WWE NXT Results 3rd August 2016, Latest NXT winners and video highlights
Overall it was one of the best episodes of NXT so far this year, if not all time. It featured Hideo Itami’s return and Bobby Roode’s introduction to the NXT fans. It also set up Asuka vs Bayley II at TakeOver with the contract signing next week. We also got a glimpse at whats in store for the Tag-Team division and we now know that Ember Moon aka Athena will debut in Brooklyn.
Hideo Itami vs Sean Maluta
This episode of NXT kicked off with Hideo Itami making his much-awaited return since shoulder surgery which has kept him out for more than a year against Cruiserweight Classic competitor Sean Maluta, member of the Anoa’i wrestling family. As the competitors got in the ring, we got a shot of Maluta’s fellow CWC competitors Zack Sabre Jr, Tony Nese and Drew Gulak at ringside.
Itami showed no signs of ring rust from his lengthy absence even though the scars from his shoulder surgery were still visible on his shoulder. Itami dominated most of the match but Maluta showed his fair share of spunk and pulled off a series of impressive moves including beautiful Codebeaker. One of the best parts of the match was the nose-to-nose face off in the middle of the ring between Itami and Maluta.
Maluta fought hard and showed WWE management why he needs to be signed up immediately but in the end he was no match for Itami’s decades of experience. Itami finished the match off with an impressive sequence that began with a running dropkick in the corner before finishing off Maluta with a running knee strike. No Go-To- Sleep yet though. Still have to wait for that one.
Hideo Itami def. Sean Maluta