Four Top NXT Talents Make WWE Raw Debuts, All Wrestle
It was reported earlier on Monday that a handful of prominent NXT stars were backstage at the WWE Raw tapings in Lafayette, LA. When the show kicked off, WWE COO Triple H announced that those four individuals would all be in action throughout the night.
The first to take part in a match was Ricochet, who teamed with new Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor, defeating Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush in a somewhat lengthy match. Ricochet would score the deciding pinfall, pinning Rush with the 630 Senton.
Later, NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa and North American Champion Johnny Gargano teamed up, marking DIY's first main roster match as a duo. They won a non-title match over Tag Team Champions The Revival after pinning Scott Dawson, in what was a very good bout (which should come as no surprise, if you watched their TakeOver matches in 2016). DIY also had a confrontation with Bobby Roode and Chad Gable earlier on, with DIY justifying their right to face the champs.
Lastly, Aleister Black would disrupt Elias' strum-and-spiel with his full NXT entrance. A match followed, which Black would win via Black Mass.
It's unclear at this time what the immediate plans are for the four on the main roster (if any), or if their NXT tenures have a known end date.
The first to take part in a match was Ricochet, who teamed with new Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor, defeating Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush in a somewhat lengthy match. Ricochet would score the deciding pinfall, pinning Rush with the 630 Senton.
Later, NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa and North American Champion Johnny Gargano teamed up, marking DIY's first main roster match as a duo. They won a non-title match over Tag Team Champions The Revival after pinning Scott Dawson, in what was a very good bout (which should come as no surprise, if you watched their TakeOver matches in 2016). DIY also had a confrontation with Bobby Roode and Chad Gable earlier on, with DIY justifying their right to face the champs.
Lastly, Aleister Black would disrupt Elias' strum-and-spiel with his full NXT entrance. A match followed, which Black would win via Black Mass.
It's unclear at this time what the immediate plans are for the four on the main roster (if any), or if their NXT tenures have a known end date.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
