aleister hit a springboard moonsault, then teased the Black Mass, but was stopped by Cutler.
Synchronization is 🔑. #WWENXT @WWEAleister @KingRicochet pic.twitter.com/xKut3HXMtg
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 28, 2019
Ricochet hit an incredible Hurricanrana over two men, which led to the match breaking down in the middle of the ring. Black tagged back out but Ric was still shaky from earlier in the match. He and Blake kept trying to hit a standing suplex, teasing back and forth until Ric finally managed to hit the move.
Blake and Ric were on the top rope and Ricochet hit a backwards flip but landed on his feet. He and Blake kept going at it until Black tagged back in. Aleister found himself in trouble, as The Forgotten Sons regained control of the match. But a last minute save by Ricochet turned the advantage back to his side.
Black was nearly pinned however, when Ryker was caught shoving Aleister’s boot off the bottom rope. This caused the ref to throw Ryker out, leading to a Black Mass from Aleister, followed by a 630 from Ricochet. Ric and Black have won the match!
WINNERS AND ON TO FACE THE WAR RAIDERS AT NXT TAKEOVER NEW YORK: RICOCHET AND ALEISTER BLACK
The War Raiders came out for a stare-down in the middle of the ring and the four men stood eye-to-eye as NXT went off the air.
A war is coming at #NXTTakeOver: New York. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/5VV7Z0Xm2J
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 28, 2019