Cody Rhodes starts the show and asks the NXT Universe what they want to talk about. The crowd chants “Yeet” at him. Cody never thought he’d ever stand in that ring, but it feels right.
Cody announces a Men’s Breakout tournament, then he says he’s heard chatter about a certain tag team tournament. Cody confirms the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is coming back … but there’s more!
Cody Rhodes then announces he’s the special guest General Manager of NXT for the night!
Ilja Dragunov then comes out and welcomes Cody to NXT. He says Cody’s announcements give hope to NXT, but he wanted to meet him. Dominik Mysterio comes out and talks trash to both, and Rhodes ultimately books Dragunov vs. Mysterio… with LA Knight as the special guest referee!
Asuka vs. Roxanne Perez
Asuka wins via pinfall after a roundhouse kick to the head. Asuka showed some respect to Roxanne after the match, then Shotzi ran in and prevented Tiana James from attacking Roxanne.
Pub Rules Match: Gallus vs. Ridge Holland, Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne
Gallus rushed the opposition before the bell. This one saw a dart board, barstools and garbage cans come into play.
The end came after Coffey got hit with a pint of beer, then Holland, Bate and Dunne powerbombed him through a table (and the glass) for the pinfall win.
Lyra Valkyria is backstage for a promo, but she’s interrupted by Tegan Nox. Lyra looks reluctant to hear her, and Tegan says she was so close to beating Becky Lynch on RAW. She wants Lyra to put her title match with Becky on hold, but Lyra says she’s not letting anyone get in her way.
John Cena comes to the ring to address the NXT Universe and cuts a rah-rah promo. Bron Breakker comes to the ramp and talks trash to Cena, who says Bron’s attitude is his downfall. Cena didn’t come to rip into him, but now that he’s here… this is actually a teachable moment. Bron attacks Cena and sets up for a spear. Cena counters and goes for an Attitude Adjustment but Bron runs off.
Cody Rhodes greets Tony D’Angelo and Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo. The champs say they have a problem and explain things to Rhodes. They pitch a tag team rumble, with the winner getting a shot at them at Halloween Havoc. Rhodes confirms it, and names the match the “Bada Bing, Bada Boom Battle Royal.”
Baron Corbin cuts a promo on Ilja Dragunov and asks why he’s padding his resume with matches against Dominik Mysterio. He says Dragunov should give him a title shot because he’s the only one that can put him down.
NXT Championship: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio – LA Knight is the guest referee
Knight prevented Finn Balor from interfering in the match and knocked him off of the apron. Jordan Devlin ended up eating Knight’s finisher, and Trick Williams ran out to stop Rhea Ripley from getting involved. Dragunov ultimately won after hitting Mysterio with his finisher.
Baron Corbin walked down the ramp and looked to confront Dragunov, but Dominik Dijak attacked Dragunov from behind. He left the ring and told Corbin he was too late, and that Dragunov was all his.
Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams and John Cena shoot the breeze backstage. Cena tells them to relax and they’ll be champions again in no time. Melo says they’ll both get their titles back soon, but there looks to be some more tension from Trick’s perspective. Trick asks Cena how he knew it was his time, and Cena says they should talk.
Baron Corbin finds Cody Rhodes backstage and says he wants a match because Cody owes him. Cody asks what he’s talking about, and Baron reminds him about the last time they saw each other. Baron says he wants to wipe the slate clean, and wants a match with Ilja Dragunov. Cody doesn’t give in, but says Baron will get a title shot if he wins a triple threat against Dijak and the winner of Melo vs. Bron tonight.
NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament – Lola Vice vs. Dani Palmer
Lola Vice wins via pinfall after hitting a roundhouse kick to the back of Palmer’s head.
Brian Pillman Jr appears in a taped vignette and he’s shown flipping through channels on TV. He talks about not knowing his father and how he’s no one’s “Junior”. Pillman said he wants to inflict pain on the same business that has given him so much grief. However, he doesn’t want fans to think of his dead father, he wants them to think about him. He won’t be called Brian Pillman, but he’s going to use the name of the man who really raised him, King.
Carmelo Hayes (w/ John Cena) vs. Bron Breakker (w/ Paul Heyman)
Solo Sikoa runs out and fights with John Cena, and the two brawl to the back. Hayes uses the distraction to hit a Codebreaker on the floor, then follows it with a top rope splash for the win.
Bron pops right up after the bell and lays out Hayes. Bron gets a mic and says win or lose, there’s only one badass in WWE.
GONG!
American Bad Ass Undertaker cuts him off and rides his motorcycle to the ring. Taker gets in Bron’s face as the crowd chants ‘Holy shit!’ at him. Bron tells Taker to listen up and calls him an old timer. Bron says he’s the only badass around here. Taker says he’s been watching Bron and he’s special, but “it ain’t today.” Taker decks Bron, then he picks him up and chokeslams him. Taker leans in and gives Bron some advice — there’s always someone bigger and badder, and Bron just met him. Taker raises Melo arm and celebrates with the fans to close the show.
