WWE NXT Results - First-Ever Cage Fight, Tournament Continues, Charlotte Flair Finds A Partner, More

Welcome to our WrestlingINC.com Live WWE NXT Viewing Party. Tonight's show comes from the NXT Arena at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.

- Tonight's WWE NXT episode opens up on the USA Network. We're live on a slight tape delay from the NXT Arena on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL. Tom Phillips welcomes us. He's joined by Mauro Ranallo and WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix, who aren't in the building tonight. There are developmental talents in the crowd as "fans" tonight.

Triple Threat for the NXT Interim Cruiserweight Title Tournament: Drake Maverick vs. Kushida vs. Jake Atlas

We go right to the ring and out first comes Drake Maverick in what could be his final WWE match. We get a video package showing what led to this match. Kushida is out next as we see the Cruiserweight Title on display at ringside. Jake Atlas is out last. The winner of this Group A match will face Group B winner El Hijo del Fantasma in the tournament finals to crown the new Interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion.

The bell rings and they go a tit. Kushida strikes first but Drake fights him off and then chops Atlas. Atlas works Drake over while Kushida recovers. Jake launches Drake into Kushida. Atlas with a backbreaker on Drake for a quick 1 count as Kushida breaks it. Jake ends up sending Kushida to the floor to block a Sakuraba Lock to Drake. Atlas with a big moonsault to the floor on Kushida.

Atlas fights back in and springboards to Drake with a Blockbuster for a close 2 count. Atlas with a 2 count on Kushida now. Atlas chops Kushida but Kushida comes back with a low dropkick. Kushida then nails Drake. Kushida goes from corner to corner on each opponent now. He takes Drake to the top but Atlas decks him. Kushida is on Atlas' shoulders but he slides down. Kushida slides Atlas into a kick from Maverick. Kushida goes on with 2 counts on both competitors after a roll-up to Atlas and a German to Drake. We go to commercial with Kushida in control.

Back from the break and they're going at it. Drake with big kicks to both in the corner. Drake with a missile dropkick to Kushida. Drake sends Atlas to the corner but he ends up on the floor. Kushida rocks Drake and leaps out, taking Atlas down on the floor. Kushida keeps control on Drake, hitting a tornado DDT and the submission but Drake turns it into a close 2 count but Atlas breaks it up.

Atlas with a huge knee to Drake's face. Kushida tangles with Atlas and Atlas hits an inverted suplex for a 2 count. The "fans" rally as Atlas charges but misses on Drake. Drake with a big bulldog out of the corner but Kushida breaks the pin up. Kushida unloads with kicks to Drake. Kushida with a big wind up punch to drop Drake. Atlas rocks Kushida. Atlas with a big German suplex on Kushida. Kushida rolls to the floor. Atlas slams Drake and goes to the top. More back and forth after the counter out of the corner. Atlas and Kushida trade big strikes on the floor now. Atlas drops Kushida. Atlas comes back in to Drake. but Kushida nails Atlas while he's up top. Kushida climbs up Drake hits them both, sending Atlas too the apron. Drake climbs up but Kushida applies the Sakuraba Lock up top. Atlas kicks Drake out of the hold but to the floor.

Atlas tangles with Kushida up top now. Kushida with an arm breaker on the top. Atlas counters up top but Kushida launches them from the top into the armbar on the mat. Drake comes over and turns their submission into a pin for the win.

Winner: Drake Maverick

- After the bell, there's some confusion as Drake starts celebrating but so does Kushida. The referee raises Drake's arm, confirming the win for him. We go to replays as Kushida is informed that he didn't win. Drake goes to stand with the title on display at ringside as his music hits. El Hijo del Fantasma comes out and shakes hands with Drake. Fantasma leaves and Drake stares at the title. Drake vs. Fantasma will take place for the title at a later date.

- Tom hypes Io Shirai vs. Rhea Ripley vs. NXT Women's Champion Charlotte Flair at the "Takeover: In Your House" event. Flair will find a partner to team against Shirai and Ripley tonight. Back to commercial.

- We see WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle backstage giving Timothy Thatcher the rules for tonight's main event.

