Welcome back to another NXT Review, Recap, or whatever.
Before we start this week's show, some news… As many of you heard, CJ Parker asked for and was granted his release from WWE. Parker was a on dimensional comedy heel, who worked very well. Hopefully he finds success elsewhere.
Peace out, Moonchild.
Shall we?
WE. SHALL!
The Future IS? NOW!
IN RING!
Sami Zayn's music hits and out comes Sami. First time we've seen him in person in an NXT ring. Sami is intense. He talks about being away for the Abu Dhabi tour, and that all he thought of during that tour was regaining the NXT Championship, and more importantly "KICKING KEVIN OWENS' ASS!" Crowd had been chanting "Kick his ass" before Sami delivered that line. Perhaps he just decided to follow their lead.
IN RING!
Rhyno is out! His opponent already in the ring. This is NOT going to last long. Yup. I typed that, and GORE! GORE! GORE! Rhyno wins. He grabs a mic and says how he came back for one thing. Being the NXT Champion. He'll go after ANYONE and name drops, Zayn, Balor, and of course OWENS.
HYPE!
Dana Brooke is debuting in 2 weeks.
BACKSTAGE… (Last Week)!
Owens is sitting backstage laughing. He says he won, that's all that matters.
IN RING!
Bayley is out. This match was set up because of Emma's trash talk and slap. The two former friends, Emma telling Bayley she needs more edge. Emma is out second, and so are the bubbles. But she is very sarcastic in the ring entrance. Tons of eye roles and sarcastic bubble popping. She teases doing the skin the cat entrance into the ring, but just rolls under the bottom rope. They tie up, and the story is Emma trying to get Bayley to fight. Bayley seems to be holding back as Emma taunts. Eventually Bayley snaps and goes crazy bashing skulls into the top turnbuckle. They go back and forth. Emma hits the Dilemma, and also the Vegimite Sandwich, but Bayley wins with a roll up.
It was a little awkward, but that's what they were playing up to. Emma is slow burning a heel turn. She was stewing over the finish of the match as Bayley backed up the ramp.
BACKSTAGE!
Becky Lynch puts in her two cents about becoming the NXT Women's champion. Welcomes us all to N-Becks-T! That has t-shirt written all over it.
IN RING!
Dub Step. BaM: Tag Champs are out! This is officially the most Australian episode of NXT ever! Maybe? – Out next are the Lucha Dragons. Odd to see them here. I realize this was taped… whenever ago. But they just had a HOT debut on Raw. Story is Blake and Murphy take every shortcut in the book. They isolate Kalisto for a while. He tags in Sin Cara, but that doesn't go very well. They hit the tandem running vertical ALMOST brain buster, and frog splash. The champions win. Not sure how many more appearances we'll get with the Luchas on NXT.
I like how they're building Blake and Murphy as a heel team. Just weird to do that with two guys when they've already WON the titles. So the crowd seems flat on them, but I think the budding feud with Cass and Enzo will help bring out that reaction.
BACKSTAGE!
Lady Mic Stand is asking Sami something. Rhyno interrupts and reminds Zayn that the line for the NXT Championship starts behind him.
Hype!
Solomon Crowe is in NXT, and he's hacking into stuff!
IN RING!
Tie Dillenger and Jason Jordan is up next. This former tag team imploded a few weeks ago and now they're fighting it out. Jordan comes out with his singlet down. He pulls it up before the bell rings, and then like two minutes into the match he pulls the straps back down… MAKE UP YOUR MIND, MAN! Good ground and amateur work in this one. This match is to set up Jason Jordan for his venture into Singles wrestling. Dude LOOKS like a WWE star in the making. We'll see how the matches and personality come along!
HYPE!
Itami and Breeze get the hype video package for this two out of three falls match! Nice. Its a big match. A POTENTIAL, blow off match.
IN RING!
TYLER, WE LOVE YOU! Breeze is out with his selfie stick in his hand Keep your head out of the gutter, Cheap-Heaters! – Itami is out NEXT! They circle and tie up. Crowd split on breeze. Not too vocal on Itami right now. Breeze drives shoulders into Hideo's midsection, and works him into the corner. When Breeze goes to the corner looking for a running clothesline into the corner, Itami takes off after him so when Breeze gets to the corner he gets CLOBBERED! Itami starts rolling. Strikes on Strikes on Strikes. Hits the running head kick. Gets the first decision.
Whoa… didn't think we'd get a fall that fast. Breeze can't get to his feet. Ref is holding Hideo back. Breeze is playing possum! Beauty Shot! THREE! Well… that was fast.
COMERCIAL!
Next week they'll do NXT at Wrestlemania Axxess! So we'll see a bunch of the footage they shot last week, including matches. That should be pretty cool.
IN RING!
We're back. Breeze is in control. Random thought, why isn't the Miz appearing on NXT scouting for a replacement for Mizdow? He and Breeze as the A-List, would make a great edition to the tag ranks. Itami keeps trying to turn the tide. Breeze is able to stay in control. Itami is able to get the upper hand. Hits his tornado hot shot. Action really picks up here. Lots of counters. Lots of near falls, as they exchange roll ups and and counter roll ups. One of which was botched, Breeze hit the Supermodel Kick for a two PLUS. Both men exhausted. Breeze nailing punt kicks to Itami's body. Which only fires up Itami. Kicks on Kicks… going for the stalling corner dropkick, but Breeze gets outta dodge. Whips off the ropes looking for his running head kick, but Breeze ends up nailing the Beauty Shot! … OUTTA NO WHERE! Breeze scores the second pin!
Whoa…
Didn't see that happening. Big win for Tyler Breeze. So I'm thinking this feud might continue.
This was a good match. I feel like the first two falls were a bit rushed, but it was surprising. Really those falls just seemed to set up for the last fall. The exchanges near the end were good, and the finish was surprising and well executed. Tyler has gotten some big wins over Itami.
It was a decent episode of NXT. In ring was solid, but unmemorable. Not sure if they've already filmed the episodes that are coming up, but I'm interested to see how they unfold. We're probably 5-6 weeks away from out next Takeover, so I'm thinking some stuff needs to unfold. Who is going to face Owens? Ditto with Banks.
Looking forward to the Axxess episode. Hopefully we get a good chunk of the house show footage, I read it was super awesome.
Finally NXT made sure to shout out that with Rollins' win at Wrestlemania, he is the first NXT Champion to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
The future is indeed, now!
See you in seven.
