WWE NXT: March 18, 2015

COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the first time, WWE left the confines of Full Sail University and hit the road, taking over Columbus, Ohio, and the 2015 Arnold Sports Festival. In addition to giving the Buckeye State the full WWE Experience, including autograph signings and live tryouts, the sold-out LC Pavilion was treated to an action-packed night featuring the future of WWE!

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Tyler Breeze def. Kalisto
Prince Pretty was riding high after his win over Hideo Itami last week, but had to deal with the high-flying, rapid-fire offense of Kalisto. At first, Tyler Breeze couldn’t answer the unique, lucha libre offense of the masked marvel and needed to take a breather on the arena floor.

Breeze took control by countering a springboard dive by Kalisto with a vicious dropkick of his own, before pummeling him into the mat. Kalisto eventually found a second wind, but his rebound was cut off by a Supermodel Kick to the jaw. The masked man briefly bounced back, connecting on a 450 Splash, but Breeze had enough about him to grab the ropes to stop the pin, get back to his feet and reverse a Salida Del Sol before hitting the Beauty Shot to win the bout!

Check out the WWE Experience at the Arnold Sports Festival

Blake def. Colin Cassady
Colin Cassady was all business as he took on one half of the NXT Tag Team Champions, Blake. Big Cass set out to prove that he and Enzo Amore are worthy of being the No. 1 Contenders to the titles. Despite his best efforts, Blake couldn’t match power with the 7-footer, finding himself at Cassady’s mercy.

Perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, Blake’s tag team partner, Murphy, leaped up onto the apron and distracted Big Cass before he could hit the Empire Elbow. Cassady clocked Murphy with a big boot, but Blake sent the 7-footer crashing into the ropes and into Carmella, who took a nasty spill from the ring apron to the arena floor. The distraction allowed Blake to roll Big Cass up to steal a win and sneak away from the challengers, who tended to an injured Carmella.

Watch highlights from NXT's Live Event in Cleveland

Alexa Bliss def. NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks via Count-out (Non-Title Match)
Competing in her hometown of Columbus, Alexa Bliss was out to make a big impression, as she faced NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks in non-title action. The feisty Bliss took control in the opening moments of the match, charging at the champion and taking her down to the mat. The sparkly Diva’s aggression cost her, though, as Sasha stopped Alexa in her tracks by sending her face-first into the turnbuckle.

The champion locked on a tight cobra clutch, trying to wear down her foe, but Bliss fought back and forced Sasha to retreat to the floor. There was no respite for the NXT Women’s Champion, as Alexa took the fight straight to Banks at ringside. Sasha tried to end things by ramming her rival into the steel ring post, but Alexa shoved Sasha into the unforgiving steel. The reversal allowed Alexa to beat the referee’s 10-count and earn a huge victory! Because of her win, NXT General Manager William Regal awarded Alexa a championship match with Sasha next week!

Coming soon to NXT: Dana Brooke!

NXT Champion Kevin Owens def. Alex Riley (Non-Title Match)
Alex Riley had been waiting weeks to get his hands on Kevin Owens, and he wasted little time in engaging the NXT Champion. However, Owens overpowered Riley, who is only two matches into his in-ring return after two years away. The NXT Champion pummeled Riley in the corner before crushing him with a cannonball, then mocking his downed rival.

A-Ry dodged another cannonball and connected with a big spinebuster, sending the NXT Champion reeling. However, Owens cut off Riley’s offense, smashing him with three sentons. After throwing Riley into the ringside barricade, Owens ended the bout with his patented pop-up powerbomb. After the match, Owens tried to put Riley out of action with a powerbomb into the apron, but No. 1 Contender Finn Bálor dove off the stage to prevent it. Bálor stunned the NXT Champion with a dropkick into the corner. Owens escaped before Bálor could hit the Coup de Grace, but there will be no escape when the two clash next week with the NXT Title on the line.

Next week on NXT: Bálor challenges Owens for the NXT Title!