NXT returned to Full Sail University for this weeks edition for what should be another amazing hour of wrestling, as the road to Takeover: New Orleans continues.
The show begins with Tommaso Ciampa making his way out to his usual music of boos from the crowd. Once again there are a huge amount of signs with the “Johhny Gargano moji” (thanks Mauro) in the crowd. Ciampa does his usual routine of getting in the ring and methodically putting the mic to his mouth to talk, before being stopped by the volume of boos and chants from the crowd. He eventually does speak this time, saying… well screaming “HE’S GONE, GONE!” and going on to say “newsflash, he’s not walking down that damn aisle, he’s GONE!”. He’s greeted with more chants of “Ciampa sucks” as he leaves the ring. He takes a particular focus on the crowd now and proceeds to grab and tear up 3 separate fan signs (one of those being that from an elderly woman who really got in his face… you go Grandma!)… he then takes one sign from a fan in a mask… who turns out to be… JOHHNY GARGANO!!!
To the delight of the crowd Gargano finally gets to unleash on his former tag team partner, as he jumps the barricade and into the ring before being dragged all the way out of the arena by security. Ciampa couldn’t believe he was back, crowd went ape shit, and it was absolutely tremendous. “LET THEM FIGHT” they chanted… be patient… it’s coming!
Next up Charley Caruso recaps the 1st round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. She also reveals the news that Tyler Bate has a minor knee injury, meaning his team Moustache Mountain will be withdrawing. But whilst it appears the identity of Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan’s opponents later on are unknown RODERICK STRONG has put out a social media message for NXT GM William Regal asking for the vacant spot for him and a partner. This should be interesting… this was followed by a short but very sweet promo by the Undisputed Era. They talked down Roderick Strong and his proposal, and continued to big themselves up with Adam Cole saying his match with his opponent tonight Kassuis Ohno would be ‘a walk in the park’ (this match being made as a result of a twitter exchange between the 2). Cole was so confident he even told his stable mates Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly to stand back. So without the NXT Tag Team Champions by his side will Cole get the job done? Probably but it’ll be great fun to watch 2 FANTASTIC workers go at it.
So then now was time for the tag team match between Lorcan & Burch and Roderick Strong and his partner… PETE DUNNE! You will recall it was Strong who made the save from Dunne’s attack from the Undisputed Era last week, and the ‘fiery’ mutual respect that was shown by the 2 former opponents has resulted in this team being made, and what a real dream-team it is! This was a really hard hitting and physical contest, with Pete Dunne showing the full array of his gloriously pain-enducing arsenal of moves. Strong also demonstrating his superb moveset, tremendous chemistry from these 2. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch too more than doing their bit to make this one a great watch. The finish coming when Strong hit the End of Heartache move on Burch whilst Dunne had Lorcan held on the outside. WOW! The dream team is off to a flyer! These 2 vs Sanity next round, that’ll be incredible!
A promo is shown revealing RICOCHET is coming soon to NXT!!! For those who don’t know he is one of the very best wrestlers on the planet, I’ve seen him live myself too. He is tremendous, trust me he will be one of your favourites!
Next out to the ring is long term NXT female Aliyah for a match against NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon. Big pop for the supremely talented champion. Great mutual respect between these 2, Aliyah too is a babyface with the angle her being Aliyah looking to finally make an assault on the Women’s Championship scene. Part way through the match though the current top contender Shayna Baszler makes her way to the nearby commentary table, and places her feet on the table as she tells them that it is in fact her that runs the NXT Women’s division. And that she can do what she wants simply because nobody can stop her. Moon now well aware that her foe is nearby proceeds to make light work of Aliyah and puts her away with the Eclipse. Moon and Baszler then standing tall and engaging in more trash talk. This match is going to be a real “Slobberknocker” for sure!
Next week we will have both the semi finals of the Dusty Classic. Should be great. Meanwhile rookie Raul Mendoza makes his way out for what seems like a match, but is instead jumped by the NXT Champion Andrade Almas. He then makes his way to the ring accompanied by his business associate Zelina Vega, and expresses to the NXT crowd his fury with his future opponent Aleister Black, and his displeasure at the lack of respect Black showed to Vega last week (you’ll recall the various small jokes). A fired up champion also calls Black a “piece of (bleep)!” … I’ll give you a clue, I’m presuming the bleeped word rhymes with “mit”. WOWSERS, A SWEAR WORD?! This just got REAL! Almas demands Black faces him next week and says he wll pay for his disrespect… well… there’s your headline act for next week then!
An advert is shown revealing the monstrous, unhinged beast Lars Sullivan will return to NXT next week. Shaping up to be one hell of a show next Wednesday!
NXT GM William Regal reveals now that next week he will have a “major” announcement… hmmm…
Main event time then; Kassuis Ohno vs Adam Cole. Those of you with any knowledge of these 2 don’t need me to tell you this match was great. Ohno’s hard striking based moveset vs Cole’s cunning yet physically appeasing style. Finish coming with Ohno dragging a seemingly downed Cole into the ring from the outside, only for Cole to play possum once again and roll Ohno up for a nearfall. Cole then hit a Superkick, a suplex/neckbreaker and then a Shining Wizard (Last Shot) for the win. No problem at all with this result. Adam Cole could be NXT or even WWE Champion and I wouldn’t mind, as for Ohno he can take losses anytime at this stage, and losing to top talents doesn’t hurt him too much.
And that was NXT. The first episode of the final set of tapings before Takeover: New Orleans, and the groundwork of the road their has been firmly set.
Key Points to take home
. Gargano vs Ciampa, street fight, BOOK IT!
. Dunne and Strong maybe my new favourite tag team in WWE! I hope they win the whole thing
. I kinda want Shayna to beat Ember now tbh
. Almas vs Black, potential 5 stars?
. Adam Cole is my man crush. No homo.
Conclusion
NXT is the best. The strength in depth of the roster is ridiculous. You should watch it as much as possible. Simple.
Josh.
NobodyisReady.com 