This edition of NXT was a time for the show to
regain momentum. After the looming spectacle of Wrestlemania, right before
which Kevin Owens successfully kept Finn Balor at bay, and a show celebrating
the NXT’s presence at Mania and Hideo Itami achieving a spot on the card, this week’s
show would move some programs forward while introducing some newer and
potentially major players to the field.
Solomon
Crowe VS CJ Parker
Before
the match: Showing no illusion of the show being live,
the recent WWE deserter CJ Parker came to the ring holding up one of his
environmentally friendly, fan unfriendly signs. Solomon Crowe came out to
face him, still working the hacker identity as he slammed his palms on a n
LEDNXT display along the side of the ring until it turned to static.
During The
match: started out quickly with Parker raining fists down on Crowe in the
corner until Crow reversed things and hit several forearms. Crowe dived through
the ropes to hit Parker head on and knock him down on the ramp. After a bit,
the match slowed down dramatically to an uneven pace. Parker is bleeding from
the mouth, and some unintentional damage may have been done early on. CJ hit a
Senton on Crowe. Another attempt would be blocked when Crowe put his boots up. Parker
hit a powerful clothesline and an impressive scissors kick in Crowe. Crowe
would recover, though, and hit a head butt from the top turnbuckle directly
onto Parker’s leg before pulling CJ’s leg back over his head and overextending
it for a submission finisher called the Stretch Muffler. Crowe gets the tap out
victory.
After the
match: Crowe promises that the show is just beginning. Despite a bit of an
awkward spot, this was a good match showing off some unique offense in Crowe’s
back pocket and the ability to work a fast paced match.
Baron
Corbin VS Steve Cutler
Before
The Match: Corbin comes out to his music, with the lesser
known Steve Cutler waiting in the rain. The announcer notes Cutler's background
as a Marine.
During
the Match: There is a countdown taking place amidst the crowd,
but to a much lesser extent than previously. After a few punches, Corbin hits
End Of Days finisher for the win.
After a bit of an absence. Corbin’s return did not
come with anything new or different in tow. The reaction to him in the crowd
has fizzled drastically. Something new is going to be needed to get his mojo
back on. A heel turn may even hold some interesting potential for the quiet,
brooding young talent.
Sami Zayn is interviewed in the back about his upcoming
match with Rhyno after the former ECW champion challenged the former NXT champion.
He talks about how Rhyno wants to cut the line and put himself directly into
the NXT title picture. He says that there is a lot of this going out lately, a subtle
reference to Kevin Owens winning the belt from him. He says he will not let Rhyno
or anyone else do the same thing. This is a logical succinct promo showing that
Zayn can speak in a calm register and still be compelling on mic.
Enzo
Amore and Colin Cassady VS Sawyer Fulton and Angelo Dawkins
Before
the Match: The team of ‘Big Cass’ and Enzo, accompanied by Carmela, came out to
the ramp to a chorus of ‘How ya doin?’ chants in the crowd, and talked about how
Blake and Murphy have something they want, the NXT tag team championship, and
they plan on taking it.
In the ring, Amore tried out a number of catchphrases, saying
that he has ‘spectacular vernacular’ and is ‘the Michael Jordan of
jargon.’
Dawkins and Fulton came out to the ring, and no that is not Rick
Steiner. It is Angelo Dawkins rocking collegiate wrestling headgear the likes
of which we haven’t
seen since the days of Rick Steiner, the Steiner that was
not recently accused of threatening to murder Hulk Hogan. Wait, didn’t Marcus
Louis rock the protective headgear for a minute after losing his hair in his
feud with Amore and Cassady? How’s he doin’?
During
The Match: Cass launches Enzo into Fulton. Fulton and Dawkins
double-team Amore, lifting him up and planting him face first onto the mat.
On
the outside, the tag team champs Blake and Murphy came to ringside and gave Carmela
a pair of very small rose bouquets. She takes them, reluctantly at first, but becomes
ever more taken with the gesture.
