This was a great show all around, with the NXT North American match on the line as Keith Lee defended against Johnny Gargano and Finn Balor. Cameron Grimes continued to be a thorn in Damian Priest’s side, Kacy Cantanzaro and Kayden Carter were looking for some payback, Roderick Strong was still trying to overcome his fear of Dexter Lumis, and Robert Stone tried to acquire Rhea Ripley again. We also got to see Karrion Kross in the ring, as Bronson Reed wanted some payback.

Cameron Grimes vs Damian Priest

The show started off with Damian Priest lying against his car holding his ribs, as Cameron Grimes walked off telling the camera to check on Priest. Back in the ring, Grimes said Priest slashed his tires last week, and now he wouldn’t be able to compete tonight. Priest came to the ring with his ribs taped up and various officials trying to talk him out of the match. The referee checked up on him as he held his ribs and being the tough son of a gun he is, rang the bell.

Grimes went straight after the ribs, but Priest fought back despite the pain he was in, hitting a South of Heaven Chokeslam. Grimes walked off back up the ramp, and as Priest followed him, Grimes charged back towards the ring and drove Priest’s ribs into the apron. Priest tried to hit the Razor’s Edge but couldn’t as he was in too much pain. Seizing an opportunity, Grimes delivered a Cave In at ringside, then got back in the ring with Priest and carried out a second one, followed by a three-count to secure the victory.

Grimes is an idiot – a moron – but he is an old-school heel with bags of talent, and I enjoy watching him. I am up for a rivalry between these two. If Priest can recover and these two can have a proper match when The Archer of Infamy is at full health, then I believe it could be a great match.

Winner: Cameron Grimes Rating: 5/10

Santos Escobar W/ Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza vs Jake Atlas

Jake Atlas was looking for payback for his friend Drake Maverick, as last week he was brutally attacked by Santos Escobar and his lackeys. Atlas was on fine form, putting the pressure on Escobar from the off. He hit a standing crossbody, then used a rear chin lock to wear Escobar down. After a hurricanrana from Atlas, he became distracted on the apron by Mendoza and Wilde, which led to Escobar knocking him off into the plexiglass.

This allowed Escobar to gather some momentum, landing a heel kick to the jaw, and locking in an abdominal stretch. Atlas fought back with a slam and a standing moonsault. He dropkicked Escobar outside, then flew off the turnbuckle, landing on Wilde and Mendoza with a moonsault. Back in the ring, he continued to attack Escobar, but after being grabbed off the turnbuckle, Escobar dropped him with the Phantom Driver to pick up the victory.

It was a match Atlas was never going to win, but it didn’t matter. We still got to see how good Atlas can be, whilst still building Escobar as a heel. Like I said last week, I am hoping for a three-on-three tag match at some point down the line, but I’ve no idea who might team with Atlas and Maverick. Fingers crossed for Kushida.

Winner: Santos Escobar Rating: 7/10

Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter vs Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai

Although this was much shorter than I would have hoped, it still had plenty of great moments. Once again, Kayden Carter showed off how exciting she can be, especially after some fast footwork and smooth teamwork early on. Raquel Gonzalez was brought to her knees, but her power often proved too much. As she held Cantanzaro, Dakota Kai kicked her in the head, allowing Gonzalez to slam her into the mat.

Gonzalez then hit a one-armed powerbomb on Cantanzaro, which led to Kai locking in that vicious submission for the win. After the match, Kai looked at the camera to tell Io Shirai she was “in her crosshairs.”

Winners: Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai Rating: 6/10

Karrion Kross W/ Scarlett vs Bronson Reed

I am glad Bronson Reed didn’t get totally annihilated, but he still suffered a mauling at the hands of Kross. Reed managed to knock Kross off his feet, but Kross hit a big boot in the corner, followed by an exploder suplex. Reed fought back with an enzuigiri and a German release suplex. Kross was fired up and got back to his feet. After two big splashes on Kross in the corner, Kross retaliated with a northern lights suplex and a clothesline.

