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This week's WWE NXT was yet again dominated by the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament matches. MSK took on Killian Dain and Drake Maverick in the opening match of NXT, while last year's finalists, Grizzled Young Veterans, faced off against Kushida and Leon Ruff.
Aliyah and Jessi Kamea locked horns with Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez in the first-round Women's tournament match. On the other hand, NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai is now facing a dual challenge for her title, with two Superstars laying their claim over the gold.
Apart from that, Finn Balor and Kyle O'Reilly wrestled the NXT Tag Team Champions, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch, in the main event of the night. That said, let's discuss all the developments from this week's NXT that has gotten the fans talking. Do share your thoughts in the comments section below.
#5 NXT Champion Finn Balor and Kyle O'Reilly come up victorious in the main event of the night
In the main event of the night, NXT Champion Finn Balor and Kyle O'Reilly defeated NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. The match was a result of last week's developments where Balor was asked by NXT GM William Regal to find a partner if he wants to get his hands on the tag champs. As a result, Balor aligned with the Undisputed Era and asked O'Reilly to join him for the match.
While the match was good, it wasn't anything special. Considering how accomplished as tag team performers Balor and O'Reilly are, the match should have been more exciting than what it was. That said, Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan losing the bout was even more disappointing.
Yes, they are the heels in this story, but this undermines the value of the gold the two are holding.
Post-match, Pete Dunne along with Lorcan and Burch, unleashed an attack on the Balor and Reilly. However, Undisputed Era's Adam Cole and Roderick Strong made the save for them. Balor sliding out of the ring during the final staredown was a smart decision as it shows the NXT Champion is still unsure about taking this alliance forward.
As for the Kings of NXT, Pat McAfee should be brought back into the stable, as three heels going against four babyfaces doesn't make a lot of narrative sense. Or are we still slowly heading towards O'Reilly turning to the dark side and possibly aligning with the Kings off NXT? Things will become clearer in the weeks to come.
#4 Grizzled Young Veterans advanced to the semi-finals of Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic after defeating Kushida and Leon Ruff on NXT
In what was arguably the best match of the week, Grizzled Young Veterans proved why they deserve to be on top of the mountain on NXT. From their chemistry to their in-ring skills and their heel work, everything is top-notch. After their momentum was halted due to the pandemic that set in early last year, the duo seems right on course to win the tournament.
The winner of the match pitting Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher against Adam Cole and Roderick Strong will be their next opponents. While it wouldn't be easy for them to go over against either of these popular duos, they will be gunning to cause an upset.
Despite losing the match, Kushida and Leon Ruff had a great showing. Considering Kushida is involved in a feud with Johnny Gargano for the NXT North American Championship, it made little sense for him to go forward in this tag tournament. Post-match, Gargano and Austin Theory attacked Kushida and Ruff, with Dexter Lumis making the save for the faces. Lumis being involved in the rivalry makes sense, as he didn't cleanly lose to Gargano during their match two weeks ago on NXT.
#3 Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez defeat Aliyah and Jessi Kamea on NXT
The duo of Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez advanced to the second round of the Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic after defeating Aliyah and Jessi Kamea on this week's NXT.
Unlike last week, where we witnessed a shocking underdog victory, the established duo had the better of the younger team here. Though Aliya and Jessi did get some offense in, Kai and Gonzalez were in total control and never felt for a second that they were in danger of losing the match.
Kai and Gonzalez will now face Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter in their next match, which will yet again be the story of underdogs trying to pull off a surprise. While Kai and Gonzalez are expected to go over, a surprise interference by an old foe may ruin the day.
Yes, Rhea Ripley is seemingly finished in NXT, but she still hasn't gotten her hands on Kai. The latter's interference in the Last Woman Standing match shifted the momentum towards Gonzalez, thus allowing her to win the bout. The interference can allow Kayden and Kacy to continue their fairytale run in the tournament and advance to the semi-finals.
#2 MSK advance to the semi-finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament on NXT
In the opening match of this week's NXT, MSK faced off against Drake Maverick and Killian Dain. Having debuted a couple of weeks ago, MSK instantly struck a chord with the fans and, as a result, were booked to go over here. While the match was relatively short, it was nevertheless fun and featured some great spots.
In the semi-finals of Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, MSK will the face winner of the match between Lucha House Patty and Legado del Fantasma. Going by the wrestling style adopted by all these teams, the semi-final bout is set to be a high-flying encounter with plenty of moments that will potentially make audiences go wild.
MSK is the pick of many to win the tournament. If that happens, it would be quite audacious of NXT management to let a newly signed duo go over all their existing teams.
As for Drake Maverick and Killian Dain, they can still be regularly featured on NXT, as their chemistry has impressed many. While they'll have to wait to win the elusive tag gold until later, they can iron out their differences and become a much more cohesive unit.
#1 Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez eye NXT Women's Championship
Toni Storm made her way to the ring and called out the NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai for interfering last week, and made it clear she wants her title. Shirai came out and the two quickly got into a scuffle. As soon as Shirai got the upper hand, Mercedes Martinez became involved and attacked her. Martinez grabbed the title, which made Storm confront her.
Shirai then attacked Martinez but was eventually put down by Storm, who stood tall holding the title when the segment ended. It's abundantly clear that we are heading in the direction of a three-way feud for the NXT Women's Championship between these three athletes.
The teased dissension between Storm and Martinez might lead to the two coming to blows sooner than later. On the other hand, Shirai is in real danger of losing her title now, as she's staring at not just one but two viable and strong challengers.
While many predicted Raquel Gonzalez to be Shirai's imminent challenger, Storm and Martinez can put up some great matches against the champion until Gonzalez steps in.