Cass hit a splash into the corner onto
Dawkins followed by a bodyslam. Cass then lifted Amore off the turnbuckle and drops
him into an assisted splash onto Dawkins for the win.
After The
Match: They exchange words with Carmela about the flowers from the tag
champions, none too thrilled about their advances.
Alex Riley is in the locker room and says that he
will get revenge on Owens. His eyes are noticeably large, and appear to be
bulging thanks to some kind of color enhancer. It gives an effective enough
look of intensity in this short promo setting up for a rematch on next week’s
show.
Blue
Plants VS Dana Brooke
Before
The Match: Blue pants comes down to the ring in her X-Men
cosplay gear. No, Cassady has not come back out, but Pants’ ring entrance still
comprises of ‘Big Cass’ calling her out and humming the Price is Right theme
song jokingly.
Dana Brooke comes out for the first time in front of the NXT
crowd with some loud Evanescence-like music for her entrance theme. She does a
cartwheel and flexes her body ostentatiously, showing off her physique.
During The
Match: Blue pants goes for a sunset flip in the corner but Brooke throws her
down. Brooke slingshots Blue Pants into the bottom rope, right on her neck.
The
crowd is firmly behind Blue Pants. Brooke does a handstand and locks
her legs around Pants in a choke. After a few kicks from Blue Pants, Brooke
finishes the match with a Landslide, a move out of Shinsuke Nakamura's repertoire
in which the opponent is hoisted up in a Death Valley Driver or FU position and
then twisted into a Michinoku Driver.
After The
Match: Brooke poses some more to celebrate her in ring debut and victory. She
is poised to be a dominant heel, able to bully her opponents with her
impressive stature. With all of the fan support behind Sasha Banks, the current
NXT Women’s Champion could conceivably turn babyface and have a very
interesting program with the physically impressive newcomer.
Two matches are announced for next week: a triple
threat match between Charlotte and Becky Lynch and Bailey for top contender
position to the Women’s Title, and Alex Riley Vs Kevin Steen in a rematch from
a few weeks ago.
Sami Sayn
VS Rhyno
Before
The Match: Zayn is out first for the main event, and the
former champ’s first match back since his loss to Kevin Owens. Zayn seems to
have adapted an Owens-like mannerism, sitting back in the corner nonchalantly while
awaiting his oponent.
During
The Match: The crowd chants for both Rhyno and Sami Zayn.
After a slow start with a lot of lock ups, Zayn hits an amazing sequence with a
springboard backwards over Rhyno’s head into a reversal of a powerbomb into a huricanrana
that sends Rhyno to the floor. This frustrates the former ECW champion, who
slams his fists against the ropes on the outside.
Rhyno hits a big spinebuster
for a near fall.
He then hits Zayn with two close range spears in the
corner.
Sammy escapes a Fireman's Carry, ducks a clothesline and gets Rhyno up
for the Blue Thunder Bomb.
Zayn knocks Rhyno off the turnbuckle onto the floor
with a big forearm and then hit a huge Senton to Rhyno on the floor.
Back in the ring Rhyno hits a belly to belly suplex
but misses with the Gore, giving Sami the opportunity to hit the Helluva Kick
and pick up the pin fall victory.
This was a very good match with sound in-ring
storytelling. Zayn had a psychological game going, showing a more aggressive
side and ayt one point slapping the bigger competitor, Rhyno right across the
face. Rhyno kept up as the veteran whose size and experience would suggest an
assured victory, but found himself exasperated by an inability to keep the smaller
opponent down.
This was a
very solid show for NXT in ‘build up’ mode. It could stand to have more action,
but NXT is about shifting dynamics, having a few very strong moments on some
shows before things culminate in a fantastic special. There are a LOT of
babyfaces right now, in Zayn, Balor, and Hideo Itami and it is interesting how
they have been kept apart. Some work definitely needs to be done to provide
effective foils for the heroes. Meanwhile, the women’s division remains strong,
and appears to have gained an asset in Dana Brooke.
Comments?
Questions? Criticisms? Corrections? Leave them in the box below.
Twitter: @MondocurryMark
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