Welcome to the September 23, 2020 edition of WWE NXT on USA Network here at eWrestling.com where results and coverage are LIVE throughout the show!
I’m Jamie Rush, filling in once again for my good friend Mike Hogan! I’m told Mike had some super important hulkamaniac things keeping him tied up (though if I know Mike like I think I do, I’m sure he’ll make an appearance or two in the comments section!) so I’m happy to fill in and attempt to live up to the reputation of Mr. America!
Tonight’s edition of NXT wraps up qualifiers and continues feuds leading us into next weekend’s NXT TakeOver pay-per-view airing Oct. 4th 2020. The black-and-gold brand has a lot in store for us as eWrestling’s own Matt Boone announced earlier today: Tonight we find out who will be the first competitor to challenge The Prince for the NXT Championship at this weekend’s pay-per-view event with tonight’s qualifier! That will be decided in the first-ever Gauntlet Eliminator Match tonight on the NXT Takeoff to TakeOver.
Kushida, Cameron Grimes, Kyle O’Reilly, Timothy Thatcher and Bronson Reed will battle in this unique bout with the rules as follows:
1. Two men will start in the ring.
2. Every four minutes, another competitor will enter.
3. The only way to be eliminated is via pinfall or submission.
4. The last man standing will be named the No. 1 Contender and challenge Finn Bálor for the NXT Title at the next edition of NXT TakeOver on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Which Superstar will emerge victorious and earn an opportunity at the NXT Championship?
Featured below are WWE NXT Results from Wednesday, September 23, 2020, written by eWrestling.com’s most popular female reporter, Jamie Rush. Follow me on Twitter @JamieRush312.
WWE NXT TakeOff To TakeOver LIVE Results (9/23/20)
Show Opening
We see backstage video of Candice LeRae after she attacked Tegan Nox‘s knee with a steel pipe and production cart, presumably taking her out of the Battle Royal.
Battle Royal to Determine the #1 Contender for the NXT Women’s Championship
Candice LeRae vs. Rhea RipleyTo kick off the first match-up of the evening, Candice LeRae comes out as her music sounds in the Full Sail University arena. LeRae makes her way down the ramp and awaits her opponent in the ring. Next, Rhea Ripley makes her entrance for the match as her music sounds through the speakers. Ripley joins LeRae inside the ring. (Raquel Gonzalez is shown staring daggers into Ripley while Ripley enters the ring.) Her music fades out.
The referee signals for the bell. The bell rings and our first match of the evening is officially underway! The match starts and there are many more competitors than were announced at the start of the match. Ripley makes the first elimination of the match, one of the unknown names. Raquel Gonzalez eliminates a competitor named Raven.
Rhea Ripley eliminates another unnamed women, tossing her entirely over the top rope, with her face nearly hitting the guardrail. Rhea Ripley eliminates Marina Shafir, the first name that we are familiar with, and Gonzalez eliminates a competitor named Avery.
Gonzalez scores her third elimination by eliminating a third competitor. Gonzalez eliminates a woman named Rita, giving her the most eliminations in the match. Ripley eliminates a woman named Emily, giving her four eliminations.
Gonzalez hits Catalina with a big boot to the face, eliminating her from the match. Aliyah shoves Kacy Catanzaro out of the ring, but Catanzaro lands on her back, with her feet not touching the floor. Catanzaro gets to a handstand and places her feet back in the ring, saving herself from elimination. With that, we head to the first commercial break of the evening!!
As we return from commercial break, Kacy Catanaro is using the guardrail and the plexiglass to save herself from elimination. Indi Hartwell is tying to eliminate Catanzaro’s teammate, Kayden Carter, but Raquel Gonzalez uses the distraction to eliminate Carter. Carter puts Catanzaro on her back, though, and carries her back into the ring.
Raquel and Ripley brawl in the ring, and Raquel picks up Ripley. Ripley pulls Gonzalez over the top rope by her head, bringing her feet to the ground. Gonzalez pulls Ripley down with her, eliminating both women.
Indi Hartwell tries to eliminate Catanzaro again, but Catanzaro pulls Indi out of the ring. Dakota Kai pins Catanzaro in the corner and Kai hits her with a facewash kick, eliminating her.
