This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE NXT! Tonight we move to the second round of the Dusty Tag Team Classic as Rich Swann and No Way Jose take on The Authors Of Pain and Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins take on SANITY! Who will advance to the semifinals? Be sure to come back here at 8PM EST to find out!
-We open with what is seemingly a highlight show featuring highlights from the NXT show in San Jose, California.
Roderick Strong vs Shane Thorne
They lock up to start the match then Thorne puts a side headlock on Strong who quickly powers out of it. Thorne drops Strong with a leg lariat then a back elbow into a standing moonsault for a quick 2 count. Thorne gets up top, but Strong hits an enzugiri then a back breaker on the top turnbuckle; that was different. Thorne falls to the floor as we go to commercial.
Strong is in control as we come back until Thorne hits him with a dropkick. Thorne hits a series of uppercuts then Strong catches him and hits a backbreaker for a quick 2 count. Strong puts Thorne on the top rope, but Thorne powers out and hits a double foot stomp for a close 2 count. Strong hits a series of kicks then a flapjack for another close 2 count. Strong hits a series of forearms then a back elbow, but Thorne drops him with a lariat then hits a falcon arrow for a close 2 count. Thorne hits a sitout powerbomb, but Aries distracts the referee. Thorne rolls up Strong after he dropkicks Miller then Thorne rolls him up for the pin and the win.
Winner: Shane Thorne via pinfall
#DIY vs The Revival
Winner: #DIY. Match never started because Chad Dawson couldn't compete so The Revival have to forfeit
-Cedric Alexander is interviewed in the back about Andrade Almas, saying he'll face him any time and anywhere. #DIY are interviewed about their winning via forfeit, saying they'll go after The Revival after they win the tournament.
Authors of Pain vs No Way Jose & Rich Swann
Akum and Jose start it off and Jose sends him to the outside, dancing around him. Jose rolls him up and kicks out at 1. Swann gets in then hits a huricanrrana on him, Razar getting in, Swann showing off his speed, hitting Razar with a right hand that just makes him angrier. Razar puts a bear hug on Swann then Swann gets out, slapping Razar then dropping him with a dropkick, sending him to the outside. They catch Swann, but Jose comes off the top rope taking out both members of AOP. They regroup with Paul Ellering then they double team Swann. Razar whips Swann into the corner then tags in Akum who chokes Swann. Akum gets a quick 2 count then puts on a backbreaker torture wrack on Swann who slides out and hits Akum with a kick, but Razar gets in, getting a series of kicks, Jose finally getting tagged in. Jose drops both of them then sends Razar out of the ring, Swann diving out onto him. Jose hits a TKO for a very close 2 count then they double team Jose, hitting The Last Chapter for the pin and the win.
Winner: The Authors of Pain via pinfall with The Last Chapter.
Kota Ibushi & TJ Perkins vs SANITY
Ibushi and Wolfe start it off, Ibushi hitting a series of strikes then a dropkick to Wolfe. TJ gets in and gets caught then rolls through, hitting a running cross body into a pin, then a kneebar, but Fulton gets tagged in, putting a kneebar on him, Wolfe getting back in immediately. Kota and TJ hit a series of kicks as we go to commercial.
Ibushi hits a series of kicks and forearms then tags in TJ who does 10 punches in the corner before dropping him with a right hand. Ibushi gets back in and Fulton gets sent to the outside. Kota hits the triangle moonsault on Wolfe then TJ dives out onto Fulton who catches and drops him on the apron repeatedly. Fulton splashes onto TJ repeatedly for a quick 2 count then tags Wolfe back in for a quick 2 count. Wolfe hits a backbreaker for another quick 2 count then he and Wolfe hit a running kneee gut wrench powerbomb for a close 2 count. Fulton puts a bear hug on TJ, TJ getting the tag to Ibushi who drops Wolfe repeatedly with kicks then a standing moonsault for a close 2 count, TJ dropping Fulton then Kota hits the Golden Star Powerbomb, but the referee is distracted by Eric Young and Nikki Cross. SANITY hit their finisher on Kota for the pin and the win.
Winner: SANITY via pinfall
