Leon Ruff was left without a partner thanks to an unexpected attack, but not for long.

Kushida will fill in for Damian Priest and team up with Ruff as they face NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano and his new protégé, Austin Theory.

Ruff and Priest formed a tenuous alliance in opposition to Gargano in recent weeks, but Priest was taken out last week by the returning Karrion Kross.

Meanwhile, Gargano formally coined his alliance with Theory, along with wife Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell as The Way. Gargano pinned Ruff in a Triple Threat Match also involving Priest at NXT TakeOver: WarGames to win the North American Title for a third time, thanks to help from Theory.

Kushida, who has been red hot of late, approached Ruff backstage, offering his allegiance in the fight against The Way. Can NXT’s resident Time Splitter help Ruff knock off Gargano & Theory, or will The Way prevail?