The field of competitors has shrunk to three: Dakota Kai, Candice LeRae, and Shotzi Blackheart. Kai runs at Blackheart to hit a facewash kick on her, but Shotzi ducks it and eliminates her, making it to the final two.
Shotzi takes Candice down with a reverse slingblade and tries to dip LeRae over the top rope, but LeRae holds on. Blackheart hits her with a step-up enziguri. Blackheart goes for a senton, but Candice dodges and hits a neckbreaker. Candice tries to eliminate Blackheart, but Blackheart holds on.
Blackheart goes to the top rope and Candice follows. Shotzi picks up Candice and puts her on the apron. Candice pushes Shotzi down onto the apron. Shotzi knocks Candice silly, but Candice lands on the steel steps, avoiding elimination. Shotzi goes down to the steel steps to try and push Candice off the steps, but Candice hits Shotzi with a monkey flip, winning the match.
Winner: Candice LeRae
After the Match
Candice stands tall following the match to celebrate her victory as her husband Johnny Gargano joins her on the top turnbuckle telling her he’s proud. Commentary questions whether the husband and wife will walk away from next weekend’s NXT TakeOver, both holding the singles gold!
Backstage Interview – NXT North American Champion: Damian Priest
We head backstage where Damian Priest stands with Sarah Schreiber. She asks Priest for his reaction knowing he will be taking on Johnny Gargano one-on-one for the North American Championship. “This is huge Sarah, I mean, it’s Johnny. Johnny TakeOver. I mean, he made NXT right? Or so he says…” Priest begins. He then goes on to say as good as Gargano is, the title isn’t leaving Priest any time soon.
Schreiber says before Gargano, Priest will be taking on Austin Theory tonight. Priest says Theory’s record is not relative to the talent he has, though it’s unfortunate he will continue to slide tonight when priest defeats him. Sarah thanks Damian for his time, he stops short as he goes to leave stating, “You know Sarah, you’re good at this. I’ll see you at the after-party after tonight’s show…” Sarah blushes as we head to an announcement for the next match.
Quick Announcement
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Jake Atlas is coming up! We head to commercial break.
Backstage- “Sherlock-Dango”
We return from commercial break and we see a group of NXT talent arguing backstage around a dry-erase board. General Manager William Regal heads in to see what’s going on as “Sherlock-dango” welcomes Regal stating he has an idea, using a fake English accent. “No silly English accents, and why are you dressed like that?” He states he’s in his detective outfit as he cuts the fake accent. He states he’s figured it out. Regal asks what he’s figured out.
Fandango then continues on explaining how they will determine the #1 contenders for the NXT Tag Team titles: one member from the Brit-Am Brawlers will team with one member of Undisputed Era, and one member of Legado del Fantasma will team with one member of Imperium. Those two teams will face off, with the winning team then competing against each other to determine the #1 contender.
Jake Atlas vs. Tommaso Ciampa
We see Tommaso Ciampa makes his way to the ring first as we return to the arena following Fandango’s exchange with General Manager William Regal. Ciampa makes his way down the ramp and enters the ring to await his opponent for the evening. Jake Atlas’s music sounds next as Atlas makes his way down the ramp and enters the ring.
Ciampa and Atlas lock up early. Ciampa tries to chop at Atlas, but Atlas blocks and land strikes. Ciampa hits Atlas with a forearm smash and Widow’s Bell, but Atlas dodges and pulls Ciampa out of the ring. Atlas stomps away at Ciampa and Atlas sets up to hit a slingshot on Ciampa in the same way that Ciampa hit one on Atlas.
The referee comes out and pulls Atlas away, and Ciampa kicks Atlas away. Ciampa runs back in the ring and tries to run from Atlas. Atlas comes back, but Ciampa takes him down with a huge clothesline. Ciampa stomps on Atlas, taunting him.
Ciampa whips Atlas into the corner, but Atals with back with a few strikes, an inverted atomic drop, and a dropkick. Atlas mounts Ciampa and punches away at him. Ciampa creates some separation, but Atlas comes back and hits him with a pump kick in the corner.
