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NXT dominates the list this week because the black-and-gold brand offered several exemplary matches. For AEW fans, the Revolution pay-per-view will probably deliver several fantastic matches soon, as the show is packed with potential Match of the Year contenders. Next week's list should reflect this remarkable show.
Presently, the black-and-gold brand is giving fans some genuinely exciting programming. But another promotion both cracked the top five and nearly took home the top spot. First, here's a look at two honorable mentions:
- Mansoor vs Curt Stallion (WWE 205 Live)
- Shaq and Jade Cargill vs. Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet (AEW Dynamite)
WWE's cruiserweight brand used to be one of the most exciting wrestling programs one could watch, but it fell apart during the pandemic. Still, 205 Live's main event of Curt Stallion vs. Mansoor showcased what the division is capable of. This match helped 205 Live scratch and claw its way back onto this list.
AEW Dynamite was a solid show this week, but it didn't deliver too much eye-catching in-ring action. The opening match was a spectacle though, as Shaquille O'Neal and Jade Cargill took on Cody and Red Velvet. No one expected too much out of The Big Aristotle's abilities as a wrestler, but he did enough to help make this match a memorable event.
With that out of the way, let's kick things off with an NXT bout.
#5 Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch on NXT
With these four NXT studs, fans expected an in-your-face, hard-nosed brawl, and that's exactly what viewers got. Tommaso Ciampa, Timothy Thatcher, and the NXT Tag Team Champions have very similar styles, as they all pound their opponents into the mat, throwing their best shots from the opening bell.
While NXT was originally scheduled to deliver a title bout between One-Two and MSK, an injury to Wes Lee left Lorcan and Burch searching for a new opponent. Thatcher and the former NXT Champion stepped up, and these men delivered an incredible opener.
If you're a fan of uppercuts, lariats, and men punching each other in the jaw until one of them passes out, this one would certainly be up your alley. These guys tore each other apart, and for a while it looked like "Team Angry Dads" would knock off the champs.
Unfortunately, they were distracted by the appearance of Imperium on the stage, and One-Two capitalized by hitting their elevated Impaler DDT on Thatcher for the win.
The match was excellent, but the real story was Thatcher's potential connection with Imperium. He has some serious history with the stable, and after a tease featuring Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe the week prior, it seems that a new super group could be forming on NXT.
#4 Dakota Kai and Raquel González vs. Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax on NXT
Speaking of great tag team matches, the NXT Women's Dusty Cup winners challenged for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship this week. Dakota Kai and Raquel González have become one of the most beloved duos in NXT, and they hoped to translate their momentum into a crowning moment as the champions.
Kai and González cemented their status as an exemplary team at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, where they overcame Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart in the tournament finals.
Shortly thereafter, the popular pairing was rewarded with a title match against Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax. Kai had some bitter history with The Queen of Spades, but regardless of who she was in the ring with, The Captain of Team Kick was destined to fight an uphill battle.
But on Wednesday, Baszler nearly met her match, as she faced a Kai that was quite different from the one she bullied several years ago. Even in defeat, Kai proved herself as a legitimate player on NXT.
The match was also a phenomenal showcase for González, who was able to overpower Jax and break away from Baszler's many holds through brute force. Both of these women are truly stars in NXT, and they surely put the Women's Tag Team Champions on notice. Unfortunately for the challengers, some foul play near the end of the bout led to Kai tapping out to Baszler.
That being said, NXT general manager William Regal teased a major announcement that will shake the foundation of NXT to its core. Most fans expect Regal to reveal Women's Tag Team Championships for NXT, but others hope he'll give Kai and González a rematch. Time will tell what Regal has up his sleeve.
#3 Finn Balor vs. Roderick Strong on NXT
In Wednesday night's main event, NXT Champion Finn Balor faced Roderick Strong in an exciting non-title bout. The Prince can't seem to shake the remnants of The Undisputed ERA, as Kyle O'Reilly, Adam Cole, and Strong all continue to target him on a regular basis.
This time around, Balor confronted The Messiah of the Backbreaker as an extension of his issues with Cole. At the beginning of the show, the NXT Champion claimed that Strong lacked the killer instinct Cole and O'Reilly have demonstrated.
In the main event, Strong looked to prove Balor wrong, and he delivered in an outstanding contest with the two-time NXT Champion. On several occasions, it seemed like the workhorse of The Undisputed ERA would walk away with a victory.
But in the end, Balor had his hand raised after the Coup de Grâce and the 1916 put Strong down for the three count.
Next week, Balor will put the NXT Championship on the line against Cole. It should go without saying that fans can expect to see that match on next week's list, though AEW Revolution will be difficult to top.
#2 Ace Austin vs. Chris Bey vs. Black Taurus on IMPACT Wrestling
Once again, an X-Division Match stole the show on IMPACT Wrestling. IMPACT's prized division put on a phenomenal opener this week, as Ace Austin, Chris Bey and Black Taurus clashed with an X-Division Championship Match on the line.
The trio won a six-man tag team match last week to earn this opportunity, and these three men didn't let it go to waste. Black Taurus was often forced into a two-on-one situation, since Bey and Austin were both unable to keep up with his sheer power and insane speed on their own.
Decay's newest monster had an incredible showing this week, and though he didn't win the match, he proved that his stable is a force to be reckoned with.
After Taurus was sent to the floor, Bey looked to finish the job with the Art of Finesse. However, Ace Austin's own monster, Madman Fulton, knocked him off the ropes and allowed Austin to secure the win with The Fold.
Any of these competitors could deliver a great match with the champion, TJP. But IMPACT Wrestling's Inevitable One won the bout to earn the title shot. When fans do get that match, it will certainly be another contender for this list.
#1 Kay Lee Ray vs. Meiko Satomura on NXT UK
Meiko Satomura, also known as The Final Boss, recently debuted for NXT UK , and she was quickly handed an opportunity to face NXT UK Women's Champion Kay Lee Ray.
KLR has absolutely dominated NXT UK, as she has defeated the likes of Toni Storm, Piper Niven, Mia Yim, Isla Dawn, and Jinny. But the 28-year-old faced what would be her greatest test when Meiko Satomura appeared on the scene.
Early on, the newcomer blasted KLR with a flurry of kicks, but the NXT UK Women's Champion refused to back down. A koji clutch was nearly enough to put Satomura away, but she was able to escape the hold. The match was a back-and-forth spectacle, and each competitor floored her opponent with heavy shots.
Throughout the match, KLR looked for her vicious Gory Bomb, but Satomura always seemed to have an answer for it. In the end, that same move put the legendary star down for the count.
KLR's reign as the champ has been phenomenal, and much like Pete Dunne and WALTER have done with the UK Championship, she has elevated the belt with consistently fantastic peformances.
Wrestling fans should go out of their way to watch this match because these women delivered a terrific main event that lived up to the hype.
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