Ember Moon to open WWE NXT, Kushida vs. Tommaso Ciampa set
WWE has revealed the opening segment and first match for this week’s TakeOver 31 fallout edition of NXT.
After making her return to the brand at TakeOver 31, Ember Moon will kick off this Wednesday’s NXT. WWE has also announced that Kushida vs. Tommaso Ciampa will take place on the episode. The announcement of the match noted that it’s scheduled as the first bout on NXT TV this week.
Moon returned to NXT after Io Shirai retained her NXT Women’s Championship against Candice LeRae at Sunday’s TakeOver event. Moon was revealed to be the former champion who WWE had been hyping was returning to NXT to take what’s theirs.
Following two weeks of vignettes airing on NXT TV, another began to play after Shirai’s title defense at TakeOver. Moon rode to the Performance Center on a motorcycle, entered the building, and stood on the stage. Moon then took her helmet off, revealing that the former champion was her. She smiled at Shirai but didn’t say anything.
Moon wasn’t the only returning wrestler to confront Shirai at TakeOver. After the title match but before Moon’s appearance, former NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm appeared on the video screen. Storm announced that she’s coming to NXT and said she’ll be seeing Shirai around.
Kushida defeated Velveteen Dream at TakeOver 31. He showed off his more vicious demeanor against Dream, including attacking Dream after the match was over. Ciampa wasn’t in action at TakeOver but defeated Jake Atlas on NXT two weeks ago.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.