Generation NXT - NXT recap for October 10, 2023

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody admits he never thought he would stand in an NXT ring, and now that he is, something feels right, as he is in Florida where the Rhodes have made their name. Cody then states that he has not an announcement, but announcements. He first announces that the men will also have an NXT Breakout Tournament after the women's tournament, then announces that the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will also be coming back. The crowd wishes Dragunov a happy birthday, then Dragunov welcomes Cody to NXT, saying that his announcements bring excitement and life to NXT before admitting he has wanted to meet a man who has the passion and will to suffer for the fans. He says that Cody has a fire that burns with passion and brings everything to the next level and that he ca do it, too, then Rhea Ripley and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio show up. Dominik says that the fans are here to see him, and says that while Dragunov is the NXT Champion, he does not compare to him, the "true, double-A champion." Dragunov says he is not surprised Dominik wants to talk when no one wants to listen to him, then says his father used to work in a prison, and that he knows how to turn a barking dog into a sweet, little puppy. Rhea whispers into Dominik's ear while Cody whispers into Dragunov's, and Dominik dares Dragunov to put the NXT title on the line tonight and prove he is half the man he says he is. Cody takes this as Dominik not being willing to defend his title, but Rhea says he has been carrying WWE on his back the entire year and has won his title again. Dragunov says today is a day of celebration, and he could not think of a better gift than eating Dominik alive. After Dragunov tells Rhea he will eat Dominik alive, Cody makes the match official, then adds a special guest referee: L.A. Knight.

We see footage from earlier today of John Cena entering the arena.

Shotzi guests on commentary for the next match.

Asuka beats Roxanne Perez. After the match, Kiana James gets in the ring to attack Roxanne, but Shotzi gets in the ring and beats Kiana up.

We see footage from earlier today of Paul Heyman entering the arena.

Backstage, Gallus are pumped for their six-man Pub Rules match. Meanwhile, Tyler Bate and Butch talk strategy, with Butch saying he needs the Tyler Bate he has had battle after battle with before Ridge Holland shows up and says it is fight night.

Tyler Bate and The Brawling Brutes (Butch and Ridge Holland) beat Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey, Wolfgang) in a Pub Rules Match.

We see a video package for Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch for the NXT Championship at Halloween Havoc.

Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Lyra Valkyria when Tegan Nox shows up and congratulates Lyra on her victory last week, while Lyra congratulates Tegan on having a great match last night. Tegan then tells Lyra that her title match must wait as she wants Becky again, but Lyra says she has worked hard for this title shot and that she is not letting anyone get in her way.

John Cena heads to the ring. He says NXT may be the future, but it is making history tonight after what has happened so far tonight, including the fans singing his own theme song, and states that the fans makes NXT what it is every Tuesday night. Cena says it is an honor to share space with the fans tonight, then says he is not alone in that case, as this is why LA Knight and Cody Rhodes are here. The fans then chant "Thank You Cena." He thanks the fans for creating the environment that a long list of WWE Superstars want to visit, as everyone is Raw, SmackDown and NXT. He says he could not say yes to Carmelo Hayes fast enough last week, as they share the same common values as they go into his match with Bron Breakker. Suddenly, Bron Breakker shows up, and the fans chant "Bron Breakker Sucks" to John Cena's theme before Breakker says it is a big night for NXT before stating the fans came here to see him (to which Cena jokes they can't), not Cena. Bron Breakker then says that John Cena is living in a fantasy land just like Carmelo Hayes is for thinking he can beat him. John Cena says that Bron Breakker is made for the business and is athletically gifted, but lacks respect and has a bad attitude. He says he did not come here to run Breakker down, then says he is here for his match before respectfully wishing Breakker good luck tonight. Cena extends his hand, but Breakker punches Cena instead. Breakker goes for the Spear, but Cena avoids it and goes for the Attitude Adjustment, which Breakker barely escapes.

Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is met by Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, who propose a ten-team over-the-top battle royal where the winners challenge them for the NXT Tag Team Championships at Halloween Havoc. Cody makes it official for next week as the "Bada Bing Bada Boom Battle Royal."

Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Baron Corbin, who finds it odd that Dragunov is talking about passion and has a match with Dominik Mysterio that he knows he can win. He says Dragunov is not fooling him and that he is ducking him after knowing what he is capable of, and says that he is deserving of a title shot. He says that everyone around here is all the same, then leaves when LA Knight's entrance theme hits.

