NXT North American Champion Ricochet put his championship on the line against a returning Tyler Breeze for a true one-night-only classic. Plus, Mia Yim competed for a slot in the NXT Women’s Title No. 1 Contender’s battle, and EC3 stepped up to Undisputed ERA’s Bobby Fish.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Buddy Murphy defeated Gran Metalik. (205 Live)
Although WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy was scheduled to face Noam Dar, The Scottish Supernova was not medically cleared to compete, so The Lucha House Party’s Gran Metalik stepped up to the plate, seizing the opportunity to score a potential victory against the champion.
Murphy, who tasted his first defeat since capturing the title when Alexander pinned him in tag team action two weeks ago, was seeking a return to the winner’s circle less than a week before defending his championship against Alexander.
Metalik landed the first major blow of the bout when he dropped Murphy with a hurricanrana from the ringside barricade before returning to the ring for a near-fall, but Murphy struck back when he caught Metalik in mid-air and executed an incredible suplex.
Trying to feed off the energy of the WWE Universe, Metalik did his best to fend off Murphy’s advances, taking him down with a series of high-flying moves and scoring a near-fall. However, most impressive was The King of the Rope’s persistence to hit the Metalik driver after two failed attempts, as the third nearly gave him a major upset.
Both Superstars took to the skies and pulled out all the stops to come away with a victory, and it became evident that a winner would only emerge when one man capitalized on a perfect opportunity. After Metalik countered Murphy’s Law for a near-fall, the champion indeed found his opening when he avoided his opponent’s follow-up offense, countered him off the ropes and executed his signature move for a hard-fought win. (Via WWE.com)
Murphy, who tasted his first defeat since capturing the title when Alexander pinned him in tag team action two weeks ago, was seeking a return to the winner’s circle less than a week before defending his championship against Alexander.
Metalik landed the first major blow of the bout when he dropped Murphy with a hurricanrana from the ringside barricade before returning to the ring for a near-fall, but Murphy struck back when he caught Metalik in mid-air and executed an incredible suplex.
Trying to feed off the energy of the WWE Universe, Metalik did his best to fend off Murphy’s advances, taking him down with a series of high-flying moves and scoring a near-fall. However, most impressive was The King of the Rope’s persistence to hit the Metalik driver after two failed attempts, as the third nearly gave him a major upset.
Both Superstars took to the skies and pulled out all the stops to come away with a victory, and it became evident that a winner would only emerge when one man capitalized on a perfect opportunity. After Metalik countered Murphy’s Law for a near-fall, the champion indeed found his opening when he avoided his opponent’s follow-up offense, countered him off the ropes and executed his signature move for a hard-fought win. (Via WWE.com)
Cedric Alexander defeated Tony Nese. (205 Live)
In the immediate aftermath of losing the WWE Cruiserweight Championship at WWE Super Show-Down, Cedric Alexander returned to action against Buddy Murphy’s training partner, Tony Nese. Alexander was still feeling the effects of his first loss of 2018, and The Premier Athlete took advantage, scoring a huge win against the former champion. Nese would again create strife for Alexander by pinning him in a Fatal 5-Way Match, resulting in Alexander returning to the WWE Performance Center to regain his bearings.
Alexander’s training paid off, and he served Lio Rush his first loss since The Man of the Hour debuted in the Cruiserweight division, then pinned Murphy in a tag team match. With that, WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick decided that Alexander would finally have his championship rematch at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs.
Accepting the champion’s challenge to compete in the days before their match at WWE TLC, Alexander set his sights on the Superstar who served him two consecutive defeats after he lost the title.
The animosity was clear, as Nese showed off his biceps, only for Alexander to back him into a corner and mock him. With the WWE Universe firmly in his corner, Alexander locked up with Nese in the center of the ring, countering The Premier Athlete’s strength and refusing to be intimidated by Nese’s constant taunts.
Nese dismantled his opponent with a combination of technical holds and intensely powerful strikes in the early goings, and The Premier Athlete continued to assert his power and test Alexander’s resilience, all the while making sure to talk trash.
Channeling the energy of the WWE Universe, Alexander broke free from a rear-chin lock and took down Nese with a flatliner. Alexander mounted heavy offensive pressure, keeping his opponent from striking back and scoring a near-fall.
Unable to secure the victory, Alexander grew visibly distraught, perhaps fearing another loss to Nese that would set him on the wrong path headed into WWE TLC.
Alexander’s fears nearly came to fruition a handful of times, including when Nese countered the Lumbar Check into a near-fall. Alexander quickly recovered, however, and stunned Nese with the Neutralizer before successfully executing the Lumbar Check for the win.
After the match, Buddy Murphy charged the ring looking to pounce on his WWE TLC challenger, but Alexander was ready, and the two brawled inside the ring before Alexander flattened him with a dive to the outside. (Via WWE.com)
Alexander’s training paid off, and he served Lio Rush his first loss since The Man of the Hour debuted in the Cruiserweight division, then pinned Murphy in a tag team match. With that, WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick decided that Alexander would finally have his championship rematch at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs.
