Io and Dream
Io Shirai dropped a quick, effective heel promo about how she doesn’t need friends or us, the fans. I liked it and it sets up for the feud between her and Candice LeRae.
Elsewhere Velveteen Dream had a press conference where he said that Roderick Strong isn’t worthy of experiencing the Dream. I love his ability to make things sound both dirty and threatening at the same time.
Grade: B+
Damian Priest vs Blanco Loco
Let’s just appreciate that Priest’s opponent’s name means Crazy White. Anywho, it was another wonderful squash match and Priest almost took off this man’s head with a clothesline.
Winner: Damian Priest
Grade: B-
Jordan Myles vs Boa
Another name change I’ll have to get used to. I think this match started off just a tad slow and it took the fans a little bit of time to get into it. The action itself was good; it was a lot of technical-style wrestling minus the flashy 450 splash at the end. Both guys looked great in their NXT tv matches and Myles is moving on in the tournament.
Winner: Jordan Myles
Grade: B
Backstage now, y’all
Shayna Baszler dragged Mia Yim’s back story, saying it’s a common one. While it is true, talking about someone’s sympathetic back story is a pretty efficient way to get some heat.
We got a video package on Keith Lee. He says he’s never been the chosen one but he wants to be the main event. I also want Lee to be a main event player, he’s so great.
Wiliam Regal announced that Apollo Crews will return to NXT to face Kushida. That’s cool and all but when do either of these men get a proper feud?
Adam Cole will defend his NXT Championship next week…I lowkey want it to be against Matt Riddle.
Grade: B+
Street Profits vs Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch-Tag Team Championships
This was an absolute proper tag team championship main event. All four participants shined and the teams gelled well in the ring. I think with the Profits’ antics, it’s hard for some fans to take them seriously as champions but they showed up and showed out here. Fair credit to Burch and Lorcan as well; they really deliver in these big-time matches.
Post match, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly announced themselves as the next challengers. I’m predicting that to happen around SummerSlam.
Winner: Street Profits
Grade: A-
Final Thoughts
All in all, a solid show. I wish there had been a women’s match but at least we actually have more than one women’s feud going on.
Overall Grade: B+
