Lio Rush defeated Drew Gulak on tonight’s WWE NXT episode to become the new NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
The post-match angle saw NXT General Manager William Regal come out to congratulate Rush, and place the title around his waist. Gulak interrupted that, but did a show of respect to Rush and then left the ring.
This is Rush’s first run with the NXT Cruiserweight Title, and his first title win in WWE. Gulak won the title back on June 23 during the WWE Stomping Grounds Kickoff pre-show, by winning a Triple Threat over Akira Tozawa and former champion Tony Nese.
Tonight’s title change opened NXT on the USA Network. Rush earned the title shot by defeating Oney Lorcan in a #1 contenders match on a NXT USA episode last month. Rush was making his return to the ring after being on a hiatus for several months.
Below are a few shots from tonight’s title change at Full Sail Live:
Opportunity knocks. Will #TheManOfTheHour answer?@itsLioRush gets his NXT #CruiserweightTitle opportunity, RIGHT NOW! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/rBzE0iUlAe
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 10, 2019
This champ is NOT ready to let go.
Will @DrewGulak STILL be your NXT #CruiserweightChampion tonight?#NXTCruiserweightTitle #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/XMuEJH2j1y
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 10, 2019
Blink and you'll miss the quickness of @itsLioRush! #WWENXT #NXTCruiserweightTitle pic.twitter.com/LCw6sjx8wW
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 10, 2019
This is @DrewGulak, we're talking about.
You BEST be getting your feet ON THE GROUND! #WWENXT #NXTCruiserweightTitle pic.twitter.com/5BRBGQWc9W
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 10, 2019
The clock just struck GOLD. 🕛@itsLioRush is your NEWWWWWW NXT #CruiserweightChampion! #WWENXT #NXTCruiserweightTitle pic.twitter.com/BdLDJTFAd1
— WWE (@WWE) October 10, 2019
Tough champ. Tough opponent. This may just be ANYONE'S match.@DrewGulak @itsLioRush #NXTCruiserweightTitle #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/uA9aXUmNDu
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 10, 2019
How…?
How did they…?
How did they DO THIS?This. Match. Is. 🔥.@itsLioRush @DrewGulak #WWENXT #NXTCruiserweightTitle pic.twitter.com/pAvFZGsvw6
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 10, 2019
.@itsLioRush is definitely not holding back tonight as he goes up against #WWENXT #CruiserweightChampion @DrewGulak. pic.twitter.com/NFtnB4DJS3
— WWE (@WWE) October 10, 2019
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏@itsLioRush #WWENXT #NXTCruiserweightTitle pic.twitter.com/4XJB7MFZuS
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 10, 2019