Ilja Dragunov retains the NXT Championship against "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio after special guest referee LA Knight helps counter the interference from Finn Balor and JD McDonagh by while Trick Williams stops Rhea Ripley from getting physically involved. After the match, Baron Corbin shows up, and Dragunov is suddenly attacked from behind by Dijak, who states that the NXT Championship is before telling Baron Corbin "I beat you to it. He's mine!"

Backstage, Carmelo Hayes thanks John Cena for taking his call last week when Trick Williams shows up and introduces himself. Carmelo apologizes to Trick, but Cena says they will be champions again. Carmelo Hayes leaves, then Trick asks Cena "When did you know it was your time?" Cena and Trick leave the room.

We see footage of Paul Heyman talking to Ava from "NXT Anonymous."

Jade Cargill is welcomed to the arena by Shawn Michaels.

Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is met by Baron Corbin, who tells Cody that he owes him and to make the match against him and Dragunov at Halloween Havoc, and that he is willing to wipe the slate clean between them. Cody says he has a good case, but so does Dijak and the winner of Carmelo Hayes vs. Bron Breakker. Cody then tells Corbin he will get his match if he can beat Dijak and the winner of Carmelo vs. Bron next week.

Backstage, Rhea Ripley and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio are met by the NXT locker room, most importantly Nathan Frazer, who confronts Dominik for his behavior as of late. Rhea tells Dominik that Frazer is a nobody, then she and Dominik leave.

Lola Vice beats Dani Palmer to advance in the NXT Women's Breakout Tournament.

At Chase University, Thea Hail suddenly shows up, saying Jacy Jayne says it is time to come back to class, assuming Jacy shows up, too. Unfortunately, Jacy Jayne's presence causes chaos, and when Jacy shares a photo, another student gets in trouble for it. Jacy turns things around with the news that Andrew Chase and Duke Hudson are in next week's tag team battle royal.

Backstage, Bron Breakker is met by Paul Heyman. Heyman talks about how he has worked with his father and uncle, then says Breakker has the best both have to offer and that Breakker in the main event of WrestleMania is the future. He says the only thing standing in way is Carmelo Hayes, but Bron Breakker says that regardless of who stands in his way, he will break them all. Heyman then calls Roman Reigns after Breakker leaves.

We see a person flipping the channels on a CRT television looking at footage of WWE. He sees footage of Brian Pillman, then we find out Pillman is his father. We then get a glimpse of the man, who is none other than Brian Pillman Jr., who is no longer in All Elite Wrestling. He says Pillman was one of the most influential in the business and that everyone had fond memories of him. He then says he, his own son, does not, as he lost him when he was young. He says being a WWE Superstar is the last thing he wanted to be, but the industry is in his blood and he has no choice but to embrace it and bring pain to the business that brough him grief. He says he wants people to see him and think only of him, then says he is "nobody's junior" and that he is taking the last name of the man who really raised him: King.

Backstage, Kiana James thanks Asuka for leaving enough of Roxanne Perez for her before leaving. Blair Danveport shows up and talks with Asuka briefly, then Kelani Jordan and Fallon Henley meet with Asuka before Tiffany Stratton shows up and introduces herself while mocking the rest of the locker room. Asuka leaves, then Henley confronts Tiffany for her behavior. Tiffany says her father taught her to treat people like Henley differently, then leaves.

Before the next match, Paul Heyman introduces himself before introducing Bron Breakker as "the single, most talented performer on the NXT roster" and "a WrestleMania moment waiting to happen."

Carmelo Hayes beats Bron Breakker after John Cena stops Breakker from using the ring steps as a weapon and stops Solo Sikoa from getting involved, brawling with him to the back. After the match, Bron Breakker hits Carmelo Hayes with a Spear. He then says that win or lose, there is only badass in all of WWE. Suddenly, a gong is heard, followed by a motorcycle, as The Undertaker shows up as "The American Badass." The Undertaker shows up on a motorcycle and rides it around the ring, then has a staredown with Bron Breakker in the middle of the ring. Breakker calls Undertaker an old timer and says there is only one badass around here. The Undertaker says he has been watching Breakker for a long time, and one day, he will be a very special talent. He then says it is not today before distracting him with the microphone and punching him in the face. The Undertaker then choke slams Bron Breakker in the middle of the ring before telling him there is always an older, bigger, badder, badass waiting around the corner and that he just met the baddest of them all.