KUSHIDA has been out of action on NXT since his excellent two out of three falls match with Santos Escobar. That changes tonight, as he will once again put the WWE NXT Cruiserweight Championship on the line in an open challenge. KUSHIDA has been successful at maintaining his championship so far, but who will answer this call tonight?
None other than a debuting Carmelo Hayes, who was formerly known as Christian Casanova. Hayes has a huge chance to prove his hype, and join an elite class of men who won titles in their debut matches for WWE.
Carmelo Hayes Impresses In His Debut, But KUSHIDA Is On Another Level
KUSHIDA would be cautious at the start before being rolled up for a one count. Hayes would be taken down but battled back and got another one count. KUSHIDA would test his speed against Hayes, only to take a side kick to the gut, arm drag and big dropkick. Hayes was getting some control, but KUSHIDA cornered him for a strong style chop.
KUSHIDA would take a kick to the head, before applying a tight headlock to weaken Hayes before hitting the back handspring elbow. The Shotei palm strike was countered, and Hayes got KUSHIDA hung up in the ropes for a springboard leg drop. This would succeed in getting another two count before we went to a commercial break.
Hayes was holding his own, and even keeping control of the champion. KUSHIDA would send Hayes to the outside before the front handspring kick sent him to the barricade. Hayes would take a knee strike to the arm, but back in the ring would hit a knee facebuster and a springboard variant would drop KUSHIDA.
KUSHIDA fired up with some kicks before some palm strikes, but Hayes hit a La Mistica for a two count. Hayes went for it again but was blocked into the cartwheel dropkick. The big right hand to the jaw would be followed by Hayes dodging the arm kick, until KUSHIDA went for it a second time. Hoverboard Lock was applied, and KUSHIDA got the defense.
This was an excellent Cruiserweight showcase from top to bottom, with Hayes having one of the best debuts in recent memory. He went hold for hold with KUSHIDA, only to fall to the submission skills of the champion. Amazing action from bell to bell, and another reason why the Cruiserweight division is on the rise. Match Rating: 3.75/5 (*** 3/4)
How high will Hayes rise in NXT? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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