Atlas goes to the top rope as Ciampa rolls out of the ring. Atlas kicks Ciampa, then hits Ciampa with a moonsault. Atlas rolls Ciampa back in the ring and hits a blockbuster on Ciampa, pinning him for two.
Atlas goes for his Rainbow DDT, but Ciampa kicks Atlas’ arm out from under him. Ciampa picks up Atlas and brings him to the outside, hitting him with Widow’s Bell. Ciampa could put him away, but he instead gives up the pin at one. Ciampa taunts Atlas, saying “Security ain’t gonna save you. Kyle ain’t gonna save you.” Ciampa picks up Atlas and hits the Fairytale Ending on Atlas, pinning him for three.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
After the Match
Following his victory, Ciampa walks up the ramp and away to the back.
Video Package – Ridge Holland
We head into a video package hyping Ridge Holland
Video Package
As we return from commercial break, we see a video package that starts with William Regal’s original video clip announcing the qualifier match he created That is followed by Cameron Grimes stating how he’s going to finally make his way “to the moon!”. The remaining contenders give their promos for the upcoming match back to back and finally we are told the song playing throughout the package was none other than Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor singing a solo song entitled “Culture Head”. We are told how we can download.
Roderick Strong & Danny Burch vs. Fabian Aichner & Raul Mendoza
All four men make their way to the ring one by one as their music plays them down the ramp and into the ring. Commentary informs us that the teams of the winning team will take on each other at a later date to determine the #1 contender for the NXT Tag Team Championship. Phoenix seems a little confused and unsure if this is what Fandango meant to happen, but either way, it’s what we’ve got! The referee signals for the bell. The bell rings and the match is officially underway!
Strong and Aichner start things off, Aichner slamming Strong to the canvas after Aichner makes a pretty rough tag to Mendoza. A hook to the leg on Strong, Strong is able to kick out! Burch leads the match now as he tags in and takes control of Mendoza with a Rear Chinlock. Mendoza able to escape, Burch runs the ropes and delivers an Arm Drag followed by a Kick. Burch hits Mendoza with an Enziguri, then goes to the top rope.
Burch sits on the top rope as Aichner begins to run at him from the other side of the ring. Burch pushes him away. This distraction gives Mendoza enough time to pull Burch off the top rope without the referee seeing. Aichner tries to run interference as we head to commercial break.
We return from commercial break and Aichner delivers a Belly to Back Suplex to Burch and has taken control of the match. Mendoza tags in.
Back from commercial and Aichner has Burch in a headlock. Aichner hits Burch with a back suplex, then kicks away at Burch. Aichner picks him up and tosses him into the corner. Raul Mendoza makes the blind tag, and kicks away at Burch.
Mendoza picks Burch up and chokes him on the top ropes, then he taunts Roderick Strong. Mendoza covers Burch for two, then locks in a modified chicken wing submission. Burch fights to his feet, then goes for a sunset flip on Mendoza.
Mendoza makes the blind tag to Aichner, and Aichner takes on Strong and Burch. Strong gets back to his corner and makes the blind tag, clearing house of both Aichner and Mendoza. Strong hits Aichner with an Olympic Slam, then covers Burch, but Mendoza breaks up the pin.
Aichner picks up Strong in a fireman’s carry, then tags in Mendoza. Strong is able to drop Aichner out of the ring, but Mendoza comes back and lays into Mendoza with strikes. Mendoza goes to the top rope and Strong gives chase, knocking Mendoza silly. Strong tags in Burch. Strong takes Aichner out of the ring, and Burch hits Mendoza with a cutter from the top rope, then pins Mendoza for three.
Winners: Danny Burch and Roderick Strong
After the Match
As they celebrate their victory, Burch tries to shake hands with Strong after the ring, but Strong ignores him and walks out.
Commentary notes that this means later down the line, we will see Danny Burch and Lorcan against the Undisputed Era.
Backstage Interview – Austin Theory
Minutes away from his match with Damian Priest, we head backstage where Austin Theory is being interviewed. Sarah states she spoke to Damian earlier and he said that Austin is going to continue to slide. “Is that what he said?” Theory begins as Johnny Gargano cuts off the interview asking Sarah why she’s distracting Theory right before his match.
