Finn Balor vs Trent Seven
Balor really took some time off, got married, then came back to NXT as an incarnation of Prince Devitt didn’t he? He’s just out here taking down everyone in his path to Johnny Gargano. I really liked this match as there was a story coming into it and Balor’s aggression as a heal made Seven an even more sympathetic babyface.
Winner: Finn Balor
Grade: B-
The Broserweights
Pete Dunne’s angry straight face is so funny to me. He’s like an evil teddybear. I need a vignette of him and Matt Riddle out on the town.
Not Graded
Deonna Purrazzo vs Shotzi Blackheart
Okay, Blackheart gets her own A+ for the tiny tank entrance. That’s the best thing ever and I hope she continues to ride around in her tiny tank. This match was okay; Blackheart is a little rough around the edges but I see potential in her. I also feel like Purrazzo is stuck in the upper-level enhancement talent territory and she really deserves more than that.
Winner: Shotzi Blackheart
Grade: C
Dominik Dijakovic vs Damian Priest
Coming off a great promo from Keith Lee and Dijakovic calling Priest “bootleg Marilyn Manson”, this was a nice match. It was a bit of a sprint, but I feel that we have basically re-introduced the Lee-Dijakovic feud in a way that’s fresh and also involves a title.
Winner: Dominik Dijakovic
Grade: B
Goldie’s Real Daddy
Listen, I am here for Tomasso Ciampa hunting down the Undisputed Era and officially issuing his challenge for Takeover Portland. And the man put his own blood on the contract. Ciampa is coming for Goldie!
Not Graded
Tegan Nox vs Dakota Kai
This match was okay, but surely it can’t be the end of the feud? I feel like there’s so much more potential for this. They didn’t even get any interaction time in the Royal Rumble. My main problem is that they’ve done nothing to really establish Kai as a heel. She’s still getting her tail beat, just looking angry about it. And when does Candice LeRae get to do something other than be someone’s side kick?
Winner: Tegan Nox
Grade: C-
Kayden Carter vs Chelsea Green
A wrestling match happened. It’s bizarre that there’s been so much hype surrounding Green and then she just loses. I’m not sure where we go from here; I sure hope it doesn’t follow the footsteps of Eva Marie’s gimmick.
Winner: Kayden Carter
Grade: D (I’d give it an F but I like Kayden Carter)
Broserweights vs Grizzled Young Veterans
Going into this tag team tournament, I was skeptical about how well the Broserweights would mesh and I didn’t know much about the GYV. Over the course of the tournament, I’ve been impressed with both teams and they delivered excellently here in the finals match. However, there was never a point in this match where I really thought the GYV would win. There’s just been too much emphasis put on the Broserweights as of late. Great match, just no high-stakes feel to it.
Winner: Broserweights
Grade: B+
Final Thoughts
For the most part, this was a pretty good episode. I would like for the Kai-Nox feud to go on for a little longer, if only to have a longer and better blowoff match. And I’m also entertaining the thought of Ciampa being the reason that Undisputed Era ultimately implodes and breaks up.
Overall Grade: B-
