Finn Balor vs Fabian Aichner
This was a great opener, solid ring work all the way around. It wasn’t a high-octane match but we don’t always need that to appreciate great wrestling. I think having Balor take on Aichner (and presumably Marcel Barthel down the line as well) is a good way to keep the Balor-WALTER feud going since it has unfortunately been sidelined by current world affairs. As an unrelated side note, I also dig the Imperium tracksuits and think that they should totally be on WWE Shop.
Winner: Finn Balor
Grade: B-
Queen of all Eras and Brands
Charlotte Flair has been on top of all three brands multiple times and honestly, I’m here for it. I can’t wait to see these new matches with this generation of NXT women.
Not Graded
Xia Li vs Aliyah
The WWE universe collectively mocks Aliyah for long she’s been on NXT but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! This was a nice little rematch and Li got some payback for having been kayfabe injured by her.
Winner: Xia Li
Grade: C+
Akira Tozawa vs Isaiah Scott-Interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion Tournament
Putting aside my feelings about there being an interim champion, the match itself was good. Scott is super entertaining to watch and Tozawaka got to pick up a nice win, giving the former champion some momentum.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
Grade: B-
Tegan Nox vs Raquel Gonzalez
So basically this match existed to set up a tag team match. Honestly, I’m not complaining. Bring on the tag team match, playa!
Winner: Tegan Nox
Grade: C
Dexter Lumis vs Tehuti Miles
Lumis won my heart with the anaconda vice because it’s pretty much my favorite submission move. Oh, this was basically a squash match.
Winner: Dexter Lumis
Not Graded
Third-Wheel Balor
While Velveteen Dream is busy busting up the happy brotherhood of Undisputed Era, he may have offended the prince. If we inject Finn Balor into this feud, we get to extend the life of it and give Balor some other things to do while WALTER is unable to come to the States to compete.
Grade: B+
Final Thoughts
Okay, this episode felt like a little breath of fresh air. It seems like we’re kind of back on track, however mangled that track is due to what’s going on. I’d been a little disappointed as of late, but this week remedied that a bit.
Overall Grade: B-