- Tom shows us replays from the Triple Threat and the confusion over the winner. The referee's decision is final and Drake is the winner. Fantasma vs. Maverick will take place next week.

- We go back to the ring and out comes Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae as the developmental talents boo them. Gargano enters the ring and announces the first-ever Johnny Gargano Invitational. He says for the first time, an up & comer will get the chance to step in the ring with the greatest. He mocks some of the talents behind the Plexiglas barrier. Gargano calls for a drum roll and asks Candice to hand him the paper with tonight's lucky talent on it. The music hits and out comes enhancement talent Adrian Alanis.

Adrian Alanis vs. Johnny Gargano

Out comes EVOLVE talent Adrian Alanis to the ring. Johnny Gargano offers a handshake as the bell rings. Alanis accepts and Gargano drops him with a cheap shot.

The crowd boos as Gargano mounts Alanis and unloads with strikes. Alanis comes back and levels Gargano as he gets some pops. Gargano turns it around with a superkick out of nowhere. Gargano keeps control and locks in the GargaNo Lock for the easy win.

Winner: Johnny Gargano

- After the bell, Candice LeRae joins Johnny in the ring as we go to replays. The boos continue as his music hits and Gargano toses Alanis out of the ring. NXT North American Champion Keith Lee and Mia Yim appear on the big screen. They're at The Garganos house, sitting at their dinner table. Lee and Yim take shots at Gargano and LeRae this time, like LeRae and Gargano did last week. There's a knock at the door and it's Tegan Nox the pizza delivery girl, wearing a t-shirt for WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero. The comedy and shots at LeRae and Gargano continue as they look on from the ring.

- McKenzie Mitchell is backstage with Drake Maverick now. She asks him about the controversial ending to the Triple Threat. Drake wanted to come in this fairly and says they can do a match or something to make up for what happened. Kushida walks up and shows respect to Drake, telling him to just go fight and win. Drake shows respect back and says he wants to give Kushida the first title shot when he wins. Drake shows excitement over the win and we go back to commercial.

- Back from the break and NXT Tag Team Champions Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner of Imperium are backstage with a promo. They talk about taking over the tag team division and issue a warning. They address Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch, calling them disgraces to their countries. Imperium now sets the rules in NXT. They welcome us to their area.

Shotzi Blackheart vs. Raquel Gonzalez

We go back to the ring and out comes Shotzi Blackheart in her mini-tank as Alicia Taylor does the introductions. Raquel Gonzalez is out next with Dakota Kai.

The bell rings and they lock up to go at it. Blackheart with a shot to anger Raquel. Gonzalez begins manhandling Blackheart and talking trash. Shotzi focuses on the arm of Raquel now. Raquel powers her up from the mat but Shotzi fights free. More back and forth with counters between the two. Shotzi drops Raquel on her arm. Blackheart with a big knee and a rolling forearm, then more kicks. Blackheart sends Raquel face-first into the ropes with an enziguri as Kai cheers Raquel on.

Blackheart misses and gets stuck on the ropes. Gonzalez manhandles her to the mat and nails an elbow for a close 2 count. Kai hops in Shotzi's tank and drives it back to the ramp, taunting Blackheart. She tosses some of her things on the ground. Tegan Nox runs down from the back and shoves Kai to the ground. Shotzi looks to make a comeback as Nox cheers her on from ringside now. Gonzalez levels her again and keeps control as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Raquel continues to dominate Shotzi. Raquel with a big running powerslam for a close 2 count. Raquel with a bear hug in the middle of the ring now. The crowd rallies for Shotzi and she eventually fights free. Shotzi runs right into a big backbreaker for another close 2 count.

Shotzi starts to mount offense and counters now. Shotzi drops Raquel face-first into the middle rope. Shotzi with a running senton to the back now. Kai pulls Raquel out to the floor to help her tregroup now. Shotzi leaps from the middle rope on the apron, flying back and taking down both heels on the floor. Shotzi lands hard on her back. Nox helps Shotzi up as the referee also checks on her.

Candice LeRae comes down and pulls Nox away from Shotzi. They have words while getting in each other's faces. LeRae backs up the ramp while talking trash to Nox. The referee is distracted on the other side of the ring with LeRae and Nox. This allows Kai to provide an assist to Raquel, for the double team to Shotzi. Raquel drives Shotzi into the mat with a big chokeslam for the pin to win.