Accepting the champion’s challenge to compete in the days before their match at WWE TLC, Alexander set his sights on the Superstar who served him two consecutive defeats after he lost the title.
The animosity was clear, as Nese showed off his biceps, only for Alexander to back him into a corner and mock him. With the WWE Universe firmly in his corner, Alexander locked up with Nese in the center of the ring, countering The Premier Athlete’s strength and refusing to be intimidated by Nese’s constant taunts.
Nese dismantled his opponent with a combination of technical holds and intensely powerful strikes in the early goings, and The Premier Athlete continued to assert his power and test Alexander’s resilience, all the while making sure to talk trash.
Channeling the energy of the WWE Universe, Alexander broke free from a rear-chin lock and took down Nese with a flatliner. Alexander mounted heavy offensive pressure, keeping his opponent from striking back and scoring a near-fall.
Unable to secure the victory, Alexander grew visibly distraught, perhaps fearing another loss to Nese that would set him on the wrong path headed into WWE TLC.
Alexander’s fears nearly came to fruition a handful of times, including when Nese countered the Lumbar Check into a near-fall. Alexander quickly recovered, however, and stunned Nese with the Neutralizer before successfully executing the Lumbar Check for the win.
After the match, Buddy Murphy charged the ring looking to pounce on his WWE TLC challenger, but Alexander was ready, and the two brawled inside the ring before Alexander flattened him with a dive to the outside. (Via WWE.com)
EC3 defeated Bobby Fish.
With redemption on the brain, EC3 doubled down on the warning he issued last month and undisputedly came at Bobby Fish in ways the latter couldn’t fathom.
After Fish and his Undisputed ERA comrades opened the show by boasting about their plans for “a decade of undisputed dominance” and a championship-ridden 2019, EC3 stepped in with a rude awakening for the infamous foursome. Going one-on-one against the man responsible for tenderizing his right knee with repeated chair blasts two months back, The Top One Percent returned the favor with a drubbing.
The presence of Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong failed to deter EC3’s laser focus, as he tossed Fish around like a ragdoll. At one point, he landed a thunderous powerbomb on Fish that elicited a “good lord!” response by NXT announcer Nigel McGuiness. But the Undisputed ERA technician wasn’t going down without a fight. With a sixth sense for punishing holds, Fish targeted his opponent’s bandaged right knee to gain leverage – albeit not for long.
Once EC3 bounced back and landed the Namedrop on Fish, the other Undisputed ERA members jumped in with a distraction that left room for Fish to chop-block his opponent’s battered knee. But when Fish attempted to further abuse the injured limb, EC3 mustered enough strength to roll him up for the pinfall – much like he did in his victory over Cole two months ago.
As the Undisputed army attempted to ambush EC3, their new foes Heavy Machinery made a beeline for the ring, hauling a few heavy haymakers. Once the dust settled, EC3 put a lid on his retribution plans with a One Percenter on O’Reilly before Otis Dozovic closed out the melee with the Caterpillar. How’s that for a lasting impression? (Via WWE.com)
After Fish and his Undisputed ERA comrades opened the show by boasting about their plans for “a decade of undisputed dominance” and a championship-ridden 2019, EC3 stepped in with a rude awakening for the infamous foursome. Going one-on-one against the man responsible for tenderizing his right knee with repeated chair blasts two months back, The Top One Percent returned the favor with a drubbing.
The presence of Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong failed to deter EC3’s laser focus, as he tossed Fish around like a ragdoll. At one point, he landed a thunderous powerbomb on Fish that elicited a “good lord!” response by NXT announcer Nigel McGuiness. But the Undisputed ERA technician wasn’t going down without a fight. With a sixth sense for punishing holds, Fish targeted his opponent’s bandaged right knee to gain leverage – albeit not for long.
Once EC3 bounced back and landed the Namedrop on Fish, the other Undisputed ERA members jumped in with a distraction that left room for Fish to chop-block his opponent’s battered knee. But when Fish attempted to further abuse the injured limb, EC3 mustered enough strength to roll him up for the pinfall – much like he did in his victory over Cole two months ago.
As the Undisputed army attempted to ambush EC3, their new foes Heavy Machinery made a beeline for the ring, hauling a few heavy haymakers. Once the dust settled, EC3 put a lid on his retribution plans with a One Percenter on O’Reilly before Otis Dozovic closed out the melee with the Caterpillar. How’s that for a lasting impression? (Via WWE.com)
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch defeated The Mighty.
The last time Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch crossed paths with The Mighty, they were left sprawled out on the canvas. This week, the bruisers-in-arms weren’t having it. Almost immediately after the opening bell, Lorcan & Burch blasted Shane Thorne & Nick Millerwith nonstop strikes. It soon became an all-out brawl, as both teams pounded on each other with complete power. At one point, a fervid Lorcan launched himself out of the ring like a torpedo, squashing Thorne & Miller on the outside. After a dizzying exchange of offense, Lorcan & Burch pulled out a Wheelbarrow DDT on Thorne to carry out the three-count. (Via WWE.com)
Johnny Gargano and Aleister Black braced for steel cage encounter.
