On July 8, 2020, at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, Keith Lee made history by defeating Adam Cole in a gripping 20-minute main event on NXT’s USA Network broadcast. This intense matchup involved Lee putting his North American Title on the line against Cole’s NXT Championship in a winner-take-all bout, further cementing the significance of Lee’s NXT Title victory.
The match was set against the backdrop of a highly competitive NXT episode that showcased a variety of energetic contests and compelling storylines. Both champions displayed remarkable skill and resilience throughout the bout at Full Sail, with Lee ultimately triumphing to claim the NXT Championship while retaining his North American Title.
Supporting Matches Highlight NXT’s Strong Competitive Atmosphere
The show’s opening hour introduced intense confrontations that helped build momentum leading up to the main event. A standout was the no-holds-barred street fight between Mia Yim and Candice LeRae, who escalated their bitter rivalry with brutal weapon use, tables, and trash cans as their weapons. Their match was a physical storytelling piece that maintained energy over a 16-minute duration, culminating in LeRae hitting a diving swinging neckbreaker for the victory.
Following that, Bronson Reed took on Tony Nese in a fast-paced contest. Reed’s commanding presence ultimately secured him a decisive win after a top-rope splash, while Nese exhibited considerable athleticism, including a springboard moonsault. This bout highlighted Reed’s standing as a dominant force within the NXT roster.
Key Storylines and Character Developments Propel NXT Forward
Throughout the night, backstage segments and promotional vignettes added depth to the evolving narratives. For example, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott faced Johnny Gargano in a smooth, athletic match that showcased Scott’s potential but ended in Gargano’s favor. Their clash emphasized Scott’s ongoing quest to break through in the NXT hierarchy.
Io Shirai and Tegan Nox were set up as an intriguing rivalry, with Nox expressing a desire to move beyond her reputation as a “comeback kid” and Shirai asserting her independence with,
“The only one I rely on is me,”
laying the groundwork for a compelling confrontation in upcoming shows.
In addition, the Legado Del Fantasma team, made up of Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, and Raul Mendoza, defeated Drake Maverick and Breezango in an 11-minute tag match highlighted by strategic teamwork and high-energy action, showing Escobar’s continued dominance despite Maverick’s efforts to keep pace.
Pre-Match Predictions and Insights Set the Stage for the Main Event
Before the highly anticipated title match, industry veterans weighed in with predictions. Mick Foley suggested that Keith Lee would likely overpower Adam Cole quickly, though he believed Cole had the edge if the match extended past ten minutes. Shawn Michaels provided a more cryptic forecast, initially naming himself in jest before revealing support for Lee by holding up a sign bearing his name.
Drew McIntyre, commenting before the show, praised Adam Cole’s resilience but expressed slight jealousy at the opportunity both men had to claim dual championships, underscoring the prestige surrounding the main event.
A Dramatic NXT Title vs. North American Title Match Unfolds
The match began with Adam Cole taunting Keith Lee and taking control early, using technical moves such as a side headlock and a head scissors. Cole used underhanded tactics at ringside, slamming Lee into the barricade and employing frequent ring exits to wear down his opponent. Yet Lee fought back with a mix of power moves and agility, surprising spectators by incorporating lateral quickness honed through tennis training.
As the contest progressed, Cole kept up relentless offense, including multiple superkicks and signature moves like the Last Shot and Panama Sunrise, nearly ending the match on several occasions. The battle featured a variety of impactful maneuvers such as a superplex from Lee and a moonsault from the second rope, displaying high athleticism from both men despite their size difference.
The grueling fight went back and forth, highlighting both champions’ deep wells of endurance and strategic thinking. Finally, Lee executed a Big Bang Catastrophe after countering Cole’s aerial Panama Sunrise into a Spirit Bomb, securing the pinfall and making history as a dual-title holder.
“a tribute to the man who created the Great American Bash, the ‘American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes.”
—Mauro Ranallo, Announcer
“The only one I rely on is me.”
—Io Shirai
“Then the whole world will know Cameron Grimes is a little bitch.”
—Damien Priest
“a swinging neckbreaker for the ages.”
—Mauro Ranallo, Announcer
“in every sense of the word.”
—Mauro Ranallo, Announcer
The Broader Impact and What to Expect Next from NXT
Keith Lee’s momentous victory represents a pivotal point in NXT history, as he became a dual champion capable of dominating two significant titles at once. This win not only elevates Lee’s status within WWE but also raises the level of competition and storytelling within NXT itself. The dramatic buildup and execution of this match demonstrated the importance of solid storytelling combined with athletic excellence, which is expected to influence future championship bouts.
Looking forward, upcoming shows promise further intriguing matchups, such as Io Shirai taking on Tegan Nox and Damien Priest facing Cameron Grimes. These bouts continue the narrative momentum, fueled by character-driven rivalries established during this episode. With strong commentary from voices like Mauro Ranallo and Tom Phillips, and support from wrestling legends like Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels, NXT’s programming continues to deliver intense and well-crafted content.
The success of this event reinforces NXT’s reputation for blending wrestling skill with compelling storylines, and Keith Lee’s historic title win sets the stage for a dynamic era ahead.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened with Keith Lee?
A. Lee hasn’t appeared on AEW TV since December 2023. He was supposed to compete against his former partner, Swerve Strickland, in AEW World’s End that month. However, Lee was not given medical permission to participate before the event. He mentioned earlier that he had been dealing with an injury since September 2022.
