Generation NXT - NXT recap for April 20, 2021

Kyle O'Reilly heads to the ring to start tonight's show. O'Reilly says that in life, everyone faces obstacles and challenges, and that NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver provided one of his greatest challenges. O'Reilly also says he is glad to be nowhere near Adam Cole. He says that his working ability in the ring speaks for itself, and that with Adam Cole behind him, he has to realize that it is time to move on. As for what is next, he says that to succeed, one needs a killer instinct, and he found it. He says that he was reluctant to use it, but he has learned that you must go to extreme and pay the ultimate sacrifice to succeed and fulfill goals, and ponders whether to go for the North American Championship or the NXT Championship. As O'Reilly decides to go for Karrion Kross and the NXT Championship, Cameron Grimes shows up and congratulates O'Reilly on his win at Stand and Deliver, saying he also made a killing betting on him in that match. Grimes says he sees O'Reilly as a top dog, not an underdog, and says that O'Reilly needs somebody who can watch his back and invest in him, and says that the two of them can go to the moon. O'Reilly agrees with Grimes, then announces that as of today, he is medically cleared, then decides that his first opponent tonight is Cameron Grimes, who he punches in the jaw.

In footage from earlier today, Sarray is welcomed by General Manager William Regal and Zoey Stark. Stark offers to compete against Sarray tonight, and the match is made.

Backstage, we hear from LA Knight, who calls himself the highlight of NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver and says that what goes around, comes around. He says that he will turn Dexter Lumis' switch off for putting his hands around him when he was not looking.

LA Knight beats Dexter Lumis. During the match, Lumis is distracted by Indi Hartwell, who is watching from the crowd. This distraction is enough for LA Knight to get the win with a headlock driver. After the match, Indi Hartwell tries to get a kiss from Dexter Lumis, but she is stopped by the rest of The Way (Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Austin Theory).

We hear from Leon Ruff, who says that he is done playing games with Isaiah "Swerve" Scott and is waiting for him to make a move.

Beth Phoenix interviews Io Shirai backstage. Shirai calls winning the NXT Women's Championship the greatest moment in the world, as the woman who holds it is the best in the world. On the subject of her reign as Women's Champion coming to an end, she says that wrestling is about challenges and that Raquel was her biggest one, and when the time is right, she will get her rematch. Shirai says her body needs time to heal so she can face Raquel again. Suddenly, Franky Monet shows up chasing after her dog Presley and introduces herself while also saying that Shirai's fashion sense has nothing on her own, but Shirai takes offense to that and says she likes cats before leaving.

Before the next match, Zack Gibson takes offense to Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) dressing up as royal guards and tells them that playing games will get them nowhere, telling them to take their cosplay and jog off. Gibson also says he hopes that MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) is watching.

Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) beat Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango).

Backstage, The Way (Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Austin Theory) stops Indi Hartwell from being interviewed when Bronson Reed asks Gargano is he does not love love, says that Dexter Lumis will make a good addition to The Way and that the North American Championship looks good right now. Austin Theory steps up to Bronson Reed, agreeing with Gargano that Bronson Reed should go to the back of the line before stating that he has gotten with General Manager William Regal and made it so that if Bronson wants a title shot, he'll have to go through him. Gargano is flustered by this, and reminds Theory that Bronson Reed pinned him last week.

Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Cameron Grimes, who says that he will send Kyle O'Reilly back to the hospital, then reads a letter where Ted DiBiase outbid him on a non-fungible token. Grimes is livid.

Sarray beats Zoey Stark in her NXT debut. After the match, Zoey Stark raises Sarray's arm in good sportsmanship before being atacked by Toni Storm. Sarray checks on Zoey Stark, and Toni Storm walks away.

Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Raquel Gonzalez. She says that Io Shirai was a great champion, but she plans to work hard to become a better one. Dakota Kai says Io Shirai was beaten so badly that Shirai had to take a vacation. Raquel says that if the women's division wants to stop to her, she will take them down one by one until no one is left standing.

Backstage, Candice LeRae tries to get Indi Hartwell focused away from Dexter Lumis, then confronts Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart. Before this, Indi Hartwell becomes distracted trying to find Dexter Lumis. When Candice finds out that Indi is not with her, she splashes water into Ember's face only to be overpowered.

KUSHIDA heads to the ring. He says that he won the Cruiserweight Championship in an open challenge and offers the same opportunity. When he asks who wants a title shot, the challenge is answered by Oney Lorcan.

KUSHIDA retains the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Oney Lorcan with the Hoverboard Lock. After the match, KUSHIDA is suddenly surrounded and attacked by Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza). MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) run into the ring to even the odds, and they and KUSHIDA stand tall in the ring.

We hear from Mercedes Martinez, who says that she called Raquel Gonzalez out only to get nothing but silence, and while Raquel is champion, she is in Dakota Kai's shadow as Dakota barks out the orders and she follows them. Mercedes says she will take Dakota Kai out so that nothing stands in the way between her and the NXT Women's Championship.

Backstage, Johnny Gargano is talking with Austin Theory when Candice LeRae shows up beaten up. Suddenly, Indi Hartwell shows up saying that she has seen Dexter Lumis and that they have gotten a tag team title opportunity.

Imperium (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel) beat Ever-Rise (Chase Parker and Matt Martel) despite Killian Dain confronting Alexander Wolfe while holding Drake Maverick back.

Backstage, Kyle O'Reilly sees Karrion Kross and Scarlett on the way to the ring.

Next week: Dakota Kai vs. Mercedes Martinez! Austin Theory vs. Bronson Lee! If Bronson Lee wins, he gets a shot at the NXT North American Championship! KUSHIDA and MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) vs. Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza)!

Kyle O'Reilly beats Cameron Grimes.

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