Rhea Ripley vs Bianca Belair
I am quite biased when it comes to this match because brawlers are my favorite types of wrestlers, especially when it comes to the women. These ladies two have the type of hard-hitting moves and physical power that I love. This match was very good, a quality choice for an opening match, and we advanced two different stories: Ripley getting closer to a title match and the Candice LeRae-Io Shirai feud.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Grade: B
Bruisergreat
Pete Dunne’s whole gimmick is not having one and it actually works for him. I like the straight-forward way he answers questions and gives interviews.
Not Graded
The Blackheart’s despair
Injuries are never good and a lot of times we don’t know just how much of a toll these injuries take on the wrestlers, both physically and mentally. I liked this little vignette…and it was also a bit of foreshadowing.
Not Graded
Matt Riddle vs Cameron Grimes
Cameron Grimes actually got to look good and had a semi-competitive match this week! Riddle was solid as always. Post-match, Grimes got laid-out by Tyler Bate. If they do indeed bring Bate back to the US, I could see this being an enjoyable feud.
Winner: Matt Riddle
Grade: B+
Isaiah Scott and Breezango vs The Forgotten Sons
Scott was the MVP of the match! He did a whole moonsault of a man’s chest and it was awesome. I feel like Breezango looks better than ever too, since they get chances to actually wrestle without the silliness here on NXT. And the Forgotten Sons are certainly living up to their name because they haven’t wowed me since Takeover 25.
Winner: Isaiah Scott and Breezango
Grade: C+
Killian Dain
Dain said he’s going to break Pete Dunne since he tried to break Dain’s fingers. I guess this is the next move. I’m fine with that.
Not Graded
Angel Garza vs Jack Gallagher
This match was pretty solid. Garza is fun to watch in the ring and the cruiserweight division being absorbed by NXT pretty much ensures that it stays consistently booked well.
Winner: Angel Garza
Grade: C+
Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai vs Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke-#1 Contender’s Match for the Women’s Tag Team Championships
Team Kick vs Shayna’s Minions! All jokes aside, this was a nice win for the babyface team who have both overcome serious injuries. Team Kick vs Kabuki Warriors should be a great title match next week.
Winner: Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai
Not Graded
Roderick Strong vs Keith Lee vs Dominik Dijakovic-NXT North American Championship
This was an absolute fantastic match. The pace was great, everyone got a chance to shine, and the champion retained with a clean yet sneaky finish. This could’ve been a Takeover match for sure and probably will go on my list of top matches for the year. And they can even keep Lee and Dijakovic going at it since they didn’t pin each other.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Grade: A-
What took you so long, Prince?
First off, Finn Balor’s heel turn Pele kick on Johnny Gargano was a thing of beauty. Second of all, we actually have heel Finn Balor. On one hand, I’m excited for this as this gives us fresh matchups and feud/character possibilities. On the other, I wish there had been more build up to this. It seems like he came back and just randomly decided to turn heel.
Grade: A
Final Thoughts
I can feel the War Games build ups coming. I feel it coming in the air tonight. Also, I’m intrigued by the fact that Balor at no point connected with the Undisputed Era. He just zeroed in on Johnny Gargano! And can you believe that NXT did more for Balor in three minutes than the main roster did for him in three years?
Overall Grade: B+
