WWE NXT live results: Ethan Page vs. Elio LeFleur

WWE NXT on January 20 is set for the Performance Center in Orlando.

Following last week’s announcement from General Manager Ava that the NXT Championship, recently vacated by Oba Femi, will be up for grabs in a six-way ladder match on February 3, two qualifying matches are scheduled for Tuesday’s show: Josh Briggs vs. Shiloh Hill and Eli Knight vs. Sean Legacy.

The NXT North American Championship will also be on the line when Ethan Page defends against Elio LeFleur, who will be making his NXT in-ring debut.

In tag team action, The Vanity Project’s Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes will wrestle Chase U’s Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors.

Also scheduled for Tuesday, a three-way match will determine the top contenders to the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships held by The Elegance Brand. Sol Ruca & Zaria will face Fatal Influence and Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.

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NXT is on the air in front of a live studio audience from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando. The show starts with a recap of last week, and a preview of this week’s card.

NXT General Manager Ava is in her office with her security team. She wants them on “high alert” as they are on the lookout for Tony D’Angelo, following the cliffhanger from last Tuesday. Meanwhile inside the sound stage, the NXT Championship belt hangs over the ring, awaiting the ladder match in a few weeks.

Opening the show tonight is a title match. One-half of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions — and the current NXT North American Champion — Ethan Page defends his singles title against the debuting masked wrestler named Elio LeFleur (formerly Aigle Blanc).

Ethan Page vs. Elio LeFleur for the NXT North American Championship

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LeFleur gets to shine with his high-flying and fast-paced offense. He looked great from the start. On the floor, LeFleur leaps off the ring steps to catch Page with a flying head scissors. Page cut him off and gave LeFleur a backbreaker on the top turnbuckle. LeFleur was on the floor selling as the show cuts to a commercial break.

During a split-screen as commercials rolled, Page worked over LeFleur. Targeting the back, Page then goes for a piledriver — only for LeFleur to counter with a back drop. LeFleur begins a comeback that led into a two count on Page. They trade near falls after Page boots LeFleur in the face after LeFleur rolled through on an attempted 450.

They square off and LeFleur is fired up. LeFleur goes for another springboard, and Page cuts him off with a dropkick. Nevertheless, LeFleur recovers and counters Page into a DDT. Quebrada to the floor by LeFleur, and a springboard kick for another near fall.

Before they go home, LeFleur goes coast-to-coast on a missile dropkick for the closest near fall of the bout. Page gets his knees up on an attempted Phoenix Splash. Having targeted the back earlier in the match, Page was sure he could deliver a Razor’s Edge. LeFleur counters with a hurricanrana, and Page eats a running kick. LeFleur goes for another running kick, but Page blocks it with a powerbomb. Page then covers LeFleur and hooks the tights for an illegal advantage. Great opener despite the cheap finish. And still…

Match result: NXT North American Champion Ethan Page defeated Elio LeFleur to retain his title.

On Page’s way out he encounters Ricky Saints, who is entering the sound stage to join the commentary team. Saints joins Vic Joseph and Booker T at the announce desk as the show goes into a commercial break.