Johnny Gargano continues speaking to Theory stating Theory has a lot of natural talent, enough to be a “major player” in NXT. He says that if Theory is able to soften up Priest ahead of Gargano’s title match at TakeOver, he won’t forget it. We then head to commercial.
NXT North American Champion Damian Priest vs. Austin Theory
As we return from commercial break, Austin Theory’s entrance theme pops in the Full Sail University arena as Theory makes his way down the ramp and enters the ring for his match-up tonight with the North American Champion! Theory awaits his opponent. Next, the NXT NA Champ Damian Priest makes his way down the ramp and enters the ring, removing his jacket and stretching his arms out. The referee signals the bell.
The bell rings and the match is officially underway! Priest takes control of the left arm of Theory early on. Commentary notes that Priest will be defending his title against Johnny Gargano at the pay-per-view. Priest is clearly in control of this match, even as Theory gets a Waistlock on Priest that is quickly reversed. Theory with an Elbow to Priest. A Back Elbow in return from Priest to show him who’s the boss of this match!
Priest catches the left arm of Theory as Priest uses his height and balance to walk the top rope for
a Crossbody to take down Theory. Quickly back to his feet, Priest continues to dominate. Theory is thrown into the corner of the ring. Priest looks to run in and Theory moves Theory with a Belly to Back Suplex on Priest. Theory cracks a smile as he realizes he’s changed something in the match. Priest assists Theory back to a standing position. Big Clothesline followed by a Standing Moonsault for the cover on Priest! Priest is able to kick out at two! Theory delivers a Forearm Strike to the face of Priest. Priest hits the Flatliner on Theory.Priest looks to be setting up for another move off the ropes, Theory quickly back to his feet heads over and shoves Priest out of the ring, Priest lands hard and hits his head on the floor outside of the ring and is holding his arm as we head to commercial break!
We return from commercial break and Priest has regained control of this match. A Massive Clothesline followed by an Elbow to the jaw. Priest tosses Theory with ease as he lands the Falcon Arrow on Theory! Theory with strikes delivered to Priest. Theory hits the Blue Thunderbomb for the cover on Priest who kicks out at two. Pretty impressive of Theory picking Priest up and moving so light still! Priest on the outside, Theory exits the ring and joins him. Theory throwing strikes and talking smack, as he grabs Priest’s face.
Priest grabs Theory in a Chokehold, setting up for South of Heaven. Theory counters and goes for a move, but Priest counts and hits a Kick to the face. Spine first into the apron for Theory as Priest growls and re-enters the ring! Priest hits the Reckoning for the three count pin and win!
Winner: North American Champion Damian Priest
After the Match
Priest is handed his championship belt as he celebrates his victory inside the ring, we head to replays.
Inside the Ring
We return from the replays and Damian Priest is standing tall in a darkened arena, only a blue light illuminating around Priest as he’s smiling and celebrating his win when suddenly out of nowhere he is hit with a Superkick by none other than Johnny Gargano! Priest is laid out in the center of the ring as Gargano uses hand gestures as if to say he has Priest “in his sights”. We head to commercial break.
Video Promo – Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
As we return from commercial break, we head into a video promo with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott who discusses future opponent Santos Escobar. Scott states that he is the better competitor compared to Escobar. He then challenges Escobar to a match for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, without the presence of Legado del Fantasma, if he’s willing to do so.
Ridge Holland vs. Antonio De Luca
We head back to the ring as we prepare for the next match-up of the evening. The referee signals for the bell and De Luca runs right at Holland, but Holland takes him down quickly with a huge pounce. Holland hits him with a belly-to-belly overhead suplex. Holland picks him up and hits him with another overhead suplex.
Holland picks up De Luca again, and De Luca hits him in the face. Holland is enraged, who hits a series of headbutts on De Luca, then hits De Luca with Northern Grit for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Ridge Holland
Backstage Interview – Io Shirai
We head backstage where Io Shirai is being interviewed about Candice LeRae getting #1 Contender after her victory earlier in the evening. Shirai interrupts and responds, saying in Japanese that she doesn’t like Candice. In English she adds, “Never have, never will.” Before Io can say too much, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae appear and get into Io’s face. Damian Priest walks through the doors and attacks Gargano. The duos of the Gargano’s and Io and Priest are pulled apart and separated from each other by NXT referees.
