Overview
- The NXT Championship match between Tony D’Angelo and Naraku opened The CW broadcast of the Great American Bash and was the first bout shown on the premium event.
- Naraku used a fireball during a contract signing on NXT television to damage D’Angelo’s eye and create doubt that the title match would happen.
- During the match Naraku targeted the injured eye, D’Angelo wrapped the area and insisted the bout continue despite the official appearing ready to stop it.
- D’Angelo defeated Naraku cleanly to retain the NXT Championship while competing with one eye, ending the immediate threat from Naraku’s illicit tactics.
- The outcome leaves the referee’s decision and Naraku’s use of weapon-like spots as central storyline threads and sets up further fallout for NXT and the challenger’s New Japan Pro Wrestling–informed credibility.