WWE NXT Results – May 20th, 2020

Welcome to Ringside News’ coverage of WWE NXT. Please keep refreshing throughout the show for constant updates once it kicks off at 8:00 PM EST.

For tonight’s episode of NXT, four big matches have been announced, all with major stakes heading into the road to NXT TakeOver: In Your House.

First on the docket, Roderick Strong looks to take out the thorn in the side of the Undisputed Era known as Dexter Lumis. Last week, we saw an Undisputed Era promo where all members of the Era decided that Strong was the man for the job, but will he be able to get the job done?

Also on the card, further developments in the NXT Women’s Championship picture as Rhea Ripley will take on Io Shirai. This is not the first time that these women have clashed, but with Rhea Ripley hot off of her surprise return just weeks ago, she will be a difficult opponent for the Genius of the Sky to take on tonight.

Also tonight, round one in the tournament to crown the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion closes tonight with huge implications. For Group A, Kushida looks to go 3-0 against Drake Maverick tonight. However, if Maverick wins, it will put him, Kushida, and Jake Atlas in a thee-way tie with records of 2-1.. Will Drake Maverick’s Cinderella story end tonight?

In Group B, Akira Tozawa also looks for a clean sweep as he takes on El Hijo del Fantasma. Jack Gallagher and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott are both mathematically eliminated, but a win for Fantasma would give him the same record as Tozawa, meaning that he would actually advance to the next round. For both of these men, tonight is Win or Go Home.

Finally, Karrion Kross and Scarlett have been announced to open the show tonight. While his opponent for tonight has not been announced, he had a dominant showing in his first match with his Doomsday Saitos and Kross Jacket, and he will no doubt be looking for a similar fate for his opponent tonight.

All of this and more on tonight’s edition of NXT, and we will begin coverage when NXT goes live at 8:00 PM, EST!

Opening Segment

Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett) vs. Liam Gray

Kross hits a series of Doomsday Saitos on his opponent, then locks in the Kross Jacket, and Gray submits.

Winner: Karrion Kross

While Kross and Scarlett celebrate in ring, Ciampa’s music hits. Ciampa walks out and has a microphone. He introduces himself and says “this is my home.” He says that attacking him was done to make a point and he understands and respects it.

He continues to talk up Kross and say that he is special, with his aura, his entrance. Ciampa stands on the apron and Scarlett invites him into the ring. Ciampa says that he is special as well, and he challenges Kross to a match at TakeOver: In Your House. Ciampa and Kross stare down each other in the ring, then Ciampa retreats up the ramp.

We get a promo advertising the Cruiserweight Championship tournament and covering every competitor’s record thus far, then we go to commercial.

El Hijo del Fantasma vs. Akira Tozawa

Fantasma tries to quickly roll up Tozawa, but Tozawa escapes. Fantasma takes down Tozawa, holding his wrists, but Tozawa fights back and pins down Fantasma, but Fantasma escapes.

Fantasma transitions into a suplex and a pinfall attempt, but Tozawa kicks out. Fantasma trips up Tozawa, and Tozawa returns. They trade hip tosses and Tozawa goes for a dropkick, but Fantasma dodges.

Fantasma wraps up Tozawa and tosses him down. Tozawa gets to his feet and they trade chops. Tozawa hits a hurricanrana and Fantasma leaves the ring. Tozawa hits another hurricanrana from the apron onto Fantasma, then gets in the ring to break the count. Tozawa hits a cannonball onto Fantasma from the apron to the outside and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial, Fantasma kicks Tozawa in the chest and hits a splash on Tozawa on the apron. Fantasma hits a senton atomico and pins Tozawa for two. Fantasma picks up Tozawa and goes for a back suplex, but Tozawa lands on his feet and hits a bridging German suplex on Fantasma.

Tozawa goes to the top rope, but Fantasma crotches him on the top rope before he can hit his senton. Fantasma initially sets up for a superplex, but it is blocked and he instead picks up Tozawa in a fireman’s carry and drops him onto the top turnbuckle, stomach first. Fantasma covers Tozawa for two.

Tozawa hits a bulldog on Fantasma and then a senton from the top, but Fantasma rolls out of the ring. Tozawa tosses Fantasma back in the ring and covers him for two. Tozawa strikes at Fantasma, but Fantasma hits him with a dropkick, sending him over the top rope.

Fantasma hits a dive onto Tozawa on the outside. Back in the ring, Fantasma goes for the Phantom Driver. Tozawa tries to reverse into an Octopus Lock, but Fantasma hits the Phantom Driver and pins Tozawa.

Winner: El Hijo del Fantasma

After the match, we get a recap of the breakup between Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher from last week, Imperium becoming the new tag team champions, Riddle beating Thatcher, and Thatcher beating down Riddle.