After trading blows, Kross dropped Reed with a Doomsday Saito, then made him tap out with the Kross Jacket. Kross is an absolute beast, and as he stood in the ring tapping his wrist. It looks as though the end is near for Adam Cole.

Winner: Karrion Kross Rating: 5.5/10

Rhea Ripley vs Aliyah W/ Robert Stone

Once again, Robert Stone tried to hire Rhea Ripley earlier in the night. She obviously declined, throwing Stone into a dumpster. Aliyah appeared and slapped Ripley in the face. Stupid decision! Instead of retaliating, she smiled and walked off. Of course, Ripley let her savagery in the ring do the talking. There was no way in hell Aliyah was going to win this match, and as suspected, she didn’t even put up a fight.

Ripley tossed Aliyah to the mat, followed by a dropkick that knocked her outside. Aliyah attempted a crossbody but was caught, however, she got out and delivered a knee to Ripley’s stomach. Ripley continued to dominate. She hit Aliyah with a lariat and some knee strikes to the head, topping it off with a basement dropkick.

Aliyah cried for help but received a big boot to the face. Ripley locked in the Prism Trap, but Stone got involved, throwing a shoe into the ring. Ripley went after him and almost got her hands on him. Aliyah tried to capitalise on the situation but got destroyed with the Riptide and pinned. It was actually nice to see Ripley outside the title picture, but as far as trying to develop a feud between the two, Ripley is far too good for Aliyah to beat her, and there’s more chance of Gilbert returning to defeat Stroman than there is of Ripley joining the Robert Stone Brand.

Later on in the evening, Stone was asking William Regal for a rematch. Regal said he liked that idea, but instead of booking Aliyah vs Ripley again, he made it a handicap match with Stone joining the fray. Ripley walked up to Stone and Aliyah and was clearly happy with the announcement.

Winner: Rhea Ripley Rating: 5/10

Dexter Lumis vs Roderick Strong W/ Bobby Fish

There was more Undisputed Era therapy earlier on in the night, with Kyle O’Reilly back in the chair. Roddy claimed that he thought he was ready to “conquer the fear of the trunk.” They headed outside, and he did indeed get in the back of a car. Adam Cole said after celebrating with him that he would have a match against Dexter Lumis later on.

Roderick Strong was still distressed about the prospect of facing Lumis, and who can blame him? He kept climbing in the ring and jumping out, yelling, “I’m not ready,” and “I’m done.” He ran into the plexiglass, and then to the back, allowing Lumis to win via count-out. After the bell, Lumis managed to get the Anaconda Vice locked in on Fish before he ran off. It was announced that there would be a rematch between the two next week. What’s more, it is going to be a strap match, so there is no way Roddy can escape.

Winner: Dexter Lumis Rating: N/A

NXT North American Championship Match: Johnny Gargano vs Finn Balor vs Keith Lee (C)

Not only was this match for the NXT North American Championship, but an opportunity to face Adam Cole for the NXT Championship was also up for grabs. Every single Superstar gave it everything, and we were given an incredible main event. Gargano being the coward he is rolled out to allow Balor and Lee to go at it. In true Lee fashion, he used his brute force to wipe out both Balor and Gargano with charges and a double clothesline.

Lee double-slapped Gargano, and then tried to powerbomb Balor, but he reversed it into a sleeper. Lee threw him off, allowing Gargano to attempt a sleeper of his own. Gargano was then thrown off, but Balor once again tried to bring Lee to his knees by locking in another sleeper. After yet another attempt thwarted, Lee then grabbed both men and threw them over his shoulders.

For the third time, Balor jumped on Lee’s back as Gargano tried to lock in a leg submission. Lee shook off Balor and then got rid of Gargano, knocking him outside. Balor hit the slingblade outside the ring and finally knocked Lee on his back. He got back up, but Gargano landed a double senton to floor Lee once again.

Inside the ring, Balor and Gargano went at it. Gargano hit a slingshot spear on Balor just after booting Lee in the face as he rested on the apron. Balor picked up some steam and hit a tope con giro on Lee, then a final cut and sling blade on Gargano in the ring. As Balor and Gargano were thrashing it out in the corner, Lee appeared and launched himself over the rope from the apron to hit a double crossbody.