Backstage
Kushida and Kyle O’Reilly are shown backstage and we are told that those two will start the Gauntlet Eliminator match, and we go to commercial.
Gauntlet Eliminator Match
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Kushida vs. Cameron Grimes vs. Bronson Reed vs. Timothy ThatcherThe recently created “Gauntlet Eliminator Match” is announced. We are informed that every four minutes, a new competitor will enter the match, and the only way to eliminate someone is via pinfall or submission.
The match is underway! O’Reilly and Kushdia trade submission attempts, with Kushida focusing on O’Reilly’s arm and O’Reilly focusing on Kushida’s leg. O’Reilly hits Kushida with a pump kick, and Kushida hits O’Reilly with a basement dropkick. Kushida goes right back at O’Reilly’s left arm.
Kushida takes O’Reilly down to the mat, but O’Reilly is able to bring Kushida down as well. Kushida and O’Reilly get to their feet and trade blows until Bronson Reed comes down to the ring.
Kushida and O’Reilly are both taken down by Bronson Reed, and Reed picks up Kushida and tosses him into O’Reilly. Then, he gets both men in a fireman’s carry, but Kushida escapes and hits a double back elbow on O’Reilly and Reed. Kushida hangs up Reed in the middle rope, but O’Reilly grabs Kushdia in an armbar.
Reed tries to break things up, but O’Reilly catches Reed’s leg and locks in a kneebar. Kushida breaks up that hold with a Hoverboard Lock on O’Reilly, but Reed breaks that hold up with a senton.
Reed continues to keep Kushida and O’Reilly down. Reed goes to the top rope, but O’Reilly gets to his feet and hits a leaping forearm to Reed’s face. O’Reilly tries to hit a flying armbar, but Reed blocks. Kushida hits a springboard heel kick on Reed and O’Reilly on the top rope, sending O’Reilly off of the turnbuckle to the outside.
The referee checks on O’Reilly on the outside, and while the referee is distracted, Velveteen Dream runs in and hits Kushida with a Dram Valley Driver. Reed sees the downed Kushida and hits a Tsunami Splash on Kushida, pinning him and eliminating him. Timothy Thatcher enters the match and runs down to the ring as we go to commercial break.
We return from commercial break with 8 seconds left before the last entrant joins the gauntlet! Cameron Grimes music sounds as the clock runs out. Grimes jumps in and joins the mayhem!Thatcher rolls out of the ring and find Kyle O’Reilly, bringing him to the apron. Thatcher and O’Reilly trade blows on the apron. Reed geos after Thatcher, but Thatcher gets Reed in a headlock. Grimes hits Thatcher with a superkick, and Reed tosses Thatcher to the outside. Reed is the only man standing in the ring, as all other four men have went to the outside.
Reed goes outside and brings Timothy Thatcher back into the ring. Reed hits Thatcher with a death valley driver, pinning Thatcher for two. O’Reilly comes in the ring, and Reed hits O’Reilly with a powerbomb, covering O’Reilly for two. Cameron Grimes gets into the ring and chops and strikes away at Reed.
Grimes is able to take Reed down to the mat and covers him for two. Reed gets back to his feet and tosses Grimes across the ring. Grimes rolls out of the ring and ends up in a scrum with O’Reilly and Thatcher on the outside. Reed hits a suicide dive over the top rope onto all three men on the outside and we go to commercial.
Thatcher rolls out of the ring and find Kyle O’Reilly, bringing him to the apron. Thatcher and O’Reilly trade blows on the apron. Reed geos after Thatcher, but Thatcher gets Reed in a headlock. Grimes hits Thatcher with a superkick, and Reed tosses Thatcher to the outside. Reed is the only man standing in the ring, as all other four men have went to the outside.
Reed goes outside and brings Timothy Thatcher back into the ring. Reed hits Thatcher with a death valley driver, pinning Thatcher for two. O’Reilly comes in the ring, and Reed hits O’Reilly with a powerbomb, covering O’Reilly for two. Cameron Grimes gets into the ring and chops and strikes away at Reed.
