Generation NXT - NXT recap for August 26, 2020

Karrion Kross and Scarlett show up to start tonight's show. Kross is wearing a cast on his left arm due to a shoulder injury suffered at NXT TakeOver: XXX. Kross says he told everyone again and again that he would become NXT Champion, and that he warned everyone that along the way, everyone would suffer. He then says he kept good on his word after beating Keith Lee. After stating that he tore the NXT Championship from Lee's carcass like flesh from bone, he says that when one goes to war, one should expect casualties on all sides, and announces that his left shoulder may be separated, it brings him life. Kross then says he is a realist and that he understands the situation, and that he will not be allowed to defend the championship in this situation. He says that on the path, there are obstacles, but for him, the obstacles are the path. Kross places the NXT Championship in the middle of the ring, and Scarlett places an hourglass behind the championship. Kross says that this is a warning, as this changes absolutely nothing and doomsday is still coming. Karrion Kross has officially relinquished the NXT Championship.

Wade Barrett guests on commentary for this week, marking his first appearance in WWE since 2016.

Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) beat Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel) to become the NXT Tag Team Champions!

Backstage, Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Damian Priest, who says that he will answer her questions in due time, but for now, the afterparty is still rolling. Suddenly, Timothy Thatcher shows up. Timothy Thatcher says the NXT calls Damian Priest's actions as a champion disgraceful and says he should be one to get the first shot at his title so he can take it away from him, as he is better equipped for wresting to be champion and Damian Priest will have no ladders to hide behind. Priest says he is "very well equipped" and leaves.

Triple H is seen having a meeting in footage from earlier today.

Tommaso Ciampa quickly beats Jake Atlas in his first appearance in over two months. After the match, Ciampa continues to attack Jake Altas at ringside, throwing him into both the plexiglass and the steel steps. Referees have to tell Ciampa to go to the back, but Ciampa stomps Atlas one more time and pulls him into the underside of the ring apron. Ciampa sits on the ring apron as medical staff put Jake Atlas on a stretcher, then Ciampa pulls Atlas off the stretcher and hits him with Willow's Bell off the stretcher. Ciampa then heads to the back.

We see a video package where Candice LeRae talks about her friendship with Tegan Nox, and says that Tegan does not get her anymore and was never there when she needed somebody. She says she is on the right path, and that Tegan can be on it if she just opens her mind; otherwise, she can stay out of her way. Candice says that if she does not understand that, "C'est la vie."

Backstage, Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Bronson Reed. While he appreciates Timothy Thatcher's ambition, he has already beaten Damien Priest and that he should get the opportunity at the NXT North American Championship. Suddenly, Austin Theory shows up and says that if Reed keeps going, he'll be a champion at 55. Reed slaps Theory.

Before the next match, Robert Stone and Aliyah shows up and says that that he is not stupid enough to let Mercedes Martinez into the ring after what Mia Yim has done. He is suddenly run over from behind by Shotzi Blackheart's tank. Shotzi then replaces Martinez as Mia Yim's opponent.

Shotzi Blackheart beats Mia Yim after deflecting a top rope dropkick from Mia Yim.

Backstage, General Manager William Regal announces that he has come to a decision concerning the NXT Championship and that he will announce it in the ring.

Backstage, Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez. Dakota says Rhea Ripley should have minded her own business, then says she and Raquel are a team while Ripley and Shirai are not. Dakota Kai says she still deserves to be NXT Women's Champion, and that she will prove it tonight. Gonzalez says Ripley messed up by getting in her face.

General Manager William Regal is in the ring with the NXT Championship. He mentions the results of the NXT Championship match at NXT TakeOver: XXX as well as Karrion Kross relinquishing the championship with conviction and ferocity. Regal wishes Kross the best of luck in his long recovery, then announces that next week on a special Tuesday night episode, four former NXT Champions will compete in a Fatal 4-Way match to decide a new NXT Champion. He says that these four former champions have accumulated numerous accolades and can lay claim to become champion. Those four men are Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Finn Balor and Adam Cole. Regal then says it will not be easy, because this match will also be a 60-minute Iron Man Match.

Santos Escobar retains the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Isaiah "Swerve" Scott after putting on a luchador mask and headbutting Swerve on the outside.

Backstage, we hear from Johnny Gargano, who says he knows better than anyone that life can change in a moment, as he almost left an unfinished legacy and nearly got injured, but he has built his kingdom brick by brick. He says that fate has produced an opportunity, and next week, he will not only prove he is an iron man, but that he will have the NXT Championship to prove it.

We hear from Finn Balor, who says that full circle comes often in this business, and while others fall prey, he thrives in this business. He says he will enjoy proving he is not just a cornerstone of NXT, but a centerpiece, and everyone will get what they want: him as champion.

Kyle O'Reilly beats Drake Maverick with the Achilles Lock. After the match, The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly, Roderick Strong) attack Drave Maverick. Before they can hit Maverick with a steel chair, Killian Dain runs into the ring and attacks The Undisputed Era. Afterwards, Maverick gets back on his feet and approaches Killian Dain only to be clocked with a clothesline.

Backstage, Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Rhea Ripley, who says that while she wants the NXT Women's Championship, it will not get in the way tonight. She plans to send Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez a message that Io Shirai is hers. She then says that if Dakota Kai wants her out of her face, she will have to make her get out of her face.

We hear from Adam Cole, who says he has a chance to make history again in next week's 60-minute Iron Man Match to decide an NXT Champion. He is focused on taking back the NXT Championship, and says this match is right up his alley. He says it is one thing to hold the title once, but a different ballgame to hold it twice, and that is what he plans to do.

Next week: Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza) vs Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) and Isaiah "Swerve" Scott in a six-man Street Fight!

Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez beat Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley after Mercedes Martinez shows up and yanks Ripley off the ring apron, sending her face-first into the apron and allowing Gonzalez to hit her with a choke slam for the win when Ripley tags in.

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!