NXT came to us, as always, from Full Sail University. Sure, it was a pretty cool show, but there was only one real headline this week. Of course, we’ll get to that in our recap, but let’s begin by saying that while it was a pretty solid episode. It wasn’t at the same level that we’ve come to expect, over the last few weeks.
There’s always enough during an NXT show to warrant a good rating from us, and we give it a thumbs up yet again. And as we enter the second round of the Dusty Rhodes Memorial Classic tournament, we know that the action is going to pick up next week.
With three weeks to go until NXT Takeover goes to Toronto, here are some memorable points from NXT this week.
#5 She's back after 6 years
The running storyline for the past few weeks has been that Asuka is far better than everyone in the current NXT Women’s division, and having been undefeated for a year, there’s literally nobody who can take her down.
Sadly, the storyline is a borderline shoot, considering that there is no female wrestler in the company, who’s in the same league as her, in terms of actual in-ring work and charisma. Enter William Regal after Asuka’s squash match against Thea Trinidad (Gee, wonder where she’s from); with an announcement that had us all marking out.
Of course, as news reporters, we were aware that Mickie James would make a comeback, but we marked out nevertheless. James warned Asuka that while she may have defeated everyone who’s ever faced her. Asuka has never faced anyone like Mickie James. An international incident will happen at Takeover!
#4 New ally for Liv Morgan
The good news is that Aliyah looks less green than Billie Kay, Peyton Royce and even Liv Morgan. Furthermore, the fact that she picked up a win over Billy Kay has catapulted her into the mid card, which desperately needed someone to bolster the women’s division.
The heel stable of the two evil Aussies, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce have been terrorising sweet and unassuming Liv Morgan, over the past few weeks. However, when Aliyah came to her aid, it looked like the two of them had formed an alliance to keep the Australians at bay.
There’s a vast gulf between a star like Asuka and the rest of the Women’s Division; and we feel that Aliyah’s entry will create a new star, to help bolster it.
#3 DIY are in #Secondround
We have seen #DIY wrestle far better matches during their NXT run. This was practically a squash match, and nothing to write about, except for the fact that #DIY is reasonably over with the crowd, and that their next match will be against their arch rivals, the NXT Tag Team Champions- The Revival.
Oh, before we forget, Tian Bing, was part of the match too, and we had our first glimpse of NXT's first Chinese signee in the ring. A real physical specimen, we wonder what the future has in store for the man. Let’s also see how far #DIY can go in the actual tournament.
#2 A glorious beat down
When you put two Canadians with great chemistry in the ring, the results are guaranteed to be explosive. Bret and Owen Hart always stole the show. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn always put on classics. Chris Jericho and Chis Ben...oh, sorry, we cannot go on, for fear of censorship.
In any case, Bobby Roode and Tye Dillinger, have the best non-title feud happening in the entire NXT roster right now, and when they take centre stage in their home country, it’s guaranteed to be a modern day classic wrestling match.
Officially, as news reporters, we must inform you that Tye Dillinger defeated Noah Potjes. However, as wrestling fans, we would like to proclaim, that what happened in the ring, paled in comparison to the beat down from Bobby Roode on the ramp. Maybe a MOTY (man of the year) candidate in Toronto?
#1 Cruiserweight Classic action on NXT
Ever since the Cruiserweight Classic was done, there’s been a void in every wrestling fan’s life that cannot be satiated. The Cruiserweights have appeared on Raw since then, but the matches are far less hard hitting and exciting.
Weeks after winning the Cruiserweight Championship at Full Sail, T.J. Perkins made his glorious return to the arena, and teaming up with Kota Ibushi, took on Lince Dorado and Mustafa Ali. This wouldn’t have been the best match on CWC, but the style wasn’t watered down, like it is on the red brand. This was awesome!
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