NXT Recap (9/13/17): Everyone Has Their Priorities

Welcome to this week’s edition of Ringside Intel’s NXT Recap! Every Thursday I’ll bring you a rundown of what happened on NXT the night before, with a bit of my own insights and commentary thrown in. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

I’m super excited to bring you this week’s NXT recap, because I quite enjoyed this week’s episode. And no, it’s not just because because Pete Dunne – my favorite cruiserweight who isn’t named Neville – was on the show (although it certainly didn’t hurt).

Anywho, onto the recap!

Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross (sort of) def. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay

The show opened with a scene of Ruby Riot asking commissioner William Regal for a handicap match against the Iconic Duo, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, who have spent the last several weeks taunting and literally attacking Riot. Unfortunately, Regal said he couldn’t in good conscience put Riot in a handicap match – but he could give her a tag match. Riot agreed, willing to take anything to get her hands on Royce and Kay.

But here’s the thing: Riot never found herself a tag partner, and the match happened anyway. It was pretty darn questionable of the ref to ring the starting bell without even waiting for a tag partner for Riot to show up, but hey – it’s all for the storyline, am I right?

And anyhow, Riot wasn’t on her own for long. Lo and behold, Nikki Cross came creeping through the crowd to tag herself in, hit her finisher on Kay, and give Riot the win.

Afterwards, Riot was visibly confused and intrigued – and so was I. Cross is not the type of person who just helps someone out for the hell of it; she definitely has an ulterior motive, we just don’t know what. But with plans for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship still largely up in the air, it will be interesting to see how this angle develops.

Johnny Gargano def. Riddick Moss (w/ Tino Sabatelli)

After a backstage interview with No Way Jose in which he challenged Lars Sullivan to a match next week, we got the second match of the night: Johnny Gargano vs. Riddick Moss.

This match was my first introduction to Moss. And considering he’s the guy who screwed up Hideo Itami’s neck last October, I can see why.

Like the match before it, the key thing about this match was the story. At one point Moss forced a rope break from the Gargano Escape, and Gargano became suddenly stunned as if he were reliving the betrayal of his former tag team partner, Tommaso Ciampa. But eventually he snapped out of it, and after attempted interference from Tino Sabatelli, he hit Moss with a slingshot spear for the win.

Per a fallout video after the match, it was revealed that Gargano will take on Sabatelli next week. Looks like he’s having the same problem Riot’s been having with Royce and Kay.

Street Profits def. The Ealy Brothers

Holy moly was the Full Sail crowd hyped for Street Profits.

And after watching this match, I totally get why. Unfortunately for the Ealy Brothers, it was a total squash, but it was entertaining nonetheless. I’m looking forward to seeing more from Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford.

William Regal Leaves Us Hanging

After a video package celebrating Asuka’s historic NXT career, Christy St. Cloud asked William Regal what his plans were for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship – and he left us all hanging.

All he said was that he’d make an announcement in the coming weeks, with no mention of Kairi Sane’s planned title shot. Will the title remain vacant until TakeOver: Houston on November 18? Will there be a tournament to determine the new champion/Sane’s opponent? Will Sane have more than one opponent? We’ll just have to wait and see!

Pete Dunne (C) def. Wolfgang in a WWE UK Championship Match

Brui-ser-weight! Brui-ser-weight!

In the main event of the evening, Pete Dunne defended his WWE United Kingdom Championship against Wolfgang, and he didn’t seem too concerned about it.

While I was quite obviously rooting for Dunne, I will say I was impressed with “The Last King of Scotland” Wolfgang. He’s definitely one of those people who lets his wrestling do the talking – and we should all be listening.

Nevertheless, Dunne won via the Bitter End, and the Bruiserweight champ lived to see another day. And then when I thought it couldn’t possibly get any better – it did.

The Undisputed Era strikes again!

Immediately following Dunne’s victory, Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Bobby Fish – who are now officially calling themselves “The Undisputed Era” – stormed the ring. Believe it or not, Dunne actually threw the first punch, and Wolfgang eventually came to his aid.

Dunne then retreated, leaving Wolfgang to the wolves, so to speak – before doing something so heelishly delightful that it made me want him on my TV every week.

Thankfully for Wolfgang, his fellow Brits Tyler Bate and Trent Seven came out to save him – and it looks like a tag match is imminent.

Please, NXT, take all my money.

What did you think of this week’s episode of NXT? What do you think will happen in the NXT Women’s Championship picture? Are you excited for Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish vs. Tyler Bate and Trent Seven? Share your thought below!