WWE NXT: MSK retain tag titles in main event over Legado del Fantasma

Karrion Kross successfully defended his title against Finn Balor last week. Now, three men face each other with the opportunity to compete against Kross next on the line. Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, and Johnny Gargano were set for a triple threat for the number one contender’s slot for the NXT Championship. That and much more was on the line on another edition of WWE NXT.

The night started off with that triple threat as Dunne, Gargano, and O’Reilly battled for that top spot.

The pace was fast right from the start with all three men exchanging blows in the middle of the ring. Submissions were the name of the game as O’Reilly locked both Dunne and Gargano into holds, before all three men found themselves twisted in painful ways. O’Reilly was on a tear early, knocking Dunne from the ring before focusing on Gargano.

Gargano was able to get in his own flow of the offense, planting O’Reilly with a DDT while kicking Dunne off the apron. Gargano’s offense was stifled though as Dunne grounded him once again, continuing to focus on his arm. O’Reilly continued to roll whenever he was involved with the match, using a diverse set of offense techniques on both men.

Gargano’s time to shine included him hitting three suicide dives in a row, including a spear into the ring. But he did not remain in control for long as Dunne stormed back, with a powerbomb and an X-Plex before Gargano kicked out. Each man had their own series of near falls, including Gargano countering the Bitter End and following up with a lawn dart, but Dunne kicked out at two.

Two of the three men were locked in submission moves until Gargano locked in the Gargano Escape on Dunne, but he would break out, hitting the Bitter End. Before he could pin Gargano, O’Reilly came off the top to hit a knee drop.

Adam Cole stormed down to ringside, laying all three men out, none of them able to get back to their feet. William Regal came out with security to remove Cole, but not before he would lay out O’Reilly with another kick. The match would end in a no contest.

While the referees were trying to remove Cole, Ember Moon walked down and called out Raquel Gonzalez. The two women ended up brawling before security once again was needed to hold the two women back. Dakota Kai hit the ring to attack Moon, knocking her from the ring with a pump kick.

LA Knight and Jake Atlas were set for singles activity up next. Atlas got off to a fast start, focusing on Knight’s arm to keep him on the mat. Atlas had his early spots, but Knight was in firm control for much of the match.

Ted DiBiase came down to the ring to watch the match, and the distraction almost caused Knight to get pinned. Knight continued to punish Atlas to show off for the Hall of Famer. Atlas attempted a suplex, but Knight turned it around into a neck breaker. The offense continued for Knight, who kept Atlas on his back. Atlas continued to build offense, while Cameron Grimes was out to sweet talk DiBiase.

Atlas laned a big Death Valley Driver into a standing moonsault, but Knight kicked out. Knight stopped Atlas before he could come off the top rope. Knight was distracted by Grimes, allowing Atlas to hit the Cartwheel DDT to pick up the win.

Jake Atlas defeated LA Knight via pinfall.

Kushida was out next to take on a new challenge in the name of Carmelo Hayes.

Hayes was off to a strong start, staying ahead of Kushida. Kushida took over for a moment, but Hayes landed a nice kick to Kushida’s head, stunning him. Kushida was quick to get back on the offensive, landing a springboard knee, but once again Hayes was a few steps ahead, landing a nasty guillotine leg drop.

Haye’s overconfidence became a problem, as Kushida would knock Hayes from the apron and then hit a knee to the shoulder. Hayes countered with a chin breaker into what looked like a springboard sling blade. Kushida and Hayes ended up exchanging blows with the veteran getting the advantage, dropping Hayes to a knee.

Hayes went to springboard once again, but Kushida countered with a punch to the face. He then kicked the arm and transitioned to the Hoverboard Lock, and it was not long until he had to submit.

Kushida defeated Carmelo Hayes via submission.

Zoey Stark and Zayda Ramier were placed in tag team action against The Way.

Indi Hartwell was all over Ramier right from the start. Hartwell and Candice LeRae took turns beating on Ramier, who they isolated on their side of the ring. Ramier continued to take punishment until she was able to get over to Stark who went on a run, nearly knocking LeRae out cold.

Ramier was brought back into the ring and things fell apart for that team. LeRae and Hartwell would hit Wicked Savage and pick up the victory via pinfall.

Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae defeated Zayda Ramier and Zoey Stark via pinfall.

The main event of the evening was a tag team match where MSK defended the titles against Legado del Fantasma.

Wes Lee and Joaquin Wilde started off the match with Lee getting the initial upper hand. MSK looked to hit a tag team move but Wilde was able to escape, laying out both men. He would isolate Nash Carter and he and Raul Mendoza stopped him into the mat.

Nash was able to get the tag to Lee and they went on a tear hitting Wilde with a wealth of offense. Mendoza did enough to break it up until he celebrated a bit too much, giving the opening to Lee to drop him with a knee. The challengers remained in control for much of the match, even as both Lee and Carter attempted to find openings. Lee was on their side of the ring for minutes at a time, taking a beatdown that put in him danger of losing the tag titles. Lee was almost lifeless before he would break away after a counter DDT to Mendoza.

Carter stepped into the ring and went on a tear against the challengers, nearly allowing Lee to pin them for the win. Lee was once again in the ring by himself as Legado continued to roll all over him. Lee continued to kick out, staying alive for moments when it looked like the match was over. Lee was knocked outside the ring, allowing for Santos Escobar to interfere. When it looked like Lee was going to be pinned Nash dove across the ring to make the save. That gave MSK enough room to hit the modified blockbuster to pick up the win and keep their titles.

MSK defeated Legado del Fantasma via pinfall to retain tag team titles.