ACH debuts, Sasha Banks & Bayley appear at NXT house show

By Joseph Currier and JJ Williams

ACH debuted and WWE’s Women’s Tag Team Champions made a surprise appearance at Thursday night’s NXT house show in Largo, Florida.

ACH, who reported to the Performance Center last month, made his WWE debut in Largo. He wrestled using his real name (Albert Hardie) and lost to Raul Mendoza in the opening match. The finish was Mendoza getting his knees up when ACH went for a move off the top rope, then cradling ACH for the pin.

After attending Thursday’s WrestleMania 36 announcement press conference in Tampa Bay, Banks & Bayley cut an in-ring promo at the NXT house show and watched Io Shirai & Kairi Sane vs. Aliyah & Vanessa Borne vs. Rhea Ripley & Reina Gonzalez from ringside.

The match ended in a no contest when Aliyah & Borne and Ripley & Gonzalez wouldn’t stop attacking Shirai & Sane. Banks & Bayley then made the save for Shirai & Sane by cleaning house on the other two teams.

WWE has set up that the Women’s Tag Team titles can be defended on Raw, SmackDown, or in NXT. Banks & Bayley also appeared and cut a promo on the NXT television episode that aired on February 27.

Here are the results from Thursday’s house show (estimated attendance: 400 people):

– Raul Mendoza defeated Albert Hardie (ACH)

– The Forgotten Sons (Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler) defeated Brennan Williams & Stacey Ervin Jr.

Blake and Cutler used a double-team reverse DDT/flying foot stomp on Ervin.

– Deonna Purrazzo defeated Jessie Elaban

Purrazzo hit The Pendulum for the victory.

– Eric Bugenhagen defeated Mansoor Al-Shehail (w/ Shadia Bseiso)

After the match, Mansoor challenged Bugenhagen to a “Rock Off” next week in nearby St. Petersburg.

– Matt Riddle defeated Babatunde Aiyegbusi

Riddle got a submission victory over the giant Babatunde.

– WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Bayley made a surprise appearance and cut an in-ring promo. 

– Io Shirai & Kairi Sane vs. Aliyah & Vanessa Borne vs. Rhea Ripley & Reina Gonzalez ended in a no contest

Banks & Bayley were watching at ringside to scout the NXT talent. Aliyah & Borne and Ripley & Gonzalez joined forces to attack Shirai & Sane until Banks & Bayley made the save.

– Keith Lee defeated Luke Menzies

Lee got a decisive victory.

– NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream defeated Adam Cole to retain his title

Dream hit a stunner, his spinning DDT, and the Purple Rainmaker to retain.