WWE NXT results, Feb. 24, 2021: Cole betrays Strong, further shattering The Undisputed ERA

Dexter Lumis def. NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano (Non-Title Match)

The leader of The Way looks for payback against Dexter Lumis, but Austin Theory still appears to be under a strange spell courtesy of NXT’s Tortured Artist. Watch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

With the strangely chipper Austin Theory and the rest of The Way at ringside, Johnny Gargano sought payback for Theory's abduction at the hands of Dexter Lumis. While Gargano turned the early tide with his usual cunning when the match spilled outside the ring by driving Lumis into the apron, Lumis rallied with his signature offense, including a bulldog and slingshot suplex. 

The NXT North American Champion has a solution for Austin Theory’s bizarre behavior since being abducted. Watch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Gargano seemed to feign an injury, occupying the referee's attention and creating an opening for Theory to bash Lumis with a chair. But Theory couldn't pull the trigger, and Lumis recovered to drop Gargano with a side slam before taking out the North American Champion with Silence. 

Isaiah "Swerve" Scott attacked Leon Ruff

Leon Ruff is set to take on Tyler Rust when “Swerve” makes his presence felt. Watch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

For the second straight week, Leon Ruff felt the wrath of Isaiah "Swerve" Scott. This time, Ruff was scheduled to take on Tyler Rust after being goaded into the bout earlier in the day by Malcolm Bivens, but Ruff was savagely ambushed by Scott during his entrance. "Swerve" launched Ruff spine-first into the apron, demanding better opportunities for himself on the black-and-gold brand. 

Though the bell never rang, Bivens apparently saw enough to claim victory for his client. 

NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai def. Zoey Stark (Non-Title Match)

One week after impressing the NXT Universe in her black-and-gold brand debut, Zoey Stark turned heads again with a strong showing against the NXT Women's Champion. But Io Shirai prevailed, sending Stark into the bottom turnbuckle to set her up for her moonsault.

The Genius of the Sky picks up a victory over Zoey Stark before being challenged by Toni Storm. Watch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

The combatants exchanged respect before promptly being interrupted by Toni Storm, who demanded a one-on-one opportunity for Shirai's title — a challenge Shirai accepted. That matchup will take place in two weeks on NXT.

Xia Li def. Kacy Catanzaro via referee stoppage

Xia Li demonstrates a new level of ruthlessness under Tian Sha against Kacy Catanzaro. Watch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Unlike Xia Li's other recent victims, Kacy Catanzaro dodged much of her early offense, and that unfamiliar dynamic put Li on her heels. Li eventually took control on the outside after driving her into the ringside barricade, then showed an even more vicious side than we've seen, stomping Catanzaro's knee and appearing to seriously injure her and force a referee stoppage. 

With Li's work apparently not done, Mei Ying seemed to signal for more, and Li obliged, leveling Catanzaro with a spin kick with the rest of Tian Sha looking on. 

Grizzled Young Veterans def. Killian Dain & Drake Maverick

The Grizzled Young Veterans celebrate injuring Wes Lee and return to the ring. Watch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

After ambushing MSK backstage and smashing Wes Lee's hand with a chair earlier in the evening, The Grizzled Young veterans informed the NXT Universe that Lee suffered a broken hand, and they proudly claimed responsibility and celebrated their fine from NXT General Manager William Regal. Killian Dain & Drake Maverick brought a worthy fight to the runners-up of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but Zack Gibson & James Drake were too much, and they prevailed after dropping Drake with the Ticket to Mayhem.

Karrion Kross def. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar in a No Disqualification Non-Title Match

After weeks of cat and mouse, Karrion Kross finally gets his hands on the leader of Legado del Fantasma in a brutal brawl. Watch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Karrion Kross deftly caught Legado del Fantasma by surprise, taking out Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza in the parking lot, clearing the way to ram Santos Escobar into a semi trailer. Wilde and Mendoza reemerged to begin the three-on-one assault, battering the former NXT Champion against the truck. With Wilde and Mendoza leading Kross back into the Capitol Wrestling Center, Escobar let his guard down. That allowed Kross to overpower Wilde and Mendoza, sending both through the ringside plexiglass in an awesome display of power.

Kross eventually overcame the numbers game and devastated Escobar with a Doomsday Saito through the announce table, then finished his foe with a devastating forearm strike to the back of the head. 

Adam Cole superkicked Finn Bálor and double-crossed Roderick Strong

Adam Cole initially seemed shaken when he entered the Capitol Wrestling Center to presumably explain his heinous attack on former best friend Kyle O'Reilly, vowing to fix his mistake. Roderick Strong seemed hesitant to trust Cole, and NXT Champion Finn Bálor soon joined them, clearly wanting a piece of Cole. With Strong stopping Bálor from getting to Cole, The Panama City Playboy took advantage and floored Bálor with a superkick for the third time in less than two weeks.

Adam Cole offers a less-than-sincere explanation with a painful ending for the NXT Champion and Roderick Strong. Watch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Cole was met back in the ring with a clothesline by Strong, who instantly seemed to regret what he did. But the two Undisputed ERA stablemates seemed set to patch up their differences, with Cole pleading for forgiveness and owning the blame. They hugged only for Cole to uppercut Strong below the belt, exposing his emotional display as having been a ruse all along.