As always NXT came to us from the Full Sail Arena and unlike last week, was filled with nail-biting action and excitement. After a disappointing Raw and Smackdown, this was definitely the best show this week. The new generation of NXT took over from veterans such as Balor, Bayley and American Alpha and proved that they too can carry the brand.
Of course, the veterans made their presence felt, and the following weeks will be interesting. Here’s what we found notable about today’s slobber knocker show.
1: The Joe-Nakamura rivalry is definitely not over
Samoa Joe was at ringside, for guest commentary during the Shinsuke Nakamura-Steve Cutler encounter. As Corey Graves remarked during this episode, the old Samoa Joe would have been incensed after his loss at Takeover: Brooklyn II. But this new Samoa Joe was even more intimidating by being cool, calm and collected about the whole episode.
After Nakamura comprehensively defeated Cutler with the “Kinshasaaaaaaa”, Joe and the NXT Champion did have a staredown. But instead of walking to the ring, Joe would walk backstage. If anything, this makes him seem scarier than ever before. We’re sure this is leading to a Takeover match in the future.
2: Ember Moon seems like a legitimate challenger for Asuka
Last week, we lamented about how few legitimate competitors there were for Asuka’s NXT Women’s Championship belt. Ember Moon seems like the only woman in the division with the in-ring skills, charisma, presence and overall skills to challenge her. Because think about it- could you really imagine Liv Morgan or Billy Kay in a title match at a Takeover special? Especially after the standards that Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley have set?
We’re not saying Ember Moon is in the same league as the legends we’ve mentioned, but she's definitely the second best female wrestler in NXT today. And while her match may not be the classic we’ve come to expect from a Takeover, she’ll give Asuka a competitive match. Heck, we hope she goes over because her finisher is a sight to behold. How does she execute a twisting stunner from mid air?
3: The tag team division is heating up
Shane Thorne and Nick Miller took on Tony Nesse and Ariya Daivari in a nail-biting encounter to kickstart this week’s episode of NXT. And if this is the level of action that is coming to Raw, because of the Cruiserweight Division, we are all in. But that aside the tag team division is quickly becoming the prime attraction at NXT shows. Even with the departure of American Alpha, The Revival, Gargano/Ciampa and The Authors of Pain are continuously raising the bar, every single week. And TM61 fits into that environment like a glove. It’s truly a great time to be a pro wrestling fan.
4: Austin Aries is getting a big push
Austin Aries has had a bittersweet run in NXT. Sure, he’s one of the top singles stars in the division, but he hasn’t lived up to the hype of other big signees ever since he came to NXT. Sure he’s had great matches on the big stage (with No Way Jose and Nakamura), but there’s always been that missing ingredient that stops him from being a legitimate contender for the NXT Championship.
Unlike the women’s division, the male roster is full of bigger stars. But with his victory at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II and subsequent win over Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas; Aries looks like he’s on a roll. Sure, he’s in a feud with Hideo Itami now, but in the long run we can see him going for the NXT Championship, especially considering that we finally have a babyface champion. One thing we cannot take away from Itami is that he delivers in big matches. Aries and Nakamura will tear the house down.
5: A glorious reason to tune in again, next week
Bobby Roode has probably been the biggest star to sign to NXT this year. And his entrance music and theme have become the hottest talking point of the NXT Universe. Next week, he squares off against No Way Jose, with whom he had a backstage altercation last week.
What is the future for Bobby Roode’s glorious run? Does his reign of glorious terror begin next week? We can’t wait to tune in next week and find out what’s in store. GLORIOUSLY!
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