Welcome to this week’s review of NXT, we are only two weeks out from the sure to be groundbreaking Finn Balor vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. This week there will be exclusive comments from both men about the match and American Alpha is back.
Alexa Bliss vs. Carmella
Women’s match to kick of this weeks episode and I was really looking forward to this one. Early going in the match seemed to lack direction, which unfortunately shows that both these women do need more work. That isn’t to say that they aren’t talented, they have come a long way and continue to get better. The match did really pick up however and they found their direction and flow, some nice back and forth action with locking up and trying to use their strength to their advantage. The crowd were either quiet or very much behind Carmella, she works as a solo act and it is good to see how she has grown too. Alexa is fine with a team or on her own, she really has developed her character very well. I quite enjoyed seeing Carmella taking a page out of the Trish Stratus play book, but ultimately it was not enough and Alexa picked up the win.
Rating: 3.5/5
Back to two weeks ago with Finn and Shinsuke Nakamura in the ring, making their big match. This leads to some exclusive words from Shinsuke about their upcoming match, great stuff! He goes over their history and how they are great friends, really enjoying how they are building this so far.
Backstage with Cathy and Bayley, she is happy to be back and at 100%. She is interrupted by Alexa Bliss after commenting she wants her NXT Women’s Title back. Alexa says that Bayley will have to go through her, to get to the title.
Noah Potjes vs. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
Not a bad shorter match up here, a great showcase for Almas who is undefeated in NXT so far. He is an exciting guy to watch, a great move set and he is rather unpredictable. Potjes wasn’t bad, but the match was not exactly about him, he did make Almas look good so a job well done there. Not great ring chemistry but they did have a decent flow going on, some solid back and forth action. I was entertained throughout and the crowd certainly got into it by the end.
Rating: 3/5
Backstage with Austin Aries who is asked about his attack on No Way Jose last week. He says the self entitled fans didn’t welcome him with open arms but No Way Jose who has not accomplished anything just comes in and the fans are cheering for him. Going forward what he does is on the fans … I enjoyed this little interview, more Austin please!
Exclusive comments with Finn Balor on Nakamura, he goes back through their history and meeting in Japan. He says they are friends, they hang out together, not just a friendship in the lockroom. I really liked this, it makes this match really mean something special and both men have done a great job building it up. I still can’t believe this is a normal NXT match, just wow!
American Alpha are shown arriving at the arena. Next week Bayley will face off against Alexa Bliss.
Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano vs. Hype Bros
I loved that they promoted that both Ciampa and Gargano are a part of the Cruiserweight Classic, cannot wait for that! Anyway this was a fantastic match, I really enjoyed this one. I can’t complain about seeing Zack Ryder, and I am not sure what WWE has planned for him but is it possible we see Mojo called up and Hype Bros remain a team on the main roster? Anyway this match had lots of great action and some top spots as well, I love the crowd chanting Johnny Wrestling too. Seriously Ciampa and Gargano are the future of NXT, these guys are just too awesome to watch. I loved every second they were in the ring and I couldn’t get enough, so damned talented and excuse this next part but I am HYPED for CWC! The right team got the win after a few near falls, nice work.
Rating: 5/5
Post Match Action Tag Team Action
Post match Gargano is the mic talking about how they defeated The Revival a few weeks ago, the new NXT Tag Team Champions. He says that should put them in line for a title shot. This prompts American Alpha to come out, who state they are next in line for a title shot. And if Gargano and Ciampa are going to have a match for the titles it wont be against The Revival because they are going to win the titles back. Also that they have unfinished business with the Authors Of Pain, and that they are going to remind The Revival they are the ALPHAS of NXT. Loved all of this, cannot complain about any of it!
The Revival come out after that, they basically say they are in charge and calling the shots. They say neither team is getting what they want, that Ciampa and Gargano don’t deserve anything. Regal’s music hits and out he comes, he says this is NXT and he dictates the terms. He assures Ciampa and Gargano they will get their title shot in due time, but it’s now time to decide who is the ‘a’ team. Next week The Revival will face American Alpha in a 2 out of 3 falls match, hell yeah! Handshakes between Ciampa and Gargano with American Alpha. After they leave the ring the Authors of Pain hit the ring and attack American Alpha, Gargano and Ciampa come in to help. Gable and Jordan try to fight back and there is an amazing suplex hit by Jordan but not enough to fight them off. Authors Of Pain stand tall with Paul Ellering nodding approval from the stage.
Rating: 5/5
Loved this episode of NXT, a very focused show and I enjoyed this more than last weeks.
The Super Network 