Winner: Raquel Gonzalez

- After the match, Kai stands tall in the ring with Gonzalez as the music hits. Nox enters the ring to check on Shotzi as we go to replays. Kai and Gonzalez stand tall on the stage, looking back at the ring and taunting Shotzi and Nox.

- Tom hypes Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest for Takeover. We go to a video package for the match.

- Still to come, Flair and a partner vs. Shirai and Ripley. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and we get a quick promo on Charlotte Flair. She will defend against Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai at "Takeover: In Your House" in a Triple Threat.

Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai vs. Charlotte Flair and Chelsea Green

We go back to the ring and out first comes Rhea Ripley for her team. Io Shirai is out next to team with Ripley. Mauro speaks out against cyber-bullying and remembers Japanese wrestler Hana Kimura, who passed away at the age of 22 last week after committing suicide. NXT Women's Champion Charlotte Flair is out first for her team. Flair hits the ring with the title around her waist and poses as her opponents stare her down. The music hits and out comes Flair's mystery partner – Chelsea Green of The Robert Stone Brand. Stone accompanies Green down the ramp and praises her to the camera. Stone joins Green in the ring and continues hyping her up as the others look on and the crowd boos.

Ripley starts off for her team. Flair looks to begin for her team but she goes to the apron and Green gets ready to lock up with Ripley. Ripley goes at her first but Ripley wants Flair. Green is ready to go at it. Green dodges a shot. Ripley has words with Flair. Green goes behind Ripley and nails her in the back. Ripley takes control and slams Green on her face with a Facebuster. Ripley goes to knock Flair off the apron with a big boot boot Flair jumps down.

Green grabs Ripley by her hair as the referee warns her. Ripley drops Green with a headbutt. Shirai tags in and rocks Green with forearms. Shirai mounts offense and unloads on Green. Shirai sends Green into the corner and charges in with an elbow. Shirai drops Green in the corner and unloads with boots. Shirai drives her knees into Green in the corner as the referee counts. Green blocks a kick on the ropes, sending Shirai to the floor. Green runs the ropes and hits the suicide dive.

Green brings Shirai back in as a "NXT!" chant breaks out. Flair tries to put boots to Shirai but the referee warns her. Flair tags in and unloads on Shirai in the corner with kicks. Green tags in for a quick double team. Flair is also still taunting Ripley. Shirai sends Green to the floor and runs the ropes, leaping out with a plancha. Shirai is fired up on the outside now as the "NXT!" chant continues. Shirai unloads against the barrier with kicks to Green. Flair walks over where Shirai is working on Green. Ripley jumps down off the apron and lets Flair know she's there. Shirai goes to whip Green into the barrier but Green counters and launches Shirai into it. We go to commercial with Green in control.

Back from the break and Flair has Shirai down in the middle of the ring. Shirai tries to fight up and out but Flair takes her back down. Flair with big chops against the ropes, taunting Ripley. Shirai forces Flair to chop Green, dropping her on the apron by accident. Flair stops Shirai from making the tag. Ripley still runs in but she distracts the referee, allowing Shirai to get double teamed in the corner.

Green tags in and taunts Ripley. Shirai takes advantage with a big crossbody to Green. Ripley gets the hot tag, running wild with a clothesline to Green and a shot to knock Flair off the apron. Ripley clotheslines Green again. Ripley with knee strikes and a big dropkick to Green. Ripley with an Electric Chair Facebuster to Green. Ripley covers but Flair breaks the pin up. Ripley and Green tangle again. Flair tags in as Ripley rolls Green in. Flair with a big boot to the face. Flair goes for the Figure Four but Shirai flies in and breaks it up. Shirai takes Flair with with a hurricanrana. Shirai with flying double knees in the corner. Shirai with a pin attempt but Flair kicks out.

