Update —
WWE has confirmed that Austin Theory will face Kushida in a match on NXT tonight.
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Going into tonight’s go-home edition of NXT, WWE is teasing that one of the matches set for TakeOver: Vengeance Day won’t be taking place.
Austin Theory posted a video on Tuesday night alleging that North American Champion Johnny Gargano is out of his title defense against Kushida at Sunday’s NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day event. Theory said it’s all because of Kushida and Theory will make Kushida pay with an ass whooping on tonight’s episode of NXT.
NXT’s Twitter account responded to Theory’s video: “#JohnnyTakeover out of #NXTTakeover???”
Gargano defending his North American Championship against Kushida was announced for TakeOver: Vengeance Day on last week’s NXT episode. Gargano went to NXT general manager William Regal’s office after being informed that the match was made, but Kushida was already there. Gargano attacked Kushida, but Kushida got the better of a brawl between them and kicked Gargano’s arm before officials broke the brawl up.
Kushida has pinned Gargano twice in tag matches in recent weeks. Gargano and Theory attacked Kushida and Leon Ruff on NXT two weeks ago before being scared off by Dexter Lumis.
Theory is part of The Way with Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell. LeRae & Hartwell are facing Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon in a women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal match on tonight’s NXT. The winning team will advance to face Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in the finals at TakeOver: Vengeance Day.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s NXT:
Women’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon
Men’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
Men’s Dusty Classic semifinal match: MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Cameron Grimes returns
Austin Theory vs. Kushida