Johnny Gargano returned to the NXT Arena for the first time since TakeOver: Orlando, where he was betrayed and brutally assaulted by former tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa. His opponent was Cruiserweight Classic competitor Raul Mendoza, seeking a major upset over "Johnny Wrestling." Gargano out-wrestled his opponent early, surviving every attempt at a reversal and appearing confidently in control of the bout. Mendoza utilized his athleticism, though, to evade his opponent and deliver a big kick to the face. Gargano withstood the onslaught and forced a tap out, courtesy of the Gargano Escape.
Asuka returned to NXT Arena Wednesday night and addressed her match with Ember Moon at TakeOver: Brooklyn. She reasserted her stance that Moon is not ready for her, to which the No. 1 contender responded by interrupting Asuka's promo and coming face-to-face with the champion in the ring. A brawl between the two broke out, each unloading on the other. Asuka caught Moon with a big kick and disposed of her at ringside. Moon then scaled the ropes and delivered Eclipse, laying Asuka out and drawing a huge ovation from the NXT fans. Moon resisted the urge to pick up the title, opting to wait until she could hold it rightfully. Asuka came out and made her point. Ember responded. They brawled and Moon delivered an emphatic exclamation mark that popped the crowd and generated heat for their upcoming rematch.
Hideo Itami hit the ring, frustrated over his ongoing rivalry with Kassius Ohno, and ran his mouth for a few moments. The arrival of Aleister Black brought that to an end and the Black Mass knocked the Japanese star unconscious. Black patiently awaited the revelation of his next opponent. Ring of Honor alum Kyle O'Reilly made his NXT debut to a thunderous ovation, becoming the second member of Red Dragon to battle Black in his debut match. Black obliterated O'Reilly with a kick heading into the commercial break and remained in control coming out of it. O'Reilly rebounded, trapping Black in a leg bar and working over his Achille's tendon. The Superstars exchanged slaps, a hard one by Black forcing his opponent to break the hold. O'Reilly grounded Black and trapped him in a hammerlock, apparently targeting the left arm of his opponent. He maintained hold of the submission and unloaded a flurry of forearm strikes as Black dared him to hit him. Strikes flew late, each Superstar unloading on the other with wicked kicks to the body. They traded boots to the face late, added in knee strikes and back fists but it was Black who blasted O'Reilly with a desperation Black Mass to score the win.Then there are those wrestlers who are thrown in the ring with another damn fine wrestler and allowed to create magic. Black and O'Reilly beat the living hell out of each other in this main event. Black's toughness and relentlessness were on display while O'Reilly introduced himself to those unaware of his track record via a series of strikes and a submission that rattled jaws and hurt muscles.
Asuka returned to NXT Arena Wednesday night and addressed her match with Ember Moon at TakeOver: Brooklyn. She reasserted her stance that Moon is not ready for her, to which the No. 1 contender responded by interrupting Asuka's promo and coming face-to-face with the champion in the ring. A brawl between the two broke out, each unloading on the other. Asuka caught Moon with a big kick and disposed of her at ringside. Moon then scaled the ropes and delivered Eclipse, laying Asuka out and drawing a huge ovation from the NXT fans. Moon resisted the urge to pick up the title, opting to wait until she could hold it rightfully. Asuka came out and made her point. Ember responded. They brawled and Moon delivered an emphatic exclamation mark that popped the crowd and generated heat for their upcoming rematch.
Hideo Itami hit the ring, frustrated over his ongoing rivalry with Kassius Ohno, and ran his mouth for a few moments. The arrival of Aleister Black brought that to an end and the Black Mass knocked the Japanese star unconscious. Black patiently awaited the revelation of his next opponent. Ring of Honor alum Kyle O'Reilly made his NXT debut to a thunderous ovation, becoming the second member of Red Dragon to battle Black in his debut match. Black obliterated O'Reilly with a kick heading into the commercial break and remained in control coming out of it. O'Reilly rebounded, trapping Black in a leg bar and working over his Achille's tendon. The Superstars exchanged slaps, a hard one by Black forcing his opponent to break the hold. O'Reilly grounded Black and trapped him in a hammerlock, apparently targeting the left arm of his opponent. He maintained hold of the submission and unloaded a flurry of forearm strikes as Black dared him to hit him. Strikes flew late, each Superstar unloading on the other with wicked kicks to the body. They traded boots to the face late, added in knee strikes and back fists but it was Black who blasted O'Reilly with a desperation Black Mass to score the win.Then there are those wrestlers who are thrown in the ring with another damn fine wrestler and allowed to create magic. Black and O'Reilly beat the living hell out of each other in this main event. Black's toughness and relentlessness were on display while O'Reilly introduced himself to those unaware of his track record via a series of strikes and a submission that rattled jaws and hurt muscles.