Grimes is able to take Reed down to the mat and covers him for two. Reed gets back to his feet and tosses Grimes across the ring. Grimes rolls out of the ring and ends up in a scrum with O’Reilly and Thatcher on the outside. Reed hits a suicide dive over the top rope onto all three men on the outside and we go to commercial.
We return from the commercial break. Grimes takes down everyone, hitting a moonsault on Thatcher and a PK on O’Reilly. Grimes hits O’Reilly with a ura nage, and Reed takes Grimes down with a clothesline, and all four men are down in the ring.
Thatcher rolls out of the ring and find Kyle O’Reilly, bringing him to the apron. Thatcher and O’Reilly trade blows on the apron. Reed geos after Thatcher, but Thatcher gets Reed in a headlock. Grimes hits Thatcher with a superkick, and Reed tosses Thatcher to the outside. Reed is the only man standing in the ring, as all other four men have went to the outside.
Reed goes outside and brings Timothy Thatcher back into the ring. Reed hits Thatcher with a death valley driver, pinning Thatcher for two. O’Reilly comes in the ring, and Reed hits O’Reilly with a powerbomb, covering O’Reilly for two. Cameron Grimes gets into the ring and chops and strikes away at Reed.
Grimes is able to take Reed down to the mat and covers him for two. Reed gets back to his feet and tosses Grimes across the ring. Grimes rolls out of the ring and ends up in a scrum with O’Reilly and Thatcher on the outside. Reed hits a suicide dive over the top rope onto all three men on the outside and we go to commercial.
Back from commercial and Thatcher and Grimes are trying to take out Reed. Reed is able to fight them off, but O’Reilly comes in the ring. Reed takes O’Reilly down with a power slam and places O’Reilly on the top rope. Reed is caught by Thatcher and Grimes, but picks up Grimes and tosses him into Thatcher.
Reed goes to the top rope, but Thatcher gives chase and goes to the middle rope. Thatcher goes for a superplex, but Reed pushes him off. Reed goes for a Tsunami Splash on Thatcher, but Thatcher rolls out of the way. O’Reilly hits a diving knee from the top rope onto Reed, the pins him for the elimination.
O’Reilly and Thatcher trade ankle and toe holds, but Grimes runs in and hits a suplex on O’Reilly. Thatcher hits Grimes with a belly to belly suplex of his own. Thatcher gets O’Relly in a reverse full nelson, but O’Reilly breaks the hold and they trade blows. O’Reilly hits Grimes with an enziguri, but Thatcher catches O’REilly in a standing sleeper.
Grimes goes for a superkick on O’Reilly, but O’Reilly catches the leg and goes for an ankle lock. However, Thatcher’s sleeper makes O’Reilly release the hold. O’Reilly gets Thatcher rolled in to a pin, but Thatcher kicks out at two. Grimes runs at O’Reilly, but O’Reilly dodges Grimes and Grimes gets dumped to the outside.
O’Reilly and Thatcher trade blows, and O’Reilly rolls Thatcher up twice, getting the elimination in the second pinfall attempt. As soon as O’Reilly gets to his feet, Grimes runs in and hits a Cave In on O’Reilly. O’Reilly reaches the bottom rope with his foot during a pinfall attempt.
Grimes trash talks O’Reilly. Grimes hits O’Reilly with his Spanish Fly-style body slam, covering O’Reilly for two. O’Reilly and Grimes trade blows and kicks. O’Reilly hits Grimes with a leaping knee and a dragon screw. Grimes hits O’Reilly with a kick to the back of the neck. Grimes goes for a Cave In, but O’Reilly ducks and picks Grimes’ leg, locking a heel hook. Grimes immediately taps out, giving O’Reilly the win.
Winner: Kyle O’Reilly
After the Match
Adam Cole and Roderick Strong come out to celebrate with O’Reilly in the ring. Finn Balor comes out and stands at the top of the ramp and points a finger gun at O’Reilly as NXT goes off the air!
**Be sure to return this Friday for WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results that will lead us into the WWE Clash of Champions pay-per-view! Have a good night!! Stay safe, stay healthy, and as always, stay awesome!!!**
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