Candice LeRae and Io Shirai vs Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke
I have to mention how much I actually liked Shafir and Duke’s entrance theme and I’m a fan of Shafir’s gear. Their entrance made them seem like an actual threat. Shirai and LeRae did great of course. I quite enjoyed Shirai doing the elbow stomp while looking directly at Shayna Baszler. That was a nice little bit of psychology. Despite a few clunky moments in the match, Duke and Shafir did quite well and the no-contest finish was perfect to keep this feud going.
Winner: No Contest
Grade: B
Dream On
Velveteen Dream really be putting those non-PG innuendos in his promos and I’m here for it.
Not Graded
Kushida vs Drew Gulak-Submission Match
Drew Gulak for an even better NXT? Both of these men are spectacular at mat-based wrestling, both in technique itself and in making it entertaining. There were so many awesome reversals too. Submission matches aren’t usually high on my list of favorite stipulations but this was one of the best ones I’ve seen in recent memory. Also gotta love the mutual show of respect at the end!
Winner: Kushida
Grade: A-
Study Up, Mia
I tend to find catty girl hate rather offputting but it fits the characters of Vanessa Borne and Aliyah so well that it doesn’t even bother me. Borne had me weak with the textbooks she got for Mia Yim.
Grade: B
Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong vs Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
This match was very good, as to be expected with the participants. Strong is a freaking cardio machine and it’s impressive to say the least. O’Reilly makes every move he takes look devastating too. I didn’t mind the interruption by Jaxson Ryker as it kept Strong looking good even though he took the pin.
Winner: Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
Grade: B+
Final Thoughts
This was a solid episode of NXT. It pumped some more life into the women’s title picture. Bobby Fish is hurt again so that’s not cool. But yeah, solid show.
Overall Grade: B
