Joaquin Wilde vs Angel Garza-Breakout Tournament Round 1
I’d like to start off with the video packages for the competitors. They were short but did a good job introducing the talent to a newer audience. This was a good first round match and opening for the episode. There was a lot of dynamic movement and the pace was even and controlled, from spots to rest holds. I think both guys managed to show a little bit of personality as well, important if they hope to get themselves over in NXT. Garza was also the clear crowd favorite in this match.
Winner: Angel Garza
Grade: B+
KUSHIDA
We got a neat little video package about Kushida. He will face everyone because time belongs to him. I’m excited to see what he does here!
Not Graded
Damian Priest
Priest brushed off an interview, saying that his name will live forever. I wonder who will be his first official feud.
Not Graded
Street Profits vs Forgotten Sons
The Street Profits radiate such natural charisma, it’s crazy. The Forgotten Sons are almost the perfect foil to them with their more ragged seriousness. The match was solid though, ending with an expected interference from Ryker. Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan came out to help the Profits. It’s interesting that we both of these teams breathing down the necks of the Street Profits.
Winner: Street Profits via disqualification
Grade: B
Mean Girls
There’s something about the way that Aliyah and Vanessa Borne insult people that makes me actually care and not just roll my eyes. Maybe they’ve finally hit gold with this characterization?
Grade: C+
Nykos Rikos vs Keith Lee
What the heck is that name? Why is his ring gear something a high school dance team would wear? This was a squash match for Lee and I’m not even mad. He threw Rikos like a rag doll! But we do need something we can sink our teeth into a bit more.
Winner: Keith Lee
Grade: B-
Life of NXT Champion Adam Cole
We got a video package detailing Cole’s new life as NXT Champion and his championship celebration tour. Cole is such a cheeky thing and I love it.
Grade: B+
Shayna Baszler vs Io Shirai-Steel Cage Match for the Women’s Championship
Let’s go, first women’s steel cage match on NXT! This match was fantastic! That German suplex from the second turnbuckle gave me chills. And Shirai followed it up with a moonsault from the top of the cage. Geezus! I didn’t know how well Baszler’s style would translate into a cage match but I think she was quite successful. I think the outside involvement was done well too; it was enough to be a difference maker but not so much that it was a distraction. I have mixed feelings about the match ending; reminds me too much of that weird ending to the Roman Reigns/Brock Lesnar cage match from Crown Jewel.
Post-match, Shirai beat up Candice LeRae so…guess that’s the next feud.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
Grade: A-
Final Thoughts
I’m more invested in the Breakout Tournament than I thought I’d be. Also they did such a good job making the cage match seem like a big deal, so much better than the last couple of title defenses. And we’re finally getting a story for Candice LeRae. Color me satisfied with this episode.
Overall Grade: B+
