Generation NXT - NXT recap for September 8, 2020

Finn Balor beats Adam Cole with a 1916 off the top rope to become NXT Champion for a second time.

We hear from Rhea Ripley, who says that Mercedes Martinez has tried to make a name for herself at her expense for months, and says she is not the first and definitely not the last. Tonight, she will show Martinez why she is a nightmare inside of a steel cage.

Backstage, Finn Balor is congratulated by Triple H, and Adam Cole gives Finn Balor a "too sweet." Finn says everyone has been asking why he has returned to NXT, and says that the NXT Championship is the reason why.

Backstage, Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Robert Stone, who says he is the greatest manager in the world because he knows things that nobody else does, such as where stuff is. He shows Shotzi Blackheart's tank to Mackenzie, saying it is beautiful but dangerous. As he is about to hit the tank with a pipe, Shotzi approaches Robert Stone from out of nowhere and punches him in the face only to be attacked from behind by Aliyah. Io Shirai gets caught in the middle of this, and Io Shirai chases Aliyah to the ring. Shotzi and Shirai surround Aliyah in the ring, and the two of them take turns beating her up. Robert Stone gets on the top rope, and Shotzi Blackheart saves Io Shirai from Robert Stone. Shotzi and Shirai then go up top to get the last word on Aliyah and Robert Stone, then Shotzi picks up the NXT Women's Championship and holds it away from Shirai when she tries to take it back.

At the Gargano residence, Candice LeRae tells Johnny Gargano that she needs Tegan Nox back in her life. Gargano answers the door when Tegan Nox rings the doorbell, then Tegan joins them at the dinner table where Candice says "Let's talk."

We hear from Timothy Thatcher, who teaches film theory at "Thatch as Thatch Can." Timothy Thatcher analyzes the weaknesses of Damian Priest's wrestling style.

Velveteen Dream beats Ashante "Thee" Adonis with a thumb to the eye followed by a Dream Valley Driver after Adonis nearly inadvertently superkicks the referee. After the match, KUSHIDA - who hasn't been seen in weeks - attacks Velveteen Dream from out of nowhere and rams his right arm into the ring post multiple time before putting him in a triangle hold between the ropes. (Ashante "Thee" Adonis is formerly known as Tehuti Miles.)

We see a video package of Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) winning the NXT Tag Team Championships from Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel). There will be a rematch for the tag team titles next week.

Back at the Gargano residence, Tegan Nox, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are having dinner. Gargano heads upstairs so that Tegan and Candice can have their conversation in private. Candice feels that Tegan does not understand with "the Gargano way," and feels that Candice and Gargano have changed. Candice says she is still the same person and that she still cares for her, and proposes she follow the Gargano way, asking Tegan what she has to lose.

Bronson Reed beats Austin Theory after Bronson falls on top of Theory as Theory lifts him over his head.

Backstage, Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Adam Cole, who admits that he is disappointed but that the better man won tonight. He says he has respect for Finn Balor after going through a 60-minute Iron Man Match followed by a grueling one-on-one match, but says that Finn Balor had better hope that he does not get another opportunity at the NXT Championship, for if he does, the outcome will be different.

We hear from Mercedes Martinez, who says that when a lion wants to be king, they do not go after the weaklings; instead, they challenge the strongest, fiercest animal they can find and take them out. She says that Rhea Ripley is bad, but not as bad as her, and when the steel cage comes down, she will not stop until there is nothing left of Ripley.

Roderick Strong beats Killian Dain following the distraction by Bobby Fish. After the match, Strong and Fish continue to attack Killian Dain, but Drake Maverick shows up with a baseball bat and hits them with it until they gang up on him. Killian Dain soon gets up with the baseball bat in hand and scares Strong and Fish into retreating. Maverick coms to and backs into the corner, then Killian Dain puts the rod down before leaving. Maverick stops Dain and offers his hand, but Dain punches Maverick in the face again.

Back at the Gargano residence, Tegan and Candice toast to their friendship as well as Candice becoming the NXT Women's Champion, with Candice saying Tegan had her chance at the title and that it did not got well. Tegan reminds Candice that she has yet to beat Io Shirai, and Candice responds by throwing a whole bowl of salad at Tegan. Tegan responds by splashing a cup of water into her face, and this starts an argument where Johnny Gargano steps in the middle only to have a bowl of spaghetti poured on his head after Gargano calls Tegan "a horrible person." Candice throws something at Tegan only to hit the television, then Tegan runs out of the house with Candice chasing her. Gargano mourns the destruction of the television.

Backstage, Mackenzie Mitchell interviews Damian Priest, who says that if Timothy Thatcher wants his game plan, he will tell him, as he will punch and kick Timothy Thatcher as much as he wants across his face in hopes of rearranging it, as it cannot get any worse. He says Thatcher should expect a sweet Reckoning, as he will be keeping the title. After this, he will be having a post-match party.

Next week: Timothy Thatcher vs. Damian Priest for the NXT North American Championship! Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel) vs. Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) for the NXT Tag Team Championships! Io Shirai vs. Shotzi Blackheart!

Rhea Ripley beats Mercedes Martinez in a steel cage match with a middle rope Riptide through a table.

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