Shirai goes for the double underhook on Flair but Flair back-drops her. Shirai lands on her feet. Shirai rolls Flair up and stomps on her chest with both boots. Shirai goes for the 619 on Flair and nails it for another pop. Shirai springboards in but Green pushes Flair out of the way to safety, taking the missile dropkick for her. More back and forth with Flair and Shirai. Ripley swings at Flair from the apron but Flair moves as Shirai charges, causing Shirai to knock Ripley off the apron to the floor. Flair rolls Shirai up for the pin to win, using her feet on the ropes for leverage.

Winners: Charlotte Flair and Chelsea Green

- After the bell, Stone immediately helps Green up off the floor as Flair's music hits. Flair, Green and Stone stand at the bottom of the ramp together as Flair raises her title. We go to replays. Shirai and Ripley recover on the outside, staring at Flair. Mauro hypes Shirai vs. Ripley vs. Flair for the title at Takeover.

- McKenzie is backstage with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae now. They take offense to her question about Mia Yim and Keith Lee, insisting they are the only power couple in NXT. Gargano says he will take the NXT North American Title from Lee at Takeover. Candice says she will see Yim next week. Candice also says Tegan Nox should be ashamed of herself. They walk off.

- Kurt Angle is shown backstage talking to Matt Riddle ahead of tonight's main event.

- Still to come, Adam Cole negotiates with William Regal. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and Tom leads us to the live negotiations between NXT Champion Adam Cole and NXT General Manager William Regal, over The Velveteen Dream. It appears they are both calling in from home. Cole brags about being the longest-reigning NXT Champion and says unfortunately tonight's celebration had to be put on hold because of Dream. Regal doesn't have time for crying and asks Cole what he wants to negotiate. Cole mocks Regal and says The Undisputed Era deserves a fair shot at the NXT Tag Team Titles because last time wasn't fair. Regarding Dream, he wants to make sure Dream never steps foot in this business or his ring ever again. Regal asks what about Regal wants? He says Dream will probably get another title shot at the "Takeover: In Your House" event.

Cole asks why all the charity for Dream, who he calls an extreme narcissist. He goes on about Dream's attitude and calls it disgusting. Regal agrees that Dream is hungry for attention and has an ego but says so does Cole. Cole says it's insulting to be compared to Dream. Cole goes on about being the cornerstone of NXT and says The Undisputed Era has made Regal look very good over the years. Regal asks Cole if he even knows how negotiations work. He warns Regal to keep acting like a "Bay-Bay" and Cole mocks him. Cole says after he beats Dream at Takeover, he wants Regal to say Dream will no longer get a shot at the NXT Title as long as Cole is champion. Regal says he will agree to that. He confirms the match for Takeover. Regal says he will find a location suitable for Dream, Cole and the title, so it sounds like this will be another cinematic-style match that takes place outside of the normal setting. Cole ends his video call stream before Regal does.

- Back from the commercial and we get a video package for Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Leon Ruff

We go back to the ring and enhancement talent Leon Ruff from EVOLVE waits. Tommaso Ciampa is out next.

Scarlett comes out to watch the match from ringside, but there's no sight of Karrion Kross. The bell rings and Ruff attacks as Ciampa is briefly distracted by Scarlett. Ruff tries to mount offense and gets some in but Ciampa levels him. Ciampa stares out at Scarlett now as she stares back from ringside.

Ciampa unloads on Ruff in the corner, sending a message to Scarlett. Ciampa goes on and is all smiles as he blows a kiss to Scarlett before hitting the Fairytale Ending on Ruff in the middle of the ring.

Winner: Tommaso Ciampa

- After the match, Ciampa stands tall as his music hits. We go to replays. Ciampa continues staring Scarlett down. She finally turns and walks back up the ramp, but stares back at Ciampa. Kross appears on the big screen now. Kross gives a bravo to Ciampa for the win. He addresses Ciampa's comments from last week about being special, and says special will also come at Takeover. Kross says on June 7 he will make Ciampa feel something unlike he's ever felt in his life. Tick-tock. Kross disappears but Scarlett is still staring at Ciampa from the ramp. She heads to the back now.

- Back from a commercial and the announcers confirm the following matches for next week – Drake Maverick vs. El Hijo del Fantasma for the interim NXT Cruiserweight Title, plus Mia Yim vs. Candice LeRae. There will also be a "Takeover: In Your House" Prime Target preview special next week, previewing the NXT Title match and the NXT Women's Title match.

