Parking lot luchadors can’t ruin Drake Maverick’s big night

As has been the case throughout the NXT Interim Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Drake Maverick fought valiantly in the finals against El Hijo del Fantasma on June 3.

Maverick, who was released from his WWE contract on April 15 prior to the start of the tournament, was outsized and possibly outclassed by the veteran luchador. But he was fighting for his job, and he refused to quit despite an arm problem he brought into the match, and a sore back Fantasma gave him with moves like a sit-out powerbomb on the floor.

He was an underdog, but he was also a true blue babyface. So when the mysterious luchadors who’ve been targeting Fantasma’s opponent and the second-generation wrestler himself over the past several weeks showed up, he dove onto them to make sure his win wouldn’t be tainted.

It cost him, and he returned to the ring to eat a superkick and get nailed with the Phantom Driver.

The announcers and the assembled crowd were giving Maverick a grateful send-off when Triple H appeared on the ramp. He handed Drake a new NXT contract, and alls well that ends well.

Was it always a work? Did Maverick save his job when his first instinct after being cut was to cut a teary-eyed promo about how much he loved WWE? Or was this a recent course correction for management?

We may never know. But for now, El Hijo del Fantasma is the Interim champ, Maverick has a job, and the mystery of the mini-van kidnappings remains.