NXT Results (12/5): Punishment Martinez Debuts, Io Shirai Makes the Save, Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano Confront Tommaso Ciampa

This week’s edition of NXT brought the intensity that fans have come to expect from WWE’s developmental third brand. A new face debuted, the champ spoke and a cage match was challenged between two heated rivals.

The program kicked off with the extremely popular Matt Riddle. The King of Bros stepped into the ring and faced the debuting Punishment Martinez. The former Ring of Honor World Television champion gave maximum effort but came up short in his first televised NXT match.

In comes Punishment Martinez. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/YwPIo8nccK

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 6, 2018

Fans likely believed that was the end for Riddle, who made his way back up the entrance ramp to a nice ovation. But the celebration did not last long as Kassius Ohno suddenly appeared behind Riddle and just as Matt turned around, he was met with a massive spinning elbow.

And a short-lived victory, courtesy of @KassiusOhno. #205Live pic.twitter.com/tFPmQIt8LO

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 6, 2018

Ricochet was up next in an interview conducted outside of the arena. The North American champion was asked about what’s next for him. The champ said that he wanted to know who his next challenger would be. It was later announced that NXT General Manager William Regal had indeed booked Ricochet in a title match for the December 12 edition of the program.

A Heavy Machinery vignette was shown in which the duo talked about their desire to become NXT Tag Team champions.

Regal’s tweet concerning the Fatal 4-Way match to determine the No.1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship was shown. The match will take place on the December 26 edition of NXT.

Some good news for @BiancaBelairWWE. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/bBpS1URAEK

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 6, 2018

The Forgotten Sons were up next. Wesley Blake and Steve Cutler squared off against Humberto Carillo and Raul Mendoza. Mendoza and Carillo held their own for as long as they could but The Forgotten Sons were too much for the popular duo.

The Velveteen Dream was interviewed backstage by Cathy Kelley. Kelley asked The Dream about his future and the flamboyant Superstar hinted at a possible main roster move. He mentioned Triple H but did not elaborate on what’s next for him in WWE.

The Dream needs the right lighting to answer questions. @VelveteenWWE #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Uup6etvc2t

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 6, 2018

The Undisputed Era’s vignette was up next. The infamous trio were cocky and confident as always, bragging about injuring The War Raiders at Takeover: WarGames. Mauro Ranallo followed that up with a report on Hanson, who apparently is dealing with broken ribs, among other injuries.

Shayna Baszler faced Dakota Kai in a non-title match. The Queen of Spades didn’t have to worry about losing her championship but she did have to deal with a highly motivated Kai, who brought everything she had to the match. But Kai lost the bout and was on the verge of a beatdown from Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke when Io Shirai made the save for Dakota.

.@shirai_io is having NONE of @MarinaShafir & @jessamynduke. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/EYLGIdTVMc

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 6, 2018

NXT champion Tommaso Ciampa came out to a heel pop from the crowd. He cut his promo in the ring but was soon interrupted by Aleister Black. The former champ made his case for facing Ciampa in a championship match but he was cut off by Johnny Gargano.

Gargano came out and said it wasn’t over between him and Black. Ciampa decided to play mind games with the two men, suggesting that they settle their differences inside a steel cage. Gargano said he wasn’t afraid but Black then reminded him that he was shown mercy the last time they faced each other. Black ended the program by delivering the Black Mass to the champ.

.@WWEAleister isn't too happy right now. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/LWEvbuQkU9

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 6, 2018