NXT LIVE Results from Columbus, OH, with Exclusive Photos and Video

NXT made its return once again to Columbus, Ohio, for the week of the Arnold Classic. For the past few years, this has become a tradition for WWE, as the Arnold Classic is one of the most popular annual events in the country.

Unfortunately, it was recently announced that the Arnold Classic was postponed due to safety precautions stemming from the Coronavirus epidemic. However, NXT still was in session, and here are the results of the evening, along with photos.

Match 1: Broserweights (Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne) d. Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink

Brendan Vick is a big dude. The match overall was just okay, but the Broserweights is certainly one of the most over teams in all of WWE, and the Columbus crowd put them over just as much as the normal Full Sail crowd. Broserweights pick up the win with the Riddle End.

Match 2: Tegan Nox/Mia Yim Kayden Carter d. Dakota Kai/Raquel Gonzalez/Santana Garrett

Interesting that Santana Garrett is playing a heel now. Unless I missed something, she has been a babyface for most of her NXT run, although she’s been used as an enhancement talent for most of her matches on television. Decent match overall. Crowd was into Mia Yim and Tegan Nox mostly. Babyfaces get the win after Nox hits her Shining Wizard finisher on Garrett.

Match 3: Dexter Lumis d. Dio Maddin 

Dexter Lumis defeating Dio Maddin was a bit of a shocker for me, particularly since Maddin has some stream from his altercation with Brock Lesnar. NXT can be a good place to push him, before he comes to the main roster. Dude looks like a star. He’s gotten into great shape, and has certainly used going back to NXT to his benefit. With a little more time and development, Maddin has a bright future ahead of him.

Match 4: Damian Priest d. Cameron Grimes

Although Damian Priest has played more of a heel on television, along with Cameron Grimes, Priest received a great deal of crowd support during this match. Grimes cut a heel promo before the match started, stating that he was in Cleveland, OH, which drew a lot of heat. Good back and forth match, with Priest picking up the win in the end with his finisher.

Match 5: Austin Theory d. Bronson Reed

Bronson Reed was over tonight. Frequent “Thicc” chants throughout the match. Austin Theory is starting to get more comfortable with his new spot in NXT from being the star of EVOLVE. Hard-hitting match, with Theory in the end able to get Reed in a fireman’s carry into his finisher for the win.

Match 6: Candice LeRae d. Aliyah

Aliyah came out and stated that she had to get rhinoplasty as a result of getting her nose broken during an NXT match. She really heeled up the crowd, but you can tell that she was doing her best to elicit jeers. Candice LeRae came out to a big pop, and the audience was into the match as Aliyah kept exhibiting villainous tactics to get jeers. LeRae gets the win in the end with a springboard moonsault.

Match 7: Keith Lee/Tommaso Ciampa vs. Adam Cole/Roderick Strong

Crowd was heavily into this match. Keith Lee and Tommaso Ciampa were unanimously cheered, while Roderick Strong was jeered and Adama Cole was split as usual. Good back and forth match, with some nice spots. Good match overall, with both Lee and Ciampa hitting their finishers simultaneously at the end for the win and a huge pop from the crowd.

Ciampa cuts a promo at the end about a girl with cancer, and starts a chant of her name with the crowd. Ciampa looks into one of the cameras to send her a message, as she had to get an emergency procedure done and was unable to come. Good heartfelt way to end the show, and noble move by Ciampa.

Follow Chris Featherstone on Twitter @chrisprolific, and the Pancakes and Powerslams Show @cravewrestling. Subscribe to the Pancakes and Powerslams Show via the Crave Wrestling Facebook page.