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WWE taped some of next week’s episode of NXT just after last night’s SmackDown show so everyone (but wrestling bloggers) could have Christmas off. Here’s a brief overview of what we’ll be getting next week:
- Isaiah “Swerve” Scott def. Jack Gallagher via pinfall
- Dominik Dijakovic def. Bronson Reed via pinfall
- Keith Lee & Lio Rush def. Damian Priest & Tony Nese via pinfall. This sounds like your big Christmas-themed match, as Rush was out carrying a plate of cookies & Lee worked part of it in a Santa hat. Big spots include Keith pouncing Nese over the announce table and rising behind Priest on the apron the way he did against Finn Bálor on the Dec. 5 episode. They won when Lio hit the Final Hour from The Limitless One’s shoulders.
The other advertised match is a Roderick Strong North American title Open Challenge. It’s been pointed out he faced Austin Theory in a dark match at the Dec. 11 show in Full Sail that could be what we get.
There were two women’s matches put on before the Dec. 18 filming which could be used on Christmas or New Year’s Day (another show which won’t be live, and for which all that’s currently announced is the handing out of Year End Awards). Those saw Bianca Belair beat Shotzi Blackheart, and Candice LeRae go over Taynara Conti.
Sources: Fightful, PW Insider