NXT this week was only really aired to explain what will be happening with Asuka going forward. Aside from that, not much else took place on this show. A few recaps were shown and more noteworthy matches were hyped up for next week. However, we did have a nice match on this show between Hideo Itami and Kassius Ohno, and Asuka’s major announcement was a bright spot on this show, but more on those two topics later. For now, let’s start with the beginning of the show.
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Cezar Bononi –
  Again with this match. Bononi did get a surprise rollup victory over Almas several months ago, but I could’ve sworn Almas has already gotten his win back like twice already. Anyway, we had the match here once again. Almas’ new manager, Zelina Vega, joined the commentary team for this match, and she was also the focus for a great deal of the match.

  Vega revealed within moments of sitting down that she came to know Almas when she met him and began teaching him seven years ago in Mexico. Not much to this one. Andrade once again avenged his win over Bononi after hitting some standard punches and occasional big moves. Bononi did get a two count when he applied a small package, but eventually Vega stood up from the announce table and yelled at Almas to finish him off. Almas hit the Hammerlock DDT for the victory.
Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas
  Backstage in his office, William Regal addressed last week’s ending of NXT when Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, and Adam Cole attacked SAnitY and DrewMcIntyre before fleeing the building. He said that the three of them can compete in the ring on NXT, but that is the only place where they are allowed to fight.
  Christy St. Cloud was backstage waiting near Asuka’s locker room when The Velveteen Dream interrupted her. Though he said that we would have to wait a while to hear from him, he watched NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III and was compelled by an individual who needs his help. He promised that we will see him again very soon.

Lars Sullivan vs. Three Unnamed Opponents –
  They didn’t even bother announcing the names of Sullivan’s opponents here. Before the match began, Lars insisted on facing all three men at the same time. The referee agreed to Lars’ demands, and the big man slammed all three men down to the canvas with ease. I don’t think that his opponents even managed to land a single move in against Lars. He obviously got the win within moments.
  Lars continued to punish the three men after the match was over. Just then, No Way Jose literally danced his way onto the stage. You may remember that Lars attacked Jose in Brooklyn. Jose was so mad and vengeful here that he danced on down to the ring before being layed out with a uranage.

