Thea Hail has been training for this moment, and after giving Arianna Grace a black eye with an accident – it was time for her to make her NXT 2.0 in-ring debut. She’s one of the top prospects in NXT 2.0 – and tonight we see if she’s more than just potential. Hail has a tendency to get over excited however, and would be wise to keep a cool head in the ring tonight. She’s been putting in the reps on NXT 2.0 Level Up and on live events – so this is not her in-ring debut, but it’s her first big chance on TV to shine like a star.
Thea Hail Takes Her Eye Off The Ball In Her Debut Match
Grace was furious to begin, and would run right into a set of hip tosses. Hail would get tripped up, before being slammed face first off the turnbuckle. Grace would throw Hail onto her face, before grinding the face into the mat. Some grounded strikes would follow, with Grace showing more aggression in the ring than WWE fans ever saw from her father – Santino Marella.
A tight cobra twist would be applied in the middle of the ring – but Hail would manage to power her way to freedom. Hail would hit some flying cross chops before a set of stinger splashes in the corner. Running neckbreaker would fire Hail up, and a standing moonsault press would get the two count.
Grace would look to give Hail a black eye but was foiled. Hail would get baited in altercation with the referee, and nailed with a boot to the face. Grace nailed Wasteland for the victory. She didn’t give Hail a black eye, but became the favourite of NXT 2.0 commentator Wade Barrett after using his old finisher to get the win. That’s a teachable moment for Hail, to always stay focused on her opponents.
Apollo Crews & Roderick Strong Leave It All In The Ring
Earlier tonight, Apollo Crews would be sitting down and watching some tape with The Creed Brothers – offering some advice to the rising stars. We would see Roderick Strong storm in and try to force Crews away from his proteges, before things would spiral into a massive match. It’s Roderick Strong vs. Apollo Crews – and we will see if Crews can truly hang on the NXT roster.
Strong would not have Diamond Mine in his corner tonight, and would have to stand alone. Crews would be taken into a side headlock, but was able to break free. Strong would move into a rear waist lock, but would be thrown hard to the mat as Crews again countered.
Going after the wrist of Crews would finally get an opening, but Strong was unable to take full advantage. Crews was taken down to the mat and Strong looked for the double wrist lock – before losing control and being dropped with a picture perfect dropkick.
Finally, Strong would just hit one of his signature backbreakers, before trading some chops with Crews. Another backbreaker would soon follow, before Strong looked to a suplex on the apron, but Crews would be able to fight to safety.
An Absolute Classic
Back in the ring, Crews would be locked in a modified Camel Clutch, and would be able to break free. Crews went to the top rope and was caught, before taking a kick to the chest. Strong would be dropped with some close range lariats, before Crews hit the Blockbuster for a near fall.
Crews would hit a trio of German Suplexes, before finishing out with a gutwrench suplex. Spin out powerbomb was blocked, and Strong would send Crews to the apron with a low bridge. The backdrop on the arpon would follow, before Strong would apply the Stronghold in the middle of the ring.
Crews was able to fight his way free, before a powerslam in the middle of the ring. Another backbreaker was met by an enziguri, before Crews blocked a jumping knee into a gutbuster. Spinebuster would follow, and Crews finally was able to keep Strong down. An incredible performance from both men, one of the best matches from NXT 2.0 this year.
Is Apollo Crews in line for a title shot soon? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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