In the NXT Interim Cruiserweight Championship tournament, the finals are starting to become clear. We would see Jake Atlas take on former Champion Tony Nese in A-Block action this week. Atlas is sitting pretty with a 1-1 record, while Nese has yet to win a single match in the tournament yet. This means that Nese is unable to reach the finals, but would Nese be able to finally get a win in his final match in the A-Block to spoil the run of the up and coming Jake Atlas?
Tony Nese Is Aggressive From The Start
This match would start with a lockup, with Atlas getting early control with an armbar. Nese would gain some control with a headlock, but it wouldn’t last. Showing his frustration early, Nese wouldn’t waste time being technical this week and bring some strikes to Atlas. Atlas would come ready for this, and start launching some strikes of his own, with both men showing their evasion skills. A little too much grandstanding would give Nese a chance to hit a quick uppercut, before dropping the throat of Atlas over the top rope, Macho Man style.
Back in the ring, Nese would deliver some ground & pound, brutalizing his opponent with some stiff strikes before hitting a huge Suplex for a near fall. A front head & arm choke would grind down Atlas, who would fight his way back to a vertical base. Nese would look to hit a German Suplex, but would be countered and Atlas had some receipts for the early hard strikes with some vicious elbows to the head. A rolling forearm from Nese would be matched with a pump kick from Atlas, who then hit a quick German Suplex followed by a Step Up Enzuguri for a near fall.
Jake Atlas Takes Control
Nese would regain control with a hard chop, but a Pumphandle Slam would take too long to set up, letting Atlas slip out and hit a neckbreaker before climbing the top rope. He would be caught with a jumping uppercut before literally being chopped down by Nese, being sent to the apron. Nese would get cocky while setting up the middle rope superplex, and Atlas would kick the leg out from underneath sending Nese back to the mat. This left Nese open for the Rainbow DDT, which would bring the record of Atlas to 2-1.
This puts Jake Atlas in a potentially good position to get into the finals of the tournament. He beat Drake Maverick and lost to KUSHIDA, meaning that if Maverick can beat KUSHIDA next week, Atlas would potentially make his way to the finals due to that previous victory. How do you see the rest of the A-Block turning out? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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