Winner: Lars Sullivan
  Johnny Gargano was interviewed backstage about his loss in Brooklyn. Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss walked in and reminded him that they fought #DIY before their match in Chicago. They said that Gargano should find a new tag team partner, but Gargano challenged one of them to face him in a singles match next week.
  After being attacked by Fish, Cole, and O’Reilly last week, Eric Young spoke to a shaky camera being held by Nikki Cross. He warned the three men that they will regret what they have done. Alexander Wolfe then said that all SAnitY cared about was chaos.
Zeda vs. Sonya Deville –
  Fresh off of losing the Mae Young Classic tournament, Zeda returned in this match against Sonya Deville. She did not fare too well in this match either, as Sonya immediately took her down. She put her in a waist lock. Once she broke free, Zeda tried running into her but Sonya hit her with something that sort of resembled a Spear. Then she delivered a roundhouse kick and a knee to the face. After this, she locked her in an armbar for the win. She let go after the match ended and celebrated. See! This is how it’s supposed to be done, Sexy Star.
Winner: Sonya Deville
  William Regal was watching Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan train together against two other wrestlers at the Performance Center (which makes me hopeful that they can become a team soon.) Ruby Riot eventually walked up and asked Regal for a 2-on-1 handicap match against Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. For whatever reason, Regal wouldn’t allow the match. He told her to find a tag team partner for the match next week.
Kassius Ohno vs. Hideo Itami –
  This appears to be the big blow-off match between the two former friends. This was a no DQ match, so the two men did utilize some materials found around ringside. Itami rolled out of the ring mere seconds after the bell rung. The two wrestlers traded some big maneuvers back and fourth for a while until Itami violently threw Ohno out of the ring.
  He then tossed him towards the steel ring steps and began squishing his head on the steps. Itami then did what he does best: get the guy into the corner of the ring and just start kicking him. After several kicks, Hideo upped the ante and brought in a chair. Ohno got the chair and threw it back at Itami before trying to hit a rolling elbow on the chair, much like Rob Van Dam’s Van Daminator. Itami managed to hit the chair against Ohno’s elbow before he could use it though.
  After some more kicks from Itami, Ohno took over in the match after hitting a senton. Once Itami got back up, he attempted to hit the GTS on his former friend, but Ohno managed to avoid it. Instead, Ohno got Hideo up for a possible GTS, but Itami also managed to avoid being hit by his own move. He then immediately hit the Rolling Elbow on Hideo.
  The move connected with Itami, but he slid out of the ring and began to move away on the ramp. Once Kassius caught up to him, he attempted to put Hideo in a front face lock, but Itami reversed the move and hit a Fisherman’s Suplex on the ramp. He brought Ohno back into the ring and propped him up in the corner of the ring. He layed a chair across his body and hit a dropkick, this got Itami a very close near fall.
  Finally, Hideo begged Ohno to get back up so that he could hit the GTS. Ohno managed to get out of the move once again before hitting a low blow on Itami. You may remember that this feud began when Itami got himself intentionally disqualified from a match against Ohno after landing a low blow on Kassius, so Ohno completed his quest for revenge with this move here. He landed the Rolling Elbow next for the victory.
Winner: Kassius Ohno
  In addition to Peyton Royce and Billie Kay vs. Ruby Riot and her tag team partner next week, it was announced that Wolfgang is getting his shot for the United Kingdom Championship against “The Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne next week.
  William Regal introduced Asuka who came down to the ring in a suit with the NXT Women’s Championship. Asuka got on the microphone and talked about how much she loves NXT. She said that she has faced off against so many great NXT Superstars, and she is very grateful for all that she has been able to accomplish in NXT.
  Regal said that Asuka is undoubtedly one of the greatest champions in the entire history of WWE. Not just NXT, all of WWE. Despite her great run as NXT Women’s Champion, Asuka has beaten every member of the roster on more than one occasion, and there is not much left for her to do there. It’s no surprise that Regal announced that he was negotiating with Kurt Angle and Daniel Bryan for Asuka’s main roster promotion. He also announced that Asuka would be stepping down as NXT Women’s Champion as a result, ending her run at 523 days without ever being beaten for the belt.
  Asuka said that no one will be ready for her when she shows up on the main roster. The entire NXT staff showed up on the stage to congratulate her as the crowd in Full Sail chanted “thank you, Asuka.” Asuka said that she and the fans are NXT, and that wherever she goes, NXT will be with her.
  Ember Moon made her way down to the ring and briefly stared Asuka down for a bit. She extended her arm for a handshake, but when Asuka went to shake her hand, Ember pulled away. This is what Asuka did in the weeks leading up to their Takeover match. Instead though, Moon hugged Asuka and walked away.
  Triple H then came out and hugged Asuka. The now former champion began to weep at this moment. She was given a bouquet of flowers as the crowd chanted “you deserve it,” well for getting the promotion, not the flowers. Although, you know what? She’s been working hard in NXT for two years now, so I’d say she deserves some flowers. Why not? Anyway, Triple H introduced Asuka one last time before the show went off the air.
  And so ends one of the most historic title reigns in the history of the company. Who would’ve thought that Asuka would’ve managed to become one of the longest reigning champions in history when she first won the title from Bayley last year. Asuka’s run in NXT was tremendous, and it will not be easy to fill her spot, but they’re going to try. In the meantime, the title is now vacant, and Asuka is going to remain undefeated while recuperating from a collarbone injury before she reportedly joins Raw. Let’s hope that they will be able to keep her undefeated streak going during her main roster run. But we’re here to discuss NXT, so that is what we will continue to do here. I’ll see you NXT time!