Cage Fight: Matt Riddle vs. Timothy Thatcher

We go to the NXT Fight Pit steel cage structure for tonight's main event. WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle is out first as the special guest referee. We cut to a video package showing what led to this match. Out next comes Timothy Thatcher. He stops on the ramp as referee Drake Wuertz checks him over for foreign objects. Thatcher enters the pit and paces around on the top level, which has a barrier around it. Angle is down in the bottom part with a standard cage wall around it. Matt Riddle is out next. Riddle also gets checked for foreign objects by Drake.

They both start on the bottom level as Riddle flies in and takes Thatcher down to get things going. Riddle mounts Thatcher and unloads for a pop. Riddle goes for an early submission but Thatcher reverses it. Thatcher blocks a kick and goes for a standing submission. Riddle goes behind and takes control. Riddle with a German suplex for a pop. Riddle with a flying knee to the head as Tom goes over the rules for the fight.

Riddle with a Broton to keep Thatcher down. Thatcher with a big open hand strike. Riddle with another Showtime kick using the cage wall. Angle administers the 10 count to Thatcher now. Thatcher gets up and he's spitting blood out. Angle checks on Thatcher. Thatcher is also spitting teeth out. A doctor checks on Thatcher through the cage wall.

The doctor asks Thatcher if he can fight and he says yes. The doctor tells Angle that the bloody Thatcher is good to go. They wipe Thatcher off as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Thatcher lands some strikes to Riddle. Riddle turns it around and works on Thatcher while grounding him against the cage wall. Riddle rolls out of a submission attempt. They get up and trade more strikes. Thatcher goes for a Fujiwara armbar but it's blocked. Thatcher blocks a counter and launches Riddle with a big suplex. Thatcher with a heel hook now, taking Riddle down into a single-leg Crab. Riddle turns that into another submission, grounding Riddle by his back. Thatcher drives a big knee into Riddle's ribs, then kicks him. Thatcher stomps away on Riddle now as Angle warns him.

Thatcher waits for Riddle to get up. Thatcher strikes with body shots. Thatcher with a big Butterfly suplex, keeping Riddle grounded. Thatcher with a Crossface on the mat but it's countered. Riddle tries for a submission and locks the arm up now. Thatcher breaks out and bends Riddle's foot back. Thatcher drags Riddle into the middle of the ring and keeps focused on Riddle's leg and foot.

More back and forth now. Thatcher goes back to the top level and Riddle follows. Thatcher works Riddle over with strikes. Riddle fights back and they slug away on the platform above the ring. Riddle unloads with kicks and punches. Thatcher catches a kick and takes Riddle down into an ankle lock, still on the platform that goes around the ring above. Riddle is hanging off the platform now, still stuck in the ankle lock. Angle checks on him from the bottom level. The crowd rallies for Riddle.

Riddle pulls himself back up to Thatcher and rocks him. Riddle goes for a Broton on the platform but Thatcher moves and Riddle lands hard. Thatcher with a big suplex on the top level. Thatcher looks to hit a Butterfly suplex from the top level all the way to the bottom but Riddle resists. Riddle with a Ripcord knee, sending Thatcher all the way down to the bottom level.

Riddle nails a huge Floating Bro from the top level to Thatcher down on the mat. Thatcher clutches his ribs. Angle counts and Riddle gets up first as a "this is awesome!" chant starts up. Riddle unloads with big body kicks against the cage wall now. Riddle rocks Thatcher int he face. Riddle charges but Thatcher moves and Riddle hits the steel face-first. Thatcher locks in the RNC but Riddle fights. Thatcher locks it again, getting on Riddle's back. Riddle rams Thatcher back into the steel a few times, then slams him back to the mat. Thatcher locks in the rear naked choke again. Angle checks on Riddle as he fades. Riddle passes out in the RNC and Angle calls the match.

Winner: Timothy Thatcher

- After the match, the music hits as Thatcher stands tall. Thatcher has his arm raised by Angle and we go to replays. Thatcher is on top of the Pit now, pacing on the platform and yelling out as Riddle recovers on the lower level. Thatcher, still with some blood in his mouth, raises his arms and yells out as NXT goes off the air.