WWE NXT results courtesy of wwe.com
WWE NXT results, Feb. 24, 2021: Cole betrays Strong, further shattering The Undisputed ERA
Adam Cole stunned the NXT Universe yet again, this time leaving Roderick Strong lying in the ring after showing false contrition. Elsewhere, Karrion Kross prevailed over Santos Escobar in an all-out war, Dexter Lumis picked up a huge win against Johnny Gargano, Io Shirai accepted Toni Storm’s challenge and more.
Dexter Lumis def. NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano (Non-Title Match)
With the strangely chipper Austin Theory and the rest of The Way at ringside, Johnny Gargano sought payback for Theory’s abduction at the hands of Dexter Lumis. While Gargano turned the early tide with his usual cunning when the match spilled outside the ring by driving Lumis into the apron, Lumis rallied with his signature offense, including a bulldog and slingshot suplex.
Gargano seemed to feign an injury, occupying the referee’s attention and creating an opening for Theory to bash Lumis with a chair. But Theory couldn’t pull the trigger, and Lumis recovered to drop Gargano with a side slam before taking out the North American Champion with Silence.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott attacked Leon Ruff
For the second straight week, Leon Ruff felt the wrath of Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. This time, Ruff was scheduled to take on Tyler Rust after being goaded into the bout earlier in the day by Malcolm Bivens, but Ruff was savagely ambushed by Scott during his entrance. “Swerve” launched Ruff spine-first into the apron, demanding better opportunities for himself on the black-and-gold brand.
Though the bell never rang, Bivens apparently saw enough to claim victory for his client.
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai def. Zoey Stark (Non-Title Match)
One week after impressing the NXT Universe in her black-and-gold brand debut, Zoey Stark turned heads again with a strong showing against the NXT Women’s Champion. But Io Shirai prevailed, sending Stark into the bottom turnbuckle to set her up for her moonsault.
The combatants exchanged respect before promptly being interrupted by Toni Storm, who demanded a one-on-one opportunity for Shirai’s title — a challenge Shirai accepted. That matchup will take place in two weeks on NXT.
Xia Li def. Kacy Catanzaro via referee stoppage
Unlike Xia Li’s other recent victims, Kacy Catanzaro dodged much of her early offense, and that unfamiliar dynamic put Li on her heels. Li eventually took control on the outside after driving her into the ringside barricade, then showed an even more vicious side than we’ve seen, stomping Catanzaro’s knee and appearing to seriously injure her and force a referee stoppage.
With Li’s work apparently not done, Mei Ying seemed to signal for more, and Li obliged, leveling Catanzaro with a spin kick with the rest of Tian Sha looking on.
Grizzled Young Veterans def. Killian Dain & Drake Maverick
After ambushing MSK backstage and smashing Wes Lee’s hand with a chair earlier in the evening, The Grizzled Young veterans informed the NXT Universe that Lee suffered a broken hand, and they proudly claimed responsibility and celebrated their fine from NXT General Manager William Regal. Killian Dain & Drake Maverick brought a worthy fight to the runners-up of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but Zack Gibson & James Drake were too much, and they prevailed after dropping Drake with the Ticket to Mayhem.
Karrion Kross def. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar in a No Disqualification Non-Title Match
Karrion Kross deftly caught Legado del Fantasma by surprise, taking out Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza in the parking lot, clearing the way to ram Santos Escobar into a semi trailer. Wilde and Mendoza reemerged to begin the three-on-one assault, battering the former NXT Champion against the truck. With Wilde and Mendoza leading Kross back into the Capitol Wrestling Center, Escobar let his guard down. That allowed Kross to overpower Wilde and Mendoza, sending both through the ringside plexiglass in an awesome display of power.
Kross eventually overcame the numbers game and devastated Escobar with a Doomsday Saito through the announce table, then finished his foe with a devastating forearm strike to the back of the head.
Adam Cole superkicked Finn Bálor and double-crossed Roderick Strong
Adam Cole initially seemed shaken when he entered the Capitol Wrestling Center to presumably explain his heinous attack on former best friend Kyle O’Reilly, vowing to fix his mistake. Roderick Strong seemed hesitant to trust Cole, and NXT Champion Finn Bálor soon joined them, clearly wanting a piece of Cole. With Strong stopping Bálor from getting to Cole,
The Panama City Playboy took advantage and floored Bálor with a superkick for the third time in less than two weeks.
Cole was met back in the ring with a clothesline by Strong, who instantly seemed to regret what he did. But the two Undisputed ERA stablemates seemed set to patch up their differences, with Cole pleading for forgiveness and owning the blame. They hugged only for Cole to uppercut Strong below the belt, exposing his emotional display as having been a ruse all along.