WWE NXT Recap, July 26: Ember Moon challenges Asuka

Ember Moon and Drew McIntyre call out the champs, while Kassius Ohno and Hideo Itami “attempt” to settle their grievances.

Straight to the Moon

For a few seconds after the opening bell rang, it looked like Lei’D (pronounced “lady” according to Mauro Ranallo) Tapa didn’t go to Full Sail to roll over for Ember Moon, as she came out firing on offense immediately. It took Moon a minute to recuperate, and once she finally established some offense, it was all systems go for Moon. She hit Tapa with an Eclipse, pinned her for the win, then used a live mic to challenge Asuka to put her title on the line at Takeover: Brooklyn III.. Since Moon blew her first opportunity at Asuka’s NXT Women’s Championship, she’s been determined to get back in the ring for one more chance. William “Based God” Regal made this match official later in the show, which may be the nail in the coffin for Asuka’s historic title reign.

An Unexpected Confrontation

As bad as the first match of the night ended for Lei’D Tapa, the next segment started even worse for the next pair of jobbers who were set to show off their losing talents. If it wasn’t bad enough that these two poor souls (not that it matters for anything other than their obituary, but their names are David Ramos and Timothy Bumpers) were set to fight the NXT Tag Team Champions Authors of Pain, but before the match even started, they were jumped from behind by Alexander Wolfe & Killian Dain. Those would be the only two guys that SAnitY would injure on this day, as it were Akam & Rezar who were the last men standing. Anytime Nikki Cross appears on my television screen, even if it’s just to come out and distract the guys who will most likely end up beating her guys at Takeover: Brooklyn III (not announced yet officially), sign me up.

Dream On, Cezar

Velveteen Dream, steadily making a name for himself in a crowded division, does not have any opponent for Takeover lined up, nor does he have anyone he can actually call his rival. (Well, unless you want to count the girl he refuses to give an interview to.) That’s not to say he doesn’t deserve an opportunity; Dream kept his NXT winning streak alive after defeating Cezar Bonani, who may have peaked a few weeks ago after defeating Andrade “Cien” Almas.

Speaking of Almas, before this match began, Almas’ manager(?), Zelina Vega, confronted No Way Jose in the arena parking lot, regarding a fire that he had lit under Almas. Perhaps this means Almas will request a match against Jose for Takeover. Wouldn’t that be fedorable?

An Expected Confrontation

Drew McIntyre came out for the traditional “Challenger Calls Out Champion” segment that we all love and enjoy. McIntyre said since his departure from WWE, he was determined to become the hardest worker in the world, and, if Dwayne Johnson didn’t exist, I might believe him. He even got the Full Sail crowd on their feet, something that takes a lot these days. I didn’t doubt for a second that Bobby Roode would come out, and demand some respect from McIntyre… until he didn’t. Roode, taking the moral high ground here, will give his response next week. I’m hoping it involves more violence than this week’s solo act did.

Unsettled Business

For weeks, Kassius Ohno (and his ridiculous outfits) has been putting up with Hideo Itami’s temper tantrums, and has finally had enough of it. It’s easy to think that these guys actually wanted to make up, and that after this match, they would shake hands and apologize, with the loser holding the winners arm up high, and pointing at him with his free hand. NOPE!

Next: 15 WWE Superstars who could take on White Walkers

Ohno did indeed win the match by disqualification, but lost the battle after Itami kicked him square in the circles. Itami gave Ohno a savage beatdown, which makes me question where this guy found all this aggression. He kicked Ohno around, hit him with the GTS, then left him lying limp on the steel steps. This was actually a really fun match, so if it happens again, Ohno will have to locate the same aggression his former friend has if he wants to defeat him.