The Undisputed Era Want It All
A message from The #UndisputedERA… WELCOME TO 2018, #NXTUniverse! #WWENXT @AdamColePro @KORcombat @TheBobbyFish pic.twitter.com/JxXCi2Wdc7
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 11, 2018
The show opened with The Undisputed Era backstage, holding their NXT Tag Team Championships. They said 2018 will be their year; they will continue to hold the tag titles as well as attain the NXT Championship for their squad via Adam Cole.
Shayna Baszler vs. Dakota Kai
The match is over when @QoSBaszler SAYS it’s over! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/xGGIsvB6iZ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 11, 2018
Before the match, we saw Shayna “training” a hopeful NXT superstar by choking her out in the performance center.
Approximately two seconds into the match, the “Shayna’s gonna kill you” chants had already begun. After a minute or two of working the left arm of Dakota Kai, the match ended by stoppage. Baszler then dealt some extra damage with a Kirifuda Clutch, at which point Ember Moon came to the rescue.
Winner: Shayna Baeszler
Authors of Pain Respond
The #AuthorsOfPain @Akam_WWE and @Rezar_WWE have made it clear that they want “their” #WWENXT #TagTeamTitles back! @PaulElleringWWE pic.twitter.com/uTQb236wPE
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 11, 2018
AoP were shown backstage where Akam and Rezar cut what I believe was their first promo. They yelled into the camera that they were coming for the titles and would go through both SAnitY and The Undisputed Era to get them.
Kassius Ohno vs. Raul Mendoza
Pure, INSANE athleticism. Plain and simple. @RaulMendozaWWE #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/1VlZIhOvM6
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 11, 2018
This match was full speed ahead from the moment it started. There was some good back and forth between these two, with plenty of cool spots sprinkled in. Kassius Ohno took the victory with his High Tension Elbow.
Winner: Kassius Ohno
Johnny Gargano Interview
.@VelveteenWWE wants to make sure @JohnnyGargano knows who to thank for his #NXTChampionship opportunity… #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/YWIoEhIcmw
— WWE (@WWE) January 11, 2018
Gargano was being interviewed regarding his victory in the fatal four way when Velveteen Dream appeared. He told Gargano that he deserved his spot because he earned it, while Gargano simply got lucky. It looks like we’re setting up for a Gargano/Velveteen match and I am here for it.
The Street Profits Address Regal
The #StreetProfits @MontezFordWWE and @AngeloDawkins have earned a huge opportunity against #AOP @Akam_WWE and @Rezar_WWE next week…
…And now, we celebrate! @RealKingRegal #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Ve7m7Rm7cB
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 11, 2018
The Street Profits came to Steven Regal and, in their signature over-the-top manner, requested a chance to be in the tag title picture. Regal responded by giving them a match with Authors of Pain to determine the no. 1 contenders. I was half-expecting them to pull back after this, but they seemed excited about the opportunity.
Lio Rush vs. Lars Sullivan
It’s a (SUPER)Freak Accident from @LarsSWWE to @itsLioRush! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/9H5x9Jc3J4
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 11, 2018
This match was about what you would expect looking at these men. Lars Sullivan outweighs Lio Rush by at least a million pounds and rag-dolled him around the ring for a minute or two.
Sullivan then picked up a mic and challenged Killian Dain to a match before beating Rush down a little more with a Super Freak Accident from the top rope.
Winner: Lars Sullivan
The Undisputed Era vs. Aleister Black & Roderick Strong
The #UndisputedERA @AdamColePro @TheBobbyFish @KORcombat want @WWEAleister to know one thing: He will NEVER be them! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Gi4AEtcVX2
— WWE (@WWE) January 11, 2018
Before the match even began, we saw Undisputed beating SAnitY down backstage. They initially pretended not to know where their opponents were, but then admitted to the ambush. Nikki Cross came to get revenge but was restrained by referees. (While we’re on the subject, I would once again like to submit my vote for a Nikki Cross/Adam Cole match in the future)
An angry Regal came to the stage and demanded that they have a championship match anyway, at which point Roderick Strong and Aleister Black came out to volunteer as tributes. Black and Strong raced to the ring and immediately began dealing damage.
This was a great main event, with all four competitors going as hard as they possibly could. At one point Adam Cole tried to interfere by coming after Black, who chased him into the audience, leaving Strong outnumbered in the ring where he was pinned by Bobby Fish. Aleister ran back to the ring to avenge his partner but was brought down by all three members of Undisputed Era.
As Undisputed walked back up the ramp, Regal appeared again and announced that Adam Cole’s match against Aleister Black at TakeOver would be extreme rules as punishment for their actions.
Winner: The Undisputed Era
What did you think of the show? Tell us on Twitter, @TheRumbleRamble.
