WWE NXT 9/2 Live Recap and Results: Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic begins, Ascension returns

by Emerson Witner, WrestlingObserver.com and Wrestling Outsiders Podcast

On a personal note, this is my 248th NXT review here on F4WOnline.com, dating back to October 19, 2010. For trivia sake the very first match I reviewed was Kaitlyn vs Maxine, which was voted the 2010 Worst Worked Match Of The Year in the Observer Awards. Two weeks until 250!

-Before the show they aired a commercial saying that Monday night after the Stone Cold Podcast will be a brand new interview with Eric Bischoff to promote the new Monday Night War DVD. So it will air at like 12:15am or so.

The Big News: The Dusty Rhodes Classic began with Baron Corbin & Rhyno, along with Jason Jordan & Chad Gable, advanced.

Show Recap:

1.) Baron Corbin & Rhyno defeated The Ascension in a first round match in the Dusty Rhodes Classic.

Ascension won the tag team titles on September 12, 2013 against Corey Graves & Adrian Neville and did not lose them until September 11, 2014 against the Lucha Dragons. They are not only the longest reigning NXT Tag Team Champions, but the longest title reign of any NXT title. Meanwhile Rhyno and Baron wrestled in May at Takeover in what was Baron’s best match until the Joe match.

In the “Wacky Timing Department”, Konnor’s original partner in Ascension was Kenneth Cameron or, as he’s better known these days, Bram.  Fans were really into Ascension and the former champions looked good here, until Baron got the heat on Viktor by throwing him shoulder-first into the ring post. Corbin looked very good while in there with the criminally underrated Viktor.

Konnor got the hot tag and did the flip, flop and fly on Rhyno. The finish saw Rhyno miss a Gore on Konnor, Corbin breaking up an attempt at the Fall of Man and Rhyno hit the Gore on the second attempt for the win.

-Devin Taylor was with Neville & Soloman Crowe. Neville was excited to take part in this tournament to pay tribute to Dusty Rhodes, who helped him so much. Crowe, whose birthday was yesterday, was equally excited to tag with Neville as he is to be in the tournament.

-Nia Jax is debuting soon.

2.) Alexa Bliss pinned Blue Pants

This was taped 10 days before Takeover, which explains why I was the only person in the world blissfully unaware that Blue Pants would be in the Vaudevillians corner. Alexa has pink streaks in her hair, to match her gear, so Pants has blue streaks in her hair. Does that make this the darkest timeline? If so does that make Corey Graves the Jeff Winger? If it does, he may lose his arm. #Andamovie

Alexa took most of the match and Pants looked good on her comeback, leading to a Blue Pants City chant. Unfortunately for the crowd and Ed Loredo, Bliss won with the Sparkle Splash.

-William Regal was backstage with Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa, of all people. Suddenly Tyler Breeze stormed in and demanded to be in the Dusty Rhodes Classic. Breeze is demanding that Mr. Regal find him an important partner and enter him. So next week it will be Gargano and Ciampa vs Breeze and Bull Dempsey, of all people.

-They re-aired the botched finish of the 4-way match from last week. Emma cut a promo stating that the Diva’s Revolution began when she faced Paige at NXT Arrival and she is going to remind everyone who she is.

3.) Apollo Crews pinned Martin Stone

They edited out the audio of Jo Jo introducing Crews opponent. You could see her in the background talking, but they removed it.

Like the Dillinger match, Crews took more of a beating than you would expect in this situation. Crews made his comeback with a series of Polish Hammers, a Stinger Splash and a diving clothesline. Apollo improved his record to 2-0 when he hit his Gorilla Press Slam and Standing Moonsault.

-Jason Jordan and Chad Gable are ready for their tournament match with Crowe and Neville. Gable said they are writing their own ticket to the finals. They will make Neville crash to the ground and make people forget Crowe ever existed.

Jordan finally said they are Ready, Willing and Gable.

-Samoa Joe and Finn Balor are teammates for the Dusty Rhodes Classic.

4.) Eva Marie pinned Billie Kay

Billie Kay had the total look of dread on her face because she had to have a match with Eva. Literally her gear is the only good thing about her. Kay became the biggest babyface in the company when she kicked Eva in the face.

Eva looked better in this match than she did last week. Corey Graves wouldn’t shut up that she’ll be champion one day, all but confirming my fears of Bayley’s next foe.

Kay had the match won with a suplex, but Eva forgot to kick out so the referee had to hold up his count. If the same referee from last week was here, we know what would have happened. Anyway Eva won with The Kendrick.

-Enzo, Big Cass, Mojo and Ryder were all happy after winning their 8-man tag last week.They couldn’t agree with where to go after the show, so they left separately.

-Next week: Samoa Joe & Finn Balor vs Lucha Dragons

5.) Jason Jordan & Chad Gable defeated Neville & Solomon Crowe in the Dusty Rhodes Classic

I am trying to ignore Corey Graves, but he really is the most obnoxious announcer in WWE. It’s literally getting to the point where I want to mute the tv.

Gable and Crowe did some really good wrestling and then Neville & Jordan tagged in and looked even better. So long story short, these four had a terrific match together. The heels used a waist lock to take down Crowe and gave Solomon the business.

Crowe fought and fought to get the tag and the fans exploded for the hot tag to Neville. The former NXT Champion took apart his foes. He went for the Red Arrow, but Gable pulled Jordan out of the ring. So Neville turned and did an Asai Moonsault to the floor, followed by a Crowe Suicide Dive to Gable.

Neville went for a Springboard WhatAManeuver, but Jordan caught him and threw him across the ring. Crowe tagged himself in and that was the end. Jordan & Gable picked up the surprising win with their finish.

-After the match they showed the brackets and it is a 16-team tournament. But the brackets were up for less than 5 seconds and the show ended right away.

After the show ended I used the pause button but the type was so small I had to walk up to my tv with a notebook to get the brackets, which are…

Finn Balor & Samoa Joe vs Lucha Dragons
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs Angelo Dawkins & Sawyer Fulton

Dash & Dawson vs Tucker Knight & Elias Sampson
Blake & Murphy vs The Vaudevillains

Hype Bros vs Marcus Louis & Alexander Wolfe
Jason Jordan & Chad Gable defeating Neville & Solomon Crowe

Rhyno & Baron Corbin defeating The Ascension
Tyler Breeze & Bull Dempsey vs Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano

But that is it for this week. Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers.