NXT Results, Grade & Opinion: March 31, 2021
A.K.A. The One Where A Dog Stole The Show
Results:
- Cameron Grimes def. Roderick Strong
- Santos Escobar def. Tyler Breeze
- Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell def. Gigi Dolin & Zayda Ramier
- Raquel Gonzalez def. Zoey Stark
- Xia Li def. Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter
- LA Knight wins the Battle Royale to earn the last entrance spot in the Gauntlet Match for a North American Title Shot
The Main Event: The Eliminator Before The Eliminator
Our main event of the evening was a Battle Royale to decide the participants in the Gauntlet Match on night one of Stand and Deliver. It was originally meant to be a 12 man battle royale, but Roderick Strong forfeited his spot and left the arena earlier. He had a rough start to the night in the opening match. Strong was battling Cameron Grimes when Grimes threw an Undisputed Era armband at him. That was enough to distract Strong and give Grimes the win. Later in the night, Strong would walk out since he was “done with everything”.
Undisputed. #WWENXT @roderickstrong @CGrimesWWE pic.twitter.com/RNcyOc3XVG
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 1, 2021
Of the 11 competitors, the first three wrestlers out were Austin Theory, Tyler Rust & Jake Atlas. The last two eliminated were KUSHIDA and Pete Dunne, who eliminated one another. Those two will now face each other on night one of Stand and Deliver to continue their brewing feud.
The battle between @PeteDunneYxB and @KUSHIDA_0904 brings us down to the final six who are headed to #NXTTakeOver! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/HB9cGPLt0y
— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2021
The remaining six wrestlers fought to determine order of entry for the gauntlet match. In order, Leon Ruff, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Bronson Reed, & Cameron Grimes were eliminated to get us to the final two: LA Knight & Dexter Lumis. After going through the ropes to spear Lumis, Knight yanked Lumis off the apron to get the win and the final spot in the gauntlet.
It's GOOD to be LAST. #BattleRoyal #WWENXT
Wednesday's Night 1 #NXTTakeOver: Stand & Deliver #GauntletEliminator Order:
1. @LEONRUFF_
2. @swerveconfident
3. @bronsonreedwwe
4. @CGrimesWWE
5. @DexterLumis
6. @LAKnightWWE pic.twitter.com/C73A5nI2Ph— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2021
The Undercard:
Io Shirai and Raquel Gonzalez brawled multiple times during the show to prepare for their meeting at TakeOver. The highlight of it all: Gonzalez swinging a powerbomb to toss Shirai through a wall (that was actually a boarded up window). These two may tear the roof down at TakeOver.
This brawl does not, and will not, end. 👀 #WWENXT @RaquelWWE @shirai_io pic.twitter.com/UvGkbfHIDX
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 1, 2021
As usual as a go-home segment, all three tag teams from the triple threat Tag Title match confronted one another. After Santos Escobar defeated Tyler Breeze, MSK saved Breeze from a beatdown by Legado Del Fantasma. Grizzled Young Vets couldn’t be bothered to join the fray, instead interrupting both teams on the Titantron. Who will walk out the new Tag Team Champions come Wednesday?
Who will leave with the #WWENXT Tag Team Championships on Night 1of #NXTTakeOver?@NashCarterWWE @WesLee_WWE @JamesDrake_GYT
@ZackGibson01 @RaulMendozaWWE @joaquinwilde_ pic.twitter.com/obpIMq9JsI— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2021
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell picked up a tag win and then made a challenge to Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon for the NXT Women’s Tag Titles. The champions accepted, and that match is now added to night two of Stand and Deliver.
Xia Li & Mei Ying were scheduled for a tag team match, but only Xia Li participated. Li managed to take out both Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro. Carter tried to confront Mei Ying at the entry ramp, but was choked and smoked out. The spookiness is off the charts with this gimmick.
What did we just witness from @FearTianSha?! #WWENXT@wwekayden pic.twitter.com/ShrQKLWPV1
— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2021
A dog debuted with a couple of vignettes on the show! Some sleuthing leads us to believe this will be the debut of Taya Valkyrie in NXT, coming to us on April 13th. This dog is a star.
How did the 🐶 get into the CWC?! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/bEhofXMUjT
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 1, 2021
Grade: A-
NXT is officially deep enough for a two-night special event. Just like two-night Wrestlemania, Stand and Deliver feels like it has enough for both shows to feel important. Between the NXT and Women’s Championships and the Unsanctioned match, NXT has developed three main event worthy feuds. The secondary championships have intriguing matches, and both nights should be fantastic. Also, who doesn’t love a dog debut?
Next Thursday on Night 2 of #NXTTakeOver:
⭐@FinnBalor vs. @WWEKarrionKross for #NXTTitle Match
⭐@KORcombat vs. @AdamColePro #UnsanctionedMatch
⭐#LadderMatch for #Cruiserweight Title
⭐@JohnnyGargano vs. ? #NXTNATitle Match
⭐#WWENXT Women's #TagTeamTitles Match@peacockTV pic.twitter.com/Hf5NHOBhaF— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 1, 2021