Johnny Gargano is not afraid of Aleister Black.
With their Steel Cage Match less than one week away, Gargano took some time to send a warning to his nemesis. Gargano promised to “close the book” on Black inside the unforgiving steel that awaits them next week. “You can lock me inside of a steel cage with the devil himself,” he shared, before vehemently adding, “and I will do whatever I have to do to make sure this story ends the right way.”
The Dutch Destroyer, however, is already on to the next chapter. In a separate prelude, Black declared Gargano is “far beyond absolution,” thus leaving him with no choice but to complete one last task: “total annihilation.”
The story between these bitter enemies will unravel in a Steel Cage Match on the Dec. 19 edition of WWE NXT. (Via WWE.com)
With their Steel Cage Match less than one week away, Gargano took some time to send a warning to his nemesis. Gargano promised to “close the book” on Black inside the unforgiving steel that awaits them next week. “You can lock me inside of a steel cage with the devil himself,” he shared, before vehemently adding, “and I will do whatever I have to do to make sure this story ends the right way.”
The Dutch Destroyer, however, is already on to the next chapter. In a separate prelude, Black declared Gargano is “far beyond absolution,” thus leaving him with no choice but to complete one last task: “total annihilation.”
The story between these bitter enemies will unravel in a Steel Cage Match on the Dec. 19 edition of WWE NXT. (Via WWE.com)
Mia Yim defeated Reina González.
Mia Yim picked up a ticket to the high-stakes NXT Women’s Championship No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match, but it was no easy task. Standing in her way was the intimidating Reina González, who pushed Yim to her limit.
González muscled The Head Baddie in Charge around the ring with a range of dominating maneuvers, including a punishing backbreaker rack that nearly forced Yim to submit. But against her opponent’s brute strength, The HBIC relied on her superior speed. After breaking out of the grueling submission hold, Yim found an opening to strike González with an assortment of knife-edge chops and kicks before serving her with a plate of Sole Food to go.
Yim now joins Bianca Belair and the recently announced Lacey Evans in the NXT Women’s Title No. 1 Contender’s battle on Dec. 26. (Via WWE.com)
González muscled The Head Baddie in Charge around the ring with a range of dominating maneuvers, including a punishing backbreaker rack that nearly forced Yim to submit. But against her opponent’s brute strength, The HBIC relied on her superior speed. After breaking out of the grueling submission hold, Yim found an opening to strike González with an assortment of knife-edge chops and kicks before serving her with a plate of Sole Food to go.
Yim now joins Bianca Belair and the recently announced Lacey Evans in the NXT Women’s Title No. 1 Contender’s battle on Dec. 26. (Via WWE.com)
NXT North American Championship: NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION, Ricochet defeated Tyler Breeze.
Fresh off a breathtaking performance at NXT TakeOver: WarGames II, reigning NXT North American Champion Ricochet stepped foot inside the yellow ropes and put on a spectacle against NXT General Manager William Regal’s handpicked opponent, Tyler Breeze.
Breeze’s shocking return to the black-and-gold fortress came after Ricochet called on NXT management to find a challenger for his NXT North American crown. Adding value to Regal’s rolodex, Breeze proved to be the competition Ricochet was waiting for. Minutes into the match, Prince Pretty wrapped The One and Only with a pinning predicament that fluidly turned into a knee-bending leglock. From there, as “Breeze is gorgeous” chants filled Full Sail Live, it was clear the gritty effort by Breeze would push Ricochet to his limits, forcing the latter to fire on all cylinders.
Late in the contest, Ricochet’s attempted springboard moonsault was met by a superkick from Breeze, leaving him room to pull off an upset. When The Sultan of Selfies tried to go for a Beauty Shot, however, The One and Only wrenched him midair and applied a fireman’s carry into a Michinoku Driver to earn the win. After the bout, both men stood in the middle of the ring and shook hands, while the NXT Universe showered them with praise. (Via WWE.com)
Breeze’s shocking return to the black-and-gold fortress came after Ricochet called on NXT management to find a challenger for his NXT North American crown. Adding value to Regal’s rolodex, Breeze proved to be the competition Ricochet was waiting for. Minutes into the match, Prince Pretty wrapped The One and Only with a pinning predicament that fluidly turned into a knee-bending leglock. From there, as “Breeze is gorgeous” chants filled Full Sail Live, it was clear the gritty effort by Breeze would push Ricochet to his limits, forcing the latter to fire on all cylinders.
Late in the contest, Ricochet’s attempted springboard moonsault was met by a superkick from Breeze, leaving him room to pull off an upset. When The Sultan of Selfies tried to go for a Beauty Shot, however, The One and Only wrenched him midair and applied a fireman’s carry into a Michinoku Driver to earn the win. After the bout, both men stood in the middle of the ring and shook hands, while the NXT Universe showered them with praise. (Via WWE.com)