WWE NXT results: Sky Pirates soar in Phoenix
Images: WWE
Fallout from TakeOver Phoenix highlighted episode #490 of NXT. Besides backstage interviews and wrap-around segments, the show also featured matches taped at the Talking Stick Resort Arena prior to the main card this past Saturday.
Similar to other post-TakeOver shows, much of the episode consisted of recaps from the supercard over the weekend. Post-match interviews from Johnny Gargano and Bianca Belair were the only notable footage not seen during TakeOver aside from the Halftime Heat angle.
An angle done after TakeOver went off the air led to the announcement of a special all-star six-man tag team match. Ricochet, Aleister Black & Velveteen Dream against Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano & Adam Cole headlines Halftime Heat this Sunday. During halftime of the Super Bowl, the WWE live special airs on WWE Network, YouTube, and across social media among other platforms.
Sky Pirates (Io Shirai & Kairi Sane) defeated Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir
Sane pinned Shafir after delivering a flying elbow drop. Sky Pirates shined at the outset. Shirai had Shafir reeling at the outset. Duke taunted Sane with a test of strength — displaying the height difference as Duke towered over Sane. They traded strikes from the mount as Sane fired up on Duke.
Shirai hit Duke with double knees in a corner, and Duke powdered outside. Duke & Shafir used dirty tactics to set up the heat spot on Shirai. The heels cut off Shirai from her corner. In my favorite part of the match, Nigel McGunness dropped a reference to Volk Han. Google him, kids.
Sane ran wild following a hot tag, and then went into her finish. A sliding elbow in a corner set up Sane climbing the turnbuckle.
Meanwhile, Shirai cut off Duke before Shirai dived outside the ring. Sane leapt off the top rope with a flying elbow drop. She hooked Shafir’s leg for a three count. The Sky Pirates launched into a celebration.
The Forgotten Sons (Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler w/ Jaxson Ryker) defeated The Street Profit (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)
Cutler pinned Ford upon delivery of Memory Remains. Street Profits ran roughshod early on until Ford was cut off and double-teamed for the heat. The crowd chanted “we forgot you” as the Sons worked over Ford. A backdrop sent Blake out of the ring while Cutler missed a splash. Ford then leaped across to make a hot tag.
The Street Profits run wild as they clean house. Ford jumped high over the ropes with a tope con giro. They looked to be headed for victory when they are thwarted by dastardly interference, as Ryker clotheslined Ford on the floor. That set up Ford for the double-team finisher and the pinfall.
The newly-crowned NXT North American Champion — Johnny Gargano — makes an appearance in the Full Sail Arena on the next episode of NXT. Until then, NXT all-stars collide in a six-man tag team match as part of “Halftime Heat” this Sunday. There is apparently also a football game being played before and after the wrestling match. As it should be. God bless America.