What to Expect From WWE NXT Tonight: Two Titles on the Line as the Dusty Classic Continues
WWE NXT returns tonight with a card that has a little bit of everything — two championship matches, the continuation of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, an interesting crossover pairing and the fallout from a friendship that appears to be well beyond repair.
At the center of it all is the NXT Championship.
Grayson Waller vs. Mason Rook
NXT Champion Grayson Waller will put his title on the line against Mason Rook after the two came face-to-face last week.
Rook earned the opportunity by defeating Tony D’Angelo and Saquon Shugars in a Triple Threat Match on September 15, but the build to tonight's match became considerably more personal during last week's verbal confrontation.
Waller did what Waller does best: talked.
The champion took aim at Rook, his appearance and even the attention he's received from John Cena. Rook responded by questioning why Waller found himself back in NXT in the first place, taking a not-so-subtle shot at Waller's previous run on the main roster.
Now the talking is over.
Rook has climbed the NXT ladder quickly, and tonight gives him the biggest opportunity of that climb. Waller, meanwhile, has something entirely different to prove. He's the champion, he's the veteran of the two, and now he has to back up everything he said last week.
Zaria Defends Against Thea Hail
The NXT Women's North American Championship will also be on the line as Zaria defends against former champion Thea Hail.
And Hail already has one very important thing working in her favor: she knows she can beat Zaria.
Hail pinned the champion during tag team action last week, giving her momentum heading into tonight's championship match. A tag team victory and a singles championship match are two very different situations, but the pinfall gives Zaria a very real reason not to overlook her challenger.
For Hail, tonight is an opportunity to become a two-time NXT Women's North American Champion.
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Continues
Two more teams will advance — and two will see their Dusty Classic hopes disappear — as the opening round continues.
Nathan Frazer and Axiom reunite as Fraxiom to take on DarkState's Cutler James and Osiris Griffin.
On the other side of the tournament, BirthRight's Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo and Uriah Connors will face the unusual but intriguing combination of AAA's Mini Vikingo and WWE Evolve's Chazz "Starboy" Hall.
That second match may be one to keep an eye on.
The continued blending of talent from NXT, AAA and Evolve has created matchups that wouldn't have necessarily been on the table before. Mini Vikingo and Hall aren't an established team like some of the other entrants, but that unpredictability is part of what makes their first-round match interesting.
What Does Myles Borne Have to Say?
Myles Borne is also scheduled to return and address his attack on Tavion Heights.
Any possibility that the former partners were heading toward reconciliation seemingly disappeared when Borne's apology turned out to be a setup. Borne attacked Heights and targeted his leg with a steel chair.
Tonight, we find out what Borne has to say for himself — and potentially where this increasingly bitter rivalry goes next.
What to Watch For Tonight
On paper, the NXT Championship match is the obvious centerpiece, but there are several stories capable of moving forward tonight.
Can Mason Rook turn one of the fastest rises in NXT into championship gold?
Can Thea Hail prove last week's victory over Zaria wasn't a one-off?
Which teams will survive the next stage of the Dusty Classic? I cannot wait to see this clash of talents running the spectrum of styles and experience! I love a good tournament!
And after what he did to Tavion Heights, what exactly does Myles Borne have left to say?
We'll start getting those answers when WWE NXT goes live tonight! Don't miss it and head back here for the results!