NXT Cruiserweight Champion Lio Rush picks Raul Mendoza to face Angel Garza before defending his title against Garza on WWE NXT.

With an NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match between Lio Rush and Angel Garza set for next week on WWE NXT, both competitors took the opportunity to select each other’s opponents for tonight.

First up, Rush chose Mendoza for Garza. The Man of the Hour and Mendoza developed a mutual respect, and Rush wants his ally to push his nemesis to the limit.

Mendoza took an early advantage by using an impressive blend of speed and power, pushing Garza just as Rush intended. However, Garza turned the tide after telling the WWE Universe to “shut up” and channeled his anger into mounting a powerful offense. Despite Garza’s flurry, Mendoza’s speed worked to his advantage, forcing Garza to pull his opponent’s legs out from under him and sending him crashing to the ring apron.

Taking advantage of a dazed Mendoza, Garza began to methodically dismantle his opponent, taking plenty of time to taunt him while doing so. The resilient Mendoza overpowered a single leg crab from Garza before driving him into the ring post.

Mounting pressure on Garza, a fired-up Mendoza relentlessly pressed forward, but a misstep allowed Garza to trap Mendoza in the ropes and deliver a double dropkick to the legs. Fending off Garza’s Wing Clipper, Mendoza traded huge kicks with his opponent, leaving them exchanging strikes in the center of the ring, ending with a standing Spanish fly from Mendoza for a near-fall.

Mendoza appeared to have the match in hand after flattening Garza on the outside. However, a superkick from Garza as Mendoza re-entered the ring allowed the No. 1 contender to  execute the Wing Clipper for the win.