Timothy Thatcher cuts a promo backstage talking about how he enjoyed beating up Riddle. Thatcher says that he wants a match again against Riddle, with a stipulation that you only win with knockout or tap out. Thatcher lays down the challenge and tells Riddle that he can pick the location.

Mia Yim will take on Santana Garrett after this commercial break.

Back from commercial break, Shotzi Blackheart cuts a promo from the top of a tank about her personality and her feud with Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez. Blackheart also calls out Chelsea Green and Candice LeRae.

Mia Yim vs. Santana Garrett

Garrett and Yim trade hip toss and dropkick attempts. Garrett tosses Yim into the corner and hits a back handspring elbow, then a suplex. Garrett pins Yim for two. Yim hits a dragon suplex on Garrett, then she kicks at Garrett’s face. Yim hits Protect Ya Neck, pinning Garrett.

Winner: Mia Yim

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae come out after Yim’s match and taunt her. LeRae continues to complain about Yim’s continued opportunities. She claims that Yim took opportunities from her. LeRae and Gargano storm the ring.

Yim attacks Gargano, but LeRae jumps her from behind. LeRae tosses Yim into the ropes and Johnny low-bridges her, sending her to the outside. Keith Lee runs down to the ring and makes the save for Yim, sending Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae running.

We see a recap of Cameron Grimes defeating Finn Balor and Damian Priest’s attack on Finn Balor.

Grimes cuts a promo from outside, talking about how he beat Finn Balor last week, saying, “It’s Grime time.” Damian Priest will be on NXT later tonight to speak on the current situation, but next up, a commercial break.

Back from commercial, Drake Maverick is interviewed about his match. He is saying that his match against Kushida is going to be difficult, and he is tired of all of the platitudes and cliches, saying that he only thing he needs to do is win.

Roderick Strong vs. Dexter Lumis

Adam Cole and Bobby Fish accompany Strong to the ring, but head back up the ramp once he gets in the ring.

Strong trash talks Lumis and tries to gain control of Lumis using the left arm, but Lumis takes control instead. Strong transitions into a side headlock, but Lumis escapes and backs Strong into the ropes. Strong tries to surprise attack Lumis, but Lumis scares Strong out of the ring.

Strong gets back in the ring and goes for a leg takedown, but Lumis blocks. Lumis hits a headlock takedown on Strong, and Strong gets out of the ring again. Strong runs back in and Lumis hits a series of strikes onto Strong, followed by a scoop slam and a leg drop.

Strong hits Lumis with a knee to the midsection and a series of chops. Strong hits Lumis with kicks, but Lumis hits a running bulldog on Strong. Strong escapes the ring again, and Lumis gives chase. Strong sends Lumis into the steel steps and then drops Lumis back-first onto the apron. Then, we go to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Strong hits a backbreaker on Lumis. Strong locks in a seated abdominal stretch on Lumis. Strong fishhooks Lumis’s nose. Lumis keeps his stare on Strong, spooking Strong into breaking the hold.

Both men are on their feet trading blows, Strong hits an Olympic Slam on Lumis, covering him for two. Strong stomps at Lumis’s hands and strikes at him with a forearm to the face. Strong goes for the Stronghold, but Lumis kicks Strong in the face.

Strong clubs away at Lumis’s back and goes for an Olympic Slam, but Lumis evades and hits a Thesz Press on Strong, then a back body drop. Lumis hits a slingshot suplex on Strong, covering him for two.

Strong hits Lumis with a back elbow, then an enziguri. Strong chops away at Lumis, but Lumis seems un-phased by the chops. Lumis gets to his feet and hits a spinebuster on Strong. Strong takes Lumis down and goes for the Stronghold, but Lumis blocks. Strong instead rolls into a pinfall attempt and Lumis is pinned for three.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Dexter Lumis locks in a Kata Gatame on Strong. Cole and Fish come down and try to break the hold, but Lumis won’t let go. Dream comes down and makes the save, taking out Fish and Cole. Dream hits Cole with a superkick, sending him over the barricade. Dream hits a Purple Rainmaker on Cole from the top rope.

Dream poses on the ring steps as Lumis strokes Roderick Strong’s head. Rhea Ripley is shown backstage preparing for her match against Io, and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial, and El Hijo del Fantasma and Akira Tozawa are shown outside the arena getting ready to leave. The mysterious masked men appear again and attack Tozawa, but flee when Fantasma goes after them.

Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch vs. Ever-Rise

Danny Burch maintains control of this match, hitting Matt Martel with a headbutt. Oney Lorcan tags in and chops away at Martel. Chase Parker tags in and Lorcan takes him down with a blockbuster. Lorcan locks in a single-leg Boston crab on Parker, forcing a submission.

Winners: Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch

We see a recap of Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae jumping Mia Yim. Keith Lee requested an interview backstage. Lee says that he doesn’t care about what the Garganos say, but he says he has a problem with their actions and that the actions of the Garganos will reach their peak at TakeOver. Drake Maverick and Kushida’s match in the Cruiserweight Tournament is next.

