It is time for another edition of NXT. Its a “go home show” with some big matches and lots of intrigue for WHO will earn #1 Contendership for the NXT Championship. Plus what will our Fatal Fourway combatants do, and what of our NEW Tag Team Champs?! All this and much much MUCH more… or maybe a little bit more.
IN THE RING!
I’m a hair late, and as I log into the WWE Network for another NXT? Emma and Carmella are in the ring. Cass and Enzo are ring side. Feels like a while since we’ve seen Cass and Enzo. We open with a little jaw jacking. Emma showing a little more an edge. Emma hits a dissmissive boot to Carmella’s backside. Locks in the Dil-EMMA (Tarantula) – and the ref breaks the hold. My feed freezes and Carmella has her Triangle Camel Clutch on Emma. Emma taps. The NY Crew celebrates. Emma stews.
HYPE!
Neville vs. Corbin and Balor vs. Itami still to come!
HYPE!
NXT RIVAL – NEXT WEDNESDAY! 2 HOURS! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG… *BREATH, HAYES. BREATH!*
IN RING!
Neville is in on his way. Motocycles rev. Here comes Corbin. Tie up and Baron goes all “I’m more bigger” and drives Neville back. Quick exchange and Neville goes all “I’m more FASTER” and nails some boots. A dropkick rocks the lone wolf into the ropes, and then Baron LEVELS Neville with a clothesline. Ouchtown, Population: Neville! Baron has the advantage. Overwhelming Neville. Keeping it grounded and methodical. Crowd pretty split. Maybe slightly pro Neville. I’m pretty sure this is ALREADY Corbin’s longest match. Neville with the low dropkick. Baron eats middle turnbuckle. Tide=TURNED! Neville tries a slingshot cross body to the outside… CAUGHT! And then Corbin hotshots him into the barricade. NASTY! Corbin rolls Adrian in, and the ref is “checking on Neville”, and UH OH… Bull! BULL! BULL! Bull runs Corbin into the ringpost on the outside. Corbin barely makes it in before the 10 count. Low dropkick. Red Arrow. Boom! Neville wins. I like that. I think a longer match for these two down the road will be really good.
HYPE!
Sami talked about last week’s contract signing. Said Owens played him and Regal. Saying he tricked Regal and “Regal has seen every dirty trick in the book!” I like Sami having some “buyer’s remorse” about signing the contract and giving into Owen’s demands. It so refreshing seeing wrestlers act and react like real people.
They announced that Bull and Baron will Battle in a No DQ match at Rival.
SLOBBERKNOCKER!
IN RING!
Bayley is out and she is gonna HUG YOU! Becky Lynch out next as this fills our “hype the Women’s Championship match”. Becky does a series of leg drops. She works the leg, but this sets Bayley off. Bayley returns the favor and wails away on Becky’s leg. Becky gets frustrated with the flurry of offense. Sasha Banks has gotten ringside. She’s admonishing Becky and rolls her back in the ring. Bayley to Belly and boom. Bayley wins. Charlotte’s music hits and she stands at the top of the ramp to remind us all who exactly is the Champ, or something.
BACKSTAGE!
Owens says he got what he wanted last week. ANd next week? He’s TAKING the NXT Championship. Trust him. Uh Kev, I like you… like… a lot, but TRUST? You powerbomb besties on the apron and strong arm title shots. You don’t exactly OOZE “trustworthiness.
IN RING!
OH GOODNESS There’s a lotta time for these two. THANK YOU! Neville joins the announce team. Itami out first. Balor does his thing next. They circle. Crowd chants “this is awesome” before they tie up. Good mat wrestling exchanges. Smooth and crisp. Crowd chants “better than Raw”. Whips, leapfrogs, and a nice dropkick from Finn takes us to a comercial break. Hey, did you know Wrestlemania is a THING? We come back and Itami is in control. Crowd firmly pro-Finn. Itami locks in the Reverse.. CHINLOCK…O’ DOOOOOOOOOM!!!! They exchange forearms. Whip, Itami with a sunset flip, but Finn rolls through and hits a low dropkick. Balor with an abdominal stretch variation. Even working the hands/wrist while doing so. But then quickly lets that go for roll up and the old “TWO PLUS!” Balor’s turn ot lock in the Reverse Chin Lock O’DOOOOOOOM! Yes I did it like that on purpose cuz “O’Doom” is like an Irish last name, and Finn is IRISH! More good submission stuff. Roll up and Finn gets another two.
ANOTHER Commercial BREAK! – The Rival commercial with quotes from media outlets and overlayed with crowd chants is great.
BACK IN THE RING!
Huge chop by Balor is a fine “welcome back”. Followed by a running chop. His chops are great. At some point in time, Balor’s mouth got busted. Itami gets a flurry in. Crowd chants “GTS”. He hoists Balor and the crowd loses their MIND. Balor fights out. A crazy stiff flurry from Itami. Palm strikes and a spinning backhand. OUCH. Balor ends up hitting a violent running dropkick that Itami sells like he got gored by a rhino… not Rhyno, not the wrestling move, but legit run over by a beast. He flies back into the corner with crazy high velocity. Back of his head hit middle turnbuckle. Balor ascends and delivers the Coup De Gracie. One. TWO. THREE! Balor faces Neville at Rival! We get replays of stuff they really highlight that high velocity dropkick. Back in the ring Itami looks completely incosoleable. Frustration oozes from him. Balor offers him a hand. Itami looks unwilling to shake, but takes his hand. Crowd roars their approval and chants “NXT”. Balor celebrates a bit, and heads up the ramp. On the table clapping. Comes off a little heely. He jumps down they meet at the top of the ramp. Intense handshake. Can’t WAIT for that match.
HYPE!
GREAT… GREAT… AMAZING hype video for Zayn/Owens. This is where the WWE influence really pays off. their hype videos and music pieces and that is ALWAYS top notch. So you put this cherry on top of this sunday and I can’t wait. Next wednesday I’m waking up and one of my first thoughts will be “OOOH GOODY, NXT RIVAL TONIGHT!” – Can’t wait. Wrestling Christmas.
FINAL THOUGHTS!
The bar is mighty high for Rival. These last 3 shows have been excellent. My only gripe is some guys are slipping through the cracks because their roster is too damn deep and insanely talented! Its a good problem to have. Ladies and Gentlemen we could very well be watching of the best wrestling shows of the year in 7 days.
