We only say that because we missed these matches NXT taped at their Sat., May 18 house show in Bel Air, Maryland, too, in the sense that we forgot to write them up in all the hoopla around Money in the Bank the following day.
But for completion’s sake, and since at least a couple of them sound like they’ll be used before Sat., June 1’s TakeOver: XXV, we didn’t want to not post them here at Cageside.
According to Wrestling Observer and others, these three matches were filmed for television last weekend:
- Kushida def. Drew Gulak in a submission match with the Hoverboard Lock
Gulak scouted Kushida’s match which aired last Weds., and the pair taped a traditional bout May 1 at Full Sail when the Cruiserweight Crusader argued about whether he was pinned, so this no pinfalls affair is likely the end of their feud.
- Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan def. Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly)
A distraction by Jaxson Ryker of Forgotten Sons created an opening for Lorcan to roll-up Roddy. All part of the build to the 4Way (possibly ladder?) match for the NXT Tag titles we’re getting next weekend in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
- Io Shirai & Candice LeRae vs. Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke ended in a no contest
Part of the build to Shirai vs. Shayna Baszler at TakeOver, and set-up by events which will air on the episode which airs tonight (May 22). The Women’s champ saved Duke from a moonsault, but then took one herself after the referee called for the bell. All five women brawled to end the segment.
It’s not the first time NXT’s done some taping at a house show, and it will be interesting to see if these matches are shown in their entirety, or if they just the recap video package treatment. This may have just been a situation where moving up the TakeOver date a week forced their hand, but it also creates the impression you should hit up the brand’s house shows when they’re in your area.
You never know what you might miss.