This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE NXT. Tonight we have a great show as in our main event Drew McIntyre will defend his WWE NXT World Championship against Roderick Strong as well as two debuts tonight when Lio Rush faces Aleister Black in his debut match and the Mae Young Classic winner Kairi Sane makes her NXT roster debut! Be sure to come back here at 8PM EST for an hour showcasing the NXT brand!
Billie Kay & Peyton Royce vs Ruby Riot
Ruby takes control to start the match before Billie tags Peyton in and Ruby rolls her up for a quick two count. Ruby knocks Billie off of the apron, but she's quick to get back up and tag in. Peyton and Billie tag in and out and double team Ruby until Nikki shows up before Ruby tags her in, seemingly joining the match and making the handicap a tag match. Nikki takes out both Billie in the ring and Peyton on the apron before hitting a reverse DDT for a near fall. Peyton and Billie come back and double team her, tagging in and out frequently before Ruby drags Peyton to the outside. Ruby then hits a Pele kick to Billie once she's back in the ring for the pin and the win.
Winner: Ruby Riot via pinfall
Lio Rush vs Aleister Black
Velveteen Dream attacks Lio from behind as Aleister makes his way down to ringside before mocking Black and hitting an elbow drop off of the top rope. Patrick then slides out of the ring just as Black gets into it.
Winner: Match never started
Kairi Sane vs Aliyah
They counter each other until Kairi drops her with a running forearm before Aliyah hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a quick two count. Aliyah drops Kairi with a flurry of strikes before Kairi spears her, then chops her repeatedly in the corner before hitting a sliding forearm in the corner. Kairi then hits the Insane Elbow for the pin and the win.
Winner: Kairi Sane via pinfall
WWE NXT Championship Match
Drew McIntyre (c) vs Roderick Strong
They lock up to start the match before Drew fights out of a headlock and drops Roderick with a shoulder block as we go to commercial.
Roderick dropkicks Drew and sends him across the ring before Drew hits a belly to belly suplex that sends Roderick across the ring before he rolls out of the ring to regroup. Drew beats on Roderick at ringside before Strong hits an enzuigiri and a jumping knee off of the apron. Strong hits a backbreaker into the ring steps before hitting another backbreaker once they're back in the ring for a near fall. Roderick catches Drew coming off of the top rope with a dropkick for a near fall before hitting a shining wizard for another near fall. They exchange strikes before Drew hits a catapult slam for a quick two count, then goes for the Future Shock DDT, but Roderick counters and drops Drew with a backbreaker.
Drew hits a pop-up spinebuster for a near fall before setting Roderick up on the top turnbuckle before he escapes and hits an enzuigiri, then hits a superplex for a near fall. They exchange chops and right hands until Roderick hits a tiger bomb for a near fall. Drew hits an avalanche Celtic Cross for a very close near fall, Roderick getting his foot on the bottom rope before the count of three. Roderick hits several jumping knees when Drew goes for the Claymore before hitting the Sick Kick for a very close near fall of his own. Drew catches Roderick coming off of the apron before powerbombing him into the ring post before hitting the Future Shock DDT once they're back in the ring. Drew then hits the Claymore for the pin and the win.
Winner: Drew McIntyre defeats Roderick Strong via pinfall to retain the NXT Championship.
