Angel Garza def. Lio Rush to become the new NXT Cruiserweight Champion
Angel Garza waged psychological warfare against Lio Rush for weeks, and as unbecoming as his tactics were at times, they helped him capture championship gold.
The black-and-gold brand's resident heartthrob made the most of his second opportunity versus Rush, dethroning him as NXT Cruiserweight Champion with an unconventional submission in a thrilling seesaw affair.
Rush was still clearly incensed by the mind games Garza had played — which included Garza stripping off his pants in front of Rush's wife in the crowd during their first title bout last month — and began throwing bombs of fury at his opponent before ring introductions had even concluded.
The mental chess continued through the bout, with Garza even dropping Rush with his own Come Up. But The Man of The Hour fired back, later answering with Garza's own Wing Clipper.
Garza somehow found a way to kick out of the Come Up, then his trademark pants came in handy, coming off and allowing him to slip out of Rush's attempt at a pinfall following the Final Hour.
It bought Garza just enough time to catch Rush knee-first during his second attempt at the Final Hour — this time to the outside of the ring. NXT's resident lothario then dragged Rush back into the squared circle to level him with the Wing Clipper. When that wasn't enough for the three-count, Garza pulled Rush into a reverse full-nelson to force the submission and become the first-ever Mexican NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
That wouldn't be the only victory for "The Most Beautiful Man in the World" on this night. Garza, with his newly won title over his shoulder, found his girlfriend at ringside moments later, invited her into the ring and asked her to be his wife — and she said yes.
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