Samoa Joe Named Guest Referee For 13 July WWE NXT Championship Match

Karrion Kross will defend the NXT Championship on next week's NXT against Johnny Gargano in a match where Samoa Joe will serve as the special guest referee.

The announcement was made at The Great American Bash by general manager William Regal during a face-to-face segment between the reigning champion Kross and Gargano on Tuesday's show.

Kross and Gargano have been going at each other in recent weeks, stemming from their involvement in the five-way match for the NXT Title at NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2 last month. The duo have taunted each other and brawled through the NXT parking lot last week, which resulted in Kross attempting to run Gargano over, only for NXT's new enforcer Joe to pull Gargano out of the way.

Joe's involvement in the bout adds an extra layer of spice, with NXT Champion Kross one of a couple of superstars to gain the Samoan Submission Machine's attention with their antics in recent weeks. The two have had a number of stare-downs since Joe's return to the black-and-gold brand.

Kross is in the midst of his second run as NXT Champion, having won the Title from Finn Balor at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver in April.