WWE NXT: Strong Retains North American Belt, Finn Balor Turns Heel
A Championship defence unravels into chaos and a heartbreaking betrayal by one of WWE’s most beloved stars.
The 23 October edition of NXT was headlined by a North American Championship match, but all the headlines were made by former Universal Champion Finn Balor after a ruthless attack on Johnny Gargano.
The attack on Gargano marked an unexpected heel-turn for Balor. The rest of the show saw Matt Riddle continue his winning ways, while Rhea Ripley established herself as a top contender for the NXT Women’s Championship.
The show also saw Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai establish themselves as number one contenders for the Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Matches & Results:
- Rhea Ripley defeats Bianca Belair
- Matt Riddle defeats Cameron Grimes
- Breezeango and Isaiah Scott defeat The Forgotten Sons
- Angel Garza defeats ‘Gentleman’ Jack Gallagher
- Number one contenders match for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai defeat Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shaffir
- NXT North American Championship match: Roderick Strong (c) defeats Keith Lee and Dominik Dijakovic
- Finn Balor turns heel by attacking Johnny Gargano
Tegan Nox & Dakota Kai Defeat Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir
This match was a regular WWE-style tag-team match, which saw the heels Shaffir and Duke dominate the match until Kai made a hot tag to Nox who cleared the heels out. She pinned Duke after hitting her with the Shiniest Wizard.
The match was simple, but unremarkable. The possible showdown with tag champions Asuka and Kairi Sane may be a great match. It seems unlikely that WWE will have Asuka and Sane drop the titles on NXT, but the match next week will still be one to watch.
Grade: B
North American Championship: Roderick Strong (c) defeats Keith Lee and Dominik Dijakovic
Roderick Strong defended his North American Championship against Keith Lee and Dominik Dijakovic. The match had a fast pace to it and was a hard-hitting affair. Strong picked up the win by pinning Lee after an avalanche powerbomb.
The match was terrific and had a relentless pace. How the massive Keith Lee can execute some of the moves he does inside the ring is beyond science. Dijakovic and Lee stole the spotlight, but Strong reminded everyone why he is considered one of the best wrestlers in NXT right now.
Grade: A
Finn Balor Turns Heel
After the main event was over, The Undisputed Era attacked Lee and Dijakovic. Tommasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano interrupted the beatdown.
We then saw Finn Balor come and stand beside Gargano and Ciampa, indicating a possible alliance. Balor instead Pele kicked Gargano, while The UE took out Ciampa. Balor missile dropkicked Gargano through the barricade and cemented his heel turn.
This was absolutely terrific and Balor vs Gargano has the potential to be one of the greatest matches in history.
Grade: A+
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