WWE NXT Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, And Grades For September 13
Johnny Gargano vs. Riddick Moss on WWE NXT TV. Credit: WWE.com
No Way Jose Promo
No Way Jose and Lars Sullivan have been having a bit of a back-and-forth over the past few weeks with interferences, and Jose cuts a promo about how Sullivan “has a screw loose”, adding that he needs to teach Sullivan a “lesson”.
He challenges Sullivan to a match next week, tired of the monstrous Sullivan’s constant beatdowns of other wrestlers that occur outside of matches.
Johnny Gargano vs. Riddick Moss
Result: Gargano defeats Moss via pinfall
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Last week, Johnny Gargano got into a little bit of a backstage argument with Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli, who both taunted “Johnny Wrestling” over his loss at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III (as well as his past). Gargano responded by stating that both of those two were only sitting at home on their couches, and then he challenged either one of them to a match.
Well, Gargano is getting a chance to show his stuff against Riddick Moss, but he’ll have to be wary with Sabbatelli at ringside. Before the match starts, it’s interesting how much the commentary team harps on how Gargano “came up short” at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, so I continue to wonder if they’ll set him up as a “lovable loser” who eventually gets his big win (the same story they have told with Bayley and Sami Zayn).
Moss’s strength advantage was immediately showcased as both exchanged holds, contrasted with Gargano’s superior technical ability. He tossed Gargano around the ring with ease. Gargano would counter many moves with great quickness, but he earned a vicious back-elbow for his efforts.
The dominant Moss continued to stomp on Gargano in the corner, soaking up all of the heat from the Full Sail crowd. Then, Gargano mounted his comeback, hitting a beautiful dive outside the ring and shaking off interference from Sabbatelli. He then had a beautiful counter of a big move into a crossface, but Moss deflated the crowd by reaching for the rope.
Gargano, in shock after Moss’s escape from the submission hold, seemed to have lost his confidence, as noted by the commentary team. He then received a massive fallaway slam, and it suddenly seemed like Moss could pull off the upset. Instead, Gargano hit a slingshot spear for a well-earned victory.