Back from commercial, Io Shirai is backstage preparing for her match.

Matt Riddle is shown backstage and he responds to Timothy Thatcher’s challenge. For the location, he suggests somewhere where they “are both familiar,” a cage.

Kushida vs. Drake Maverick

Maverick and Kushida lock up, and Kushida forces Maverick into the ropes. Kushida locks in a side headlock, but is forced to break when Maverick drives him into the ropes. Back in the middle of the ring, Kushida, locks in another side headlock. Maverick rolls up Kushida for a quick pinfall attempt, but Kushida kicks out.

Kushida drags Maverick down to the ring, going for an armbar. Maverick blocks, and Kushida hits a basement dropkick on Maverick, followed by a back handspring elbow. Kushida goes for the Hoverboard Lock, but decides against it.

Jake Atlas is seen appearing at ringside. Kushida hits a snapmare on Maverick and continues to work over Maverick’s arm. Kushida hits a cartwheel into a dropkick, covering Maverick. Maverick kicks out at two, Jake Atlas cheers at ringside, and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial, Maverick avoids Kushida and sends him into the corner. Maverick hits a dropkick from the top rope, then hits Canadian Destroyer on Kushida, covering him for two. Kushida hits Maverick with a huge right hand, rattling him.

Maverick rests in a corner and Kushida gives chase, hitting him with a palm strike. Kushida drives his knee into Maverick’s elbow. Kushida tosses Maverick out of the ring and the referee forces Kushida from following out of the ring. Maverick gets back in the ring, but Kushida hits a scoop slam on him.

Kushida continues his focused attack on Maverick’s left arm, but Maverick reaches the ropes and forces a break. Maverick hits Kushida with a series of strikes, but Kushida again applies pressure onto Maverick’s left arm. Maverick reaches the ropes again and forces a break.

Maverick gets to his feet and Kushida gets to the top rope. Maverick stuns Kushida and chases him to the top rope, Maverick goes for a bulldog from the top rope, but Kushida reverses into a Hoverboard Lock. Maverick rolls Kushida up into a pinfall attempt, covering him for three.

Winner: Drake Maverick

Jake Atlas enters the ring and celebrates with Drake Maverick. Byron Saxton gets on the microphone and says that William Regal has scheduled a triple threat match between Atlas, Maverick, and Kushida, where the winner will advance to the finals of the tournament.

We get a video package for Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai’s upcoming match. Up next, Damian Prest will be speaking on NXT television, after this match.

Back from commercial, and the triple threat match between Kushida, Jake Atlas, and Drake Maverick is scheduled for next week. Additionally, the cage match between Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher is scheduled for next week as well.

Damian Priest says that Finn Balor has a target on his back, so he wants to go after Finn before becoming a champion. Priest says that he wants to take on Finn Balor at TakeOver, as he wants to make his name live forever by beating Balor at the place where Balor made his name.

Io Shirai vs. Rhea Ripley

Io attacks Ripley almost immediately, but Ripley catches her in a fireman’s carry. Io escapes from behind and strikes at Io. Ripley picks up Shirai and hits a series of lariats on Io, then nails her with a dropkick.

Ripley picks Io up and slams her facedown on the mat. Shirai rolls up Rhea and hits a double foot stomp on Ripley, covering her for two. Then, we go to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Ripley blocks a hurricanrana from Shirai. Shirai hits a sunset flip instead, pinning Ripley for two. Io locks a in crossface submission attempt, but Ripley fights to her feet. Ripley backs Shirai into a corner, forcing a submission break.

Io goes to the top rope, but Ripley stuns her and also climbs the turnbuckle. Ripley goes for a superplex, but Io blocks it and perches back on the rope. Ripley hits Io with a series of headbutts, then lands the superplex on Shirai, covering Io for two.

Ripley taunts Io and does a little bit of trash talk, Io hits Ripley with palm strikes, but Ripley grounds Io with a right hand. Ripley picks up Shirai, but Shirai escapes and locks in a crossface again. Ripley reaches the ropes and forces a break.

Io hits the Tiger Face Kick on Ripley, then sends her out of the ring with a dropkick and follows it up with a tope to the outside. Both women are laying prone on the ground outside the ring, and Charlotte Flair comes out to stand at ringside. Shirai hits a hurricanrana on Ripley, sending Ripley crashing into Charlotte.

Io gets Ripley back in the ring and hits a Ripley with a running double knee strike in the corner. Shirai hits a DDT on Ripley, covering her for two. Suddenly, Charlotte catches Io off guard and hits her with a big boot.

Winner: Io Shirai

Charlotte hits a spear on Rhea Ripley. Then, she stands tall over Ripley and Io, holding her title in the air as this week’s episode of NXT comes to an end.