The WWE’s third brand, NXT, made its network television debut last night on The CW.

CM Punk was the special guest in his hometown of Chicago, and he was the referee for the main event.

Trick Williams recaptured the NXT title from “All Ego” Ethan Page. Punk responded to Page’s complaints about his officiating by giving him the Go To Sleep knee strike.

After the show, Punk bought Lou Malnati’s Pizza for the fans. I went to college in Chicago … it’s good stuff!

MORE GUEST STARS

Shawn Michaels, who is in charge of NXT, opened the show and was joined by Triple H, who runs Raw and Smackdown. After being anti-establishment rebels in the late 1990s, Degeneration X is now running WWE.

The Miz hosted MizTV with North American champion Oba Femi and his challenger next week, “The Don” Tony D’Angelo. We learned that D’Angelo grew up in Chicago.

Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Jacy Jayne) defeated Lola Vice & Jaida Parker. After the match, they antagonized North American women’s champion Kelani Jordan. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill came to the rescue.

That seems like a guest appearance, but as WWE women’s tag team champions, they are supposed to defend the belts on all three shows. NXT used to have its own women’s tag team championship.

THE PRODIGY RETAINS

Roxanne Perez, the young student of Booker T, retained the NXT women’s title in the opening match. She beat Giulia, one of the top wrestlers from Japan’s Stardom promotion.

Cora Jade returned from injury to cost Guilia the match.

Wes Lee won a street fight against his former partner in The Rascalz, Zachary Wentz. Oh yeah, sometimes NXT features wrestlers from TNA (Total Nonstop Action) like Wentz, Jordynne Grace, Rosemary, and crossover musical sensation Joe Hendry.

Next week, NXT will visit St. Louis. Hometown hero Randy Orton will take on young high-flyer Je’Von Evans.