Drake Maverick’s last stand could be next week

The most crucial matches of the NXT Interim Cruiserweight Championship Tournament will happen on next week’s show. But the two matches on the May 13 episode did present some clarity in one of the two groups, as Isaiah “Swerve” Scott’s Tony Nese-assisted loss to Jack Gallagher assures we can’t have a tie in Group B.

Nese lost to Jake Atlas in the first tournament match on this week’s show. That means a three-way tie is still in play for Group A. Drake Maverick faces Kushida next Wednesday, and if Maverick wins we’re probably headed to a Triple Threat between him, Atlas, and Kushida as they’ll all have the same record and hold tie-breakers over one another. If Kushida wins, he advances to the finals.

Before Swerve faced Gentleman Jack, he cut an arrogant promo where he said if he’d been unable to win a match in the tourney, he’d quit wrestling. Nese’s loss assured he’d be winless, so he attacked Scott before the bell to make a point. Swerve insisted on continuing and survived for a bit, but ended up falling after a roaring elbow from Gallagher. That means they’re both eliminated. The winner of next week’s Akira Tozawa/El Hijo del Fantasma match will win Group B.

Here’s the updated standings:

Group A

Kushida (2-0)
Jake Atlas (2-1)
Drake Maverick (1-1)
Tony Nese (0-3)

Group B

Akira Tozawa (2-0)
El Hijo del Fantasma (1-1)
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott (1-2)
Gentleman Jack Gallagher (1-2)

Will Drake live to fight another day?

Find out on May 20!