Steve Notes NXT 1/21/21

Steve Notes NXT 1/21/21; we'll be LIVE on Twitch at Noon PT 3pm ET!

Dusty Classic Match:

KUSHIDA/Keon Ruf vs. The Way

Theory is isolated to start things out

Gargano comes in, stomps KUSHIDA

Theory catches Ruff from the top to his shoulders for a sitout rack bomb

Ruff looks for a hot tag but Gargano drops KUSHIDA off the apron, letting The Way take over on Ruff, who fights them off and hits a cutter from the second rope

Ruff gets a tag, KUSHIDA goes off but The Way take over, Theory hits like a pumphandle neck breaker for 2

Gargano goes for a superkick, Ruff breaks it up, goes flying outside onto Theory

KUSHIDA locks up Gargano in a hold/fighterman suplex for 3

***½

Pete Dunne video promo

Finn, we’re cut from the same cloth- but you left, I built an entire brand, UK, and in return, I et compared to you.

Get in Line? I’m a real threat. I know you’ve been watching me. We’re inevitable. You will pass the torch. When all is said and done, people will realize YOU are taking part in MY legacy.

Kyle O’Reilly update: Medically cleared to compete even though his jaw was reinjured

Bivens Interview: Rust is outside Regal’s office- Rust is the future of NXT- Rust comes out of Rega;s office, good news, I got here early and regal and I talked, I have Bronson Reed. Bivens simmers, this isn’t the direction I would have gone in, but tonight, you go straight to the top.

Bathroom Break (Kross vs. Thee Adonis)

Two Saito suplexes, one stumbly weak forearm to the back of the head gets 3

After the match, Kross locks DesTroy in a straight jacket, who was helping Thee

MSK video:

Carter talks throwing off tag teams by using a Borat impression

Mercedes Martinez/Toni Storm promo: We don’t need friendship to win

Imperium vs. LHP

Metalik surfs on Lince’s shoulders, splashes on Martel for 2
Lots of fun combo moves from these teams, LHP fend off defeat multiple times, and shockingly, they win the fucking match as Metalik takes out Eicnher with a huge moonsault and Lince Dorado hits SSP on Martel for 3

After the match, alexander Wolfe shows up, they all do their Imperium pose

***½

Fight Pit Weigh In From Earlier Today

Wait why are they doing this? Is there a weight limit for Fight Pit? There’s some shoving.

Beth Phoenix speech kicking off the Women’s Dusty Rhodes Classic

Mercedes Martinez/Toni Storm vs. Kacy/Kayden

Kacy hits a huge rana from the top corner countering Martinez

Kayden goes off on Storm, Kacy hits tornillo on Martinez, but storm comes back with german suplex, hooks on half crab, Io comes over and dumps Martinez onto the table, Storm goes for a tag, doesn’t see her, Kayden and Kacy take advantage, Kayden cranks Storm’s leg, Kacy hits an INSANE Phonix Splash Senton for 3 on Storm

Finn backstage with Regal: He wants Dunne, but first he wants Burch and Lorcan; Regal says find a partner, Finn says no one likes me, Regal says keep your enemies closer…

Bronson Reed gets some silent advise from Swerve, turns out it was just him saying don’t ever get in my business again. He is 100% interfering in the match tonight.

Update from McKenzie: Adonis is out at the Dusty Classic- Kacy and Kayden interrupt, excited.

Tyler Rust vs. Bronson Reed

Reed dominates early, Rust is able to hit an elbow slam thing

Backstage during the match, Io and Storm are in a brawl

Rust hits a Samoan Drop off the top, Reed comes back with a Tsunami for 3

**½

Bivens tells Rust let me pick your battles

Finnterview: There’s a couple people here who owe me a favor

Finn goes to the locker room, finds UE, we’re all grown men around here. Kyle, you know why I’m here. So you in? Or are you still sucking your meals through a straw? Roddy takes issue, Cole calms him down. Kyle says he’s in. See you next week.

Santos Escobar promo: let me explain what a true champion is. He doesn’t have to conquer a curse like Gargano, or have a glass jaw like Balor- some people try to act like a champion, pomp and circumstance, like Kross- but when it’s time to prove themselves, they don’t even make it to their first defense. I have beat everyone on my path. Raul, Jouquin, you’ve won your first DC match. That puts you one step closer to becoming nxt tag champs, and joining me here as champion of champions. LHP come out and start shit with LDP.

Curt Stallion helps LHP as Santos loads up a kick.

Dain/Drake interview- she asks Dain a question, but Drake interrupts the interview, talks and talks about MSK as Dain looks annoyed.  At the end, Dain slaps Drake on the back hard and says that was good!

Ciampa vs. Thatcher Fight Pit

They meander about on the top level for five minutes, submissions, suplexes, etc. During PIP commercial, Thatcher starts to climb down, Ciampa stomps his hand so he falls, and Ciampa follows.

Down below, Thatch takes over, using the cage corner to work Ciampa’s hand.

Ciampa takes back over, seesaw into the cage, gets an ankle lock, but thatch comes back, locks in a sleeper hold, Ciampa counters with LOW BLOW. Ciampa hits draping willow’s bell draped over the REF, who was down, thatch barely gets up to beat 10.

Trade blows

Ciampa hits Fairytale ending, then grabs Thatch in sleeper, but Thatch manuevers up, rams Ciampa into the cage, he gets the sleeper on, wedges Ciampa in the corner, so Ciampa’s leg is trapped, modified stretch muffler, CIAMPA TAPS OUT, lets go.

***3/4