Roderick Strong has every right to be terrified of Dexter Lumis. He’s been stalked by this unblinking brute, locked in the trunk of a car by him, and now will be attached to him. This will be the first ever strap match in NXT history, and for good reason. Last week, Strong wouldn’t even stay in the ring with Lumis for their match, fleeing before first contact. Would a simple leather strap prevent this, or is Strong ready to face his greatest fear?
Roderick Strong Is Less Afraid
Strong would be apprehensive to be attached to Lumis, but Lumis gladly took the strap. In a cheap attack, Strong would leap into Lumis with an elbow to prove he’s not afraid, only to be dropped with a single strike and Lumis would attach Strong to him, before pulling him into an uppercut, sending him outside. Lumis would yank him into the side of the ring, before coming out after him. After some brawling, Strong would be sent into the ring for a back body drop, before being beat down in the corner.
Strong would try to fight back, and show no fear when Lumis stared him down. A single strike sent Strong back to the outside, but he’d be yanked back in and thrown across the ring. Strong would finally get the upperhand with a running knee, before hitting some signaturely hard strikes in the corner. Wrapping the strap around his fist for some strikes, Lumis would eat a few before slipping underneath his opponent and hitting an uppercut.
Dexter Lumis Exposes Strong’s Fears
Taking Strong to the outside, Lumis would try to whip him with the strap. He’d yank him over the stairs, and take him up to the stage. There was a Dodge Viper around for the Great American Bash set, and Lumis opened the trunk. Fear entered the eyes of Strong upon seeing his, and he got desperate to survive now. He’d fight hard and hit an Angle Slam on the outside, finally making Lumis feel pain. Back in the ring, he’d whip him with the strap, but Lumis seemed to like this. A running dropkick and some clubbing blows would beat down Lumis, with Strong now firmly in control.
Looking for his first backbreaker of the match, Strong would lose control, but Lumis regained control with strikes. Strong would fight back with a kick to the head, before hitting Lumis with the strap again before chopping him. He’d then realize he can use the strap for a chop, before running across the ring for a running strike. The first would connect nicely, before being run through with a Clothesline From Hell. A running Bulldog would get a near fall, and Lumis would go for a Slingshot Suplex next. Some abuse with the strap would follow, Strong on the defensive this time. Lumis looked for his Silence finisher, but Strong fought the submission off. Forcing Lumis to the top rope, a Superplex from Strong would get a near fall.
The Sound Of Silence
Appying the Strong Hold after tying the feet up with the strap would be a creative move, but Lumis slithered under the bottom rope to break the hold. Bobby Fish would run to ringside, attack Lumis to help his Undisputed Era brother out. However, he’d be taken down with smart usage of the strap, and Lumis would trap Strong in Silence, getting the win.
This was an excellent grudge match, and a much more serious match than anyone could have expected given the feud leading into it. It was back and forth, it was physical, and it told a great story. It was the best match yet for Dexter Lumis, who showed his true potential. An easy 3.5/5 match, continuing this Takeover level NXT.
What comes next for Dexter Lumis? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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