By Robert Alexander
ORLANDO, Fla. — WWE NXT delivered a busy episode Tuesday night, with a new challenger emerging for NXT Champion Grayson Waller, a shocking betrayal, championship rivalries heating up and the return of one of NXT’s most prestigious tag-team tournaments.
The September 15 episode centered around a Triple Threat No. 1 Contender’s Match between Mason Rook, Tony D’Angelo and Saquon Shugars. By the end of the night, Rook had earned the right to challenge Waller for the NXT Championship.
Mason Rook earns his title opportunity
The night’s main event was easily its biggest attraction.
Rook, D’Angelo and Shugars threw everything they had at one another in a chaotic Triple Threat match that featured German suplexes, power moves and several spectacular sequences.
D’Angelo appeared to have the match under control at several points, including a massive sequence involving both of his opponents. Shugars also came within reach of victory after hitting a Vader Bomb on D’Angelo.
But interference from Tristan Angels prevented the referee from making the count.
The opening eventually came for Rook. After D’Angelo’s back gave out while attempting to lift him, Rook capitalized with a Super Splash, scoring the victory and becoming the No. 1 contender.
Now Rook has a championship match with Grayson Waller waiting for him.
Verdict: A strong main event that gave Rook an important career-making moment while keeping both D’Angelo and Shugars involved in the title picture.
Myles Borne turns on Tavion Heights — again
One of the night’s most dramatic developments came outside the ring.
Myles Borne and Tavion Heights appeared ready to put their issues behind them, but the apparent reconciliation didn’t last long.
Borne once again attacked Heights, turning what appeared to be an emotional reconciliation into another betrayal. WWE described the attack as a shocking second betrayal of Heights.
The storyline has now taken a decidedly personal turn, and Borne’s actions should set up a heated confrontation between the two.
This was one of the better storyline segments of the night because it didn’t require a lengthy match to make its impact.
Women’s division erupts
The women’s division also received plenty of attention.
New AAA Reina de Reinas Champion La Catalina confronted NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan, leading to a confrontation that also brought in Thea Hail and Zaria.
The situation quickly turned into a four-woman brawl, with Jordan and Zaria facing off against La Catalina and Hail.
The segment effectively established several potential matchups while keeping the women’s championship scene moving.
Kali Armstrong gets attacked after winning
Kali Armstrong opened the show with a hard-fought victory over Lizzy Rain.
Armstrong survived several dangerous counters before hitting the Kali Connection to score the win.
But her celebration didn’t last long.
Skylar Raye entered the ring and attacked Armstrong, immediately establishing herself as a new problem for the NXT standout.
It was a simple but effective post-match angle that gives Armstrong a new rivalry to pursue.
DarkState steals another victory
Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux put on an impressive display against DarkState’s Osiris Griffin and Cutler James.
Legacy and Van Dux repeatedly used dives and high-impact offense to overwhelm their opponents. But their momentum was stopped when Dion Lennox interfered behind the referee’s back.
DarkState took advantage and scored the victory with a powerbomb.
The situation escalated afterward when Zilla Fatu joined Legacy and Van Dux in fighting off BirthRight.
Tag team wrestling gets a major announcement
One of the most interesting announcements of the evening came from General Manager Robert Stone.
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is returning, with 14 teams scheduled to participate beginning next week.
The tournament’s return gives NXT’s tag-team division a major storyline heading into the fall and provides several teams with an opportunity to establish themselves.
Vanity Project remain champions
NXT Tag Team Champions Ricky Smokes and Brad Baylor defeated Cruz Montana and EK Prosper in a non-title match, although the victory came under controversial circumstances.
After Jackson Drake was ejected from ringside, Smokes and Baylor found another way to gain an advantage. Baylor held Prosper’s legs while Smokes made the pin.
The questionable finish leaves plenty of room for the rivalry to continue.
Final Review
Tuesday’s NXT was a storyline-heavy episode that successfully moved several programs forward.
The main event was the standout, with Mason Rook emerging as the next challenger for Grayson Waller. The Borne-Heights betrayal added some much-needed personal drama, while the women’s division continued to develop multiple potential championship programs.
The return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic was another welcome announcement and gives next week’s show an immediate hook.
There wasn’t one massive, unforgettable moment throughout the entire episode, but NXT accomplished something arguably more important: it gave nearly every major storyline a reason to continue into next week.
Final Grade: B+
Best Match: Mason Rook vs. Tony D’Angelo vs. Saquon Shugars
Biggest Moment: Mason Rook becoming No. 1 contender
Biggest Shock: Myles Borne betraying Tavion Heights again
What’s Next: Rook moves toward his NXT Championship match with Grayson Waller, while the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic begins next week.
