Masters of the slow build, NXT have plenty of time to set the wheels in motion for their next TakeOver event. It is of huge benefit to the developmental brand that they do not have a Backlash or a super show in Saudi Arabia to prepare for. Rivalries get time to build, stars get time to be born, and storylines get time to develop. The main stories since TakeOver NOLA have centred around the heels – Undisputed Era bossing the men’s roster, and Shayna Baszler bullying the women’s.
Tonight, we get Pete Dunne out for revenge on Roderick Strong, which should be great. Can the rest of the show live up to the potential of the main event?
Kairi Sane v. Shazza McKenzie
We kick things off with the Pirate Princess against the debuting McKenzie. For now, at least, Shazza is here as an enhancement talent and Sane finishes her off with the Insane Elbow in a couple of minutes.
Lacey Evans comes out post-match to offer an apology to Sane for previously saying that she does not belong in NXT. It is all a ruse of course and Evans lays Kairi out with a punch.
Winner: Kairi Sane
Does Kairi Sane need squash matches? No. This was all about the post-match angle, which could have easily been achieved through an interview or promo segment. At least it means we have a rivalry outside the title picture, something we haven’t seen on NXT for a while.
Street Profits v. TM61
Two face teams with a point to prove come head-to-head looking to rise up the tag division ranks. Both teams are energetic, athletic, and over with the crowd making for some fun exchanges early on. Duelling chants soon ring around Full Sail Arena.
Just as the Street Profits are gaining the upper hand, TM61 steal a win out of nowhere as Shane Thorne counters a sunset flip into a pin. He puts his foot on the ropes and Nick Miller grabs his ankles for extra leverage.
Winners: TM61
This match was obviously the start of a new rivalry. It hadn’t really got going before TM61 showed they were more desperate for a win. I expect rematches and more heelish antics (possibly from both teams) in the weeks to come.
Kona Reeves v. Patrick Scott
After a few weeks of vignettes, a repackaged Kona Reeves returns to NXT TV. Previously, he was used as an enhancement talent, but he is now presented as yet another self-centred arrogant heel. The fans chant for Scott as the bell rings but to little avail as Reeves quickly overpowers him. After declaring himself ‘the finest’ to hardly any reaction from the crowd, Reeves delivers his version of the Samoan Drop (dubbed the Hawaiian Drop) for the win.
Winner: Kona Reeves
Meh. I was hardly captivated by the hype packages and this match did little to convince me to pay much attention to Reeves. The gimmick is a cheap copy of a generic heel stereotype, and the crowd reaction was less than enthusiastic.
Challenges Laid Down
In this week’s backstage interviews, we hear from Kassius Ohno and his thoughts on the Johnny Gargano/Tommaso Ciampa situation. He vows to do something about it and challenges Ciampa to a match. We will see that next week.
We also hear from Dakota Kai, who again clams up when asked about Shayna Baszler. Vanessa Bourne interrupts to say she would have no problem standing up to the champ in the same situation. Their exchange gets heated and another rivalry seems to be in the offing.
Candice La Rae v. Bianca Belair
In a backstage interview and through the commentary team, Candice La Rae’s fragile emotional state after the attack on her husband last week is emphasised. Indeed, Belair takes control early on showcasing her impressive strength to life La Rae above her head and dump her into the corner.
La Rae has a brief babyface comeback but soon gets overpowered again. Belair then picks up the win with a reverse powerbomb.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Belair looks like a future star. Her strength is impressive and, even though we didn’t see it tonight, her hair whip sets her apart from the competition. La Rae went down quite easily in what was only her second TV match. While it is good to see more crossover between storylines in the men’s and women’s divisions, I do wonder if La Rae might benefit from doing her own thing more.
Pete Dunne v. Roderick Strong
An irate Pete Dunne makes his return to NXT TV aiming to get revenge on Roderick Strong after his partner turned on him during the tag title match at TakeOver NOLA. Strong comes out to Undisputed Era’s music and sporting their colours. Cole and O’Reilly are not far behind.
Right after the bell, Dunne lays Strong out with a vicious punch. The brawl soon spills to the outside and it is there that Strong takes control dropping Dunne onto the ring apron. Strong is clearly more aggressive in the ring, adding stomps, kicks and slaps to his move set.
Strong is able to fight off any comeback attempts by Dunne, even without the direct interference of Cole and O’Reilly. He gets a near fall after an Olympic Slam off the corner, and frustration starts to set in. A wild punch gets caught and fingers get snapped as Dunne finally gets back into it.
He lands The Bitter End, but Undisputed Era break up the pinfall. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch stop the beatdown. Dunne literally kicks Strong out of the ring and even hits Cole with O’Reilly’s shoe, which fell off during the post-match melee. Six-man tag match in the coming weeks anyone?
Winner by DQ: Pete Dunne
I’ve said it before, but Pete Dunne can’t have a bad match, even when the primary focus of the booking is storyline advancement. Still retaining the same characteristics as when he was a heel, Dunne is the perfect foil for Undisputed Era as he is willing to bend the rules as much as they are. Lorcan and Burch seem a little out of place, like they are holding the fort until Tyler Bate and Trent Seven are available, but this remains an entertaining rivalry.
Final Thoughts
The main event was good as long as it lasted, but it could not mask a weak episode of NXT. While it is great to see five matches featured in one week instead of the usual three or four, most of the contests felt rushed. Street Profits v. TM61 and Candice La Rae v. Bianca Belair could be show stealers given the right build and time. Instead, we got rushed matches that felt incomplete. Two jobber squashes, one for a star who didn’t need it and another for an underwhelming new gimmick, didn’t help the show either. Here’s hoping for a return to form next week.
