WWE NXT results, July 29, 2020: Lumis locks up TakeOver opportunity

NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai & Tegan Nox def. Candice LeRae & Dakota Kai

The Genius of the Sky teams up with her most recent challenger to take on The Captain of Team Kick and The Poison Pixie. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Dakota Kai ambushed Io Shirai for the second time in three weeks, this time to kick off NXT while Shirai was making her entrance, and the scene quickly devolved into disarray with the other two competitors joining them for a melee before the action officially started. Kai and Candice LeRae worked well together early on, isolating Tegan Nox until Shirai lit up the ring and her opponents with her athleticism. The Captain of Team Kick responded by deftly spoiling a potential moonsault attempt. Kai forcibly tagged in LeRae, largely leaving The Poison Pixie to fend for herself, which ended with a pinfall loss after Shirai's moonsault. 

Johnny Gargano def. Roderick Strong

Two of the black-and-gold brand’s best technicians square off. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Johnny Gargano and Roderick Strong, two of NXT's proudest and most skilled Superstars, tactfully battled for bragging rights after coming up short in last week's Triple Threat Match won by Bronson Reed. The technical wrestling clinic featured both men demonstrating the depths of their repertoires, with Strong avoiding dire straits by rolling out of the Gargano Escape. He had no answer for Gargano's increased intensity on the outside, though, as Johnny Wrestling repeatedly smashed Strong into the ring post and plexiglass before planting him with the One Final Beat DDT for the victory. 

Mercedes Martinez def. Shotzi Blackheart

Blackheart looks to introduce the newest member of The Robert Stone Brand to the ball pit. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

If one match is any indication, Mercedes Martinez's decision to sign with The Robert Stone Brand appears to be a smart one. Martinez impressed against Shotzi Blackheart, slamming her with an innovative, modified Air Raid Crash for the win, much to the delight of Stone and Aliyah. 

Keith Lee called out Karrion Kross

The NXT Champion weighs in after Kross dismantled Dominik Dijakovic last week. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

NXT Champion Keith Lee, still clearly upset by what transpired last week, issued a fiery address to Karrion Kross. What he got instead was Cameron Grimes, who picked an inopportune time to step to The Limitless One, and he felt Lee's wrath. However, Kross answered with a message of his own, issuing a stern ultimatum to Lee demanding the NXT Title opportunity he's seeking.

NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium def. Ever-Rise

Imperium suffered a surprise beatdown after their victory over Ever-Rise. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Imperium made quick work of Ever-Rise, putting them down after hitting the European Bomb on Chase Parker. But before they could soak in their victory, they were savagely ambushed by Undisputed ERA, who made it clear they still consider themselves to be NXT's most dominant faction. 

Isaiah "Swerve" Scott def. Jake Atlas

Two of NXT’s most promising Superstars go one-on-one. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Isaiah "Swerve" Scott prevailed in this fast-paced encounter with a win over Jake Atlas that was crucial for NXT Cruiserweight Championship positioning. "Swerve" fought off Atlas' patented cartwheel DDT before blasting him with the House Call on the outside of the ring and dropping him with the JML Driver.

Dexter Lumis def. Timothy Thatcher and Finn Bálor in a Triple Threat Match to earn a spot in the North American Title Ladder Match at TakeOver XXX

The Prince, The Tortured Artist and “The Professor of Pain” battle for a berth in the North American Championship Ladder Match at NXT TakeOver XXX. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Dexter Lumis wowed from the get-go, dazzling even his opponents early when he landed on his feet following a senton over the top rope. The matchup between The Tortured Artist, Finn Bálor and Timothy Thatcher presented three unique styles and created a frenzied conclusion. Lumis masterfully countered Thatcher's double underhook into the Kata Gatame before being splattered by Bálor's Coup de Grace, though the "Professor of Pain" would break up The Prince's ensuing pin attempt and lock him in a grapevine ankle lock. But Lumis swooped in, taking advantage of Thatcher's blind spot by locking him in the Kata Gatame to win by technical submission before Bálor could wriggle free from Thatcher and break it up.