By Wynter@WynterStorm24
I would like to start this review off by wishing our NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa a speedy recovery as he undergoes surgery and rehabilitation for his neck injury. Anything involving the neck and spine is a serious issue and while I hope he can return to the ring quickly, the number one focus is his well-being. That being said, with these NXT episodes being pre-taped, we did see Ciama in action last night. The opening round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic took place so let’s take a look at what happened on the yellow brand!
Aleister Black and Ricochet vs The European Union (Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel)
Black and Aichner started this match off, with the larger Aichner trying to overpower his opponent. Barthel hit Black with a stiff European uppercut as he got into the match. Ricochet tagged back into the match and hit a hurricanrana on Barthel, colliding both members of the European Union together. A standing shooting star press from Ricochet got a two count and a tornado DDT from Aichner also got a near fall. Back in the match, Black let loose with some strikes, but got stopped. Aichner tried to go for a cradle on Black, but a Black Mass put an end to that and the match.
Winner: Aleister Black and Ricochet
Thoughts: Sprint matches seem to work well for Ricochet and Black; the fast pace suits Ricochet’s penchant for flips as well as the striking ability of Black. I’m wondering how long this team will last before they inevitably have to split up. And when are they going to get a team name? Barthel also caught my attention in this match; I’ve been somewhat ambivalent about him but now I want to check out more of his work.
Grade: A-
The Forgotten Sons (Jay Cutler and Wesley Blake) vs Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
Burch and Cutler started off. Blake got in a clean backbreaker off the blind tag. This was followed by a sequence of hot tags and near-falls. Cutler and Blaked worked Lorcan’s back for a bit and he sold it by seeming too hurt to execute the elevated DDT. Lorcan managed to fight through a painful-looking Boston Crab from Cutler and he and Burch hit the double elevated DDT. They were looking for a Doomsday but a powerbomb into knees and a double stomp won the match for the Forgotten Sons.
Winner: The Forgotten Sons
Thoughts: Not that it’s really important, but I still don’t entirely understand the Forgotten Sons’ gimmick. This was a solid match though and I loved Lorcan’s selling of the back injury. Cutler’s crab was nice too; it’s been a while since I saw someone sitting pretty in the crab on WWE programming.
Grade: B
Velveteen Dream came out and enjoyed the adulation of the crowd for a few moments, standing up on the announce table. Matt Riddle came out and said that he wanted a closer look at the North American Championship. Velveteen dangled the championship in front of him so Riddle then said he wanted to see what it would look like around his waist. Dream brushed him off and said the spotlight was only for him.
Io Shirai and Kairi Sane had a sit-down interview in which Shirai said that she has beaten Shayna Baszler before. Sane said she is supportive of her friend and that she will beat Bianca Belair. We will get Shirai vs Belair in a number one contender’s match for the Women’s Championship next week.
Thoughts: Dream is so extra and I love it. He also looked so happy to have that championship; he’s so passionate about the business that it shines through everything he does and says. I’m looking forward to Shirai and Belair next week. I’d like to see it turn into a triple threat but that’s just because I’m partial to triple threat matches.
Grade: A
The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) vs Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate and Trent Seven)
Bate and Ford started off, with Bate taking control until Dawkins tagged in and ran over him. Bate and Seven worked some double team maneuvers until Ford put a stop to it with some well-placed boots to Seven. Bate showed us that he’s a Big Strong Boy with an exploder suplex on Dawkins and followed it up with a running shooting star press. However, he was distracted by Ford and ate a spear. Ford got a near-fall with the frog splash, but the burning hammer/double stomp combination sealed the deal for Moustache Mountain.
Winner: Moustache Mountain
Thoughts: This was a fun match up and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Tyler Bate is ridiculously talented for his young age and I always love watching him suplex much larger opponents. Seven and Bate are an adorable team and I hope they get another tag team run in the future.
Grade: B+
Evil DIY (Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano) vs Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish)
Gargano and Fish started off but there was a quick succession of tags and strikes. DIY maintained control of the match for much of the beginning, Fish and O’Reilly fought back with boots, elbow strikes, and rolling suplexes. A heel hook from O’Reilly got countered and turned into a blue thunder bomb. Gargano went for a superkick, but O’Reilly came back with a rebound
lariat. Fish and O’Reilly performed a super falcon arrow for a near-fall. O’Reilly went for an armbar on Ciampa but Gargano saved the matchup. Gargano’s slingshot DDT got a near-fall, but the DIY maneuver finally won the match for them.
Winner: Evil DIY
Thoughts: In the words of the great Mauro Ranallo, “MAMA MIA!”. This match was absolutely fantastic, easily a Takeover quality bout. Fish looked great after being out of action for so long and he and O’Reilly looked right at home with each other. DIY also haven’t missed a beat and it showed! Shout-out to Kyle O’Reilly for taking all that punishment too.
Grade: A+
Final Thoughts: This was definitely a wrestling-heavy episode of NXT, not that I’m complaining. These opening round bouts were great and I can’t wait to see the next round. As for the elephant in the room, I am wondering how we move on from Ciampa vacating the NXT Championship. It’ll be interesting to see how the pieces fall and who steps up to fill the void that’s going to be left by Ciampa’s absence. With Takeover: New York only about a month away, something needs to be decided. Again, best of wishes to Tommaso CIampa. Goldie will be waiting for you.
Final Grade: A-
