NXT Preview, Dec. 5, 2018: NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa Returns

After a successful night at NXT TakeOver: WarGames II, NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa returns with more bragging rights than ever. As he prepares to have The NXT Universe “follow his lead,” what does Mr. Sports-Entertainment have planned?

Tommy Sports-Entertainment Cometh:

At NXT TakeOver: WarGames II, the self-proclaimed “Greatest Sports-Entertainer of All Time” said it, meant it and proved it. In addition to defeating Velveteen Dream in a heart-stopping bout, he backed up his previous boasts of seizing control of the coveted NXT Championship and the spotlight that comes with it. Now, The Blackheart readies his “I Told You” speech, as he prepares to make his first live appearance since his successful title defense. What does the champ have planned? The NXT Universe won’t have to ponder too long, as Ciampa shared a special message in a prelude last week, stating simply, “Follow my lead.”

The Captain Of Team Kick Spars With #ShaynaTwoTime:

Dakota Kai looks to settle a deeply personal score with NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler tonight. After months of heated tension that began when Baszler violated Kai’s arm in a spar earlier this year, their testy history was reignited at NXT TakeOver: WarGames II, when The Captain Of Team Kick joined Io Shirai in evening odds for Kairi Sane against Baszler and her Four Horsewoman cohorts Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke. As this latest chapter finds them at their most insatiable, tempers will certainly flare between these bitter enemies once the opening bell blares inside Full Sail Live.

The King Of Bros Meets Punishment Martinez:

Matt Riddle has been riding quite the wave since making his successful debut a few weeks back. Tonight, though, The King Of Bros will have his work cut out for him as he goes up against a debuting Punishment Martinez.

Making his in-ring debut as an NXT Superstar, Martinez is a towering force (standing at 6’6”), who comes backed by a stacked résumé that includes multiple championship reigns. Riddle shares a commonality with Martinez in that regard, accumulating his own set of accolades on the independent circuit. Moreover, these two strikers are well familiar with one another, having crossed paths before coming to NXT. Previous contests removed, however, this matchup has barnburner written all over it.

Who will step out beyond the yellow ropes with The W?

Forgotten Sons in Action Against Mendoza & Carrillo:

The Forgotten Sons will make way for their fierce Do Unto Others tour tonight as they battle the thrilling combination of Raul Mendoza & Humberto Carrillo. Following a brief bump in the road at the hands of Heavy Machinery, scrappy roughnecks Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler look to bounce back strong against the high-flying luchadors. As every duo under the black-and-gold banner looks to climb into The NXT Tag Team Title picture, which squad will emerge victorious and move one rung up the ladder? Find out tonight on WWE NXT!

Source: WWE.com