Tommaso Ciampa vs Angel Garza
The Blackheart is back! I’m so glad they started off the show with Ciampa’s in-ring return. The match was fine; the emotion for Ciampa’s return elevated it.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
Grade: C+
Here comes UE!
Since the Undisputed Era currently have all the men’s titles, it makes sense that we’re seeing a king of “us vs everybody” story unfold. With each of the members having their own opponents, it smells like a set up for War Games.
Grade: B+
Imperium vs Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan
This was great tag team match that stepped on the gas and never let up. Sprint matches like this can be hit or miss but I think both teams knocked it out of the park here.
Winner: Imperium
Grade: B+
Io Shirai vs Kayden Carter
Carter showed potential and I think she could be a force to be reckoned with once she gets a little more television time under her belt and the fans start to really connect with her. Shirai looked great as well. Post-match, the seeds were planted for a potential Rhea Ripley-Io Shirai match.
Winner: Io Shirai
Not Graded
Dominik Dijakovic vs Keith Lee-#1 Contender’s Match for the North American Championship
The Dijakovic-Lee series continues! And there was a no-contest ending, which usually would ruffle my feathers a little bit in longer feuds but I think this was handled perfectly. Dijakovic and Lee are still tied in their match outcomes and now the North American Championship will be defended in a triple threat match, one of my favorite match types! This was probably another War Games set-up.
No-Contest
Grade: B+
Matt Riddle vs Bronson Reed
There isn’t much to say about this match. Riddle pretty much dominated it. Where are my Matt Riddle brand flip flops?
Winner: Matt Riddle
Not Graded
Bianca and Kushida
I love Bianca’s spitfire personality and promos, but I also don’t think she needs to be in the title picture again. She’s already failed to capture it twice. And Kushida is out with a wrist fracture; best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Not Graded
Tegan Nox vs Taynara
I guess Taynara is the designated “comeback match” woman now. The match was just that, a nice return match for Nox. However, Shayna Baszler and her henchwomen broke up the happy homecoming. One thing I do like about what’s going with Baszler is that she has to keep her head on a swivel because about four or five different women seem to be gunning for her title.
Winner: Tegan Nox
Grade: B
Killian Dain vs Boa
Poor Boa. Dain just kind of killed him here. Squash matches are cool sometimes but we already know that Dain is a monster; they don’t need to prove it to us.
Winner: Killian Dain
Grade: D
Damian Priest vs Pete Dunne
This was hands-down Priest’s best NXT match to date. Granted, he hadn’t really been given anything more than enhancement talent before this but this was still an excellent match. Dunne looked great, showing his unique combination of technicality and aggression. I was a little surprised about Priest winning, but hopefully this is the start of a nice little feud. Dunne’s been kind of lost in the shuffle since that historic UK Title reign.
Winner: Damian Priest
Grade: B+
Final Thoughts
So this week’s show felt a little average. That isn’t bad at all; everything can’t be star-studded all the time or you wear people out. I felt some stirring of the pot for potential War Games matches, which is great considering that Takeovers are a bit more spread out than their main-roster counterparts and thus they can take advantage of more long-term booking.
Overall Grade: B-
