Hello, wrestling fam! I’m back this week with your NXT review. I apologize for my absence last week, but unfortunately real life sometimes gets in the way. Alas, I’m here so let’s take a look at what happened on the black and gold brand!
Jaxson Ryker vs Humberto Carrillo
Continuing his run as the enforcer of the Forgotten Sons, Ryker had a considerable size and power advantage over Carrillo. Carrillo showed some of his speed and agility, but it was to no avail. Ryker absolutely brutalized Carrillo in this match, beating his chest like a drum and throwing him over the barricade. The match ended with a countout as Ryker continued to beat up on Carrillo on the outside. Danny Burch and Orney Lorcan made the save, taking up chairs as equalizers before the other two members of the Forgotten Sons managed to drag a crazy-looking Ryker away.
Winner: No Contest
Grade: B
Photoshoot Bay Bay
Adam Cole was doing a photoshoot and was asked if he was jealous that Roderick Strong got a match against Johnny Gargano. Matt Riddle appeared and also pointed out that Cole was jealous of Strong. Cole said he had bigger things to worry about and left Riddle in the photoshoot room.
Not Graded
Vanessa Borne and Aliyah vs Candice LeRae and Kacy Catanzaro
Borne and Aliyah did a great job isolating Catanzaro away from LeRae, pulling double team maneuvers on the rookie. LeRae ran wild once she actually tagged into the match, throwing Borne around and landing a moonsault that won the match. This was an okay match that really showcased Catanzaro’s improving skills and added even more momentum to LeRae. I can’t wait to see LeRae challenge more well-established talent.
Winner: Candice LeRae and Kacy Catanzaro
Grade: C+
Io Shirai’s Reaction
Cathy Kelley asked Shirai how she was feeling after seeing her friend Kairi Sane get attacked last week. She started to answer but Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir, and Jessamyn Duke interrupted and laid her out.
Not Graded
Kushida’s Debut
William Regal was being asked about Kushida, who is set to make his debut next week. Kassius Ohno arrived and made a case for himself. Regal decided that Ohno will indeed be Kushida’s debut opponent.
Not Graded
Street Profits vs War Raiders
I have no idea what’s going on with the War Raiders’ names so…there’s that. Montez Ford launched himself at Rowe before the match even started and went into a flurry of tags and moves. Hanson showed off both his strength and his deceptive athleticism here. Ford performed an impressive shiranui off of Angelo Dawkins. Despite the explosive start, War Raiders were too much for the Street Profits to overcome. Even after losing, the Street Profits have showed a more serious side and I can tell they’re working really hard and they want to be champions. Gold is in their future I think.
Winner: War Raiders
Grade: B+
Is the HBIC a threat to Shayna?
Mia Yim was interviewed and said that she thought Shayna Baszler was being efficient in getting rid of her competition. Yim said that she deserves another chance to stop Shayna.
Not Graded
Johnny Gargano vs Roderick Strong
Strong actually came out alone, which was interesting. They started off with some great matt-based wrestling and kept it up throughout the bout. There weren’t a whole lot of flashy moves throughout the bout, but a lot of innovation in ways that they utilized the ring space. Gargano threw some very impressive superkicks in this match, elevated by Strong’s selling. Gargano locked in the Garga-No Escape, but Adam Cole came out and disrupted the match. The rest of Undisputed Era followed, but Matt Riddle got involved. A miscue led to Cole superkicking Strong. Off the superkick, Gargano won with a slingshot DDT. Post match, Cole tried to explain himself and apologize for the mishap. Tensions were high but the group left together. Oh boy, the plot thickens. I can’t help but think these disagreements between Strong and Cole are going to lead to the breakup of the Undisputed Era…
Winner: Johnny Gargano
Grade: A+
Final Thoughts
I think this week’s episode was put together very fell. It felt like we were furthering stories, especially with the Fogotten Sons and Burch and Lorcan as well as with the Undisputed Era. As a Shield fan and having watched the rise and fall of that faction, the tension between the Undisputed Era is quite intriguing. I can’t wait to see where this goes.
Overall Grade: B+
