This episode of NXT would start with a title match between the NXT Tag Team Champions Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher defending against Imperium. Just as things were looking up with Riddle finally having a chance to make a tag, he would accidentally send Marcel Bartel into Thatcher on the apron with a Monkey Flip. This caused Thatcher to leave the arena, costing Riddle the Tag Team Championships in what we more akin to a handicap match.
Riddle would call up the NXT GM and not have to wait for his revenge, as the main event would become Riddle vs. Thatcher. Backstage brawls would leave Riddle even more beat up, but would he be able to redeem his loss and defeat the man who Pete Dunne handpicked as his replacement?
No More Jokes From Matt Riddle
While Riddle is perhaps the most lighthearted man on the NXT roster, he is also one of the most skilled. The betrayal of a man who was to become his new best friend has brought out his serious side. The bell would ring and the fight would begin. Strikes & submissions would be launched from both sides, as they fought for control. Thatcher would take advantage with a waist lock take-down, before Riddle would get on top during a scramble. Riddle showed his skills, proving to be the more calculated grappler during this opening stretch, which was akin to an MMA fight.
Back on their feet, Riddle would get a roundhouse kick that sent Thatcher to the outside of the ring, but during the commercial break, Thatcher would regain control by countering a Gutwrench Suplex with a stomp to the foot. He would hit a huge Belly to Belly Suplex and then apply a leg submission on Riddle. Riddle fought out with a kick to the head, and attempt the Final Flash knee strike, which Thatcher evaded to hit a German Suplex. With fighting spirit flowing through his veins, Riddle would be right back to his feet, and hit the big knee strike before being shut down with another stomp to the bare foot. A huge European uppercut would shut Riddle down, as Thatcher would take the match back to the ground with knees to the ribs before applying a tight grip around the forehead.
Beating Respect Into Each Other
Riddle would fight to his feet, and catch Thatcher in an triangle choke, which Thatcher only got out of due to a rope break. He would retake control with more strikes to the grounded Riddle before going for an armbar. Riddle would try to get a pinfall out of this, but would only get the shoulders on the mat for a two. Powering out, Riddle would deadlift Thatcher into a powerbomb to break the hold.
With both men struggling to their feet, they would exchange stiff strikes, before Thatcher caught Riddle with an ankle lock after a kick. Riddle launched him off but would get caught with a enzuguri, before finding the energy to hit the Bro To Sleep.Going to the top rope for the Floating Bro,Riddle would meet the knees of Thatcher, and find himself in the deadly Fujiwara Armbar. Riddle would fight out and hit another powerbomb, but took a moment to taunt and gave up the arm again, but Thatcher quickly moved to the leg instead. Some strikes with her free limbs would give Riddle the chance to get Thatchers shoulders down, and got the pinfall while still locked in submission.
Will They Reunite?
This was a very hard fought battle, and could have been all that this team needed to get back on the same page. Thatcher would continue to attack Riddle after the match and apply the Fujiwara Armbar. It doesn’t seem likely they will reunite but all Thatcher wanted was a serious partner to compliment his style. This will not be their only battle, but they could continue to earn each others respect over the coming weeks. Will Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher take an odd route back to the Tag Team Championships, or has this ship sailed? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get The Overtimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
