When Samoa Joe called for challengers for his NXT Championship, LA Knight & Johnny Gargano were too men who stepped up. However, in the case of LA Knight, his recent loss to Cameron Grimes at Takeover? He needs to prove he’s the megastar he claims to be. Beating someone like Johnny Gargano, the most decorated champion in NXT history? That would be a good start. Add in Dexter Lumis & Indi Hartwell being in the corner of Gargano, and even focusing might be an issue for Johnny Wrestling.
LA Knight Needs To Prove Himself Big Time
While Gargano had to deal with InDex as a distraction, LA Knight just had to focus on getting a win and proving he belongs in the main event scene. Knight would start off fast with a scoop slam, before talking some trash. Gargano would effortlessly get out of a wrist lock and get the leg of Knight. He’d move into a front facelock, before being tossed away.
Gargano would get an early GargaNo Escape attempt on Knight, who got the ropes. Knight would have a hard time staying vertical as Gargano took him down with his wrestling skills and a big dropkick. He’d hit a set of big armbreakers, but the third was countered with a handful of hair.
Knight would be sent to the outside and hit with a big dive by Gargano, before being set against the barricade and chopped. Back in the ring, some quick thinking from Knight saw him hit a flapjack onto the ropes before a slingshot shoulder block, as we went to a commercial break.
Johnny Gargano Gets Distracted
Back from the break, Knight looked for a neckbreaker and was taken down with a backslide. Knight would kick out, and nail the neckbreaker on the second attempt. Getting a two count count and some control back, he’d drive Gargano into the corner for some shoulder tackles before missing a charge.
Gargano telegraphed the backdrop attempt and was slammed into the mat, but would dodge a running knee drop before a kick to the head. A swinging flatliner out of the corner sent Knight to the outside, before Gargano looked for a dive and took a shoulder to the face. Knight looked for a slingshot shoulder, missed and took a hard slingshot spear for a two count.
Another roll up got a near fall, before Knight would hit a launching backdrop for a two count. Gargano would twice counter BFT, before looking for Gargano Escape and being rolled over into a pinfall. He’d opt for One Final Beat, but get punched in the face and saved by Lumis who cradled him in his arms. Knight would nearly punch Lumis, but instead took a superkick. Lumis would distract Gargano, and BFT landed to get Knight the win!
A solid match as expected from both men involved, with Gargano giving a by the books but incredible babyface run. The distraction finish was less than ideal, but the action leading up to it was crisp and fast paced. Match Rating: 3/5 (***)
With the wedding of Lumis & Hartwell coming up, how will Gargano remain sane? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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