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As the SmackDown Live ratings fell to new depths this week, we wonder if a glimpse of the action on NXT could make the blue brand rethink their strategy and come up with a very different game plan.
NXT is a brand that actually gives the audience what they want to see. One may argue that NXT only appeals to a smaller demographic, but it's also a brand that fans proudly wear on their sleeve, much like they did with ECW in the '90s.
This week was no different, with twists, turns and some incredible wrestling as well. Yes, NXT proves that storytelling and wrestling can indeed exist in perfect harmony.
Here are 5 things that caught our eye, during the course of the show.
#5 An unlikely alliance
Agatha Christie once said that the best kind of mysteries were the ones where all the answers were not made clear. We like the feeling of 'what just happened?' with regard to the Roderick Strong and Authors of Pain situation on NXT.
After all, the Authors of Pain are brutish behemoths, who are committed to causing pain and utter devastation. On the other hand, you have the ultimate family man and underdog in Roderick Strong. They have almost nothing in common.
There's also the question of why Roderick Strong would ally himself with the Authors of Pain, when his old friends in the Undisputed Era (who go all the way back with him to Ring of Honor), would extend an invitation to Strong to join their strong ranks (absolutely no pun intended).
However, it's true. It's damn true. Roderick Strong and The Authors of Pain are teammates, and they will be heading into a special kind of match that hasn't been seen for two decades.
#4 A shocking announcement
'WarGames' as a concept was a hallmark of WCW, and especially The Four Horsemen. Two rings would be positioned side by side, with a massive steel cage looming on top of the dual rings.
Members of each team would enter, one after the other. The match would only end when someone either gave up or was deemed unable to continue the match. Vince McMahon was reportedly never a fan of the WarGames concept, and hence, the match never made it to WWE.
The only time three teams have competed at WarGames was in 1998 when Team WCW took on Team Hollywood and Team Wolfpac. Pinfalls were permitted in this particular match. We are glad that NXT is bringing this classic format back because the contests were usually incredible and incredibly bloody too.
As Authors of Pain manager Paul Ellering reminds us in this video, he was part of the first WarGames match. We cannot wait for this clash. Just over two weeks to go until The Authors of Pain and Roderick Strong face SAnitY and the Undisputed Era in WarGames!
#3 Message received and acknowledged
The Velveteen Dream has tried to get the attention of one Aleister Black for a long time now. Black, a meditative and reclusive man, had refused to acknowledge his very existence, thus far.
Last week, The Velveteen Dream emerged from behind Aleister Black as he made his way to the ring for a match and had him entangled in the ropes. Black managed to escape his restraints, and The Velveteen Dream managed to escape with his life.
This week, we saw a dark and brooding promo, that was seemingly an acceptance of The Velveteen Dream's challenge, as Black opened his mystical eye to acknowledge The Velveteen Dream. The two men will face one another at the next TakeOver on Survivor Series weekend.
Both men are incredible workers, but we cannot possibly imagine The Velveteen Dream going over Black, at this point in time.
All said and done, Black still has not said The Velveteen Dream's name thus far.
#2 A massive upset
As Mauro Ranallo said this week, Fabian Aichner is only the second Italian-born Superstar to grace WWE's highly packed roster in its rich and storied history. The other was a man named Bruno Sammartino.
We believed that his match against Johnny Gargano would be just another win for the beloved NXT babyface. Instead, it was a massive upset as Aichner rolled Gargano over for an innovative pin. We wonder if the company sees value in this phenomenally talented Superstar!
As for Gargano, we wonder what's next for the man. Until Ciampa comes around, whom will he be feuding with, considering Andrade 'Cien' Almas has moved on to a new opponent?
#1 Sticking it to the NXT Champion
Drew McIntyre has wanted only one thing from his NXT Takeover: WarGames opponent. He has wanted Andrade 'Cien' Almas to look the NXT Champion in the eye and face him like a man. We were assured that he would this week.
Except, Andrade 'Cien' Almas would attack McIntyre from the back during their contract signing segment, and quite literally, stick it to McIntyre with Zelina Vega's chewing gum. Almas is being booked as a coward but in a really cool manner.
Almas has not had a bad match in a while, and we cannot wait to see how he fares in Houston. We're certain this match will be just as good as the others he's been having.
We will catch you again next week for more action and points to note from NXT. Until the next time, have a good week. See you next Wednesday!
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