Balor double foot stomped Lee, and then Lee got Balor in the electric chair position, to which Balor reversed into yet another sleeper. Gargano superkicked The Prince and followed it up with One Final Beat, but Lee broke it up. Gargano managed to nail a Tope Suicida on Lee, but after trying the same move on Balor, he was caught. Balor set him up for 1916, but Lee interrupted it with a charge.

In the ring, Lee went for a powerbomb, but Balor hit a huge double stomp in mid-air. As the match ended, Lee performed the Big Bang Catastrophe on Gargano. He went for the pin but saw Balor setting up for the Coup de Grace. He moved out of the way which led to Balor hitting his finisher on Gargano. Lee then delivered the Big Bang Catastrophe on Balor and picked up the victory.

In the closing moments of the show, Adam Cole came to the ring, and after holding their belts above their heads, Lee and Cole looked each other in the eye as the screen went to black. This was a superb main event. Keith Lee once again proved how phenomenal a performer he is, but props to both Balor and Gargano who gave just as good as they got.

Winner: Keith Lee (Still NXT North American Champion Rating: 8.5/10

What Else Went Down?

– Timothy Thatcher was holding another training session, where he showcased another couple of arm locks. He is a sadistic individual, but a very dangerous one as well. I have no idea where this is heading. I really miss seeing him in the ring, and I hope this leads to something.

– Malcolm Bivens and Indus Sher were backstage being interviewed. All three of them made it clear they were frustrated with Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan, with Bivens claiming that if it wasn’t for him stopping Indus Sher last week, they would’ve ended up in an ambulance like Drake Maverick.

– Another Mercedes Martinez vignette aired, with her saying, “I’m not here to play nice, play fair, or play by the rules. Mercedes Martinez is here to flip this division upside down.”

– A video package aired, featuring William Regal making a huge announcement for Io Shirai’s next challenger. There would be a fatal four-way match to decide the number one contender, featuring Dakota Kai, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, and Mia Yim. I would love Kai to win because she has been a great heel for a while now. Mia Yim recently had a chance against Charlotte Flair, and LeRae just doesn’t deserve it. As for Nox, I have nothing against her, but I think Kai would be a better opponent. This match will be happening next week.

– It was announced that the spirit of The Great American Bash is coming to NXT next week. Whoa! UPDATE: It has now been extended over two weeks, with the second episode airing on July 8th, likely because of the NXT Championship match between Keith Lee and Adam Cole.

After The Bell

Tonight’s NXT was packed full of matches. I enjoyed everyone but the main event was incredible. Keith Lee is my favourite NXT Superstar, and I am so happy he managed to retain. I would love to see him defeat Adam Cole for the NXT Championship, but I’ve got a feeling it’ll be interrupted by Karrion Kross. Putting the title on Kross might be a bit premature, but he’s clearly got the potential to destroy Cole and claim the gold.

If Regal made it a triple threat, I would be equally as happy, but giving Kross a shot at Lee if he were to win would be my ideal scenario. Santos Escobar is continuing to become a top heel. I am sure Maverick will be back soon to challenge him, but as for tonight, Atlas put on a top display of his skills, and I would like to see more of him in this angle.

Cameron Grimes and Damian Priest could become a decent feud, and it also helps to build Priest as a babyface. Dexter Lumis facing Roddy in a strap match next week is a great shout, but I fear for his life. Lumis will not go easy on him, so there is no doubt that Fish will no doubt play a role in the outcome.

The announcement about the women’s number one contender match was welcomed, and I hope we get another classic like the main event from this week’s show. Every woman in the match has a reason to win, and I am sure all four of them will put on a grade-A performance. The Great American Bash is exciting, and if they do it in a similar fashion to NXT TakeOver: In Your House, they’ve got another success on their hands.

Star of the Show: Keith Lee Overall Rating: 8/10

All images and video courtesy of WWE